Patent Application
20070074388
This invention relates to an auto-assembling system and, more particularly to an auto-assembling system for small and thin devices which uses to auto-assemble and collect the assembling frames and covers of the small shell devices.
Generally speaking, the mobile phone components can be divided into four categories: active devices, passive devices, mechanism, and functional devices. In view of the mobile phone, the active devices (briefly, which can perform the power-on/off function) have three main component vendors: (1) IC related, like Baseband IC or RF IC, audio and video IC; (2) Panel; (3) OLED. Passive devices include: resistors, capacitor (MLCC), inductor, antenna, filter, and oscillator. In Mechanism (performing the mechanical procedure is called mechanical devices) is not only provided smoothly but also have the cooperation opportunities with international companies. Regarding the functional devices, which include batteries, electrical voice products and lens, are more popular in market Taiwan outstanding performance. Although the lens manufactures were been attention by market during the digital still camera was on the way, it was also out-performance when the mobile phone camera is going to replace the digital still camera lens. However, the multimedia AJV mobile phone ramp-up to push the hand-free phone set volume can grow up further.
The global mobile phone sales volume is very significance, according USA market research institute report on April 2004 to estimate the global sales will be around 6 billion to 6.20 billion volume in year 2004. One of the market survey company, iSuppli, to predict the global mobile phone sales volume will be 6.7 billion. The global mobile phone continued to grow until September 2004, that two of analytic institutes Gartner and IDC to re-predict the sales volume from 6.2 billion and 5.96 billion up to 6.5 billion and 6.49 billion units. Therefore, according two market analytic institutes Gartner and IDC prediction, the global mobile phone growth rate from the original 19.23% and 7.89% up to 25% and 20.56%. In the other word, the mobile phone sales volume is much better than predicted volume in 2004. Moreover, the global mobile phone sales status in 2005, whatever, in view of the mobile phone users exchanged, new area market prediction, each research institute estimation and international mobile phone manufactures prediction to indicate the global mobile phone will continue to grow up and growth rate will be 5˜10% or so.
Although Taiwan companies already have the manufacture capability at those related industries; however, the most of market are still dominated by international big manufactures. Come with the Taiwan consumer products growing, the mobile phone assembly industries are still important market. With the mobile phone volume up, the previous employee should not be enough to handle, in order to maintain the certain employee and the efficient of productivity, the assembly technique needs to upgrade from the labor to auto assembly. The assembly flow becomes automatic system to make one labor to handle at least two assembly lines. Not only to reduce the labor resource, also to increase the assembly speed per unit.
So far, the Taiwan mobile phone market is growing, the anti-magnetic devices requested is increasing day after day. For the trend of future, the whole device process from manufacture, quality assurance and assembly need to be combined with automatic transportation equipment to meet the mass production and reduce the manufacture cost criterions. This automatic concept needs to match the current market strategy to reduce the labor cost, shrinking the manufacture plant area and avoiding the career damage event occurrence.
However, it not only used a vacuum cup to inhale the anti-magnetic device in China mobile phone devices assembly manufacture, also used the high accurate mechanical arms to move in the air to make the downward pushing and assembly effect. Due to the mechanical arms need to reach to the 3D dimension accurate control, the whole control system includes the software and hardware equipment, plus the vacuum inhale equipment which cost is too expensive for the media or small size enterprise to invest.
Hereinbefore, this invention pertains to provide one auto-assembling system to meet the criterions, more particularly, for the small shell devices auto-assembling to improve the whole productivity efficiency. It is able to use the auto-assembling system of the assemble lines to apply for different devices certain quantity production, also to solve the labor and high cost problems.
While the present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with some practice embodiments. Moreover, it needs to pay more attention not only on these fully illustration but also this invention can be executed on a broad range embodiments. Furthermore, this invention is not limited by hereinbefore embodiments, it needs to depend on range of the patent claimed.
This invention discloses an auto-assembling system to assemble the frames and covers for the small shell devices.
Another purpose of this invention is to provide one auto-assembling system to combine the control circuit to control the transportation and assemble the frames and covers to assemble the small shell devices; it can also collect the frames and covers composition more efficient.
One more purpose of this invention is to provide an auto-assembling system, it is not only to increase the frames and covers assembly yield rate, also can reduce the equipment cost and improve the productivity and efficient.
This invention discloses an auto-assembling system for small shell devices, it includes the first transportation apparatus, the second transportation apparatus, the first driving module, the second driving module, the power assemble module and control circuit. Both of the first and second transportation apparatus used to transport the frames or covers, and the first transportation apparatus has a first transportation belt, the second transportation apparatus having a second transportation belt, besides the first transportation apparatus is configured on the second transportation apparatus. The first driving module configured on the first transportation component responsive to the first transportation apparatus for driving the frames or covers which transported by the first transportation apparatus to an assemble area along a slide path. The second driving module configured on the second transportation component responsive to the second transportation apparatus for driving the frames or covers transported by the second transportation apparatus to an assemble section along a track, it makes the frames and covers match roughly. The power assemble module configured on the end of the first transportation component and the second transportation component responsive to the assemble section for vertically, downwardly pressing the frames and covers to assemble the matching frames and covers. The control circuit connects the first transportation apparatus, the second transportation apparatus, the first driving module, the second driving module and power assemble module.
This invention discloses an auto-assembling system for small shell devices, it includes the power assemble module and control circuit to drive and assemble the frames and covers of the small shell devices to reach the automatic assemble effect. The said auto-assembling system for small shell devices includes a slide way, a track, the first transportation apparatus, the second transportation apparatus, the first driving module, the second driving module, the power assemble module and control circuit. The said track and slide way have left, right and inside handrails. The first transportation apparatus including first transportation belt for transporting the frame and cover of the device to a slide way. The second transportation apparatus including second transportation belt for transporting the frame and cover of the device to a track, wherein the first transportation apparatus is configured on the second transportation apparatus. The first driving module drives the frames and covers which transported by the first transportation apparatus to an assemble area along a slide way. The second driving module drives the frames or covers which transported by the second transportation apparatus to an assemble section along a track, it makes the frames and covers match roughly, and the first transportation apparatus is configured on the second transportation apparatus. The power assemble module configured on the end of the first transportation component and the second transportation component used to vertically pressing the frames and covers downwardly to assemble the matching frames and covers. The control circuit connects the first transportation apparatus, the second transportation apparatus, the first driving module, the second driving module and power assemble module.
Some of the purposes and advantages of the invention have been fully stated, others will be more fully understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Some sample embodiments of the invention will now be described in greater detail. Nevertheless, it should be recognized that the present invention can be practiced in a wide range of other embodiments besides those explicitly described, and the scope of the present invention is expressly not limited expect as specified in the accompanying claims. Then, the components of the different elements are not shown to scale. Some dimensions of the related components are exaggerated and meaningless portions are not drawn to provide clearer description and comprehension of the present invention.
Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings,
Referring to
Referring now to
In one embodiment, the first driving module 58 includes the first small type high speed motor 21, the speed of the first motor 21 may be reduced by the first decelerated apparatus 24, the first decelerated apparatus 24 is connected to the first gear 25 (one of each at left and right side) by the transmission shaft 23, and the first gear 25 connects the first rack 20 of the left handrail 40 and right handrail 30 which assembled in the slide path 11, and then, the first driving module 58 turns the motion of the first gear 25 from the orbital motion into a straight-line motion to drive the first driving module 50 moving back and forth. Therefore, the first decelerated apparatus 24 is incorporated to prevent the first motor 21 from being over-speed to deliver the frames 36 or covers 37 to the right position. Further, switch sensors 63 can be adapted between two sides of the first rack 20 for detecting the back and forth motion range of the first driving module 58.
In another embodiment, the first driving module 58 connects a block 22. For example, the first driving module 50 driving the block 22, which makes the first driving module 58 stays close on the surface of slide way 11 because of the gravity, it can also deliver the frames 36 or covers 37 along the slide path 11 and make sure to drive the frames 36 or covers 37 to the right position. After that, the first driving module 50 will return to the original position. The driving module may be set to repeat the back and forth motion to deliver the frame 36 or covers 37.
In one embodiment, the small shell auto-assembling system 10 includes few sensors 44, which are used to detect each apparatus motion range of the system. For example, the sensor 44 includes the metal conductive sensor 61, the switch sensor 62 and photo interrupter sensor 63.
In another embodiment, the switch sensor 62 and photo interrupter sensor 63 are located in the two sides of the first rack 20 on the right handrail 39 of the slide path 11. The switch sensor 62 is a contact type; the photo interrupter sensor 63 is a contact-less type, which is able to drive the first driving module 50 to the predetermined position.
Referring to
Please refer to
In one embodiment, the second driving module 59 is used to push the sticker 60 to deliver the frames 36 or covers 37 to the track 18 by the second transportation apparatus, which makes the frames 36 and covers 37 to engage roughly, subsequently, the engaged frames 36 and covers 37 are delivered into the assemble section 12. Right after that, the driving sticker 60 will be back to the original position, and it can also deliver the frames 36 or covers 37 by the back-and-forth motion.
In another embodiment, the operation principle of the second driving module 59 is descried below. The second motor 26 connects to the gear and the second decelerated apparatus 27, the output transmission shaft of the second decelerated apparatus 27 connects to the second gear 28, the second gear 28 actuates the second rack 29, and the second rack 29 connects to the driving sticker 60. The second driving module 59 turns the motion of the second gear 28 from orbital motion into straight-line so as to make the driving sticker 60 deliver the frames 36 or covers 37 by back-and-forth motion. A photo interrupter sensor 62 (contact-less type sensor) can be installed on the side of the second rack 29 for reaching the accurate coordinate. For example, the small shell devices of auto-assembling system 10 is able to replace the different length of the driving sticker 60 to match the various types of the frames 36 or covers 37 which have the different length requirement.
In another embodiment, While the second transportation apparatus 33 delivers the frames 36 or covers 37 to the track 18, it will actuate the second driving module 59 due to the metal conductive sensor 61 is been touched. The second driving module 59 used the second motor 26, the second decelerated apparatus 27, the second gear 28, the second rack 29, and the driving sticker 60 to push the frames 36 or covers 37 to move left, in the other word, it changes the frames 36 or covers 37 original direction to 90 degree angle to make the frames 36 and covers 37 match roughly, and push the matching frames 36 and covers 37 into an assemble section 12 along the track 18. After that, the driving sticker will return to original position, it can also move back-and forth to push the frames 36 or covers 37.
Referring to
In one embodiment, the third rack 53 is connected to a joint 54; the joint 54 is connected a pressing cubic mold 55. For example, the joint 54 is a circle joint which is used to adjust the range of rotating to reduce the assemble errors during the power assemble module 14 pressing downwardly to cause the unbalance of pressure on the frames 36 or covers 37. Between the pressing cubic mold 55 and the rack 53, it forms a free degree by the spherical joint 54, which can reduce the assemble errors from each direction during assembling the frames 36 and covers 37.
In another embodiment, when the frames 36 or covers 37 passes the photo interrupter sensor 62 on the inner handrail 40 of the track 18, it will start the power assemble module 14. For example, the power assemble module 14 drives the pressing cubic mold 55 and presses downwardly the matching frames 36 and covers 37 in the assemble section 12 for assembling the frames 36 and covers 37, and then, the third rack 53 will drive the pressing cubic mold 55 back to its original position.
For example, the third motor 50 employs the third decelerated apparatus 51 to reduce the speed, the output port of the third decelerated apparatus 51 connects the third gear 52. The third gear 52 is next connected to the third rack 53. The third rack 53 is constrained by the rack holder 49 such that the third gear 52 can only moves up and down. The spherical joint 54 that connects to the third rack 53 and the pressing cubic mold 55 can provide the free degree of spinning for both of the elements 53 and 55. The power assemble module 14 includes a switch sensor 63 (contact type sensor) to detect the motion range of the third rack 53, which can control the up and down motion range of the pressing cubic mold 55.
According the motor power (P), angle velocity (ω), and torque (T), the relationship of three can be expressed as T=P/ω; the power unit is watt (W), or N*m/s, the angle velocity unit is rad/s, while the torque is N*m. In one embodiment, the principle of third decelerated apparatus 51 is used to decelerate the third motor 50 with high rotating speed through the arrangement of gear set (for example: spur gear, worm, worm gear, star gear). Namely, the torque of output may be increased compared to the input (the third motor 50 rotating in high speed) through proper ratio of decelerating (for example, if the rotating speed is reduced to 1/100 of the original rotating speed while the torque will be raised to 100 times of the torque corresponding to the original rotating speed). Therefore, the third decelerating apparatus 51 can control the pressure applied by the pressing cubic mold 55 using the linear relation between the rotating speed and the torque, thereby prevent the third motor 50 from being over-speed to impact the frames 36 and the covers 37.
For example, the power source of the pressing cubic mold 55 is provided by a third motor 50 in high-speed small type. The third decelerated apparatus 51 is used to decelerate the third motor 50, and the torque (twisted force) is amplified at the same time. The output shaft of the third decelerated apparatus 51 connects to the third gear 52, while the third gear 52 connects to the third rack 53. In the embodiment, the third rack 53 is connected to the pressing cubic mold 55 through the spherical joint 54. In spite of the wear (such as friction) during the transportation process, the pressing cubic mold 55 can receive the final output torque.
Referring to
As shown in
In on embodiment, the auto-assembling system 10 for small shell includes a switch sensor 63 located inside of an assemble section 12 for enabling the stirring sticker 46, and stirring the combination of the frames 36 and covers 37 into collecting plate 38. Then, the stirring sticker 46 returns to the original location.
As shown in
Referring to
In one embodiment, when the spiral shaft 42 connecting the left handrail 40 and the inside handrail 41 is rotated, it can change the width between inside handrail 41 and the right handrail 39 for adjusting roughly, and covering the spring 43 on the spiral shaft 42 for buffering adjustment, to adapt to transporting the frames 36 and covers 37 of different types and sizes.
In another embodiment, spring 43 is a compressible spring, passing through the spiral shaft 42, when the frames 36 and covers 37 slightly slide into slide path 11 or track 18, they can be adjusted in real time by compressing spring 43, for decreasing the friction of the forward motion of frames 36 and covers 37. For example, when the mismatch of sizes of frames 36 and covers 37 are greater than a standard value, the compressing degree of spring 43 is higher, and when the errors of sizes of frames 36 and covers 37 are less than a standard value, the compressing degree is lower.
In another embodiment, the auto-assembling system 10 for small shell includes micrometer caliper (micrometer) located inside of left handrail 40 of slide path 11. For example, micrometer connects left handrail 40 by using the output shaft, when the scale turntable is rotated, the width of slide path 11 will be changed for fine tuning. In another word, the micrometer caliper can also be used for adjusting the width track 18.
For example, the position accuracy and measuring accuracy of a general micrometer caliper is 0.02 mm (50 sections per circular, proceed 1 mm for every circle, so the accuracy=1 mm/50=0.02 mm). Therefore, when the output shaft of micrometer caliper locates outside the left handrail 40 that connects to inside handrail 41, the rotating-scale plate will be rotated for fine-tuning the width of the slide way 11 and track 18, to enhance the accuracy of positioning.
In one embodiment, the inside handrail 41 of the slide path 11 may adjust the width of the slide path 11 by a spiral shaft 42, spring 43 and screw cap, and may adjust the width of slide path 11 or change slide path 11 or 18 to be wider in the top portion and narrower in the bottom portion. On the other hand, the opening of input frames 36 or covers 37 are wider, and the output opening is smaller, thereby constructing a shape of V-shape, which may help the frames 36 or covers 37 to slide into the slide path 11 or track 18. In another embodiment, the narrower width of the output can decrease the sliding-down accelerate of frames 36 and covers 37, and avoid over-speed during sliding down and not reaching the predicted place.
For example, when frames 36 and covers 37 matches at first step, the constrained effect may be induced by inside handrail 41 and right handrail 39. On the other hands, when the frames 36 slide into slide way 11, the left side and right side (in Y axis direction) are constrained by inside handrail 41 and right handrail 39, and covers 37 are constrained by the same way in track 18. In one embodiment, aligning the y-axis of slide way 11 and track 18 to make sure that the frames 36 and covers 37 are combining at first step.
As shown in
Referring to
Referring to
In another embodiment, the auto-assembling system 10 for small shell can change the height of holder of slide path 11 to change the tilting angle. For different tilting angle, the first driving module 58 can change the width and longitude of block 22 to maintain the center of gravity of the first driving module 58 within the auto-assembling system 10 for small shell. For example, when the tilting angles are increasing, the longitudes of block 22 are needed to be longer, so that the center of gravity of the first driving module 58 falls behind the first driving module 58; when the widths of the frames 36 or covers 37 are narrower, the widths of the block 22 should also be decreased (less than the widths of frames 36 and covers 37), then block 22 can be placed inside the slide way 11.
In one embodiment, control circuit 15 includes a microprocessor 8051 for process control. For example, a single-chip microprocessor 8051 arranges with resistors, capacitors, conductors, oscillators, LED lights, serial ports, relays, invertors and sensors.
In an embodiment, the auto-assembling system 10 for small shell does not use high class non-contact sensors (for example, lasers or infrared sensors), and neither uses expansive electric controlled device such as: data acquisition card or PLC controller, because the maintaining cost of these expansive devices are higher than self-manufactured electrical circuit. In one embodiment, the circuit is arranged mainly not to interfere with the function of auto-assembling system 10, and by using the open space of the apparatus, the circuits are pulled to outside to connect the circuit board through a spiral hole, and without bothering the motion of parts. Therefore, for the cost of manufacturing the apparatus, sensors (for example: sensor types, or adjusting size error in real time) are contact-type sensor to decrease the cost and increase the maintaining convenient.
According to the present invention, the control circuit 14 is applied to control the first transporting apparatus 32 to transport frames 36 and the second transporting apparatus 33 to transport covers 37, and the first transporting apparatus 32 and the second transporting apparatus 33 can be controlled to enable or stop, periodically, for every frame 36 and every cover 37 to slide into slide path 1 and track 18, avoiding more than two frames and covers 37 driving and disordering the order.
Referring to
Subsequently, in step 78 of “assembling the approximate combined frames and covers”, when the photo interrupters sensor 62 in track 18 enables power assemble module 14, using the third rack 53 to drive the pressing cubic mold 55 to press downwardly and vertically the frames 36 and covers 37 in section 12, to assemble the combination of frames 36 and covers 37, after the pressing cubic mold 55 moves back to the original position. On the other hand, the pressing cubic mold 55 connecting by the power assemble module 14 presses downwardly and vertically to the assemble section 12 and can move forward and backward. Then, in step 79 of “stirring into collecting plate with stirring sticker”, the switch sensor 63 in assembling area enable the stirring sticker 46 to stir the combination of frames 36 and covers 37 into collecting plate 38. Finally, in step 80 of “collecting the combination of frames and covers”, the stirring sticker 46 helps to collect the combination of frames 36 and covers 37 effectively, and then the stirring sticker 46 moves back to original position. When the pressing cubic mold 55 moves back to original position, the photo interrupter sensor 62 in power assemble system 14 enables metal conductive sensor 61, to re-assemble frames 36 and covers 37, and comes to auto-assemble effect.
The advantages of The small shell auto-assembling system 10 according to the present invention are as follows: (1) aligning one degree of freedom along one direction at a time to simplify the complexity of system structure; (2) the adjustable handrails are suitable for every kind of frames and covers to enhance the applicability; (3) adjusting the error of position mechanically to reduce the high cost of high precession equipments; (4) parallel connecting multiple auto-assemble machine to increase the productivity and efficiency; (5) controlled by single-chip and control circuit in place of expansive controlling system, to reduce the cost of producing, and maintaining.
Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made without departing from what is intended to be limited solely by the appended claims.
