An automated feeding device

Abstract

The utility model discloses an automatic feeding device belongs to the automation production technical field, and this feeding device includes support frame and circular support plate, is equipped with feeding station and make -up station on the support frame, is equipped with the unloading station on the circular support plate, is equipped with two feeding assemblies on the support frame, and two feeding assemblies provide multiple groups of material groups to be processed and place, and two feeding assemblies can slide along the first direction relative to the support frame to switch alternately between the feeding station and make -up station, and is equipped with the feeding assembly on the support frame, and the feeding assembly can adsorb and place one group of material groups to be processed of feeding assembly of the feeding station in the unloading station on the circular support plate. The utility model automatically completes the action of grabbing and placing through the feeding assembly, and the low -efficient, easy to make mistakes manual feeding is replaced completely, and the production efficiency is improved significantly, and when one feeding assembly feeds in the feeding station, another can carry out manual or automatic make -up in the make -up station, realizes not to stop the make -up of machine.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of automated production technology, and in particular relates to an automated feeding device. Background Technology

[0002] In the production and processing of polyurethane (PU) discs, such as during injection molding, surface treatment, or assembly with other components, it is necessary to accurately and efficiently transfer large quantities of stacked materials to the processing platform (such as fixtures on a circular pallet) from the feeding location. The level of automation and reliability of this feeding process directly affects the efficiency of the entire production line and the product quality.

[0003] In existing technical solutions, common material feeding methods have the following limitations: (1) Low efficiency of manual feeding: Early or small-scale production mainly relied on manual feeding. Operators needed to manually pick up the materials to be processed one group at a time and place them into the fixture. This method was labor-intensive, had low production efficiency, and was prone to contamination of the discs, inaccurate placement, or damage due to human factors, making it difficult to meet the needs of modern large-scale, high-quality production; (2) Production interruption caused by single feeding device: Some semi-automated equipment uses a single feeding component. When the material to be processed on the feeding component is used up, the entire equipment must be stopped and wait for the operator to manually replenish the material. This periodic shutdown severely restricts the continuous operation capability of the equipment, reduces the overall production efficiency, and makes it impossible to achieve truly fully automatic uninterrupted production; (3) Insufficient loading accuracy and stability: Even if a robotic arm is used for loading, if its degree of freedom of movement or positioning accuracy is insufficient, it is difficult to guarantee that it can accurately grab a whole set of materials to be processed and place them smoothly into the designated station of the fixture every time. During the grabbing process, there may be missed grabs or slippage, and during placement, there may be offset or collision, which will affect the smooth progress of subsequent processing steps.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need to design an automated feeding device to solve the problems mentioned above. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide an automated feeding device that has the advantages of continuous, efficient and precise feeding, and solves the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the specific technical solution of the automated feeding device of this utility model is as follows: An automated feeding device includes a support frame and a circular pallet. The support frame has a feeding station and a replenishing station, and the circular pallet has a discharging station. The support frame has two feeding components for placing multiple sets of materials to be processed. The two feeding components can slide relative to the support frame along a first direction to alternate between the feeding station and the replenishing station. The support frame has a feeding component that can slide relative to the support frame along a second direction and a third direction. The feeding component can adsorb and place a set of materials to be processed from the feeding components of the feeding station into the discharging station on the circular pallet.

[0007] Furthermore, a first slide rail is fixedly connected to the support frame. The first slide rail is arranged along a first direction. Two first slide blocks are slidably connected to the first slide rail. Each first slide block is connected to a corresponding feeding component. The feeding component slides along the first slide rail through the first slide block. A first driving part is provided on the first slide rail. The first driving part drives the first slide block to drive the feeding component to slide.

[0008] Furthermore, the feeding assembly includes a feeding plate with multiple support rods. The number of support rods is the same as the number of materials to be processed in each group of materials to be processed, and multiple groups of materials to be processed are threaded onto the multiple support rods.

[0009] Furthermore, when the feeding component slides relative to the support frame along the second direction, the feeding component can adsorb a group of materials to be processed from the feeding station feeding component or place the group of materials to be processed adsorbed on the feeding component into the unloading station on the circular pallet; when the feeding component slides relative to the support frame along the third direction, the feeding component can move to the feeding station or the unloading station.

[0010] Furthermore, the feeding assembly includes a feeding plate, which is equipped with multiple sets of suction nozzles. Each set of suction nozzles can adsorb the corresponding material to be processed on the feeding assembly of the feeding station.

[0011] Furthermore, the support frame is provided with a second slide rail, which is arranged along a second direction. A second slide block is slidably connected to the second slide rail, and the second slide block is fixedly connected to the feeding plate. The feeding plate slides along the second slide rail via the second slide block. A second driving part is provided on the second slide rail. The second driving part drives the second slide block to move the feeding plate along the second direction, so that the feeding plate can adsorb a group of materials to be processed from the feeding station feeding component along the second direction, or can place the group of materials to be processed adsorbed on the feeding component into the unloading station on the circular pallet.

[0012] Furthermore, the support frame is provided with a third slide rail, which is arranged along a third direction. A third slide block is slidably connected to the third slide rail, and the third slide block is fixedly connected to the second slide rail. The second slide rail slides along the third slide rail through the third slide block. A third drive unit is provided on the third slide rail, which drives the third slide block to move the second slide rail along a third direction, so that the loading plate can move along the third direction to the loading station or unloading station.

[0013] Furthermore, the circular pallet is also equipped with an injection molding station, a cooling station, and a removal station, which are arranged sequentially on the circular pallet in a clockwise direction.

[0014] Furthermore, four fixtures are connected to the circular pallet. The circular pallet can rotate around its own axis, allowing the four fixtures to alternate sequentially in the unloading station, injection molding station, cooling station, and removal station.

[0015] Furthermore, a fourth drive unit is provided on the circular pallet, which can drive the circular pallet to rotate.

[0016] The present invention has the following advantages: the device automatically completes the grabbing and placing actions through the feeding component, which completely replaces the inefficient and error-prone manual feeding, significantly improving production efficiency. When one feeding component is feeding material at the feeding station, another component can be manually or automatically replenished at the replenishment station, realizing non-stop replenishment, eliminating production interruptions caused by material depletion, and greatly improving the continuous operation capability of the equipment. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the main feeding device of this utility model; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the circular support plate and the fourth drive unit of this utility model; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the feeding assembly and the material supply assembly of this utility model; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the feeding assembly and the first drive unit of this utility model; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the feeding assembly, the second drive unit, and the third drive unit of this utility model; The markings in the diagram are as follows: 1. Support frame; 2. First drive unit; 21. First slide rail; 22. First slide block; 3. Feeding assembly; 31. Feeding plate; 32. Support rod; 33. Loading station; 34. Replenishing station; 4. Loading assembly; 41. Loading plate; 42. Suction nozzle assembly; 5. Third drive unit; 51. Third slide rail; 52. Third slide block; 6. Second drive unit; 61. Second slide rail; 62. Second slide block; 7. Circular pallet; 71. Fixture; 72. Unloading station; 73. Injection molding station; 74. Cooling station; 75. Removal station; 8. Fourth drive unit. Detailed Implementation

[0018] 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.

[0019] Those skilled in the art will understand that although some embodiments herein include certain features included in other embodiments but not others, combinations of features from different embodiments are intended to be within the scope of this invention and form different embodiments. For example, in the claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

[0020] The following is a reference to the appendix. Figure 1 To be continued Figure 5 This invention describes an automated feeding device.

[0021] Currently, existing feeding devices have limitations such as low efficiency of manual feeding, production interruption caused by single feeding devices, and insufficient feeding accuracy and stability.

[0022] Therefore, this automated feeding device includes a support frame 1 and a circular pallet 7. The support frame 1 is provided with a feeding station 33 and a replenishing station 34. The circular pallet 7 is provided with a discharging station 72. The support frame 1 is provided with two feeding components 3, which are used to place multiple groups of materials to be processed. The two feeding components 3 can slide relative to the support frame 1 along the first direction A to alternate between the feeding station 33 and the replenishing station 34. The support frame 1 is provided with a feeding component 4, which can slide relative to the support frame 1 along the second direction B and the third direction C. The feeding component 4 can adsorb and place a group of materials to be processed from the feeding component 3 of the feeding station 33 into the discharging station 72 on the circular pallet 7.

[0023] The material to be processed is preferably a PU disc. In other embodiments of this utility model, it can also be other materials that are processed on behalf of others.

[0024] The preferred quantity of materials to be processed in a group of materials to be processed is 8. In other embodiments of this utility model, the quantity of materials to be processed in a group of materials to be processed may be other.

[0025] The first direction A lies in the horizontal plane and is the X-axis in the three-dimensional coordinate system, which can usually be understood as the left-right direction; the second direction B is the vertical direction and is the Z-axis in the three-dimensional coordinate system, which can usually be understood as the up-down direction; the third direction C lies in the horizontal plane and is the Y-axis in the three-dimensional coordinate system, which can usually be understood as the front-back direction.

[0026] The device automatically completes the grabbing and placing actions through the feeding component 4, completely replacing the inefficient and error-prone manual feeding, significantly improving production efficiency. When one feeding component 3 is feeding material at the feeding station 33, another can be manually or automatically replenished at the replenishment station 34, realizing non-stop replenishment, eliminating production interruptions caused by material depletion, and greatly improving the continuous operation capability of the equipment.

[0027] Specifically, when the feeding component 3 is located at the loading station 33, multiple groups of materials to be processed on the feeding component 3 can be adsorbed by the loading component 4, and at this time the feeding component 3 located at the replenishment station 34 replenishes the groups of materials to be processed.

[0028] Preferably, there are two replenishment stations 34, and the loading station 33 is located between the two replenishment stations 34.

[0029] A first slide rail 21 is fixedly connected to the support frame 1. The first slide rail 21 is set along the first direction A. Two first slide blocks 22 are slidably connected to the first slide rail 21. Each first slide block 22 is connected to a corresponding feeding component 3. The feeding component 3 slides along the first slide rail 21 through the first slide block 22. A first driving part 2 is provided on the first slide rail 21. The first driving part drives the first slide block 22 to drive the feeding component 3 to slide.

[0030] The first drive unit 2 can preferably be driven by a cylinder. The fixed end of the cylinder is fixedly connected to the support frame 1, and the output end of the cylinder is connected to two first slide blocks 22. The control system sends a signal to the solenoid valve, and compressed air enters the cylinder, pushing the piston rod to extend or retract, thereby driving the feeding assembly 3 to slide along the first direction A through the first slide block 22. A magnetic switch is also provided to detect whether the feeding assembly 3 has reached the feeding or replenishing station 34. In other embodiments of this utility model, the first drive unit 2 can also be driven by an electric screw, including a motor. The output end of the motor is fixedly connected to the electric screw, and a nut seat is screwed onto the electric screw. The nut seat is fixedly connected to the first slide block 22. When the motor rotates, it drives the screw to rotate, thereby causing the nut seat to drive the first slide block 22 to move linearly along the screw axis. It can also be a drive structure, as long as it can ensure that the first slide block 22 can slide along the first slide rail 21.

[0031] The feeding assembly 3 includes a feeding plate 31, on which a plurality of support rods 32 are provided. The number of support rods 32 is the same as the number of materials to be processed in each group of materials to be processed. The multiple groups of materials to be processed are all threaded through the multiple support rods 32.

[0032] Specifically, the number of support rods 32 is preferably 8. In other embodiments of this utility model, the number of support rods 32 can also be other, as long as the number of support rods 32 is the same as the number of materials to be processed in each group of materials to be processed.

[0033] By threading the material to be processed onto the support rod 32, it can effectively prevent the material from scattering, tipping over, or sticking together during storage and transportation, ensuring that the material to be processed is in a preset neat state each time the feeding component 4 grabs it, laying the foundation for accurate grabbing.

[0034] When the feeding component 4 slides relative to the support frame 1 along the second direction B, the feeding component 4 can adsorb a group of materials to be processed from the feeding unit 3 of the feeding station 33 or place the group of materials to be processed adsorbed on the feeding component 4 into the unloading station 72 on the circular pallet 7; when the feeding component 4 slides relative to the support frame 1 along the third direction C, the feeding component 4 can move to the feeding station 33 or the unloading station 72.

[0035] The movement of the feeding component 4 is decomposed into a gripping / placing action in the second direction B (such as the Z-axis) and a moving-in / moving-out action in the third direction C (such as the Y-axis), which simplifies the control logic, allows the feeding component 4 to move along the optimal path, shortens the single operation cycle, and improves the cycle time.

[0036] The feeding component 4 includes a feeding plate 41, on which multiple sets of suction nozzles 42 are provided. Each set of suction nozzles 42 can adsorb the corresponding material to be processed on the feeding component 3 of the feeding station 33. Preferably, there are four suction nozzles in a set of suction nozzles 42. In other embodiments of this utility model, there may be other numbers.

[0037] A vacuum pump is installed on the feeding plate 41. The vacuum pump is connected to the suction nozzle assembly 42. The vacuum pump is the power source for generating a vacuum.

[0038] The support frame 1 is provided with a second slide rail 61, which is arranged along the second direction B. A second slide block 62 is slidably connected to the second slide rail 61. The second slide block 62 is fixedly connected to the feeding plate 41. The feeding plate 41 slides along the second slide rail 61 through the second slide block 62. A second drive unit 6 is provided on the second slide rail 61. The second drive unit 6 drives the second slide block 62 to drive the feeding plate 41 to slide along the second direction B, so that the feeding plate 41 can adsorb a group of materials to be processed from the feeding assembly 3 of the feeding station 33 along the second direction B, or can place the group of materials to be processed adsorbed on the feeding assembly 4 into the unloading station 72 on the circular pallet 7.

[0039] The second drive unit 6 can preferably be driven by a cylinder. The fixed end of the cylinder is fixedly connected to the second slide rail 61, and the output end of the cylinder is connected to two second slide blocks 62. The control system sends a signal to the solenoid valve, and compressed air enters the cylinder, pushing the piston rod to extend or retract, thereby driving the feeding assembly 4 to slide along the second direction B through the second slide blocks 62. A magnetic switch is also provided to detect whether the feeding assembly 4 has reached the feeding or replenishment station 34. In other embodiments of this utility model, the second drive unit 6 can also be driven by an electric screw, including a motor. The output end of the motor is fixedly connected to the electric screw, and a nut seat is screwed onto the electric screw. The nut seat is fixedly connected to the second slide block 62. When the motor rotates, it drives the screw to rotate, thereby causing the nut seat to drive the second slide block 62 to move linearly along the screw axis. It can also be a drive structure, as long as it can ensure that the second slide block 62 can slide along the second slide rail 61.

[0040] The support frame 1 is provided with a third slide rail 51, which is set along the third direction C. A third slide block 52 is slidably connected to the third slide rail 51. The third slide block 52 is fixedly connected to the second slide rail 61. The second slide rail 61 slides along the third slide rail 51 through the third slide block 52. A third drive unit 5 is provided on the third slide rail 51. The third drive unit 5 drives the third slide block 52 to drive the second slide rail 61 to slide along the third direction C, so that the loading plate 41 can move along the third direction C to the loading station 33 or the unloading station 72.

[0041] The third drive unit 5 can preferably be driven by a cylinder. The fixed end of the cylinder is fixedly connected to the third slide rail 51, and the output end of the cylinder is connected to the two third slide blocks 52. The control system sends a signal to the solenoid valve, and compressed air enters the cylinder, pushing the piston rod to extend or retract. This drives the feeding assembly 4, the second slide block 62, and the second slide rail 61 to slide along the third direction C through the third slide block 52. A magnetic switch is also provided to detect whether the third slide block 52 has reached the feeding or replenishing station 34. In other embodiments of this utility model, the third drive unit 5 can also be driven by an electric screw, including a motor. The output end of the motor is fixedly connected to the electric screw, and a nut seat is screwed onto the electric screw. The nut seat is fixedly connected to the third slide block 52. When the motor rotates, it drives the screw to rotate, thereby causing the nut seat to drive the third slide block 52 to move linearly along the screw axis. It can also be a drive structure, as long as it can ensure that the third slide block 52 can slide along the third slide rail 51.

[0042] The circular pallet 7 is also equipped with an injection molding station 73, a cooling station 74 and a removal station 75. The unloading station 72, the injection molding station 73, the cooling station 74 and the removal station 75 are arranged in a clockwise direction on the circular pallet 7.

[0043] Four fixtures 71 are connected to the circular pallet 7. The circular pallet 7 can rotate around itself, so that the four fixtures 71 alternately move between the unloading station 72, the injection molding station 73, the cooling station 74, and the removal station 75.

[0044] An injection molding machine is installed at injection station 73. After the material to be processed is placed in the fixture 71 at unloading station 72, the circular pallet 7 rotates and the fixture 71 enters injection station 73. The injection molding machine then injects the material. After injection molding is completed, the fixture 71 enters cooling station 74. After cooling is completed, the fixture 71 enters removal station 75 to remove the molded product.

[0045] Furthermore, the circular tray 7 is provided with a fourth driving unit 8, which can drive the circular tray 7 to rotate.

[0046] The fourth drive unit 8 is driven by a motor, and the output end of the motor is fixedly connected to the circular support plate 7. In other embodiments of this utility model, other drive components can also be selected, as long as the circular support plate 7 can be rotated.

[0047] The working process of the feeding device: S1. The feeding assembly 4 is moved along the third direction C by the third drive unit 5 to be on the same vertical line as the feeding assembly 3 of the feeding station 33. S2. The second drive unit 6 drives the feeding assembly 4 to descend along the second direction B, so that the suction nozzle group 42 on the feeding plate 41 is precisely aligned with the uppermost group of materials to be processed in the feeding station 33 feeding assembly 3. S3. The vacuum pump starts, and the suction nozzle generates negative pressure to firmly adsorb the topmost group of materials to be processed. S4. The second drive unit 6 drives the feeding assembly 4 to rise along the second direction B, and the feeding assembly 4 is reset. S5, the third drive unit 5 drives the loading assembly 4 to move along the third direction C, and moves from above the loading station 33 to above the unloading station 72 of the circular pallet 7. S6. The second drive unit 6 drives the feeding assembly 4 to descend along the second direction B, so that the suction nozzle group 42 on the feeding plate 41 is precisely aligned with the designated position of the unloading station 72 fixture 71. S7. The vacuum pump stops and performs a vacuum breaking operation. The adsorption force disappears, and the material to be processed falls smoothly into the fixture 71 under the action of gravity. S8. After the material to be processed is placed into the fixture 71 of the unloading station 72, the fourth drive unit 8 is started, driving the circular pallet 7 to rotate 90° clockwise. S9. The injection molding machine performs injection molding and coating operations on the material group to be processed on the fixture 71.

[0048] Material replenishment steps: When the material group to be processed on the feeding component 3 at the loading station 33 is about to run out, the system issues a prompt. At this time, the operator or auxiliary equipment can replenish the material group to be processed to the feeding component 3 at the replenishment station 34. After the last piece of the disc is removed from the feeding component 3 at the loading station 33, the first drive unit 2 is activated, driving the two feeding components 3 to slide along the first slide rail 21, so that the feeding component 3 fully loaded with material group to be processed switches to the loading station 33, and the feeding component 3 without material group to be processed switches to the replenishment station 34.

[0049] The entire switchover process is completed quickly, and the material loading operation does not need to be stopped, achieving true continuous production. Clearly, the above embodiments of this utility model are merely examples for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the implementation of this utility model. Those skilled in the art can make other variations or modifications based on the above description. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively list all possible implementations here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the scope of protection of the claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. An automated feeding device, characterized in that, The device includes a support frame and a circular pallet. The support frame has a loading station and a replenishment station, and the circular pallet has a unloading station. The support frame has two feeding components for placing multiple sets of materials to be processed. The two feeding components can slide relative to the support frame along a first direction to alternate between the loading station and the replenishment station. The support frame also has a loading component that can slide relative to the support frame along a second and a third direction. The loading component can absorb and place a set of materials to be processed from the feeding components at the loading station into the unloading station on the circular pallet.

2. The automated feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, A first slide rail is fixedly connected to the support frame. The first slide rail is set along a first direction. Two first slide blocks are slidably connected to the first slide rail. Each first slide block is connected to a corresponding feeding component. The feeding component slides along the first slide rail through the first slide block. A first driving part is provided on the first slide rail. The first driving part drives the first slide block to drive the feeding component to slide.

3. The automated feeding device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The feeding assembly includes a feeding plate with multiple support rods. The number of support rods is the same as the number of materials to be processed in each group of materials to be processed. Multiple groups of materials to be processed are threaded onto multiple support rods.

4. The automated feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the feeding component slides relative to the support frame along the second direction, the feeding component can adsorb a group of materials to be processed from the feeding station feeding component or place the group of materials to be processed adsorbed on the feeding component into the unloading station on the circular pallet; when the feeding component slides relative to the support frame along the third direction, the feeding component can move to the feeding station or the unloading station.

5. The automated feeding device according to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that, The feeding assembly includes a feeding plate, which is equipped with multiple sets of suction nozzles. Each set of suction nozzles can adsorb the corresponding material to be processed from the feeding assembly at the feeding station.

6. The automated feeding device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The support frame is equipped with a second slide rail, which is arranged along a second direction. A second slide block is slidably connected to the second slide rail, and the second slide block is fixedly connected to the feeding plate. The feeding plate slides along the second slide rail via the second slide block. A second drive unit is provided on the second slide rail. The second drive unit drives the second slide block to move the feeding plate along the second direction, so that the feeding plate can adsorb a group of materials to be processed from the feeding station feeding component along the second direction, or can place the group of materials to be processed adsorbed on the feeding component into the unloading station on the circular pallet.

7. The automated feeding device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The support frame is equipped with a third slide rail, which is set along a third direction. A third slide block is slidably connected to the third slide rail. The third slide block is fixedly connected to the second slide rail. The second slide rail slides along the third slide rail through the third slide block. A third drive unit is provided on the third slide rail. The third drive unit drives the third slide block to drive the second slide rail to slide along a third direction, so that the loading plate can move along a third direction to the loading station or unloading station.

8. The automated feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The circular pallet is also equipped with an injection molding station, a cooling station, and a removal station. The unloading station, injection molding station, cooling station, and removal station are arranged sequentially on the circular pallet in a clockwise direction.

9. The automated feeding device according to claim 8, characterized in that, Four fixtures are connected to the circular pallet. The circular pallet can rotate around its own axis, so that the four fixtures alternately move between the unloading station, the injection molding station, the cooling station, and the removal station.

10. The automated feeding device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The circular pallet is equipped with a fourth drive unit, which can drive the circular pallet to rotate.

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