Riveting apparatus and electronic device production line

Abstract

The present application belongs to riveting equipment technical field, especially to a kind of riveting equipment and electronic device production line, riveting equipment is equipped with material moving station and riveting station along first direction, material moving station is used to load or unload target workpiece, target workpiece is equipped with riveting point, riveting equipment includes drive mechanism, first bearing seat, second bearing seat and riveting mechanism, first bearing seat and second bearing seat are slidably arranged along first direction, and second bearing seat is slid under first bearing seat, drive mechanism is used to drive first bearing seat and second bearing seat reciprocating sliding between material moving station and riveting station;Wherein, first bearing seat or second bearing seat receives target workpiece in material moving station and is conveyed to riveting station;Riveting mechanism is riveted on the riveting point of target workpiece;First bearing seat or second bearing seat conveys target workpiece riveting completion to material moving station and is unloaded.The present application can improve the automation degree and production efficiency of riveting equipment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of riveting equipment technology, and particularly relates to riveting equipment and electronic device production lines. Background Technology

[0002] Riveting technology is widely used in the assembly process of electronic devices, automotive parts and home appliances. In particular, in the assembly of electronic components such as printed circuit boards, flexible circuit boards, connectors and shielding covers, different parts are often fixed together by riveting.

[0003] Currently, common riveting equipment typically employs a single-station layout, meaning it has only one support platform on which workpieces are sequentially loaded, riveted, and unloaded. Because the riveting process itself requires a certain amount of processing time (e.g., hot riveting requires waiting for the molten material to fully soften and solidify), the support platform must remain at the riveting station during this period. This prevents the transfer station from simultaneously loading the next workpiece or unloading a riveted workpiece, leaving the transfer station idle and waiting. Consequently, the overall production efficiency of the equipment is low, making it difficult to meet the demands of large-scale mass production. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this application is to provide a riveting equipment and an electronic device production line, aiming to solve the problem of how to improve the automation level and production efficiency of the riveting equipment.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted in this application is as follows: In a first aspect, a riveting device is provided, comprising a material transfer station and a riveting station along a first direction. The material transfer station is used for loading or unloading a target workpiece, the target workpiece having riveting points. The riveting device includes a driving mechanism, a first support seat for supporting the target workpiece, a second support seat for supporting the target workpiece, and a riveting mechanism disposed at the riveting station. The first support seat and the second support seat are both slidably disposed along the first direction, with the second support seat sliding below the first support seat. The driving mechanism is used to drive the first support seat and the second support seat to reciprocate between the material transfer station and the riveting station. The first support seat or the second support seat receives the target workpiece at the material transfer station and transfers it to the riveting station. The riveting mechanism rivets the riveting points on the target workpiece. The first support seat or the second support seat transfers the riveted target workpiece to the material transfer station for unloading.

[0006] In some embodiments, the driving mechanism includes a first sliding drive member and a second sliding drive member, the first sliding drive member and the second sliding drive member being used to drive the first carrier and the second carrier to reciprocate between the material transfer station and the riveting station, respectively.

[0007] In some embodiments, the driving mechanism further includes a lifting structure connected between the second sliding drive member and the second carrier. The second sliding drive member is used to drive the second carrier and the lifting structure to slide synchronously along the first direction. The lifting structure is used to drive the second carrier to move in the vertical direction so that the second carrier has a first position and a second position. The height of the first position in the vertical direction is greater than the height of the second position in the vertical direction, and the height of the second position in the vertical direction is less than the height of the first carrier in the vertical direction.

[0008] In some embodiments, the lifting structure includes a sliding plate connected to the second sliding drive member, a lifting driver connected to the sliding plate, and a guide member connected to the sliding plate. The second support seat is connected to the drive end of the lifting driver. The lifting driver is used to drive the second support seat to move up and down, and the guide member is used to guide the second support seat to move in the vertical direction.

[0009] In some embodiments, the guide includes a guide sleeve connected to the sliding plate and a guide post that slides vertically through the guide sleeve. The top end of the guide post is connected to the second bearing seat. Multiple guide posts are arranged at intervals along the periphery of the sliding plate, and multiple guide sleeves are arranged at intervals along the periphery of the sliding plate. Each guide post corresponds to each guide sleeve.

[0010] In some embodiments, the second support includes a connecting plate connected to the drive end of the lifting structure, a support block connected to the connecting plate and used to support the target workpiece, and a positioning pin connected to the connecting plate and extending in a vertical direction. The target workpiece is provided with a positioning hole, and the positioning pin passes through the positioning hole to position the target workpiece. Multiple positioning pins and positioning holes are arranged at intervals, and each positioning pin corresponds to each positioning hole.

[0011] In some embodiments, the riveting mechanism includes a linear drive structure and a hot riveting component connected to the linear drive structure. The linear drive structure is used to drive the hot riveting component to move in a straight line in three-dimensional space. The riveting point is provided with a hot melt column, and the hot riveting component is used to heat the hot melt column to perform hot melt riveting on the hot melt column.

[0012] In some embodiments, the hot riveting component includes a hot riveting head for contacting the hot melt column. One end of the hot riveting head facing the hot melt column is provided with a forming cavity of a preset shape. The forming cavity is used to accommodate and press the hot melt column during riveting, so that the hot melt column is formed into a riveting head with the preset shape after hot melting.

[0013] In some embodiments, the linear drive structure includes a lifting drive member connected to the hot riveting member and used to drive the hot riveting member to move in a vertical direction, a first drive member used to drive the lifting drive member to move in a first direction, and a second drive member used to drive the first drive member to move in a second direction. The first direction and the second direction are horizontal and perpendicular to each other. Two first drive members are arranged at intervals along the second direction, and two lifting drive members and two hot riveting members are arranged at intervals. Each first drive member, each lifting drive member, and each hot riveting member corresponds to one other.

[0014] Secondly, an electronic device production line is provided, including the aforementioned riveting equipment.

[0015] The riveting equipment provided in this application, by setting a first and second support seat that slide along a first direction and configuring a drive mechanism to drive the two to slide back and forth between the transfer station and the riveting station, can automatically complete the entire process of loading, riveting, and unloading the target workpiece, reducing manual intervention and thus improving the degree of production automation. In addition, in the riveting equipment provided in this application, one of the first or second support seats receives the target workpiece at the transfer station and transfers it to the riveting station for riveting. At the same time, the other of the first or second support seats can transfer the riveted target workpiece back to the transfer station for unloading, so that the loading or unloading operation at the transfer station and the riveting operation at the riveting station can be carried out synchronously, effectively utilizing the riveting process time, avoiding idle waiting at the transfer station, and greatly improving the production efficiency of the riveting equipment. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or exemplary technologies will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the riveting equipment provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 2 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the riveting equipment provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 3yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional structural diagram of the hot riveting component; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a hot riveting head provided in one embodiment of this application; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a hot riveting head provided in another embodiment of this application.

[0018] The following are the labeling elements in the figure: 10. First bearing seat; 20. Second bearing seat; 21. Connecting plate; 22. Support block; 23. Positioning pin; 30. Drive mechanism; 31. First sliding drive component; 32. Second sliding drive component; 33. Lifting structure; 331. Sliding plate; 332. Lifting driver; 3331. Guide sleeve; 3332. Guide post; 40. Riveting mechanism; 411. First drive component; 412. Second drive component; 413. Lifting drive component; 42. Hot riveting component; 421. Hot riveting head; 4211. Forming cavity; 4212. Protrusion; 422. Heating element; 43. Vision inspection element; 44. Smoke exhaust pipe; 51. Slide rail; 52. Slider; 200. Target workpiece; 300. Material transfer station; 400. Riveting station. Detailed Implementation

[0019] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, 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 a part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of them. 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. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to represent selected embodiments of the invention. 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.

[0020] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," and "counterclockwise," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. 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. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0021] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0022] 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.

[0023] Please see Figures 1 to 5 This application provides a riveting device, which includes a material transfer station 300 and a riveting station 400 along a first direction a. The material transfer station 300 is used for loading or unloading a target workpiece 200, which has riveting points. The riveting device includes a drive mechanism 30, a first support seat 10 for supporting the target workpiece 200, a second support seat 20 for supporting the target workpiece 200, and a riveting mechanism 40 disposed at the riveting station 400. Both the first support seat 10 and the second support seat 20 are slidably disposed along the first direction a. The support seat 20 slides below the first support seat 10, and the driving mechanism 30 drives the first support seat 10 and the second support seat 20 to slide back and forth between the material transfer station 300 and the riveting station 400; wherein, the first support seat 10 or the second support seat 20 receives the target workpiece 200 at the material transfer station 300 and transfers it to the riveting station 400; the riveting mechanism 40 rivets the riveting points on the target workpiece 200; the first support seat 10 or the second support seat 20 transfers the riveted target workpiece 200 to the material transfer station 300 for unloading.

[0024] Understandably, the riveting equipment provided in this embodiment is generally arranged along a first direction a, which is the conveying direction of the target workpiece 200 in the equipment, specifically a horizontal direction. At different positions along this first direction a, the equipment is provided with a material transfer station 300 and a riveting station 400. The material transfer station 300 is located at one end of the equipment and is used for operators or external robots to place the target workpiece 200 to be processed onto the equipment and to remove the riveted target workpiece 200 from the equipment. The riveting station 400 is located at the other end of the equipment and is used to perform riveting operations on the riveting points on the target workpiece 200.

[0025] The target workpiece 200 can be various electronic devices that require the fixed connection of different components by thermal riveting, such as printed circuit board assemblies, flexible circuit boards, connector housings, shielding covers, etc. The target workpiece 200 has pre-set riveting points, and each riveting point typically has a protruding thermoplastic post made of a thermoplastic material. This thermoplastic post softens and deforms and then re-solidifies after heating and pressure, thereby riveting and fixing multiple components in the target workpiece 200 into a single unit. It should be noted that the target workpiece 200 may have one or multiple riveting points.

[0026] In this embodiment, both the first support seat 10 and the second support seat 20 are used to support the target workpiece 200. The second support seat 20 is slidably disposed below the first support seat 10, that is, the two support seats are arranged in a stacked manner in the vertical direction c, with the first support seat 10 located on the upper layer and the second support seat 20 located on the lower layer. This stacked arrangement means that the two support seats do not need to occupy additional space in the horizontal direction.

[0027] The drive mechanism 30 drives the first support seat 10 and the second support seat 20 to reciprocate along a first direction a, enabling the support seats to move accurately between the material transfer station 300 and the riveting station 400. The drive mechanism 30 can drive the first support seat 10 and the second support seat 20 to alternately enter and exit the riveting station 400. For example, when the first support seat 10 slides from the material transfer station 300 to the riveting station 400, the second support seat 20 can simultaneously slide from the riveting station 400 to the material transfer station 300; and vice versa. Since the first support seat 10 and the second support seat 20 are at different heights during movement, they will not collide or interfere with each other and operate independently.

[0028] The riveting mechanism 40 is located at the riveting station 400. After the carrier conveys the target workpiece 200 to the riveting station 400, the riveting mechanism 40 performs riveting operations on the riveting points on the target workpiece 200, such as heating and pressurizing the riveting points.

[0029] In one specific embodiment, in the initial state, the first support 10 is located at the transfer station 300, and the second support 20 is located at the riveting station 400. First, the target workpiece 200 to be processed is placed on the first support 10 at the transfer station 300, and the first support 10 supports and positions the target workpiece 200. Then, the drive mechanism 30 drives the first support 10 to slide along a first direction a from the transfer station 300 to the riveting station 400. During this process, the second support 20 simultaneously slides from the riveting station 400 to the transfer station 300. After the first support 10 reaches the riveting station 400, the riveting mechanism 40 rivets the riveting points on the target workpiece 200. While riveting is in progress, the second support 20 has reached the transfer station 300, at which point the next target workpiece 200 to be processed can be placed on the second support 20, ready for transfer. After the target workpiece 200 on the first support seat 10 is riveted, the drive mechanism 30 actuates again, driving the second support seat 20 to slide from the material transfer station 300 to the riveting station 400. Simultaneously, the first support seat 10 slides from the riveting station 400 to the material transfer station 300. Upon reaching the material transfer station 300, the riveted target workpiece 200 on the first support seat 10 is removed, completing the unloading operation. At the same time, the next target workpiece 200 on the second support seat 20 is riveted at the riveting station 400. This cycle repeats continuously, achieving continuous operation.

[0030] The riveting equipment provided in this application, by setting a first support seat 10 and a second support seat 20 that slide along a first direction a, and configuring a drive mechanism 30 to drive the two to slide back and forth between the transfer station 300 and the riveting station 400, can automatically complete the entire process of loading, riveting and unloading the target workpiece 200, reducing manual intervention and thus improving the degree of production automation. In addition, in the riveting equipment provided in this application, one of the first support seat 10 or the second support seat 20 receives the target workpiece 200 at the transfer station 300 and transfers it to the riveting station 400 for riveting. At the same time, the other of the first support seat 10 or the second support seat 20 can transfer the riveted target workpiece 200 back to the transfer station 300 for unloading, so that the loading or unloading operation of the transfer station 300 and the riveting operation of the riveting station 400 can be carried out synchronously, effectively utilizing the riveting process time, avoiding the idle waiting of the transfer station 300, and greatly improving the production efficiency of the riveting equipment.

[0031] Understandably, this application also includes a control system (not shown in the figure). The drive mechanism 30, the first support seat 10, the second support seat 20 and the riveting mechanism 40 are all communicatively connected to the control system. The control system can control the drive mechanism 30, the first support seat 10, the second support seat 20 and the riveting mechanism 40 to automatically cooperate and operate, thereby automating the riveting process and improving production efficiency.

[0032] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the drive mechanism 30 includes a first sliding drive member 31 and a second sliding drive member 32. The first sliding drive member 31 and the second sliding drive member 32 are respectively used to drive the first support seat 10 and the second support seat 20 to slide back and forth between the material transfer station 300 and the riveting station 400.

[0033] The first sliding drive member 31 and the second sliding drive member 32 work independently and do not interfere with each other, so that the first support seat 10 and the second support seat 20 can run at different motion sequences and speeds, without being constrained by each other's motion states.

[0034] The first sliding drive member 31 and the second sliding drive member 32 can use the same type of drive element, or different types of drive elements can be selected as needed. For example, both the first sliding drive member 31 and the second sliding drive member 32 can be a combination of a servo motor and a lead screw and nut mechanism. The output shaft of the servo motor drives the lead screw to rotate, and the lead screw converts the rotational motion into the linear motion of the nut. The first bearing seat 10 or the second bearing seat 20 is fixedly connected to the nut to achieve precise linear sliding.

[0035] The first sliding drive component 31 and the second sliding drive component 32 drive the first bearing seat 10 and the second bearing seat 20 respectively. This independent drive configuration allows the riveting station 400 and the material transfer station 300 to always work in parallel. The time coordination between loading, unloading and riveting is more flexible and efficient. The equipment operating cycle can be adjusted according to the actual process needs, further improving the overall production efficiency of the equipment.

[0036] In some embodiments, a slide rail 51 extending along a first direction a is fixedly provided on the frame of the riveting equipment. The slide rail 51 forms the guide base for the sliding of the first support seat 10 and the second support seat 20. The slider 52 is slidably engaged on the slide rail 51 and can move freely back and forth along the extension direction of the slide rail 51. The first support seat 10 is fixedly connected to one of the sliders 52, and the second support seat 20 is fixedly connected to the other slider 52. The first support seat 10 and the second support seat 20 respectively follow the slider 52 connected to them and slide back and forth along the slide rail 51, thereby realizing the position switching between the material transfer station 300 and the riveting station 400 in the first direction a.

[0037] Since the first support seat 10 and the second support seat 20 are arranged in a stacked manner in the height direction, the slide rails 51 are also arranged in layers in the height direction accordingly. In some embodiments, two layers of slide rails 51 can be set on the frame, with each layer of slide rails 51 corresponding to a support seat. The first support seat 10 is installed on the upper slide rail 51 by a slider 52, and the second support seat 20 is installed on the lower slide rail 51 by a slider 52. The two layers of slide rails 51 are independent and do not interfere with each other.

[0038] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the drive mechanism 30 also includes a lifting structure 33 connected between the second sliding drive member 32 and the second support seat 20. The second sliding drive member 32 is used to drive the second support seat 20 and the lifting structure 33 to slide synchronously along the first direction a. The lifting structure 33 is used to drive the second support seat 20 to move along the vertical direction c, so that the second support seat 20 has a first position and a second position. The height of the first position along the vertical direction c is greater than the height of the second position along the vertical direction c, and the height of the second position along the vertical direction c is less than the height of the first support seat 10 along the vertical direction c.

[0039] The second sliding drive member 32 is used to drive the second support seat 20 and the lifting structure 33 to slide synchronously along the first direction a. That is, the lifting structure 33 moves back and forth between the material transfer station 300 and the riveting station 400 together with the second support seat 20, while the lifting structure 33 is used to drive the second support seat 20 to move up and down relative to the second sliding drive member 32 along the vertical direction c.

[0040] With the aforementioned lifting structure 33, the second support seat 20 has two different height positions in the vertical direction c: a first position and a second position. The first position is the raised position of the second support seat 20, in which the height of the second support seat 20 in the vertical direction c is relatively large, that is, the second support seat 20 is at a higher spatial height. The second position is the lowered position of the second support seat 20, in which the height of the second support seat 20 in the vertical direction c is relatively small, that is, the second support seat 20 is at a lower spatial height. In the second position, the height of the second support seat 20 in the vertical direction c is less than the height of the first support seat 10 in the vertical direction c. In other words, the highest point of the entire second support seat 20 and the target workpiece 200 it carries in the vertical direction c is lower than the bottom of the first support seat 10, thereby allowing the second support seat 20 to pass smoothly directly under the first support seat 10 without colliding with it.

[0041] At the material transfer station 300, the lifting structure 33 drives the second support seat 20 to rise to the first position, placing the second support seat 20 at a higher spatial height. At this time, the second support seat 20 is close to the working height of the operator or external robot, facilitating the placement and removal of the target workpiece 200.

[0042] When the second support seat 20, carrying the target workpiece 200, needs to slide from the transfer station 300 to the riveting station 400, the lifting structure 33 first drives the second support seat 20 to descend from the first position to the second position. In the second position, the overall height of the second support seat 20 is lower than the height of the first support seat 10. At this time, the second sliding drive member 32 drives the lifting structure 33 and the entire second support seat 20 to slide along the first direction a, allowing the second support seat 20 to pass directly under the first support seat 10 without collision. After the second support seat 20 slides to the riveting station 400, the lifting structure 33 then drives the second support seat 20 to rise from the second position to the first position, raising the second support seat 20 to the working height of the riveting station 400, so as to cooperate with the riveting mechanism 40 set at this station, sending the target workpiece 200 into the processing area of ​​the riveting mechanism 40, enabling the riveting mechanism 40 to accurately perform riveting operations on the riveting points of the target workpiece 200. After riveting is completed, the lifting structure 33 lowers the second support seat 20 from the first position to the second position again. The second sliding drive component 32 drives the second support seat 20 to slide back from the riveting station 400 to the material transfer station 300. During the return process, the second support seat 20 also passes under the first support seat 10. After reaching the material transfer station 300, the lifting structure 33 lifts it back to the first position to facilitate material unloading.

[0043] With the lifting structure 33, the second support seat 20 can flexibly adjust its height at different work stations, which not only meets the loading and unloading operation height requirements at the material transfer work station 300 and the processing height requirements at the riveting work station 400, but also actively lowers to avoid the first support seat 10 during the sliding process, thus improving the safety of the riveting equipment.

[0044] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 As shown, the lifting structure 33 includes a sliding plate 331 connected to the second sliding drive member 32, a lifting driver 332 connected to the sliding plate 331, and a guide member connected to the sliding plate 331. The second support seat 20 is connected to the driving end of the lifting driver 332. The lifting driver 332 is used to drive the second support seat 20 to move up and down, and the guide member is used to guide the second support seat 20 to move along the vertical direction c.

[0045] The lifting actuator 332 is connected to the sliding plate 331, and its driving end extends and retracts in the vertical direction c. The second support seat 20 is connected to the driving end of the lifting actuator 332. The lifting actuator 332 directly drives the second support seat 20 to rise or fall by extending or retracting its driving end. The guide member is also connected to the sliding plate 331 and is used to provide vertical direction c guidance constraint during the lifting and lowering process of the second support seat 20, ensuring that the second support seat 20 only moves in the vertical direction c during the lifting and lowering process, without horizontal deviation or tilting, thereby ensuring that the second support seat 20 can maintain an accurate horizontal position after each lifting and lowering.

[0046] Optionally, the lifting actuator 332 can be a cylinder, with the cylinder body fixed to the sliding plate 331. The piston rod of the cylinder extends vertically in the direction c as the driving end, and the second bearing seat 20 is fixedly connected to the end of the piston rod. By controlling the air intake and exhaust of the cylinder, when the piston rod extends, it pushes the second bearing seat 20 to rise to the first position; when the piston rod retracts, it pulls the second bearing seat 20 down to the second position. The lifting actuator 332 can also be an electric cylinder, which converts the rotational motion of the motor into linear motion through an internal screw and nut mechanism, thereby driving the second bearing seat 20 to rise and fall.

[0047] In some embodiments, the guide includes a guide sleeve 3331 connected to the sliding plate 331 and a guide post 3332 that slides through the guide sleeve 3331 in the vertical direction c. The top end of the guide post 3332 is connected to the second support seat 20. Multiple guide posts 3332 are arranged at intervals along the periphery of the sliding plate 331, and multiple guide sleeves 3331 are arranged at intervals along the periphery of the sliding plate 331. Each guide post 3332 corresponds to each guide sleeve 3331.

[0048] In this embodiment, the guide sleeve 3331 is fixedly connected to the sliding plate 331, and the guide post 3332 slides through the guide sleeve 3331 in the vertical direction c. The top end of the guide post 3332 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the second support seat 20, and the bottom end of the guide post 3332 passes through the guide sleeve 3331 and extends downward. The guide sleeve 3331 constrains the movement direction of the guide post 3332, so that the guide post 3332 can only slide relative to the guide sleeve 3331 in the vertical direction c. When the lifting driver 332 drives the second support seat 20 to rise or fall, the second support seat 20 drives the guide post 3332 fixedly connected to it to move together. The guide post 3332 slides in the guide sleeve 3331 in the vertical direction c, thereby limiting the lifting movement of the second support seat 20 to the vertical direction c.

[0049] Multiple guide posts 3332 and guide sleeves 3331 are arranged at intervals along the periphery of the sliding plate 331, and each guide post 3332 corresponds one-to-one with each guide sleeve 3331. That is, multiple sets of guide posts 3332 and guide sleeves 3331 are provided at different positions on the periphery of the sliding plate 331, and each set of fits is located at a specific position on the periphery of the sliding plate 331. Specifically, on the periphery of the sliding plate 331, each guide sleeve 3331 is fixed through and fixed to the periphery area of ​​the sliding plate 331, and multiple guide posts 3332 and guide sleeves 3331 are evenly distributed at intervals along the periphery of the sliding plate 331. For example, one set is provided at each of the four corners of the sliding plate 331, or two sets are provided at the front edge and two sets at the rear edge. This multi-point uniform distribution of the guide method enables the second bearing seat 20 to maintain a precise lifting trajectory even when subjected to eccentric loads, reducing the risk of jamming, tilting or shaking. This further improves the levelness and positional accuracy of the target workpiece 200 on the second bearing seat 20 when it is lifted, providing a reliable foundation for the precise riveting of the riveting mechanism 40.

[0050] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 As shown, the second support base 20 includes a connecting plate 21 connected to the drive end of the lifting structure 33, a support block 22 connected to the connecting plate 21 and used to support the target workpiece 200, and a positioning pin 23 connected to the connecting plate 21 and extending in the vertical direction c. The target workpiece 200 is provided with a positioning hole, and the positioning pin 23 passes through the positioning hole to position the target workpiece 200. Multiple positioning pins 23 and positioning holes are arranged at intervals, and each positioning pin 23 corresponds to each positioning hole.

[0051] The connecting plate 21 serves as the basic component of the second support seat 20. Its lower surface is connected to the driving end of the lifting structure 33, that is, it is fixedly connected to the driving end of the lifting driver 332 and the top of each guide column 3332, so that the lifting driver 332 can drive the entire second support seat 20 to rise and fall through the connecting plate 21. The upper surface of the connecting plate 21 is used to install the support block 22 and the positioning pin 23.

[0052] The support block 22 is connected to the upper surface of the connecting plate 21 and is used to provide support for the bottom of the target workpiece 200 when carrying it. The specific shape and size of the support block 22 can be adapted to the bottom contour of the target workpiece 200. For example, when the bottom of the target workpiece 200 is flat, the upper surface of the support block 22 is correspondingly set to be flat; when the bottom of the target workpiece 200 has a concave-convex structure, the upper surface of the support block 22 can be correspondingly provided with a relief groove or a boss to match the shape of the bottom of the target workpiece 200, so that the target workpiece 200 can be placed stably on the support block 22.

[0053] The locating pin 23 is connected to the upper surface of the connecting plate 21 and extends upward in the vertical direction c. A corresponding locating hole is provided on the target workpiece 200. The locating hole is either a through hole penetrating the thickness direction of the target workpiece 200 or a blind hole with a certain depth. The locating pin 23 passes through the locating hole, and the horizontal position of the target workpiece 200 is constrained by the cooperation between the locating pin 23 and the locating hole. When the target workpiece 200 is placed on the support block 22, the locating pin 23 is inserted into the locating hole on the target workpiece 200. Since the position of the locating pin 23 is fixed, once the target workpiece 200 is passed through by the locating pin 23, its left-right and forward-backward movement in the horizontal direction is restricted, and it can only be taken out or put in along the axial direction of the locating pin 23.

[0054] Multiple locating pins 23 and locating holes are arranged at intervals, with each locating pin 23 corresponding to a locating hole. Each locating hole is positioned relative to a locating pin 23. During installation, each locating pin 23 is inserted into its corresponding locating hole. The top of each locating pin 23 may also have a guide cone surface, i.e., a chamfer or tapered slope is formed at the top of the pin, with the diameter of the cone gradually increasing from top to bottom. When the target workpiece 200 is placed on the support block 22, the guide cone surface at the top of the locating pin 23 guides the locating hole on the workpiece 200 to align with the locating pin 23, thus facilitating quick installation of the workpiece 200 by operators or robotic arms and improving loading efficiency.

[0055] With the cooperation of the support block 22 and the positioning pin 23, when the second bearing seat 20 receives the target workpiece 200, the support block 22 provides an upward supporting force to support the weight of the target workpiece 200, and the positioning pin 23 positions the target workpiece 200 horizontally by passing through the positioning hole of the target workpiece 200. The positioning pin 23 makes the target workpiece 200 have a definite position in the horizontal direction. The target workpiece 200 received by the second bearing seat 20 at the material transfer station 300 can be accurately placed in the same position and maintain the same posture. Thus, after the target workpiece 200 is transferred to the riveting station 400 by the second bearing seat 20, the riveting point on it can accurately correspond to the working position of the riveting mechanism 40 every time, which improves the consistency of the riveting position of each target workpiece 200 in the riveting process and effectively improves the stability of the riveting quality.

[0056] It should be noted that the first support 10 of this application can adopt the same structure as the second support 20.

[0057] In some embodiments, the riveting mechanism 40 includes a linear drive structure and a hot riveting member 42 connected to the linear drive structure. The linear drive structure is used to drive the hot riveting member 42 to move in a straight line in three-dimensional space. The riveting point is provided with a hot melt column, and the hot riveting member 42 is used to heat the hot melt column to perform hot melt riveting on the hot melt column.

[0058] The linear drive structure is used to drive the hot riveting component 42 to move in a straight line in three-dimensional space. That is, the hot riveting component 42 can move in a straight line in three mutually orthogonal spatial directions, thereby moving the hot riveting component 42 to any target position in three-dimensional space. A thermoplastic column is provided at the riveting point on the target workpiece 200. The thermoplastic column is made of thermoplastic material. The hot riveting component 42 is moved to the position of contact with the thermoplastic column by the linear drive structure, and the thermoplastic column is heated and pressurized, so that the thermoplastic column softens and melts when heated. At the same time, the hot riveting component 42 applies pressure to the softened thermoplastic column to deform it. After cooling and solidification, a riveting joint is formed, thereby completing the thermoplastic riveting of the thermoplastic column.

[0059] The hot riveting component 42 includes a heating element 422 and a hot riveting head 421. The heating element 422 can be in the form of a resistance heating wire, a heating tube, or a high-frequency induction heating coil, etc., to generate heat and transfer it to the riveting head. The hot riveting head 421 is connected to the heating end of the heating element 422, and its end is used to directly contact the hot melt column and transfer heat to the hot melt column. The hot riveting head 421 is made of a material with good thermal conductivity, such as copper alloy, aluminum alloy, or tool steel, to ensure that heat can be quickly transferred from the heating element 422 to the hot melt column.

[0060] Optionally, the hot riveting component 42 can specifically be a pulse hot riveting component 42. The pulse hot riveting component 42 is a hot riveting actuator that utilizes pulse heating technology to rapidly heat and cool the hot melt column. It generates Joule heat within the riveting joint itself by instantaneously applying a large current, thereby transferring heat to the hot melt column in a very short time, achieving rapid softening and melting of the hot melt column. After heating is complete, the current is quickly cut off, and the riveting joint cools rapidly, allowing the hot melt column to solidify quickly under pressure. The pulse hot riveting component 42 has extremely fast heating and cooling speeds; the entire hot melt riveting process can be completed within seconds. This significantly reduces the riveting operation time for each target workpiece 200, thereby further improving the equipment's production efficiency.

[0061] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the hot riveting part 42 includes a hot riveting head 421 for contacting the hot melt column. The end of the hot riveting head 421 facing the hot melt column is provided with a forming cavity 4211 with a preset shape. The forming cavity 4211 is used to accommodate and press the hot melt column during riveting so that the hot melt column is formed into a riveting part with a preset shape after hot melting.

[0062] The forming cavity 4211 is a recessed space formed by the end face of the hot riveting head 421 recessed in a direction away from the target workpiece 200, and it has a preset internal contour shape. During the riveting process, the linear drive structure drives the hot riveting part 42 to move towards the hot melt column, so that the end face of the hot riveting head 421 gradually approaches and eventually contacts the surface of the target workpiece 200 or the surface of the component around the hot melt column, while the end of the hot melt column enters the interior of the forming cavity 4211. The forming cavity 4211 accommodates and surrounds the hot melt column from all sides and above. The pressure continuously applied by the linear drive structure is transmitted through the hot riveting head 421 to the inner wall of the forming cavity 4211, and then from the inner wall to the surface of the hot melt column in contact with it. This causes the hot melt column, which has been softened by heat, to be compressed and deformed within the space defined by the forming cavity 4211. Under the combined action of pressure and heat, the material of the hot melt column flows and fills the internal space of the forming cavity 4211. As the temperature of the hot melt column drops below the curing temperature, the hot melt material filling the molding cavity 4211 solidifies and forms, with its outer contour matching the inner contour of the molding cavity 4211, thus forming a rivet head with a preset shape. When the hot rivet head 421 retracts from the riveting position, the solidified rivet head is removed from the molding cavity 4211, retaining its formed shape.

[0063] By setting the forming cavity 4211, the hot melt column is constrained and shaped by the forming cavity 4211 during the riveting process. The final riveted joint has a definite preset shape, which is consistent with the internal contour of the forming cavity 4211. The riveted joints formed on different workpieces have uniform shapes and sizes, improving the consistency of riveting quality in batch riveting. Furthermore, the forming cavity 4211 also plays a limiting role in the riveting process, preventing the hot melt column from flowing randomly to the surrounding area when deformed under pressure. Instead, it is confined within the space defined by the forming cavity 4211, thereby preventing the hot melt material from overflowing to other areas of the target workpiece 200 and improving the appearance quality of the target workpiece 200.

[0064] In some embodiments, the forming cavity 4211 is a hemispherical cavity with an internal contour of a hemispherical curved surface. Correspondingly, after the hot melt column is solidified, a hemispherical rivet joint is formed. The surface of the hemispherical rivet joint is smooth and without sharp edges, making it less likely to scratch surrounding parts and with uniform stress distribution, thus having good riveting strength.

[0065] In other possible implementations, such as Figure 3 and Figure 5As shown, the forming cavity 4211 is a hemispherical cavity, and at the bottom center of the hemispherical cavity, a protrusion 4212 protrudes towards the opening of the cavity. The shape of the protrusion 4212 can be conical, cylindrical, or frustum-shaped, etc., and it extends along the central axis of the hot riveting head 421, so that the internal space of the forming cavity 4211 is not a single hemispherical cavity, but a forming space with an annular cross-section defined by the hemispherical wall and the central protrusion.

[0066] When the hot-melt column is deformed under pressure during the riveting process and fills the forming cavity 4211, the hot-melt material flows into the annular area between the hemispherical wall and the central protrusion. The central protrusion occupies the central area of ​​the hemispherical cavity, preventing the hot-melt material from filling this position, thus forming an axially extending recess inside the finally formed riveted joint. The overall outline of the riveted joint is similar to the annular structure formed after a portion of material has been removed from the center of a hemispherical or crown-shaped riveted joint.

[0067] By setting a protrusion 4212 at the bottom center of the hemispherical cavity, the end of the hot melt column only contacts the hemispherical wall of the cavity and the outer surface of the central protrusion 4212 after entering the cavity. The central area of ​​the hot melt column contacts the top of the protrusion 4212 first and is heated. The heat is evenly transferred from the center to the periphery. The hot melt material quickly reaches the softening temperature at the moment of heating, which shortens the heating time. The final formed ring rivet joint is structurally similar to a rivet assembly, with a neat and symmetrical appearance, which improves the overall aesthetics of the product.

[0068] In some embodiments, the linear drive structure includes a lifting drive 413 connected to the hot riveting member 42 and used to drive the hot riveting member 42 to move along the vertical direction c, a first drive 411 used to drive the lifting drive 413 to move along the first direction a, and a second drive 412 used to drive the first drive 411 to move along the second direction b. The first direction a and the second direction b are horizontal and perpendicular to each other. Two first drive members 411 are arranged at intervals along the second direction b, and two lifting drive members 413 and two hot riveting members 42 are arranged at intervals. Each first drive member 411, each lifting drive 413, and each hot riveting member 42 corresponds to one other.

[0069] Each first driving component 411 is connected to a lifting driving component 413, and each lifting driving component 413 is connected to a hot riveting component 42. The first driving component 411 drives the corresponding lifting driving component 413 and hot riveting component 42 to move along the first direction a, and the lifting driving component 413 drives the corresponding hot riveting component 42 to move along the vertical direction c. The simultaneous operation of the two sets of hot riveting components 42 enables the equipment to complete the hot-melt riveting of two riveting points in a single riveting operation. Compared with the method of riveting one by one, the total riveting time of a single target workpiece 200 is greatly shortened, and production efficiency is further improved.

[0070] Optionally, the lifting drive 413, the first drive 411, and the second drive 412 can employ various forms of linear motion actuators. Each drive can be a cylinder, achieving linear reciprocating motion through the extension and retraction of the cylinder piston rod. Alternatively, each drive can be an electric cylinder, integrating a servo motor and a lead screw transmission mechanism to precisely control movement speed and stopping position. Each drive can also be a linear motor, directly driving the load along a linear guide rail via electromagnetic force, featuring high acceleration and high precision. The first drive 411, the second drive 412, and the lifting drive 413 can be selected independently. They can use the same drive form, or different types of drive components can be selected according to different axial motion accuracy requirements and load demands.

[0071] In some embodiments, the driving end of the lifting drive 413 may also be connected to a vision inspection element 43, which is fixedly mounted on the driving end of the lifting drive 413 and moves synchronously with the hot riveting component 42. The vision inspection element 43 is used to identify and locate the riveting point position on the target workpiece 200. By introducing visual positioning before riveting, the riveting equipment can automatically compensate for the positional offset caused by the placement deviation of the target workpiece 200, improving the alignment accuracy between the riveting mechanism 40 and the riveting point, thereby improving the stability and consistency of the riveting quality.

[0072] Optionally, the vision detection element 43 may be a charge-coupled device image sensor, i.e., a CCD image sensor, or a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor image sensor, i.e., a CMOS image sensor.

[0073] In some embodiments, the drive end of the lifting drive 413 can also be connected to a smoke exhaust pipe 44. One end of the smoke exhaust pipe 44 is located beside the hot riveting component 42, and the other end is connected to an external exhaust device. The smoke exhaust pipe 44 is fixedly installed on the drive end of the lifting drive 413 and moves synchronously with the hot riveting component 42, that is, the opening of the smoke exhaust pipe 44 always follows the hot riveting component 42 to the location of the hot melt column. During the process of the hot riveting component 42 heating and melting the hot melt column, the hot melt material will generate smoke, volatile gases or fine particulate matter at high temperatures. If these fumes diffuse into the surrounding environment, on the one hand, they will contaminate the optical components inside the equipment, such as the lens of the vision detection component 43, resulting in a decrease in image acquisition quality and affecting the accuracy of visual positioning and detection; on the other hand, some of the gases released during the hot melting process may have an irritating odor or be harmful to human health. If they diffuse into the operating environment, they will affect the working comfort and occupational health of the operators. By setting up the exhaust pipe 44, the fumes generated during the hot melting process are drawn into the pipe opening of the exhaust pipe 44 before they diffuse, effectively reducing the risk of the fumes spreading over a large area inside the equipment and contaminating the lens of the vision inspection element 43 or other precision components, and also purifying the working environment.

[0074] The present invention also proposes an electronic device production line, which includes riveting equipment. The specific structure of the riveting equipment is as described in the above embodiments. Since the electronic device production line adopts all the technical solutions of all the above embodiments, it also has all the beneficial effects brought about by the technical solutions of the above embodiments, which will not be described in detail here.

[0075] In summary, the riveting equipment provided in this application, by setting a first support seat 10 and a second support seat 20 that slide along the first direction a, and configuring a drive mechanism 30 to drive the two to slide back and forth between the transfer station 300 and the riveting station 400, can automatically complete the entire process of loading, riveting, and unloading the target workpiece 200, reducing manual intervention and thus improving the degree of production automation. In addition, in the riveting equipment provided in this application, one of the first support seat 10 or the second support seat 20 receives the target workpiece 200 at the transfer station 300 and transfers it to the riveting station 400 for riveting. At the same time, the other of the first support seat 10 or the second support seat 20 can transfer the riveted target workpiece 200 back to the transfer station 300 for unloading, so that the loading or unloading operation of the transfer station 300 and the riveting operation of the riveting station 400 can be carried out synchronously, effectively utilizing the riveting process time, avoiding idle waiting at the transfer station 300, and greatly improving the production efficiency of the riveting equipment.

[0076] The above are merely optional embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit this application. Various modifications and variations can be made to this application by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the scope of the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A riveting device, comprising a material transfer station (300) and a riveting station (400) along a first direction, wherein the material transfer station (300) is used for loading or unloading a target workpiece (200), the target workpiece (200) being provided with riveting points, characterized in that: The riveting equipment includes a drive mechanism (30), a first support seat (10) for carrying the target workpiece (200), a second support seat (20) for carrying the target workpiece (200), and a riveting mechanism (40) disposed at the riveting station (400). The first support seat (10) and the second support seat (20) are both slidably disposed along the first direction, and the second support seat (20) slides below the first support seat (10). The drive mechanism (30) is used to drive the first support seat (10) and the second support seat (20) to reciprocate between the material transfer station (300) and the riveting station (400). The first support (10) or the second support (20) receives the target workpiece (200) at the transfer station (300) and transfers it to the riveting station (400); the riveting mechanism (40) rivets the riveting points on the target workpiece (200); the first support (10) or the second support (20) transfers the riveted target workpiece (200) to the transfer station (300) for unloading.

2. The riveting equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The driving mechanism (30) includes a first sliding drive member (31) and a second sliding drive member (32), the first sliding drive member (31) and the second sliding drive member (32) being used to drive the first bearing seat (10) and the second bearing seat (20) to reciprocate between the material transfer station (300) and the riveting station (400), respectively.

3. The riveting equipment as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The driving mechanism (30) further includes a lifting structure (33) connected between the second sliding drive member (32) and the second support seat (20). The second sliding drive member (32) is used to drive the second support seat (20) and the lifting structure (33) to slide synchronously along the first direction. The lifting structure (33) is used to drive the second support seat (20) to move in the vertical direction so that the second support seat (20) has a first position and a second position. The height of the first position in the vertical direction is greater than the height of the second position in the vertical direction, and the height of the second position in the vertical direction is less than the height of the first support seat (10) in the vertical direction.

4. The riveting equipment as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The lifting structure (33) includes a sliding plate (331) connected to the second sliding drive (32), a lifting driver (332) connected to the sliding plate (331), and a guide connected to the sliding plate (331). The second support seat (20) is connected to the driving end of the lifting driver (332). The lifting driver (332) is used to drive the second support seat (20) to move up and down. The guide is used to guide the second support seat (20) to move in the vertical direction.

5. The riveting equipment as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The guide includes a guide sleeve (3331) connected to the sliding plate (331) and a guide post (3332) that slides vertically through the guide sleeve (3331). The top end of the guide post (3332) is connected to the second bearing seat (20). Multiple guide posts (3332) are arranged at intervals along the periphery of the sliding plate (331), and multiple guide sleeves (3331) are arranged at intervals along the periphery of the sliding plate (331). Each guide post (3332) corresponds to each guide sleeve (3331).

6. The riveting equipment as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The second support base (20) includes a connecting plate (21) connected to the drive end of the lifting structure (33), a support block (22) connected to the connecting plate (21) and used to support the target workpiece (200), and a positioning pin (23) connected to the connecting plate (21) and extending in the vertical direction. The target workpiece (200) is provided with a positioning hole, and the positioning pin (23) passes through the positioning hole to position the target workpiece (200). Multiple positioning pins (23) and positioning holes are arranged at intervals, and each positioning pin (23) corresponds to each positioning hole.

7. The riveting equipment as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The riveting mechanism (40) includes a linear drive structure and a hot riveting component (42) connected to the linear drive structure. The linear drive structure is used to drive the hot riveting component (42) to move in a straight line in three-dimensional space. The riveting point is provided with a hot melt column. The hot riveting component (42) is used to heat the hot melt column to perform hot melt riveting on the hot melt column.

8. The riveting equipment as described in claim 7, characterized in that: The hot riveting part (42) includes a hot riveting head (421) for contacting the hot melt column. The hot riveting head (421) has a forming cavity (4211) with a preset shape at one end facing the hot melt column. The forming cavity (4211) is used to accommodate and press the hot melt column during riveting so that the hot melt column is formed into a riveting part with the preset shape after hot melting.

9. The riveting equipment as described in claim 8, characterized in that: The linear drive structure includes a lifting drive (413) connected to the hot riveting member (42) and used to drive the hot riveting member (42) to move in a vertical direction, a first drive (411) used to drive the lifting drive (413) to move in a first direction, and a second drive (412) used to drive the first drive (411) to move in a second direction. The first direction and the second direction are horizontal and perpendicular to each other. Two first drive members (411) are arranged at intervals along the second direction, and two lifting drive members (413) and two hot riveting members (42) are arranged at intervals. Each first drive member (411), each lifting drive member (413), and each hot riveting member (42) corresponds to one another.

10. An electronic device production line, characterized in that: Includes the riveting equipment as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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