A high-stability automatic loading and unloading device for samples

Abstract

The present invention discloses a high-stability automatic loading and unloading device for samples, comprising a rotating material tray and a mechanical clamp. The rotating material tray comprises a chassis and a center column. The center column is fixed to the chassis, and a ring groove is provided on its neck. A positioning hole is provided on the chassis. The mechanical clamp comprises a base, an outer tube, an inner tube, a cylinder, a steel ball, a support bearing, a rotary drive, and a positioning pin. The cylinder, the inner tube, and the rotary drive are mounted on the base. The movable end of the cylinder passes through the inner ring of the support bearing. The outer ring of the support bearing is connected to the outer tube. The outer tube is nested on the inner tube. The inner tube is fixedly connected to the rotary drive. A slope is provided on the inner wall of the outer tube. A tapered hole is provided on the side wall of the inner tube. The steel ball is inserted into the tapered hole, and its two sides are exposed outside the tapered hole. The advantages of the present invention are: the inner tube is stable and reliable, and the service life of the device is improved. The outer tube slides up and down under the limit of the inner tube and rotates synchronously with the inner tube, which not only achieves the purpose of positioning the rotating material tray, but also improves the overall stability of the device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a high-stability automatic loading and unloading device for samples, in particular to a high-stability automatic loading and unloading device for metallographic inspection of metal samples, and belongs to the technical field of mechanical clamps. Background Art

[0002] As shown in the invention patent entitled "A device for automatically loading and unloading samples" (country: China, publication number: CN115673942A, publication date: 20230203), the rotating material disc is accurately positioned through multiple limit and positioning structures to form an automated rotating material disc clamping structure, providing convenience for the automated grinding and polishing of metal samples.

[0003] However, in the aforementioned patented technology, when the automatic loading and unloading mechanism locks the rotating material tray, a pneumatic cylinder drives the inner cylinder to extend and retract to complete the locking operation of the steel ball. The movable end of the cylinder is fixedly connected to the inner cylinder. As the inner cylinder rotates with the large pulley, rotational friction is generated between the movable end of the cylinder and the cylinder body. This easily causes wear and tear over long-term use, shortening the service life. Furthermore, the inner cylinder is located at the core of the clamping structure, and long-term up and down movement will inevitably lead to loose connections, reducing the stability of the system. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Purpose of the invention: In view of the above problems, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a high-stability automatic loading and unloading device for specimens, which can reduce the internal wear of the cylinder and ensure the high stability of the clamping structure.

[0005] Technical solution: A high-stability automatic loading and unloading device for samples, including a rotating material tray and a mechanical clamp. The rotating material tray includes a chassis and a center column. The center column is fixed to the chassis, and a ring groove is provided on the neck of the center column. The chassis is provided with a positioning hole and is provided with multiple sample fixing positions; the mechanical clamp includes a base, an outer tube, an inner tube, a cylinder, a steel ball, a support bearing, a rotary drive, and a positioning pin. The cylinder, the inner tube, and the rotary drive are installed on the base. The movable end of the cylinder passes through the inner ring of the support bearing. The outer ring of the support bearing is connected to the outer tube, and the outer tube is nested in the inner tube. The inner cylinder is fixedly connected to the rotary drive, the inner wall of the outer cylinder is provided with a slope, and the side wall of the inner cylinder is provided with a tapered hole, the steel ball is inserted into the tapered hole, and its two sides are respectively exposed outside the tapered hole. After the center column is inserted into the inner cylinder, the tapered hole, the slope, the annular groove and the steel ball are aligned with each other, and the positioning pin is fixed on the inner cylinder and aligned with the positioning hole; the rotary drive drives the inner cylinder to rotate, and the positioning pin is inserted into the positioning hole. The cylinder is lifted, driving the outer cylinder to move upward along the outer wall of the inner cylinder, and the steel ball is inserted into the annular groove through the slope.

[0006] The principle of the present invention is as follows: during use, the metal sample is first secured using multiple sample fixing positions on the chassis. The surface of the sample to be machined is fixed to the back of the rotating material disc to prevent interference between the grinder and the center column during the grinding and polishing process. After the center column is inserted into the inner cylinder, the rotary drive is activated, driving the inner cylinder to rotate, engaging the positioning pin with the positioning hole, and forming a rotation limit between the rotating material disc and the mechanical clamp. The cylinder then rises, driving the outer cylinder upward along the outer wall of the inner cylinder. The steel ball is engaged into the annular groove via the slope, forming a vertical and rotational limit between the center column and the inner cylinder, thereby precisely positioning the rotating material disc. Simultaneously, in this structure, the movable end of the cylinder does not need to rotate with the inner cylinder, nor does the inner cylinder need to move up and down, resulting in a more stable structure and less wear on the cylinder.

[0007] Furthermore, the inner cylinder comprises a body and a plurality of sector blocks, which are spaced circumferentially along the outer wall of the body. The outer cylinder has a plurality of sector grooves defined at the bottom, which are spaced circumferentially along the outer cylinder. When the outer cylinder is nested within the inner cylinder, a sector block is secured within each sector groove, and the sector blocks are securely connected to the rotary drive. In this structure, the cooperation of the sector blocks and sector grooves both limits relative rotation between the inner and outer cylinders and ensures the stability of the outer cylinder's upward and downward sliding motion along the inner cylinder.

[0008] Furthermore, a limit block is provided on the sector block to facilitate better positioning when connected to the rotary drive.

[0009] Furthermore, the mechanical gripper further includes a positioning sensor, which is fixed on the base and faces the support bearing to detect whether the cylinder is lifted.

[0010] Furthermore, the rotary drive includes a motor, a small pulley, a conveyor belt, a large pulley, and a connecting bearing. The motor is fixed on the base, the small pulley is installed on the output end of the motor, the large pulley is sleeved on the outer cylinder, the conveyor belt is wound around the small pulley and the large pulley to form a rotation, and the connecting bearing is fixedly connected to the inner cylinder.

[0011] Furthermore, a plurality of tapered holes are evenly distributed along the circumference of the inner cylinder, and the steel balls correspond to the tapered holes one by one, so as to clamp the center column more stably.

[0012] Beneficial Effects: Compared with the existing technology, the advantages of this invention are: the inner cylinder is stable and reliable, which increases the service life of the device. The outer cylinder slides up and down under the limit of the inner cylinder and rotates synchronously with the inner cylinder, which not only achieves the purpose of positioning the rotating material tray, but also improves the overall stability of the device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the rotary tray of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the mechanical gripper of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the structure after the rotating material tray and the mechanical clamp are fixed;

[0016] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A magnified schematic diagram of position A in the middle;

[0017] Figure 5 for Figure 3 A magnified schematic diagram of position B in the middle;

[0018] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the assembly of the inner tube, outer tube and cylinder. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. These embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention and are not used to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0020] A high stability automatic loading and unloading device for samples, as shown in the attached Figures 1 to 3 As shown, it includes a rotating material tray 1 and a mechanical clamp 2.

[0021] Rotating tray as attached Figure 1 As shown, it includes a chassis 11 and a center column 12. The center column 12 is fixed on the chassis 11, and a ring groove 13 is provided on the neck of the center column 12. A positioning hole 14 is provided on the chassis 11, and a plurality of sample fixing positions 15 are set.

[0022] Mechanical gripper 2 as attached Figures 2 to 6 As shown, it includes a base 21, an outer tube 22, an inner tube 23, a cylinder 24, a steel ball 25, a support bearing 26, a rotation drive 27, a positioning pin 28, and a positioning sensor 29.

[0023] The cylinder 24, the inner cylinder 23 and the rotary drive 27 are mounted on the base 21. The movable end of the cylinder 24 is connected to the inner ring of the support bearing 26, and the outer ring of the support bearing 26 is connected to the outer cylinder 22. The outer cylinder 22 is nested in the inner cylinder 23. The inner cylinder 23 is as shown in the attached figure. Figure 5 、 6 As shown, it specifically includes a cylinder 23b, a plurality of sector blocks 23c, and a limit block 23d. A tapered hole 23a is opened on the side wall of the cylinder 23b, and a limit block 23d is set on the sector block 23c. The plurality of sector blocks 23c are arranged at intervals along the outer wall of the cylinder 23b. Figure 5 、 6 As shown, a plurality of fan-shaped grooves 22b are provided at the bottom, and a slope portion 22a is provided on the inner wall. The plurality of fan-shaped grooves 22b are arranged at intervals along the circumference of the outer cylinder 22. After the outer cylinder 22 is nested in the inner cylinder 23, as shown in the attached Figure 6As shown, each sector groove 22b is respectively provided with a sector block 23c, and the sector block 23c is fixedly connected to the rotation drive 27. The inner cylinder 23 is fixedly connected to the rotation drive 27, as shown in the attached Figure 5 As shown, the steel ball 25 is inserted into the tapered hole 23a, and its two sides are exposed outside the tapered hole 23a. After the center column 12 is inserted into the inner cylinder 23, the tapered hole 23a, the slope 22a, the annular groove 13, and the steel ball 25 are aligned with each other. The positioning pin 28 is fixed on the inner cylinder 23 and aligned with the positioning hole 14; the rotary drive 27 drives the inner cylinder 23 to rotate, and the positioning pin 28 is inserted into the positioning hole 14. The cylinder 24 is lifted and drives the outer cylinder 22 to move up along the outer wall of the inner cylinder 23, and the steel ball 25 is inserted into the annular groove 13 through the slope 22a. The positioning sensor 29 is fixed on the base 21 and faces the support bearing 26. The rotary drive 27 is shown in the attached figure. Figure 4 、 5 As shown, the system specifically includes a motor 27a, a small pulley 27b, a conveyor belt 27c, a large pulley 27d, and a connecting bearing 27e. The motor 27a is fixed to the base 21, the small pulley 27b is mounted on the output end of the motor 27a, the large pulley 27d is sleeved on the outer cylinder 22, the conveyor belt 27c is wound around the small pulleys 27b and 27d, and the connecting bearing 27e is fixed to the inner cylinder 23. In this embodiment, to improve system stability, multiple tapered holes 23a are evenly distributed along the circumference of the inner cylinder 23, and the steel balls 25 correspond one-to-one with the tapered holes 23a. A stopper 23d is specifically disposed between the connecting bearing and the large pulley. This facilitates the positioning and installation of the large pulley while preventing friction between it and the connecting bearing, thereby increasing its service life.

[0024] When using the device of this embodiment, the metal sample is first secured using the multiple sample fixing positions on the chassis. The surface of the sample to be machined is fixed to the back of the rotating material disc to prevent interference between the grinding and polishing machine and the center column during the grinding and polishing process. When the rotating material disc is clamped using the mechanical gripper, the center column is first inserted through the inner cylinder. Once in place, the rotary drive is activated, driving the inner and outer cylinders to rotate simultaneously, engaging the positioning pins in the positioning holes, and forming a rotational limit between the rotating material disc and the mechanical gripper. The cylinder then rises, driving the outer cylinder upward along the outer wall of the inner cylinder. The steel balls are then engaged in the annular grooves via the inclined portion, forming vertical and rotational limits between the center column and inner cylinder, thereby precisely positioning the rotating material disc.

[0025] In this embodiment, the cylinder's movable end and outer cylinder are mounted on the inner and outer rings of the support shaft, respectively. Therefore, when the outer cylinder rotates, the cylinder does not need to rotate with it, ensuring its stability. Furthermore, the inner cylinder is fixed to the base, and the center column is positioned and clamped by the sliding movement of the outer cylinder, ensuring the stability of the internal structure and thus improving the overall service life.

Claims

1. A high-stability automatic sample loading and unloading device, characterized by: The invention comprises a rotating material disc (1) and a mechanical clamp (2), wherein the rotating material disc comprises a chassis (11) and a center column (12), wherein the center column (12) is fixed on the chassis (11) and has a ring groove (13) on its neck, wherein a positioning hole (14) is provided on the chassis (11) and a plurality of sample fixing positions (15) are provided; wherein the mechanical clamp (2) comprises a base (21), an outer cylinder (22), an inner cylinder (23), an air cylinder (24), a steel ball (25), a support bearing (26), a rotary drive (27), and a positioning pin (28), wherein the air cylinder (24), the inner cylinder (23) and the steel ball (25) are provided. ), the rotary drive (27) is installed on the base (21), the movable end of the cylinder (24) is connected to the inner ring of the support bearing (26), the outer ring of the support bearing (26) is connected to the outer cylinder (22), the outer cylinder (22) is nested in the inner cylinder (23), the inner cylinder (23) is fixedly connected to the rotary drive (27), the inner wall of the outer cylinder (22) is provided with a slope (22a), the side wall of the inner cylinder (23) is provided with a tapered hole (23a), the steel ball (25) is stuck in the tapered hole (23a), and the tapered hole (23a) is exposed on both sides of the steel ball (25). ), after the center column (12) is inserted into the inner cylinder (23), the tapered hole (23a), the slope (22a), the annular groove (13), and the steel ball (25) are aligned with each other, and the positioning pin (28) is fixed on the inner cylinder (23) and aligned with the positioning hole (14); the rotary drive (27) drives the inner cylinder (23) to rotate, and the positioning pin (28) is clamped into the positioning hole (14), and the cylinder (24) is lifted, driving the outer cylinder (22) to move upward along the outer wall of the inner cylinder (23), and the steel ball ( 25) is stuck in the annular groove (13); the inner cylinder (23) includes a cylinder body (23b) and a plurality of sector blocks (23c), and the plurality of sector blocks (23c) are arranged at intervals along the circumference of the outer wall of the cylinder body (23b); the bottom of the outer cylinder (22) is provided with a plurality of sector grooves (22b), and the plurality of sector grooves (22b) are arranged at intervals along the circumference of the outer cylinder (22); after the outer cylinder (22) is nested in the inner cylinder (23), one sector block (23c) is respectively stuck in each of the sector grooves (22b), and the sector blocks (23c) are fixedly connected to the rotary drive (27).

2. The high-stability automatic sample loading and unloading device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A limit block (23d) is provided on the sector block (23c).

3. The high-stability automatic sample loading and unloading device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The mechanical gripper (2) further comprises a positioning sensor (29), which is fixed on the base (21) and faces the support bearing (26).

4. The high-stability automatic sample loading and unloading device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rotary drive (27) comprises a motor (27a), a small pulley (27b), a conveyor belt (27c), a large pulley (27d), and a connecting bearing (27e). The motor (27a) is fixed on the base (21), the small pulley (27b) is installed on the output end of the motor (27a), the large pulley (27d) is sleeved on the outer cylinder (22), the conveyor belt (27c) is wound around the small pulley (27b) and the large pulley (27d) to form a rotation, and the connecting bearing (27e) is fixedly connected to the inner cylinder (23).

5. The high-stability automatic sample loading and unloading device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A plurality of the tapered holes (23a) are evenly distributed along the circumference of the inner cylinder (23), and the steel balls (25) correspond one to one to the tapered holes (23a).

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