Visual mistake-proof screwing all-in-one machine for automotive trim instrument panel
By integrating visual inspection and screw inspection into a single system, the automation of instrument inspection and screw tightening is achieved, solving the problems of long assembly time and high cost in traditional automobile production lines, and improving production efficiency and quality.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- FAURECIA (LIUZHOU) AUTOMOTIVE INTERIOR SYST CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-01-16
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-19
AI Technical Summary
In traditional automobile production lines, the dashboard assembly has many parts, and the manual or separate equipment for screw driving and visual inspection leads to problems such as long assembly time, high cost and high complexity.
The system employs a servo turntable and symmetrically arranged fixtures A and B, combined with a six-axis robot, a CCD vision camera, and a screw tightening device, to achieve automated visual inspection and screw tightening integration. The six-axis robot switches between different workstations to achieve integrated operation.
It shortens the assembly cycle, improves production efficiency, reduces system complexity and equipment costs, reduces human error, and improves assembly accuracy and quality.
Smart Images

Figure CN224254699U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of automotive interior technology, specifically relating to an integrated machine for visually preventing incorrect screw driving in automotive interior dashboards. Background Technology
[0002] In traditional automotive production lines, screw driving typically relies on manual labor or automated screw-driving machines. However, manual operation is prone to errors, such as missing or incorrectly driving screws, or not tightening them to the specified torque. To improve production efficiency and quality, many manufacturers have begun to introduce integrated visual recognition technology in conjunction with automated screw-driving systems, using cameras and sensors to detect whether screws are installed correctly.
[0003] Because the dashboard assembly has many parts, this kind of dedicated integrated system requires all parts to be manually positioned and installed before the automated screwing is performed when it is applied to the assembly line. However, the positioning time of the dashboard assembly parts is wasted when the integrated machine performs visual inspection and screwing, resulting in a longer assembly time and increased assembly costs.
[0004] Secondly, some screw-driving systems are separate from vision recognition systems, requiring different equipment for control, which increases the complexity and cost of the system.
[0005] The information disclosed in the above background section is only intended to enhance the understanding of the overall background of this utility model, and should not be construed as an admission or in any way implying that such information constitutes prior art known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention
[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide an integrated visual error-proof screw-driving machine for automotive interior dashboards, which integrates assembly and visual inspection error prevention into one system, and solves the problem of excessively long total assembly time, thereby improving assembly efficiency.
[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:
[0008] A visual anti-mistake screw-driving machine for automotive interior dashboards includes a servo turntable, product fixtures, an automotive dashboard, a six-axis robot, a screw tightening device, a screw feeder, and a CCD vision camera.
[0009] The six-axis robot is positioned on one side of the product fixture. A CCD vision camera, a screw tightening device, and a screw feeder are respectively located at the end of the six-axis robot. The product fixture is mounted on a servo turntable. The product fixtures are configured as fixtures A and B with identical structures and symmetrical arrangement. The servo turntable rotates to switch the direction of fixtures A and B toward the six-axis robot. The six-axis robot is used to move the CCD vision camera, screw tightening device, and screw feeder to the dashboard mounting and inspection area and dashboard thread assembly area of the product fixture near the six-axis robot. The CCD vision camera is used to capture images of the dashboard mounting and inspection area. The screw feeder is used to place screws at the dashboard thread assembly area. The screw tightening device is used to tighten the screws at the dashboard thread assembly area.
[0010] Specifically, both clamp A and clamp B include a first cylinder located near the inner side and a dashboard contour block located near the outer side. The dashboard contour block is used to position and install the car dashboard. The end of the first cylinder is provided with a flipping clamping mechanism. The flipping clamping mechanism is driven to rotate by the first cylinder and applies pressure to the car dashboard in the direction of the dashboard contour block.
[0011] Specifically, the flipping clamping mechanism includes a connecting rod, a rotating rod, and a pressure plate. The two ends of the rotating rod are connected by bearings, and the rotating rod is arranged laterally inside the clamp A / clamp B. One end of the connecting rod is hinged to the first cylinder, and the other end is fixedly connected to the rotating rod. The pressure plate is also fixedly connected to the rotating rod.
[0012] Specifically, the screw tightening device includes a mounting block, a second cylinder, a limiting block, a slide rail, and an electric screwdriver. The mounting block is installed at the end of the six-axis robot, the slide rail is installed on the mounting block, the electric screwdriver is slidably mounted on the slide rail, the output end of the second cylinder is connected to the electric screwdriver, and the output end of the second cylinder is limited by the limiting block.
[0013] Specifically, the screw feeder includes a screw chuck on a mounting block located near the screwdriver bit, with a screw feeding tube communicating with the top of the screw chuck.
[0014] Specifically, it also includes: a system main control unit PLC, a computer, a CCD camera light source, and an alarm light; the CCD vision camera is connected to the computer via signal, and the six-axis robot, servo turntable, product fixture, alarm light, CCD camera light source, and computer are respectively connected to the main control unit PLC via signal.
[0015] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:
[0016] 1. This solution utilizes a servo turntable and symmetrically arranged fixtures A and B to enable two-station switching. While the six-axis robot performs visual inspection and screw tightening operations on one side, the other side can simultaneously perform product clamping and preparation, reducing waiting time during assembly and improving overall production efficiency.
[0017] 2. This solution integrates a vision recognition system and an automatic screw-driving system onto a six-axis robot, achieving integrated operation. The system automates positioning, inspection, and tightening, avoiding wasted time on instrument panel assembly parts positioning, thus shortening the overall assembly cycle. Furthermore, it eliminates the need for additional equipment for collaborative control, reducing system complexity and lowering equipment procurement and maintenance costs. Attached Figure Description
[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an integrated visual anti-mistake screw-driving machine for automotive interior dashboards, according to this utility model.
[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly of the product fixture and the instrument panel of this utility model.
[0020] Figure 3 This is a side view of the fixture of this utility model.
[0021] Figure 4 This is a connection diagram of the control system of this utility model.
[0022] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of the process of this utility model.
[0023] In the diagram, 1-servo turntable; 2-product fixture; 3-car dashboard; 4-six-axis robot; 5-CCD vision camera; 6-screw tightening device; 7-screw feeder; 8-first cylinder; 9-dashboard contour block; 10-connecting rod; 11-rotating rod; 12-pressure plate; 13-mounting block; 14-second cylinder; 15-limiting block; 16-slide rail; 17-electric screwdriver; 18-screw clamp; 19-screw feeding tube. Detailed Implementation
[0024] To explain the technical content, objectives, and effects of this utility model in detail, the following description is provided in conjunction with embodiments and accompanying drawings. In the description of these embodiments, it should be understood that terms indicating orientation or positional relationships are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are used only for the convenience of describing this embodiment and simplifying the description. They do not indicate or imply that the device or component referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model.
[0025] The technical solution adopted in this embodiment is an integrated visual anti-mistake screw-driving machine for automotive interior dashboards, specifically as follows: Figure 1-3 As shown, it mainly includes a servo turntable 1, a product fixture 2, an automotive dashboard 3, a six-axis robot 4, a screw tightening device 6, a screw feeder 7, and a CCD vision camera 5.
[0026] The six-axis robot 4 is located on one side of the product fixture 2. The CCD vision camera 5, the screw tightening device 6, and the screw feeder 7 are all located at the end of the six-axis robot 4 and are driven by the six-axis robot 4.
[0027] Product fixture 2 is set on servo turntable 1. Product fixture 2 is set as fixture A and fixture B with the same structure and symmetrical arrangement. Product fixture 2 rotates through servo turntable 1, so it can switch the direction of fixture A and fixture B to the side closer to the six-axis robot 4.
[0028] The six-axis robot 4 is used to move the CCD vision camera 5, the screw tightening device 6, and the screw feeder 7 to the dashboard mounting inspection area and dashboard thread assembly area of the product fixture 2 near the side of the six-axis robot 4; the CCD vision camera 5 is used to capture images of the dashboard mounting inspection area; the screw feeder 7 is used to set screws at the dashboard thread assembly area; and the screw tightening device 6 is used to tighten the screws at the dashboard thread assembly area.
[0029] The workflow of this embodiment is as follows: Figure 5 As shown, the servo turntable rotates, moving the car dashboard from fixture A or fixture B to the side closer to the six-axis robot. Fixtures A and B work alternately, allowing assembly on one side while the other side can simultaneously assemble and unassemble dashboard components, improving production efficiency. The six-axis robot moves its CCD vision camera to the dashboard installation inspection area, capturing images of the inspection zone. The vision system determines whether dashboard parts are correctly installed, whether there is misalignment, and whether the screw hole positions meet requirements. If the inspection results do not meet the standards, the system will indicate an anomaly and prevent subsequent operations. Once the CCD vision system confirms that the inspection is qualified, the screw feeder carried by the six-axis robot delivers the preset screws to the dashboard thread assembly position, ensuring precise screw positioning. Subsequently, the six-axis robot uses a screw tightening device at its end to screw the screws into the dashboard assembly holes. The screw tightening device has a precise torque control function, ensuring that the tightening force of each screw meets the assembly requirements, thereby guaranteeing the firmness and consistency of the assembly. The six-axis robot 4 provides flexible movement capabilities and precise movement trajectories throughout the process to adapt to the installation requirements of different dashboard models, enhancing the system's versatility and applicability. After the instrument panel assembly in fixture A is completed, the servo turntable rotates again, switching the instrument panel in fixture B to the working position. The six-axis robot repeats the above inspection and assembly process.
[0030] Through the above process, this embodiment realizes the integrated operation of visual inspection and automatic screw supply and precise tightening in the assembly process of automotive dashboards. On the one hand, it reduces the waiting time in the assembly process and improves the overall production efficiency. On the other hand, it shortens the overall assembly cycle, reduces system complexity, reduces equipment procurement and maintenance costs, and ultimately improves assembly accuracy and efficiency, avoids assembly errors caused by human error, and thus ensures product quality.
[0031] As a preferred embodiment, both clamps A and B include a first cylinder 8 located near the inner side and a dashboard contour block 9 located near the outer side. The dashboard contour block 9 is used to position and install the car dashboard 3. A flipping clamping mechanism is provided at the end of the first cylinder 8. The flipping clamping mechanism is driven to rotate by the first cylinder 8 and applies pressure to the car dashboard 3 in the direction of the dashboard contour block 9. The clamping force and angle can be flexibly adjusted by adjusting the flipping clamping mechanism to adapt to different specifications and models of car dashboards.
[0032] Furthermore, the flipping clamping mechanism includes a connecting rod 10, a rotating rod 11, and a pressure plate 12. The two ends of the rotating rod 11 are connected by bearings, and the rotating rod 11 is laterally positioned inside clamp A / clamp B. One end of the connecting rod 10 is hinged to the first cylinder 8, and the other end is fixedly connected to the rotating rod 11. The pressure plate 12 is also fixedly connected to the rotating rod 11. Therefore, multiple pressure plates can be installed on the rotating rod 11, allowing multiple easily deformable or positioning positions of the instrument panel to be clamped and fixed using only one cylinder.
[0033] As a preferred embodiment, the screw tightening device 6 includes a mounting block 13, a second cylinder 14, a limiting block 15, a slide rail 16, and an electric screwdriver 17. The mounting block 13 is mounted on the end of the six-axis robot 4, the slide rail 16 is mounted on the mounting block 13, the electric screwdriver 17 is slidably mounted on the slide rail 16, the output end of the second cylinder 14 is connected to the electric screwdriver 17, and the output end of the second cylinder 14 is limited by the limiting block 15. The screw feeder 7 includes a screw clamp 18 disposed on the mounting block 13 near the screwdriver bit of the electric screwdriver 17, and a screw feeding tube 19 communicating with the top of the screw clamp 18.
[0034] The screw tightening device 6 and the screw feeder 7 work together to provide efficient and precise screw assembly. The screw tightening device is fixed to the end effector of the six-axis robot via a mounting block, and the slide rail allows the electric screwdriver to slide and position flexibly to adapt to the position requirements of different screw holes. A second cylinder drives the electric screwdriver to move vertically, and the stroke is limited by a limit block to ensure accurate screw tightening depth and force, avoiding excessive force or equipment damage. The electric screwdriver is set with an appropriate required torque. The screw feeder delivers the screw to the screw chuck through a screw feeding tube. The chuck temporarily fixes the screw to ensure its stability and precise alignment with the threaded hole during assembly. The entire system realizes integrated operation from screw feeding and positioning to tightening, which not only improves assembly accuracy and efficiency but also significantly reduces human intervention, lowers production costs, and reduces equipment downtime.
[0035] As a further technical solution in this embodiment, refer to Figure 4 The system control connection diagram shown primarily includes the system main control unit (PLC), computer, CCD camera light source, and alarm lights. The CCD vision camera 5 is connected to the computer via signal transmission. The six-axis robot 4, servo turntable 1, product fixture 2, alarm lights, CCD camera light source, and computer are all connected to the PLC via signal transmission. The system control connection, through the PLC main control unit, enables unified management and collaboration of all devices, forming an efficient automated operation process. The CCD vision camera, connected to the computer via signal transmission, collects and analyzes image data, which can be displayed on the computer for operators to view. This data is used to detect product position and assembly quality, and the analysis results can be fed back to the PLC to guide equipment actions. The six-axis robot, servo turntable, product fixture, CCD camera light source, and alarm lights are all connected to the PLC via signal transmission. The PLC is responsible for coordinating equipment actions to ensure efficient connection between all links. When the CCD detects an assembly error or other abnormality, the PLC triggers the alarm lights to issue a warning, prompting operators to handle the problem.
[0036] Although the present invention has been described in detail above with specific embodiments, modifications or improvements can be made to it, which will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Therefore, all such modifications or improvements made without departing from the spirit of the present invention fall within the scope of protection claimed by the present invention.
Claims
1. A visual anti-mistake screw-driving machine for automotive interior dashboards, characterized in that, Includes a servo turntable (1), product fixture (2), automotive dashboard (3), six-axis robot (4), screw tightening device (6), screw feeder (7), and CCD vision camera (5). The six-axis robot (4) is positioned on one side of the product fixture (2), and the CCD vision camera (5), screw tightening device (6), and screw feeder (7) are respectively positioned at the end of the six-axis robot (4). The product fixture (2) is set on the servo turntable (1). The product fixture (2) is set as fixture A and fixture B with the same structure and symmetrical arrangement. The product fixture (2) switches the direction of fixture A and fixture B towards the six-axis robot (4) by rotating the servo turntable (1). The six-axis robot (4) is used to drive the CCD vision camera (5), screw tightening device (6) and screw feeder (7) to the dashboard mounting and inspection point and dashboard thread assembly point of the product fixture (2) near the side of the six-axis robot (4); The CCD vision camera (5) is used to capture images of the instrument panel mounting detection area; The screw feeder (7) is used to set screws at the threaded assembly of the instrument panel; The screw tightening device (6) is used to tighten the screws at the threaded assembly of the instrument panel.
2. The integrated visual anti-mistake screw-driving machine for automotive interior dashboards according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both clamps A and clamps B include a first cylinder (8) located near the inner side and a dashboard contour block (9) located near the outer side. The dashboard contour block (9) is used to position and install the car dashboard (3). The end of the first cylinder (8) is provided with a flipping clamping mechanism. The flipping clamping mechanism is driven to rotate by the first cylinder (8) and applies pressure to the car dashboard (3) in the direction of the dashboard contour block (9).
3. The integrated visual anti-mistake screw-driving machine for automotive interior dashboards according to claim 2, characterized in that, The flipping clamping mechanism includes a connecting rod (10), a rotating rod (11), and a pressure plate (12). The two ends of the rotating rod (11) are connected by bearings, and the rotating rod (11) is arranged laterally on the inner side of the clamp A / clamp B. One end of the connecting rod (10) is hinged to the first cylinder (8), and the other end is fixedly connected to the rotating rod (11). The pressure plate (12) is also fixedly connected to the rotating rod (11).
4. The integrated visual anti-mistake screw-driving machine for automotive interior dashboards according to claim 1, characterized in that, The screw tightening device (6) includes a mounting block (13), a second cylinder (14), a limiting block (15), a slide rail (16), and an electric screwdriver (17). The mounting block (13) is mounted on the end of the six-axis robot (4), the slide rail (16) is mounted on the mounting block (13), and the electric screwdriver (17) is slidably mounted on the slide rail (16). The output end of the second cylinder (14) is connected to the electric screwdriver (17), and the output end of the second cylinder (14) is limited by the limiting block (15).
5. The integrated visual anti-mistake screw-driving machine for automotive interior dashboards according to claim 4, characterized in that, The screw feeder (7) includes a screw chuck (18) on a mounting block (13) located near the bit of the electric screwdriver (17), and a screw feeding tube (19) connected to the top of the screw chuck (18).
6. The integrated visual anti-mistake screw-driving machine for automotive interior dashboards according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: The system includes a main control unit PLC, a computer, a CCD camera light source, and an alarm light; the CCD vision camera (5) is connected to the computer via signal, and the six-axis robot (4), the servo turntable (1), the product fixture (2), the alarm light, the CCD camera light source, and the computer are respectively connected to the main control unit PLC via signal.