Electrolytic copper plate vacuum chuck feeding device based on PLC control
By combining a vacuum suction cup made of sponge material with a PLC controller, the problems of air leakage and equipment failure during the feeding process of electrolytic copper plates were solved, achieving stable adsorption and efficient feeding, and improving production efficiency and automation level.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SHANXI BEITONG NEW MATERIAL TECH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-08-29
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-04
AI Technical Summary
Traditional vacuum suction cups have difficulty adhering fully to the surface of electrolytic copper plates, resulting in severe air leakage, failure to pick up the plates, or the copper plates falling off during the lifting process. Furthermore, the proximity switches are prone to damage, affecting production efficiency and automation levels.
A vacuum suction cup made of sponge material and a PLC controller are used. The sponge material with a microporous closed-cell structure stably adsorbs the copper plate, and a time command program is added to the PLC program to eliminate the proximity switch, so as to achieve strict control over the operation of the vacuum suction cup.
It improves the stability of copper plate adsorption and the safety of the lifting process, reduces air leakage points, avoids equipment failure, and improves production efficiency and automation.
Smart Images
Figure CN224590179U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of feeding device technology, and specifically discloses a PLC-controlled vacuum suction cup feeding device for electrolytic copper plates. Background Technology
[0002] In the non-ferrous metal smelting industry, industrial frequency melting furnaces are widely used in the smelting of electrolytic copper plates due to their high smelting efficiency and large capacity. With the continuous improvement of furnace design, heating technology and automatic control level, the melting rate of industrial frequency melting furnaces has been significantly improved. However, the supporting feeding process, namely the automated handling and addition of electrolytic copper plates, has become a key bottleneck restricting the improvement of overall production efficiency.
[0003] In existing technologies, vacuum chucks are commonly used to pick up electrolytic copper plates for feeding. However, due to the uneven surface of the electrolytic copper plates, traditional rubber chucks cannot make sufficient contact with them, resulting in serious air leakage and insufficient vacuum. This often leads to problems such as the chucks failing to pick up the plates or the copper plates falling off during the lifting process. In addition, the lifting and lowering limits of the chucks are usually detected by proximity switches. Uneven copper plates are prone to collisions and damage to these proximity switches during handling, leading to frequent equipment failures, feeding interruptions, high maintenance costs, and seriously affecting production efficiency and automation levels. Utility Model Content
[0004] This invention proposes a PLC-controlled vacuum suction cup feeding device for electrolytic copper plates. The device uses a sponge material to stably adsorb the copper plates, preventing problems such as failure to pick them up or the copper plates falling during the lifting process. Furthermore, by eliminating all proximity switches and adding a time command program to the PLC program, the device avoids equipment failure caused by proximity switch damage, which would affect the feeding process.
[0005] This utility model is implemented as follows: a PLC-controlled vacuum suction cup feeding device for electrolytic copper plates includes a feeding frame, and an adsorption mechanism is provided on the upper end surface of the feeding frame.
[0006] The adsorption mechanism includes an installation notch that runs through the upper surface of the feeding frame. An electric trolley is installed inside the installation notch. An electric telescopic cylinder is installed on the upper surface of the electric trolley. The output end of the electric telescopic cylinder extends to the bottom of the electric trolley and is fixedly connected to a vacuum suction cup. The vacuum suction cup is a sponge made of polyurethane or rubber foam material with a microporous closed-cell structure.
[0007] As a preferred embodiment of the PLC-controlled vacuum suction cup feeding device for electrolytic copper plates of this utility model, a PLC controller is installed on the left side wall of the feeding frame. A time command program is added to the PLC program of the PLC controller. The PLC controller is electrically connected to the electric trolley and the electric telescopic cylinder respectively.
[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the PLC-controlled vacuum suction cup feeding device for electrolytic copper plates of this utility model, the upper end of the vacuum suction cup is connected to a vacuum pipe, the upper end of the vacuum pipe passes through an electric trolley and is connected to an external vacuum pump, and the vacuum pump is electrically connected to the PLC controller.
[0009] As a preferred embodiment of the PLC-controlled vacuum suction cup feeding device for electrolytic copper plates of this utility model, a vacuum pressure sensor is installed inside the vacuum suction cup, and the vacuum pressure sensor is electrically connected to the PLC controller.
[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the PLC-controlled vacuum suction cup feeding device for electrolytic copper plates of this utility model, the front and rear inner sidewalls of the mounting notch are provided with sliding grooves, and the multiple drive wheels of the electric trolley are respectively located inside the two sliding grooves.
[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the PLC-controlled vacuum suction cup feeding device for electrolytic copper plates according to this utility model, the section of the vacuum pipe located between the electric trolley and the vacuum suction cup is configured as a telescopic flexible hose.
[0012] The beneficial effects of this utility model are:
[0013] This invention utilizes a sponge vacuum suction cup made of polyurethane or rubber foam with a microporous closed-cell structure. This allows the vacuum suction cup to make better contact with the copper plate, reducing air leakage points and ensuring that the vacuum pump reaches the required vacuum pressure value. This ensures stable adsorption of the copper plate and prevents problems such as failure to pick up the plate or the copper plate falling off during the lifting process. By adding a time command program to the PLC controller, the time, position, and operation instructions of the vacuum suction cup throughout its entire operation can be strictly controlled, achieving time-based feeding speed. The feeding speed can be adjusted at any time, greatly improving production efficiency. Attached Figure Description
[0014] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of this utility model or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. In all the drawings, similar elements or parts are generally identified by similar reference numerals. In the drawings, the elements or parts are not necessarily drawn to scale.
[0015] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention;
[0016] Figure 2 This is a front cross-sectional view of the present invention.
[0017] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the right-side cross-sectional structure of this utility model.
[0018] The markings in the diagram are: 1. Feeding frame; 2. Installation notch; 3. Electric trolley; 4. Electric telescopic cylinder; 5. Vacuum suction cup; 6. PLC controller; 7. Vacuum pipeline; 8. Slide rail. Detailed Implementation
[0019] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments to aid in understanding its content. Unless otherwise specified, the methods used in this invention are conventional methods; the raw materials and apparatus used, unless otherwise specified, are conventional commercially available products.
[0020] Please see Figure 1-3 A PLC-controlled vacuum suction cup feeding device for electrolytic copper plates includes a feeding frame 1, and an adsorption mechanism is provided on the upper end face of the feeding frame 1.
[0021] The adsorption mechanism includes an installation notch 2 that runs through the upper surface of the feeding frame 1. An electric trolley 3 is installed inside the installation notch 2. An electric telescopic cylinder 4 is installed on the upper surface of the electric trolley 3. The output end of the electric telescopic cylinder 4 extends to the bottom of the electric trolley 3 and is fixedly connected to a vacuum suction cup 5. The vacuum suction cup 5 is a sponge made of polyurethane or rubber foam material with a microporous closed-cell structure.
[0022] In this embodiment: During use, the copper plate is transported directly below the vacuum suction cup 5. Then, the electric telescopic cylinder 4 is activated by the PLC controller 6, which moves the vacuum suction cup 5 downwards. Simultaneously, the time command program in the PLC controller 6 starts timing. When the electric telescopic cylinder 4 extends for a predetermined time, the PLC determines that the vacuum suction cup 5 has stably contacted the copper plate. Then, the PLC controller 6 activates the vacuum pump, which evacuates the vacuum suction cup 5 through the vacuum pipe 7. Since the vacuum suction cup 5 is made of polyurethane or rubber foam with a microporous closed-cell structure, the key advantage of the foam material immediately becomes apparent when the vacuum suction cup 5 descends under the push of the electric telescopic cylinder 4 and contacts the uneven surface of the electrolytic copper plate. Unlike the hard rubber suction cup, the soft foam undergoes elastic deformation under pressure. It acts like a hand, wrapping around the tiny protrusions on the surface of the copper plate and embedding itself in the depressions, allowing the vacuum suction cup 5 to better contact the copper plate and reducing intermediate steps. Leakage points are identified to ensure the vacuum pump reaches the required vacuum pressure value, enabling the vacuum suction cup 5 to stably adsorb the copper plate and preventing issues such as failure to pick up the plate or the copper plate falling during lifting. A vacuum pressure sensor monitors pressure changes within the suction cup in real time. When the pressure reaches the preset vacuum level, the sensor sends a signal to the PLC controller 6. Upon receiving this signal, the PLC controller 6 immediately controls the electric telescopic cylinder 4 to retract, lifting the vacuum suction cup 5 and the adsorbed electrolytic copper plate. Simultaneously, the timer program in the PLC controller 6 begins timing. When the electric telescopic cylinder 4 retracts for the predetermined time, the PLC determines that the vacuum suction cup 5 has been raised to a sufficiently high safe position. Then, the PLC controller 6 controls the electric trolley 3 to move, transporting the adsorbed copper plate to the furnace feeding port for feeding. Furthermore, by disabling all proximity switches and adding a timer program to the PLC controller 6, equipment malfunctions caused by proximity switch damage are prevented, thus avoiding disruptions to feeding.
[0023] As a technical optimization of this utility model, a PLC controller 6 is installed on the left side wall of the feeding frame 1. A time command program is added to the PLC program of the PLC controller 6. The PLC controller 6 is electrically connected to the electric trolley 3 and the electric telescopic cylinder 4 respectively.
[0024] In this embodiment, the PLC controller 6 facilitates the control of the electric trolley 3, the electric telescopic cylinder 4, and the vacuum pump, as well as the reception of air pressure data monitored by the vacuum pressure sensor. By adding a time command program to the PLC controller 6 (the time command program is a well-known and mature existing programming technology, which will not be described in detail here), the time, position, and running instructions of the vacuum suction cup 5 throughout the entire operation process can be strictly controlled, so as to realize the time-based feeding speed. The feeding speed can be adjusted at any time, which greatly improves the production efficiency.
[0025] As a technical optimization of this utility model, the upper end of the vacuum suction cup 5 is connected to a vacuum pipe 7, the upper end of the vacuum pipe 7 passes through the electric trolley 3 and is connected to an external vacuum pump, and the vacuum pump is electrically connected to the PLC controller 6.
[0026] In this embodiment, the vacuum pump and vacuum pipe 7 can be used to evacuate the inside of the vacuum suction cup 5.
[0027] As a technical optimization of this utility model, a vacuum pressure sensor is installed inside the vacuum suction cup 5, and the vacuum pressure sensor is electrically connected to the PLC controller 6.
[0028] In this embodiment, the vacuum pressure sensor can monitor the changes in vacuum pressure inside the vacuum suction cup 5 in real time.
[0029] As a technical optimization of this utility model, the front and rear inner sidewalls of the installation notch 2 are provided with grooves 8, and the multiple drive wheels of the electric trolley 3 are respectively located inside the two grooves 8.
[0030] In this embodiment, the electric trolley 3 can be limited by two sliding grooves 8, so that the electric trolley 3 can move smoothly.
[0031] As a technical optimization of this utility model, the section of the vacuum pipe 7 located between the electric trolley 3 and the vacuum suction cup 5 is configured as a telescopic flexible hose structure.
[0032] In this embodiment, the section of the vacuum pipe 7 located between the electric trolley 3 and the vacuum suction cup 5 is configured as a telescopic flexible hose structure, which allows the vacuum pipe 7 to extend and retract along with the movement of the vacuum suction cup 5, preventing the vacuum pipe 7 from affecting the movement of the vacuum suction cup 5.
[0033] The working principle and usage process of this utility model are as follows: In use, the copper plate is transported to directly below the vacuum suction cup 5. Then, the electric telescopic cylinder 4 is activated by the PLC controller 6, which moves the vacuum suction cup 5 downwards. Simultaneously, the timer program in the PLC controller 6 starts timing. When the electric telescopic cylinder 4 extends for the predetermined time, the PLC determines that the vacuum suction cup 5 has stably contacted the copper plate. Then, the PLC controller 6 activates the vacuum pump, which evacuates the vacuum suction cup 5 through the vacuum pipe 7, stably adsorbing the copper plate. Finally, the vacuum pressure sensor... The pressure change inside the suction cup is monitored in real time. When the pressure reaches the preset vacuum level, the vacuum pressure sensor sends a signal to the PLC controller 6. After receiving the signal, the PLC controller 6 immediately controls the electric telescopic cylinder 4 to retract and lift the vacuum suction cup 5 and the electrolytic copper plate it has attracted. At the same time, the time command program in the PLC controller 6 starts timing. When the electric telescopic cylinder 4 has retracted for the predetermined time, the PLC determines that the vacuum suction cup 5 has been lifted to a sufficiently high safe position. Then, the PLC controller 6 controls the electric trolley 3 to move and transport the attracted copper plate to the top of the furnace feeding port for feeding.
[0034] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "left", "right", "up", "down", "top", "bottom", "front", "back", "inner", "outer", "back", "middle", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.
[0035] However, the above description is only a specific embodiment of this utility model and should not be construed as limiting the scope of implementation of this utility model. Therefore, any substitution of equivalent components or equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the scope of protection of this utility model should still fall within the scope of the claims of this utility model.
Claims
1. A PLC control-based vacuum chuck feeding device for electrolytic copper plate, comprising a feeding rack (1), characterized in that: An adsorption mechanism is provided on the upper end face of the feeding frame (1); The adsorption mechanism includes an installation notch (2) that runs through the upper end face of the feeding frame (1). An electric trolley (3) is installed inside the installation notch (2). An electric telescopic cylinder (4) is installed on the upper end face of the electric trolley (3). The output end of the electric telescopic cylinder (4) extends to the bottom of the electric trolley (3) and is fixedly connected to a vacuum suction cup (5). The vacuum suction cup (5) is a sponge made of polyurethane or rubber foam material with a microporous closed-cell structure.
2. The vacuum chuck feeding device for electrolytic copper plate based on PLC control according to claim 1, characterized in that: A PLC controller (6) is installed on the left side wall of the feeding frame (1). A time command program is added to the PLC program of the PLC controller (6). The PLC controller (6) is electrically connected to the electric trolley (3) and the electric telescopic cylinder (4).
3. The vacuum chuck feeding device for electrolytic copper plate based on PLC control according to claim 2, characterized in that: The upper end of the vacuum suction cup (5) is connected to a vacuum pipe (7), the upper end of the vacuum pipe (7) passes through the electric trolley (3) and is connected to an external vacuum pump, and the vacuum pump is electrically connected to the PLC controller (6).
4. The vacuum chuck feeding device for electrolytic copper plate based on PLC control according to claim 2, characterized in that: The vacuum suction cup (5) is equipped with a vacuum pressure sensor, which is electrically connected to the PLC controller (6).
5. The vacuum chuck feeding device for electrolytic copper plate based on PLC control according to claim 1, characterized in that: The front and rear inner walls of the installation notch (2) are provided with grooves (8), and the multiple drive wheels of the electric trolley (3) are located inside the two grooves (8).
6. The vacuum chuck feeding device for electrolytic copper plate based on PLC control according to claim 3, characterized in that: The section of the vacuum pipe (7) located between the electric trolley (3) and the vacuum suction cup (5) is configured as a telescopic flexible hose.