A feeding hopper and a feeding mechanism

Abstract

The application discloses a feeding hopper and a feeding mechanism, which are used for selecting the direction of a workpiece on a production line. The feeding hopper has a material cavity. The feeding hopper has an expanding part and a contracting part. The contracting part has a discharging channel. The expanding part has a first directional wall part. The first directional wall part is at least a part of the wall part corresponding to the material cavity. The first directional wall part has a top part and a bottom part along the height direction of the feeding hopper. The bottom part of the first directional wall part is closer to the contracting part than the top part. The first directional wall part is arranged to be inclined between the top part and the bottom part. The feeding mechanism disclosed by the application comprises a conveying line and the feeding hopper and can be used for selecting the direction of the workpiece.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automated processing machinery, and more particularly to a feeding hopper and feeding mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] An automatic feeding device is used to orient and arrange workpieces or blanks and automatically deliver them to the next working position. Traditional automatic feeding devices include sheet metal feeding devices and component feeding devices. For more complex workpieces, robotic arms are increasingly being used. This is especially true when the workpiece's assembly direction differs from the tray's orientation direction, for example, when the workpiece's assembly direction is perpendicular to the orientation direction. In such cases, a robotic arm is typically used to grip the workpiece, flip it, and then feed it to the next position. Because robotic arms need to perform not only X and Y directional movements but also flipping actions, their structural design is relatively complex. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a simple feeding hopper and feeding mechanism.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the following technical solution is adopted:

[0005] A feeding hopper for selecting the orientation of workpieces on a production line, the feeding hopper having a material cavity, a flared section and a constricted section, the constricted section having a discharge channel.

[0006] The flared portion has a first directional wall portion, which is at least a portion of the wall portion corresponding to the material cavity. The first directional wall portion has a top and a bottom along the height direction of the upper hopper. The bottom of the first directional wall portion is closer to the contraction portion than the top. The first directional wall portion is inclined between the top and the bottom.

[0007] The above-described feeding hopper has a flared section and a constricted section. The constricted section has a discharge channel, and the flared section has a first directional wall. The first directional wall is inclined between the top and the bottom, allowing the workpiece to change its direction along the first directional wall, thus achieving workpiece orientation selection. This feeding hopper can be applied to workpiece orientation on a production line with a simple structure.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the following technical solution is also adopted: a feeding mechanism, including a conveyor line and a feeding hopper, wherein the conveying direction of the conveyor line is set at an angle to the extension direction of the discharge channel, as described in the above technical solution.

[0009] The aforementioned feeding mechanism has a flared section and a constricted section. The constricted section has a discharge channel. Since the conveying direction of the conveyor line is set at an angle to the extension direction of the discharge channel, and the flared section has a first directional wall, which is inclined between the top and the bottom, the workpieces sent by the conveyor line enter the discharge channel along the first directional wall. The workpieces on the conveyor line are oriented through the feeding hopper so as to assemble them into subsequent fixtures. This feeding structure achieves the discharge of workpieces oriented on the conveyor line at a certain angle to the directional direction of the conveyor line with a simple structure for subsequent assembly. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of one embodiment of the feeding mechanism;

[0011] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of the feeding mechanism shown;

[0012] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of another implementation of the feeding structure;

[0013] Figure 4 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of one embodiment of the feeding hopper;

[0014] Figure 5 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of another embodiment of the feeding hopper;

[0015] Figure 6 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of another embodiment of the feeding hopper;

[0016] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of another implementation of the feeding mechanism;

[0017] Figure 8 for Figure 7 The diagram shows the structure of the feeding mechanism in use.

[0018] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of another embodiment of the feeding hopper.

[0019] Among them, the feeding mechanisms are 10 and 10';

[0020] Conveyor line 11, end section 111;

[0021] Feeding hopper 12, material cavity 121, top wall 124;

[0022] Flared portion 122, first directional wall portion 1221, top 1221a, bottom 1221b, first side wall portion 122a, second side wall portion 122b, third side wall portion 122c, fourth side wall portion 122d, baffle portion 1228, guide wall portion 1229, arc wall portion 1223, base 1224, absorption portion 1225;

[0023] Shrinkage section 123, discharge channel 1231, inner wall section 1232;

[0024] Conveying direction X;

[0025] The direction of extension of the discharge channel is E;

[0026] Workpiece 20. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The following describes the invention with reference to specific embodiments. The feeding mechanism of the present invention is used to orient workpieces with specific shapes for subsequent assembly, especially for workpieces with different end structures. The present invention is applicable to various types of workpieces and can be used in various production lines arranged in a certain direction on a conveyor line, but with a different arrangement direction during subsequent assembly than the conveyor line.

[0028] Reference Figures 1-2 , Figure 1 , Figure 2 This diagram illustrates a specific embodiment of the feeding mechanism. The feeding mechanism 10 includes a conveyor line 11 and a feeding hopper 12. The feeding hopper 12 has a material cavity 121, a flared portion 122 and a constricted portion 123. The constricted portion 123 has a discharge channel 1231, and the flared portion 122 has a first directional wall portion 1221.

[0029] The first directional wall portion 1221 is a portion of the wall corresponding to the material cavity 121. The first directional wall portion 1221 has a top 1221a and a bottom 1221b along the height direction of the upper hopper 12. The bottom 1221b of the first directional wall portion 1221 is closer to the contraction portion 123 relative to the top 1221a. The first directional wall portion 1221 is inclined between the top 1221a and the bottom 1221b. The discharge channel 1231 can be used to output the workpiece 20 for subsequent assembly. The centerline of the discharge channel 1231 is defined as the first centerline, and the distance between the top 1221a and the first centerline is greater than the distance between the bottom 1221b and the first centerline.

[0030] The aforementioned feeding mechanism has a flared section 122 and a constricting section 123. The constricting section 123 has a discharge channel 1231. Since the conveying direction X of the conveyor line 11 is set at an angle to the extending direction E of the discharge channel 1231, in Figure 1 In the embodiment shown, the conveying direction X of the conveyor line 11 and the extending direction E of the discharge channel 1231 are approximately 90 degrees apart. Of course, in other embodiments, this angle can also be 45-120 degrees, and in some cases, this angle is 75-100 degrees.

[0031] Because the flared portion 122 has a first directional wall portion 1221, which is inclined between the top 1221a and the bottom 1221b, the workpiece 20 fed by the conveyor line 11 enters the discharge channel 1231 along the first directional wall portion 1221. The workpiece 20 on the conveyor line 11 is oriented by the loading hopper 12 so that it can be assembled into the subsequent fixture. This loading structure achieves the discharge of the workpiece 20, which is oriented on the conveyor line 11, at a certain angle to the orientation direction of the conveyor line 11, for example, the assembly direction of the workpiece 20 is perpendicular to the orientation direction. In the prior art, in this case, a robot is generally used to grasp the workpiece, then flip it, and then feed it to the next position to assemble the workpiece 20 into the next fixture. Compared with the prior art, the above technical solution has a simple structure, low manufacturing cost, and simple operation.

[0032] In this text, the first directional wall portion 1221 is inclined between the top 1221a and the bottom 1221b, including inclination with one slope and inclination with two or more slopes. For example, there may be two inclined surfaces between the top and the bottom, and the two inclined surfaces are connected. When the surface of the first directional wall portion is an arc surface, there may also be two or more connected arc surfaces between the top and the bottom.

[0033] In this embodiment, the first directional wall portion 1221 is relatively close to the conveyor line 11, the feeding hopper 12 is disposed adjacent to the conveyor line 11, the top wall portion 124 of the feeding hopper 12 is not higher than the conveyor line 11, the end portion 111 of the conveyor line 11 is adjacent to or connected to the top wall portion 124 of the feeding hopper 12, and the first directional wall portion 1221 is located below the conveyor line 11. Thus, the workpiece 20 conveyed on the conveyor line 11 can be directly conveyed to the flared portion 122 of the feeding hopper 12, resulting in a simple structure.

[0034] As another implementation method, refer to Figure 3 , Figure 3 This diagram illustrates another application scenario for a feeding mechanism. The feeding hopper 12 of the feeding mechanism has a structural design and... Figure 1 , Figure 2The illustrated embodiment is similar. The feeding hopper 12 and the conveyor line 11 are spaced apart, or rather, the end portion 111 of the conveyor line 11 is separated from the feeding hopper 12. The feeding mechanism includes a robotic arm that moves the workpiece 20 on the conveyor line 11 to the flared portion 122 of the feeding hopper 12. The robotic arm has at least a first position and a second position. The first position is located on the conveyor line 11 for gripping the material, and the second position is located above the feeding hopper 12 for discharging the material.

[0035] This embodiment does not restrict the height of the conveyor line 11 and the hopper 12, nor does it restrict their positional arrangement. This allows the hopper 12 to be unrestricted by the height and width of the conveyor line 11, providing more options for its discharge position. Furthermore, because the feeding mechanism includes the hopper 12, the robot can transport the workpiece 20 from the conveyor line 11 to the hopper 12 simply by moving along the X-axis and / or Y-axis. Compared to robots with a flipping structure, the robot's design is relatively simple.

[0036] As one implementation method of the feeding hopper, combined with reference Figures 1-4 , Figure 4 A cross-sectional structure of a feeding hopper in use is illustrated. The feeding hopper 12 is used for orientation selection of workpieces 20 on a production line. The feeding hopper 12 has a material cavity 121, a flared portion 122, and a constricted portion 123. The constricted portion 123 has a discharge channel 1231. The flared portion 122 has a first directional wall portion 1221, which is at least a portion of the wall corresponding to the material cavity 121. The first directional wall portion 1221 has a top 1221a and a bottom 1221b along the height direction of the feeding hopper 12. The bottom 1221b of the first directional wall portion 1221 is closer to the constricted portion 123 than the top 1221a. The first directional wall portion 1221 is inclined between the top 1221a and the bottom 1221b.

[0037] The feeding hopper 12 has a flared section 122 and a constricted section 123. The constricted section 123 has a discharge channel 1231. The flared section 122 has a first directional wall section 1221, which is inclined between the top 1221a and the bottom 1221b. The workpiece 20 can change its direction along the first directional wall section 1221 to achieve workpiece orientation selection. This feeding hopper can be applied to the orientation selection of workpieces 20 on a production line with a simple structure.

[0038] In this embodiment, the flared portion 122 of the feeding hopper has a first sidewall portion 122a, a second sidewall portion 122b, a third sidewall portion 122c, and a fourth sidewall portion 122d corresponding to the material cavity 121. The first sidewall portion 122a and the second sidewall portion 122b are arranged opposite to each other, and the third sidewall portion 122c and the fourth sidewall portion 122d are arranged opposite to each other. The first directional wall portion 1221 is located in the third sidewall portion 122c, and the first directional wall portion 1221 is connected to the inner wall portion 1232 of the contraction portion 123.

[0039] The feeding hopper of this embodiment has a first sidewall portion 122a and a second sidewall portion 122b arranged opposite to each other, and a third sidewall portion 122c and a fourth sidewall portion 122d arranged opposite to each other, which makes the structure more flexible in processing. Moreover, the first directional wall portion 1221 is located on the third sidewall portion 122c, and the first directional wall portion 1221 can be formed by processing the third sidewall portion 122c separately, which simplifies the processing.

[0040] The first sidewall portion 122a and the second sidewall portion 122b are arranged in parallel. The fourth sidewall portion 122d is connected to the interior of the contraction portion 123, and the fourth sidewall portion 122d is arc-shaped. The fourth sidewall portion 122d can be processed together with the discharge channel 1231, which is convenient for processing.

[0041] As another implementation method of the feeding hopper, refer to Figure 5 , Figure 5 The feeding hopper shown is generally similar to the feeding hopper described above. The flared portion 122 of the feeding hopper in this embodiment has a baffle portion 1228. The baffle portion 1228 protrudes from the first side wall portion 122a and / or the second side wall portion 122b. That is, the baffle portion 1228 protrudes from the first side wall portion 122a toward the second side wall portion 122b, or protrudes from the second side wall portion 122b toward the first side wall portion 122a.

[0042] The distance between the baffle portion 1228 and the first directional wall portion 1221 is greater than the distance between the inner wall portions 1232 of the contraction portion 123. The projection of the baffle portion 1228 onto the contraction portion 123 falls on the cross-section of the contraction portion 123. When the workpiece 20 on the conveyor line 11 enters the flared portion 122, it may bounce upwards due to factors such as the moving speed and the falling height of the workpiece 20. This bounce can easily cause a change in the orientation of the workpiece 20, resulting in a change in the direction of the workpiece 20 when it exits. By setting the baffle portion 1228, the baffle portion 1228 can constrain the movement of the workpiece 20 during the bounce process, so that the workpiece 20 can enter the discharge channel 1231 in the required direction, and the discharge can meet the requirements of subsequent assembly.

[0043] The baffle portion 1228 is preferably configured so as not to affect the workpiece 20 from entering the discharge channel 1231 along the first directional wall portion 1221. Since the first directional wall portion 1221 is inclined and extends from the port of the flared portion 122 to the constricted portion 123, and the baffle portion 1228 extends from the port of the flared portion 122 to the constricted portion 123, it further constrains the position of the workpiece 20 that needs to enter the discharge channel 1231 inside the flared portion 122.

[0044] As another implementation method of the feeding hopper, refer to Figure 6 , Figure 6 The feeding hopper shown is generally similar to the feeding hopper described above. In this embodiment, the flared portion 122 of the feeding hopper has a guide wall portion 1229, which is connected to the first directional wall portion 1221. The guide wall portion 1229 is parallel to the center line of the discharge channel 1231. In some cases where the length of the first directional wall portion 1221 is relatively long, resulting in a large area of ​​the material cavity 121 where the top 1221a of the first directional wall portion 1221 is located, and the workpiece 20 is prone to flipping during the springing process, the first directional wall portion 1221 is connected below the guide wall portion 1229. In this way, when the workpiece 20 falls above the flared portion 122, the guide wall portion 1229 guides the falling workpiece 20 to still enter the first directional wall portion 1221 downwards according to the directional direction on the conveyor line 11. This makes the space of the workpiece 20 in the material cavity 121 smaller, which is conducive to the workpiece 20 entering the discharge channel 1231 in sequence and as needed. The first directional wall portion 1221 can be in the form of a plane or an arc surface, connecting to the inner wall portion 1232 of the contraction portion 123.

[0045] As another implementation method, refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8 , Figure 7 , Figure 8 This illustration shows another specific embodiment of the feeding mechanism. The feeding mechanism 10' includes a conveyor line 11 and a feeding hopper 12. The feeding hopper 12 has a material cavity 121, a flared portion 122 and a constricted portion 123. The constricted portion 123 has a discharge channel 1231, and the flared portion 122 has a first directional wall portion 1221.

[0046] The first directional wall portion 1221 is a portion of the wall corresponding to the material cavity 121. The first directional wall portion 1221 has a top 1221a and a bottom 1221b along the height direction of the upper hopper 12. The bottom 1221b of the first directional wall portion 1221 is closer to the constriction portion 123 relative to the top 1221a. The first directional wall portion 1221 is inclined between the top 1221a and the bottom 1221b. The first directional wall portion 1221 has an arcuate surface. In this embodiment, the flared portion 122 is machined in one step to form the arcuate wall portion 1223, resulting in fewer processing steps.

[0047] In this embodiment, the flared portion 122 has an arcuate wall portion 1223 corresponding to the material cavity 121. The surface shape of the arcuate wall portion 1223 is part of a conical surface, and the cone apex of the conical surface falls on the center line of the discharge channel.

[0048] In another embodiment, the flared portion 122 may also have a baffle portion 1228, which protrudes from a portion of the arcuate wall portion 1223, and the projection of the baffle portion 1228 toward the contraction portion 123 falls on the cross section where the contraction portion 123 is located. The baffle portion 1228 further helps guide the workpiece 20 into the movement direction of the flared portion 122, allowing the workpiece 20 to enter the discharge channel 1231 in the desired direction, facilitating subsequent assembly.

[0049] As another implementation method, refer to Figure 9 The flared portion 122 includes a base 1224 and an absorbent portion 1225. The deformation of the absorbent portion is greater than that of the base. The absorbent portion is located on the outer wall of the base and is part of the wall forming the material cavity 121. On a plane at the same height, the absorbent portion faces the center line of the discharge channel 1231 relative to the base. The base and the contraction portion 123 are integrally formed, and the absorbent portion 1225 can also be fixed to the base 1224 by means of adhesive or other methods.

[0050] The flared portion 122 has a base and an absorbent portion. The deformation of the base is less than that of the absorbent portion. With the absorbent portion, when the workpiece 20 enters the flared portion 122, the deformation of the absorbent portion is low after the workpiece 20 hits the absorbent portion during its fall. This absorbs part of the force of the workpiece 20 falling and reduces the amplitude of the rebound after the workpiece 20 collides with the flared portion. This allows the workpiece 20 to be more advantageously guided into the discharge channel 1231 in the flared portion 122.

[0051] In another embodiment, the deformation of the material in the hopper 12 is less than the deformation of the material in the workpiece 20. During the falling process of the workpiece 20, part of the force generated by the collision of the workpiece 20 is absorbed by the hopper 12, reducing the upward bounce amplitude of the workpiece 20.

[0052] In other embodiments, the number of first directional wall portions 1221 may be multiple.

[0053] It should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit the technical solutions described in the present invention. For example, the directional definitions such as "front", "back", "left", "right", "up", and "down" are used. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still combine, modify or substitute the present invention with each other. All technical solutions and improvements that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention should be covered within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A feeding hopper for selecting the orientation of workpieces on a production line, the feeding hopper having a material cavity, the feeding hopper having a flared portion and a constricted portion, the constricted portion having a discharge channel, characterized in that, The flared portion has a first directional wall portion, which forms at least a portion of the wall of the material cavity. The first directional wall portion has a top and a bottom along the height direction of the upper hopper. The bottom of the first directional wall portion is closer to the contraction portion relative to the top. The first directional wall portion is inclined between the top and the bottom. The first directional wall portion includes a base and an absorption portion. The deformation of the absorption portion is greater than the deformation of the base. The absorption portion is located on the outer wall of the base and forms a portion of the wall of the material cavity. On a plane at the same height, the absorption portion faces the centerline of the discharge channel relative to the base.

2. The feeding hopper according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flared portion has a first sidewall portion, a second sidewall portion, a third sidewall portion and a fourth sidewall portion forming the material cavity. The first sidewall portion and the second sidewall portion are arranged opposite to each other, the third sidewall portion and the fourth sidewall portion are arranged opposite to each other, the first directional wall portion is located in the third sidewall portion, and the first directional wall portion is connected to the inner wall portion of the contraction portion.

3. The feeding hopper according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first sidewall portion and the second sidewall portion are arranged in parallel, the fourth sidewall portion is connected to the interior of the contraction portion, and the fourth sidewall portion is arc-shaped.

4. The feeding hopper according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The flared portion has a baffle portion that protrudes from the first side wall portion and / or the second side wall portion. The distance between the baffle portion and the first directional wall portion is greater than the distance between the inner wall portions of the contraction portion. The projection of the baffle portion toward the contraction portion falls on the cross section where the contraction portion is located.

5. The feeding hopper according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first directional wall portion extends from the port of the flared portion toward the constricted portion, and the baffle portion extends from the port of the flared portion toward the constricted portion; and / or, the surface of the first directional wall portion is a plane or an arc surface.

6. The feeding hopper according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flared portion has an arcuate wall portion forming the material cavity, the surface shape of which is part of a cone, and the apex of the cone falls on the centerline of the discharge channel.

7. The feeding hopper according to claim 6, characterized in that, The flared portion has a baffle portion that protrudes from a portion of the arcuate wall portion, and the projection of the baffle portion toward the contraction portion falls on the cross section where the contraction portion is located.

8. The feeding hopper according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The base and the contraction portion are integrally formed, and the absorption portion is fixed to the base by adhesive bonding.

9. A feeding mechanism, characterized in that, It includes a conveyor line and a feeding hopper, wherein the feeding hopper is the feeding hopper according to any one of claims 1-8, and the conveying direction of the conveyor line is set at an angle to the extending direction of the discharge channel.

10. The feeding mechanism according to claim 9, characterized in that, The end of the conveyor line is adjacent to or connected to the top wall of the hopper, and the first directional wall is relatively close to the conveyor line and located below the conveyor line; or, the end of the conveyor line is separated from the hopper, and the feeding mechanism includes a robot arm, which has at least a first position and a second position. The first position is located at the conveyor line and is used for gripping materials, and the second position is located above the hopper and is used for discharging materials.

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