TWI906068B - Automatic transmission device - Google Patents

Abstract

An automatic transmission device is adapted for a teeth-rolling machine with a teeth-rolling channel, and includes a transmission mechanism, a guide mechanism, and a spring mechanism mounted on the teeth-rolling machine. The transmission mechanism is reciprocating and includes a first abutment surface. The guide mechanism includes a second abutment surface detachably abutting against the first abutment surface and moves between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the guide mechanism is located in the teeth-rolling channel. In the second position, the guide mechanism moves away from the teeth-rolling channel. The spring mechanism is connected to the guide mechanism and provides a spring force for the guide mechanism to move toward the first position. By using the first abutment surface abutting against the second abutment surface, the transmission mechanism can maintain operation when the guide mechanism is stuck and cannot move backward, avoiding damage to the transmission mechanism and drive mechanism due to jamming, and effectively reducing maintenance costs.

Description

Automatic transmission device

This invention relates to a transmission device, and more particularly to an automatic transmission device for a dental floss machine.

In order to avoid multiple preforms entering the tooth-rolling area at the same time, current tooth-rolling machines usually have a transmission device installed in front of the tooth-rolling area to guide the preforms one by one into the tooth-rolling area.

However, because the components in current transmission devices are either fixed or rotatably connected to each other, damage to the entire transmission device can easily occur if the preform gets stuck in the movement path of the transmission device.

Therefore, the purpose of this invention is to provide an automatic transmission device that overcomes at least one of the shortcomings of the prior art.

Therefore, the automatic transmission device of the present invention is applicable to a thread rolling machine having a thread rolling channel for multiple preforms to be arranged in rows and moved forward in sequence. The automatic transmission device includes a transmission mechanism, a guide mechanism, and a spring mechanism.

The transmission mechanism is adapted to be installed on the thread rolling machine and is capable of reciprocating motion in a first direction. The transmission mechanism includes a first abutment surface.

The guiding mechanism is adapted to be disposed on the thread rolling machine and includes a second abutting surface abutting against the first abutting surface. The guiding mechanism is movable relative to the thread rolling channel along the first direction between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the guiding mechanism is located in the thread rolling channel and can block movement of the preform. In the second position, the guiding mechanism is moved away from the thread rolling channel.

The elastic mechanism is elastically connected to the guiding mechanism and provides the guiding mechanism with a constant elastic force that moves toward the first position.

The advantage of this invention is that the first abutting surface of the transmission mechanism can detachably abut against the second abutting surface of the guide mechanism without being fixedly or rotatably connected. When the guide mechanism is stuck and cannot move backward, the transmission mechanism can maintain normal reciprocating motion by separating from the guide mechanism. This avoids the situation where the transmission mechanism and the drive mechanism are also stuck and cannot operate, thus preventing damage. It helps the machine to quickly return to normal operation and reduces the cost of repairs.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, an embodiment of the automatic transmission device 10 of the present invention is applicable to a thread rolling machine 9. The thread rolling machine 9 includes a base 91, a drive mechanism 92 disposed on the base 91, and a thread rolling channel 93 disposed on the machine body and extending along a longitudinal direction L. The drive mechanism 92 is rotatable about its axis 921. The thread rolling channel 93 has a channel area 931 and a thread rolling area 932 connected to the channel area 931 and used for thread rolling. The thread rolling channel 93 allows multiple preforms 94 to be arranged in a row and moved forward sequentially. The automatic transmission device 10 is disposed in the thread rolling channel 93 and can guide the preforms 94 one after another into the thread rolling area 932 to avoid multiple preforms 94 entering the thread rolling area 932 simultaneously.

The automatic transmission device 10 includes a drive mechanism 1 connected to the drive mechanism 92, a transmission mechanism 2 connected to the drive mechanism 1, a guide mechanism 3 disposed on the base 91, and an elastic mechanism 4 elastically connected to the guide mechanism 3.

Referring to Figures 2 to 4, the driving mechanism 1 includes an eccentric wheel 11 that can be driven to rotate by the driving mechanism 92, a rocker arm 12 hinged to the eccentric wheel 11, a shaft 13 rotatably connected to the rocker arm 12, and a connecting member 14 extending laterally from the shaft 13. The center of the eccentric wheel 11 is radially spaced from the axis 921 of the driving mechanism 92. The rocker arm 12 includes a hinge portion 121 hinged to the eccentric wheel 11 in the vertical direction, an arm portion 122 extending from the hinge portion 121 toward the shaft 13, and a universal joint portion 123 connecting the arm portion 122 and the top side of the shaft 13. Using the design of the hinge 121, the rocker arm 12 can rotate horizontally relative to the eccentric wheel 11. The universal joint 123 allows the rocker arm 12 to swing up and down relative to the cylinder 13 and rotate around its own axis extending up and down around the universal joint 123. The connector 14 forms an elongated slot 141 extending in the horizontal plane.

In this way, when the eccentric wheel 11 is driven to rotate, the rocker arm 12 can drive the cylinder 13 to rotate along its own axis, so that the elongated slot 141 rotates around the axis of the cylinder 13 on the horizontal plane along arrow A.

Referring to Figures 2, 4 to 6, the transmission mechanism 2 can be installed on the bottom side of the base 91 and includes a linkage assembly 21 connected to the connector 14 and extending back and forth in a first direction X1, and a first abutment assembly 22 fixedly connected to the linkage assembly 21.

The linkage assembly 21 includes a link 211 clamping the connector 14, and a limiting member 212 passing through the link 211 and the elongated slot 141. The limiting member 212 is horizontally movable within the elongated slot 141. The link 211 is swayable relative to the limiting member 212 on a horizontal plane. The extension direction of the elongated slot 141 horizontally intersects the first direction X1. The first abutment assembly 22 includes a sleeve block 221 fitted onto the other end of the link 211 away from the connector 14, and a first abutment block 222 protruding rearward from the top side of the sleeve block 221. The first abutment block 222 includes a rearward-facing first abutment surface 223. In this way, the linkage 21 can be driven by the drive mechanism 1 to reciprocate back and forth in the first direction X1.

The guide mechanism 3 is movable back and forth on the base 91 in the first direction X1, and includes a guide block 31 resting against the tooth-rolling machine 9, a guide plate 32 fixedly connected to the front side of the guide block 31, a second abutting group 33 fixedly installed on the bottom side of the guide block 31 and including a second abutting surface 334, and a cover plate 34 covering the right side of the guide block 31.

The guide block 31 is made of aluminum alloy and includes two groove surfaces 311 spaced vertically from each other. Each groove surface 311 includes a bottom portion 312 and a peripheral portion 313 extending rearward from the bottom portion 312 along the first direction X1. In each groove surface 311, the bottom portion 312 and the peripheral portion 313 together define a receiving groove 314 extending along the first direction X1, the receiving groove 314 having a rearward opening 315. The second abutment assembly 33 includes a fixing block 331 fixedly mounted on the bottom side of the guide block 31, an abutment rod 332 spaced below the fixing block 331, and a fastener 333 fixedly connected to the rear side of the fixing block 331 and the rear side of the abutment rod 332. The abutment bar 332 includes a second abutment surface 334 that is located on the front side and can be detachably abutted against the first abutment surface 223.

Referring to Figures 2, 6, and 7, the guide mechanism 3 can move back and forth between a first position (as shown in Figure 7) and a second position (as shown in Figure 6) relative to the tooth-rolling channel 93 along the first direction X1. In the first position, the guide plate 32 of the guide mechanism 3 is located in the tooth-rolling channel 93 and can block the preform 94 from moving towards the tooth-rolling area 932. In the second position, the guide mechanism 3 moves backward away from the tooth-rolling channel 93.

Referring to Figures 2, 5, and 6, the elastic mechanism 4 includes an elastic support assembly 41 located behind the guide block 31 and two elastic members 42 respectively located in the receiving groove 314. The elastic support assembly 41 includes a support block 411 located behind the guide block 31 and fixedly disposed on the base 91, and two auxiliary limiting members 412 spaced apart vertically. Each of the auxiliary limiting members 412 extends forward from the support block 411 toward the tooth-rolling channel 93 and respectively extends into the elastic member 42. Each of the elastic elements 42 is elastically supported between the bottom surface 312 of its respective groove surface 311 and the front side of the elastic support block 411. In this embodiment, each of the elastic elements 42 is a compression spring, and each of the auxiliary limiting elements 412 may be a bolt or screw. Therefore, the elastic mechanism 4 is elastically connected to the guide mechanism 3 and provides the guide mechanism 3 with a constant elastic force toward the first position.

In some embodiments, the number of grooves 311 may be one, the number of receiving grooves 314 may also be one, and the number of elastic members 42 may also be one.

Referring to Figures 2 to 4, when the automatic transmission device 10 is used, the eccentric wheel 11 of the driving mechanism 1 rotates around the axis 921 of the driving mechanism 92 due to the operation of the driving mechanism 92, driving the rocker arm 12 to reciprocate back and forth in a second direction X2 intersecting the first direction X1, thereby pushing the cylinder 13 to rotate, so that the connecting member 14 is linked with the cylinder 13 and rotates around the axis of the cylinder 13. When the connecting member 14 rotates, the rotation of the elongated slot 141 is composed of a moving component in the first direction X1 and a moving component perpendicular to and transverse to the first direction X1. By utilizing the design of the limiting member 212, which can move within the elongated slot 141, the movable component in the first direction X1 is retained, thereby driving the linkage assembly 21 to reciprocate in the first direction X1. The second direction X2 can be in the same direction as the longitudinal direction L.

Referring to Figures 2, 4, and 6, the second abutting surface 334 of the guide mechanism 3 abuts against the first abutting surface 223 of the transmission mechanism 2. Therefore, when the transmission mechanism 2 moves backward, it can push against the second abutting group 33, causing the guide mechanism 3 to move backward as a whole. The guide plate 32 moves away from the tooth-rolling channel 93 along the first direction X1, so the guide mechanism 3 is in the second position (as shown in Figure 6). At this time, the elastic mechanism 4 accumulates elastic force. Referring to Figures 2 and 7, when the transmission mechanism 2 moves forward, the elastic force of the elastic mechanism 4 causes the guide plate 32 to move forward and be positioned in the tooth-rolling channel 93. The guide mechanism 3 is positioned in the first position (as shown in Figure 7), and the second abutment surface 334 continuously abuts against the first abutment surface 223. Therefore, through the design of the transmission mechanism 2 being driven by the drive mechanism 1 to move back and forth, and the elastic force provided by the elastic mechanism 4, the guide plate 32 of the guide mechanism 3 also continuously moves back and forth in the first direction X1, thereby controlling the preforms 94 to enter the tooth-rolling area 932 one after another.

Referring to Figures 2, 6, and 7, it should be noted that since the first abutment surface 223 of the transmission mechanism 2 and the second abutment surface 334 of the guide mechanism 3 move backward in the same direction by abutting each other when the transmission mechanism 2 moves backward, and move forward in the same direction by abutting each other by abutting each other when the elastic mechanism 4 moves forward, the first abutment surface and the second abutment surface 334 do not need to be connected to each other. They can simply abut each other detachably to complete the reciprocating movement of the guide plate 32. Therefore, when the guide mechanism 3 moves forward to the first position, if the preform 94 detaches from the thread rolling channel 93 or is misaligned and jams the guide plate 32, preventing the guide mechanism 3 from moving backward, the transmission mechanism 2 can disengage from the second abutment surface 334 and continue to reciprocate in the first direction X1, unaffected by the guide mechanism 3's inability to move. Thus, the drive mechanism 1 and the drive mechanism 92 of the thread rolling machine 9 can also maintain normal operation and avoid damage.

Furthermore, at least the guide block 31 of the guide mechanism 3 can be primarily made of lightweight aluminum alloy. In some embodiments, the guide block 31, the guide plate 32, the fixing block 331, and the fastener 333 can all be made of aluminum alloy. In this way, the guide mechanism 3 can be more easily pushed and driven by the transmission mechanism 2 and the elastic mechanism 4, which helps to improve the movement speed of the guide mechanism 3 and improve the overall performance of the thread rolling machine 9.

In summary, the automatic transmission device 10 of this invention utilizes the thrust of the transmission mechanism 2 and the elasticity of the elastic mechanism 4 to enable the guide mechanism 3 to reciprocate between the first and second positions, which is highly innovative. By utilizing the fact that the first abutment surface 223 of the transmission mechanism 2 can detachably abut against the second abutment surface 334 of the guide mechanism 3, the transmission mechanism 2 can maintain normal reciprocating motion even when the guide mechanism 3 is stuck in the first position and cannot move backward. This avoids the situation where the transmission mechanism 2 and the drive mechanism 1 become stuck and unable to operate, leading to malfunction, or even damage to the drive mechanism 92. Furthermore, the guide block 31 is mainly made of aluminum alloy, which makes the guide mechanism 3 lightweight and improves the overall operating efficiency of the tooth rolling machine 9, thus achieving the purpose of this invention.

However, the above description is merely an example of the present invention and should not be used to limit the scope of the present invention. Any simple equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the scope of the patent application and the contents of the patent specification shall still fall within the scope of the present invention.

10: Automatic transmission device 1: Drive mechanism 11: Eccentric wheel 12: Rocker arm 121: Linkage part 122: Arm part 123: Universal joint part 13: Shaft 14: Connecting part 141: Long slot 2: Transmission mechanism 21: Linkage assembly 211: Linkage 212: Limiting part 22: First abutment assembly 221: Sleeve block 222: First abutment block 223: First abutment surface 3: Guide mechanism 31: Guide block 311: Groove surface 312: Groove bottom surface 313: Groove circumferential surface 314: Receiving groove 315: Opening 32: Guide plate 33: Second abutment assembly 331: Fixed block 332: Abutment rod 333: Fixed component; 334: Second abutment surface; 34: Cover plate; 4: Elastic mechanism; 41: Elastic support assembly; 411: Support block; 412: Auxiliary limiting component; 42: Elastic component; 9: Thread rolling machine; 91: Machine base; 92: Drive mechanism; 921: Shaft; 93: Thread rolling channel; 931: Channel area; 932: Thread rolling area; 94: Preform; L: Longitudinal direction; A: Arrow; X1: First direction; X2: Second direction

Other features and effects of the present invention will be clearly shown in the embodiments with reference to the drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the automatic transmission device of the present invention, applicable to a thread rolling machine; Figure 2 is a top view illustrating the embodiment applicable to the thread rolling machine and a plurality of preforms; Figure 3 is a side view illustrating the embodiment; Figure 4 is a top view illustrating the embodiment; Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the embodiment; Figure 6 is a perspective view illustrating a guide mechanism of the embodiment located in a second position; and Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 illustrating the guide mechanism of the embodiment located in a first position.

10: Automatic transmission device

1: Drive mechanism

11: Eccentric Wheel

12: Wagging arm

121: Linkage Section

122: Arms

123: Universal Joint

13: Shaft

14: Connectors

2: Transmission Mechanism

21: Linkages

211: Linkage

212: Limiting component

22: First Responding Group

221: Socket Block

222: First Block

223: First Contact Surface

3: Guidance Mechanism

31: Guide Block

311: Groove surface

312: The bottom surface of the trough

313: Groove perimeter face

314: Container

315: Opening

32: Guide Plate

33: Second Responding Group

331: Fixed Block

332: Support post

333: Fasteners

334: Second Support Surface

4: Elastic Mechanism

41: Elastic Support Set

411: Support Block

412: Auxiliary limiting component

42: Elastic component

94: Preform

X1: First direction

Claims (9)

An automatic transmission device is adapted for a thread rolling machine having a thread rolling channel for arranging a plurality of preforms in rows and moving forward sequentially. The automatic transmission device comprises: a transmission mechanism adapted to be mounted on the thread rolling machine and capable of reciprocating back and forth in a first direction, the transmission mechanism including a first abutment surface; a guide mechanism adapted to be disposed on the thread rolling machine and including a second abutment surface detachably abutting against the first abutment surface, the guide mechanism being movable relative to the thread rolling channel along the first direction between the first position and the second position, wherein in the first position the guide mechanism is located in the thread rolling channel and can block movement of the preforms, and in the second position the guide mechanism is moved away from the thread rolling channel; and A spring mechanism is elastically connected to the guiding mechanism and provides the guiding mechanism with a constant spring force that propels it toward the first position. The automatic transmission device as described in claim 1, wherein the transmission mechanism includes a linkage assembly that can reciprocate in the first direction, and a first abutment assembly fixedly connected to the linkage assembly and including the first abutment surface, wherein the second abutment surface of the guide mechanism can detachably abut against the first abutment surface of the transmission mechanism. The automatic transmission device as described in claim 1, wherein the guiding mechanism includes a guide block resting against the tooth-flicking machine, a guide plate fixedly connected to the front side of the guide block, and a second abutting assembly fixedly installed on the bottom side of the guide block and including the second abutting surface. The automatic transmission device as described in claim 3, wherein the guide block of the guide mechanism is made of aluminum alloy. The automatic transmission device as described in claim 3, wherein the second abutment assembly includes a fixed block fixedly mounted on the bottom side of the guide block, an abutment rod spaced apart below the fixed block and including the second abutment surface, and a fastener connecting the fixed block and the abutment rod. The automatic transmission device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the guide block of the guide mechanism includes at least one groove surface defining a receiving groove extending along the first direction, and the elastic mechanism includes an elastic support assembly located at the rear of the guide block, and at least one elastic member located in the receiving groove and elastically supporting the at least one groove surface and the elastic support assembly. The automatic transmission device as described in claim 6, wherein the guide block of the guide mechanism includes two spaced-apart groove surfaces that define the receiving grooves, and the elastic support assembly of the elastic mechanism includes a support block located behind the guide block and two auxiliary limiting members extending forward from the support block and penetrating into the elastic member. The automatic transmission device as described in claim 2, the thread rolling machine further includes a drive mechanism, the automatic transmission device further includes a drive mechanism adapted to be movably connected to the drive mechanism, the drive mechanism includes an eccentric wheel adapted to be disposed on the drive mechanism and driven to rotate, a rocker arm linked to the eccentric wheel, a cylinder rotatably connected to the rocker arm, and a connecting member extending laterally from the cylinder, the linkage assembly of the transmission mechanism being movably connected to the connecting member. The automatic transmission device as described in claim 8, wherein the connecting plate of the drive mechanism forms an elongated slot, and the linkage assembly of the transmission mechanism includes a linkage that movably clamps the connecting member, and a limiting member passing through the linkage and the elongated slot, for causing the drive mechanism to drive the transmission mechanism to reciprocate in the first direction.