Needle-punched suction cup for picking up SMC composite material
By designing a cylinder-driven slider and needle structure for the needle suction cup, the problem of picking up molten SMC composite materials was solved, achieving efficient and reliable material handling and reducing maintenance and production costs.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202520135039.8
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-01-21
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-06
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-01-21
AI Technical Summary
Existing technologies cannot effectively pick up SMC composite materials in the molten state, resulting in low handling efficiency and difficulty in achieving automated production.
Design a needle-piercing suction cup including a cylinder base, a cylinder, a needle-piercing assembly, a buffer device, and a protective plate. The material is picked up by the extension and retraction of the slider and needle driven by the cylinder. Combined with the protective design of magnetic switch and polyoxymethylene plastic plate, it prevents adhesion and deflection and reduces maintenance difficulty.
It enables reliable pickup of molten SMC composite materials, reduces maintenance and upkeep difficulties, minimizes the risk of parts falling off, lowers production costs, and adapts to different production process requirements.
Smart Images
Figure CN223765511U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of needle suction cup technology, and in particular to a needle suction cup for picking up SMC composite materials. Background Technology
[0002] SMC (Sheet Molding Compound) is a type of sheet molding compound made by impregnating fibers or chopped strand mats with resin paste and covering both sides with a polyethylene film. It possesses properties such as electrical insulation, heat resistance, flame retardancy, and good mechanical strength, as well as advantages such as light weight, ease of engineering design, and flexibility. Its mechanical properties are comparable to some metal materials, making it widely used in transportation vehicles, construction, electronics, and electrical industries. In its molding process, SMC composite material needs to be heated from a solid state to a molten state, then placed in a mold and cured under pressure using a hydraulic press. Because the surface of SMC composite material is uneven, porous, soft, and in a molten state, common mechanical clamping and suction cup methods are unsuitable for handling this material. Therefore, a specialized picking device is needed to improve handling efficiency and achieve automated production.
[0003] Therefore, this invention proposes a needle suction cup for picking up SMC composite materials, which can achieve the purpose of picking up and transporting SMC composite materials in the molten state. Summary of the Invention
[0004] The purpose of this invention is to solve the problems existing in the prior art by proposing an end effector for a forging robot.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model adopts the following technical solution: a needle-punching suction cup for picking up SMC composite materials, comprising a cylinder seat, a cylinder, a needle-punching assembly, a buffer device, and a protective plate. The needle-punching assembly is slidably connected to the cylinder. The needle-punching assembly includes a slider and a plurality of needles, with the needles mounted on the slider. The cylinder seat is characterized in that: the cylinder is symmetrically and fixedly connected to both sides of the cylinder seat along its centerline; the cylinder seat has a first channel and a second channel extending through it; the bottom of the cylinder has a first air inlet / outlet and a second air inlet / outlet; the two ends of the first channel are respectively connected to the first air inlet / outlet of the two cylinders; the two ends of the second channel are respectively connected to the second air inlet / outlet of the two cylinders; a mounting plate is fixedly connected to the top of the cylinder seat; the buffer device is connected to both sides of the mounting plate; and the protective plate is connected to the bottom of the cylinder seat.
[0006] Furthermore, the cylinder seat and the cylinder mounting surface are inclined.
[0007] Furthermore, the slider is L-shaped, the short side of the slider is fixedly connected to the output end of the cylinder, the long side of the slider slides on the cylinder, and a protrusion is provided on the contact surface between the long side of the slider and the cylinder. One end of each of the needles is fixedly connected to the long side of the slider, and the other end extends out along the extension direction of the long side of the slider.
[0008] Furthermore, the direction of the insertion of several of the needles is parallel to the extension line of the long side of the slider, and the direction of the insertion of several of the needles is at a certain angle to the center line of the cylinder seat, and they slide through the protective plate.
[0009] Furthermore, a groove is provided on the side of the cylinder away from the mounting plate, and the groove slides in conjunction with the protrusion.
[0010] Furthermore, a magnetic switch is provided at the bottom of the cylinder, and a magnetic ring and anti-collision pad are sleeved on the bottom of the piston rod of the cylinder. The magnetic switch and the magnetic ring cooperate to detect whether the piston rod has returned to its position.
[0011] Furthermore, the buffer device includes a spring and a fixed post, the spring is sleeved on the fixed post, the lower end of the spring is connected to the mounting plate, and the spring moves up and down around the fixed post.
[0012] Furthermore, the protective plate has a trapezoidal cross-section and is made of polyoxymethylene plastic board.
[0013] Furthermore, the first channel is V-shaped symmetrically with respect to the center line of the cylinder seat, and the second channel is I-shaped symmetrically with respect to the center line of the cylinder seat. The middle parts of the first channel and the second channel are respectively connected to the external air pipe.
[0014] Compared with existing technologies, the needle-punched suction cup for picking up SMC composite materials provided by this utility model has the following advantages:
[0015] 1. It adopts a simple structure, which can grab composite materials by extending and retracting the cylinder's telescopic end;
[0016] 2. Reduced maintenance difficulty. Anti-adhesion and anti-deflection designs were added to address the characteristics of SMC composite materials in the molten state, making maintenance easier.
[0017] 3. The assembly and debugging are relatively simple, the entire needle suction cup system has high reliability, and it solves the problem that some parts are easy to fall into the mold;
[0018] 4. The processing cost is relatively low, and the specifications of the needles are easy to change and adjust so that they can be applied to different production processes. Attached Figure Description
[0019] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention;
[0020] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the present invention;
[0021] Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of the cylinder of this utility model;
[0022] Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of the cylinder-driven needle retraction mechanism of this utility model;
[0023] In the diagram: 1. Cylinder seat, 101. First channel, 102. Second channel, 2. Cylinder, 201. Cylinder barrel, 202. Front cover, 203. Piston, 204. Piston rod, 205. Magnetic ring, 206. Anti-collision pad, 207. Groove, 208. First air inlet / outlet, 209. Second air inlet / outlet, 3. Slider, 31. Protrusion, 4. Needle, 5. Protective plate, 6. Mounting plate, 7. Buffer device. Detailed Implementation
[0024] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.
[0025] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not 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, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.
[0026] Example 1, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, a needle suction cup for picking up SMC composite materials includes a cylinder base 1, a cylinder 2, a needle assembly, a buffer device 7, and a protective plate 5. The needle assembly is slidably connected to the cylinder 2. The needle assembly includes a slider 3 and a plurality of needles 4, with the needles 4 mounted on the slider 3. The cylinder 2 is symmetrically fixedly connected to both sides of the cylinder base 1 along its centerline. A first channel 101 and a second channel 102 extend through the cylinder base 1 from left to right. A first air inlet / outlet 208 and a second air inlet / outlet 209 are provided at the bottom of the cylinder 2. The two ends of the first channel 101 are respectively connected to the first air inlet / outlet 208 of the two cylinders 2. The two ends of the second channel 102 are respectively connected to the second air inlet / outlet 209 of the two cylinders 2. A mounting plate 6 is fixedly connected to the top of the cylinder base 1. The buffer device 7 is connected to both sides of the upper surface of the mounting plate 6. The protective plate 5 is connected to the bottom of the cylinder base 1.
[0027] The movement of the slider 3 driven by the cylinder 2 causes the needles 4 on both sides of the cylinder seat 1 to pierce out and retract, thus picking up the SMC composite material and moving it to other positions.
[0028] The mounting surfaces of the cylinder seat 1 and the cylinder 2 are inclined.
[0029] In this embodiment, the cylinder base 1 has inclined surfaces on both sides, and two cylinders 2 are respectively mounted on the inclined surfaces. Compared with the existing integrated needle suction cup design, this design can reduce the amount of processing and lower costs while allowing for larger cylinder diameters and strokes for cylinders 2. At the same time, the split design of cylinders 2 also makes it easier to match different specifications of cylinders 2 and cylinder bases 1 according to production process requirements, thereby reducing production costs.
[0030] The air inlet and outlet ports of cylinder 2 are both located at the bottom of cylinder 2. The first air inlet / outlet port 208 and the second air inlet / outlet port 209 are directly connected to the first channel 101 and the second channel 102 on the cylinder base 1. Finally, an external air pipe is directly connected to the first channel 101 and the second channel 102 on the cylinder base 1, so that the action of the two cylinders 2 can be controlled by the two air pipes.
[0031] In this embodiment, since the design is used in composite material molding applications, dozens of needle suction cups need to be installed on a single end effector. Therefore, compared with each cylinder 2 being connected to the inlet and outlet air pipes separately from the side, the number of air pipes is reduced from four to two, which reduces the weight of the end effector, reduces the complexity of installation and maintenance, and also reduces the probability of failure during use.
[0032] Example 2, please continue to refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2The slider 3 is L-shaped. The short side of the slider 3 is fixedly connected to the output end of the cylinder 2. The long side of the slider 3 slides on the outer side of the cylinder 2. A protrusion 31 is provided on the contact surface between the long side of the slider 3 and the cylinder 2. One end of each of the needles 4 is fixedly connected to the short side of the slider 3, and the other end extends along the extension direction of the long side of the slider 3.
[0033] The direction of the insertion of several needles 4 is parallel to the extension line of the long side of the slider 3, and the direction of the insertion of several needles 4 is at a certain angle to the center line of the cylinder seat 1, and slides through the protective plate 5.
[0034] Continue to refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 The cylinder 2 has a groove 207 on the side away from the mounting plate 6, and the groove 207 slides in engagement with the protrusion 31 on the long side of the slider 3. This prevents the slider 3 from twisting during operation, which could damage the needle 4.
[0035] In this embodiment, please continue to refer to Figure 3 The piston rod 204 and cylinder barrel 201 of cylinder 2 are sealed by the front cover 202, instead of the snap ring seal typically used in small-diameter cylinders. This is mainly because the needle suction cup is used in composite material molding applications and needs to operate inside a mold. Using a snap ring could cause the snap ring to pop out due to repeated impacts after prolonged operation, potentially damaging the mold and resulting in significant losses. Anti-collision pads 206 are installed at the bottom of piston 203 and the bottom of front cover 202 to cushion impacts to piston 203 and prevent the mounting bolts from loosening and falling off after prolonged operation.
[0036] In Example 3, the protective plate 5 is fixed to the bottom of the cylinder seat 1 with screws. The protective plate 5 has several small holes through which the needles 4 slide, thus fixing the relative position of the needles 4 and preventing them from bending. Driven by the cylinder 2, the needles 4 pass through these small holes to pick up the SMC composite material.
[0037] In this embodiment, the protective plate 5 has a trapezoidal cross-section and is made of polyoxymethylene (POM) plastic. POM is a smooth, glossy, hard, and dense material, pale yellow or white, and can be used for extended periods within a temperature range of -40℃ to 100℃. It exhibits excellent wear resistance and self-lubricating properties, as well as good oil and peroxide resistance. It also possesses high thermal strength, high flexural strength, high fatigue strength, and excellent wear resistance and electrical properties. The POM plastic plate prevents the molten SMC composite material from adhering to the bottom of the needle suction cup, thus affecting its normal operation. When the needle holes become clogged after prolonged use, the POM plastic plate can be directly replaced for easy maintenance.
[0038] In Example 4, a magnetic switch is provided at the bottom of the cylinder 2, and a magnetic ring 205 and an anti-collision pad 206 are sleeved on the bottom of the piston rod 204 of the cylinder 2. The magnetic switch and the magnetic ring 205 cooperate to detect whether the piston rod 204 has returned to its position.
[0039] When the piston rod 204 of cylinder 2 retracts, it drives the slider 3 to move towards cylinder seat 1, causing the piercing needle 4 to pierce out. The magnetic switch and magnetic ring work together to detect whether the piston rod 204 has retracted into place, that is, to detect whether the piercing needle 4 has extended into place.
[0040] In Example 5, the buffer device 7 includes a spring and a fixed post. The spring is sleeved on the fixed post, and the lower end of the spring is connected to the mounting plate 6. The spring moves up and down on the fixed post. In use, it is connected to the fixed post through the end of the robotic arm rotating arm. The spring plays a buffering role between the end of the robotic arm rotating arm and the fixed plate.
[0041] In this embodiment, two buffer devices 7 are used instead of a single buffer device 7 to avoid the needle suction cup from deflecting, which would prevent the buffer device 7 from sliding smoothly up and down.
[0042] In Example 6, the first channel 101 is V-shaped symmetrically with respect to the center line of the cylinder seat 1, and the second channel 102 is I-shaped symmetrically with respect to the center line of the cylinder seat 1. The first channel 101 and the second channel 102 are connected to an external air pipe.
[0043] The operation of the two cylinders 2 can be controlled by external air pipes, reducing the number of air pipes and making maintenance easier.
[0044] Working principle: Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 Air is introduced through the second channel 102 in cylinder seat 1, the piston rod 204 of cylinder 2 retracts, driving slider 3 to drive the piercing needle 4 out, at which point the composite material can be picked up; please continue to refer to Figure 4 When air enters through the first channel 101 in the cylinder seat 1, the piston rod 204 of the cylinder 2 extends, the needle 4 retracts, and the needle 4 is completely retracted into the small hole of the polyoxymethylene plastic plate. At the same time, the needle suction cup puts down the composite material it has picked up.
[0045] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model, but the protection scope of the present utility model is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or changes made by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present utility model, based on the technical solution and the inventive concept of the present utility model, should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.
Claims
1. A needle suction disc for picking up SMC composite material, comprising a cylinder seat (1), a cylinder (2), a needle assembly, a buffer device (7) and a protective plate (5), the needle assembly is slidably connected to the cylinder (2), the needle assembly comprises a sliding block (3) and a plurality of needles (4), and the plurality of needles (4) are installed on the sliding block (3), characterized in that: The cylinder seat (1) is fixedly connected with the cylinder (2) on both sides of the cylinder seat (1) in a line symmetry, the first channel (101) and the second channel (102) are vertically arranged on the cylinder seat (1), the first inlet and outlet (208) and the second inlet and outlet (209) are arranged on the bottom of the cylinder (2), the first channel (101) is in communication with the first inlet and outlet (208) of the cylinder (2) on both ends, the second channel (102) is in communication with the second inlet and outlet (209) of the cylinder (2) on both ends, the mounting plate (6) is fixedly connected to the top of the cylinder seat (1), the buffer device (7) is connected to the mounting plate (6) on both sides, and the protection plate (5) is connected to the bottom of the cylinder seat (1).
2. The pin suction disc for picking up SMC composite material according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first channel (101) is symmetrically V-shaped with the line symmetry of the cylinder seat (1), the second channel (102) is symmetrically linear with the line symmetry of the cylinder seat (1), and the first channel (101) and the second channel (102) are in communication with the external air pipe.
3. The pin suction disc for picking up SMC composite material according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cylinder seat (1) and the cylinder (2) are inclined.
4. The pin suction disc for picking up SMC composite material according to claim 1, characterized in that: The slider (3) is L-shaped, the short side of the slider (3) is fixedly connected with the output end of the cylinder (2), the long side of the slider (3) is slidably arranged on the outer side of the cylinder (2), and the long side of the slider (3) is provided with a protrusion (31) on the abutting surface of the cylinder (2).
5. The pin suction disc for picking up SMC composite material according to claim 1, characterized in that: The needle is fixedly connected to the long side of the slider (3) on one end and extends out along the extension direction of the long side of the slider (3) on the other end.
6. A pin suction disc for picking up SMC composite material according to claim 4, characterized in that: The cylinder (2) is provided with a groove (207) on one side of the abutting surface of the long side of the slider (3), and the groove (207) is in sliding cooperation with the protrusion (31).
7. A pin suction disc for picking up SMC composite material according to claim 6, characterized in that: The cylinder (2) is provided with a magnetic switch on the bottom, the piston rod (204) of the cylinder (2) is sleeved with a magnetic ring (205) and a bump pad (206), and the magnetic switch cooperates with the magnetic ring (205) to detect whether the piston rod (204) is returned to the position.
8. The pin suction disc for picking up SMC composite material according to claim 1, characterized in that: The buffer device (7) comprises a spring and a fixed column, the spring is sleeved on the fixed column, the lower end of the spring is connected with the mounting plate (6), and the spring moves up and down on the periphery of the fixed column.
9. The pin suction disc for picking up SMC composite material according to claim 1, characterized in that: The protection plate (5) is a trapezoidal section, and the protection plate (5) is a polyformal plastic plate.