A switchable feeding device

Abstract

The present invention discloses a switchable feeding device, comprising a feeding mechanism, a support platform, a transfer mechanism and a lifting mechanism. A plurality of workstations are arranged on the support platform, and the transfer mechanism is used to drive the support platform to move back and forth, so that different workstations can be connected with the discharge port of the feeding mechanism to receive the workpieces conveyed by the discharge port; when switching different workstations at the discharge port, the support platform is driven to act as a lifting mechanism by the lifting mechanism, so that the side wall of the support platform facing the discharge port can be slidably blocked on the discharge port, and as the transfer mechanism moves, the side wall of the support platform always maintains a sliding blocking effect with the discharge port, and the discharge port will never have workpiece output, so as to avoid the workpiece slipping when switching the workstation or the phenomenon of receiving different workpieces at the same workstation; when the workstation is switched to the right position, the lifting mechanism drives the support platform to reset to the starting height, and the workstation switched to the right position is connected with the discharge port to receive the workpieces at the discharge port, thereby improving the accuracy and efficiency of the feeding device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of conveying, and in particular to a switchable feeding device. Background Art

[0002] In the assembly industry of workpieces and products, the same feeding mechanism is usually used to deliver different or different batches of workpieces to different workstations. For example, there are two workstations for receiving different workpieces, the first workstation and the second workstation. After the discharge port of the feeder delivers the first workpiece to the first workstation, the discharge port of the feeder needs to deliver the second workpiece to the second workstation. At this time, the first workstation needs to be moved away from the discharge port of the feeder, and the second workstation needs to be moved to the discharge port of the feeder to switch the positions of the two workstations so that the discharge port of the feeder delivers the second workpiece to the second workstation.

[0003] The existing switchable loading device generally includes a loading conveyor, a first station and a second station arranged on a support plate, the first station and the second station are located on the same circumference on the support plate, and a rotary motor driving the support plate to rotate. When the rotary motor rotates, the support plate is driven to rotate to change the positions of the first station and the second station. For example, the first station is first connected to the discharge port of the loading conveyor, and the first station is used to receive the first workpiece; when the second station is required to receive the second workpiece, the rotary motor continues to rotate, so that the second station rotates and connects to the discharge port of the loading conveyor to receive the second workpiece, so as to realize the switching of the two stations.

[0004] However, for this switchable feeding device, when the rotating motor drives the supporting plate to rotate and transfers the first workstation away from under the discharge port of the feeder, before the second workstation reaches under the discharge port of the feeder, the discharge port of the feeder has been continuously outputting the second workpiece, and some of the second workpiece will inevitably scatter outward, and it is necessary to manually recover the scattered second workpieces and reload them into the feeding mechanism, causing inconvenience in feeding; at the same time, if the rotating motor does not rotate in time during the process of switching the workstations, the second workpiece in the discharge port of the feeder can be easily transported to the first workstation, resulting in confusion between two different workpieces at the first workstation, affecting the subsequent assembly process of different workpieces. Summary of the invention

[0005] Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is that the existing switchable loading device is prone to scattering the workpieces falling from the discharge port of the loader when switching workstations, and different workpieces are easily mixed up in the same workstation, resulting in low loading accuracy.

[0006] To this end, the present invention provides a switchable feeding device.

[0007] At least one feeding mechanism is arranged on the base frame and has a discharge port;

[0008] A support table having at least two workstations arranged in sequence horizontally;

[0009] A transfer mechanism, disposed on the base frame, used to drive the support platform to reciprocate so that any of the workstations can be connected to the discharge port;

[0010] A lifting mechanism is installed on the transfer mechanism; it is used to drive the support table to perform lifting movement so that when the support table moves with the transfer mechanism, the side wall of the support table facing the discharge port can be slidably blocked on the discharge port to switch between a blocking state on the discharge port and a non-blocking state away from the discharge port.

[0011] Optionally, in the above-mentioned feeding device, the lifting mechanism is installed on a slidable driving plate of the transfer mechanism; and the support platform is installed on the lifting mechanism.

[0012] Optionally, the above-mentioned feeding device further comprises at least one guiding mechanism provided on the driving plate and used for guiding the supporting platform to perform linear lifting motion; and / or

[0013] The lifting mechanism is a lifting cylinder, and the telescopic shaft of the lifting cylinder is fixedly connected to the support platform.

[0014] Optionally, in the above-mentioned feeding device, any of the guide mechanisms comprises

[0015] A guide component is installed on the top of the driving plate and has a guide channel extending vertically and having a first opening at the top;

[0016] The movable component is fixed on the bottom of the support platform and is suitable for extending into the guide channel along the vertical direction.

[0017] Optionally, in the above-mentioned loading device, at least one second clearance hole is provided on the support platform at a position corresponding to any of the workstations;

[0018] It also includes a vacuum adsorption mechanism, which has a suction cup or a suction nozzle that can be inserted into the second yield hole in a one-to-one correspondence, and a vacuum pumping device connected to the suction cup or the suction nozzle and installed on the driving board; the adsorption surface of the suction cup or the suction nozzle is flush with the placement plane of the respective workstation.

[0019] Optionally, in the above-mentioned feeding device, the transfer mechanism drives the support table to slide back and forth linearly; all the workstations are arranged in a linear manner on the support table along the sliding direction of the transfer mechanism;

[0020] The transfer mechanism also includes a driving assembly arranged on the base frame, and the driving plate driven by the driving assembly to perform reciprocating linear sliding.

[0021] Optionally, in the above-mentioned feeding device, the driving assembly includes a driver, a screw rod driven to rotate by the driver, and a slider engaged with the screw rod and sliding along the axial direction of the screw rod as the screw rod rotates; the driving plate is fixed on the slider.

[0022] Optionally, in the above-mentioned feeding device, any set of the feeding mechanism comprises

[0023] A vibrating bin that is driven by a vibrator to vibrate, the vibrating bin having an inner cavity for placement; a starting end arranged on the outer wall surface of the inner cavity for placement, and a feeding channel that is spirally arranged outside the inner cavity for placement and inclined downward, the end of the feeding channel serving as the discharge port; and a feeding component for feeding materials to the inner cavity for placement of the vibrating bin.

[0024] Optionally, in the above-mentioned loading device, any set of the feeding mechanism also includes a feed guide rail which is arranged one-to-one on the discharge port and connected with the corresponding discharge port. In the non-blocking state, the discharge port can be connected with the workstation through the feed guide rail.

[0025] Optionally, in the above-mentioned feeding device, the feeding mechanism is at least two sets; the workstations are at least four, wherein the four workstations are a first workstation, a second workstation, a third workstation, and a fourth workstation arranged in sequence; the first workstation and the third workstation are spaced a first distance apart, the second workstation and the fourth workstation are spaced a second distance apart, and the discharge ports of the two sets of the feeding mechanism are spaced a third distance apart; the third distance is equal to the first distance and the second distance.

[0026] Optionally, the above-mentioned loading device further comprises at least one material receiving bin fixed on the base frame and located below the support platform; the top of the material receiving bin has a second opening located directly below the discharge port;

[0027] In the non-blocking state and when the support platform is driven by the transfer mechanism to avoid the discharge port, the second opening is used to receive the workpiece falling from the discharge port.

[0028] The technical solution of the present invention has the following advantages:

[0029] 1. The switchable feeding device provided by the present invention comprises at least one set of feeding mechanism, supporting platform, transfer mechanism and lifting mechanism. The feeding mechanism is arranged on the base frame and has a discharge port; the supporting platform has at least two horizontally arranged workstations; the transfer mechanism is arranged on the base frame; it is used to drive the supporting platform to move back and forth so that any of the workstations can be connected to the discharge port; the lifting mechanism is used to drive the supporting platform to move up and down so that when the supporting platform moves with the transfer mechanism, the side wall of the supporting platform facing the discharge port can be slidably blocked on the discharge port and switched between a blocking state and a non-blocking state of moving away from the discharge port.

[0030] The switchable loading device of this structure has two stations of the support table, namely the first station and the second station. If the first station is connected to the discharge port of the feeding mechanism at the start, it is used to receive the workpiece output from the discharge port; when the workpiece needs to be transported to the second station, the second station needs to be switched to the discharge port, and the lifting mechanism is first allowed to perform an ascending movement (or descending movement) so that the side wall of the support table facing the discharge port is blocked on the discharge port, no workpiece is discharged at the discharge port, and the support table is in a blocking state; at this time, the lifting mechanism stops moving, and the transfer mechanism drives the support table and the lifting mechanism to move, so that the first station is moved away from the discharge port, and the second station is transferred to the discharge port, and the transfer mechanism stops moving. During the process of changing workstations, the side wall surface of the support table facing the discharge port keeps sliding and blocking the discharge port, and the support table is always in a blocking state; after the second workstation is switched into place, the lifting mechanism is activated again to drive the support table to move downward (or upward), so that the second workstation is located below the discharge port or is just connected to the discharge port, and the discharge port starts to transport the workpiece to the second workstation, and the support table is separated from the discharge port and is in a non-blocking state. Therefore, during the process of switching workstations, no workpiece will slip out of the discharge port, thus avoiding the phenomenon of workpieces being scattered on the support table. At the same time, different workpieces will not be transported to the same workstation, thereby improving the loading accuracy and efficiency of the loading device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] In order to more clearly illustrate the specific implementation methods of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the specific implementation methods or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some implementation methods of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0032] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of the switchable loading device provided in Example 1 of the present invention (excluding the feeding mechanism);

[0033] Figure 2 for Figure 1A partial enlarged schematic diagram of a switchable feeding device;

[0034] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the coordination of the transfer mechanism, the lifting mechanism and the support platform of the switchable loading device;

[0035] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the coordination of the middle support table, workstation, lifting mechanism, guide mechanism and drive plate (the state after the workpiece on the workstation is removed);

[0036] Figure 5 for Figure 1 An exploded schematic diagram of the middle support platform, workstation, lifting mechanism, guide mechanism and drive plate;

[0037] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a feeding mechanism in a switchable feeding device provided in Example 1 of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 7 for Figure 6 A partial enlarged schematic diagram of the feeding mechanism;

[0039] Description of reference numerals:

[0040] a11-vibration bin; a12-feeding channel; a13-feeding guide rail; a14-belt conveyor; a15-feeding bin; a16-discharging bin;

[0041] a2-lifting mechanism; a21-guiding component; a22-moving component;

[0042] a31-driving plate; a311-first clearance hole;

[0043] a4-support table; a411-first station; a412-second station; a413-third station; a414-fourth station; a42-baffle; a43-second clearance hole;

[0044] a5-transfer mechanism; a51-driver; a52-screw; a53-mounting plate; a54-fixing plate;

[0045] a6-suction cup;

[0046] a7- receiving bin;

[0047] a8-Base frame. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] The technical solution of the present invention will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0049] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "center", "up", "down", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inside", "outside" and the like indicate directions or positional relationships based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present invention. In addition, the terms "first", "second", and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance. 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.

[0050] Example 1

[0051] This embodiment provides a switchable feeding device, such as Figures 1 to 7 As shown, it includes a base frame a8, two sets of feeding mechanisms, a support table a4, a lifting mechanism a2 and a transfer mechanism a5.

[0052] Among them, Figure 4 As shown, a plurality of workstations are arranged horizontally and sequentially on the support table a4. Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, each set of feeding mechanisms is arranged on a base frame a8 and has a discharge port, the two sets of feeding mechanisms are arranged horizontally at intervals, and the discharge ports of the two sets of feeding mechanisms are spaced apart by a third distance; the transfer mechanism a5 is arranged on the base frame a8 and is used to drive the support table a4 to move so that any workstation can be connected to the discharge port; the lifting mechanism a2 is used to drive the support table a4 to do lifting and lowering movements, and when the support table a4 moves with the transfer mechanism, the side wall of the support table facing the discharge port can be slidably blocked on the discharge port to switch between a blocking state and a non-blocking state where the discharge port is removed.

[0053] For example, Figure 1 , Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, there are four workstations, namely the first workstation a411, the second workstation a412, the third workstation a413 and the fourth workstation a414, and the four workstations are arranged in a straight line on the support table a4. The first workstation a411 and the third workstation a413 are spaced a first distance apart, and the second workstation a412 and the fourth workstation a414 are spaced a second distance apart. The first distance, the second distance and the third distance are equal. Under the moving action of the transfer mechanism a5, the discharge ports of the two sets of feeding mechanisms are respectively connected to the first workstation a411 and the third workstation a413, so that the first workstation a411 and the third workstation a413 are used to receive the same batch of workpieces; or the discharge ports of the two sets of feeding mechanisms are respectively connected to the second workstation a412 and the fourth workstation a414, so that the second workstation a412 and the fourth workstation a414 are used to receive the same batch of workpieces, but the first workstation a411 and the second workstation a412 receive different batches of workpieces. For the convenience of description, the workpiece received by the first station a411 is described as the first workpiece, the workpiece received by the second station a412 is described as the second workpiece, and the discharge ports of the two feeding mechanisms are described as the first discharge ports ( Figure 6 The discharge port on the middle front side) and the second discharge port ( Figure 6 The outlet on the middle and rear side).

[0054] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the support table a4 is provided with a U-shaped baffle a42 at the position corresponding to each workstation, the opening of the baffle a42 is close to one side of the discharge port of the feeding mechanism, and can be connected with and communicated with the discharge port of the feeding mechanism. The workpiece sliding out of the discharge port of the feeding mechanism slides into the workstation surrounded by the baffle a42 through the opening of the baffle a42, and the baffle a42 plays a limiting role on the workpieces sliding down on their respective workstations.

[0055] As for the structure of the feeding mechanism, preferably, Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, each set of feeding mechanism includes a vibration bin a11, a feeding channel a12 and a feeding component. Among them, the vibration bin a11 is driven by the vibrator to vibrate, and the vibration bin a11 has a placement cavity; the starting end of the feeding channel a12 is fixed on the outer wall of the placement cavity, and is spirally wound outside the placement cavity and extends downwardly to the end of the feeding channel a12, and the end of the feeding channel a12 serves as a discharge port; the feeding component is used to feed the placement cavity of the vibration bin a11. When the vibrator drives the vibration bin a11 to vibrate, the workpiece in the vibration bin a11 will be vibrated, and vibrated from the placement cavity to the spiral feeding channel a12, and fall to the corresponding workstation through the discharge port, thereby realizing the feeding process.

[0056] Alternatively, if Figure 6As shown, the feeding component is a belt conveyor a14, and the rear end of the belt is provided with a feeding bin a15 installed on the base frame a8, the bottom of the feeding bin a15 is close to or in sliding contact with the belt surface and the bottom opening is connected to the conveying surface of the belt, and the front end of the belt is provided with a lowering bin a16, and the lowering port of the lowering bin a16 is located directly above the top opening of the vibration bin a11. When it is necessary to continuously feed the vibration bin a11, the outside world continuously drops the workpiece through the feeding bin a15 onto the belt, and the belt continuously moves forward, continuously conveying the workpiece on it to the lowering bin a16, and the workpiece continuously drops into the placement cavity of the vibration bin a11 through the lowering port of the lowering bin a16.

[0057] In addition, a feeding guide rail a13 corresponding to and connected to the corresponding feeding outlet can be provided on the feeding outlet of the feeding mechanism, so that the feeding outlet can convey the workpiece through the feeding guide rail a13. For the convenience of description, the two feeding guide rails a13 are respectively described as the first feeding guide rail a13 and the second feeding guide rail a13, each feeding guide rail includes a guide rail bottom surface and stoppers provided on both sides of the guide rail bottom surface, and a top notch is formed between the two blocks. The feeding guide rail can be arranged tilted downward or horizontally.

[0058] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the lifting mechanism a2 is fixed on the top of the slidable driving plate a31 on the transfer mechanism a5, and one end of the driving plate a31 close to the discharge port extends out of the transfer mechanism a5, and the support platform a4 is fixed on the lifting mechanism a2. The transfer mechanism a5 drives the lifting mechanism a2 and the support platform a4 to slide back and forth through the sliding of the driving plate a31, and the direction of the reciprocating linear sliding is from the first station a411 to the second station a412 or from the second station a412 to the first station a411, thereby changing the position of each station on the base frame a8. Optionally, the lifting mechanism a2 is a lifting cylinder, and the top of the vertical telescopic shaft of the lifting cylinder is fixed to the support platform a4.

[0059] In order to make the support platform a4 perform linear lifting motion in the vertical direction, the loading device also includes at least one guiding mechanism for guiding the support platform a4 to perform linear lifting motion.

[0060] For example, Figure 4As shown, there are two guide mechanisms, which are distributed on both sides of the lifting cylinder. The guide mechanism includes a guide component a21 and a movable component a22, wherein the bottom of the guide component a21 is fixed on the driving plate a31, and it has a guide channel extending vertically and having a first opening at the top; the movable component a22 is fixed on the bottom of the support platform a4 and is suitable for being able to extend into the guide channel vertically. When the lifting cylinder drives the support platform a4 to perform lifting movement, the support platform a4 drives the movable component a22 to perform a linear lifting movement in the guide channel, thereby guiding the lifting movement of the support platform a4. For example, the movable component a22 is a cylindrical guide column, and the corresponding guide component a21 is a cylindrical hollow cylinder.

[0061] Optimally, as Figure 5 As shown, a first clearance hole a311 corresponding to the guide mechanism is provided at the position where the driving plate a31 extends out of the transfer mechanism a5, and a mounting outer edge is provided on the lower periphery of the guide component a21, and the mounting outer edge is overlapped and fixed on the top of the driving plate a31. The guide channel of the guide component a21 passes through in the vertical direction, and the lower part of the guide component a21 extends into the first clearance hole a311, so that when the movable component a22 moves downward with the support platform a4, the bottom of the movable component a22 can pass through the first clearance hole a311 and extend downward, thereby increasing the stroke of the lifting and lowering movement of the support platform a4.

[0062] For the transfer mechanism a5, if Figure 3 As shown, the transfer mechanism a5 includes a driving assembly arranged on a base frame a8, a slider driven by the driving assembly to slide linearly, and the above-mentioned driving plate a31. The driving plate a31 is fixed on the top of the slider. The driving assembly includes a driver a51, a screw rod a52 driven to rotate by the driver a51, and a slider fitted on the screw rod a52 and sliding along the axial direction of the screw rod a52 as the screw rod a52 rotates. Optionally, the driver a51 is a rotating motor, and the driving assembly forms a screw structure. The above-mentioned driving plate a31 is fixedly connected to the slider, and when the slider slides back and forth, it can drive the driving plate a31 to slide back and forth linearly.

[0063] For example, Figure 5 As shown, a fixed plate a54 fixed on the base frame a8 is also provided between the screw rod a52 and the driving plate a31, and the slider is located below the fixed plate a54. The slider is fixedly connected to the driving plate a31 by setting a mounting plate a53, and an avoidance groove is provided on the top of the mounting plate a53, and the fixed plate a54 is embedded in the avoidance groove. The top of the mounting plate is fixed on the driving plate a31, so that the mounting plate a53 slides on the fixed plate a54 with the slider, and the fixed plate a54 guides the sliding of the mounting plate a53.

[0064] In addition, if Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, at least one second clearance hole a43 is provided at a position corresponding to any workstation on the support table a4, for example, a second clearance hole a43 is provided in each workstation. The above-mentioned switchable feeding device also includes a vacuum adsorption mechanism installed on the driving plate a31. The vacuum adsorption mechanism has a suction cup a6 that can be correspondingly inserted into the second clearance hole a43, and a vacuum pumping device connected to the suction cup a6. For example, the vacuum pumping device is a vacuum pump, and the top adsorption surface of the suction cup a6 is flush with the placement plane of the respective workstation.

[0065] Of course, the suction cup a6 can be replaced by a suction nozzle. A third clearance hole can also be set at the location of the workstation, and an optical fiber sensor is set in the third clearance hole to detect whether there is a workpiece on the workstation, and a controller electrically connected to the optical fiber sensor controls the opening or closing of the vacuum pump according to the signal of the optical fiber sensor.

[0066] When the workpiece slides onto the workstation, the optical fiber sensor detects that the workpiece has slipped onto the workstation and sends a signal to the controller. The controller then controls the vacuum pump to turn on, forming a negative pressure environment at the adsorption surface of the suction cup a6, generating adsorption force on the bottom of the workpiece to prevent the workpiece from sliding or shaking on the workstation, and ensuring that the position of the workpiece on its respective workstation remains unchanged when the support table a4 moves with the transfer mechanism a5. When the workpiece on the workstation needs to be removed later, the controller controls the vacuum pump to turn off, the adsorption force of the suction cup a6 on the workpiece disappears, and the workpiece can be removed.

[0067] like Figure 1 As shown, the switchable loading device further includes a receiving bin a7 fixedly arranged relative to the base frame a8 and located below the support platform a4. The top of the receiving bin a7 has a second opening, which is located just below the discharge port. When the support platform a4 is driven by the transfer mechanism a5 to avoid the discharge port when the material is not blocked, the second opening is used to receive the workpiece falling from the discharge port.

[0068] If, when the first workpiece is no longer needed at the first workstation a411 and the third workstation a413, the support table a4 moves away from the discharge port along with the transfer mechanism a5. Figure 1The middle support platform a4 and the drive plate a31 are moved from the front to the back as a whole, and the drive plate a31 and the support platform a4 are moved as a whole away from the discharge port. At this time, although the first workpiece is no longer added to the vibration bin a11 of the feeding mechanism, a small amount of the first workpiece is sometimes left in the feeding guide a13 in the feeding mechanism, and these small amounts of first workpieces are directly dropped into the discharge bin for recycling. Similarly, when the second workpiece is no longer needed at the second station a412 and the fourth station a414, the support platform a4 and the drive plate a31 are removed, and all the second workpieces remaining on the feeding mechanism are dropped into the receiving bin a7 through the feeding guide a13 for recycling and reuse. Optionally, the number of receiving bins a7 corresponds to the discharge port one by one and is located directly below the discharge port.

[0069] The loading process of the switchable loading device of this embodiment is as follows:

[0070] When the first workpiece needs to be transported to the first station a411 and the third station a413, the position of the support table a4 is changed under the drive of the transfer mechanism a5, for example Figure 1 The first workpiece a411 and the third workpiece a413 are moved forward, so that the first workstation a411 and the third workstation a413 are docked with and connected with the outlets of the first feed guide rail and the second feed guide rail respectively, the support table a4 is in a non-blocking state, and the lifting mechanism does not work; the feeding mechanism is turned on, and the outlets of the first feed guide rail and the second feed guide rail of the feeding mechanism transport the first workpiece to the first workstation a411 and the third workstation a413 respectively; when the two first workpieces slide onto the first workstation a411 and the third workstation a413 respectively, the optical fiber sensor detects the first workpiece on the workstation and gives a signal to the controller, and the controller controls the vacuum pump to start according to the signal, so that the adsorption surface of the suction cup a6 forms a negative pressure, and the first workpiece is adsorbed on their respective workstations.

[0071] At this time, the transfer mechanism a5 drives the support platform a4 to move away from the discharge port, for example Figure 1 The support table a4 moves backward and moves to the next process, and the material-picking mechanism takes away the first workpiece; then the transfer mechanism a5 drives the support table a4 forward again, so that the first station a411 and the third station a413 are connected to the outlets of the first feed guide rail and the second feed guide rail respectively, and the next first workpiece just starts to slide onto the first station a411 and the third station a413, and so on, thereby realizing the continuous conveyance of the first workpiece to the first station a411 and the third station a413.

[0072] Alternatively, the lifting cylinder drives the support platform a4 to move upward as a whole, so that the side wall surface of the support platform a4 facing the outlet of the first feeding guide rail and the second feeding guide rail is blocked on the outlet of the first feeding guide rail and the second feeding guide rail; then the transfer mechanism a5 drives the support platform a4 to move away from the discharge port, for example Figure 1The support table a4 moves backward and moves to the next process, and the material-picking mechanism takes away the first workpiece; then the transfer mechanism a5 drives the support table a4 forward again, and in the process of the transfer mechanism driving the support table to move, the side wall surface of the support table is slidably blocked on the outlets of the first feed guide rail and the second feed guide rail; then the lifting mechanism descends to reset the first station and the third station to the starting positions which are connected to the outlets of the first feed guide rail and the second feed guide rail respectively, and receive the first workpiece again, and so on, to realize the continuous conveying of the first workpiece to the first station a411 and the third station a413.

[0073] After the first workpiece is conveyed, the workstation needs to be switched, and two feeding mechanisms are required to convey the second workpiece to the second workstation a412 and the fourth workstation a414 respectively. At this time, the lifting cylinder drives the support table a4 to move upward as a whole, so that the side wall surface of the support table a4 facing the first and second feed guide rails blocks the outlets of the first and second feed guide rails, so that no workpieces will slide out of the outlets of the first and second feed guide rails, so that the support table a4 is in a material blocking state; it prevents the second workpiece from scattering on the support table a4, or sliding on the first and third workstations a411 and a413; at the same time, the transfer mechanism a5 drives the support table a4 to move forward ( Figure 1 The second station a412 and the fourth station a414 slide to the top of the exit of the first feeding guide rail and the second feeding guide rail. When the support table slides with the transfer mechanism, the side wall of the support table a4 can be slidably blocked on the exit of the first feeding guide rail and the second feeding guide rail, and the support table a4 is still in the material blocking state. After that, the lifting mechanism a2 is started again, and the lifting mechanism a2 drives the support table a4 to move downward, so that the second station a412 and the fourth station a414 descend and are respectively connected to the first feeding guide rail and the The outlet of the second feed guide rail is connected, the support table a4 is in a non-blocking state, and the lifting mechanism a2 stops working; the outlets of the first feed guide rail and the second feed guide rail can transport the second workpiece to the second workstation a412 and the fourth workstation a414 respectively, and the conveying process of the second workpiece is the same as the conveying process of the first workpiece, so that when different workstations are switching, no workpieces will fall out of the outlets of the first feed guide rail and the second feed guide rail, and there will be no confusion caused by the same workstation receiving workpieces of different batches.

[0074] As an alternative implementation of the embodiment, for the corresponding feeding mechanism, the above-mentioned feeding guide rail may not be provided, and the material may be directly transported through the discharge port of the feeding channel a12. Correspondingly, the side wall of the support platform a4 will block or detach from the discharge port. Or as a variation, the feeding component may be other conveyors in addition to the belt conveyor a14, or the feeding component may not be provided, and the workpiece may be added into the vibration bin a11 manually. As a further variation, the feeding mechanism may also be an existing feeder.

[0075] As a modified implementation of any of the above-mentioned embodiments, in addition to the above-mentioned screw mechanism, the transfer mechanism a5 can also directly use a telescopic cylinder to drive the drive plate a31 to perform reciprocating linear sliding to drive the lifting mechanism a2; or the transfer mechanism a5 can also be replaced by a gear and rack meshing structure, and the rack performs reciprocating linear sliding, thereby driving the drive plate a31 and the lifting mechanism a2 and the support platform a4 to perform reciprocating linear sliding.

[0076] Alternatively, as a variation, the transfer mechanism a5 can also drive the support table a4 to rotate. In this case, multiple workstations on the support table a4 need to be arranged on the same circle. The transfer mechanism a5 can be a rotary motor. Correspondingly, the above-mentioned drive plate is connected to the top of the rotating shaft of the rotary motor. The rotary motor drives the drive plate to rotate to change the position of each workstation, so that each workstation can also be connected to the corresponding discharge port.

[0077] As a modified implementation of any of the above embodiments, the above-mentioned lifting mechanism a2 can be other structures besides a lifting cylinder, such as a gear meshing with a rack, and the rack performs lifting movement in the vertical direction.

[0078] As a modified implementation of any of the above-mentioned embodiments, the above-mentioned guide mechanism can also be other structures. For example, the movable component a22 is replaced by a slider, and the guide component a21 is replaced by a vertically extending guide rail. Of course, it is necessary to provide a clearance hole on the support platform a4 for the guide rail to pass through, that is, the clearance hole on the drive plate a31 is replaced on the support platform a4.

[0079] As a modified implementation of any of the above embodiments, two workstations, or more workstations, may be provided on the support table, and the number of feeding mechanisms may be one or more, depending on the needs.

[0080] Obviously, the above embodiments are merely examples for the purpose of clear explanation, and are not intended to limit the implementation methods. For those skilled in the art, other different forms of changes or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is not necessary and impossible to list all the implementation methods here. The obvious changes or modifications derived therefrom are still within the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. A switchable feeding device, characterized in that: include At least one feeding mechanism is arranged on the base frame (a8); It has a discharge port; The support platform (a4) has at least two workstations arranged in sequence horizontally; the support platform (a4) is provided with a U-shaped baffle (a42) at a position corresponding to each workstation; A transfer mechanism (a5), disposed on the base frame (a8), used for driving the support platform (a4) to move back and forth so that any of the workstations can be connected to the discharge port; A lifting mechanism (a2) is installed on the transfer mechanism; it is used to drive the support platform (a4) to perform lifting movement so that when the support platform (a4) moves with the transfer mechanism, the side wall of the support platform (a4) facing the discharge port can be slidably blocked on the discharge port, thereby realizing switching between a blocking state and a non-blocking state; The lifting mechanism (a2) is mounted on a slidable driving plate (a31) of the transfer mechanism (a5), and further comprises at least one guiding mechanism arranged on the driving plate (a31) and used for guiding the support platform (a4) to perform a linear lifting motion; the support platform (a4) is mounted on the lifting mechanism (a2); At least one second clearance hole is provided on the support platform (a4) at a position corresponding to any of the workstations; It also includes a vacuum adsorption mechanism, which has a suction cup (a6) or a suction nozzle that can be inserted into the second clearance hole in a one-to-one correspondence, and a vacuum extraction device connected to the suction cup (a6) or the suction nozzle; the adsorption surface of the suction cup (a6) or the suction nozzle is flush with the placement plane of the respective workstation.

2. The switchable feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lifting mechanism (a2) is a lifting cylinder, and the telescopic shaft of the lifting cylinder is fixedly connected to the support platform (a4).

3. The switchable feeding device according to claim 2, characterized in that: Any of the guide mechanisms includes A guide component (a21) is mounted on the top of the driving plate (a31) and has a guide channel extending vertically and having a first opening at the top; The movable component (a22) is fixed on the bottom of the support platform (a4) and is suitable for extending into the guide channel along the vertical direction.

4. The switchable feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The transfer mechanism (a5) drives the support platform (a4) to slide back and forth in a straight line; all the workstations are arranged in a straight line on the support platform (a4) along the sliding direction of the transfer mechanism (a5); The transfer mechanism (a5) further comprises a driving assembly arranged on the base frame (a8), and a driving plate (a31) driven by the driving assembly to perform reciprocating linear sliding.

5. The switchable feeding device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The driving assembly comprises a driver (a51), a screw rod (a52) driven to rotate by the driver (a51), and a slider engaged with the screw rod (a52) and sliding along the axial direction of the screw rod (a52) as the screw rod (a52) rotates; the driving plate (a31) is fixed on the slider.

6. The switchable feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: Any set of the feeding mechanism includes A vibrating bin (a11) that is driven by a vibrator to vibrate, the vibrating bin (a11) having a placement inner cavity; a material delivery channel (a12) having a starting end disposed on the outer wall surface of the placement inner cavity and spirally wound outside the placement inner cavity and inclined downward, the end of the material delivery channel (a12) serving as the discharge port; and a feeding component for feeding material to the placement inner cavity of the vibrating bin (a11).

7. The switchable feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: There are at least two sets of feeding mechanisms; there are at least four workstations, wherein the four workstations are a first workstation (a411), a second workstation (a412), a third workstation (a413), and a fourth workstation (a414) arranged in sequence; the first workstation (a411) and the third workstation (a413) are spaced a first distance apart, the second workstation (a412) and the fourth workstation (a414) are spaced a second distance apart, and the discharge ports of the two sets of the feeding mechanisms are spaced a third distance apart; the third distance is equal to the first distance and the second distance.

8. The switchable feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: It also includes at least one material receiving bin (a7) fixed on the base frame (a8) and located below the support platform (a4); the top of the material receiving bin (a7) has a second opening located directly below the discharge port; In the non-blocking state and when the support platform (a4) is driven by the transfer mechanism (a5) to avoid the discharge port, the second opening is used to receive the workpiece falling from the discharge port.

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