Material box transfer system

Abstract

The application provides a material box transfer system, which comprises a robot, a loading and unloading machine and a conveyor. The first end of the conveyor has an entrance side and an exit side. One side of the conveyor has a work area. The conveyor is used for transporting the material boxes from the entrance side and the work area to the exit side in sequence. The loading and unloading machine moves between the robot and the first end of the conveyor, so as to transport the material boxes on the robot to the entrance side, or transport the picked material boxes from the exit side to the robot. The material box transfer system provided by the application can improve the work efficiency of the material box transfer system without the robot moving back and forth between the two ends of the conveying line frequently.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of warehousing and logistics, and in particular to a material box transfer system. Background Technology

[0002] Warehousing is a crucial part of the logistics process. Robots can replace manual labor in handling goods and play an important role in intelligent warehousing and logistics.

[0003] A warehouse material box transfer system may include robots and conveyor lines. Operators are located in the middle of the conveyor line, while robots move back and forth between the two ends of the conveyor line. The robot places the material box to be processed at one end of the conveyor line, and the conveyor line transports the material box to the operator's location. The operator loads the material box with materials, and the robot moves to the other end of the conveyor line to receive the processed material box.

[0004] However, the above method requires the robot to frequently turn and move, resulting in low efficiency of the material box transfer system. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a material box transfer system that eliminates the need for robots to frequently move back and forth between the two ends of the transport line, thereby improving the working efficiency of the material box transfer system.

[0006] This application provides a material box transfer system, including a robot, a loading and unloading machine and a conveyor. The first end of the conveyor has an inlet side and an outlet side, and one side of the conveyor has a working area. The conveyor is used to transport the material box sequentially from the inlet side and the working area to the outlet side.

[0007] The loading and unloading machine moves between the first end of the robot and the conveyor to transport the bins on the robot to the inlet side, or to transport the picked bins from the outlet side to the robot.

[0008] In one possible implementation, the material box transfer system provided in this application has a loading and unloading machine that moves back and forth along a preset moving route. The preset moving route is a straight line and is perpendicular to the transmission direction of the conveyor.

[0009] In one possible implementation, the material box transfer system provided in this application includes a conveyor comprising a first transfer position, a first conveyor line, and a second conveyor line, wherein the first conveyor line and the second conveyor line are arranged in parallel and the conveying directions of the first conveyor line and the second conveyor line are opposite.

[0010] The first end of the first conveyor line forms the entrance side, and the first end of the second conveyor line forms the exit side. The transfer station is located on the first conveyor line and behind the work area, so as to move the picked material box from the first conveyor line to the second conveyor line.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the material box transfer system provided in this application includes a conveyor line support, a transfer position including a lifting support and a third conveyor line connected to the lifting support, the lifting support being connected to the conveyor line support and being raised and lowered relative to the conveyor line support so that the third conveyor line is partially located above the first conveyor line, and the third conveyor line is used to transfer the picked material box from the first conveyor line to the second conveyor line.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the material box transfer system provided in this application has a transfer unit on the loading and unloading machine, and the transfer unit includes a first sub-transfer component and a second sub-transfer component arranged in parallel.

[0013] The conveying direction of the first sub-transfer assembly is the same as that of the first conveyor line, and the first sub-transfer assembly is located on the extension line of the first conveyor line;

[0014] The conveying direction of the second sub-transfer assembly is the same as that of the second conveyor line, and the second sub-transfer assembly is located on the extension line of the second conveyor line;

[0015] The material boxes on the robot are transported to the entrance side via the first sub-transfer component, and the picked material boxes are transported to the robot via the second sub-transfer component.

[0016] In one possible implementation, the material box transfer system provided in this application has a transfer unit on the loading and unloading machine. The transfer unit includes a first sub-transfer component. The transfer unit moves back and forth relative to the loading and unloading machine along a preset moving route. The first sub-transfer component rotates forward so that the conveying direction of the first sub-transfer component is consistent with the conveying direction of the first conveying line; or, the first sub-transfer component rotates in reverse so that the conveying direction of the first sub-transfer component is consistent with the conveying direction of the second conveying line.

[0017] In one possible implementation, the material box transfer system provided in this application further includes a robotic arm assembly on the transfer unit. At least one of the first sub-transfer assembly and the second sub-transfer assembly has the robotic arm assembly, which is used to move the material box on the robot to the transfer unit.

[0018] In one possible implementation, the material box transfer system provided in this application includes a loading and unloading machine comprising a movable support frame, transfer units located on the movable support frame, and the transfer units having multiple layers.

[0019] In one possible implementation, the material box transfer system provided in this application further includes a hoist located between the conveyor and the loading / unloading machine, which moves vertically to transfer the material box between the conveyor and the loading / unloading machine.

[0020] In one possible implementation, the material box transfer system provided in this application includes a hoist with a support frame and a transfer unit on the support frame for transferring material boxes between a conveyor and a loading / unloading machine.

[0021] In one possible implementation, the material box transfer system provided in this application has a first sub-transfer component on a support frame connected to a second sub-transfer component on the support frame, and the first sub-transfer component on the support frame and the second sub-transfer component on the support frame move up and down synchronously.

[0022] In one possible implementation, the material box transfer system provided in this application further includes a buffer shelf located between the elevator and the loading / unloading machine to transfer material boxes between the elevator and the loading / unloading machine.

[0023] In one possible implementation, the material box transfer system provided in this application includes a buffer rack comprising a rack body having multiple transfer units on the rack body, the transfer units on the rack body being used to transfer material boxes between a hoist and a loading / unloading machine.

[0024] In one possible implementation, the material box transfer system provided in this application has transfer units on the shelf body and transfer units on the mobile support frame arranged in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0025] In one possible implementation, the material box transfer system provided in this application has a first conveyor line that is a roller conveyor assembly and a second conveyor line that is either a roller conveyor assembly or a belt conveyor assembly.

[0026] In one possible implementation, the material box transfer system provided in this application has a first sub-transfer component and a second sub-transfer component as roller transfer components; or, the first sub-transfer component and the second sub-transfer component as belt transfer components.

[0027] In one possible implementation, the material box transfer system provided in this application includes a robot body, a handling device, and a storage rack, with the handling device and the storage rack located on opposite sides of the robot body.

[0028] The handling device moves up and down relative to the robot body and accesses material boxes on the storage shelf;

[0029] There are multiple storage shelves, which are spaced apart vertically.

[0030] The material box transfer system provided in this application, by setting up a robot, a loading / unloading machine, and a conveyor, with the inlet and outlet sides of the conveyor located on the same side, and the loading / unloading machine moving between the robot and the first end of the conveyor, transports material boxes from the robot to the conveyor and vice versa. Loading and unloading of material boxes between the robot and the conveyor can be completed by the loading / unloading machine; after the robot moves to the loading / unloading machine to unload the material box, it can then perform the operation of transporting material boxes again. The loading / unloading machine and the robot do not need to frequently move back and forth between the two ends of the conveyor line. Therefore, the working efficiency of the material box transfer system is improved. Attached Figure Description

[0031] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0032] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the material box transfer system provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0033] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the conveyor structure in the material box transfer system provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0034] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the transfer position and part of the first conveyor line in the material box transfer system provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0035] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the loading and unloading machine in the material box transfer system provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0036] Figure 5 This is a structural schematic diagram of the loading and unloading machine in the material box transfer system provided in the embodiments of this application from another angle;

[0037] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the buffer shelf in the material box transfer system provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0038] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the robot structure in the material box transfer system provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0039] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of another material box transfer system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0040] Figure 9 for Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the loading and unloading machine.

[0041] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0042] 100 - Robot; 110 - Robot body; 120 - Handling device; 130 - Storage rack;

[0043] 200 - Loading / unloading machine; 210 - Mobile support frame;

[0044] 300 - Conveyor; 310 - Inlet side; 320 - Outlet side; 330 - Working area; 340 - Transfer position; 341 - Lifting support; 342 - Third conveyor line; 350 - First conveyor line; 360 - Second conveyor line; 370 - Conveyor line support;

[0045] 400 - Material Box;

[0046] 500 - Transfer unit; 510 - First sub-transfer assembly; 520 - Second sub-transfer assembly; 530 - Robotic arm assembly; 531 - Robotic arm drive unit; 532 - Moving frame; 533 - Robotic arm; 5331 - Finger;

[0047] 600 - Hoist; 610 - Support frame;

[0048] 700 - Cache rack; 710 - Rack body. Detailed Implementation

[0049] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar components or components having the same or similar functions throughout. The described embodiments are some, but not all, embodiments of this application. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain this application, and should not be construed as limiting this application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application. The embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0050] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a primary connection, an indirect connection via an intermediate medium, or the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0051] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this application 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 application.

[0052] The terms "first," "second," and "third" (if any) in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a particular order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments of this application described herein can be implemented, for example, in orders other than those illustrated or described herein.

[0053] Furthermore, the terms “comprising” and “having”, and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, product, or display that includes a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units that are explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not explicitly listed or that are inherent to such process, method, product, or display.

[0054] A warehouse material box transfer system can include robots and conveyor lines. A work area is located on one side of the conveyor line where workers can pick materials, or a picking robot can be deployed within the work area to pick materials using its robotic arm. The robot moves back and forth between the two ends of the conveyor line. The robot places the boxes to be processed at one end of the conveyor line, which then transports them to the worker's location. The worker or robotic arm loads the boxes with materials, and the robot moves to the other end of the conveyor line to receive the processed boxes. However, in this method, the robot spends most of its time moving back and forth between the two ends of the conveyor line, resulting in low efficiency for the material box transfer system. Furthermore, the system requires significant space to accommodate the robot's movement.

[0055] Based on this, this application provides a material box transfer system that eliminates the need for robots to move frequently back and forth between the two ends of the transport line, thereby improving the working efficiency of the material box transfer system.

[0056] Example 1

[0057] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the material box transfer system provided in an embodiment of this application. See also... Figure 1As shown, the material box transfer system provided in this application embodiment includes a robot 100, a loading and unloading machine 200 and a conveyor 300. The first end of the conveyor 300 has an inlet side 310 and an outlet side 320. One side of the conveyor 300 has a working area 330. The conveyor 300 is used to transport the material box 400 sequentially from the inlet side 310 and the working area 330 to the outlet side 320.

[0058] The loading / unloading machine 200 moves between the first end of the robot 100 and the conveyor 300 to transport the material box 400 on the robot 100 to the entrance side 310, or to transport the picked material box 400 from the exit side 320 to the robot 100.

[0059] In this application, the robot 100 can move within a warehouse to transport material boxes 400 to the location of the loading and unloading machine 200. The robot 100 can also transfer material boxes 400 picked from the loading and unloading machine 200 onto the robot 100. To increase the working efficiency of the robot 100, the robot 100 can also carry two or more material boxes 400, and the material boxes 400 can be spaced apart along the height direction of the robot 100, that is, the robot 100 can carry multiple layers of material boxes 400.

[0060] The conveyor 300 is used to transport material boxes 400. The inlet side 310 and outlet side 320 of the conveyor 300 are located at the same end of the conveyor 300, meaning that the first end of the conveyor 300 can both receive material boxes 400 and output picked material boxes 400 from the first end of the conveyor 300. The loading / unloading machine 200 is located between the robot 100 and the first end of the conveyor 300, and moves between them. The loading / unloading machine 200 has a first working position and a second working position. The first working position is for loading and unloading material boxes 400 on the robot 100, and the second working position is for loading and unloading material boxes 400 on the conveyor 300.

[0061] The working process of the material box transfer system provided in this application embodiment will be described below, taking into account the relative positions of the robot 100, the loading and unloading machine 200 and the conveyor 300.

[0062] Robot 100 transports material box 400 to a designated location, which can be the first working position of loading / unloading machine 200. Loading / unloading machine 200 or robot 100 transfers material box 400 from robot 100 to loading / unloading machine 200. Loading / unloading machine 200 moves to a second working position to transport material box 400 to the inlet side 310 of the first end of conveyor 300. Material box 400 enters conveyor 300 through inlet side 310 of the first end of conveyor 300. Conveyor 300 transports material box 400 to a position opposite to work area 330. At this time, an operator or robotic arm located in work area places material into material box 400, thus forming picked material box 400. The conveyor 300 drives the material box 400 to continue moving until the picked material box 400 moves to the exit side 320 at the first end of the conveyor 300. The loading and unloading machine 200 transports the picked material box 400 to the robot 100, and the robot 100 transports the picked material box 400 to the designated location.

[0063] It should be noted that, Figure 1 The circles in the middle material bin 400 represent materials. Figure 1 The arrows in the diagram indicate the transport path of material box 400.

[0064] In the operation of the aforementioned material box transfer system, robot 100 transports material box 400 to a designated location and then stops moving. Robot 100 or loading / unloading machine 200 then transfers material box 400 to loading / unloading machine 200, at which point robot 100 can perform another operation to handle material box 400. Loading / unloading machine 200 transports the material box 400 from robot 100 to the first end of conveyor 300 and then stops moving. Loading / unloading machine 200 performs the operation of placing material boxes 400 to be processed on the same side of conveyor 300, and also performs the operation of transporting the picked material boxes 400 to loading / unloading machine 200. Loading / unloading machine 200 and robot 100 do not need to frequently move back and forth between the two ends of the conveyor line of conveyor 300. This improves the working efficiency of the material box transfer system.

[0065] The material box transfer system provided in this application embodiment, by setting up a robot 100, a loading / unloading machine 200, and a conveyor 300, with the inlet side 310 and outlet side 320 of the conveyor 300 located on the same side of the conveyor 300, and the loading / unloading machine 200 moving between the robot 100 and the first end of the conveyor 300, thereby transporting the material boxes 400 on the robot 100 to the conveyor 300, and transporting the sorted material boxes 400 on the conveyor 300 to the robot 100. Loading and unloading of material boxes 400 between the robot 100 and the conveyor 300 can be completed by the loading / unloading machine 200. After the robot 100 moves to the position of the loading / unloading machine 200 to unload the material box 400, it can then perform the operation of transporting material boxes 400 again. The loading / unloading machine 200 and the robot 100 do not need to frequently move back and forth between the two ends of the conveyor line of the conveyor 300. Therefore, the working efficiency of the material box transfer system is improved.

[0066] In this application, the loading and unloading machine 200 moves back and forth along a preset moving route, which is a straight line and perpendicular to the transmission direction of the conveyor 300. Thus, the loading and unloading machine 200 only needs to move back and forth along a straight line, thereby saving the overall space occupied by the material box transfer system.

[0067] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the conveyor structure in the material box transfer system provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0068] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the transfer station and part of the first conveyor line in the material box transfer system provided in an embodiment of this application. See also... Figures 1 to 3 As shown in the embodiment of this application, the material box transfer system includes a conveyor 300 comprising a transfer position 340, a first conveyor line 350 and a second conveyor line 360, the first conveyor line 350 and the second conveyor line 360 ​​being arranged side by side, and the conveying directions of the first conveyor line 350 and the second conveyor line 360 ​​being opposite.

[0069] The first end of the first conveyor line 350 forms an inlet side 310, the first end of the second conveyor line 360 ​​forms an outlet side 320, and the transfer position 340 is located on the first conveyor line 350 and behind the work area 330, so as to move the picked material box 400 from the first conveyor line 350 to the second conveyor line 360.

[0070] In practice, the first conveyor line 350 and the second conveyor line 360 ​​are arranged adjacent to each other and side by side to save space occupied by the conveyor 300. By setting a transfer position 340 on the first conveyor line 350, the conveying directions of the first conveyor line 350 and the second conveyor line 360 ​​are opposite. The transfer position 340 is used to move the picked material box 400 from the first conveyor line 350 to the second conveyor line 360. In this way, the material box 400 can enter and exit at the same end of the conveyor 300, so as to avoid the loading and unloading machine 200 and the robot 100 moving back and forth between the two ends of the conveyor line of the conveyor 300.

[0071] In this application, the conveyor 300 includes a conveyor line support 370, and the transfer position 340 includes a lifting support 341 and a third conveyor line 342 connected to the lifting support 341. The lifting support 341 is connected to the conveyor line support 370 and is raised and lowered relative to the conveyor line support 370 so that the third conveyor line 342 is partially located above the first conveyor line 350. The third conveyor line 342 is used to transfer the picked material box 400 from the first conveyor line 350 to the second conveyor line 360.

[0072] In a practical implementation, the first conveyor line 350 is a roller conveyor assembly, and the second conveyor line 360 ​​is either a roller conveyor assembly or a belt conveyor assembly. The third conveyor line 342 can be a belt conveyor assembly. There are two or more third conveyor lines 342, and the conveying direction of the third conveyor line 342 is perpendicular to the conveying direction of the first conveyor line 350. In other words, the conveying direction of the third conveyor line 342 is consistent with the axis of the rollers in the first conveyor line 350, thus saving space.

[0073] A third conveyor line 342 is set between two adjacent rollers of the first conveyor line 350. When the picked material box 400 is on the first conveyor line 350, the rollers on the first conveyor line 350 drive the picked material box 400 to move by their own rotation. When the picked material box 400 moves to the position where the first conveyor line 350 and the third conveyor line 342 overlap, the third conveyor line 342 is driven to rise vertically by the lifting bracket 341 so that the third conveyor line 342 is partially above the first conveyor line 350. At this time, the third conveyor line 342 drives the picked material box 400 to disengage from the rollers on the first conveyor line 350. Then, the third conveyor line 342 drives the picked material box 400 to be moved from the first conveyor line 350 to the second conveyor line 360.

[0074] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the loading and unloading machine in the material box transfer system provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0075] Figure 5 This is a structural schematic diagram of the loading and unloading machine in the material box transfer system provided in an embodiment of this application, taken from another angle. See also... Figure 1 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown in the embodiment of this application, the material box transfer system has a transfer unit 500 on the loading and unloading machine 200. The transfer unit 500 includes a first sub-transfer component 510 and a second sub-transfer component 520 arranged in parallel. The conveying direction of the first sub-transfer component 510 is consistent with the conveying direction of the first conveyor line 350, and the first sub-transfer component 510 is located on the extension line of the first conveyor line 350. The conveying direction of the second sub-transfer component 520 is consistent with the conveying direction of the second conveyor line 360, and the second sub-transfer component 520 is located on the extension line of the second conveyor line 360. The material box 400 on the robot 100 is transported to the entrance side 310 via the first sub-transfer component 510, and the picked material box 400 is transported to the robot 100 via the second sub-transfer component 520.

[0076] Specifically, a robot 100 can only dock with either the first sub-transfer component 510 or the second sub-transfer component 520 of the loading / unloading machine 200 at a time. After docking with the first sub-transfer component 510, the robot 100 needs to move backward to disengage from the first sub-transfer component 510. At this time, the loading / unloading machine 200 moves as a whole, aligning the second sub-transfer component 520 with the robot 100. The robot 100 then moves forward, docking with the second sub-transfer component 520. Because the loading / unloading machine 200 moves, the robot 100 does not need to rotate, thereby improving the working efficiency of the material box transfer system.

[0077] One loading and unloading machine 200 can correspond to two robots 100 at the same time. The first sub-transfer component 510 on the loading and unloading machine 200 transports the material box 400 on one robot 100 to the entrance side 310, and the second sub-transfer component 520 on the loading and unloading machine 200 transports the picked material box 400 on the loading and unloading machine 200 to another robot 100.

[0078] Specifically, the first sub-transfer component 510 and the second sub-transfer component 520 are roller transmission components; or, the first sub-transfer component 510 and the second sub-transfer component 520 are belt transmission components. Both the first sub-transfer component 510 and the second sub-transfer component 520 can rotate forward or backward. This embodiment does not limit the transmission direction of the first sub-transfer component 510 and the second sub-transfer component 520.

[0079] In this application, a first sub-transfer component 510 and a second sub-transfer component 520 are configured. The first sub-transfer component 510 corresponds to the first conveyor line 350, and the second sub-transfer component 520 corresponds to the second conveyor line 360. In this way, the material box 400 is transported to the first conveyor line 350 via the first sub-transfer component 510, and the picked material box 400 is transported to the second conveyor line 360 ​​via the second sub-transfer component 520. This allows for simultaneous loading and unloading of the material box 400 on the loading / unloading machine 200, thereby improving the working efficiency of the material box transfer system.

[0080] In addition, to facilitate the handling of the material box 400, in some embodiments, the transfer unit 500 may also include a robotic arm assembly 530, at least one of the first sub-transfer assembly 510 and the second sub-transfer assembly 520 having the robotic arm assembly 530, the robotic arm assembly 530 being used to move the material box 400 on the robot 100 onto the transfer unit 500.

[0081] Specifically, the loading and unloading machine 200 includes a movable support frame 210, and a transfer unit 500 is located on the movable support frame 210, and the transfer unit 500 is provided in multiple layers. That is, the transfer unit 500 on the movable support frame 210 has multiple layers, and each layer has a first sub-transfer assembly 510 and a second sub-transfer assembly 520 arranged horizontally side by side.

[0082] The robotic arm assembly 530 may include a robotic arm drive unit 531, a moving frame 532, and multiple robotic arms 533. Each robotic arm 533 has rotatable fingers 5331. The robotic arms 533 are connected to the moving frame 532, and each layer of the first sub-transfer assembly 510 or the second sub-transfer assembly 520 corresponds to one robotic arm 533. The robotic arm drive unit 531 may be a sprocket drive assembly or a belt drive assembly. The moving support frame 210 is connected to the sprocket or belt of the robotic arm drive unit 531. The moving frame 532 is connected to the robotic arm drive unit 532. On component 531, the robotic arm drive component 531 is used to drive the moving frame 532 to move horizontally, so that the robotic arm 533 moves horizontally. When the robotic arm 533 passes the material box 400, the finger 5331 rotates relative to the robotic arm 533. The robotic arm 533 and the finger 5331 together encircle the material box 400. The robotic arm drive component 531 drives the moving support frame 210 to move in the opposite direction, so that the robotic arm 533 and the finger 5331 together lift the material box 400 onto the first sub-transfer component 510 or the second sub-transfer component 520.

[0083] In some embodiments, the robotic arm 533 may also be a telescopic arm, which, when retracted, allows the robotic arm 533 and the fingers 5331 to jointly lift the material box 400 onto the first sub-transfer assembly 510 or the second sub-transfer assembly 520.

[0084] It should be noted that the same robotic arm drive unit 531 can drive all robotic arms 533 to move simultaneously, that is, the robotic arms 533 can simultaneously move the multi-layer material boxes 400 on the robot 100 to the corresponding first sub-transfer assembly 510 or second sub-transfer assembly 520. Alternatively, each robotic arm 533 corresponds to one robotic arm drive unit 531, and the material boxes 400 on the robot 100 are moved to the corresponding first sub-transfer assembly 510 or second sub-transfer assembly 520 by different robotic arm drive units 531.

[0085] The material box transfer system provided in this application embodiment improves the unloading efficiency of the loading and unloading machine 200 by setting a robotic arm assembly 530 on at least one of the first sub-transfer assembly 510 and the second sub-transfer assembly 520, and moving the material box 400 on the robot 100 to the transfer unit 500 by the robotic arm assembly 530.

[0086] Please continue reading Figure 1 As shown in the embodiment of this application, the material box transfer system also includes a hoist 600, which is located between the conveyor 300 and the loading / unloading machine 200. The hoist 600 moves vertically to transfer material boxes 400 between the conveyor 300 and the loading / unloading machine 200. Through the lifting and lowering movement of the hoist 600, the multi-layer material boxes 400 on the transfer unit 500 are transferred one by one to the conveyor 300.

[0087] In this application, the elevator 600 includes a support frame 610, on which a transfer unit 500 is provided. The transfer unit 500 on the support frame 610 is used to transfer the material box 400 between the conveyor 300 and the loading / unloading machine 200. That is, the elevator 600 is also provided with a transfer unit 500, and the support frame 610 in the elevator 600 is used to support the transfer unit 500 so as to transfer the material box 400 between the conveyor 300 and the loading / unloading machine 200 through the transfer unit 500 on the support frame 610.

[0088] In practical implementation, a transfer unit 500 is set on the hoist 600. The first sub-transfer assembly 510 on the support frame 610 is connected to the second sub-transfer assembly 520 on the support frame 610, and the first sub-transfer assembly 510 and the second sub-transfer assembly 520 on the support frame 610 rise and fall synchronously. That is, the first sub-transfer assembly 510 and the second sub-transfer assembly 520 on the support frame 610 are driven to rise and fall simultaneously by the same driving component. This reduces the space occupied by the hoist 600 and also saves costs.

[0089] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the buffer shelf in the material box transfer system provided in this application embodiment. See also... Figure 1 and Figure 6 As shown in the embodiment of this application, the material box transfer system also includes a buffer shelf 700, which is located between the elevator 600 and the loading / unloading machine 200 to transfer material boxes 400 between them. In this way, the loading / unloading machine 200 can simultaneously transfer multiple material boxes 400 onto the buffer shelf 700, allowing it to then retrieve goods from the robot 100. Alternatively, the material boxes 400 on the buffer shelf 700 can be simultaneously transferred onto the loading / unloading machine 200, which then transports the multiple material boxes 400 to the robot 100. This improves the overall efficiency of the material box transfer system.

[0090] In its specific implementation, the buffer rack 700 includes a rack body 710, which has multiple transfer units 500. The transfer units 500 on the rack body 710 are used to transfer material boxes 400 between the elevator 600 and the loading / unloading machine 200. The elevator 600 has one layer of transfer units 500, and the loading / unloading machine 200 and the buffer rack 700 can have multiple layers of transfer units 500. The buffer rack 700 serves to buffer goods. The loading / unloading machine 200 transfers multiple material boxes 400 to the buffer rack 700 at the same time, or transports multiple material boxes 400 to the robot 100 at the same time. The elevator 600 performs loading and unloading operations of material boxes 400 between the buffer rack 700 and the conveyor 300, avoiding prolonged occupation of the loading / unloading machine 200.

[0091] The material box transfer system provided in this application embodiment has a one-to-one correspondence between the transfer units 500 on the shelf body 710 and the transfer units 500 on the movable support frame 210. This facilitates the transport of material boxes 400 between the buffer shelf 700 and the loading and unloading machine 200.

[0092] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the robot in the material box transfer system provided in an embodiment of this application. See also... Figure 1 and Figure 7 As shown in the embodiment of this application, the material box transfer system includes a robot 100 comprising a robot body 110, a handling device 120, and a storage rack 130. The handling device 120 and the storage rack 130 are located on opposite sides of the robot body 110. The handling device 120 moves up and down relative to the robot body 110 and stores and retrieves material boxes 400 on the storage rack 130. There are multiple storage racks 130, which are spaced apart vertically.

[0093] The first sub-transfer component 510 or the second sub-transfer component 520 is configured in a one-to-one correspondence with the storage rack 130, so that the robot 100 can transport multiple material boxes 400 or picked material boxes 400 simultaneously. This improves the working efficiency of the material box transfer system.

[0094] Example 2

[0095] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of another material box transfer system provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 9 for Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the loading and unloading machine. (See also...) Figures 2 to 9 As shown, Embodiment 2 of this application provides a material box transfer system. The structure of the transfer unit 500 in this material box transfer system is different from that in Embodiment 1 above. The rest of the structure is the same as that in Embodiment 1 above. For the same parts, refer to the description of the material box transfer system in Embodiment 1 above. They will not be repeated here.

[0096] In this embodiment, the loading and unloading machine 200 has a transfer unit 500, which includes a first sub-transfer component 510. The transfer unit 500 moves back and forth relative to the loading and unloading machine 200 along a preset moving route. The first sub-transfer component 510 rotates forward so that the conveying direction of the first sub-transfer component 510 is consistent with the conveying direction of the first conveying line 350; or, the first sub-transfer component 510 rotates in reverse so that the conveying direction of the first sub-transfer component 510 is consistent with the conveying direction of the second conveying line 360.

[0097] Specifically, the transfer unit 500 includes only one first sub-transfer component 510, and the structure of the first sub-transfer component 510 can be the same as that of the first sub-transfer component 510 in Embodiment 1 above. In this embodiment, the first sub-transfer component 510 can rotate in both forward and reverse directions.

[0098] Thus, when the transfer unit 500 moves relative to the loading / unloading machine 200 along the preset moving route to the end of the first conveyor line 350, the conveying direction of the first sub-transfer assembly 510 is consistent with the conveying direction of the first conveyor line 350, and the material box 400 enters the first conveyor line 350 via the first sub-transfer assembly 510. When the transfer unit 500 moves relative to the loading / unloading machine 200 along the preset moving route to the end of the second conveyor line 360, the conveying direction of the first sub-transfer assembly 510 is consistent with the conveying direction of the second conveyor line 360, and the picked material box 400 enters the first sub-transfer assembly 510 via the second conveyor line 360.

[0099] In a specific implementation, the robotic arm assembly 530 is mounted on the first sub-transfer assembly 510. The robotic arm assembly 530 moves the material box 400 on the robot 100 to the transfer unit 500, thereby improving the unloading efficiency of the loading and unloading machine 200. The robotic arm assembly 530 is the same as in the above embodiment and will not be described again here.

[0100] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A material box transfer system, characterized in that, The system includes a robot, a loading and unloading machine, and a conveyor. The first end of the conveyor has an inlet side and an outlet side, and one side of the conveyor has a working area. The conveyor is used to transport material boxes sequentially from the inlet side and the working area to the outlet side. The loading and unloading machine moves between the robot and the first end of the conveyor to transport the material box to be processed on the robot to the inlet side, or to transport the picked material box from the outlet side to the robot; wherein the loading and unloading machine moves back and forth along a preset moving route; The conveyor includes a transfer station, a first conveyor line and a second conveyor line. The first conveyor line and the second conveyor line are arranged side by side and their conveying directions are opposite. The transfer station includes a lifting bracket and a third conveyor line connected to the lifting bracket. The conveying direction of the third conveyor line is perpendicular to the conveying direction of the first conveyor line. The loading and unloading machine has a transfer unit, which includes a first sub-transfer component and a second sub-transfer component arranged in parallel. The conveying direction of the first sub-transfer component is the same as the conveying direction of the first conveyor line, and the first sub-transfer component is located on the extension line of the first conveyor line; The conveying direction of the second sub-transfer component is the same as that of the second conveyor line, and the second sub-transfer component is located on the extension line of the second conveyor line; The material bins on the robot are transported to the entrance side via the first sub-transfer assembly, and the picked material bins are transported to the robot via the second sub-transfer assembly; or... The loading and unloading machine has a transfer unit, which includes a first sub-transfer component. The transfer unit moves back and forth relative to the loading and unloading machine along a preset moving route. The first sub-transfer component rotates clockwise so that the conveying direction of the first sub-transfer component is consistent with the conveying direction of the first conveyor line; or, the first sub-transfer component rotates counterclockwise so that the conveying direction of the first sub-transfer component is consistent with the conveying direction of the second conveyor line.

2. The material box transfer system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The preset moving route is a straight line, and the preset moving route is perpendicular to the transmission direction of the conveyor.

3. The material box transfer system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first end of the first conveyor line forms the inlet side, the first end of the second conveyor line forms the outlet side, the transfer position is located on the first conveyor line and behind the work area, so as to move the picked material box from the first conveyor line to the second conveyor line.

4. The material box transfer system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The conveyor includes a conveyor support frame, and a lifting support frame is connected to the conveyor support frame and is raised and lowered relative to the conveyor support frame so that the third conveyor line portion is located above the first conveyor line. The third conveyor line is used to move the picked material box from the first conveyor line to the second conveyor line.

5. The material box transfer system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transfer unit further includes a robotic arm assembly, which is present on at least one of the first sub-transfer assembly and the second sub-transfer assembly. The robotic arm assembly is used to move the material box on the robot to the transfer unit.

6. The material box transfer system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The loading and unloading machine includes a mobile support frame, the transfer unit is located on the mobile support frame, and the transfer unit is provided with multiple layers.

7. The material box transfer system according to claim 6, characterized in that, It also includes an elevator located between the conveyor and the loading / unloading machine, the elevator moving vertically to transfer the material box between the conveyor and the loading / unloading machine.

8. The material box transfer system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The elevator includes a support frame with the transfer unit on it, the transfer unit on the support frame being used to transfer the material box between the conveyor and the loading / unloading machine.

9. The material box transfer system according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first sub-transfer assembly on the support frame is connected to the second sub-transfer assembly on the support frame, and the first sub-transfer assembly on the support frame and the second sub-transfer assembly on the support frame move up and down synchronously.

10. The material box transfer system according to claim 7, characterized in that, It also includes a buffer shelf located between the elevator and the loading / unloading machine for transferring the material box between the elevator and the loading / unloading machine.

11. The material box transfer system according to claim 10, characterized in that, The buffer rack includes a rack body with multiple transfer units on the rack body. The transfer units on the rack body are used to transfer the material boxes between the elevator and the loading and unloading machine.

12. The material box transfer system according to claim 11, characterized in that, The transfer units on the shelf body are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the transfer units on the mobile support frame.

13. The material box transfer system according to any one of claims 3 to 12, characterized in that, The first conveyor line is a roller conveyor assembly, and the second conveyor line is a roller conveyor assembly or a belt conveyor assembly.

14. The material box transfer system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first sub-transfer component and the second sub-transfer component are roller transmission components; or, the first sub-transfer component and the second sub-transfer component are belt transmission components.

15. The material box transfer system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, The robot includes a robot body, a handling device, and a storage rack, with the handling device and the storage rack located on opposite sides of the robot body. The handling device is raised and lowered relative to the robot body and accesses the material box on the storage shelf; The number of storage shelves is multiple, and the multiple storage shelves are arranged at intervals along the vertical direction.

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