Molecular sieve packing compaction apparatus and compaction method thereof

Abstract

This invention provides a molecular sieve filling and compaction device and its compaction method, relating to the field of oxygen generator manufacturing technology. It aims to solve the problems of low production efficiency, inadequate top compaction, and insufficient bed uniformity in existing technologies. The device includes a vibrating plate, multiple sets of vibrating stations arranged in a matrix, a rotating base, transition gears, a rotary motor, a gripper assembly, and an auxiliary pressure assembly. The auxiliary pressure assembly includes a top plate, a drive cylinder, and a floating compaction unit. The floating compaction unit is equipped with a pressure plate that elastically presses against the molecular sieve bed. The method employs a strategy of intermittent alternation of vibration and rotation, with a rotation speed of 2-5 rpm and alternating forward and reverse oscillations. This invention achieves multi-station parallel automated operation. Through standardized positioning, floating elastic auxiliary pressure, and alternating vibration and rotation processes, it significantly improves compaction efficiency, top compaction effect, and bed radial uniformity, making it suitable for large-scale mass production of oxygen generators.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of oxygen generator manufacturing technology, and in particular to a molecular sieve filling and compaction device and its compaction method. Background Technology

[0002] Oxygen generators utilize the pressure swing adsorption (PSA) principle to separate nitrogen from the air using molecular sieves to obtain high-concentration oxygen. The molecular sieves, in granular form, are packed into the adsorption tower to form a bed. The packing density and uniformity of the bed directly affect the oxygen concentration, oxygen production stability, and the lifespan of the molecular sieves.

[0003] Molecular sieve particles naturally have gaps between them. If the bed is loose, the gas will preferentially choose the path of least resistance to pass through the bed, forming a channeling phenomenon, which leads to a decrease in nitrogen and oxygen separation efficiency. Compaction treatment increases the packing density, making the contact between particles tighter and the pore distribution more uniform, thereby forcing the gas to pass through the entire bed evenly and making full use of the adsorption capacity of each molecular sieve. At the same time, compaction can also suppress the relative movement and pulverization of molecular sieves in the pressure swing adsorption cycle, eliminate bed settling, and ensure the symmetry of the two towers.

[0004] Existing methods for compacting molecular sieves in oxygen generators mainly rely on manual or semi-automatic approaches. A common practice is to place the adsorption tower filled with molecular sieves on a vibrating platform and vibrate it for about one minute. For smaller equipment, a hammer can be used to strike the outer wall of the tank until the molecular sieves stop sinking. However, these methods suffer from low production efficiency, inadequate top compaction, and insufficient radial uniformity of the bed.

[0005] In response to the above problems, several patents in the industry have proposed improvement solutions, among which the following two are most similar to the process objectives of this application: CN205709853U discloses a molecular sieve filling vibration table, which includes a base, a frame, a vibration device, and multiple sets of molecular sieve components. A clamping device composed of cylinders is provided on the frame. The molecular sieve components are clamped onto the frame from the top by this clamping device, and sieve particles are filled into the molecular sieve components from the top by a filling device. There are at least four molecular sieve components arranged in a square. This solution automates the synchronous vibration and top clamping of multiple tanks. The clamping device applies a clamping force to the top of the bed, and the vibration and clamping are centrally controlled by a control system. However, this solution still has the following limitations: the clamping stroke of the clamping device on the top of the bed is fixed once set, and the pressure plate cannot automatically follow the bed sedimentation during vibration; the vibration mode is a single vertical vibration, lacking a design for the adsorption tank to rotate around its own axis, making it difficult to eliminate radial density differences in the bed; there is no linkage rotation transmission mechanism between the molecular sieve components, making it impossible to achieve synchronous, same-speed rotation at multiple stations.

[0006] CN204417115U discloses a small-scale oxygen generator molecular sieve cylinder filling and pressing device, which includes an air pump, a pneumatic foot valve, an air source dual unit, a pressing cylinder, and a support frame. The piston rod of the pressing cylinder is equipped with a top cover that enters the molecular sieve cylinder to press the molecular sieve. The compressed air pressure is adjusted by the air source dual unit to ensure that the pressing force between each molecular sieve bed is equal. This device adjusts the pressing force by air pressure to make the pressure of each molecular sieve bed consistent. However, it is not equipped with a vibration device, and the particles are only pressed and formed in one step, lacking a disturbance process to rearrange the particles. Moreover, it is a single-station structure, which is difficult to meet the needs of mass production. The top cover directly contacts the bed and presses it, and it cannot automatically follow the settling of the bed.

[0007] It is evident that existing solutions either involve one-time top compression or lack a vibration component, and neither involves the low-speed forward and reverse rotation of the adsorption tank around its own axis. Therefore, they cannot simultaneously achieve the efficiency of mass production, the continuous pressure on the top of the bed during the entire vibration process, and the uniformity of the bed's radial density. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to provide a molecular sieve filling and compaction equipment and method to achieve automated, high-precision, top compaction, and good bed uniformity of molecular sieve filling and compaction, thereby solving the problems of low production efficiency, inadequate top compaction, and insufficient radial uniformity of the bed in the existing molecular sieve filling and compaction process of oxygen generators.

[0009] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: A molecular sieve filling and compaction device, comprising: Vibratory feeder; Multiple vibration stations arranged on a vibratory feeder; Positioning bases are installed on each set of vibration stations; A rotating seat body that is rotatably installed inside the positioning base and has an external gear ring fixed to its outer wall; Transition gears used to achieve transition transmission connections between adjacent rotating seats; A rotary motor mounted on a vibratory feeder and connected to a set of transition gears via a transmission gear; A gripper assembly is installed on top of the rotating base to hold the adsorption tank. An auxiliary pressing group is located above the vibratory feeder and has floating compaction units for each vibratory work station. The auxiliary pressing group also includes a top plate and a drive cylinder fixedly connected to the top plate. The top plate is fixed to the four corners of the vibratory feeder by four sets of pillars. The drive end of the drive cylinder is connected to a set of base plates, and drives all the floating compaction units installed on the base plates to rise and fall synchronously by driving the base plates to rise and fall. The floating compaction unit includes a pressure plate that can be independently raised and lowered relative to the substrate, and an elastic element that allows the pressure plate to continue applying elastic clamping force to the top of the molecular sieve bed in the adsorption tank as it settles after the drive cylinder stops moving. The floating compaction unit also includes a suspension rod fixed to the substrate, a rotating plate rotatably connected to the end of the suspension rod, and a guide rod passing through the rotating plate. The pressure plate is connected to the bottom end of the guide rod. The elastic element is a spring sleeved on the guide rod and abutting against the pressure plate and the rotating plate. A limiting end block is also provided at the end of the guide rod passing through the rotating plate. This floating structure allows the pressure plate to automatically follow the bed's settling, the spring provides a constant clamping force, and the limiting end block prevents the guide rod from dislodging, ensuring the reliability and safety of the compaction process.

[0010] The device is also equipped with a controller that is electrically connected to the vibratory feeder, the rotary motor and the drive cylinder respectively, for coordinating and controlling the vibration of the vibratory feeder, the rotation of the adsorption tank and the lifting and lowering action of the drive cylinder according to a preset program.

[0011] This technical solution achieves parallel operation through multiple sets of vibration stations, significantly improving production efficiency; it ensures batch consistency by accurately positioning the adsorption tank through the rotating seat and gripper assembly; it ensures proper compaction of the top by continuously applying elastic pressure through the floating compaction unit; and it improves bed uniformity through the synergistic effect of vibration and rotation.

[0012] Furthermore, the multiple sets of vibration stations are arranged in a matrix. Any two sets of horizontally adjacent and vertically adjacent rotating bodies are connected by two sets of meshing transition gears, enabling synchronous rotation of all rotating bodies and transition gears when one set of rotating motors drives one set of transition gears. This structure requires only a single power source to drive the rotation of all stations, reducing equipment costs and control system complexity, while ensuring the synchronicity of rotational actions at each station, which is beneficial for unifying process parameters.

[0013] Furthermore, the gripper assembly includes two sets of clamping units. A sliding groove is provided on the top side of the rotating base, and the two sets of clamping units are slidably installed within the groove. A set of lead screws installed within the groove drives the units to move towards or away from each other. These lead screws are driven to rotate by a lead screw motor located on one side of the top of the rotating base. This gripper assembly can adapt to adsorption tanks of different diameters, achieving fast and reliable centering and clamping, avoiding deviations caused by manual positioning, and improving positioning accuracy and production changeover flexibility.

[0014] Furthermore, the spring is connected to two end blocks, and a pressure sensor is installed between the pressure block near the rotating plate and the rotating plate to detect the clamping force corresponding to the spring compression. Real-time monitoring of the clamping force by the pressure sensor provides feedback signals for subsequent closed-loop control, thereby achieving precise control of the clamping force and further improving the stability and consistency of the clamping material.

[0015] The present invention also provides a molecular sieve filling and compaction method, implemented based on the molecular sieve filling and compaction equipment described in any of the above claims, comprising the following steps: The adsorption tank filled with molecular sieves is transported by a robotic arm to the top of the rotating seat of the vibrating station between two sets of clamping units, and the clamping jaws are controlled to hold the adsorption tank tightly. Start the auxiliary pressure unit so that the pressure plate of the floating compaction unit can elastically press against the top of the molecular sieve bed in the adsorption tank; The vibration and rotation phases are executed alternately: In each vibration phase, the vibratory plate is activated to vibrate at a frequency of 30–60Hz for a first preset duration, after which the vibration stops; in the following rotation phase, the rotary motor is activated to rotate the adsorption tank around its own axis through the transmission of the transition gear at a speed of 2–5 rpm, with the rotation direction alternating between forward and reverse oscillation, for a second preset duration, after which the rotation stops; the vibration and rotation phases are alternated in this cycle until the preset number of cycles or the total compaction time reaches the preset value, at which point compaction is complete; After compaction is complete, release the gripper assembly and remove the adsorption tank.

[0016] This method uses intermittent alternation of vibration and rotation to fully disturb and rearrange molecular sieve particles in both the vertical and horizontal directions, effectively eliminating channeling and radial density differences, while avoiding particle breakage caused by prolonged single vibration, thus balancing compaction efficiency and quality.

[0017] Furthermore, the specific method of alternating forward and reverse oscillation in the rotation operation is as follows: rotate clockwise for 3-5 seconds and then stop, then rotate counterclockwise for 3-5 seconds, and repeat this process. This alternating forward and reverse method causes the shear direction of the particles to be periodically reversed. The stable structure formed by the particles pressing against each other due to wall friction near the tank wall is repeatedly broken, allowing the particles to rearrange and fill the gaps in the near-wall area, thereby reducing the density difference between the near-wall area and the central area and improving the radial uniformity of the bed.

[0018] Furthermore, during the compaction process, a pressure sensor collects the pressure value corresponding to the spring compression in real time and feeds it back to the controller. The controller dynamically adjusts the downward stroke of the drive cylinder or the vibration parameters of the vibratory plate according to a preset pressure threshold. This closed-loop control strategy can adaptively adjust the compaction force and vibration intensity according to the actual settling of the bed, avoiding over-pressure or under-pressure, and improving the robustness of the process and its adaptability to different batches of molecular sieves.

[0019] Furthermore, the first preset duration of the vibration phase is 10-30 seconds, and the second preset duration of the rotation phase is 5-10 seconds. Experimental verification shows that this duration ratio ensures sufficient vibration energy input while providing ample time for particle rotation and recombination, achieving an optimal balance between compaction effect and efficiency.

[0020] The beneficial effects of this invention are: 1. This invention enables simultaneous operation of multiple workstations by setting up multiple vibration stations, which, combined with automated loading and unloading, significantly improves production efficiency; 2. The precise and standardized positioning of the adsorption tank is achieved through the rotating seat, gripper assembly and screw drive mechanism, ensuring the consistency of compaction effect between different batches; 3. The floating compaction unit uses the elastic force of springs to continuously apply pressure to the top of the molecular sieve bed, and can automatically follow the bed's settling, ensuring the stability and reliability of the top compaction. 4. By adopting an intermittent alternation of vibration and rotation, especially the alternating forward and reverse oscillation, the radial density difference of the bed is effectively eliminated, so that the particles near the tower wall can also be fully compacted, thus improving the uniformity of the overall filling density. 5. By monitoring the clamping force in real time through a pressure sensor and dynamically adjusting the stroke or vibration parameters of the drive cylinder accordingly, closed-loop control of the compaction process is achieved, further improving the consistency and controllability of the compacted material. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The accompanying drawings are provided to further illustrate the invention and form part of the specification. They are used in conjunction with embodiments of the invention to explain the invention and do not constitute a limitation thereof. In the drawings: Figure 1 It is a set of cross-sectional views of vibration workstations; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the distribution of multiple vibration stations on the vibratory feeder; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the spring connection for the added pressure block in Embodiment 2.

[0022] Markings in the diagram: 100. Vibratory feeder; 200. Positioning base; 300. Rotating seat; 310. External gear ring; 320. Transition gear; 330. Positioning pin; 400. Gripper assembly; 410. Clamping unit; 420. Slide groove; 430. Lead screw; 440. Lead screw motor; 500. Auxiliary pressure assembly; 510. Base plate; 520. Floating compaction unit; 521. Hanging rod; 522. Rotating plate; 523. Pressure plate; 524. Spring; 525. Guide rod; 526. Pressing block; 528. Limiting end block; 530. Drive cylinder; 540. Top plate; 550. Support column; 600. Adsorption tank. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Example 1 like Figure 1As shown, this embodiment provides a molecular sieve filling and compaction device, including a vibratory plate 100, multiple sets of vibrating stations, a positioning base 200, a rotating seat 300, a transition gear 320, a rotary motor, a gripper group 400, and an auxiliary pressure group 500.

[0024] The vibratory feeder 100 forms the foundation of the equipment, and its internal vibration module generates high-frequency vibration. Multiple vibration stations are arranged in a matrix array on the vibratory feeder 100, and each vibration station is equipped with a positioning base 200 for mounting a rotating seat 300. The rotating seat 300 is rotatably mounted within the positioning base 200 and can rotate freely. An external gear ring 310 is fixed to the outer wall of the rotating seat 300. A rotary motor is fixed to the vibratory feeder 100, and its output shaft is equipped with a transmission gear. The transmission gear meshes with the transition gear 320 at the corresponding station, thereby driving the rotating seat 300 at that station to rotate.

[0025] The top of the rotating base 300 is equipped with a gripper assembly 400. The gripper assembly 400 includes two semi-circular clamping units 410, which are slidably mounted in a groove 420 on the top of the rotating base 300. A lead screw 430 passes through the two clamping units 410 and is threadedly connected to them. The lead screw 430 is driven by a lead screw motor 440 mounted on one side of the rotating base 300. When the lead screw motor 440 is working, the two clamping units 410 move towards or away from each other, thereby clamping or releasing the adsorption tank 600 placed in the middle.

[0026] The auxiliary pressure assembly 500 is located above the vibratory feeder 100 and includes a top plate 540 and a drive cylinder 530 fixedly connected to the top plate. The top plate 540 is fixed to the four corners of the vibratory feeder 100 by four sets of support columns 550, forming a stable support frame. The drive end (piston rod) of the drive cylinder 530 is connected to a set of base plates 510. The drive cylinder 530 drives the base plates 510 to rise and fall, thereby driving all the floating compaction units 520 mounted on the base plates 510 to rise and fall synchronously.

[0027] The floating compaction unit 520 includes a pressure plate 523 that can be independently raised and lowered relative to the substrate 510, and an elastic element for continuously applying elastic compaction force to the top of the molecular sieve bed as it settles within the adsorption tank after the drive cylinder 530 stops operating. Specifically, the floating compaction unit 520 also includes a suspension rod 521 fixed to the substrate 510, a rotating plate 522 rotatably connected to the end of the suspension rod 521, and a guide rod 525 passing through the rotating plate 522. The pressure plate 523 is connected to the bottom end of the guide rod 525, and the elastic element is a spring 524 sleeved on the guide rod 525 and abutting between the pressure plate and the rotating plate. A limit block 528 is also provided at the end of the guide rod 525 that passes through the rotating plate 522 to prevent the guide rod from falling off.

[0028] The elastic element is not limited to the helical spring 524. Alternatively, several disc springs can be stacked in groups outside the guide rod 525 to obtain the required clamping force within a small compression stroke; an elastic rubber pad or an annular air bladder can also be placed between the pressure plate 523 and the rotating plate 522. In this case, the guide rod 525 only serves a guiding function, and the clamping force is provided by the compression deformation of the rubber pad or the internal pressure of the air bladder. The air bladder can also be connected to an external air source to adjust the magnitude of the clamping force. All of the above methods allow the pressure plate 523 to continuously move downwards with the settling of the bed and maintain clamping.

[0029] The working process of this embodiment is as follows: First, a robotic arm transports the adsorption tank 600, filled with molecular sieves, to an empty vibrating station and places it on the rotating base 300 between two clamping units 410. Then, the lead screw motor 440 drives the lead screw 430 to rotate, causing the two clamping units 410 to move towards each other, thus clamping and fixing the adsorption tank 600.

[0030] Next, the drive cylinder 530 pushes the base plate 510 down, causing the pressure plates 523 of all floating compaction units 520 to simultaneously and elastically press against the top of the molecular sieve bed in their respective adsorption tanks 600. Due to the presence of the spring 524, the pressure plates 523 will automatically move down as the molecular sieve settles, always maintaining a certain clamping force.

[0031] Then, the controller alternately executes the vibration phase and the rotation phase according to a preset program. Specifically: In the first vibration phase, the controller activates the vibration module, causing the vibratory plate 100 to vibrate at a frequency of 30–60 Hz. The vibration continues for a first preset duration (e.g., 20 seconds) before stopping.

[0032] The first rotation phase then begins. The controller starts the rotary motor, which drives all the rotating seats to rotate slowly at a speed of 2-5 rpm through gear transmission. The rotation direction alternates between clockwise and counterclockwise (for example, rotating clockwise for 3-5 seconds, then stopping, then rotating counterclockwise for 3-5 seconds, and so on). The rotation continues for a second preset duration (for example, 10 seconds) before stopping.

[0033] Then, the second vibration stage begins, and this cycle repeats until the preset number of cycles or the total compaction time reaches a preset value, at which point compaction is complete. The entire process is usually completed within several cycles, and the total time can be preset according to the type of molecular sieve and equipment specifications.

[0034] After compaction, the drive cylinder 530 drives the auxiliary pressure unit 500 to rise, the gripper group 400 releases, the robotic arm removes the compacted adsorption tank 600, and puts in the next adsorption tank to be processed, starting a new cycle.

[0035] The above compaction process employs a strategy of alternating vibration and rotation, with a limited rotation speed and floating elastic compaction. Its mechanism is explained below: During the rotation phase, the adsorption tank oscillates alternately in both forward and reverse directions around its own axis at a low speed of 2-5 rpm. Near the tank wall, the molecular sieve particles are constrained by wall friction, forming a stable force chain structure that hinders further filling towards the wall. When the rotation direction periodically reverses, the shear direction experienced by the near-wall particles reverses accordingly, repeatedly breaking the original force chain structure. This allows the particles to be released from constraint and rearranged, effectively increasing the filling density in the near-wall region and reducing the density difference between it and the central region.

[0036] If the rotational speed is too low (<2 rpm), the shearing effect is insufficient to break the wall force chain, resulting in a weak improvement. If the rotational speed is too high (>5 rpm), the bed inside the tank will rotate synchronously with the entire tank, making it difficult to form effective relative slip between the particles and the tank wall, thus weakening the shearing effect. At the same time, if the reversal is too frequent, the particles will not have enough time to rearrange after each reversal, increasing the collision and wear between particles. Therefore, 2-5 rpm is the preferred rotational speed range that can form sufficient relative shear without causing excessive wear on the particles.

[0037] The reason for using intermittent alternation instead of continuous vibration is that, although continuous high-frequency vibration can continuously provide energy to the particles, prolonged unidirectional vibration can easily lead to increased collisions between molecular sieve particles and between particles and the tank wall, causing wear and even pulverization of particle edges, thus affecting the service life of the molecular sieve. By employing an intermittent alternating mode of vibration, rotation, vibration, and rotation, with a rotation phase inserted after each vibration phase, a time window for particle rearrangement and relaxation is provided, while avoiding continuous energy accumulation. This reduces particle wear while ensuring compaction efficiency.

[0038] The advantage of floating elastic compaction over rigid compaction lies in the fact that if a rigid pressure plate (such as a fixed pressure plate directly driven by a cylinder) is used, there is a gap between the pressure plate and the top of the bed when the bed has not settled sufficiently in the early stage of vibration, and the compaction force cannot be effectively transmitted. As vibration progresses and the bed gradually settles, if the rigid pressure plate cannot move down synchronously, it will lose its constraint on the top of the bed, resulting in a loose top. This application uses a floating compaction unit composed of springs, guide rods, and pressure plates. The pressure plate is always in contact with the top of the bed through the elastic force of the spring. No matter how the bed settles, the pressure plate can automatically follow and continuously apply a stable compaction force, ensuring that the top of the bed is always under pressure throughout the compaction process, avoiding the problem of pressure loss of the rigid pressure plate after the bed settles.

[0039] In this embodiment, the vibration frequency is limited to 30–60 Hz. When the vibration frequency is below 30 Hz, under the commonly used amplitude conditions of this equipment, the kinetic energy obtained by the particles is insufficient to overcome the static friction between particles and the adhesion between particles and the tank wall. Effective flow and rearrangement of the bed are difficult to achieve, resulting in insignificant compaction. When the vibration frequency exceeds 60 Hz, on the one hand, the vibration acceleration increases sharply, and the intensity of collisions between particles increases significantly, easily leading to wear and even breakage of the molecular sieve particles' edges, shortening the service life of the molecular sieve. On the other hand, excessively high frequencies cause more vibration energy to be dissipated as heat in the tank wall and vibrating disc structure, reducing the proportion of effective energy transferred to the bed and thus lowering energy utilization. Furthermore, high-frequency vibrations above 60 Hz place higher demands on the mechanical fatigue life and noise control of the equipment, which is detrimental to long-term stable industrial operation. Therefore, within this frequency range, vibration can provide sufficient energy for particles to overcome frictional constraints and achieve dense arrangement without causing particle damage due to excessive energy. Vibration rearranges the particles in the vertical direction, and the alternating forward and reverse rotation at a low speed of 2-5 rpm improves the density distribution in the horizontal direction. The two processes are carried out alternately, so that the bed achieves a uniform compaction effect in both the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0040] Example 2 like Figure 2 As shown, as a further improvement to Embodiment 1, in this embodiment, the multiple sets of vibration stations are arranged in a matrix. Any two sets of horizontally and vertically adjacent rotating seats 300 are connected by two sets of meshing transition gears 320. Specifically, a transition gear set is provided between two horizontally and vertically adjacent rotating seats 300. This transition gear set consists of two meshing transition gears 320, one of which meshes with the external gear ring 310 of one rotating seat 300, and the other meshes with the external gear ring 310 of another adjacent rotating seat 300.

[0041] A positioning pin 330 is fixed on the vibratory feeder 100 for mounting and positioning each transition gear 320. A rotary motor is fixed on the vibratory feeder 100, and a transmission gear is mounted on its output shaft. This transmission gear meshes with a selected transition gear 320.

[0042] With the chain drive design described above, only one rotary motor is needed to drive one set of transition gears 320 to achieve synchronous rotation of all rotating seats 300. This structure requires only a single power source to drive the rotation of all stations, reducing equipment costs and control system complexity, while ensuring the synchronicity of the rotational actions of each station, which is beneficial for unifying process parameters.

[0043] In this embodiment, the rotation direction of the rotary motor is also alternating between forward and reverse oscillation. The adsorption tank 600 rotates around its own axis at a speed of 2-5 rpm. The remaining structure and working process of this embodiment are the same as those of Embodiment 1, and will not be repeated here.

[0044] Example 3 This embodiment is basically the same as Embodiment 1, except that, as Figure 3 As shown, to more accurately monitor and control the compaction force during the compaction process, pressure blocks 526 are respectively set at both ends of the spring 524, and a pressure sensor is installed between one of the pressure blocks 526 and the rotating plate 522. The pressure sensor detects the pressure value corresponding to the change in the compression of the spring 524 in real time and feeds the data back to the controller. The controller can dynamically adjust the downward stroke of the drive cylinder 530 or the vibration parameters (such as vibration frequency or amplitude) of the vibratory plate 100 according to the preset pressure threshold, thereby achieving more refined compaction quality control.

[0045] For example, when the pressure value detected by the pressure sensor is lower than the lower threshold, the controller can increase the downward stroke of the drive cylinder to increase the pre-pressure; when the pressure value is higher than the upper threshold, the downward stroke can be appropriately reduced or the vibration can be paused to prevent excessive compaction and damage to the molecular sieve.

[0046] The molecular sieve filling and compaction equipment and method provided by this invention can achieve automated and high-quality compaction of molecular sieves in the adsorption tower of an oxygen generator, significantly improving production efficiency and compaction uniformity. It is particularly suitable for large-scale batch production of oxygen generators. Furthermore, this method can also be extended to other fields requiring granular material filling and compaction, showing broad industrial application prospects.

[0047] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A molecular sieve filling and compaction device, characterized in that, include: Vibratory feeder (100); Multiple vibration stations arranged on a vibratory feeder; Positioning bases (200) are installed on each vibration station; Rotary seat (300) is rotatably installed inside the positioning base (200) and has an external gear ring (310) fixed on its outer wall; Transition gear (320) used to realize the transition transmission connection between adjacent rotating seats; A rotary motor mounted on a vibratory feeder and connected to a set of transition gears via a transmission gear; A gripper assembly (400) is provided on the top of the rotating base for gripping the adsorption container (600); An auxiliary pressure group (500) is located above the vibratory feeder and has floating compaction units (520) for each vibratory work station. The auxiliary pressure group also includes a top plate (540) and a drive cylinder (530) fixedly connected to the top plate. The top plate is fixed to the four corners of the vibratory feeder (100) by four sets of support columns (550). The drive end of the drive cylinder (530) is connected to a set of base plates (510), and all floating compaction units (520) installed on the base plates (510) are moved up and down synchronously by driving the base plates (510) to rise and fall synchronously. The floating compaction unit (520) includes a pressure plate (523) that can be independently raised and lowered relative to the substrate (510), an elastic element for applying an elastic clamping force to the top of the bed as the molecular sieve bed settles in the adsorption tank after the drive cylinder (530) stops moving, a hanging rod (521) fixed on the substrate, a rotating plate (522) rotatably connected to the end of the hanging rod, and a guide rod (525) passing through the rotating plate (522). The pressure plate (523) is connected to the bottom end of the guide rod (525). The elastic element is a spring (524) sleeved on the guide rod (525) and abutting between the pressure plate (523) and the rotating plate (522). A limit end block (528) is also provided at the end of the guide rod (525) that passes through the rotating plate (522). The controller is electrically connected to the vibratory plate (100), the rotary motor and the drive cylinder (530), and the controller is used to control the vibration of the vibratory plate, the rotation of the adsorption tank and the lifting action of the drive cylinder according to a preset program.

2. The molecular sieve filling and compaction equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The multiple sets of vibration stations are distributed in a matrix. Any two sets of rotating seats (300) that are adjacent in the horizontal direction and in the vertical direction are connected by two sets of meshing transition gears (320) to achieve a transition transmission connection, so that when a set of rotating motors drives a set of transition gears to rotate, all rotating seats and transition gears can rotate synchronously.

3. The molecular sieve filling and compaction equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gripper assembly (400) includes two sets of clamping units (410). A groove (420) is provided on the top side of the rotating base (300). The two sets of clamping units (410) are slidably installed in the groove (420) and driven to move towards or away from each other by a set of lead screws (430) installed in the groove. The lead screws (430) are driven to rotate by a lead screw motor (440) on one side of the top of the rotating base.

4. The molecular sieve filling and compaction equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The spring (524) is connected to two ends of a pressing block (526). A pressure sensor is provided between the pressing block near the rotating plate (522) and the rotating plate (522) to detect the clamping force corresponding to the compression of the spring (524).

5. A molecular sieve filling and compaction method, implemented using the molecular sieve filling and compaction equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: The adsorption tank (600) filled with molecular sieve is transported by a robot to the top of the rotating seat (300) of the vibration station between two sets of clamping units (410), and the clamping units are controlled to hold the adsorption tank tightly. Start the auxiliary pressure unit (500) so that the pressure plate (523) of the floating compaction unit (520) can be elastically pressed against the top of the molecular sieve bed in the adsorption tank; The vibration and rotation phases are performed alternately: In each vibration phase, the vibratory plate (100) is activated to vibrate at a frequency of 30–60 Hz for a first preset duration, after which the vibration stops; in each subsequent rotation phase, the rotary motor is activated to drive the adsorption tank to rotate around its own axis through the transition gear (320) at a speed of 2–5 rpm, with the rotation direction alternating between forward and reverse oscillations for a second preset duration, after which the rotation stops; the vibration and rotation phases are alternated in this cycle until the preset number of cycles or the total compaction time reaches the preset value, at which point compaction is complete; After compaction is complete, release the gripper assembly and remove the adsorption tank.

6. The molecular sieve filling and compaction method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The specific method of alternating clockwise and counterclockwise swinging in the rotation operation is as follows: rotate clockwise for 3-5 seconds and then stop, then rotate counterclockwise for 3-5 seconds, and repeat this process.

7. The molecular sieve filling and compaction method according to claim 5, characterized in that, During the compaction process, the pressure value corresponding to the compression of the spring (524) is collected in real time by the pressure sensor and fed back to the controller. The controller dynamically adjusts the downward stroke of the drive cylinder (530) or the vibration parameters of the vibratory plate (100) according to the preset pressure threshold.

8. The molecular sieve filling and compaction method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first preset duration of the vibration phase is 10-30 seconds, and the second preset duration of the rotation phase is 5-10 seconds.

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