Battery cover plate-based C-shaped steel sleeve opening directional assembly tooling

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of steel sleeve assembly tooling technology, and discloses a C-shaped steel sleeve opening orientation assembly tooling based on a battery cover plate. The tooling includes a pneumatic steel sleeve press, an externally mounted moving module, and a cover plate body mounted on the moving module. The cover plate body has flange holes along its edge for assembling the opening steel sleeve. A rotating station module is mounted on the frame of the pneumatic steel sleeve press. Through the core structure of the rotating station module, driver, and rotating disk, the automatic and precise adjustment of the opening direction of the opening steel sleeve is achieved, fundamentally solving the problem of inconsistent angles in traditional manual assembly. The driver drives the rotating disk to rotate, stably adjusting the opening of the opening steel sleeve to face the inside of the cover plate body and constraining it within a preset range of ±45°. This effectively avoids stress concentration caused by incorrect opening orientation and significantly reduces the risk of cracking or damage to the battery cover plate during the locking process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of steel sleeve assembly tooling technology, specifically a C-shaped steel sleeve opening directional assembly tooling based on a battery cover plate. Background Technology

[0002] As a key component of battery modules, the battery cover is typically made of a plastic-glass fiber composite material. This material is lightweight and has good insulation properties, but its overall structural strength is relatively low. During screw tightening assembly, it is prone to cracking, deformation, and other damage due to high torque. To address this issue, the industry typically installs a C-shaped steel sleeve inside the flange hole of the battery cover as a protective component. The C-shaped steel sleeve is slightly thicker than the battery cover body, effectively dispersing and absorbing torque loads during screw tightening, preventing direct force damage to the cover. Simultaneously, it works in conjunction with a sealing structure to achieve both sealing and buffering protection for the battery cover.

[0003] Currently, there are obvious defects in the assembly of C-shaped steel sleeves: the orientation of the opening of the C-shaped steel sleeve directly affects the performance. The opening must face the inside of the battery cover and be constrained within ±45°. If the opening is not oriented correctly, it will cause stress concentration, which will still cause the battery cover to crack or break when locked, and will also affect the sealing performance and structural stability.

[0004] Traditional assembly methods often involve manually placing the steel sleeve and aligning the opening direction based on experience. This is not only inefficient and inconsistent, but also prone to errors in opening orientation. Existing automated equipment lacks a dedicated structure for orienting the steel sleeve opening. It either relies on complex vibratory feeder screening, which has poor applicability and is prone to jamming, or it cannot accurately control the opening angle, making it difficult to achieve stable and reliable semi-automated and automated assembly. This has become a technical bottleneck in the mass production of battery cover plates.

[0005] Therefore, this invention proposes a C-shaped steel sleeve opening directional assembly tooling based on a battery cover plate. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a C-shaped steel sleeve opening directional assembly tooling based on a battery cover plate to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a C-shaped steel sleeve opening orientation assembly fixture based on a battery cover plate, comprising a pneumatic steel sleeve press 1, a moving module 3 externally provided on the pneumatic steel sleeve press 1, a cover plate body 2 mounted on the moving module 3, a flange hole 21 opened along the edge of the cover plate body 2, the flange hole 21 being used for assembling the opening steel sleeve 22, a rotating station module 5 provided on the frame 4 of the pneumatic steel sleeve press 1, the rotating station module 5 comprising a driver 52 and a rotating disk 53; the rotating disk 53 is mounted on the output end of the driver 52, the opening steel sleeve 22 can be placed on the rotating disk 53, the driver 52 drives the rotating disk 53 to rotate, so as to adjust the opening of the opening steel sleeve 22 to face the inside of the cover plate body 2, and the opening direction is constrained within the range of ±45°.

[0008] Preferably, the driver 52 can automatically drive the rotary disk 53 to rotate according to the assembly position of the flange hole 21, so as to adjust the opening of the open steel sleeve 22 to a preset angle that matches the flange hole 21 for subsequent assembly.

[0009] Preferably, the bottom of the pneumatic steel sleeve press 1 is fixedly connected to a frame 4, the moving module 3 is mounted on the frame 4, and the driver 52 is fixedly mounted on the surface of the frame 4.

[0010] Preferably, a positioning boss 54 is fixedly connected to the surface of the rotating disk 53, and the opening steel sleeve 22 is sleeved on the positioning boss 54 and rotates synchronously with the rotating disk 53 to complete the opening orientation.

[0011] Preferably, a feeding module 6 is installed on the outer side of the platform 4, and the feeding module 6 is used to transport the open steel sleeve 22 to the rotary table 53.

[0012] Preferably, a mounting base 51 is fixedly connected to the platform 4, and the rotating disk 53 is rotatably connected to the interior of the mounting base 51. The feeding module 6 conveys the open steel sleeve 22 to the center position of the rotating disk 53. The diameter of the rotating disk 53 is smaller than the diameter of the open steel sleeve 22. A limiting ring 56 is fixedly connected to the surface of the mounting base 51. The limiting ring 56 forms a friction damping engagement with the inner wall of the open steel sleeve 22. The rotating disk 53 has a built-in spring rod 55. The spring rod 55 rotates synchronously with the rotating disk 53. During the rotation, it is squeezed and contracted by the closed side wall of the open steel sleeve 22. When it rotates to the open position, it extends outward and gets into the opening. Then, it rotates together with the rotating disk 53 to rotate the open steel sleeve 22 to a preset angle position.

[0013] Preferably, the spring rod 55 includes a groove 551, a support spring 552, and a round-headed slide rod 553. The groove 551 is formed inside the rotating disk 53, the round-headed slide rod 553 is slidably disposed in the groove 551, and the support spring 552 is fixedly connected between the groove 551 and the round-headed slide rod 553.

[0014] Preferably, a guide rail module 57 is mounted on both the platform 4 and the mounting base 51. A vision module 58 is mounted on the guide rail module 57. The guide rail module 57 drives the vision module 58 to make displacement adjustment so that the vision module 58 is close to the rotating disk 53 under the detection condition. This is used to identify the initial opening position of the open steel sleeve 22 and the opening position after rotation adjustment, so as to avoid structural interference under the material picking condition.

[0015] Preferably, the moving module 3 is equipped with a fixing plate that is compatible with the bottom of the cover plate body 2, and the cover plate body 2 is placed on the fixing plate to achieve positioning and fixation.

[0016] Preferably, the pneumatic steel sleeve press 1 is equipped with a pressure head 11 at its power output end. A positioning module 12 is provided on the frame 4 at the bottom of the pneumatic steel sleeve press 1. An elastic element 121 is assembled inside the positioning module 12. A floating positioning rod 122 is connected to the upper end of the elastic element 121. The floating positioning rod 122 is slidably assembled inside the positioning module 12. A limiting washer 123 is fixedly provided inside the positioning module 12. A pressing module 13 is provided on the outside of the positioning module 12. The pressing module 13 includes a pressing cylinder 131 and a pressing head 132. The pressing cylinder 131 is fixedly installed on the outside of the positioning module 12. The pressing head 132 is fixedly connected to the output end of the pressing cylinder 131. The pressing cylinder 131 can drive the pressing head 132 to move downward to press against the open steel sleeve 22 and complete the pressing operation.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: 1. Through the core structural design of the rotary workstation module, driver, and rotary disk, the opening direction of the open steel sleeve is automatically and precisely adjusted, fundamentally solving the problem of inconsistent angles that cannot be guaranteed by traditional manual assembly. The driver drives the rotary disk to rotate, which can stably adjust the opening of the open steel sleeve to face the inside of the cover body and constrain it within a preset range of ±45°. This effectively avoids stress concentration caused by incorrect opening orientation and significantly reduces the risk of cracking and breakage of the battery cover during the locking process. This structure, together with the positioning boss, enables the rapid centering and positioning of the steel sleeve, reduces assembly deviation, improves orientation accuracy and assembly qualification rate, and helps to achieve standardization and uniformity of steel sleeve assembly. It improves the inefficiency, error-proneness, and insufficient stability caused by manual alignment based on experience, provides reliable structural protection for the mass production of battery covers, and improves the overall product service life and safety performance.

[0018] 2. Through the coordinated operation of the feeding module, the limiting ring, and the spring rod, the mechanical automatic positioning and orientation of the open steel sleeve is achieved, further improving the automation level and operational stability of the tooling. The limiting ring and the inner wall of the steel sleeve form a friction damping engagement, ensuring that the steel sleeve remains stationary when the rotating disk is idling. The spring rod can automatically retract, extend, and engage with the opening of the steel sleeve as the rotating disk rotates, achieving reliable drive. Angle calibration can be completed without manual intervention. This structure does not require complex control logic, is reliable in operation, and has a low failure rate. It effectively improves the problems of easy jamming and orientation failure in traditional automated equipment, improves the smoothness of feeding and orientation, helps to reduce labor costs and increase production cycle. At the same time, it has low requirements for equipment environment and operation, strong applicability, and can stably adapt to the batch assembly needs of battery cover plates of different specifications.

[0019] 3. By integrating the guide rail module and vision module, intelligent visual recognition and real-time closed-loop control of the open steel sleeve are achieved, enabling the tooling to reach a higher level of fully automated operation with greater precision. The vision module can directly identify the initial opening position and real-time posture of the steel sleeve, continuously detecting and dynamically correcting the angle during rotation. This eliminates the need for mechanical clamping structures, reducing the requirements for concentricity in steel sleeve placement and effectively improving issues such as mechanical wear, jamming, and frequent maintenance. The guide rail module drives the vision module to switch between detection and avoidance, preventing interference and improving equipment operational safety. This solution significantly improves orientation accuracy and equipment compatibility, facilitating the construction of unmanned production lines, improving assembly consistency and product yield, and providing an efficient, stable, and high-precision solution for the automated production of high-end battery cover plates.

[0020] 4. Through the systematic design of the pneumatic steel sleeve press, moving module, rotary orientation mechanism, and automatic material handling mechanism, the entire process from feeding, orientation, and obstacle avoidance to pressing is highly efficient, effectively simplifying the assembly process and shortening production time. The tooling fully considers the low strength of the plastic and glass fiber material of the battery cover, relying on the steel sleeve to disperse torque and strictly control the opening direction to maximize the protection of the cover from damage, improve the product assembly quality and sealing performance. At the same time, the tooling is compatible with the assembly requirements of various specifications of cover and steel sleeve, with convenient switching and strong versatility. It helps enterprises reduce equipment investment costs, improve production line flexibility, and comprehensively improve the efficiency, stability, and economy of battery cover assembly, possessing high practical value and market promotion prospects.

[0021] 5. By adding a rotary pressing cylinder with a magnetic switch, a pressing head with cushioning cloth attached to the lower end, and an integrated pressing structure with a positioning module incorporating an elastic element and a floating positioning rod, the orientation and pressing of the open steel sleeve are integrated in the same station. This improves the automation integration of the tooling and overcomes the shortcomings of traditional separate orientation and pressing stations that require workpiece transfer and are prone to angle deviation of the steel sleeve. It helps eliminate assembly defects caused by manual transfer. Relying on the double buffer structure of the floating positioning rod driven by the elastic element and the flexible pressure bearing of the cloth at the bottom of the pressing head, the pressing force is released gently, improving the appearance qualification rate of the battery cover body. This technology improves the problem of easily scratched and cracked fiberglass plastic cover plates during rigid press fitting, helping to reduce product scrap and loss. Combined with limit washers to precisely control the pressing depth and magnetic switch electrical control interlocking design to prevent mistaken insertion, it achieves uniform exposed dimensions of the steel sleeve and locks off equipment malfunctions. By relying on limit washers to limit the downward stroke of the steel sleeve, it avoids misalignment between the steel sleeve and the end face of the cover plate profile, stably controls the assembly surface difference within the allowable tolerance range of the process, improves the consistency of batch assembly dimensions and the safety of equipment operation, and addresses the shortcomings of inconsistent dimensions and easy accidental triggering without safety interlocks in manual press fitting. It helps to shorten the assembly cycle time of the production line and reduce the intensity of manual operation. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a frontal perspective three-dimensional schematic diagram of the main structure in Embodiment 1 of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a side view of the main structure in Embodiment 1 of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the main structure from another angle in Embodiment 1 of the present invention; Figure 4 For the present invention Figure 3 Enlarged 3D structural diagram at point A; Figure 5 This is a partial three-dimensional schematic diagram of the main structure in Embodiment 1 of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a partial three-dimensional schematic diagram of the fit between the open steel sleeve and the flange hole of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the cooperation relationship between the cover plate body and the moving module in Embodiment 1 of the present invention; Figure 8 This is a partial three-dimensional schematic diagram of the main structure in Embodiment 2 of the present invention; Figure 9 For the present invention Figure 8 Enlarged 3D schematic diagram of the structure at point B; Figure 10 This is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the spring rod in the extended state in Embodiment 2 of the present invention; Figure 11This is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the spring rod in a compressed state according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention; Figure 12 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the main structure in Embodiment 3 of the present invention; Figure 13 For the present invention Figure 12 Enlarged 3D structural schematic at point C; Figure 14 This is a partial three-dimensional schematic diagram of the main structure in Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 15 This is a partial three-dimensional schematic diagram of the main structure in Embodiment 4 of the present invention; Figure 16 This is a partial cross-sectional plan view of the main structure in an unpressed state in Embodiment 4 of the present invention; Figure 17 This is a partial cross-sectional plan view of the main structure in the pressed state in Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

[0024] In the picture: 1. Pneumatic steel sleeve press; 11. Press head; 12. Positioning module; 121. Elastic element; 122. Floating positioning rod; 123. Limiting washer; 13. Pressing module; 131. Pressing cylinder; 132. Pressing head; 2. Cover plate body; 21. Flange hole; 22. Opening steel sleeve; 3. Moving module; 4. Stand; 5. Rotary station module; 51. Mounting base; 52. Driver; 53. Rotary disk; 54. Positioning boss; 55. Spring rod; 551. Slide groove; 552. Support spring; 553. Round head slide rod; 56. Limiting ring; 57. Guide rail module; 58. Vision module; 6. Feeding module. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0026] It should be noted that the pneumatic steel sleeve press 1, moving module 3, feeding module 6, guide rail module 57, vision module 58, and external robot all adopt existing mature technologies. Specifically: the pneumatic steel sleeve press 1 is used to provide pressing power to complete the pressing operation of the open steel sleeve 22; the moving module 3 is used to drive the cover plate body 2 to realize the movement and position adjustment of the work station; the feeding module 6 is used to realize the automatic feeding and supply of the open steel sleeve 22; the guide rail module 57 is used to drive the vision module 58 to realize the position switching of detection and avoidance; the vision module 58 is used for the opening orientation recognition and angle detection of the open steel sleeve 22; and the external robot is used for the automatic picking, placing, and transferring of the open steel sleeve 22. The above structures are all existing conventional settings. Given the universality of their structure and working principle, their specific principles will not be described in detail below.

[0027] like Figures 1 to 3 as well as Figure 6 As shown, Example 1: A C-shaped steel sleeve opening orientation assembly fixture based on a battery cover plate includes a pneumatic steel sleeve press 1. A moving module 3 is provided on the outside of the pneumatic steel sleeve press 1. The moving module 3 is equipped with a cover plate body 2. The cover plate body 2 has a flange hole 21 along its edge for assembling the opening steel sleeve 22. A rotary station module 5 is provided on the frame 4 of the pneumatic steel sleeve press 1. The rotary station module 5 includes a driver 52 and a rotary disk 53. The rotary disk 53 is installed at the output end of the driver 52. The opening steel sleeve 22 can be placed on the rotary disk 53. The driver 52 drives the rotary disk 53 to rotate so as to adjust the opening of the opening steel sleeve 22 to face the inside of the cover plate body 2, and the opening direction is constrained within ±45°.

[0028] It should be noted that the driver 52 can automatically drive the rotary disk 53 to rotate according to the assembly position of the flange hole 21, so as to adjust the opening of the open steel sleeve 22 to a preset angle that matches the flange hole 21 for subsequent assembly.

[0029] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, a frame 4 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the pneumatic steel sleeve press 1, the moving module 3 is installed on the frame 4, and the driver 52 is fixedly installed on the surface of the frame 4.

[0030] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, a positioning boss 54 is fixedly connected to the surface of the rotating disk 53, and the opening steel sleeve 22 is fitted on the positioning boss 54 and rotates synchronously with the rotating disk 53 to complete the opening orientation.

[0031] like Figure 7 As shown, the moving module 3 is equipped with a fixing plate that is compatible with the bottom of the cover body 2, and the cover body 2 is placed on the fixing plate to achieve positioning and fixation.

[0032] It should be noted that the driver 52 uses a servo motor or a stepper motor. The driver 52 is connected to the moving module 3 and the equipment control system respectively. The moving module 3 drives the cover plate body 2 to move to the work position. The equipment system pre-enters the position parameters of each flange hole 21. The control system accurately calculates and controls the rotation angle and direction of the driver 52 according to the position parameters of the flange hole 21. This fixture is also equipped with a sensing sensor, which is set next to the rotary disk 53 or the positioning boss 54 to detect in real time whether the open steel sleeve 22 is placed in place. Only when the sensor detects that the open steel sleeve 22 is securely placed on the positioning boss 54 will the control system trigger the driver 52 to start the rotation action, so as to avoid no-load rotation or accidental start without material, and ensure the accuracy of directional assembly and the stability of equipment operation.

[0033] Specifically, firstly, the operator places the cover plate body 2 on the fixing plate of the moving module 3. The fixing plate is adapted to the bottom of the cover plate body 2 to achieve quick positioning and fixation of the cover plate body 2, avoiding displacement during subsequent assembly and ensuring accurate assembly of the flange hole 21. This prepares for the subsequent assembly of the open steel sleeve 22. The open steel sleeve 22, as a protective component, is slightly thicker than the cover plate body 2. After subsequent assembly, it can effectively disperse and absorb most of the torque during the locking process, protecting the cover plate body 2 (plastic + fiberglass material, with low strength) from damage.

[0034] Next, the operator places the open steel sleeve 22 onto the positioning boss 54 on the surface of the rotating disk 53 to accurately position the open steel sleeve 22, aiming to replace manual alignment and reduce initial placement errors.

[0035] At this time, the induction sensor next to the rotating disk 53 detects the placement status of the opening steel sleeve 22 in real time. When the sensor confirms that the opening steel sleeve 22 is securely in place, it sends a signal to the control system. The control system then triggers the driver 52 to start working. The driver 52 uses a servo motor or stepper motor, which has the advantages of precise rotation angle and rapid response. It is also linked with the moving module 3 and the control system. The specific position parameters of each flange hole 21 on the edge of the cover plate body 2 are pre-entered into the equipment system. After the moving module 3 moves the cover plate body 2 to the preset work position, the control system will accurately calculate the required rotation angle and direction of the driver 52 according to the position parameters of the currently aligned flange hole 21, providing accurate guarantee for the opening orientation.

[0036] Subsequently, the driver 52 drives the rotating disk 53 to rotate at a constant speed. The rotating disk 53 drives the positioning boss 54 on the surface to rotate synchronously, which in turn drives the open steel sleeve 22 fitted on it to rotate together until the opening of the open steel sleeve 22 is adjusted to the preset angle range.

[0037] It should be noted that the opening orientation of the open steel sleeve 22 is crucial. The core function of this tooling is to clearly define the opening direction reference and solve the drawbacks of "aligning the opening by feel" in traditional manual operation. Even if there is a slight error when manually placing the steel sleeve, the precise adjustment of this mechanism can ensure that the opening direction meets the requirements, avoid random errors in manual operation, and effectively prevent the cover plate body 2 from cracking due to stress concentration at different installation angles. This not only ensures the consistency of the opening orientation but also reserves a reasonable error space for subsequent press-fit assembly, improves assembly compatibility, and further protects the cover plate body 2, which has relatively low strength.

[0038] After the angle adjustment is completed, the operator takes the qualified open steel sleeve 22 from the positioning boss 54 and sends it to the pneumatic steel sleeve press 1. The pneumatic steel sleeve press 1 presses the open steel sleeve 22 directly into the flange hole 21 of the cover plate body 2 according to the adjusted precise angle, thus completing the assembly.

[0039] This embodiment adopts a semi-automatic structural design, which not only reduces labor costs but also improves assembly efficiency and quality: the positioning boss 54 enables rapid positioning of the open steel sleeve 22, and the linkage between the driver 52 and the control system enables automatic and precise adjustment of the opening direction, providing a clear angle reference for manual operation. This completely changes the traditional method of manually aligning the opening by feeling, and greatly reduces manual operation errors and labor intensity.

[0040] like Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, based on Example 1, Example 2 is as follows: A feeding module 6 is installed on the outside of the frame 4. The feeding module 6 is used to transport the open steel sleeve 22 to the rotary table 53. A mounting base 51 is fixedly connected to the frame 4, and the rotary table 53 is rotatably connected to the inside of the mounting base 51.

[0041] It should be noted that the feeding module 6 conveys the open steel sleeve 22 to the center position of the rotating disk 53. The diameter of the rotating disk 53 is smaller than the diameter of the open steel sleeve 22. A limit ring 56 is fixedly connected to the surface of the mounting base 51. The limit ring 56 forms a friction damping engagement with the inner wall of the open steel sleeve 22. The rotating disk 53 has a built-in spring rod 55. The spring rod 55 rotates synchronously with the rotating disk 53. During the rotation, it is squeezed and contracted by the closed side wall of the open steel sleeve 22. When it rotates to the open position, it extends outward and gets into the opening. Then, it rotates together with the rotating disk 53 to rotate the open steel sleeve 22 to the preset angle position.

[0042] like Figures 9 to 11 As shown, the spring rod 55 includes a groove 551, a support spring 552 and a round-headed slide rod 553. The groove 551 is opened inside the rotating disk 53, the round-headed slide rod 553 is slidably disposed in the groove 551, and the support spring 552 is fixedly connected between the groove 551 and the round-headed slide rod 553.

[0043] It should be added that the feeding module 6 specifically adopts a vibratory feeder feeding mechanism. The vibratory feeder is equipped with a track and direction screening structure, which can transport the open steel sleeve 22 in an orderly manner with a uniform posture, and push the open steel sleeve 22 smoothly to the center position of the rotating disk 53 through the pusher cylinder or pusher rod at the end, so as to realize automatic feeding.

[0044] To ensure reliable positioning and stable orientation, the driver 52 will drive the rotating disk 53 to rotate at least two revolutions continuously, ensuring that the round-headed slide bar 553 can be stably engaged in the opening without slipping or mis-engaging.

[0045] Specifically, the feeding module 6 organizes the randomly placed open steel sleeves 22 into a uniform posture and transports them in an orderly manner. When they are transported to the end of the track, the pushing cylinder or pushing rod smoothly pushes the open steel sleeves 22 to the center position of the rotating disk 53 to complete the automatic feeding. There is no need for manual placement, which further improves the feeding efficiency and consistency.

[0046] After the open steel sleeve 22 falls onto the rotating disk 53, since the diameter of the rotating disk 53 is smaller than the inner diameter of the open steel sleeve 22, the open steel sleeve 22 will not be directly driven by the rotating disk 53. At this time, the limiting ring 56 on the mounting base 51 forms a stable friction damping fit with the inner wall of the open steel sleeve 22. Under the action of friction, the open steel sleeve 22 can remain stationary and will not rotate with the rotating disk 53, nor will it freely shift due to external force or vibration, thus providing a stable foundation for subsequent mechanical positioning.

[0047] It should be added that the outer diameter of the rotating disk 53 is designed to be smaller than the inner diameter of the open steel sleeve 22, and there is a reasonable gap between the two. Therefore, when the rotating disk 53 rotates, it only makes slight contact with the bottom of the open steel sleeve 22. It cannot generate a sufficiently large driving force to drive the open steel sleeve 22 to rotate synchronously through direct contact. At the same time, the limiting ring 56 fixed on the mounting base 51 fits tightly against the open steel sleeve 22, forming circumferential frictional resistance. This frictional resistance is much greater than the contact friction between the rotating disk 53 and the bottom of the open steel sleeve 22. Under the damping constraint of the limiting ring 56, the open steel sleeve 22 is subjected to a stable circumferential braking effect.

[0048] Subsequently, the driver 52 drives the rotating disk 53 to start rotating, and the spring rod 55 inside the rotating disk 53 rotates synchronously. During the rotation, when the round-headed slide rod 553 passes through the closed side wall of the open steel sleeve 22, it will be squeezed inward, compressing the support spring 552 and being housed in the slide groove 551. At this time, the round-headed slide rod 553 cannot form a locking position, and the open steel sleeve 22 remains stationary under the friction of the limiting ring 56.

[0049] When the round-headed slide rod 553 rotates with the rotating disk 53 to the opening position of the opening steel sleeve 22, the elastic force of the support spring 552 pushes the round-headed slide rod 553 outward, so that it is locked into the opening, forming a mechanical locking engagement. In addition, to ensure that the locking is firm and that there is no false locking or disengagement, the driver 52 will drive the rotating disk 53 to rotate at least two revolutions continuously, so that the round-headed slide rod 553 is fully engaged with the opening.

[0050] After the positioning is completed, the rotating disk 53 continues to rotate. The round-headed slide bar 553 overcomes the frictional damping of the limiting ring 56 through mechanical positioning, and forces the open steel sleeve 22 to rotate synchronously until the open steel sleeve 22 is rotated to the preset angle position that matches the flange hole 21, thus completing the precise orientation.

[0051] After orientation is completed, the open steel sleeve 22 can be removed from the rotating plate 53 by manual handling or external material handling mechanism and transferred to the pneumatic steel sleeve press 1 at the rear end. The pneumatic steel sleeve press 1 will press the open steel sleeve 22 stably into the flange hole 21 of the cover plate body 2 to complete the entire assembly process.

[0052] This embodiment achieves a stable orientation effect of "no rotation without locking, and immediate movement once locked" by combining the friction limiting of the limiting ring 56 with the mechanical locking of the spring rod 55. No manual intervention is required for the opening direction throughout the process. It has high orientation accuracy and reliable operation, making it more suitable for the mass automated production needs of battery cover plates.

[0053] like Figures 12 to 14 As shown in Example 2, Example 3 is as follows: A guide rail module 57 is mounted on both the platform 4 and the mounting base 51. A vision module 58 is mounted on the guide rail module 57. The guide rail module 57 drives the vision module 58 to make displacement adjustment so that the vision module 58 is close to the rotating disk 53 under the detection condition. This is used to identify the initial opening position of the open steel sleeve 22 and the opening position after rotation adjustment. This avoids structural interference during the material picking condition.

[0054] It should be noted that, based on Example 2, Example 3 adopts a fully automated visual orientation scheme, abandoning mechanical positioning structures such as spring rod 55 and limit ring 56, and instead using visual module 58 and guide rail module 57 to complete opening recognition and precise orientation, resulting in a higher degree of automation and a wider range of applications.

[0055] Specifically, firstly, the feeding module 6 still transports the open steel sleeve 22 to the center position of the rotary disk 53 through the vibrating plate and the pushing mechanism. Unlike the second embodiment, this embodiment has a lower requirement for the concentricity of the placement of the open steel sleeve 22. Even if the steel sleeve has slight eccentricity, tilt or initial angle disorder, the vision module 58 can directly identify it without relying on the positioning boss 54 or mechanical clamping to ensure position accuracy.

[0056] After the steel sleeve is placed in place, the guide rail module 57 drives the vision module 58 to move to the detection position, so that it is close to the rotating disk 53 and aligned with the open steel sleeve 22. The vision module 58 accurately obtains the initial opening orientation, eccentric position and attitude deviation of the open steel sleeve 22 through image acquisition and intelligent recognition, and transmits the data to the control system in real time. The control system combines the preset target angle to quickly calculate the accurate angle and direction that the rotating disk 53 needs to rotate, and completes intelligent angle planning.

[0057] Subsequently, the driver 52 drives the rotating disk 53 to rotate the open steel sleeve 22. During this process, the vision module 58 remains at the detection position to continuously monitor in real time, synchronously collecting angle information along with the rotation of the open steel sleeve 22, and continuously feeding it back to the control system. Based on the real-time feedback from the vision module 58, the control system dynamically adjusts the rotation speed and angle of the rotating disk 53 until the opening direction of the open steel sleeve 22 accurately reaches the preset angle and the orientation is constrained within ±45°.

[0058] Once the vision module 58 confirms that the opening angle is fully qualified, the guide rail module 57 immediately moves the vision module 58 to a clearance position, away from the rotating disk 53 and the material picking area, to avoid structural interference during the material picking process.

[0059] The entire orientation process does not require a spring rod to engage the opening or friction to limit the movement. High-precision orientation can be achieved solely through real-time visual closed-loop control, which solves the problems of easy wear and jamming of the mechanical structure and high requirements for concentricity in Example 2.

[0060] After orientation is completed and the vision module 58 confirms its qualification, the external automatic material handling robot smoothly removes the open steel sleeve 22 from the rotating plate 53 and directly transfers it to the pneumatic steel sleeve press 1, which presses the steel sleeve into the flange hole 21 of the cover plate body 2. The entire process requires no manual intervention, realizing fully automated operation from feeding, visual recognition, rotation orientation, automatic avoidance to material handling and pressing.

[0061] Compared with Embodiment 2, this embodiment has a simpler structure, is easier to maintain, its orientation accuracy is not affected by mechanical wear, and it has a higher tolerance for the placement of the steel sleeve, making it more suitable for high-end, stable, and unmanned automated production lines for battery cover plates.

[0062] like Figures 15 to 17 As shown, based on Examples 1, 2, and 3, Example 4 is as follows: A pressure head 11 is installed at the power output end of the pneumatic steel sleeve press 1. A positioning module 12 is set on the frame 4 at the bottom of the pneumatic steel sleeve press 1. An elastic element 121 is assembled inside the positioning module 12. A floating positioning rod 122 is connected to the upper end of the elastic element 121. The floating positioning rod 122 is slidably assembled inside the positioning module 12. A limit washer 123 is fixedly installed inside the positioning module 12. A pressing module 13 is provided on the outside of the positioning module 12. The pressing module 13 includes a pressing cylinder 131 and a pressing head 132. The pressing cylinder 131 is fixedly installed on the outside of the positioning module 12. The pressing head 132 is fixedly connected to the output end of the pressing cylinder 131. The pressing cylinder 131 can drive the pressing head 132 to move downward to press against the open steel sleeve 22 and complete the pressing operation.

[0063] It should be added that the elastic element 121 can be a compression spring. The bottom end of the compression spring abuts against the bottom surface of the inner cavity of the positioning module 12, and the top end supports the floating positioning rod 122. During the pressing process, the compression spring provides slight up-and-down buffering for the floating positioning rod 122, avoiding rigid impact damage to the plastic cover plate body 2. The pressing head 132 is used to contact the lower surface of the cover plate body 2, which is covered with a cushioning cloth. The cloth can eliminate the hard friction between the pressing head 132 and the steel sleeve and cover plate when pressing down, preventing scratches and indentations on the cover plate surface during the pressing process. The pressing cylinder 131 is a rotary pressing cylinder. The cylinder body can first rotate outward by 90° to create clearance space, which facilitates the placement of the cover plate body 2 and the open steel sleeve 22 by manual or feeding mechanism. After the workpiece is placed, the pressing cylinder 131 rotates in the opposite direction by 90° to lock and position directly above the cover plate, and then drives the pressing head 132 to press the steel sleeve vertically downward to complete the pressing process. At the same time, the rotating pressing cylinder is equipped with a magnetic switch. The magnetic switch collects the cylinder rotation and pressing signals in real time and transmits them to the whole machine's electrical control system. Only after the cylinder rotates and presses in place will the electrical control system issue a pressing command, forming an interlocking and foolproof logic for the equipment.

[0064] Specifically, this embodiment integrates an integrated rotary pressing mechanism on the basis of the original steel sleeve orientation structure, realizing the orientation of the open steel sleeve 22, the positioning of the cover plate body 2, and the continuous operation of precision pressing at the same station, which greatly optimizes the assembly stability and finished product yield.

[0065] During operation, the moving module 3 transports the cover plate body 2 to the top of the positioning module 12. The opening steel sleeve 22, which has been corrected by the rotating station module 5, is fitted onto the floating positioning rod 122. The limiting washer 123 pre-limits the pressing depth of the opening steel sleeve 22 to ensure that the exposed size of the steel sleeve is uniform after assembly. This eliminates the assembly surface difference caused by the misalignment between the steel sleeve and the end face of the cover plate profile from the root, and keeps the assembly step difference stably controlled within the process tolerance range.

[0066] The rotary pressing cylinder, or pressing cylinder 131, first rotates outward by 90° to make room for operation, which facilitates the placement of the cover plate body 2 and the opening steel sleeve 22. After placement, the pressing cylinder 131 rotates back 90° to lock directly above the workpiece. The magnetic switch provides real-time feedback of the cylinder's position signal. If the rotation is not completed and locked, the electrical control system locks the pressing action, which has a safety and foolproof effect.

[0067] After the pressing operation is started, the pressing cylinder 131 drives the pressing head 132, which has a cushioning cloth attached to its lower end, to press down vertically. The cloth cushions the instantaneous impact force of the pressing down, preventing indentations and scratches from appearing on the surface of the cover plate body 2 and the opening steel sleeve 22.

[0068] During the downward pressing process, the floating positioning rod 122 relies on the elastic element 121, i.e. the compression spring, to achieve a slight floating buffer, offset the hard contact pressure, and prevent the cover plate body 2 made of fiberglass plastic material from cracking due to stress concentration.

[0069] The limiting washers 123 precisely limit the downward stroke of the open steel sleeve 22, ensuring that the open steel sleeve 22 is flush with the cover plate body 2 after pressing.

[0070] The entire pressing mechanism is integrated with the rotary station module 5, eliminating the need to transfer workpieces and preventing the problems of directional displacement and opening angle deviation of the open steel sleeve 22. This simplifies the assembly process, shortens the production cycle, and precisely controls the assembly surface difference through the cooperation of the limiting washer 123 and floating pressing, thus stabilizing the assembly dimensions, effectively reducing the product scrap rate caused by end face height discrepancies, and improving the dimensional consistency of batch production.

[0071] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0072] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A C-shaped steel sleeve opening orientation assembly fixture based on a battery cover plate, comprising a pneumatic steel sleeve press (1), wherein the pneumatic steel sleeve press (1) is externally provided with a moving module (3), the moving module (3) is mounted with a cover plate body (2), the cover plate body (2) is provided with a flange hole (21) along its edge, the flange hole (21) is used for assembling an open steel sleeve (22), characterized in that: The pneumatic steel sleeve press (1) has a rotating station module (5) on its frame (4). The rotating station module (5) includes a driver (52) and a rotating disk (53). The rotating disk (53) is installed at the output end of the driver (52). The open steel sleeve (22) can be placed on the rotating disk (53). The driver (52) drives the rotating disk (53) to rotate so that the opening of the open steel sleeve (22) faces the inside of the cover plate body (2), and the opening direction is constrained within ±45°.

2. The C-shaped steel sleeve opening directional assembly fixture based on a battery cover plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The driver (52) can automatically drive the rotary disk (53) to rotate according to the assembly position of the flange hole (21) so as to adjust the opening of the open steel sleeve (22) to a preset angle that matches the flange hole (21) for subsequent assembly.

3. The C-shaped steel sleeve opening directional assembly fixture based on a battery cover plate according to claim 2, characterized in that: The bottom of the pneumatic steel sleeve press (1) is fixedly connected to a frame (4), the moving module (3) is installed on the frame (4), and the driver (52) is fixedly installed on the surface of the frame (4).

4. The C-shaped steel sleeve opening directional assembly fixture based on a battery cover plate according to claim 3, characterized in that: The rotating disk (53) has a fixedly connected positioning boss (54) on its surface. The opening steel sleeve (22) is fitted onto the positioning boss (54) and rotates synchronously with the rotating disk (53) to complete the opening orientation.

5. The C-shaped steel sleeve opening directional assembly fixture based on a battery cover plate according to claim 3, characterized in that: A feeding module (6) is installed on the outside of the platform (4), which is used to transport the open steel sleeve (22) to the rotary table (53).

6. The C-shaped steel sleeve opening directional assembly fixture based on a battery cover plate according to claim 5, characterized in that: A mounting base (51) is fixedly connected to the frame (4). The rotating disk (53) is rotatably connected to the inside of the mounting base (51). The feeding module (6) transports the open steel sleeve (22) to the center position of the rotating disk (53). The diameter of the rotating disk (53) is smaller than the diameter of the open steel sleeve (22). A limiting ring (56) is fixedly connected to the surface of the mounting base (51). The limiting ring (56) forms a friction damping fit with the inner wall of the open steel sleeve (22). The rotating disk (53) has a built-in spring rod (55). The spring rod (55) rotates synchronously with the rotating disk (53). During the rotation, it is squeezed and contracted by the closed side wall of the open steel sleeve (22). When it rotates to the open position, it extends outward and gets into the opening. Then, it rotates together with the rotating disk (53) and drives the open steel sleeve (22) to rotate to the preset angle position.

7. The C-shaped steel sleeve opening directional assembly fixture based on a battery cover plate according to claim 6, characterized in that: The spring rod (55) includes a groove (551), a support spring (552), and a round-headed slide rod (553). The groove (551) is opened inside the rotating disk (53). The round-headed slide rod (553) is slidably disposed in the groove (551). The support spring (552) is fixedly connected between the groove (551) and the round-headed slide rod (553).

8. The C-shaped steel sleeve opening directional assembly fixture based on a battery cover plate according to claim 7, characterized in that: The platform (4) and the mounting base (51) are both equipped with a guide rail module (57). The guide rail module (57) is equipped with a vision module (58). The guide rail module (57) drives the vision module (58) to make displacement adjustment so that the vision module (58) is close to the rotating disk (53) under the detection condition. It is used to identify the initial opening position of the open steel sleeve (22) and the opening position after rotation adjustment. It forms an avoidance under the material picking condition to avoid structural interference.

9. A C-shaped steel sleeve opening directional assembly fixture based on a battery cover plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The moving module (3) is equipped with a fixing plate that is compatible with the bottom of the cover plate body (2), and the cover plate body (2) is placed on the fixing plate to achieve positioning and fixation.

10. A C-shaped steel sleeve opening directional assembly fixture based on a battery cover plate according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that: The pneumatic steel sleeve press (1) has a pressure head (11) installed at its power output end. A positioning module (12) is provided on the frame (4) at the bottom of the pneumatic steel sleeve press (1). An elastic element (121) is assembled inside the positioning module (12). A floating positioning rod (122) is connected to the upper end of the elastic element (121). The floating positioning rod (122) is slidably assembled inside the positioning module (12). A limiting washer (123) is fixedly provided inside the positioning module (12). A pressing module (13) is provided on the outside of the positioning module (12). The pressing module (13) includes a pressing cylinder (131) and a pressing head (132). The pressing cylinder (131) is fixedly installed on the outside of the positioning module (12). The pressing head (132) is fixedly connected to the output end of the pressing cylinder (131). The pressing cylinder (131) can drive the pressing head (132) to move downward to press against the open steel sleeve (22) and complete the pressing operation.

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