A conveying device for UV printing of Christmas balls

Abstract

The application discloses a conveying device for UV printing of Christmas balls, and relates to the technical field of Christmas ball processing equipment. The conveying device comprises a horizontal conveying cylinder installed on a conveying frame, and an arc cover is communicated with the end of the horizontal conveying cylinder. A butt joint pipe is rotatably arranged on the conveying frame and is butt jointed with a factory wind power device generating negative pressure. A conveying box is fixed to the top of the butt joint pipe, is attached to the inner wall of the arc cover, and is selectively communicated with the butt joint pipe. A flat part is arranged on the conveying box. The conveying device for UV printing of Christmas balls integrates functions of pneumatic conveying, impurity cleaning, positioning and shielding, rotating conveying and pollution protection, realizes stable conveying, solves the problems of slippage and deviation of traditional belt conveying, and saves manual positioning and shielding and other complicated procedures. The stability, accuracy and automation degree of the conveying of Christmas balls are greatly improved, the continuity and efficiency of the UV printing process are ensured, and the use efficiency of the conveying device is improved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of Christmas ball processing equipment, in particular to a conveying device for UV printing of Christmas balls. BACKGROUND

[0002] Christmas ball UV printing is a process of printing patterns on the surface of Christmas balls using UV printing technology. It can present high-precision, bright and durable patterns on Christmas balls made of glass, metal, plastic and other materials by curing ink with ultraviolet light. A conveying device is needed during Christmas ball UV printing.

[0003] In the prior art, a belt conveyor is usually used to convey Christmas balls. However, since Christmas balls are mostly spherical in structure, the contact area with the belt is small, which can easily cause slipping and unstable conveying, and the use efficiency needs to be improved.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a conveying device for UV printing of Christmas balls to solve the above problems. SUMMARY

[0005] The present application aims to provide a conveying device for UV printing of Christmas balls to solve the problem that in the prior art, a belt conveyor is usually used to convey Christmas balls, but since Christmas balls are mostly spherical in structure, the contact area with the belt is small, which can easily cause slipping and unstable conveying, and the use efficiency needs to be improved.

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present application provides the following technical scheme: a conveying device for UV printing of Christmas balls, comprising a horizontal conveying cylinder mounted on a conveying frame, and an arc cover communicated with the end of the horizontal conveying cylinder;

[0007] A butt joint pipe is rotatably arranged on the conveying frame and connected with a factory wind power device. A conveying box is fixed to the top of the butt joint pipe and attached to the inner wall of the arc cover. The conveying box is selectively communicated with the butt joint pipe. A flat part is arranged on the conveying box, and a positioning groove for the body of a Christmas ball is arranged at the flat part.

[0008] An extension cylinder is arranged at the positioning groove. The outer diameter of the extension cylinder is smaller than the inner diameter of the positioning groove. The end of the extension cylinder close to the arc cover has a suction hole. The extension cylinder is selectively communicated with the butt joint pipe. An electric push rod is arranged in the conveying box to drive the extension cylinder to move.

[0009] Preferably, a plurality of fixed blocks are arranged on the inner wall of the horizontal conveying cylinder, and the fixed blocks are arranged in a staggered manner.

[0010] Preferably, the end of the horizontal conveying cylinder away from the arc cover is connected to a vertical conveying cylinder, and the horizontal and vertical conveying cylinders are arranged in an L-shape. The interior of the vertical conveying cylinder is provided with a feeding ball component, and the feeding ball component has a receiving groove for the Christmas ball to enter.

[0011] Preferably, a second motor that drives the feeding ball to rotate is installed on the outside of the vertical conveyor cylinder.

[0012] Preferably, the feeding ball is provided with a first connecting hole, a second connecting hole and a third connecting hole, the receiving groove, the first connecting hole, the second connecting hole and the third connecting hole are connected in sequence, and the third connecting hole penetrates the outer wall of the feeding ball. The diameters of the first connecting hole, the third connecting hole and the second connecting hole increase in sequence. A sliding plate is slidably arranged inside the second connecting hole. The sliding plate has side holes, and the side holes are staggered with the first connecting hole.

[0013] Preferably, the bottom of the conveyor box is provided with a docking hole, and the conveyor box is connected to the connecting pipe through the docking hole. A first solenoid valve is installed at the top of the connecting pipe.

[0014] Preferably, the telescopic cylinder is connected to a connecting pipe, the end of the connecting pipe away from the telescopic cylinder passes through the bottom of the conveyor box and is connected to the middle section of the connecting pipe, and a second solenoid valve is fixedly installed on the connecting pipe.

[0015] Preferably, the conveyor frame is provided with a drive assembly for rotating the coupling pipe. The drive assembly includes a first gear, a second gear, and a first motor. The first motor is fixedly connected to the conveyor frame, the second gear is fixedly connected to the drive shaft of the first motor, the first gear is fixedly connected to the coupling pipe, and the first gear and the second gear are meshed together.

[0016] Preferably, the top of the vertical conveyor cylinder is connected to a temporary storage hopper.

[0017] Preferably, the arc cover has a through groove, and the arc cover is connected to the horizontal conveyor cylinder through the through groove.

[0018] The technical effects and advantages of this invention are as follows:

[0019] 1. This invention integrates functions such as pneumatic conveying, impurity cleaning, positioning and shielding, rotational conveying and pollution protection, to achieve stable conveying and solve the slippage and deviation problems of traditional belt conveying. At the same time, it eliminates tedious manual positioning and shielding procedures, greatly improves the stability, accuracy and automation of Christmas ball conveying, ensures the continuity and efficiency of UV printing process, and improves the utilization efficiency of conveying equipment.

[0020] 2. This invention uses an integrated structure design of positioning groove and conveyor box to simultaneously protect areas that do not need to be printed by utilizing the shielding function of the conveyor box. The entire process requires no additional manual operation, the shielding accuracy is high and it will not damage the surface of the Christmas ball, which greatly simplifies the process flow and improves the efficiency and product consistency of mass production.

[0021] 3. By setting up structures such as telescopic cylinders and electric push rods, this invention utilizes the telescopic switching of the telescopic cylinder to extend the suction time, add fixed position, and provide transfer protection, thereby further improving the efficiency of the conveying equipment.

[0022] 4. This invention achieves intermittent, single-ball feeding of Christmas balls by setting up structures such as feeding ball parts and receiving grooves;

[0023] 5. By setting up structures such as sliding plates and side holes, this invention helps to create a brief negative pressure state inside the horizontal conveying cylinder, generating stronger adsorption attraction, improving the adsorption effect, and ensuring the stability of material feeding. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the conveying device for UV printing Christmas balls according to the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the conveying device for UV printing Christmas balls according to the present invention from another perspective.

[0026] Figure 3 For the present invention Figure 2 Enlarged schematic diagram of the structure at point A in the middle.

[0027] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the conveying device used for UV printing of Christmas balls according to the present invention.

[0028] Figure 5 For the present invention Figure 4 Enlarged schematic diagram of the structure at point B.

[0029] Figure 6 For the present invention Figure 4 Enlarged schematic diagram of the structure at point C.

[0030] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the slider and side hole structure of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the blanking ball and the Christmas ball structure of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the telescopic cylinder structure under the interception and limiting conditions of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 10 For the present invention Figure 9Enlarged schematic diagram of the structure at point D.

[0034] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the unloading ball structure under the transmission conditions of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the arc cover and through groove structure of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the delivery box and planar structure of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the Christmas ball structure in the transmission scenario of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the Christmas ball structure under UV printing according to the present invention.

[0039] Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the Christmas ball of the present invention.

[0040] In the diagram: 1. Conveyor frame; 2. Horizontal conveyor cylinder; 3. Vertical conveyor cylinder; 4. Arc cover; 401. Through slot; 5. Conveyor box; 501. Flat part; 502. Positioning slot; 6. Connecting pipe; 7. Docking hole; 8. First solenoid valve; 9. Telescopic cylinder; 10. Suction hole; 11. Connecting pipe; 12. Second solenoid valve; 13. Electric push rod; 14. First gear; 15. First motor; 16. Second gear; 17. Receiving slot; 18. First connecting hole; 19. Second connecting hole; 20. Third connecting hole; 21. Sliding plate; 22. Side hole; 23. Temporary storage hopper; 24. Christmas ball body; 25. Unloading ball part; 26. Second motor; 27. Fixing block. Detailed Implementation

[0041] This invention provides, for example Figures 1-16 The device shown is a conveyor for UV printing Christmas balls, including a conveyor frame 1. The conveyor frame 1 is fixedly installed on the factory floor by anchor bolts or expansion bolts to ensure the stability of the overall structure during operation.

[0042] A horizontal conveyor cylinder 2 is fixedly installed on the conveyor frame 1. The length of the horizontal conveyor cylinder 2 can be adjusted according to the specific application scenario, such as 5 to 8 meters. One end of the horizontal conveyor cylinder 2 is connected to a vertical conveyor cylinder 3. The horizontal conveyor cylinder 2 and the vertical conveyor cylinder 3 are arranged in an L-shape to realize the turning and conveying of Christmas balls in the horizontal and vertical directions. At the same time, the horizontal conveyor cylinder 2 can also be set at an angle, with the end away from the vertical conveyor cylinder 3 tilted downward at 3 to 8 degrees. The slope design utilizes gravity to assist the movement of the Christmas ball 24. The tilt angle can be adjusted according to the material, weight and conveying speed requirements of the Christmas ball 24.

[0043] The inner diameters of both the horizontal conveyor cylinder 2 and the vertical conveyor cylinder 3 are slightly larger than the diameter of the Christmas ball 24, ensuring that the Christmas ball 24 can pass through smoothly while preventing it from shifting significantly inside the cylinder. In addition, the inner walls of the horizontal conveyor cylinder 2 and the vertical conveyor cylinder 3 are polished to form a smooth surface, which can effectively reduce the frictional resistance experienced by the Christmas ball 24 during the conveying process, ensuring that the ball can slide stably inside the cylinder and avoiding surface scratches or conveying jams.

[0044] The top of the vertical conveyor cylinder 3 is fixedly connected to a temporary storage hopper 23. The temporary storage hopper 23 adopts a wide-mouth structure design that is wider at the top and narrower at the bottom. Its top inlet diameter is larger than its bottom outlet diameter, which makes it convenient for operators to quickly pour the entire box of Christmas balls 24 into it. After the Christmas balls 24 are poured into the temporary storage hopper 23, they are smoothly guided into the interior of the vertical conveyor cylinder 3 by the inner wall.

[0045] Furthermore, this invention is particularly suitable for spherical Christmas ball 24 with a smooth outer surface, and UV printing can be performed only on a portion of the Christmas ball 24 to achieve differentiated design and enhance aesthetics. (Refer to...) Figure 16 The filled area is the printing area.

[0046] Considering that the Christmas ball 24 is relatively light and relies solely on its own weight to roll and transport within the horizontal conveyor cylinder 2, the efficiency is low. In addition, some Christmas balls 24 have been stored in the factory warehouse for a long time and have dust on their outer surface. If UV printing is performed directly after transport, it will affect the print quality, and the dust will accumulate in the horizontal conveyor cylinder 2, reducing the transport efficiency. To improve processing efficiency, an arc cover 4 is fixed at the end of the horizontal conveyor cylinder 2 away from the vertical conveyor cylinder 3. A through groove 401 is provided on the arc cover 4, which is connected to the horizontal conveyor cylinder 2. The inner diameter of the through groove 401 is the same as the inner diameter of the horizontal conveyor cylinder 2.

[0047] A connecting pipe 6 is rotatably mounted on the conveyor frame 1 via bearings. Its bottom end is sealed and connected to the factory's negative pressure generating wind power equipment via a rotary joint. This wind power equipment consists of a pump body, control valve, conveying pipe, and filter components (not shown in the figure). A conveyor box 5 is fixedly connected to the top of the connecting pipe 6. A docking hole 7 is provided at the bottom of the conveyor box 5, which communicates with the connecting pipe 6 through the docking hole 7. The conveyor box 5 is fitted against the inner wall of the arc cover 4, and can close the end of the arc cover 4 away from the horizontal conveyor cylinder 2 (see reference). Figure 1 , Figure 2 Furthermore, the UV printing equipment can be set on the side of the transfer box 5 facing away from the horizontal transfer cylinder 2 (not shown in the figure).

[0048] It should be noted that a third solenoid valve is installed at the connection between the connecting pipe 6 and the wind power equipment. When the third solenoid valve is opened, outside air can enter and the negative pressure state can be released.

[0049] In actual use, the inner wall of the arc cover 4 is equipped with structures such as rubber sealing gaskets to reduce wear and ensure sealing effect.

[0050] The side wall of the transport box 5 is provided with a flat part 501, and the other part of the side wall is arc-shaped. The arc cover 4 can cover the entire flat part 501. A positioning groove 502 is provided at the flat part 501. The positioning groove 502 is connected to the inner cavity of the transport box 5. The size of the positioning groove 502 can be adjusted according to the specific use. The Christmas ball 24 will not pass directly through the positioning groove 502. Because of the flat part 501, when the Christmas ball 24 is attached and positioned at the positioning groove 502, the arc cover 4 does not affect the transport box 5 from rotating the Christmas ball 24 so that it can be rotated and transported into the UV printing process.

[0051] When the Christmas ball 24 is attached to the inner wall of the positioning groove 502 (refer to...) Figure 15 The conveyor box 5 can cover the areas of the Christmas ball 24 that do not need to be printed, leaving only the specific areas that need to be printed exposed outside the conveyor box 5. This ensures that the UV printing equipment can accurately target the area. Compared with the existing technology that uses stickers or other methods to cover the Christmas ball 24, especially since the Christmas ball 24 is spherical and the operation is cumbersome, this invention uses the integrated structure design of the positioning groove 502 and the conveyor box 5 to simultaneously complete the protection of the areas that do not need to be printed by utilizing the covering function of the conveyor box 5. The whole process does not require additional manual operation, the covering accuracy is high and it will not damage the surface of the Christmas ball, which greatly simplifies the process flow and improves the efficiency and product consistency of mass production.

[0052] Rubber sealing rings can be installed on the inner wall of the positioning groove 502 to reduce wear and improve sealing.

[0053] Furthermore, the flat part 501 is made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), silicone, or metal material treated with Teflon coating, making it difficult for UV ink to adhere, and even if a small amount is splashed, it can be easily wiped away.

[0054] A first solenoid valve 8 is installed at the top of the connecting pipe 6. When the first solenoid valve 8 is opened, the connecting pipe 6 and the transfer box 5 are in a connected state; when the first solenoid valve 8 is closed, the connecting pipe 6 and the transfer box 5 are not in a connected state, thereby using the first solenoid valve 8 to achieve selective connection between the transfer box 5 and the connecting pipe 6.

[0055] Specifically, after the Christmas ball 24 enters the horizontal conveyor 2 from the vertical conveyor 3, the first solenoid valve 8 is opened. Through the connecting pipe 6, docking hole 7, conveyor box 5, and positioning groove 502, the Christmas ball 24 is drawn inwards towards the conveyor box 5, achieving pneumatic conveying. Simultaneously, impurities adhering to the exterior of the Christmas ball 24 are removed, achieving impurity removal. When the Christmas ball 24 is adsorbed and adheres to the inner wall of the positioning groove 502, the first solenoid valve 8 is closed, maintaining a negative pressure inside the conveyor box 5. The Christmas ball 24 is positioned on the conveyor box 5, achieving positioning. Furthermore, the positioning groove 502 and the conveyor box 5 work together to shield the Christmas ball 24, facilitating subsequent UV printing, achieving shielding.

[0056] Then, the connecting pipe 6 drives the conveyor box 5 to rotate, so that the Christmas ball 24 faces the UV printing equipment. At this time, the Christmas ball 24 is misaligned with the arc cover 4 (see reference). Figure 15 This enables the rotation and transmission function, and the UV printing equipment prints the Christmas ball 24.

[0057] When the Christmas ball 24 is being UV printed, the transfer box 5 still closes the end of the arc cover 4 away from the horizontal transfer cylinder 2 to prevent UV ink from splashing directly into the arc cover 4.

[0058] In summary, this invention integrates functions such as pneumatic conveying, impurity cleaning, positioning and shielding, rotational conveying, and pollution protection, achieving stable conveying and solving the slippage and deviation problems of traditional belt conveyors. At the same time, it eliminates cumbersome procedures such as manual positioning and shielding, greatly improving the stability, accuracy, and automation of Christmas ball conveying, ensuring the continuity and efficiency of the UV printing process, and improving the utilization efficiency of the conveying equipment.

[0059] In actual use, a pressure sensor and other structures can be installed inside the transfer box 5. Specifically, a controller can be set up to connect between the first solenoid valve 8 and the pressure sensor. When the Christmas ball 24 is attached to the inner wall of the positioning groove 502, the pressure sensor detects that the pressure exceeds the set threshold and transmits this information to the controller. The controller controls the first solenoid valve 8 to close to prevent excessive suction. The pressure sensor, controller and their control principle are common existing technologies and will not be described in detail here.

[0060] To enable the rotation of the conveyor box 5 and the connecting pipe 6, a drive assembly is provided on the conveyor frame 1 to drive the connecting pipe 6 to rotate. The drive assembly includes a first gear 14, a second gear 16, and a first motor 15. The first motor 15 is fixedly connected to the conveyor frame 1, the second gear 16 is fixedly connected to the drive shaft of the first motor 15, and the first gear 14 is fixedly connected to the connecting pipe 6. The first gear 14 and the second gear 16 are meshed together. The first motor 15 drives the second gear 16 to rotate. Because the first gear 14 and the second gear 16 are meshed together, the first gear 14 rotates, which in turn drives the connecting pipe 6 and the conveyor box 5 to rotate.

[0061] Considering that the suction of the Christmas ball 24 is only performed during the movement and conveying of the Christmas ball 24, the time is short and the impurity removal effect is generally average. In order to ensure the suction time, a telescopic cylinder 9 is installed in the positioning groove 502. The telescopic cylinder 9 is concentrically set with the positioning groove 502. The end of the telescopic cylinder 9 near the arc cover 4 is set to be concave to fit the shape of the Christmas ball 24. A suction hole 10 is opened through this part. At the same time, a rubber sealing gasket is set at the end of the telescopic cylinder 9 near the Christmas ball 24 to reduce wear and improve sealing.

[0062] The outer diameter of the telescopic cylinder 9 is smaller than the inner diameter of the positioning groove 502. When the non-printed area of ​​the Christmas ball 24 is attached to one end of the telescopic cylinder 9 near the arc cover 4, the telescopic cylinder 9 will not completely block the non-printed area, thus making it easier for the operator to move the Christmas ball 24 by contacting and gripping the non-printed area.

[0063] The inside of the conveyor box 5 is equipped with an electric push rod 13. The fixed end of the electric push rod 13 is fixedly installed on the inner wall of the conveyor box 5. The telescopic cylinder 9 is fixedly connected to the telescopic end of the electric push rod 13. The electric push rod 13 drives the telescopic cylinder 9 to move, and the telescopic cylinder 9 can extend outward from the positioning groove 502.

[0064] A connecting pipe 11 is connected to the telescopic cylinder 9. The end of the connecting pipe 11 away from the telescopic cylinder 9 passes through the bottom of the conveyor box 5 and is connected to the middle section of the connecting pipe 6. The joint between the connecting pipe 11 and the connecting pipe 6 is located below the first solenoid valve 8. A second solenoid valve 12 is fixedly installed on the connecting pipe 11. When the second solenoid valve 12 is opened, the connecting pipe 6 and the telescopic cylinder 9 are in a connected state. When the second solenoid valve 12 is closed, the connecting pipe 6 and the telescopic cylinder 9 are in a disconnected state. Thus, the second solenoid valve 12 is used to achieve selective connection between the connecting pipe 6 and the telescopic cylinder 9.

[0065] Meanwhile, the part where the connecting pipe 11 connects to the telescopic cylinder 9 is made of telescopic pipe material, which does not affect the movement of the telescopic cylinder 9. The part where the connecting pipe 11 connects to the connecting pipe 6 is made of hard material, such as stainless steel, which does not affect the stable connection with the connecting pipe 6. Similarly, pressure sensors and other structures are also installed at the telescopic cylinder 9 to prevent excessive suction.

[0066] In actual operation, before the Christmas ball 24 is conveyed, the telescopic end of the electric push rod 13 is extended, causing the telescopic cylinder 9 to extend outward from the positioning groove 502 (refer to...). Figure 9 The first solenoid valve 8 is then opened, and the Christmas ball 24 is moved towards the conveyor box 5 by suction through the connecting pipe 6, docking hole 7, conveying box 5, and positioning groove 502. Due to the interception and limitation of the telescopic cylinder 9, the Christmas ball 24 is located at the through groove 401. At this time, the Christmas ball 24 will not directly adhere to the inner wall edge of the positioning groove 502, and will remain in the state of being suctioned from the positioning groove 502, thus extending the suction time and ensuring suction efficiency.

[0067] The telescopic end of the control electric push rod 13 is retracted, and the telescopic cylinder 9 is retracted into the interior of the transfer box 5 (see reference). Figure 4 , Figure 5 Under the suction force, the Christmas ball 24 adheres to the inner wall of the positioning groove 502, and the first solenoid valve 8 is closed, so that the inside of the transfer box 5 is kept in a negative pressure state, thus completing the positioning of the Christmas ball 24. Next, the telescopic cylinder 9 is controlled to adhere to the outer wall of the Christmas ball 24, and the second solenoid valve 12 is opened. The connecting pipe 6, connecting pipe 11, telescopic cylinder 9, and suction hole 10 adsorb and fix the Christmas ball 24. Then the second solenoid valve 12 is closed, so that the inside of the telescopic cylinder 9 is kept in a negative pressure state, thus completing the second fixation and improving the stability of the positioning.

[0068] After printing, UV ink is cured using methods such as ultraviolet irradiation. However, due to factors such as ink characteristics and printing layer thickness, problems such as "surface dry but interior not dry," insufficient surface hardness, and residual stickiness may occur. To ensure complete cross-linking and curing of the printing layer and avoid scratches, adhesion, and other damage in subsequent processes, it is usually necessary to allow it to cure for a certain period of time. However, to improve processing efficiency, the Christmas ball 24 needs to be removed promptly and placed in a curing rack or similar location in the factory for curing before processing the next Christmas ball 24. This invention utilizes the positioning groove 502 and the transfer box 5 to shield the Christmas ball 24, meaning that all areas exposed outside the transfer box 5 are printed. If the Christmas ball 24 is picked up by an operator or robotic arm, or is pushed out directly and falls, the printed layer may be damaged. Therefore, in actual operation, after printing is completed, the first solenoid valve 8 is opened to allow external gas to enter the transfer box 5 and release the negative pressure. Then, the telescopic end of the electric push rod 13 is extended, so that the telescopic cylinder 9 extends outward from the positioning groove 502. The non-printed area of ​​the Christmas ball 24 is moved to the outside of the transfer box 5, which facilitates the transfer of the Christmas ball 24 by gripping the non-printed area, avoiding damage to the printed layer and playing a protective role during transfer. When gripping and transferring, the second solenoid valve 12 is opened to allow external gas to enter the telescopic cylinder 9 and release the negative pressure.

[0069] Next, the telescopic cylinder 9, the conveyor box 5, etc. can be quickly reset, so that the positioning slot 502 and the arc cover 4 correspond again, and the next Christmas ball 24 can be quickly conveyed.

[0070] In summary, by setting up structures such as the telescopic cylinder 9 and the electric push rod 13, the present invention utilizes the telescopic switching of the telescopic cylinder 9 to extend the suction time, add fixed position, and provide transfer protection, thereby further improving the efficiency of the conveying equipment.

[0071] In addition, a fixing block 27 is fixed on the inner wall of the horizontal conveying cylinder 2. Multiple fixing blocks 27 are provided and are distributed in an alternating manner. The fixing blocks 27 are designed to be small in size so as not to obstruct the conveying of the Christmas ball 24 inside the horizontal conveying cylinder 2. At the same time, the fixing blocks 27 are made of wear-resistant and soft materials such as silicone or ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, so as not to cause scratches or wear when in contact with the surface of the Christmas ball 24.

[0072] During the conveying process, when the Christmas ball 24 is conveyed by the airflow, it will randomly flip when it touches the fixed block 27, so that all areas of the surface of the Christmas ball 24 can fully contact the airflow, thereby achieving the comprehensive removal of all impurities attached to the surface of the Christmas ball 24, further improving the efficiency of impurity removal, and providing a reliable guarantee for the surface cleanliness of subsequent UV printing.

[0073] To achieve intermittent feeding of Christmas ball 24, a feeding component 25 is provided inside the vertical conveyor cylinder 3. The feeding component 25 has a receiving groove 17 for the Christmas ball 24 to enter. The receiving groove 17 has a U-shaped cross-section (see reference). Figure 6 It can only accommodate a single Christmas ball 24 and does not affect the rotation of the Christmas ball 24 driven by the unloading ball part 25; a second motor 26 is provided on the outside of the vertical conveyor cylinder 3. The second motor 26 is fixed on the outer wall of the vertical conveyor cylinder 3, and a shaft hole is opened on the wall of the vertical conveyor cylinder 3 for the drive shaft of the second motor 26 to pass through, so that the unloading ball part 25 is driven to rotate by the second motor 26.

[0074] The rotation of the second motor 26 can drive the feeding ball 25 to switch angles within the vertical conveyor cylinder 3, so that the receiving groove 17 can switch between vertically upward (for a single Christmas ball 24 to slide in) and vertically downward (for releasing a single Christmas ball 24 to the horizontal conveyor cylinder 2), thereby realizing intermittent, single-ball feeding of the Christmas ball 24.

[0075] The feeding ball component 25 is made of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), which has the characteristics of high wear resistance and low coefficient of friction. It will not cause scratches or wear when in contact with the surface of the Christmas ball 24. At the same time, it has good toughness and strong impact resistance, and can maintain structural stability during periodic rotation and contact with the Christmas ball. In addition, the feeding ball component 25 is covered with a rubber ball sleeve, which enhances the fit and sealing between the feeding ball component 25 and the inner wall of the vertical conveyor cylinder 3 and reduces wear.

[0076] In summary, by setting up structures such as the feeding ball component 25 and the receiving groove 17, the intermittent, single-ball feeding of the Christmas ball 24 can be achieved.

[0077] To improve the stability of the Christmas ball 24 rotating driven by the unloading ball part 25, a first connecting hole 18, a second connecting hole 19, and a third connecting hole 20 are provided on the unloading ball part 25. The receiving groove 17, the first connecting hole 18, the second connecting hole 19, and the third connecting hole 20 are connected in sequence, and the third connecting hole 20 penetrates the outer wall of the unloading ball part 25. The diameters of the first connecting hole 18, the third connecting hole 20, and the second connecting hole 19 increase in size in sequence. A sliding piece 21 is slidably arranged inside the second connecting hole 19. The sliding piece 21 has side holes 22, and the side holes 22 are staggered with the first connecting hole 18.

[0078] Specifically, when the receiving groove 17 is vertically upward (refer to...) Figure 6 The first connecting hole 18 is located above the third connecting hole 20. Due to its own gravity, the slider 21 slides downward inside the second connecting hole 19. When it slides to the bottom of the second connecting hole 19, the side hole 22 connects with the third connecting hole 20. At this time, the third connecting hole 20, the side hole 22, the second connecting hole 19, the first connecting hole 18, and the receiving groove 17 are connected in sequence. When the receiving groove 17 is vertically downward (refer to...),Figure 10 The first connecting hole 18 is located below the third connecting hole 20. Due to its own gravity, the slider 21 slides downward inside the second connecting hole 19. When it slides to the bottom of the second connecting hole 19, the side hole 22 is offset from the first connecting hole 18, and the slider 21 can close the top of the first connecting hole 18.

[0079] In actual use, the outer wall of the slide plate 21 and the inner wall of the second connecting hole 19 are made smooth, and structures such as ball bearings can be provided to ensure that the slide plate 21 slides smoothly. At the same time, a rubber pad is provided on the side of the slide plate 21 that is close to the first connecting hole 18.

[0080] During the conveying process, the unloading ball 25 rotates to... Figure 11 In this state, there is a gap between the feeding ball 25 and the inner wall of the vertical conveyor cylinder 3, allowing external gas to enter the vertical conveyor cylinder 3, thus creating a conveying airflow inside the horizontal conveyor cylinder 2.

[0081] At the end of the transfer process, control the receiving tank 17 to be vertically downward (refer to...). Figure 10 When the sliding plate 21 closes the top of the first connecting hole 18, the feeding ball 25 isolates the vertical conveying cylinder 3, and the external gas cannot enter the horizontal conveying cylinder 2 from the vertical conveying cylinder 3. When the horizontal conveying cylinder 2 is sucked, a short-term negative pressure state can be formed in the horizontal conveying cylinder 2, generating stronger adsorption attraction and improving the suction effect.

[0082] When it is necessary to feed material again, the receiving tank 17 will be vertically upward again (refer to...). Figure 6 A single Christmas ball 24 slides in, at which point the third connecting hole 20, the side hole 22, the second connecting hole 19, the first connecting hole 18, and the receiving groove 17 are connected in sequence. Suction is achieved through the connecting pipe 6, the docking hole 7, the conveying box 5, and the positioning groove 502. Due to the suction, negative pressure is created at positions such as the second connecting hole 19 and the first connecting hole 18, positioning the Christmas ball 24 in the receiving groove 17. Initially, when the second motor 26 drives the unloading ball component 25 to rotate, the Christmas ball 24 will not escape from the receiving groove 17, ensuring the stability of the unloading process. Once the unloading ball component 25 rotates to... Figure 11 When the pressure is released, external gas is introduced to relieve the negative pressure until the receiving tank 17 is vertically downward, thus completing the unloading process.

[0083] In summary, by setting up structures such as the sliding plate 21 and the side hole 22, a brief negative pressure state is formed inside the horizontal conveying cylinder 2, which generates stronger adsorption attraction, improves the adsorption effect, and ensures the stability of material feeding.

[0084] The first solenoid valve 8, the second solenoid valve 12, the first motor 15, the second motor 26, and other structures are all connected to the factory's power supply and adopt an automated control system. The automated control system includes a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller), a sensor detection module, a human-machine interaction module, etc., to realize fully automated coordination of processes such as Christmas ball feeding, conveying, positioning, and printing, without the need for manual operation.

Claims

1. A conveying device for UV printing of Christmas balls, comprising a horizontal conveyor cylinder (2) mounted on a conveyor frame (1), characterized in that: The end of the horizontal conveyor cylinder (2) is connected to an arc cover (4). The conveyor frame (1) is rotatably provided with a connecting pipe (6) that connects to the factory wind power equipment that generates negative pressure. A conveyor box (5) is fixed on the top of the connecting pipe (6). The conveyor box (5) is attached to the inner wall of the arc cover (4), and the conveyor box (5) is selectively connected to the connecting pipe (6). A flat part (501) is provided on the conveyor box (5), and a positioning groove (502) for the Christmas ball (24) to attach is provided at the flat part (501). A telescopic cylinder (9) is inserted through the positioning groove (502). The outer diameter of the telescopic cylinder (9) is smaller than the inner diameter of the positioning groove (502). The end of the telescopic cylinder (9) near the arc cover (4) has a suction hole (10). The telescopic cylinder (9) is selectively connected to the connecting pipe (6). An electric push rod (13) that drives the telescopic cylinder (9) to move is installed inside the transfer box (5). The horizontal conveyor cylinder (2) is set at an angle; The bottom of the transfer box (5) is provided with a docking hole (7), and the transfer box (5) is connected to the connecting pipe (6) through the docking hole (7). The top of the connecting pipe (6) is equipped with a first solenoid valve (8). The telescopic cylinder (9) is connected to a connecting pipe (11). The end of the connecting pipe (11) away from the telescopic cylinder (9) passes through the bottom of the conveyor box (5) and is connected to the middle section of the connecting pipe (6). A second solenoid valve (12) is fixedly installed on the connecting pipe (11). The conveyor frame (1) is provided with a drive assembly that drives the coupling tube (6) to rotate. The drive assembly includes a first gear (14), a second gear (16) and a first motor (15). The first motor (15) is fixedly connected to the conveyor frame (1), the second gear (16) is fixedly connected to the drive shaft of the first motor (15), and the first gear (14) is fixedly connected to the coupling tube (6). The first gear (14) and the second gear (16) are meshed together. The arc cover (4) is provided with a through groove (401), and the arc cover (4) is connected to the horizontal conveyor cylinder (2) through the through groove (401); The horizontal conveyor cylinder (2) is connected to a vertical conveyor cylinder (3) at the end away from the arc cover (4). The horizontal conveyor cylinder (2) and the vertical conveyor cylinder (3) are arranged in an L-shape. The vertical conveyor cylinder (3) is provided with a feeding ball part (25). The feeding ball part (25) is provided with a receiving groove (17) for the Christmas ball (24) to enter.

2. The conveying device for UV printing of Christmas balls according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner wall of the horizontal conveyor cylinder (2) is fixed with a fixing block (27), and multiple fixing blocks (27) are provided and distributed alternately.

3. The conveying device for UV printing of Christmas balls according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vertical conveyor cylinder (3) is equipped with a second motor (26) that drives the feeding ball (25) to rotate.

4. The conveying device for UV printing of Christmas balls according to claim 1, characterized in that: The feeding ball (25) is provided with a first connecting hole (18), a second connecting hole (19) and a third connecting hole (20). The receiving groove (17), the first connecting hole (18), the second connecting hole (19) and the third connecting hole (20) are connected in sequence, and the third connecting hole (20) penetrates the outer wall of the feeding ball (25). The diameters of the first connecting hole (18), the third connecting hole (20) and the second connecting hole (19) increase in sequence. A sliding piece (21) is slidably arranged inside the second connecting hole (19). The sliding piece (21) has a side hole (22), and the side hole (22) is staggered with the first connecting hole (18).

5. The conveying device for UV printing of Christmas balls according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top of the vertical conveyor cylinder (3) is connected to a temporary storage hopper (23).

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