Automatic feeding machine for suspension type flaw detector and connecting rod conveying method thereof

Abstract

This invention relates to an automatic feeding machine for a suspended flaw detector and its linkage conveying method, comprising: a material rack, a feeding port installed on one side of the material rack, a linkage reversing mechanism connected to the feeding port, a lifting mechanism connected to the linkage reversing mechanism, a conveyor chain connected to the lifting mechanism, a material distribution output mechanism connected to the conveyor chain, a tilting box connected to the material distribution output mechanism, and a material blocking mechanism installed between the tilting box and the flaw detector. The linkage reversing mechanism receives the linkage and changes its initial direction to be perpendicular to the initial direction; the lifting mechanism lifts the reversed linkage onto the conveyor chain corresponding to the height of the flaw detector; the material distribution output mechanism pushes the linkage from the conveyor chain into the tilting box; the tilting box stores a set of linkages received from the conveyor chain and feeds the set of linkages into the flaw detector's feeding port. The advantages of this invention are: changing the workpiece conveying direction and providing automated conveying without manual operation, thus realizing automatic feeding of the flaw detector.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automotive connecting rod forging technology, and in particular to an automatic feeding machine for a suspended flaw detector and a connecting rod conveying method thereof. Background Technology

[0002] In the rapid development of modern manufacturing, engine connecting rod forging plays a crucial role, involving the production of key equipment such as engines. However, with continuous technological advancements, the manufacturing industry faces increasingly higher demands for production efficiency and product quality. Against this backdrop, automated production has become an urgent need to reduce costs, improve efficiency, minimize human intervention, and ensure the production of high-quality products.

[0003] A key step in connecting rod forging is flaw detection, the primary purpose of which is to eliminate surface defects to ensure product quality and performance. However, traditional flaw detection processes present a number of challenges:

[0004] 1. Manual Operation: To date, the entire process from automatic weighing to flaw detection loading has relied on manual operation. This not only requires a large workforce but is also susceptible to human factors, including fatigue and human error.

[0005] 2. Complex actions: Flaw detection and feeding involve complex actions, such as reversing direction and lifting. This makes it costly to try to use robots to replace manual operation, and robots are usually slow and cannot meet the high production demand.

[0006] 3. Production costs: High labor costs and equipment maintenance expenses limit the manufacturing industry's potential to reduce production costs and improve competitiveness. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In view of the above problems, the purpose of this invention is to provide an automatic feeding machine for a suspended flaw detector and its linkage conveying method, which is used to change the direction of workpiece transmission and provide automated transmission without manual operation, thereby realizing automatic feeding of the flaw detector and overcoming the shortcomings of the prior art.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0009] An automatic feeding machine for a suspended flaw detector includes: a material rack, a feeding port installed on one side of the material rack, a linkage reversing mechanism connected to the feeding port, a lifting mechanism connected to the linkage reversing mechanism, a conveyor chain connected to the lifting mechanism, a material distribution output mechanism connected to the conveyor chain, a tilting box connected to the material distribution output mechanism, and a material blocking mechanism installed between the tilting box and the flaw detector.

[0010] The inlet end of the feed port is connected to the external conveyor belt to receive the connecting rod to be inspected, and the outlet end of the feed port is connected to the connecting rod reversing mechanism. The external conveyor belt is used to push the connecting rod to the connecting rod reversing mechanism.

[0011] The linkage reversing mechanism is mounted on the material rack and located at the material inlet end of the rack. The linkage reversing mechanism is used to receive the linkage and change the initial direction of the linkage to be perpendicular to the initial direction.

[0012] The lifting mechanism is used to lift the reversing connecting rod onto the conveyor chain corresponding to the height of the flaw detector.

[0013] The conveyor chain is horizontally positioned on the material rack and is used to transport the connecting rod to the flaw detector position.

[0014] The material distribution mechanism is installed on the material rack near the conveyor chain and is used to push the connecting rod from the conveyor chain into the material turning box;

[0015] The tipping box is installed on the material rack and located directly above the flaw detector inlet. The tipping box is used to store a set of connecting rods received from the conveyor chain and to send the set of connecting rods into the flaw detector inlet.

[0016] The material blocking mechanism is used to guide the connecting rod falling from the material discharge flap to the feed inlet of the flaw detector.

[0017] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the connecting rod reversing mechanism includes: a reversing bearing plate, an angle steel bracket mounted on the reversing bearing plate and arranged along the feeding direction, a buffer baffle mounted on the angle steel bracket for blocking and positioning the connecting rod, and a pushing mechanism mounted on the reversing bearing plate for changing the traveling direction of the connecting rod. The pushing mechanism includes: a pushing cylinder, a connecting plate, a head protection block, a screw, and a contour pushing head. The connecting plate is mounted on the piston rod of the pushing cylinder. The head protection block and the screw are both mounted on the end face of the connecting plate and arranged parallel to the piston rod. The contour pushing head is mounted on the end of the screw. The pushing cylinder drives the contour pushing head and the connecting plate through the connecting plate. The head protection block reciprocates perpendicular to the feeding direction of the connecting rod. The reversing bearing plate is inclined, with the inclination direction from the inlet end where the pushing mechanism is installed to the outlet end where it is connected to the lifting mechanism. The connecting rod is pushed from the external conveyor belt onto the reversing bearing plate and slides on the reversing bearing plate to stop at the buffer baffle. After stopping, the head of the connecting rod rests on the buffer baffle. The profile pushing head, driven by the pushing cylinder, contacts the tail of the stopped connecting rod and drives the connecting rod to change direction from the feeding direction to perpendicular to the feeding direction. The head protection block, driven by the pushing cylinder, contacts the head of the reversing connecting rod and drives the connecting rod to be conveyed from the reversing bearing plate to the lifting mechanism.

[0018] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lifting mechanism includes: a lifting cylinder vertically disposed on the material rack and located below the reversing bearing plate; a lifting plate mounted on the lifting cylinder and connected to the discharge end of the reversing bearing plate; and a hooking mechanism mounted directly above the feed end of the conveyor chain. The hooking mechanism includes: a hooking cylinder horizontally disposed on the material rack; and a hooking plate mounted on the piston rod of the hooking cylinder. The hooking plate, driven by the hooking cylinder, pushes the connecting rod on the lifting plate onto the conveyor chain.

[0019] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the material distribution mechanism includes: two sets of material-blocking cylinders mounted on the material rack and located at the tail end of the conveyor chain; a material-blocking plate mounted on the piston rod of the material-blocking cylinder; and a material distribution cylinder mounted on the material rack and located on the side of the conveyor chain. The material-blocking plate falls from above the conveyor chain under the action of the material-blocking cylinder and prevents the connecting rod from continuing to travel on the conveyor chain. The number of material distribution cylinders corresponds to the number of material-blocking cylinders. The material distribution cylinder is used to push the connecting rod, which is blocked by the material-blocking cylinder, from the conveyor chain into the compartment of the material-turning box.

[0020] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the flipping box includes: a box body, a set of compartments located inside the box body, a discharge flip plate located below each compartment, a synchronous connecting rod for pushing the discharge flip plate, and a flip plate cylinder for pushing the synchronous connecting rod. The discharge flip plate is used to block the bottom outlet of the compartment. One side of the discharge flip plate is hinged to the box body. The end of the synchronous connecting rod corresponding to the number of discharge flip plates is hinged to the discharge flip plate. The piston rod of the flip plate cylinder pushes the synchronous connecting rod to drive the discharge flip plate to open or close.

[0021] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the material blocking mechanism includes: a guide cylinder mounted on the material rack and located directly above the flipping box; a guide plate bracket mounted on the piston rod of the guide cylinder; and a guide plate mounted on the guide plate bracket. The number of guide plates corresponds to the number of bins. The guide plate enters the bin under the drive of the guide cylinder and extends out from the bottom outlet of the opened bin, guiding the connecting rod falling from the unloading flip plate to the inlet of the flaw detector.

[0022] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tilt angle of the reversing bearing plate is -8°.

[0023] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the head protection block is bolted to the side of the connecting plate end face near the buffer baffle. The front end of the contour pusher head conforms to the side of the connecting rod. The rear end of the contour pusher head is fixedly connected to a nut connected to the screw. A nut connected to the screw is fixedly connected to the end face of the connecting plate. The height of the screw and the contour pusher head is greater than the height of the head protection block.

[0024] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each set of the material blocking cylinders consists of two material blocking cylinders corresponding to the four compartments inside the material turning box.

[0025] Another object of the present invention is to provide a linkage conveying method for an automatic feeding machine of a suspended flaw detector, comprising the following steps:

[0026] Step S1: The connecting rod is transported by the external conveyor belt to the feed port of the material rack and enters the connecting rod reversing mechanism for a 90° reversal. The connecting rod slides into the reversing bearing plate under the inertia of the external conveyor belt and stops under the protection of the buffer baffle. At the same time, the head of the connecting rod is held against the buffer baffle to determine its position. Then, the pusher cylinder perpendicular to the feeding direction of the connecting rod pushes the tail of the connecting rod to turn through the conformal pusher head. When the head protection block contacts the head of the connecting rod, the connecting rod is successfully reversed and enters the lifting mechanism under the drive of the head protection block. After the action is completed, the pusher cylinder returns to the initial position.

[0027] Step S2: Use the lifting mechanism to lift the connecting rod that is lower than the height of the flaw detector to the conveyor chain that corresponds to the height of the flaw detector. Specifically, the lifting cylinder lifts the lifting plate carrying the reversing connecting rod to the same height as the conveyor chain. After the action is completed, the lifting cylinder returns to its initial position.

[0028] Step S3: Use the hooking mechanism to pull the connecting rod on the lifting plate back onto the conveyor chain. The hooking cylinder drives the hooking plate to pull the connecting rod from the lifting plate back onto the conveyor chain. After the action is completed, the hooking cylinder returns to its initial position.

[0029] Step S4: Use the conveyor chain to transport the connecting rod to the flaw detector position;

[0030] Step S5: The material distribution mechanism positions and transports the four connecting rods on the conveyor chain to the turning box. Four parallel-arranged blocking cylinders are used to position the four connecting rods. First, the blocking cylinder at the end of the conveyor chain activates to block and position the first connecting rod. Then, the second-to-last blocking cylinder activates to block and position the connecting rod. Next, the third-to-last blocking cylinder activates to block and position the connecting rod. Finally, the fourth-to-last blocking cylinder activates to block and position the connecting rod, completing the overall positioning of the material distribution mechanism. The four material distribution cylinders then sequentially push the positioned connecting rods from the conveyor chain into the four compartments of the turning box. The material distribution cylinders and blocking cylinders operate synchronously. After the operation is complete, the blocking cylinders return to their initial positions, and the material distribution cylinders return to their initial positions.

[0031] Step S6: Use the tipping box to store a set of four connecting rods received from the conveyor chain and send the set of connecting rods into the feed port of the flaw detector. After all four compartments of the tipping box receive the connecting rods, the tipping cylinder drives the discharge tipping plate to fall and tilt to 45° through the synchronous connecting rod. The connecting rods located in the compartments slide off the discharge tipping plate. After the action is completed, the tipping cylinder returns to the initial position.

[0032] Step S7: The material blocking mechanism guides the connecting rod that falls from the material discharge flap to the feed inlet of the flaw detector. At the same time as the flap cylinder is opened, the guide cylinder is opened. The guide cylinder extends from the bottom outlet of the compartment through the guide plate and blocks part of the bottom opening of the material discharge flap, so that the connecting rod slides down from the material discharge flap, hits the guide plate, and falls into the feed inlet of the flaw detector. After the action is completed, the guide cylinder returns to the initial position.

[0033] The advantages and positive effects of this invention are:

[0034] 1. This invention, through the cooperation of a pushing mechanism, a blocking mechanism, and a lifting platform, can maintain a certain distance between the front connecting rods during transmission, and the transmission direction can also be changed by 90 degrees to facilitate the subsequent loading of the flaw detector, thereby avoiding cumbersome manual operation and improving production efficiency and product quality.

[0035] 2. The material pushing mechanism of the present invention can also be linked with the elevator to solve the problem of the height of the connecting rod entering the flaw detector, thereby reducing the height of the worker placing the material, avoiding safety accidents, and facilitating worker operation.

[0036] 3. The lifting mechanism of the present invention can lift the workpiece within an adjustable range of 370-500mm, and can eliminate the inertia of the linkage reversing mechanism to prevent the workpiece from bouncing. Due to the existence of the lifting mechanism, the height of the entire automatic line is reduced by 500mm, which makes it easier for workers on the automatic line to place materials and improves the safety factor.

[0037] 4. The material distribution mechanism of the present invention can not only achieve consistent material output during continuous material output, but also achieve simultaneous output of multiple workpieces through the cooperation of the material blocking cylinder and the material distribution cylinder. When combined with the material turning box, it can meet the process requirements of the flaw detector, that is, the flaw detector can simultaneously perform flaw detection on multiple workpieces.

[0038] 5. The material output mechanism of this invention uses a set of four material-stopping cylinders for material blocking, which not only adjusts the spacing between incoming parts to align with the material rack at the discharge port, but also ensures that the workpiece does not shift due to the contouring module on it.

[0039] 6. The compartments in the material turning box of the present invention, together with the material turning plate, can achieve the consistency of multiple workpieces being discharged, and can also be used with the material distribution mechanism to improve the conveying efficiency.

[0040] 7. The hook mechanism of the present invention uses a U-shaped hook to pull the workpiece on the lifting mechanism back to the conveyor chain, which not only shortens the overall length of the conveyor line, but also straightens the workpiece during the pull-back process so that it does not deviate. Attached Figure Description

[0041] Figure 1 This is the main view of the overall structure in this invention.

[0042] Figure 2This is a side view of the overall structure in this invention.

[0043] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the installation structure of the material rack, connecting rod reversing mechanism and lifting mechanism in this invention.

[0044] Figure 4 This is a top view of the linkage reversing mechanism in this invention.

[0045] Figure 5 This is a top view of the reversing bearing plate in this invention.

[0046] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of the buffer baffle and angle steel bracket in this invention.

[0047] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the profile pusher head structure in this invention.

[0048] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of the buffer baffle, reversing bearing plate, pushing mechanism and lifting plate in this invention.

[0049] Figure 9 This is a top view of the material-turning box structure in this invention.

[0050] Reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Material rack; 2. Feed inlet; 3. Linkage reversing mechanism; 301. Reversing bearing plate; 302. Angle steel bracket; 303. Buffer baffle; 304. Pushing cylinder; 305. Connecting plate; 306. Head protection block; 307. Screw; 308. Profiling pusher head; 309. Nut; 4. Lifting mechanism; 401. Lifting cylinder; 402. Hooking cylinder; 404. Hooking plate; 5. Conveyor chain; 6. Material distribution output mechanism; 601. Baffle cylinder; 602. Material distribution cylinder; 603. Flipping box; 701. Box body; 702. Discharge flipping plate; 703. Synchronous connecting rod; 704. Flipping plate cylinder; 705. Baffle mechanism; 8. Guide cylinder; 801. Guide plate; 802. Detailed Implementation

[0051] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth for illustrative purposes and to provide a thorough understanding of one or more embodiments. However, it will be apparent that these embodiments may also be implemented without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form for ease of description of one or more embodiments.

[0052] Example 1

[0053] See Figure 1-9This embodiment provides an automatic feeding machine for a suspended flaw detector, comprising: a material rack 1, an inlet 2 installed on the left side of the material rack 1, a connecting rod reversing mechanism 3 connected to the inlet 2, a lifting mechanism 4 connected to the connecting rod reversing mechanism 3, a conveyor chain 5 connected to the lifting mechanism 4, a material distribution output mechanism 6 connected to the conveyor chain 5, a tilting box 7 connected to the material distribution output mechanism 6, and a blocking mechanism 8 installed between the tilting box 7 and the flaw detector. The inlet end of the inlet 2 is connected to an external conveyor belt to receive the connecting rod to be inspected, and the outlet end of the inlet 2 is connected to the connecting rod reversing mechanism 3. The external conveyor belt is used to push the connecting rod to the connecting rod reversing mechanism 3. The connecting rod reversing mechanism 3 is installed on the material rack 1 and located at the inlet end of the material rack 1. The connecting rod reversing mechanism 3 is used to receive the connecting rod and change the initial direction of the connecting rod to be perpendicular to the initial direction. The lifting mechanism 4 is used to lift the reversed connecting rod onto the conveyor chain 5, which corresponds to the height of the flaw detector. 5 is horizontally set on the material rack 1. The conveyor chain 5 is used to convey the connecting rod to the position of the flaw detector. The material output mechanism 6 is installed on the material rack 1 near the conveyor chain 5 and is used to push the connecting rod from the conveyor chain 5 into the flipping box 7. The flipping box 7 is installed on the material rack 1 and is located directly above the flaw detector inlet. The flipping box 7 is used to store a set of connecting rods received from the conveyor chain 5 and send a set of connecting rods into the flaw detector inlet. The material blocking mechanism 8 is used to guide the connecting rods falling from the unloading flip plate into the flaw detector inlet.

[0054] See Figure 1-8The connecting rod reversing mechanism 3 in this embodiment includes: a reversing bearing plate 301, an angle steel bracket 302, a copper buffer baffle 303, a pushing mechanism, a pushing cylinder 304, a connecting plate 305, a head protection block 306, a screw 307, a black nylon profile pushing head 308, and a nut 309. The reversing bearing plate 301 is installed on the material rack 1. The reversing bearing plate 301 is inclined relative to the horizontal plane. The inclination direction is -8° from the inlet end where the pushing mechanism is installed to the outlet end where it is connected to the lifting mechanism 4. The angle steel bracket 302 is installed on the reversing bearing plate 301 and is set along the feeding direction. The buffer baffle 303 is installed on the angle steel bracket 302 to block and position the connecting rod. The pushing mechanism is installed on the reversing bearing plate 301 in the direction perpendicular to the feeding direction and is used to change the traveling direction of the connecting rod. The feeding mechanism includes: a feeding cylinder 304, a connecting plate 305, a head protection block 306, a screw 307, a profile feeding head 308, and a nut 309. The feeding cylinder 304 is fixedly connected to the reversing bearing plate 301, and its pushing direction is perpendicular to the feeding direction. The connecting plate 305 is mounted on the piston rod of the feeding cylinder 304. The head protection block 306 and the screw 307 are both mounted on the end face of the connecting plate 305 and are arranged parallel to the piston rod of the feeding cylinder 304. The head protection block 306 is bolted to the end face of the connecting plate 305 near the buffer baffle 303. The front end of the profile feeding head 308 is profiled to the side of the engine connecting rod, and the rear end of the profile feeding head 308 is fixedly connected to a nut 309 connected to the screw 307. A nut 309 connected to the screw 307 is also fixedly connected to the end face of the connecting plate 305. The height of the 7 and the profile pusher head 308 is greater than the height of the head protection block. The screw 307 with the profile pusher head 308 and the head protection block 306 form an L-shaped pusher head on the connecting plate 305. The pusher cylinder 304 drives the profile pusher head 308 and the head protection block 306 of the L-shaped pusher head to reciprocate perpendicularly to the feeding direction of the connecting rod through the connecting plate 305. During the movement, the profile pusher head 308 of the L-shaped pusher head first contacts the tail of the engine connecting rod. Since the head of the engine connecting rod is pressed against the buffer baffle 303, the L-shaped pusher head drives the tail of the engine connecting rod to turn. When the head protection block 306 of the L-shaped pusher head contacts the head of the engine connecting rod, it indicates that the engine connecting rod has completed the turn. The head protection block 306 pushes the head of the engine connecting rod that has completed the turn and pushes it onto the lifting plate of the lifting mechanism 4.The specific driving method of the connecting rod reversing mechanism 3 is as follows: the connecting rod is pushed from the external conveyor belt to the reversing bearing plate 304 and slides on the reversing bearing plate 304 to stop at the buffer baffle 303. After stopping, the head of the connecting rod is held against the buffer baffle 303. The profile pusher head 308, driven by the pusher cylinder 304, contacts the tail of the stopped connecting rod and drives the connecting rod to reverse from the feeding direction to be perpendicular to the feeding direction. The head protection block 306, driven by the pusher cylinder 304, contacts the head of the reversed connecting rod and drives the connecting rod to be transported from the reversing bearing plate 301 to the lifting mechanism 4.

[0055] See Figure 1-8 In this embodiment, the lifting mechanism 4 includes: a lifting cylinder 401 vertically arranged on the material rack 1 and located below the reversing bearing plate 301; a lifting plate 402 installed on the lifting cylinder 401 and connected to the discharge end of the reversing bearing plate 301; and a hooking mechanism installed directly above the inlet end of the conveyor chain 5. The hooking mechanism includes: a hooking cylinder 403 horizontally arranged on the material rack 1; and a hooking plate 404 installed on the piston rod of the hooking cylinder 403. The hooking plate 404 pushes the connecting rod on the lifting plate 402 onto the conveyor chain 5 under the drive of the hooking cylinder 403.

[0056] See Figure 1-8 In this embodiment, the profile pusher head 308 is made of black nylon and is fixed to the connecting plate 305, which serves as the cylinder head, by M12 screws 307 and nuts 309. The length of screw 307 can be adjusted to meet the needs of other products, with an adjustment range of 0-10mm. The head protection block 306 is made of black nylon and is fixed to the connecting plate 305, which serves as the cylinder head, by two M8*25 screws. The reversing bearing plate 301 is made of stainless steel plate with dimensions of 830*270*T5 (unit: mm), with a 260*165 (unit: mm) piece removed from the lower left corner to serve as the lifting plate 402.

[0057] The material distribution mechanism 6 in this embodiment includes: a material blocking cylinder 601, a material blocking plate 602, and a material distribution cylinder 603. The four material blocking cylinders 601 are sequentially installed on the material rack 1 and located above the tail of the conveyor chain 5. The four material blocking plates 602 are respectively installed on the four material blocking cylinders 601. The four material blocking plates 602 are perpendicular to the end face of the conveyor chain 5. The spacing between the four material blocking plates 602 corresponds to the four compartment entrances of the flipping box 7. The four material distribution cylinders 603 are installed on the material rack 1 and located on the side of the conveyor chain 5. The positions of the four material distribution cylinders 603 correspond to the four material blocking plates 602. Driven by the material blocking cylinders 601, the four material blocking plates 602 fall sequentially from the top of the conveyor chain 5 from back to front and prevent the connecting rod from continuing to move on the conveyor chain 5. The four material distribution cylinders 603 push the connecting rod, which is blocked by the material blocking cylinders 601, from the conveyor chain 5 into the corresponding compartment 702 of the flipping box 7.

[0058] The material-turning box 7 in this embodiment includes: a box body 701, a set of four compartments 702 located inside the box body 701, a material-discharging flip plate 703 located below each compartment 702, a synchronous connecting rod 704 for pushing the material-discharging flip plate 703, and a flip plate cylinder 705 for pushing the synchronous connecting rod 704. The material-discharging flip plate 703 is used to block the bottom outlet of the compartment 702. One side of the material-discharging flip plate 703 is hinged to the box body 701. The end of the synchronous connecting rod 704, which corresponds to the number of material-discharging flip plates 703, is hinged to the material-discharging flip plate 707. The piston rod of the flip plate cylinder 705 pushes the synchronous connecting rod 704 to drive the four material-discharging flip plates 703 to open or close.

[0059] The material blocking mechanism 8 in this embodiment includes: a guide cylinder 801 installed on the material rack 1 and located directly above the flipping box 7, a guide plate bracket installed on the piston rod of the guide cylinder 801, and a guide plate 802 installed on the guide plate bracket. The number of the four guide plates 802 corresponds to the number of the four compartments 702. The guide plates 802 enter the compartment 702 under the drive of the guide cylinder 801 and extend out from the bottom outlet of the opened compartment 702, guiding the connecting rod falling from the unloading flip plate 703 to the inlet of the flaw detector.

[0060] In this embodiment, multiple cylinders are controlled by photoelectric switches used for detecting workpieces.

[0061] Working Principle: The connecting rod to be inspected is fed into the external inlet. The connecting rod reversing mechanism 3 rotates the connecting rod 90° to change direction. The reversing mechanism 3 completes the reversal of the connecting rod using only a cylinder and an L-shaped pusher head. Compared to a robotic arm, this method is not only lower in cost but also offers faster operation. After reversing, the connecting rod enters the conveyor chain 5 driven by the lifting mechanism 4. The lifting mechanism 4 lowers the overall height of the automated line by 500 mm, facilitating material placement by the automated line workers and improving safety. The connecting rod is then transported to the flaw detector position via the conveyor chain 5. The material distribution mechanism 6 pushes the connecting rod from the conveyor chain 5 into the turning box 7. A set of four baffles 602 of the material distribution mechanism 6, driven by the baffle cylinders 601, fall sequentially from back to front above the conveyor chain 5, preventing the connecting rod from continuing its journey. Four material distribution cylinders 603 push the connecting rod, blocked by the baffle cylinders 601, from the conveyor chain 5 into the corresponding compartment 702 of the turning box 7. The turning box 7 stores a set of connecting rods received from the conveyor chain 5 and sends the set of connecting rods into the flaw detector inlet. The four compartments 702 of the turning box 7 can simultaneously output four connecting rods. The baffle mechanism 8 guides the connecting rods falling from the discharge flaps into the flaw detector inlet.

[0062] Example 2

[0063] This embodiment provides a linkage conveying method for an automatic feeding machine of a suspended flaw detector, including the following steps:

[0064] Step S1: The connecting rod is transported by the external conveyor belt to the feed inlet 2 of the material rack 1 and enters the connecting rod reversing mechanism 3 for a 90° reversal. The connecting rod slides into the reversing bearing plate 301 under the inertia of the external conveyor belt and stops under the protection of the buffer baffle 303. At the same time, the head of the connecting rod is held against the buffer baffle 303 to determine its position. Then, the pusher cylinder 304, which is perpendicular to the feeding direction of the connecting rod, pushes the tail of the connecting rod to turn through the conformal pusher head 308. When the head protection block 306 contacts the head of the connecting rod, the connecting rod is successfully reversed and enters the lifting mechanism 4 under the drive of the head protection block 306. After completing the action, the pusher cylinder 304 returns to the initial position.

[0065] Step S2: Use the lifting mechanism 4 to lift the connecting rod that is lower than the height of the flaw detector to the conveyor chain 5 that corresponds to the height of the flaw detector. The lifting cylinder 401 lifts the lifting plate 402 carrying the reversing connecting rod to the same height as the conveyor chain 5. After the action is completed, the lifting cylinder 401 returns to the initial position.

[0066] Step S3: Use the hooking mechanism to pull the connecting rod on the lifting plate 402 back to the conveyor chain 5. The hooking cylinder 403 drives the hooking plate 404 to pull the connecting rod from the lifting plate 402 back to the conveyor chain 5. After the action is completed, the hooking cylinder 403 returns to the initial position.

[0067] Step S4: Use conveyor chain 5 to transport the connecting rod to the flaw detector position;

[0068] Step S5: The material distribution mechanism 6 is used to position the four connecting rods on the conveyor chain 5 and transport them into the turning box 7. Four parallel-arranged blocking cylinders 601 are used to position the four connecting rods on the conveyor chain 5. First, the blocking cylinder 601 at the end of the conveyor chain 5 is activated to block and position the first connecting rod. Then, the second-to-last blocking cylinder 601 is activated to block and position the connecting rod. Next, the third-to-last blocking cylinder 601 is activated to block and position the connecting rod. Finally, the fourth-to-last blocking cylinder 601 is activated to block and position the connecting rod, completing the overall positioning of the material distribution mechanism 6. The four material distribution cylinders 603 are then used to push the positioned connecting rods from the conveyor chain 5 into the four compartments 702 of the turning box 7. The material distribution cylinders 603 and the blocking cylinders 601 operate synchronously. After the operation is completed, the blocking cylinder 601 and the material distribution cylinder 603 return to their initial positions.

[0069] Step S6: Use the tipping box 7 to store a set of four connecting rods received from the conveyor chain 5 and send the set of connecting rods into the feed port of the flaw detector. After all four compartments 702 of the tipping box 7 receive the connecting rods, the tipping cylinder 705 drives the discharge tipping plate 703 to fall and tilt to 45° through the synchronous connecting rod 704. The connecting rods located in the compartments 702 slide off the discharge tipping plate 703. After the action is completed, the tipping cylinder 705 returns to the initial position.

[0070] Step S7: The material blocking mechanism 8 guides the connecting rod that falls from the discharge flap 703 into the feed inlet of the flaw detector. At the same time as the flap cylinder 705 is opened, the guide cylinder 801 is opened. The guide cylinder 801 extends from the bottom outlet of the compartment 702 through the guide plate 802 and blocks part of the bottom opening of the discharge flap 703, so that the connecting rod slides from the discharge flap 703, hits the guide plate 802 and falls into the feed inlet of the flaw detector. After the action is completed, the guide cylinder returns to the initial position.

[0071] The above are merely specific embodiments of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A suspension type flaw detector automatic feeding machine, characterized in that, include: Material rack, inlet installed on one side of the material rack, linkage reversing mechanism connected to the inlet, lifting mechanism connected to the linkage reversing mechanism, conveyor chain connected to the lifting mechanism, material distribution output mechanism connected to the conveyor chain, material tilting box connected to the material distribution output mechanism, and material blocking mechanism installed between the material tilting box and the flaw detector. The inlet end of the feed port is connected to the external conveyor belt to receive the connecting rod to be inspected, and the outlet end of the feed port is connected to the connecting rod reversing mechanism. The external conveyor belt is used to push the connecting rod to the connecting rod reversing mechanism. The linkage reversing mechanism is mounted on the material rack and located at the material inlet end of the rack. The linkage reversing mechanism is used to receive the linkage and change the initial direction of the linkage to be perpendicular to the initial direction. The lifting mechanism is used to lift the reversing connecting rod onto the conveyor chain corresponding to the height of the flaw detector. The conveyor chain is horizontally positioned on the material rack and is used to transport the connecting rod to the flaw detector position. The material distribution mechanism is installed on the material rack near the conveyor chain and is used to push the connecting rod from the conveyor chain into the material turning box; The material-turning box is installed on the material rack and located directly above the flaw detector's inlet. The material-turning box is used to store a set of connecting rods received from the conveyor chain and to send the set of connecting rods into the flaw detector's inlet. The material-turning box includes: a box body, a set of compartments located inside the box body, a material-discharging flap located below each compartment, a synchronous connecting rod that pushes the material-discharging flap, and a flap cylinder that pushes the synchronous connecting rod. The material-discharging flap is used to block the bottom outlet of the compartment. One side of the material-discharging flap is hinged to the box body. The end of the synchronous connecting rod corresponding to the number of material-discharging flaps is hinged to the material-discharging flap. The piston rod of the flap cylinder pushes the synchronous connecting rod to open or close the material-discharging flap. The material blocking mechanism is used to guide the connecting rod falling from the material discharge flap to the feed inlet of the flaw detector.

2. The automatic feeding machine for a suspension type flaw detector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting rod reversing mechanism includes: a reversing bearing plate, an angle steel bracket mounted on the reversing bearing plate and arranged along the feeding direction, a buffer baffle mounted on the angle steel bracket for blocking and positioning the connecting rod, and a pushing mechanism mounted on the reversing bearing plate for changing the traveling direction of the connecting rod. The pushing mechanism includes: a pushing cylinder, a connecting plate, a head protection block, a screw, and a profile pushing head. The connecting plate is mounted on the piston rod of the pushing cylinder. The head protection block and the screw are both mounted on the end face of the connecting plate and arranged parallel to the piston rod. The profile pushing head is mounted on the end of the screw. The pushing cylinder drives the profile pushing head and the head protection block through the connecting plate. The block reciprocates perpendicular to the feeding direction of the connecting rod. The reversing bearing plate is inclined, with the inclination direction from the inlet end where the pushing mechanism is installed to the outlet end where it is connected to the lifting mechanism. The connecting rod is pushed from the external conveyor belt onto the reversing bearing plate and slides on the reversing bearing plate to stop at the buffer baffle. After stopping, the head of the connecting rod rests on the buffer baffle. The profile pushing head, driven by the pushing cylinder, contacts the tail of the stopped connecting rod and drives the connecting rod to change direction from the feeding direction to perpendicular to the feeding direction. The head protection block, driven by the pushing cylinder, contacts the head of the reversing connecting rod and drives the connecting rod to be conveyed from the reversing bearing plate to the lifting mechanism.

3. The automatic feeding machine for a suspension type flaw detector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lifting mechanism includes: a lifting cylinder vertically mounted on the material rack and located below the reversing bearing plate; a lifting plate mounted on the lifting cylinder and connected to the discharge end of the reversing bearing plate; and a hooking mechanism mounted directly above the feed end of the conveyor chain. The hooking mechanism includes: a hooking cylinder horizontally mounted on the material rack; and a hooking plate mounted on the piston rod of the hooking cylinder. The hooking plate, driven by the hooking cylinder, pushes the connecting rod on the lifting plate onto the conveyor chain.

4. The automatic feeding machine for a suspended flaw detector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The material distribution mechanism includes: two sets of material-blocking cylinders mounted on the material rack and located at the end of the conveyor chain; a material-blocking plate mounted on the piston rod of the material-blocking cylinder; and a material distribution cylinder mounted on the material rack and located on the side of the conveyor chain. The material-blocking plate falls from above the conveyor chain under the action of the material-blocking cylinder and prevents the connecting rod from continuing to travel on the conveyor chain. The number of material distribution cylinders corresponds to the number of material-blocking cylinders. The material distribution cylinder is used to push the connecting rod, which is blocked by the material-blocking cylinder, from the conveyor chain into the compartment of the material-turning box.

5. The automatic feeding machine for a suspension type flaw detector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The material blocking mechanism includes: a guide cylinder installed on the material rack and located directly above the flipping box; a guide plate bracket installed on the piston rod of the guide cylinder; and a guide plate installed on the guide plate bracket. The number of guide plates corresponds to the number of bins. The guide plate enters the bin under the drive of the guide cylinder and extends out from the bottom outlet of the opened bin, guiding the connecting rod falling from the unloading flip plate to the feed port of the flaw detector.

6. The automatic feeding machine for a suspension type flaw detector according to claim 2, characterized in that, The tilt angle of the reversing bearing plate is -8°.

7. The automatic feeding machine for a suspension type flaw detector according to claim 2, characterized in that, The head protection block is bolted to the end face of the connecting plate near the buffer baffle. The front end of the profile pusher head conforms to the side of the connecting rod. The rear end of the profile pusher head is fixedly connected to a nut connected to the screw. A nut connected to the screw is fixedly connected to the end face of the connecting plate. The height of the screw and the profile pusher head is greater than the height of the head protection block.

8. The automatic feeding machine for a suspension type flaw detector according to claim 4, characterized in that, Corresponding to the four compartments inside the material turning box, each set of the material blocking cylinders consists of two material blocking cylinders.

9. A method for connecting rod conveying of a suspension type automatic feeding machine for a flaw detector, characterized by, Includes the following steps: Step S1: The connecting rod is transported by the external conveyor belt to the feed port of the material rack and enters the connecting rod reversing mechanism for a 90° reversal. During this process, the connecting rod slides down into the reversing bearing plate under the inertia of the external conveyor belt and stops under the protection of the buffer baffle. At the same time, the head of the connecting rod is held against the buffer baffle to determine its position. Then, the pusher cylinder perpendicular to the feeding direction of the connecting rod pushes the tail of the connecting rod to turn through the conformal pusher head. When the head protection block contacts the head of the connecting rod, the connecting rod is successfully reversed and enters the lifting mechanism under the action of the head protection block. After completing the action, the pusher cylinder returns to the initial position. Step S2: Use the lifting mechanism to lift the connecting rod that is lower than the height of the flaw detector to the conveyor chain that corresponds to the height of the flaw detector. Specifically, the lifting cylinder lifts the lifting plate carrying the reversing connecting rod to the same height as the conveyor chain. After the action is completed, the lifting cylinder returns to its initial position. Step S3: Use the hooking mechanism to pull the connecting rod on the lifting plate back onto the conveyor chain. The hooking cylinder drives the hooking plate to pull the connecting rod from the lifting plate back onto the conveyor chain. After the action is completed, the hooking cylinder returns to its initial position. Step S4: Use the conveyor chain to transport the connecting rod to the flaw detector position; Step S5: The material distribution mechanism positions and transports the four connecting rods on the conveyor chain to the turning box. Four parallel-arranged blocking cylinders are used to position the four connecting rods. First, the blocking cylinder at the end of the conveyor chain activates to block and position the first connecting rod. Then, the second-to-last blocking cylinder activates to block and position the connecting rod. Next, the third-to-last blocking cylinder activates to block and position the connecting rod. Finally, the fourth-to-last blocking cylinder activates to block and position the connecting rod, completing the overall positioning of the material distribution mechanism. The four material distribution cylinders then sequentially push the positioned connecting rods from the conveyor chain into the four compartments of the turning box. The material distribution cylinders and blocking cylinders operate synchronously. After the operation is complete, the blocking cylinders return to their initial positions, and the material distribution cylinders return to their initial positions. Step S6: Use the tipping box to store a set of four connecting rods received from the conveyor chain and send the set of connecting rods into the feed port of the flaw detector. After all four compartments of the tipping box receive the connecting rods, the tipping cylinder drives the discharge tipping plate to fall and tilt to 45° through the synchronous connecting rod. The connecting rods located in the compartments slide off the discharge tipping plate. After the action is completed, the tipping cylinder returns to the initial position. Step S7: The material blocking mechanism guides the connecting rod that falls from the material discharge flap to the feed inlet of the flaw detector. At the same time as the flap cylinder is opened, the guide cylinder is opened. The guide cylinder extends from the bottom outlet of the compartment through the guide plate and blocks part of the bottom opening of the material discharge flap, so that the connecting rod slides down from the material discharge flap, hits the guide plate, and falls into the feed inlet of the flaw detector. After the action is completed, the guide cylinder returns to the initial position.

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