Automatic sponge ring loading equipment for a mutual inductor

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of sponge ring automatic feeding equipment for mutual inductor, it is related to the production equipment field of mutual inductor accessory, can complete mutual inductor sponge ring feeding, and can be seamlessly integrated with production line.Unwinding station is used to place sponge blank roll, winding station is used to wind sponge remaining material, sponge blank is extended from unwinding station to winding station through forming station;Die cutting material moving device is set between positioning station and forming station, die cutting knife is configured to cut under forming station, cut sponge blank into sponge ring, suction mechanism is configured to be cut out simultaneously suction when die cutting sponge ring;Mobile module is configured to move the die cutting knife with sponge ring to the mutual inductor above positioning station, and sponge ring is released by suction mechanism, so that sponge ring falls into mutual inductor. Realize the whole process automation from sponge blank to install sponge ring into mutual inductor, effectively improve product yield, can be better integrated with mutual inductor automated production line.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of production equipment for current transformer accessories, and in particular to an automatic feeding device for sponge rings for current transformers. Background Technology

[0002] As an important type of electrical equipment, current transformers often require an internal ring of sponge during their production and assembly. The sponge ring's main functions include cushioning, shock absorption, dust prevention, and filling gaps. Traditionally, this loading process relies heavily on manual operation. Operators first use a die to punch out individual sponge rings from sheet or roll-shaped sponge blanks, then transport them to the next operator's station. The operator manually picks up the sponge ring, aligns it, and places it into a specific slot inside the current transformer housing. Finally, tools may be used to flatten or tighten it.

[0003] This manual feeding method has many drawbacks: First, it has low production efficiency and is difficult to match the pace of automated instrument transformer production lines, becoming a bottleneck restricting overall production efficiency; second, because the sponge material is soft and easily deformed, it is difficult to guarantee the accuracy of manual picking and placing, which can easily lead to problems such as misalignment, incomplete placement, or even falling off, resulting in a decrease in product yield; third, manual operation is labor-intensive, has high production costs, and poor consistency, which is not conducive to the stable control of product quality.

[0004] To overcome the shortcomings of manual operation, some attempts at automated material feeding have emerged in the industry. For example, robotic arms are used to grip pre-cut sponge rings for transfer and placement. However, such solutions typically require pre-cutting and collecting the sponge blanks before a secondary gripping by the robotic arm, resulting in cumbersome processes and complex equipment structures. More importantly, when gripping soft sponge rings, robotic arms still face the risk of inaccurate positioning, deformation, or damage, and the entire operation cycle is relatively long, offering limited efficiency improvements. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this utility model is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art by providing an automatic feeding device for the sponge rings of current transformers, which can efficiently, accurately and automatically complete the feeding of sponge rings for current transformers and can be seamlessly integrated with the production line.

[0006] The technical solution of this utility model includes a conveying device, a die-cutting and transferring device, a positioning station, an unwinding station, a forming station, and a rewinding station. The conveying device is used to convey and arrange current transformers, and sequentially delivers the current transformers to the positioning station. The unwinding station is used to place the sponge blank roll, and the rewinding station is used to rewind the remaining sponge material. The sponge blank extends from the unwinding station through the forming station to the rewinding station. The die-cutting and transferring device is located between the positioning station and the forming station. The die-cutting and transferring device includes a moving module, an adsorption mechanism mounted on the moving module, and a die-cutting blade driven by the moving module to move between the forming station and the positioning station. The die-cutting blade is configured to cut at the forming station to cut out sponge rings from the sponge blank. The adsorption mechanism is configured to simultaneously adsorb the cut-out sponge rings during die-cutting. The moving module is configured to move the die-cutting blade with the adsorbed sponge rings to the current transformer at the positioning station, and the adsorption mechanism releases the sponge rings, causing them to fall into the current transformer.

[0007] By employing the above technical solution, the entire process from raw sponge material to installation of the sponge ring into the current transformer is automated through the coordinated operation of the conveying device, die-cutting and transferring device, and unwinding, forming, and rewinding stations. Specifically, the conveying device systematically transports and arranges the current transformers, ensuring their accurate arrival at the positioning station and providing a positioning basis for subsequent material loading. The setup from the unwinding to the rewinding station enables continuous supply of sponge material and waste material recycling, guaranteeing production continuity. The components of the die-cutting and transferring device work collaboratively: the die-cutting blade cuts out the sponge ring at the forming station, the adsorption mechanism simultaneously adsorbs it, and the moving module accurately places the sponge ring... The material is transferred to the top of the current transformer at the positioning station and released. The entire process is highly automated, which improves the feeding efficiency of the sponge ring for the current transformer, avoids the accuracy problems of manual operation, and effectively improves the product yield. At the same time, the equipment can run continuously and can be better integrated with the automated production line of the current transformer. In this way, the die-cutting knife is not only responsible for cutting the ring, but also serves as a temporary carrier for the sponge ring. The adsorption mechanism completes the gripping at the moment of cutting and directly transfers the material to the installation position. This feeding method of simultaneous cutting and transfer simplifies the process and avoids the efficiency loss and sponge ring deformation risk caused by the secondary gripping of the robot in the traditional method.

[0008] In one possible design, the conveying device is further provided with a pressing station downstream of the positioning station along the conveying direction. The pressing station is equipped with a pressing mechanism, which includes a lifting drive and a pressing block mounted on the output shaft of the lifting drive. The bottom of the pressing block is annular to fit the shape of the sponge ring.

[0009] By employing the above design, the inserted sponge ring is pressed down a second time by the annular pressure block, ensuring that the soft sponge ring is completely and flatly embedded in the designated slot within the transformer housing. This eliminates issues such as loose connections, warping, or detachment caused by the elasticity or placement deviation of the sponge ring, improving installation reliability and product quality. The pressure block at the bottom of the annular ring is adapted to the shape of the sponge ring, allowing for even force application and preventing unnecessary compression damage to the sponge ring during the pressing process, thus ensuring the integrity of the final product's shape.

[0010] In one possible design, the die-cutting blade includes a middle ring cylinder, an inner ring blade, and an outer ring blade. The inner ring blade and the outer ring blade are fixedly installed on the inner ring and outer circumference of the middle ring cylinder, respectively, and the cutting edges of the inner ring blade and the outer ring blade protrude from the bottom end face of the middle ring cylinder.

[0011] With the above design, the inner and outer ring cutters work together to cut out a complete and clearly defined annular sponge ring in one go, resulting in high cutting efficiency. The structure of the middle ring cylinder forms a cavity between the inner and outer ring cutters to accommodate and hold the sponge ring. The protruding cutting edge ensures that the cutting is completed first, and then the end face of the middle ring cylinder can contact the sponge blank or maintain a small gap, providing the necessary structural basis for the subsequent adsorption of the sponge ring by negative pressure or other methods.

[0012] In one possible design, a release mechanism is installed on the middle ring cylinder. The release mechanism includes a downward drive component and several release push rods. The release push rods are arranged along the axial direction of the middle ring cylinder and can move up and down through the middle ring cylinder. The downward drive component drives the release push rods to move down after the die-cutting knife reaches the positioning station, pushing the sponge ring into the current transformer.

[0013] By adopting the above design, the problem of soft sponge material easily adsorbing or rubbing against the inner wall of the die-cutting blade can be addressed by releasing the push rod to actively push it down, ensuring that the sponge ring is completely and reliably pushed out of the die-cutting blade and falls into the current transformer. This solves the problem of "material jamming" or incomplete release that may be caused by residual adsorption force or friction, and improves the stability of equipment operation.

[0014] In one possible design, the inner ring cylinder has several vent holes extending along its axial direction on its cylinder wall. The vent holes are connected to the adsorption mechanism to adsorb and hold the sponge ring in the die-cutting knife through negative pressure adsorption.

[0015] By adopting the above design, and by setting axial ventilation holes on the middle ring cylinder and connecting them with an adsorption mechanism, the sponge ring can be firmly adsorbed and held in the cavity inside the die-cutting knife immediately after the die-cutting is completed, using the principle of negative pressure adsorption.

[0016] In one possible design, the winding station is equipped with a winding drive and a winding roller. The winding drive drives the connected winding roller to wind up the remaining sponge material after the sponge rings have been cut off and to pull the sponge blank roll unwind.

[0017] With the above design, the rewinding drive actively rewinds the used sponge material, generating a continuous traction force. This pulls the sponge blank roll at the unwinding station to feed automatically and smoothly, ensuring that there is always new blank for die-cutting at the forming station. This achieves automatic and continuous supply of blanks. Moreover, the active rewinding helps maintain the tension of the sponge blank on the unwinding to rewinding path, preventing the material strip from loosening, wrinkling, or deviating.

[0018] In one possible design, the conveying device includes a feed channel, a conveying drive mechanism, and several clamps for holding the current transformer. The clamps are movably disposed on the feed channel and driven by the conveying drive mechanism. The clamps have openings that fit the outer circle of the current transformer, surround the current transformer through the openings, and push it forward along the feed channel.

[0019] The above design uses clamps with specific openings to surround and push the current transformers, ensuring stable and reliable clamping and preventing shaking or tipping during the conveying process. The clamps move in a cycle under the action of the drive mechanism, which can advance each current transformer in the queue forward by one station spacing in sequence, thereby realizing intermittent, high-precision positioning of the current transformers on the material channel. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention. Figure 1 ; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention. Figure 2 ; Figure 3 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the die-cutting and material transfer device of this utility model; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the die-cutting blade of this utility model; Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the die-cutting blade of this utility model; Among them, 1. Conveying device; 11. Material channel; 12. Conveying drive mechanism; 13. Clamping plate; 131. Opening; 101. Positioning station; 102. Pressing station; 2. Die-cutting material transfer device; 21. Moving module; 22. Release mechanism; 221. Push-down drive component; 222. Release push rod; 23. Die-cutting knife; 231. Middle ring cylinder; 232. Inner ring knife; 233. Outer ring knife; 234. Vent hole; 301. Forming station; 31. Sponge blank; 32. Unwinding roller; 33. Rewinding drive component; 34. Rewinding roller; 4. Pressing mechanism; 41. Lifting drive component; 42. Pressing block; 5. Current transformer. Detailed Implementation

[0021] like Figures 1 to 6 The illustrated automatic feeding device for a current transformer's sponge ring mainly uses a conveyor device 1 to automatically transport the current transformer 5 to a designated station, while simultaneously pulling the rolled sponge blank 31 to the die-cutting position. A die-cutting and transferring device 2, integrating cutting, adsorption, and material transfer functions, adsorbs and captures the sponge ring during the cutting process and directly transfers it above the current transformer 5 for release, thus achieving integrated automatic operation from ring cutting to installation. It mainly includes a conveyor device 1, a die-cutting and transferring device 2, and positioning stations 101, pressing stations 102, unwinding stations, forming stations 301, and rewinding stations arranged according to the process.

[0022] The conveying device 1 is used to continuously and orderly transport the current transformers 5 to various processing stations on the conveying device 1. It includes a feed channel 11, a conveying drive mechanism 12, and several clamps 13 for holding the current transformers 5. The feed channel 11 provides a track for transporting the current transformers 5, and can be made of a wear-resistant conveyor belt to ensure long-term stability. The conveying drive mechanism 12 can be a transmission system consisting of a motor, chain, and sprocket, or a linear motor. Taking a motor, chain, and sprocket drive as an example, the motor acts as the power source, transmitting power to the chain through the sprocket. The chain is connected to the clamps 13, thereby driving the clamps 13 to move on the feed channel 11. The clamps 13 are similar to a "Y" shape, with an opening 131 that fits the outer circle of the current transformer 5. The clamps 13 are made of metal, which can firmly surround the current transformer 5 without damaging its surface. When the clamp 13 moves to the rear of the current transformer 5 queue, its opening 131 surrounds a current transformer 5. Subsequently, the drive mechanism pushes the clamp 13 forward, thereby moving the current transformer 5 forward one station distance on the feed channel 11. Afterward, the clamp 13 releases and returns to the rear of the queue, ready to push the next current transformer 5. This cycle repeats, roughly in a U-shape, realizing the intermittent step-by-step conveying of the current transformers 5, and sequentially delivering the current transformers 5 to the positioning station 101, the downstream pressing station 102, and other subsequent processing stations.

[0023] A rolled sponge blank 31 is placed on an unwinding roller 32 at the unwinding station. After passing through a tension roller and other guiding structures, the sponge blank 31 is pulled to the die-cutting platform above the forming station 301. After the sponge rings are cut off, the remaining sponge material is pulled to the winding station. The winding station is equipped with a winding drive 33 and a winding roller 34. The winding drive 33 is usually a motor with a certain speed regulation function, which can adjust the winding speed according to the production speed requirements. The output shaft of the motor is connected to the winding roller 34, and the rotation of the motor drives the winding roller 34 to rotate continuously or intermittently, thereby actively winding up the remaining sponge material after the sponge rings have been cut off. This winding action generates a continuous traction force, which pulls the roll of sponge blank 31 at the unwinding station to unwind, realizing the automatic and continuous supply of blanks and maintaining the necessary tension of the material strip during the conveying process.

[0024] The die-cutting transfer device 2 is located between the positioning station 101 and the forming station 301. It mainly includes a moving module 21, an adsorption mechanism, and a die-cutting blade 23. The moving module 21 can drive the die-cutting blade 23 to move horizontally and vertically. Preferably, the moving module 21 is a beam-type module that can reciprocate between the forming station 301 and the positioning station 101. The adsorption mechanism is mounted on the moving parts of the moving module 21 and typically includes a vacuum generator and a vacuum circuit. The die-cutting blade 23 specifically includes a middle ring cylinder 231, an inner ring blade 232 fixedly mounted on the inner ring of the middle ring cylinder 231, and an outer ring blade 233 fixedly mounted on the outer periphery of the middle ring cylinder 231. The cutting edges of both the inner ring blade 232 and the outer ring blade 233 protrude downwards from the bottom end face of the middle ring cylinder 231, ensuring that they can cut through the sponge blank 31 before the cylinder body during die-cutting.

[0025] On the cylinder wall of the middle ring cylinder 231, there are several vent holes 234 extending along its axial direction. These vent holes 234 are connected to the adsorption mechanism above through internal air passages.

[0026] The release mechanism 22 installed on the middle ring cylinder 231 includes a downward drive component 221 and several release push rods 222. The downward drive component 221 can be a cylinder or a small motor push rod. The release push rods 222 are arranged along the axial direction of the middle ring cylinder 231 and can move up and down through the middle ring cylinder 231. The downward drive component 221 drives the release push rods 222. When the die-cutting blade 23 reaches above the current transformer 5 at the positioning station 101 under the drive of the moving module 21, the downward drive component 221 drives the release push rods 222 to move down, pushing the sponge ring into the current transformer 5.

[0027] Positioning station 101 is located on conveying device 1 and is used to accurately determine the position of current transformer 5 so that die-cutting transfer device 2 can accurately place the sponge ring. Positioning station 101 can achieve positioning function by means of photoelectric sensors or mechanical positioning blocks. For example, photoelectric sensors are installed on both sides of material channel 11. When current transformer 5 is conveyed to positioning station 101, it blocks the light, and the sensor sends a signal to notify conveying device 1 to stop conveying, and at the same time triggers die-cutting transfer device 2 to work.

[0028] Downstream of the positioning station 101, the conveying device 1 is also provided with a pressing station 102, which is equipped with a pressing mechanism 4. The pressing mechanism 4 includes a lifting drive 41 and a pressing block 42 installed at the bottom of its output shaft. The bottom of the pressing block 42 is designed to be annular, and its outline is adapted to the shape of the sponge ring to ensure that force can be evenly applied to the entire annular surface of the sponge ring when pressing down.

[0029] The workflow of this utility model is as follows: 1. Feeding and conveying: The current transformer 5 is placed into the starting end of the material channel 11 of the conveying device 1. Under the action of the drive mechanism, the clamp 13 sequentially conveys the current transformer 5 forward in a step-by-step manner, first reaching the positioning station 101 and being precisely positioned.

[0030] II. Blank Supply and Die-cutting Preparation: The sponge blank 31 is released from the unwinding station, passes through the die-cutting platform of the forming station 301, and is finally tightened by the take-up roller 34 of the take-up station. The moving module 21 of the die-cutting transfer device 2 drives the die-cutting blade 23 to move directly above the forming station 301.

[0031] III. Synchronous Cutting and Adsorption: The moving module 21 drives the die-cutting blade 23 to cut rapidly downwards. The inner ring blade 232 and the outer ring blade 233 work together to cut a complete sponge ring from the sponge blank 31. During the cutting process, the adsorption mechanism is activated, and negative pressure is applied to the sponge ring through the vent 234 on the middle ring cylinder 231, firmly adsorbing it into the cavity inside the die-cutting blade 23.

[0032] IV. Material Transfer and Positioning: The moving module 21 drives the die-cutting blade 23 to pick up and move it to the position station 101 directly above the current transformer 5 that has been positioned.

[0033] 5. Release and Installation: Align the die-cutting blade 23 with the inner cavity of the current transformer 5. At this time, the adsorption mechanism can be closed or not. Of course, in order to ensure that the soft sponge ring can be completely detached from the die-cutting blade 23, the push-down drive 221 is activated, driving the release push rod 222 to push down a small stroke, and steadily push the sponge ring into the inner cavity of the current transformer 5.

[0034] VI. Pressing and Stabilizing: After the initial placement of the sponge ring, the conveying device 1 transports the current transformer 5 containing the sponge ring to the downstream pressing station 102. The lifting drive 41 drives the annular pressing block 42 to press down, pressing the sponge ring flat and firmly into the designated mounting groove inside the current transformer 5 housing, ensuring that it is installed in place.

[0035] VII. Cyclic Operation: The above steps are repeated. The winding drive 33 continuously winds up the waste material and pulls the new blank into place, thereby realizing the continuous and automated feeding of the sponge ring of the current transformer 5.

[0036] In summary, this utility model improves production efficiency and product quality consistency by integrating multiple processes such as die-cutting, gripping, transferring and installing sponge rings into a compact automated device.

Claims

1. An automatic feeding device for sponge rings used in current transformers, characterized in that: It includes a conveying device (1), a die-cutting and transferring device (2), a positioning station (101), an unwinding station, a forming station (301), and a rewinding station; the conveying device (1) is used to convey and arrange the current transformers (5), and deliver the current transformers (5) to the positioning station (101) in sequence; the unwinding station is used to place the sponge blank (31) roll, and the rewinding station is used to rewind the remaining sponge material, the sponge blank (31) extends from the unwinding station through the forming station (301) to the rewinding station; the die-cutting and transferring device (2) is set between the positioning station (101) and the forming station (301), the die-cutting and transferring device (2) includes a moving module (21), an adsorption mechanism installed on the moving module (21), and a die-cutting blade (23) driven by the moving module (21) to move between the forming station (301) and the positioning station (101). The die-cutting blade (23) is configured to cut at the forming station (301) to cut out a sponge ring from the sponge blank (31). The adsorption mechanism is configured to simultaneously adsorb the cut-out sponge ring during die-cutting. The moving module (21) is configured to move the die-cutting blade (23) with the adsorbed sponge ring to the position station (101) above the current transformer (5), and the adsorption mechanism releases the sponge ring so that the sponge ring falls into the current transformer (5).

2. The automatic feeding device for sponge rings for current transformers according to claim 1, characterized in that, The conveying device (1) is also provided with a pressing station (102) downstream of the positioning station (101) along the conveying direction. The pressing station (102) is equipped with a pressing mechanism (4). The pressing mechanism (4) includes a lifting drive (41) and a pressing block (42) installed on the output shaft of the lifting drive (41). The bottom of the pressing block (42) is ring-shaped to fit the shape of the sponge ring.

3. The automatic feeding device for sponge rings for current transformers according to claim 1, characterized in that, The die-cutting blade (23) includes a middle ring cylinder (231), an inner ring blade (232), and an outer ring blade (233). The inner ring blade (232) and the outer ring blade (233) are respectively fixedly installed on the inner ring and outer circumference of the middle ring cylinder (231), and the cutting edges of the inner ring blade (232) and the outer ring blade (233) protrude from the bottom end face of the middle ring cylinder (231).

4. The automatic feeding device for sponge rings for current transformers according to claim 3, characterized in that, A release mechanism (22) is installed on the middle ring cylinder (231). The release mechanism (22) includes a push-down drive (221) and several release push rods (222). The release push rods (222) are arranged along the axial direction of the middle ring cylinder (231) and can move up and down through the middle ring cylinder (231). The push-down drive (221) drives the release push rods (222) to move down after the die-cutting knife (23) reaches the positioning station (101), pushing the sponge ring into the current transformer (5).

5. The automatic sponge ring feeding device for the current transformer (5) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The inner ring cylinder (231) has several ventilation holes (234) extending along its axial direction on its cylinder wall. The ventilation holes (234) are connected to the adsorption mechanism so as to adsorb and hold the sponge ring in the die-cutting knife (23) by negative pressure adsorption.

6. The automatic feeding device for sponge rings for current transformers according to claim 1, 2, or 3, characterized in that, The winding station is equipped with a winding drive (33) and a winding roller (34). The winding drive (33) drives the winding roller (34) to wind up the remaining sponge material after the sponge ring has been cut off and to pull the sponge blank (31) to unwind.

7. The automatic feeding device for sponge rings for current transformers according to claim 1, 2, or 3, characterized in that, The conveying device (1) includes a feed channel (11), a conveying drive mechanism (12), and a plurality of clamps (13) for clamping the current transformer (5). The clamps (13) are movably disposed on the feed channel (11) and driven by the conveying drive mechanism (12). The clamps (13) have an opening (131) adapted to the outer circle of the current transformer (5), and surround the current transformer (5) through the opening (131) and push it forward along the feed channel (11).

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