A screw removal and installation device and method for narrow gaps

Abstract

This invention discloses a screw removal and installation device and method for narrow gaps, including a door body with a groove inside. A guide rail platform is installed on one side of the door body, and a positioning mechanism is installed on the other side. A flipping mechanism is installed on the guide rail platform, and a screw removal and installation mechanism is installed on the flipping mechanism. The screw removal and installation mechanism is located in the groove. A positioning block is installed on the bottom surface of the groove, and a feeding mechanism is installed on the top surface of the groove. This invention uses a positioning mechanism that allows operation with the equipment back panel as a reference plane, effectively solving the positioning problem caused by the non-parallelism between the wall and the electrical cabinet, and significantly improving the accuracy and efficiency of operation. The feeding mechanism enables automatic feeding, eliminating the need for manual operation and improving the convenience and efficiency of operation. The screwdriver head can tilt within a certain angle, automatically aligning with the screw head, effectively avoiding misalignment errors that could prevent removal or screw damage, thus improving the success rate of operation and the maintainability of the equipment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a screw removal and installation device and method, and more particularly to a screw removal and installation device and method for narrow gaps. Background Technology

[0002] When inspecting electrical cabinets, it is necessary to remove and install screws on the back panel of the cabinet. However, the distance between the cabinet and the wall is small, resulting in limited operating space. Furthermore, the screws are typically located in recesses on the back panel. Multiple recesses are evenly distributed horizontally on the back of the cabinet, and each recess contains multiple screws installed vertically. These factors increase the difficulty of screw removal and reduce maintenance efficiency.

[0003] Automatic screw fastening machines already exist, such as patent CN201611038693.9, which discloses a fully automatic rotary screw fastening machine. However, this device is large in size and occupies a large area, making it unsuitable for operation in confined spaces. Patent CN201820032961.4 discloses an automatic screw fastening machine that can achieve positioning by adjusting a fixed plate, but this machine cannot move horizontally or vertically in narrow gaps. Therefore, existing patents cannot solve the problems of movement of automatic screw fastening machines in narrow gaps or the positioning of threaded holes in such spaces. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Purpose of the invention: The purpose of this invention is to propose a screw assembly and disassembly device and method for narrow gaps, enabling automatic assembly and disassembly of multiple rows and columns of screws and automatic screw feeding within the gap.

[0005] Technical solution: The present invention includes a door body, the door body having a groove, a guide rail platform installed on one side of the door body, a positioning mechanism installed on the other side, a flipping mechanism installed on the guide rail platform, a screw removal and installation mechanism installed on the flipping mechanism, the screw removal and installation mechanism being located inside the groove, a positioning block installed on the bottom surface of the groove, and a feeding mechanism installed on the top surface of the groove.

[0006] The positioning mechanism includes cross-connected links, one end of which is connected to a slider and the other end to a pulley. The pulleys are located at both ends of the groove. Guide grooves are opened on the door body on both sides of the groove, and sliders are slidably connected in the guide grooves. One of the sliders is connected to the second cylinder.

[0007] The screw removal and assembly mechanism includes a cutting head, which is connected to a first motor. A push block is provided below the cutting head, and a discharge box is provided between the screw removal and assembly mechanism and the positioning block.

[0008] The feeding mechanism includes a feeding pipe that passes through the top of the door. The portion of the feeding pipe that extends into the groove is fitted with multiple fixing plates at intervals along its height. Adjacent fixing plates are distributed on both sides of the feeding pipe. Each fixing plate has a baffle on its top, and a spring connects the baffle to the fixing plate.

[0009] The feeding tube is provided with belt drive mechanisms on both sides. The belt drive mechanism includes pulleys spaced apart along the height direction. A belt is connected between the upper and lower pulleys. The other end of the belt is connected to a baffle located on the same side of the feeding tube. Each pulley at the bottom is provided with a lever.

[0010] The fixing plate includes a first fixing plate and a second fixing plate, wherein the first fixing plate is located above the second fixing plate, the top of the first fixing plate is provided with a first baffle, the top of the second fixing plate is provided with a second baffle, a first lever is provided on the pulley connected to the first baffle, and a second lever is provided on the pulley connected to the second baffle.

[0011] The bottom of the door is equipped with a directional wheel and a second motor, and the directional wheel is connected to the second motor.

[0012] A method for disassembling and assembling a screw removal and assembly device for use in narrow gaps includes a screw removal method and a screw installation method.

[0013] The screw removal method includes the following steps:

[0014] Step 1: The flipping mechanism flips upwards, making the cutter head vertically upwards;

[0015] Step 2: Start the second motor. The door slides into the gap between the equipment and the wall. After reaching a certain position, the positioning block is engaged in the corresponding groove of the equipment.

[0016] Step 3: Activate the second cylinder. Driven by the second cylinder, the pulley presses firmly against the wall, thus ensuring that the door remains parallel to the back of the equipment.

[0017] Step 4: The flipping mechanism flips downwards, so that the screw removal and installation mechanism is in a horizontal position;

[0018] Step 5: Using the guide rail platform, adjust the vertical height of the cutter head until it is aligned with the screw to be removed;

[0019] Step 6: The first motor transmits torque to the cutting head to complete the screw removal;

[0020] Step 7: The flipping mechanism flips downwards, and the screw falls into the unloading box under the action of gravity.

[0021] The screw installation method includes the following steps:

[0022] Step 1: Insert the screw into the feed tube;

[0023] Step 2: Flip the flipping mechanism upwards so that the blade head is vertically upwards, start the second motor, and the door slides into the gap between the equipment and the wall. After reaching a certain position, the positioning block is locked into the groove of the equipment back plate.

[0024] Step 3: Activate the second cylinder. Driven by the second cylinder, the pulley presses firmly against the wall, thus ensuring that the door remains parallel to the back of the equipment.

[0025] Step 4: The screw removal and installation mechanism moves upward, the positioning block contacts the second lever, the second lever moves upward, causing the pulley connected to it to rotate clockwise, which in turn drives the belt to pull the second baffle, so that the screw falls from the center hole of the second fixing plate and is attracted to the cutter head;

[0026] Step 5: The screw removal and installation mechanism continues to move upward, the second baffle is reset under the action of the spring, the positioning block contacts the first lever, the first lever moves upward, drives the pulley connected to it to rotate counterclockwise, and then drives the belt to pull the first baffle, so that the screw blocked by the first baffle falls onto the second baffle. At the same time, the screw located above falls down to the first baffle.

[0027] Step 6: The screw removal and installation mechanism moves down, the first baffle returns to its original position under the action of the spring, blocking the screw that fell in Step 5. The screw removal and installation mechanism continues to move down, and the flipping mechanism flips down to make the cutter head in a horizontal position.

[0028] Step 7: Adjust the position of the cutter head until the screw is aligned with the threaded hole, then tighten the screw.

[0029] Beneficial effects: The present invention adopts a positioning mechanism that allows operation with the equipment back panel as a reference plane, effectively solving the positioning problem caused by the non-parallelism between the wall and the electrical cabinet, and significantly improving the accuracy and efficiency of operation; the feeding mechanism achieves automatic feeding without manual operation, improving the convenience and efficiency of operation; the screwdriver head can tilt within a certain angle, which can adaptively align the screw head, effectively avoiding the inability to disassemble or the damage to the screw caused by the misalignment error, improving the success rate of operation and the maintainability of the equipment. Attached Figure Description

[0030] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the positioning mechanism of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the flipping mechanism of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 4 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the screw assembly / disassembly mechanism of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the wedge-shaped positioning block of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the feeding mechanism of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the operation of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0037] The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0038] like Figure 1 As shown, the present invention includes a door body 1, a guide rail platform 2, a flipping mechanism 3, a screw removal and assembly mechanism 4, a positioning mechanism 5, and a feeding mechanism 9. A rectangular groove is provided at the center of the door body 1. The guide rail platform 2 is installed on one side of the rectangular groove. The positioning mechanism 5 is installed on the other side of the door body 1 opposite to the guide rail platform 2. The flipping mechanism 3 is installed on the guide rail platform 2, and the screw removal and assembly mechanism 4 is installed on the flipping mechanism 3. The screw removal and assembly mechanism 4 is located within the rectangular groove. A discharge box 8 is installed within the rectangular groove below the screw removal and assembly mechanism 4. Both ends of the discharge box 8 are fixed to the sidewalls of the rectangular groove by screws. A positioning block 7 is installed on the bottom surface of the rectangular groove, and the feeding mechanism 9 is installed on the top surface. The end of the feeding mechanism 9 extends outward from the outside of the door body 1. A directional wheel 10 is installed at the bottom of the door body 1, and the directional wheel 10 is driven by a second motor 11.

[0039] like Figure 2 As shown, the positioning mechanism 5 includes a cross-hinged connecting rod 502. One end of the connecting rod 502 is hinged to a slider 503, and the other end is fixed to a pulley 505. The two pulleys 505 are located at both ends of the rectangular groove. Guide grooves 504 are opened on the door body 1 on both sides of the rectangular groove. The slider 503 is slidably connected in the guide groove 504. One side of the slider 503 is connected to the second cylinder 501. When the cylinder 501 performs linear reciprocating motion, the pulley 505 at the end of the connecting rod 502 moves under the drive of the cylinder 501, thereby adapting to different gaps.

[0040] like Figure 3 As shown, the screw assembly / disassembly mechanism 4 includes a lead screw linear platform, on which a first motor 401 is mounted. A camera 405 is mounted on the top of the first motor 401. The output shaft of the first motor 401 is connected to a cutter head 404 via a coupling 402. A bearing seat is provided on the side of the cutter head 404 near the coupling 402. A radial joint bearing 403 is provided between the cutter head and the bearing seat. A push block 406 is provided below the cutter head 404.

[0041] like Figure 4As shown, the flipping mechanism 3 includes a fixed plate 304, with a gear 303 mounted on one end of the fixed plate 304. The gear 303 meshes with a rack 302 for transmission, and the rack 302 is connected to a first cylinder 301. The first cylinder 301 drives the gear and rack mechanism to move, thereby causing the fixed plate 304 to rotate. A screw removal and installation mechanism 4 is mounted on the fixed plate 304. The flipping mechanism 3 drives the screw removal and installation mechanism 4 to achieve a 180° flip. When the cutter head 404 is in a horizontal position, the screw removal and installation mechanism 4 is in the working state and can complete the removal and installation of screws. When the flipping mechanism 3 flips upward by 90°, the cutter head 404 is in a vertically upward position, and the screw removal and installation mechanism 4 is in the feeding state. When the flipping mechanism 3 flips downward by 90°, the cutter head 404 is in a vertically downward position, and the screw removal and installation mechanism 4 is in the unloading state.

[0042] like Figure 5 As shown, the positioning block 7 adopts a wedge-shaped positioning block. The front end face of the positioning block 7 is provided with multiple rollers 702, and the rear end face is provided with guide posts 701. It is slidably connected to the door body 1 through the guide posts 701. A spring 703 is sleeved on the guide posts 701.

[0043] like Figure 6 As shown, the feeding mechanism 9 includes a feeding pipe 901 that penetrates the top of the door 1. Multiple fixing plates 903 are spaced apart along the height of the portion of the feeding pipe 901 that extends into the rectangular groove. In this embodiment, two fixing plates 903 are used, including a first fixing plate and a second fixing plate. The two fixing plates 903 are distributed on both sides of the feeding pipe 901, with the first fixing plate located above the second fixing plate and situated on the side wall of the feeding pipe 901. The second fixing plate penetrates the feeding pipe 901. Each fixing plate 903 has a baffle 902 at its top, and a spring 904 connects the baffle 902 to the fixing plate 903. The baffle 902 includes a first baffle and a second baffle. The first baffle is positioned on top of the first fixing plate, and the second baffle is positioned on top of the second fixing plate. The first baffle extends into the feeding pipe 901, while the second baffle penetrates the feeding pipe 901. When the spring 904 is in an unstressed state, the first baffle just abuts against the screw 908 inside the feed tube 901. Mounting plates are installed in the rectangular grooves on both sides of the feed tube 901. Each mounting plate has pulleys 905 spaced apart along its height. A belt 907 connects the upper and lower pulleys 905, and the other end of the belt 907 is connected to the baffle 902 located on the same side of the feed tube 901. A lever 906 is provided on the lowest pulley 905. The lever on the pulley connected to the first baffle is designated as the first lever, and the lever on the pulley connected to the second baffle is designated as the second lever.

[0044] A method for disassembling and assembling a screw removal and installation device for use in narrow gaps includes a screw removal method and a screw installation method, wherein the screw removal method includes the following steps:

[0045] Step 1: The flipping mechanism flips upwards by 90°, so that the cutter head is vertically upwards;

[0046] Step 2: Start the second motor. The door slides along the wall into the gap between the equipment and the wall. After reaching a certain position, the wedge-shaped positioning block is reset under the action of the spring and locks into the groove of the equipment back plate.

[0047] Step 3: Activate the second cylinder. Driven by the second cylinder, the pulley presses firmly against the wall, thus ensuring that the door remains parallel to the back of the equipment.

[0048] Step 4: Flip the flipping mechanism downwards by 90° so that the screw removal and installation mechanism is in a horizontal position;

[0049] Step 5: The operator observes the camera and adjusts the vertical height of the screw removal mechanism's cutting head via the guide rail platform until the cutting head is aligned with the screw to be removed.

[0050] Step 6: The first motor transmits torque to the cutter head through the coupling to complete the screw removal. The coil is energized, and the cutter head attracts the screw.

[0051] Step 7: The flipping mechanism flips down 90°, the cutter head points vertically downward, the coil is de-energized, and the screw falls into the unloading box under the action of gravity.

[0052] The screw installation method includes the following steps:

[0053] Step 1: Remove the screws from the unloading box, head down, and place them into the feeding tube one by one;

[0054] Step 2: Flip the flipping mechanism upwards by 90° so that the blade head is vertically upwards. Start the second motor. The door slides along the wall into the gap between the equipment and the wall. After reaching a certain position, the wedge-shaped positioning block is reset under the action of the spring and is locked into the groove of the equipment back plate.

[0055] Step 3: Activate the second cylinder. Driven by the second cylinder, the pulley presses firmly against the wall, thus ensuring that the door remains parallel to the back of the equipment.

[0056] Step 4: The screw removal and installation mechanism moves upward, the positioning block contacts the second lever, the second lever moves upward, causing the pulley connected to it to rotate clockwise, which in turn drives the belt to pull the second baffle, causing the screw to fall from the center hole of the second fixing plate. The coil is energized, and the cutter head attracts the screw through magnetic force.

[0057] Step 5: The screw removal and installation mechanism continues to move upward, the second baffle is reset under the action of the spring, the positioning block contacts the first lever, the first lever moves upward, drives the pulley connected to it to rotate counterclockwise, and then drives the belt to pull the first baffle, so that the screw blocked by the first baffle falls onto the second baffle. At the same time, the screw located above falls down to the first baffle.

[0058] Step 6: The screw removal and installation mechanism moves down, the first baffle returns to its original position under the action of the spring, blocking the screw that fell in Step 5. The screw removal and installation mechanism continues to move down, and the flipping mechanism flips down 90° to make the cutter head horizontal.

[0059] Step 7: The operator observes the camera and adjusts the position of the cutting head until the screw is aligned with the threaded hole;

[0060] Step 8: Start the motor and tighten the screws.

Claims

1. A screw dismounting device for narrow gaps, characterized in that It includes the door body, guide rail platform, flipping mechanism, screw removal and assembly mechanism, positioning mechanism, feeding mechanism and positioning block; The door body has a groove, a guide rail platform is installed on one side of the door body, a positioning mechanism is installed on the other side, and a directional wheel and a second motor are installed at the bottom of the door body. The directional wheel and the second motor are connected in a transmission connection. The guide rail platform is slidably connected to a flipping mechanism, which includes a fixed plate, a gear, a rack and a first cylinder. The gear is installed at one end of the fixed plate, the rack meshes with the gear, and the rack is connected to the output end of the first cylinder. The first cylinder drives the rack to rotate the gear, thereby causing the fixed plate to flip 180°. The screw removal and installation mechanism is fixed on the fixed plate and includes a first motor, a coupling, a cutter head and a radial spherical bearing. The output shaft of the first motor is connected to the cutter head through the coupling. A radial spherical bearing is provided between the cutter head and the bearing seat. The cutter head can tilt within a certain angle. A camera is installed on the top of the first motor. A push block is provided below the cutter head. A discharge box is provided between the screw removal and installation mechanism and the positioning block. The positioning mechanism includes a cross-hinged connecting rod, a slider, a pulley, and a second cylinder. One end of the connecting rod is hinged to the slider, and the other end is fixed to the pulley. The pulleys are located at both ends of the groove. Guide grooves are provided on the door body on both sides of the groove. The slider is slidably connected in the guide groove. One side of the slider is connected to the second cylinder. The bottom surface of the groove is fixedly installed with a positioning block. The positioning block has a wedge-shaped structure, with multiple rollers on the front end and a guide post on the rear end. The guide post is slidably connected to the door body and a spring is sleeved on the guide post. A feeding mechanism is installed on the top surface of the trough. The feeding mechanism includes a feeding pipe, a first fixed plate, a second fixed plate, a first baffle, a second baffle, a spring, a belt drive mechanism, a first lever, and a second lever. The feeding pipe passes through the top of the gate. The first fixed plate and the second fixed plate are spaced apart along the height of the feeding pipe and are located on both sides of the feeding pipe. The first fixed plate is located above the second fixed plate. The first baffle is located on top of the first fixed plate, and the second baffle is located on top of the second fixed plate. A spring connects the baffle and the fixed plate. Belt drive mechanisms are provided on both sides of the feeding pipe. The belt drive mechanism includes pulleys spaced apart vertically. A belt is connected between the upper and lower pulleys. The other end of the belt is connected to the baffle on the same side. The first lever is located on the pulley connected to the first baffle, and the second lever is located on the pulley connected to the second baffle.

2. A method of disassembling a screw disassembling device for a narrow gap according to claim 1, characterized in that, This includes methods for removing and installing screws.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the screw disassembling device is characterized by, The screw removal method includes the following steps: Step 1: The flipping mechanism flips upwards, making the cutter head vertically upwards; Step 2: Start the second motor. The door slides into the gap between the equipment and the wall. After reaching a certain position, the positioning block is engaged in the corresponding groove of the equipment. Step 3: Activate the second cylinder. Driven by the second cylinder, the pulley presses firmly against the wall, thus ensuring that the door remains parallel to the back of the equipment. Step 4: The flipping mechanism flips downwards, so that the screw removal and installation mechanism is in a horizontal position; Step 5: Using the guide rail platform, adjust the vertical height of the cutter head until it is aligned with the screw to be removed; Step 6: The first motor transmits torque to the cutting head to complete the screw removal; Step 7: The flipping mechanism flips downwards, and the screw falls into the unloading box under the action of gravity.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the screw disassembling device is characterized by, The screw installation method includes the following steps: Step 1: Insert the screw into the feed tube; Step 2: Flip the flipping mechanism upwards so that the blade head is vertically upwards, start the second motor, and the door slides into the gap between the equipment and the wall. After reaching a certain position, the positioning block is locked into the groove of the equipment back plate. Step 3: Activate the second cylinder. Driven by the second cylinder, the pulley presses firmly against the wall, thus ensuring that the door remains parallel to the back of the equipment. Step 4: The screw removal and installation mechanism moves upward to contact the second lever. The second lever moves upward, causing the pulley connected to it to rotate clockwise, which in turn drives the belt to pull the second baffle, causing the screw to fall from the center hole of the second fixing plate and be attracted to the cutter head. Step 5: The screw removal and installation mechanism continues to move upward to contact the first lever. The second baffle is reset under the action of the spring. The first lever moves upward, causing the pulley connected to it to rotate counterclockwise, which in turn drives the belt to pull the first baffle, so that the screw blocked by the first baffle falls onto the second baffle. At the same time, the screw located above falls down to the first baffle. Step 6: The screw removal and installation mechanism moves down, the first baffle returns to its original position under the action of the spring, blocking the screw that fell in Step 5. The screw removal and installation mechanism continues to move down, and the flipping mechanism flips down to make the cutter head in a horizontal position. Step 7: Adjust the position of the cutter head until the screw is aligned with the threaded hole, then tighten the screw.

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