A replaceable hopper charging apparatus

Abstract

This application relates to the field of material feeding technology, and provides a feeding device with a replaceable hopper, including: a body with a transport port; and a limiting mechanism including a first limiting member and a second limiting member located at the transport port and arranged opposite to each other. The limiting mechanism is configured to form an inbound guide path for the hopper to enter the body from the transport port by increasing the distance between the first limiting member and the second limiting member, and to form an outbound guide path for the hopper to leave the body from the transport port by decreasing the distance. In this solution, for hoppers of the same size and specifications, the distance is increased when a full hopper is being fed into the hopper to form a wide guide channel, providing initial guidance and limiting for the full hopper, improving the alignment accuracy when the hopper is being fed into the hopper, and avoiding misalignment. When an empty hopper is being fed out of the hopper, the distance is decreased to form a narrow guide channel, constraining the movement trajectory of the empty hopper and preventing the empty hopper from colliding and getting stuck with the transport port, thus achieving smooth guidance throughout the entire process of hopper entry and exit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of material feeding technology, and in particular to a feeding device with a replaceable hopper. Background Technology

[0002] In the soldering process of industrial production such as soldering ribbon, a feeder is usually used as the solder supply equipment. Currently, most feeders have fixed-size limiting mechanisms, which have the following drawbacks: When a full hopper is being fed into the machine, due to the heavy load and large inertia, even small movement errors can easily cause the hopper to collide with the conveyor opening, leading to inaccurate positioning and requiring repeated adjustments to ensure smooth entry into the machine. When an empty hopper is being emptied, due to its light weight and poor center of gravity stability, the hopper is prone to swaying or shifting during movement, which can cause it to scrape and collide with the edge of the conveyor opening, leading to jamming.

[0003] Therefore, how to provide a feeding device that improves the smoothness of material silo entry and exit is a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. Utility Model Content

[0004] This application provides a feeding device for a replaceable hopper, which utilizes an adjustable limit mechanism to achieve smooth guidance throughout the entire process of hopper entry and exit.

[0005] The technical solution adopted in this application is as follows: A feeding device that can replace a hopper includes: The fuselage is equipped with a transport port; The limiting mechanism includes a first limiting member and a second limiting member located at the transport port and disposed opposite to each other. The limiting mechanism is configured to form an inbound guide path for the feed hopper to enter the machine body from the transport port by increasing the distance between the first limiting member and the second limiting member, and to form an outbound guide path for the feed hopper to leave the machine body from the transport port by decreasing the distance.

[0006] Preferably, the first limiting member and the second limiting member are configured to move synchronously; When the first limiting member and the second limiting member move away from each other synchronously, the distance is increased to form the inbound guide path; When the first limiting member and the second limiting member move closer to each other synchronously, the distance between them is reduced to form the outbound guidance path.

[0007] Preferably, the limiting mechanism further includes a driving member configured to drive the first limiting member and the second limiting member to move synchronously away from or towards each other.

[0008] Preferably, both the first limiting member and the second limiting member have guide wheels or guide ramps on the side closest to the hopper.

[0009] Preferably, the limiting mechanism further includes sliding components disposed on opposite sides of the machine body, with one sliding component connected to the first limiting member and the other sliding component connected to the second limiting member, and the sliding components are configured to limit the sliding path of the hopper within the machine body.

[0010] Preferably, the sliding assembly includes two support plates, a support rod disposed between the two support plates, and a plurality of sliding rollers disposed close to the support plates and arranged along the length direction of the support plates.

[0011] Preferably, the feeding device further includes a placement station, which is arranged opposite to the transport port and configured to place a replaceable hopper.

[0012] Preferably, the feeding device further includes a conveying mechanism, which is located at the bottom of the machine body, below the placement station, and is configured to drive the hopper to move bidirectionally between the placement station and the transport port.

[0013] Preferably, the feeding device further includes a pushing mechanism located on the top of the machine body and configured to push a portion of the structure of the hopper when the hopper is located at the placement station, so that the hopper abuts against the side wall of the placement station.

[0014] Preferably, the feeding device further includes fixing mechanisms disposed on opposite sides of the machine body, the fixing mechanisms being configured to secure the opposite sides of the hopper when the hopper abuts against the side wall of the placement station.

[0015] According to the specific embodiments provided in this application, the following technical effects are disclosed: This application provides a feeding device with a replaceable hopper, comprising: a body with a transport port; and a limiting mechanism including a first limiting member and a second limiting member located at the transport port and arranged opposite to each other. The limiting mechanism is configured to form an inbound guide path for the hopper to enter the body from the transport port by increasing the distance between the first and second limiting members, and an outbound guide path for the hopper to leave the body from the transport port by decreasing the distance. In this solution, for hoppers of the same size and specifications, increasing the distance when a full hopper is entering the hopper creates a wide guide channel, providing initial guidance and limiting for the full hopper, improving the alignment accuracy when entering the hopper, and preventing misalignment. Conversely, decreasing the distance when an empty hopper is exiting the hopper creates a narrow guide channel, constraining the movement trajectory of the empty hopper and preventing collisions and jamming with the transport port, thus achieving smooth guidance throughout the entire hopper entry and exit process. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a full silo being filled with materials, as provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of empty silo delivery provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the pushing mechanism pushing the hopper provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the fixing mechanism for securing the hopper provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the limiting mechanism provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a hopper with rounded corners provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0018] Figure label: 1. Body; 10. Transport port; 2. Limiting mechanism; 20. First limiting component; 21. Second limiting component; 22. Sliding assembly; 200. Guide wheel; 220. Support plate; 221. Support rod; 222. Sliding roller; 3. Material silo; 30. Installation station; 4. Conveying mechanism; 5. Promoting organizations; 6. Fixed structure. Detailed Implementation

[0019] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0020] As mentioned in the background technology, the current feeding machines mostly have fixed-size limit mechanisms. This design has the following defects: when the hopper is full, due to the heavy load and large inertia, even a small movement error can easily cause the hopper to collide with the conveyor opening, resulting in inaccurate positioning. Repeated adjustments are required to ensure smooth entry into the machine. When the hopper is empty, due to its light weight and poor center of gravity stability, the hopper is prone to swaying or shifting during movement, which can cause it to scrape and collide with the edge of the conveyor opening, leading to jamming.

[0021] Based on this, this application provides a feeding device for a replaceable hopper, which aims to solve the technical problem of unsmooth hopper loading and unloading in the prior art.

[0022] The embodiments of this application will be analyzed in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 A feeding device with a replaceable hopper includes: a body 1 with a transport port 10; and a limiting mechanism 2 including a first limiting member 20 and a second limiting member 21 located at the transport port 10 and disposed opposite to each other. The limiting mechanism 2 is configured to form an inbound guide path for the feeding hopper 3 to enter the body 1 from the transport port 10 by increasing the distance between the first limiting member 20 and the second limiting member 21, and to form an outbound guide path for the feeding hopper 3 to leave the body 1 from the transport port 10 by decreasing the distance.

[0024] When a full hopper enters the machine body 1 through the transport port 10, the hopper is typically heavy and has high inertia, making precise fine-tuning difficult. The wide-channel inbound guide path allows for some initial alignment deviation. Once the full hopper enters the wide channel, its sides contact the first limiting member 20 and the second limiting member 21, gradually correcting it to the correct trajectory and allowing it to smoothly enter the machine body 1. When the material in the full hopper is transferred and the empty hopper leaves the machine body 1 through the transport port 10, the empty hopper is typically light and has an unstable center of gravity, making it prone to swaying or shifting during movement. The narrow-channel outbound guide path forces the empty hopper to move along the reverse inbound trajectory, preventing it from exiting the transport port 10 at an angle. Once the empty hopper enters the narrow channel, its sides contact the first limiting member 20 and the second limiting member 21, gradually correcting it to the correct trajectory and allowing it to smoothly leave the machine body 1. Thus, through a set of limiting mechanisms 2 and the switching of the states of the two limiting components, the smooth guidance of the material hopper 3 throughout the entire process is achieved. This cycle repeats, with full hoppers receiving material and empty hoppers exiting, making hopper 3 replaceable.

[0025] As a preferred embodiment, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2The first limiting member 20 and the second limiting member 21 are configured to move synchronously; when the first limiting member 20 and the second limiting member 21 move away from each other synchronously, the distance between them increases to form an inbound guide path; when the first limiting member 20 and the second limiting member 21 move closer to each other synchronously, the distance between them decreases to form an outbound guide path.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the limiting mechanism further includes a driving member (not shown in the figure), which is configured to drive the first limiting member 20 and the second limiting member 21 to move synchronously away from or towards each other.

[0027] For example, the limiting mechanism 2 is located at the transport port 10. The first limiting member 20 and the second limiting member 21 can move synchronously through a single overall driving member, or through two separate driving members connected to the first limiting member 20 and the second limiting member 21 respectively. The driving member can be a cylinder, an electric lead screw module, etc. (Reference) Figure 1 When a full hopper needs to be fed into machine body 1, the main drive unit drives the first limiting member 20 and the second limiting member 21 to move outward synchronously, increasing the distance between them and forming a wide inlet guide path. This wide channel allows for a certain alignment error, guiding the full hopper to enter smoothly and avoiding collisions; Reference Figure 2 When an empty hopper needs to be sent out of the machine body 1, the main drive unit drives the first limiting member 20 and the second limiting member 21 to move inward synchronously, reducing the distance between them and forming a narrow outbound guide path. This narrow channel can constrain the empty hopper and prevent it from leaving the transport port 10 in a skewed posture, thus preventing jamming.

[0028] As a specific implementation method, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 Both the first limiting member 20 and the second limiting member extend in a direction away from the transport port 10 and have a plate-like structure.

[0029] The plate-like structure ensures that the hopper 3 is continuously guided and constrained during the initial stage of entering or leaving the machine body 1, thus improving the reliability of the guiding process.

[0030] As a preferred embodiment, refer to Figure 5 Both the first limiting member 20 and the second limiting member 21 are provided with guide wheels 200 or guide ramps on the side of the hopper.

[0031] in, Figure 5The system employs guide wheels 200, which provide a guiding boundary. When the hopper 3 contacts the first and second limiting members, it rolls over them rather than scrapes them. Whether the hopper 3 moves relative to the stationary first and second limiting members, or the first and second limiting members themselves move relative to the hopper 3 during adjustment, the guide wheels 200 convert the sliding friction into rolling friction, making the hopper 3 move more smoothly and eliminating jamming caused by excessive friction. The guide ramp forms a gradually changing plane at the transport port 10. Even if the hopper 3 deviates, it will first contact the guide ramp and be smoothly guided into the correct path under the action of the ramp, acting as a "trumpet mouth."

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the limiting mechanism 2 further includes sliding components 22 disposed on opposite sides of the machine body 1. One sliding component 22 is connected to the first limiting member 20, and the other sliding component 22 is connected to the second limiting member 21. The sliding components 22 are configured to limit the sliding path of the hopper 3 within the machine body 1.

[0033] Among them, the sliding components 22 on both sides create a continuous guiding channel for the hopper 3, which extends directly from the transport port 10 to the interior of the machine body 1. The hopper 3 is effectively constrained from the transport port 10 until it reaches the placement station 30, thus avoiding possible deviation of the hopper 3 after passing the first and second limiting components and before entering the fixed track.

[0034] As a specific implementation method, refer to Figure 5 Both the first limiting member 20 and the second limiting member 21 are movably connected to the end of the sliding component 22 near the transport port 10.

[0035] Among them, combined Figure 5 , Figure 1 and Figure 2 When the full hopper enters the machine body 1 through the transport port, the first limiting member 20 and the second limiting member 21 move outward synchronously. The intersection of the extension lines of the first limiting member 20 and the second limiting member 21 is located inside the machine body 1, and the first limiting member 20 and the second limiting member 21 form a "wide trumpet mouth". When the full hopper leaves the machine body 1 through the transport port, the first limiting member 20 and the second limiting member 21 move inward synchronously. The intersection of the extension lines of the first limiting member 20 and the second limiting member 21 is located outside the machine body 1, and the first limiting member 20 and the second limiting member 21 form a "narrow trumpet mouth".

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the sliding assembly 22 includes two support plates 220, a support rod 221 disposed between the two support plates 220, and a plurality of sliding rollers 222 disposed close to the support plates 220 and arranged along the length direction of the support plates 220.

[0037] The sliding rollers 222 convert the sliding friction between the hopper and the hopper 3 into rolling friction, reducing the moving resistance of the hopper 3 and eliminating jamming. The sliding rollers 222 on both sides are located on opposite sides of the hopper 3, allowing the hopper 3 to be fixed left and right.

[0038] As a specific implementation, both the sliding roller 222 and the guide wheel 200 can be made of a metal wheel core covered with rubber.

[0039] As a specific implementation method, refer to Figure 6 The four edges of the hopper 3 have rounded corners, which facilitates the movement and transition of the hopper 3 between the guide wheel 200 and the sliding roller 222.

[0040] As a preferred embodiment, refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 The feeding equipment also includes a placement station 30, which is set opposite to the transport port 10 and is configured to place a replaceable hopper 3.

[0041] The placement station 30 is configured to provide a parking position for the material hopper 3 inside the machine body 1.

[0042] As a preferred embodiment, refer to Figures 1 to 3 The feeding equipment also includes a conveying mechanism 4, which is located at the bottom of the machine body 1, below the placement station 30, and is configured to drive the hopper 3 to move bidirectionally between the placement station 30 and the transport port 10.

[0043] The conveying mechanism 4 provides the driving force for the movement of the hopper 3 between the transport port 10 and the placement station 30.

[0044] As a specific implementation, the conveying mechanism 4 can be a double-speed chain or a conveyor belt.

[0045] As a preferred embodiment, refer to Figure 3 The feeding device also includes a pushing mechanism 5, which is located on the top of the machine body 1 and is configured to push part of the structure of the hopper 3 when the hopper 3 is located at the placement station 30, so that the hopper 3 abuts against the side wall of the placement station 30.

[0046] The pushing mechanism 5 applies a horizontal force from the top of the hopper 3, pushing the hopper 3 towards the side wall of the placement station 30, eliminating gaps, ensuring the accurate position of the hopper 3, and facilitating subsequent material extraction operations.

[0047] As a specific implementation method, the actuating mechanism 5 can be a cylinder.

[0048] As a preferred embodiment, refer to Figure 4The feeding equipment also includes a fixing mechanism 6 located on opposite sides of the machine body 1. The fixing mechanism 6 is configured to secure the opposite sides of the hopper 3 when the hopper 3 abuts against the side wall of the placement station 30.

[0049] In this process, after the pushing mechanism 5 completes the positioning of the conveying direction, the fixing mechanism 6 clamps the hopper 3 from both sides of the vertical conveying direction of the hopper 3, restricting the degree of freedom of movement of the hopper 3 and preventing the hopper 3 from moving slightly due to equipment vibration or material flow during subsequent material extraction operations.

[0050] As a specific implementation method, the fixing mechanism 6 can be a cylinder.

[0051] For example, taking tin as an example, refer to Figures 1 to 6 The first limiting member 20 and the second limiting member 21 of the limiting mechanism 2 are at their maximum distance. The external robot arm aligns the full hopper with the wide inbound guide path and sends it in. After the hopper 3 enters the transport port 10, its bottom rests on the conveying mechanism 4, and its sides are guided by the sliding rollers 222 of the sliding assembly 22. The conveying mechanism 4 starts, smoothly transporting the hopper 3 to the placement station 30. Subsequently, the pushing mechanism 5 starts, pushing the hopper 3 against the positioning side wall, and finally the fixing mechanism 6 clamps it, ready for the material extraction operation. After the material extraction is completed, the fixing mechanism 6 and the pushing mechanism 5 are released. The first limiting member 20 and the second limiting member 21 of the limiting mechanism 2 move to their minimum distance, forming a narrow outbound guide path. The conveying mechanism 4 starts in reverse, driving the empty hopper to move towards the transport port 10. The narrow channel constrains the empty hopper, preventing it from swinging, and allows it to pass precisely through the transport port 10 and be picked up by the external robot arm.

[0052] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0053] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0054] Although embodiments of this application have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting this application. Those skilled in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of this application.

Claims

1. A feeding device with a replaceable hopper, characterized in that, The feeding device includes: The body (1) is equipped with a transport port (10); The limiting mechanism (2) includes a first limiting member (20) and a second limiting member (21) located at the transport port (10) and disposed opposite to each other. The limiting mechanism (2) is configured to form an inbound guide path for the feed bin (3) to enter the machine body (1) from the transport port (10) by increasing the distance between the first limiting member (20) and the second limiting member (21), and to form an outbound guide path for the feed bin (3) to leave the machine body (1) from the transport port (10) by decreasing the distance.

2. The feeding device for the replaceable hopper according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first limiting member (20) and the second limiting member (21) are configured to move synchronously; When the first limiting member (20) and the second limiting member (21) move away from each other synchronously, the distance is increased to form the inbound guide path; When the first limiting member (20) and the second limiting member (21) move closer to each other synchronously, the distance between them is reduced to form the outbound guide path.

3. The feeding device for the replaceable hopper according to claim 2, characterized in that, The limiting mechanism further includes a driving member configured to drive the first limiting member (20) and the second limiting member (21) to move synchronously away from or towards each other.

4. The feeding device for the replaceable hopper according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The first limiting member (20) and the second limiting member (21) are each provided with a guide wheel (200) or a guide slope on the side of the hopper.

5. The feeding device for the replaceable hopper according to claim 1, characterized in that, The limiting mechanism (2) further includes sliding components (22) disposed on opposite sides of the body (1). One side of the sliding component (22) is connected to the first limiting member (20), and the other side of the sliding component (22) is connected to the second limiting member (21). The sliding component (22) is configured to limit the sliding path of the hopper (3) within the body (1).

6. The feeding device for the replaceable hopper according to claim 5, characterized in that, The sliding assembly (22) includes two support plates (220), a support rod (221) disposed between the two support plates (220), and a plurality of sliding rollers (222) disposed close to the support plates (220) and arranged along the length direction of the support plates (220).

7. The feeding device for the replaceable hopper according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feeding device also includes a placement station (30), which is arranged opposite to the transport port (10) and configured to place a replaceable hopper (3).

8. The feeding device for the replaceable hopper according to claim 7, characterized in that, The feeding device also includes a conveying mechanism (4), which is located at the bottom of the machine body (1) and below the placement station (30). It is configured to drive the hopper (3) to move bidirectionally between the placement station (30) and the transport port (10).

9. The feeding device for the replaceable hopper according to claim 7, characterized in that, The feeding device also includes a pushing mechanism (5), which is located on the top of the machine body (1) and is configured to push a part of the structure of the hopper (3) when the hopper (3) is located at the placement station (30) so that the hopper (3) abuts against the side wall of the placement station (30).

10. The feeding device for the replaceable hopper according to claim 9, characterized in that, The feeding device also includes a fixing mechanism (6) disposed on opposite sides of the body (1). The fixing mechanism (6) is configured to fasten the opposite sides of the hopper (3) when the hopper (3) abuts against the side wall of the placement station (30).

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