Automatic ball feeding machine for slide rail production

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides an automatic ball feeding machine for sliding rail production, and relates to the technical field of sliding rail production equipment, the automatic ball feeding machine comprises a machine body, the machine body is provided with a ball box used for containing balls, the machine body is provided with a workbench, and the workbench is provided with a sliding rail for a retainer to slide; ball feeding devices enabling balls in the ball box to be installed on the retainer are arranged on the two sides of the sliding rail, the outer sliding rail is installed on the workbench and is in butt joint with the sliding rail, and the retainer enters the outer sliding rail after installation of the balls is completed in the sliding process. The method has the effect of improving the ball entering efficiency and accuracy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of slide rail production equipment, in particular to an automatic ball-entering machine for slide rail production. Background Art

[0002] Slide rails, also known as guide rails or slides, are hardware connection components fixed to furniture cabinets, car refrigerators, etc., for drawers or cabinet panels to move in and out; they determine whether furniture drawers can be pushed and pulled freely and smoothly, and whether the drawers are durable.

[0003] A slide rail typically consists of an outer rail and an inner rail that slides onto the outer rail. A retainer slides between the outer and inner rails, fitting over the inner rail. The retainer has a row of through-holes on either side, housing ball bearings that reduce friction and wear on the inner rail, improving its smoothness and durability.

[0004] During the slide rail production process, workers will fix the outer slide rail, then install ball bearings in the through holes on both sides of the retaining frame, then install the retaining frame with ball bearings onto the outer slide rail, and finally install the inner slide rail on the retaining frame.

[0005] The manual bead loading method is relatively inefficient. It is not only slow, but also difficult to ensure the consistency and accuracy of the bead loading. It is easy to have inaccurate number of balls and beads leaking, which seriously affects the smoothness and load capacity of the slide rail, and thus directly affects the performance and product quality of the ball slide rail. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In order to improve the ball installation efficiency and accuracy, the present application provides an automatic ball-entering machine for producing a slide rail.

[0007] The present application provides a slide rail automatic ball-entering machine that adopts the following technical solution: A slide rail automatic ball-entering machine comprises a machine body, a ball box for accommodating balls is provided on the machine body, a workbench is provided on the machine body, a sliding track for sliding a retaining frame is installed on the workbench, ball-entering devices for installing balls in the ball box on the retaining frame are provided on both sides of the sliding track, an outer slide rail is installed on the workbench and docked with the slide rail, and the retaining frame enters the outer slide rail after completing the installation of the balls during the sliding process.

[0008] Furthermore, the ball entry device includes a mounting seat installed on the workbench, a ball entry groove is provided on the mounting seat, and a ball entry tube connecting the ball entry groove and the ball box is provided on the mounting seat. The ball entry groove has a smooth arc-shaped structure, and the discharge port of the ball entry groove is opposite to the through hole on the side wall of the retaining frame to be loaded with the balls. The mounting seat is opposite to the side wall of the sliding rail and is provided with a ball guide groove parallel to the sliding rail, and the end of the outer sliding rail is connected to the ball guide groove.

[0009] Furthermore, the port connecting the ball entry groove and the ball guide groove is provided with an arcuate guide groove for facilitating the installation of the ball into the retaining frame. The arcuate guide groove extends along the direction of movement of the ball in the ball guide groove and is used to improve the smoothness of the ball being installed into the retaining frame.

[0010] Furthermore, a driving groove communicating with the ball entry groove is provided on the mounting seat, and a driving assembly for driving the ball to be mounted on the retaining frame is provided in the driving groove.

[0011] Furthermore, the driving assembly includes an air intake pipe connected to the driving groove, and the air intake pipe is connected to an air pump that pushes the ball to be installed on the retaining frame by blowing air.

[0012] Furthermore, a switch mechanism for controlling the opening and closing of the ball inlet trough outlet is provided on the mounting seat, and the switch mechanism includes a switch piece rotatably connected to the mounting seat, and a switch spring is fixed on the mounting seat to drive the switch piece to close the ball inlet trough outlet. During the sliding process of the retaining frame, the switch piece is pushed to rotate, so that the ball inlet trough outlet is opened, thereby facilitating the installation of the ball.

[0013] Furthermore, the bottom of the ball box is a conical funnel structure, and the body is provided with two ball entry tubes that extend from the bottom of the ball box into the ball box. The two ball entry tubes are slidably connected to the ball box, and the lower ends of the ball entry tubes are connected to the corresponding ball entry tubes. The outer wall of the upper end of the ball entry tube is a conical structure with an upper end diameter smaller than a lower end diameter. The body is provided with a driving cylinder that drives the two ball entry tubes to move up and down and facilitates the entry of balls into the ball entry tubes.

[0014] Furthermore, the workbench is detachably mounted with a loading platform and a positioning platform, the sliding track is a sliding groove opened on the upper surface of the loading platform and cooperating with the retaining frame, the loading platform is provided with an adjustment groove, the mounting seat is slidably arranged in the corresponding adjustment groove and fixed by bolts, the loading platform and the positioning platform are provided with mounting grooves, the two ends of the outer slide rail are respectively located in the mounting grooves on the loading platform and the positioning platform, and the retaining frame with the ball bearings installed can move smoothly into the outer slide rail.

[0015] Furthermore, the machine body is provided with a plurality of groups of ball boxes for accommodating ball bearings of different diameters, and both ends of the ball inlet tube are connected to the corresponding ball bearing boxes and mounting seats via quick-release joints.

[0016] To sum up, the present application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects: the outer slide rail is installed in the mounting groove on the worktable and the positioning table, the air pump is turned on, and the retaining frame slides in the mounting groove toward the outer slide rail. During the sliding process, the retaining frame pushes the switch piece to rotate, and the ball inlet groove outlet opens. During the sliding process of the retaining frame, the air pump pushes the ball into the through grooves on both sides of the retaining frame. Since the sliding groove is adapted to the retaining frame, when the through hole on the retaining frame is misaligned with the ball inlet groove outlet, the side wall of the retaining frame can be used to close the ball inlet groove outlet to prevent the ball from escaping from the ball inlet groove until the next through hole is aligned with the ball inlet groove. Under the action of the air pump, the ball enters the corresponding through groove. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an embodiment of the present application.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic structural diagram of the present application for illustrating a ball-entering device.

[0019] Figure 3 It is a structural diagram used to show the specific structure of the stage and positioning stage.

[0020] Figure 4 It is a structural diagram of the ball entry groove and the drive groove on the mounting seat.

[0021] Figure 5 It is a structural diagram for showing an arc guide groove.

[0022] Figure 6 It is a structural diagram of the switch mechanism.

[0023] Figure 7 It is a cross-sectional view of the ball box.

[0024] Explanation of the accompanying symbols: 1. Machine body; 2. Workbench; 3. Ball box; 4. Loading table; 5. Positioning table; 6. Sliding groove; 7. Mounting groove; 9. Outer slide rail; 10. Adjustment groove; 11. Mounting seat; 12. Ball entry groove; 13. Ball guide groove; 14. Arc guide groove; 15. Drive groove; 16. Switch piece; 17. Switch spring; 18. Ball entry cylinder; 19. Ball entry tube; 20. Drive cylinder. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The terms used in the following embodiments are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present application. As used in the specification of this application and the appended claims, the singular expressions "a", "an", "said", "above", "the" and "this" are intended to also include expressions such as "one or more", unless there is a clear contrary indication in the context. It should also be understood that in the following embodiments of the present application, "at least one", "one or more" refer to one, two or more. The term "and / or" is used to describe the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist; for example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the previous and subsequent associated objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0026] References to "one embodiment" or "some embodiments" in this specification mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in conjunction with that embodiment is included in one or more embodiments of the present application. Thus, phrases such as "in one embodiment," "in some embodiments," "in other embodiments," and "in yet other embodiments" appearing in various places in this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, but rather mean "one or more but not all embodiments," unless otherwise specifically emphasized. The terms "including," "comprising," "having," and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to," unless otherwise specifically emphasized.

[0027] The following is combined with Figure 1-7 This application is described in further detail.

[0028] A slide rail production automatic ball injection machine, refer to Figure 1 , including a body 1, a horizontally arranged workbench 2 is fixed on the body 1, and a plurality of ball boxes 3 are fixed on the body 1 above the workbench 2. The ball boxes 3 are used to accommodate balls of different diameters. A sliding rail is installed on the workbench 2, and the retaining frame slides in the sliding rail. The outer slide rail 9 is installed on the workbench 2 and the end of the outer slide rail 9 is docked with the sliding rail. Ball entering devices are provided on both sides of the sliding rail to install the balls in the ball box 3 on the retaining frame. The retaining frame enters the outer slide rail 9 after completing the installation of the balls during the sliding process.

[0029] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2The workbench 2 is fixed to the loading platform 4 and positioning platform 5 via bolts. The sliding track is a sliding groove 6 provided on the upper surface of the loading platform 4. The bottom of the sliding groove 6 has a contoured structure identical to the retaining frame structure, ensuring that the sliding groove 6 and the retaining frame are compatible. This acts as a limiter for the retaining frame's movement, improving the smoothness of movement and facilitating the smooth installation of the ball bearings. The loading platform 4 and positioning platform 5 are provided with mounting grooves 7. The ends of the outer slide rail 9 are located in the mounting grooves 7 on the loading platform 4 and positioning platform 5, respectively. The retaining frame slides within the sliding groove 6 and, after the ball bearings are installed, slides smoothly into the outer slide rail 9.

[0030] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the upper surface of the loading platform 4 on both sides of the sliding groove 6 is provided with an adjustment groove 10, the two sliding grooves 6 are opposite and perpendicular to the mounting groove 7, the ball entering device includes a mounting seat 11 slidably arranged in the corresponding adjustment groove 10, the mounting seat 11 is fixed to the loading platform 4 by bolts, and the positional relationship of the two mounting seats 11 relative to the sliding groove 6 can be adjusted according to actual needs to meet the requirements of different sizes, a ball entering groove 12 is provided on the mounting seat 11, and a ball entering tube 19 connecting the ball entering groove 12 and the ball box 3 is provided on the mounting seat 11. The ball entering groove 12 has a smooth arc-shaped structure, and the discharge port of the ball entering groove 12 is opposite to the through hole on the side wall of the retaining frame to be loaded with the ball, and a ball guide groove 1 parallel to the sliding groove 6 is provided on the mounting seat 11 3. The end opening of the outer slide rail 9 is connected to the ball guide groove 13. The provision of the ball guide groove 13 facilitates smoother movement of the cage and prevents deformation caused by the balls squeezing the cage. On the other hand, it facilitates the positioning of the balls. The port connecting the ball entry groove 12 and the ball guide groove 13 is provided with an arcuate guide groove 14. The arcuate guide groove 14 connects the inner walls of the ball guide groove 13 and the entry groove 12 in a smooth arc. The arcuate guide groove 14 extends along the direction of movement of the balls in the ball guide groove 13. During the extension process, the opening of the arcuate guide groove 14 gradually decreases until it has the same diameter as the opening of the entry groove 12 and is smoothly connected. This improves the smoothness of ball installation into the cage, avoids ball jamming, and facilitates the installation of the balls into the cage. The ball tube 19 enters the entry groove 12 and moves toward the through hole in the cage under the action of gravity and is installed in the through hole in the cage.

[0031] Reference Figure 4 、 Figure 5 and Figure 6The mounting seat 11 is provided with a drive groove 15 connected to the ball entry groove 12. The drive groove 15 is arranged horizontally. A drive assembly is provided at the end of the drive groove 15 to drive the balls to be quickly installed on the retaining frame. The drive assembly includes an air inlet pipe connected to the drive groove 15. The air inlet pipe is connected to an air pump that pushes the balls to be installed on the retaining frame by blowing air. When the retaining frame slides rapidly in the sliding groove 6, the air pump continuously feeds the balls into the through holes on the retaining frame where the balls are to be installed. When the balls are misaligned with the through holes, the side walls of the retaining frame are used to close the discharge port of the ball entry groove 12 to prevent the steel balls from escaping the groove 12. The entire ball installation process can be completed within 1 to 2 seconds, greatly improving the efficiency of ball installation.

[0032] By using the air pump to act on the gas as a drive, on the one hand, the surface of the ball can be cleaned and dust and other impurities on the surface of the ball can be removed. On the other hand, the thrust acting on the ball can be maintained continuously. When the through hole on the retaining frame is aligned with the discharge port of the ball inlet groove 12, the ball can be quickly pushed into the corresponding through hole, which greatly improves the installation efficiency of the ball and avoids the possibility of missing the ball in the through groove.

[0033] Reference Figure 4 、 Figure 5 and Figure 6 A switch mechanism for controlling the opening and closing of the ball entry groove 12 outlet is provided on the mounting seat 11. The switch mechanism includes a switch piece 16 rotatably connected to the mounting seat 11 through a rotating shaft. A switch spring 17 connected to the switch piece 16 and driving the switch piece 16 to close the ball entry groove 12 outlet is fixed on the mounting seat 11. When the retaining frame slides in the sliding groove 6, the retaining frame first pushes the switch piece 16 to rotate and open the ball entry groove 12 outlet, thereby facilitating the installation of the ball into the through hole on the retaining frame.

[0034] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 7 The bottom of the ball box 3 is a tapered funnel structure. The body 1 is provided with two ball entry tubes 18 that penetrate from the bottom of the ball box 3 into the ball box 3. The two ball entry tubes 18 are vertically arranged and slidingly connected to the ball box 3. The lower end of the ball entry tube 18 is connected to the corresponding ball entry tube 19. The outer wall of the upper end of the ball entry tube 18 is a tapered structure with the upper end diameter smaller than the lower end diameter, which facilitates the entry of the balls into the ball entry tube 18. The body 1 is provided with a driving cylinder 20 that drives the two ball entry tubes 19 to move up and down and facilitates the entry of the balls into the ball entry tube 19.

[0035] Reference 1 and Figure 7 Multiple sets of ball boxes 3 for holding different diameters are fixedly installed on the body 1. The two ends of the ball inlet tube 19 are connected to the same ball box 3 and the mounting seat 11 through quick-release joints. The same sliding track can be installed with balls of different sizes through different ball boxes 3, which greatly improves the accuracy of the sliding track assembly.

[0036] The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention. The protection scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Any equivalent modifications or changes made by ordinary technicians in this field based on the contents disclosed in the present invention should be included in the protection scope recorded in the claims.

Claims

1. A slide rail automatic ball-entering machine, characterized by: The invention comprises a machine body (1), a ball box (3) for accommodating balls is provided on the machine body (1), a workbench (2) is provided on the machine body (1), a sliding track for sliding a retaining frame is installed on the workbench (2), and ball entry devices for installing balls in the ball box (3) on the retaining frame are provided on both sides of the sliding track. An outer slide rail (9) is installed on the workbench (2) and docked with the slide rail. After the retaining frame completes the installation of the balls during the sliding process, it enters the outer slide rail (9).

2. The slide rail automatic ball-entering machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ball entry device comprises a mounting seat (11) mounted on a workbench (2), a ball entry groove (12) being provided on the mounting seat (11), a ball entry tube (19) being provided on the mounting seat (11) and connecting the ball entry groove (12) and the ball box (3), the ball entry groove (12) being a smooth arc-shaped structure, and the discharge port of the ball entry groove (12) being directly opposite to the through hole on the side wall of the retaining frame for loading the balls, the mounting seat (11) being directly opposite to the side wall of the sliding track and being parallel to the sliding track, and the end of the outer slide rail (9) being connected to the ball guide groove (13).

3. The automatic ball-entering machine for producing slide rails according to claim 2, characterized in that: The port connecting the ball entry groove (12) and the ball guide groove (13) is provided with an arcuate guide groove (14) for facilitating the installation of the ball into the retaining frame. The arcuate guide groove (14) extends along the direction in which the ball moves in the ball guide groove (13) and is used to improve the smoothness of the ball being installed into the retaining frame.

4. The slide rail automatic ball-entering machine according to claim 3, characterized in that: The mounting seat (11) is provided with a driving groove (15) communicating with the ball entry groove (12), and a driving assembly for driving the ball to be mounted on the retaining frame is arranged in the driving groove (15).

5. The automatic ball-entering machine for producing slide rails according to claim 4, characterized in that: The driving assembly comprises an air inlet pipe connected to the driving groove (15), and the air inlet pipe is connected to an air pump that pushes the ball to be installed on the retaining frame by blowing air.

6. The automatic ball-entering machine for producing slide rails according to claim 5, characterized in that: The mounting seat (11) is provided with a switch mechanism for controlling the opening and closing of the discharge port of the ball entry groove (12), the switch mechanism comprising a switch piece (16) rotatably connected to the mounting seat (11), a switch spring (17) for driving the switch piece (16) to close the discharge port of the ball entry groove (12) is fixed to the mounting seat (11), and the switch piece (16) is pushed to rotate during the sliding process of the retaining frame, so that the discharge port of the ball entry groove (12) is opened, thereby facilitating the installation of the ball bearing.

7. The automatic ball-entering machine for producing slide rails according to claim 6, characterized in that: The bottom of the ball box (3) is a tapered funnel structure. The machine body (1) is provided with two ball entry tubes (18) that penetrate from the bottom of the ball box (3) into the ball box (3). The two ball entry tubes (18) are slidably connected to the ball box (3). The lower ends of the ball entry tubes (18) are connected to the corresponding ball entry tubes (19). The outer wall of the upper end of the ball entry tube (18) is a tapered structure with an upper end diameter smaller than a lower end diameter. The machine body (1) is provided with a driving cylinder (20) that drives the two ball entry tubes (19) to move up and down and facilitates the entry of balls into the ball entry tubes (19).

8. The automatic ball-entering machine for producing slide rails according to claim 7, characterized in that: The workbench (2) is detachably provided with a loading platform (4) and a positioning platform (5), the sliding track is a sliding groove (6) provided on the upper surface of the loading platform (4) and cooperating with the retaining frame, the loading platform (4) is provided with an adjustment groove (10), the mounting seat (11) is slidably provided in the corresponding adjustment groove (10) and fixed by bolts, the loading platform (4) and the positioning platform (5) are provided with mounting grooves (7), the two ends of the outer slide rail (9) are respectively located in the mounting grooves (7) on the loading platform (4) and the positioning platform (5) and enable the retaining frame after the ball bearing is installed to move smoothly into the outer slide rail (9).

9. The automatic ball-entering machine for producing slide rails according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that: The machine body (1) is provided with a plurality of groups of ball boxes (3) for accommodating ball balls of different diameters, and both ends of the ball inlet tube (19) are connected to the corresponding ball boxes (3) and the mounting seat (11) via quick-release joints.

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