A feed device for heat exchanger small elbow insertion

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of for heat exchanger small elbow insertion feed device, belong to heat exchanger pipe fitting feed technical field.Device includes material collecting barrel, vibration feeding assembly, jaw pushing assembly, stop positioning structure and workpiece conveying assembly composition, material collecting barrel is realized small elbow batch storage and orderly discharge with outside vibration drive assembly, vibration feeding assembly is with unified posture directional delivery small elbow to clamping push station.Jaw flexible stop positioning structure can be stabilized to the small elbow of conveying Stop docking.Jaw pushing assembly is smoothly pushed to the receiving station of workpiece conveying assembly with the small elbow at station, and workpiece conveying assembly transports workpiece to be inserted station.This device replaces artificial loading, effectively improves feed efficiency, reduces labor intensity, realizes the whole process continuous feed of small elbow storage, alignment, conveying, positioning, switching, and adapts the automatic production process of small elbow batch insertion of heat exchanger.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of heat exchanger feeding technology, and in particular to a feeding device for inserting a small elbow into a heat exchanger. Background Technology

[0002] During the production and processing of heat exchangers, a large number of small bend tube insertion and assembly operations need to be completed. As the core connecting pipes of the heat exchanger, the continuity of material supply and the stability of posture of the small bend tubes directly affect the overall assembly accuracy and production efficiency of the heat exchanger.

[0003] Currently, in the small bend tube insertion process of heat exchangers, the mainstream production method mainly uses manual assistance combined with a simple feeding structure to complete the picking, alignment, and transfer of small bend tubes. Small bend tubes are picked up one by one by hand, their posture is calibrated, and then they are transported to the insertion station for assembly. However, the existing small bend tube feeding method suffers from low automation, failing to achieve batch storage, automatic alignment, and continuous directional conveying of small bend tubes. The overall feeding process is fragmented, making it difficult to form a coherent station transfer process. Furthermore, the existing feeding structure cannot reliably guarantee the uniformity of the small bend tube's conveying posture. After the workpiece is conveyed to the insertion pre-station, its posture is prone to disorder and instability, making it impossible to connect the feeding process with the subsequent insertion process. This greatly limits the production efficiency of batch insertion processing of small bend tubes for heat exchangers and cannot meet the needs of large-scale, automated heat exchanger production operations. Utility Model Content

[0004] This invention provides a feeding device for inserting a small elbow into a heat exchanger, in order to overcome the above-mentioned problems.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of this utility model is as follows: A feeding device for inserting a small elbow in a heat exchanger includes a collecting cylinder, a vibrating feeding assembly, a gripper pushing assembly, a stop positioning structure, and a workpiece conveying assembly. The collecting cylinder is used to hold small elbows. The small elbows inside the collecting cylinder can be orderly transported to the outlet of the collecting cylinder by the vibration generated by the vibration drive component outside the collecting cylinder. The vibratory feeding assembly is located between the collecting cylinder and the workpiece conveying assembly, and is used to vibrate and convey the small elbow at the outlet of the collecting cylinder along the feeding channel of the vibratory feeding assembly to the clamping and pushing station at the outlet of the vibratory feeding assembly by means of vibration force. The stop positioning structure is a flexible structure, and the stop positioning structure is located at the outlet of the vibrating feeding assembly to stop the small bend in the feeding channel at the clamping and pushing station. The gripper pushing assembly is located at the outlet of the vibrating feeding assembly and is used to push the small elbow that transmits vibration to the gripping station toward the workpiece conveying assembly, so that the small elbow passes through the stop positioning structure to the receiving station on the workpiece conveying assembly. The workpiece conveying assembly is used to convey the small elbow located at the receiving station to the insertion station of the next process.

[0006] Furthermore, the gripper pushing assembly includes a gripper, a lifting structure, and a translation structure; The translation structure is mounted on the support in the horizontal direction, the lifting structure is mounted on the translation structure in the vertical direction, and the gripper is mounted on the lifting structure. The gripper includes two spaced-apart legs, forming a clamping and pushing space between the two legs for accommodating and clamping the small elbow; the lifting structure is used to drive the gripper to move vertically, so that the two legs are engaged with the top outer side of the small elbow, bringing the small elbow into the clamping and pushing space; the translation structure is used to drive the gripper and the lifting structure to move laterally, applying a lateral pushing force to the small elbow through the legs, pushing the small elbow from the clamping and pushing station to the receiving station.

[0007] Furthermore, the vibratory feeding assembly includes a supporting base plate, two opposing and spaced-apart fixed plates, and a linear vibration drive mechanism. The two fixed plates are respectively disposed on both sides of the supporting base plate, and together with the supporting base plate, they enclose the feeding channel. Multiple small elbows located in the feeding channel are arranged sequentially from the inlet to the outlet of the vibratory feeding assembly. The linear vibration drive mechanism is fixed to the lower side of the support base plate and is used to drive the support base plate and the two fixed plates to generate directional vibration along the conveying direction, thereby driving the small elbow in the feeding channel to move from the inlet of the vibration feeding assembly to the outlet of the vibration feeding assembly.

[0008] Furthermore, the stop positioning structure includes two elastic columns, which are respectively arranged on the two fixed plates in the transverse direction. One end of each elastic column is fixed on the fixed plate, and the other end of each elastic column is a free end. The free ends of the two elastic columns are arranged opposite to each other, and a gap with a width smaller than the outer diameter of the small elbow is provided between the free ends of the two elastic columns.

[0009] Furthermore, the translation structure is a translation cylinder mounted on the support in the lateral direction, and the lifting structure is a lifting cylinder mounted on the piston end of the translation cylinder in the vertical direction; the gripper is fixed to the top of the piston of the lifting cylinder by a gripper mounting plate.

[0010] Furthermore, the workpiece conveying assembly includes a transmission belt and a translation module. The transmission belt is disposed on the translation module and has multiple receiving stations. The direction of the receiving stations is consistent with the extension direction of the feeding channel on the vibrating feeding assembly.

[0011] Furthermore, auxiliary clamping elastic elements are provided on both sides of the receiving station.

[0012] Furthermore, it also includes a sensing device for detecting the position and conveying posture of the small elbow, as well as the position integrity of the two positioning mounting rings on the small elbow; the sensing device is provided on the fixed plate, at the outlet of the collection cylinder, and at the clamping and pushing station.

[0013] The beneficial effects of this utility model are: This utility model discloses a feeding device for inserting small elbows in heat exchangers. Through a set of collecting cylinders and a vibration drive assembly, it can achieve batch storage and automatic sorting of small elbows, replacing manual feeding one by one, improving feeding efficiency, and reducing labor intensity. The vibration feeding assembly can directionally transport the discharged small elbows along the feeding channel in a uniform posture, ensuring that the small elbow workpieces arrive at the clamping and pushing station in an orderly and continuous manner, guaranteeing the consistency of posture in subsequent pushing actions. Through a set of gripper pushing components, the workpieces at the clamping and pushing station can be accurately pushed laterally to the receiving station of the workpiece conveying assembly, realizing the connection between the vibration feeding process and the subsequent conveying process. The device features a smooth connection; its flexible stop positioning structure reliably stops the vibrating conveyor elbows, ensuring they are stably positioned at the clamping station and improving the positioning accuracy of the grippers. It also elastically avoids the force of the grippers, eliminating the need for additional drive components, resulting in a simplified structure and reliable operation. The workpiece conveying assembly transports the received elbows to the insertion station for precise connection with subsequent heat exchanger elbow insertion processes. The entire device achieves continuous feeding of elbows from storage, alignment, conveying, positioning to transfer and discharge, meeting the process requirements for batch insertion of elbows in heat exchanger production. Attached Figure Description

[0014] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the axial structure of a feeding device for inserting a small elbow in a heat exchanger, as disclosed in an embodiment of this utility model. Figure 2 for Figure 1 Enlarged view of section A; Figure 3 This is a top view of a feeding device for inserting a small elbow into a heat exchanger, as disclosed in an embodiment of the present utility model. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the axial structure of a feeding device for inserting a small elbow in a heat exchanger, as disclosed in an embodiment of this utility model (showing a stop positioning structure). Figure 5 for Figure 4 Enlarged view of section B; Figure 6 This is a top view schematic diagram (showing a stop and positioning structure) of a feeding device for inserting a small elbow into a heat exchanger, as disclosed in an embodiment of this utility model. Figure 7 for Figure 6 Enlarged view of section C; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a fixing plate for inserting a small elbow in a heat exchanger, as disclosed in an embodiment of this utility model.

[0016] In the diagram: 1. Collection cylinder; 11. Collection cylinder outlet; 2. Vibrating feeding assembly; 21. Feeding channel; 22. Clamping station; 23. Support base plate; 24. Fixing plate; 241. Outlet; 3. Gripper pushing assembly; 31. Gripper; 32. Lifting structure; 33. Translation structure; 34. Gripper mounting plate; 4. Stop positioning structure; 41. Elastic column; 42. Gap; 5. Workpiece conveying assembly; 51. Receiving station; 52. Transmission belt; 53. Translation module; 54. Auxiliary clamping elastic element; 6. Small elbow; 7. Bracket; 8. Sensing device; 9. Positioning sensor; 10. Waste bin. Detailed Implementation

[0017] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0018] Example: like Figures 1-8 The image shows a feeding device for inserting a small elbow in a heat exchanger, as provided in this embodiment. It includes a material collection cylinder 1, a vibrating feeding assembly 2, a gripper pushing assembly 3, a stop positioning structure 4, and a workpiece conveying assembly 5. The collecting cylinder 1 is used to hold the small elbows 6. The small elbows inside the collecting cylinder 1 can be orderly transported to the collecting cylinder outlet 11 by the vibration generated by the vibration drive component outside the collecting cylinder 1. The vibratory feeding assembly 2 is located between the collecting cylinder and the workpiece conveying assembly, and is used to vibrate and convey the small elbow at the outlet of the collecting cylinder along the feeding channel 21 of the vibratory feeding assembly to the clamping and pushing station 22 at the outlet of the vibratory feeding assembly by means of vibration force. The stop positioning structure 4 is a flexible structure. The stop positioning structure 4 is located at the outlet of the vibrating feeding assembly 2. It is used to stop the small elbow on the feeding channel at the clamping and pushing station, and can undergo elastic deformation under the pushing force of the clamping and pushing assembly to allow the small elbow to pass through and enter. The gripper pushing assembly 3 is located at the outlet of the vibrating feeding assembly and is used to push the small elbow that transmits vibration to the gripping station toward the workpiece conveying assembly, so that the small elbow passes through the stop positioning structure 4 to the receiving station 51 on the workpiece conveying assembly 5. The workpiece conveying assembly 5 is used to convey the small elbow located at the receiving station 51 to the insertion station of the next process.

[0019] In this embodiment, the stop positioning structure 4 is made of spring steel with an elastic force of approximately 6N. The stop positioning structure 4 can only effectively limit and stop the small elbow 6 that has been conveyed to the position, without causing extrusion damage to the outer wall of the small elbow 6. At the same time, the surface of the spring steel is smooth and the contact stress is uniform. During the process of the gripper pushing the small elbow 6, the small elbow 6 and the stop positioning structure 4 make smooth contact and slide. With the appropriate elastic yielding characteristics, it can effectively avoid scratching or crushing the outer wall of the small elbow 6, ensuring the reliability of positioning while fully protecting the integrity of the workpiece appearance. The vibration drive component is a conventional vibratory disc excitation structure, which can drive the collecting cylinder to generate high-frequency torsional vibration, so that the small elbows in the cylinder are output to the outlet of the collecting cylinder in an orderly manner. The vibration drive component can also adopt an eccentric motor vibrator structure, and any existing vibration structure that can drive the collecting cylinder to vibrate and transport the small elbows inside to the outlet in an orderly manner is acceptable. A vision inspection device is installed next to the collection cylinder 1. The vision inspection device detects the small elbows in the collection cylinder 1 in real time and judges the quality of the workpieces. Once a defective product (such as a small elbow with a detached positioning ring) is identified, the control system drives the solenoid valve installed on the collection cylinder 1 to open. The airflow is used to discharge the defective product from the discharge port on the side wall of the collection cylinder 1 to the waste bin 10 on the lower side of the collection cylinder 1, so as to realize the early sorting and removal of defective products.

[0020] The feeding device for inserting small elbows in heat exchangers provided by this utility model uses a collection cylinder in conjunction with a vibration drive assembly to achieve batch storage and automatic sorting of small elbows, eliminating the need for manual loading one by one, reducing labor intensity and effectively improving loading efficiency. The vibration feeding assembly can transport the discharged small elbows along the feeding channel in a uniform orientation, ensuring that the workpieces arrive at the clamping and pushing station in an orderly and continuous manner, guaranteeing the consistency of posture in subsequent pushing actions. The gripper pushing assembly can push the workpieces from the clamping and pushing station laterally to the receiving station of the workpiece conveying assembly, achieving a smooth transition between the vibration feeding process and the subsequent conveying process. The flexible stop positioning structure can reliably stop the vibrating conveyed small elbows, making them stably stop at the clamping and pushing station, ensuring the accuracy of the gripper pushing position. On the other hand, it can elastically avoid the action of the gripper pushing force, eliminating the need for additional power components to drive opening and closing, resulting in a simplified structure and reliable operation. The workpiece conveying assembly can uniformly transport the received small elbows to the insertion station, smoothly connecting with the subsequent heat exchanger elbow insertion process. The entire device realizes continuous automated feeding of small elbows from storage, alignment, conveying, positioning to transfer and discharge, which can fully meet the process requirements of batch insertion of small elbows in heat exchanger production.

[0021] In a specific embodiment, the gripper pushing assembly 3 includes a gripper 31, a lifting structure 32, and a translation structure 33; The translation structure 33 is arranged on the bracket 7 in the horizontal direction, the lifting structure 32 is arranged on the translation structure 33 in the vertical direction, and the gripper 31 is installed on the lifting structure 32; The gripper 31 includes two spaced-apart legs, forming a clamping and pushing space between the two legs for accommodating and clamping the small elbow; the lifting structure 32 is used to drive the gripper to move vertically, so that the two legs are correspondingly engaged with the top outer side of the small elbow, and the small elbow is included in the clamping and pushing space; the translation structure is used to drive the gripper 31 and the lifting structure 32 to move horizontally, and apply a horizontal pushing force to the small elbow through the legs, pushing the small elbow from the clamping and pushing station 22 to the receiving station 51.

[0022] Initially, the gripper 31 is located directly above the clamping station 22. After the small elbow 6 is vibrated and transported to the clamping station 22, the lifting structure 32 drives the gripper 31 to move vertically downward, causing the two clamping legs to fall to the sides of the small elbow 6. The small elbow 6 then enters the clamping space between the two clamping legs, and the inner sidewalls of the clamping legs fit against the top outer sidewall of the small elbow 6. Subsequently, the translation structure 33 drives the lifting structure 32 and the gripper 31 to move laterally towards the workpiece conveying assembly 5, passing through the sidewalls of the clamping legs. The small elbow 6 is pushed laterally to be pushed out of the clamping station 22, and after passing through the two elastic columns 41 of the stop positioning structure 4, it falls onto the receiving station 51 of the workpiece conveying assembly 5. After the pushing action is completed, the lifting structure 32 drives the gripper 31 to rise vertically to reset, and the translation structure 33 drives the gripper 31 to return to the initial position, waiting for the next pushing cycle. Under the drive of the translation module 53 of the workpiece conveying assembly 5, the transmission belt 52 drives the small elbow 6 to the insertion station to perform the insertion operation.

[0023] By setting up a lifting structure and a translation structure, the vertical alignment and lateral pushing of the grippers can be achieved in steps, and the operation is stable and reliable. The workpiece is accommodated by the clamping space, and the lateral pushing force is transmitted by the clamping legs on both sides in a side-wall fit manner. The workpiece can be pushed by lifting action alone. The structure is simple and the manufacturing cost is low. The lateral pushing conveying method can maintain the stable conveying posture of the small bend, smoothly complete the transfer between different workstations, and is suitable for the feeding characteristics of tubular workpieces.

[0024] In a specific embodiment, the vibrating feeding assembly 2 includes a supporting base plate 23, two opposing and spaced fixed plates 24, and a linear vibration drive mechanism. The two fixed plates 24 are respectively disposed on both sides of the supporting base plate 23, and together with the supporting base plate 23, they enclose the feeding channel 21. A plurality of small elbows 6 located in the feeding channel 21 are arranged sequentially from the inlet to the outlet of the vibrating feeding assembly 2. The linear vibration drive mechanism is fixed to the lower side of the support base plate 23 and is used to drive the support base plate 23 and the two fixed plates 24 to generate directional vibration along the conveying direction, thereby driving the small elbow 6 in the feeding channel 21 to move from the inlet of the vibration feeding assembly 2 to the outlet of the vibration feeding assembly 2.

[0025] In this embodiment, the fixing plate 24 has an outlet 241. The bottom of the outlet 241 is a sloping structure, which slopes downward from the side closer to the feeding channel 21 to the side farther away from the feeding channel 21. This outlet is used to discharge the positioning mounting ring that accidentally falls off the small elbow 6. The detached positioning mounting ring can automatically slide down along the sloping bottom of the outlet and be discharged to the outside of the feeding channel 21, avoiding the positioning mounting ring from getting stuck inside the feeding channel 21 and causing material jamming, thus ensuring the continuity of the feeding process of the feeding channel 21. After the positioning mounting ring on the small elbow falls off, it does not affect the continued conveying of the small elbow 6 on the feeding channel 21, nor does it affect the detection of the fullness status of the feeding channel 21 and the receiving box. Meanwhile, the positioning and installation ring is fitted onto the outer wall of the two straight pipe sections of the small elbow 6, and is only used to align and limit the small elbow 6 during the assembly and insertion process. In the vertical direction, the installation height of the positioning and installation ring on the small elbow 6 is higher than the height of the elastic column 41 of the stop positioning structure 4 and higher than the height of the auxiliary clamping elastic structure 54 on both sides of the receiving station 51. At the same time, the vertical height of the positioning and installation ring is lower than the height of the contact surface between the clamping leg and the small elbow 6 when the clamping claw 31 clamps and pushes the small elbow 6. That is, the installation position of the positioning and installation ring will not affect the function of the clamping claw, the stop positioning structure and the auxiliary clamping elastic element.

[0026] The linear vibration drive mechanism is a conventional linear feeding vibratory machine structure, such as an electromagnetic linear vibratory feeder. It transmits directional vibration force to the supporting base plate 23 and synchronously drives the supporting base plate 23 and the two fixed plates 24 to generate high-frequency micro-amplitude vibration along the conveying direction, so that the small elbow 6 is conveyed at a uniform speed and continuously along the feeding channel 21 from the inlet to the outlet of the vibratory feeding component 2.

[0027] The supporting base plate 23 and the fixed plates 24 on both sides can form a U-shaped feeding channel 21. Multiple small elbows 6 are supported on the supporting base plate 23 with their elbows facing upwards. The feeding channel 21 can provide lateral constraint on the small elbows 6 throughout the conveying process, so that the workpiece naturally maintains a uniform posture with its elbows facing upwards. No additional posture correction components are required, and the channel structure is simple and compact. The linear vibration drive mechanism is directly installed on the underside of the supporting base plate. The vibration force is transmitted directly with low loss, which can realize the uniform and continuous conveying of the small elbows 6. The feeding rhythm is stable and controllable. The mature linear vibration feeding structure is adopted. There is no rigid impact during operation, the workpiece is conveyed smoothly, and the structure has high reliability and low maintenance cost. It is suitable for the directional conveying requirements of tubular workpieces and can be smoothly connected with the preceding and following processes.

[0028] In a specific embodiment, the stop positioning structure 4 includes two elastic columns 41, which are respectively arranged on two fixed plates in the transverse direction. One end of each elastic column 41 is fixed on the fixed plate, and the other end of each elastic column 41 is a free end. The free ends of the two elastic columns 41 are arranged opposite to each other, and a gap 42 with a width smaller than the outer diameter of the small elbow is provided between the free ends of the two elastic columns 41.

[0029] Two opposing elastic columns 41 form a flexible stop structure, eliminating the need for additional power components to drive opening and closing. The gap 42 between them allows for simultaneous positioning and pushing of the small elbow 6. The overall structure is simple, with low assembly and maintenance costs. When the small elbow 6, conveyed by the vibrating feeding assembly 2, travels along the feeding channel 21 to the outlet, it is laterally blocked by the two elastic columns 41, automatically stopping and stably stopping at the clamping station 22, completing automatic workpiece positioning and providing a unified starting position for the subsequent pushing action of the gripper 31. The elastic columns 41 are fixedly installed on the fixed plate 24 and can be directly arranged on the existing sidewall of the feeding channel without the need for additional mounting bases, resulting in a highly compact structure. During the pushing process, the small elbow 6 relies on the elastic deformation of the elastic columns 41 to avoid impacts, preventing rigid collisions and scratches to the outer wall of the workpiece. After pushing, the elastic columns 41 automatically reset, continuously maintaining the stop function, ensuring stable and reliable operation and a long service life.

[0030] In a specific embodiment, the translation structure 33 is a translation cylinder arranged on the bracket 7 in the horizontal direction, and the lifting structure 32 is a lifting cylinder arranged at the piston end of the translation cylinder in the vertical direction; the gripper 31 is fixed to the top of the piston of the lifting cylinder by the gripper mounting plate 34. The device employs a combined drive scheme of translational cylinder and lifting cylinder to achieve vertical alignment and lateral pushing of gripper 31 via pneumatic means. The pneumatic drive offers fast response speed and stable stroke, adapting to the high-frequency reciprocating feeding rhythm of small elbows 6. It also boasts strong adaptability to industrial air sources and low operating energy consumption. The lifting cylinder is directly mounted on the piston end of the translational cylinder, effectively reducing the space occupied by the gripper pushing component 3 on the bracket 7. The gripper 31 is fixed to the piston top of the lifting cylinder via the gripper mounting plate 34, ensuring a stable and reliable connection. This also facilitates quick replacement of the appropriate gripper 31 for different pipe diameters of small elbows 6, making the device highly versatile and easy to assemble and debug. The overall pure pneumatic drive structure has no complex transmission components, resulting in fewer failure points, low daily maintenance costs, and high operational stability, ensuring smooth workpiece transfer between workstations.

[0031] In a specific embodiment, the workpiece conveying assembly 5 includes a transmission belt 52 and a translation module 53. The transmission belt 52 is disposed on the translation module 53, and the transmission belt 52 is provided with a plurality of receiving stations 51. The setting direction of the receiving stations 51 is consistent with the extension direction of the feeding channel 21 on the vibrating feeding assembly 2. The transmission belt 52 is mounted on the translation module 53, and the translation module 53 drives the step-by-step conveying. Combined with multiple receiving stations 51 arranged on the transmission belt 52, it can continuously receive small elbows 6 pushed by grippers, achieving orderly flow of multiple workpieces and matching the production rhythm of batch feeding. The receiving station 51 is oriented in the same direction as the feeding channel 21 on the vibrating feeding assembly 2, allowing the small elbows 6 pushed by the grippers to enter the receiving station 51 in a straight line. The pushing process does not require changing the workpiece's direction of travel, maintaining a stable workpiece posture, and ensuring a smooth and unobstructed transfer process. The belt conveyor combined with the translation module's conveying scheme allows for controllable conveying stroke and adjustable station flow rhythm, stably conveying the received small elbows 6 to the corresponding position in the downstream insertion process, ensuring efficient connection between upstream and downstream processes. The overall conveying structure is highly adaptable to the front-end feeding channel, eliminating the need for additional steering or transfer guide structures. The device has high integration, few operational failure points, and low long-term maintenance costs. The translation module 53 is a mature existing linear translation drive structure. In actual applications, other translation structures such as linear cylinders and motor screw drives can be selected according to the layout and conveying requirements of the production site. It can drive the transmission belt 52 and the small elbows 6 on the receiving station 51 to complete the step-by-step conveying. The downstream insertion process is also equipped with a visual inspection device that can perform quality inspection on the small elbows 6. Before the small elbows 6 are inserted, the integrity of the two positioning mounting rings of the small elbows 6 and the quality of the small elbows 6 are inspected. Small elbows 6 with the two positioning mounting rings in place and meeting the quality requirements are inserted by the insertion device. Defective products are picked up and rejected into the waste collection box to ensure the quality of the small elbows to be inserted.

[0032] In a specific embodiment, auxiliary clamping elastic members 54 are provided on both sides of the receiving station 51. After the small elbow 6 is pushed to the receiving station 51 by the gripper, the auxiliary clamping elastic members 54 on both sides of the small elbow 6 abut against the outer wall surface on both sides of the small elbow 6 to clamp the small elbow 6, so as to prevent the small elbow 6 from tilting or sliding and to ensure the positional stability of the small elbow 6 in the receiving station 51. In this embodiment, the auxiliary clamping elastic element 54 on one side of the receiving station 51 is provided with an interference clamping amount of 0.6mm, and the total dimensional tolerance on both sides is about 1.2mm to meet the clamping requirements of small bent workpieces of different sizes. The auxiliary clamping elastic element 54 can be made of the following materials: silicone or polysiloxane pad with a thickness of 0.3-1mm, TPE rubber pad with a thickness of 0.3-1.0mm, or 65 manganese (65Mn) spring steel sheet with a thickness of 0.2mm that has been heat-treated and blackened on the surface.

[0033] In this embodiment, a receiving box is provided on the side of the receiving station 51 away from the vibrating feeding assembly 2. When the small elbow 6 in the receiving station 51 is moved to the downstream insertion station by the conveyor belt 52 and the translation module 53, the vibrating feeding assembly 2 continues to convey the small elbow 6, and the gripper pushing assembly 3 maintains the pushing action. There are small elbows 6 that have not yet been pushed to the receiving station 51; these small elbows 6 are directly pushed into the receiving box by the gripper pushing assembly 3 for temporary storage. After the conveyor belt 52 drives the next receiving station 51 to the pushing position of the gripper pushing assembly 3, the gripper pushing assembly 3 pushes the small elbow 6 into the receiving station 51.

[0034] In a specific embodiment, a sensing device 8 is also included. The sensing device 8 is used to detect the position status and conveying posture of the small elbow 6, the position integrity of the two positioning mounting rings on the small elbow 6, and the full material status of the small elbow 6 in the feeding channel 21. The sensing device 8 is provided on the fixing plate 24, at the outlet 11 of the collecting cylinder, and at the clamping and pushing station 22.

[0035] In this embodiment, the sensing device uses a through-beam photoelectric sensor, which includes a transmitter and a receiver facing each other, respectively located on both sides of the detection position. The sensor determines the position and conveying posture of the small elbow by the state of light path obstruction, identifies the position and integrity of the positioning ring on the small elbow, and monitors the fullness of the small elbow 6 in the feeding channel 21. When the sensing device 8 detects that the feeding channel 21 is full, the control system adjusts the vibration drive component of the collecting cylinder 1 to reduce speed or stop discharging to prevent material accumulation and jamming. When the detection determines that the feeding channel 21 is not full, the control system starts to maintain the vibration drive component of the collecting cylinder 1 to continuously discharge material, replenishing the small elbow 6 to the feeding channel 21 to ensure continuous conveying.

[0036] The receiving station is equipped with a positioning sensor 9, which is used to detect whether the small elbow is pushed to the preset position of the receiving station. This feeding device is also equipped with a control system, which is electrically connected to the sensing device 8, positioning sensor 9, vision inspection device, vibrating feeding assembly 2, gripper pushing assembly 3, and workpiece conveying assembly 5. The control system receives detection signals output by all sensing devices, positioning sensors, and vision inspection devices, and controls the start and stop of the vibration drive assembly of the collecting cylinder and the linear vibration drive mechanism of the vibrating feeding assembly. It also controls the gripper pushing assembly to complete lifting, pushing, and resetting actions, and controls the workpiece conveying assembly 5 to complete station transfer and conveying, realizing fully automated feeding of the small elbow from collection and alignment to pushing, transfer, and discharge. The aforementioned sensing devices, positioning sensors, vision inspection devices, and control systems are all existing technologies that are mature and widely used in this field, and their specific principles will not be elaborated here.

[0037] The working process of this feeding device is as follows: First, the small elbows 6 to be processed are stored in batches inside the collecting cylinder 1. The collecting cylinder 1, in conjunction with an external vibration drive assembly, vibrates to arrange the small elbows 6 inside the collecting cylinder 1 in an orderly manner. A vision inspection device next to the collecting cylinder 1 monitors the small elbows 6 inside the collecting cylinder 1 in real time, identifying defects such as workpiece appearance defects and structural damage. If a defective product is detected, the solenoid valve on the collecting cylinder 1 is activated, and the defective product is discharged from the collecting cylinder 1 into the waste bin 10 through airflow, completing the automatic rejection of defective products. Qualified small elbows 6 are continuously output from the collecting cylinder outlet 11. After being output, the small elbows 6 enter the feeding channel 21 of the vibrating feeding assembly 2. The linear vibration drive mechanism drives the supporting base plate 23 and the fixed plate 24 to generate directional vibration, causing the small elbows 6 inside the feeding channel 21 to move at a uniform speed along the conveying direction. During the operation, the outlet 241 opened on the fixed plate 24 can promptly discharge the positioning mounting rings that accidentally fall off the small elbows 6, avoiding impurities from accumulating inside the feeding channel 21 and causing material jamming, thus ensuring smooth conveying. The small elbow 6 travels to the clamping and pushing station 22 at the outlet of the vibrating feeding assembly 2. At this time, the elastic column 41 of the stop positioning structure 4 forms a lateral obstruction to the small elbow 6, so that the small elbow 6 is stably stopped at the clamping and pushing station 22, realizing workpiece positioning. Subsequently, the gripper pushing assembly 3 is activated, and the lifting structure 32 drives the gripper 31 to descend vertically, so that the two gripping legs of the gripper 31 engage with the two sides of the small elbow 6 and contact the top outer wall of the small elbow 6. The small elbow 6 enters the clamping and pushing space formed between the gripping legs. The translation structure 33 drives the gripper 31 and the lifting structure 32 to move laterally as a whole, pushing the small elbow 6 to squeeze the elastic column 41 from the side, causing the elastic column 41 to undergo elastic deformation and open the gap 42. The small elbow 6 smoothly passes through the stop positioning structure 4 and is pushed to the receiving station 51 of the workpiece conveying assembly 5. When the receiving station 51, carrying the small elbow 6, is moved to the insertion station by the conveyor belt 52 and the translation module 53, the vibration feeding component 2 continues to feed and the gripper pushing component 3 continues to push. The small elbow 6 that is not currently being received by a station will be pushed flat by the gripper pushing component 3 into the receiving box for temporary storage. After the conveyor belt 52 moves the next empty receiving station 51 to the corresponding pushing position, the small elbow 6 to be pushed on the front side of the receiving box will be accurately pushed into the receiving station 51 by the gripper pushing component 3. After the pushing is completed, the gripper 31 will be reset sequentially with the lifting structure 32 and the translation structure 33, waiting for the next operation. At the same time, the translation module 53 of the workpiece conveying component 5 drives the conveyor belt 52 to move in a stepping motion, smoothly transporting the positioned small elbow 6 to the insertion station of the subsequent heat exchanger insertion process. The insertion station is equipped with seven mechanical claws, which can simultaneously grip seven small elbows 6 to complete the workpiece insertion and assembly operation.Throughout the entire operation, the sensing device 8 and the positioning sensor 9 monitor the conveying status, posture, and installation structure integrity of the small elbow 6 in real time, and transmit the detection signals to the control system. The control system then uniformly regulates the start and stop of each component. Combined with the defective product sorting function of the vision inspection device, the small elbow 6 achieves fully automated continuous feeding operations from material storage, alignment, conveying, positioning, pushing to material transfer and discharge.

[0038] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and are not intended to limit it. Although the utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model.

Claims

1. A feeding device for inserting a small elbow into a heat exchanger, characterized in that, It includes a material collection cylinder (1), a vibrating feeding assembly (2), a gripper pushing assembly (3), a stop positioning structure (4), and a workpiece conveying assembly (5); The collecting cylinder (1) is used to hold small elbows (6). The small elbows (6) inside the collecting cylinder (1) can be orderly transported to the collecting cylinder outlet (11) by the vibration generated by the vibration drive component outside the collecting cylinder (1). The vibratory feeding assembly (2) is located between the collecting cylinder and the workpiece conveying assembly, and is used to vibrate and convey the small elbow (6) at the outlet of the collecting cylinder along the feeding channel (21) of the vibratory feeding assembly to the clamping and pushing station (22) at the outlet of the vibratory feeding assembly by means of vibration force. The stop positioning structure (4) is a flexible structure. The stop positioning structure (4) is located at the outlet of the vibrating feeding assembly (2) and is used to stop the small elbow (6) on the feeding channel at the clamping and pushing station (22). The gripper pushing assembly (3) is located at the outlet of the vibrating feeding assembly (2) and is used to push the small elbow (6) that transmits vibration to the clamping station (22) toward the workpiece conveying assembly (5), so that the small elbow (6) passes through the stop positioning structure (4) to the receiving station (51) on the workpiece conveying assembly (5). The workpiece conveying assembly (5) is used to convey the small elbow (6) located at the receiving station (51) to the insertion station of the next process.

2. The feeding device for inserting a small elbow in a heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gripper pushing assembly (3) includes a gripper (31), a lifting structure (32), and a translation structure (33); The translation structure (33) is arranged on the bracket (7) in the horizontal direction, the lifting structure (32) is arranged on the translation structure (33) in the vertical direction, and the gripper (31) is installed on the lifting structure (32); The gripper (31) includes two spaced-apart legs, forming a clamping and pushing space between the two legs for accommodating and clamping the small elbow; the lifting structure (32) is used to drive the gripper to move vertically, so that the two legs are correspondingly engaged with the top outer side of the small elbow, and the small elbow is included in the clamping and pushing space; the translation structure is used to drive the gripper (31) and the lifting structure (32) to move horizontally, and apply a horizontal pushing force to the small elbow through the legs, pushing the small elbow from the clamping and pushing station (22) to the receiving station (51).

3. The feeding device for inserting a small elbow in a heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vibrating feeding assembly (2) includes a supporting base plate (23), two opposing and spaced fixed plates (24) and a linear vibration drive mechanism. The two fixed plates (24) are respectively arranged on both sides of the supporting base plate (23) and together with the supporting base plate (23) form the feeding channel (21). Multiple small elbows (6) located in the feeding channel (21) are arranged sequentially from the inlet to the outlet of the vibrating feeding assembly (2). The linear vibration drive mechanism is fixed to the lower side of the support base plate (23) and is used to drive the support base plate (23) and the two fixed plates (24) to generate directional vibration along the conveying direction, thereby driving the small elbow (6) in the feeding channel (21) to move from the inlet of the vibration feeding assembly (2) to the outlet of the vibration feeding assembly (2).

4. The feeding device for inserting a small elbow in a heat exchanger according to claim 3, characterized in that, The stop positioning structure (4) includes two elastic columns (41). The two elastic columns (41) are respectively arranged on the two fixed plates (24) in the transverse direction. One end of the elastic column (41) is fixed on the fixed plate, and the other end of the elastic column (41) is a free end. The free ends of the two elastic columns (41) are arranged opposite to each other. A gap (42) with a width smaller than the outer diameter of the small elbow is provided between the free ends of the two elastic columns (41).

5. The feeding device for inserting a small elbow in a heat exchanger according to claim 2, characterized in that, The translation structure (33) is a translation cylinder set on the bracket (7) in the horizontal direction, and the lifting structure (32) is a lifting cylinder set on the piston end of the translation cylinder in the vertical direction; the gripper (31) is fixed to the top of the piston of the lifting cylinder by the gripper mounting plate (34).

6. The feeding device for inserting a small elbow in a heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The workpiece conveying assembly (5) includes a transmission belt (52) and a translation module (53). The transmission belt (52) is disposed on the translation module (53). The transmission belt (52) is provided with a plurality of receiving stations (51). The setting direction of the receiving stations (51) is consistent with the extension direction of the feeding channel (21) on the vibrating feeding assembly (2).

7. The feeding device for inserting a small elbow in a heat exchanger according to claim 1, characterized in that, The receiving station (51) is provided with auxiliary clamping elastic elements (54) on both sides.

8. The feeding device for inserting a small elbow in a heat exchanger according to claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes a sensing device (8), which is used to detect the position and conveying posture of the small elbow (6), as well as the position integrity of the two positioning mounting rings on the small elbow (6); the sensing device (8) is provided on the fixing plate (24), at the outlet (11) of the collecting cylinder and at the clamping and pushing station (22).

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