A multi-functional circulating feeding device

Abstract

This invention relates to a multifunctional circulating feeding device, comprising a conveying mechanism, a guiding mechanism, and a feeding tray. The conveying mechanism includes a racetrack-shaped conveyor chain and multiple load-bearing substrates connected to the conveyor chain. The guiding mechanism is arranged around the periphery of the conveyor chain and is used to guide the movement of the load-bearing substrates. The guiding mechanism includes a guide rail assembly and a ball bearing assembly. The feeding tray is correspondingly arranged on each load-bearing substrate. The feeding tray includes a support plate and three straight oblong holes on the support plate. Each straight oblong hole is equipped with a positioning rod, and the three positioning rods can move synchronously inward or outward along their respective straight oblong holes. This invention combines feeding and unloading functions, is suitable for feeding products of various specifications, and ensures that there are continuously load-bearing substrates carrying products at the feeding station. During feeding, there is no need to adjust the robot's picking position, making operation convenient and simple, reducing the probability of picking errors, and effectively improving product processing efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the technical field of gear processing equipment, specifically relating to a multifunctional circulating feeding device. Background Technology

[0002] In existing gear processing equipment, multiple loading stations are arranged on the loading equipment to place a large number of gear blanks to be processed. The robot can grab the gear blanks from the loading station and put them into the processing lathe for processing.

[0003] Existing feeding equipment has the following drawbacks: First, its function is limited, only capable of feeding products to be processed. Secondly, the loading stations are fixed. After the tooth blanks on one loading station are taken out, the robot's gripping position needs to be adjusted in time to grip the tooth blanks on the other loading station. The operation process is cumbersome and prone to gripping errors, which directly affects the gear processing efficiency. Third, the feeding pallet is designed with fixed specifications and can only be used for feeding one specific type of tooth blank, resulting in poor versatility. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a multifunctional circulating feeding device to solve the problem of low processing efficiency.

[0005] The multifunctional circulating feeding device of the present invention is implemented as follows: A multi-functional circulating feeding device, including The conveying mechanism includes a racetrack-shaped conveyor chain and a plurality of load plates connected to the conveyor chain and capable of moving synchronously with it. A guiding mechanism is arranged around the periphery of the conveyor chain and is used to guide the movement of the substrate. The guiding mechanism includes guide rail assemblies arranged on both sides of the conveyor chain and ball bearing assemblies arranged at both ends of the conveyor chain. A loading tray is correspondingly set on each loading substrate. The loading tray includes a support plate and three straight waist-shaped holes arranged in a Y-shape on the support plate. Each straight waist-shaped hole is equipped with a positioning rod. The three positioning rods can move synchronously inward or outward along the straight waist-shaped hole in which they are located.

[0006] Furthermore, the conveying mechanism also includes a driving sprocket and a driven sprocket, as well as a conveying motor installed below the driving sprocket and drivenly connected to the driving sprocket, and the conveying chain is assembled on the driving sprocket and the driven sprocket; The substrate is connected to the corresponding link of the conveyor chain by a fixing pin.

[0007] Furthermore, the loading tray also includes an adjustment disc disposed at intervals between the loading substrate and the tray. The adjustment disc can rotate around its center, and rotating the adjustment disc can drive the positioning rod to move along the straight waist-shaped hole where it is located.

[0008] Furthermore, the adjusting disc has three arc-shaped waist-shaped holes that are evenly distributed along its circumference and correspond one-to-one with the straight waist-shaped holes. The same positioning rod passes through the corresponding arc-shaped waist-shaped hole and the straight waist-shaped hole.

[0009] Furthermore, the center of the adjusting disc is provided with a disc center hole, and the substrate is provided with a threaded hole opposite to the disc center hole. A locking bolt with its lower end engaging with the threaded hole is installed in the disc center hole. By tightening the locking bolt, the adjusting disc can be locked.

[0010] Furthermore, the front side of the left end of the conveyor chain is a loading station, and the rear side is a finished product station. The loading station and the finished product station are respectively equipped with lifting mechanisms. The lifting mechanism includes a lifting rod for lifting the loading pallet at its location, and a lifting drive unit for driving the lifting rod to move up and down.

[0011] Furthermore, the lifting drive unit includes a lifting motor, a driving pulley, a driven pulley, a lifting screw, and a lifting plate. The driving pulley is installed at the output end of the lifting motor. The driven pulley is installed on the lifting screw and connected to the driving pulley via a transmission belt. The lifting plate is connected to a lead screw nut installed on the lifting screw, and the lifting rod is installed on the lifting plate.

[0012] Furthermore, the substrate is provided with a positioning detection pin, and the finished product station is provided with a positioning detection element that cooperates with the positioning detection pin. The loading station and the finished product station are equipped with positioning mechanisms arranged opposite to each other. The positioning mechanism includes a positioning cylinder and a positioning wheel connected to the positioning cylinder. The positioning cylinder can drive the positioning wheel to move inward and lock it in the arc-shaped positioning groove on the outer side of the substrate of the corresponding station.

[0013] Furthermore, a lifting detection mechanism is provided on one side of the lifting drive unit. The lifting detection mechanism includes a lifting detection pole and a travel limit element installed on the lifting detection pole. The material feeding station is equipped with a rising height detection component, and the finished product station is equipped with a falling height detection component. The pallet is equipped with a rotatable detection block, the finished product station is equipped with a stop block that cooperates with the detection block, and the loading station is equipped with an unprocessed product detection element that cooperates with the detection block.

[0014] Furthermore, the guide rail assembly includes a guide rail bracket and guide wheels mounted on both sides of the guide rail bracket; The ball assembly includes a ball base and a plurality of balls rotatably mounted on the ball base and arranged in an arc shape.

[0015] After adopting the above technical solution, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: (1) The circulating feeding device of the present invention has both feeding and unloading functions, eliminating the need for separate unloading equipment, simplifying the overall structure of the gear machining center, and making it more convenient to use; (2) Each of the feeding trays of the present invention moves in a cycle under the drive of the conveyor chain so that there is a continuous substrate carrying the product on the feeding station. There is no need to adjust the picking position of the robot when feeding, which makes the operation convenient and simple, reduces the probability of picking errors, and effectively improves the processing efficiency of the product. (3) The feeding tray of the present invention can be adapted to different specifications of gear blanks by adjusting the position of the positioning rod, which increases the versatility of the feeding tray, reduces the difficulty of operation, and further improves the processing efficiency of gears. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of a multifunctional circulating feeding device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Enlarged view of section A; Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of a preferred embodiment of the multifunctional circulating feeding device of the present invention (when the feeding cabinet is not equipped with side panels); Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of a preferred embodiment of the multifunctional circulating feeding device of the present invention (without the feeding tray and the side panel of the feeding cabinet); Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Enlarged view of section B; Figure 6 This is a structural diagram of the conveying mechanism and guiding mechanism of the multifunctional circulating feeding device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a structural diagram of the lifting mechanism and lifting detection mechanism of the multifunctional circulating feeding device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 This is a structural diagram of the loading substrate and loading tray portion of the multifunctional circulating feeding device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9This is an exploded view of the loading substrate and loading tray portion of the multifunctional circulating feeding device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; In the diagram: Conveying mechanism 1, conveying chain 1-1, load-bearing base plate 1-2, driving sprocket 1-3, driven sprocket 1-4, conveying motor 1-5, motor bracket 1-6, fixing pin 1-7, positioning pin 1-8, positioning platform 1-9, arrival detection pin 1-10, guide groove 1-11, mounting plate 1-12, mounting bracket 1-13, arc-shaped positioning groove 1-14, threaded hole 1-15, circular countersunk trough 1-16, guide mechanism Component 2, guide rail bracket 2-1, guide wheel 2-2, ball bearing base 2-3, ball bearing 2-4, ball bearing base 2-5, loading pallet 3, pallet 3-1, straight waist-shaped hole 3-2, positioning rod 3-3, adjusting disc 3-4, arc-shaped clearance groove 3-5, arc-shaped waist-shaped hole 3-6, limiting platform 3-7, washer 3-8, disc center hole 3-9, gasket 3-10, bolt clearance hole 3-11, center sleeve 3-12, fixed Position hole 3-13, detection block 3-14, lifting mechanism 4, lifting rod 4-1, lifting motor 4-2, driving pulley 4-3, driven pulley 4-4, lifting screw 4-5, lifting plate 4-6, transmission belt 4-7, lead screw nut 4-8, lifting support plate 4-9, fixing plate 4-10, positioning mechanism 5, positioning cylinder 5-1, positioning wheel 5-2, positioning upright plate 5-3, lifting detection mechanism 6, lifting detection upright 6-1, stroke limit element 6-2, lower detection bracket 6-3, upper detection bracket 6-4, rising height detection upright 7-1, rising height detection element 7-2, loading height detection bracket 7-3, falling height detection upright 7-4, falling height detection element 7-5, unloading height detection bracket 7-6, unprocessed product detection element 7-7, stop block 7-8, loading platform 8, loading cabinet 9, control cabinet 10. Detailed Implementation

[0018] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, 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, 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.

[0019] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the invention.

[0020] like Figure 1-9 As shown, a multifunctional circulating feeding device includes a conveying mechanism 1, a guiding mechanism 2, and a feeding tray 3. The conveying mechanism 1 includes a racetrack-shaped conveying chain 1-1 and multiple load plates 1-2 connected to the conveying chain 1-1 and capable of moving synchronously with it. The guiding mechanism 2 is arranged around the periphery of the conveying chain 1-1 and is used to guide the movement of the load plates 1-2. The guiding mechanism 2 includes guide rail assemblies arranged on both sides of the conveying chain 1-1 and ball bearing assemblies arranged at both ends of the conveying chain 1-1. The feeding tray 3 is correspondingly arranged on each load plate 1-2. The feeding tray 3 includes a support plate 3-1 and three straight waist-shaped holes 3-2 arranged in a Y-shape on the support plate 3-1. Each straight waist-shaped hole 3-2 is equipped with a positioning rod 3-3. The three positioning rods 3-3 can move synchronously inward or outward along the straight waist-shaped hole 3-2 in which they are located.

[0021] The circulating feeding equipment also includes a feeding platform 8, a racetrack-shaped conveyor chain 1-1 arranged laterally on the feeding platform 8, two guide rail assemblies located on the front and rear sides of the conveyor chain 1-1 respectively, and two ball bearing assemblies set on the left and right ends of the conveyor chain 1-1 respectively.

[0022] In this embodiment, eight substrates 1-2 are evenly connected on the conveyor chain 1-1. Each substrate 1-2 is provided with a corresponding loading tray 3. Products (including unprocessed products and finished products processed by the machine tool) are stacked on each loading tray 3. The conveyor chain 1-1 moves to drive each substrate 1-2 to move synchronously with it, so as to realize uninterrupted cyclic loading and unloading operation.

[0023] In this embodiment, the product on the loading tray 3 is a gear blank for gear processing. It has a central hole in the center, and three through holes are evenly distributed around the central hole. These through holes are mainly used for gear assembly and fixing (locking and fixing with components such as drive shafts, flanges, and end caps), process assistance (for lifting or fixing the gear blank during processing), and functional adaptation (weight reduction, noise reduction, or as a lubrication channel). When the product is placed on the loading tray 3, the three positioning rods 3-3 are inserted into the corresponding through holes to position the product. Since the through hole positions are different for products of different specifications, the positions of the three positioning rods 3-3 are adjusted to accommodate the placement of products of different specifications.

[0024] In order to drive the conveyor chain 1-1 to rotate, the conveyor mechanism 1 also includes a drive sprocket 1-3 and a driven sprocket 1-4, as well as a conveyor motor 1-5 installed below the drive sprocket 1-3 and connected to the drive sprocket 1-3 for transmission. The conveyor chain 1-1 is assembled on the drive sprocket 1-3 and the driven sprocket 1-4.

[0025] Among them, the driving sprocket 1-3 and the driven sprocket 1-4 are located above the loading platform 8. The conveying motor 1-5 is fixed to the bottom of the loading platform 8 with the output end facing upward through the motor bracket 1-6, and its output shaft extends from the loading platform 8 and is connected to the driving sprocket 1-3. The wheel axle of the driven sprocket 1-4 is assembled on the loading platform 8 through the bearing seat. The conveying motor 1-5 drives the driving sprocket 1-3 to rotate, thereby realizing the rotation of the conveying chain 1-1 around the driving sprocket 1-3 and the driven sprocket 1-4.

[0026] In order to make the substrate 1-2 move synchronously with the conveyor chain 1-1, the substrate 1-2 is connected to the corresponding link of the conveyor chain 1-1 by the fixing pin 1-7.

[0027] Specifically, the links of the conveyor chain 1-1 are provided with pin holes, the inner edge of the substrate 1-2 is located above the conveyor chain 1-1, and the fixing pin 1-7 mounted on the substrate 1-2 is inserted downward into the pin hole of the corresponding link to realize the connection between the conveyor chain 1-1 and the substrate 1-2.

[0028] In order to guide the movement of the conveyor chain 1-1, guide grooves 1-11 are respectively provided on the inner side of the two guide rail assemblies, and the conveyor chain 1-1 passes through the guide grooves 1-11.

[0029] In order to enable the three positioning rods 3-3 on the loading tray 3 to move synchronously, the loading tray 3 also includes an adjustment disc 3-4 that is spaced between the loading base plate 1-2 and the tray 3-1. The adjustment disc 3-4 can rotate around its center. Rotating the adjustment disc 3-4 can drive the positioning rods 3-3 to move along the straight waist-shaped hole 3-2 where they are located.

[0030] The substrate 1-2, the adjusting disk 3-4, and the tray 3-1 are arranged at intervals from bottom to top to prevent the substrate 1-2 and the tray 3-1 from affecting the rotation of the adjusting disk 3-4.

[0031] To facilitate the rotation of the adjusting disc 3-4, an arc-shaped clearance groove 3-5 is provided on the outer edge of the support plate 3-1.

[0032] In this embodiment, the support plate 3-1 covers the adjusting disc 3-4. By setting the arc-shaped relief groove 3-5, the adjusting disc 3-4 can be exposed from the arc-shaped relief groove 3-5, thereby facilitating its rotation.

[0033] In order to drive the three positioning rods 3-3 to move synchronously by adjusting the rotation of the adjusting disc 3-4, the adjusting disc 3-4 is provided with three arc-shaped waist-shaped holes 3-6 that are evenly distributed along its circumference and correspond one-to-one with the straight waist-shaped holes 3-2. The same positioning rod 3-3 passes through the corresponding arc-shaped waist-shaped hole 3-6 and the straight waist-shaped hole 3-2.

[0034] Specifically, the adjusting disc 3-4 is a circular flat plate component, and three arc-shaped waist-shaped holes 3-6 are evenly distributed in a vortex shape along its circumference at 120°. The two ends of the three arc-shaped waist-shaped holes 3-6 are semi-circular, and the middle is a smooth arc segment. The two ends of the straight waist-shaped hole 3-2 are also semi-circular, and the middle is a straight segment. The straight waist-shaped hole 3-2 extends outward along its radial direction with the center of the adjusting disc 3-4 as the origin, forming three straight guide hole structures with equal angles. The same positioning rod 3-3 passes through the corresponding arc-shaped waist-shaped hole 3-6 and straight waist-shaped hole 3-2 respectively.

[0035] When the adjusting disc 3-4 is rotated, the trajectory constraint of the arc-shaped waist-shaped hole 3-6 drives the circumferential motion component of the positioning rod 3-3, so that the positioning rod 3-3 can only move along the radial direction of the straight waist-shaped hole 3-2. This converts the rotational motion of the adjusting disc 3-4 into the synchronous radial linear motion of the positioning rod 3-3. That is, the three positioning rods 3-3 move in a straight line inward or outward along the straight waist-shaped hole 3-2, thereby achieving the effect of synchronously adjusting the position of the three positioning rods 3-3.

[0036] Specifically, when rotating along the vortex direction of the arc-shaped waist-shaped hole 3-6, the three positioning rods 3-3 move inward synchronously; when rotating in the opposite direction, the three positioning rods 3-3 move outward synchronously.

[0037] The lower end of the positioning rod 3-3 is provided with a limiting platform 3-7 located between the adjusting disk 3-4 and the substrate 1-2. The outer diameter of the limiting platform 3-7 is larger than the diameter of the arc-shaped waist-shaped hole 3-6. The setting of the limiting platform 3-7 can not only support the adjusting disk 3-4, but also separate the adjusting disk 3-4 from the substrate 1-2.

[0038] In order to separate the adjusting disc 3-4 from the support plate 3-1, a washer 3-8 is installed on the positioning rod 3-3 between the adjusting disc 3-4 and the support plate 3-1. The outer diameter of the washer 3-8 is larger than the diameter of the straight waist-shaped hole 3-2.

[0039] The arrangement of washers 3-8 can create a spaced arrangement between the adjusting disc 3-4 and the tray. The specific spacing distance can be determined based on the thickness of washers 3-8.

[0040] After the positioning rod 3-3 is moved into place, in order to fix its position, the center of the adjusting disc 3-4 is provided with a disc center hole 3-9, and the substrate 1-2 is provided with a threaded hole 1-15 opposite to the disc center hole 3-9. A locking bolt (not shown in the figure) with its lower end cooperating with the threaded hole 1-15 is installed in the disc center hole 3-9. Tighten the locking bolt, and the adjusting disc 3-4 can be locked.

[0041] Specifically, the locking bolt is inserted into the center hole 3-9 of the disc from above, and its lower end extends into the threaded hole 1-15 and engages with the threaded hole 1-15. When the locking bolt is tightened, the bolt head of the locking bolt presses against the adjusting disc 3-4, thus fixing the adjusting disc 3-4 in place and preventing it from rotating, thereby fixing the position of the positioning rod 3-3.

[0042] Preferably, in order to ensure the locking effect of the locking bolt, a washer 3-10 is fitted on the locking bolt above the adjusting disc 3-4.

[0043] In addition, in order to reserve installation space for the locking bolts, the support plate 3-1 is provided with bolt clearance holes 3-11 corresponding to the center hole 3-9 of the disc.

[0044] Since there is a gap between the adjusting disc 3-4 and the substrate 1-2, a circular recess 1-16 is provided above the threaded hole 1-15 to support the position of the locking bolt (i.e., the center of the adjusting disc). A central sleeve 3-12 is installed in the circular recess 1-16. The upper end of the central sleeve 3-12 is fitted into the center hole 3-9 of the disc, and the top height of the central sleeve 3-12 is not higher than the height of the upper surface of the adjusting disc 3-4.

[0045] Specifically, the inner diameter of the circular recess 1-16 is larger than the inner diameter of the threaded hole 1-15. The central sleeve 3-12 is placed inside the circular recess 1-16, and the top of the central sleeve 3-12 is inserted into the central hole 3-9 of the disc, and its top end does not protrude from the upper surface of the adjusting disc 3-4 (this design ensures the locking effect of the locking bolt on the adjusting disc 3-4 when tightened). The lower end of the locking bolt passes through the central sleeve 3-12 and engages with the threaded hole 1-15. At this time, the central sleeve 3-12 serves as a support for the central connection between the substrate 1-2 and the adjusting disc 3-4.

[0046] In order to ensure that the loading tray 3 is fixed to the loading base plate 1-2, the loading base plate 1-2 is provided with a positioning platform 1-9 with a positioning pin 1-8 on the top, and the pallet 3-1 is provided with a positioning hole 3-13 that cooperates with the positioning pin 1-8.

[0047] When the robot (used to move products back and forth between the circulating feeding equipment and the processing machine tool) is loading and unloading, the conveyor chain 1-1 is stationary. At this time, the eight carrying substrates 1-2 are located on both sides of the conveyor chain 1-1. The position of the carrying substrate 1-2 in the loading process is set as the loading station (the product on this station is the product to be processed), and the position of the carrying substrate 1-2 in the unloading process is set as the finished product station (the product on this station is the finished product). In this embodiment, the front side of the left end of the conveyor chain 1-1 is the loading station, and the rear side is the finished product station.

[0048] The robot picks up the products to be processed one by one from the loading tray 3 at the loading station and sends them into the processing machine tool. At the same time, the robot places the finished products taken off the processing machine tool one by one onto the loading tray 3 at the finished product station.

[0049] When loading products to be processed at the loading station, the robot's picking height remains constant. Therefore, to coordinate with the robot's operation, after the products to be processed are removed, the height of the loading pallet 3 at the loading station needs to be raised to a certain height to allow the robot to perform a secondary picking operation. When placing finished products at the finished product station, the robot's unloading height also remains constant. Therefore, after the finished products are placed at the finished product station, the loading pallet 3 at that station needs to be lowered to a certain height to allow the robot to perform a secondary unloading operation. To achieve this function, lifting mechanisms 4 are respectively installed at the loading station and the finished product station. The lifting mechanism 4 includes a lifting rod 4-1 for lifting the loading pallet 3 at its location, and a lifting drive unit for driving the lifting rod 4-1 to move up and down.

[0050] Each lifting mechanism 4 is equipped with four lifting rods 4-1, which pass through the loading platform 8 from bottom to top and are opposite to the four corners of the bottom of the loading pallet 3 at the corresponding workstation (i.e., the loading workstation and the finished product workstation). By lifting the lifting rods 4-1, the pallet 3-1 can be moved up and down along the corresponding positioning rods 3-3, so as to achieve the effect of the pallet 3-1 gradually rising at the loading workstation and the pallet 3-1 gradually falling at the finished product workstation during the processing.

[0051] In this embodiment, the four corners of the substrate 1-2 are provided with notches to avoid the lifting rod 4-1. The support plate 3-1 is a rectangular plate with chamfered corners, and its side length is not less than the diameter of the adjusting disc 3-4. Therefore, the adjusting disc 3-4 will not interfere with the movement of the lifting rod 4-1.

[0052] Preferably, the lifting rod 4-1 and the feeding platform 8 are connected by a guide sleeve to ensure the smooth lifting of the lifting rod 4-1.

[0053] To drive the four lifting rods 4-1 to lift synchronously, the lifting drive unit includes a lifting motor 4-2, a driving pulley 4-3, a driven pulley 4-4, a lifting screw 4-5, and a lifting plate 4-6. The driving pulley 4-3 is installed at the output end of the lifting motor 4-2. The driven pulley 4-4 is installed on the lifting screw 4-5 and connected to the driving pulley 4-3 through a transmission belt 4-7. The lifting plate 4-6 is connected to the screw nut 4-8 installed on the lifting screw 4-5. The lifting rods 4-1 are installed on the lifting plate 4-6.

[0054] Specifically, the top of the loading platform 8 is equipped with a lifting support plate 4-9 connected to it. The lifting screw 4-5 passes through the lifting support plate 4-9 and the two are connected by bearings. The driven pulley 4-4 is installed on the top of the lifting screw 4-5 and is located above the lifting support plate 4-9. The lifting plate 4-6 is located below the lifting support plate 4-9. Four lifting rods 4-1 pass through the lifting support plate 4-9 through guide sleeves. The lifting motor 4-2 is installed on one side of the lifting support plate 4-9 through the fixing plate 4-10.

[0055] When the lifting motor 4-2 is working, it drives the lifting screw 4-5 to rotate in sequence through the driving pulley 4-3, the transmission belt 4-7 and the driven pulley 4-4. The lifting screw 4-5 then drives the lifting plate 4-6 to move up and down along its axial direction through the lead screw nut 4-8, thereby realizing the up and down movement of the four lifting rods 4-1.

[0056] When any of the carrier substrates 1-2 moves to the finished product station, it needs to be inspected to confirm whether the carrier substrate 1-2 and the carrier substrate 1-2 corresponding to the loading station have moved into place, so as to prevent affecting the robot's loading and unloading operations. The carrier substrate 1-2 is equipped with a position detection pin 1-10, and the finished product station is equipped with a position detection element (not shown in the figure) that cooperates with the position detection pin 1-10.

[0057] Specifically, each substrate 1-2 is equipped with a positioning detection pin 1-10, which is arranged side by side with the fixing pin 1-7 on the substrate 1-2, and its installation method is the same as that of the fixing pin 1-7. Therefore, the positioning detection pin 1-10 can not only cooperate with the positioning detection element to detect whether the substrate 1-2 has moved into place, but also connect the conveyor chain 1-1 and the substrate 1-2.

[0058] Multiple columns (not shown in the figure) are arranged side by side on the loading platform 8 between the driving sprocket 1-3 and the driven sprocket 1-4. A mounting plate 1-12 is installed on the top of each column, which can shield the driving sprocket 1-3 and the driven sprocket 1-4, providing some protection for both. A mounting bracket 1-13 is installed on the mounting plate 1-12 inside the finished product station. The mounting bracket 1-13 is equipped with a positioning detection element located above the corresponding loading base plate 1-2 and opposite the positioning detection pin 1-10.

[0059] The positioning detection element can be, but is not limited to, an inductive induction switch.

[0060] After the substrate 1-2 corresponding to the loading station and the finished product station is moved into place, in order to avoid the substrate 1-2 falling off during the loading and unloading process and causing loading and unloading errors, the loading station and the finished product station are equipped with a positioning mechanism 5 arranged opposite to each other. The positioning mechanism 5 includes a positioning cylinder 5-1 and a positioning wheel 5-2 connected to the positioning cylinder 5-1. The positioning cylinder 5-1 can drive the positioning wheel 5-2 to move inward and lock it in the arc-shaped positioning groove 1-14 on the outer side of the substrate 1-2 located at the corresponding station.

[0061] The positioning mechanism 5 is installed between two lifting rods 4-1 near the edge of the loading platform 8 of the corresponding lifting mechanism 4, so as to be opposite to the loading plate 1-2 of the work station.

[0062] Specifically, the positioning cylinder 5-1 is mounted on the loading platform 8 with its piston rod facing outwards, and a positioning plate 5-3 is installed at the end of the piston rod. The positioning wheel 5-2 is mounted on the top of the positioning plate 5-3 and engages with the arc-shaped positioning groove 1-14 on the outer edge of the substrate 1-2. When it is necessary to fix the corresponding substrate 1-2 at the loading station and the finished product station, the piston rod of the positioning cylinder 5-1 retracts, causing the positioning wheel 5-2 to engage in the arc-shaped positioning groove 1-14, thereby fixing the position of the substrate 1-2.

[0063] The lifting of the pallet 3-1 has limits for the highest and lowest positions. In order to detect these two limited positions, a lifting detection mechanism 6 is provided on one side of the lifting drive unit. The lifting detection mechanism 6 includes a lifting detection rod 6-1 and a travel limit element 6-2 installed on the lifting detection rod 6-1.

[0064] The lifting stroke of the lifting plate 4-6 is the same as that of the pallet 3-1. In this embodiment, the lowest and highest positions of the pallet 3-1 are defined by detecting the position of the lifting plate 4-6.

[0065] Specifically, the lifting detection pole 6-1 is located between the two lifting mechanisms 4, and its top is fixed to the bottom of the loading platform 8. A pair of lower detection brackets 6-3 are installed near the bottom of the lifting detection pole 6-1. The outer ends of the two lower detection brackets 6-3 are each equipped with a travel limit element 6-2 to limit the lower end of the lifting stroke of the lifting plate 4-6. Specifically, during the descent of the lifting plate 4-6, when it aligns with the corresponding travel limit element 6-2 on the lower detection bracket 6-3, it immediately stops moving. A pair of upper detection brackets 6-4 are installed near the top of the lifting detection pole 6-1. The outer ends of the upper detection brackets 6-4 are each equipped with a travel limit element 6-2 to limit the upper end of the lifting stroke of the lifting plate 4-6. Specifically, during the ascent of the lifting plate 4-6, when it aligns with the corresponding travel limit element 6-2 on the upper detection bracket 6-4, it immediately stops moving.

[0066] The travel limit element 6-2 can be selected from, but is not limited to, photoelectric switches.

[0067] The pallet at the loading station needs to be raised gradually to match the robot's picking height. To facilitate the detection of whether the pallet 3-1 has been raised to the correct position, a lifting height detection component is installed at the loading station. The lifting height detection component includes a pair of lifting height detection uprights 7-1 and lifting height detection elements 7-2 installed on the lifting height detection uprights 7-1.

[0068] Specifically, two lifting height detection poles 7-1 are set diagonally on the outside of the loading station. In this embodiment, the two lifting height detection poles 7-1 are respectively set on the left rear side of the left end ball bearing assembly and the right front side of the loading station on the mounting plate 1-12. The two lifting height detection poles 7-1 are respectively equipped with height-adjustable loading height detection brackets 7-3, and the two loading height detection brackets 7-3 are equipped with opposing lifting height detection elements 7-2. One loading height detection bracket 7-3 is equipped with the transmitting end of the lifting height detection element 7-2, and the other loading height detection bracket 7-3 is equipped with the receiving end of the lifting height detection element 7-2.

[0069] During the loading process, before the robot picks up the material, the receiving end (rise height detection element 7-2) is in a state where it cannot receive the light signal emitted by the transmitting end (rise height detection element 7-2). The robot removes the top product to be processed from the loading station. At this time, the light emitted by the transmitting end (rise height detection element 7-2) will be received by the receiving end (rise height detection element 7-2). The receiving end (rise height detection element 7-2) transmits this signal to the controller of the circulating loading equipment. The controller then controls the lifting motor 4-2 of the loading station to work, using the lifting rod 4-1 to push the pallet 3-1 upward until the receiving end (rise height detection element 7-2) can no longer receive the light signal emitted by the transmitting end (rise height detection element 7-2). At this time, it indicates that the top product to be processed has risen to the robot's picking height position.

[0070] The pallet at the finished product station needs to be lowered gradually to match the robot's unloading height. To facilitate the detection of whether the pallet 3-1 has been lowered to the correct position, a descent height detection component is installed at the finished product station. The descent height detection component includes a pair of descent height detection uprights 7-4 and descent height detection elements 7-5 mounted on the descent height detection uprights 7-4.

[0071] Two descent height detection poles 7-4 are set diagonally on the outer side of the finished product station. In this embodiment, the two descent height detection poles 7-4 are respectively set on the left front side of the left end ball bearing assembly and the right rear side of the finished product station on the mounting plate 1-12. The two descent height detection poles 7-4 are respectively equipped with height-adjustable unloading height detection brackets 7-6, and the two unloading height detection brackets 7-6 are equipped with opposing descent height detection elements 7-5. One unloading height detection bracket 7-6 is equipped with the transmitting end of the descent height detection element 7-5, and the other unloading height detection bracket 7-6 is equipped with the receiving end of the descent height detection element 7-5.

[0072] During the unloading process, before the robot places the finished product, the receiving end (descent height detection element 7-5) is in a state where it can receive the light signal emitted by the transmitting end (descent height detection element 7-5). When the robot places the finished product at the top, the finished product will block the light signal, that is, the receiving end (descent height detection element 7-5) cannot receive the light signal. At this time, the controller will control the lifting motor 4-2 of the finished product station to work, and use the lifting rod 4-1 to drive the tray 3-1 to move down until the receiving end (descent height detection element 7-5) can receive the light signal again. At this time, it indicates that the robot can place the finished product at the highest position again for secondary unloading.

[0073] Among them, the rising height detection element 7-2 and the falling height detection element 7-5 can be selected from, but are not limited to, through-beam photoelectric switches.

[0074] In order to ensure that the products at the loading station are products awaiting processing, a rotatable detection block 3-14 is provided on the pallet 3-1, a stop block 7-8 that cooperates with the detection block 3-14 is provided at the finished product station, and an unprocessed product detection element 7-7 that cooperates with the detection block 3-14 is provided at the loading station.

[0075] Specifically, taking the loading pallet 3 at the finished product station as an example, a detection support is provided on the front right side of the pallet 3-1, and the detection block 3-14 is a fan-shaped block that is rotatably mounted on the detection support. When the loading pallet 3 is used for unloading at the finished product station, its detection block 3-14 is facing outwards. When the loading pallet 3 is fully loaded, it moves to the next station (moving to the right in this embodiment) driven by the conveyor chain 1-1. The stop block 7-8 will block the detection block 3-14, causing it to rotate to the inwards direction. In the subsequent station (before entering the loading station), the operator will remove the finished products from the loading pallet 3 and reload it with unprocessed products. During this process, the direction of the detection block 3-14 will not change. When the feeding tray 3 moves to the feeding station again, the operator will confirm whether the product on the feeding tray 3 is the product to be processed. After confirming that it is correct, the operator will manually rotate the detection block 3-14 to the direction with the arc surface facing outward. At this time, the unprocessed product detection element 7-7 at the feeding station can sense the detection block 3-14 and transmit the signal to the controller. The controller will then control the entire cyclic feeding equipment to continue the feeding operation.

[0076] Specifically, when the detection block 3-14 rotates to the outward-facing direction, the distance between it and the unprocessed product detection element 7-7 is small, and the detection element can sense the detection block 3-14. However, when the arc surface of the detection block 3-14 rotates to the inward-facing direction, the distance between it and the unprocessed product detection element 7-7 is large, and the detection element cannot sense the presence of the detection block 3-14.

[0077] Among them, the unprocessed detection element can be, but is not limited to, an inductive contact switch.

[0078] In order to guide the movement of the substrate 1-2 on both sides of the conveyor chain 1-1, the guide rail assembly includes a guide rail bracket 2-1 and guide wheels 2-2 mounted on both sides of the guide rail bracket 2-1.

[0079] In this embodiment, the guide rail bracket 2-1 of each guide rail assembly is arranged in two sections. That is, in the guide rail assembly located behind the conveyor chain 1-1, the guide rail bracket 2-1 at the loading station is set independently, and in the guide rail assembly located in front of the conveyor chain 1-1, the guide rail bracket 2-1 at the finished product station is set independently. This clearly distinguishes the positions of the loading station and the finished product station.

[0080] In order to guide the movement of the substrate 1-2 at both ends of the conveyor chain 1-1, the ball assembly includes a ball base 2-3 and a plurality of balls 2-4 rotatably mounted on the ball base 2-3 and arranged in an arc shape.

[0081] Among them, the ball bearing 2-4 is rotatably mounted on the corresponding ball bearing base 2-5, while the ball bearing base 2-5 is fixed on the ball bearing base 2-3, and the ball bearing base 2-3 is fixed on the loading platform 8.

[0082] In this embodiment, each ball bearing base 2-3 is provided with two sets of ball bearings 2-4 arranged in an arc shape to ensure the smooth movement of the substrate 1-2.

[0083] In addition, the loading platform 8 is located on top of a loading cabinet 9, and the conveyor motors 1-5, lifting drive unit, lifting detection mechanism 6, etc. are all located inside the loading cabinet 9.

[0084] The right end of the loading cabinet 9 is equipped with a control cabinet 10, and the controllers that are electrically connected to the conveyor motor 1-5, the lifting motor 4-2, the positioning cylinder 5-1, and various detection elements and limit elements are installed in the control cabinet 10.

[0085] During gear processing, the conveyor motor 1-5 drives the conveyor chain 1-1 to rotate counterclockwise. The robot picks up the products to be processed from the loading tray 3 at the loading station one by one and transfers them to the processing machine tool for processing. When the robot returns, it takes out the finished products from the processing machine tool and places them one by one on the loading tray 3 at the finished product station. When all the products to be processed at the loading station are taken out, the loading tray 3 at that station is empty. At this time, the conveyor chain 1-1 rotates, and the loading tray 3 on its right side (fully loaded with finished products to be processed) moves to the left to the loading station under the drive of its carrying base plate 1-2 to continue the loading operation. Meanwhile, the empty loading tray 3 moves synchronously to the finished product station to be loaded with finished products. The original loading tray 3 at the finished product station then moves to the next station to the right. In any one or more subsequent stations (the six stations between the finished product station and the loading station), the operator will remove the finished products and reload them with products to be processed, so that the loading tray 3, carried by its carrying base plate 1-2, can re-enter the loading station for loading operations. The entire process is repeated cyclically, which means that the loading and unloading operations can be completed automatically without stopping the machine, effectively improving processing efficiency.

[0086] This invention enables continuous loading and unloading of products of different specifications. Through the cyclical movement of the loading base plate 1-2, the robot does not need to adjust the loading and unloading positions during the processing, making the operation simple and convenient, reducing the probability of operational errors, and increasing the processing probability of products. In addition, it has both loading and unloading functions, eliminating the need for a separate unloading device, simplifying the structure of gear processing equipment, and making it more convenient to use.

[0087] Based on the above-described preferred embodiments of the present invention, and through the foregoing description, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the inventive concept. The technical scope of this invention is not limited to the contents of the specification, but must be determined according to the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A multifunctional circulating feeding device, characterized in that, include The conveying mechanism (1) includes a racetrack-shaped conveying chain (1-1) and a plurality of load plates (1-2) connected to the conveying chain (1-1) and capable of moving synchronously with it. The guide mechanism (2) is arranged around the periphery of the conveyor chain (1-1) and is used to guide the movement of the substrate (1-2). The guide mechanism (2) includes guide rail assemblies arranged on both sides of the conveyor chain (1-1) and ball assemblies arranged at both ends of the conveyor chain (1-1). The loading tray (3) is correspondingly set on each of the carrying base plates (1-2). The loading tray (3) includes a support plate (3-1) and three straight waist-shaped holes (3-2) arranged in a Y-shape on the support plate (3-1). Each straight waist-shaped hole (3-2) is equipped with a positioning rod (3-3). The three positioning rods (3-3) can move synchronously inward or outward along the straight waist-shaped hole (3-2) where they are located.

2. The multifunctional circulating feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The conveying mechanism (1) further includes a drive sprocket (1-3) and a driven sprocket (1-4), and a conveying motor (1-5) installed below the drive sprocket (1-3) and drivenly connected to the drive sprocket (1-3). The conveying chain (1-1) is mounted on the drive sprocket (1-3) and the driven sprocket (1-4). The substrate (1-2) is connected to the corresponding link of the conveyor chain (1-1) by a fixing pin (1-7).

3. The multifunctional circulating feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The loading tray (3) also includes an adjustment disc (3-4) arranged at intervals between the loading substrate (1-2) and the tray (3-1). The adjustment disc (3-4) can rotate around its center. Rotating the adjustment disc (3-4) can drive the positioning rod (3-3) to move along the straight waist-shaped hole (3-2) where it is located.

4. The multifunctional circulating feeding device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The adjusting disc (3-4) has three arc-shaped waist-shaped holes (3-6) that are evenly distributed along its circumference and correspond one-to-one with the straight waist-shaped hole (3-2). The same positioning rod (3-3) passes through the corresponding arc-shaped waist-shaped hole (3-6) and straight waist-shaped hole (3-2).

5. The multifunctional circulating feeding device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The center of the adjusting disc (3-4) is provided with a disc center hole (3-9), and the substrate (1-2) is provided with a threaded hole (1-15) opposite to the disc center hole (3-9). A locking bolt with its lower end engaging with the threaded hole (1-15) is installed in the disc center hole (3-9). By tightening the locking bolt, the adjusting disc (3-4) can be locked.

6. The multifunctional circulating feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The front side of the left end of the conveyor chain (1-1) is the loading station, and the rear side is the finished product station. The loading station and the finished product station are respectively equipped with lifting mechanisms (4). The lifting mechanism (4) includes a lifting rod (4-1) for lifting the loading pallet (3) at its location, and a lifting drive unit for driving the lifting rod (4-1) to move up and down.

7. The multifunctional circulating feeding device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The lifting drive unit includes a lifting motor (4-2), a driving pulley (4-3), a driven pulley (4-4), a lifting screw (4-5), and a lifting plate (4-6). The driving pulley (4-3) is installed at the output end of the lifting motor (4-2). The driven pulley (4-4) is installed on the lifting screw (4-5) and connected to the driving pulley (4-3) through a transmission belt (4-7). The lifting plate (4-6) is connected to a lead screw nut (4-8) installed on the lifting screw (4-5). The lifting rod (4-1) is installed on the lifting plate (4-6).

8. The multifunctional circulating feeding device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The substrate (1-2) is provided with a positioning detection pin (1-10), and the finished product station is provided with a positioning detection element that cooperates with the positioning detection pin (1-10); The loading station and the finished product station are provided with positioning mechanisms (5) arranged opposite to each other. The positioning mechanism (5) includes a positioning cylinder (5-1) and a positioning wheel (5-2) connected to the positioning cylinder (5-1). The positioning cylinder (5-1) can drive the positioning wheel (5-2) to move inward and get stuck in the arc-shaped positioning groove (1-14) on the outside of the substrate (1-2) located at the corresponding station.

9. The multifunctional circulating feeding device according to claim 6, characterized in that, A lifting detection mechanism (6) is provided on one side of the lifting drive unit. The lifting detection mechanism (6) includes a lifting detection pole (6-1) and a travel limit element (6-2) installed on the lifting detection pole (6-1). The material feeding station is equipped with a rising height detection component, and the finished product station is equipped with a falling height detection component. The pallet (3-1) is provided with a rotatable detection block (3-16), the finished product station is provided with a stop block (7-8) that cooperates with the detection block (3-16), and the loading station is provided with an unprocessed product detection element (7-7) that cooperates with the detection block (3-16).

10. The multifunctional circulating feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The guide rail assembly includes a guide rail bracket (2-1) and guide wheels (2-2) installed on both sides of the guide rail bracket (2-1). The ball assembly includes a ball base (2-3) and a plurality of balls (2-4) rotatably mounted on the ball base (2-3) and arranged in an arc shape.

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