Related Application

[0001] The present application is related to Chinese Patent Application No.

202123270682.2, filed Dec. 23, 2021, the entire disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

[0002] Additionally, the present application is related to Chinese Application No. 202110171163.6, filed February 8, 2021; Chinese Application No.: 202110180594.9, filed February 8, 2021; Chinese Utility Model Application No. 202120363754.9 filed February 8, 2021; Chinese Utility Model Application No.: 202120371838.7 filed February 8, 2021;

Chinese Utility Model Application Number No. 202120367781.3, filed February 8, 2021; and Chinese Utility Model Application No. 202120371730.8 filed February 8, 2021, the entire disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein.

Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to the field of performance detection devices for inflatable products, in particular to a feeding mechanism and a feeding and discharge structure for a performance detection device for an inflatable product.

Background

[0004] Common inflatable products available on the market, such as inflatable beds, inflatable tables, inflatable boats, and inflatable toys, because of their light weight, foldability, portability, great comfortableness and many other advantages, are immensely popular with consumers and widely applicable, and have become essential for use at home and while traveling, offering excellent market prospects. The airtightness of an inflatable product is a key indicator forjudging the quality of the inflatable product, and whether the airtightness is excellent directly affects a consumers experience of using the inflatable product. Therefore, most inflatable products have to pass an airtightness test, that is, an air leakage test, using a performance detection device, before being put on the market.

[0005] The feeding and discharge structure of a conventional performance detection device for an inflatable product generally uses a conveyor belt or conveying roller for conveyance, wherein, when an inflatable product enters a detection station, it is necessary to push the fully tested inflatable product in the detection station to the discharge mechanism. Therefore, in the feeding process, an inflatable product often needs to be manually pushed to a detection station which increases the amount of manual labor required.

Summary

[0006] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a feeding mechanism and a feeding and discharge structure for a performance detection device for an inflatable product that allow automatic feeding and discharging of an inflatable product is provided.

[0007] In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a feeding assembly for a performance detection device for an inflatable product is provided. The feeding assembly comprising: a feeding platform and at least one pusher assembly. The pusher assembly being arranged on the feeding platform and comprising two sliding rails arranged on the feeding platform; a sliding seat fitted on the two sliding rails; a push rod hinged with the sliding seat; a drive assembly for driving the sliding seat to slide on the sliding rails; and an elastic support member for supporting the springing up of the push rod relative to the sliding seat is arranged between the push rod and the sliding seat.

[0008] In an example thereof, the pusher assembly further comprises a pressure plate for being pressed against the push rod, the pressure plate being located at the end of a sliding rail away from a detection station and being arranged above the sliding rail; wherein when the sliding seat slides to the end of the sliding rail away from the detection station, the pressure plate is pressed against the push rod. In a variation thereof, the pressure plate is provided with a pressure wheel that is rotatably arranged on the pressure plate and is located on the side of the pressure plate facing the push rod. [0009] In another example thereof, the drive assembly comprises a motor, a chain, at least two sprockets and one tensioning wheel, the chain meshing with the tensioning wheel and the sprockets, the sprockets being arranged at both ends of the sliding rail, one of the sprockets being connected to the motor; the sliding seat is coupled to the driving assembly. [0010] In a further example thereof, the feeding assembly for a performance detection device for an inflatable product further comprises a plurality of guide apparatus, wherein one guide apparatus of the plurality of guide apparatus is arranged on each side of the feeding platform, each of the guide apparatus comprising a guide bracket and a guide wheel that is arranged on the guide bracket, the guide wheel being arranged on the inner side of the guide bracket, the inner side being the side of the guide bracket facing the feeding platform.

[0011] In yet another example thereof, a jacking wheel is connected to the elastic support member, and the jacking wheel props up the lower end of the push rod. In a variation thereof, a support plate is arranged on the push rod, and the jacking wheel props up the support plate.

[0012] In still another example thereof, the sliding seat is mounted on the sliding rail through a sliding block, the sliding seat is provided with a rotary seat, and the push rod is hinged with the rotary seat.

[0013] In yet still another example thereof, a push cylinder is mounted on the push rod. In a variation thereof, the push cylinder is one of fixed on the push rod or rotatably connected to the push rod. In a further variation thereof, the feeding platform is a roller conveying platform.

[0014] In a further exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a charging and discharge structure for a performance detection device for an inflatable product is provided. The charging and discharge structure comprising the feeding assembly according to one of the disclosed embodiments and examples, a discharge assembly, and a detection station. The feeding assembly and the discharge assembly are respectively arranged on either side of the detection station. The discharge assembly may include a power transmission platform. [0015] In an example thereof, the power transmission platform is a powered roller conveying platform or a conveyor belt conveying platform. [0016] In a further example thereof, the charging and discharge structure further comprises a plurality of guide apparatus. One guide apparatus of the plurality of guide apparatus is arranged on each side of a feeding platform of the feeding assembly and the power transmission platform of the discharge assembly. Each of the guide apparatus comprising a guide bracket and a guide wheel that is arranged on the guide bracket, the guide wheel being arranged on the inner side of the guide bracket, the inner side being the side of the guide bracket facing the respective platform.

[0017] In yet a further exemplary embodiment, a performance detection device includes a feeding platform, a detection station fed by the feeding platform, and a discharge platform. A pusher assembly is provided on the feeding platform. The pusher assembly may convey a product under test to the detection station while pushing the fully tested product in the detection station to the discharge platform, so that in the whole feeding process, feeding and discharging of an inflatable product is performed automatically, without the need for any additional manual operations.

[0018] Additional features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiment exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presently perceived.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] The foregoing aspects and many of the intended advantages of this disclosure will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0020] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a feeding and discharge structure of an exemplary embodiment of a performance detection device;

[0021] Fig. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a pusher assembly of the exemplary embodiment of the performance detection device of Fig. 1; [0022] Fig. 3 is a schematic connection diagram of a push rod of the exemplary embodiment of the performance detection device of Fig. 1; and

[0023] Fig. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a drive assembly o of the exemplary embodiment of the performance detection device of Fig. 1.

[0024] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Although the drawings represent embodiments of various features and components according to the present disclosure, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated in order to better illustrate and explain the present disclosure. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the disclosure, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure in any manner.

Detailed Description

[0025] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principals of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, which are described below. The embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may utilize their teachings. It will be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. The disclosure includes any alterations and further modifications in the illustrative devices and described methods and further applications of the principles of the disclosure which would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates.

[0026] In the description, it should be noted that the terms upper, lower, inner, outer, top/bottom, etc. indicating the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation shown in the drawings are only for the convenience of simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the pointed device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation of the present disclosure. In addition, the terms first and second are only used for descriptive purposes, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance. [0027] The terms “couples”, “coupled”, “coupler”, and variations thereof are used to include both arrangements wherein two or more components are in direct physical contact and arrangements wherein the two or more components are not in direct contact with each other (e.g., the components are “coupled” via at least a third component, but yet still cooperates or interact with each other).

[0028] The present disclosure is related to the following applications which are incorporated by reference herein.

[0029] Exemplary methods of testing for air leakage from an inflatable product with test covers are provided in PCT Patent Application No. (unknown), fded same day as the present application, titled A GAS LEAKAGE DETECTION METHOD FORAN INFLATABLE PRODUCT, docket IRC-0144-01 -WO and Chinese Application No.:

202110171163.6, filed February 8, 2021, the entire disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein.

[0030] Exemplary gas leakage testing devices having a plurality of test covers in a test frame, a loading workstation, and unloading workstation and methods of operation are provided in PCT Patent Application No. (unknown), filed same day as the present application, titled GAS LEAKAGE TESTING DEVICE FOR INFLATABLE PRODUCT, docket IRC-0145-01-WO and in Chinese Application No.: 202110180594.9 and Chinese Utility Model Application No.: 202120363754.9 both filed February 8, 2021, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein.

[0031] Exemplary test cover replacement structures for swapping out test covers in a gas leakage detection device having at least a test frame and a loading workstation are provided in PCT Patent Application No. (unknown), filed same day as the present application, titled A TEST COVER REPLACEMENT STRUCTURE FOR AN AIR LEAKAGE DETECTION DEVICE OF INFLATABLE PRODUCTS, docket IRC-0146-01- WO and in Chinese Utility Model Application No.: 202120371838.7 filed February 8, 2021, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein.

[0032] Exemplary test covers are provided in PCT Patent Application No.

(unknown), filed same day as the present application, titled AIR LEAKAGE DETECTION STRUCTURE AND TEST COVER STRUCTURE FOR INFLATABLE PRODUCT, docket IRC-0147-01-WO and Chinese Utility Model Application Number: 202120367781.3, filed February 8, 2021, the entire disclosures of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

[0033] Exemplary sealing joint structures for sealing a connection between a gas source and an inflatable product for inflation or deflation of the inflatable product are provided in PCT Patent Application No. (unknown), filed same day as the present application, titled A SEALING JOINT STRUCTURE FOR INFLATION AND DEFLATION, docket IRC-0148-01-WO and Chinese Utility Model Application Number: 202120371730.8, filed February 8, 2021, the entire disclosures of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

[0034] As shown in Figs. 1-3, a feeding and discharge structure for a performance detection device for an inflatable product is shown. The structure comprising a feeding assembly 100 and a discharge assembly 300 that are arranged on both sides of a detection station 200. The discharge assembly 300, in embodiments, is a power transmission platform. In embodiments, the feeding assembly 100 comprises a feeding platform 110 and at least one pusher assembly 120. The pusher assembly 120 being disposed on the feeding platform 110 and, in embodiments, comprising two sliding rails 121 arranged on the feeding platform 110, a sliding seat 122 fitted on the two sliding rails 121, a push rod 123 hinged with the sliding seat 122, and a drive assembly for 126 driving the sliding seat 122 to slide on the sliding rails 121. An elastic support member 1251 for supporting the springing up of the push rod 123 relative to the sliding seat 122 is arranged between the push rod 123 and the sliding seat 122. The sliding seat 122 is mounted on the sliding rail 121 through a sliding block 1221. The sliding seat is 122 provided with a rotary seat 1222. The push rod 123 is hinged with the rotary seat 1222.

[0035] When an inflatable product under test is placed on the feeding platform 110, the drive assembly 126 in the pusher assembly 120 drives the sliding seat 122 to move along the sliding rail 121 toward the detection station 200, driving the push rod 123 to push the product under test forward. When the product under test enters the detection station 200, the fully tested product in the detection station 200 is pushed into a discharge assembly 300, and the discharge assembly 300 conveys the fully tested product to a blanking area. The push rod 123 can convey a product under test to the detection station 200 under the action of the drive assembly 126, and, at the same time, the pushing force applied by the push rod 123 can also push the fully tested product in the detection station 200 to the discharge assembly 300, so that in the whole feeding process, feeding and discharging of an inflatable product is performed automatically, without the need for any additional manual operations.

[0036] On the basis of what is described above, the pusher assembly 120 further comprises a pressure plate 124 for being pressed against the push rod 123. The pressure plate 124 being located at the end of the sliding rail 121 away from the detection station 200 and being arranged above the sliding rail 121. When the sliding seat 122 slides to the end of the sliding rail 121 away from the detection station 200, the pressure plate 124 is pressed against the push rod 123. Further, the pressure plate 124 is provided with a pressure wheel 1241. The pressure wheel 1241 being rotatably arranged on the pressure plate 124 and located on the side of the pressure plate 124 facing the push rod 123. For convenience of description, the end of the sliding rail 121 closer to the detection station 200 is referred to as the front end and the other end thereof is referred to as the rear end. When the sliding seat

122 is located at the rear end of the sliding rail 121, the pressure plate 124 is pressed against the push rod 123; thereby pressing the push rod 123 down so that the push rod 123 is lower than the feeding platform 110, which makes it convenient for an operator to perform feeding. When the operator finishes the feeding, the drive assembly 126 drives the sliding seat 122 to slide forward, the sliding seat 122 is separated from the pressure plate 124, and the push rod

123 springs up under the action of the elastic support member 1251, being raised above the feeding platform 110 and pushed against the inflatable product under test. When the sliding seat 122 continues to slide forward, the push rod 123 is driven to push the inflatable product under test forward. The arrangement of the pressure plate 124 allows an operator to complete feeding more conveniently. In addition, the pressure wheel 1241 is provided on the front side of the pressure plate 124 to reduce the wear between the pressure plate 124 and the push rod 123. [0037] Likewise, in order to reduce wear, a jacking wheel 1251 is connected to the elastic support member 125, the jacking wheel supporting the lower end of the push rod. Specifically, a support plate 1232 is provided on the push rod 123, and the jacking wheel 1251 props up the support plate 1232, wherein, when the push rod 123 is pressed, the support plate 1232 pushes down the elastic support member 125, and, when the external pressure applied on the push rod 123 is released, the elastic support member 125 pushes the support plate 1232 upward, thereby causing the push rod 123 to spring up.

[0038] Likewise, in order to prevent the push rod 123 from wearing down an inflatable product under test when pushing the product, a push cylinder 1231 is arranged at the front end of the push rod 123, and the push cylinder 1231 may be directly fixed on the push rod 123 and may also be rotatably arranged on the push rod 123. Push cylinder 1231 is a type of bumper.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 4, in this embodiment, the drive assembly 126 comprises a motor 1261, three sprockets 1262, one tensioning wheel 1264, and a chain 1263. Two sprockets 1262 are arranged at the end of the sliding rail 121 closer to the motor 1261. One of the sprockets 1262 being connected to the motor 1261. One sprocket 1262 is arranged at the end of the sliding rail 121 away from the motor 1261. The chain 1263 meshing with the three sprockets 1262 and the tensioning wheel 1264. The sliding seat 122 is coupled to the driving assembly 126 such that a movement of the chain causes a corresponding movement in the sliding seat 122. The sliding seat may be coupled to the chain 1263. When the motor 1261 rotates, the sprockets 1262 are driven to rotate. Sprockets 1262 drive the chain 1263 to transfer motion, and thus the sliding seat 122 fixed on the chain 1263 moves forward and backward with the chain 1263.

[0040] In this embodiment, the power transmission platform of the discharge assembly 300 is a powered roller conveying platform 310, and indeed may also be a conveyor belt conveying platform.

[0041] In order to ensure that an inflatable product is accurately positioned in the detection station 200 or accurately conveyed to a blanking area, the feeding platform 110, in this embodiment, is a roller conveying platform, and one guide apparatus 400 is arranged on both sides of the roller conveying platform. One guide apparatus 400 is arranged on both sides of the power transmission platform. The guide apparatus 400 comprises a guide bracket 410 and a guide wheel 420 that is arranged on the guide bracket 410. The guide wheel 420 being arranged on the inner side of the guide bracket 410. The inner side being the side of the guide bracket 410 facing the power transmission platform.

[0042] The pusher assembly 120 can convey a product under test to the detection station 200 while pushing the fully tested product in the detection station 200 to the discharge assembly 300, so that in the whole feeding process, feeding and discharging of the inflatable product is performed automatically, without the need for any additional manual operations.

[0043] The embodiments disclosed herein may form part of the exemplary gas leakage testing devices having a plurality of test covers in a test frame, a loading workstation, and unloading workstation and methods of operation are provided in PCT Patent Application No. (unknown), filed same day as the present application, titled GAS LEAKAGE TESTING DEVICE FOR INFLATABLE PRODUCT, docket IRC-0145-01-WO and in Chinese Application No.: 202110180594.9 and Chinese Utility Model Application No.:

202120363754.9 both filed February 8, 2021, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein, which may carry out the exemplary methods of testing for air leakage from an inflatable product with test covers are provided in PCT Patent Application No. (unknown), filed same day as the present application, titled A GAS LEAKAGE

DETECTION METHOD FOR AN INFLATABLE PRODUCT, docket IRC-0144-01 -WO and Chinese Application No.: 202110171163.6, filed February 8, 2021, the entire disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein.

[0044] Example 1 : A feeding assembly for a performance detection device for an inflatable product is provided. The feeding assembly comprising: a feeding platform and at least one pusher assembly. The pusher assembly being arranged on the feeding platform and comprising two sliding rails arranged on the feeding platform; a sliding seat fitted on the two sliding rails; a push rod hinged with the sliding seat; a drive assembly for driving the sliding seat to slide on the sliding rails; and an elastic support member for supporting the springing up of the push rod relative to the sliding seat is arranged between the push rod and the sliding seat.

[0045] Example 2: The feeding assembly for a performance detection device for an inflatable product of Example 1, wherein the pusher assembly further comprises a pressure plate for being pressed against the push rod, the pressure plate being located at the end of a sliding rail away from a detection station and being arranged above the sliding rail; wherein when the sliding seat slides to the end of the sliding rail away from the detection station, the pressure plate is pressed against the push rod.

[0046] Example 3 : The feeding assembly for a performance detection device for an inflatable product of Example 2, wherein the pressure plate is provided with a pressure wheel that is rotatably arranged on the pressure plate and is located on the side of the pressure plate facing the push rod.

[0047] Example 4: The feeding assembly for a performance detection device for an inflatable product of Example 1, wherein the drive assembly comprises a motor, a chain, at least two sprockets and one tensioning wheel, the chain meshing with the tensioning wheel and the sprockets, the sprockets being arranged at both ends of the sliding rail, one of the sprockets being connected to the motor; the sliding seat is coupled to the driving assembly.

[0048] Example 5 : The feeding assembly for a performance detection device for an inflatable product of Example 1, further comprising a plurality of guide apparatus, wherein one guide apparatus of the plurality of guide apparatus is arranged on each side of the feeding platform, each of the guide apparatus comprising a guide bracket and a guide wheel that is arranged on the guide bracket, the guide wheel being arranged on the inner side of the guide bracket, the inner side being the side of the guide bracket facing the feeding platform.

[0049] Example 6: The feeding assembly for a performance detection device for an inflatable product of Example 1, wherein a jacking wheel is connected to the elastic support member, and the jacking wheel props up the lower end of the push rod.

[0050] Example 7 : The feeding assembly for a performance detection device for an inflatable product of Example 6, wherein a support plate is arranged on the push rod, and the jacking wheel props up the support plate. [0051] Example 8: The feeding assembly for a performance detection device for an inflatable product of Example 1, wherein the sliding seat is mounted on the sliding rail through a sliding block, the sliding seat is provided with a rotary seat, and the push rod is hinged with the rotary seat.

[0052] Example 9: The feeding assembly for a performance detection device for an inflatable product of Example 1, wherein a push cylinder is mounted on the push rod.

[0053] Example 10: The feeding assembly for a performance detection device for an inflatable product of Example 10, wherein the push cylinder is one of fixed on the push rod or rotatably connected to the push rod.

[0054] Example 11 : The feeding assembly for a performance detection device for an inflatable product of Example 11, wherein the feeding platform is a roller conveying platform.

[0055] Example 12: A charging and discharge structure for a performance detection device for an inflatable product, comprising the feeding assembly of any of Example 1-11, a discharge assembly, and a detection station, wherein the feeding assembly and the discharge assembly are respectively arranged on either side of the detection station, and the discharge assembly includes a power transmission platform.

[0056] Example 13: The charging and discharge structure for a performance detection device for an inflatable product of Example 12, wherein the power transmission platform is a powered roller conveying platform or a conveyor belt conveying platform. [0057] Example 14: The charging and discharge structure for a performance detection device for an inflatable product of Example 12, further comprising a plurality of guide apparatus, wherein one guide apparatus of the plurality of guide apparatus is arranged on each side of a feeding platform of the feeding assembly and the power transmission platform of the discharge assembly, each of the guide apparatus comprising a guide bracket and a guide wheel that is arranged on the guide bracket, the guide wheel being arranged on the inner side of the guide bracket, the inner side being the side of the guide bracket facing the respective platform.

[0058] Reference numerals in the drawings [0059] feeding assembly 100

[0060] feeding platform 110

[0061] pusher assembly 120

[0062] sliding rail 121

[0063] sliding seat 122

[0064] sliding block 1221

[0065] rotary seat 1222

[0066] push rod 123

[0067] push cylinder 1231

[0068] support plate 1232

[0069] pressure plate 124

[0070] pressure wheel 1241

[0071] elastic support member 125

[0072] jacking wheel 1251

[0073] drive assembly 126

[0074] motor 1261

[0075] sprocket 1262

[0076] chain 1263

[0077] tensioning wheel 1264

[0078] detection station 200

[0079] discharge assembly 300

[0080] powered roller conveying platform 310

[0081] guide apparatus 400

[0082] guide bracket 410

[0083] guide wheel 420.

[0084] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variation can be made in the present disclosure without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure cover the modifications and variations of this disclosure provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.