An automatic loading and unloading device for space solar cells

Abstract

This invention discloses an automatic loading and unloading device for space solar cells, comprising a platform with two uprights mounted on its upper part, forming a channel between the two uprights aligned with the battery loading direction. Battery clips are installed within this channel. A lifting device is located below the platform, with its upper end connected to a base. Two parallel pallet conveyor belts are installed on either side of the base within the channel. A clip-opening conveying mechanism is located on the outer side of each conveyor belt. A battery pallet supporting mechanism is installed within the uprights, supporting the battery pallets within the battery clips. This invention enables battery loading in different unit configurations, thereby optimizing the production cycle of the automated space solar cell production line, optimizing and integrating battery product storage, and improving the smoothness of battery transportation, significantly enhancing the flexibility and capacity of automated space solar cell production.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of automatic material conveying in the production process of space solar cells, specifically an automatic loading and unloading device for space solar cells. Background Technology

[0002] Space solar cells consist of the cell itself, interconnects, diodes, and other components. As the smallest building block of satellite solar panels, space solar cells involve multiple processing steps in their production. In the automated loading stage, trays carrying individual cells need to be transported to the front end of different production equipment (the same applies to the unloading stage) for the equipment to pick up and process the cells. Due to the large variety of equipment and their significant differences in structure and principle, there are different loading methods for individual cells, such as loading by tray or by group of trays with integrated tray sorting devices. Furthermore, the number of trays that the equipment can accommodate varies. This inconsistency in the structure of the loading and unloading sections leads to problems such as poor matching of production cycles across different processes on the entire production line, low capacity, multiple types of individual cell storage units resulting in wasted space, and chaotic and error-prone individual cell transportation. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the problems existing in the prior art, the present invention provides an automatic loading and unloading device for space solar cells.

[0004] This invention is implemented as follows: an automatic loading and unloading device for space solar cells, characterized by: a platform, with two parallel uprights mounted on the upper part of the platform, forming a channel between the two uprights aligned with the battery loading direction, and battery clips for accommodating battery trays installed within the channel; a lifting device installed below the platform, with a base connected to the upper end of the lifting device, which drives the battery trays downward along the Z-axis; two parallel pallet conveyor belts installed on both sides of the base within the channel, which drive the battery trays horizontally along the X-axis; a clip opening conveyor mechanism installed on the outer side of each conveyor belt; and a battery tray support mechanism installed within the uprights, which supports the battery trays within the battery clips.

[0005] Preferably, the lifting device includes two columns fixedly installed below the platform, the bottom of the two columns is connected to a cylinder seat, a cylinder is fixedly installed on the upper part of the cylinder seat, the piston rod of the cylinder is connected to a lifting plate, a lifting column is installed on the lifting plate, and the upper end of the lifting column extends out of the platform and is fixedly connected to the base support.

[0006] Preferably, the base is provided with limiting blocks on both sides along the X-axis, and the inner side of the limiting blocks is provided with a supporting surface that is consistent with the shape of the tray.

[0007] Preferably, the support frame includes a base plate, on the upper surface of which two parallel upright plates are vertically mounted. A connecting rod is provided at the upper part of the two upright plates, and a battery tray support mechanism is installed at the lower center of the upright plates. The battery tray support mechanism includes a rotating shaft, on which two L-shaped support rods are fixedly mounted. The support portion of the L-shaped support rods extends towards the battery clip, and the end of the support rod has a support surface consistent with the shape of the tray. A drive arm is fixedly mounted on the rotating shaft between the two support rods. The drive arm is connected to a drive cylinder, and the lower end of the drive cylinder is fixedly mounted on the base plate.

[0008] Preferably, the battery magazine includes two side plates aligned with the battery loading direction, and side plate width retaining components are installed at both ends of the two side plates; the inner side of the side plate is provided with several support grooves consistent with the shape of the tray along the height direction, and the middle of the side plate is provided with a support rod avoidance groove, the support rod extends through the support rod avoidance groove to the battery tray, and the battery tray rests on the support surface at the end of the support rod.

[0009] Preferably, the width retaining assembly includes two magnetic retaining rods mounted opposite each other on the inner side of the side plate, with the spliced ​​ends of the two retaining rods having opposite magnetic poles.

[0010] Preferably, it also includes a sliding guide assembly, comprising a support bearing mounted opposite each side plate, wherein a guide rod is inserted within the support bearing.

[0011] Preferably, a fixing block is installed on the upper surface of the end of each side plate.

[0012] Preferably, the magazine opening and conveying mechanism includes two magazine conveyor belts, with the side plate of the battery magazine fixedly connected in the inner groove of the magazine conveyor belt, and the outer side of the magazine conveyor belt connected to a drive assembly that drives the magazine conveyor belt to move horizontally in the positive and negative directions along the Y-axis.

[0013] Preferably, a protective plate is also installed on the outer side of the battery magazine conveyor belt.

[0014] The advantages and technical effects of this invention are as follows:

[0015] This device is applied to automated equipment for different production processes of individual space solar cells. It includes a battery clip with multiple battery trays, a battery tray dispensing mechanism, and a conveyor belt connecting the battery clips and trays. Taking the loading process as an example, this device can perform loading functions for batteries of different unit types, thereby optimizing the production cycle of the automated space solar cell production line, optimizing and integrating the battery product storage process, improving the smoothness of the battery transportation process, and significantly enhancing the flexibility and capacity of automated space solar cell production. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is the front view of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Top view;

[0018] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The left view;

[0019] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the battery magazine structure.

[0021] In the diagram: 1. Platform; 2. Frame; 2-1. Base plate; 2-2. Vertical plate; 2-3. Connecting rod; 2-4. Battery tray support mechanism; 2-41. Rotary shaft; 2-42. L-shaped support rod; 2-43. Drive arm; 2-44. Drive cylinder; 3. Battery magazine; 3-1. Side plate; 3-2. Side plate width retaining assembly; 3-21. Retaining rod; 3-10. Support groove; 3-11. Support rod clearance groove; 3-3. Sliding guide assembly; 3-30 1. Support bearing; 3-31. Guide rod; 3-4. Fixing block; 4. Lifting device; 4-1. Column; 4-2. Cylinder seat; 4-3. Cylinder; 4-4. Lifting plate; 4-5. Lifting column; 5. Base support; 5-1. Limiting block; 6. Pallet conveyor belt; 7. Magazine opening conveyor mechanism; 7-1. Magazine conveyor belt; 7-2. Drive assembly; 7-20. Motor; 7-21. Lead screw; 7-22. Lead screw nut; 7-3. Protective plate; 8. Battery tray. Detailed Implementation

[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 embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the invention.

[0023] Please see Figures 1 to 5 An automatic loading and unloading device for space solar cells includes a platform 1. Two parallel uprights 2 are mounted on the upper part of the platform, forming a channel between the two uprights aligned with the battery loading direction. Battery clips 3 for accommodating battery trays are installed within the channel. A lifting device 4 is installed below the platform, with a base 5 connected to its upper end. The lifting device moves the battery trays downwards along the Z-axis. Two parallel pallet conveyor belts 6 are installed on both sides of the base 5 within the channel, moving the battery trays horizontally along the X-axis. A clip-opening conveyor mechanism 7 is installed on the outer side of each pallet conveyor belt. A battery tray support mechanism 8 is installed within the uprights, supporting the battery trays within the battery clips.

[0024] Preferably, the lifting device 4 includes two columns 4-1 fixedly installed below the platform, the bottom of the two columns is connected to a cylinder seat 4-2, a cylinder 4-3 is fixedly installed on the upper part of the cylinder seat, the piston rod of the cylinder is connected to a lifting plate 4-4, a lifting column 4-5 is installed on the lifting plate, and the upper end of the lifting column extends out of the platform and is fixedly connected to the base support 5.

[0025] Preferably, the base is provided with limiting blocks 5-1 on both sides along the X-axis, and the inner side of the limiting blocks is provided with a supporting surface that is consistent with the shape of the tray.

[0026] Preferably, the support frame 2 includes a base plate 2-1, on the upper surface of which two parallel upright plates 2-2 are vertically mounted. A connecting rod 2-3 is provided on the upper part of the two upright plates. A battery tray support mechanism 2-4 is installed at the lower part of the middle of the upright plates. The battery tray support mechanism 2-4 includes a rotating shaft 2-41, on which two L-shaped support rods 2-42 are fixedly mounted. The support part of the L-shaped support rods extends toward the battery clip, and the end of the support rod is provided with a support surface that matches the shape of the tray. A drive arm 2-43 is fixedly mounted on the rotating shaft between the two support rods. The drive arm is connected to a drive cylinder 2-44, and the lower end of the drive cylinder is fixedly mounted on the base plate 2-1.

[0027] Preferably, the battery magazine 3 includes two side plates 3-1 aligned with the battery feeding direction, and side plate width retaining components 3-2 are installed at both ends of the two side plates; the inner side of the side plates is provided with several support grooves 3-10 consistent with the shape of the tray along the height direction; the middle of the side plates is provided with a support rod avoidance groove 3-11; the support rod extends through the support rod avoidance groove to the battery tray 8; and the battery tray rests on the support surface at the end of the support rod.

[0028] Preferably, the width retaining assembly 3-2 includes two magnetic retaining rods 3-21 mounted opposite each other on the inner side of the side plate, with opposite magnetic poles at the splicing ends of the two retaining rods. The two retaining rods are permanent magnet components, or they can be connected to an electromagnetic generator, becoming magnetic when energized and losing magnetism when de-energized.

[0029] Preferably, it also includes a sliding guide assembly 3-3, comprising a support bearing 3-30 mounted opposite each side plate, wherein a guide rod 3-31 is inserted within the support bearing.

[0030] Preferably, a fixing block 3-4 is installed on the upper surface of the end of each side plate to serve as an upper limit for the battery tray.

[0031] Preferably, the magazine opening conveyor mechanism 7 includes two magazine conveyor belts 7-1. The inner groove of the magazine conveyor belt is fixedly connected to the side plate 3-1 of the battery magazine. The outer side of the magazine conveyor belt is connected to a drive assembly 7-2 that drives the magazine conveyor belt to move horizontally in the positive and negative directions along the Y-axis. The drive assembly can be a pneumatic push rod, with a pneumatic rod installed on each side to synchronously drive the opening of the battery magazine. Alternatively, it can be driven by a motor. Specifically, a motor 7-20 is installed on the workbench, and a lead screw 7-21 is installed at the output end of the motor. The two ends of the lead screw are provided with threaded sections with opposite directions of rotation, and a lead screw nut 7-22 is configured on each threaded section. Under the electric drive of the motor, the two side plates are opened simultaneously, thereby completing the opening of the battery magazine.

[0032] Preferably, a protective plate 7-3 is also installed on the outer side of the battery magazine conveyor belt to ensure that the battery magazine does not slip along the Y-axis and tip over during movement.

[0033] Working principle of the invention: In the above structure, the battery tray is a bearing fixture for the individual battery and can be reused. The battery trays in groups can be stacked together. The battery clip is mainly composed of two side plates and four fixing blocks 3-4. The fixing blocks are connected to the side plates by screws to form a hollow, square structure. The side plates have support grooves on their inner sides. The size of the support grooves and the outer side of the battery trays when they are stacked together form a tenon-and-mortise structure. That is, when the battery clip is in the "closed" state, the battery trays in groups can be stably locked and supported in the battery clip.

[0034] Two sets of magnetic retaining rods 3-21 and guide rods 3-31 are respectively installed on the side plates at opposite positions. The two ends of the retaining rods are fixed to the side plates. Each retaining rod is actually composed of positive and negative two-phase strong magnets. The guide rod is installed on the side plate through a support bearing and its length is longer than the retaining rod. In the absence of external force, the side plates maintain a certain distance, and the positive and negative two-phase strong magnets of the retaining rods are in an attracted state. The guide rod and the side plate do not move relative to each other, that is, the battery clip is in a "closed" state, and the battery tray is stored in the battery clip. When the side plate is subjected to an external force along the +y direction, the positive and negative two-phase strong magnets of the retaining rods are in a separated state, and the support bearing of the guide rod in the fixed block slides along the y-axis, that is, the battery clip is in an "open" state. The drive assembly can drive the side plate of the battery clip to translate along the +y direction, thereby separating the battery tray from the side plate. The battery tray can be moved out from under the battery magazine, and when the external force is removed, the battery magazine returns to its initial "closed" state.

[0035] This device includes two uprights, with the lower end connected to the platform via a base plate and in a fixed state. Driven by a driving cylinder, the support rod can engage one or more battery trays. Alternatively, while the battery trays are engaged, the support rod can be released by the driving cylinder. Both uprights can operate simultaneously in any given situation.

[0036] The magazine opening and conveying mechanism of this device consists of two conveyor belts that can transport the battery magazines along the x-direction, and the magazine conveyor belts are fixed to the platform in the x-direction.

[0037] The device includes two conveyor belts that can transport the battery trays along the x-direction. The conveyor belts are fixed to the platform and can carry the battery trays into the loading and unloading device or into the equipment along the battery loading direction.

[0038] The lifting device included in this device uses a cylinder as its power source at its lower end, and its upper end can pass through the hollow part of the platform to directly act on the lower end of the battery tray, and can lift and lower the battery tray along the z direction.

[0039] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic loading and unloading device for space solar cells, characterized in that: The system includes a platform with two parallel uprights mounted on its upper part, forming a channel between the two uprights aligned with the battery loading direction. A battery clip for accommodating battery trays is installed within this channel. A lifting device is located below the platform, with its upper end connected to a base support. The lifting device moves the base support and battery trays downwards along the Z-axis. Two parallel pallet conveyor belts are installed on either side of the base support within the channel, moving the battery trays horizontally along the X-axis. A clip-opening conveyor mechanism is located on the outer side of each conveyor belt. A battery tray support mechanism is installed within the uprights, supporting the battery trays within the battery clips. The battery magazine includes two side plates aligned with the battery loading direction, and side plate width retaining components are installed at both ends of the two side plates; the inner side of the side plates is provided with several support grooves that are consistent with the shape of the tray along the height direction, and the middle of the side plates is provided with a support rod clearance groove. The support rod extends through the support rod clearance groove to the battery tray, and the battery tray rests on the support surface at the end of the support rod. The magazine opening and conveying mechanism includes two magazine conveyor belts. The inner groove of the magazine conveyor belt is fixedly connected to the side plate of the battery magazine, and the outer side of the magazine conveyor belt is connected to a drive assembly that drives the magazine conveyor belt to move horizontally in the positive and negative directions along the Y-axis.

2. The automatic loading and unloading device for space solar cells according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lifting device includes two columns fixedly installed below the platform. The bottom of the two columns is connected to a cylinder seat. A cylinder is fixedly installed on the upper part of the cylinder seat. The piston rod of the cylinder is connected to a lifting plate. A lifting column is installed on the lifting plate. The upper end of the lifting column extends out of the platform and is fixedly connected to the base support.

3. The automatic loading and unloading device for space solar cells according to claim 2, characterized in that: Limiting blocks are provided on both sides of the base along the X-axis, and the inner side of the limiting blocks is provided with a supporting surface that is consistent with the shape of the tray.

4. The automatic loading and unloading device for space solar cells according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support frame includes a base plate, on the upper surface of which two parallel upright plates are vertically mounted. A connecting rod is provided at the upper part of the two upright plates. A battery tray support mechanism is installed at the lower center of the upright plates. The battery tray support mechanism includes a rotating shaft, on which two L-shaped support rods are fixedly mounted. The support portion of the L-shaped support rods extends towards the battery clip, and the ends of the support rods have support surfaces consistent with the shape of the tray. A drive arm is fixedly mounted on the rotating shaft between the two support rods. The drive arm is connected to a drive cylinder, and the lower end of the drive cylinder is fixedly mounted on the base plate.

5. The automatic loading and unloading device for space solar cells according to claim 1, characterized in that: The width retaining assembly includes two magnetic retaining rods mounted opposite each other on the inside of the side panel, with the spliced ​​ends of the two retaining rods having opposite magnetic poles.

6. The automatic loading and unloading device for space solar cells according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a sliding guide assembly, comprising a support bearing mounted opposite each side plate, wherein a guide rod is inserted within the support bearing.

7. The automatic loading and unloading device for space solar cells according to claim 1, characterized in that: A fixing block is installed on the upper surface of the end of each side plate.

8. The automatic loading and unloading device for space solar cells according to claim 1, characterized in that: A protective plate is also installed on the outer side of the magazine conveyor belt on the side plate of the battery magazine.

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