Automated riveting apparatus

Abstract

The utility model discloses an automatic riveting equipment relates to machining equipment technical field, wherein, the automatic riveting equipment includes integrated type feeding unit, carousel mechanism, riveting detection unit and sorting and discharging unit, two vibrating disc are located in the installation box, and are connected to frock fixture through the conveying track for conveying aluminum work piece and pin respectively, a plurality of frock fixtures are evenly distributed in carousel edge, and riveting manipulator is used for riveting aluminum work piece and pin in frock fixture, and CCD vision detection module is used for detecting riveting quality, and the material taking manipulator is configured as: when the CCD vision detection module judges the product as good product, moves the product to the good product storage area, when judges as defective product, triggers the alarm and controls the carousel to return to the initial station, the utility model provides an automatic riveting equipment of integrated vibrating disc protection, fixture accurate positioning and on -line quality detection.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of mechanical processing equipment technology, and in particular to an automated riveting device. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of electronic component manufacturing, the riveting process between heat-dissipating aluminum parts and leads is a key step in ensuring the product's heat dissipation performance and electrical connection reliability. Traditional riveting equipment loading systems lack safety: the exposed vibratory feeder is susceptible to environmental dust contamination, operators face mechanical injury risks, and the material conveying process lacks enclosed protection. Utility Model Content

[0003] The main purpose of this utility model is to propose an automated riveting device, which aims to provide an automated riveting device that integrates vibratory feeder protection, precise fixture positioning, and online quality inspection, thereby improving production capacity by optimizing equipment performance.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention proposes an automated riveting device comprising: An integrated feeding unit includes a mounting box and at least two vibratory feeders disposed within the mounting box. The vibratory feeders are connected to a tooling fixture via a conveying track and are used to convey aluminum workpieces and leads respectively. A turntable mechanism includes a rotatable circular turntable and a plurality of tooling fixtures evenly distributed on the edge of the turntable. The tooling fixtures are used to position the aluminum workpiece and the pin. The turntable achieves station switching through a drive component. A riveting inspection unit is disposed above the turntable mechanism. The riveting inspection unit includes a riveting robot and a CCD vision inspection module integrated into the riveting robot. The riveting robot is used to rivet aluminum workpieces and pins within the tooling fixture. The CCD vision inspection module is used to inspect the riveting quality. The sorting and unloading unit includes a picking robot that is signal-connected to the CCD vision inspection module. The picking robot is configured to: when the CCD vision inspection module determines that the product is a good product, it will transfer the product to the good product storage area; when it determines that the product is a defective product, it will trigger an alarm and control the turntable to return to the initial station.

[0005] In one embodiment, the top of the mounting box is provided with an opening, and the side plate of the mounting box is provided with a clearance opening. The discharge end of the vibratory feeder extends to the outside of the clearance opening through the inclined conveying track and docks with the tooling fixture on the edge of the turntable.

[0006] In one embodiment, the top of the mounting box is provided with an opening and closing top plate corresponding to the number of vibratory feeders. The opening and closing top plate can be independently flipped relative to the mounting box to open or close the area above the corresponding vibratory feeder, so as to expose or cover the opening.

[0007] In one embodiment, the mounting housing further includes a hinge mechanism connecting the opening / closing top plate and the mounting housing. The hinge mechanism includes: The first connecting part is fixedly disposed on the opening and closing top plate; The second connecting part is fixed to the opening edge of the mounting box; wherein the first connecting part and / or the second connecting part are provided with a guide channel extending along a predetermined trajectory; and the first connecting part and the second connecting part slide relative to each other along the guide channel to drive the opening and closing top plate to flip and open around the hinge axis.

[0008] In one embodiment, the number of tooling fixtures is eight, which are evenly distributed along the circumference of the turntable, and the driving component is a servo motor used to drive the turntable to achieve intermittent rotation.

[0009] In one embodiment, the tooling fixture includes: A connecting base is used to securely connect to the turntable of the riveting equipment; and The tooling body is detachably connected to the connecting base, and the size of the tooling body is smaller than the size of the connecting base so as to form a stepped structure on at least one edge of both; the heat dissipation aluminum part has a bent edge, which is placed on the stepped structure to limit its horizontal displacement; The tooling body is provided with an aluminum part positioning part and a pin positioning part; the aluminum part positioning part is used to cooperate with the heat dissipation aluminum part for pre-fixing; the pin includes a head and a foot, the head cooperates with the aluminum part positioning part for pre-fixing, and the foot is installed on the pin positioning part to achieve pre-positioning; during riveting, the heat dissipation aluminum part and the pin are pressed and fixed by the external force acting on the aluminum part positioning protrusion.

[0010] In one embodiment, the aluminum part positioning portion is a protruding protrusion structure, and the pin positioning portion is a groove structure.

[0011] In one embodiment, the CCD vision inspection module includes an industrial camera and a light source. The lens of the industrial camera is directed toward the riveting point of the product within the tooling fixture, and is used to collect image data of the riveting point and transmit it to the control system.

[0012] In one embodiment, the sorting and unloading unit further includes an alarm device, which is electrically connected to the CCD vision inspection module. When a defective product is detected, the alarm device emits an audible and visual alarm signal.

[0013] In one embodiment, the material handling robot is a vacuum suction type robot, which is located on the side of the turntable mechanism, and its range of motion covers the unloading station of the turntable and the good product storage area.

[0014] This utility model's technical solution utilizes an integrated vibratory feeder within a mounting box, avoiding material exposure and reducing space occupancy by over 30%. It also prevents dust contamination and accidental contact, significantly improving safety. The optimized spatial layout allows one person to operate two machines, increasing per capita productivity. Furthermore, a CCD vision inspection module monitors riveting quality in real time, achieving a defective product detection rate of over 99.5%, effectively reducing the risk of defective products leaving the site. Defective products are returned to their initial processing station, preventing material waste. The automated process reduces manual intervention, requiring only manual feeding into the tray, packaging of good products, and handling of abnormalities, thus reducing labor intensity. Compared to existing technologies, this solution simplifies the process through four steps: feeding, positioning, riveting and inspection, and sorting. This reduces the number of mechanisms, lowers equipment failure rates, and increases production efficiency. Compared to existing technologies, this solution's turntable returns to its initial processing station in reverse, allowing for manual removal and restarting, preventing defective products from mixing with good products, reducing manual sampling, improving production efficiency, lowering labor costs, and eliminating unnecessary labor. Attached Figure Description

[0015] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0016] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an embodiment of the automated riveting equipment provided by this utility model; Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the product structure behind the concealed integrated feeding unit; Figure 3 for Figure 2 A partial structural diagram at point A in the middle; Figure 4 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the local structure at point B; Figure 5 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the local structure at point C; Figure 6 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the integrated feeding unit; Figure 7 for Figure 6A schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure in the middle; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of one embodiment of a vacuum nozzle; Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the vacuum nozzle from another perspective.

[0017] Explanation of icon numbers: 110. Installation enclosure; 111. Accommodation space; 112. Opening; 113. Clearance opening; 120. Opening / closing top panel; 121. Observation window; 130. Hinge mechanism; 131. First connecting part; 132. Guide channel; 133. Second connecting part; 134. Fixing block; 135. Mounting part; 140. Support frame; 141. Vibration damping pad; 150. Vibratory feeder 210. Turntable; 220. Tooling fixture; 221. Connecting base; 222. Tooling body; 222a. Aluminum part positioning part; 222b. Pin positioning part; 223. Stepped structure; 300, heat sink aluminum component; 400, pin; 410, head; 420, foot; 510. Riveting robot; 520. CCD vision inspection module; 530. Material handling robot; 531. Vacuum nozzle.

[0018] The realization of the purpose, functional features and advantages of this utility model will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present utility model.

[0020] It should be noted that if the embodiments of this utility model involve directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.), the directional indicators are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of the components in a specific posture. If the specific posture changes, the directional indicators will also change accordingly.

[0021] Furthermore, if the embodiments of this utility model involve descriptions such as "first" or "second," these descriptions are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. Additionally, the use of "and / or" or "and / or" throughout the text includes three parallel solutions. For example, "A and / or B" includes solution A, solution B, or a solution where both A and B are satisfied simultaneously. Furthermore, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by this utility model.

[0022] In the field of electronic component manufacturing, the riveting process between heat-dissipating aluminum parts and leads is a critical step in ensuring product heat dissipation performance and electrical connection reliability. Traditional riveting equipment has insufficient safety in its loading system: the exposed vibratory feeder is susceptible to environmental dust contamination, operators face mechanical injury risks, and the material conveying process lacks enclosed protection. Furthermore, traditional riveting equipment relies on independent calibration and positioning mechanisms for secondary positioning, complicating the equipment structure and increasing maintenance costs. Additionally, traditional equipment lacks online inspection capabilities, leading to defective products flowing into subsequent processes, requiring manual sampling inspection, which is inefficient and costly.

[0023] To address the shortcomings of existing heat sink riveting pin equipment, such as scattered material loading layout, cumbersome process flow, and lack of quality inspection, which lead to excessive manual intervention, large space occupation, insufficient safety, high defect rate, and inability to handle defective products in a timely manner, this solution aims to provide an integrated, intelligent, and fully automated riveting device to solve the above-mentioned technical problems.

[0024] Therefore, this utility model proposes an automated riveting equipment that integrates vibratory feeder protection, precise fixture positioning, and online quality inspection to improve production capacity.

[0025] Please see Figure 1 In one embodiment of the present invention, the automated riveting equipment is used to rivet heat dissipation aluminum parts 300 and pins 400. The automated riveting equipment includes an integrated feeding unit, a turntable 210 mechanism, a riveting detection unit, and a sorting and unloading unit.

[0026] Combined with reference Figure 6 and Figure 7The integrated feeding unit includes a mounting box 110 and at least two vibratory feeders 150 disposed within the mounting box 110. The vibratory feeders 150 are connected to a tooling fixture 220 via a conveying track for conveying aluminum workpieces and leads 400 respectively. The mounting box 110 is made of metal, with an inspection door on the side and a top plate with an observation window 121. The mounting box 110 has a built-in dual vibratory feeder 150 system (aluminum workpieces / leads 400 are fed independently). The discharge end of the vibratory feeder 150 extends to the top opening 112 of the mounting box 110 via an inclined conveying track, and docks with the tooling fixture 220 on the edge of the turntable 210. A feeding robot places the aluminum workpieces / leads 400 onto the tooling fixture 220 for riveting and fixing in subsequent processes. In this way, by integrating the vibratory feeders 150 into the mounting box 110, the aluminum workpieces and leads 400 are conveyed in a closed and centralized manner, avoiding material exposure and reducing space occupation.

[0027] Combined with reference Figure 2 The turntable 210 mechanism includes a rotatable circular turntable 210 (500-800mm in diameter) and multiple tooling fixtures 220 (preferably 8, evenly spaced along the circumference) evenly distributed on the edge of the turntable 210. The turntable 210 achieves high-precision intermittent rotation through a drive assembly combining a servo motor and a divider. The tooling fixtures 220 are used to position the aluminum workpiece and pins 400 (the fixtures are equipped with positioning structures and pin limiting structures that match the shape of the aluminum workpiece). The turntable 210 sequentially transports materials to the riveting, inspection, and unloading stations through station switching.

[0028] A riveting detection unit is positioned above the turntable 210 mechanism. The riveting detection unit includes a riveting robot 510 and a CCD vision detection module integrated on the robot 510. The robot 510 (driven by dual cylinders, capable of X / Y / Z three-axis movement) and a CCD vision detection module integrated on the robot (including an industrial camera and a ring light source, with the lens facing the riveting point within the fixture 220) perform riveting on the aluminum workpiece and pin 400 within the fixture 220. The CCD vision detection module acquires real-time images of the riveting point (detecting parameters such as contact area and riveting depth) and transmits the data to the control system.

[0029] The sorting and unloading unit includes a picking robot 530 (vacuum nozzle type 531, with an operating range covering the unloading station and the good product storage area) connected to the CCD vision inspection module and an alarm device (audible and visual alarm). The picking robot 530 is configured to: when the CCD vision inspection module determines that the product is good, it will transfer the product to the good product storage area; when it determines that the product is defective, it will trigger an alarm and control the turntable 210 to return to the initial station.

[0030] The control system controls the actions of the material handling robot 530 based on the CCD detection results, specifically: Good products: The 530 material handling robot picks up the product and transfers it to the good product storage area (such as the blue material box); Defective product: Triggers an audible and visual alarm, and simultaneously controls turntable 210 to rotate in the opposite direction back to the initial station (first station), where the operator can manually remove the defective product.

[0031] This utility model's technical solution, by integrating a vibratory feeder 150 into the mounting box 110, avoids material exposure, reduces space occupancy by over 30%, and simultaneously prevents dust pollution and accidental contact, significantly improving safety. Due to the optimized spatial layout, it supports one person operating two machines, increasing per capita productivity. Furthermore, the CCD vision inspection module monitors riveting quality in real time, achieving a defective product detection rate of over 99.5%, effectively reducing the risk of defective products flowing out. Defective products are returned to the initial workstation for processing, avoiding material waste. Furthermore, the automated process reduces manual intervention, requiring only manual feeding into the tray, packaging of good products, and handling of abnormalities, reducing labor intensity. Compared to existing technologies, this solution simplifies the process through four steps: feeding, positioning, riveting and inspection, and sorting, reducing the number of mechanisms, lowering equipment failure rates, and improving production efficiency. Compared to existing technologies, this solution's turntable 210 returns to the initial workstation in reverse, restarting after manual removal, preventing defective products from mixing with good products, reducing manual sampling procedures, improving production efficiency, reducing labor costs, and eliminating unnecessary labor.

[0032] Regarding the integrated feeding unit.

[0033] Traditional housings often use a single-piece top plate. When housing multiple vibratory feeders 150, maintenance or loading requires opening the entire top plate, exposing other vibratory feeders 150, which easily introduces dust and wastes operating space. In one embodiment, the interior of the housing is divided into independent areas according to the size of two vibratory feeders 150. The top opening 112 corresponds to two separate opening and closing top plates 120 for each area, avoiding mutual interference. When a vibratory feeder 150 is short of material, the worker only needs to flip the opening and closing top plate 120 of the corresponding area by using the handle, without moving the material of other vibratory feeders 150 or shutting down the entire machine. The material replenishment time is reduced from 5 minutes with a traditional single-piece top plate to 1 minute. Moreover, the two vibratory feeders 150 can be loaded or maintained simultaneously without interference, improving the utilization rate of the production line equipment.

[0034] Please see Figures 1 to 4 Specifically, regarding hinged structures.

[0035] To address the issue of "insufficient adaptability" caused by the fixed installation position of the hinge mechanism 1303, the mounting housing 110 further includes a fixing block 134. The fixing block 134 is provided with at least two mounting portions 135 spaced apart along the perpendicular direction of the hinge axis, and the first connecting portion 131 can be selectively installed on one of the mounting portions 135.

[0036] In practical applications, the thickness and weight of the opening and closing top plate 120 or the height of the vibratory feeder 150 may vary (for example, the hopper height of different models of vibratory feeders 150 is different, and the height of the top plate flipping fulcrum needs to be adjusted to avoid interference; or the thickness of the top plate may vary due to the use of different sound insulation materials, and the connection point position needs to be adjusted to ensure smooth sliding of the guide channel 132). The installation position is adjustable through the structural combination of "fixed block 134 + multiple mounting parts 135 + selective installation". The fixed block 134 serves as an "intermediate adjustment carrier" between the first connecting part 131 and the opening and closing top plate 120. One end of the fixed block 134 is fixedly connected to the opening and closing top plate 120 (or integrally formed), and the other end is provided with multiple mounting parts 135 for connecting the first connecting part 131, avoiding the reduction of structural strength caused by directly opening multiple mounting positions on the opening and closing top plate 120. At least two (e.g., 2-4) provide "multi-level adjustment" options; they are spaced apart along the "vertical direction of the hinge axis"—the hinge axis is usually horizontal (the top plate rotates around the horizontal axis), and its vertical direction is the vertical direction (up and down direction). The mounting parts 135 are arranged vertically on the fixing block 134 (e.g., two mounting holes are opened at a vertical interval of 10mm-20mm); the structural form can be threaded holes, slots, protrusions, etc., for use with the connecting parts (e.g., screws, buckles) of the first connecting part 131.

[0037] The first connecting part 131 (such as a connecting plate) is connected to the mounting part 135 of the fixing block 134 by fasteners (screws, bolts). The mounting part 135 of different heights can be selected according to actual needs: if the opening and closing top plate 120 is thick or the vibrating plate 150 hopper is high, the upper mounting part 135 is selected to raise the installation height of the first connecting part 131, so that the relative position of the guide channel 132 and the second connecting part 133 moves upward, avoiding interference with the hopper when the top plate is flipped; if it is necessary to increase the flipping angle (such as from 60° to 90°), the lower mounting part 135 is selected to lower the flipping fulcrum, extend the lever arm, and reduce the opening and closing resistance.

[0038] In this embodiment, the mounting hole is configured as a mounting hole, and in order to facilitate fine-tuning of the distance, the mounting hole is set as a waist hole.

[0039] Furthermore, the first connecting part 131 is configured as a connecting plate, and the guide channel 132 is disposed on the connecting plate. The connecting plate is made of metal or high-strength plastic, and the guide channel 132 (such as an arc-shaped elongated hole) is machined on the plate through processes such as stamping and milling. The connecting plate is fixed to the edge of the opening and closing top plate 120 by bolts or welding. The connecting plate is an independent component, and can be replaced separately after the channel wears out, without disassembling the entire top plate, thus reducing maintenance costs.

[0040] Specifically, the guide channel 132 formed by the opening and closing trajectory of the connecting plate is arc-shaped, and the guide channel 132 makes the angle between the opening and closing top plate 120 and the mounting box 90°-135°. The trajectory shape of the guide channel 132 is arc-shaped. The opening and closing angle range is 90°-135° (the flipping limit position is controlled by the length / radius of the arc-shaped channel). If the angle is too small (e.g., <90°), the top plate cannot be fully opened, affecting manual loading or tool insertion; if the angle is too large (e.g., >135°), the top plate is prone to sag due to its own weight, or even collide with the box. Different scenarios have different requirements for the opening and closing angle. For example, narrow workshops need to open vertically at 90° to save space, while spacious workshops need to open at a large angle of 135° for convenient operation.

[0041] Specifically, the maximum flipping angle is limited by the endpoints of the arc-shaped channel (e.g., the starting point of the channel corresponds to a 0° closed state, and the ending point corresponds to a 135° fully open state). The arc-shaped trajectory conforms to the natural flipping path (circular motion) of the top plate around the hinge axis, avoiding the jamming or impact caused by non-arc-shaped trajectories and improving the operating feel.

[0042] Furthermore, the second connecting part 133 is configured as a fastening bolt, which passes through the guide channel 132 and is threadedly connected to the mounting box. The fastening bolt, passing through the guide channel 132 and threadedly connected to the mounting box, simultaneously serves the dual functions of a "hinged shaft" (passing through the guide channel 132) and a "fixed carrier" (threaded connection to the box). The bolt shank passes through the guide channel 132 of the first connecting part 131 (such as a connecting plate), slidingly engaging with the inner wall of the channel to form a "shaft and hole" mating pair for flipping motion; the bolt head 410 or nut connects to the threaded hole of the mounting box, providing preload by tightening the threads to rigidly fix the second connecting part 133 (bolt) to the mounting box, preventing loosening due to vibration.

[0043] The bolt shank diameter is slightly smaller than the guide channel 132 width (e.g., 10mm channel width, 9.5mm bolt diameter) to allow for sliding clearance. Additionally, an anti-loosening washer (e.g., spring washer, toothed washer) can be installed on the bolt head 410 to compensate for thread loosening caused by vibration. This further simplifies the structure and reduces costs. By tightening the bolt, the inner wall of the guide channel 132 fits tightly against the bolt shank, eliminating gaps and preventing top plate swaying caused by vibration. By controlling the bolt tightening torque, the tightness of the fit between the guide channel 132 and the bolt can be adjusted to accommodate opening and closing top plates 120 of different weights (e.g., heavy-duty top plates require increased pre-tightening force to prevent sliding and jamming, while light-duty top plates can have reduced pre-tightening force to reduce overturning resistance).

[0044] Typically, sound insulation materials, such as soundproofing panels or sound-absorbing sponges, are installed inside the enclosure 110 to reduce noise. However, the vibratory feeder 150 generates continuous high-frequency vibrations during operation. If the enclosure is placed directly on the ground, the vibrations of the vibratory feeder 150 are transmitted directly to the ground through the enclosure, causing ground resonance and resulting in noise spreading to other areas of the workshop (e.g., ground vibrations are reflected through the walls to create secondary noise). This weakens the sound insulation effect of the enclosure itself (even if the top and side panels are soundproofed, the vibration transmission from the bottom will still cause the overall noise to increase). In addition, when the enclosure is placed directly on the ground, the bottom space is enclosed, making it difficult to clean accumulated dust and oil stains. Furthermore, ground moisture can easily corrode the bottom structure of the enclosure (e.g., wooden or metal enclosures become damp, rot, or rust), shortening the equipment's lifespan.

[0045] Please see Figures 1 to 4 Therefore, the mounting box 110 also includes a support frame 140, which has a bottom for raising the mounting box, and the bottom of the support frame 140 is provided with vibration damping pads 141.

[0046] The support frame 140 can be "frame type" (such as a rectangular metal frame that surrounds the bottom edge of the box) or "support leg type" (such as four metal legs distributed at the four corners of the box). The material is high-strength steel or aluminum alloy to ensure load-bearing capacity (suitable for 50-200kg vibratory feeder 150 and box weight).

[0047] Lifting height: Usually designed to be 100-200mm, which avoids excessive lifting that could cause instability in the center of gravity of the box, and also leaves enough space at the bottom (to facilitate the insertion of cleaning tools or inspection of the bottom structure of the box).

[0048] The vibration damping foot pad 141 is made of nitrile rubber or polyurethane elastomer with a hardness of 50-70 Shore A (balancing elasticity and support), and can be embedded with a metal skeleton to enhance structural strength.

[0049] Furthermore, the bottom of the foot pad is provided with anti-slip texture (to increase friction with the ground and prevent the box from shifting during vibration), and the top is fixed to the bottom of the support frame 140 by bolts or adhesive to form an "elastic buffer layer"—when vibration is transmitted to the foot pad, the elastic material absorbs vibration energy through compression and rebound, reducing the vibration amplitude transmitted to the ground.

[0050] In addition, the raised bottom of the enclosure can be used for wiring (such as the power and control cables of the vibratory feeder 150 running through the bottom to avoid cluttered cables on the ground) or to store small tools (such as cleaning brushes and lubricants), optimizing the workshop layout. Furthermore, dust accumulation at the bottom can be cleaned without moving the enclosure, or material leaks at the bottom of the enclosure can be checked (such as material leakage from the vibratory feeder 150 hopper), improving maintenance convenience.

[0051] Furthermore, to avoid the need to frequently open and close the top plate 120 to check whether the material in the vibratory feeder 150 is sufficient or jammed, and to reduce the entry of external dust into the chamber during opening and closing, which could contaminate precision electronic components and other materials, the top plate 120 is equipped with an observation window 121. The observation window 121 is located in the central area of ​​the top plate 120, and its size is determined according to the diameter of the hopper of the vibratory feeder 150 (e.g., if the hopper diameter is 200mm, the diameter of the observation window 121 is set to 150mm), ensuring that the visible range of the material is covered. Double-layer acrylic panels (3-5mm thick) are used, with an inner anti-fog treatment (to prevent fogging caused by temperature differences inside the chamber) and an outer wear-resistant coating (to prevent scratches from frequent cleaning). The edges are fixed to the top plate with sealant to ensure sound insulation (a 5-10mm air layer can be reserved between the double-layer panels to further improve the sound insulation effect). The transparent observation window 121 allows for real-time monitoring of the remaining material and the situation of jamming, reducing the number of times the top plate is opened and closed, saving operation time, and avoiding efficiency losses caused by frequent opening and closing.

[0052] For ease of installation, the top panel 120 is provided with a window, and a transparent protective piece (acrylic sheet) is inserted into the window to form the observation window 121 provided on the top panel 120.

[0053] Furthermore, the gap between the top plate and the edge of the enclosure when closed (typically 0.5-2mm) becomes a noise transmission channel, especially under high-frequency vibration, where air vibration at the gap exacerbates noise leakage. Therefore, a sealing strip is provided at the edge of the opening 112 of the enclosure. The sealing strip, made of EPDM rubber or silicone, is fixed to the edge of the opening 112 of the enclosure (i.e., the contact surface when the top plate is closed) via a slot or adhesive backing. When closed, the top plate compresses the sealing strip, filling the gap between the top plate and the enclosure (up to 3mm), forming a sealing barrier and optimizing sound insulation and dustproof performance.

[0054] Furthermore, the clearance opening 113 is only for the straight vibrating plate of the vibrating plate 150 to pass through, and the size of the clearance opening 113 is adapted to the cross-sectional size of the straight vibrating plate. If the size of the clearance opening 113 is much larger than the straight vibrating plate, on the one hand, the noise leakage will increase; on the other hand, dust and foreign objects will easily enter. According to the installation position of the straight vibrating plate inside the box (such as below the discharge end of the vibrating plate 150), a clearance opening 113 is opened separately at the corresponding position on the side plate. The size of the clearance opening 113 is 0.5-2mm larger than the cross-sectional size of the straight vibrating plate (e.g., if the cross-section of the straight vibrating plate is 30mm×20mm, the clearance opening 113 is set to 31mm×21mm), which ensures that the straight vibrating plate can pass through smoothly while minimizing gaps.

[0055] Specifically, the accommodating space 111 can accommodate two vibratory feeders 150, and the two vibratory feeders 150 are of different sizes. The mounting box is provided with a clearance opening 113 for each vibratory feeder 150, and all clearance openings 113 have the same height and size. In order to avoid the installation of smaller vibratory feeders 150, the mounting box is also provided with a support component, which can be configured as a support seat, a support bracket, a support plate, etc.

[0056] Regarding tooling fixture 220.

[0057] In existing technologies, the tooling and turntable 210 of the traditional riveting equipment 100 adopt an integrated fixed structure, which cannot adapt to different models of heat-dissipating aluminum parts 300 and pins 400, resulting in the equipment 100 being able to produce only a single product. When it is necessary to switch product models, the entire tooling structure must be disassembled, which is time-consuming and inefficient. In addition, the traditional tooling uses an elastic positioning method, which has insufficient constraint on the workpiece. During the riveting process, vibration or external force can easily cause the relative position of the aluminum part 300 and the pin 400 to shift, resulting in a decrease in riveting accuracy.

[0058] Specifically, the tooling body 222 is detachably connected to the connecting base 221, forming a modular structure that can be quickly replaced. When the heat dissipation aluminum component 300 is installed, its bent edge is embedded in the stepped structure 223, using mechanical limiting to eliminate the risk of horizontal displacement. The protruding structure of the aluminum component positioning part 222a is inserted into the raised part of the heat dissipation aluminum component 300 to achieve axial pre-positioning. The head 410 of the pin 400 cooperates with the raised structure of the heat dissipation aluminum component 300 through the clearance opening 113, and the foot 420 is embedded in the groove of the pin positioning part 222b, forming a double-point constraint. During the riveting process, the external pressing mechanism applies vertical pressure to the aluminum component positioning part 222a, causing plastic deformation of the contact surface between the heat dissipation aluminum component 300 and the pin 400, while the stepped structure 223 provides a reverse support force, forming a rigid clamping state.

[0059] Compared to existing technologies, traditional tooling uses an integral structure, leading to difficulties in model changeover. This solution, however, utilizes a split design to enable rapid replacement of the tooling body 222, adapting to different product models. Existing technologies rely on elastic elements for positioning, which can easily result in gap misalignment. This solution achieves gapless workpiece fixation through the rigid fit between the stepped structure 223 and the positioning part. Traditional solutions lack a common positioning reference, leading to accumulated assembly deviations. This solution uses the aluminum positioning part 222a as a common axis to simultaneously constrain the relative positions of the heat dissipation aluminum part 300 and the pin 400.

[0060] Through the above technical solutions, this application achieves modular and rapid tooling changeover, shortening product changeover time. The heat dissipation aluminum component 300 eliminates the risk of horizontal displacement through mechanical positioning of the bent edge and stepped structure 223. The pin 400 effectively suppresses rotational offset during riveting through dual-point positioning of the head 410 and the foot 420. The aluminum component positioning part 222a serves as a common reference axis, ensuring the coaxiality of the heat dissipation aluminum component 300 and the pin 400 during assembly, significantly improving riveting accuracy.

[0061] Reference Figures 2 to 4 This application further proposes that the aluminum part positioning part 222a is a raised structure and the pin positioning part 222b is a groove structure.

[0062] The protruding structure refers to a rigid protrusion extending upward from the surface of the tooling body 222. It can be implemented in a columnar or block shape, with its sidewalls contacting the edge of the heat sink aluminum component 300 to form a physical engagement, eliminating horizontal displacement gaps through rigid restraint. The groove structure refers to a groove recessed into the surface of the tooling body 222, which can be implemented in a V-shaped or U-shaped cross-section. Its inner wall contacts the surface of the foot 420 of the pin 400 to form a wrapping constraint, preventing pin 400 from shifting by limiting the vertical tilt angle of the foot 420.

[0063] Specifically, the raised structure fits tightly against the bent edge of the heat sink aluminum component 300 through its sidewall, forming a rigid barrier in the horizontal direction to prevent displacement of the aluminum component 300 due to external forces or vibrations. The grooved structure provides contact support to the sides or bottom of the foot 420 of the pin 400 through its inner wall, limiting the tilt angle in the vertical direction, while the depth of the groove limits the horizontal movement range of the foot 420. The combination of the raised and grooved structures ensures that the aluminum component 300 and the pin 400 are rigidly constrained in both the horizontal and vertical directions, achieving stable positioning without relying on elastic elements.

[0064] Compared to existing technologies, traditional tooling uses elastic blocks and compression springs to apply flexible pressure to the workpiece, which is prone to positioning failure due to spring fatigue or vibration, and cannot limit vertical tilting. This solution, however, eliminates the risks of gaps and wobbling caused by elastic elements through rigid limiting of the protruding structure and enveloping constraint of the groove structure, while achieving multi-dimensional precise positioning.

[0065] Through the above technical solution, this application solves the problem of weak constraint ability of traditional elastic positioning method, so that aluminum part 300 and pin 400 maintain stable alignment during riveting, reduce riveting position deviation caused by workpiece offset, and improve riveting accuracy and product qualification rate.

[0066] This application further proposes that an aluminum part positioning part 222a and a pin positioning part 222b are provided on each of the two sides of the tooling body 222 in the width direction.

[0067] The aluminum positioning part 222a is a rigid positioning structure that mates with the heat dissipation aluminum part 300. Specifically, it can be implemented using a raised pillar, with the top plane of the raised pillar contacting the bent edge of the heat dissipation aluminum part 300 to form a vertical limiting position. The pin positioning part 222b is a guide structure that constrains the position of the pin 420. Specifically, it can be implemented using a V-groove formed by machining the surface of the bump, with the inclined sidewall of the V-groove contacting the pin 420 to form a three-point positioning.

[0068] Specifically, aluminum part positioning parts 222a and pin positioning parts 222b are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the tooling body 222 in the width direction, forming a mirror-symmetrical positioning system. When the heat dissipation aluminum part 300 is placed on the stepped structure 223, its two bent edges contact the column protrusions on both sides, forming a bidirectional constraint in the horizontal direction. The pin head 410 is embedded in the gap of the column protrusion of the aluminum part positioning part 222a, and the foot 420 falls into the V-shaped grooves on both sides at the same time, achieving self-centering through the guiding effect of the grooves on both sides. When riveting pressure is applied, the positioning parts on both sides jointly bear the external force, forming a symmetrically distributed support reaction force to prevent the workpiece from deflecting under pressure.

[0069] Through the above technical solution, this application enables the workpiece to achieve a precise pre-positioned state during the assembly stage, shortening the alignment adjustment time before riveting. It also improves the overall rigidity of the tooling, ensuring that the riveting force is evenly transmitted to the workpiece contact surface, and avoiding positioning failure caused by localized stress concentration.

[0070] Reference Figures 2 to 4 This application further proposes that the aluminum part positioning part 222a is a column protrusion, the pin positioning part 222b is a groove formed by the protrusion on the surface of the tooling body 222, and the height of the aluminum part positioning part 222a is less than the height of the pin positioning part 222b.

[0071] The column protrusion refers to a cylindrical or square rigid protrusion on the surface of the tooling body 222 used to position the heat dissipation aluminum component 300. Specifically, it can be implemented using a columnar structure matching the inner contour of the heat dissipation aluminum component 300, with its top end face forming surface contact with the bent edge of the heat dissipation aluminum component 300. The groove formed by the protrusion refers to a recessed area formed by the protrusion on the surface of the tooling body 222, specifically implemented using a V-shaped or U-shaped cross-section structure. The sidewall of the groove forms multi-directional contact constraints with the pin head 410 and the foot 420. The height of the aluminum component positioning part 222a being less than the height of the pin positioning part 222b means there is a difference in the vertical distance between the top of the column protrusion and the bottom surface of the groove. This can be achieved through a stepped structure design, creating a staggered layout between the aluminum component positioning part 222a and the pin positioning part 222b.

[0072] Specifically, the protruding column is embedded inside the bent edge of the heat dissipation aluminum component 300, and its horizontal displacement is limited by the mechanical interference between the sidewall of the protrusion and the inner wall of the aluminum component 300. The groove formed by the protrusion wraps the head 410 of the pin 400 within the groove, and the sidewall of the groove forms a circumferential constraint on the head 410 of the pin, while the bottom of the groove supports the pin foot 420. The low height of the aluminum component positioning part 222a allows the pin positioning part 222b to bear pressure after stacking, making the head 410 of the pin fit against the aluminum component 300. The staged pressing process avoids misalignment between the aluminum component 300 and the pin 400 during riveting, ensuring that the pressing force transmission path meets the assembly sequence requirements.

[0073] Compared to existing technologies, traditional tooling using elastic top blocks to position the aluminum part 300 relies solely on spring force for single-point contact constraint, which cannot effectively resist horizontal displacement caused by riveting impact. This solution enhances horizontal constraint by using a rigid column protrusion to form surface contact with the aluminum part 300. When traditional pin 400 positioning uses planar supports, the pin 400 is prone to tilting due to vibration; this solution eliminates the risk of tilting by using the groove sidewall to form a three-dimensional enclosure around the pin head 410. In traditional tooling, simultaneous pressing of the aluminum part 300 and pin 400 can easily cause interference; this solution eliminates assembly interference by using a height difference structure to achieve staged pressing.

[0074] Through the above technical solution, this application solves the problem of relative position deviation between aluminum part 300 and pin 400 during the riveting process due to insufficient positioning constraints. Multi-dimensional positioning is achieved through the three-dimensional cooperation of rigid column and groove. At the same time, the height difference design is used to optimize the pressing sequence to ensure that the positional accuracy of the workpiece after riveting meets the process requirements.

[0075] Reference Figure 1To address the issue of undetected riveting defects such as loose connections, overpressure, and misalignment during production, manual re-inspection is required to screen for defective products, which leads to low efficiency, high costs, and a significant risk of defective products leaving the site. Furthermore, the CCD vision inspection module includes an industrial camera and a light source. The lens of the industrial camera is pointed towards the riveting point of the product within the tooling fixture 220 to collect image data of the riveting point and transmit it to the control system.

[0076] Immediately after the riveting process is completed, images of the riveting points are acquired and analyzed to proactively identify defects and monitor riveting quality. Based on the inspection results, good / defective products are automatically distinguished and linked to the sorting and unloading unit for processing, preventing defective products from flowing into the next process and achieving closed-loop quality control. This replaces traditional manual visual inspection, reduces subjective errors, improves inspection consistency and efficiency, reduces worker workload and labor costs, and improves production efficiency and quality.

[0077] The CCD vision inspection module is integrated into the riveting robot 510, and is implemented in two parts: hardware components and workflow. An industrial CCD camera (1280×1024 resolution, global shutter (avoiding motion blur)) is the core imaging component, capturing high-definition images of the riveting points to ensure clear visibility of image details (such as contact edges and indentation depth). The lens focuses on the riveting area (the contact area between the aluminum workpiece and the pin 400) within the tooling fixture 220, ensuring distortion-free and focused images. A light source provides uniform and stable illumination, eliminating reflections or shadows on the riveting point surface and highlighting the contours and details of the riveting area (such as contact area boundaries and indentation depth). An image acquisition card transmits the image data captured by the camera to the control system in real time, avoiding data delays that could affect the inspection cycle. The control system (embedded industrial control board, integrating machine vision algorithms) receives and analyzes the image data, outputs good / defective product judgment results, and controls subsequent sorting actions.

[0078] The workflow is as follows: image acquisition triggering, image acquisition and transmission, image analysis and judgment, and result feedback and control.

[0079] When image acquisition is triggered: When the riveting robot 510 completes the riveting action, the robot triggers the CCD vision inspection module to start. At this time, the tooling fixture 220 is stationary (the turntable 210 is in the workstation paused state) to ensure that there is no motion blur in the image.

[0080] During image acquisition and transmission: the ring light source is turned on, and the industrial camera captures images of the riveting points in global shutter mode (exposure time is adjusted according to ambient light). The images are then transmitted to the control system via the acquisition card.

[0081] During image analysis and judgment, the control system analyzes image data using the following algorithms: Contact area detection: by identifying the contour of the contact area between pin 400 and the aluminum workpiece, the actual contact area (converted from pixel count to physical size) is calculated and compared with a preset threshold (e.g., 90%-110% of the designed contact area); Riveting depth detection: by analyzing the grayscale changes in the indentation area of ​​pin 400 (the deeper the indentation, the lower the grayscale value), and combining the calibrated depth and grayscale correspondence, the actual riveting depth is calculated and compared with a preset range (e.g., 0.2-0.5mm); Misalignment detection: by comparing the real-time image with a standard riveting template, the offset between the center of pin 400 and the preset riveting point of the aluminum workpiece is determined (e.g., allowable offset ≤0.1mm). If all parameters are within the preset range, the product is judged as "good"; if any parameter exceeds the range, the product is judged as "bad".

[0082] Compared to existing technologies, this solution replaces traditional manual re-inspection (based on 500 pieces per person per hour), reducing the number of quality inspectors by 1-2 per unit and saving approximately 100,000-200,000 RMB in labor costs annually. Compared to existing no-inspection solutions, it reduces the risk of defective products leaving the site and improves quality control. The single-piece inspection cycle (including image acquisition, transmission, and analysis) perfectly matches the equipment's production cycle (e.g., dwell time at each of the eight rotary workstations), without adding extra processing time, resulting in high inspection efficiency. Of course, 1-2 of the eight workstations can be reserved as backups.

[0083] After the CCD vision inspection module identifies a defective product, it immediately alerts the operator via audible and visual signals to avoid delays in processing. Furthermore, the sorting and unloading unit also includes an alarm device electrically connected to the CCD vision inspection module. When a defective product is detected, the alarm device emits an audible and visual alarm signal. This guides the operator to quickly locate the problematic workstation (initial workstation) using a conspicuous signal, shortening the processing time for defective products. When a defective product is detected and the alarm is triggered, both audible and visual signals are activated. For example, a buzzer starts immediately after the relay is activated and continues until the operator presses the "alarm reset" button on the control panel or the equipment is restarted after processing the defective product. A red LED warning light operates synchronously with the buzzer. This low-cost, high-reliability structure enables real-time feedback and rapid processing of production anomalies, avoiding delays in handling.

[0084] Reference Figure 5 Furthermore, the material handling robot 530 is a vacuum suction nozzle 531 type robot, which is located on the side of the turntable 210 mechanism, and its range of motion covers the unloading station of the turntable 210 and the good product storage area.

[0085] The vacuum suction gently grips aluminum workpieces (avoiding surface scratches or deformation caused by mechanical clamping), achieving stable and non-destructive gripping. Automated sorting and precise transfer are achieved through directional transport from the turntable 210 unloading station to the good product storage area, combined with CCD vision inspection results. Optimized suction cup selection and layout accommodate the gripping needs of different specifications of heat sink pins (400), improving equipment versatility and adapting to flexible production.

[0086] The vacuum nozzle 531 type material handling robot 530 is an integrated structure, mainly composed of five parts: the robot arm body, the vacuum nozzle 531 assembly, the drive system, the vacuum generator, and the control system interface, as detailed below: The robotic arm itself is a two-axis linkage robotic arm (horizontal + vertical, expandable to three axes in some scenarios), mounted on the side of the turntable 210 mechanism and fixed to the equipment base by a bracket. Horizontal movement uses a linear guide slider assembly, while vertical movement uses a precision cylinder guide shaft to reduce swaying during movement.

[0087] Combined with reference Figure 8 and Figure 9 The vacuum nozzle 531 assembly uses a suction cup with an adhesive layer, selected based on the surface characteristics of the aluminum workpiece (flat and easily scratched). It is fixed to the end of the robotic arm via a suction cup mounting plate to ensure balanced force on the workpiece during gripping (preventing tilting or detachment). The suction cup is conical, with a larger suction end area than the connecting end. The adhesive layer at the suction end is made of silicone and has multiple suction holes. A buffer connector (to absorb the impact force during gripping) and a vacuum filter (to filter impurities in the air and prevent suction cup clogging) are connected in series between the suction cup and the vacuum tubing.

[0088] The drive system uses a pneumatic cylinder; the vacuum source is a miniature oil-free vacuum pump installed inside the equipment base (connected to the suction cup assembly via piping), providing stable negative pressure. The vacuum control unit includes a vacuum solenoid valve, a vacuum pressure switch, and a vacuum breaker valve (which releases compressed air to quickly break the vacuum and prevent workpiece residue from adhering). It connects to the main control system (PLC) to receive control signals (such as "pick up," "transfer," and "release" commands) and provide feedback status signals (such as "suction cup in position," "vacuum met," and "release complete"). It is linked with the turntable 210 mechanism and the CCD vision inspection module—after the CCD determines the workpiece is good, the main control system sends a "start" signal to the robot; after the turntable 210 rotates to the unloading station and pauses, the robot begins its operation; after transfer is completed, a "complete" signal is sent, triggering the turntable 210 to enter the next cycle. This solution utilizes a silicone suction cup for flexible adsorption, leaving no indentations or scratches on the workpiece surface. It avoids the slippage problems caused by workpiece dimensional deviations in traditional mechanical clamping, enabling non-destructive, precise, and efficient sorting of 400mm riveted heat sink pins. This solves the problems of scratches, instability, and low efficiency associated with traditional unloading methods. Its compact structure, low cost, and easy maintenance, combined with an integrated feeding unit and CCD vision inspection module, significantly improve equipment production efficiency, product quality, and flexible adaptability.

[0089] The above description is merely an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model and does not limit the patent scope of the present utility model. Any equivalent structural transformations made based on the technical concept of the present utility model and the contents of the present utility model specification and drawings, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the patent protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. An automated riveting device for riveting heat-dissipating aluminum parts to pins, characterized in that, The automated riveting equipment includes: An integrated feeding unit includes a mounting box and at least two vibratory feeders disposed within the mounting box. The vibratory feeders are connected to a tooling fixture via a conveying track and are used to convey aluminum workpieces and leads respectively. A turntable mechanism includes a rotatable circular turntable and a plurality of tooling fixtures evenly distributed on the edge of the turntable. The tooling fixtures are used to position the aluminum workpiece and the pin. The turntable achieves station switching through a drive component. A riveting inspection unit is disposed above the turntable mechanism. The riveting inspection unit includes a riveting robot and a CCD vision inspection module integrated into the riveting robot. The riveting robot is used to rivet aluminum workpieces and pins within the tooling fixture. The CCD vision inspection module is used to inspect the riveting quality. The sorting and unloading unit includes a picking robot that is signal-connected to the CCD vision inspection module. The picking robot is configured to: when the CCD vision inspection module determines that the product is a good product, it will transfer the product to the good product storage area; when it determines that the product is a defective product, it will trigger an alarm and control the turntable to return to the initial station.

2. The automated riveting equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The top of the mounting box is provided with an opening, and the side plate of the mounting box is provided with a clearance opening. The discharge end of the vibratory feeder extends to the outside of the clearance opening through the inclined conveying track and docks with the tooling fixture on the edge of the turntable.

3. The automated riveting equipment as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The top of the mounting box is provided with an opening and closing top plate corresponding to the number of vibrating discs. The opening and closing top plate can be independently flipped relative to the mounting box to open or close the area above the corresponding vibrating disc, so as to expose or cover the opening.

4. The automated riveting equipment as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The mounting housing further includes a hinge mechanism, which connects the opening and closing top plate to the mounting housing. The hinge mechanism includes: The first connecting part is fixedly disposed on the opening and closing top plate; The second connecting part is fixed to the opening edge of the mounting box; wherein the first connecting part and / or the second connecting part are provided with a guide channel extending along a predetermined trajectory; and the first connecting part and the second connecting part slide relative to each other along the guide channel to drive the opening and closing top plate to flip and open around the hinge axis.

5. The automated riveting equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The number of tooling fixtures is 8, which are evenly distributed along the circumference of the turntable. The driving component is a servo motor, which is used to drive the turntable to achieve intermittent rotation.

6. The automated riveting equipment as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The tooling fixture includes: A connecting base is used to securely connect to the turntable of the riveting equipment; and The tooling body is detachably connected to the connecting base, and the size of the tooling body is smaller than the size of the connecting base so as to form a stepped structure on at least one edge of both; the heat dissipation aluminum part has a bent edge, which is placed on the stepped structure to limit its horizontal displacement; The tooling body is provided with an aluminum part positioning part and a pin positioning part; the aluminum part positioning part is used to cooperate with the heat dissipation aluminum part for pre-fixing; the pin includes a head and a foot, the head cooperates with the aluminum part positioning part for pre-fixing, and the foot is installed on the pin positioning part to achieve pre-positioning; during riveting, the heat dissipation aluminum part and the pin are pressed and fixed by the external force acting on the aluminum part positioning protrusion.

7. The automated riveting equipment as described in any one of claims 5 to 6, characterized in that, The aluminum part positioning part is a raised structure, and the pin positioning part is a groove structure.

8. The automated riveting equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The CCD vision inspection module includes an industrial camera and a light source. The lens of the industrial camera is directed toward the riveting point of the product within the tooling fixture, and is used to collect image data of the riveting point and transmit it to the control system.

9. The automated riveting equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The sorting and unloading unit also includes an alarm device, which is electrically connected to the CCD vision inspection module. When a defective product is detected, the alarm device emits an audible and visual alarm signal.

10. The automated riveting equipment as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The material handling robot is a vacuum suction type robot, which is located on the side of the turntable mechanism. Its range of motion covers the unloading station of the turntable and the good product storage area.

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