Mechanical structure for conveying workpieces for subsequent deep machining

Abstract

The invention discloses a mechanical structure for conveying workpieces to carry out subsequent deep machining, and a trolley walks on a track through track wheels, is driven by a driving wheel and is accurately positioned through an infrared sensing device. The innovation lies in that a rotating mechanism composed of a servo motor, a gear, a fixed annular rack and a storage rotating shaft is integrated. When the servo motor drives the gear to rotate, due to the fact that the gear is meshed with the fixed annular rack, the gear is forced to drive the storage rotating shaft and the workpiece on the storage rotating shaft to rotate accurately. The workpiece conveying and posture adjusting device achieves integration of workpiece conveying and posture adjusting, solves the problems that traditional conveying equipment is single in function and cannot adjust workpiece postures on line, has the advantages of being compact in structure, accurate in positioning, stable in operation, high in adaptability and the like, and is particularly suitable for automatic production lines needing multi-angle machining such as metal surface treatment and the like.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automated conveying technology, specifically a mechanical structure for conveying workpieces for subsequent deep processing. Background Technology

[0002] In machining and manufacturing, after initial processing, workpieces typically need to be transported to subsequent stations for processes such as surface treatment, deep processing, inspection, or assembly. For example, in a metal surface treatment production line, workpieces need to be accurately and smoothly transported from a buffer area or loading station to the processing station before entering stations such as spraying, phosphating, or passivation. This transport is not just simple displacement; it often involves precise requirements on the workpiece's posture. For instance, before entering the spray booth, specific surfaces of the workpiece need to be aligned with the spray gun; before entering the visual inspection station, the workpiece needs to be rotated to expose features from different sides. Currently, common transport methods include conveyor belts, overhead cranes, forklifts, or manual handling. Conveyor belts are suitable for continuous, large-volume transport of lightweight workpieces, but they are less adaptable to workpieces with irregular shapes, heavy weights, or requiring precise positioning. Conveyor belts typically only allow for straight or fixed-path transport, making it difficult to achieve precise stopping and flexible posture adjustment of workpieces during transport, and they have limited support for heavy workpieces. While overhead cranes and forklifts have strong transport capabilities, their flexibility, positioning accuracy, and automation integration are limited, and they occupy a large area. Overhead cranes are limited by factory space and track layout, resulting in typically low positioning accuracy and difficulty in seamlessly integrating with high-speed automated production lines. Forklifts, on the other hand, require manual operation, have low automation levels, and struggle to guarantee consistency. Manual handling, however, is labor-intensive, inefficient, inconsistent, and carries potential safety risks. Especially on production lines with high repetition, tight schedules, or handling hazardous environments, manual handling becomes a bottleneck and a source of risk.

[0003] Especially in the pre-processing handling stage of metal surface treatment, workpieces often need to enter the processing station in a specific posture. Most existing conveying equipment has limited functions, typically only capable of linear or planar movement, lacking the ability to adjust the workpiece posture during transport. Adding additional flipping or rotating mechanisms would complicate the system structure, increase costs, and occupy more production line space. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned technical defects and provide a mechanical structure for conveying workpieces for subsequent deep processing.

[0005] To solve the above problems, the technical solution of the present invention is: a mechanical structure for conveying workpieces for subsequent deep processing, including a trolley assembly, wherein the trolley assembly includes a track, a trolley body, track wheels, drive wheels, a fixed plate, a placement shaft, a servo motor box, gears, a fixed bushing, and a ring rack; The upper end face of the track is connected to the vehicle body, and the four corners of the lower end face of the vehicle body are connected to track wheels. The track wheels are fixedly connected to the vehicle body, and the track wheels are slidably connected to the track. Infrared sensing devices are provided on both ends face of the vehicle body, and the infrared sensing devices are fixedly connected to the vehicle body.

[0006] Furthermore, a drive wheel is connected to the middle of the lower end face of the vehicle body, and the drive wheel is fixedly connected to the vehicle body. A motor box is provided on one side end face of the drive wheel, and a drive motor is provided inside the motor box. The drive motor is fixedly connected to the motor box.

[0007] Furthermore, a fixing plate is connected to the upper end face of the vehicle body, and the fixing plate is fixedly connected to the vehicle body. A protective box is provided in the middle of the upper end face of the vehicle body, and the protective box is fixedly connected to the vehicle body.

[0008] Furthermore, a storage hinge is connected between the protective box and the fixing plate. A fixing shaft is provided on one end face of the storage hinge. The fixing shaft is fixedly connected to the storage hinge, and the other end of the fixing shaft is rotatably connected to the fixing plate.

[0009] Furthermore, the other end of the storage shaft is provided with a second shaft, which is fixedly connected to the storage shaft and fixedly connected to the gear.

[0010] Furthermore, a fixed bushing is connected to the outer end face of the second rotating shaft, the fixed bushing is rotatably connected to the second rotating shaft, and the lower end face of the fixed bushing is fixedly connected to the vehicle body.

[0011] Furthermore, the servo motor box is fixedly connected to the vehicle body, and a servo motor is installed inside the servo motor box.

[0012] Furthermore, a rotating shaft is provided on one end face of the servo motor, the rotating shaft is fixedly connected to the servo motor, and the rotating shaft penetrates the servo motor housing.

[0013] Furthermore, a gear is fixedly connected to the other end of the rotating shaft.

[0014] Furthermore, an annular rack is connected to the outside of the gear, and the annular rack and the gear are meshed together.

[0015] The advantages of this invention compared to existing technologies are: 1. This invention achieves automatic movement of a trolley along a track through the cooperation of a track, drive wheels, and a drive motor. Infrared sensors on both sides of the trolley can detect positioning marks or workstation locations beside the track, enabling precise positioning and parking of the trolley, thus providing a foundation for subsequent automatic loading, unloading, or processing operations.

[0016] 2. This invention integrates a rotating mechanism consisting of a servo motor, gears, a ring rack, and a placement shaft onto the conveyor trolley. This mechanism allows for precise rotation of the workpiece placed on the placement shaft during transport or after it arrives at the workstation. This is crucial for pre-processing operations requiring multi-angle machining, such as metal surface treatment, eliminating the need for additional flipping equipment and improving the compactness and flexibility of the production line.

[0017] 3. The driving, walking, rotating, and load-bearing functional modules are highly integrated into the vehicle body. The sliding connection between the track wheels and the track provides good guidance and load-bearing capacity, while the intermediate drive wheel provides power. The fixed bushing provides stable and reliable rotational support for the second rotating shaft, and the protective box protects the internal transmission components. The overall structure is reasonably designed, has good rigidity, and operates smoothly and reliably.

[0018] 4. This device is particularly suitable for subsequent deep processing scenarios where workpieces require orientation or repositioning, such as painting, inspection, and welding. Through program control, the trolley can carry the workpiece to different workstations and rotate it to a specific angle according to process requirements, greatly enhancing the process adaptability and efficiency of automated production lines. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the present invention; Figure 2 This is the front view of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the present invention with the protective box removed; Figure 4 This is a front view of the annular rack of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the control system flow of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the sensor input signal flow of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the control core processing flow of the present invention; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the output control signal flow of the present invention.

[0020] As shown in the figure: 1. Carriage as a whole; 2. Track; 3. Car body; 4. Track wheels; 5. Infrared sensor; 6. Drive wheel; 7. Motor box; 8. Fixing plate; 9. Storage shaft; 10. Fixing shaft; 11. Servo motor box; 12. Shaft one; 13. Gear; 14. Shaft two; 15. Fixing bushing; 16. Ring rack; 17. Protective box. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Identical components are indicated by the same reference numerals.

[0022] It should be noted that the terms “front,” “back,” “left,” “right,” “up,” and “down” used in the following description refer to the directions shown in the attached diagram, while the terms “inside” and “outside” refer to the directions toward or away from the geometric center of a specific component, respectively.

[0023] To make the content of this invention easier to understand, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] like Figures 1 to 8 As shown in the figure, the technical solution of the present invention is: a mechanical structure for conveying workpieces for subsequent deep processing, particularly suitable for transporting metal workpieces to pre-processing stations such as surface treatment. The core of this structure is an intelligent conveying trolley that can automatically travel along a track and rotate the workpiece during travel or while stationary.

[0025] The mobile foundation of the trolley assembly 1 is the track 2, which is fixedly installed on the ground or a support. Track 2 is typically two parallel steel sections or dedicated guide rails, providing the trolley with a precise running path. The installation of track 2 must ensure high straightness and parallelism to ensure smooth, jam-free trolley operation. High-strength steel can be used for the track material, and surface hardening treatment can be applied to increase wear resistance. The trolley body 3 is the main frame of the trolley, usually constructed from welded steel plates or assembled from profiles, possessing sufficient rigidity and strength to support the workpiece and all transmission components. The trolley body 3 may be internally designed with reinforcing ribs and includes space and wiring channels for installing various electrical components.

[0026] At each of the four corners of the lower end face of the car body 3, a track wheel 4 is installed. The track wheel 4 is fixedly connected to the car body 3 through bearing seats and a rotating shaft, allowing the track wheel 4 to rotate freely. The rim shape of the track wheel 4 matches the cross-section of the track 2, allowing the track wheel 4 to stably "ride" on the track 2 and roll along it, achieving a sliding connection. It mainly serves a supporting and guiding function. The track wheel 4 can be a V-shaped wheel or a wheel with a flange, matching the corresponding track cross-section to prevent derailment. The bearings can be deep groove ball bearings or tapered roller bearings to withstand radial and a certain axial loads.

[0027] A drive wheel 6 is connected to the middle of the lower end face of the vehicle body 3. The drive wheel 6 is also fixedly connected to the vehicle body 3. A motor box 7 is located on one side of the drive wheel 6, and a drive motor is installed inside the motor box 7. The drive motor is fixed to the motor box 7, and its output shaft is connected to the axle of the drive wheel 6 via a coupling or reducer, thus providing rotational power to the drive wheel 6. The drive wheel 6 typically provides friction with the upper surface of the track 2 through rubber tires, etc., converting the rotational motion of the motor into linear motion of the entire vehicle 1 along the track 2. The track wheel 4 and the drive wheel 6 together constitute the vehicle's traveling mechanism; the track wheel 4 bears the load and provides guidance, while the drive wheel 6 provides power.

[0028] To achieve automated control and precise positioning, infrared sensors 5 are installed on both ends of the vehicle body 3. These sensors are fixedly connected to the vehicle body 3. They are used to detect pre-set positioning markers along the track or directly detect the position of the workstation. When a sensor detects a signal, it feeds the signal back to the control system, which can then control the drive motor to stop or perform corresponding actions, thereby achieving precise docking of the vehicle at each workstation.

[0029] A fixing plate 8 is fixedly connected to the upper end face of the vehicle body 3. The fixing plate 8 serves as the foundation of the load-bearing platform. In the middle area of ​​the upper end face of the vehicle body 3, a protective box 17 is also provided. The protective box 17 is fixedly connected to the vehicle body 3 and is used to house and protect the internal rotating transmission components, preventing dust, chips, or liquid from entering.

[0030] A rotating shaft 9 is installed in the space between the protective box 17 and the fixed plate 8. The rotating shaft 9 is used to directly place the workpiece to be transported, or to install trays or clamps on it to accommodate different workpieces. A fixed shaft 10 is fixed to the center of one end face of the rotating shaft 9. The other end of the fixed shaft 10 is rotatably connected to the fixed plate 8 through a bearing or other rotating pair. This means that the rotating shaft 9 can rotate about the axis of the fixed shaft 10.

[0031] A second rotating shaft 14 is fixedly connected to the other end face of the storage shaft 9. The second rotating shaft 14 is coaxially fixed with the storage shaft 9 and rotates together with it. A gear 13 is fixedly connected to the outer end face of the second rotating shaft 14. To provide stable and reliable rotational support for the second rotating shaft 14, the storage shaft 9, and the gear 13, a fixed bushing 15 is fitted onto the shaft of the second rotating shaft 14. The fixed bushing 15 is rotatably connected to the second rotating shaft 14 via bearings, allowing the second rotating shaft 14 to rotate freely within the fixed bushing 15. The lower end face of the fixed bushing 15 is fixedly connected to the vehicle body 3 or a support structure on the vehicle body 3. Thus, one end of the storage shaft 9 is supported by the fixed shaft 10 and the fixed plate 8, and the other end is supported by the second rotating shaft 14 and the fixed bushing 15, forming a stable two-end supported rotational structure.

[0032] The rotational motion is powered by a servo motor housing 11. The servo motor housing 11 is fixedly mounted on the vehicle body 3 and contains a servo motor. Due to its high control precision and fast response, the servo motor is ideally suited for rotary applications requiring precise angle control. A rotating shaft 12 is connected to the output end of the servo motor, and is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the servo motor, extending out from one side of the servo motor housing 11.

[0033] After the rotating shaft 12 passes through the motor housing, its end is fixedly connected to the aforementioned gear 13. Therefore, when the servo motor is working, the rotating shaft 12 drives the gear 13 to rotate.

[0034] A ring rack 16 meshes with gear 13. The ring rack 16 is not mounted on the trolley but is fixed to the external environment. It is secured to a dedicated frame below the ceiling, on the side of a wall, or on the floor of the workshop using brackets and bolts. Its installation position must precisely match the path of the trolley's track 2 to ensure proper meshing of gear 13 with the ring rack 16 when the trolley is in a position requiring workpiece rotation. The ring rack 16 can be a complete loop around the entire track or a segment of an arc-shaped rack within a specific workstation area. Its installation position matches the trolley's path, typically a segment or a closed loop. Gear 13 and ring rack 16 are in constant mesh. The meshing clearance between gear 13 and ring rack 16 needs to be adjusted appropriately to ensure smooth, jam-free transmission while avoiding impact and noise caused by excessive clearance. Fine-tuning can be achieved by adjusting the installation position of the servo motor housing 11. The meshing backlash between gear 13 and ring rack 16 needs to be adjusted appropriately to ensure smooth and uninterrupted transmission while avoiding impact and noise caused by excessive clearance. Fine-tuning can be achieved by adjusting the mounting position of servo motor housing 11.

[0035] The core of the control system can be a programmable logic controller (PLC), an industrial computer (IPC), or a dedicated motion controller. Its input signals include: feedback signals from the infrared sensors 5 on both sides of the vehicle body, encoder signals from the servo motors and drive motors, start / stop / emergency stop operation button signals, and possible host computer (such as MES) instructions. Its output signals control: the start / stop, speed, and direction of the drive motors; the start / stop, angle, speed, and torque of the servo motors; and indicator lights and alarms. The control program pre-sets the vehicle's running path, the coordinates of each station, and the required rotation angle and direction at each station.

[0036] Working principle: The control system activates the drive motor inside the drive wheel 6, driving the entire trolley 1 to move along the track 2 from the starting point to the target point. The track wheels 4 ensure smooth operation and prevent derailment. The infrared sensors 5 on both sides monitor the path in real time. When a positioning signal of the target station is detected, it is fed back to the control system, which controls the drive motor to decelerate and stop, so that the trolley stops precisely at the predetermined position.

[0037] When the workpiece posture needs to be adjusted, the control system activates the servo motor inside the servo motor housing 11. The servo motor drives the rotating shaft 12 to rotate, thereby driving the gear 13 fixed at its end to rotate. Since the gear 13 meshes with the stationary ring rack 16, according to the transmission principle of gears and racks, when the gear rotates, if the rack is fixed, the gear will not be able to "rotate" and "move along" the rack. However, in this structure, the gear 13 and the entire rotation drive system servo motor housing 11 and rotating shaft 12 are mounted on the carriage body 3. The carriage itself is restricted to the track 2 by the track wheel 4 and drive wheel 6, and cannot move freely in a direction perpendicular to the track plane to accommodate the "revolution" of the gear. Therefore, the rotational motion of the gear 13 will be converted into a reaction force. This reaction force manifests as follows: the gear 13, attempting to roll around the ring rack 16, has its axis "fixed" to the moving platform of the trolley by the car body 3 and the servo motor box 11, and the trolley is constrained in the direction perpendicular to the track. In effect, the rotation of gear 13 drives the rotation of the fixedly connected shaft 14. Since shaft 14 is fixedly connected to the placement shaft 9, the placement shaft 9 also rotates synchronously. This allows for precise angle adjustment of the workpiece placed on the placement shaft 9. The servo motor can rotate a specific angle according to program instructions, thereby adjusting the workpiece to the optimal posture required by the process. The fixed bushing 15 provides stable rotational support for shaft 14, ensuring smooth rotation.

[0038] In actual production, conveying and rotation can be combined. For example, the trolley can rotate the workpiece simultaneously while traveling to a certain workstation to save cycle time; or after arriving at the workstation, it can perform multiple precise rotations according to instructions to complete multi-faceted operations in conjunction with a robotic arm or processing head.

[0039] The specific workflow is as follows: The trolley stops at the loading station, and the operator or automatic loading mechanism places the metal workpiece to be processed onto the placement shaft 9. The control system instructs the drive motor to work, and the trolley carries the workpiece along the track 2 to the surface treatment station. During the trolley's movement, the infrared sensor 5 detects preset deceleration and stop indicators, and the control system controls the trolley to stop precisely at the processing station. According to the preset program, the control system starts the servo motor. The servo motor drives the gear 13 to rotate. Since the gear 13 meshes with the fixed ring rack 16, it forces the gear 13 to drive the rotating shaft 14 and the placement shaft 9 to rotate, thereby adjusting the workpiece to the required angle. Subsequent processing equipment processes the workpiece at the correct angle. After processing, the trolley can continue to transport the workpiece to the next station, and the workpiece angle can be adjusted again during transport or at the next station.

[0040] After completing one cycle, the empty or processed trolley returns to the loading station to begin the next work cycle.

[0041] In the description of this specification, the terms "first" and "second" 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. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0042] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0043] Although embodiments of this application have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting this application. Those skilled in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of this application.

Claims

1. A mechanical structure for conveying workpieces for subsequent deep processing, characterized in that, include: The trolley assembly (1) includes a track (2), a car body (3), track wheels (4), drive wheels (6), a fixed plate (8), a storage shaft (9), a servo motor box (11), a gear (13), a fixed bushing (15), and a ring rack (16). The upper end face of the track (2) is connected to the vehicle body (3), and the four corners of the lower end face of the vehicle body (3) are connected to the track wheels (4). The track wheels (4) are fixedly connected to the vehicle body (3), and the track wheels (4) are slidably connected to the track (2). The two end faces of the vehicle body (3) are provided with infrared sensing devices (5), and the infrared sensing devices (5) are fixedly connected to the vehicle body (3).

2. The mechanical structure for conveying a workpiece for subsequent deep processing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower end face of the vehicle body (3) is connected to the drive wheel (6), and the drive wheel (6) is fixedly connected to the vehicle body (3). A motor box (7) is provided on one side end face of the drive wheel (6), and a drive motor is provided inside the motor box (7). The drive motor is fixedly connected to the motor box (7).

3. The mechanical structure for conveying a workpiece for subsequent deep processing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper end face of the vehicle body (3) is connected to a fixing plate (8), and the fixing plate (8) is fixedly connected to the vehicle body (3). A protective box (17) is provided in the middle of the upper end face of the vehicle body (3), and the protective box (17) is fixedly connected to the vehicle body (3).

4. The mechanical structure for conveying a workpiece for subsequent deep processing according to claim 3, characterized in that, The protective box (17) is connected to the fixed plate (8) by a placement shaft (9). A fixed shaft (10) is provided on one end face of the placement shaft (9). The fixed shaft (10) is fixedly connected to the placement shaft (9). The other end of the fixed shaft (10) is rotatably connected to the fixed plate (8).

5. The mechanical structure for conveying a workpiece for subsequent deep processing according to claim 4, characterized in that, The other end of the placement shaft (9) is provided with a second shaft (14), which is fixedly connected to the placement shaft (9) and to the gear (13).

6. The mechanical structure for conveying a workpiece for subsequent deep processing according to claim 5, characterized in that, The outer end face of the rotating shaft (14) is connected to the fixed bushing (15), the fixed bushing (15) is rotatably connected to the rotating shaft (14), and the lower end face of the fixed bushing (15) is fixedly connected to the vehicle body (3).

7. The mechanical structure for conveying a workpiece for subsequent deep processing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The servo motor box (11) is fixedly connected to the vehicle body (3), and the servo motor is provided inside the servo motor box (11).

8. The mechanical structure for conveying a workpiece for subsequent deep processing according to claim 7, characterized in that, The servo motor has a rotating shaft (12) on one end face. The rotating shaft (12) is fixedly connected to the servo motor and penetrates the servo motor box (11).

9. The mechanical structure for conveying a workpiece for subsequent deep processing according to claim 8, characterized in that, The other end of the rotating shaft (12) is fixedly connected to the gear (13).

10. The mechanical structure for conveying a workpiece for subsequent deep processing according to claim 9, characterized in that, The gear (13) is connected to an annular rack (16) on the outside, and the annular rack (16) and the gear (13) are meshed.

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