A pneumatic single hook automatic return device for parts slides

Abstract

This invention relates to an automatic pneumatic single-hook return device for parts slides, characterized in that: the upper and lower slides are respectively installed on the main frame; one side of the lowering device is fixed to the upper slide, and the other side is fixed to the lower slide; a cylinder ② is installed on the main frame; one end of the swing arm of the lifting device is equipped with a guide rail, and the other end is equipped with a roller; the middle of the swing arm is connected to a connecting plate by a shaft; the cylinder ① lifts and lowers, driving the swing arm to move up and down; an upper guide mechanism and a lower guide mechanism are respectively installed on the upper and lower back plates, with a gap between them; the roller slides between the upper and lower guide mechanisms; the guide rail on the swing arm flips upward to carry the hook upward and transfer it to the upper track. It solves the problems of wasted work and high labor intensity, extends the conveying distance, and achieves seamless long-distance connection between upper and lower layers; it is suitable for automatic transport between any double-layer slides; it greatly saves costs and reduces labor intensity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an automatic return device for a pneumatic single hook between parts slides, used in the field of automatic parts transfer between two locations. Background Technology

[0002] In the welding workshop of a vehicle manufacturing plant, the finished side wheel arches (section 3) need to be transferred to the main side panel assembly line via slide rails for installation. During this process, the operator needs to remove the empty hook from the lower slide rail and hook it onto the upper slide rail. Then, the component is installed onto the empty hook, and the operator manually pushes the component downwards, causing the hook to slide the component to the next workstation. Because the distance between the upper and lower tracks is wide—the upper slide rail is 185cm above the ground, and the lower slide rail is 95cm above the ground, a height difference of 90cm—the operator must manually remove the empty hook from the lower slide rail, lift it 90cm, and hook it onto the upper slide rail. Assuming a daily production of 1000 vehicles, the operator needs to manually lift the hook 1000 times, significantly increasing the operator's workload and increasing the risk of occupational diseases such as frozen shoulder. Furthermore, this process involves wasted movement and additional time.

[0003] To address the problem caused by the lack of a direct connection mechanism between the upper and lower slide rails, some existing methods for connecting the two tracks exist both domestically and internationally. One method involves installing gears at the front ends of the upper and lower slide rails, driven by a motor. The rotation of these gears then moves a hook on a chain automatically. However, this design is space-consuming, complex, has high investment costs, consumes a lot of energy, and requires a power supply at the production site, presenting certain drawbacks. The main problems are as follows:

[0004] (1) Low operating efficiency. Manually returning the hook wastes 3 seconds per unit. With a fast production rhythm of 60 seconds, 3 seconds already has a significant impact on production efficiency.

[0005] (2) Significant safety hazards. The component hook weighs 5KG and the workpiece weighs 17KG. With a cycle time of 60 seconds, the daily output is 460 units, which is a very heavy workload. Workers are prone to occupational diseases and there is also an Aa-level safety hazard of workpiece falling and injuring them. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a pneumatic single-hook automatic return device between component slides. In situations where a power source cannot be installed, it employs a pneumatic structure, using a lever principle and pneumatic linkage to automatically return the component hook between the upper and lower slides, improving workability. It occupies little space, has a simple design, low investment cost, low energy consumption, and a purely pneumatic mechanical structure, enabling seamless connection between two tracks in confined spaces to achieve automatic hook return. Simultaneously, it reduces the labor intensity of workers, completely eliminates occupational diseases, and promotes leaner production. This mechanism enables automatic return of empty hooks, eliminating the need for manual return and resolving the aforementioned problems.

[0007] The technical solution of this invention is implemented as follows: A pneumatic single-hook automatic return device between component slides, comprising an upper slide, an upper slide stop mechanism, a hook, limit switch A, a lifting device, a lower slide stop mechanism, a lower slide, limit switch B, and a main frame; characterized in that: the upper slide and the lower slide are respectively installed on the upper and lower parts of the main frame; the lifting device is fixed to the main frame by a bracket; one side of the lifting device is fixed to the upper slide, and the other side is fixed to the lower slide; an upper slide stop mechanism is fixed at the end of the upper slide, and a stop mechanism in the lower slide is fixed at the end of the lower slide; the hook is sleeved on the upper and lower slides; a cylinder ② is installed on the main frame to block and release the hook sliding down from the upper slide. The lifting device consists of a swing arm, guide rail, and rollers. One end of the swing arm is fitted with a guide rail, and the other end with a roller. The swing arm is connected to a connecting plate by a shaft in the middle. Cylinder ① lifts and lowers the swing arm, causing it to move up and down. A stop block is connected to the connecting plate, and a limit switch A is installed next to the stop block. Limit switch B is installed at the rear end of the upper slide rail. An upper guide mechanism and a lower guide mechanism are installed on the upper and lower back plates, respectively, with a gap between them. The rollers slide up and down between the upper and lower guide mechanisms. When the rollers extend into the gap between the upper and lower guide mechanisms, the guide rail on the swing arm flips upwards. The guide rail carries the hook and moves upwards to the upper track. When the guide rail connects with the lower track, it receives the hook from the lower track.

[0008] The lifting device is equipped with a cylinder fixing back plate, an upper back plate, and a lower back plate. The cylinder fixing back plate, the upper back plate, and the lower back plate are respectively connected to the bracket.

[0009] The stop mechanism in the lower slide is installed on the main frame; limit switch A is installed in front of the stop mechanism to control the descent of the lifting device.

[0010] In the lifting device, cylinder ① is a rodless cylinder installed on the lower back plate, and two safety stops are fixed on the cylinder fixing back plate.

[0011] The gap between the upper guide mechanism and the lower guide mechanism is 5cm, which is greater than the diameter of the roller.

[0012] The upper and lower slides are spaced 1.5 meters apart, and are arranged in a balanced manner with an angle greater than 15 degrees to the ground.

[0013] The guide rail, after docking with the upper and lower slide rails, forms a single plane with an angle of 15 degrees to the ground.

[0014] The positive effects of this invention are that it utilizes the lever principle to create a mechanical swing arm for pneumatic lifting. Upon encountering a stop, the swing arm flips upward, connecting to the upper slide rail and increasing the lifting height. By incorporating limit sensors, it achieves controllable sliding of parts, preventing collisions and solving the problems of wasted work and high labor intensity. It extends the conveying distance, enabling seamless long-distance connection between upper and lower layers; it is suitable for automatic transport between any double-layer slide rails; and it achieves automatic return hooking, significantly saving costs and reducing labor intensity. It is applicable to, but not limited to, automotive manufacturing production sites for the conveying of large parts, whether it's the conveying of large parts between workstations in welding workshops, or in painting, final assembly, and parts manufacturers, and can even be widely applied in other industries with similar needs. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall slide conveyor structure of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the lifting device structure of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a side view of the flipping mechanism of the present invention when it begins to rise.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a front view of the flipping mechanism of the present invention when it begins to rise.

[0019] Figure 5 This is an isometric side view of the tilting mechanism of the present invention when it begins to rise.

[0020] Figure 6 This is a side view of the tilting mechanism of the present invention when the swing arm begins to tilt.

[0021] Figure 7 This is a front view of the tilting mechanism of the present invention when the swing arm begins to tilt.

[0022] Figure 8 This is an isometric side view of the tilting mechanism of the present invention when the tilting arm begins to tilt.

[0023] Figure 9 This is a side view of the tilting mechanism of the present invention during the tilting process of the swing arm.

[0024] Figure 10 This is a front view schematic diagram of the tilting mechanism of the present invention during the tilting process of the swing arm.

[0025] Figure 11 This is an isometric side view of the tilting mechanism of the present invention during the tilting process of the swing arm.

[0026] Figure 12 This is a side view of the tilting mechanism of the present invention after the swing arm has completed its tilting.

[0027] Figure 13 This is a front view schematic diagram of the flipping mechanism of the present invention after the swing arm has completed its flipping.

[0028] Figure 14 This is an isometric side view of the tilting mechanism of the present invention after the tilting arm has completed its tilting.

[0029] Figure 15 This is a side view of the flipping mechanism of the present invention when it has risen to the correct position.

[0030] Figure 16 This is a frontal view of the flipping mechanism of the present invention when it has risen to the correct position.

[0031] Figure 17 This is an isometric side view of the flipping mechanism of the present invention when it has risen to the correct position.

[0032] Figure 18 This is a diagram showing the state after the guide rail of the present invention has risen and is docked with the upper guide rail.

[0033] Figure 19 This is the overall working mechanism of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 20 This is the gas path diagram of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments: Figure 1-20As shown, a pneumatic single-hook automatic return device for parts slides comprises an upper slide 01, an upper slide stop mechanism 02, a hook 03, a limit switch A04, a lifting device 05, a lower slide stop mechanism 06, a lower slide 07, a limit switch B08, and a main frame 09; characterized in that: the upper slide 01 and the lower slide 07 are respectively installed on the upper and lower parts of the main frame 09, the lifting device 05 is fixed to the main frame 09 by a bracket 0501, and one side of the lifting device 05 is fixed to the upper slide. On the upper slide 01, the other side is fixed to the lower slide 07. An upper slide stop mechanism 02 is fixed at the end of the upper slide 01, and a lower slide stop mechanism 06 is fixed at the end of the lower slide 07. A hook 03 is fitted onto the upper slide 01 and the lower slide 07. A cylinder ② is mounted on the main frame 09 to block and release the hook sliding down from the upper slide 01. The lifting device 05 consists of a swing arm 0505, a guide rail 0506, and rollers 0510. One end of the swing arm 0505 is fitted with the guide rail 0506. Roller 0510 is installed at the other end of 0505. The middle of the swing arm 0505 is connected to the connecting plate 0507 by the shaft 0509. The connecting plate 0507 is installed on the slider of the cylinder ①. The cylinder ① lifts and lowers the swing arm 0505 to move it up and down. The stop block 0508 is connected to the connecting plate 0507. Limit switch A04 is installed next to the stop block 0508. Limit switch B08 is installed at the rear end of the upper slide rail 1. The upper guide mechanism 0503 and the lower guide mechanism 0504 are respectively installed on the upper back plate 0512 and the lower back plate 0504. On 513, a gap exists between the upper guide mechanism 0503 and the lower guide mechanism 0504. The roller 0510 slides up and down between these two mechanisms. When the roller 0510 extends into the gap between the upper and lower guide mechanisms 0504, the guide rail 0506 on the swing arm 0505 flips upwards. The guide rail 0506 carries the hook and moves upwards to the upper track 07. When the guide rail 0506 docks with the lower track 01, it receives the hook from the lower track 01. For example... Figure 2 As shown.

[0036] The lifting device 05 is equipped with a cylinder fixing back plate 0511, an upper back plate 0512, and a lower back plate 0513. The cylinder fixing back plate 0511, the upper back plate 0512, and the lower back plate 0513 are respectively connected to the bracket 0501.

[0037] The stop mechanism 06 in the lower slide is installed on the main frame 09; the limit switch A04 is installed in front of the stop mechanism 06 to control the descent of the lifting device.

[0038] In the lifting device 05, the cylinder ① is a rodless cylinder installed on the lower back plate 0513, and two brackets of the safety stop 0502 are fixed on the cylinder fixing back plate 0511.

[0039] The gap between the upper guide mechanism 0503 and the lower guide mechanism 0504 is 5cm, which is greater than the diameter of the roller.

[0040] The upper slide 01 and the lower slide 07 are spaced 1.5 meters apart, and the two slides are arranged in a balanced manner with an inclination angle greater than 15 degrees to the ground.

[0041] The guide rail, after docking with the upper and lower slide rails, forms a single plane with an angle of 15 degrees to the ground.

[0042] When the upper slide 01 hangs the finished workpiece on the hook and touches the upper limit switch A04, the stop block 0508 opens, and the hook 03 drives the workpiece to slide to the next station. At the same time, the empty hook returns from the lower slide 07 to the upper slide 01 through the guide rail 0506 of the lifting device 05. In order for the workpiece to slide down without power by its own weight, the double slide has a certain tilt angle. The specific angle is set according to the sliding distance, usually greater than 15 degrees.

[0043] like Figure 20 As shown, cylinder ① in the air circuit of lifting device 05 is a rodless cylinder. When cylinder ① extends and retracts, it does not occupy extra space, saving space. Cylinder ① is fixed to the hook lifting device 05, and a guide rail 0506 is installed on the slider of cylinder ①, which can support a single hook. Cylinder ② is installed at the extension point of the upper slide rail 1 at its upper end and at the extension point of the lower slide rail 7 at its lower end. This ensures that when cylinder ② rises and falls, the single hook supported by the guide rail 0506 on cylinder ② can fully align with the upper and lower slide rails. Limit switch A04 is installed at the front end of the upper slide rail 1, fixed to the main frame 09, and the hook can touch the contact arm of limit switch A04 when sliding. Lower limit switch B08 is installed at the rear end of the upper slide rail 1, fixed to the main frame 09, and the hook can touch the contact arm of limit switch B08 when sliding.

[0044] Example 1

[0045] During operation, a full hook carrying a workpiece waits to slide down the upper slide rail 01, while an empty hook suspends itself on the lower slide rail 07. Multiple empty hooks can be set up according to inventory requirements. At the start of operation, the finished workpiece is hung on the hook. The hook carrying the workpiece (hereinafter referred to as the full hook) slides down to the left under its own weight to the next workstation. Simultaneously, the empty hook slides into the guide rails 0506 of the lifting device 05, enters the lifting device 05, and, through rising and flipping, docks with the upper slide rail 01, thus automatically returning from the lower slide rail 07 to the upper slide rail 01. Figure 12-14 As shown.

[0046] like Figure 3-5As shown, the operator uses a lifting device to lift the finished workpiece and hang it on the hook 03 of the upper slide rail 01. After pressing the start button, the control cylinder ① opens, and the upper slide rail stop mechanism 02 opens. At this time, the roller 0510 of the lifting device 05 slides downward from the upper guide mechanism 0503. When it touches the limit switch A04 during the downward movement, the guide rail 0506 on the swing arm 0505 connects with the lower slide rail 07. Then, the hook 03 on the side of the lower slide rail 07 slides down to the guide rail 05 that it connects with under the action of gravity. In step 06, the guide rail 0506 is at the lowest point of the lifting device 05. After the hook touches the limit switch A04, it sends a signal to the cylinder ②. The cylinder ② retracts, and the roller 0510 continues to slide along the guide mechanism. When the roller 0510 extends into the gap between the upper guide mechanism 0503 and the lower guide mechanism 0504, the guide rail 0506 on the swing arm 0505 rises and flips. The guide rail 0506, carrying the hook 03, automatically connects with the upper slide rail 01 and transfers the hook 03 to the upper track 01.

[0047] During the ascent of hook 03, the roller 0510 on lifting device 05 slides along the upper guide mechanism 0503 to its uppermost position, as... Figure 6 As shown. At this time, cylinder ① continues to retract, and the lifting device 05 swing arm begins to rotate upward, as... Figure 7 As shown, when rotated upwards by approximately 160°, the swing arm 0505 will continue to slide upwards along the lower guide mechanism 0504, as... Figure 8 As shown. When cylinder ① retracts to the upper limit device, the slider of cylinder ① drives the guide rail 0506 on the slider to align with the upper slide rail 01, as shown. Figure 9 As shown, the empty hook of guide rail 0506 slides downwards automatically due to its own weight.

[0048] When cylinder ① retracts to its position, the empty hook automatically slides and engages with the upper slide rail 01. At this time, the empty hook touches the limit switch B08 on the upper slide rail. The limit switch B08 on the rear side of the upper slide rail 01 activates a signal to control cylinder ① to extend. Cylinder ① drives guide rail 0506 to slide downwards until it reaches the lower limit, simultaneously touching the stop mechanism 06 of the lower slide rail. Guide rail 0506 on cylinder ① automatically engages with the lower slide rail 07 and touches the device on the lower slide rail that restricts the sliding of the empty hook. The empty hook, relying on its own gravity, breaks free from the limit and slides forward onto guide rail 0506. The limit device extends and stops the hook. At this time, the empty hook completes its automatic sliding into the bottom of the lifting device 05. Figure 15 , Figure 16 , Figure 17 You can see the flipping mechanism in its raised position.

[0049] After the above three stages, one automatic hook return operation cycle is completed.

Claims

1. A pneumatic single-hook automatic return device for parts slides, comprising an upper slide, an upper slide stop mechanism, a hook, a limit switch A, a lifting device, a lower slide stop mechanism, a lower slide, a limit switch B, and a main frame; characterized in that: The upper and lower slides are installed on the upper and lower parts of the main frame, respectively. The lifting device is fixed to the main frame by a bracket. One side of the lifting device is fixed to the upper slide, and the other side is fixed to the lower slide. An upper slide stop mechanism is fixed at the end of the upper slide, and a lower slide stop mechanism is fixed at the end of the lower slide. Hooks are fitted onto the upper and lower slides. Cylinder ② is installed on the main frame to block and release the hooks sliding down from the upper slide. The lifting device consists of a swing arm, a guide rail, and rollers. One end of the swing arm is equipped with a guide rail, and the other end is equipped with rollers. The middle of the swing arm is connected by a shaft. On the connecting plate, cylinder ① lifts and lowers, driving the swing arm to move up and down. The stop block connects to the connecting plate. Limit switch A is installed next to the stop block, and limit switch B is installed at the rear end of the upper slide rail. The upper guide mechanism and the lower guide mechanism are respectively installed on the upper back plate and the lower back plate. There is a gap between the upper guide mechanism and the lower guide mechanism. The roller slides up and down between the upper guide mechanism and the lower guide mechanism. When the roller extends into the gap between the upper guide mechanism and the lower guide mechanism, the guide rail on the swing arm flips upward. The guide rail carries the hook and moves upward to transfer it to the upper track. When the guide rail docks with the lower track, it receives the hook on the lower track.

2. The pneumatic single hook automatic return device between parts slides according to claim 1, characterized in that... The lifting device is equipped with a cylinder fixing back plate, an upper back plate, and a lower back plate. The cylinder fixing back plate, the upper back plate, and the lower back plate are respectively connected to the bracket.

3. The pneumatic single hook automatic return device between parts slides according to claim 1, characterized in that... The stop mechanism in the lower slide is installed on the main frame; limit switch A is installed in front of the stop mechanism to control the descent of the lifting device.

4. The pneumatic single hook automatic return device between parts slides according to claim 1, characterized in that... In the lifting device, cylinder ① is a rodless cylinder installed on the lower back plate, and two safety stops are fixed on the cylinder fixing back plate.

5. The pneumatic single hook automatic return device between parts slides according to claim 1, characterized in that... The gap between the upper guide mechanism and the lower guide mechanism is 5cm, which is greater than the diameter of the roller.

6. The pneumatic single hook automatic return device between parts slides according to claim 1, characterized in that... The upper and lower slides are spaced 1.5 meters apart, and are arranged in a balanced manner with an angle greater than 15 degrees to the ground.

7. The pneumatic single hook automatic return device between parts slides according to claim 1, characterized in that... The guide rail, after docking with the upper and lower slide rails, forms a single plane with an angle of 15 degrees to the ground.

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