Ice cream holding mechanism and ice cream production line

Abstract

The utility model provides a kind of ice cream clamping mechanism and ice cream production line, which comprises a shell, a driving assembly, a first jaw assembly and a second jaw assembly. The driving assembly is arranged in the shell. The first jaw assembly comprises a first transmission assembly and a first jaw. The second jaw assembly comprises a second transmission assembly, a second jaw and a third jaw. The transmission connection positions of the driving assembly, the first transmission assembly and the second transmission assembly are all located in the shell. The debris generated by the interaction will not fall outside the shell, so it will not affect the production quality of ice cream. The first jaw is inserted between the second jaw and the third jaw and extends in the opposite direction of the second jaw. Under the drive of the driving assembly, the first jaw, the second jaw and the third jaw all gather towards the center to form a clamping space for clamping ice cream sticks. The clamping range is large, and it can clamp ice cream sticks in various positions and attitudes to achieve stable clamping of ice cream.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of ice cream production equipment technology, and in particular to an ice cream clamping mechanism and an ice cream production line. Background Technology

[0002] Ice cream needs to be produced in a low-temperature environment and has strict hygiene and quality requirements. Existing clamping mechanisms inevitably experience some mechanical wear during operation. If impurities from this wear fall onto the ice cream, it will affect its quality. Furthermore, existing clamping mechanisms may fail to hold the ice cream stick properly if its position or orientation deviates during clamping, resulting in poor clamping performance. Utility Model Content

[0003] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this application provides an ice cream clamping mechanism and an ice cream production line.

[0004] A first aspect of this application provides an ice cream clamping mechanism, including a housing, a drive assembly, a first gripper assembly, and a second gripper assembly; The drive assembly is disposed within the housing; the first gripper assembly and the second gripper assembly pass through the housing; The first gripper assembly includes a first transmission assembly and a first gripper; the first gripper is disposed on the first transmission assembly; the second gripper assembly includes a second transmission assembly, a second gripper, and a third gripper; the second gripper and the third gripper are spaced apart on the second transmission assembly; The first gripper is inserted between the second gripper and the third gripper, and extends in the opposite direction to the second gripper; The first transmission component and the second transmission component are respectively connected to the two sides of the drive component; under the drive of the drive component, the first gripper, the second gripper, and the third gripper all converge toward the center to form a gripping space for holding the popsicle stick.

[0005] In some embodiments of this application, the housing is provided with a piston chamber that extends vertically through the top of the housing; the piston chamber extends downward to form a central hole.

[0006] In some embodiments of this application, the drive assembly includes a piston rod, a piston, a first sealing assembly, and a second sealing assembly; The first sealing assembly is disposed at the top of the piston chamber; the second sealing assembly is disposed on the piston rod and located at the bottom of the piston chamber; the first sealing assembly and the second sealing assembly are used to seal the piston chamber; the piston is disposed on the piston rod and divides the piston chamber into an upper piston chamber and a lower piston chamber; at least one annular groove is formed on one end of the piston rod extending to the central hole, which is circumferentially surrounding the piston rod.

[0007] In some embodiments of this application, at least one first air passage and at least one second air passage are formed on the housing; the second air passage communicates with the upper piston chamber; the second air passage communicates with the lower piston chamber.

[0008] In some embodiments of this application, the housing is provided with a first mounting hole and a second mounting hole that communicate with the central hole and extend in a horizontal direction; the first transmission component is disposed in the first mounting hole; and the second transmission component is disposed in the second mounting hole.

[0009] In some embodiments of this application, the first transmission assembly includes a connecting rod, a transmission rod assembly, and an outer sleeve; the transmission rod assembly is arranged parallel to the connecting rod; the outer sleeve is fitted onto the connecting rod and the transmission rod assembly, and a groove is formed on the circumferential surface of the outer sleeve to expose the transmission rod assembly; the exposed transmission rod assembly engages with the annular groove of the piston rod.

[0010] In some embodiments of this application, the transmission rod assembly includes a plurality of transmission rods, which are arranged around the connecting rod circumferentially.

[0011] In some embodiments of this application, the first gripper includes a mounting portion, a second segment, and a third segment connected in sequence, with the mounting portion and the second segment connected by an arc transition; the second segment and the third segment are connected by an arc transition and are set at a preset included angle.

[0012] In some embodiments of this application, the included angle between the second segment and the third segment is a right angle.

[0013] A second aspect of this application provides an ice cream production line, including the aforementioned ice cream clamping mechanism.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages and beneficial effects: The ice cream clamping mechanism of this application includes a housing, a drive assembly, a first clamping claw assembly, and a second clamping claw assembly; the drive assembly is disposed inside the housing; the first clamping claw assembly and the second clamping claw assembly pass through the housing; the first clamping claw assembly includes a first transmission assembly and a first clamping claw; the second clamping claw assembly includes a second transmission assembly, a second clamping claw, and a third clamping claw; the first transmission assembly and the second transmission assembly are respectively driven and connected to both sides of the drive assembly; thus, the drive assembly and the transmission connection positions of the first transmission assembly and the second transmission assembly are all located inside the housing, and the debris generated by their interaction will not fall outside the housing, thus not affecting the production quality of the ice cream; at the same time, the first clamping claw is inserted between the second clamping claw and the third clamping claw and extends in the opposite direction to the second clamping claw. Under the drive of the drive assembly, the first clamping claw, the second clamping claw, and the third clamping claw all converge towards the center to form a clamping space for clamping the ice cream stick; a large clamping range is formed between the first clamping claw and the second and third clamping claws, which can clamp ice cream sticks in various positions and postures, and achieve stable clamping of the ice cream.

[0015] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary and explanatory, and do not limit this document. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this document, are used to provide a further understanding of the document. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions herein are used to explain the document and do not constitute an undue limitation thereof. In the drawings: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an ice cream clamping mechanism provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application; Figure 2 This is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of the ice cream clamping mechanism provided in this application; Figure 3 This is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the ice cream clamping mechanism provided in this application; Figure 4 This is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the ice cream clamping mechanism provided in this application; Figure 5 This is the book Figure 4 Sectional view at point AA; Figure 6 This is a rear view of an exemplary embodiment of the ice cream clamping mechanism provided in this application.

[0017] In the picture: 10. Housing; 101. Piston chamber; 101A. Upper piston chamber; 101B. Lower piston chamber; 102. Central hole; 103. First air passage; 104. Second air passage; 105. Third air passage; 106. Fourth air passage; 20. Drive assembly; 201. First sealing assembly; 202. Second sealing assembly; 203. Piston rod; 204. Piston; 30. First gripper assembly; 301. First transmission assembly; 3011. Connecting rod; 3012. Transmission rod assembly; 3013. Outer sleeve; 302. First gripper; 3021. Mounting part; 3022. Second section; 3023. Third section; 40. Second gripper assembly; 401. Second transmission assembly; 402. Second gripper; 403. Third gripper. Detailed Implementation

[0018] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of this application can be arbitrarily combined with each other.

[0019] Ice cream needs to be produced in a low-temperature environment and has strict hygiene and quality requirements. Existing clamping mechanisms inevitably experience some mechanical wear during operation. If impurities from this wear fall onto the ice cream, it will affect its quality. Furthermore, existing clamping mechanisms may fail to hold the ice cream stick properly if its position or orientation deviates during clamping, resulting in poor clamping performance.

[0020] Based on this, an exemplary embodiment of this application provides an ice cream clamping mechanism, which includes a housing, a drive assembly, a first gripper assembly, and a second gripper assembly. The drive assembly is disposed within the housing. The first gripper assembly and the second gripper assembly pass through the housing. The first gripper assembly includes a first transmission assembly and a first gripper. The second gripper assembly includes a second transmission assembly, a second gripper, and a third gripper. The first transmission assembly and the second transmission assembly are respectively driven to both sides of the drive assembly. Thus, the drive assembly and the transmission connection positions of the first and second transmission assemblies are all located within the housing, and the debris generated by their interaction will not fall outside the housing, thereby not affecting the production quality of the ice cream. At the same time, the first gripper is inserted between the second and third grippers and extends in the opposite direction to the second gripper. Under the drive of the drive assembly, the first, second, and third grippers all converge towards the center to form a clamping space for clamping the ice cream stick. A large clamping range is formed between the first gripper and the second and third grippers, which can clamp ice cream sticks in various positions and postures, achieving stable clamping of the ice cream.

[0021] Example 1: An exemplary embodiment of this application provides an ice cream clamping mechanism, such as... Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the ice cream clamping mechanism includes a housing 10, a drive assembly 20, a first gripper assembly 30, and a second gripper assembly 40; wherein, the drive assembly 20 is disposed inside the housing 10; the first gripper assembly 30 and the second gripper assembly 40 pass through the housing 10 and extend to the outside of the housing 10. The first gripper assembly 30 includes a first transmission assembly 301 and a first gripper 302; the first gripper 302 is disposed on the first transmission assembly 301; the second gripper assembly 40 includes a second transmission assembly 401, a second gripper 402, and a third gripper 403; the second gripper 402 and the third gripper 403 are spaced apart on the second transmission assembly 401; the first gripper 302 is inserted between the second gripper 402 and the third gripper 403 and extends in the opposite direction to the second gripper 402; the first transmission assembly 301 and the second transmission assembly 401 are respectively drively connected to both sides of the drive assembly 20. Thus, the drive assembly 20 and the transmission connection positions of the first transmission assembly 301 and the second transmission assembly 401 are all located inside the housing 10, and the debris generated by their interaction will not fall outside the housing 10, thereby not affecting the production quality of the ice cream; at the same time, the first gripper 302 is inserted between the second gripper 402 and the third gripper 403, and extends in the opposite direction to the second gripper 402, forming a large opening angle between the first gripper 302 and the second gripper 402 and the third gripper 403, that is, as Figure 2In the figure shown, the angle between the first gripper 302 and the second gripper 402 allows for a large gripping range, accommodating ice cream sticks in various positions and postures. For example, the opening angle between the first gripper 302, the second gripper 402, and the third gripper 403 is between 120° and 150°, preferably 140°. Driven by the drive assembly 20, the first gripper 302, the second gripper 402, and the third gripper 403 all converge towards the center, forming a gripping space for the ice cream stick. The first gripper 302 is positioned between the second gripper 402 and the third gripper 403. When gripping the ice cream stick, the first gripper 302, the second gripper 402, and the third gripper 403 form three positions of contact with the ice cream stick, thus achieving a stable grip on the ice cream.

[0022] For example, such as Figure 5 As shown, the housing 10 is provided with a piston 204 cavity 101 extending vertically through the top of the housing 10; the piston 204 cavity 101 extends downward to form a central hole 102. Preferably, the radial dimension of the piston 204 cavity 101 is larger than the radial dimension of the central hole 102. The drive assembly 20 includes a piston rod 203, a piston 204, a first sealing assembly 201, and a second sealing assembly 202. The first sealing assembly 201 is disposed at the top of the piston 204 cavity 101. The second sealing assembly 202 is disposed on the piston rod 203, sealing it, and is located at the bottom of the piston 204 cavity 101. The first sealing assembly 201 and the second sealing assembly 202 seal the piston 204 cavity 101, forming a closed piston 204 cavity 101. The piston 204 is disposed on the piston rod 203 and divides the piston 204 cavity 101 into an upper piston 204 cavity 101A and a lower piston 204 cavity 101B. The piston rod 203 extends toward a central hole 102, and at least one annular groove is formed on the end of the piston rod 203 extending to the central hole 102, which is circumferentially surrounding the piston rod 203. Preferably, there are two annular grooves, which are spaced apart along the axial direction of the piston rod 203.

[0023] The housing 10 is provided with a first mounting hole and a second mounting hole that communicate with the central hole 102 and extend horizontally; a first transmission assembly 301 is disposed in the first mounting hole; and a second transmission assembly 401 is disposed in the second mounting hole. For example, continue to refer to... Figure 5The first transmission assembly 301 includes a connecting rod 3011, a transmission rod assembly 3012, and an outer sleeve 3013. The transmission rod assembly 3012 is arranged parallel to the connecting rod 3011. The outer sleeve 3013 is fitted onto the connecting rod 3011 and the transmission rod assembly 3012, and a groove is formed on the circumferential surface of the outer sleeve 3013 to expose part of the transmission rod assembly 3012. The exposed transmission rod assembly 3012 engages with the annular groove of the piston rod 203. Preferably, the transmission rod assembly 3012 includes multiple transmission rods, which are arranged around the connecting rod 3011 circumferentially. This not only enables engagement with the annular groove but also improves the overall structural strength of the first transmission assembly 301. Multiple transmission rods can use standard commercially available optical shafts, reducing processing complexity.

[0024] The first gripper 302 is sleeved on the connecting rod 3011 and the transmission rod assembly 3012, and is located outside the housing 10. The connecting rod 3011 can be a screw, with its end extending through the outer sleeve 3013 and threaded with a nut to fix the outer sleeve 3013 and the first gripper 302. The second transmission assembly 401 has the same structure as the first transmission assembly 301, including the connecting rod 3011, the transmission rod assembly 3012, and the outer sleeve 3013, which will not be described in detail here. Thus, when the piston rod 203 of the drive assembly 20 moves vertically, it can drive the first transmission assembly 301 and the second transmission assembly 401 to rotate, thereby causing the first gripper 302 to rotate about the connecting rod 3011 of the first transmission assembly 301, and the second gripper 402 and the third gripper 403 to rotate about the connecting rod 3011 of the second transmission assembly 401, realizing the engagement and disengagement of the first gripper 302 and the second gripper 402 and the third gripper 403, and achieving the clamping of the popsicle stick.

[0025] The design of the connection structure between the first gripper assembly 30 and the second gripper assembly 40 facilitates the disassembly and replacement of parts, and facilitates subsequent maintenance. For example, when the first gripper 302 is damaged, it can be disassembled and replaced with a new one.

[0026] For example, such as Figure 1 and 2 As shown, at least one first air passage 103 and at least one second air passage 104 are formed on the housing 10; the second air passage 104 communicates with the upper piston 204 cavity 101A; the second air passage 104 communicates with the lower piston 204 cavity 101B; by filling or venting air into the first air passage 103 and the second air passage 104, the piston 204 can be driven to move up and down, thereby driving the piston rod 203 to move up and down. Figure 6As shown, the housing 10 also has a third air passage 105 and a fourth air passage 106 formed thereon. The third air passage 105 is connected to the upper piston 204 chamber 101A, and the fourth air passage 106 is connected to the lower piston 204 chamber 101B. When multiple ice cream clamping mechanisms are arranged side by side, the third air passage 105 can be connected to the third air passage 105 of another ice cream clamping mechanism through an air pipe; the fourth air passage 106 can be connected to the fourth air passage 106 of another ice cream clamping mechanism through an air pipe. In this way, multiple ice cream clamping mechanisms can share a single air source, thereby reducing the air source and cost.

[0027] like Figure 2 As shown, the first gripper 302 includes a mounting portion 3021, a second segment 3022, and a third segment 3023 connected sequentially. The mounting portion 3021 is sleeved on the first transmission assembly 301, and the mounting portion 3021 and the second segment 3022 are connected by an arc transition; the second segment 3022 and the third segment 3023 are also connected by an arc transition and are set at a preset included angle. Preferably, the included angle between the second segment 3022 and the third segment 3023 is a right angle. The second gripper 402 and the third gripper 403 have a similar structure to the first gripper 302, and will not be described in detail here. The first gripper 302, the second gripper 402, and the third gripper 403 can be manufactured by 3D printing. Before gripping the ice cream stick, the end of the third segment 3023 can contact the ice cream conveyor belt and conform to the ice cream conveyor belt towards the center to grip the ice cream stick. Therefore, it can adapt to and grip ice cream sticks in various positions and postures.

[0028] Example 2: An exemplary embodiment of this application provides an ice cream production line, including the ice cream clamping mechanism of Embodiment 1. Multiple ice cream clamping mechanisms can be arranged side-by-side on a frame and driven by a robotic arm to clamp multiple ice creams at a time.

[0029] In this application, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that an article or device that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such an article or device. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase "comprising..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the article or device that includes said element.

[0030] Although preferred embodiments of this application have been described, those skilled in the art, upon learning the basic inventive concept, can make other changes and modifications to these embodiments. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to be interpreted as including the preferred embodiments as well as all changes and modifications falling within the scope of this application.

[0031] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Therefore, if these modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, the intent of this application also includes these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. An ice cream clamping mechanism, characterized in that, Includes a housing, a drive assembly, a first gripper assembly, and a second gripper assembly; The drive assembly is disposed within the housing; the first gripper assembly and the second gripper assembly pass through the housing; The first gripper assembly includes a first transmission assembly and a first gripper; the first gripper is disposed on the first transmission assembly; the second gripper assembly includes a second transmission assembly, a second gripper, and a third gripper; the second gripper and the third gripper are spaced apart on the second transmission assembly; The first gripper is inserted between the second gripper and the third gripper, and extends in the opposite direction to the second gripper; The first transmission component and the second transmission component are respectively connected to the two sides of the drive component; under the drive of the drive component, the first gripper, the second gripper, and the third gripper all converge toward the center to form a gripping space for holding the popsicle stick.

2. The ice cream clamping mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing is provided with a piston chamber that extends vertically through the top of the housing; the piston chamber extends downward to form a central hole.

3. The ice cream clamping mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The drive assembly includes a piston rod, a piston, a first sealing assembly, and a second sealing assembly; The first sealing assembly is disposed at the top of the piston chamber; the second sealing assembly is disposed on the piston rod and located at the bottom of the piston chamber; the first sealing assembly and the second sealing assembly are used to seal the piston chamber; the piston is disposed on the piston rod and divides the piston chamber into an upper piston chamber and a lower piston chamber; at least one annular groove is formed on one end of the piston rod extending to the central hole, which is circumferentially surrounding the piston rod.

4. The ice cream clamping mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that, The housing has at least one first air passage and at least one second air passage; the second air passage is connected to the upper piston chamber; the second air passage is connected to the lower piston chamber.

5. The ice cream clamping mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The housing is provided with a first mounting hole and a second mounting hole that communicate with the central hole and extend horizontally; the first transmission component is disposed in the first mounting hole; the second transmission component is disposed in the second mounting hole.

6. The ice cream clamping mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first transmission assembly includes a connecting rod, a transmission rod assembly, and an outer sleeve; the transmission rod assembly is arranged parallel to the connecting rod; the outer sleeve is fitted onto the connecting rod and the transmission rod assembly, and a groove is formed on the circumferential surface of the outer sleeve to expose the transmission rod assembly; the exposed transmission rod assembly engages with the annular groove of the piston rod.

7. The ice cream clamping mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that, The transmission rod assembly includes multiple transmission rods, which are arranged around the connecting rod circumferentially.

8. The ice cream clamping mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first gripper includes a mounting part, a second section, and a third section connected in sequence. The mounting part and the second section are connected by an arc transition. The second section and the third section are connected by an arc transition and are set at a preset angle.

9. The ice cream clamping mechanism according to claim 8, characterized in that, The angle between the second segment and the third segment is a right angle.

10. An ice cream production line, characterized in that, Includes the ice cream clamping mechanism as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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