Shifting fork mechanism, conveying line and assembling equipment

Abstract

The utility model discloses a shifting fork mechanism, a conveying line and assembling equipment, and the shifting fork mechanism comprises a moving mechanism, a shifting fork mechanism and a driving mechanism, and the shifting fork assembly is used for moving the tool, the shifting fork assembly is installed on the installation frame and comprises a first shifting fork mechanism used for positioning the tool and a second shifting fork mechanism used for clamping a second component on the tool, and when the shifting fork assembly is driven by the moving mechanism to move in the conveying direction, the second shifting fork mechanism keeps the state of clamping the second component on the tool. According to the shifting fork mechanism, the problem that in the carrying or assembling process of a tool, components on the tool often move, and assembling cannot be completed is solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of automation equipment, in particular to a shift fork mechanism, a conveying line and assembly equipment. Background Art

[0002] In modern industrial production, assembly equipment is increasingly used in automated production lines, and they play a vital role in improving production efficiency and ensuring product quality. In an automated production line, assembly equipment needs to correctly match the first component with the second component on the third component, and then assemble it to the third component. However, during the movement or assembly process of the second component, positional offset may occur, which may cause the first component to fail to be successfully assembled with the third component. Figure 1 A motor tooling 10 is shown, on which a motor product 11 (third component) with an assembled output shaft 13 (second component) is placed. During the assembly of the cover plate 14 (first component), it is necessary to first pass the output hole reserved on the cover plate 14 (first component) through the output shaft 13 (second component), and then press the cover plate 14 (first component) onto the motor product 11 (third component). If the output shaft 13 (second component) of the motor tooling 10 moves during transportation or assembly, the assembly of the cover plate 14 (first component) cannot be completed. Utility Model Content

[0003] In order to solve the problem that parts on the tooling often move during the transportation or assembly process, resulting in inability to complete the assembly, the utility model provides a shift fork mechanism.

[0004] The utility model also provides a conveying line with the fork mechanism.

[0005] The utility model also provides an assembly device having the conveying line.

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0007] A fork mechanism according to an embodiment of the first aspect of the present utility model includes:

[0008] A moving mechanism, wherein the moving mechanism is provided with a mounting frame;

[0009] A fork assembly is used to move the tooling. The fork assembly is installed on the mounting frame and includes a first fork mechanism for positioning the tooling and a second fork mechanism for clamping components on the tooling. When the moving mechanism drives the fork assembly to move along the conveying direction, the second fork mechanism maintains a state of clamping the second component on the tooling.

[0010] A fork mechanism of an embodiment of the present utility model has at least the following beneficial effects: when the fork assembly is driven to move along the conveying direction by the moving mechanism, the second fork mechanism maintains the second component on the clamping tool, which can ensure the stability of the tool and the second component during the movement and assembly process, and avoid the second component on the tool moving and causing the problem of being unable to assemble.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the second fork mechanism includes two clamping arms and a first driving member, and the output ends of the first driving member are respectively connected to the two clamping arms and are used to drive the two clamping arms to clamp the second component on the tooling.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the mounting frame has at least two fork assemblies distributed in the conveying direction.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the first fork mechanism includes a first arm and a second arm for positioning the tooling.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the first arm and / or the second arm includes a guide portion for guiding the entry of tooling.

[0015] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the second fork mechanism is provided on the first arm or the second arm, or two second fork mechanisms are provided, respectively provided on the first arm and the second arm.

[0016] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the moving mechanism includes:

[0017] A transverse moving mechanism, wherein the moving direction of the transverse moving mechanism is parallel to the conveying direction;

[0018] The longitudinal moving mechanism is arranged on the transverse moving mechanism and is used to drive the fork assembly to move.

[0019] A conveyor line according to an embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention includes a fork mechanism according to the embodiment of the first aspect, and further includes a blocking mechanism for blocking tooling from moving along the conveying direction of the conveyor line.

[0020] A conveyor line according to an embodiment of the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects: by cooperating with a blocking mechanism and a fork mechanism to convey tooling, the moving position of the tooling is controlled, automatic tooling conveyance is achieved, and conveying efficiency is improved.

[0021] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the blocking mechanism includes a first blocking member for blocking the movement of the tool at the front end thereof and a second blocking member capable of being inserted into the tool and blocking the movement thereof.

[0022] According to an assembly equipment of the third aspect embodiment of the utility model, it includes a conveyor line of the above-mentioned second aspect embodiment, and also includes an assembly device for assembling a first component to a third component. When the assembly device assembles the first component, the second fork mechanism maintains the state of clamping the second component on the tooling. When the assembly device assembles the first component to a semi-assembled state that cooperates with the second component, the second fork mechanism releases the clamping of the second component; after the second fork mechanism releases the clamping of the second component, the assembly device completely assembles the first component into place.

[0023] An assembly device of an embodiment of the present utility model has at least the following beneficial effects: by combining the conveyor line and the assembly device, it can prevent the second component from moving during the conveying or assembly process, resulting in the problem of inability to complete the assembly, thereby realizing automated assembly, improving production efficiency, reducing human errors, and ensuring the consistency of assembly quality. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 It is a structural diagram of the tooling;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a schematic structural diagram of a moving mechanism and a fork assembly according to an embodiment of the first aspect of the present utility model;

[0026] Figure 3 This is a structural schematic diagram of the moving mechanism and the fork assembly of an embodiment of the first aspect of the utility model from another angle;

[0027] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the initial state of an embodiment of the first aspect of the present utility model;

[0028] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a clamping state of an embodiment of the first aspect of the utility model;

[0029] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a displacement state of an embodiment of the first aspect of the utility model;

[0030] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the end state of an embodiment of the first aspect of the utility model.

[0031] Figure 8 This is a structural schematic diagram of a conveyor line blocking mechanism according to an embodiment of the second aspect of the present utility model. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The following description of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, is provided to facilitate a more comprehensive understanding of the various embodiments of the present invention as defined in the claims and their equivalents. The description includes various specific details to assist understanding, but these details should be construed as merely exemplary. Therefore, those skilled in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications may be made to the various embodiments described herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

[0033] In the description of the present invention, descriptions of directions, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc., indicating directions or positional relationships, are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction. Therefore, they cannot be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0034] It will be understood that when one element (e.g., a first element) is “connected” to another element (e.g., a second element), the element may be directly connected to the other element or an intervening element (e.g., a third element) may be present between the element and the other element.

[0035] The embodiment of the first aspect of the present utility model provides a fork mechanism, such as Figure 2-7 Shown, including:

[0036] The mobile mechanism 200 is provided with a mounting frame 210;

[0037] The fork assembly 300 is used to move the tooling. The fork assembly 300 is installed on the mounting frame 210 and includes a first fork mechanism 301 for positioning the tooling and a second fork mechanism 302 for clamping the second component on the tooling. When the moving mechanism 200 drives the fork assembly 300 to move along the conveying direction, the second fork mechanism 302 maintains the state of clamping the second component on the tooling.

[0038] The mounting frame 210 is a fixed structure on the moving mechanism 200, which is used to support the fork assembly 300. The fork assembly 300 consists of two main parts, namely the first fork mechanism 301 and the second fork mechanism 302. The first fork mechanism 301 is responsible for positioning the tooling itself to ensure that the tooling does not shift during the movement. The second fork mechanism 302 is used to clamp a specific component (the second component) on the tooling to ensure that the component (the second component) does not shift or rotate during the movement. When the moving mechanism 200 is driven, the first fork mechanism 301 and the second fork mechanism 302 are able to move synchronously. This means that no matter what the tooling or the components on it is, the second fork mechanism 302 remains in a state of clamping the components on the tooling, and the tooling or the components on it will remain relatively stationary, ensuring the precise positioning of the tooling and components on the production line.

[0039] The shift fork mechanism is used to move the tooling on the conveyor line 100 for further assembly and processing. When the tooling on the conveyor line 100 is transported to the position of the shift fork mechanism along the AC direction in the figure, the moving mechanism 200 drives the first shift fork mechanism 301 of the shift fork assembly 300 to move toward and position the tooling, while the second shift fork mechanism 302 simultaneously clamps a specific component on the tooling. When the operation is completed, the moving mechanism 200 drives the shift fork assembly 300 and the clamped tooling and components to move synchronously along the AC direction as shown in the figure on the conveyor line 100, transporting the tooling and its components to the next work position or designated location. After the assembly process is completed, the moving mechanism 200 drives the shift fork assembly 300 back to its initial position, ready for the next operation.

[0040] This fork mechanism design can improve the automation level of the production line, reduce manual intervention, and improve production efficiency and precision. At the same time, the synchronous motion design can ensure the stability of the tooling and components during movement, avoiding damage or positioning errors caused by movement.

[0041] In some embodiments, the second fork mechanism 302 includes two clamping arms 303 and a first driving member 304 . The output ends of the first driving member 304 are respectively connected to the two clamping arms 303 and are used to drive the two clamping arms 303 to clamp the components on the tooling.

[0042] The clamping arm 303 is used to clamp parts on the tooling. The design of the clamping arm 303 needs to ensure that it can firmly clamp the parts while allowing flexible adjustment to accommodate parts of different sizes and shapes. The first drive member 304 is the power source for the second fork mechanism 302 and is used to drive the movement of the clamping arm 303. The first drive member 304 can be a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, a motor or other type of drive device. When the first drive member 304 is activated, it will drive the clamping arm 303 to perform a clamping action, thereby firmly clamping the parts on the tooling. This action can be linear or rotational, depending on the design of the clamping arm 303 and the drive member. In some cases, the action of the clamping arm 303 of the second fork mechanism 302 may need to be synchronized with the action of the first fork mechanism 301 to ensure that the entire tooling remains stable during movement.

[0043] Furthermore, the mounting frame 210 has at least two fork assemblies 300 distributed in the conveying direction.

[0044] By arranging at least two fork assemblies 300 on the mounting frame 210, multiple tooling pieces or different components on the tooling pieces can be operated simultaneously, improving production efficiency. For tooling pieces with complex structures or requiring multi-point support, multiple fork assemblies 300 provide improved stability and control. These fork assemblies 300 can be designed to operate synchronously to ensure consistent tooling movement, or they can be independently controlled to accommodate different operational requirements. Within limited space, the rational layout of multiple fork assemblies 300 maximizes the space available on the mounting frame 210, enabling a more compact production line design.

[0045] In some embodiments, the first fork mechanism 301 includes a first arm 305 and a second arm 306 for positioning the tool.

[0046] The first arm 305 is a part of the first fork mechanism 301 and is used to position one side of the tool. The second arm 306 is opposite to the first arm 305 and together they constitute the structure of the positioning tool.

[0047] Furthermore, the first arm 305 and / or the second arm 306 includes a guide portion 315 for guiding the entry of tooling.

[0048] In the direction of inserting the first arm 305 and / or the second arm 306 into the tooling, the front end of the first arm 305 and / or the second arm 306 close to the side of the tooling gradually moves away from the tooling to guide the tooling into between the first arm 305 and the second arm 306.

[0049] Furthermore, the second fork mechanism 302 is provided on the first arm 305 or the second arm 306 , or two second fork mechanisms 302 are provided, which are respectively provided on the first arm 305 and the second arm 306 .

[0050] The second fork mechanism 302 can be set on the first arm 305 to clamp specific components on the tooling. Alternatively, the second fork mechanism 302 can also be set on the second arm 306, depending on the specific structure of the tooling and the position of the components to be clamped. In some cases, it may be necessary to set a second fork mechanism 302 on each of the first arm 305 and the second arm 306 to achieve clamping of components at different positions on the tooling. This configuration can provide more precise control, especially when handling tooling with large or complex shapes. The first fork mechanism 301 and the second fork mechanism 302 can be designed to operate synchronously to ensure that the tooling and components remain stable during movement. At the same time, they can also be designed to operate independently to adapt to different production needs, for example, when the positions of different components on the tooling need to be adjusted individually.

[0051] In some embodiments, the movement mechanism 200 includes:

[0052] A transverse moving mechanism 220, wherein the moving direction of the transverse moving mechanism 220 is parallel to the conveying direction;

[0053] The longitudinal moving mechanism 230 is provided on the transverse moving mechanism 220 and is used to drive the fork assembly 300 to move.

[0054] The moving direction of the transverse moving mechanism 220 is parallel to the conveying direction of the conveyor line 100 (i.e., the AC direction in the figure). It is responsible for moving the fork assembly 300 in the width direction of the conveyor line 100 so that the tooling can be accurately positioned or moved at different positions on the production line. The longitudinal moving mechanism 230 is arranged above the transverse moving mechanism 220, and it can move along the length direction of the conveyor line 100 (i.e., the B direction in the figure). The longitudinal moving mechanism 230 is used in conjunction with the transverse moving mechanism 220 to realize the movement of the fork assembly 300 in two directions. The transverse moving mechanism 220 and the longitudinal moving mechanism 230 can perform reciprocating motion alternately.

[0055] In this embodiment, when the transverse moving mechanism 220 and the longitudinal moving mechanism 230 work together, each time a tool is moved, the transverse moving mechanism 220 and the longitudinal moving mechanism 230 alternately return to the initial position to move the next tool.

[0056] A complete workflow such as Figure 4-7 As shown, among them, Figure 4 As shown, the moving mechanism 200 is in the initial state, the transverse moving mechanism 220 is located on the A side in the figure, and the longitudinal moving mechanism 230 is located on the side away from the tooling; Figure 5 As shown, at this time, the moving mechanism 200 is in a clamping state, the transverse moving mechanism 220 is located on the A side in the figure, and the longitudinal moving mechanism 230 is located on the side close to the tooling, so that the fork mechanism can clamp the tooling and the working parts; Figure 6 As shown, at this time, the moving mechanism 200 is in a displacement state, and the lateral moving mechanism 220 moves from the side A in the figure to the side B in the figure, thereby realizing the movement of the tooling and the components on the tooling; Figure 7 As shown, the moving mechanism 200 is in its final position, with the transverse moving mechanism 220 located on the B side of the figure and the longitudinal moving mechanism 230 located on the side away from the tooling. When a new tooling needs to be moved, the moving mechanism 200 returns to its initial position. This movement method ensures continuous tooling transport along the production line while allowing for precise positioning or adjustment when needed.

[0057] In some embodiments, the transverse movement mechanism 220 includes a first sliding slot 307 , a first sliding component 308 sliding on the first sliding slot 307 , and a second driving member 309 for driving the first sliding component 308 .

[0058] The second drive member 309 is a servo motor connected to the first sliding member 308 via a screw. The servo motor utilizes the screw's helical motion to convert the motor's rotational motion into linear motion of the first sliding member 308. By precisely controlling its rotational speed and torque, the servo motor can precisely control the speed and position of the screw. This control method enables the entire lateral movement mechanism 220 to control its lateral movement speed and position, achieving high-precision lateral movement and meeting the requirements for precise position control of the fork assembly 300.

[0059] Furthermore, the longitudinal moving mechanism 230 includes a fixing portion 310 and a third driving member 311 arranged on the first sliding member 308, the mounting frame 210 can be movably connected to the fixing portion 310, and the third driving member 311 is connected to the mounting frame 210 and is used to drive the mounting frame 210 to move in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveyor line 100.

[0060] The third driving member 311 is the power source of the longitudinal movement mechanism 230, which is used to drive the mounting frame 210 to move in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveyor line 100. This can be an electric motor, a hydraulic or pneumatic drive, etc. The mounting frame 210 can be movably connected to the fixed portion 310, which means that it can move longitudinally on the fixed portion 310 without affecting its connection with the first sliding member 308. The third driving member 311 is connected to the mounting frame 210 and transmits power through some form of transmission mechanism (such as gears, belts, chains or direct connection) to achieve longitudinal movement.

[0061] Furthermore, a positioning block 312 is provided on the first sliding component 308 , and a sensor 313 for detecting the position of the positioning block 312 is provided on the first sliding groove 307 .

[0062] Positioning block 312 is a component mounted on first sliding member 308 and serves to provide a defined position or reference point within first sliding slot 307. A sensor 313 is mounted on first sliding slot 307 to detect the exact position of positioning block 312. This sensor can be an optical sensor 313, a magnetic sensor 313, a proximity sensor 313, or another type of detection device. By monitoring the position of positioning block 312 in real time with sensor 313, the system ensures that first sliding member 308 is accurately positioned within first sliding slot 307.

[0063] In some embodiments, a buffering glue 314 is provided on the mounting frame 210 for buffering the tooling.

[0064] Rubber cushion 314 protects the tooling and equipment by absorbing shock and vibration during tooling movement or positioning. When the tooling is moving or stopped, rubber cushion 314 provides additional support, reducing instability caused by sudden stops or accelerations. By reducing the effects of shock and vibration on the tooling and equipment, rubber cushion 314 helps extend their service life.

[0065] The embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention provides a conveyor line 100, including a fork mechanism according to the embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, and also including a blocking mechanism 110 for blocking the movement of tooling along the conveying direction of the conveyor line 100.

[0066] Blocking mechanism 110 (such as Figure 8 As shown in the figure, the tooling can be blocked from moving forward when the tooling is transported to the fork mechanism along the conveyor line 100, thereby preventing the tooling from affecting the operation of the fork mechanism. Since the tooling is driven by the fork assembly 300, the conveyor line 100 can be made of high-strength materials, so that the conveyor line 100 can withstand greater pressure, making it easier to apply force to the conveyor line 100 to assemble the tooling.

[0067] Furthermore, the blocking mechanism 110 includes a first blocking member 120 for blocking the movement of the tool at its front end and a second blocking member 130 that can be inserted into the tool and block its movement.

[0068] The first stopper 120 is used to block the moving components at the front end of the tooling. Its function is to limit the tooling from moving forward when it reaches the designated position on the conveyor line 100, ensuring that the tooling stops accurately according to the predetermined beat and position. The second stopper 130 is different from the first stopper 120. The second stopper 130 is designed to be inserted into the tooling and block its movement. Figure 8 As shown, the second blocking member 130 is inserted into Figure 1 This design allows the blocking mechanism 110 to block from the side or inside of the tooling, providing greater flexibility and adaptability, especially in situations where space is limited or blocking is required from different directions.

[0069] An embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention provides an assembly device, including a conveyor line 100 according to the embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention, and also including an assembly device for assembling a first component to a third component. When the assembly device assembles the first component, the second fork mechanism 302 maintains a state of clamping the second component on the tooling. When the assembly device assembles the first component to a semi-assembled state that cooperates with the second component, the second fork mechanism 302 releases the clamping of the second component; after the second fork mechanism 302 releases the clamping of the second component, the assembly device completely assembles the first component into place.

[0070] The assembly equipment (not shown) includes a conveyor line 100 and an assembly device according to an embodiment of the second aspect. The conveyor line 100 transports the components, while the assembly device assembles the first, second, and third components. The second fork mechanism 302 clamps the second component during assembly, ensuring its positioning and stability.

[0071] The assembly device needs to correctly match the first component with the second component on the third component, and then assemble it to the third component. In some specific application scenarios, the assembly device of this embodiment can be used to assemble motor covers, such as Figure 1 As shown, a motor product 11 (third component) with an assembled output shaft 13 (second component) is placed on the motor fixture 10. During the assembly of the cover plate 14 (first component), it is necessary to first pass the output hole reserved on the cover plate 14 (first component) through the output shaft 13 (second component), and then press the cover plate 14 (first component) onto the motor product 11 (third component).

[0072] During the assembly process, the second fork mechanism 302 clamps the output shaft 13 to prevent the output shaft 13 from moving during the assembly process, causing assembly failure. At this time, the assembly device passes the output hole reserved on the cover plate 14 through the output shaft 13. At this time, the output shaft 13 is limited by the cover plate 14 and will not move to affect the device. Then the second fork mechanism 302 releases the clamping of the output shaft 13 and removes the assembly device to prevent it from affecting the next assembly steps. Finally, the assembly device continues to press the cover plate 14 through the output shaft 13 into the motor product 11 to complete the assembly. Automated assembly equipment can improve assembly efficiency, reduce manual operations, and ensure the accuracy and consistency of the assembly process. This assembly equipment is suitable for production lines that require precise assembly of multiple components, and is particularly suitable for scenarios that have high requirements for assembly accuracy and efficiency.

[0073] The terms and words used in the above description and claims are not limited to their literal meanings, but are merely used by the applicant to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the present invention. Therefore, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that the above description of various embodiments of the present invention is provided for illustration only and is not intended to limit the present invention as defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A fork mechanism, characterized in that: include: A moving mechanism (200), wherein the moving mechanism (200) is provided with a mounting frame (210); A shift fork assembly (300) is used for moving a tool. The shift fork assembly (300) is mounted on the mounting frame (210) and comprises a first shift fork mechanism (301) for positioning the tool and a second shift fork mechanism (302) for clamping a second component on the tool. When the moving mechanism (200) drives the shift fork assembly (300) to move along a conveying direction, the second shift fork mechanism (302) maintains a state of clamping the second component on the tool.

2. A fork mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second fork mechanism (302) comprises two clamping arms (303) and a first driving member (304); the output end of the first driving member (304) is respectively connected to the two clamping arms (303) and is used to drive the two clamping arms (303) to clamp the second component on the tooling.

3. A fork mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that: The mounting frame (210) has at least two fork assemblies (300) distributed in the conveying direction.

4. A fork mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The first fork mechanism (301) comprises a first arm (305) and a second arm (306) for positioning a tool.

5. A fork mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first support arm (305) and / or the second support arm (306) comprises a guide portion (315) for guiding the entry of tooling.

6. A fork mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that: The second fork mechanism (302) is arranged on the first support arm (305) or the second support arm (306), or two second fork mechanisms (302) are arranged, respectively on the first support arm (305) and the second support arm (306).

7. A fork mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The moving mechanism (200) comprises: A transverse moving mechanism (220), wherein the moving direction of the transverse moving mechanism (220) is parallel to the conveying direction; The longitudinal movement mechanism (230) is arranged on the transverse movement mechanism (220) and is used to drive the fork assembly (300) to move.

8. A conveyor line comprising a fork mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: It also includes a blocking mechanism (110) for blocking the tool from moving along the conveying direction of the conveying line (100).

9. A conveyor line (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that: The blocking mechanism (110) comprises a first blocking member (120) for blocking the movement of the tool at its front end and a second blocking member (130) capable of being inserted into the tool and blocking its movement.

10. An assembly device comprising a conveyor line (100) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that: The invention also includes an assembly device for assembling the first component to the third component. When the assembly device assembles the first component, the second fork mechanism (302) maintains a state of clamping the second component on the tooling. When the assembly device assembles the first component to a semi-assembled state matching with the second component, the second fork mechanism (302) releases the clamping of the second component. After the second fork mechanism (302) releases the clamping of the second component, the assembly device completely assembles the first component into place.

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