Storage equipment and processing system

Abstract

The present invention discloses a storage equipment and a processing system. The storage equipment is a scalable automated things magazine. The processing system comprises a central control device, processing equipment, the storage equipment, and a transport vehicle. The storage equipment comprises a processing device, a main body, racks, a movable door, two support structures, and a transfer mechanism. The main body is configured with a parking space and a temporary storage space for a workpiece tray. When the transport vehicle is parked in the parking space, the workpiece tray carried by the transport vehicle corresponds to and is positioned within the temporary storage space. The two support structures are configured to cooperatively support the workpiece tray. The processing device can control the transfer mechanism to automatically load and unload materials in the storage equipment. The movable door allows user operation to expose or conceal the rack, thereby enabling a user to place workpieces to be processed onto the rack or retrieve processed workpieces therefrom.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a silo equipment and a process system, particularly a silo equipment that can cooperate with a transport vehicle and a process system including the silo equipment that can cooperate with a transport vehicle. Prior Technology

[0002] In existing technologies, manufacturers typically add material storage devices next to process equipment to maximize the capacity utilization of the equipment. These storage devices are primarily used to store materials. After the process equipment completes processing the current material, the robotic arm of either the process equipment or the storage device will pick up another workpiece from the storage device and transfer it to the process equipment, thus allowing the process equipment to continue processing operations.

[0003] In the existing technology, various silo equipment can only provide relevant personnel with manual material replenishment operations. Therefore, in practice, it is easy for relevant personnel to forget to replenish the silo equipment before leaving get off work, resulting in the process equipment being forced to stop and wait when processing operations are carried out in the middle of the night because there is no material in the silo equipment. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention discloses a silo equipment and process system, which is mainly used to improve the existing silos that can only provide manual placement of materials by relevant personnel. Therefore, if relevant personnel forget to place materials in the silo equipment, or if the materials have been processed but no one is there to perform subsequent processing, the process equipment may be forced to standby and wait because there are no materials (such as parts to be processed, tools to be replaced, etc.).

[0005] One embodiment of the present invention discloses a silo device, comprising: a processing device, a main body, at least one support frame, a movable door, two support structures, and a transfer mechanism. The processing device is connected to a central control system; the processing device is disposed in the main body, which includes: a parking space and a pallet storage space. The parking space is used to accommodate a transport vehicle; the pallet storage space is interconnected with the parking space and is used to accommodate a pallet; the support frame is connected to the main body and is used to store multiple objects; the movable door is disposed in the main body and is used to cover or not cover a support frame opening of the main body, allowing objects to be placed on the support frame through the opening; the two support structures are connected to the main body and are disposed facing each other, and the two support structures can jointly support the pallet located in the pallet storage space; the transfer mechanism is located in the main body and is electrically connected to the processing device, which can control... A transfer mechanism is provided to move objects carried by a material pallet located in a material pallet temporary storage space to a support frame. The transfer mechanism can cooperate with a process equipment to move objects placed on the support frame to the process equipment. The central control system can communicate with at least one transport vehicle to control the transport vehicle to retrieve a material pallet containing at least one object from an object storage station and move it to a parking space. When the transport vehicle carrying the material pallet is in the parking space, the material pallet is located in the material pallet temporary storage space, and the transport vehicle can place the material pallet on two support structures.

[0006] One embodiment of the present invention discloses a process system comprising: a central control system, a process equipment, a silo equipment, and at least one transport vehicle. The process equipment is connected to the central control system, which controls the process equipment to process an object. The silo equipment includes: a processing unit, a body, at least one support frame, a movable door, two support structures, and a transfer mechanism. The processing unit is connected to the central control system; the processing unit is disposed within the body, and the body includes: a parking space and a temporary storage space for material pallets. The parking space is used to accommodate a transport vehicle; the pallet storage space is connected to the parking space and is used to accommodate a pallet; the support frame is connected to the main body and is located within the main body, used to store multiple objects; a movable door is located within the main body and is used to conceal or not conceal an opening of the support frame, allowing objects to be placed on the support frame through the opening; two support structures are connected to the main body and are arranged facing each other, jointly supporting the pallet located in the pallet storage space; a transfer mechanism is located within the main body and is electrically connected to a processing device. The processing device can control the transfer mechanism to move the objects carried by the material pallet located in the material pallet temporary storage space to the support frame; the transfer mechanism can cooperate with the process equipment to move the objects set on the support frame to the process equipment; the transport vehicle is connected to the central control system; wherein, the central control system can control the transport vehicle to obtain the material pallet with at least one object from an object storage station and move it to the parking space; when the transport vehicle carrying the material pallet is in the parking space, the material pallet is located in the material pallet temporary storage space, and the transport vehicle can set the material pallet on two support structures.

[0007] In summary, the silo equipment and process system of the present invention, through the design of the parking space, pallet storage space, and support structure of the main body, combined with the processing device and transfer mechanism, allows a transport vehicle carrying a pallet to park in the main body of the silo equipment, and places the pallet carrying the object on the support structure, thereby enabling the transfer mechanism to move the object on the pallet into the support frame. This design allows the transport vehicle to automatically move the object into the silo equipment, thereby improving the situation in the prior art where process equipment is forced to stop and wait because there are no objects in the silo equipment or during periods of unattended operation after processing.

[0008] To further understand the features and technical content of this invention, please refer to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. However, these descriptions and drawings are only for illustrating the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the invention in any way. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0009] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the process system of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 2 is a block diagram of the process system of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the material tray, platform and transport vehicle of the process system of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the material pallet carried by the transport vehicle of the process system of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the silo equipment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 6 is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of Figure 5.

[0015] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the movable door of the silo equipment of the present invention being opened.

[0016] Figure 8 is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of Figure 7.

[0017] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the support structure of the silo equipment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the silo equipment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the process system of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 12 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the process system of the present invention. Implementation

[0021] In the following description, if it is indicated that a specific diagram is referred to or as shown in a specific diagram, it is only to emphasize that most of the relevant content mentioned in the following description appears in that specific diagram, but does not limit the following description to refer only to that specific diagram.

[0022] Please refer to Figures 1 through 8. Figures 1 and 2 are a perspective view and a block view of the process system of the present invention, respectively. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the material pallet, platform, and transport vehicle of the process system of the present invention. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the transport vehicle carrying the material pallet of the process system of the present invention. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the silo equipment of the present invention. Figure 6 is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of Figure 5. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the movable door of the silo equipment of the present invention being opened. Figure 8 is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of Figure 7.

[0023] The process system 100 of the present invention includes a central control system 1, at least one transport vehicle 2, a hopper device 3, and at least one process device 4. The hopper device 3 of the present invention may be manufactured, sold, or implemented independently of the process system 100, and is not limited to being manufactured, sold, or implemented together with other devices of the process system 100. The process device 4 may be processing equipment, measuring equipment, or any equipment required in the manufacturing process.

[0024] The central control system 1 includes, for example, devices such as computers and servers, and may also include control software for controlling the transport vehicle 2, the silo equipment 3, and the process equipment 4. In other words, the central control system 1 includes the software and hardware required to control the transport vehicle 2, the silo equipment 3, and the process equipment 4.

[0025] The central control system 1 communicates with the transport vehicle 2, the silo equipment 3, and the process equipment 4, and can control the operation of the transport vehicle 2, the silo equipment 3, and the process equipment 4. In practice, the central control system 1 can be, for example, a computer device, a server, etc. The central control system 1 can be connected to at least one monitor and at least one input device (such as a keyboard, various touch devices, a mouse, a mobile phone, a tablet, etc.). Relevant personnel can monitor the current status of the transport vehicle 2, the silo equipment 3, and the process equipment 4 through the monitor, and can control the transport vehicle 2, the silo equipment 3, or the process equipment 4 through the input device. Of course, the central control system 1 can, for example, run an operating program, and users can use the operating program to set the workflow of the transport vehicle 2, the silo equipment 3, or the process equipment 4 accordingly.

[0026] The central control system 1 controls the transport vehicle 2 so that it retrieves a material pallet 6 from the object storage station 5 and moves it to the silo equipment 3. The material pallet 6 is used to carry multiple objects 200. The transport vehicle 2 can be, for example, various types of unmanned transport vehicles, such as AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles) and AMRs (Autonomous Mobile Robots). The objects 200 can be, for example, parts to be processed, tools to be replaced, or grippers to be replaced. The parts to be processed are, for example, objects used by process equipment for processing. The tools to be replaced can be the tools of the process equipment, and the grippers to be replaced can be the grippers of the transfer mechanism 36.

[0027] The item storage station 5 includes, for example, a platform 51, an item reading device 52, and a computer device 53. The platform 51 is capable of carrying item pallets 6. Below the platform 51 is a parking space 51A for providing access for the transport vehicle 2.

[0028] In practice, the transport vehicle 2 may include a lifting mechanism 21. When the transport vehicle 2 enters the parking space 32A of the platform 51, the processor of the transport vehicle 2 can control the lifting mechanism 21 to start, thereby lifting the material pallet 6 set on the platform 51 and causing the material pallet 6 to leave the platform 51. In practice, the lifting mechanism 21 may have multiple engaging structures 211, which can engage with the engaging structures of the material pallet 6. When the lifting mechanism 21 lifts the material pallet 6, and the engaging structures of the lifting mechanism 21 engage with the engaging structures of the material pallet 6, the material pallet 6 will be securely set on the lifting mechanism 21, and the transport vehicle 2 can then move the material pallet 6 to the hopper device 3. After the lifting mechanism 21 of the transport vehicle 2 lifts the material pallet 6 and the transport vehicle 2 leaves the parking space 32A, the processor of the transport vehicle 2 may, for example, control the lifting mechanism 21 to descend to its original position.

[0029] In one embodiment, the material tray 6 may be provided with multiple object placement positions and multiple position markers 61. Each object placement position is used to place an object 200. Each position marker 61 stores position data 611, and each position data 611 corresponds to one of the object placement positions on the material tray 6. The object reading device 52 can read each position marker 61 to obtain the position data 611. The object reading device 52 is electrically connected to the computer device 53, and the computer device 53 can obtain the position data 611 through the object reading device 52. The object reading device 52 can also read an object identification object 201 disposed on the object 200 to obtain the object data 2011 in the object identification object 201. The object reading device 52 can also transmit the object data 2011 to the computer device 53. In practical applications, the location marker 61 and the object identifier 201 can be, for example, RFID chips, various barcodes, or any object that can store data, without any restrictions.

[0030] In practice, relevant personnel can place the object 200 at any position on the material tray 6 and use the object reading device 52 to read the object data 2011 of the object identification object 201 of the object 200, as well as the position data 611 of the position markers 61 around the position of the object 200. The computer device 53 can then integrate the object data 2011 and the position data 611 read by the object reading device 52 into an object information 531.

[0031] In practice, computer device 53 may have a workpiece management interface, through which users can view at least one piece of workpiece information 531 containing workpiece data 2011 and location data 611. Of course, workpiece information 531 may also integrate processing information, such as the processing flow, processing formula, tool information, and processing parameters of workpiece 200. That is, relevant personnel can, for example, view the workpiece data 2011, location data 611, and processing information corresponding to workpiece 200 already placed on the workpiece tray 6 through the workpiece management interface. Computer device 53 can also transmit workpiece information 531 to the central control system 1. After obtaining workpiece information 531, the central control system 1 can transmit workpiece information 531 to the silo equipment 3 and the process equipment 4; or, after obtaining workpiece information 531, the central control system 1 can control the transport vehicle 2, the silo equipment 3, and the process equipment 4 based on workpiece information 531.

[0032] The silo device 3 of the present invention includes: a processing device 31, a main body 32, two support structures 33, multiple support frames 34, a movable door 35, and a transfer mechanism 36. The processing device 31 can be connected to the central control system 1 via wired or wireless means, and the processing device 31 can receive object information 531 transmitted by the central control system 1. The number of support frames 34 included in the silo device 3 can vary according to requirements. In different embodiments, the silo device 3 may also include a single support frame 34.

[0033] The main body 32 is equipped with a processing device 31. The main body 32 serves as the primary supporting structure of the entire silo equipment 3, and includes, for example, multiple supports and a housing. Near the ground, the main body 32 has a parking space 32A and a pallet storage space 32B. The parking space 32A is connected to the pallet storage space 32B, and the pallet storage space 32B is located above the parking space 32A. The processing device 31 may include, for example, a programmable logic controller (PLC), an industrial PC (IPC), or a single-chip control device.

[0034] Parking space 32A is used to provide parking for transport vehicle 2. In practice, parking space 32A can be designed to fully accommodate one transport vehicle 2, meaning that transport vehicle 2 can be parked completely inside parking space 32A without protruding from the main body 32. This design prevents transport vehicle 2 parked in parking space 32A from blocking other transport vehicles 2 or other personnel in the factory.

[0035] The pallet storage space 32B is used to accommodate the pallet 6. When the transport vehicle 2 carries the pallet 6 and is parked in the parking space 32A, the pallet 6 carried by the transport vehicle 2 will be located in the pallet storage space 32B. In other words, the transport vehicle 2 and its pallet 6 can be completely located within the main body 32, and neither the transport vehicle 2 nor its pallet 6 will be exposed outside the main body 32. This design prevents the transport vehicle 2 or pallet 6 parked in the parking space 32A from blocking other transport vehicles 2 or other personnel in the factory.

[0036] Two support structures 33 are connected to the main body 32 and are arranged facing each other. When the transport vehicle 2 is parked in the parking space 32A, the pallet 6 carried by the transport vehicle 2 is positioned above the two support structures 33. The two support structures 33 can jointly support one pallet 6. Each support structure 33 is, for example, a rectangular structure.

[0037] In practical applications, the processor of the transport vehicle 2 can control the lifting mechanism 21 before the transport vehicle 2 enters the parking space 32A to raise the material pallet 6. This will ensure that the material pallet 6 carried by the transport vehicle 2 will not collide with the support structure 33 during the process of the transport vehicle 2 entering the parking space 32A.

[0038] As shown in Figures 6 to 8, each support structure 33 may have a positioning structure 331, which is used to engage with the positioning structure of the material tray 6. In practice, the positioning structure 331 may be, for example, a structure similar to a frustum, and the positioning structure of the material tray 6 may be a corresponding groove. The shape, quantity, and location of the positioning structure of each support structure 33 can be designed according to actual needs and are not limited to those shown in the figures.

[0039] When the transport vehicle 2 is parked in the parking space 32A, the pallet 6 carried by the transport vehicle 2 will be located above the two support structures 33. At this time, the lifting mechanism 21 of the transport vehicle 2 can move the pallet 6 downward so that the positioning structure of the pallet 6 engages with the positioning structure 331 of the two support structures 33. In this way, the pallet 6 will be moved from the transport vehicle 2 onto the two support structures 33.

[0040] As shown in Figure 7, each support frame 34 is disposed on the body 32. Each support frame 34 is used to support at least one object 200. The specific shape of the multiple support frames 34, the number of support frames 34 disposed in the body 32, and the placement position of the support frames 34 in the body 32 can all be designed according to the actual shape and size of the object 200, and are not limited to those shown in the figure. In one embodiment, the silo device 3 may contain different types of support frames 34, which are used to support different types of materials. For example, one support frame 34 is used to support the workpiece to be processed, one support frame 34 is used to support the cutting tool, and one support frame 34 is used to support the gripper. In different embodiments, a single support frame 34 may contain multiple storage compartments, and the storage compartments on different layers may be used to store different or the same materials.

[0041] A movable door 35 is provided on the main body 32. The movable door 35 is used to cover or not cover a support opening 322 of the main body 32. The support opening 322 is spatially connected to the support 34, and the object 200 can be placed into the support 34 through the support opening 322. The movable door 35 is provided for operation by relevant personnel or equipment (such as robots, robotic arms, etc.). The relevant personnel or equipment can open the movable door 35 to place the object 200 into the support 34 through the support opening 322, or to remove the object 200 from the support 34.

[0042] As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 7, the transfer mechanism 36 is located within the main body 32. The transfer mechanism 36 is electrically connected to the processing device 31. The processing device 31 controls the transfer mechanism 36 to move the object 200 carried by the material pallet 6 located in the material pallet temporary storage space 32B to the support frame 34. The transfer mechanism 36 may include components such as a robotic arm or a gripper arm. The type of robotic arm can be selected according to actual needs; for example, it can be an orthogonal robotic arm, a multi-axis robotic arm, or a gripper arm robotic arm, etc., without limitation. The processing device 31 can also control the transfer mechanism 36 to move the object 200 located on the support frame 34 to the material pallet 6 located in the material pallet temporary storage space 32B. It is worth mentioning that in one embodiment, the object 200 can be a gripper to be replaced, and the transfer mechanism 36 can include an automatic gripper changing function. That is, the transfer mechanism 36 can automatically replace the currently set gripper. In this process, the transfer mechanism 36 can first automatically remove the current gripper and place the gripper on the support 34, and then replace another gripper on the support 34.

[0043] In practical applications, the transfer mechanism 36 may also be equipped with a reading device 361. The reading device 361 can read the object data 2011 from the object identification object 201 of the object 200 disposed on the material tray 6. The processing device 31 is electrically connected to the reading device 361, and the processing device 31 can control the transfer mechanism 36 according to the object data 2011 to move the object 200 to the support 34. In one embodiment, the reading device 361 can also read the position marker 61 of the material tray 6 to obtain position data 611.

[0044] In one embodiment, the central control system 1 may be a processing device 31 that transmits object information 531 to the silo equipment 3. The processing device 31 can know the object data 2011 and position data 611 corresponding to the object 200 on the material pallet 6 transported by the transport vehicle 2 based on the object information 531. The processing device 31 can control the transfer mechanism 36 based on the object information 531 to move the specific object 200 on the material pallet 6 located in the material pallet temporary storage space 32B into the support frame 34.

[0045] In practice, the object information 531 transmitted from the central control system 1 to the processing device 31 may also include a support position data 5312. After receiving the object information 531, the processing device 31 can move the object 200 at a specific position on the material pallet 6 moved by the transport vehicle 2 to the position on the support 34 corresponding to the support position data 5312, based on the position data 611 and the object data 2011.

[0046] In practice, the transfer mechanism 36 can also be controlled by the processing device 31 to move the object 200 disposed on the support 34 to a processing device 4. To facilitate the transfer mechanism 36 in moving the object 200 into the processing device 4, a movable opening 321 can be provided on one side of the main body 32. After the transfer mechanism 36 removes the object 200 from the support 34, it can transfer the object 200 into the processing device 4 through the movable opening 321. Of course, in different embodiments, the processing device 4 can also have a transfer mechanism, and the transfer mechanism 36 of the hopper device 3 and the transfer mechanism of the processing device 4 can cooperate with each other to transfer the object 200.

[0047] In one embodiment, the processing device 31 may be connected to the process equipment 4 via communication. After the process equipment 4 completes the current processing operation, it may transmit pick-up information to the processing device 31. The processing device 31 can then control the transfer mechanism 36 to move the corresponding object 200 on the support 34 into the process equipment 4 based on the pick-up information. The pick-up information may include, for example, object data 2011 (e.g., workpiece number) corresponding to one of the objects 200.

[0048] In different embodiments, the hopper device 3 and the processing device 4 may not be directly connected to each other. After the processing device 4 completes the processing of the current object, it will transmit completion information to the central control system 1. The central control system 1 will then control the transfer mechanism 36 through the processing device 31 of the hopper device 3 to move one of the objects 200 in the support 34 into the processing device 4. After receiving the completion information from the processing device 4, the central control system 1 may, for example, control the transfer mechanism 36 and the processing device 4 according to a pre-set processing schedule, so that the next object 200 in the processing schedule is moved from the support 34 of the transfer mechanism 36 into the processing device 4 for processing.

[0049] In one variant embodiment, the transfer mechanism 36 can also transfer objects placed on the support frame 34, such as parts to be processed, tools to be replaced, grippers to be replaced, finished workpieces, semi-finished products, etc., to the material pallet 6, while the transport vehicle 2 can also transfer the material pallet 6 carrying the parts to be processed, tools to be replaced, grippers to be replaced, finished workpieces, semi-finished products, etc., to the object storage station 5.

[0050] Please refer to Figures 1 and 9 together. Figure 9 shows a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the support structure of the silo equipment of the present invention. The difference between the support structure 33 in this embodiment and the support structure 33 shown in Figure 8 is that the support structure 33 is also provided with multiple limiting structures 332 and multiple rolling members 333. The multiple limiting structures 332 are arranged adjacent to the outer edge of the support structure 33. The multiple limiting structures 332 are used to limit the range of motion of the material pallet 6 disposed on the support structure 33 in at least two axes. That is, after the material pallet 6 is disposed on two support structures 33, the range of motion of the material pallet 6 in the front-back direction and the left-right direction will be jointly limited by the multiple limiting structures 332, thereby ensuring that the material pallet 6 can be positioned in the expected position.

[0051] Each rolling member 333 contains, for example, balls, and the height of the rolling member 333 is lower than the height of the positioning structure 331. When the positioning structure 331 of the material pallet 6 is not fully engaged with the positioning structure 331 of each support structure 33, the material pallet 6 can move relative to the two support structures 33 through the multiple rolling members 333.

[0052] As described above, during the process of the positioning structure of the material pallet 6 engaging with the two positioning structures 331 of the two support structures 33, the position of the material pallet 6 relative to the two support structures 33 will be guided by multiple limiting structures 332. The material pallet 6 can move relative to the two support structures 33 through multiple rolling members 333, thereby enabling the material pallet 6 to be correctly placed in the expected position on the two support structures 33.

[0053] Please refer to Figure 10, which shows a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the silo equipment of the present invention. The biggest difference between the silo equipment 3 of this embodiment and the previous embodiment is that the main body 32 of the silo equipment 3 also has two movable doors 37. The movable doors 37 can be controlled by the processing device 31 to cover or not cover a parking opening 323 of the main body 32. Specifically, when the transport vehicle 2 is in front of the movable doors 37, the processing device 31 can control the two movable doors 37 to open so that the parking opening 323 is exposed, thereby allowing the transport vehicle 2 to pass smoothly through the parking opening 323 and enter the parking space 32A of the main body 32. The number of movable doors 37 and the opening and closing methods of the movable doors 37 are not limited to those shown in the figure and can be varied according to actual needs.

[0054] In one embodiment, the central control system 1 can estimate in advance the time before the transport vehicle 2 arrives at the movable door 37 when controlling the transport vehicle 2 to retrieve the material pallet 6 from the item storage station 5, so as to control the processing device 31 to open the movable door 37 at an appropriate time, thereby allowing the silo equipment 3 to open the movable door 37 before the transport vehicle 2 moves to the movable door 37.

[0055] In one practical application, the main body 32 may also be equipped with at least one vehicle body detector 40. When the transport vehicle 2 is in front of the movable door 37, the vehicle body detector 40 can send an opening signal 401 to the processing device 31. After receiving the opening signal 401, the processing device 31 can control the movable door 37 to open, so that the transport vehicle 2 can smoothly enter the parking space 32A.

[0056] In one embodiment, when the transport vehicle 2 arrives at the movable door 37, the detector on the transport vehicle 2 can be used to confirm whether the movable door 37 is open. If the processor of the transport vehicle 2 determines that the movable door 37 is not open based on the detector of the transport vehicle 2, it transmits an opening signal 401 to the processing device 31 so that the processing device 31 opens the movable door 37.

[0057] Please refer to Figure 11, which shows a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the process system of the present invention. The biggest difference between this embodiment and the previous embodiment is that the hopper device 3 can be connected to two process devices 4. In one specific application, each process device 4 is used to process the object 200 in the hopper device 3. The two process devices 4 can perform the same or different processing on the object 200.

[0058] In one embodiment, the processing operations performed by the two process equipment 4 on the items 200 in the silo equipment 3 can be completely independent operations. That is, the two process equipment 4 can perform completely different processing operations on completely different types of items 200. Of course, the silo equipment 3 will have completely different racks to facilitate the storage of completely different types of items 200.

[0059] In one embodiment, the two process devices 4 can be used to perform different processing operations on the same object 200 sequentially. Specifically, assuming the two process devices 4 are defined as a first process device and a second process device, the first process device can first take out a first object from the hopper device 3 and process the first object into a second object. After processing the first object into a second object, the first process device can move the second object back into the hopper device 3. Then, the second process device can take out the second object from the hopper device 3 to process the second object into a finished product. After processing the second object into a finished product, the second process device can move the finished product back into the hopper device 3.

[0060] It should be noted that, in different embodiments, both process equipment 4 can also be measuring devices, and each measuring device is used to perform the same or different measuring operations on the object 200. In different embodiments, one of the two process equipment 4 can be a measuring device, and the other can be a processing device.

[0061] Please refer to Figure 12, which shows a block diagram of one embodiment of the process system of the present invention. The biggest difference between this embodiment and the previous embodiments is that the hopper device 3 may also include at least one material pallet detector 38. When a material pallet 6 is present in the material pallet temporary storage space 32B, the material pallet detector 38 can send a material pallet detection signal 381 to the processing device 31. After receiving the material pallet detection signal 381, the processing device 31 can control the transfer mechanism 36 to move at least one object 200 on the material pallet 6 located in the material pallet temporary storage space 32B into the support frame 34. In practical applications, the pallet detector 38 can be a contact detector, and the pallet detector 38 only generates the pallet detection signal 381 when the pallet 6 is fully placed on the two support structures 33; that is, the pallet detector 38 can include a push-button switch, and when the pallet 6 is fully placed on the two support structures 33, the pallet 6 will correspondingly press the push-button switch, so that the pallet detector 38 generates the pallet detection signal 381 accordingly. This design ensures that the transfer mechanism 36 performs the transfer operation of the object 200 on the pallet 6 only when the pallet 6 is stably placed on the two support structures 33.

[0062] The main body 32 may also be equipped with at least one transport vehicle detector 39, which is used to detect whether a transport vehicle 2 exists in the parking space 32A and generate a transport vehicle detection signal 391 accordingly. The processing device 31 is electrically connected to the transport vehicle detector 39, and the processing device 31 can determine whether a transport vehicle 2 exists in the parking space 32A based on the transport vehicle detection signal 391.

[0063] As described above, the processing device 31 can only control the transfer mechanism 36 to move at least one object 200 from the material pallet 6 on the two support structures 33 into the support frame 34 when it receives the material pallet detection signal 381 and the transport vehicle detection signal 391 and determines that the transport vehicle 2 is not in the parking space 32A. This design ensures that the material pallet 6 will not move significantly during the process of the transfer mechanism 36 holding the object 200 on the material pallet 6. In other words, if the transfer mechanism 36 performs the transfer operation on the object 200 on the material pallet 6 while the transport vehicle 2 is still in the parking space 32A, in an extreme case, if the lifting mechanism 21 of the transport vehicle 2 suddenly goes out of control and rises upward, the material pallet 6 may move upward, which may cause the transfer mechanism 36 to be damaged.

[0064] Continuing from the above, when the transport vehicle 2 is no longer in the parking space 32A, and the pallet detector 38 generates a pallet detection signal 381, it means that the pallet 6 has been correctly placed on the two support structures 33. At this time, the pallet 6 will not move. Conversely, when the transport vehicle 2 is still in the parking space 32A, the pallet 6 may be on the transport vehicle 2 and moving with the lifting mechanism 21 of the transport vehicle 2, or it may be located on the two support structures 33. Therefore, even if the pallet detector 38 detects that the pallet 6 exists in the pallet storage space 32B, the processing device 31 is still not suitable for controlling the transfer mechanism 36 to transfer the object 200 placed on the pallet 6.

[0065] In summary, the silo equipment and process system of the present invention, through the design of having parking space and temporary storage space for material pallets in the main body, combined with the design of two support structures set in the main body, allows a transport vehicle to move material pallets carrying objects into the silo equipment, and then place the material pallets on the two support structures. Subsequently, the transfer mechanism can move the objects on the material pallets into the support frame. Through the above design, the process equipment can be effectively improved, preventing situations where the silo equipment is forced into standby due to a lack of storage for corresponding objects (e.g., parts to be processed, tools to be replaced, grippers to be replaced, etc.).

[0066] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent technical changes made based on the description and drawings of the present invention are included within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0067] 100: Process System 1: Central Control System 2: Transport vehicle 21: Lifting mechanism 211: Snap-fit ​​structure 3: Silo equipment 31: Processing device 32:Ontology 32A: Parking space 32B: Temporary storage space for material pallets 321: Activity Portal 322: Support frame opening 323: Parking Entrance 33: Supporting Structure 331: Positioning Structure 332: Limiting structure 333: Rolling component 34: Support frame 35: Movable door 36: Transfer mechanism 361: Reading device 37: Movable door 38: Material Pallet Detector 381: Material Pallet Detection Signal 39: Transport vehicle detector 391: Transport vehicle detection signal 40: Vehicle body detector 401: Door Opening Signal 4: Process equipment 5: Item storage station 51: Platform 51A: Parking Space 52: Object Reading Device 53: Computer equipment 531: Item Information 5311: Processing Information 5312: Support frame location data 6: Material Pallets 61: Location marker 611: Location Data 200:Object 201: Object Identification 2011: Item Information

Claims

1. A silo device comprising: a processing unit connected to a central control system; a body, wherein the processing unit is disposed within the body, the body comprising: a parking space for accommodating a transport vehicle; a pallet storage space connected to the parking space, the pallet storage space for accommodating a pallet; at least one support frame connected to the body, the support frame disposed within the body, the support frame for storing a plurality of objects; a movable door disposed on the body, the movable door for concealing or not concealing an opening of the support frame of the body, the objects being able to be placed on the support frame through the opening; and two support structures connected to the body, the two support structures being disposed facing each other, the two support structures being able to jointly support the pallet located in the pallet storage space. A transfer mechanism is located in the main body, the transfer mechanism is electrically connected to the processing device, and the processing device can control the transfer mechanism to move the object carried by the material pallet located in the material pallet temporary storage space to the support frame; The transfer mechanism can cooperate with a process equipment to move the object set on the support to the process equipment; wherein, the central control system can communicate with at least one of the transport vehicles to control the transport vehicle to obtain the material pallet with at least one of the objects from an object storage station and move it to the parking space; When the transport vehicle carrying the material pallet is located in the parking space, the material pallet is located in the material pallet temporary storage space, and the transport vehicle can place the material pallet on the two support structures.

2. The silo equipment as described in claim 1, wherein, Each of the aforementioned support structures is provided with a positioning structure, multiple limiting structures, and multiple rolling members. The positioning structure is used to engage with a positioning structure of the material tray. The multiple limiting structures can jointly restrict the material tray disposed on the support structure to a range of motion in at least two different axes. When the material tray is disposed on two of the aforementioned support structures, the multiple limiting structures are located around the outer edge of the material tray. When the positioning structure of the material tray is not fully engaged with the positioning structures of each of the aforementioned support structures, the material tray can move relative to the two aforementioned support structures through the multiple rolling members.

3. The silo equipment as described in claim 1, wherein, The transfer mechanism is also provided with a reading device, which can read object data from an object identifier of the object disposed on the material tray. The processing device is electrically connected to the reading device, and the processing device can control the transfer mechanism according to the object data to move the object to the support.

4. The silo equipment as described in claim 1, wherein, The silo equipment further includes at least one pallet detector, which is electrically connected to the processing device. When a pallet is present in the pallet storage space, the pallet detector sends a pallet detection signal to the processing device. The processing device controls the transfer mechanism based on the pallet detection signal to move at least one object from the pallet in the pallet storage space into the support frame.

5. The silo equipment as described in claim 4, wherein, The silo equipment also includes a transport vehicle detector, which is electrically connected to the processing device. The transport vehicle detector is used to detect whether the transport vehicle exists in the parking space and generate a transport vehicle detection signal accordingly. The processing device can control the transfer mechanism to move at least one of the objects on the material pallet located in the material pallet temporary storage space into the support frame when the transport vehicle is not in the parking space, based on the transport vehicle detection signal and the material pallet detection signal.

6. A process system comprising: a central control system; a process device connected to the central control system, the central control system being capable of controlling the process device to process or measure an object; a hopper device comprising: a processing unit connected to the central control system; a body, the processing unit being disposed in the body, the body comprising: a parking space for accommodating a transport vehicle; a pallet storage space connected to the parking space, the pallet storage space for accommodating a pallet; at least one support frame connected to the body, the support frame being disposed in the body, the support frame being for storing a plurality of the objects; and a movable door disposed in the body, the movable door being for concealing or not concealing a support frame opening of the body, the objects being able to be placed on the support frame through the support frame opening. Two support structures are connected to the main body, and the two support structures are arranged facing each other. The two support structures can jointly support the material pallet located in the material pallet temporary storage space. A transfer mechanism is located in the main body, the transfer mechanism is electrically connected to the processing device, and the processing device can control the transfer mechanism to move the object carried by the material pallet located in the material pallet temporary storage space to the support frame; The transfer mechanism can cooperate with the process equipment to move the object set on the support to the process equipment; at least one of the transport vehicles is connected to the central control system; wherein, the central control system can control the transport vehicle to obtain the material pallet with at least one of the objects from an object storage station and move it to the parking space; when the transport vehicle carrying the material pallet is located in the parking space, the material pallet is located in the material pallet temporary storage space, and the transport vehicle can set the material pallet on the two support structures.

7. The process system as described in claim 6, wherein, Each of the aforementioned support structures is provided with a positioning structure, multiple limiting structures, and multiple rolling members. The positioning structure is used to engage with a positioning structure of the material tray. The multiple limiting structures can jointly restrict the material tray disposed on the support structure to a range of motion in at least two different axes. When the material tray is disposed on two of the aforementioned support structures, the multiple limiting structures are located around the outer edge of the material tray. When the positioning structure of the material tray is not fully engaged with the positioning structures of each of the aforementioned support structures, the material tray can move relative to the two aforementioned support structures through the multiple rolling members.

8. The process system as described in claim 6, wherein, The transfer mechanism is also provided with a reading device, which can read object data from an object identifier of the object disposed on the material tray. The processing device is electrically connected to the reading device, and the processing device can control the transfer mechanism according to the object data to move the object to the support.

9. The process system as described in claim 6, wherein, The silo equipment further includes at least one pallet detector, which is electrically connected to the processing device. When a pallet is present in the pallet storage space, the pallet detector sends a pallet detection signal to the processing device. The processing device controls the transfer mechanism based on the pallet detection signal to move at least one object from the pallet in the pallet storage space into the support frame.

10. The process system as described in claim 9, wherein, The silo equipment also includes a transport vehicle detector, which is electrically connected to the processing device. The transport vehicle detector is used to detect whether the transport vehicle exists in the parking space and generate a transport vehicle detection signal accordingly. The processing device can control the transfer mechanism to move at least one of the objects on the material pallet located in the material pallet temporary storage space into the support frame when the transport vehicle is not in the parking space, based on the transport vehicle detection signal and the material pallet detection signal.

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