A feeding mechanism for a valve needle

Abstract

The present invention discloses a feeding mechanism for valve needles, including an installation bracket, a feeding pipe, a device for feeding one by one, a commutation device, a conveying device, a feeding pipe and a blowing device. The commutation device, the conveying device and the feeding pipe are arranged on the installation bracket. The feeding pipe is connected to a detection mechanism and the commutation device. The device for feeding one by one is arranged at the feeding pipe to control the valve needles to enter the commutation device one by one. The commutation device is used to make the valve needles fall into the conveying device, the conveying device is used to send the valve needles below the feeding pipe, and the blowing device is used to send the valve needles into the subsequent equipment through the feeding pipe. The present invention is a special equipment for valve needles, which overcomes the problem that the valve needles are too thin to be fed by the way of being grasped by a robotic arm. It ingeniously uses the air power method to inject the valve needles into the subsequent equipment through the feeding pipe, greatly saving the labor cost and improving the feeding efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of valve needle processing, and particularly to a feeding mechanism for valve needles. Background Art

[0002] As an important component in automotive parts, the valve needle has a needle-like structure, with one end protruding and the other end recessed. However, due to the small diameter of the valve needle, it cannot be loaded by means of a robotic arm, and can only be fed into the processing equipment manually. This increases labor costs and results in low production efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Aiming at the defects of the above prior art, the main object of the present invention is to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art, and discloses a feeding mechanism for valve needles, including:

[0004] A vibrating bowl, for arranging the valve needles one by one;

[0005] A detection mechanism, for judging the forward and reverse directions and the qualified products of the valve needles arranged by the vibrating bowl, and selecting the forward and qualified valve needles to be sent to the feeding mechanism;

[0006] The feeding mechanism, for feeding the valve needles into the subsequent equipment;

[0007] The feeding mechanism includes a mounting bracket, a feeding pipe, a single-piece discharging device, a commutation device, a conveying device, a feeding pipe, and a blowing device. The commutation device, the conveying device, and the feeding pipe are arranged on the mounting bracket. The feeding pipe connects the detection mechanism and the commutation device. The single-piece discharging device is arranged at the feeding pipe to control the valve needles to enter the commutation device one by one. The commutation device is used to make the valve needles fall into the conveying device. The conveying device is used to send the valve needles to the lower part of the feeding pipe. The blowing device is used to blow the valve needles into the subsequent equipment through the feeding pipe.

[0008] Further, the single-piece discharging device includes a fixed bracket, a first cylinder, a second cylinder, and a pressing head. The fixed bracket is arranged on the mounting bracket. The feeding pipe is obliquely fixed on the mounting bracket, and a first opening and a second opening are formed on the side wall of the feeding pipe. The first cylinder and the second cylinder are arranged on the fixed bracket and correspond to the first opening and the second opening. The pressing head is arranged on the first cylinder and the second cylinder, and alternately controls the first cylinder and the second cylinder to control the pressing head to move towards the feeding pipe.

[0009] Further, a supporting part is arranged below the first opening and the second opening of the feeding pipe.

[0010] Further, the feeding device one by one further includes a material guiding block, a material guiding groove is recessed on the material guiding block, and the inlet end of the feeding pipe is butted against the material guiding groove.

[0011] Further, the commutation device includes a commutation housing, a motor, and a commutation inner core. The commutation housing is recessed with a cylindrical installation cavity. A first feeding hole and a first discharging hole are provided on the side wall of the commutation housing. The first feeding hole is connected to the feeding pipe, and the first discharging hole is connected to the conveying device. The commutation inner core is a cylindrical structure that fits with the installation cavity, and a through accommodating hole is radially provided. The commutation inner core is rotatably arranged in the installation cavity, and the motor is used to drive the commutation inner core to rotate; during feeding, the accommodating hole is aligned with the first feeding hole; during discharging, the motor is used to drive the commutation inner core to rotate until the accommodating hole is aligned with the first discharging hole.

[0012] Further, a first installation hole communicating with the accommodating hole is provided on the commutation inner core, and a photoelectric sensor is arranged in the first installation hole to sense whether the valve needle is in the accommodating hole.

[0013] Further, the conveying device includes a fixed block, a moving block, and a driver. A sliding groove is horizontally arranged on the fixed block, the moving block is arranged in the sliding groove, and the driver is used to drive the moving block to reciprocate along the sliding groove; a second feeding hole, a second discharging hole, and an air inlet hole are provided on the fixed block. A material storage hole is vertically arranged on the moving block. The second feeding hole is connected to the first discharging hole, the second discharging hole is connected to the air inlet hole through the material storage hole, the second discharging hole is connected to the feeding pipe, and the air inlet hole is connected to the air blowing device.

[0014] Further, a second installation hole communicating with the material storage hole is provided on the moving block, and a photoelectric sensor is arranged in the second installation hole to sense whether the valve needle is in the material storage hole.

[0015] Beneficial effects achieved by the present invention:

[0016] The present invention is a special device for valve needles, overcoming the problem that the valve needles are too thin to be fed by the method of being grasped by a robotic arm. It ingeniously uses the air power method to inject the valve needles into the subsequent equipment through the feeding pipe, greatly saving labor costs and improving the feeding efficiency. Secondly, an obtuse angle is formed between the axial directions of the feeding pipe and the material storage hole, and the commutation device can quickly commutate the valve needles. In addition, a material guiding block is arranged at the inlet end of the feeding pipe, and an open material guiding groove is arranged on the material guiding block, which can better change the valve needles from a horizontal state to an inclined state to smoothly enter the feeding pipe. Description of the Drawings

[0017] Figure 1Schematic structural diagram of the valve needle;

[0018] Figure 2 Usage state diagram of a feeding mechanism for a valve needle of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 3 Schematic perspective view of a feeding mechanism for a valve needle of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 4 Top view of;

[0021] Figure 5 For Figure 4 Cross-sectional view taken along A - A in;

[0022] Figure 6 Schematic structural diagram of the conveying device;

[0023] Figure 7 For Figure 6 Top view of;

[0024] Figure 8 For Figure 7 Cross-sectional view taken along B - B of;

[0025] Figure 9 Schematic structural diagram of the cooperation between the vibrating bowl and the detection mechanism;

[0026] Reference numerals are as follows:

[0027] 1, vibrating bowl; 2, detection mechanism; 3, feeding mechanism; 4, photoelectric sensor; 9, valve needle; 21, belt conveyor; 22, side plate; 23, solenoid valve; 24, storage box; 25, motor; 221, first air hole; 222, second air hole; 31, mounting bracket; 32, feed pipe; 33, individual feeding device; 34, reversing device; 35, conveying device; 36, feed pipe; 37, blowing device; 321, first opening; 322, second opening; 331, fixed bracket; 332, first cylinder; 333, second cylinder; 334, pressing head; 335, supporting part; 336, guide block; 337, guide groove; 341, reversing housing; 342, motor; 343, reversing inner core; 3411, first feed hole; 3412, first discharge hole; 3431, accommodation hole; 351, fixed block; 352, moving block; 353, driver; 354, second feed hole; 355, second discharge hole; 356, air inlet hole; 3511, chute; 3521, storage hole. Detailed implementation manners

[0028] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention clearer and more understandable, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention.

[0029] A feeding mechanism for a valve needle, as Figure 1 shown Figure 1 shown is the usage state diagram of a feeding mechanism for a valve needle of the present invention; generally, it includes:

[0030] A vibrating disk 1 for arranging valve needles 9 one by one;

[0031] A detection mechanism 2 for judging the forward and reverse directions and qualified products of the valve needles arranged by the vibrating disk 1, and selecting the forward and qualified valve needles to be sent to the feeding mechanism;

[0032] A feeding mechanism 3 for feeding the valve needles 9 into the subsequent equipment.

[0033] As Figure 1-8 shown, a feeding mechanism for a valve needle includes a mounting bracket 31, a feed pipe 32, a single-piece discharging device 33, a reversing device 34, a conveying device 35, a feed pipe 36 and a blowing device 37. The reversing device 34, the conveying device 35 and the feed pipe 36 are arranged on the mounting bracket 31. The feed pipe 32 is connected to the detection mechanism 2 and the reversing device 34, and the valve needle 9 enters the feed pipe 32 and slides into the reversing device 34. The single-piece discharging device 33 is arranged at the feed pipe 32 to control the valve needles 9 to enter the reversing device 34 one by one. The reversing device 34 is used to make the valve needles 9 fall into the conveying device 35, the conveying device 35 is used to send the valve needles 9 below the feed pipe 36, and the blowing device 37 is used to send the valve needles 9 into the subsequent equipment through the feed pipe 36.

[0034] In an embodiment, as Figure 1-8 shown, the single-piece discharging device 33 includes a fixed bracket 331, a first cylinder 332, a second cylinder 333 and a pressing head 334. The fixed bracket 331 is arranged on the mounting bracket 31. The feed pipe 32 is obliquely fixed on the mounting bracket 31, and a first opening 321 and a second opening 322 are formed on the side wall of the feed pipe 32. The first cylinder 332 and the second cylinder 333 are arranged on the fixed bracket 331 and correspond to the first opening 321 and the second opening 322. The pressing head 334 is arranged on the first cylinder 332 and the second cylinder 333, and alternately controls the first cylinder 332 and the second cylinder 333 to control the pressing head 334 to move towards the feed pipe 32. That is, when the second cylinder 333 drives the pressing head 334 to press down, it blocks the valve needle 9 from sliding down; then the first cylinder 332 drives the pressing head 334 to press the previous valve needle 9 tightly, the second cylinder 333 resets, and the valve needle 9 slides down the feed pipe 32 to the reversing device 34. Repeat the above actions to realize this discharging. Preferably, since the first cylinder 332 fixes the valve needle 9 in a pressing manner, a supporting portion 335 is arranged below the first opening 321 and the second opening 322 of the feed pipe 32 to support the feed pipe 32 and prevent the feed pipe 32 from bending after long-term use, so that the valve needle 9 cannot pass through smoothly.

[0035] In the above embodiments, as Figure 1-8 shown, the valve needle 9 is a needle-like mechanism with a relatively small diameter. Obviously, in order to arrange the valve needles 9 one by one in the feed pipe 32, the inner diameter of the feed pipe 32 is also very small; the valve needle 9 is relatively long and is in a horizontal state before entering the feed pipe 32. Also, because the feed pipe 32 needs to be placed obliquely, at this time, there is an obtuse angle between the valve needle 9 and the feed pipe 32, and the valve needle 9 cannot enter the feed pipe 32; therefore, how to send the valve needle 9 detected by the detection mechanism 2 into the feed pipe 32 will also become a difficulty. In order to ensure that the valve needle 9 can be smoothly sent into the feed pipe 32. The individual discharging device 33 further includes a guiding block 336, and a guiding groove 337 is recessed on the guiding block 336. The inlet end of the feed pipe 32 is butted against the guiding groove 337. The guiding groove 337 is an open groove, and the valve needle 9 has enough space to change from a horizontal state to an inclined state; and slides into the feed pipe 32 along the guiding groove 337.

[0036] In one embodiment, as Figure 1-8 shown, the commutation device 34 includes a commutation housing 341, a motor 342, and a commutation inner core 343. The commutation housing 341 is recessed with a cylindrical installation cavity. A first feed hole 3411 and a first discharge hole 3412 are provided on the side wall of the commutation housing 341. The first feed hole 3411 is connected to the feed pipe 32, and the first discharge hole 3412 is connected to the conveying device 35. The commutation inner core 343 is a cylindrical structure that matches the installation cavity, and a through accommodation hole 3431 is radially provided. The commutation inner core 343 is rotatably arranged in the installation cavity, and the motor 342 is used to drive the commutation inner core 343 to rotate; during feeding, the accommodation hole 3431 is aligned with the first feed hole 3411; during discharging, the motor 342 is used to drive the commutation inner core 343 to rotate until the accommodation hole 3431 is aligned with the first discharge hole 3412. Preferably, a first installation hole communicating with the accommodation hole 3431 is provided on the commutation inner core 343, and a photoelectric sensor 4 is arranged in the first installation hole to sense whether there is a valve needle 9 in the accommodation hole 3431. The photoelectric sensor 4 is arranged at the tail end of the accommodation hole 3431, so as to be able to detect whether the valve needle 9 is in place at the same time. During use, the valve needle 9 enters the accommodation hole 3431 along the feed pipe 32. When the photoelectric sensor 4 senses the valve needle 9, the motor 342 drives the commutation inner core 343 to rotate, so that the accommodation hole 3431 is aligned with the first discharge hole 3412, and the valve needle 9 falls into the conveying device 35 along the first discharge hole 3412. Then the motor 342 resets and waits to convey the next valve needle 9.

[0037] In one embodiment, as Figure 1-8As shown in the figure, the conveying device 35 includes a fixed block 351, a moving block 352, and a driver 353. A chute 3511 is horizontally arranged on the fixed block 351, the moving block 352 is arranged in the chute 3511, and the driver is fixedly arranged on one side of the fixed block 351; the moving block 351 is driven by the driver 353 to reciprocate along the chute 3511; a second feed hole 354, a second discharge hole 355, and an air inlet hole 356 are arranged on the fixed block 351. A storage hole 3521 is vertically arranged on the moving block 352. The second feed hole 354 is connected to the first discharge hole 3412, the second discharge hole 355 is connected to the air inlet hole 356 through the storage hole 3521, the second discharge hole 355 is connected to the feed pipe 36, and the air inlet hole 356 is connected to the air blowing device 37. When the valve needle 9 enters the storage hole 3521 through the second feed hole 354, the moving block 352 is driven by the driver 353 to move towards the second discharge hole 355 until the second discharge hole 355, the storage hole 3521, and the air inlet hole 356 are aligned. The valve needle 9 is made to enter the subsequent processing equipment along the feed pipe 36 through the air blowing device 37. Among them, the driver 353 can be a cylinder, and the retraction and extension positions of the cylinder are the feed position and the discharge position of the moving block 352 respectively.

[0038] Of course, in order to improve production efficiency, as Figure 1-8 shown in the figure, it is also possible to feed two valve needles simultaneously; that is, two feed pipes 36 are provided, and storage holes 3521 corresponding to the positions of the feed pipes 36 are arranged on the moving block 352, and the reversing device 34 can be shared. That is, after the moving block 352 moves, one valve needle 9 falls into the storage hole 3521, and then it moves to one side through the driver 353 to align another storage hole 3521 with the reversing device 34, and one valve needle 9 falls into the storage hole 3521. Then, the moving block is driven by the driver 353 to move to one side again, so that the two storage holes 3521 are respectively aligned with the second discharge hole 355. In this embodiment, the driver 353 can adopt two cylinders stacked, that is, one cylinder is arranged on the telescopic rod of the other cylinder, so as to achieve three position pauses.

[0039] In one embodiment, as Figure 1-8 shown in the figure, a second installation hole communicating with the storage hole 3521 is arranged on the moving block 352, and a photoelectric sensor 4 is arranged in the second installation hole to sense whether there is a valve needle 9 in the storage hole 3521.

[0040] In addition, due to the structure of the valve needle 9, one end of it protrudes from the end face and the diameter is relatively small. Therefore, the diameter of the air inlet hole 356 is smaller than the body diameter of the valve needle 9; firstly, it can prevent the valve needle from falling into the air inlet hole 356; secondly, the valve needle 9 blocks the air inlet hole 356 by its own weight, making it easier for the air blowing device 37 to send the valve needle 9 into the subsequent equipment.

[0041] In one embodiment, as Figure 1and 9 As shown in FIG. 2, the detection mechanism 2 includes a belt conveyor 21, side plates 22, solenoid valves 23, a storage box 24, and a camera 25. The belt conveyor 21 is connected to the vibrating disk 1 and the feeding mechanism 3, and a part of the belt conveyor 21 is located inside the vibrating disk 1, and the other part is located outside the vibrating disk 1; the side plates 22 are arranged on one side of the belt conveyor 24, the storage box 24 is arranged on the other side of the belt conveyor 21, the first air holes 221 and the second air holes 222 are arranged on the side plates 22, and the first air holes 221 are located inside the vibrating disk 1, the second air holes 222 correspond to the storage box 24, the first air holes 221 and the second air holes 222 are respectively connected to the air source through the solenoid valves 23, and high-speed gas is ejected through the solenoid valves to blow the valve needles 9 on the belt conveyor 21 away. The camera 25 is arranged above the belt conveyor 21 to detect the forward and reverse directions and the external contour of the valve needles 9. Among them, the uniform transmission of the belt conveyor 21 is faster than the moving speed of the vibrating disk. Using the speed difference between the two, there is an interval between adjacent valve needles 9, so that the camera 25 can better detect the valve needles 9 and avoid mutual influence between adjacent valve needles 9. When the valve needle 9 is in the reverse direction, the first air hole 221 is controlled to blow air to blow the valve needle 9 back into the vibrating disk 1 again. When the valve needle 9 is qualified after the forward and reverse detection, the second air hole does not act; when it is qualified, the second air hole 222 blows air to blow the unqualified products into the storage box 24. Among them, the method of detecting by the camera 25 through pictures is the prior art and will not be elaborated here too much.

[0042] In the above embodiment, as Figure 1 and 9 shown, and the side of the belt conveyor 21 away from the side plate is higher than the other side. In this way, the valve needle 9 adheres to the side plate 22 and moves to ensure that the valve needle 9 is docked with the feeding mechanism 3 when it moves to the end, and ensure that the valve needle 9 smoothly enters the feeding mechanism 3.

[0043] The air blowing device 37 includes a solenoid valve, and the solenoid valve is connected to the air inlet hole 356 and the air source, and then controls the gas to be sprayed into the feeding pipe 36 to send the valve needle 9 into the subsequent equipment.

[0044] When the present invention is in use, as Figure 1-9As shown in the figure, the valve needles 9 are poured into the vibrating bowl 1, and the vibrating bowl 1 arranges the valve needles 9 one by one and feeds them into the detection mechanism 2. Due to the speed difference between the belt conveyor 21 and the feeding speed of the vibrating bowl 1, the valve needles 9 are conveyed one by one through the belt conveyor 21. At the same time, the camera 25 takes pictures of the valve needles 9 one by one for comparison to determine whether the valve needles 9 are in the correct orientation and whether the outer contour is the same as the standard shape, and controls the first air hole 221 and the second air hole 222 to perform corresponding actions. The valve needles 9 with the correct orientation (the protruding part facing right) and qualified outer shape enter the feeding mechanism 3. The valve needles 9 are fed into the reversing device 34 through the feeding pipe 32. The motor drives the inner core 343 inside the reversing device to rotate the valve needles 9 from the inclined state to the vertical state. The valve needles 9 fall into the conveying device 35, and are sent to the feeding pipe 36 through the moving block 32. The valve needles 9 are sent into the subsequent device through the air blowing device 37.

[0045] The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and is not used to limit the scope of implementation of the present invention; if the present invention is modified or equivalently replaced without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, it should be covered by the protection scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A feeding mechanism for a valve needle, characterized in that, It includes an installation bracket, a feed pipe, a device for discharging one by one, a commutation device, a conveying device, a feeding pipe and a blowing device. The commutation device, the conveying device and the feeding pipe are arranged on the installation bracket. The feed pipe is connected to a detection mechanism and the commutation device. The device for discharging one by one is arranged at the feed pipe to control the valve needles to enter the commutation device one by one. The commutation device is used to make the valve needles fall into the conveying device. The conveying device is used to send the valve needles to below the feeding pipe. The blowing device is used to send the valve needles into subsequent equipment through the feeding pipe; The device for discharging one by one includes a fixed bracket, a first cylinder, a second cylinder and a pressing head. The fixed bracket is arranged on the installation bracket. The feed pipe is obliquely fixed on the installation bracket, and a first opening and a second opening are formed on the side wall of the feed pipe. The first cylinder and the second cylinder are arranged on the fixed bracket and correspond to the first opening and the second opening. The pressing head is arranged on the first cylinder and the second cylinder to alternately control the first cylinder and the second cylinder to control the pressing head to move towards the feed pipe; The commutation device includes a commutation housing, a motor and an inner commutation core. The commutation housing is recessed with a cylindrical installation cavity. A first feed hole and a first discharge hole are arranged on the side wall of the commutation housing. The first feed hole is connected to the feed pipe, and the first discharge hole is connected to the conveying device. The inner commutation core is a cylindrical structure matched with the installation cavity, and a through accommodation hole is arranged radially. The inner commutation core is rotatably arranged in the installation cavity, and the motor is used to drive the inner commutation core to rotate; When feeding, the accommodation hole is aligned with the first feed hole; When discharging, the motor is used to drive the inner commutation core to rotate until the accommodation hole is aligned with the first discharge hole; The conveying device includes a fixed block, a moving block and a driver. A chute is horizontally arranged on the fixed block. The moving block is arranged in the chute, and the driver is used to drive the moving block to reciprocate along the chute; A second feed hole, a second discharge hole and an air inlet hole are arranged on the fixed block. A storage hole is vertically arranged on the moving block. The second feed hole is connected to the first discharge hole. The second discharge hole is connected to the air inlet hole through the storage hole. The second discharge hole is connected to the feeding pipe, and the air inlet hole is connected to the blowing device.

2. The feeding mechanism of a valve needle according to claim 1, characterized in that, A support part is arranged below the first opening and the second opening provided on the feed pipe.

3. The feeding mechanism of a valve needle according to claim 1, characterized in that The device for discharging one by one further includes a guide block, and a guide groove is recessed on the guide block. The inlet end of the feed pipe is butted against the guide groove.

4. The feeding mechanism of a valve needle according to claim 1, characterized in that, A first installation hole communicated with the accommodation hole is arranged on the inner commutation core, and a photoelectric sensor is arranged in the first installation hole to sense whether there is a valve needle in the accommodation hole.

5. The feeding mechanism of a valve needle according to claim 1, characterized in that A second installation hole communicated with the storage hole is arranged on the moving block, and a photoelectric sensor is arranged in the second installation hole to sense whether there is a valve needle in the storage hole.

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