An automatic material handling machine

Abstract

This invention is titled "An Automatic Material Handling Machine," belonging to the field of optical glass secondary molding technology. It primarily addresses the problems of labor-intensive, labor-intensive, and health-affecting material handling in optical glass secondary molding softening furnaces. Its main features include: a rotary vibratory feeding device, a moving feeding device, a vibrating feeding device, and a material guide device; the moving feeding device consists of a material outlet and a lateral movement mechanism, with the material outlet connected to the rotary vibratory feeding device via a feeding pipe; the vibrating feeding device consists of a vibrator and a vibrating feeding plane, with multiple tracks on the vibrating feeding plane that mate with the ceramic box material holes; the material guide device consists of guide pipes positioned between the discharge ends of each track on the vibrating feeding plane and the corresponding ceramic box material holes. This invention features the ability to replace manual operation, save manpower, improve production automation, and enhance part quality. It is mainly used for the automatic material handling of optical glass secondary molding softening furnace blanks.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of optical glass secondary molding technology, and in particular relates to an automatic material feeding machine. Background Technology

[0002] Secondary molding of optical glass involves pre-processing optical glass sheets into optical glass blanks of a specific shape, size, and weight. After softening at high temperatures, these blanks are placed in a mold that roughly conforms to the shape and size of the desired part. Pressure is then applied to press the softened optical glass into the secondary molded part. This method of producing secondary molded parts offers advantages such as high production efficiency, minimal individual variation in molded parts, and reduced subsequent processing.

[0003] The softening furnace, slow cooling furnace, and press head are the main equipment in current secondary molding production lines. After the raw material is softened at high temperature in the softening furnace, it is pressed into shape at the press head. To prevent the molded secondary parts from cracking due to a sudden temperature drop, they need to be slowly cooled in the slow cooling furnace. Currently, the process of placing the raw material into the softening furnace is mainly manual. Personnel place the raw material into the corresponding center hole of the ceramic box, which continuously feeds the raw material into the softening furnace according to the production rhythm. Each production line requires at least one person to handle the material, which not only consumes manpower and increases production costs but also easily leads to missed or incorrect placement. Because the surface of the raw material is coated with boron nitride release agent, and the ceramic box can reach a temperature of 50-70℃ during its circulation between the softening furnace and the material handling table, the material handling process can have a certain impact on the health of personnel. Therefore, some automatic material handling equipment has emerged that can replace manual operation. For example, patent document CN 110526558 A discloses an automatic material handling machine for secondary pressing of electromechanical optical glass. This equipment can place glass blanks in softened ceramic boxes as required. However, the overall structure of the equipment is complex, the production and maintenance costs are high, and the material feeding method is prone to causing blank stacking and blockage at the material outlet of the hopper. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides an automatic material handling machine to address the above-mentioned shortcomings.

[0005] The technical solution of this invention is: an automatic material feeding machine, characterized in that: it includes a supporting working surface mounted on the conveying track of the ceramic box in the softening furnace, and a rotary vibrating feeding device, a mobile feeding device, a vibrating feeding device, and a dropping guide device mounted on the supporting working surface; the mobile feeding device consists of a dropping port and a transverse mechanism that moves the dropping port laterally, and the dropping port is connected to the rotary vibrating feeding device through a feeding pipe; the vibrating feeding device consists of a vibrator and a vibrating feeding plane, and the vibrating feeding plane is provided with multiple tracks that cooperate with the material holes of the ceramic box, and the feeding end cooperates with the dropping port; the dropping guide device consists of guide pipes arranged between the discharge end of each track on the vibrating feeding plane and the corresponding material hole of the ceramic box.

[0006] Furthermore, it also includes a flow monitoring device; the flow monitoring device includes a first monitoring unit disposed above each track of the vibrating feeding plane for monitoring whether there is billet on each corresponding track.

[0007] Furthermore, it also includes a material drop detection device; the material drop detection device includes a second monitoring unit disposed above the discharge end of each track of the vibrating feeding plane, a baffle and a baffle driving mechanism corresponding to the discharge end of each track of the vibrating feeding plane; the second monitoring unit is directly opposite the baffle.

[0008] Furthermore, the rotary vibratory feeding device consists of a vibratory plate base and a vibratory plate mounted on the vibratory plate base; the feeding pipe is connected to the vibratory plate through an upper pipe interface and to the material discharge port through a lower pipe interface; the vibratory plate is provided with a paddle inside and an adjustment plate on the outside, and the adjustment plate is provided with a waist-shaped through hole for adjusting the track distance of its extension into the vibratory plate to control the billet to advance in a single row.

[0009] Furthermore, the transverse mechanism consists of a support spanning above the vibrating feeding plane and a linear slide module mounted on the support; the linear slide module is equipped with a slide; the discharge port is a channel with a large inlet port and a small outlet port, and is mounted on the slide through the discharge port support.

[0010] Furthermore, the multiple tracks on the vibrating feeding plane are "V" shaped tracks; slots are opened between each pair of tracks at the end of the vibrating feeding plane; and corresponding receiving slides are provided below the slots, which are connected to the billet collection container.

[0011] Furthermore, the flow monitoring device includes a flow sensor gantry bracket and a flow sensor bracket, with the flow sensor gantry bracket spanning above the vibrating feeding plane; the first monitoring unit is a first infrared sensor, which is mounted on the flow sensor gantry bracket via the flow sensor bracket.

[0012] Furthermore, the material dropping detection device includes a position sensor gantry bracket and a position sensor bracket, with the position sensor gantry bracket spanning above the vibrating feeding plane; the second monitoring unit is a second infrared sensor, which is mounted on the position sensor gantry bracket via the position sensor bracket; the baffle driving mechanism consists of a cylinder gantry bracket and a discharge cylinder, with the baffle connected to the discharge cylinder and facing the second infrared sensor.

[0013] Furthermore, the guide pipe consists of an upper interface, a discharge pipe, and a lower interface; it also includes a material-aligning plate, a discharge cylinder support, a discharge cylinder, a crossbar, and a spring. The discharge cylinder support is mounted on a cylinder gantry support, the discharge cylinder is mounted on the discharge cylinder support, the crossbar is mounted on the discharge cylinder, and the crossbar is connected to the material-aligning plate by screws. The spring is fitted onto the screws between the crossbar and the material-aligning plate. The material-aligning plate has through holes corresponding to the blank holes of the ceramic box. The lower interface is correspondingly installed on the through holes of the material-aligning plate. The feeding pipe and the discharge pipe are telescopic spring tubes.

[0014] Furthermore, it also includes a control system; the control system is electrically connected to the rotary vibratory feeder, the mobile feeding device, the vibrating feeding device, the material drop guide device, the flow monitoring device, and the material drop detection device; the supporting working surface includes a front supporting working surface and a rear supporting working surface, an extended bracket is provided on the rear supporting working surface, the rotary vibratory feeder is mounted on the front supporting working surface, the mobile feeding device, the vibrating feeding device, and the flow monitoring device are mounted on the rear supporting working surface, and the material drop guide device and the material drop detection device are mounted on the extended bracket.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: The automatic feeding machine provided by this invention can accurately feed the blanks into the corresponding positions of the paper porcelain box according to the production rhythm of the softening furnace and the press head, and is an automatic feeding device for secondary pressing of optical glass. This invention can also adopt a control system to realize a mechatronics system, which can replace manual operation, save human resources, improve the level of production automation, and improve the quality of molded parts. This invention has the advantages of compact structure, simplicity, easy operation, easy adjustment, and low production and use costs. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 The three-dimensional form of the device of the present invention Figure 1 .

[0017] Figure 2 The three-dimensional form of the device of the present invention Figure 2 .

[0018] Figure 3 This is a front view of the device of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a right view of the device of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 5 This is a top view of the device of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional representation of the vibratory feeder of the present invention. Figure 1 .

[0022] Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional representation of the vibratory feeder of the present invention. Figure 2 .

[0023] Icons: 1-Front support working surface, 2-Rear support working surface, 3-Vibratory feeder base, 4-Vibratory feeder, 4a-Paddle, 4b-Adjustment plate mounting bracket, 4c-Adjustment plate, 5-Upper pipe interface, 6-Feeding pipe, 7-Lower pipe interface, 8-Discharge port, 9-Bracket, 10-Module mounting plate, 11-Linear slide module, 11a-Slide, 12-Discharge port bracket, 13-Vibrator, 14-Vibrating feeding plane, 15-Flow sensor gantry bracket 16-Flow sensor bracket, 17-First infrared sensor, 18-Material receiving slide rail, 19-Extended bracket, 20-Position sensor gantry bracket, 21-Position sensor bracket, 22-Second infrared sensor, 23-Upper interface, 24-Discharge pipe, 25-Lower interface, 26-Material alignment plate, 27-Cylinder gantry bracket, 28-Discharge cylinder, 29-Baffle, 30-Discharge cylinder bracket, 31-Discharge cylinder, 32-Horizontal bar, 33-Spring. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] like Figures 1 to 7 As shown, the present invention is an automatic material handling machine, comprising a rotary vibratory feeding device, a mobile feeding device, a flow monitoring device, a vibratory feeding device, a material dropping detection device, a material dropping guide device, a supporting working surface, and a control system. The supporting working surface includes a front supporting working surface 1 and a rear supporting working surface 2, both of which are installed on the softening furnace ceramic box conveying track.

[0026] The front support working surface 1 is mainly equipped with a rotary vibrating feeder.

[0027] The rotary vibratory feeder consists of a vibratory feeder base 3 and a vibratory feeder 4. Its main function is to fill the billet and initially arrange the billet during the conveying process. Figure 1 As shown, a vibratory feeder base 3 is mounted on the front support working surface 1, and a vibratory feeder 4 is mounted on the vibratory feeder base 3 with screws. A lever 4a is fixed to the vibratory feeder 4 with screws and is used to flatten stacked billets. An adjustment plate mounting bracket 4b is welded to the outside of the vibratory feeder 4 and connected to an adjustment plate 4c with screws. The oblong through-hole of the adjustment plate 4c can be used to adjust its extension distance into the track of the vibratory feeder 4 to control the single-row advance of the billets. For details of the structure of the vibratory feeder 4, see [link to vibratory feeder structure]. Figure 6 , Figure 7The vibratory feeder 4 has a discharge hole at the end of the billet track. A pipe interface 5 is welded below the discharge hole. The upper end of the feeding pipe 6 is welded to the lower end of the pipe interface 5 to connect to the vibratory feeder 4. The lower pipe interface 7 is welded to the discharge port 8, and the end of the feeding pipe 6 is welded to the lower pipe interface 7 to connect to the discharge port. The billet falls from the discharge port of the vibratory feeder 4 and, under gravity, passes through the billet channel formed by the upper pipe interface 5, the feeding pipe 6, the lower pipe interface 7, and the discharge port 8 to complete the feeding action. To protect the billet and meet the feeding needs at different positions, the feeding pipe 6 is preferably a highly flexible, low-hardness, and extensible spring tube.

[0028] The rear support working surface 2 is mainly equipped with five major devices: a mobile feeding device, a flow monitoring device, a vibrating feeding device, a material dropping detection device, and a material dropping guide device.

[0029] The mobile feeding device consists of a material discharge port 8 and a transverse mechanism that moves the material discharge port 8 laterally. The transverse mechanism consists of a vibrating feeding plane 14 and a linear slide module, and its main function is to deliver the billet to various predetermined positions. Figure 2 As shown, a bracket 9 is mounted on the rear support working surface 2 with screws, and the bracket 9 spans above the vibrating feeding plane 14. A module mounting plate 10 is mounted on the bracket 9 with screws. A linear slide module 11 is mounted on the module mounting plate 10 with screws. A discharge port bracket 12 is mounted on the slide 11a within the linear slide module 11 with screws, and a discharge port 8 is welded to the discharge port bracket 12. The discharge port 8 is a channel with a large inlet and a small outlet. The varying heights of the discharge port bracket 12 are designed to provide a reasonable inclination angle for the discharge port 8, maintaining a certain billet falling speed while minimizing the risk of billet damage from impacts. The linear slide module 11 operates according to the control system commands, and the slide 11a moves the discharge port 8 to the corresponding position to deliver the billet, preventing billet stacking and blockage.

[0030] The flow monitoring device includes a first monitoring unit installed above each track on the vibrating feeding plane 14 to monitor whether there is billet on each corresponding track. Its main function is to monitor whether there is enough billet in the vibrating feeding device. Figure 3 As shown, the flow sensor gantry bracket 15 is mounted on the rear support working surface 2 with screws. The flow sensor gantry bracket 15 spans above the vibrating feeding plane 14. The flow sensor bracket 16 is mounted on the flow sensor gantry bracket 15 with screws. The first monitoring unit is the first infrared sensor 17. The first infrared sensor 17 is mounted on the flow sensor bracket 16 with screws at corresponding positions. The first infrared sensor 17 determines whether there is enough billet on the track it is responsible for by the difference in infrared reflection distance between the material present and the material shortage state. When the infrared reflection distance increases significantly in the material shortage state, the control system controls the rotary vibrating feeding device, and the moving feeding device feeds material to the sensor track in the order of the signal sequence.

[0031] The vibrating feeder consists of a vibrator 13 and a vibrating feed plane 14. Its main function is to arrange the billets sequentially in the corresponding paths and convey them forward. For example... Figure 3 As shown, a vibrator 13 is installed on the rear support working surface 2 with screws. A vibrating feeding plane 14 is connected to the vibrator 13, and the feed end of the vibrating feeding plane 14 mates with the discharge port 8. The vibrating feeding plane 14 has multiple "V"-shaped tracks that mate with the porcelain box material holes. Slots are opened between the tracks near the ends of the "V"-shaped tracks to prevent multiple blanks from falling into the porcelain box material holes at the same time due to material accumulation. Below the slots of the vibrating feeding plane 14, there is a receiving slide rail 18 welded to the bottom surface of the vibrating feeding plane 14. The receiving slide rail 18 is connected to the blank collection container and is responsible for collecting the blanks falling from the slots into the container for refeeding.

[0032] The material feeding detection device consists of a position sensor gantry bracket 20, a position sensor bracket 21, a second monitoring unit, a baffle 29, and a baffle drive mechanism. Its main function is to check whether the blanks on all paths are in place. Figure 2 As shown, an extended bracket 19 is screwed onto the rear support working surface 2. A position sensor gantry bracket 20 is screwed onto the extended bracket 19. The position sensor gantry bracket 20 spans above the vibrating feeding plane 14. A position sensor bracket 21 is screwed onto the position sensor gantry bracket 20. The second monitoring unit is a second infrared sensor 22. The second infrared sensor 22 is screwed onto the position sensor bracket 21 at the corresponding positions. The baffle drive mechanism consists of a cylinder gantry bracket 27 and a feeding cylinder 28. The cylinder gantry bracket 27 is installed at the front end of the extended bracket 19. The feeding cylinder 28 is installed on the cylinder gantry bracket 27. The baffle 29 is fixed to the feeding cylinder 28 with screws to block the billet from advancing and prevent "missed swing" and "misaligned swing". The second infrared sensor 22 faces the baffle 29. It determines whether the billet is in place at the front end of the baffle 29 (the end of the "V" track of the vibrating feeding plane 14) by the difference in infrared reflection distance under the conditions of having material and not having material. When the billet contacts the baffle 29 (the billet reaches the end of the "V" track of the vibrating feeding plane 14), the reflection distance becomes shorter. When all the second infrared sensors 22 send a positioning signal, that is, when the billet contacts the baffle 29 on each "V" track of the vibrating feeding plane 14 (the billet reaches the end of the "V" track of the vibrating feeding plane 14), the control system controls the discharge cylinder 28 and the vibrator 13 to move, so that the baffle 29 moves backward and the billet moves forward into the discharge guide device.

[0033] The material feeding guide device consists of guide pipes installed between the discharge ends of each track on the vibrating feeding plane 14 and the corresponding material holes in the ceramic box. Its main function is to guide the blank to be correctly placed in the predetermined position in the ceramic box. Figure 3 , Figure 4As shown, the guide pipe consists of an upper interface 23, a dropping pipe 24, and a lower interface 25. The lower surface of the lower end of each "V"-shaped track on the vibrating feeding plane 14 is welded with an upper interface 23. The upper and lower ends of the dropping pipe 24 are welded to the upper interface 23 and lower interface 25 respectively to form a blank channel. The lower interface 25 is welded to the material-aligning plate 26, and the corresponding holes in the material-aligning plate 26 correspond to the center positions of the blank holes in the porcelain box. Similarly, the dropping pipe 24 is preferably a highly flexible, low-hardness, and extensible spring tube. A dropping cylinder bracket 30 is installed on the cylinder gantry bracket 27. A dropping cylinder 31 is screwed onto the dropping cylinder bracket 30. The dropping cylinder 31 is connected to a crossbar 32, which is connected to the material-aligning plate 26 by screws. The screw sleeves for connecting the crossbar 32 and the material plate 26 are equipped with springs 33, which can be pre-pressed to make the surface of the ceramic box of the material plate 26 fit tightly, preventing the blank from jumping out. At the same time, it also has a certain buffering and vibration absorption effect, which can protect the ceramic box and reduce production costs.

[0034] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not limit the invention. Various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic material handling machine, characterized in that: it includes a loading device... The supporting working surface on the porcelain box conveying track of the softening furnace and the rotary vibrating feeding device, mobile feeding device, vibrating feeding device, dropping guide device, flow monitoring device and dropping detection device installed on the supporting working surface; the mobile feeding device consists of a dropping port (8) and a transverse moving mechanism that moves the dropping port (8) laterally, and the dropping port (8) is connected to the rotary vibrating feeding device through a feeding pipe (6); the vibrating feeding device consists of a vibrator (13) and a vibrating feeding plane (14), and the vibrating feeding plane (14) is provided with multiple tracks that cooperate with the porcelain box material holes, and the feeding end cooperates with the dropping port (8); the dropping guide device consists of a guide pipe set between the discharge end of each track on the vibrating feeding plane (14) and the corresponding porcelain box material hole, and guides the material to the porcelain box. The feed pipe consists of an upper interface (23), a discharge pipe (24), and a lower interface (25); the flow monitoring device includes a first monitoring unit set above each track of the vibrating feeding plane (14) for monitoring whether there is billet on each corresponding track; the discharge detection device includes a second monitoring unit set above the discharge end of each track of the vibrating feeding plane (14), a baffle (29) corresponding to the discharge end of each track of the vibrating feeding plane (14), and a baffle driving mechanism; the second monitoring unit is directly opposite the baffle (29); the rotary vibrating feeder consists of a vibrating plate base (3) and a vibrating plate (4) installed on the vibrating plate base (3); the feed pipe (6) is connected to the vibrating plate (4) through the upper pipe interface (5) and through the lower pipe The interface (7) is connected to the discharge port (8); the vibratory feeder (4) is provided with a paddle (4a) inside and an adjustment plate (4c) on the outside. The adjustment plate (4c) is provided with a waist-shaped through hole for adjusting the track distance of its extension into the vibratory feeder (4) to control the single-row advance of the billet; the transverse movement mechanism consists of a bracket (9) spanning across the vibratory feeding plane (14) and a linear slide module mounted on the bracket (9); the linear slide module is provided with a slide (11a); the discharge port (8) is a channel with a large inlet port and a small outlet port, and is mounted on the slide (11a) through the discharge port bracket (12); it also includes a material plate (26), a discharge cylinder bracket (30), a discharge cylinder (31), a crossbar (32) and a spring (33), so The material discharge cylinder bracket (30) is installed on the cylinder gantry bracket (27), the material discharge cylinder (31) is installed on the material discharge cylinder bracket (30), the crossbar (32) is installed on the material discharge cylinder (31), the crossbar (32) is connected to the material matching plate (26) by screws, and the spring (33) is fitted on the screw between the crossbar (32) and the material matching plate (26); the material matching plate (26) is provided with through holes corresponding to the blank holes of the porcelain box; the lower interface (25) is installed on the through holes of the material matching plate (26); the feeding pipe (6) and the material discharge pipe (24) are telescopic spring pipes; the front and rear heights of the material discharge port bracket (12) are different in order to make the material discharge port (8) have an inclination angle, maintain a certain blank falling speed, and avoid the blank being bumped and damaged.

2. The automatic material placing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The multiple tracks on the vibrating feeding plane (14) are "V" shaped tracks; slots are opened between each pair of tracks at the end of the vibrating feeding plane (14); a matching receiving slide rail (18) is provided below the slot, and the receiving slide rail (18) is connected to the billet collection container.

3. The automatic material placing machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The flow monitoring device includes a flow sensor gantry bracket (15) and a flow sensor bracket (16). The flow sensor gantry bracket (15) spans above the vibrating feeding plane (14). The first monitoring unit is a first infrared sensor (17), which is mounted on the flow sensor gantry bracket (15) through the flow sensor bracket (16).

4. The automatic material placing machine according to claim 3, characterized in that: The material dropping detection device includes a position sensor gantry bracket (20) and a position sensor bracket (21). The position sensor gantry bracket (20) spans across the vibrating feeding plane (14). The second monitoring unit is a second infrared sensor (22), which is mounted on the position sensor gantry bracket (20) through the position sensor bracket (21). The baffle driving mechanism consists of a cylinder gantry bracket (27) and a discharge cylinder (28). The baffle (29) is connected to the discharge cylinder (28) and is directly opposite the second infrared sensor (22).

5. The automatic material distributing machine according to claim 1, 2 or 4, characterized in that: It also includes a control system; the control system is electrically connected to the rotary vibrating feeder, the mobile feeding device, the vibrating feeding device, the material drop guide device, the flow monitoring device and the material drop detection device; the supporting working surface includes a front supporting working surface (1) and a rear supporting working surface (2), an external support bracket (19) is provided on the rear supporting working surface (2), the rotary vibrating feeder is installed on the front supporting working surface (1), the mobile feeding device, the vibrating feeding device and the flow monitoring device are installed on the rear supporting working surface (2), and the material drop guide device and the material drop detection device are installed on the external support bracket (19).

6. The automatic material placing machine according to claim 1, 2 or 4, characterized in that: The paddle (4a) is fixed to the vibratory plate (4) by screws and is used to flatten the stacked billets. The adjustment plate mounting bracket (4b) is welded to the outside of the vibratory plate (4) and connected to the adjustment plate (4c) by screws. The waist-shaped through hole of the adjustment plate (4c) is used to adjust the track distance of its extension into the vibratory plate (4) to control the billet to advance in a single row. The feeding pipe (6) and the dropping pipe (24) are a kind of flexible, low hardness, and extensible spring tube.

7. The automatic material distributing machine according to claim 1, 2 or 4, characterized in that: The lower interface (25) is welded to the material plate (26), and the corresponding holes of the material plate (26) correspond to the center positions of the blank holes of the porcelain box.

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