A wind power tower flange turnover mechanism

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of wind power tower drum flange turnover mechanism, belong to wind power equipment manufacturing technical field.The mechanism includes rack, turnover driving device, bearing assembly and control system.The turnover driving device is set on rack, and bearing assembly is connected with it for carrying workpiece.Control system controls the action of turnover driving device according to the state of bearing assembly, drives bearing assembly to rotate around rotation axis, to realize the automatic turnover of wind power tower drum flange between vertical and horizontal state.The utility model replaces truss manipulator to perform turnover operation by special mechanism, effectively improves production efficiency, reduces production cost, and realizes full-automatic reliable operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of wind power equipment manufacturing technology, and in particular to a wind turbine tower flange flipping mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] As a key connecting component of wind turbine towers, the manufacturing precision and quality of wind turbine tower flanges directly affect the safety and stability of the entire unit. On automated production lines, wind turbine tower flanges undergo different processes on multiple machine tools, and these different machine tools often have varying requirements regarding the workpiece's orientation upon entry. For example, a preceding machine tool might output a vertically aligned flange, while a subsequent machine tool might require the workpiece to enter horizontally.

[0003] Currently, the main method for adjusting workpiece posture on production lines is to use a gantry robot to grab the workpiece, perform a flipping motion in mid-air, and then place it into the next machine tool. While this method achieves automated flipping, it has significant drawbacks: First, the gantry robot itself is a high-value piece of equipment, and having it perform simple flipping tasks leads to low equipment utilization and increases overall production costs; second, the flipping motion itself consumes the robot's working time, extending the overall production cycle and hindering further improvements in production efficiency; in addition, frequent flipping actions also exacerbate wear and tear on the robot, increasing equipment maintenance costs.

[0004] To address these issues, some specialized flipping mechanisms have been designed in the industry, but they often suffer from problems such as complex structure, poor adaptability, or unstable operation, making it difficult to meet the high requirements of modern production lines for cycle time and stability while ensuring high efficiency, reliability, and low cost.

[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need for an automated tilting mechanism that is simple in structure, reliable in operation, and specifically designed for wind turbine tower flanges, so as to free up truss robots to specialize in handling tasks, thereby optimizing production line layout, improving overall production efficiency, and reducing manufacturing costs. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To overcome the above-mentioned defects of the prior art, embodiments of the present invention provide a wind turbine tower flange flipping mechanism.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the innovative aspects of this invention are as follows: its structure includes: frame; A tilting drive device mounted on the frame; The load-bearing component connected to the overturning drive is used to support the wind turbine tower flange; And a control system; The flipping drive is used to drive the load-bearing component to rotate around a rotation axis, so that the wind turbine tower flange flips from a vertical state to a horizontal state or from a horizontal state to a vertical state; the control system is used to control the operation of the flipping drive according to the state of the load-bearing component.

[0008] Furthermore, the aforementioned tilting drive device is a cylinder, with the cylinder body hinged to the bottom of the frame and its output end hinged to the bottom of the load-bearing component.

[0009] Furthermore, the aforementioned load-bearing component includes a base plate and a material trough disposed on the base plate. One end of the base plate is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft, and the other end is configured to be supported by a limiting support mechanism.

[0010] Furthermore, the two ends of the aforementioned rotating shaft are mounted on the frame via bearing seats, and the base plate can rotate around the rotating shaft.

[0011] Furthermore, the aforementioned trough includes a fixed plate and an adjustable limiting plate. The bottom plate is provided with a strip groove extending along its length direction, and the adjustable limiting plate is installed on the bottom plate by fastening bolts passing through the strip groove.

[0012] Furthermore, the aforementioned limiting support mechanism includes a support column and a hydraulic buffer. A horizontal support plate is provided on the top of the frame, and the support column is vertically fixed on the support plate to provide support when the base plate is in a horizontal position. The hydraulic buffer is located at the bottom of the base plate to provide cushioning when the base plate rotates.

[0013] Furthermore, the aforementioned control system includes a material sensor and a controller. The material sensor is located inside the material tank to detect the workpiece status, and the controller is electrically connected to the material sensor and the flipping drive device.

[0014] Furthermore, the aforementioned tilting drive device is a cylinder, and the control system also includes a solenoid valve. The controller adjusts the cylinder's movement by controlling the solenoid valve.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this invention are: 1. Significantly improves production efficiency and reduces production costs. This utility model, by setting up a dedicated flipping mechanism to undertake the task of flipping workpieces, frees up the gantry robot, which only needs to perform simple pick-and-place operations, greatly shortening its work cycle time and thus improving the cycle time and efficiency of the entire production line. At the same time, this dedicated mechanism has a simple structure and a manufacturing cost far lower than that of the gantry robot, effectively reducing equipment investment and maintenance costs.

[0016] 2. Fully automated and reliable operation is achieved. This utility model realizes a complete automated cycle of "automatic material inflow and automatic reset after inflow" through the linkage of material sensors, controllers and actuators (such as cylinders and solenoid valves). No manual intervention is required, the action is accurate and reliable, and the continuity and stability of the production process are guaranteed. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is an isometric drawing of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a structural schematic diagram of the material trough in its initial receiving state (horizontal state) according to this utility model.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of the material trough in the completed flipping state (vertical state) of this utility model.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the control system of this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The specific embodiments of this utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. This embodiment provides two implementation schemes to fully support the protection scope of this utility model. Embodiment one is the best implementation scheme including all additional technical features, while embodiment two is a simplified alternative scheme that embodies the core concept of this invention. Example

[0022] like Figure 1 The isometric view shown is of the wind turbine tower flange flipping mechanism of this utility model. The mechanism mainly includes a frame 1, a flipping drive device, a load-bearing component, a limit support mechanism, and a control system.

[0023] The frame 1 is welded from structural steel, providing a stable supporting foundation for the entire mechanism. A pair of bearing seats 6 are symmetrically fixed to both sides of the top end of the frame 1 using bolts. A rotating shaft 5 is installed in these two bearing seats 6 with an interference fit and can rotate freely.

[0024] The bearing assembly is used to directly receive and accommodate the wind turbine tower flange 16. It includes a rectangular base plate 3 and a material trough 4. One end of the base plate 3 is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft 5 by a key, so that the base plate 3 can rotate with the rotating shaft 5 as the center. The material trough 4 is mounted on the base plate 3 and consists of a fixed plate 7 and an adjustable limiting plate 8. The fixed plate 7 is vertically welded to the base plate 3 and set close to the rotating shaft 5. Two parallel strip grooves 9 are machined on the base plate 3. The bottom of the adjustable limiting plate 8 is welded with an ear plate with a through hole, which is connected to the base plate 3 by fastening bolts 10 that pass through the strip grooves 9. By loosening the fastening bolts 10, the adjustable limiting plate 8 can be slid to adjust the distance between it and the fixed plate 7, thereby accommodating wind turbine tower flanges 16 of different diameters. After adjustment, the bolts can be tightened again.

[0025] The limiting support mechanism includes a support column 11 and a hydraulic buffer 12. At the other end of the top of the frame 1, a support plate 14 is horizontally fixed. The support column 11 is vertically welded to the support plate 14. When the base plate 3 is in... Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the initial horizontal state shown, its free end rests on the support column 11, thus obtaining stable support. Two hydraulic buffers 12 are also symmetrically installed at the bottom of the free end of the base plate 3 to absorb impact energy when it is flipped into place, ensuring smooth operation.

[0026] The tilting drive device uses a cylinder 2. The tail of the cylinder body is hinged to the bottom of the frame 1 by a pin; the output end of the piston rod is also hinged to the bottom of the base plate 3 by a pin, and the hinge point is located between two hydraulic buffers 12.

[0027] The control system includes a material sensor 13, a controller (not shown in the figure, usually a PLC), and a solenoid valve (not shown in the figure). The material sensor 13, in this embodiment, is a through-beam photoelectric sensor, with its transmitter and receiver mounted on the side walls of the material trough 4, respectively, to detect whether a workpiece 16 has been placed in. The controller is electrically connected to the material sensor 13. The solenoid valve is connected to the air passage of the cylinder 2 and is controlled by the controller to switch the air intake and exhaust directions of the cylinder 2.

[0028] like Figure 4 As shown, the entire control process is as follows: after the material sensor 13 detects the workpiece signal, it sends the detection signal to the controller; the controller issues a corresponding control command to the solenoid valve according to the received signal; the solenoid valve switches the air path according to the command, thereby driving the cylinder 2 to perform the extension or retraction action.

[0029] The working principle of this utility model is as follows: In the initial state, the piston rod of cylinder 2 is in the retracted state, the base plate 3 remains horizontal under its own weight, and its free end is reliably supported by the support column 11. Figure 2 As shown.

[0030] 1. Loading and Inspection: The gantry robot vertically places the wind turbine tower flange 16, which was in a vertical position and was output from the previous process, into the material trough 4. The bottom of the workpiece is placed on the base plate 3, and the side of the workpiece is clamped between the fixed plate 7 and the adjustable limit plate 8. At this time, the material sensor 13 detects the presence of material and sends the signal to the controller.

[0031] 2. Triggering the flip: After receiving the signal, the controller, after a preset delay (ensuring that the robot arm has left), issues a command to drive the solenoid valve to supply air to the rodless chamber of cylinder 2.

[0032] 3. Execution of Tilting: The piston rod of cylinder 2 extends. Since both ends of the cylinder body and piston rod of cylinder 2 are hinged, the thrust of the piston rod is converted into torque on the base plate 3, pushing the base plate 3 to overcome gravity and rotate clockwise around the rotation axis 5. When the rotation approaches 90°, the hydraulic buffer 12 at the bottom of the base plate 3 contacts the support plate 14 of the frame 1. The damping effect of the buffer 12 absorbs the remaining kinetic energy, allowing the tilting to terminate smoothly and without impact in a vertical position. Figure 3 As shown. During this process, workpiece 16 rotates 90° together with the material tank 4, changing from a vertical state to a horizontal state.

[0033] 4. Unloading and Resetting: The horizontally positioned workpiece 16 slides into the material channel connected to the tilting mechanism by its own weight, entering the next machine tool. After the workpiece slides out, the material sensor 13 detects a no-material signal and sends it back to the controller. The controller then controls the solenoid valve to switch directions, supplying air to the rod chamber of cylinder 2. The piston rod retracts, pulling the base plate 3 to rotate 90° counterclockwise to reset to a horizontal position, and it is once again supported by the support column 11. The mechanism returns to its initial state, waiting for the next work cycle.

[0034] The entire process is fully automated and requires no manual intervention, which greatly improves production efficiency. Example

[0035] As another implementation, this utility model can also be simplified. For example, the limiting support mechanism can omit the hydraulic buffer 12, relying solely on the end-stroke buffering function of the cylinder 2 itself and the speed regulating joint to reduce the impact. The material sensor 13 of the control system can also be replaced by a lower-cost mechanical limit switch to detect the presence or absence of the workpiece. The structure of the material trough 4 can be simplified to a V-groove, although the width cannot be flexibly adjusted, it can be used for flanges of fixed specifications. Although these simplified implementations are not as good as the first embodiment in terms of performance or adaptability, they can still achieve the core function of "automatically flipping the workpiece through the drive device", and thus fall within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0036] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this utility model, but the protection scope of this utility model is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A wind turbine tower flange flipping mechanism, characterized in that, Its structure includes: Rack (1); A tilting drive device is mounted on the frame; The load-bearing component connected to the overturning drive device is used to support the wind turbine tower flange; And a control system; The flipping drive device is used to drive the load-bearing component to rotate around a rotation axis, so that the wind turbine tower flange flips from a vertical state to a horizontal state or from a horizontal state to a vertical state; the control system is used to control the operation of the flipping drive device according to the state of the load-bearing component.

2. The wind turbine tower flange flipping mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flipping drive device is a cylinder (2), the cylinder body of which is hinged to the bottom of the frame (1), and its output end is hinged to the bottom of the bearing component.

3. The wind turbine tower flange flipping mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The bearing component includes a base plate (3) and a material trough (4) disposed on the base plate. One end of the base plate (3) is fixedly connected to the rotating shaft (5), and the other end is configured to be supported by a limiting support mechanism.

4. A wind turbine tower flange flipping mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that, The rotating shaft (5) is mounted on the frame (1) at both ends via bearing seats (6), and the base plate (3) can rotate around the rotating shaft (5).

5. A wind turbine tower flange flipping mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that, The material trough (4) includes a fixed plate (7) and an adjustable limiting plate (8). The base plate (3) is provided with a strip groove (9) extending along its length direction. The adjustable limiting plate (8) is installed on the base plate (3) by fastening bolts (10) passing through the strip groove (9).

6. A wind turbine tower flange flipping mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that, The limiting support mechanism includes a support column (11) and a hydraulic buffer (12). The top of the frame (1) is provided with a horizontal support plate (14). The support column (11) is vertically fixed on the support plate (14) to provide support for the base plate (3) when it is in a horizontal position. The hydraulic buffer (12) is located at the bottom of the base plate (3) to provide buffering when the base plate (3) rotates.

7. A wind turbine tower flange flipping mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that, The control system includes a material sensor (13) and a controller. The material sensor (13) is located inside the material tank (4) to detect the workpiece status. The controller is electrically connected to the material sensor (13) and the flipping drive device.

8. A wind turbine tower flange flipping mechanism according to claim 7, characterized in that, The flipping drive device is a cylinder (2), and the control system also includes a solenoid valve. The controller adjusts the action of the cylinder (2) by controlling the solenoid valve.

Images