Feeding device and medical instrument production line

Abstract

The application relates to a feeding device and a medical instrument production line. The feeding device comprises a discharging assembly and a first material taking assembly. The discharging assembly is provided with a containing channel and a discharging port. The containing channel guides two adjacent materials in the containing channel to arrange along a radial direction. The materials can move along the containing channel under the action of gravity. The discharging assembly is provided with a first limiting piece. The first limiting piece abuts against the materials to position the materials. The first material taking assembly obtains the materials positioned by the first limiting piece. The feeding device can improve the material feeding efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Some medical devices require O-rings for sealing. However, in the automated production process of these devices, O-rings tend to accumulate. Using a robotic arm to directly grasp multiple O-rings simultaneously makes automated assembly of individual O-rings impossible. Current technology commonly uses a vibratory feeder to separate the accumulated O-rings. However, when conveying the O-rings off the vibratory feeder, current technology typically relies on vibration generated by a vibratory motor. This results in some O-rings, due to their larger diameter and greater flexibility, being prone to deformation during conveying, leading to low conveying efficiency. Similar problems exist with other materials like O-rings. Therefore, improving the individual feeding efficiency of materials like O-rings is a pressing issue that needs to be addressed. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a feeding device and a medical device production line. This feeding device can improve material feeding efficiency. Medical device production lines using this feeding device have higher production efficiency.

[0004] This application first provides a feeding device, including a discharging component and a first picking component. The discharging component is provided with a receiving channel and a discharge port. The receiving channel guides two adjacent materials in the receiving channel to be arranged radially. The materials can move along the receiving channel under their own gravity. The discharging component is provided with a first limiting member. The first limiting member abuts against the material to position the material. The first picking component picks up the material that has been positioned by the first limiting member.

[0005] By adopting the above technical solution, the material moves along the receiving channel under its own gravity. When the material comes into contact with the first limiting member during its movement along the receiving channel, it is positioned. The positioned material is then captured by the first limiting member, completing the material conveying process. In this way, there is no need to rely on vibration generated by a vibrating motor for conveying as in existing technologies. Since the material moves along the receiving channel under its own gravity, it is less prone to deformation, resulting in higher conveying efficiency. Therefore, this feeding device can improve material feeding efficiency.

[0006] In one embodiment of this application, the first material handling component includes a first material handling element and a second material handling element, the first material handling element and the second material handling element are inserted into the material, and the first material handling element and the second material handling element move in opposite directions so that the first material handling element and the second material handling element clamp the material.

[0007] In one embodiment of this application, the discharge assembly is provided with a material picking channel, which connects the interior of the receiving channel and the exterior of the receiving channel. The material picking channel is also connected to the discharge port. The first material picking member and the second material picking member enter the interior of the receiving channel from the exterior through the material picking channel. After entering the receiving channel, the first material picking member and the second material picking member insert into the material. The first material picking member and the second material picking member move from the material picking channel to pass through the discharge port and leave the receiving channel. The material passes through the discharge port with the first material picking member and the second material picking member and leaves the receiving channel.

[0008] In one embodiment of this application, the first material handling component includes a first material handling element and a second material handling element, which clamp the material. The feeding device further includes a third material handling element and a fourth material handling element, which are inserted into the material. The third material handling element and the fourth material handling element move in opposite directions to clamp the material.

[0009] In one embodiment of this application, the feeding device further includes a transfer component, which is provided with a transfer channel, a first channel and a second channel. The first channel and the second channel are both connected to the transfer channel. The first picking component and the second picking component clamp the material and enter the transfer channel through the first channel. The third picking component and the fourth picking component clamp the material and leave the transfer channel through the second channel.

[0010] By adopting the above technical solution, without a transfer component, when the third and fourth picking components insert into the material and begin to move in opposite directions, the material undergoes further deformation under the action of the third and fourth picking components, thus increasing the impact of the material on the first and second picking components. In other words, the opposing movement of the third and fourth picking components is also subject to a greater impact from the material, increasing the difficulty of their opposing movement. However, with a transfer component, the first and second picking components first clamp the material through the first channel into the transfer channel, and then can release the material. Then, the third and fourth picking components clamp the material again through the second channel into the transfer channel to clamp the material. At this time, the material is not restricted, so the opposing movement of the third and fourth picking components is subject to a relatively smaller impact from the material, thus reducing the difficulty of their opposing movement.

[0011] In one embodiment of this application, the discharge assembly restricts the material from leaving the receiving channel through the discharge port, and the material deforms and passes through the discharge port to leave the receiving channel.

[0012] In one embodiment of this application, the material-taking component drives the material to deform as it passes through the discharge port to leave the receiving channel, or the material-taking component drives the material to deform and then passes through the discharge port to leave the receiving channel.

[0013] In one embodiment of this application, the first limiting member is located in the direction of material movement along the receiving channel, and the discharge port is misaligned with the direction of material movement along the receiving channel.

[0014] In one embodiment of this application, the discharge assembly further includes a second limiting member and a limiting drive member. The second limiting member is located outside the receiving channel to restrict material from leaving the receiving channel from the discharge port. The limiting drive member drives the second limiting member to move until it no longer restricts material from leaving the receiving channel from the discharge port.

[0015] In one embodiment of this application, the discharge assembly includes a first limiting plate, a second limiting plate, and a limiting plate positioning member. The first limiting plate and the second limiting plate together form the receiving channel. The first limiting plate and the second limiting plate can move relative to each other to adjust the width of the receiving channel perpendicular to the moving direction of the material along the receiving channel. The limiting plate positioning member fixes the position of the first limiting plate and the second limiting plate after they have moved relative to each other.

[0016] By adopting the above technical solution, the width of the receiving channel is adapted to the outer diameter of the material, so that the material is distributed along the moving direction as much as possible, thereby reducing the mutual influence of the material when it moves in the receiving channel.

[0017] In one embodiment of this application, the feeding device includes a detection element, which is used to detect whether the quantity of material in the receiving channel meets the set parameters.

[0018] By employing the above technical solution, the material moves along the receiving channel under its own gravity. Therefore, if there is too much material in the receiving channel, the material at the bottom will experience greater compression and deformation. The material at the bottom is the first to be picked up by the first material-receiving component. Therefore, if the amount of material in the receiving channel is uncertain, the degree of deformation of the material at the bottom is also uncertain, resulting in the material at the bottom not always being picked up by the first material-receiving component. By using a detection element to control the amount of material in the receiving channel to be constant, the degree of deformation of the material at the bottom can be determined, thus ensuring that the material at the bottom can always be picked up by the first material-receiving component.

[0019] This application also provides a medical device production line, including the above-mentioned feeding device.

[0020] By adopting the above technical solution, the medical device production line using this feeding device has a high production efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the conventional technology, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the conventional technology will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of this application;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the discharging component, the first receiving component, and the detection component in the embodiments of this application;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the transfer component in the embodiments of this application;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second material handling component in the embodiments of this application.

[0026] Reference numerals: 100, discharge assembly; 110, vibratory feeder; 120, first limiting plate; 130, second limiting plate; 140, limiting plate positioning component; 150, first limiting component; 160, second limiting component; 161, clearance channel; 170, limiting drive component; 180, discharge port; 190, material handling channel; 200, first material handling assembly; 210, first material handling component; 220, second material handling component; 300, transfer assembly; 310, transfer component; 311, transfer channel; 312, first channel; 313, second channel; 320, support component; 400, second material handling assembly; 410, third material handling component; 420, fourth material handling component; 500, detection assembly; 510, detection component; 520, detection positioning component. Detailed Implementation

[0027] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of this application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of this application. However, this application can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar modifications without departing from the spirit of this application. Therefore, this application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0028] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another component, it can be directly on the other component or there may be an intermediate component. When a component is considered to be "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or there may be an intermediate component present. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and similar expressions used in this application's specification are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible implementation.

[0029] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0030] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature and the second feature are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0031] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this application have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terminology used in this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application. The term "and / or" as used in this application includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0032] Reference Figure 1 The present application discloses a feeding device, including a discharging component 100, a first picking component 200, a transfer component 300, a second picking component 400, and a detection component 500.

[0033] Reference Figure 2The discharge assembly 100 includes a vibratory feeder 110, a first limiting plate 120, a second limiting plate 130, a limiting plate positioning member 140, a first limiting member 150, a second limiting member 160, and a limiting drive member 170. The first limiting plate 120, the second limiting plate 130, and the limiting plate positioning member 140 are all located outside the vibratory feeder 110. The first limiting plate 120 and the second limiting plate 130 together form a receiving channel. The receiving channel is connected to the interior of the vibratory feeder 110, allowing materials in the vibratory feeder 110 to enter the receiving channel sequentially after being separated by the vibratory feeder 110. The first limiting plate 120 and the second limiting plate 130 can move relative to each other to adjust the width of the receiving channel perpendicular to the direction of material movement along the receiving channel. The limiting plate positioning member 140 fixes the position of the first limiting plate 120 and the second limiting plate 130 after relative movement. Specifically, the first limiting plate 120 and the second limiting plate 130 are each provided with multiple positioning holes. When the same positioning hole in the first limiting plate 120 and different positioning holes in the second limiting plate 130 are aligned, the width of the receiving channel perpendicular to the material's movement direction along the receiving channel changes. The limiting plate positioning member 140 is simultaneously inserted into the aligned positioning holes of the first limiting plate 120 and the second limiting plate 130, thus fixing the relative positions of the first limiting plate 120 and the second limiting plate 130, and consequently fixing the width of the receiving channel perpendicular to the material's movement direction along the receiving channel. The width of the receiving channel is adapted to the outer diameter of the material, allowing the material to be distributed as much as possible along the movement direction, thereby reducing mutual interference when the material moves within the receiving channel. The receiving channel guides adjacent materials within the receiving channel to arrange themselves radially, and since the extension direction of the receiving channel is perpendicular to the horizontal plane, the material can also move along the receiving channel under its own gravity. The first limiting member 150 is connected to the end of the first limiting plate 120 away from the vibrating plate 110 or the end of the second limiting plate 130 away from the vibrating plate 110. Therefore, the first limiting member 150 is located at the end of the receiving channel away from the vibrating plate 110 and in the direction of material movement along the receiving channel. When the material moves along the receiving channel and comes into contact with the first limiting member 150, the first limiting member 150 restricts the material movement to achieve material positioning. A discharge port 180 is formed between the end of the first limiting plate 120 or the second limiting plate 130 near the first limiting member 150 and the first limiting member 150. The discharge port 180 is offset from the material movement direction along the receiving channel. The material can leave the receiving channel through the discharge port 180. The maximum width of the discharge port 180 is smaller than the outer diameter of the material, thus preventing the material from spontaneously passing through the discharge port 180. However, when the material deforms as it passes through the discharge port 180, it can pass through the discharge port 180 and leave the receiving channel. The second limiting member 160 is located outside the receiving channel to restrict material from leaving the receiving channel from the discharge port 180. The second limiting member 160 is provided with an avoidance channel 161.The limiting drive 170 drives the second limiting member 160 to move until it no longer restricts the material from leaving the receiving channel through the discharge port 180. Simultaneously, the first limiting plate 120 or the second limiting plate 130 is provided with a material picking channel 190. The material picking channel 190 connects not only the inside and outside of the receiving channel but also the discharge port 180. The material moves along the receiving channel under its own gravity. When the material comes into contact with the first limiting member 150 during its movement along the receiving channel, it is positioned. The positioned material is then picked up by the first limiting member 150, completing the material conveying process. In this way, there is no need to use the vibration generated by a vibrating motor for conveying as in existing technologies. Since the material moves along the receiving channel under its own gravity, it is less prone to deformation, resulting in higher conveying efficiency. Therefore, this feeding device can improve material feeding efficiency.

[0034] Reference Figure 2 The first material handling assembly 200 includes a first material handling element 210 and a second material handling element 220. The first material handling element 210 and the second material handling element 220 clamp the portion of the material exposed outside the receiving channel through the discharge port 180. During the process of the first material handling element 210 and the second material handling element 220 clamping the material, the material handling channel 190 and the avoidance channel 161 serve as avoidance channels, while the second limiting element 160 remains in the position restricting the material from leaving the receiving channel through the discharge port 180. After the first material handling element 210 and the second material handling element 220 clamp the material, the second limiting element 160, driven by itself, no longer restricts the material from leaving the receiving channel through the discharge port 180. The material undergoes elastic deformation when passing through the discharge port 180 under the action of the first material handling element 210 and the second material handling element 220, and recovers its elastic deformation after leaving the receiving channel.

[0035] Reference Figure 3The transfer component 300 includes a transfer element 310 and a support element 320. The transfer element 310 and the support element 320 are connected, thereby positioning the transfer element 310 through the support element 320. The transfer element 310 is provided with a transfer channel 311, a first channel 312, and a second channel 313. Both the first channel 312 and the second channel 313 are connected to the transfer channel 311. The first picking element 210 and the second picking element 220 clamp the material and enter the transfer channel 311 through the first channel 312. Subsequently, the first picking element 210 and the second picking element 220 no longer clamp the material and leave the transfer channel 311 through the first channel 312. When the first picking element 210 and the second picking element 220 clamp the material and enter the transfer channel 311 through the first channel 312, the material will first undergo elastic deformation to enter the transfer channel 311 and then recover its elastic deformation after entering the transfer channel 311. Without the transfer element 310, when the third picking element 410 and the fourth picking element 420 insert into the material and begin to move in opposite directions, the material undergoes further deformation under the action of the third picking element 410 and the fourth picking element 420, thus increasing the impact of the material on the first picking element 210 and the second picking element 220. In other words, the material's impact on the third picking element 410 and the fourth picking element 420 during their opposite movements is also greater, increasing the difficulty of their opposite movements. However, with the transfer element 310, the first picking element 210 and the second picking element 220 first clamp the material through the first channel 312 into the transfer channel 311, and then can release the material. Then, the third picking element 410 and the fourth picking element 420 clamp the material again through the second channel 313 into the transfer channel 311 to clamp the material. At this time, the material is not restricted, so the opposite movement of the third picking member 410 and the fourth picking member 420 is less affected by the material, and the opposite movement of the third picking member 410 and the fourth picking member 420 is less difficult.

[0036] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 The second material handling assembly 400 includes a third material handling element 410 and a fourth material handling element 420. The third material handling element 410 and the fourth material handling element 420 enter the transfer channel 311 through the second channel 313. After entering the transfer channel 311, the third material handling element 410 and the fourth material handling element 420 insert themselves into the material. The third material handling element 410 and the fourth material handling element 420 move in opposite directions to clamp the material. The material undergoes elastic deformation under the action of the third material handling element 410 and the fourth material handling element 420. At this time, the third material handling element 410 and the fourth material handling element 420 leave the transfer channel 311 from the second channel 313, and the material leaves the transfer channel 311 along with them. The material maintains its elastic deformation state after leaving the transfer channel 311.

[0037] Reference Figure 2 The detection component 500 includes a detection element 510 and a detection positioning element 520. The detection element 510 is used to detect whether the amount of material in the receiving channel meets the set parameters. The detection positioning element 520 fixes the position of the detection element 510 relative to the discharging component 100 after it has moved. The material moves along the receiving channel under its own gravity. Therefore, if there is too much material in the receiving channel, the material at the bottom will be subjected to greater compression and deformation. The material at the bottom is the first to be picked up by the first picking component 200. Therefore, if the amount of material in the receiving channel is uncertain, the degree of deformation of the material at the bottom is also uncertain, resulting in the material at the bottom not always being picked up by the first picking component 200. By using the detection element 510 to control the amount of material in the receiving channel to be constant, the degree of deformation of the material at the bottom can be determined, thus ensuring that the material at the bottom can always be picked up by the first picking component 200.

[0038] It is understood that the material can be an O-ring or other components required for medical devices that can be fed using the feeding device of this application.

[0039] It is understandable that the direction of the receiving channel can be inclined relative to the horizontal plane or the direction of the receiving channel can be changed, as long as the material can move along the receiving channel under its own gravity.

[0040] It is understandable that the discharge port 180 can also be set on the first limiting member 150.

[0041] Understandably, the first picking member 210 and the second picking member 220 can enter the receiving channel from outside the receiving channel through the picking channel 190. After entering the receiving channel, the first picking member 210 and the second picking member 220 insert themselves into the material. The first picking member 210 and the second picking member 220 move in opposite directions to clamp the material. At this time, the material undergoes elastic deformation under the action of the first picking member 210 and the second picking member 220. Subsequently, the first picking member 210 and the second picking member 220 move from the picking channel 190 to pass through the discharge port 180 to leave the receiving channel, and the material also passes through the discharge port 180 with the first picking member 210 and the second picking member 220 to leave the receiving channel. The material maintains its elastic deformation state after leaving the receiving channel. Subsequently, when the first picking member 210 and the second picking member 220 clamp the material and enter the transfer channel 311 through the first channel 312, the material does not need to undergo elastic deformation. Subsequently, the first picking member 210 and the second picking member 220 move towards each other so that they no longer clamp the material. The material begins to recover its elastic deformation as the first picking member 210 and the second picking member 220 move towards each other. Alternatively, the picking channel 190 can be omitted, and a transfer picking member can be used instead. After the transfer picking member removes the material from the receiving channel through the discharge port 180, the first picking member 210 and the second picking member 220 re-insert themselves into the material, ultimately achieving the goal of the first picking component 200 clamping the material.

[0042] An embodiment of this application further provides a medical device production line, including the aforementioned feeding device. The medical device production line using this feeding device has high production efficiency.

[0043] The technical features of the above 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.

[0044] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementation methods of this application, and while the descriptions are specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this application, and these all fall within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the patent protection scope of this application should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A feeding device, characterized in that: The assembly includes a discharge component (100) and a first material receiving component (200). The discharge component (100) is provided with a receiving channel and a discharge port (180). The receiving channel guides two adjacent materials in the receiving channel to be arranged radially. The materials can move along the receiving channel under their own gravity. The discharge component (100) is provided with a first limiting member (150). The first limiting member (150) abuts against the material to position the material. The first material receiving component (200) picks up the material positioned by the first limiting member (150). The discharge component (100) includes a first limiting plate (120) and a second limiting plate (130). The first limiting plate (120) and the second limiting plate (130) together form the receiving channel. The discharge port (180) is formed between the end of the first limiting plate (120) or the second limiting plate (130) near the first limiting member (150) and the first limiting member (150). The first limiting member (150) is located in the direction of material movement along the receiving channel, and the discharge port (180) is misaligned with the direction of material movement along the receiving channel.

2. The feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The discharge assembly (100) restricts the material from leaving the receiving channel through the discharge port (180), and the material deforms and passes through the discharge port (180) to leave the receiving channel.

3. The feeding device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The material taking component drives the material to deform as it passes through the discharge port (180) to leave the receiving channel, or the material taking component drives the material to deform and then passes through the discharge port (180) to leave the receiving channel.

4. The feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first material handling component (200) includes a first material handling element (210) and a second material handling element (220). The first material handling element (210) and the second material handling element (220) are inserted into the material. The first material handling element (210) and the second material handling element (220) move in opposite directions so that the first material handling element (210) and the second material handling element (220) clamp the material.

5. The feeding device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The discharge assembly (100) is provided with a material picking channel (190), which connects the inside of the receiving channel and the outside of the receiving channel. The material picking channel (190) is connected to the discharge port (180). The first material picking member (210) and the second material picking member (220) enter the inside of the receiving channel from the outside of the receiving channel through the material picking channel (190). After entering the receiving channel, the first material picking member (210) and the second material picking member (220) insert into the material. The first material picking member (210) and the second material picking member (220) move from the material picking channel (190) to pass through the discharge port (180) to leave the receiving channel. The material passes through the discharge port (180) with the first material picking member (210) and the second material picking member (220) to leave the receiving channel.

6. The feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first material handling assembly (200) includes a first material handling element (210) and a second material handling element (220), which clamp the material. The feeding device further includes a third material handling element (410) and a fourth material handling element (420), which are inserted into the material. The third material handling element (410) and the fourth material handling element (420) move in opposite directions to clamp the material.

7. The feeding device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The feeding device further includes a transfer component (310), which is provided with a transfer channel (311), a first channel (312) and a second channel (313). The first channel (312) and the second channel (313) are both connected to the transfer channel (311). The first picking component (210) and the second picking component (220) clamp the material and enter the transfer channel (311) through the first channel (312). The third picking component (410) and the fourth picking component (420) clamp the material and leave the transfer channel (311) through the second channel (313).

8. The feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The discharge assembly (100) further includes a second limiting member (160) and a limiting drive member (170). The second limiting member (160) is located outside the receiving channel to restrict material from leaving the receiving channel from the discharge port (180). The limiting drive member (170) drives the second limiting member (160) to move until it no longer restricts material from leaving the receiving channel from the discharge port (180).

9. The feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The discharge assembly (100) includes a limiting plate positioning member (140), wherein the first limiting plate (120) and the second limiting plate (130) are movable relative to each other to adjust the width of the receiving channel perpendicular to the moving direction of the material along the receiving channel, and the limiting plate positioning member (140) fixes the position of the first limiting plate (120) and the second limiting plate (130) after they have moved relative to each other.

10. The feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The feeding device includes a detection element (510), which is used to detect whether the quantity of material in the receiving channel meets the set value.

11. A medical device production line, characterized in that: Includes the feeding device as described in any one of claims 1-10.

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