Nonwoven fabric end cap automatic feeding mechanism

Abstract

An automatic feeding mechanism for nonwoven fabric end caps used in filter element production includes a nonwoven fabric end cap storage assembly, a nonwoven fabric end cap lifting assembly, and a nonwoven fabric end cap gripping and conveying assembly mounted on its feeding rack. The nonwoven fabric end cap gripping and conveying assembly includes a conveying power source connected to a gripping mounting plate. A gripping lifting power source is mounted on the gripping mounting plate and connected to the gripping power source. The gripping power source is connected to gripping claws, which are needle-shaped and extendable. A stripping plate is mounted around the gripping claws and connected to a stripping power source via a stripping guide rod. The stripping power source is mounted on the gripping lifting power source. This invention enables automatic feeding of nonwoven fabric end caps onto filter paper without intermediate manual operation. It features high automation, high efficiency, robust reliability, and consistent processing quality, significantly improving the quality of finished filter elements.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to machinery and equipment for manufacturing filters, and more specifically to a nonwoven fabric end cap feeding mechanism used in the production of filter elements. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, automotive filters generally include components such as a housing, filter element assembly, screw plate, check valve, and bypass valve. The filter element assembly consists of end caps (divided into upper and lower end caps), filter paper, and a central tube. The filter paper is a hollow cylindrical product (used to house the central tube). The end caps are annular and made of metal (or plastic), hence the name metal end caps (or plastic end caps). These end caps consist of two pieces, upper and lower, which are respectively attached to the top and bottom of the filter paper. The assembly process typically involves gluing or heating (using lamps or heating wires). Currently, non-woven fabric end caps are being used (replacing metal or plastic end caps). These end caps require ultrasonic welding, utilizing high-frequency ultrasonic friction to generate heat for feeding, welding (fusion), and unloading the non-woven fabric end caps and filter paper. This process is entirely manual or semi-automated, still requiring manual operation, resulting in low automation, poor efficiency, and difficulty in guaranteeing processing quality. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the above-mentioned technical deficiencies and provide an automatic nonwoven end cap feeding mechanism that can automatically complete the feeding of nonwoven end caps, has a high degree of automation, and does not require intermediate operation.

[0004] The objective of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution: an automatic feeding mechanism for nonwoven end caps, comprising a feeding frame, on which are mounted a nonwoven end cap storage assembly, a nonwoven end cap lifting assembly, and a nonwoven end cap gripping and conveying assembly that are connected to each other. The nonwoven end cap gripping and conveying assembly includes a conveying power source mounted on the feeding frame, which is connected to a gripping mounting plate. A gripping lifting power source is mounted on the gripping mounting plate and is connected to the gripping power source. The gripping power source is connected to a gripping claw, which is a needle-shaped, extendable type. A stripping plate is mounted around the gripping claw, which is connected to a stripping power source via a stripping guide rod. The stripping power source is mounted on the gripping lifting power source.

[0005] The nonwoven end cap storage assembly includes a storage turntable mounted on a feeding rack and several storage rods arranged in a circular pattern around the storage turntable, with stacked nonwoven end caps fitted onto the storage rods.

[0006] The nonwoven fabric end cap lifting assembly includes a linear lifting transmission module mounted on the loading rack, a lifting fork, and an end cap positioning sleeve. The lifting fork is positioned on the bottommost nonwoven fabric end cap and lifts it linearly. The lifted nonwoven fabric end cap enters the end cap positioning sleeve for positioning. The lifting fork is connected to the linear lifting transmission module, the end cap positioning sleeve is mounted on the loading rack and is located above the storage rod and to the side of the transfer power source, and the gripping claw is located above the end cap positioning sleeve.

[0007] A tooling fixture flipping mechanism is installed on the side of the loading rack. The tooling fixture flipping mechanism includes a flipping frame. A downward pressing and leveling power source is installed at the top outer end of the flipping frame. A leveling block is connected to the downward pressing and leveling power source via a leveling mounting plate. A tooling flipping power source is installed in the middle of the flipping frame, and this tooling flipping power source is connected to a clamping power source, which is connected to the clamping block. A leveling downward pressing guide rod is installed on the leveling mounting plate, and this leveling downward pressing guide rod passes through the leveling mounting plate and connects to the leveling block.

[0008] By adopting the technical solution of this invention, the nonwoven fabric end cap storage assembly stores and rotates the nonwoven fabric end caps, the nonwoven fabric end cap lifting assembly lifts and conveys the nonwoven fabric end caps, and the nonwoven fabric end cap gripping and transferring assembly grips and transfers the lifted nonwoven fabric end caps to a designated position, thereby completing the automatic feeding of the nonwoven fabric end caps onto the filter paper and preparing for the next step of automatic welding. It eliminates the need for intermediate manual operation, boasts a high degree of automation, high efficiency, robust reliability, and consistent processing quality, thus significantly improving the quality of the finished filter element. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the installation structure of the automatic nonwoven fabric end cap feeding mechanism of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the nonwoven end cap gripping and transferring assembly.

[0011] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the installation structure of the fully automatic ultrasonic welding machine for nonwoven end caps and filter paper used in this invention.

[0012] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the tooling fixture flipping mechanism. Detailed Implementation

[0013] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0014] like Figures 1 to 3As shown, the automatic nonwoven fabric end cap feeding mechanism 5 of the present invention includes a feeding frame 50, on which a nonwoven fabric end cap storage assembly 51, a nonwoven fabric end cap lifting assembly 52, and a nonwoven fabric end cap gripping and transferring assembly 53 are mounted and connected to each other. The nonwoven fabric end cap gripping and transferring assembly 53 (e.g., Figure 2 (As shown) includes a transfer power source 531 (a transfer cylinder) mounted on a loading rack 50. The transfer power source 531 is connected to a gripping mounting plate 532 (in a lateral position). A gripping lifting power source 533 (a gripping lifting cylinder) is mounted on the gripping mounting plate 532. The gripping lifting power source 533 is connected to a gripping power source 534 (a gripping cylinder) (in a longitudinal position). The gripping power source 534 is connected to a gripping claw 535 (in a longitudinal position). The gripping claw 535 is a needle-shaped, extendable type. A stripping plate 536 is mounted around the gripping claw 535. The stripping plate 536 is connected to a stripping power source 538 (a stripping cylinder) via a stripping guide rod 537. The stripping power source 538 is mounted on the gripping lifting power source 533.

[0015] The nonwoven fabric end cap storage assembly 51 includes a storage turntable 512 (including a storage turntable rotation control assembly) mounted on the feeding rack 50, and several storage rods 511 arranged circumferentially around the storage turntable. Layers of nonwoven fabric end caps 14 are fitted onto the storage rods 511. The nonwoven fabric end cap lifting assembly 52 includes a linear lifting transmission module 522, a lifting fork 521, and an end cap positioning sleeve 523 mounted on the feeding rack 50. The lifting fork 521 is positioned on the bottommost nonwoven fabric end cap and lifts it linearly. The lifted nonwoven fabric end cap enters the end cap positioning sleeve 523 for positioning. The lifting fork 521 is connected to the linear lifting transmission module 522 (including a linear lifting power source and a lifting transmission assembly), the end cover positioning sleeve 523 is mounted on the loading rack 50 and is located above the storage rod 511 and on the side of the transfer power source 531, and the gripping claw 535 is located above the end cover positioning sleeve 523.

[0016] The linear lifting transmission module 522 controls the lifting fork 521 to linearly lift the stacked nonwoven fabric end caps 14 on the storage rod 511 together. The stacked nonwoven fabric end caps 14 on the storage rod 511 of the nonwoven fabric end cap storage assembly 51 are lifted one by one by the lifting fork 521 and enter the end cap positioning sleeve 523 (multiple pieces at a time). Next, the gripping lifting power source 533 and gripping power source 534 of the nonwoven fabric end cap gripping and transferring assembly 53 are activated. The gripping claw 535, which has descended to its position, reaches the end cap positioning sleeve 523 and performs a needle-like opening at the center of the nonwoven fabric end cap to grip (one piece at a time) from its inner wall. It rises and is then carried by the transfer power source 531, along with the gripping mounting plate 532 and the nonwoven fabric end cap, to the filter paper end cap fixture 2. The gripping claw 535 descends and is activated by the unloading power source 538, which drives the unloading plate 536. At the same time, the gripping claw 535 releases and places the nonwoven fabric end cap on the filter paper already loaded in the filter paper end cap fixture. Then, the turntable rotates the filter paper end cap fixture 2 with the filter paper and nonwoven fabric end cap to the position of the first welding mechanism 6, preparing for the next step of automatic welding.

[0017] like Figure 3 As shown, the present invention relates to a fully automatic ultrasonic welding machine for nonwoven fabric end caps and filter paper used in the production of filter elements. The machine includes a frame 1 and a turntable rotation mechanism 10 (including a turntable and a turntable rotation control assembly, which are known technologies). Several sets of filter paper end cap tooling fixtures 2 are mounted around the turntable of the turntable rotation mechanism 10. A support plate (fixed and non-rotating) is mounted on the turntable (its center position is supported by a support rod). A tooling fixture positioning assembly is mounted on the support plate. Around the outer periphery of the turntable (on the frame, on the support plate, or outside the frame), corresponding to the positions of the filter paper end cap tooling fixtures 2 (above, below, or to the side), a filter paper feeding tooling opening and closing mechanism 4, an automatic nonwoven fabric end cap feeding mechanism 5, a first welding mechanism 6 (including a cooling fan 67), a tooling fixture flipping mechanism 7, a second nonwoven fabric end cap feeding mechanism 15, a second welding mechanism 16 (including a cooling fan 67), and an end cap filter paper finished product discharge mechanism 8 (including a finished product receiving assembly 89) are sequentially mounted. The center position of the turntable does not rotate and is used for installation control. The turntable rotation mechanism 10, the filter paper feeding fixture opening and closing mechanism 4, the non-woven fabric end cap automatic feeding mechanism 5, the first welding mechanism 6, the fixture flipping mechanism 7, the non-woven fabric end cap second feeding mechanism 15, the second welding mechanism 16, and the end cap filter paper finished product discharge mechanism 8 are all electrically connected to the microcomputer control mechanism 9 and are uniformly controlled by it. The non-woven fabric end cap second feeding mechanism 15 has the same structure as the non-woven fabric end cap automatic feeding mechanism 5, and the second welding mechanism 16 has the same structure as the first welding mechanism 6.

[0018] Through the automatic intermittent rotation of the turntable rotation mechanism 10 and its turntable, the filter paper is fed, clamped and positioned sequentially by the filter paper end cap tooling fixture 2 and the filter paper feeding tooling opening and closing mechanism 4. The non-woven fabric end cap automatic feeding mechanism 5 completes the feeding of the non-woven fabric end cap onto the filter paper (i.e., the initial feeding). The first welding mechanism 6 completes the welding of the filter paper and the non-woven fabric end cap. The tooling fixture flipping mechanism 7 completes the flipping of the filter paper end cap tooling fixture and flattens the filter paper. The non-woven fabric end cap second feeding mechanism 15 completes the feeding of the non-woven fabric end cap onto the flipped filter paper (i.e., the second feeding). The second welding mechanism 16 completes the second welding of the filter paper and the non-woven fabric end cap. The end cap filter paper finished product discharge mechanism 8 completes the finished product discharge. Thus, the entire process of welding the filter paper and the non-woven fabric end cap to form the filter element finished product is completed automatically.

[0019] like Figure 3 , Figure 4As shown, a tooling fixture flipping mechanism 7 is installed on the side of the feeding rack 50. The tooling fixture flipping mechanism 7 includes a flipping frame 71. A downward flattening power source 72 (a downward flattening cylinder) is installed at the top outer end of the flipping frame 71. A flattening block 74 is connected to the downward flattening power source 72 through a flattening mounting plate 73. A tooling flipping power source 75 (a tooling flipping cylinder) is installed in the middle of the flipping frame 71. The tooling flipping power source 75 is connected to a clamping power source 76 (a clamping cylinder). The clamping power source 76 is connected to a clamping block 77 (two blocks, upper and lower, for opening or closing). The clamping block 77 corresponds to the position of the filter paper end cap tooling fixture 2. A flattening pressure guide rod 78 is installed on the flattening mounting plate 73. The flattening pressure guide rod 78 passes through the flattening mounting plate 73 and is connected to the flattening block 74 to perform smooth downward pressure and achieve flattening and smoothing of the filter paper after flipping. The filter paper end cap fixture 2, which has filter paper and non-woven fabric end caps (welded together), rotates into place. The clamping power source 76 is activated, which drives the clamping block 77 to clamp the fixture assembly frame of the filter paper end cap fixture 2. At the same time, the fork lifting power source 33 of the fixture positioning component 3 is activated, which lowers the fork lateral movement power source 32 and the fixture positioning fork 31 into place. Then, the fork lateral movement power source 32 is activated, which drives the fixture positioning fork 31 to pull the fixture positioning shaft 23 out of the fixture assembly frame 22. Subsequently, the fixture flipping power source 75 is activated, which flips the clamping power source 76, the clamping block 77, and the fixture assembly frame of the filter paper end cap fixture 2 180 degrees along the flipping shaft 21, flipping the bottom of the original filter paper to face upward. Then, the pressing and flattening power source 72 is activated, which flattens and flattens the flipped filter paper through the flattening block 74. Then, the turntable rotates the filter paper end cap fixture 2, which contains the flipped and flattened filter paper and non-woven fabric end cap, sequentially to the positions of the second non-woven fabric end cap feeding mechanism 15 and the second welding mechanism 16 to perform the same second feeding and welding of the non-woven fabric end cap. Then, the turntable rotates the filter paper end cap fixture 2, which contains the filter paper and non-woven fabric end cap (secondary welding), to the end cap filter paper finished product discharge mechanism 8.

Claims

1. An automatic feeding mechanism for non-woven fabric end caps, comprising a feeding rack, characterized in that: The feeding rack is equipped with interconnected nonwoven fabric end cap storage components, nonwoven fabric end cap lifting components, and nonwoven fabric end cap gripping and conveying components. The nonwoven fabric end cap gripping and conveying components include a conveying power source mounted on the feeding rack, which is connected to a gripping mounting plate. A gripping lifting power source is mounted on the gripping mounting plate and is connected to the gripping power source. The gripping power source is connected to a gripping claw, which is a needle-shaped, extendable type. A stripping plate is mounted around the gripping claw, which is connected to a stripping power source via a stripping guide rod. The stripping power source is mounted on the gripping lifting power source.

2. The automatic non-woven fabric end cap feeding mechanism of claim 1, wherein: The nonwoven end cap storage assembly includes a storage turntable mounted on a feeding rack and several storage rods arranged in a circular pattern around the storage turntable, with stacked nonwoven end caps fitted onto the storage rods.

3. The automatic non-woven fabric end cap feeding mechanism of claim 2, wherein: The nonwoven end cap lifting assembly includes a linear lifting transmission module, a lifting fork, and an end cap positioning sleeve mounted on the feeding rack. The lifting fork is located on the bottommost nonwoven end cap and lifts it linearly together. The nonwoven end cap that has been lifted into position enters the end cap positioning sleeve for positioning.

4. The automatic non-woven fabric end cap feeding mechanism of claim 3, wherein: The lifting fork is connected to the linear lifting transmission module, the end cap positioning sleeve is mounted on the loading rack and is located above the storage rod and to the side of the transfer power source, and the gripping claw is located above the end cap positioning sleeve.

5. The automatic non-woven fabric end cap feeding mechanism of claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein: A tooling fixture flipping mechanism is installed on the side of the loading rack. The tooling fixture flipping mechanism includes a flipping frame. A downward pressing and leveling power source is installed at the top outer end of the flipping frame. A leveling block is connected to the downward pressing and leveling power source through a leveling mounting plate. A tooling flipping power source is installed in the middle of the flipping frame. The tooling flipping power source is connected to a clamping power source. The clamping power source is connected to a clamping block.

6. The automatic non-woven fabric end cap feeding mechanism of claim 5, wherein: A flattening pressure guide rod is installed on the flattening mounting plate, and the flattening pressure guide rod passes through the flattening mounting plate and connects to the flattening block.

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