Turnover tool

Abstract

This invention discloses a flipping fixture that solves the problems of low production efficiency and low robot efficiency in existing technologies, where robots need to perform multiple gripping operations on parts, and the parts production equipment also needs to wait for the robot to grip and transfer the parts. The flipping fixture of this invention allows for the release of reverse-positioned parts using only the second limiting structure when the fixture plate is flipped, causing the reverse-positioned parts to flip to the correct orientation. The correctly positioned parts, fixed by the first limiting structure, can be reset with the fixture plate and remain in the correct orientation. The robot can grip two parts simultaneously from the parts production equipment, reducing the number of gripping operations and effectively improving robot efficiency. It also allows parts to be removed from the parts production equipment more quickly, reducing the waiting time for parts to be removed, thereby improving overall production efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of production equipment technology, and more specifically, to a flipping tool. Background Technology

[0002] In the production process of air conditioner parts, there are instances where two parts are produced in the same step. For example, when producing a sheet metal left side panel, two sheet metal left side panels are stacked, with one facing forward and the other backward, which can improve the production efficiency of the parts. However, the parts need to be moved to the next workstation by a robot for use. Because the two parts are stacked, with one facing forward and the other backward, the robot can only grab the backward-facing part first, flip it using a flipping device, grab it again, and send it to the next workstation. Only after the backward-facing part has been transported can the robot grab the forward-facing part and send it to the next workstation again. The robot needs to perform multiple grabbing operations on the parts, and the parts production equipment also needs to wait for the robot to grab and transfer the parts, resulting in low production efficiency for both the parts and low working efficiency for the robot. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention discloses a flipping fixture that uses a first limiting structure and a second limiting structure to fix two parts separately and flips only the parts placed in opposite directions so that the robot can grasp both parts at the same time, thereby improving the robot's working efficiency and the production efficiency of the parts. This solves the problem in the prior art that the robot needs to perform multiple grasping operations on the parts, and the parts production equipment also needs to wait for the robot to grasp and transfer the parts, resulting in low production efficiency of the parts and low working efficiency of the robot.

[0004] This invention discloses a flipping fixture, comprising:

[0005] A work board on which two parts can be placed, one in front of the other, with the reversed part located on the side of the forward-placed part away from the work board.

[0006] A flipping mechanism is provided, wherein the work plate is connected to the flipping mechanism, and the flipping mechanism is capable of driving the work plate to flip.

[0007] A first limiting structure is disposed on the working plate, and the first limiting structure can limit the part that is placed in the forward position.

[0008] A second limiting structure is disposed on the working plate, and the second limiting structure can limit the reverse-positioned part.

[0009] The flipping fixture also includes a worktable located below the work plate, and the flipping mechanism is disposed on the worktable.

[0010] The flipping mechanism includes a first support beam and a second support beam. The first support beam is disposed on a first side of the workbench, and the first end of the work plate is rotatably disposed on the first support beam. The second support beam is disposed on a second side of the workbench, and the second end of the work plate is rotatably disposed on the second support beam.

[0011] The flipping fixture also includes a drive structure, which is disposed on the first support beam or the second support beam, and the drive structure can drive the work plate to rotate.

[0012] The first limiting structure includes a clamping block, which is movably disposed on the working plate, and the clamping block has a first state of clamping the orthogonally placed part and a second state of releasing the orthogonally placed part.

[0013] The flipping fixture also includes a first positioning detection mechanism, which is capable of acquiring the working status of the clamping block, and is electrically connected to the second limiting structure.

[0014] The second limiting structure includes a magnetic attraction structure, which is disposed on the working plate and is capable of attracting or releasing the reverse-positioned part.

[0015] The flipping fixture also includes a second positioning detection mechanism, which is capable of acquiring the flipping state of the work plate, and is electrically connected to both the magnetic suction structure and the first limiting structure.

[0016] The flipping fixture includes a parts detection mechanism, which can detect whether there are parts on the work plate, and the parts detection mechanism is electrically connected to the first limiting structure.

[0017] The work plate is provided with a positioning structure, which works together with the first limiting structure to fix the part that is placed upright.

[0018] The flipping fixture of the present invention uses a first limiting structure to fix a part placed in the correct orientation and a second limiting structure to fix a part placed in the reverse orientation. This allows the part to be released only by the second limiting structure when the fixture plate is flipped, turning it to the correct orientation. The part fixed in the correct orientation by the first limiting structure can then be reset with the fixture plate and remain in the correct orientation. The robot can simultaneously grasp two parts from the parts production equipment, reducing the number of grasping operations and effectively improving the robot's work efficiency. It also allows parts to be removed from the parts production equipment more quickly, reducing the waiting time for parts to be removed and thus improving the overall production efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the flipping tool according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the flipping tooling in an embodiment of the present invention when it is not flipped.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the flipping fixture after it has been flipped according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the flipping tool after flipping and resetting according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Legend: 1. Work plate; 2. Tilting mechanism; 3. First limiting structure; 4. Second limiting structure; 10. Part 1; 20. Part 2; 5. Worktable; 21. First support beam; 22. Second support beam; 23. Drive structure; Detailed Implementation

[0024] The present invention will be further described below with reference to embodiments, but is not limited to the contents of the specification.

[0025] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the technical solutions of this invention will be described in detail below. Obviously, the described embodiments are merely some embodiments of this invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this invention, all other implementation methods obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0026] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "length," "width," "height," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," and "side," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships, are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing the invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the invention. In the description of this invention, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0027] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the present invention discloses a flipping fixture, comprising: a work plate 1, on which two parts stacked in opposite directions can be placed, with the reverse-placed part located on the side of the forward-placed part away from the work plate 1; a flipping mechanism 2, on which the work plate 1 is connected, and which can drive the work plate 1 to flip; a first limiting structure 3, disposed on the work plate 1, which can limit the forward-placed part; and a second limiting structure 4, disposed on the work plate 1, which can limit the reverse-placed part. The first limiting structure 3 is used to fix the orthogonally placed part, and the second limiting structure 4 is used to fix the orthogonally placed part. So when the tooling plate is flipped, only the second limiting structure 4 is used to release the orthogonally placed part, so that the orthogonally placed part flips to the orthogonal position. The orthogonally placed part fixed by the first limiting structure 3 can be reset with the tooling plate and continue to be orthogonally placed. The robot can grasp two parts at the same time from the parts production equipment, reducing the number of grasping operations of the robot, effectively improving the robot's working efficiency, and also enabling the parts to be removed from the parts production equipment as soon as possible, reducing the waiting time for the parts production equipment to remove the parts, thereby improving the production efficiency of the parts.

[0028] During the production process, the robot simultaneously picks up two parts stacked opposite each other from the parts production equipment and places them on the work plate 1. The first limiting structure 3 fixes the upright part (part 10), and the second limiting structure 4 fixes the reversed part (part 20). Then, the flipping mechanism 2 drives the work plate 1 and the two parts to flip together. When the work plate 1 and the two parts are flipped into place, part 20 is flipped to the upright position, while part 10 is flipped to the reverse position. At this time, the second limiting structure 4 releases part 20, allowing it to remain upright. The robot can then move part 20 to the next work station. Then, the work plate 1 flips back to its original position, and part 10 is moved back to the upright position. The robot then moves part 10 to the next work station again. This reduces the number of times the robot picks up parts, effectively improving the robot's work efficiency and allowing parts to be removed from the parts production equipment as quickly as possible, reducing the waiting time for parts to be removed and thus improving the production efficiency of parts.

[0029] The flipping fixture also includes a worktable 5, which is located below the work plate 1, and the flipping mechanism 2 is mounted on the worktable 5. The worktable 5 receives the flipped part 20, facilitating the robot's gripping of part 20. Preferably, the worktable 5 is equipped with a transmission belt. After the second limiting structure 4 releases part 20, part 20 falls onto the transmission belt, which can move part 20 out of the area below the work plate 1, facilitating the robot's gripping of part 20 and ensuring reliable robot operation.

[0030] In one embodiment, the flipping mechanism 2 includes a first support beam 21 and a second support beam 22. The first support beam 21 is disposed on the first side of the worktable 5, and the first end of the work plate 1 is rotatably disposed on the first support beam 21. The second support beam 22 is disposed on the second side of the worktable 5, and the second end of the work plate 1 is rotatably disposed on the second support beam 22. By using the first support beam 21 and the second support beam 22 to support the work plate 1, the work plate 1 can be reliably flipped. The first and second sides of the worktable 5 are respectively the two sides of the width of the worktable 5, and the conveying direction of the transmission belt is the length direction of the worktable 5. At this time, the flipping axis of the work plate 1 is parallel to the plane of the worktable 5, ensuring the reliable flipping of the work plate 1 and also ensuring that the second part 20 can be smoothly moved by the transmission belt to outside the flipping range of the work plate 1, ensuring the reliable operation of the flipping fixture and the robot.

[0031] The flipping fixture also includes a drive structure 23, which is mounted on the first support beam 21 or the second support beam 22, and can drive the work plate 1 to rotate. The drive structure 23 drives the work plate 1 to flip, ensuring the reliability of the flipping of part 20. The drive structure 23 can be a drive cylinder, whose linear motion can be converted into rotation of the work plate 1 by a transmission structure. The work plate 1 can be flipped and reset by the air supply and release of the drive cylinder. Alternatively, the drive structure 23 can be a servo motor, whose rotation drives the work plate 1. The buffering effect of the servo motor is fully utilized to improve the working reliability of the flipping fixture. Furthermore, the rotation angle of the fixture plate can be controlled by controlling the rotation angle of the servo motor, thus expanding the applicability of the flipping fixture.

[0032] Specifically, the first limiting structure 3 includes a clamping block, which is movably disposed on the work plate 1. The clamping block has a first state of clamping the orthogonally placed part and a second state of releasing the orthogonally placed part. When it is necessary to fix the part, the clamping block switches to the first state. When the work plate 1 is flipped, the part can be pressed onto the work plate 1 by the clamping block and will not fall off. When the work plate 1 is reset, the clamping block switches to the second state and releases the part. At this time, the robot can directly obtain the part from the work plate 1, ensuring the reliability of the flipping fixture and the robot's operation.

[0033] The flipping fixture also includes a first positioning detection mechanism. The first positioning detection mechanism can obtain the working state of the clamping block, and the first positioning detection mechanism is electrically connected to the second limiting structure 4. The first positioning detection mechanism is used to determine whether the clamping block is in a first state or a second state. When the clamping block is in the first state, it indicates that the clamping block has completed the fixation of part 10. At this time, the second limiting structure 4 can be controlled to fix part 20, so that the flipping fixture can continue to perform the flipping operation on the work plate 1 and realize the flipping of part 20.

[0034] To avoid structural interference between the second limiting structure 4 and the first limiting structure 3, the second limiting structure 4 includes a magnetic attraction structure. This magnetic attraction structure is mounted on the working plate 1 and can attract or release the reverse-positioned part. By using the magnetic attraction structure to attract part 20, the structural complexity of the second limiting structure 4 is reduced. This allows part 20 to be released by de-energizing the magnetic attraction structure when it is flipped to its upright position, thus detaching part 20 from the working plate 1. Since parts 10 and 20 are made of the same material, the magnetic attraction structure can be set on the side of the work plate 1 that is attached to parts 10, so that the magnetic attraction structure can attract parts 10 and 20 at the same time. After the work plate 1 flips over parts 10 and 20, parts 10 is limited by the first limiting structure 3, and the magnetic attraction structure stops attracting. Only parts 20 is detached from the work plate 1, so that parts 20 is placed upright on the worktable 5. Then the work plate 1 is flipped in the opposite direction to restore parts 10 to the upright position.

[0035] The flipping fixture also includes a second positioning detection mechanism. This second positioning detection mechanism can acquire the flipping state of the work plate 1, and it is electrically connected to both the magnetic suction structure and the first limiting structure 3. The flipping mechanism 2 can move the work plate 1 freely between the initial position where part 10 is placed upright and the flipped position where part 20 is detached. The second positioning detection mechanism can determine the position of the work plate 1. When the work plate 1 is in the initial position, the first limiting structure 3 can fix or release part 10, and the second limiting structure 4 can also fix part 20. When the work plate 1 is in the flipped position, the second positioning detection mechanism can control the second limiting structure 4 to release part 20 while maintaining the limiting effect of the first limiting structure 3 on part 10. During one working cycle of the flipping fixture, the second positioning detection mechanism can detect the position of the work plate 1 three times. The first time is when the work plate 1 is in the initial position to place part 10 and part 20. The second time is when the work plate 1 is flipped to release part 20. The third time is when the work plate 1 is reset to the initial position to release part 10 so that the robot can grasp part 10.

[0036] The flipping fixture includes a parts detection mechanism, which can detect whether a part is on the work plate 1, and is electrically connected to the first limiting structure 3. The parts detection mechanism determines whether part 10 and part 20 are placed on the work plate 1. When part 10 and part 20 are already on the work plate 1, the parts detection mechanism sends a corresponding control signal, which controls the first limiting structure 3 to fix part 10, and the second limiting structure 4 to fix part 20. The parts detection mechanism can be a photoelectric detection mechanism. When a part is placed on the work plate 1, the light emitted by the photoelectric detection mechanism is blocked, indicating that the part is already on the work plate 1 and can be flipped. When the robot removes part 10 from the work plate 1, the light emitted by the photoelectric detection mechanism is detected again, indicating that there are no parts on the flipping fixture, and the robot can place parts on the work plate 1 again. Part inspection mechanisms can also be diffuse reflection photoelectric inspection mechanisms. Diffuse reflection photoelectric inspection mechanisms have low space requirements for installation, can further adapt to irregular surfaces of parts, and improve the working reliability and applicability of flipping fixtures.

[0037] The work plate 1 is provided with a positioning structure, which works in conjunction with the first limiting structure 3 to fix the upright part. The positioning structure ensures that the part is placed in a preset position on the work plate 1, so that after flipping, part 20 can be in a preset position on the worktable 5 for easy gripping by the robot. Preferably, the positioning structure is a baffle, and the clamping block and the baffle can work together to fix part 10. The clamping block and the baffle are designed to be compatible with multiple parts to achieve versatility; for some parts with complex structures, magnets can be added to the clamping block, so that the magnets on the clamping block can attract the part when resetting, preventing the part from getting stuck on the baffle; for some easily deformable parts, the clamping block can also be made of materials with low hardness such as polyurethane or silicone.

[0038] It is understood that the same or similar parts in the above embodiments can be referred to each other, and the contents not described in detail in some embodiments can be referred to the same or similar contents in other embodiments.

[0039] It should be noted that in the description of this invention, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. Furthermore, in the description of this invention, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" or "more" means at least two.

[0040] It should be understood that when an element is referred to as "fixed to" or "set on" another element, it may be directly on the other element or may have an intervening element present at the same time; when an element is referred to as "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or may have an intervening element present at the same time. In addition, the term "connected" as used herein may include wireless connections; the word "and / or" as used includes any unit and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0041] Any process or method description in the flowchart or otherwise herein can be understood as: representing a module, segment, or portion of code comprising one or more executable instructions for implementing a particular logical function or process, and the scope of preferred embodiments of the invention includes additional implementations in which functions may be performed not in the order shown or discussed, including substantially simultaneously or in reverse order depending on the functions involved, as will be understood by those skilled in the art to which embodiments of the invention pertain.

[0042] It should be understood that various parts of the present invention can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. In the above embodiments, multiple steps or methods can be implemented in software or firmware stored in memory and executed by a suitable instruction execution system. For example, if implemented in hardware, as in another embodiment, it can be implemented using any one or a combination of the following techniques known in the art: discrete logic circuits having logic gates for implementing logical functions on data signals, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) having suitable combinational logic gates, programmable gate arrays (PGAs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), etc.

[0043] Those skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the steps of the methods in the above embodiments can be implemented by a program instructing related hardware. The program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, and when executed, the program includes one or a combination of the steps of the method embodiments.

[0044] Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of the present invention can be integrated into a processing module, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into a module. The integrated module can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional module. If the integrated module is implemented as a software functional module and sold or used as an independent product, it can also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium.

[0045] The storage media mentioned above can be read-only memory, disk, or optical disk, etc.

[0046] In the description of this specification, references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0047] Obviously, the above embodiments of the present invention are merely examples for clearly illustrating the present invention, and are not intended to limit the embodiments of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make other variations or modifications based on the above description. It is impossible to exhaustively list all embodiments here. All obvious variations or modifications derived from the technical solutions of the present invention are still within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A flipping tool, characterized in that, include: The work plate (1) allows two parts to be placed on it, with the reversed part located on the side of the forward-placed part away from the work plate (1). A flipping mechanism (2) is provided, wherein the working plate (1) is connected to the flipping mechanism (2), and the flipping mechanism (2) is capable of driving the working plate (1) to flip. The first limiting structure (3) is disposed on the working plate (1) and the first limiting structure (3) can limit the part placed in the forward direction; The second limiting structure (4) is disposed on the working plate (1) and can limit the reverse-positioned part; The first limiting structure (3) includes a clamping block, which is movably disposed on the working plate (1), and the clamping block has a first state of clamping the orthogonally placed part and a second state of releasing the orthogonally placed part; The flipping fixture also includes a first positioning detection mechanism, which is capable of acquiring the working status of the clamping block, and is electrically connected to the second limiting structure (4). The second limiting structure (4) includes a magnetic structure, which is disposed on the working plate (1) and can attract or release the reverse-placed parts; The flipping fixture is configured such that when the flipping mechanism (2) drives the work plate (1) to flip to a preset position, the second limiting structure (4) releases the reverse-positioned part, while the first limiting structure (3) maintains the limiting of the forward-positioned part, so that the reverse-positioned part becomes forward-positioned during the flipping process, and the forward-positioned part continues to be forward-positioned after the work plate (1) is reset.

2. The flipping fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flipping fixture also includes a worktable (5), which is located below the work plate (1), and the flipping mechanism (2) is disposed on the worktable (5).

3. The flipping fixture according to claim 2, characterized in that, The flipping mechanism (2) includes a first support beam (21) and a second support beam (22). The first support beam (21) is disposed on the first side of the workbench (5), and the first end of the work plate (1) is rotatably disposed on the first support beam (21). The second support beam (22) is disposed on the second side of the workbench (5), and the second end of the work plate (1) is rotatably disposed on the second support beam (22).

4. The flipping fixture according to claim 3, characterized in that, The flipping fixture also includes a drive structure (23), which is disposed on the first support beam (21) or the second support beam (22), and the drive structure (23) can drive the working plate (1) to rotate.

5. The flipping fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flipping fixture also includes a second positioning detection mechanism, which is capable of obtaining the flipping state of the work plate (1), and the second positioning detection mechanism is electrically connected to both the magnetic suction structure and the first limiting structure (3).

6. The flipping fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flipping fixture includes a parts detection mechanism, which can detect whether there are parts on the work plate (1), and the parts detection mechanism is electrically connected to the first limiting structure (3).

7. The flipping fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that, The work plate (1) is provided with a positioning structure, which works together with the first limiting structure (3) to fix the part that is placed in the forward position.

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