Feeding structure and feeding system

Abstract

The application discloses a feeding structure and a feeding system. The feeding system and the feeding structure can install a plurality of to-be-installed pieces in the installation channel when in use, then drive the feeding piece to clamp at least two to-be-installed pieces through a driving assembly, and then drive the feeding piece to move along the direction close to the outlet of the installation channel in an intermittent driving mode to transport the to-be-installed pieces to the next process one by one. Thus, compared with the mode of taking a bolt, installing, taking a bolt and installing in the traditional bolt installation process, the bolt installation steps in the application are in the mode of grabbing, moving, assembling, moving, assembling, moving and assembling, the step of repeatedly taking a bolt can be reduced, and the installation efficiency can be effectively improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of feeding equipment technology, and in particular to a feeding structure and feeding system. Background Technology

[0002] Bolts are commonly used in daily production processes. For example, many components in a car's engine and transmission require bolts for installation.

[0003] Traditional bolt installation typically involves repetitive steps, such as manually or using equipment, to remove bolts, install them, remove bolts, and install them again. This process is not only time-consuming and labor-intensive but also reduces the efficiency of bolt installation. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Based on this, in order to address the problem of low installation efficiency in traditional bolt installation procedures, a feeding structure and feeding system are proposed, which can improve the installation efficiency of bolts.

[0005] The specific technical solution is as follows:

[0006] On one hand, this application relates to a feeding structure, including an installation component and a feeding mechanism. The installation component forms an installation channel for installing components to be installed. The feeding mechanism includes a feeding component and a driving assembly. The feeding component includes at least two feeding ports spaced apart along the length of the feeding component, with one feeding port corresponding to one component to be installed. The driving assembly is used to drive the feeding component to clamp the component to be installed and to intermittently drive the feeding component to move along the outlet direction near the installation channel to transport the components to be installed one by one to the next process.

[0007] In use, the above-mentioned feeding structure can install multiple parts to be installed in the installation channel. Then, the drive assembly drives the loading component to clamp at least two parts to be installed. Subsequently, the drive assembly drives the loading component to move along the exit direction near the installation channel in an intermittent driving manner to transport the parts to be installed one by one to the next process. In this way, compared with the traditional bolt installation process of taking bolts → installing → taking bolts → installing, the bolt installation steps in this application are: grabbing → moving → assembling → moving → assembling → moving → assembling. This can reduce the repeated bolt removal steps and effectively improve the installation efficiency.

[0008] The technical solution will be further explained below:

[0009] In one embodiment, the feeding structure further includes a clamping mechanism and a pushing mechanism. The clamping mechanism includes a clamping component and a first driving component. The clamping component is provided with a clamping port. The clamping mechanism includes a first state in which the clamping port is engaged with the outlet of the installation channel to receive the component to be installed pushed out along the outlet of the installation channel, and a second state in which the first driving component drives the clamping component to feed the component to be installed. When the clamping mechanism is in the first state, the pushing mechanism can push the component to be installed through the outlet of the installation channel into the clamping port.

[0010] In one embodiment, the clamping member includes a clamping body and an elastic abutment. The clamping body has a clamping opening, and the elastic abutment is connected to the clamping body. The elastic abutment is spaced apart from the clamping opening, and the portion of the elastic abutment and the clamping body located at the clamping opening forms an installation space. When the clamping mechanism is in a first state, the pushing mechanism pushes the workpiece to be installed into the clamping opening along the opening, and pushes the workpiece to be installed to press the elastic abutment to install it in the installation space. The workpiece to be installed can be limited and engaged with the edge of the clamping opening.

[0011] In one embodiment, the clamping mechanism further includes a second driving member connected to the clamping body. When the first driving member drives the clamping member to move the workpiece to be installed to the installation position, the second driving member drives the clamping body to move so that the clamping port separates from the workpiece to be installed and resets to engage with the outlet of the installation channel.

[0012] In one embodiment, the elastic abutment includes an elastic body and a pressure block. One end of the elastic body is connected to the clamping body, and the other end of the elastic body is connected to the pressure block. The pressure block and the portion of the clamping body located at the clamping opening form an installation space.

[0013] In one embodiment, the installation channel includes a first channel segment and a second channel segment communicating with the first channel segment, the outlet of the second channel segment being the outlet of the installation channel segment, the first channel segment and the second channel segment being arranged at an angle, and the component to be installed being installed in the first channel segment.

[0014] The drive component drives the loading component to move to clamp the component to be installed and drives the loading component to transport the component to be installed along the first channel to the second channel. The pushing mechanism pushes the component to be installed located in the second channel to the clamping port.

[0015] In one embodiment, the driving assembly includes a third driving member and a fourth driving member. The third driving member is used to drive the loading member to move in order to clamp the workpiece to be installed. The fourth driving member intermittently drives the loading member to transport the workpiece to be installed along the first channel to the second channel.

[0016] In one embodiment, the first channel segment and the second channel segment are arranged perpendicularly.

[0017] In one embodiment, the feeding structure further includes a material handling mechanism for receiving the part to be installed from the storage hopper and installing it in the installation channel.

[0018] On the other hand, this application also relates to a feeding system, including the feeding structure in any of the above embodiments.

[0019] The aforementioned feeding system includes the feeding structure in any of the preceding embodiments. In use, this feeding system can install multiple parts to be installed into the installation channel. Then, a drive assembly drives the loading component to clamp at least two parts to be installed. Subsequently, the drive assembly drives the loading component to move along the outlet direction near the installation channel in an intermittent driving manner to transport the parts to be installed one by one to the next process. Thus, compared to the traditional bolt installation process of taking bolts → installing → taking bolts → installing, the bolt installation steps in this application are: grabbing → moving → assembling → moving → assembling → moving → assembling. This reduces the repeated bolt removal steps and effectively improves installation efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The accompanying drawings, which constitute a part of this application, are used to provide a further understanding of the invention. The illustrative embodiments of the invention and the description thereof are used to explain and illustrate the invention, and do not constitute an improper limitation of the invention.

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

[0022] Furthermore, the accompanying drawings are not drawn to a 1:1 scale, and the relative dimensions of the various components are shown in the drawings only as examples and not necessarily to actual scale.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the feeding structure in one embodiment;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the feeding structure in another embodiment;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the clamping mechanism in the first rotational state in one embodiment;

[0026] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the feeding structure in another embodiment;

[0027] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the separation of the clamping body from the part to be installed in one embodiment;

[0028] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the clamping component in one embodiment.

[0029] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0030] 10. Feeding structure; 100. Mounting component; 110. Mounting channel; 112. First channel section; 114. Second channel section; 200. Loading mechanism; 210. Loading component; 212. Loading port; 220. Drive assembly; 222. Third drive component; 224. Fourth drive component; 300. Clamping mechanism; 310. Clamping component; 312. Clamping body; 3122. Clamping port; 31222. Opening; 3124. Mounting space; 314. Elastic abutment body; 3142. Elastic body; 3144. Pressing block; 320. First drive component; 330. Second drive component; 400. Pushing mechanism; 20. Component to be installed. Detailed Implementation

[0031] To make the above-mentioned objects, features, and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments of the present invention will be 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 the present invention. However, the present invention can be practiced 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 the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0032] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0033] 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 indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0034] In this invention, the implementation of the feeding structure and feeding system is described using a bolt as an example of the component to be installed 20. It is understood that the component to be installed 20 can be a bolt or other fasteners, but it is not limited to fasteners. It can also be other conveying components, which will not be described in detail here.

[0035] Bolt installation is a common process in daily production. For example, many components in automobile engines and transmissions require bolts. Traditional bolt installation typically involves repetitive steps such as manually or using equipment to remove bolts, install them, remove bolts, and install them again. This is time-consuming and labor-intensive, impacting bolt installation efficiency. Therefore, this application proposes a feeding structure and system that can improve bolt installation efficiency.

[0036] Please refer to Figures 1 to 3 In one embodiment, the feeding system includes a feeding structure 10 and a storage bin (not shown). The feeding structure 10 includes a loading mechanism 200, a picking mechanism (not shown), and an mounting component 100. The mounting component 100 forms an mounting channel 110 for mounting the component 20 to be installed. The picking mechanism is used to pick up the component 20 to be installed from the storage bin and install it in the mounting channel 110. Optionally, the picking mechanism can be a mechanical gripper.

[0037] Please refer to Figures 1 to 3 In one embodiment, the loading mechanism 200 further includes a loading component 210 and a driving assembly 220. The loading component 210 includes at least two loading ports 212 spaced apart along the length direction of the loading component 210. Figure 3 In the L direction. One loading port 212 corresponds to one part 20 to be installed. The drive assembly 220 is used to drive the loading component 210 to clamp the part 20 to be installed and to intermittently drive the loading component 210 to move along the exit direction close to the installation channel 110 to transport the parts 20 to be installed to the next process one by one.

[0038] Specifically, there can be two or more loading ports 212, as long as the loading ports 212 are spaced apart along the length of the loading component 210.

[0039] It should be noted that the drive assembly 220 can move the loading component 210 intermittently along the outlet direction near the mounting channel 110 by: the drive assembly 220 driving the loading component 210 to move the component 20 closest to the outlet of the mounting channel 110 to the next process; after a certain period of time, the drive assembly 220 driving the loading component 210 to move again and move the next component 20 to the next process, and so on until all the components 20 on the loading component 210 have been transported to the next process. At this point, the drive assembly 220 can drive the loading component 210 to reset. The aforementioned steps are then repeated to continuously transport the components 20.

[0040] Alternatively, in another embodiment, after the drive component 220 drives the loading component 210 to move the component 20 to be installed closest to the outlet of the installation channel 110 to the next process, the drive component 220 drives the loading component 210 to reset. After a period of time, the drive component 220 drives the loading component 210 to move the next component 20 to be installed to the next process, and so on.

[0041] In use, the aforementioned feeding structure 10 and the feeding system including the feeding structure 10 can install multiple parts 20 to be installed into the installation channel 110. Then, the drive assembly 220 drives the loading component 210 to clamp at least two parts 20 to be installed. Subsequently, the drive assembly 220 drives the loading component 210 to move along the outlet direction near the installation channel 110 in an intermittent driving manner to transport the parts 20 to be installed one by one to the next process. Thus, compared with the traditional bolt installation process of taking bolts → installing → taking bolts → installing, the bolt installation steps in this application are: grabbing → moving → assembling → moving → assembling → moving → assembling, which can reduce the repeated bolt removal steps and effectively improve installation efficiency.

[0042] Please refer to Figures 1 to 3 In one embodiment, the feeding structure 10 further includes a clamping mechanism 300 and a pushing mechanism 400. The clamping mechanism 300 includes a clamping member 310, which is provided with a clamping opening 3122. The clamping mechanism 300 includes a first state and a second state.

[0043] Please refer to Figure 3When the clamping mechanism 300 is in the first state, the clamping port 3122 engages with the outlet of the mounting channel 110 to receive the part 20 to be installed pushed out along the outlet of the mounting channel 110. In other words, the part 20 to be installed can be conveyed to the clamping port 3122 on the loading component 210 when the clamping mechanism 300 is in the first state, and the part 20 to be installed is clamped through the clamping port 3122 for subsequent assembly. Specifically, when the clamping mechanism 300 is in the first state, the pushing mechanism 400 can push the part 20 to be installed through the outlet of the mounting channel 110 into the clamping port 3122.

[0044] Optionally, the actuating mechanism 400 may include a push rod and a cylinder for driving the push rod to extend or retract.

[0045] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The clamping mechanism 300 also includes a first driving member 320. When the clamping mechanism 300 is in the second state, the first driving member 320 drives the clamping member 310 to feed the part to be installed 20. Taking the part to be installed 20 as a bolt as an example, when the clamping mechanism 300 is in the second state, the first driving member 320 drives the clamping member 310 to move along the mounting hole near the part to insert the bolt into the mounting hole.

[0046] Optionally, the first drive element 320 can be a cylinder.

[0047] Taking bolt installation as an example, traditional bolt gripping equipment often results in unstable bolt gripping by the bolt claws, causing the bolt to swing left and right, which can lead to it getting stuck in the mounting hole during installation and affect the bolt installation efficiency.

[0048] Please refer to Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 In one embodiment, the clamping member 310 includes a clamping body 312 and an elastic abutment 314. The clamping body 312 is provided with a clamping opening 3122. The elastic abutment 314 is connected to the clamping body 312. The elastic abutment 314 and the clamping opening 3122 are spaced apart, and the portion of the elastic abutment 314 and the clamping body 312 located at the clamping opening 3122 forms an installation space 3124.

[0049] Please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 6When the clamping mechanism 300 is in the first state, the pushing mechanism 400 pushes the workpiece 20 to be installed into the clamping opening 3122 through the opening 31222, and pushes the workpiece 20 to be installed into the installation space 3124 by pressing the elastic abutment 314, and the workpiece 20 can be limited and engaged with the edge of the clamping opening 3122. In this way, the elastic abutment 314 will exert a certain pressure on the workpiece 20, making the workpiece 20 more stable in the installation space 3124. In addition, by applying pressure to the workpiece 20 through the elastic abutment 314, the workpiece 20 will not wobble when it is installed, and the workpiece 20 can be positioned more easily, with a lower probability of it falling out of the mounting hole.

[0050] Taking a bolt as an example, since the bolt end is generally rounded, when the pushing mechanism 400 drives the bolt to move, the bolt can more easily squeeze the elastic abutment 314 and fix it in the installation space 3124.

[0051] Please refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 In one specific embodiment, the elastic abutment 314 includes an elastic body 3142 and a pressing block 3144. One end of the elastic body 3142 is connected to the clamping body 312, and the other end of the elastic body 3142 is connected to the pressing block 3144. The pressing block 3144 and the portion of the clamping body 312 located at the clamping opening 3122 form an installation space 3124.

[0052] Alternatively, the elastomer 3142 can be a spring or an elastic strip.

[0053] Please refer to Figure 3 In one specific embodiment, the installation channel 110 includes a first channel 112 and a second channel 114 communicating with the first channel 112. The outlet of the second channel 114 is the outlet of the installation channel 110. The first channel 112 and the second channel 114 are arranged at an angle, and the component to be installed 20 is installed in the first channel 112. In this way, the second channel 114 can limit and guide the component to be installed 20, making it easier for the pushing mechanism 400 to push the component to be installed 20 towards the clamping opening 3122.

[0054] Optionally, the included angle between the first channel 112 and the second channel 114 can be greater than 0° and less than 180°. Preferably, please refer to... Figure 3 In one embodiment, the first channel 112 and the second channel 114 are arranged vertically.

[0055] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 3The drive assembly 220 drives the loading component 210 to move, clamping the component to be installed 20 and driving the loading component 210 to transport the component to be installed 20 along the first channel 112 to the second channel 114. Specifically, the drive assembly 220 includes a third drive component 222 and a fourth drive component 224. The third drive component 222 is used to drive the loading component 210 to move to clamp the component to be installed 20, so that the loading component 210 can clamp at least two components to be installed 20 at a time. The fourth drive component 224 intermittently drives the loading component 210 to transport the component to be installed 20 along the first channel 112 to the second channel 114. When the component to be installed 20 is driven into the second channel 114, the pushing mechanism 400 pushes the component to be installed 20 located in the second channel 114 to the clamping port 3122.

[0056] Optionally, both the third drive component 222 and the fourth drive component 224 are cylinders.

[0057] When the part to be installed 20 is placed in the mounting position of the component, the clamping part 310 needs to be removed promptly. Please refer to... Figure 2 and Figure 4 In one embodiment, the clamping mechanism 300 further includes a second driving member 330, which is connected to the clamping body 312. When the first driving member 320 drives the clamping member 310 to bring the part to be installed 20 to the installation position, the second driving member 330 drives the clamping body 312 to move so that the clamping port 3122 is separated from the part to be installed 20 and reset to connect and cooperate with the outlet of the installation channel 110.

[0058] Alternatively, the second drive element 330 may be a cylinder.

[0059] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise explicitly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0060] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly 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 is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply 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 that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0061] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may be an intervening element. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intervening element. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible implementation.

[0062] 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.

[0063] The above embodiments merely illustrate several implementation methods of the present invention, and their descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, but they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these all fall within the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of this invention patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A feeding structure, characterized in that, include: The mounting component has an installation channel for mounting the component to be installed; and A loading mechanism, comprising a loading component and a driving assembly, wherein the loading component includes at least two loading ports spaced apart along the length of the loading component, one loading port corresponding to one component to be installed, and the driving assembly is used to drive the loading component to clamp the component to be installed and to intermittently drive the loading component to move along the outlet direction close to the installation channel to transport the components to be installed one by one to the next process. It also includes a clamping mechanism and a pushing mechanism. The clamping mechanism includes a clamping component and a first driving component. The clamping component is provided with a clamping port. The clamping mechanism includes a first state in which the clamping port is connected and cooperated with the outlet of the installation channel to receive the component to be installed pushed out along the outlet of the installation channel, and a second state in which the first driving component drives the clamping component to feed the component to be installed. When the clamping mechanism is in the first state, the pushing mechanism can push the part to be installed into the clamping port through the outlet of the installation channel; The clamping component includes a clamping body and an elastic abutment. The clamping body is provided with a clamping opening. The elastic abutment is connected to the clamping body. The elastic abutment and the clamping opening are spaced apart, and the portion of the elastic abutment and the clamping body located at the clamping opening form an installation space. When the clamping mechanism is in the first state, the pushing mechanism pushes the workpiece to be installed into the clamping port through the opening, and pushes the workpiece to be installed to squeeze the elastic abutment body to install it in the installation space, and the workpiece to be installed can be limited and matched with the edge of the clamping port.

2. The feeding structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first driving component is a cylinder.

3. The feeding structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The clamping mechanism further includes a second driving member, which is connected to the clamping body. When the first driving member drives the clamping member to move the workpiece to be installed to the installation position, the second driving member drives the clamping body to move so that the clamping port separates from the workpiece to be installed and resets to connect and cooperate with the outlet of the installation channel.

4. The feeding structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic abutment includes an elastic body and a pressure block. One end of the elastic body is connected to the clamping body, and the other end of the elastic body is connected to the pressure block. The pressure block and the portion of the clamping body located at the clamping opening form an installation space.

5. The feeding structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, The elastic body is a spring or an elastic rubber strip.

6. The feeding structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The installation channel includes a first channel segment and a second channel segment connected to the first channel segment. The outlet of the second channel segment is the outlet of the installation channel. The first channel segment and the second channel segment are arranged at an angle. The component to be installed is installed in the first channel segment. The drive component drives the loading component to move to clamp the component to be installed and drives the loading component to transport the component to be installed along the first channel to the second channel. The pushing mechanism pushes the component to be installed located in the second channel to the clamping port.

7. The feeding structure according to claim 6, characterized in that, The driving assembly includes a third driving member and a fourth driving member. The third driving member is used to drive the loading member to move in order to clamp the part to be installed. The fourth driving member intermittently drives the loading member to transport the part to be installed along the first channel to the second channel.

8. The feeding structure according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first channel segment and the second channel segment are arranged perpendicularly.

9. The feeding structure according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, It also includes a material handling mechanism, which is used to retrieve the parts to be installed from the storage silo and install them in the installation channel.

10. A feeding system, characterized in that, Includes the feeding structure as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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