Automatic clip assembly apparatus and method

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of clip automatic assembly equipment and method, including carousel and setting on the tool of carousel circumferential direction, still include: clamping plate loading mechanism and torsional spring loading mechanism, for clamping plate is loaded into tool inside;Torsional spring loading mechanism includes: ring conveying assembly, is equipped with the conveying track for conveying ring, conveying track has for torsional spring branch leg to pass through avoidance structure;Torsional spring assembly component, for grabbing torsional spring, and drive torsional spring movement, make its one branch leg pass through ring and avoidance structure, make ring be set on the outer periphery of spring ring, and two branch legs of torsional spring are located at the two sides of ring respectively;And press-in component, including push plate, for the torsional spring of having been set ring is pushed into corresponding tool inside as a whole, to cooperate with the clamping plate that has been placed;Torsional spring assembly component is configured as the compound motion track of linear motion and arc motion combination, complete torsional spring and ring assembly.The application can improve the assembly efficiency of clip.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automated assembly equipment technology, and more specifically, to an automated clamp assembly device and method. Background Technology

[0002] Clips are widely used everyday products, typically consisting of two clamping plates, a torsion spring, a hanging ring, and a connecting pin. For a long time, the assembly of these products relied mainly on manual labor, resulting in low efficiency, poor consistency, and high labor intensity, making it difficult to meet the dual requirements of efficiency and quality in modern mass production.

[0003] To improve automation, some clamp assembly equipment has emerged in the industry, attempting to achieve sequential assembly of parts. However, existing equipment still has several significant problems in actual operation, especially in the automatic assembly of torsion springs and hanging rings, where the assembly success rate is low. Torsion springs, with their irregular spatial structure and elastic characteristics, are prone to jamming, positional misalignment, or detachment during automatic feeding, posture adjustment, and alignment with hanging rings, leading to instability in the assembly process and limiting the overall operating efficiency of the equipment.

[0004] Therefore, the existing technology lacks an integrated solution capable of efficiently, reliably, and accurately automating the assembly of clamps, torsion springs, and hanging rings. This has become a key bottleneck restricting the efficient automated production of such products. It is necessary to propose an automated assembly equipment and method with a reasonable structure, stable operation, and strong adaptability to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the purpose of this invention is to provide an automatic clamp assembly device and method to solve the technical problems of low success rate, poor adaptability, and difficulty in coordinating stability and accuracy in the assembly process of existing equipment.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, in a first aspect, the present invention provides an automatic clamp assembly device, wherein the clamp includes two opposing clamping plates, a torsion spring, a hanging ring, and a pin connecting the clamping plates, the torsion spring, and the hanging ring into one unit, the torsion spring including a spring coil and two support legs extending from the spring coil; the device includes a turntable and a tooling disposed in the circumferential direction of the turntable, and the device further includes: A clamping plate loading mechanism for loading the clamping plate into the tooling; and The torsion spring loading mechanism includes: The ring conveying assembly is provided with a conveying track for conveying rings, the conveying track having a clearance structure for the passage of torsion spring legs; A torsion spring assembly for gripping and driving the torsion spring to move such that one of its legs passes through the hanging ring and the clearance structure, so that the hanging ring is fitted around the outer periphery of the spring coil, and the two legs of the torsion spring are respectively located on both sides of the hanging ring; and The pressing assembly includes a push plate for pushing the torsion spring with the hanging ring already fitted into the corresponding tooling to cooperate with the placed clamping plate. The torsion spring assembly assembly is configured to complete the assembly of the torsion spring and the hanging ring through a composite motion trajectory combining linear and arc motion.

[0007] By adopting the above technical solution, the composite motion trajectory simulates the optimal spatial avoidance and alignment path in manual assembly in principle. First, linear motion aligns the torsion spring support leg axially with the inner hole of the hanging ring and the avoidance structure. Then, arc motion is introduced to rotate the support leg with minimal interference angle and "pass through" rather than "collide" into the hanging ring. This decomposed action of "aligning first and then passing through" greatly reduces the absolute dependence on the positioning accuracy of the parts, allowing the mechanism to adaptively adjust within the tolerance range. This solves the problems of unstable gripping and alignment failure caused by the elastic deformation and rebound of the torsion spring, simplifies the highly complex three-dimensional spatial assembly and stabilizes it into a repeatable mechanical path, significantly improving the success rate and reliability of assembly.

[0008] Furthermore, the torsion spring assembly includes: A linear guide rail, the extension direction of which forms an acute angle with the conveying direction of the conveying track; The fixed plate is slidably mounted on the linear slide rail; A driving component is mounted on the fixed plate, and a gear is fixedly connected to the driving end of the driving component; A torsion spring gripping component includes grippers and an arc-shaped rack. The grippers are used to grip the torsion spring, and the arc-shaped rack meshes with the gear and can drive the grippers to move in an arc relative to the fixed plate. The gripper is also configured to reciprocate linearly relative to the arc-shaped rack along its gripping direction.

[0009] By employing the above technical solution, a sophisticated mechanical synthesis mechanism is provided to achieve the aforementioned composite trajectory. The linear guide rail and the "gear-arc rack" pair are not simply superimposed, but rather coordinated through acute-angle arrangement and motion coupling. The movement of the fixed plate along the linear guide rail provides coarse alignment and feed stroke, while the arc swing completed by the gear-driven arc rack and gripper achieves precise insertion angle control. In particular, the gripper's independent linear reciprocating motion capability is a key technical point. It allows the gripper to perform a slight linear push or retraction at the end of the arc swing process to compensate for part tolerances and ensure that the outriggers completely pass through the hanging ring before releasing mechanical interference. This three-level coordinated mechanism of "linear guide rail macro-feed + arc rack angle guidance + gripper micro-motion compensation" achieves precise multi-degree-of-freedom control required for assembling elastic irregularly shaped parts while maintaining a compact structure. This avoids the use of complex and expensive multi-axis robots, reducing costs and improving mechanical rigidity.

[0010] Furthermore, the fixed plate is provided with limiters on both sides of the gripper's movement path to limit the travel of the gripper when placing the torsion spring.

[0011] By adopting the above technical solution, the limiting component's role transcends simple physical obstruction. Its innovation lies in providing a repeatable and precise mechanical zero point for the aforementioned composite motion. It not only prevents component damage or positioning errors caused by overtravel, but more importantly, establishes a deterministic correlation with the endpoint position of the composite motion trajectory. In each assembly cycle, the composite motion terminates at the limiting component, ensuring that regardless of minute axial positional differences in the torsion spring material on the gripper, its final spatial posture after entering the hanging ring is uniquely determined. This eliminates accumulated errors, transforming assembly accuracy from relying on closed-loop control with high-precision sensors to a deterministic result guaranteed by a rigid mechanical structure, greatly enhancing the system's stability and anti-interference capability under long-term high-speed operation.

[0012] Furthermore, the working end of the push plate is provided with a first push part and a second push part that are offset in the thickness direction. The first push part is configured to be adapted to the outer contour of the spring ring, and the second push part is configured to be adapted to the end of the hanging ring. The first push part and the second push part are also arranged in a staggered manner in the length direction of the push plate.

[0013] By adopting the above technical solution, the creativity of this design lies in its in-depth understanding and targeted solutions to the mechanical characteristics of complex components. A torsion spring (with a hanging ring) is a component with uneven mass and stiffness distribution. Traditional flat-push plates easily cause the component to tilt, roll, or even jam during the pushing process. This invention creatively decomposes and redistributes the single thrust: the first push part conforms to the arc surface of the spring coil, mainly providing the pushing force and constraining the rotation of the spring coil; the second push part abuts against the end face of the hanging ring, mainly providing a stabilizing torque and preventing the hanging ring from swaying. The dual misalignment in the thickness and length directions constitutes a stable "two points determine a straight line" pushing posture in three-dimensional space. This "split-type, irregularly shaped fitting" push plate design essentially "tailor-made" a dynamic guide and force-applying clamp for the component, automatically maintaining the correct posture of the component during the pushing process, realizing the transformation from "passive pushing" to "active posture control," and ensuring high precision and high reliability in the transfer process.

[0014] Furthermore, the pressing assembly also includes a docking part, which has a through groove inside. The push plate, together with a torsion spring fitted with a hanging ring, passes through the through groove and cooperates with the clamping plate already placed in the tooling.

[0015] By adopting the above technical solution, the introduction of the docking component is a key modular and buffer design. Its innovation lies in establishing a protected "transition zone" or "buffer zone" between the assembly station and the final pressing station. The through-slot, as a precise internal guiding channel, constrains the movement of the push plate and components from an open space to a closed or semi-closed defined path, effectively isolating external interference (such as airflow and vibration). More importantly, it allows for a certain degree of decoupling and optimization of the assembly action (torsion spring insertion ring) and the pressing action (component insertion into tooling) in both space and time. The assembly mechanism can focus on completing its own high-precision actions without having to directly align the component with the distant tooling in one go, reducing the stringent requirements on the overall positioning accuracy of the equipment and improving the fault tolerance of the system design and the independence of each module.

[0016] Furthermore, the docking member slides between a first position and a second position. When it is in the first position, the push plate can carry the torsion spring with the hanging ring sleeve into the through groove. When the docking member slides to the second position, the push plate pushes the torsion spring with the hanging ring sleeve out of the through groove and into the tooling to cooperate with the placed clamping plate.

[0017] By adopting the above technical solution, the sliding function of the docking component is one of the core collaborative mechanisms of this invention. It is not a simple linear movement, but rather achieves flexible switching of functional stations and precise connection of material flow. In the first position, the docking component, acting as a "receiver," precisely docks with the assembly station, ensuring that the component can be safely captured into the through-slot. During the sliding to the second position, the docking component, along with its internal components, is transferred as a whole, avoiding the risk of loss of posture due to the component detaching from the fixture during the transfer. Upon reaching the second position, the through-slot outlet of the docking component is strictly aligned with the target tooling, at which point the pusher plate performs a secondary advancement. This "receive-overall transfer-alignment delivery" mode creatively decomposes "long-distance precision handling" into "short-distance assembly" + "overall mechanism movement" + "short-distance pressing," greatly simplifying the motion control logic, improving the stability and accuracy of the overall action, and achieving efficient and smooth connection between various processes.

[0018] Furthermore, it also includes a stamping mechanism. When the torsion spring with the hanging ring is pushed into the tooling and engages with the placed clamping plate, the stamping mechanism passes the pin through the clamping plate, the torsion spring, and the hanging ring, so that the clamping plate, the torsion spring, and the hanging ring are connected as one unit.

[0019] By adopting the above technical solution, the integration of the stamping mechanism signifies the realization of a closed-loop automation of the entire process from "pre-assembly" to "final fixing," which is a key link in improving the overall efficiency of this invention. Its ingenious synergy lies in the fact that the cooperation of all previous mechanisms (clamp plate insertion, torsion spring assembly, pressing) is aimed at precisely forming a "component assembly" awaiting the pin within the tooling. The stamping mechanism performs the final riveting at this point, and its success rate and quality directly depend on the component alignment accuracy provided by the previous process. This invention, through the aforementioned series of innovations, ensures a high degree of consistency in the position and orientation of the component assembly within the tooling, thereby enabling the stamping mechanism to use a relatively fixed and efficient stamping path and force, reliably completing the riveting without complex visual correction or force sensor feedback. This phased strategy of "precision prefabrication + standard riveting" optimizes the production cycle and ensures the uniformity of connection strength and quality in the final product.

[0020] Furthermore, during the process of the docking member sliding from the first position to the second position, the push plate slides relative to the docking member.

[0021] By adopting the above technical solution, this relative sliding design embodies the precise control concept of dynamic compensation and coordinated pushing. Its innovation lies in the fact that it is not a simple sequential action, but a kind of "accompanying motion." When the docking component slides, the pusher plate is not stationary, but slowly retracts or maintains slight movement relative to the docking component at a controlled speed. This design has two key functions: First, it ensures that the component is always slightly supported by the pusher plate throughout the transfer process, preventing it from shifting back and forth in the slot due to inertia and maintaining absolute stability of its posture; second, it prepares for the subsequent push-out action. When the docking component reaches the second position, the relative position between the pusher plate and the component is at the optimal starting point, requiring only a short, rapid linear motion to cleanly and neatly push the component out, avoiding the instability that may be caused by long-stroke pushing. This dynamic accompanying relationship improves the smoothness and controllability of the entire transfer and pressing process.

[0022] Furthermore, the through groove is configured such that when the torsion spring is inside the through groove, the side wall of the through groove presses against the two legs, causing the two legs to rotate close to each other and maintain an elastic preload state.

[0023] By adopting the above technical solution, this invention achieves a highly ingenious "functional integration" design. The through slot is no longer merely a guide channel, but is endowed with the active function of "pre-processing" parts. Its ingenious principle lies in utilizing the elastic mechanical properties of the torsion spring itself. Through a specific sidewall design, when the component passes through the through slot, a lateral force is applied to the two legs of the torsion spring in a controlled manner, causing them to overcome some of the elastic force and retract towards the center. This process achieves three beneficial effects: 1) Posture pre-adjustment: It makes the posture of the legs closer to the angle required for final mating with the clamping plate, simplifying the subsequent alignment difficulty with the clamping plate. 2) Storing elastic potential energy: It puts the torsion spring in a pre-tightened state. When it is pushed into the tooling and mating with the clamping plate, the pre-tightened legs tend to expand outward, which can more closely fit the corresponding structure on the clamping plate, enhancing the bonding force and stability after assembly. 3) Space compression: The retracted legs reduce the overall lateral dimension of the component, allowing it to enter the tooling more smoothly in areas with potentially limited space. This design combines the "transfer process" with the "assembly preparation" into one, significantly improving the convenience and quality of the final assembly without adding extra steps or mechanisms.

[0024] Secondly, the present invention provides an automatic clamp assembly method, which uses the automatic assembly equipment described in the first aspect to assemble the clamps, the method comprising the following steps: Insert the clamping plate into the tooling on the turntable; After the gripper picks up the torsion spring, it causes the torsion spring to rotate and tilt at an angle. One leg of the torsion spring is passed through the hanging ring and the clearance structure, so that the hanging ring is sleeved on the outer periphery of the spring ring, and the two legs of the torsion spring are respectively located on both sides of the hanging ring; The pusher plate pushes the torsion spring with the hanging ring onto the fixture into the tooling, where it engages with the already placed clamping plate.

[0025] By adopting the above technical solution, the "clamping plate positioning" is first established as the spatial reference; then, the crucial "composite motion fitting" action is executed. This step solves the core problem of mating irregularly shaped elastic parts by decomposing complex movements into precisely controllable mechanical paths; next, through "buffered transfer and active attitude control pushing," the assembled components are transferred to the reference station with high fidelity; finally, the final riveting is completed. The entire process is interconnected, with each step creating precise and stable initial conditions for the next, and each subsequent step fully utilizing and consolidating the results of the previous step. It transforms what was originally a difficult manual operation into a stable, efficient, and scalable automated production process, fully exploring and demonstrating the collaborative value of innovations in various hardware components.

[0026] In summary, this application has at least one of the following beneficial technical effects: 1. This design fundamentally solves the challenge of automatic assembly of torsion springs and hanging rings: through an innovative "composite linear and arc motion trajectory" and its implementation mechanism, the spatial fitting action, which relies on the manual feel of skilled workers, is deconstructed and solidified into a high-precision mechanical motion path. Combined with the pre-tightening function of the through-slot support legs, this not only achieves a high success rate of assembly but also proactively improves the fit of the parts, embodying a creative design philosophy that moves from "passive adaptation" to "active shaping."

[0027] 2. A highly collaborative and fault-tolerant modular system was constructed: Each component (assembly, docking, pressing) does not operate in isolation, but is tightly connected through a collaborative mechanism of "receiving-buffered transfer-precise delivery." The docking parts act as flexible buffers, reducing the stringent requirements for positioning between modules; the relative sliding between the push plate and the docking parts achieves dynamic and stable control. This collaborative design ensures the overall system accuracy through the mechanical determinism of key local components, rather than relying on expensive, end-to-end high-precision control, thus improving reliability and cost-effectiveness.

[0028] 3. Achieved closed-loop automation and enhanced quality throughout the entire process: From the loading of clamps, the precise pre-assembly of torsion springs and hanging rings, the controllable transfer of component postures, to the final automatic riveting, a complete automation solution was formed. Particularly noteworthy is the integration of part posture control (misaligned push plate) and pre-processing (leg pre-tensioning) during the transfer and pressing process. This allows automated assembly to not only replace manual labor but also surpass manual operation in consistency and assembly quality, ensuring the high quality of the final product.

[0029] 4. Excellent engineering applicability and expansion potential: The mechanism design of this invention emphasizes the ingenuity and reliability of the mechanical structure, with clear motion control logic, reducing manufacturing costs and maintenance difficulty. Its modular approach and methods for handling irregularly shaped elastic parts provide a referable technical path for the automated assembly of similar complex small components, demonstrating broad industrial application prospects and adaptability. Attached Figure Description

[0030] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0031] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the clip's structure; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the disassembled state of the clip; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly equipment in this application; Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of the tooling; Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure in which a clamping plate is placed inside the tooling; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the torsion spring loading mechanism; Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the structure for clamping the torsion spring in the assembly assembly; Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the structure when the torsion spring assembly is detached from the torsion spring; Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the structure for the mating of the press-in component and the hanging ring conveyor component; Figure 10 for Figure 9 Enlarged structural diagram of region A in the middle; Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the torsion spring and the hanging ring in their assembled state. Figure 12 A structural schematic diagram of the fit between the press-fit assembly and the hanging ring conveyor assembly from another angle; Figure 13 for Figure 12 Enlarged structural diagram of region B.

[0032] Reference numerals: 100, clamp; 101, left clamp; 102, right clamp; 103, pin; 104, torsion spring; 105, hanging ring; 2, right clamp loading mechanism; 3, tooling; 31, assembly slot; 32, positioning block; 4, turntable; 5, left clamp loading mechanism; 6, stamping mechanism; 7, torsion spring loading mechanism; 71, hanging ring conveying assembly; 72, pressing assembly; 721, push plate; 7211, first push part 7212, Second pusher; 73, Torsion spring conveyor assembly; 74, Limiting component; 75, Torsion spring assembly assembly; 751, Linear slide rail; 752, Fixing plate; 753, Clamping cylinder; 754, Arc rack; 755, Gripper; 756, Insert rod; 757, Gear; 758, Drive component; 759, Arc track; 76, Connecting component; 761, Through groove; 77, Hanging ring pusher assembly; 771, Clearance groove. Detailed Implementation

[0033] 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 scope of protection of the present invention.

[0034] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0035] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0036] The technical solution of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, the features in the following embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0037] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2The automatically assembled clamp 100 of this invention comprises clamping plates, a torsion spring 104, a hanging ring 105, and a pin 103. The clamping plates include a left clamping plate 101 and a right clamping plate 102. The torsion spring 104 has a spring coil and two legs extending from both ends of the spring coil. During assembly, the torsion spring 104 is positioned between the two clamping plates, the hanging ring 105 is fitted over the spring coil of the torsion spring 104, and finally the pin 103 passes through corresponding holes on the left clamping plate 101, the spring coil of the torsion spring 104, the hanging ring 105, and the right clamping plate 102, and is fixed by riveting or other methods, thereby connecting the various parts into a whole.

[0038] Example 1 Please see Figures 3 to 13 This embodiment provides a device for automatically assembling the aforementioned clamps. The device includes a rotatable turntable 4 with multiple fixtures 3 evenly spaced around its perimeter for supporting and positioning parts such as clamping plates. The turntable 4 rotates intermittently via a drive mechanism (such as a divider), sequentially delivering the fixtures 3 to each workstation.

[0039] The equipment's workflow mainly includes the following steps, which are completed synchronously or sequentially at different workstations during the intermittent pauses of turntable 4: like Figure 3 As shown, the clamping plates are loaded: the left clamping plate loading mechanism 5 and the right clamping plate loading mechanism 2 respectively grab the left clamping plate 101 and the right clamping plate 102 and place them into the designated positions on the turntable 4 corresponding to the tooling 3. The tooling 3 is provided with an assembly groove 31 and a positioning block 32 that match the shape of the clamping plate (see...). Figure 4 , Figure 5 ), to ensure that the clamps are placed and secured accurately.

[0040] Pre-assembly and pressing of the torsion spring and the hanging ring: This is the core innovative station of this equipment. At this station, the torsion spring loading mechanism 7 first completes the fitting and assembly of the torsion spring 104 and the hanging ring 105 (see...). Figure 2 Then, the assembled components are pressed into tooling 3, which has been fitted with clamping plates.

[0041] Pin pressing and riveting: In the subsequent station, the stamping mechanism 6 presses the pin 103 into the aligned holes of the left clamping plate 101, torsion spring 104, hanging ring 105, and right clamping plate 102, and completes the riveting to form the final product (see...). Figure 1 and Figure 2 ).

[0042] The core torsion spring loading mechanism 7 and its working process will be described in detail below.

[0043] like Figures 6 to 13 As shown, the torsion spring loading mechanism 7 mainly includes four functional components: a hanging ring conveying assembly 71, a torsion spring conveying assembly 73, a torsion spring assembly assembly 75, and a pressing assembly 72.

[0044] The ring conveying assembly 71 is responsible for conveying the rings 105 one by one and in an orderly manner to the designated assembly position. It typically includes a vibratory feeder or linear vibratory feeder (the feeder body is not shown in the figure) and a conveying track. The rings 105 are conveyed in a queue on the track. A critical clearance structure is provided on the conveying track; in this embodiment, the clearance structure is a clearance groove 771 (see...). Figure 10 , Figure 11 The function of the clearance groove 771 is that when one leg of the torsion spring 104 needs to pass through the hanging ring 105, the leg can pass downward through the inner hole of the hanging ring 105 and continue to extend downward into the clearance groove 771, thereby providing sufficient movement space for the leg, avoiding interference with the track, and ensuring that the threading action is completed smoothly. The end of the conveyor track is usually also equipped with a hanging ring pushing assembly 77 (such as a small cylinder-driven push rod) to precisely push the foremost hanging ring 105 to the fixed position waiting for assembly.

[0045] like Figure 7 , Figure 8 As shown, the torsion spring assembly 75 is the key to achieving the high-difficulty slip-on action in this invention. Its design aims to generate a composite motion trajectory that combines straight lines and arcs.

[0046] Basic structure: The component includes a linear slide rail 751, which is installed at an acute angle (neither perpendicular nor parallel) to the hanging ring conveyor track. A fixing plate 752 is slidably mounted on the linear slide rail 751 and can be driven by a cylinder to slide back and forth along the slide rail.

[0047] The compound motion generation mechanism consists of a drive element 758 (such as a rotary cylinder or motor) mounted on a fixed plate 752, with a gear 757 fixed on its output shaft. An arc-shaped rack 754 meshes with the gear 757 and can slide along an arc-shaped track 759 provided beside it. A gripper 755 (usually driven by a gripping cylinder 753) is mounted on the arc-shaped rack 754. Crucially, the gripper 755 not only moves with the arc-shaped rack 754 as a whole, but also (via the gripping cylinder 753) performs a linear reciprocating motion relative to the arc-shaped rack 754 (i.e., the gripping / release direction), enabling the gripper 755 to grasp the torsion spring 104. This embodiment also includes another scheme, in which an insertion rod 756 is provided that is slidably connected to the gripper 755. The gripping cylinder 753 drives the insertion rod 756 to slide. The insertion rod 756 is inserted downward into the spring coil of the torsion spring 104 to pick up the torsion spring. When it moves upward, the torsion spring 104 is blocked by the gripper 755 and disengaged from the insertion rod 756 (see...). Figure 8 ).

[0048] See Figures 3 to 13 The work process and procedures are explained in detail.

[0049] Work process: a. Initial gripping: The torsion spring conveying assembly 73 (such as another vibratory feeder and guide rail) conveys the torsion spring 104 to the gripping position. At this time, the fixed plate 752 is located at the starting end of the linear guide rail 751, and the drive member 758 rotates the gear 757, driving the arc-shaped rack 754 and the gripper 755 to move to a horizontal or inclined posture that facilitates gripping. The gripper 755 closes, reliably gripping the torsion spring 104 through the insert 756 (which can be inserted into the torsion spring coil) or other structure (see...). Figure 7 ).

[0050] b. Composite motion of the loop: After grasping the torsion spring 104, the fixing plate 752 begins to slide along the linear slide rail 751 toward the hanging ring 105 (linear motion component). Simultaneously or slightly later, the driving component 758 drives the gear 757 to rotate, which in turn drives the gripper 755 and the torsion spring 104 to swing along the arc track 759 via the arc rack 754 (arc motion component). These two motions are precisely coordinated so that during the movement, the tip of one leg of the torsion spring 104 first aligns with the inner hole of the hanging ring 105 that has been pushed into place.

[0051] c. Completion of threading: Under the combined action of linear feed and arc-shaped oscillation, the support leg of the torsion spring 104 smoothly passes through the inner hole of the hanging ring 105 in a "threading" rather than "impacting" manner, and continues downward into the clearance groove 771 of the conveyor track (see...). Figure 11 At this point, the hanging ring 105 is naturally "sleeved" onto the coil of the torsion spring 104, with the two legs of the torsion spring located on either side of the hanging ring 105. Subsequently, the gripper 755 releases the torsion spring 104, the insert rod 756 retracts, and the torsion spring 104 is placed.

[0052] d. Reset: The fixed plate 752 retracts along the linear slide rail 751, while the drive component 758 reverses, causing the gripper 755 to swing back to its initial position, ready for the next gripping operation. Limiting component 74 (see...) Figure 6 The grippers 755 are positioned on both sides of the movement path of the gripper 755 on the fixed plate 752 to precisely define the final position of the gripper 755 when placing the torsion spring 104, ensuring consistency in each placement.

[0053] The pressing component 72 is responsible for transferring the torsion spring 104, which has been fitted with the hanging ring 105, from the assembly position and pressing it into the tooling 3 on the turntable 4.

[0054] The docking part 76 is a slider with a through groove 761 that can slide between a "first position" (receiving position, docking with push rod 721) and a "second position" (discharging position, docking with tooling 3) driven by a cylinder.

[0055] The working end design of the push plate 721 is unique (see...) Figure 11 , Figure 13It has a first pusher 7211 and a second pusher 7212 that are staggered in the thickness direction. The shape of the first pusher 7211 is adapted to the outer contour of the torsion spring 104 coil, and the shape of the second pusher 7212 is adapted to the end of the hanging ring 105, and the two are also staggered in the length direction of the pusher plate. This design allows the pusher plate 721 to simultaneously and stably push the coil and the hanging ring, which are not on the same plane.

[0056] Collaborative workflow: a. Receiving: After the torsion spring and the hanging ring are properly fitted in the assembly position, the mating part 76 slides to the first position, aligning the entrance of its through slot 761 with the assembly position. Subsequently, the push plate 721 moves forward, with its first push portion 7211 and second push portion 7212 respectively abutting against the spring coil of the torsion spring 104 and the hanging ring 105, smoothly pushing the entire assembly into the through slot 761 of the mating part 76. The sidewalls of the through slot 761 are designed with a specific contour; when the torsion spring 104 is pushed in, the sidewalls gently press against the two legs of the torsion spring, causing it to slightly retract inward and maintain a certain elastic preload (see...). Figure 13 This facilitates subsequent assembly with the clamping plate.

[0057] b. Transfer and Pressing: The mating part 76, carrying its internal components, slides from the first position to the second position. During this process, the push plate 721 can maintain contact with the components or make slight relative sliding to prevent the components from wobbling within the groove. When the mating part 76 reaches the second position, the outlet of its through groove 761 is precisely aligned with the inlet of the current fixture 3 on the turntable 4. At this time, the push plate 721 advances forward again, pushing the assembly consisting of the torsion spring 104 and the hanging ring 105 out of the through groove 761 and pressing it into the predetermined position between the left and right clamping plates within the fixture 3 (see...). Figure 5 ), to complete the cooperation with the clamping plate.

[0058] c. Reset: Push plate 721 retracts, docking part 76 slides back to the first position, ready to receive the next assembled component.

[0059] At this point, the clamping plate, torsion spring, and hanging ring are all in place within fixture 3. The turntable 4 rotates, sending the assembly to the next station, where the stamping mechanism 6 presses in and rivets the pins 103, finally outputting the assembled clamp.

[0060] Example 2 This embodiment provides an automatic clamp assembly method using the above-described automatic assembly equipment, the steps of which correspond to the equipment's workflow, specifically including: Insert the left and right clamping plates into their respective fixtures on the turntable and position them.

[0061] The torsion spring assembly performs a compound motion: after the gripper picks up the torsion spring, the torsion spring rotates and tilts at a certain angle under the combined action of the linear slide rail feed and the arc rack swing, so that one of its legs accurately passes through the inner hole of the already delivered hanging ring and the clearance groove of the conveying track, thereby putting the hanging ring on the outer circumference of the torsion spring coil.

[0062] The transfer and pressing are performed by pressing in the component: the pusher plate pushes the torsion spring with the hanging ring into the through groove of the docking part; the docking part slides with the component to the position aligned with the tooling; the pusher plate pushes the component out of the through groove and presses it into the left and right clamps that have been placed in the tooling.

[0063] Finally, the pins are pressed in and riveted by a stamping mechanism, so that the clamp plate, torsion spring and hanging ring are connected into a single clamp product.

[0064] Through the above detailed description, the device structure, the cooperative working principle of each component, and the complete assembly method of the present invention have been fully disclosed. This solution, through ingenious mechanical design, particularly the combined motion trajectory of the torsion spring assembly assembly and the cooperative transfer mechanism of the pressing assembly, efficiently and reliably solves the problem of automatic assembly of the torsion spring and the hanging ring in clamp assembly, achieving high-quality, fully automated production.

[0065] This article uses specific examples to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of the present invention. The descriptions of the above embodiments are only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make several improvements and modifications to the present invention without departing from the principles of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications also fall within the protection scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic clamp assembly device, the clamp comprising two opposing clamping plates, a torsion spring, a hanging ring, and a pin connecting the clamping plates, the torsion spring, and the hanging ring into one unit, the torsion spring comprising a spring coil and two support legs extending from the spring coil; the device comprising a turntable and a fixture disposed circumferentially on the turntable, characterized in that, The device also includes: A clamping plate loading mechanism for loading the clamping plate into the tooling; and The torsion spring loading mechanism includes: The ring conveying assembly is provided with a conveying track for conveying rings, the conveying track having a clearance structure for the passage of torsion spring legs; A torsion spring assembly for gripping and driving the torsion spring to move, causing one of its legs to pass through the hanging ring and clearance structure, so that the hanging ring is fitted around the outer periphery of the spring coil, and the two legs of the torsion spring are respectively located on both sides of the hanging ring; and The pressing assembly includes a push plate for pushing the torsion spring with the hanging ring already fitted into the corresponding tooling to cooperate with the placed clamping plate. The torsion spring assembly assembly is configured to complete the assembly of the torsion spring and the hanging ring through a composite motion trajectory combining linear and arc motion.

2. The automatic assembly equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The torsion spring assembly includes: A linear guide rail, the extension direction of which forms an acute angle with the conveying direction of the conveying track; A fixed plate is slidably mounted on the linear slide rail; A driving component is mounted on the fixed plate, and a gear is fixedly connected to the driving end of the driving component; A torsion spring gripping component includes grippers and an arc-shaped rack. The grippers are used to grip the torsion spring, and the arc-shaped rack meshes with the gear and can drive the grippers to move in an arc relative to the fixed plate. The gripper is also configured to reciprocate linearly relative to the arc-shaped rack along its gripping direction.

3. The automatic assembly equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that, Limiting elements are provided on both sides of the gripper's movement path on the fixed plate to limit the travel of the gripper when placing the torsion spring.

4. The automatic assembly equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The working end of the push plate is provided with a first push part and a second push part that are offset in the thickness direction. The first push part is configured to be adapted to the outer contour of the spring ring, and the second push part is configured to be adapted to the end of the hanging ring. The first push part and the second push part are also arranged in a staggered manner in the length direction of the push plate.

5. The automatic assembly equipment according to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that, The pressing assembly also includes a docking part, which has a through groove inside. The push plate, together with a torsion spring fitted with a hanging ring, passes through the through groove and cooperates with the clamping plate already placed in the tooling.

6. The automatic assembly equipment according to claim 5, characterized in that, The docking member slides between a first position and a second position. When it is in the first position, the push plate can carry the torsion spring with the hanging ring sleeve into the through groove. When the docking member slides to the second position, the push plate pushes the torsion spring with the hanging ring sleeve out of the through groove and into the tooling to cooperate with the placed clamping plate.

7. The automatic assembly equipment according to claim 6, characterized in that, It also includes a stamping mechanism. When the torsion spring with the hanging ring is pushed into the tooling and cooperates with the placed clamping plate, the stamping mechanism passes the pin through the clamping plate, the torsion spring and the hanging ring, so that the clamping plate, the torsion spring and the hanging ring are connected as one unit.

8. The automatic assembly equipment according to claim 6, characterized in that, During the process of the docking member sliding from the first position to the second position, the push plate slides relative to the docking member.

9. The automatic assembly equipment according to any one of claims 6-8, characterized in that, The through slot is configured such that when the torsion spring is inside the through slot, the sidewall of the through slot presses against the two legs, causing the two legs to rotate close to each other and maintain an elastic preload.

10. An automatic clamp assembly method, characterized in that, The clamps are assembled using the automatic assembly equipment according to any one of claims 1-9, the method comprising the following steps: Insert the clamping plate into the tooling on the turntable; After the gripper picks up the torsion spring, it causes the torsion spring to rotate and tilt at an angle. One leg of the torsion spring passes through the hanging ring and the clearance structure, so that the hanging ring is sleeved on the outer periphery of the spring ring, and the two legs of the torsion spring are respectively located on both sides of the hanging ring; The pusher plate pushes the torsion spring with the hanging ring onto the fixture into the tooling, where it engages with the already placed clamping plate.

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