Automatic screw feeding and locking mechanism

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of automated screw fastening technology, and in particular to a screw fastening mechanism for automatic screw feeding. The mechanism includes a base, a feeding structure mounted on the base, a fastening unit, and a transfer mechanism. The feeding structure feeds screws to the transfer mechanism, which then adjusts the screw's orientation before transferring it to the fastening unit. The fastening unit picks up the screw from the transfer mechanism and fastens it to an external product. During operation, the transfer mechanism reciprocates between the feeding structure and the fastening unit. This invention achieves the reciprocating motion of the screw between the feeding structure and the fastening unit through the transfer mechanism, thus achieving the effect of screw transfer. Furthermore, the screw's orientation is adjusted before being transferred to the fastening unit to ensure that the fastening unit can stably pick up the screw.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automated screw fastening technology, and in particular to a screw fastening mechanism for automatic screw feeding. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, automated screw feeding to electric screwdrivers typically uses negative pressure to guide the screw along a pipe into the screwdriver's suction nozzle, where it is then held and tightened. This method works reliably for medium to large-sized screws, but for smaller screws, such as those with a diameter less than 2mm, the screw's posture can easily deviate due to its smaller size and weight. This makes it difficult for the electric screwdriver to pick up the screw quickly and stably, affecting the overall tightening cycle time and efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention addresses the problems of existing technologies by providing an automatic screw feeding and fastening mechanism, achieving efficient and stable fastening of small-sized screws.

[0004] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0005] The present invention provides a screw fastening mechanism for automatic screw feeding, including a base, a feeding structure, a fastening unit, and a transfer mechanism. The feeding structure is used to feed screws to the transfer mechanism, the transfer mechanism is used to transfer the screws to the fastening unit after posture adjustment, and the fastening unit is used to pick up the screws from the transfer mechanism and fasten them to an external product. During operation, the transfer mechanism oscillates back and forth between the feeding structure and the locking unit.

[0006] Furthermore, the transfer mechanism includes a drive device, a swing structure, and a temporary storage structure. The feeding structure is used to feed screws to the temporary storage structure. The drive device drives the temporary storage structure through the swing structure. The temporary storage structure is used to temporarily store the adjusting screws and transfer the screws to the locking unit.

[0007] Furthermore, the temporary storage structure includes a temporary storage base and a sensor disposed within the temporary storage base. The temporary storage base is used to store and position the screw, and the sensor is used to sense whether the screw has entered the temporary storage base in the correct orientation.

[0008] Furthermore, the temporary storage seat is provided with a temporary storage hole, which is connected to the opening. The shape of the temporary storage hole is adapted to the shape of the screw. The temporary storage hole is used to accommodate the screw. The sensor is located on one side of the temporary storage hole and is used to sense the screw in the temporary storage hole.

[0009] Furthermore, the swing structure includes a swing member and a swing arm, the driving device includes a drive motor, the swing member is provided with a swing shaft, the swing motor drives the swing member to rotate through the swing shaft, one end of the swing arm is installed on the swing member, and the temporary storage structure is installed on the other end of the swing member. The swing axis and the swing arm are set at different positions on the swing axis.

[0010] Furthermore, the swing structure also includes a swing seat, which is provided with a limiting groove, and the swing member is provided with a limiting part, which is movably disposed in the limiting groove. The limiting groove includes a material taking part, an arc-shaped part, and a feeding part, with the material taking part and the feeding part respectively connected to both ends of the arc-shaped part; When the limiting part moves to the picking part, the feeding structure is connected to the temporary storage structure; when the limiting part moves to the feeding part, the temporary storage structure is connected to the locking unit of the outside.

[0011] Furthermore, the sensor includes a photoelectric switch.

[0012] Furthermore, the feeding structure includes a feeder, a dispensing mechanism, an air blowing mechanism, and a pipe. The dispensing mechanism is used to transfer the screw from the feeder to the pipe, the air blowing mechanism is used to blow air into the pipe, and the pipe is used to guide the screw into the temporary storage mechanism.

[0013] Furthermore, the locking unit includes an electric screwdriver and a lifting module. The lifting module is mounted on the base and is used to drive the electric screwdriver to move up and down relative to the base.

[0014] Furthermore, the following locking methods are also included: A. Use the feeding mechanism to move a single screw to the temporary storage seat; B. Use the temporary storage holder to receive screws in an upright position; C. Use sensors to detect the parameters of the screws to determine whether the screws are qualified; D. When the screw is in good condition, drive the temporary storage seat to swing so that the temporary storage seat moves from the feeding mechanism to the electric screwdriver; E. The screw is picked up from the staging area by an electric screwdriver, and after the staging area leaves the electric screwdriver, the screw is fastened to the product by the electric screwdriver.

[0015] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: The present invention realizes the reciprocating motion of the screw between the feeding structure and the fastening unit through the transfer mechanism, thereby achieving the effect of screw transmission; and the screw posture is adjusted before the screw is transmitted to the fastening unit to ensure that the fastening unit can stably pick up the screw. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2This is a schematic diagram of the present invention with the locking unit concealed.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the temporary storage base of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the incorrect orientation of the screw inside the temporary storage seat according to the present invention.

[0020] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the swing element of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the swing seat of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the execution of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of the present invention.

[0024] Reference numerals: 1—base, 2—feeding structure, 3—locking unit, 4—transfer mechanism, 5—screw, 21—feeder, 22—distribution mechanism, 23—air blowing mechanism, 25—pipe, 26—fixed seat, 27—stopper, 31—electric screwdriver, 32—lifting module, 41—drive device, 42—swinging structure, 44—temporary storage structure, 421—swinging component, 422—swinging arm, 423—swinging seat, 441—temporary storage seat, 443—sensor, 4211—swinging shaft, 4212—limiting part, 4231—limiting groove, 4232—picking part, 4233—arc-shaped part, 4234—feeding part, 4411—opening, 4412—temporary storage hole. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art, the present invention will be further described below with reference to embodiments and accompanying drawings. The content mentioned in the embodiments is not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, the present invention provides an automatic screw feeding and fastening mechanism, which includes a base 1, a feeding structure 2, a fastening unit 3, and a transfer mechanism 4, all disposed on the base 1. The feeding structure 2 is used to feed screws 5 to the transfer mechanism 4. The transfer mechanism 4 is used to transfer the screws 5 to the fastening unit 3 after adjusting their posture. The fastening unit 3 is used to pick up the screws 5 from the transfer mechanism 4 and fasten them to an external product. During operation, the transfer mechanism 4 oscillates back and forth between the feeding structure 2 and the locking unit 3.

[0027] This invention is used for feeding and fastening screws 5, mainly targeting small-sized screws 5, such as... Figure 7 and Figure 8As shown, the specific actions are as follows: A. Using the feeding mechanism 2, a single screw 5 is transferred to the temporary storage seat 441; B. Use temporary storage seat 441 to receive screw 5 in an upright position; C. Use sensor 443 to sense screw 5 to determine whether screw 5 is qualified; D. When screw 5 is qualified, drive temporary storage seat 441 to swing so that temporary storage seat 441 moves from feeding structure 2 to electric screwdriver 31; if screw 5 is not qualified, screw 5 is removed from temporary storage seat 441. E. The screw 5 is picked up from the temporary holder 441 by the electric screwdriver 31, and after the temporary holder 441 leaves the electric screwdriver 31, the electric screwdriver 31 fastens the screw 5 to the product.

[0028] Because small screws 5 are prone to posture deviation during feeding, this invention includes a transfer mechanism 4 between the feeding structure 2 and the fastening unit 3. The transfer mechanism 4 adjusts the posture of the screws 5 before sending them to the fastening unit 3 for pickup and fastening, thus ensuring the accuracy of the screws 5's posture. Although this invention is less efficient than directly feeding the screws 5, the transfer mechanism 4 still keeps pace with the fastening unit 3's movements and provides more stable posture control for the screws 5, enabling automated fastening of small screws 5.

[0029] In this embodiment, the transfer mechanism 4 includes a drive device 41, a swing structure 42, and a temporary storage structure 44. The feeding structure 2 is used to feed the screws 5 to the temporary storage structure 44. The drive device 41 drives the connection of the temporary storage structure 44 through the swing structure 42. The temporary storage structure 44 is used to temporarily store the adjusting screws 5 and transfer the screws 5 to the locking unit 3.

[0030] During operation, the drive unit 41 controls the temporary storage structure 44 to swing through the swing structure 42, thereby controlling the reciprocating motion of the temporary storage structure 44 between the feeding structure 2 and the electric screwdriver 31. When the temporary storage structure 44 swings to the feeding structure 2, the feeding structure 2 feeds the screw 5 into the temporary storage structure 44; when the temporary storage structure 44 swings to the electric screwdriver 31, the electric screwdriver 31 removes the screw 5 from the temporary storage structure 44; after the temporary storage structure 44 leaves the electric screwdriver 31, the electric screwdriver 31 then fastens the screw 5 to the product.

[0031] This invention achieves screw feeding by oscillation. After the posture of the screw 5 is adjusted by the temporary storage structure 44, it is moved to the electric screwdriver 31, ensuring that the posture of the screw 5 picked up by the electric screwdriver 31 is stable. Compared with the current small-sized screw feeding, this invention ensures feeding stability.

[0032] In this embodiment, the temporary storage structure 44 includes a temporary storage base 441 and a sensor 443 disposed in the temporary storage base 441. The temporary storage base 441 is used to store and position the screw 5, and the sensor 443 is used to sense whether the screw 5 has entered the temporary storage base 441 in the correct posture.

[0033] This embodiment can be applied to any air-blowing screw feeding method, especially suitable for feeding small-sized screws. The air-blowing screw feeding method mainly involves using a pipe 25 to connect the feeding structure 2 and the temporary storage seat 441, and then using air blowing to move the screw 5 from the feeding structure 2 into the temporary storage seat 441. In most cases, the screw 5 enters the temporary storage seat 441 in an upright position along the pipe 25. However, after entering the opening 4411 of the temporary storage seat 441, the screw 5 may wobble, causing it to fail to insert accurately into the temporary storage seat 441. This invention addresses this by using a sensor 443 to sense the posture of the screw 5 within the temporary storage seat 441, thereby determining whether the screw 5 is qualified. Only if the screw 5 is qualified will it be moved by the temporary storage structure 4 to the fastening unit 3; otherwise, if the screw 5 is unqualified, it will be removed from the temporary storage seat 441 for external recycling and will not be fastened to the product by the fastening unit 3.

[0034] In this embodiment, the temporary storage seat 441 is provided with a temporary storage hole 4412, which communicates with the opening 4411. The shape of the temporary storage hole 4412 is adapted to the shape of the screw 5. The temporary storage hole 4412 is used to accommodate the screw 5. A sensor 443 is located on one side of the temporary storage hole 4412 and is used to sense the screw 5 inside the temporary storage hole 4412. By using the sensor 443 located on one side of the temporary storage hole 4412, the posture of the screw 5 inside the temporary storage hole 4412 can be reliably sensed, thereby achieving the sensing effect.

[0035] In addition to sensing the posture of the screw 3, the sensor 443 can also sense whether the size and shape of the screw 3 are up to standard. For example, the sensor 443 can be a commonly used electronic component such as a photoelectric switch or an infrared sensor. When the screw is too short / too long / bent, the signal fed back to the sensor 443 will also be different. Through this signal, the above-mentioned screw posture and shape detection effect can be achieved to ensure that all screws 3 are qualified.

[0036] As for the handling of defective screws 5, various methods are possible, such as picking them up with the electric screwdriver 31 and moving them to the defective workstation, or setting a lifting device in the temporary storage seat 441 to remove the defective screws 5 from the temporary storage seat 441. Since these handling methods are not within the scope of protection of this invention, they are only mentioned again without further explanation, and will not affect the understanding of this solution by those skilled in the art.

[0037] Specifically, the opening 4411 is located directly above the temporary storage hole 4412, and the inner diameter of the opening 4411 is not less than the inner diameter of the temporary storage hole 4412. Preferably, the screw 5 enters the temporary storage hole 4412 from directly above the temporary storage base 441 along the pipe 25 for temporary storage, and then the temporary storage base 441 is moved to the electric screwdriver 31 by an external driving device 41, thus achieving the effect of feeding the screw 5.

[0038] In this embodiment, the swing structure 42 includes a swing member 421 and a swing arm 422. The driving device 41 includes a driving motor. The swing member 421 is provided with a swing shaft 4211. The swing motor drives the swing member 421 to rotate through the swing shaft 4211. One end of the swing arm 422 is installed on the swing member 421, and the temporary storage structure 44 is installed on the other end of the swing member 421. The swing shaft 4211 and the swing arm 422 are located at different positions on the swing shaft 4211.

[0039] For example, in actual use, the swing shaft 4211 can be set at the center of the swing member 421, while the temporary storage structure 44 is installed at one end of the swing member 421 via the swing arm 422, thus forming an eccentric structure; the drive motor can be directly connected to the swing shaft 4211, or connected to the swing shaft 4211 via a reducer, so as to achieve the following effect: when the motor rotates, it drives the swing member 421 to rotate, thereby causing the swing arm 422 connected to the swing member 421 to swing along the arc of the rotation of the motor swing member 421, so that the temporary storage structure 44 moves back and forth between the feeding structure 2 and the electric screwdriver 31, thus achieving the swing effect.

[0040] Specifically, the swing structure 42 also includes a swing seat 423, the swing seat 423 is provided with a limiting groove 4231, and the swing member 421 is provided with a limiting part 4212, which is movably disposed in the limiting groove 4231.

[0041] In actual use, the limiting groove 4231 includes a material taking part 4232, an arc-shaped part 4233 and a feeding part 4234, with the material taking part 4232 and the feeding part 4234 respectively connected to both ends of the arc-shaped part 4233.

[0042] When the limiting part 4212 moves to the picking part 4232, the feeding structure 2 connects with the temporary storage structure 44; when the limiting part 4212 moves to the feeding part 4234, the temporary storage structure 44 connects with the external electric screwdriver 31. The picking part 4232 and the feeding part 4234 can be rectangular or racetrack-shaped structures, and their length is sufficient to stably accommodate the limiting part 4212, thereby ensuring that the limiting part 4212 can be limited by a straight track when entering the picking part 4232 / feeding part 4234, thus ensuring the stability of picking up the screw 5 / feeding the screw 5.

[0043] In this embodiment, the swing arm 422 is preferably L-shaped or J-shaped, so that the drive motor and the electric screwdriver 31 are misaligned to avoid interference between them.

[0044] In this embodiment, the feeding structure 2 includes a feeder 21, a dispensing mechanism 22, an air blowing mechanism 23, and a pipe 25. The dispensing mechanism 22 is used to transfer the screw 5 from the feeder 21 to the pipe 25. The air blowing mechanism 23 is used to blow air into the pipe 25 to move the screw 3 inside the pipe 25 to the temporary storage mechanism 4. The pipe is used to guide the screw 3 into the temporary storage mechanism 4. Specifically, the pipe 25 can be equipped with at least one fixed seat 26 for relative fixation of its posture. For example, the end of the pipe 25 can be fixed to the swing seat 423 by the fixed seat 26 to ensure that when the temporary storage structure 44 swings to directly below the end of the pipe 25, it can reliably connect with the end of the pipe 2531, so that the screw 545 can smoothly enter the temporary storage structure 44.

[0045] In this embodiment, the output end of the feeding structure 2 is connected to a pipe 25, and the other end of the pipe 25 is used to connect with the transfer mechanism 4 when the limiting part 4212 moves to the picking part 4232; a baffle 27 is provided at the end of the pipe 25.

[0046] The stopper 27 can be a commonly used component such as an electromagnetic switch valve. When two screws 5 are fed into the pipe 25 at one time by the feeding structure 2, the electromagnetic switch valve can stop the screws 5, so as to prevent the screws 5 from falling off when the temporary storage seat 441 swings because multiple screws 5 are stacked in the temporary storage seat 441.

[0047] To further improve stability, a counter can be installed between pipe 25 and feeding structure 2 to count the number of screws 5 entering pipe 25 from feeding structure 2. In this way, if more than one screw 5 enters pipe 25 in a certain feeding, the stopper 27 is used to block it in time; then the stopper 27 releases the screws 5 one by one, ensuring that only one screw 5 is fed into temporary storage seat 441 each time.

[0048] In this embodiment, the locking unit 3 includes an electric screwdriver 31 and a lifting module 32. The lifting module 32 is installed on the base 1 and is used to drive the electric screwdriver 31 to move up and down relative to the base 1.

[0049] In use, the present invention is installed in an external drive module, which can be a two-axis or three-axis drive structure; the fastening unit 3 itself also has a lifting module 32, so that after the electric screwdriver 31 picks up the screw 5 in the temporary storage seat 441, the lifting module 32 can drive the electric screwdriver 31 to descend relative to the machine base 1 to the product to fasten the screw 5, thereby preventing the feeding structure 2 and the transfer mechanism 4 from descending during the fastening process and avoiding interference.

[0050] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make some changes or modifications to the above-disclosed technical content to create equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and modifications made to the above embodiments based on the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention are within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A screw fastening mechanism for automatic screw feeding, characterized in that, It includes a base, a feeding structure, a fastening unit, and a transfer mechanism, all of which are set on the base. The feeding structure is used to feed screws to the transfer mechanism, the transfer mechanism is used to transfer the screws to the fastening unit after the screws have been adjusted in position, and the fastening unit is used to pick up the screws from the transfer mechanism and fasten them to an external product. During operation, the transfer mechanism oscillates back and forth between the feeding structure and the locking unit.

2. The screw fastening mechanism for automatic screw feeding according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transfer mechanism includes a drive device, a swing mechanism, and a temporary storage mechanism. The feeding mechanism is used to feed screws to the temporary storage mechanism. The drive device drives the temporary storage mechanism through the swing mechanism. The temporary storage mechanism is used to temporarily store the adjusting screws and transfer the screws to the locking unit.

3. The screw fastening mechanism for automatic screw feeding according to claim 2, characterized in that, The temporary storage structure includes a temporary storage base and a sensor disposed within the temporary storage base. The temporary storage base is used to store and position screws, and the sensor is used to sense whether the screws have entered the temporary storage base in the correct orientation.

4. The screw fastening mechanism for automatic screw feeding according to claim 3, characterized in that, The temporary storage seat is provided with a temporary storage hole, which is connected to the opening. The shape of the temporary storage hole is adapted to the shape of the screw. The temporary storage hole is used to accommodate the screw. The sensor is located on one side of the temporary storage hole and is used to sense the screw in the temporary storage hole.

5. The screw fastening mechanism for automatic screw feeding according to claim 2, characterized in that, The swing structure includes a swing component and a swing arm. The driving device includes a drive motor. The swing component is provided with a swing shaft. The swing motor drives the swing component to rotate through the swing shaft. One end of the swing arm is installed on the swing component, and the temporary storage structure is installed on the other end of the swing component. The swing axis and the swing arm are set at different positions on the swing axis.

6. The screw fastening mechanism for automatic screw feeding according to claim 5, characterized in that, The swing structure also includes a swing seat, which is provided with a limiting groove, and the swing member is provided with a limiting part, which is movably disposed in the limiting groove; The limiting groove includes a material taking part, an arc-shaped part, and a feeding part, with the material taking part and the feeding part respectively connected to both ends of the arc-shaped part; When the limiting part moves to the picking part, the feeding structure is connected to the temporary storage structure; when the limiting part moves to the feeding part, the temporary storage structure is connected to the locking unit of the outside.

7. The screw fastening mechanism for automatic screw feeding according to claim 2, characterized in that, The sensor includes a photoelectric switch.

8. The screw fastening mechanism for automatic screw feeding according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feeding structure includes a feeder, a dispensing mechanism, an air blowing mechanism, and a pipe. The dispensing mechanism is used to transfer screws from the feeder to the pipe, the air blowing mechanism is used to blow air into the pipe, and the pipe is used to guide screws into the temporary storage mechanism.

9. The screw fastening mechanism for automatic screw feeding according to claim 1, characterized in that, The locking unit includes an electric screwdriver and a lifting module. The lifting module is installed on the base and is used to drive the electric screwdriver to move up and down relative to the base.

10. The screw fastening mechanism for automatic screw feeding according to claim 1, characterized in that, This also includes the following payment methods: A. Use the feeding mechanism to move a single screw to the temporary storage seat; B. Use the temporary storage holder to receive screws in an upright position; C. Use sensors to detect the parameters of the screws to determine whether the screws are qualified; D. When the screw is in good condition, drive the temporary storage seat to swing so that the temporary storage seat moves from the feeding mechanism to the electric screwdriver; E. The screw is picked up from the staging area by an electric screwdriver, and after the staging area leaves the electric screwdriver, the screw is fastened to the product by the electric screwdriver.

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