A ring cover feeding and positioning system, method and water meter assembly line

Abstract

The present invention relates to the technical field related to water meter assembly, and discloses a ring cover feeding and positioning system, a method and a water meter assembly line. The ring cover feeding and positioning system includes a storage module, a ring cover positioning module and a ring cover positioning and feeding module. The ring cover positioning module includes a rotary positioning mechanism and a in-place detection mechanism. The rotary positioning mechanism includes a turntable and a clamping mechanism. The in-place detection mechanism includes a detection lifting drive and a detection component. The detection component includes a negative pressure component and a sensor component. By setting the detection component and cooperating with the rotary positioning mechanism, the ring cover can be quickly positioned to a set angle, and the positioning is more accurate than manual positioning. The ring cover after accurate positioning is beneficial to the correct assembly of subsequent products. Also, by setting the negative pressure component, when the ring cover positioning fails, the relative position between the ring cover and the clamping mechanism can be adjusted to facilitate the completion of positioning.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field related to water meter assembly, and specifically to a ring cover feeding and positioning system and method and a water meter assembly line. Background Art

[0002] During the assembly process of a water meter, the press-fitting of the ring cover and the meter body is an important step. Traditionally, the ring cover feeding process in this step is generally completed manually, with low efficiency. And because there is a specific angle in the fit between the ring cover and the meter body, the ring cover needs to be adjusted to a set angle before installation for assembly. Manual assembly is prone to the situation that the angle adjustment is not in place, resulting in quality problems of the product. In existing water meter automatic assembly equipment, this problem has not been specifically solved. In view of the above problems, this application is proposed. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a ring cover feeding and positioning system and method and a water meter assembly line, which are used to overcome the problems of low efficiency in traditional ring cover feeding and positioning and low accuracy in manual angle adjustment.

[0004] The present invention is realized through the following technical solutions.

[0005] A ring cover feeding and positioning system of the present invention includes a material storage module, a ring cover positioning module, and a ring cover positioning and feeding module. The material storage module is used to store materials. The material storage module can adopt a box body, and a ring cover support for stably placing the ring cover is arranged in the material storage module. The ring cover support can be formed by plastic molding, so that the ring cover can be stably placed in the material storage module. The ring cover positioning and feeding module includes a feeding displacement driving component and a feeding mechanism. The feeding mechanism is used to grab the materials in the material storage module, and the grabbing method is a clamping jaw or a negative pressure suction method. The feeding displacement driving component is used to drive the feeding mechanism to transfer the materials. The ring cover positioning module includes a rotation positioning mechanism and a in-place detection mechanism. The rotation positioning mechanism includes a turntable and a clamping mechanism. The clamping mechanism is installed on the turntable. The clamping mechanism is used to clamp the materials. The clamping mechanism is set as an outward-expanding three-jaw structure, and flat plate structures for placing the ring cover are arranged outside the three clamping jaws. The in-place detection mechanism includes a detection lifting drive and a detection component. The detection component includes a negative pressure component and a sensor component. The sensor component can detect whether the ring cover rotates to the set angle. The negative pressure component can be connected to the material, so that the clamping mechanism can rotate independently. The sensor component is used to detect the angle of the material, and the sensor component is electrically connected to the turntable.

[0006] Further, the feeding mechanism includes a feeding rotating body and a feeding arm. The feeding arm is connected to the feeding rotating body, and two mutually perpendicular feeding claws are arranged on the feeding arm, which can grab two ring covers to improve the feeding efficiency.

[0007] Furthermore, the material taking displacement driving assembly includes an X-axis translation mechanism, a Y-axis translation mechanism, and a Z-axis translation mechanism.

[0008] Furthermore, at least two sets of the ring cover positioning modules are provided to further improve the efficiency.

[0009] Furthermore, the detection assembly further includes a blowing assembly. There may be impurities in the positioning groove of the ring cover, which affect the positioning. The blowing assembly can blow away the impurities.

[0010] Furthermore, the sensor assembly includes one or several of an infrared sensor, a photoelectric sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, or an image sensor.

[0011] Furthermore, the detection assembly further includes a cylinder. The negative pressure assembly, the blowing assembly, and the sensor assembly are all installed on the cylinder. The cylinder has a non-smooth surface. The cylinder can extend into the positioning groove to remove structures such as impurities and burrs on its surface.

[0012] Furthermore, the ring cover loading and positioning system further includes a ring cover assembling and loading module. The ring cover assembling and loading module is used to grab and transfer the positioned ring cover. The ring cover assembling and loading module is preferably a manipulator.

[0013] A ring cover loading and positioning method, based on the above ring cover loading and positioning system, includes the following steps:

[0014] Material taking step: Using the material taking displacement driving assembly to drive the material taking mechanism to grab the material in the storage module and transfer the material to the clamping mechanism of the ring cover positioning module;

[0015] Positioning step: Using the turntable to drive the clamping mechanism to rotate, so that the material rotates. Using the sensor assembly to detect whether the material reaches the set angle. When the material rotates to the set angle, the sensor assembly issues a in-place command, and the turntable stops rotating; When the positioning is still not completed after the material rotates one week, using the detection lifting drive to make the negative pressure assembly contact the material. After the clamping mechanism rotates a set angle alone, the negative pressure assembly disengages from the material, and the turntable drives the material to rotate to reposition.

[0016] A water meter assembly line includes the above ring cover loading and positioning system.

[0017] The beneficial effects of the present invention: By setting the detection assembly and cooperating with the rotary positioning mechanism, the ring cover can be quickly positioned to the set angle, and the positioning is more accurate than manual positioning. The ring cover after accurate positioning is beneficial to the correct assembly of subsequent products. Also, by setting the negative pressure assembly, when the positioning of the ring cover fails, the relative position between the ring cover and the clamping mechanism can be adjusted to facilitate the completion of the positioning.

[0018] By setting up the ring cover positioning and loading module, the ring cover can be automatically grabbed, and the effect of loading two ring covers at a time can be achieved by setting two material taking claws. Cooperating with two groups of ring cover positioning modules, the effects of high-efficiency loading and high-efficiency positioning are realized, providing a basis for improving the subsequent assembly efficiency of the ring cover. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the invention or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the following drawings are only some embodiments of the invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts.

[0020] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the drawings and embodiments.

[0021] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the ring cover loading and positioning system;

[0022] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the ring cover positioning module;

[0023] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the ring cover positioning and loading module;

[0024] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the ring cover;

[0025] Figure 5 It is a top view of the column;

[0026] In the figure: storage module - 1, ring cover support - 11, ring cover positioning module - 2, rotary positioning mechanism - 21, turntable - 211, clamping mechanism - 212, driving mechanism - 213, in-place detection mechanism - 22, detection bracket - 221, support arm - 222, detection component - 223, column - 2231, negative pressure component - 2232, air blowing component - 2233, sensor component - 2234, detection lifting drive - 224, ring cover positioning and loading module - 3, X-axis translation mechanism - 31, Y-axis translation mechanism - 32, Z-axis translation mechanism - 33, material taking mechanism - 34, material taking rotating body - 341, material taking arm - 342, material taking claw - 343, ring cover assembly and loading module - 4, ring cover - 5, positioning groove - 51. Detailed Embodiments

[0027] The following will be combined with Figures 1 - 5 to describe the present invention in detail.

[0028] Embodiment 1:

[0029] A ring cover loading and positioning system of the present invention, as Figure 1, including a material storage module 1, a ring cover positioning module 2 and a ring cover positioning loading module 3.

[0030] The material storage module 1 is used for storing materials. The material storage module 1 can adopt a box body. The material storage module 1 is provided with a ring cover support 11 for stably placing the ring cover 5. The ring cover support 11 can be formed of plastic so that the ring cover 5 can be stably placed in the material storage module 1, and the placed ring covers 5 are arranged horizontally and vertically.

[0031] like Figure 3 The ring cover positioning and loading module 3 includes a material picking displacement drive component and a material picking mechanism 34. The material picking mechanism 34 is used to grab the material in the storage module 1. The grabbing method is a clamping claw or a negative pressure suction method. The material picking displacement drive component is used to drive the material picking mechanism 34 to transfer the material. The material picking displacement drive component includes an X-axis translation mechanism 31, a Y-axis translation mechanism 32 and a Z-axis translation mechanism 33. The material picking mechanism 34 includes a material picking rotating body 341 and a material picking arm 342. The material picking arm 342 is connected to the material picking rotating body 341. Two mutually perpendicular material picking claws 343 are arranged on the material picking arm 342, which can grab two ring covers 5 to improve the loading efficiency.

[0032] The material picking rotating body 341 can be driven by a motor or pneumatically. When grabbing, the lower side material picking claw 343 is first used to descend and grab. After moving, the other side material picking claw 343 rotates to grab. The grabbing process of the other side material picking claw 343 can be carried out synchronously when moving toward the ring cover positioning module 2, thereby improving efficiency.

[0033] like Figure 2 Two groups of ring cover positioning modules 2 are set to receive two materials transferred by the ring cover positioning and loading modules 3 to further improve efficiency. The ring cover loading and positioning system also includes a ring cover assembly loading module 4. The ring cover assembly loading module 4 is used to grab the positioned ring cover and transfer it. The ring cover assembly loading module 4 is preferably a robot. The ring cover assembly loading module 4 grabs the ring cover 5 that has been positioned in the ring cover positioning module 2 and transfers it to the subsequent workstation.

[0034] The ring cover positioning module 2 comprises a rotation positioning mechanism 21 and an in-position detection mechanism 22 .

[0035] The rotation positioning mechanism 21 includes a turntable 211, a clamping mechanism 212 and a driving mechanism 213. The driving mechanism 213 includes a rotation drive for driving the turntable 211 and a clamping drive for driving the clamping mechanism 212 to move the clamping jaws. The rotation drive can be driven by a motor, and the clamping jaw drive can be driven by a motor or a pneumatic drive. The clamping mechanism 212 is installed on the turntable 211. The clamping mechanism 212 is used to clamp the material. The clamping mechanism 212 is configured as an outward-expanding three-claw structure. The outside of the three clamping claws are provided with a flat plate structure for placing the ring cover 5. The clamping claws are in contact with the inner wall of the ring cover to achieve centering and fixation.

[0036] The in-place detection mechanism 22 includes a detection lifting drive 224 and a detection component 223. Both the detection lifting drive 224 and the detection component 223 are installed on the detection bracket 221. The detection lifting drive 224 is connected to the detection component 223 through a support arm 222. The detection lifting drive 224 can be a cylinder or an electric cylinder.

[0037] The detection component 223 includes a negative pressure component 2232 and a sensor component 2234. The detection component 223 is connected to the detection lifting drive 224. The detection lifting drive 224 is used to drive the detection component 223 to move up and down. The sensor component 2234 can detect whether the annular cover 5 rotates to a set angle. The sensor component 2234 can be selected from one or several of an infrared sensor, a photoelectric sensor, and an ultrasonic sensor, or an image sensor can also be used. The positioning groove 51 of the annular cover 5 is identified through the sensor component 2234 to determine whether the annular cover 5 is adjusted to the set angle. After the annular cover 5 is adjusted to the set angle, the sensor component sends an in-place instruction to the control module, and the control module sends a stop rotation instruction to the turntable 211.

[0038] Since the annular cover 5 is randomly placed on the clamping mechanism 212 at an angle, its positioning groove 51 may be blocked by the clamping claws. At this time, the detection lifting drive 224 drives the negative pressure component 2232 to contact the bottom surface of the annular cover 5 and generates negative pressure to suck the annular cover 5, so that the clamping mechanism 212 can rotate independently. The clamping claws of the clamping mechanism 212 contract, and the platform of the contracted clamping claws still supports the annular cover 5. The turntable 211 rotates a certain angle, generally 10 - 20°, to stagger the positioning groove 51 and the clamping claws for subsequent re-positioning.

[0039] Embodiment 2:

[0040] Based on Embodiment 1, in this embodiment, the detection component 223 further includes a blowing component 2233. There may be impurities in the positioning groove 51 of the annular cover 5, such as foam particles during transportation, which affect positioning. The blowing component 2233 can blow out the impurities.

[0041] Optionally, the negative pressure suction of the negative pressure component 2232 can also be used for cleaning.

[0042] Embodiment 3:

[0043] Based on Embodiment 2, as Figure 5 , the detection component 223 further includes a cylinder 2231. Figure 5It is a schematic top view structure of the cylinder 2231. The negative pressure assembly 2232, the air blowing assembly 2233 and the sensor assembly 2234 are all installed on the cylinder 2231. Preferably, an image sensor is set. Among them, the negative pressure assembly 2232 includes a number of sucker structures arranged on the outer ring. The air blowing assembly 2233 and the sensor assembly 2234 are arranged at the middle position. The cylinder 2231 has a non-smooth surface. When there are burrs or impurities that are difficult to blow off in the positioning groove 51, the detection lifting drive 224 drives the cylinder 2231 to extend into the positioning groove 51 to scrape off the impurities, burrs and other structures on its surface.

[0044] Embodiment 4:

[0045] On the basis of Embodiment 1 or 2, the detection assembly 223 further includes a cylinder 2231. At least the middle position of the cylinder 2231 fits the contour of the positioning groove 51, and the head end has a smaller diameter, which is convenient for extending into the positioning groove 51. After the sensor assembly 2234 detects that the ring cover 5 is in place, the cylinder 2231 can extend into the positioning groove 51 to enable the ring cover 5 to perform rotational fine adjustment and achieve further positioning.

[0046] A method for positioning the feeding of the ring cover, based on the ring cover feeding and positioning system in any of the above embodiments, includes the following steps:

[0047] Feeding step: Use the feeding displacement drive assembly to drive the feeding mechanism 34 to grab the material in the storage module 1 and transfer the material to the clamping mechanism 212 of the ring cover positioning module 2. When grabbing, first use the lower feeding claw 343 to descend and grab. After moving, the other feeding claw 343 rotates to grab. The grabbing process of the other feeding claw 343 can be carried out synchronously during the movement towards the ring cover positioning module 2 to improve efficiency.

[0048] Positioning step: Use the turntable 211 to drive the clamping mechanism 212 to rotate, so that the material rotates. Use the sensor assembly 2234 to detect whether the material reaches the set angle. When the material rotates to the set angle, the sensor assembly 2234 issues a in-place command and the turntable 211 stops rotating; when the material still fails to complete positioning after rotating one week, use the detection lifting drive 224 to make the negative pressure assembly 2232 contact the material. After the clamping mechanism 212 rotates a set angle alone, the negative pressure assembly 2232 disengages from the material, and the turntable 211 drives the material to rotate and re-perform positioning.

[0049] Feeding step: The positioned ring cover is grabbed and transferred by the ring cover assembly and feeding module 4 to the subsequent assembly station.

[0050] A water meter assembly line includes the above ring cover feeding and positioning system.

[0051] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical concept and features of the present invention, and the purpose is to enable those skilled in the art to understand the content of the present invention and implement it, and it cannot be used to limit the protection scope of the present invention. Any equivalent changes or modifications made according to the spirit and essence of the present invention should be covered within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A ring cover feeding and positioning system, characterized in that: The invention comprises a material storage module (1), a ring cover positioning module (2) and a ring cover positioning loading module (3), wherein the material storage module (1) is used to store materials, the ring cover positioning loading module (3) comprises a material picking displacement drive component and a material picking mechanism (34), the material picking mechanism (34) is used to grab materials in the material storage module (1), the material picking displacement drive component is used to drive the material picking mechanism (34) to transfer the materials, the ring cover positioning module (2) comprises a rotation positioning mechanism (21) and an in-position detection mechanism (22), the rotation positioning mechanism (21) comprises a turntable (211 ) and a clamping mechanism (212), the clamping mechanism (212) being mounted on a turntable (211), the clamping mechanism (212) being used to clamp a material, the in-place detection mechanism (22) comprising a detection lifting drive (224) and a detection component (223), the detection component (223) comprising a negative pressure component (2232) and a sensor component (2234), the negative pressure component being capable of connecting to the material so that the clamping mechanism (212) can rotate independently, the sensor component being capable of detecting an angle of the material, and the sensor component being electrically connected to the turntable (211); The turntable (211) is used to drive the clamping mechanism (212) to rotate, so that the material rotates. The sensor component (2234) is used to detect whether the material reaches a set angle. When the material rotates to the set angle, the sensor component (2234) issues an in-position instruction, and the turntable (211) stops rotating. When the material is not positioned after rotating for a set number of times, the negative pressure component (2232) is brought into contact with the material by the detection lifting drive (224). After the clamping mechanism (212) rotates alone to a set angle, the negative pressure component (2232) is separated from the material, and the turntable (211) drives the material to rotate and reposition it.

2. The ring cover loading and positioning system according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The material picking mechanism (34) comprises a material picking rotating body (341) and a material picking arm (342); the material picking arm (342) is connected to the material picking rotating body (341); and two material picking claws (343) perpendicular to each other are arranged on the material picking arm (342).

3. The ring cover loading and positioning system according to claim 2 is characterized in that: The material taking displacement drive assembly comprises an X-axis translation mechanism (31), a Y-axis translation mechanism (32) and a Z-axis translation mechanism (33).

4. The ring cover loading and positioning system according to claim 3 is characterized in that: At least two groups of the ring cover positioning modules (2) are provided.

5. The ring cover loading and positioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The detection component (223) further includes an air blowing component (2233).

6. The ring cover loading and positioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The sensor component (2234) includes one or more of an infrared sensor, a photoelectric sensor, and an ultrasonic sensor.

7. The ring cover loading and positioning system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The detection component (223) further comprises a column (2231), and the negative pressure component (2232), the air blowing component (2233), and the sensor component (2234) are all mounted on the column (2231), and the column (2231) has a non-smooth surface.

8. The ring cover loading and positioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The ring cover loading and positioning system further comprises a ring cover assembly loading module (4), wherein the ring cover assembly loading module (4) is used to grab and transfer the positioned ring cover.

9. A ring cover loading and positioning method, based on the ring cover loading and positioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: Material picking step: using the material picking displacement drive assembly to drive the material picking mechanism (34) to grab the material in the material storage module (1), and transfer the material to the clamping mechanism (212) of the ring cover positioning module (2); Positioning step: using the turntable (211) to drive the clamping mechanism (212) to rotate, so that the material rotates, using the sensor component (2234) to detect whether the material reaches a set angle, when the material rotates to the set angle, the sensor component (2234) issues an in-position instruction, and the turntable (211) stops rotating; when the material is still not positioned after rotating for a set number of times, using the detection lifting drive (224) to make the negative pressure component (2232) contact the material, after the clamping mechanism (212) rotates alone to the set angle, the negative pressure component (2232) is separated from the material, and the turntable (211) drives the material to rotate to re-position.

10. A water meter assembly line, characterized in that: The invention comprises the ring cover loading and positioning system as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

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