Drive nut flexible automated feed device

Abstract

The application provides a driving nut flexible automatic feeding device, which comprises a tray mounting bottom plate, a support assembly, a material blocking assembly, a material carrying assembly, a discharging cylinder, a straight vibration material channel, a material channel cover plate, a circular vibration tray and a straight vibrator. The application has the following beneficial effects: the device is suitable for the typical pull and rivet fastener processing field of aerospace type equipment skin large-area fastening application, such as controllable broken neck slot blind rivet, titanium alloy large-base-angle threaded pull rivet, titanium alloy threaded pull rivet for interference connection and the like; the device has the advantages of strong flexible adaptability, high automatic reliability, high feeding efficiency, strong quality stability and high device intrinsic safety in the driving nut processing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of processing typical pull-out and rivet-type fasteners for large-area fastening applications on the skin of aerospace equipment, and in particular relates to a flexible automated feeding device for driving nuts. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, the high-end aerospace fastener industry is experiencing a period of rapid capacity expansion, leading to increasingly fierce competition within the domestic high-end fastener sector. Companies are continuously expanding their production capacity to accelerate the development of their high-end fastener products. However, efficient, intelligent, automated, and digital production methods are key factors restricting the rapid development of high-end fasteners. Building an intelligent production line aims to meet market demands and industry trends, with automation of individual machines forming the foundation for this approach.

[0003] There are currently several models of drive nuts in production, and their processing involves discrete manufacturing. Taking the labeling process of drive nuts as an example, previously, labeling was done manually. The workpiece was placed on a fixed V-shaped frame, and after labeling, it was manually removed and placed into a workpiece box. This method is inefficient and carries the risk of laser injury, which is not in line with the development trend of modern manufacturing. While most domestic companies still use manual labeling, some employ a vibratory feeder-air blowing-positioning clamping-positioning placement method for feeding. This method suffers from drawbacks such as instability of the air blowing method, unreliable feeding continuity, and cumbersome steps leading to low efficiency.

[0004] In summary, in order to expedite the engineering implementation of pull-out and rivet-type fasteners, this application proposes the development of a flexible automated feeding device for driving nuts, specifically targeting standard-setting, a typical fastener and component. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, the present invention aims to propose a flexible automated feeding device for driving nuts, which has the advantages of strong flexibility and adaptability, high automation reliability, high feeding efficiency, strong quality stability and high inherent safety of the device, so as to solve the shortcomings of the above-mentioned prior art.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of the present invention is implemented as follows:

[0007] A flexible automated feeding device for driving nuts includes:

[0008] The material tray mounting base plate serves as the mounting carrier for the support assembly and the circular vibrating material tray.

[0009] A support assembly, the bottom of which is mounted to the base plate of the material tray, and a direct vibrator is mounted on the top of the support assembly, the support assembly being used to support the direct vibrator;

[0010] A material stop assembly is installed on one side of the linear vibrating material channel and is used to limit the drive nut.

[0011] A material carrier assembly is installed at one end of a linear vibrating feed channel and is used in conjunction with a material stop assembly. The material carrier assembly is used to support the drive nut.

[0012] A discharge cylinder is installed on one side of the baffle assembly and is used to drive the nut to discharge material.

[0013] A straight vibrating feed channel, one end of which is connected to a circular vibrating feed plate, and the other end of which is connected to a material loading assembly, is used to realize the output of the drive nut;

[0014] A material channel cover plate is installed on the top of the linear vibrating material channel, and the material channel cover plate is used to prevent the drive nut from disengaging from the linear vibrating material channel;

[0015] A circular vibrating material tray, the bottom of which is installed on a material tray mounting base plate, and the discharge port at the top of which is connected to one end of a straight vibrating material channel;

[0016] A vertical vibrator, the top of which contacts the vertical vibrating channel, and the bottom of which is mounted to the support assembly;

[0017] The controller is connected to the drive source of the material blocking assembly, the material loading assembly, the circular vibrating disc, and the linear vibrator.

[0018] Furthermore, the support assembly includes a support base plate, a support upright plate, and a direct vibration mounting plate. The bottom of the support base plate is connected to the material tray mounting base plate, the top of the support base plate is mounted to the support upright plate, the top of the support upright plate is mounted to the direct vibration mounting plate, and the top of the direct vibration mounting plate is mounted to the direct vibrator by long bolts.

[0019] Furthermore, it also includes a connector, one end of which is installed to one side of the direct vibration mounting plate, and the other end of which is installed to the material loading assembly.

[0020] Furthermore, the material loading assembly includes a discharge upright plate, a discharge bottom plate, a discharge mounting plate, a material loading plate, and a discharge cylinder. The bottom of the discharge upright plate is installed to the other end of the connector, and the top of the discharge upright plate is installed to the bottom of the discharge bottom plate. The discharge cylinder is installed above the discharge bottom plate via the discharge mounting plate. One end of the material loading plate is installed on the telescopic rod of the discharge cylinder, and the other end of the material loading plate is installed to the material blocking assembly.

[0021] Furthermore, the material blocking assembly includes a material blocking block, a material limiting block, a transition piece, a limiting mounting plate, and a material blocking cylinder. The bottom of the material blocking block is equipped with a discharge base plate and a discharge cylinder. One end of the material blocking block is equipped with a material carrying plate, and the other end of the material blocking block is installed to the linear vibrating material channel. The top of the material blocking block is provided with a material limiting block, and the top of the material limiting block is installed to one end of the transition piece. The other end of the transition piece is installed to the telescopic rod of the material blocking cylinder. The material blocking cylinder is installed to one side of the limiting mounting plate, and the other side of the limiting mounting plate is installed to the linear vibrating material channel.

[0022] Furthermore, the carrier plate has an L-shaped structure, and a first limiting groove is provided on the carrier plate. The first limiting groove is used to limit the vertical position of the drive nut.

[0023] Furthermore, a second limiting groove is provided at the bottom of the material stop block, which is used for the sliding of the material carrier plate. A feeding groove is provided on one side of the material stop block, which is used to limit the horizontal position of the drive nut.

[0024] Furthermore, the straight vibrating material channel has a strip-shaped structure, and a groove is formed on the surface of the straight vibrating material channel. The width of the groove at the end near the circular vibrating material disk is greater than the width of the groove at the end near the baffle block.

[0025] Compared with the prior art, the flexible automated feeding device for driving nuts described in this invention has the following advantages:

[0026] The present invention discloses a flexible automated feeding device for driving nuts. This device is applicable to the processing of typical pull-out and rivet-type fasteners used in large-area fastening applications for aerospace equipment skins, such as controllable neck-break groove pull-out rivets, titanium alloy large-angle thread pull-out rivets, and titanium alloy thread pull-out rivets for interference connections. Using this patent, the processing of driving nuts can be characterized by strong flexibility and adaptability, high automation reliability, high feeding efficiency, strong quality stability, and high inherent safety of the device. Attached Figure Description

[0027] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this invention, are used to provide a further understanding of the invention. The illustrative embodiments of the invention and their descriptions are used to explain the invention and do not constitute an undue limitation of the invention. In the drawings:

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 This is a front view schematic diagram of the overall structure described in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 3 This is a top view of the overall structure described in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the carrier plate described in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the material stop block according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the straight vibrating feed channel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0035] 1. Material tray mounting base plate; 2. Support base plate; 3. Support upright plate; 4. Straight vibration mounting plate; 5. Connecting parts; 6. Unloading upright plate; 7. Unloading base plate; 8. Unloading mounting plate; 9. Carrying plate; 91. No. 1 limiting groove; 10. Material stop block; 101. No. 2 limiting groove; 102. Feed chute; 11. Material limiting block; 12. Transition part; 13. Discharge cylinder; 14. Limiting mounting plate; 15. Straight vibration material channel; 16. Material channel cover plate; 17. Circular vibrating material tray; 18. Straight vibrator; 19. Unloading cylinder; 20. Material stop cylinder. Detailed Implementation

[0036] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in the present invention can be combined with each other.

[0037] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing the 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, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., 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 with "first," "second," etc., may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this invention, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0038] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; 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; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0039] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0040] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, a flexible automated feeding device for driving nuts includes:

[0041] The material tray mounting base plate 1 is the overall base of the device. The material channel cover plate 16 is bolted to the material tray mounting base plate 1 through the circular vibrating material tray 17. The straight vibrator 18 is bolted to the material tray mounting base plate 1 through the support base plate 2, the support upright plate 3, the straight vibrating mounting plate 4, and the connecting piece 5.

[0042] The support base plate 2, support upright plate 3, direct vibration mounting plate 4, and connecting piece 5 are parallel connecting pieces between the direct vibrator 18 and the material channel cover plate 16. They are connected to each other by threads and realize the front-to-back and left-to-right adjustment of the direct vibrator 18.

[0043] Support plate 3 is described in the same way as support base plate 2;

[0044] The direct vibration mounting plate 4, in addition to connecting the direct vibration device 18, also fixes the receiving end through the threaded connection connector 5 and the discharge cylinder 13 to fix the discharge pipe, thereby isolating the vibration of the direct vibration device 18 from the receiving end.

[0045] Connector 5 is connected to unloading vertical plate 6 via thread and is used to install the receiving end;

[0046] The unloading vertical plate 6 is connected to the unloading base plate 7 by a thread, and the receiving end is installed thereon, which can realize the height adjustment of the receiving end;

[0047] The unloading base plate 7 is connected to the unloading mounting plate 8 by threads to complete the installation of the unloading cylinder 19;

[0048] Unloading mounting plate 8 is described in the same way as unloading base plate 7;

[0049] The material carrier plate 9 is a key component of the design. It serves as the base plate for receiving the material and driving the nut. It is connected to the threaded unloading cylinder 19, passes through the baffle block 10, and moves with the unloading cylinder 19 through electrical control to achieve the positioning and unloading of the nut.

[0050] The stop block 10 is a key component of the design. It is connected to the unloading base plate 7 by threads to provide the pick-up of hexagonal nuts and provide precise positioning for machining.

[0051] The limiting block 11 is a key component of the design. It is connected to the blocking cylinder 20 by threads and moves with the blocking cylinder 20 through electrical control to realize the sequential feeding of workpieces, while isolating the vibration of the direct vibrator 18 from the material end.

[0052] The transition piece 12 connects the limiting block 11 and the baffle cylinder 20 via threads;

[0053] The discharge cylinder 13 is installed onto the baffle block 10 by means of threads;

[0054] The limiting mounting plate 14 installs the material blocking cylinder 20 onto the linear vibrating material channel 15 via threads;

[0055] The linear vibrating channel 15 is a key component of the design. It is connected to the linear vibrator 18 via threads. The width of the track gradually decreases, thereby achieving precise output of the drive nut.

[0056] The material channel cover plate 16 is connected to the linear vibrating material channel 15 by threads;

[0057] The material channel cover plate 16 is described as a key component of the design. Through vibration, the workpiece is screened in the material channel by its own center of gravity, so that the bottom of the nut faces downward.

[0058] The circular vibrating material tray 17 is connected to the tray mounting base plate 1 by a thread. The circular vibrating material tray 17 is a drive nut screening device. The circular vibrating material tray 17 is equipped with a drive source. The circular vibrating material tray 17 vibrates the "pattern" of the nut by the vibration of the drive source. The "pattern" of the nut is placed downward by gravity due to the vibration, and the drive nut is transported to the straight vibrating material channel 15 on the straight vibrator 18.

[0059] The straight vibrator 18 is connected to the straight vibrating mounting plate 4 by a thread. It can be adjusted back and forth and left and right. It receives the drive nut conveyed by the circular vibrating material tray 17, screens the irregular "faces" into a consistent angle, and conveys the drive nut to the material carrier plate 9.

[0060] The unloading cylinder 19 has a locking nut and is installed on the unloading mounting plate 8. It is threadedly connected to the loading plate 9. The position of the material receiving block 10 is adjusted by the locking nut to realize the loading and unloading of the workpiece.

[0061] The material blocking cylinder 20 is connected to the limit mounting plate 14 via a nut, blocking the drive nut and realizing the one-by-one conveying of workpieces.

[0062] The controller is connected to the control signal, including the drive source of the circular vibrating material tray 17, the linear vibrator 18, the unloading cylinder 19, and the blocking cylinder 20. The controller can be an existing industrial computer, a microcontroller, or a PLC.

[0063] This application relates to the processing of typical pull-out and rivet-type fasteners used in large-area fastening applications on the skin of aerospace equipment, such as controllable neck-break groove pull-out rivets, titanium alloy large-angle thread pull-out rivets, and titanium alloy thread pull-out rivets for interference connections. Specifically, it relates to the design and application of flexible automated feeding for a drive nut, an important component of the aforementioned pull-out and rivet-type fasteners. Using this patent, the processing of drive nuts offers advantages such as strong flexibility and adaptability, high automation reliability, high feeding efficiency, strong quality stability, and high inherent safety of the device.

[0064] Based on a thorough study of the external structural characteristics of the driving nuts in the above-mentioned various types of rivet and pin assemblies, the development of the flexible automated feeding device presents the following technical challenges:

[0065] 1. A new automatic feeding method with high reliability and flexibility was designed, and the final selected feeding method is:

[0066] Vibrating feeder – linear track – receiving / marking;

[0067] By adding various types of sensors, the device can achieve control linkage of multiple basic components and be matched with the control of processing equipment and discrete processing environment.

[0068] 2. The drive nut has a flat top and a raised knurled bottom. During vibrating of the material tray, the products will be irregularly arranged, with the nut's flat surface contacting the vibrating track in the vast majority of cases. The polarization characteristics of the vibrating tray should be fully analyzed and utilized. Relying on basic principles such as gravity and inertia, the nuts should be selected so that the knurled surface is on the bottom and the flat surface is on top during the vibrating tray conveying process.

[0069] 3. The dimensions of the side ("hexagonal") surfaces of the drive nuts for various types of rivet and pin components are consistent; the differences lie in the height of the knurling at the bottom and the size of the outer diameter. After screening by the vibratory feeder, the knurled surface of the nut serves as the contact surface with the track, propelling the nut forward by friction. Therefore, designing a universal track to reduce mold change steps and time, enabling flexible and automated processing of the entire series of drive nuts without mold changes, is also a design challenge.

[0070] 4. Both the vibrating tray and the linear track use vibration as the power source to drive the nut's movement. When laser marking is applied to vibrating workpieces, the marking effect will be very poor, or even deformed, which will greatly interfere with the stability of product quality. Therefore, during the research and development process, we should try our best to overcome the adverse effects of vibration on laser marking.

[0071] In response to the above research content and objectives, and the identified technical difficulties, the technical personnel developed a flexible automated feeding device for driving nuts based on the on-site working conditions and the process requirements of the driving nut labeling process, combined with mechanical and electrical principles and relevant safety regulations.

[0072] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A flexible automated feeding device for driving nuts, characterized in that: include: Material tray mounting base plate (1), the material tray mounting base plate (1) is used as the mounting carrier for the support assembly and the circular vibrating material tray (17); A support assembly, the bottom of which is installed on the base plate (1) of the material tray, and a straight vibrator (18) is installed on the top of the support assembly. The support assembly is used to support the straight vibrator (18). A material stop assembly is installed on one side of the direct vibrating material channel (15) and is used to limit the drive nut; The material carrier is installed at one end of the linear vibrating channel (15) and is used in conjunction with the material blocking component. The material carrier is used to carry the drive nut. The discharge cylinder (13) is installed on one side of the baffle assembly and is used to drive the nut to discharge material. A straight vibrating feed channel (15) is connected at one end to a circular vibrating feed plate (17) and at the other end to a material loading assembly. The straight vibrating feed channel (15) is used to realize the output of the drive nut. Material channel cover plate (16), the material channel cover plate (16) is installed on the top of the linear vibrating material channel (15), the material channel cover plate (16) is used to prevent the drive nut from disengaging from the linear vibrating material channel (15); A circular vibrating material tray (17) is installed at the bottom of a material tray mounting base plate (1), and the discharge port at the top of the circular vibrating material tray (17) is connected to one end of a straight vibrating material channel (15). A straight vibrator (18) is provided, the top of which is in contact with the straight vibrating channel (15), and the bottom of which is installed to the support assembly. The controller is connected to the drive source of the material blocking assembly, the material loading assembly, the circular vibrating material plate (17), and the linear vibrator (18). The material blocking assembly includes a material blocking block (10), one end of which is equipped with a material carrier plate (9), and the other end of which is installed to the linear vibrating material channel (15); The material carrier plate (9) has an L-shaped structure and a first limiting groove (91) is provided on the material carrier plate (9). The first limiting groove (91) is used to limit the vertical position of the drive nut. The straight vibrating channel (15) has a strip structure, and a groove is provided on the surface of the straight vibrating channel (15). The width of the groove at the end near the circular vibrating disc (17) is greater than the width of the groove at the end near the baffle block (10).

2. The flexible automated feeding device for driving nuts according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support assembly includes a support base plate (2), a support upright plate (3), and a direct vibration mounting plate (4). The bottom of the support base plate (2) is connected to the material tray mounting base plate (1). The top of the support base plate (2) is installed to the support upright plate (3). The top of the support upright plate (3) is installed to the direct vibration mounting plate (4). The top of the direct vibration mounting plate (4) is installed to the direct vibrator (18) by long bolts.

3. The flexible automated feeding device for driving nuts according to claim 2, characterized in that: It also includes a connector (5), one end of which is installed to one side of the direct vibration mounting plate (4), and the other end of which is installed to the material loading assembly.

4. The flexible automated feeding device for driving nuts according to claim 3, characterized in that: The material loading assembly includes a discharge upright plate (6), a discharge bottom plate (7), a discharge mounting plate (8), a material loading plate (9), and a discharge cylinder (19). The bottom of the discharge upright plate (6) is installed to the other end of the connector (5), and the top of the discharge upright plate (6) is installed to the bottom of the discharge bottom plate (7). The discharge cylinder (19) is installed above the discharge bottom plate (7) via the discharge mounting plate (8). One end of the material loading plate (9) is installed on the telescopic rod of the discharge cylinder (19), and the other end of the material loading plate (9) is installed to the material blocking assembly.

5. The flexible automated feeding device for driving nuts according to claim 4, characterized in that: The material blocking assembly also includes a limiting block (11), a transition piece (12), a limiting mounting plate (14), and a material blocking cylinder (20). The bottom of the material blocking block (10) is equipped with a discharge base plate (7) and a discharge cylinder (13). The top of the material blocking block (10) is provided with a limiting block (11). The top of the limiting block (11) is installed to one end of the transition piece (12). The other end of the transition piece (12) is installed to the telescopic rod of the material blocking cylinder (20). The material blocking cylinder (20) is installed to one side of the limiting mounting plate (14). The other side of the limiting mounting plate (14) is installed to the direct vibrating material channel (15).

6. The flexible automated feeding device for driving nuts according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the baffle block (10) is provided with a second limiting groove (101), which is used for the sliding of the material plate (9). The side of the baffle block (10) is provided with a feeding groove (102), which is used to limit the horizontal position of the drive nut.

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