THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
AND
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
APPLICANT
Nationality: India
the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed

SINGLE STATION ASSEMBLY LINE
The disclosure relates to an assembly line, more particularly to a single station assembly line for assembling electronic devices.
Generally, an electronic device is assembled in an assembly line. A conventional assembly line includes multiple working stations. At each working station, some components of the electronic device are assembled together by an operator. Afterward, the assembled part is advanced to the next working station and assembled with some other components of the electronic device by another operator. The entire assembling process will be finished at the final station when all of the components are assembled together.
However, the conventional multi-station assembly line has a relatively high requirement for space. In addition, the manufacturer using the conventional multi-station assembly line also has a relatively high demand for manpower. Operators for different stations follow different working instructions, so training cost would be high and job rotation for the operators would be difficult. Moreover, since working time for the stations are different, line balancing for the entire assembly line is relatively low.
Therefore, the object of the disclosure is to provide a single station assembly line that can alleviate at least one of the drawbacks associated with

the abovementioned prior art.
According to the disclosure, a single station assembly line includes a station base, a mask unit, a fixture unit, an indication unit, and a lock unit. The fixture unit includes at least one fixture that is mounted on the station base. The mask unit includes at least one mask that is connected to the at least one fixture. The at least one mask is movable before a predetermined step of the assembling process of the electronic device to be carried out by an operator to a closed position, where at least one component of the electronic device that another component is to be assembled to is maintained within the at least one fixture. The at least one mask is further movable after the predetermined step of the assembling process to an opened position, where the assembled components of the electronic device are permitted to be taken out from the at least one fixture. The indication unit is connected to the station base for indicating to the operator required actions for each step of the assembling process of the electronic device. The lock unit is mounted to the fixture unit and is operable for securing the at least one mask at the locked position.
Other features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent in the following detailed description of the embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a single station assembly line according to the disclosure;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a fixture unit of the embodiment;
Fig. 2A is a top view of the embodiment;
Fig. 3 is a side view of the fixture unit and a mask unit, illustrating a first mask being closed;
Fig. 4 is another side view of the fixture unit and the mask unit, illustrating a second mask and a screw mask being closed; and
Fig. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a structure among an indication unit, a lock unit, and a control unit.
As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 2A, an embodiment of a single station assembly line according to the present disclosure includes a station base 1, a fixture unit 2, a mask unit 3, an indication unit 4, and a lock unit 5.
In this embodiment, the fixture unit 2 includes a first fixture 21 and a second fixture 22 mounted on a top surface of the station base 1. Each of the first and second fixtures 21, 22 has an accommodating space 25, and a top surface that is formed with an opening 251 which communicates with the accommodating space 25. The accommodating space 25 is adapted for accommodating components of an electronic device 100 during a

predetermined step of the assembling process of the electronic device 100, and the components are put into the accommodating space 25 through the opening 251. In this embodiment, the mask unit 3 includes a first mask 31 and a second mask 32. The first mask 31 is pivotally connected to the first fixture 21, and the second mask 32 is pivotally connected to the second fixture 22. Each of the first and second masks 31, 32 is formed with a working hole 35. The working hole 35 of each of the first and second masks 31, 32 is smaller than and located completely within a boundary defined by the opening 251 of the accommodating space 25 of a respective one of the first and second fixtures 21, 22. The mask unit 3 further includes a screw mask 33 pivotally connected to the second fixture 22 and formed with a plurality of screw holes 331 that are smaller than and located completely within the boundary defined by the opening 251 of the accommodating space 25 of the second fixture 22. Each of the first and second masks 31, 32 is pivotable relative to the respective one of the first and second fixtures 21, 22 between a closed position, where the components of the electronic device 100 are maintained within the respective one of the first and second fixtures 21, 22 and where the working hole 35 is adjacent to the opening 251 of the accommodating space 25 of the respective one of the first and second fixtures 21, 22, and an opened position,

where the assembled components of the electronic device 100 are permitted to be taken out from the respective one of the first and second fixtures 21, 22 and where the working hole 35 is away from the respective one of the first and second fixtures 21, 22. The screw mask 33 is pivotable relative to the second fixture 22 between a closed position, where the screw holes 31 are adjacent to the opening 251 of the accommodating space 25 of the second fixture 22, and an opened position, where the screw holes 331 are away from the second fixture 22. The masks 31-33 are provided to only expose, through the working hole 35, certain portions that need working on of whatever component that is received in the accommodating space 25 of the corresponding one of the first and second fixtures 21, 22, while covering up the remaining portions of said component, so as to protect the remaining portions from potential damage that might otherwise occur during the assembling process, such as a tool slipping off of the operator’s hand and causing damage to a part of the component that is not being worked on. In this embodiment, the screw mask 33 covers a majority of the working hole 35 of the second mask 32 when in the closed position, with the exception of places that correspond to the screw holes 331, and the screw holes 331 are smaller than and located within a boundary defined by the working hole 35 of the second mask 32. The indication unit 4 is mounted on the

station base 1 for indicating to the operator required actions for each step of the assembling process of the electronic device 100. In this embodiment, the indication unit 4 is a display screen.
The lock unit 5 includes two lock mechanisms mounted respectively to the first and second fixtures 21, 22. Each of the lock mechanisms is operable for securing the corresponding one of the first, second and screw masks 31, 32, 33 at the closed position.
The single station assembly line of the disclosure further includes a control unit 6. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the control unit 6 includes two fixture sensors 61 and a control circuit 62. The fixture sensors 61 are respectively connected to the first and second fixtures 21, 22, and are each adapted for sensing hand actions of an operator relative to the respective one of the first and second fixtures 21, 22 (i.e., operator’s hand moving in and out of the accommodating space 25 of the respective one of the first and second fixtures 21, 22) and outputting a signal in response to sensing of the hand actions of the operator. The control circuit 62 is mounted in the station base 1, is connected electrically to the fixture sensors 61, and is adapted for receiving the signals from the fixture sensors 61 and controlling the indication unit 4. In this embodiment, the single station assembly line further includes a plurality of material bins 7 for

storing different components of the electronic device 100.
A detailed assembling process of the electronic device 100 is illustrated as follows, making reference to Figures 3 and 4. In this embodiment, the electronic device 100 is exemplified as a device used for wireless communication (e.g., a wireless AP (access point) or hub). Before the first step, the first mask 31 is at the opened position. In the first step, the operator puts a bottom housing 101 of the electronic device 100 into the accommodating space 25 of the first fixture 21 with a bottom outer surface of the bottom housing 101 facing outwardly. Then, the operator takes a label from a tray which is disposed near the station base 1, and sticks the label onto the bottom outer surface of the bottom housing 10. The label contains information of the electronic device 100, such as model number, product serial number, manufacture date and place, etc. Afterward, the bottom housing 101 is taken out by the operator, flipped over, and put back into the accommodating space 25 of the first fixture 21 such that the bottom outer surface of the bottom housing 101 faces inwardly and an inner space of the bottom housing 101 faces outwardly. Then, the operator flips the first mask 31 to the closed position.
In the next step, as shown in Figure 3, the operator takes another component, i.e., a set of antennas or a

printed circuit board, out of one material bin 7, and assembles the another component to the bottom housing 101. With the first mask 31 being at the closed position, the operator needs to extend his/her hands or fingers through the working hole 35 of the first mask 31 in order to perform this assembling action. Since the working hole 35 of the first mask 31 is smaller than the opening 251 of the accommodating space 25 of the first fixture 21, the bottom housing 101 can be safely maintained within the accommodating space 25 of the first fixture 21 during the entire step.
Several other components are assembled to the bottom housing 101 in the same manner. Before being assembled to the bottom housing 101, these components are stored in different material bins 7 placed around the station base 1. The control unit 6 further includes bin sensors 63 (see Figures 1) that are disposed at and connected to these material bins 7 and that are electrically connected to the control circuit 62. Each bin sensor 63 senses the hand actions of the operator relative to the corresponding material bin 7, e.g., the hand actions of the operator moving in and out of the material bins 7 as he/she takes out a component from the corresponding material bin 7, and output a signal to the control circuit 62 in response to sensing of the hand actions, so that the control circuit 62 can control the indication unit 4 to display an indication

directing the operator to proceed with the next action according to a preinstalled program and/or providing instructions to the operator as to how to perform the next action.
In the next step, the operator takes out a top housing 102 and puts the top housing 102 with an inner space of the top housing 102 faces outwardly into the accommodating space 25 of the second fixture 22, and then flips the second mask 32 to the closed position with the screw mask 33 being left in the opened position. Then the operator takes some other components and installs them to the top housing 102 in the same manner as illustrated above.
Then, the operator flips the second mask 32 to the opened position and takes out the assembled part (i.e., the top housing 102 assembled with the some other components), turns the assembled part over, and puts the assembled part into the accommodating space 25 of the first fixture 21, which is already accommodating the bottom housing 101, to be stacked on the bottom housing 101 for assembly therewith. Afterward, the operator takes the whole assembly (the assembled part and the bottom housing 101) out of the first fixture 21, turns it over, puts it into the accommodating space 25 of the second fixture 22, and finally flips the second mask 32 and the screw mask 33 both to the closed position (see Figure 4).

In the next step, the operator places two screws respectively into the screw holes 331 of the screw mask 33, and uses electronic screw driver to secure tightly the bottom housing 101 and the top housing 102 with the screws. Finally, the operator flips both the second mask 32 and the screw mask 33 to the opened position and takes out the entire assembled electronic device 100 from the second fixture 22 to finish the assembling process. The screw holes 331 of the screw mask 33 are respectively aligned with screw holes formed in the bottom housing 101, which are respectively aligned with screw holes formed in the top housing 102. Through the screw holes 331 of the screw mask 33, the operator can apply the screws efficiently.
The lock unit 5 is connected electrically to the control unit 6. The connection between the lock unit 5 and the control unit 6 has the following advantage. For example, prior to the installation of the some other components, when the top housing 102 is put into the second fixture 22 and the second mask 32 is flipped to the closed position, the fixture sensor 61 senses the hand action of the operator putting the top housing 102 into the second fixture 22 and flipping the second mask 32 to the closed position and outputs a signal to the control circuit 62, and in response to receipt of the signal from the fixture sensor 61, the control circuit 62 can lock one of the lock mechanisms of the lock unit

5 which is on the second fixture 22 and which corresponds to the second mask 32 so as to lock the second mask 32 to the closed position. The lock mechanism will be unlocked only after the some other components have been installed onto the top housing 102 and the fixture sensor 61 senses the hand action of the operator moving away from the second fixture 22, at which time the second mask 32 may be flipped to the opened position. Therefore, such configuration can help ensure that the assembling process is appropriately carried out.
In this embodiment, each material bin 7 includes a light indicator 71 (see Figure 1) that is controlled by the control unit 6 to guide the operator for pick the material for assembly in a sequential manner. Each process step of the assembly process is defined with cycle time, and the operator has to finish the task within that time if not then the system blocks the next process as an alert to maintain the assembly line speed.
Compared to the abovementioned prior art, the single station assembly line has a more flexible and scalable setup, and a lower demand for space. Moreover, the multi-skilling operator can diminish the influence on production attributed to absentees and attrition. Finally, the disclosure facilitates the continuous flow of production.
In the description above, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details have been set

forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiment. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that one or more other embodiments may be practiced without some of these specific details. It should also be appreciated that reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” an embodiment with an indication of an ordinal number and so forth means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic may be included in the practice of the disclosure. It should be further appreciated that in the description, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of various inventive aspects, and that one or more features or specific details from one embodiment may be practiced together with one or more features or specific details from another embodiment, where appropriate, in the practice of the disclosure.

We Claim:
1. A single station assembly line characterized by:
a station base (1);
a fixture unit (2) including at least one fixture (21) that is mounted on said station base (1);
a mask unit (3) including at least one mask (31) that is connected to said at least one fixture (21), said at least one mask (31) being movable before a predetermined step of the assembling process of an electronic device (100) to be carried out by an operator to a closed position, where at least one component of the electronic device (100) that another component is to be assembled to is maintained within said at least one fixture (21), said at least one mask (31) being further movable after the predetermined step of the assembling process to an opened position, where the assembled components of the electronic device (100) are permitted to be taken out from said at least one fixture (21); and
a lock unit (5) mounted to said fixture unit (2) and operable for securing said at least one mask (31) at the locked position.
2. The single station assembly line as claimed in claim
1, characterized in that:
said fixture unit (2) includes a first fixture (21) and a second fixture (22), each of said first and second

fixtures (21, 22) being formed with an accommodating space (25), said accommodating spaces (25) of said first and second fixtures (21, 22) are adapted for accommodating the components of the electronic device (100) during the predetermined step of the assembling process, said accommodating space (25) having an opening (251) through which the components of the electronic device (100) are put into said accommodating space (25);
said mask unit (3) includes a first mask (31) and a second mask (32) that are connected respectively to said first and second fixtures (21, 22), each of said first and second masks (31, 32) being pivotable relative to the respective one of said first and second fixtures (21, 22) between the closed position and the opened position, and being formed with a working hole (35) that is smaller than and located within a boundary defined by said opening (251) of said accommodating space (25) of the respective one of said first and second fixtures (21, 22); and
when each of said first and second masks (31, 32) is at the closed position, said working hole (35) thereof is adjacent to said opening (251) of said accommodating space (25) of the respective one of said first and second fixtures (21, 22).
3. The single station assembly line as claimed in claim

2, characterized in that:
said mask unit (31) further includes a screw mask (33) that is connected to said second fixture (22) and that is formed with at least one screw hole (331) smaller than and located within a boundary defined by said working hole (35) of said second mask (32);
said screw mask (33) is pivotable relative to said second fixture (22) between a closed position, where said at least one screw hole (331) is adjacent to said opening (251) of said accommodating space (25) of said second fixture (22), and an opened position, where said at least one screw hole (331) is away from said opening (251) of said accommodating space (25) of said second fixture (22).
4. The single station assembly line as claimed in claim 1, further characterized by an indication unit (4) that is connected to said station base (1) for indicating to the operator required actions for each step of the assembling process of the electronic device (100).
5. The single station assembly line as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that said indication unit (4) is a display screen.
6. The single station assembly line as claimed in claim

4, further characterized by a control unit (6) that includes:
at least one fixture sensor (61) connected to said at least one fixture (21), and adapted for sensing hand actions of the operator relative to said at least one fixture (21) and outputting a signal in response to the hand actions of the operator, and
a control circuit (62) connected electrically to said at least one fixture sensor (61), and adapted for receiving the signal from said at least one fixture sensor (61) and controlling said indication unit (4) to indicate to the operator an action to follow. 7. The single station assembly line as claimed in claim 6, further characterized by at least one material bin (7) adapted for storing the components of the electronic device (100) before the predetermined step of the assembling process of the electronic device (100), said control unit (6) further including at least one bin sensor (63) that is connected to said at least one material bin (7), that is connected electrically to said control circuit (62), and that is adapted for sensing hand actions of the operator relative to said at least one material bin (7) and outputting a signal to said control circuit (62), said control circuit (62) being adapted for receiving the signal from said at least one bin sensor (63) and controlling said indication unit (4) to indicate to the operator an

action to follow.
8. The single station assembly line as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that said at least one material bin (7) includes a light indicator (71) that is controlled by said control unit (6) and that is adapted to guide the operator for pick a material for assembly in a sequential manner.
9. The single station assembly line as claimed in claim 1, further characterized by a control unit (6) that includes:
at least one fixture sensor (61) connected to said at least one fixture (21), and adapted for sensing hand actions of the operator relative to said at least one fixture (21) and outputting a signal in response to the hand actions of the operator; and
a control circuit (62) connected electrically to said at least one fixture sensor (61), and disposed for receiving the signal from said at least one fixture sensor (61) and controlling said lock unit (5) to secure said at least one mask (31) at the locked position.