Deformation screening mechanism of binding belt, binding belt feeding device and automatic binding system

Abstract

The utility model relates to a strapping tape deformation screening mechanism, a strapping tape feeding device and an automatic strapping system. The strapping tape deformation screening mechanism comprises a grabbing device, the grabbing device has reciprocating strokes in the first direction and the second direction which are opposite in direction, and a first detection part is arranged on the moving path of a tape body of a strapping tape grabbed by the grabbing device in the first direction. The first detection part comprises at least two first sensors which are arranged at intervals in the length direction of the belt body, each first sensor is equidistant from the grabbing device in the first direction, and the first sensors are used for sensing the movement passing of the belt body; the controller is used for judging whether the shoelace body is bent and deformed according to whether the shoelace body passes through all the first sensors at the same time, and the grabbing device is configured to be capable of rotating along the axis in the length direction of the shoelace body. According to the utility model, the cable ties with bending deformation defects can be automatically screened out, and unqualified cable ties with bending deformation are prevented from being applied to automatic binding operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to automated production equipment, in particular to automated bundling equipment for cable ties. Background Art

[0002] Cable ties, such as the most common nylon cable ties, have flexible bodies, allowing the tail of the body to be twisted and connected to the head of the tie. However, due to the flexibility of the body, the body of the cable tie can easily bend and deform due to squeezing, collisions, and other factors during production and transportation. Depending on the degree of bending, some cable ties cannot even return to a straight position on their own. Although bent cable ties do not affect manual bundling, if bent cable ties are used in automatic bundling equipment (automatic bundling equipment is equipment that performs bundling operations through automated mechanisms), the mechanism that applies the force to bend the tie will have difficulty accurately acting at the set point. For example, one existing automatic bundling device uses a pushing mechanism to push the tail of the cable tie body, causing it to bend and then be connected to the head of the tie. If the cable tie body is bent, the pushing mechanism cannot properly act on the tail of the body, ultimately causing the automatic bundling to fail. Utility Model Content

[0003] In response to the above problems, the present invention proposes a deformation screening mechanism for cable ties, which can be used in automatic bundling equipment to screen out unqualified cable ties with bending and deformation, so as to prevent unqualified cable ties with bending and deformation from entering the automatic bundling process.

[0004] The utility model is implemented by the following technical solutions:

[0005] The utility model proposes a deformation screening mechanism for a cable tie, comprising a gripping device for gripping or releasing the cable tie, the gripping device having a reciprocating movement stroke in a first direction and a second direction opposite to each other, the cable tie comprising a head and a cable tie body, a first detection unit being provided on a path where the cable tie body gripped by the gripping device moves in the first direction, the first detection unit comprising at least two first sensors spaced apart in the length direction of the cable tie body, each first sensor being equidistant from the gripping device in the first direction, the first sensors being used to sense the movement of the cable tie body, and a controller being further provided, the controller being used to determine whether the cable tie body is bent and deformed according to whether the cable tie body passes through all the first sensors at the same time, the gripping device being configured to be rotatable along an axis in the length direction of the cable tie body.

[0006] Preferably, the deformation screening mechanism of the cable tie further includes a timing module, and the timing module is used to record the time when each first sensor generates a signal change.

[0007] Among them, preferably, a second detection unit is also provided on the path of the cable tie body grasped by the grasping device moving along the first direction; in the first direction, the second detection unit is located upstream of the first detection unit; the second detection unit includes a second sensor for sensing the movement of the cable tie body, and the timing module is configured to trigger timing according to the signal change generated by the cable tie body passing through the second sensor.

[0008] Alternatively, the deformation screening mechanism of the cable tie further includes a driving device for automatically driving the gripping device to perform its reciprocating movement stroke, and the controller can determine whether the belt body passes through all the first sensors at the same time based on the difference in the distance the gripping device is driven by the driving device when the belt body passes through each first sensor.

[0009] Wherein, preferably, the first sensor is an interruption type photoelectric sensor; the second sensor is an interruption type photoelectric sensor.

[0010] Wherein, preferably, a collector for receiving unqualified cable ties released by the gripping device is provided below the gripping device.

[0011] Based on the above-mentioned deformation screening mechanism for cable ties, the present invention further proposes a cable tie feeding device for realizing the feeding and supply of cable ties in an automatic cable tie bundling operation. The cable tie feeding device includes the above-mentioned deformation screening mechanism for cable ties.

[0012] Among them, preferably, the cable tie feeding device also includes a cable tie raw material supply machine, which is used to continuously provide cable ties to be screened, and the gripping device is also used to transport and feed qualified cable ties after screening.

[0013] Among them, preferably, the cable tie raw material supply machine includes a positioning seat for positioning and placing the cable tie, and the grabbing device can grab the cable tie from the positioning seat. The positioning seat includes a support seat for supporting the head of the cable tie in the direction of gravity, and a strip-shaped gap is provided on the support seat for the cable tie body to pass downward.

[0014] Among them, preferably, the cable tie raw material supply machine is a vibrating plate, the positioning seat is arranged at the discharge port of the cable tie raw material supply machine, and also includes an in-place detection sensor, a cut-off mechanism and a toggle mechanism. The cut-off mechanism is arranged at the front conveying end of the positioning seat, and is used to cut the cable tie at a waiting position waiting to be grasped by the grasping device. The in-place detection sensor is used to detect whether there is a cable tie in the waiting position, and the toggle mechanism is used to toggle the cable tie on the positioning seat to the waiting position.

[0015] Based on the cable tie feeding device described above, the present invention further provides an automatic bundling system for realizing automatic bundling operations of cable ties. The automatic bundling system includes the cable tie feeding device described above.

[0016] The utility model has the following beneficial effects: by setting a deformation screening mechanism, the utility model can automatically screen out cable ties with bending deformation defects, thereby preventing unqualified cable ties with bending deformation from being used in automatic bundling operations, thereby improving the yield rate of automatic bundling operations, and improving the quality of finished products and operating efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the cable tie feeding device in Example 1;

[0018] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the cable tie in Example 1;

[0019] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the gripping device and deformation detection mechanism in Example 1;

[0020] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the positioning seat, in-position detection sensor, cut-off mechanism and toggle mechanism in Example 1;

[0021] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the positioning seat and the cable tie in Example 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] To further illustrate various embodiments, the present invention is provided with accompanying drawings. These drawings form part of the disclosure of this invention and are primarily used to illustrate the embodiments and, in conjunction with the relevant description in the specification, to explain the operating principles of the embodiments. By referring to these drawings, those skilled in the art will understand other possible implementations and the advantages of this invention. The components in the figures are not drawn to scale, and similar reference numerals are generally used to represent similar components.

[0023] The present invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods.

[0024] Example 1:

[0025] See Figure 1As shown, as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a cable tie loading device is provided, comprising a cable tie raw material supply machine 1 and a gripping device 2. The cable tie raw material supply machine 1 is used to continuously supply cable ties. The gripping device 2 grips cable ties from the cable tie raw material supply machine 1 and guides the cable ties through a deformation detection mechanism 3 to screen the cable ties for bending deformation. After screening, qualified cable ties are then transported by the gripping device 2 to a subsequent transport and loading process. For example, the gripping device 2 transports the qualified cable ties to a bundling platform, or the gripping device 2 loads the qualified cable ties into a cable tie storage clip. The cable tie storage clip is a device that holds multiple cable ties. After the multiple cable ties are clamped into the cable tie storage clip, the entire clip is then transported to the bundling platform. Cable tie storage clips are known in the art. The cable tie raw material supply machine 1 can be implemented using devices such as a vibrating plate and a conveyor. In this embodiment, the gripping device 2 uses a mechanical gripper. In other embodiments, other gripping devices such as vacuum suction cups may also be used where permitted.

[0026] Figure 2 The schematic diagram of a conventional cable tie applicable to this embodiment is shown. The cable tie 30 includes a head 10 and a body 20. Due to the soft nature of the body 20, it is easy for the body 20 to bend and deform, and the direction of deformation of the body 20 is different. For example, the body 20 may be bent toward Figure 2 The paper surface of the cable tie may be bent in the inward / outward direction (or the thickness direction of the cable tie 20), and the cable tie 20 may also be bent in the left and right width directions of the cable tie 20. This embodiment realizes the bending deformation screening of the cable tie by the cooperation of the grasping device 2 and the deformation detection mechanism 3. Figure 3The grabbing device 2 is arranged on the slide rail 4 and can slide back and forth on the slide rail 4 under the drive control of a driving device (such as a motor or a cylinder). The directions of the reciprocating movement stroke of the grabbing device 2 are defined as a first direction T1 and a second direction T2 in opposite directions. In this embodiment, the first direction T1 is the direction in which the grabbing device 2 moves away from the cable tie raw material supplier 1, and the second direction T2 is the direction in which the grabbing device 2 approaches the cable tie raw material supplier 1. The deformation detection mechanism 3 includes a first detection unit, which is disposed along the path of the cable tie 30 gripped by the gripping device 2 as the cable tie 30 moves in the first direction T1. The first detection unit includes two first sensors 31, which are spaced apart along the length of the cable tie 30 gripped by the gripping device 2 and are equidistant from the gripping device 2 in the first direction T1. The first sensors 31 are configured to sense the movement of the cable tie 20. If the cable tie 20 is straight, the cable tie 20 will simultaneously pass each of the first sensors 31 when moving in the first direction T1; otherwise, the first sensors 31 will not pass each of the first sensors 31. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the gripping device 2 is configured to rotate along an axis F, where the axis F extends along the length of the cable tie 20 gripped by the gripping device 2. Thus, the angle at which the cable tie 30 is detected for bending deformation can be varied by rotating the gripping device 2 about the axis F, thereby enabling detection of cable ties with varying bending deformation directions.

[0027] In this embodiment, the first sensor 31 adopts an interrupting photoelectric sensor. In other embodiments, the first sensor 31 may also adopt other types of sensors that can detect the approach and distance of objects, such as ultrasonic sensors. It can be seen that determining whether the cable tie 30 passes through each first sensor 31 at the same time is very important in realizing bending deformation detection. To this end, this embodiment is also provided with a controller and a timing module. The timing module is used to record the time when each first sensor 31 generates a signal change. The controller is used to determine whether the belt body 20 is bent and deformed based on whether the belt body 20 passes through all the first sensors 31 at the same time. The timing trigger of the timing module can be achieved by various means. For example, in this embodiment, a second detection unit is also provided on the path where the belt body 20 of the cable tie 30 grasped by the grasping device 2 moves along the first direction T1. The second detection unit includes a sensor for sensing the cable tie 30. The second sensor 32 detects the movement of the cable tie 20. The second sensor 32 and the first sensor 31 are of the same type. In the first direction T1, the second detection portion is located upstream of the first detection portion. When the cable tie 20 passes the second sensor 32, the timing module is triggered to start timing. When the cable tie 20 passes the first sensor 31, the timing module records the time when each first sensor 31 generates a signal change. The controller then compares the time from the start of timing to the signal change of each first sensor 31 to determine whether the cable tie 30 passes each first sensor 31 simultaneously, and thus determines whether the cable tie 30 is deformed. The timing module can of course be triggered by other means, such as by a start signal triggered by the drive device controlling the grasping device 2 to move in the first direction T1.

[0028] In addition to collecting time data, in order to determine whether the belt body passes through all the first sensors 31 at the same time, it is also possible to collect the moving distance of the grabbing device 2. Since the grabbing device 2 in this embodiment is automatically driven and controlled by a driving device, the displacement distance data of the grabbing device 2 can be electronically parameterized. Therefore, the controller can also determine whether the belt body 20 passes through all the first sensors 31 at the same time based on the difference in the distance that the driving device drives the grabbing device 2 to move when the belt body 20 passes through each first sensor 31. That is, in the process of the grabbing device 2 grabbing the cable tie and moving in the first direction T1, each time a first sensor 31 generates a signal change, the distance data of the grabbing device 2 at that time is collected, and then each distance data is compared. As long as the difference between the distance data between the two is within the allowable small range, it can be considered that the belt body 20 passes through all the first sensors 31 at the same time. Because cable ties always have a slight curvature and are rarely perfectly straight, a reasonable parameter range must be set based on actual production conditions to determine whether the cable tie passes each first sensor 31 "simultaneously." Specifically, within the allowable curvature range, even if there is a slight difference in the time it takes for each first sensor 31 to generate a signal, the signals can be considered simultaneous. Similarly, if the difference in distance data between two sensors is within a small allowable range, the signals can also be considered simultaneous. This can be flexibly set by those skilled in the art based on actual production conditions.

[0029] In this embodiment, two first sensors 31 are provided. In other embodiments, in order to improve detection accuracy, a greater number of first sensors 31 may be provided.

[0030] In this embodiment, the cable tie deformation screening mechanism performs the following process for detecting cable tie bend deformation: After grasping the cable tie, the gripping device 2 moves in the first direction T1 and passes the second sensor 32 and the first sensor 31, triggering a first bend detection. The gripping device 2 then returns to its original position in the second direction T2. ​​The gripping device 2 then rotates a certain angle (e.g., 90 degrees) along the axis F, and then moves in the first direction T1 again, passing the second sensor 32 and the first sensor 31, triggering a second bend detection. This ensures that bending of the cable tie at different angles can be detected. To improve detection accuracy, the gripping device 2 can be rotated at three or four different angles for multi-angle detection.

[0031] Based on the screening results of the cable tie deformation screening mechanism, qualified and unqualified cable ties are naturally determined. Unqualified cable ties can be directly screened out of the production line. For example, in this embodiment, a collector 5 is provided below the gripping device 2. Once unqualified cable ties are screened out, the controller can control the gripping device 2 to release the cable ties and place them into the collector 5. Qualified cable ties are taken by the gripping device 2 to the subsequent transportation and loading process.

[0032] This embodiment provides a deformation screening mechanism to automatically screen out cable ties with bending deformation defects, thereby preventing unqualified cable ties with bending deformation from being used in automatic bundling operations. This can improve the yield rate of automatic bundling operations, and improve the quality of finished products and operating efficiency.

[0033] In this embodiment, a vibration plate is used as the cable tie raw material supply machine 1. Through the vibration of the vibration plate, cable ties with irregular postures can be transported to the discharge port in a basically uniform posture. Of course, other embodiments can also use a conveyor to transport cable ties and cooperate with a guide mechanism to achieve the same effect, but the use of a vibration plate is relatively cheaper. Figure 4 、 5 A positioning seat 6 is provided at the discharge port of the cable tie raw material supply machine 1. The positioning seat 6 includes a support 61 for supporting the head 10 of the cable tie 30 in the direction of gravity. The support 61 is provided with a strip-shaped slit 62 for the tape body 20 of the cable tie 30 to pass downward. This arrangement allows the cable tie 30 to be transported to the discharge port of the cable tie raw material supply machine 1 in a vertically downward posture. After the gripping device 2 is displaced, it can grip the head 10 of the cable tie 30 from the positioning seat 6, so that the cable tie 30 is gripped in a vertical position. Of course, in other embodiments, it is also feasible to grip the cable tie 30 in an inclined position, as long as the first sensors 31 are arranged at intervals along the length direction of the tape body 20 and each first sensor 31 is equidistant from the gripping device 2 in the first direction T1. However, the arrangement of gripping the cable tie 30 in a vertical position is more conducive to the arrangement of the first sensors 31. In this embodiment, the two first sensors 31 are arranged one above and one below. The gripping device 2 does not necessarily have to grip the head 10 of the cable tie 30. It is also feasible for the gripping device 2 to grip the strap body 20 directly. However, gripping the head 10 of the cable tie 30 by the gripping device 2 is less likely to cause deformation of the strap body 20, thereby avoiding affecting the accuracy of detection.

[0034] A cut-off mechanism 7 is provided at the front conveying end of the positioning seat 6. Under the control of a drive device (such as a motor or cylinder), the cut-off mechanism 7 can extend to the front conveying end of the positioning seat 6, thereby cutting the cable tie at a waiting position for the grasping device 2 to grasp it. The cut-off mechanism 7 can also be driven by the drive device to withdraw from the front conveying end of the positioning seat 6, so that the grasping device 2 can horizontally extract the cable tie from the positioning seat 6. An in-position detection sensor 8 is used to detect whether there is a cable tie in the waiting position. Only when the cable tie is in the waiting position will the grasping device 2 perform the grasping action. A shifting mechanism 9 includes a shifting fork inserted between the strap bodies of two cable ties. The movement of the shifting fork and the conveying of the vibrating plate itself shift the cable tie on the rear side of the positioning seat to the waiting position. This arrangement can fully realize the automated transfer of the cable tie from the cable tie raw material supply machine 1 to the grasping device 2.

[0035] Example 2:

[0036] This embodiment provides an automatic bundling system for realizing automatic bundling of cable ties. The automatic bundling system includes a cable tie bundling unit and the cable tie feeding device in Example 1, and has the same technical effects as the corresponding structures. The cable tie bundling unit is used to realize automatic bundling of cable ties.

[0037] Although the present invention has been specifically demonstrated and described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. The deformation screening mechanism of the cable tie is characterized by: The cable tie comprises a gripping device for gripping or releasing the cable tie, the gripping device having a reciprocating movement stroke in a first direction and a second direction in opposite directions, the cable tie comprises a head and a cable tie body, a first detection unit is provided on a path where the cable tie body gripped by the gripping device moves in the first direction, the first detection unit comprises at least two first sensors spaced apart in the length direction of the cable tie body, each first sensor being equidistant from the gripping device in the first direction, the first sensors being used to sense the movement of the cable tie body, and a controller being used to determine whether the cable tie body is bent and deformed based on whether the cable tie body passes through all the first sensors at the same time, the gripping device being configured to be rotatable along an axis in the length direction of the cable tie body.

2. The cable tie deformation screening mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a timing module, which is used to record the time when each first sensor generates a signal change.

3. The cable tie deformation screening mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that: A second detection unit is also provided on the path of the cable tie body grasped by the grasping device moving along the first direction; in the first direction, the second detection unit is located upstream of the first detection unit; the second detection unit includes a second sensor for sensing the movement of the cable tie body, and the timing module is configured to trigger timing according to the signal change generated by the cable tie body passing through the second sensor.

4. The cable tie deformation screening mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a driving device for automatically driving the grabbing device to perform its reciprocating movement stroke, and the controller is configured to be able to determine whether the belt body passes through all the first sensors at the same time based on the difference in the distance that the driving device drives the grabbing device to move when the belt body passes through each first sensor.

5. The cable tie deformation screening mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: A collector for receiving unqualified cable ties released by the gripping device is provided below the gripping device.

6. Cable tie feeding device, used to realize the feeding and supply of cable ties in the automatic bundling operation, characterized by: A cable tie deformation screening mechanism comprising the cable tie according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The cable tie feeding device according to claim 6, characterized in that: It also includes a cable tie raw material supply machine, which is used to continuously provide cable ties to be screened, and the grabbing device is also used to transport and load qualified cable ties after screening.

8. The cable tie feeding device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The cable tie raw material supply machine includes a positioning seat for positioning and placing the cable tie, and the grabbing device can grab the cable tie from the positioning seat. The positioning seat includes a support seat for supporting the head of the cable tie in the direction of gravity, and a strip-shaped gap is provided on the support seat for the cable tie body to pass downward.

9. The cable tie feeding device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The cable tie raw material supply machine is a vibrating plate, and the positioning seat is arranged at the discharge port of the cable tie raw material supply machine. It also includes an in-place detection sensor, a cutting mechanism and a toggle mechanism. The cutting mechanism is arranged at the front conveying end of the positioning seat, and is used to cut off the cable tie at the waiting position waiting to be grasped by the grasping device. The in-place detection sensor is used to detect whether there is a cable tie in the waiting position, and the toggle mechanism is used to toggle the cable tie on the positioning seat to the waiting position.

10. Automatic strapping system, used to realize the automatic strapping operation of cable ties, characterized by: It comprises a cable tie feeding device as described in any one of claims 6 to 9.

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