A central transport device for spherical materials

Abstract

A device for centrally transporting spherical materials comprises a track module and a power module; a gear shifting module and a positioning module; the gear shifting module comprises a fixed module and a toothed module; the fixed module is mounted on the positioning module; the power module is mounted on the fixed module to drive the toothed module to rotate; the toothed module is arranged above the track module to propel spherical materials within the track module; the track module is mounted on the positioning module to guide the spherical materials in a spiral motion and output from the center. The present invention has a compact and symmetrical structure, allows for continuous and smooth material transport, and is adaptable to a variety of mechanisms.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a material conveying device, in particular to a centrally transported spherical material device. Background Art

[0002] In modern industry, large quantities of spherical or quasi-spherical materials (such as ping-pong balls, tennis balls, golf balls, etc.) often need to be arranged and transported in an orderly manner. Existing material transport devices are large in size and have little force in pushing the materials. For example, CN110040492A relates to a controllable dial-type spherical material stepping conveyor, which is implemented by a track module, a dial module, and a drive module. The dial module is arranged in the track module and forms a plurality of spherical material receiving grooves with the track module. The spherical materials are gradually moved by the rotation of the dial module. Although this stepping conveyor can realize the conveying of spherical materials, the material track is arranged outside the track module, which increases the space occupied by the stepping conveyor. At the same time, if a large amount of spherical materials is to be separated efficiently, the biggest problem to be considered is material jamming. In the process of materials entering a smaller pipe from a large space and changing from a track with a small curvature to a track with a large curvature at high speed, if the adjustment process is not controlled, the materials will be squeezed together or jammed with the mechanism, making it impossible to complete the sorting or even causing damage to the mechanism. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention overcomes the existing technology and provides a device for centrally transporting spherical materials. The device adopts a centrally symmetrical and centrally discharged material structure design, which can better adapt to small symmetrical structures, reduce the number of curved links, shorten the link length, and achieve the purpose of reducing transportation resistance, reducing mass, and reducing volume.

[0004] A central spherical material transport device comprises a track module and a power module; further comprises a gear shifting module and a positioning module;

[0005] The tooth extraction module includes a fixed module and a tooth moving module;

[0006] The fixing module is installed on the positioning module;

[0007] The power module is installed on the fixed module to drive the gear module to rotate;

[0008] The gear module is arranged above the track module to push the spherical material to move in the track module;

[0009] The track module is installed on the positioning module to guide the spherical materials to move in a spiral motion and output from the center.

[0010] Furthermore, the gear module includes an upper shifting ring and a lower shifting ring; the upper shifting ring and the lower shifting ring are connected as a whole, and the upper shifting ring and the lower shifting ring are rotatably arranged on the fixed module, and arc-shaped pits that can accommodate spherical materials are arranged one by one on the inner circumference of the upper shifting ring and the lower shifting ring, and shifting teeth are arranged between adjacent arc-shaped pits. The upper and lower arc-shaped pits have the same radius and cooperate with the track of the track module, and the outer edge of the lower shifting ring is provided with gear teeth driven by the power module.

[0011] Furthermore, the track module includes an ascending track, a layered sheet, a turning center track and an arc track; the center of the inwardly convex hollow column of the arc track is provided with an ascending track connected to the ejection pipe, the bottom surface of the arc track is arranged from high to low from one end to the other end, and the other end of the arc track is provided with a turning center track installed on the fixed module, the turning center track is connected with the ascending track and the arc track respectively, the bottom surface of the arc track and the bottom surface of the turning center track are arranged in a spiral shape, and the outer side of the inwardly convex hollow column of the arc track is provided with a layered sheet adapted to the turning center track, so as to separate the spherical material entering the turning center track from the spherical material making a rotating motion in the arc pit.

[0012] The beneficial effects of the present invention compared to the prior art are:

[0013] The biggest problem that needs to be considered when separating spherical materials from large batches and efficiently is the problem of material jamming. Because to complete this task, the material will enter a smaller pipe from a larger space. If this high-speed process is not controlled, the materials will be squeezed together and stuck, and the sorting and separation cannot be completed. This is the main problem solved by this device.

[0014] 1. The device is small in size, light in weight, and has a relatively symmetrical mass distribution. Materials are transported out from the middle. Its application in machines such as the ROBOMASTER mecha master competition and drone seeding can reduce many bends in the links and reduce the resistance of transporting projectiles.

[0015] 2. Efficient transportation: It adopts the method of gear rotation and transportation, which is extremely efficient. Taking the dial as an example, the transportation speed can reach 17 per second.

[0016] 3. Continuous and smooth material transportation: Thanks to double-layer material transportation, material sorting is more regular and the probability of material jamming is extremely low.

[0017] 4. The material is pushed with great force. The large and small gears are externally meshed to obtain greater torque to push the material.

[0018] 5. Central symmetry and strong structural adaptability: The size of the gear module and the track module can be appropriately enlarged or reduced according to the size of the material to adapt to different scenarios. The mounting holes in the fixed module can be adjusted to install it on various mechanisms according to other mechanisms, and the power module can be adjusted to output different speeds.

[0019] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional structural assembly diagram of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 An exploded view of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 A three-dimensional diagram of the gear shift module viewed from above;

[0023] Figure 4 A three-dimensional diagram of the gear shift module viewed from above;

[0024] Figure 5 It is a top view of the fixed module;

[0025] Figure 6 for Figure 5 Sectional view along line AA;

[0026] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the track module;

[0027] Figure 8 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the curved track;

[0028] Figure 9 This is the assembly drawing of the power module;

[0029] Figure 10 is a three-dimensional diagram of the positioning module;

[0030] Figure 11 This is the assembly drawing with the ejection pipe and magazine;

[0031] Figure 12 It is the horizontal force diagram of spherical materials;

[0032] Figure 13 This is the vertical force diagram of spherical materials. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The embodiments of the technical solution of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise specified, the technical terms or scientific terms used in this application should have the common meanings understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs.

[0034] Combine Figure 1-Figure 2Description: A central spherical material transport device includes a track module 2 and a power module 3; it is characterized in that it also includes a gear module 1 and a positioning module 4;

[0035] The tooth extraction module 1 comprises fixed modules 1-4 and a tooth moving module A;

[0036] The fixing modules 1-4 are installed on the positioning module 4;

[0037] The power module 3 is installed on the fixed modules 1-4 to drive the gear module A to rotate;

[0038] The gear module A is arranged above the track module 2 to push the spherical material to move in the track module 2;

[0039] The track module 2 is mounted on the positioning module 4 to guide the spherical material to move in a spiral motion and output from the center.

[0040] The gears are used to push the material in a circular motion on the outer circumference of the material, the track guides the material toward the center, and the power module drives the transportation of spherical and quasi-spherical materials.

[0041] The purpose of the curved teeth is to restrict the movement of spherical materials and to apply force to the materials in more horizontal directions (such as Figure 12 As shown in the figure, the solid arrow indicates the direction of force), and at the same time, an inclined force is applied to the material at the upper part of the spherical material, which can be decomposed into a downward gravity G and a forward force F (as shown in the figure). Figure 13 As shown, the solid arrow indicates the direction of force), which limits the movement space of the spherical material and reduces the possibility of the material jumping up and getting stuck. The diameter range of the spherical material applicable to this embodiment is 17±2mm.

[0042] Specifically, if Figure 3-Figure 6 As shown, the gear module C includes an upper shift ring 1-1 and a lower shift ring 1-2;

[0043] The upper pulling ring 1-1 and the lower pulling ring 1-2 are connected as a whole. The upper pulling ring 1-1 and the lower pulling ring 1-2 are rotatably set on the fixed module 1-4. The inner circumferences of the upper pulling ring 1-1 and the lower pulling ring 1-2 are respectively provided with arc-shaped pits that can accommodate spherical materials. There are shifting teeth between adjacent arc-shaped pits. The upper and lower arc-shaped pits have the same radius and cooperate with the track of the track module 2. The outer edge of the lower pulling ring 1-2 is provided with gear teeth 1-6 driven by the power module 3.

[0044] The lower shifting ring 1-2 and the upper shifting ring 1-1 push and arrange the spherical materials in an orderly manner and transport them out from the center. The track module 2 guides the movement of the materials, the power module 3 provides power, and the fixing module 4 fixes the other modules. The gear module C can be appropriately scaled up or down according to the size of the materials to adapt to various application scenarios.

[0045] The double-layered teeth (a combination of lower teeth 1-2 and upper teeth 1-1) are designed to address the high vacancy rate at high transport speeds, i.e., speeds above 10 per second. With a single-layer teeth system, material sometimes doesn't have enough time to fall into the teeth at high transport speeds, resulting in a high vacancy rate. With a double-layered teeth system, material can fall into the teeth either when there is a ball or when there is no ball. Furthermore, material already in the upper layer of teeth can continue to fall onto the lower teeth after the material below has been transported. Therefore, at high speeds, the filling level of the lower teeth increases, significantly reducing the vacancy rate of material transport. Furthermore, the double-layered teeth system has ten teeth per circle, allowing for efficient transport of a large number of pellets while minimizing space to accommodate a wider range of other configurations.

[0046] The inner rings of the upper shift ring 1-1 and the lower shift ring 1-2 are exactly the same. The outer side of the upper shift ring 1-1 is covered with the bearing 1-3 (for example, model K10008XP0). The outer convex edge of the upper shift ring 1-1 presses the inner ring of the bearing 1-3 (for example, model K10008XP0). The upper surface of the lower shift ring 1-2 contacts the lower surface of the upper shift ring 1-1. The upper shift ring 1-1, the lower shift ring 1-2 and the bearing 1-3 are axially fixed by the convex edge. Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown. Bearing 1-3 (e.g., model K10008XP0) is placed in the groove of the fixed module 1-4 (e.g., fixed plate), and the outer ring is pressed by the bearing pressing block 1-5. The bearing pressing block 1-5 is connected to the connecting column 4-1 through the bolts passing through the fixed module 1-4 (e.g., fixed plate), as shown. Figure 3 As shown. Or as Figure 11 As shown, the outer ring presses the magazine 1-57 through the magazine 1-7 and is connected to the connecting column 4-1 through bolts passing through the upper fixing plate.

[0047] Furthermore, if Figure 7 and Figure 8As shown, the track module 2 includes an ascending track 2-2, a layered sheet 2-4, a turning center track 2-5 and an arc track 2-7; the center of the inwardly convex hollow column 2-7-1 of the arc track 2-7 is provided with an ascending track 2-2 connected to the ejection pipe 2-3, the bottom surface of the arc track 2-7 is arranged from high to low from one end to the other end, and the other end of the arc track 2-7 is provided with a turning center track 2-5 installed on the fixed module 1-4, and the turning center track 2-5 is connected with the ascending track 2-2 and the arc track 2-7 respectively, and the bottom surface of the arc track 2-7 and the bottom surface of the turning center track 2-5 are arranged in a spiral shape as a whole, and the outer side of the inwardly convex hollow column 2-7-1 of the arc track 2-7 is provided with a layered sheet 2-4 adapted to the turning center track 2-5, so as to separate the spherical material entering the turning center track 2-5 from the spherical material making a rotating motion in the arc pit.

[0048] The purpose of the layered carbon sheets 2-4 is to separate the lower material that enters the central track 2-5 from the upper material that continues to perform circular motion, so that they move in two different paths respectively, adapting to the double-layer shifting teeth and reducing the empty rate of transportation. The shape of the layered carbon sheets greatly affects the frequency of material jamming. By testing and analyzing the shape of the layered carbon sheets, a better layering effect was obtained.

[0049] The bottom surface of the arc track 2-7 is arranged from high to low from one end to the other end. The arc track 2-7 is an incomplete circular track.

[0050] The bottom of the curved track 2-7 is designed to be downward to facilitate the rolling of materials. Preferably, the width of the curved track 2-7 is 1-2 mm larger than the diameter of the spherical material. This prevents the track from being too small to hinder the movement of materials or too large to allow the materials to move too much space, thereby reducing the uncertainty of material movement.

[0051] The bottom surface of the arc track 2-7 and the bottom surface of the center track 2-5 are arranged in a spiral shape to form a spiral line. The highest point of the track spiral line should make the dial located at the center of the material.

[0052] Specifically, the bottom end surface of the lower pull ring 1-2 is higher than the center of the spherical material, but lower than the top of the spherical material. Taking into account possible deformation of the material, the lowest point of the bottom surface of the lower pull ring 1-2 should be 3-4 mm higher than the center surface of the material. This ensures that the material is always subjected to forward and downward forces, limiting the material's movement space and reducing the possibility of the material jumping up and getting stuck.

[0053] The steep slope (lowest point) where the arc track 2-7 contacts the turning center track 2-5 is to lower the material to a height where the shifting teeth cannot shift the material, prevent the shifting teeth from shifting the material that has entered the turning center track 2-5, and prevent the shifting teeth from exerting circumferential force on the material moving toward the center, thereby reducing the resistance of the material to movement at the turning center track 2-5.

[0054] The steep slope at the end of the arc track 2-7 and the opening below the steep slope of the bottom plate 4-2 are designed so that if there is foreign matter mixed in during transportation and the transportation is stuck, the dial can be reversed to make the material move in the opposite direction and exit the dial in turn, thereby removing the foreign matter and increasing the adaptability of the dial to various environments.

[0055] The size of the track module 2 can be adjusted according to the specific size of the material, and can adapt to materials of different sizes. The track module 2 as a whole guides the material movement from the periphery to the center, which can adapt to more other structures, reduce space, and achieve symmetrical quality.

[0056] If any part of the track module 2 and the gear module 1 is not smooth enough due to processing problems or the material itself is relatively rough, polytetrafluoroethylene-based tape can be pasted there to ensure that the wall friction is small.

[0057] Specifically, if Figure 9 As shown, the power module 3 comprises a motor 3-1, a motor base 3-2, and a transmission gear 3-4. Motor 3-1 is fixed to motor base 3-2, which is fixed to upper fixed module 1-4. Transmission gear 3-4 meshes with the gear teeth 1-6. To ensure stable and reliable operation, a coupling is also provided. One end of coupling 3-3 is connected to the shaft of motor 3-1, and the other end has a flange surface connected to transmission gear 3-4. The power module 3 is used to provide power to rotate the shifting gears.

[0058] The power module provides power to the gear shifting module and can obtain different transmission ratios to meet different production requirements by modifying the motor rotation speed and angle and modifying the size of the transmission gear 3-4.

[0059] The fixing module can modify the shape and hole positions of the base plate 4-2 according to actual conditions to adapt to different scenarios. The six aluminum columns 4-1 can ensure that the entire device has sufficient rigidity to prevent deformation caused by excessive resistance and thus jamming.

[0060] Motor 3-1 drives transmission gear 3-4, which engages the lower and upper shifting rings 1-2 and 1-1 through external force, thereby rotating the material along track module 2. Layered carbon sheets 2-4 separate the material into layers, allowing it to move along two distinct paths, resulting in more regular and orderly movement. By adjusting the motor's rotation speed and angle, as well as the dimensions of transmission gear 3-4, different transmission ratios can be achieved to meet diverse production requirements.

[0061] Furthermore, if Figure 2 and Figure 10 As shown, the positioning module 4 includes a connecting post 4-1 and a base plate 4-2. The base plate 4-2 is secured with the connecting post 4-1, the fixing modules 1-4 are secured to the connecting post 4-1, and the track module 2 is secured to the base plate 4-2. The positioning module 4 is used to secure the track module 2 and connect the gear shifting module 1, forming a single unit. Typically, the fixing modules 1-4 are plate-shaped structures.

[0062] Specifically, bearings are installed on the sides of the turning center track 2-5 to ensure rolling contact with spherical materials. The ascending track 2-2 is a horizontal track connected to a vertical track to form an elbow. Bearings are installed on the bottom surface of the horizontal track to ensure rolling contact with spherical materials. The bearings embedded in the ascending track 2-2 and the turning center track 2-5 are model MR52ZZ. They are designed to reduce material resistance around large bends, preventing material from getting stuck. When turning, the material is pushed forward by the material behind it. The contact area between the material and the bearing is small, and the bearing is rotatable, which facilitates material movement and changes in direction.

[0063] The center rails 2-5 are made of 3D printing and are easy to install and use.

[0064] For example, optionally, a cylindrical boss is designed to sandwich the bearing 2-6 (eg, model MR52ZZ) between the upper and lower center rails, and the upper and lower center rails are bonded with metal glue to form a turn-in center rail 2-5.

[0065] The present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, but this is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art who, without departing from the scope of the technical solution of the present invention, can make slight changes or modifications to the above-disclosed structures and technical contents to produce equivalent embodiments with equivalent changes, all of which still fall within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A central spherical material transport device, comprising a track module (2) and a power module (3); characterized in that: It also includes a gear shifting module (1) and a positioning module (4); The gear shifting module (1) comprises a fixed module (1-4) and a gear moving module (C); The fixing modules (1-4) are mounted on the positioning module (4); The power module (3) is mounted on the fixed module (1-4) to drive the gear module (C) to rotate; The gear module (C) is arranged above the track module (2) to push the spherical material to move in the track module (2); the gear module (C) comprises an upper shifting ring (1-1) and a lower shifting ring (1-2); the upper shifting ring (1-1) and the lower shifting ring (1-2) are connected as a whole, and the upper shifting ring (1-1) and the lower shifting ring (1-2) are rotatably arranged on the fixed module (1-4); arc-shaped pits capable of accommodating spherical materials are provided on the inner circumferences of the upper shifting ring (1-1) and the lower shifting ring (1-2), and shifting teeth are provided between adjacent arc-shaped pits; the upper and lower arc-shaped pits have the same radius and match the track of the track module (2); the outer edge of the lower shifting ring (1-2) is provided with gear teeth (1-6) driven by the power module (3); The track module (2) is mounted on the positioning module (4) to guide the spherical material to move in a spiral motion and output it from the center.

2. A central transport spherical material device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The track module (2) comprises an ascending track (2-2), a layered sheet (2-4), a turning center track (2-5) and an arc track (2-7); the center of the inwardly convex hollow column (2-7-1) of the arc track (2-7) is provided with an ascending track (2-2) communicating with the ejection pipe (2-3); the bottom surface of the arc track (2-7) is arranged from high to low from one end to the other end; the other end of the arc track (2-7) is provided with a turning center track (2-5) mounted on the fixed module (1-4). ), the turning center track (2-5) is connected with the rising track (2-2) and the arc track (2-7) respectively, the bottom surface of the arc track (2-7) and the bottom surface of the turning center track (2-5) are arranged in a spiral shape, and the outer side of the inner convex hollow column (2-7-1) of the arc track (2-7) is provided with a layered sheet (2-4) adapted to the turning center track (2-5) to separate the spherical material entering the turning center track (2-5) from the spherical material rotating in the arc pit.

3. The central transport spherical material device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The power module (3) comprises a motor (3-1), a motor base (3-2) and a transmission gear (3-4); the motor (3-1) is fixed on the motor base (3-2), the motor base (3-2) is fixed on the upper fixed module (1-4), and the transmission gear (3-4) is meshed with the gear teeth (1-6).

4. A central transport spherical material device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The positioning module (4) comprises a connecting column (4-1) and a base plate (4-2); the connecting column (4-1) is fixed on the base plate (4-2), the fixing module (1-4) is fixed on the connecting column (4-1), and the track module (2) is fixed on the base plate (4-2).

5. The central transport spherical material device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom surface of the lower pulling ring (1-2) is higher than the center of the spherical material and lower than the top of the spherical material.

6. The central transport spherical material device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The side portion of the track (2-5) that turns into the center track is provided with a bearing that is in rolling contact with the spherical material.

7. The central transport spherical material device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The ascending track (2-2) is an elbow-shaped track formed by connecting a horizontal track and a vertical track, and a bearing for rolling contact with the spherical material is arranged on the bottom surface of the horizontal track.

8. The central transport spherical material device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The turning center track (2-5) is made by 3D printing.

9. The central transport spherical material device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The width of the arc track (2-7) is 1-2 mm larger than the diameter of the spherical material.

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