Pipe feeding device and feeding method

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of laser pipe cutting machine, and discloses a pipe feeding device and a feeding method, which comprise a feeding device, a distributing device, a hopper device and a controller, the hopper device is connected with a hopper driving assembly, a material detection device is arranged on the feeding device, a standby material detection device is arranged on the distributing device, and the feeding device, the distributing device, the hopper device, the material detection device and the standby material detection device are electrically connected with the controller. The pipe feeding device can realize automatic feeding of the pipe, improve the feeding structure and the feeding logic timing, realize heavy pipe feeding, and does not need manual material arrangement, so as to improve the pipe feeding work efficiency and success rate, reduce the labor intensity of the operator and the production cost, and is especially suitable for scenes with various pipe specifications and models, and solves the problems of high labor intensity, low safety performance, low feeding success rate and low work efficiency of the manual adjustment and separation of the material mechanism in the prior art pipe feeding.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of laser tube cutting machine technology, specifically to a tube feeding device and feeding method. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, in the laser tube cutting machine processing industry, existing technologies for fully automatic side-mounted bed feeding typically employ a ramp structure, where the tube slides down to the center of the chuck under gravity. This existing approach has strict requirements on the ramp angle; a shallow ramp can cause small tubes to get stuck, while a steep ramp results in significant impact from large, heavy tubes sliding down, potentially damaging the equipment or causing them to be ejected from the feeder. Feeding heavy tubes with a diameter of 200mm or more is also difficult. This invention proposes a fully automatic feeding machine and control method. Based on the tube parameters input into the system, the sorting mechanism is set up. At the ramp, a chain drives small tubes down, reducing the likelihood of small tubes getting stuck. Baffles slow down the descent of heavy tubes, reducing the impact force. This allows for feeding tubes with a diameter of 230mm and a weight of 300kg or less. Furthermore, this invention optimizes the logic timing to a certain extent, reducing the risk of small tubes stacking and resulting in a high feeding success rate. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention aims to overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies by providing a pipe feeding device and method. It achieves fully automatic material sorting, selection, and feeding through servo drive. At inclined sections, pipes are conveyed via a chain and baffle system, resolving issues such as small pipe jamming and heavy pipe impact preventing feeding. A secondary pushing logic solves the pipe stacking problem. A material detection mechanism replaces existing photoelectric switches, improving detection stability. No manual material handling is required, enabling reliable fully automatic feeding of round, square, and rectangular pipes.

[0004] The technical solution adopted by this invention to solve its technical problem is: A pipe feeding device includes a feeding device, a distributing device, a hopper for storing pipes, and a controller. The feeding device is connected to a lower frame, the hopper is connected to one side of the frame, the distributing device is connected to the frame, the distributing device is connected to the feeding device, the hopper cooperates with the feeding device, and the hopper is connected to a hopper drive assembly. The feeding device is equipped with a material detection device, and the distributing device is equipped with a material preparation detection device. The feeding device, distributing device, hopper, material detection device, and material preparation detection device are electrically connected to the controller.

[0005] The feeding device includes a baffle plate, a feeding chain, a feeding frame, a feeding motor, and a feeding drive assembly. The feeding frame is connected to the machine frame, the baffle plate is connected to the feeding chain, the feeding chain is mounted on the feeding frame, and a material distribution device is installed on the feeding frame. The feeding motor drives the feeding chain to rotate through the feeding drive assembly. A material detection device is installed at the ramp of the feeding frame. The feeding motor is electrically connected to the controller. The baffle on the feeding chain slides down the ramp, and the pipes on the feeding chain slide down synchronously with the feeding chain. The baffle stops when it moves to the material detection device. After the material detection device detects the pipes, the material preparation is completed, and the device waits for a signal from the host.

[0006] The material distribution device includes a kicking plate, a kicking cylinder, a lifting plate, a pulley assembly, a chain assembly, a lifting motor, and a lifting drive assembly. The material preparation and detection device is installed in the material preparation area of ​​the feeding rack. The lifting motor is electrically connected to the controller. The kicking plate is slidably connected to the feeding rack through a guide rail slider. One end of the kicking plate is connected to the end of the movable connecting rod of the kicking cylinder, which is connected to the feeding rack. The lifting plate is installed on the frame through a guide rail slider. One end of the lifting plate is connected to the chain assembly, and the other end of the chain assembly is connected to the lifting motor through an output shaft. The lifting motor provides power to drive the lifting plate to move along the slope of the frame, transporting the pipe to the top of the slope. Part of the pulley assembly is installed on the upper part of the lifting plate and part is installed on the ramp of the frame to provide downward power for the pipe and prevent the small pipe from getting stuck on the ramp. The rotation of the lifting motor drives the lifting plate to rise through the lifting drive assembly. During the rise of the lifting plate, the pipe on the feeding rack will rise simultaneously. The lifting plate stops after it rises to the kick position.

[0007] The kicking position refers to the distance between the upper end of the bottom layer of pipe and the lower end of the kicking plate. The kicking position is set according to actual usage needs. When the lifting plate reaches the kicking position, the kicking cylinder's movable connecting rod extends, driving the kicking plate to extend and kicking the two or more layers of pipes stacked on the lifting plate back into the material storage.

[0008] The hopper device shown is used to store pipes and includes a material belt, a material belt support, guide wheels, a reel, a hopper motor, a hopper drive shaft, a transmission belt, and a guide rail slide. The guide wheels and reel are mounted on the material belt support. One end of the material belt is connected to the upper part of the material belt support, and the other end is connected to the reel. One end of the hopper drive shaft is equipped with a transmission belt, and the other end of the transmission belt is mounted on the guide rail slide. A detection device is mounted on the guide rail slide. The slider in the guide rail slide cooperates with a lead screw, which is supported on a pulley. The transmission belt is connected to the pulley, the reel is connected to the hopper drive shaft, the hopper drive shaft is connected to the hopper motor, and the hopper motor is electrically connected to a controller. The hopper motor drives the material belt to pull and release material by reversing forward and reverse. When the hopper motor rotates, the hopper drive assembly drives the reel to rotate, and the material belt gradually retracts until the pipes on the material belt fall onto the feeding device.

[0009] The hopper drive shaft rotates, driving the transmission belt to rotate. The slider in the guide rail slide connected to the transmission belt moves left and right on the lead screw. When the belt reaches the pulling limit or releasing limit, the slider moves to the vicinity of the sensor on the detection device. After the sensor detects the signal, it sends it to the host computer, and the belt stops pulling to prevent over-pulling.

[0010] The feeding motor and lifting motor are servo motors.

[0011] A positioning plate is installed at the entrance of the storage space, which is positioned by the end face of the pipe and provides an axial positioning reference for manual placement of the pipe.

[0012] The initial position of the baffle plate is determined according to the pipe specifications. The distance between the baffle plate and the inclined end face of the feeding frame is the diameter or side length of the pipe. When the pipe falls into the storage area of ​​the feeding frame through the material belt, the material preparation detection device in the material distribution device detects the pipe, the hopper motor reverses, the material belt returns to the initial state, and the material belt feeding action is completed.

[0013] A pipe feeding method, utilizing the aforementioned pipe feeding device, includes the following steps: 1) Place the bundled pipes on the conveyor belt, with one end of the pipe close to the positioning plate; 2) Input the pipe specifications, and the baffle will move to the corresponding position according to the input pipe specifications to ensure that only one pipe can be stored along the slope direction; 3) The material belt gradually tensions from a relaxed state, and the tubing on the material belt rolls down to the material preparation area of ​​the feeding rack. The sensor in the material preparation detection device is triggered, and the material belt gradually relaxes from a tensioned state. 4) Perform the kicking action, including: ① One kick: The lifting plate rises to lift the pipes in the material preparation area of ​​the feeding rack, sends the pipes to the kicking position, and performs the kicking action to kick all the stacked pipes of two or more layers back to the material storage, ensuring that only one layer of pipes is stored on the lifting plate. 5) When the lifting plate rises to the feeding rack ramp, the pipe will roll down to the feeding rack ramp under the action of gravity and the pulley assembly. The baffle plate prevents the pipe from sliding down further. At this time, one pipe is stored in the feeding rack ramp. The lifting plate falls, and the remaining pipes on the lifting plate return to the feeding rack preparation area. The sensor in the preparation detection device remains triggered. When the sensor in the preparation detection device does not detect any pipe, it means that there are no pipes in the feeding rack preparation area, and step 3 needs to be repeated. 6) The feeding chain moves the baffle plate and the pipes near the baffle plate, transporting the pipes to the feeding rack detection position. The sensor in the material detection device is triggered, indicating that there are pipes at the detection position. It waits for the host signal. When the host sends the feeding signal, the feeding chain moves the baffle plate and the pipes near the baffle plate to the feeding area to complete the feeding action. If the sensor of the feeding chain is not triggered, it indicates that there is a jamming phenomenon in the pipes. The baffle plate moves to the ramp end face of the feeding rack and kicks the pipes on the ramp of the feeding rack back to the material hopper, and the feeding action is repeated.

[0014] After performing one kicking action, a second kicking action is performed: the lifting plate rises to lift the pipes in the material preparation area of ​​the feeding rack, sends the pipes to the kicking position, and performs the kicking action to kick all the stacked pipes of two or more layers back to the material storage, ensuring that only one layer of pipes is stored on the lifting plate. After the material is kicked, the kicking cylinder retracts, the kicking plate returns to its initial position, and the lifting plate rises to the feed rack ramp. The pipes on the lifting plate fall onto the ramp feed chain via the pulley assembly. Since the distance between the baffle plate and the ramp end face of the feed rack is the diameter or side length of the pipe, only one pipe can be stored on the ramp feed chain of the feed rack, thus completing the sorting of the pipes.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this invention are: 1. This invention has a compact structure and low cost. The pipe feeding device of this invention can realize the automatic feeding action of pipes, while improving and optimizing the feeding structure and improving the feeding logic timing, realizing the feeding of heavy pipes without manual material placement. It can improve the efficiency and success rate of pipe feeding, reduce the labor intensity of operators and production costs, and is particularly suitable for scenarios with a wide variety of pipe specifications and models. It solves the problems of high labor intensity, low safety performance, low feeding success rate and low work efficiency of existing pipe feeding technologies that require manual adjustment of the sorting mechanism.

[0016] 2. This invention solves the pipe stacking problem through a two-stage pushing logic. By setting up a primary kicking action and a secondary kicking action, the first kicking action is performed when the lifting plate first rises to its initial position, and the secondary kicking action is performed when the pipe rises again to the kicking position. This ensures that pipes stacked two or more layers high on the lifting plate are kicked back to the material storage. This solves the problem of kicking failure when the width of the kicking plate cannot be increased, caused by excessive pipe stacking during the material conveyor belt pulling, resulting in the stacked pipe height exceeding the upper surface of the kicking plate during the first kicking action, leading to pipes getting stuck on the kicking plate and creating safety hazards. It ensures reliable and accurate kicking, improving the success rate of loading heavy pipes and small pipes.

[0017] 3. The feeding motor and lifting motor of the present invention are servo motors, which realize fully automatic material distribution, selection and loading operations through servo drive; the pipes are conveyed by chain and baffle at the slope of the present invention, which solves the problems of small pipe jamming, heavy pipe impact, and inability to load.

[0018] 4. By replacing the existing photoelectric switch detection with a material detection mechanism, the detection stability is improved, and the fully automatic feeding of round tubes, square tubes, rectangular tubes and other tubes can be reliably completed.

[0019] 5. The pipe feeding method of the present invention completes the setting of the sorting mechanism according to the pipe parameters input into the system. At the ramp, the small pipe is driven down by the chain to reduce the jamming of the small pipe. The baffle blocks the downward speed of the heavy pipe and reduces the impact force of the heavy pipe. It can realize the feeding of pipes with a diameter of 230mm and a weight of less than 300kg. Secondly, by optimizing the logic timing, the feeding success rate is high. It can easily complete the setting of the sorting mechanism according to the pipe parameters input into the system, and the work efficiency is high.

[0020] 6. Part of the pulley assembly is installed at the top and part is installed at the ramp of the frame to provide downward power for the pipes and prevent small pipes from getting stuck at the ramp. The rotation of the lifting motor drives the lifting plate to rise through the lifting drive assembly. During the rise of the lifting plate, the pipes on the feeding rack will rise simultaneously. The lifting plate stops after it rises to the kick position.

[0021] 7. Part of the pulley assembly is installed at the top of the lifting plate and part is installed at the ramp of the frame to provide downward power for the pipes and prevent small pipes from getting stuck at the ramp and not sliding down; the rotation of the lifting motor drives the lifting plate to rise through the lifting drive assembly. During the rising process of the lifting plate, the pipes on the feeding rack will rise simultaneously, so as to reliably achieve the lifting plate to stop after rising to the kick position.

[0022] 8. The drive shaft of the hopper rotates, which drives the transmission belt to rotate. The slider in the guide rail slide connected to the transmission belt will move left and right on the lead screw. When the material belt reaches the pulling limit or the releasing limit, the slider will move to the vicinity of the sensor on the detection device. After the sensor detects the signal, it will send it to the host computer, and the material belt will stop pulling to prevent over-pulling. Attached Figure Description

[0023] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the right-side view structure; Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the left-side view structure.

[0024] In the figure, the components are: feeding device 1, baffle plate 101, feeding chain 102, feeding frame 103, feeding motor 104, feeding drive assembly 105, and material detection device 106; material distribution device 2, material preparation detection device 201, kick plate 202, kick cylinder 203, lifting plate 204, pulley assembly 205, chain assembly 206, lifting motor 207, and lifting drive assembly 208; hopper device 3, belt 301, belt support 302, guide wheel 303, belt reel 304, and hopper motor 305; hopper drive shaft 306, transmission belt 307, guide rail slide 308, and detection device 309; positioning plate 4; and frame 5. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions of this invention, the technical solutions of this invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of this invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this invention, and not all embodiments.

[0026] like Figure 1-3 As shown, a pipe feeding device includes a feeding device 1, a distributing device 2, a pipe material storage silo device 3, and a controller. The feeding device 1 is connected to a lower frame 5, the silo device 3 is connected to one side of the frame, the distributing device 2 is connected to the frame 5 and also to the feeding device 1, the silo device 3 cooperates with the feeding device 1, and is connected to a silo drive assembly 7. The feeding device 1, distributing device 2, and silo device 3 are electrically connected to the controller. A material presence detection device is provided on the feeding device 1, and a material preparation detection device is provided on the distributing device. The feeding device, distributing device, silo device, material presence detection device, and material preparation detection device are all electrically connected to the controller.

[0027] like Figure 2 , Figure 3The feeding device 1 includes a baffle plate 101, a feeding chain 102, a feeding frame 103, a feeding motor 104, and a feeding drive assembly 105. The feeding frame 103 is connected to the frame 5, and the baffle plate 101 is connected to the feeding chain 102. The feeding chain 102 is mounted on the feeding frame 103, and a material distribution device 2 is mounted on the feeding frame 103. The feeding motor 104 drives the feeding chain 102 to rotate through the feeding drive assembly 105. A material detection device 106 is provided at the ramp of the feeding frame. The feeding motor 104 is electrically connected to the controller. The baffle plate 101 on the feeding chain 102 slides down the ramp, and the pipes on the feeding chain 102 slide down synchronously with the feeding chain 102. The baffle plate 101 stops when it moves to the material detection device 106. After the material detection device 106 detects the pipes, the material preparation is completed, and the device waits for the host to send a signal. The initial position of the baffle plate 101 is determined according to the pipe specifications. The distance between the baffle plate 101 and the inclined end face of the feeding frame 103 is the diameter or side length of the pipe. When the pipe falls to the storage area of ​​the feeding frame 103 through the material belt, the material preparation detection device 201 in the material distribution device 2 detects the pipe, the hopper motor 305 reverses, the material belt 301 returns to the initial state, and the material belt feeding action is completed.

[0028] The material distribution device 2 includes a material preparation and detection device 201, a kicking plate 202, a kicking cylinder 203, a lifting plate 204, a pulley assembly 205, a chain assembly 206, a lifting motor 207, and a lifting drive assembly 208. The material preparation and detection device 201 is installed in the material preparation area of ​​the feeding rack. The lifting motor 207 is electrically connected to the controller. The kicking plate 202 is slidably connected to the feeding rack 103 through a guide rail slider. One end of the kicking plate 202 is connected to the end of the movable connecting rod of the kicking cylinder 203. The kicking cylinder 203 is connected to the feeding rack 103. The lifting plate 204 is installed on the frame 5 through a guide rail slider. One end of the lifting plate 204 is connected to the chain assembly 206. The other end of the chain assembly 206 is connected to the lifting motor 207 through an output shaft. The lifting motor 207 provides power to drive the lifting plate 204 to move along the slope of the frame 5, transporting the pipe to the top of the slope. The pulley assembly 205 is partially installed on the upper end of the lifting plate 204 and partially installed on the slope of the frame 5, providing downward power for the pipes and preventing small pipes from getting stuck on the slope. The lifting motor 207 rotates and drives the lifting plate 204 to rise through the lifting drive assembly 208. During the rise of the lifting plate 204, the pipes on the feeding rack 103 will rise simultaneously. The lifting plate 204 stops after rising to the kick position. The kick position is the distance d between the upper end of the bottom layer of pipes and the lower end of the kick plate 202. d is a threshold value and is set according to actual usage needs. When the lifting plate reaches the kick position, the kick cylinder's movable connecting rod extends, driving the kick plate to extend and kicking the two or more layers of pipes stacked on the lifting plate back to the storage bin. The kick cylinder 203's movable connecting rod extends, driving the kick plate 202 to extend and kicking the two or more layers of pipes stacked on the lifting plate 204 back to the storage bin device 3.

[0029] The feeding motor 104 and the lifting motor 207 are servo motors.

[0030] A positioning plate 4 is provided at the entrance end of the storage space. The positioning plate 4 is used for positioning the end face of the pipe. The positioning plate 4 is fixedly installed at the entrance end of the storage space and provides an axial positioning reference for manually placing the pipe by positioning it at the end face of the pipe.

[0031] The shown hopper device 3 is used to store pipes and includes a material belt 301, a material belt support 302, a guide wheel 303, a reel 304, a hopper motor 305, a hopper drive shaft 306, a transmission belt 307, and a guide rail slide 308. The guide wheel 303 and the reel 304 are mounted on the material belt support 302. One end of the material belt 301 is connected to the upper part of the material belt support 302, and the other end is connected to the reel 304. One end of the hopper drive shaft 306 is equipped with the transmission belt 307, and the other end of the transmission belt 307 is mounted on the guide rail slide 308. The guide rail slide 308 is equipped with... There is a detection device 309; wherein the slider in the guide rail slide 308 cooperates with the lead screw, the lead screw is supported on the pulley, the transmission belt 307 is connected to the pulley, the winding pulley 304 is connected to the hopper drive shaft 306, the hopper drive shaft 306 is connected to the hopper motor 305, the hopper motor 305 is electrically connected to the controller, the hopper motor 305 drives the material belt 301 to pull and release material by forward and reverse rotation, when the hopper motor 305 rotates, the hopper drive assembly 7 drives the winding pulley 304 to rotate, the material belt 301 gradually retracts until the tube on the material belt 301 falls onto the feeding device 1. The hopper drive shaft 306 rotates, driving the transmission belt 307 to rotate. The slider in the guide rail slide 308 connected to the transmission belt 307 will move left and right on the lead screw. When the material belt 301 reaches the material pulling limit or the material releasing limit, the slider in 308 will move to the vicinity of the sensor on the detection device 309. After the sensor detects the signal, it will be sent to the host computer, and the material belt 301 will stop pulling to prevent over-pulling.

[0032] A method for feeding pipes includes the following steps: 1) Place the bundled pipes on the conveyor belt, with one end of the pipe close to the positioning plate 4; 2) Input the pipe specifications, and the baffle plate 101 moves to the corresponding position according to the input pipe specifications to ensure that only one pipe can be stored along the slope direction; 3) The material belt 301 gradually tensions from a relaxed state, and the tubing on the material belt rolls down to the material preparation area of ​​the feeding rack 103. The sensor in the material preparation detection device 201 is triggered, and the material belt 301 gradually relaxes from a tensioned state. 4) Perform the kicking action, including a first kick and a second kick. The first kick is as follows: the lifting plate 204 rises and lifts the pipes in the material preparation area of ​​the feeding rack, sends the pipes to the kicking position, and performs the kicking action to kick all the stacked pipes of two or more layers back to the material storage, ensuring that only one layer of pipes is stored on the lifting plate 204.

[0033] The secondary kicking action is as follows: In order to prevent the pipes from being stacked too high, the first kicking action is performed. The lifting plate rises and lifts the pipes in the material preparation area of ​​the feeding rack, and sends the pipes to the kicking position. The kicking action is then performed to kick all the stacked pipes of two or more layers back to the material storage, ensuring that only one layer of pipes is stored on the lifting plate 204.

[0034] The controller of this invention features a secondary kicking action option button on its system interface. A primary kicking logic is executed when the upper surface of the bottommost pipe on the lifting plate is 120mm from the kicking plate. A secondary kicking is executed when the upper surface of the bottommost pipe stored on the lifting plate 204 is 5mm from the lower surface of the kicking plate 202. The purpose is to address the issue of pipes stacking too high during material conveying, causing kicking failure and pipes getting stuck on the kicking plate, when the width of the kicking plate 202 cannot be increased.

[0035] After the material is kicked, the kicking cylinder 203 retracts, the kicking plate 202 returns to its initial position, and the lifting plate 204 rises to the ramp of the feeding rack 103. The pipes on the lifting plate 204 fall onto the ramp feeding chain 102 via the pulley assembly 205. Since the distance between the baffle plate 101 and the ramp end face of the feeding rack 103 is the diameter or side length of the pipe, only one pipe can be stored on the ramp feeding chain 102 of the feeding rack 103, thus completing the sorting of the pipes.

[0036] 5) The lifting plate 204 rises to the ramp of the feeding rack 103. Under the action of gravity and the pulley assembly 205, the pipe will roll down to the ramp of the feeding rack 103. The baffle plate 101 prevents the pipe from sliding further down. At this time, one pipe is stored at the ramp of the feeding rack 103. The lifting plate falls, and the remaining pipes on the lifting plate return to the feeding rack's preparation area. The sensor in the preparation detection device 201 remains triggered. When the sensor in the preparation detection device 201 does not detect a pipe, it means that there is no pipe in the feeding rack's preparation area, and step 3 needs to be repeated.

[0037] 6) The feeding chain 102 drives the baffle plate 101 and the pipes near the baffle plate 101 to move, transporting the pipes to the feeding rack detection position. The sensor in the material detection device 106 is triggered, indicating that there are pipes at the detection position. It waits for the host signal. When the host sends the feeding signal, the feeding chain 102 drives the baffle plate 101 and the pipes near the baffle plate 101 to move to the feeding area to complete the feeding action. If the sensor of the feeding chain 102 is not triggered, it indicates that there is a jamming phenomenon in the pipes. The baffle plate 101 moves to the ramp end face of the feeding rack 103 and kicks the pipes on the ramp of the feeding rack 103 back to the material storage, and the feeding action is repeated.

[0038] In this embodiment, the frame 5, the material detection device 106, and the material preparation detection device 201 are respectively provided in multiple sets. In this embodiment, there are three sets. Each set of material detection device 106 and material preparation detection device 201 is installed on its respective frame 5. When any set of material detection device 106 fails to detect the pipe, it means that the pipe has not completely slid down and is stuck at a certain point on the slope of the feeding rack 103. The feeding motor 104 drives the feeding chain 102 to rotate through the feeding drive assembly 105. The baffle plate 101 moves up the slope and stops when the end face of the baffle plate 101 is flush with the end face of the slope. The pipe is pushed back into the hopper device 3 for re-feeding.

[0039] The controller of this invention features a secondary kicking action option button on its system interface. A primary kicking logic is executed when the upper surface of the bottommost pipe on the lifting plate is 120mm from the kicking plate. A secondary kicking action is executed when the upper surface of the bottommost pipe stored on the lifting plate 204 is 5mm from the lower surface of the kicking plate 202. By setting primary and secondary kicking actions, the problem of pipe stacking is solved. Specifically, a primary kicking action is executed when the lifting plate first rises to its designated position, and a secondary kicking action is executed when the pipe rises to the kicking position again. This solves the problem of kicking failure caused by excessive pipe stacking during material conveyor belt pulling when the width of the kicking plate 202 cannot be increased. This results in pipes getting stuck on the kicking plate and creating safety hazards. This ensures reliable and accurate kicking, improving the success rate of loading heavy pipes and small pipes.

Claims

1. A pipe feeding device, comprising a feeding device, a distributing device, a hopper for storing pipes, and a controller, wherein the feeding device is connected to a lower frame, the hopper is connected to one side of the frame, the distributing device is connected to the frame, the distributing device is connected to the feeding device, and the hopper cooperates with the feeding device, characterized in that, The hopper device is connected to the hopper drive assembly. The feeding device is equipped with a material detection device, and the distributing device is equipped with a material preparation detection device. The feeding device, distributing device, hopper device, material detection device, and material preparation detection device are electrically connected to the controller.

2. The pipe feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feeding device includes a baffle plate, a feeding chain, a feeding frame, a feeding motor, and a feeding drive assembly. The feeding frame is connected to the machine frame, the baffle plate is connected to the feeding chain, the feeding chain is mounted on the feeding frame, and a material distribution device is installed on the feeding frame. The feeding motor drives the feeding chain to rotate through the feeding drive assembly. A material detection device is installed at the ramp of the feeding frame. The feeding motor is electrically connected to the controller. The baffle on the feeding chain slides down the ramp, and the pipes on the feeding chain slide down synchronously with the feeding chain. The baffle stops when it moves to the material detection device. After the material detection device detects the pipes, the material preparation is complete, and it waits for the host to send a signal.

3. The pipe feeding device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The material distribution device includes a kicking plate, a kicking cylinder, a lifting plate, a pulley assembly, a chain assembly, a lifting motor, and a lifting drive assembly. The material preparation and detection device is installed in the material preparation area of ​​the feeding rack. The lifting motor is electrically connected to the controller. The kicking plate is slidably connected to the feeding rack through a guide rail slider. One end of the kicking plate is connected to the end of the movable connecting rod of the kicking cylinder, which is connected to the feeding rack. The lifting plate is installed on the frame through a guide rail slider. One end of the lifting plate is connected to the chain assembly, and the other end of the chain assembly is connected to the lifting motor through an output shaft. The lifting motor provides power to drive the lifting plate to move along the slope of the frame, transporting the pipe to the top of the slope. Part of the pulley assembly is installed on the upper part of the lifting plate, and part is installed on the ramp of the frame to provide downward power for the pipes; the rotation of the lifting motor drives the lifting plate to rise through the lifting drive assembly. During the rising process of the lifting plate, the pipes on the feeding rack will rise simultaneously. The lifting plate stops after rising to the kick position.

4. The pipe feeding device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The kicking position refers to the distance between the upper end of the bottom layer of pipe and the lower end of the kicking plate. The kicking position is set according to actual usage needs. When the lifting plate reaches the kicking position, the kicking cylinder's movable connecting rod extends, driving the kicking plate to extend and kicking the two or more layers of pipes stacked on the lifting plate back into the material storage.

5. The pipe feeding device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The hopper device shown is used to store pipes and includes a material belt, a material belt support, guide wheels, a reel, a hopper motor, a hopper drive shaft, a transmission belt, and a guide rail slide. The guide wheels and reel are mounted on the material belt support. One end of the material belt is connected to the upper part of the material belt support, and the other end is connected to the reel. One end of the hopper drive shaft is equipped with a transmission belt, and the other end of the transmission belt is mounted on the guide rail slide. A detection device is mounted on the guide rail slide. The slider in the guide rail slide cooperates with a lead screw, which is supported on a pulley. The transmission belt is connected to the pulley, the reel is connected to the hopper drive shaft, the hopper drive shaft is connected to the hopper motor, and the hopper motor is electrically connected to a controller. The hopper motor drives the material belt to pull and release material by reversing forward and reverse. When the hopper motor rotates, the hopper drive assembly drives the reel to rotate, and the material belt gradually retracts until the pipes on the material belt fall onto the feeding device.

6. The pipe feeding device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The feeding motor and lifting motor are servo motors.

7. The pipe feeding device according to claim 6, characterized in that, A positioning plate is installed at the entrance of the storage space to provide an axial positioning reference for manual placement of pipes by positioning the pipe end face.

8. The pipe feeding device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The initial position of the baffle plate is determined according to the pipe specifications. The distance between the baffle plate and the inclined end face of the feeding frame is the diameter or side length of the pipe. When the pipe falls into the storage area of ​​the feeding frame through the material belt, the material preparation detection device in the material distribution device detects the pipe, the hopper motor reverses, the material belt returns to the initial state, and the material belt feeding action is completed.

9. A method for feeding pipes, characterized in that, The pipe feeding device as described in claim 7 includes the following steps: 1) Place the bundled pipes on the conveyor belt, with one end of the pipe close to the positioning plate; 2) Input the pipe specifications, and the baffle will move to the corresponding position according to the input pipe specifications to ensure that only one pipe can be stored along the slope direction; 3) The material belt gradually tensions from a relaxed state, and the tubing on the material belt rolls down to the material preparation area of ​​the feeding rack. The sensor in the material preparation detection device is triggered, and the material belt gradually relaxes from a tensioned state. 4) Perform the kicking action, including: ① One kick: The lifting plate rises to lift the pipes in the material preparation area of ​​the feeding rack, sends the pipes to the kicking position, and performs the kicking action to kick all the stacked pipes of two or more layers back to the material storage, ensuring that only one layer of pipes is stored on the lifting plate. 5) When the lifting plate rises to the feeding rack ramp, the pipe will roll down to the feeding rack ramp under the action of gravity and the pulley assembly. The baffle plate prevents the pipe from sliding down further. At this time, one pipe is stored in the feeding rack ramp. The lifting plate falls, and the remaining pipes on the lifting plate return to the feeding rack preparation area. The sensor in the preparation detection device remains triggered. When the sensor in the preparation detection device does not detect any pipe, it means that there are no pipes in the feeding rack preparation area, and step 3 needs to be repeated. 6) The feeding chain moves the baffle plate and the pipes near the baffle plate, transporting the pipes to the feeding rack detection position. The sensor in the material detection device is triggered, indicating that there are pipes at the detection position. It waits for the host signal. When the host sends the feeding signal, the feeding chain moves the baffle plate and the pipes near the baffle plate to the feeding area to complete the feeding action. If the sensor of the feeding chain is not triggered, it indicates that there is a jamming phenomenon in the pipes. The baffle plate moves to the ramp end face of the feeding rack and kicks the pipes on the ramp of the feeding rack back to the material hopper, and the feeding action is repeated.

10. The pipe feeding method as described in claim 9, characterized in that, To prevent the pipes from being stacked too high, a second kicking action is performed after the first kicking action: the lifting plate rises to lift the pipes in the material preparation area of ​​the feeding rack, sends the pipes to the kicking position, and performs the kicking action to kick all the stacked pipes of two or more layers back to the material storage, ensuring that only one layer of pipes is stored on the lifting plate. After the material is kicked, the kicking cylinder retracts, the kicking plate returns to its initial position, and the lifting plate rises to the feed rack ramp. The pipes on the lifting plate fall onto the ramp feed chain via the pulley assembly. Since the distance between the baffle plate and the ramp end face of the feed rack is the diameter or side length of the pipe, only one pipe can be stored on the ramp feed chain of the feed rack, thus completing the sorting of the pipes.

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