A tr component connector and substrate automatic assembly welding production line and method of use

Abstract

The application discloses a TR assembly connector and substrate automatic assembly welding production line and a use method. The production line comprises, sequentially arranged along an assembly direction: a material preparation station for assembling and placing TR assembly connectors, substrates and pads; a rectangular connector assembly station for taking TR assembly tool bases and TR assembly box bodies from product warehouses and carrying them to a first assembly position to identify, assemble and fix the rectangular connectors; an SMP connector assembly station for carrying products assembled in the last station from a transmission track to a second assembly position to identify, assemble and fix the SMP connectors; a substrate assembly station for carrying products assembled in the last station from the transmission track to a third assembly position to identify, assemble and fix the substrates and substrate pads, and transferring the assembled products to a discharging cabin. The application realizes high-precision assembly of the connectors.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of electronic assembly technology, and in particular to an automated assembly and welding production line for TR component connectors and substrates, and a method for using it. Background Technology

[0002] Airborne phased array radar is one of the core systems of the next generation of precision guidance. The T / R module is a core component of the entire phased array radar system. The T / R module involves the assembly and soldering of numerous connectors and substrates. Connector and substrate assembly is a repetitive task in the production process, requiring precise control over the quantity and placement of solder rings. To improve the automation rate of T / R module production and reduce the reliance on highly skilled personnel for connector soldering during microwave assembly, a production line and its application method that can automate the assembly of T / R module connectors and substrates are needed.

[0003] The statements herein provide only background information in relation to the present invention and do not necessarily constitute prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to propose an automated assembly and soldering production line and method for TR component connectors and substrates, which solves the shortcomings of existing manual or automated assembly of TR component connector substrates, which makes it difficult to effectively assemble solder rings and apply flux. The invention uses a rectangular connector assembly station and an SMP connector assembly station to pre-assemble and solder the connectors and solder rings to form a whole before assembling the connectors. At the same time, regarding the flux application problem, the flux is applied by dipping the connector in the flux before applying it, which precisely controls the amount of flux used and avoids the influence of flux on visual recognition accuracy, thus achieving high-precision assembly of connectors and has strong engineering practicality.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this invention provides an automated assembly and welding production line for TR component connectors and substrates, used for the automated assembly of TR component connectors and substrates. It comprises, sequentially arranged along the assembly direction: a material preparation station for assembling and traying TR component connectors, substrates, and solder pads, and conveying the assembled connectors and tooling to subsequent stations; a rectangular connector assembly station for removing the TR component tooling base and TR component housing from the product hopper and transporting it to a first assembly position, identifying, assembling, and fixing the rectangular connectors, and transferring the assembled product to the next station; an SMP connector assembly station for transporting the assembled product from the previous station along a transfer track to a second assembly position, identifying, assembling, and fixing the SMP connectors, and transferring the assembled product to the next station; and a substrate assembly station for transporting the assembled product from the previous station along a transfer track to a third assembly position, identifying, assembling, and fixing the substrate and substrate solder pads, and transferring the assembled product to an unloading bin.

[0006] In one embodiment, the material preparation station includes a flexible vibrating tray, a top visual recognition device, a bottom visual recognition device, a first robotic arm, a tray-stacking fixture, a throwing box, and an operating terminal. The flexible vibrating tray disperses and spreads the material evenly within the tray or drops it into the tray groove. The top visual recognition device identifies the dispersed material and its position by taking a picture. The first robotic arm retrieves the corresponding suction nozzle to pick up the material from the flexible vibrating tray and moves it to the bottom visual recognition device. The material picking status is confirmed by taking a picture, and the material quality is checked. Unqualified material is moved and discarded into the throwing box, while qualified material is moved to the tray-stacking fixture. Under a certain pressure, the material is placed sequentially into the tray-stacking fixture.

[0007] In one embodiment, the suction nozzle has a structure that matches the characteristics of the material being sucked up; the suction nozzle includes an SMP solder ring suction nozzle and a rectangular connector suction nozzle; the SMP solder ring suction nozzle has an annular hollow tube shape, and a plurality of through holes are provided in the inner circumferential direction of the ring, the through holes in the inner circumferential direction of the ring being used to adsorb and grasp the SMP solder ring; the rectangular connector suction nozzle is a cap shape with a hollow tube, the bottom of the cap is provided with a side that can fit into the rectangular connector, and the negative pressure air in the hollow tube is used to grasp the rectangular connector.

[0008] In one embodiment, the tray fixture includes an SMP tray fixture and a rectangular connector tray fixture; the groove of the SMP tray fixture is provided with guide angles and vent holes for placing SMP solder rings; after the SMP solder ring array is arranged, the SMP connectors are placed sequentially on the SMP solder rings using an SMP connector suction nozzle, and the SMP connectors are pressed into the SMP solder rings by a micro-pressure sensor on the first robotic arm; the tray fixture is made of aluminum alloy and the surface is anodized; after the connectors and solder rings are pre-assembled, the tray fixture, connectors, and solder rings are vapor-phase welded together to form a metallurgical bond between the connectors and solder rings.

[0009] In one embodiment, the rectangular connector assembly station includes a product hopper with lifting function, a product retrieval device, a rectangular connector tray position, a product assembly platform, a flux application device, a first recognition camera, a robotic arm gripper, a transmission track, and an operating terminal. When the product hopper rises to a preset position, the product retrieval device removes the product assembly fixture and TR component housing from the hopper. The robotic arm gripper uses a fixture gripping device to transfer the TR component housing along with the product assembly fixture to the product assembly platform. The product assembly platform is equipped with a pneumatic clamping mechanism, a flipping mechanism, and a housing clamping device. The pneumatic clamping mechanism fixes the product assembly fixture, and the flipping mechanism enables a 90° rotation of the product. The box is rotated 180°, and the box clamping device clamps the TR component box; the robotic arm gripper picks up the rectangular connector with solder rings already soldered on the rectangular connector tray, moves it to the area below the first recognition camera for material recognition and center recognition, moves it to the flux dipping device to dip in flux, and then moves it to the product assembly platform; after confirming the installation position and center of the rectangular connector through the second recognition camera on the robotic arm gripper, the rectangular connector is installed into the corresponding position in the TR component box; after all rectangular connectors are assembled, the product assembly platform is flipped to a horizontal position and the pneumatic clamping mechanism is released, and the tooling is transferred to the transmission track and moved to the SMP connector assembly station by the robotic arm gripper.

[0010] In one embodiment, the product assembly fixture includes a box support platform for supporting the TR component box, a transverse fastening beam with adjustable width, and a longitudinal clamping block with adjustable depth. By adjusting the transverse fastening beam and the longitudinal clamping block, the TR component box of different sizes can be supported and fixed. The bottom and bottom side of the TR component box contact and limit the box support platform, the left and right sides contact and limit the transverse fastening beam, and the top side contacts and limits the longitudinal clamping block. During assembly, the box clamping device contacts and limits the top surface of the TR component box, thereby achieving six-sided limiting and fixing of the TR component box. The product assembly fixture also includes a number of pre-installed connector clamping rods and clamping rod fixing devices. During assembly, the clamping rod gripper on the robotic arm gripper clamps the connector clamping rod and rotates it 90° to remove the connector clamping rod from the pre-installed position. After pressing it into the clamping rod fixing device and pressing it onto the rectangular connector, it is rotated 90° to fix the connector clamping rod.

[0011] In one embodiment, the connector pressure rod includes a pressure rod base, a pressure rod spring, a pressure rod core pin, and a base fixing screw; the pressure rod base has a T-shaped structure with two parallel planes on its two vertical sides; the pressure rod spring is sleeved on the outside of the pressure rod core pin; during operation, the pressure rod gripper grasps the side of the pressure rod base and moves it downward to compress the pressure rod spring, pressing the T-shaped structure plane under the pressure rod fixing device and rotating it 90° to lock the T-shaped structure in the pressure rod fixing device; the pressure rod spring is in a compressed state and transmits force to the pressure rod core pin, which fixes the rectangular connector to the TR component housing.

[0012] In one embodiment, the flux dispensing device includes a peristaltic pump, a flux storage tank with an open top, and a sealed flux collection container. The peristaltic pump is connected to the flux storage tank via a first pipe, and the flux storage tank is connected to the flux collection container via a second pipe. The power supply terminal of the peristaltic pump is connected to the device's PLC. The first pipe is located at the bottom of the flux storage tank, and the second pipe is located at the top of the flux storage tank. The inner diameter of the first pipe is smaller than the inner diameter of the second pipe. The PLC controls the peristaltic pump to draw flux from the flux collection container to the flux storage tank. When the flux level reaches the plane of the second pipe, the flux flows back to the flux collection container through the second pipe.

[0013] In one embodiment, the SMP connector assembly station includes a transfer track, a second robotic arm, an SMP connector loading table, a vision recognition device, a flux dispensing device, a product assembly platform, and a control terminal; the substrate assembly station includes a third robotic arm, a solder pad and substrate placement tray, a third assembly position, a material handling and unloading device, and a material unloading bin with lifting function; during operation, the third robotic arm moves the assembled product from the SMP connector assembly station to the third assembly position using grippers, and the third assembly position is clamped to the fixture by a cylinder; the third robotic arm picks up solder pads and substrates pre-filled with solid flux using suction nozzles for mounting; after all solder pads and substrates are assembled, the material handling and unloading device removes the pressure cap from the tooling bin and presses it onto the product assembly fixture through positioning pin holes, and presses the substrate solder pads and substrates onto the welding position of the TR component housing using elastic pressure rods; the third robotic arm moves the assembled product to the material handling and unloading device, which then moves the product to the material unloading bin with lifting function to complete automatic unloading.

[0014] The present invention also provides a method for using an automated assembly and welding production line for TR component connectors and substrates, which is based on the automated assembly and welding production line for TR component connectors and substrates described above, and includes the following steps: (a) Material preparation: Place the SMP connector solder pads to be assembled on the flexible vibrating tray in the material preparation station for solder ring arrangement. After completion, place the SMP connector on the flexible vibrating tray for assembly arrangement of the SMP connector and solder ring. Complete the assembly arrangement of the rectangular connector and solder ring, and the arrangement of the substrate and solder pad in the same way. Solder the assembled SMP connector and rectangular connector through a vacuum vapor phase welding device to fix the connector and solder ring. (b) Loading: Place the SMP connectors, rectangular connectors, substrates and solder pads that have been arranged on the trays into the corresponding tray placement positions in each workstation. Place the TR component box to be assembled on the adjusted TR component tooling base. Place the TR component tooling base into the product hopper of the rectangular connector assembly workstation. (c) Rectangular connector assembly: Start the rectangular connector assembly station to complete the automatic grabbing, identification, flux application, installation, clamping rod fixing and automatic unloading of rectangular connectors. The assembled products are moved to the SMP connector assembly station via the transfer track. (d) SMP connector assembly: The SMP connector assembly station automatically starts after recognizing the product on the track, and completes the automatic gripping, identification, flux application, installation, clamping rod fixation and automatic unloading of the SMP connector. The assembled product is moved to the substrate assembly station via the transfer track. (e) Substrate assembly: The substrate assembly station automatically starts after recognizing the product on the transport track, and completes the automatic gripping, recognition, installation, tooling cover removal and fixing, and automatic unloading of solder pads and substrates. (f) Welding: Take the product out from the unloading position of the substrate assembly station, and put the assembled box and tooling into the vacuum vapor phase welding equipment for welding.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages: (1) Traditional manual assembly of TR connectors, solder rings and substrates is time-consuming and prone to errors, omissions or tilting, which affect the quality of product assembly. The production line and method provided by this invention can improve assembly efficiency and quality, and have low requirements for the skill level of operators.

[0016] (2) Currently, the industry uses a separate assembly method for TR connector assembly, which involves first spraying flux onto the connector mounting holes in the housing, and then sequentially inserting the solder ring and connector. Due to the high precision requirements of TR housing assembly, the above method results in low assembly consistency and low assembly efficiency. The pre-assembly of connectors and solder rings provided by this invention, along with the use of flux application in the workstation, significantly improves production efficiency and achieves higher assembly consistency.

[0017] (3) This production line can be compatible with the assembly of various models and styles of TR box connectors and substrates through tooling adjustments, and has a high degree of flexibility. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figures 1-20 This is a schematic diagram of an automated assembly production line for TR component connectors and substrates according to the present invention. Figure 21 This is a flowchart illustrating the usage method of an automated assembly production line for TR component connectors and substrates according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The following detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, further illustrates the automated assembly line for TR component connectors and substrates proposed in this invention, as well as its usage method. The advantages and features of this invention will become clearer from the following description. It should be noted that the drawings are in a very simplified form and use non-precise proportions, intended only to facilitate and clearly illustrate the embodiments of this invention. Please refer to the drawings for a clearer understanding of the objectives, features, and advantages of this invention. It should be understood that the structures, proportions, sizes, etc., depicted in the accompanying drawings are only for illustrative purposes and to enable those skilled in the art to understand and read them. They are not intended to limit the implementation conditions of this invention and therefore have no substantial technical significance. Any modifications to the structure, changes in proportions, or adjustments to the size, without affecting the effects and objectives achieved by this invention, should still fall within the scope of the technical content disclosed in this invention.

[0020] To achieve automated assembly of TR component connectors and substrates, embodiments of the present invention provide an automated assembly and welding production line for TR component connectors and substrates, such as... Figures 1-20 As shown, the feature is that it includes the following components arranged sequentially along the assembly direction: a material preparation station 11, used to assemble and arrange TR component connectors, substrates and pads, and to transport the assembled connectors and tooling to subsequent stations; a rectangular connector assembly station 12, used to remove the TR component tooling base 61 and TR component housing 21 from the product hopper 91 and transport them to the first assembly position, to identify, assemble and fix the rectangular connector 22, and to transfer the assembled product to the next station; an SMP connector assembly station 13, used to transport the product assembled in the previous station from the transfer track 1411 to the second assembly position, to identify, assemble and fix the SMP connector 23, and to transfer the assembled product to the next station; and a substrate assembly station 14, used to transport the product assembled in the previous station from the transfer track (1411) to the third assembly position 142, to identify, assemble and fix the substrate 24 and substrate solder pads 241, and to transfer the assembled product to the unloading bin 1911.

[0021] Among them, such as Figure 8 As shown, the material preparation station 11 includes a magnetically detachable flexible vibrating tray 83, a top visual recognition device 84, a bottom visual recognition device 85, a first robotic arm 82, a tray-setting fixture 86, a throwing box 87, and an operating terminal 81. The flexible vibrating tray 83 disperses and spreads the material evenly within the tray or drops it into the tray groove. The top visual recognition device 84 identifies the dispersed material and its position by taking a picture. The first robotic arm 82 retrieves the corresponding suction nozzle to pick up the material from the flexible vibrating tray 83 and moves it to the bottom visual recognition device 85. The material picking status is confirmed by taking a picture, and the material quality is checked. Unqualified materials are moved and discarded into the throwing box 87, while qualified materials are moved to the tray-setting fixture 86. The first robotic arm 82 presses down, and the spring on the suction nozzle provides flexible pressure, placing the materials sequentially into the tray-setting fixture 86 under a certain pressure.

[0022] It is understood that the suction nozzle has a structure that matches the characteristics of the material being sucked up; in some embodiments, the suction nozzle includes an SMP solder ring suction nozzle 31 and a rectangular connector suction nozzle 32; such as Figure 3 As shown, since the SMP solder ring is annular, the SMP solder ring suction nozzle 31 has an annular hollow tube shape, and the inner circumferential direction of the ring is also provided with several through holes 311, which are used to adsorb and grasp the SMP solder ring. Similarly, since the rectangular connector 22 has an array of pins (such as...) inside... Figure 4 As shown, the rectangular connector nozzle 32 is a cap shape with a hollow tube. The bottom of the cap is provided with a side 321 that can fit into the rectangular connector, using the negative pressure air in the hollow tube to grip the rectangular connector. The rectangular connector solder ring nozzle and the SMP connector nozzle are also designed to use the negative pressure air in the hollow tube, and will not be described in detail here.

[0023] Furthermore, different tray fixtures were designed for SMP connectors (miniature retractable connectors) and rectangular connectors, such as... Figure 4 and Figure 8 As shown, the tray-stacking fixture 86 includes an SMP tray-stacking fixture 861 and a rectangular connector tray-stacking fixture 862; the groove 8611 of the SMP tray-stacking fixture 861 is provided with a guide angle and a vent hole (e.g., Figure 4 (Enlarged schematic diagram at point A), used to place the SMP solder ring 231; during tray placement, the SMP solder ring 231 is first placed into the groove 8611 of the SMP tray fixture 861 using the SMP solder ring suction nozzle 31. The guide angle and vent hole are used for the horizontal centering of the SMP solder ring. Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, after the SMP solder rings 231 array is arranged, the SMP connectors 23 are placed sequentially on the SMP solder rings 231 using the SMP connector nozzle. The SMP connectors 23 are pressed into the SMP solder rings 231 by the micro pressure sensor on the first robotic arm 82. The tray fixture 86 is made of aluminum alloy and the surface is oxidized. After the SMP connectors 23 and SMP solder rings 231 are pre-assembled, the SMP tray fixture 861, SMP connectors 23 and SMP solder rings 231 are vapor-phase welded together to form a metallurgical bond 232 between the SMP connectors 23 and SMP solder rings 231.

[0024] The rectangular connector 22 is assembled with the rectangular connector solder ring 221 in the same manner. Specifically, the rectangular connector solder ring 221 is first placed into the groove of the SMP tray fixture 861 using a rectangular solder ring suction nozzle, such as... Figure 4 As shown, after the array of rectangular connector solder rings 221 is arranged, the rectangular connectors 22 are placed sequentially on the rectangular connector solder rings 221 using the rectangular connector suction nozzle 32. The micro-pressure sensor on the second robotic arm 82 then presses the rectangular connectors 22 into the rectangular connector solder rings 221, completing the pre-assembly of the rectangular connectors 22 and the rectangular connector solder rings 221. The rectangular connector placement fixture 862, along with the rectangular connectors 22 and the rectangular connector solder rings 221, undergoes vapor phase welding to form a metallurgical bond between the rectangular connectors 22 and the rectangular connector solder rings 221.

[0025] In some embodiments, such as Figure 9 As shown, the rectangular connector assembly station 12 includes a product hopper 91 with lifting function, a product removal device 92, a rectangular connector tray position 93, a product assembly platform 94, a flux application device 95, a first recognition camera 96, a robotic arm gripper 97, a transmission track 1411, and an operation terminal 98. Figure 6 , Figure 9 and Figure 13 As shown, when the equipment is working, the product hopper 91 rises to a preset position, the product removal device 92 removes the product assembly fixture 61 and the TR component box 21 from the product hopper 91, the robotic arm gripper 97 moves above the product removal device 92, and the fixture gripping device 972 transfers the TR component box 21 together with the product assembly fixture 61 to the product assembly platform 94; wherein, as Figure 10 As shown, the product removal device 92 includes a tooling pulling device 921 and a tooling horizontal moving device 922. The tooling pulling device 921 is used to remove the tooling from the product hopper 91, and the tooling horizontal moving device 922 is used to move the tooling horizontally to the position where the robotic arm grasps the tooling.

[0026] Furthermore, such as Figures 11-13 As shown, the product assembly platform 94 is equipped with a pneumatic clamping mechanism 941, a flipping mechanism 942, and a box-body clamping device 9423. The pneumatic clamping mechanism 941 fixes the product assembly fixture 61. The flipping mechanism 942 enables the product to be flipped 90° and rotated 180°, allowing for the assembly of connectors on both sides of the product. The box-body clamping device 9423 clamps the TR component box 21. Figure 9 , Figure 13 and Figure 14 As shown, the robotic arm gripper 97 picks up the rectangular connector with solder rings already soldered on the rectangular connector tray position 93, moves it below the first recognition camera 96 ​​for material identification and center identification, then moves it to the flux dipping device 95 to dip in flux, and then moves it to the product assembly platform 94. After confirming the installation position and center of the rectangular connector by the second recognition camera 974 on the robotic arm gripper 97, the rectangular connector is installed into the corresponding position in the TR component box 21. Finally, the pressure bar gripper 971 on the robotic arm gripper 97 picks up the connector pressure bar 611 on the product assembly fixture 61, and presses the connector pressure bar 611 on top of the rectangular connector by rotating and screwing it in to prevent the rectangular connector from falling off during assembly. After all the rectangular connectors are assembled, the product assembly platform 94 is flipped to a horizontal position and the pneumatic clamping mechanism 941 is released. The robotic arm gripper 97 then transfers the fixture to the transfer track 1411 and moves it to the SMP connector assembly station 13.

[0027] In some embodiments, such as Figure 6 , Figures 11-13 As shown, the product assembly fixture 61 includes a box support platform 612 for supporting the TR component box 21, a transverse fastening beam 614 with adjustable width, and a longitudinal clamping block 615 with adjustable depth. The support and fixation of TR component boxes 21 of different sizes can be achieved by adjusting the transverse fastening beam 614 and the longitudinal clamping block 615. The bottom and bottom side of the TR component box 21 contact and limit the box support platform 612, the left and right sides contact and limit the transverse fastening beam 614, and the top side contacts and limits the longitudinal clamping block 615. During assembly, the box clamping device 9423 contacts and limits the top surface of the TR component box 21, achieving six-sided limiting and fixing of the TR component box 21. The product assembly fixture 61 also includes several pre-installed connector clamping rods 611 and clamping rod fixing devices 613, such as... Figure 13 As shown, during assembly, the connector pressure rod 611 is clamped by the pressure rod gripper 971 on the robotic arm gripper 97 and rotated 90° to remove the connector pressure rod 611 from the pre-installed position. After being pressed into the pressure rod fixing device 613 and pressed onto the rectangular connector, the connector pressure rod 611 is fixed by rotating 90°.

[0028] Furthermore, such as Figure 7and Figure 13 As shown, the connector pressure rod 611 includes a pressure rod base 6111, a pressure rod spring 6112, a pressure rod core pin 6113, and a base fixing screw 6114. The pressure rod base 6111 has a T-shaped structure with two parallel planes on its vertical sides. The pressure rod spring 6112 is sleeved on the outside of the pressure rod core pin 6113. During operation, the pressure rod gripper 971 grasps the side of the pressure rod base 6111 and moves it downward to compress the pressure rod spring 6112, pressing the T-shaped structure plane under the pressure rod fixing device 613 and rotating it 90° to lock the T-shaped structure in the pressure rod fixing device 613. At this time, the pressure rod spring 6112 is in a compressed state and transmits force to the pressure rod core pin 6113. The pressure rod core pin 6113 fixes the rectangular connector on the TR component housing 21 and provides stable welding pressure during subsequent welding.

[0029] In some embodiments, such as Figure 20 As shown, the flux dispensing device 95 includes a peristaltic pump 953, a flux storage tank 951 with an open top, and a sealed flux collection tank 952. The peristaltic pump 953 is connected to the flux storage tank 951 via a first pipe, and the flux storage tank 951 is connected to the flux collection tank 952 via a second pipe. The power supply terminal of the peristaltic pump 953 is connected to the device PLC 954. The first pipe is located at the bottom of the flux storage tank 951, and the second pipe is located at the top of the flux storage tank 951. The inner diameter of the first pipe is smaller than the inner diameter of the second pipe. The PLC 954 controls the peristaltic pump 953 to draw flux from the flux collection tank 952 to the flux storage tank 951. When the flux level reaches the plane of the second pipe, the flux flows back to the flux collection tank 952 through the second pipe. For example, the first and second pipes are silicone tubes, with the first pipe having a diameter of 2-4 mm and the second pipe having a diameter of 6-10 mm. By controlling the diameters of the first and second pipes, the inflow rate is significantly lower than the outflow rate, resulting in a stable and fixed flux level, which facilitates stable flux application to the connector. Furthermore, the entire flux application device 95 opening only has a flux storage tank 951, reducing the flux evaporation rate and minimizing flux loss and equipment contamination.

[0030] In some embodiments, the working mechanism of the SMP connector assembly station 13 is substantially the same as that of the rectangular connector assembly station 12, such as... Figure 15As shown, the SMP connector assembly station 13 includes a transfer track 1411, a second robotic arm 131, an SMP connector loading platform 132, a vision recognition device 134, a flux dispensing device 133, a product assembly platform 135, and a control terminal 136. When the equipment is working, the second robotic arm 131 picks up the SMP connector with soldered rings from the loading platform 132, moves it under the vision recognition device 134 for material and center identification, then moves it to the flux dispensing device 133 to dispense flux, and then moves it to the product assembly platform 135 (i.e., the second assembly position). After confirming the installation position and center of the SMP connector through the recognition camera on the second robotic arm 131, the SMP connector is installed into the corresponding position in the TR component housing 21 and fixed by a pressure rod. It can be understood that the above control process can be implemented through the control terminal 136.

[0031] In some embodiments, such as Figures 16-19 As shown, the substrate assembly station 14 includes a third robotic arm 143, a solder pad and substrate tray position 141, a third assembly position 142, a material handling and unloading device 144, and a material unloading bin 1911 with lifting function. During operation, the third robotic arm 143 moves the assembled product from the SMP connector assembly station 13 to the third assembly position 142 using grippers. The third assembly position is clamped to the fixture by a cylinder. The third robotic arm 143 uses a suction nozzle to pick up solder pads and substrates pre-filled with solid flux for mounting. After all solder pads and substrates are assembled, the material handling and unloading device 144 removes the fixture's pressure cap 62 from the material unloading bin 1911 and presses the pressure cap 62 onto the product assembly fixture 61 through the positioning pin hole 622 (e.g., ...). Figure 18 As shown, the substrate solder pads 241 and substrate 24 are pressed onto the welding position of the TR component housing 21 by the elastic pressure bar 621; the assembled product is moved to the material handling device 144 by the third robotic arm 143, and the material handling device 144 moves the product to the lifting unloading bin 1911 to complete the automatic unloading.

[0032] Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention also provide a method for using an automated assembly and welding production line for TR component connectors and substrates, implemented based on the automated assembly and welding production line for TR component connectors and substrates described in the above embodiments, such as... Figure 21 As shown, it includes the following steps: (a) Material preparation: Place the SMP connector solder pads to be assembled in the flexible vibrating tray of the material preparation station 11 for solder ring arrangement. After completion, place the SMP connector in the flexible vibrating tray for assembly arrangement of the SMP connector and solder ring. Complete the assembly arrangement of the rectangular connector and solder ring, and the arrangement of the substrate and solder pad in the same way. Solder the assembled SMP connector and rectangular connector through a vacuum vapor phase welding device to fix the connector and solder ring. (b) Loading: Place the SMP connectors, rectangular connectors, substrates and solder pads that have been arranged on the trays into the corresponding tray placement positions in each workstation. Place the TR component box to be assembled on the adjusted TR component tooling base. Place the TR component tooling base into the product hopper of the rectangular connector assembly workstation 12. (c) Rectangular connector assembly: Start the rectangular connector assembly station 12 to complete the automatic grabbing, identification, flux application, installation, rod fixing and automatic unloading of the rectangular connector. The assembled product is moved to the SMP connector assembly station 13 via the transfer track. (d) SMP connector assembly: After the SMP connector assembly station 13 identifies the product on the track, it automatically starts to complete the automatic gripping, identification, flux application, installation, clamping rod fixation and automatic unloading of the SMP connector. The assembled product is moved to the substrate assembly station 14 via the transfer track. (e) Substrate assembly: After the substrate assembly station 14 identifies the product on the transfer track, it will start automatically to complete the automatic gripping, identification, installation, tooling cover removal and fixing, and automatic unloading of solder pads and substrates. (f) Welding: Take the product out from the unloading position of the substrate assembly station 14, and put the assembled box and tooling into the vacuum vapor phase welding equipment for welding.

[0033] In summary, the automated assembly and soldering production line for TR component connectors and substrates provided by this invention, along with its usage method, replaces traditional manual assembly, avoiding problems such as misassembly, omissions, and assembly tilting caused by the small size and large quantity of components. This improves assembly efficiency and quality while reducing the skill requirements for operators. Furthermore, the pre-assembly of connectors and solder rings, along with flux application within the workstation, replaces the existing separate assembly method, improving assembly consistency and production efficiency. Additionally, by adjusting the tooling, it can accommodate the assembly of various models of TR component housing connectors and substrates, exhibiting high production line compatibility.

[0034] It should be noted that, in this document, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Unless otherwise specified, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0035] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "height," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships, are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing the invention 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 the invention. In the description of this invention, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0036] In the description of this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; 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; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0037] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0038] Although the present invention has been described in detail through the preferred embodiments above, it should be understood that the above description should not be considered as a limitation of the present invention. Various modifications and substitutions to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after reading the above description. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A TR assembly connector and substrate automatic assembly welding production line for automatic assembly of a TR assembly connector and a substrate, characterized by, Includes those arranged sequentially along the assembly direction: The material preparation station (11) is used to assemble and arrange the TR component connectors, substrates and pads, and transport the assembled connectors and tooling to the subsequent stations. The rectangular connector assembly station (12) is used to take the TR component tooling base (61) and TR component housing (21) out of the product silo (91) and transport them to the first assembly position, identify, assemble and fix the rectangular connector (22), and transfer the assembled product to the next station. The SMP connector assembly station (13) is used to transport the products assembled in the previous station from the transfer track (1411) to the second assembly position, identify, assemble and fix the SMP connectors (23), and transfer the assembled products to the next station. The substrate assembly station (14) is used to transport the products assembled in the previous station from the transfer track (1411) to the third assembly position (142), identify, assemble and fix the substrate (24) and substrate solder pads (241), and transfer the assembled products to the unloading chamber (1911).

2. The TR assembly connector and substrate automated assembly and soldering production line of claim 1, wherein, The material preparation station (11) includes a flexible vibrating tray (83), a top visual recognition device (84), a bottom visual recognition device (85), a first robotic arm (82), a tray-setting fixture (86), a throwing box (87), and an operating terminal (81). The flexible vibrating tray (83) disperses and lays the material flat in the tray or drops it into the tray groove. The top visual recognition device (84) identifies the dispersed material and its position by taking a picture. The first robotic arm (82) picks up the corresponding suction nozzle from the flexible vibrating tray (83) and moves it to the bottom visual recognition device (85). It confirms the material picking status and checks the material quality by taking a picture. Unqualified materials are moved and discarded to the throwing box (87), and qualified materials are moved to the tray-setting fixture (86). Under a certain pressure, the materials are placed in the tray-setting fixture (86) in sequence.

3. The automated assembly and welding production line for TR component connectors and substrates as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The suction nozzle has a structure that matches the characteristics of the material being sucked; the suction nozzle includes an SMP solder ring suction nozzle and a rectangular connector suction nozzle; the SMP solder ring suction nozzle (31) has an annular hollow tube shape, and a number of through holes (311) are provided in the inner circumferential direction of the ring, the through holes (311) in the inner circumferential direction of the ring are used to adsorb and grab the SMP solder ring; the rectangular connector suction nozzle (32) is a cap shape with a hollow tube, the bottom of the cap is provided with a side (321) that can fit with the rectangular connector, and the negative pressure air in the hollow tube is used to grab the rectangular connector.

4. The automated assembly and welding production line for TR component connectors and substrates as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The tray fixture (86) includes an SMP tray fixture (861) and a rectangular connector tray fixture (862). The groove (8611) of the SMP tray fixture (861) is provided with a guide angle and a vent hole for placing the SMP solder ring (231). After the SMP solder ring array is placed, the SMP connector (23) is placed on the SMP solder ring (231) in sequence using the SMP connector nozzle. The SMP connector (23) is pressed into the SMP solder ring (231) by the micro pressure sensor on the first robotic arm (82). The tray fixture (86) is made of aluminum alloy and the surface is oxidized. After the connector and solder ring are pre-assembled, the tray fixture (86) is vapor-phase welded together with the connector and solder ring to form a metallurgical bond (232) between the connector and the solder ring.

5. The automated assembly and welding production line for TR component connectors and substrates as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The rectangular connector assembly station (12) includes a product hopper (91) with lifting function, a product taking device (92), a rectangular connector tray position (93), a product assembly platform (94), a flux dipping device (95), a first identification camera (96), a robotic arm gripper (97), a transmission track (1411), and an operation terminal (98). The product hopper (91) rises to the preset position, and the product removal device (92) removes the product assembly fixture (61) and TR component box (21) from the product hopper (91). The robotic arm gripper (97) uses the fixture gripping device (972) to transfer the TR component box (21) together with the product assembly fixture (61) to the product assembly platform (94). The product assembly platform (94) is equipped with a pneumatic clamping mechanism (941), a flipping mechanism (942), and a box pressing device (9423). The pneumatic clamping mechanism (941) fixes the product assembly fixture (61), the flipping mechanism realizes the product flipping by 90 degrees and rotating by 180 degrees, and the box pressing device (9423) presses the TR component box (21). The robotic arm gripper (97) picks up the rectangular connector with solder rings already soldered on the rectangular connector tray position (93), moves it to the first recognition camera (96) for material recognition and center recognition, moves it to the flux dipping device (95) to dip it in flux, and then moves it to the product assembly platform (94). After confirming the installation position and center of the rectangular connector by the second recognition camera (974) on the robotic arm gripper (97), the rectangular connector is installed into the corresponding position of the TR component box (21). After all the rectangular connectors are assembled, the product assembly platform (94) is flipped to a horizontal position and the pneumatic clamping mechanism (941) is released. The tooling is transferred to the transfer track (1411) by the robotic arm gripper (97) and moved to the SMP connector assembly station (13).

6. The automated assembly and welding production line for TR component connectors and substrates as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The product assembly fixture (61) includes a box support platform (612) for supporting the TR component box (21), a transverse fastening beam (614) with adjustable width, and a longitudinal clamping block (615) with adjustable depth. By adjusting the transverse fastening beam (614) and the longitudinal clamping block (615), the TR component box (21) of different sizes can be supported and fixed. The bottom and bottom side of the TR component box (21) are in contact with and limited by the box support platform (612), the left and right sides are in contact with and limited by the transverse fastening beam (614), and the top side is in contact with and limited by the longitudinal clamping block (615). During assembly, the box clamping device (9423) is in contact with and limited by the top surface of the TR component box (21), thereby achieving six-sided limiting and fixing of the TR component box (21). The product assembly fixture (61) also includes several pre-installed connector rods (611) and a rod fixing device (613). During assembly, the connector rods (611) are clamped by the rod grippers (971) on the robotic arm gripper (97), rotated 90° to remove the connector rods (611) from the pre-installed position, pressed into the rod fixing device (613) and pressed onto the rectangular connector, and then rotated 90° to fix the connector rods (611).

7. The automated assembly and welding production line for TR component connectors and substrates as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The connector pressure rod (611) includes a pressure rod base (6111), a pressure rod spring (6112), a pressure rod core pin (6113), and a base fixing screw (6114). The pressure rod base (6111) is a T-shaped structure with two parallel planes on its vertical sides. The pressure rod spring (6112) is sleeved on the outside of the pressure rod core pin (6113). During operation, the pressure rod gripper (971) grasps the side of the pressure rod base (6111) and moves it downward to compress the pressure rod spring (6112). Then, the T-shaped structure plane is pressed under the pressure rod fixing device (613) and rotated 90° to lock the T-shaped structure in the pressure rod fixing device (613). The pressure rod spring (6112) is in a compressed state and transmits force to the pressure rod core pin (6113). The pressure rod core pin (6113) fixes the rectangular connector on the TR component box (21).

8. The automated assembly and welding production line for TR component connectors and substrates as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The flux dispensing device (95) includes a peristaltic pump (953), a flux storage tank (951) with an open top, and a sealed flux collection tank (952). The peristaltic pump (953) is connected to the flux storage tank (951) via a first pipe, and the flux storage tank (951) is connected to the flux collection tank (952) via a second pipe. The power supply terminal of the peristaltic pump (953) is connected to the equipment PLC (954). The first pipe is located at the bottom of the flux storage tank (951), and the second pipe is located at the top of the flux storage tank (951). The inner diameter of the first pipe is smaller than the inner diameter of the second pipe. The PLC (954) controls the peristaltic pump (953) to draw flux from the flux collection tank (952) to the flux storage tank (951). When the flux level reaches the plane of the second pipe, the flux flows back to the flux collection tank (952) through the second pipe.

9. The automated assembly and welding production line for TR component connectors and substrates as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The SMP connector assembly station (13) includes a transmission rail (1411), a second robotic arm (131), an SMP connector loading table (132), a vision recognition device (134), a flux dispensing device (133), a product assembly platform (135), and a control terminal (136). The substrate assembly station (14) includes a third robotic arm (143), a solder sheet and substrate tray position (141), a third assembly position (142), a material handling device (144), and a material unloading bin (1911) with lifting function. During operation, the third robotic arm (143) moves the products assembled in the SMP connector assembly station (13) to the third assembly position (142) through the gripper. The third assembly position is clamped by the cylinder. The third robotic arm (143) picks up the solder sheets and substrates pre-filled with solid flux through the suction nozzle for mounting. After all the solder pieces and substrates are assembled, the tooling cover (62) is taken out from the unloading bin (1911) by the material handling device (144), and the tooling cover (62) is pressed onto the product assembly tooling (61) through the positioning pin hole (622). The substrate solder piece (241) and substrate (24) are pressed onto the welding position of the TR component box (21) by the elastic pressure rod (621). The assembled product is moved to the material handling device (144) by the third robotic arm (143), and the material handling device (144) moves the product to the unloading bin (1911) with lifting function to complete the automatic unloading.

10. A method of using an automated assembly and welding production line for TR component connectors and substrates, implemented based on the automated assembly and welding production line for TR component connectors and substrates as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: (a) Material preparation: Place the SMP connector solder pads to be assembled in the flexible vibrating tray of the material preparation station (11) for solder ring arrangement. After completion, place the SMP connector in the flexible vibrating tray for assembly arrangement of the SMP connector and solder ring. The same method is used to complete the assembly arrangement of the rectangular connector and solder ring, and the arrangement of the substrate and solder pads. The assembled SMP connector and rectangular connector are welded by vacuum vapor phase welding equipment to complete the fixing of the connector and solder ring. (b) Loading: Place the SMP connectors, rectangular connectors, substrates and solder pads that have been arranged on the trays into the corresponding tray placement positions of each workstation. Place the TR component box to be assembled on the adjusted TR component tooling base and put the TR component tooling base into the product hopper of the rectangular connector assembly workstation (12). (c) Rectangular connector assembly: Start the rectangular connector assembly station (12) to complete the automatic grabbing, identification, fluxing, installation, clamping and unloading of the rectangular connector. The assembled product is moved to the SMP connector assembly station (13) via the transfer track. (d) SMP connector assembly: After the SMP connector assembly station (13) identifies the product on the track, it automatically starts to complete the automatic grabbing, identification, fluxing, installation, clamping and unloading of the SMP connector. The assembled product is moved to the substrate assembly station (14) via the transfer track. (e) Substrate assembly: The substrate assembly station (14) automatically starts after recognizing the product on the transfer track, and completes the automatic gripping, recognition, installation, tooling cover removal and fixing and automatic unloading of the solder pads and substrates. (f) Welding: Take the product out from the unloading position of the substrate assembly station (14), and put the assembled box and tooling into the vacuum vapor phase welding equipment for welding.

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