Crucible type pulping machine for semi-solid pulping and semi-solid pulping method

Abstract

The invention discloses a crucible type pulping machine for semi-solid pulping and a semi-solid pulping method. The crucible type pulping machine comprises a crucible, a rack, a bottom tray, a clamping mechanism, an overturning mechanism and a rotating mechanism. The turnover mechanism is installed on the rotating mechanism, the bottom tray and the clamping mechanism are both connected to the turnover mechanism, and the turnover mechanism can adjust the included angle between the bottom tray and the horizontal plane through rotation. The crucible is of a cylindrical structure with the two ends open, the clamping mechanism can press the crucible on the bottom tray, and the bottom tray can seal the bottom end opening of the crucible. In the first state, the overturning mechanism drives the crucible to overturn forwards, so that an opening of the crucible inclines forwards, and feeding operation is achieved; in the second state, the turnover mechanism is adjusted to enable the opening of the crucible to be vertically upward, at the moment, the rotating mechanism operates, and the turnover mechanism is driven to drive the crucible to rotate on the horizontal plane; and in the third state, the overturning mechanism drives the crucible to overturn backwards so as to achieve discharging operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a semi-solid die casting pulping equipment, and more particularly to a crucible-type semi-solid pulping machine and a semi-solid pulping method. Background Technology

[0002] Semi-solid slurry preparation technology for aluminum die casting is a metal forming process that lies between liquid and solid states. By applying mechanical, physical, or chemical actions during metal solidification, the molten metal is transformed into a semi-solid slurry with a non-dendritic structure. This slurry is then die-cast to obtain highly dense, low-defect castings. This technology significantly improves the mechanical properties of products, reduces porosity and shrinkage cavities, while also reducing thermal shock to the mold and extending mold life. It has become an important development direction in the field of high-end aluminum alloy die casting.

[0003] Among the relevant patents, patent CN221657937U discloses a semi-solid die-casting rapid pulping machine, which provides a pulping equipment with continuous discharge function. Through structures such as support blocks, moving plates, and bearing plates, it realizes continuous receiving of pulp and container replacement, thereby improving discharge efficiency.

[0004] Patent CN215746293U discloses a pulping machine and a semi-solid metal slurry die casting molding system, proposing a vacuum stirring pulping scheme. Through the cooperation of a vacuum box, a top cover, a box body and a stirring device, slurry is prepared in a vacuum environment to improve the uniformity and density of the slurry structure.

[0005] Patent CN217252677U discloses a semi-solid pulping machine and a semi-solid pulping die-casting system. The disclosed method uses a raw material rod as a stirring medium and achieves stirring of the soup through a gripper, a rotary drive component and a displacement drive component, avoiding the wear problem of traditional stirring rods and improving the reliability and automation of the equipment.

[0006] Patent CN106944599B discloses a pulping machine and a semi-solid pulping method for semi-solid pulping. It provides a gas permeation pulping scheme, in which inert gas is introduced through an outer liner with a microporous structure, so that the gas can be evenly permeated into the pulp to achieve heat exchange and texture refinement. No mechanical stirring is required, which reduces energy consumption and equipment wear.

[0007] Although existing technologies have made various improvements in the structure, mixing method, and discharge efficiency of semi-solid pulping equipment, there are still problems such as poor process continuity, insufficient uniformity of semi-solid pulp structure, and inaccurate temperature control, which affect the mechanical properties and yield of the final die-cast parts. There is an urgent need to further optimize the pulping process and equipment integration capabilities. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a crucible-type semi-solid pulping machine and a semi-solid pulping method that provides better process continuity and higher quality semi-solid pulp.

[0009] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is: a crucible-type semi-solid pulping machine, including a crucible, a frame, and a bottom tray, a clamping mechanism, a flipping mechanism and a rotating mechanism integrated on the frame; The flipping mechanism is mounted on the rotating mechanism, and the bottom tray and the clamping mechanism are both connected to the flipping mechanism. The flipping mechanism can adjust the angle between the bottom tray and the horizontal plane by rotation. The crucible is a cylindrical structure with open ends. The clamping mechanism can press the crucible onto the bottom tray, and the bottom tray can close the open bottom end of the crucible. The bottom tray includes a bottom wall and an upwardly extending annular sidewall, the annular sidewall expanding outwardly along the height direction; The overall top view of the bottom tray is teardrop-shaped; in the circumferential profile of the annular sidewall, one side is a smooth arc that converges inward to form an inwardly protruding tip; except for the tip, the other circumferential positions of the annular sidewall are all outwardly protruding arcs. The pulping machine has three working states: First state: The flipping mechanism drives the crucible to flip forward, so that the opening of the crucible is tilted forward to realize the feeding operation, and the top of the tip is located at the low position of the bottom tray; Second state: The flipping mechanism is adjusted so that the opening of the crucible is vertically upward. At this time, the rotating mechanism is running, which drives the flipping mechanism and thus drives the crucible to rotate on the horizontal plane. Third state: The flipping mechanism drives the crucible to flip backward to realize the material feeding operation.

[0010] The preferred technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is as follows: the middle part of the bottom wall of the bottom tray is recessed inward to form a middle recessed part and an outer annular convex edge.

[0011] The preferred technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is as follows: the flipping mechanism includes a servo motor, a reducer and a bracket driven by the servo motor, the bracket includes two connecting arms, and the two sides of the bottom tray are respectively fixedly connected to the connecting arms.

[0012] The preferred technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the above-mentioned technical problem is as follows: the outer peripheral wall of the crucible is provided with an annular rib, and the clamping mechanism abuts against the annular rib to press the crucible tightly onto the bottom tray.

[0013] The preferred technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is as follows: the rotating mechanism includes a rotary motor, an eccentric wheel, a first horizontal rail, a second horizontal rail, a fixed platform, a first moving platform, and a second moving platform; the first horizontal rail and the second horizontal rail are perpendicular to each other.

[0014] The eccentric wheel is eccentrically connected to the output end of the rotary motor, and the eccentric wheel is fixedly connected below the second moving platform; the first moving platform and the second moving platform are slidably connected through the second horizontal rail, and the first moving platform and the fixed platform are slidably connected through the first horizontal rail.

[0015] The preferred technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is as follows: the frame is a box-type structure, the rotating mechanism is mounted on the frame, and the rotating motor is mounted in the enclosed box on the lower side of the frame; The fixed platform is the upper plane of the enclosed box, the eccentric wheel extends out of the enclosed box, the first horizontal rail, the second horizontal rail, the first moving platform and the second moving platform are located on the upper side of the enclosed box; the frame is provided with a protective cover.

[0016] The preferred technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is as follows: the tip includes an inclined drainage surface, the inclined drainage surface has a shape that is narrow at the front end and wide at the rear end, and the inclination angle of the inclined drainage surface is in the range of 15-45°.

[0017] The preferred technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is as follows: the clamping mechanism includes two sets of pressing components located on both sides of the bottom tray, and the pressing component includes a cylinder, a transmission arm and a pressing arm; The cylinder drives the pressing arm to press down through the transmission arm. The front end of the pressing arm is provided with two spaced-apart pressing fingers, which are located on both sides of the circumference of the crucible.

[0018] The preferred technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is: a semi-solid pulping method for a crucible-type semi-solid pulping machine, comprising the following steps: Step 1: The flipping mechanism flips the bottom tray to a horizontal position; Step 2: The crucible is placed vertically on the bottom tray using a robotic arm; Step 3: The clamping mechanism is activated to press the crucible onto the bottom tray; Step 4: The flipping mechanism drives the bottom tray to flip forward, causing the opening of the crucible to tilt forward; Step 5: Pour the molten aluminum into the crucible; Step Six: The flipping mechanism flips the bottom tray back to a horizontal position, so that the opening of the crucible is vertically upward; Step Seven: The rotating mechanism starts and drives the crucible to rotate on the horizontal plane, stirring the molten aluminum inside the crucible; Step 8: The molten aluminum in the crucible gradually transforms into a semi-solid state; Step 9: The flipping mechanism drives the bottom tray to flip backward, so that the crucible is in a horizontal state with its opening facing backward; Step 10: The crucible is grasped by the robotic arm while the clamping mechanism is released, and the crucible is removed from the bottom tray; Step 11: The pusher enters from the bottom opening of the crucible and pushes the semi-solid slurry inside the crucible into the die-casting machine's material pool.

[0019] Compared with existing technologies, the advantages of this invention are: the device simulates and optimizes the physical process of semi-solid slurry preparation through the precise coordination of two independent actions, flipping and rotating. Forward tilting during pouring helps reduce splashing and oxide inclusions; vertical rotation during stirring utilizes centrifugal force to move heavier primary solid particles towards the crucible sidewalls, while the molten metal in the center generates strong eddies and shearing motions, effectively breaking down dendrite networks and transforming them into uniform, fine rose-shaped or spherical crystals, thereby obtaining high-quality semi-solid slurry. Reverse tilting during unloading adapts to automated crucible removal and top-loading processes.

[0020] This solution integrates the three major functions of feeding, stirring, and unloading into a single device. The entire process can be completed through program control, significantly improving production efficiency and automation while reducing manual intervention and uncertainties. Compared to traditional mechanical stirring, the vertical crucible's self-rotation for rotary stirring avoids contamination of the slurry and air entrapment issues caused by the stirring paddle. Furthermore, the shearing action under centrifugal force is more uniform and intense, which is more conducive to obtaining an ideal semi-solid microstructure with fine grains and high roundness. The three distinct working states achieved by the flipping mechanism facilitate integration and coordination with automated loading and unloading systems such as industrial robots and robotic arms, laying the foundation for building a fully automated semi-solid casting production line.

[0021] The pulping method is a complete process based on the above-mentioned equipment. It perfectly combines the functional status of the equipment with the process requirements through time-series logic, forming an efficient, stable, and repeatable standardized production process. It realizes unmanned operation from molten metal to semi-solid slurry, ensuring the consistency and repeatability of the quality of each batch of slurry. The pointed design allows leaked molten aluminum to be collected at a specific point, where it drips or flows out in the direction of the tip, rather than spreading randomly. This design transforms destructive, random aluminum leaks into predictable, controlled, directional discharge, completely preventing contamination and damage to the underlying core moving parts. This significantly improves the long-term operational reliability and service life of the equipment. Attached Figure Description

[0022] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will understand that these drawings are drawn only for the purpose of explaining the preferred embodiments and therefore should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Furthermore, unless specifically indicated, the drawings are only schematic representations of the composition or structure of the described objects and may contain exaggerated depictions, and the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0023] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a four-station crucible-type semi-solid pulping machine. Figure 1 ; Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a four-station crucible-type semi-solid pulping machine. Figure 2 ; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a single station of a crucible-type semi-solid pulping machine. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a crucible-type semi-solid pulping machine in a single-station, uncovered state. Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a crucible-type semi-solid pulping machine in a single-station configuration without a closed front panel. Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a single station of a crucible-type semi-solid pulping machine. Figure 1 ; Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a single station of a crucible-type semi-solid pulping machine. Figure 2 ; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the crucible and bottom tray of a crucible-type semi-solid pulping machine.

[0024] Figure label: Crucible 1; Annular rib 11; Frame 2, Enclosed box 21; Bottom tray 3; Bottom wall 31; Annular side wall 32; Tip 321; Arc 322; Recess 311; Annular rim 312; Inclined drainage surface 320; Connecting ear 33; Mounting part 331; Clamping mechanism 4; Cylinder 41; Pressing arm 42; Pressing finger 421; Vertical wall 422; Tilting mechanism 5; Servo motor 51; Reducer 52; Bracket 53; Connecting arm 531; Rotating mechanism 6; Rotating motor 61; Eccentric wheel 62; First horizontal rail 63; Second horizontal rail 64; Fixed platform 65; First moving platform 66; Second moving platform 67; Protrusion 671; Protective cover 7; Top wall 71; Rear wall 72; Inclined front wall 73; Supporting baffle 8; Front baffle 9. Detailed Implementation

[0025] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that these descriptions are merely descriptive and exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

[0026] It should be noted that similar labels in the following figures indicate similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it will not be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0027] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly used when the product of this invention is in use. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention. Similarly, "first" and "second" are only for ease of understanding and have no other directional meaning, and should not be considered as limitations on this invention.

[0028] like Figure 1-7 As shown, this embodiment provides a crucible-type semi-solid pulping machine, including a crucible 1, a frame 2, and a bottom tray 3, a clamping mechanism 4, a flipping mechanism 5, and a rotating mechanism 6 integrated on the frame 2.

[0029] like Figure 4 As shown, the flipping mechanism 5 is mounted on the rotating mechanism 6. The bottom tray 3 and the clamping mechanism 4 are both connected to the flipping mechanism 5. The flipping mechanism 5 can adjust the angle between the bottom tray 3 and the horizontal plane by rotating. The crucible 1 is a cylindrical structure with open ends. The clamping mechanism 4 can press the crucible 1 onto the bottom tray 3, and the bottom tray 3 can close the bottom opening of the crucible 1.

[0030] like Figure 1-2As shown, the pulper has three operating states: First state: The flipping mechanism 5 drives the crucible 1 to flip forward, so that the opening of the crucible 1 is tilted forward to realize the feeding operation. Second state: The flipping mechanism 5 is adjusted so that the opening of the crucible 1 is vertically upward. At this time, the rotating mechanism 6 runs, which drives the flipping mechanism 5 and thus drives the crucible 1 to rotate on the horizontal plane. Third state: The flipping mechanism 5 drives the crucible 1 to flip backward to realize the material feeding operation.

[0031] The same frame 2 integrates functional units for bottom tray, clamping, flipping and rotating, so that the crucible 1 can complete the entire process of feeding, stirring and unloading in one clamping between three spatial postures.

[0032] The semi-solid pulping method of this crucible-type semi-solid pulping machine includes the following steps: Step 1: The flipping mechanism 5 flips the bottom tray 3 to a horizontal position. Step 2: Use a robotic arm to vertically place crucible 1 on bottom tray 3. Step 3: The clamping mechanism 4 is activated, pressing the crucible 1 onto the bottom tray 3. At this time, the bottom tray 3 acts as the bottom of the crucible, sealing its lower opening. Step 4: The flipping mechanism 5 drives the bottom tray 3 to flip forward, so that the opening of the crucible 1 is tilted forward, which facilitates the pouring of aluminum liquid by a robot or manual labor. Step 5: Pour the refined aluminum liquid into crucible 1.

[0033] Step 6: The flipping mechanism 5 returns to the upright position, flipping the bottom tray 3 back to the horizontal position, so that the opening of the crucible 1 is vertically upward, and the crucible 1 is kept in a vertical position for subsequent pulping operations. Step 7: The rotating mechanism 6 is started and drives the crucible 1 to rotate on the horizontal surface to stir the aluminum liquid in the crucible 1. Step 8: Through vigorous stirring and intense heat exchange, the melt is rapidly cooled to a semi-solid temperature, and the molten aluminum in crucible 1 gradually transforms into a semi-solid state. Step 9: The flipping mechanism 5 drives the bottom tray 3 to flip backward, so that the crucible 1 is in a horizontal state with the opening facing backward, in preparation for the subsequent crucible 1 unloading and ingot ejection operations. Step 10: The robotic arm picks up the crucible 1 while the clamping mechanism 4 loosens, removing the crucible 1 from the bottom tray 3.

[0034] Step 11: Adjust the removed crucible 1 to the feeding state. The pushing component of the feeding mechanism enters from the bottom of the crucible 1 and pushes the semi-solid slurry in the crucible 1 into the die-casting machine's material pool.

[0035] This equipment simulates and optimizes the physical process of semi-solid pulp preparation through the precise coordination of two independent actions: tilting and rotating. During pouring, forward tilting helps reduce splashing and oxide inclusions; during stirring, vertical rotation utilizes centrifugal force to move heavier primary solid particles towards the sidewall of crucible 1, while the molten material in the center generates strong eddies and shearing motions, effectively breaking down dendrite networks and transforming them into uniform, fine rose-shaped or spherical crystals, thus obtaining high-quality semi-solid pulp. Reverse tilting during unloading adapts to automated crucible removal and top-loading processes.

[0036] In this solution, the three major functions of feeding, stirring, and unloading are integrated into one device. The entire process can be completed through program control, which greatly improves production efficiency and automation, and reduces manual intervention and uncertainty. Compared with traditional mechanical stirring, the rotational stirring method achieved by the self-rotation of the vertical crucible 1 avoids the problems of contamination of the slurry by the stirring paddle and air entrapment. Moreover, the shearing effect under the centrifugal force field is more uniform and intense, which is more conducive to obtaining an ideal semi-solid structure with fine grains and high roundness. The three distinct working states achieved by the flipping mechanism 5 are very convenient for joint debugging and integration with automated loading and unloading systems such as industrial robots and robotic arms, laying the foundation for building a fully automated semi-solid casting production line.

[0037] The pulping method is a complete process based on the above-mentioned equipment, which includes eleven specific steps. It perfectly combines the functional status of the equipment with the process requirements through time-series logic, forming an efficient, stable, and repeatable standardized production process. It realizes unmanned operation from molten metal to semi-solid slurry, ensuring the consistency and repeatability of the quality of each batch of slurry.

[0038] like Figure 3 , 4 As shown in Figure 8, the base tray 3 includes a bottom wall 31 and an upwardly extending annular sidewall 32, which expands outward along the height direction. The overall top view of the base tray 3 is teardrop-shaped. In the circumferential profile of the annular sidewall 32, one side converges inward with a smooth arc to form an inwardly protruding tip 321. Except for the tip 321, the other circumferential positions of the annular sidewall 32 are all outwardly protruding arcs 322. In the first state, the top of the tip 321 is located at the lower position of the base tray 3.

[0039] It should be understood that in the first state, the bottom tray 3 and the crucible 1 are tilted. Since the crucible 1 is held on the bottom tray 3 from above by the clamping mechanism 4, and the two are not welded or bolted together, there is a possibility of local micro-gaps due to processing errors, thermal deformation, or foreign objects. High-temperature molten aluminum has excellent fluidity. Once a gap exists, the molten aluminum will rapidly seep out under gravity. If the seeping molten aluminum flows everywhere, it will solidify on the surface of the bottom tray and may also splash onto critical moving parts such as the rotating mechanism 6 and the tilting mechanism 5, causing equipment jamming, component damage, or even serious safety accidents. The tip 321 can collect the leaked molten aluminum at this point. Furthermore, the top of the tip 321 is located at the lowest point of the entire bottom tray 3. Based on the property that liquids always flow downhill, any molten aluminum seeping from the gap between the crucible 1 and the bottom tray 3 will naturally flow along the wall of the bottom tray 3 towards the lowest point under the influence of gravity. The collected molten aluminum will then drip or flow out in the direction of this tip, rather than spreading randomly. This design transforms destructive, random molten aluminum leakage into predictable and controllable directional discharge, completely avoiding contamination and damage to the core moving parts below. This significantly improves the long-term operational reliability and service life of the equipment.

[0040] like Figure 8 As shown, the bottom wall 31 of the bottom tray 3 is recessed inward in the middle, forming a central recess 311 and an outer annular protrusion 312. The inner diameter of the recess 311 is adapted to the outer diameter of the cylindrical crucible 1.

[0041] In step two, crucible 1 is inserted into the recess 311. The annular protrusion 312 provides a certain positioning effect on the bottom of crucible 1, while also enhancing the sealing effect of the bottom tray 3 on the bottom of crucible 1, reducing the probability of initial aluminum melt overflow. Simultaneously, this recessed design increases the contact surface area between the bottom tray 3 and the slurry, accelerating the cooling rate of the bottom slurry, which is beneficial for obtaining finer microstructures and forming a less flowable bottom slurry in a shorter time, preventing aluminum melt overflow during subsequent stirring. Furthermore, this concave-convex design acts like a reinforcing rib, improving the bottom tray 3's resistance to deformation under high temperature and heavy load, ensuring long-term reliability.

[0042] like Figure 4 , 8As shown, the tip 321 includes an inclined guide surface 320, the inclination angle of which ranges from 15° to 45°. The inclined guide surface 320 has a shape that is narrow at the front end and wide at the rear end. This pre-designed inclined surface ensures that the molten aluminum can flow out smoothly at an appropriate speed, avoiding accumulation and solidification at the tip 321 that could cause blockage, thus ensuring the long-term effectiveness of the guide channel. By optimizing the inclination angle to provide sufficient flow driving force and by accelerating the outflow through shape design, it is ensured that the molten aluminum is discharged before solidification. This fundamentally solves the risk of the guide channel itself being blocked by solidified metal, ensuring the long-term effectiveness and reliability of this safety function.

[0043] like Figure 8 As shown, an annular rib 11 is pre-cast or machined on the outer peripheral wall of the crucible 1. The clamping end of the clamping mechanism 4 does not press directly against the opening of the crucible 1, but rather abuts against this annular rib 11. By pressing the annular rib 11 downwards, a force is generated that presses the crucible 1 firmly against the bottom tray 3, achieving a seal. This arrangement avoids the clamping force acting directly on the weak, open edge of the crucible 1, preventing deformation or damage due to stress concentration and extending the service life of the crucible 1.

[0044] Preferably, the annular rib 11 is disposed in the lower section of the crucible 1, and the distance between the lower surface of the annular rib 11 and the bottom surface of the crucible 1 is slightly greater than the height of the recess 311. The annular rib 11 is a circumferentially continuous, thickened cross-section reinforcing structure, providing a robust, stable, and pressure-bearing platform for the clamping mechanism 4. The clamping force acts on the lower section of the crucible 1, and the force transmission is more direct, ensuring the seal between the bottom of the crucible 1 and the bottom tray 3, preventing aluminum leakage. The distance between the lower surface of the annular rib 11 and the bottom surface of the crucible 1 is slightly greater than the height of the recess 311, so that the lower end of the crucible 1 can be confined within the recess 311, and the annular rib 11 can cover the gap between the lower end of the crucible 1 and the annular convex edge 312 of the bottom tray 3, further improving stability and sealing.

[0045] like Figure 7 As shown, the tilting mechanism 5 includes a servo motor 51, a reducer 52, and a support 53 driven by the servo motor 51. The support 53 includes two connecting arms 531, with the bottom tray 3 fixedly connected to the connecting arms 531 on both sides. The servo motor 51 provides precise angular displacement and torque control, and the reducer 52 amplifies the torque to smoothly support and drive the fully loaded crucible 1. The two-point support structure of the double connecting arms 531 ensures that the bottom tray 3 and the crucible 1 are subjected to uniform force, have good rigidity, and operate stably during tilting and rotation.

[0046] like Figure 8 As shown, the bottom tray 3 has connecting ears 33 on both sides, and the outer end face of the connecting ears 33 has a mounting part 331, on which the clamping mechanism 4 is fixed.

[0047] It should be noted that, such as Figure 8 The connecting lug 33, bracket 53, and base tray 3 are integrally formed. The base tray 3 and connecting lug 33 are cast from the same material. During operation, they are heated and expand simultaneously and at the same rate. This ensures that the relative positional relationship between the mounting part of the clamping mechanism 4 and the sealing surface of the base tray 3 remains unchanged regardless of temperature changes, completely avoiding clamping force loosening or sealing failure caused by uneven thermal expansion.

[0048] like Figure 3-4 As shown, the clamping mechanism 4 includes two sets of pressing assemblies located on both sides of the bottom tray 3. Each pressing assembly includes a cylinder 41, a transmission arm, and a pressing arm 42. The cylinder 41 drives the pressing arm 42 downwards via the transmission arm. The front end of the pressing arm 42 has two spaced-apart pressing fingers 421, located on opposite sides of the crucible 1's circumference. The cylinder 41 provides power, which is amplified by the lever-type transmission arm, ultimately achieving precise and stable downward pressing through the two pressing fingers 421. In this embodiment, the two pressing arms 42 are located on both sides of the crucible 1 in a first direction, and the two pressing fingers 421 of one pressing arm 42 are located on both sides of the crucible 1 in a second direction; this four-point clamping on both sides ensures uniform circumferential force on the crucible 1, preventing poor sealing or damage to the crucible 1 due to unilateral force.

[0049] like Figure 3-4 As shown, the cylinder 41 of the clamping mechanism 4 is a rotary cylinder. The transmission arm is driven to rotate by the cylinder 41, which in turn drives the pressing arm 42 to swing up and down around it. The pressing arm 42 includes two parallel support arms connected to the transmission arm and a vertical wall 422 connecting the two support arms. The lower end of the vertical wall 422 extends outward to form a pressing finger 421.

[0050] like Figure 6 As shown, the rotating mechanism 6 includes a rotary motor 61, an eccentric wheel 62, a first horizontal rail 63, a second horizontal rail 64, a fixed platform 65, a first moving platform 66, and a second moving platform 67. The first horizontal rail 63 and the second horizontal rail 64 are perpendicular to each other. The eccentric wheel 62 is eccentrically connected to the output end of the rotary motor 61 and is fixedly connected below the second moving platform 67. The first moving platform 66 and the second moving platform 67 are slidably connected via the second horizontal rail 64, and the first moving platform 66 and the fixed platform 65 are slidably connected via the first horizontal rail 63. The first moving platform 66 has a hollowed-out U-shaped frame structure.

[0051] The rotating mechanism 6 uses a rotary motor 61 to drive an eccentric wheel 62. The eccentric wheel 62 drives a second moving platform 67, which is connected to a first moving platform 66 via a second horizontal rail 64, moving in the one-dimensional Y direction. The first moving platform 66 is connected to a fixed platform 65 via a first horizontal rail 63, moving in the other dimension X direction. When the rotary motor 61 rotates at a constant speed, it drives the eccentric wheel 62 to perform circular motion. This circular motion can be decomposed into sinusoidal motions in the X and Y directions. Through the transmission of the two-stage moving platforms and rails, it ultimately drives the flipping mechanism 5 and the crucible 1 to form a planar, circular motion trajectory, thus achieving rotation on a horizontal plane. Compared with the traditional rotating shaft structure, this method of achieving circular motion through double rails eliminates the huge centrifugal inertial force generated by the high-speed rotation of the eccentric mass, resulting in very smooth operation, minimal noise and vibration, and is friendly to the equipment foundation and surrounding equipment.

[0052] like Figure 5-7 As shown, the frame 2 has a box-type structure, with the rotating mechanism 6 mounted on it. The rotary motor 61 is housed within a closed housing 21 on the lower side of the frame 2. The entire rotary motor 61 is installed within the closed housing 21 at the bottom of the frame 2. The fixed platform 65 is the upper surface of the closed housing 21, with the eccentric wheel 62 extending out of the closed housing 21. The first horizontal rail 63, the second horizontal rail 64, the first moving platform 66, and the second moving platform 67 are located on the upper side of the closed housing 21. The entire drive mechanism is concealed under the second moving platform 67, achieving separation of the power unit and the working unit, facilitating maintenance and cleaning. The lower structure protects the motor from dust and high temperatures on site.

[0053] like Figure 1-2 As shown, the system integrates multiple workstations, each equipped with a base tray 3, a clamping mechanism 4, a tilting mechanism 5, and a rotating mechanism 6. Each workstation's clamping mechanism 4, tilting mechanism 5, and rotating mechanism 6 operate independently. Each workstation is equipped with a separate protective cover 7 to shield the rotating mechanism 6.

[0054] Preferably, such as Figure 4 , 6As shown in Figure 7, the flipping mechanism 5 is fixed to the front side of the second moving platform 67. Supporting bars 8 are provided on both sides of each workstation, with the height of the supporting bars 8 exceeding that of the second moving platform 67. A front baffle 9 is located below the second moving platform 67 on the front side of each workstation. The front end of the second moving platform 67 has a forward-protruding protrusion 671, on which the flipping mechanism 5 is fixed. Notches are formed on both sides of the protrusion 671. The protective cover 7 includes a top wall 71, a rear wall 72, and two mutually separated inclined front walls 73. The top wall is supported by the supporting bars above the supporting bars, and the rear wall 72 bends downwards to the rear side of the supporting bars 8. The space between the two inclined front walls 73 avoids the protrusion 671. The inclined front walls 73 tilt downwards from back to front to meet the front baffle 9, thereby enclosing the entire rotating mechanism 6 within the space enclosed by the front baffle and supporting bars.

[0055] This invention introduces a crucible-type semi-solid pulping machine and a semi-solid pulping method. Specific examples are used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of the invention. The descriptions of these embodiments are merely for the purpose of helping to understand the invention and its core ideas. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various improvements and modifications to the invention without departing from its principles, and these improvements and modifications also fall within the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A crucible-type semi-solid pulping machine, characterized in that: It includes a crucible, a frame, and a bottom tray, clamping mechanism, flipping mechanism and rotating mechanism integrated on the frame; The flipping mechanism is mounted on the rotating mechanism, and the bottom tray and the clamping mechanism are both connected to the flipping mechanism. The flipping mechanism can adjust the angle between the bottom tray and the horizontal plane by rotation. The crucible is a cylindrical structure with open ends. The clamping mechanism can press the crucible onto the bottom tray, and the bottom tray can close the open bottom end of the crucible. The bottom tray includes a bottom wall and an upwardly extending annular sidewall, the annular sidewall expanding outwardly along the height direction; The overall top view of the bottom tray is teardrop-shaped; in the circumferential profile of the annular sidewall, one side is a smooth arc that converges inward to form an inwardly protruding tip; except for the tip, the other circumferential positions of the annular sidewall are all outwardly protruding arcs. The pulping machine has three working states: First state: The flipping mechanism drives the crucible to flip forward, so that the opening of the crucible is tilted forward to realize the feeding operation, and the top of the tip is located at the low position of the bottom tray; Second state: The flipping mechanism is adjusted so that the opening of the crucible is vertically upward. At this time, the rotating mechanism is running, which drives the flipping mechanism and thus drives the crucible to rotate on the horizontal plane. Third state: The flipping mechanism drives the crucible to flip backward to realize the material feeding operation.

2. The crucible-type semi-solid pulping machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom wall of the tray is recessed inward in the middle, forming a central recess and an outer annular protrusion.

3. The crucible-type semi-solid pulping machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flipping mechanism includes a servo motor, a reducer, and a bracket driven by the servo motor. The bracket includes two connecting arms, and the two sides of the bottom tray are respectively fixedly connected to the connecting arms.

4. The crucible-type semi-solid pulping machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer peripheral wall of the crucible is provided with annular ribs, and the clamping mechanism abuts against the annular ribs to press the crucible tightly onto the bottom tray.

5. The crucible-type semi-solid pulping machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rotating mechanism includes a rotary motor, an eccentric wheel, a first horizontal rail, a second horizontal rail, a fixed platform, a first moving platform, and a second moving platform; the first horizontal rail and the second horizontal rail are perpendicular to each other; The eccentric wheel is eccentrically connected to the output end of the rotary motor, and the eccentric wheel is fixedly connected below the second moving platform; the first moving platform and the second moving platform are slidably connected through the second horizontal rail, and the first moving platform and the fixed platform are slidably connected through the first horizontal rail.

6. The crucible-type semi-solid pulping machine according to claim 5, characterized in that: The frame is a box-type structure, the rotating mechanism is mounted on the frame, and the rotating motor is mounted inside the enclosed box on the lower side of the frame; The fixed platform is the upper plane of the closed box, the eccentric wheel extends out of the closed box, the first horizontal rail, the second horizontal rail, the first moving platform and the second moving platform are located on the upper side of the closed box; the frame is provided with a protective cover.

7. The crucible-type semi-solid pulping machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tip includes an inclined drainage surface, which is narrow at the front end and wide at the rear end, and the inclination angle of the inclined drainage surface is in the range of 15-45°.

8. The crucible-type semi-solid pulping machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The clamping mechanism includes two sets of pressing components located on both sides of the bottom tray. The pressing components include a cylinder, a transmission arm, and a pressing arm. The cylinder drives the pressing arm to press down through the transmission arm. The front end of the pressing arm is provided with two spaced-apart pressing fingers, which are located on both sides of the circumference of the crucible.

9. The semi-solid pulping method of the crucible-type semi-solid pulping machine according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that... Includes the following steps: Step 1: The flipping mechanism flips the bottom tray to a horizontal position; Step 2: The crucible is placed vertically on the bottom tray using a robotic arm; Step 3: The clamping mechanism is activated to press the crucible onto the bottom tray; Step 4: The flipping mechanism drives the bottom tray to flip forward, causing the opening of the crucible to tilt forward; Step 5: Pour the molten aluminum into the crucible; Step Six: The flipping mechanism flips the bottom tray back to a horizontal state, so that the opening of the crucible is vertically upward; Step 7: The rotating mechanism is activated and drives the crucible to rotate on the horizontal plane to stir the molten aluminum inside the crucible; Step 8: The molten aluminum in the crucible gradually transforms into a semi-solid state; Step 9: The flipping mechanism drives the bottom tray to flip backward, so that the crucible is in a horizontal position with its opening facing backward; Step 10: The robotic arm grasps the crucible, and at the same time the clamping mechanism loosens, removing the crucible from the bottom tray; Step 11: The pusher enters from the bottom opening of the crucible and pushes the semi-solid slurry inside the crucible into the die-casting machine's material pool.

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