An installation apparatus for a fuel pipe assembly and a method of installing the same

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of installation equipment of fuel pipe assembly and its installation method, installation equipment includes chassis and is set on the feeding mechanism, positioning mechanism, clamping mechanism and pressing mechanism of chassis;Feeding mechanism includes assembly stock bin and hopper;Positioning mechanism includes adjustment assembly and positioning assembly, adjustment assembly includes the first mobile assembly of component movement;Clamping mechanism includes manipulator;Pressing mechanism includes pressing assembly and second mobile assembly, pressing assembly is set below adjustment assembly.Installation method includes: first, set the parameter of installation equipment;Then, according to parameter, the assembly of fuel pipe is pressed by pressing assembly;The specific coordinate of fuel pipe welding is positioned by laser, and according to specific coordinate, the assembly is accurately welded by automatic laser welding machine;Helium is filled into fuel pipe, and the change of external helium concentration is detected by negative pressure suction gun detection method, to identify leakage point and analyze leakage rate.It can realize the installation of fuel pipe assembly with high precision and automation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the installation of automotive fuel lines, and more particularly to an installation device and method for a fuel line assembly. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, automotive fuel lines have various components, including end caps, sensors, and fuel inlet seats. Installation between the fuel line and these components is typically achieved through press-fitting, usually manually or semi-manually, resulting in low production efficiency.

[0003] There are also technologies that enable fully automated installation of fuel line components, but after the components enter the press-fitting equipment, it is difficult to accurately position the fuel line for installation and to accurately move the components to the installation position to press and install them, thus making it difficult to guarantee the accuracy of the installation. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, the present invention aims to provide a fuel pipe assembly installation device and installation method, which can automatically and precisely move the assembly to the installation position to achieve press-fit installation of the assembly, thereby ensuring high precision and efficiency of the installation assembly.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the following technical solution is proposed: A fuel pipe assembly installation device includes a base frame and a feeding mechanism, a positioning mechanism, a clamping mechanism and a pressing mechanism disposed on the base frame; The feeding mechanism includes a component hopper and a hopper for feeding components into the component hopper; The positioning mechanism includes an adjustment component for adjusting the position and a positioning component for positioning the installation location. The adjustment component includes a first moving component that drives the component to move. The first moving component includes a vertical moving component that moves according to the installation location. The positioning component is electrically connected to the adjustment component. The gripping mechanism includes a robotic arm for gripping a component disposed on the adjustment component from the component hopper, the robotic arm being electrically connected to the positioning component; The pressing mechanism includes a pressing component and a second moving component for moving the pressing component. The pressing component is disposed below the adjusting component, and the second moving component includes a horizontal moving component that moves according to the mounting location.

[0006] Preferably, the positioning component includes a CCD camera and a controller electrically connected to the CCD camera, the CCD camera being disposed above the feeding mechanism and the controller being disposed within the base frame.

[0007] Preferably, the adjustment assembly further includes a first material box, and the first moving assembly further includes a rotating component for rotating the first material box, the rotating component being electrically connected to the controller.

[0008] Preferably, the second moving component further includes a first cylinder for pushing the pressing component, the pressing component including a second material box; when the controller controls the rotating member to rotate the first material box to the second material box, the first cylinder pushes the second material box to load the component and presses the component to the mounting position of the fuel pipe body.

[0009] Preferably, the positioning component further includes a displacement sensor, which is disposed at the second material box. Both the first and second material boxes are provided with adsorbers of the adsorption component, and both the displacement sensor and the adsorbers are electrically connected to the controller.

[0010] Preferably, the installation equipment further includes a mounting platform for placing the fuel pipe body, the mounting platform being fixed on the base frame, and there are two pressing mechanisms, with the mounting platform located between the two pressing mechanisms.

[0011] Preferably, the feeding mechanism includes a vibrator, which is disposed below the hopper, and the hopper is inclined toward the component hopper.

[0012] This invention also proposes the following technical solutions: An installation method using the installation device includes: Step A: First, set the parameters of the installation equipment, including the pressing force parameter and the pressing depth parameter; Step B: Then, the fuel line assembly is pressed together using the pressing component of the installation equipment according to the parameters. Step C: The specific coordinates of the fuel pipe welding point are located by laser positioning, and the components are precisely welded according to the specific coordinates by an automatic laser welding machine; Step D: Fill the fuel line with helium and use a negative pressure suction gun to detect changes in the external helium concentration, thereby identifying the leak point and analyzing the leak rate.

[0013] Furthermore, in step C, the automatic laser welding machine includes multiple laser distance sensors and an automatic welding machine. The laser distance sensors locate the specific coordinates of the welding point using laser positioning, and the automatic welding machine precisely welds the components using these specific coordinates.

[0014] Furthermore, in step D, the negative pressure suction gun detection method involves filling the fuel pipe with helium gas at a pressure higher than the ambient atmospheric pressure, and moving the suction nozzle of the suction gun connected to a helium mass spectrometer leak detector across the welded surface of the fuel pipe. If the fuel pipe leaks, a portion of the leaked helium gas will be sucked in by the suction nozzle, and the leak rate will be determined by analyzing the sucked-in helium gas through the leak detector.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: The fuel pipe assembly installation equipment disclosed in this application includes a feeding mechanism, a positioning mechanism, a clamping mechanism, and a pressing mechanism. The feeding mechanism and the clamping mechanism can automatically feed the assembly (feeding), and the pressing mechanism can automatically press the assembly, thus realizing the function of automatically and efficiently pressing the assembly. The positioning mechanism includes an adjustment component and a positioning component. The positioning component can accurately position the installation location of the fuel pipe. The adjustment component includes a vertically moving component that moves according to the installation location, and can move the component in the vertical direction. The pressing mechanism includes a horizontally moving component that moves according to the installation location, and can move the component in the horizontal direction, and can accurately move the component to the installation location of the fuel pipe to achieve pressing (installation) of the component, thereby ensuring high precision in installing the component. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the installation device of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the installation device of the present invention after the protective cover has been removed. Figure 3 for Figure 2 Enlarged structural diagram at the location; Figure 4 This is a flowchart of the installation method of the present invention.

[0017] In the diagram: 10. Base frame; 11. Mounting platform; 20. Pressing mechanism; 21. Pressing assembly; 211. Second material box; 22. Second moving assembly; 221. First cylinder; 222. Sliding shaft; 30. Positioning mechanism; 31. Adjustment assembly; 311. First material box; 312. First moving assembly; 32. Positioning assembly; 321. CCD camera; 322. Displacement sensor; 40. Clamping mechanism; 41. Robotic arm; 50. Feeding mechanism; 51. Hopper; 52. Component hopper; 60. Protective cover. Detailed Implementation

[0018] To better understand the specific technical solutions, features, and advantages of the present invention, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0019] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly used when the product of this invention is in use. They are only for the convenience of describing this 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 this invention. In addition, the terms "first," "second," "third," etc., are only used to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0020] like Figures 1-3 As shown, this application discloses an installation device for a fuel pipe assembly, including a base frame 10 and a pressing mechanism 20, a positioning mechanism 30, a clamping mechanism 40, and a feeding mechanism 50 disposed on the base frame 10; the feeding mechanism 50 includes a component hopper 52 and a hopper 51 for feeding components into the component hopper 52; the positioning mechanism 30 includes an adjusting component 31 for adjusting the position and a positioning component 32 for positioning the installation location, the adjusting component 31 including a first moving component 312 for moving the component, the first moving component 312 including components according to the installation location... The mounting assembly includes a vertically moving component, with the positioning component 32 electrically connected to the adjustment component 31; the clamping mechanism 40 includes a robotic arm 41 for clamping the component from the component hopper 52 onto the adjustment component, the robotic arm 41 being electrically connected to the positioning component 32; the pressing mechanism 20 includes a pressing component 21 and a second moving component 22 for moving the pressing component 21, the pressing component 21 being disposed below the adjustment component 31, and the second moving component 22 including a horizontally moving component that moves according to the mounting location.

[0021] The feeding mechanism 50's hopper 51 can transport (organize) the components to the component hopper 52. The robotic arm 41 on the clamping mechanism 40 can transfer the components from the component hopper 52 to the adjusting component 31. The adjusting component 31 can transfer the components to the pressing component 21 according to the installation position positioned by the positioning component 32. The second moving component can move the pressing component 21 to the installation position (port) of the fuel pipe according to the installation position. Finally, the pressing component presses the components onto the installation position of the fuel pipe, thereby achieving automatic and precise component installation.

[0022] The fuel pipe assembly installation equipment disclosed in this application includes a feeding mechanism 50, a positioning mechanism 30, a clamping mechanism 40, and a pressing mechanism 50. The feeding mechanism 50 and the clamping mechanism 40 can automatically feed the assembly (material), and the pressing mechanism 50 can automatically press the assembly, thus achieving the function of automatically and efficiently pressing the assembly. The positioning mechanism 30 includes an adjusting component 31 and a positioning component 32. The positioning component 32 can accurately position the installation location of the fuel pipe. The adjusting component 31 includes a vertically moving component that moves according to the installation location, and can move the component in the vertical direction. The pressing mechanism includes a horizontally moving component that moves according to the installation location, and can move the component in the horizontal direction, and can move the component in both the vertical and horizontal directions to the installation location of the fuel pipe, thereby achieving the function of pressing (installing) the assembly and ensuring the accuracy of the assembly installation.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, such as Figures 2-3 As shown, the positioning component 32 includes a CCD camera 321 and a controller (not shown) electrically connected to the CCD camera 321. The CCD camera 321 is positioned above the feeding mechanism 50, and the controller is positioned within the base frame 10. Preferably, the adjustment component 31 further includes a first material box 311, and the first moving component 312 further includes a rotating member for rotating the first material box 311, the rotating member being electrically connected to the controller. Preferably, the second moving component 22 further includes a first cylinder 221 for pushing the pressing component 21, the pressing component 21 including a second material box 211; when the controller controls the rotating member to rotate the first material box 311 to the second material box 211, the first cylinder 221 pushes the second material box 211 to load the component and presses the component to the mounting position of the fuel pipe body.

[0024] In the above embodiment, the CCD camera 321 can capture high-definition information of the pressing mechanism 20, adjusting component 31, clamping mechanism 40, and feeding mechanism 50 on the base frame 10, and send the high-definition information to the controller; the controller includes an industrial computer equipped with image analysis software, which can analyze the position, quantity, and angle of objects, and analyze the quantity of components in the component hopper 52. When the quantity of components in the component hopper 52 is greater than 1, the controller controls the robotic arm 41 to grasp the component to... In the first material box 311 on the adjustment component 31, when the adjustment component 31 transports the component above the second material box 211, the rotating component (motor) rotates the second material box 211 to the position of the second material box 211. The controller, based on the component position information analyzed by the image analysis software, controls the second moving component 22 to load (adsorb) the component into the second material box 211. The second moving component 22 then moves the component to the installation location, and the first cylinder 221 pushes the component on the second material box 211 to press against the fuel pipe. If a positional (angular) deviation occurs, the controller can adjust the first moving component 312, the second moving component 22, and the rotating component based on the deviation data analyzed by the image analysis software to eliminate the positional deviation.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, such as Figures 2-3 As shown, the positioning component 32 further includes a displacement sensor, which is disposed at the second material box 211. Both the first and second material boxes 311 contain adsorbers for the adsorption component. The displacement sensor 322 and the adsorbers are electrically connected to the controller. Preferably, the installation device further includes a mounting platform 11 for placing the fuel pipe body. The mounting platform 11 is fixed to the base frame 10. There are two pressing mechanisms 20, and the mounting platform 11 is located between the two pressing mechanisms. Preferably, the feeding mechanism 50 includes a vibrator, which is disposed below the hopper 51, which is inclined towards the component storage bin 52.

[0026] In the above embodiments, the displacement sensor can also transmit the position information of the first material box 311 and the second material box 211 to the controller, which is beneficial for the positioning component 32 to accurately locate the position information of the component. The suction device is beneficial for loading and releasing the component in the first material box 311 and the second material box 211, and can prevent the component from falling out of the material box. The mounting platform 11 is beneficial for installing the component, and the mounting groove for installing the component can also be directly set on the base frame 10. Generally, the component is an end cap, and the two ends of the fuel pipe are the installation points. The pressing components 21 are respectively set at the two ends of the mounting platform 11, which can facilitate the simultaneous installation of the component at both ends of the fuel pipe by the two pressing components 21, thereby improving the installation efficiency. In order to facilitate the displacement of the second material box 211 to the installation point, a sliding shaft 222 can be set at the lower end of the pressing component 21. The vibrator is beneficial for the hopper 51 to transport the component, and the tilt of the hopper 51 is beneficial for the component to slide into the component hopper. To protect the installation equipment, a protective cover 60 is provided at the upper end of the base frame, through which the CCD camera and the hopper 51 pass.

[0027] This invention also proposes the following technical solutions: An installation method using the installation device includes: Step A: First, set the parameters of the installation equipment, including the pressing force parameter and the pressing depth parameter; In step A, the pressing force parameter and pressing depth parameter are respectively set by the first cylinder and the second moving component of the pressing assembly of the installation equipment. Generally, the larger the pressing force parameter, the greater the pressing force of the first cylinder; the larger the pressing depth parameter, the greater the displacement of the component driven by the second moving component. Of course, the parameters may also include other parameters, such as speed and position parameters.

[0028] Step B: Then, the fuel line assembly is pressed together using the pressing component of the installation equipment according to the parameters. In step B, the parameters can be preset by the controller. During pressing, the controller can control the pressing component 21 to press the component according to the parameters.

[0029] Step C: The specific coordinates of the fuel pipe welding point are located by laser positioning, and the components are precisely welded according to the specific coordinates by an automatic laser welding machine; In step C, the weld joint is the gap between the component and the fuel line at the installation location. The automated laser welding machine includes multiple laser distance sensors and an automatic welding machine. The laser distance sensors locate the specific coordinates of the weld joint using laser light, and the automatic welding machine precisely welds the component using these coordinates. Welding by the automatic welding machine allows the component to be more securely installed on the fuel line.

[0030] Step D: Fill the fuel line with helium and use a negative pressure suction gun to detect changes in the external helium concentration, thereby identifying the leak point and analyzing the leak rate.

[0031] In step D, the negative pressure suction gun detection method involves filling the fuel pipe with helium gas at a pressure higher than ambient atmospheric pressure. The suction nozzle of a gun connected to a helium mass spectrometer leak detector moves across the welded surface of the fuel pipe. If the fuel pipe leaks, a portion of the leaking helium is sucked in by the nozzle. This sucked-in helium then enters the mass spectrometry chamber of the leak detector, where it is analyzed by the leak detector to determine the leakage rate. Analyzing the leakage rate helps in assessing the quality of installation and welding, and facilitates further improvements to the installation equipment and methods.

[0032] In summary, the installation equipment disclosed in this application achieves fully automated and efficient pressing of the installation assembly through the pressing component 21, the clamping mechanism 40, and the feeding mechanism 50, and achieves high precision installation through the positioning component, thereby realizing automated and high-precision installation of the fuel pipe assembly.

[0033] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention. Various changes and modifications can be made to the invention without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the present invention as claimed. The scope of protection of this invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An installation device for a fuel line assembly, characterized in that: It includes a base frame and a feeding mechanism, a positioning mechanism, a clamping mechanism and a pressing mechanism mounted on the base frame; The feeding mechanism includes a component hopper and a hopper for feeding components into the component hopper; The positioning mechanism includes an adjustment component for adjusting the position and a positioning component for positioning the installation location. The adjustment component includes a first moving component that drives the component to move. The first moving component includes a vertical moving component that moves according to the installation location. The positioning component is electrically connected to the adjustment component. The gripping mechanism includes a robotic arm for gripping a component disposed on the adjustment component from the component hopper, the robotic arm being electrically connected to the positioning component; The pressing mechanism includes a pressing component and a second moving component for moving the pressing component. The pressing component is disposed below the adjusting component, and the second moving component includes a horizontal moving component that moves according to the mounting location.

2. The installation equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The positioning component includes a CCD camera and a controller electrically connected to the CCD camera. The CCD camera is positioned above the feeding mechanism, and the controller is positioned inside the base frame.

3. The installation equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that: The adjustment assembly further includes a first material box, and the first moving assembly further includes a rotating component for rotating the first material box, the rotating component being electrically connected to the controller.

4. The installation equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that: The second moving component further includes a first cylinder for pushing the pressing component, the pressing component including a second material box; when the controller controls the rotating member to rotate the first material box to the second material box, the first cylinder pushes the second material box to load the component and presses the component to the mounting position of the fuel pipe body.

5. The installation equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that: The positioning component also includes a displacement sensor, which is disposed at the second material box. Both the first and second material boxes are provided with adsorbers of the adsorption component. The displacement sensor and the adsorbers are electrically connected to the controller.

6. The installation equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The installation equipment also includes a mounting platform for placing the fuel pipe body, the mounting platform being fixed on the base frame, and there are two pressing mechanisms, with the mounting platform located between the two pressing mechanisms.

7. The installation equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The feeding mechanism includes a vibrator, which is disposed below the hopper, which is inclined toward the component hopper.

8. An installation method using the installation equipment according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, include: Step A: First, set the parameters of the installation equipment, including the pressing force parameter and the pressing depth parameter; Step B: Then, the fuel line assembly is pressed together using the pressing component of the installation equipment according to the parameters. Step C: The specific coordinates of the fuel pipe welding point are located by laser positioning, and the components are precisely welded according to the specific coordinates by an automatic laser welding machine; Step D: Fill the fuel line with helium and use a negative pressure suction gun to detect changes in the external helium concentration, thereby identifying the leak point and analyzing the leak rate.

9. The installation method according to claim 8, characterized in that, In step C, the automatic laser welding machine includes multiple laser distance sensors and an automatic welding machine. The laser distance sensors locate the specific coordinates of the welding point using laser positioning, and the automatic welding machine precisely welds the components using these specific coordinates.

10. The installation method according to claim 8, characterized in that, In step D, the negative pressure suction gun detection method involves filling the fuel pipe with helium gas at a pressure higher than the ambient atmospheric pressure, and moving the suction nozzle of the suction gun connected to a helium mass spectrometer leak detector across the welded surface of the fuel pipe. If the fuel pipe leaks, a portion of the leaked helium gas will be sucked in by the suction nozzle, and the leak rate will be determined by analyzing the sucked-in helium gas through the leak detector.

Images