Variable-pitch clamping and transferring system for bottle body

Abstract

The utility model discloses a bottle body variable-pitch clamping and transferring system which comprises a transverse variable-pitch clamping module and a conveying device, the transverse variable-pitch clamping module is adapted to be capable of clamping bottle bodies and transversely changing the distance between adjacent bottle bodies, and the bottle body variable-pitch clamping and transferring system further comprises a longitudinal variable-pitch table and a transferring module. The longitudinal pitch changing table comprises a rack, a plurality of connecting plates are arranged on the rack in the longitudinal direction, a longitudinal pitch changing mechanism is further arranged on the rack, and bearing stations are arranged on the connecting plates. Bottle bodies are taken out of the mold through the transverse distance changing clamping module, the bottle bodies are placed on the longitudinal distance changing table after the transverse distance between the bottle bodies is changed, and then the longitudinal distance between the bottle bodies can be changed through the longitudinal distance changing mechanism. And finally, the bottle bodies subjected to distance changing can be transferred to conveying equipment through the transferring module. Compared with the prior art, through the cooperation of the transverse variable-pitch clamping module and the longitudinal variable-pitch table, variable pitches in the transverse direction and the longitudinal direction of a bottle body can be achieved, and automatic and mechanical bottle body transfer between a mold and conveying equipment is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of bottle manufacturing technology, and in particular, to a bottle variable-distance clamping and transfer system. Background Technology

[0002] With the acceleration of industrialization and the upgrading of consumer demand, the manufacturing industry is undergoing intelligent transformation, driving the production system towards precision and efficiency. In the packaging fields of pharmaceutical preparations and food processing, modular intelligent conveying equipment has become a core infrastructure, widely used in the continuous production of irregularly shaped bottles such as antibiotic bottles, vaccine bottles, eye drop bottles, and large-capacity injection containers.

[0003] For example, after injection molding, bottles typically need to be transferred to the next processing step. However, due to limitations in the mold structure, the spacing between bottles differs from the spacing between stations on the conveying equipment, making it impossible to achieve automated batch unloading of bottles. Although existing technologies employ variable-pitch clamping modules to clamp bottles from the mold and adjust their pitch, these modules usually only have pitch adjustment functionality in one direction, such as adjusting the pitch laterally to change the spacing between different rows of bottles. The longitudinal spacing of the bottles is difficult to adjust, preventing further transport of the bottles via the conveying equipment. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology and provide a bottle-body variable-distance clamping and transfer system.

[0005] The objective of this utility model is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0006] A bottle-grabbing and transfer system with variable spacing includes a lateral variable spacing clamping module and a conveying device. The lateral variable spacing clamping module is adapted to clamp bottles and change the spacing between adjacent bottles laterally. The system further includes a longitudinal variable spacing platform and a transfer module. The longitudinal variable spacing platform includes a frame with several connecting plates arranged longitudinally on it. A longitudinal variable spacing mechanism is also provided on the frame, adapted to drive the connecting plates to change their spacing longitudinally. Each connecting plate has a bearing station for placing bottles. The transfer module is adapted to clamp the bottles on the longitudinal variable spacing platform and transfer them to the conveying device.

[0007] Preferably, the conveying device is a conveyor belt, and the conveyor belt is arranged in an array with a plurality of the carrying stations.

[0008] Preferably, the longitudinal pitch-changing mechanism is a scissor pitch-changing mechanism or a cam pitch-changing mechanism.

[0009] Preferably, the transfer module includes a gantry robot arm, on which a plurality of gripping components are arranged in an array.

[0010] Preferably, the lateral variable pitch clamping module includes a connecting frame mounted on the robot arm, a plurality of mounting blocks are slidably mounted on the connecting frame, clamping holes are provided on the mounting blocks, suction nozzles are provided in the clamping holes, and a lateral variable pitch mechanism is also provided on the connecting frame.

[0011] Preferably, the lateral pitch mechanism includes a cylinder connected to the mounting block.

[0012] Preferably, the longitudinal pitch-changing mechanism is a scissor pitch-changing mechanism, and the frame is provided with a plurality of positioning mechanisms, each of which corresponds one-to-one with a plurality of connecting plates. The positioning mechanisms are adapted to lock the relative position of the connecting plates after pitch change.

[0013] Preferably, the positioning mechanism includes a plurality of electromagnets arranged longitudinally, which can attract the connecting plate when energized.

[0014] Preferably, the positioning mechanism includes a plurality of positioning posts arranged longitudinally, the positioning posts being able to be pushed out vertically, and the connecting plate having a positioning hole, the bottom of the positioning hole being a tapered opening that is smaller at the top and larger at the bottom.

[0015] Preferably, the frame is further provided with a cam pitch mechanism, the cam pitch mechanism is arranged longitudinally, and a plurality of the positioning columns are arranged on the slide of the cam pitch mechanism.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: the lateral variable-pitch clamping module removes the bottle from the mold, and after changing the lateral spacing of the bottle, it is placed on the longitudinal variable-pitch platform. Subsequently, the longitudinal variable-pitch mechanism can change the longitudinal spacing of the bottle. Finally, the transfer module can transfer the bottle, after the spacing change, to the conveying equipment. Compared with the prior art, this invention, through the cooperation of the lateral variable-pitch clamping module and the longitudinal variable-pitch platform, can realize the change of pitch in both the lateral and longitudinal directions of the bottle, achieving automated and mechanized bottle transfer between the mold and the conveying equipment. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the lateral variable pitch clamping module.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the longitudinal pitch-changing stage;

[0020] Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of the positioning column.

[0021] Reference numerals: 1. Lateral pitch-changing clamping module; 2. Conveying equipment; 3. Longitudinal pitch-changing platform; 4. Transfer module; 5. Frame; 6. Connecting plate; 7. Longitudinal pitch-changing mechanism; 8. Bearing station; 9. Connecting frame; 10. Mounting block; 11. Clamping hole; 12. Nozzle; 13. Lateral pitch-changing mechanism; 14. Positioning mechanism; 15. Electromagnet; 16. Positioning column; 17. Positioning hole; 18. Cam pitch-changing mechanism. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The technical solution of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0023] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, a bottle-body variable-pitch clamping and transfer system includes a transverse variable-pitch clamping module 1, a longitudinal variable-pitch platform 3, a transfer module 4, and a conveying device 2, which are sequentially connected. The transverse variable-pitch clamping module 1, the transfer module 4, and the conveying device 2 can be any corresponding device or mechanism from the prior art, as long as they can satisfy the bottle transfer function described below; no limitation is imposed in this utility model.

[0024] The lateral variable-pitch clamping module 1 can clamp bottles out of the bottle processing equipment, for example, it can clamp bottles out of the injection mold, then change the lateral spacing between the bottles laterally, and place them on the longitudinal variable-pitch stage 3, which can change the longitudinal spacing between the bottles along the longitudinal direction; the transfer module 4 can clamp the bottles after the lateral and longitudinal spacing changes are completed from the longitudinal variable-pitch stage 3 and transfer them to the conveying equipment 2, which will then transport them to the subsequent bottle processing equipment for further processing.

[0025] In some embodiments, the lateral variable-pitch clamping module 1 may include a connecting frame 9 mounted on a robotic arm, preferably a multi-axis robotic arm, and particularly mounted above an injection molding machine. After the mold is opened, the robotic arm can drive the connecting frame 9 to extend into the injection molding machine. The connecting frame 9 is specifically provided with a lateral variable-pitch mechanism 13, and a plurality of mounting blocks 10 are correspondingly provided on the lateral variable-pitch mechanism 13. The mounting blocks 10 are provided with clamping holes 11, and a suction nozzle 12 is provided inside the clamping holes 11.

[0026] Under the transfer of the robotic arm, the end of the bottle can be inserted into the clamping hole 11. Then, a negative pressure is formed at the suction nozzle 12 by a negative pressure source, and the bottle is sucked into the clamping hole 11 by the negative pressure. The lateral pitch mechanism 13 can adopt the scissor pitch mechanism or cam pitch mechanism in the prior art. By adjusting the lateral spacing of several mounting blocks 10, the lateral spacing between the bottles can be adjusted.

[0027] Similarly, under the transfer of the robotic arm, the bottle body that has completed the lateral spacing adjustment can be placed on the longitudinal pitch stage 3, which is in its initial state.

[0028] In a specific example, the lateral pitch mechanism 13 may include cylinders connected to the mounting block 10, and the pitch between adjacent mounting blocks 10 can be adjusted by the ejection of each cylinder.

[0029] In some embodiments, the longitudinal pitch-changing stage 3 includes a frame 5, and a longitudinal pitch-changing mechanism 7 is provided on the frame 5. The longitudinal pitch-changing mechanism 7 and the transverse pitch-changing mechanism 13 may have the same structure, except that the longitudinal pitch-changing mechanism 7 is arranged longitudinally as a whole. A plurality of connecting plates 6 are correspondingly provided on the longitudinal pitch-changing mechanism 7, and the longitudinal spacing of the plurality of connecting plates 6 will change under the drive of the longitudinal pitch-changing mechanism 7.

[0030] For example, the connecting plate 6 may also be specifically provided with a support station 8 for placing the bottle. The support station 8 may specifically include a connecting column. The bottle that has completed the lateral spacing adjustment can be transferred by the robot arm and its bottle mouth can be fastened to the connecting column, thereby realizing the placement of the bottle on the longitudinal variable spacing stage 3.

[0031] Driven by the longitudinal pitch mechanism 7, the longitudinal spacing between the bottles can be adjusted.

[0032] In some embodiments, the transfer module 4 may preferably include a gantry manipulator, and the gantry manipulator is further arrayed with a plurality of gripping components for gripping the bottle. For example, the gripping components may use a negative pressure principle to achieve gripping in a manner similar to the suction nozzle 12 described above, or they may also use pneumatic grippers that correspond one-to-one with the bottle to achieve gripping.

[0033] Under the transfer of the gantry robot, the bottle body that has completed the horizontal and vertical pitch changes on the longitudinal pitch table 3 is clamped and transferred to the conveying equipment 2.

[0034] In some embodiments, the conveying device 2 includes a conveyor belt, and preferably a bearing station 8 is provided on the conveyor belt. The bearing station 8 may be the connecting column described above, or any platform or base structure in the prior art capable of supporting the bottle.

[0035] In practice, the inventors found that if the longitudinal pitch changing mechanism 7 is selected as a scissor pitch changing mechanism, the manufacturing cost of the longitudinal pitch changing table 3 can be reduced. However, due to the structural characteristics of the scissor pitch changing mechanism itself, the connecting plate 6 is prone to longitudinal swaying, which ultimately leads to a decrease in the positioning accuracy of the bottle, and even situations where the transfer module 4 cannot clamp the bottle or the bottle cannot be correctly placed into the conveying equipment 2.

[0036] In this regard, the machine frame 5 is also equipped with several positioning mechanisms 14, which correspond one-to-one with several connecting plates 6. Under the action of the positioning mechanisms 14, the relative position of the connecting plates 6 after the pitch change can be locked, thereby improving the longitudinal positioning accuracy of the bottle.

[0037] In some embodiments, the positioning mechanism 14 may include a plurality of electromagnets 15 arranged longitudinally, which attract or release the connecting plate 6 by switching the electromagnets 15 on and off.

[0038] In other configurations, the positioning mechanism 14 may also include several longitudinally arranged positioning posts 16, which are adapted to be ejected vertically, for example, by pneumatic means. The connecting plate 6 has positioning holes 17, with the bottom of the holes 17 being a tapered opening that is smaller at the top and larger at the bottom. After the longitudinal pitch-changing mechanism 7 completes its pitch-changing action, the positioning posts 16 can be controlled to eject, and the positioning posts 16 will eventually engage with the tapered opening and be inserted into the positioning holes 17. If there is a longitudinal gap between the positioning posts 16 and the positioning holes 17, the positioning posts 16 will push the connecting plate 6 into the correct longitudinal position, thereby improving the longitudinal positioning accuracy of the bottle.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, a cam-type pitch-changing mechanism 18 can also be installed on the frame 5, and the aforementioned positioning post 16 can be mounted on the slide of the cam-type pitch-changing mechanism. It is understood that the accuracy of the cam-type pitch-changing mechanism 18 is higher than that of the scissor-type pitch-changing mechanism. Thus, the positioning post 16 can be changed to different longitudinal positioning positions through the cam-type pitch-changing mechanism 18 to meet the positioning requirements of different longitudinal spacings of the bottle. Furthermore, the cam-type pitch-changing mechanism 18 is only used for transferring the positioning post 16, and its load is much lower than the load when transferring the bottle. Therefore, the use of the cam-type pitch-changing mechanism 18 will not significantly increase the manufacturing cost of the longitudinal pitch-changing stage 3.

[0040] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this utility model. It should be understood that this utility model is not limited to the forms disclosed herein and should not be construed as excluding other embodiments. It can be used in various other combinations, modifications, and environments, and can be altered within the scope of the concept described herein through the above teachings or related technologies or knowledge. Modifications and variations made by those skilled in the art that do not depart from the spirit and scope of this utility model should be protected within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A bottle-body variable-pitch clamping and transfer system, comprising a lateral variable-pitch clamping module (1) and a conveying device (2), wherein the lateral variable-pitch clamping module (1) is adapted to clamp bottles and laterally change the spacing between adjacent bottles, characterized in that: It also includes a longitudinal pitch-changing stage (3) and a transfer module (4); The longitudinal pitch changing platform (3) includes a frame (5), on which a plurality of connecting plates (6) are arranged longitudinally, and a longitudinal pitch changing mechanism (7) is also arranged on the frame (5). The longitudinal pitch changing mechanism (7) is adapted to drive the plurality of connecting plates (6) to change the spacing longitudinally, and the connecting plates (6) are provided with a bearing station (8) for placing bottles. The transfer module (4) is adapted to hold the bottle on the longitudinal pitch table (3) and transfer the bottle to the conveying device (2).

2. The bottle-body variable-pitch clamping and transfer system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The conveying device (2) is a conveyor belt, and several of the bearing stations (8) are arranged in an array on the conveyor belt.

3. The bottle-body variable-pitch clamping and transfer system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The longitudinal pitch mechanism (7) is a scissor pitch mechanism or a cam pitch mechanism.

4. The bottle-body variable-pitch clamping and transfer system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The transfer module (4) includes a truss manipulator, which is provided with an array of clamping components.

5. The bottle-body variable-pitch clamping and transfer system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lateral variable pitch clamping module (1) includes a connecting frame (9) mounted on the robot arm. Several mounting blocks (10) are slidably mounted on the connecting frame (9). Clamping holes (11) are opened on the mounting blocks (10). A suction nozzle (12) is provided in the clamping holes (11). A lateral variable pitch mechanism (13) is also provided on the connecting frame (9).

6. The bottle-body variable-pitch clamping and transfer system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The lateral pitch mechanism (13) includes a cylinder connected to the mounting block (10).

7. The bottle-body variable-pitch clamping and transfer system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The longitudinal pitch-changing mechanism (7) is a scissor pitch-changing mechanism. The frame (5) is provided with a plurality of positioning mechanisms (14). The plurality of positioning mechanisms (14) correspond one-to-one with the plurality of connecting plates (6). The positioning mechanisms (14) are adapted to lock the relative position of the connecting plates (6) after pitch change.

8. The bottle-body variable-pitch clamping and transfer system according to claim 7, characterized in that: The positioning mechanism (14) includes a plurality of electromagnets (15) arranged longitudinally, which can attract the connecting plate (6) when energized.

9. The bottle-body variable-pitch clamping and transfer system according to claim 7, characterized in that: The positioning mechanism (14) includes a plurality of positioning posts (16) arranged longitudinally. The positioning posts (16) are ejected vertically. The connecting plate (6) has a positioning hole (17). The bottom of the positioning hole (17) is a tapered opening that is smaller at the top and larger at the bottom.

10. The bottle-body variable-pitch clamping and transfer system according to claim 9, characterized in that: The frame (5) is also provided with a cam pitch mechanism, which is arranged longitudinally, and a plurality of positioning columns (16) are provided on the slide of the cam pitch mechanism.

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