Automatic bubble cotton machine with needle extractor and application thereof

Abstract

The utility model relates to the field of taking foam material, especially to a needle type extractor and an automatic foam material feeding machine using the same, the needle type extractor comprises: a bearing seat, a suction plate is installed on one side of the bearing seat; a first driving assembly is installed on both sides of the bearing seat, the driving rod of the first driving assembly faces the bearing seat, and the driving rod moves linearly towards the bearing seat or away from the bearing seat; a taking-out assembly comprises a connecting block fixedly connected with the driving rod and a plurality of insertion pins installed on the connecting block; the bearing seat and the suction plate are correspondingly provided with insertion holes for the insertion pins to pass through. The utility model applies the above-mentioned needle type extractor to the automatic foam material feeding machine, adopts the foam material taking structure of the cooperation of insertion pin puncture and negative pressure adsorption and the automatic feeding system combining vertical lifting and visual positioning, effectively improves the automation degree of foam material taking, and improves the stability and efficiency of foam material installation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of foam material handling technology, and in particular to a needle-type extractor and its application in an automatic foam feeding machine. Background Technology

[0002] Foam, a flexible material with cushioning, sealing, and sound insulation properties, is widely used in 3C electronics, automobile manufacturing, packaging, and logistics. With the development of industrial automation, foam feeding is gradually shifting from manual operation to automated equipment to meet the demands of efficient and precise production. Currently, automated foam feeding mainly relies on the cooperation of mechanical gripping devices such as vacuum suction cups and clamps with conveying mechanisms. However, the core challenge lies in how to stably and non-destructively handle foam loading and unloading, especially for thin, easily deformable, or highly adhesive foams.

[0003] In existing technologies, traditional vacuum suction cups rely on negative pressure adsorption, which is easily affected by the flatness of the foam surface, resulting in weak adsorption or detachment. On the other hand, mechanical grippers may cause foam deformation due to excessive clamping force, which is especially unsuitable for low-density, high-elasticity foams. Overall material handling stability is poor, and the foam is more damaged. When dealing with foams of different specifications and thicknesses, it is necessary to change the negative pressure or replace the mechanical grippers frequently, which increases the cost of adjusting to the appropriate gripping parameters.

[0004] Therefore, the inventors designed a needle extractor that combines stability, adaptability, and protection of foam integrity, and an automatic foam feeding machine for its application. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of at least one of the above technical problems, this utility model provides a needle-type extractor and an automatic foam feeding machine for its application. The extractor adopts a foam picking structure that combines needle piercing and negative pressure adsorption, and an automated feeding system that combines vertical lifting and visual positioning. This improves the stability of foam picking and placing, protects the integrity of the foam, and enhances the adaptability to different specifications of foam and the accuracy of foam installation.

[0006] This utility model provides a needle-type extraction device, comprising: The support base has a suction plate installed on one side; A first drive assembly is installed on each side of the support base. The drive rod of the first drive assembly faces the support base and moves in a straight line towards or away from the support base. Take out the component, which includes a connecting block fixedly connected to the drive rod and a plurality of pins mounted on the connecting block; the support base and the suction plate are respectively provided with insertion holes for the pins to pass through.

[0007] In some embodiments of this utility model, a suction hole is provided on the side of the support seat away from the suction plate, and the suction hole extends toward the suction plate and penetrates the suction plate.

[0008] In some embodiments of this utility model, a second driving component is installed on the side of the support base away from the suction plate and is fixedly connected to the suction hole.

[0009] In some embodiments of this utility model, the included angle between the axis of the insertion hole and the end face of the bearing seat where the suction plate is mounted is an acute angle.

[0010] This utility model also provides an automatic foam feeding machine, comprising: Work platform; A robotic arm is rotatably mounted on the work platform and moves in three-dimensional space; a needle extractor is rotatably mounted on the end of the robotic arm away from the work platform. A lifting structure is installed on one side of the work platform to transport a storage box containing several pieces of foam from below the work platform to the work platform. The material handling structure, installed on the working platform, includes a transfer assembly and a material handling platform. The transfer assembly is used to transport the storage box to the material handling platform; the needle extractor is used to remove foam from the storage box that has been moved into the material handling platform.

[0011] In some embodiments of this utility model, the lifting structure includes a hollow lifting tube, with a discharge port at the upper end of the lifting tube facing the working platform. A slide rail is provided inside the lifting tube along the lifting direction, and a slider is slidably installed on the slide rail. A support bar extends from the other side of the slider to support the storage box.

[0012] In some embodiments of this utility model, a transfer platform is also provided on the support bar, a transfer belt is provided on the transfer platform, the transfer belt rotates toward the discharge port, and the storage box is placed on the transfer belt.

[0013] In some embodiments of this utility model, a discharge port is provided at the lower end of the lifting tube, and the slider drives the transfer table to perform reciprocating linear motion along the slide rail from the discharge port to the outlet.

[0014] In some embodiments of this utility model, the transfer assembly includes a transfer turntable and a transfer hand. The transfer turntable is rotatably connected to the work platform and is used to carry multiple storage boxes. The transfer hand is mounted on the top of the transfer turntable and the picking platform and is used to transport foam to the picking platform one by one.

[0015] In some embodiments of this invention, a camera detection component is also provided at the end of the robotic arm that is away from the working platform.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: This utility model achieves dual positioning of mechanical fixation and auxiliary adsorption of foam through the synergistic structure of needle piercing and negative pressure adsorption, thus achieving stable gripping of foam of different specifications. This effectively avoids the problems of traditional vacuum suction cups falling off or grippers deforming the foam, improving the reliability of material handling. Through the reciprocating motion design of the vertical lifting tube and the transfer table, the storage box is vertically transported from below the equipment to the worktable, achieving continuous material supply and reducing the range of movement for operators. Through the linkage control of the camera detection component and the robotic arm, the position of the foam is identified in real time, effectively reducing the gripping misalignment caused by stacking errors and improving the yield of good finished products in automated assembly. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the needle-type extractor fixing the foam in an embodiment of this utility model; Figure 2 As an embodiment of this utility model Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure at point AA; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the needle extractor removing the suction plate in an embodiment of this utility model; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the suction plate in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the automatic foam feeding machine in the embodiment of this utility model; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the lifting structure in an embodiment of the present utility model; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the material taking structure in an embodiment of this utility model.

[0019] Reference numerals: 1. Support base; 101. Suction plate; 102. Suction hole; 103. Second drive assembly; 2. First drive assembly; 201. Drive rod; 3. Removal assembly; 301. Connecting block; 302. Pin; 303. Insertion hole; 4. Working platform; 5. Robotic arm; 501. Camera detection assembly; 6. Pin extractor; 7. Storage box; 8. Lifting structure; 801. Lifting tube; 8011. Slide rail; 8012. Slider; 8013. Support bar; 8014. Transfer table; 8015. Transfer bar; 802. Discharge port; 803. Discharge port; 9. Material handling structure; 901. Transfer assembly; 9011. Transfer turntable; 9012. Transfer hand; 902. Material handling platform. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments.

[0021] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" another element, it can be directly attached to the other element or there may be an intervening element. When an element is referred to as being "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intervening element. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "left," "right," and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible implementation.

[0022] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used in this specification is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0023] This utility model provides a method such as Figures 1 to 4 The needle extractor shown includes: Support base 1, with suction plate 101 installed on one side; The first drive assembly 2 is installed on each side of the support seat 1. The drive rod 201 of the first drive assembly 2 faces the support seat 1 and moves linearly in the direction of approaching or moving away from the support seat 1. Take out component 3, which includes a connecting block 301 fixedly connected to the drive rod 201, and a plurality of pins 302 mounted on the connecting block 301; the support base 1 and the suction plate 101 are respectively provided with insertion holes 303 for the pins 302 to pass through.

[0024] The working principle of this utility model is as follows: The side of the support seat 1 with the suction plate 101 attached to the foam is used to hold the foam in place by the suction plate 101 through negative pressure. The first drive component 2 operates synchronously, and the drive rod 201 drives the take-out component 3 to move toward the support seat 1. Several pins 302 are arranged at intervals and pass through the insertion hole 303 under the push of the connecting block 301. At this time, the needle tip of the pin 302 emerges from the suction plate 101 and extends into the foam for fixation. This realizes the synchronous action of the pin 302 piercing and the suction plate 101 adsorbing. The pins 302 can be inserted from the edge of the foam or non-critical areas to form mechanical fixation, avoiding the direct squeezing of the foam surface by traditional grippers. The suction plate 101 assists in stabilizing the material position through the evenly distributed adsorption force. The two work together to form a dual fixation mechanism of piercing positioning and negative pressure assistance. This can not only meet the gripping needs of thin and highly elastic foam, but also minimize damage to the foam body, thus providing a stable and damage-free material conveying foundation for the subsequent automated feeding process.

[0025] In some embodiments of this utility model, such as Figure 2 As shown, a suction hole 102 is provided on the side of the support seat 1 away from the suction plate 101. The suction hole 102 extends toward the suction plate 101 and penetrates the suction plate 101. Preferably, the suction hole 102 on the suction plate 101 can be dispersed into a number of small suction holes at intervals to increase the uniformity and stability of the suction plate 101 in adsorbing foam.

[0026] Based on the above embodiments, such as Figure 2 As shown, a second drive assembly 103 is installed on the side of the support 1 away from the suction plate 101 and is fixedly connected to the suction hole 102.

[0027] By opening a suction hole 102 through the suction plate 101 on the side of the carrier 1 away from the suction plate 101, and directly mounting a second drive assembly 103, such as a vacuum generator or a micro cylinder, on the same side of the carrier 1 and fixing it to the suction hole 102, an integrated structure of drive, air passage, and adsorption is formed. The second drive assembly 103 can quickly provide a stable negative pressure, which is directly transmitted to the surface of the suction plate 101 through the suction hole 102, avoiding air pressure loss caused by excessively long pipelines. At the same time, the through design of the suction hole 102 ensures that the negative pressure is evenly distributed on the suction plate. The contact area between the suction plate 101 and the foam, combined with the mechanical fixation of the insertion pin 302, enables instant negative pressure response and accurate control of the adsorption range. This not only clarifies the direct source of the adsorption capacity of the suction plate 101, but also shortens the distance between the drive component and the adsorption end through the integrated design of the carrier 1, reducing assembly errors between components. This makes the synergistic effect of negative pressure adsorption and insertion pin 302 puncture more efficient. Ultimately, while ensuring the stability of foam gripping, it further optimizes the structural compactness of the extractor and improves the non-destructive gripping effect on thin and easily deformable foam.

[0028] In the automated foam material handling process, if the needle 302 pierces the foam vertically, the contact area between the needle tip and the foam is small, which can easily lead to pinhole tearing on the foam surface due to stress concentration. This is especially true for low-density, high-elasticity foam materials, where vertical piercing may further amplify the damage due to the axial tension during insertion and removal. Simultaneously, since the vertical needle 302 is only fixed at a single point by its tip, the foam can easily slide along the axial direction of the needle 302, affecting the stability of the gripping process. In some embodiments of this utility model, such as... Figure 3 As shown, the angle between the axis of the insertion hole 303 and the end face of the suction plate 101 mounted on the support 1 is an acute angle, which allows the insertion needle 302 to penetrate the foam at an inclined angle, increasing the contact length between the insertion needle 302 and the foam. The surface contact generated by the oblique direction of the insertion needle 302 disperses the local pressure of the needle tip on the foam, reducing the risk of material deformation and tearing near the puncture point. At the same time, the inclined insertion needle 302 can form a composite fixing force in the foam along the horizontal and vertical directions, effectively preventing the foam from slipping or falling off during the transfer process. Ultimately, while achieving stable grasping of the foam, it minimizes physical damage to the foam body.

[0029] This utility model also provides an automatic foam feeding machine, such as Figures 5 to 7 As shown, it includes: Work platform 4; Robotic arm 5 is rotatably mounted on work platform 4 and moves in three-dimensional space; needle extractor 6 is rotatably mounted on the end of robotic arm 5 away from work platform 4, and multiple needle extractors can be arranged at intervals to achieve the effect of simultaneously extracting multiple foams for work. The lifting structure 8 is installed on one side of the work platform 4 and is used to transport the storage box 7 containing several foams from below the work platform 4 to the work platform 4. The material handling structure 9 is installed on the work platform 4 and includes a transfer assembly 901 and a material handling table 902. The transfer assembly 901 is used to transport the storage box 7 to the material handling table 902; the needle extractor 6 is used to remove foam from the storage box 7 that has been transferred into the material handling table 902.

[0030] The operator places the foam-filled storage box 7 into the lifting structure 8. The lifting structure 8 vertically transports the storage box 7 from below the work platform 4 to the work platform 4. With the help of the transfer component 901 in the picking structure 9, the storage box 7 transported to the work platform 4 is transferred to the picking table 902. After preparation, the robot arm 5 drives the needle extractor 6 to the picking table 902. The needle extractor 6 adsorbs and fixes the foam and installs it on the equipment to be installed. This ensures the stability and non-damage of the foam during the picking and transfer process. At the same time, the integrated control of each component reduces the signal delay between equipment, making the feeding and subsequent processing stages seamlessly connected. Ultimately, the entire process of foam picking and installation is automated, effectively improving the space utilization and continuous production efficiency of the production line.

[0031] In some embodiments of this utility model, such as Figure 6 As shown, the lifting structure 8 includes a hollow lifting tube 801. The upper end of the lifting tube 801 has a discharge port 802 on the side facing the working platform 4. A slide rail 8011 is provided inside the lifting tube 801 along the lifting direction. A slider 8012 is slidably installed on the slide rail 8011. Another extension of the slider 8012 is a support bar 8013 for supporting the storage box 7.

[0032] The lifting tube 801 has a vertically arranged slide rail 8011 inside, and the slider 8012 achieves smooth lifting and lowering through the slide rail 8011. Its extended support bar 8013 can lift the material from the bottom of the storage box 7, avoiding the squeezing and deformation of the box body caused by the clamping lifting method. The discharge port 802 at the upper end of the lifting tube 801 is oriented to the working platform 4, which can not only protect the storage box 7 from external environmental interference, but also eliminate lateral swaying during the lifting process through the rigid cooperation of the slide rail 8011 and the slider 8012, ensuring the stability of the foam stacking state. The lifting drive, guiding and material support functions are integrated into the tubular structure, which greatly reduces the lateral space occupied by the machine. At the same time, the larger contact area of ​​the support bar 8013 and the guidance of the slide rail 8011 make the transfer process of the storage box 7 from below the working platform 4 to the table surface stable and without deviation.

[0033] In some embodiments of this utility model, such as Figure 6 As shown, a transfer platform 8014 is also provided on the support bar 8013. A transfer belt is provided on the transfer platform 8014. The transfer belt rotates towards the discharge port 802, and the storage box 7 is placed on the transfer belt. When the storage box 7 is lifted to the position of the discharge port 802, the transfer belt rotates actively towards the discharge port 802. Through friction, the storage box 7 is driven to slide smoothly out of the lifting tube 801. This simplifies the equipment structure and reduces the shaking of the box body through the uniform conveying of the transfer belt, ensuring that the foam stacking state is not disturbed, further ensuring the integrity of the foam and preparing for the subsequent material removal by the needle extractor 6.

[0034] In some embodiments of this utility model, such as Figure 6 As shown, a discharge port 803 is opened at the lower end of the lifting pipe 801. The slider 8012 drives the transfer table 8014 to reciprocate linearly along the slide rail 8011 from the discharge port 803 to the discharge port 802. After the transfer table 8014 receives the storage box 7 from the discharge port 803, it can directly rise along the slide rail 8011 to the discharge port 802 to complete the loading. Then, it can automatically return to the discharge port 803 for the next loading without manual intervention. The operator does not need to move. He only needs to put the storage box 7 filled with foam into the discharge port 803 below the work platform 4 to complete the subsequent foam loading work, which ensures the efficiency and stability of foam loading.

[0035] In some embodiments of this utility model, such as Figure 7 As shown, the transfer assembly 901 includes a transfer turntable 9011 and a transfer hand 9012. The transfer turntable 9011 is rotatably connected to the work platform 4 and is used to carry multiple storage boxes 7. The transfer hand 9012 is mounted on the top of the transfer turntable 9011 and the picking platform 902 and is used to transport foam to the picking platform 902 one by one.

[0036] The transfer turntable 9011 achieves a circular arrangement of multiple storage boxes 7 through rotational connection, and can simultaneously carry multiple storage boxes 7 to be picked up. When the foam in a storage box 7 is emptied, the turntable quickly rotates to switch to the next station. With the gripping action of the transfer hand 9012, the material picking is uninterrupted, which greatly reduces the downtime for material changing. At the same time, the circumferential layout of the turntable significantly reduces the space occupied when multiple storage boxes 7 are arranged horizontally, so that the transfer component 901 can be tightly integrated with the lifting structure 8 and the picking table 902 on the work platform 4. The transfer hand 9012 adapts to the position of different storage boxes 7 and the stacking height of foam through flexible multi-axis movement, ensuring that the foam is smoothly transferred to the picking table 902 one by one.

[0037] In some embodiments of this utility model, such as Figure 5 As shown, a camera detection component 501 is also provided at the end of the robotic arm 5 that is away from the work platform 4.

[0038] The camera inspection component 501 integrates real-time image acquisition and algorithm analysis. First, during the grasping stage, it verifies the shape, edges, and surface condition of the foam to ensure that the grasped foam is undamaged and not misaligned, thus preventing defective products from entering subsequent processes. Second, during the installation stage, it dynamically corrects the placement coordinates of the robotic arm 5 by photographing the relative position of the installation reference point and the preset mark on the foam, ensuring that the foam falls accurately into the installation position. This reduces the cost and error of manual intervention and achieves closed-loop quality control of the entire process from material picking to loading through real-time feedback. Ultimately, it reduces the product rework rate caused by foam defects or positioning deviations, and improves the overall assembly accuracy and production efficiency.

[0039] Those skilled in the art should understand that this utility model is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely illustrative of the principles of this utility model. Various changes and modifications can be made to this utility model without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the claimed utility model. The scope of protection of this utility model is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A needle-type extractor, characterized in that, include: The support base (1) has a suction plate (101) installed on one side; A first drive assembly (2) is installed on each side of the support seat (1). The drive rod (201) of the first drive assembly (2) faces the support seat (1) and the drive rod (201) moves in a straight line toward or away from the support seat (1). Take out component (3), which includes a connecting block (301) fixedly connected to the drive rod (201) and a plurality of pins (302) installed on the connecting block (301); the support base (1) and the suction plate (101) are respectively provided with insertion holes (303) for the pins (302) to pass through.

2. The needle extractor according to claim 1, characterized in that The support seat (1) has a suction hole (102) on the side away from the suction plate (101), and the suction hole (102) extends toward the suction plate (101) and penetrates the suction plate (101).

3. The needle extractor according to claim 2, characterized in that, A second drive assembly (103) is installed on the side of the support (1) away from the suction plate (101) and is fixedly connected to the suction hole (102).

4. The needle extractor according to claim 1, characterized in that, The angle between the axis of the insertion hole (303) and the end face of the bearing seat (1) where the suction plate (101) is installed is an acute angle.

5. An automatic foam feeding machine, using a needle extractor as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, include: Work platform (4); A robotic arm (5) is rotatably mounted on the work platform (4) and moves in three-dimensional space; the needle extractor (6) is rotatably mounted on the end of the robotic arm (5) away from the work platform (4); A lifting structure (8) is installed on one side of the work platform (4) for transporting a storage box (7) containing several foams from below the work platform (4) to the work platform (4); The material handling structure (9) is installed on the working platform (4) and includes a transfer assembly (901) and a material handling platform (902). The transfer assembly (901) is used to transport the storage box (7) to the material handling platform (902). The needle extractor (6) is used to remove foam from the storage box (7) that has been moved into the material handling platform (902).

6. The automatic bubble pack applicator of claim 5, wherein, The lifting structure (8) includes a hollow lifting tube (801) with a discharge port (802) on the upper end of the lifting tube (801) facing the working platform (4). A slide rail (8011) is provided inside the lifting tube (801) along the lifting direction. A slider (8012) is slidably installed on the slide rail (8011). A support bar (8013) for supporting the storage box (7) extends from the other side of the slider (8012).

7. The automatic foam feeding machine according to claim 6, characterized in that, The support bar (8013) is also provided with a transfer platform (8014), and the transfer platform (8014) is provided with a transfer belt. The transfer belt rotates toward the discharge port (802), and the storage box (7) is placed on the transfer belt.

8. The automatic bubble packer of claim 7, wherein, The lower end of the lifting pipe (801) has a discharge port (803), and the slider (8012) drives the transfer table (8014) to reciprocate linearly along the slide rail (8011) from the discharge port (803) to the outlet (802).

9. The automatic bubble pack applicator of claim 5, wherein, The transfer assembly (901) includes a transfer turntable (9011) and a transfer hand (9012). The transfer turntable (9011) is rotatably connected to the work platform (4) and is used to carry multiple storage boxes (7). The transfer hand (9012) is mounted on the top of the transfer turntable (9011) and the picking platform (902) and is used to transport foam to the picking platform (902) one by one.

10. The automatic foam feeding machine according to claim 5, characterized in that, A camera detection component (501) is also provided at the end of the robotic arm (5) away from the working platform (4).

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