Connector assembling device

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of automation equipment, in particular to a connector assembling device, which comprises a first positioning mechanism, a second positioning mechanism, a first clamping mechanism and a second clamping mechanism, a conveying part of the first conveying mechanism is configured to receive the housing flowing out of the first flow channel at a second position and then move to a third position; the second conveying mechanism comprises a conveying part, and the conveying part can move between a second position and a third position; the first driving mechanism is located on the side, away from the first position, of the third position. And when the conveying piece is located at the third position, the first driving mechanism is configured to drive the housing on the conveying piece to move towards the crimping terminal at the first position, so that the housing is assembled in the crimping terminal. The whole assembling process is high in automation degree and assembling efficiency, defective products can be reduced through the multiple preset positions, and therefore the purposes of improving the assembling efficiency and reducing the reject ratio are achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of automated equipment, and more specifically to a connector assembly device. Background Technology

[0002] Combination Figure 1 In the production process of high-speed Ethernet wire harness connectors, the housing 1b and the crimp terminal 1a need to be assembled and connected. The housing 1b and the crimp terminal 1a are usually assembled and connected through interference fit and snap fit. However, after the housing 1b and the crimp terminal 1a are assembled and connected with the shield terminal 1c to obtain the final wire harness connector product.

[0003] Therefore, it is usually necessary to assemble the crimp terminal 1a sequentially with the housing 1b and the shielding terminal 1c during the conveying process along the flow channel. This means that the housing 1b needs to be assembled with the crimp terminal 1a in the conveying state, which places high demands on the accuracy of the assembly interval and assembly position. Existing technologies lack a solution to this problem; manual assembly is inefficient and has a high defect rate, which may directly and adversely affect the subsequent assembly of the shielding terminal 1c.

[0004] Application content

[0005] To address the technical problems of low assembly efficiency and high defect rate in existing manual assembly technologies.

[0006] This application provides a connector assembly apparatus for assembling a housing and a crimp terminal, comprising: a first positioning mechanism for positioning the crimp terminal in a first position; a first conveying mechanism including a first flow channel for conveying the housing; a second conveying mechanism including a conveyor member movable between a second position and a third position; the conveyor member being configured to receive the housing flowing out of the first flow channel in the second position and then move to the third position; and a first driving mechanism located on the side of the third position away from the first position; when the conveyor member is in the third position, the first driving mechanism is configured to drive the housing on the conveyor member toward the crimp terminal at the first position, so that the housing is assembled inside the crimp terminal.

[0007] Beneficial Effects: In the assembly process of the assembly apparatus of this application, the conveyor is configured to receive the cover flowing out of the first flow channel at a second position, and then move to a third position; the first drive mechanism is configured to drive the cover on the conveyor at the third position to move towards the crimping terminal at the first position, so that the cover is assembled into the crimping terminal. In this application, the crimping terminal is positioned by a first positioning mechanism, the second conveyor receives the cover and accurately conveys the cover to a preset position, and finally the first drive mechanism pushes the cover towards the positioned crimping terminal to complete the assembly. The entire assembly process has a high degree of automation and high assembly efficiency, and the multiple preset positions (first position, second position, and third position) can reduce the generation of defective products, thereby achieving the purpose of improving assembly efficiency and reducing the defect rate. Attached Figure Description

[0008] The technical solution and other beneficial effects of this application will become apparent from the following detailed description of specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0009] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the crimp terminal, crimp terminal and shielding terminal described in the background art of this application;

[0010] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a connector assembly device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0011] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first positioning mechanism in the embodiments of this application;

[0012] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first conveying mechanism, the second conveying mechanism, and the first driving mechanism in the embodiments of this application;

[0013] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second conveying mechanism and the first driving mechanism in the embodiments of this application;

[0014] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A structural diagram from another perspective.

[0015] Reference numerals: 1a, crimp terminal; 1b, housing; 1c, shielding terminal;

[0016] 10. First positioning mechanism; 11. Pressing component; 111. Notch; 12. Third cylinder; 13. Third mounting bracket;

[0017] 20. First conveying mechanism; 21. First flow channel; 22. Pressure plate;

[0018] 30. Second conveying mechanism; 31. Conveying component; 311. First block; 312. First trough; 32. First cylinder; 33. Second block; 331. Second trough; 34. Third block; 341. Third trough; 342. Protrusion; 35. Second cylinder;

[0019] 40. First drive mechanism; 41. Push block; 42. Fourth cylinder;

[0020] 50. Conveying track;

[0021] X, first direction; Y, second direction; Z, third direction. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application 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 this application, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0023] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the term "and / or" in this document is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. Furthermore, the character " / " in this document, unless otherwise specified, generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0024] In the prior art known to the inventors of this application, the housing and crimp terminals need to be assembled and connected during the production process of high-speed Ethernet wire harness connectors. The housing 1b and crimp terminals 1a are typically connected via interference fit and snap-fit. However, after assembly, the housing 1b and crimp terminals 1a also need to be assembled and connected with the shielding terminal 1c to obtain the final wire harness connector product. Therefore, it is usually necessary to assemble the crimp terminals 1a sequentially with the housing 1b and the shielding terminal 1c during the conveying process. This means that the housing 1b needs to be assembled with the crimp terminals 1a in the conveying state, which places high demands on the assembly interval and accuracy of the assembly position of the housing 1b. The prior art lacks a technical solution to this problem, and manual assembly has low efficiency and a high defect rate, which may directly affect the subsequent assembly process of the shielding terminal 1c.

[0025] In the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of this application, arrows labeled X, Y, and Z represent the first direction X, the second direction Y, and the third direction Z, respectively. The description of this application introduces the first direction X, the second direction Y, and the third direction Z to more clearly illustrate the structure and relative positional relationships of the components in the assembly device. The first direction X, the second direction Y, and the third direction Z are relative directions that intersect each other, not absolute directions. In practical applications, the first direction X, the second direction Y, and the third direction Z can point to any direction in space, as long as their intersection relationship is maintained. Preferably, the first direction X, the second direction Y, and the third direction Z are perpendicular to each other.

[0026] Combination Figure 2 Further describing this application, this embodiment provides a connector assembly apparatus for assembling a housing 1b with a crimp terminal 1a. The apparatus includes a first positioning mechanism 10, a first conveying mechanism 20, a second conveying mechanism 30, and a first driving mechanism 40. The first positioning mechanism 10 is configured to position the crimp terminal 1a at a first position; the first conveying mechanism 20 includes a first flow channel 21 for conveying the housing 1b; the second conveying mechanism 30 includes a conveying member 31, which is movable between a second position and a third position; the first driving mechanism 40 is located on the side of the third position away from the first position. During assembly, the conveying member 31 is configured to receive the housing 1b flowing out of the first flow channel 21 at the second position, and then move to the third position; the first driving mechanism 40 is configured to drive the housing 1b on the conveying member 31 at the third position toward the crimp terminal 1a at the first position, so that the housing 1b is assembled into the crimp terminal 1a.

[0027] In this embodiment, the first positioning mechanism 10 positions the crimp terminal 1a, the second conveying mechanism 30 receives the cover 1b and accurately conveys it to a preset position, and finally the first driving mechanism 40 pushes the cover 1b toward the positioned crimp terminal 1a to complete the assembly. The entire assembly process is highly automated and efficient. Furthermore, the preset positions (first position, second position, and third position) can reduce the generation of defective products, thereby improving assembly efficiency and reducing the defect rate.

[0028] In one specific embodiment, the crimp terminal 1a is mounted on a conveyor belt and conveyed along the conveyor track 50. Since the crimp terminal 1a is in a conveying state, the cover 1b is difficult to directly assemble with the crimp terminal 1a in a moving state, and the crimp terminal 1a needs to be pre-positioned. When the crimp terminal 1a is conveyed along the conveyor track 50 by the conveyor belt, the conveyor belt conveying the crimp terminal 1a can be pre-positioned by inserting a positioning pin into the corresponding through hole on the conveyor belt. However, simply positioning the conveyor belt is still insufficient to ensure the accurate assembly position of the crimp terminal 1a.

[0029] Combination Figure 3 In one specific embodiment, the first positioning mechanism 10 is located on one side of the first position in the third direction Z. The first positioning mechanism 10 includes a pressing member 11, which can approach the crimping terminal 1a along the third direction to press the crimping terminal 1a. Pressing the crimping terminal 1a with the pressing member 11 serves two purposes: firstly, to ensure a more stable positioning of the pressing member 11, and secondly, to adjust the posture of the crimping terminal 1a. Since the crimping terminal 1a needs to be assembled with the cover 1b, a large deviation in the posture of the crimping terminal 1a can easily lead to defective products. The pressing member 11 is connected to a third cylinder 12, which is configured to drive the pressing member 11 to move along the third direction. When the third cylinder 12 extends to a preset stroke, the pressing member 11 presses onto the crimping terminal 1a. Different strokes can be set to adapt to different preset positions. The third cylinder 12 can be mounted on a corresponding third mounting bracket 13; the specific arrangement of the mounting brackets is not described in detail here.

[0030] In some specific embodiments, the pressing component 11 can also be connected to other drive structures with the same function as the third cylinder 12, such as hydraulic cylinders, electric cylinders and linear motors. In this embodiment, since the mass of the pressing terminal 1a is small, the third cylinder 12 can meet the positioning requirements of the pressing terminal 1a. Therefore, a cylinder is preferred in this embodiment.

[0031] In this embodiment, a notch 111 is formed on the pressing member 11 for abutting the pressing terminal 1a. The outer wall of the pressing terminal 1a is arc-shaped. When the notch 111 contacts the pressing terminal 1a, it can drive the pressing terminal 1a to move toward the center of the notch 111, thereby adjusting the posture of the pressing terminal 1a to be in the correct position.

[0032] Combination Figure 4 In this embodiment, the housing 1b is conveyed by a first conveying mechanism 20. The first conveying mechanism 20 includes a first flow channel 21, along which the housing 1b can move. The first flow channel 21 extends in a second direction Y. A conveying drive element for driving the housing 1b to move is arranged on the first flow channel 21. In one specific embodiment, the conveying drive element can be a motor, which drives a transmission belt to move via a belt, and the housing 1b moves with the transmission belt. In some embodiments, the conveying drive element can also be other linear modules with the same function in the prior art.

[0033] Furthermore, during the process of conveying the cover 1b along the first flow channel 21, the cover 1b may deviate; once the cover 1b deviates, it may not only cause the first flow channel 21 to become blocked, but may also make it difficult for the cover 1b to smoothly enter the preset next conveying position after flowing out of the first flow channel 21.

[0034] To prevent the housing 1b from shifting during movement, the first conveying mechanism 20 further includes a pressure plate 22 disposed on the first flow channel 21. The housing 1b can contact the pressure plate 22 to maintain its posture as it moves along the first flow channel 21. In one specific embodiment, the inner wall of the pressure plate 22 has a guide arc surface that matches the shape of the housing 1b, allowing the housing 1b to be guided by the guide arc surface to maintain the correct posture.

[0035] In one specific embodiment, the inlet end of the first flow channel 21 is not covered by the pressure plate 22. A photoelectric sensor can be installed at the inlet end of the first flow channel 21 to identify whether the cover 1b on the external material rack is smoothly entering the first flow channel 21 for real-time monitoring. If the first flow channel 21 is blocked, subsequent cover 1b will have difficulty entering the first flow channel 21. The photoelectric sensor can communicate with an alarm and trigger an alarm when no new cover 1b is detected entering the first flow channel 21 within a preset time. Production personnel can promptly know that the first flow channel 21 has malfunctioned based on the alarm signal, so as to quickly carry out repairs and reduce equipment and material losses.

[0036] In addition, the photoelectric sensor can also work with the counter to record the number of casings 1b entering the first flow channel 21, so that production personnel can keep track of the production progress in real time.

[0037] Combination Figures 4-5 In one specific embodiment, the conveying component 31 includes a first block 311, which is connected to a first cylinder 32. The first cylinder 32 is configured to drive the first block 311 to move upward in a third direction. A first groove 312 extending along a second direction is provided on the first block 311, which is configured to hold the cover 1b. During assembly, after the cover 1b flows out of the first flow channel 21, it can flow into the first groove 312 on the first block 311. In one specific embodiment, the width of the first groove 312 is slightly larger than the width of the cover 1b, so that the cover 1b can maintain its posture after entering the first groove 312, so that it can be assembled and connected to the crimp terminal 1a in a preset normal posture.

[0038] Specifically, when the first block 311 is in the second position, the cover 1b flows out of the first flow channel 21 and enters the first groove 312. Then, the first cylinder 32 drives the first block 311 to move upwards to the third position. During this movement, the cover 1b maintains its original posture within the first groove 312. After the first block 311 reaches the third position, the cover 1b can be pushed towards the crimp terminal 1a by the first drive mechanism 40 to smoothly achieve assembly. The entire process has a high degree of automation, reducing the operational difficulty for production personnel. In some specific embodiments, the first cylinder 32 can also be selected from other linear modules with the same function in the prior art, depending on the type and material of the cover 1b.

[0039] Since the first block 311 needs to move in the third direction Z, there are multiple moving covers 1b on the first flow channel 21. If the covers 1b on the first flow channel 21 directly connect with the first groove 312 on the first block 311 after flowing out, it is possible that the first block 311 will start to move before the covers 1b are fully inserted into the first groove 312, thus damaging the covers 1b. Furthermore, even if the previous cover 1b has been fully inserted into the first groove 312, the next cover 1b may be close to the previous cover 1b under the driving action of the first flow channel 21. In this case, the first block 311 may move directly in the third direction, which may also cause interference and damage between the two adjacent covers 1b.

[0040] Based on this problem, and in combination Figures 4-6 In one specific embodiment, to ensure that the casing 1b can smoothly enter the first groove 312 on the first block 311 after flowing out of the first flow channel 21, the second conveying mechanism 30 further includes a second block 33. The second block 33 is fixedly installed and can be mounted on a preset mounting bracket, so as not to interfere with the moving first block 311. The second block 33 is located between the first flow channel 21 and the first block 311. The second block 33 is provided with a second groove 331, which follows the same extension path as both the first flow channel 21 and the first groove 312. The second groove 331 is configured to connect the first flow channel 21 and the first groove 312. After flowing out of the first flow channel 21, the casing 1b will first enter the second groove 331 on the second block 33, thus avoiding direct contact with the first block 311 and preventing direct interference between adjacent casings 1b. The second groove 331 can serve as a transition position, providing a certain degree of protection for the casing 1b.

[0041] Since the assembly between the housing 1b and the crimp terminal 1a in this embodiment is performed at a preset interval, the first block 311 needs to accurately convey the housing 1b at the preset interval. To achieve this preset interval, the first flow channel 21 can be used to move intermittently. However, this method requires the conveying drive element of the first flow channel 21 to continuously move intermittently, and the housing 1b itself has inertia when moving, making it difficult for the housing 1b to accurately stay in place.

[0042] Based on this problem, and in combination Figures 5-6In one specific embodiment, the second conveying mechanism 30 further includes a third block 34, which is fixedly installed and will not interfere with the moving first block 311. The third block 34 is connected to a second cylinder 35, which can be installed on the bottom wall of the conveying track 50 for conveying the crimp terminal 1a. The third block 34 is located between the second block 33 and the first block 311, and the third block 34 has a third groove 341 extending along a second direction. The second cylinder 35 can drive the third block 34 to move along the first direction X, so that the third groove 341 is aligned with or offset from the second groove 331.

[0043] In this embodiment, the third block 34 can act as a barrier between the first groove 312 and the second groove 331. When the second cylinder 35 moves the third block 34, if the third groove 341 is aligned with the second groove 331, the cover 1b flowing out of the first flow channel 21 can pass through the second groove 331 and the third groove 341 and enter the first groove 312; if the second cylinder 35 continues to move the third block 34, the third groove 341 and the second groove 331 will shift, and the cover 1b flowing out of the first flow channel 21 will abut against the side wall of the third block 34 after entering the second groove 331. The cover 1b on the first flow channel 21 will naturally be blocked and completely confined to its original position, thereby ensuring the accuracy of the position of the cover 1b. At the same time, the cover 1b in the third groove 341 is blocked by the first block 311 due to the offset and stays in the third groove 341 in the correct posture. It is separated from the cover 1b in the second groove 331 and will not be pushed towards the first block 311. This can prevent the cover 1b in the third groove 341 from interfering with and being damaged by the moving first block 311.

[0044] In some specific embodiments, the second cylinder 35 may also be selected from other linear modules with the same function in the prior art, depending on the material of the cover 1b of different models.

[0045] Furthermore, to ensure that the second cylinder 35 can accurately control the alignment or offset of the third groove 341 with the second groove 331, it is relatively easy to control the offset of the third groove 341 with the second groove 331. Any other position deviating from the alignment position can make the third groove 341 offset from the second groove 331, thereby interrupting the conveying of the cover 1b.

[0046] However, controlling the alignment state is relatively difficult. If only a preset stroke is set for the second cylinder 35 to achieve alignment, due to production and assembly errors, it is difficult for the third groove 341 to be exactly aligned with the second groove 331 when the second cylinder 35 reaches the preset stroke. Based on this problem, combined with Figures 5-6In one specific embodiment, the third block 34 is provided with a protrusion 342. When the third block 34 moves to align with the third groove 341 and the second groove 331, the protrusion 342 abuts against the second block 33 to form a mechanical limit. The mechanical limit can compensate for the error in the stroke of the second cylinder 35.

[0047] In this embodiment, a mechanical limiting method is used to control the position of the third block 34. During the movement of the third block 34, the hard limiting between the protrusion 342 and the second block 33 accurately aligns the third groove 341 with the second groove 331. The second cylinder 35 drives the third block 34 to move according to a preset interval, thus ensuring that the cover 1b can be conveyed at the preset interval. Combined with Figure 5 and Figure 6 The figure shows the staggered state, where the protrusion 342 does not abut against the second block 33 and does not form a mechanical limit.

[0048] After the first block 311 moves to the third position, the cover 1b needs to be moved by the first drive mechanism 40. In a specific embodiment, the first drive mechanism 40 includes a fourth cylinder 42, which is connected to a push block 41. When the first block 311 is in the third position, the fourth cylinder 42 is configured to drive the push block 41 into the first groove 312 on the first block 311 to drive the cover 1b to move and complete the assembly with the crimp terminal 1a. The entire assembly process is highly automated, reducing the product defect rate.

[0049] The above description is only a partial implementation of the embodiments of this application and is not intended to limit the application in any way. The protection scope of the embodiments of this application is not limited thereto. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes and alterations that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the embodiments of this application should be included within the protection scope of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A connector assembly apparatus for assembling and connecting a housing (1b) and a crimp terminal (1a), characterized in that, include: A first positioning mechanism (10) is used to position the crimp terminal (1a) in a first position; A first conveying mechanism (20) includes a first flow channel (21) for conveying the housing (1b); The second conveying mechanism (30) includes a conveying member (31) that is movable between a second position and a third position; the conveying member (31) is configured to receive the cover (1b) flowing out of the first flow channel (21) at the second position and then move to the third position. A first drive mechanism (40) is located on the side of the third position away from the first position; when the conveyor (31) is in the third position, the first drive mechanism (40) is configured to drive the cover (1b) on the conveyor (31) toward the crimp terminal (1a) at the first position so that the cover (1b) is fitted into the crimp terminal (1a).

2. The connector assembly device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The conveying component (31) includes a first block (311) connected to a first cylinder (32), the first cylinder (32) being configured to drive the first block (311) to move in a third direction (Z); the first block (311) is provided with a first groove (312) extending in a second direction (Y), the first groove (312) being configured to hold the cover (1b).

3. The connector assembly device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second conveying mechanism (30) further includes: a second block (33) disposed between the first flow channel (21) and the first block (311); the second block (33) is provided with a second groove (331), the second groove (331) is consistent with the extension path of the first flow channel (21) and the first groove (312), and the second groove (331) is configured to connect the first flow channel (21) and the first groove (312).

4. The connector assembly device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The second conveying mechanism (30) further includes: a third block (34), connected to a second cylinder (35), located between the second block (33) and the first block (311), and the third block (34) is provided with a third groove (341) extending along the second direction (Y); The second cylinder (35) can drive the third block (34) to move along the first direction (X) so that the third groove (341) is aligned with or offset from the second groove (331).

5. The connector assembly apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, The third block (34) is provided with a protrusion (342). When the third block (34) moves to the alignment of the third groove (341) and the second groove (331), the protrusion (342) abuts against the second block (33) to form a mechanical limit.

6. The connector assembly apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first flow channel (21) extends along the second direction (Y), the first end of the first flow channel (21) is connected to the external tray, and the second end of the first flow channel (21) is connected to the second tank (331).

7. The connector assembly apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first conveying mechanism (20) further includes a pressure plate (22) disposed on the first flow channel (21), and the cover (1b) can contact the pressure plate (22) to maintain its posture when it moves along the first flow channel (21).

8. The connector assembly apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first positioning mechanism (10) is located on one side of the first position in the third direction (Z); the first positioning mechanism (10) includes a pressing member (11) which is capable of approaching the crimp terminal (1a) in the third direction (Z) to press the crimp terminal (1a).

9. The connector assembly apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that, The pressing member (11) has a notch (111) for abutting the pressing terminal (1a), and the pressing member (11) is connected to a third cylinder (12), which is configured to drive the pressing member (11) to move.

10. The connector assembly apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first drive mechanism (40) includes a fourth cylinder (42) connected to a push block (41); when the first block (311) is in the third position, the fourth cylinder (42) is configured to drive the push block (41) into the first groove (312) on the first block (311) to drive the cover (1b) to move.

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