US20150327598A1

US20150327598A1 - Assembling apparatus and assembling method for assembling electrode connector of electronic cigarette

Info

Publication number: US20150327598A1
Application number: US14/809,587
Authority: US
Inventors: Zhiyong Xiang
Original assignee: Kimree Hi-Tech Inc
Current assignee: Kimree Hi-Tech Inc
Priority date: 2014-05-16
Filing date: 2015-07-27
Publication date: 2015-11-19
Also published as: CN107107287B; WO2015172385A1; CN107107287A

Abstract

An assembling apparatus and an assembling method for automatically assembling an electrode connector of an electronic cigarette are provided according to the present application. The assembling apparatus includes a rotating disk, a rotating disk driving device, material fixing seats, a first material sensing area, a sensor, a material picking arm and a controller. The electrode connector of the electronic cigarette may be assembled automatically by the material picking arm, which reduces the labor efforts and improves the efficiency and also saves the cost. Further, during the assembling operation, the material picking arms picks up the material and places the material on the material fixing seat to achieve the assembling operation, thereby improving the precision during the assembling operation, and avoiding material wastage caused by inaccurate operation or excessive force being applied, and further avoiding unnecessary waste.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation under 35 U.S.C. §120 of PCT/CN2014/077679, filed May 16, 2014, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates to the technical field of electronic cigarettes, and particularly to an assembling apparatus and an assembling method for automatically assembling an electrode connector of an electronic cigarette.

BACKGROUND

Referring to FIG. 1, an electronic cigarette in the conventional technology includes an atomizer 110 for atomizing cigarette liquid to form smoke to be inhaled by a user, and a battery rod assembly 120 for supplying power to the atomizer 110. The atomizer 110 is provided with an atomizer electrode connector having atomizer electrodes, and the battery rod assembly is provided with a battery rod electrode connector having battery rod electrodes. The atomizer electrode connector is connected to the battery rod electrode connector, to realize the electrical connection between the atomizer electrodes and the battery rod electrodes, that is, the mechanical connection and electrical connection between the atomizer 110 and the battery rod assembly 120 are achieved by the connection between the atomizer electrode connector and the battery rod electrode connector which act as electrode connectors of the electronic cigarette.
The atomizer electrode connector includes an outer electrode 111, an inner electrode 112 inserted in the outer electrode 111, and an insulating ring 113 located between the outer electrode 111 and the inner electrode 112. The battery rod electrode connector includes an outer electrode 121, an inner electrode 122 inserted in the outer electrode 121, and an insulating ring 123 located between the outer electrode 121 and the inner electrode 122.
In the conventional technology, the electrode connectors of the electronic cigarette are generally assembled manually on an assembly line, and the whole assembly line of the electrode connectors of the electronic cigarette requires three to four workers.
The conventional manual assembly is relatively slow, has a low efficiency and a huge waste of labor, which results in a large consumption of production cost, and a certain risk to the sanitation of finished products. Furthermore, if the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette is contaminated, the normal power supply of the battery rod assembly 120 to the atomizer 110 will be adversely affected. In addition, the conventional assembly has a poor precision, and materials are apt to be damaged during assembling operation, which causes waste of materials and a high production cost. Further, in an assembled electrode connector of the electronic cigarette, the materials are mounted loosely, which may adversely affect the service life of the electronic cigarette and the user experience.

SUMMARY

An assembling apparatus and an assembling method for automatically assembling an electrode connector of an electronic cigarette are provided according to the present application.
An assembling apparatus for assembling an electrode connector of an electronic cigarette includes a rotatable rotating disk, a rotating disk driving device, material fixing seats, a first material sensing area, a sensor, a material picking arm and a controller. The material fixing seats are arranged on the rotating disk and surrounding the rotating disk. The rotating disk is drivably connected to the rotating disk driving device, to allow the rotating disk driving device to drive the rotating disk to rotate. The sensor is provided in the first material sensing area, to allow the sensor to generate a triggering signal in the case that the sensor senses that a material is located in the first material sensing area. The controller is electrically connected to each of the sensor, the material picking arm, and the rotating disk driving device, to allow the controller to control the material picking arm according to the triggering signal to pick up the material and place the material on the material fixing seat.
The assembling apparatus further includes a material vibrating disk, on which the material is to be placed, and a material guide rail. The material vibrating disk is configured to vibrate and deliver the material, to allow the material to move to the material guide rail in a preset state, and the preset state of the material is a state that an axis of a hollow portion of each material is perpendicular to a plane on which the material vibrating disk is located. The material guide rail is arranged between the material vibrating disk and the rotating disk, and is configured to continue to deliver the material delivered by the material vibrating disk in a direction towards the rotating disk. The first material sensing area is located at an end, close to the rotating disk, of the material guide rail. The material guide rail is provided with a material blocking valve configured to fix the material in the first material sensing area.
In the assembling apparatus, the material includes an outer electrode, an inner electrode configured to be inserted into the outer electrode, and an insulating ring configured to be inserted between the outer electrode and the inner electrode. The material vibrating disk includes an outer electrode material vibrating disk on which the outer electrode is to be placed, an insulating ring material vibrating disk on which the insulating ring is to be placed, and an inner electrode material vibrating disk on which the inner electrode is to be placed. The material guide rail includes an outer electrode material guide rail configured to cooperate with the outer electrode material vibrating disk, an insulating ring material guide rail configured to cooperate with the insulating ring material vibrating disk, and an inner electrode material guide rail configured to cooperate with the inner electrode material vibrating disk. The material picking arm includes an insulating ring picking arm, a first grasping arm configured to grasp the outer electrode, and a second grasping arm configured to grasp the inner electrode.
In the assembling apparatus, a top end of the insulating ring picking arm is provided with an abutting sleeve, and a needle made of an elastic material, the needle is insertedly connected to the abutting sleeve and is movable with respect to the abutting sleeve, the diameter of the needle is larger than the diameter of a hollow portion of the insulating ring, to allow the needle to be in interference fit with the hollow portion of the insulating ring in the case that the needle is pressed into the hollow portion of the insulating ring when the insulating ring picking arm picks up the insulating ring. An elastic mechanism is arranged inside the abutting sleeve, and is connected to each of the abutting sleeve and the needle, to allow the needle to move towards the elastic mechanism in the case that the needle abuts against the material fixing seat, till the needle is disengaged from the insulating ring.
In the assembling apparatus, at least two clamping sub-arms in cooperation with each other are extending from a top end of each of the first grasping arm and the second grasping arm. A clamping driving mechanism is arranged at an end of each of the first grasping arm and the second grasping arm and is connected to the plurality of respective clamping sub-arms, and the clamping driving mechanism is connected to the controller, to allow the clamping driving mechanism, under the control of the controller, to control the plurality of respective clamping sub-arms to move towards each other or away from each other, to allow the clamping sub-arms moving away from each other to clamp the material.
In any one of the above-described assembling apparatus, the insulating ring material vibrating disk, the outer electrode material vibrating disk and the inner electrode material vibrating disk are sequentially arranged in a direction of rotation of the rotating disk; and the insulating ring picking arm, the first grasping arm and the second grasping arm are sequentially arranged in a direction of rotation of the rotating disk.
In the assembling apparatus, a first sub-seat, a second sub-seat and a third sub-seat are coaxially and fixedly provided on the material fixing seat, and are arranged sequentially in a direction away from the rotating disk. Each of the first sub-seat, the second sub-seat and the third sub-seat has a cylindrical shape, and the diameters of the first sub-seat, the second sub-seat and the third sub-seat are reduced in order. The second sub-seat is configured to match with a hollow portion of the insulating ring, to allow the insulating ring picking arm to sleeve the insulating ring on the second sub-seat. The first sub-seat is configured to match with a hollow portion of the outer electrode, to allow the first grasping arm to sleeve the outer electrode on the first sub-seat. The third sub-seat is configured to match with a hollow portion of the inner electrode, to allow the second grasping arm to sleeve the inner electrode on the third sub-seat.
The assembling apparatus further includes a first pressing arm, a third grasping arm, and a second pressing arm. The first pressing arm is configured to press the outer electrode and the insulating ring located on the material fixing seat, to allow the outer electrode and the insulating ring to be fixed with respect to each other. The third grasping arm is configured to lift up the outer electrode and the insulating ring located on the material fixing seat and fixed with respect to each other, to allow the outer electrode and the insulating ring to move to a preset position, and the third grasping arm is further configured to sleeve the outer electrode and the insulating ring, both of which has moved to the preset position, on the material fixing seat on which the inner electrode is sleeved, to form the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette. The second pressing arm configured to press the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette. Wherein the insulating ring picking arm, the first grasping arm, the first pressing arm, the third grasping arm, the second grasping arm, and the second pressing arm are sequentially arranged in the direction of rotation of the rotating disk; and the preset position is between the second grasping arm and the second pressing arm in the direction of rotation of the rotating disk.
The assembling apparatus further includes a first support column and a second support column. Each of the first support column and the second support column is arranged under the rotating disk, and the first support column is located at a position corresponding to the first pressing arm, and the second support column is located a position corresponding to the second pressing arm; and the first support column is configured to push the rotating disk upwards to balance the rotating disk in the case that the material fixing seat rotates to a position below the first pressing arm, and the second support column is configured to push the rotating disk upwards to balance the rotating disk in the case that the material fixing seat rotates to a position below the second pressing arm.
In any one of the above-described assembling apparatus, the inner electrode material vibrating disk, the insulating ring material vibrating disk, and the outer electrode material vibrating disk are sequentially arranged in a direction of rotation of the rotating disk; and the second grasping arm, the insulating ring picking arm and the first grasping arm are sequentially arranged in the direction of rotation of the rotating disk.
In the assembling apparatus, a cylindrical magnetic column made of magnetic material is provided inside the material fixing seat, and the diameter of the magnetic column is equal to the diameter of the inner electrode; and a subsidiary magnetic column is arranged at a top end of the magnetic column and is configured to match with a hollow portion of the inner electrode, to allow the second grasping arm to sleeve the inner electrode on the subsidiary magnetic column, to further allow the insulating ring picking arm to sleeve the insulating ring on the inner electrode, and to further allow the first grasping arm to sleeve the outer electrode on the insulating ring, to form the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette.
The assembling apparatus further includes a fourth pressing arm configured to press the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette; wherein, the second grasping arm, the insulating ring picking arm, the first grasping arm and the fourth pressing arm are sequentially arranged in a direction of rotation of the rotating disk.
In the assembling apparatus, a jacking driving mechanism is provided inside the material fixing seat and is connected to the magnetic column, and the jacking driving mechanism is further connected to the controller, to allow the controller to control the magnetic column by the jacking driving mechanism to rise up, to further allow the fourth pressing arm and the magnetic column moving towards each other to jointly press the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette.
The assembling apparatus further includes a fourth grasping arm configured to grasp the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette located on the material fixing seat, and place the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette on a first discharge guide rail. Wherein a second material sensing area is provided on the first discharge guide rail, and located below a soldering arm configured to solder the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette; a sensor is provided in the second material sensing area, and is configured to generate a triggering signal in the case that the sensor senses that the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette is located in the second material sensing area; and the controller is further electrically connected to each of the soldering arm and the sensor, to allow the controller to control the soldering arm according to the triggering signal to solder the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette.
The assembling apparatus further includes a vibrating feeder, wherein the material guide rail is arranged on the vibrating feeder, and the horizontal plane on which an end, away from the rotating disk, of the material guide rail is higher than the horizontal plane on which an end, close to the rotating disk, of the material guide rail.
In any one of the above-described assembling apparatus, the outer electrode material vibrating disk, the insulating ring material vibrating disk, and the inner electrode material vibrating disk are sequentially arranged in a direction of rotation of the rotating disk; and the first grasping arm, the insulating ring picking arm and the second grasping arm are sequentially arranged in the direction of rotation of the rotating disk.
In the assembling apparatus, the material fixing seat is provided with an accommodating circular ring, to allow the first grasping arm to insertedly fix the grasped outer electrode into the accommodating circular ring, to further allow the outer electrode to be fixedly arranged on the material fixing seat, to further allow the insulating ring picking arm to insert the insulating ring into a hollow portion of the outer electrode located on the material fixing seat, and to further allow the second grasping arm to insert the inner electrode into a hollow portion of the insulating ring located on the material fixing seat.
The assembling apparatus further includes a third pressing arm configured to press the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette located on the material fixing seat; and a fifth grasping arm configured to grasp the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette and rotate the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette by 180 degrees to be soldered, and further rotate the soldered electrode connector of the electronic cigarette by 180 degrees to place the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette on a second discharge guide rail; wherein the first grasping arm, the insulating ring picking arm, the second grasping arm, the third pressing arm, and the fifth grasping arm are sequentially arranged in the direction of rotation of the rotating disk.
An assembling method for assembling an electrode connector of an electronic cigarette includes:
sensing, by a sensor, whether each of an insulating ring, an outer electrode, and an inner electrode is in a first material sensing area;
generating, by the sensor, a first triggering signal in the case that the sensor senses that the insulating ring is located in the first material sensing area;
controlling, by a controller, an insulating ring picking arm according to the first triggering signal to pick up the insulating ring and place the insulating ring on a material fixing seat, wherein multiple material fixing seats are arranged on a rotating disk and surrounding the rotating disk;
generating, by the sensor, a second triggering signal in the case that the sensor senses the outer electrode is located in the first material sensing area;
controlling, by the controller, a first grasping arm according to the second triggering signal to pick up the outer electrode and place the outer electrode on the material fixing seat;
generating, by the sensor, a third triggering signal in the case that the sensor senses that the inner electrode is located in the first material sensing area; and controlling, by the controller, a second grasping arm according to the third triggering signal to pick up the inner electrode and place the inner electrode on the material fixing seat.
In the assembling method, controlling, by a controller, an insulating ring picking arm according to the first triggering signal to pick up the insulating ring and place the insulating ring on a material fixing seat includes:
controlling, by the controller, a top end of the insulating ring picking arm according to the first triggering signal to move to a position above the insulating ring located in the first material sensing area;
controlling, by the controller, the insulating ring picking arm to move downwards in a direction towards the insulating ring, to press a needle into a hollow portion of the insulating ring;
controlling, by the controller, an abutting sleeve to move downwards in a direction towards the insulating ring in the case that the controller determines that the insulating ring is sleeved on the material fixing seat by the insulating ring picking arm, till the needle abuts against the material fixing seat, to disengage the needle from the insulating ring; and
controlling, by the controller, the insulating ring picking arm to return to its original position.
In the assembling method, controlling, by the controller, a first grasping arm according to the second triggering signal to pick up the outer electrode and place the outer electrode on the material fixing seat includes:
controlling, by the controller, the first grasping arm according to the second triggering signal to move to a position above the outer electrode located in the first material sensing area;
controlling, by the controller, the first grasping arm to move downwards in a direction towards the outer electrode, to move a plurality of first clamping sub-arms of the first grasping arm into a hollow portion of the outer electrode;
controlling, by the controller, the plurality of first clamping sub-arms by a clamping driving mechanism to move away from each other, to clamp the outer electrode;
controlling, by the controller, the plurality of first clamping sub-arms to move towards each other in the case that the controller determines that the outer electrode is placed on the material fixing seat by the first grasping arm, to disengage the outer electrode from the first grasping arm; and controlling, by the controller, the first grasping arm to return to its original position.
In the assembling method, controlling, by the controller, a second grasping arm according to the third triggering signal to pick up the inner electrode and place the inner electrode on the material fixing seat includes:
controlling, by the controller, the second grasping arm according to the third triggering signal to move to a position above the inner electrode located in the first material sensing area;
controlling, by the controller, the second grasping arm to move downwards in a direction towards the inner electrode, to move a plurality of second clamping sub-arms of the second grasping arm into a hollow portion of the inner electrode;
controlling, by the controller, the plurality of second clamping sub-arms by a clamping driving mechanism to move away from each other, to clamp the inner electrode;
controlling, by the controller, the plurality of second clamping sub-arms to move towards each other in the case that the controller determines that the inner electrode is placed on the material fixing seat by the second grasping arm, to disengage the inner electrode from the second grasping arm; and
controlling, by the controller, the second grasping arm to return to its original position.
In any one of the above-described assembling methods, the insulating ring picking arm, the first grasping arm, a first pressing arm, a third grasping arm, the second grasping arm and a second pressing arm are sequentially arranged in a direction of rotation of the rotating disk; and
the method further includes:

- controlling, by the controller, the rotating disk by a rotating disk driving device to rotate in the case that the controller determines that the insulating ring is placed on a target material fixing seat, to rotate the target material fixing seat to a position below the first grasping arm;
- controlling, by the controller, the rotating disk by the rotating disk driving device to rotate in the case that the controller determines that the outer electrode is placed on the target material fixing seat, to rotate the target material fixing seat to a position below the first pressing arm;
- controlling, by the controller, the first pressing arm to press the outer electrode and the insulating ring located on the target material fixing seat;
- controlling, by the controller, the rotating disk by the rotating disk driving device to rotate in the case that the controller determines that the outer electrode and the insulating ring is pressed together, to rotate the target material fixing seat to a position below the third grasping arm;
- controlling, by the controller, the third grasping arm to lift up the outer electrode and the insulating ring located on the target material fixing seat and fixed with respect to each other;
- controlling, by the controller, the rotating disk by the rotating disk driving device to rotate in the case that the controller determines that the outer electrode and the insulating ring are lifted;
- controlling, by the controller, the grasped outer electrode and insulating ring by the third grasping arm to move linearly to a preset position;
- controlling, by the controller, the rotating disk by the rotating disk driving device to rotate in the case that the controller determines that the inner electrode is placed on the target material fixing seat, to rotate the target material fixing seat to the preset position;
- controlling, by the controller, the third grasping arm to sleeve the outer electrode and the insulating ring on the target material fixing seat on which the inner electrode is sleeved, to form the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette;
- controlling, by the controller, the rotating disk by the rotating disk driving device to rotate in the case that the controller determines that the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette located on the target material fixing seat is pressed together, to rotate the target material fixing seat to a position below the second pressing arm; and
- controlling, by the controller, the second pressing arm to press the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette located on the target material fixing seat.

In the assembling method,
controlling, by the controller, the first pressing arm to press the outer electrode and the insulating ring located on the target material fixing seat includes:

- while controlling, by the controller, the first pressing arm to press the outer electrode and the insulating ring, further controlling, by the controller, a first support column to rise up, to allow the first pressing arm and the first support column moving towards each other to press and fix the outer electrode and the insulating ring, wherein the first support column is located under the rotating disk at a position corresponding to the first pressing arm;
- controlling, by the controller, the second pressing arm to press the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette located on the target material fixing seat includes:
- while controlling, by the controller, the second pressing arm to press the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette, further controlling, by the controller, a second support column to rise up, to allow the second pressing arm and the second support column moving towards each other to press and fix the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette, wherein the second support column is located under the rotating disk at a position corresponding to the second pressing arm.

In any one of the above-described assembling methods, the second grasping arm, the insulating ring picking arm, the first grasping arm and a fourth pressing arm are sequentially arranged in a direction of rotation of the rotating disk;
the assembling method further includes:

- controlling, by the controller, the rotating disk by a rotating disk driving device to rotate in the case that the controller determines that the inner electrode is placed on a target material fixing seat, to rotate the target material fixing seat to a position below the insulating ring picking arm;
- controlling, by the controller, the rotating disk by the rotating disk driving device to rotate in the case that the controller determines that the insulating ring is placed on the target material fixing seat, to rotate the target material fixing seat to a position below the first grasping arm;
- controlling, by the controller, the rotating disk by the rotating disk driving device to rotate in the case that the controller determines that the outer electrode is placed on the target material fixing seat, to rotate the target material fixing seat to a position below the fourth pressing arm; and
- controlling, by the controller, the fourth pressing arm to press the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette.

In the assembling method, controlling, by the controller, the fourth pressing arm to press the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette includes:
while controlling, by the controller, the fourth pressing arm to press the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette, further controlling, by the controller, a magnetic column of the target material fixing seat to rise up, to allow the fourth pressing arm and the magnetic column moving towards each other to press the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette together, wherein the magnetic column is located inside the material fixing seat, and the diameter of the magnetic column is equal to the diameter of the inner electrode.
The assembling method further includes:
controlling, by the controller, the rotating disk by the rotating disk driving device to rotate, to rotate the target material fixing seat, on which the pressed electrode connector of the electronic cigarette is placed, to a position below the fourth grasping arm;
controlling, by the controller, the fourth grasping arm to grasp the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette, and place the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette on a first discharge guide rail;
generating, by a sensor located on the first discharge guide rail, a fourth triggering signal in the case that the sensor determines that the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette is located in a second material sensing area, wherein the second material sensing area is located below a soldering arm; and
controlling, by the controller, the soldering arm according to the fourth triggering signal to solder the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette.
In any one of the above-described assembling methods, the first grasping arm, the insulating ring picking arm, the second grasping arm, a third pressing arm, and a fifth grasping arm are sequentially arranged along a direction of rotation of the rotating disk;
the assembling method further includes:

- controlling, by the controller, the rotating disk by a rotating disk driving device to rotate in the case that the controller determines that the outer electrode is placed on a target material fixing seat, to rotate the target material fixing seat to a position below the insulating ring picking arm;
- controlling, by the controller, the rotating disk by the rotating disk driving device to rotate in the case that the controller determines that the insulating ring is placed on the target material fixing seat, to rotate the target material fixing seat to a position below the second grasping arm;
- controlling, by the controller, the rotating disk by the rotating disk driving device to rotate in the case that the controller determines that the inner electrode is placed on the target material fixing seat, to rotate the target material fixing seat to a position below the third pressing arm;
- controlling, by the controller, the third pressing arm to press the inner electrode, the insulating ring and the outer electrode, to form the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette;
- controlling, by the controller, the rotating disk by the rotating disk driving device to rotate in the case that the controller determines that the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette is pressed together, to rotate the target material fixing seat to a position below the fifth grasping arm;
- controlling, by the controller, the fifth grasping arm to grasp the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette and rotate the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette by 180 degrees to be soldered; and
- controlling, by the controller, the fifth grasping arm to rotate the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette by 180 degrees in the case that the controller determines that the soldering of the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette is finished, and place the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette on a second discharge guide rail.

An assembling apparatus and an assembling method for automatically assembling an electrode connector of an electronic cigarette are provided according to the present application. The assembling apparatus includes a rotatable rotating disk, a rotating disk driving device, material fixing seats, a first material sensing area, a sensor, a material picking arm and a controller. The controller is configured to control the material picking arm according to a triggering signal generated by the sensor to pick up the material and place the material on the material fixing seat. That is, the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette may be assembled automatically by the material picking arm without the manual assembling line in the conventional technology, which reduces the labor efforts and improves the efficiency and also saves the cost. Further, during the assembling operation, the material picking arms picks up the material and places the material on the material fixing seat to achieve the assembling operation, thereby improving the precision during the assembling operation, and avoiding material wastage caused by inaccurate operation or excessive force being applied, and further avoiding unnecessary waste. After the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette is assembled, the materials of the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette are fixed with respect to each other, thereby improving the performance of the electronic cigarette. In addition, contamination to the materials during the assembling operation may be significantly reduced by using the assembling apparatus according to the present application, thereby avoiding the situation that the battery rod assembly cannot normally supply power to the atomizer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing the overall structure of an electronic cigarette in the conventional technology;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of an assembling apparatus according to the present application;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the assembling apparatus according to the present application;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of an insulating ring assembling unit according to the present application;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the insulating ring assembling unit according to the present application;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of an outer electrode assembling unit according to the present application;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the outer electrode assembling unit according to the present application;

FIG. 8 is a top view of another preferred embodiment of the assembling apparatus according to the present application;

FIG. 9 is a schematic sectional view showing the overall structure of a material fixing seat according to the present application;

FIG. 10 is a schematic sectional view showing the overall structure of the material fixing seat according to the present application, wherein an atomizer electrode connector or a battery rod electrode connector is sleeved on the material fixing seat;

FIG. 11 is a side view of another preferred embodiment of the assembling apparatus according to the present application;

FIG. 12 is a top view of the another preferred embodiment of the assembling apparatus according to the present application;

FIG. 13 is a schematic sectional view showing the overall structure of another material fixing seat according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 14 is a top view of another preferred embodiment of the assembling apparatus according to the present application;

FIG. 15 is a schematic partially perspective view showing the structure of a material fixing seat according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 16 is a schematic view showing the partial structure of an insulating ring picking arm for the insulating ring according to an embodiment of the present application; and

FIG. 17 is a schematic view showing the partial structure of a first grasping arm according to an embodiment of the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A first embodiment of an assembling apparatus for automatically assembling an electrode connector of an electronic cigarette is described in detail hereinafter.
The assembling apparatus according to this embodiment is described in detail hereinafter in conjunction with FIGS. 2 and 3.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the assembling apparatus according to this embodiment; and FIG. 3 is a top view of the assembling apparatus according to this embodiment.
The assembling apparatus according to this embodiment may include a frame 200, a rotating disc 201, a rotating disk driving device, and a material fixing seat 202.
The frame 200 according to this embodiment may be closed, which may avoid contamination during assembling the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette. The frame 200 may be not closed, to allow the user to observe at any time, and ensure the assembling operation to be performed smoothly.
The rotating disk 201 is located inside the frame 200 and is rotatable.
In this embodiment, the specific position of the rotating disk 201 is not limited. In this embodiment, the rotating disk 201 may be preferably arranged at the center of the frame 200.
The rotating disk driving device is drivably connected to the rotating disk 201, to allow the rotating disk 201 to be driven by the rotating disk driving device to rotate. The specific location of the rotating disk driving device is not limited in this embodiment, as long as it can drive the rotating disk 201 to rotate.
The material fixing seat 202 is fixedly arranged on the rotating disk 201.
In this embodiment, the specific arrangement the material fixing seat 202 is not limited, as long as the material fixing seat 202 can rotate along with the rotating disk 201. It is preferable that material fixing seats 202 are arranged on the rotating disk 201 and surrounding the rotating disk 201, and the spaces between adjacent material fixing seats 202 are equal.
The assembling apparatus further includes a first material sensing area arranged at a side of the rotating disk 201, and the first material sensing area is provided with a sensor. The sensor may generate a triggering signal correspondingly in the case that it is sensed by the sensor that a material for assembling the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette is located in the first material sensing area.
The specific position for arranging the first material sensing area is not limited in this embodiment.
The assembling apparatus further includes a material picking arm 21. The material picking arm 21 is configured to pick the material located in the first material sensing area and place the material on the material fixing seat 202 to accomplish the assembling operation.
The specific position for arranging the material picking arm 21 is not limited in this embodiment, as long as it can pick up the material located in the first material sensing area.
That is, in this embodiment, the first material sensing area and the material picking arm 21 may be respectively arranged at appropriate positions at the periphery of the rotating disk 201.
In this embodiment, the number of the material picking arms 21 is equal to the number of the first material sensing areas.
For achieving automatic assembling operation, a controller is provided, which is electrically connected to the sensor, the material picking arm 21 and the rotating disk driving device, and the controller is configured to control the material picking arm 21 according to the triggering signal to pick up the material and place the material on the material fixing seat 202.
In this embodiment, the controller may control the rotating disk 201 to rotate by the rotating disk driving device, to allow the material fixing seat 202 on the rotating disk 201 to rotate to a preset mounting location, and the preset mounting location is a location close to the material picking arm 21. The sensor may generate a triggering signal correspondingly in the case that it is sensed by the sensor that a material is located in the first material sensing area, and the controller acquires the triggering signal, and generates, according to the triggering signal, a control signal for controlling the material picking arm 21 to pick up the material, to enable the material picking arm 21 to pick up the material and place the material on the material fixing seat 202 at the preset mounting location according to the control signal, thereby accomplishing the automatic assembly of the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette. During the assembling operation, no labor is required, therefore saving labor resources, and further saving costs and improving efficiency. In addition, the assembling operation is accomplished by controlling the material picking arm 21 via the controller, thereby improving the precision during the assembling operation, and further avoiding wastage of the materials and unnecessary waste.
In the first embodiment, the specific position of the first material sensing area is not limited, as long as the material picking arm 21 may pick up the material in the first material sensing area, and the manner for conveying the material to the first material sensing area is not limited.
For example, the material may be placed in the first material sensing area manually. Or, the first material sensing area may be connected to a platform for storing the material via a sliding rail with a small friction coefficient, and the horizontal plane of the platform is higher than the horizontal plane of the first material sensing area, to allow the material on the platform to automatically slide to the first material sensing area via the sliding rail. The structure of an assembling apparatus, which allows the material to move to the first material sensing area automatically, is illustrated hereinafter in conjunction with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. With the assembling apparatus in a second embodiment, the material can move to the first material sensing area automatically and smoothly, to avoid collision between materials and avoid wastage, and no labor is required in this process, which improves the efficiency.
The assembling apparatus according to the second embodiment is further described.
On the basis of the first embodiment, the assembling apparatus in the second embodiment further includes a material vibrating disk 22 on which the material can be placed, and a material guide rail 23.
A vibration driving device is connected to the material vibrating disk 22, and is configured to enable the material on the material vibrating disk 22 to vibrate, to facilitate delivering the material. Further, for facilitating the material picking arm 21 picking up the material, the material is configured to move to the material guide rail 23 in a preset state during the process of delivering the material.
The material guide rail 23 is arranged between the material vibrating disk 22 and the rotating disk 201, and is configured to continue to convey the material delivered by the material vibrating disk 22 in the direction towards the rotating disk 201.
The material guide rail 23 may be arranged on a vibrating feeder, and the material guide rail is controlled by the vibrating feeder to vibrate, to convey the material on the material guide rail 23 smoothly and avoid collision between the materials and reduce unnecessary loss.
In this embodiment, the preset state of the material refers to a state that the axis of a hollow portion of each of the materials is perpendicular to the plane on which the material vibrating disk 22 is located.
Apparently, as the assembling method varies, the preset state may also vary, as long as the automatic assembling operation can be achieved, and the specific configuring manner is not limited.
For allowing the material picking arm 21 to pick up the material accurately, the first material sensing area is provided at an end of the material guide rail 23 close to the rotating disk 201. Due to the vibration of the material vibrating disk 22, the material on the material vibrating disk 22 is delivered to the material guide rail 23, and moves along the material guide rail 23, which allows the material to be delivered to the first material sensing area in the preset state, to allow the sensor located in the first material sensing area to sense the material.
Preferably, for making the material delivered onto the first material sensing area to be more stable, a tail end of the material guide rail 23 may be provided with a material blocking valve. The material blocking valve is configured to block the material, to enable material to stop moving and remain stationary in the first material sensing area to be sensed by the sensor.
More preferably, for more smoothly conveying the material onto the first material sensing area, the horizontal plane, on which an end of the material guide rail 23 away from the rotating disk 201 is located, is higher than the horizontal plane on which an end of the material guide rail 23 close to the rotating disk 201 is located. Thus the time for conveying the material is reduced effectively, and the efficiency of automatic assembly is further improved.
According to a third embodiment, the assembling apparatus is separated into parts to be described.
The electrode connector of the electronic cigarette includes an atomizer electrode connector and a battery rod electrode connector, that is, the materials required to assemble each of the battery rod electrode connector and the atomizer electrode connector include an outer electrode, an inner electrode configured to be inserted into the outer electrode, and an insulating ring configured to be inserted between the outer electrode and the inner electrode.
The assembling apparatus according to this embodiment includes three units, i.e., an insulating ring assembling unit, an outer electrode assembling unit and an inner electrode assembling unit.
The insulating ring assembling unit is configured to automatically assemble the insulating ring onto the material fixing seat 202, the outer electrode assembling unit is configured to automatically assemble the outer electrode onto the material fixing seat 202, and the inner electrode assembling unit is configured to automatically assemble the inner electrode onto the material fixing seat 202.
Firstly, the insulating ring assembling unit is described in detail in conjunction with FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the insulating ring assembling unit according to the present application; and FIG. 5 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the insulating ring assembling unit according to the present application.
The insulating ring assembling unit includes an insulating ring material vibrating disk 221 on which the insulating ring is to be placed, a vibration driving device 401, an insulating ring material guide rail 231 configured to cooperate with the insulating ring material vibrating disk 221, and an insulating ring picking arm 211 for picking up the insulating ring. The vibration driving device 401 is connected to the insulating ring material vibrating disk 221 and is configured to drive the insulating ring material vibrating disk 221 to vibrate to deliver the insulating ring. The insulating ring material guide rail 231 is arranged on a vibrating feeder 402, to allow the insulating ring material guide rail 231 to deliver the insulating ring.
In this embodiment, the insulating ring picking arm 211 may pick up the insulating ring located in the first material sensing area on the insulating ring material guide rail 231, and place this insulating ring onto the material fixing seat 202 located on the rotating disk 201 and close to the first material sensing area.
The specific structure of the insulating ring picking arm 211 capable of picking up the insulating ring is further described in detail hereinafter. The insulating ring picking arm 211 is provided with a first driving device 2111. In this embodiment, the first driving device 2111 is embodied as a slide-rod cylinder.
A first push rod 2114 is connected to the first driving device 2111. A first push plate 2112 is connected to the first push rod 2114. The specific structure of the first push plate 2112 may be referred to FIG. 16.
A first guide rail 2113 is provided at an end of the first push plate 2112 and matches with the end of the first push plate 2112, to allow the end of the first push plate 2112 to be slidable in the first guide rail 2113. The first driving device 2111 is configured to drive the first push rod 2114, to allow the first push rod 2114 to push the end of the first push plate 2112 to slide along the first guide rail 2113. The first driving device 2111 is electrically connected to the controller, thus the first driving device 2111 can control the first push plate 2112 to slide reciprocately and freely along the first guide rail 2113 according to the control signal generated by the controller.
When the controller is required to control the insulating ring picking arm 211 to pick up the insulating ring, the controller controls, by the first driving device 2111, the first push plate 2112 to slide to a position right above the insulating ring in the first material sensing area.
When the controller is required to control the insulating ring picking arm 211 to place the insulating ring onto the material fixing seat 202, the controller controls, by the first driving device 2111, the first push plate 2112 to slide to a position right above the material fixing seat 202 close to the first material sensing area.
An abutting sleeve 2115 is connected to the first push plate 2112. The specific structure of the abutting sleeve 2115 may be referred to FIG. 16.
A second driving device 1601 (see FIG. 16) is connected to the abutting sleeve 2115 and the first push plate 2112. In this embodiment, the second driving device 1601 is embodied as a slide-rod cylinder.
A second push rod 1602 (see FIG. 16) is connected to the second driving device 1601. Under the control of the controller, the second driving device 1601 pushes, by the second push rod 1602, the abutting sleeve 2115 to move in a direction towards the insulating ring or the material fixing seat.
A needle 2116 made of an elastic material is insertedly connected to the abutting sleeve 2115 and is movable with respect to the abutting sleeve 2115. An elastic mechanism is provided in the abutting sleeve 2115 and is connected to the abutting sleeve 2115 and the needle 2116 respectively. The specific structure of the elastic mechanism is not limited in this embodiment, as long as the needle 2116, when being subjected to a force, can move towards the elastic mechanism. In this embodiment, the elastic mechanism is embodied as a spring.
During the process of the insulating ring picking arm 211 picking up the insulating ring, the controller controls, by the first driving device 2111, the first push plate 2112 to slide, to locate the needle 2116 right above the insulating ring in the first material sensing area.
The controller controls, by the second driving device, the abutting sleeve 2115 to move in a direction towards the insulating ring located in the first material sensing area, to press the needle 2116 into a hollow portion of the insulating ring.
In this embodiment, the diameter of the needle 2116 is larger than the diameter of the hollow portion of the insulating ring, thus the end of the needle 2116 that is pressed into the hollow portion of the insulating ring is in interference fit with the insulating ring, thus the needle 2116 may generate a certain outward pressure due to expansion, thereby fixing the insulating ring and the needle 2116 with respect to each other.
The controller controls, by the second driving device, the abutting sleeve 2115 to move in a direction away from the first material sensing area, to allow the insulating ring picking arm 211 to pick up the insulating ring.
During the process of the insulating ring picking arm 211 placing the insulating ring onto the material fixing seat 202, the controller controls, by the first driving device 2111, the first push plate 2112 to slide, to allow the needle 2116 to be located right above the material fixing seat 202 close to the first material sensing area.
The controller controls, by the second driving device, the abutting sleeve 2115 to move in a direction towards the material fixing seat 202 till the needle 2116 abuts against the material fixing seat 202.
Since the needle 2116 abuts against the material fixing seat 202, the needle 2116 is subjected to an upward force. The elastic mechanism is connected to the needle 2116, and the elastic mechanism is deformable elastically, thus the needle 2116 is enabled to move towards the elastic mechanism till the needle 2116 is disengaged from the insulating ring.
That is, the needle 2116 disengaged from the insulating ring retracts into the insulating ring picking arm 211, to make the insulating ring fall off onto the material fixing seat 202, thereby achieving the object of placing the insulating ring onto the material fixing seat 202.
Preferably, a telescopic driving mechanism may be further provided inside the insulating ring picking arm 211, and is connected to the needle 2116 and the controller. Thus, under the control of the controller, the telescopic driving mechanism can control the needle 2116 to extend in a direction towards the insulating ring during the process of the insulating ring picking arm 211 picking up the insulating ring. And, under the control of the controller, the telescopic driving mechanism can control the needle 2116 to retract in a direction towards the abutting sleeve 2115 during the process of the insulating ring picking arm 211 placing the insulating ring onto the material fixing seat 202. In this case, the efficiency of the process of picking up the insulating ring is improved.
With the insulating ring assembling unit in this embodiment, the insulating ring can be automatically picked up and can be automatically placed onto the material fixing seat 202, which achieves the object of automatic assembly. Further, the insulating ring is picked up by using the interference fit between the needle 2116 and the hollow portion of the insulating ring, which addresses the issue that the soft insulating ring is apt to be deformed when being picked up, and achieves the automatic picking up of the insulating ring. Thus a case that the insulating ring will be damaged when subjected to an overly large force is effectively avoided.
In this embodiment, the structures of the outer electrode assembling unit and the inner electrode assembling unit are identical, and the structure of the outer electrode assembling unit is described in detail in this embodiment. The structure of the inner electrode assembling unit may be referred to the structure of the outer electrode assembling unit, and will not be described herein.
The structure of the outer electrode assembling unit is described in detail hereinafter in conjunction with FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of an outer electrode assembling unit according to the present application; and FIG. 7 is a top view of the preferred embodiment of the outer electrode assembling unit according to the present application.
The outer electrode assembling unit includes an outer electrode material vibrating disk 222 on which the outer electrode is placed, a vibration driving device 601, an outer electrode material guide rail 232 configured to cooperate with the outer electrode material vibrating disk 222, and a first grasping arm 212 configured to grasp the outer electrode. The vibration driving device 601 is connected to the outer electrode material vibrating disc 222, and configured to drive the outer electrode material vibrating disk 222 to vibrate to deliver the outer electrode. The outer electrode material guide rail 232 is arranged on a vibrating feeder 602, to allow the outer electrode material guide rail 232 to deliver the outer electrode.
In this embodiment, the first grasping arm 212 may grasp an outer electrode located in a first material sensing area on the outer electrode material guide rail 232, and place the outer electrode onto a material fixing seat 202 located on the rotating disk 201 and close to the first material sensing area.
The specific structure of the first grasping arm 212 capable of grasping the outer electrode is further described in detail hereinafter. At least two clamping sub-arms 2121 are extending from a top end of the first grasping arm 212 and are in cooperation with each other. The specific structure of the clamping sub-arms 2121 may be referred to FIG. 17.
A clamping driving mechanism 2122 is arranged at an end of the first grasping arm 212 and is connected to the multiple clamping sub-arms 2121. The clamping driving mechanism 2122 is connected to the controller, thus under the control of the controller, the clamping driving mechanism 2122 can control the multiple clamping sub-arms 2121 to move towards each other or move away from each other.
The first grasping arm 212 is further provided with a third driving device 2123. In this embodiment, the third driving device 2123 is embodied as a slide-rod cylinder.
A third push rod 2124 is connected to the third driving device 2123. A second push plate 2125 is connected to the third push rod 2124. A second guide rail 2126 is provided at an end of the second push plate 2125 and matches with the end of the second push plate 2125, to allow the end of the second push plate 2125 to be slidable in the second guide rail 2126. The third driving device 2123 is configured to drive the third push rod 2124, to allow the third push rod 2124 to push the end of the second push plate 2125 to slide along the second guide rail 2126. The third driving device 2123 is electrically connected to the controller, to allow the third driving device 2123 to control, according to a control signal generated by the controller, the second push plate 2125 to slide reciprocately and freely along the second guide rail 2126.
When the controller is required to control the first grasping arm 211 to grasp the outer electrode, the controller controls, by the third driving device 2123, the second push plate 2125 to slide to a position right above the outer electrode located in the first material sensing area.
The first grasping arm 212 is further provided with a fourth driving device 2127 (see FIG. 17).
The fourth driving device 2127 is electrically connected to the controller, to allow the fourth driving device 2127 to control, according to the control signal generated by the controller, the second push plate 2125 to move downwards in a direction towards the first material sensing zone, which is the direction indicated by a downward arrow shown in FIG. 6.
The second push plate 2125 is driven by the fourth driving device 2127 to move downwards, till the clamping sub-arms 2121 move into a hollow portion of the outer electrode.
Under the control of the controller, the clamping driving mechanism 2122 controls the multiple clamping sub-arms 2121 to move away from each other, to allow the clamping sub-arms 2121 to abut against the inner peripheral surface of the hollow portion of the outer electrode, to allow the clamping sub-arms 2121 to grasp the outer electrode.
During the process of the controller controlling the first grasping arm 212 to place the outer electrode onto the material fixing seat 202, the controller lifts up the second push plate 2125 by the fourth driving device 2127.
The controller controls, by the third driving device 2123, the first grasping arm 212 to move the outer electrode to a position right above the fixing seat 202.
The controller controls, by the fourth driving device 2127, the first grasping arm 212 to move downwards to place the outer electrode onto the fixing seat 202.
Under the control of the controller, the clamping driving mechanism 2122 controls the multiple clamping sub-arms 2121 to move towards each other in the direction indicated by the opposing arrows shown in FIG. 6, to allow the clamping sub-arms to be in a clearance fit with the hollow portion of the outer electrode.
The controller lifts up the second push plate 2125 by the fourth driving device 2127, to disengage the first grasping arm 212 from the outer electrode.
In this embodiment, the inner electrode assembling unit includes an inner electrode material vibrating disk on which the inner electrode is placed, an inner electrode material guide rail configured to cooperate with the inner electrode material vibrating disk, and a second grasping arm configured to grasp the inner electrode.
The specific structure of the inner electrode material vibrating disk may refer to the outer electrode material vibrating disk 222 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and will not be described herein.
The specific structure of the inner electrode material guide rail may refer to the outer electrode material guide rail 232 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and will not be described in this embodiment.
The specific structure of the second grasping arm is the same as that the structure of the first grasping arm as shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 17, and will not be described in this embodiment.
The automatic grasping and assembling of the outer electrode and the inner electrode can be achieved by the outer electrode assembling unit and the inner electrode assembling unit, which effectively improves the efficiency.
The structure of the assembling apparatus according to a fourth embodiment is described in detail, which can automatically assemble the atomizer electrode connector and the battery rod electrode connector integrally.
The assembling apparatus in this embodiment may have three structures.
A first structure is shown in FIG. 8, which is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the assembling apparatus.
In this structure, the insulating ring assembling unit, the outer electrode assembling unit and the inner electrode assembling unit are sequentially arranged in the direction of rotation of the rotating disk 201. That is, the insulating ring material vibrating disk 221, the outer electrode material vibrating disk 222 and the inner electrode material vibrating disk 223 are sequentially arranged in the direction of rotation of the rotating disk 201. Further, the insulating ring material picking arm 211, the first grasping arm 212 and the second grasping arm 213 are sequentially arranged in the direction of rotation of the rotating disk 201.
The specific structures of the insulating ring assembling unit, the outer electrode assembling unit and the inner electrode assembling unit are described in the third embodiment, which are not described in this embodiment.
In this arrangement of the fourth embodiment, for achieving the automatic assembly of the atomizer electrode connector or the battery rod electrode connector, as shown in FIG. 9, a first sub-seat 2021, a second sub-seat 2022 and a third sub-seat 2023 are coaxially and fixedly provided on the material fixing seat 202 and are arranged sequentially in a direction away from the rotating disk 201.
Each of the first sub-seat 2021, the second sub-seat 2022 and the third sub-seat 2023 has a cylindrical shape, and the diameters of the first sub-seat 2021, the second sub-seat 2022 and the third sub-seat 2023 are reduced in order.
Referring to FIG. 10, the second sub-seat 2022 is configured to match with the hollow portion of the insulating ring 302, to allow the insulating ring picking arm 211 to sleeve the insulating ring 302 on the second sub-seat 2022. The first sub-seat 2021 is configured to match with the hollow portion of the outer electrode 301, to allow the first grasping arm 212 to sleeve the outer electrode 301 on the first sub-seat 2021. The third sub-seat 2023 is configured to match with a hollow portion of the inner electrode 303, to allow the second grasping arm 213 to sleeve the inner electrode 303 on the third sub-seat 2023.
In this embodiment, the method for configuring the material fixing seat 202 is described as an example and is not intended to constitute limitation, and the material fixing seat 202 may be configured in other manners, as long as the material can be placed thereon.
For example, the material fixing seat 202 may further include a base seat. A top end of the base seat is provided with a positioning groove configured to accommodate and position the insulating ring, and the inner peripheral surface of the positioning groove is configured to match with the outer peripheral surface of the insulating ring.
A positioning column is fixedly provided in the base seat, and an end of the positioning column passes through the positioning groove to pass through the base seat. The positioning groove and the positioning column are arranged coaxially, and the horizontal plane, on which an end surface of an end of the positioning column away from the base seat is located, is higher than the horizontal plane on which the positioning groove is located. The diameter of the positioning column is smaller than the diameter of the hollow portion of the insulating ring, to allow the insulating ring sleeved on the positioning column to be in clearance fit with the positioning column, and to be accommodated in the positioning groove.
The inner peripheral surface of the positioning groove is configured to match with the outer peripheral surface of the insulating ring, to allow the insulating ring to be placed into the positioning groove. When automatically assembling the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette, the insulating ring located in the positioning groove cannot shift; otherwise, the automatic assembly cannot be performed accurately and efficiently. In this embodiment, for preventing the insulating ring from shifting, the positioning column is fixedly provided in the base seat, and one end of the positioning column passes through the positioning groove to pass through the base seat.
For allowing the insulating ring accommodated in the positioning groove to be more stable and preventing the insulating ring from shaking, the positioning groove and the positioning column are coaxially arranged.
For further facilitating disengaging the insulating ring from the material fixing seat to facilitate removing the insulating ring, the horizontal plane, on which an end surface of an end of the positioning column away from the base seat is located, is higher than the horizontal plane on which the positioning groove is located, and the diameter of the positioning column is smaller than the diameter of the hollow portion of the insulating ring.
Since the diameter of the positioning column is smaller than the diameter of the hollow portion of the insulating ring, that is, the positioning column is in clearance fit with the hollow portion of the insulating ring, thereby effectively avoiding failing to remove the insulating ring due to too tight assembling which is caused by too tight fit between the hollow portion of the insulating ring and the positioning column
With the material fixing seat according to this embodiment, the insulating ring may be sleeved on the positioning column and accommodated in the positioning groove, to avoid shifting of the insulating ring, thereby avoiding adversely affecting the precision of assembling the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette. Further the hollow portion of the insulating ring is in clearance fit with the positioning column, thus the insulating ring may be disengaged from the material fixing seat efficiently and expediently, thereby improving the assembling efficiency and avoiding damage to the insulating ring when assembling the insulating ring.
The specific assembling process of the assembling apparatus for implementing the first arrangement is described as follows.
As shown in FIG. 8, in the case that a sensor, which is located in a first material sensing area on the insulating ring material guide rail 231, senses the insulating ring 302, the sensor generates a triggering signal correspondingly.
The controller generates a control signal according to the triggering signal, to control the insulating ring picking arm 211 to pick up the insulating ring 302. The specific process of picking up the insulating ring 302 is described in the third embodiment.
The controller controls the insulating ring picking arm 211 to move the insulating ring 302 to a position right above a material fixing seat 202 close to the first material sensing area.
The controller controls the insulating ring picking arm 211 to sleeve the insulating ring 302 on the second sub-seat 2022. The specific process of sleeving the insulating ring 302 is described in the third embodiment.
The controller controls the insulating ring picking arm 211 to return to its original position, to allow the insulating ring picking arm 211 to pick up the insulating ring 302 again.
The controller presets a moving angle, and controls the rotating disk 201 to rotate according to the preset moving angle, to rotate the material fixing seat 202, in which the insulating ring 302 is inserted, to a position below the first grasping arm 212.
Apparently, the moving angle is not limited, as long as it may facilitate the first grasping arm 212 grasping the outer electrode.
The controller controls the first grasping arm 212 to grasp the outer electrode 301, and sleeve the grasped outer electrode 301 on the first sub-seat 2021, thereby inserting the insulating ring 302 in the outer electrode 301.
The specific grasping process of the first grasping arm 212 is described in the third embodiment.
The controller controls the first grasping arm 212 to return to its original position, to allow the first grasping arm 212 to grasp the outer electrode 301 again.
The controller controls the rotating disk 201 to rotate according to the preset moving angle, to rotate the material fixing seat 202, in which the outer electrode is inserted, to a position below a first pressing arm 801 (as shown in FIG. 8).
The first pressing arm 801 is configured to press the outer electrode 301 and the insulating ring 302 on the material fixing seat 202, to fix the outer electrode 301 with respect to the insulating ring 302.
The first pressing arm 801 is arranged downstream the first grasping arm 212 in the direction of rotation of the rotating disk.
In this embodiment, it is preferable to provide a first support column under the rotating disk 201, to avoid a situation that when the first pressing arm 801 presses the outer electrode 301 and the insulating ring 302 on the material fixing seat 202, the rotating disk 201 inclines when subjected to a force from the first pressing arm 801, which may damage the rotating disk 201.
More preferably, in this embodiment, the position of the first support column 802 and the position of the first pressing arm 801 are corresponding to each other, as shown in FIG. 11.
That is, when the controller controls the first pressing arm 801 to press the material fixing seat 202, i.e., the first pressing arm 801 applies a downward force to the material fixing seat 202, the controller controls the first support column 802 to move upwards to push the rotating disk 201 upwards, to balance the rotating disc 201 and prevent the rotating disk 201 from being inclined due to being subjected to an eccentric force.
After a preset duration elapses, when the controller determines that the outer electrode 301 and the insulating ring 302 are fixed with respect to each other, the controller controls the first support column 802 and the first pressing arm 801 to return to the original positions respectively.
The controller controls the rotating disk 201 to rotate according to the preset moving angle, to move the material fixing seat 202, in which the outer electrode 301 is inserted, to a position below a third grasping arm 803 (as shown in FIG. 8).
The third grasping arm 803 is located at an initial position at this time, that is, the third grasping arm 803 is located downstream the first pressing arm 801 in the direction of rotation of the rotating disk.
The controller controls the third grasping arm 803 to lift up the outer electrode 301 and the insulating ring 302 located on the material fixing seat and fixed with respect to each other. The specific structure of the third grasping arm 803 is identical to the structure of the first grasping arm 212, thus will not be described herein.
As illustrated in FIG. 8, a slide rail 808 is connected to the third grasping arm 803, that is, the third grasping arm 803 can be guided by the slide rail 808 to move freely, and the guiding direction of the slide rail 808 is a linear direction.
After picking up the outer electrode 301 and the insulating ring 302, the third grasping arm 803 moves to a preset position along the slide rail 808.
The preset position is between the second grasping arm 213 and the second pressing arm 804 in the direction of rotation of the rotating disk 201.
The controller controls the rotating disk 201 to rotate according to the preset moving angle, to rotate the material fixing seat 202 to a position below the second grasping arm 213.
The second grasping arm 213 grasps the inner electrode 303, and sleeves the inner electrode 303 on the third sub-seat 2023. The specific structure of the second grasping arm 213 is described in the third embodiment.
The controller controls the second grasping arm 213 to return to its original position.
The controller controls the rotating disk 201 to rotate according to the preset moving angle, till the fixing seat 202 rotates to the preset position and keeps still, and at this time, the fixing seat 202 and the third grasping arm 803 are both located at the preset position, and the third grasping arm 803 is located right above the fixing seat 202.
The controller controls the third grasping arm 803 to sleeve the outer electrode 301 and the insulating ring 302 on the material fixing seat, on which the inner electrode 303 has been sleeved, to form an electrode connector of the electronic cigarette.
The controller controls the third grasping arm 803 to return to its original position, to allow the third grasping arm 803 to grasp the insulating ring 302 and the outer electrode 301 again.
The controller controls the rotating disk 201 to rotate according to the preset moving angle, to rotate the material fixing seat 202, on which the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette is arranged, to a position below the second pressing arm 804.
The second pressing arm 804 is configured to press the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette, thus the structure of a finished atomizer electrode connector or a finished battery rod electrode connector is more reliable, which effectively prolongs the service life of the electronic cigarette.
The specific structure of the second pressing arm 804 may refer to the structure of the first pressing arm 801.
It is preferable to provide a second support column 802 under the rotating disk 201 at a position corresponding to the second pressing arm 804, to avoid a situation that when the second pressing arm 804 presses the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette located on the material fixing seat 202, the rotating disk 201 inclines, which may damage the rotating disk 201. The second support column is located under the rotating disk 201 at a position corresponding to the second pressing arm 804. The specific structure of the second support column is identical to the structure of the first support column 802, and will not be described herein, which can refer to FIG. 11.
In this arrangement, the insulating ring picking arm 211, the first grasping arm 212, the first pressing arm 801, the third grasping arm 803, the second grasping arm 213 and the second pressing arm 804 are sequentially arranged in the direction of rotation of the rotating disk.
The controller controls the rotating disk 201 to rotate according to the preset moving angle, to rotate the pressed electrode connector of the electronic cigarette to a position below a fourth grasping arm 805.
The controller controls the fourth grasping arm 805 to grasp the pressed electrode connector of the electronic cigarette located on the material fixing seat 202, and place the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette on a first discharge guide rail 806.
The specific structure of the first discharge guide rail 806 may refer to the material guide rail 23 in the second embodiment. The first discharge guide rail 806 moves a finished electrode connector of the electronic cigarette to a second material sensing area by a method of inclining and vibrating.
The specific structure of the fourth picking arm 805 is not limited, as long as it may grasp the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette, and the specific structure of the fourth picking arm 805 may refer to the structure of the first grasping arm 212.
The second material sensing area is provided at the first discharge guide rail 806, and the second material sensing area is located below a soldering arm 807 for soldering the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette.
The second material sensing area is provided with a sensor, and the sensor is configured to generate a triggering signal correspondingly in the case that it is sensed by the sensor that the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette is located in the second material sensing area.
The controller controls the soldering arm 807 according to the triggering signal to solder the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette.
The controller is electrically connected to the soldering arm 807 and the sensor.
Further, for allowing the soldering arm 807 to solder the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette accurately, the first discharge guide rail 806 is provided with a material blocking valve. When it is sensed by the sensor that the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette moves to the second material sensing area, the controller controls the material blocking valve to act, to fix the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette at a preset position.
The preset position is a position where the soldering arm 807 may accurately solder the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette.
The controller controls the soldering arm 807 to solder the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette while controlling the material blocking valve to act.
The specific soldering process belongs to the conventional technology, which will not be described in this embodiment.
After the soldering, i.e., after a preset duration elapses, the controller opens the material blocking valve, and moves the finished electrode connector of the electronic cigarette out of the first discharge guide rail 806, thereby completing the automatic assembly of the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette.
In a second arrangement, as shown in FIG. 12, the outer electrode assembling unit, the insulating ring assembling unit, and the inner electrode assembling unit are sequentially arranged along the direction of rotation of the rotating disk 201. The specific structure of each of the outer electrode assembling unit, the insulating ring assembling unit and the inner electrode assembling unit may refer to the third embodiment. That is, the outer electrode material vibrating disk 222, the insulating ring material vibrating disk 221, and the inner electrode material vibrating disk 223 are sequentially arranged along the direction of rotation of the rotating disk 201. Further, the first grasping arm 212, the insulating ring picking arm 211, and the second grasping arm 213 are sequentially arranged along the direction of rotation of the rotating disk 201.
The specific structure of the material fixing seat 202 in this arrangement may refer to FIG. 13.
FIG. 13 shows a structure of a material fixing seat 202 on which an electrode connector of an electronic cigarette is arranged. As illustrated in FIG. 13, in this arrangement, the material fixing seat 202 is provided with an accommodating circular ring, and the inner peripheral surface of the accommodating circular ring matches with the outer peripheral surface of the outer electrode 301.
For facilitating disengaging the assembled electrode connector of the electronic cigarette from the material fixing seat 202, and avoiding damage to the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette, the outer peripheral wall of the outer electrode is in clearance fit with the inner peripheral surface of the accommodating circular ring.
The specific assembling process of the assembling apparatus implementing the second arrangement is described as follows.
It is to be noted that, the state of the material located in the first material sensing area in this arrangement is opposite to the state of the material located in the first material sensing area in the first arrangement.
That is, the state of the material in the first arrangement being rotated by 180 degrees is just the state of the material located in the first material sensing area in this arrangement.
As shown in FIG. 12, in the case that the sensor, in the first material sensing area on the outer electrode material guide rail 232, senses the outer electrode 301, the sensor generates a triggering signal correspondingly.
The controller generates a control signal according to the triggering signal, to control the first grasping arm 212 to grasp the outer electrode 301. The specific grasping process is described in the third embodiment.
That is, the first grasping arm 212 is controlled to insert the grasped outer electrode 301 in the accommodating circular ring to fix the outer electrode 301 therein, to fixedly arrange the outer electrode 301 on the material fixing seat 202.
The controller controls the first grasping arm 212 to move the outer electrode 301 to a position right above the material fixing seat 202 close to the first material sensing area.
The controller controls the first grasping arm 212 to return to its original position, to allow the first grasping arm 212 to pick up the outer electrode 301 again.
The controller controls the rotating disk 201 to rotate according to the preset moving angle, to rotate the material fixing seat 202, in which the outer electrode 301 is fixedly inserted, to a position below the insulating ring picking arm 211.
The controller controls the insulating ring picking arm 211 to pick up the insulating ring 302, and the specific method for picking up the insulating ring 302 is described in the third embodiment.
The controller controls the insulating ring picking arm 211 to pick up the insulating ring 302, and controls the insulating ring picking arm 211 to insert the insulating ring 302 into the hollow portion of the outer electrode 301 located on the material fixing seat 202.
The controller controls the insulating ring picking arm 211 to return to its original position, to allow the insulating ring picking arm 211 to pick up the insulating ring 302 again.
The controller controls the rotating disk 201 to rotate according to the preset moving angle, to move the material fixing seat 202, in which the insulating ring 302 is inserted, to a position below the second grasping arm 213.
The controller controls the second grasping arm 213 to grasp the inner electrode 303, and controls the second grasping arm 213 to insert the inner electrode 303 in the hollow portion of the insulating ring located on the material fixing seat 202, as shown in FIG. 13.
The specific structure of the second grasping arm 213 is described in the third embodiment.
The controller controls the second grasping arm 213 to return to its original position.
The controller controls the rotating disk 201 to rotate according to the preset moving angle, to rotate the material fixing seat 202, in which the inner electrode 303 is inserted, to a position below a third pressing arm 901.
In this embodiment, the specific position of the third pressing arm 901 is not limited, as long as the third pressing arm 901 is arranged downstream the second grasping arm 213 and upstream a fifth grasping arm 902 in the direction of rotation of the rotating disk.
In this arrangement, a support column may be further arranged below the rotating disc 201, and the position of the support column corresponds to the position of the third pressing arm 901. The structure of the support column may refer to the first arrangement, and will not be described in this arrangement.
The controller controls the rotating disk 201 to rotate according to the preset moving angle, to rotate the pressed electrode connector of the electronic cigarette to a position below the fifth grasping arm 902.
The controller controls the fifth grasping arm 902 to grasp the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette, then rotate the electrode connector by 180 degrees for soldering, and then rotate the soldered electrode connector of the electronic cigarette by 180 degrees, to place the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette on a second discharge guide rail 903.
The first grasping arm 212, the insulating ring picking arm 211, the second grasping arm 213, the third pressing arm 901, and the fifth grasping arm 902 are sequentially arranged along the direction of rotation of the rotating disk 201.
In this arrangement, the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette is directly soldered on the fifth grasping arm 902, without being positioned and fixed.
Compared with the first arrangement, in this arrangement, the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette is finished by performing pressing operation once after the electrode connector is automatically assembled, without requiring multiple pressing operations, reduces the working procedures and simplifies the installation process, thus is quicker, time saving and improves the efficiency of the automatic assembly.
The third arrangement is described in conjunction with FIG. 14, which is a top view of another preferred embodiment of the assembling apparatus according to the present application.
In this arrangement, the inner electrode assembling unit, the insulating ring assembling unit and the outer electrode assembling unit are sequentially arranged along the direction of rotation of the rotating disk 201.
The specific structure of each of the inner electrode assembling unit, the insulating ring assembling unit and the outer electrode assembling unit is described in the third embodiment, which will not be described in this embodiment.
That is, the inner electrode material vibrating disk 223, the insulating ring material vibrating disk 221 and the outer electrode material vibrating disk 222 are sequentially arranged in the direction of rotation of the rotating disk 201.
Further, the second grasping arm 213, the insulating ring picking arm 211 and the first grasping arm 212 are sequentially arranged in the direction of rotation of the rotating disk.
In this embodiment, for achieving the automatic assembly of the atomizer electrode connector or the battery rod electrode connector, referring to FIG. 15, in this arrangement, a cylindrical magnetic column 151 made of magnetic material is provided inside the material fixing seat 202, and the diameter of the magnetic column 151 is equal to the diameter of the inner electrode 303; and a subsidiary magnetic column 152 is arranged at a top end of the magnetic column 151, and the subsidiary magnetic column 152 is configured to match with the hollow portion of the inner electrode 303.
The specific assembling process of the assembling apparatus implementing the third arrangement is described as follows.
In the case that a sensor, located in a first material sensing area on the inner electrode material guide rail 233, senses the inner electrode 303, the sensor generates a triggering signal correspondingly.
It is to be noted that, the manner for placing the material on the first material sensing area in this arrangement is the same as that in the first arrangement.
The controller generates a control signal according to the triggering signal, to control the second grasping arm 213 to grasp the inner electrode 303, and sleeve the inner electrode on the subsidiary magnetic column 152 through the hollow portion of the inner electrode.
The specific manner of the second grasping arm 213 grasping the inner electrode 303 may refer to the third embodiment.
The material is made of metal, and the material made of metal is assembled onto a material fixing seat 202 in this arrangement. Since the magnetic column 151 is provided inside the material fixing seat 202, the material fixing seat 202 can fix the material more accurately, thereby improving the precision in the assembling process.
Further since the diameter of the subsidiary magnetic column 152 of the magnetic column 151 is equal to the diameter of the hollow portion of the inner electrode, the inner electrode 303 may be sleeved on the subsidiary magnetic column 152 firmly, and further the inner electrode 303 may be arranged on the material fixing seat 202 firmly.
The controller controls the second grasping arm 213 to return to its original position, to allow the second grasping arm 213 to pick up the inner electrode 303 again.
The controller presets a moving angle, to allow the controller to control the rotating disk 201 to rotate according to the preset moving angle, to rotate the material fixing seat 202, in which the insulating ring is inserted, to a position below the insulating ring picking arm 211.
The controller controls the insulating ring picking arm 211 to pick up the insulating ring 302, and sleeve the picked-up insulating ring 302 on the inner electrode 303, to fixedly arrange the insulating ring 302 on the material fixing seat 202.
The specific picking-up process of the insulating ring picking arm 211 is described in the third embodiment.
The controller controls the insulating ring picking arm 211 to return to its original position, to allow the insulating ring picking arm 211 to pick up the insulating ring 302 again.
The controller controls the rotating disk 201 to rotate according to the preset moving angle, to rotate the material fixing seat 202, in which the insulating ring 302 is inserted, to a position below the first pressing arm 801.
The first pressing arm 801 is configured to press the inner electrode 303 and the insulating ring 302 located on the material fixing seat 202, to fix the inner electrode 303 with respect to the insulating ring 302.
The first pressing arm 801 is arranged downstream the insulating ring picking arm 211 along the direction of rotation of the rotating disk.
In this embodiment, it is preferable to provide a first support column under the rotating disk 201, to avoid a situation that when the first pressing arm 801 presses the inner electrode 303 and the insulating ring 302 located on the material fixing seat 202, the rotating disk 201 inclines when subjected to a force from the first pressing arm 801, which may damage the rotating disk 201.
More preferably, in this embodiment, the position of the first support column 802 and the position of the first pressing arm 801 are corresponding to each other, as shown in FIG. 11.
After a preset duration elapses, in the case that the controller determines that the inner electrode 303 and the insulating ring 302 are fixed with respect to each other, the controller controls the first support column 802 and the first pressing arm 801 to return to respective original positions.
The controller controls the rotating disk 201 to rotate according to the preset moving angle, to move the material fixing seat 202, in which the insulating ring 302 is inserted, to a position below the first grasping arm 212.
The controller controls the first grasping arm 212 to sleeve the outer electrode 301 on the insulating ring 302 to form an electrode connector of the electronic cigarette.
The controller controls the rotating disk 201 to rotate according to the preset moving angle, to rotate the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette to a position below a fourth pressing arm 505.
That is, the second grasping arm 213, the insulating ring picking arm 211, the first grasping arm 212 and the fourth pressing arm 505 are sequentially arranged along the direction of rotation of the rotating disk.
The controller controls the fourth pressing arm 505 to press the material fixing seat 202, to fix the outer electrode 301, the inner electrode 303 and the insulating ring 302 located on the material fixing seat 202 with respect to each other.
Preferably, in this arrangement, a jacking driving mechanism is provided inside the material fixing seat 202 and is connected to the magnetic column 501. The jacking driving mechanism is also connected to the controller, and the controller is configured to control the magnetic column 501 to rise up by the jacking driving mechanism, to allow the fourth pressing arm 505 and the magnetic column 501 moving towards each other to press the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette. Thus, the outer electrode 301, the inner electrode 303 and the insulating ring 302 of the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette can be fixed with respect to each other more stably.
The controller controls the rotating disk 201 to rotate according to the preset moving angle, to rotate the pressed electrode connector of the electronic cigarette to a position below the fourth grasping arm 805.
The controller controls the fourth grasping arm 805 to grasp the pressed electrode connector of the electronic cigarette located on the material fixing seat 202, and place the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette on the first discharge guide rail 806.
The first discharge guide rail 806 and the fourth grasping arm 805 are described in the first arrangement.
A sensor is provided in the second material sensing area of the first discharge guide rail 806, and the sensor generates a triggering signal correspondingly in the case that the sensor senses that the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette is located in the second material sensing area.
The controller controls the soldering arm 807 to solder the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette according to the triggering signal.
The soldering arm 807 and the first discharge guide rail 806 are described in the first arrangement.
The specific structures of the assembling apparatus are described in detail in the first embodiment to the fourth embodiment, and the assembling method for assembling the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette is described in detail hereinafter in the following fifth embodiment.
The assembling method in the fifth embodiment may include steps 1801 to 1807.
Step 1801 may include sensing, by a sensor, whether each of an insulating ring, an outer electrode, and an inner electrode is in a first material sensing area.
Step 1802 may include generating, by the sensor, a first triggering signal in the case that the sensor senses that the insulating ring is located in the first material sensing area.
Step 1803 may include controlling, by a controller, an insulating ring picking arm according to the first triggering signal to pick up the insulating ring and place the insulating ring on a material fixing seat.
Multiple material fixing seats are arranged on the rotating disk and surrounding the rotating disk.
Step 1804 may include generating, by the sensor, a second triggering signal in the case that the sensor senses that the outer electrode is located in the first material sensing area.
Step 1805 may include controlling, by the controller, the first grasping arm according to the second triggering signal to pick up the outer electrode and place the outer electrode on the material fixing seat.
Step 1806 may include generating, by the sensor, a third triggering signal in the case that the sensor senses that the inner electrode is located in the first material sensing area.
Step 1807 may include controlling, by the controller, the second grasping arm according to the third triggering signal to grasp the inner electrode and place the inner electrode on the material fixing seat.
The manner for achieving the assembling method in this embodiment is described in the first embodiment to the fourth embodiment, which will not be described in this embodiment.
A sixth embodiment is provided according to the present application and is described in detail on the basis of the assembling method of the first kind of assembling apparatus in the fourth embodiment. The first kind of assembling apparatus is described in the fourth embodiment.
The assembling method may include steps 1901 to 1933.
Step 1901 may include sensing, by a sensor, whether each of an insulating ring, an outer electrode, and an inner electrode is in a first material sensing area.
Step 1902 may include generating, by the sensor, a first triggering signal in the case that the sensor senses that the insulating ring is located in the first material sensing area.
Step 1903 may include controlling, by a controller, a top end of an insulating ring picking arm according to the first triggering signal to move to a position above the insulating ring located in the first material sensing area.
Step 1904 may include controlling, by the controller, the insulating ring picking arm to move downwards in a direction towards the insulating ring, to press the needle into a hollow portion of the insulating ring.
Step 1905 may include controlling, by the controller, an abutting sleeve to move downwards in a direction towards the insulating ring in the case that the controller determines that the insulating ring is sleeved on the material fixing seat by the insulating ring picking arm, till the needle abuts against the material fixing seat, to disengage the needle from the insulating ring.
Step 1906 may include controlling, by the controller, the insulating ring picking arm to return to its original position.
Step 1907 may include controlling, by the controller, a rotating disk by a rotating disk driving device to rotate, to rotate a target material fixing seat to a position below a first grasping arm.
That is, in the case that the controller determines that the insulating ring is placed on the target material fixing seat, the controller controls the rotating disk by the rotating disk driving device to rotate, till the target material fixing seat rotates to a position below the first grasping arm.
Step 1908 may include generating, by the sensor, a second triggering signal in the case that the sensor senses that the outer electrode is located in the first material sensing area.
Step 1909 may include controlling, by the controller, the first grasping arm according to the second triggering signal to move to a position above the outer electrode located in the first material sensing area.
Step 1910 may include controlling, by the controller, the first grasping arm to move downwards in a direction towards the outer electrode, to move first clamping sub-arms of the first grasping arm into a hollow portion of the outer electrode.
Step 1911 may include controlling, by the controller, multiple first clamping sub-arms by a clamping driving mechanism to move away from each other, to clamp the outer electrode.
Step 1912 may include controlling, by the controller, of the multiple first clamping sub-arms to move towards each other in the case that the controller determines that the outer electrode is placed on the material fixing seat by the first grasping arm, to disengage the outer electrode from the first grasping arm.
Step 1913 may include controlling, by the controller, the first grasping arm to return to its original position.
Step 1914 may include controlling, by the controller, the rotating disk by the rotating disk driving device to rotate, to rotate the target material fixing seat to a position below a first pressing arm.
That is, in the case that the controller determines that the outer electrode is placed on the target material fixing seat, the controller controls the rotating disk by the rotating disk driving device to rotate, till the target material fixing seat rotates to the position below the first pressing arm.
Step 1915 may include controlling, by the controller, the first pressing arm to press the outer electrode and the insulating ring located on the target material fixing seat.
While controlling the first pressing arm to press the outer electrode and the insulating ring, the controller also controls the first support column to rise up, to allow the first pressing arm and the first support column moving towards each other to jointly press and fix the outer electrode and the insulating ring.
The first support column is located under the rotating disk at a position corresponding to the first pressing arm.
Step 1916 may include controlling, by the controller, the rotating disk by the rotating disk driving device to rotate in the case that the controller determines that the outer electrode and the insulating ring has been pressed together, to rotate the target material fixing seat to a position below a third grasping arm.
Step 1917 may include controlling, by the controller, the third grasping arm to lift up the outer electrode and the insulating ring located on the target material fixing seat and fixed with respect to each other.
Step 1918 may include controlling, by the controller, the rotating disk by the rotating disk driving device to rotate in the case that the controller determines that the outer electrode and the insulating ring are lifted.
Step 1919 may include controlling, by the controller, the grasped outer electrode and insulating ring by the third grasping arm to move linearly to a preset position.
Step 1920 may include generating, by the sensor, a third triggering signal in the case that the sensor senses that the inner electrode is located in the first material sensing area.
Step 1921 may include controlling, by the controller, a second grasping arm according to the third triggering signal to move to a position above the inner electrode located in the first material sensing area.
Step 1922 may include controlling, by the controller, the second grasping arm to move downwards in a direction towards the inner electrode, to move second clamping sub-arms of the second grasping arm to move into a hollow portion of the inner electrode.
Step 1923 may include controlling, by the controller, of the multiple second clamping sub-arms by the clamping driving mechanism to move away from each other to clamp the inner electrode.
Step 1924 may include controlling, by the controller, the multiple second clamping sub-arms to move towards each other in the case that the controller determines that the inner electrode is placed on the material fixing seat by the second grasping arm, to disengage the inner electrode from the second grasping arm.
Step 1925 may include controlling, by the controller, the second grasping arm to return to its original position.
Step 1926 may include controlling, by the controller, the rotating disk by the rotating disk driving device to rotate in the case that the controller determines that the inner electrode is placed on the target material fixing seat, to rotate the target material fixing seat to the preset position.
Step 1927 may include controlling, by the controller, the third grasping arm to sleeve the outer electrode and the insulating ring on the target material fixing seat, on which the inner electrode is sleeved, to form an electrode connector of an electronic cigarette.
Step 1928 may include controlling, by the controller, the rotating disk by the rotating disk driving device to rotate in the case that the controller determines that the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette located on the target material fixing seat is pressed tightly, to rotate the target material fixing seat to a position below a second pressing arm.
Step 1929 may include controlling, by the controller, the second pressing arm to press the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette located on the target material fixing seat.
While controlling the second pressing arm to press the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette, the controller also controls the second support column to rise up, to allow the second pressing arm and the second support column moving towards each other to jointly press and fix the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette.
The second support column is located under the rotating disk at a position corresponding to the second pressing arm.
Step 1930 may include controlling, by the controller, the rotating disk by the rotating disk driving device to rotate, to rotate the target material fixing seat, on which the pressed electrode connector of the electronic cigarette is placed, to a position below a fourth grasping arm.
Step 1931 may include controlling, by the controller, the fourth grasping arm to grasp the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette, and place the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette on a first discharge guide rail.
Step 1932 may include generating, by a sensor located on the first discharge guide rail, a fourth triggering signal in the case that the sensor determines that the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette is located in a second material sensing area. The second material sensing area is below the soldering arm.
Step 1933 may include controlling, by the controller, the soldering arm according to the fourth triggering signal to solder the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette.
A seventh embodiment is described in detail on the basis of the assembling method of the third kind of assembling apparatus of the fourth embodiment. The third kind of assembling apparatus is described in the fourth embodiment.
The assembling method in the seventh embodiment includes steps 2001 to 2026.
Step 2001 may include sensing, by a sensor, whether each of an insulating ring, an outer electrode, and an inner electrode is in a first material sensing area.
Step 2002 may include generating, by the sensor, a third triggering signal in the case that the sensor senses that the inner electrode is located in the first material sensing area.
Step 2003 may include controlling, by the controller, a second grasping arm according to the third triggering signal to move to a position above the inner electrode located in the first material sensing area.
Step 2004 may include controlling, by the controller, the second grasping arm to move downwards in a direction towards the inner electrode, to move second clamping sub-arms of the second grasping arm into a hollow portion of the inner electrode.
Step 2005 may include controlling, by the controller, the multiple second clamping sub-arms by the clamping driving mechanism to move away from each other to clamp the inner electrode.
Step 2006 may include controlling, by the controller, the multiple second clamping sub-arms to move towards each other in the case that the controller determines that the inner electrode is placed on the material fixing seat by the second grasping arm, to disengage the inner electrode from the second grasping arm.
Step 2007 may include controlling, by the controller, the second grasping arm to return to its original position.
Step 2008 may include controlling, by the controller, the rotating disk by the rotating disk driving device to rotate in the case that the controller determines that the inner electrode is placed on a target material fixing seat, to rotate the target material fixing seat to a position below an insulating ring picking arm.
Step 2009 may include generating, by the sensor, a first triggering signal in the case that the sensor senses that the insulating ring is located in the first material sensing area.
Step 2010 may include controlling, by the controller, a top end of the insulating ring picking arm according to the triggering signal to move to a position above the insulating ring located in the first material sensing area.
Step 2011 may include controlling, by the controller, the insulating ring picking arm to move downwards in a direction towards the insulating ring, to press a needle into a hollow portion of the insulating ring.
Step 2012 may include controlling, by the controller, an abutting sleeve to move downwards in a direction towards the insulating ring in the case that the controller determines that the insulating ring is sleeved on the material fixing seat by the insulating ring picking arm, till the needle abuts against the material fixing seat, to disengage the needle from the insulating ring.
Step 2013 may include controlling, by the controller, the insulating ring picking arm to return to its original position.
Step 2014 may include controlling, by the controller, the rotating disk by the rotating disk driving device to rotate in the case that the controller determines that the insulating ring is placed on the target material fixing seat, to rotate the target material fixing seat to a position below a first grasping arm.
Step 2015 may include generating, by the sensor, a second triggering signal in the case that the sensor senses that the outer electrode is located in the first material sensing area.
Step 2016 may include controlling, by the controller, the first grasping arm according to the triggering signal to move to a position above the outer electrode located in the first material sensing area.
Step 2017 may include controlling, by the controller, the first grasping arm to move downwards in a direction towards the outer electrode, to move first clamping sub-arms of the first grasping arm into a hollow portion of the outer electrode.
Step 2018 may include controlling, by the controller, the multiple first clamping sub-arms by a clamping driving mechanism to move away from each other to clamp the outer electrode.
Step 2019 may include controlling, by the controller, the multiple first clamping sub-arms to move towards each other in the case that the controller determines that the outer electrode is placed on the material fixing seat by the first grasping arm, to disengage the outer electrode from the first grasping arm.
Step 2020 may include controlling, by the controller, the first grasping arm to return to its original position.
Step 2021 may include controlling, by the controller, the rotating disk by the rotating disk driving device to rotate in the case that the controller determines that the outer electrode is placed on the target material fixing seat, to rotate the target material fixing seat to a position below a fourth pressing arm.
Step 2022 may include controlling, by the controller, the fourth pressing arm to press the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette.
While controlling the fourth pressing arm to press the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette, the controller also controls a magnetic column of the target material fixing seat to rise up, to allow the fourth pressing arm and the magnetic column moving towards each other to jointly press the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette. The magnetic column is located inside the material fixing seat, and the diameter of the magnetic column is equal to the diameter of the inner electrode.
Step 2023 may include controlling, by the controller, the rotating disk by the rotating disk driving device to rotate, to rotate the target material fixing seat, on which the pressed electrode connector of the electronic cigarette is placed, to a position below a fourth grasping arm.
Step 2024 may include controlling, by the controller, the fourth grasping arm to grasp the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette, and place the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette on a first discharge guide rail.
Step 2025 may include generating, by a sensor located on the first discharge guide rail, a fourth triggering signal in the case that the sensor determines that the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette is located in a second material sensing area. The second material sensing area is located below a soldering arm.
Step 2026 may include controlling, by the controller, the soldering arm according to the fourth triggering signal to solder the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette.
An eighth embodiment is described in detail on the basis of the assembling method of the second kind of assembling apparatus of the fourth embodiment. The second kind of assembling apparatus is described in detail in the fourth embodiment.
The assembling method in the eighth embodiment includes steps 2101 to 2124.
Step 2101 may include sensing, by a sensor, whether each of an insulating ring, an outer electrode, and an inner electrode is in a first material sensing area.
Step 2102 may include generating, by the sensor, a second triggering signal in the case that the sensor senses that the outer electrode is located in the first material sensing area.
Step 2103 may include controlling, by the controller, a first grasping arm according to the second triggering signal to move a position above the outer electrode located in the first material sensing area.
Step 2104 may include controlling, by the controller, the first grasping arm to move downwards in a direction towards the outer electrode, to move first clamping sub-arms of the first grasping arm into a hollow portion of the outer electrode.
Step 2105 may include controlling, by the controller, the multiple first clamping sub-arms by a clamping driving mechanism to move away from each other to clamp the outer electrode.
Step 2106 may include controlling, by the controller, the multiple first clamping sub-arms to move towards each other in the case that the controller determines that the outer electrode is placed on the material fixing seat by the first grasping arm, to disengage the outer electrode from the first grasping arm.
Step 2107 may include controlling, by the controller, the first grasping arm to return to its original position.
Step 2108 may include controlling, by the controller, a rotating disk by a rotating disk driving device to rotate in the case that the controller determines that the outer electrode is placed on a target material fixing seat, to rotate the target material fixing seat to a position below the insulating ring picking arm.
Step 2109 may include generating, by the sensor, a first triggering signal in the case that the sensor senses that the insulating ring is located in the first material sensing area.
Step 2110 may include controlling, by the controller, a top end of the insulating ring picking arm according to the first triggering signal to move to a position above the insulating ring located in the first material sensing area.
Step 2111 may include controlling, by the controller, the insulating ring picking arm to move downwards in a direction towards the insulating ring, to press a needle into a hollow portion of the insulating ring.
Step 2112 may include controlling, by the controller, an abutting sleeve to move downwards in a direction towards the insulating ring in the case that the controller determines that the insulating ring is sleeved on the material fixing seat by the insulating ring picking arm, till the needle abuts against the material fixing seat, to disengage the needle from the insulating ring.
Step 2113 may include controlling, by the controller, the insulating ring picking arm to return to its original position.
Step 2114 may include controlling, by the controller, the rotating disk by the rotating disk driving device to rotate in the case that the controller determines that the insulating ring is placed on the target material fixing seat, to rotate the target material fixing seat to a position below a second grasping arm.
Step 2115 may include generating, by the sensor, a third triggering signal in the case that the sensor senses that the inner electrode is located in the first material sensing area.
Step 2116 may include controlling, by the controller, the second grasping arm according to the triggering signal to move to a position above the inner electrode located in the first material sensing area.
Step 2117 may include controlling, by the controller, the second grasping arm to move downwards in a direction towards the inner electrode, to move second clamping sub-arms of the second grasping arm into a hollow portion of the inner electrode.
Step 2118 may include controlling, by the controller, the multiple second clamping sub-arms by a clamping driving mechanism to move away from each other to clamp the inner electrode.
Step 2119 may include controlling, by the controller, the multiple second clamping sub-arms to move towards each other in the case that the controller determines that the inner electrode is placed on the material fixing seat by the second grasping arm, to disengage the inner electrode from the second grasping arm.
Step 2120 may include controlling, by the controller, the second grasping arm to return to its original position.
Step 2121 may include controlling, by the controller, the rotating disk by the rotating disk driving device to rotate in the case that the controller determines that the inner electrode is placed on the target material fixing seat, to rotate the target material fixing seat to a position below a third pressing arm.
Step 2122 may include controlling, by the controller, the third pressing arm to press the inner electrode, the insulating ring and the outer electrode to form an electrode connector of an electronic cigarette.
Step 2123 may include controlling, by the controller, the rotating disk by the rotating disk driving device to rotate in the case that the controller determines that the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette is pressed together, to rotate the target material fixing seat to a position below a fifth grasping arm.
Step 2124 may include controlling, by the controller, the fifth grasping arm to grasp the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette, and rotate the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette by 180 degrees to be soldered.
Step 2125 may include controlling, by the controller, the fifth grasping arm to rotate the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette by 180 degrees again in the case that the controller determines that the soldering of the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette is accomplished, and place the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette on a second discharge guide rail.
The apparatus and method for assembling the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette according to the present application are described in detail hereinbefore. The principle and the embodiments of the present application are illustrated herein by specific examples. The above description of examples is only intended to help the understanding of the method and idea of the present application. It should be noted that, for the person skilled in the art, a few of modifications and improvements may be made to the present application without departing from the principle of the present application, and these modifications and improvements are also deemed to fall into the scope of the present application defined by the claims.

Claims

1. An assembling apparatus for assembling an electrode connector of an electronic cigarette, comprising a rotatable rotating disk, a rotating disk driving device, material fixing seats, a first material sensing area, a sensor, a material picking arm and a controller; wherein

the material fixing seats are arranged on the rotating disk and surrounding the rotating disk;

the rotating disk is drivably connected to the rotating disk driving device, to allow the rotating disk driving device to drive the rotating disk to rotate;

the sensor is provided in the first material sensing area, to allow the sensor to generate a triggering signal in the case that the sensor senses that a material is located in the first material sensing area; and

the controller is electrically connected to each of the sensor, the material picking arm, and the rotating disk driving device, to allow the controller to control the material picking arm according to the triggering signal to pick up the material and place the material on the material fixing seat.

2. The assembling apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a material vibrating disk, on which the material is to be placed, and a material guide rail; wherein,

the material vibrating disk is configured to vibrate and deliver the material, to allow the material to move to the material guide rail in a preset state, and the preset state of the material is a state that an axis of a hollow portion of each material is perpendicular to a plane on which the material vibrating disk is located;

the material guide rail is arranged between the material vibrating disk and the rotating disk, and is configured to continue to deliver the material delivered by the material vibrating disk in a direction towards the rotating disk;

the first material sensing area is located at an end, close to the rotating disk, of the material guide rail; and

the material guide rail is provided with a material blocking valve configured to fix the material in the first material sensing area.

3. The assembling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the material comprises an outer electrode, an inner electrode configured to be inserted into the outer electrode, and an insulating ring configured to be inserted between the outer electrode and the inner electrode;

the material vibrating disk comprises an outer electrode material vibrating disk on which the outer electrode is to be placed, an insulating ring material vibrating disk on which the insulating ring is to be placed, and an inner electrode material vibrating disk on which the inner electrode is to be placed;

the material guide rail comprises an outer electrode material guide rail configured to cooperate with the outer electrode material vibrating disk, an insulating ring material guide rail configured to cooperate with the insulating ring material vibrating disk, and an inner electrode material guide rail configured to cooperate with the inner electrode material vibrating disk; and

the material picking arm comprises an insulating ring picking arm, a first grasping arm configured to grasp the outer electrode, and a second grasping arm configured to grasp the inner electrode.

4. The assembling apparatus according to claim 3, wherein,

a top end of the insulating ring picking arm is provided with an abutting sleeve, and a needle made of an elastic material, the needle is insertedly connected to the abutting sleeve and is movable with respect to the abutting sleeve, the diameter of the needle is larger than the diameter of a hollow portion of the insulating ring, to allow the needle to be in interference fit with the hollow portion of the insulating ring in the case that the needle is pressed into the hollow portion of the insulating ring when the insulating ring picking arm picks up the insulating ring; and

an elastic mechanism is arranged inside the abutting sleeve, and is connected to each of the abutting sleeve and the needle, to allow the needle to move towards the elastic mechanism in the case that the needle abuts against the material fixing seat, till the needle is disengaged from the insulating ring.

5. The assembling apparatus according to the claim 3, wherein,

at least two clamping sub-arms in cooperation with each other are extending from a top end of each of the first grasping arm and the second grasping arm; and

a clamping driving mechanism is arranged at an end of each of the first grasping arm and the second grasping arm and is connected to the plurality of respective clamping sub-arms, and the clamping driving mechanism is connected to the controller, to allow the clamping driving mechanism, under the control of the controller, to control the plurality of respective clamping sub-arms to move towards each other or away from each other, to allow the clamping sub-arms moving away from each other to clamp the material.

6. The assembling apparatus according to claim 3, wherein,

the insulating ring material vibrating disk, the outer electrode material vibrating disk and the inner electrode material vibrating disk are sequentially arranged in a direction of rotation of the rotating disk; and

the insulating ring picking arm, the first grasping arm and the second grasping arm are sequentially arranged in a direction of rotation of the rotating disk.

7. The assembling apparatus according to claim 6, wherein,

a first sub-seat, a second sub-seat and a third sub-seat are coaxially and fixedly provided on the material fixing seat, and are arranged sequentially in a direction away from the rotating disk;

each of the first sub-seat, the second sub-seat and the third sub-seat has a cylindrical shape, and the diameters of the first sub-seat, the second sub-seat and the third sub-seat are reduced in order;

the second sub-seat is configured to match with a hollow portion of the insulating ring, to allow the insulating ring picking arm to sleeve the insulating ring on the second sub-seat;

the first sub-seat is configured to match with a hollow portion of the outer electrode, to allow the first grasping arm to sleeve the outer electrode on the first sub-seat; and

the third sub-seat is configured to match with a hollow portion of the inner electrode, to allow the second grasping arm to sleeve the inner electrode on the third sub-seat.

8. The assembling apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising:

a first pressing arm configured to press the outer electrode and the insulating ring located on the material fixing seat, to allow the outer electrode and the insulating ring to be fixed with respect to each other;

a third grasping arm configured to lift up the outer electrode and the insulating ring located on the material fixing seat and fixed with respect to each other, to allow the outer electrode and the insulating ring to move to a preset position, and the third grasping arm further configured to sleeve the outer electrode and the insulating ring, both of which has moved to the preset position, on the material fixing seat on which the inner electrode is sleeved, to form the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette; and

a second pressing arm configured to press the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette;

wherein the insulating ring picking arm, the first grasping arm, the first pressing arm, the third grasping arm, the second grasping arm, and the second pressing arm are sequentially arranged in the direction of rotation of the rotating disk; and

the preset position is between the second grasping arm and the second pressing arm in the direction of rotation of the rotating disk.

9. The assembling apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a first support column and a second support column; wherein,

each of the first support column and the second support column is arranged under the rotating disk, and the first support column is located at a position corresponding to the first pressing arm, and the second support column is located a position corresponding to the second pressing arm; and the first support column is configured to push the rotating disk upwards to balance the rotating disk in the case that the material fixing seat rotates to a position below the first pressing arm, and the second support column is configured to push the rotating disk upwards to balance the rotating disk in the case that the material fixing seat rotates to a position below the second pressing arm.

10. The assembling apparatus according to claim 3, wherein,

the inner electrode material vibrating disk, the insulating ring material vibrating disk, and the outer electrode material vibrating disk are sequentially arranged in a direction of rotation of the rotating disk; and

the second grasping arm, the insulating ring picking arm and the first grasping arm are sequentially arranged in the direction of rotation of the rotating disk.

11. The assembling apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a cylindrical magnetic column made of magnetic material is provided inside the material fixing seat, and the diameter of the magnetic column is equal to the diameter of the inner electrode; and

a subsidiary magnetic column is arranged at a top end of the magnetic column and is configured to match with a hollow portion of the inner electrode, to allow the second grasping arm to sleeve the inner electrode on the subsidiary magnetic column, to further allow the insulating ring picking arm to sleeve the insulating ring on the inner electrode, and to further allow the first grasping arm to sleeve the outer electrode on the insulating ring, to form the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette.

12. The assembling apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising:

a fourth pressing arm configured to press the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette; wherein, the second grasping arm, the insulating ring picking arm, the first grasping arm and the fourth pressing arm are sequentially arranged in a direction of rotation of the rotating disk.

13. The assembling apparatus according to claim 12, wherein,

a jacking driving mechanism is provided inside the material fixing seat and is connected to the magnetic column, and the jacking driving mechanism is further connected to the controller, to allow the controller to control the magnetic column by the jacking driving mechanism to rise up, to further allow the fourth pressing arm and the magnetic column moving towards each other to jointly press the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette.

14. The assembling apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a fourth grasping arm configured to grasp the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette located on the material fixing seat, and place the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette on a first discharge guide rail; wherein

a second material sensing area is provided on the first discharge guide rail, and located below a soldering arm configured to solder the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette;

a sensor is provided in the second material sensing area, and is configured to generate a triggering signal in the case that the sensor senses that the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette is located in the second material sensing area; and

the controller is further electrically connected to each of the soldering arm and the sensor, to allow the controller to control the soldering arm according to the triggering signal to solder the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette.

15. The assembling apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a fourth grasping arm configured to grasp the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette located on the material fixing seat, and place the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette on a first discharge guide rail; wherein

16. The assembling apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising:

a vibrating feeder, wherein the material guide rail is arranged on the vibrating feeder, and the horizontal plane on which an end, away from the rotating disk, of the material guide rail is higher than the horizontal plane on which an end, close to the rotating disk, of the material guide rail.

17. The assembling apparatus according to claim 3, wherein,

the outer electrode material vibrating disk, the insulating ring material vibrating disk, and the inner electrode material vibrating disk are sequentially arranged in a direction of rotation of the rotating disk; and

the first grasping arm, the insulating ring picking arm and the second grasping arm are sequentially arranged in the direction of rotation of the rotating disk.

18. The assembling apparatus according to claim 17, wherein,

the material fixing seat is provided with an accommodating circular ring, to allow the first grasping arm to insertedly fix the grasped outer electrode into the accommodating circular ring, to further allow the outer electrode to be fixedly arranged on the material fixing seat, to further allow the insulating ring picking arm to insert the insulating ring into a hollow portion of the outer electrode located on the material fixing seat, and to further allow the second grasping arm to insert the inner electrode into a hollow portion of the insulating ring located on the material fixing seat.

19. The assembling apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising:

a third pressing arm configured to press the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette located on the material fixing seat; and

a fifth grasping arm configured to grasp the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette and rotate the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette by 180 degrees to be soldered, and further rotate the soldered electrode connector of the electronic cigarette by 180 degrees to place the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette on a second discharge guide rail;

wherein the first grasping arm, the insulating ring picking arm, the second grasping arm, the third pressing arm, and the fifth grasping arm are sequentially arranged in the direction of rotation of the rotating disk.

20. An assembling method for assembling an electrode connector of an electronic cigarette, comprising:

sensing, by a sensor, whether each of an insulating ring, an outer electrode, and an inner electrode is in a first material sensing area;

generating, by the sensor, a first triggering signal in the case that the sensor senses that the insulating ring is located in the first material sensing area;

controlling, by a controller, an insulating ring picking arm according to the first triggering signal to pick up the insulating ring and place the insulating ring on a material fixing seat, wherein multiple material fixing seats are arranged on a rotating disk and surrounding the rotating disk;

generating, by the sensor, a second triggering signal in the case that the sensor senses the outer electrode is located in the first material sensing area;

controlling, by the controller, a first grasping arm according to the second triggering signal to pick up the outer electrode and place the outer electrode on the material fixing seat;

generating, by the sensor, a third triggering signal in the case that the sensor senses that the inner electrode is located in the first material sensing area; and

controlling, by the controller, a second grasping arm according to the third triggering signal to pick up the inner electrode and place the inner electrode on the material fixing seat.

21. The assembling method according to claim 20, wherein controlling, by a controller, an insulating ring picking arm according to the first triggering signal to pick up the insulating ring and place the insulating ring on a material fixing seat comprises:

controlling, by the controller, a top end of the insulating ring picking arm according to the first triggering signal to move to a position above the insulating ring located in the first material sensing area;

controlling, by the controller, the insulating ring picking arm to move downwards in a direction towards the insulating ring, to press a needle into a hollow portion of the insulating ring;

controlling, by the controller, an abutting sleeve to move downwards in a direction towards the insulating ring in the case that the controller determines that the insulating ring is sleeved on the material fixing seat by the insulating ring picking arm, till the needle abuts against the material fixing seat, to disengage the needle from the insulating ring; and

controlling, by the controller, the insulating ring picking arm to return to its original position.

22. The assembling method according to claim 20, wherein controlling, by the controller, a first grasping arm according to the second triggering signal to pick up the outer electrode and place the outer electrode on the material fixing seat comprises:

controlling, by the controller, the first grasping arm according to the second triggering signal to move to a position above the outer electrode located in the first material sensing area;

controlling, by the controller, the first grasping arm to move downwards in a direction towards the outer electrode, to move a plurality of first clamping sub-arms of the first grasping arm into a hollow portion of the outer electrode;

controlling, by the controller, the plurality of first clamping sub-arms by a clamping driving mechanism to move away from each other, to clamp the outer electrode;

controlling, by the controller, the plurality of first clamping sub-arms to move towards each other in the case that the controller determines that the outer electrode is placed on the material fixing seat by the first grasping arm, to disengage the outer electrode from the first grasping arm; and

controlling, by the controller, the first grasping arm to return to its original position.

23. The assembling method according to claim 20, wherein controlling, by the controller, a second grasping arm according to the third triggering signal to pick up the inner electrode and place the inner electrode on the material fixing seat comprises:

controlling, by the controller, the second grasping arm according to the third triggering signal to move to a position above the inner electrode located in the first material sensing area;

controlling, by the controller, the second grasping arm to move downwards in a direction towards the inner electrode, to move a plurality of second clamping sub-arms of the second grasping arm into a hollow portion of the inner electrode;

controlling, by the controller, the plurality of second clamping sub-arms by a clamping driving mechanism to move away from each other, to clamp the inner electrode;

controlling, by the controller, the plurality of second clamping sub-arms to move towards each other in the case that the controller determines that the inner electrode is placed on the material fixing seat by the second grasping arm, to disengage the inner electrode from the second grasping arm; and

controlling, by the controller, the second grasping arm to return to its original position.

24. The assembling method according to claim 20, wherein the insulating ring picking arm, the first grasping arm, a first pressing arm, a third grasping arm, the second grasping arm and a second pressing arm are sequentially arranged in a direction of rotation of the rotating disk; and

the assembling method further comprises:

controlling, by the controller, the rotating disk by a rotating disk driving device to rotate in the case that the controller determines that the insulating ring is placed on a target material fixing seat, to rotate the target material fixing seat to a position below the first grasping arm;

controlling, by the controller, the rotating disk by the rotating disk driving device to rotate in the case that the controller determines that the outer electrode is placed on the target material fixing seat, to rotate the target material fixing seat to a position below the first pressing arm;

controlling, by the controller, the first pressing arm to press the outer electrode and the insulating ring located on the target material fixing seat;

controlling, by the controller, the rotating disk by the rotating disk driving device to rotate in the case that the controller determines that the outer electrode and the insulating ring is pressed together, to rotate the target material fixing seat to a position below the third grasping arm;

controlling, by the controller, the third grasping arm to lift up the outer electrode and the insulating ring located on the target material fixing seat and fixed with respect to each other;

controlling, by the controller, the rotating disk by the rotating disk driving device to rotate in the case that the controller determines that the outer electrode and the insulating ring are lifted;

controlling, by the controller, the grasped outer electrode and insulating ring by the third grasping arm to move linearly to a preset position;

controlling, by the controller, the rotating disk by the rotating disk driving device to rotate in the case that the controller determines that the inner electrode is placed on the target material fixing seat, to rotate the target material fixing seat to the preset position;

controlling, by the controller, the third grasping arm to sleeve the outer electrode and the insulating ring on the target material fixing seat on which the inner electrode is sleeved, to form the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette;

controlling, by the controller, the rotating disk by the rotating disk driving device to rotate in the case that the controller determines that the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette located on the target material fixing seat is pressed together, to rotate the target material fixing seat to a position below the second pressing arm; and

controlling, by the controller, the second pressing arm to press the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette located on the target material fixing seat.

25. The assembling method according to claim 24, wherein,

controlling, by the controller, the first pressing arm to press the outer electrode and the insulating ring located on the target material fixing seat comprises:

while controlling, by the controller, the first pressing arm to press the outer electrode and the insulating ring, further controlling, by the controller, a first support column to rise up, to allow the first pressing arm and the first support column moving towards each other to press and fix the outer electrode and the insulating ring, wherein the first support column is located under the rotating disk at a position corresponding to the first pressing arm;

controlling, by the controller, the second pressing arm to press the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette located on the target material fixing seat comprises:

while controlling, by the controller, the second pressing arm to press the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette, further controlling, by the controller, a second support column to rise up, to allow the second pressing arm and the second support column moving towards each other to press and fix the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette, wherein the second support column is located under the rotating disk at a position corresponding to the second pressing arm.

26. The assembling method according to claim 20, wherein the second grasping arm, the insulating ring picking arm, the first grasping arm and a fourth pressing arm are sequentially arranged in a direction of rotation of the rotating disk;

the assembling method further comprises:

controlling, by the controller, the rotating disk by a rotating disk driving device to rotate in the case that the controller determines that the inner electrode is placed on a target material fixing seat, to rotate the target material fixing seat to a position below the insulating ring picking arm;

controlling, by the controller, the rotating disk by the rotating disk driving device to rotate in the case that the controller determines that the insulating ring is placed on the target material fixing seat, to rotate the target material fixing seat to a position below the first grasping arm;

controlling, by the controller, the rotating disk by the rotating disk driving device to rotate in the case that the controller determines that the outer electrode is placed on the target material fixing seat, to rotate the target material fixing seat to a position below the fourth pressing arm; and

controlling, by the controller, the fourth pressing arm to press the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette.

27. The assembling method according to claim 26, wherein controlling, by the controller, the fourth pressing arm to press the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette comprises:

while controlling, by the controller, the fourth pressing arm to press the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette, further controlling, by the controller, a magnetic column of the target material fixing seat to rise up, to allow the fourth pressing arm and the magnetic column moving towards each other to press the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette together, wherein the magnetic column is located inside the material fixing seat, and the diameter of the magnetic column is equal to the diameter of the inner electrode.

28. The assembling method according to claim 25, further comprising:

controlling, by the controller, the rotating disk by the rotating disk driving device to rotate, to rotate the target material fixing seat, on which the pressed electrode connector of the electronic cigarette is placed, to a position below the fourth grasping arm;

controlling, by the controller, the fourth grasping arm to grasp the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette, and place the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette on a first discharge guide rail;

generating, by a sensor located on the first discharge guide rail, a fourth triggering signal in the case that the sensor determines that the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette is located in a second material sensing area, wherein the second material sensing area is located below a soldering arm; and

controlling, by the controller, the soldering arm according to the fourth triggering signal to solder the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette.

29. The assembling method according to claim 26, further comprising:

30. The assembling method according to claim 20, wherein the first grasping arm, the insulating ring picking arm, the second grasping arm, a third pressing arm, and a fifth grasping arm are sequentially arranged along a direction of rotation of the rotating disk;

the assembling method further comprises:

controlling, by the controller, the rotating disk by a rotating disk driving device to rotate in the case that the controller determines that the outer electrode is placed on a target material fixing seat, to rotate the target material fixing seat to a position below the insulating ring picking arm;

controlling, by the controller, the rotating disk by the rotating disk driving device to rotate in the case that the controller determines that the insulating ring is placed on the target material fixing seat, to rotate the target material fixing seat to a position below the second grasping arm;

controlling, by the controller, the rotating disk by the rotating disk driving device to rotate in the case that the controller determines that the inner electrode is placed on the target material fixing seat, to rotate the target material fixing seat to a position below the third pressing arm;

controlling, by the controller, the third pressing arm to press the inner electrode, the insulating ring and the outer electrode, to form the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette;

controlling, by the controller, the rotating disk by the rotating disk driving device to rotate in the case that the controller determines that the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette is pressed together, to rotate the target material fixing seat to a position below the fifth grasping arm;

controlling, by the controller, the fifth grasping arm to grasp the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette and rotate the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette by 180 degrees to be soldered; and

controlling, by the controller, the fifth grasping arm to rotate the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette by 180 degrees in the case that the controller determines that the soldering of the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette is finished, and place the electrode connector of the electronic cigarette on a second discharge guide rail.