Automatic screw feeding equipment

Abstract

The application discloses a screw automatic feeding equipment, and equipment main body structure includes equipment base, screw feeding machine, linear vibration material channel, screw positioning and distributing mechanism, screw positioning and grabbing mechanism, XZ two-axis movement mechanism and workpiece positioning and placing table, the screw positioning and distributing mechanism, XZ two-axis movement mechanism and workpiece positioning and placing table are fixed on the equipment base by screw, the screw feeding machine and linear vibration material channel are fixed together and then are connected with the screw positioning and distributing mechanism, the screw positioning and grabbing mechanism is connected on the XZ two-axis movement mechanism, the equipment structure can realize the automatic feeding of multiple varieties, multiple screws, circumferential uniform or non-uniform arrangement and large and heavy screws, improves the feeding efficiency, increases the stability and compatibility of screw automatic feeding, is convenient, safe and reliable, has a wide application range, reduces production cost and improves production efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of mechanical assembly technology, specifically to an automatic screw feeding device, applicable to automotive differentials and similar automatic feeding devices that require tightening multiple screws that are evenly distributed in a circular shape. Background Technology

[0002] Screws are widely used in the assembly of various equipment production lines. However, it is tedious and inefficient to remove screws manually. In order to improve work efficiency, it is necessary to realize the automatic gripping and feeding of screws.

[0003] In existing technologies, automatic blowing is usually used to feed screws and similar parts. However, this method uses pipe blowing, which can only feed one screw at a time. Moreover, it is difficult to automatically feed larger, heavier screws with similar length-to-diameter ratios. As a result, larger, heavier screws with similar length-to-diameter ratios need to be fed manually, which is inefficient. Some semi-automatic equipment has the risk of accidents when feeding manually because manual feeding is labor-intensive and prone to missing parts, leading to rework of workpieces and increased production costs. Summary of the Invention

[0004] (a) Solving technical problems

[0005] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides an automatic screw feeding device that can automatically feed multiple types of screws arranged in a uniform or non-uniform circumference. It solves the technical problem that only one screw can be blown at a time, and that it is difficult to use automatic blowing when the screws are large, heavy, and have similar length-to-diameter ratios.

[0006] (II) Technical Solution

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: an automatic screw feeding device, the main structure of which includes a device base, a screw feeder, a linear vibrating feed channel, a screw positioning and distributing mechanism, a screw positioning and gripping mechanism, an XZ two-axis motion mechanism, and a workpiece positioning and placement table. The screw positioning and distributing mechanism, the XZ two-axis motion mechanism, and the workpiece positioning and placement table are fixed to the device base with screws. The screw feeder and the linear vibrating feed channel are fixed together and then connected to the screw positioning and distributing mechanism. The screw positioning and gripping mechanism is connected to the XZ two-axis motion mechanism.

[0008] The screw positioning and dispensing mechanism includes a support column, a motor mounting plate mounted on the support column, a bearing housing mounted on the motor mounting plate, a reducer mounted on the bearing housing, a servo motor mounted on the reducer, and a rotating shaft mounted on the bearing housing. The rotating shaft is connected to the reducer via a coupling, and a screw positioning disc is mounted on the rotating shaft. The screw positioning disc is equipped with a quick-change locking element and a positioning detection screw. The screw positioning disc is connected to the rotating shaft via the quick-change locking element, enabling quick replacement.

[0009] A cylinder mounting plate is installed on one side of the motor mounting plate. A first cylinder is installed on the cylinder mounting plate. A screw positioning lifting plate is installed on the first cylinder. The screw positioning lifting plate is located below the screw positioning disk and is used to position and lift the screw on the screw positioning disk to a certain height so that it can be grasped by the screw positioning gripping mechanism.

[0010] Furthermore, two photoelectric fixing brackets and four support columns are symmetrically fixedly connected to the motor mounting plate. Photoelectric sensors are installed on the photoelectric fixing brackets to detect whether there are screws at the feeding position. The four support columns are symmetrically arranged at the four corners of the motor mounting plate. Screw limiting rings are installed on the support columns to restrict the screws to the pitch circle of a set diameter. The screw limiting rings can be replaced with different diameters as needed to meet the requirements of different products.

[0011] Furthermore, a first proximity sensor is fixedly connected to the motor mounting plate. The first proximity sensor is used to detect the movement of the positioning detection screw and serves as the origin signal of the screw positioning and dispensing mechanism. A sensor mounting bracket is also installed on the motor mounting plate. Two second proximity sensors are installed on the sensor mounting bracket to detect the position of the first cylinder.

[0012] Furthermore, the screw positioning and gripping mechanism includes a gripper fixing plate, on which a pneumatic gripper and a second cylinder are mounted. A left gripper arm and a right gripper arm are mounted on the pneumatic gripper arm. A left screw positioning gripper finger and a left indexing pin are mounted on the left gripper arm, and a right screw positioning gripper finger and a right indexing pin are mounted on the right gripper arm. A pressure plate mounting plate is mounted on the second cylinder. Four pairs of symmetrically arranged connecting shafts and a sensor detection plate are mounted on the pressure plate mounting plate. Screw pressure plates are mounted on the connecting shafts. The function of the screw pressure plates is to press the gripped screw onto the left and right screw positioning gripper fingers, maintaining the screw's stability during handling and placement.

[0013] Furthermore, the left and right screw positioning fingers can be quickly assembled and disassembled via the left and right indexing pins, respectively, facilitating rapid product replacement.

[0014] Furthermore, two third proximity sensors are installed on the gripper fixing plate for detecting the position of the second cylinder.

[0015] Furthermore, the pneumatic gripper is equipped with two magnetic switches for detecting the gripper's position.

[0016] Furthermore, in the screw positioning and feeding mechanism, by using a servo motor and replacing the screw positioning lifting plate, screw positioning disc, and screw limiting ring, it is possible to achieve centralized feeding of screws or similar slender rod parts with caps that are distributed on the same plane, have different pitch circle diameters, and are uniformly or unevenly distributed.

[0017] Furthermore, in the screw positioning and feeding mechanism, the screw is positioned by the lifting motion of the first cylinder and the cooperation of the screw positioning lifting plate, thereby enabling the screw positioning and gripping mechanism to position and grip the screw and to stably feed it.

[0018] Furthermore, in the screw positioning and gripping mechanism, by using a pneumatic gripper and replacing the left and right screw positioning claw fingers, it is possible to achieve centralized feeding of screws or similar slender rod parts with caps that are distributed on the same plane, have different pitch circle diameters, and are uniformly or unevenly distributed.

[0019] Furthermore, in the screw positioning and gripping mechanism, the stability and reliability of screw feeding are ensured through the action of the second cylinder, the pressure plate mounting plate, the connecting shaft and the screw pressure plate, and the detection of the third proximity sensor.

[0020] Compared with existing technologies, current daily production mainly uses pipe blowing to feed screws, which can only feed one screw at a time. Moreover, it is difficult to use automatic feeding when the screws are large, heavy, and have similar length-to-diameter ratios. The structure of this equipment can not only realize the automatic feeding of multiple types of screws in a uniform or non-uniform circular arrangement, as well as larger and heavier screws, but also improve feeding efficiency and increase the stability and compatibility of automatic screw feeding. At the same time, it is convenient, fast, safe, reliable, has a wide range of applications, reduces production costs, and improves production efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an automatic screw feeding device according to the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 (a) is a front view of the screw positioning and dispensing mechanism in an automatic screw feeding device of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2(b) is a top view of the screw positioning and dispensing mechanism in an automatic screw feeding device of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 (c) is a perspective view of the screw positioning and dispensing mechanism in an automatic screw feeding device of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 (a) is a front view of the screw positioning and gripping mechanism in an automatic screw feeding device of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 3 (b) is a left view of the screw positioning and gripping mechanism in an automatic screw feeding device of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3 (c) is a top view of the screw positioning and gripping mechanism in an automatic screw feeding device of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 (d) is a perspective view of the screw positioning and gripping mechanism in an automatic screw feeding device of the present invention;

[0029] In the diagram: 1. Equipment base; 2. Screw feeder; 3. Linear vibrating feeder; 4. Screw positioning and distributing mechanism; 5. Screw positioning and gripping mechanism; 6. XZ two-axis motion mechanism; 7. Workpiece positioning and placement table; 8. Support column; 9. Servo motor; 10. Reducer; 11. Motor mounting plate; 12. Screw positioning lifting plate. 13. Cylinder mounting plate; 14. Bearing seat; 15. Rotating shaft; 16. Quick-change locking element; 17. Position detection screw; 18. Photoelectric fixing bracket; 19. Photoelectric sensor; 20. Screw positioning plate; 21. First proximity sensor; 22. Screw limit ring; 23. Support column; 24. Second proximity sensor; 25. Sensor fixing bracket; 26. First cylinder; 27. Screw; 28. Pressure plate mounting plate; 29. ​​Connecting shaft; 30. Screw pressure plate; 31. Left screw positioning claw finger; 32. Left indexing pin; 33. Left clamping arm; 34. Second cylinder; 35. Sensor detection plate; 36. Proximity sensor C; 37. Gripper fixing plate; 38. Magnetic switch; 39. Pneumatic gripper; 40. Right clamping arm; 41. Right indexing pin; 42. Right screw positioning claw finger. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0031] Please see Figure 1 This invention provides an automatic screw feeding device, suitable for automotive differentials and similar applications requiring the tightening of multiple evenly distributed circular screws. The main structure includes a base 1, a screw feeder 2, a linear vibrating feeder 3, a screw positioning and distributing mechanism 4, a screw positioning and gripping mechanism 5, an XZ two-axis motion mechanism 6, and a workpiece positioning and placement table 7. During assembly, the screw positioning and distributing mechanism 4, the XZ two-axis motion mechanism 6, and the workpiece positioning and placement table 7 are fixed to the base 1 with screws. The screw feeder 2 and the linear vibrating feeder 3 are fixed together and then connected to the screw positioning and distributing mechanism 4. The function of the screw feeder 2 is to sort the disordered screws and output them in a symmetrical arrangement according to requirements. The function of the vibrating feeder 3 is to orderly transport the screws output from the screw feeder 2 to the screw positioning and sorting mechanism 4. There are mature supporting equipment available on the market for the screw feeder 2 and the linear vibrating feeder 3, which will not be described in detail here. The function of the screw positioning and sorting mechanism 4 is to arrange the screws output from the linear vibrating feeder 3 according to the set size and quantity to the required indexing diameter. The function of the screw positioning and gripping mechanism 5 is to grip the screws arranged by the screw positioning and sorting mechanism 4 and place them on the workpiece on the workpiece positioning and placement table 7. The XZ two-axis motion mechanism 6 consists of two sets of linear modules that are cross-vertically fixed on the bracket. Its function is to drive the screw positioning and gripping mechanism 5 to move up and down in the Z direction and translate in the X direction to realize the handling of screws.

[0032] Please see Figure 2The screw positioning and dispensing mechanism 4 includes a support column 8, a motor mounting plate 11 mounted on the support column 8, a bearing housing 14 mounted on the motor mounting plate 11, a reducer 10 mounted on the bearing housing 14, a servo motor 9 mounted on the reducer 10, a rotating shaft 15 mounted on the bearing housing 14, the rotating shaft 15 connected to the reducer 10 via a coupling, a screw positioning disc 20 mounted on the rotating shaft 15, a quick-change locking element 16 and a positioning detection screw 17 mounted on the screw positioning disc 20; the screw positioning disc 20 is connected to the rotating shaft 15 via the quick-change locking element 16 and enables quick replacement; a cylinder mounting plate 13 is mounted on one side of the motor mounting plate 11, a first cylinder 26 is mounted on the cylinder mounting plate 13, and a screw positioning lifting plate 12 is mounted on the first cylinder 26. The screw positioning lifting plate 12 is located below the screw positioning disc 20 and is used to position and lift the screws on the screw positioning disc 20. The screw is raised to a certain height to facilitate gripping by the screw positioning and gripping mechanism 5. Two photoelectric fixing brackets 18 and four support columns 23 are symmetrically fixedly connected to the motor mounting plate 11. Photoelectric sensors 19 are installed on the photoelectric fixing brackets 18 to detect whether there are screws at the feeding position. The four support columns 23 are symmetrically arranged at the four corners of the motor mounting plate 11. Screw limiting rings 22 are installed on the support columns to limit the screws to the pitch circle of a set diameter. The screw limiting rings 22 can be replaced with different diameters to meet different products. A first proximity sensor 21 is fixedly connected to the motor mounting plate 11. The first proximity sensor 21 is used to detect the movement of the positioning detection screw 17 and serves as the origin signal of the screw positioning and feeding mechanism 4. A sensor fixing bracket 25 is also installed on the motor mounting plate 11. Two second proximity sensors 24 are installed on the sensor fixing bracket 25 to detect the position of the first cylinder 26.

[0033] Please see Figure 3The screw positioning gripping mechanism 5 includes a gripper fixing plate 37, on which a pneumatic gripper 39 and a second cylinder 34 are mounted. A left gripper arm 33 and a right gripper arm 40 are mounted on the pneumatic gripper 39. A left screw positioning gripper finger 31 and a left indexing pin 32 are mounted on the left gripper arm 33. A right screw positioning gripper finger 42 and a right indexing pin 41 are mounted on the right gripper arm 40. A pressure plate mounting plate 28 is mounted on the second cylinder 34. Four pairs of symmetrically arranged connecting shafts 29 and a sensor detection plate 35 are mounted on the pressure plate mounting plate 28. Screw pressure plates 30 are mounted on the connecting shafts 29. The function of the screw clamping plate 30 is to press the gripped screw onto the left screw positioning gripper 31 and the right screw positioning gripper 42, keeping the screw stable during handling and placement. The left screw positioning gripper 31 and the right screw positioning gripper 42 can be quickly assembled and disassembled via the left indexing pin 32 and the right indexing pin 41, respectively, facilitating quick product changes. Two third proximity sensors 36 are installed on the gripper fixing plate 37 for detecting the position of the second detection cylinder 34. Two magnetic switches 38 are installed on the pneumatic gripper 39 for detecting the position of the pneumatic gripper 39.

[0034] In the above scheme, the screw positioning and feeding mechanism 4 and the screw positioning and gripping mechanism 5 are equipped with a servo motor 9, and the screw positioning lifting plate 12, screw positioning disk 20, screw limiting ring 22, left screw positioning gripping finger 31 and right screw positioning gripping finger 42 are replaced. This allows for the one-time centralized feeding of screws or similar slender rod parts with caps that are distributed on the same plane, have different pitch circle diameters, and are uniformly or unevenly distributed.

[0035] The working principle of the above embodiments is as follows:

[0036] The screw feeder 2 arranges the randomly arranged screws into a regular pattern and transports them to the linear vibrating conveyor 3. The linear vibrating conveyor 3 then transports the screws in an orderly manner to the screw positioning and distributing mechanism 4. Driven by the servo motor 9, the screw positioning and distributing mechanism 4 can drive the screw positioning disk 20 to rotate to any desired set angle to meet the screw feeding requirements at different indexing positions. When the screws on the screw positioning disk 20 reach the set value, the screw positioning lifting plate 12 moves to lift the screw positioning disk to a certain height. The Z-axis of the XZ two-axis motion mechanism 6 descends, driving the screw positioning gripping mechanism 5 to descend to the set position. The pneumatic gripper 39 clamps and drives the left gripper arm 33 and the right gripper arm 40, causing the left screw positioning gripping finger 31 and the right screw positioning gripping finger fixed on the corresponding gripper arms to close, thereby gripping the screws on the screw positioning and distributing mechanism 4. Then, the screws on the Z-axis of the XZ two-axis motion mechanism 6... As the cylinder B34 extends, it drives the screw clamping plate 30 to descend, pressing the screw onto the left screw positioning gripper finger 31 and the right screw positioning gripper finger 42. After the screw is pressed, the X-axis of the XZ two-axis motion mechanism 6 moves horizontally, driving the screw positioning gripping mechanism 5 to the workpiece position on the workpiece positioning platform 7. After the X-axis reaches its position, the Z-axis descends, driving the screw positioning gripping mechanism 5 to descend and simultaneously inserting the screw into the corresponding hole in the workpiece. After descending to its position, the pneumatic gripper 39 opens, driving the left clamping arm 33 and the right clamping arm 40 to open the left screw positioning gripper finger 31 and the right screw positioning gripper finger 42 fixed on the corresponding clamping arms. After the pneumatic gripper opens to its position, the Z-axis rises to its initial position. After the Z-axis rises to its position, the X-axis drives the screw positioning gripping mechanism 5 to move to the screw positioning and material distribution mechanism 4 to wait for the next screw gripping. This completes one screw feeding cycle.

[0037] In summary, in current daily production, screws are primarily fed via pipes, allowing only one screw to be fed at a time. Furthermore, automatic feeding is difficult when screws are large, heavy, and have similar length-to-diameter ratios. This equipment structure not only enables automatic feeding of multiple types of screws arranged in a uniform or non-uniform circular pattern, including larger and heavier screws, improving feeding efficiency and increasing the stability and compatibility of automatic screw feeding; it is also convenient, fast, safe, reliable, and has a wide range of applications, reducing production costs and improving production efficiency.

[0038] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0039] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A screw automatic feeding device, characterized in that: The device main body structure includes a device base (1), a screw feeding machine (2), a linear vibration material channel (3), a screw positioning and distributing mechanism (4), a screw positioning and grabbing mechanism (5), an XZ two-axis movement mechanism (6), and a workpiece positioning and placing table (7). The screw positioning and distributing mechanism (4), the XZ two-axis movement mechanism (6), and the workpiece positioning and placing table (7) are fixed on the device base (1) by screws. The screw feeding machine (2) and the linear vibration material channel (3) are fixed together and then connected to the screw positioning and distributing mechanism (4). The screw positioning and grabbing mechanism (5) is connected to the XZ two-axis movement mechanism (6). The screw positioning and distributing mechanism (4) includes a support column (8). A motor mounting plate (11) is installed on the support column (8). A bearing seat (14) is installed on the motor mounting plate (11). A speed reducer (10) is installed on the bearing seat (14). A servo motor (9) is installed on the speed reducer (10). A rotating shaft (15) is installed on the bearing seat (14). The rotating shaft (15) is connected to the speed reducer (10) through a shaft coupling. A screw positioning disc (20) is installed on the rotating shaft (15). A quick-change locking piece (16) and a position detection screw (17) are installed on the screw positioning disc (20). The function of the screw positioning and distributing mechanism (4) is to arrange the screws output by the linear vibration material channel (3) according to the set size and quantity to the required indexing diameter. A cylinder mounting plate (13) is installed on one side of the motor mounting plate (11). A first cylinder (26) is installed on the cylinder mounting plate (13). A screw positioning and lifting plate (12) is installed on the first cylinder (26). The screw positioning and lifting plate (12) is located below the screw positioning disc (20) and is used to position and lift the screws on the screw positioning disc (20) to a certain height, facilitating the grabbing of the screws by the screw positioning and grabbing mechanism (5). The screw positioning and grabbing mechanism (5) includes a gripper fixed plate (37). An air gripper (39) and a second cylinder (34) are installed on the gripper fixed plate (37). A left clamping arm (33) and a right clamping arm (40) are installed on the air gripper (39). A left screw positioning and grabbing finger (31) is installed on the left clamping arm (33). A left indexing pin (32) is installed on the left clamping arm (33). A right screw positioning and grabbing finger (42) is installed on the right clamping arm (40). A right indexing pin (41) is installed on the right clamping arm (40). A pressure plate mounting plate (28) is installed on the second cylinder (34). Four pairs of symmetrically arranged connecting shafts (29) and sensor detection plates (35) are installed on the pressure plate mounting plate (28). Screw pressure plates (30) are installed on the connecting shafts. By replacing the left screw positioning finger (31) and the right screw positioning finger (42), the centralized feeding of cap-equipped slender rod parts with screws or similar screws distributed on the same plane, different pitch circle diameters, uniform distribution or non-uniform distribution can be achieved.

2. The screw automatic feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The motor mounting plate (11) is symmetrically fixedly connected with two photoelectric fixed supports (18) and four support columns (23), the photoelectric sensor (19) is installed on the photoelectric fixed support (18) and is used for detecting whether there is a screw in the feeding position, the four support columns (23) are symmetrically arranged on the four corners of the motor mounting plate (11), the screw limiting ring (22) is installed on the support column and is used for limiting the screw on the setting diameter pitch circle, and the screw limiting ring (22) can be replaced according to requirements to meet different products.

3. The screw automatic feeding apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first proximity sensor (21) is fixedly connected to the motor mounting plate (11), the first proximity sensor (21) is used for detecting the action of the position detection screw (17) and serving as the origin signal of the screw positioning and distributing mechanism (4), and the sensor fixed support (25) is further installed on the motor mounting plate (11), two second proximity sensors (24) are installed on the sensor fixed support (25) and are used for detecting the action position of the first air cylinder (26).

4. The screw automatic feeding apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The left screw positioning finger (31) and the right screw positioning finger (42) can be quickly disassembled and assembled through the left pitch pin (32) and the right pitch pin (41) respectively.

5. The screw automatic feeding apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: Two third proximity sensors (36) are installed on the gripper fixed plate (37) and are used for second detecting the action position of the second air cylinder (34).

6. The screw automatic feeding apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: Two magnetic switches (38) are installed on the gas claw (39) and are used for detecting the action position of the gas claw (39).

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