A feeding and distributing mechanism with U-shaped copper feet

Abstract

This utility model relates to the field of material feeding and distribution technology, and aims to provide a material feeding and distribution mechanism for U-shaped copper feet, including a feeding mechanism, a picking mechanism, and a shifting mechanism. The feeding mechanism arranges several U-shaped copper feet and transports them to the picking mechanism. The feeding mechanism includes a guide platform and a guide block. The U-shaped copper feet are placed on the guide platform with their openings facing downwards, and under the action of gravity, they are in a state of close contact. The U-shaped copper feet located at the lowest point of the guide platform are in contact with the guide block, making the U-shaped copper feet vertically downwards. The beneficial effects of this utility model are that it forms a complete feeding-adjustment-discharging process chain, achieving fully automated production, reducing manual intervention, and increasing operational reliability. Furthermore, when feeding the U-shaped copper feet, they slide along the inclined guide platform under their own weight, avoiding collisions during vibration compared to traditional vibratory feeder feeding.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of material feeding and distributing technology, and more specifically, it relates to a material feeding and distributing mechanism with U-shaped copper feet. Background Technology

[0002] In the fields of electronic component assembly and electrical connection component processing, U-shaped copper pins, as key basic components for achieving circuit conduction and component fixation, are widely used in the manufacturing processes of connectors, relays, transformers, and other products. In the automated assembly process of U-shaped copper pins and workpieces, the stability, efficiency, and integrity of the feeding and dispensing mechanism directly determine the accuracy and product yield of subsequent assembly processes. Therefore, the feeding and dispensing mechanism is one of the core components of the entire automated production line.

[0003] Currently, the industry commonly uses a traditional "vibratory feeder + mechanical gripper" method for feeding and distributing U-shaped copper feet. This involves a vibratory feeder sorting and conveying several U-shaped copper feet, followed by mechanical grippers picking them up and installing them onto the workpiece at the workstation. However, this method has revealed several technical shortcomings in practical application, making it difficult to meet the demands of high-precision and high-stability production. Specific problems are as follows: 1. The feeding process can easily damage the copper leads, affecting product quality: Traditional solutions rely on the high-frequency vibration of a vibratory feeder to sort and transport the U-shaped copper leads. Under continuous vibration, the copper leads inside the vibratory feeder will frequently collide and rub against the feeder wall and adjacent copper leads. Since the surface of the U-shaped copper leads is tin-plated, scratches and deformation are easily generated. In severe cases, it can even lead to deviations in the U-shaped opening size of the copper leads and bending of the leads, directly affecting the subsequent insertion and mating accuracy with the workpiece and increasing the defect rate. At the same time, copper shavings generated by friction may also adhere to the surface of the copper leads. If not cleaned in time, this can pose a hidden danger to the conductivity of subsequent circuits.

[0004] 2. Low feeding and positioning accuracy, limiting material handling efficiency: Although the U-shaped copper feet output by the vibratory feeder can achieve initial sorting, the randomness of vibration makes it difficult to maintain a consistent posture of the copper feet at the discharge port (such as the orientation of the U-shaped opening and the verticality of the feet), and adjacent copper feet are prone to stacking and misalignment. This necessitates the addition of a vision positioning module for posture correction during subsequent mechanical gripper handling, which not only increases equipment costs but also prolongs the single handling cycle. Furthermore, if correction is not timely, problems such as grippers missing or damaging copper feet may occur, further reducing feeding efficiency.

[0005] In summary, existing U-shaped copper foot feeding and distributing mechanisms have significant shortcomings in terms of copper foot protection, positioning accuracy, posture adaptability, and operational stability. There is an urgent need for a feeding and distributing solution that can reduce copper foot damage, improve positioning accuracy, have posture adjustment functions, and operate stably, in order to meet the demands of automated production for high efficiency, high precision, and high reliability. Utility Model Content

[0006] In view of the problems existing in the prior art, this utility model provides a U-shaped copper foot feeding and distributing mechanism to solve the technical problems mentioned in the background art.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a feeding and distributing mechanism for U-shaped copper feet, comprising a feeding mechanism, a picking mechanism, and a shifting mechanism. The feeding mechanism is used to arrange several U-shaped copper feet and transport them to the picking mechanism. The feeding mechanism includes a guide platform and a guide block. The U-shaped copper feet are placed on the guide platform with their openings facing downwards, and under the action of gravity, they are in a state of close contact. The U-shaped copper feet located at the lowest point of the guide platform are in contact with the guide block, so that the U-shaped copper feet are in a vertically downward state. The picking mechanism includes an ejection component and a picking component. The ejection component is installed below the feeding mechanism and is used to eject the U-shaped copper feet from the feeding mechanism. The picking component is connected to the shifting mechanism and is used to pick up the U-shaped copper feet ejected by the ejection component. The shifting mechanism is used to move the picking component and the U-shaped copper feet picked up by the picking component from the feeding mechanism to the workpiece located at the workstation, and is used to drive the U-shaped copper feet to rotate to the required angle and place them on the workpiece.

[0008] By adopting the above technical solutions, a complete feeding-adjustment-discharging process chain is formed, enabling fully automated production, reducing manual intervention, and increasing operational reliability. Furthermore, when feeding with U-shaped copper feet, the material slides along the inclined guide table under its own weight, avoiding collisions caused by vibration compared to traditional vibratory feeders.

[0009] The present invention is further configured such that the guide platform is adapted to the U-shaped opening of the U-shaped copper foot, the guide platform is inclined, and the inclined downward end of the guide platform is connected to the guide block. The guide block has a vertical limiting surface on the side facing the guide platform. A limiting groove in the shape of a "racetrack" is opened on the guide block, and the limiting groove corresponds to the limiting surface. The limiting groove is used to position the U-shaped copper foot during the ejection process, and the limiting surface is used to limit the U-shaped copper foot at the lowest point, so that the U-shaped copper foot is placed on the guide platform in a vertical downward state.

[0010] The present invention is further configured such that the feeding mechanism also includes an air blowing component, which includes an air blowing nozzle. The air blowing nozzle is used to blow air onto the U-shaped copper foot so that it fits tightly against the guide block at the lower end of the guide platform, thereby improving the stability of the ejection component when it is ejected.

[0011] The present invention is further configured such that the ejection assembly includes an ejection cylinder and two ejector pins. A receiving block is installed at the telescopic end of the ejection cylinder, and the two ejector pins are installed on the receiving block. The two ejector pins correspond to the two feet of the U-shaped copper foot respectively. The ejection cylinder drives the ejector pins to rise to eject the U-shaped copper foot from the feeding mechanism.

[0012] The present invention is further configured such that the material picking component includes a material picking cylinder and a vacuum nozzle. The material picking cylinder is connected to the shifting mechanism and is used to drive the vacuum nozzle to move up and down. A positioning block is installed at the bottom of the vacuum nozzle. A positioning groove for positioning the U-shaped copper foot is opened in the positioning block. The positioning groove has a vacuum hole that communicates with the vacuum nozzle. The positioning block and the vacuum hole are used to adsorb and position the U-shaped copper foot.

[0013] The present invention is further configured such that the shifting mechanism includes a transverse component and a rotation component. The transverse component is used to drive the material picking component to move back and forth between the feeding mechanism and the workpiece. The rotation component is connected to the material picking cylinder and the vacuum nozzle and is used to drive the vacuum nozzle to rotate so that the U-shaped copper foot it adsorbs rotates to the required angle.

[0014] The present invention is further configured such that a material shortage sensor and a material absence sensor are installed on both sides of the guide platform. The material shortage sensor is used for material shortage early warning, and the material absence sensor is used for material absence alarm.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, this utility model provides a U-shaped copper foot feeding and distributing mechanism, which has the following beneficial effects: 1. Several U-shaped copper feet rely on their own weight to fit together and contact each other along the inclined guide platform. After the material is picked up by the material picking mechanism, they move downwards by their own weight to replenish the material, thus achieving automatic feeding. Compared with the existing vibratory feeder feeding method, this feeding method can avoid the friction caused by frequent vibration and collision during the feeding process, and can also avoid the risk of material stacking.

[0016] 2. The ejector component facilitates the ejection of the U-shaped copper feet that are attached to and abutting against the limiting surface along the limiting groove, making it convenient for the material handling component to pick them up. This material handling method greatly improves work efficiency and increases the reliability of the operation compared to traditional manual operation. Compared with the vibratory feeder feeding method, it saves production costs and improves production stability.

[0017] 3. The shifting mechanism facilitates the movement of the U-shaped copper foot from the feeding mechanism to the workpiece position for feeding, and also makes it easy to rotate the U-shaped copper foot to the required angle so that it can be inserted into the workpiece. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of a U-shaped copper foot feeding and distributing mechanism; Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the feeding mechanism and ejection assembly; Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of the ejector component; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the shifting mechanism and the material handling assembly; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the material handling assembly and the rotating assembly; Figure 6 This is a partial structural diagram of the material handling component.

[0019] In the diagram: 1. Feeding mechanism; 101. Guide platform; 102. Guide block; 103. Air blowing assembly; 1031. Air blowing nozzle; 1032. Mounting bracket; 104. Limiting groove; 105. Guide hole; 106. Limiting surface; 2. Picking mechanism; 21. Ejection assembly; 211. Ejection cylinder; 212. Ejector pin; 213. Receiving block; 22. Picking assembly; 221. Picking cylinder; 222. Vacuum nozzle; 223. Positioning block; 224. Positioning groove; 225. Vacuum hole; 3. Shifting mechanism; 31. Lateral shift assembly; 311. Lateral moving plate; 32. Rotating assembly; 321. Longitudinal moving frame; 322. Mounting bracket; 323. Drive motor; 324. Synchronous pulley; 325. Synchronous belt; 4. Material shortage sensor; 5. No material sensor; 6. Workstation. Detailed Implementation

[0020] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this application can be combined with each other. The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0021] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, all technical and scientific terms used in this application have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains.

[0022] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature 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" the second feature includes the first feature 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.

[0023] In this utility model, unless otherwise stated, the orientations used, such as "up" and "down", usually refer to the direction shown in the accompanying drawings, or to the vertical, perpendicular, or gravitational direction; similarly, for ease of understanding and description, "left" and "right" usually refer to the left and right shown in the accompanying drawings; "inner" and "outer" refer to the inner and outer contours of each component itself, but the above directional terms are not used to limit this utility model.

[0024] A feeding and distributing mechanism for U-shaped copper feet includes a feeding mechanism 1, a picking mechanism 2, and a shifting mechanism 3. The feeding mechanism 1 is used to arrange several U-shaped copper feet and transport them to the picking mechanism 2. The picking mechanism 2 is used to pick up and release the U-shaped copper feet from the guide table 101. The shifting mechanism 3 is used to drive the picking mechanism 2 to move from the feeding mechanism 1 to the workpiece located at the workstation 6 and insert the U-shaped copper feet into the workpiece to realize the feeding process.

[0025] Specifically, several U-shaped copper feet are arranged in close contact on the feeding mechanism 1. The U-shaped copper feet can be pushed out of the feeding mechanism 1 and picked up by the picking mechanism 2. Then, the picked-up U-shaped copper feet are moved to the workpiece by the shifting mechanism 3 for feeding.

[0026] like Figure 1-2 As shown, the feeding mechanism 1 includes a guide table 101 and a guide block 102. The guide table 101 is used to transport U-shaped copper feet, and the guide block 102 is used to position the U-shaped copper feet. The U-shaped copper feet are placed on the guide table 101 with their openings facing downwards, and are in a state of close contact under the action of gravity. The U-shaped copper feet located at the lowest point of the guide table 101 are in contact with the guide block 102, so that the U-shaped copper feet are in a vertical downward state.

[0027] The guide platform 101 is an inclined boss-type guide rail. The guide platform 101 is adapted to the U-shaped opening of the U-shaped copper foot. The inclined downward end of the guide platform 101 is connected to the guide block 102. The U-shaped copper foot slides on the guide platform 101 under the action of gravity. The guide block 102 has a vertical limiting surface 106 on the side facing the guide platform 101. A limiting groove 104 is opened on the guide block 102, and the limiting groove 104 corresponds to the limiting surface 106. The limiting groove 104 is used to position the U-shaped copper foot during the ejection process. The limiting surface 106 is used to limit the U-shaped copper foot at the lowest point, so that the U-shaped copper foot is placed on the guide platform 101 in a vertical downward state.

[0028] Specifically, the guide block 102 has a groove on the side facing the guide platform 101, and the guide platform 101 is connected in the groove. The contact surface between the guide block 102 and the guide platform 101 is the limiting surface 106. The limiting groove 104 is correspondingly provided with the limiting surface 106. The cross-section of the limiting groove 104 is "racetrack" shaped and is adapted to the U-shaped copper foot, which is used to guide the U-shaped copper foot during the ejection process.

[0029] In practical applications, material shortage sensor 4 and no material sensor 5 are also installed on both sides of the guide table 101. Material shortage sensor 4 is used for material shortage early warning, and no material sensor 5 is used for no material alarm.

[0030] like Figure 1-2As shown, the feeding mechanism 1 also includes an air blowing assembly 103, which includes an air blowing nozzle 1031 and a mounting bracket 322. The air blowing nozzle 1031 is used to blow air onto the U-shaped copper foot so that it fits tightly against the guide block 102 at the lower end of the guide platform 101, thereby improving the stability of the ejection assembly 21 when it is ejected. The mounting bracket 322 is used to fix the air blowing nozzle 1031 to one side of the guide platform 101.

[0031] Specifically, the air nozzle 1031 is connected to an external air pump and air source, and air is blown into the U-shaped copper feet through the air pump and the air nozzle 1031.

[0032] like Figure 1-5 As shown, the material handling mechanism 2 includes an ejection component 21 and a material handling component 22. The ejection component 21 is installed below the feeding mechanism 1 and is used to eject the U-shaped copper foot from the feeding mechanism 1. The material handling component 22 is connected to the shifting mechanism 3 and is used to pick up the U-shaped copper foot ejected by the ejection component 21.

[0033] The ejection assembly 21 includes an ejection cylinder 211 and two ejector pins 212. A receiving block 213 is installed at the telescopic end of the ejection cylinder 211. Both ejector pins 212 are installed on the receiving block 213, and the two ejector pins 212 correspond to the two feet of the U-shaped copper foot respectively. The ejection cylinder 211 drives the ejector pins 212 to rise to eject the U-shaped copper foot from the feeding mechanism 1.

[0034] Specifically, the guide block 102 is provided with a guide hole 105 for the ejector pin 212 to pass through. When the telescopic end of the ejector cylinder 211 extends, it drives the receiving block 213 and the two ejector pins 212 to move upward, ejecting the U-shaped copper foot from the limiting groove 104. After the material taking component 22 takes away the U-shaped copper foot, the telescopic end of the ejector cylinder 211 retracts, driving the ejector pin 212 to move downward and reset. At this time, several U-shaped copper feet slide downward to fill the gap, realizing continuous feeding.

[0035] The material handling component 22 includes a material handling cylinder 221 and a vacuum nozzle 222. The material handling cylinder 221 is connected to the shifting mechanism 3 and is used to drive the vacuum nozzle 222 to move up and down. A positioning block 223 is installed at the bottom of the vacuum nozzle 222. A positioning groove 224 for positioning the U-shaped copper foot is opened in the positioning block 223. The positioning groove 224 has a vacuum hole 225 that communicates with the vacuum nozzle 222. The positioning block 223 and the vacuum hole 225 are used to adsorb and position the U-shaped copper foot.

[0036] Specifically, the vacuum nozzle 222 is connected to an external vacuum pump, and the material-taking cylinder 221 drives the vacuum nozzle 222 to move downward until the positioning groove 224 in the positioning block 223 matches the U-shaped copper foot. The vacuum pump then draws air to adsorb and pick up the U-shaped copper foot.

[0037] like Figure 1 and 4 As shown, the shifting mechanism 3 is used to drive the material picking component 22 and the U-shaped copper foot picked up by the material picking component 22 to move from the feeding mechanism 1 to the workpiece, and to drive the U-shaped copper foot to rotate to the required angle and place it on the workpiece.

[0038] The shifting mechanism 3 includes a transverse component 31 and a rotating component 32. The transverse component 31 is used to drive the material picking component 22 to move back and forth between the feeding mechanism 1 and the workpiece. The rotating component 32 is connected to the material picking cylinder 221 and the vacuum nozzle 222 and is used to drive the vacuum nozzle 222 to rotate so that the U-shaped copper foot it adsorbs rotates to the required angle.

[0039] Specifically, the transverse moving component 31 includes a transverse moving plate 311 and a transverse moving module. The transverse moving plate 311 can move laterally under the drive of the transverse moving module. The material picking cylinder 221 is installed on the transverse moving plate 311. The transverse moving module is preferably an electric slide module, which drives the transverse moving plate 311 to reciprocate. The transverse moving module can also be an electric push rod, a cylinder, or a hydraulic cylinder module.

[0040] Specifically, the rotating assembly 32 includes a longitudinal moving frame 321, a mounting frame 322, a drive motor 323, and a linkage assembly. The longitudinal moving frame 321 is connected to the telescopic end of the picking cylinder 221 and can be raised and lowered under the drive of the picking cylinder 221. The mounting frame 322 is mounted on the longitudinal moving frame 321. The drive motor 323 is fixed on the mounting frame 322. The vacuum nozzle 222 is rotatably mounted on the longitudinal moving frame 321, and the rotation axis of the vacuum nozzle 222 is a vertical axis. The output shaft of the drive motor 323 is connected to the vacuum nozzle 222 through the linkage assembly. The vacuum nozzle 222 can rotate around the above-mentioned rotation axis under the drive of the drive motor 323 to adjust the angle of the U-shaped copper foot.

[0041] like Figure 4 As shown, the linkage assembly includes two synchronous pulleys 324 and a synchronous belt 325 connecting the two. The two synchronous pulleys 324 are respectively sleeved on the output shaft of the drive motor 323 and the vacuum nozzle 222.

[0042] This utility model embodiment discloses a U-shaped copper foot feeding and distributing mechanism, the specific feeding and distributing process of which is as follows: Several U-shaped copper feet are placed on the guide table 101 with their openings facing down, and are arranged in a contacting state under their own weight. The lowest point of the U-shaped copper feet abuts against the limiting surface 106 on the guide block 102, so that the U-shaped copper feet are all arranged in a vertically downward state. The air nozzle 1031 blows air onto the U-shaped copper feet to make them adhere to the limiting surface 106. At this time, the ejector cylinder 211 is activated, which drives the receiving block 213 and the two ejector pins 212 to move upward. The two ejector pins 212 push the U-shaped copper feet above them to push upward along the limiting groove 104 so that the material picking component 22 can pick up the material. When the material handling component 22 handles material, it first moves the vacuum nozzle 222 and the positioning block 223 below it to align with the U-shaped copper foot via the horizontal moving component 31, the rotating component 32, and the material handling cylinder 221. The material handling cylinder 221 then moves the rotating component 32 and the vacuum nozzle 222 connected to the rotating component 32 downwards until the positioning groove 224 on the positioning block 223 matches the U-shaped copper foot ejected by the ejector pin 212. At this point, the vacuum pump is activated, causing the vacuum nozzle 222 to adsorb the U-shaped copper foot. The material handling cylinder 221 then retracts, driving the vacuum suction... The nozzle 222 and the U-shaped copper foot move upwards and are moved above the workpiece by the transverse component 31. At this time, the rotating component 32 drives the vacuum nozzle 222 and the U-shaped copper foot it adsorbs to rotate to the required angle, and the picking cylinder 221 is started to move downwards to assemble the U-shaped copper foot with the workpiece. After the assembly is completed, the vacuum pump stops running and the vacuum nozzle 222 loses its adsorption force. At this time, the picking cylinder 221 can be started to drive the vacuum nozzle 222 to move upwards and be reset by the transverse component 31, ready for the next feeding operation.

[0043] In all the solutions mentioned above, although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A feeding and distributing mechanism with U-shaped copper feet, characterized in that, It includes a feeding mechanism (1), a material handling mechanism (2), and a shifting mechanism (3), wherein, The feeding mechanism (1) is used to transport the U-shaped copper feet to the unloading mechanism (2). The feeding mechanism (1) includes a guide table (101) and a guide block (102). The guide table (101) is used to transport the U-shaped copper feet, and the guide block (102) is used to position the U-shaped copper feet. The material handling mechanism (2) is used for picking up and placing materials from the U-shaped copper feet on the guide table (101). The shifting mechanism (3) is used to drive the material taking mechanism (2) to move back and forth between the feeding mechanism (1) and the workpiece station, and to adjust the position of the U-shaped copper foot on the material taking mechanism.

2. The feeding and distributing mechanism for a U-shaped copper foot according to claim 1, characterized in that, The guide platform (101) is an inclined boss-type guide rail. The U-shaped copper feet are attached to the guide platform (101) with their openings facing downwards. The U-shaped copper feet slide on the guide platform (101) under the action of gravity. The guide block (102) has a vertical limiting surface (106) on the side facing the guide platform (101). The limiting surface (106) is used for positioning the U-shaped copper feet.

3. The feeding and distributing mechanism for a U-shaped copper foot according to claim 2, characterized in that, The material handling mechanism (2) includes an ejection component (21) and a material handling component (22). The ejection component (21) is placed below the guide block (102). The ejection component (21) is used to eject the U-shaped copper foot at the limiting surface (106) upward. The material handling component (22) is connected to the shifting mechanism (3).

4. The feeding and distributing mechanism for a U-shaped copper foot according to claim 3, characterized in that, The guide block (102) has a limiting groove (104) and the limiting groove (104) corresponds to the limiting surface (106). The limiting groove (104) is used to position the U-shaped copper foot during the ejection process.

5. The feeding and distributing mechanism for a U-shaped copper foot according to claim 4, characterized in that, The feeding mechanism (1) also includes an air nozzle (1031) for blowing air onto the U-shaped copper foot so that the U-shaped copper foot at the lowest point fits against the limiting surface (106).

6. The feeding and distributing mechanism for a U-shaped copper foot according to claim 4, characterized in that, The ejection assembly (21) includes an ejection cylinder (211) and two ejector pins (212). A receiving block (213) is installed at the telescopic end of the ejector cylinder (211). Both ejector pins (212) are mounted on the receiving block (213), and the two ejector pins (212) correspond to the two feet of the U-shaped copper foot, respectively. The ejector cylinder (211) drives the ejector pin (212) to move upward and extend into the limiting groove (104).

7. The feeding and distributing mechanism for a U-shaped copper foot according to claim 6, characterized in that, The material handling assembly (22) includes a material handling cylinder (221) and a vacuum nozzle (222), wherein, The material-picking cylinder (221) is connected to the shifting mechanism (3), and the material-picking cylinder (221) is used to drive the vacuum nozzle (222) to move up and down. A positioning block (223) is installed at the bottom of the vacuum nozzle (222). The positioning block (223) has a positioning groove (224) for positioning the U-shaped copper foot. The positioning groove (224) has a vacuum hole (225) that communicates with the vacuum nozzle (222). The positioning block (223) and the vacuum hole (225) are used to adsorb and position the U-shaped copper foot.

8. The feeding and distributing mechanism for a U-shaped copper foot according to claim 7, characterized in that, The shifting mechanism (3) includes a lateral shifting component (31) and a rotation component (32), wherein, The traverse assembly (31) is used to drive the material handling assembly (22) to move back and forth between the loading mechanism (1) and the workpiece. The rotating assembly (32) connects the material handling cylinder (221) and the vacuum nozzle (222) to drive the vacuum nozzle (222) to rotate.

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