A variable-diameter, self-centering device for transmission lines

Abstract

The application discloses a variable-diameter and self-adaptive centering device on a conveying line, which is supported by a workbench and integrates three core modules of a transmission driving system (an asynchronous motor, a first speed reducer and a chain wheel conveying line), a variable-diameter and centering system (a bidirectional screw, a servo motor, a material blocking plate and the like, and self-adaptive centering is realized through an angle design of ∠A=2∠B) and a blocking control assembly (double detection switches, a pneumatic cylinder and a blocking block). During work, the servo motor drives the bidirectional screw to drive the variable-diameter plate to be synchronously variable-diameter, and the self-centering mechanism is linked with the variable-diameter plate to realize accurate centering of a material taking position, and the blocking system cooperates with the detection switches to ensure that parts are fed one by one. The device does not need manual intervention in the whole process, has strong adaptability, small centering deviation and stable transmission, and can meet the needs of large-batch automatic production and improve the transmission efficiency of the conveying line.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automatic transmission line technology, and more specifically, to a device capable of automatic diameter adjustment and adaptive centering. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, in automotive disc and cylindrical parts processing production lines, automated conveyor lines are the core equipment connecting various processes. They transport parts to designated workstations, where robotic arms pick them up at fixed pick-up points and complete the process transition. However, the current mainstream conveyor line diameter adjustment (material channel width adjustment) and centering solutions have significant drawbacks, as follows:

[0003] The diameter change operation relies on manual labor and is inefficient: the existing transmission line diameter change method is mostly "reverse manual adjustment", that is, the distance between the two diameter change plates is adjusted manually to adapt to parts of different diameters. The operation process is cumbersome and the adjustment takes a long time, which cannot meet the rhythm requirements of mass automated production.

[0004] Poor centering accuracy and low adaptability: After the diameter change operation, the center of the material picking position at the front end of the conveyor line is prone to offset, causing the robot arm to be unable to pick up the part at the preset fixed position. To solve this problem, the existing solution requires manual replacement of the baffle plate at the front end of the conveyor line to match the robot arm's gripping position. This not only increases labor costs but also has the limitation that "different diameter parts require different specifications of self-centering mechanisms," resulting in poor centering consistency and difficulty in guaranteeing the accuracy of the centering position.

[0005] Low level of automation restricts production efficiency: Since the diameter change and centering processes both require manual intervention, it is difficult to form an automated closed loop in the transmission line, which easily leads to problems such as process interruption and parts conveying jams, which seriously restricts the overall transmission efficiency and automation level of the production line. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies and provide a diameter-changing and adaptive centering device for transmission lines. This device enables automatic diameter changing and adaptive centering of disc-shaped parts with different diameters, without manual intervention, ensuring precise gripping by the robotic arm and improving transmission efficiency.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention employs the following technical solutions:

[0008] A variable diameter and self-centering device for a transmission line includes a worktable, a sprocket transmission line in the middle of the worktable, a first reducer and an asynchronous motor connected sequentially to the left end of the sprocket transmission line for driving the sprocket transmission line to transport disc-shaped parts, and a variable diameter mechanism, a self-centering mechanism and a stop control component respectively provided on the worktable, wherein the variable diameter mechanism and the self-centering mechanism are connected in a transmission manner.

[0009] The variable diameter mechanism includes a support frame, which is mounted on the upper end of the workbench across the sprocket transmission line. A servo motor, a second reducer, and a bidirectional lead screw are installed on the upper end of the support frame in sequence. Both ends of the bidirectional lead screw are connected to side plates through lead screw nuts. A variable diameter plate is fixedly connected to the side plate to drive the bidirectional lead screw to rotate, thereby causing the side plate and the variable diameter plate to move synchronously inward or outward along the axis of the bidirectional lead screw.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment, the self-centering mechanism is provided in two sets. The self-centering mechanism includes a baffle plate. One end of the baffle plate is fixedly connected to the side of the variable diameter plate through a guide rail slider pair. A stop block is fixedly connected to one end of the baffle plate. The baffle plate has a guide groove. The worktable is connected to a guide pin located in the guide groove, which allows the self-centering mechanism to move along a combined path of the follow-up guide direction and the positioning guide direction under the drive of the variable diameter plate.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the stop control assembly includes a first detection switch, a second detection switch, a cylinder, and a stop block. The first detection switch is located at the material picking position to detect whether there is a part at the material picking position. The second detection switch is located at the stop position to detect whether there is a part at the stop position. The cylinder is installed on one side of the variable diameter plate. The middle part of the stop block is rotatably connected to the variable diameter plate. One end of the stop block is hinged to the cylinder via a connecting rod, and the other end can abut against the part. The cylinder can drive the stop block to achieve the action of blocking or releasing material.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment, the support frame is provided with guide posts that pass through the side plate, and the guide posts are arranged parallel to the bidirectional lead screw, which makes the movement of the side plate smoother and further ensures the alignment consistency of the variable diameter plate.

[0013] Further preferably, the cutting angle of the stop block is ∠A (i.e., the angle between the hypotenuse of the stop block and the center line of the transmission) and the positioning guide angle of the guide groove of the baffle plate is ∠B (i.e., the angle between the center line of the guide groove and the straight line perpendicular to the transmission direction), and the two angles satisfy: ∠A=2∠B.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0015] 1. Good alignment consistency of the variable diameter plates: The motor drives the bidirectional lead screw to move the variable diameter plates on both sides synchronously, with a symmetrical structure and high alignment accuracy.

[0016] 2. High centering accuracy and strong adaptability: The structure design with multiple angle relationship achieves self-adaptive centering, which can be adapted to parts of different diameter specifications without changing the mechanism. The centering accuracy meets the gripping requirements of the robot.

[0017] 3. Compact structure and easy operation: The diameter changing mechanism and the self-centering mechanism are integrated and designed to move synchronously. The overall structure is compact, the operation is reliable, and no manual adjustment is required.

[0018] 4. High degree of automation and high transmission efficiency: The entire process of diameter change, centering and feeding control is completed automatically without human intervention, which is suitable for large-scale automated production and significantly improves transmission efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a variable diameter, adaptive centering device for transmission lines.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the diameter changing and self-centering state adjustment of a transmission line's adaptive centering device (solid line: diameter changing state 1; dashed line: diameter changing state 2).

[0021] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A magnified view of the middle left side.

[0022] In the diagram: 1-Workbench; 2-Sprocket transmission line; 301-Support frame; 302-Servo motor; 303-Second reducer; 304-Double-actuated screw; 305-Sprocket nut; 306-Side plate; 307-Variable diameter plate; 308-Guide post; 401-Baffle plate; 402-Guide rail slider pair; 403-Stop block; 404-Guide pin; 501-First detection switch; 502-Second detection switch; 503-Cylinder; 504-Stop block; 6-First reducer; 7-Asynchronous motor; 8-Parts. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the invention.

[0025] Example 1:

[0026] like Figures 1-3 As shown, a variable diameter and self-centering device for a transmission line includes a workbench 1, a sprocket transmission line 2 in the middle of the workbench 1, a first reducer 6 and an asynchronous motor 7 connected sequentially to the left end of the sprocket transmission line 2, a variable diameter mechanism, a self-centering mechanism and a stop control component respectively provided on the workbench 1, and the variable diameter mechanism and the self-centering mechanism are connected in a transmission connection.

[0027] The workbench 1 is the main support for the installation of this device; the asynchronous motor 7 provides power to the sprocket transmission line 2, which is reduced by the first reducer 6 and drives the sprocket transmission line 2 to rotate counterclockwise, thus conveying the parts 8 forward; the first reducer 6 can reduce the speed of the asynchronous motor 7 and increase the output torque, preventing the parts 8 from shifting due to excessive transmission speed and ensuring smooth transmission; the sprocket transmission line 2 is used to carry the parts 8, achieving slip-free transmission, and conveying the parts 8 from the loading end to the stop position and the picking position.

[0028] The variable diameter mechanism includes a support frame 301, which is mounted on the upper end of the workbench 1 across the sprocket transmission line 2. The upper end of the support frame 301 is equipped with a servo motor 302, a second reducer 303 and a bidirectional lead screw 304 that are connected in sequence. Both ends of the bidirectional lead screw 304 are connected to side plates 306 through lead screw nuts 305. A variable diameter plate 307 is fixedly connected to the side plates 306.

[0029] The support frame 301 is used to fix and support the relevant components of the diameter-changing mechanism, ensuring the overall stability of the diameter-changing mechanism. The servo motor 302 can drive the bidirectional lead screw 304 to rotate via the second reducer 303 through forward / reverse rotation. The second reducer 303 can reduce the speed of the servo motor 302 and increase the driving force of the bidirectional lead screw 304, ensuring that the bidirectional lead screw 304 drives the diameter-changing plate 307 without jamming and guaranteeing the diameter-changing accuracy. The two ends of the threaded sections of the bidirectional lead screw 304 have opposite rotation directions (right-hand thread on the left and left-hand thread on the right). With the matching rotation direction design of the lead screw nuts 305 on both sides, the diameter-changing plates 307 on both sides can move synchronously in opposite directions. The lead screw nuts 305 are used for fastening the side plate 306 to the bidirectional lead screw 304. The side plate 306 greatly increases the contact area with the diameter-changing plate 307, resulting in more fastening positions and making the movement of the diameter-changing plate 307 smoother. The diameter-changing plates 307 on both sides are in direct contact with the parts 8. By changing the width of the material channel, the diameter of the parts 8 that can pass through is constrained.

[0030] Two sets of self-centering mechanisms are provided (corresponding to both sides of the sprocket transmission line 2 respectively). The self-centering mechanism includes a baffle plate 401. One end of the baffle plate 401 is fixedly connected to the side of the variable diameter plate 307 through the guide rail slider pair 402. The other end of the baffle plate 401 is fixedly connected to a stop block 403. The baffle plate 401 has a guide groove. The worktable 1 is connected to a guide pin 404 located in the guide groove.

[0031] The baffle plate 401 is used to constrain the radial position of part 8. When the variable diameter plate 307 moves, the combination of "follow-up + positioning" is achieved through the cooperation of the guide groove, the guide pin 404, and the guide rail slider pair 402. The guide rail slider pair 402 is used to guide the follow-up movement of the baffle plate 401, which can reduce the friction when the baffle plate 401 moves and ensure smooth centering action. The stop block 403 is located at the front end of the baffle plate 401, which can prevent the part 8 from deflecting. Its side is tangent to the part (the angle of entry is ∠A), and it is the part that directly contacts the part 8. The guide pin 404 is fixed to the worktable 1 and inserted into the guide groove of the baffle plate 401, which cooperates with the guide groove to realize the positioning and guiding movement of the baffle plate 401.

[0032] The stop control assembly includes a first detection switch 501, a second detection switch 502, a cylinder 503, and a stop block 504. The first detection switch 501 is located at the material picking position and is used to detect whether there is part 8 at the material picking position. The second detection switch 502 is located at the stop position and is used to detect whether there is part 8 at the stop position. The cylinder 503 is installed on one side of the variable diameter plate. The middle part of the stop block 504 is rotatably connected to the variable diameter plate 307. The piston rod of the cylinder 503 is hinged to one end of the stop block 504. By extending and retracting, the cylinder 503 is driven to rotate, thereby realizing the blocking or releasing action.

[0033] The support frame 301 has a guide post 308 that passes through the side plate 306. The guide post 308 is arranged parallel to the two-way lead screw 304. The guide post 308 can restrict the movement direction of the side plate 306, making the movement of the side plate 306 smoother and further ensuring the alignment consistency of the two variable diameter plates 307.

[0034] The cutting angle of the stop 403 is ∠A (i.e., the angle between the hypotenuse of the stop 403 and the transmission centerline of the sprocket transmission line 2), and the positioning guide angle of the guide groove on the baffle plate 401 is ∠B (i.e., the angle between the centerline of the guide groove and the straight line perpendicular to the transmission direction). Preferably, the two angles satisfy: ∠A=2∠B. This angular relationship can ensure that when the self-centering mechanism moves synchronously with the diameter changing mechanism, the guiding force of the stop 403 on the part 8 always points to the center of the picking position, ensuring that the part 8 is self-centering at the picking position after the diameter change, and realizing the automatic transmission requirements of parts 8 with different diameter specifications.

[0035] I. Transmission Process

[0036] After being reduced in speed by the first reducer 6, the asynchronous motor 7 outputs torque to drive the sprocket transmission line 2 to rotate counterclockwise. The loading robot places the part 8 into the right end of the sprocket transmission line 2, and the part 8 moves forward with the chain links of the sprocket transmission line 2. When the part 8 is transported to the stop position, the piston rod of the cylinder 503 extends, driving the stop block 504 to rotate around the hinge point to the stop position, blocking the part 8 from continuing to move forward and stopping the part 8 at the stop position.

[0037] The first detection switch 501 detects in real time whether there is part 8 at the picking position: if there is material at the picking position, the first detection switch 501 sends a "material present signal" to the control system, and the control system issues a command to keep the cylinder 503 extended, so that the stop block 504 maintains the material blocking; if there is no material at the picking position, the first detection switch 501 sends a "material absent signal" to the control system, and the control system issues a command to retract the piston rod of the cylinder 503, thereby driving the stop block 504 to rotate, which can release a part 8 at the stop position and allow it to be transported to the picking position by the sprocket transmission line 2.

[0038] Meanwhile, the second detection switch 502 detects in real time whether there is part 8 at the stop position: if there is no material at the stop position, the second detection switch 502 sends a "replenishment signal" to the control system, and the control system instructs the feeding robot to send a batch of parts 8 to the stop position, and so on to realize the feeding of parts 8 one by one.

[0039] II. Circumference Change and Centering Process

[0040] When it is necessary to adapt to parts 8 with different diameter specifications, the control system sends a "diameter change command" to the servo motor 302. The servo motor 302 rotates forward (or reverses) according to the command. After being reduced in speed and increased in torque by the second reducer 303, it drives the bidirectional lead screw 304 to rotate synchronously.

[0041] Since the left and right threads of the bidirectional lead screw 304 rotate in opposite directions, its rotation will drive the lead screw nuts 305 on both sides to move synchronously in opposite directions. The lead screw nuts 305 drive the side plates 306 fixed to them to move horizontally in a straight line along the guide post 308. The side plates 306 then drive the diameter changing plates 307 to move synchronously until the distance between the two diameter changing plates 307 is adjusted to match the diameter of the part 8. The servo motor 302 stops rotating, and the diameter changing operation is completed.

[0042] During the diameter change process, the diameter change plate 307 drives the baffle plate 401 to move synchronously through the guide rail slider pair 402. Since the guide pin 404 is fixed to the worktable 1 and inserted into the guide groove of the baffle plate 401, the movement trajectory of the baffle plate 401 is constrained by the guide groove and the guide pin 404, and it needs to perform a combined movement along the "follow-up guide (to the right / left along the feeding direction of the sprocket transmission line 2)" and the "positioning guide (to the inside / outside along the direction of the guide groove)".

[0043] Furthermore, since the cutting angle ∠A of the stop block 403 and the positioning guide angle ∠B of the guide groove satisfy the double angle relationship of ∠A=2∠B, when the stop block 403 moves with the baffle plate 401, the guiding force of its hypotenuse on the part 8 always points to the central axis of the picking position, thereby automatically correcting the part 8 to the center of the picking position and realizing adaptive centering; ultimately ensuring that the robot arm accurately grasps the part 8 at the fixed position of the picking position.

[0044] This invention uses a diameter-changing mechanism and a self-centering mechanism for transmission connection. The entire process of diameter changing, centering, and feeding does not require manual intervention, which solves the cumbersome problem of "manual diameter adjustment and manual material plate changing" in traditional devices. It also has the advantages of high precision, adaptability, and strong transmission stability.

[0045] This invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. The invention extends to any new feature or combination disclosed in this specification, as well as any new method or process step or combination disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A transmission line up-sizing, self-centering device, comprising a workbench, a chain wheel transmission line is arranged in the middle of the workbench, a first speed reducer and an asynchronous motor are sequentially connected in drive with the left end of the chain wheel transmission line, characterized in that: The workbench is respectively equipped with a diameter changing mechanism, a self-centering mechanism, and a stop control component, and the diameter changing mechanism and the self-centering mechanism are connected in a transmission manner. The variable diameter mechanism includes a support frame, which is mounted on the upper end of the workbench across the sprocket transmission line. A servo motor, a second reducer, and a bidirectional lead screw are installed on the upper end of the support frame in sequence. Both ends of the bidirectional lead screw are connected to side plates through lead screw nuts. A variable diameter plate is fixedly connected to the side plates. The self-centering mechanism is provided in two sets. The self-centering mechanism includes a baffle plate. One end of the baffle plate is fixedly connected to the side of the variable diameter plate through a guide rail slider pair. The other end of the baffle plate is fixedly connected to a stop block. The baffle plate is provided with a guide groove. The worktable is connected to a guide pin located in the guide groove. The cutting angle of the stop block is ∠A, and the positioning guide angle of the baffle plate guide groove is ∠B, and the two angles satisfy: ∠A=2∠B.

2. The variable diameter and adaptive centering device for a transmission line according to claim 1, characterized in that: The stop control assembly includes a first detection switch, a second detection switch, a cylinder, and a stop block. The first detection switch is located at the material pick-up position of the worktable, the second detection switch is located at the stop position of the worktable, the cylinder is installed on one side of the variable diameter plate, the middle part of the stop block is rotatably connected to the variable diameter plate, and one end of the stop block is hinged to the output end of the cylinder.

3. The variable diameter and adaptive centering device for a transmission line according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support frame has guide posts that pass through the side plate, and the guide posts are arranged parallel to the bidirectional lead screw.

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