Automated production line for the cornering of automobile exterior moldings

Abstract

This application discloses an automated production line for automotive exterior sealing strip corner joints, belonging to the field of automotive sealing strip corner joint technology. It includes a feeding device, a corner joint mold, a detection device, and a unloading device. Robots are installed between the feeding device and the corner joint mold, and between the detection device and the unloading device. The robots are connected to clamping fixtures, and their operation connects the feeding device, corner joint mold, and detection device. The feeding device includes a frame with upper and lower mounting platforms. Fixed fixtures are movably mounted on the mounting platforms. The fixed fixtures have at least two rows of mounting seats for installing sealing strips. A rotary pressing assembly is located between the two rows of mounting seats, pressing the sealing strip onto the mounting seats. This application achieves fully automated operation and possesses excellent equipment flexibility and adaptability, meeting the needs of large-scale production.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of automotive sealing strip corner technology, and in particular to an automated production line for automotive outer sealing strip corners. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of the automotive industry, the production efficiency and quality requirements for automotive parts are becoming increasingly stringent. As a type of automotive sealing strip, the outer edge strip is primarily used to seal and decorate body seams, and the quality of its corner jointing directly affects the overall appearance and sealing performance of the vehicle. However, traditional methods for producing automotive outer edge strip corner joints have many problems and are difficult to meet the demands of modern automotive production.

[0003] Traditional automotive exterior trim strip corner production relies primarily on manual labor. Workers need to cut and grind both ends of the trim strip, and then complete the corner joint by hand welding or gluing. This method has the following disadvantages: manual operation is slow, making it difficult to meet the needs of large-scale production. The precision of manual operation is difficult to guarantee, easily leading to problems such as weak welds and uneven corners, affecting product quality. Prolonged manual operation places high demands on workers' physical strength and skills, easily causing fatigue and workplace injuries. Manual operation requires a large number of skilled workers, resulting in high labor costs, and the low production efficiency increases the unit product cost.

[0004] In recent years, some companies have begun using semi-automated equipment for the production of automotive exterior trim strips. This equipment typically includes simple cutting and welding devices, but still requires some manual operation, such as material positioning and welding parameter adjustment. While semi-automated equipment improves production efficiency to some extent, it still suffers from the following problems: the automation functions are incomplete, requiring manual intervention and preventing fully automated production. Because some steps still require manual operation, the increase in production efficiency is limited and cannot meet the demands of large-scale production. The uncertainty of manual operation leads to poor product quality consistency, making it difficult to guarantee the quality stability of each batch.

[0005] With the increasing intelligence and automation of the automotive industry, the requirements for automotive parts production are also becoming more stringent. Modern automotive production emphasizes high efficiency, high quality, and low cost, which poses new challenges to the production of automotive exterior trim corners. Currently, the industry has an increasingly urgent need for automated production of automotive exterior trim corners, requiring a production line capable of achieving full-process automation and high-precision machining to meet the requirements of modern automotive production. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by this application is to provide an automated production line for automotive exterior trim corner joints, which achieves fully automated operation and has good equipment flexibility and adaptability to meet the needs of large-scale production.

[0007] The technical solution adopted in this application is: an automated production line for automotive outer trim corner joints, including a feeding device, a corner joint mold, a detection device and a unloading device. Robots are installed between the feeding device and the corner joint mold, and between the detection device and the unloading device. The robots are connected to clamping fixtures. The robots work to connect the feeding device, the corner joint mold, the corner joint mold and the detection device. The feeding device includes a frame with upper and lower mounting platforms. Fixed fixtures are movably mounted on the mounting platforms. The fixed fixtures have at least two rows of fixed seats for installing sealing strips. A rotary pressing assembly is provided between the two rows of fixed seats. When the rotary pressing assembly is working, it presses the sealing strip located on the fixed seat. The clamping fixture includes a frame and a mounting frame. The output end of the robot is connected to the frame. Several clamping slide rails and a drive cylinder are arranged under the frame. The mounting frame is mounted on the clamping slide rails via clamping sliders. The mounting frame corresponds one-to-one with the drive cylinder. The mounting frame is connected to the output shaft of the drive cylinder. When the drive cylinder is working, it drives the entire mounting frame to move along the direction of the clamping slide rail. Clamping components are installed at both ends of the mounting frame.

[0008] Compared with existing technologies, the advantages of this application lie in the fact that by placing robots between the feeding device and the corner fitting mold, and between the inspection device and the unloading device, and having the robots connect and hold the tooling, the entire process of automated production from feeding to corner fitting, and then to inspection and unloading is realized. The robots can accurately complete the material transfer and operation between each process according to the preset program, reducing manual intervention and improving the continuity and stability of production.

[0009] The combination of the robot and the clamping fixture ensures that the sealing strip is accurately positioned and clamped during the corner assembly process, avoiding problems such as inaccurate positioning and weak clamping that may occur during manual operation. The clamping fixture's mounting frame is equipped with clamping components at both ends, which can be adjusted according to the size and shape of the sealing strip to clamp different specifications of sealing strips. This further enhances the equipment's versatility and flexibility, facilitating its use in the production of outer pressure strips for different vehicle models.

[0010] The fixture has at least two rows of mounting seats for installing sealing strips, and a rotary pressing assembly is installed between the two rows of mounting seats. This assembly can be adjusted and adapted to different specifications of sealing strips, improving the equipment's adaptability to different products and meeting the joint requirements of various automotive exterior sealing strips. The rotary pressing assembly can stably press the sealing strip, ensuring the firmness and flatness of the joint, thereby improving the consistency and stability of product quality.

[0011] Because the entire production process is mainly completed by automated equipment, the reliance on worker skills and physical strength is reduced, avoiding product quality problems caused by worker fatigue, operational errors, and other factors, ensuring that the quality of each batch of products meets high standards. Automated production lines can complete processes such as loading, joining, inspection, and unloading at a faster speed. Compared with traditional manual operation and semi-automated equipment, this greatly shortens the production cycle, increases output per unit time, and meets the needs of large-scale production.

[0012] In some embodiments of this application, the installation platform is provided with feeding slide rails on both the left and right sides. Feeding sliders are mounted on the feeding slide rails, and horizontal base plates are mounted on the feeding sliders. Fixed fixtures are detachably mounted on the horizontal base plates. Each horizontal base plate is connected to a feeding power cylinder, which drives the horizontal base plate to move along the feeding slide rails. Through the cooperation of the feeding slide rails and the feeding power cylinders, automated movement of the fixed fixtures is achieved, reducing the labor intensity of manual material handling and improving feeding efficiency and accuracy. Simultaneously, the detachable design facilitates quick replacement of the fixed fixtures, further enhancing the flexibility and production efficiency of the equipment.

[0013] In some embodiments of this application, the fixing base includes two end seats and several support seats, with the support seats located between the end seats. There is a gap between adjacent end seats and support seats, and a gap between adjacent support seats. The sealing strip is installed on the end seats and support seats. The segmented design of the end seats and support seats better accommodates sealing strips of different lengths and shapes, providing more stable support and positioning. Simultaneously, the gaps facilitate the installation and removal of the sealing strip, improving the versatility and ease of operation of the equipment.

[0014] In some embodiments of this application, a groove is formed on the end seat, the end of the sealing strip is embedded into the groove, the end face of the sealing strip abuts against the end face of the groove, the end face of the groove serves as a positioning reference surface, and the two sides of the groove constrain the two sides of the sealing strip; a slot is formed on the support seat, the slot extends through the support seat along the length of the sealing strip, and the two sides of the slot constrain the two sides of the sealing strip. The groove design on the end seat provides a precise positioning reference for the sealing strip, and through embedded installation, the end of the sealing strip can be firmly fixed on the end seat. This design not only improves the installation stability of the sealing strip but also ensures the accuracy of subsequent processing, avoiding processing errors caused by the positional deviation of the sealing strip. The slot design on the support seat provides stable support for the sealing strip while restricting its movement. This design is particularly suitable for sealing strips made of elastic materials, preventing the sealing strip from deviating from its predetermined position due to elastic deformation during processing, thereby improving the stability and reliability of processing.

[0015] In some embodiments of this application, a rotary pressing assembly is provided between two end seats located on the same side. The rotary pressing assembly includes a rotary pressing motor and a connecting rod. The output shaft of the rotary pressing motor is connected to the middle of the connecting rod. The connecting rod is horizontally positioned, and pressure blocks are provided below both ends of the connecting rod. The pressure blocks have a T-shaped structure, with their top surfaces connected to the bottom surfaces of the connecting rods. The bottom surfaces of the pressure blocks are adapted to the top surfaces of the sealing strip. The design of the rotary pressing assembly enables automatic pressing of the sealing strip. The T-shaped structure of the pressure blocks and the design that adapts to the top surface of the sealing strip provide uniform clamping force, ensuring that the sealing strip is firmly fixed during the corner jointing process and improving the corner jointing quality.

[0016] In some embodiments of this application, when the pressure block acts on the top surface of the sealing strip, the pressure block is located above the groove, and the bottom surface of the pressure block can extend into the groove. Multiple mounting grooves are regularly arranged on the mounting surface of the fixing fixture. The end seat and support seat are installed in the mounting grooves, and their positions within the grooves are adjustable. The design that the pressure block can extend into the groove further ensures precise positioning of the pressure block, improves the fixing effect on the sealing strip, and ensures the stability of the sealing strip during processing. The adjustable design of the mounting groove allows the positions of the end seat and support seat to be adjusted according to the size of the sealing strip, improving the versatility and flexibility of the equipment.

[0017] In some embodiments of this application, the clamping assembly includes a vertical base plate, a first power cylinder, an upper clamping block, and a lower clamping block. The upper clamping block and the first power cylinder are fixedly mounted on the vertical base plate. The bottom surface of the upper clamping block forms a reference surface. The lower clamping block is hinged to the output shaft of the first power cylinder. The operation of the first power cylinder drives the lower clamping block to move and cooperate with the upper clamping block to open and close. The design of the clamping assembly enables automatic clamping and release of the sealing strip. By driving the lower clamping block to move through the first power cylinder, the opening and closing of the clamping block is achieved, ensuring that the sealing strip is firmly clamped during processing, while improving the clamping accuracy and reliability. The fixed bottom surface of the upper clamping block provides a stable and reliable positioning reference surface. When the sealing strip is clamped, its top can be firmly attached to this reference surface. This greatly reduces the change in positioning reference caused by the clamping action itself or slight movement of the workpiece, ensuring the accuracy and consistency of the sealing strip's posture (especially its height and levelness) after clamping.

[0018] In some embodiments of this application, the vertical base plate is vertically positioned below the mounting bracket. A first power cylinder is fixedly mounted on one side of the vertical base plate, and a second power cylinder is horizontally positioned on the other side of the vertical base plate. An upper clamping block is fixedly mounted below the second power cylinder, with the bottom surface of the upper clamping block matching the top surface of the sealing strip to be clamped, and the top surface of the lower clamping block matching the bottom surface of the sealing strip to be clamped. This layout compactly and functionally integrates the first power cylinder (controlling the clamping opening and closing) and the second power cylinder (controlling the insert) on both sides of the vertical base plate. The vertically mounted first power cylinder directly drives the clamping action direction (up and down), while the horizontally mounted second power cylinder drives the insert to move horizontally. This arrangement offers high space utilization, clear action directions, and no interference between the two cylinders, facilitating power transmission and control.

[0019] In some embodiments of this application, a connecting block is provided on the side of the upper clamping block near the first power cylinder. The upper end of the connecting block is fixedly installed below the first power cylinder, and the lower end of the connecting block is connected to the lower clamping block via a rotating shaft. The lower clamping block rotates around the rotating shaft under force, cooperating with the upper clamping block to complete the opening and closing. The connecting block and the fixed-position rotating shaft form a rigid connection, providing a clear and stable rotation fulcrum for the lower clamping block. This design ensures that the movement trajectory of the lower clamping block is stable and predictable during the opening and closing process, avoiding wobbling or inaccurate closing caused by the floating hinge point, and improving the reliability and repeatability of the action.

[0020] In some embodiments of this application, the output shaft of the first power cylinder is hinged to the lower clamping block via a hinge member. One end of the hinge member is hinged to the output shaft of the first power cylinder, and the other end is hinged to the lower clamping block. There is a gap between the hinge point of the lower clamping block and the rotating shaft. The double-hinged-point design (the output shaft of the first power cylinder and the hinge member, and the hinge member and the lower clamping block) forms a lever structure outside the fulcrum (rotating shaft) of the lower clamping block. This design can utilize the relatively small linear stroke of the first power cylinder to drive the lower clamping block to produce a larger opening and closing angle, improving the efficiency of the operation. At the same time, the dual degrees of freedom (both ends of the hinge member can rotate) provide better adaptability, can tolerate certain assembly tolerances or component deformation, and ensure smooth transmission of clamping force.

[0021] In some embodiments of this application, the clamping assembly further includes an insert located on the open side of the upper and lower clamping blocks, and the connecting block located on the closed side of the upper and lower clamping blocks. The insert is connected to the output shaft of a second power cylinder, which drives the insert to move upward in the direction of the upper clamping block and insert into the sealing strip. An independent insert driving mechanism (second power cylinder) is integrated into the clamping assembly. The insert is horizontally inserted into the sealing strip from the open side of the clamping port. While clamping and fixing the outer contour of the sealing strip, it also physically limits and supports the key structures of the sealing strip from the inside. This directly and effectively resists internal structural deformation, twisting, or collapse that may occur during processing or handling of the sealing strip.

[0022] In some embodiments of this application, the insert includes an insertion portion and a connecting portion. The insertion portion simulates the assembly of the sealing strip to be clamped, and the connecting portion is connected to the output shaft of the second power cylinder. The connecting portion and the insertion portion are arranged perpendicular to each other, and the insertion portion is arranged parallel to the second power cylinder. The L-shaped structure of the insert ensures that the movement direction of the insertion portion is consistent with the push rod direction of the second power cylinder, guaranteeing a straight and precise insertion action. The insertion portion simulates the actual assembly of the sealing strip (such as automotive sheet metal), allowing it to precisely match the internal structure of the sealing strip during insertion, providing more effective internal support and limiting.

[0023] In some embodiments of this application, the lower clamping block and the upper clamping block in the closed state have a gap on the open side for the insertion part to extend into. A gap is intentionally reserved between the lower clamping block and the upper clamping block on the open side (the side where the insertion part is located). This gap is functional; it ensures that the insertion part can still be smoothly and horizontally inserted into the sealing strip after the clamping assembly is closed, achieving coordinated or sequential execution of the two actions of "external clamping and fixing" and "internal insertion and shaping" without interference.

[0024] In some embodiments of this application, a limiting member is provided on the opening side of the upper clamping block. The limiting member has an inverted U-shaped structure, and the two ends of the limiting member are located at the two ends of the upper clamping block. The insertion part can pass through the middle of the limiting member.

[0025] The inverted U-shaped limiting component forms precise guide grooves at both ends of the opening side of the upper clamping block. It strictly limits the horizontal movement trajectory of the insertion part of the insert during the insertion process, preventing it from swaying or shaking in the horizontal plane, ensuring that the insert can be accurately inserted into the predetermined position of the sealing strip along the predetermined path, thus improving the accuracy and reliability of the insertion action.

[0026] In some embodiments of this application, the application further includes a connector, wherein at least two clamping sliders are spaced apart on the clamping slide rail, the connector is disposed below the clamping slide rail, the top surface of the connector is connected to all the clamping sliders, the connector has an inverted U-shaped block structure, and the mounting bracket is installed below the connector.

[0027] This application achieves stable and reliable installation of the entire mounting bracket on the clamping slide rail by adding a connecting component. Multiple clamping sliders are rigidly connected into a single frame below the clamping slide rail using a rigid inverted U-shaped connector. This design significantly enhances the mounting rigidity and stability of the mounting bracket on the clamping slide rail, effectively preventing twisting, tilting, or asynchrony that may occur when the mounting bracket moves or bears a load, ensuring the accuracy and consistency of the position of the clamping components.

[0028] In some embodiments of this application, one end of the upper clamping block is further equipped with a detection component for detecting whether the sealing strip is embedded below the upper clamping block. The detection component (such as a photoelectric sensor) on the upper clamping block can detect in real time whether the sealing strip is correctly placed and adheres tightly to the reference surface of the upper clamping block before or during the clamping action. This provides automated position verification, preventing clamping failure, insertion failure, or workpiece damage caused by improper sealing strip placement, thus improving the reliability and automation of the system.

[0029] In some embodiments of this application, the clamping fixture holds the sealing strip at the feeding device and moves it to the corner mold. The active power cylinder then drives the entire mounting frame to move the sealing strip into the corner mold for corner joining. After the sealing strip completes the corner joining, the active power cylinder pulls the entire mounting frame and the sealing strip out. The cooperation between the clamping fixture and the active power cylinder enables automated transfer and processing of the sealing strip from the feeding device to the corner mold, reducing manual intervention, improving production efficiency and processing accuracy, and ensuring the continuity and stability of the entire corner joining process.

[0030] In some embodiments of this application, the inspection device includes an inspection platform and a CCD vision detector. The CCD vision detector is located above the inspection platform. The robot places the completed sealing strip onto the inspection platform, and the CCD vision detector performs quality inspection on the sealing strip on the inspection platform. The CCD vision detector can quickly and accurately detect the joint quality of the sealing strip, including parameters such as size and appearance, realizing real-time monitoring of product quality, improving inspection efficiency and accuracy, and ensuring that every product meets quality standards.

[0031] In some embodiments of this application, the unloading device includes an upper conveyor belt and a lower conveyor belt arranged vertically. The lower conveyor belt connects to the defective product frame, and a crossbeam is arranged on the upper conveyor belt. Several T-shaped frames are installed below the crossbeams, and partitions are connected to the bottom of the T-shaped frames. The partitions are located on the upper conveyor belt and divide the space of the upper conveyor belt into multiple independent spaces. The robot places different sealing strips in different independent spaces. The design of the upper and lower conveyor belts enables automatic sorting of qualified and defective products. The separation design of the T-shaped frames and partitions allows different sealing strips to be stored separately, avoiding confusion, improving unloading efficiency and management convenience, while reducing the workload of manual sorting.

[0032] In this application, the sealing strip mainly refers to the outer sealing strip of an automobile. A set of outer sealing strips used in a car includes the front door outer sealing strip and the rear door outer sealing strip, which are further divided into left and right parts. Therefore, in this application, four fixing seats are designed in a fixed fixture, and four sets of active power cylinders and mounting brackets are arranged at the clamping fixture. With the subsequent corner joint mold and blanking device, the corner jointing process and inspection process of a set of outer sealing strips can be completed in one processing flow.

[0033] Based on common knowledge in the field, the above-described embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. Attached Figure Description

[0034] The present application will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will understand that these drawings are drawn only for the purpose of explaining the preferred embodiments and therefore should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present application. Furthermore, unless specifically indicated, the drawings are only schematic representations of the composition or structure of the described objects and may contain exaggerated depictions, and the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0035] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this application; Figure 2 This is a top view of this application; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the feeding device. Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of a fixed tooling; Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure for fixing the tooling at the pressure block; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the robot's structure; Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the fixture in its unclamped state Figure 1 ; Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the fixture in its unclamped state Figure 2 ; Figure 9 Schematic diagram of the clamping state of the tooling Figure 1 ; Figure 10 Schematic diagram of the clamping state of the tooling Figure 2 ; Figure 11 This is a structural diagram of the fixture mounting bracket. Figure 12 Schematic diagram of the clamping assembly for the clamping tool. Figure 1 ; Figure 13 Schematic diagram of the clamping assembly for the clamping tool. Figure 2 ; Figure 14 Schematic diagram of the clamping assembly for the clamping tool. Figure 3 ; Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the feeding device.

[0036] The specific explanations of the reference numerals in the attached drawings are as follows: 1. Frame; 2. Clamping slide rail; 3. Main power cylinder; 4. Mounting bracket; 5. Clamping slider; 6. Clamping assembly; 7. Vertical base plate; 8. First power cylinder; 9. Upper clamping block; 10. Lower clamping block; 11. Connecting block; 12. Rotating shaft; 13. Hinge; 14. Insert; 14a. Insertion part; 14b. Connecting part; 15. Second power cylinder; 16. Limiting part; 17. Connecting part; 18. Detection assembly; 19. Sealing strip; 31. Frame; 32. Mounting platform; 33. Feeding slide rail; 34. Feeding slider; 35. Horizontal plate; 36. Fixture; 39. Rotary pressing assembly; 40. End seat; 41. Support seat; 42. Groove; 43. Slot; 44. Rotary pressing motor; 45. Connecting rod; 46. Pressing block; 47. Mounting slot; 51. Feeding device; 52. Corner mold; 53. Detection device; 54. Unloading device; 55. Robot; 56. Clamping fixture; 59. Detection platform; 60. CCD vision detector; 61. Upper conveyor belt; 62. Lower conveyor belt; 63. Defective product frame; 64. Crossbeam; 65. T-shaped frame; 66. Partition. Detailed Implementation

[0037] The present application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0038] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0039] An automated production line for automotive exterior trim corner joints, Example 1 is as follows: Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 6 As shown, the system includes a feeding device 51, a corner-joining mold 52, a detection device 53, and a unloading device 54. Robots 55 are installed between the feeding device 51 and the corner-joining mold 52, and between the detection device 53 and the unloading device 54. The robots 55 are connected to clamping fixtures 56. The operation of the robots 55 connects the feeding device 51, the corner-joining mold 52, and the detection device 53, thus achieving fully automated production from feeding to corner joining, then to detection and unloading. The robots 55 can accurately complete material transfer and operation between each process according to a preset program, reducing manual intervention and improving the continuity and stability of production.

[0040] The feeding device 51 includes a frame 31, on which are mounted upper and lower installation platforms 32. A fixed fixture 36 is movably mounted on each installation platform 32. The fixed fixture 36 has at least two rows of mounting seats for installing sealing strips 19. A rotary pressing assembly 39 is positioned between the two rows of mounting seats. When in operation, the rotary pressing assembly 39 presses the sealing strip 19 onto the mounting seats. The fixed fixture 36, with its at least two rows of mounting seats for installing sealing strips 19 and the rotary pressing assembly 39 positioned between them, can be adjusted and adapted to different specifications of sealing strips 19, improving the equipment's adaptability to different products and meeting the joint requirements of various automotive exterior sealing strips. The rotary pressing assembly 39 can stably press the sealing strip 19, ensuring the firmness and flatness of the joint, thereby improving the consistency and stability of product quality.

[0041] The clamping fixture 56 includes a frame 1 and a mounting bracket 4. The output end of the robot 55 is connected to the frame 1. Several clamping slide rails 2 and a drive cylinder 3 are arranged under the frame 1. The mounting bracket 4 is mounted on the clamping slide rails 2 via clamping sliders 5. The mounting bracket 4 corresponds one-to-one with the drive cylinder 3. The mounting bracket 4 is connected to the output shaft of the drive cylinder 3. When the drive cylinder 3 is working, it drives the entire mounting bracket 4 to move along the direction of the clamping slide rails 2. Clamping components 6 are installed at both ends of the mounting bracket 4. The cooperation between the robot 55 and the clamping fixture 56 ensures that the sealing strip 19 is accurately positioned and clamped during the cornering process, avoiding problems such as inaccurate positioning and weak clamping that may occur in manual operation. The clamping components 6 are installed at both ends of the mounting bracket 4 of the clamping fixture, which can be adjusted according to the size and shape of the sealing strip 19, so that it can clamp sealing strips 19 of different specifications, further enhancing the versatility and flexibility of the equipment, and facilitating switching between different models of external pressure strips.

[0042] Because the entire production process is mainly completed by automated equipment, the reliance on worker skills and physical strength is reduced, avoiding product quality problems caused by worker fatigue, operational errors, and other factors, ensuring that the quality of each batch of products meets high standards. Automated production lines can complete processes such as loading, joining, inspection, and unloading at a faster speed. Compared with traditional manual operation and semi-automated equipment, this greatly shortens the production cycle, increases output per unit time, and meets the needs of large-scale production.

[0043] The inspection device 53 includes an inspection platform 59 and a CCD vision detector 60. The CCD vision detector 60 is located above the inspection platform 59. The robot 55 places the completed sealing strip 19 onto the inspection platform 59, and the CCD vision detector 60 performs quality inspection on the sealing strip 19 on the inspection platform 59. The CCD vision detector 60 can quickly and accurately detect the joint quality of the sealing strip 19, including parameters such as size and appearance, realizing real-time monitoring of product quality, improving inspection efficiency and accuracy, and ensuring that every product meets quality standards.

[0044] like Figure 15 As shown, the unloading device 54 includes an upper conveyor belt 61 and a lower conveyor belt 62 arranged vertically. The lower conveyor belt 62 connects to the defective product frame 63. A crossbeam 64 is arranged on the upper conveyor belt 61, and several T-shaped frames 65 are installed below the crossbeam 64. The bottom of the T-shaped frames 65 is connected to a partition 66, which is located on the upper conveyor belt 61. The partition 66 divides the space of the upper conveyor belt 61 into multiple independent spaces. The robot 55 places different sealing strips 19 into different independent spaces. The design of the upper and lower conveyor belts 62 enables automatic sorting of qualified and defective products. The separation design of the T-shaped frames 65 and the partition 66 can store different sealing strips 19 separately, avoiding confusion, improving unloading efficiency and management convenience, while reducing the workload of manual sorting.

[0045] In this application, the sealing strip 19 is mainly for the outer pressure strip of automobiles. A set of outer pressure strips used in a car includes the front door outer pressure strip and the rear door outer pressure strip, and the front door outer pressure strip and the rear door outer pressure strip are divided into left and right parts. Therefore, in this application, four fixing seats are designed in a fixed fixture 36, and four sets of active power cylinders 3 and mounting brackets 4 are arranged at the clamping fixture 56. With the subsequent corner joint mold 52 and unloading device 54, the corner jointing process and inspection process of a set of outer pressure strips can be completed in one processing flow.

[0046] Example 2, as Figures 3 to 5The mounting platform 32 has feeding slide rails 33 evenly distributed on both its left and right sides. Feeding sliders 34 are mounted on the feeding slide rails 33, and horizontal base plates 35 are mounted on the feeding sliders 34. Fixed fixtures 36 are detachably mounted on the horizontal base plates 35. Each horizontal base plate 35 is connected to a feeding power cylinder, which drives the horizontal base plates 35 to move along the feeding slide rails 33. Through the cooperation of the feeding slide rails 33 and the feeding power cylinders, the fixed fixtures 36 are moved automatically, reducing the labor intensity of manual material handling and improving feeding efficiency and accuracy. The detachable design also facilitates quick replacement of the fixed fixtures 36, further enhancing the flexibility and production efficiency of the equipment.

[0047] The fixed base includes two end seats 40 and several support seats 41. The support seats 41 are located between the end seats 40, with a gap between adjacent end seats 40 and support seats 41, and a gap between adjacent support seats 41. The sealing strip 19 is installed on the end seats 40 and support seats 41. The segmented design of the end seats 40 and support seats 41 can better accommodate sealing strips 19 of different lengths and shapes, providing more stable support and positioning. At the same time, the gaps facilitate the installation and removal of the sealing strip 19, improving the versatility and ease of operation of the equipment.

[0048] The end seat 40 has a groove 42, into which the end of the sealing strip 19 is embedded. The end face of the sealing strip 19 abuts against the end face of the groove 42, which serves as a positioning reference surface. The two sides of the groove 42 constrain the sealing strip 19. The support seat 41 has a slot 43 that extends through the support seat 41 along the length of the sealing strip 19. The two sides of the slot 43 also constrain the sealing strip 19. The groove 42 on the end seat 40 provides a precise positioning reference for the sealing strip 19. Through embedded installation, the end of the sealing strip 19 can be firmly fixed to the end seat 40. This design not only improves the installation stability of the sealing strip 19 but also ensures the accuracy of subsequent processing, avoiding processing errors caused by positional deviations of the sealing strip 19. The slot 43 on the support seat 41 provides stable support for the sealing strip 19 while restricting its movement. This design is particularly suitable for sealing strips 19 made of elastic materials, which can prevent the sealing strip 19 from deviating from the predetermined position due to elastic deformation during processing, thereby improving the stability and reliability of processing.

[0049] A rotary pressing assembly 39 is disposed between two end seats 40 on the same side. The rotary pressing assembly 39 includes a rotary pressing motor 44 and a connecting rod 45. The output shaft of the rotary pressing motor 44 is connected to the middle of the connecting rod 45. The connecting rod 45 is horizontally arranged, and pressure blocks 46 are disposed below both ends of the connecting rod 45. The pressure blocks 46 have a T-shaped structure, and the top surface of the pressure blocks 46 is connected to the bottom surface of the connecting rod 45. The bottom surface of the pressure blocks 46 is adapted to the top surface of the sealing strip 19. The design of the rotary pressing assembly 39 enables automatic pressing of the sealing strip 19. The T-shaped structure of the pressure blocks 46 and the design that adapts to the top surface of the sealing strip 19 can provide uniform clamping force, ensuring that the sealing strip 19 is firmly fixed during the corner jointing process and improving the corner jointing quality.

[0050] When the pressure block 46 acts on the top surface of the sealing strip 19, the pressure block 46 is positioned above the groove 43, and its bottom surface can extend into the groove 43. Multiple mounting grooves 47 are regularly arranged on the mounting surface of the fixing fixture 36. The end seat 40 and support seat 41 are installed in the mounting grooves 47, and their positions within these grooves are adjustable. The design allowing the pressure block 46 to extend into the groove 43 further ensures precise positioning of the pressure block 46, improves the fixing effect on the sealing strip 19, and ensures the stability of the sealing strip 19 during processing. The adjustable design of the mounting groove 47 allows the positions of the end seat 40 and support seat 41 to be adjusted according to the size of the sealing strip 19, improving the versatility and flexibility of the equipment.

[0051] The rest of the contents of Example 2 are the same as those of Example 1.

[0052] Example 3, as Figures 6 to 14 As shown, the clamping assembly 6 includes a vertical base plate 7, a first power cylinder 8, an upper clamping block 9, and a lower clamping block 10. The upper clamping block 9 and the first power cylinder 8 are fixedly mounted on the vertical base plate 7. The bottom surface of the upper clamping block 9 forms a reference surface. The lower clamping block 10 is hinged to the output shaft of the first power cylinder 8. The operation of the first power cylinder 8 drives the lower clamping block 10 to move and cooperate with the upper clamping block 9 to open and close. The design of the clamping assembly 6 enables automatic clamping and release of the sealing strip 19. By driving the lower clamping block 10 to move through the first power cylinder 8, the opening and closing of the clamping block is achieved, ensuring that the sealing strip 19 is firmly clamped during processing, while improving the clamping accuracy and reliability. The fixed bottom surface of the upper clamping block 9 provides a stable and reliable positioning reference surface. When the sealing strip 19 is clamped, its top can be firmly attached to this reference surface. This greatly reduces the changes in positioning reference caused by the clamping action itself or slight movement of the workpiece, ensuring the accuracy and consistency of the posture (especially height and levelness) of the sealing strip 19 after clamping.

[0053] The vertical base plate 7 is vertically positioned below the mounting bracket 4. A first power cylinder 8 is fixedly mounted on one side of the vertical base plate 7, and the first power cylinder 8 is vertically positioned. A second power cylinder 15 is horizontally positioned on the other side of the vertical base plate 7. An upper clamping block 9 is fixedly mounted below the second power cylinder 15. The bottom surface of the upper clamping block 9 matches the top surface of the sealing strip 19 to be clamped, and the top surface of the lower clamping block 10 matches the bottom surface of the sealing strip 19 to be clamped. This layout compactly and functionally integrates the first power cylinder 8 (controlling the clamping opening and closing) and the second power cylinder 15 (controlling the insert 14) on both sides of the vertical base plate. The vertically mounted first power cylinder 8 directly drives the clamping action direction (up and down), while the horizontally mounted second power cylinder 15 drives the insert 14 to move horizontally. This arrangement has high space utilization, clear action direction, and no interference between the two cylinders, facilitating power transmission and control.

[0054] A connecting block 11 is provided on the side of the upper clamping block 9 near the first power cylinder 8. The upper end of the connecting block 11 is fixedly installed below the first power cylinder 8, and the lower end of the connecting block 11 is connected to the lower clamping block 10 via a rotating shaft 12. The lower clamping block 10 rotates around the rotating shaft 12 under force, cooperating with the upper clamping block 9 to complete the opening and closing. The connecting block 11 and the fixed rotating shaft 12 form a rigid connection, providing a clear and stable rotation fulcrum for the lower clamping block 10. This design ensures that the movement trajectory of the lower clamping block 10 is stable and predictable during the opening and closing process, avoiding wobbling or inaccurate closing caused by the floating of the hinge point, and improving the reliability and repeatability of the action.

[0055] The output shaft of the first power cylinder 8 is hinged to the lower clamping block 10 via a hinge 13. One end of the hinge 13 is hinged to the output shaft of the first power cylinder 8, and the other end is hinged to the lower clamping block 10. There is a gap between the hinge point of the lower clamping block 10 and the rotating shaft 12. The double hinge point design (the output shaft of the first power cylinder 8 and the hinge 13, and the hinge 13 and the lower clamping block 10) forms a lever structure outside the fulcrum (rotating shaft 12) of the lower clamping block 10. This design can utilize the relatively small linear stroke of the first power cylinder 8 to drive the lower clamping block 10 to produce a large opening and closing angle, improving the efficiency of the action. At the same time, the dual degrees of freedom (both ends of the hinge 13 can rotate) provide better adaptability, can tolerate certain assembly tolerances or component deformation, and ensure smooth transmission of clamping force.

[0056] The clamping assembly 6 also includes an insert 14 located on the open side of the upper clamping block 9 and the lower clamping block 10, and a connecting block 11 located on the closed side of the upper clamping block 9 and the lower clamping block 10. The insert 14 is connected to the output shaft of the second power cylinder 15, which drives the insert 14 to move upward toward the clamping block 9 and insert it into the sealing strip 19. An independent drive mechanism (second power cylinder 15) for the insert 14 is integrated into the clamping assembly 6. The insert 14 is horizontally inserted into the sealing strip 19 from the open side of the clamping port. While clamping and fixing the outer contour of the sealing strip 19, it also physically limits and supports the key structures of the sealing strip 19 from the inside. This directly and effectively resists internal structural deformation, twisting, or collapse that may occur during processing or handling of the sealing strip 19.

[0057] The insert 14 includes an insertion part 14a and a connecting part 14b. The insertion part 14a simulates the assembly of the sealing strip 19 to be clamped, and the connecting part 14b is connected to the output shaft of the second power cylinder 15. The connecting part 14b and the insertion part 14a are arranged perpendicular to each other, and the insertion part 14a is arranged parallel to the second power cylinder 15. The L-shaped structure of the insert 14 ensures that the movement direction of the insertion part 14a is consistent with the push rod direction of the second power cylinder 15, guaranteeing a straight and precise insertion action. The insertion part 14a simulates the actual assembly of the sealing strip 19 (such as automotive sheet metal), allowing it to precisely match the internal structure of the sealing strip 19 during insertion, providing more effective internal support and limiting.

[0058] In the closed state, the lower clamping block 10 and the clamping block have a gap on the open side for the insertion part 14a to extend into. A gap is intentionally reserved between the lower clamping block 10 and the upper clamping block 9 on the open side (the side where the insertion part 14 is located). This gap is functional; it ensures that the insertion part 14 can still be smoothly and horizontally inserted into the sealing strip 19 after the clamping assembly 6 is closed, realizing the coordinated or sequential execution of the two actions of "external clamping and fixing" and "internal insertion and shaping" without interference between them.

[0059] The upper clamping block 9 has a limiting member 16 on its open side. The limiting member 16 has an inverted U-shaped structure. The two ends of the limiting member 16 are located at the two ends of the upper clamping block 9. The insertion part 14a can pass through the middle of the limiting member 16.

[0060] The inverted U-shaped limiting member 16 forms precise guide grooves at both ends of the opening side of the upper clamping block 9. It strictly limits the horizontal movement trajectory of the insertion part 14a of the insert 14 during the insertion process, preventing it from swaying or shaking in the horizontal plane, ensuring that the insert 14 can be accurately inserted into the predetermined position of the sealing strip 19 along the predetermined path, thereby improving the accuracy and reliability of the insertion action.

[0061] This application also includes a connector 17, on which at least two clamping sliders 5 are installed at intervals. The connector 17 is located below the clamping slide rail 2, and the top surface of the connector 17 is connected to all the clamping sliders 5. The connector 17 has an inverted U-shaped block structure, and the mounting bracket 4 is installed below the connector 17.

[0062] This application achieves stable and reliable installation of the entire mounting bracket 4 on the clamping slide rail 2 by adding a connector 17. Multiple clamping sliders 5 are rigidly connected into a single frame 1 below the clamping slide rail 2 via a rigid inverted U-shaped connector 17. This design significantly enhances the installation rigidity and stability of the mounting bracket 4 on the clamping slide rail 2, effectively preventing twisting, tilting, or asynchrony that may occur when the mounting bracket 4 moves or bears a load, and ensuring the accuracy and consistency of the position of the clamping components 6 on it.

[0063] One end of the upper clamping block 9 is also equipped with a detection component 18 for detecting whether the sealing strip 19 is embedded below the upper clamping block 9. The detection component 18 (such as a photoelectric sensor) on the upper clamping block 9 can detect in real time whether the sealing strip 19 has been correctly placed and is close to the reference surface of the upper clamping block 9 before or during the clamping action. This provides automated position verification, prevents clamping failure, insertion failure or workpiece damage caused by improper placement of the sealing strip 19, and improves the reliability and automation of the system.

[0064] The clamping fixture 56 clamps the sealing strip 19 at the feeding device 51 and moves the sealing strip 19 to the corner mold 52. The active power cylinder 3 drives the entire mounting frame 4, moving the sealing strip 19 into the corner mold 52 for corner joining. After the sealing strip 19 completes corner joining, the active power cylinder 3 drives the entire mounting frame 4 and the sealing strip 19 out. The cooperation of the clamping fixture 56 and the active power cylinder 3 realizes the automated transfer and processing of the sealing strip 19 from the feeding device to the corner mold 52, reducing manual intervention, improving production efficiency and processing accuracy, and ensuring the continuity and stability of the entire corner joining process.

[0065] The other contents of Example 3 are the same as those of Example 1 or Example 2.

[0066] The present application has been described in detail above. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of the present application. The descriptions of the embodiments above are only for the purpose of helping to understand the present application and its core ideas. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make several improvements and modifications to the present application without departing from the principles of the present application, and these improvements and modifications also fall within the protection scope of the claims of the present application.

Claims

1. An automated production line for the cornering of automobile exterior moldings, characterized in that, The device includes a feeding device (51), a corner mold (52), a detection device (53), and a unloading device (54). Robots (55) are installed between the feeding device (51) and the corner mold (52), and between the detection device (53) and the unloading device (54). The robots (55) are connected to clamping fixtures (56). The robots (55) work to connect the feeding device (51), the corner mold (52), the corner mold (52), and the detection device (53). The feeding device (51) includes a frame (31), on which two upper and lower mounting platforms (32) are provided. A fixed fixture (36) is movably installed on the mounting platform (32). The fixed fixture (36) is provided with at least two rows of fixed seats for installing the sealing strip (19). A rotary pressing assembly (39) is provided between the two rows of fixed seats. When the rotary pressing assembly (39) is working, it presses the sealing strip (19) located on the fixed seat. The clamping fixture (56) includes a frame (1) and a mounting frame (4). The output end of the robot (55) is connected to the frame (1). Several clamping slides (2) and active power cylinders (3) are arranged under the frame (1). The mounting frame (4) is mounted on the clamping slides (2) through clamping sliders (5). The mounting frame (4) corresponds one-to-one with the active power cylinders (3). The mounting frame (4) is connected to the output shaft of the active power cylinder (3). When the active power cylinder (3) works, it drives the entire mounting frame (4) to move along the direction of the clamping slides (2). Both ends of the mounting frame (4) are equipped with clamping components (6).

2. The automated production line for cornering of automobile exterior moldings according to claim 1, characterized in that, The installation platform (32) is provided with feeding slide rails (33) on both the left and right sides. Feeding slide rails (33) are equipped with feeding sliders (34). Horizontal base plates (35) are mounted on the feeding sliders (34). Fixing fixtures (36) are detachably installed on the horizontal base plates (35). Each horizontal base plate (35) is connected to a feeding power cylinder. The feeding power cylinder drives the horizontal base plates (35) to move along the feeding slide rails (33).

3. The automated production line for cornering of automobile exterior moldings according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fixed seat includes two end seats (40) and several support seats (41). The support seats (41) are located between the end seats (40). There is a gap between adjacent end seats (40) and support seats (41). There is a gap between two adjacent support seats (41). The sealing strip (19) is installed on the end seats (40) and support seats (41).

4. The automated production line for cornering of automobile exterior moldings according to claim 3, characterized in that, The end seat (40) has a groove (42) and the end of the sealing strip (19) is embedded in the groove (42). The end face of the sealing strip (19) abuts against the end face of the groove (42). The end face of the groove (42) is the positioning reference surface. The two sides of the groove (42) are restricted to the two sides of the sealing strip (19). The support seat (41) has a slot (43) and the slot (43) passes through the support seat (41) along the length direction of the sealing strip (19). The two sides of the slot (43) are restricted to the two sides of the sealing strip (19).

5. The automated production line for automobile outer trim corner joints according to claim 1, characterized in that, The clamping assembly (6) includes a vertical base plate (7), a first power cylinder (8), an upper clamping block (9) and a lower clamping block (10). The upper clamping block (9) and the first power cylinder (8) are fixedly installed on the vertical base plate (7). The bottom surface of the upper clamping block (9) forms a reference surface. The lower clamping block (10) is hinged to the output shaft of the first power cylinder (8). The first power cylinder (8) drives the lower clamping block (10) to move and cooperate with the upper clamping block (9) to open and close.

6. The automated production line for cornering of automobile exterior moldings according to claim 5, characterized in that, The vertical base plate (7) is vertically arranged below the mounting frame (4). The first power cylinder (8) is fixedly installed on one side of the vertical base plate (7). The first power cylinder (8) is vertically arranged. The second power cylinder (15) is horizontally arranged on the other side of the vertical base plate (7). An upper clamping block (9) is fixedly installed below the second power cylinder (15). The bottom surface of the upper clamping block (9) matches the top surface of the sealing strip (19) to be clamped. The top surface of the lower clamping block (10) matches the bottom surface of the sealing strip (19) to be clamped.

7. The automated production line for cornering of automobile exterior moldings according to claim 5, characterized in that, The upper clamping block (9) is provided with a connecting block (11) on the side near the first power cylinder (8). The upper end of the connecting block (11) is fixedly installed below the first power cylinder (8), and the lower end of the connecting block (11) is connected to the lower clamping block (10) through a rotating shaft (12). The lower clamping block (10) is subjected to force and rotates around the rotating shaft (12) to cooperate with the upper clamping block (9) to complete the opening and closing.

8. The automated production line for cornering of automobile exterior moldings according to claim 1, characterized in that, The clamping fixture (56) clamps the sealing strip (19) at the feeding device (51) and moves the sealing strip (19) to the corner mold (52). The main power cylinder (3) works to push the entire mounting frame (4) to move the sealing strip (19) into the corner mold (52) for corner joining. After the sealing strip (19) completes corner joining, the main power cylinder (3) works to pull out the entire mounting frame (4) and the sealing strip (19).

9. The automated production line for cornering of automobile exterior moldings according to claim 1, characterized in that, The detection device (53) includes a detection platform (59) and a CCD vision detector (60). The CCD vision detector (60) is located above the detection platform (59). The robot (55) places the sealing strip (19) with the corners joined on the detection platform (59), and the CCD vision detector (60) performs quality inspection on the sealing strip (19) on the detection platform (59).

10. The automated production line for automotive exterior pressure strip corner joints according to claim 1, characterized in that, The unloading device (54) includes an upper conveyor belt (61) and a lower conveyor belt (62) arranged vertically. The lower conveyor belt (62) connects to the defective product frame (63). A crossbeam (64) is arranged on the upper conveyor belt (61). Several T-shaped frames (65) are installed below the crossbeam (64). The bottom of the T-shaped frame (65) is connected to a partition (66). The partition (66) is located on the upper conveyor belt (61). The partition (66) divides the space of the upper conveyor belt (61) into multiple independent spaces. The robot (55) places different sealing strips (19) in different independent spaces.

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