Positioning device for VGR automobile steering device blank conveying

Abstract

The invention discloses a positioning device for VGR automobile steering gear blank conveying, and relates to the field of automobile part machining equipment.The positioning device comprises a conveying frame and a multi-axis robot, conveying chains are distributed on the conveying frame, positioning clamping bases are arranged on the conveying chains, the lower portions of the two ends of a blank are clamped on the positioning clamping bases, and gap supplementing pieces are arranged on the positioning clamping bases; a fixed seat is arranged at the output end of the multi-axis robot, a detection camera is arranged on the fixed seat, an adsorption component is arranged on the positioning clamping seat, the conveying chain is provided with a middle roll shaft, and a jacking component is arranged on the middle roll shaft. Roll shaft surfaces at the two ends of a blank are fixed, the blank is prevented from rolling when being conveyed on a conveying chain, clamping strips are clamped on rack surfaces, swing of the rack surfaces is reduced, a jack-up component ejects a plug block, and an adsorption component adsorbs the upper portion of the blank, so that the multi-axis robot can grab the blank conveniently, and the asymmetric rack surfaces can be kept still conveniently.

Description

A positioning device for conveying VGR automotive steering gear blanks Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automotive parts processing equipment, specifically a positioning device for conveying VGR automotive steering gear blanks. Background Technology

[0002] The automotive steering gear is the core component of a vehicle's steering system. Its main function is to convert the rotational motion of the steering wheel into the steering action of the wheels, ensuring the precision and safety of driving control. Automotive steering gears come in various forms, including rack and pinion, recirculating ball, and worm crank pin. Among them, the rack and pinion type has a simple structure and fast response, so it is widely used in family cars. The VGR steering gear, a rack and pinion type, is an advanced steering system that optimizes the driving experience by dynamically adjusting the ratio of the steering wheel angle to the wheel steering angle. Its core advantage lies in balancing low-speed agility and high-speed stability.

[0003] The VGR automotive steering system employs an asymmetrical rack and pinion design (such as denser gears in the middle and sparser gears at the ends) to achieve precise steering at small angles and agile steering at large angles. During the manufacturing process of the VGR automotive steering blank, the middle portion of the roller is first machined into an asymmetrical gear. Then, the pre-processed blank is transported via conveyor equipment (such as a conveyor belt) to a robotic arm, which picks it up and transfers it to a lathe for further processing. Because the two ends of the VGR automotive steering blank are roller-shaped, and the middle portion is an asymmetrical gear blank... When the VGR automotive steering gear blank is placed on the conveyor belt and transported to the robotic arm, the blank will roll along the conveyor belt. The asymmetrical gear in the middle of the blank will swing and rub along the conveyor belt, which can easily cause wear on the asymmetrical gear surface. Due to the rolling of the blank at both ends and the swinging of the asymmetrical gear surface in the middle, the VGR automotive steering gear blank is misplaced on the conveyor belt, which is not conducive to the robotic arm grasping the VGR automotive steering gear blank for further processing. Therefore, we propose a positioning device for conveying VGR automotive steering gear blank. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a positioning device for conveying VGR automotive steering gear blanks, so as to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a positioning device for conveying VGR automotive steering gear blanks, comprising a transport frame and a multi-axis robot. The multi-axis robot is located in the middle of one side of the transport frame. A conveyor chain is distributed on the transport frame, and a drive component for moving the conveyor chain is installed on the transport frame. Multiple sets of positioning clips are installed on the conveyor chain, with the lower parts of both ends of the blank being clipped onto positioning clip seats. A gap-filling component is installed on the positioning clip seats to fill the gap between the blank and the positioning clip seats. A fixed seat is provided at the output end of the multi-axis robot, and a detection camera is installed on the fixed seat, pointing towards both ends of the conveyor chain. An adsorption component is provided on the positioning clip seats, and the upper part of the blank and the positioning clip seats are connected by an adsorption component. The conveyor chain has an intermediate roller shaft in the middle, located below the output end of the multi-axis robot. A lifting component is installed on the intermediate roller shaft to open the gap filler from the positioning chuck. The blank material is restricted to the positioning chuck by the cooperation of the plug and the semi-elliptical groove. Simultaneously, the gap filler helps to limit the upper part of the blank material, thus preventing rotation during conveying. At the multi-axis robot, the lifting component removes the plug from the blank material and attaches it to the tooling of the multi-axis robot, thus helping the multi-axis robot maintain its positioning when grasping the blank material, facilitating its entry into subsequent processing equipment.

[0006] Preferably, the positioning bracket includes a mounting block, and fixing plates are connected to both sides of the mounting block. The fixing plates are fixed to the transport chain by pins. The mounting block has a semi-elliptical groove, and gap supplements are distributed in the semi-elliptical groove. Guide posts are installed on both sides of the top of the mounting block. The adsorption components slide through the guide posts on both sides. By opening a semi-elliptical groove on the mounting block, the blank material is inserted into the semi-elliptical groove, and the blank material and the blank material are located in the lower half of the semi-ellipse, which provides good wrapping of the blank material and prevents the blank material from rotating on the roller axis.

[0007] Preferably, the gap filling component includes two sets of plugs, which are respectively inserted into the two sides of the semi-elliptical groove, and two connecting rods are connected between the two sets of plugs. The plugs are symmetrically distributed in two bulging sections, and the two bulging sections are connected by an arc transition. An adhesive piece is installed at the top of the bulging section of the plug, and the adhesive piece is inclined. Through the inclined design of the adhesive piece, the adhesive piece is fixedly attached to the surface of the blank material.

[0008] Preferably, a retaining strip is connected to the plug on the asymmetric surface of the billet. The retaining strip is located on the outer side of the asymmetric surface of the billet and passes through the asymmetric surface of the billet, thereby restricting the rack surface and effectively preventing the asymmetric rack surface from swaying during the conveying process, thus reducing the wear of the asymmetric rack surface.

[0009] Preferably, a connecting block is provided at the bottom of the plug located outside the conveyor chain. The two ends of the connecting block are respectively connected to crankshafts, and the crankshafts are connected to the bottom of the plug. A lifting plate is connected to the bottom of the connecting block. The top of the lifting component is connected to the bottom of the lifting plate. By setting crankshafts on both sides of the bottom of the plug, the crankshafts retract when the lifting plate lifts. The retracted crankshafts help to open the gap between the two sides of the plug, so that the billet can be separated from the plug.

[0010] Preferably, the bottom of the plug is connected to a limiting plate, the limiting plate is provided with a limiting groove, and the back of the connecting block is connected to a limiting post. The limiting post slides in the limiting groove. By sliding the limiting post in the sliding groove, it is beneficial to maintain stable movement when the lifting plate lifts the plug upward.

[0011] Preferably, the lifting component includes an elliptical plate mounted on an intermediate roller shaft. The elliptical plate has two symmetrical mounting grooves located on the long semi-axis of the elliptical plate. An electric push rod is installed in the mounting groove. The output end of the electric push rod slides through the mounting groove and is connected to a lifting ball. The lifting ball contacts the bottom of the lifting plate. By pushing the lifting ball with the electric push rod, the lifting ball helps to lift the lifting plate.

[0012] Preferably, the adsorption component includes an arc-shaped magnetic plate disposed in the middle of a semi-elliptical groove. The bottom ends of the arc-shaped magnetic plate abut against the outside of the connecting rod. The top of the arc-shaped magnetic plate is connected to two support plates, and the top of the support plates is connected to a fixing plate. A strong magnetic block is installed in the middle part of the fixing plate. The two ends of the fixing plate slide through guide posts. A shock-absorbing spring is sleeved on the outside of the guide posts. One end of the shock-absorbing spring is connected to the bottom of the fixing plate. By setting a shock-absorbing spring between the fixing plate and the mounting block, when the arc-shaped magnetic plate abuts against the connecting rod, on the one hand, the wear of the fixing plate on the mounting block is reduced. On the other hand, when the shock-absorbing spring has an upward tendency, the arc-shaped magnetic plate is restricted from abutting the lower part of the connecting rod, making the bottom of the arc-shaped magnetic plate fit the connecting rod more closely.

[0013] Preferably, the driving component includes driving rollers installed at both ends of the conveyor chain. The two ends of the driving rollers are mounted on the transport frame. One of the driving rollers is connected to a driving motor, which drives the driving roller to rotate, thereby facilitating the movement of the conveyor chain.

[0014] Preferably, the two sides of the mounting block are higher than the surface of the conveyor chain, and the gap between the mounting block and the surface of the conveyor chain is the removal gap. The opening of the semi-elliptical groove is made of silicone. By using silicone for the opening of the semi-elliptical groove, the opening position of the semi-elliptical groove has a certain degree of contraction. Therefore, it can be maintained that after the plug is inserted, when the blank is inserted into the plug, the opening will open, which is conducive to the bottom of the blank being placed in the lower position of the semi-elliptical groove.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0016] This invention supports the billet by installing multiple sets of positioning brackets on the conveyor chain. With the cooperation of the gap supplement and the positioning brackets, the roller surfaces at both ends of the billet are fixed, thereby preventing the billet from rolling during transport on the conveyor chain. At the same time, the clips are engaged with the rack surface, reducing the sway at the asymmetric surface, and thus reducing the swaying wear between the rack surface and the conveyor chain. When the billet is transported to the multi-axis robot, the gap supplement is pushed out of the positioning bracket by the lifting component. The upper part of the billet is adsorbed by the adsorption component at the top of the billet, and the billet is pushed out of the semi-elliptical groove at the stop block. This facilitates the multi-axis robot to grasp the billet and helps keep the asymmetric rack surface stationary during the grasping process.

[0017] The opening of the semi-elliptical groove used to hold the plug in this invention is made of silicone. After the plug is inserted into the semi-elliptical groove, the blank enters the interior of the plug, thereby opening the semi-elliptical groove made of silicone. After the blank is fully inserted, the opening closes, thereby changing the fit between the positioning seat, the gap supplement and the blank from a clearance fit to an interference fit, thus stably clamping the roller surfaces at both ends of the blank and reducing the rolling of the roller surfaces at both ends of the blank.

[0018] The gap between the mounting block and the surface of the conveyor chain in this invention is a removal gap. When maintenance is required, after removing the pins on the fixing plate, an auxiliary tool such as a screwdriver is inserted into the removal gap to pry the mounting block off the surface of the conveyor chain, thereby facilitating the installation and removal of the positioning card. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the transport frame of the present invention after a side section is cut;

[0021] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the multi-axis robot structure of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the conveyor chain and drive component of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the transport frame of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the conveyor chain after conveying the blank according to the present invention;

[0025] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the gap supplement and adsorption component of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the billet being transported to the middle of the conveyor chain according to the present invention;

[0027] Figure 9 is a magnified structural diagram of region A in Figure 4;

[0028] Figure 10 is a magnified structural diagram of region B in Figure 8;

[0029] Figure 11 is a magnified structural diagram of region C in Figure 8.

[0030] In the diagram: 1-Transport frame; 2-Conveyor chain; 3-Drive component; 4-Positioning bracket; 5-Gap supplement; 6-Adsorption component; 7-Intermediate roller shaft; 8-Lifting component; 11-Multi-axis robot; 12-Fixed seat; 13-Detection camera; 31-Drive roller; 32-Drive motor; 41-Mounting block; 42-Fixing plate; 43-Pin; 44-Semi-elliptical groove; 45-Guide column; 51-Plug; 52-Connecting rod; 53-Adhesive plate; 54-Clamping strip; 55-Connecting block; 56-Crankshaft; 57-Lifting plate; 58-Limiting plate; 59-Limiting column; 61-Arc-shaped magnetic plate; 62-Bracket plate; 63-Fixing plate; 64-Strong magnetic block; 65-Shock-absorbing spring; 81-Elliptical plate; 82-Mounting groove; 83-Electric push rod; 84-Lifting ball; 581-Limiting groove. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0032] Please refer to Figures 1-11. This invention provides a technical solution: a positioning device for conveying VGR automotive steering gear blanks, including a transport frame 1 and a multi-axis robot 11. The bottom of the transport frame 1 is fixed with multiple support columns for support. Slopes are provided at both ends of the transport frame 11 to facilitate the placement and removal of blanks. The multi-axis robot 11 is located in the middle of one side of the transport frame 1. The mounting end of the multi-axis robot 11 is a cross mounting block, which facilitates the installation of different tooling. The tooling is used to grip the blanks. A conveyor chain 2 is distributed on the transport frame 1. A drive component 3 that drives the conveyor chain 2 is installed on the transport frame 1. Multiple sets of positioning brackets 4 are installed on the conveyor chain 2. The lower parts of both ends of the blank are clamped on the positioning brackets 4. A gap supplement 5 is installed on the positioning brackets 4 to fill the gap between the blank and the positioning bracket 4.

[0033] The driving component 3 used to drive the conveyor chain 2 includes a driving roller 31 installed at both ends of the conveyor chain 2. The two ends of the driving roller 31 are installed on the transport frame 1. One of the driving rollers 31 is connected to a driving motor 32. When the conveyor chain 2 is conveyed, the driving motor 32 is started. Since the output end of the driving motor 32 is connected to the driving roller 31, the driving motor 32 drives the driving roller 31 to rotate, thereby rotating the conveyor chain 2. Since the intermediate roller shaft 7 is distributed in the middle of the conveyor chain 2, when the conveyor chain 2 starts to move, it can drive the intermediate roller shaft 7 to rotate. By setting the speed of the driving motor 32, when the long axis of the elliptical plate 81 rotates along the intermediate roller shaft 7 by 180° or an integer multiple of 180°, the conveyor chain 2 passing through the surface of the intermediate roller shaft 7 is exactly the gap between two adjacent positioning brackets. In this way, the long axis of the elliptical plate 81 can be kept aligned with the bottom of the positioning bracket 4.

[0034] The positioning bracket 4 is installed on the conveyor chain by attaching the fixing plate 42 to the conveyor chain 2, and then inserting the pin 43 from the mounting hole of the fixing plate 42 to fix the fixing plate 42 to the surface of the conveyor chain 2. Since the fixing plate 42 is fixed on both sides of the mounting block 41, and the mounting block 41 is higher than the conveyor chain 2 by 2-4mm, the gap between the mounting block 41 and the surface of the conveyor chain 2 is the removal gap. When maintenance is required, after removing the pin 43 on the fixing plate 42, the mounting block 41 is pried off the surface of the conveyor chain 2 by inserting an auxiliary tool such as a screwdriver into the removal gap, thus facilitating the installation and removal of the positioning bracket 4.

[0035] The output end of the multi-axis robot 11 is provided with a fixed seat 12, and a detection camera 13 is installed on the fixed seat 12. The detection camera 13 is aligned with both ends of the conveyor chain 2. The positioning bracket 4 is provided with an adsorption component 6, which is located in the gap between the upper part of the blank and the positioning bracket 4. The middle part of the conveyor chain 2 is provided with an intermediate roller shaft 7, which is located below the output end of the multi-axis robot 11. The intermediate roller shaft 7 is provided with a lifting component 8 that opens the gap filling component 5 from the positioning bracket 4.

[0036] The positioning bracket 4 includes a mounting block 41, and fixing plates 42 are connected to both sides of the mounting block 41. The fixing plates 42 are fixed to the transport chain by pins 43. The mounting block 41 has a semi-elliptical groove 44, and gap supplements 5 are distributed in the semi-elliptical groove 44. Guide posts 45 are installed on both sides of the top of the mounting block 41, and the adsorption components 6 slide through the guide posts 45 on both sides.

[0037] The gap supplement 5 includes two sets of plugs 51, which are respectively inserted into both sides of the semi-elliptical groove 44. Two connecting rods 52 connect the two sets of plugs 51. The plugs 51 are symmetrically distributed with bulging ends, which are the contact points between the plugs 51 and the roller surface of the blank. These bulges are made of a soft material, such as silicone or rubber, to reduce wear on the roller surface of the blank when the plugs 51 are in contact with it. The two bulges are transitioned by an arc. An adhesive strip 53 is installed at the top of the bulge of the plug 51, and the adhesive strip 53 is obliquely distributed. A retaining strip 54 is connected to the plug 51 near the asymmetric surface of the blank, and the retaining strip 54 is distributed on the outer side of the asymmetric surface of the blank.

[0038] One end of the gripper block 51 is inserted into the semi-elliptical groove 44. The gripper block 51 can be gripped manually or inserted into the semi-elliptical groove 44 using a robotic arm or electric actuator. After the gripper block 51 is inserted, the roller sections at both ends of the billet need to be lifted using lifting equipment or manually, and the two ends of the billet are then inserted into the gripper block 51. Due to the design of the semi-elliptical groove 44, the upper opening of the semi-elliptical groove 44 is small, while the semi-elliptical groove 44... The lower part of 4 has a large accommodating area. The upper opening of the semi-elliptical groove 44 is made of silicone material. Silicone material has good ductility. Therefore, after the plugs 51 are inserted into both ends of the blank, the silicone material in the semi-elliptical groove 44 is squeezed by both ends of the blank, while the plugs 51 remain unchanged. Thus, the plugs 51 fill the gap between the two ends of the blank and the semi-elliptical groove 44. After the plugs 51 are inserted into both ends of the blank, the two retaining strips 54 on the plug 51 located at one end of the asymmetric plane are aligned with the outer side of the rack.

[0039] A connecting block 55 is provided at the bottom of the plug 51 located outside the conveyor chain 2. The two ends of the connecting block 55 are respectively connected to the crankshaft 56, and the crankshaft 56 is connected to the bottom of the plug 51. The bottom of the connecting block 55 is connected to the lifting plate 57, and the top of the lifting component 8 is in contact with the bottom of the lifting plate 57.

[0040] The bottom of the plug 51 is connected to a limiting plate 58, and the limiting plate 58 is provided with a limiting groove 581. The back of the connecting block 55 is connected to a limiting post 59, and the limiting post 59 slides in the limiting groove 581.

[0041] The lifting component 8 includes an elliptical plate 81 mounted on an intermediate roller shaft 7. The elliptical plate 81 has two symmetrical mounting grooves 82, which are located on the long semi-axis of the elliptical plate 81. An electric push rod 83 is installed in the mounting groove 82. The output end of the electric push rod 83 slides through the mounting groove 82, and the output end of the electric push rod 83 is connected to a lifting ball 84. The lifting ball 84 contacts the bottom of the lifting plate 57.

[0042] The adsorption component 6 includes an arc-shaped magnetic plate 61 disposed in the middle of the semi-elliptical groove 44. The bottom ends of the arc-shaped magnetic plate 61 abut against the outside of the connecting rod 52. The top of the arc-shaped magnetic plate 61 is connected to two support plates 62, and the top of the support plates 62 is connected to a fixing plate 63. A strong magnetic block 64 is installed in the middle part of the fixing plate 63. The two ends of the fixing plate 63 slide through the guide post 45. A shock-absorbing spring 65 is sleeved on the outside of the guide post 45. One end of the shock-absorbing spring 65 is connected to the bottom of the fixing plate 63. The arc-shaped magnetic plate 61 and the metal surface of the billet are attracted to each other under the action of magnetic attraction. The connecting rod 5 pushes the plug 51 to fit against the inner wall of the semi-elliptical groove 44. Because of the limiting effect of the locking strip 54 aligning with the outside of the rack, the roller end of the billet will not roll with the conveyor chain 2 during the conveying process, and the rack surface will also be prevented from swinging on the conveyor chain 2.

[0043] By setting a shock-absorbing spring 65 between the fixing plate 63 and the mounting block 41, when the arc-shaped magnetic plate 61 abuts against the connecting rod 52, on the one hand, the wear of the fixing plate 63 on the mounting block 41 is reduced, and on the other hand, when the shock-absorbing spring 65 has an upward tendency, the arc-shaped magnetic plate 61 is restricted from abutting against the lower part of the connecting rod 52, so that the bottom of the arc-shaped magnetic plate 65 fits the connecting rod 52 more closely.

[0044] The bottom ends of the arc-shaped magnetic plate 61 are inserted into the outside of the connecting rod 52. Because the ends of the arc-shaped magnetic plate 61 are made of extended material, the arc-shaped magnetic plate 61 has a tendency to push the connecting rod 52 outward. The connecting rod 5 is fixed between the two plugs 51. With the connecting rod 5 having a tendency to push outward, the arc-shaped magnetic plate 61 and the metal surface of the blank are attracted to each other under the action of magnetic attraction. The connecting rod 5 pushes the plug 51 to fit against the inner wall of the semi-elliptical groove 44. And because of the limiting effect of the clip 54 aligning with the outside of the rack, the roller end of the blank will not roll with the conveyor chain 2 during the conveying process. At the same time, it also prevents the rack surface from swinging on the conveyor chain 2.

[0045] When the electric push rod 83 lifts the ball 84 upwards and lifts the plate 57, the lifting plate 57 is fixed to the bottom of the connecting block 55. Simultaneously, because both sides of the connecting block 55 are fixed to the bottom of the plug block 51 via the crankshaft 56, during the process of the lifting plate 57 being lifted upwards by the ball 84, the limiting post 59 fixed to the back of the lifting plate 57 slides within the limiting groove 581. This helps to maintain stable sliding of the lifting plate 57 during the lifting process, preventing displacement. When the positioning card 4 is detected to have been delivered to the position of the multi-axis robot 11, this... When the gripping fixture for gripping the blank is installed on the arm of the multi-axis robot 11, the gripping fixture is aligned with the top position of the strong magnetic block 64, thereby adsorbing onto the strong magnetic block 64. At the same time, because the inside of the arc-shaped magnetic plate 61 is adsorbed onto the upper part of the blank, as the lifting plate 57 is lifted upward by the lifting ball 84, the crankshaft 56 at both ends of the connecting block 55 begins to retract along the hinge direction of the crankshaft 56. However, the retraction of the crankshaft 56 is limited. During the retraction of the crankshaft 56, the bulging block 51 is pulled away from the contact surface with the blank.

[0046] The two sides of the mounting block 41 are higher than the surface of the conveyor chain 2, and the gap between the mounting block 41 and the surface of the conveyor chain 2 is the removal gap. The opening part of the semi-elliptical groove 44 is made of silicone.

[0047] In practical use: Install the positioning bracket 4 on the conveyor chain 2, attach the fixing piece 42 to the conveyor chain 2, and then insert the pin 43 from the mounting hole of the fixing piece 42 to fix the fixing piece 42 to the surface of the conveyor chain 2. Since the fixing piece 42 is fixed on both sides of the mounting block 41, and the mounting block 41 is higher than the conveyor chain 2 by 2-4mm, the gap between the mounting block 41 and the surface of the conveyor chain 2 is the removal gap. When maintenance is required, after removing the pin 43 on the fixing piece 42, use an auxiliary tool such as a screwdriver to insert into the removal gap to pry the mounting block 41 off the surface of the conveyor chain 2, thereby facilitating the installation and removal of the positioning bracket 4.

[0048] After the positioning bracket 4 is installed, the gap filler 5 is filled into the semi-elliptical groove 44 in the mounting block 41. One end of the gripping block 51 is then inserted into the semi-elliptical groove 44. The gripping of the block 51 can be done manually, or by using a robotic arm or electric actuator. After the block 51 is inserted, the roller sections at both ends of the billet need to be lifted using lifting equipment or manually, and the two ends of the billet are then inserted into the block 51. Due to the design of the semi-elliptical groove 44, it is in a semi-elliptical position... The upper opening of the elliptical groove 44 is small, while the lower part of the semi-elliptical groove 44 has a large accommodating area. The upper opening of the semi-elliptical groove 44 is made of silicone material, which has good ductility. Therefore, after the plugs 51 are inserted into both ends of the blank, the silicone material in the semi-elliptical groove 44 is squeezed by both ends of the blank, while the plugs 51 remain unchanged. Thus, the plugs 51 fill the gap between the two ends of the blank and the semi-elliptical groove 44. After the plugs 51 are inserted into both ends of the blank, the two retaining strips 54 on the plug 51 located at one end of the asymmetric surface are aligned with the outside of the rack.

[0049] To maintain the engagement between the plug 51 and the blank, after one end of the blank is inserted, the arc-shaped magnetic plate 61 is manually grasped, and the bottom ends of the arc-shaped magnetic plate 61 are inserted into the outside of the connecting rod 52. Because the ends of the arc-shaped magnetic plate 61 are made of extensible material, the arc-shaped magnetic plate 61 has a tendency to push the connecting rod 52 outward. The connecting rod 5 is fixed between the two plugs 51. With the connecting rod 5 having a tendency to push outward, the arc-shaped magnetic plate 61 and the metal surface of the blank are attracted to each other under the action of magnetic attraction. The connecting rod 5 pushes the plug 51 to fit against the inner wall of the semi-elliptical groove 44. And because of the limiting effect of the locking strip 54 aligned with the outside of the rack, the roller end of the blank will not roll with the conveyor chain 2 during the conveying process, and the rack surface will also be prevented from swinging on the conveyor chain 2.

[0050] Because a detection camera 13 is installed on the fixed base of the multi-axis robot 11, and the detection camera 13 is aimed at both ends of the conveyor chain 2, the conveying status of the billet on the conveyor chain 2 can be detected in a timely manner. When the detection camera 13 detects that the quota day card holder 4 clamping the billet has been conveyed to the middle of the conveyor chain 2, the electric push rod 83 is activated. The output end of the electric push rod 83 drives the lifting ball 84 to lift the lifting plate 57. (When the conveyor chain 2 is conveying, the drive motor 32 is activated. Because the output end of the drive motor 32 is connected to the drive roller 31, the...) When the drive motor 32 drives the drive roller 31 to rotate, the conveyor chain 2 will rotate. Since the intermediate roller shaft 7 is located in the middle of the conveyor chain 2, when the conveyor chain 2 starts to move, it can drive the intermediate roller shaft 7 to rotate. By setting the speed of the drive motor 32, when the long axis of the elliptical plate 81 rotates along the intermediate roller shaft 7 by 180° or an integer multiple of 180°, the conveyor chain 2 passing through the surface of the intermediate roller shaft 7 is exactly the gap between two adjacent positioning seats. In this way, the long axis of the elliptical plate 81 can be kept aligned with the bottom of the positioning seat 4.

[0051] When the electric push rod 83 lifts the ball 84 upwards and lifts the plate 57, the lifting plate 57 is fixed to the bottom of the connecting block 55. Simultaneously, because the two sides of the connecting block 55 are fixed to the bottom of the plug block 51 via the crankshaft 56, during the process of the lifting plate 57 being lifted upwards by the ball 84, the limiting post 59 fixed to the back of the lifting plate 57 slides within the limiting groove 581. This helps maintain stable sliding of the lifting plate 57 during the lifting process, preventing displacement. When the positioning card 4 is detected to have been delivered to the position of the multi-axis robot 11, a gripping fixture for grasping the blank is installed at the arm of the multi-axis robot 11. The gripping fixture is aligned with the top position of the powerful magnetic block 64, thus adsorbing onto the powerful magnetic block 64. Simultaneously, because the interior of the arc-shaped magnetic plate 61 is adsorbed onto the upper part of the blank, during the process of the lifting plate 57 being lifted upwards by the ball 84, the crankshaft 56 at both ends of the connecting block 55 begins to hinge along the crankshaft 56. The crankshaft 56 contracts in one direction, while the crankshaft 56 contracts only to a limited extent. During the contraction of the crankshaft 56, the plug 51 is pulled away from the contact surface with the billet in a bulging shape. At the same time, as the lifting plate 57 is lifted by the ball 84, the bottom of the plug 51 lifts the billet, assisting the billet to detach from the semi-elliptical groove 44. After the billet detaches from the semi-elliptical groove 44, the top gripping fixture is attracted to the strong magnet 64. The billet is attracted by the arc-shaped magnetic plate 61, so that when the robot grips the billet, the asymmetric rack surface of the billet is positioned upward, which is conducive to the robot arm gripping the billet into the subsequent processing equipment. After the plug 51 and the fixing plate 63 are used, the workers collect them at the end of the conveyor chain 2 for subsequent use. Through the cooperation of the plug 51 and the semi-elliptical groove 44, and the limiting of the clamping strip 54 on the rack surface, the billet is kept from being significantly deviated during the conveying process, which is conducive to the multi-axis robot 11 gripping the positioned billet.

[0052] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0053] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A positioning device for conveying VGR automotive steering gear blanks, comprising a transport frame (1) and a multi-axis robot (11), wherein the multi-axis robot (11) is located in the middle of one side of the transport frame (1), characterized in that: A conveyor chain (2) is distributed on the transport frame (1). A drive component (3) that drives the conveyor chain (2) to move is installed on the transport frame (1). Multiple positioning brackets (4) are installed on the conveyor chain (2). The lower parts of both ends of the billet are locked on the positioning brackets (4). A gap supplement (5) is installed on the positioning brackets (4) to fill the gap between the billet and the positioning brackets (4). A fixed seat (12) is provided at the output end of the multi-axis robot (11). A detection camera (13) is installed on the fixed seat (12). The detection camera (13) is aligned with both ends of the conveyor chain (2). An adsorption component (6) is provided on the positioning brackets (4). The adsorption component (6) is located at the gap between the upper part of the billet and the positioning brackets (4). An intermediate roller shaft (7) is provided in the middle of the conveyor chain (2). The intermediate roller shaft (7) is located at the lower part of the output end of the multi-axis robot (11). A lifting component (8) is installed on the intermediate roller shaft (7) to open the gap supplement (5) from the positioning brackets (4).

2. The positioning device for conveying VGR automotive steering gear blanks according to claim 1, characterized in that: The positioning bracket (4) includes a mounting block (41), and fixing plates (42) are connected to both sides of the mounting block (41). The fixing plates (42) are fixed to the transport chain by pins (43). The mounting block (41) has a semi-elliptical groove (44), and gap supplements (5) are distributed in the semi-elliptical groove (44). Guide posts (45) are installed on both sides of the top of the mounting block (41), and the adsorption components (6) slide through the guide posts (45) on both sides.

3. The positioning device for conveying VGR automotive steering gear blanks according to claim 2, characterized in that: The gap supplement (5) includes two sets of plugs (51), which are inserted into the two sides of the semi-elliptical groove (44) respectively, and two connecting rods (52) are connected between the two sets of plugs (51). The plugs (51) are symmetrically distributed in two bulging sections, and the two bulging sections are connected by an arc. A fastening piece (53) is installed at the top of the bulging section of the plug (51), and the fastening piece (53) is distributed at an angle.

4. A positioning device for conveying VGR automotive steering gear blanks according to claim 3, characterized in that: A retaining strip (54) is connected to the plug (51) near the asymmetric surface of the billet, and the retaining strip (54) is distributed on the outside of the asymmetric surface of the billet.

5. A positioning device for conveying VGR automotive steering gear blanks according to claim 3, characterized in that: A connecting block (55) is provided at the bottom of the plug (51) located outside the conveyor chain (2). The two ends of the connecting block (55) are respectively connected to the crankshaft (56), and the crankshaft (56) is connected to the bottom of the plug (51). The bottom of the connecting block (55) is connected to the lifting plate (57), and the top of the lifting component (8) is in contact with the bottom of the lifting plate (57).

6. A positioning device for conveying VGR automotive steering gear blanks according to claim 5, characterized in that: The bottom of the plug (51) is connected to a limiting plate (58), and the limiting plate (58) is provided with a limiting groove (581). The back of the connecting block (55) is connected to a limiting post (59), and the limiting post (59) slides in the limiting groove (581).

7. A positioning device for conveying VGR automotive steering gear blanks according to claim 6, characterized in that: The lifting component (8) includes an elliptical plate (81) mounted on an intermediate roller shaft (7). The elliptical plate (81) has two symmetrical mounting grooves (82) and the mounting grooves (82) are located on the long half-axis of the elliptical plate (81). An electric push rod (83) is installed in the mounting groove (82). The output end of the electric push rod (83) slides through the mounting groove (82) and the output end of the electric push rod (83) is connected to a lifting ball (84). The lifting ball (84) contacts the bottom of the lifting plate (57).

8. A positioning device for conveying VGR automotive steering gear blanks according to claim 3, characterized in that: The adsorption component (6) includes an arc-shaped magnetic plate (61) disposed in the middle of a semi-elliptical groove (44). The bottom ends of the arc-shaped magnetic plate (61) abut against the outside of the connecting rod (52). The top of the arc-shaped magnetic plate (61) is connected to two support plates (62), and the top of the support plates (62) is connected to a fixing plate (63). A strong magnetic block (64) is installed in the middle part of the fixing plate (63). The two ends of the fixing plate (63) slide through the guide post (45). A shock-absorbing spring (65) is sleeved on the outside of the guide post (45). One end of the shock-absorbing spring (65) is connected to the bottom of the fixing plate (63).

9. A positioning device for conveying VGR automotive steering gear blanks according to claim 1, characterized in that: The drive component (3) includes drive rollers (31) installed at both ends of the conveyor chain (2), with both ends of the drive rollers (31) mounted on the transport frame (1), and a drive motor (32) connected to one of the drive rollers (31).

10. A positioning device for conveying VGR automotive steering gear blanks according to claim 2, characterized in that: The two sides of the mounting block (41) are higher than the surface of the conveyor chain (2), and the gap between the mounting block (41) and the surface of the conveyor chain (2) is the removal gap. The opening part of the semi-elliptical groove (44) is made of silicone.

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