A multi-station universal water meter gear insertion device

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of water meters and discloses a multi-station universal water meter gear insertion device, including a gear assembly turntable and a gear assembly mechanism. The gear assembly turntable is connected to a driving component that drives the gear assembly turntable to rotate intermittently. The gear assembly turntable is detachably connected to a positioning fixture for positioning an upper clamping plate. Multiple gear assembly mechanisms are spaced circumferentially around the gear assembly turntable, suitable for sequentially inserting multiple gears of different models. The gear assembly mechanism includes an automatic gear feeding component and a gear transfer insertion component. The automatic gear feeding component is suitable for driving multiple gears to move sequentially to a position close to the gear transfer insertion component. The gear transfer insertion component is suitable for transferring the gears arranged on the automatic gear feeding component and inserting them into the corresponding positions on the dial. This utility model enables multi-station synchronous operation, improving the overall efficiency of gear insertion; shortening changeover time; and enhancing the rapid response capability and versatility to different order requirements.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of water meter technology, and more specifically, to a multi-station universal water meter gear insertion device. Background Technology

[0002] A water meter comprises a housing, a dial, and a gear set. The gear set is mounted on the dial, and both the gear set and the dial are housed within the housing. The gear set includes multiple meshing gears, each with a connecting shaft that inserts into the upper housing. The dial has insertion holes for the connecting shafts to rotate and insert into the gears. Water flowing through the water meter drives the gear set to rotate, which in turn drives the corresponding pointer group on the water meter to rotate, thus displaying the water consumption. In current water meter production, the gear set is primarily assembled manually. This repetitive operation can easily lead to visual fatigue for workers, and the high labor intensity can reduce the assembly cycle time. Furthermore, different models and quantities of water meters are produced according to order requirements. Different models of water meters have different gear positions, quantities, and gear modules. Workers responsible for assembling the gear sets need to spend extra time adapting to these variations before they can assemble them proficiently, further impacting assembly efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0003] To address at least one of the aforementioned problems, this utility model provides a multi-station universal water meter gear insertion device, comprising a gear assembly turntable and a gear assembly mechanism. The gear assembly turntable is connected to a driving component, which drives the gear assembly turntable to rotate intermittently. A positioning fixture for positioning an upper clamping plate is detachably connected to the gear assembly turntable. The gear assembly mechanism is provided with multiple gears spaced circumferentially around the gear assembly turntable, suitable for sequentially inserting multiple gears of different models onto the upper clamping plate. The gear assembly mechanism includes an automatic gear feeding component and a gear transfer insertion component. The automatic gear feeding component is suitable for driving multiple gears to be neatly arranged and moved to a position close to the gear transfer insertion component. The gear transfer insertion component is suitable for transferring the gears arranged on the automatic gear feeding component and inserting them into the corresponding position on the center dial of the upper clamping plate.

[0004] Optionally, the gear transfer insert is a six-axis robot arm, which is connected to a clamping cylinder for clamping or releasing the gear; the gear is provided with an insertion shaft, and the upper clamping plate is provided with an insertion gear positioning hole for inserting the insertion shaft; when inserting the gear, the six-axis robot arm is adapted to drive the insertion shaft to first tilt to the slot of the insertion gear positioning hole, and then drive the insertion shaft to a vertical state and insert it into the insertion gear positioning hole.

[0005] Optionally, the multi-station universal water meter gear insertion device also includes a control system and a human-machine interface display screen. Both the gear transfer insertion component and the human-machine interface display screen are electrically connected to the control system. The control system stores assembly process parameters corresponding to various water meter models. The human-machine interface display screen is suitable for selecting or changing the water meter model and sending instructions to the control system to make the gear transfer insertion component perform corresponding actions.

[0006] Optionally, the gear assembly turntable is provided with a positioning groove, and the positioning fixture is positioned and installed in the positioning groove.

[0007] Optionally, multiple positioning slots are spaced apart circumferentially on the gear assembly turntable, and at least two positioning slots are provided radially along the gear assembly turntable.

[0008] Optionally, the positioning fixture is bolted to the top of the gear assembly turntable.

[0009] Optionally, the upper clamping plate has a reading window, and the top of the positioning fixture has a positioning groove for the upper clamping plate to be inserted into. The positioning groove has a positioning protrusion for the reading window to be positioned and fitted.

[0010] Optionally, the automatic gear feeding assembly includes a gear feeding vibratory feeder and a gear conveying track connected to the gear feeding vibratory feeder. The gear conveying track extends toward the corresponding gear transfer insert. The gear feeding vibratory feeder contains multiple gears of the same type. The gear feeding vibratory feeder is adapted to drive the gears to move to the gear conveying track and arrange them neatly.

[0011] Optionally, the gear conveying track is provided with a blocking block at one end near the gear transfer insert to prevent the gear from falling off.

[0012] Optionally, the blocking block is provided with a gear receiving groove for only one gear to enter, and the top of the gear receiving groove passes through the blocking block so that the gear can disengage from the top of the gear receiving groove.

[0013] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial technical effects of this utility model are as follows:

[0014] 1. By setting up an intermittently rotating gear assembly turntable and its detachable positioning fixtures, and in conjunction with multiple gear assembly mechanisms spaced circumferentially on the gear assembly turntable, multi-station synchronous or sequential operation can be achieved, effectively avoiding visual fatigue caused by long-term repetitive operation and the problem of reduced assembly cycle caused by high labor intensity, thus improving the overall efficiency of gear insertion.

[0015] 2. The design of detachable positioning fixtures on the gear assembly turntable and the assembly process parameters of various water meter models stored in the control system allows operators to simply replace the corresponding gear model in the automatic gear feeding component and select the corresponding model through the human-machine interface display screen to enable the gear transfer insert to automatically perform the corresponding action, shortening the changeover time and enhancing the equipment's rapid response capability and versatility to different order requirements.

[0016] 3. A six-axis robot is used as the gear transfer and insertion component. During insertion, the robot is designed to first tilt the gear insertion shaft to the slot of the gear positioning hole in the upper clamping plate, and then turn it to a vertical position for insertion. This "tilt positioning first, then vertical insertion" action can effectively guide the insertion shaft to accurately enter the gear positioning hole, avoiding shaft misalignment, jamming or damage that may be caused by direct vertical insertion. This improves the positioning accuracy and success rate of gear insertion and reduces the assembly defect rate.

[0017] 4. By setting multiple sets of positioning slots for mounting positioning fixtures circumferentially and radially on the gear assembly turntable, multiple water meter models of fixtures can be set on the same gear assembly turntable in a regular manner. When producing water meters of the corresponding model, it is not necessary to disassemble and replace the corresponding positioning fixtures. It is only necessary to change the corresponding model through the corresponding control system, which significantly shortens the changeover time and further enhances the equipment's ability to respond quickly to different order requirements and its versatility. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the upper clamping plate in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 The structure of the gear assembly turntable and gear assembly mechanism in this utility model embodiment. Figure 1 ;

[0020] Figure 3 The structure of the gear assembly turntable and gear assembly mechanism in this utility model embodiment. Figure 2 ;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of the gear assembly turntable in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0022] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Enlarged view of section A in the middle;

[0023] Figure 6 This is a partial enlargement of an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 ;

[0024] Figure 7 This is a partial enlargement of an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 ;

[0025] Figure 8 This is a partial enlargement of an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 .

[0026] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Gear assembly turntable; 11. Drive component; 12. Positioning fixture; 13. Positioning groove; 2. Gear assembly mechanism; 21. Automatic gear feeding assembly; 22. Gear transfer insert; 23. Gear feeding vibratory feeder; 24. Gear conveying track; 25. Blocking block; 251. Gear receiving groove; 26. Clamping cylinder; 3. Upper clamping plate; 31. Reading window; 32. Gear insertion positioning hole. Detailed Implementation

[0027] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features and advantages of this utility model more apparent and understandable, the following description is provided in conjunction with the appendix. Figure 1-8 This application will be described in further detail.

[0028] Reference Figure 1 The upper clamping plate 3 is a disc. On its back, there is a reading window 31 and multiple spaced insertion gear positioning holes 32. A scale is printed at each insertion gear positioning hole 32, and each hole corresponds to the central axis of the scale. The reading window 31 extends through the upper clamping plate 3. An insertion gear rotates within each insertion gear positioning hole 32, with its shaft located at the central axis of the scale for subsequent connection to the scale's pointer. Multiple gears mesh to form a gear set. Each gear has an integrally formed insertion shaft, with both ends of the insertion shaft extending outwards along the gear's axial direction.

[0029] Reference Figures 2 to 4 This utility model provides a multi-station universal water meter gear insertion device, which includes a gear assembly turntable 1, gear assembly mechanisms 2, a control system (not shown in the figure), and a human-machine interface display screen (not shown in the figure). The gear assembly turntable 1 is connected to a drive component 11, which drives the gear assembly turntable 1 to rotate intermittently. A positioning fixture 12 for positioning the upper clamping plate is detachably connected to the gear assembly turntable 1. Multiple gear assembly mechanisms 2 are spaced circumferentially around the gear assembly turntable 1, suitable for sequentially inserting multiple gears of different models onto the upper clamping plate. By setting the intermittently rotating gear assembly turntable 1 and its detachable positioning fixture 12, and cooperating with the multiple gear assembly mechanisms 2 spaced circumferentially around the gear assembly turntable 1, synchronous or sequential operation at multiple stations can be achieved, significantly improving the overall efficiency of gear insertion. Furthermore, through the control system and the human-machine interface display screen, the gear assembly mechanisms 2 can be controlled to perform corresponding actions according to the water meter model, shortening changeover time.

[0030] The drive component 11 is located below the gear assembly turntable 1. In this embodiment, the drive component 11 is preferably a motor and a gearbox. The input shaft of the gearbox is keyed to a driven gear, and the motor shaft of the motor is keyed to a driving gear. The driving gear and the driven gear are connected by a belt to achieve synchronous rotation. The output shaft of the gearbox is fixedly connected to a flange turntable, which is fixedly connected to the gear assembly turntable 1 by bolts. Thus, the operation of the motor can drive the gear assembly turntable 1 to rotate.

[0031] Reference Figures 2 to 5 The gear assembly turntable 1 has a positioning groove 13 on its top. The positioning fixture 12 is inserted into the positioning groove 13 and connected to the gear assembly turntable 1 by bolts to achieve synchronous rotation. The positioning fixture 12 has a positioning groove on its top for inserting the upper clamping plate. The bottom of the positioning groove has an integrally formed positioning protrusion for positioning the reading window, thus positioning the upper clamping plate in the positioning groove. The bottom of the positioning groove has a countersunk hole. The screws that fix the positioning fixture 12 are inserted into the countersunk hole and will not protrude from the countersunk hole to interfere with the upper clamping plate.

[0032] Reference Figure 5 The positioning grooves 13 are spaced apart circumferentially on the gear assembly turntable 1, and at least two positioning grooves 13 are arranged radially along the gear assembly turntable 1, thus forming two sets of annular positioning groove groups. Each positioning groove 13 contains a positioning fixture 12 installed in the same direction. Different water meter models' positioning fixtures 12 can be installed in the multiple positioning grooves 13 according to a certain pattern. For example, two different water meter models' positioning fixtures 12 can be placed alternately circumferentially in the multiple positioning grooves 13 of the outer ring, i.e., one first-model positioning fixture, one second-model positioning fixture, one first-model positioning fixture, and one second-model positioning fixture, and so on. Similarly, a third and fourth positioning fixture can be placed alternately circumferentially in the multiple positioning grooves 13 of the inner ring. During production, only the rotation angle of the drive component 11 needs to be adjusted. This allows the same gear assembly turntable 1 to have positioning fixtures for multiple water meter models. When producing water meters of the corresponding model, it is not necessary to disassemble and replace the corresponding positioning fixtures, which significantly shortens the changeover time and further enhances the equipment's ability to respond quickly to different order requirements and its versatility.

[0033] Reference Figures 2 to 4The drive unit 11, gear assembly mechanism 2, and human-machine interface display screen are all electrically connected to the control system. The control system stores assembly process parameters for various water meter models. The process parameters for each water meter model include at least the insertion coordinates, insertion depth, and sequence of each gear. The human-machine interface display screen is suitable for selecting or changing water meter models. Operators select or enter the target model on the display screen according to the current production batch. The display screen sends the model instruction to the control system. The control system automatically retrieves the action program matching that model, driving the drive unit 11 and gear assembly mechanism 2 to sequentially insert each gear into the corresponding insertion gear positioning hole position in the upper clamping plate. Thus, by simply changing the model through the human-machine interface display screen, the production of different specifications of water meters can be quickly switched.

[0034] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 The gear assembly mechanism 2 includes an automatic gear feeding assembly 21 and a gear transfer insert 22. The automatic gear feeding assembly 21 is adapted to drive multiple gears to be neatly arranged and moved to a position close to the gear transfer insert 22, and the gear transfer insert 22 is adapted to transfer the gears arranged on the automatic gear feeding assembly 21 and insert them into the corresponding positions on the upper clamping plate.

[0035] Combination Figure 3 Reference Figure 6 and Figure 7 The automatic gear feeding assembly 21 includes a gear feeding vibratory feeder 23 (existing technology, common knowledge in the mechanical field, not described in detail) and a gear conveying track 24 connected and communicating with the gear feeding vibratory feeder 23. The gear feeding vibratory feeder 23 contains multiple gears of the same type. The gears located within the gear feeding vibratory feeder 23 can sequentially enter the gear conveying track 24 and be neatly arranged (the gears are neatly arranged axially in the vertical direction) under the vibration of the gear feeding vibratory feeder 23 itself. The end of the gear conveying track 24 away from the gear feeding vibratory feeder 23 extends towards the corresponding gear transfer insert 22.

[0036] Combination Figure 3 Reference Figures 6 to 8The gear conveying track 24 has a blocking block 25 near the gear transfer insert 22 to prevent the gear from falling out. A support column is bolted to the bottom of the blocking block 25, and the support column is bolted to the base. A gear receiving groove 251 for a single gear is formed at the end of the blocking block 25 near the gear conveying track 24. The top of the gear receiving groove 251 extends through the blocking block 25, and the insertion shaft protrudes from the receiving groove and is located at the top of the blocking block 25, allowing the gear transfer insert 22 to clamp the insertion shaft from the top of the blocking block 25 and pull the gear out of the gear receiving groove 251 and install it on the upper clamping plate. An infrared sensor is bolted to the outer wall of the blocking block 25. The infrared light emitted by the sensor covers the insertion shaft located at the top of the gear in the gear receiving groove 251, thereby detecting whether there is a gear in the gear receiving groove 251, and sending a signal to the control system to control the gear transfer insert 22.

[0037] Reference Figures 6 to 8 In this embodiment, the preferred gear transfer insert 22 is a six-axis robot (existing technology, common knowledge in the mechanical field, specific structure not described in detail). The actuator of the six-axis robot is fixedly mounted with a clamping cylinder 26 for clamping or releasing the gear by bolts. When the six-axis robot clamps the gear on the corresponding blocking block 25, it also clamps the insertion shaft above the gear; then it moves the gear to the upper clamping plate where the gear needs to be inserted, and drives the gear to the corresponding insertion gear positioning hole position; then the six-axis robot is adapted to drive the insertion shaft below the gear to first tilt to the slot of the insertion gear positioning hole; finally, it drives the insertion shaft to a vertical state and inserts it into the insertion gear positioning hole. In this way, the insertion shaft can be effectively guided to accurately enter the insertion gear positioning hole, avoiding shaft slot misalignment, jamming or damage that may be caused by direct vertical insertion, thereby improving the positioning accuracy and success rate of gear insertion and reducing the assembly defect rate.

[0038] The working process of a multi-station universal water meter gear insertion device according to an embodiment of this application is as follows: The upper clamping plate is held and positioned on the corresponding positioning fixture 12 of the gear assembly turntable 1 by a feeding robot. Then, the driving component 11 drives the gear assembly turntable 1 to move the positioning fixture 12 intermittently. Each rotation of the gear assembly turntable 1 causes the upper clamping plate to stop at the position of the corresponding gear transfer insertion component 22. The gear transfer insertion component 22 then picks up the gear from the corresponding automatic gear feeding assembly 21 and transfers it to the corresponding position on the upper clamping plate. Then, the gear is inserted into the insertion gear positioning hole of the upper clamping plate. During the above process, the other gear transfer insertion components 22 will move synchronously to achieve multi-station synchronous operation and improve the overall efficiency of gear insertion. The control system stores assembly process parameters for various water meter models, allowing operators to simply replace the corresponding gear in the automatic gear feeding assembly 21 and select the corresponding model via the human-machine interface display. This enables the gear transfer insert 22 to automatically perform the corresponding action, shortening changeover time and enhancing the equipment's rapid response capability and versatility to different order requirements.

[0039] Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined with "first," "second," etc., may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this disclosure, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified. In this disclosure, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" a second feature may mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or that the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Moreover, "above," "over," and "on top" of a second feature may mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" a second feature may mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0040] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of several implementation methods of this disclosure, and their descriptions are relatively specific and detailed. However, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the utility model patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the inventive concept of this disclosure, and these modifications and improvements all fall within the protection scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A multi-station universal water meter gear insertion device, characterized in that: The system includes a gear assembly turntable (1) and a gear assembly mechanism (2). The gear assembly turntable (1) is connected to a drive member (11), which drives the gear assembly turntable (1) to rotate intermittently. A positioning fixture (12) for positioning the upper clamping plate is detachably connected to the gear assembly turntable (1). The gear assembly mechanism (2) is provided with multiple gears spaced circumferentially around the gear assembly turntable (1), which are suitable for sequentially inserting multiple gears of different models onto the upper clamping plate. The gear assembly mechanism (2) includes an automatic gear feeding assembly (21) and a gear transfer insert (22). The automatic gear feeding assembly (21) is suitable for driving multiple gears to be neatly arranged and moved to a position close to the gear transfer insert (22). The gear transfer insert (22) is suitable for transferring the gears arranged on the automatic gear feeding assembly (21) and inserting them into the corresponding position of the dial plate in the upper clamping plate.

2. The multi-station universal water meter gear insertion device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The gear transfer insert (22) is a six-axis manipulator, which is connected to a clamping cylinder (26) for clamping or releasing the gear; the gear is provided with an insertion shaft, and the upper clamping plate is provided with an insertion gear positioning hole for inserting the insertion shaft; when inserting the gear, the six-axis manipulator is adapted to drive the insertion shaft to first tilt to the slot of the insertion gear positioning hole, and then drive the insertion shaft to be in a vertical state and insert it into the insertion gear positioning hole.

3. The multi-station universal water meter gear insertion device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a control system and a human-machine interface display screen. The gear transfer insert (22) and the human-machine interface display screen are both electrically connected to the control system. The control system stores assembly process parameters corresponding to various water meter models. The human-machine interface display screen is suitable for selecting or changing the water meter model and sending instructions to the control system so that the gear transfer insert (22) can perform corresponding actions.

4. The multi-station universal water meter gear insertion device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The gear assembly turntable (1) is provided with a positioning groove (13), and the positioning fixture (12) is positioned and installed in the positioning groove (13).

5. The multi-station universal water meter gear insertion device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The positioning grooves (13) are provided in multiple circumferentially on the gear assembly turntable (1), and at least two positioning grooves (13) are provided radially along the gear assembly turntable (1).

6. The multi-station universal water meter gear insertion device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The positioning fixture (12) is bolted to the top of the gear assembly turntable (1).

7. The multi-station universal water meter gear insertion device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The upper clamping plate has a reading window, and the top of the positioning fixture (12) has a positioning groove for the upper clamping plate to be inserted. The positioning groove has a positioning protrusion for the reading window to be positioned.

8. The multi-station universal water meter gear insertion device according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that: The automatic gear feeding assembly (21) includes a gear feeding vibratory plate (23) and a gear conveying track (24) connected to the gear feeding vibratory plate (23). The gear conveying track (24) extends toward the corresponding gear transfer insert (22). The gear feeding vibratory plate (23) contains multiple gears of the same type. The gear feeding vibratory plate (23) is adapted to drive the gears to move to the gear conveying track (24) and arrange them neatly.

9. The multi-station universal water meter gear insertion device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The gear conveying track (24) has a blocking block (25) at one end near the gear transfer insert (22) to prevent the gear from falling off.

10. The multi-station universal water meter gear insertion device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The blocking block (25) is provided with a gear receiving groove (251) for only one gear to enter. The top of the gear receiving groove (251) passes through the blocking block (25) so that the gear can disengage from the top of the gear receiving groove (251).

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