Connector rotational device

Abstract

To provide a connector rotational device capable of performing a rotational operation of a different connector, and expanding an application area.SOLUTION: A connector rotational device comprises: a first rotational module (1) that is used for the rotation of a first connector to a first predetermined direction that is different from a first initial direction from a first initial direction; a second rotational module (2) that is used for the rotation of a second connector to a second predetermined direction that is different from a second initial direction from a second initial direction; and a third rotational module (3) that is used for the rotation of the second connector to a third predetermined direction that is different from the second predetermined direction from the second predetermined direction. Both of the second rotational module and the third rotational module are arranged in parallel to a first horizontal direction (Y), and the first rotational module is separated to a vertical direction (Z) from the second and third rotational modules by a predetermined distance.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. CN202311049959.X, filed with the China National Intellectual Property Office on August 18, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a connector rotation device. [Background technology]

[0003] In the manufacturing process of a connector, the connector needs to be rotated in a predetermined direction in order to insert a cable into a socket of the connector. In the prior art, the connector rotation device can only perform one type of connector rotation operation. Therefore, the existing connector rotation device cannot be applied to the rotation operations of different connectors. This severely limits the application range of the connector rotation device. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT The present invention is directed to overcoming or alleviating at least one aspect of the above disadvantages. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to an aspect of the present invention, a connector rotation device is provided. The connector rotation device includes a first rotation module used to rotate a first connector from a first initial orientation to a first predetermined orientation different from the first initial orientation, a second rotation module used to rotate a second connector from a second initial orientation to a second predetermined orientation different from the second initial orientation, and a third rotation module used to rotate the second connector from the second predetermined orientation to a third predetermined orientation different from the second predetermined orientation. The second rotation module and the third rotation module are arranged side by side in a first horizontal direction, and the first rotation module is vertically spaced apart from the second rotation module and the third rotation module by a predetermined distance.

[0006] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a first rotation module rotates the first connector about a first axis extending along a second horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction, a second rotation module rotates the second connector about a second axis extending along the first horizontal direction, and a third rotation module rotates the second connector about a third axis extending along a vertical direction.

[0007] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when the first rotation module rotates the first connector from the first initial orientation to the first predetermined orientation, the first rotation module rotates 180 degrees about the first axis, when the second rotation module rotates the second connector from the second initial orientation to the second predetermined orientation, the second rotation module rotates 90 degrees about the second axis, and when the third rotation module rotates the second connector from the second predetermined orientation to the third predetermined orientation, the third rotation module rotates 180 degrees about the third axis.

[0008] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector rotation device further comprises a movable plate vertically movable between a first position and a second position, and the first rotation module, the second rotation module, and the third rotation module are attached to the movable plate and move together with the movable plate. When the movable plate moves to the first position, the first rotation module moves to a working position docked to a transmission channel, and the second rotation module and the third rotation module move to a non-working position away from the transmission channel, and when the movable plate moves to the second position, the first rotation module moves to a non-working position away from the transmission channel, and the second rotation module and the third rotation module move to a working position docked to the transmission channel.

[0009] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector rotation device further includes a fixed plate, a slide rail fixed to the fixed plate and extending in a vertical direction, and a slider slidably mounted on the slide rail so as to be movable along the slide rail. The movable plate is connected to the slider so as to be movable along the vertical direction together with the slider.

[0010] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector rotation device further comprises a driver mounted to the fixed plate for driving the movable plate to move between the first position and the second position.

[0011] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the driver is an electric cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, or a hydraulic cylinder.

[0012] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connector rotation device further comprises a frame to which the fixing plate is fixed.

[0013] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first rotation module includes a first carrier for loading the first connector and a first driver mounted on the movable plate, the first carrier having a first loading channel for loading the first connector, and the first driver connected to the first carrier for driving the first carrier to rotate about a first axis.

[0014] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first rotating module further includes a connection channel fixed to the movable plate, when the first carrier rotates the first connector from the first initial orientation to the first predetermined orientation, the first loading channel of the first carrier is coupled to the connection channel to allow transporting the first connector from the first loading channel to the connection channel, and when the first rotating module moves to the working position, the connection channel is coupled to the transmission channel to allow transporting the first connector from the connection channel to the transmission channel.

[0015] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first driver is a motor, and the first carrier is connected to an output shaft of the motor.

[0016] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the second rotation module includes a second carrier for loading the second connector and a second driver mounted on the movable plate, the second carrier having a second loading channel for loading the second connector, and the second driver connected to the second carrier to drive the second carrier to rotate about the second axis.

[0017] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the second rotation module further includes a mounting bracket fixed to the movable plate, and the second carrier has a pivot rotatably attached to the mounting bracket such that the second carrier can rotate about a second axis.

[0018] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the second driver is a cylinder, one end of a cylinder body of the cylinder is rotatably connected to the movable plate, and a telescopic rod of the cylinder protrudes from the other end of the cylinder body and is rotatably connected to the second carrier.

[0019] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the third rotation module includes a third carrier for loading the second connector and a third driver mounted on the movable plate, the third carrier having a third loading channel for loading the second connector, and the third driver connected to the third carrier to drive the third carrier to rotate about a third axis.

[0020] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the third rotation module further includes a mounting plate fixed to the movable plate, and the third driver is a motor and is mounted to the mounting plate, and the output shaft of the motor is connected to the third carrier.

[0021] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when the second carrier rotates the second connector from the second initial orientation to the second predetermined orientation, the second loading channel of the second carrier is coupled to the third loading channel of the third carrier to enable the second connector to be transported from the second loading channel to the third loading channel.

[0022] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when the second rotation module and the third rotation module are moved to an active position and the third rotation module rotates the second connector to a third predetermined orientation, the third loading channel is coupled to the transmission channel to enable the second connector to be transported from the third loading channel to the transmission channel.

[0023] In the above-described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the connector rotation device can perform rotational movements of different connectors, greatly expanding the application range of the connector rotation device.

[0024] These and other features of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of illustrative embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a connector rotation device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from one side; [Diagram 2] 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a connector rotation device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from another side; FIG. [Diagram 3] 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a connector rotation device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a connector rotation device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, with a first rotation module moved to an active position; [Diagram 5] 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a connector rotation device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, with a second rotation module and a third rotation module moved to an active position; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0027] In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. However, it will be apparent that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are diagrammatically shown in order to simplify the drawings.

[0028] According to a general concept of the present invention, there is provided a connector rotation device, comprising: a first rotation module used to rotate a first connector from a first initial orientation to a first predetermined orientation different from the first initial orientation; a second rotation module used to rotate a second connector from a second initial orientation to a second predetermined orientation different from the second initial orientation; and a third rotation module used to rotate the second connector from the second predetermined orientation to a third predetermined orientation different from the second predetermined orientation. The second and third rotation modules are arranged side by side in a first horizontal direction, and the first rotation module is vertically spaced apart from the second and third rotation modules by a predetermined distance.

[0029] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a connector rotation device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from one side. FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a connector rotation device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the other side. FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a connector rotation device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a connector rotation device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, with a first rotation module 1 moved to an active position. FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a connector rotation device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, with a second rotation module 2 and a third rotation module 3 moved to an active position.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a connector rotation device is disclosed. The connector rotation device includes a first rotation module 1, a second rotation module 2, and a third rotation module 3. The first rotation module 1 is used to rotate a first connector (not shown) from a first initial orientation to a first predetermined orientation different from the first initial orientation. The second rotation module 2 is used to rotate a second connector (not shown) from a second initial orientation to a second predetermined orientation different from the second initial orientation. The third rotation module 3 is used to rotate the second connector from the second predetermined orientation to a third predetermined orientation different from the second predetermined orientation.

[0031] 1 to 5, in the illustrated embodiment, the second rotation module 2 and the third rotation module 3 are arranged side by side in a first horizontal direction Y to allow the second connector to rotate in sequence. The first rotation module 1 is spaced a predetermined distance from the second rotation module 2 and the third rotation module 3 in the vertical direction Z to ensure that the first rotation module 1 does not interfere with the second rotation module 2 and the third rotation module 3 during rotation.

[0032] 1-5, in the illustrated embodiment, a first rotation module 1 rotates a first connector about a first axis, the first axis extending along a second horizontal direction X perpendicular to a first horizontal direction Y. A second rotation module 2 rotates a second connector about a second axis, the second axis extending along the first horizontal direction Y. A third rotation module 3 rotates a second connector about a third axis, the third axis extending in a vertical direction Z.

[0033] As shown in Figures 1 to 5, in the illustrated embodiment, when the first rotation module 1 rotates the first connector from a first initial orientation to a first predetermined orientation, the first rotation module 1 rotates 180 degrees around the first axis. When the second rotation module 2 rotates the second connector from a second initial orientation to a second predetermined orientation, the second rotation module 2 rotates 90 degrees around the second axis. When the third rotation module 3 rotates the second connector from the second predetermined orientation to a third predetermined orientation, the third rotation module 3 rotates 180 degrees around the third axis.

[0034] Although not shown, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the shape and size of the first connector and the second connector are the same, and the orientation of the cable socket of the first connector is different from that of the cable socket of the second connector. For example, the axial direction of the cable socket of the first connector is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first connector, and the axial direction of the cable socket of the second connector is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the second connector. The first rotation module 1 is used to rotate the cable socket of the first connector to a predetermined orientation in order to insert a cable into the cable socket of the first connector. The second rotation module 2 and the third rotation module 3 are used to rotate the cable socket of the second connector to a predetermined orientation in order to insert a cable into the cable socket of the second connector.

[0035] 1 to 5, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector rotation device further includes a movable plate 4 movable in a vertical direction Z between a first position and a second position. The first rotation module 1, the second rotation module 2, and the third rotation module 3 are attached to the movable plate 4 and move together with the movable plate 4.

[0036] As shown in Figures 1 to 5, in the illustrated embodiment, when the movable plate 4 moves to the first position (shown in Figure 4), the first rotation module 1 moves to an operating position coupled to the transmission channel 9, and the second rotation module 2 and the third rotation module 3 move to non-operating positions away from the transmission channel 9.

[0037] As shown in Figures 1 to 5, in the illustrated embodiment, when the movable plate 4 moves to the second position (shown in Figure 5), the first rotation module 1 moves to a non-operating position away from the transmission channel 9, and the second rotation module 2 and the third rotation module 3 move to operating positions coupled to the transmission channel 9.

[0038] As shown in Figures 1 to 5, in the illustrated embodiment, after rotating the first connector or the second connector, the transmission channel 9 transports the first connector or the second connector to a next processing station, such as a cable insertion station and a terminal crimping station.

[0039] 1 to 5, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector rotation device further includes a fixed plate 5, a slide rail 61, and a slider 62. The slide rail 61 is fixed to the fixed plate 5 and extends in the vertical direction Z. The slider 62 is slidably attached to the slide rail 61 and moves along the slide rail 61. The movable plate 4 is connected to the slider 62 so as to be movable along the vertical direction Z together with the slider 62.

[0040] 1-5, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector rotation device further includes a driver 8 mounted on the fixed plate 5 to drive the movable plate 4 to move between the first position and the second position. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the driver 8 may be an electric cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, or a hydraulic cylinder.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector rotating device further includes a frame 7, and the fixing plate 5 is fixed to the frame 7.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, in the illustrated embodiment, the first rotation module 1 includes a first carrier 10 and a first driver 11. The first carrier 10 is used to load a first connector. The first driver 11 is mounted on the movable plate 4. The first carrier 10 has a first loading channel 101 for loading the first connector, and the first driver 11 is connected to the first carrier 10 so as to drive the first carrier 10 to rotate around a first axis.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 , in the illustrated embodiment, the first rotating module 1 further includes a connection channel 12 fixed to the movable plate 4. When the first carrier 10 rotates the first connector from a first initial orientation to a first predetermined orientation, the first loading channel 101 of the first carrier 10 is coupled to the connection channel 12 to allow the first connector to be transported from the first loading channel 101 to the connection channel 12. When the first rotating module 1 moves to the working position, the connection channel 12 is coupled to the transmission channel 9 to allow the first connector to be transported from the connection channel 12 to the transmission channel 9.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, in the illustrated embodiment, the first driver 11 may be a motor, and the first carrier 10 is connected to the output shaft of the motor.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, in the illustrated embodiment, the second rotating module 2 includes a second carrier 20 and a second driver 21. The second carrier 20 is used to load a second connector. The second driver 21 is mounted on the movable plate 4. The second carrier 20 has a second loading channel 201 for loading the second connector, and the second driver 21 is connected to the second carrier 20 so as to drive the second carrier 20 to rotate around a second axis.

[0046] 1-5, in the illustrated embodiment, the second rotating module 2 further includes a mounting bracket 22 fixed to the movable plate 4. The second carrier 20 has a pivot 20a rotatably mounted to the mounting bracket 22 such that the second carrier 20 can rotate about a second axis.

[0047] 1 to 5, in the illustrated embodiment, the second driver 21 is a cylinder, and one end 211 of a cylinder block 210 of the cylinder is rotatably connected to the movable plate 4. A telescopic rod 212 of the cylinder protrudes from the other end of the cylinder block 210 and is rotatably connected to the second carrier 20.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, in the illustrated embodiment, the third rotation module 3 includes a third carrier 30 and a third driver 31. The third carrier 30 is used to load the second connector. The third driver 31 is mounted on the movable plate 4. The third carrier 30 has a third loading channel 301 for loading the second connector, and the third driver 31 is connected to the third carrier 30 so as to drive the third carrier 30 to rotate around a third axis.

[0049] 1 to 5 , in the illustrated embodiment, the third rotation module 3 further includes a mounting plate 32 fixed to the movable plate 4. The third driver 31 is a motor and is mounted on the mounting plate 32, and an output shaft of the motor is connected to the third carrier 30.

[0050] As shown in Figures 1 to 5, in the illustrated embodiment, when the second carrier 20 rotates the second connector from the second initial orientation to the second predetermined orientation, the second loading channel 201 of the second carrier 20 is coupled to the third loading channel 301 of the third carrier 30 to enable the second connector to be transported from the second loading channel 201 to the third loading channel 301.

[0051] As shown in Figures 1 to 5, in the illustrated embodiment, when the second rotation module 2 and the third rotation module 3 move to the operating position and the third rotation module 3 rotates the second connector to a third predetermined orientation, the third loading channel 301 is coupled to the transmission channel 9 to enable the second connector to be transported from the third loading channel 301 to the transmission channel 9.

[0052] It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the above embodiments are illustrative and not restrictive. For example, those skilled in the art can make many modifications to the above embodiments without any contradiction in structure or principle, and can freely combine various features described in different embodiments with each other.

[0053] While several exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present disclosure, the scope of which is defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

[0054] As used herein, elements described in the singular and preceded by the word "a" or "an" should be understood as not excluding a plurality of said elements or steps, unless expressly stated to the contrary. Furthermore, references to "one embodiment" of the invention are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Furthermore, unless expressly stated otherwise, embodiments "comprising" or "having" an element or elements having a particular characteristic can include additional such elements that do not have that characteristic.

Claims

1. A connector rotation device, comprising: a first rotation module (1) used to rotate a first connector from a first initial orientation to a first predetermined orientation different from the first initial orientation; a second rotation module (2) used to rotate the second connector from a second initial orientation to a second predetermined orientation different from the second initial orientation; a third rotation module (3) used to rotate the second connector from the second predetermined orientation to a third predetermined orientation different from the second predetermined orientation; Equipped with A connector rotation device, wherein the second rotation module (2) and the third rotation module (3) are arranged side by side in a first horizontal direction (Y), and the first rotation module (1) is spaced a predetermined distance from the second rotation module (2) and the third rotation module (3) in a vertical direction (Z).

2. The first rotation module (1) rotates the first connector about a first axis, the first axis extending along a second horizontal direction (X) perpendicular to the first horizontal direction (Y); 2. The connector rotation device of claim 1, wherein the second rotation module (2) rotates the second connector about a second axis extending along the first horizontal direction (Y), and the third rotation module (3) rotates the second connector about a third axis extending along the vertical direction (Z).

3. When the first rotation module (1) rotates the first connector from the first initial orientation to the first predetermined orientation, the first rotation module (1) rotates 180 degrees about the first axis; When the second rotation module (2) rotates the second connector from the second initial orientation to the second predetermined orientation, the second rotation module (2) rotates 90 degrees about the second axis; 3. The connector rotation device of claim 2, wherein when the third rotation module (3) rotates the second connector from the second predetermined orientation to the third predetermined orientation, the third rotation module (3) rotates 180 degrees around the third axis.

4. a movable plate (4) movable in the vertical direction (Z) between a first position and a second position, the first rotation module (1), the second rotation module (2), and the third rotation module (3) being attached to the movable plate (4) and moving together with the movable plate (4); When the movable plate (4) moves to the first position, the first rotating module (1) moves to an operating position coupled to a transmission channel (9), and the second rotating module (2) and the third rotating module (3) move to an inoperable position away from the transmission channel (9); 4. The connector rotation device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein when the movable plate (4) moves to the second position, the first rotation module (1) moves to a non-operating position away from the transmission channel (9), and the second rotation module (2) and the third rotation module (3) move to the operating position coupled to the transmission channel (9).

5. A fixing plate (5); a slide rail (61) fixed to the fixed plate (5) and extending in the vertical direction (Z); a slider (62) slidably attached to the slide rail (61) so as to be movable along the slide rail (61); Further equipped with 5. The connector rotation device according to claim 4, wherein the movable plate (4) is connected to the slider (62) so as to be movable together with the slider (62) along the vertical direction (Z).

6. The connector rotation device according to claim 5, further comprising a driver (8) attached to the fixed plate (5) for driving the movable plate (4) to move between the first position and the second position.

7. The connector rotation device according to claim 6, wherein the driver (8) is an electric cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder.

8. The connector rotation device according to claim 6, further comprising a frame (7) to which the fixing plate (5) is fixed.

9. The first rotating module (1) comprises: a first carrier (10) for mounting said first connector; A first driver (11) attached to the movable plate (4); Including, 5. The connector rotation device of claim 4, wherein the first carrier (10) has a first loading channel (101) for loading the first connector, and the first driver (11) is connected to the first carrier (10) to drive the first carrier (10) to rotate about the first axis.

10. The first rotating module (1) further comprises a connecting channel (12) fixed to the movable plate (4), when the first carrier (10) rotates the first connector from the first initial orientation to the first predetermined orientation, the first loading channel (101) of the first carrier (10) is coupled to the connecting channel (12) to allow the first connector to be transported from the first loading channel (101) to the connecting channel (12); 10. The connector rotation device of claim 9, wherein when the first rotation module (1) is moved to the operating position, the connection channel (12) is coupled to the transmission channel (9) to enable the first connector to be transported from the connection channel (12) to the transmission channel (9).

11. The connector rotating device of claim 9, wherein the first driver (11) is a motor, and the first carrier (10) is connected to an output shaft of the motor.

12. The second rotating module (2) comprises: a second carrier (20) for mounting said second connector; A second driver (21) attached to the movable plate (4); Including, 5. The connector rotation device of claim 4, wherein the second carrier (20) has a second loading channel (201) for loading the second connector, and the second driver (21) is connected to the second carrier (20) to drive the second carrier (20) to rotate about the second axis.

13. The second rotating module (2) further includes a mounting bracket (22) fixed to the movable plate (4); 13. The connector rotation device of claim 12, wherein the second carrier (20) has a pivot (20a) rotatably attached to the mounting bracket (22) such that the second carrier (20) can rotate about the second axis.

14. The connector rotation device of claim 13, wherein the second driver (21) is a cylinder, one end (211) of a cylinder body (210) of the cylinder is rotatably connected to the movable plate (4), and a telescopic rod (212) of the cylinder protrudes from the other end of the cylinder body (210) and is rotatably connected to the second carrier (20).

15. The third rotating module (3) comprises: a third carrier (30) for mounting said second connector; a third driver (31) attached to the movable plate (4); Including, 13. The connector rotation device of claim 12, wherein the third carrier (30) has a third loading channel (301) for loading the second connector, and the third driver (31) is connected to the third carrier (30) to drive the third carrier (30) to rotate about the third axis.

16. The third rotating module (3) further includes a mounting plate (32) fixed to the movable plate (4); 16. The connector rotation device of claim 15, wherein the third driver (31) is a motor and is mounted on the mounting plate (32), and an output shaft of the motor is connected to the third carrier (30).

17. 17. The connector rotation device of claim 16, wherein when the second carrier (20) rotates the second connector from the second initial orientation to the second predetermined orientation, the second loading channel (201) of the second carrier (20) is coupled to the third loading channel (301) of the third carrier (30) to enable the second connector to be transported from the second loading channel (201) to the third loading channel (301).

18. 18. The connector rotation device of claim 17, wherein when the second rotation module (2) and the third rotation module (3) move to the operating position and the third rotation module (3) rotates the second connector to the third predetermined orientation, the third loading channel (301) is coupled to the transmission channel (9) to enable the second connector to be transported from the third loading channel (301) to the transmission channel (9).

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