Automatic nut feeding machine and method

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of injection molding automatic feeding, in particular to an automatic nut feeding machine which comprises a sorting table, a vibration disc, a trough and an adsorption assembly. The vibration disc is fixedly installed in the middle area of the sorting table and used for containing nuts of different models. The vibration disc comprises an upper-layer vibration disc and a lower-layer vibration disc; a connecting assembly is arranged between the upper-layer vibration disc and the lower-layer vibration disc and used for detachably connecting the upper-layer vibration disc to the lower-layer vibration disc. A vibration compensation assembly is arranged on the upper-layer vibration disc and used for enhancing the vibration frequency of the upper-layer vibration disc, and the upper-layer vibration disc and the lower-layer vibration disc conduct vibration arrangement on nuts of different sizes. The adsorption assembly is arranged at the edge position of the sorting table and used for conveying the nuts of different models in the material groove. The material groove is fixedly installed in the middle area of the sorting table and used for containing the nuts arranged in a vibrating mode. The problem that the occupied space is large when different vibration discs work at the same time is solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of automatic injection molding feeding, and more particularly to an automatic nut feeding machine and method. Background Art

[0002] In the manufacturing of plastic products, to enhance the strength and stability of the connection between plastic products and metal components, it is often necessary to pre-embed nuts into the plastic product during the injection molding process, forming a solid, integrated structure. This process not only improves the assembly efficiency of plastic products but also ensures that the mechanical properties of the connection meet operational requirements. As a result, it has been widely used in numerous industries, including electronics, automotive, and home appliances.

[0003] In the actual injection molding process, accurate nut placement is crucial to ensuring the best possible results. Before the injection molding process begins, the operator must precisely position the nut within the mold. The molten plastic is then injected into the mold via the injection molding machine. Once the plastic cools and solidifies, the nut becomes tightly integrated with the plastic product.

[0004] Due to the diverse design requirements of different plastic products, the types and models of nuts used vary significantly. To automatically load and arrange these nuts for subsequent grabbing and placement, a vibrating plate is commonly used. Vibrating plates, through vibration, organize the disordered nuts into an orderly arrangement and deliver them to the designated location along a pre-set trajectory, providing a stable supply of nuts for the automated grabbing mechanism.

[0005] Since each type and model of nut needs to be adapted to a specific vibration plate, when different types or models of nuts need to be replaced during the production process, different vibration plates need to be equipped. Placing multiple vibration plates at the same time will take up a large amount of work space, which not only affects the reasonable planning and space utilization of the production area, but may also increase the difficulty of the operator's work due to the crowded equipment layout, which to a certain extent restricts the improvement of production efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is that different vibration plates occupy a large space when working at the same time. In view of the above-mentioned defects of the prior art, an automatic nut feeder and method are provided.

[0007] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve its technical problem is:

[0008] on the one hand

[0009] An automatic nut feeder includes a sorting platform, a vibrating plate, a trough, and an adsorption component; the sorting platform is a horizontally arranged flat plate structure; the vibrating plate is a multi-layer trough structure with an upward opening, and is fixedly installed in the middle area of ​​the sorting platform. The vibrating plate is used to accommodate nuts of different sizes; the vibrating plate includes an upper vibrating plate and a lower vibrating plate;

[0010] A connecting assembly is provided between the upper and lower vibration plates, and is used to detachably connect the upper vibration plate to the lower vibration plate; a vibration compensation assembly is provided on the upper vibration plate, and is used to enhance the vibration frequency of the upper vibration plate. The upper and lower vibration plates respectively vibrate and arrange nuts of different sizes;

[0011] The adsorption component is arranged at the edge of the sorting table and corresponds to the discharge port of the trough, and is used to transfer nuts of different types in the trough;

[0012] The material trough is a trough-shaped structure with an opening upward, and the material trough is fixedly installed in the middle area of ​​the sorting table. The material trough is used to accommodate the nuts after vibration arrangement.

[0013] By adopting the above technical solution, the automatic nut feeder achieves the separation and arrangement of nuts of different models through a multi-layer vibration disk structure. The high-frequency vibration of the vibration disk is used to automatically sort the nuts. The upper and lower vibration disks process nuts of different sizes respectively. After being collected in the trough, they are transported by the adsorption component. The vibration of the vibration disk allows the nuts to move along the trough wall and arrange them in a specific posture. The connecting component makes the upper vibration disk detachable and maintains vibration stability. The vibration compensation component enhances the vibration effect of the upper layer. The beneficial effect is that it can process multiple types of nuts at the same time, improve feeding efficiency, and has a compact structure that is easy to maintain, which greatly saves work space.

[0014] Preferably, the connecting assembly includes a fixing platform, an elastic connecting piece and a locking bolt; the fixing platforms are provided with multiple, and the multiple fixing platforms are evenly distributed at the edge of the upper surface of the lower vibration disk, each of the fixing platforms is a vertically arranged columnar structure, the lower end of the fixing platform is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the lower vibration disk, and the upper end of the fixing platform is provided with a threaded hole; the number of the elastic connecting pieces corresponds to the fixing platforms one by one, and each elastic connecting piece is sleeved on the outer side of the corresponding fixing platform, and the lower end of the elastic connecting piece abuts the upper surface of the lower vibration disk; the edge of the upper vibration disk is provided with a through hole corresponding to the position of the fixing platform, the diameter of the through hole is larger than the outer diameter of the fixing platform, the upper vibration disk is placed on the upper end of the elastic connecting piece, the fixing platform passes through the through hole, the locking bolt is selected into the threaded hole at the upper end of the fixing platform, and presses the upper vibration disk tightly on the elastic connecting piece.

[0015] By adopting the above technical solution, the connection assembly achieves a detachable connection between the upper and lower vibration plates via a fixing platform, elastic connectors, and locking bolts. The elastic connectors absorb vibration shock, while the locking bolts ensure a secure connection without hindering vibration transmission. In terms of movement, when the upper vibration plate vibrates, the elastic connectors deform elastically to cushion the vibration, while the fixing platform and locking bolts limit the lateral displacement of the upper vibration plate. This facilitates the disassembly, assembly, and replacement of the upper vibration plate, adapting to the handling requirements of nuts of different specifications, while ensuring vibration transmission efficiency and reducing vibration losses.

[0016] Preferably, the vibration compensation assembly includes a first vibration motor, an eccentric block and a mounting seat; the mounting seat is a block structure, the mounting seat is fixedly installed in the middle position of the outer wall of the upper vibration disk, and a mounting groove is provided on one side of the mounting seat; the first vibration motor is fixedly installed in the mounting groove, and the output shaft of the first vibration motor faces away from the upper vibration disk, the eccentric block is an irregular block structure, the eccentric block can contact the outer wall of the upper vibration disk, the eccentric block is fixedly installed on the output shaft of the first vibration motor, and the first vibration motor is used to drive the eccentric block to rotate.

[0017] By adopting this technical solution, the vibration compensation assembly uses the first vibration motor to drive the eccentric mass to rotate, thereby increasing the vibration frequency of the upper vibrating plate. The rotation of the eccentric mass generates centrifugal force, which provides additional vibration excitation to the upper vibrating plate, enhancing the vibration effect. The first vibration motor drives the eccentric mass to rotate at high speed. The irregular shape of the eccentric mass causes periodic changes in centrifugal force during rotation, driving the upper vibrating plate to produce stronger vibrations. This can specifically enhance the vibration intensity of the upper vibrating plate, ensuring that even smaller nuts can be effectively sorted, improving sorting reliability.

[0018] Preferably, a discharge port is provided on the side wall of the vibration plate, a material guide plate is provided on the side wall of the material trough, a transfer belt is provided at the discharge port, and the transfer belt corresponds to the material guide plate; the material trough is provided with multiple layers corresponding to the upper vibration plate and the lower vibration plate; the material guide plate extends into the material trough, the material guide plate is spirally arranged along the inner wall of the material trough, and the material guide plate extends to the bottom center of the material trough, and the material guide plate is provided with multiple layers corresponding to the disc.

[0019] By employing this technical solution, the vibrating plate and trough achieve orderly conveying of nuts through a discharge port, transfer belt, and guide plate. After being sorted by the vibrating plate, the nuts enter the trough via the discharge port and transfer belt. The guide plate guides the nuts along a spiral path to the bottom of the trough. Driven by vibration inertia and gravity, the nuts slide from the vibrating plate, across the transfer belt, to the guide plate, and then gradually move downward along the spiral guide plate. This ensures a smooth transition of nuts from the vibrating plate to the trough. The multi-layered arrangement allows nuts from different vibrating plates to be processed separately, preventing mixing and improving orderly feeding.

[0020] Preferably, a feeding part is provided in the material trough, and the feeding part includes a feeding table, and the feeding table is slidably connected in the material trough along the vertical direction, and a slide rail is vertically provided in the central area of ​​the material trough, and the side of the feeding table is slidably matched with the slide rail, and a transmission screw is rotatably connected in the slide rail, and the transmission screw passes through the feeding table, and the transmission screw is threadedly matched with the feeding table; the end of the guide plate is rotatably connected to the limit plate, and the limit plate is tilted, and a contact table is provided on the limit plate, and the contact table can contact the bottom of the feeding table.

[0021] By adopting this technical solution, the feeding element in the trough gradually conveys the nuts by raising and lowering the feed table, while the stop plate controls the timing of the nut's descent. The rotation of the drive screw drives the feed table up and down along the slide rails. When the feed table descends, the contact plate is triggered, causing the stop plate to rotate and release the nut onto the feed table. The rotation of the drive screw drives the feed table up and down. When the bottom of the feed table contacts the contact plate, the stop plate rotates, allowing the nut to fall, and the feed table rises to deliver the nut to the designated position. This achieves quantitative and orderly delivery of nuts, avoids accumulation and blockage, and improves feeding accuracy and stability.

[0022] Preferably, a vibration component is provided at the bottom of the vibration disk, and the vibration component is used to drive the vibration disk to generate high-frequency micro-amplitude vibration; the vibration component includes a second vibration motor, an elastic buffer pad and a vibration transmission plate; the second vibration motor is fixedly installed in the middle area of ​​the sorting table, and the output shaft of the second vibration motor is vertically arranged upward; the vibration transmission plate is horizontally arranged at the bottom of the vibration disk and is in contact with the bottom surface of the vibration disk; the elastic buffer pad is clamped between the end face of the output shaft of the second vibration motor and the lower surface of the vibration transmission plate.

[0023] By adopting this technical solution, the vibration assembly drives the vibrating plate via a second vibration motor via an elastic cushion and a vibration transfer plate. The second vibration motor generates high-frequency vibrations, which are buffered by the elastic cushion and then transmitted to the vibrating plate via the vibration transfer plate, causing the vibrating plate to vibrate at a high frequency and with a small amplitude. The second vibration motor's output shaft vibrates, driving the vibration transfer plate through the elastic cushion, thereby causing the entire vibrating plate to vibrate synchronously. Providing a stable vibration source, the elastic cushion reduces the impact of vibration on the sorting table while ensuring efficient transmission of vibration to the vibrating plate, improving nut sorting efficiency.

[0024] Preferably, the adsorption assembly is used to transport the nuts from the feeding platform to the injection mold, and the adsorption assembly includes an adsorption rod, an adsorption hole and an adsorption pad; the adsorption rod is a vertically arranged cylindrical rod body, and the lower end of the adsorption rod is fixedly installed in the middle area of ​​the sorting platform, and the position of the adsorption rod corresponds to the position of the lifting platform up and down; the adsorption hole is a blind hole opened at the lower end of the adsorption rod; the adsorption pad is made of elastic rubber, and the adsorption pad fits tightly to the bottom of the adsorption hole.

[0025] By adopting the above technical solution, when the feeding table slides to the opening of the trough, the nut held up by the feeding table is located above the adsorption rod, and the adsorption component realizes the grasping and transportation of the nut through the negative pressure adsorption effect of the adsorption hole and the adsorption pad. Negative pressure is generated in the adsorption hole, and the elastic adsorption pad is tightly fitted to the surface of the nut to form a seal, thereby adsorbing the nut, and the adsorption rod rotates to transport the nut to the target position. The adsorption rod rotates to the trough, and the adsorption hole is aligned with the nut. After negative pressure is generated, the adsorption pad and the nut are fitted to complete the adsorption, and then the adsorption rod rotates to the injection mold to release the nut. Non-destructive grasping and precise transportation of nuts are achieved, and the elastic adsorption pad can adapt to nuts of different sizes, improve adsorption reliability, and reduce damage to the nut surface.

[0026] Preferably, a baffle is provided around the edge of the upper opening of the trough, and the baffle is a strip plate extending horizontally toward the outside of the trough, and the baffle is used to prevent the nuts from rolling out of the trough opening during the sorting process.

[0027] By employing this technical solution, a horizontally extending baffle at the top of the trough prevents nuts from rolling out of the opening during sorting. The baffle's physical blocking effect limits the nut's range of motion, preventing them from falling from the edge of the trough opening due to vibration or inertia. The baffle remains stationary, blocking the nut only when it is about to roll out. This improves the safety and stability of the feeding process, reduces nut loss, and ensures efficient collection and delivery of materials.

[0028] on the other hand

[0029] A method for automatically feeding nuts, which is implemented using the automatic nut feeder, comprises the following steps:

[0030] Loading and sorting preparation: put the nuts of different types to be sorted into the upper and lower vibration plates of the multi-layer vibration plate respectively;

[0031] Vibration sorting: The vibration function of the upper and lower vibration plates is activated, and the nuts in their respective slots are moved along the slot walls and arranged in a specific posture through high-frequency vibration. The vibration frequency of the upper vibration plate is enhanced by the vibration compensation component to ensure the effective sorting of small-sized nuts.

[0032] Transfer and guide: The sorted nuts are discharged from the outlet of the upper and lower vibrating plates and transferred to the guide plate via the corresponding transfer belt. The guide plate extends spirally along the inner wall of the trough and extends to the center of the bottom of the trough, guiding the nuts to slide down along the spiral path to the corresponding layer in the trough;

[0033] Quantitative conveying: The feeding piece set in the trough is driven to rise and fall by the transmission screw. When the feeding platform descends to the limit plate at the end of the guide plate, the limit plate is touched and rotated to release the nut to the feeding platform. The feeding platform rises and quantitatively conveys the nut to the adsorption position at the opening of the trough;

[0034] Adsorption and transfer: The adsorption component generates negative pressure in the adsorption hole, so that the elastic adsorption pad fits tightly against the surface of the nut at the adsorption position to form a seal, completing the adsorption of the nut; then the adsorption rod rotates or translates to transfer the nut to the target position, achieving lossless grasping and precise delivery.

[0035] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: the automatic nut feeder realizes the separation and arrangement of nuts of different models through a multi-layer vibration disk structure. The nuts are automatically sorted by utilizing the high-frequency vibration of the vibration disk. The upper vibration disk and the lower vibration disk respectively process nuts of different sizes, which are collected in the trough and transported by the adsorption component. The vibration disk allows the nuts to move along the trough wall and arrange them in a specific posture through vibration. The connecting component makes the upper vibration disk detachable and maintains vibration stability. The vibration compensation component enhances the vibration effect of the upper layer. The beneficial effects are that it can process multiple types of nuts at the same time, improve feeding efficiency, has a compact structure and is easy to maintain, and greatly saves work space. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. The drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can also derive other drawings based on these drawings without inventive efforts.

[0037] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the automatic nut feeder according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0038] Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of the material guide plate of an embodiment of the present application.

[0039] Figure 3 It is a structural diagram of the vibration plate of the embodiment of the present application.

[0040] Explanation of the accompanying drawings: 1. Sorting table; 2. Upper vibration disk; 21. Discharge port; 3. Lower vibration disk; 4. Material trough; 41. Guide plate; 42. Feeding table; 43. Slide rail; 44. Transmission screw; 45. Limiting plate; 46. Contact table; 47. Baffle; 5. Adsorption assembly; 51. Adsorption rod; 52. Adsorption hole; 53. Adsorption pad; 6. Connecting assembly; 61. Fixed table; 62. Elastic connecting part; 63. Locking bolt; 7. Vibration compensation assembly; 71. First vibration motor; 72. Eccentric block; 73. Mounting seat; 8. Vibration assembly; 81. Second vibration motor; 82. Elastic buffer pad; 83. Vibration transfer plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] To make the purpose, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention more clear, the following will be a clear and complete description of the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the embodiments described are some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0042] Example 1

[0043] The preferred embodiment of the present invention is as follows Figures 1 to 3 As shown, a nut automatic feeder includes a sorting platform 1, a vibration plate, a material trough 4, an adsorption component 5 and a vibration component 8; the sorting platform 1 is a horizontally arranged flat plate structure; the vibration plate is a multi-layer trough structure with an opening facing upward, and the vibration plate is fixedly installed in the middle area of ​​the sorting platform 1. The vibration plate is used to accommodate nuts of different types; the vibration plate includes an upper vibration plate 2 and a lower vibration plate 3.

[0044] A connecting component 6 is provided between the upper vibration disk 2 and the lower vibration disk 3, and the connecting component 6 is used to detachably connect the upper vibration disk 2 to the lower vibration disk 3; a vibration compensation component 7 is provided on the upper vibration disk 2, and the vibration compensation component 7 is used to enhance the vibration frequency of the upper vibration disk 2. The upper vibration disk 2 and the lower vibration disk 3 respectively vibrate and arrange nuts of different sizes.

[0045] The trough 4 is a trough-shaped structure with an opening upward. The trough 4 is fixedly installed in the middle area of ​​the sorting platform 1. The trough 4 is used to accommodate the nuts after vibration arrangement.

[0046] This automatic nut feeder uses a multi-layer vibrating plate structure to separate and arrange nuts of different sizes. The high-frequency vibrations of the vibrating plates automatically sort the nuts. The upper and lower vibrating plates 2 and 3 process nuts of different sizes, respectively. Nuts are collected in a trough 4 and then transported by an adsorption assembly 5. The vibrating plates vibrate, moving the nuts along the trough walls and arranging them in a specific posture. A connecting assembly 6 makes the upper vibrating plate 2 removable while maintaining vibration stability, and a vibration compensation assembly 7 enhances the vibration effect of the upper plate. This beneficial effect lies in its ability to simultaneously process multiple nut sizes, improving feeding efficiency. Its compact structure facilitates maintenance and significantly saves workspace.

[0047] The connecting assembly 6 includes a fixing platform 61, an elastic connecting member 62 and a locking bolt 63; there are multiple fixing platforms 61, and the multiple fixing platforms 61 are evenly distributed at the edge of the upper surface of the lower vibration disk 3. Each fixing platform 61 is a vertically arranged columnar structure, and the lower end of the fixing platform 61 is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the lower vibration disk 3, and a threaded hole is opened at the upper end of the fixing platform 61; the elastic connecting member 62 is made of rubber material; the number of elastic connecting members 62 corresponds to the fixing platform 61 one by one, and each elastic connecting member 62 is sleeved on the outer side of the corresponding fixing platform 61, and the lower end of the elastic connecting member 62 abuts against the upper surface of the lower vibration disk 3; a through hole corresponding to the position of the fixing platform 61 is opened on the edge of the upper vibration disk 2, and the diameter of the through hole is larger than the outer diameter of the fixing platform 61. The upper vibration disk 2 is placed on the upper end of the elastic connecting member 62, the fixing platform 61 passes through the through hole, and the locking bolt 63 is selected into the threaded hole at the upper end of the fixing platform 61, and the upper vibration disk 2 is pressed tightly on the elastic connecting member 62.

[0048] The connecting assembly 6 realizes the detachable connection between the upper vibration disk 2 and the lower vibration disk 3 through the fixing platform 61, the elastic connector 62 and the locking bolt 63. The elastic connector 62 is used to absorb the vibration impact, and the locking bolt 63 ensures a stable connection without hindering the transmission of vibration. In terms of movement, when the upper vibration disk 2 vibrates, the elastic connector 62 will undergo elastic deformation to buffer the vibration, while the fixing platform 61 and the locking bolt 63 limit the lateral displacement of the upper vibration disk 2. It is convenient for the disassembly, assembly and replacement of the upper vibration disk 2, and adapts to the processing requirements of nuts of different specifications, while ensuring the efficiency of vibration transmission and reducing vibration loss.

[0049] The vibration compensation assembly 7 includes a first vibration motor 71, an eccentric block 72 and a mounting base 73; the mounting base 73 is a block-shaped structure, fixedly mounted on the middle position of the outer wall of the upper vibration disk 2, and a mounting groove is provided on one side of the mounting base 73; the first vibration motor 71 is fixedly mounted in the mounting groove, and the output shaft of the first vibration motor 71 faces away from the upper vibration disk 2. The eccentric block 72 is an irregular block-shaped structure, and the eccentric block 72 can contact the outer wall of the upper vibration disk 2. The eccentric block 72 is fixedly mounted on the output shaft of the first vibration motor 71, and the first vibration motor 71 is used to drive the eccentric block 72 to rotate. The start and stop and speed of the vibration motor are controlled by an external control system. The mounting base 73 is fixed to the outer wall of the upper vibration disk 2 by bolts. The vibration direction of the vibration compensation assembly 7 is consistent with the vibration direction of the upper vibration disk 2 itself. The fixing platform 61 is fixed to the upper surface of the lower vibration disk 3 by welding or bolts.

[0050] The vibration compensation component 7 drives the eccentric block 72 to rotate through the first vibration motor 71 to strengthen the vibration frequency of the upper vibration disk 2. The rotation of the eccentric block 72 generates centrifugal force, which gives the upper vibration disk 2 additional vibration excitation and enhances the vibration effect. The movement mode is that the first vibration motor 71 drives the eccentric block 72 to rotate at high speed. The irregular shape of the eccentric block 72 causes periodic changes in centrifugal force when it rotates, driving the upper vibration disk 2 to generate stronger vibration. The vibration intensity of the upper vibration disk 2 can be targeted to ensure that smaller-sized nuts can also be effectively sorted, thereby improving sorting reliability.

[0051] A discharge port 21 is provided on the side wall of the vibration plate, a guide plate 41 is provided on the side wall of the material trough 4, and a transfer belt is provided at the discharge port 21, and the transfer belt corresponds to the guide plate 41; the material trough 4 is provided with multiple layers corresponding to the upper vibration plate 2 and the lower vibration plate 3; the guide plate 41 extends into the material trough 4, and the guide plate 41 is spirally arranged along the inner wall of the material trough 4, and the guide plate 41 extends to the bottom center of the material trough 4, and the guide plate 41 is provided with multiple layers corresponding to the disc.

[0052] The vibrating plate and trough 4 ensure orderly conveyance of nuts through the discharge port 21, transfer belt, and guide plate 41. After being sorted by the vibrating plate, the nuts enter the trough 4 through the discharge port 21 and transfer belt. The guide plate 41 guides the nuts along a spiral path to the bottom of the trough 4. Driven by the inertia of vibration and gravity, the nuts slide from the vibrating plate, through the transfer belt, to the guide plate 41, and gradually move downward along the spiral guide plate 41. This ensures a smooth transition of nuts from the vibrating plate to the trough 4. The multi-layer arrangement allows nuts from different vibrating plates to be processed separately, preventing mixing and improving orderly feeding.

[0053] A feeding part is provided in the material trough 4, and the feeding part includes a feeding platform 42. The feeding platform 42 is slidably connected in the material trough 4 along the vertical direction. A slide rail 43 is vertically provided in the central area of ​​the material trough 4. The side of the feeding platform 42 is slidably matched with the slide rail 43. A transmission screw 44 is rotatably connected in the slide rail 43. The transmission screw 44 passes through the feeding platform 42, and the transmission screw 44 is threadedly matched with the feeding platform 42; the end of the guide plate 41 is rotatably connected to the limit plate 45, and the limit plate 45 is tilted. A contact platform 46 is provided on the limit plate 45, and the contact platform 46 can contact the bottom of the feeding platform 42.

[0054] The feeding element within the trough 4 gradually conveys the nuts by raising and lowering the feed platform 42, while the stop plate 45 controls the timing of the nut's descent. The rotation of the drive screw 44 drives the feed platform 42 up and down along the slide rail 43. As the feed platform 42 descends, the contact plate 46 is actuated, causing the stop plate 45 to rotate and release the nut onto the feed platform 42. The rotation of the drive screw 44 drives the feed platform 42 up and down. When the bottom of the feed platform 42 contacts the contact plate 46, the stop plate 45 rotates, allowing the nut to fall. The feed platform 42 then rises and delivers the nut to the designated location. This ensures a quantitative and orderly delivery of nuts, prevents accumulation and blockage, and improves feeding accuracy and stability.

[0055] The vibration assembly 8 is arranged at the bottom of the vibration disk, and the vibration assembly 8 is used to drive the vibration disk to generate high-frequency micro-amplitude vibration; the vibration assembly 8 includes a second vibration motor 81, an elastic buffer pad 82 and a vibration transmission plate 83; the second vibration motor 81 is fixedly installed in the middle area of ​​the sorting table 1, and the output shaft of the second vibration motor 81 is set vertically upward; the vibration transmission plate 83 is horizontally arranged at the bottom of the vibration disk and is in contact with the bottom surface of the vibration disk; the elastic buffer pad 82 is sandwiched between the end face of the output shaft of the second vibration motor 81 and the lower surface of the vibration transmission plate 83.

[0056] The vibration assembly 8 drives the vibration plate 83 via a second vibration motor 81, an elastic cushion 82, and a vibration transmission plate 83. The second vibration motor 81 generates high-frequency vibrations, which are then buffered by the elastic cushion 82 and transmitted to the vibration plate 83 via the vibration transmission plate 83, causing the vibration plate to generate high-frequency, low-amplitude vibrations. The output shaft of the second vibration motor 81 vibrates, driving the vibration transmission plate 83 via the elastic cushion 82, thereby causing the entire vibration plate to vibrate synchronously. Providing a stable vibration source, the elastic cushion 82 reduces the impact of vibration on the sorting table 1 while ensuring efficient transmission of vibration to the vibration plate, improving nut sorting efficiency.

[0057] The suction assembly 5 is located at the edge of the sorting platform 1 and corresponds to the discharge port 21 of the trough 4. It is used to transfer nuts of different sizes within the trough 4. The suction assembly 5 is used to transport the nuts from the feeding platform 42 to the injection mold. The suction assembly 5 includes a suction rod 51, a suction hole 52, and a suction pad 53. The suction rod 51 is a vertical cylindrical rod. The lower end of the suction rod 51 is fixedly mounted in the middle area of ​​the sorting platform 1, and the position of the suction rod 51 corresponds to the position of the lifting platform. The suction hole 52 is a blind hole opened at the lower end of the suction rod 51. The suction pad 53 is made of elastic rubber and fits tightly to the bottom of the suction hole 52.

[0058] When the feeding platform 42 slides to the opening of the trough 4, the nut held up by the feeding platform 42 is located above the adsorption rod 51, and the adsorption component 5 realizes the grasping and transportation of the nut through the negative pressure adsorption effect of the adsorption hole 52 and the adsorption pad 53. Negative pressure is generated in the adsorption hole 52, and the elastic adsorption pad 53 is tightly fitted to the surface of the nut to form a seal, thereby adsorbing the nut, and the adsorption rod 51 rotates to transport the nut to the target position. The adsorption rod 51 rotates to the trough 4, and the adsorption hole 52 is aligned with the nut. After the negative pressure is generated, the adsorption pad 53 fits the nut to complete the adsorption, and then the adsorption rod 51 rotates to the injection mold to release the nut. To achieve non-destructive grasping and precise transportation of nuts, the elastic adsorption pad 53 can adapt to nuts of different sizes, improve adsorption reliability, and reduce damage to the nut surface.

[0059] A baffle 47 is provided around the edge of the upper opening of the trough 4. The baffle 47 is a strip plate extending horizontally toward the outside of the trough 4. The baffle 47 is used to prevent the nuts from rolling out of the opening of the trough 4 during the sorting process.

[0060] A horizontally extending baffle 47 at the top of the chute 4 prevents nuts from rolling out of the opening during sorting. The baffle 47's physical blocking action limits the nut's range of motion, preventing them from falling from the edge of the chute 4 opening due to vibration or inertia. Baffle 47 is stationary, blocking nuts only when they are about to roll out. This improves the safety and stability of the feeding process, reduces nut loss, and ensures efficient collection and delivery of materials.

[0061] Example 2

[0062] A method for automatically feeding nuts is implemented using the automatic nut feeder in Example 1, comprising the following steps:

[0063] Loading and sorting preparation: put the nuts of different types to be sorted into the upper vibration plate 2 and the lower vibration plate 3 of the multi-layer vibration plate respectively;

[0064] Vibration sorting: The vibration function of the upper and lower vibration plates 2 and 3 is activated, and the nuts in their respective slots are moved along the slot walls and arranged in a specific posture through high-frequency vibration. The vibration frequency of the upper vibration plate 2 is enhanced by the vibration compensation component 7 to ensure the effective sorting of small-sized nuts.

[0065] Transfer and guide: The sorted nuts are discharged from the discharge ports 21 of the upper and lower vibrating plates 2 and 3, and are transferred to the guide plate 41 via the corresponding transfer belt. The guide plate 41 extends spirally along the inner wall of the trough 4 and extends to the bottom center of the trough 4, guiding the nuts to slide down along the spiral path to the corresponding layer in the trough 4;

[0066] Quantitative conveying: The feeding member set in the trough 4 is driven to rise and fall by the transmission screw 44. When the feeding platform 42 descends to contact the limit plate 45 at the end of the guide plate 41, the limit plate 45 is touched and rotated to release the nut to the feeding platform 42. The feeding platform 42 rises and quantitatively conveys the nut to the adsorption position at the opening of the trough 4;

[0067] Adsorption and transfer: The adsorption component 5 generates negative pressure in the adsorption hole 52, so that the elastic adsorption pad 53 fits tightly against the surface of the nut at the adsorption position to form a seal, completing the adsorption of the nut; then the adsorption rod 51 rotates or translates to transfer the nut to the target position, achieving lossless grasping and precise delivery.

[0068] The implementation principle of an automatic nut feeder in an embodiment of the present application is as follows: based on a horizontally arranged sorting table 1, nuts of different sizes are vibrated and arranged respectively through a multi-layer vibration disk structure, the vibration component 8 at the bottom of the vibration disk provides high-frequency micro-amplitude vibration, and the vibration compensation component 7 of the upper vibration disk 2 can enhance the vibration frequency to ensure effective sorting of small-sized nuts; the connecting component 6 realizes the detachable connection between the upper vibration disk 2 and the lower vibration disk 3, which not only ensures the vibration transmission efficiency but also facilitates disassembly and replacement; the nuts sorted by the vibration disk enter the corresponding multi-layer trough 4 through the discharge port 21 and the transfer belt, and the spiral guide plate 41 in the trough 4 guides the nuts to slide down smoothly, and the feeding part realizes quantitative conveying of nuts through the lifting of the feeding table 42, and the baffle 47 prevents the nuts from rolling out; finally, the adsorption component 5 at the edge of the trough 4 uses the negative pressure of the adsorption hole 52 and the elastic adsorption pad 53 to accurately grab the nuts on the feeding table 42 and transfer them to the injection mold, thereby realizing automatic separation, sorting, conveying and transfer of nuts of various models, and efficiently completing the feeding process.

[0069] It should be understood that those skilled in the art can make improvements or changes based on the above description, and all such improvements and changes should fall within the scope of protection of the appended claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A nut automatic feeder, characterized in that, The sorting platform comprises a sorting table, a vibration plate, a trough and an adsorption component; the sorting table is a horizontally arranged flat plate structure; the vibration plate is a multi-layer trough structure with an upward opening, and the vibration plate is fixedly installed in the middle area of ​​the sorting table. The vibration plate is used to accommodate nuts of different types; the vibration plate includes an upper vibration plate and a lower vibration plate; A connecting assembly is provided between the upper and lower vibration plates, and is used to detachably connect the upper vibration plate to the lower vibration plate; a vibration compensation assembly is provided on the upper vibration plate, and is used to enhance the vibration frequency of the upper vibration plate. The upper and lower vibration plates respectively vibrate and arrange nuts of different sizes; The adsorption component is arranged at the edge of the sorting table and corresponds to the discharge port of the trough, and is used to transfer nuts of different types in the trough; The material trough is a trough-shaped structure with an opening upward, and the material trough is fixedly installed in the middle area of ​​the sorting table. The material trough is used to accommodate the nuts after vibration arrangement.

2. The automatic nut feeder according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connecting assembly includes a fixing platform, an elastic connecting piece and a locking bolt; the fixing platform is provided with multiple, and the multiple fixing platforms are evenly distributed at the edge of the upper surface of the lower vibration disk. Each of the fixing platforms is a vertically arranged columnar structure, and the lower end of the fixing platform is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the lower vibration disk, and the upper end of the fixing platform is provided with a threaded hole; the number of the elastic connecting pieces corresponds to the fixing platforms one by one, and each of the elastic connecting pieces is sleeved on the outer side of the corresponding fixing platform, and the lower end of the elastic connecting piece abuts against the upper surface of the lower vibration disk; the edge of the upper vibration disk is provided with a through hole corresponding to the position of the fixing platform, the diameter of the through hole is larger than the outer diameter of the fixing platform, the upper vibration disk is placed on the upper end of the elastic connecting piece, the fixing platform passes through the through hole, the locking bolt is selected into the threaded hole at the upper end of the fixing platform, and presses the upper vibration disk tightly on the elastic connecting piece.

3. The automatic nut feeder according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vibration compensation assembly includes a first vibration motor, an eccentric block and a mounting seat; the mounting seat is a block structure, the mounting seat is fixedly installed in the middle position of the outer wall of the upper vibration disk, and a mounting groove is provided on one side of the mounting seat; the first vibration motor is fixedly installed in the mounting groove, and the output shaft of the first vibration motor faces away from the upper vibration disk. The eccentric block is an irregular block structure, the eccentric block can contact the outer wall of the upper vibration disk, and the eccentric block is fixedly installed on the output shaft of the first vibration motor. The first vibration motor is used to drive the eccentric block to rotate.

4. The automatic nut feeder according to claim 1, characterized in that: A discharge port is provided on the side wall of the vibration plate, a material guide plate is provided on the side wall of the material trough, a transfer belt is provided at the discharge port, and the transfer belt corresponds to the material guide plate; the material trough is provided with multiple layers corresponding to the upper vibration plate and the lower vibration plate; the material guide plate extends into the material trough, the material guide plate is spirally arranged along the inner wall of the material trough, and the material guide plate extends to the bottom center of the material trough, and the material guide plate is provided with multiple layers corresponding to the disc.

5. The automatic nut feeder according to claim 4, characterized in that: A feeding piece is provided in the material trough, and the feeding piece includes a feeding platform, and the feeding platform is slidably connected in the material trough along the vertical direction. A slide rail is vertically provided in the central area of ​​the material trough, and the side of the feeding platform is slidably matched with the slide rail. A transmission screw is rotatably connected in the slide rail, and the transmission screw passes through the feeding platform, and the transmission screw is threadedly matched with the feeding platform; the end of the guide plate is rotatably connected to the limit plate, and the limit plate is tilted. A contact platform is provided on the limit plate, and the contact platform can contact the bottom of the feeding platform.

6. The automatic nut feeder according to claim 1, characterized in that: A vibration assembly is provided at the bottom of the vibration plate, which is used to drive the vibration plate to generate high-frequency micro-amplitude vibration; the vibration assembly includes a second vibration motor, an elastic buffer pad and a vibration transmission plate; the second vibration motor is fixedly installed in the middle area of ​​the sorting table, and the output shaft of the second vibration motor is vertically arranged upward; the vibration transmission plate is horizontally arranged at the bottom of the vibration plate and is in contact with the bottom surface of the vibration plate; the elastic buffer pad is clamped between the end face of the output shaft of the second vibration motor and the lower surface of the vibration transmission plate.

7. The automatic nut feeder according to claim 1, characterized in that: The adsorption assembly is used to transport nuts from the feeding platform to the injection mold. The adsorption assembly includes an adsorption rod, an adsorption hole and an adsorption pad; the adsorption rod is a vertically arranged cylindrical rod body, the lower end of the adsorption rod is rotatably installed in the middle area of ​​the sorting platform, and the position of the adsorption rod corresponds to the position of the lifting platform; the adsorption hole is a blind hole opened at the lower end of the adsorption rod; the adsorption pad is made of elastic rubber, and the adsorption pad fits tightly to the bottom of the adsorption hole.

8. The automatic nut feeder according to claim 1, characterized in that: A baffle is provided around the edge of the upper opening of the trough. The baffle is a strip plate extending horizontally toward the outside of the trough. The baffle is used to prevent the nuts from rolling out of the trough opening during the sorting process.

9. A method for automatically feeding nuts, the method being implemented by using an automatic nut feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 8; characterized in that: The method comprises the following steps: Loading and sorting preparation: put the nuts of different types to be sorted into the upper and lower vibration plates of the multi-layer vibration plate respectively; Vibration sorting: The vibration function of the upper and lower vibration plates is activated, and the nuts in their respective slots are moved along the slot walls and arranged in a specific posture through high-frequency vibration. The vibration frequency of the upper vibration plate is enhanced by the vibration compensation component to ensure the effective sorting of small-sized nuts. Transfer and guide: The sorted nuts are discharged from the outlet of the upper and lower vibrating plates and transferred to the guide plate via the corresponding transfer belt. The guide plate extends spirally along the inner wall of the trough and extends to the center of the bottom of the trough, guiding the nuts to slide down along the spiral path to the corresponding layer in the trough; Quantitative conveying: The feeding piece set in the trough is driven to rise and fall by the transmission screw. When the feeding platform descends to the limit plate at the end of the guide plate, the limit plate is touched and rotated to release the nut to the feeding platform. The feeding platform rises and quantitatively conveys the nut to the adsorption position at the opening of the trough; Adsorption and transfer: The adsorption component generates negative pressure in the adsorption hole, so that the elastic adsorption pad fits tightly against the surface of the nut at the adsorption position to form a seal, completing the adsorption of the nut; then the adsorption rod rotates or translates to transfer the nut to the target position, achieving lossless grasping and precise delivery.

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