Detection device

A detection device includes a frame, a transport mechanism, detection mechanisms, and a grasping mechanism. The transport mechanism includes a feeding line, a first flow line, and a second flow line arranged in parallel on the frame. The detection mechanisms are arranged on the frame and located on two sides of the transport mechanism. The grasping mechanism is arranged on the frame and used to transport workpieces on the feeding line to the detection mechanisms, transport qualified workpieces to the first flow line, and transport unqualified workpieces to the second flow line.

FIELD

The subject matter herein generally relates to a detection device for inspecting workpieces.

BACKGROUND

Generally, each workpiece in a factory needs to be tested before being sent to a next station for assembly. However, the workpieces are usually inspected manually, which processes may not be efficient and may be labor intensive

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIG.1, a detection device100includes a frame10, a transport mechanism20, a plurality of detection mechanisms30, and a grasping mechanism40. The transport mechanism20includes a feeding line21, a first flow line22, and a second flow line23arranged in parallel on the frame10. The plurality of detection mechanisms30is provided on the frame10and located on two sides of the transport mechanism20. The grasping mechanism40is provided on the frame10and used for transporting workpieces on the feeding line21to the plurality of detection mechanisms30, transporting qualified workpieces to the first flow line22, and transporting unqualified workpieces to the second flow line23.

In one embodiment, there are two detection mechanisms30symmetrically arranged on two sides of the transport mechanism20, respectively. There is one grasping mechanism40located above the two detection mechanisms30and the transport mechanism20and used for grasping the workpiece on the feeding line21and transporting the workpiece to the detection mechanisms30, and then grasping and transporting the qualified workpiece to the first flow line22to be transported to a next station or grasping and transporting the unqualified workpiece to the second flow line23to be returned back to a starting point for repair.

In another embodiment, in order to inspect multiple workpieces at the same time, a plurality of detection mechanisms30and a plurality of grasping mechanisms40are provided. The plurality of detection mechanisms30are symmetrically arranged on two sides of the transport mechanism20, and the plurality of grasping mechanisms40are arranged side-by-side on the detection mechanisms30and the transport mechanism20, and each of the grasping mechanisms40is located on each group of detection mechanisms30. When multiple workpieces need to be inspected at the same time, multiple workpieces are placed on the feeding line21, and the plurality of grasping mechanisms40grabs the workpieces and transports the workpieces to the corresponding inspection mechanism30, and the qualified or unqualified workpieces are transported to the first flow line22or the second flow line23to improve efficiency.

Referring toFIG.1, the frame10is used to support the transport mechanism20, the detection mechanisms30, and the grabbing mechanism40.

Referring toFIG.2, in order to ensure the accuracy of the placement position of the workpiece, the feeding line21includes a primary feeding assembly211and a plurality of secondary feeding assemblies212. The primary feeding assembly211is fixed on the frame10. The plurality of secondary feeding assemblies212is sequentially arranged on the frame10. One end of the secondary feeding assembly212adjacent to the primary feeding assembly211is coupled to the primary feeding assembly211. Each of the secondary feeding assemblies212is provided with a stopping assembly213for stopping the workpiece at a designated position. In one embodiment, there are four secondary feeding assemblies212. In other embodiments, the number of secondary feeding assemblies212depends on the length of the feeding line21and the number of detection mechanisms30.

Referring toFIG.3, in order to facilitate placing the workpiece in a designated position, the primary feeding assembly211includes a mounting member2111, a limiting member2112, a first motor2113, a first conveying member2114, and a positioning member2115. The mounting member2111is fixed to the frame10. The limiting member2112is fixed to the mounting member2111. The first motor2113is fixed to the mounting member2111. The first conveying member2114is coupled to the first motor2113. The positioning member2115is rotationally arranged on the mounting member2111and provided with a feeding slot21152. The workpiece is passed through the feeding slot21152onto the first conveying member2114.

The mounting member2111is used for carrying the limiting member2112, the first motor2113, and the positioning member2115. In one embodiment, the mounting member2111is substantially a long bar. In other embodiments, the mounting member2111may be other structures.

Further, in order to facilitate the installation of the positioning member2115, the mounting member2111is provided with an insertion hole21111. The positioning member2115is disposed in the insertion hole21111and is rotationally coupled to the mounting member2111. It can be understood that the fixing manner of the positioning member2115and the mounting member2111is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the positioning member2115and the mounting member2111may be hinge-coupled.

In order to prevent the workpiece from falling due to the reversal of the first conveying member2114, the limiting member2112is fixed on the mounting member2111and located at the end of the first conveying member2114. In one embodiment, the limiting member2112is a structure with two substantially perpendicular plates. It can be understood that the type of the limiting member2112is not limited to this, as in other embodiments, the limiting member2112may be a sheet-shaped stop plate or the like.

In order to prevent the workpiece from shaking on the secondary feeding assembly212during placement of the workpiece, the first conveying member2114is docked with the primary feeding assembly211. It can be understood that the first conveying member2114may be a conveyor belt, but any mechanism that can convey the workpieces can be utilized.

In order to facilitate the installation of the positioning member2115and the mounting member2111, the positioning member2115is provided with a rotating shaft21151, and the rotating shaft21151is inserted into the insertion hole21111. For placing the workpiece, the positioning member2115is rotated along the rotating shaft21151to be parallel to the first conveying member2114, and the workpiece is placed on the first conveying member2114through the feeding slot21152to ensure accurate positioning of the workpiece.

A shape of the feeding slot21152matches a shape of the workpiece.

Referring toFIG.2, in order to ensure smooth transportation of the workpiece, the secondary feeding assembly212includes a second motor2121, a first rotating wheel2122, a second rotating wheel2123and a second conveying member2124. The second motor2121is fixed on the frame10. Transmission shafts of the first rotating wheel2122and the second rotating wheel2123are fixed on the frame10. The first rotating wheel2122is coupled to an output shaft of the second motor2121. The second conveying member2124is sleeved on the first rotating wheel2122and the second rotating wheel2123. The second motor2121drives the first rotating wheel2122and the second rotating wheel2123to rotate, so as to convey the second conveying member2124and the workpiece provided on the second conveying member2124. In one embodiment, there are two groups of the secondary feeding assemblies212. The two groups of secondary feeding assemblies212are arranged side-by-side, and there is a gap between the two groups of secondary feeding assemblies212. In other embodiments, the number of the secondary feeding assemblies212is not limited to two. In other embodiments, there is only one secondary feeding assembly212, and the secondary feeding assembly212is docked with the primary feeding assembly211.

Referring toFIG.4, in order to ensure the accuracy of positioning the workpiece and prevent the workpiece from sliding on the second conveying member2124, the stopping assembly213is arranged in the gap between the two secondary feeding assemblies212and used for holding the workpiece in a designated position without being affected by the secondary feeding assemblies212.

Specifically, the stopping assembly213includes a fixed block2131, a stopping cylinder2132, a holding member2133, and a first sensor2134. The fixed block2131is fixed on the frame10, the stopping cylinder2132is fixed on the fixed block2131, the holding member2133is arranged at an output end of the stopping cylinder2132, and the first sensor2134is arranged on an end surface of the stopping cylinder2132facing the workpiece. Before the grasping mechanism40grasps the workpiece, an electrical control system controls operation of the stopping cylinder2132, thereby driving the holding member2133to extend upward to stop the workpiece in the gap between the two secondary feeding assemblies212.

In one embodiment, the fixed block2131is substantially an “L”-shaped plate. In other embodiments, the fixed block2131is a prism plate or other structure.

In order to prevent the workpiece from shaking and causing the problem of low grasping accuracy when grasping the workpiece, the holding member2133is provided with a positioning structure (not shown). When the grasping mechanism40grasps the workpiece, the positioning structure abuts against a lower end of the workpiece to offset a vertical downward force exerted by the grasping mechanism40on the workpiece, thereby improving the accuracy of the workpiece position. In one embodiment, the positioning structure is a cylindrical rod. It can be understood that the type of the positioning structure is not limited to this, as in other embodiments, the positioning structure is a prismatic rod or the like.

In order to prevent the grasped workpiece from being missed, the first sensor2134is provided on one end surface of the stopping cylinder2132facing the workpiece. When the workpiece is transported to the secondary feeding assembly212, the first sensor2134senses a proximity of the workpiece and sends feedback to the electrical control system. The electrical control system controls the operation of the stopping cylinder2132, and the stopping cylinder2132drives the holding member2133to fix the position of the workpiece.

Referring toFIG.5, the first flow line22is used to transport the qualified workpiece to a next station for assembly. Specifically, the first flow line22includes a third conveying member221, a third motor222, and a second sensor223. The third conveying member221is provided on the frame10, the third motor222is provided on the third conveying member221, and the second sensor223is provided on two opposite sides of the third conveying member221. After the workpiece is qualified, the grasping mechanism40grasps and places the qualified workpiece on the first flow line22. The second flow line23transports the qualified workpiece to the next station, and the second sensor223detects the qualified workpiece and transmits detection information of the qualified workpiece to a recording device for recording.

In one embodiment, the third conveying member221is a conveyor belt. It should be noted that the type of the third conveying member221is not limited to what is disclosed herein, and any structure or equipment that can transport the workpiece is acceptable.

In one embodiment, there are three sets of the second sensor223, and each set of the second sensor223is arranged on opposite sides of the third conveying member221. It can be understood that the number of the second sensor223is not limited to this, and the specific number is determined according to the length of the third conveying member221.

Referring toFIG.6, the second flow line23is used to transport the unqualified workpieces back to the feeding line21. Specifically, the second flow line23includes a fourth conveying member231, a fourth motor232, a third sensor233, and a stopping member234. The fourth conveying member231is provided on the frame10, the fourth motor232is provided on the fourth conveying member231, the third sensor233is provided on two sides of the fourth conveying member231, and the stopping member234is provided at one end of the fourth conveying member231adjacent to the primary feeding assembly211. After the workpiece is unqualified, the grasping mechanism40grasps and places the unqualified workpiece onto the second flow line23. The second flow line23transports the workpiece to the stopping member234.

In one embodiment, the fourth conveying member231is a conveyor belt. It should be noted that the type of the fourth conveying member231is not limited to this, and any structure or equipment that can transport the workpiece is acceptable.

In one embodiment, there are three groups of the third sensor233, and each group of the third sensor233is arranged on two sides of the fourth conveying member231. It can be understood that the number of the third sensor233is not limited to this, and the specific number is determined according to the length of the fourth conveying member231.

Referring toFIG.7, in order to carry and detect the workpiece, the detection mechanism30includes a driving motor31, a driving plate32, a carrying unit33, two pressing units34, and a clamping unit35(shown inFIG.8). The driving plate32is coupled to the driving motor31. The carrying unit33is fixed on the driving plate32. The two pressing units34are symmetrically arranged on two sides of the carrying unit33, and the two pressing units34can be movably coupled to the driving plate32. The clamping unit35is provided in the driving plate32and the carrying unit33and used for clamping the workpiece placed on the carrying unit33.

The driving plate32is used to carry the carrying unit33, the pressing units34, and the clamping unit35and drive the pressing units34to compress the carrying unit33.

In order to drive the clamping unit35to move, the driving plate32is provided with a transmission groove321. When the driving motor31drives the clamping unit35to move, one end of the clamping unit35extends into the transmission groove321, and the driving motor31drives the driving plate32to move, so that the clamping unit35moves along the transmission groove321.

Referring toFIGS.8and9, in order to fix the workpiece on the detection mechanism30, the carrying unit33includes a base331and a fixing member332. The base331is fixed on the detection mechanism30. The fixing member332is stacked on the base331, the workpiece is arranged on the fixing member332, and the clamping unit35is arranged between the base331and the fixing member332.

In order to facilitate the placement of the workpiece, a shape of the fixing member332is similar to a shape of the workpiece. In one embodiment, the shape of the fixing member332is rectangular.

Referring toFIG.7,FIG.8, andFIG.9, each pressing unit34includes a cam341, a connecting member342, and a pressing member343. The cam341is movably received in the transmission groove321. The connecting member342is coupled to the cam341. The pressing member343is arranged on the connecting member342and used for pressing the workpiece on the carrying unit33.

In order to ensure the stability of operation of the pressing unit34, a width of the cam341is substantially equal to a width of the transmission groove321. When the pressing unit34moves, the cam341abuts against an inner wall of the transmission groove321to prevent the pressing unit34from shaking during movement.

In one embodiment, the connecting member342is a frame structure, and two ends of the connecting member342are respectively coupled to the cam341and the pressing member343. In other embodiments, the connecting member342is a plate structure.

In one embodiment, when the pressing unit34presses the workpiece, the pressing member343extends and presses the workpiece on the base331.

Referring toFIG.8andFIG.9, in order to increase a stability of connection between the workpiece and the detection mechanism30, the clamping unit35includes a clamping motor351, a clamping plate352, a transmission rod353, a connecting rod assembly354, and a clamping assembly355. The clamping motor351is arranged on the driving plate32. The clamping plate352is coupled to the clamping motor351. The transmission rod353is arranged on the carrying unit33. The connecting rod assembly354includes a first connecting rod3541and a second connecting rod3542. The first connecting rod3541and the second connecting rod3542are hinge-coupled to the transmission rod353, and the first connecting rod3541and the second connecting rod3542are respectively symmetrically arranged on two sides of the transmission rod353. The clamping assembly355includes a first transmission block3551hinge-coupled to the first connecting rod3541, a second transmission block3552hinge-coupled to the second connecting rod3542, and a clamping member3553arranged on the first transmission block3551and the second transmission block3552.

In order to transmit a driving force of the clamping motor351to the transmission rod353, the clamping plate352is provided between the clamping motor351and the transmission rod353. In one embodiment, the clamping plate352has a substantially “Z”-shaped cross-sectional structure. It can be understood that the shape of the clamping plate352is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the clamping plate352may be “L”-shaped.

One end of the transmission rod353is coupled to the clamping plate352, and another end of the transmission rod353is hinge-coupled to the connecting rod assembly354to transmit power from the clamping motor351to the connecting rod assembly354and the clamping assembly355to clamp the workpiece on the fixing member332.

In order to transmit the power from the clamping motor351to the clamping assembly355, two ends of the first connecting rod3541are respectively hinge-coupled to the transmission rod353and the first transmission block3551, and two ends of the second connecting rod3542are respectively hinge-coupled to the transmission rod353and the second transmission block3552. When the clamping assembly355clamps the workpiece, the clamping motor351drives the transmission rod353to move away from the clamping motor351, and the transmission rod353drives the first connecting rod3541and the second connecting rod3542to draw the clamping member3553inward to clamp the workpiece on the fixing member332.

In order to reduce a volume of the carrying unit33, the transmission rod353and the connecting rod assembly354are arranged between the first transmission block3551and the second transmission block3552, so that when the workpiece is placed on the fixing member332, the clamping member3553clamps the workpiece from both ends.

The first transmission block3551and the second transmission block3552are symmetrically arranged on the base331so as to drive the clamping member3553under the action of the first connecting rod3541and the second connecting rod3542to clamp the workpiece on the fixing member332. In one embodiment, the first transmission block3551and the second transmission block3552are elongated block plates. It can be understood that the shapes of the first transmission block3551and the second transmission block3552are not limited to this, and any structure that can connect the first connecting rod3541and the second connecting rod3542is acceptable.

In one embodiment, there are four clamping members3553, and the four clamping members3553are respectively fixed at four corners of the fixing member332, and the four clamping members3553are fixed to the first transmission block3551and the second transmission block3552. It is understandable that the number and positions of the clamping members3553are not limited to this. In other embodiments, there may be two clamping blocks3553.

Referring toFIG.10, the grasping mechanism40includes at least one first movement unit41, at least one second movement unit42, and at least one grasping unit43(shown inFIG.11). The first movement unit41is fixed on the frame10. The second movement unit42is arranged on the first movement unit41. The grasping unit43is arranged on the second movement unit42. The second movement unit42can drive the grasping unit43to move toward or away from the carrying unit33.

In order to enable the grasping unit43to move between the two detection mechanisms30, the first movement unit41includes a first movement motor411and a transmission shaft412. The first movement motor411is coupled to the transmission shaft412, and the second movement unit42is arranged on the transmission shaft412.

Referring toFIG.11, in order to move the grasping unit43toward or away from the detection mechanism30, the second movement unit42includes a moving member421, a fixing plate422, a second movement motor423, a third rotating wheel424, a fourth rotating wheel425, a fifth conveying member426, a guide rail427, a screw428, and a sliding block429. The moving member421is arranged on the first movement unit41. An end of the moving member421is sleeved on the transmission shaft412. The fixing plate422is fixed on the moving member421. The second movement motor423is fixed on the fixing plate422. The third rotating wheel424is coupled to an output shaft of the second movement motor423. The fourth rotating wheel425is coupled to the screw428. The fifth conveying member426is sleeved on the third rotating wheel424and the fourth rotating wheel425. The guide rail427is fixed on the fixing plate422. The screw428is located in the guide rail427. The sliding block429is slidably arranged on the guide rail427, and the sliding block429is sleeved on the screw428.

In one embodiment, the moving member421is a hollow rectangular frame. In other embodiments, the moving member421may be a sheet-like plate or other structure.

In one embodiment, the fifth conveying member426is a conveyor belt. It can be understood that the fifth conveying member426is not limited to this, and any structure or device that can connect the second movement motor423and the screw428and drive the screw428to rotate can be used.

Referring toFIG.10, in order to facilitate grasping the workpiece, the grasping unit43includes a connecting plate431, a first grasping component432and a second grasping component433. The connecting plate431is fixed on the sliding block429, and the first grasping component432and the second grasping component433are respectively symmetrically arranged on two sides of the connecting plate431.

In one embodiment, the connecting plate431is substantially a “U”-shaped structure. In other embodiments, the connecting plate431may be a hollow rectangular structure.

The first grasping component432includes a first grasping cylinder4321and a first suction claw4322. The first grasping cylinder4321is fixed on the connecting plate431, and the first suction claw4322is provided at an output end of the first grasping cylinder4321and is driven by the first grasping cylinder4321to move toward or away from the detection mechanism30.

In order to grasp two workpieces at the same time to improve efficiency, the second grasping component433includes a second grasping cylinder4331and a second suction claw4332. The second grasping cylinder4331is arranged on the connecting plate431. The second grasping cylinder4331is arranged directly opposite to the first grasping cylinder4321. The second suction claw4332is arranged on an output end of the second grasping cylinder4331. When the grasping unit43grasps the workpiece, the first grasping component432is used to transfer the workpiece from the feeding line21to the plurality of detection mechanisms30, and the second grasping component433is used to transfer the qualified or unqualified workpiece to the first flow line22or the second flow line23, respectively.

In use, the workpiece to be detected is placed on the first conveying member2114through the feeding slot21152. At this time, the first motor2113drives the first conveying member2114to convey the workpiece. The workpiece is transported to the second conveying member2124. The workpiece is transported on the second conveying member2124until the first sensor2134senses the workpiece and controls the stopping cylinder2132to drive the holding member2133to extend between the two secondary feeding assemblies212. The holding member2133abuts on the workpiece to hold the workpiece.

After receiving the signal from the electrical control system, the first movement motor411drives the transmission shaft412to rotate, and the transmission shaft412drives the second movement unit42to move to above the workpiece to be detected. At this time, the second movement motor423drives the third rotating wheel424and the fourth rotating wheel425to rotate, thereby driving the fifth conveying member426to convey on the third rotating wheel424and the fourth rotating wheel425. The third rotating wheel424drives the screw428to rotate, and the sliding block429moves on the guide rail427and the screw428in a direction toward the detection mechanism30to transport the grasping unit43to a designated position.

The electrical control system controls the first grasping cylinder4321to extend and drive the first suction claw4322to move toward the workpiece to suck the workpiece. After the workpiece is sucked, the first grasping cylinder4321contracts and is driven by the first movement motor411to move along the transmission shaft412to the detection mechanism30. At this time, the first grasping cylinder4321drives the first suction claw4322to move to a designated position. Then, the first suction claw4322is turned off, and the workpiece is placed on the fixing member332.

The driving motor31drives the driving plate32to move. The cam341is received in the transmission groove321and is driven by the driving plate32to move toward the workpiece. The cam341drives the pressing member343to move toward the workpiece until the workpiece is pressed. At this time, the clamping motor351drives the transmission rod353to move away from the clamping motor351between the first transmission block3551and the second transmission block3552and drive the first connecting rod3541and the second connecting rod3542to move. The first connecting rod3541and the second connecting rod3542drive the first transmission block3551and the second transmission block3552to move toward the workpiece until the clamping member3553located on the first transmission block3551and the second transmission block3551clamps the workpiece.

Then, the second movement unit42moves along the transmission shaft412to the feeding line21again, and the first suction claw4322sucks the workpiece again. The second grasping component433moves on the transmission shaft412and the screw428to the fixing member332, and the second grasping cylinder4331drives the second suction claw4332to extend and grasp the inspected workpiece. At this time, the first suction claw4322puts the sucked workpiece to be inspected on the fixing member332, and the detection mechanism30clamps the workpiece to be inspected. The first suction claw4322transfers the qualified workpiece to the first flow line22to flow into the next station for assembly. The first suction claw4322transfers the unqualified workpiece to the second flow line23to return to the primary feeding assembly211.

The detection device100provided above divides the transport mechanism20into the feeding line21, the first flow line22, and the second flow line23. The workpieces to be inspected are grasped from the feeding line21and placed on the inspection mechanism30. The qualified workpiece is grasped and placed onto the first flow line22to flow into the next station for assembly. The unqualified workpiece is grasped and placed onto the second flow line23to be transported back to the starting point. Therefore, automatic grasping and inspection of the workpieces is realized, thereby reducing labor costs and improving efficiency.