Connection mechanism and thermal forming production line

Abstract

The invention discloses a connection mechanism and a thermal forming production line, and relates to the field of metal part machining equipment.The connection mechanism comprises a base table, a reciprocating carrying mechanism is installed on the base table, the reciprocating carrying mechanism comprises a connection boat assembly, the connection boat assembly comprises a straight rail groove formed in the top of the base table, and a carrying box is arranged in the straight rail groove in a matched and sliding mode; the carrying box can carry out conveying movement and return movement along the straight rail groove through the driving assembly. And the adaptive clamp assembly comprises a clamping plate unit located in the carrying box, and the clamping plate unit can provide stable supporting force for carried objects in the carrying box. And the clamping plate unit capable of providing stable supporting force for the carried object is arranged in the carrying box, so that the carried object can be kept in a stable state in the moving process, the stability of the whole thermal forming production process is improved, the rejection rate is reduced, and practical significance is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of metal parts processing equipment, in particular to a connection mechanism and a hot forming production line. Background Art

[0002] Automobile universal joints, also known as ball cages, are important metal parts of automobile transmission systems. Ball cages are usually composed of a bell-shaped housing, a tripod bearing, a dust cover, a collar, and necessary grease. During the production process, the bell-shaped housing needs to heat the blank to a red-hot state, and then the bell-shaped housing is forged and formed on two or more hot forming stamping equipment in turn, so a connecting mechanism for transferring the bell-shaped housing is usually set between the two hot forming stamping equipment;

[0003] The common connection mechanism is to set a transmission belt between two hot forming stamping equipment, and place the semi-formed bell-shaped housing of the previous hot forming stamping on the transmission belt through an industrial manipulator, and the conveyor belt is transported to the material picking position of the corresponding industrial manipulator of the next hot forming stamping equipment, thereby realizing the connection and transmission;

[0004] However, the above solution has the disadvantage that, since the robot takes the material in a uniform posture each time, if the placement state of the semi-formed bell-shaped shell changes during the transportation of the conveyor belt, for example, when the bell shell falls over, the robot will stamp the fallen bell-shaped shell on the hot forming stamping equipment, thereby damaging the bell-shaped shell and causing poor transportation stability. Summary of the invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a connection mechanism and a thermoforming production line to solve the deficiencies in the above-mentioned prior art.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following technical solutions:

[0007] A docking mechanism includes a base platform, on which a reciprocating transport mechanism is installed, and the reciprocating transport mechanism includes:

[0008] The docking boat assembly includes a straight rail groove opened on the top of the base platform, in which a carrier box is adapted to slide, and the carrier box can move along the straight rail groove for transportation and return through a driving assembly;

[0009] The adapter clip assembly comprises a clamping plate unit located in a carrying box, wherein the clamping plate unit can provide a supporting force to keep the carried objects in the carrying box stable.

[0010] Preferably, the driving assembly comprises a transmission belt arranged circumferentially around the straight rail groove, the transmission belt having a first straight portion and a second straight portion which are parallel to the length direction of the straight rail groove and move in opposite directions, and a driving motor unit is mounted on the transmission belt.

[0011] Preferably, a plurality of evenly distributed rib bars are fixed on the inner wall surface of the belt body of the transmission belt, and a supporting wheel that is in rolling contact with the base is installed at the bottom end of each of the rib bars.

[0012] Preferably, the driving motor unit comprises two motors respectively located at two ends of the straight rail groove, and a gear disc engaged with a transmission belt for driving is fixed on the output shaft of each motor.

[0013] Preferably, the adapter clip assembly also includes a locking unit fixed to the clamp unit, the locking unit has a first state engaged with the first straight portion, the locking unit also has a second state engaged with the second straight portion, and the locking unit also has a third state disengaged from both the first straight portion and the second straight portion.

[0014] Preferably, the engaging unit comprises a column movably penetrating the side of the carrier box, one end of the column is movably plugged with a plug extending from the side of the carrier box, and the insertion end of the plug is connected to the bottom of the column via a spring.

[0015] Preferably, the straight rail groove has a material receiving position and a material unloading position, and a wedge block unit is also fixed on the base platform. When the engaging unit and the wedge block unit are squeezed, the wedge block unit switches to a third state, and the wedge block unit includes a first wedge block corresponding to the material receiving position, and the wedge block unit also includes a second wedge block corresponding to the material unloading position, and the inclined surface angle of the second wedge block is greater than the inclined surface angle of the first wedge block.

[0016] Preferably, the clamping plate unit comprises a plate body fixed to the cylinder, a storage space for storing the transported objects is formed between the plate body and the inner side surface of the transport box, and a sloped portion is formed on one side of the plate body facing the storage space.

[0017] Preferably, a first protrusion capable of contacting a first wedge-shaped block is fixed on the cylinder body of the cylinder extending out of the carrier box, and a second protrusion capable of contacting a second wedge-shaped block is fixed on the column body of the plug extending out of the carrier box.

[0018] A thermoforming production line is provided with the above-mentioned connection mechanism.

[0019] In the above technical scheme, a docking mechanism provided by the present invention is achieved by arranging a carrier box on a base platform that moves back and forth along a straight rail groove, and arranging a splint unit in the carrier box that can provide a stable supporting force for the carried object, so that the carried object can remain in a stable state during the movement, which is beneficial to prevent the clock housing from tipping over, keep the clock housing in a preset posture, and facilitate the position of each clock housing in a preset position when being grasped by a robot, thereby improving the stability of the entire hot forming production process, reducing the scrap rate, and having practical significance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0021] Figure 1 It is an overall schematic diagram of a docking mechanism of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of a driving assembly of a docking mechanism of the present invention on a base platform;

[0023] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of an adapter clip assembly of a docking mechanism of the present invention in a carrier box;

[0024] Figure 4 It is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of a transmission belt of a docking mechanism of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 5 The figure is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a cylinder of a docking mechanism of the present invention.

[0026] Description of reference numerals:

[0027] 1. Base platform; 2. Docking boat assembly; 2.1. Straight rail groove; 2.2. Carrying box; 3. Driving assembly; 3.1. Transmission belt; 3.11. First straight portion; 3.12. Second straight portion; 3.2. Driving motor unit; 3.21. Motor; 3.22. Toothed disc; 3.3. Ribbed rod; 3.4. Support wheel; 4. Adapter clamp assembly; 4.1. Clamp unit; 4.11. Plate body; 4.12. Inclined portion; 4.13. Placement groove; 4.14. Rotating roller; 4.2. Engaging unit; 4.21. Cylinder; 4.22. Inserting column; 4.23. Spring; 5. Wedge block unit; 5.1. First wedge block; 5.2. Second wedge block; 6. First boss; 7. Second boss; 8. Roller. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of the present invention, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] The present invention provides a docking mechanism and a hot forming production line, which are aimed at such a docking basic structure, the appearance of which is similar to the bell-shaped structure of a suspended striking bell, and the forming process needs to be sequentially forged and formed by hot stamping forming machines equipped with different stamping dies, and each hot stamping forming machine is usually equipped with a manipulator for taking and placing the bell-shaped shell, or a worker takes and places it with pliers, and a corresponding docking mechanism for transferring the bell-shaped shell is required between two hot stamping forming machines. In this field, in this field, whether it is a manipulator or a worker taking and placing it with pliers, those skilled in the art can understand that the docking mechanism can transfer the bell-shaped shell of the previous hot stamping forming machine at the receiving position to the bell-shaped shell unloading position of the next hot stamping forming machine;

[0030] See also Figure 1-5 The embodiment of the present invention provides a docking mechanism, including a base platform 1, on which a reciprocating transport mechanism is installed, and the reciprocating transport mechanism includes:

[0031] The docking boat assembly 2 includes a straight rail groove 2.1 opened on the top of the base platform 1, in which a carrier box 2.2 is adapted to slide, and the carrier box 2.2 can move along the straight rail groove 2.1 for transportation and return through the driving assembly 3;

[0032] The adapter clamp assembly 4 includes a clamping plate unit 4.1 located in the carrier box 2.2, and the clamping plate unit 4.1 can provide a supporting force to maintain stability for the carried objects in the carrier box 2.2;

[0033] Specifically, the top surface of the base 1 is a horizontal plane, the length direction line of the straight rail groove 2.1 is parallel to the connection line between the two hot stamping forming machines, the bottom of the carrier box 2.2 is equipped with a roller 8 that can roll on the straight rail groove 2.1, so as to reduce the resistance of the carrier box 2.2 moving in the straight rail groove 2.1, the driving component 3 can provide driving force for the movement of the carrier box 2.2, the clamping surface of the clamping plate unit 4.1 is parallel to the inner wall surface of the carrier box 2.2, so as to clamp the carrier in the carrier box 2.2, that is, the semi-formed bell-shaped shell by stamping, so as to keep the carrier stable during the transportation process;

[0034] During actual use, the semi-formed bell-shaped shell is placed in the carrier box 2.2, and then the clamp unit 4.1 keeps the bell-shaped shell in a stable state in the carrier box 2.2. Then the carrier box 2.2 moves the bell-shaped shell along the straight rail groove 2.1 to transport the bell-shaped shell, thereby sending the bell-shaped shell to the material picking position of the next hot stamping forming machine. This allows the carrier to remain stable during the movement, which is beneficial to prevent the bell shell from tipping over, keeping the bell shell in a preset posture, and facilitating the position of each bell shell in a preset position when being grabbed by the robot, thereby improving the stability of the entire hot forming production process and reducing the scrap rate, which is of practical significance.

[0035] Another embodiment provided by the present invention is a driving assembly 3, which includes a transmission belt 3.1 arranged circumferentially around the straight rail groove 2.1, the annular opening surface of the transmission belt 3.1 is parallel to the horizontal plane, the transmission belt 3.1 has a first straight portion 3.11 and a second straight portion 3.12 which are parallel to the length direction of the straight rail groove 2.1 and move in the opposite direction, and a driving motor unit 3.2 is installed on the transmission belt 3.1;

[0036] Among them, a plurality of evenly distributed rib bars 3.3 are fixed on the inner wall surface of the belt body of the transmission belt 3.1, and the plurality of rib bars 3.3 form a tooth groove structure on the inner wall surface of the belt body of the transmission belt 3.1. The length direction line of the rib bars 3.3 is perpendicular to the horizontal plane, and the bottom end of each rib bar 3.3 is installed with a support wheel 3.4 that is in rolling contact with the base platform 1, so as to provide support force for the transmission belt 3.1 on the top surface of the base platform 1;

[0037] Further, the driving motor unit 3.2 includes two motors 3.21 respectively located at the two ends of the straight rail groove 2.1, the output shaft of each motor 3.21 is perpendicular to the horizontal plane, and a toothed disc 3.22 meshing and driving with the transmission belt 3.1 is fixed on the output shaft of each motor 3.21, and the teeth of the circumferential variable edge of the toothed disc 3.22 mesh with the toothed groove structure on the inner wall surface of the belt body of the transmission belt 3.1. It should be particularly noted that the rotation speed and direction of the two motors 3.21 are consistent. Preferably, the motor 3.21 can be selected as a servo motor, or one of the motors 3.21 can be replaced by a rotating column rotatably mounted with the base platform 1, and the rotating column is rotatably connected with the toothed disc 3.22;

[0038] During actual use, the motor 3.21 drives the transmission belt 3.1 to rotate circumferentially on the top surface of the base platform 1 through the toothed disc 3.22. The transmission belt 3.1 provides driving force for the movement of the carrier box 2.2 during the rotation. Specifically, when the carrier box 2.2 is connected to the first straight portion 3.11, the carrier box 2.2 moves along the straight rail groove 2.1; when the carrier box 2.2 is connected to the second straight portion 3.12, the carrier box 2.2 moves back along the straight rail groove 2.1.

[0039] In another embodiment provided by the present invention, the adapter clip assembly 4 also includes a meshing unit 4.2 fixed to the clamp unit 4.1, the meshing unit 4.2 has a first state meshed with the first straight portion 3.11, the meshing unit 4.2 also has a second state meshed with the second straight portion 3.12, and the meshing unit 4.2 also has a third state disengaged from both the first straight portion 3.11 and the second straight portion 3.12.

[0040] The engaging unit 4.2 comprises a cylinder 4.21 which movably passes through the side of the carrier box 2.2, the axis of the cylinder 4.21 is perpendicular to the length direction line of the straight rail groove 2.1, one end of the cylinder 4.21 is movably plugged with a plug 4.22 which extends out of the side of the carrier box 2.2, the insertion end of the plug 4.22 is connected to the inner bottom of the cylinder 4.21 by a spring 4.23, and when the spring 4.23 is in a naturally extended state, both ends of the engaging unit 4.2 can be in a third state of being disengaged from the transmission belt 3.1, that is, the end of the plug 4.22 extending out of the side of the carrier box 2.2 and the end of the cylinder 4.21 extending out of the side of the carrier box 2.2 are both disengaged from the transmission belt 3.1;

[0041] In actual use, when one end of the plug post 4.22 extending from the side of the carrier box 2.2 is engaged with the tooth groove structure on the first straight portion 3.11, this is the first state in which the engaging unit 4.2 is engaged with the first straight portion 3.11. At this time, the carrier box 2.2 moves synchronously with the first straight portion 3.11 under the connection of the plug post 4.22, and the carrier box 2.2 is in a transporting movement state;

[0042] Similarly, when one end of the cylinder 4.21 extending out of the side of the carrier box 2.2 is engaged with the tooth groove structure on the second straight portion 3.12, this is the second state in which the engaging unit 4.2 is engaged with the second straight portion 3.12. At this time, the carrier box 2.2 moves synchronously with the second straight portion 3.12 under the connection action of the cylinder 4.21, and the carrier box 2.2 is in a return movement state.

[0043] In another embodiment provided by the present invention, the straight rail groove 2.1 has a material receiving position and a material discharging position, a wedge unit 5 is also fixed on the base platform 1, the engaging unit 4.2 can be squeezed with the wedge unit 5 and then switched to the third state, the wedge unit 5 includes a first wedge block 5.1 corresponding to the material receiving position, and the wedge unit 5 also includes a second wedge block 5.2 corresponding to the material discharging position, the inclined surface angle of the second wedge block 5.2 is greater than the inclined surface angle of the first wedge block 5.1, the inclined surfaces of the first wedge block 5.1 and the second wedge block 5.2 are both oriented toward the position of the straight rail groove 2.1, and the first wedge block 5.1 and the second wedge block 5.2 are both fixed to the base platform 1;

[0044] Further, the clamping plate unit 4.1 includes a plate body 4.11 fixed to the cylinder 4.21, the plate surface of the plate body 4.11 is perpendicular to the horizontal plane, and a storage space for storing the carried object is formed between the plate body 4.11 and the inner side surface of the carrier box 2.2. The plate body 4.11 is provided with an inclined portion 4.12 on one side facing the storage space. Preferably, a placement groove 4.13 is provided on the inclined portion 4.12, and a rotating roller 4.14 is rotatably installed in the placement groove 4.13, and the axis of the rotating roller 4.14 is parallel to the horizontal plane. Preferably, the roller body of the rotating roller 4.14 is provided with anti-skid grooves, and the rotating roller 4.14 can reduce the friction resistance of the carried object in the vertical direction in the storage space, so as to facilitate the taking and placing of the carried object in the storage space;

[0045] In addition, a first protrusion 6 capable of contacting the first wedge block 5.1 is fixed on the cylinder body of the cylinder 4.21 extending out of the carrier box 2.2, and a second protrusion 7 capable of contacting the second wedge block 5.2 is fixed on the cylinder body of the plug 4.22 extending out of the carrier box 2.2. The first protrusion 6 is parallel to the second protrusion 7, and the first protrusion 6 is perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder 4.21.

[0046] In actual use, at the material receiving position, when the load is placed in the carrier box 2.2, the load is in the accommodation space formed between the plate body 4.11 and the inner side surface of the carrier box 2.2. When the carrier box 2.2 reaches the unloading position, the second protrusion 7 slides and squeezes along the inclined portion of the second wedge block 5.2, so that the plug 4.22 fixed to the second protrusion 7 is inserted into the cylinder 4.21, so that the plug 4.22 is separated from the first straight portion 3.11. Since the load is in the accommodation space, under the blocking effect of the load on the plate body 4.11, the cylinder 4.21 fixed to the plate body 4.11 cannot be subjected to the squeezing force of the plug 4.22 and move linearly in the axial direction. Therefore, the spring 4.23 is elastically compressed and deformed under the squeezing of the plug 4.22. At this time, the carrier box 2.2 stops moving at the unloading position, and the engaging unit 4.2 is in the third state.

[0047] When the load in the carrier box 2.2 is taken away at the receiving position, the limit of the cylinder 4.21 is cancelled, and the elastic compression deformation of the spring 4.23 is released, so that the cylinder 4.21 is plugged into the second straight portion 3.12. At this time, the engaging unit 4.2 is in the second state. At this time, the carrier box 2.2 moves synchronously with the second straight portion 3.12 under the connection of the cylinder 4.21, and the carrier box 2.2 is in the return movement state;

[0048] When the carrier box 2.2 reaches the material receiving position, the first protruding column 6 slides and squeezes along the inclined surface of the first wedge block 5.1, so that the cylinder 4.21 moves forward into the carrier box 2.2. At the same time, the plug column 4.22 also moves forward in the axial direction synchronously with the cylinder 4.21 under the squeezing and pushing action of the spring 4.23, so that the cylinder 4.21 is separated from the second straight portion 3.12. At this time, the engaging unit 4.2 is in the third state;

[0049] At the material receiving position, when the load is placed in the carrier box 2.2, since the load is in the accommodating space formed between the plate body 4.11 and the inner side surface of the carrier box 2.2, during the placement process, the load slides along the inclined surface 4.12 and squeezes into the accommodating space. At this time, the plate body 4.11 moves positively along the axial direction of the plug column 4.22 on the horizontal plane under the squeezing of the load. At this time, the plug column 4.22 also moves synchronously with the axial direction of the cylinder column 4.21 again under the squeezing action of the spring 4.23. At this time, the plug column 4.22 is plugged into the first straight portion 3.11. At this time, the engaging unit 4.2 is in the first state. At this time, the carrier box 2.2 moves synchronously with the first straight portion 3.11 under the connection action of the plug column 4.22, and the carrier box 2.2 is in a transporting movement state until the carrier box 2.2 reaches the unloading position.

[0050] Another embodiment of the present invention provides a thermoforming production line, on which the above-mentioned docking mechanism is provided, the docking mechanism has a material receiving position and a material unloading position, and the docking mechanism is also provided with a carrier box 2.2 that reciprocates between the material receiving position and the material unloading position, the carrier box 2.2 moves from the material receiving position toward the material unloading position as a transport movement, and the carrier box 2.2 moves from the material unloading position toward the material receiving position as a return movement;

[0051] The carrier box 2.2 can automatically stop accepting the load at the material receiving position. When the load is placed on the carrier box 2.2, the carrier box 2.2 automatically moves for transportation and stops automatically when it reaches the unloading position. When the load on the carrier box 2.2 at the unloading position is taken away, the carrier box 2.2 automatically moves back until it reaches the material receiving position and stops automatically. It also stabilizes the load during the transportation process, which helps to improve the stability of the entire thermoforming production line.

[0052] The above description is only by way of illustration of certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention. It is undoubted that those skilled in the art can modify the described embodiments in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the above drawings and descriptions are illustrative in nature and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A docking mechanism, comprising a base platform (1), characterized in that: A reciprocating conveying mechanism is installed on the base platform (1), and the reciprocating conveying mechanism comprises: A docking boat assembly (2) comprises a straight rail groove (2.1) opened on the top of a base platform (1), a carrying box (2.2) being adapted to slide in the straight rail groove (2.1), and the carrying box (2.2) can move along the straight rail groove (2.1) for transport and return through a driving assembly (3); An adapter clip assembly (4) comprises a clamping plate unit (4.1) located in a carrying box (2.2), wherein the clamping plate unit (4.1) can provide a supporting force to keep the carried objects in the carrying box (2.2) stable.

2. A docking mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The drive assembly (3) comprises a transmission belt (3.1) arranged circumferentially around the straight rail groove (2.1), the transmission belt (3.1) having a first straight portion (3.11) and a second straight portion (3.12) which are parallel to the length direction of the straight rail groove (2.1) and move in opposite directions, and a drive motor unit (3.2) is mounted on the transmission belt (3.1).

3. A docking mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that: A plurality of evenly distributed rib bars (3.3) are fixed on the inner wall surface of the belt body of the transmission belt (3.1), and a supporting wheel (3.4) that is in rolling contact with the base platform (1) is installed at the bottom end of each rib bar (3.3).

4. A docking mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that: The driving motor unit (3.2) comprises two motors (3.21) respectively located at two ends of the straight rail groove (2.1), and a toothed disc (3.22) meshing with the transmission belt (3.1) and driving the same is fixed on the output shaft of each motor (3.21).

5. A connection mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that: The adapter clip assembly (4) also includes a meshing unit (4.2) fixed to the clamping plate unit (4.1), the meshing unit (4.2) having a first state in which it is meshed with the first straight portion (3.11), the meshing unit (4.2) also having a second state in which it is meshed with the second straight portion (3.12), and the meshing unit (4.2) also having a third state in which it is disengaged from both the first straight portion (3.11) and the second straight portion (3.12).

6. A connection mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that: The engaging unit (4.2) comprises a column (4.21) movably penetrating the side of the carrier box (2.2); one end of the column (4.21) is movably plugged with a plug post (4.22) extending from the side of the carrier box (2.2); the insertion end of the plug post (4.22) is connected to the inner bottom of the column (4.21) via a spring (4.23).

7. A docking mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that: The straight rail groove (2.1) has a material receiving position and a material discharging position. A wedge unit (5) is also fixed on the base platform (1). The engaging unit (4.2) switches to a third state when it is squeezed with the wedge unit (5). The wedge unit (5) includes a first wedge block (5.1) corresponding to the material receiving position. The wedge unit (5) also includes a second wedge block (5.2) corresponding to the material discharging position. The inclined surface angle of the second wedge block (5.2) is greater than the inclined surface angle of the first wedge block (5.1).

8. A docking mechanism according to claim 7, characterized in that: The clamping plate unit (4.1) comprises a plate body (4.11) fixed to a cylinder column (4.21), a storage space for storing the transported objects is formed between the plate body (4.11) and the inner side surface of the transport box (2.2), and a sloped portion (4.12) is provided on one side of the plate body (4.11) facing the storage space.

9. A docking mechanism according to claim 8, characterized in that: A first convex column (6) capable of contacting a first wedge block (5.1) is fixed on the cylinder body of the cylinder column (4.21) extending outside the carrier box (2.2), and a second convex column (7) capable of contacting a second wedge block (5.2) is fixed on the cylinder body of the plug column (4.22) extending outside the carrier box (2.2).

10. A thermoforming production line, characterized in that: The thermoforming production line is provided with a connection mechanism as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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