A grinding machine automatic popper

Abstract

The application discloses a grinding machine popper type automatic material collecting machine, which comprises a rack, a feeding mechanism and a material collecting table arranged on the rack, the feeding mechanism comprises a pushing driving element and a pushing element connected to the output end of the pushing driving element and used for pushing the workpiece output from the grinding machine to the material collecting table, the material collecting table is provided with a material collecting rack capable of stacking and storing the workpiece, a material lifting mechanism capable of conveying the workpiece to the material collecting rack is arranged below the material collecting table, and the feeding mechanism and the material lifting mechanism are in communication connection with a controller. The workpiece output from the grinding machine is pushed to the material collecting table through the feeding mechanism, the material lifting mechanism is connected to successively lift the workpiece into the material collecting rack, and finally the workpiece is stacked and stored in the material collecting rack. The application cancels the conveying belt, avoids the workpiece laying on the conveying belt, and avoids the large-area pollution caused by the residual cutting fluid on the workpiece. The application not only completes the work of receiving the workpiece, but also further completes the centralized and orderly storage of the workpiece, and is favorable to improving the overall production rhythm.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of compressor component manufacturing equipment technology, and more specifically, to a grinding machine clip-type automatic material receiving machine. Background Technology

[0002] Valve plates are a crucial component of compressors, requiring multiple processing steps before use, one of which is grinding. Currently, grinding is mostly performed using grinding machines, offering high efficiency and a fast output cycle. Most valve plate manufacturers currently use conveyor belts at the grinding machine output end for material collection. However, during grinding, a large amount of cutting fluid is sprayed onto the workpiece for cooling, lubrication, and chip removal. Residual cutting fluid adhering to the valve plate as it exits the grinding machine continuously spreads and drips onto the conveyor belt, causing it and the surrounding environment to become extremely dirty. This not only results in a large workload for cleaning and maintenance but also poses safety hazards. Furthermore, conveyor belts can only transport valve plates in a dispersed, flat manner to a specific area. Personnel and equipment are then required to pick up, organize, stack, or load the valve plates into bins, failing to achieve a "one-stop" automated operation from grinding machine output to neat stacking. This increases labor costs and hinders the improvement of the overall production cycle. Therefore, the existing grinding machine material collection devices and collection methods need further improvement. The utility model patent with announcement number CN218984381U discloses a grinding machine unloading device. However, the purpose of this utility model is to prevent material jamming and material overturning due to excessive gaps during unloading. It does not propose a corresponding solution for how to efficiently collect and neatly store workpieces, and it is not applicable to unloading valve plates after grinding. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In the prior art, the unloading device for the valve plate after grinding does not have the ability to collect the workpieces in a centralized manner, which affects the overall production efficiency and cost, and is easy to pollute the site. In order to overcome these defects, the present invention provides a grinding machine clip-type automatic material collector, which can cleanly and efficiently complete the collection of the valve plate after grinding.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: a grinding machine magazine-type automatic receiving machine, comprising a frame, a feeding mechanism and a receiving table mounted on the frame. The feeding mechanism includes a pushing drive and a pushing component connected to the output end of the pushing drive to push the workpieces output from the grinding machine to the receiving table. The receiving table is provided with a receiving rack for stacking and storing workpieces, and a lifting mechanism is provided below the receiving table to convey the workpieces into the receiving rack. The feeding mechanism and the lifting mechanism are communicatively connected to a controller. The present invention uses the feeding mechanism to push the workpieces output from the grinding machine to the receiving table, and the lifting mechanism subsequently lifts the workpieces into the receiving rack, ultimately stacking and storing the workpieces within the receiving rack. The workpiece receiving path and process resemble the loading of a magazine. The present invention eliminates the conveyor belt, avoiding the workpieces from being laid flat on the conveyor belt, thereby preventing large-area contamination caused by residual cutting fluid on the workpieces. The present invention not only completes the workpiece receiving workpieces but also further achieves centralized and orderly storage of workpieces, which is beneficial to improving the overall production cycle.

[0005] Preferably, the frame is also equipped with a front positioning groove, and a guide ramp is provided between the grinding machine and the front positioning groove. The width of the front positioning groove is adapted to the width of the workpiece, and the pusher is slidably connected in the front positioning groove. A workpiece positioning sensor that is communicatively connected to the controller is provided in the front positioning groove. The guide ramp ensures that the workpiece can slide smoothly into the front positioning groove. The front positioning groove plays a preliminary positioning role for the workpiece, limiting its lateral movement and guiding its longitudinal movement path. The pusher can precisely reciprocate in the front positioning groove, further precisely pushing the workpiece positioned in the groove to the receiving table.

[0006] Preferably, the receiving table is slidably connected to the upper frame via a slide rail. The frame is also equipped with a drive module that is connected to the receiving table for transmission. The receiving table has lifting holes penetrating both the top and bottom surfaces, with at least two lifting holes, and each receiving rack corresponds to one lifting hole. The drive module is used to drive the receiving table to reciprocate along the slide rail to switch between different receiving positions, allowing different receiving racks to dock with the front positioning slots. In this way, the receiving table can receive workpieces through idle receiving racks while simultaneously moving fully loaded receiving racks elsewhere for further workpiece transfer.

[0007] Preferably, the top surface of the receiving platform surrounding the lifting through-hole is pivotally connected to multiple sets of symmetrical self-resetting blocks. Each set of self-resetting blocks corresponds one-to-one with each lifting through-hole. Under normal conditions, the self-resetting blocks within the same set are positioned in a V-shape above both sides of the lifting through-hole, with the distance between the inner top edges of the two self-resetting blocks being less than the distance between the sides of the lifting through-hole. Under normal conditions, the top surfaces of the two self-resetting blocks together form a suspended support plane. When the lifting mechanism lifts the workpiece from below, the workpiece can push the two self-resetting blocks outward to pass through. When the lifting mechanism descends, the self-resetting blocks automatically return to their original positions under the action of the reset element, supporting the workpiece that has been lifted above the self-resetting blocks. This cycle repeats, achieving the stacking of workpieces within the receiving rack.

[0008] Preferably, the receiving rack includes at least two stops, which are vertically fixed outside the lifting passage. The stops form a vertical channel to laterally restrain the stacked workpieces and prevent them from tipping over.

[0009] Preferably, the lifting through hole is rectangular, and the cross-section of the stop bar is L-shaped, with the stop bar located at the corner of the lifting through hole. The stop bar limits the corner of the workpiece with its inner angle, which can effectively prevent the workpiece from rotating or shifting during stacking, minimize contact with the large side surface of the workpiece, avoid scratching the finished surface of the workpiece, and also facilitate the discharge of cutting fluid from the gap.

[0010] Preferably, the lifting mechanism includes a lifting drive and a lifting rod, which are fixed to the output end of the lifting drive. The lifting drive is controlled by a PLC and can be activated after the workpiece is conveyed above the lifting through hole, lifting the workpiece into the receiving rack via the lifting rod.

[0011] Preferably, the lifting drive component is an electric cylinder. Using an electric cylinder as the lifting drive component ensures smooth pushing and accurate positioning.

[0012] Alternatively, a cylinder can be used as the lifting drive. When the lifting stroke is fixed, a cylinder can also be used as the lifting drive, which is less costly.

[0013] Preferably, the push drive component is an electric cylinder. Using an electric cylinder as the push drive component ensures smooth pushing and accurate positioning.

[0014] The beneficial effects of this invention are: This invention shortens the material collection cycle and improves material collection efficiency. It can complete the collection and orderly storage of valve plate workpieces output from the grinding machine in one go, reducing the turnaround time and sorting time between each step, and making it easier to transfer them to the next process. This shortens the execution cycle of the material collection process and helps to further improve the production cycle.

[0015] The material receiving process is more orderly and efficient. This invention can neatly stack workpieces during material receiving, and at the same time, it can use sensors or counters to complete accurate counting during the stacking process, thereby obtaining accurate production data and facilitating production management.

[0016] Reduce costs. This invention can complete the conveying, collection, and stacking of valve plate workpieces in one stop, without the need for additional manpower or equipment to complete some of the steps, thus avoiding the increased costs caused by additional manpower or equipment configuration.

[0017] This invention effectively solves the problem of pollution on the production site. It eliminates the conveyor belt that easily accumulates and spreads cutting fluid. Workpieces are paused or stored in relatively enclosed positions such as front positioning grooves and receiving racks, and collected and stored in a vertical stacking manner. The cutting fluid is more easily contained and guided, avoiding the pollution caused by open conveyor belts.

[0018] Highly scalable. This invention can be easily integrated with subsequent processes, exhibiting excellent process extensibility. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of one structure of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the cooperation structure between the feeding mechanism and the receiving platform in this invention.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the cooperation structure between the top material mechanism and the receiving platform in this invention.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the receiving platform structure after removing one of the stop bars in this invention.

[0023] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of one structure of the front positioning groove in the present invention.

[0024] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a split structure of the front positioning groove in this invention.

[0025] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the present invention in docking with a grinding machine.

[0026] In the diagram, 1-frame, 2-receiving platform, 3-push drive, 4-push component, 5-receiving rack, 6-lifting drive, 7-lifting rod, 8-front positioning slot, 9-guide ramp, 10-slide rail, 11-lifting through hole, 12-workpiece positioning sensor, 13-drive module, 14-slot, 15-self-resetting support block, 16-workpiece, 17-slot base, 18-slot bottom plate, 19-slot top frame, 20-push chute, 21-empty material detector, 22-transfer platform, 23-grinding machine. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. Example 1:

[0028] like Figures 1 to 7 As shown, a grinding machine spring-loaded automatic take-up machine is located downstream of the grinding machine 23 and is connected to the output end of the grinding machine 23 via a transfer platform 22. This grinding machine spring-loaded automatic take-up machine includes a frame 1, a take-up table 2, a feeding mechanism, a top-loading mechanism, and a PLC. The frame 1 is assembled from aluminum alloy profiles, making it structurally stable. The frame 1 includes a frame body and an overhead platform. The overhead platform is mounted on top of the frame body via support columns, and a front positioning groove 8 is installed on the front of the top surface of the overhead platform. The front positioning slot 8 includes a Z-shaped slot base 17, a slot bottom plate 18, and a slot top frame 19. The slot base 17 is bolted to the overhead platform. The slot bottom plate 18 is fitted into a groove on the top of the slot base 17 and fixed with screws. The slot top frame 19 is fixed to the top of the slot bottom plate 18 with screws. The top surface of the slot bottom plate 18 is machined with a stepped structure, so that the gap between the slot bottom plate 18 and the slot top frame 19 forms a push slide 20 that extends from the front end face of the front positioning slot 8 into the interior of the front positioning slot 8. The rear end face of the front positioning slot 8 is provided with a workpiece output slot that extends into the interior of the front positioning slot 8. A dovetail groove is also opened on the slot bottom plate 18 below the push slide 20. The opening of the dovetail groove is connected to the push slide 20. The dovetail groove is used to guide and discharge the cutting fluid dripping from the valve plate of the workpiece 16, which is output from the grinding machine 23. The top frame 19 has a rectangular workpiece drop hole for the workpiece 16 to enter. The width of the workpiece drop hole is slightly larger than the width of the valve plate, ensuring that the valve plate can slide in smoothly with minimal lateral movement. The high end of an inclined guide ramp 9 connects to the end of the transfer platform 22, and the low end smoothly inserts into the workpiece drop hole of the pre-positioning slot 8. The push drive 3 is a horizontally mounted electric cylinder, whose cylinder body is fixed on the frame 1 and located on one side of the pre-positioning slot 8. The pusher 4 is a rectangular push plate, which is fixed to the output end of the electric cylinder by a connecting block. The rectangular push plate slides within the push slide 20 and can slide along the push slide 20, so that the workpiece 16, which has fallen into the pre-positioning slot 8, is moved out of the workpiece output slot by the pusher 4. A set of through-beam photoelectric sensors is installed on the wall of the front positioning groove 8, specifically on the inner wall of the groove top frame 19, as workpiece positioning sensors 12. These sensors are used to detect whether there is a workpiece 16 in the front positioning groove 8, thereby providing a signal reference for whether the push drive 3 is activated.

[0029] Two parallel slide rails 10 are provided along the length of the top of the overhead platform, with the extension direction of the slide rails 10 perpendicular to the movement direction of the pusher 4. The receiving platform 2 is a platform machined from thick steel plate, which is mounted on the middle of the frame 1 on the slide rails 10 via a slider at the bottom. A drive module 13 consisting of a servo motor and a ball screw pair is mounted on the frame 1, with the ball screw nut connected to the bottom of the receiving platform 2, which can drive the receiving platform 2 to move precisely along the slide rails 10. Eight rectangular lifting holes 11 are machined side by side on the receiving platform 2, numbered 1 to 8 from left to right. A stop bar is provided at the front end of the lifting hole 11, i.e., the end facing the grinding machine 23, and a workpiece input groove is provided at the bottom of the stop bar, corresponding to the position of the workpiece output groove. A rectangular groove 14 is milled on the top surface of the receiving platform 2 around each lifting hole 11, and the groove 14 is adapted to the shape and size of the workpiece 16. In each slot 14, a self-resetting support block 15 is pivotally connected to each of the two inner sidewalls parallel to the long side of the lifting through hole 11 via a horizontal pivot. The depth of the slot 14 is greater than the thickness of the self-resetting support block 15. The two paired self-resetting support blocks 15 are symmetrically arranged. A top spring is provided between the back of each self-resetting support block 15 and the corresponding inner sidewall of the slot 14, so that under normal conditions, the top surfaces of the two self-resetting support blocks 15 remain horizontal, and their inner top ends are pressed together by the top springs above the lifting through hole 11, forming a narrow “V”-shaped channel. The distance between the inner sides of this narrow channel is less than the width of the workpiece 16. The two horizontal top surfaces of the two paired self-resetting support blocks 15 together constitute a support platform.

[0030] Each slot 14 has a receiving rack 5 bolted to its inner wall. There are eight receiving racks 5 in total, each corresponding to a lifting through hole 11. Each receiving rack 5 includes two stop bars, which are vertically fixed to the inner wall of the slot 14 outside the lifting through hole 11. The cross-section of the stop bars is L-shaped, and the two stop bars are located on opposite diagonals of the slot 14, with their inner angles facing each other. A sensor bracket is also installed at the end of the slot top frame 19. An empty material detector 21 facing the receiving rack 5 is fixed on the sensor bracket to detect whether the receiving rack 5 is empty. The lifting mechanism is located directly below the receiving platform 2. The lifting mechanism includes a vertically mounted lifting drive 6 and a lifting rod 7 fixed to the output end of the lifting drive 6. In this embodiment, the lifting drive 6 is also an electric cylinder. A polyurethane head matching the shape of the bottom surface of the valve plate is installed on the top of the lifting rod 7 to increase the contact area and provide cushioning. The PLC, serving as the core controller, is installed in an electrical control box. The workpiece positioning sensor 12, push drive 3, lifting drive 6, and drive module 13 are all connected to the PLC via signal lines. An oil collection tray is located at a lower position inside the frame 1 to collect the cutting fluid dripping from the workpieces 16 on the automatic spring-loaded receiving machine of this grinding machine.

[0031] The working process of this grinding machine's automatic spring-loaded take-up machine is as follows: I. Initial State: Drive module 13 drives the receiving platform 2 to move until hole 1 is aligned with the front positioning slot 8 and also aligned with the lifting rod 7. The output end of the push drive component 3 retracts to its limit. The lifting rod 7 then descends to its lowest position.

[0032] II. Workpiece feeding: The workpiece 16 processed by the grinding machine 23 is sent to the top of the guide ramp 9 via the conveyor belt on the transfer platform 22, and then slides down the guide ramp 9 and enters the front positioning groove 8, triggering the workpiece positioning sensor 12.

[0033] 3. Horizontal Push: After receiving the signal from sensor 12, PLC controls the push drive 3 to move, and drives the pusher 4 to extend horizontally, pushing the workpiece 16 in the front positioning groove 8 horizontally away from the front positioning groove 8, passing through the workpiece output groove and the workpiece input groove in sequence, until it is pushed to the area directly above the left lifting through hole 11.

[0034] IV. Vertical Lifting: The PLC controls the lifting drive 6 to move, driving the lifting rod 7 to rise. The lifting rod 7 passes through the lifting through hole 11, lifting the workpiece 16 above it upwards. The workpiece 16 presses against the inner sides of the self-resetting support block 15 on both sides, forcing the self-resetting support block 15 to flip against the spring force. The narrow "eight"-shaped channel becomes a straight channel. The workpiece 16 continues to rise until it passes the top surface of the self-resetting support block 15. After the self-resetting support block 15 loses the pressure from the workpiece 16 on its inner side, it elastically resets. The tops of the two self-resetting support blocks 15 come closer together again, and the top surfaces of the self-resetting support blocks 15 form a support below the workpiece 16, preventing the workpiece 16 from returning. During the lifting process, the workpiece 16 is limited and guided by the receiving rack 5.

[0035] V. Push Rod Reset and Cycle: After workpiece 16 passes the self-resetting support block 15 by a short distance, the top lifting rod 7 immediately descends and resets. Workpiece 16 falls due to gravity and is confined to a limited area by the self-resetting support block 15 and the receiving rack 5. Then, the next workpiece 16 is pushed and lifted. During the lifting process, the next workpiece 16 will contact the bottom of the previous workpiece 16 and rise together. When the lifting rod 7 descends, the two valve plates fall together, thus stacking on the support surface formed by the top surface of the self-resetting support block 15. This cycle continues, forming a stack of vertically stacked valve plate columns in the left receiving rack 5.

[0036] VI. Workstation Switching: When a receiving rack 5 is stacked to a preset quantity, the PLC control drive module 13 is activated, and the servo motor drives the receiving table 2 to move one workstation distance, so that the adjacent empty receiving rack 5 is aligned with the lifting rod 7, and the receiving and stacking of materials begins at the new workstation. The operator can transfer and empty the material in the previously full receiving rack 5 while the equipment is running. Example 2:

[0037] An automatic feeder for grinding machines, located downstream of a grinding machine 23, is connected to the output end of the grinding machine 23 via a transfer platform 22. This automatic feeder includes a frame 1, a receiving table 2, a feeding mechanism, a top-loading mechanism, and a PLC. The frame 1 is constructed from aluminum alloy profiles, ensuring overall stability. The frame 1 includes a main frame body and an overhead platform. The overhead platform is mounted on top of the main frame body via support columns, and a front positioning groove 8 is installed on the front of the top surface of the overhead platform. The front positioning slot 8 includes a Z-shaped slot base 17, a slot bottom plate 18, and a slot top frame 19. The slot base 17 is bolted to the overhead platform. The slot bottom plate 18 is fitted into a groove on the top of the slot base 17 and fixed with screws. The slot top frame 19 is fixed to the top of the slot bottom plate 18 with screws. The top surface of the slot bottom plate 18 is machined with a stepped structure, so that the gap between the slot bottom plate 18 and the slot top frame 19 forms a push slide 20 that extends from the front end face of the front positioning slot 8 into the interior of the front positioning slot 8. The rear end face of the front positioning slot 8 is provided with a workpiece output slot that extends into the interior of the front positioning slot 8. A dovetail groove is also opened on the slot bottom plate 18 below the push slide 20. The opening of the dovetail groove is connected to the push slide 20. The dovetail groove is used to guide and discharge the cutting fluid dripping from the valve plate of the workpiece 16, which is output from the grinding machine 23. The top frame 19 has a rectangular workpiece drop hole for the workpiece 16 to enter. The width of the workpiece drop hole is slightly larger than the width of the valve plate, ensuring that the valve plate can slide in smoothly with minimal lateral movement. The high end of an inclined guide ramp 9 connects to the end of the transfer platform 22, and the low end smoothly inserts into the workpiece drop hole of the pre-positioning slot 8. Unlike embodiment 1, in this embodiment, the push drive 3 is a horizontally mounted cylinder, the cylinder body of which is fixed on the frame 1 and located on one side of the pre-positioning slot 8. The pusher 4 is a rectangular push plate, which is fixed to the output end of the electric cylinder by a connecting block. The rectangular push plate slides within the push slide groove 20 and can slide along the push slide groove 20, so that the workpiece 16, which has fallen into the pre-positioning slot 8, is moved out of the workpiece output slot by the pusher 4. A set of through-beam photoelectric sensors is installed on the wall of the front positioning groove 8, specifically on the inner wall of the groove top frame 19, as workpiece positioning sensors 12. These sensors are used to detect whether there is a workpiece 16 in the front positioning groove 8, thereby providing a signal reference for whether the push drive 3 is activated.

[0038] Two parallel slide rails 10 are provided along the length of the top of the overhead platform, and the extension direction of the slide rails 10 is perpendicular to the movement direction of the pusher 4. The receiving platform 2 is a platform machined from thick steel plate, which is mounted on the middle of the frame 1 on the slide rails 10 via a slider at the bottom. A drive module 13 consisting of a servo motor and a ball screw pair is mounted on the frame 1, and the ball screw nut is connected to the bottom of the receiving platform 2, which can drive the receiving platform 2 to move precisely along the slide rails 10. Unlike embodiment 1, in this embodiment, two rectangular lifting through holes 11 are machined side by side on the receiving platform 2. A stop bar is provided at the front end of the lifting through hole 11, that is, at the end facing the grinding machine 23, and a workpiece input groove is provided at the bottom of the stop bar, corresponding to the position of the workpiece output groove. A rectangular groove 14 is milled on the top surface of the receiving platform 2 around each lifting through hole 11, and the groove 14 is adapted to the shape and size of the workpiece 16. In each slot 14, a self-resetting support block 15 is pivotally connected to each of the two inner sidewalls parallel to the long side of the lifting through hole 11 via a horizontal pivot. The depth of the slot 14 is greater than the thickness of the self-resetting support block 15. The two paired self-resetting support blocks 15 are symmetrically arranged. A top spring is provided between the back of each self-resetting support block 15 and the corresponding inner sidewall of the slot 14, so that under normal conditions, the top surfaces of the two self-resetting support blocks 15 remain horizontal, and their inner top ends are pressed together by the top springs above the lifting through hole 11, forming a narrow “V”-shaped channel. The distance between the inner sides of this narrow channel is less than the width of the workpiece 16. The two horizontal top surfaces of the two paired self-resetting support blocks 15 together constitute a support platform.

[0039] Each slot 14 has a receiving rack 5 bolted to its inner wall. There are two receiving racks 5, corresponding one-to-one with the lifting through hole 11. Each receiving rack 5 includes two stop bars, which are vertically fixed to the inner wall of the slot 14 outside the lifting through hole 11. The cross-section of the stop bars is L-shaped, and the two stop bars are located on the diagonal of the slot 14, with their inner angles facing each other. A sensor bracket is also installed at the end of the slot top frame 19. An empty material detector 21 facing the receiving rack 5 is fixed on the sensor bracket to detect whether the receiving rack 5 is empty. The lifting mechanism is located directly below the receiving platform 2. The lifting mechanism includes a vertically installed lifting drive 6 and a lifting rod 7 fixed to the output end of the lifting drive 6. In this embodiment, the lifting drive 6 is a cylinder, and a polyurethane top head matching the shape of the bottom surface of the valve plate is installed on the top of the lifting rod 7 to increase the contact area and provide cushioning. The PLC, serving as the core controller, is installed in an electrical control box. The workpiece positioning sensor 12, push drive 3, lifting drive 6, and drive module 13 are all connected to the PLC via signal lines. An oil collection tray is located at a lower position inside the frame 1 to collect the cutting fluid dripping from the workpieces 16 on the automatic spring-loaded feeder of this grinding machine. The rest is the same as in Embodiment 1.

[0040] The working process of this grinding machine's automatic spring-loaded take-up machine is as follows: I. Initial State: Drive module 13 drives the receiving platform 2 to move until the left lifting through hole 11 is aligned with the front positioning slot 8 and also aligned with the lifting rod 7. The output end of the push drive component 3 retracts to its limit. The lifting rod 7 then descends to the bottom.

[0041] II. Workpiece feeding: The workpiece 16 processed by the grinding machine 23 is sent to the top of the guide ramp 9 via the conveyor belt on the transfer platform 22, and then slides down the guide ramp 9 and enters the front positioning groove 8, triggering the workpiece positioning sensor 12.

[0042] 3. Horizontal Push: After receiving the signal from sensor 12, PLC controls the push drive 3 to move, and drives the pusher 4 to extend horizontally, pushing the workpiece 16 in the front positioning groove 8 horizontally away from the front positioning groove 8, passing through the workpiece output groove and the workpiece input groove in sequence, until it is pushed to the area directly above the left lifting through hole 11.

[0043] IV. Vertical Lifting: The PLC controls the lifting drive 6 to move, driving the lifting rod 7 to rise. The lifting rod 7 passes through the lifting through hole 11, lifting the workpiece 16 above it upwards. The workpiece 16 presses against the inner sides of the self-resetting support block 15 on both sides, forcing the self-resetting support block 15 to flip against the spring force. The narrow "eight"-shaped channel becomes a straight channel. The workpiece 16 continues to rise until it passes the top surface of the self-resetting support block 15. After the self-resetting support block 15 loses the pressure from the workpiece 16 on its inner side, it elastically resets. The tops of the two self-resetting support blocks 15 come closer together again, and the top surfaces of the self-resetting support blocks 15 form a support below the workpiece 16, preventing the workpiece 16 from returning. During the lifting process, the workpiece 16 is limited and guided by the receiving rack 5.

[0044] V. Push Rod Reset and Cycle: After workpiece 16 passes the self-resetting support block 15 by a short distance, the top lifting rod 7 immediately descends and resets. Workpiece 16 falls due to gravity and is confined to a limited area by the self-resetting support block 15 and the receiving rack 5. Then, the next workpiece 16 is pushed and lifted. During the lifting process, the next workpiece 16 will contact the bottom of the previous workpiece 16 and rise together. When the lifting rod 7 descends, the two valve plates fall together, thus stacking on the support surface formed by the top surface of the self-resetting support block 15. This cycle continues, forming a stack of vertically stacked valve plate columns in the left receiving rack 5.

[0045] VI. Workstation Switching: When a receiving rack 5 is stacked to a preset quantity, the PLC control drive module 13 is activated, and the servo motor drives the receiving table 2 to move one workstation distance, so that the adjacent empty receiving rack 5 is aligned with the lifting rod 7, and the receiving and stacking of materials begins at the new workstation. The operator can transfer and empty the material in the previously full receiving rack 5 while the equipment is running. Example 3:

[0046] An automatic feeder for grinding machines, located downstream of a grinding machine 23, is connected to the output end of the grinding machine 23 via a transfer platform 22. This automatic feeder includes a frame 1, a receiving table 2, a feeding mechanism, a top-loading mechanism, and a PLC. The frame 1 is constructed from aluminum alloy profiles, ensuring overall stability. The frame 1 includes a main frame body and an overhead platform. The overhead platform is mounted on top of the main frame body via support columns, and a front positioning groove 8 is installed on the front of the top surface of the overhead platform. The front positioning slot 8 includes a Z-shaped slot base 17, a slot bottom plate 18, and a slot top frame 19. The slot base 17 is bolted to the overhead platform. The slot bottom plate 18 is fitted into a groove on the top of the slot base 17 and fixed with screws. The slot top frame 19 is fixed to the top of the slot bottom plate 18 with screws. The top surface of the slot bottom plate 18 is machined with a stepped structure, so that the gap between the slot bottom plate 18 and the slot top frame 19 forms a push slide 20 that extends from the front end face of the front positioning slot 8 into the interior of the front positioning slot 8. The rear end face of the front positioning slot 8 is provided with a workpiece output slot that extends into the interior of the front positioning slot 8. A dovetail groove is also opened on the slot bottom plate 18 below the push slide 20. The opening of the dovetail groove is connected to the push slide 20. The dovetail groove is used to guide and discharge the cutting fluid dripping from the valve plate of the workpiece 16, which is output from the grinding machine 23. The top frame 19 has a rectangular workpiece drop hole for the workpiece 16 to enter. The width of the workpiece drop hole is slightly larger than the width of the valve plate, ensuring that the valve plate can slide in smoothly with minimal lateral movement. The high end of an inclined guide ramp 9 connects to the end of the transfer platform 22, and the low end smoothly inserts into the workpiece drop hole of the pre-positioning slot 8. The push drive 3 is a horizontally mounted electric cylinder, whose cylinder body is fixed on the frame 1 and located on one side of the pre-positioning slot 8. The pusher 4 is a rectangular push plate, which is fixed to the output end of the electric cylinder by a connecting block. The rectangular push plate slides within the push slide 20 and can slide along the push slide 20, so that the workpiece 16, which has fallen into the pre-positioning slot 8, is moved out of the workpiece output slot by the pusher 4. A set of through-beam photoelectric sensors is installed on the wall of the front positioning groove 8, specifically on the inner wall of the groove top frame 19, as workpiece positioning sensors 12. These sensors are used to detect whether there is a workpiece 16 in the front positioning groove 8, thereby providing a signal reference for whether the push drive 3 is activated.

[0047] Two parallel slide rails 10 are provided along the length of the top of the overhead platform, with the extension direction of the slide rails 10 perpendicular to the movement direction of the pusher 4. The receiving platform 2 is a platform machined from thick steel plate, which is mounted on the middle of the frame 1 on the slide rails 10 via a slider at the bottom. A drive module 13 consisting of a servo motor and a ball screw pair is mounted on the frame 1, with the ball screw nut connected to the bottom of the receiving platform 2, which can drive the receiving platform 2 to move precisely along the slide rails 10. Eight rectangular lifting holes 11 are machined side by side on the receiving platform 2, numbered 1 to 8 from left to right. A stop bar is provided at the front end of the lifting hole 11, i.e., the end facing the grinding machine 23, and a workpiece input groove is provided at the bottom of the stop bar, corresponding to the position of the workpiece output groove. A rectangular groove 14 is milled on the top surface of the receiving platform 2 around each lifting hole 11, and the groove 14 is adapted to the shape and size of the workpiece 16. In each slot 14, a self-resetting support block 15 is pivotally connected to each of the two inner sidewalls parallel to the long side of the lifting through hole 11 via a horizontal pivot. The depth of the slot 14 is greater than the thickness of the self-resetting support block 15. The two paired self-resetting support blocks 15 are symmetrically arranged. A top spring is provided between the back of each self-resetting support block 15 and the corresponding inner sidewall of the slot 14, so that under normal conditions, the top surfaces of the two self-resetting support blocks 15 remain horizontal, and their inner top ends are pressed together by the top springs above the lifting through hole 11, forming a narrow “V”-shaped channel. The distance between the inner sides of this narrow channel is less than the width of the workpiece 16. The two horizontal top surfaces of the two paired self-resetting support blocks 15 together constitute a support platform.

[0048] Each slot 14 has a receiving rack 5 bolted to its inner wall, totaling eight racks, each corresponding to a lifting through hole 11. Unlike embodiment 1, each receiving rack 5 includes four stop bars, which are vertically fixed to the inner wall of the slot 14 outside the lifting through hole 11. The stop bars have a circular cross-section, and the four stop bars in each receiving rack 5 correspond to the four corners of the slot 14. A sensor bracket is also installed at the end of the slot top frame 19, with an empty material detector 21 fixed to it, facing the receiving rack 5, to detect whether the receiving rack 5 is empty. The lifting mechanism is located directly below the receiving platform 2. The lifting mechanism includes a vertically mounted lifting drive 6 and a lifting rod 7 fixed to the output end of the lifting drive 6. In this embodiment, the lifting drive 6 is also an electric cylinder. A polyurethane head matching the shape of the bottom surface of the valve plate is installed on the top of the lifting rod 7 to increase the contact area and provide cushioning. The PLC, serving as the core controller, is installed in an electrical control box. The workpiece positioning sensor 12, push drive 3, lifting drive 6, and drive module 13 are all connected to the PLC via signal lines. An oil collection tray is located at a lower position inside the frame 1 to collect the cutting fluid dripping from the workpieces 16 on the automatic spring-loaded feeder of this grinding machine. The rest is the same as in Embodiment 1.

[0049] The working process of this grinding machine's automatic spring-loaded take-up machine is as follows: I. Initial State: Drive module 13 drives the receiving platform 2 to move until hole 1 is aligned with the front positioning slot 8 and also aligned with the lifting rod 7. The output end of the push drive component 3 retracts to its limit. The lifting rod 7 then descends to its lowest position.

[0050] II. Workpiece feeding: The workpiece 16 processed by the grinding machine 23 is sent to the top of the guide ramp 9 via the conveyor belt on the transfer platform 22, and then slides down the guide ramp 9 and enters the front positioning groove 8, triggering the workpiece positioning sensor 12.

[0051] 3. Horizontal Push: After receiving the signal from sensor 12, PLC controls the push drive 3 to move, and drives the pusher 4 to extend horizontally, pushing the workpiece 16 in the front positioning groove 8 horizontally away from the front positioning groove 8, passing through the workpiece output groove and the workpiece input groove in sequence, until it is pushed to the area directly above the left lifting through hole 11.

[0052] IV. Vertical Lifting: The PLC controls the lifting drive 6 to move, driving the lifting rod 7 to rise. The lifting rod 7 passes through the lifting through hole 11, lifting the workpiece 16 above it upwards. The workpiece 16 presses against the inner sides of the self-resetting support block 15 on both sides, forcing the self-resetting support block 15 to flip against the spring force. The narrow "eight"-shaped channel becomes a straight channel. The workpiece 16 continues to rise until it passes the top surface of the self-resetting support block 15. After the self-resetting support block 15 loses the pressure from the workpiece 16 on its inner side, it elastically resets. The tops of the two self-resetting support blocks 15 come closer together again, and the top surfaces of the self-resetting support blocks 15 form a support below the workpiece 16, preventing the workpiece 16 from returning. During the lifting process, the workpiece 16 is limited and guided by the receiving rack 5.

[0053] V. Push Rod Reset and Cycle: After workpiece 16 passes the self-resetting support block 15 by a short distance, the top lifting rod 7 immediately descends and resets. Workpiece 16 falls due to gravity and is confined to a limited area by the self-resetting support block 15 and the receiving rack 5. Then, the next workpiece 16 is pushed and lifted. During the lifting process, the next workpiece 16 will contact the bottom of the previous workpiece 16 and rise together. When the lifting rod 7 descends, the two valve plates fall together, thus stacking on the support surface formed by the top surface of the self-resetting support block 15. This cycle continues, forming a stack of vertically stacked valve plate columns in the left receiving rack 5.

[0054] VI. Workstation Switching: When a receiving rack 5 is stacked to a preset quantity, the PLC control drive module 13 is activated, and the servo motor drives the receiving table 2 to move one workstation distance, so that the adjacent empty receiving rack 5 is aligned with the lifting rod 7, and the receiving and stacking of materials begins at the new workstation. The operator can transfer and empty the material in the previously full receiving rack 5 while the equipment is running.

Claims

1. A grinding machine spring clip type automatic take-up machine, characterized in that, The machine includes a frame (1), a feeding mechanism and a receiving table (2) mounted on the frame (1). The feeding mechanism includes a push drive (3) and a pusher (4) connected to the output end of the push drive (3) to push the workpiece (16) output from the grinding machine to the receiving table (2). The receiving table (2) is provided with a receiving rack (5) that can stack and store workpieces (16). Below the receiving table (2) is a top material mechanism that can transport the workpiece (16) into the receiving rack (2). The feeding mechanism and the top material mechanism are connected to a PLC for communication.

2. The automatic feeder for grinding machines according to claim 1, characterized in that, The frame (1) is also provided with a front positioning groove (8), and a guide ramp (9) is provided between the grinding machine and the front positioning groove (8). The width of the front positioning groove (8) is adapted to the width of the workpiece (16). The pusher (4) is slidably connected in the front positioning groove (8). The front positioning groove (8) is provided with a workpiece positioning sensor (12) that is connected to the PLC.

3. The automatic feeder for grinding machines according to claim 1, characterized in that, The receiving platform (2) is slidably connected to the upper frame (1) via the slide rail (10). The frame (1) is also equipped with a drive module (13) that is connected to the receiving platform (2). The receiving platform (2) is equipped with lifting holes (11) that pass through the top and bottom sides of the receiving platform (2). There are at least two lifting holes (11), and the receiving rack (5) corresponds to the lifting holes (11) one by one.

4. The automatic feeder for grinding machines according to claim 3, characterized in that, The top surface of the receiving platform (2) around the lifting through hole (11) is pivotally connected to multiple sets of symmetrical self-resetting blocks (15). Each set of self-resetting blocks (15) corresponds to each lifting through hole (11). Under normal conditions, the self-resetting blocks (15) in the same set are located in a figure-eight shape above the two sides of the lifting through hole (11), and the distance between the inner tops of the two self-resetting blocks (15) is smaller than the distance between the two sides of the lifting through hole (11).

5. A grinding machine spring-loaded automatic take-up machine according to claim 3, characterized in that, The receiving rack (5) includes at least two stop bars, which are fixed upright outside the lifting through hole (11).

6. A grinding machine spring-loaded automatic take-up machine according to claim 5, characterized in that, The lifting through hole (11) is rectangular, and the cross section of the stop bar is L-shaped. The stop bar is located at the corner of the lifting through hole (11).

7. The automatic feeder for grinding machines according to claim 1, characterized in that, The material lifting mechanism includes a lifting drive (6) and a lifting rod (7), with the lifting rod (7) fixed at the output end of the lifting drive (6).

8. A grinding machine spring-loaded automatic take-up machine according to claim 7, characterized in that, The lifting drive component (6) is an electric cylinder.

9. A grinding machine spring-loaded automatic take-up machine according to claim 7, characterized in that, The lifting drive component (6) is a cylinder.

10. The automatic feeder for grinding machines according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, The push drive component (3) is an electric cylinder.

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