A cap assembling machine

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of pen cap assembly machines, pen cap includes pen cover, pen clip and inner lining, pen clip has insertion end, the pen cap assembly machine is used to rivet pen clip and pen cap as a whole, and insert inner lining into pen cover cavity, the assembly machine includes: pen cover placement unit, for placing pen cover in predetermined direction on clamp;Pen clip placement unit is arranged downstream of the pen cover placement unit, for placing pen clip on pen cover, the insertion end of pen clip is towards pen cover center direction;Riveting unit is arranged downstream of the pen clip placement unit, for pressing pen clip to make the insertion end of pen clip pass through pen cover and enter the cavity of pen cover, by the pressure that pen clip is applied to in pen cover inside and outside, make pen clip be pressed and mounted to the final mating position with pen cover and rivet fixed;And inner lining placement unit, for inserting inner lining into pen cover cavity.The utility model improves the assembly efficiency of pen cap.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of automation equipment technology, specifically to a pen cap assembly machine. Background Technology

[0002] A pen, as an important writing tool, consists not only of the refill and barrel, but also, crucially, of the cap. The cap protects the nib, prevents the ink from drying out, and provides a convenient and secure hold via a clip. A common pen cap structure includes a cap, a clip for securing it, and an inner liner placed inside the cap cavity for sealing or cushioning.

[0003] Traditional pen cap assembly relies heavily on manual labor or semi-automatic equipment. The typical process involves first securing the clip to the outside of the cap using press-fitting or riveting, then inserting the inner liner into the cap cavity. However, this traditional assembly method has several drawbacks. First, if the clip is riveted first, its insertion end will protrude or deform within the cap cavity, severely hindering the subsequent insertion of the inner liner. This can lead to improper assembly, wrinkles, or even damage, resulting in a low yield rate. Second, the assembly process is fragmented, requiring multiple workstations or operators, resulting in low automation, low production efficiency, high labor costs, and difficulty in ensuring consistent product quality.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need in this field for a well-designed pen cap assembly machine that is highly automated and can effectively resolve the aforementioned process conflicts, so as to achieve fully automated assembly of pen cap components with high efficiency and high yield. Utility Model Content

[0005] To address the problems of low efficiency in existing pen cap assembly technology, this utility model provides a pen cap assembly machine that can significantly improve production efficiency and product yield.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides a pen cap assembly machine. The pen cap includes a pen cover, a pen clip, and an inner liner. The pen clip has an insertion end. The pen cap assembly machine is used to rivet the pen clip and the pen cap together and insert the inner liner into the cavity of the pen cover. The assembly machine includes: A pen cap placement unit is used to place a pen cap on a fixture in a predetermined orientation; A pen clip placement unit is located downstream of the pen cap placement unit and is used to place the pen clip on the pen cap, with the insertion end of the pen clip facing the center of the pen cap. A riveting unit, located downstream of the pen clip placement unit, is used to press the pen clip so that its insertion end passes through the pen cap and enters the cavity of the pen cap. By applying pressure to the pen clip inside and outside the pen cap, the pen clip is pressed into its final mating position with the pen cap and riveted in place. The liner placement unit is used to insert the liner into the pen cap cavity.

[0007] By adopting the above technical solution, multiple processes such as pen cap placement, inner liner placement, pen clip placement and riveting are integrated into one machine and completed automatically and continuously, which greatly improves assembly efficiency. At the same time, through reasonable process arrangement and precise positioning, mutual interference between components during the assembly process is effectively avoided, ensuring product consistency and yield.

[0008] Furthermore, the pen cap placement unit includes: Pen cap delivery track, used to transport pen caps; Assembly rails are used to receive and position pen caps to be placed into the fixture; and The grippers are used to transfer pen caps one by one from the conveyor rail to the assembly rail. The conveying track and the assembly track are arranged alternately.

[0009] By adopting the above technical solution, the space is set up more reasonably through the cooperation of the staggered tracks and grippers, which provides space for the pen cap driving component to push the pen cap in the assembly track into the fixture. This realizes a smooth transition and shift of pen cap from batch conveying to precise positioning assembly, and provides an accurate reference position for subsequent processes.

[0010] Furthermore, the pen cap conveying track and the assembly track are arranged in parallel, and the pen cap placement unit also includes a pen cap drive for pushing the pen cap located on the assembly track into the fixture.

[0011] By adopting the above technical solution, the layout of parallel tracks saves the lateral space of the equipment and facilitates the transfer of pen caps between the two. The dedicated pen cap drive component enables the pen cap to be linearly propelled from the assembly track to the fixture, with precise and reliable operation and a compact structure.

[0012] Furthermore, the assembly track is provided with a groove to avoid the gripper, so that the gripper can place the pen cap on the bottom surface of the assembly track after gripping it.

[0013] By adopting the above technical solution, the groove design ensures that the gripper can place the pen cap stably on the bottom surface of the assembly track, avoiding the pen cap from falling, colliding, tipping over, or shifting in position during the transfer and placement process, thus ensuring positioning accuracy.

[0014] Furthermore, the riveting unit includes an inner riveting joint and an outer riveting joint, the inner riveting joint being configured to extend into the cavity of the pen cap and apply pressure to the insertion end of the pen clip from the inside, and the outer riveting joint being configured to apply pressure to the main body of the pen clip from the outside of the pen cap.

[0015] By adopting the above technical solution, the pen clip is pressed from both the inner and outer sides of the pen cap simultaneously through the synergistic effect of the inner and outer riveting joints, ensuring the force balance during the riveting process. This allows the insertion end of the pen clip to pass smoothly through the pen cap and undergo plastic deformation, thereby achieving a firm riveting fixation and avoiding pen cap cracking or pen clip tilting that may be caused by unilateral force.

[0016] Furthermore, the inner riveting joint has a riveting plane for the insertion end of the pen clip to abut against deformation during the riveting process.

[0017] By adopting the above technical solution, the flat riveting plane provides uniform support for the deformation of the pen clip insertion end, allowing it to be stably thickened or flattened to form a reliable mechanical snap, thereby enhancing the strength and stability of the riveting.

[0018] Furthermore, the external riveting joint has a curved surface that conforms to the shape of the pen clip so that the pen clip is subjected to uniform force during the riveting process.

[0019] By adopting the above technical solution and the curved surface design that fits the shape of the pen clip, the pressure can be evenly transmitted to the entire contact surface of the pen clip, effectively preventing the pen clip surface from being crushed or deformed due to stress concentration, and ensuring the appearance quality of the product.

[0020] Furthermore, the liner placement unit includes: Liner conveyor track, used to transport the lining; A transfer plate, located at the end of the lining conveyor track, has a transfer hole. The transfer plate is rotatable, allowing the transfer hole to switch between a receiving position and a pressing position. When in the receiving position, the transfer hole engages with the lining conveyor track to receive the lining. The push rod, corresponding to the pressing station, is used to push out the liner located in the transition hole and press it into the cavity of the pen cap. The angle between the length direction of the push rod and the length direction of the liner conveying track is not zero.

[0021] By adopting the above technical solution, the transfer plate, as a transfer mechanism, cleverly changes the conveying direction of the inner liner, so that the inner liner can be received from one direction and pressed into the pen cap from another direction. This solves the spatial layout problem of inconsistent linear conveying and assembly directions, making the overall layout of the equipment more flexible and compact.

[0022] Furthermore, the cross-sectional dimension of the push rod is smaller than the dimension of the adapter hole, and the push rod passes through the adapter hole to push out the liner inside the adapter hole and press it into the cavity of the pen cap.

[0023] By adopting the above technical solution, the design of the push rod passing through the adapter hole realizes the uninterrupted ejection of the inner liner. The pushing path is direct and smooth, avoiding unnecessary friction or collision to the adapter plate or inner liner, and ensuring that the inner liner can be straightly embedded into the bottom of the pen cap cavity.

[0024] Furthermore, the length direction of the push rod is perpendicular to the length direction of the inner lining conveying track.

[0025] By adopting the above technical solution, the vertical layout is one of the embodiments of optimal space utilization. It minimizes the space occupied by the unit in the conveying direction, making the equipment layout more reasonable and shortening the production line length.

[0026] In summary, this application has at least one of the following beneficial technical effects: 1. By optimizing the assembly process and spatial layout, efficient and fully automated continuous assembly of pen cap components was achieved, significantly improving production efficiency and avoiding assembly interference between parts, thus ensuring a high yield rate.

[0027] 2. The design of the riveting unit with internal and external coordination is adopted. Through the cooperation of the internal and external riveting joints with specific shapes, the riveting process of the pen clip is uniform and stable, the riveting point is firm and reliable, and the appearance of the pen cap and pen clip is not damaged.

[0028] 3. By utilizing ingenious mechanisms such as adapter plates, the problem of switching between conveying and pressing directions for small components such as inner linings is effectively solved, making the overall structure of the equipment more compact and reducing the complexity and manufacturing cost of the equipment. Attached Figure Description

[0029] 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 embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0030] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the pen cap structure; Figure 2 This is a structural diagram showing the disassembled state of the pen cap; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the pen cap assembly machine of this application; Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of the pen cap placement unit; Figure 5 This is a structural diagram of the pen clip placement unit; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the riveting unit. Figure 7 for Figure 7 Enlarged diagram of area A in the middle; Figure 8 This is a structural schematic diagram of the inner lining placement unit; Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the lining unit.

[0031] Figure label: 1. Pen cap; 11. Pen cover; 12. Pen clip; 121. Insertion end; 13. Liner; 2. Clamp; 3. Pen cap placement unit; 31. Pen cap conveying track; 32. Pen cap gripper; 33. Assembly track; 331. Groove; 34. Pen cap drive component; 4. Pen clip placement unit; 41. Pen clip conveying track; 42. Pen clip gripper; 5. Riveting unit; 51. Inner riveting joint; 511. Riveting plane; 52. Outer riveting joint; 521. Riveting curved surface; 6. Liner placement unit; 61. Liner conveying track; 62. Adapter plate; 621. Adapter hole; 63. Push rod; 7. Turntable. Detailed Implementation

[0032] 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 protection scope of the present utility model.

[0033] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0034] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0035] The technical solutions of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, the features in the following embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0036] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 The pen cap 1 includes a pen cap 11, a pen clip 12, and an inner liner 13. The pen clip 12 has an insertion end 121 with a sharp point that can pierce the side wall of the pen cap 11. The inner liner 13 is inserted into the cavity inside the pen cap 11.

[0037] Please see Figures 3-9 This embodiment discloses a pen cap 1 assembly machine for riveting a pen clip 12 to a pen cap 1 and inserting an inner liner 13 into the cavity of the pen cap 11. The assembly machine includes a rotatable turntable 7, a fixture 2 fixed on the turntable 7, a pen cap placement unit 3, a pen clip placement unit 4, a riveting unit 5, and an inner liner placement unit 6. These units are arranged sequentially according to the process flow to form a continuous production line. The turntable 7 rotates according to a set rhythm to transfer the fixture 2, which has been assembled in the previous process, to the next process.

[0038] Please see Figure 3 and Figure 4 The pen cap placement unit 3 is used to place the pen caps 11 on the fixture 2 in a predetermined direction. The pen cap placement unit 3 includes a pen cap conveying track 31, an assembly track 33, and pen cap grippers 32. The pen cap conveying track 31 is used to convey the pen caps 11 in a single row, and can use a vibratory feeder or belt conveyor to ensure that the pen caps 11 are conveyed in a uniform orientation. The assembly track 33 is used to receive and position the pen caps 11 to be placed in the fixture 2, and is staggered with the conveying track, usually arranged in a parallel vertical arrangement. The pen cap grippers 32 are used to transfer the pen caps 11 one by one from the conveying track to the assembly track 33. The grippers can be pneumatically or servo-driven to ensure pick-and-place accuracy. To facilitate the operation of the pen cap grippers 32, the assembly track 33 is provided with grooves 331 to avoid the grippers, so that after the grippers pick up the pen caps 11, they can place the pen caps 11 stably on the bottom surface of the assembly track 33. The pen cap placement unit 3 is also equipped with a pen cap drive 34, which is used to push the pen cap 11 located on the assembly track 33 into the fixture 2. The drive can be a cylinder or an electric push rod. The pen cap drive 34 is located below the pen cap conveying track 31 and is arranged parallel to the pen cap assembly track 33, which facilitates pushing the pen cap 11 in the pen cap assembly track 33 out of the track and into the fixture 2.

[0039] In practical implementation, the arrangement of the pen cap conveying track 31 and the assembly track 33 can adopt various variations, such as an inclined staggered layout to save space. The pen cap gripper 32 can be selected to use a vacuum suction cup instead of a mechanical gripper, depending on the surface characteristics of the pen cap 11, which is particularly suitable for picking up and placing pen caps 11 with smooth surfaces. An optical sensor can be added to the assembly track 33 to detect the orientation of the pen cap 11 and ensure that the placement direction is correct.

[0040] Please see Figure 5The pen clip placement unit 4 is located downstream of the pen cap placement unit 3. It is used to place the pen clip 12 on the pen cap, with the insertion end 121 of the pen clip 12 facing the center of the pen cap. This unit typically includes a vibratory feeding device for the pen clip 12 and a robotic arm picking and placing mechanism. The vibratory feeder is used to orient the pen clip 12 and guide it into the pen clip conveying track 41. The pen clip gripper 42 at the end of the robotic arm is used to grasp the pen clip 12 and accurately place it in the predetermined position on the pen cap. To ensure placement accuracy, a visual positioning system can be added to the pen clip placement unit 4. The camera identifies the position of the pen cap and automatically adjusts the placement angle of the pen clip 12.

[0041] In practical implementation, the pen clip placement unit 4 can be designed with a rotating placement mechanism to adapt to the installation requirements of pen clips 12 at different angles. A multi-station parallel placement method can also be adopted to improve production efficiency. For pen clips 12 with special shapes, custom-made clamping fixtures can be used to ensure stable handling.

[0042] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 The riveting unit 5 is located downstream of the pen clip placement unit 4 and is used to apply pressure to the pen clip 12 so that the insertion end 121 of the pen clip 12 passes through the pen cap 11 and enters the cavity of the pen cap 11. This unit includes an inner riveting joint 51 and an outer riveting joint 52. The pen clip 12 is riveted and fixed by the coordinated pressure from the inner and outer riveting joints 51 and 52. The inner riveting joint 51 is configured to extend into the cavity of the pen cap 11 and has a taper. It abuts and applies pressure to the insertion end 121 of the pen clip 12 from the inside. Its end has a riveting plane 511, which deforms the insertion end 121 of the pen clip 12 during the riveting process. The outer riveting joint 52 is configured to apply pressure to the main body of the pen clip 12 from the outside of the pen cap 11. It has a riveting curved surface 521 that conforms to the shape of the pen clip 12, ensuring that the pen clip 12 is subjected to uniform force during the riveting process. To improve riveting quality, a pressure sensor can be equipped in the riveting unit 5 to monitor the riveting force in real time and ensure consistent riveting quality.

[0043] In practical implementation, the inner riveting joint 51 of the riveting unit 5 can be designed as a multi-segment telescopic structure to adapt to pen cap cavities of different depths. The outer riveting joint 52 can be equipped with a heating device to promote plastic deformation of the pen cap by locally heating the pen clip 12, thereby improving the riveting strength. Alternatively, ultrasonic riveting can be used, where high-frequency vibration locally melts the insertion end 121 of the pen clip 12 to form the riveting joint. This alternative is suitable for pen clips 12 made of special materials.

[0044] Please see Figure 8 and Figure 9The inner liner placement unit 6 is used to insert the inner liner 13 into the cavity of the pen cap, and includes an inner liner conveying track 61, a transfer plate 62, and a push rod 63. The inner liner conveying track 61 is used to convey the inner liner 13, and usually adopts a combination of a vibratory feeder and a linear track conveying method. The transfer plate 62 is located at the end of the inner liner conveying track 61, and has a transfer hole 621 on it. The transfer plate 62 can rotate so that the transfer hole 621 can switch between the receiving position at the end of the inner liner conveying track 61 and the pressing position at the end of the push rod 63: when it is in the receiving position, the transfer hole 621 aligns with the inner liner conveying track 61 to receive the inner liner 13; when it is in the pressing position, the push rod 63 pushes out the inner liner 13 located in the transfer hole 621 and presses it into the cavity of the pen cap 11. The angle between the length direction of the push rod 63 and the length direction of the inner liner conveying track 61 is not zero, and in this embodiment, they are arranged vertically. The cross-sectional dimension of the push rod 63 is smaller than that of the adapter hole 621 but larger than that of the inner hole of the liner 13, so it can pass smoothly through the adapter hole 621 to complete the pressing operation of the liner 13.

[0045] In practical implementation, the adapter plate 62 of the inner liner placement unit 6 can be designed as a multi-station structure to process multiple inner liners 13 simultaneously, improving production efficiency. The push rod 63 mechanism can adopt an oblique pushing method to adapt to different insertion angles of the pen cap 11 and the inner liner 13. A pre-clamping mechanism for the inner liner 13 can also be added to initially fix the inner liner 13 before the push rod 63 is pressed in, preventing deviation during the pressing process. For inner liners 13 with special requirements, a rotation pressing method can be used to ensure proper installation by rotating and pressing simultaneously.

[0046] The overall control system can employ a PLC programmable controller to coordinate the timing of actions in each unit, ensuring continuous and stable operation during assembly. A human-machine interface can be added for parameter setting and equipment status monitoring. A quality inspection station can also be introduced, using a vision system to automatically inspect riveting quality and the installation position of the inner liner. To improve equipment adaptability, it can be adapted to assemble different models of pen caps by changing the fixtures and adjusting the track width. The equipment can also be equipped with an intelligent energy-saving system that automatically reduces air pressure and drive power during idle periods.

[0047] This article uses specific examples to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this utility model. The descriptions of the above embodiments are only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of this utility model. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made to this utility model without departing from the principles of this utility model, and these improvements and modifications also fall within the protection scope of the claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. A pen cap assembly machine, wherein the pen cap includes a pen cover, a pen clip, and an inner liner, the pen clip having an insertion end, the pen cap assembly machine being used to rivet the pen clip and the pen cap together, and to insert the inner liner into the cavity of the pen cover, characterized in that, The assembly machine includes: A pen cap placement unit is used to place a pen cap on a fixture in a predetermined orientation; A pen clip placement unit is located downstream of the pen cap placement unit and is used to place the pen clip on the pen cap, with the insertion end of the pen clip facing the center of the pen cap. A riveting unit, located downstream of the pen clip placement unit, is used to press the pen clip so that its insertion end passes through the pen cap and enters the cavity of the pen cap. By applying pressure to the pen clip inside and outside the pen cap, the pen clip is pressed into its final mating position with the pen cap and riveted in place. The liner placement unit is used to insert the liner into the pen cap cavity.

2. The pen cap assembly machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pen cap placement unit includes: Pen cap delivery track, used to transport pen caps; Assembly rails are used to receive and position pen caps to be placed into the fixture; and The grippers are used to transfer pen caps one by one from the conveyor rail to the assembly rail. The conveying track and the assembly track are arranged alternately.

3. The pen cap assembly machine according to claim 2, characterized in that, The pen cap conveying track and the assembly track are arranged in parallel. The pen cap placement unit also includes a pen cap drive for pushing the pen cap located on the assembly track into the fixture.

4. The pen cap assembly machine according to claim 2, characterized in that, The assembly track is provided with a groove to avoid the gripper, so that the gripper can place the pen cap on the bottom surface of the assembly track after it has gripped it.

5. The pen cap assembly machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The riveting unit includes an inner riveting joint and an outer riveting joint. The inner riveting joint is configured to extend into the cavity of the pen cap and apply pressure to the insertion end of the pen clip from the inside. The outer riveting joint is configured to apply pressure to the main body of the pen clip from the outside of the pen cap.

6. The pen cap assembly machine according to claim 5, characterized in that, The internal riveting joint has a riveting plane for the insertion end of the pen clip to abut against deformation during the riveting process.

7. The pen cap assembly machine according to claim 5, characterized in that, The external riveting joint has a curved surface that conforms to the shape of the pen clip so that the pen clip is subjected to uniform force during the riveting process.

8. The pen cap assembly machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The liner placement unit includes: Liner conveyor track, used to transport the lining; A transfer plate, located at the end of the lining conveyor track, has a transfer hole. The transfer plate is rotatable, allowing the transfer hole to switch between a receiving position and a pressing position. When in the receiving position, the transfer hole engages with the lining conveyor track to receive the lining. The push rod, corresponding to the pressing station, is used to push out the liner located in the transition hole and press it into the cavity of the pen cap. The angle between the length direction of the push rod and the length direction of the liner conveying track is not zero.

9. The pen cap assembly machine according to claim 8, characterized in that, The cross-sectional dimension of the push rod is smaller than the dimension of the adapter hole. The push rod passes through the adapter hole to push out the inner liner inside the adapter hole and press it into the cavity of the pen cap.

10. The pen cap assembly machine according to claim 8, characterized in that, The length direction of the push rod is perpendicular to the length direction of the inner lining conveying track.

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