A composite positioning device

Abstract

The present invention discloses a composite positioning device, which includes a support base, a support positioning part, and an end cap fixed on a fixture body; one end of the support positioning part is accommodated in an open cavity of the support base, and the end cap seals the open cavity; a plug is provided on the support positioning part; an air inlet for connecting the air source with the inside of the open cavity and an exhaust port for connecting the inside of the open cavity with the outside are provided on the support base; the plug can seal both the air inlet and the exhaust port simultaneously, and is used to judge whether there is a workpiece in the composite positioning device during precise positioning. The present invention is a device that uses the pressure change of gas to detect whether there is a workpiece in multiple postures of the fixture and can judge whether the positioning surface of the workpiece is accurately fitted. This device has the advantages of reliable detection, compact structure, and strong versatility.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a positioning device, and more particularly to a composite positioning device with detection and positioning functions. Background Art

[0002] During automatic line processing, when the fixture has materials, the robot or truss shall not load materials, otherwise a collision phenomenon will occur. Therefore, a no-material detection device or switch is usually set in the fixture to avoid such phenomena.

[0003] Method 1: Common detection means include direct detection by a switch, such as a laser opposed switch. This switch is placed inside the equipment. When the workpiece reaches the specified position, the workpiece blocks the opposed switch, causing the opposed switch to stop sending signals. At this time, the program determines that it is in a state with materials, and the robot or truss shall not load materials. Although this method is simple, it is not applicable to wet machining machine tools or working conditions with a large amount of dust. Due to the influence of oil mist generated by cutting and dust prevention, it often adheres to the surface of the switch, resulting in laser attenuation or switch damage, and the switch cannot send signals or sends false signals.

[0004] Method 2: Another method is to set up a no-material detection mechanism inside the machine tool, which detects whether the fixture has materials by using the pressure change of gas. When there is no material, the gas is discharged from the exhaust port, thereby causing the pressure of the sensor to drop; when the fixture has materials, the gas discharge channel is blocked, resulting in the gas being unable to be discharged, and the sensor pressure rises. This mechanism has a simple structure and is widely used.

[0005] Both of the above two methods can be used to detect whether the fixture has materials, but Method 1 has certain limitations on the use environment, and Method 2 has a single structure and can only judge whether the fixture has materials; neither of the two methods can be used as a positioning block, nor can it judge whether the positioning surface is accurately fitted. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Aiming at the problems existing in the background art, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a composite positioning device with reliable detection, compact structure, and capable of simplifying the fixture structure layout.

[0007] To achieve the above object, the composite positioning device designed by the present invention includes a support seat fixed on the fixture body, and further includes a support and positioning part and an end cover; one end of the support and positioning part is accommodated in the open cavity of the support seat, the end cover seals the open cavity, and the other end of the support and positioning part extends out of the end cover for supporting and positioning the workpiece to be processed; the outer wall of the support and positioning part is sealed with the end cover.

[0008] A plug block is provided on the support and positioning part.

[0009] The support base is provided with a first air inlet for connecting the air source with the inside of the open cavity, and a first air outlet for connecting the inside of the open cavity with the outside; the plug can seal the first air inlet and the first air outlet simultaneously, and is used to judge whether there is material in the composite positioning device during precise positioning;

[0010] The support base is provided with a third air inlet for connecting the air source with the bottom of the open cavity, and a third air outlet for connecting the inside of the open cavity with the outside; the third air outlet connects the cavity of the open cavity between the plug and the bottom of the open cavity with the outside; when the support positioning part is at the lower dead center, it can seal the third air inlet.

[0011] Preferably, a first air pressure sensor is provided at the first air inlet and / or the first air outlet, and is used to judge whether there is material in the composite positioning device during precise positioning by the change of air pressure.

[0012] As a preferred solution, the support base is provided with a second air inlet for connecting the air source with the inside of the open cavity, and a second air outlet for connecting the inside of the open cavity with the outside; the second air inlet is located above the first air inlet, and the second air outlet is located above the first air outlet; the plug can seal the second air inlet and the second air outlet simultaneously, and is used to judge whether there is material on the tray during rough positioning.

[0013] Preferably, a second air pressure sensor is provided at the second air inlet and / or the second air outlet, and is used to judge whether there is material on the tray during rough positioning by the change of air pressure.

[0014] As another preferred solution, the support positioning part is provided with an axial through hole; when the support positioning part is at the lower dead center, the air flow of the third air inlet all enters from the bottom of the axial through hole and discharges from the top of the axial through hole.

[0015] Preferably, the support positioning part includes a support rod and a positioning block; one end of the support rod is accommodated in the open cavity of the support base, and the other end extends out from the end cover; the positioning block is located outside the open cavity and is detachably connected to the end of the support rod.

[0016] Further preferably, an adjusting pad is provided between the support rod and the positioning block. In this way, the height of the positioning block is adjusted by adjusting pads with different heights to achieve precise positioning.

[0017] Preferably, in the initial state, the plug is located between the end cover and the second air inlet.

[0018] Further preferably, an elastic part for resetting the support positioning part is provided at the lower part of the support positioning part.

[0019] Preferably, it further includes a guide ring for guiding the support positioning part, and the guide ring is clamped on the inner wall of the open cavity.

[0020] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: The present invention utilizes the pressure change of gas to detect whether there are workpieces in multiple postures of the workpiece in the fixture, and can be used for workpiece positioning to determine whether the positioning surface of the workpiece is accurately fitted; the device has reliable detection, a compact structure, and can simplify the fixture structure layout; at the same time, the structure has strong plasticity. According to functional requirements, it can detect whether there is material in the fixture in segments (or without segments), can be used for direct air inspection of the positioning surface, and can also be evolved into indirect air inspection for blank positioning.

[0021] The present invention is a device for workpiece positioning, which utilizes the pressure change of gas to detect whether there are workpieces in multiple postures of the fixture and can determine whether the positioning surface of the workpiece is accurately fitted. The device has the advantages of reliable detection, a compact structure, and strong versatility.

[0022] By adopting the device of the present invention, problems such as tight fixture space and compact structure layout, or occasions with strict requirements for chip removal can be solved.

[0023] The device of the present invention is used for workpiece positioning, can utilize the pressure change of gas to detect whether there are workpieces in multiple postures of the workpiece in the fixture, and can detect whether the positioning surface of the workpiece is accurately fitted. The device has the advantages of reliable detection, a compact structure, and strong versatility, and is suitable for occasions with compact fixture space or special requirements for chip removal. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] Figure 1 is the structural schematic diagram of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 is the second embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 3 is the third embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 4 is the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 5 is the first working state of the present invention, there is no material in the fixture, and the tray is waiting for material;

[0029] Figure 6 is the second working state of the present invention, the workpiece is loaded onto the tray (the tray has not dropped);

[0030] Figure 7 is the third working state of the present invention, the tray drops, positioning - OK;

[0031] Figure 8 is the fourth working state of the present invention, the tray drops, positioning - NG; Detailed Embodiment

[0032] The technical solutions (including the preferred technical solutions) of the present invention will be further described in detail below by means of the accompanying drawings and by listing some alternative embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0033] In automatic line processing, a loading tray is often provided in the fixture. First, a robot or a truss places the workpiece on the lifted tray. Coarse limits are provided in the tray for rough positioning of the workpiece. After the robot withdraws, the tray drops to achieve precise positioning of the workpiece.

[0034] As Figure 1 shown, some sensors and accessories in the figure are not shown. The composite positioning device designed by the present invention includes a support seat 2 fixed on the fixture body 1, and also includes a support positioning part 3 and an end cover 4. One end of the support positioning part 3 is accommodated in the open cavity 2.1 of the support seat 2, the end cover 4 seals the open cavity 2.1, and the other end of the support positioning part 3 extends out from the end cover 4 for supporting and positioning the workpiece to be processed. The outer wall of the support positioning part 3 is sealed with the end cover 4. A plug 5 is provided on the support positioning part 3. The support seat 2 is provided with a first air inlet 6 for connecting the air source with the inside of the open cavity 2.1, and a first exhaust port 7 for connecting the inside of the open cavity 2.1 with the outside. The plug 5 can simultaneously seal the first air inlet 6 and the first exhaust port 7, and is used to judge whether there is material in the composite positioning device during precise positioning. The support seat 2 is provided with a third air inlet 8 for connecting the air source with the bottom of the open cavity 2.1, and a third exhaust port 9 for connecting the inside of the open cavity 2.1 with the outside. The third exhaust port 9 connects the open cavity between the plug 5 and the bottom of the open cavity 2.1 with the outside. When the support positioning part 3 is at the lower dead center, it can seal the third air inlet 8.

[0035] Preferably, a first pressure sensor is provided at the first air inlet 6 and / or the first exhaust port 7, and is used to judge whether there is material in the composite positioning device during precise positioning by the change in air pressure.

[0036] In another embodiment of the present invention, the support positioning part 3 includes a support rod 3.1 and a positioning block 3.2. One end of the support rod 3.1 is accommodated in the open cavity 2.1 of the support seat 2, and the other end extends out from the end cover 4. The positioning block 3.2 is located outside the open cavity 2.1 and is detachably connected to the end of the support rod 3.1.

[0037] In another embodiment applied to the above embodiment, an adjusting pad 3.3 is provided between the support rod 3.1 and the positioning block 3.2. In this way, the height of the positioning block is adjusted by adjusting pads of different heights to achieve precise positioning.

[0038] As shown Figure 2 in the figure, some sensors and accessories in the figure are not shown. As another embodiment of the present invention, a second air inlet 10 for connecting the air source with the inside of the open cavity 2.1 and a second exhaust port 11 for connecting the inside of the open cavity 2.1 with the outside are provided on the support base 2; the second air inlet 10 is located above the first air inlet 6, and the second exhaust port 11 is located above the first exhaust port 7; the plug can seal the second air inlet and the second exhaust port at the same time, and is used to judge whether there is material on the tray during rough positioning.

[0039] In another embodiment of the present invention, a second air pressure sensor is provided at the second air inlet 10 and / or the second exhaust port 11, and the change of air pressure is used to judge whether there is material on the tray during rough positioning.

[0040] The above "above" all refers to the axial direction of the open cavity 2.1. The two do not necessarily need to be at the same position in the axial projection, as long as they are on the circumferences or outer walls with different heights.

[0041] As shown Figure 3 in the figure, some sensors and accessories in the figure are not shown. As another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the support and positioning part 3 is provided with an axial through hole 3.4; when the support and positioning part 3 is at the lower dead center, Figure 3 the position in is the lower dead center, and the air flow of the third air inlet 8 all enters from the bottom of the axial through hole 3.4 and discharges from the top of the axial through hole 3.4.

[0042] As shown Figure 4 in the figure, in still another embodiment of the present invention, in the initial state, that is, Figure 4 when the support and positioning part 3 is at the upper dead center in, the plug 5 is located between the end cover 4 and the second air inlet 10.

[0043] Preferably, an elastic part 12 for resetting the support and positioning part 3 is provided at the lower part of the support and positioning part 3.

[0044] In some embodiments applied to the above preferred manner, the elastic part 12 is a spring. One end of the spring abuts against the bottom of the open cavity 2.1, and the other end of the spring abuts against the shoulder of the support rod 3.1. The spring is in a compressed state, so that the support and positioning part is kept in the initial state, that is, the upper dead center position, through the elastic force of the spring.

[0045] In some embodiments applied to the above preferred manner, a guide ring 13 for guiding the support and positioning part 3 is further included, and the guide ring 13 is clamped on the inner wall of the open cavity 2.1.

[0046] In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, the above-mentioned guide ring 13 is provided on the inner wall of the open cavity 2.1 between the first exhaust port 7 and the third exhaust port 9. Since the inner diameter of the guide ring 13 is equivalent to the outer diameter of the support rod 3.1, the gas entering from the third intake port 8 can only be exhausted from the third exhaust port 9; at the same time, as the plug 5 continues to move downward from the position blocking the second intake port 10 and the second exhaust port 11, the gas entering from the first intake port 6 can also only be exhausted from the first exhaust port 7.

[0047] In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, the above-mentioned guide ring is provided on the inner wall of the open cavity 2.1 between the second exhaust port 11 and the end cap 4.

[0048] As in the above two embodiments regarding the guide ring 13, the guide ring 13 can also be arranged on the inner wall of the open cavity 2.1 between the first exhaust port 7 and the third exhaust port 9 and on the inner wall of the open cavity 2.1 between the second exhaust port 11 and the end cap 4. In this way, the running stability of the support rod 3.1 is improved.

[0049] The present invention can be derived into various structural forms according to different working requirements and environments. For example:

[0050] According to the structural requirements, when there is no lifting tray in the fixture, the in-tray presence / absence detection of the positioning device can be not set.

[0051] When the workpiece is a blank, since the surface of the workpiece is uneven and the gas cannot establish pressure on the surface of the workpiece, the original structure cannot detect whether the positioning surface is properly positioned. This structure can be modified to judge whether the positioning is accurate through an indirect air detection mode.

[0052] Next, the feeding process of the workpiece in automation and the functions of the positioning device of the present invention in each stage will be described in detail in combination with the loading tray device:

[0053] As Figure 5 shown, some sensors and accessories in the figure are not shown. When there is no workpiece in the fixture, at this time, the lifting tray 14 is in the high position waiting for feeding. Since there is no workpiece 15, the support and positioning part 3 rises to the highest position under the action of the spring, which is the top dead center. This state is the initial state; the gas at the three intake ports is exhausted through their respective corresponding exhaust ports, and the pressures of the three sensors drop. In this working condition, there is a height difference h1 between the top of the rough support 17 and the top of the support and positioning part 3, and there is a height difference h2 between the positioning block 18 provided on the fixture body 1 and the top of the rough support 17. The positioning block 18 belongs to the prior art and will not be elaborated here.

[0054] As Figure 6As shown, some sensors and accessories in the figure are not shown. After the robot or truss places the workpiece 15 on the pallet 14, the workpiece 15 presses down the support positioning part 3, and the support positioning part 3 drives the plug 5 clamped on the support rod 3.1 by the retaining ring to descend together. At this time, the gas at the second air inlet 10 is blocked by the plug 5 and cannot be discharged, and the pressure of the sensor at the second air inlet 11 rises. The first air inlet 6 and the third air inlet 8 are discharged normally through the exhaust port. At this time, it is judged that the pallet has materials. When the pallet has materials, the robot or truss shall not feed materials again. At this time, the height difference h1 disappears, but the height difference h2 still exists. The pallet is for rough positioning of the workpiece to facilitate subsequent precise positioning.

[0055] As Figure 7 shown, some sensors and accessories in the figure are not shown. After the robot or truss is removed, the oil cylinder 16 drives the pallet 14 to move downward, thereby driving the workpiece 15 to fall together until the rough support 17 of the pallet is lower than the top of the support positioning part 3. In this way, the workpiece is placed on the positioning block 18, and the height difference h2 disappears. At this time, the workpiece 15 presses the support positioning part 3 and the plug 5 together to the lowest position, that is, the lower dead center. The plug 5 blocks the first air inlet 6 and cannot be discharged, and the pressure of the pressure sensor at the first air inlet 6 rises. At this time, it can be judged that there is material on the fixture.

[0056] As Figure 7 and 8 shown, some sensors and accessories in the figure are not shown. If there is no foreign matter on the surface of the support positioning part 3, as Figure 7 shown, then the gas at the third air inlet 8 enters the axial through hole 3.4 and is blocked by the workpiece 15 and cannot be discharged. The pressure of the pressure sensor at the third air inlet 8 rises. At this time, the positioning is passed, and the next fixture actions can be carried out, such as clamping, auxiliary support, etc.; if there is foreign matter on the surface of the positioning block, as Figure 8 shown, then the gas at the third air inlet 8 is discharged through the positioning surface gap, that is, the top surface of the positioning block 3.2. At this time, the machine tool alarms, the positioning is not passed, and it cannot be clamped.

[0057] Those skilled in the art can easily understand that the above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the present invention. Any modifications, combinations, substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention are included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A composite positioning device, comprising a support base fixed on a fixture body, characterized in that: It also includes a support positioning part and an end cover; one end of the support positioning part is received in the open cavity of the support seat, the end cover seals the open cavity, and the other end of the support positioning part extends out of the end cover for supporting and positioning the workpiece to be processed; the outer wall of the support positioning part is sealed with the end cover; a plug block is provided on the support positioning part; the support seat is provided with a first air inlet for connecting the air source with the inside of the open cavity and a first air outlet for connecting the inside of the open cavity with the outside; the plug block can seal the first air inlet and the first air outlet at the same time, and is used to judge whether there is material in the composite positioning device during precise positioning; the support seat is provided with a third air inlet for connecting the air source with the bottom of the open cavity and a third air outlet for connecting the inside of the open cavity with the outside; the third air outlet connects the cavity of the open cavity between the plug block and the bottom of the open cavity with the outside; when the support positioning part is at the lower dead center, it can seal the third air inlet; the support seat is provided with a second air inlet for connecting the air source with the inside of the open cavity and a second air outlet for connecting the inside of the open cavity with the outside; the second air inlet is above the first air inlet, and the second air outlet is above the first air outlet; the plug block can seal the second air inlet and the second air outlet at the same time, and is used to judge whether there is material in the tray during rough positioning.

2. The composite positioning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A first air pressure sensor is provided at the first air inlet and / or the first air outlet, and is used to judge whether there is material in the composite positioning device during precise positioning by the change of air pressure.

3. The composite positioning device according to claim 1, wherein: A second air pressure sensor is provided at the second air inlet and / or the second air outlet, and is used to judge whether there is material in the tray during rough positioning by the change of air pressure.

4. The composite positioning device according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, characterized in that: The support positioning part is provided with an axial through hole; when the support positioning part is at the lower dead center, the air flow of the third air inlet all enters from the bottom of the axial through hole and discharges from the top of the axial through hole.

5. The composite positioning device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The support positioning part includes a support rod and a positioning block; one end of the support rod is received in the open cavity of the support seat, and the other end extends out of the end cover; the positioning block is located outside the open cavity and is detachably connected to the end of the support rod.

6. The composite positioning device according to claim 5, wherein: An adjusting pad is provided between the support rod and the positioning block.

7. The composite positioning device according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 5 or 6, characterized in that: In the initial state, the plug block is located between the end cover and the second air inlet.

8. The composite positioning device according to claim 7, characterized in that: An elastic part for resetting the support positioning part is provided at the lower part of the support positioning part.

9. The composite positioning device according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 or 5 or 6 or 8, characterized in that: It also includes a guide ring for guiding the support positioning part, and the guide ring is clamped on the inner wall of the open cavity.

Images