An automatic material discharging device

Abstract

The application discloses an automatic material discharging device and relates to the material transportation technical field.The automatic material discharging device comprises a rack assembly and a hopper assembly.The hopper assembly is movably connected to the rack through an elastic deformation recovery mechanism.The recovery mechanism can drive the hopper assembly to reciprocate between a material receiving position and a material discharging position in the vertical direction.A limiting device is arranged at the material receiving position to limit the movement of the hopper assembly.The automatic material discharging device can accurately place the material package on the target position, and the material package is lowered by gravity.The hopper is opened through a self-locking mechanism, so that the unit energy consumption and the equipment cost can be reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of material handling technology, and more specifically to an automatic material feeding device. Background Technology

[0002] A loading machine is an automated material handling device used to automatically stack bags onto transport vehicles. Conventional loading machines use a hopper to transport bags to a designated position at a certain height above the vehicle's floor. Then, the hopper opens, and the bags fall freely into the vehicle. Due to the significant drop, the bags inevitably rotate, flip, deform, or rebound during the descent and after colliding with the vehicle's floor. This results in bags not being placed in the intended position, being unevenly stacked, and potentially falling during transport. Therefore, manual re-stacking is often required, impacting loading efficiency, increasing labor costs, and in severe cases, even breaking the bags, further increasing material loss. Users are often reluctant to use such machines. To mitigate these effects, some loading machines employ robotic arms or telescopic structures to increase vertical travel and reduce the drop. However, due to efficiency limitations, the travel cannot be increased sufficiently to eliminate the drop, thus not completely solving the problem of uneven stacking. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to address the aforementioned problems by providing an automatic material feeding device that can accurately place the material bag at the target position. Furthermore, the material bag is lowered using gravity, and the hopper is opened via a self-locking mechanism, thereby reducing unit energy consumption and equipment costs.

[0004] The technical solution adopted in this invention is as follows:

[0005] An automatic feeding device includes a frame assembly and a hopper assembly. The hopper assembly is movably connected to the frame via an elastically deformable return mechanism. The return mechanism can drive the hopper assembly to reciprocate between a receiving position and a discharging position in the vertical direction. A limiting device is provided at the receiving position to restrict the movement of the hopper assembly.

[0006] Furthermore, the hopper assembly includes a hopper support, a self-locking mechanism, and a tray for carrying materials. The tray is closable and connectable to the hopper support via the self-locking mechanism.

[0007] Furthermore, the self-locking mechanism includes a connecting rod, a spring, and an ear seat; the connecting rod includes a first connecting part, a second connecting part, and a third connecting part; the first connecting part and the third connecting part are respectively connected to both ends of the second connecting part, and the first connecting part, the second connecting part, and the third connecting part cooperate to form a C-shaped structure; one end of the first connecting part that is connected to the second connecting part is hinged to the ear seat, and the middle part is hinged to the hopper support through a fixed seat; the third connecting part is located on the outside of the pallet and matches the pallet, and the spring, the ear seat, and the connecting rod can cooperate to restrict the pallet to be in a closed state.

[0008] Furthermore, the limiting device includes a longitudinal limiting frame and a transverse limiting frame. The longitudinal limiting frame can limit the hopper assembly to the receiving position. The pair of transverse limiting frames are located at both ends of the longitudinal limiting frame. The pair of transverse limiting frames cooperate with each other to limit the pallet to the closed state through a connecting rod.

[0009] Furthermore, the top surface of the tray is a bearing surface, the bottom surface is a contact surface, and a buffer element is provided on the contact surface.

[0010] Furthermore, it also includes a bracket device, which includes a bracket support and a bracket drive device. The bracket support is closably connected to the frame assembly via the bracket drive device. The bracket device is matched with the hopper assembly located at the receiving position and is located above the pallet.

[0011] Furthermore, the paired bracket devices are located on both sides of the frame, and the paired bracket devices can cooperate with each other to restrict the material at the receiving position.

[0012] Furthermore, the rack assembly includes a rack and a drive device capable of rotating and / or moving the rack.

[0013] Furthermore, a guide frame is provided within the frame assembly along the vertical direction of the recovery mechanism 7, and the guide frame matches and restricts the recovery mechanism.

[0014] Furthermore, the return mechanism is a tension spring.

[0015] In summary, due to the adoption of the above technical solution, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0016] This invention uses gravity to place materials in the hopper assembly from the high receiving position along a predetermined trajectory to the low discharging position, effectively preventing material from tilting during free fall. The hopper assembly is opened using a self-locking mechanism. After discharging, the hopper assembly returns to the receiving position under the action of a return mechanism. The hopper assembly can also close the pallet under the action of a limiting device for the next receiving operation. No additional drive mechanism is required on the hopper assembly, making it simple and reliable. The frame drive device on the frame assembly can drive the frame to rotate and move, thereby rotating and moving the material to any desired angle. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating the feeding process of the automatic feeding device of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the self-locking mechanism of the present invention in the closed state;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the self-locking mechanism of the present invention in the open state.

[0020] The markings in the diagram are: 1-Frame assembly, 101-Frame, 102-Frame drive unit, 2-Return mechanism, 3-Hopper assembly, 301-Hopper support, 302-Connecting rod, 303-Spring, 304-Ear seat, 4-Bracket device, 401-Bracket support, 402-Bracket drive unit, 5-Material, 6-Plate, 7-Buffer element, 8-Guide frame, 9-Limiting device. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0022] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the invention.

[0023] Example 1

[0024] An automatic feeding device, such as Figure 1-3 As shown, the assembly includes a frame assembly 1 and a hopper assembly 3. The hopper assembly 3 is movably connected to the frame 101 via an elastically deformable return mechanism 2. The return mechanism 2 can drive the hopper assembly 3 to reciprocate between a receiving position and a discharging position in the vertical direction. A limiting device 9 is provided at the receiving position to restrict the movement of the hopper assembly 3. The number of return mechanisms 2 is not limited and can be selected according to specific working conditions.

[0025] The hopper assembly 3 includes a hopper support 301, a self-locking mechanism, and a tray 6 for carrying materials 5. The tray 6 is connected to the hopper support 301 in an openable and closable manner through the self-locking mechanism.

[0026] The self-locking mechanism includes a connecting rod 302, a spring 303, and an ear seat 304. The connecting rod 302 includes a first connecting part, a second connecting part, and a third connecting part. The first connecting part and the third connecting part are respectively connected to both ends of the second connecting part. The first connecting part, the second connecting part, and the third connecting part cooperate to form a C-shaped structure. One end of the first connecting part that is connected to the second connecting part is hinged to the ear seat 304, and the middle part is hinged to the hopper support 301 through a fixed seat. The third connecting part is located on the outside of the pallet 6 and matches the pallet 6. The spring 303, the ear seat 304, and the connecting rod 302 can cooperate to restrict the pallet 6 to be in a closed state.

[0027] The limiting device 9 includes a longitudinal limiting frame and a transverse limiting frame. The longitudinal limiting frame can limit the hopper assembly 3 to the receiving position. The pair of transverse limiting frames are located at both ends of the longitudinal limiting frame. The pair of transverse limiting frames cooperate with each other to limit the pallet 6 to the closed state through the connecting rod 302.

[0028] The top surface of the tray 6 is the bearing surface, and the bottom surface is the contact surface, with a buffer element 7 provided on the contact surface. Preferably, the buffer element 7 is made of polyurethane or rubber buffer material.

[0029] It also includes a bracket device 4, which includes a bracket support 401 and a bracket drive device 402. The bracket support 401 is closably connected to the frame assembly 1 via the bracket drive device 402. The bracket device 4 is matched with the hopper assembly 3 located at the receiving position and is located above the pallet 6.

[0030] The pair of bracket devices 4 are located on both sides of the frame 101, and the pair of bracket devices 4 can cooperate with each other to restrict the material 5 at the receiving position.

[0031] The rack assembly 1 includes a rack 101 and a rack drive device 102 that can drive the rack 101 to rotate and / or move.

[0032] The frame assembly 1 is provided with a guide frame 8 along the vertical direction of the return mechanism 2. The guide frame 8 matches and restricts the return mechanism 2. Preferably, the guide frame 8 is a telescopic structure.

[0033] The return mechanism 2 is a tension spring.

[0034] Specifically, in this embodiment, gravity is used to place the material 5 in the hopper assembly 3 from the receiving position at the high position along a predetermined trajectory to the discharging position at the low position, which can effectively prevent the material 5 from tilting during free fall. The hopper assembly 3 is opened using a self-locking mechanism. After the discharging operation is completed, the hopper assembly 3 can return to the receiving position under the drive of the return mechanism 2. The hopper assembly 3 can keep the pallet 6 in the closed state under the action of the limiting device 9 for the next receiving. There is no need to set an additional drive mechanism on the hopper assembly 3, which is simple and reliable. The frame drive device 102 on the frame assembly 1 can drive the frame 101 to rotate and move, thereby rotating and moving the material 5 to any required angle.

[0035] The workflow of this embodiment is as follows: Material 5 is transported to the bracket device 4, and the bracket device 4 restricts material 5 to the receiving position. The frame drive device 102 adjusts the frame 101 to the designated position. The bracket drive device 402 drives the bracket support 401 to flip outward of the frame 101, so that the bracket device 4 is in the open state. Material 5 falls onto the bearing surface of the pallet 6. Gravity causes the self-locking mechanism to lock. The hopper assembly 3 and material 5 move downward under the action of gravity and touch the bottom. After the buffer element 7 collides with the target base surface, the self-locking mechanism is released. The spring 303 drives the ear seat 304 to press down, so that the connecting rod 302 rotates around the fixed seat, releasing the restriction on the pallet 6. The pallet 6 is in the open state. Material 5 falls to the target position. After the hopper assembly 3 unloads, it returns under the action of the return mechanism 2 and stops at the receiving position under the action of the longitudinal limit frame. The connecting rod 302 returns to its position under the action of the transverse limit frame and restricts the pallet 6 to be in the closed state.

[0036] This article uses specific embodiments to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of the present invention. The descriptions of the embodiments above are only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make several improvements and modifications to the present invention without departing from the principles of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications also fall within the protection scope of the claims of the present invention.

[0037] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship in which the product of this invention is usually placed during use. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0038] In the description of this invention, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "set," "install," "connect," and "link" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

Claims

1. An automatic feeding device, comprising a frame assembly and a hopper assembly, characterized in that, The hopper assembly is movably connected to the frame via an elastically deformable return mechanism. This return mechanism allows the hopper assembly to reciprocate between a receiving position and a discharging position in the vertical direction. A limiting device is provided at the receiving position to restrict the movement of the hopper assembly. The hopper assembly includes a hopper support, a self-locking mechanism, and a tray for carrying materials. The tray is closable with the hopper support via the self-locking mechanism. The self-locking mechanism includes a connecting rod, a spring, and an ear seat. The connecting rod includes a first connecting part, a second connecting part, and a third connecting part. The first and third connecting parts are respectively connected to both ends of the second connecting part, and these three parts cooperate to form a C-shaped structure. One end of the first connecting part, opposite to the second connecting part, is hinged to the ear seat, and the middle part is hinged to the hopper support via a fixed seat. The third connecting part is located on the outside of the pallet and matches the pallet. The spring, lug, and connecting rod can cooperate to restrict the pallet to the closed state. The top surface of the pallet is the bearing surface, and the bottom surface is the contact surface. A buffer element is provided on the contact surface. When the material falls onto the bearing surface of the pallet, the self-locking mechanism locks itself due to gravity. After the hopper assembly and the material move downward under the action of gravity, they touch the bottom. When the buffer element collides with the target base surface, a gap is formed between the target base surface and the contact surface, allowing the third connecting part to move. The self-locking mechanism releases itself, and the spring drives the lug to press down, causing the connecting rod to rotate around the fixed seat, releasing the restriction on the pallet. The return mechanism is a tension spring. The elastic force of the tension spring causes the hopper support to have an upward movement tendency, while the gravity of the material has a downward movement tendency. Since the pallet is not restricted by the connecting rod, it can rotate and open, allowing the material to fall to the target position.

2. The automatic feeding device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The limiting device includes a longitudinal limiting frame and a transverse limiting frame. The longitudinal limiting frame can limit the hopper assembly to the receiving position. The pair of transverse limiting frames are located at both ends of the longitudinal limiting frame. The pair of transverse limiting frames cooperate with each other to limit the pallet to the closed state through a connecting rod.

3. The automatic feeding device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a bracket device, which includes a bracket support and a bracket drive device. The bracket support is closably connected to the frame assembly via the bracket drive device. The bracket device is matched with the hopper assembly located at the receiving position and is located above the pallet.

4. The automatic feeding device as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The paired bracket devices are located on both sides of the frame, and the paired bracket devices can cooperate with each other to restrict the material at the receiving position.

5. The automatic feeding device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The rack assembly includes a rack and a drive device that can rotate and / or move the rack.

6. The automatic feeding device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The frame assembly is provided with a guide frame along the vertical direction of the recovery mechanism. The guide frame matches and restricts the recovery mechanism.

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