An automated assembly equipment for thermal protection switch base components

Abstract

This utility model discloses an automatic assembly equipment for thermal protection switch base assemblies, including a machine frame with a component moving track and a material moving mechanism. The material moving mechanism is used to gradually transfer the components on the component moving track. Along the component moving track, a base feeding mechanism, at least two contact feeding mechanisms, and a contact riveting mechanism are sequentially arranged side-by-side in the component moving direction. The base feeding mechanism feeds the base onto the component moving track, the contact feeding mechanisms assemble the contacts into corresponding positions on the base, and the contact riveting mechanism simultaneously rivets all contacts onto the base. This utility model realizes fully automated assembly line operation of thermal protection switch base assemblies, enabling continuous and high-speed production and greatly improving product consistency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of thermal protection switch assembly technology, specifically to an automatic assembly equipment for thermal protection switch base components. Background Technology

[0002] A thermal protection switch, also known as a thermal overload protection switch or thermal overload relay, is a safety protection component widely used in household appliances, motors, power tools, and industrial equipment. It provides dual protection against current overload and overheating. When an abnormal overload current occurs in the circuit or the equipment temperature exceeds a set value, the protector automatically disconnects the circuit, thereby protecting the safety of the electrical equipment and preventing equipment damage or even fire accidents caused by overheating.

[0003] The thermal protection switch includes a housing, contacts connected inside the housing, and a bimetallic strip. The contacts are fixed inside the housing, and the bimetallic strip is electrically connected between the contacts. When the bimetallic strip is heated, it bends and deforms. When the set temperature is reached, the bimetallic strip snaps, cutting off the circuit of the thermal protection switch. After the temperature drops, the bimetallic strip returns to its original shape, and the circuit is restored to conduction.

[0004] The existing thermal protection switches have the following problems in assembling the housing and contacts: Currently, most of the assembly is done manually. Operators need to first position the contact base in the predetermined position before proceeding to the next step of installation. However, different models of thermal protection switches have different contact shapes and different mating structures between the contacts and the housing. Even the same thermal protection switch may have contacts of different shapes. This operation method is highly dependent on the operator's skill level. Long-term fatigue can easily lead to incorrect assembly, affecting the subsequent assembly of the switch and resulting in low product consistency and production efficiency.

[0005] In view of this, there is an urgent need to design an automatic assembly equipment for thermal protection switch base components to solve the defects in the existing assembly of the housing and contacts of thermal protection switches. Utility Model Content

[0006] To address the aforementioned problems, this utility model provides an automatic assembly device for thermal protection switch base assemblies, including a machine frame. The machine frame is equipped with a component moving track and a material moving mechanism located beside the component moving track. The material moving mechanism is used to gradually transfer the components on the component moving track. Along the component moving track, a base loading mechanism, at least two contact loading mechanisms, and a contact riveting mechanism located after all the contact loading mechanisms are sequentially arranged beside the component moving track in the component moving direction. The base loading mechanism is used to feed the base onto the component moving track, the contact loading mechanisms are used to assemble the contacts into corresponding positions on the base, and the contact riveting mechanism is used to simultaneously rivet all contacts onto the base.

[0007] This utility model further comprises a contact feeding mechanism including a contact vibrating plate, a contact feeding track connected to the contact vibrating plate, a contact pressing power source located at the discharge end of the contact feeding track, a contact pressing component driven by the contact pressing power source, a contact feeding bracket located beside the contact feeding track, a contact lateral movement power source connected to the contact feeding bracket, a contact lateral movement plate driven by the contact lateral movement power source, a contact vertical movement power source connected to the contact lateral movement plate, a contact vertical movement plate driven by the contact vertical movement power source, a contact clamping power source connected to the contact vertical movement plate, and a contact clamping claw driven by the contact clamping power source; the discharge end of the contact feeding track is provided with a contact feeding position, the contact pressing component is used to restrict the contacts within the contact feeding position, and the contact clamping claw is used to transfer the contacts within the contact feeding position to the base.

[0008] The present invention is further configured such that the contact feeding mechanism also includes a contact pressing power source connected to the contact vertical moving plate and a contact pressing member driven by the contact pressing power source. The contact pressing member is used to press the contact onto the base. The contact pressing member is located between the contact gripping claws or on the outside of the contact gripping claws.

[0009] The present invention is further configured such that the contact feeding track is provided with a contact feeding channel for contact movement, and the contact feeding track is provided with a feeding limiting structure facing the contact feeding channel.

[0010] The present invention is further configured such that the discharge end of the contact feeding track is provided with a contact material detection probe, and the contact material detection probe is directly facing the material position on the contact.

[0011] The present invention is further configured such that the base feeding mechanism includes a base vibrating plate, a base feeding track connected to the base vibrating plate, a base feeding bracket located at the discharge end of the base feeding track, a base screening power source connected to the base feeding bracket, and a base screening seat driven by the base screening power source; the base screening seat is provided with a base feeding position, and the base feeding position reciprocates between the base feeding track and the component moving track.

[0012] The present invention is further configured such that a base material detection probe is provided on the base screening seat, and the base material detection probe is directly facing the material position on the base.

[0013] The present invention is further configured such that the contact riveting mechanism includes a contact riveting bracket, a pre-pressing power source connected to the contact riveting bracket, a transmission component driven by the pre-pressing power source, a pre-pressing component linked to the transmission component, a riveting power source connected to the contact riveting bracket, and a riveting component driven by the riveting power source; the pre-pressing component and the riveting component are respectively located at the upper and lower ends of the component moving track.

[0014] The present invention is further configured such that the pre-compression member is provided with at least two pre-compression columns, the riveting member is provided with at least two riveting columns, and the pre-compression columns are positioned directly opposite the riveting columns.

[0015] The present invention is further configured such that the material moving mechanism includes a material lateral moving force source connected to the equipment frame, a material lateral moving plate driven by the material lateral moving force source, a material longitudinal moving force source connected to the material lateral moving plate, a material longitudinal moving plate driven by the material longitudinal moving force source, and a material shift fork plate connected to the material longitudinal moving plate. The material shift fork plate has a shift fork slot adapted to the base on the side near the component moving track.

[0016] The working principle of the automatic assembly equipment for thermal protection switch base components in this technical solution is as follows: When the equipment is started, the base feeding mechanism sends the base into the component moving track. The material moving mechanism drives the base on the component moving track to move gradually. The contact feeding mechanism assembles the contacts into the corresponding positions on the base. After all contacts are assembled on the base, the contact riveting mechanism rivets each contact onto the base simultaneously, thus completing the assembly of the thermal protection switch base components.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution provided by this utility model has the following advantages: This technical solution's automatic assembly equipment for thermal protection switch base components achieves fully automated assembly line operation by setting up component moving tracks, material moving mechanisms, and contact loading and riveting mechanisms arranged sequentially along the process. This replaces traditional manual single-station operation, significantly shortens the assembly cycle of product base components, and enables continuous, high-speed production. Each contact loading mechanism is only responsible for installing a specific contact into the precise position on the base, avoiding problems such as incorrect contact type installation, misaligned installation, or omissions caused by prolonged fatigue, lack of concentration, or insufficient proficiency, greatly improving product consistency.

[0018] The contact riveting mechanism in this technical solution is located after all contact feeding mechanisms, and synchronous riveting of all contacts is achieved in this mechanism. This ensures that multiple contacts are simultaneously and evenly fixed to the base under force, avoiding problems such as stress concentration, positional displacement, or insecure riveting that may occur with step-by-step riveting. This improves the mechanical strength of the base assembly and the reliability of the electrical connection. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an automatic assembly device for a thermal protection switch base assembly according to an embodiment of this utility model.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a partial schematic diagram of the base feeding mechanism in an embodiment of this utility model.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the contact feeding mechanism in an embodiment of this utility model.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a partial schematic diagram of the contact feeding mechanism in an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0023] Figure 5 This is a partial schematic diagram of another contact feeding mechanism in an embodiment of this utility model.

[0024] Figure 6 This is a partial schematic diagram of the material moving mechanism in an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0025] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the contact riveting mechanism in an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0026] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the thermal protection switch base assembly according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0027] Figure 9 This is an exploded view of the thermal protection switch base assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0028] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0029] As attached Figure 8 and attached Figure 9 The image shows a four-contact thermal protection switch base assembly, which will be used as an example for explanation. This thermal protection switch base assembly includes a base 7 and four contacts 8. The contacts 8 differ somewhat and can be broadly divided into two categories. The first category of contacts (see attached image)... Figure 9 Both ends of the outer contact 8) are provided with contact bending portions, and the second type of contact (attached) Figure 9The inner contact 8 has a bent portion at only one end, but regardless of whether it is a first-type or second-type contact, it includes a positioning hole 81 and a bottom protrusion 82. The base 7 is provided with a positioning post 71 and a riveting hole 72. When assembling the thermal protection switch base assembly, the positioning hole 81 of the contact 8 needs to be fitted onto the positioning post 71 of the base 7, and the bottom protrusion 82 of the contact 8 needs to be passed through the riveting hole 72 of the base 7.

[0030] Combined with appendix Figure 1 To be continued Figure 7 This utility model provides an automatic assembly device for thermal protection switch base components, including a machine frame 1. The machine frame 1 is equipped with a component moving track 2 and a material moving mechanism 3 located beside the component moving track 2. The material moving mechanism 3 is used to gradually transfer the components on the component moving track 2. Along the component moving direction, a base loading mechanism 4, at least two contact loading mechanisms 5, and a contact riveting mechanism 6 located after all the contact loading mechanisms 5 are sequentially arranged beside the component moving track 2. The base loading mechanism 4 is used to feed the base onto the component moving track 2, the contact loading mechanisms 5 are used to assemble the contacts into the corresponding positions on the base, and the contact riveting mechanism 6 is used to simultaneously rivet all contacts onto the base.

[0031] In this embodiment, the material moving mechanism 3 moves the component (base) on the component moving track 2 in the following direction. Figure 1 The X direction in the equation.

[0032] In this embodiment, the contact feeding mechanism 5 assembles the contact into the corresponding position on the base, that is, it fits the positioning hole 81 of the contact 8 onto the positioning post 71 of the base 7 and passes the bottom protrusion 82 of the contact 8 through the riveting hole 72 of the base 7; the contact riveting mechanism 6 rivets the bottom protrusion 82 of the contact 8, so that the contact 8 and the base form a press fit, preventing the contact 8 from falling off the base 7.

[0033] In this embodiment, the working principle of the automatic assembly equipment for the thermal protection switch base assembly is as follows: when the equipment is started, the base feeding mechanism 4 sends the base into the component moving track 2, the material moving mechanism 3 drives the base on the component moving track 2 to move gradually, the contact feeding mechanism 5 assembles the contacts into the corresponding positions on the base, and after all contacts are assembled on the base, the contact riveting mechanism 6 then rivets each contact onto the base synchronously, thus completing the assembly of the thermal protection switch base assembly.

[0034] In this embodiment, as shown in the appendix Figure 3As shown, the contact feeding mechanism 5 includes a contact vibratory feeder 51, a contact feeding track 52 connected to the contact vibratory feeder 51, a contact pressing power source 53 located at the discharge end of the contact feeding track 52, a contact pressing component 54 driven by the contact pressing power source 53, a contact feeding bracket 55 located beside the contact feeding track 52, a contact lateral movement power source 56 connected to the contact feeding bracket 55, a contact lateral movement plate 57 driven by the contact lateral movement power source 56, and a contact lateral movement plate 57 connected to the contact lateral movement plate 55. The plate 57 includes a contact vertical movement force source 58, a contact vertical movement plate 59 driven by the contact vertical movement force source 58, a contact clamping power source 510 connected to the contact vertical movement plate 59, and a contact clamping claw 511 driven by the contact clamping power source 510; the contact feeding track 52 has a contact loading position 521 at its discharge end, the contact pressing member 54 is used to restrict the contacts in the contact loading position 521, and the contact clamping claw 511 is used to transfer the contacts in the contact loading position 521 to the base.

[0035] In this embodiment, the contact lateral movement force source 56 and the contact vertical movement force source 58 work together to drive the movement of the contact gripper 511.

[0036] In this embodiment, as shown in the appendix Figure 3 As shown, the contact feeding mechanism 5 also includes a contact pressing power source 512 connected to the contact vertical moving plate 59 and a contact pressing member 513 driven by the contact pressing power source 512. The contact pressing member 513 is used to press the contact onto the base, that is, the contact pressing member 513 will press the bottom protrusion 82 of the contact 8 into the riveting hole 72 of the base 7 under the drive of the contact pressing power source 512.

[0037] In this embodiment, the contact pressing member 513 is located between or outside the two contact gripping claws 511, which is configured according to the structure of the contact. (See attached...) Figure 4 As shown, the contact pressing member 513 is located between the two contact gripping claws 511, which is used to grip and press the first type of contact described above; as shown in the attached figure. Figure 5 As shown, the contact pressing member 513 is located outside the contact gripping claw 511, which is used to grip and press the second type of contact mentioned above.

[0038] In this embodiment, the contact feeding track 52 is provided with a contact feeding channel 522 for contact movement, and the contact feeding track 52 is provided with a feeding limiting structure facing the contact feeding channel 522. The feeding limiting structure can be flexibly configured according to the type of contact, and can be provided with a pressure strip, etc. on the contact feeding track 52.

[0039] In this embodiment, the discharge end of the contact feeding track 52 is provided with a contact material detection probe, which is directly opposite the contact feeding position 521. The contact material detection probe is not shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0040] In this embodiment, as shown in the appendix Figure 2 As shown, the base feeding mechanism 4 includes a base vibrating plate 41, a base feeding track 42 connected to the base vibrating plate 41, a base feeding bracket 43 located at the discharge end of the base feeding track 42, a base screening power source 44 connected to the base feeding bracket 43, and a base screening seat 45 driven by the base screening power source 44; the base screening seat 45 is provided with a base feeding position 451, and the base feeding position 451 reciprocates between the base feeding track 42 and the component moving track 2.

[0041] In this embodiment, the base is moved from the base feeding track 42 to the component moving track 2 in the following manner: the base screening power source 44 drives the base screening seat 45 to move, screening the base from the base feeding track 42 to the base loading position 451 and driving the base loading position 451 to bridge with the component moving track 2; the material moving mechanism 3 moves the base of the base loading position 451 to the component moving track 2.

[0042] In this embodiment, as shown in the appendix Figure 2 As shown, the base screening seat 45 is equipped with a base material detection probe 46, which is directly opposite the material position 451 on the base.

[0043] In this embodiment, as shown in the appendix Figure 7 As shown, the contact riveting mechanism 6 includes a contact riveting bracket 61, a pre-compression power source 62 connected to the contact riveting bracket 61, a transmission component 63 driven by the pre-compression power source 62, a pre-compression component 64 linked to the transmission component 63, a riveting power source 65 connected to the contact riveting bracket 61, and a riveting component 66 driven by the riveting power source 65; the pre-compression component 64 and the riveting component 66 are respectively located at the upper and lower ends of the component moving track 2. Under the drive of the pre-compression power source 62, the transmission component 63 drives the pre-compression component 64 to press down, thereby pressing against the contact on the base.

[0044] In this embodiment, as shown in the appendix Figure 7 As shown, the pre-compression member 64 is provided with at least two pre-compression posts 641, and the riveting member 66 is provided with at least two riveting posts 661. The pre-compression posts 641 are positioned directly opposite the riveting posts 661. The distribution positions of the pre-compression posts 641 and the riveting posts 661 are determined by the positions of the riveting holes 72 on the base.

[0045] In this embodiment, as shown in the appendix Figure 6 As shown, the material moving mechanism 3 includes a material lateral moving force source 31 connected to the equipment frame 1, a material lateral moving plate 32 driven by the material lateral moving force source 31, a material longitudinal moving force source 33 connected to the material lateral moving plate 32, a material longitudinal moving plate 34 driven by the material longitudinal moving force source 33, and a material shifting fork plate 35 connected to the material longitudinal moving plate 34. The material shifting fork plate 35 has a shifting fork slot 351 adapted to the base on the side near the component moving track 2.

[0046] In this embodiment, the automatic assembly equipment for thermal protection switch base components is equipped with a component moving track 2, a material moving mechanism 3, and contact loading mechanism 5 and contact riveting mechanism 6 arranged sequentially along the process. The entire assembly process achieves fully automated assembly line operation, replacing the traditional manual single-station operation, significantly shortening the assembly cycle of the product base components, and enabling continuous and high-speed production. Each contact loading mechanism 5 is only responsible for installing a specific contact into the precise position of the base, avoiding problems such as incorrect contact type installation, misaligned installation, or omissions caused by long-term fatigue, lack of concentration, or insufficient proficiency, greatly improving product consistency.

[0047] In this embodiment, the contact riveting mechanism 6 is located after all contact feeding mechanisms 5, and synchronous riveting of all contacts is achieved in this mechanism. This ensures that multiple contacts are simultaneously and evenly fixed to the base under force, avoiding problems such as stress concentration, positional displacement, or insecure riveting that may occur with step-by-step riveting, thereby improving the mechanical strength of the base assembly and the reliability of the electrical connection.

[0048] It should also be noted that, in this specification, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0049] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A thermal protection switch base assembly automatic assembly device, comprising a device rack, a component moving track is arranged on the device rack, and a material moving mechanism is arranged on the side of the component moving track, and the material moving mechanism is used for step-by-step transferring the components on the component moving track, characterized in that, Along the component moving track, a base loading mechanism, at least two contact loading mechanisms, and a contact riveting mechanism are sequentially arranged on the side of the component moving track. The base loading mechanism is used to feed the base into the component moving track, the contact loading mechanism is used to assemble the contacts into the corresponding positions on the base, and the contact riveting mechanism is used to simultaneously rivet all contacts onto the base.

2. The automatic assembling equipment for a thermal protection switch base assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The contact feeding mechanism includes a contact vibratory plate, a contact feeding track connected to the contact vibratory plate, a contact pressing power source located at the discharge end of the contact feeding track, a contact pressing component driven by the contact pressing power source, a contact feeding bracket located beside the contact feeding track, a contact lateral movement power source connected to the contact feeding bracket, a contact lateral movement plate driven by the contact lateral movement power source, a contact vertical movement power source connected to the contact lateral movement plate, a contact vertical movement plate driven by the contact vertical movement power source, a contact clamping power source connected to the contact vertical movement plate, and a contact clamping claw driven by the contact clamping power source; the discharge end of the contact feeding track is provided with a contact feeding position, the contact pressing component is used to restrict the contacts within the contact feeding position, and the contact clamping claw is used to transfer the contacts within the contact feeding position to the base.

3. The automatic assembling apparatus for a thermal protector switch base assembly according to claim 2, wherein The contact feeding mechanism further includes a contact pressing power source connected to the contact vertical moving plate and a contact pressing component driven by the contact pressing power source. The contact pressing component is used to press the contact onto the base. The contact pressing component is located between the contact gripping claws or on the outside of the contact gripping claws.

4. The automatic assembling apparatus for a thermal protector switch base assembly according to claim 2, wherein The contact feeding track is provided with a contact feeding channel for contact movement, and the contact feeding track is provided with a feeding limiting structure facing the contact feeding channel.

5. The automatic assembly equipment for a thermal protection switch base assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, The discharge end of the contact feeding track is equipped with a contact material detection probe, which is directly facing the material position on the contact.

6. The automatic assembly equipment for a thermal protection switch base assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base feeding mechanism includes a base vibrating plate, a base feeding track connected to the base vibrating plate, a base feeding bracket located at the discharge end of the base feeding track, a base screening power source connected to the base feeding bracket, and a base screening seat driven by the base screening power source; the base screening seat is provided with a base feeding position, and the base feeding position reciprocates between the base feeding track and the component moving track.

7. The automatic assembly equipment for a thermal protection switch base assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that, The base screening seat is equipped with a base material detection probe, which is directly facing the material position on the base.

8. The automatic assembly equipment for a thermal protection switch base assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The contact riveting mechanism includes a contact riveting bracket, a pre-pressing power source connected to the contact riveting bracket, a transmission component driven by the pre-pressing power source, a pre-pressing component linked to the transmission component, a riveting power source connected to the contact riveting bracket, and a riveting component driven by the riveting power source; the pre-pressing component and the riveting component are respectively located at the upper and lower ends of the component moving track.

9. The automatic assembly equipment for a thermal protection switch base assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that, The pre-compression component is provided with at least two pre-compression posts, and the riveting component is provided with at least two riveting posts, with the pre-compression posts positioned directly opposite the riveting posts.

10. An automatic assembly device for a thermal protection switch base assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The material moving mechanism includes a material lateral moving force source connected to the equipment frame, a material lateral moving plate driven by the material lateral moving force source, a material longitudinal moving force source connected to the material lateral moving plate, a material longitudinal moving plate driven by the material longitudinal moving force source, and a material shift fork plate connected to the material longitudinal moving plate. The material shift fork plate has a shift fork slot adapted to the base on the side near the component moving track.

Images