Integrated automatic expansion connector and automatic pipe expansion equipment

Abstract

The utility model provides an integrated automatic expansion connector and automatic pipe expansion equipment, and relates to the technical field of pipe expansion. The integrated automatic expansion joint device comprises a base, a rotating driver, a cutter, a guide rod and an expansion gun, wherein the rotating driver and the expansion gun are both arranged at the base; the expansion gun is arranged beside the rotating driver and is used for expanding a pipe; the cutter is in transmission connection with the rotary driver, a plurality of cutting edges are arranged at the front end of the cutter, the guide rod is rotationally connected to the front end of the cutter, the guide rod extends forwards, the cutting edges are arranged around the guide rod, and the guide rod is used for being inserted into a pipe end. The rotation driver and the expansion gun are both arranged on the base, so that integration of pipe cutting and flattening operation and pipe expansion operation is achieved. By means of the integrated automatic expansion joint device, the pipe flattening and pipe expanding technology is greatly simplified, and the pipe expanding operation efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of tube expansion technology, and more specifically, to an integrated automatic tube expander and an automatic tube expansion device. Background Technology

[0002] To improve expansion efficiency during tube sheet expansion, robotic arms are commonly used. However, manual expansion is also employed when the number of tubes to be expanded is small.

[0003] However, regardless of which expansion method is used, the pipes with excessively long ends need to be straightened before expansion to ensure that the length of all pipes extending out of the tube sheet is within the set tolerance range.

[0004] In this way, although the design and manufacturing requirements can be met, it is necessary to conduct a centralized inspection of the pipe end lengths of all pipes in advance, mark the pipes with excessively long ends, and then carry out the pipe leveling operation in a centralized manner, resulting in low efficiency of pipe expansion operation. Utility Model Content

[0005] To address the aforementioned problems, this utility model provides an integrated automatic expansion joint, comprising: a base, a rotary driver, a cutting tool, a guide rod, and an expansion gun.

[0006] Both the rotary driver and the expansion gun are located at the base;

[0007] The expansion gun is located next to the rotary driver, and the expansion gun is used to expand the tube.

[0008] The cutting tool is connected to the rotary driver for transmission. The front end of the cutting tool is provided with multiple cutting edges. The guide rod is rotatably connected to the front end of the cutting tool. The guide rod extends forward, and the multiple cutting edges are arranged around the guide rod. The guide rod is used to insert into the end of the tube.

[0009] Optionally, the cutting tool is positioned in front of the rotary driver, the rotary driver is positioned adjacent to the expansion gun, and the guide rod is positioned parallel to the head of the expansion gun.

[0010] Optionally, the integrated automatic expansion joint further includes a vision sensor disposed between the cutting tool and the nozzle of the expansion gun, the vision sensor being used to identify the position of the tube in front of the expansion gun and in front of the cutting tool.

[0011] Optionally, the base is a horizontally arranged plate, and the rotary driver and the expansion gun are both located below the base.

[0012] Optionally, the expansion gun is a hydraulic expansion gun.

[0013] Optionally, the rotary driver is a rotary driver for a mechanical automatic tube expander, and the integrated automatic tube expander further includes a transmission component, which is disposed between the cutter and the rotary driver. The transmission component is detachably connected to the rotary driver and the cutter.

[0014] A connector and a support are sequentially arranged in front of the rotary driver. The connector connects the rotary driver to the support, and the transmission component and / or the cutting tool are sleeved in the support through a first bearing.

[0015] Optionally, the transmission component is a rod-shaped structure, the support component is a vertically arranged plate-shaped component with a first through hole, and the first bearing is disposed in the first through hole.

[0016] One end of the transmission component is detachably connected to the power output end of the rotary driver. The transmission component is sleeved in the first bearing. The support component is located near the front end of the transmission component. The front end of the transmission component extends out of the front of the support component and is detachably connected to the cutting tool.

[0017] Optionally, the cutting tool has a cylindrical structure, and multiple blades are detachably connected to the front end of the cutting tool, with each blade edge disposed at the front end of one of the blades.

[0018] In addition, this utility model also provides an automatic tube expansion device, including the integrated automatic expansion device mentioned above.

[0019] Optionally, the automatic tube expander further includes an automatic actuator and a collision avoidance device, wherein the base of the integrated automatic expander is connected to the end of the automatic actuator via the collision avoidance device.

[0020] The technical effects of this utility model include at least the following:

[0021] During use, depending on the tube sheet processing sequence, tube flattening or tube expansion can be performed first. For example, if tube flattening is performed first, the guide rod is aligned with and inserted into the tube end. Then, the rotary driver drives the cutter to rotate, causing multiple cutting edges to rotate and pushing the base forward. This allows the multiple cutting edges to continuously cut the end face of the tube end around the guide rod, achieving tube flattening. The use of multiple cutting edges surrounding the guide rod ensures a smooth cut to the tube end during blade rotation. Furthermore, inserting the guide rod into the tube end serves two purposes: firstly, it guides the cutter, preventing misalignment during cutting; secondly, it restricts the movement of the guide rod, cutter, and rotary driver, preventing vibration and shaking caused by the driving force of the rotary driver during cutter rotation, thus ensuring the flatness of the tube end after flattening. After flattening, the guide rod is removed from the tube end. Then, the expansion gun head is reinserted into the tube end for tube expansion. After tube expansion, the base is pushed to retract the expansion gun. In this way, by placing both the rotary driver and the expansion gun at the base, the pipe cutting and expansion operations are integrated. Before and after the expansion operation, the pipe cutting can be performed directly according to the actual length of different pipe ends; unlike the prior art, it is not necessary to first detect and mark the pipe ends that need to be cut, then perform the pipe cutting operation on the marked pipe ends in a concentrated manner, and finally perform the expansion operation. Thus, the integrated automatic expansion device of this utility model greatly simplifies the pipe cutting and expansion process and improves the efficiency of the expansion operation. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of the integrated automatic expansion joint according to a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A magnified schematic diagram of point P in the diagram;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic top view of the integrated automatic expansion joint according to a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A schematic cross-sectional view at point AA;

[0026] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A schematic enlarged view of point Q in the diagram. Detailed Implementation

[0027] To make the above-mentioned objects, features, and advantages of this utility model more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of this utility model. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of this utility model and are not intended to limit it. Embodiments of this utility model can be implemented in many ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar modifications without departing from the spirit of this utility model. Therefore, this utility model is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0028] It is understood that the terms "first," "second," etc., used in this utility model may be used to describe various technical terms herein, but should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. However, unless specifically stated otherwise, these technical terms are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one technical term from another. For example, without departing from the scope of this utility model, the first receiving device and the second receiving device are different receiving devices, the first surface and the second surface are different surfaces, and the first plane, the second plane, the third plane, and the fourth plane are different planes. In the description of the embodiments of this utility model, "a plurality of" or "several" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0029] In the description of the embodiments of this utility model, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "setting," "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise expressly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0030] In the description of the embodiments of this utility model, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the horizontal height of the first feature is higher than the horizontal height of the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the horizontal height of the first feature is lower than the horizontal height of the second feature.

[0031] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as "fixed to" or "set on" another component, or similar terms such as "fixed to" or "set on," it can be directly on the other component or may have an intervening component. When a component is considered to be "connected" to another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or may have an intervening component.

[0032] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this invention have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used in this specification is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention.

[0033] Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the Y-axis represents the front-back direction, and the positive direction of the Y-axis (that is, the direction the arrow on the Y-axis points) represents the front, and the negative direction of the Y-axis (that is, the direction opposite to the positive direction of the Y-axis) represents the back. The aforementioned representation of the Y-axis is only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and is not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, it should not be construed as a limitation on this utility model.

[0034] See Figures 1 to 5 This embodiment provides an integrated automatic expansion joint, including: a base 1, a rotary driver 21, a cutter 22, a guide rod 23, and an expansion gun 3.

[0035] Both the rotary driver 21 and the expansion gun 3 are located on the base 1;

[0036] The expansion gun 3 is disposed next to the rotary driver 21, and the expansion gun 3 is used to expand the tube;

[0037] The cutting tool 22 is connected to the rotary driver 21 for transmission. The front end of the cutting tool 22 is provided with multiple cutting edges 221. The guide rod 23 is rotatably connected to the front end of the cutting tool 22. The guide rod 23 extends forward, and the multiple cutting edges 221 are arranged around the guide rod 23. The guide rod 23 is used to insert into the end of the tube.

[0038] It should be noted that the integrated automatic tube expander in this embodiment can be installed on an automatic tube expander and used in conjunction with a robotic arm or other automatic actuator to perform fully automatic tube leveling and expansion, or it can be used manually to perform tube leveling and expansion, or it can be suspended by ropes above the base 1 and operated manually to perform tube leveling and expansion operations.

[0039] Additionally, it should be noted that there is no fixed order for using the automatic expansion joint in this embodiment to perform pipe leveling and expansion operations. That is, pipe leveling can be performed first and then expansion, or expansion can be performed first and then leveling, depending on the needs.

[0040] It should be noted that the expansion gun 3 here can be a hydraulic expansion gun 3 or a mechanical expansion gun 3. Any expansion gun 3 that can perform tube expansion operations can be set at the base 1.

[0041] In use, depending on the processing sequence of the tube sheet, either tube leveling or tube expansion can be performed first. For example, if tube leveling is performed first, the guide rod 23 is aligned with and inserted into the tube end. Then, the rotary actuator 21 drives the cutter 22 to rotate, causing multiple cutting edges 221 to rotate and push the base 1 forward. This allows the multiple cutting edges 221 to continuously cut the end face of the tube end around the guide rod 23, thus leveling the tube end. The arrangement of multiple cutting edges 221 around the guide rod 23 ensures a smooth cut to the tube end during the rotation of the cutting edges 221. Furthermore, inserting the guide rod 23 into the tube end serves two purposes: firstly, it acts as a guide, preventing deviating cuts during the tube end cutting process; secondly, the insertion of the guide rod 23 into the tube restricts the movement of the guide rod 23, the cutter 22, and the rotary actuator 21, preventing vibration and shaking caused by the driving force of the rotary actuator 21 during the rotation of the cutter 22. This ensures the smoothness of the tube end after the tube leveling operation. After the pipe leveling operation is completed, the guide rod 23 is pulled out from the pipe end. Then, the nozzle of the expansion gun 3 is inserted back into the pipe end for expansion. After the expansion operation is completed, the base 1 is pushed to retract the expansion gun 3. In this way, by setting both the rotary driver 21 and the expansion gun 3 at the base 1, the pipe leveling and expansion operations are integrated. Before and after the expansion operation, the pipe leveling operation can be performed directly according to the actual length of different pipe ends; unlike the prior art, it is not necessary to first detect and mark the pipe ends that need to be leveled, then perform the leveling operation on the marked pipe ends, and finally perform the expansion operation. Thus, the integrated automatic expansion device of this utility model greatly simplifies the pipe leveling and expansion process and improves the efficiency of the expansion operation.

[0042] See Figures 1 to 5 Furthermore, the cutting tool 22 is positioned in front of the rotary driver 21, the rotary driver 21 is positioned adjacent to the expansion gun 3, and the guide rod 23 is positioned parallel to the head of the expansion gun 3.

[0043] This design reduces the overall size of the integrated automatic expansion joint in this embodiment, making it easier to operate and preventing its components from interfering with the movement of other equipment in the workshop.

[0044] See Figures 1 to 5Furthermore, the integrated automatic expansion joint also includes a vision sensor, which is disposed between the cutter 22 and the nozzle of the expansion gun 3. The vision sensor is used to identify the position of the tube in front of the expansion gun 3 and in front of the cutter 22.

[0045] Preferably, the integrated automatic expansion joint is located at the end of the automatic actuator of the automatic tube expansion device.

[0046] Using a visual sensor in conjunction with triangulation, the length of the pipe end is automatically identified, thereby quickly determining whether the pipe end needs to be leveled, and selectively performing pipe expansion or leveling operations based on the detection results.

[0047] In addition, by using the vision sensor located between the cutter 22 and the nozzle of the expansion gun 3, the installation position of the vision sensor is reasonably arranged, reducing the space occupied by the integrated automatic expansion device, while ensuring that the vision sensor can accurately identify the position of the pipe and the elongation of the pipe end in front of the expansion gun 3 and the guide rod 23 during both flat pipe operation and pipe expansion operation.

[0048] Preferably, the vision sensor can be a vision sensor composed of a line laser and a CCD camera.

[0049] See Figures 1 to 5 Furthermore, the base 1 is a horizontally arranged plate-shaped component, and the rotary driver 21 and the expansion gun 3 are both located below the base 1.

[0050] The size is reduced by using plate-shaped parts, and the rotary driver 21 and the expansion gun 3 are effectively connected and fixed.

[0051] See Figures 1 to 5 Furthermore, the expansion gun 3 is a hydraulic expansion gun.

[0052] A hydraulic expansion gun can be used for pre-positioning expansion to meet various expansion tube requirements.

[0053] See Figures 1 to 5 Furthermore, the rotary driver 21 is a rotary driver 21 of a mechanical automatic tube expander. The integrated automatic tube expander also includes a transmission component 211. The transmission component 211 is disposed between the cutter 22 and the rotary driver 21. The transmission component 211 is detachably connected to the rotary driver 21 and the cutter 22.

[0054] A connector 212 and a support 213 are sequentially arranged in front of the rotary driver 21. The connector 212 connects the rotary driver 21 to the support 213. The transmission component 211 and / or the cutting tool 22 are sleeved in the support 213 through a first bearing 2131.

[0055] Taking advantage of the fact that the rotation driver 21 of the mechanical automatic tube expander can drive the mechanical expansion gun 3 to rotate, the rotation driver 21 of the mechanical automatic tube expander can be used as the rotation driver 21 in this embodiment, which can reduce the research and development cost.

[0056] The transmission component 211 here can be a rod-shaped component, a coupling, a gear transmission component 211, a pulley transmission component 211, or a sprocket transmission component 211.

[0057] Preferably, the transmission component 211 can be a transmission rod.

[0058] The mechanical automatic tube expander here also includes a coupling and a self-locking chuck. The rotary drive 21 of the mechanical automatic tube expander is connected to the coupling, the coupling is connected to the self-locking chuck, and the self-locking chuck is detachably connected to the rear end of the transmission component 211.

[0059] It should be noted that the transmission component 211 and / or the cutting tool 22 are sleeved in the support component 213 through the first bearing 2131. Alternatively, it can be said that at least one of the transmission component 211 and the cutting tool 22 is sleeved in the support component 213 through the first bearing 2131.

[0060] The connector 212 here can be a connecting rod or a connecting arm of other shapes, while the support 213 can be a frame structure, a plate structure, or a shell structure, as long as it can effectively support at least one of the transmission component 211 and the cutting tool 22, and the effective support of the first bearing 2131 can prevent friction from occurring at the support.

[0061] See Figures 1 to 5 Furthermore, the transmission component 211 is a rod-shaped structure, and the support component 213 is a vertically arranged plate-shaped component with a first through hole 2132. The first bearing 2131 is disposed in the first through hole 2132.

[0062] One end of the transmission component 211 is detachably connected to the power output end of the rotary driver 21. The transmission component 211 is sleeved in the first bearing 2131. The support component 213 is disposed near the front end of the transmission component 211. The front end of the transmission component 211 extends out of the front of the support component 213 and is detachably connected to the cutter 22.

[0063] The front end of the transmission component 211 extends out of the front of the support component 213 and is detachably connected to the cutter 22, which facilitates the assembly and disassembly of the cutter 22 and the transmission component 211, thus improving the ease of assembly.

[0064] See Figures 1 to 5Furthermore, the cutting tool 22 has a cylindrical structure, and a plurality of blades 222 are detachably connected to the front end of the cutting tool 22, with each blade 221 disposed at the front end of one blade 222.

[0065] Multiple blades 222 are detachably connected to the cutting tool 22. When individual blades 222 are damaged, they can be directly removed and replaced, ensuring the overall utilization rate of multiple blades 222 and avoiding long-term downtime for maintenance.

[0066] In addition, in this embodiment, the guide rod 23 is rotatably connected to the front end of the cutter 22. This can be achieved by having a second through hole 223 in the cutter 22, with the guide rod 23 inserted into the second through hole 223. The guide rod 23 and the second through hole 223 are rotatably engaged by multiple second bearings 224.

[0067] Multiple second bearings 224 are located between the front end and the rear end of the guide rod 23. The rear end of the guide rod 23 is detachably connected to a limiting member 231, which is used to prevent the guide rod 23 from disengaging from the second bearings 224. A retaining edge is provided at the front end of the second through hole 223, which is used to prevent the second bearings 224 from disengaging from the front end of the second through hole 223.

[0068] The second bearing 224 effectively supports the guide rod 23 in the second through hole 223.

[0069] It should be noted that the limiting component 231 here can be multiple nuts, and the rear end of the guide rod 23 is threaded. The multiple nuts engage with the threaded rear end of the guide rod 23, and by utilizing the fact that the outer diameter of the multiple nuts is larger than the outer diameter of the guide rod 23, the guide rod 23 is restricted. Alternatively, the limiting component 231 can also be a pin inserted into the rear end of the guide rod 23, using the pin to restrict the guide rod 23. Of course, the limiting component 231 can also be a detachable shoulder retaining ring, which can also serve a limiting and blocking function.

[0070] In addition, this embodiment provides an automatic tube expansion device, including the integrated automatic expansion joint described above.

[0071] Since the improvements to this automatic tube expander and the technical effects achieved are the same as those of the integrated automatic expansion device described above, the automatic tube expander will not be explained further.

[0072] See Figures 1 to 5 Furthermore, the automatic tube expansion device also includes an automatic actuator and a collision avoidance device 4, and the base 1 of the integrated automatic expansion device is connected to the end of the automatic actuator through the collision avoidance device 4.

[0073] It should be noted that the automatic actuator here can be a robotic arm, or a linear automatic actuator that can move along the longitudinal, lateral, and vertical (X, Y, and Z axes) axes respectively and is integrated together, mainly composed of a lead screw and a servo motor.

[0074] By using the anti-collision device 4 in conjunction with the automatic actuator, when the automatic actuator collides with other equipment while driving the integrated automatic expansion joint, the anti-collision device 4 will trigger an alarm and brake the automatic actuator.

[0075] Although the disclosure is as stated above, the scope of protection of this disclosure is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure, and all such changes and modifications will fall within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. An integrated automatic expansion joint, characterized in that, include: Base, rotary actuator, cutting tool, guide rod, and expansion gun, Both the rotary driver and the expansion gun are located at the base; The expansion gun is located next to the rotary driver, and the expansion gun is used to expand the tube. The cutting tool is connected to the rotary driver for transmission. The front end of the cutting tool is provided with multiple cutting edges. The guide rod is rotatably connected to the front end of the cutting tool. The guide rod extends forward, and the multiple cutting edges are arranged around the guide rod. The guide rod is used to insert into the end of the tube.

2. The integrated automatic expansion joint according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cutting tool is positioned in front of the rotary driver, which is adjacent to the expansion gun. The guide rod is parallel to the head of the expansion gun.

3. The integrated automatic expansion joint according to claim 2, characterized in that, The integrated automatic expansion joint also includes a vision sensor, which is disposed between the cutting tool and the nozzle of the expansion gun. The vision sensor is used to identify the position of the tube in front of the expansion gun and in front of the cutting tool.

4. The integrated automatic expansion joint according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base is a horizontally arranged plate, and the rotary driver and the expansion gun are both located below the base.

5. The integrated automatic expansion joint according to claim 1, characterized in that, The expansion gun is a hydraulic expansion gun.

6. The integrated automatic expansion joint according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The rotary driver is a rotary driver for a mechanical automatic tube expander. The integrated automatic tube expander also includes a transmission component, which is disposed between the cutter and the rotary driver. The transmission component is detachably connected to the rotary driver and the cutter. A connector and a support are sequentially arranged in front of the rotary driver. The connector connects the rotary driver to the support, and the transmission component and / or the cutting tool are sleeved in the support through a first bearing.

7. The integrated automatic expansion joint according to claim 6, characterized in that, The transmission component is a rod-shaped structure, and the support component is a vertically arranged plate-shaped component with a first through hole. The first bearing is disposed in the first through hole. One end of the transmission component is detachably connected to the power output end of the rotary driver. The transmission component is sleeved in the first bearing. The support component is located near the front end of the transmission component. The front end of the transmission component extends out of the front of the support component and is detachably connected to the cutting tool.

8. The integrated automatic expansion joint according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The cutting tool has a cylindrical structure, and multiple blades are detachably connected to the front end of the cutting tool, with each blade located at the front end of one of the blades.

9. An automatic tube expander, characterized in that, Includes the integrated automatic expansion joint as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The automatic tube expander according to claim 9, characterized in that, The automatic tube expansion device further includes an automatic actuator and a collision avoidance device, wherein the base of the integrated automatic expansion device is connected to the end of the automatic actuator through the collision avoidance device.

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