An embedding cassette advancing unit

Abstract

The utility model provides a kind of embedding box into magazine conveying unit, it is related to biomedical experimental instrument technical field.The embedding box into magazine conveying unit includes rack, hopper groove piece and into box push head subassembly. Into box push head subassembly is used to push embedding box in hopper groove piece out, it includes hopper push head, push head connecting seat, push head drive seat, first connecting piece and second connecting piece, hopper push head is rotatably installed on push head connecting seat, and the both ends of first connecting piece are respectively connected with hopper push head and push head drive seat pivotally;The both ends of second connecting piece are respectively connected with push head connecting seat and push head drive seat, and with at least one of them slidably connected, when push head connecting seat and push head drive seat opposite slide, hopper push head rotates, when push head connecting seat and push head drive seat synchronous slide, hopper push head moves. Thus the rotation and movement of hopper push head are realized by the single sliding movement of push head drive seat, and the driving of simple driving structure is reliable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of biomedical experimental instrument technology, and more specifically, to an embedding box feeding and conveying unit. Background Technology

[0002] Embedding cassettes are a common type of plastic container used in the biomedical field. They are typically made of materials such as polyoxymethylene (POM) and are used to embed microorganisms, animal, or plant cells in a solidified medium, providing spatial support and chemical protection. In medical pathology diagnosis and research, the samples requiring embedding are usually derived from living tissues taken from patients or laboratory animals. The embedding medium is typically paraffin wax; researchers fill the chemically treated target sample with paraffin wax and seal it within the embedding cassette.

[0003] like Figure 1 A conventional embedding cassette 1 structure is shown, which has five sections forming the top opening space of the inner cavity 102: front, rear, left, right, and bottom, referred to as the front section 103, right section 104, rear section 105, left section 106, and bottom section 107, respectively. The bottom section 107 is covered with rectangular perforated partitions 108. Correspondingly, the embedding cassette 1 also has a top section 109 opposite to the bottom section 107. The marking area 101 is located on the inclined plane of the front section 103. The angle between the marking area 101 and the plane of the bottom section 107 varies for different sizes of embedding cassettes, that is, the inclination angle of the marking area 101 varies, usually 30°, 45°, etc. Generally, the inner cavity 102 of the embedding cassette 1 has dimensions of approximately 32mm in length × 28mm in width × 5.5mm in depth, and the marking area 101 is a plane of approximately 8.5mm × 30mm.

[0004] During the use of embedding cassettes, information markings are typically added by printing in the marking area 101 using an embedding cassette printing system. The embedding cassette printing system generally stores the embedding cassettes to be printed through an embedding cassette feeding and conveying them to the printing conveyor unit located at the printing position. However, current embedding cassette feeding and conveying units suffer from technical problems due to their complex drive structures. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide an embedding box feeding and conveying unit that can improve the above-mentioned problems existing in the prior art.

[0006] The embodiments of this utility model can be implemented in the following ways: An embedding cassette feeding and conveying unit is used to convey embedding cassettes to be printed to a printing conveying unit, the embedding cassette feeding and conveying unit comprising: frame; A hopper trough, wherein the hopper trough is used to hold the embedding cassette to be printed, and the hopper trough has a side opening at the bottom for the embedding cassette to exit; and A box-feeding pusher assembly is mounted on the frame. The assembly includes a hopper pusher, a pusher connecting seat, a pusher drive seat, a first connector, and a second connector. The hopper pusher is rotatably mounted on the pusher connecting seat. The two ends of the first connector are pivotally connected to the hopper pusher and the pusher drive seat, respectively. The two ends of the second connector are connected to the pusher connecting seat and the pusher drive seat, respectively. The second connector is slidably connected to at least one of the pusher connecting seat and the pusher drive seat, allowing relative sliding between them within a preset range. The sliding of the pusher drive seat is used to rotate the hopper pusher when the pusher connecting seat and the pusher drive seat slide relative to each other, switching the hopper pusher between a retracted state and a box-pushing state. The sliding of the pusher drive seat is also used to move the hopper pusher while simultaneously sliding the pusher drive seat. The hopper pusher is located below the hopper trough, and the hopper trough is located on the moving path of the hopper pusher. When the hopper pusher is in the pusher state and moves with the pusher drive seat, it pushes the embedding box away from the side opening and conveys it to the printing conveying unit. When the hopper pusher is in the retracted state, the height of the hopper pusher is lower than that of the hopper trough.

[0007] Optionally, one end of the second connector is fixedly connected to the pusher drive seat, and the other end of the second connector is provided with a strip hole, the length direction of which extends along the sliding direction of the pusher drive seat; a sliding pin is provided on the pusher connector, the sliding pin being slidably engaged with the strip hole, so that the pusher connector can slide relative to the pusher drive seat within the length extension range of the strip hole.

[0008] Optionally, the box-feeding pusher assembly further includes a pusher guide assembly, which is connected to the pusher connecting seat to guide the sliding direction of the pusher connecting seat; The pusher guide assembly includes a first sliding guide rail and a first slider. The first sliding guide rail is fixedly connected to the frame, and the first slider is fixedly connected to the pusher connecting seat. The first sliding guide rail and the first slider are slidably engaged.

[0009] Optionally, the box-feeding pusher assembly further includes a drive guide assembly, which is connected to the pusher drive seat to guide the sliding direction of the pusher drive seat; The drive guide assembly includes a second sliding guide rail and a second slider. The second sliding guide rail is fixedly connected to the frame, and the second slider is fixedly connected to the push head drive seat. The second sliding guide rail and the second slider are in sliding engagement.

[0010] Optionally, the box feed pusher assembly further includes a damping structure connected to the pusher connector and used to apply a damping force to the pusher connector so that the pusher connector remains in its current position without being driven.

[0011] Optionally, the damping structure includes a damper, a damping gear, and a damping rack. The damper is used to generate damping force, the damping gear is fixedly connected to the damper, and the damping rack is fixedly connected to the pusher connecting seat. The damping rack meshes with the damping gear to form a gear and rack mechanism, so as to transmit the damping force generated by the damper to the pusher connecting seat through the gear and rack mechanism.

[0012] Optionally, the embedding cassette feeding and conveying unit further includes an embedding cassette tilting assembly, which is disposed in the sliding direction of the embedding cassette pusher assembly to receive the embedding cassette pushed by the embedding cassette pusher assembly; The infeed tilting assembly has a tilting slide and slide inlets and slide outlets located on both sides of the tilting slide. The slide inlets face the hopper pusher so that the embedding cassette pushed by the hopper pusher can enter the tilting slide. The tilting slide is used to tilt the embedding cassette to adjust its angle and position. The slide outlet is for the embedding cassette to leave the tilting slide.

[0013] Optionally, the flipping slide includes a box bottom support surface, a transition surface, and a guide ramp arranged sequentially from the slide inlet to the slide outlet. The box bottom support surface extends to the slide inlet to support the bottom of the embedding box entering from the slide inlet. The guide ramp extends to the slide outlet to guide the embedding box to move towards the slide outlet. The transition surface is angled relative to both the box bottom support surface and the guide ramp, so that the embedding box flips once when it moves from the box bottom support surface to the transition surface, and flips a second time when it moves from the transition surface to the guide ramp, to adjust to a preset angle and position.

[0014] Optionally, the inlet tilting assembly includes a slide box body, which includes a front wall, a rear wall, a right wall, a left wall, a top wall, and a bottom wall. The front wall and the rear wall are opposite to each other, and the top wall connects between them. The left and right walls are opposite to each other on the top wall. One end of the bottom wall is fixedly connected to the front wall, and the other end extends downwards and towards the rear wall, thereby forming the slide outlet between the bottom of the bottom wall and the rear wall. The bottom wall forms the tilting slide, and the inlet is formed on the left wall. The distance between the rear wall of the slide and the guide ramp is greater than the thickness of one embedding box and less than the thickness of two embedding boxes.

[0015] Optionally, the number of hopper troughs is multiple, so that different sizes of embedding boxes can be stored through different hopper troughs; the embedding box feeding and conveying unit also includes a turntable assembly, and multiple hopper troughs are mounted on the turntable assembly around the rotation axis of the turntable assembly, so that the rotation of the turntable assembly drives different hopper troughs to rotate to the hopper pusher.

[0016] The beneficial effects of the embedding box feeding and conveying unit provided by the embodiments of this utility model include: An embodiment of this utility model provides an embedding cassette feeding and conveying unit, which includes a frame, a hopper trough and an infeed pusher assembly. The hopper trough is used to store embedding cassettes to be printed, and has a side opening at its bottom for the embedding cassettes to leave. The feeding pusher assembly is mounted on the frame and includes a hopper pusher, a pusher connecting seat, a pusher drive seat, a first connector, and a second connector. The hopper pusher is rotatably mounted on the pusher connecting seat, and the two ends of the first connector are pivotally connected to the hopper pusher and the pusher drive seat, respectively. The two ends of the second connector are connected to the pusher connecting seat and the pusher drive seat, respectively, and are slidably connected to at least one of the pusher connecting seat and the pusher drive seat, so that the pusher connecting seat can slide relative to the pusher drive seat within a preset range. When the relative sliding between the pusher drive seat and the pusher connecting seat is within the preset range, the sliding of the pusher drive seat drives the hopper pusher to rotate, so that the hopper pusher switches between a retracted state and a pushing state. When the relative sliding between the pusher drive seat and the pusher connecting seat is at the limit position of the preset range, the sliding of the pusher drive seat drives the pusher connecting seat and the hopper pusher to slide synchronously. The hopper pusher is positioned below the hopper trough, and the hopper trough is located on the pusher's movement path. When the pusher is in the cassette-pushing state and moves with the pusher drive seat, it can push the embedding cartridge out of the hopper trough through the side opening and convey it to the printing transport unit. When the pusher is in the retracted state, its height is lower than the hopper trough, allowing it to pass under the hopper trough and return to its initial position. This embedding cartridge feeding transport unit, through the structural design of the pusher assembly, enables the rotation and movement of the hopper pusher via a single sliding motion of the pusher drive seat, resulting in a simple and reliable drive structure. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The above-described features and advantages of this invention can be better understood after reading the following detailed description of the embodiments of this disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the components are not necessarily drawn to scale, and components having similar related characteristics or features may have the same or similar reference numerals.

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a conventional embedding cassette is shown. Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of the embedding cassette feeding and conveying unit according to one aspect of the present invention when applied to an embedding cassette printing system is shown. Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of an embedding box feeding and conveying unit according to one aspect of the present invention is shown; Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of the hopper pusher in the initial position of the embedding box feeding conveying unit according to one aspect of the present invention is shown. Figure 5A schematic diagram is shown of the structure of the embedding box feeding and conveying unit according to one aspect of the present invention, in which the hopper pusher pushes the embedding box into the feeding and turning assembly. Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the hopper trough in an embedding box feeding and conveying unit according to one aspect of the present invention is shown. Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the hopper trough in the embedding box feeding and conveying unit provided according to one aspect of the present invention is shown from another perspective. Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the structure of the infeed flipping assembly provided according to one aspect of the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that the aspects described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments are merely exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention in any way.

[0020] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that if terms such as "upper," "lower," "inner," "outer," or "vertical" appear, the orientation or positional relationship indicated is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship that the utility model product is usually placed in during use, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0021] At the same time, it should be noted that the terms "first" and "second" are used only for distinguishing descriptions and should not be interpreted as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0022] In the description of this utility model, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified or limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, an integral connection, or a detachable connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or a connection within two components, etc. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0023] Figure 2 This diagram shows the structure of the embedding cassette feeding and conveying unit 2 provided in this embodiment when applied to an embedding cassette printing system. Figure 3 This diagram shows the structure of the embedding box feeding and conveying unit 2 provided in this embodiment. Figure 4 This diagram shows the structure of the hopper pusher 200 in the initial position of the embedding box feeding and conveying unit 2 provided in this embodiment. Figure 5This diagram illustrates the structure of the embedding box 1 pushed into the infeeding and flipping assembly by the hopper pusher 200 in the embedding box feeding and conveying unit 2 provided in this embodiment. Please refer to the attached diagram. Figures 1-5 This embodiment provides an embedding box feeding and conveying unit 2, which is used to store the embedding box 1 and convey the embedding box 1 to the printing conveying unit 3, thereby meeting the printing and feeding requirements of the embedding box 1.

[0024] The embedding cassette feeding and conveying unit 2 includes a frame 7, a hopper trough 22, and an embedding cassette pusher assembly 20. The hopper trough 22 is used to store the embedding cassettes 1 to be printed, and has a side opening 2202 at its bottom for the embedding cassettes 1 to exit. The embedding cassette pusher assembly 20 is mounted on the frame 7 and includes a hopper pusher 200, a pusher connecting seat 201, a pusher drive seat 2032, a first connector 2030, and a second connector 2034. The hopper pusher 200 is rotatably mounted on the pusher connecting seat 201, and both ends of the first connector 2030 are pivotally connected to the hopper pusher 200 and the pusher drive seat 2032, respectively. Both ends of the second connector 2034 are connected to the pusher connecting seat 201 and the pusher drive seat 2032, respectively, and are connectable to at least one of the pusher connecting seat 201 and the pusher drive seat 2032. The pusher head connecting seat 201 is slidably connected so that it can slide relative to the pusher head driving seat 2032 within a preset range. When the relative sliding between the pusher head driving seat 2032 and the pusher head connecting seat 201 is within the preset range, the sliding of the pusher head driving seat 2032 drives the hopper pusher head 200 to rotate, so that the hopper pusher head 200 switches between a retracted state and a pusher box state. When the relative sliding between the pusher head driving seat 2032 and the pusher head connecting seat 201 is at the limit position of the preset range, the sliding of the pusher head driving seat 2032 drives the pusher head connecting seat 201 and the hopper pusher head 200 to slide synchronously. The hopper pusher 200 is positioned below the hopper trough 22, and the hopper trough 22 is located on the moving path of the hopper pusher 200. Thus, when the hopper pusher 200 is in the hopper pushing state and moves with the pusher drive seat 2032, the hopper pusher 200 can push the embedding box 1 out of the hopper trough 22 from the side opening 2202 and convey it to the printing conveying unit 3. When the hopper pusher 200 is in the retracted state, the height of the hopper pusher 200 is lower than the hopper trough 22. At this time, the hopper pusher 200 can pass over the hopper trough 22 from below and return to the initial position.

[0025] The structure of the embedding box feeding and conveying unit 2 provided in this embodiment will be further described below: Figure 6 This diagram shows the structure of the hopper trough 22 in the embedding box feeding and conveying unit 2 provided in this embodiment. Figure 7 This diagram shows a structural schematic of the hopper trough 22 in the embedding box feeding and conveying unit 2 provided in this embodiment from another perspective. Please refer to the reference. Figures 1-7In this embodiment, the hopper trough 22 is a long, narrow shell structure that encloses a storage space for embedding cassettes 1. The cross-sectional area of ​​this storage space is slightly larger than the size of one embedding cassette 1, allowing the embedding cassettes 1 stored in the hopper trough 22 to be stacked in a single row. Specifically, the hopper trough 22 includes a front wall 221, a rear wall 223, a left wall 222, a right wall 220, and a bottom wall 224. The front wall 221, left wall 222, rear wall 223, and right wall 220 are connected end-to-end to form a circumferentially closed square tubular component. The bottom wall 224 is located below this square tubular component to support the embedding cassettes 1. The right wall 220 is spaced apart from the bottom wall 224, thus forming a side opening 2202 between the right wall 220 and the bottom wall 224 for the embedding cassettes 1 to leave the storage space. The height of the side opening 2202 is greater than the height of one embedding box 1 and less than the height of two embedding boxes 1, so that only the bottommost embedding box 1 can leave the hopper trough 22 under the push of the hopper pusher 200.

[0026] Furthermore, the bottom wall 224 of the trough includes a front support 2240 and a rear support 2241. The front support 2240 is fixedly connected to the lower end of the front wall 221 of the trough, and the rear support 2241 is fixedly connected to the lower end of the rear wall 223 of the trough. Thus, the front support 2240 and the rear support 2241 support the embedding box 1 on the front and rear sides respectively. At the same time, the front support 2240 and the rear support 2241 are spaced apart, thereby forming a channel 2242 between the front support 2240 and the rear support 2241 that communicates with the side opening 2202, so that the hopper pusher 200 can pass through the hopper trough 22 through the channel 2242 when it moves.

[0027] Furthermore, a notch 2221 communicating with the channel is provided below the left wall 222 of the trough, so that the hopper pusher 200, which is initially located on the left side of the hopper trough 22, can enter the storage space through the notch 2221, pass through the channel through the hopper trough 22, and exit the hopper trough 22 through the side opening 2202 of the hopper trough 22. In this process, the bottommost embedding box 1 is pushed out of the hopper trough 22.

[0028] Furthermore, the upper side wall of the bottom wall 224 is inclined relative to the horizontal plane so that the embedding box 1 can be stacked more stably in the hopper trough 22, avoiding changes in the position of the embedding box 1 due to vibration or other factors. Optionally, the inclination angle can be set between 0° and 45°, preferably between 0° and 30°, and more preferably about 5°.

[0029] Furthermore, the right wall 220 of the trough is provided with a central opening 2200 extending in the vertical direction. This central opening 2200 facilitates the inspection and verification of the storage status of the embedding boxes 1 in the hopper trough 22, ensuring that the embedding boxes 1 in the hopper trough 22 are stored in a normal state, so that the stacked embedding boxes 1 can fall smoothly in sequence. Specifically, the right wall 220 of the trough includes two spaced-apart wall edges 2201. One wall edge 2201 is fixedly connected to the front wall 221 of the trough, and the other wall edge 2201 is fixedly connected to the rear wall 223 of the trough, forming a central opening 2200 between the two wall edges 2201.

[0030] Furthermore, an open flare is formed at the top of the hopper trough 22 to facilitate the entry of the embedding box 1 into the storage space of the hopper trough 22 through the flare. Specifically, the hopper trough 22 also includes a front flare 2210, a left flare 2220, and a rear flare 2230. The front flare 2210 is located at the top of the front wall 221 of the trough, the left flare 2220 is located at the top of the left wall 222 of the trough, and the rear flare 2230 is located at the top of the rear wall 223 of the trough.

[0031] In this embodiment, the hopper trough 22 is further provided with an installation structure 225, which is used to install and fix the hopper trough 22. Optionally, the installation structure 225 includes a guide post hole 2250 and a locking hole 2251. Correspondingly, a fixing structure 231 that cooperates with the installation structure 225 is provided at the installation location of the hopper trough 22. The fixing structure 231 is configured to include a guide post 2310 that inserts into the guide post hole 2250 and a locking member 2311 that cooperates with the locking hole 2251. The insertion of the guide post 2310 into the guide post hole 2250 achieves the positioning of the hopper trough 22, and the protruding structure of the locking member 2311 cooperates with the recessed structure of the locking hole 2251 to achieve the sliding locking of the hopper trough 22 along the axial direction of the guide post 2310. Optionally, the locking member can adopt a common glass ball screw structure. Optionally, in this embodiment, there are two guide pin holes 2250, which are located on both sides of the lock hole 2251. Correspondingly, there are also two guide pins 2310, which are located on both sides of the lock member 2311.

[0032] In this embodiment, there are multiple hopper troughs 22, and the specifications of the embedding boxes 1 in each hopper trough 22 can be set according to requirements, such as setting different hopper troughs 22 to have different tilt angles, different colors, etc. The embedding box feeding and conveying unit 2 also includes a turntable assembly 23, and the multiple hopper troughs 22 are distributed around the rotation axis of the turntable assembly 23. In this way, the rotation of the turntable assembly 23 drives the different hopper troughs 22 to rotate to the hopper push head 200, realizing the feeding of embedding boxes 1 of different specifications. Thus, in this embodiment, the hopper troughs 22 are installed at the turntable assembly 23, and correspondingly, the fixing structure 231 is set at the turntable assembly 23. Optionally, in this embodiment, the mounting structure 225 is set on the left wall 222 of the hopper trough 22.

[0033] Furthermore, the turntable assembly 23 includes a turntable 230, a turntable rotation structure 232, and a turntable power assembly 233. The turntable 230 is a flattened oval disc that can rotate around its central axis. Multiple positioning slots 2300 arranged in a circular array around the central axis are provided on the circular surface of the turntable 230. Each positioning slot 2300 is used to install one hopper trough component 22. In this embodiment, there are six positioning slots 2300, and correspondingly, six hopper trough components 22 can be installed. It is understood that in other embodiments, the number of positioning slots 2300 and the number of hopper trough components 22 can be set according to requirements.

[0034] The turntable rotation structure 232 includes a turntable fixed seat 2320, a turntable shaft 2321, a turntable shaft key 2321a, an upper turntable bearing seat 2322, an upper turntable bearing 2322a, a lower turntable bearing seat 2323, a lower turntable bearing 2323a, and a turntable gear 2324. The turntable fixing seat 2320 is used to fix and support the turntable 230. The turntable fixing seat 2320 is axially positioned on the limiting step of the turntable shaft 2321. The upper end of the turntable shaft 2321 has a limiting step to axially support the turntable fixing seat 2320. The turntable shaft 2321 is fixed to the turntable 230 by a turntable shaft key 2321a and screws. The inner ring of the upper bearing 2322a of the turntable is fitted with the turntable shaft 2321, and the outer ring of the bearing is fixed on the upper bearing seat 2322 of the turntable. The upper bearing seat 2322 of the turntable is fixedly connected to the bracket 7. The inner ring of the lower bearing 2323a of the turntable is fitted with the turntable shaft 2321, and the outer ring of the bearing is fixed on the lower bearing seat 2323 of the turntable. The lower bearing seat 2323 of the turntable is fixedly connected to the bracket 7. A certain axial distance is maintained between the upper bearing housing 2322 and the lower bearing housing 2323 of the turntable to improve the rigidity of the turntable shaft 2321 of the turntable assembly 23 during rotation. The turntable gear 2324 is fixed to the bottom of the turntable shaft 2321 by means of thread, pin, or other connection methods. The upper bearing 2322a and the lower bearing 2323a of the turntable can be common bearings on the market, but ball bearings with small clearance errors are preferred.

[0035] The turntable power assembly 233 includes a motor 2330 and a motor gear 2331. The motor gear 2331 cooperates with the turntable gear 2324 to transmit power from the turntable power assembly 233 to the turntable gear 2324. The motor gear 2331 can be fixed to the motor shaft of the motor 2330 by means of thread, pin, or other connection methods. The motor 233 is fixedly connected to the lower bearing housing 2323 of the turntable.

[0036] Furthermore, the turntable assembly 23 also includes a turntable sensor 234 and a turntable sensor contact 2340. The turntable sensor 234 is mounted on a sensor mounting base 2341 and is used to identify and set the initial position of the turntable 230's rotation. The sensor mounting base 2341 is fixedly connected to a bearing seat 2322 on the turntable. The turntable sensor contact 2340 is mounted on the turntable 230 and rotates with the turntable 230. The turntable sensor 234 identifies the position based on the difference in reflected energy of light transmission when the turntable sensor contact 2340 is obstructed. The turntable sensor 234 is a reflective photoelectric sensor or a combined through-beam photoelectric sensor, which consists of a light source and a receiver.

[0037] Please refer to the reference again. Figures 1-5 In this embodiment, the feeding box pusher assembly 20 is disposed below the hopper trough 22. The pusher drive seat 2032 drives the hopper pusher 200 to rotate and move in the left and right directions via its left-right movement. The rotation of the hopper pusher 200 achieves the feeding box pushing state (e.g., ...). Figure 5 The hopper pusher head (in state 200) and the retracted state (as shown) are shown. Figure 4 The hopper pusher 200 is switched between states shown; the hopper pusher 200 moves in the left and right directions to push out and transport the embedding box 1 and reset it to the initial position.

[0038] It should be noted that, in the description of this embodiment, "left and right direction" can be regarded as the direction of the left wall 222 and the right wall 220 of the hopper trough 22 located above the feeding pusher assembly 20. If "to the left" is mentioned later, it refers to the side facing the left wall 222 of the hopper trough 22, that is, the negative direction of the X-axis of the coordinate system in the figure; if "to the right" is mentioned later, it refers to the side facing the right wall 220 of the hopper trough 22, that is, the positive direction of the X-axis of the coordinate system in the figure.

[0039] Both the pusher drive seat 2032 and the pusher connecting seat 201 are slidably connected to the frame 7, and the sliding direction of both the pusher drive seat 2032 and the pusher connecting seat 201 is left and right. The hopper pusher 200 is rotatably connected to the pusher connecting seat 201. Specifically, the hopper pusher 200 has a pusher end 2000. When the hopper pusher 200 is in the box-pushing state, the pusher end 2000 is in a vertical state, and the pushing plane of the pusher end 2000 is parallel to the plane of the left part 103 of the embedding box 1. The contact between the pushing plane of the pusher end 2000 and the embedding box 1 pushes the embedding box 1 to move accordingly. The hopper pusher head 200 is provided with a first rotating shaft hole 2001, in which a first rotating shaft 2003 is installed. The inner ring of the first pivot bearing 2003a provided on the first rotating shaft 2003 is fitted on the first rotating shaft 2003, and the outer ring of the bearing is fitted on the hopper pusher head 200, thereby realizing the rotational connection between the hopper pusher head 200 and the pusher head connecting seat 201.

[0040] The hopper pusher 200 is connected to the pusher drive seat 2032 via a first connector 2030. Both ends of the first connector 2030 are pivotally connected to the hopper pusher 200 and the pusher drive seat 2032, respectively. Thus, when the pusher drive seat 2032 moves, the first connector 2030 pulls the hopper pusher 200 to rotate around the axis of the first rotating shaft 2003. Specifically, a second rotating shaft 2031 is fixedly connected to the hopper pusher 200. The inner ring of a second pivot bearing 2031a mounted on the second rotating shaft 2031 engages with the second rotating shaft 2031, and the outer ring engages with the first connector 2030, thereby achieving a pivotal connection between the hopper pusher 200 and the first connector 2030. Similarly, a third rotating shaft 2033 is fixedly connected to the push head drive seat 2032. The inner ring of the third pivot bearing 2033a provided on the third rotating shaft 2033 is fitted on the third rotating shaft 2033, and the outer ring of the bearing is fitted on the first connecting member 2030, thereby realizing the pivotal connection between the push head drive seat 2032 and the first connecting member 2030.

[0041] The pusher drive seat 2032 and the pusher connecting seat 201 are connected by a second connector 2034, which is slidably connected to at least one of the pusher drive seat 2032 and the pusher connecting seat 201. Optionally, in this embodiment, one end of the second connector 2034 is fixedly connected to the pusher drive seat 2032, and the other end is slidably connected to the pusher connecting seat 201, so that the pusher drive seat 2032 and the pusher connecting seat 201 can slide relative to each other within a preset range, so that the hopper pusher 200 can be rotated by the sliding of the pusher drive seat 2032 during the relative sliding process. It is understood that in some other embodiments, the second connector 2034 can be configured to be fixedly connected to the pusher connecting seat 201 and slidably connected to the pusher drive seat 2032, or even configured to be slidably connected at both ends to the pusher connecting seat 201 and the pusher drive seat 2032 respectively.

[0042] Optionally, the second connector 2034 is provided with a strip-shaped hole 2034a, the length of which extends along the sliding direction of the pusher drive seat 2032, that is, from the pusher connecting seat 201 to the pusher drive seat 2032. The pusher connecting seat 201 is provided with a sliding pin 2034b, which slidably engages with the strip-shaped hole 2034a, thereby allowing the second connector 2034 and the pusher connecting seat 201 to slidably engage. The range within which the pusher connecting seat 201 can slide relative to the pusher drive seat 2032 is the length extension range of the strip-shaped hole 2034a. In other words, the length extension range of the strip-shaped hole 2034a is the preset range of relative sliding between the pusher drive seat 2032 and the pusher connecting seat 201. Figure 4 As shown, the feeding pusher assembly 20 is in its initial position, the hopper pusher 200 is in a retracted state, and the sliding pin is located at the right end of the slot 2034a. If the pusher drive seat 2032 moves in the upward feeding direction, the sliding pin 2034b will move away from the feeding direction relative to the slot 2034a. At this time, the pusher connecting seat 201 and the sliding pin 2034b will not translate with the pusher drive seat 2032, thus driving the hopper pusher 200 to rotate via the first connecting member 2030. The hopper pusher 200 moves until the sliding pin 2034b slides relative to the strip hole 2034a to the left end of the strip hole 2034a. At this time, the hopper pusher 200 rotates to the box-pushing state, and the pusher drive seat 2032 continues to slide in the upward feeding direction. Through the contact between the left end of the strip hole 2034a and the sliding pin 2034b, the pusher connecting seat 201 slides synchronously with the pusher drive seat 2032, thereby driving the hopper pusher 200 to slide synchronously to the right. At this time, the hopper pusher 200 remains in the box-pushing state. Here, "feeding direction" is the direction in which the hopper pusher 200 pushes the embedding box 1 away from the hopper trough 22 to feed the material.

[0043] Furthermore, the box-feeding pusher assembly 20 also includes a pusher guide assembly 202, which is connected to the pusher connecting seat 201 to guide the sliding direction of the pusher connecting seat 201. Optionally, the pusher guide assembly 202 includes a first sliding guide rail 2020 and a first slider 2021. The first sliding guide rail 2020 is fixedly connected to the frame 7, and the first slider 2021 is fixedly connected to the pusher connecting seat 201. The first sliding guide rail 2020 and the first slider 2021 slide in engagement, thereby realizing the sliding engagement between the pusher connecting seat 201 and the frame 7 and ensuring the sliding direction.

[0044] Furthermore, the box-feeding pusher assembly 20 also includes a drive guide assembly 204, which is connected to the pusher drive seat 2032 to guide the sliding direction of the pusher drive seat 2032. Optionally, the drive guide assembly 204 includes a second sliding guide rail and a second slider 2041. The second sliding guide rail is fixedly connected to the frame 7, and the second slider 2041 is fixedly connected to the pusher drive seat 2032. The second sliding guide rail and the second slider 2041 are slidably engaged, thereby realizing the sliding engagement between the pusher drive seat 2032 and the frame 7 and ensuring the sliding direction. Optionally, in this embodiment, the first sliding guide rail 2020 and the second sliding guide rail adopt a unified slide rail component. In other words, the second sliding guide rail can be regarded as a part of the first sliding guide rail 2020. It is understood that in some other embodiments, the first sliding guide rail 2020 and the second sliding guide rail can also be set as two independent slide rail components as needed.

[0045] In this embodiment, the sliding driving force of the pusher drive seat 2032 is provided by the printing conveying unit 3. Furthermore, an intermediate transmission structure is provided between the pusher drive seat 2032 and the printing conveying unit 3. The intermediate transmission structure includes a pusher power rack 2035, a pusher power gear 2036, a transition gear shaft 2037, a transition gear bearing 2037a, a transition gear 2038, and a transition rack 2039. The pusher power gear 2036 and the transition gear 2038 are coaxially mounted on the transition gear shaft 2037. The inner ring of the transition gear bearing 2037a is fitted on the transition gear shaft 2037, and the outer ring is fitted on the bracket 7. At the same time, the pusher power rack 2035 meshes with the pusher power gear 2036, and the transition gear 2038 meshes with the transition rack 2039. The transition rack 2039 is fixedly connected to the printing conveyor unit 3, and the pusher power rack 2035 is fixedly connected to the pusher drive seat 2032. Thus, when the printing conveyor unit 3 moves, the pusher drive seat 2032 is driven to move in the opposite direction to the movement direction of the printing conveyor unit 3 through this intermediate transmission mechanism.

[0046] In this embodiment, the pusher assembly 20 further includes a damping structure 205. The damping structure is connected to the pusher connector 201 and is used to apply a damping force to the pusher connector 201, thereby maintaining the pusher connector 201 in its current position without being driven. Optionally, the damping structure 205 includes a damper 2050, a damping gear 2051, and a damping rack 2052. The damper 2050 is used to generate a damping force and can be a commonly used rotary damper. The damping gear 2051 can be fixedly connected to the damper 2050 by means of threads, pins, etc. The damping rack 2052 is fixedly connected to the pusher connector 201. The damping rack 2052 meshes with the damping gear 2051 to form a gear and rack mechanism, thereby transmitting the damping force generated by the damper 2050 to the pusher connector 201 through the gear and rack mechanism. In this embodiment, the damping force generated by the damper 2050 is transmitted to the pusher connecting seat 201 through a gear and rack mechanism. It is understood that in other embodiments, other transmission structures, such as belt mechanisms, can also be used to transmit the damping force.

[0047] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the structure of the infeed tilting assembly provided in this embodiment is shown. Please refer to the attached diagram. Figures 1-8 In this embodiment, the embedding cassette feeding and conveying unit 2 further includes an embedding cassette flipping assembly 21. This assembly 21 is positioned along the sliding direction of the embedding cassette pusher assembly 20 to receive the embedding cassette 1 pushed by the pusher assembly 20. The embedding cassette flipping assembly 21 has a flipping slide 210 and slide inlets 2130 and slide outlets 2160 located on both sides of the slide 210. The slide inlets 2130 face the hopper pusher 200, allowing the embedding cassette 1 pushed by the hopper pusher 200 to enter the flipping slide 210. The flipping slide 210 is used to rotate the embedding cassette 1 to adjust its angle and position. The slide outlet 2160 allows the embedding cassette 1 to exit the flipping slide 210.

[0048] Specifically, the slide inlet 2130 is located at the side opening 2202 directly opposite the hopper trough 22, and the distance between the slide inlet 2130 and the side opening 2202 is less than the size of the embedding box 1. Thus, during the process of the embedding box 1 being pushed out of the hopper trough 22, one end of the embedding box 1 is located at the slide inlet 2130, and the other end is located at the side opening 2202.

[0049] Furthermore, the flipping chute 210 includes a bottom support surface 2100, a transition surface 2101, and a guide ramp 2102 sequentially arranged from the chute inlet 2130 to the chute outlet 2160. The bottom support surface 2100 extends to the chute inlet 2130 to support the bottom of the embedding box 1 entering from the chute inlet 2130. The guide ramp 2102 extends to the chute outlet 2160 to guide the embedding box 1 towards the chute outlet 2160. The transition surface 2101 is angled relative to both the bottom support surface 2100 and the guide ramp 2102, so that the embedding box 1 flips once when moving from the bottom support surface 2100 to the transition surface 2101, and flips a second time when moving from the transition surface 2101 to the guide ramp 2102, thereby adjusting the embedding box 1 to a preset angle position. Optionally, the transition surface 2101 can be a plane or a curved surface. The flip slide 210 can be configured to allow the embedding box 1 to flip at multiple degrees of freedom and angles, with a single flip angle between 0° and 90°, preferably between 0° and 60°. In this embodiment, the flip slide 210 allows the embedding box 1 to flip 45° in a single degree of freedom through two flips.

[0050] Furthermore, the inlet tilting assembly 21 includes a slide box body, which includes a front wall 211, a rear wall 212, a right wall 214, a left wall 213, a top wall 215, and a bottom wall 216. The front wall 211 and the rear wall 212 are arranged opposite to each other, the top wall 215 connects the front wall 211 and the right wall 212, and the left wall 213 and the right wall 214 are arranged opposite to each other on the left and right sides of the top wall 215, so that the front wall 211, the right wall 214, the rear wall 212, and the left wall 213 surround the top wall 215. One end of the slide bottom wall 216 is fixedly connected to the slide front wall 211, and the other end of the slide bottom wall 216 slopes downward and extends towards the slide rear wall 212, thereby forming a slide outlet 2160 between the lower end of the slide bottom wall 216 and the slide rear wall 212. The slide bottom wall 216 forms a flip slide 210, and the slide inlet 2130 is formed on the slide left wall 213. At the same time, the movement space distance between the slide rear wall 212 and the guide slope 2102 is greater than the thickness of one embedding box 1 and less than the thickness of two embedding boxes 1. Thus, when the embedding box 1 maintains the angle and pose after the second flip and slides along the guide slope 2102 towards the slide outlet 2160, only a single embedding box 1 can pass through.

[0051] Furthermore, the box-flipping assembly 21 also includes a support rod 217 fixedly connected to the slide box body, and the slide box body is fixedly connected to the frame 7 through the support rod 217.

[0052] In this embodiment, the embedding box feeding and conveying unit 2 further includes an embedding box sensor 206, which detects whether there are any foreign objects obstructing the pushing path of the hopper pusher 200 and whether the embedding box 1 is sliding down the flipping slide 210 of the embedding box flipping assembly 21. Specifically, the embedding box sensor 206 is mounted on a sensor mounting base 2341. The embedding box sensor 206 can be an optical sensor. Correspondingly, the hopper pusher 200 is provided with a detection port 2002. When the hopper pusher 200 is in the box-pushing state, the light emitted by the embedding box sensor 206 can pass through the detection port 2002 to detect the condition of the front side of the hopper pusher 200. At the same time, since the sensor mounting base 2341 is located on the left side of the turntable shaft 2321, the embedding box sensor 206 should be positioned off-center from the axis of the turntable shaft 2321 to avoid obstruction by the turntable shaft 2321.

[0053] The embedding box feeding and conveying unit 2 provided in this embodiment of the present invention, in use, first ensures that the feeding pusher assembly 20 is in its initial position, and the hopper trough 22 containing the required embedding box 1 rotates to above the feeding pusher assembly 20; then, the pusher drive seat 2032 is driven to move in the upward material direction through the intermediate transmission mechanism, and the second connecting member 2034 moves together with the pusher drive seat 2032. At this time, the strip hole 2034a first slides to the right relative to the sliding pin 2034b. During this relative sliding process, the first connecting member 2030 drives the hopper pusher 200 to rotate from the retracted state to the box-pushing state until the sliding pin 2034b slides to the left end of the strip hole 2034a and contacts the strip hole 2034a. At this time, the hopper pusher 200 is in the box-pushing state. The sliding of the pusher drive seat 2032 continues to drive the pusher connecting seat 201 to slide synchronously in the upward material direction through the contact between the sliding pin 2034b and the left end of the strip hole 2034a. This, in turn, drives the hopper pusher 200 to slide in the upward material direction, pushing the lowermost embedding box 1 of the hopper trough 22 out from the side opening 2202 and into the flipping slide 210 from the slide inlet 2130. After two flipping posture adjustments in the flipping slide 210, it slides out from the slide outlet 2160. At this time, the embedding box 1 is completed in the box-feeding operation. Subsequently, the pusher drive seat 2032 moves in the opposite direction to the upward material through the intermediate transmission mechanism. The second connecting piece 2034 moves together with the pusher drive seat 2032. At this time, the strip hole 2034a moves in the opposite direction to the upward material relative to the sliding pin 2034b. During this relative sliding process, the first connecting piece 2030 drives the hopper pusher head 200 to rotate from the pusher state to the retracted state until the sliding pin 2034b slides to the right end of the strip hole 2034a and contacts the strip hole 2034a. At this point, the hopper pusher head 200 is in the retracted state. The sliding of the pusher drive seat 2032 continues to drive the pusher connecting seat 201 to slide synchronously to the right through the contact between the sliding pin 2034b and the right end of the strip hole 2034a, thereby driving the hopper pusher head 200 to slide to the left. The hopper pusher head 200 passes over the hopper trough 22 from below and returns to its original position. Figure 3 The initial position is shown.

[0054] The above description is only a specific embodiment of the present utility model, but the protection scope of the present utility model is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. An embedding cassette feeding and conveying unit, used to convey embedding cassettes to be printed to a printing conveying unit, characterized in that, The embedding box feeding and conveying unit includes: frame; A hopper trough for storing the embedding cassette to be printed, and the hopper trough has a side opening at the bottom for the embedding cassette to exit; and A box-feeding pusher assembly is mounted on the frame. The assembly includes a hopper pusher, a pusher connecting seat, a pusher drive seat, a first connector, and a second connector. The hopper pusher is rotatably mounted on the pusher connecting seat. The two ends of the first connector are pivotally connected to the hopper pusher and the pusher drive seat, respectively. The two ends of the second connector are connected to the pusher connecting seat and the pusher drive seat, respectively. The second connector is slidably connected to at least one of the pusher connecting seat and the pusher drive seat, allowing relative sliding between them within a preset range. The sliding of the pusher drive seat is used to rotate the hopper pusher when the pusher connecting seat and the pusher drive seat slide relative to each other, switching the hopper pusher between a retracted state and a box-pushing state. The sliding of the pusher drive seat is also used to move the hopper pusher while simultaneously sliding the pusher drive seat. The hopper pusher is located below the hopper trough, and the hopper trough is located on the moving path of the hopper pusher. When the hopper pusher is in the pusher state and moves with the pusher drive seat, it pushes the embedding box away from the side opening and conveys it to the printing conveying unit. When the hopper pusher is in the retracted state, the height of the hopper pusher is lower than that of the hopper trough.

2. The embedding box feeding and conveying unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, One end of the second connector is fixedly connected to the push head drive seat, and the other end of the second connector is provided with a strip hole. The length direction of the strip hole extends along the sliding direction of the push head drive seat. A sliding pin is provided on the push head connecting seat. The sliding pin is slidably engaged with the strip hole so that the push head connecting seat can slide relative to the push head drive seat within the length extension range of the strip hole.

3. The embedding box feeding and conveying unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The box-feeding pusher assembly also includes a pusher guide assembly, which is connected to the pusher connecting seat to guide the sliding direction of the pusher connecting seat; The pusher guide assembly includes a first sliding guide rail and a first slider. The first sliding guide rail is fixedly connected to the frame, and the first slider is fixedly connected to the pusher connecting seat. The first sliding guide rail and the first slider are slidably engaged.

4. The embedding box feeding and conveying unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The box-feeding pusher assembly further includes a drive guide assembly, which is connected to the pusher drive seat to guide the sliding direction of the pusher drive seat; The drive guide assembly includes a second sliding guide rail and a second slider. The second sliding guide rail is fixedly connected to the frame, and the second slider is fixedly connected to the push head drive seat. The second sliding guide rail and the second slider are in sliding engagement.

5. The embedding box feeding and conveying unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The box feed pusher assembly also includes a damping structure connected to the pusher connector and used to apply a damping force to the pusher connector so that the pusher connector remains in its current position without being driven.

6. The embedding box feeding and conveying unit according to claim 5, characterized in that, The damping structure includes a damper, a damping gear, and a damping rack. The damper is used to generate damping force. The damping gear is fixedly connected to the damper. The damping rack is fixedly connected to the pusher connecting seat. The damping rack meshes with the damping gear to form a gear and rack mechanism, so as to transmit the damping force generated by the damper to the pusher connecting seat through the gear and rack mechanism.

7. The embedding box feeding and conveying unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The embedding cassette feeding and conveying unit further includes an embedding cassette tilting assembly, which is disposed in the sliding direction of the embedding cassette pusher assembly to receive the embedding cassette pushed by the embedding cassette pusher assembly; The infeed tilting assembly has a tilting slide and slide inlets and slide outlets located on both sides of the tilting slide. The slide inlets face the hopper pusher so that the embedding cassette pushed by the hopper pusher can enter the tilting slide. The tilting slide is used to tilt the embedding cassette to adjust its angle and position. The slide outlet is for the embedding cassette to leave the tilting slide.

8. The embedding box feeding and conveying unit according to claim 7, characterized in that, The flipping slide includes a box bottom support surface, a transition surface, and a guide ramp arranged sequentially from the slide inlet to the slide outlet. The box bottom support surface extends to the slide inlet to support the bottom of the embedding box entering from the slide inlet. The guide ramp extends to the slide outlet to guide the embedding box to move towards the slide outlet. The transition surface is angled relative to both the box bottom support surface and the guide ramp, so that the embedding box flips once when it moves from the box bottom support surface to the transition surface, and flips a second time when it moves from the transition surface to the guide ramp, to adjust to a preset angle and position.

9. The embedding box feeding and conveying unit according to claim 8, characterized in that, The inlet tilting assembly includes a slide box body, which includes a front wall, a rear wall, a right wall, a left wall, a top wall, and a bottom wall. The front wall and the rear wall are opposite to each other, and the top wall connects the front and rear walls. The left and right walls are opposite to each other on the left and right sides of the top wall. One end of the bottom wall is fixedly connected to the front wall, and the other end extends downwards and towards the rear wall, thereby forming the slide outlet between the bottom of the bottom wall and the rear wall. The bottom wall forms the tilting slide, and the inlet is formed on the left wall. The distance between the rear wall of the slide and the guide ramp is greater than the thickness of one embedding box and less than the thickness of two embedding boxes.

10. The embedding box feeding and conveying unit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of hopper troughs is multiple, so that different sizes of embedding boxes can be stored through different hopper troughs; the embedding box feeding and conveying unit also includes a turntable assembly, and multiple hopper troughs are mounted on the turntable assembly around the rotation axis of the turntable assembly, so that the rotation of the turntable assembly drives different hopper troughs to rotate to the hopper pusher.

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