Unloading and feeding device

An unloading and feeding device can include a driving mechanism, a mounting member, two elastic assemblies, a rotating assembly, a pressing member, and a picking member. The driving mechanism can include a base plate having an edge, a movable assembly coupled to the base plate, a first limiting member coupled to the base plate adjacent to the edge, and a second limiting member coupled to the base plate away from the edge. The first limiting member and the second limiting member are positioned at opposite sides of the base plate. The mounting member can be coupled to the movable assembly. The elastic assemblies can be positioned at opposite sides of the movable assembly, corresponding to the first and second limiting members respectively. Each of the elastic members can include a movable member extending through the mounting member.

FIELD

The subject matter herein generally relates to unloading and feeding devices.

BACKGROUND

Workpieces should be taken off a conveyor or out of storage, and positioned into a fixture on a processing machine before being machined. An unloading and feeding device can be used when positioning the workpieces.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is described in relation to an unloading and feeding device.

An unloading and feeding device can include a driving mechanism, a mounting member coupled to the driving mechanism, two elastic assemblies coupled to the mounting member, a rotating assembly coupled to the mounting member, a pressing member coupled to the rotating assembly, and a picking member coupled to the pressing member. The driving mechanism can include a base plate having an edge, a movable assembly coupled to the base plate, a first limiting member coupled to the base plate adjacent to the edge, and a second limiting member coupled to the base plate away from the edge. The first limiting member and the second limiting member are positioned at opposite sides of the base plate. The mounting member can be coupled to the movable assembly. The elastic assemblies can be positioned at opposite sides of the movable assembly, corresponding to the first and second limiting members respectively. Each of the elastic members can include a movable member extending through the mounting member. The rotating assembly can be configured to rotate the pressing member and the picking member, enabling the pressing member to press one of the movable members of the two elastic assemblies, causing the movable member to protrude out of the mounting member. The movable assembly can be configured to move the rotating assembly and the mounting member, enabling the movable member protruding out of the mounting member to resist against the corresponding first or second limiting member.

FIG. 1illustrates an embodiment of an unloading and feeding device100. The unloading feeding device100can be configured to pick a first workpiece (not shown) from a storage (not shown) with a height of H1, position the first workpiece onto a first workbench (not shown) with a height of H1, and pick a second workpiece (not shown) from the storage and position the second workpiece onto a second workbench (not shown) with a height of H2 different from the height of H1. The first workpiece on the first workbench can be positioned along a first direction. The second workpiece on the second workbench can be positioned along a second direction which can be opposite to the first direction.

The unloading and feeding device100can include a driving mechanism20, and a rotating mechanism40coupled to the driving mechanism20. The driving mechanism20can be configured to rotate the rotating mechanism40towards the storage. The rotating mechanism40can be configured to pick up the workpieces from the storage and position the workpieces onto the first workbench and the second workbench.

FIG. 2illustrates that the driving mechanism20can include a base plate22, a movable assembly24, a first limiting member26, and a second limiting member28. The movable assembly24, the first limiting member26, and the second limiting member28can be coupled to the base plate22.

The base plate22can be substantially a rectangular plate, and can define two mounting slots221and two mounting holes223. The two mounting slots221can be parallel to each other, and can be positioned at opposite sides of the base plate22, respectively. Each of the mounting slots221can be substantially an elongated groove extending along a longitude of the base plate22. Each of the mounting holes223can be defined at a bottom surface of one mounting slot221. The mounting hole223can be substantially an elongated hole extending along a longitude of the mounting slot221. The base plate22can further provide a mounting portion225on a side. The mounting portion225can be adjacent to one of the mounting slots221. The mounting portion225can provide a limiting sensor2251at an end. The limiting sensor2251can be configured to detect a final position of a movement of the movable assembly24.

FIG. 3illustrates that in the illustrated embodiment, the movable assembly24can be a linear actuator. The movable assembly24can include two bases241, two guiding rods243, a main rod245, and a sliding member247. The guiding rods243and the main rod245can be coupled to the bases241. The sliding member247can be coupled to the guiding rods243and the main rod245.

The two bases241can be positioned at opposite ends of the base plate22, and can be positioned between the two mounting slots221. Each of the guiding rods243can be substantially a cylindrical rod.

The two guiding rods243can be positioned adjacent to the mounting slots221respectively, and substantially parallel to the base plate22. Opposite ends of each of the guiding rods243can be coupled to the bases241respectively. In an alternative embodiment, there can be one or more guiding rods243.

The main rod245can be positioned between the two guiding rods243, and substantially parallel to the guiding rods243. Opposite ends of the main rods245can be coupled to the bases241respectively. The main rod245can provide a piston2451.

In the illustrated embodiment, the sliding member247can be a cylinder block, and can be slidably sleeved on the guiding rods243and the main rod245. The sliding member247can define a receiving cavity2471and two guiding holes2473. The receiving cavity2471can be defined in the middle of the sliding member247, and can extend through the sliding member247. The sliding member247can be sleeved onto the piston2451via the receiving cavity2471. A periphery of the piston2451can be hermetically sealed against an inside wall of the receiving cavity2471. The piston2451can be configured for sliding in the receiving cavity2471. The two guiding holes2473can correspond to the guiding rods243respectively, such that each of the guiding rods243can be slidably inserted through a corresponding guiding hole1473.

The first limiting member26and the second limiting member28can be mounted in the guiding slots221respectively. The first limiting member26can be positioned at an end of the corresponding mounting slot221adjacent to an edge of the base plate22. Such that the first limiting member26can be adjacent to one of the bases241. In the illustrated embodiment, the first limiting member26can include a base body261coupled to the base plate22, and a buffering portion263coupled to the base body261. The buffering portion263can be made from elastic material and can act as a shock absorber. The second limiting member28can be positioned in the middle of the corresponding mounting slot221. A structure of the second limiting member28can be similar to a structure of the first limiting member26. The second limiting member26can include a base body281coupled to the base plate22, and a buffering portion283coupled to the base body281. The first and the second limiting members26and28can be configured to limit a rotation angle of the rotating mechanism40.

FIG. 4illustrates that the rotating mechanism40can include a mounting member42, two elastic assemblies44, a rotating assembly46, and a picking assembly48. The elastic assemblies44and the rotating assembly46can be coupled to the mounting member42. The picking assembly48can be coupled to the rotating assembly46.

The mounting member42can be substantially L-shaped, and can include a first mounting plate421and a second mounting plate423coupled to the first mounting plate421. The first mounting plate421can be fixed to the sliding member247, and can define two through holes4211corresponding to the two mounting slots221. The second mounting plate423can be perpendicularly mounted to a side of the first mounting plate421, and can extend along a direction away from the sliding member247. The second mounting plate423can be configured to support the rotating assembly46.

FIG. 5illustrates that the two elastic assemblies44can be positioned on the first mounting plate421corresponding to the two through holes4211, respectively. Each of the elastic assemblies44can include a mounting seat441, a movable member443, and an elastic member445. The mounting seat441can include a flange4411coupled to the first mounting plate421, and a cylindrical portion4413formed at an end of the flange4411away from the first mounting plate421. The cylindrical portion4413can define a resisting end4415at an end. The resisting end4415can be positioned away from the cylindrical portion4413. A receiving hole4417can be defined along an axis of the mounting seat441. In the illustrated embodiment, the receiving hole4417can be a stepped hole. The receiving hole4417can include a first receiving hole4418and a second receiving hole4419. The first receiving hole4418can be coaxially aligned with the through hole4211. A diameter of the first receiving hole4418can be greater than that of the through hole4211. The second receiving hole4419can extend through the resisting end4415. A diameter of the second receiving hole4419can be smaller than that of the first receiving hole4418.

The movable member443can be movably inserted through the first receiving hole4418, and opposite ends of the movable member443can be exposed from the mounting seat441. A flange4431can be formed on the movable member44. The flange4431can be received in the first receiving hole4418, and can resist against the resisting end4415. The elastic member445can be sleeved on the movable member443and be received in the first receiving hole4418. Opposite ends of the elastic member443can resist against the first mounting plate421and the flange4431respectively. When the end of the movable member443facing rotating assembly46, which is away from the flange4411, is pressed by an external force, the movable member443can move along an axis of the receiving hole4417, and the opposite end of the movable member443can protrude from the first receiving hole4418and the through hole4211, such that the end of the movable member334can be aligned to the buffering portion263or283.

FIG. 6illustrates that in the embodiment, the rotating assembly46can be a rotary cylinder. The rotating assembly46can be positioned on a surface of the second mounting plate423adjacent to the first limiting member26. The rotating assembly26can include a cylinder461, two toothed pistons463, a rotating member465, and a driving member467. The toothed pistons463and the rotating member465can be received in the cylinder461. The driving member467can be coupled to the rotating member465.

The cylinder461can include a main body4611and two covers4613positioned at opposite ends of the main body4611respectively. The main body4611can be positioned on the second mounting plate432, and can define two first cavities4614and a second cavity4616. The two first cavities4614can be parallel to each other. Axes of the first cavities4614can be parallel to the second mounting plate423. The first cavities4614can be configured to receive the toothed pistons463. The second cavity4616can be defined between the two first cavities4614. An axis of the second cavity4616can be substantially perpendicularly to the axis of the first cavities4614. Opposite sides of the second cavity4616can communicate with the two first cavities4614respectively.

Each of the toothed pistons463can be received in a corresponding first cavity4614, capable of sliding along an axis of the first cavity4614. The toothed piston463can provide a toothed portion4631at a side facing the second cavity4616.

The rotating member465can be rotatably positioned in the second cavity4616, and can provide a gear4651corresponding to the first cavities4614. Opposite sides of the gear4651can mesh with the toothed portions4631respectively.

The driving member467can be positioned on the main body4611and fixed to an end of the rotating member465. In the illustrated embodiment, the driving member467can be a connecting flange. The toothed portions4631can rotate the rotating member when sliding in the first cavities4614, which in turn rotates the driving member467.

FIG. 4illustrates that the picking assembly48can include a pressing member481, a connecting rod483coupled to the pressing member481, and a picking member485.

The pressing member481can include a connecting portion4811and, a pressing portion4813formed on the connecting portion4811. The connecting portion4811can be fixed to the driving member467. The pressing portion4813can be formed at a side of the connecting portion4811extending along a direction away from the connecting portion4811. The pressing portion4813can be configured to press an end of the movable member443. The connecting rod483can be perpendicularly positioned on the connecting portion4811. The picking member485can be positioned at an end of the connecting rod483away from the connecting portion4811. The picking member485can be configured to pick workpieces from the storage. In at least one embodiment, the picking member485can be a vacuum chuck. In an alternative embodiment, the picking member485can be a clamp, or a magnetic member.

In assembly, the movable assembly24, the first limiting member26, and the second limiting member28can be mounted to the base plate33. The mounting member42can be fixed to the sliding member247. The elastic assembly44can be mounted on the first mounting plate421. The rotating assembly46can be mounted to the second mounting plate423. The picking assembly48can be coupled to the driving member467, enabling the pressing portion4813to press the movable member443, which is corresponding to the second limiting member28.

In operation, the unloading and feeding device100can be positioned on an automatic conveyor (not shown) adjacent to the storage (not shown). The automatic conveyor can be capable of transporting an object from a first position to a second position automatically. The rotating assembly46can be away from the first and the second limiting members26and28. The pressing portion4813can press an end of the movable member443, which is corresponding to the second limiting member28, such that the opposite end of the movable member443can be corresponding to the buffering portion283of the second limiting member28. The unloading and feeding device100can be started. The sliding member247can drive the rotating mechanism40to slide on the guiding rods243. When the movable member443resists against the buffering portion283, the sliding member247can stop from sliding. The picking member485can pick a first workpiece (not shown) from the storage. The sliding member247can move the rotating mechanism40with the first workpiece to the original position on the guiding rods243.

The automatic conveyor can transport the unloading and feeding device100to the first workbench (not shown) with a height of H1. The sliding member247can move the rotating mechanism40along the guiding rods243. When the movable member443presses the buffering portion283, the sliding member247can be controlled to stop from sliding. The picking member485positions the first workpiece on the first workbench. The sliding member247moves the rotating mechanism40back to the original position, and the automatic conveyor can transport the unloading and feeding device100back to the storage.

The sliding member247can drive the rotating mechanism40to pick up a second workpiece from the storage, and the rotating mechanism40can be replaced. The automatic conveyor can transport the unloading and feeding device100to the second workbench (not shown) with a height of H2. The rotating assembly46rotates, and the driving member467can rotate the picking assembly48with the second workpiece about 180 degrees. The pressing portion4813can press an end of the movable member443, which is corresponding to the first limiting member26, such that the opposite end of the movable member443can be corresponding to the buffering portion263of the first limiting member26. The sliding member247can move the rotating mechanism40along the guiding rods243. When the movable member443presses against the buffering portion263, the sliding member247can be controlled to stop from sliding. The picking member485can position the second workpiece on the second workbench.

In an alternative embodiment, the mounting slots221and the mounting holes223can be omitted, such that the first limiting member26can be mounted to the base plate22adjacent to one of the bases241, and the second limiting member28can be positioned between the two bases241.

In an alternative embodiment, the base plate22can be omitted. Such that the first and second limiting members26and28can be mounted to the bases241or to a certain portion of the guiding rods243.

In an alternative embodiment, the movable assembly24can be other linear driving mechanisms. For example, but not limited to, the movable assembly24can be a screw-nut mechanism. Such that the main rod245can be a guide screw defining an external thread. The sliding member247can be sleeved on the main rod245and can mesh with the external thread, enabling the main rod245to move the sliding member247along the axis of the guiding rods243.

In another example, the movable assembly24can be an ordinary cylinder that can reciprocate, the ordinary cylinder can include a driving end configured to couple to and drive an external mechanism. Such that the ordinary cylinder can be mounted to the base plate22. The sliding member247can be coupled to the driving end of the ordinary cylinder, enabling the ordinary cylinder to move the sliding member247along the axis of the guiding rods243.

In alternative embodiments, the rotating assembly46can be other rotary driving mechanisms. For example, but not limited to, the rotating assembly46can be a decelerator driven by a rotary motor. The picking assembly48can be coupled to the decelerator, enabling the decelerator to drive the picking assembly48to rotate to a certain angle.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference to particular embodiments, the description is illustrative of the disclosure and is not to be construed as limiting the disclosure. Therefore, those of ordinary skill in the art can make various modifications to the embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure, as defined by the appended claims.