A material frame transfer device for a circuit breaker assembly machine

Abstract

The application discloses a material frame flow transfer device for a circuit breaker assembling machine, wherein a full-frame conveying mechanism and an empty-frame conveying mechanism are used for conveying full frames and empty frames respectively; a full-frame lifting mechanism and an empty-frame lowering mechanism are used for controlling the lifting of the full frames and the lowering of the empty frames respectively; a transverse transfer mechanism comprises a transverse driving unit, a material frame clamping unit and a circuit breaker shell clamping unit, the circuit breaker shell clamping unit is used for clamping the circuit breaker shell in the full frame, and the circuit breaker shell is transferred to a circuit breaker shell feeding track through the driving of the transverse driving unit; the material frame clamping unit is used for clamping the empty frame on the full-frame lifting mechanism from which the circuit breaker shell has been taken away, and the empty frame is transferred to the empty-frame lowering mechanism through the driving of the transverse driving unit. The material frame flow transfer device for the circuit breaker assembling machine is rationally designed, can realize the automatic and orderly flow transfer conveying of the material frame in the circuit breaker shell feeding stage, and is beneficial to improving the production efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of circuit breaker manufacturing, specifically relating to a material frame transfer device for a circuit breaker assembly machine. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of automated assembly of miniature circuit breakers, the assembly machine needs to sequentially perform core processes such as shell opening, internal component assembly, and shell closing inspection. Circuit breaker shells are typically pre-loaded in standardized material boxes in a matrix array. However, the traditional material handling model has significant efficiency bottlenecks: during the shell loading stage, operators must manually pick up each circuit breaker shell from a full box (i.e., a material box filled with circuit breaker shells) and transfer it to the assembly machine's shell feeding track. After the shells are removed, empty boxes (i.e., the material boxes with the shells removed) must be promptly moved out of the feeding station to avoid space occupation; full boxes need to be simultaneously conveyed to the feeding station. Traditional linear conveyor lines, due to their single-function path, cannot perform the empty box removal and full box feeding actions in parallel, forcing the system to frequently start and stop during process changes, resulting in accumulated equipment waiting time and restricting production line cycle time. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a material box transfer device for a circuit breaker assembly machine, which can realize the automatic transfer of the material box during the circuit breaker housing feeding stage, reduce manual intervention, and improve production efficiency.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0005] This invention provides a material frame transfer device for a circuit breaker assembly machine, comprising: a full-frame conveying mechanism and an empty-frame conveying mechanism, respectively used for conveying full frames and empty frames; a full-frame lifting mechanism and an empty-frame lowering mechanism, respectively configured to control the lifting of full frames and the lowering of empty frames; a circuit breaker housing feeding track, configured at the feeding end of the circuit breaker assembly machine and positioned above the full-frame lifting mechanism and the empty-frame lowering mechanism; and a lateral transfer mechanism, comprising a lateral drive unit, a material frame clamping unit, and a circuit breaker housing clamping unit. The drive unit is horizontally positioned above the full-frame lifting mechanism, the empty-frame lowering mechanism, and the circuit breaker housing feeding track. The material frame clamping unit and the circuit breaker housing clamping unit are driven by the horizontal drive unit to move laterally. The circuit breaker housing clamping unit is used to clamp the circuit breaker housing within the full frame and transfer the circuit breaker housing to the circuit breaker housing feeding track by the horizontal drive unit. The material frame clamping unit is used to clamp the empty frame on the full-frame lifting mechanism after the circuit breaker housing has been removed and transfer the empty frame to the empty frame lowering mechanism by the horizontal drive unit.

[0006] Preferably, the lateral drive unit includes a guide rail assembly fixed laterally on the frame, a sliding plate slidably disposed on the guide rail assembly, a lateral drive module for driving the sliding plate to move laterally, a lifting frame movable on the sliding plate, and a lifting drive unit for driving the lifting frame to move up and down; the lateral drive module is assembled on the frame, and the material frame clamping unit and the circuit breaker housing clamping unit are mounted on the lifting frame.

[0007] Preferably, the frame is equipped with a first position detection unit, a second position detection unit, and a third position detection unit; the first position detection unit is triggered when the sliding plate is above the full frame lifting mechanism, the second position detection unit is triggered when the sliding plate is above the circuit breaker housing feeding track, and the third position detection unit is triggered when the sliding plate is above the empty frame lowering mechanism.

[0008] Preferably, the lateral drive module includes two spaced-apart drive wheels and a transmission belt connected to the two drive wheels, one of which is driven to rotate by a motor; the sliding plate is fixedly connected to the transmission belt.

[0009] Preferably, the material frame clamping unit includes a first hook plate, a second hook plate, and a hook plate driving cylinder. The first hook plate and the second hook plate are arranged opposite to each other, and the hook plate driving cylinder is used to drive the first hook plate and the second hook plate to move closer and further apart.

[0010] Preferably, the circuit breaker housing clamping unit includes a first clamping plate, a second clamping plate, and a clamping plate driving cylinder; the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate are arranged opposite to each other, and the clamping plate driving cylinder is used to drive the first clamping plate and the second clamping plate to move closer and further apart.

[0011] Preferably, a positioning mechanism is installed on the frame at the upper end of the full-frame lifting mechanism. The positioning mechanism is used to position the full frame when the circuit breaker housing clamping unit clamps the circuit breaker housing. The four positioning mechanisms are respectively arranged at the four corners of the full frame. The positioning mechanism includes a positioning clamping block and a positioning cylinder. The positioning cylinder drives the positioning clamping block to move closer to and away from the full frame.

[0012] Preferably, both the full-frame conveying mechanism and the empty-frame conveying mechanism include two spaced chain conveyor lines; both the full-frame lifting mechanism and the empty-frame lowering mechanism include a lifting pallet and a lifting drive module for driving the lifting pallet to move up and down, and the lifting pallet is located in the gap between the two chain conveyor lines when it moves to the lowest position.

[0013] Preferably, the full-frame conveying mechanism is provided with spaced-out material-blocking units; the material-blocking unit includes a material-blocking cylinder and a position detection device.

[0014] Preferably, side baffles are provided on both sides of the conveying direction of the full frame conveying mechanism and the empty frame conveying mechanism.

[0015] The positive effects of this invention are: the optimized design of the material frame transfer device for the circuit breaker assembly machine enables automatic transfer of the material frame in the circuit breaker housing feeding stage of the circuit breaker assembly machine, which can significantly reduce manual handling and intervention, improve production efficiency, and has good practicality and scalability. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art are briefly introduced below. Similar elements or parts in the drawings are generally identified by similar reference numerals. The elements or parts in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the material frame transfer device in this invention.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a front view of the material frame transfer device in this invention.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the lateral transfer mechanism in this invention.

[0020] Figure 4 for Figure 3 The diagram shows the structure of the lateral transfer mechanism after omitting some components.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the full-frame conveying mechanism and the full-frame lifting mechanism / empty-frame conveying mechanism and the empty-frame lowering mechanism in the assembled state of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the positioning mechanism in this invention.

[0023] The attached figures are labeled as follows: 1. Full-frame conveyor mechanism; 10. Empty-frame conveyor mechanism; 11. Chain conveyor line; 12. Material blocking cylinder; 13. Side baffle; 2. Full-frame lifting mechanism; 20. Empty-frame lowering mechanism; 21. Lifting pallet; 22. Lifting drive module; 3. Material frame; 4. Lateral transfer mechanism; 41. Lateral drive unit; 411. Guide rail assembly; 412. Sliding plate; 413. Lateral drive module; 4131. Drive wheel; 413 2. Drive belt; 4133. Motor; 414. Lifting frame; 415. Lifting drive unit; 42. Material frame clamping unit; 420. Hook plate one; 421. Hook plate two; 422. Hook plate drive cylinder; 43. Circuit breaker housing clamping unit; 430. Clamping plate one; 431. Clamping plate two; 432. Clamping plate drive cylinder; 5. Circuit breaker housing feeding track; 6. Frame; 61. Positioning mechanism; 611. Positioning clamp; 612. Positioning cylinder. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The embodiments of the technical solution of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are only used to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the present invention, and are therefore merely examples and should not be used to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0025] It should be noted that, unless otherwise stated, the technical or scientific terms used in this application should have the ordinary meaning as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains.

[0026] The structure of the material box transfer device for the circuit breaker assembly machine in this embodiment of the invention is as follows: Figures 1 to 6 As shown, the system includes a full-frame conveying mechanism 1, an empty-frame conveying mechanism 10, a full-frame lifting mechanism 2, an empty-frame lowering mechanism 20, a circuit breaker housing feeding track 5, and a lateral transfer mechanism 4. The full-frame conveying mechanism 1 and the empty-frame conveying mechanism 10 are used to convey full frames (circuit breaker housings placed in the material frame 3) and empty frames (material frames 3 with circuit breaker housings removed), respectively. The full-frame lifting mechanism 2 and the empty-frame lowering mechanism 20 are respectively provided corresponding to the full-frame conveying mechanism 1 and the empty-frame conveying mechanism 10. The empty frame lowering mechanism 20 is used to control the lifting of the full frame and the lowering of the empty frame; the circuit breaker housing feeding track 5 is set at the feeding end of the circuit breaker assembly machine, and the circuit breaker housing is transported into the circuit breaker assembly machine through the circuit breaker housing feeding track. The circuit breaker housing feeding track 5 is located above the full frame lifting mechanism 2 and the empty frame lowering mechanism 20; the lateral transfer mechanism 4 includes a lateral drive unit 41, a material frame clamping unit 42 and a circuit breaker housing clamping unit 43. The lateral drive unit 41 moves laterally (i.e., ...) Figure 2 The material frame clamping unit 42 and the circuit breaker housing feeding track 5 (pointed in the direction of the middle arrow L) are positioned above the full frame lifting mechanism 2, the empty frame lowering mechanism 20, and the circuit breaker housing feeding track 5. The material frame clamping unit 42 and the circuit breaker housing clamping unit 43 are driven by the lateral drive unit 41 to move laterally. The circuit breaker housing clamping unit 43 is used to clamp the circuit breaker housing in the full frame and transfer the circuit breaker housing to the circuit breaker housing feeding track 5 by the lateral drive unit 41. The material frame clamping unit 42 is used to clamp the empty frame on the full frame lifting mechanism 2 that has had the circuit breaker housing removed and transfer the empty frame to the empty frame lowering mechanism 20 by the lateral drive unit 41. The material frame transfer device in this embodiment can realize the automatic transfer of material frames in the circuit breaker housing feeding process on the circuit breaker assembly machine, which can significantly reduce manual handling and intervention and improve production efficiency.

[0027] In this embodiment, the working process of the material frame transfer device is as follows: A full frame containing circuit breaker housings is conveyed to the full frame lifting mechanism 2 by the full frame conveying mechanism 1, and is driven to rise to a position near the lower end of the horizontal transfer mechanism 4 by the full frame lifting mechanism 2. Then, the circuit breaker housing clamping unit 43 on the horizontal transfer mechanism 4 clamps the circuit breaker housings in the full frame, and under the drive of the horizontal drive unit 41, the circuit breaker housings are transferred to the circuit breaker housing feeding track 5. After all the circuit breaker housings in the full frame are removed, it becomes an empty frame. The material frame clamping unit 42 on the horizontal transfer mechanism 4 clamps the empty frame, and under the drive of the horizontal drive unit 41, the empty frame is transferred to the empty frame lowering mechanism 20 on the other side. Then, the empty frame is driven to descend by the empty frame lowering mechanism 20, and finally received and transferred away by the empty frame conveying mechanism 10. In this way, the automatic and orderly transfer of material frames in the circuit breaker housing feeding stage is completed.

[0028] Combination Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the lateral drive unit 41 includes a guide rail assembly 411 fixed laterally on the frame 6, a sliding plate 412 slidably disposed laterally on the guide rail assembly 411, a lateral drive module 413 driving the sliding plate 412 to move laterally, a lifting frame 414 movable and height-adjustable on the sliding plate 412, and a lifting drive unit 415 driving the lifting frame 414 to move up and down. The lateral drive module 413 is mounted on the frame 6, and the material frame clamping unit 42 and the circuit breaker housing clamping unit 43 are mounted on the lifting frame 414. The lateral drive module 413 drives the sliding plate 412 to move laterally along the guide rail assembly 411. During the process of picking up and placing the circuit breaker housing and empty frame, the lifting drive unit 415 drives the lifting frame 414 to move up and down, thereby driving the material frame clamping unit 42 and the circuit breaker housing clamping unit 43 to move up and down, so as to better adapt to the needs of the operation. The lifting drive unit 415 is preferably a cylinder. For example, the guide rail assembly 411 includes a guide rail fixed laterally on the frame 6 and a slider that slides with the guide rail. The sliding plate 412 is fixed on the slider, thereby providing stable guidance and limiting for the movement of the sliding plate 412 through the guide rail assembly 411.

[0029] To improve the operational stability of the material frame transfer device, a first position detection unit, a second position detection unit, and a third position detection unit are installed at lateral intervals on the frame 6. The first position detection unit is triggered when the sliding plate 412 is above the full-frame lifting mechanism 2; the second position detection unit is triggered when the sliding plate 412 is above the circuit breaker housing feed rail 5; and the third position detection unit is triggered when the sliding plate 412 is above the empty-frame lowering mechanism 20. When the first, second, and third position detection units are triggered, it indicates that the sliding plate 412 has accurately reached the corresponding position, thereby achieving reliable detection of the position status. For example, the first, second, and third position detection units are photoelectric switches or limit switches.

[0030] See Figure 3 As shown, the lateral drive module 413 includes two spaced-apart drive wheels 4131 and a transmission belt 4132 connected to the two drive wheels 4131. One of the drive wheels 4131 is driven to rotate by a motor 4133. The sliding plate 412 is fixedly connected to the transmission belt 4132. The forward and reverse rotation of the drive wheel 4131 driven by the motor 4133 drives the reciprocating motion of the transmission belt 4132, thereby driving the sliding plate 412 to move laterally. The lateral drive module 413 has a simple structure and stable operation.

[0031] Continue reading Figure 3 and Figure 4 The material frame clamping unit 42 includes a first hook plate 420, a second hook plate 421, and a hook plate driving cylinder 422. The first hook plate 420 and the second hook plate 421 are arranged opposite to each other. The hook plate driving cylinder 422 is used to drive the first hook plate 420 and the second hook plate 421 to move closer and further away. The first hook plate 420 and the second hook plate 421 cooperate to clamp the material frame 3. When the first hook plate 420 and the second hook plate 421 are close together, they are hooked at the opposite ends of the material frame. When the first hook plate 420 and the second hook plate 421 are far apart, they are disconnected from the material frame, thereby realizing the connection and separation of the material frame clamping unit 42 and the material frame 3.

[0032] Furthermore, the circuit breaker housing clamping unit 43 includes a first clamping plate 430, a second clamping plate 431, and a clamping plate driving cylinder 432; the first clamping plate 430 and the second clamping plate 431 are arranged opposite to each other, and the clamping plate driving cylinder 432 is used to drive the first clamping plate 430 and the second clamping plate 431 to move closer and further away; the first clamping plate 430 and the second clamping plate 431 cooperate to clamp the circuit breaker housing; specifically, when the first clamping plate 430 and the second clamping plate 431 are close together, they are clamped on both sides of the circuit breaker housing respectively, and when the first clamping plate 430 and the second clamping plate 431 are far apart, they are disconnected from the circuit breaker housing, thereby realizing the connection and separation of the circuit breaker housing clamping unit 43 and the circuit breaker housing.

[0033] See Figure 6 As shown, a positioning mechanism 61 is installed on the frame 6 at the upper end of the full-frame lifting mechanism 2. The positioning mechanism 61 can position the material frame 3 when the circuit breaker housing clamping unit 43 clamps the circuit breaker housing, so as to prevent the material frame from shaking during the process of the circuit breaker housing clamping unit 43 clamping the circuit breaker housing. Furthermore, four positioning mechanisms 61 are installed on the frame 6, and the four positioning mechanisms 61 are respectively set at the four corners of the material frame 3. Each positioning mechanism 61 includes a positioning clamping block 611 and a positioning cylinder 612 that drives the positioning clamping block 611 to move. The positioning cylinder 612 drives the positioning clamping block 611 to abut against the material frame 3, thereby forming a stable limit on the material frame.

[0034] See Figure 5 As shown, both the full-frame conveying mechanism 1 and the empty-frame conveying mechanism 10 include two spaced chain conveyor lines 11, which are driven by a motor to perform conveying actions. Both the full-frame lifting mechanism 2 and the empty-frame lowering mechanism 20 include a lifting pallet 21 and a lifting drive module 22 that drives the lifting pallet 21 to move up and down. The lifting drive module 22 preferably uses an electric screw drive mechanism. When the lifting pallet 21 moves to its lowest position, it is within the gap between the two chain conveyor lines 11. Thus, full frames can move above the lifting pallet 21 of the full-frame lifting mechanism 2 under the drive of the full-frame conveying mechanism 1, and empty frames can reliably land on the lifting pallet 21 of the empty-frame lowering mechanism 20, ensuring stable and reliable material frame flow. In practical applications, to prevent deviation during the conveying process of full and empty frames, side baffles 13 can be provided on both sides of the conveying direction of the full-frame conveying mechanism 1 and the empty-frame conveying mechanism 10. The side baffles 13 can limit the movement of the material frames. To further ensure the orderly conveying of full frames by the full frame conveying mechanism 1, baffle units are provided at intervals on the full frame conveying mechanism 1. The number of baffle units can be set as needed. When more than two baffle units are set, they are arranged at intervals along the setting direction of the full frame conveying mechanism 1. Each baffle unit includes a baffle cylinder 12 and a position detection device (such as a photoelectric sensor). During the conveying of full frames, when the full frame triggers the position detection device, the output end of the baffle cylinder 12 is raised to block subsequent full frames. When the full frame loses the triggering of the position detection device, the output end of the baffle cylinder 12 is lowered, so as not to block the full frame. The full frame continues to be conveyed forward, realizing the orderly conveying of full frames.

[0035] For those skilled in the art, other variations or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively list all possible implementations. However, these obvious variations or modifications derived from the essential spirit of this invention still fall within the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims

1. A material frame transfer device for a circuit breaker assembly machine, characterized in that, include: A full-frame conveying mechanism and an empty-frame conveying mechanism are used to convey full frames and empty frames, respectively; The full-frame lifting mechanism and the empty-frame lowering mechanism are respectively set for the full-frame conveying mechanism and the empty-frame conveying mechanism, and are used to control the lifting of the full-frame and the lowering of the empty-frame. The circuit breaker housing feeding track is located at the feeding end of the circuit breaker assembly machine and is situated above the full-frame lifting mechanism and the empty-frame lowering mechanism. A lateral transfer mechanism includes a lateral drive unit, a material frame clamping unit, and a circuit breaker housing clamping unit. The lateral drive unit is horizontally positioned above the full-frame lifting mechanism, the empty-frame lowering mechanism, and the circuit breaker housing feeding track. The material frame clamping unit and the circuit breaker housing clamping unit are driven by the lateral drive unit to move laterally. The circuit breaker housing clamping unit is used to clamp the circuit breaker housing within the full frame and transfer the circuit breaker housing to the circuit breaker housing feeding track by the lateral drive unit. The material frame clamping unit is used to clamp the empty frame on the full-frame lifting mechanism after the circuit breaker housing has been removed and transfer the empty frame to the empty-frame lowering mechanism by the lateral drive unit. The lateral drive unit includes a guide rail assembly fixed laterally on the frame, a sliding plate slidably disposed on the guide rail assembly, a lateral drive module for driving the sliding plate to move laterally, a lifting frame movable on the sliding plate, and a lifting drive unit for driving the lifting frame to move up and down; the lateral drive module is assembled on the frame, and the material frame clamping unit and the circuit breaker housing clamping unit are mounted on the lifting frame. The material frame clamping unit includes a hook plate one, a hook plate two, and a hook plate driving cylinder. The hook plate one and hook plate two are arranged opposite each other and are respectively located at both ends of the length direction of the lifting frame. The hook plate driving cylinder is used to drive the hook plate one and hook plate two to move closer and further away. A plurality of circuit breaker housing clamping units are arranged in a straight line between the hook plate one and hook plate two along the length direction of the lifting frame. Each circuit breaker housing clamping unit includes a clamping plate one, a clamping plate two, and a clamping plate driving cylinder. The clamping opening formed between the clamping plate one and clamping plate two faces downward. The clamping plate one and clamping plate two are arranged opposite each other. The clamping plate driving cylinder is used to drive the clamping plate one and clamping plate two to move closer and further away.

2. The material frame transfer device for a circuit breaker assembly machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The frame is equipped with a first position detection unit, a second position detection unit, and a third position detection unit; the first position detection unit is triggered when the sliding plate is above the full frame lifting mechanism, the second position detection unit is triggered when the sliding plate is above the circuit breaker housing feeding track, and the third position detection unit is triggered when the sliding plate is above the empty frame lowering mechanism.

3. The material frame transfer device for a circuit breaker assembly machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lateral drive module includes two spaced-apart drive wheels and a transmission belt connected to the two drive wheels, one of which is driven to rotate by a motor; the sliding plate is fixedly connected to the transmission belt.

4. The material frame transfer device for a circuit breaker assembly machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, A positioning mechanism is installed on the frame at the upper end of the full frame lifting mechanism. The positioning mechanism is used to position the full frame when the circuit breaker housing clamping unit clamps the circuit breaker housing. The four positioning mechanisms are respectively set at the four corners of the full frame; the positioning mechanism includes a positioning clamp and a positioning cylinder, and the positioning cylinder drives the positioning clamp to move closer to and away from the full frame.

5. The material frame transfer device for a circuit breaker assembly machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the full-frame conveying mechanism and the empty-frame conveying mechanism include two spaced chain conveyor lines; Both the full-frame lifting mechanism and the empty-frame lowering mechanism include a lifting pallet and a lifting drive module that drives the lifting pallet to move up and down. When the lifting pallet moves to the lowest position, it is in the gap between the two chain conveyor lines.

6. The material frame transfer device for a circuit breaker assembly machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The full-frame conveying mechanism is provided with spaced-out material blocking units; each material blocking unit includes a material blocking cylinder and a position detection device.

7. The material frame transfer device for a circuit breaker assembly machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, Side baffles are provided on both sides of the conveying direction of the full-frame conveying mechanism and the empty-frame conveying mechanism.

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