Automatic transfer printing equipment and process for bourdon tube

Abstract

The invention discloses automatic transfer printing equipment and process for bourdon tubes. The automatic transfer printing equipment comprises a rack, and a sliding rail is arranged on the rack in the length direction of the rack; the feeding device is fixedly mounted on the rack and is used for feeding the bourdon tube; the front end positioning mechanism is fixedly mounted on the rack and is used for positioning the front end of the bourdon tube; the fixed-length servo mechanism is mounted on the sliding rail in a sliding manner and is used for setting the printing position of the spring tube subjected to front end positioning; the flame treatment device is fixedly installed on the rack and used for conducting flame treatment on the surface of the spring tube clamped by the fixed-length servo mechanism in the moving process; the code spraying device is fixedly arranged on the rack and is used for carrying out mark printing on the surface of the spring tube which is processed by the flame processing device and is clamped by the fixed-length servo mechanism to reach the printing position; according to the bourdon tube transfer printing equipment and process, the marking position of the bourdon tube is accurate, printing is uniform, stable and firm, and manual carrying and measurement are not needed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of medical devices, and in particular to an automatic pad printing device and process for a spring tube. Background Art

[0002] During examinations or surgical treatments, it is usually necessary to deliver medical devices such as endoscopes, hemostats, and biopsy forceps into cavities such as the digestive tract, blood vessels, and urethra. Medical spring tubes are one of the most important accessories for delivering medical devices such as endoscopes, hemostats, and biopsy forceps.

[0003] In gastroscope accessory medical devices, a large number of spring tubes and hoses are needed for force transmission protection. Medical spring tubes generally include a metal spring and a plastic sheath covering the outer periphery of the metal spring. Since the spring tube needs to be connected to the end components of the medical devices at both ends, the spring tube needs to be marked with a large number of fixed lengths and the plastic coating needs to be peeled off. That is, the spring tube is first marked and printed, and then a peeling process is performed to remove part of the outer skin at the end of the spring tube according to the printed mark points.

[0004] The length of the mark needs to be set in advance. Usually, a length measuring tool is used to measure the position of the mark required on the spring tube. The accuracy is not high and the process is relatively cumbersome. It is not suitable for peeling large quantities of spring tubes.

[0005] At present, in the process of spring tube marking, manual handling and printing with tools are usually adopted: manual handling to a separate printing device for marking and printing, not only the timeliness of the processing will affect the firmness of the printed mark, but also the printing processing effect is more easily affected by the external environment and human operation.

[0006] In addition, whether in the traditional marking printing process or the existing automated pad printing equipment, since the length of the spring tube is different each time the material is loaded, the end position cannot be maintained consistently by manual labor, and the clamping position of the clamp is different each time, if the mark is printed directly, it is easy to cause problems such as inconsistent length of the spring tube printing position, asymmetric printed marks, and large and small mark intervals, which will affect the subsequent plastic coating peeling process. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In order to solve the above technical problems, the technical solutions of the present invention are as follows: The present invention provides an automatic pad printing device for spring tubes, which is used to realize the integrated operation of flame treatment and mark printing on the outer surface of the spring tube; it has the following characteristics: a frame, the frame is provided with a slide rail along its length direction; a feeding device, fixedly mounted on the frame, is used to feed the spring tube; a front end positioning mechanism, fixedly mounted on the frame, is used to position the front end of the spring tube; a fixed-length servo mechanism, slidably mounted on the slide rail, is used to set the printing position of the spring tube after the front end is positioned; a flame treatment device, fixedly mounted on the frame, is used to flame treat the surface of the spring tube clamped by the fixed-length servo mechanism during movement; and a coding device, fixedly mounted on the frame, is used to The surface of the spring tube processed by the flame treatment device and clamped by the fixed-length servo mechanism to the printing position is marked and printed; wherein, the front-end positioning mechanism includes: a fixed plate, installed on the frame; a slide rail assembly, installed on the fixed plate; a positioning baffle, which can be slidably set on the fixed plate through the slide rail assembly and has a final position; a sensing assembly, installed on the fixed plate, for sensing the moving position of the positioning baffle; when the feeding device drives the end of the spring tube to touch and push the positioning baffle to the final position, the sensing assembly is triggered to stop the positioning baffle, and the end of the spring tube is constrained to be aligned on the positioning surface of the positioning baffle, thereby realizing the front-end positioning of the spring tube, and the feeding device drives the spring tube to move to cover the forward and backward moving stroke of the positioning baffle.

[0008] Furthermore, the spring tube automatic pad printing equipment proposed in the present invention also has the following characteristics: the feeding device includes a grabbing and feeding mechanism, the grabbing and feeding mechanism has a positioning claw and a linear module mechanism, and the positioning claw is fixed on the linear module mechanism to realize the reciprocating motion of the positioning claw.

[0009] Furthermore, the spring tube automatic pad printing equipment proposed in the present invention also has the following characteristics, the linear module mechanism has: a cylinder, one end of which is installed on the screw rod through a first mounting block, and the other end is fixedly connected to a positioning clamp, the cylinder is used to drive the positioning clamp to clamp or release the spring tube; a screw rod, one end of which is installed on the frame, and the other end is equipped with a positioning stepper motor, the positioning stepper motor drives the screw rod to drive the positioning clamp to move along the axial direction of the screw rod.

[0010] Furthermore, the spring tube automatic pad printing equipment proposed in the present invention also has the following characteristics: the front-end positioning mechanism also includes a spring and a spring fixing block, one end of the spring is fixed to the positioning baffle, and the other end is fixed to the spring fixing block, and is used to return the slide rail assembly to its initial position through the spring when the front-end positioning is completed.

[0011] Furthermore, the spring tube automatic pad printing equipment proposed in the present invention also has the following characteristics, the fixed-length servo mechanism includes: a fixed-length servo motor, installed at one end of the slide rail close to the feeding device, used to drive the fixed-length servo mechanism to work; a fixed-length servo fixed frame, slidably installed on the slide rail; a fixed-length clamp, used to clamp the spring tube; fixed-length upper and lower cylinders, installed on the fixed-length servo fixed frame; a finger cylinder, installed on the fixed-length upper and lower cylinders and connected to the fixed-length clamp, the finger cylinder drives the fixed-length clamp to clamp the spring tube, and the fixed-length upper and lower cylinders drive the fixed-length clamp to move up and down; a fixed-length telescopic cylinder, connected to the finger cylinder, the fixed-length telescopic cylinder is used to drive the fixed-length clamp to extend and retract back and forth.

[0012] Furthermore, the spring tube automatic pad printing equipment proposed in the present invention also has the following characteristics, the feeding device also includes: a return to zero sensor, fixed on the linear module mechanism, for detecting the position of the positioning clamp; a power-off switch, fixed on the linear module mechanism; when the positioning clamp drives the spring tube to move to the positioning baffle and completes the front end positioning, the fixed-length servo mechanism is started, the positioning stepper motor returns to zero, the return to zero sensor triggers the power-off switch, and the positioning clamp stops running.

[0013] Furthermore, the spring tube automatic pad printing equipment proposed in the present invention also has the following characteristics, the inkjet coding device includes: a base plate, fixed on the frame; a printing lower mold, installed on the base plate, and the printing lower mold is provided with a coaxial processing space for the fixed-length servo mechanism to feed the spring tube along the direction of the frame when passing through the printing lower mold; at least one pair of inkjet printers, installed on both sides of the printing lower mold along its length direction, for marking and printing the spring tube tightened on the printing lower mold.

[0014] Furthermore, the automatic pad printing equipment for spring tubes proposed in the present invention also has the following characteristics, wherein the printing lower mold is used to place the spring tube to be printed and to press and straighten the two ends of the spring tube; wherein, the printing lower mold includes a first printing seat and a second printing seat corresponding to each other, and a through hole is provided between the first printing seat and the second printing seat to form a channel for the spring tube to pass through and be placed, and the inner diameters of the two end portions of the channel are larger than the inner diameter of the middle part of the channel, and the inner walls of the channel at the two end portions are respectively provided with inclined stepped landslide structures.

[0015] Furthermore, the automatic pad printing equipment for spring tubes proposed in the present invention also has the following characteristics: the flame treatment device includes a flame spray gun, which is fixed on the frame; when the fixed-length servo mechanism extends a fixed-length clamp to clamp the spring tube and moves to the flame treatment device, the flame spray gun automatically sprays fire, and the fire spraying of the flame spray gun is controlled by the movement of the fixed-length servo mechanism.

[0016] The present invention also proposes an automatic pad printing process for spring tubes, which is applicable to the automatic pad printing equipment for spring tubes as described above and includes at least the following steps: Step 1: Grabbing, feeding and front-end positioning: The spring tube to be processed is sent to the rack through the feeding device. When the spring tube hits the front-end positioning mechanism, the feeding device stops feeding but keeps grabbing the spring tube. The front-end positioning mechanism starts working to keep the front end of the spring tube aligned with the positioning surface of the positioning baffle. Step 2: Flame treatment: After the front end positioning is completed, the fixed-length servo mechanism grabs the positioned spring tube. At this time, the feeding device releases the spring tube, and the fixed-length servo mechanism prepares to set the length of the printing position. When the fixed-length servo mechanism clamps the spring tube and passes through the flame treatment device, the surface of the spring tube is flame treated. Step 3: Printing position length setting: When the fixed-length servo mechanism clamps the flame-treated spring tube over the printing lower die and reaches the printing set position, the fixed-length servo mechanism feeds the spring tube into the printing lower die at once, and the fixed-length servo mechanism stops clamping the above spring tube; Step 4: Printing: The coding device prints the mark on the spring tube in the printing lower die; Step 5: Unloading: Repeat steps 2, 3 and 4 until two or three sections of marking are completed. The coding device stops working and the fixed-length servo mechanism clamps the spring tube that has finished coding for unloading.

[0017] The technical solution of the present invention has the following advantages: The present invention provides an automatic pad printing device and process for spring tubes, which is an integrated device comprising a feeding device, a front-end positioning mechanism, a fixed-length servo mechanism, a flame treatment device, and a coding device. When in use, the front-end positioning mechanism is used to position the front end of the loaded spring tube, and then the fixed-length servo mechanism is used to set the length of the spring tube after the front end is positioned for the automatic printing position. At the same time, the flame surface treatment device is used to perform flame spraying on the surface of the spring tube. When the set position is reached, the fixed-length servo mechanism transfers the spring tube with the front end positioned to the printing lower mold in the coding device at one time for straightening, pressing, and fixing before printing.

[0018] Compared with the existing marking and printing process, the equipment of the present invention integrates flame surface treatment and printing marking into one. During each spring tube loading process, the front-end positioning mechanism and the fixed-length servo mechanism ensure that the spring tube marking printing position is accurate and stable, and the marking interval after printing is consistent; combined with flame treatment, it ensures that the printed mark is firm and uniform; and there is no need to rely on manual handling and measurement, reducing the back-and-forth transportation of the plastic-coated spring tube, affecting the marking effect, and ensuring the firmness of the printed marking point. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] In order to more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the specific embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0020] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the automatic pad printing equipment for spring tubes in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 2. It is a top view of the automatic pad printing device for spring tubes in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the structure of the grabbing and feeding mechanism in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the structure of the front-end positioning mechanism in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the structure of the fixed-length servo mechanism in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of a portion of the structure of a fixed-length servo mechanism in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the structure of the coding device in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the structure of the printing lower mold in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 9 3. It is a top view of the printing lower mold in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Description of reference numerals: 1. Spring tube; 10. Frame; 20. Feeding device; 30. Front-end positioning mechanism; 40. Fixed-length servo mechanism; 50. Flame treatment device; 60. Inkjet printer device.

[0030] 21. Positioning clamp; 22. Cylinder; 23. Positioning stepper motor; 24. Screw; 25. First mounting block; 26. Return to zero sensor; 27. Power off switch; 28. Second mounting block; 29. ​​Height limit arm; 31. Fixed plate; 32. Slider guide rail; 33. Slider; 34. Slider fixing block; 35. Positioning baffle; 36. Sensor; 37. Photoelectric sensor; 38. Spring fixing block; 41. Fixed-length upper and lower cylinders; 42. Fixed-length telescopic cylinder; 43. Finger cylinder; 44. Fixed-length clamp; 45. Fixed-length servo fixing bracket; 46. Fixed-length servo motor; 47. Synchronous belt; 51. Flame spray gun; 61. Bottom plate; 62. Inkjet printer; 63. Printing lower die; 631. First printing seat; 632. Second printing seat. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The technical solution of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the embodiments described are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field based on the embodiments of the present invention without making any creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0032] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are intended solely to facilitate and simplify the description of the present invention. They are not intended to indicate or imply that the devices or components referred to must have, be constructed, or operate in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as limitations on the present invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0033] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they may refer to fixed, detachable, or integral connections; mechanical or electrical connections; direct or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0034] The "proximal end" and "distal end" involved in the embodiments of this specification can indicate directions, the side facing the operator is the "proximal end", and the side facing the side inserted into the human body for treatment is the "distal end"; "proximal end" and "distal end" can also refer to partial structures and ends located in the corresponding directions.

[0035] In addition, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other. Example 1:

[0036] This embodiment provides an automatic pad printing device for spring tubes, which is used to perform flame treatment and marking on the outer surface of spring tubes. The spring tubes can be used to deliver instruments into cavities such as the digestive tract, blood vessels, and urethra, thereby performing medical procedures at the desired locations. They are a crucial accessory for delivering medical instruments such as endoscopes, hemostats, and biopsy forceps.

[0037] Figure 1 FIG. 1 shows a schematic structural diagram of the automatic pad printing device for spring tubes in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, the spring tube automatic pad printing equipment includes a frame 10, a feeding device 20, a front-end positioning mechanism 30, a fixed-length servo mechanism 40, a flame treatment device 50 and a coding device 60.

[0038] The frame 10 is shaped like a rectangular parallelepiped, with a slide rail along its upper side. A feeding device 20 is fixedly mounted on the frame 10 on the other side of the slide rail and is used to load the spring tube. A front-end positioning mechanism 30 is fixedly mounted on the frame 10 and is used to position the front end of the loaded spring tube. A fixed-length servo mechanism 40 is slidably mounted on the slide rail and is used to set the printing position of the front-end positioned spring tube. A flame treatment device 50 is fixedly mounted on the frame 10, generally located downstream of the feeding device 20, and is used to flame treat the surface of the spring tube clamped by the fixed-length servo mechanism 40 during movement. A coding device 60 is fixedly mounted on the frame 10 and is generally located downstream of the flame treatment device 50.

[0039] In actual operation, the device is equipped with a control center, which can be set near the frame 10, and a control screen is set on the frame 10. The control screen has operation keys such as a start button and a close button for controlling the above-mentioned device to work.

[0040] In addition, if Figure 1 As shown, a height limiting arm 29 can be provided at the front of the feeding device 20. When the spring tube enters the feeding device 20, the upper surface of the height limiting arm 29 contacts the lower surface of the spring tube, limiting the height of the spring tube during feeding. This ensures that the spring tube maintains a correct posture upon entering the feeding device 20, preventing bending, deflection, and sagging of the spring tube under its own weight from affecting subsequent processing steps. The height of the height limiting arm 29 can be adjusted by an adjustment device to maintain the same level as the height at which the feeding device 20 grasps the spring tube, preventing the tube from sagging under its own weight and causing length instability.

[0041] In the following description of directions, “front” and “rear” directions refer to the length direction of the rack 10 , “left” and “right” directions refer to the width direction of the rack 10 , and “up” and “down” directions refer to the height direction of the rack 10 .

[0042] In this embodiment, a slide rail is provided on the frame 10, and a fixed-length servo mechanism 40 is slidably mounted on the slide rail. A fixed-length servo motor 46 within the fixed-length servo mechanism 40 is fixed to one end of the slide rail. During processing, the fixed-length servo mechanism 40 slides back and forth along the slide rail under the control of the fixed-length servo motor 46. To the right of one end of the slide rail is the frame 10 portion where the feeding device 20, front-end positioning mechanism 30, flame treatment device 50, and inkjet printer 60 are mounted. Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a top view of the automatic pad printing device for spring tubes in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 、 Figure 2 As shown, the feeding device 20, the flame treatment device 50 and the inkjet coding device 60 are distributed in sequence on the above-mentioned frame 10 part, and the front-end positioning mechanism 30 can be set on the left side of the feeding device 20 along the width direction of the frame 10, that is, between the initial position of the fixed-length servo mechanism 40 and the feeding device 20. The above devices complete the automatic pad printing process of the spring tube under the cooperation of the fixed-length servo mechanism 40, and finally the fixed-length servo mechanism 40 controls the spring tube to be unloaded along the slide rail.

[0043] Figure 3 FIG is a structural diagram of the grabbing and feeding mechanism in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, the feeding device 20 is arranged on the side of the frame 10 close to the loading area, that is, fixed to the rear end of the frame 10 through the second mounting block 28. The feeding device 20 includes a grabbing and feeding mechanism and a placement slot (not marked in the figure). The spring tube is placed in the placement slot for loading. Figure 2 As shown, the grabbing and feeding mechanism has a positioning jaw 21 and a linear module mechanism. The positioning jaw 21 can be opened and closed and is fixed on the linear module mechanism to realize the reciprocating motion of the positioning jaw 21 along the length direction of the frame 10.

[0044] The linear module mechanism comprises a cylinder 22, a positioning stepper motor 23, and a screw 24. The screw 24 is mounted on the frame 10 at one end and the positioning stepper motor 23 at the other. The positioning stepper motor 23 drives the screw 24, which in turn moves the positioning jaw 21 axially, i.e., forward and backward relative to the frame 10. One end of the cylinder 22 is mounted on the screw 24 via a first mounting block 25, and the other end is fixedly connected to the positioning jaw 21. The cylinder 22 is used to drive the positioning jaw 21 to clamp or release the spring tube. In this embodiment, the cylinder 22 can be a large-diameter cylinder.

[0045] A return-to-zero sensor 26 is fixed to the screw 24 and is used to detect the position of the positioning jaw 211 during the rotation of the screw 24. A power-off switch 27 is fixed to the end near the positioning stepper motor 23. The large-diameter air cylinder 22 is closed to drive the positioning jaw 21 to clamp the material. The positioning stepper motor 23 rotates, causing the screw 24 to drive the positioning jaw 21 forward. When the positioning jaw 21 drives the spring tube to move to the front positioning mechanism 30 and completes the front-end positioning, the fixed-length servo mechanism 40 is activated to remove the spring tube, and the positioning stepper motor 23 returns to zero. The return-to-zero sensor 26 triggers the power-off switch 27. When the return-to-zero sensor 26 hits the power-off switch 27, the positioning jaw 21 stops operating.

[0046] Specifically, during this process, when the zero return sensor 26 detects that the positioning clamp 21 has reached the preset zero return position, it triggers the power-off switch 27. After the power-off switch 27 is triggered, the power supply or related signal of the positioning stepper motor 23 is cut off, causing the positioning clamp 21 to stop running. The positioning clamp 21 can be set to return to its initial position.

[0047] Figure 4 The figure is a schematic diagram of the front-end positioning mechanism 30 in an embodiment of the present invention. During each loading process of the spring tube, the end position of the spring tube does not remain consistent, resulting in different positions of the gripping jaws during the gripping process. Manually maintaining consistent length and position of the spring tube during each loading is relatively difficult, and this also affects the subsequent setting of the printing position by the fixed-length servo mechanism 40. Therefore, the front-end positioning mechanism 30 is provided.

[0048] like Figure 4 As shown, the front-end positioning mechanism 30 includes a fixed plate 31, a slide rail assembly, a positioning baffle 35, and a sensing assembly. The fixed plate 31 is mounted on the frame 10; the slide rail assembly is mounted on the fixed plate 31; the positioning baffle 35 is slidably mounted on the fixed plate 31 via the slide rail assembly and has a final position; and the sensing assembly is mounted on the fixed plate 31 to sense the position of the positioning baffle 35.

[0049] When the feeding device 20 drives the end of the spring tube to contact and push the positioning baffle 35 to its final position, the triggering sensor assembly stops the positioning baffle 35, and the end of the spring tube is constrained and aligned with the positioning surface of the positioning baffle 35, thus achieving the front end of the spring tube. The movement of the spring tube driven by the feeding device 20 covers the forward and backward movement of the positioning baffle 35.

[0050] The travel of the spring tube refers to the distance traveled by the end of the spring tube as it is pushed from its initial position to the front-end positioning mechanism 30. This travel spans the entire process from the moment the spring tube end is gripped by the feeding device 20 to the moment it reaches its final position on the positioning baffle 35 of the front-end positioning mechanism 30. The forward and backward travel of the positioning baffle 35 refers to the total distance the positioning baffle 35 can slide on the slide rail assembly, i.e., the entire range of movement from the initial position (forward or rearward end) of the positioning baffle 35 to its final position. The travel range of the spring tube driven by the feeding device 20 must be sufficiently long and cover the forward and backward travel of the positioning baffle 35 to ensure that the end of the spring tube contacts the positioning baffle 35 and that the positioning baffle 35 can be pushed to its final position regardless of the initial position of the spring tube end.

[0051] Assume that the forward and backward movement of the positioning baffle 35 is from position A to position B (where B is the "final position"), and the initial position of the spring tube end may be at position C (close to the positioning baffle) or position D (far away from the positioning baffle).

[0052] If the spring tube end is at position C, the feeding device 20 needs to move from C to B. If the spring tube end is at position D, the feeding device 20 needs to move from D to B. Regardless of the initial position of the spring tube end, the feeding device 20 must move the entire distance from C to B or from D to B to ensure that the positioning stopper can be pushed to the "final position" B.

[0053] In the automatic pad printing device for spring tubes of the present invention, the "final position" refers to a specific position of the positioning plate within the slidable range of the slide rail assembly. When the end of the spring tube reaches the positioning plate via the feeding device 20 and pushes the positioning plate to move, the positioning plate slides back and forth along the slide rail assembly until the end of the spring tube reaches a predetermined, fixed stop position. This stop position is referred to as the "final position."

[0054] The "final position" is determined by a sensing component. When the positioning stop reaches this position, the sensing component is triggered, causing the positioning stop to stop further movement. At this point, the end of the spring tube is constrained to align with the positioning surface of the positioning stop, effectively positioning the front end of the spring tube. This "final position" ensures that the end of the spring tube is accurately aligned in the same position every time the material is loaded, regardless of its initial position, providing a stable reference for subsequent printing operations.

[0055] The setting of the "final position" is determined based on the size of the spring tube and the printing process requirements, and is used to ensure the position accuracy and consistency of the spring tube in the subsequent printing process.

[0056] In this embodiment, the slide rail assembly includes a slider guide 32, a slider 33, and a slider fixing block 34; the sensing assembly includes a sensing plate and a photoelectric sensor 37. The fixing plate 31 is mounted on the frame 10; the slider guide 32 is fixedly mounted on the fixing plate 31; the slider 33 is mounted on the slide rail and slidably engages with the slider guide 32; the slider fixing block 34 is connected to the slider 33 so as to slide along the slider guide 32; the positioning stopper 35 is connected to the slider fixing block 34 so that the positioning stopper 35 moves forward and backward along the length of the frame 10 under the guidance of the slider 33. The sensing plate can be positioned below or to the side of the slider fixing block 34; the photoelectric sensor 37 is fixed to the fixing plate 31 and positioned corresponding to the sensing plate.

[0057] When the end of the spring tube reaches the front positioning mechanism 30 under the clamping of the positioning clamp 21 and pushes the positioning baffle 35, the positioning baffle 35 drives the slider 33 to move toward the sensing plate until the sensing plate triggers the photoelectric sensor 37. The positioning baffle 35 stops moving, and the end of the spring tube is constrained to be aligned in the same plane, thereby realizing the front end positioning of the spring tube.

[0058] In this embodiment, the front end positioning mechanism 30 may also include a spring (not shown) and a spring retaining block 38. One end of the spring is fixed to the positioning baffle 35, and the other end is fixed to the spring retaining block 38. This allows the spring to return the slider 33 to its initial position when front end positioning is complete. The reciprocating motion of the positioning baffle 35 may also be driven by a pneumatic cylinder. The positioning baffle 35, through its positioning surface, constrains the end of the spring tube, aligning it and achieving front end positioning. To meet different process requirements or optimize the equipment structure, the positioning baffle 35 may be designed as another component with similar functionality, such as a rod-shaped structure.

[0059] The specific method of the feeding device 20 to load the spring tube and position the front end is as follows: The positioning jaws 21 in the grabbing and feeding mechanism can reciprocate under the action of the screw 24 to achieve repeated feeding. When the positioning jaws 21 drive the spring tube to the positioning baffle of the front-end positioning mechanism 30, the action stops, and the positioning jaws 21 no longer reciprocate along the screw 24. The spring tube pushes the positioning baffle, giving the positioning baffle a force to move forward along the length direction of the frame 10. The positioning baffle drives the slider 33 to move toward the sensor plate 36 until the sensor plate 36 triggers the photoelectric sensor 37. The positioning baffle stops moving, and the end of the spring tube is constrained to align with the positioning surface of the positioning baffle, thereby achieving the front-end positioning of the spring tube. The positioning baffle can move back and forth on the slider guide 32. The forward and backward movement of the positioning baffle can meet the requirements of ensuring the front-end positioning of the spring hose. The front-end positioning is to ensure that the position length of the mark printing meets the technical requirements of the product, and there will be no situation where the position length is different.

[0060] Figure 5Schematic diagram of the structure of the fixed-length servo mechanism 40 in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 FIG. 4 is a partial structural diagram of the fixed-length servo mechanism 40 in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the fixed length servo mechanism 40 includes: a fixed length servo motor 46, a fixed length servo fixed frame 45, a fixed length clamping claw 44, a fixed length upper and lower cylinder 41, a finger cylinder 43 and a fixed length telescopic cylinder 42. Figure 1 As shown, the fixed-length servo mechanism 40 is installed on the left side of the feeding device 20 , the flame treatment device 50 and the coding device 60 .

[0061] Specifically, the fixed-length servo motor 46 is fixedly mounted on one end of the slide rail near the feeding device 20, and is used to drive the fixed-length servo mechanism 40 to work; the fixed-length servo fixed frame 45 is slidably mounted on the slide rail; the fixed-length upper and lower cylinders 41 are mounted on the fixed-length servo fixed frame 45; the finger cylinder 43 is mounted on the fixed-length upper and lower cylinders 41 and connected to the fixed-length clamp 44, the finger cylinder 43 drives the fixed-length clamp 44 to clamp the spring tube, and the fixed-length upper and lower cylinders 41 drive the fixed-length clamp 44 to move up and down; the fixed-length telescopic cylinder 42 is connected to the finger cylinder 43, and the fixed-length telescopic cylinder 42 is used to drive the fixed-length clamp 44 to extend and retract left and right.

[0062] The specific method of the fixed-length servo mechanism 40 to set the printing position of the spring tube is as follows: When front-end positioning is complete, the fixed-length servo mechanism 40 grasps the positioned spring tube and is then fixed to length by the fixed-length servo motor 46. First, once the spring tube has been positioned, the fixed-length servo mechanism 40 activates. The fixed-length upper and lower cylinders 41 descend into position, the fixed-length telescopic cylinder 42 extends, and the finger cylinder 43 closes, driving the fixed-length clamping jaws 44 to clamp the spring tube. Once the fixed-length clamping jaws 44 have gripped the spring tube, the positioning jaws 21 release, and the positioning stepper motor 23 returns to zero. The fixed-length upper and lower cylinders 41 then ascend, and the fixed-length servo motor 46 begins rotating, driving the fixed-length servo mechanism 40 forward via the timing belt 47.

[0063] In addition, in the spring tube automatic printing equipment, such as Figure 1 As shown, the flame treatment device 50 includes a flame spray gun 51, which is fixed on the frame 10. When the fixed-length servo mechanism 40 extends the fixed-length clamping claw 44 to clamp the spring tube and moves to the flame treatment device 50, the flame spray gun 51 automatically sprays fire. The flame spray gun 51 sprays fire by the movement of the fixed-length servo mechanism 40, that is, the fixed-length servo mechanism 40 moves forward on the slide rail. The flame spray gun 51 continues to spray fire until the fixed-length servo mechanism 40 stops moving. By spraying fire on the surface of the spring tube, the surface tension of the spring tube is increased, which facilitates the firm printing of the marking points.

[0064] Figure 7FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of the coding device 60 in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 As shown, the inkjet printer 60 includes a base plate 61, a printing lower die 63, and at least one pair of inkjet printers 62. The inkjet printer 60 is positioned in front of the flame treatment device 50. The base plate 61 is fixed to the frame 10; the printing lower die 63 is mounted on the base plate 61. The printing lower die 63 is provided with a processing space through which the fixed-length servo mechanism 40 feeds the spring tube along the direction of the frame 10 when passing through the printing lower die 63. At least one pair of inkjet printers 62 are mounted on either side of the printing lower die 63 along its length and are used to print marks on the spring tube tensioned within the printing lower die 63. The inkjet printers 62 are equipped with a row of high-precision nozzles that can print successfully in one go, with a row of marks on each side, achieving clear and uniform printing effects to meet the printing requirements of spring tubes of different specifications.

[0065] Figure 8 FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of the printing lower mold 63 in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 Specifically, the printing lower die 63 is used to place the spring tube to be printed and compress and straighten the ends of the spring tube. The printing lower die 63 includes a first printing seat 631 and a second printing seat 632 corresponding to each other. A through hole is opened between the first printing seat 631 and the second printing seat 632 to form a channel for the spring tube to pass through. The inner diameter of the end of the channel is larger than the inner diameter of the middle part of the channel. The inner wall of the channel at each end is provided with an inclined stepped landslide structure. The landslide structure extends from the larger inner diameter of the end to the smaller inner diameter of the middle part, which is used to guide the spring tube to smoothly enter and stably position it within the through-hole. Compressing and straightening the ends of the spring tube can ensure the stability of the printing position during the printing process.

[0066] Furthermore, the connection between the landslide structure and the middle portion of the channel can also be set to a smooth cambered surface. In order to enhance the compacting effect, the upper surface of the first printing seat can be set to protrude more than the lower surface.

[0067] When the fixed-length servo fixed frame 45 in the fixed-length servo mechanism 40 moves to the set printing position, the fixed-length upper and lower cylinders 41 descend into place, and the finger cylinder 43 drives the fixed-length clamping claw 44 to clamp the spring tube and send it into the printing lower mold 63.

[0068] The spring tube printing process of the spring tube automatic pad printing device proposed in this embodiment has the following steps: Step 1: Grab, feed and front-end positioning: The spring tube to be processed is sent to the frame 10 through the grabbing and feeding mechanism. When the spring tube hits the front end positioning mechanism 30, the grabbing and feeding mechanism stops feeding but keeps grabbing the spring tube. The front end positioning mechanism 30 starts working to keep the front end of the spring tube in the same position.

[0069] Specifically, the spring tube to be processed is placed on the placement slot of the grabbing and feeding mechanism. The positioning claw 21 clamps the spring tube and moves forward along the screw 24 under the action of the positioning stepper motor 23. Driven by the linear module mechanism, the spring tube is grabbed from the loading position and sent to the front-end positioning mechanism 30 on the frame 10. When the end of the spring tube hits the positioning baffle of the front-end positioning mechanism 30, the grabbing and feeding mechanism stops feeding, but maintains the gripping state of the spring tube. The front-end positioning mechanism 30 starts working, and the positioning baffle drives the slider 33 to move back and forth toward the sensor plate 36 under the push of the spring tube. When it reaches the final position set by the positioning baffle, the sensor plate 36 triggers the photoelectric sensor 37, the positioning baffle stops moving, and the end of the spring tube is constrained to align with the positioning surface of the positioning baffle, realizing the front-end positioning of the spring tube.

[0070] Step 2: Flame treatment: Once the front-end positioning is complete, the fixed-length clamping jaw 44 of the fixed-length servo mechanism, driven by the fixed-length servo motor 46, extends and grasps the positioned spring tube. At this point, the positioning clamping jaw 21 in the grabbing and feeding mechanism releases the spring tube, and the fixed-length servo mechanism 40 prepares to set the length of the printing position. As the fixed-length servo mechanism 40 holds the spring tube and passes through the flame treatment device 50, the flame spray gun 51 automatically sprays flames, treating the surface of the spring tube. During the flame treatment process, the movement speed of the fixed-length servo mechanism 40 and the spraying time of the flame spray gun 51 can be precisely controlled based on the material of the spring tube and the printing requirements, ensuring uniform heating of the spring tube surface and improving printing adhesion.

[0071] Step 3: Printing position length setting: After the flame treatment, the spring tube is gripped by the fixed-length clamping claw 44 of the fixed-length servo mechanism 40 and continues to move above the printing lower mold 63. The fixed-length servo mechanism 40, based on the set printing position length, uses the coordinated action of the fixed-length telescopic cylinder 42 and the fixed-length upper and lower cylinders 41 to feed the spring tube into the printing lower mold 63 at one time. When the spring tube reaches the set printing position, the fixed-length servo mechanism 40 stops gripping the spring tube, and the spring tube is compressed and straightened by the first printing seat 631 and the second printing seat 632 of the printing lower mold 63, ready for printing.

[0072] Step 4: Printing process: The coding device 60 prints a mark on the spring tube in the lower printing die 63. Specifically, upon receiving a print command, the printer 62 of the coding device 60 begins printing a mark on the spring tube in the lower printing die 63. During the printing process, the first printing seat 631 and the second printing seat 632 of the lower printing die 63 continue to compress and straighten the spring tube, ensuring its stability during printing and improving print quality.

[0073] Step 5: Cutting: After the inkjet printer 60 completes printing a mark, the fixed-length servo mechanism 40 repeats steps 2, 3, and 4 according to the pre-programmed sequence until two or three marks are complete. The inkjet printer 60 then stops, and the fixed-length servo mechanism 40 grips the finished spring tube and removes it from the printing lower die 63 for unloading. Specifically, once the marking point is printed, the finger cylinder 43 closes, driving the fixed-length clamp 44 to clamp the spring tube. The fixed-length servo motor 4626 within the fixed-length servo mechanism 40 then pulls the tube along the front end of the frame 10 for unloading. Once unloading is complete, the machine returns to its initial state, ready for pad printing of the next spring tube.

[0074] This embodiment provides a front-end positioning mechanism 30 to ensure that the end position of the spring tube is consistent each time it is loaded. By cooperating with the grabbing and feeding mechanism and the fixed-length servo mechanism 40, it solves the problems of inconsistent printing position length of the spring tube, asymmetric printing marks, and large and small mark intervals.

[0075] The entire pad printing process is automated, from gripping and feeding, front-end positioning, flame treatment, printing position setting, printing processing, and unloading. This fully automated process significantly improves production efficiency and reduces labor costs. By optimizing the equipment structure and process flow, this invention achieves automated, high-precision marking printing on spring tubes, improving production efficiency and print quality, and has broad application prospects. Example 2:

[0076] The difference between this embodiment and the above-mentioned embodiment 1 is that at least two grabbing and feeding mechanisms are provided, and the two grabbing and feeding mechanisms are arranged side by side along the height direction of the frame 10. Alternatively, at least two positioning jaws 21 are provided on the same grabbing and feeding mechanism, and the positioning jaws 21 are staggered.

[0077] The front end positioning mechanism 30 is changed from a fixed setting to a sliding setting, so that the positioning baffle of the front end positioning mechanism 30 slides on the frame 10 to position the spring tube end. An extended positioning baffle can also be used to meet the end positioning of multiple spring tubes at a time.

[0078] Although Example 2 can also solve the problem of inconsistent length positions of the spring tube feeding ends and can realize the loading of multiple spring tubes at a time, although the front-end positioning problem is solved, the subsequent printing device and the like also need to add structures, which are bound to be more complicated in structure. Therefore, this embodiment is relatively complicated in structure and operation steps compared with Example 1.

[0079] Obviously, the above embodiments are merely examples for clarity of explanation and are not intended to limit the implementation methods. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that other variations or modifications based on the above descriptions are possible. It is not necessary and impossible to enumerate all implementation methods here. Obvious variations or modifications arising therefrom remain within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. Automatic pad printing equipment for spring tubes, used for marking and printing on the surface of spring tubes, characterized by: include: A frame, wherein the frame is provided with slide rails along its length; A feeding device, fixedly mounted on the frame, for feeding the spring tube; A front end positioning mechanism, fixedly mounted on the frame, for positioning the front end of the spring tube; A fixed-length servo mechanism is slidably mounted on the slide rail and is used to set the printing position of the spring tube after the front end is positioned; A flame treatment device, fixedly mounted on the frame, for performing flame treatment on the surface of the spring tube clamped by the fixed-length servo mechanism during movement; and a coding device, fixedly mounted on the frame, for marking and printing the surface of the spring tube that has been treated by the flame treatment device and clamped by the fixed-length servo mechanism to a printing position; Wherein, the front end positioning mechanism includes: A fixing plate, mounted on the frame; A slide rail assembly is mounted on a fixed plate; a positioning baffle, which is slidably disposed on the fixed plate via the slide rail assembly and has a final position; A sensing component, mounted on the fixed plate, for sensing the position of the positioning baffle; When the feeding device drives the end of the spring tube to touch and push the positioning baffle to the final position, the trigger sensing component stops the positioning baffle, and the end of the spring tube is constrained to align on the positioning surface of the positioning baffle, thereby realizing the front end positioning of the spring tube. The feeding device drives the spring tube to move to cover the forward and backward movement stroke of the positioning baffle.

2. The spring tube automatic pad printing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The front end positioning mechanism also includes a spring and a spring fixing block. One end of the spring is fixed to the positioning baffle, and the other end is fixed to the spring fixing block. When the front end positioning is completed, the slide rail assembly returns to its initial position through the spring.

3. The spring tube automatic pad printing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that: The feeding device includes a grabbing and feeding mechanism, which has a positioning clamping claw and a linear module mechanism. The positioning clamping claw is fixed on the linear module mechanism to realize the reciprocating motion of the positioning clamping claw.

4. The automatic pad printing equipment for spring tubes according to claim 3, characterized in that: in, The linear module mechanism has: A cylinder, one end of which is mounted on the screw rod through a first mounting block, and the other end of which is fixedly connected to a positioning clamp, wherein the cylinder is used to drive the positioning clamp to clamp or release the spring tube; A screw rod has one end mounted on the frame and a positioning stepping motor mounted on the other end. The positioning stepping motor drives the screw rod to drive the positioning clamping claw to move along the axial direction of the screw rod.

5. The automatic pad printing equipment for spring tubes according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fixed-length servo mechanism comprises: The fixed-length servo motor is installed at one end of the slide rail close to the feeding device and is used to drive the fixed-length servo mechanism to work; Fixed-length servo mounting bracket, slidably mounted on the slide rail; Fixed-length upper and lower cylinders are installed on the fixed-length servo fixed frame; Fixed-length jaws for clamping spring tubes; Finger cylinder, installed on the fixed-length upper and lower cylinders and connected to the fixed-length clamping claw, the finger cylinder drives the fixed-length clamping claw to clamp the spring tube, and the fixed-length upper and lower cylinders drive the fixed-length clamping claw to move up and down; A fixed-length telescopic cylinder is connected to the finger cylinder, and the fixed-length telescopic cylinder is used to drive the fixed-length clamping claw to extend and retract forward and backward.

6. The automatic pad printing device for spring tubes according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: The feeding device also includes: A zero return sensor sheet is fixed on the linear module mechanism and is used to detect the position of the positioning clamp; A power-off switch, fixed on the linear module mechanism; When the positioning clamp drives the spring tube to move to the positioning baffle and completes the front end positioning, the fixed length servo mechanism is started, the positioning stepper motor returns to zero, the return to zero sensor triggers the power-off switch, and the positioning clamp stops running.

7. The automatic pad printing equipment for spring tubes according to claim 1, characterized in that: The coding device comprises: a bottom plate, fixed on the frame; The printing lower die is mounted on the bottom plate, and the printing lower die is provided with a processing space for the fixed-length servo mechanism to feed the spring tube along the direction of the frame when passing through the printing lower die; At least one pair of inkjet printers are installed on both sides of the printing lower mold along its length direction, and are used for marking and printing the spring tube tightened on the printing lower mold.

8. The automatic pad printing equipment for spring tubes according to claim 7, characterized in that: The printing lower mold is used to place the spring tube to be printed and to press and straighten the two ends of the spring tube; wherein, the printing lower mold includes a first printing seat and a second printing seat corresponding to each other, and a through hole is opened between the first printing seat and the second printing seat to form a channel for the spring tube to pass through and be placed, and the inner diameter of the two end portions of the channel is larger than the inner diameter of the middle part of the channel, and the inner walls of the channel at the two end portions are respectively provided with inclined stepped landslide structures.

9. The automatic pad printing equipment for spring tubes according to claim 5, characterized in that: The flame treatment device includes a flame spray gun, which is fixed on the frame. When the fixed-length servo mechanism extends a fixed-length clamp to clamp the spring tube and moves to the flame treatment device, the flame spray gun automatically sprays fire. The flame spraying of the flame spray gun is controlled by the movement of the fixed-length servo mechanism.

10. Automatic pad printing process for spring tube, characterized by: The automatic pad printing device for spring tubes according to any one of claims 1 to 9 comprises at least the following steps: Step 1: Grab, feed and front-end positioning: The spring tube to be processed is sent to the rack through the feeding device. When the spring tube hits the front-end positioning mechanism, the feeding device stops feeding but keeps grabbing the spring tube. The front-end positioning mechanism starts working to keep the front end of the spring tube aligned with the positioning surface of the positioning baffle. Step 2: Flame treatment: When the front end positioning is completed, the fixed-length servo mechanism grabs the positioned spring tube, and the feeding device releases the spring tube, and the fixed-length servo mechanism prepares to set the length of the printing position; when the fixed-length servo mechanism clamps the spring tube and passes through the flame treatment device, the surface of the spring tube is flame treated; Step 3: Printing position length setting: When the fixed-length servo mechanism clamps the flame-treated spring tube over the printing lower die and reaches the printing set position, the fixed-length servo mechanism feeds the spring tube into the printing lower die at once, and at this time the fixed-length servo mechanism stops clamping the above spring tube; Step 4: Printing process: The coding device prints the mark on the spring tube in the printing lower die; Step 5: Cutting: Repeat steps 2, 3 and 4 until two or three sections of marking are completed, the coding device stops working, and the fixed-length servo mechanism clamps the spring tube that has finished coding for unloading.

Images