Patent Publication Number: US-2022219912-A1

Title: General Platform For Processing Workpiece

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No. CN202110039481.7 filed on Jan. 12, 2021 in the State Intellectual Property Office of China, the whole disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates to workpiece processing, and more particularly, to a general platform for processing a variety of workpieces. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A variety of workpieces or products, such as conductive terminals for electrical connectors, are generally processed with various processing machines or processing platforms. Presently, existing processing machines or processing platforms are dedicated to a specific processes and products. These machines and platforms are not conducive to flexible switching configurations, limiting their usefulness to specific applications. Therefore, the compatibility or universality of conventional processing machines or processing platforms for various products or workpieces with different types or specifications is poor, and improved solutions are desired. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a platform for processing a workpiece includes a transmission mechanism, a plurality of workstations and a plurality of movable vehicles. The transmission mechanism transports the workpiece to be processed to one of the plurality of workstations. Each movable vehicle includes a processing module and a docking interface adapted to connect with a docking station of each workstation. The movable vehicles are each adapted to move in and out of each workstation, and each processing module is adapted to process the workpiece transmitted to the workstation after the movable vehicle is moved in and positioned in the workstation. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying Figures, of which: 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view schematically showing an arrangement of a general platform for processing a workpiece according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view schematically showing an arrangement of a part of a general platform for processing a workpiece according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a docking station in a workstation of a general platform for workpiece processing according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are schematic diagrams showing the operation of moving a movable vehicle of a general platform for workpiece processing into a workstation according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view schematically showing an arrangement of a workstation, a movable vehicle and a transmission mechanism of a general platform for workpiece processing according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram schematically showing an arrangement of a control system of a general platform for workpiece processing according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 7  is a block diagram schematically showing a switching configuration of a movable vehicle of a general platform for workpiece processing according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described hereinafter in detail with reference to the attached drawings, wherein the like reference numerals refer to the like elements. The present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiment set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. 
     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. It will be apparent, however, that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are schematically shown in order to simplify the drawing. 
     According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a general platform for processing a workpiece includes a transmission mechanism for transmitting a workpiece to be processed. A plurality of workstations are associated with the transmission mechanism, wherein the workpiece to be processed is transported by the transmission mechanism to the workstation. A plurality of movable vehicles are provided, with each adapted to move in and out of each workstation and equipped with a processing module. The processing module is configured to process the workpiece transmitted to the workstation after the movable vehicle is moved in and positioned in the workstation. Each workstation comprises a docking station, and each movable vehicle comprises a docking interface suitable for connecting with the docking station of each workstation. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the general platform can be arranged on a variety of product production lines for performing a variety of processing operations or processing operations on a variety of workpieces to obtain desired products, such as conductive terminals of various types or specifications (for example, various contours or shapes, sizes, etc.) for electrical connectors. For the conductive terminals, the processing operation or processing process of the workpiece may include the stamping and/or bending process of the metal strip by a stamping machine or die, electroplating process, inspection operation, packaging, molding and/or assembly, etc. These different processing operations or processes can be completed on a general platform according to embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the general platform for workpiece processing according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a transmission mechanism  100 , a plurality of workstations  200  and a plurality of movable vehicles  300 . The transmission mechanism  100  is used to load the workpiece to be processed, so as to transmit the workpiece between the workstations  200  according to the workpiece processing requirements. As an example, the transmission mechanism  100  may include a conveyor belt  110  and a workpiece carrying device  120  positioned on the conveyor belt  110 . The conveyor belt may include, for example, an annular conveyor belt or a linear conveyor belt. The workpiece carrying device  120  is used to carry the workpiece to be processed and move with the conveyor belt  110  to transfer the workpiece to the destination workstation according to the processing requirements. For example, the workpiece carrying device can be various forms of workpiece carriers, such as pallets or loading fixtures. The plurality of workstations  200  are associated with the transmission mechanism  100 . In one embodiment, the plurality of workstations  200  are arranged or positioned near the transmission mechanism  100  along the transmission mechanism  100  to receive the workpiece to be processed transmitted by the transmission mechanism. 
     In an exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure, the general platform includes or is compatible with a plurality of movable vehicles  300 , each of which can move in and out of one or more workstations  200 , or even all workstations, and is equipped with a processing module (such as processing module  301 ,  302 , see  FIGS. 4A to 5 ). The processing module can be operated under the control of the control system or the operator to process the workpiece transmitted to the workstation after the movable vehicle  300  is moved into and positioned in the corresponding workstation  200 . 
     The processing module may include various forms of workpiece processing machines, such as punching machine, electroplating device, inspection device, molding machine, assembly device, etc., and different processing modules can be selected or configured according to the processing requirements of the workpiece. For example, the processing module can be removably installed on the movable vehicle to be replaced by different processing modules when necessary. At least some of the processing modules carried by the movable vehicle are suitable for processing the workpiece with different processing operations, or for performing different processing operations on the same production line. For example, in terminal manufacturing, one or more processing modules are suitable for stamping the workpiece, another one or more processing modules are suitable for bending the workpiece, another one or more processing modules are suitable for electroplating the workpiece, etc. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in  FIG. 2 , each workstation  200  includes a docking station  220 , and each movable vehicle includes a docking interface  320  suitable for connecting with the docking stations  220  of multiple or even all workstations, so as to realize the positioning of the movable vehicle in the workstation through the connection between the docking interface  320  and the docking station  220 . For example, the docking interface of each movable vehicle includes a general interface with the same specification (e.g., the same size, connection standard, function, etc.), which is suitable for connecting with the docking station of each workstation, which facilitates the exchange/replacement of each movable vehicle and its processing module between different workstations. Thus, according to different workpiece processing requirements, appropriate processing modules can be selected to be carried on the movable vehicle to realize different workpiece processing operations, which greatly improves the universality, layout flexibility and process compatibility of the workpiece processing platform. As will be described below, the docking interface is suitable for mechanical and/or electrical connection with the docking station in order to realize the positioning of the movable vehicle in the workstation, power supply to the processing module, signal communication/data transmission, etc. Although a single docking interface on the movable vehicle is shown in the illustrated embodiment, it will be understood that each movable vehicle or its processing module can be provided with one or more discrete or integrated docking interfaces, and each docking interface can realize different connection functions. Accordingly, each workstation can also be equipped with one or more docking stations. 
     As an example, a plurality of movable vehicles can be the same, such as having the same size, contour, structure, etc., so that they can be easily moved in and out of each workstation, which can further reduce the cost and simplify the platform layout, and the movable vehicles can carry various types of processing modules, which can further improve the scalability of the platform. The movable vehicle can be moved into or out of the workstation, or exchanged or replaced in the workstation in a variety of ways.  FIG. 4A  shows an operation example of the movable vehicle moving into the workstation of the general platform for workpiece processing according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, and  FIG. 4B  shows a state in which the movable vehicle has been moved into the workstation. As shown in the figure, the workstation  200  may also include a frame  210 , which is arranged adjacent to the transmission mechanism  100  and defines the workpiece processing area. One side of the frame  210  away from the transmission mechanism  100  is provided with an entrance  201 . When the entrance  201  is opened, the movable vehicle  300  can move into the workstation  200  under the control of the control system or be pushed into the workstation  200  by the operator, as shown by the arrow. Some or all of the movable vehicles  300  can be equipped with different processing modules  301  and  302  to perform different processing operations on the same or different workpieces in different workstations. 
       FIGS. 4A, 4B and 5  also illustrate different positioning arrangements of the transmission mechanism of the general platform relative to the workstation according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the conveyor belt  110  is positioned outside the workstation  200 , and the movable vehicle  300  may be provided with a receiving device  330  for receiving the workpiece carrying device  120  transmitted by the conveyor belt  110  or receiving the workpiece, so that the processing modules  301 ,  302  carried by the movable vehicle  300  located in the workstation  200  can process the workpiece located in the receiving device  330 . Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the conveyor belt  110  may be configured to pass through each workstation  200  so that the processing module located in the workstation  200  can directly process the workpiece carried by the workpiece carrying device  120  positioned on the conveyor belt  110 . After the processing is completed, the workpiece is directly taken away by the conveyor belt to leave or enter the next workstation, so as to save time. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 6 and 7 , the general platform according to the embodiment of the present disclosure also includes a main control system  101 , which communicates with the transmission mechanism  100 , the workstation  200  or its docking station  220  at least. In some examples, the main control system  101  may also communicate directly or indirectly (such as wired or wireless communication) with the movable vehicle  300  or the processing module carried thereon in order to control the operation related to the processing of the workpiece. The main control system can be realized by a variety of suitable controllers, processors and other hardware. It can be located at or near the general platform for workpiece processing, such as integrated on the platform control station, or remotely located or set in a remote control room. For example, the main control system can perform various control operations, such as controlling the movable vehicle to move in or out of the workstation, controlling the docking station of the workstation to connect to or disconnect from the docking interface of the movable vehicle moved into the workstation, controlling the transmission mechanism to transfer the workpiece to be processed to the corresponding workstation, and/or controlling the processing module carried by the movable vehicle moved into the workstation to process the workpiece, etc. It should be understood that these control operations can be automatically performed by the main control system based on the program preset or field programmed according to the desired workpiece processing process, or based on the instructions of the operator. In addition, one or more of these operations can also be manually controlled or performed by the operator. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the main control system  101  can communicate with one or more movable vehicles C 1 -C 20  through wired or wireless networks to facilitate the implementation or control of the arrangement and exchange of the movable vehicles, the processing of workpieces at the workstation by the processing module carried by the movable vehicle, etc. It should be understood that this communication can be realized through the connection between the docking station of the workstation and the docking interface of the movable vehicle, or by other wired or wireless communication methods. 
     The connection between the docking station of the workstation and the docking interface of the movable vehicle may include mechanical connection, electrical connection, signal connection and/or power connection. As an example, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the docking station  220  may include or implement at least one of the mechanical connection interface  221 , the signal interface  222  and the power interface  223 . The mechanical connection interface  221  may be used for mechanical connection with the docking interface to position the movable vehicle  300  moved into the workstation in the workstation  200 . The signal interface  222  is used for signal/data communication connection with the docking interface  320  to enable the main control system  101  to communicate with the movable vehicle and/or the processing module carried on it via the signal interface  222  and the docking interface  320 , such as the communication or transmission of processing control signals, processing operation signals, processing parameters, vehicle code, etc. It is understood that the signal interface can be a wired or wireless interface. The power interface  223  may be used to provide the processing module with the power required to process the workpiece via the docking interface, such as mechanical power (e.g., pneumatic power, hydraulic power, etc.) and/or electrical power (e.g., a power supply to the processing module). 
     The docking station  220  may also include other devices  224 , such as a memory for storing various signals, processing operation data performed by the processing module, process parameters for processing workpieces, codes for identifying the movable vehicles or the processing modules, etc. For example, through the connection between the docking station of the workstation and the docking interface of the movable vehicle, the main control system can obtain the vehicle code from the movable vehicle moved into the workstation or assign the vehicle code to the movable vehicle moved into the workstation. At least the movable vehicle moved into the workstation and the processing module carried on it are associated with the workpiece and the processing operation to be carried out on the workpiece. As an example, as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the vehicle code may include a unique vehicle identification code (vehicle identification codes ID 1 , ID 2 , ID 3 , ID 4 , ID 5  . . . ) associated with the movable vehicle moved into the workstation (movable vehicles C 1 , C 2 , C 3 , C 4 , C 5  . . . ). The vehicle address associated with the arrangement position of the movable vehicle in the workstation (vehicle addresses IP 01 , IP 02 , IP 03  . . . ) as shown in the figure, the unique processing module identification code associated with the processing module carried by the movable vehicle moved into the workstation, and/or information related to the processing of the workpiece by the processing module, etc. It should be understood that according to various conditions, such as the specific processing module carried by the movable vehicle, the processing operation that the processing module can perform, the processing operation or processing process to be carried out on the workpiece, etc., the vehicle code can be set or assigned by the main control system, or by the sub control system of the movable vehicle or the processing module itself, or by the operator as required. 
       FIG. 7  shows an exchange example of a movable vehicle of a general platform for workpiece processing according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in the figure, at least three movable vehicles C 1 , C 2  and C 3  are respectively moved into the workstations. For example, the movable vehicle C 1  can be equipped with a processing module for performing the first workpiece processing operation (such as blanking), the movable vehicle C 2  can be equipped with a processing module for performing the second workpiece processing operation (such as bending), and the movable vehicle C 3  may be equipped with a processing module for performing a third workpiece processing operation (such as electroplating). 
     In a processing process, the movable vehicles C 1 , C 2  and C 3  are arranged in this order, and have vehicle identification codes ID 1 , ID 2  and ID 3  and vehicle addresses IP 01 , IP 02  and IP 03  respectively, so as to process the workpiece in this order; In another processing procedure, different processing sequences may be adopted. For example, the arrangement positions of the movable vehicles C 1  and C 2  can be exchanged. At this time, the movable vehicles C 2 , C 1  and C 3  are arranged in this order and have the vehicle identification codes ID 2 , ID 1  and ID 3  and the vehicle addresses IP 01 , IP 02  and IP 03  respectively, and then the workpiece is processed in this order. It can be understood that in other examples, the vehicle identification code and/or vehicle address can be changed according to the specific processing process, or the processing sequence can also not correspond to the arrangement sequence of the movable vehicle, for example, it can be distributed or randomly assigned. 
     The general platform according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can run in a variety of modes. As an example, in the first mode, according to the processing requirements of the workpiece, the operator or the main control system carries out the arrangement or layout of the movable vehicles and the processing modules carried on them along the transmission mechanism according to the received processing related input information. The main control system or operator provides the first configuration scheme related to the arrangement or layout, and provides a second configuration scheme related to the processing operations to be performed on the workpieces by the processing modules. In this way, the movable vehicles and the processing modules carried on them are respectively positioned in the workstations according to the first configuration scheme, and each processing module performs the corresponding processing operation on the workpiece according to the second configuration scheme. In this mode, the main control system can identify the movable vehicle positioned in each workstation and its processing module through the vehicle code. The main control system transmits the processing parameters related to the processing operation performed on the workpiece to the corresponding processing module according to the second configuration scheme through the connection between the docking station and the docking interface or through other wired or wireless communication methods. In the alternative, the processing module downloads the processing parameters related to it from the main control system according to the second configuration scheme. 
     In the second mode, each movable vehicle or its processing module can be equipped with a sub control system, which can generate a configuration scheme related to the processing operation to be performed on the workpiece by the processing module in the sub control system. The configuration scheme can include processing parameters, and the main control system receives the configuration scheme after the movable vehicle is positioned in the workstation. According to the configuration scheme, the transmission mechanism is controlled to transmit the workpiece to the workstation, and the processing module carried by the movable vehicle is controlled to process the workpiece. In this mode, the main control system can also identify the movable vehicle positioned in each workstation and its processing module through the vehicle code, and receive the configuration scheme including processing parameters generated in the sub control system through the connection between the docking station and the docking interface or through other wired or wireless communication methods. The main control system or the sub control system itself can control the processing module to process the workpiece based on the processing parameters. In addition, in this mode, the arrangement or layout of the movable vehicles and the processing modules along the transmission mechanism can also be carried out in the main control system according to the processing requirements of the workpiece. 
     In the third mode, in the main control system, a third configuration scheme related to the processing operation to be performed on the workpiece by one or more processing modules is generated according to the processing requirements of the workpiece. A fourth configuration scheme related to the processing operation that can be performed on the workpiece by the processing module is generated in the sub control system of the movable vehicle or the processing module carried on it. The fourth configuration scheme may include processing parameters corresponding to the processing operation that can be performed on the workpiece by the processing module. After the movable vehicle is positioned in the workstation, the main control system receives the fourth configuration scheme and determines whether the processing operation represented by the fourth configuration scheme is at least part of the processing operation represented by the third configuration scheme. That is, determine whether the processing module can participate in the processing of the workpiece, if so, it can determine or control the processing module carried by the movable vehicle to process the workpiece. 
     In addition, those areas in which it is believed that those of ordinary skill in the art are familiar, have not been described herein in order not to unnecessarily obscure the invention described. Accordingly, it has to be understood that the invention is not to be limited by the specific illustrative embodiments, but only by the scope of the appended claims. 
     It should be appreciated for those skilled in this art that the above embodiments are intended to be illustrated, and not restrictive. For example, many modifications may be made to the above embodiments by those skilled in this art, and various features described in different embodiments may be freely combined with each other without conflicting in configuration or principle. 
     Although several exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the disclosure, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents. 
     As used herein, an element recited in the singular and proceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural of the elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional such elements not having that property.