Automobile master-slave module assembly line

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of automobile master-slave module assembly line, to solve the deficiency that current automobile master-slave module is lower in degree of automation, part process needs manual intervention. The utility model includes conveying line body and the first mechanical hand, second mechanical hand, first welder, second welder, assembly mechanical hand, air-tightness detector, EOL tester, laser marking machine and unloading gripper offset to the side of conveying line body. By setting several components in the side of conveying line body, full automation of module assembly is realized, and production efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of automated assembly lines, and more specifically, to an automotive master-slave module assembly line. Background Technology

[0002] The automotive master-slave module consists of an external housing and an internal PCB. The housing comprises two mating shells. The two shells are pre-positioned by snap-fit ​​and fixed by welding to ensure airtightness and reliability.

[0003] Currently, the assembly and production process of this device involves a relatively high degree of manual intervention. Workers are responsible for the pre-positioning of the housing and PCB, and semi-automatic fixing and assembly are carried out using welding equipment. However, manual intervention is still required in the subsequent testing process.

[0004] In order to improve production efficiency, this application aims to increase the level of automation in automotive master-slave module assembly lines and reduce the degree of human intervention. Utility Model Content

[0005] This invention overcomes the shortcomings of existing automotive master-slave module assembly lines, which have low automation levels and require manual intervention in some processes. It provides an automotive master-slave module assembly line that can achieve full automation of automotive active module assembly.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] An automotive master-slave module assembly line, wherein the master and slave modules include a first housing, a second housing, and a PCB, and the assembly line includes:

[0008] A conveyor line is arranged along its length, and a tray is provided on the conveyor line. The tray is provided with positioning grooves for placing the first housing and the second housing.

[0009] Two flexible vibrating plates are used to supply the first housing and the second housing, respectively;

[0010] Loading and stacking for supplying PCBs;

[0011] A first robotic arm and a second robotic arm. The first robotic arm transports the first and second housings to a tray, and the second robotic arm transfers the PCBs from the loading and stacking to the first housing. The PCB pads mate with the contacts on the first housing, and the contacts are provided with solder paste.

[0012] The first welder welds the PCB to the solder joints;

[0013] Welding detectors use visual inspection to detect welding defects;

[0014] The assembly robot positions the second housing on the tray above the first housing;

[0015] The second welder welds the first housing and the second housing together;

[0016] An airtightness detector is used to detect the airtightness of the active module;

[0017] EOL tester;

[0018] Laser marking machine;

[0019] Material handling gripper and material stacking;

[0020] The first robotic arm, the second robotic arm, the first welder, the second welder, the assembly robotic arm, the airtightness detector, the EOL tester, the laser marking machine, and the unloading gripper are all located on one side of the conveyor line.

[0021] The assembly line is based on a conveyor belt, with various devices arranged around it. This application utilizes a flexible vibratory feeder and a first robotic arm to automatically feed the first and second housings. The first and second housings are fed into the flexible vibratory feeder and evenly distributed on its surface as the feeder vibrates. A tray on the conveyor belt has positioning grooves adapted to the first and second housings, and the first robotic arm delivers the first and second housings onto the tray.

[0022] The second robotic arm directly positions the PCBs in the palletizing process onto the first housing, ensuring that specific contacts on the first housing align with the PCB's solder pads, thus achieving pre-positioning. By pre-setting solder paste during the production of the first housing, the step of applying solder paste on the production line is eliminated, simplifying the automation of the production line.

[0023] The first soldering device melts the solder paste by generating high temperatures, fixing the pads and contacts in place. The soldering detector judges the soldering quality using a vision system, which can be 3D structured light.

[0024] The assembly robot uses a second welder to connect the first and second housings. Specifically, it moves the second housing above the first housing, aligns the edges, and achieves a snap-fit ​​connection.

[0025] The second welder welds the edges of the first and second housings to achieve fixation.

[0026] Furthermore, airtightness testing and end-of-life (EOL) testing are used to ensure product reliability and automate assembly and testing processes.

[0027] Based on the aforementioned testing process, product quality is determined, and qualified and unqualified products are classified and placed using material handling grippers and material stacking.

[0028] Preferably, the two flexible vibrating discs are respectively positioned on both sides of the first robotic arm. This structure enables the reuse of the first robotic arm, which grasps the first and second housings from the two flexible vibrating discs and places them into the corresponding positions on the tray.

[0029] Preferably, the assembly robot is configured to move along its length and has a suction gripper capable of vertical movement. The assembly robot removes the second housing by displacing it along its length and then moves it laterally above the first housing. The second housing is then lifted and lowered by vertical movement.

[0030] Preferably, the first welder is configured to move along the height, width, and length directions. The first welder moves in three degrees of freedom to adapt to the position of each solder joint and to avoid interference between the first welder and the PCB by circumventing components on the PCB.

[0031] Preferably, the airtightness detector is configured to move along the height, width, and length directions. There are several airtightness detectors, each capable of independent movement. The airtightness detection method is as follows: the airtightness detector is a bottom-open cover. The cover moves to the position of the covered tray, and compressed air is introduced. The pressure change is detected to determine whether the module has an airtightness problem. To prevent the module from being blown away under air pressure, L-shaped positioning plates are provided on both sides of the corresponding conveyor line. The short side of the positioning plate is either flush with or has a clearance fit with the top surface of the tray.

[0032] Preferably, the conveyor line includes a tray feeding line and a tray return line, with the feeding and return lines moving in opposite directions. The tray return line is positioned below the feeding line, and lifting platforms are located at both ends of the feeding line. The tray moves between the feeding and return lines via these lifting platforms. By configuring the feeding and return lines and the corresponding lifting platforms, automatic tray return is achieved, eliminating the need for tray transfer and improving the automation of the assembly line.

[0033] Preferably, the EOL tester includes grippers capable of moving along the height, width, and length directions, and several testing stations. The grippers move the completed welding master and slave modules between the testing stations and the feeding line. The grippers remove the modules from the tray, place them on the testing stations for voltage and level signal testing, and then return them to the tray. By setting multiple testing stations, the testing efficiency is improved, and the production cycle is accelerated.

[0034] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0035] (1) By setting several components on one side of the conveyor line, the module assembly is fully automated, thus improving production efficiency;

[0036] (2) By setting up multiple airtightness detectors and EOL testers, the production cycle can be accelerated and the production efficiency can be improved. Attached Figure Description

[0037] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the present invention;

[0038] Figures 2 to 5 For segmented representation Figure 1 A partial schematic diagram;

[0039] In the picture:

[0040] 1. First housing 2. Second housing 3. PCB 4. Tray 5. Positioning groove 6. Flexible vibratory feeder 7. Loading and palletizing 8. First robot arm 9. Second robot arm 10. First welder 11. Welding detector 12. Assembly robot arm 13. Second welder 14. Air tightness detector 15. EOL tester 16. Laser marking machine 17. Unloading gripper 18. Unloading and palletizing 19. Reel feeding line 20. Reel returning line 21. Gripper 22. Inspection table 23. Lifting table Detailed Implementation

[0041] The present disclosure will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0042] It should be noted that the following detailed descriptions are illustrative and intended to provide further explanation of this application. Unless otherwise specified, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains.

[0043] It should be noted that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to this application. As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural form as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, it should be understood that when the terms "comprising" and / or "including" are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0044] In this disclosure, terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "front," "back," "vertical," "horizontal," "side," and "bottom" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are merely relational terms determined for the convenience of describing the structural relationship of the various components or elements in this disclosure, and do not specifically refer to any component or element in this disclosure, nor should they be construed as limiting this disclosure.

[0045] In this disclosure, terms such as "fixed connection," "connected," and "linked" should be interpreted broadly, indicating a fixed connection, an integral connection, or a detachable connection; a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can determine the specific meaning of these terms in this disclosure based on the specific circumstances, and they should not be construed as limitations on this disclosure.

[0046] Example:

[0047] A master-slave module assembly line for automobiles, with reference to Figures 1 to 5 As shown, the master-slave module includes a first housing 1, a second housing 2, and a PCB 3, and the assembly line includes a conveyor line body and several components offset to one side of the conveyor line body.

[0048] The following are the components of the assembly line:

[0049] The conveyor line is arranged along its length and has a tray 4 on it. The tray 4 has positioning grooves 5 for placing the first housing 1 and the second housing 2. The conveyor line includes a feeding line 19 and a returning line 20, which have opposite conveying directions. The returning line 20 is located below the feeding line 19. Lifting platforms 23 are provided at both ends of the feeding line 19. The tray 4 moves between the feeding line 19 and the returning line 20 via the lifting platforms 23. By setting up the feeding line 19 and the returning line 20 and the corresponding lifting platforms 23, the automatic return of the tray 4 is achieved, thereby eliminating the need to move the tray 4 and improving the automation of the assembly line. The conveyor line achieves high-precision movement through a synchronous belt. At the positions corresponding to the other components, the conveyor line also has lifting stops to further improve the positioning accuracy of the tray 4. The tray 4 on the conveyor line has positioning grooves that accommodate the first housing 1 and the second housing 2.

[0050] Two flexible vibrating plates 6 are used to supply the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 respectively. The two flexible vibrating plates 6 are respectively arranged on both sides of the first manipulator 8. The structure realizes the reuse of the first manipulator 8. The first manipulator 8 grabs the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 from the two flexible vibrating plates 6 and puts them into the corresponding positions on the tray 4.

[0051] The feeding and palletizing unit 7 is used to supply PCB3. The feeding and palletizing unit 7 is connected to the AGV trolley or can be fed manually.

[0052] The assembly line is based on a conveyor line, with each piece of equipment arranged around it. This application utilizes a flexible vibratory feeder 6 and a first robotic arm 8 to automatically feed the first housing 1 and the second housing 2. The first housing 1 and the second housing 2 are fed into the flexible vibratory feeder 6 and evenly distributed on its surface as the feeder vibrates. The first robotic arm 8 then delivers the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 onto a tray 4.

[0053] A first robotic arm 8 transports a first housing 1 and a second housing 2 to a tray 4. A second robotic arm 9 transfers a PCB 3 from the loading and stacking 7 onto the first housing 1, wherein the solder pads of the PCB 3 engage with contacts on the first housing 1, and the contacts are coated with solder paste. A first soldering device 10 is configured to move along the height, width, and length directions. The first soldering device 10 moves in three degrees of freedom to adapt to the position of each solder joint and can bypass components on the PCB 3, avoiding interference between the first soldering device 10 and the PCB 3.

[0054] The second robotic arm 9 directly positions the PCB3 from the loading and stacking 7 onto the first housing 1, so that specific contacts on the first housing 1 connect with the pads of the PCB3, thereby achieving pre-positioning. By pre-setting solder paste during the production process of the first housing 1, the step of applying solder paste on the production line is eliminated, simplifying the automation difficulty of the production line.

[0055] The first soldering device 10 solders the PCB 3 to the solder joints. The first soldering device 10 is mounted on a vertical plate, which moves in three directions via sliding connections between several plates. Adjacent plates are slidably connected by slide rails and guide grooves, and are moved by cylinders or linear motors. The plate has at least one slide rail, one guide rail, and a corresponding cylinder or linear motor in each of the length, width, and height directions. The first soldering device 10 melts the solder paste at high temperatures, fixing the solder pads and contacts.

[0056] Welding detector 11 detects welding defects visually. The welding detector 11 judges welding quality using a visual scheme, which can be 3D structured light.

[0057] Assembly robot 12 positions the second housing 2 on tray 4 above the first housing 1. Assembly robot 12 is configured to move along its length and has suction grippers capable of vertical movement. Assembly robot 12 removes the second housing 2 by displacement along its length and then moves it laterally above the first housing 1. It then lifts and lowers the second housing 2 by vertical movement. Assembly robot 12 uses a second welder 13 to connect the first housing 1 and the second housing 2; specifically, it moves the second housing 2 above the first housing 1, aligning its edges and achieving a snap-fit ​​connection.

[0058] The second welder 13 welds the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 together, and welds the edges of the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 together to achieve fixation.

[0059] An airtightness detector 14 is used to detect the airtightness of the active module. The airtightness detector 14 is configured to move along the height, width, and length directions. There are several airtightness detectors 14, each capable of independent movement. The airtightness detection method is as follows: the airtightness detector 14 is a bottom-open cover. The cover moves to the position of the cover tray 4, and compressed air is introduced. The pressure change is detected to determine if the module has an airtightness problem. To prevent the module from being blown away under air pressure, L-shaped positioning plates are provided on both sides of the corresponding conveyor line. The short side of the positioning plate is either flush with or has a clearance fit with the top surface of the tray 4.

[0060] The EOL tester 15 includes grippers 21 capable of moving along the height, width, and length directions, and several testing stations 22. The grippers 21 move the completed welding master and slave modules between the testing stations 22 and the feed line 19. The grippers 21 remove the modules from the tray 4, place them on the testing stations 22 for voltage and level signal testing, and then return them to the tray 4. By setting multiple testing stations 22, the testing efficiency is improved, and the production cycle is accelerated.

[0061] Air tightness testing and end-of-life (EOL) testing ensure product reliability and automate assembly and testing processes.

[0062] The laser marking machine 16 marks the modules based on the background inspection of each module. In some embodiments, only qualified products are marked.

[0063] Feeding gripper 17 and feeding stacking 18; based on the aforementioned testing process, the product quality is determined, and qualified and unqualified products are classified and placed by feeding gripper 17 and feeding stacking 18.

[0064] Among them, the first robotic arm 8, the second robotic arm 9, the first welder 10, the second welder 13, the assembly robotic arm 12, the airtightness detector 14, the EOL tester 15, the laser marking machine 16, and the unloading gripper 17 are all located on one side of the conveyor line.

[0065] The embodiments described above are merely preferred solutions of this utility model and are not intended to limit this utility model in any way. Other variations and modifications are possible without departing from the technical solutions described in the claims.

Claims

1. A master-slave module assembly line for automobiles, characterized in that, The master-slave module includes a first housing, a second housing, and a PCB. The assembly line includes: A conveyor line is arranged along its length, and a tray is provided on the conveyor line. The tray is provided with positioning grooves for placing the first housing and the second housing. Two flexible vibrating plates are used to supply the first housing and the second housing, respectively; Loading and stacking for supplying PCBs; A first robotic arm and a second robotic arm. The first robotic arm transports the first and second housings to a tray, and the second robotic arm transfers the PCBs from the loading and stacking to the first housing. The PCB pads mate with the contacts on the first housing, and the contacts are provided with solder paste. The first welder welds the PCB to the solder joints; Welding detectors use visual inspection to detect welding defects; The assembly robot positions the second housing on the tray above the first housing; The second welder welds the first housing and the second housing together; An airtightness detector is used to detect the airtightness of the active module; EOL tester; Laser marking machine; Material handling gripper and material stacking; The first robotic arm, the second robotic arm, the first welder, the second welder, the assembly robotic arm, the airtightness detector, the EOL tester, the laser marking machine, and the unloading gripper are all located on one side of the conveyor line.

2. The automotive master-slave module assembly line according to claim 1, characterized in that, Two flexible vibrating plates are respectively set on both sides of the first robotic arm.

3. The automotive master-slave module assembly line according to claim 1, characterized in that, The assembly robot is configured to move along its length and has suction grippers that can move up and down.

4. The automotive master-slave module assembly line according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first welder is configured to move along the height, width, and length directions.

5. The automotive master-slave module assembly line according to claim 1, characterized in that, The airtightness detector is configured to move along the height, width and length directions. There are several airtightness detectors, and each airtightness detector can move independently.

6. An automotive master-slave module assembly line according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The conveyor line includes a tray feeding line and a tray return line. The tray feeding line and the tray return line have opposite conveying directions. The tray return line is located below the tray feeding line. Lifting platforms are provided at both ends of the tray feeding line. The tray moves between the tray feeding line and the tray return line through the lifting platforms.

7. The automotive master-slave module assembly line according to claim 6, characterized in that, The EOL tester includes grippers that can move along the height, width, and length directions and several testing stations. The grippers move the master and slave modules that have completed welding between the testing stations and the feeding line.

Images