Feeding equipment and medical device production line

Abstract

This invention relates to a feeding device and a medical device production line. The feeding device includes a positioning component, a limiting component, and a guiding component. The positioning component positions a first component, the limiting component restricts the movement of a second component, and the guiding component is fitted inside the second component to guide the assembly of the second and first components. After the second component loses the limiting component's restraint, it engages with the first component under its own gravity and the guidance of the guiding component. The beneficial effect of this invention is that the feeding device can accelerate the assembly of the first and second components.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to medical devices, and in particular to a feeding device and a medical device production line. Background Technology

[0002] Most medical devices are assembled from multiple components, and splicing is one of the most common assembly methods for two components. Current medical device production lines often require clamping one component before transferring it to the other for assembly, resulting in slow assembly speeds and requiring improvement. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to provide an improved feeding device and a medical device production line. This feeding device can accelerate the assembly of the first and second components. Medical device production lines employing this feeding device can improve production efficiency.

[0004] The present invention first provides a feeding device, including a positioning component, a feeding component, and a limiting component. The positioning component is used to position a first component, the feeding component is used to provide a second component, the second component moves from the feeding component to the limiting component and aligns with the first component, the limiting component is used to restrict the movement of the second component, and the second component engages with the first component after losing the limiting of the limiting component.

[0005] By adopting the above technical solution, the second component moves from the feeding assembly to the limiting assembly and then aligns with the first component, thus eliminating the need to move the second component back to the first component for alignment. Furthermore, once the second component is no longer limited by the limiting assembly, it engages with the first component, thereby accelerating the assembly of the first and second components.

[0006] In one embodiment of the present invention, the feeding device further includes a guiding component, which is sleeved with the second component to guide the second component and the first component to be sleeved together.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, after the second component loses the limiting component's restraint, it engages with the first component under its own gravity and the action of the guiding component.

[0008] By adopting the above technical solution, when the second component loses its limiting component's restraint, it engages with the first component under its own gravity and the action of the guiding component. The guiding component, when engaged with the second component, guides its movement. Therefore, the second component's movement is powered by its own gravity. Consequently, the second component does not need to be clamped during assembly with the first component, preventing deformation and avoiding dimensional mismatch between the second and first components due to deformation. This facilitates assembly of the first and second components. In one embodiment of the invention, the guiding component is fitted inside the second component.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the limiting component is provided with a limiting channel, and the guide component passes through the second component and the limiting channel in sequence before being sleeved with the first component.

[0010] By adopting the above technical solution, the limiting component not only limits the second component but also allows the guide component to pass through the limiting channel, thus enabling the guide component to engage with the first component after passing through the second component. When the second component loses the limiting component's control, it will assemble with the first component under the guidance of the guide component. If the guide component does not engage with the first component, it means that the second component will inevitably separate from the guide component after being guided by it, and will be easily disturbed after losing the guide component's guidance, making it impossible to engage with the first component along the path guided by the guide component. Engaging the guide component with the first component, however, guides the second component and the first component to complete their assembly.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the limiting component includes a first limiting member and a second limiting member. The first limiting member abuts against the axial direction of the second component to limit the axial movement of the second component. The second limiting member is located radially outside the second component to limit the radial movement range of the second component. The limiting channel is located in the first limiting member, and the second limiting member is provided with a receiving channel communicating with the limiting channel.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the limiting component further includes a third limiting member, which is located on the side of the second limiting member away from the first limiting member and in the axial direction of the second component, and the third limiting member is provided with a first clearance channel communicating with the receiving channel.

[0013] By adopting the above technical solution, the receiving channel is used to receive the second component. The first and third limiting members, while cooperating with the second limiting member to restrict the axial and radial movement range of the second component, allow the guide assembly to pass through through the first clearance channel and the limiting channel.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the limiting component further includes a fourth limiting member, the first limiting member being located between the second limiting member and the fourth limiting member, and the fourth limiting member being provided with a second clearance channel communicating with the limiting channel.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, the guiding component includes a guide member, the guide member including a guide section and a force-applying section connected to each other, the outer diameter of the force-applying section being larger than the outer diameter of the guide section, the outer diameter of the force-applying section being larger than the inner diameter of the second component, and the guide section being sleeved inside the second component.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, the guide assembly further includes a force-applying drive member, which first drives the guide segment through the second component and the limiting component and then engages with the first component, and then drives the force-applying segment to move until the force-applying segment and the first component respectively abut against both sides of the second component.

[0017] By adopting the above technical solution, the guide section plays the role of guiding the movement of the second component, while the force-applying drive component acts on the second component through the force-applying section, so that the second component is clamped by the force-applying section and the first component, thereby achieving the desired interference fit between the first component and the second component through the action of the force-applying section.

[0018] In one embodiment of the invention, the guide assembly further includes a pressure drive member that drives the force application segment to act on the second component so that the second component and the first component are sleeved together.

[0019] By adopting the above technical solution, when the force of the force-applying drive component is insufficient to complete the connection between the first component and the second component, the pressure drive component further drives the force-applying section to enhance the effect of the force-applying section on the second component.

[0020] In one embodiment of the present invention, the feeding device further includes a misalignment drive and a material channel, the limiting component is provided with a receiving channel, the second component moves from the material channel to the receiving channel of the limiting component, the misalignment drive drives the limiting component to move to the receiving channel and misalign with the material channel and restricts the second component from moving from the material channel to the receiving channel.

[0021] By adopting the above technical solution, when the first and second components are assembled, if the feed channel is still aligned with the receiving channel, the second component can still move from the feed channel to the receiving channel of the limiting component, thus affecting the subsequent assembly of the first and second components. Therefore, driven by the misalignment drive component, the receiving channel and the feed channel are misaligned, restricting the second component from moving from the feed channel to the receiving channel. This prevents the second component in the feed channel from entering the receiving channel and also prevents it from falling out of the feed channel, thereby ensuring the subsequent assembly of the first and second components.

[0022] The present invention also provides a medical device production line, including the above-mentioned feeding device.

[0023] By adopting the above technical solution, the medical device production line using this feeding device can improve production efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the feeding assembly in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the positioning component in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the limiting component in the front view of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Enlarged view of region A in the middle;

[0029] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the limiting component in the rear view of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the guide component in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Reference numerals: 100, feeding assembly; 110, vibratory feeder; 120, distribution plate; 121, diversion section; 122, material channel section; 200, positioning assembly; 210, first positioning block; 220, second positioning block; 230, positioning drive; 240, reset block; 300, limiting assembly; 310, first limiting member; 311, limiting channel; 320, second limiting member; 321, receiving channel; 330, third limiting member; 331, first clearance channel; 340, fourth limiting member; 341, linkage groove; 342, second clearance channel; 350, misalignment drive; 360, limiting drive; 400, guiding assembly; 410, guide member; 411, guiding section; 412, force application section; 420, force application drive; 430, pressure drive. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of them. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0033] It should be noted that when a component is said to be "mounted on" another component, it can be directly mounted on the other component or may be interspersed with a component. When a component is said to be "set on" another component, it can be directly set on the other component or may be interspersed with a component. When a component is said to be "fixed to" another component, it can be directly fixed to the other component or may be interspersed with a component.

[0034] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used herein in the description of the invention is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. The term "or / and" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0035] Embodiments of the present invention are first disclosed as follows: Figure 1 The feeding device shown includes a feeding component 100, a positioning component 200, a limiting component 300, and a guiding component 400.

[0036] Reference Figure 2The feeding assembly 100 includes a vibratory feeder 110 and a distribution plate 120. The vibratory feeder 110 provides materials of a predetermined shape, and the distribution plate 120 includes a diversion section 121 and a channel section 122. The diversion section 121 is connected to the vibratory feeder 110 and serves to receive materials of a specific shape after being screened by the vibratory feeder 110. The channel section 122 is connected to the diversion section 121 and serves to receive materials diverted by the diversion section 121. The channel section 122 includes multiple different channels, and the materials diverted by the diversion section 121 can enter different channels.

[0037] Reference Figure 3 The positioning component 200 includes a first positioning block 210, a second positioning block 220, a positioning drive 230, and a reset block 240. The positioning drive 230 can drive the first positioning block 210 and the second positioning block 220 to move relative to each other, thereby enabling the first positioning block 210 and the second positioning block 220 to clamp the first component and achieve positioning of the first component. The reset block 240 is not only connected to the first positioning block 210 but also spaced apart from it, allowing the first component to enter between the reset block 240 and the first positioning block 210. When the positioning drive 230 drives the first positioning block 210 and the second positioning block 220 to move relative to each other to clamp the first component, the first positioning block 210 can move the first component and the reset block 240. When the positioning drive 230 drives the first positioning block 210 and the second positioning block 220 to move relative to each other to release the clamping of the first component, the reset block 240 moves with the first positioning block 210 and can reset the first component.

[0038] Reference Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6The limiting assembly 300 includes a first limiting member 310, a second limiting member 320, a third limiting member 330, a fourth limiting member 340, a misalignment driving member 350, and a limiting driving member 360. The bottom of the first limiting member 310 is flush with the bottom of the end of the feed channel section 122 away from the diversion section 121, so that the second component can move from the feed channel section 122 to the first limiting member 310, causing the first limiting member 310 to abut against the axial end of the second component. The first limiting member 310 is provided with a limiting channel 311, which prevents the second component from passing through under its own gravity. The second limiting member 320 is recessed inward toward the end of the feed channel section 122 away from the diversion section 121 to form a receiving channel 321, which is connected to the limiting channel 311. The receiving channel 321 is used to receive the second component. When the second component moves from the feed channel section 122 to the receiving channel 321, the second limiting member 320 is located radially outside the second component to limit the radial movement range of the second component. The third limiting member 330 is located on the side of the second limiting member 320 opposite to the first limiting member 310 and in the axial direction of the second component. The third limiting member 330 is provided with a first clearance channel 331 communicating with the receiving channel 321. While cooperating with the second limiting member 320 to limit the axial and radial movement range of the second component, the first limiting member 310 and the third limiting member 330 allow the guide assembly 400 to pass through through the first clearance channel 331 and the limiting channel 311. The fourth limiting member 340 is located on the side of the first limiting member 310 opposite to the second limiting member 320. The fourth limiting member 340 is provided with a linkage groove 341 on the side near the first limiting member 310. The first limiting member 310 is located in the linkage groove 341 and can move along the linkage groove 341. The fourth limiting member 340 is provided with a second clearance channel 342 communicating with the linkage groove 341. The first limiting member 310 can move along the linkage groove 341 to the second clearance channel 342 and the limiting channel 311. While limiting the second component, the limiting component 300 allows the guide component 400 to pass through the limiting channel 311, so that the guide component 400 can engage with the first component after passing through the second component. When the second component loses the limiting of the limiting component 300, the second component will be assembled with the first component under the guidance of the guide component 400. If the guide component 400 does not engage with the first component, it means that after being guided by the guide component 400, the second component will inevitably separate from the guide component 400 without engaging with it. In this case, the second component is easily disturbed after losing the guidance of the guide component 400 and cannot engage with the first component along the path guided by the guide component 400. When the guide component 400 engages with the first component, it can guide the second component and the first component to complete the assembly. The first limiting member 310 and the third limiting member 330 are fixedly connected, while the second limiting member 320 and the fourth limiting member 340 are fixedly connected.The misalignment drive 350 is connected to the fourth limiting member 340, thereby enabling the fourth limiting member 340 to move, and the second limiting member 320 also moves with the fourth limiting member 340. Therefore, the misalignment drive 350 can drive the second limiting member 320 to move to the end of the receiving channel 321 and the material channel section 122 away from the diversion section 121, thus restricting the second component in the material channel from leaving the material channel due to the restriction of the second limiting member 320. During the assembly of the first and second components, if the material channel is still aligned with the receiving channel 321, the second component can still move from the material channel to the receiving channel 321 of the limiting assembly 300, thus affecting the subsequent assembly of the first and second components. Therefore, driven by the misalignment drive 350, the receiving channel 321 and the material channel are misaligned and the material channel is closed, preventing the second component in the material channel from entering the receiving channel 321 and preventing it from falling out of the material channel, thereby ensuring the subsequent assembly of the first and second components. When the misalignment drive 350 drives the fourth limiting member 340 to move, the first limiting member 310 is located in the linkage groove 341, causing the first limiting member 310 to move along with the fourth limiting member 340, and thus the third limiting member 330 also moves along with the first limiting member 310. Ultimately, the misalignment drive 350 can simultaneously drive the first limiting member 310, the second limiting member 320, the third limiting member 330, and the fourth limiting member 340 to move. At this time, the second component located in the receiving channel 321 is aligned with the first component, so there is no need to move the second component to align with the first component, thereby speeding up the assembly of the first and second components. The limiting drive 360 ​​is connected to the first limiting member 310, thereby driving the first limiting member 310 to move along the linkage groove 341, while the third limiting member 330 moves along with the first limiting member 310. When the first limiting member 310 moves along the linkage groove 341, the fourth limiting member 340 remains stationary, and therefore the second limiting member 320 also remains stationary along with the fourth limiting member 340. When the first limiting member 310 moves along the linkage groove 341 to the second clearance channel 342 and is no longer connected to the limiting channel 311, the second component is blocked by the second limiting member 320 and will not move with the first limiting member 310. Therefore, the second component remains in the receiving channel 321. At this time, the first limiting member 310 no longer restricts the movement of the second component under its own weight. When the second component loses the limiting component 300, the second component engages with the first component under its own weight and the action of the guide component 400. The guide component 400, fitted inside the second component, guides the movement of the second component. Therefore, the power for the movement of the second component comes from its own weight.Therefore, the second component does not need to be clamped during the process of transferring it to assemble with the first component, so that the second component will not be deformed. This avoids the situation where the dimensions of the second component and the first component do not match due to the deformation of the second component, making it easy to assemble the first component and the second component.

[0039] Reference Figure 7 The guide assembly 400 includes a guide member 410, a force-applying drive member 420, and a pressure drive member 430. The guide member 410 includes a guide section 411 and a force-applying section 412 connected to each other. The outer diameter of the force-applying section 412 is larger than the outer diameter of the guide section 411. The outer diameter of the force-applying section 412 is larger than the inner diameter of the second component, and the guide section 411 is fitted inside the second component. The force-applying drive member 420 first drives the guide section 411 through the first clearance channel 331, the receiving channel 321, the limiting channel 311, and the second clearance channel 342 before engaging with the first component. At this time, the force-applying section 412 is located on the side of the third limiting member 330 opposite to the second limiting member 320, and the force-applying section 412 cannot pass through the first clearance channel 331. As the first limiting member 310 and the third limiting member 330 move under the action of the limiting drive member 360, the third limiting member 330 no longer restricts the force-applying section 412. Thus, the force-applying drive member 420 drives the force-applying section 412 to pass sequentially through the receiving channel 321 and the second clearance channel 342 before abutting against one axial end of the second component. The guide section 411 guides the movement of the second component, while the force-applying drive member 420 acts on the second component through the force-applying section 412, causing the second component to be clamped by the force-applying section 412 and the first component. This allows the force-applying section 412 to achieve an interference fit when the first and second components require it. During the process of the force-applying drive member 420 driving the force-applying section 412 to abut against one axial end of the second component, if the resistance to the interference fit between the first and second components is large, the force-applying drive member 420 cannot complete the assembly of the first and second components. At this point, the pressure drive 430 further drives the force application section 412, enhancing the effect of the force application section 412 on the second component, overcoming the resistance of the interference fit between the first and second components, and completing the assembly of the first and second components. It should be noted that the force application drive 420 is connected to the guide 410, while the pressure drive 430 can only drive the guide 410 to move but is not connected to the guide 410. Therefore, during the process of the force application drive 420 driving the guide section 411 to engage with the first component, the pressure drive 430 does not operate. The pressure drive 430 begins to operate when the force application drive 420 again drives the force application section 412 to pass sequentially through the receiving channel 321 and the second clearance channel 342. The pressure drive 430 only drives the force application section 412 when the force application drive 420 cannot complete the assembly of the first and second components.

[0040] The working process of the feeding device is as follows:

[0041] When the first component moves between the first positioning block 210 and the second positioning block 220, it is also positioned between the first positioning block 210 and the reset block 240. The positioning drive 230 drives the first positioning block 210 and the second positioning block 220 to move relative to each other, enabling them to clamp the first component and achieve positioning. While the first positioning block 210 and the second positioning block 220 are moving relative to each other to clamp the first component, the first positioning block 210 can also move the first component and the reset block 240. At this time, the second component sequentially passes through the vibratory feeder 110, the diversion section 121, and the feed channel section 122 before entering the receiving channel 321.

[0042] The misalignment drive 350 drives the first limiting member 310, the second limiting member 320, the third limiting member 330, the fourth limiting member 340, and the limiting drive 360 ​​to move, causing the receiving channel 321 and the end of the material channel of the material channel section 122 to be misaligned away from the diversion section 121. At this time, the receiving channel 321 is located directly above the first component.

[0043] The force-applying drive component 420 drives the guide component 410 to move toward the first component. During the movement of the guide component 410, the guide segment 411 sequentially passes through the first clearance channel 331, the receiving channel 321, the limiting channel 311, and the second clearance channel 342 before engaging with the first component. When passing through the receiving channel 321, the guide segment 411 also passes through the second component. The force-applying segment 412 cannot move further.

[0044] The limiting drive 360 ​​drives the first limiting member 310 and the third limiting member 330 to move, and the second clearance channel 342 is no longer connected to the limiting channel 311. At this time, the first limiting member 310 no longer restricts the movement of the second component under its own weight, so the second component moves to abut against the first component under its own weight and the guidance of the guide section 411. At the same time, the third limiting member 330 also no longer restricts the movement of the force-applying section 412, so the force-applying drive 420 drives the force-applying section 412 to pass through the receiving channel 321 and the second clearance channel 342 in sequence and abut against one end of the second component in the axial direction.

[0045] When the pressure drive 430 drives the guide 410 to move further, the force application section 412 acts on the second component, causing the second component to engage with the first component, while the guide section 411 moves further relative to the first component, completing the assembly of the first component and the second component.

[0046] Subsequently, the pressure drive component 430 and the limit drive component 360 drive the guide component 410 to reset. Then, the limit drive component 360 drives the first limit component 310 and the third limit component 330 to reset. Finally, the misalignment drive component 350 drives the first limit component 310, the second limit component 320, the third limit component 330, the fourth limit component 340 and the limit drive component 360 to reset, preparing for the reassembly of the first component and the second component.

[0047] When the positioning drive 230 drives the first positioning block 210 and the second positioning block 220 to move relative to each other to clamp the first component, the reset block 240 moves along with the first positioning block 210 and drives the first component to reset.

[0048] Understandably, the first limiting member 310 may also be slightly lower than the bottom of the end of the feed channel section 122 that is far from the diversion section 121.

[0049] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a medical device production line, including the above-described feeding device. The medical device production line employing this feeding device can improve production efficiency.

[0050] The technical features of the above-described embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0051] Those skilled in the art should recognize that the above embodiments are merely illustrative of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any appropriate changes and variations made to the above embodiments within the essential spirit of the present invention fall within the scope of protection claimed by the present invention.

Claims

1. A feeding device, characterized in that: It includes a positioning component (200), a feeding component (100), and a limiting component (300). The positioning component (200) is used to position a first component, the feeding component (100) is used to provide a second component, the second component moves from the feeding component (100) to the limiting component (300) and aligns with the first component, and the limiting component (300) is used to restrict the movement of the second component. The limiting component (300) includes a first limiting member (310), a second limiting member (320), and a limiting drive member (360). The first limiting member (310) is provided with a limiting channel (311), and the second limiting member (320) is provided with a receiving channel (321). The receiving channel (321) is connected to the limiting channel (311). The limiting drive member (360) is connected to the first limiting member (310). The feeding device also includes a material channel for moving the second component to the receiving channel (321). The first limiting member (310) abuts against the axial direction of the second component to restrict axial movement of the second component, and the second limiting member (320) is located radially outside the second component to restrict the radial movement range of the second component. The limiting drive member (360) can cause the first limiting member (310) to no longer restrict the second component from moving by gravity, and the second limiting member (320) remains stationary and prevents the second component from moving with the first limiting member (310); When the second component loses the limiting component (300) and the receiving channel is located directly above the first component, the second component engages with the first component.

2. The feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The feeding device further includes a guide assembly (400), which is sleeved with the second component to guide the second component and the first component to engage.

3. The feeding device according to claim 2, characterized in that: After the second component loses the limiting component (300), it engages with the first component under its own gravity and the action of the guiding component (400).

4. The feeding device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The guide component (400) is fitted inside the second component.

5. The feeding device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The guide component (400) passes through the second component and the limiting channel (311) in sequence and then engages with the first component.

6. The feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The limiting component (300) further includes a third limiting member (330), which is located on the side of the second limiting member (320) away from the first limiting member (310) and in the axial direction of the second component. The third limiting member (330) is provided with a first clearance channel (331) communicating with the receiving channel (321).

7. The feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The limiting component (300) further includes a fourth limiting member (340), wherein the first limiting member (310) is located between the second limiting member (320) and the fourth limiting member (340), and the fourth limiting member (340) is provided with a second clearance channel (342) communicating with the limiting channel (311).

8. The feeding device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The guide assembly (400) includes a guide member (410), which includes a guide section (411) and a force-applying section (412) connected to each other. The outer diameter of the force-applying section (412) is larger than the outer diameter of the guide section (411), and the outer diameter of the force-applying section (412) is larger than the inner diameter of the second component. The guide section (411) is sleeved inside the second component.

9. The feeding device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The guide assembly (400) further includes a force-applying drive member (420), which first drives the guide segment (411) through the second component and the limiting assembly (300) and then engages with the first component, and then drives the force-applying segment (412) to move until the force-applying segment (412) and the first component respectively abut against the two sides of the second component.

10. The feeding device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The guide assembly (400) further includes a pressure drive (430) that drives the force application section (412) to act on the second component so that the second component and the first component are engaged.

11. The feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The feeding device further includes a misalignment drive (350), which drives the limiting component (300) to move to the receiving channel (321) and the material channel to be misaligned and restricts the second component from moving from the material channel to the receiving channel (321).

12. A medical device production line, characterized in that: Includes the feeding device according to any one of claims 1-11.

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