A feeding device of a laser pipe cutting machine

Abstract

The application relates to a feeding device of a laser pipe cutting machine, which comprises a warehouse, a truss, a translation mechanism, a lifting mechanism and a pipe clamping mechanism; the warehouse is used for storing a plurality of stacked pipe pieces to be cut; the truss is installed with the translation mechanism, at least two lifting mechanisms are installed on the translation mechanism, the lower end of the lifting mechanism is installed with the pipe clamping mechanism, the lifting mechanism can drive the pipe clamping mechanism to lift, the pipe clamping mechanisms installed by the at least two lifting mechanisms can clamp or release the same pipe piece to be cut; the translation mechanism can drive the lifting mechanism and the pipe clamping mechanism to reciprocate between the warehouse and a plurality of laser pipe cutting machines, so as to selectively place the pipe piece to be cut clamped from the warehouse on any laser pipe cutting machine. The feeding device of the laser pipe cutting machine can supply a plurality of sets of laser pipe cutting machines, so that the area occupied by the laser pipe cutting machine is small, the feeding cost is low, and the efficiency is higher than that of a traditional feeding device through the truss structure for preparing materials above the laser pipe cutting machine.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of laser cutting equipment technology, and in particular to a feeding device for a laser tube cutting machine. Background Technology

[0002] An existing feeding device for a laser tube cutting machine includes a conveying device, a guiding device, and an adjusting clamping device. The guiding device is located at one end of the conveying device and includes a vertical pole away from the conveying device, a winding frame near the conveying device, and a flexible belt connected to the vertical pole and the winding frame at both ends, respectively. The height of the flexible belt near the vertical pole is higher than the height of the belt near the winding frame. The adjusting clamping device is located above the conveying belt and includes a first driving part, a second driving part, a blocking part, and a clamping part. A stop part is provided at the end of the conveying device away from the guiding device. During operation, the flexible belt carries the tube, and the winding frame controls the tension of the flexible belt, causing the tube to fall onto the conveying device. The clamping part, driven by the second driving part, clamps the tube and transports it to the tube cutting machine. The defects and shortcomings of this feeding device for the laser tube cutting machine are: it can only meet the feeding needs of a single laser tube cutting machine, therefore it not only has low feeding efficiency but also high cost and large footprint.

[0003] Therefore, there is an urgent need to provide a feeding device with high feeding efficiency that can simultaneously feed multiple laser tube cutting machines. Summary of the Invention

[0004] (a) Technical problems to be solved

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned shortcomings and deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention provides a feeding device for a laser tube cutting machine, which solves the technical problems of low feeding efficiency and the fact that the feeding device of the existing laser tube cutting machine can only meet the feeding needs of a single laser tube cutting machine.

[0006] (II) Technical Solution

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the main technical solutions adopted by the present invention include:

[0008] This invention provides a feeding device for a laser tube cutting machine, including a material storage, a truss, a translation mechanism, a lifting mechanism, and a tube clamping mechanism;

[0009] The storage area is used to store multiple stacked pipe fittings to be cut;

[0010] The truss is equipped with a translation mechanism, and at least two lifting mechanisms are installed on the translation mechanism. A pipe clamping mechanism is installed at the lower end of the lifting mechanism. The lifting mechanism can drive the pipe clamping mechanism to rise and fall. The pipe clamping mechanisms installed on the at least two lifting mechanisms can clamp or release the same pipe to be cut.

[0011] The translation mechanism can drive the lifting mechanism and the pipe clamping mechanism to reciprocate between the material storage and multiple laser pipe cutting machines, so as to selectively place the pipes to be cut from the material storage onto any one of the laser pipe cutting machines.

[0012] Optionally, the storage bin includes multiple storage bin units, and the arrangement direction of the multiple storage bin units is consistent with the arrangement direction of at least two lifting mechanisms;

[0013] Each material storage unit includes a support frame, a conveying mechanism mounted on the support frame, a material selection trough set on the support frame, a material blocking mechanism and a material sorting mechanism connected to the support frame;

[0014] The material blocking mechanism and the material sorting mechanism are located on both sides of the material sorting trough;

[0015] Align the material selection slots of multiple material storage units;

[0016] The conveying mechanism of multiple material storage units transports multiple stacked pipe fittings to be cut to the material selection trough. The material blocking mechanism and the material sorting mechanism work together to ensure that only one pipe fitting to be cut is left in the material selection trough. The pipe fitting clamping mechanism can clamp the pipe section of the pipe fitting to be cut between two adjacent material selection troughs.

[0017] Optionally, the support has a stacking area for stacking the pipe fittings to be cut, and the material selection groove is a V-shaped groove. The V-shaped groove includes a first inclined wall and a second inclined wall forming the V shape, and the second inclined wall is away from the stacking area relative to the first inclined wall.

[0018] The material blocking mechanism includes a material blocking component and a material pushing component mounted on the material blocking component. The material blocking component can move between a preset material blocking position and a clearance position in a direction perpendicular to the second inclined wall.

[0019] The material sorting mechanism includes a material sorting component, which can move between a preset material sorting position and a clearance position along a direction parallel to the second inclined wall;

[0020] When the material selection component is in the yielding position and the material stop component moves to the preset material stop position, the V-groove allows multiple layers of pipes to be cut, but only one per layer, to enter.

[0021] When the material stopper is in the preset material stopper position and the material selector moves to the preset material selector position, the material selector lifts up the multi-layer pipes to be cut into the V-groove, and makes the upper edge of the lowest layer of pipes to be cut on the material selector flush with the lower edge of the material pusher. The material pusher can move relative to the material stopper in a direction perpendicular to the second inclined wall to push out all the pipes to be cut above the lowest layer of pipes to be cut, so that only one pipe to be cut is left in the V-groove.

[0022] When the stop and selector move to the clearance position, the sorted pipes to be cut fall down and come into contact with the first and second inclined walls.

[0023] Optionally, the material stop is a material stop plate, and the material pusher is a telescopic cylinder. The material stop plate is slidably installed on the bracket, and the cylinder body of the telescopic cylinder is fixedly installed on the material stop plate.

[0024] The support is also equipped with a baffle drive assembly, which can drive the baffle to move relative to the support in a direction perpendicular to the second inclined wall.

[0025] Optionally, the material selection component is a material distribution plate, which has a V-shaped opening with the same shape as the V-groove, and the material distribution plate is slidably installed on the bracket;

[0026] The support is also equipped with a material distribution plate drive assembly, which can drive the baffle plate to move relative to the support in a direction parallel to the second inclined wall.

[0027] Optionally, the pipe clamping mechanism includes a gripping component and a centering component;

[0028] A gripping component is installed on one side of the lifting mechanism, and a centering component is installed on the other side.

[0029] The gripping and centering components of the pipe clamping mechanism installed in at least two lifting mechanisms cooperate to clamp and center the same pipe to be cut.

[0030] Optionally, the gripping component includes two symmetrically arranged grippers and a gripper drive;

[0031] The gripper has a semi-frame structure, with one end hinged to the lifting mechanism and the other end being a free end. The gripper drive is installed on the lifting mechanism, which can drive the free ends of the two grippers to approach each other to form a closed frame to grab the pipe to be cut, or to move away from each other to open the closed frame and release the pipe to be cut.

[0032] Optionally, the centering assembly includes two centering clamps and a centering clamp drive;

[0033] Two centering clamps are set up one-to-one with two grippers;

[0034] One end of the centering clamp is slidably mounted on the lifting mechanism, and the other end is a free end. The centering clamp drive component is mounted on the lifting machine, which can drive the two centering clamps to approach or move away from each other.

[0035] When the two centering clamps approach each other, the two centering clamps center and position the pipe to be cut inside the gripping assembly;

[0036] When the two centering clamps move away from each other, the two centering clamps release the centering and positioning of the pipe to be cut.

[0037] Optionally, the translation mechanism includes a crossbeam and a translation drive assembly;

[0038] A movable crossbeam is mounted on the truss, and at least two lifting mechanisms are installed at intervals along the length of the crossbeam;

[0039] The translation drive assembly includes a servo motor, a drive shaft, and a traveling component;

[0040] A servo motor is mounted on the crossbeam. The output end of the servo motor is connected to a drive shaft. A traveling component is mounted on the drive shaft.

[0041] A servo motor drives a transmission shaft to rotate, and the transmission shaft transmits the driving force to the traveling component, which in turn drives the crossbeam to move horizontally on the truss.

[0042] Optionally, the lifting mechanism includes a material handling arm and a lifting drive assembly;

[0043] A material-retrieving arm is movably installed on the crossbeam, and a pipe clamping mechanism is installed at the lower end of the material-retrieving arm;

[0044] The lifting drive assembly includes a servo motor, a drive shaft, and a gear and rack transmission component.

[0045] A second servo motor is installed on the crossbeam. The output end of the second servo motor is connected to the second transmission shaft. The second transmission shaft and the material handling arm are connected by a gear and rack transmission component.

[0046] When the servo motor drives the transmission shaft to rotate, the transmission shaft transmits the driving force to the gear and rack transmission component, which in turn drives the material handling arm to move up and down.

[0047] (III) Beneficial Effects

[0048] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: The feeding device of the laser tube cutting machine of this invention includes a material storage, a truss, a translation mechanism, a lifting mechanism, and a tube clamping mechanism; the material storage is used to store multiple stacked tubes to be cut; the truss is equipped with the translation mechanism, and at least two lifting mechanisms are installed on the translation mechanism. The lower end of the lifting mechanism is equipped with the tube clamping mechanism. The lifting mechanism can drive the tube clamping mechanism to rise and fall, and the tube clamping mechanisms installed on the at least two lifting mechanisms can clamp or release the same tube to be cut; the translation mechanism can drive the lifting mechanism and the tube clamping mechanism to reciprocate between the material storage and multiple laser tube cutting machines, so as to selectively place the tubes to be cut from the material storage into any one of the laser tube cutting machines. Compared with the prior art, the feeding device of the laser tube cutting machine of this invention can supply multiple sets of laser tube cutting machines, thus it has a small footprint, low material supply cost, and the efficiency is higher than that of traditional feeding devices because the material is prepared and waiting above the laser tube cutting machine through the truss structure. In addition, the feeding device of the laser tube cutting machine of the present invention has strong versatility and can meet the needs of commonly used tubes such as square tubes, round tubes, rectangular tubes, and waist-shaped tubes. Attached Figure Description

[0049] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the feeding device of the laser tube cutting machine of the present invention;

[0050] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the truss, translation mechanism, lifting mechanism, and pipe clamping mechanism in the design;

[0051] Figure 3 for Figure 2 An enlarged schematic diagram of the translation and lifting mechanisms at point A;

[0052] Figure 4 for Figure 2 An enlarged schematic diagram of the truss and translation mechanism at point B;

[0053] Figure 5 for Figure 2 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the material handling arm and pipe clamping mechanism in the middle;

[0054] Figure 6 for Figure 2 Another three-dimensional schematic diagram of the material handling arm and pipe clamping mechanism in the diagram;

[0055] Figure 7 for Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the material storage area;

[0056] Figure 8 for Figure 7 An enlarged view of the material storage at point C;

[0057] Figure 9 for Figure 7 An enlarged view of the material storage at point D;

[0058] Figure 10 for Figure 7 An enlarged schematic diagram of the material storage at point E.

[0059] [Explanation of Labels in the Attached Image]

[0060] 1: Material silo; 11: Material silo unit; 12: Conveying mechanism; 13: Support frame; 131: Second inclined wall; 132: V-groove; 14: Stacking area; 15: Transition wheel; 16: First inclined wall;

[0061] 2: Truss;

[0062] 3: Translation mechanism; 31: Crossbeam; 32: Linear guide rail one; 33: Roller mounting plate; 34: Roller; 35: Translation drive assembly; 351: Servo motor one; 352: Drive shaft one; 353: Drive pulley; 354: Synchronous belt; 355: Driven pulley one; 356: Driven pulley two;

[0063] 4: Lifting mechanism; 41: Material handling arm; 42: Lifting drive assembly; 421: Servo motor II; 422: Drive shaft II; 423: Drive gear; 424: Rack; 43: Linear guide rail II;

[0064] 5: Pipe clamping mechanism; 51: Gripping assembly; 511: Cylinder 1; 512: Linear guide rail 3; 513: Slide 2; 514: Connecting rod 1; 515: Gripper; 52: Centering assembly; 521: Cylinder 2; 522: Linear guide rail 4; 523: Slide 3; 524: Connecting rod 2; 525: Linear guide rail 5; 526: Slide 4; 527: Centering clamping plate;

[0065] 6: Material stop mechanism; 61: Material stop plate; 62: Telescopic cylinder; 64: Material stop plate drive assembly; 641: Servo motor four; 642: Transmission shaft four; 643: Helical gear; 644: Trapezoidal lead screw; 645: Lead screw nut;

[0066] 7: Material sorting mechanism; 71: Material sorting plate; 711: V-shaped opening; 72: Inductive switch 2; 73: Linear guide rail 7; 74: Slide 6; 75: Material sorting plate drive assembly; 751: Servo motor 5; 752: Drive sprocket; 753: Driven sprocket; 754: Transmission chain;

[0067] 8: Laser tube cutting machine;

[0068] 9: Laser tube cutting machine II. Detailed Implementation

[0069] To better explain and facilitate understanding of the present invention, a detailed description of the invention is provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. For ease of description, the description is based on an auxiliary orientation established in an XYZ Cartesian coordinate system.

[0070] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , Figure 1 A perspective view of the feeding device of the laser tube cutting machine of this embodiment is shown. Figure 2 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the truss, translation mechanism, lifting mechanism, and pipe clamping mechanism of this embodiment is shown.

[0071] This embodiment provides a feeding device for a laser tube cutting machine, including: a material storage 1, a truss 2, a translation mechanism 3, a lifting mechanism 4, and a tube clamping mechanism 5;

[0072] Material storage 1 is used to store multiple stacked pipe fittings to be cut;

[0073] A translation machine 3 is installed on the truss 2. At least two lifting mechanisms 4 are installed on the translation mechanism 3. A pipe clamping mechanism 5 is installed at the lower end of the lifting mechanism 4. The lifting mechanism 4 can drive the pipe clamping mechanism 5 to rise and fall. The pipe clamping mechanisms 5 installed on the at least two lifting mechanisms 4 can clamp or release the same pipe to be cut.

[0074] The translation mechanism 3 can drive the lifting mechanism 4 and the pipe clamping mechanism 5 to reciprocate between the material storage 1 and multiple laser pipe cutting machines, so as to selectively place the pipes to be cut from the material storage 1 onto any one of the laser pipe cutting machines.

[0075] In this embodiment, there are two laser tube cutting machines: laser tube cutting machine 8 and laser tube cutting machine 9. Laser tube cutting machine 8 and laser tube cutting machine 9 perform material feeding and cutting along the X-axis. The translation mechanism 3 translates along the Y-axis to reciprocate between the material magazine 1 and the multiple laser tube cutting machines. The lifting mechanism 4 lifts and lowers along the Z-axis to pick up the tubes to be cut from the material magazine 1, or to place the picked-up tubes onto any one of the laser tube cutting machines.

[0076] The feeding device of the laser tube cutting machine in this embodiment operates as follows: First, the translation mechanism 3 drives the lifting mechanism 4 and the tube clamping mechanism 5 to move along the truss 2 to the material storage 1. The lifting mechanism 4 drives the tube clamping mechanism 5 to descend along the Z-axis, and the tube clamping mechanism 5 clamps the tube to be cut on the material storage 1. After clamping, the lifting mechanism 4 and the tube clamping mechanism 5 rise along the Z-axis. Second, the translation mechanism 3 drives the lifting mechanism 4 and the tube clamping mechanism 5 to move along the truss 2 to the laser tube cutting machine 8. The lifting mechanism 4 descends along the Z-axis, and the tube clamping mechanism 5 releases the tube to be cut, thus placing the tube on the laser tube cutting machine 8, which then cuts the tube. Third, the lifting mechanism 4 drives the tube clamping mechanism 5 to rise along the Z-axis, and then the first step is performed again, i.e., the tube clamping mechanism 5 clamps another tube to be cut on the material storage 1. In the fourth step, the translation mechanism 3 drives the lifting mechanism 4 and the pipe clamping mechanism 5 to move along the truss to the laser pipe cutting machine 29. The lifting mechanism 4 descends along the Z-axis, and the pipe clamping mechanism 5 releases the pipe to be cut, thus placing the pipe to be cut on the laser pipe cutting machine 29, and the laser pipe cutting machine 29 cuts the pipe to be cut.

[0077] Furthermore, the feeding device of the laser tube cutting machine in this embodiment also includes an electrical control cabinet, which is electrically connected to the material storage 1, the translation mechanism 3, the lifting mechanism 4 and the tube clamping mechanism 5 respectively, in order to control the coordinated operation of each mechanism.

[0078] Please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4In this embodiment, the translation mechanism 3 includes a crossbeam 31 and a translation drive assembly 35. The crossbeam 31 is movably mounted on the truss 2, and at least two lifting mechanisms 4 are spaced apart along the length of the crossbeam 31. The translation drive assembly 35 includes a servo motor 351, a drive shaft 352, and a traveling component. The servo motor 351 is mounted on the crossbeam 31, and its output end is connected to the drive shaft 352. The traveling component is mounted on the drive shaft 352. The servo motor 351 drives the drive shaft 352 to rotate, and the drive shaft 352 transmits the driving force to the traveling component, which enables the crossbeam 31 to translate and move along the truss 2.

[0079] Specifically, each truss 2 is provided with a linear guide rail 32 extending along the Y-axis, and a roller mounting plate 33 is provided on the crossbeam 31. The roller mounting plate 33 is provided with a roller 34 that cooperates with the linear guide rail 32, and the roller 34 can roll along the linear guide rail 32.

[0080] The traveling component is a drive pulley 353. The roller mounting plate 33 is provided with a driven pulley 355 and a driven pulley 356 below the drive pulley 353. The truss 2 is arranged along the Y-axis with a synchronous belt 354 that cooperates with the drive pulley 353. One end of the synchronous belt 354 is fixedly connected to one side of the truss 2, and the other end passes through the driven pulley 355, the drive pulley 353 and the driven pulley 356 in sequence before being fixedly connected to the other side of the truss 2.

[0081] In use, servo motor 351 drives transmission shaft 352 to rotate, and the rotation of transmission shaft 352 drives drive pulley 353 to rotate. Drive pulley 353 moves along synchronous belt 354, thereby driving crossbeam 31 to move horizontally on truss 2.

[0082] The lifting mechanism 4 in this embodiment includes a material-picking arm 41 and a lifting drive assembly 42. The material-picking arm 41 is movably mounted on the crossbeam 31, and a pipe clamping mechanism 5 is installed at the lower end of the material-picking arm 41. The lifting drive assembly 42 includes a second servo motor 421, a second transmission shaft 422, and a gear and rack transmission component. The second servo motor 421 is mounted on the crossbeam 31, and the output end of the second servo motor 421 is connected to the second transmission shaft 422. The second transmission shaft 422 and the material-picking arm 41 are connected by the gear and rack transmission component. When the second servo motor 421 drives the second transmission shaft 422 to rotate, the second transmission shaft 422 transmits the driving force to the gear and rack transmission component, which drives the material-picking arm 41 to move up and down.

[0083] Specifically, the picking arm 41 is equipped with a linear guide rail 43 extending along the Z-axis, and a slide block 43 that mates with the linear guide rail 43 is provided on the crossbeam 31. The gear and rack transmission component includes a drive gear 423 and a rack 424. The drive shaft 422 is provided with a drive gear 423 corresponding to each picking arm 41, and a rack 424 extending along the Z-axis is provided on the side of the picking arm 41 facing the crossbeam 31. The rack 424 meshes with the drive gear 423. In use, the drive gear 423 moves on the rack 424, thereby synchronously driving multiple picking arms 41 to rise and fall along the Z-axis.

[0084] See Figure 5 and Figure 6 The pipe clamping mechanism 5 in this embodiment includes a gripping component 51 and a centering component 52; the gripping component 51 is installed on one side of the lifting mechanism 4 and the centering component 52 is installed on the other side; the gripping components 51 and centering components 52 of the pipe clamping mechanism 5 installed on at least two lifting mechanisms 4 cooperate to clamp and center the same pipe to be cut.

[0085] In this embodiment, the gripping component 51 includes two symmetrically arranged grippers 515 and a gripper drive. The grippers 515 have a semi-frame structure, with one end hinged to the lifting mechanism 4 and the other end being a free end. The gripper drive is mounted on the lifting mechanism 4 and can drive the free ends of the two grippers 515 to approach each other to form a closed frame to grip the pipe to be cut, or to move away from each other to open the closed frame and release the pipe to be cut. It should be noted that the closed frame formed by the two grippers 515 is a rectangular frame.

[0086] Furthermore, the gripper drive is preferably a cylinder 511, with the cylinder 511 moving in the Z-axis direction. The piston rod of the cylinder 511 is connected to a slide block 513. A linear guide rail 512 extending along the Z-axis is provided on the picking arm 41, and the slide block 513 cooperates with the linear guide rail 512. Two connecting rods 514 are hinged to the slide block 513, and the other ends of the two connecting rods 514 are respectively hinged to two grippers 515 to drive the two grippers 515 to rotate. It should be noted that the gripper drive can also be a hydraulic cylinder, an electric cylinder, or other telescopic cylinders.

[0087] When cylinder 1 511 extends, slide 2 513 descends along linear guide rail 3 512, and connecting rod 1 514 transmits driving force to the two grippers 515, causing the free ends of the two grippers 515 to approach each other and close to clamp the pipe to be cut; when cylinder 1 511 retracts, slide 2 513 rises along linear guide rail 3 512 and drives connecting rod 1 514, which drives the two grippers 515 to rotate along the fixed end, thereby causing the free ends of the two grippers 515 to move away from each other and open to release the pipe to be cut.

[0088] This embodiment includes two centering clamps 527 and a centering clamp drive; the two centering clamps 527 are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the two grippers 515; one end of the centering clamp 527 is slidably mounted on the lifting mechanism 4, and the other end is a free end; the centering clamp drive is mounted on the lifting mechanism 4, which can drive the two centering clamps 527 to approach or move away from each other; when the two centering clamps 527 approach each other, the two centering clamps 527 center and position the pipe to be cut in the gripping assembly 51; when the two centering clamps 527 move away from each other, the two centering clamps 527 release the centering and positioning of the pipe to be cut.

[0089] Furthermore, the centering clamp drive is cylinder two 521, which moves in the Z-axis direction. The piston rod of cylinder two 521 is connected to slide three 523. A linear guide rail four 522 extending along the Z-axis is provided on the picking arm 41, and slide three 523 cooperates with linear guide rail four 522. A linear guide rail five 525 is provided on the picking arm 41, and two slide four 526 are mounted on linear guide rail five 525. Two centering clamps 527 are correspondingly mounted on the two slide four 526. Two connecting rods two 524 are hinged to slide three 523, and the other ends of the two connecting rods two 524 are respectively hinged to the two centering clamps 527 to drive the two centering clamps 527 to approach or move away from each other along linear guide rail five 525. It should be noted that the centering clamp drive can also be a hydraulic cylinder, electric cylinder, or other telescopic cylinder.

[0090] When cylinder 2 521 retracts, slide 3 523 rises along linear guide rail 4 522. Slide 3 523 drives connecting rod 2 524, which in turn drives two centering clamps 527 to approach each other along linear guide rail 525, thereby centering and positioning the tube to be cut held by the two grippers 515, making the length direction of the tube parallel to the feeding direction (i.e., the X-axis direction) of the laser tube cutter. When cylinder 2 521 extends, slide 3 523 descends along linear guide rail 4 522, and connecting rod 2 524 transmits the driving force to the two centering clamps 527, causing the centering clamps 527 to move away from each other, thus releasing the centering and positioning of the tube to be cut.

[0091] See Figure 7 , Figure 8 , Figure 9 and Figure 10 In this embodiment, the material storage 1 includes multiple material storage units 11, and the arrangement direction of the multiple material storage units 11 is consistent with the arrangement direction of at least two lifting mechanisms 4.

[0092] Each material storage unit 11 includes a support 13, a conveying mechanism 12 mounted on the support 13, a material selection trough disposed on the support 13, and a material blocking mechanism 6 and a material sorting mechanism 7 connected to the support 13; the material blocking mechanism 6 and the material sorting mechanism 7 are located on both sides of the material selection trough; the material selection troughs of multiple material storage units 11 are aligned; the conveying mechanism 12 of multiple material storage units 11 transports multiple stacked pipe fittings to be cut to the material selection trough, and the material blocking mechanism 6 and the material sorting mechanism 7 cooperate to ensure that only one pipe fitting to be cut is retained in the material selection trough, and the pipe fitting clamping mechanism 5 can clamp the pipe segment of the pipe fitting to be cut between two adjacent material selection troughs. It should be further noted that the material selection troughs of multiple material storage units 11 are aligned along the X-axis direction.

[0093] In this embodiment, the support 13 forms a stacking area 14 for stacking the pipes to be cut, and the material selection groove is a V-shaped groove 132. The V-shaped groove 132 includes a first inclined wall 16 and a second inclined wall 131 forming a V shape. The second inclined wall 131 is away from the stacking area 14 relative to the first inclined wall 16.

[0094] The material blocking mechanism 6 includes a material blocking component and a material pushing component mounted on the material blocking component. The material blocking component can move between a preset material blocking position and a clearance position in a direction perpendicular to the second inclined wall 131.

[0095] The sorting mechanism 7 includes a sorting component, which can move between a preset sorting position and a clearance position along a direction parallel to the second inclined wall 131;

[0096] When the material selection component is in the yielding position and the material stop component moves to the preset material stop position, the V-groove 132 allows multiple layers of pipes to be cut, but only one per layer, to enter.

[0097] When the material stopper is in the preset material stopper position and the material selector moves to the preset material selector position, the material selector lifts up the multi-layer pipes to be cut into the V-groove 132, and makes the upper edge of the lowest layer of pipes to be cut on the material selector flush with the lower edge of the material pusher. The material pusher can move relative to the material stopper in a direction perpendicular to the second inclined wall 131 to push out all the pipes to be cut above the lowest layer of pipes to be cut, so that only one pipe to be cut is left in the V-groove 132.

[0098] When the stop and selector move to the clearance position, the sorted pipes to be cut fall down and come into contact with the first inclined wall 16 and the second inclined wall 131.

[0099] In this embodiment, the support 13 has a column and a material rack. A ramp is provided on the side of the material rack facing the column, and a transition wheel mounting plate is provided at the ramp. The upper surface of the transition wheel mounting plate is a first inclined wall 16, and the surface of the ramp is a second inclined wall 131. That is, a V-groove 132 is formed between the upper surface of the transition wheel mounting plate and the ramp (see...). Figure 8 ).

[0100] The conveying mechanism 12 in this embodiment specifically includes a material belt, a transition wheel 15, a servo motor 3, and a drive shaft 3. The transition wheel 15 is mounted on the transition wheel mounting plate. The servo motor 3 is connected to the drive shaft 3. The drive shaft 3 is rotatably connected to the material rack. Multiple take-up wheels are fixedly mounted on the drive shaft 3. One end of the material belt is connected to the column, and the other end passes around the transition wheel 15 and is fixedly connected to the take-up wheel on the drive shaft 3.

[0101] It should be noted that the stacking area 14 for stacking the pipes to be cut refers to the area above the strip. In use, multiple pipes to be cut are stacked on the strip; then, the servo motor 3 drives multiple winding wheels to rotate synchronously through the transmission shaft 3. The winding wheels wind up the strip, making the strip taut, and finally the pipes to be cut on the strip enter the V-groove 132, waiting for the pipe clamping mechanism 5 to clamp them.

[0102] Please see Figure 9 The material stopper is a material stopper 61, and the material pusher is a telescopic cylinder 62. The material stopper 61 is slidably mounted on the bracket 13, and the cylinder body of the telescopic cylinder 62 is fixedly mounted on the material stopper 61. The bracket 13 is also equipped with a material stopper drive assembly 64, which can drive the material stopper 61 to move relative to the bracket 13 in a direction perpendicular to the second inclined wall 131.

[0103] Specifically, a linear guide rail 6 is provided on the material rack, and the extension direction of the linear guide rail 6 is perpendicular to the slope. A slide 5 is provided on the side of the baffle plate 61 facing the material rack, and the slide 5 is slidably mounted on the linear guide rail 6. A pusher cylinder 62 and an induction switch 1 are installed on the side of the baffle plate 61 away from the material rack. The baffle plate drive assembly 64 can drive the baffle plate 61 to make linear reciprocating motion along the linear guide rail 6. The induction switch 1 is used to sense the tube to be cut, and the pusher cylinder 62 is used to push out the excess tube to be cut at the V-groove 132, so that it falls onto the material belt.

[0104] Furthermore, the baffle plate drive assembly 64 includes: a servo motor 641, a drive shaft 642, a helical gear 643, a trapezoidal lead screw 644, and a lead screw nut 645. The servo motor 641 is drivenly connected to the drive shaft 642, which is rotatably mounted on the material rack. The trapezoidal lead screw 644 is rotatably mounted on the material rack. One end of the trapezoidal lead screw 644 is drivenly connected to the drive shaft 642 via the helical gear 643, and the other end is fitted with a lead screw nut 645, which is fixedly connected to the baffle plate 61.

[0105] In use, servo motor 4641 drives transmission shaft 4642 to rotate, transmission shaft 4642 drives trapezoidal lead screw 644 to rotate through helical gear 643, and trapezoidal lead screw 644 drives baffle plate 61 to perform linear reciprocating motion along linear guide rail 6 through lead screw nut 645.

[0106] Please see Figure 10In this embodiment, the material selection component is a material distribution plate 71. The material distribution plate 71 has a V-shaped opening 711 with the same shape as the V-shaped groove 132. The material distribution plate 71 is slidably mounted on the bracket 13. The bracket 13 is also equipped with a material distribution plate driving assembly 75. The material distribution plate driving assembly 75 can drive the baffle plate 61 to move relative to the bracket 13 in a direction parallel to the second inclined wall 131.

[0107] Furthermore, the material distribution plate 71 is equipped with a second inductive switch 72 near the V-shaped opening 711. The second inductive switch 72 is used to sense whether there is a pipe to be cut at the V-shaped opening 711.

[0108] Specifically, the material rack is equipped with a linear guide rail 73, the extension direction of which is parallel to the slope. A slide block 74 is provided on the side of the material distribution plate 71 facing the material rack, and the slide block 74 is slidably mounted on the linear guide rail 73. The material distribution plate drive assembly 75 enables the material distribution plate 71 to perform linear reciprocating motion along the linear guide rail 73.

[0109] The material distribution plate drive assembly 75 in this embodiment specifically includes a servo motor 751, a drive shaft 752, a drive sprocket 753, and a drive chain 754. The servo motor 751 is connected to the drive shaft 75, which is rotatably mounted on the material rack. The drive sprocket 752 is installed on the drive shaft 75 at the location corresponding to the material distribution plate 71. The driven sprocket 753 is installed on the upper part of the material rack. One end of the drive chain 754 is connected to the upper side of the material distribution plate 71, and the other end passes through the driven sprocket 753 and the drive sprocket 752 in sequence before connecting to the lower side of the material distribution plate 71.

[0110] In use, the servo motor 751 drives the drive sprocket 752 to rotate through the drive shaft 752. The drive sprocket 752 drives the material distribution plate 71 to move back and forth in a straight line along the linear guide rail 73 through the transmission chain 754.

[0111] The working process of the material blocking mechanism 6 and the material sorting mechanism 7 in this embodiment is as follows:

[0112] Step S1: The material distribution plate 71 remains stationary in the yielding position. The baffle plate driving assembly 64 drives the baffle plate 61 to move towards the material stacking area 14 to the preset baffle position, allowing the V-groove 132 to allow multiple layers of pipe fittings to be cut, but only one per layer, to enter. The preset baffle position is determined according to the diameter or width of the pipe fitting to be cut. That is, when the baffle plate 61 is in the preset baffle position, the distance between the side of the baffle plate 61 and the edge of the first side wall is equal to the diameter or width of the pipe fitting to be cut. At this time, the V-groove 132 only allows multiple layers of pipe fittings to be cut, but only one per layer, i.e., along the height direction, only one pipe fitting to be cut exists per layer.

[0113] Step S2: The servo motor drives the three-drive winding wheel to wind up the material strip. The tube to be cut on the material strip is fed into the V-groove 132. At this time, the V-groove 132 may contain a single or multiple tubes to be cut, but only one tube per layer.

[0114] Step S3: When the sensor switch on the baffle plate 61 detects that there are multiple stacked tubes to be cut at the V-groove 132, the baffle plate 61 remains at the preset selection position. The material distribution plate drive assembly 75 drives the material distribution plate 71 to rise to the preset selection position, while simultaneously lifting the multiple layers of tubes to be cut in the V-groove 132. The preset selection position is determined according to the diameter or width of the tubes to be cut. That is, when the material distribution plate 71 rises to the preset selection position, the distance between the upper surface of the V-shaped opening 711 on the material distribution plate 71 and the lower edge of the pusher cylinder 62 is the same as the diameter or width of the tubes to be cut. This makes the upper edge of the lowest layer of tubes to be cut on the material distribution plate flush with the lower edge of the pusher. The pusher cylinder 62 then pushes out all the tubes to be cut above the lowest layer, leaving only one tube to be cut in the V-groove 132, waiting for the tube clamping mechanism 5 to clamp it.

[0115] Step S4: If the induction switch 72 at the material distribution plate 71 is always triggered by the gravity of the pipe to be cut, it is determined that there is a pipe to be cut at the V-shaped opening 711; if the induction switch 72 is not triggered, it means that there is no pipe to be cut at the V-shaped opening 711, and steps S1-S3 are executed again.

[0116] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0117] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0118] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or that they are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "over," or "on top" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," or "beneath" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0119] In the description of this specification, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present 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. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0120] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make modifications, alterations, substitutions and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A feeding device for a laser tube cutting machine, characterized in that: It includes a material storage (1), a truss (2), a translation mechanism (3), a lifting mechanism (4), and a pipe clamping mechanism (5); The material storage (1) is used to store multiple stacked pipe fittings to be cut; The truss (2) is equipped with the translation mechanism (3), and at least two lifting mechanisms (4) are installed on the translation mechanism (3). The lower end of the lifting mechanism (4) is equipped with the pipe clamping mechanism (5). The lifting mechanism (4) can drive the pipe clamping mechanism (5) to rise and fall. The pipe clamping mechanisms (5) installed on the at least two lifting mechanisms (4) can clamp or release the same pipe to be cut. The translation mechanism (3) can drive the lifting mechanism (4) and the pipe clamping mechanism (5) to reciprocate between the material storage (1) and the multiple laser pipe cutting machines, so as to selectively place the pipe to be cut from the material storage (1) onto any one of the laser pipe cutting machines; The storage bin (1) includes multiple storage bin units (11), and the arrangement direction of the multiple storage bin units (11) is consistent with the arrangement direction of the at least two lifting mechanisms (4); Each of the material storage units (11) includes a support (13), a conveying mechanism (12) mounted on the support (13), a material selection slot disposed on the support (13), a material blocking mechanism (6) and a material sorting mechanism (7) connected to the support (13); The material blocking mechanism (6) and the material sorting mechanism (7) are located on both sides of the material sorting trough; The material selection slots of the plurality of material storage units (11) are aligned; The conveying mechanism (12) of the multiple material storage units (11) transports multiple stacked pipes to be cut to the material selection trough. The blocking mechanism (6) and the sorting mechanism (7) cooperate to keep only one pipe to be cut in the material selection trough. The pipe clamping mechanism (5) can clamp the pipe section of the pipe to be cut between two adjacent material selection troughs. The support (13) has a stacking area (14) for stacking the pipe fittings to be cut. The material selection groove is a V-shaped groove (132). The V-shaped groove (132) includes a first inclined wall (16) and a second inclined wall (131) forming a V shape. The second inclined wall (131) is away from the stacking area (14) relative to the first inclined wall (16). The material blocking mechanism (6) includes a material blocking component and a material pushing component installed on the material blocking component. The material blocking component can move between a preset material blocking position and a clearance position in a direction perpendicular to the second inclined wall (131). The sorting mechanism (7) includes a sorting component that can move between a preset sorting position and a clearance position in a direction parallel to the second inclined wall (131).

2. The feeding device for the laser tube cutting machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that: When the material selection component is in the clearance position and the material blocking component moves to the preset material blocking position, the V-groove (132) allows multiple layers of pipes to be cut, but only one per layer, to enter; When the material stopper is in the preset material stop position and the material selector moves to the preset material selector position, the material selector lifts up the multi-layer pipes to be cut into the V-groove (132), and makes the upper edge of the lowest layer of pipes to be cut on the material selector flush with the lower edge of the pusher. The pusher can move relative to the material stopper in a direction perpendicular to the second inclined wall (131) to push out all the pipes to be cut above the lowest layer of pipes to be cut, so that only one pipe to be cut is left in the V-groove (132). When the material stop and the material selector move to the clearance position, the selected pipe to be cut falls down and contacts the first inclined wall (16) and the second inclined wall (131).

3. The feeding device for the laser tube cutting machine as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The material stopper is a material stopper (61), the material pusher is a telescopic cylinder (62), the material stopper (61) is slidably installed on the bracket (13), and the cylinder body of the telescopic cylinder (62) is fixedly installed on the material stopper (61); The bracket (13) is also equipped with a baffle plate driving assembly (64), which can drive the baffle plate (61) to move relative to the bracket (13) in a direction perpendicular to the second inclined wall (131).

4. The feeding device for the laser tube cutting machine as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The material selection component is a material distribution plate (71), and the material distribution plate (71) has a V-shaped opening (711) with the same shape as the V-shaped groove (132). The material distribution plate (71) is slidably installed on the bracket (13). The support (13) is also equipped with a material distribution plate drive assembly (75), which can drive the baffle plate (61) to move relative to the support (13) in a direction parallel to the second inclined wall (131).

5. The feeding device for the laser tube cutting machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The pipe clamping mechanism (5) includes a gripping component (51) and a centering component (52); The gripping component (51) is installed on one side of the lifting mechanism (4), and the centering component (52) is installed on the other side. The gripping component (51) and centering component (52) of the pipe clamping mechanism (5) installed on the at least two lifting mechanisms (4) cooperate to clamp and center the same pipe to be cut.

6. The feeding device for the laser tube cutting machine as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The gripping assembly (51) includes two symmetrically arranged grippers (515) and a gripper drive; The gripper (515) has a semi-frame structure, with one end hinged to the lifting mechanism (4) and the other end being a free end. The gripper drive is installed on the lifting mechanism (4) and can drive the free ends of the two grippers (515) to approach each other to form a closed frame to grip the pipe to be cut, or to move away from each other to open the closed frame and release the pipe to be cut.

7. The feeding device for the laser tube cutting machine as described in claim 6, characterized in that: The centering assembly (52) includes two centering clamps (527) and a centering clamp drive; Two centering clamps (527) are provided in a one-to-one correspondence with the two clamps (515); One end of the centering clamp (527) is slidably mounted on the lifting mechanism (4), and the other end is a free end. The centering clamp driving member is mounted on the lifting mechanism (4), which can drive the two centering clamps (527) to approach or move away from each other. When the two centering clamps (527) approach each other, the two centering clamps (527) center and position the pipe to be cut in the gripping assembly (51); When the two centering clamps (527) move away from each other, the two centering clamps (527) release the centering and positioning of the pipe to be cut.

8. The feeding device for the laser tube cutting machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The translation mechanism (3) includes a crossbeam (31) and a translation drive assembly (35); The crossbeam (31) is movably mounted on the truss (2), and at least two of the lifting mechanisms (4) are installed at intervals along the length of the crossbeam (31); The translation drive assembly (35) includes a servo motor (351), a transmission shaft (352), and a walking component; The servo motor (351) is mounted on the crossbeam (31), and the output end of the servo motor (351) is connected to the drive shaft (352). The walking component is mounted on the drive shaft (352). The servo motor (351) drives the transmission shaft (352) to rotate, and the transmission shaft (352) transmits the driving force to the walking component, which can drive the crossbeam (31) to move and translate on the truss (2).

9. The feeding device for the laser tube cutting machine as described in claim 8, characterized in that: The lifting mechanism (4) includes a material handling arm (41) and a lifting drive assembly (42); The material-picking arm (41) is movably mounted on the crossbeam (31), and the pipe clamping mechanism (5) is mounted on the lower end of the material-picking arm (41); The lifting drive assembly (42) includes a second servo motor (421), a second transmission shaft (422), and a gear and rack transmission component; The second servo motor (421) is installed on the crossbeam (31). The output end of the second servo motor (421) is connected to the second transmission shaft (422). The second transmission shaft (422) and the material picking arm (41) are connected by a gear and rack transmission component. When the servo motor 2 (421) drives the transmission shaft 2 (422) to rotate, the transmission shaft 2 (422) transmits the driving force to the gear and rack transmission component, and the gear and rack transmission component drives the material picking arm (41) to move up and down.

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