Automatic screw feeding mechanism and method and automatic screw driving machine

Abstract

The automatic screw feeding mechanism comprises a base, a power chamber, a screw storage chamber, a screw arrangement groove body and a screw distribution assembly are transversely and sequentially distributed on the base, and the power chamber and the screw storage chamber are separated through a partition plate; one end of the screw arrangement groove body penetrates into the screw storage chamber, a V-shaped block for guiding the screws is fixed to the end of the screw arrangement groove body, an avoiding groove for avoiding the rod portions of the screws is formed in the bottom of a V-shaped groove of the V-shaped block, and a pushing block for pushing the screws is movably arranged in the avoiding groove. A rotating disc and a rotating sweeper which are used for guiding screws in the screw storage chamber into the V-shaped groove are longitudinally and rotationally arranged on the partition plate; according to the device, the applicable screw size range is larger, the application range of products is greatly widened, meanwhile, the requirement for the precision of the screws is lowered, precise track design is not needed, noise is greatly reduced, and harm to operators is avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of automatic screw driving, and more specifically, to an automatic screw feeding mechanism, method and automatic screw driving machine. Background Art

[0002] During the assembly process of workpieces, the process of automatic screw driving is often involved. Currently, in the automatic screw driving equipment adopted, the automatic feeding of screws mostly uses a vibrating bowl for feeding. However, the vibrating bowl feeding has the following series of defects:

[0003] 1. There are high requirements for the size, shape and material of screws. For example, it is difficult to be compatible with micro screws (such as those below M2) or special models with gaskets, and materials with high viscosity and easy to agglomerate are prone to cause blockages;

[0004] 2. Moreover, due to the lack of standardized packaging for non-standard parts, the sorting efficiency of the vibrating bowl may be reduced, and the track design needs to be frequently adjusted. In addition, the cooperation between the vibrating bowl and the linear vibrator depends on a precise track design. If the parts have burrs, deformations or thread damages, it may lead to screening failure or material jamming;

[0005] 3. During the operation of the vibrating bowl, noise will also be generated due to vibration, which affects the hearing of operators and causes operator physical fatigue. Additional sound insulation facilities or ear protectors need to be configured, and at the same time, operators also need to strictly control their working hours and conduct regular health monitoring;

[0006] Therefore, there is an urgent need for an automatic screw feeding mechanism and an automatic screw driving machine that can solve the above defect problems. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an automatic screw feeding mechanism, method and automatic screw driving machine in view of the above defects of the prior art.

[0008] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve its technical problems is:

[0009] Construct an automatic screw feeding mechanism, which includes a base. Horizontally and sequentially distributed on the base are a power chamber, a screw storage chamber, a screw alignment trough, and a screw feeding component. The power chamber is separated from the screw storage chamber by a partition. One end of the screw alignment trough penetrates into the screw storage chamber and a V-shaped block for guiding the screws is fixed at the end. An avoidance groove for avoiding the rod part of the screw is arranged at the bottom of the V-shaped groove of the V-shaped block, and a pushing block for pushing the screw is movably arranged in the avoidance groove; a rotating disk and a rotating sweeper for guiding the screws in the screw storage chamber into the V-shaped groove are longitudinally rotatably arranged on the partition; there is a gap for the rotating disk to rotate between the V-shaped block and the partition; a driving unit is arranged in the power chamber, and the pushing block, the rotating disk, and the rotating sweeper are all driven to rotate by the driving unit; the rotating sweeper is used to sweep the screws that are not aligned on the screw alignment trough back into the screw storage chamber; a notch for avoiding the pushing block is arranged on the rotating disk. When the rotating disk rotates to make the notch coincide with the gap, the pushing block enters the avoidance groove through the gap to push the material, and retreats after the pushing is completed.

[0010] In the automatic screw feeding mechanism of the present invention, the rotating disk includes a rotating shaft connected coaxially and a disk located at the gap. The rotating shaft penetrates through the partition. A plurality of lifting steps are arranged on the surface of the disk facing away from the partition in a circumferential distribution. A discharging gap is formed between adjacent lifting steps, and the notch is arranged on the disk.

[0011] In the automatic screw feeding mechanism of the present invention, the lifting steps are V-shaped, and the opening faces the tangential direction of the lifting steps.

[0012] In the automatic screw feeding mechanism of the present invention, the driving unit includes a servo motor, a driving gear, a driven gear, a synchronous belt, a cam, and a return spring; the driving gear and the driven gear are connected by the synchronous belt. The driving gear is coaxially fixed with the rotating disk and the movable end of the servo motor. The driven gear is fixedly connected with the rotating sweeper; a horizontal slide rail for slidably connecting the pushing block is arranged in the power chamber, and the return spring is used to reset the pushing block; the cam is arranged at the edge of one side surface of the driving gear, and a slot for cooperating with the cam is arranged on the pushing block.

[0013] The automatic screw feeding mechanism of the present invention, wherein the screw feeding and distributing assembly includes a feeding and distributing table, an opening is formed on the feeding and distributing table, a feeding and distributing turntable is horizontally rotatably arranged in the opening, a plurality of accommodating grooves for accommodating screws are arranged on the circumferential side of the feeding and distributing turntable, a screw receiving groove corresponding to the screw arranging groove body is arranged on the feeding and distributing table, and the screw receiving groove is communicated with the opening; a screw taking station and an infrared pair of sensors for detecting whether there is a screw at the screw taking station are arranged on the feeding and distributing table, and the screw taking station is located on the rotation track of the accommodating groove.

[0014] The automatic screw feeding mechanism of the present invention, wherein a pushing inclined surface is arranged on the surface of the pushing block for pushing materials on the side for pushing materials.

[0015] The automatic screw feeding mechanism of the present invention, wherein the bottom of the screw storage chamber is inclined and the end towards the partition is lower; an installation groove matching the rotating disk is arranged at the end of the bottom of the screw storage chamber towards the partition.

[0016] The automatic screw feeding mechanism of the present invention, wherein the screw arranging groove body is inclined and the end penetrating into the screw storage chamber is higher, and the inclination angle ranges from 5 to 10 degrees.

[0017] A method for automatically feeding screws, which is applied to the automatic screw feeding mechanism as described above, wherein the method includes the steps:

[0018] The driving unit operates continuously to guide the screws in the screw storage chamber into the V-shaped groove of the V-shaped block, and the rod part of the screw entering the V-shaped groove rotates downward into the avoidance groove to complete the longitudinal alignment of the screw.

[0019] When the rotating disk rotates to make the notch face the pushing block, the pushing block enters the avoidance groove through the gap to push the material, and retreats after the pushing is completed. The screw slides out of the V-shaped groove and enters the screw arranging groove body to be linearly arranged, and the rotating broom moves under the drive of the driving unit to sweep the screws that are not arranged well on the screw arranging groove body back into the screw storage chamber.

[0020] The screws arranged well on the screw arranging groove body are gradually pushed to the screw feeding and distributing assembly, and are distributed by the screw feeding and distributing assembly.

[0021] An automatic screw driving machine, wherein the automatic screw driving machine is provided with the automatic screw feeding mechanism as described above; the automatic screw driving machine further includes a screw taking manipulator for taking screws from the automatic screw feeding mechanism and placing them at the screw installation position of the workpiece, and a screw driving manipulator, and an electric screwdriver for driving screws is arranged at the movable end of the screw driving manipulator.

[0022] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: During use, the driving unit operates continuously to introduce the screws in the screw storage chamber into the V-shaped groove of the V-shaped block. The rod part of the screw entering the V-shaped groove rotates downward and enters the avoidance groove, completing the longitudinal alignment of the screw. When the rotating disk rotates to the notch facing the pushing block, the pushing block enters the avoidance groove through the gap to push the material, and retreats after the pushing is completed. The screw slides out of the V-shaped groove and enters the screw alignment groove body to be arranged in a straight line. The rotating broom moves under the drive of the driving unit to sweep the screws that are not arranged properly on the screw alignment groove body back into the screw storage chamber. The screws arranged properly on the screw alignment groove body are gradually pushed to the screw distribution component, and the screw distribution component distributes the materials.

[0023] The screw automatic feeding mechanism applying the present application can be applicable to a larger range of screw sizes, greatly improving the applicable range of the product. At the same time, the precision requirement for the screw is lowered, and there is no need for a precise track design. The operation of the equipment does not involve a vibration screening process, greatly reducing the noise and avoiding harm to the operator. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the following will further illustrate the present invention in conjunction with the drawings and embodiments. The drawings in the following description are only partial embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts:

[0025] Figure 1 is the structural sectional view of the screw automatic feeding mechanism of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 is the driving schematic diagram of the driving gear and the driven gear of the screw automatic feeding mechanism of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3 is the driving schematic diagram of the driving gear and the pushing block of the screw automatic feeding mechanism of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 4 is the front structural schematic diagram of the rotating disk of the screw automatic feeding mechanism of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 5 is the front structural schematic diagram of the V-shaped block of the screw automatic feeding mechanism of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 6 is the top view of the screw distribution component of the screw automatic feeding mechanism of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0031] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are partial embodiments of the present invention, rather than all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0032] The automatic screw feeding mechanism of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is as Figure 1 shown. Referring also to Figures 2 - 6 , it includes a base 1. Horizontally and sequentially distributed on the base 1 are a power chamber 2, a screw storage chamber 3, a screw alignment trough 4, and a screw dispensing assembly 5. The power chamber 2 is separated from the screw storage chamber 3 by a partition 6. One end of the screw alignment trough 4 penetrates into the screw storage chamber 3 and a V-shaped block 7 for guiding the screws is fixed at the end. An avoidance groove 70 for avoiding the rod part of the screw is provided at the bottom of the V-shaped groove of the V-shaped block 7. A pusher block 8 for pushing the screw is movably arranged in the avoidance groove 70. A rotating disk 60 for guiding the screws in the screw storage chamber 3 into the V-shaped groove and a rotating sweeper 61 (the sweeping head can be made of metal sheet, brush, plastic sheet, etc.) are longitudinally rotatably arranged on the partition 6. There is a gap for the rotating disk to rotate between the V-shaped block 7 and the partition 6. A driving unit 9 is arranged in the power chamber 2. The pusher block 8, the rotating disk 60, and the rotating sweeper 61 are all driven to rotate by the driving unit 9. The rotating sweeper 61 is used to sweep the screws that are not arranged properly on the screw alignment trough 4 back into the screw storage chamber 3. A notch 600 for avoiding the pusher block 8 is provided on the rotating disk 60. When the rotating disk 60 rotates to make the notch 600 face the pusher block 8, the pusher block 8 enters the avoidance groove 70 through the gap under the drive of the driving unit 9 to push the screw, and retreats after the pushing is completed.

[0033] During use, the driving unit 9 operates continuously to guide the screws in the screw storage chamber 3 into the V-shaped groove of the V-shaped block 7. The rod part of the screw entering the V-shaped groove rotates downward (because the center of gravity of the screw is located in its rod part) and enters the avoidance groove 70, completing the longitudinal alignment of the screw. When the rotating disk 60 rotates to make the notch 600 face the pusher block 8, the pusher block 8 (driven by the driving unit 9) enters the avoidance groove 70 through the gap to push the screw, and retreats after the pushing is completed. The screw slides out of the V-shaped groove and enters the screw alignment trough 4 to be arranged in a straight line. The rotating sweeper 61 moves under the drive of the driving unit 9 to sweep the screws that are not arranged properly on the screw alignment trough 4 back into the screw storage chamber 3. The screws arranged properly on the screw alignment trough 4 are gradually pushed to the screw dispensing assembly 5, and are dispensed by the screw dispensing assembly 5.

[0034] The screw automatic feeding mechanism applying the present application can be applicable to a wider range of screw sizes, greatly improving the applicable range of products. At the same time, the precision requirements for screws are relaxed, eliminating the need for precise track design. The operation of the equipment does not involve a vibration screening process, significantly reducing noise and avoiding harm to operators.

[0035] Among them, the driving unit 9 and the screw feeding component 5 can adopt the following implementation structures or existing structures for implementation, without limitation thereto.

[0036] Preferably, the rotating disk 60 includes a rotating shaft 603 connected coaxially and a disk 601 located at the gap. The rotating shaft passes through the partition 6. A plurality of lifting steps 602 are arranged in a circumferential distribution on the surface of the disk 601 facing away from the partition 6. There is a discharging gap between adjacent lifting steps 602, and a notch 600 is provided on the disk 601; the lifting step 602 is V-shaped, and the opening direction is along the tangent direction of the lifting step. With this design, the disk 601 can continuously rotate at the gap without being blocked by the V-shaped block 7. When the lifting step 602 rises, the V-shaped opening faces upward to load screws. When the lifting step 602 moves to the highest position of its trajectory, the V-shaped opening faces horizontally, and at this time the screws will slide down along its lower edge and enter the V-shaped block 7 through the discharging gap, completing continuous screw feeding operation; according to actual needs, the notch can be set at one or more places, without limitation thereto.

[0037] Preferably, the driving unit 9 includes a servo motor 90, a driving gear 91, a driven gear 92, a synchronous belt 93, a cam 94 and a return spring 95; the driving gear 91 and the driven gear 92 are connected by the synchronous belt 93. The driving gear 91 is coaxially fixed with both the rotating disk 60 and the movable end of the servo motor 90. The driven gear 92 is fixedly connected with the rotating sweep 61. The pushing block 8 is located between the driving gear 91 and the driven gear 92; a horizontal slide rail 97 for slidably connecting the pushing block 8 is arranged in the power chamber 2, and the return spring 95 is used to reset the pushing block 8; a cam 96 is arranged at the edge of one side surface of the driving gear 91, and a slot 80 for cooperating with the cam 96 is arranged on the pushing block 8;

[0038] During operation, the servo motor 90 drives the driving gear 91 to rotate continuously, and through the synchronous belt 93, drives the driven gear 92 to rotate continuously. The driving gear 91 drives the rotating disk 60 to rotate continuously, and the driven gear 92 drives the rotating sweeper 61 to rotate continuously. When the cam 96 (including the acting part 960 with a spherical surface shape and the connecting part 961, and the acting part 960 and the connecting part 961 are arranged in an inverted L shape) rotates with the driving gear 91 and enters the slotted opening 80, the cam 96 presses the inner wall of the slotted opening 80, thereby driving the pusher block 8 to move horizontally. The pusher block 8 enters the avoidance groove 70 to push the material. When the cam 96 leaves the slotted opening 80, the pusher block 8 resets under the action of the return spring 95, that is, one feeding, sweeping, and pushing action is completed;

[0039] The above-mentioned different structure of the present application realizes the combination of three actions through a single driving motor, thereby greatly reducing the equipment cost and energy consumption. At the same time, the structural design is extremely compact and requires little space. Preferably, the number of teeth of the driving gear 91 can be set to be greater than that of the driven gear 92; the number of cams 96 can be designed as multiple according to needs, and the shape and size of the cam 96 can be set according to the moving distance of the pusher block 8 actually required; a pushing inclined surface 81 is provided on the surface of the pusher block 8 for pushing the material;

[0040] Preferably, the screw dispensing assembly 5 includes a dispensing table 50. An opening 51 is provided on the dispensing table 50. A dispensing turntable 52 is horizontally rotatably arranged in the opening 51. A plurality of receiving slots 520 for receiving screws are provided on the circumferential side of the dispensing turntable 52. A screw receiving slot 53 corresponding to the screw arrangement groove body 4 is provided on the dispensing table 50, and the screw receiving slot 53 is communicated with the opening 51; an infrared pair of sensors 54 for taking screws and detecting whether there are screws at the screw taking station are provided on the dispensing table 50, and the screw taking station is located on the rotation trajectory of the receiving slot;

[0041] The screws coming out of the screw arrangement groove body 4 will enter the receiving slots 520 of the dispensing turntable 52 through the screw receiving slot 53. When the receiving slot 520 moves to the screw taking station, the infrared pair of sensors 54 will detect the screws and transmit the screw in place information externally; the overall structure is simple, reliable, and the dispensing effect is good.

[0042] Preferably, the bottom of the screw storage chamber 3 is inclined and the end facing the partition 6 is lower, so that the screws have a tendency to move downward, which is convenient for screwing; an installation groove matching the rotating disk 60 is provided at the end of the bottom of the screw storage chamber 3 facing the partition 6; the screw arrangement groove body 4 is inclined and the end penetrating into the screw storage chamber 3 is higher, and the inclination angle ranges from 5 to 10 degrees, which is convenient for the screws to come out.

[0043] A screw automatic feeding method is applied to the screw automatic feeding mechanism as described above. Among them, the method includes the steps:

[0044] The driving unit operates continuously to introduce the screws in the screw storage chamber into the V-shaped groove of the V-shaped block. The rod part of the screw entering the V-shaped groove rotates downward and enters the avoidance groove, completing the longitudinal alignment of the screws.

[0045] When the rotating disk rotates to the notch facing the pusher block, the pusher block enters the avoidance groove through the gap to push the material, and retracts after the pushing is completed. The screw slides out of the V-shaped groove and enters the screw alignment groove body to be arranged in a straight line. The rotating sweeper moves under the drive of the driving unit to sweep the screws that are not arranged properly on the screw alignment groove body back into the screw storage chamber.

[0046] The screws arranged on the screw alignment groove body are gradually pushed to the screw distribution assembly, and the screw distribution assembly distributes the screws.

[0047] An automatic screw driving machine, wherein, an automatic screw feeding mechanism as described above is provided on the automatic screw driving machine; the automatic screw driving machine further includes a screw picking manipulator that picks up the screws from the automatic screw feeding mechanism and places them at the screw installation position of the workpiece, and a screw driving manipulator. The movable end of the screw driving manipulator is provided with an electric screwdriver for driving the screws; the screw picking manipulator and the screw driving manipulator can adopt existing manipulators, and will not be elaborated here.

[0048] It should be understood that for those of ordinary skill in the art, improvements or transformations can be made according to the above description, and all such improvements and transformations should fall within the protection scope of the appended claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A screw automatic feeding mechanism, characterized in that: The invention comprises a base, on which a power chamber, a screw storage chamber, a screw arrangement slot body and a screw distribution assembly are arranged in sequence in a transverse direction, the power chamber and the screw storage chamber are separated by a partition, one end of the screw arrangement slot body penetrates into the screw storage chamber and a V-shaped block with a guide screw is fixed at the end, a avoidance groove for avoiding the rod of the screw is arranged at the bottom of the V-shaped groove of the V-shaped block, and a pushing block for pushing the screw is movably arranged in the avoidance groove; a rotating disk for guiding the screws in the screw storage chamber into the V-shaped groove is arranged on the partition for longitudinal rotation and a rotating sweep; there is a gap between the V-shaped block and the partition for the rotating disk to rotate; a driving unit is arranged in the power chamber, and the pusher block, the rotating disk and the rotating sweep are all driven to rotate by the driving unit; the rotating sweep is used to sweep the screws that are not arranged on the screw arrangement groove back to the screw storage chamber; a notch is arranged on the rotating disk to avoid the pusher block, and when the rotating disk rotates until the notch coincides with the gap, the pusher block enters the avoidance groove through the gap to push the material, and retreats after the pushing is completed.

2. The automatic screw feeding mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rotating disk includes a coaxially connected rotating shaft and a circular disk located at the gap, the rotating shaft passes through the partition, and a plurality of lifting steps are circumferentially distributed on the surface of the circular disk facing away from the partition, and a unloading gap is formed between adjacent lifting steps, and the notch is arranged on the circular disk.

3. The automatic screw feeding mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that: The material lifting step is V-shaped, and the opening faces the tangent direction along the material lifting step.

4. The automatic screw feeding mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The driving unit includes a servo motor, a driving gear, a driven gear, a synchronous belt, a cam and a reset spring; the driving gear and the driven gear are connected through the synchronous belt, the driving gear and the rotating disk and the movable end of the servo motor are coaxially fixed, and the driven gear is fixedly connected to the rotating sweep; a transverse slide rail slidably connected to the pusher block is provided in the power chamber, and the reset spring is used to reset the pusher block; the cam is provided on the edge of one side surface of the driving gear, and the pusher block is provided with a groove cooperating with the cam.

5. The automatic screw feeding mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The screw dividing assembly includes a dividing table, an opening is formed on the dividing table, a dividing turntable is horizontally rotatably arranged in the opening, a plurality of accommodating slots for accommodating screws are arranged on the circumference of the dividing turntable, a screw receiving slot corresponding to the screw arrangement slot is arranged on the dividing table, and the screw receiving slot is communicated with the opening; a screw removing station and an infrared radiation sensor for detecting whether there are screws at the screw removing station are arranged on the dividing table, and the screw removing station is located on the rotating trajectory of the accommodating slot.

6. The automatic screw feeding mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: A pushing inclined surface is arranged on one side of the pushing block for pushing materials.

7. The automatic screw feeding mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the screw storage chamber is arranged in an inclined shape, and the end facing the partition is lower; the bottom of the screw storage chamber is arranged at the end facing the partition with a mounting groove matching the rotating disk.

8. The automatic screw feeding mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The screw arrangement slot is arranged in an inclined manner, and the end which penetrates into the screw storage chamber is higher, and the inclination angle ranges from 5 to 10 degrees.

9. A method for automatic screw feeding, applied to the automatic screw feeding mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The method comprises the steps of: The driving unit continuously guides the screws in the screw storage chamber into the V-shaped groove of the V-shaped block, and the rod of the screw entering the V-shaped groove rotates downward into the avoidance groove, thereby completing the longitudinal guidance of the screw; When the rotating disk rotates until the notch is aligned with the pushing block, the pushing block enters the avoidance groove through the gap to push the material, and retreats after the pushing is completed. The screws slide down from the V-shaped groove and enter the screw arrangement groove body to be arranged in a straight line. The rotating sweep moves under the drive of the driving unit to sweep the unarranged screws on the screw arrangement groove body back to the screw storage chamber; The screws arranged on the screw arrangement slot are gradually pushed to the screw dividing assembly, and the screw dividing assembly divides the materials.

10. An automatic screw driving machine, characterized in that: The automatic screw driving machine is provided with an automatic screw feeding mechanism as described in any one of claims 1 to 8; the automatic screw driving machine also includes a screw taking robot that takes screws from the automatic screw feeding mechanism and places them at the screw installation position of the workpiece, and a screw driving robot, wherein the movable end of the screw driving robot is provided with an electric screwdriver for driving screws.

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