Double-station alternate feeding device and control method

Abstract

The application discloses a double-station alternate feeding device and a control method, and belongs to the technical field of automatic packaging of knitted products. The device comprises a workbench, an annular track arranged on the workbench, a left trolley and a right trolley running along the annular track, and a chain driving mechanism for driving the two trolleys to alternately run. The annular track has a hexagonal structure, and two ends of the annular track are respectively provided with Y-shaped intersection parts and extend out a material taking short line segment and a feeding short line segment. The two trolleys are fixedly connected with the driving chain, keep a fixed phase difference, slide transversely on the bases respectively, and keep a default central position by a spring. At the Y-shaped intersection part, the geometric trend of the annular track is matched with a trolley bottom track guide roller to realize pure mechanical passive guidance. The double-trolley alternate feeding on the annular track is adopted to replace a traditional single-station serial mode by a pure mechanical automatic shunt, so that the empty stroke waiting time is eliminated, the feeding rhythm is seamlessly connected with a packaging host, the structure is compact, and the control is reliable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automated packaging technology for knitted products, specifically to a dual-station alternating feeding device and control method for knitted sock toeboard packaging equipment. Background Technology

[0002] After the knitting process is completed, knitted socks need to be packaged before being put on the market. With changes in market demand, knitted socks are increasingly using H-shaped headbands for packaging. The H-shaped headband is a pre-made double-layered paper card that holds the toe of the knitted sock in place. One layer is for fixing, and the other is for packaging. It needs to be folded twice to wrap and bind the toe of the knitted sock.

[0003] To achieve automated packaging of H-shaped headbands, the applicant has previously developed and applied for several patents. Among them, Chinese patent "Automatic Packaging Equipment and Method for H-shaped Headbands of Knitted Socks" (202511359717X) discloses a complete automated packaging device. Its workflow includes steps such as card picking, card placement, first bending, placing the knitted sock, second bending, binding, and unloading. The equipment includes a hopper device, a robotic arm, a feeding device, a forming device, a binding device, and an unloading device. Chinese patent "Secondary Bending and Forming Device for Packaging H-shaped Headbands of Knitted Socks" (2025113614847) discloses the specific structure of the forming device in the above-mentioned equipment. Its forming platform moves between the feeding position and the packaging position via a movable base, cooperating with a needle-blocking mechanism and a pressure plate mechanism to complete the two bending of the H-shaped headband. Chinese patent "Feeding Device for Packaging Knitted Socks" (2024233005999) discloses the specific structure of the feeding device, which clamps the knitted sock through a sock-clamping mechanism, and the infeeding mechanism feeds the knitted sock into the packaging position of the forming platform.

[0004] In the existing equipment described above, the feeding device adopts a single-station serial working mode: the sock clamping plate is raised → socks are placed in → the sock clamping plate is pressed down and clamped → the horizontal motor moves forward to the packaging position → the sock clamping plate is released → the socks are clamped after packaging is completed → the horizontal motor retracts to its original position → the next cycle begins. This working mode has a significant efficiency bottleneck: the feeding device has idle travel waiting time during the process of "retracting → picking up socks → moving forward again". When the rear forming device and binding device are running continuously, the feeding device cannot match their packaging rhythm, which limits the further improvement of the overall machine efficiency.

[0005] Furthermore, because the packaging position of the molding platform requires the socks to be inserted in a straight line along a specific direction, with the length of the sock aligned with the insertion direction, conventional rotary or cyclic multi-station feeding schemes cannot be used. Simply adding a second independent feeding device would not only multiply the space required but also complicate the synchronous control between the two independent devices, easily leading to interference. Therefore, there is an urgent need in the field for a compact device that can achieve alternating dual-station feeding within a limited space without altering the straight insertion process. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to address the shortcomings of existing technologies by providing a dual-station alternating feeding device and control method. Under the premise of ensuring that the socks are inserted into the forming platform in a straight line, the dual-station alternating feeding eliminates the waiting time of the idle stroke, so that the feeding cycle can be seamlessly connected with the back-end packaging host.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: A dual-station alternating feeding device includes a worktable; an annular track disposed on the worktable, the front end of the annular track having a Y-shaped junction for picking up materials, the junction of which extends forward to form a short picking segment; the rear end of the annular track having a Y-shaped junction for feeding materials, the junction of which extends backward to form a short feeding segment; the annular track forming a left track and a right track between the Y-shaped junctions for picking up materials and feeding materials; a left trolley and a right trolley running along the annular track, the left trolley running along the left track and the right trolley running along the right track; and a drive mechanism. A chain drive mechanism is used to drive the left and right trolleys to alternately run along the circular track. The chain drive mechanism includes a servo drive motor and a circular transmission chain driven by the servo drive motor. The left and right trolleys are fixedly connected to the circular transmission chain, and the two fixed connections are symmetrically distributed on the circular transmission chain, so that the left and right trolleys always maintain a fixed phase difference on the circular track. At the Y-shaped intersection of the picking end and the Y-shaped intersection of the feeding end, the trolleys are forced to move along the corresponding branch direction by the cooperation of the geometric direction of the circular track and the guide rollers on the bottom of the trolley, realizing purely mechanical passive guidance.

[0008] Furthermore, the annular track is formed by hollowing out the workbench panel and has a hexagonal structure; the left track is a left parallel track segment and the right track is a right parallel track segment; the annular track defines eight key position points from a top-down perspective: the end of the material picking short segment, the Y-shaped intersection of the material picking end, the front end of the right parallel segment, the rear end of the right parallel segment, the Y-shaped intersection of the feeding end, the end of the feeding short segment, the rear end of the left parallel segment, and the front end of the left parallel segment.

[0009] Furthermore, the chain drive mechanism also includes a drive sprocket and four guide sprockets distributed at the four corners of the worktable. The annular drive chain is wound around the drive sprocket and the four guide sprockets to form the annular transmission chain. The left trolley and the right trolley are respectively fixedly connected to the annular drive chain through flat key connectors. The fixed positions of the two flat key connectors on the annular drive chain are symmetrically distributed at 180°.

[0010] Furthermore, each cart base is equipped with a horizontal slider, and a cart horizontal guide rail that slides and engages with the horizontal slider is fixed under the base of each cart. Each cart can slide laterally on its respective base in a direction perpendicular to the long side of the annular track. Each cart is equipped with a spring to hold the cart in a default centered position on the base. A pair of magnetic elements can also be provided between the side of each cart base and the corresponding base, and the attraction force of the magnetic elements helps to stabilize the cart in the default centered position.

[0011] Furthermore, the workbench is provided with a left guide rail and a right guide rail on both sides of its long side; the left trolley base includes a left horizontal slider, a stepped connecting seat and the transverse slider, the left horizontal slider is embedded in the left guide rail and slides along it, the stepped connecting seat is fixed above the left horizontal slider and extends into the inner side of the annular track, the transverse slider is fixed above the stepped connecting seat, the groove of the transverse slider faces upward and slides in cooperation with the transverse guide rail of the trolley under the trolley base plate.

[0012] Furthermore, the track guide roller is installed below the trolley base plate via an arched bracket. The two ends of the arched bracket are fixedly connected to the trolley base plate, with the arch facing downwards. A needle roller bearing is installed at the arch as the track guide roller, and the needle roller bearing is embedded in the track groove of the annular track and rolls along the track groove.

[0013] Furthermore, it also includes a feeding end positioning and locking cylinder, which is fixedly installed below the workbench and located directly below the feeding short line segment; when the trolley reaches the feeding position, the cylinder rod of the feeding end positioning and locking cylinder extends upward, and the positioning pin at its front end abuts against the guide roller of the track at the bottom of the trolley, thereby achieving precise locking and positioning of the feeding position.

[0014] Furthermore, it also includes a clamping and releasing push rod, which is fixedly installed on the worktable and located on one side of the material picking short segment; each trolley is provided with an elastic clamping mechanism, which is normally held in place by spring force. When the trolley moves to the material picking position, the clamping and releasing push rod contacts the elastic clamping mechanism and pushes it open to release it.

[0015] This invention also provides a dual-station alternating feeding control method, based on the aforementioned device, comprising: a servo drive motor driving a ring transmission chain to reciprocate; when the servo drive motor rotates in the forward direction, the ring transmission chain drives the left trolley from the picking section along the left track to the feeding section, and simultaneously drives the right trolley from the feeding section along the right track to the picking section; at the Y-shaped intersection of the picking end and the feeding end, the track guide rollers at the bottom of the trolley are passively guided into the corresponding short section along the corresponding branch of the ring track; the left trolley and the right trolley run along the left track and the right track respectively, and the two trolleys are spatially offset; when the servo drive motor rotates in the reverse direction, the left trolley and the right trolley return to their respective initial positions along the original path.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects obtained by the present invention include: 1. By using a Y-shaped circular track and a double trolley alternating feeding design, under the premise of meeting the process constraint that socks must be inserted into the forming platform in a straight line, the traditional single-station reciprocating motion serial mode is replaced by a purely mechanical automatic diversion, completely eliminating the idle travel waiting time in the feeding process, and enabling seamless connection between the feeding cycle and the back-end packaging host, which significantly improves the overall efficiency of automated packaging of knitted socks.

[0017] 2. Typically, dual-station feeding devices rely on sensors or electronic control to achieve flow diversion, resulting in complex control systems. However, this invention achieves automatic flow diversion of the trolley at the intersection by cooperating with the Y-shaped junction of the circular track and the guide rollers on the bottom of the trolley through a purely mechanical passive guidance method. This eliminates the need for sensors for path detection and electronic control systems for branch switching, resulting in simple control logic and high reliability.

[0018] 3. By fixing the left and right trolleys to the left and right tracks respectively, the two trolleys travel on their own paths on the circular track. When they meet on parallel track sections, they naturally stagger in space, eliminating the need for additional obstacle avoidance mechanisms or obstacle avoidance control programs. This design, together with the passive guiding mechanism and spring biasing centering mechanism at the Y-shaped intersection, forms a complete purely mechanical alternating feeding system.

[0019] 4. By using a fixed phase difference design between the two trolleys and the circular transmission chain, precise synchronous alternation of the two trolleys can be achieved with only a single servo motor reciprocating drive. The structure is compact, the control logic is simple, and the manufacturing cost is low. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the overall layout of the dual-station alternating feeding device and its supporting front and rear devices according to the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the overall structure of the dual-station alternating feeding device.

[0022] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Top view of the central worktable panel and circular track.

[0023] Figure 4 for Figure 2 A 3D view of the drive system and the flat key connection.

[0024] Figure 5 for Figure 2 A three-dimensional view of the assembly structure of the middle left trolley and the left trolley base.

[0025] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the invention in operation, with the left trolley at the material picking position and the right trolley at the material feeding position.

[0026] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the left and right trolleys meeting on a parallel track section in the working state of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the workflow of the present invention, wherein (a) is the initial state, (b) is the counterclockwise transposition process, (c) is the transposition completed state, and (d) is the clockwise reset process.

[0028] Figure 9 for Figure 2 A three-dimensional diagram of the launching mechanism and the clamping and releasing push rod.

[0029] Figure 10 for Figure 2 Bottom 3D view of the positioning and locking mechanism at the middle feeding end.

[0030] Explanation of markings in the diagram: 100. Dual-station alternating feeding device; 200. Feeding device; 300. Packaging forming device; 1. Workbench panel; 2. Circular track; 3. Frame support legs; 4. Track base plate connecting plate; 5. Left guide rail; 6. Right guide rail; 7. Servo drive motor; 8. Drive sprocket; 9. Drive chain; 10. Left front guide sprocket; 11. Right front guide sprocket; 12. Left rear guide sprocket; 13. Right rear guide sprocket; 14. Left trolley base; 15. Right 16. Cart base; 17. Left cart; 18. Right cart; 19. Flat key connector; 20. Cart transverse guide rail; 21. Transverse slider; 22. Spring; 23. Magnetic element; 24. Track guide roller; 25. Elastic clamping mechanism; 26. Clamping release rod; 27. Push-out mechanism; 28. Feeding end positioning locking cylinder; 29. ​​Position sensor bracket; 30. Sock plate; 31. Cart base plate; 32. Stepped connecting seat; 33. Left horizontal slider.

[0031] A. End of the short feeding segment; B. Y-shaped junction of the feeding end; C. Front end of the right parallel segment; D. Rear end of the right parallel segment; E. Y-shaped junction of the feeding end; F. End of the short feeding segment; G. Rear end of the left parallel segment; H. Front end of the left parallel segment.

[0032] 1a. Left front sprocket mounting hole; 1b. Right front sprocket mounting hole; 1c. Left rear sprocket mounting hole; 1d. Right rear sprocket mounting hole; 1e. Drive sprocket mounting hole; 1f. Left rail mounting slot; 1g. Right rail mounting slot. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. For ease of description, the present application uses... Figure 3 Based on the top view of the circular track shown: the direction of the end of the short section for picking up materials (A) is the front (picking end), and the direction of the end of the short section for feeding materials (F) is the back (feeding end). Figure 3 The parallel track segment (H-G) located to the left of the circular track is the left track, and the parallel track segment (C-D) located to the right is the right track. Based on this, the directional definitions of "left," "right," "front," and "back" apply to all figures and descriptions in this application.

[0034] See overall layout Figure 1 The present invention uses a dual-station alternating feeding device (100) in conjunction with a feeding device (200) and a packaging forming device (300). The feeding device (200) is located on one side of the picking end of the device (100) and is used to transport the knitted socks to be packaged to the picking position. The packaging forming device (300) is located on one side of the feeding end of the device (100) and is used to receive the fed knitted socks and complete the two-fold bending and binding of the H-shaped headband. The material flow of the knitted socks is: feeding device (200) → dual-station alternating feeding device (100) → packaging forming device (300). For the specific structure of the feeding device (200), please refer to the applicant's authorized Chinese patent "Adjustable feeding device for automatic packaging line of knitted products", and for the specific structure of the packaging forming device (300), please refer to the applicant's authorized Chinese patent "Knitted sock H-shaped headband packaging two-fold bending forming device".

[0035] See Figure 2 The dual-station alternating feeding device of the present invention mainly includes a workbench panel (1), a circular track (2), frame legs (3), a left guide rail (5), a right guide rail (6), a servo drive motor (7), a drive chain (9), a left trolley (16), a right trolley (17), and an ejection mechanism (26). The workbench panel (1) is supported by four frame legs (3). The ejection mechanism (26) is installed on the rear side of the workbench and is used to eject the finished packaged knitted socks from the trolley at the material picking position.

[0036] See worktable panel and circular track. Figure 3 A circular track (2) is formed by hollowing out the workbench panel (1). The circular track (2) has a hexagonal structure, and eight key positions are defined according to the top view angle: the end of the material picking short segment (A), the Y-shaped intersection of the material picking end (B), the front end of the right parallel segment (C), the rear end of the right parallel segment (D), the Y-shaped intersection of the feeding end (E), the end of the feeding short segment (F), the rear end of the left parallel segment (G), and the front end of the left parallel segment (H). Among them, A-B are the material picking short segments, E-F are the feeding short segments, C-D are the right parallel track segments, and H-G are the left parallel track segments. The Y-shaped intersection of the material picking end is formed at point B, and the Y-shaped intersection of the feeding end is formed at point E.

[0037] The workbench panel (1) is also provided with five sprocket mounting holes and two track mounting slots. A left front sprocket mounting hole (1a) is provided on the left side of the material handling end, a right front sprocket mounting hole (1b) is provided on the right side of the material handling end, a left rear sprocket mounting hole (1c) is provided on the left side of the feeding end, a right rear sprocket mounting hole (1d) is provided on the right side of the feeding end, and a drive sprocket mounting hole (1e) is provided in the middle of the short side of the material handling end. A left track mounting slot (1f) and a right track mounting slot (1g) are provided on both sides of the annular track (2).

[0038] See drive system Figure 4 The drive system includes a servo drive motor (7), a drive sprocket (8), a drive chain (9), a left front guide sprocket (10), a right front guide sprocket (11), a left rear guide sprocket (12), and a right rear guide sprocket (13). The servo drive motor (7) is installed in the middle of the short side of the material picking end of the worktable panel (1), and the drive sprocket (8) is installed on its output shaft. The four guide sprockets are respectively installed in the corresponding mounting holes at the four corners of the worktable. The drive chain (9) is wound around the drive sprocket (8) and the four guide sprockets to form a ring transmission chain.

[0039] The left trolley base (14) and the right trolley base (15) are fixedly connected to the drive chain (9) via flat key connectors (18). The flat key connector (18) is a long strip-shaped part, one end of which is fixedly connected to a link of the drive chain (9), and the other end is fixedly connected to the lower part of the stepped connecting seat of the trolley base. The two flat key connectors (18) are symmetrically distributed at 180° on the drive chain (9), so that the left trolley (16) and the right trolley (17) always maintain opposite phases on the circular track (2). When the servo drive motor (7) drives the chain to move, the two trolleys run synchronously, one moving from the picking end to the feeding end, and the other moving from the feeding end to the picking end.

[0040] See the structure of the trolley and base. Figure 5The structure of the trolley is illustrated using the left trolley (16) and its base as an example. The workbench panel (1) has a left guide rail (5) and a right guide rail (6) on both sides of its long side. The left trolley base (14) includes a left horizontal slider (32), a stepped connecting seat (31), and a transverse slider (20). The left horizontal slider (32) is embedded in the left guide rail (5) and slides along it. The stepped connecting seat (31) is fixed above the left horizontal slider (32) and extends into the inner side of the circular track (2). The transverse slider (20) is fixed above the stepped connecting seat (31). The groove of the transverse slider (20) faces upward, and one end of the groove is closed.

[0041] The left trolley (16) includes a trolley base plate (30), a sock-holding plate (29), a trolley transverse guide rail (19), a track guide roller (23), a spring (21), a magnetic element (22), and an elastic clamping mechanism (24). The trolley transverse guide rail (19) is fixed below the trolley base plate (30). The trolley transverse guide rail (19) is embedded in the groove of the transverse slider (20) and slides with the transverse slider (20), allowing the trolley to slide laterally on the base along a direction perpendicular to the long side of the annular track (2). The sock-holding plate (29) is fixed above the trolley base plate (30) and is used to hold the knitted socks to be packaged.

[0042] A spring (21) is installed between the side of the trolley base plate (30) and the corresponding base, keeping the trolley in a default centered position on the base. A pair of magnetic elements (22) are also provided between the side of the trolley base plate (30) and the corresponding base, and the attraction of the magnetic elements (22) helps to stabilize the trolley in the default centered position. When the trolley is traveling on a straight track, the spring (21) and the magnetic elements (22) work together to keep the trolley centered; when the trolley passes through the Y-shaped intersection, the lateral force of the track groove overcomes the spring force and pushes the trolley to one side; after leaving the intersection, the spring force automatically returns the trolley to its centered position.

[0043] The guide roller (23) is mounted under the trolley base plate (30) via an arched bracket. The two ends of the arched bracket are fixedly connected to the trolley base plate (30), with the arch facing downwards. A needle roller bearing is installed at the arch as the guide roller (23). The needle roller bearing is embedded in the track groove of the annular track (2) and rolls along the track groove, guiding the trolley to run along the track.

[0044] The elastic clamping mechanism (24) is installed on the side of the trolley base plate (30) (towards the push-out mechanism) and is normally held in a clamped state by spring force to clamp the knitted socks placed on the sock plate (29).

[0045] The structure of the right trolley (17) and its base (15) is symmetrical to that of the left trolley and its base, and will not be described again.

[0046] Working status and alternating feeding process: See Figures 6 to 8The working process of this invention is as follows.

[0047] Figure 6 The diagram shows the material handling / feeding position status: the left trolley (16) is located at the material handling position of the short section (A-B), and the right trolley (17) is located at the feeding position of the short section (E-F). At this time, the elastic clamping mechanism (24) on the left trolley (16) is in a clamping state, holding the knitted socks to be packaged; the elastic clamping mechanism on the right trolley (17) is also in a clamping state, sending the knitted socks on it into the forming platform of the packaging forming device (300) for packaging. The position sensor bracket (28) is installed on one side of the workbench to detect the position of the trolley.

[0048] Figure 8 (a) shows the initial state: the left trolley (16) is located at the material picking position of the material picking short line segment (A-B), and the right trolley (17) is located at the material feeding position of the material feeding short line segment (E-F).

[0049] Once the packaging operation at the feeding station and the loading operation at the picking station are both completed, the servo drive motor (7) rotates in the forward direction, entering... Figure 8 (b) shows the transposition process. The drive chain (9) drives the left trolley (16) to start from the material picking short section (A-B), pass through the Y-shaped junction (B) at the material picking end, and then run along the left parallel track section (H-G) towards the material feeding end; at the same time, it drives the right trolley (17) to start from the material feeding short section (E-F), pass through the Y-shaped junction (E) at the material feeding end, and then run along the right parallel track section (C-D) towards the material picking end.

[0050] At the Y-shaped junction (B) at the picking end, the guide roller (23) at the bottom of the right trolley (17) (which is returning from the feeding end at this time) is passively guided along the right branch of the circular track (2) into the picking short section (A-B). At the Y-shaped junction (E) at the feeding end, the guide roller (23) at the bottom of the left trolley (16) (which is moving from the picking end to the feeding end at this time) is passively guided along the left branch of the circular track (2) into the feeding short section (E-F). This guidance is achieved entirely by the geometric orientation of the track groove and the cooperation of the guide roller on the trolley, without the need for any sensors or electronic control components for path judgment and switching.

[0051] Figure 7 The diagram shows the parallel section meeting state: the left trolley (16) runs on the left parallel track section (H-G), and the right trolley (17) runs on the right parallel track section (C-D). Since the two trolleys run along the left and right track sections respectively, and are each held in the center position on the base by springs, the two trolleys are completely offset in space and will not interfere with each other.

[0052] After the transposition is completed, arrive Figure 8(c) shows the following state: the left trolley (16) reaches the feeding position of the feeding short section (E-F), and the right trolley (17) reaches the picking position of the picking short section (A-B). At this time, the operation on the two trolleys is carried out again: the left trolley (16) at the feeding position sends the socks into the packaging forming device, and the right trolley (17) at the picking position receives the socks conveyed by the feeding device.

[0053] When the task is completed, the servo drive motor (7) rotates in the reverse direction, entering... Figure 8 The reset process is shown in (d). The left trolley (16) returns to the feeding end from the feeding short section (E-F) along the left parallel track section (G-H), and the right trolley (17) returns to the feeding end from the feeding short section (A-B) along the right parallel track section (D-C). After the reset is completed, it returns to the feeding end. Figure 8 (a) The initial state.

[0054] In this way, the two trolleys move along the circular track in coordination with the chain drive and track guide to achieve precise alternation of feeding and picking actions, without interference, waiting, or reliance on sensors throughout the entire process.

[0055] See the ejection mechanism and clamp release lever. Figure 9 The ejection mechanism (26) is installed on the rear side of the worktable and includes an ejection cylinder and a push plate. The front end of the push plate has a clearance notch corresponding to the shape of the elastic clamping mechanism (24). The clamping release push rod (25) is fixedly installed on the worktable panel (1) and located on one side of the material picking short line segment (A-B). Its lower end is connected to the cylinder, and its upper end is a push rod column that extends to the top of the worktable panel (1).

[0056] When the trolley reaches the picking position, the upper end of the clamping release push rod (25) contacts the elastic clamping mechanism (24) on the trolley, overcoming the spring force of the elastic clamping mechanism and pushing it open, thus releasing the clamping mechanism. At this time, the push cylinder of the push mechanism (26) drives the push plate to move forward, and the clearance notch at the front end of the push plate avoids the elastic clamping mechanism (24), pushing the packaged knitted socks from the trolley to the front unloading conveyor belt. After pushing, the push cylinder retracts, the trolley leaves the picking position, the clamping release push rod (25) disengages from the elastic clamping mechanism (24), and the elastic clamping mechanism returns to the clamping state under the action of the spring force, waiting to receive the next knitted sock to be packaged.

[0057] Feeding end positioning and locking mechanism: See Figure 10 The feeding end positioning and locking cylinder (27) is fixedly installed below the workbench panel (1), directly below the feeding short line segment (E-F). The cylinder rod of the feeding end positioning and locking cylinder (27) faces upward, and a positioning pin is provided at the front end.

[0058] When the trolley reaches the feeding position, the feeding end positioning and locking cylinder (27) extends upward, and its front positioning pin presses against the guide roller (23) on the bottom of the trolley to precisely position and lock the trolley. At this time, the knitted socks on the trolley are aligned with the packaging position of the forming platform of the packaging forming device (300), ensuring feeding accuracy. After packaging is completed, the feeding end positioning and locking cylinder (27) retracts, and the trolley can leave the feeding position.

[0059] The coordination relationship between this device and its supporting devices is as follows: The feeding device (200) is located on one side of the picking end. When the trolley stops at the picking position, the feeding device pushes the knitted socks to be packaged onto the sock placement plate (29) of the trolley. The elastic clamping mechanism (24) on the trolley automatically clamps the socks after leaving the picking position. When the trolley runs to the feeding position, the trolley inserts the socks into the forming platform of the packaging forming device (300) in a straight line. The forming platform completes the two-fold bending and binding of the H-shaped headband. After packaging is completed, the trolley returns to the picking position with the finished product, and the ejection mechanism (26) pushes the finished product to the unloading conveyor belt for delivery.

[0060] The above embodiments are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0061] In practice, the left and right positions of the left and right trolleys on the circular track can be interchanged, that is, the left trolley runs along the right track and the right trolley runs along the left track. This equivalent transformation does not depart from the essential spirit of the present invention.

[0062] The device of the present invention is not only applicable to the feeding of headband packaging for knitted socks, but also to the feeding of headband packaging for knitted products with similar long strip shapes such as wristbands, wrist guards, and headbands, as well as the feeding of other products using similar packaging methods.

[0063] In terms of drive method, the servo drive motor can be replaced with a stepper motor or other drive motors that can achieve forward and reverse rotation control; the ring drive chain can be replaced with other forms of ring transmission components such as synchronous belts, and the corresponding drive sprocket and guide sprocket can be replaced with synchronous belt pulleys.

[0064] In the elastic biasing mechanism of the trolley, the spring can be replaced by other elastic elements such as elastic rubber parts or gas springs; the magnetic element can be a permanent magnet or an electromagnet.

[0065] The hexagonal structure of the circular track can be adjusted according to the equipment layout requirements to adjust the length ratio of each side, as long as the structural features of the Y-shaped intersection of the material picking end and the Y-shaped intersection of the material feeding end are maintained.

[0066] Any equivalent changes and modifications that fall within the essential spirit and scope of the technical solution of this invention shall be considered as protected by this invention.

Claims

1. A dual-station alternating feeding device, characterized in that, include: Workbench (1); A circular track (2) is provided on the workbench (1). The front end of the circular track (2) is provided with a Y-shaped junction (B) for picking up materials. The junction of the Y-shaped junction (B) extends forward to form a short material picking segment (A-B). The rear end of the circular track (2) is provided with a Y-shaped junction (E) for feeding materials. The junction of the Y-shaped junction (E) extends backward to form a short material feeding segment (E-F). The circular track (2) forms a left track and a right track between the Y-shaped junction (B) for picking up materials and the Y-shaped junction (E) for feeding materials. A left trolley (16) and a right trolley (17) run along the circular track (2), the left trolley (16) running along the left track and the right trolley (17) running along the right track; A chain drive mechanism that drives the left trolley (16) and the right trolley (17) to run alternately along the circular track (2), the chain drive mechanism including a servo drive motor (7) and a circular transmission chain driven by the servo drive motor (7); The left trolley (16) and the right trolley (17) are fixedly connected to the annular transmission chain, and the two fixed connections are symmetrically distributed on the annular transmission chain, so that the left trolley (16) and the right trolley (17) always maintain a fixed phase difference on the annular track (2); At the Y-shaped intersection of the material picking end (B) and the Y-shaped intersection of the material feeding end (E), the trolley is forced to move along the corresponding branch direction by the geometric orientation of the ring track (2) and the guide roller (23) at the bottom of the trolley, thus achieving purely mechanical passive guidance.

2. The dual-station alternating feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The circular track (2) is formed by hollowing out the panel of the workbench (1) and has a hexagonal structure; the left track is the left parallel track segment (H-G) and the right track is the right parallel track segment (C-D); the circular track (2) defines eight key position points from a top-down perspective: the end of the material picking short segment (A), the Y-shaped intersection of the material picking end (B), the front end of the right parallel segment (C), the rear end of the right parallel segment (D), the Y-shaped intersection of the feeding end (E), the end of the feeding short segment (F), the rear end of the left parallel segment (G), and the front end of the left parallel segment (H).

3. The dual-station alternating feeding device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The chain drive mechanism also includes a drive sprocket (8) and left front guide sprocket (10), right front guide sprocket (11), left rear guide sprocket (12), and right rear guide sprocket (13) distributed at the four corners of the workbench. The annular drive chain (9) is wound around the drive sprocket (8) and the four guide sprockets to form the annular transmission chain. The left trolley (16) and the right trolley (17) are fixedly connected to the annular drive chain (9) through flat key connectors (18), and the two flat key connectors (18) are symmetrically distributed at 180° on the annular drive chain (9).

4. The dual-station alternating feeding device according to claim 2, characterized in that, Each trolley base (14, 15) is provided with a horizontal slider (20), and each trolley (16, 17) has a trolley horizontal guide rail (19) fixed below its base plate (30) that slides in cooperation with the horizontal slider (20). Each trolley (16, 17) can slide laterally on its respective base (14, 15) in a direction perpendicular to the long side of the circular track (2). Each trolley is provided with a spring (21) to keep the trolley in the default centered position on the base.

5. The dual-station alternating feeding device according to claim 4, characterized in that, Each car base plate (30) is provided with a pair of magnetic elements (22) between its side and the corresponding base. The magnetic elements (22) help to stabilize the car in the default centered position.

6. The dual-station alternating feeding device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The workbench (1) is provided with a left guide rail (5) and a right guide rail (6) on both sides of its long side; the left trolley base (14) includes a left horizontal slider (32), a stepped connecting seat (31) and the horizontal slider (20). The left horizontal slider (32) is embedded in the left guide rail (5) and slides along it. The stepped connecting seat (31) is fixed above the left horizontal slider (32) and extends to the inside of the ring track (2). The horizontal slider (20) is fixed above the stepped connecting seat (31). The groove of the horizontal slider (20) faces upward and slides in cooperation with the trolley horizontal guide rail (19) below the trolley base plate (30).

7. The dual-station alternating feeding device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The track guide roller (23) is installed below the trolley base plate (30) by an arch bridge-shaped bracket. The two ends of the arch bridge-shaped bracket are fixedly connected to the trolley base plate (30), with the arch facing downward. A needle roller bearing is installed at the arch as the track guide roller (23). The needle roller bearing is embedded in the track groove of the annular track (2) and rolls along the track groove.

8. The dual-station alternating feeding device according to claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes a feeding end positioning and locking cylinder (27), which is fixedly installed below the workbench (1) and located directly below the feeding short line segment (E-F); when the trolley reaches the feeding position, the cylinder rod of the feeding end positioning and locking cylinder (27) extends upward, and the positioning pin at its front end presses against the track guide roller (23) at the bottom of the trolley to achieve precise locking and positioning of the feeding position.

9. The dual-station alternating feeding device according to claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes a clamping and releasing push rod (25), which is fixedly installed on the workbench (1) and located on one side of the material picking short line segment (A-B); each trolley is provided with an elastic clamping mechanism (24), which is normally clamped by spring force. When the trolley moves to the material picking position, the clamping and releasing push rod (25) contacts the elastic clamping mechanism (24) and pushes it open to release it.

10. A dual-station alternating feeding control method, based on the apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, include: The servo drive motor (7) drives the ring transmission chain to reciprocate. When the servo drive motor (7) rotates in the forward direction, the ring transmission chain drives the left trolley (16) to run from the picking short line segment (A-B) along the left track to the feeding short line segment (E-F), and at the same time drives the right trolley (17) to run from the feeding short line segment (E-F) along the right track to the picking short line segment (A-B); At the Y-shaped junction (B) at the material taking end and the Y-shaped junction (E) at the material feeding end, the track guide roller (23) at the bottom of the trolley is passively guided into the corresponding short line segment along the corresponding branch of the circular track (2); The left trolley (16) and the right trolley (17) run along the left and right tracks respectively, and the two trolleys are spatially offset; When the servo drive motor (7) rotates in the opposite direction, the left trolley (16) and the right trolley (17) return to their respective initial positions along the original path.

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