An automated water meter testing platform

Abstract

The application relates to an automatic water meter detection platform body, which comprises a detection platform, a detection instrument fixing platform, a water meter positioning platform, a conveying belt, pneumatic clamps and a three-axis mechanical arm. The detection instrument fixing platform, the water meter positioning platform and the conveying belt are arranged in parallel. A plurality of test gimbals are uniformly arranged on the detection instrument fixing platform. Detection instruments are arranged on the test gimbals. A plurality of water pipes are uniformly arranged on the water meter positioning platform. Test positions are arranged between two adjacent water pipes. The end portions of the water pipes at the test positions are provided with clamping devices. The water meters to be detected are arranged at the test positions. The three-axis mechanical arm is provided with the pneumatic clamps. The detection instrument fixing platform, the test gimbals and the detection instruments can be automatically positioned and monitored. The water meters can be automatically installed and dismounted, and the installation and fixation of water meters of different types and diameters can be realized. According to the detection requirements, the working efficiency can be effectively improved by more than 50%.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of fully automatic water meter verification, and in particular to an automatic water meter detection platform. Background Art

[0002] Water meters are widely used in tap water, heat, chemical and other industries. Enterprises or measurement departments that produce water meters need to perform performance verification on the indication errors of these water meters in accordance with the regulations formulated by relevant departments. At present, in the field of fully automatic calibration of water meters in China, weighing method or volumetric method is usually used to obtain the volume of water flow, and the pointer data of the water meter to be tested is compared to check the accuracy of the water meter. The weighing method is to use an electronic scale to weigh the mass of the water flow and divide it by the water density to obtain the volume. The current calibration system cannot fully achieve automatic calibration and needs to be manually installed on the water pipe used for detection. The calibration equipment needs to be installed in series and then the equipment needs to be started for calibration. After the calibration is completed, they need to be disassembled one by one to distinguish qualified or unqualified products and transported out through a conveyor belt. The calibration is time-consuming and labor-intensive, and the efficiency is low. In addition, in the application of the robot, the water meter positioning requires more precise positioning requirements, so the size of the water meter fixture is limited, resulting in the equipment being unable to detect water meters of different models. The water meter fixture of the entire set of equipment needs to be replaced, which takes a long time and has high tooling costs. A single control system is generally used to control a calibration system, and the efficiency of a single worker operating a single device is reduced. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In order to overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings, the purpose of the present invention is to provide an automatic water meter detection platform.

[0004] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve its technical problems is: an automated water meter detection platform, including a detection platform, a detection instrument fixing platform, a water meter positioning platform, a conveyor belt, a pneumatic clamp, and a three-axis robotic arm. The detection instrument fixing platform, the water meter positioning platform, and the conveyor belt are arranged parallel to each other. Multiple test platforms are evenly installed on the detection instrument fixing platform, and the test platforms are equipped with detection instruments. Multiple sections of water pipes are evenly arranged on the water meter positioning platform. The test position is between two adjacent sections of water pipes. A clamping device is provided at the end of the water pipe at the test position. The water meter to be tested is assembled at the test position. The water inlet and outlet ends of the water meter to be tested are connected to the end of the water pipe through the clamping device. The three-axis robotic arm is equipped with a pneumatic clamp for taking and placing the water meter.

[0005] Specifically, the water pipes at both ends are respectively connected to the connection ports of the test pipe, the water inlet of the test pipe is connected to the water tank, and the water outlet of the test pipe is connected to the weighing equipment.

[0006] Specifically, the conveyor belt includes a conveyor belt for products to be tested and a conveyor belt for tested products. A water meter positioning tool is installed on the conveyor belt for products to be tested. The water meter positioning tool is set to a U-shaped structure with the opening direction facing the feeding direction of the conveyor belt for products to be tested. A proximity sensor is installed on the inside of the water meter positioning tool. Positioning grooves are opened on both sides of the water meter positioning tool, and a positioning cylinder is installed in the positioning groove.

[0007] Specifically, an instrument fixing platform driving mechanism is respectively installed at both ends of the detection instrument fixing platform, and the driving mechanism includes an instrument guide rail and a first linear electric cylinder. A first connecting frame is provided at the end of the detection instrument fixing platform, and a first slider is fixed on the first connecting frame. The first slider is assembled on the instrument guide rail, and the first connecting frame is connected to the push rod end of the first linear electric cylinder. The first linear electric cylinder is fixed on the first assembly plate through the first base, and the first assembly plate is fixedly mounted on the corresponding detection platform housing.

[0008] Specifically, the test platform includes left and right adjustment rails and front and rear adjustment rails. The upper parts of the left and right adjustment rails are fixedly connected to the detection instrument through a second connecting frame. The left and right adjustment rails are assembled in left and right guide blocks. The left and right guide blocks are fixed on the front and rear guide rails. The front and rear guide rails are assembled in the front and rear guide blocks. The front and rear guide blocks are assembled on the fixed platform of the test instrument through the platform bracket.

[0009] The left and right adjustment guide rails are driven by a first DC motor, and the front and rear adjustment guide rails are driven by a second DC motor. The left and right guide blocks are provided with a first locking bolt, and the front and rear guide blocks are provided with a second locking bolt.

[0010] Specifically, the detection platform is located at both ends of the water meter positioning platform.

[0011] Specifically, the three-axis robotic arm includes an X-axis module, a Y-axis module, and a Z-axis module. The X-axis module and the Y-axis module both use linear guide rails. The Y-axis module is parallel to the water meter positioning platform, and the X-axis module is perpendicular to the water meter positioning platform. The X-axis module is equipped with a slide, and the slide is assembled on the Y-axis module. One end of the X-axis module is fixedly connected to the Z-axis module, and the lower end of the Z-axis module is connected to the pneumatic clamp, which is used to move the pneumatic clamp 7 in the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions. The three-axis robotic arm is controlled by a three-axis robotic arm control cabinet.

[0012] Specifically, the clamping device includes a water meter pressure plate, a centering clamp, and a clamping cylinder. The water meter pressure plate is sleeved on the end of the water pipe. One end of the clamping cylinder is fixed to the outside of the water pipe through a cylinder fixing plate, and the other end of the clamping cylinder is fixedly connected to the water meter pressure plate through another cylinder fixing plate. The inner side of the water meter pressure plate is sealed with the joint of the water meter to be tested through a sealing gasket, and a centering clamp is installed on the outer edge of the water meter pressure plate.

[0013] Specifically, a mounting hole is provided in the middle of the centering fixture, and the outer edge of the centering fixture is provided with three sections of arc-shaped structures with different sizes and lengths.

[0014] Specifically, the tested product conveyor belt is divided into a non-conforming product conveyor belt and a qualified product conveyor belt according to the test results.

[0015] Specifically, one set of the three-axis robotic arm and pneumatic gripper corresponds to two sets of detection instrument fixing platforms, water meter positioning platforms, and conveyor belts.

[0016] The present invention has the following beneficial effects: the detection instrument fixing table, detection platform and detection instrument of the present invention can be automatically positioned for monitoring; the three-axis robotic arm and pneumatic clamp can automatically install and disassemble the water meter; the clamping device can automatically clamp the water meter, which saves the number of fixture replacements in the process of changing different products and improves the applicability of multiple models of water meter fixtures. First, a suitable stroke clamping cylinder is selected to meet the maximum and minimum strokes, which can be used to clamp three different models of meters. Through the centering clamp, when replacing the product, it is only necessary to change the installation angle of the centering clamp to achieve the installation and fixation of water meters of different models. According to the detection quantity requirements, it can be flexibly set up, and one set of the three-axis robotic arm, pneumatic clamp and detection table can correspond to two sets of detection instrument fixing tables, water meter positioning tables and conveyor belts, which can effectively improve work efficiency by about 50%. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 It is a top view of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3 It is a side view of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the test instrument fixing frame of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the test platform of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a front view of the test platform of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 7 It is a side view of the test platform of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the three-axis robotic arm structure of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 9 It is a structural schematic diagram of the water meter positioning tooling of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 10It is a side sectional view of the positioning tool of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 11 It is a transverse cross-sectional view of the positioning tool of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 12 This is the automatic positioning clamping device of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 13 It is a structural schematic diagram of the centering fixture of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the centering fixture of the present invention corresponding to different models of water meters.

[0031] Figure 15 It is a top view of another embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] In the figure, 1 testing platform, 2 water meter positioning platform, 201 water pipe, 3 testing instrument fixing platform, 301 testing instrument, 302 testing platform, 302 left and right adjustment guide rails, 3022 left and right guide blocks, 3023 front and rear adjustment guide rails, 3024 front and rear guide blocks, 3025 first locking bolt, 3026 second tightening bolt, 3027 platform bracket, 3028 first DC motor, 3029 second DC motor, 303 first connecting frame, 304 first slider, 4 clamping device, 401 water meter pressure plate, 402 sealing gasket, 403 cylinder fixing plate, 404 pressing cylinder, 405 centering fixture, 5 instrument fixing platform driving mechanism, 501 instrument guide rails, 502 first linear electric cylinder, 503 first base, 504 fixed on the first assembly plate, 6 three-axis robotic arm, 601 X-axis module, 6011 X-axis motor, 6012 slide, 602 Y-axis module, 603 Z-axis module, 6031 Z-axis motor, 7 pneumatic gripper, 8 water meter positioning tooling, 801 proximity sensor, 802 positioning cylinder, 9 conveyor belt, 901 conveyor belt for products to be tested, 902 conveyor belt for tested products, 902A conveyor belt for unqualified products, 902B conveyor belt for qualified products, 10 three-axis robotic arm control cabinet, 11 water meter to be tested, 12 water tank, 13 test pipeline. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] Example 1

[0035] like Figures 1 to 12An automated water meter testing platform shown in the figure includes a testing platform 1, a testing instrument fixing platform 3, a water meter positioning platform 2, a conveyor belt 9, a pneumatic clamp 7, and a three-axis robotic arm 6. The testing instrument fixing platform 3, the water meter positioning platform 2, and the conveyor belt 9 are arranged parallel to each other. Multiple test platforms 302 are evenly installed on the testing instrument fixing platform 3, and a testing instrument 301 is installed on the test platform 302. Multiple sections of water pipes 201 are evenly arranged on the water meter positioning platform 2. The test position is between two adjacent sections of water pipes 201. A clamping device 4 is provided at the end of the water pipe 201 at the test position. The water meter to be tested is installed 11 at the position to be tested. The water inlet and outlet ends of the water meter to be tested 11 are connected to the end of the water pipe 201 through the clamping device 4. The three-axis robotic arm 6 is equipped with a pneumatic clamp 7 for taking and placing the water meter.

[0036] Specifically, the water pipes 201 at both ends are respectively connected to the connection ports of the test pipe 13, the water inlet of the test pipe 13 is connected to the water tank 12, and the water outlet of the test pipe 13 is connected to the weighing equipment. An output pneumatic valve 101 is installed at the water inlet of the test pipe 13 to form a test passage. This is existing technology and will not be repeated here.

[0037] Specifically, the conveyor belt 9 includes a conveyor belt 901 for products to be tested and a conveyor belt 902 for products to be tested. A water meter positioning tool 8 is installed on the conveyor belt 901 for products to be tested. The water meter positioning tool 8 is set to a U-shaped structure with its opening facing the feeding direction of the conveyor belt 901 for products to be tested. A proximity sensor 801 is installed on the inside of the water meter positioning tool 8. Positioning grooves are provided on both sides of the water meter positioning tool 8. Positioning cylinders 802 are installed in the positioning grooves. After reaching the position, the position is limited by the dead stop on the back of the water meter positioning tool 8. The three-axis robotic arm 6 drives the pneumatic clamp 7 to pick up the product. When the water meter reaches the positioning section, the proximity sensor 801 triggers the conveyor belt 901 to stop, and the positioning cylinder 802 is actuated to clamp once, and the position of the water meter is corrected and aligned for the second time to ensure that the position of the water meter 11 to be tested is accurate. When the water meter 11 to be tested is taken away, the proximity sensor 801 is not triggered, and the conveyor belt continues to transport the water meter to be tested.

[0038] Specifically, an instrument fixing platform driving mechanism 5 is respectively installed at both ends of the detection instrument fixing platform 3. The driving mechanism 5 includes an instrument guide rail 501 and a first linear electric cylinder 502. A first connecting frame 303 is provided at the end of the detection instrument fixing platform 3. A first slider 304 is fixed on the first connecting frame 303. The first slider 304 is assembled on the instrument guide rail 501. The first connecting frame 303 is connected to the push rod end of the first linear electric cylinder 502. The first linear electric cylinder 502 is fixed on the first assembly plate 504 through the first base 503. The first assembly plate 504 is fixedly installed on the corresponding detection platform 1 shell. The detection instrument 301 can use a high-speed camera to perform water meter detection.

[0039] Specifically, the test platform 302 includes left and right adjustment rails 3021 and front and rear adjustment rails 3023. The upper portion of the left and right adjustment rails 3021 is fixedly connected to the testing instrument 301 via a second connecting frame 3011. The left and right adjustment rails 3021 are assembled in left and right guide blocks 3022. The left and right guide blocks 3021 are fixed on the front and rear guide rails 3023. The front and rear guide rails 3023 are assembled in front and rear guide blocks 3024. The front and rear guide blocks 3023 are assembled on the test instrument fixing table via a platform bracket 3027.

[0040] The left and right adjustment guide rails 3021 are driven by a first DC motor 3028, and the front and rear adjustment guide rails 3023 are driven by a second DC motor 3029. The left and right guide blocks 3022 are provided with a first locking bolt 3025, which passes through the walls of the left and right guide blocks 3022 and contacts the side surfaces of the left and right adjustment guide rails 3021, and is perpendicular to the left and right adjustment guide rails 3021. The front and rear guide blocks 3024 are provided with a second locking bolt 3026, which passes through the walls of the front and rear guide blocks 3024 and contacts the side surfaces of the front and rear adjustment guide rails 3023, and is perpendicular to the front and rear adjustment guide rails 3023, thereby realizing the tightening and loosening of the left and right adjustment guide rails 3021 and the front and rear adjustment guide rails 3023, and fine-tuning the position of the detection instrument 301 so that it is aligned with the water meter 11 to be inspected.

[0041] Specifically, the detection platform 1 is located at both ends of the water meter positioning platform 2 .

[0042] Specifically, the three-axis robot arm 6 includes an X-axis module 601, a Y-axis module 602, and a Z-axis module 603. The X-axis module 601 and the Y-axis module 602 both use linear guide rails. The Y-axis module 602 is parallel to the water meter positioning platform 2, and the X-axis module 602 is perpendicular to the water meter positioning platform 2. The X-axis module 602 is equipped with a slide 6012, and the slide 6012 is assembled on the Y-axis module 602. When the Y-axis module is fixedly installed on the ground, the X-axis The motor 6011 drives the lower slide 6012 to slide on the X-axis module 602, or it can move along the Y-axis with the X-axis module 601 under the drive of the Y-axis motor. One end of the X-axis module 601 is fixedly connected to the Z-axis module 603. The Z-axis module 603 adopts a second linear electric cylinder. The lower end of the second linear electric cylinder is connected to the pneumatic clamp 7, which is used to move the pneumatic clamp 7 in the X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis directions. The three-axis robot arm 6 is controlled by the three-axis robot arm 6 control cabinet.

[0043] Specifically, the clamping device 4 includes a water meter pressure plate 401, a centering clamp 406, and a clamping cylinder 407. The water meter pressure plate 401 is sleeved on the end of the water pipe 201, and one end of the clamping cylinder 407 is fixed to the outside of the water pipe 201 through a cylinder fixing plate 403. The other end of the clamping cylinder 407 is fixedly connected to the water meter pressure plate 401 through another cylinder fixing plate 403. The inner side of the water meter pressure plate 401 is sealed with the joint of the water meter 11 to be tested through a sealing gasket 402, and a centering clamp 406 is installed on the outer edge of the water meter pressure plate 401.

[0044] Specifically, an installation and fixing hole 4061 is provided in the middle of the centering fixture 406, and the outer edge of the centering fixture 406 is set to three sections of arc length special-shaped structures with different sizes, and the radius of the three centering arc surfaces is R6.88mm, R14.73mm, and R11.225mm. Different arc lengths are used when centering products with different diameters. This centering fixture 406 simplifies the mechanical assembly process. The same equipment or fixture is used for the conversion process of different products, saves the number of fixtures to be replaced, and improves the applicability of multiple models of water meter fixtures. The lengths and nozzle diameters of different models of water meters are different. First, select a suitable stroke clamping cylinder to meet the maximum and minimum strokes to achieve clamping of three different models of meters. Through the centering fixture, when replacing the product, it is only necessary to change the installation angle of the centering fixture to achieve installation and fixation of different models of water meters.

[0045] Example 2

[0046] like Figure 13 The top view of the automated water meter testing platform, wherein the tested product conveyor belt 902 is divided into a non-conforming product conveyor belt 902A and a qualified product conveyor belt 902B, which convey the products separately according to the testing results without the need for subsequent sorting.

[0047] Example 3

[0048] An automated water meter inspection platform, wherein a set of the three-axis robotic arm 6, the pneumatic gripper 7, and the inspection platform 1 corresponds to two sets of inspection instrument fixing platforms 3, the water meter positioning platform 2, and the conveyor belt 9. A worker operates a host computer, selects the first row of calibration devices, completes the installation of the water meters to be inspected, and completes the water leakage detection after the meter number is input. If there is no problem, the current platform starts the automated inspection process; while waiting for the first row of calibration devices to be inspected, the worker starts the water meter installation and meter number input work of the second row of platforms, and completes the water leakage detection and other work; after waiting for the first row of inspections to be completed, the host computer is immediately used to control the second row of inspections; during the second row of inspections, the meters of the first row of calibration devices are removed and the next batch of water meters are installed, and the cycle is repeated in sequence, which can effectively improve the work efficiency by about 50%.

[0049] Its automatic execution logic is:

[0050] 1. System startup;

[0051] 2. In the self-test state of the water meter station, the detection instrument uses a high-speed camera, the switch triggers the camera to the B position, that is, the position of the non-detection instrument, the standby position, the execution pneumatic clamping fixture opens, and the clamping device 4 opens;

[0052] 3. The test bench 1 outputs instructions to the three-axis robot arm 6 and the pneumatic gripper 7 to start executing the water meter installation action. The pneumatic clamp is closed, the clamping device 4 is closed, and the water meter to be tested is clamped. After the installation is completed, the three-axis robot arm 6 returns to its original position and sends a signal to the test bench to execute the next step;

[0053] 4. The DC motor of the first linear electric cylinder 502 is started, and the camera is moved to position A, that is, above the water meter to be inspected. After the switch is triggered, the next step is entered;

[0054] 5. The pneumatic valve 101 at the output port of the test bench 1 is closed, and a pressure test is performed. If a leak is detected during the test, the test is stopped, the camera moves to position B, the pneumatic valve of the fixture opens the pneumatic clamp, the clamping device 4 opens, and a signal is sent to the three-axis robotic arm 6 and the pneumatic gripper 7 to indicate the unqualified position. The water meter to be tested is replaced, and after completion, the 4 steps are repeated.

[0055] 6. After the pressure test is completed, perform the stopwatch test, open the output pneumatic valve 101, and run the meter normally;

[0056] 7. After the stopwatch test is completed, the DC motor of the first linear electric cylinder 502 is started, the camera is moved to position B, the pneumatic valve of the fixture is opened, the clamping device 4 is opened, and instructions are sent to the three-axis robotic arm 6 and the pneumatic gripper 7 to execute the water meter disassembly and assembly actions, and a cycle is completed.

[0057] The present invention is not limited to the described embodiments. Anyone should be aware that any structural changes made under the guidance of the present invention, and any technical solutions that are the same or similar to those of the present invention, fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0058] The technology, shape, and structure not described in detail in the present invention are all well-known technologies.

Claims

1. An automated water meter testing platform, comprising a testing platform, characterized in that: It also includes a detection instrument fixing platform, a water meter positioning platform, a conveyor belt, a pneumatic clamp, and a three-axis robotic arm. The detection instrument fixing platform, the water meter positioning platform, and the conveyor belt are arranged parallel to each other. A plurality of test platforms are evenly installed on the detection instrument fixing platform. The test platform is equipped with a detection instrument. A plurality of water pipes are evenly arranged on the water meter positioning platform. The space between two adjacent water pipes is a test position. A clamping device is provided at the end of the water pipe at the test position. The water meter to be tested is assembled at the test position. The water inlet and outlet ends of the water meter to be tested are connected to the end of the water pipe through the clamping device. The three-axis robotic arm is equipped with a pneumatic clamp for taking and placing the water meter. The conveyor belt includes a conveyor belt for products to be tested and a conveyor belt for products that have been tested; The clamping device includes a water meter pressure plate, a centering fixture, and a pressing cylinder. The water meter pressure plate is sleeved on the end of the water pipe. One end of the pressing cylinder is fixed to the outside of the water pipe through a cylinder fixing plate, and the other end of the pressing cylinder is fixedly connected to the water meter pressure plate through another cylinder fixing plate. The inner side of the water meter pressure plate is sealed with the joint of the water meter to be tested through a sealing gasket, and a centering fixture is installed on the outer edge of the water meter pressure plate. A mounting hole is provided in the middle of the centering fixture, and the outer edge of the centering fixture is provided with three sections of special-shaped structures with different sizes and arc lengths.

2. The automatic water meter detection platform according to claim 1, characterized in that: A water meter positioning tool is installed on the conveyor belt of the product to be tested. The water meter positioning tool is set to a U-shaped structure, with the opening direction facing the feeding direction of the conveyor belt of the product to be tested. A proximity sensor is installed on the inside of the water meter positioning tool. Positioning grooves are opened on both sides of the water meter positioning tool, and positioning cylinders are installed in the positioning grooves.

3. The automated water meter detection platform according to claim 1, characterized in that: An instrument fixing platform driving mechanism is respectively installed at both ends of the detection instrument fixing platform, and the driving mechanism includes an instrument guide rail and a first linear electric cylinder. A first connecting frame is provided at the end of the detection instrument fixing platform, and a first slider is fixed on the first connecting frame. The first slider is assembled on the instrument guide rail, and the first connecting frame is connected to the push rod end of the first linear electric cylinder. The first linear electric cylinder is fixed to the first assembly plate through the first base, and the first assembly plate is fixedly mounted on the corresponding detection platform housing.

4. The automatic water meter detection platform according to claim 1, characterized in that: The test gimbal includes left and right adjustment rails and front and rear adjustment rails. The upper parts of the left and right adjustment rails are fixedly connected to the detection instrument through a second connecting frame. The left and right adjustment rails are assembled in left and right guide blocks. The left and right guide blocks are fixed on the front and rear guide rails. The front and rear guide rails are assembled in the front and rear guide blocks. The front and rear guide blocks are assembled on the fixed platform of the test instrument through the gimbal bracket.

5. The automatic water meter detection platform according to claim 1, characterized in that: The detection platform is located at both ends of the water meter positioning platform.

6. The automated water meter detection platform according to claim 1, characterized in that: The three-axis robotic arm includes an X-axis module, a Y-axis module, and a Z-axis module. The X-axis module and the Y-axis module both use linear guide rails. The Y-axis module is parallel to the water meter positioning platform, and the X-axis module is perpendicular to the water meter positioning platform. The X-axis module is equipped with a slide, which is assembled on the Y-axis module. One end of the X-axis module is fixedly connected to the Z-axis module, and the lower end of the Z-axis module is connected to the pneumatic clamp.

7. The automated water meter detection platform according to claim 1, characterized in that: One set of the three-axis robotic arm and pneumatic gripper corresponds to two sets of detection instrument fixing platforms, water meter positioning platforms, and conveyor belts.

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