A spring steel ball assembly device

Abstract

This utility model discloses a spring and steel ball assembly device, including an assembly track, a positioning fixture, a clamping mechanism, and a pushing mechanism. The assembly track has a track groove with a loading position, and an assembly base is located at the end of the assembly track. The positioning fixture is mounted on the assembly base for positioning the workpiece, and the clamping mechanism is located above the positioning fixture for clamping the workpiece. The pushing mechanism includes a push rod and a linear drive assembly. The push rod pushes the spring and steel ball placed at the loading position along the track groove into the workpiece channel hole. A blocking mechanism is located on the side of the track groove, and a material detection vision component is located at the blocking block. A pressure sensing component is located along the push rod drive path. A lifting mechanism is located below the positioning fixture. This utility model achieves stable pushing and assembly of the spring and steel ball through the coordinated operation of track groove guidance, push rod pushing, blocking limit, vision detection, and pressure detection. The pushing is smooth, the assembly success rate is high, and the dual detection ensures reliable assembly quality.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of automatic material assembly equipment, specifically to a spring and steel ball assembly device for automatically pushing a spring and steel balls located at both ends of the spring axial direction into the workpiece channel hole. It can be applied to various automated production equipment that requires the assembly of springs and steel balls, such as automotive parts, electronic switches, and valves. Background Technology

[0002] In the manufacturing process of automotive parts, electronic switches, valves, and other products, it is often necessary to assemble springs and steel balls into the channel holes of the workpiece. The typical assembly method is to place the spring between two steel balls, and then push the spring and steel balls together into the channel hole. The elastic force of the spring makes the steel balls cooperate with the external structure, providing the product with a sense of shifting and rebound force.

[0003] Traditional spring ball assembly relies heavily on manual operation, resulting in low efficiency and poor consistency. Existing automated assembly solutions typically use push rods to directly insert the spring and ball into the channel hole, but this method has the following shortcomings in practical applications:

[0004] First, the assembly process lacks effective intermediate inspection methods. The push rod inserts the spring and steel balls into the channel hole in one go, without intermediate material inspection to verify the presence of the spring and the completeness of the steel balls, nor is there real-time monitoring of the deformation force during spring compression. Excessive deviation in the spring's free length or its omission will directly affect the consistency of the assembled product's feel and functional reliability.

[0005] Secondly, the stability of the material feeding process is difficult to guarantee. Springs and steel balls are prone to bending and misalignment during feeding, preventing materials from accurately entering the channel holes, leading to assembly failure or jamming. Some existing solutions use track grooves to guide materials, but lack design for phased limiting and detection during material feeding.

[0006] Third, the structural integration of the assembly station is insufficient. Functional modules such as positioning, clamping, pushing, and testing are scattered, occupying a large space. The lack of tight coordination between modules affects the overall assembly efficiency and the miniaturization of the equipment.

[0007] Therefore, how to provide a spring steel ball assembly device that is compact, provides stable pushing, and can effectively detect material loss and spring deformation force during the assembly process has become a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved in this field. Utility Model Content

[0008] In view of the technical problems in the existing technology, such as the lack of intermediate detection methods, insufficient material pushing stability, and low integration of assembly station structure, this utility model aims to provide a spring steel ball assembly device with compact structure, stable and reliable pushing, and material missing detection and spring deformation pressure detection functions.

[0009] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0010] A spring ball assembly device, comprising:

[0011] The assembly track has a track groove for placing springs and steel balls, a loading position on the track groove, and an assembly base at the end of the assembly track.

[0012] A positioning fixture, mounted on an assembly base, is used to position a workpiece with a channel hole to be assembled.

[0013] The clamping mechanism, located above the positioning fixture, is used to clamp the workpiece onto the positioning fixture;

[0014] The pushing mechanism includes a push rod and a linear drive assembly that drives the push rod to reciprocate along a track groove. The push rod is used to push a spring and steel ball placed at the loading position into the channel hole of the workpiece along the track groove.

[0015] By adopting the above technical solution, the springs and steel balls are guided and constrained by the track grooves on the assembly track. Driven by a linear drive assembly, the push rod reciprocates along the track grooves, pushing the springs and steel balls placed at the loading position into the workpiece's channel hole. The track grooves radially limit the movement of the springs and steel balls, ensuring that the materials maintain an axial alignment during the pushing process, preventing assembly failure or jamming caused by spring bending or steel ball misalignment. A positioning fixture precisely positions the workpiece, and a clamping mechanism presses the workpiece firmly onto the positioning fixture, ensuring stable alignment between the channel hole and the track groove, providing a reliable positioning reference for the push rod's insertion action. The entire device has a compact structure, and the assembly actions are smooth and reliable.

[0016] Preferably, it also includes a blocking mechanism located on the side of the track groove. The blocking mechanism includes a blocking drive and a blocking block. The blocking block can extend into or out of the track groove under the drive of the blocking drive to axially limit the movement of the spring and the steel ball.

[0017] By adopting the above technical solution, a blocking mechanism is set on the side of the track groove. The blocking block can extend into or retract from the track groove under the action of the blocking drive component. When the push rod pushes the spring and steel ball to move along the track groove, the blocking block extends into the track groove to axially limit the material, causing the material to pause at a predetermined position. This design provides a segmented pause node for material detection and spring deformation detection during the assembly process. Compared with the assembly method of pushing the push rod in directly at once, it can effectively check the material status during the pushing process, avoiding the feeding of material with missing springs or steel balls into the workpiece, thus improving the reliability of assembly quality.

[0018] Preferably, a material detection vision component is provided at the position corresponding to the blocking block to detect whether the spring and steel ball are missing in the track groove; a pressure sensing component is provided on the push rod or the drive path of the push rod to detect the deformation pressure data when the push rod pushes the spring.

[0019] By adopting the above technical solution, a material detection vision component is installed at the corresponding position of the blocking block. When the spring and steel balls pause at the blocking block, the track groove is photographed to check whether the spring and both steel balls are fully in place, thus achieving material integrity confirmation during assembly. A pressure sensing component is installed on the push rod or its drive path. When the push rod continues to advance, causing the spring to compress and deform, the pressure sensing component detects the pressure value on the push rod in real time. This pressure value reflects the reaction force of the spring compression deformation. By comparing it with a preset threshold, it can be determined whether the spring deformation meets the standard, effectively identifying abnormalities such as excessive deviation in the spring's free length or missing springs. This dual control of visual inspection and pressure detection ensures that each product has passed quality verification before the material enters the channel hole.

[0020] Preferably, it also includes a lifting mechanism located below the positioning fixture, used to apply an upward lifting force to the workpiece after the spring and steel ball are pushed into the channel hole, so that the spring and steel ball are assembled inside the workpiece.

[0021] By adopting the above technical solution, a lifting mechanism is set below the positioning fixture. After the spring and steel ball are pushed into the channel hole, the lifting mechanism applies an upward lifting force to the workpiece, causing the internal structure of the workpiece to be locked. The spring and steel ball are limited and fixed in the channel hole, completing the final assembly and locking. The lifting and locking action is executed immediately after the spring and steel ball are in place, and it is closely connected with the pushing action of the push rod, ensuring the thoroughness of the assembly and the stability of the product structure.

[0022] Preferably, the linear drive assembly includes a linear motor, a slider seat driven by the linear motor, a push rod connected to the slider seat, and a guide rail that slides with the slider seat on one side of the mounting track.

[0023] By adopting the above technical solution, the linear drive assembly uses a linear motor to drive the slider seat to reciprocate along the guide rail, with the push rod connected to the slider seat. The structural combination of the linear motor and the guide rail slider offers high motion precision and fast response speed. The stroke and speed of the push rod can be precisely controlled, ensuring the smoothness and consistency of the pushing action. The guide rail provides linear guidance for the slider seat, ensuring that the push rod slides stably along the axial direction within the track groove without swaying or shaking, further improving the reliability and assembly accuracy of material pushing.

[0024] Preferably, the clamping mechanism includes a clamping cylinder and a pressure plate connected to the output end of the clamping cylinder. The pressure plate is used to clamp the workpiece under the drive of the clamping cylinder.

[0025] By adopting the above technical solution, the clamping mechanism uses a clamping cylinder to drive the pressure plate, which clamps the workpiece onto the positioning fixture under the drive of the cylinder. The cylinder-driven method offers fast response, and the clamping force can be controlled by adjusting the air pressure, making it suitable for workpieces of different materials and specifications. The pressure plate has a large contact area with the workpiece surface, resulting in uniform clamping force distribution, avoiding indentations or damage to the workpiece surface, and ensuring that the workpiece does not shift or loosen during the assembly process.

[0026] Preferably, the track groove is a straight groove, and the width of the track groove is adapted to the diameter of the spring and the steel ball, so that the spring and the steel ball can slide axially within the track groove.

[0027] By adopting the above technical solution, the track groove is a straight groove, the width of which is adapted to the diameter of the spring and steel ball. The spring and steel ball can slide freely axially within the track groove, while being effectively constrained radially, preventing lateral offset or jumping. This dimensional adaptation ensures that the material moves smoothly along the predetermined axis during the pushing process, avoiding problems such as material skewing due to an excessively wide track groove or material jamming due to an excessively narrow track groove, thus improving the smoothness of pushing and the first-time success rate of assembly.

[0028] In summary, the beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:

[0029] 1. Stable pushing and high assembly success rate. The width of the track groove is adapted to the diameter of the spring and steel ball, reliably guiding and constraining the material radially. The push rod pushes the material axially along the track groove. Throughout the pushing process, the spring and steel ball maintain an axial alignment, avoiding assembly failure or jamming caused by spring bending or steel ball misalignment. The linear motor drives the push rod with high precision and controllable stroke, resulting in smooth and consistent pushing action.

[0030] 2. Comprehensive intermediate inspection ensures reliable assembly quality. The blocking mechanism pauses and limits material movement during the push process, while a visual inspection component takes photos to check for integrity, confirming that springs and steel balls are not missing. The pressure sensor component monitors the deformation pressure in real time during spring compression to determine if the spring deformation meets standards. This dual visual and pressure inspection ensures that only qualified products are pushed into the assembly process, effectively preventing defective products from being rejected due to missing springs or abnormal spring force.

[0031] 3. Compact structure and high integration. The positioning fixture, clamping mechanism, pushing mechanism, blocking mechanism, detection components and lifting mechanism are all integrated on the assembly rail and assembly base. The functional modules are compactly laid out and work together in a coordinated manner, occupying little space, which facilitates the miniaturization of the equipment and its integrated application in automated production lines.

[0032] 4. High applicability. The width of the track groove, the structure of the positioning fixture, the clamping mechanism, and the stroke of the push rod can all be adapted and adjusted according to the specifications of the workpiece. It is suitable for the assembly needs of springs, steel balls, and workpieces of different sizes, and can be widely used in various production scenarios that require the assembly of springs and steel balls, such as automotive parts, electronic switches, and valves. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a specific embodiment of the present utility model;

[0034] Figure 2 This is a partial structural diagram of a specific embodiment of the present utility model;

[0035] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a partial structure of the pushing mechanism in a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of the blocking mechanism in a specific embodiment of this utility model;

[0037] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of the assembly track and assembly base according to a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 6 for Figure 5 Enlarged view of point A in the middle;

[0039] Figure 7 for Figure 5 Enlarged view of point B in the middle.

[0040] In the diagram: 100, spring; 200, steel ball; 300, workpiece; 301, channel hole; 41, assembly track; 411, track groove; 412, guide rail; 42, assembly base; 421, positioning fixture; 422, lifting mechanism; 423, clamping mechanism; 4231, clamping drive; 4232, pressure plate; 43, loading position; 44, pushing mechanism; 441, push rod; 442, linear motor; 443, slider seat; 45, blocking mechanism; 451, blocking drive; 452, blocking block; 46, material detection vision component; 47, pressure sensing component. Detailed Implementation

[0041] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the embodiments of this utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only for explaining this utility model and are not intended to limit this utility model.

[0042] It should be noted that in the description of this utility model, the terms "front," "rear," "upper," and "lower" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation of the device in normal use. The extension direction of the assembly track is the front-rear direction, the end of the track groove near the initial position of the push rod is "rear," and the end near the assembly base is "front." These terms are only for ease of description and simplification and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0043] The following is combined Figures 1 to 7 The technical solution of this utility model will be described in further detail below.

[0044] This embodiment provides a spring and steel ball assembly device, which can be installed in various automated assembly equipment that requires the automatic pushing of spring 100 and steel ball 200 into the channel hole 301 of workpiece 300.

[0045] The spring steel ball assembly device of this embodiment includes an assembly track 41, a positioning clamp 421, a pressing mechanism 423, a pushing mechanism 44, a blocking mechanism 45, a material detection vision component, a pressure sensing component, and a lifting mechanism 422.

[0046] The assembly track 41 is a long, strip-shaped metal component, fixedly mounted on the equipment frame. The assembly track 41 has a track groove 411 extending in the front-to-back direction. The track groove 411 is a straight groove with a U-shaped or rectangular cross-section. The width of the track groove 411 is adapted to the diameter of the spring 100 and steel ball 200 to be assembled, allowing the axially arranged spring 100 and steel ball 200 to slide smoothly axially within the track groove 411 without radial deviation or jumping. The track groove 411 has a loading position 43 for receiving the spring 100 and steel ball 200 placed by an external feeding device. The assembly base 42 is located at the end of the assembly track 41.

[0047] A clamping mechanism 423 is located above the positioning fixture 421 and is used to clamp the workpiece 300 onto the positioning fixture 421. In this embodiment, the clamping mechanism 423 includes a clamping cylinder and a pressure plate 4232 connected to the output end of the clamping cylinder. The clamping cylinder is fixedly mounted on a bracket above the assembly base 42, and its piston rod extends downward, with the pressure plate 4232 connected to its end. When the workpiece 300 is placed on the positioning fixture 421, the clamping cylinder drives the pressure plate 4232 to move downward, clamping the workpiece 300 onto the positioning fixture 421, so that the workpiece 300 does not shift or loosen during the assembly process.

[0048] The pushing mechanism 44 is located on one side of the assembly track 41 and includes a push rod 441 and a linear drive assembly. The linear drive assembly includes a linear motor 442, a slider seat 443, and a guide rail 412. The guide rail 412 is fixedly mounted on the equipment frame and extends along the track groove 411. The slider seat 443 is slidably fitted onto the guide rail 412 and is driven by the linear motor 442 to reciprocate along the guide rail 412. The push rod 441 can slide back and forth along the track groove 411 under the drive of the linear motor 442. The initial position of the push rod 441 is behind the loading position 43. When the external feeding device places the spring 100 and the steel ball 200 in the loading position 43 with the spring 100 in the center and the two steel balls 200 arranged at both ends of the spring 100, the push rod 441 moves forward under the drive of the linear motor 442 and contacts the steel ball 200 at the rear end of the spring 100, pushing the spring 100 and the steel ball 200 arranged in an axial manner to move along the track groove 411 towards the assembly base 42.

[0049] A blocking mechanism 45 is located on the side of the track groove 411, between the loading position 43 and the assembly base 42. The blocking mechanism 45 includes a blocking cylinder and a blocking block 452 connected to the output end of the blocking cylinder. The blocking cylinder is fixedly installed on the side of the assembly track 41, and its piston rod extends and retracts in a direction perpendicular to the track groove 411. The blocking block 452 is connected to the end of the piston rod and can extend into or retract from the track groove 411 under the drive of the blocking cylinder. When the blocking block 452 extends into the track groove 411, it axially limits the steel ball 200 at the front end of the spring 100, which moves along the track groove 411, causing the spring 100 and the steel ball 200 to pause at the blocking block 452. When the blocking block 452 retracts from the track groove 411, the track groove 411 reopens, and the material can continue to move forward.

[0050] A material detection vision component is provided at the position corresponding to the blocking block 452. The material detection vision component includes an industrial camera, which is fixedly installed above the blocking block 452, with the lens facing the blocking position in the track groove 411. When the spring 100 and the steel ball 200 stop at the blocking block 452, the industrial camera takes a picture of the track groove 411, and the image processing unit analyzes the captured image to detect whether the spring 100 and the two steel balls 200 are all in place and whether there are any missing pieces.

[0051] A pressure sensing component is provided on the push rod 441 or the slider seat 443. In this embodiment, the pressure sensing component is installed at the connection between the rear end of the push rod 441 and the slider seat 443. After the material detection vision component confirms that there is no missing material, the push rod 441 continues to move forward under the drive of the linear motor 442, pushing the spring 100 to compress and deform. The pressure sensing component detects the axial pressure value on the push rod 441 in real time, which reflects the reaction force generated by the compression deformation of the spring 100. The control system compares the detected pressure value with a preset qualified threshold range to determine whether the deformation of the spring 100 meets the standard.

[0052] The lifting mechanism 422 is located below the positioning fixture 421. The lifting mechanism 422 includes a lifting cylinder, the piston rod of which extends upward and its end is aligned with the bottom of the workpiece 300. When the spring 100 and the steel ball 200 are pushed into the channel hole 301 of the workpiece 300, the lifting cylinder drives the piston rod to extend upward, applying an upward lifting force to the workpiece 300, causing the internal structure of the workpiece 300 to be locked, and the spring 100 and the steel ball 200 to be limited and fixed in the channel hole 301, completing the final assembly and locking.

[0053] The working process of this embodiment is as follows:

[0054] In the initial state, push rod 441 is located in the initial position behind loading position 43, blocking block 452 exits track groove 411, pressure plate 4232 of clamping mechanism 423 is in the upper released position, and lifting cylinder is in the retracted state.

[0055] The operator or robot places the workpiece 300 to be assembled on the positioning fixture 421, and the clamping cylinder drives the pressure plate 4232 to move downward, pressing the workpiece 300 onto the positioning fixture 421.

[0056] The external feeding device places the spring 100 and two steel balls 200 in the loading position 43 of the track groove 411 with the spring 100 in the center and the steel balls 200 at both ends of the spring 100.

[0057] Linear motor 442 drives slider seat 443 to move forward along guide rail 412, and push rod 441 moves forward together with slider seat 443. The front end of push rod 441 contacts steel ball 200 at the rear end of spring 100, pushing spring 100 and steel ball 200, which are arranged axially, to slide forward along track groove 411. Blocking cylinder drives blocking block 452 to extend into track groove 411, and push rod 441 pushes spring 100 and steel ball 200 to blocking block 452. The front end of steel ball 200 is limited by blocking block 452, and push rod 441 stops advancing.

[0058] The material inspection vision component photographs and inspects the spring 100 and steel ball 200 at the stop block 452 within the track groove 411. If a missing spring 100 or steel ball 200 is detected, the equipment alarms and the operator is instructed to handle the situation. If the inspection is successful, the push rod 441 continues to advance, compressing the spring 100 between the push rod 441 and the stop block 452. The pressure sensing component monitors the axial pressure on the push rod 441 in real time, and the control system determines whether the pressure value is within the preset acceptable threshold range. If the pressure value is below the threshold, the equipment alarms; if the pressure value is within the threshold, the blocking cylinder drives the stop block 452 out of the track groove 411.

[0059] The push rod 441 continues to push the spring 100 and steel ball 200 forward along the track groove 411. The spring 100 and steel ball 200 are pushed into the channel hole 301 of the workpiece 300 through the guide hole on the positioning fixture 421. After the push rod 441 is pushed to the predetermined stroke, it stops and remains there. The lifting cylinder drives the piston rod to extend upward, applying an upward lifting force to the workpiece 300, so that the internal structure of the workpiece 300 is clamped, and the assembly is completed.

[0060] The lifting cylinder resets, the clamping cylinder drives the pressure plate 4232 to release upwards, and the push rod 441 returns to its initial position under the drive of the linear motor 442. The assembled workpiece 300 is then removed by the operator or the unloading mechanism. All mechanisms reset to their initial state, awaiting the next assembly cycle.

[0061] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A spring steel ball assembly apparatus, characterized by, include: An assembly track (41) is provided with a track groove (411) for placing springs (100) and steel balls (200), and a loading position (43) is provided on the track groove (411). An assembly base (42) is provided at the end of the assembly track (41). A positioning fixture (421) is provided on the assembly base (42) and is used to position the workpiece (300) to be assembled with a channel hole (301); A clamping mechanism (423) is located above the positioning fixture (421) and is used to clamp the workpiece (300) onto the positioning fixture (421); The pushing mechanism (44) includes a push rod (441) and a linear drive assembly that drives the push rod (441) to reciprocate along the track groove (411). The push rod (441) is used to push the spring (100) and steel ball (200) placed at the loading position (43) into the channel hole (301) of the workpiece (300) along the track groove (411).

2. A spring steel bead assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein, It also includes a blocking mechanism (45) located on the side of the track groove (411). The blocking mechanism (45) includes a blocking drive (451) and a blocking block (452). The blocking block (452) can extend into or out of the track groove (411) under the drive of the blocking drive (451) to axially limit the movement of the spring (100) and the steel ball (200).

3. A spring steel bead assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein, A material detection vision component is provided at the position corresponding to the blocking block (452) to detect whether the spring (100) and steel ball (200) in the track groove (411) are missing; a pressure sensing component is provided on the push rod (441) or the drive path of the push rod (441) to detect the deformation pressure data when the push rod (441) pushes the spring (100).

4. A spring steel bead assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2 or 3, wherein, It also includes a lifting mechanism (422), located below the positioning fixture (421), for applying an upward lifting force to the workpiece (300) after the spring (100) and the steel ball (200) are pushed into the channel hole (301), so that the spring (100) and the steel ball (200) are assembled in the workpiece (300).

5. A spring steel bead assembly as defined in claim 4, wherein, The linear drive assembly includes a linear motor (442), a slider seat (443) driven by the linear motor (442), a push rod (441) connected to the slider seat (443), and a guide rail (412) that slides with the slider seat (443) on one side of the mounting track (41).

6. A spring steel bead assembly as defined in claim 4, wherein, The clamping mechanism (423) includes a clamping cylinder and a pressure plate (4232) connected to the output end of the clamping cylinder. The pressure plate (4232) is used to clamp the workpiece (300) under the drive of the clamping cylinder.

7. A spring steel bead assembly as defined in claim 4, wherein, The track groove (411) is a straight groove, and the width of the track groove (411) is adapted to the diameter of the spring (100) and the steel ball (200), so that the spring (100) and the steel ball (200) can slide axially in the track groove (411).

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