Alignment mechanism and alignment method of inner tank of American water heater

Abstract

An American water heater inner tank alignment mechanism and an alignment method thereof, wherein the mechanism comprises a frame for placing the inner tank, an inner tank alignment mechanism, a rotating mechanism and a lifting mechanism located on the frame for rotating and positioning the inner tank, the lifting mechanism is arranged on the inner tank alignment mechanism and can move synchronously with the inner tank alignment mechanism, the rotating mechanism comprises a telescopic unit, a rotating servo unit, a first rotation detection unit and a rotation detection unit, the rotating servo unit comprises a rotating motor, a rotating frame installed on the output shaft of the rotating motor and can rotate with the rotating motor, and a rotating ear arranged on the rotating frame, the first rotation detection unit is arranged on the rotating frame and used to detect the water pipe opening of the inner tank, the rotating ear is used to extend into the water pipe opening of the inner tank and rotate the inner tank under the action of the rotating motor, and the rotation detection unit is used to detect whether the inner tank is rotated to the zero position. The invention has the advantages of simpler structure, fewer parts, more accurate alignment, and is conducive to correct clamping by a manipulator.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of water heater inner tank alignment mechanisms, in particular to an American water heater inner tank alignment mechanism and an alignment method using the alignment mechanism. Background Art

[0002] In the process of producing water heater tanks, due to the form of assembly line production, the water heater tanks are irregularly placed on the conveyor line or workstation. At this time, it is usually necessary to use an alignment mechanism to align the water heater tank to a predetermined direction and position to facilitate the robot to clamp it and enter the next process for processing; traditional alignment is usually through manual operation, that is, the water heater tank that does not meet the required direction and position is manually adjusted to a predetermined direction and position, but the manual operation is inefficient and the workload is large. For this reason, an alignment mechanism suitable for American water heater tanks is manually designed, but most of the alignment mechanisms of this type on the market are complex in structure and have many parts. The problem brought about by this is that the cost is high and it is easy to malfunction, resulting in inaccurate alignment, affecting the robot to correctly clamp the water heater tank, thereby affecting the processing of the next process. Summary of the invention

[0003] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a mechanism for aligning the inner tank of an American water heater, which has a simpler structure, fewer parts, more accurate alignment, and is conducive to correct clamping by a robot.

[0004] The present invention also provides a method for aligning the inner tank of an American-style water heater, which is more accurate and conducive to correct clamping by a manipulator.

[0005] The technical solution of the present invention is to provide an American-style water heater inner tank alignment mechanism, comprising a frame for placing the water heater inner tank, a water heater inner tank alignment mechanism, a rotating mechanism and a lifting mechanism located on the frame for rotating and positioning the water heater inner tank, the lifting mechanism is arranged on the water heater inner tank alignment mechanism and can move synchronously with the water heater inner tank alignment mechanism, the rotating mechanism is arranged at the front end of the frame, the rotating mechanism comprises a telescopic unit, a rotating servo unit, a first rotation detection unit and a positive rotation detection unit, the rotating servo unit is arranged on the telescopic unit and can move with the telescopic unit, the rotating servo unit comprises a rotating motor, a rotating frame installed on the output shaft of the rotating motor and can rotate with the rotating motor, and a rotating ear arranged on the rotating frame, the first rotation detection unit is arranged on the rotating frame and is used to detect the water pipe outlet of the water heater inner tank, the rotating ear is used to extend into the water pipe outlet of the water heater inner tank and rotate the water heater inner tank under the action of the rotating motor, and the positive rotation detection unit is used to detect whether the water heater inner tank is rotated to the zero position.

[0006] As an improvement of the present invention, the water heater tank alignment mechanism includes a push plate, a screw nut for driving the push plate to move, and an alignment motor for providing power to the screw nut. The push plate is arranged on the frame and is used to push the water heater tank to align its position.

[0007] As an improvement of the present invention, the telescopic unit includes a telescopic cylinder and a base plate driven to move by the telescopic cylinder, and the rotating mechanism is arranged on the base plate.

[0008] Another solution of the present invention is to provide a method for aligning the inner tank of an American water heater, comprising the following steps:

[0009] (S1), moving the inner tank of the water heater aligned with the bottom cover to the docking platform of the rack;

[0010] (S2), the water heater inner tank alignment mechanism is pushed forward to accurately align the water heater inner tank to the docking station reference line I;

[0011] (S3), the rotary motor of the rotary mechanism rotates, and the first rotary detection unit arranged on the rotary frame finds the two water pipe openings on the bottom cover of the water heater tank;

[0012] (S4), find the water pipe opening, extend the telescopic cylinder, and insert the two rotating ear pins into the two water pipe openings respectively;

[0013] (S5), the rotary motor of the rotary mechanism rotates, and the rotary motor drives the inner tank of the water heater to rotate. When the inner tank of the water heater is rotated to the zero position, the rotation detection unit detects the inner tank of the water heater and the control mechanism controls the rotary motor to stop rotating;

[0014] (S6), then, the rotary motor continues to rotate in a predetermined direction and at a predetermined angle, thereby rotating the inner tank of the water heater to a standard position;

[0015] (S7), the telescopic cylinder retracts and the water heater tank alignment mechanism retracts.

[0016] As an improvement of the present invention, the water heater tank alignment mechanism includes a push plate, a screw nut for driving the push plate to move, and an alignment motor for providing power to the screw nut. The push plate is arranged on the frame and is used to push the water heater tank to align its position.

[0017] The present invention comprises a frame for placing a water heater inner tank, a water heater inner tank alignment mechanism, a rotating mechanism and a lifting mechanism located on the frame for rotating and positioning the water heater inner tank, the lifting mechanism is arranged on the water heater inner tank alignment mechanism and can move synchronously with the water heater inner tank alignment mechanism, the rotating mechanism is arranged at the front end of the frame, the rotating mechanism comprises a telescopic unit, a rotating servo unit, a first rotation detection unit and a positive rotation detection unit, the rotating servo unit is arranged on the telescopic unit and can move with the telescopic unit, the rotating servo unit comprises a rotating motor, a rotating frame installed on the output shaft of the rotating motor and can rotate with the rotating motor, and a rotating ear arranged on the rotating frame, the first rotation detection unit is arranged on the rotating frame and is used to detect the water pipe opening of the water heater inner tank, the rotating ear is used to extend into the water pipe opening of the water heater inner tank and rotate the water heater inner tank under the action of the rotating motor, the positive rotation detection unit is used to detect whether the water heater inner tank is rotated to the zero position, and the positive rotation detection unit controls the water heater inner tank to rotate from the zero position to a predetermined angle to a standard position. Therefore, the present invention has the advantages of simpler structure, fewer parts, more accurate alignment, and is conducive to correct clamping by a robot. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Top view of the . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] See also Figure 1 to Figure 2 , Figure 1 to Figure 2Disclosed is an implementation manner of an American water heater inner tank alignment mechanism, an American water heater inner tank alignment mechanism, comprising a rack 1 for placing a water heater inner tank 9, and a control mechanism (not visible in the figure). In this implementation, the control mechanism is a single chip microcomputer or a PLC, a water heater inner tank alignment mechanism 2, a rotating mechanism 3 and a lifting mechanism 4 for rotating and positioning the water heater inner tank 9 on the rack 1, the lifting mechanism 4 is arranged on the water heater inner tank alignment mechanism 2 and can move synchronously with the water heater inner tank alignment mechanism 2. In this embodiment, the water heater inner tank alignment mechanism 2 moves back and forth, the rotating mechanism 3 is arranged at the front end of the rack 1, the rotating mechanism 3 includes a telescopic unit 31, a rotating servo unit 32, a first rotation detection unit 33 and a rotation detection unit 34, the rotating servo unit 32 is arranged on the telescopic unit 31 and can move with the telescopic unit 31. In this embodiment, the telescopic unit 31 is telescopically movable back and forth, and the rotating servo unit 32 includes a rotating electric The rotary motor 321 is provided with a rotating frame 322 mounted on the output shaft of the rotary motor 321 and rotatable therewith, and a rotating ear 323 arranged on the rotating frame 322, the rotating ear 323 is used to extend into the water pipe opening 91 of the water heater inner tank 9 and rotate the water heater inner tank 9 under the action of the rotary motor 321, the first rotation detection unit 33 is arranged on the rotating frame 322 and is used to detect the water pipe opening 91 of the water heater inner tank 9. In this embodiment, specifically, there are two rotating ears 323, the rotating ears 323 are provided with a rotating ear pin 3231, and the rotating ear pin 3231 is provided with a through hole (not visible in the figure), the first rotation detection unit 33 is driven to rotate by the rotary motor 321, and the water heater inner tank 9 is detected through the through hole, so as to find the water pipe opening 91 of the water heater inner tank 9, and the normalization detection unit 34 is used to detect whether the water heater inner tank 9 is rotated to the zero position. After rotating to the zero position, the water heater inner tank 9 is controlled by the control mechanism to rotate a predetermined angle from the zero position to the standard position.

[0021] In the present invention, preferably, the water heater tank alignment mechanism 2 includes a push plate 21, a screw nut 22 for driving the push plate 21 to move, and an alignment motor 23 for providing power to the screw nut 22. The push plate 21 is arranged on the frame 1 and is used to push the water heater tank 9 to align its position. In the present invention, the water heater tank 9 is placed on the frame 1. When the alignment motor 23 is started, the alignment motor 23 drives the screw nut 22 to move, thereby driving the push plate 21 to move back and forth, so that the push plate 21 is used to move the water heater tank 9 close to the docking platform baseline I and align it with the docking platform baseline I.

[0022] In the present invention, preferably, the telescopic unit 31 includes a telescopic cylinder 310 and a base plate 311 driven to move by the telescopic cylinder 310 , and the rotating mechanism 3 is arranged on the base plate 311 .

[0023] In the present invention, preferably, a turntable position detection unit 5 is further included, and the turntable position detection unit 5 is used to detect whether the water heater inner tank 9 is rotated into place.

[0024] The following is the specific alignment process of the present invention:

[0025] When alignment is required, the water heater inner tank alignment mechanism 2 is started, the alignment motor 23 is started, and the alignment motor 23 drives the screw nut 22 to move, thereby driving the push plate 21 to move forward or backward, so that the water heater inner tank 9 is moved closer to the docking platform reference line I by using the push plate 21, and the push plate 21 of the water heater inner tank alignment mechanism 2 is pushed forward to accurately align the water heater inner tank 9 to the docking platform reference line I (The height of the water heater tank is used as the positioning data, and water heater tanks of different heights need to be changed in parameters). After alignment, the rotation servo unit 32 works, the rotation motor 321 rotates, and the first rotation detection unit 33 is used to find the two water pipe openings 91 on the bottom cover 92 of the water heater tank 9. After finding the water pipe openings, the telescopic cylinder 310 of the telescopic unit 31 extends out, and the two rotating ear pins 3231 are inserted into the two water pipe openings 91. The rotation motor 321 of the rotating mechanism 3 is rotated, and the rotation motor 321 drives the water heater tank 9 to rotate. When the water heater tank 9 is rotated to the zero position, the rotation detection unit 34 detects the water heater tank 9, and the control mechanism controls the rotation motor 321 at this time. Stop rotating, then, the rotating motor 321 continues to rotate in a predetermined direction and at a predetermined angle (the rotation direction and the predetermined angle from the zero position to the standard position are both pre-set in the control mechanism), so as to rotate the water heater tank 9 to the standard position. In the present invention, the zero position is pre-set, and the standard position is the position of the water heater tank 9 required by the process. In this embodiment, the standard position is that the opening 931 of the ear 93 of the water heater tank 9 is facing directly downward, so as to realize the alignment of the water heater tank 9; then, the robot (not shown in the figure) grabs the water heater tank 9 from directly above the water heater tank 9, at which time, the telescopic cylinder 310 retracts, and the water heater tank alignment mechanism 2 retreats. The alignment mechanism of the present invention has a simple structure, few parts, and is easy to operate. The alignment is also more accurate, which is conducive to the correct clamping of the manipulator.

[0026] The present invention also provides an American water heater inner tank alignment method, comprising the following steps:

[0027] (S1), moving the water heater inner tank 9 aligned with the bottom cover to the docking platform of the rack 1;

[0028] (S2), the water heater inner tank alignment mechanism 2 is pushed forward to accurately align the water heater inner tank 9 to the docking station reference line I;

[0029] (S3), the rotating motor 321 of the rotating mechanism 3 rotates, and the first rotating detection unit 33 disposed on the rotating frame 322 finds the two water pipe openings 91 on the bottom cover 92 of the water heater inner tank 9;

[0030] (S4), find the water pipe opening 91, extend the telescopic cylinder 310, and insert the two rotating ear pins 3231 into the two water pipe openings 91 respectively;

[0031] (S5), the rotating motor 321 of the rotating mechanism 3 rotates, and the rotating motor 321 drives the water heater inner tank 9 to rotate. When the water heater inner tank 9 is rotated to the zero position, the rotation detection unit 34 detects the water heater inner tank 9 and the control mechanism controls the rotating motor 321 to stop rotating;

[0032] (S6), then, the rotating motor 321 continues to rotate in a predetermined direction by a predetermined angle, thereby rotating the water heater tank 9 to a standard position;

[0033] (S7), the telescopic cylinder 310 retracts and the water heater inner tank alignment mechanism 2 retracts.

Claims

1. An American-style water heater inner tank alignment mechanism, characterized in that: The invention comprises a frame (1) for placing a water heater inner tank (9), a water heater inner tank alignment mechanism (2), a rotating mechanism (3) and a lifting mechanism (4) located on the frame (1) for rotating and positioning the water heater inner tank (9), the lifting mechanism (4) being arranged on the water heater inner tank alignment mechanism (2) and moving synchronously with the water heater inner tank alignment mechanism (2), the rotating mechanism (3) being arranged at the front end of the frame (1), the rotating mechanism (3) comprising a telescopic unit (31), a rotating servo unit (32), a first rotation detection unit (33) and a rotation detection unit (34), the rotating servo unit (32) being arranged on the telescopic unit (31) and moving with the telescopic unit (31), the rotating servo unit (32) comprising a rotating motor (321), a rotating frame (321) mounted on the output shaft of the rotating motor (321) and rotating with the rotating motor (321), and a rotating frame (33) being arranged on the output shaft of the rotating motor (321) and rotating with the rotating motor (321). 22), and a rotating ear (323) arranged on the rotating frame (322), the first rotation detection unit (33) being arranged on the rotating frame (322) and used for detecting the water pipe opening (91) of the water heater inner tank (9), the rotating ear (323) being used for extending into the water pipe opening (91) of the water heater inner tank (9) and rotating the water heater inner tank (9) under the action of the rotating motor (321), the rotation detection unit (34) being used for detecting whether the water heater inner tank (9) is rotated to a zero position; the rotating ears (323) are provided with two rotating ears (323), the rotating ears (323) being provided with a rotating ear pin (3231), the rotating ear pin (3231) being provided with a through hole, the first rotation detection unit (33) being driven to rotate by the rotating motor (321), and detecting the water pipe opening (91) of the water heater inner tank (9) through the through hole, thereby finding and detecting the water pipe opening (91) of the water heater inner tank (9).

2. The inner tank alignment mechanism of an American water heater according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water heater inner tank alignment mechanism (2) comprises a push plate (21), a screw nut (22) for driving the push plate (21) to move, and an alignment motor (23) for providing power to the screw nut (22); the push plate (21) is arranged on the frame (1) and is used to push the water heater inner tank (9) to align its position.

3. The inner tank alignment mechanism of an American water heater according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The telescopic unit (31) comprises a telescopic cylinder (310) and a base plate (311) driven to move by the telescopic cylinder (310), and the rotating mechanism (3) is arranged on the base plate (311).

4. A method for aligning an inner tank of an American water heater based on any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: S1, moving the water heater tank (9) aligned with the bottom cover to the docking platform of the rack (1); S2, the water heater inner tank alignment mechanism (2) is pushed forward to accurately align the water heater inner tank (9) with the docking station reference line I; S3, the rotating motor (321) of the rotating mechanism (3) rotates, and the two water pipe openings (91) on the bottom cover (92) of the water heater inner tank (9) are found by using the first rotating detection unit (33) arranged on the rotating frame (322); the rotation detection unit (34) is used to detect whether the water heater inner tank (9) is rotated to the zero position; the rotating ears (323) are provided with two rotating ears (323), and the rotating ears (323) are provided with rotating ear pins (3231), and the rotating ear pins (3231) are provided with through holes, and the first rotating detection unit (33) is driven to rotate by the rotating motor (321), and the water heater inner tank (9) is detected through the through holes, thereby finding and detecting the water pipe openings (91) of the water heater inner tank (9); S4, find the water pipe opening (91), extend the telescopic cylinder (310), and insert the two rotating ear pins (3231) into the two water pipe openings (91) respectively; S5, the rotating motor (321) of the rotating mechanism (3) rotates, and the rotating motor (321) drives the water heater inner tank (9) to rotate; when the water heater inner tank (9) is rotated to a zero position, the rotation detection unit (34) detects the water heater inner tank (9) and the control mechanism controls the rotating motor (321) to stop rotating; S6. Subsequently, the rotating motor (321) continues to rotate in a predetermined direction and at a predetermined angle, thereby rotating the water heater tank (9) to a standard position; S7, the telescopic cylinder (310) retracts, and the water heater inner tank alignment mechanism (2) retracts.

5. The alignment method according to claim 4, characterized in that: The water heater inner tank alignment mechanism (2) comprises a push plate (21), a screw nut (22) for driving the push plate (21) to move, and an alignment motor (23) for providing power to the screw nut (22); the push plate (21) is arranged on the frame (1) and is used to push the water heater inner tank (9) to align its position.

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