A hole-finding positioning mechanism

By designing a hole-finding and positioning mechanism that includes a bearing component, a conveying component, a clamping mechanism, and a positioning component, the precise positioning of the water heater inner tank is achieved using laser displacement and vision sensors. This solves the accuracy and efficiency problems of traditional hole-finding and positioning methods, and improves the stability of the production line and product quality.

CN224544513UActive Publication Date: 2026-07-24ZHUHAI BOXIN AUTOMATION EQUIP
View PDF 0 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Utility models(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
ZHUHAI BOXIN AUTOMATION EQUIP
Filing Date
2025-08-29
Publication Date
2026-07-24

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Traditional hole-finding and positioning methods rely on manual experience or simple tooling, which cannot achieve high-precision positioning, resulting in a high error rate in subsequent processes. Furthermore, existing photoelectric sensors cannot cope with the reflection of the curved surface of cylindrical workpieces and the problem of oil stains, resulting in insufficient detection success rate.

Method used

Design a hole-finding and positioning mechanism that includes a load-bearing component, a conveying component, a clamping mechanism, a positioning component, and a gripper power mechanism. Utilize a laser displacement sensor and a vision sensor to achieve precise positioning of the water heater's inner tank. Combined with a servo motor and sensor module, automatically complete hole position identification and angle calibration.

Benefits of technology

It achieves precise positioning of the water heater inner tank, improves product qualification rate, reduces the labor intensity of operators, and enhances production efficiency and stability. It is applicable to the testing of inner tanks of different models.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure CN224544513U_ABST
    Figure CN224544513U_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

The utility model relates to a kind of hole finding positioning mechanism, belong to water heater inner bag processing technical field, the hole finding positioning mechanism, including bearing assembly, it is characterized in that, the bearing assembly is equipped with two groups, two groups the bearing assembly all include installation bin, two The side of installation bin close together is jointly installed with conveying assembly, the top of two The installation bin all is slidably connected with clamping mechanism, two The clamping mechanism is placed with inner bag component or inner bag two with cooperation, the utility model is cooperated by bearing assembly, conveying assembly, positioning component one, clamping mechanism and jaw power mechanism, accurate positioning function to water heater inner bag can be realized, improve late product pass rate, and do not need operating personnel manual handling and hole finding, guarantee late hole finding efficiency, reduce operating personnel labor intensity, different model inner bag detection work can also be realized simultaneously, and then the functionality and practicality of the hole finding positioning mechanism late use can be improved.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of water heater inner tank processing technology, specifically relating to a hole-finding and positioning mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] In the large-scale production of water heater inner tanks, hole finding and positioning is a core pre-process to ensure the accuracy of subsequent assembly, welding, drilling and other processes. As the manufacturing industry transforms towards automation and intelligence, the technical defects of traditional hole finding and positioning methods are becoming increasingly prominent, making it difficult to meet the stringent requirements of modern production lines for accuracy, efficiency and compatibility. Therefore, it is necessary to design a hole finding and positioning mechanism.

[0003] Traditional hole-finding and positioning relies on manual experience or simple tooling, which cannot achieve high-precision positioning and directly leads to a high error rate in subsequent processes. Currently, small and medium-sized enterprises still use the positioning method of "manual visual inspection + marking". Workers need to hold a ruler and protractor to measure the hole angle on the surface of the cylindrical workpiece. Affected by visual deviation and hand tremors, the accuracy of subsequent positioning is reduced. Some enterprises have introduced simple photoelectric sensor positioning, but it can only detect single features on the workpiece surface (such as edges and holes), and cannot deal with problems such as reflection on the curved surface of cylindrical workpieces and oil stains. The detection success rate is insufficient, and the angle deviation cannot be calibrated. After positioning, manual fine-tuning is still required, which makes the operation and use of existing hole-finding and positioning mechanisms inconvenient and cumbersome. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this utility model is to provide a hole-finding and positioning mechanism with a simple structure and reasonable design in order to solve the above problems.

[0005] This utility model achieves the above objectives through the following technical solutions:

[0006] A hole-finding and positioning mechanism includes a bearing component, characterized in that the bearing component is provided in two sets, each set of the bearing component includes an installation chamber, a conveying component is installed on the side of the two installation chambers that are close to each other, a clamping mechanism is slidably connected to the top of each of the two installation chambers, the two clamping mechanisms cooperate to place an inner liner component or an inner liner II, a gripper power mechanism that cooperates with the clamping mechanism is fixedly installed inside the installation chamber, and a positioning component I is fixedly installed on the top of the other clamping mechanism.

[0007] As a further optimization of this utility model, the conveying assembly includes a fixed frame that is fixedly installed on one side of two installation chambers that are close to each other. An electric push rod is fixedly installed on the inner side of the fixed frame. A lifting mechanism that slides with the top of the fixed frame is fixedly installed at the output end of the electric push rod. An arc-shaped support plate is fixedly installed at the output end of the top of the lifting mechanism.

[0008] As a further optimization of this utility model, the clamping mechanism includes a first drive block and a second drive block that are slidably placed on the top of two mounting chambers. The first drive block and the second drive block cooperate with the gripper power mechanism. A rotating power gripper disk is rotatably installed on the top of the first drive block and the second drive block that are close to each other. A second sensor is fixedly installed on one end of the first drive block that is close to the rotating power gripper disk.

[0009] As a further optimization of this utility model, the positioning component one includes a sensor module one fixedly installed on the top of the drive block two, and a sensor one that cooperates with it is fixedly installed on one side of the bottom of the sensor module one.

[0010] As a further optimization of this utility model, the water heater inner tank assembly includes an inner tank one fixedly placed on one side of two rotating power claw discs close to each other, and an inner tank one detection point that cooperates with sensor two is fixedly installed on the side of the inner tank one close to drive block one.

[0011] As a further optimization of this utility model, an inner liner II is placed on one side of the two rotating power claw disks that are close to each other, and an inner liner II detection point that cooperates with sensor I is fixedly installed on the top of the inner liner II.

[0012] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: Through the coordinated design of the bearing component, conveying component, positioning component, clamping mechanism and gripper power mechanism, this utility model can achieve the function of precise positioning of the inner tank of the water heater, improve the subsequent product qualification rate, and eliminate the need for operators to manually handle and find holes, ensuring the efficiency of hole finding in the later stage, reducing the labor intensity of operators, and at the same time, it can also realize the testing of inner tanks of different models, thereby improving the functionality and practicality of the hole finding and positioning mechanism in the later stage. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a front view of the overall structure of this utility model;

[0014] Figure 2 This is a front sectional view of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 3 This is a top view of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 4 This is a rear view of the overall structure of this utility model;

[0017] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the inner liner of this utility model;

[0018] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the inner liner of this utility model.

[0019] In the diagram: 1. Bearing component; 100. Installation chamber; 2. Conveying component; 200. Fixing frame; 201. Electric push rod; 202. Lifting mechanism; 203. Arc-shaped support plate; 3. Water heater inner tank assembly; 300. Inner tank one; 301. Inner tank one detection point; 4. Positioning component one; 400. Sensor module one; 401. Sensor one; 5. Clamping mechanism; 500. Drive block one; 501. Sensor two; 502. Drive block two; 503. Rotary power claw disk; 6. Claw power mechanism; 7. Inner tank two; 700. Inner tank two detection point. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The present application will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the following specific embodiments are only used to further illustrate the present application and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present application. Those skilled in the art can make some non-essential improvements and adjustments to the present application based on the above application content.

[0021] Example 1

[0022] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown, a hole-finding and positioning mechanism includes a bearing component 1, a conveying component 2, a water heater inner tank component 3, a positioning component 4, a clamping mechanism 5, a gripper power mechanism 6, and an inner tank 7. The two bearing components 1 provide installation support for the overall structure. The conveying component 2 realizes the lifting and conveying of the inner tank. The clamping mechanism 5 completes the clamping and rotation of the inner tank under the drive of the gripper power mechanism 6. The positioning component 4 cooperates with the sensor to achieve accurate hole positioning. The water heater inner tank component 3 and the inner tank 7 are the positioning objects. The positioning process is completed through the cooperation of the detection point and the sensor.

[0023] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown, the bearing assembly 1 is provided in two sets, each set including an installation chamber 100. The installation chamber 100 is a cuboid frame structure with legs fixed to the bottom by bolts and a T-shaped slide rail machined on the top for installing the clamping mechanism 5. The two installation chambers 100 are arranged in parallel, with a reserved installation position on the side closest to each other for fixing the conveying assembly 2. The hollow area inside is used to accommodate the gripper power mechanism 6 and related electrical circuits.

[0024] like Figure 1 , Figure 4As shown, the conveying assembly 2 includes a fixed frame 200, an electric push rod 201, a lifting mechanism 202, and an arc-shaped support plate 203. The width of the fixed frame 200 is adapted to the distance between the two installation chambers 100, while its length exceeds the width of the two installation chambers 100. It is fixedly installed in the middle of the two installation chambers 100 on the side closest to each other by bolts. The bottom of the fixed frame 200 is flush with the bottom of the installation chamber 100 and is fixedly installed with a support foot by threads. The electric push rod 201 is fixedly installed on the inner side of the fixed frame 200 by threads. The axis of the push rod is parallel to the fixed frame. The lifting mechanism 202 (composed of a scissor bracket and a guide rod) is fixedly installed at the output end of the electric push rod 201. The bottom of the lifting mechanism 202 slides with the slide rail at the top of the fixed frame 200 to ensure smooth displacement later. The top of the scissor bracket at the output end of the lifting mechanism 202 is fixedly installed with an arc-shaped support plate 203 (made of rubber) by bolts. The curvature is adapted to the outer circle of the inner tank of the water heater and is used to support the inner tank and avoid surface scratches.

[0025] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4As shown, the clamping mechanism 5 includes a first drive block 500, a second sensor 501, a second drive block 502, and a rotary power claw disk 503. The first drive block 500 and the second drive block 502 are cuboid mounting frames (made of aluminum alloy), which are slidably placed on T-shaped slide rails on the top of the two mounting chambers 100, and can move towards or away from each other along the slide rails. A lead screw is rotatably mounted on the top of each of the two mounting chambers 100, and the outside of each lead screw is threaded with an internally threaded sleeve that is fixedly connected to the bottom of the first drive block 500 and the second drive block 502. Each lead screw has a pulley (not shown in the figure) attached to one end of its outer surface. This pulley is used to move drive block 500 and drive block 502. The two drive blocks cooperate with the gripper power mechanism 6, which is fixedly installed inside one of the mounting chambers 100. The gripper power mechanism 6 uses the principle of servo motor, rotating rod, pulley 2, and belt. The servo motor is threadedly fixed inside the mounting chamber 100 by a motor mounting bracket, while the transmission rod is fixed by a coupling. The transmission rod is mounted on the output end of the servo motor. The other end of the transmission rod extends through the fixed frame 200 to the interior of another mounting compartment 100. The second pulley has two sets of fittings fixed on both sides of the outside of the rotating rod. The belt has two fittings installed on the outside of the two pulleys on the same side and the pulley on the first pulley. Later, the servo motor drives the rotating rod to rotate. Through the cooperation design of the pulleys, pulleys and belt, the rotation of the lead screw can be realized. Then, the drive block 1 500 and drive block 2 502 and the above components are driven to move in opposite or opposite directions. The top of the drive block 1 500 and drive block 2 502 on the side close to each other is mounted with a rotating power claw disk 503 disc structure through a bearing. The edge is provided with 3 anti-slip claws. The central shaft of the claw disk is connected to the built-in servo motor through a coupling, which can drive the clamped inner liner to rotate. The servo motor is fixedly installed inside the drive block 1 500. The sensor 2 501 (laser displacement sensor) is fixedly installed under the claw disk on the side of the drive block 1 500 close to the rotating power claw disk 503 through a bracket. It is used to identify the hole position or mark on the inner liner.

[0026] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown, the positioning component 4 includes a sensor module 400 and a sensor 401. The sensor module 400 is a rectangular mounting plate, which is fixedly mounted on the top of the drive block 502 above the rotating power claw disk 503 by bolts. It integrates a signal processing module and a wireless transmission unit. One side of the bottom of the sensor module 400 faces the inner liner. The sensor 401 (visual sensor, 12-megapixel resolution, lens axis perpendicular to the inner liner surface) is fixedly mounted by an adjusting bracket and is used to identify detection points on the inner liner 7.

[0027] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 6 As shown, the water heater inner tank assembly 3 includes an inner tank 300, which is a cylindrical metal shell placed on one side close to the two rotating power claw disks 503. It is fixed by the anti-slip claws of the claw disks. The inner tank 300 has an inner tank detection point 301 on the cylindrical side near the drive block 500. The inner tank detection point 301 cooperates with the sensor 501. The sensor 501 achieves angle positioning through the edge of the detection hole.

[0028] like Figure 5 As shown, the inner liner 2 7 is a cylindrical metal shell of another specification, which is adapted to the size of the inner liner 1 300. It is placed on one side close to the two rotating power claw disks 503 and can be alternately clamped with the inner liner 1 300. The top of the inner liner 2 7 (in the direction of the cylindrical generatrix) is fixedly provided with the inner liner 2 detection point 700 (circular protrusion or dark mark), which cooperates with the sensor 1 401. The sensor 1 401 achieves positioning by visually recognizing the position of the detection point.

[0029] It should be noted that, in use, this hole-finding and positioning mechanism involves an external robotic arm placing the inner liner 7 on the arc-shaped support plate 203. An electric push rod 201 drives the lifting mechanism 202 to translate, moving the inner liner 7 to a position aligned with the rotating power gripper 503. Finally, the lifting mechanism 202 moves the arc-shaped support plate 203 and the inner liner 7 to a designated height. The gripper power mechanism 6 drives the drive block 500 and drive block 502 to move towards each other. The anti-slip grippers of the rotating power gripper 503 clamp the two ends of the inner liner 7. The lifting mechanism 202 resets the arc-shaped support plate 203, causing it to descend and disengage from the inner liner 7. The rotating power gripper 503 then slowly rotates the inner liner 7, while sensor 401 captures real-time images. When the inner liner detection point 700 is detected on the inner liner surface, a signal is sent to the control system. The control system controls the rotating power claw to stop rotating. At this time, the hole position or assembly surface of the inner liner 7 is at the preset positioning angle, completing the positioning. Then, it can wait for the external robot to grip the inner liner 7. At the same time, the above steps can also realize the hole finding and positioning of the inner liner component 3. When finding and positioning the inner liner component 3, it can be identified and positioned by sensor 501 to realize the multi-functionality of the hole finding and positioning mechanism, which is convenient for finding and positioning different inner liners, avoiding the error of manual operation, and is suitable for large-scale automated production lines, significantly improving production stability and product quality.

[0030] The embodiments described above are merely examples of several implementations of this utility model, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of this utility model patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this utility model, and these modifications and improvements all fall within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A hole-finding and positioning mechanism, comprising a bearing component (1), characterized in that, The bearing assembly (1) is provided in two sets. Both sets of bearing assemblies (1) include an installation chamber (100). The two installation chambers (100) are connected to a conveying assembly (2) on their adjacent sides. The top of the two installation chambers (100) is slidably connected to a clamping mechanism (5). The two clamping mechanisms (5) cooperate to place a water heater inner tank assembly (3) or inner tank two (7). A gripper power mechanism (6) that cooperates with the clamping mechanism (5) is fixedly installed inside one of the installation chambers (100). A positioning assembly one (4) is fixedly installed on the top of the other clamping mechanism (5).

2. The hole-finding and positioning mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The conveying assembly (2) includes a fixed frame (200) fixedly installed on one side of the two installation chambers (100) close to each other. An electric push rod (201) is fixedly installed on the inner side of the fixed frame (200). A lifting mechanism (202) that slides with the top of the fixed frame (200) is fixedly installed at the output end of the electric push rod (201). An arc-shaped support plate (203) is fixedly installed at the output end of the top of the lifting mechanism (202).

3. The hole-finding and positioning mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The clamping mechanism (5) includes a first drive block (500) and a second drive block (502) that are slidably placed on top of two mounting chambers (100). The first drive block (500) and the second drive block (502) cooperate with the gripper power mechanism (6). A rotating power gripper disk (503) is rotatably mounted on the top of the first drive block (500) and the second drive block (502) on the side close to each other. A second sensor (501) is fixedly mounted on one end of the first drive block (500) near the rotating power gripper disk (503).

4. The hole-finding and positioning mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that: The positioning component 1 (4) includes a sensor module 1 (400) fixedly installed on the top of the drive block 2 (502), and a sensor 1 (401) that cooperates with it is fixedly installed on one side of the bottom of the sensor module 1 (400).

5. A hole-finding and positioning mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that: The water heater inner tank assembly (3) includes an inner tank one (300) fixedly placed on one side close to the two rotating power claw disks (503). The inner tank one (300) has a detection point (301) fixedly installed on the side close to the drive block one (500) to cooperate with the sensor two (501).

6. The hole-finding and positioning mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that: The inner liner 2 (7) is placed on one side of the two rotating power claw disks (503) that are close to each other. The top of the inner liner 2 (7) is fixedly installed with an inner liner 2 detection point (700) that cooperates with the sensor 1 (401).