Automatic feeding system

Abstract

The present invention discloses an automatic feeding system comprising: a first conveyor having a first conveyor belt for conveying product components. The automatic feeding system also includes a state changing device disposed above the first conveyor belt of the first conveyor and configured to change the dispersion and posture of the product components on the first conveyor belt, such that the product components on the first conveyor belt are conveyed with a predetermined dispersion and posture. Therefore, the present invention is suitable for conveying product components made of various materials, such as rubber, thereby expanding its scope of application.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an automatic feeding system. Background Art

[0002] In existing technologies, automatic feeding systems utilize a vibrating feeder, which disperses product components on a vibrating plate through vibration. However, for product components made of rubber, vibration is difficult to disperse due to its unique stickiness and high friction. Therefore, existing automatic feeding systems cannot be used to transport product components made of rubber, limiting their application range. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to solve at least one aspect of the above-mentioned problems and defects in the prior art.

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, an automatic feeding system is provided, comprising: a first conveyor having a first conveyor belt for conveying product components. The automatic feeding system further comprises a state changing device, disposed above the first conveyor belt of the first conveyor, for changing the dispersion and posture of the product components on the first conveyor belt, such that the product components on the first conveyor belt are conveyed out with a predetermined dispersion and posture.

[0005] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the state changing device includes: a rotating shaft spanning the first conveyor belt and rotatably mounted on a support frame; a spiral blade having a spiral shape and mounted on the rotating shaft; and a driving device for driving the rotating shaft and the spiral blade to rotate together. When the spiral blade rotates, the spiral blade pushes the product components on the first conveyor belt to change the dispersion and posture of the product components on the first conveyor belt.

[0006] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the spiral blade is suitable for pushing down the product components standing upright on the first conveyor belt, thereby converting the product components on the first conveyor belt from an upright position to a lying position.

[0007] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the spiral blade is adapted to separate two adjacent product components on the first conveyor belt by a predetermined distance, so as to increase the dispersion of the product components on the first conveyor belt.

[0008] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the state changing device further includes a cylindrical brush sleeved on the rotating shaft, and the spiral blade is sleeved on the cylindrical brush.

[0009] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the automatic feeding system further includes: a hopper for accommodating product components to be supplied; and a lifting device suitable for lifting the product components in the hopper to above the input end of the first conveyor, and after being lifted to above the input end of the first conveyor by the lifting device, the product components fall from the upper end of the lifting device onto the first conveyor belt of the first conveyor.

[0010] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the automatic feeding system further includes a rebound dispersing device, which is arranged between the upper end of the lifting device and the first conveyor belt of the first conveyor; the rebound dispersing device has at least one inclined baffle, and the product parts falling from the upper end of the lifting device bounce at least once on the at least one inclined baffle and then fall onto the first conveyor belt, so that the product parts falling onto the first conveyor belt are dispersed.

[0011] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the rebound dispersion device includes a first baffle and a second baffle arranged below the first baffle; the product parts falling from the upper end of the lifting device first rebound from the first baffle to the second baffle, and then rebound from the second baffle to the first conveyor belt.

[0012] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the rebound dispersion device also includes a protective plate, the baffle is connected to the inner side of the protective plate, and the protective plate is used to prevent the product component from rebounding to the outside of the first conveyor belt to ensure that the product component rebounds onto the first conveyor belt.

[0013] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first baffle is inclined toward the second baffle and is perpendicular to the second baffle.

[0014] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the automatic feeding system further includes a vibrating feeder, which is arranged at the output end of the first conveyor; the first conveyor conveys the product parts to the vibrating feeder, and the vibrating feeder is suitable for conveying the product parts forward by vibration.

[0015] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the vibration feeder has a vibration plate for conveying product parts, and the first conveyor conveys the product parts onto the vibration plate of the vibration feeder.

[0016] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the automatic feeding system further includes a second conveyor having a second conveyor belt for conveying product components, and the vibrating feeder conveys the product components onto the second conveyor belt of the second conveyor.

[0017] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the automatic feeding system also includes a vision system and a robot, wherein the vision system is used to identify the position and posture of product parts on the second conveyor belt, and the robot is suitable for picking up product parts in a predetermined posture from the second conveyor belt under the visual guidance of the vision system.

[0018] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the automatic feeding system further includes a sensor for detecting whether the second conveyor belt is full of product parts; when the sensor detects that the second conveyor belt is full of product parts, the lifting device, the first conveyor and the vibrating feeder stop working until the product parts on the second conveyor belt are removed.

[0019] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the vision system includes at least one camera, and the at least one camera is disposed above the second conveyor belt.

[0020] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the sensor is an infrared sensor, which includes an infrared transmitter and an infrared receiver, and the infrared transmitter and the infrared receiver are respectively arranged on both sides of the output end of the second conveyor.

[0021] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the automatic feeding system further includes a sliding track and a circulating conveyor, wherein the sliding track is located between the output end of the second conveyor belt and the input end of the circulating conveyor; the product parts that are not picked up on the second conveyor belt are conveyed to the sliding track by the second conveyor belt, and can slide along the sliding track to the conveyor belt of the circulating conveyor under the action of their own weight, and the circulating conveyor conveys the unpicked product parts back to the hopper.

[0022] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the automatic feeding system also includes a blowing device, which is arranged near the upper end of the sliding track and is used to blow the product parts in the sliding track downward so that the product parts in the sliding track can slide smoothly onto the conveyor belt of the circulating conveyor.

[0023] In the aforementioned exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the state changing device conveniently changes the dispersion and posture of the product components on the first conveyor belt, allowing the product components on the first conveyor belt to be conveyed with a predetermined dispersion and posture. Therefore, the present invention is suitable for conveying product components made of various materials, such as rubber, thus expanding its scope of application.

[0024] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, which will help to provide a comprehensive understanding of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view showing an automatic feeding system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 show Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of a rebound dispersion device of an automatic feeding system shown;

[0027] Figure 3 show Figure 1 A partial enlarged schematic diagram of the automatic feeding system shown, showing a state changing device;

[0028] Figure 4 show Figure 3 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the state changing device of the automatic feeding system is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described in detail below through examples and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the specification, the same or similar reference numerals indicate the same or similar components. The following description of the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings is intended to explain the overall inventive concept of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0030] In addition, in the following detailed description, for ease of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a comprehensive understanding of the disclosed embodiments. However, it is apparent that one or more embodiments can be practiced without these specific details. In other cases, well-known structures and devices are shown in diagrammatic form to simplify the accompanying drawings.

[0031] According to a general technical concept of the present invention, an automatic feeding system is provided, comprising: a first conveyor having a first conveyor belt for conveying product components. The automatic feeding system further comprises a state changing device, disposed above the first conveyor belt of the first conveyor, for changing the dispersion and posture of the product components on the first conveyor belt, such that the product components on the first conveyor belt are conveyed out with a predetermined dispersion and posture.

[0032] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view showing an automatic feeding system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] like Figure 1As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the automatic feeding system includes a first conveyor 30. The first conveyor 30 has a first conveyor belt 31 for conveying product components (not shown).

[0034] like Figure 1 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the automatic feeding system further includes a state changing device 200. The state changing device 200 is disposed above the first conveyor belt 31 of the first conveyor 30 and is used to change the dispersion and posture of the product components on the first conveyor belt 31 so that the product components on the first conveyor belt 31 are conveyed out with a predetermined dispersion and posture.

[0035] Figure 3 show Figure 1 The partially enlarged schematic diagram of the automatic feeding system shown, wherein the state changing device 200 is shown; Figure 4 show Figure 3 The diagram shows a three-dimensional diagram of a state changing device 200 of an automatic feeding system.

[0036] like Figure 1 、 Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the state changing device 200 primarily comprises a rotating shaft 210, a spiral blade 220, and a drive device 230. The rotating shaft 210 spans across the first conveyor belt 31 and is rotatably mounted on a support frame (e.g., a mounting bracket for the entire automatic feeding system). The spiral blade 220 is helical and fits onto the rotating shaft 210. The drive device 230 is configured to drive the rotating shaft 210 and the spiral blade 220 to rotate together.

[0037] like Figure 1 、 Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, when the spiral blade 220 rotates, the spiral blade 220 pushes the product components on the first conveyor belt 31 to change the dispersion degree and posture of the product components on the first conveyor belt 31.

[0038] like Figure 1 、 Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the spiral blade 220 is suitable for pushing down the product parts standing upright on the first conveyor belt 31, thereby converting the product parts on the first conveyor belt 31 from an upright posture to a lying posture.

[0039] like Figure 1 、 Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the spiral blade 220 is suitable for separating two adjacent product components on the first conveyor belt 31 by a predetermined distance (the predetermined distance is related to the pitch of the spiral blade 220) to increase the degree of dispersion of the product components on the first conveyor belt 31.

[0040] like Figure 1 、 Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the state changing device 200 further includes a cylindrical brush 240 sleeved on the rotating shaft 210 , and the spiral blade 220 sleeved on the cylindrical brush 240 .

[0041] In the aforementioned embodiment of the present invention, the spiral blade 220 on the state changing device 200 is suitable for dispersing and pushing down product parts made of elastic materials. However, if the product parts are rigid, the spiral blade 220 can be removed and the cylindrical brush 240 can be used to directly push down the product parts.

[0042] like Figure 1 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the automatic feeding system further includes a hopper 10 and a lifting device 20. The hopper 10 is used to hold the product components to be supplied. The lifting device 20 is adapted to lift the product components in the hopper 10 above the input end of a first conveyor 30. After being lifted above the input end of the first conveyor 30 by the lifting device 20, the product components fall from the upper end of the lifting device 20 onto the first conveyor belt 31 of the first conveyor 30.

[0043] Figure 2 show Figure 1 The figure shows a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the rebound dispersion device 100 of the automatic feeding system.

[0044] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the automatic feeding system further includes a rebound dispersing device 100. The rebound dispersing device 100 is disposed between the upper end of the lifting device 20 and the first conveyor belt 31 of the first conveyor 30. The rebound dispersing device 100 includes at least one inclined baffle 110, 120. Product components dropped from the upper end of the lifting device 20 rebound at least once on the at least one inclined baffle 110, 120 before falling onto the first conveyor belt 31, thereby dispersing the product components dropped onto the first conveyor belt 31.

[0045] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the rebound dispersing device 100 includes a first baffle 110 and a second baffle 120 disposed below the first baffle 110. The product parts dropped from the upper end of the lifting device 20 first rebound from the first baffle 110 to the second baffle 120, and then rebound from the second baffle 120 to the first conveyor belt 31.

[0046] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the rebound dispersion device 100 further includes a protective plate 101. A first baffle 110 and a second baffle 120 are connected to the inner side of the protective plate 101. The protective plate 101 is used to prevent the product components from rebounding to the outside of the first conveyor belt 31, thereby ensuring that the product components rebound onto the first conveyor belt 31.

[0047] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the first baffle 110 is inclined toward the second baffle 120 and is perpendicular to the second baffle 120 .

[0048] like Figure 1 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the automatic feeding system further includes a vibrating feeder 40. The vibrating feeder 40 is disposed at the output end of the first conveyor 30. The first conveyor 30 conveys the product components onto the vibrating feeder 40, which is adapted to convey the product components forward by vibration.

[0049] like Figure 1 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the vibration feeder 40 has a vibration plate 41 for conveying product parts, and the first conveyor 30 conveys the product parts onto the vibration plate 41 of the vibration feeder 40 .

[0050] like Figure 1 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the automatic feeding system further comprises a second conveyor 50. The second conveyor 50 has a second conveyor belt 51 for conveying product components, and the vibrating feeder 40 conveys the product components onto the second conveyor belt 51 of the second conveyor 50.

[0051] like Figure 1 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the automatic feeding system further includes a vision system 400 and a robot 500. The vision system 400 is used to identify the position and posture of the product parts on the second conveyor belt 51, and the robot 500 is suitable for picking up the product parts in a predetermined posture from the second conveyor belt 51 under the visual guidance of the vision system 400.

[0052] like Figure 1As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the automatic feeding system further includes a sensor 300. The sensor 300 is used to detect whether the second conveyor belt 51 is fully loaded with product components. When the sensor 300 detects that the second conveyor belt 51 is fully loaded with product components, the lifting device 20, the first conveyor 30, and the vibrating feeder 40 stop operating until the product components on the second conveyor belt 51 are removed.

[0053] like Figure 1 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the vision system 400 includes at least one camera. The at least one camera is disposed above the second conveyor belt 51.

[0054] like Figure 1 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the aforementioned sensor 300 is an infrared sensor, which may include an infrared transmitter and an infrared receiver, and the infrared transmitter and the infrared receiver are respectively arranged on both sides of the output end of the second conveyor 50.

[0055] like Figure 1 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the automatic feeding system further includes a sliding track 60 and an endless conveyor 70. The sliding track 60 is located between the output end of the second conveyor belt 51 and the input end of the endless conveyor 70. Unpicked product components on the second conveyor belt 51 are transported by the second conveyor belt 51 to the sliding track 60. Under the action of their own weight, they slide along the sliding track 60 onto the conveyor belt of the endless conveyor 70. The endless conveyor 70 then transports the unpicked product components back to the hopper 10.

[0056] like Figure 1 As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the automatic feeding system also includes a blowing device (not shown), which is arranged near the upper end of the sliding track 60 and is used to blow the product parts in the sliding track 60 downward, so that the product parts in the sliding track 60 can overcome friction resistance and slide smoothly onto the conveyor belt of the circulating conveyor 70.

[0057] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments described above are exemplary and that they may be improved upon. The structures described in the various embodiments may be freely combined without causing any conflict in structure or principle.

[0058] Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the embodiments disclosed in the drawings are intended to exemplify the preferred embodiments of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0059] Although some embodiments of the present general inventive concept have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present general inventive concept, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.

[0060] It should be noted that the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the word "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. In addition, any element reference in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An automatic feeding system comprising: A first conveyor (30) having a first conveyor belt (31) for conveying product components, Its characteristics are: The automatic feeding system further comprises a state changing device (200), the state changing device (200) being arranged above the first conveyor belt (31) of the first conveyor (30) and being used to change the dispersion degree and posture of the product components on the first conveyor belt (31), so that the product components on the first conveyor belt (31) are conveyed out with a predetermined dispersion degree and a predetermined posture. The state changing device (200) comprises: a rotating shaft (210) spanning above the first conveyor belt (31); a cylindrical brush (240) mounted on the rotating shaft (210); a spiral blade (220) detachably mounted on the cylindrical brush (240) and adapted to disperse and push down product components made of elastic material; the spiral blade is also adapted to be removed from the cylindrical brush to allow the cylindrical brush to push down rigid product components; and A driving device (230) is used to drive the rotating shaft (210) and the spiral blade (220) to rotate together, so that the spiral blade (220) pushes the product parts on the first conveyor belt (31) and separates two adjacent product parts on the first conveyor belt (31) by a predetermined distance, so as to change the dispersion degree and posture of the product parts on the first conveyor belt (31).

2. The automatic feeding system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rotating shaft (210) is rotatably mounted on the support frame.

3. The automatic feeding system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The spiral blade (220) is suitable for pushing down the product parts standing upright on the first conveyor belt (31), thereby converting the product parts on the first conveyor belt (31) from an upright posture to a lying posture.

4. The automatic feeding system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The automatic feeding system also includes: a hopper (10) for receiving product components to be supplied; and a lifting device (20) adapted to lift the product components in the hopper (10) above the input end of the first conveyor (30), After being lifted by the lifting device (20) to above the input end of the first conveyor (30), the product component falls from the upper end of the lifting device (20) onto the first conveyor belt (31) of the first conveyor (30).

5. The automatic feeding system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The automatic feeding system further comprises a rebound dispersing device (100), wherein the rebound dispersing device (100) is arranged between the upper end of the lifting device (20) and the first conveyor belt (31) of the first conveyor (30); The rebound dispersing device (100) has at least one inclined baffle (110, 120), and the product parts dropped from the upper end of the lifting device (20) bounce at least once on the at least one inclined baffle (110, 120) and then drop onto the first conveyor belt (31), so that the product parts dropped onto the first conveyor belt (31) are dispersed.

6. The automatic feeding system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The rebound dispersion device (100) comprises a first baffle (110) and a second baffle (120) disposed below the first baffle (110); The product component dropped from the upper end of the lifting device (20) first rebounds from the first baffle (110) to the second baffle (120), and then rebounds from the second baffle (120) to the first conveyor belt (31).

7. The automatic feeding system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The rebound dispersion device (100) further includes a protective plate (101), the baffles (110, 120) are connected to the inner side of the protective plate (101), and the protective plate (101) is used to prevent the product component from rebounding to the outside of the first conveyor belt (31), so as to ensure that the product component rebounds onto the first conveyor belt (31).

8. The automatic feeding system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The first baffle (110) is inclined toward the second baffle (120) and is perpendicular to the second baffle (120).

9. The automatic feeding system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The automatic feeding system further comprises a vibrating feeder (40), wherein the vibrating feeder (40) is arranged at the output end of the first conveyor (30); The first conveyor (30) conveys the product parts to the vibrating feeder (40), and the vibrating feeder (40) is suitable for conveying the product parts forward by vibration.

10. The automatic feeding system according to claim 9, characterized in that: The vibration feeder (40) has a vibration plate (41) for conveying product parts, and the first conveyor (30) conveys the product parts onto the vibration plate (41) of the vibration feeder (40).

11. The automatic feeding system according to claim 9, characterized in that: The automatic feeding system further comprises a second conveyor (50), wherein the second conveyor (50) has a second conveyor belt (51) for conveying product components, and the vibrating feeder (40) conveys the product components onto the second conveyor belt (51) of the second conveyor (50).

12. The automatic feeding system according to claim 11, characterized in that: The automatic feeding system further comprises a vision system (400) and a robot (500), wherein the vision system (400) is used to identify the position and posture of the product parts on the second conveyor belt (51), and the robot (500) is suitable for picking up the product parts in a predetermined posture from the second conveyor belt (51) under the visual guidance of the vision system (400).

13. The automatic feeding system according to claim 12, characterized in that: The automatic feeding system further comprises a sensor (300), wherein the sensor (300) is used to detect whether the second conveyor belt (51) is fully loaded with product components; When the sensor (300) detects that the second conveyor belt (51) is full of product parts, the lifting device (20), the first conveyor (30) and the vibrating feeder (40) stop working until the product parts on the second conveyor belt (51) are removed.

14. The automatic feeding system according to claim 12, characterized in that: The vision system (400) includes at least one camera, and the at least one camera is arranged above the second conveyor belt (51).

15. The automatic feeding system according to claim 13, characterized in that: The sensor (300) is an infrared sensor, comprising an infrared transmitter and an infrared receiver, wherein the infrared transmitter and the infrared receiver are respectively arranged on both sides of the output end of the second conveyor (50).

16. The automatic feeding system according to claim 12, characterized in that: The automatic feeding system further comprises a sliding track (60) and a circulating conveyor (70), wherein the sliding track (60) is located between the output end of the second conveyor belt (51) and the input end of the circulating conveyor (70); The product parts not picked up on the second conveyor belt (51) are conveyed to the sliding track (60) by the second conveyor belt (51) and can slide along the sliding track (60) to the conveyor belt of the circulating conveyor (70) under the action of their own weight. The circulating conveyor (70) conveys the product parts not picked up back to the hopper (10).

17. The automatic feeding system according to claim 16, characterized in that: The automatic feeding system further comprises an air blowing device, which is arranged near the upper end of the sliding track (60) and is used to blow the product components in the sliding track (60) downward so that the product components in the sliding track (60) can slide smoothly onto the conveyor belt of the circulating conveyor (70).

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