Feeding mechanism of edge milling machine

Abstract

The invention discloses an edge milling machine feeding mechanism which comprises two symmetrically-arranged wheel carriers, shaft sleeves are arranged on the opposite sides of the two wheel carriers respectively, wheel shafts are rotationally connected to the shaft sleeves, rollers are fixedly connected to the wheel shafts and are in transmission connection with an output shaft of a feeding motor, and positioning cylinders are connected to the wheel carriers. The outer end of a piston rod of the positioning cylinder is vertically and rotatably connected with the positioning wheel, the opposite sides of the two wheel carriers are fixedly connected with one end of the adjusting cylinder, the other end of the adjusting cylinder is fixed to the rotating cylinder, the rotating cylinder rolls on the feeding frame, the end of the adjusting cylinder is fixed in the rotating cylinder, and the rotating cylinder is rotatably connected to the feeding frame. The overturning motor controls the clamping structure to rotate so that the workpiece can be overturned, and the workpiece moves in the clamping structure in a reciprocating mode so that different faces of the two sides of the workpiece can be milled.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of milling machines, specifically to a milling machine feed mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] Milling machines are cold machining equipment used for beveling, high-precision processing, cleaning, and straightening of support rods. They use milling cutters to mill the edges of metal materials. Existing milling machines include portable, gantry, and floor-standing types. The principle of floor-standing milling machines is to use a sturdy bed or worktable to fix the various components, hold the workpiece with a fixture, feed the worktable, and move the workpiece longitudinally / laterally. The spindle feed (Z-axis) controls the depth of cut. The feed mechanism is mostly pressure feeding type, that is, using rollers to press the workpiece, so that the workpiece moves laterally or longitudinally.

[0003] However, when milling the edges of a workpiece, it is often necessary to mill multiple sides. The existing method is to mill one side, then release the clamp, flip the workpiece, reposition it, and mill the edge again, which is a rather cumbersome process. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a milling machine feed mechanism to solve the problem of cumbersome operation of single-sided milling machines for double-sided milling of workpieces, as mentioned in the background art.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: A milling machine feed mechanism includes two symmetrically arranged wheel frames. A bushing is provided on the opposite side of each wheel frame. A wheel axle is rotatably connected to the bushing. A roller is fixedly connected to the wheel axle. The roller is driven by the output shaft of the feed motor. A positioning cylinder is connected to the wheel frame. The outer end of the piston rod of the positioning cylinder is vertically rotatably connected to a positioning wheel. One end of an adjusting cylinder is fixedly connected to the opposite side of the two wheel frames. The other end of the adjusting cylinder is fixed to a rotating drum. The rotating drum rolls on the feed frame.

[0006] Preferably, a pulley is fixedly connected to the axle, and the pulleys on adjacent axles are connected by belt drive. One of the axles on the wheel frame is connected to the output shaft of the feed motor.

[0007] Preferably, the feed motor is fixed on the wheel frame, and the output shaft of the feed motor passes through the wheel frame and is coaxially fixed with the first bevel gear. The first bevel gear meshes with the second bevel gear, and the second bevel gear is coaxially fixed on one of the wheel axles.

[0008] Preferably, a support gear is rotatably connected to the feed frame, an external tooth surface that meshes with the support gear is provided on the outer side of the rotating drum, a limit gear is rotatably connected to the feed frame, and an internal tooth surface that meshes with the limit gear is provided on the inner side of the rotating drum.

[0009] Preferably, the support gear is coaxially and fixedly connected to the output shaft of the tilting motor, the tilting motor is fixed on the feed frame, and the two ends of the feed frame respectively support two rotating drums, and the two ends of the feed frame are connected by a connecting rod.

[0010] Preferably, a locking cylinder is fixedly connected to the feed frame, and a friction plate is fixedly connected to the piston rod inside the locking cylinder, with the friction plate abutting against the outer side of the rotating drum.

[0011] Preferably, the length of the rollers on the wheel frame gradually increases from the middle of the wheel frame to both ends, and rollers located at both ends of the bushing are fixedly connected on the same wheel axle.

[0012] Preferably, the positioning cylinder is vertically fixed on the wheel frame, and there are at least two sets of positioning cylinders. The two sets of positioning cylinders are fixed on both sides of the wheel frame respectively, and each set of positioning cylinders includes at least four cylinders, which are evenly distributed at both ends of the wheel frame.

[0013] Preferably, the piston rod of each positioning cylinder is connected to a positioning wheel, the positioning wheel is rotatably connected to a shaft, the shaft is slidably connected perpendicularly to the piston rod of the positioning cylinder, and a spring is sleeved on the shaft.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: 1. Multiple rollers are connected to the wheel frame of the clamping structure that connects to the adjusting cylinder. The upper and lower sets of rollers press on the upper and lower sides of the workpiece respectively. The positioning cylinder is connected to the positioning wheel to restrict the left and right sides of the workpiece, so that the workpiece can only move longitudinally and can stably clamp the workpiece. 2. The end of the adjusting cylinder is fixed inside the rotating drum, which is rotatably connected to the feed frame. The workpiece is flipped by controlling the rotation of the clamping structure through the flipping motor. The workpiece moves back and forth in the clamping structure, which can realize milling of different surfaces on both sides of the workpiece. 3. A locking cylinder is connected to a friction plate to lock the drum, avoiding machining errors caused by insufficient self-locking force of the tilting motor due to excessive force during milling. The shorter middle part of the roller is used to support the milling edge tool. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the clamping structure of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the transmission of the roller and feed motor of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the positioning cylinder of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the rotating drum of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the locking cylinder and friction plate of the present invention; In the diagram: 1. Clamping structure; 11. Wheel frame; 12. Roller; 121. Pulley; 122. Belt; 123. Second bevel gear; 13. Feed motor; 131. First bevel gear; 14. Positioning cylinder; 15. Shaft; 16. Spring; 17. Positioning wheel; 2. Rotary drum; 21. Adjusting cylinder; 22. External tooth surface; 23. Internal tooth surface; 3. Feed frame; 4. Support gear; 5. Tilting motor; 6. Limit gear; 7. Locking cylinder; 71. Friction plate. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments.

[0017] Traditional milling machines typically require milling one side of a workpiece first, then releasing the clamp, manually flipping the workpiece, repositioning it, and then milling again when performing multi-sided milling. This process involves repeated clamping, flipping, and positioning steps, making the overall operation cumbersome and reducing processing efficiency.

[0018] In response, this application proposes a milling machine feed mechanism, which achieves rapid feeding, precise positioning, and convenient flipping of the workpiece by setting up two symmetrical wheel frames 11, roller 12 drive mechanism, positioning cylinder 14, and adjusting cylinder 21 in cooperation with the rotating drum 2, thereby effectively simplifying the operation process of multi-face milling.

[0019] For ease of understanding, the following explains some key terms in this embodiment: The wheel frame 11 serves as the main support structure of the milling machine's feed mechanism, used to support and fix the clamping structure 1 and the positioning cylinder 14, and to ensure the stability of their relative positions.

[0020] The roller 12 is a component that directly contacts the workpiece to be processed. By rotating, it applies a feed force to the workpiece and drives the workpiece to move in a predetermined direction.

[0021] The feed motor 13 provides the power source, and its output shaft drives the roller 12 to rotate through the transmission mechanism, thereby realizing the feeding motion of the workpiece.

[0022] The positioning cylinder 14 is a hydraulically or pneumatically driven actuator whose piston rod extension and retraction motion drives the positioning wheel 17 to achieve precise positioning of the workpiece.

[0023] The positioning wheel 17 contacts the workpiece and, driven by the positioning cylinder 14, assists in positioning the workpiece to prevent displacement during milling and align the middle of the workpiece with the middle of the wheel frame 11.

[0024] The adjusting cylinder 21 is also a hydraulic or pneumatic driven actuator used to adjust the overall position or angle of the wheel frame 11 to accommodate different workpiece sizes.

[0025] The rotating drum 2 has a cylindrical or similar shaped component that rolls on the feed frame 3 and cooperates with the adjusting cylinder 21 to achieve the overall rotation of the wheel frame 11.

[0026] The feed frame 3 is a frame structure that supports the rotating drum 2 and provides rolling support. It is one of the bases of the entire feed mechanism.

[0027] The milling machine clamping structure 1 of this application includes two symmetrically arranged wheel frames 11. The wheel frames 11 can be made of welded steel plates or cast steel, and their shape and size are designed to stably support other components of the feed mechanism. The symmetrical arrangement ensures that the two wheel frames 11 are mirror images of each other in structure, function and layout, thereby applying a balanced force to the workpiece and preventing the workpiece from deviating during the feed process.

[0028] Bushings are provided on opposite sides of the two wheel frames 11. The bushings can be in the form of sliding bearings or rolling bearings, pressed into or bolted to pre-drilled holes in the wheel frame 11. A wheel axle is rotatably connected to the bushing. The wheel axle can be a solid or hollow round rod, with both ends machined into journals that mate with the bushing, and inserted into the bushing. A roller 12 is fixedly connected to the wheel axle. The roller 12 can be made of rubber, polyurethane, or metal, and its outer surface can be designed to be smooth or textured to increase friction with the workpiece. The roller 12 is fixed to the wheel axle by bolts, keys, or thermal assembly. The roller 12 is driven by the output shaft of the feed motor 13. The feed motor 13 can be independently mounted on the feed frame 3, and its output shaft is connected to one of the wheel axles via a chain, gear, or universal joint, thereby driving the roller 12 to rotate.

[0029] A positioning cylinder 14 is connected to the wheel frame 11. The positioning cylinder 14 is a double-acting pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder, fixed to the side or top of the wheel frame 11 by a bracket or bolts. The outer end of the piston rod of the positioning cylinder 14 is vertically rotatably connected to the positioning wheel 17. The extended end of the piston rod of the positioning cylinder 14 can be connected to a simple U-shaped bracket, and the positioning wheel 17 is rotatably connected to the U-shaped bracket by a pin or bolt. The rotation axis of the positioning wheel 17 is perpendicular to the direction of movement of the piston rod, so as to facilitate its contact with the workpiece surface and positioning. For example, the positioning cylinder 14 is fixed to the inside of the wheel frame 11, and after the piston rod extends, its end is connected to a positioning wheel 17 with a bearing, the axis of the positioning wheel 17 being perpendicular to the axis of the piston rod.

[0030] One end of an adjusting cylinder 21 is fixedly connected to the opposite side of the two wheel frames 11. The adjusting cylinder 21 can be a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder, one end of which is fixed to the outside of the wheel frame 11 by hinge or bolt connection. The rotating drum 2 rolls on the feed frame 3. The rotating drum 2 can be a hollow cylinder and is placed on the support gear 4 on the feed frame 3 to enable it to roll.

[0031] This application achieves stable workpiece feeding by setting up a symmetrical wheel frame 11 structure and combining it with rollers 12 for drive; the positioning cylinder 14 drives the positioning wheel 17 to precisely lock the workpiece; and the rotating motor 5 drives the rotary drum 2 to roll on the feed frame 3, realizing the overall rotation of the wheel frame 11. Therefore, the workpiece can be milled on multiple sides without repeatedly loosening and repositioning the clamp during the milling process, significantly simplifying the operation process and improving the efficiency of milling operations.

[0032] In some of the embodiments described above in this application, a feed motor 13 is proposed to drive the rollers 12 to achieve workpiece feeding. However, in its implementation, there may be a lack of an effective mechanism for synchronously driving multiple rollers 12, resulting in low driving efficiency or poor synchronization.

[0033] In this regard, this application further proposes that a pulley 121 is fixedly connected to the axle, and the pulleys 121 on adjacent axles are connected by a belt 122 for transmission. One of the axles on the wheel frame 11 is connected to the output shaft of the feed motor 13 for transmission.

[0034] Specifically, the pulley 121 fixedly connected to the axle is a mechanical part used to cooperate with the belt 122 to transmit rotational motion and power. Its function is to act as a medium for power transmission, transferring power from the belt 122 to the axle, or vice versa. The pulley 121 can be fixed to the axle in various ways; for example, it can be connected using an expansion sleeve, where the radial expansion force of the sleeve firmly fixes the pulley 121 to the axle, achieving a keyless connection.

[0035] The pulleys 121 on adjacent axles are connected by a belt 122. Belt 122 drive is a transmission method that uses a flexible belt 122 to transmit motion and power between two or more pulleys 121. Its function is to achieve synchronous or proportional transmission between multiple axles, and it also has functions such as buffering, vibration absorption, and overload protection. This belt 122 drive can take various forms; for example, it can use a synchronous belt drive. The inner side of the synchronous belt has teeth that mesh with the teeth of the synchronous pulleys 121 to achieve precise synchronous transmission, no slippage, and accurate transmission ratio.

[0036] One of the axles on the wheel frame 11 is connected to the output shaft of the feed motor 13. A transmission connection refers to a mechanical connection that transmits the motion and power of one component to another. Its function is to transmit the rotational power of the feed motor 13 to at least one axle, serving as the initial power input for the entire belt 122 transmission system. This transmission connection can be achieved in various ways; in this application, a first bevel gear 131 connected to the feed motor 13 and a second bevel gear 123 coaxially and fixedly connected to the roller 12 are used for transmission.

[0037] Through the above technical solution, in the milling machine's feed mechanism, a highly efficient and synchronous transmission system is constructed by fixing pulleys 121 to the axles and using belts 122 to connect the pulleys 121 on adjacent axles. Simultaneously, the output shaft of the feed motor 13 is connected to one of the axles, ensuring all rollers 12 rotate synchronously under the drive of the feed motor 13. This effectively solves the problem of asynchronous driving of multiple rollers 12, significantly improving the driving efficiency and transmission synchronization of the feed mechanism. This allows the workpiece to obtain a smooth and consistent feed force during milling, avoiding workpiece jamming, offset, or reduced milling quality caused by asynchronous rollers 12, thus guaranteeing the accuracy and stability of the milling process.

[0038] The meshing of the first bevel gear 131 and the second bevel gear 123 means that the tooth surfaces of the first bevel gear 131 and the second bevel gear 123 are in contact with each other and transmit motion and power. Bevel gears are commonly used to transmit power between intersecting shafts. This meshing can be between straight bevel gears or between spiral bevel gears, with spiral bevel gears providing smoother transmission and greater load-bearing capacity. Gear meshing transmissions have advantages such as stable transmission ratio, high load-bearing capacity, high efficiency, and long service life.

[0039] The second bevel gear 123 is coaxially fixed to one of the axles, meaning that the second bevel gear 123 and one of the axles in the milling machine feed mechanism are rigidly connected on the same axis of rotation. This fixing method can also be achieved through key connection, spline connection, interference fit or welding, ensuring that the power received by the second bevel gear 123 can directly and effectively drive the axle to rotate, thereby driving the roller 12 on the axle to work.

[0040] Through the above technical solution, the transmission method between the feed motor 13 and the axle is improved from belt drive 122 to bevel gear drive, effectively solving the problems of slippage, low transmission efficiency, and frequent maintenance that may exist in belt drive 122. The feed motor 13 is fixed on the wheel frame 11, providing a solid and stable support for the entire transmission system, avoiding motor shaking during operation, and thus ensuring transmission accuracy. The output shaft of the feed motor 13 directly passes through the wheel frame 11 and is coaxially fixed with the first bevel gear 131, realizing direct and efficient power transmission and reducing energy loss in intermediate links. The precise meshing of the first bevel gear 131 and the second bevel gear 123 ensures the reliability and stability of power transmission, eliminates the slippage that may occur in belt drive 122, and makes the movement of the feed mechanism smoother and more precise. At the same time, bevel gear drive has high load-bearing capacity and long service life, significantly reducing the maintenance frequency and operating cost of the mechanism. The second bevel gear 123 is coaxially fixed on one of the axles, directly inputting power to the axle where the roller 12 is located, simplifying the transmission chain, and further improving the overall transmission efficiency and the compactness of the mechanism. Therefore, the feed mechanism of this application has been significantly improved in terms of reliability, transmission efficiency and ease of maintenance, and can provide more stable and efficient workpiece feed for milling operations.

[0041] In some of the solutions described above in this application, a rotating drum 2 is proposed to roll on the feed frame 3 to adjust the position of the wheel frame 11. However, in its implementation, the rolling of the rotating drum 2 may be unstable, lacking precise positioning and support, resulting in inaccurate position when the workpiece is flipped, affecting the milling accuracy.

[0042] In this regard, this application further proposes that a support gear 4 is rotatably connected to the feed frame 3, an external tooth surface 22 that meshes with the support gear 4 is provided on the outer side of the rotating drum 2, a limit gear 6 is rotatably connected to the feed frame 3, and an internal tooth surface 23 that meshes with the limit gear 6 is provided on the inner side of the rotating drum 2.

[0043] Specifically, the support gear 4 is a mechanical part with a tooth profile, whose main function is to provide external support for the rotating drum 2 and ensure its stability during rolling. The support gear 4 can take various forms; for example, it can be a spur gear, which has a relatively simple structure, is easy to manufacture, and is suitable for parallel shaft transmission; or it can be a helical gear, which has good transmission smoothness and high load-bearing capacity, suitable for high-speed, heavy-load applications. The outer side of the rotating drum 2 is provided with an external tooth surface 22 that meshes with the support gear 4. This external tooth surface 22 is a tooth profile structure machined from the outer surface of the rotating drum 2, and its tooth profile matches that of the support gear 4. Through the meshing of the support gear 4 and the external tooth surface 22, stable support and precise transmission of the rotating drum 2 can be achieved, effectively preventing slippage or displacement of the rotating drum 2 during rolling. The external tooth surface 22 can be machined as a single piece, i.e., directly milled or hobbed on the outer wall of the rotating drum 2; or it can be installed separately, with the gear ring fixed to the outer side of the rotating drum 2 by welding, bolting, or interference fit.

[0044] Meanwhile, the limiting gear 6 is also a mechanical part with a tooth profile, but its core function is to limit the position of the rotating drum 2. The limiting gear 6 cooperates with the internal tooth surface 23 on the inner side of the rotating drum 2 to prevent the rotating drum 2 from moving. The limiting gear 6 can be a spur gear, cooperating with the internal tooth surface 23 on the inner side of the rotating drum 2 to provide precise limiting; it can also be a sector gear, meshing with the internal tooth surface 23 within a specific angle range to achieve limited angle rotation control. The inner side of the rotating drum 2 is provided with an internal tooth surface 23 that meshes with the limiting gear 6. This internal tooth surface 23 is a tooth structure formed by machining the inner surface of the rotating drum 2, and its tooth profile matches the tooth profile of the limiting gear 6. Through the cooperation between the limiting gear 6 and the internal tooth surface 23, internal limiting can be provided to ensure that the rotating drum 2 stops precisely within a preset angle. This internal tooth surface 23 can be machined in one piece, that is, directly milled or broached on the inner wall of the rotating drum 2.

[0045] Through the above technical solution, the support gear 4 on the feed frame 3 meshes with the outer tooth surface 22 on the outer side of the rotating drum 2, providing stable external support and a precise transmission path for the rotating drum 2, effectively avoiding instability and slippage during the rolling process. Simultaneously, the limiting gear 6 on the feed frame 3 meshes with the inner tooth surface 23 on the inner side of the rotating drum 2, precisely limiting the rotation range of the rotating drum 2 and ensuring the positioning accuracy of the rotating drum 2 during the flipping process. These gear meshing structures work together to significantly enhance the running stability and positioning accuracy of the rotating drum 2, thereby solving the problems of unstable rolling, lack of precise support and positioning of the rotating drum 2, ensuring the accuracy of the workpiece flipping position, and thus improving the accuracy and efficiency of milling.

[0046] In some of the solutions mentioned above in this application, a support gear 4 is proposed to mesh with the rotating drum 2 to control the movement of the rotating drum 2. However, in its implementation, the support gear 4 lacks a direct drive source, which means that the workpiece needs to be flipped by external operation or manual intervention. The operation process is cumbersome and inefficient, and automatic flipping cannot be achieved, which increases the complexity and time cost of multi-face milling.

[0047] In this regard, this application further proposes that the support gear 4 and the output shaft of the flip motor 5 are coaxially fixedly connected, the flip motor 5 is fixed on the feed frame 1, and the two ends of the feed frame 1 respectively support two rotating drums 2, and the two ends of the feed frame 1 are connected by a connecting rod.

[0048] Specifically, the tilting motor 5 is the actuator that provides rotational power to the support gear 4, and its function is to achieve automated tilting control of the rotating drum 2. The tilting motor 5 can be of various types. For example, a stepper motor can be used, with its rotation angle controlled by precise pulse signals to achieve precise positioning of the rotating drum 2; or a servo motor can be used, which features high precision, high response speed, and high torque, enabling smoother and faster tilting movements. Alternatively, a DC geared motor can be used, providing sufficient torque to drive the rotating drum 2 through a reduction mechanism. The output shaft of the tilting motor 5 is the component that transmits mechanical energy, transferring the motor's rotational motion to the connected components. The support gear 4 and the output shaft of the tilting motor 5 are coaxially fixedly connected, meaning they are rigidly connected on the same axis of rotation. This connection method ensures that the torque generated by the tilting motor 5 can be directly and efficiently transmitted to the support gear 4, avoiding energy loss and decreased transmission accuracy due to excessively long transmission chains or gaps. For example, coaxial fixing can be achieved through key connections, expansion sleeve connections, or bolt flange connections to ensure no relative slippage and synchronous rotation between the two.

[0049] The tilting motor 5 is fixed to the feed frame 1, providing a stable mounting base and forming a compact, rigid whole with it. This fixing method can employ various structures; for example, the mounting base of the tilting motor 5 can be directly fixed to the pre-drilled mounting holes in the feed frame 1 using bolts, or the motor bracket can be welded to the feed frame 1. This helps enhance the structural rigidity of the entire feeding mechanism, effectively suppressing vibrations generated during the operation of the tilting motor 5, thereby ensuring the stability and accuracy of the drum 2 during the tilting process.

[0050] The feed frame 1 supports two rotating drums 2 at each end, meaning that the structure of the feed frame 1 is designed to simultaneously support and guide the movement of the two rotating drums 2. This support method may include setting bearing seats or guide mechanisms at both ends of the feed frame 1, so that the rotating drums 2 can roll or rotate on them.

[0051] The two ends of the feed frame 1 are connected by connecting rods, which is designed to further enhance the overall structural stability of the feed frame 1 and ensure that it will not deform or twist when bearing loads and moving. The connecting rods are usually rod-shaped members with a certain rigidity, and their two ends are connected to the two ends of the feed frame 1 by hinge or rigid connection.

[0052] By introducing the above technical solution, a flipping motor 5 directly drives the support gear 4, and the structure of the feed frame 1 is optimized, effectively solving the problems of cumbersome workpiece flipping operations, low efficiency, and difficulty in automation. Specifically, the flipping motor 5 is coaxially and fixedly connected to the support gear 4, enabling the flipping motor 5 to directly and efficiently drive the support gear 4, thereby driving the rotating drum 2 to perform precise flipping motion. This direct drive method eliminates the need for traditional manual intervention, significantly improving the automation level and operational efficiency of workpiece flipping. At the same time, the flipping motor 5 is fixed on the feed frame 1, enhancing the structural rigidity of the entire feeding mechanism, effectively reducing vibrations that may occur during flipping, and ensuring the stability and reliability of the rotating drum 2's flipping. In addition, the two ends of the feed frame 1 respectively support two rotating drums 2 and are connected by connecting rods, allowing the feed frame 1 to simultaneously support and precisely control the movement of the two rotating drums 2. The rigid connection of the connecting rods further enhances the overall stability of the feed frame 1, preventing deformation during flipping, thereby ensuring the precise position and synchronization of the rotating drum 2 during flipping. In summary, this application, through the above technical solution, realizes automated, efficient, and high-precision flipping operation of the milling machine feed mechanism when milling multiple sides of the workpiece, which greatly simplifies the operation process, reduces labor costs, and improves the overall processing quality.

[0053] In some of the embodiments described above in this application, a feed frame 3 is proposed to support and drive the rotary drum 2. However, during its implementation, the rotary drum 2 may become loose or displaced due to external forces or vibrations during operation, resulting in a decrease in positioning accuracy and affecting the stability and accuracy of milling.

[0054] In this regard, this application further proposes that a locking cylinder 7 is fixedly connected to the feed frame 3, and a friction plate 71 is fixedly connected to the piston rod inside the locking cylinder 7, with the friction plate 71 abutting against the outer side of the rotating drum 2.

[0055] Specifically, the locking cylinder 7 is an actuator capable of generating thrust or pull force to achieve a locking function. This locking cylinder 7 can be a hydraulic cylinder, using hydraulic oil pressure to drive the piston rod to extend and retract, providing a large locking force, suitable for applications requiring high precision and stability; alternatively, it can be a pneumatic cylinder, using compressed air to drive the piston rod to extend and retract, resulting in a relatively simple structure and fast response, suitable for applications requiring moderate locking force and rapid action. As the power source of the locking mechanism, the locking cylinder 7 provides the force to drive the friction plate 71 against the rotating cylinder 2. The piston rod is a component inside the locking cylinder 7 that connects to the piston and extends outside the cylinder body, used to transmit the force generated by the locking cylinder 7. The piston rod is typically made of high-strength steel with a hardened surface to resist wear and corrosion; its end can be designed with a threaded connection, pin connection, or integral connection for easy fixed connection with the friction plate 71. The piston rod transmits the driving force of the locking cylinder 7 to the friction plate 71, enabling it to apply pressure to the rotating cylinder 2. Friction plate 71 is a component made of a material with a high coefficient of friction, used to generate friction on the contact surface to achieve braking or locking. Friction plate 71 can be made of wear-resistant rubber, composite materials, or engineering plastics, which have good frictional properties and wear resistance; it can be designed in a flat, curved, or irregular shape to adapt to the shape of the outer side of the rotating drum 2, ensuring sufficient contact area and uniform pressure distribution. Friction plate 71 directly contacts the outer side of the rotating drum 2, preventing accidental rotation or displacement of the rotating drum 2 through friction. Fixed connection refers to the formation of an inseparable or difficult-to-separate connection between two components through mechanical or chemical means. For example, the locking cylinder 7 can be firmly fixed to the feed frame 3 by bolts, welding, or riveting to ensure its stable position during operation; simultaneously, friction plate 71 can be fixed to the end of the piston rod by bolts, pins, adhesives, or integral molding to ensure that the extension and retraction of the piston rod directly drives the friction plate 71 to move. Contact refers to the close contact and pressure applied between the surfaces of one object and another object. When the piston rod of the locking cylinder 7 extends, the friction plate 71 directly presses against the outer surface of the rotating drum 2, generating friction through positive pressure. The friction plate 71 can be designed to have a certain degree of elasticity or flexibility to better adapt to the slight unevenness of the rotating drum 2 surface and ensure uniform contact pressure.

[0056] Through the above technical solution, a locking cylinder 7 is installed on the feed frame 3, and its piston rod drives the friction plate 71 to abut against the outer side of the rotating drum 2, forming an effective locking mechanism. When the milling machine is working, the locking cylinder 7 is activated, the piston rod extends, and drives the friction plate 71 to press tightly against the outer surface of the rotating drum 2. The contact between the friction plate 71 and the rotating drum 2 generates a strong frictional force, which can effectively resist external forces or vibrations, thereby firmly locking the position of the rotating drum 2 and preventing it from rotating or displacing undesirably during milling. This ensures that the rotating drum 2 maintains precise positioning throughout the entire processing, greatly improving the positioning accuracy of the workpiece and the stability of the milling process. Therefore, this application can significantly improve the quality and consistency of milling, reduce the scrap rate, and increase production efficiency.

[0057] In some embodiments described above in this application, a roller 12 is proposed for pressing the workpiece. However, in its implementation, the uniform length of the roller 12 may lead to uneven pressure distribution at the edge of the workpiece, causing unstable movement or deformation.

[0058] In this regard, this application further proposes a milling machine feed mechanism, wherein the length of the roller 12 on the wheel frame 11 gradually increases from the middle of the wheel frame 11 to both ends, and the rollers 12 located at both ends of the bushing are fixedly connected on the same wheel axle.

[0059] Specifically, the length of the roller 12 on the wheel frame 11 gradually increases from the middle of the wheel frame 11 to both ends. The middle side of the wheel frame 11 can be used to place milling cutters. For workpieces with a small width, the middle roller 12 is positioned completely above the workpiece to avoid the roller 12 being too long and affecting the feed.

[0060] Meanwhile, the rollers 12 fixedly connected to both ends of the bushing on the same axle mean that the rollers 12 are firmly mounted on the axle through mechanical connection, ensuring that the rollers 12 rotate synchronously with the axle. These rollers 12 are arranged on both sides of the bushing, that is, the bushing is located between two rollers 12, or the roller 12 body extends to the outside of the bushing. This arrangement allows the rollers 12 to obtain stable support from the bushing and ensures that during the workpiece feeding process, the clamping force of the rollers 12 on the workpiece can be evenly applied to both sides of the workpiece, thereby improving the stability and accuracy of the feeding.

[0061] Through the above technical solution, the milling machine feed mechanism of this application can ensure stable and accurate feeding of the workpiece during the milling process, which significantly improves the processing quality and efficiency.

[0062] In some of the solutions described above in this application, a positioning cylinder 14 is proposed for positioning the workpiece. However, in its implementation, the shaft 15 connected to the end of the positioning cylinder 14 may still affect the feed.

[0063] In this regard, this application further proposes that the positioning cylinder 14 is vertically fixed on the wheel frame 11, and there are at least two sets of positioning cylinders 14. The two sets of positioning cylinders 14 are respectively fixed on both sides of the wheel frame 11, and each set of positioning cylinders 14 includes at least four cylinders. The four positioning cylinders 14 are evenly distributed at both ends of the wheel frame 11.

[0064] Specifically, the positioning cylinder 14 is vertically fixed on the wheel frame 11 to ensure that the positioning force can be applied directly and effectively to the side of the workpiece, so as to accurately position the workpiece.

[0065] Furthermore, the provision of at least two sets of positioning cylinders 14 provides multi-point support and a more uniform distribution of clamping force during workpiece positioning, ensuring the workpiece remains stable even when moved to the left or right end of the wheel frame 11. This not only enhances overall positioning stability but also provides greater flexibility for workpieces of different sizes or shapes. Additionally, if one set of positioning cylinders 14 fails, the others can still provide some positioning capability, improving system reliability. These positioning cylinders 14 can be pneumatic cylinders, hydraulic cylinders, or electric actuators. For example, two sets of pneumatic cylinders can be used, with their synchronous or asynchronous action controlled by an air source; or two sets of hydraulic cylinders can be used, with a hydraulic system providing strong clamping force.

[0066] Furthermore, at least two sets of positioning cylinders 14 are fixed on both sides of the wheel frame 11 to achieve symmetrical clamping of the workpiece, thereby balancing the lateral forces that the workpiece may experience during milling and effectively preventing the workpiece from deflecting or shifting. This symmetrical arrangement helps ensure the center position of the workpiece within the machining area, improving machining accuracy and stability. For example, one set of positioning cylinders 14 can be fixed on the inner side of the wheel frame 11, and the other set can be fixed on the outer side of the wheel frame 11 to form an inner and outer clamping of the workpiece; or, two sets of positioning cylinders 14 can be fixed on the left and right sides of the wheel frame 11 respectively to achieve symmetrical clamping of the workpiece from left to right.

[0067] Based on this, each group of positioning cylinders 14 includes at least four cylinders to increase the density of positioning points, thereby more closely conforming to the workpiece surface, reducing the gap between the workpiece and the positioning mechanism, and further enhancing the overall clamping force and stability of the workpiece. More positioning points can better adapt to the unevenness of the workpiece surface and provide more reliable support. For example, each group can be configured with four, six, or eight positioning cylinders 14. When four are configured, they can be arranged in a rectangular or diamond array; when six are configured, they can be arranged in two rows and three columns.

[0068] Meanwhile, the four positioning cylinders 14 in each group are evenly distributed at both ends of the wheel frame 11 to ensure that the positioning force is applied uniformly along the length of the workpiece, avoiding workpiece deformation or unstable positioning caused by local stress concentration or uneven clamping force. This uniform distribution helps to maintain the stability and precision of the workpiece throughout the milling process.

[0069] Through the above technical solution, this application significantly improves the positioning stability and uniformity of the milling machine's feed mechanism for the workpiece, effectively solving the problem of easy workpiece displacement during milling. Specifically, the positioning cylinder 14 is vertically fixed on the wheel frame 11, ensuring that the positioning force can act perpendicularly on the workpiece, avoiding workpiece skewing or lateral displacement caused by improper force angle. Simultaneously, at least two sets of positioning cylinders 14 are provided and fixed on both sides of the wheel frame 11, providing symmetrical and distributed support, effectively balancing the forces on both sides of the workpiece, thereby enhancing the overall anti-deflection capability. Furthermore, each set of positioning cylinders 14 includes at least four cylinders, increasing the density of positioning points, reducing the gap between the workpiece and the positioning mechanism, and significantly enhancing the overall clamping force. In addition, the four positioning cylinders 14 are evenly distributed at both ends of the wheel frame 11, achieving uniform distribution of positioning pressure, effectively preventing local overload or deformation of the workpiece during milling, thus ensuring that the workpiece maintains a stable positioning state throughout the entire processing, greatly improving the accuracy and efficiency of milling, and reducing the need for operators to frequently adjust the workpiece.

[0070] In some of the embodiments described above in this application, the positioning cylinder 14 is vertically fixed on the wheel frame 11 and evenly distributed to achieve multi-point stable positioning of the workpiece. However, in the implementation process, since the positioning wheel 17 is directly connected to the piston rod, there is a lack of buffer and position adjustment mechanism, which may cause rigid impact when clamping workpieces of different thicknesses, affecting the clamping stability.

[0071] In this regard, this application further proposes that the piston rod of each positioning cylinder 14 is connected to a positioning wheel 17, the positioning wheel 17 is rotatably connected to the shaft 15, the shaft 15 is perpendicularly slidably connected to the piston rod of the positioning cylinder 14, and a spring 16 is sleeved on the shaft 15.

[0072] Specifically, each positioning cylinder 14 has its piston rod connected to a positioning wheel 17. This means that each positioning cylinder 14 can independently drive its corresponding positioning wheel 17 to perform positioning operations, thereby achieving multi-point independent support and positioning of the workpiece. This connection method can be achieved by directly fixing the bearing seat of the positioning wheel 17 to the end of the piston rod, or by connecting the bearing seat of the positioning wheel 17 to the piston rod through an intermediate connector.

[0073] The positioning wheel 17 is rotatably connected to the shaft 15, allowing it to rotate freely when in contact with and moving with the workpiece, thereby effectively reducing the frictional resistance between the positioning wheel 17 and the workpiece surface. This rotatable connection can be achieved by installing a rolling bearing (such as a ball bearing or roller bearing) inside the positioning wheel 17, with the shaft 15 passing through the inner ring of the bearing; alternatively, a sliding bearing structure can be used to allow the positioning wheel 17 to rotate smoothly on the shaft 15.

[0074] The shaft 15 is vertically slidably connected to the piston rod of the positioning cylinder 14, allowing the positioning wheel 17 to move within a certain range relative to the piston rod in the vertical direction.

[0075] A spring 16, typically a tension spring, is fitted onto the shaft 15. Its function is to provide elastic cushioning when the upper and lower positioning wheels 17 come into contact, ensuring that the positioning wheels 17 are positioned between the two wheel frames 11. The spring 16 can be fitted onto the shaft 15. When the positioning wheel 17 is subjected to vertical pressure, the spring 16 is stretched, thereby absorbing the impact energy.

[0076] Through the above technical solution, the piston rod of each positioning cylinder 14 is independently connected to the positioning wheel 17, ensuring the independence of multi-point positioning. The positioning wheel 17 is rotatably connected to the shaft 15, effectively reducing the friction between the positioning wheel 17 and the workpiece, making the workpiece move more smoothly during positioning or movement. More importantly, the vertical sliding connection between the shaft 15 and the piston rod, and the spring 16 sleeved on the shaft 15, together constitute an elastic buffer mechanism. When the positioning wheels 17 collide with each other, the spring 16 can be stretched to absorb the impact force and ensure stable clamping.

[0077] The following example will provide a more detailed explanation of the above technical solution: In a sheet metal processing workshop, a large sheet metal needs to undergo multi-sided milling. After milling one edge, the operator has to manually release the clamp, flip the sheet, reposition it, and then proceed with milling the next edge. This process is time-consuming and inefficient.

[0078] This embodiment provides a milling machine feed mechanism that effectively solves the above-mentioned problems. The mechanism is installed on the milling machine's worktable and is used to clamp and transport the metal sheet to be processed.

[0079] First, the feeding mechanism includes a feeding frame 3, with both ends of the feeding frame 3 connected to two rotating drums 2 via adjusting cylinders 21. Each rotating drum 2 has an external toothed surface 22 on its outer side, meshing with a support gear 4 rotatably connected to the feeding frame 3. The support gear 4 is coaxially and fixedly connected to the output shaft of a tilting motor 5, which is fixed to the feeding frame 3. Simultaneously, each rotating drum 2 has an internal toothed surface 23 on its inner side, meshing with a limiting gear 6 rotatably connected to the feeding frame 3. When the sheet metal needs to be tilted, the tilting motor 5 drives the support gear 4 to rotate, and the support gear 4 drives the rotating drum 2 to rotate via the external toothed surface 22. The limiting gear 6 engages with the internal toothed surface 23 on the inner side of the rotating drum 2 to precisely control and limit the tilting motion of the rotating drum 2, ensuring that the sheet metal can be accurately tilted to a preset angle, such as 90 degrees or 180 degrees, thereby achieving multi-face milling. Compared with the prior art that requires manual workpiece tilting, this mechanized tilting method significantly improves operational efficiency and positioning accuracy.

[0080] One end of an adjusting cylinder 21 is fixedly connected to each rotating drum 2. The other end of the adjusting cylinder 21 is fixedly connected to the opposite side of two symmetrically arranged wheel frames 11. Each wheel frame 11 has a bushing on its opposite side, and a wheel axle is rotatably connected to the bushing. Rollers 12 are fixedly connected to the wheel axle. These rollers 12 are used to clamp and convey metal sheets. In order to accommodate sheets of different thicknesses and provide a stable clamping force, the length of the rollers 12 on the wheel frame 11 gradually increases from the middle of the wheel frame 11 to both ends, and the rollers 12 located at both ends of the bushing are fixedly connected to the same wheel axle to form a clamping surface, ensuring that the sheet is always stably pressed during the feeding process.

[0081] To drive the rollers 12 and feed the sheet metal, a feed motor 13 is fixedly connected to one of the wheel frames 11. The output shaft of the feed motor 13 passes through the wheel frame 11 and is coaxially fixed with a first bevel gear 131. The first bevel gear 131 meshes with a second bevel gear 123, which is coaxially fixed on one of the axles. Through this bevel gear transmission, the power of the feed motor 13 is transmitted to the rollers 12 on that axle. To ensure that all rollers 12 rotate synchronously, a pulley 121 is also fixedly connected to the axle. The pulleys 121 on adjacent axles are connected by a belt 122, thereby transmitting power to the rollers 12 on other axles and achieving smooth and synchronous feeding of the sheet metal.

[0082] During the feeding process of the sheet metal, a positioning cylinder 14 is connected to the wheel frame 11 to ensure accurate lateral positioning. In this embodiment, the positioning cylinder 14 is vertically fixed on the wheel frame 11, and there are at least two sets of positioning cylinders 14, respectively fixed on both sides of the wheel frame 11. Each set of positioning cylinders 14 includes at least four cylinders, which are evenly distributed at both ends of the wheel frame 11. The outer end of the piston rod of each positioning cylinder 14 is vertically rotatably connected to a positioning wheel 17. The positioning wheel 17 is rotatably connected to a shaft 15, and the shaft 15 is vertically slidably connected to the piston rod of the positioning cylinder 14. A spring 16 is sleeved on the shaft 15. When the sheet metal enters the processing area, the piston rod of the positioning cylinder 14 retracts, and the positioning wheel 17 abuts against the side of the sheet metal. Under the buffering effect of the spring 16, the upper and lower positioning wheels 17 are located between the upper and lower wheel frames 11, preventing the sheet metal from shifting laterally during milling. The adjusting cylinder 21 adjusts the relative position between the wheel frame 11 and the rotating drum 2 according to the thickness of the plate or processing requirements, thereby adjusting the clamping force or feed position of the roller 12 on the plate.

[0083] In addition, a locking cylinder 7 is fixedly connected to the feed frame 3 to securely lock the sheet metal after it has been flipped or positioned. A friction plate 71 is fixedly connected to the piston rod inside the locking cylinder 7, and the friction plate 71 abuts against the outer side of the rotating drum 2. When the sheet metal is flipped into position, the piston rod of the locking cylinder 7 extends, and the friction plate 71 presses tightly against the outer side of the rotating drum 2, using friction to lock the rotating drum 2 in a preset position, preventing accidental rotation during milling and further improving machining stability and accuracy.

[0084] Through the coordinated operation of the aforementioned mechanisms, when multi-sided milling of metal sheets is required, the operator only needs to place the sheet between the rollers 12. The feed motor 13 drives the rollers 12 to feed the sheet into the milling area, and the positioning cylinder 14 ensures the lateral position of the sheet. After milling one side, without manual intervention, the flip motor 5 drives the rotary drum 2 to flip the sheet to the next surface to be processed. The locking cylinder 7 then locks the rotary drum 2, and the feed motor 13 drives the sheet to be fed in the reverse direction again to mill the next side. The entire process is highly automated, avoiding the cumbersome manual flipping and positioning steps of traditional methods, significantly improving milling efficiency and processing accuracy, and reducing the labor intensity of operators.

[0085] The above description is merely an embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Various modifications and variations can be made to this application by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A milling machine feed mechanism, characterized in that, It includes two symmetrically arranged wheel frames (11), with bushings on opposite sides of the two wheel frames (11), axles rotatably connected to the bushings, and rollers (12) fixedly connected to the axles. The rollers (12) are connected to the output shaft of the feed motor (13). A positioning cylinder (14) is connected to the wheel frame (11), and the outer end of the piston rod of the positioning cylinder (14) is vertically rotatably connected to the positioning wheel (17). One end of the adjusting cylinder (21) is fixedly connected to the opposite side of the two wheel frames (11), and the other end of the adjusting cylinder (21) is fixed on the rotating drum (2). The rotating drum (2) rolls on the feed frame (3).

2. The milling machine feed mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, A pulley (121) is fixedly connected to the axle, and the pulleys (121) on adjacent axles are connected by a belt (122). One of the axles on the wheel frame (11) is connected to the output shaft of the feed motor (13).

3. The milling machine feed mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The feed motor (13) is fixed on the wheel frame (11). The output shaft of the feed motor (13) passes through the wheel frame (11) and is coaxially fixed with the first bevel gear (131). The first bevel gear (131) meshes with the second bevel gear (123). The second bevel gear (123) is coaxially fixed on one of the wheel axles.

4. The milling machine feed mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feed frame (3) is rotatably connected to a support gear (4), and the outer side of the rotating drum (2) is provided with an external tooth surface (22) that meshes with the support gear (4). The feed frame (3) is rotatably connected to a limit gear (6), and the inner side of the rotating drum (2) is provided with an internal tooth surface (23) that meshes with the limit gear (6).

5. A milling machine feed mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that, The support gear (4) is coaxially and fixedly connected to the output shaft of the flip motor (5). The flip motor (5) is fixed on the feed frame (3). The two ends of the feed frame (3) respectively carry two rotating drums (2). The two ends of the feed frame (3) are connected by a connecting rod.

6. The milling machine feed mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that, A locking cylinder (7) is fixedly connected to the feed frame (3). A friction plate (71) is fixedly connected to the piston rod inside the locking cylinder (7). The friction plate (71) abuts against the outside of the rotating drum (2).

7. The milling machine feed mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The length of the rollers (12) on the wheel frame (11) gradually increases from the middle of the wheel frame (11) to both ends, and the rollers (12) located at both ends of the bushing are fixedly connected on the same axle.

8. The milling machine feed mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The positioning cylinder (14) is vertically fixed on the wheel frame (11). There are at least two sets of positioning cylinders (14). The two sets of positioning cylinders (14) are fixed on both sides of the wheel frame (11). Each set of positioning cylinders (14) includes at least four cylinders. The four positioning cylinders (14) are evenly distributed at both ends of the wheel frame (11).

9. A milling machine feed mechanism according to claim 8, characterized in that, Each of the positioning cylinders (14) has a piston rod connected to a positioning wheel (17), which is rotatably connected to a shaft (15). The shaft (15) is slidably connected to the piston rod of the positioning cylinder (14), and a spring (16) is sleeved on the shaft (15).

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