Knob nut presser

Abstract

The application discloses a knob nut pressing machine, which comprises a knob feeding unit, a nut feeding unit and a pressing unit; the knob feeding unit comprises a knob vibrating disc, a knob conveying guide rail, an upright vibrator, a vertical guide rail, a pushing assembly and a knob positioning assembly; the knob conveying guide rail is communicated with the knob vibrating disc, and the knob can be conveyed along the knob conveying guide rail; the upright vibrator is connected with the knob conveying guide rail; the vertical guide rail is located on the side of the knob conveying guide rail away from the knob vibrating disc, and is provided with a containing space extending downwards in the vertical direction; the pushing assembly is used for pushing the knob into the containing space; the knob positioning assembly comprises a limiting block and a centering rod; the limiting block and the centering rod extend in the horizontal direction and are retractable in and out of the containing space; the centering rod is located directly above the limiting block; the pressing unit is communicated with the containing space and the nut feeding unit respectively, and the nut is pressed into the containing space. Compared with the prior art, the knob nut pressing machine can improve the automation degree of the knob nut pressing work.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of parts processing technology, and in particular to a knob and nut pressing machine. Background Technology

[0002] Existing electrical appliances often include knobs, which users can turn to adjust various functions. Knobs are typically mounted on other components for easy operation. To ensure knob strength while reducing production costs, the knob body is often made of plastic, while metal nuts are pressed into the joints with other components.

[0003] Please refer to the following: Figure 1 and Figure 2 A typical knob 100 includes a housing 100A, a nut mounting portion 100B, and handles 100C. The housing 100A is generally cylindrical. The nut mounting portion 100B is formed within the housing 100A for mounting a nut 200. The nut 200 is pressed into the nut mounting portion 100B and connected to the nut 200 shaft. Preferably, several ribs protrude from the inner wall of the nut mounting portion 100B, causing the nut 4 to form an interference fit with the housing 100A. Several handles 100C are arranged circumferentially on the outer wall of the housing 100A and extend radially. Each handle 100C is spaced a certain distance circumferentially to facilitate gripping by the user. The most common number of handles 100C is three or more.

[0004] Most existing knob and nut pressing processes are manually operated, which is inefficient and lacks automation. Although some knob and nut pressing machines have emerged, compared to standard parts like nuts, knobs are complex and varied in shape, making them difficult to fix. Therefore, these knob and nut pressing machines can often only automatically feed nuts to the installation station; the alignment and pressing of the knob and nut still rely on manual operation. This makes it impossible to achieve fully automated production of knob and nut pressing, resulting in low production efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Based on this, the purpose of the present invention is to overcome the defects or deficiencies of the prior art and provide a knob nut pressing machine.

[0006] The technical solution adopted in this invention is as follows:

[0007] A knob and nut pressing machine includes a knob feeding unit, a nut feeding unit, and a pressing unit;

[0008] The knob feeding unit includes a knob vibratory plate, a knob conveying guide rail, an upright vibrator, a vertical guide rail, a pushing assembly, and a knob positioning assembly. The knob vibratory plate stores the knobs. The knob conveying guide rail is connected to the knob vibratory plate, allowing the knobs to be conveyed along the guide rail. The upright vibrator is connected to the knob conveying guide rail. The vertical guide rail is located on the side of the knob conveying guide rail away from the knob vibratory plate and has a receiving space extending downward in the vertical direction. The pushing assembly is located on the side of the knob conveying guide rail away from the knob vibratory plate and is used to push the knobs into the receiving space. The knob positioning assembly includes a limiting block and a centering rod. The limiting block and the centering rod extend horizontally and can extend and retract within and outside the receiving space. Projected vertically, the limiting block is close to the center of the receiving space. The centering rod is located directly above the limiting block.

[0009] The pressing unit is connected to the accommodating space and the nut feeding unit, respectively, and can press the nut from the nut feeding unit into the accommodating space.

[0010] Compared with the prior art, the knob and nut pressing machine of the present invention uses a knob feeding unit to make the knobs upright and aligned. Then, the pushing component pushes the upright knobs into the vertical guide rail. Under the action of gravity, the knobs remain upright and fall freely until they meet the limiting block. The limiting block and the centering rod together fix the knobs and align them with the pressing unit. Finally, the pressing unit presses the nuts from the nut feeding unit into the knobs. The entire process is automatic feeding and alignment of the knobs and nuts, realizing automatic production of knob and nut pressing.

[0011] In one embodiment, the knob positioning assembly further includes a material separator and a drive cylinder; the material separator is located directly above the centering rod; the drive cylinder is connected to the limiting block, the centering rod and the material separator respectively, driving them to extend and retract inside and outside the accommodating space, and the material separator separates the two knobs. When placing the finished product for unloading, the knob that is not pressed into the nut will also fall off, affecting the operation.

[0012] In one embodiment, the knob feeding unit further includes a detection component, which includes a first detector, a second detector, and a third detector. The first detector is disposed on the knob conveying guide rail and is used to detect whether the knob enters the knob conveying guide rail. The second detector is close to the pusher component and is used to detect whether the knob reaches the pusher component. The third detector is close to the limit block and is used to detect whether the knob falls onto the limit block. By setting the detection component to detect the movement of the knob, the accuracy of the knob feeding action is improved.

[0013] In one embodiment, the pushing assembly includes a pushing cylinder and a pushing block; the pushing block is connected to the output end of the pushing cylinder and has a first opening that communicates with the knob conveying guide rail and a second opening that communicates with the accommodating space; projected vertically, the moving direction of the pushing block is perpendicular to the extending direction of the knob conveying guide rail, and by setting the pushing block, the single knob can be accurately put into the accommodating space.

[0014] In one embodiment, the nut feeding unit includes a nut vibrating plate and a nut guide rail; one end of the nut guide rail is connected to the nut vibrating plate, and the other end is connected to the pressing unit to realize automatic nut feeding.

[0015] In one embodiment, the nut guide rail has an inclined tube section and a straight tube section that are interconnected; the inclined tube section is connected to the nut vibrating plate and is inclined relative to the horizontal surface of the straight tube section; the straight tube section is connected to the pressing unit, so that the nut automatically flips to the direction opposite to the knob during the conveying process.

[0016] In one embodiment, the pressing unit includes a base, a push cylinder, a pressing head, and a blocking block; the base is connected to the vertical guide rail and has a pressing channel communicating with the accommodating space; the pressing channel is connected to the end of the straight pipe section away from the inclined pipe section; the blocking block is disposed on the side of the pressing channel away from the straight pipe section; the pressing head is coaxially disposed with the centering rod, and under the drive of the push cylinder, the pressing head approaches or moves away from the pressing channel to press the nut in the pressing channel into the knob.

[0017] In one embodiment, a defective product recycling unit is further included. The defective product recycling unit includes a defective product recycling pipe and a pusher. Under the pusher, one end of the defective product recycling pipe is pushed below the limiting block and toward the limiting block to achieve automatic recycling of defective products.

[0018] In one embodiment, the actuator is a cylinder to simplify the structure of the defective product recycling unit.

[0019] In one embodiment, the vertical guide rail has a locking portion located within the accommodating space. The locking portion extends vertically, and at least a portion of the knob can be locked into the locking portion to position the knob within the accommodating space, making it less likely for the knob's orientation to change during descent.

[0020] To better understand and implement this invention, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 (a) is a front view of a knob in the prior art;

[0022] Figure 1 (b) is a front view of a nut in the prior art;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure when the nut is pressed into the knob in the prior art;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a front view of the knob and nut pressing machine of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the knob and nut pressing machine of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the knob feeding unit of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the knob vibrating disc of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 7 This is a top view of the knob vibrating disc of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 8 For along Figure 6 The sectional projection after ZZ sectioning;

[0030] Figure 9 This is a partial projection view of the knob delivery guide rail of the present invention when projected along its extension direction;

[0031] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the feeding assembly of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 11 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of the pusher block of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 12 Top view of the vertical guide rail of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 13 Front view of the main body of the invention;

[0035] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the knob positioning assembly of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the knob positioning assembly after the cover is removed in this invention;

[0037] Figure 16 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the knob positioning assembly when projected horizontally in this invention;

[0038] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the nut feeding unit of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the nut guide rail of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 19 A partial cross-sectional view of the nut feeding unit when projected horizontally in this invention;

[0041] Figure 20 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the workbench of the present invention.

[0042] Reference numerals: 10. Workbench; 11. Product outlet; 20. Knob feeding unit; 21. Knob vibratory plate; 211. Knob plate mounting plate; 212. Plate body; 212A. Knob inlet; 212B. Protrusion; 213. Knob connecting channel; 214. Support rod; 215. First elastic element; 216. Vibrator; 22. Knob conveying guide rail; 23. Vertical vibrator; 231. Vibration body; 232. Bracket; 233. Damping pad; 24. Pushing assembly; 241. Pushing platform; 242. 243. Pushing cylinder; 243A. First opening; 243B. Second opening; 25. Vertical guide rail; 251. Main body; 251A. Engaging part; 251B. First pressing port; 251C. Through hole; 252. Cover; 26. Knob positioning assembly; 261. Limiting block; 262. Centering rod; 263. Material separator; 264. Drive cylinder; 27. Detection assembly; 271. First detector; 272. Second detector; 273. Third detector; 30. Nut feeding unit; 31. Nut vibratory plate; 32. Nut guide rail; 321. Inclined pipe section; 321A. Upper side wall; 321B. Lower side wall; 321C. Left side wall; 321D. Right side wall; 322. Straight pipe section; 322A. Vertical upper side wall; 322B. Vertical lower side wall; 322C. Vertical left side wall; 322D. Vertical right side wall; 323. Nut inlet; 40. Pressing unit; 41. Base; 411. Pressing channel; 412. Second pressing port; 42. Push cylinder; 43. Press head; 44. Blocking block 50. Defective product recycling unit; 51. Defective product recycling pipeline; 52. Pusher; 60. Controller; 100. Knob; 100A. Housing; 100B. Nut mounting part; 100C. Handle; 200. Nut; D1: First diameter; D2: Second diameter; D3: Third diameter; D4: Fourth diameter; H1: First thickness; H2: Second thickness; H3: Third thickness; L1: Inner height of horizontal guide rail; L2: Inner width of horizontal guide rail; L3: Nut guide rail height; L4: Nut guide rail width. Detailed Implementation

[0043] In view of the shortcomings of the existing technology in the low degree of automation and high difficulty of the knob and nut pressing operation, the applicant of this case has analyzed and studied the knob and nut pressing operation and found that: although the knob has a complex and varied shape, it has some regularity in appearance. For example, most of them have more than three handles and the distance between the two handles is uniform. Therefore, the knob can be positioned by using two handles.

[0044] In response to the above findings, the applicant proposes a knob and nut pressing machine. This machine utilizes a knob vibrating disc to automatically rotate the knob from a horizontal guide rail to an upright position supported by two handles. Then, under the vibration of the upright vibrator, the knob continuously moves along a knob conveying guide rail towards a pushing platform connected to the guide rail. Under gravity, the upright knob is then conveyed via a vertical guide rail and positioned by engaging with a positioning element. Combined with a centering rod, the knob is positioned within the vertical guide rail, thus achieving automatic knob feeding. After the automatically fed nut is pressed onto the knob, the finished product is unloaded, ultimately achieving automated production of the knob and nut pressing process. The following are some specific embodiments of the knob and nut pressing machine of this application:

[0045] To Figure 1 (b) Nut 200 is pressed into Figure 1 (a) The knob nut press of knob 100 is used as an example in this embodiment, wherein please refer to the reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The knob 100 has a maximum outer diameter of a first diameter D1, a shell outer diameter of a second diameter D2, and a thickness of a first thickness H1, which is less than the first diameter D1. The nut 200 has a maximum outer diameter of a third diameter D3, a thickness of a second thickness H2, a distance between two opposite sides of the nut 200 parallel to its axis of rotation of a third thickness H3, and a screw hole diameter of a fourth diameter D4.

[0046] Please refer to the following: Figure 3 and Figure 4 The knob and nut pressing machine of this application includes a worktable 10, a knob feeding unit 20, a nut feeding unit 30, a pressing unit 40, a defective product recycling unit 50, and a controller 60. The worktable 10 is parallel to the horizontal plane. The knob feeding unit 20, the nut feeding unit 30, and the pressing unit 40 are arranged above the worktable 10, and the defective product recycling unit 40 is arranged below the worktable 10. Under the control of the controller 60, the knob feeding unit 20 and the nut feeding unit 30 feed the knob 100 and the nut 200 respectively, the pressing unit 40 presses the two together, and the defective product recycling unit 40 recycles defective products.

[0047] Specifically, please refer to the following: Figures 5 to 16 The knob feeding unit 20 includes a knob vibratory plate 21, a knob conveying guide rail 22, an upright vibrator 23, a pushing assembly 24, a vertical guide rail 25, a knob positioning assembly 26, and a detection assembly 27.

[0048] The knob vibrating disc 21 includes a knob mounting plate 211, a disc body 212, a knob connecting channel 213, support rods 214, a first elastic element 215, and a vibrator 216. The surface of the knob mounting plate 211 is parallel to the surface of the workbench 10, and the disc body 212 is positioned above the mounting plate 211. Preferably, each of the four corners of the knob mounting plate 211 is provided with a support rod 214 perpendicular to the surface of the workbench 10, thus separating the knob mounting plate 211 from the workbench 10 by a certain distance. Each support rod 214 is fitted with a first elastic element 215, the two ends of which abut against the surface of the knob mounting plate 211 and the surface of the workbench 10 to absorb the vibration of the knob vibrating disc 21. The disc body 212 is hollow inside, and the vibrator 216 is connected to the disc body 212 to cause it to vibrate. The disc body 212, located at its top away from the workbench 10, has a knob inlet 212A communicating with the outside. A knob connecting channel 213 is located on the disc body 212 and communicates with the knob outlet 212A. Under the vibration of the vibrator 216, the knob 100 rotates within the knob connecting channel 213 to an upright position supported by the two handles. Furthermore, as... Figure 8 As shown, a protrusion 212B can be provided at the knob inlet 212A according to the shape of the knob 100 to restrict the swing direction of the knob 100 when it enters the knob outlet 212A, so that the nut mounting part in the knob 100 faces the same direction in the knob connection channel 213.

[0049] One end of the knob conveying guide rail 22 is connected to the knob outlet 212A through the knob connecting channel 213 and extends horizontally. The inner height L1 of the horizontal guide rail 22 is greater than or equal to the first diameter D1 of the knob 100, the inner width L2 of the horizontal guide rail is greater than or equal to the first thickness H1 of the knob 100, and the height L1 of the horizontal guide rail is greater than the inner width L2, so that after each knob 100 enters the knob conveying guide rail 22, their axes are parallel to each other and arranged sequentially along the extension direction of the knob conveying guide rail 22, and they move towards the pusher assembly 24 under the push of the knob 100 entering from the knob vibrating plate 21. In addition, the knob conveying guide rail 22 can also be slightly inclined relative to the horizontal plane, so that the knob 100 has a tendency to slide towards the pusher assembly 24 under the action of gravity.

[0050] The upright vibrator 23 is connected to the knob conveying rail 22, causing the knob conveying rail 22 to vibrate. In this embodiment, the upright vibrator 23 is disposed between the worktable 10 and the knob conveying rail 22. The upright vibrator 23 includes a vibrating body 231, a support 232, and a damping pad 233. The support 231 extends vertically from the worktable 10, and the damping pad 232 is disposed between the support 231 and the vibrating body 231 to absorb vibration. The vibrating body 231 is connected to the knob conveying rail 22. After being vibrated, the knob 100 inside the knob conveying rail 22 rotates around its axis until two adjacent handles contact the inner bottom surface of the knob conveying rail 22. Under the vibration of the upright vibrator 23, the knob 100 continuously moves along the knob conveying rail 22 toward the pushing assembly 24.

[0051] Please refer to the following: Figure 10 and Figure 11 The pushing assembly 24 is located at the end of the knob conveying guide 22 away from the knob vibrating plate 21, and includes a pushing platform 241, a pushing cylinder 242, and a pushing block 243. The pushing platform 241 is mounted on the workbench 10 and connected to the end of the knob conveying guide 22 away from the knob vibrating plate 21. The pushing cylinder 242 is mounted on one side of the pushing platform 241. Projected vertically, the moving direction of the piston rod of the pushing cylinder 242 is perpendicular to the extending direction of the knob conveying guide 22. The pushing block 243 is connected to the piston rod of the pushing cylinder 242. Driven by the pushing cylinder 242, the pushing block 243 moves linearly, and the vertical guide rail 25 is located on the moving trajectory of the pushing block 243, thereby pushing the knob 100 into the vertical guide rail 25. In this embodiment, the pusher block 243 is hollow and has a first opening 243A that connects to the knob conveying guide rail 22, and a second opening 243B that faces the workbench 10 and connects to the vertical guide rail 25. The vertical guide rail 25 is located on the side of the pusher block 243 away from the pusher cylinder 242. When the pusher block 243 moves away from the pusher cylinder 242, the knob 100 is pushed into the vertical guide rail 25. It can be understood that the vertical guide rail 25 can also be installed on the side of the pusher platform 241 near the pusher cylinder 242 with a through hole. The vertical guide rail 25 is located below the through hole of the pusher cylinder 242. When the pusher block 243 approaches the pusher cylinder 242, the knob 100 can also be pushed into the vertical guide rail 25.

[0052] Please refer to the following: Figure 12 and Figure 13The vertical guide rail 25 extends vertically toward the worktable 10 and communicates with the second opening 243B. Projected vertically, the pressing unit 40 is located on the moving trajectory of the pusher block 243 and is connected to the vertical guide rail 25. The knob positioning assembly 26 is located on the side of the vertical guide rail 25 away from the pusher assembly 24. The vertical guide rail 25 includes a main body 251 and a cover 252. The main body 251 extends vertically. Projected vertically, the cover 252 covers the side of the main body 251 facing away from the pusher assembly 24 and is separated from the main body 251 by a certain distance, thereby forming an accommodating space between the main body 251 and the cover 252 for accommodating the knob 100. In this embodiment, there are two covers 252. Projected vertically, the two covers 252 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the main body 251 in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the pusher block 243, and are separated by a certain distance to allow observation of the knob 100 within the vertical guide rail 25 through the gap between the two covers 252 during operation. Projected vertically, the width A of the accommodating space is greater than the first diameter D1 of the knob 100, and the extending direction of the accommodating space width A is parallel to the extending direction of the knob conveying guide rail 22. The main body 251 has a locking part 251A on one side facing the accommodating space, and the locking part 251A extends at least to the knob positioning assembly 26 along the vertical direction. Projecting vertically, the engaging portion 251A is located in the middle of the main body 251. The width E of the engaging portion is greater than or equal to the second diameter D2, and the minimum thickness B of the accommodating space is less than the first thickness H1, so that a portion of the outer shell of the knob 100 engages with the engaging portion 251A, thereby positioning the knob 100 within the accommodating space. The extension direction of the minimum thickness B is parallel to the moving direction of the pusher block 243. Furthermore, to make the engagement between the knob 100 and the engaging portion 251A smoother, the first width C of the engaging portion 251A near the pusher assembly 24 is greater than the second diameter D2, and the second width D of the engaging portion 251A near the knob positioning assembly 26 is less than the first width C. The vertical guide rail 25 has a first pressing port 251B on the side facing the pressing unit 40, which allows the nut 1200 to enter the knob 200.

[0053] Please refer to the following: Figures 14 to 16The knob positioning assembly 26 includes a limiting block 261, a centering rod 262, a material separator 263, and a drive cylinder 264. The limiting block 261, the centering rod 262, and the material separator 263 are arranged vertically from bottom to top within the vertical guide rail 25 and extend into the accommodating space. The main body 251 has through holes 251C corresponding to the limiting block 261, the centering rod 272, and the material separator 263, allowing the limiting block 261, the centering rod 262, and the material separator 263 to extend and retract within and outside the accommodating space. Projected along the moving direction of the pusher block 243, the limiting block 261 is located at the bottom and is situated in the middle of the vertical guide rail 25 in the horizontal direction, separated from the inner wall of the accommodating space by a certain distance. In use, the limiting block 261 engages between two adjacent handles of the knob 100, with the outer shell of the knob 100 positioned below. The limiting block 261 has an arcuate surface 261A on its upward-facing side, the diameter of which is equal to the second diameter D2, allowing the upward-facing side of the limiting block 261 to abut against the outer shell of the knob 100 for positioning. The centering rod 262 is located directly above the limiting block 261, extending along the moving direction of the pusher block 243, and is used to insert into the center of the knob 100 along its axis. Projected along the moving direction of the pusher block 243, the axis of the centering rod 262 and the center of the arcuate surface 261A lie on a straight line extending vertically. The distance from the centering rod 262 to the limiting block 261 in the vertical direction can be adjusted according to the size of the knob 100. Two spacers 263 are provided, protruding above the centering rod 262. The horizontal distance between the two spacers 263 is less than the maximum distance between the two handles of the knob 100. The spacers 263 separate two adjacent knobs 100 in the vertical direction within the vertical guide rail 25, so that the upper knob 100 is not affected by the operation of the lower knob 100. When the limiting block 261, centering rod 262, and spacers 263 are in use, the lowermost knob 100 of the vertical guide rail 25 is limited horizontally by the limiting block 261 and vertically by the limiting block 261 and the centering rod 262. The lowermost knob 100 is fixed within the vertical guide rail 25, and the spacers 263 separate the two knobs 100.

[0054] The drive cylinder 264 is disposed outside the accommodating space, and its output end is connected to the limiting block 261, the centering rod 262, and the material separator 263 respectively, so as to drive them to extend and retract inside and outside the accommodating space. In this embodiment, there are three drive cylinders 264, which are electrically connected to the controller 60 respectively, and drive the movement of the limiting block 261, the centering rod 262, and the material separator 263 under the control of the controller. In addition, different numbers of drive cylinders 264 can be set according to the pressing action.

[0055] The detection component 27 includes a first detector 271, a second detector 272, and a third detector 273. The first detector 271 is disposed on the knob conveying rail 22 and is used to detect whether the knob 100 has entered the knob conveying rail 22. In this embodiment, the first detector 271 is a fiber optic sensor in the prior art. The knob conveying rail 22 has openings on opposite sides. The transmitter of the first detector 271 emits light from one opening to a receiver located at the other opening. When the knob 100 enters the knob conveying rail 22, the light is blocked, thereby detecting that the knob 100 has entered the knob conveying rail 22. The second detector 272 is disposed on the pusher block 243 or the pusher platform 241, located on the side of the pusher block 243 away from the knob conveying rail 22, and is used to detect whether the knob 100 has entered the pusher block 243. The second detector 272 can also be a fiber optic sensor in the prior art. The third detector 273 is electrically connected to the controller 50 and is respectively disposed on the outer side of the two covers 252 and close to the limiting block 261, for detecting whether the knob 100 has fallen onto the limiting block 261. In this embodiment, the third detector 273 is a diffuse reflection fiber optic sensor in the prior art, and there are two of them, respectively close to the two handles of the knob 100 that are engaged with the limiting block 261.

[0056] Please refer to the following: Figure 17 The nut feeding unit 30 includes a nut vibrating plate 31 and a nut guide rail 32. The nut vibrating plate 31 is disposed on the worktable 10, spaced apart from the knob vibrating plate 21, and is used to place multiple nuts 200 pressed into the knob 100. Similar to the knob vibrating plate 21, the nut vibrating plate 31 can also be vibrated by a vibrator and supported on the worktable 10 by elastic elements for shock absorption; this will not be described again here.

[0057] Please refer to the following: Figure 18 and Figure 19The nut vibrating plate 31 is connected to the nut guide rail 32. The nut guide rail 32 is provided with an inclined tube section 321, a straight tube section 322 and a nut inlet 323 that are connected to each other. The nut inlet 323 is located at one end of the inclined tube section 321 near the nut vibrating plate 31 and faces upward.

[0058] The inclined tube section 321 extends towards the vertical guide rail 25 in a direction inclined relative to the table surface of the worktable 10. The inclined tube section 321 includes an upper sidewall 321A and a lower sidewall 321B that are parallel to each other and inclined relative to the table surface of the worktable 10, and a left sidewall 321C and a right sidewall 321D that are separated and perpendicular to the horizontal plane. The distance between the upper sidewall 321A and the lower sidewall 321B is the nut guide rail height L3 of the nut guide rail 32. The nut guide rail height L3 is less than the third thickness H3 and the fourth diameter D4, and greater than the second thickness H2, so that after the nut 200 enters the inclined tube section 321 from the nut inlet 323, the axis of the nut 200 is perpendicular to the lower sidewall 321B, and the side perpendicular to its axis can fit against the lower sidewall 321B and slide along the lower sidewall 321B. Preferably, the distance between the left side wall 321C and the right side wall 321D is the nut guide width L4 of the nut guide rail 32. The nut guide width L4 is less than the fourth diameter D4 and greater than or equal to the third thickness H3, so that after the nut 200 enters the inclined tube section 321, it collides with the inner side wall of the inclined tube section 321 and rotates, with one side of its axis parallel to its axis facing forward in its sliding direction.

[0059] The straight pipe section 322 extends vertically and includes a vertical upper sidewall 322A and a vertical lower sidewall 322B that connect to the upper sidewall 321A and the lower sidewall 321B and are perpendicular to the horizontal plane, as well as a vertical left sidewall 322C and a vertical right sidewall 322D that connect to the left sidewall 321C and the right sidewall 321D, respectively. The distance L5 between the vertical upper sidewall 322A and the vertical lower sidewall 322B is equal to the height L3 of the nut guide rail and slightly greater than the second thickness H2. The nut 200 slides along the lower sidewall 321B to the straight pipe section 322 and then flips until its axis is parallel to the horizontal plane. It then continues to slide vertically down and is vibrated after hitting the lower nut 200. The nut 200 rotates around its axis until one of the two nuts 200 has a side parallel to the axis that is in contact with each other.

[0060] Please see Figure 19The pressing unit 40 includes a base 41, a pushing cylinder 42, a pressing head 43, and a blocking block 44. The base 41 is mounted on the workbench 10 and close to the vertical guide rail 25. A pressing channel 411 is formed within the base 41, extending vertically and communicating with the straight pipe section 322. A second pressing port 412 is formed on the side of the base 41 facing the vertical guide rail 25, directly opposite the first pressing port 251B and communicating with the accommodating space. The blocking block 44 is located below the pressing channel 331A, blocking the sliding nut 200. Adjusting the blocking block 44 adjusts the height of the nut 200 relative to the workbench 10, thereby aligning it with knobs 100 of different sizes. The pushing cylinder 42 is mounted on one side of the base 41, and its output end is connected to the pressing head 43. The pressing head 43 extends horizontally and is coaxial with the centering rod 262. Under the push of the push cylinder 42, the pressure head 43 pushes the nut 200 located at the bottom out of the second pressing port 331B, into the first pressing port 251B, and presses it into the knob 100.

[0061] Please see Figure 20 The workbench 10 has a product outlet 11, and the assembly of the knob 100 and the nut 200 after pressing is dropped from the product outlet 11.

[0062] The defective product recycling unit 50 includes a defective product recycling pipe 41 and a pusher 42. The defective product recycling pipe 41 is located below the workbench 10 and has a recycling port (not labeled) facing the workbench 10. The pusher 42 is electrically connected to the controller 50, and its output end is connected to the defective product recycling pipe 41, and can push the defective product recycling pipe 41 toward the product outlet 11, so that the recycling port is connected to the product outlet 11. In this embodiment, the pusher 42 is a cylinder in the prior art, and its output end moves in a direction parallel to the horizontal plane.

[0063] Based on the above structure, the knob and nut pressing process will be explained through this embodiment.

[0064] Step S10: Place the knob 100 and the nut 200 into the knob vibrating plate 21 and the nut vibrating plate 31 respectively, and make the knob vibrating plate 21 and the nut vibrating plate 31 vibrate respectively.

[0065] Step S20: The knob 100 is fed to the knob pressing position of the knob feeding unit 20, including the following steps:

[0066] Step S21: After being vibrated, the knob 100 enters the knob connection channel 213 from the knob inlet 212A, is limited by the protrusion 212B, and the nut mounting part of the knob 100 faces the pressing unit 40;

[0067] Step S22: The first detector 271 detects that the knob 100 enters the knob conveying guide rail 22 and feeds back the signal to the controller 60. Under the control of the controller 60, the upright vibrator 23 is turned on, and the knob 100 is rotated until the two handles are in contact with the inner bottom surface of the knob conveying guide rail 22, and it is in an upright state.

[0068] Step S23: The knob 100 enters the pusher platform 241 from the knob conveyor rail 22. The second detection element 272 detects that the knob 100 has entered the pusher block 243 and feeds back the signal to the controller 60. Under the control of the controller 60, the pusher cylinder 242 is started and the pusher block 243 moves toward the vertical guide rail 25.

[0069] Step S24: The pusher block 243 is connected to the accommodating space of the vertical guide rail 25, and the knob 100 falls from the second opening 243B into the accommodating space and lands above the limiting block 261.

[0070] Step S25: The third detector 273 detects that the knob 100 has fallen onto the limiting block 261 and feeds back the signal to the controller 60. Under the control of the controller 60, the drive cylinder 264 starts, the centering rod 262 and the material separator 263 enter the accommodating space respectively, and are located in the nut mounting part of the knob 100 and above the knob 100. The knob 100 is limited to the knob pressing position in the accommodating space.

[0071] Step S30: The nut 200 is fed to the nut pressing position of the nut feeding unit 30, including the following steps:

[0072] Step S31: After being vibrated, the nut 200 enters the inclined tube section 321 of the nut guide rail 32 through the nut inlet 323 and slides along it.

[0073] Step S32: After the nut 200 slides to the straight pipe section 322, it flips and enters the straight pipe section 322, and then slides into the pressing channel 411 of the pressing unit 40, facing the nut mounting part of the knob 100. The nut 200 is limited to the nut pressing position.

[0074] Step S40: Under the control of the controller 60, the push cylinder 42 is opened, and the pressure head 43 pushes the nut 200 into the nut mounting part of the knob 100 until it is tightened.

[0075] Step S50: After the pressing action is completed, the controller 60 controls the drive cylinder 264 connected to the limiting block 261 and the centering rod 262, so that the limiting block 261 and the centering rod 262 exit the accommodating space, and the knob 100 and the nut 200 fall directly from the product outlet 11 and leave the knob and nut pressing machine; then, under the control of the controller 60, the material separator 263 exits the accommodating space so that the next knob 100 can fall onto the limiting block 261.

[0076] Step S60: If the controller 60 detects abnormal force on the drive cylinder 264 during the pressing process, it is determined that the knob 100 and the nut 200 have not completed the pressing as required, resulting in defective products. Then, the pusher 52 is activated to connect the defective product recycling pipe 51 to the product outlet 11 for defective product recycling.

[0077] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the knob 100 has three handles. However, it is understood that even with different numbers of knobs, as long as the handles are evenly spaced around the knob, automatic knob feeding can still be achieved.

[0078] Compared with the prior art, the knob nut pressing machine of the present invention has the following advantages:

[0079] 1. It can improve the automation level of knob and nut pressing operations and increase work efficiency.

[0080] 2. High alignment accuracy between the knob and nut;

[0081] 3. It can recycle defective products.

[0082] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are used only for the convenience of describing the invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the invention. In the description of this invention, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0083] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention. For example, the term “and / or” as used herein is intended to include all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items; the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “described” as used herein are intended to include both singular and plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the terms “comprising” and / or “equivalent to” as used herein mean the presence of the stated features, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or components.

[0084] The embodiments described above are merely examples of several implementations of the present invention, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these modifications and improvements all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A knob and nut pressing machine, characterized in that: It includes a knob feeding unit, a nut feeding unit, and a pressing unit. The knob feeding unit includes: Knob vibrating disc, used to store knobs; A knob conveying guide rail is connected to the knob vibrating plate, so that the knob can be conveyed along the knob conveying guide rail; An upright vibrator is connected to the knob conveyor rail; A vertical guide rail is located on the side of the knob conveying guide rail away from the knob vibrating plate, and has a receiving space extending downward in the vertical direction; A pusher assembly, located on the side of the knob conveyor rail away from the knob vibratory plate, is used to push the knob into the receiving space; and A knob positioning assembly includes a limiting block and a centering rod; the limiting block and the centering rod extend horizontally and are retractable within and outside the accommodating space; projected vertically, the limiting block is close to the center of the accommodating space; the centering rod is located directly above the limiting block. The pressing unit is connected to the accommodating space and the nut feeding unit respectively, and can press the nut from the nut feeding unit into the accommodating space; in use, the limiting block is engaged between the two adjacent handles of the knob and is located below the outer shell of the knob; the centering rod is used to be inserted into the middle of the knob along the axis of the knob; The vertical guide rail has a locking part located within the accommodating space. The locking part extends vertically, and a portion of the knob's outer casing can be locked into the locking part.

2. The knob and nut pressing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The knob positioning assembly also includes a material separator and a drive cylinder; the material separator is located directly above the centering rod; the drive cylinder is connected to the limiting block, the centering rod and the material separator respectively, driving them to extend and retract inside and outside the accommodating space respectively.

3. The knob and nut pressing machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: The knob feeding unit further includes a detection component, which includes a first detector, a second detector, and a third detector. The first detector is disposed on the knob conveying guide rail and is used to detect whether the knob enters the knob conveying guide rail. The second detector is close to the pusher component and is used to detect whether the knob reaches the pusher component. The third detector is close to the limit block and is used to detect whether the knob falls onto the limit block.

4. The knob and nut pressing machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: The pushing assembly includes a pushing cylinder and a pushing block; the pushing block is connected to the output end of the pushing cylinder and has a first opening that can communicate with the knob conveying guide rail and a second opening that can communicate with the accommodating space; when projected vertically, the moving direction of the pushing block is perpendicular to the extending direction of the knob conveying guide rail.

5. The knob and nut pressing machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: The nut feeding unit includes a nut vibrating plate and a nut guide rail; one end of the nut guide rail is connected to the nut vibrating plate, and the other end is connected to the pressing unit.

6. The knob and nut pressing machine according to claim 5, characterized in that: The nut guide rail is provided with an inclined tube section and a straight tube section that are interconnected; the inclined tube section is connected to the nut vibrating plate and is inclined relative to the horizontal surface to the straight tube section; the straight tube section is connected to the pressing unit.

7. The knob and nut pressing machine according to claim 6, characterized in that: The pressing unit includes a base, a pushing cylinder, a pressing head, and a blocking block; the base is connected to the vertical guide rail and has a pressing channel communicating with the accommodating space; the pressing channel is connected to the end of the straight pipe section away from the inclined pipe section; the blocking block is located on the side of the pressing channel away from the straight pipe section; the pressing head is coaxially arranged with the centering rod, and under the drive of the pushing cylinder, the pressing head moves closer to or away from the pressing channel.

8. The knob and nut pressing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a defective product recycling unit, which includes a defective product recycling pipe and a pusher. Under the pusher, one end of the defective product recycling pipe is pushed below the limiting block and toward the limiting block.

9. The knob and nut pressing machine according to claim 8, characterized in that: The actuator is a cylinder.

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