Bidirectional linear displacement can opening forming mechanism, and bottle and can opening forming machine

Abstract

A bidirectional linear displacement can opening forming mechanism, and a bottle and can opening forming machine comprising the forming mechanism. The forming mechanism comprises a closed-loop carrier chain, an obround track, a first group of sliding tables, and a second group of sliding tables; a first group of dies is mounted on the first group of sliding tables, and a second group of dies is mounted on the second group of sliding tables. The closed-loop carrier chain is integrally seated on the obround track and is movable in a trajectory direction, the first group of dies on the first group of sliding tables is arranged facing a first group of carriers on a first straight segment of the obround track, and the second group of dies on the second group of sliding tables is arranged facing a second group of carriers on a second straight segment of the obround track. During operation, the closed-loop carrier chain and the two groups of sliding tables move alternately, wherein the closed-loop carrier chain moves in the direction of the obround track in a cyclic and intermittent manner with a step length equal to a workstation pitch, and the two groups of sliding tables move reciprocally in opposite directions relative to each other. All the dies are arranged in a straight line, with a symmetrical structural configuration, allowing the whole machine to have a compact structure that occupies minimal space, and is easy to debug and maintain.

Description

A bidirectional linear displacement can mouth forming mechanism and a bottle mouth forming machine Technical Field

[0001] This invention pertains to metal can forming equipment, specifically a device for forming the mouth of metal bottles and cans, and particularly to a bidirectional linear displacement can mouth forming structure and a bottle mouth forming machine. Background Technology

[0002] With the improvement of people's living standards, high-end beverages using metal bottles and cans as containers are available in a variety of specifications on the market, especially in overseas markets where there is a large market demand. The characteristic shape of metal bottles and cans is their conical mouth, with an anti-theft groove 33 and a thread 34 for attaching the cap, as shown in the right image of Figure 1. Their manufacturing process begins by forming an aluminum alloy sheet into a cylindrical shell through stretching and thinning processes (as shown in the left image of Figure 1). Then, the mouth (i.e., the can opening) is repeatedly necked to form a conical shoulder. Simultaneously, the necked mouth undergoes forming processes such as threading, anti-theft grooves, trimming, and edge rolling (as shown in the right image of Figure 1).

[0003] Currently, various types of bottle and can necking equipment exist, with Belvac's BCMS (Bottle Can Manufacturing System) and rotary bottle and can necking equipment from companies such as Mall Herlan, Hinterkopf, and Frattini being the mainstream products. Frattini's rotary bottle and can necking equipment can be found in European patent EP0275369B1. BCMS's bottle and can necking equipment shares the same origin as two-piece can necking machines, also featuring a modular design and a capacity of up to 600 cans / minute. However, its disadvantages include a large footprint, high price, and a large number of molds. Rotary bottle and can necking equipment has a relatively smaller overall size. The molds are mounted on a large tool tray and reciprocate, while the cans move intermittently in a circular direction on another turntable. This results in significant equipment vibration, high requirements for manufacturing and assembly processes, lower processing speed (150-200 cans / minute), and lower cost-effectiveness.

[0004] In bottle and can mouth forming equipment, the mouth forming mechanism is the most crucial part of the entire machine. It directly affects a range of performance indicators, including processing efficiency, processing quality, equipment size, cost-effectiveness, and ease of debugging and maintenance. Therefore, designing a new mouth forming mechanism to overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies is the subject of this invention. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides a bidirectional linear displacement can mouth forming mechanism and a bottle mouth forming machine. The purpose is to design a bottle mouth forming machine with high efficiency, high quality, dynamic balance and high cost performance, so as to solve many problems such as low efficiency, dynamic imbalance, large vibration and poor cost performance of existing bottle mouth forming equipment.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is: a bidirectional linear displacement can mouth forming mechanism, the innovation of which is: including a carrier displacement mechanism for loading the can to be formed and a mold sliding mechanism for loading the forming mold.

[0007] The vehicle shifting mechanism includes:

[0008] A closed-loop carrier chain is a closed-loop chain structure formed by connecting several identical carriers end to end in series, with the carriers serving as links. The carriers are the tools used to install and position the formed tank.

[0009] The oblong track is composed of a first straight line segment and a second straight line segment whose trajectory is two straight lines, and a first semicircular arc segment and a second semicircular arc segment whose trajectory is two semicircular arcs.

[0010] The elongated circular track is relatively fixed, and the closed-loop carrier chain is situated entirely on the elongated circular track and can move along the track direction. The closed-loop carrier chain comprises two rows of linearly arranged carriers on the first and second straight segments of the elongated circular track, forming the first and second group of carriers. In the first group, the centers of each carrier are arranged in a straight line, and the distance between any two carrier centers is equal to the length of one workstation. Similarly, in the second group, the centers of each carrier are arranged in a straight line, and the distance between any two carrier centers is equal to the length of one workstation.

[0011] The mold sliding mechanism includes:

[0012] Two sets of sliding platforms, namely the first set of sliding platforms and the second set of sliding platforms, wherein the first set of sliding platforms consists of at least one sliding platform and the second set of sliding platforms consists of at least one sliding platform, and the two sets of sliding platforms slide relative to the elongated circular track.

[0013] Several molds are divided into two groups: a first group and a second group. The first group of molds is installed at intervals along a straight line on a first sliding table. The centers of all molds in the first group are arranged in a straight line, and the distance between any two mold centers on the same sliding table is equal to the length of one workstation. The second group of molds is installed at intervals along a straight line on a second sliding table. The centers of all molds in the second group are arranged in a straight line, and the distance between any two mold centers on the same sliding table is equal to the length of one workstation. The sliding direction of the first sliding table is perpendicular to the straight line containing the centers of the first and second groups of molds.

[0014] In the assembled state, the first set of molds on the first set of sliding platforms faces the first set of carriers on the first straight segment of the elongated oval track. The straight line containing the centers of each mold in the first set of molds is parallel to the straight line containing the centers of each carrier in the first set of carriers, and each mold in the first set of molds corresponds one-to-one with its corresponding carrier in the first set of carriers. The second set of molds on the second set of sliding platforms faces the second set of carriers on the second straight segment of the elongated oval track. The straight line containing the centers of each mold in the second set of molds is parallel to the straight line containing the centers of each carrier in the second set of carriers, and each mold in the second set of molds corresponds one-to-one with its corresponding carrier in the second set of carriers.

[0015] In operation, the closed-loop carrier chain moves intermittently in a unidirectional cycle along the elongated circular track, with the workstation distance as the step size. The two sets of sliding platforms move synchronously in opposite directions from their respective starting positions. During the entire forming process, when the closed-loop carrier chain is stationary relative to the elongated circular track, the first and second sets of sliding platforms slide synchronously towards each other. The first mold mounted on the first set of sliding platforms forms a row of tanks loaded on the first straight section of the closed-loop carrier chain, while the second mold mounted on the second set of sliding platforms forms another row of tanks loaded on the second straight section of the closed-loop carrier chain. A row of tanks undergoes synchronous molding. When the first and second sets of molds finish molding, the first and second sets of sliding tables slide synchronously in opposite directions, causing the first and second sets of molds to be demolded. Then, the closed-loop carrier chain moves forward one station step length along the long oval track and stops. Then, the first and second sets of sliding tables slide synchronously towards each other again. The tanks loaded on the first and second straight segments of the closed-loop carrier chain are then molded by the molds of the next process. This cycle is repeated to complete the continuous progressive molding process of the tanks loaded on the closed-loop carrier chain.

[0016] The relevant content in the above technical solution is explained as follows:

[0017] 1. In the above scheme, "several" refers to a quantity of more than 10 and less than 150. In the context of this invention, it can also be more than 10 and less than 200.

[0018] 2. In the above solution, the "carrier" is a device used to install and position the molded tank. Existing technology can be used in this invention, therefore there is no specific limitation or detailed description. This is known to those skilled in the art.

[0019] 3. In the above scheme, "the oblong track is relatively fixed" means that the oblong track is fixed relative to the base machine.

[0020] 4. In the above scheme, the "several molds" refers to a series of molds for processing and forming bottles and jars. In this invention, the molds used for forming the mouth of the jar are necking, thread rolling, grooving, trimming, thinning, rolling, and pressing. These molds are installed on the first set of sliding tables and the second set of sliding tables in sequence.

[0021] 5. In the above scheme, the first group of sliding tables consists of at least one sliding table, and the second group of sliding tables consists of at least one sliding table. The number of sliding tables in the first group and the second group can be the same or different. This depends on the specific application, but it is preferable that the number of sliding tables in both groups is the same.

[0022] 6. In the above scheme, "synchronous opposite sliding" means that they move at the same speed simultaneously. "Opposite sliding" means that the first set of sliding platforms and the second set of sliding platforms slide face-to-face towards each other, with opposite sliding directions, and the distance between them decreases. "Synchronous back-to-back sliding" means that they move at the same speed simultaneously. "Back-to-back sliding" means that the first set of sliding platforms and the second set of sliding platforms slide back-to-back towards each other, with opposite sliding directions, and the distance between them increases.

[0023] 7. In the above scheme, the closed-loop carrier chain and elongated oval track in the carrier shifting mechanism are symmetrically arranged with the two sets of sliding tables and several molds in the mold sliding mechanism about the long axis of the elongated oval track as the center line. In this case, the number and length of the sliding tables in the first set of sliding tables should be the same as those in the second set of sliding tables.

[0024] 8. In the above scheme, the elongated oval track is formed by splicing two straight guide rails and two semi-circular guide rails. Corresponding to the elongated oval track, each vehicle in the closed-loop vehicle chain is provided with a shifting roller, a guide roller and a vehicle roller. The shifting roller is positioned and installed at the bottom of the vehicle, the guide roller is positioned and installed between two adjacent vehicles, and the vehicle roller is positioned and installed on the back of the vehicle.

[0025] 9. In the above scheme, a first linear guide is provided for the first set of sliding tables. The direction of the first linear guide is parallel to the sliding direction of the first set of sliding tables. In the assembled state, the first set of sliding tables sits on the first linear guide and slides in cooperation with the first linear guide.

[0026] A second linear guide is provided for the second set of sliding tables. The direction of the second linear guide is parallel to the sliding direction of the second set of sliding tables. In the assembled state, the second set of sliding tables sits on the second linear guide and slides in cooperation with the second linear guide.

[0027] 10. In the above scheme, a positioning mechanism is set for each vehicle on the closed-loop vehicle chain located in the first and second straight segments. The positioning mechanism mainly consists of a positioning roller, a positioning block, a spring, and a positioning bracket. The positioning roller is positioned and installed on the top of each vehicle on the closed-loop vehicle chain. Each station on the first and second straight segments is equipped with a positioning bracket. The positioning bracket is located above the vehicle and fixed relative to the elongated oval track. The positioning bracket is provided with a slide rail facing the vehicle at the corresponding station. The positioning block is located in the slide rail and slides along the sliding direction of the slide rail. The spring presses against the positioning block and the positioning bracket and acts on the sliding direction of the positioning block. The slide rail is provided with a limiting structure to restrict the positioning block from sliding out. The positioning block has a positioning concave surface facing the vehicle. In the working state, when the vehicle moves with the closed-loop vehicle chain, the positioning roller and the positioning concave surface cooperate to form a positioning.

[0028] 11. In the above solution, the can opening forming mechanism includes a can inlet mechanism and a can outlet mechanism. The can inlet mechanism has an inlet station on an elongated oval track, and the can inlet mechanism is connected to the inlet station. The can outlet mechanism has an outlet station on an elongated oval track, and the can outlet mechanism is connected to the outlet station. In this invention, the can inlet mechanism and the can outlet mechanism can use existing technology.

[0029] To achieve the above objectives, another technical solution adopted by the present invention is: a bottle / can mouth forming machine, comprising a mouth forming mechanism and a drive mechanism, the innovation of which lies in: the mouth forming mechanism is composed of the aforementioned bidirectional linear displacement mouth forming mechanism. The drive mechanism is composed of a bidirectional dynamic balance drive mechanism, which is composed of a motor, a flywheel, a crank-rocker mechanism, and a slotted cam mechanism connected together, wherein:

[0030] The motor, as a power source, outputs rotational power during operation. The motor is positioned relative to the base of the molding machine and has a rotational output end.

[0031] The flywheel, as a disc-shaped inertial component, provides a large moment of rotational inertia. The flywheel is a rotational support relative to the base. The flywheel has a rotation input end and a rotation output end. The rotation output end of the motor is connected to the rotation input end of the flywheel.

[0032] The crank-rocker mechanism consists of a crankshaft, a pair of connecting rods, and a pair of pendulum rods, wherein:

[0033] Each pair of links consists of two identical links.

[0034] Each pair of pendulums consists of two identical pendulums, with one end of each pendulum serving as a hinge end and the other end as a swing end. A drive end is provided between the swing end and the hinge end, and the hinge end of each pendulum is rotatably connected relative to the base.

[0035] The crankshaft is rotatably supported relative to the base, and is drively connected to the rotational output end of the flywheel. For each pair of connecting rods, the crankshaft has a pair of cranks, each pair consisting of two cranks arranged axially adjacent to each other with opposite eccentric directions.

[0036] Each crank is rotatably connected to one end of a connecting rod, and the other end of the connecting rod is rotatably connected to the drive end of a rocker arm, thus forming a crank-rocker mechanism. Two crank-rocker mechanisms arranged axially adjacent to each other constitute a pair of crank-rocker mechanisms. In a pair of crank-rocker mechanisms, the swing end of one rocker arm serves as the drive end of the first set of molds, and the swing end of the other rocker arm serves as the drive end of the second set of molds.

[0037] In the assembled state, the projections of the two rockers in each pair of crank-rocker mechanisms onto the crankshaft axis are symmetrically arranged on both sides with reference to the vertical line passing through the center point of the crankshaft.

[0038] In operation, when a pair of crank-rocker mechanisms rotate with the crankshaft, the first set of mold drive ends and the second set of mold drive ends perform synchronous oscillating reciprocating motions in opposite directions on a plane perpendicular to the crankshaft axis.

[0039] The slotted cam mechanism consists of a pair of slotted cams and a pair of driven push rods, wherein:

[0040] Each pair of slotted cams consists of two slotted cams, and each slotted cam's disc has a closed-loop groove arranged in a spiral direction along the circumference.

[0041] Each pair of driven push rods consists of two driven push rods, each driven push rod having a mating end and a moving end. The moving end of one driven push rod serves as the first driving end for tank displacement, and the moving end of the other driven push rod serves as the second driving end for tank displacement.

[0042] In the assembled state, each slotted cam is fixedly mounted on the crankshaft, and each driven push rod is slidably connected relative to the base body in the direction of the crankshaft axis. The mating end of one driven push rod in each pair of driven push rods extends into the closed-loop groove of the corresponding slotted cam to form a fit, and the mating end of the other driven push rod in each pair of driven push rods extends into the closed-loop groove of the corresponding other slotted cam to form a fit. The two slotted cams and the corresponding two driven push rods constitute a pair of slotted cam mechanisms, and the two slotted cams in the pair of slotted cam mechanisms are arranged at intervals on the crankshaft axis.

[0043] In operation, when a pair of slotted cams rotate with the crankshaft, each slotted cam drives a driven push rod, causing the first drive end and the second drive end of the tank displacement to perform synchronous linear reciprocating motions in opposite directions along the direction parallel to the crankshaft axis.

[0044] The relevant content in the above technical solution is explained as follows:

[0045] 1. In the above scheme, "paired setup" means that they are set up in a one-to-one manner. A pair consists of two parts or two sets of structures. Paired setup means at least one pair in terms of quantity. In other words, it can be one pair, two pairs, three pairs, or even more pairs.

[0046] 2. In the above scheme, the crank-rocker mechanism is composed of a pair of crank-rocker mechanisms.

[0047] 3. In the above scheme, the crank-rocker mechanism consists of two pairs of crank-rocker mechanisms, which are arranged at intervals along the crankshaft axis. One pair of cranks has the same eccentricity as the other pair, and the projections of the one pair of crank-rocker mechanisms and the other pair coincide along the crankshaft axis. When the one pair of crank-rocker mechanisms and the other pair rotate with the crankshaft, they move synchronously and have the same trajectory.

[0048] 4. In the above scheme, the slotted cam mechanism is composed of a pair of slotted cam mechanisms.

[0049] 5. In the above scheme, the slotted cam mechanism is composed of two pairs of slotted cam mechanisms. The centers of the two pairs of slotted cam mechanisms are arranged at intervals in the direction of the crankshaft axis. When one pair of slotted cam mechanisms and the other pair of slotted cam mechanisms rotate simultaneously with the crankshaft, the one pair of slotted cam mechanisms moves synchronously with the other pair of slotted cam mechanisms and their movement trajectories are the same.

[0050] The design principle and effect of this invention are as follows: To solve the numerous problems existing in bottle and can mouth forming equipment, such as low efficiency, dynamic imbalance, large vibration, and poor cost-effectiveness, this invention designs a closed-loop carrier chain for the can mouth forming mechanism. This closed-loop carrier chain is a closed-loop chain structure formed by connecting several identical carriers end to end in series, with the carriers acting as links. The distance between the centers of adjacent carriers is the same and equal to the length of one workstation. Then, an elongated oval track is designed, which is spliced ​​together from a first straight line segment and a second straight line segment with a trajectory of two straight lines, and a first semicircular arc segment and a second semicircular arc segment with a trajectory of two semicircular arcs. A first set of sliding tables and a second set of sliding tables are then set for the first and second straight line segments. A series of can mouth forming molds are divided into two groups: a first group of molds and a second group of molds. The first group of molds is installed at intervals along the straight direction on the first set of sliding tables, and the second group of molds is installed at intervals along the straight direction on the second set of sliding tables. On the same sliding table, the distance between the centers of adjacent molds is the same and equal to the length of one workstation.

[0051] In the assembled state, the closed-loop carrier chain is situated on an elongated circular track and can move along the track's trajectory. The closed-loop carrier chain comprises two rows of linearly arranged vehicles on the first and second straight sections of the elongated circular track, serving as the first and second group of vehicles. The first set of molds on the first sliding platform faces the first group of vehicles on the first straight section of the elongated circular track, with each mold in the first set corresponding to a corresponding vehicle in the first set. Similarly, the second set of molds on the second sliding platform faces the second group of vehicles on the second straight section of the elongated circular track, with each mold in the second set corresponding to a corresponding vehicle in the second set.

[0052] In operation, the closed-loop carrier chain moves intermittently in a unidirectional cycle along the elongated circular track with the station distance as the step size. The two sets of sliding tables move synchronously in opposite directions from their respective starting positions. During the entire forming process, when the closed-loop carrier chain is stationary relative to the elongated circular track, the first set of sliding tables and the second set of sliding tables slide synchronously towards each other. The first set of molds installed on the first set of sliding tables will form a row of tanks loaded on the first straight section of the closed-loop carrier chain, while the second set of molds installed on the second set of sliding tables will simultaneously form another row of tanks loaded on the second straight section of the closed-loop carrier chain. When the first and second sets of molds finish forming, the first and second sets of sliding tables slide synchronously in opposite directions, causing the first and second sets of molds to disassemble. Then, the closed-loop carrier chain moves forward one station step along the elongated oval track and comes to a stop. Next, the first and second sets of sliding tables slide synchronously towards each other again. The cans loaded on the first and second straight segments of the closed-loop carrier chain are then formed by the molds of the next process. This cycle is repeated to complete the continuous progressive forming process of the cans loaded on the closed-loop carrier chain. This constitutes a bidirectional linear displacement can mouth forming mechanism.

[0053] To address the problems of high driving force, unbalanced forces, and excessive vibration in the working state, the driving mechanism of this invention employs the following key technical concepts for two rows of linearly arranged molds and two rows of unidirectional intermittently moving, closed-loop carrier shifting mechanisms: First, crank-rocker mechanisms and slotted cam mechanisms are paired around the crankshaft; second, the crank-rocker mechanisms and slotted cam mechanisms are symmetrically arranged; and third, bidirectional dynamic balance of the driving force is ultimately achieved through synchronous reverse motion.

[0054] Compared with existing bottle and can forming technologies, the advantages of this invention are: all mold stations are arranged in a straight line, making the overall machine structure compact, occupying less space, and facilitating personnel debugging and maintenance; the overall structure of the machine is basically set in pairs and symmetrically arranged, so most of the forming force and inertial force generated during operation will cancel each other out, resulting in less vibration and approaching a state of equilibrium. This invention has an ingenious technical concept, outstanding substantive features, and significant progress, solving many problems of low efficiency, dynamic imbalance, large vibration, and poor cost-effectiveness in existing bottle and can mouth forming equipment. Attached Figure Description

[0055] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the bottle / can molding process of the present invention;

[0056] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the can opening forming mechanism of the present invention;

[0057] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the bottle and can mouth forming machine of the present invention;

[0058] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the bottle and can mouth forming machine of the present invention;

[0059] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the vehicle shifting mechanism of the present invention;

[0060] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the elongated oval track of the present invention;

[0061] Figure 7 is a front perspective view of the carrier and tank of the present invention;

[0062] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the rear of the carrier and tank of the present invention;

[0063] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the mold sliding mechanism of the present invention;

[0064] Figure 10 is a top view of the carrier shifting mechanism and the mold sliding mechanism of the present invention;

[0065] Figure 11 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the positioning mechanism of the present invention;

[0066] Figure 12 is an enlarged view of the positioning mechanism of the present invention;

[0067] Figure 13 is a perspective view of the can-feeding mechanism of the present invention;

[0068] Figure 14 is a perspective view of the can-discharging mechanism of the present invention;

[0069] Figure 15 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the bidirectional dynamic balancing drive mechanism of the bottle mouth forming machine of the present invention;

[0070] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of the closed-loop vehicle chain and its driving principle of the present invention;

[0071] Figure 17 is a partially enlarged view of the closed-loop vehicle chain drive end of the present invention;

[0072] Figure 18 is a structural diagram of the grooved cam mechanism driving the closed-loop carrier chain motion of the present invention;

[0073] Figure 19 is a structural diagram of the crank-rocker mechanism driving the sliding table motion of the present invention.

[0074] In the attached diagrams: 1. Carrier shifting mechanism; 2. Mold sliding mechanism; 3. Closed-loop carrier chain; 4. Long oval track; 5. Carrier; 6. First set of sliding tables; 7. Second set of sliding tables; 8. First set of molds; 9. Second set of molds; 10. Straight guide rail; 11. Semi-circular guide rail; 12. Shifting roller; 13. Guide roller; 14. Carrier roller; 15. First linear guide rail; 16. Second linear guide rail; 17. Tank body; 18. Can inlet mechanism; 19. Can outlet mechanism; 20. Positioning mechanism; 21. Positioning roller; 22. Positioning block; 23. Spring; 24. Positioning bracket; 25. Can inlet cam; 26. Positioning cup; 27. Can pusher assembly; 28. Servo motor; 29. ​​Can inlet guide rail; 30. Can top assembly; 31. Can outlet chain; 32. Rubber block; 33. Anti-corrosion... 34. Thread; 35. Motor; 36. Flywheel; 37. First connecting rod; 38. Second connecting rod; 39. Third connecting rod; 40. Fourth connecting rod; 41. First rocker arm; 42. Second rocker arm; 43. Third rocker arm; 44. Fourth rocker arm; 45. First slotted cam; 46. Second slotted cam; 47. First driven push rod; 48. Second driven push rod; 49. Crankshaft; 50. First drive end of first set of molds; 51. First drive end of second set of molds; 52. Second drive end of second set of molds; 53. Second drive end of first set of molds; 54. First drive end of tank body displacement; 55. Second drive end of tank body displacement; 56. Carrier push plate; 57. Check valve; 58. Second slider; 59. Second slide rail; 60. Sliding sleeve; 61. Sliding base; 62. Sliding push plate. Detailed Implementation

[0075] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments:

[0076] Example 1: A bidirectional linear displacement can mouth forming mechanism

[0077] As shown in Figure 2-14, the bidirectional linear displacement can mouth forming mechanism includes a carrier displacement mechanism 1 for loading the can body 17 to be formed and a mold sliding mechanism 2 for loading the forming mold (see Figure 2).

[0078] The vehicle shifting mechanism 1 includes:

[0079] The closed-loop carrier chain 3 (see Figure 3-5) is a closed-loop chain structure formed by connecting several identical carriers 5 end to end and linking them together, with the carriers 5 as links (see Figure 5). The carriers 5 are the tools used to install and position the molded tank 17 (see Figure 2).

[0080] The elongated oval track 4 (see Figure 3-5) is composed of a first straight line segment and a second straight line segment whose trajectory is two straight lines, and a first semicircular arc segment and a second semicircular arc segment whose trajectory is two semicircular arcs (see Figure 5).

[0081] The elongated circular track 4 is relatively fixed, and the closed-loop carrier chain 3 is entirely situated on the elongated circular track 4 and can move along the trajectory direction of the elongated circular track 4 (see Figures 3 and 5). The closed-loop carrier chain 3 consists of two rows of linearly arranged carriers 5 on the first and second straight segments of the elongated circular track 4, serving as the first group of carriers and the second group of carriers. In the first group of carriers, the centers of each carrier 5 are arranged in a straight line, and the distance between the centers of any two carriers 5 is the same and equal to the length of one workstation. In the second group of carriers, the centers of each carrier 5 are arranged in a straight line, and the distance between the centers of any two carriers 5 is the same and equal to the length of one workstation.

[0082] The mold sliding mechanism 2 includes:

[0083] Two sets of sliding platforms, namely the first set of sliding platforms 6 and the second set of sliding platforms 7 (see Figures 2, 9, and 10), slide relative to the elongated oval track 4. In this embodiment, the first set of sliding platforms 6 consists of one sliding platform, and the second set of sliding platforms 7 consists of one sliding platform (see Figure 2). However, the invention is not limited to this; in practice, the number of sliding platforms in the first set of sliding platforms 6 and the second set of sliding platforms 7 can be the same or different. This depends on the specific application, but it is preferable that both sets have the same number of sliding platforms.

[0084] Several molds (e.g., 52 molds) are divided into two groups: a first group of molds 8 (26 molds) and a second group of molds 9 (26 molds) (see Figures 2, 9, and 10). The first group of molds 8 are installed at intervals along a straight line on a first group of sliding tables 6. The centers of each mold in the first group of molds 8 are arranged in a straight line, and the distance between any two mold centers on the same sliding table is equal to the length of one workstation (see Figure 2). The second group of molds 9 are installed at intervals along a straight line on a second group of sliding tables 7. The centers of each mold in the second group of molds 9 are arranged in a straight line, and the distance between any two mold centers on the same sliding table is equal to the length of one workstation (see Figure 2). The sliding direction of the first group of sliding tables 6 is perpendicular to the straight line containing the centers of the first group of molds 8, and the sliding direction of the second group of sliding tables 7 is perpendicular to the straight line containing the centers of the second group of molds 9 (see Figure 2).

[0085] In the assembled state, the first set of molds 8 on the first set of sliding tables 6 are arranged facing the first set of carriers on the first straight segment of the elongated circular track 4 (see Figure 2). The straight line containing the center of each mold in the first set of molds 8 is parallel to the straight line containing the center of each carrier 5 in the first set of carriers, and each mold in the first set of molds 8 corresponds one-to-one with the corresponding carrier 5 in the first set of carriers (see Figure 2). The second set of molds 9 on the second set of sliding tables 7 are arranged facing the second set of carriers on the second straight segment of the elongated circular track 4 (see Figure 2). The straight line containing the center of each mold in the second set of molds 9 is parallel to the straight line containing the center of each carrier 5 in the second set of carriers, and each mold in the second set of molds 9 corresponds one-to-one with the corresponding carrier 5 in the second set of carriers (see Figure 2). In this embodiment, since the number and length of the sliding tables in the first set of sliding tables 6 are the same as those in the second set of sliding tables 7, the closed-loop carrier chain 3 and the elongated circular track 4 in the carrier shifting mechanism 1 are symmetrically arranged with the two sets of sliding tables and several molds in the mold sliding mechanism with the long axis of the elongated circular track 4 as the center line (see Figure 2).

[0086] In operation (see Figure 2), the closed-loop carrier chain 3 moves intermittently in a unidirectional cycle along the long oval track 4 with the station distance as the step size (see the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 2). The two sets of sliding tables move synchronously in opposite directions from their respective starting positions (see the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 2). During the entire molding process, when the closed-loop carrier chain 3 is stationary relative to the long oval track 4, the first set of sliding tables 6 and the second set of sliding tables 7 slide synchronously towards each other ("sliding towards each other" means that the two slide towards each other face to face, with opposite sliding directions and the distance between them getting closer and closer). The first set of molds 8 installed on the first set of sliding tables 6 will perform molding processing on a row of tanks 17 loaded on the first straight section of the closed-loop carrier chain 3. At the same time, the second set of molds 9 installed on the second set of sliding tables 7 will perform synchronous molding processing on another row of tanks 17 loaded on the second straight section of the closed-loop carrier chain 3. When the first set of molds 8 and the second set of molds 9 finish molding, the first set of sliding tables 6 and the second set of sliding tables 7 slide synchronously in opposite directions ("opposite sliding" means that they slide back to back towards each other, with opposite sliding directions and increasing distance), causing the first set of molds 8 and the second set of molds 9 to demold. Then, the closed-loop carrier chain 3 moves forward one station step length along the long oval track 4 and stops. Then, the first set of sliding tables 6 and the second set of sliding tables 7 slide synchronously towards each other again. The tank 17 loaded on the first and second straight segments of the closed-loop carrier chain 3 is then molded by the mold of the next process. This cycle is repeated to complete the continuous progressive molding process of the tank 17 loaded on the closed-loop carrier chain 3. This alternating movement of the closed-loop carrier chain 3 and the two sets of sliding tables is achieved by another drive mechanism. There can be two drive mechanisms: one to drive the closed-loop carrier chain 3 in unidirectional intermittent cyclic movement (e.g., driven by a servo motor), and the other to drive the two sets of sliding tables in synchronous reciprocating motion (e.g., driven by a combination of a servo motor and a lead screw and nut mechanism). The alternating motion of the closed-loop carrier chain 3 and the two sets of sliding tables can be achieved through mechanical control or electrical control. Alternatively, there can be a single drive mechanism, divided into two paths via a mechanical transmission: one path for the closed-loop carrier chain 3, and the other path for driving the two sets of sliding tables. The closed-loop carrier chain 3 and the two sets of sliding tables maintain an alternating dynamic-stop relationship.

[0087] In this embodiment, the elongated oval track 4 is formed by splicing two straight guide rails 10 and two semi-circular guide rails 11 (see Figure 6). Corresponding to the elongated oval track, each carrier 5 in the closed-loop carrier chain 3 is provided with a shifting roller 12, a guide roller 13 and a carrier roller 14 (see Figures 7 and 8). The shifting roller 12 is positioned and installed at the bottom of the carrier 5, the guide roller 13 is positioned and installed between two adjacent carriers 5, and the carrier roller 14 is positioned and installed on the back of the carrier 5.

[0088] In this embodiment, seven first linear guide rails 15 are provided for the first set of sliding tables 6 (see Figure 9). All the first linear guide rails 15 are arranged in parallel to each other and parallel to the sliding direction of the first set of sliding tables 6. In the assembled state, the first set of sliding tables 6 sits on each of the first linear guide rails 15 and slides with each of the first linear guide rails 15 in the sliding direction.

[0089] In this embodiment, seven second linear guides 16 are provided for the second set of sliding tables 7 (see Figure 9). All the second linear guides 16 are arranged in parallel to each other and are parallel to the sliding direction of the second set of sliding tables 7. In the assembled state, the second set of sliding tables 7 sits on each of the second linear guides 16 and slides with each of the second linear guides 16 in the sliding direction.

[0090] In this embodiment, a positioning mechanism 20 is provided for each carrier 5 located on the first and second straight segments of the closed-loop carrier chain 3 (see Figures 11 and 12). The positioning mechanism 20 mainly consists of a positioning roller 21, a positioning block 22, a spring 23, and a positioning bracket 24 (see Figure 12). The positioning roller 21 is positioned and installed on the top of each carrier 5 on the closed-loop carrier chain 3. A positioning bracket 24 is provided at each station of the first and second straight segments. The positioning bracket 24 is located above the carrier 5 and fixed relative to the elongated circular track 4. The positioning bracket 24 is provided with a slide (not shown in the figure), the slide is oriented toward the carrier 5 of the corresponding work station, the positioning block 22 is located in the slide and slides along the sliding direction of the slide, the spring 23 presses against the positioning block 22 and the positioning bracket 24 and acts on the sliding direction of the positioning block 22, the slide is provided with a limiting structure to restrict the positioning block 22 from sliding out, the positioning block 22 is provided with a positioning concave surface facing the carrier 5 (see the lower end of the positioning block 22 in Figure 2), in the working state when the carrier 5 moves with the closed-loop carrier chain 3, the positioning roller 21 cooperates with the positioning concave surface to form a positioning.

[0091] In this embodiment, the can opening forming mechanism includes a can inlet mechanism 18 and a can outlet mechanism 19 (see Figures 3, 13 and 14). The can inlet mechanism 18 is provided with a can inlet station on the elongated oval track 4, and the can inlet mechanism 18 is connected to the can inlet station. The can outlet mechanism 19 is provided with a can outlet station on the elongated oval track 4, and the can outlet mechanism 19 is connected to the can outlet station.

[0092] Example 2: A bottle and can mouth forming machine, including a mouth forming mechanism and a drive mechanism, wherein the mouth forming mechanism adopts a bidirectional linear displacement mouth forming mechanism of Example 1.

[0093] The drive mechanism is composed of a bidirectional dynamic balance drive mechanism, as shown in Figures 15-19 and 2. The bidirectional dynamic balance drive mechanism is composed of a motor 35, a flywheel 36, a crank-rocker mechanism and a slotted cam mechanism. The crank-rocker mechanism is composed of two pairs of crank-rocker mechanisms, and the slotted cam mechanism is composed of one pair of slotted cam mechanisms (see Figure 15).

[0094] The motor 35 serves as a power source and outputs rotational power during operation. The motor 35 is positioned and installed relative to the base of the molding machine, and the motor 35 has a rotational output end (see Figure 15).

[0095] The flywheel 36, acting as a disc-shaped inertial component, provides a large moment of rotational inertia. The flywheel 36 is a rotational support relative to the base and has a rotational input end and a rotational output end. The rotational output end of the motor 35 is connected to the rotational input end of the flywheel 36 (see Figure 15).

[0096] The crank-rocker mechanism consists of two pairs of crank-rocker mechanisms, specifically including (see Figure 15):

[0097] A crankshaft 49 is rotatably supported relative to the base body and is drively connected to the rotational output end of a flywheel 36. The crankshaft 49 has four cranks: a first crank, a second crank, a third crank, and a fourth crank (shown in Figure 15, but not shown by reference numerals). These four cranks are spaced apart along the axial direction of the crankshaft 49. The first and fourth cranks have the same eccentric direction, as do the second and third cranks, while the eccentric directions of the first and fourth cranks are opposite to those of the second and third cranks. The first and second cranks are arranged adjacent to each other along the axial direction of the crankshaft 49, as are the third and fourth cranks.

[0098] Four identical links: link 37, link 38, link 39, and link 40 (see Figure 15).

[0099] Four identical pendulum rods, namely the first pendulum rod 41, the second pendulum rod 42, the third pendulum rod 43 and the fourth pendulum rod 44 (see Figure 15), each with one end serving as a hinge end and the other end serving as a swing end. A drive end is provided between the swing end and the hinge end, and the hinge end of each pendulum rod is rotatably connected relative to the base.

[0100] The first crank is rotatably connected to one end of the first connecting rod 37, and the other end of the first connecting rod 37 is rotatably connected to the driving end of the first rocker arm 41 (see Figure 15). The first crank, the first connecting rod 37 and the first rocker arm 41 are connected to form the first crank-rocker mechanism, wherein the swing end of the first rocker arm 41 serves as the first driving end 50 of the first set of molds (see Figure 2).

[0101] The second crank is rotatably connected to one end of the second connecting rod 38, and the other end of the second connecting rod 38 is rotatably connected to the driving end of the second rocker arm 42 (see Figure 15). The second crank, the second connecting rod 38, and the second rocker arm 42 are connected to form a second crank-rocker mechanism, wherein the swinging end of the second rocker arm 42 serves as the first driving end 51 of the second set of molds (see Figure 2).

[0102] The third crank is rotatably connected to one end of the third connecting rod 39, and the other end of the third connecting rod 39 is rotatably connected to the driving end of the third swing rod 43 (see Figure 15). The third crank, the third connecting rod 39 and the third swing rod 43 are connected to form the third crank-swing mechanism, wherein the swing end of the third swing rod 43 serves as the second driving end 52 of the second set of molds (see Figure 2).

[0103] The fourth crank is rotatably connected to one end of the fourth connecting rod 40, and the other end of the fourth connecting rod 40 is rotatably connected to the driving end of the fourth rocker arm 44 (see Figure 15). The fourth crank, the fourth connecting rod 40 and the fourth rocker arm 44 are connected to form the fourth crank-rocker mechanism, wherein the swinging end of the fourth rocker arm 44 serves as the second driving end 53 of the first set of molds (see Figure 2).

[0104] Of the four crank-rocker mechanisms described above, the first and second crank-rocker mechanisms are arranged adjacently to form a pair, and the third and fourth crank-rocker mechanisms are arranged adjacently to form another pair (see Figure 15). The two pairs of crank-rocker mechanisms are spaced apart along the crankshaft 49 axis (see Figure 15). The eccentricity of one pair of cranks is the same as that of the other pair, and the projections of one pair of crank-rocker mechanisms and the other pair of crank-rocker mechanisms coincide along the crankshaft 49 axis (see Figure 4).

[0105] In the assembled state, with the crankshaft 49 axis as the reference line, the first and fourth crankshaft rocker mechanisms are located on one side of the reference line, and the second and third crankshaft rocker mechanisms are located on the other side (see Figure 15). The first and fourth crankshaft rocker mechanisms are arranged symmetrically with reference to the mid-plane that crosses the crankshaft 49 between them. The second and third crankshaft rocker mechanisms are also arranged symmetrically with reference to the mid-plane that crosses the crankshaft 49 between them (see Figure 15). The first and second crankshaft rocker mechanisms are arranged adjacent to each other along the crankshaft 49 axis, wherein the projections of the first rocker arm 41 and the second rocker arm 42 along the crankshaft 49 axis are symmetrically arranged on both sides with reference to a vertical line passing through the center point of the crankshaft 49 (see Figure 15). The third crank-rocker mechanism and the fourth crank-rocker mechanism are arranged adjacent to each other in the direction of the crankshaft 49 axis. The projections of the third rocker arm 43 and the fourth rocker arm 44 in the direction of the crankshaft 49 axis are symmetrically arranged on both sides with reference to the vertical line passing through the center point of the crankshaft 49 (see Figure 15).

[0106] In operation, when the first crank-rocker mechanism, the second crank-rocker mechanism, the third crank-rocker mechanism, and the fourth crank-rocker mechanism rotate with the crankshaft 49, the first drive end 50 of the first set of molds and the first drive end 51 of the second set of molds perform synchronous reciprocating oscillations in opposite directions on a plane perpendicular to the axis of the crankshaft 49 (see Figure 2). The second drive end 53 of the first set of molds and the second drive end 52 of the second set of molds perform synchronous reciprocating oscillations in opposite directions on a plane perpendicular to the axis of the crankshaft 49 (see Figure 2). The first drive end 50 of the first set of molds and the second drive end 53 of the first set of molds perform synchronous reciprocating oscillations in the same direction on a plane perpendicular to the axis of the crankshaft 49 (see Figure 2). The first drive end 51 of the second set of molds and the second drive end 52 of the second set of molds perform synchronous reciprocating oscillations in the same direction on a plane perpendicular to the axis of the crankshaft 49 (see Figure 2). When a pair of crank-rocker mechanisms and another pair of crank-rocker mechanisms rotate simultaneously with the crankshaft 49, the pair of crank-rocker mechanisms move synchronously with the other pair of crank-rocker mechanisms and their trajectories are the same.

[0107] The slotted cam mechanism consists of a pair of slotted cams and a pair of driven push rods. Each pair of slotted cams consists of two slotted cams, and each pair of driven push rods consists of two driven push rods. In this embodiment, the slotted cam mechanism is composed of a pair of slotted cam mechanisms, specifically including (see Figure 15):

[0108] The two slotted cams, namely the first slotted cam 45 and the second slotted cam 46, each have a closed-loop groove arranged in a spiral direction along the circumference on the wheel disk (see Figure 15).

[0109] Two driven push rods, namely the first driven push rod 47 and the second driven push rod 48 (see Figures 15 and 2), each have a mating end and a moving end. The moving end of the first driven push rod 47 serves as the first driving end 54 for tank displacement (see Figure 2), and the moving end of the second driven push rod 48 serves as the second driving end 55 for tank displacement (see Figure 2). In this embodiment, due to the large driving force, considering stiffness, deformation, and structural mechanics, in a pair of slotted cam mechanisms, it is preferable to offset one driven push rod to one side with the crankshaft axis as a reference, and offset the other driven push rod to the other side (see Figure 4).

[0110] In the assembled state, both the first slotted cam 45 and the second slotted cam 46 are fixedly mounted on the crankshaft 49. The first driven push rod 47 and the second driven push rod 48 are slidably connected relative to the base body in the axial direction of the crankshaft 49 (not shown in the figure). The mating end of the first driven push rod 47 extends into the closed-loop groove of the first slotted cam 45 to form a fit (see Figure 4), and the mating end of the second driven push rod 48 extends into the closed-loop groove of the second slotted cam 46 to form a fit. The two slotted cams in the pair of slotted cam mechanisms are arranged at intervals on the axial direction of the crankshaft 49.

[0111] In operation, when the two slotted cams rotate along with the crankshaft 49, each slotted cam drives a driven push rod, causing the first drive end 54 and the second drive end 55 of the tank displacement to perform synchronous linear reciprocating motions in opposite directions along the axis parallel to the crankshaft 49 (see Figure 2).

[0112] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of the closed-loop carrier chain and its driving principle of the present invention; Figure 17 is a partial enlarged view of the driving end of the closed-loop carrier chain of the present invention; and Figure 18 is a schematic diagram of the motion structure of the closed-loop carrier chain driven by the slotted cam mechanism of the present invention. As can be seen from Figures 16-18 and in conjunction with Figure 2, the closed-loop carrier chain 3 is a closed-loop chain structure formed by connecting several identical carriers 5 end-to-end in series, with the carriers 5 serving as links. The carriers 5 are used to install and position the formed can 17. In this embodiment, 68 sets of carriers 5 are connected end-to-end in series to form the closed-loop carrier chain 3. The closed-loop carrier chain 3 is entirely situated on the elongated circular track 4 and can move along the trajectory of the elongated circular track 4. In this embodiment, the moving drive mechanism of the closed-loop carrier chain 3 is composed of a pair of slotted cam mechanisms, several check valves 57, two carrier push plates 56, and carrier rollers 14 mounted on the carrier 5 (see Figures 16-18). One of the two carrier push plates 56 is mounted on the first straight segment of the elongated circular track 4 and located behind the closed-loop carrier chain 3 corresponding to the first straight segment (see Figure 17). The other carrier push plate 56 is mounted on the second straight segment of the elongated circular track 4 and located behind the closed-loop carrier chain 3 corresponding to the second straight segment (see Figure 17). Both carrier push plates 56 slide relative to the elongated circular track 4 in a direction parallel to the movement of the first or second straight segment of the closed-loop carrier chain 3. Each carrier push plate 56 is equipped with a check valve 57 corresponding to a carrier 5 (see Figure 17). The distance between the working ends of each pair of check valves 57 is the same and equal to the length of one workstation. Similarly, the distance between the centers of each pair of carrier rollers 14 on the closed-loop carrier chain 3 is the same and equal to the length of one workstation. Each check valve 57 consists of a swing arm, a spring, and a seat. The seat is fixed to the carrier push plate 56. One end of the swing arm is hinged to the seat, and the other end is elastically supported by the spring. A pair of slotted cam mechanisms have two driven push rods: a first driven push rod 47 and a second driven push rod 48. The second driven push rod 48 is fixedly connected to a second slider 58, which is slidably connected to a second slide rail 59. The second slide rail 59 is parallel to the direction of movement of the first or second straight segment of the closed-loop carrier chain 3. The moving end of the second driven push rod 48 serves as the second drive end 55 for tank displacement and is connected to the carrier push plate 56 for positioning drive (see Figure 18). During operation, the second driven push rod 48 drives a carrier push plate 56 to reciprocate. During the reciprocating movement, the check valve 57 of the carrier push plate 56 cooperates with the carrier roller 14 on the back of the carrier 5, causing the closed-loop carrier chain 3 to move intermittently in a unidirectional cycle along the elongated circular track 4 with the workstation distance as the step size (see the direction indicated by the arrows in Figures 2 and 17). The first driven push rod 47 is used to drive the carrier push plate 56 and the check valve 57 on the other side, and drive the closed-loop carrier chain 3 to move synchronously in a unidirectional cycle along the elongated circular track 4 with the workstation distance as the step size.The structure of the first driven push rod 47 driving the closed-loop carrier chain 3 is the same as that of the second driven push rod 48 driving the closed-loop carrier chain 3, but in the opposite direction, and will not be described again here.

[0113] Figure 19 is a structural diagram of the crank-rocker mechanism driving the sliding table motion of the present invention. As can be seen from Figure 19 in conjunction with Figure 15, the first set of sliding tables 6 rests on the first linear guide rail 15 via a sliding base 61. The first set of sliding tables 6 is fixedly connected to the sliding base 61, and the sliding base 61 is slidably connected to the first linear guide rail 15. The swing end of the first rocker arm 41 serves as the first driving end 50 of the first set of molds and is hinged to a sliding sleeve 60. The sliding sleeve 60 and the sliding base 61 are slidably connected in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of the first set of sliding tables 6. The sliding base 61 has a sliding groove, and the sliding sleeve 60 has sliding push plates 62 fixedly provided on two sliding surfaces corresponding to the sliding groove. In the assembled state, the two sliding push plates 62 are slidably engaged with the two sliding surfaces of the sliding groove, thereby converting the swing of the first driving end 50 of the first set of molds into the sliding of the first set of sliding tables 6 along the first linear guide rail 15. The swing end of the fourth swing rod 44 serves as the second drive end 53 of the first mold group, driving the first sliding table 6 in the same structure as the first swing rod 41 driving the first sliding table 6, with the same direction and synchronous drive. The swing end of the second swing rod 42 serves as the first drive end 51 of the second mold group, with the same structure as the first swing rod 41 driving the first sliding table 6, but in the opposite direction and synchronous drive. The swing end of the third swing rod 43 serves as the second drive end 52 of the second mold group, with the same structure as the first swing rod 41 driving the first sliding table 6, but in the opposite direction and synchronous drive.

[0114] To better understand the innovation and features of this invention, the working process and principle of the bottle and can mouth forming machine of this invention are explained below:

[0115] The bottle and can mouth forming machine is a device for forming bottle and can mouths by necking, thread rolling, and other processes on stretched cylindrical metal shells (see Figure 1). During operation, the motor 35 drives the flywheel 36 to drive the crankshaft 49 to rotate continuously. Four crank-rocker mechanisms are arranged on the rotating crankshaft 49 (see Figure 15). Each pair of crank-rocker mechanisms drives the sliding tables with molds on both sides of the equipment to perform relative linear reciprocating motion (see the first set of sliding tables 6 and the second set of sliding tables 7 in Figure 2), forming the metal can 17 arranged in the middle of the equipment (see Figure 2). Multiple carriers for holding the metal can 17 are hinged together end to end and connected in series to form a closed-loop carrier shifting mechanism 1 (see Figure 2). The metal can 17 follows the carrier and, driven by the slotted cam mechanism mounted on the crankshaft 49, performs intermittent shifting motion (stop-start motion) along the guide rail. The trajectory of the guide rail consists of two straight lines connected by two semicircular arcs (see the closed-loop carrier shifting mechanism 1 in Figure 2). The metal can 17 will pass sequentially along the straight line segments to the positions on the guide rail corresponding to each station mold, and will be processed and shaped by the reciprocating molds (see the first set of molds 8 and the second set of molds 9 in Figure 2). The molds used for forming are necking, thread rolling, grooving, trimming, thinning, curling, and pressing, and are mounted along a straight line on a long strip-shaped slider (see the first set of sliding tables 6 and the second set of sliding tables 7 in Figure 2). The continuously arranged metal cans are sequentially fed into the carrier in an intermittent moving motion (movement-stopping motion) state through the can feeding mechanism 18 (see Figure 3), and the formed bottles and cans are pushed out of the carrier and sent out of the equipment through the can discharging mechanism 19 (see Figure 3).

[0116] The working principle and process of the bottle and jar mouth forming machine are as follows:

[0117] 1. The drive mechanism is used to provide power for the movement of the first set of sliding tables 6, the second set of sliding tables 7 and the carrier transfer mechanism 1 (see Figures 15 and 2).

[0118] Motor 35 drives flywheel 36 to drive crankshaft 49 in continuous rotation. Crankshaft 49 itself is designed with four cranks, and the eccentric direction of the crank connecting the first connecting rod 37 and the fourth connecting rod 40 is opposite to the eccentric direction of the crank connecting the second connecting rod 38 and the third connecting rod 39. When crankshaft 49 rotates, it drives the four connecting rods that are respectively hinged to the four cranks to move, which in turn drives the four rocker arms that are respectively hinged to the four connecting rods to swing. Among them, the first rocker arm 41 and the fourth rocker arm 44 drive the first set of sliding tables 6, and the second rocker arm 42 and the third rocker arm 43 drive the second set of sliding tables 7, which reciprocate in opposite directions along the swing direction (see Figure 2). The first set of sliding tables 6 and the second set of sliding tables 7 are each equipped with 26 mold components. The mold functions include necking, thread rolling, grooving, trimming, thinning, curling and pressing. When the first set of sliding tables 6 and the second set of sliding tables 7 move towards each other, the molds installed on the sliding tables will process and shape the two rows of metal cans 17 arranged in the middle of the equipment. The molds are distributed in a straight line along the length of the sliding tables and the distance between each pair is the same (see Figure 2).

[0119] 2. The carrier shifting mechanism 1 is used to enable the entire ring of carriers holding the metal can 17 to perform intermittent shifting motion (motion-stop motion) synchronously.

[0120] The first slotted cam 45 and the second slotted cam 46 are mounted alternately on the crankshaft 49 (see position shown in Figure 15) and rotate synchronously with the crankshaft 49. When the slotted cams rotate, the two driven push rods (the first driven push rod 47 and the second driven push rod 48) will reciprocate in opposite directions along the axis of the crankshaft 49 under the drive of the corresponding slotted cams (see Figure 2). A total of 68 sets of carriers for clamping the metal cans 17 are hinged together and connected end to end to form a closed loop carrier chain 3, which is placed in the elongated circular track 4. When the two driven push rods move towards each other at the same time, the check valves 57 (see Figure 17) installed on the closed loop carrier chain will push the carriers at their respective positions forward, so that the entire closed loop carrier chain will move forward one station at the same time. Each positioning mechanism 20 (see Figures 11 and 12) will temporarily fix the pushed carriers. Then the metal cans 17 on each carrier are formed and processed by the moving mold. During the forming process, the two driven push rods move back to their original positions in opposite directions. When the mold finishes forming and retracts in the opposite direction, the two driven push rods move towards each other again, pushing the entire closed-loop carrier chain to the next station. The metal can 17 is then formed by the mold of the next process. That is, driven by the crankshaft 49, the above actions are repeated continuously to complete the continuous forming process of the metal can 17 (see Figure 2).

[0121] The can feeding mechanism 18 (see Figure 13) is used to feed the continuously arranged unprocessed metal cans 17 one by one into the carrier 5 in the closed-loop carrier chain 3 which is in a dynamic and static state.

[0122] Unformed metal cans 17 are arranged sequentially along the can-feeding guide rail 29 and are pushed into the positioning cup 26 one by one by the can-feeding cam 25. The can-feeding cam 25 rotates continuously under the drive of the servo motor 28. When the first set of sliding tables 6 moves forward, the can-pushing assembly 27 fixed on the side surface of the first set of sliding tables 6 pushes the metal cans 17 in the positioning cup 26 into the carrier 5 fixed by the positioning mechanism 20. The metal cans 17 will move into the next station as the carrier 5 moves. Then the can-feeding cam 25 will push the next metal can 17 into the positioning cup 26, and so on, repeating the above actions.

[0123] The can-dispensing mechanism 19 (see Figure 14) is used to deliver the processed bottles and cans out of the equipment.

[0124] After the carrier 5 carrying the metal can 17 has passed through all the processes, it will reach the can-out station (see Figure 2). The second set of sliding tables 7 drives the top can assembly 30 to make a linear motion opposite to the direction of the second set of sliding tables 7 through a gear and rack mechanism. When the carrier 5 is fixed by the positioning mechanism 20 at the can-out station, the top can assembly 30 will push the metal can 17 out of the carrier 5 from behind. The crankshaft 49 will drive the can-out chain 31 to rotate through a synchronous belt or other transmission method. The pushed-out can will enter the rubber block 32 installed on the can-out chain 31, and then be sent out of the equipment as the can-out chain 31 runs.

[0125] The following description addresses other embodiments and structural changes of the present invention:

[0126] 1. In Embodiment 2 above, the crank-rocker mechanism consists of two pairs of crank-rocker mechanisms, which are spaced apart along the crankshaft axis (see Figure 15). Using two pairs of crank-rocker mechanisms is the preferred method of this invention. However, this invention is not limited to this; in practice, the crank-rocker mechanism can consist of one pair of crank-rocker mechanisms, or three pairs of crank-rocker mechanisms, arranged spaced apart along the crankshaft axis, or even more pairs. One pair of crank-rocker mechanisms is generally suitable for can-mouth forming machines with a relatively small number of molds and a short linear arrangement of the molds on the equipment. This is because one pair of crank-rocker mechanisms is structurally simpler than multiple pairs of crank-rocker mechanisms. However, this is not limited to special cases, such as when a pair of crank-rocker mechanisms is designed with good rigidity, or when, although there is only one rocker arm, it uses a multi-point pushing method with the slider carrying the mold in the vertical pushing direction. When using three pairs of crank-rocker mechanisms, it is preferable to arrange the three pairs of crank-rocker mechanisms at equal intervals along the crankshaft axis. While employing a three-pair crank-rocker mechanism results in a more complex structure and increased equipment costs, it offers significant advantages in improving motion speed and rigidity. The variations in the number of crank-rocker pairs and their corresponding technical effects are easily understood and accepted by those skilled in the art.

[0127] 2. In Embodiment 2 above, the slotted cam mechanism consists of a pair of slotted cam mechanisms. This is the optimal solution of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this; in fact, the slotted cam mechanism can be composed of two pairs of slotted cam mechanisms, or three pairs of slotted cam mechanisms, or even more pairs of slotted cam mechanisms. Using two pairs of slotted cam mechanisms to drive the carrier shifting mechanism (i.e., driving the tank mounted on the carrier shifting mechanism to rotate) only results in a more complex structure and increased equipment costs. Using three pairs of slotted cam mechanisms to drive the carrier shifting mechanism is theoretically still feasible, but the structure is complex and the equipment cost is high.

[0128] The above embodiments are only for illustrating the technical concept and features of the present invention, and are intended to enable those skilled in the art to understand the content of the present invention and implement it accordingly. They should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention. All equivalent changes or modifications made in accordance with the spirit and essence of the present invention should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A bidirectional linear displacement can mouth forming mechanism, characterized in that: It includes a carrier shifting mechanism (1) for loading the molded tank (17) and a mold sliding mechanism (2) for loading the molding mold; The vehicle shifting mechanism (1) includes: The closed-loop carrier chain (3) is a closed-loop chain structure formed by connecting several identical carriers (5) end to end and linking them together, with the carriers (5) as links. The carriers (5) are the tools used to install and position the molded tank (17). The long oval track (4) is composed of a first straight line segment and a second straight line segment whose trajectory is two straight lines, and a first semicircular arc segment and a second semicircular arc segment whose trajectory is two semicircular arcs. The elongated circular track (4) is relatively fixed, and the closed-loop carrier chain (3) is situated on the elongated circular track (4) and can move along the trajectory direction of the elongated circular track (4). The closed-loop carrier chain (3) is located on the first straight segment and the second straight segment of the elongated circular track (4) with two rows of straight-lined carriers (5) as the first group of carriers and the second group of carriers. In the first group of carriers, the centers of each carrier (5) are arranged in a straight line, and the distance between the centers of each pair of carriers (5) is the same and equal to the length of one workstation. In the second group of carriers, the centers of each carrier (5) are arranged in a straight line, and the distance between the centers of each pair of carriers (5) is the same and equal to the length of one workstation. The mold sliding mechanism (2) includes: Two sets of sliding tables, namely the first set of sliding tables (6) and the second set of sliding tables (7), the first set of sliding tables (6) consists of at least one sliding table, and the second set of sliding tables (7) consists of at least one sliding table. The two sets of sliding tables are in sliding fit relative to the elongated circular track (4). Several molds are divided into two groups, namely the first group of molds (8) and the second group of molds (9). The first group of molds (8) are installed at intervals on the first group of sliding tables (6) along a straight line. The centers of each mold in the first group of molds (8) are arranged in a straight line, and the distance between the centers of any two molds on the same sliding table is the same and equal to the length of one station. The second group of molds (9) are installed at intervals on the second group of sliding tables (7) along a straight line. The centers of each mold in the second group of molds (9) are arranged in a straight line, and the distance between the centers of any two molds on the same sliding table is the same and equal to the length of one station. The sliding direction of the first group of sliding tables (6) is perpendicular to the straight line direction where the center of the first group of molds (8) is located, and the sliding direction of the second group of sliding tables (7) is perpendicular to the straight line direction where the center of the second group of molds (9) is located. In the assembled state, the first set of molds (8) on the first set of sliding tables (6) are arranged facing the first set of carriers on the first straight section of the elongated oval track (4), wherein the straight line where the center of each mold in the first set of molds (8) is located is parallel to the straight line where the center of each carrier (5) in the first set of carriers is located, and each mold in the first set of molds (8) corresponds to each carrier (5) in the first set of carriers in terms of position; the second set of molds (9) on the second set of sliding tables (7) are arranged facing the second set of carriers on the second straight section of the elongated oval track (4), wherein the straight line where the center of each mold in the second set of molds (9) is located is parallel to the straight line where the center of each carrier (5) in the second set of carriers is located, and each mold in the second set of molds (9) corresponds to each carrier (5) in the second set of carriers in terms of position; In operation, the closed-loop carrier chain (3) moves intermittently in a unidirectional cycle along the long circular track (4) with the station distance as the step size. The two sets of sliding tables move synchronously in opposite directions from their respective starting positions. During the entire molding process, when the closed-loop carrier chain (3) is stationary relative to the long circular track (4), the first set of sliding tables (6) and the second set of sliding tables (7) slide synchronously towards each other. The first set of molds (8) installed on the first set of sliding tables (6) will perform molding processing on a row of tanks (17) loaded on the first straight section of the closed-loop carrier chain (3), while the second set of molds (9) installed on the second set of sliding tables (7) will perform molding processing on another row of tanks loaded on the second straight section of the closed-loop carrier chain (3). (17) Perform synchronous molding process; when the first set of molds (8) and the second set of molds (9) finish molding process, the first set of sliding tables (6) and the second set of sliding tables (7) slide synchronously in opposite directions to drive the first set of molds (8) and the second set of molds (9) to demold. Then the closed-loop carrier chain (3) moves forward one station step length along the long oval track (4) and stops. Then the first set of sliding tables (6) and the second set of sliding tables (7) slide synchronously in opposite directions. The tank (17) loaded on the first straight section and the second straight section of the closed-loop carrier chain (3) is then molded by the mold of the next process. This cycle is repeated to complete the continuous progressive molding process of the tank (17) loaded on the closed-loop carrier chain (3).

2. The bidirectional linear displacement can mouth forming mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The closed-loop carrier chain (3) and the elongated circular track (4) in the carrier shifting mechanism (1) are symmetrically arranged with the two sets of sliding tables and several molds in the mold sliding mechanism, with the long axis of the elongated circular track (4) as the center line.

3. The bidirectional linear displacement can mouth forming mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The elongated oval track (4) is formed by splicing two straight guide rails (10) and two semi-circular guide rails (11). Corresponding to the elongated oval track, each vehicle (5) in the closed-loop vehicle chain (3) is provided with a shifting roller (12), a guide roller (13) and a vehicle roller (14). The shifting roller (12) is positioned and installed at the bottom of the vehicle (5), the guide roller (13) is positioned and installed between two adjacent vehicles (5), and the vehicle roller (14) is positioned and installed on the back of the vehicle (5).

4. The bidirectional linear displacement can mouth forming mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: A first linear guide (15) is provided for the first set of sliding tables (6). The direction of the first linear guide (15) is parallel to the sliding direction of the first set of sliding tables (6). In the assembled state, the first set of sliding tables (6) sits on the first linear guide (15) and slides with the first linear guide (15). A second linear guide (16) is provided for the second set of sliding tables (7). The sliding direction of the second set of sliding tables (7) is parallel to that of the second set of sliding tables (7). In the assembled state, the second set of sliding tables (7) sits on the second linear guide (16) and slides in cooperation with the second linear guide (16).

5. The bidirectional linear displacement can mouth forming mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: A positioning mechanism (20) is provided for each vehicle (5) located on the first and second straight segments of the closed-loop vehicle chain (3). The positioning mechanism (20) mainly consists of a positioning roller (21), a positioning block (22), a spring (23), and a positioning bracket (24). The positioning roller (21) is positioned and installed on the top of each vehicle (5) on the closed-loop vehicle chain (3). A positioning bracket (24) is provided at each station of the first and second straight segments. The positioning bracket (24) is located above the vehicle (5) and relative to the elongated circular track (4). The positioning bracket (24) is fixed and has a slide rail. The slide rail faces the carrier (5) of the corresponding work station. The positioning block (22) is located in the slide rail and slides along the sliding direction of the slide rail. The spring (23) presses against the positioning block (22) and the positioning bracket (24) and acts on the sliding direction of the positioning block (22). The slide rail is provided with a limiting structure to restrict the positioning block (22) from sliding out. The positioning block (22) has a positioning concave surface facing the carrier (5). When the carrier (5) moves with the closed-loop carrier chain (3) in the working state, the positioning roller (21) cooperates with the positioning concave surface to form a positioning.

6. A bottle / can mouth forming machine, comprising a mouth forming mechanism and a drive mechanism, characterized in that: The can mouth forming mechanism is composed of the bidirectional linear displacement can mouth forming mechanism as described in any one of claims 1-5; The drive mechanism is composed of a bidirectional dynamic balance drive mechanism, which is formed by connecting a motor (35), a flywheel (36), a crank-rocker mechanism, and a slotted cam mechanism, wherein: The motor (35) outputs rotational power as a power source in the working state. The motor (35) is positioned and installed relative to the base of the molding machine. The motor (35) has a rotational output end. The flywheel (36) provides a large moment of rotational inertia as a disc-shaped inertial component. The flywheel (36) is a rotating support relative to the base. The flywheel (36) has a rotation input end and a rotation output end. The rotation output end of the motor (35) is connected to the rotation input end of the flywheel (36) in a transmission connection. The crank-rocker mechanism consists of a crankshaft (49), a pair of connecting rods, and a pair of pendulum rods, wherein: Each pair of links consists of two identical links; Each pair of pendulums consists of two identical pendulums, with one end of each pendulum serving as a hinge end and the other end as a swing end. A drive end is provided between the swing end and the hinge end, and the hinge end of each pendulum is rotatably connected relative to the base. The crankshaft (49) is rotated relative to the base and is connected to the rotation output end of the flywheel (36) via a transmission. The crankshaft (49) is provided with a pair of cranks for each pair of connecting rods. The pair of cranks consists of two cranks with opposite eccentric directions and are arranged adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the crankshaft (49). Each crank is rotatably connected to one end of a connecting rod, and the other end of the connecting rod is rotatably connected to the driving end of a rocker arm, thus forming a crank-rocker arm mechanism. Two crank-rocker arm mechanisms arranged axially adjacent to each other form a pair of crank-rocker arm mechanisms. In a pair of crank-rocker arm mechanisms, the swinging end of one rocker arm serves as the driving end of the first set of molds, and the swinging end of the other rocker arm serves as the driving end of the second set of molds. In the assembled state, the projections of the two rockers in each pair of crank rocker mechanisms onto the crankshaft (49) axis are symmetrically arranged on both sides with reference to the vertical line passing through the center point of the crankshaft (49); In the working state, when a pair of crank-rocker mechanisms rotate along with the crankshaft (49), the first set of mold drive ends and the second set of mold drive ends perform synchronous oscillating reciprocating motions in opposite directions on a plane perpendicular to the axis of the crankshaft (49); The slotted cam mechanism consists of a pair of slotted cams and a pair of driven push rods, wherein: Each pair of slotted cams consists of two slotted cams, and each slotted cam's disc has a closed-loop groove arranged in a spiral direction along the circumference. Each pair of driven push rods consists of two driven push rods. Each driven push rod is provided with a mating end and a moving end. The moving end of one driven push rod serves as the first driving end for tank displacement, and the moving end of the other driven push rod serves as the second driving end for tank displacement. In the assembled state, each slot cam is fixedly mounted on the crankshaft (49), and each driven push rod is slidably connected relative to the base in the axial direction of the crankshaft (49). The mating end of one driven push rod in each pair of driven push rods extends into the closed-loop groove of the corresponding slot cam to form a mating. The mating end of the other driven push rod in each pair of driven push rods extends into the closed-loop groove of the corresponding other slot cam to form a mating. The two slot cams and the corresponding two driven push rods constitute a pair of slot cam mechanisms. The two slot cams in the pair of slot cam mechanisms are arranged at intervals on the crankshaft (49) axis. In the working state, when a pair of slotted cams rotate along with the crankshaft (49), each slotted cam drives a driven push rod, causing the first drive end of the tank displacement and the second drive end of the tank displacement to perform synchronous linear reciprocating motion in opposite directions along the axis parallel to the crankshaft (49).

7. The bottle and jar mouth forming machine according to claim 6, characterized in that: The crank-rocker mechanism consists of a pair of crank-rocker mechanisms.

8. The bottle and jar mouth forming machine according to claim 6, characterized in that: The crank rocker mechanism consists of two pairs of crank rocker mechanisms, which are arranged at intervals along the axis of the crankshaft (49). One pair of cranks and the other pair of cranks have the same eccentric direction. The projections of one pair of crank rocker mechanisms and the other pair of crank rocker mechanisms in the axis of the crankshaft (49) coincide. When one pair of crank rocker mechanisms and the other pair of crank rocker mechanisms rotate with the crankshaft (49) at the same time, the one pair of crank rocker mechanisms and the other pair of crank rocker mechanisms move synchronously and have the same trajectory.

9. The bottle and jar mouth forming machine according to claim 6, characterized in that: The slotted cam mechanism consists of a pair of slotted cam mechanisms.

10. The bottle and jar mouth forming machine according to claim 6, characterized in that: The slotted cam mechanism consists of two pairs of slotted cam mechanisms. The centers of the two pairs of slotted cam mechanisms are arranged at intervals along the axis of the crankshaft (49). When one pair of slotted cam mechanisms and the other pair of slotted cam mechanisms rotate simultaneously with the crankshaft (49), the one pair of slotted cam mechanisms moves synchronously with the other pair of slotted cam mechanisms and their movement trajectories are the same.

Images