Optical fiber adapter tube sleeve feeding platform

Abstract

The present invention discloses a feeding platform for optical fiber adapter sleeves, wherein a receiving tray is provided with a plurality of accommodating cavities, and a through hole is provided at the bottom of the accommodating cavities; a lifting member is provided with a lifting head and a lifting rod, the lifting head is located above the through hole, and the lifting rod extends downward from the through hole; the transverse through groove and the longitudinal through groove of the support frame together form a connected channel; the lower end of the lifting rod extends into the channel; a ball rolling device includes a ball, a ball holder, a support rod, and a ball to drive the device, the ball rolling drive device drives the support rod to move the ball in the channel; the feeding drive device drives the support frame to move. Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following major outstanding improvements: the lifting member is placed in the accommodating cavity to support the cushioning material, and the lifting rod extends downward from the through hole. When the ball of the ball rolling device moves along the channel, the optical fiber adapter sleeves can be lifted one by one without the need for a material picking robot to descend to pick up the material and then ascend, effectively streamlining the movement of the material picking robot and improving processing efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of optical fiber adapter preparation, in particular to an optical fiber adapter sleeve feeding platform. Background Art

[0002] Fiber optic adapters (fiber ferrules) primarily consist of a metal sleeve, a ceramic sleeve, and an optical fiber. The optical fiber is inserted into the ceramic sleeve, which in turn is inserted into the metal sleeve. Automated manufacturing of fiber optic adapters typically requires the coordinated loading of various components. Existing technology uses a sleeve feeder that only serves a simple load-bearing function and cannot eject sleeves individually. At best, it can only alternate between two receiving trays. Each time a ferrule is removed, the robot must translate horizontally to a designated position, descend to retrieve the material, then ascend and translate horizontally to remove it. This complex and inefficient process results from numerous movements. For example, Chinese patent publication CN 110712936 A discloses a synchronous alternating loading mechanism, which comprises: a conveying channel including a conveying base plate and left and right guide uprights fixedly connected to the conveying base plate; a top loading plate and a bottom loading plate disposed in the conveying channel; and a drive assembly connected to the top loading plate and the bottom loading plate. The conveying channel includes a transfer station and a material preparation station sequentially disposed along its extension direction. The drive assembly synchronously drives the top loading plate and the bottom loading plate to move in an interlaced manner toward each other. A single drive can achieve synchronous, interlaced transmission of two loading trays, thereby preventing the two loading trays from being out of sync. This not only saves equipment costs by eliminating the need for a drive, but also improves loading efficiency by reducing downtime. However, this technology still cannot streamline operational operations, and work efficiency can be further improved.

[0003] Therefore, in order to solve the problems existing in the prior art, it is urgent to provide a fiber optic adapter sleeve feeding platform technology that can push out the sleeves one by one. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to avoid the deficiencies in the prior art and to provide a fiber optic adapter sleeve feeding platform capable of ejecting the sleeves one by one.

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0006] Provided is a fiber optic adapter sleeve feeding platform, comprising a receiving tray, a support frame, a material ejecting member, a ball rolling device and a feeding drive device.

[0007] The receiving tray is installed on the supporting frame, and the receiving tray is provided with a plurality of accommodating cavities, and the bottom of the accommodating cavities is provided with through holes;

[0008] The ejector is provided with an ejector head and an ejector rod, the ejector head is located above the through hole, and the ejector rod extends downwardly out of the through hole;

[0009] The support frame is provided with an arched hollow portion, which is composed of a plurality of transverse through slots and longitudinal through slots. Two adjacent transverse through slots are connected by the longitudinal through slot, and the transverse through slots and the longitudinal through slots together form a connected channel; the lower end of the top rod extends to the channel;

[0010] The ball rolling device includes a ball, a ball holder, a support rod and a ball rolling drive device. The ball is placed on the ball holder with the top extending into the bow-shaped hollow portion. The ball holder is set on the support rod. The ball rolling drive device drives the support rod to move so that the ball moves in the channel.

[0011] The feeding drive device drives the supporting frame to move.

[0012] Preferably, the ball holder is configured to be bowl-shaped, with an inner diameter greater than an outer diameter of the sphere, and the top of the sphere is higher than the ball holder.

[0013] Preferably, the ball driving device is an electric screw, and the lower end of the support rod is fixedly connected to the screw nut of the electric screw.

[0014] Preferably, the support frame is provided with a bracket, the bracket is mounted on the support seat, the ball driving device is mounted on the support seat, the support seat is mounted on the workbench through a guide rail, and the feeding driving device drives the support seat to move translationally along the guide rail.

[0015] Preferably, the feeding drive device is an electric screw, an electric push rod, or is composed of a motor, a synchronous wheel and a synchronous belt.

[0016] Preferably, the receiving tray, the supporting frame, the lifting member, the supporting seat, the rolling ball device and the feeding drive device together constitute a group of feeding units, the number of feeding units is set to two groups, and the two groups of feeding units feed alternately.

[0017] Preferably, the plurality of accommodating cavities are distributed in a matrix, and each row of accommodating cavities is located above the same transverse through groove.

[0018] Preferably, the plurality of transverse through grooves are parallel to each other, the longitudinal through grooves are perpendicular to the transverse through grooves, and the plurality of transverse through grooves and the plurality of longitudinal through grooves form a channel in a single direction.

[0019] Preferably, the movement direction of the ball rolling device is perpendicular to the feeding direction of the feeding drive device.

[0020] Preferably, the lower end of the push rod is configured to be hemispherical.

[0021] Beneficial effects of the present invention:

[0022] The fiber optic adapter sleeve feeding platform of the present invention includes a receiving tray, a support frame, a feeding member, a rolling ball device and a feeding drive device. The receiving tray is installed on the support frame, and the receiving tray is provided with a plurality of accommodating cavities, and the bottom of the accommodating cavity is provided with a through hole; the feeding member is provided with a feeding head and a pushing rod, the feeding head is located above the through hole, and the pushing rod extends downward from the through hole; the supporting frame is provided with an arched hollow portion, and the arched hollow portion is composed of a plurality of transverse through grooves and longitudinal through grooves, and two adjacent transverse through grooves are connected by the longitudinal through groove, and the transverse through grooves and the longitudinal through grooves together form a connected channel; the lower end of the pushing rod extends to the channel; the rolling ball device includes a sphere, a ball holder, a support rod and a rolling ball drive device, the sphere is placed on the ball holder and the top extends into the arched hollow portion, the ball holder is provided on the support rod, and the rolling ball drive device drives the support rod to move so that the sphere moves in the channel; the feeding drive device drives the supporting frame to move. Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following major outstanding improvements:

[0023] (1) The ejector is placed in the accommodating cavity to support the material, and the ejector rod extends downward from the through hole. When the ball of the rolling ball device moves along the channel, the optical fiber adapter sleeves can be lifted one by one without the need for the material-retrieving robot to descend to retrieve the material and then rise again, which effectively simplifies the movement of the material-retrieving robot and improves processing efficiency.

[0024] (2) The bow-shaped hollow portion is composed of a plurality of transverse grooves and longitudinal grooves, which together form a connected channel. The ball can move from the first transverse groove through the longitudinal groove and roll smoothly to the second transverse groove in the bow-shaped hollow portion. At the same time, the channel can also limit the movement direction of the ball to prevent the ball from swinging left and right. The entire structure is cleverly designed and operates simply and smoothly.

[0025] (3) The rolling ball device has a simple structure and works in conjunction with the top material piece. It can use the simplest structure to complete complex work. Among them, the rolling form of the ball has low friction, saves labor and extends the service life of the equipment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The present invention is further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the contents in the drawings do not constitute any limitation to the present invention.

[0027] Figure 1 It is an overall schematic diagram of an embodiment of a key feeding station of an optical fiber adapter of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of a support frame of an embodiment of a key feeding platform for optical fiber adapters of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of a sphere and a ball holder of an embodiment of a key feeding platform of an optical fiber adapter of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 4It is a schematic diagram of a support frame of an embodiment of a key feeding platform for optical fiber adapters of the present invention.

[0031] exist Figures 1 to 4 These include:

[0032] 1 receiving tray: 1-1 accommodating cavity;

[0033] 2 Support frame: 2-1 arched hollow portion, 2-2 transverse through groove, 2-3 longitudinal through groove;

[0034] 3 ejector parts: 3-1 ejector head, 3-2 ejector rod;

[0035] 4-ball device: 4-1 ball, 4-2 ball holder, 4-3 support rod, 4-4 electric screw, 4-5 screw nut;

[0036] 5. Feeding drive device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The present invention will be further described with reference to the following examples. Example 1

[0038] See also Figures 1 to 4 The fiber optic adapter sleeve feeding station of this embodiment includes a receiving tray 1, a support frame 2, a feed member 3, a ball roller 4, and a feed drive 5. The feed drive 5 drives the support frame 2. The feed drive 5 may be a motorized lead screw 4-4, an electric push rod, or a motor, a synchronous pulley, and a synchronous belt.

[0039] In this embodiment, the receiving tray 1 is mounted on the support frame 2. The receiving tray 1 is provided with a plurality of accommodating cavities 1-1, and the bottom of the accommodating cavities 1-1 is provided with a through hole. Correspondingly, the support frame 2 is provided with an arched hollow portion 2-1, which is composed of a plurality of transverse through grooves 2-2 and a longitudinal through groove 2-3. Two adjacent transverse through grooves 2-2 are connected by the longitudinal through groove 2-3, and the transverse through grooves 2-2 and the longitudinal through grooves 2-3 together form a connected channel; the plurality of accommodating cavities 1-1 are distributed in a matrix, and each row of accommodating cavities 1-1 is located above the same transverse through groove 2-2. The plurality of transverse through grooves 2-2 are parallel to each other, and the longitudinal through grooves 2-3 are perpendicular to the transverse through grooves 2-2. The plurality of transverse through grooves 2-2 and the plurality of longitudinal through grooves 2-3 form a single-directional channel.

[0040] To eject the sleeves one by one, the ejector 3 in this embodiment is provided with an ejector head 3-1 and an ejector rod 3-2. The ejector head 3-1 is located above the through hole, and the ejector rod 3-2 extends downward from the through hole. The lower end of the ejector rod 3-2 is configured as a hemispherical shape. The lower end of the ejector rod 3-2 extends into the channel so that it can be pushed upward by the ball device 4.

[0041] The ball rolling device 4 includes a ball 4-1, a ball holder 4-2, a support rod 4-3 and a ball rolling drive device. The ball 4-1 is placed on the ball holder 4-2 and the top extends into the bow-shaped hollow portion 2-1. The ball holder 4-2 is set on the support rod 4-3. The ball rolling drive device drives the support rod 4-3 to move so that the ball 4-1 moves in the channel; the ball rolling drive device is an electric screw 4-4, and the lower end of the support rod 4-3 is fixed to the screw nut 4-5 of the electric screw 4-4. The movement direction of the ball rolling device 4 is perpendicular to the feeding direction of the feeding drive device.

[0042] The working process of the fiber optic adapter sleeve feeding station of the present invention is as follows:

[0043] Multiple pipe sleeves have been placed in the accommodating cavities 1-1, and the material-retrieving robot (a device working in conjunction with the present invention) is located in the initial position. The ball 4-1 of the rolling ball device 4 is located at one end of the first row of horizontal grooves 2-2 to lift the first pipe sleeve. When the pipe sleeve rises and leaves the accommodating cavity 1-1 and enters the clamping claws of the material-retrieving robot, the clamping claws of the material-retrieving robot clamp the lifted pipe sleeve and move it to the designated position to unload. The material-retrieving robot then moves to above the second pipe sleeve above the receiving plate 1, and the ball 4-1 of the rolling ball device 4 moves toward the second pipe sleeve and lifts the second pipe sleeve through the lifting member 3. The material-retrieving robot clamps the pipe sleeve and moves to unload. This operation is carried out until all the sleeves in the first row are taken out. At this time, the ball 4-1 is located at the intersection of the horizontal groove 2-2 and the longitudinal groove 2-3. When the feeding drive device drives the support frame 2 and the receiving plate 1 to advance a certain distance in the feeding direction, the ball 4-1 falls into the intersection of the longitudinal groove 2-3 and the second row of horizontal grooves 2-2. At the same time, the material-retrieving robot has moved to the sleeve position corresponding to the ball 4-1 to clamp the sleeve. The ball driving device drives the ball 4-1 to move to the other end of the horizontal groove 2-2, and the material-retrieving robot cooperates to work. In this way, the feeding is completed. Example 2

[0044] In this embodiment, the support frame 2 is equipped with a bracket mounted on a support base, a ball-rolling drive device mounted on the support base, and the support base is mounted on a workbench via guide rails. The feed drive device drives the support base to translate along the guide rails. The receiving tray 1, support frame 2, ejector 3, support base, ball-rolling device 4, and feed drive device 5 together form a set of feeding units. The number of feeding units is set to two, and the two sets of feeding units alternately feed the materials. The alternating action of the two feeding units eliminates the time it takes to wait for the receiving tray 1 to be loaded into the pipe sleeve, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0045] The main technical solutions of this embodiment are basically the same as those of embodiment 1. For features not explained in this embodiment, the explanations in embodiment 1 are adopted and will not be repeated here. Example 3

[0046] The ball holder 4-2 of this embodiment is configured to be bowl-shaped and has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the sphere 4-1. The top of the sphere 4-1 is higher than the ball holder 4-2. This configuration allows the sphere 4-1 to rotate at any angle, allowing the sphere 4-1 to move smoothly from one transverse slot 2-2 through the longitudinal slot 2-3 to another transverse slot 2-2.

[0047] The main technical solution of this embodiment is basically the same as that of Example 1 or Example 2. The features not explained in this embodiment are explained in Example 1 or Example 2 and will not be repeated here.

[0048] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are intended only to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the claims. A person skilled in the art will understand that, with reference to the preferred embodiments, modifications or equivalent substitutions to the technical solutions of the present invention may be made, provided that the modifications remain substantially the same and within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fiber optic adapter sleeve feeding station, characterized by: It includes a receiving tray, a supporting frame, a material ejecting member, a ball rolling device and a feeding drive device. The receiving tray is mounted on the supporting frame, and is provided with a plurality of accommodating cavities. The bottom of the accommodating cavities is provided with through holes. The plurality of accommodating cavities are distributed in a matrix, and each row of accommodating cavities is located above the same transverse through slot; The ejector member is provided with an ejector head and an ejector rod, wherein the ejector head is located above the through hole, and the ejector rod extends downwardly out of the through hole; The support frame is provided with an arched hollow portion, which is composed of a plurality of transverse through grooves and a longitudinal through groove. Two adjacent transverse through grooves are connected through the longitudinal through groove, and the transverse through grooves and the longitudinal through grooves together form a connected channel; the lower end of the top rod extends to the channel; the plurality of transverse through grooves are parallel to each other, and the longitudinal through grooves are perpendicular to the transverse through grooves, and the plurality of transverse through grooves and the plurality of longitudinal through grooves form a channel in a single direction. The ball rolling device includes a ball, a ball holder, a support rod and a ball rolling drive device. The ball is placed on the ball holder with the top extending into the bow-shaped hollow portion. The ball holder is set on the support rod. The ball rolling drive device drives the support rod to move so that the ball moves in the channel. The feeding drive device drives the supporting frame to move.

2. The optical fiber adapter sleeve feeding station according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ball holder is configured to be bowl-shaped, and its inner diameter is larger than the outer diameter of the sphere, and the top of the sphere is higher than the ball holder.

3. The optical fiber adapter sleeve feeding station according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ball driving device is an electric screw, and the lower end of the support rod is fixedly connected to the screw nut of the electric screw.

4. The optical fiber adapter sleeve feeding station according to claim 3, characterized in that: The support frame is provided with a bracket, the bracket is installed on the support seat, the ball driving device is installed on the support seat, the support seat is installed on the workbench through a guide rail, and the feeding driving device drives the support seat to move translationally along the guide rail.

5. The optical fiber adapter sleeve feeding station according to claim 4, characterized in that: The feeding drive device is an electric lead screw, an electric push rod, or is composed of a motor, a synchronous wheel and a synchronous belt.

6. The optical fiber adapter sleeve feeding station according to claim 4, characterized in that: The receiving tray, the supporting frame, the ejecting member, the supporting seat, the rolling ball device and the feeding drive device together form a feeding unit. The number of feeding units is set to two groups, and the two groups of feeding units feed materials alternately.

7. The optical fiber adapter sleeve feeding station according to claim 1, characterized in that: The movement direction of the ball rolling device is perpendicular to the feeding direction of the feeding drive device.

8. The optical fiber adapter sleeve feeding station according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower end of the push rod is configured to be hemispherical.

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