A continuous production line for angle valves and a method of operation thereof

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of angle valve production, and particularly discloses a continuous angle valve production line and a working method thereof, wherein the production line comprises a workbench, a carrier, a gas testing device and a driving cylinder. The driving cylinder drives the carrier to move continuously along the moving groove on the workbench, so that the flow transfer process of the angle valve body from the placement station to the gas testing station and then to the subsequent assembly and processing stations is continuous. When the multiple gas testing devices simultaneously complete the air tightness test of multiple angle valve bodies, the structure of the transition groove can realize the operation connection of the gas testing station and the subsequent assembly and processing stations. During the air tightness test process of the gas testing device, the angle valve bodies that have completed the test can be transferred to the subsequent stations for assembly and processing one by one, avoiding the situation that the subsequent assembly and processing procedures are waiting due to the stagnation of the single gas testing procedure, so that the air tightness test and the subsequent assembly and processing procedures can be orderly connected and cooperatively promoted, which is beneficial to improving the overall operation efficiency of the angle valve production line.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of angle valve manufacturing technology, and in particular to a continuous angle valve production line and its operating method. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of angle valve assembly and production technology, existing automated angle valve production lines will plan and set up multiple work stations on the workbench according to the angle valve assembly and processing flow, such as valve core assembly, airtightness testing, handwheel assembly, screw tightening, and label affixing. Each work station is equipped with corresponding processing and testing devices. At the same time, the production line will be equipped with corresponding carriers and conveying structures to drive the angle valve body to flow between each work station in sequence. The entire assembly and production process of the angle valve from valve core assembly to finished product packaging is completed by relying on the sequential operation of the devices at each work station.

[0003] However, existing angle valve production lines of this type have significant shortcomings in the collaborative design of process operations. During the airtightness testing process, all subsequent assembly and processing processes must wait for the airtightness testing process to be completed before they can start. They cannot achieve a synchronized operation with the airtightness testing process. This problem directly causes unnecessary work stoppages between processes on the production line, making it difficult to effectively improve the overall operating efficiency of the entire angle valve production line. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the shortcomings mentioned above in the background technology, the present invention provides a continuous angle valve production line and its working method.

[0005] The present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] In a first aspect, the present invention discloses a continuous angle valve production line, the production line comprising:

[0007] A workbench, wherein a rectangular moving groove is provided on the workbench;

[0008] The carrier is used to load the angle valve body. Multiple carriers are arranged in a tightly closed manner inside the moving groove, and only a single moving gap is reserved in the moving groove. The continuous step movement of all carriers is achieved by the transmission of the moving gap in the moving groove.

[0009] An air-testing device is provided on the workbench and is used to test the air tightness of the port of the angle valve body equipped with the valve core.

[0010] A drive cylinder is provided on the outside of the moving groove, and a drive cylinder is provided at each of the four corners of the moving groove. The piston rod of each drive cylinder extends into the moving groove. The extension and retraction directions of the piston rods of two adjacent drive cylinders are perpendicular to each other. The extension and retraction direction of the piston rod of each drive cylinder is consistent with the extension direction of the groove segment corresponding to the corner, so as to push the carrier located in the groove segment to move along the corresponding groove segment, and drive the angle valve body loaded on the carrier to flow sequentially through the placement station where the angle valve body with the valve core is placed and the test air device.

[0011] At least two of the air testing devices are arranged side by side on the workbench. The moving groove extends along the moving direction of the carrier at the corner after the air testing device to form a transition groove. The number of carriers accommodated in the transition groove is one less than the number of air testing devices. Furthermore, multiple devices for subsequent assembly and processing of the angle valve body are arranged after the transition groove along the direction of carrier flow in the moving groove on the workbench.

[0012] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the side and bottom surfaces of the vehicle are provided with clearance openings. After the angle valve body is placed on the vehicle, the two ports of the angle valve body correspond to the two clearance openings respectively.

[0013] The air testing device includes an air testing head and a pressure sensor. An air hole is integrated on the end face of the air testing head. The air hole is connected to the air source through a hose to establish a reliable air path. A pressure sensor is installed in the air path to monitor air pressure changes in real time.

[0014] The workbench is provided with two air-tightness test stations at the two ports of the diagonal valve body on the side of the moving groove. The two air-tightness test stations are the lower air-tightness test station and the side air-tightness test station, and both the lower air-tightness test station and the side air-tightness test station are equipped with multiple air-tightness test devices arranged side by side.

[0015] In the lower test station, the test head of each test device is located below the workbench and rises vertically to block the bottom port of the angle valve body corresponding to the clearance port at the bottom of the carrier, while the air hole is located at the bottom port of the angle valve body.

[0016] In the side test gas station, the test gas head of each test gas device moves horizontally to the side of the workbench and moves to block the port on the side of the angle valve body corresponding to the side clearance port on the side of the vehicle, while the air hole corresponds to the side port of the angle valve body.

[0017] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the gas testing device further includes a blocking head located on the other side of the moving groove relative to the gas testing head. When the gas testing head moves to the port that seals the angle valve body, the blocking head moves to press against the other side of the angle valve body relative to the gas testing head.

[0018] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, positioning grooves are provided on all four sides of the carrier, each positioning groove having two symmetrically arranged guide surfaces. The guide surfaces face inward and are inclined toward the center of the carrier. Positioning pins are provided on the sides of the moving groove at positions corresponding to the air testing device. The positioning pins move inward and outward relative to the moving groove. When the carrier moves within the moving groove to the position corresponding to the air testing device, the positioning pins extend into the moving groove, abut against the guide surfaces, and are inserted into the positioning groove, so that the port of the angle valve body on the carrier corresponds to the air testing head of the air testing device.

[0019] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, each inner sidewall of the movable groove is provided with a guide surface at the end position where it connects with the adjacent groove segment, and the guide surface extends inclinedly into the groove segment.

[0020] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, protruding supports are provided at the four corners of the bottom of the vehicle, each support extending into the moving groove and fitting against the inner bottom surface of the moving groove, and the vehicle is mounted on the inner bottom surface of the moving groove through each of the supports.

[0021] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the device for subsequent assembly processing of the angle valve body is provided on the worktable along the direction of the moving groove transfer tool, at a position after the transition groove. The device includes a handwheel placement device, a handwheel pressing device, and a screw device arranged in sequence. The handwheel placement device is used to transfer the handwheel to the valve core of the angle valve body. The handwheel pressing device is used to press the handwheel onto the valve core of the angle valve body. The screw device is used to pass the screw through the handwheel and tighten it onto the valve core of the angle valve body.

[0022] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, a label placement device and a label pressing device are sequentially arranged on the worktable along the direction of the moving channel transfer device after the screw device. The label placement device is used to place the label on the handwheel of the angle valve body and cover the screw, and the label pressing device is used to press the label on the handwheel to fit.

[0023] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, a sorting device is further provided on the workbench along the direction of the moving trough transfer carrier, after multiple workstations for assembling and processing the angle valve bodies. The sorting device picks up angle valves that pass the airtightness test from the carrier of the moving trough and moves them to one position outside the moving trough, and picks up angle valves that fail the airtightness test from the carrier of the moving trough and moves them to another position outside the moving trough.

[0024] Secondly, the present invention also discloses a method for operating the above-mentioned production line, the method being as follows:

[0025] The carrier carries the angle valve body to the working position corresponding to the air testing device, and the air testing device performs an airtightness test on the angle valve body corresponding to its working position.

[0026] While the air testing device is working, the angle valve body that has completed the air testing flows with the carrier to enter the transition groove. The transition groove receives the carrier that has completed the air testing. When the air testing device is stationary for testing, the drive cylinder perpendicular to the groove section where the air testing device is located pushes the carrier to move, so that the moving groove connecting the transition groove forms the moving gap at the opposite corner. Then the carrier in the transition groove moves back to the moving gap. The drive cylinder pushes the carrier that has entered the moving gap from the transition groove to the subsequent assembly and processing device, so that the angle valve bodies on the subsequent carriers can be processed and assembled.

[0027] As can be seen from the above description of the structure of the present invention, compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages: In the present invention, the drive cylinder drives the carrier to move continuously in a step-by-step manner along the moving groove, so that the flow process of the angle valve body from the placement station to the air testing station, and then to the subsequent assembly and processing stations is continuous and smooth. Moreover, when multiple air testing devices simultaneously complete the air tightness test of multiple angle valve bodies, the structure of the transition groove can realize the operation connection between the air testing station and the subsequent assembly and processing station. During the air tightness test of the air testing device, the angle valve body that has completed the test can be smoothly transferred to the subsequent station for processing and assembly one by one. This can improve the efficiency of the angle valve air tightness testing link and avoid the situation where the subsequent assembly and processing steps are waiting due to the stagnation of a single air testing process. This allows the air tightness test and the subsequent assembly and processing steps to be connected in an orderly manner and promoted in a coordinated manner, which is conducive to improving the overall operating efficiency of the angle valve production line. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 2 This is a top view of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the workbench on one side of the workstation.

[0031] Figure 4 A three-dimensional structural diagram showing a movable groove on the surface of the workbench.

[0032] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Top view.

[0033] Figure 6 for Figure 5 An enlarged schematic diagram of point A in the middle.

[0034] Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the vehicle.

[0035] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the work station where the vehicle is located in the moving trough.

[0036] Figure 9 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the workbench from an upward view at the lower test station position.

[0037] Figure 10 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the workbench from a top-down view at the side gas testing station.

[0038] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of one side of the moving groove connecting to the transition groove.

[0039] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the movable slot on one side of the label placement device.

[0040] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the movable groove on one side of the laser marking device. Detailed Implementation

[0041] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0042] Hereinafter, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, a feature defined with "first," "second," etc., may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this embodiment, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0043] Furthermore, in this embodiment, directional terms such as "upper" and "lower" are defined relative to the orientation of the components shown in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these directional terms are relative concepts, used to describe and clarify relative positions, and can change accordingly depending on the orientation of the components in the accompanying drawings.

[0044] This invention provides a continuous angle valve production line, as shown in the attached figure. Figure 1 and 2 As shown, the production line includes a workbench 1, a carrier 2, a test air device, a drive cylinder, and multiple devices mounted on the workbench 1 for performing a series of assembly and processing operations on the angle valve body. The workbench 1 has a moving groove 11, forming a rectangular flow path within it, resulting in four groove segments on its four sides. The carrier 2 serves as a load-bearing component for the angle valve body, used to stably load it. Multiple carriers 2 are arranged in a tightly closed configuration inside the moving groove 11, with only a movement gap 12 reserved for a single carrier 2. This arrangement provides a structural basis for the continuous displacement of the carriers 2. A placement station 101 and a test air station are located on the side of the moving groove 11 on the workbench 1. The placement station 101 serves as a loading station for the angle valve body, used to precisely transfer the assembled valve core to the bearing position of the carrier 2. A testing device is fixedly installed at the testing station. This device, acting as an airtightness testing component, is used to test the airtightness of the port portion of the angle valve body after the valve core has been assembled. A drive cylinder is installed at each of the four corners of the moving groove 11. The piston rod of each drive cylinder extends into the moving groove 11, pushing the carrier 2 to move. Through the sequential transmission within the moving groove 11 via the moving gap 12, all carriers 2 can achieve synchronous and continuous step-by-step rotation. This rotation method allows the carriers 2 carrying the angle valve body to be precisely moved sequentially to the placement station 101 and the station where the testing device is located, ensuring that the angle valve body can complete the loading and airtightness testing operations according to the production process, effectively guaranteeing the continuity of the overall production line operation and the orderly progress of the processes.

[0045] As attached Figure 3 As shown, the placement station 101 can be equipped with a turntable 51, a valve core tightening device 52, and a first robotic arm 53. The turntable 51 rotates and passes sequentially through the valve core tightening device 52 and the first robotic arm 53. The first robotic arm 53 can be a two-axis robotic arm with lateral and lifting axial movements. The moving end of the first robotic arm 53 is equipped with a pneumatic gripper. During operation, the angle valve body is placed on the turntable 51, and the valve core is placed in the valve core assembly position of the angle valve body. When the angle valve body moves with the turntable 51 to the working position of the valve core tightening device 52, the valve core tightening device 52 starts working and tightens the valve core into the angle valve body. The turntable 51 continues to rotate, causing the angle valve body with the tightened valve core to move to the working position of the first robotic arm 53. The first robotic arm 53, through the coordinated action of lifting and lateral movement, and using the pneumatic gripper at its moving end, picks up the angle valve body equipped with the valve core and places it on the carrier 2 in the moving slot 11.

[0046] As attached Figure 4 and 5As shown, in the moving groove 11, the extension and retraction directions of the piston rods of adjacent drive cylinders are perpendicular to each other, and the extension and retraction directions of the piston rods of each drive cylinder are consistent with the extension direction of the groove segment of the moving groove 11 corresponding to its corner, so as to push the carrier 2 located in the groove segment to move along the corresponding groove segment. Taking the attached figure as an example, the four drive cylinders are the first cylinder 41, the second cylinder 42, the third cylinder 43 and the fourth cylinder 44. Each cylinder moves in a preset order to push the carrier 2. After the first cylinder 41 pushes the entire row of carriers 2 in the left vertical groove segment to move towards the second cylinder 42, the corner position where the first cylinder 41 is located immediately forms a moving gap 12; then the piston rod of the fourth cylinder 44 extends, driving the entire row of carriers 2 in the lower horizontal groove segment to move towards the first cylinder 41, so that the corner position where the fourth cylinder 44 is located immediately forms a moving gap 12. Gap 12; then the piston rod of the third cylinder 43 extends, driving the entire row of carriers 2 in the right vertical groove section to move towards the fourth cylinder 44, so that the corner position of the third cylinder 43 immediately forms a moving gap 12; then the piston rod of the second cylinder 42 extends, driving the entire row of carriers 2 in the upper horizontal groove section to move towards the third cylinder 43, so that the corner position of the second cylinder 42 immediately forms a moving gap 12. After completing one cycle of action, the first cylinder 41 can again push the entire row of carriers 2 in the left vertical groove section to move towards the second cylinder 42. In this cycle, the carriers 2 and the angle valve bodies they carry flow sequentially through the placement station 101 and the test station. Each drive cylinder, according to the pattern of this cyclical extension and retraction action, continuously drives the carriers 2 and the angle valve bodies they carry to make continuous stepping movements along the moving groove 11, so that the carriers 2 and the angle valve bodies can flow sequentially through the placement station 101 and the test station according to the production process.

[0047] Please refer to the appendix. Figure 6 Each inner wall of the moving trough 11 is provided with a guide surface 13 at the end where it connects with the adjacent trough. The guide surface 13 extends inclinedly into the trough to form a guiding and correcting function, so that the carrier 2 can move smoothly to the next trough under the thrust of the drive cylinder, and can automatically complete the position correction, so that the carrier 2 and the two side walls of the moving trough 11 can fit and align, ensuring the moving accuracy of the carrier 2 in the moving trough 11 and the alignment accuracy of the carrier 2 with each station.

[0048] As attached Figure 7As shown, a U-shaped support frame 21 is fixed on the carrier 2. This support frame 21 forms a clearance opening on the side of the carrier 2, and a through clearance opening is also opened at the bottom of the carrier 2. When the angle valve body 10 is placed on the support frame 21 of the carrier 2, the support frame 21 can reliably limit the angle valve body 10, so that the two ports of the angle valve body 10 correspond to the two clearance openings respectively. In addition, protruding support bodies 22 are provided at the four corners of the bottom of the carrier 2. Each support body 22 extends into the moving groove 11 and fits against the inner bottom surface of the moving groove 11, so that the carrier 2 is supported on the inner bottom surface of the moving groove 11 by the support bodies 22. This reduces the contact area between the carrier 2 and the inner bottom surface of the moving groove 11, thereby reducing the frictional resistance of the carrier 2 during the displacement process in the moving groove 11 and improving the overall stability of the carrier 2.

[0049] As attached Figure 9 and 10 As shown, the air testing device includes an air testing head 31 and a pressure sensor. An air hole is integrated into the end face of the air testing head 31, and this air hole is connected to an air source via a flexible hose to establish a reliable air passage. A pressure sensor is installed in this air passage to monitor air pressure changes in real time. The air source can be provided by an air compressor. The air testing head 31 is moved relative to the moving slot 11 by a cylinder fixed to the workbench 1. When the carrier 2 carrying the angle valve body 10 moves to the corresponding working position of the air testing device, the cylinder drives the air testing head 31 to move towards the carrier 2, causing the air testing head 31 to tightly seal the port of the angle valve body 10 on the carrier 2. Air is then introduced into the angle valve body 10 through the air passage, and the pressure sensor monitors the air pressure changes in the air passage in real time, thereby achieving the airtightness test of this port of the angle valve body 10.

[0050] Furthermore, the air testing device also includes a blocking head 32, which is positioned on the opposite side of the moving groove 11 relative to the air testing head 31. The blocking head 32 is also driven by a cylinder fixed on the workbench 1 to achieve displacement. When the cylinder driving the air testing head 31 starts and pushes the air testing head 31 towards the carrier 2, the other cylinder driving the blocking head 32 starts simultaneously, pushing the blocking head 32 against the opposite side of the angle valve body 10 on the carrier 2 relative to the air testing head 31. This allows the air testing head 31 and the blocking head 32 to cooperate in clamping and fixing the angle valve body 10 from both sides, thereby maintaining a tight seal between the ports of the air testing head 31 and the angle valve body 10, ensuring the reliability of the airtightness test.

[0051] Continue to refer to the appendix Figure 9 and 10At least two air testing devices are arranged side by side in one section of the moving trough 11 on the workbench 1. The air testing devices are arranged in accordance with the arrangement of adjacent carriers 2 in the moving trough 11. That is, the relative position of two adjacent air testing devices matches the relative position of adjacent carriers 2 in the moving trough 11. When one carrier 2 moves to the working position of the air testing device, the adjacent carrier 2 moves to the working position of the adjacent air testing device simultaneously. This facilitates the simultaneous air tightness testing of the angle valve bodies 10 on multiple carriers 2 and improves the overall work efficiency of the air tightness testing process.

[0052] Furthermore, on the side of the workbench 1, two air-testing stations are set on the side of the moving groove 11 for airtightness testing of the two ports of the angle valve body 10, respectively. The two air-testing stations are the lower air-testing station 102 and the side air-testing station 103. Both the lower air-testing station 102 and the side air-testing station 103 are equipped with at least two air-testing devices side by side. In this embodiment, it is preferable to set three air-testing devices side by side. In the lower air testing station 102, the air testing head 31 of each air testing device is vertically raised and lowered below the workbench 1, and rises to block the bottom port of the angle valve body 10 corresponding to the clearance opening at the bottom of the carrier 2. At the same time, the air hole is corresponding to the bottom port of the angle valve body 10 to perform an airtightness test on the bottom port of the angle valve body 10. In the side air testing station 103, the air testing head 31 of each air testing device is horizontally moved to the side of the workbench 1, and moves to block the side port of the angle valve body 10 corresponding to the clearance opening on the side of the carrier 2. At the same time, the air hole is corresponding to the side port of the angle valve body 10 to perform an airtightness test on the side port of the angle valve body 10.

[0053] Continue to refer to the appendix Figure 7 and 8 The carrier 2 has positioning grooves 23 on all four sides. Each positioning groove 23 has two symmetrically arranged guide surfaces 24, which are inclined towards the inside of the carrier 2 and towards the center of the carrier 2. Positioning pins 15 are provided on the side of the moving groove 11 at the positions corresponding to the air testing device. The positioning pins 15 can move in and out of the moving groove 11. Specifically, the positioning pins 15 can be moved by fixing a positioning cylinder 16 on the outside of the moving groove 11. When the carrier 2 moves with the moving trough 11 to the corresponding working position of the air testing device, the cylinder drives the positioning pin 15 to extend into the moving trough 11. The end of the positioning pin 15 first abuts against the guide surface 24 of the positioning trough 23. Since the guide surface 24 has an inclined structure towards the center of the carrier 2, the positioning pin 15 will apply a lateral correction force along the guide surface 24 as it continues to extend, pushing the carrier 2 to make fine adjustments within the moving trough 11 until the positioning pin 15 is fully inserted into the positioning trough 23, thereby realizing the positioning and correction of the carrier 2 in the working position and ensuring that the port of the angle valve body 10 on the carrier 2 is accurately aligned with the air testing head 31 of the air testing device.

[0054] Referring again to the attached drawings, the moving trough 11 extends along the moving direction of the carrier 2 at the corner after the air testing device to form a transition trough 14. The number of carriers 2 accommodated in the transition trough 14 is one less than the number of air testing devices. Furthermore, along the direction of the carrier 2 flow on the worktable 1 from the moving trough 11, multiple devices for subsequent assembly and processing of the angle valve body 10 are also provided after the transition trough 14. When the drive cylinder pushes the carrier 2 to move in the trough section where the air testing device is located, it simultaneously pushes the carrier 2 in front of that trough section directly into the transition trough 14 in a straight line for temporary placement.

[0055] Continue to refer to the appendix Figure 1 , 2 5. A transition cylinder 45 is also installed at the end of the transition groove 14 along its length. The piston rod of the transition cylinder 45 extends to push the carrier 2 into the moving groove 11. The structure of the transition groove 14 can form a transition buffer placement space for the carrier 2. Its positioning and connection principle is as follows: when the groove section where the air testing device is located is stationary after testing multiple angle valve bodies 10 simultaneously, the drive cylinder (i.e., the third cylinder 43 shown in the figure) perpendicular to the groove section pushes the carrier 2 to move, so that a moving gap 12 is formed at the diagonal of the moving groove 11 connecting the transition groove 14. At this time, the carrier 2, which has completed the air tightness test in the transition groove 14, can enter the gap of the moving groove 11 one by one under the push of the transition cylinder 45, and then flow to the subsequent assembly and processing station by the push of the drive cylinder (i.e., the third cylinder 43 shown in the figure). The subsequent assembly and processing device can simultaneously carry out assembly and processing operations on the angle valve bodies 10 on the carrier 2 that have moved to its working position. While multiple air-testing devices simultaneously conduct air tightness tests on the angle valve bodies 10 on multiple carriers 2 in a group, the subsequent carriers 2 continue to move to perform assembly and processing one by one without affecting each other. This avoids the situation where subsequent assembly and processing processes are delayed due to the stagnation of a single air-testing process, allowing the air tightness test and subsequent assembly and processing processes to be connected in an orderly manner and promoted in a coordinated manner, which is conducive to improving the overall operating efficiency of the angle valve production line.

[0056] As attached Figure 2 As shown, on the workbench 1, along the direction of the transfer carrier 2 via the moving groove 11, a device for subsequent assembly processing of the angle valve body 10 is provided after the transition groove 14. This device includes a handwheel placement device 61, a handwheel pressing device 62, a screw device 63, a label placement device 71, and a label pressing device arranged sequentially along the moving direction of the carrier 2. The handwheel placement device 61 is used to transfer the handwheel onto the valve core of the angle valve body 10. The handwheel pressing device 62 is used to press the handwheel onto the valve core of the angle valve body 10. The screw device 63 is used to pass the screw through the handwheel and tighten it onto the valve core of the angle valve body 10. The label placement device 71 is used to place the label on the handwheel of the angle valve body 10 and cover the screw. The label pressing device is used to press the label on the handwheel until it adheres.

[0057] The handwheel placement device 61 includes a handwheel conveying mechanism and a second robotic arm 611. The handwheel conveying mechanism is a vibratory feeder conveying mechanism, which is arranged along the side of the workbench 1 and extends to the working area of ​​the handwheel placement device 61 for continuously conveying handwheels to be assembled. The moving end of the second robotic arm 611 is equipped with a handwheel gripping component, which is a pneumatic gripper. The gripper of the pneumatic gripper is adapted to the outer contour of the handwheel for gripping the handwheel. The robotic arm also integrates a position sensor for accurately positioning the gripping and placement position. After the carrier 2 moves along the moving trough 11 to the working position of the handwheel placement device 61 and is positioned, the second robotic arm 611 drives the pneumatic gripper to move to the discharge end of the vibratory plate and pick up the handwheel. Then, the second robotic arm 611 drives the handwheel to move directly above the valve core of the angle valve body 10 on the carrier 2. After being calibrated by the position sensor, it descends vertically so that the handwheel is accurately fitted on the upper end of the valve core. The pneumatic gripper opens to complete the handwheel placement. The second robotic arm 611 returns to the initial position and waits for the next carrier 2 to arrive. The whole action is coordinated with the continuous stepping flow rhythm of the carrier 2.

[0058] As attached Figure 11 As shown, the handwheel pressing device 62 includes a first pressing frame 621, a first pressing cylinder 622, and a first pressing head. The first pressing frame 621 is vertically fixed to the outside of the corresponding moving slot 11 on the workbench 1, located at the next station of the handwheel placement device 61 along the moving direction of the carrier 2. The first pressing cylinder 622 is vertically fixed to the top of the first pressing frame 621. The piston rod of the first pressing cylinder 622 is fixed downwards to the first pressing head. The lower end face of the first pressing head is a plane adapted to the upper end face of the handwheel. The first pressing cylinder 622 is equipped with a pressure regulating valve for adjusting the pressing pressure value. After the carrier 2, which has completed the placement of the handwheel, is transferred to the working position of the handwheel pressing device 62 and positioned, the first pressing cylinder 622 drives the first pressing head to move down and abut against the upper end face of the handwheel to apply vertical downward pressure to the handwheel. The preset pressure of the pressure regulating valve makes the handwheel press down along the valve core axis, and fits the mating surface of the valve core without gap. After holding the pressure for 1 to 2 seconds, the first pressing cylinder 622 drives the first pressing head to rise vertically to reset, completing the handwheel pressing.

[0059] Continue to refer to the appendix Figure 11The screw device 63 is fixed to the side of the workbench 1 and located at the next working position after the handwheel pressing device 62. The screw device 63 is preferably an air-blowing automatic screw machine, including a screw feeding mechanism, a servo tightening spindle, a tightening bit, and a torque closed-loop control system. After the carrier 2 moves to the working position of the screw device 63 and is positioned, the vibratory feeder conveys the screw through the feeding air pipe into the slot of the tightening bit. The servo tightening spindle drives the tightening bit to descend vertically, so that the screw thread passes through the mounting hole on the handwheel and initially engages with the threaded hole of the valve core. Then the spindle drives the bit to rotate while continuously feeding vertically. The torque closed-loop control system monitors the tightening torque in real time. When the torque reaches the preset value, the spindle immediately stops rotating and rises vertically to reset, completing the screw tightening.

[0060] As attached Figure 12 As shown, the label placement device 71 includes a label peeler and a third robotic arm 711. The label peeler is fixed to the side of the worktable 1 and is used to continuously peel off labels. Its peeling end is equipped with a label sensor to detect when the label is in place. The third robotic arm 711 is vertically arranged outside the corresponding moving slot 11 of the worktable 1 and is located at the next working position of the screw device 63. The third robotic arm 711, like the second robotic arm 611, can be a spider-hand structure robotic arm. The moving end of the third robotic arm 711 can achieve 360° rotation, horizontal and vertical lifting. The movement trajectory covers the area directly above the peeling end of the label peeler and the handwheel of the angle valve body 10 on the carrier 2. The moving end of the third robotic arm 711 is equipped with a vacuum suction cup for adsorbing the label. After the carrier 2, with its screws tightened, is transferred to the working station of the label placement device 71 and positioned, the label peeler peels off the label. Once the label sensor detects that the label is in place, the third robotic arm 711 drives the vacuum suction cup to move to the peeling end, descends vertically, and then sucks in the air to adsorb the label. After the third robotic arm 711 moves the label to directly above the handwheel, it lowers the label vertically to make the label fit the corresponding position of the handwheel. The suction cup then releases the label, and the third robotic arm 711 resets, completing the label placement.

[0061] Continue to refer to the appendix Figure 12The label pressing device includes a second pressing frame 721, a second pressing cylinder 722, and a second pressing head. The second pressing frame 721 is vertically fixed to the outside of the corresponding moving slot 11 on the worktable 1 and is located at the next working position of the label placement device 71 along the moving direction of the carrier 2. The second pressing cylinder 722 is vertically fixed to the top of the second pressing frame 721, and its piston rod is fixed downward to the second pressing head. The second pressing head is made of silicone and its lower end surface is a smooth plane. After the carrier 2, which has completed label placement, moves to the working position of the label pressing device and is positioned, the second pressing cylinder 722 drives the second pressing head to descend vertically to abut against the upper end surface of the label, so as to apply uniform vertical downward pressure to the label covering the handwheel, so that the label is completely attached to the surface of the handwheel. After holding the pressure for 1 to 2 seconds, the second pressing cylinder 722 drives the second pressing head to rise vertically to reset, completing the label pressing.

[0062] In addition, a sorting device 8 can be set on the workbench 1 along the direction of the transfer device 2 flowing through the moving groove 11, after the label pressing device, and a laser marking device 9 can be set after the transition groove 14 to the position of the label pressing device. The laser marking device 9 is preferably set between the transition groove 14 and the handwheel placement device 61.

[0063] As attached Figure 13 As shown, the laser marking device 9 includes a third support 91, a laser marking machine 92, and a positioning cylinder 93. The laser marking machine 92 is vertically fixed to the outside of the moving slot 11 corresponding to the worktable 1, with its laser output port vertically downward and aligned with the preset marking position of the angle valve body 10 on the carrier 2 in the moving slot 11. The third support 91 is fixed on the worktable 1 and located on one side of the moving slot 11. The positioning cylinder 93 is fixed to the third support 91, and the piston rod of the positioning cylinder 93 is vertically arranged to press against the carrier 2 flowing into the working position of the laser marking device 9 to achieve positioning. When the carrier 2 moves along the moving groove 11 to the working position of the laser marking device 9, the piston rod of the positioning cylinder 93 extends and presses the carrier 2 to prevent the carrier 2 from shifting during the marking process. Then, the laser marking machine 92 emits a laser to the preset position of the angle valve body 10 to complete the marking process of information such as product model and production batch. After the marking is completed, the piston rod of the positioning cylinder 93 retracts back to its original position, and the carrier 2 continues to move along the moving groove 11 to the next working position.

[0064] As attached Figure 12As shown, the sorting device 8 includes a fourth robotic arm 81, a first conveyor belt, and a second conveyor belt. The fourth robotic arm 81 is fixed to the workbench 1, which is also equipped with a qualified product inlet 104 and a defective product inlet 105. The first conveyor belt is located below the qualified product inlet 104, and the second conveyor belt is located below the defective product inlet 105. The ends of both the first and second conveyor belts extend beyond the workbench 1. The fourth robotic arm 81, like the first robotic arm 53, can be a two-axis robotic arm. Its movement trajectory covers the carrier 2 station and the qualified product inlet 104 and defective product inlet 105 within the moving trough 11. The moving end of the fourth robotic arm 81 is also fixed with a pneumatic gripper for gripping the assembled angle valve body 10 on the carrier 2. The fourth robotic arm 81 is also linked with the angle valve airtightness detection system. After the angle valve body 10 completes the airtightness test by the air testing device, the testing system synchronously marks the qualified or unqualified test results in the system. When the carrier 2 flows to the working position of the sorting device 8 and is positioned, the control system of the equipment reads the test mark information of the angle valve body 10, and then controls the fourth robotic arm 81 to drive the pneumatic gripper to move above the carrier 2. The gripper at its moving end closes and grabs the angle valve body 10. If it is a qualified product, the fourth robotic arm 81 transfers it to the first conveyor belt. If it is an unqualified product, the fourth robotic arm 81 transfers it to the second conveyor belt. After sorting is completed, the empty carrier 2 continues to flow along the moving trough 11 and enters the next production cycle.

[0065] The first robotic arm 53 places the angle valve body 10, which contains the valve core, onto the carrier 2 in the moving groove 11. During the process of rotation under the sequential and coordinated push of each drive cylinder, the production line of the present invention operates as follows:

[0066] The carrier 2 is transferred to the corresponding work station of the air testing device. The positioning pins 15 of the side air testing station 103 and the lower air testing station 102 are inserted into the moving groove 11 and into the positioning groove 23 of the carrier 2 at the corresponding air testing station, so as to realize the positioning correction of the carrier 2 and make the port of the angle valve body 10 on the carrier 2 correspond to the air testing head 31 of the air testing device. Then the cylinder pushes the air testing head 31 to seal the port of the angle valve body 10, so that the air source forms an air passage through the air hole of the air testing head 31. The pressure sensor monitors the air pressure change in the air passage in real time, thereby realizing the air tightness test. After the test is completed, the positioning pin 15 is reset, the air testing head 31 is reset with the cylinder, and the system marks the test result.

[0067] While the air testing device is working, the angle valve body 10 that has completed the air testing is transferred to the transition groove 14 along with the carrier 2. The transition groove 14 receives the carrier 2 that has completed the air testing and forms a transition placement space. When the air testing device is stationary for testing, the drive cylinder (i.e., the third cylinder 43) perpendicular to the groove section where the air testing device is located pushes the carrier 2 to move, so that a moving gap 12 is formed at the diagonal of the moving groove 11 connecting the transition groove 14. Then, the transition cylinder 45 pushes the carrier 2 in the transition groove 14 back to the moving gap 12. The drive cylinder (i.e., the third cylinder 43) pushes the carrier 2 that enters the moving gap 12 from the transition groove 14 to the subsequent assembly and processing device, so that the angle valve body 10 on each subsequent carrier 2 can be processed and assembled. During this process, the transition groove 14 achieves seamless connection between the air testing station and the subsequent assembly station, ensuring that the air testing operation and the subsequent assembly operation are carried out simultaneously without interference.

[0068] The carrier 2, which is moved back from the transition groove 14, is transferred to the working position of the laser marking device 9 and positioned. The piston rod of the positioning cylinder 93 of the laser marking device extends and presses against the carrier 2 to achieve positioning. The laser marking machine 92 emits a laser to the angle valve body 10 to complete the marking. After that, the piston rod of the positioning cylinder 93 retracts back to its original position.

[0069] The carrier 2 is transferred to the working position of the handwheel placement device 61 and positioned. The second robotic arm 611 drives the pneumatic gripper to pick up the handwheel and place it directly above the valve core of the angle valve body 10. The handwheel is then placed on the valve core. After that, the second robotic arm 611 is reset.

[0070] The carrier 2 is transferred to the handwheel pressing device 62 and positioned. The first pressing cylinder 622 drives the first pressing head to move down to abut the handwheel and apply downward pressure, so that the handwheel is pressed along the valve core axis and fits tightly with the valve core. After the pressing is completed, the first pressing head rises and resets.

[0071] The carrier 2 is transferred to the working position of the screw device 63 and positioned. The screw feeding mechanism delivers the screw to the tightening bit. The servo tightening spindle drives the bit to move down. The screw initially engages with the threaded hole of the valve core. The spindle drives the bit to rotate and feed. The torque system monitors the tightening torque. When the torque reaches the target, the spindle stops and resets, so that the screw is tightened to the valve core.

[0072] The carrier 2 is transferred to the working station of the label placement device 71 and positioned. The label peeler peels off the label. The third robotic arm 711 is driven to the label position and picks up the label. The third robotic arm 711 moves the label to the handwheel and attaches the label to the corresponding position of the handwheel. Then the vacuum suction cup releases the label and the third robotic arm 711 resets.

[0073] The carrier 2 is transferred to the label pressing device station and positioned. The second pressing cylinder 722 drives the second pressing head to move down. The second pressing head abuts against the label and applies uniform downward pressure to completely adhere the label to the top surface of the handwheel. After pressing is completed, the second pressing head rises and resets.

[0074] Carrier 2 is transferred to the working station of sorting device 8 and positioned. The system reads the detection mark of angle valve body 10. The fourth robotic arm 81 drives the pneumatic gripper to grab angle valve body 10. Qualified products are transferred to the first conveyor belt and released. Unqualified products are transferred to the second conveyor belt and released. After that, the fourth robotic arm 81 is reset and the empty carrier 2 continues to flow along the moving trough 11 to enter the next cycle.

[0075] During the above-mentioned work process, the devices at each workstation always execute their corresponding processes synchronously. When the device at the placement station 101 completes the assembly and loading of the angle valve body 10 and valve core, the air testing device at the air testing station simultaneously conducts an airtightness test on the loaded angle valve body 10. The structural design of the transition groove 14 enables the connection between the air testing station and the subsequent assembly station, so that while the air testing device is statically testing, the subsequent assembly and processing devices such as the laser marking device 9, handwheel placement device 61, handwheel pressing device 62, label placement device 71, and label pressing device simultaneously perform marking, handwheel assembly, screw tightening, and label affixing operations on the angle valve body 10 that has completed the airtightness test. At the same time, the sorting device 8 simultaneously performs sorting operations on the angle valve body 10 that has completed the entire assembly process. The working actions of each station device are adapted to the continuous stepping flow rhythm of the carrier 2. The carrier 2 drives the angle valve body 10 to flow through each station in sequence to realize the orderly transfer of the process. Each device independently completes its own work task and runs synchronously throughout the process. There is no interruption between the processes. The air testing process and the subsequent assembly and processing process do not interfere with each other. The continuous automated operation of the entire angle valve production process is realized, which effectively improves the overall operating efficiency of the production line.

[0076] The above are merely specific embodiments of the present invention, but the design concept of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any non-substantial modifications made to the present invention using the concept of the present invention shall constitute an infringement of the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A continuous angle valve production line, characterized in that, The production line includes: A workbench, wherein a rectangular moving groove is provided on the workbench; The carrier is used to load the angle valve body. Multiple carriers are arranged in a tightly closed manner inside the moving groove, and only a single moving gap is reserved in the moving groove. The continuous step movement of all carriers is achieved by the transmission of the moving gap in the moving groove. An air-testing device is provided on the workbench and is used to test the air tightness of the port of the angle valve body equipped with the valve core. A drive cylinder is provided on the outside of the moving groove, and a drive cylinder is provided at each of the four corners of the moving groove. The piston rod of each drive cylinder extends into the moving groove. The extension and retraction directions of the piston rods of two adjacent drive cylinders are perpendicular to each other. The extension and retraction direction of the piston rod of each drive cylinder is consistent with the extension direction of the groove segment corresponding to the corner, so as to push the carrier located in the groove segment to move along the corresponding groove segment, and drive the angle valve body loaded on the carrier to flow sequentially through the placement station where the angle valve body with the valve core is placed and the test air device. At least two of the air testing devices are arranged side by side on the workbench. The moving groove extends along the moving direction of the carrier at the corner after the air testing device to form a transition groove. The number of carriers accommodated in the transition groove is one less than the number of air testing devices. Furthermore, multiple devices for subsequent assembly and processing of the angle valve body are arranged after the transition groove along the direction of carrier flow in the moving groove on the workbench.

2. The production line as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Both the side and bottom surfaces of the vehicle are provided with clearance openings. When the angle valve body is placed on the vehicle, the two ports of the angle valve body correspond to the two clearance openings respectively. The gas testing device includes a gas testing head and a pressure sensor. The end face of the gas testing head is integrated with a gas hole. The gas hole is connected to a gas source through a hose to establish a reliable gas path. A pressure sensor is installed in the gas path to monitor gas pressure changes in real time. The workbench is provided with two air-tightness test stations at the two ports of the diagonal valve body on the side of the moving groove. The two air-tightness test stations are the lower air-tightness test station and the side air-tightness test station, and both the lower air-tightness test station and the side air-tightness test station are equipped with multiple air-tightness test devices arranged side by side. In the lower test station, the test head of each test device is located below the workbench and rises vertically to block the bottom port of the angle valve body corresponding to the clearance port at the bottom of the carrier, while the air hole is located at the bottom port of the angle valve body. In the side test gas station, the test gas head of each test gas device moves horizontally to the side of the workbench and moves to block the port on the side of the angle valve body corresponding to the side clearance port on the side of the vehicle, while the air hole corresponds to the side port of the angle valve body.

3. The production line as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The gas testing device also includes a blocking head, which is located on the other side of the moving groove relative to the gas testing head. When the gas testing head moves to the port that seals the angle valve body, the blocking head moves to press against the other side of the angle valve body relative to the gas testing head.

4. The production line as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The carrier has positioning grooves on all four sides, each positioning groove having two symmetrically arranged guide surfaces. The guide surfaces face inwards from the carrier and are inclined towards the center of the carrier. Positioning pins are provided on the sides of the moving groove at positions corresponding to the air testing device. The positioning pins move inwards and outwards relative to the moving groove. When the carrier moves within the moving groove to the position corresponding to the air testing device, the positioning pins extend into the moving groove, abut against the guide surfaces, and insert into the positioning groove, so that the port of the angle valve body on the carrier corresponds to the air testing head of the air testing device.

5. The production line as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Each section of the movable groove has a guide surface on its inner sidewall at the end where it connects with the adjacent section. The guide surface extends inclinedly into the groove section.

6. The production line as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the four corners of the bottom of the vehicle is provided with a protruding support body. Each support body extends into the moving groove and fits against the inner bottom surface of the moving groove. The vehicle is mounted on the inner bottom surface of the moving groove through each of the support bodies.

7. The production line as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Along the direction of the moving channel transfer tool on the workbench, a device for subsequent assembly processing of the angle valve body is provided at a position after the transition channel. This device includes a handwheel placement device, a handwheel pressing device, and a screw device arranged in sequence. The handwheel placement device is used to transfer the handwheel to the valve core of the angle valve body. The handwheel pressing device is used to press the handwheel onto the valve core of the angle valve body. The screw device is used to pass the screw through the handwheel and tighten it onto the valve core of the angle valve body.

8. The production line as described in claim 7, characterized in that, Along the direction of the moving channel transfer tool on the workbench, a label placement device and a label pressing device are sequentially arranged after the screw device. The label placement device is used to place the label on the handwheel of the angle valve body and cover the screw, and the label pressing device is used to press the label on the handwheel to fit.

9. The production line as described in claim 1, 7, or 8, characterized in that, Along the direction of the moving trough conveyor on the workbench, after multiple workstations for assembling and processing angle valve bodies, a sorting device is also provided. The sorting device picks up angle valves that pass the airtightness test from the carrier of the moving trough and moves them to one position outside the moving trough, and picks up angle valves that fail the airtightness test from the carrier of the moving trough and moves them to another position outside the moving trough.

10. A method of operating a production line as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The method is as follows: The carrier carries the angle valve body to the working position corresponding to the air testing device, and the air testing device performs an airtightness test on the angle valve body corresponding to its working position. While the air testing device is working, the angle valve body that has completed the air testing flows with the carrier to enter the transition groove. The transition groove receives the carrier that has completed the air testing. When the air testing device is stationary for testing, the drive cylinder perpendicular to the groove section where the air testing device is located pushes the carrier to move, so that the moving groove connecting the transition groove forms the moving gap at the opposite corner. Then the carrier in the transition groove moves back to the moving gap. The drive cylinder pushes the carrier that has entered the moving gap from the transition groove to the subsequent assembly and processing device, so that the angle valve bodies on the subsequent carriers can be processed and assembled.

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