Four station carousel for caster ball cage assembly

Abstract

The utility model relates to wheel steel ball holder assembly assembly equipment discloses a four station carousel of caster steel ball holder assembly, include: equipment platform, carousel, four groups of material placing assembly, first drive part, mounting portion, first motor, ejection component, second drive part. Through the activity of mounting portion: first motor can connect / separate the material placing assembly of second station, is used for driving the rotation of holder, cooperates to the greasing procedure, ejection component synchronous action is applied to the material placing assembly of fourth station, makes second shaft stretch out to make ejection block overcome spring action stretch out, namely ejection block moves up and ejects holder, makes holder and magnet separate. Compared with prior art four station carousel, adopts the first motor wheel -by -wheel drive each group material placing assembly, and the structure is simpler, and the cost is lower, simultaneously utilizes the movement of first motor and links ejection component, and wheel -by -wheel ejects the steel ball holder assembly on each group material placing assembly, and it is more convenient to take material.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a caster ball bearing retainer assembly equipment, and particularly to a four-position turntable for a caster ball bearing retainer assembly. Background Technology

[0002] The ball bearing retainer assembly consists of a retainer and a ring of steel balls. The caster mounting bracket is used for mounting the wheel, and the caster mounting seat is used for mounting to the corresponding equipment. The ball bearing retainer assembly is located between the mounting bracket and the mounting seat to enable the caster to turn.

[0003] The assembly of a ball bearing cage assembly generally involves four steps: manual or robotic placement of the cage; cage rotation, with grease application using a lubricating device; ball bearing insertion, embedding a ring of balls into the cage; and manual or robotic removal of the assembled ball bearing cage assembly. Correspondingly, a four-station turntable is typically used to represent these four steps. Current four-station turntables generally include: a turntable and four sets of feeding assemblies arranged in a uniform circular array on the turntable. Each 90-degree rotation of the turntable causes the feeding assemblies to pass through the four steps sequentially. Because the cage needs to rotate during grease application, the feeding assemblies typically include a motor to drive the rotation, and they also use magnetic or snap-fit ​​methods to secure the cage.

[0004] The current four-station turntable still has some problems: each feeding assembly has a motor, which makes the structure complex and costly; the use of magnetic or snap-fit ​​methods to fix the cage makes it inconvenient to remove the assembled steel ball cage assembly. Utility Model Content

[0005] This application provides a four-position turntable for a caster ball bearing retainer assembly, which can solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0006] This application provides a four-position turntable for a caster ball bearing retainer assembly, comprising:

[0007] Equipment table;

[0008] The turntable rotates around a vertical first axis and is connected to the middle position of the equipment platform;

[0009] Four sets of feeding assemblies are uniformly arranged in a circular array around a first axis on the turntable; each feeding assembly includes: a first shaft, a second shaft, and a spring; the first shaft is rotatably connected to the turntable and has a magnet for a magnetic retainer; the second shaft extends and retracts from the first shaft and has an ejector block on its outer wall; the spring is used to keep the ejector block in a lower limit position;

[0010] The first drive unit is used to make the feeding assembly pass through four stations in sequence;

[0011] The mounting section is movably connected to the equipment platform;

[0012] The first motor is fixedly mounted in the mounting section;

[0013] Ejector component, connected to the mounting section;

[0014] The second drive unit is used to drive the mounting unit to switch between the following two positions: a first position where the first motor is connected to the second station feeding assembly and the ejector component causes the second shaft of the fourth station to extend; and a second position where both the first motor and the ejector component are away from the feeding assembly.

[0015] In some embodiments, the mounting part is an annular block, and the mounting part is rotatably connected to the equipment platform about a vertical second axis; the first axis is inside the mounting part and offset from the second axis; the ejection member includes: a slider with an inclined surface and a connecting rod; the slider is radially slidably connected to the equipment platform along the mounting part, and one end of the connecting rod is connected to the slider and the other end is hinged to the mounting part.

[0016] In some embodiments, a friction wheel is fixedly connected to the output shaft of the first motor.

[0017] In some embodiments, the second drive unit is a cylinder, with the cylinder body hinged to the equipment platform and the piston rod hinged to the mounting part.

[0018] In some embodiments, the equipment platform has a first arc-shaped groove; a connecting column extending from the first arc-shaped groove is fixedly connected to the bottom surface of the mounting part; the hinge position of the cylinder and the equipment platform is on the bottom surface of the equipment platform, and the hinge position of the piston rod and the annular block is on the connecting column.

[0019] In some embodiments, the piston rod of the cylinder has a threaded section and is threadedly connected to a first connecting block, the first connecting block having a stepped cylinder; the mounting part is hinged to a second connecting block, the second connecting block having a convex groove for the stepped cylinder to be inserted.

[0020] In summary, this application discloses a four-station turntable for a caster ball bearing retainer assembly, comprising: a worktable, a turntable, four sets of feeding assemblies, a first drive unit, a mounting unit, a first motor, an ejector component, and a second drive unit. Through the movement of the mounting unit: the first motor can connect / disconnect the feeding assembly at the second station to drive the retainer to rotate, facilitating the grease application process; the ejector component simultaneously acts on the feeding assembly at the fourth station, causing the second shaft to extend, thereby causing the ejector block to extend against the spring action, i.e., the ejector block moves upward to eject the retainer, separating the retainer from the magnet. Compared to existing four-station turntables, the use of a first motor to drive each set of feeding assemblies in turn results in a simpler structure and lower cost; simultaneously, the motion of the first motor, linked to the ejector component, allows for the sequential ejection of the ball bearing retainer assemblies from each set of feeding assemblies, making material removal more convenient. Attached Figure Description

[0021] To better illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the background art, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments of this application or the background art will be described below.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a front view of this application;

[0023] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing the relationship between the installation section, the ejector components, and the equipment platform;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a partial sectional view of the feeding assembly;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the first motor and ejector component relative to the turntable when the mounting part is in the second position.

[0026] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the second drive unit when the mounting part is in the second position;

[0027] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing the first motor and ejector component relative to the turntable when the mounting part is in the first position.

[0028] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the second drive unit when the mounting part is in the first position;

[0029] Figure 8 A schematic diagram illustrating one connection embodiment of the mounting section and the second drive section;

[0030] Figure 9 for Figure 8 An enlarged schematic diagram of part A in the middle.

[0031] In the picture,

[0032] 1. Equipment platform; 1a. Frame; 1b. Rollers; 1c. First arc-shaped groove; 1d. Second arc-shaped groove;

[0033] 2. Turntable; 2a. Connecting shaft; 2b. Bearing housing;

[0034] 3. Feeding assembly; 31. First shaft; 31a. Magnet; 32. Second shaft; 321. First section; 321a. Ejector block; 322. Second section; 33. Spring;

[0035] 4. First drive unit; 41. Cam divider; 42. Second motor;

[0036] 5. Installation section; 5a. Connecting strip; 5b. Connecting post;

[0037] 6. First motor; 6a. Friction wheel;

[0038] 7. Ejector component; 71. Slider; 71a. Inclined surface; 71b. Linear guide rail; 72. Connecting rod;

[0039] 8. Second drive unit; 8a. Threaded section; 8b. First connecting block; 8b1. Stepped cylinder; 8c. Second connecting block; 8c1. Convex groove;

[0040] 9. Cage. Specific Implementation

[0041] The following description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only and not strictly to scale. Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in this disclosure should be understood in their ordinary sense by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. The terms "first," "second," and similar terms used in this disclosure do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different components. Terms such as "comprising" or "including" mean that the element or object preceding the word encompasses the elements or objects listed following the word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. Terms such as "connected" or "linked" are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but can include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. Terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," and "right" are used only to indicate relative positional relationships, and these relative positional relationships may change accordingly when the absolute position of the described object changes. Unless otherwise specified, the embodiments in this application can be combined with each other.

[0042] Please see Figure 1 A four-position turntable for a caster ball retainer assembly includes: a worktable 1, a turntable 2, four sets of feeding assemblies 3, a first drive unit 4, a mounting unit 5, a first motor 6, an ejector component 7, and a second drive unit 8.

[0043] A frame 1a is fixed to the bottom of the equipment platform 1. The frame 1a can be constructed from profiles to support the equipment platform 1 and provide space below the equipment platform 1.

[0044] The equipment platform 1 has a central space, around which are four workstations. The four workstations are labeled sequentially as: Workstation 1, Workstation 2, Workstation 3, and Workstation 4. At Workstation 1, the material feeding process is completed, with manual or robotic arms placing the retainer 9. At Workstation 2, the grease application process is completed, with the retainer 9 rotating and a grease application device applying grease to it. At Workstation 3, the steel ball loading process is completed, with a steel ball loading device embedding a ring of steel balls into the retainer 9. At Workstation 4, the unloading process is completed, with manual or robotic arms removing the assembled steel ball retainer 9 assembly.

[0045] Please see Figure 1The turntable 2 is rotatably connected to the middle position of the equipment platform 1 around a vertical first axis. More specifically, the equipment platform 1 may be equipped with bearings, and a connecting shaft 2a is fixedly connected to the bottom surface of the turntable 2 through a first flange. The connecting shaft 2a is rotatably connected to the equipment platform through the bearings.

[0046] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 4 Four sets of feeding components 3 are uniformly arranged in a circular array around the first axis on the turntable 2.

[0047] The first drive unit 4 is used to make the feeding assembly 3 pass through four stations in sequence, that is, the first drive unit 4 causes the turntable 2 to rotate 90 degrees once. More specifically, the first drive unit 4 can be composed of a cam divider 41 and a second motor 42, with the cam divider fixedly connected to the frame 1a. Correspondingly, the bearing mounted on the equipment table can be a sliding bearing, with the first flange and connecting shaft 2a integrally set, and the connecting shaft 2a passing downward through the sliding bearing and then fixedly connected to the second flange, which is fixedly connected to the output position of the cam divider 41.

[0048] Please see Figure 3 A set of feeding components 3 includes: a first shaft 31, a second shaft 32 and a spring 33.

[0049] The first shaft 31 is rotatably connected to the turntable 2. More specifically, the turntable 2 may have a hole, and the hole can be fixedly connected to the bearing seat 2b by screws. The first shaft 31 is rotatably connected to the bearing seat 2b.

[0050] The first shaft 31 also has a magnet 31a, which is used for magnetic retainer 9. More specifically, the portion of the first shaft 31 above the bearing seat 2b is stepped, and the magnet 31a is annular, which is sleeved and clamped to the first shaft 31.

[0051] The second shaft 32 extends and retracts from the first shaft 31. More specifically, the first shaft 31 is hollow and may have a stepped through hole.

[0052] The outer wall of the second shaft 32 also has an ejector block 321a. More specifically, the ejector block 321a can be a ring-shaped protrusion with a diameter larger than that of the second shaft 32. The second shaft 32 is inserted into the middle hole of the retainer 9. When the ejector block 321a is in the lower limit position, it will not interfere with the bottom surface of the retainer 9 contacting the magnet 31a. When the second shaft 32 extends, the ejector block 321a moves upward and ejects the retainer 9, thus separating the retainer 9 and the magnet 31a.

[0053] Spring 33 is used to keep ejector block 321a in the lower limit position. More specifically, the second shaft 32 may include: a first segment 321 with ejector block 321a, and a second segment 322 with a larger diameter and threaded to the bottom of the first segment 321. First, insert the first segment 321 downward into the first shaft 31. Then, use the compression spring 33 to slide the spring 33 upward into the first segment 321 and into the first shaft 31. Finally, thread the second segment 322 to the bottom of the first segment 321. The two ends of the spring 33 abut against the inner wall of the first shaft 31 and the top surface of the second segment 322, respectively, so that ejector block 321a remains against the top surface of the first shaft 31 and in the lower limit position.

[0054] Please see Figure 1 The mounting part 5 is movably connected to the equipment platform 1. The first motor 6 is fixed to the mounting part 5. The ejector component 7 is connected to the mounting part 5. That is, as the mounting part 5 moves, the first motor 6 and the ejector component 7 also move, thereby changing the relationship between the first motor 6 and the feeding assembly 3, and between the ejector component 7 and the feeding assembly 3.

[0055] Please see Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 The second drive unit 8 is used to drive the mounting unit 5 to switch between the following two positions:

[0056] The mounting part 5 is in the first position, the first motor 6 is connected to the feeding assembly 3, and the feeding assembly 3 corresponds to the second station, that is, the first motor 6 drives the feeding assembly 3 of the second station to rotate; at the same time, the ejector 7 acts on the second shaft 32 of the feeding assembly 3, causing the second shaft 32 to extend, that is, the ejector block 321a moves upward to eject the retainer 9, so that the retainer 9 and the magnet 31a are separated, and the feeding assembly 3 corresponds to the fourth station.

[0057] The mounting part 5 is in the second position, and the first motor 6 and the ejector component 7 are both away from the feeding assembly 3. That is, during the rotation of the turntable 2, the first motor 6 and the ejector component 7 will not interfere with the feeding assembly 3.

[0058] The movable connection between the mounting section 5 and the equipment platform 1 can be vertical.

[0059] The connection between the first motor 6 and the feeding assembly 3 can be: restricting the rotation of the second shaft 32 relative to the first shaft 31, and the output shaft of the first motor 6 inserting into / leaving the second shaft 32.

[0060] The ejector component 7 can be an ejector rod.

[0061] Because the second and fourth workstations are on opposite sides and are connected by the connecting shaft 2a of the turntable 2, the mounting part 5 and the equipment table 1 are designed to move up and down. The mounting part 5 is relatively large, and the second drive part 8 is also inconvenient to set up.

[0062] Please see Figure 2 In some embodiments, the mounting part 5 is an annular block.

[0063] The annular block is rotatably connected to the equipment platform 1 around a vertical second axis. More specifically, at least three rollers 1b can be fixed on the equipment platform 1. These rollers 1b contact the inner or outer ring wall of the mounting part 5, using the principle of three points determining a circle to limit the positioning of the mounting part 5. Multiple first universal balls are installed on the bottom surface of the mounting part 5 to facilitate displacement between the mounting part 5 and the equipment platform 1. The first axis is inside the mounting part 5 and offset from the second axis, that is, the connecting shaft 2a of the turntable 2 passes through the mounting part 5, while the mounting part 5 and the turntable 2 are on different axes.

[0064] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 6 The connection between the first motor 6 and the feeding assembly 3 can be such that the output shaft of the first motor 6 contacts / separates from the first shaft body 31. For example, the output shaft of the first motor 6 and the first shaft body 31 can be fixedly connected with matching meshing gears. Furthermore, since the grease coating process only requires the retainer 9 to rotate more than one revolution and there is no positioning requirement, the output shaft of the first motor 6 can also be fixedly connected to a friction wheel 6a, which contacts the outer wall of the first shaft body 31 to transmit rotation through friction. More specifically, a bearing seat 2b can be installed on the top surface of the mounting part 5, the shaft of the friction wheel 6a can be rotatably connected to the bearing seat 2b, the first motor 6 can be fixedly connected to the bottom surface of the mounting part 5, and the output shaft can be inserted into the shaft of the friction wheel 6a. In addition, the equipment table 1 can have a second arc-shaped groove 1d for the first motor 6 to pass through and swing.

[0065] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 6 The ejector component 7 includes a slider 71 with an inclined surface 71a and a connecting rod 72. The slider 71 is radially slidably connected to the equipment platform 1 along the mounting portion 5. More specifically, a linear guide rail 71b can be provided between the slider 71 and the equipment platform 1. One end of the connecting rod 72 is connected to the slider 71, and the other end is hinged to the mounting portion 5. More specifically, the mounting portion 5 can be fixedly connected to a connecting strip 5a by screws. The inner end of the connecting strip 5a enters into the annular block and is hinged to the connecting rod 72. A crank-slider 71 mechanism is formed between the mounting portion 5 and the slider 71, which converts the rotation of the mounting portion 5 into linear movement of the slider 71. Through the linear movement of the slider 71, the inclined surface 71a contacts the bottom of the second shaft. Correspondingly, a second universal ball can be fixedly connected to the bottom of the second shaft for easier contact with the inclined surface 71a.

[0066] The mounting part 5 uses an annular block, which makes it easier to avoid the connecting shaft 2a of the turntable 2. It is smaller in size and the rotation method is more convenient for designing the second drive part 8.

[0067] Please see Figure 5 and Figure 7 The second drive unit 8 can use a servo motor to drive the mounting unit 5 to rotate. Furthermore, since the mounting unit 5 only requires two limit positions (first and second), the second drive unit 8 can also use a cylinder, resulting in a simpler structure and lower cost. More specifically, the cylinder body is hinged to the equipment platform 1, and the piston rod is hinged to the mounting unit 5.

[0068] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 5 and Figure 7 In some embodiments, based on the use of a cylinder in the second drive unit 8, the equipment platform 1 has a first arc-shaped groove 1c. A connecting post 5b extending from the first arc-shaped groove 1c is fixedly connected to the bottom surface of the mounting part 5. More specifically, the top surface of the mounting part 5 may have a stepped through hole at a corresponding position, and the top surface of the connecting post 5b may have a threaded hole. The connecting post 5b is fixedly connected to the bottom surface of the mounting part 5 by screws. The hinge position between the cylinder body and the equipment platform 1 is on the bottom surface of the equipment platform 1, and the hinge position between the piston rod and the annular block is on the connecting post 5b.

[0069] Positioning the cylinder below equipment platform 1 leaves space above it, making it easier to install the devices corresponding to the four workstations on equipment platform 1.

[0070] Please see Figure 8 and Figure 9 In some embodiments, based on the second drive unit 8 employing a cylinder, the piston rod of the cylinder has a threaded section 8a, on which a first connecting block 8b is threadedly connected. The first connecting block 8b has a stepped cylinder 8b1. The mounting part 5 is hinged to a second connecting block 8c, which has a convex groove 8c1 into which the stepped cylinder 8b1 is inserted. That is, after the stepped cylinder 8b1 is inserted downward into the convex groove 8c1, the axial movement freedom between the first connecting block 8b and the second connecting block 8c is restricted, while the rotational freedom about the axis is retained.

[0071] The piston rod of the cylinder extends, and the mounting part 5 switches from the second position to the first position, with the friction wheel 6a contacting and abutting against the outer wall of the first shaft. The mounting part 5 can be finely adjusted by rotating the first connecting block 8b to ensure the tightness of the contact between the friction wheel 6a and the outer wall of the first shaft.

Claims

1. A four-position turntable for a caster ball bearing retainer assembly, characterized in that, include: Equipment table (1); Turntable (2) is rotated around the first vertical axis and connected to the middle position of equipment platform (1); Four sets of feeding components (3) are uniformly arranged in a circular array around the first axis on the turntable (2); the feeding components (3) include: a first shaft (31), a second shaft (32) and a spring (33); The first shaft (31) is rotatably connected to the turntable (2) and has a magnet (31a) for the magnetic retainer (9); the second shaft (32) extends and retracts from the first shaft (31) and has an ejector block (321a) on its outer wall; a spring (33) is used to keep the ejector block (321a) in the lower limit position. The first drive unit (4) is used to make the feeding assembly (3) pass through four stations in sequence; The mounting section (5) is movably connected to the equipment platform (1); The first motor (6) is fixed to the mounting part (5); The ejector component (7) is connected to the mounting part (5); The second drive unit (8) is used to drive the mounting unit (5) to switch between the following two positions: a first position in which the first motor (6) is connected to the second station feeding assembly (3) and the ejector (7) causes the second shaft (32) of the fourth station to extend; and a second position in which both the first motor (6) and the ejector (7) are away from the feeding assembly (3).

2. The four-position turntable of the caster ball bearing retainer assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mounting part (5) is an annular block, and the mounting part (5) is rotatably connected to the equipment platform (1) around the vertical second axis; the first axis is inside the mounting part (5) and offset from the second axis; the ejector component (7) includes: a slider (71) with an inclined surface (71a) and a connecting rod (72); the slider (71) is radially connected to the equipment platform (1) along the mounting part (5), and one end of the connecting rod (72) is connected to the slider (71), and the other end is hinged to the mounting part (5).

3. The four-position turntable of the caster ball bearing retainer assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, The output shaft of the first motor (6) is fixedly connected to a friction wheel (6a).

4. The four-position turntable of the caster ball bearing retainer assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second drive unit (8) is a cylinder, with the cylinder body hinged to the equipment platform (1) and the piston rod hinged to the mounting part (5).

5. The four-position turntable of the caster ball bearing retainer assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, The equipment platform (1) has a first arc-shaped groove (1c); the bottom surface of the mounting part (5) is fixedly connected to a connecting column (5b) that passes through the first arc-shaped groove (1c); the hinge position of the cylinder and the equipment platform (1) is on the bottom surface of the equipment platform (1), and the hinge position of the piston rod and the annular block is on the connecting column (5b).

6. The four-position turntable of the caster ball bearing retainer assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, The piston rod of the cylinder has a threaded section (8a) and is threadedly connected to a first connecting block (8b), the first connecting block (8b) having a stepped cylinder (8b1); the mounting part (5) is hinged to a second connecting block (8c), the second connecting block (8c) having a convex groove (8c1) for the stepped cylinder (8b1) to be inserted.

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