Injection molding machine transfer robot

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of mechanical manufacturing, in particular to a transfer manipulator of an injection molding machine, which comprises a mechanical arm, a vacuum control assembly is arranged on the mechanical arm, the vacuum control assembly is a shell structure provided with an air inlet, a vacuum pipe, a cavity and an exhaust pipe, a gas supply source is connected to the air inlet, a suction disc is arranged at the lower end of the vacuum pipe, and the suction disc is provided with a gas guide groove in the axial direction. The injection molding product surface is cleaned before the transfer manipulator of the injection molding machine transfers the injection molding product by utilizing the reversible air channel and the elastic element to cooperate with the gas inertia to make the gas generate a short recoil movement and impact the injection molding product surface, the injection molding product is transferred after the cleaning is completed, the surface cleanliness of the injection molding product is ensured, and the working stability of the transfer manipulator of the injection molding machine is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of mechanical manufacturing technology, specifically to a transfer robot for an injection molding machine. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of the plastics processing industry in my country, traditional manual handling can no longer meet the demands of industrialization, and the automation level of injection molding equipment is becoming increasingly higher. Modern injection molding machines are usually equipped with robotic arms to replace manual handling and improve production efficiency. The robotic arms in injection molding machines use a control system to precisely position the injection molded parts and control the gripping unit to transfer the products, achieving accurate delivery of the injection molded products to specific locations.

[0003] Most existing transfer robots are gripper-type or suction cup-type. For long, thin sheet injection molded products, such as car door panels, dashboard frames, and bumpers, these parts are prone to slight scratches on the contact surfaces during transport due to their length, smooth surface, irregular shape, and low bending strength. Gripper-type robots require a certain force to grip these parts; insufficient force can cause slippage or drop, creating safety hazards; excessive force can cause deformation or breakage, affecting product quality. To ensure the quality of long, thin sheet injection molded products, a suction cup transfer robot is used to grip these injection molded products. By using the suction cup and vacuum control components (such as a vacuum generator) of the suction cup transfer robot to make close contact with the smooth surface of the injection molded product, the vacuum control components are activated to remove the air between the suction cup and the contact surface of the injection molded product, and negative pressure is generated in the suction cup, so that the injection molded product is firmly held.

[0004] For some larger injection-molded products, such as car bumpers and dashboard frames, mold release agents are required to ensure surface smoothness and quality. Adding a mold release agent effectively reduces adhesion between the plastic and the mold during injection molding, facilitating easy demolding. However, if mold release agent residue remains on the surface of the injection-molded product during the transfer process using a suction cup injection molding machine's transfer robot, the suction cup may not adhere completely to the product surface. This can lead to positional shifts or even detachment of the product during transfer, resulting in inaccurate positioning in subsequent processing, reduced automated production efficiency, and lower overall production efficiency. While these residual mold release agents can be removed manually through repeated wiping, spraying with cleaning agents, or by adding an additional cleaning step, these methods are labor-intensive and costly.

[0005] Therefore, in order to promptly clean the mold release agent from the surface of the injection molding machine's transfer robot and solve the problem of unstable transportation of injection-molded products by the transfer robot, a transfer robot for injection molding machines is proposed. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a transfer robot for injection molding machines, which improves the cleanliness of the contact surface between the transfer robot and the injection molded product, thereby ensuring the transfer effect of the injection molding machine transfer robot on the injection molded product.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0008] A transfer robot for an injection molding machine includes a robotic arm with a vacuum control component. The vacuum control component is a shell structure with an air inlet, a vacuum tube, a cavity, and an exhaust pipe. The air inlet is used for air intake, and the exhaust pipe is used for air exhaust. An air supply source is connected to the air inlet. The vacuum tube is perpendicular to the airflow direction and its upper end is fixedly connected to the vacuum control component. A suction cup is provided at the lower end of the vacuum tube, and the suction cup has an axially oriented air guide groove. The air inlet, exhaust pipe, and vacuum tube are all connected to the cavity. The cross-sectional area of ​​the air inlet is relatively large, gradually decreasing towards the exhaust pipe, eventually forming a narrow "throat" where the gas volume is minimized. At this point, the gas is compressed by the "throat" as it flows from the air inlet towards the exhaust pipe. Beyond the "throat" towards the exhaust pipe is a diffusion section with a gradually expanding cross-sectional area, where the gas diffuses uniformly from its initial high-speed state to the larger diameter cavity. The vacuum tube is vertically arranged at the "throat" of the vacuum control component. Gas flows from the inlet to the outlet. As it passes through the "throat," the gas forms a jet within the vacuum control component, creating a suction flow. Under this suction effect, the gas around the vacuum tube is continuously drawn away, reducing the pressure inside the vacuum tube to below atmospheric pressure, thus creating a certain degree of vacuum. The negative pressure generated by the gas flow then firmly grips the injection-molded product, enabling the suction cup-type transfer robot to pick up the injection-molded product.

[0009] For some high-viscosity or large injection molded products, the addition of mold release agents can effectively reduce the sticking or jamming of the injection molded product in the mold, thus ensuring smooth demolding. However, during material handling and transfer, the mold release agent on the surface of the injection molded product can prevent the suction cup from fully adhering to the surface of the injection molded product. This can lead to positional displacement or even detachment of the injection molded product during transfer, resulting in inaccurate positioning in subsequent processing, reducing the efficiency of automated production, and ultimately lowering product production efficiency. Although this mold release agent can be removed by repeated manual wiping or spraying with cleaning agents, manual wiping reduces automated production and requires a large amount of manpower; adding an extra cleaning process would significantly increase production costs.

[0010] Of course, a cleaning device could be installed on the robotic arm of the transfer robot to remove residual mold release agent from the surface of the injection-molded products. However, considering that the cleaning device consumes a significant amount of electricity to remove residual mold release agent, this would lead to additional electricity costs and increase production costs. Furthermore, the transfer robot needs to perform periodic operations while transporting injection-molded products, and installing the cleaning device near the transfer robot would reduce its operating space and range, making it unsuitable for situations with limited space. Additionally, installing a cleaning device on the transfer robot might make it more cumbersome, affecting its movement speed and accuracy, and reducing production efficiency.

[0011] Preferably, a reversible air passage is provided between the vacuum tube and the exhaust pipe, and both ends of the reversible air passage are connected to the vacuum tube and the cavity respectively. The reversible air passage is used for bidirectional gas flow. A piston is slidably connected inside the cavity. The exhaust pipe is obliquely connected to the side wall of the cavity and is located between the air inlet and the piston. One end of the piston is connected to a blocking component for sealing the exhaust pipe for a set time. The operator can adjust the set time according to the residual amount of mold release agent on the surface of the injection molded product. The blocking component is located between the vacuum tube and the exhaust pipe. The other end of the piston is connected to a compression spring, which is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the cavity. The compression spring is arranged along the axial direction of the cavity. A limit ring is connected to the inner wall of the cavity. The limit ring is used to prevent the piston from moving to the connection between the cavity and the exhaust pipe, and the limit ring is made of metal. A locking component is installed inside the cavity. When the piston pushes the compression spring to the maximum displacement and the air inlet is kept in the air intake state, the locking component fixes the piston.

[0012] To prevent the piston from frequently sliding back and forth at the connection between the cavity and the exhaust pipe, which could lead to piston wear or jamming at the connection and affect the working stability of the injection molding machine's transfer robot, this invention uses a limiting ring to prevent the piston from moving to the connection between the cavity and the exhaust pipe. A blocking component connected to the piston then seals the exhaust pipe for a set time, replacing the piston's role in this process.

[0013] This invention utilizes gas to propel a blocking component within a cavity, thereby causing a piston to compress a spring. During this compression, the spring experiences minimal elasticity, resulting in minimal support force on the guide plate, which remains undeformed. Combined with the gas's inertia, this alters the gas flow direction, causing a brief backlash that impacts the surface of the injection-molded product. When the spring is compressed to its maximum displacement while the air inlet remains in the intake state, a locking component secures the piston. At this point, the blocking component moves to the point between the exhaust pipe and the cavity connection and the limiting ring, allowing gas to flow out of the exhaust pipe. A negative pressure is created at the connection between the vacuum tube and the cavity, drawing away the gas around the vacuum tube. The suction cup injection molding machine's transfer robot then adsorbs the injection-molded product. This process allows for the pre-cleaning of the mold release agent on the adsorption surface before the suction cup injection molding machine's transfer robot adsorbs the product, ensuring surface cleanliness and improving the stability and efficiency of the injection molding machine's transfer robot during transport.

[0014] Of course, multiple sets of solenoid valves can be used to change the gas flow direction in the cavity. However, setting multiple sets of solenoid valves can easily cause mutual interference of signals and electromagnetic field interference, which can lead to unstable or failed electrical signals, and thus affect the normal operation of the injection molding machine's transfer robot.

[0015] Preferably, the locking assembly includes a support plate fixedly connected between the piston and the compression spring. The support plate is made of iron or other metal material with the same properties, and the support plate is fixedly connected to the piston via a crossbar. The crossbar is arranged along the piston axis. An electromagnet for fixing the support plate is fixedly installed on the inner wall of the cavity. The electromagnet is electrically connected to the air supply source. Two connectors are fixedly installed on the inner wall of the cavity, and the electromagnet and the air supply source are connected through the two connectors. A trigger block for connecting the two connectors is fixedly installed on the side edge of the support plate.

[0016] When the gas pushes the trigger block to activate the connector, the iron core inside the electromagnet generates a strong magnetic field due to the current flow. This magnetic field compresses the support plate and locks it in place. When the gas supply stops, the iron core inside the electromagnet loses its magnetism, the support plate unlocks, and the electromagnet is reset by the spring force. Since the electromagnet requires current to generate magnetism, prolonged energization can cause it to generate heat, affecting the stability of the injection molding machine's transfer robot. Therefore, while ensuring sufficient magnetic effect after high-voltage energization, the voltage can be reduced to extend the temperature rise time, thus improving the stability of the injection molding machine's transfer robot.

[0017] In this invention, the locking assembly can also be a hydraulic locking device. The hydraulic locking device is activated by a trigger block at the connection point between the crossbar and the support plate. When the hydraulic locking device is working, hydraulic oil is first delivered to the hydraulic cylinder by a hydraulic pump, applying pressure to the piston and causing it to move up and down along the axial direction, thereby locking or unlocking the locking part. When the locking part is locked, it is tightly locked by a hydraulic energy storage unit to prevent fatigue failure. However, during prolonged use, hydraulic oil leakage may occur, causing the hydraulic locking device to fail to lock properly, thus affecting the working stability of the injection molding machine's transfer robot.

[0018] Preferably, the blocking assembly includes a crossbar two fixedly connected to one end of the piston. A guide plate that fits with the inner sidewall of the cavity is fixedly installed at one end of the crossbar two. The guide plate is made of a flexible and stretchable material. Multiple elastic telescopic components are uniformly connected between the guide plate and the piston.

[0019] The guide vane can be TPE or a material with similar properties. When gas flows in from the inlet and towards the exhaust pipe without contacting the flexible guide vane, the flexible guide vane is not subjected to gas thrust and maintains a straight shape. When gas comes into contact with the flexible guide vane, the flexible guide vane is displaced by gas thrust, thereby causing the piston to slide in the cavity. At the same time, the elastic expansion member connected to the flexible guide vane contracts under gas thrust, causing the flexible guide vane to slightly bend and gradually deform towards the axis. When the flexible guide vane is no longer under force, the elastic expansion member returns to its original shape, and the flexible guide vane returns to a straight shape.

[0020] If the guide plate remains straight, the edges and corners will separate the gas, creating significant pressure resistance and affecting the airflow velocity. Conversely, if the guide plate remains straight, the resistance to the gas is greatest, also impacting airflow velocity. The reduced gas velocity from the inlet to the exhaust pipe decreases the pressure difference at the vacuum tube, affecting the suction and transfer efficiency of the injection molding machine's transfer robot. Therefore, a flexible, stretchable guide plate is used in conjunction with multiple elastic telescopic components. The guide plate, under the thrust of the gas, undergoes slight bending deformation, reducing gas flow resistance and increasing the gas velocity from the inlet to the exhaust pipe. This ensures the vacuum level of the vacuum control components and guarantees the operational stability of the injection molding machine's transfer robot.

[0021] Preferably, when the guide plate and the elastic telescopic member are subjected to gas thrust to the maximum displacement state, the guide plate is "umbrella-shaped" and tangent to the inner wall of the connection between the exhaust pipe and the cavity.

[0022] When a flexible, stretchable guide vane is deformed into an "umbrella" shape by the thrust generated by gas movement, the gas path bends and its flow direction changes as it flows over the curved surface. On the curved surface, gas molecules experience lateral acceleration, causing them to move faster on the curved surface than on a flat surface. When the surface of the "umbrella"-shaped guide vane is tangential to the inner wall of the connection between the exhaust pipe and the cavity, it prevents the airflow from colliding with the edge of the connection and causing kinetic energy loss during gas flow. This ensures the gas flow speed from the inlet to the exhaust pipe, maintains the vacuum level of the vacuum control components, and thus improves the stability of the injection molding machine's transfer robot.

[0023] Preferably, the exhaust pipe is a flared opening, and the angle between the side edge of the exhaust pipe and the axis of the cavity is in the range of 10° to 30°.

[0024] The tilt angle of the exhaust pipe has a certain impact on the stability of gas flow and energy loss. Too small or too large an tilt angle will cause an imbalance between gas velocity and turning pressure, leading to eddy currents and increased local resistance, thus increasing energy loss during gas flow. When the exhaust pipe tilt angle is appropriate, the gas flow can balance velocity and turning pressure, reducing eddy currents and local resistance, thereby reducing energy loss. In this invention, when gas flows out of the exhaust pipe, the guide plate is "umbrella-shaped." When the gas contacts the surface of the guide plate, it undergoes directional deflection and finally flows out of the exhaust pipe. Preferably, the tilt angle is between 10° and 30°, which can better control the stability of gas flow and energy loss, while also adapting to the needs of various high-speed gas flows. Within this range, the gas flow balances velocity and turning pressure, forming a suitable streamline shape, thereby avoiding the adverse effects of eddy currents and local resistance, reducing energy loss, increasing the gas flow velocity within the cavity, and further improving the transfer effect of the injection molding machine's transfer robot on injection molded products.

[0025] Preferably, a guide block is provided at the connection between the reversible airway and the cavity. The guide block is located between the vacuum tube and the reversible airway and is parallel to the axis of the reversible airway.

[0026] When the airflow is blocked by the guide plate, it generates a recoil motion due to inertia. The recoiling gas flows into the reversible air passage along the guide block, reducing the energy loss caused by the head-on collision between the recoiling gas and the gas entering through the inlet. This ensures the stability of the gas when entering the reversible air passage and improves the cleaning efficiency of the injection molding machine's transfer robot on the surface of the injection molded product.

[0027] Simultaneously, the guide block engages with the inner wall of the cavity between the vacuum tube and the reversible air channel, causing the cross-sectional area of ​​the cavity between the vacuum tube and the reversible air channel to continuously decrease until it reaches its minimum at the connection point between the guide block and the reversible air channel, after which the cross-sectional area of ​​the cavity increases. Due to this change in cross-sectional area, a pressure difference is generated when the gas passes through this point, causing the gas around the reversible air channel to be continuously drawn away, reducing the pressure inside the reversible air channel to below atmospheric pressure. This increases the vacuum level of the connected vacuum tube, ensuring the suction effect of the suction cup and thus improving the stability of the injection molding machine's transfer robot when transferring injection molded products.

[0028] Preferably, the inner wall of the vacuum tube is provided with a flow guide groove, and the upper end of the flow guide groove is tangent to the extension line of the reversible air passage.

[0029] When gas flows from the reversible air channel to the vacuum tube, it impacts the inner wall of the vacuum tube due to inertia, resulting in energy loss and affecting the blowing effect. The inlet end of the guide channel is tangent to the extension line of the reversible air channel. This allows the gas to pass through the guide channel as it flows from the reversible air channel into the vacuum tube, reducing kinetic energy loss and improving the working stability of the injection molding machine's transfer robot.

[0030] Preferably, the present invention provides a spirally rotating groove on the inner wall of the suction cup air guide groove, utilizing the principle of gyroscopic effect. This allows the gas to be given spiral rotational capability as it flows through the spirally rotating groove, reducing deflection and unpredictable movement during subsequent flow and maintaining linear motion. When the gas flows through the air guide groove, it is clamped by the spirally rotating groove, and the rotational force causes the gas to rotate stably around the axis of the air guide groove. Therefore, the gas, which initially flows in an unstable and uncontrolled direction, is transformed into a stable and controllable flow direction after passing through the spirally rotating groove, improving the accuracy and stability of the gas flow. This allows the gas, after changing its flow direction, to accurately clean the surface of the injection-molded product after leaving the air guide groove. Because the stability of the gas flow is improved, the travel distance of the gas after leaving the spirally rotating groove is increased, improving the cleaning efficiency of the injection-molded product surface and ensuring the stability of the injection molding machine's transfer robot when transferring the injection-molded product.

[0031] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0032] 1. This invention utilizes the reversible air passage and elastic element in conjunction with gas inertia to generate a brief backflow motion of the gas, switching the gas flow direction at the connection between the vacuum tube and the suction cup air guide groove. This allows the injection molding machine's transfer robot to clean the surface of the injection molded product before transferring it, ensuring the cleanliness of the injection molded product surface and improving the working stability of the injection molding machine's transfer robot.

[0033] 2. By using a flexible and stretchable guide plate and elastic telescopic components in conjunction with the thrust generated during gas flow, the flexible and stretchable guide plate pushes the elastic telescopic components to their maximum displacement state, forming an "umbrella shape" that is tangential to the inner wall of the connection between the exhaust pipe and the cavity. This prevents the airflow from colliding with the edge of the connection between the exhaust pipe and the cavity, thus preventing energy loss during gas flow. This ensures the flow speed of the gas from the inlet to the exhaust pipe, guarantees the vacuum level of the vacuum control components, and improves the stability of the injection molding machine's transfer robot.

[0034] 3. This invention provides a groove on the inner wall of the suction cup air guide groove that rotates spirally around the axis. By changing the gas flow direction with the gas flow direction switching device in the vacuum control component, the gas maintains a straight-line motion after leaving the vacuum tube due to the gyroscopic effect when passing through the groove, thus improving the airflow stability. This increases the movement distance of the gas after leaving the groove, improves the cleaning efficiency of the release agent on the contact surface between the suction cup and the injection molded part, and further improves the transfer effect of the injection molding machine transfer robot. Attached Figure Description

[0035] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the connection between the vacuum control component and the suction cup of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the vacuum control component of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the suction cup air guide groove of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the gas flow inside the vacuum control component during the cleaning of the surface of injection molded products according to the present invention;

[0039] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the gas flow inside the vacuum control component during the transfer of injection-molded products according to the present invention;

[0040] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing the fit between the edge of the guide plate and the sealing ring during the transfer of injection-molded products according to the present invention;

[0041] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0042] In the diagram: 1. Vacuum control assembly; 11. Air inlet; 12. Vacuum tube; 13. Exhaust pipe; 14. Cavity; 15. Limiting ring; 16. Piston; 17. Compression spring; 18. Guide block; 19. Guide groove; 2. Reversible air passage; 3. Blocking assembly; 31. Crossbar II; 32. Guide plate; 33. Elastic telescopic component; 4. Locking assembly; 41. Support plate; 42. Crossbar I; 43. Electromagnet; 44. Trigger block; 45. Connector; 5. Worktable; 51. One-way valve; 52. Distance detection device; 6. Suction cup; 61. Air guide groove; 62. Groove. Detailed Implementation

[0043] For injection molded products with large and complex sheet shapes that require the use of mold release agents for demolding, this invention provides an embodiment, such as... Figures 1 to 5 As shown:

[0044] A transfer robot for an injection molding machine includes a robotic arm with a vacuum control component 1. The vacuum control component 1 is a shell structure comprising an air inlet 11, a vacuum tube 12, a cavity 14, and an exhaust pipe 13. An air supply source is connected to the air inlet 11. A suction cup 6 is located at the lower end of the vacuum tube 12, and the suction cup 6 has an axially oriented air guide groove 61. Multiple suction cups 6 for adsorbing injection-molded products are connected to the vacuum tube 12 via multiple branch pipes mounted on a worktable 5, with each branch pipe connected to one suction cup 6. The multiple branch pipes mounted on the worktable 5 are arranged in an "X" shape, and the intersection of the multiple branch pipes communicates with the vacuum tube 12 of the vacuum control component 1. A reversible air passage 2 is provided between the vacuum tube 12 and the exhaust pipe 13 of the vacuum control component 1. One end of the reversible air passage 2 communicates with the cavity 14, and the other end communicates with the vacuum tube 12. A piston 16 is slidably connected within the cavity 14, and an exhaust pipe 13 is obliquely connected to the side wall of the cavity 14, located between the air inlet 11 and the piston 16. The angle between the side edge of the exhaust pipe 13 and the axis of the cavity 14 ranges from 10° to 30°. If the oblique angle of the exhaust pipe 13 is less than 10°, the obstruction at the center of the guide plate 32 will cause a large vortex in the gas flow, colliding with the oblique part of the exhaust pipe 13, resulting in uneven gas flow, incomplete gas energy conversion, and increased energy loss. If the oblique angle is greater than 30°, the gas will experience significant bending and twisting as it flows through the guide plate 32 into the exhaust pipe 13, leading to uneven gas flow distribution and exacerbated local energy loss, affecting the performance of the vacuum control component 1 and reducing the working stability of the injection molding machine's transfer robot.

[0045] One end of piston 16 is connected to a crossbar 42 along the axis of piston 16, and the other end is connected to a crossbar 31 along the axis of piston 16. One end of crossbar 42 is fixedly connected to the end face of piston 16, and the other end is fixedly connected to a support plate 41. The support plate 41 is connected to the inner wall of cavity 14 through a compression spring 17, and piston 16 is arranged axially along cavity 14. One end of crossbar 31 is fixedly connected to piston 16, and the other end is fixedly installed with a flexible and stretchable guide plate 32, and the connection point is the axis of guide plate 32. The end face of guide plate 32 near exhaust pipe 13 is provided with elastic telescopic members 33. One end of multiple elastic telescopic members 33 is evenly hinged around the axis of guide plate 32 on the end face of guide plate 32 near exhaust pipe 13, and the other end is evenly fixedly connected to piston 16.

[0046] An electromagnet 43 for fixing the support plate 41 is fixedly installed on the inner wall of the cavity 14. The electromagnet 43 is electrically connected to the air supply source. Two connectors 45 are fixedly installed on the inner wall of the cavity 14, and the electromagnet 43 and the air supply source are connected through the two connectors 45. A trigger block 44 for conducting the two connectors 45 is fixedly installed on the side edge of the support plate 41.

[0047] After injection molding of large, complex sheet-shaped products that require mold release agents, a suction cup type 6 transfer robot is used to clean the surface of the injection molded product before transferring it to the next process.

[0048] The robotic arm drives the worktable 5 to move, bringing the vacuum suction cup 6 directly above the sheet-shaped injection molded product. Before the suction cup 6 contacts the injection molded product, the air supply source connected to the air inlet 11 of the vacuum control component 1 is turned on. Figure 4 As shown, gas flows in from the inlet 11 and is blocked by the guide plate 32. At this time, the guide plate 32 is a straight plate and blocks the exhaust pipe 13. The gas is guided by the guide block 18 into the reversible air channel 2, enters the vacuum tube 12 along the reversible air channel 2, and finally leaves through the air guide groove 61. At this time, the blown gas can clean the mold release agent on the surface of the injection molded product. Figure 5As shown, as the vacuum suction cup 6 gradually approaches the surface of the injection-molded product and the gas flow is blocked by the guide plate 32, the piston 16 connected to it is pushed by the crossbar 2 31 to slide in the cavity 14. While the piston 16 slides, it drives the crossbar 1 42 and the support plate 41 connected to it to move and compress the compression spring 17. When the trigger block 44 on the side edge of the support plate 41 connects to the connector 45, the iron core inside the electromagnet 43 will generate a strong magnetic field due to the current. While the support plate 41 squeezes the compression spring 17, it also locks the support plate 41. At this time, the multiple elastic telescopic parts 33 connected between the guide plate 32 and the piston 16 are pushed and gradually contract. The guide plate 32 gradually bends. When the locking part locks the support plate 41, the guide plate 32 completely exposes the blocked exhaust pipe 13 and forms an "umbrella shape". When the gas flows to the exhaust pipe 13 through the air inlet 11, it is compressed by the "throat" at the air inlet 11 and forms a jet in the cavity 14, producing a suction flow. Under the suction effect, the gas around the vacuum tube 12 is continuously drawn away, causing the pressure inside the vacuum tube 12 to drop below atmospheric pressure, creating a vacuum, which allows the suction cup type 6 transfer robot to firmly grasp the injection molded product. When the injection molding machine transfer robot is not working, the air supply is turned off, and the electromagnet 43, which is electrically connected to the air supply, releases its lock on the support plate 41.

[0049] For injection molded products where some surfaces have complex shapes requiring mold release agents for demolding, while others can be demolded without them, the above embodiment results in some gas being blown towards surfaces of the injection molded product that do not require cleaning during air blowing. To improve gas utilization and thus increase the transfer efficiency of the injection molding machine's transfer robot, this invention provides another embodiment, such as... Figure 6 As shown:

[0050] A transfer robot for an injection molding machine includes a robotic arm with multiple vacuum control components 1. One vacuum control component 1 contains a piston 16 and a compression spring 17 to induce a brief gas backflow due to gas inertia. Another vacuum control component 1 does not contain a piston 16 and a compression spring 17 for inducing a brief gas backflow due to gas inertia. Each vacuum control component 1 has a cavity 14 and an air inlet 11, a vacuum tube 12, and an exhaust tube 13. The air inlet 11 is connected to an air supply source. The vacuum tube 12 is connected to multiple suction cups 6 for adsorbing injection molded products through multiple branch pipes mounted on a worktable 5, with each branch pipe connected to one suction cup 6. The multiple branch pipes mounted on the worktable 5 are in a "V" shape. The air inlet 11 of each vacuum control component 1 is connected to the same air supply source. The vacuum control component 1 without piston 16 and compression spring 17 has a one-way valve 51 at its air inlet 11, and the worktable 5 has a distance detection device 52 that triggers the opening and closing of the one-way valve 51.

[0051] After the injection molding of the clean, flat injection molded product is completed, a suction cup type 6 transfer robot is used to transfer the injection molded product to the next process.

[0052] The robotic arm drives the worktable 5 to move, bringing the vacuum suction cup 6 directly above the plate-shaped injection molded product. The distance detection device 52 detects the distance between the suction cup 6 and the injection molded product. When the distance reaches the set value, the one-way valve 51 at the air inlet 11 is opened to start air intake. The vacuum tubes 12 in the multiple vacuum control components 1 simultaneously generate suction flow.

[0053] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A transfer robot of an injection molding machine, comprising a mechanical arm, wherein a vacuum control assembly (1) is arranged on the mechanical arm, the vacuum control assembly (1) is a housing structure provided with an air inlet (11), a vacuum pipe (12), a cavity (14) and an exhaust pipe (13), an air supply source is connected to the air inlet (11), the lower end of the vacuum pipe (12) is provided with a suction cup (6), and the suction cup (6) is provided with a gas guide groove (61) in the axial direction. The reversible air passage (2) is arranged between the vacuum pipe (12) and the exhaust pipe (13), and the two ends of the reversible air passage (2) are communicated with the vacuum pipe (12) and the cavity (14) respectively, the piston (16) is slidably connected in the cavity (14), the exhaust pipe (13) is obliquely connected on the side wall of the cavity (14), and the exhaust pipe (13) is located between the air inlet (11) and the piston (16), one end of the piston (16) is connected with the blocking assembly (3) for sealing the exhaust pipe (13) for a set time, and the blocking assembly (3) is located between the vacuum pipe (12) and the exhaust pipe (13), the other end of the piston (16) is connected with the compression spring (17), and the compression spring (17) is fixedly connected on the inner wall of the cavity (14), the compression spring (17) is arranged in the axial direction of the cavity (14), the inner wall of the cavity (14) is connected with the limiting ring (15) for preventing the piston (16) from moving to the connecting position of the cavity (14) and the exhaust pipe (13), the locking assembly (4) is arranged in the cavity (14), and the piston (16) pushes the compression spring (17) to the maximum displacement position, and the locking assembly (4) fixes the piston (16) when the air inlet (11) keeps the air inlet state. The locking assembly (4) comprises a supporting plate (41) fixedly connected between the piston (16) and the compression spring (17), the supporting plate (41) is fixedly connected with the piston (16) through the cross rod (42), the electromagnet (43) for fixing the supporting plate (41) is fixedly arranged on the inner wall of the cavity (14), the electromagnet (43) is electrically connected with the gas supply source, the two connectors (45) are fixedly arranged on the inner wall of the cavity (14), and the electromagnet (43) and the gas supply source are connected through the two connectors (45), and the trigger block (44) for conducting the two connectors (45) is fixedly arranged on the side of the supporting plate (41). The blocking assembly (3) comprises a cross rod (31) fixedly connected to one end of the piston (16), one end of the cross rod (31) is fixedly provided with a flow guide plate (32) matched with the inner side wall of the cavity (14), and the flow guide plate (32) is made of a flexible and extensible material, and a plurality of elastic expansion pieces (33) are uniformly arranged between the flow guide plate (32) and the piston (16).

2. The transfer robot of claim 1 wherein: When the flow guide plate (32) and the elastic expansion piece (33) are pushed to the maximum displacement state by the gas thrust, the flow guide plate (32) is in the shape of an umbrella, and the flow guide plate (32) is tangent to the inner wall of the exhaust pipe (13).

3. The transfer robot of claim 1 wherein: The exhaust pipe (13) is a horn mouth, and the included angle between the side of the exhaust pipe (13) and the axis of the cavity (14) is 10°-30°.

4. The transfer robot of claim 1 wherein: The reversible air passage (2) is arranged between the vacuum pipe (12) and the exhaust pipe (13), and the two ends of the reversible air passage (2) are communicated with the vacuum pipe (12) and the cavity (14) respectively, the piston (16) is slidably connected in the cavity (14), the exhaust pipe (13) is obliquely connected on the side wall of the cavity (14), and the exhaust pipe (13) is located between the air inlet (11) and the piston (16), one end of the piston (16) is connected with the blocking assembly (3) for sealing the exhaust pipe (13) for a set time, and the blocking assembly (3) is located between the vacuum pipe (12) and the exhaust pipe (13), the other end of the piston (16) is connected with the compression spring (17), and the compression spring (17) is fixedly connected on the inner wall of the cavity (14), the compression spring (17) is arranged in the axial direction of the cavity (14), the inner wall of the cavity (14) is connected with the limiting ring (15) for preventing the piston (16) from moving to the connecting position of the cavity (14) and the exhaust pipe (13), the locking assembly (4) is arranged in the cavity (14), and the piston (16) pushes the compression spring (17) to the maximum displacement position, and the locking assembly (4) fixes the piston (16) when the air inlet (11) keeps the air inlet state.

5. The transfer robot of claim 1 wherein: The reversible air passage (2) is arranged between the vacuum pipe (12) and the exhaust pipe (13), and the two ends of the reversible air passage (2) are communicated with the vacuum pipe (12) and the cavity (14) respectively, the piston (16) is slidably connected in the cavity (14), the exhaust pipe (13) is obliquely connected on the side wall of the cavity (14), and the exhaust pipe (13) is located between the air inlet (11) and the piston (16), one end of the piston (16) is connected with the blocking assembly (3) for sealing the exhaust pipe (13) for a set time, and the blocking assembly (3) is located between the vacuum pipe (12) and the exhaust pipe (13), the other end of the piston (16) is connected with the compression spring (17), and the compression spring (17) is fixedly connected on the inner wall of the cavity (14), the compression spring (17) is arranged in the axial direction of the cavity (14), the inner wall of the cavity (14) is connected with the limiting ring (15) for preventing the piston (16) from moving to the connecting position of the cavity (14) and the exhaust pipe (13), the locking assembly (4) is arranged in the cavity (14), and the piston (16) pushes the compression spring (17) to the maximum displacement position, and the locking assembly (4) fixes the piston (16) when the air inlet (11) keeps the air inlet state.

6. The transfer robot of claim 1 wherein: ​

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