Automatic locking device

Abstract

The invention provides an automatic locking device which comprises a machine frame, a driving unit, a locking mechanism and a locking mechanism. The workpiece clamping unit is used for clamping a workpiece of a screw to be locked; the electric screwdriver is used for obtaining the screw and executing a locking action; the feeding unit is used for conveying the screws to a material taking position; the electric screwdriver and the feeding unit are driven by the same driving mechanism, so that the relative position between the electric screwdriver and the feeding unit is fixed, and the taking-locking path and time consumption of the electric screwdriver are shortened. The technical problem that in the prior art, an electric screwdriver needs to move back and forth between a locking point position and a feeder, and consequently the time needed for completing automatic locking of all screws of a workpiece is long can be effectively solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automatic screw fastening technology, and more particularly to an automatic screw fastening device. Background Technology

[0002] An automatic screw fastening machine is a machine used to replace traditional manual screw tightening. It generally consists of a feeding mechanism and an electric screwdriver. In existing automatic screw fastening machines, the screw feeder is located to the side of the workpiece, and the feeder and electric screwdriver are relatively independent. Driven by the drive mechanism, the electric screwdriver, after fastening each screw, needs to return to the feeder to retrieve the screw before moving to the fastening point. The electric screwdriver needs to move back and forth between the fastening point and the feeder, and as the distance between the fastening point and the feeder increases, the time for the electric screwdriver to retrieve the screw increases accordingly. This results in a long time required to automatically fasten all the screws on the workpiece, affecting production progress. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention provides an automatic screw fastening device to solve the technical problem in the prior art where the electric screwdriver needs to move back and forth between the fastening point and the feeder, resulting in a long time required to automatically fasten all the screws on the workpiece.

[0004] The present invention provides an automatic locking device, comprising: A frame on which the drive unit is mounted; A workpiece clamping unit is used to clamp a workpiece to be fastened with screws. The workpiece clamping unit is connected to the drive unit, and the drive unit can drive the workpiece clamping unit to move in a first direction on a first plane. An electric screwdriver is used to pick up screws and perform a fastening action. The electric screwdriver is connected to the drive unit. The drive unit can drive the electric screwdriver to move to the fastening position in a second direction. The drive unit can also drive the electric screwdriver to reciprocate between the fastening position and the locking position in a third direction. The second direction is located on the first plane and is perpendicular to the first direction. The third direction is perpendicular to the first plane. The feeding unit is used to feed screws to the picking position, which is located on the movement path of the electric screwdriver in the third direction and between the locking position and the tightening position. The feeding unit is connected to the driving unit, which can drive the feeding unit to move synchronously with the electric screwdriver in the second direction.

[0005] In one embodiment of the present invention, the feeding unit includes a screw feeder, a vibrating feeding mechanism, and a material distribution and feeding mechanism. The output end of the screw feeder is connected to the input end of the vibrating feeding mechanism. The vibrating feeding mechanism is used to vibrate and transport screws to the material distribution position. The material distribution and feeding mechanism includes a material distribution component that reciprocates between the material distribution position and the material picking position. The material distribution component is used to move a single screw from the material distribution position to the material picking position.

[0006] In one embodiment of the present invention, the vibrating feeding mechanism includes a guide channel, the feed end of the guide channel is connected to the output end of the screw feeder, the discharge end of the guide channel extends to the outside of the dispensing position, and the guide channel is connected to a vibration source, and the screw moves along the guide channel to the dispensing position based on the vibration of the vibration source.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, the guide channel is a straight channel, and the inlet end of the guide channel is higher than the outlet end.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the guide channel is connected to an anti-detachment baffle, the anti-detachment baffle is located outside the opening of the guide channel, and a gap is provided between the anti-detachment baffle and the guide channel, the gap being less than the length of the screw.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the material distribution component is a strip-shaped component, one end of the material distribution component is provided with a material distribution slot, and the other end of the material distribution component is connected to a linear power component. The linear power component drives the material distribution component to make the material distribution slot reciprocate in the second direction between the material distribution position and the material picking position. When the material distribution slot moves to the material picking position, the material distribution component blocks the discharge end of the guide channel.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the end of the anti-detachment baffle extends to the outside of the material dispensing position, and when the material dispensing slot is located at the material dispensing position, the end of the anti-detachment baffle at least partially blocks the material dispensing slot.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the driving unit includes a first direction driving mechanism, a second direction driving mechanism, and a third direction driving mechanism. The workpiece clamping unit is connected to the first direction driving mechanism, the third direction driving mechanism is connected to the second direction driving mechanism, the second direction driving mechanism can drive the third direction driving mechanism to move in the second direction, and the electric screwdriver and the feeding unit are both connected to the third direction driving mechanism.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the third-direction driving mechanism includes a support base connected to the driving end of the second-direction driving mechanism, the feeding unit is connected to the support base, the support base is also connected to a third-direction driving component, and the electric screwdriver is connected to the third-direction driving component.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first direction drive mechanism is mounted on the top of the frame, and a support frame is also mounted on the top of the frame, which spans above the first direction drive mechanism along a second direction, and the second direction drive mechanism is mounted on the support frame.

[0014] The principle of this invention includes: An automatic screw fastening device is proposed, using a frame as the overall support foundation. A workpiece clamping unit positions the workpiece to be fastened with screws, providing a reference for screw fastening. A feeding unit supplies the screws to an electric screwdriver, which then performs the screw fastening action. The workpiece clamping unit, electric screwdriver, and feeding unit move in three mutually perpendicular directions within three-dimensional space via a drive unit, enabling them to work collaboratively. The locking position is the position where the screw is fixed on the workpiece, and the fastening position is the position where the screw is aligned upwards from the locking position. The material removal position is set between the fastening position and the locking position. Thus, the electric screwdriver only needs to move in the third direction relative to the feeding unit to complete screw removal and fastening. The electric screwdriver and the feeding unit move synchronously in the second direction via the drive unit, and the distance between the electric screwdriver and the feeding unit remains relatively fixed. During the process of fastening all the screws on the workpiece, the electric screwdriver only needs to move sequentially along the screw fastening point path on the workpiece. After each movement, the relative positions between the electric screwdriver, the feeding unit, and the screw fastening point on the workpiece remain unchanged. The electric screwdriver no longer needs to move back and forth between the fastening point and the feeding unit, saving the time that the electric screwdriver would spend picking up and dropping materials as the distance between the fastening point and the feeder increases in the existing technology.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this invention include: 1. Significantly reduces total locking time: The electric screwdriver does not need to move back and forth between the locking point and the feeding unit. It can complete the material picking and locking by only reciprocating motion in the third direction, avoiding the loss of material picking time caused by the increase in the distance of the locking point.

[0016] 2. Improve the efficiency of locking work: The electric screwdriver can work continuously along the locking point path of the workpiece. The electric screwdriver and the feeding unit maintain a relatively fixed distance and move synchronously, reducing unnecessary movement and optimizing the work process.

[0017] 3. Higher motion coordination and precision: The workpiece clamping unit, electric screwdriver, and feeding unit achieve coordinated movement in three-dimensional space through the drive unit, with stable relative positions, reducing the risk of locking deviation.

[0018] 4. Enhanced adaptability: Not limited by the initial distance between the locking point and the feeding unit, it can meet the processing needs of workpieces with different specifications and different locking point distributions, and has a wider range of applications. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this application. It is obvious that the drawings described below are merely some embodiments of this application, and those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without any inventive effort.

[0020] In the attached diagram: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an automatic locking device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection of a third-party drive mechanism, a feeding unit, and an electric screwdriver provided in one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the state of the material distribution component delivering the screw to the material picking position in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] The attached figures are labeled as follows: Frame 1, First direction drive component 201, Guide rail 202, Second direction drive component 203, Support base 204, Third direction drive component 205, Workpiece clamping unit 3, Electric screwdriver 4, Screw feeder 501, Vibration feeding mechanism 502, Vibration motor 5021, Guide chute 5022, Anti-detachment baffle 5023, Material feeding mechanism 503, Cylinder 5031, Material separating component 5032, Material separating bayonet 5033, Locking position 601, Locking position 602, Material picking position 603, Material separating position 604. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The following specific examples illustrate the implementation of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the content disclosed in this specification. The present invention can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments. Various details in this specification can also be modified or changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In the absence of conflict, the following embodiments and features in the embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0023] It should be noted that the illustrations provided in the following embodiments are only schematic representations of the basic concept of the present invention. The drawings only show the components related to the present invention and are not drawn according to the actual number, shape and size of the components in the actual implementation. In the actual implementation, the form, quantity and proportion of each component can be arbitrarily changed, and the layout of the components may also be more complex.

[0024] In the following description, numerous details are explored to provide a more thorough explanation of embodiments of the invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other embodiments, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form rather than in detail to avoid obscuring embodiments of the invention.

[0025] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 1 An automatic locking device provided in one embodiment of the present invention includes: Frame 1, on which the drive unit is mounted.

[0026] The workpiece clamping unit 3 is used to clamp the workpiece to be screwed. The workpiece clamping unit 3 includes a clamping platform, which can be connected to a fixture by bolts. The workpiece clamping unit 3 is connected to a drive unit, which can drive the workpiece clamping unit 3 to move in a first direction on a first plane. In this embodiment, the first plane is a transverse plane.

[0027] Electric screwdriver 4 is used to pick up screws and perform the fastening action. Electric screwdriver 4 is connected to a drive unit, which can drive electric screwdriver 4 to move in a second direction to the fastening position 601. The drive unit can also drive electric screwdriver 4 to reciprocate between the fastening position 601 and the locking position 602 in a third direction. The second direction is located on the first plane and is perpendicular to the first direction, and the third direction is perpendicular to the first plane.

[0028] The feeding unit is used to feed screws to the picking position 603. The picking position 603 is located on the moving path of the electric screwdriver 4 in the third direction and is located between the locking position 601 and the locking position 602. The feeding unit is connected to the drive unit and can be driven by the drive unit to move synchronously with the electric screwdriver 4 in the second direction.

[0029] In this embodiment, the frame 1 serves as the overall support foundation. A drive unit enables movement and adjustment in three mutually perpendicular directions within three-dimensional space. Specifically, the first direction is the longitudinal direction within the transverse plane, the second direction is the transverse direction within the transverse plane, and the third direction is the vertical direction. The workpiece clamping unit 3 clamps the workpiece and moves only in the first direction. The electric screwdriver 4 and the feeding unit move synchronously in the second direction, cooperating with the workpiece clamping unit 3 to move the electric screwdriver 4 to different locking positions 601. After each movement, the relative positions of the electric screwdriver 4, the feeding unit, and the locking position 602 remain fixed, and the relative distance between the electric screwdriver 4, the feeding unit, and the picking position 603 in the second direction remains fixed. After the feeding unit delivers the screw to the picking position 603, the electric screwdriver 4 only needs to perform reciprocating movement in the third direction to complete the screw fastening. In the process of fastening all screws on the workpiece, the electric screwdriver 4 has less travel and less time compared to existing technologies, avoiding the time loss in picking caused by the increased distance between the fastening point and the feeding unit.

[0030] For example, in this embodiment, the driving unit includes a first direction driving mechanism, a second direction driving mechanism and a third direction driving mechanism. The workpiece clamping unit 3 is connected to the first direction driving mechanism, the third direction driving mechanism is connected to the second direction driving mechanism, the second direction driving mechanism can drive the third direction driving mechanism to move in the second direction, and the electric screwdriver 4 and the feeding unit are both connected to the third direction driving mechanism.

[0031] With the drive mechanism set in three directions, the workpiece clamping unit 3 can move independently relative to the electric screwdriver 4 and the feeding unit. The electric screwdriver 4 and the feeding unit move synchronously in the second direction, but the electric screwdriver 4 and the feeding unit move relatively independently in the third direction, so that the workpiece clamping unit 3, the electric screwdriver 4 and the feeding unit can work together to complete the screw fastening.

[0032] For example, in this embodiment, the third-direction drive mechanism includes a support base 204 connected to the drive end of the second-direction drive mechanism, a feeding unit connected to the support base 204, and the support base 204 is also connected to a third-direction drive component 205, and the electric screwdriver 4 is connected to the third-direction drive component 205.

[0033] In this embodiment, the support base 204 simultaneously supports the feeding unit, the third-direction drive component 205, and the electric screwdriver 4, thereby achieving synchronous movement of the feeding unit and the electric screwdriver 4 in the second direction and fixing the relative position between the electric screwdriver 4 and the feeding unit, thus saving time in the material picking process of the electric screwdriver 4.

[0034] For example, in this embodiment, the first direction drive mechanism is installed on the top of the frame 1. The first direction drive mechanism includes a first direction drive member 201 installed on the top of the frame 1 and a guide rail 202 located outside the first direction drive member 201. The guide rail 202 extends along the first direction. The workpiece clamping unit 3 is connected to the first direction drive member 201 and the guide rail 202, and is driven by the first direction drive member 201 and guided by the guide rail 202 to ensure that the workpiece clamping unit 3 is supported and moves smoothly. A support frame is also installed on the top of the frame 1, spanning above the first direction drive mechanism along the second direction. The second direction drive mechanism includes a second direction drive member 203 installed on the support frame. In this embodiment, the first direction drive member 201, the second direction drive member 203, and the third direction drive member 205 are all electric actuators.

[0035] For example, in this embodiment, the feeding unit includes a screw feeder 501, a vibrating feeding mechanism 502, and a material distribution and feeding mechanism 503, which are bolted to the support base 204 respectively. The output end of the screw feeder 501 is connected to the input end of the vibrating feeding mechanism 502. The vibrating feeding mechanism 502 is used to vibrate and transport the screw to the material distribution position 604. The material distribution and feeding mechanism 503 includes a material distribution component 5032 that reciprocates between the material distribution position 604 and the material picking position 603. The material distribution component 5032 is used to move a single screw from the material distribution position 604 to the material picking position 603.

[0036] In this embodiment, the vibration feeding mechanism 502 conveys the screws in the screw feeder 501 according to the target path through vibration. The material distribution and feeding mechanism 503 moves the screws individually to the picking position 603 through the material distribution component 5032, and the electric screwdriver 4 automatically picks up the screw at the picking position 603. This achieves automatic screw feeding and individual screw feeding. In this way, the feeding, screw fastening, and screw fastening are performed automatically. The electric screwdriver 4 and the screw feeder 501 can use existing mature products. The vibration feeding and material distribution and feeding actions are simple, which helps to simplify the execution structure and reduce the acquisition cost of the feeding unit.

[0037] For example, in this embodiment, such as Figure 2 As shown, the vibrating feeding mechanism 502 includes a guide channel. The feed end of the guide channel is connected to the output end of the screw feeder 501, and the discharge end of the guide channel extends to the outside of the distribution position 604. The guide channel is connected to a vibration source, specifically a vibration motor 5021 bolted to the support base 204. The vibration of the vibration source causes the screw to move along the guide channel to the distribution position 604.

[0038] In this embodiment, the opening width of the guide channel is between the diameter of the screw tail and the diameter of the screw head. The channel shape structure of the guide channel, combined with the vibration generated by the vibration source, can drive the tail of the screw to automatically enter the guide channel during the conveying process, so that the screw can be automatically arranged and conveyed according to the target posture, saving the time spent on the arrangement operation of the screw.

[0039] For example, in this embodiment, the guide channel is a straight channel, and the inlet end of the guide channel is higher than the outlet end.

[0040] The straight trough shortens the path for automatic screw arrangement and conveying, while the higher feed end of the guide trough causes the screws to be subjected to both vibration and gravity during conveying, resulting in higher arrangement and conveying efficiency. Furthermore, the combination with the straight trough mechanism helps to reduce space occupation, making the feeding unit structure more compact.

[0041] For example, in this embodiment, the guide channel is connected to an anti-detachment baffle 5023. The anti-detachment baffle 5023 is located outside the opening of the guide channel, and there is a gap between the anti-detachment baffle 5023 and the guide channel, which is less than the length of the screw.

[0042] The anti-detachment baffle 5023 prevents the screws in the guide channel from falling off during the vibration conveying process, ensuring stable and reliable screw conveying.

[0043] For example, in this embodiment, such as Figure 3 As shown, the material distribution component 5032 is a strip-shaped component. One end of the material distribution component 5032 is provided with a material distribution slot 5033, and the other end of the material distribution component 5032 is connected to a linear power component. Specifically, the linear power component is a cylinder 5031 bolted to the support base 204. The linear power component drives the material distribution component 5032 to move the material distribution slot 5033 back and forth in the second direction between the material distribution position 604 and the material picking position 603. When the material distribution slot 5033 moves to the material picking position 603, the material distribution component 5032 blocks the discharge end of the guide channel.

[0044] In this embodiment, the material distribution component 5032 is driven by the cylinder 5031 to perform linear reciprocating motion in the second direction. The material distribution bayonet 5033 is a U-shaped opening opened on the material distribution component 5032. The opening size of the U-shaped opening matches that of a single screw. The opening of the material distribution bayonet 5033 faces the discharge end of the guide trough 5022. When the material distribution bayonet 5033 is located at the material distribution position 604, the screw in the guide trough automatically enters the material distribution bayonet 5033 under the action of vibration, realizing the automatic feeding of the material distribution component 5032. When the material distribution bayonet 5033 conveys the screw to the picking position 603, the material distribution component 5032 simultaneously seals the discharge end of the guide trough to prevent the screw from falling off. Thus, the material distribution and feeding mechanism 503 has the functions of single directional conveying of screws and preventing screws from falling off at the end of vibration conveying.

[0045] For example, in this embodiment, the end of the anti-detachment baffle 5023 extends to the outside of the material distribution position 604. When the material distribution opening 5033 is located at the material distribution position 604, the end of the anti-detachment baffle 5023 at least partially blocks the material distribution opening 5033.

[0046] In this way, the anti-detachment baffle 5023 can further limit the screws in the material distribution bay 5033, ensuring that there is only one screw in the material distribution bay 5033 at a time, preventing the screws from falling out of the material distribution bay 5033, and ensuring that the screw conveying is stable and orderly.

[0047] This invention fixes the relative positions of the feeding unit and the electric screwdriver 4, and drives them to move synchronously through the same drive mechanism. The feeding unit directly feeds the screws onto the fastening path of the electric screwdriver 4, shortening the material picking-fastening path of the electric screwdriver 4 and reducing the time spent on the material picking-fastening process. This effectively solves the technical problem in the prior art where the electric screwdriver 4 needs to move back and forth between the fastening point and the feeder, resulting in a long time required to automatically fasten all the screws on the workpiece. Furthermore, the overall structure has a high degree of automation, and components such as the electric screwdriver 4 and the screw feeder 501 can use existing automatic screw fastening machine parts, resulting in low acquisition costs.

[0048] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and effects of the present invention and are not intended to limit the invention. Any person skilled in the art can modify or alter the above embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent modifications or alterations made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and technical concept disclosed in the present invention should still be covered by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic lock attaching device characterized by comprising: The utility model relates to a screw locking device, comprising: a rack, on which a driving unit is mounted; a workpiece clamping unit for clamping a workpiece to be locked, the workpiece clamping unit being connected to the driving unit and capable of moving in a first direction on a first plane by the driving unit; an electric screwdriver for taking screws and performing locking actions, the electric screwdriver being connected to the driving unit and capable of moving in a second direction to a locking position by the driving unit, and capable of reciprocating in a third direction between the locking position and a locking position by the driving unit, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction on the first plane, and the third direction being perpendicular to the first plane; a feeding unit for feeding screws to a taking position, the taking position being on the moving path of the electric screwdriver in the third direction and between the locking position and the locking position, the feeding unit being connected to the driving unit and capable of moving in the second direction synchronously with the electric screwdriver by the driving unit.

2. The automatic lock placement apparatus of claim 1, wherein: The feeding unit comprises a screw feeder, a vibrating feeding mechanism and a distribution feeding mechanism, the output end of the screw feeder being communicated with the input end of the vibrating feeding mechanism, the vibrating feeding mechanism being used for vibratingly feeding screws to a distribution position, and the distribution feeding mechanism comprising a distribution piece reciprocating between the distribution position and the taking position, the distribution piece being used for moving a single screw from the distribution position to the taking position.

3. The automatic lock placement apparatus of claim 2, wherein: The vibrating feeding mechanism comprises a flow guide groove, the feeding end of the flow guide groove being communicated with the output end of the screw feeder, the discharging end of the flow guide groove extending to the outside of the distribution position, and the flow guide groove being connected with a vibration source, and the vibration of the vibration source is used for moving the screws along the flow guide groove to the distribution position.

4. The automatic lock placement apparatus of claim 3, wherein: The flow guide groove is a straight groove body, and the feeding end of the flow guide groove is higher than the discharging end.

5. The automatic lock placement apparatus of claim 3, wherein: The flow guide groove is connected with an anti-falling baffle, the anti-falling baffle being located outside the opening of the flow guide groove, a gap being arranged between the anti-falling baffle and the flow guide groove, and the gap being smaller than the length of the screw.

6. An automatic lock placement apparatus according to claim 5, wherein: The distribution piece is a strip-shaped piece, one end of the distribution piece being provided with a distribution bayonet, the other end of the distribution piece being connected with a straight power piece, the straight power piece driving the distribution piece to reciprocate the distribution bayonet in the second direction between the distribution position and the taking position, and when the distribution bayonet moves to the taking position, the distribution piece blocks the discharging end of the flow guide groove.

7. The automatic lock placement apparatus of claim 6, wherein: The end of the anti-falling baffle extends to the outside of the distribution position, and when the distribution bayonet is located in the distribution position, the end of the anti-falling baffle at least partially blocks the distribution bayonet.

8. The automatic lock placement apparatus of claim 1, wherein: The driving unit comprises a first direction driving mechanism, a second direction driving mechanism and a third direction driving mechanism, the workpiece clamping unit is connected to the first direction driving mechanism, the third direction driving mechanism is connected to the second direction driving mechanism, the second direction driving mechanism can drive the third direction driving mechanism to move in the second direction, and the electric screwdriver and the feeding unit are connected to the third direction driving mechanism.

9. The automatic lock placement apparatus of claim 8, wherein: The third direction driving mechanism comprises a supporting seat connected to a driving end of the second direction driving mechanism, the feeding unit is connected to the supporting seat, and the supporting seat is further connected with a third direction driving member, and the electric screwdriver is connected to the third direction driving member.

10. The automatic lock placement apparatus of claim 9, wherein: The first direction driving mechanism is installed on the top of the rack, the top of the rack is further provided with a supporting frame which is arranged above the first direction driving mechanism along a second direction, and the second direction driving mechanism is installed on the supporting frame.

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