Gradual dyeing apparatus

Abstract

The application discloses a gradual dyeing device which comprises a material taking mechanism, a dyeing tank, an air-drying workbench, a cleaning tank and a control system, the dyeing tank is arranged on one side of the material taking mechanism, the dyeing tank is used for containing a dyeing liquid, the air-drying workbench is located on one side of the dyeing tank and is used for placing workpieces when the workpieces are dried, the cleaning tank and the air-drying workbench are located on opposite sides of the material taking mechanism, the cleaning tank is used for cleaning the workpieces after dyeing, and the control system is electrically connected with the mechanical arm and is used for controlling the workpieces taken by the mechanical arm to be immersed into the dyeing liquid at variable speeds. The gradual dyeing device can automatically complete gradual dyeing, drying, cleaning and other actions, the whole process is simple to operate, less manual participation and high in automation degree.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of automated equipment, and more particularly to a gradient dyeing device. Background Technology

[0002] Gradient dyeing refers to dyeing a product with different colors along its length or width, with a gradual transition between colors. Existing gradient dyeing equipment requires a high degree of manual intervention, resulting in low work efficiency, high labor costs, and inconsistent dyeing effects, failing to achieve precise dyeing. Utility Model Content

[0003] In view of this, this application provides a highly automated gradient dyeing device.

[0004] This application provides a gradient dyeing apparatus, comprising:

[0005] The material handling mechanism includes a robotic arm for picking up workpieces;

[0006] A dyeing tank is disposed on one side of the material handling mechanism, and the dyeing tank is used to contain dyeing solution;

[0007] A drying workbench is located on one side of the dyeing tank, and the drying workbench is used to place the workpiece when drying the workpiece;

[0008] The cleaning tank and the air-drying workbench are located on opposite sides of the material handling mechanism. The cleaning tank is used to clean the dyed workpiece.

[0009] A control system, connected to the robotic arm, is used to control the workpiece picked up by the robotic arm to be immersed in the dyeing solution at varying speeds.

[0010] In some embodiments, the dyeing tank, the drying workbench, and the washing tank are arranged around the material handling mechanism.

[0011] In some embodiments, the robotic arm includes a body and a fork, the fork being located at the end of the body and rotatably connected to the body.

[0012] In some embodiments, the fork-taking component includes a back plate, a first fork tooth, and a second fork tooth, the first fork tooth and the second fork tooth being arranged side by side and fixedly connected to the back plate; the first fork tooth includes a first support plate and a first retaining member, the first retaining member being fixedly disposed on the first support plate, and the second fork tooth includes a second support plate and a second retaining member, the second retaining member being fixedly disposed on the second support plate.

[0013] In some embodiments, the first fork tooth further includes a first reinforcing plate, and the first support plate includes a first connecting portion and a first supporting portion disposed at opposite inclinations, with the first reinforcing plate fixed to the same side of the first connecting portion and the first supporting portion.

[0014] In some embodiments, the material handling mechanism further includes an air knife disposed on the back plate, the air knife being used to air dry the workpiece.

[0015] In some embodiments, the air knife has a sheet-like structure.

[0016] In some embodiments, the gradient dyeing apparatus further includes a material rack comprising a frame and a connector assembly. The connector assembly is mounted on top of the frame and includes a first snap-fit ​​member and a second snap-fit ​​member. The first snap-fit ​​member has a first slot, and the second snap-fit ​​member has a second slot. The first snap-fit ​​member is used to engage with the first slot, and the second snap-fit ​​member is used to engage with the second slot.

[0017] In some embodiments, the first holding member is provided with a first slot. The first holding member includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a third sidewall. The first sidewall and the second sidewall are fixed to the first support plate at a distance and are inclined relative to the first support plate. The included angle between the first sidewall and the second sidewall is an acute angle. The third sidewall is connected between the first sidewall and the second sidewall. The ends of the first sidewall and the second sidewall that are away from the third sidewall are separated from each other. The first sidewall, the second sidewall, and the third sidewall enclose the first slot.

[0018] The second retaining member is provided with a second retaining groove. The second retaining member includes a fourth side wall, a fifth side wall, and a sixth side wall. The fourth side wall and the fifth side wall are fixed to the second support plate at intervals and are inclined relative to the second support plate. The included angle between the fourth side wall and the fifth side wall is an acute angle. The sixth side wall is connected between the fourth side wall and the fifth side wall. The ends of the fourth side wall and the fifth side wall that are away from the sixth side wall are separated from each other. The fourth side wall, the fifth side wall, and the sixth side wall surround and form the second retaining groove.

[0019] In some embodiments, the frame includes a handle, a first crossbar, a second crossbar, and a mounting member. The handle connects the first crossbar and the second crossbar and is located above the first crossbar and the second crossbar. The mounting member is mounted on the first crossbar and the second crossbar and is used to fix and support the workpiece.

[0020] In the gradient dyeing equipment provided in this application, a robotic arm transports the workpiece to the dyeing tank, and then immerses the workpiece in the dyeing tank at varying speeds for gradient dyeing. After dyeing, the robotic arm transports the workpiece to the drying workbench and the cleaning tank for drying and cleaning. The whole process is simple to operate, requires little human intervention, and has a high degree of automation. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a gradient dyeing device provided in one embodiment of this application.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a structural schematic diagram of the robot body and forklift provided in one embodiment of this application.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a material rack provided in one embodiment of this application.

[0024] Explanation of main component symbols

[0025]

[0026]

[0027]

[0028] The following detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, will further illustrate this application. Detailed Implementation

[0029] To better understand the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of the embodiments of this application, the application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the features in the embodiments of this application can be combined with each other.

[0030] The following description sets forth numerous specific details to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of this application. The described implementations are only a portion, not all, of the embodiments described herein. All other implementations obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the embodiments of this application.

[0031] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which embodiments of this application belong. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the embodiments of this application.

[0032] Please see Figure 1This application provides a gradient dyeing device 100, including a material handling mechanism 10, a dyeing tank 30, a drying table 40, a cleaning tank 50, and a control system 80. The material handling mechanism 10 includes a robotic arm 20 for picking up workpieces 60. The dyeing tank 30 is located on one side of the material handling mechanism 10 and is used to contain dyeing liquid. The drying table 40 is located on one side of the dyeing tank 30 and is used to place the workpieces 60 during drying. The cleaning tank 50 is located on opposite sides of the drying table 40 and is used to clean the dyed workpieces 60. The control system is electrically connected to the robotic arm 20. The control system 80 is used to control the workpieces 60 picked up by the robotic arm 20 to be immersed in the dyeing liquid at varying speeds. The control system 80 is also used to control the robotic arm 20 to transport the workpieces 60 to the drying table 40 and the cleaning tank 50. The control system 80 can be a programmable logic controller (PLC).

[0033] In some embodiments, the air-drying workbench 40 includes a blower device for providing airflow to dry the surface of the workpiece 60, thereby increasing drying efficiency. It is understood that the blower device is sufficient to serve the purpose of drying the workpiece 60.

[0034] In some embodiments, the dyeing tank 30, the drying table 40, and the washing tank 50 are arranged around the material handling mechanism 10. The arrangement of the three around the material handling mechanism 10 makes the overall structure of the gradient dyeing equipment 100 more compact, shortens the travel distance of the robot arm 20 when transporting the workpiece 60 between the dyeing tank 30, the drying table 40, and the washing tank 50, and further improves the handling efficiency of the robot arm 20.

[0035] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 In some embodiments, the robotic arm 20 includes a main body 21 and a fork 22, the fork 22 being located at the end of the main body 21 and rotatably connected to it. In this embodiment, the main body 21 includes opposing first arms 211 and second arms 212, with a through groove 213 formed between the first arms 211 and the second arms 212. The fork 22 is located within the through groove 213 and is rotatably connected between the first arms 212 and the second arms 213 via a pivot (not shown). When the fork 22 moves within the through groove 213, it can rotate upwards or downwards relative to the main body 21.

[0036] In some embodiments, the fork-lifting component 22 includes a back plate 23, a first fork tooth 24, and a second fork tooth 25. The first fork tooth 24 and the second fork tooth 25 are arranged side by side and fixedly connected to the back plate 23. The back plate 23 is used to fix the first fork tooth 24 and the second fork tooth 25, which are used to lift the material rack 70 carrying the workpiece 60. The first fork tooth 24 includes a first reinforcing plate 241, a first support plate 242, and a first clamping member 26. The second fork tooth 25 includes a second reinforcing plate 251, a second support plate 252, and a second clamping member 27.

[0037] In some embodiments, the first support plate 242 includes a first connecting portion 2421 and a first support portion 2422. The first connecting portion 2421 is fixed to the back plate 23, and the first support portion 2422 extends from one end of the first connecting portion 2421 and is inclined relative to the first connecting portion 2421. A first reinforcing plate 241 is fixed to the same side of the first connecting portion 2421 and the first support portion 2422 to increase the strength of the first support plate 242.

[0038] In some embodiments, the second support plate 252 includes a second connecting portion 2521 and a second support portion 2522. The second connecting portion 2521 is fixed to the back plate 23, and the second support portion 2522 extends from one end of the second connecting portion 2521 and is inclined relative to the second connecting portion 2521. A second reinforcing plate 251 is fixed to the same side of the second connecting portion 2521 and the second support portion 2522 to increase the strength of the second support plate 252.

[0039] In some embodiments, a first retaining member 26 is fixedly disposed on a first support plate 242, and a second retaining member 27 is fixedly disposed on a second support plate 252. The first retaining member 26 has a first retaining groove 26a. The first retaining member 26 includes a first sidewall 261, a second sidewall 262, and a third sidewall 263. The first sidewall 261 and the second sidewall 262 are fixed to the first support plate 242 at intervals and are inclined relative to the first support plate 242. The included angle between the first sidewall 261 and the second sidewall 262 is an acute angle. The third sidewall 263 connects the first sidewall 261 and the second sidewall 262. The ends of the first sidewall 261 and the second sidewall 262 that are away from the third sidewall 263 are separated from each other. The first sidewall 261, the second sidewall 262, and the third sidewall 263 enclose and form the first retaining groove 26a. The second retaining member 27 has a second retaining groove 27a. The second holding member 27 includes a fourth side wall 271, a fifth side wall 272, and a sixth side wall 273. The fourth side wall 271 and the fifth side wall 272 are fixed to the second support plate 252 at intervals and are inclined relative to the second support plate 252. The included angle between the fourth side wall 271 and the fifth side wall 272 is an acute angle. The sixth side wall 273 is connected between the fourth side wall 271 and the fifth side wall 272. The ends of the fourth side wall 271 and the fifth side wall 272 that are away from the sixth side wall 273 are separated from each other. The fourth side wall 271, the fifth side wall 272, and the sixth side wall 273 enclose to form a second holding groove 27a. The first holding member 26 and the second holding member 27 are used to engage with components on the material rack 70 to improve the stability of the robot arm 20 during the movement of picking up the material rack 70.

[0040] In some embodiments, the material handling mechanism 10 further includes an air knife 28 disposed on the back plate 23, which is used to air dry the workpiece 60. The air knife 28 can rotate relative to the fork 22 to bring the air knife 28 closer to the workpiece 60, thereby improving the air drying effect.

[0041] In some embodiments, the air knife 28 has a sheet-like structure. This sheet-like structure allows the air knife 28 to be inserted between workpieces 60, improving the drying effect. The air knife 28 provides airflow in both the longitudinal and transverse directions along the workpiece 60 to increase drying efficiency.

[0042] Please see Figure 2 and Figure 3In some embodiments, the gradient dyeing apparatus 100 further includes a material rack 70 for fixing and supporting the workpiece 60, and for engaging with the first holding member 26 and the second holding member 27. The material rack 70 includes a frame 71 and a connector assembly 72, which is mounted on top of the frame 71. The connector assembly 72 includes a first fixing seat 723, a first engaging member 721, a second fixing seat 724, and a second engaging member 722. The first fixing seat 723 is fixed to the frame 71, and the first engaging member 721 is fixedly connected to the first fixing seat 723 and engages with the first slot 26a. The first engaging member 721 includes a first portion 7211 and a second portion 7212, which meet at an acute angle. The second fixing seat 724 is fixed to the frame 71, and the second engaging member 722 is fixedly connected to the second fixing seat 724 and engages with the second slot 27a. The second latching member 722 includes a third part 7221 and a fourth part 7222, which are joined at an acute angle. The first latching member 721 and the second latching member 722 in the connector assembly 72 engage with the first holding member 26 and the second holding member 27 in the forklift member 22, respectively, to enhance the stability of the material rack 70 during the process of the robot arm 20 forking and moving the material rack 70.

[0043] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 3 In some embodiments, the frame 71 includes a handle 711, a first crossbar 712, a second crossbar 713, and a mounting member 714. The handle 711 connects the first crossbar 712 and the second crossbar 713 and is located above the first crossbar 712 and the second crossbar 713. The mounting member 714 is mounted on the first crossbar 712 and the second crossbar 713 and is used to fix and support the workpiece 60. The handle 711 facilitates the robot arm 20 to lift the entire material rack 70, and the mounting member 714 on the first crossbar 712 and the second crossbar 713 can support and fix multiple workpieces 60. The number of mounting members 714 can also be increased, thereby increasing the number of workpieces 60 that the material rack 70 can carry at one time, so that the gradient dyeing equipment 100 can dye multiple workpieces 60 at one time, improving dyeing efficiency.

[0044] When the gradient dyeing equipment 100 is working, the control system 80 controls the robotic arm 20 to pick up the material rack 70 carrying the workpiece 60, bringing the material rack 70 above the dyeing tank 30. The control system 80 then controls the robotic arm 20 to move at varying speeds, causing the workpiece 60 on the material rack 70 to enter the dyeing tank 30 at varying speeds, thus achieving gradient dyeing of the workpiece 60. After dyeing is completed, the control system 80 controls the robotic arm 20 to move the workpiece 60 away from the dyeing tank 30 to the drying table 40. After the control system 80 controls the robotic arm 20 to place the material rack 70 carrying the workpiece 60 on the drying table 40, the robotic arm 20 detaches from the material rack 70. The control system 80 then controls the air knife 28 on the back plate 23 to rotate 90° clockwise and insert it into the gap of the workpiece 60 to dry the workpiece 60. After drying is complete, the robotic arm 20 picks up the material rack 70 carrying the workpiece 60 and transports it to the cleaning tank 50 for cleaning to remove excess dye.

[0045] The gradient dyeing equipment 100 provided in this application can be integrated into an anodizing process line without the need for a separate new process line. For example, after the washing process of anodizing is completed, the material rack 70 carrying the workpiece 60 can be removed from the overhead crane manually or by equipment, rotated 180°, and placed on a temporary storage rack, ready to enter the gradient dyeing process module. Then, the robot arm 20 picks up the material rack 70 from the temporary storage rack, allowing the workpiece 60 to enter the gradient dyeing process.

[0046] After the gradient dyeing process is completed, the robotic arm 20 transports the material rack 70 carrying the workpiece 60 to the temporary storage rack. The material rack 70 is then manually or mechanically loaded onto the overhead crane to continue the next stage of the anodizing process, such as sealing. This allows the gradient dyeing process module to be interspersed within the anodizing process, enabling the gradient dyeing process to be produced on the same production line as the anodizing process, significantly reducing costs.

[0047] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application and are not intended to limit it. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions to the technical solutions of this application should not depart from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of this application.

Claims

1. A gradient dyeing device, characterized in that, include: The material handling mechanism includes a robotic arm for picking up workpieces; A dyeing tank is disposed on one side of the material handling mechanism, and the dyeing tank is used to contain dyeing solution; A drying workbench is located on one side of the dyeing tank, and the drying workbench is used to place the workpiece when drying the workpiece; The cleaning tank and the air-drying workbench are located on opposite sides of the material handling mechanism. The cleaning tank is used to clean the dyed workpiece. A control system, connected to the robotic arm, is used to control the workpiece picked up by the robotic arm to be immersed in the dyeing solution at varying speeds.

2. The gradient dyeing apparatus as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The dyeing tank, the air-drying workbench, and the washing tank are arranged around the material handling mechanism.

3. The gradient dyeing apparatus as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The robotic arm includes a main body and a forklift, the forklift being located at the end of the main body and rotatably connected to the main body.

4. The gradient dyeing apparatus as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The fork assembly includes a back plate, a first fork tooth, and a second fork tooth. The first fork tooth and the second fork tooth are arranged side by side and fixedly connected to the back plate. The first fork tooth includes a first support plate and a first retaining member. The first retaining member is fixedly disposed on the first support plate. The second fork tooth includes a second support plate and a second retaining member. The second retaining member is fixedly disposed on the second support plate.

5. The gradient dyeing apparatus as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The first fork tooth further includes a first reinforcing plate, and the first support plate includes a first connecting part and a first supporting part that are arranged at opposite angles, and the first reinforcing plate is fixed to the same side of the first connecting part and the first supporting part.

6. The gradient dyeing apparatus as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The material handling mechanism also includes an air knife, which is disposed on the back plate and is used to air dry the workpiece.

7. The gradient dyeing apparatus as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The air knife has a sheet-like structure.

8. The gradient dyeing apparatus as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The gradient dyeing equipment also includes a material rack, which includes a frame and a connector assembly. The connector assembly is installed on the top of the frame and includes a first snap-fit ​​member and a second snap-fit ​​member. The first snap-fit ​​member has a first slot, and the second snap-fit ​​member has a second slot. The first snap-fit ​​member is used to engage with the first slot, and the second snap-fit ​​member is used to engage with the second slot.

9. The gradient dyeing apparatus as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The first retaining member includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a third sidewall. The first sidewall and the second sidewall are fixed to the first support plate at intervals and are inclined relative to the first support plate. The third sidewall is connected between the first sidewall and the second sidewall. The ends of the first sidewall and the second sidewall that are away from the third sidewall are separated from each other. The first sidewall, the second sidewall, and the third sidewall enclose the first retaining groove. The second retaining member includes a fourth sidewall, a fifth sidewall, and a sixth sidewall. The fourth sidewall and the fifth sidewall are fixed to the second support plate at intervals and are inclined relative to the second support plate. The sixth sidewall is connected between the fourth sidewall and the fifth sidewall. The ends of the fourth sidewall and the fifth sidewall that are away from the sixth sidewall are separated from each other. The fourth sidewall, the fifth sidewall, and the sixth sidewall enclose each other to form the second retaining groove.

10. The gradient dyeing apparatus as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The frame includes a handle, a first crossbar, a second crossbar, and a mounting component. The handle connects the first crossbar and the second crossbar and is located above the first crossbar and the second crossbar. The mounting component is installed on the first crossbar and the second crossbar and is used to fix and support the workpiece.

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