An article conveying system

Abstract

The present invention discloses an article conveying system, including: a horizontal transverse movement mechanism, a vertical lifting mechanism, a pushing mechanism and a temporary storage mechanism; the horizontal transverse movement mechanism is provided with a horizontal guide rail, the horizontal guide rail is provided with a first motor, the first motor is used to drive the vertical lifting mechanism to move horizontally in the horizontal direction; the vertical lifting mechanism is provided with a vertical guide rail, the vertical guide rail is provided with a second motor, the second motor is used to drive the pushing mechanism to perform vertical lifting action in the vertical direction; the pushing mechanism is used to carry articles and push the articles into the temporary storage mechanism; the temporary storage mechanism is provided with a plurality of accommodating cavities, and a detachable loading tray is provided at the bottom of each accommodating cavity. Since the horizontal transverse movement mechanism, the vertical lifting mechanism and the pushing mechanism are provided, the utilization rate of the site can be improved; the articles can be transported by the horizontal transverse movement mechanism, the vertical lifting mechanism and the pushing mechanism without manual handling, thereby reducing the transportation cost and improving the work efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of article conveying equipment, and in particular to an article conveying system. Background Art

[0002] With the development of society, people have higher and higher requirements for the transportation of goods. Take the transportation of food in the catering industry as an example. It is usually cooked and sold in fixed stores. After the customer orders, the waiter goes to the kitchen to prepare the meal. After the meal is prepared, it is delivered to the customer outside the kitchen. Due to the disadvantages of slow speed, low efficiency, certain error rate and poor hygiene of manual meal preparation, customers usually have to wait for a long time, which cannot meet the demand for fast meal delivery during peak meal times. Especially in some places with large traffic, there are often long queues for meals, resulting in poor customer experience. In addition, since the kitchen production room is on the first floor, it is difficult for businesses to make a profit under the current high rent pressure.

[0003] It can be seen that the traditional method of transporting items has the problems of low space utilization efficiency and high labor costs. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of the above problems, it is necessary to provide an article conveying system which can improve site utilization, reduce transportation costs and improve work efficiency.

[0005] A material conveying system comprises a horizontal traverse mechanism, a vertical lifting mechanism, a pushing mechanism and a temporary storage mechanism; the horizontal traverse mechanism is provided with a horizontal guide rail, the horizontal guide rail is provided with a first motor, the first motor is used to drive the vertical lifting mechanism to move horizontally in a horizontal direction; the vertical lifting mechanism is provided with a vertical guide rail, the vertical guide rail is provided with a second motor, the second motor is used to drive the pushing mechanism to perform vertical lifting and lowering actions in a vertical direction; the pushing mechanism is used to carry materials and push the materials into the temporary storage mechanism; the temporary storage mechanism is provided with a plurality of accommodating cavities, and a detachable loading tray is provided at the bottom of each of the accommodating cavities.

[0006] In one embodiment, the horizontal transverse movement mechanism is provided with a horizontal rack and a first gear, the first gear is engaged with the horizontal rack, and the first gear is connected to the first motor; the first motor is clamped on the horizontal guide rail, and the vertical lifting mechanism is driven to move transversely in the horizontal direction through the first gear.

[0007] In one embodiment, the vertical lifting mechanism is provided with a vertical rack and a second gear, the second gear is engaged with the vertical rack, and the second gear is connected to the second motor; the second motor is clamped on the vertical guide rail, and the pushing mechanism is driven by the second gear to perform vertical lifting action in the vertical direction.

[0008] In one of the embodiments, the pushing mechanism is provided with a pushing slide rod, a third motor and a vacuum suction cup; one end of the pushing slide rod is connected to the third motor, and the vacuum suction cup is clamped on the pushing slide rod; the third motor is used to drive the vacuum suction cup to slide along the pushing slide rod.

[0009] In one of the embodiments, a controller is further included; the controller is electrically connected to the horizontal lateral movement mechanism, the vertical lifting mechanism, the pushing mechanism and the temporary storage mechanism respectively.

[0010] In one embodiment, each of the storage cavities in the temporary storage mechanism is provided with a sensor and a timer; the sensor and the timer are electrically connected to the controller respectively; the sensor is used to detect whether there are items stored in the storage cavity and transmit the detection result to the controller, and the timer is used to calculate the storage time of the items stored in the storage cavity and transmit the calculation result to the controller.

[0011] In one of the embodiments, the controller calculates the usage rate of the temporary storage mechanism based on the detection result and the calculation result; when the usage rate is greater than a usage threshold and the calculation result exceeds a time threshold, the controller controls the horizontal transverse movement mechanism, the vertical lifting mechanism and the pushing mechanism to retrieve the items in the storage cavity corresponding to the calculation result in the temporary storage mechanism.

[0012] In one embodiment, each of the accommodating chambers is provided with a first chamber door and a second chamber door; the first chamber door is provided on a side of the accommodating chamber close to the pushing mechanism; the second chamber door is provided on a side of the accommodating chamber away from the pushing mechanism.

[0013] In one of the embodiments, a display screen is disposed on the second cavity door.

[0014] In one embodiment, the size of the second cavity door is smaller than that of the first cavity door; the size of the carrier plate accommodated in the accommodating chamber is larger than the size of the second cavity door and smaller than the size of the first cavity door.

[0015] The above-mentioned article conveying system includes a horizontal transverse movement mechanism, a vertical lifting mechanism, a pushing mechanism and a temporary storage mechanism; the horizontal transverse movement mechanism is provided with a horizontal guide rail, and the horizontal guide rail is provided with a first motor, and the first motor is used to drive the vertical lifting mechanism to move horizontally in the horizontal direction; the vertical lifting mechanism is provided with a vertical guide rail, and the vertical guide rail is provided with a second motor, and the second motor is used to drive the pushing mechanism to perform vertical lifting in the vertical direction; the pushing mechanism is used to carry articles and push the articles into the temporary storage mechanism; the temporary storage mechanism is provided with a plurality of accommodating cavities, and a detachable loading tray is provided at the bottom of each accommodating cavity. Since the horizontal transverse movement mechanism, the vertical lifting mechanism and the pushing mechanism are provided, the utilization rate of the site can be improved; the articles can be transported by the horizontal transverse movement mechanism, the vertical lifting mechanism and the pushing mechanism without manual handling, which reduces the transportation cost and improves the work efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 is a structural diagram of an article conveying system in one embodiment;

[0017] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Structural diagram of the middle horizontal traverse mechanism;

[0018] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Structural diagram of the vertical lifting mechanism;

[0019] Figure 4 for Figure 1 The structural diagram of the push mechanism;

[0020] Figure 5 for Figure 1 Structural diagram of the middle accommodating cavity. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] In order to better understand the present invention, the content of the present invention is further explained below in conjunction with the drawings and embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0022] In one embodiment, Figure 1As shown, an article conveying system provided by the present invention mainly includes: a horizontal transverse movement mechanism 100, a vertical lifting mechanism 200, a pushing mechanism 300 and a temporary storage mechanism 400; the horizontal transverse movement mechanism 100 is provided with a horizontal guide rail 110, and the horizontal guide rail 110 is provided with a first motor 120, and the first motor 120 is used to drive the vertical lifting mechanism 200 to move horizontally in the horizontal direction; the vertical lifting mechanism 200 is provided with a vertical guide rail 210, and the vertical guide rail 210 is provided with a second motor 220, and the second motor 220 is used to drive the pushing mechanism 300 to perform a vertical lifting action in the vertical direction; the pushing mechanism 300 is used to carry articles and push the articles into the temporary storage mechanism 400; the temporary storage mechanism 400 is provided with a plurality of accommodating cavities 410, and a detachable loading tray 420 is provided at the bottom of each accommodating cavity 410. In this embodiment, in order to ensure that the vertical lifting mechanism 200 is more stable in horizontal lateral movement, the number of horizontal guide rails 110 can be two; in order to ensure that the pushing mechanism 300 is more stable when performing vertical lifting action in the vertical direction, the number of vertical guide rails 210 can also be two. The article conveying system provided in this embodiment can be applied to the conveying of various articles. Preferably, the article conveying system provided in this embodiment can be applied to the conveying of food.

[0023] In this embodiment, the temporary storage mechanism 400 is provided with a plurality of accommodating cavities 410, and each accommodating cavity 410 can accommodate articles. The height of the temporary storage mechanism 400 can be 175 cm, 180 cm, or other heights, which are not limited here; the temporary storage mechanism 400 can include 4 accommodating cavities 410 in a vertical row, 3 accommodating cavities 410 in a horizontal row, and a total of 12 accommodating cavities 410; the temporary storage mechanism 400 can also include 4 accommodating cavities 410 in a vertical row, 2 accommodating cavities 410 in a horizontal row, and a total of 8 accommodating cavities 410; the temporary storage mechanism 400 can also include other numbers of accommodating cavities 410, which are not limited here. Specifically, the size of each accommodating cavity 410 can be 40 cm wide and 30 cm long, or other sizes.

[0024] The horizontal traverse mechanism 100, the vertical lifting mechanism 200 and the push mechanism 300 can all be arranged at the rear of the temporary storage mechanism 400. Since the temporary storage mechanism 400 is provided with a plurality of accommodating cavities 410, the push mechanism 300 can move to a certain accommodating cavity 410 in the temporary storage mechanism 400 according to the horizontal traverse mechanism 100 and the vertical lifting mechanism 200, so as to place the article in the accommodating cavity 410.

[0025] In this embodiment, since a horizontal transverse movement mechanism 100, a vertical lifting mechanism 200 and a pushing mechanism 300 are provided, the utilization rate of the site can be improved; items are transported by means of the horizontal transverse movement mechanism 100, the vertical lifting mechanism 200 and the pushing mechanism 300, wherein the horizontal transverse movement mechanism 100 and part of the vertical lifting mechanism 200 can be provided upstairs, and the pushing mechanism 300 transports the items to the downstairs by performing lifting actions on the vertical lifting mechanism 200, without the need for manual handling, thereby reducing transportation costs and improving work efficiency.

[0026] In one embodiment, Figure 2 As shown, the horizontal traverse mechanism 100 is provided with a horizontal rack 130 and a first gear 140, the first gear 140 is meshed with the horizontal rack 130, and the first gear 140 is connected to the first motor 120; the first motor 120 is clamped on the horizontal guide rail 110, and drives the vertical lifting mechanism 200 to move horizontally through the first gear 140. In this embodiment, since the temporary storage mechanism includes a horizontal row of accommodating chambers, the horizontal traverse mechanism 100 can drive the vertical lifting mechanism 200 to move horizontally through the first gear 140, thereby controlling the pushing mechanism 300 to select the accommodating chamber in the horizontal direction.

[0027] like Figure 3 As shown, in one embodiment, the vertical lifting mechanism 200 is provided with a vertical rack 230 and a second gear 240, the second gear 240 is meshed with the vertical rack 230, and the second gear 240 is connected to the second motor 220; the second motor 220 is clamped on the vertical guide rail 210, and the second gear 240 drives the push mechanism 300 to perform a vertical lifting action in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, since the temporary storage mechanism includes a vertical column of accommodating chambers, the vertical lifting mechanism 200 can drive the push mechanism 300 to perform a vertical lifting action in the vertical direction through the second gear 240, thereby controlling the push mechanism 300 to select the accommodating chamber in the vertical direction.

[0028] In one embodiment, Figure 4 As shown, the pushing mechanism 300 is provided with a pushing slide bar 310, a third motor 320 and a vacuum suction cup 330; one end of the pushing slide bar 310 is connected to the third motor 320, and the vacuum suction cup 330 is clamped on the pushing slide bar 310; the third motor 320 is used to drive the vacuum suction cup 330 to slide along the pushing slide bar 310. In this embodiment, a carrying plate 340 is provided on the upper part of the vacuum suction cup 330, and the carrying plate 340 can carry items. The third motor 320 can drive the vacuum suction cup 330 to slide along the pushing slide bar 310, so as to place the items carried on the carrying plate 340 into the accommodating cavity.

[0029] In one embodiment, an article conveying system provided may further include a controller; the controller is electrically connected to the horizontal traverse mechanism, the vertical lifting mechanism, the push mechanism and the temporary storage mechanism respectively. The controller may be used to control the horizontal traverse mechanism, the vertical lifting mechanism and the push mechanism to place the article into a specific receiving cavity in the temporary storage mechanism.

[0030] In one embodiment, each storage cavity in the temporary storage mechanism is provided with a sensor and a timer; the sensor and the timer are electrically connected to the controller respectively; the sensor is used to detect whether there are items stored in the storage cavity and transmit the detection result to the controller, and the timer is used to calculate the storage time of the items stored in the storage cavity and transmit the calculation result to the controller. In this embodiment, the sensor can be set on the cavity wall of the storage cavity to detect whether there are items stored in the storage cavity. When the sensor detects that there are items stored in the storage cavity, the sensor can send the detection result to the controller, and the controller controls the timer to start timing according to the detection result, and returns the storage time of the items to the controller.

[0031] In one embodiment, the controller calculates the usage rate of the temporary storage mechanism according to the detection results and the calculation results; when the usage rate is greater than the usage threshold and the calculation result exceeds the time threshold, the controller controls the horizontal traverse mechanism, the vertical lifting mechanism and the pushing mechanism to retrieve the items in the storage cavity corresponding to the calculation result in the temporary storage mechanism. Since the detection result received by the controller can be used to indicate whether there are items stored in the storage cavity, and the calculation result can be used to indicate the storage time of the items stored in the storage cavity, the controller can calculate the usage rate of the storage cavity in the temporary storage mechanism according to the detection results and the calculation results.

[0032] Among them, the usage threshold can be pre-set, and the usage threshold can be used to indicate the usage rate of the storage cavity in the set temporary storage mechanism. For example, the usage threshold can be 60%, 70%, 80%, etc. The time threshold can also be pre-set to indicate the longest time that the items can be stored in the storage cavity. When the usage rate is greater than the usage threshold and the calculated result exceeds the time threshold, the controller controls the horizontal transverse movement mechanism, the vertical lifting mechanism and the pushing mechanism to retrieve the items in the storage cavity corresponding to the calculated result in the temporary storage mechanism. Specifically, when the usage rate is greater than the usage threshold, the calculated result exceeds the time threshold, and new items need to be placed in the storage cavity, the controller will control the horizontal transverse movement mechanism, the vertical lifting mechanism and the pushing mechanism to retrieve the items in the storage cavity corresponding to the calculated result in the temporary storage mechanism.

[0033] like Figure 5As shown, in one embodiment, each accommodating chamber 410 is provided with a first chamber door 412 and a second chamber door 414; the first chamber door 412 is provided on a side of the accommodating chamber 410 close to the pushing mechanism; the second chamber door 414 is provided on a side of the accommodating chamber 410 away from the pushing mechanism. In this embodiment, since the first chamber door 412 is provided on a side of the accommodating chamber 410 close to the pushing mechanism, when the controller controls the pushing mechanism to push the item into the accommodating chamber 410, the pushing mechanism can push the first chamber door 412, and the first chamber door 412 opens under the thrust of the pushing mechanism, so that the pushing mechanism can place the item in the accommodating chamber 410; since the second chamber door 414 is provided on a side of the accommodating chamber 410 away from the pushing mechanism, the customer can take out the item in the accommodating chamber 410 by opening the second chamber door 414.

[0034] In this embodiment, a display screen 416 is provided on the second cavity door 414, and the display screen 416 can be used to display advertisements. The size of the second cavity door 414 is smaller than the size of the first cavity door 412; the size of the loading tray 420 contained in the accommodating chamber 410 is larger than the size of the second cavity door 414, and smaller than the size of the first cavity door 412. The loading tray 420 can be used to place items. When the customer takes out the items in the accommodating chamber 410 through the second cavity door 414, the customer cannot take out the loading tray 420 together because the size of the loaded loading tray 420 is larger than the size of the second cavity door 414. Among them, after the customer takes out the items in the accommodating chamber 410, since the size of the loading tray 420 is smaller than the size of the first cavity door 412, the pushing mechanism can recycle the loading tray 420 to the designated position.

[0035] The method for using the article conveying system provided by the present invention is as follows:

[0036] After the customer places an order and pays the fee, the controller can send the order data such as the items selected by the customer, production requirements, and pickup code to the terminal at the staff. The terminal at the staff can be provided with a voice player, which can be used to play the content in the order data in the form of voice, so that the staff can process and produce the items according to the order data. Among them, a camera can be provided on the terminal at the staff, and the customer can watch the production process of the item through the camera. The controller can send the generated item production information to the customer. Specifically, the item production information can include the store phone number, location information, production information of items in the queue, estimated waiting time, etc. After the production is completed, the controller can detect whether there are items stored in each storage cavity and the storage time of the stored items according to the sensors and timers set in the storage cavity, so as to determine which storage cavity the completed item needs to be placed in.

[0037] After the controller determines the storage cavity that needs to be placed, it can control the first motor set in the horizontal guide rail on the horizontal lateral movement mechanism, thereby driving the vertical lifting mechanism to move horizontally; the controller can control the second motor set in the vertical guide rail on the vertical lifting mechanism, thereby driving the pushing mechanism to perform vertical lifting in the vertical direction; the controller can control the pushing mechanism to push the items into the storage cavity of the temporary storage mechanism. Specifically, when there are multiple items that need to be placed in an order, the controller can control the pushing mechanism to push the multiple items into different storage cavities of the temporary storage mechanism respectively, and generate a pickup reminder message to send to the customer. The pickup reminder message may include information such as the pickup code and the location of the storage cavity where the items are stored.

[0038] After the item is placed in the storage cavity, the timer in the storage cavity starts counting. When the placement time of the item in the storage cavity exceeds the time threshold and there is a new order that needs to be placed in the storage cavity, the controller can control the horizontal traverse mechanism, vertical lifting mechanism and push mechanism to retrieve the item in the storage cavity and send a prompt message to the customer that the item has been returned to the workbench. At this time, the customer needs to reapply to take out the item, and the controller will control the horizontal traverse mechanism, vertical lifting mechanism and push mechanism to put the item back into the storage cavity.

[0039] After the customer takes out the items, the controller can detect whether the second cavity door is closed. When the second cavity door is not closed, the controller can control the alarm to prompt an alarm message. The staff can use the surveillance camera to check which storage cavity's second cavity door is not closed, and press the button corresponding to the unclosed second cavity door to close the second cavity door.

[0040] After the second chamber door is closed, the controller can control the horizontal traverse mechanism, the vertical lifting mechanism and the pushing mechanism to retract the loading tray in the accommodating chamber to the specified position, and then the staff can sort it out.

[0041] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations may be made to the embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, and that the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An article conveying system, characterized in that: It includes a horizontal lateral movement mechanism, a vertical lifting mechanism, a pushing mechanism and a temporary storage mechanism; the horizontal lateral movement mechanism is provided with a horizontal guide rail, and the horizontal guide rail is provided with a first motor, and the first motor is used to drive the vertical lifting mechanism to move horizontally in the horizontal direction; the vertical lifting mechanism is provided with a vertical guide rail, and the vertical guide rail is provided with a second motor, and the second motor is used to drive the pushing mechanism to perform vertical lifting and lowering actions in the vertical direction; the pushing mechanism is used to carry objects and push the objects into the temporary storage mechanism; the temporary storage mechanism is provided with a plurality of accommodating cavities, and a detachable loading tray is provided at the bottom of each of the accommodating cavities.

2. The article conveying system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The horizontal transverse movement mechanism is provided with a horizontal rack and a first gear, the first gear is meshed with the horizontal rack, and the first gear is connected to the first motor; the first motor is clamped on the horizontal guide rail, and the vertical lifting mechanism is driven to move transversely in the horizontal direction through the first gear.

3. The article conveying system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vertical lifting mechanism is provided with a vertical rack and a second gear, the second gear is meshed with the vertical rack, and the second gear is connected to the second motor; the second motor is clamped on the vertical guide rail, and the pushing mechanism is driven by the second gear to perform vertical lifting action in the vertical direction.

4. The article conveying system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pushing mechanism is provided with a pushing slide rod, a third motor and a vacuum suction cup; one end of the pushing slide rod is connected to the third motor, and the vacuum suction cup is clamped on the pushing slide rod; the third motor is used to drive the vacuum suction cup to slide along the pushing slide rod.

5. The article conveying system according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a controller; the controller is electrically connected to the horizontal lateral movement mechanism, the vertical lifting mechanism, the pushing mechanism and the temporary storage mechanism respectively.

6. The article conveying system according to claim 5, characterized in that: A sensor and a timer are provided in each of the accommodating cavities in the temporary storage mechanism; the sensor and the timer are electrically connected to the controller respectively; the sensor is used to detect whether there are items stored in the accommodating cavity and transmit the detection result to the controller, and the timer is used to calculate the storage time of the items stored in the accommodating cavity and transmit the calculation result to the controller.

7. The article conveying system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The controller calculates the usage rate of the temporary storage mechanism according to the detection result and the calculation result; when the usage rate is greater than a usage threshold and the calculation result exceeds a time threshold, the controller controls the horizontal transverse movement mechanism, the vertical lifting mechanism and the pushing mechanism to retrieve the items in the storage cavity corresponding to the calculation result in the temporary storage mechanism.

8. The article conveying system according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the accommodating chambers is provided with a first chamber door and a second chamber door; the first chamber door is provided on a side of the accommodating chamber close to the pushing mechanism; the second chamber door is provided on a side of the accommodating chamber away from the pushing mechanism.

9. The article conveying system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The second cavity door is provided with a display screen.

10. The article conveying system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The size of the second cavity door is smaller than that of the first cavity door; the size of the carrier plate accommodated in the accommodating cavity is larger than that of the second cavity door and smaller than that of the first cavity door.

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