A flow-through conveyor line system in a valve assembly line

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of valve assembly, in particular to a flow transfer conveying line system in a valve assembly production line, comprising a left valve body tank discharge conveying line arranged in a valve body assembly section, an actuator tank discharge conveying line arranged in an actuator assembly section, and an accessory conveying line arranged in an accessory assembly section, an NOK tank storage area being arranged between the left valve body tank discharge conveying line and the actuator tank discharge conveying line, an NOK valve body storage area being arranged between the actuator tank discharge conveying line and the accessory conveying line, and an NOK finished product storage area being arranged between the accessory conveying line and the end of the valve assembly production line. The technical scheme is used to solve the problem that the valve assembly production line in the prior art is not good at planning the transfer and placement path of the tank recovery, semi-finished product and finished product, which causes the disorderly placement of the articles on the valve assembly production line, affects the transfer and transportation on the assembly line, and reduces the valve assembly rate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of valve assembly technology, and in particular to a transfer and conveying line system in a valve assembly production line. Background Technology

[0002] A valve is a device used in fluid systems to control the direction, pressure, and flow rate of a fluid. It allows the medium (liquid, gas, powder) within piping and equipment to flow or stop and controls its flow rate. Valves can be used to control the flow of various types of fluids, including air, water, steam, various corrosive media, slurry, oil, liquid metals, and radioactive media. As a control component in a pipeline fluid transport system, a valve is used to change the cross-sectional area of ​​the passage and the direction of medium flow, and has functions such as guiding, stopping, throttling, checking, diverting, or overflowing and relieving pressure. Valves used for fluid control range from the simplest shut-off valves to the various valves used in extremely complex automated control systems, with a wide variety of types and specifications. Valves can be controlled by various transmission methods, such as manual, electric, hydraulic, pneumatic, turbine, electromagnetic, electromagnetic-hydraulic, electro-hydraulic, pneumatic-hydraulic, spur gear, bevel gear drive, etc. They can operate according to predetermined requirements under the action of pressure, temperature or other forms of sensor signals, or simply open or close without relying on sensor signals. Valves rely on drive or automatic mechanisms to make the opening and closing parts move up and down, slide, swing or rotate, thereby changing the size of their flow channel area to achieve their control function.

[0003] In existing valve manufacturing plants, the vast majority of valve assembly lines have low levels of automation. The few valve assembly lines with relatively high levels of automation have the following problems in use: poor planning of material bin recycling for transporting valve components, transshipment and placement of semi-finished parts, and transshipment and placement of finished parts. This results in chaotic placement of material bins, semi-finished parts, and finished parts on the production line, making the valve assembly line appear messy. This hinders the transshipment and transportation during the valve assembly process, thus reducing valve assembly efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the shortcomings of the aforementioned technologies, the present invention aims to provide a transfer and conveying line system for valve assembly production lines. This system solves the problem of poor path planning for the recycling of material bins, the transfer of semi-finished parts, and the placement of finished parts in existing valve assembly production lines. This results in cluttered placement of items on the valve assembly production line, affecting the transfer and transportation on the assembly line and reducing the valve assembly rate.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0006] A transfer conveyor system in a valve assembly line includes a left valve body hopper discharge conveyor line located in the valve body assembly section, an actuator hopper discharge conveyor line located in the actuator assembly section, and an accessory conveyor line located in the accessory assembly section. A NOK hopper storage area is provided between the left valve body hopper discharge conveyor line and the actuator hopper discharge conveyor line. A NOK valve body storage area is provided between the actuator hopper discharge conveyor line and the accessory conveyor line. A NOK finished product storage area is provided between the accessory conveyor line and the end of the valve assembly line. The system also includes a first conveyor belt mechanism connecting the valve body assembly section, the actuator assembly section, and the accessory assembly section, and a second conveyor belt mechanism facilitating material flow within the accessory assembly section.

[0007] The conveying path of the material bin is as follows:

[0008] Left valve body material box: The left valve body material box enters the valve body assembly section from the beginning of the left valve body material box discharge conveyor line, and then enters the AGV trolley at the end of the left valve body material box discharge conveyor line. The AGV trolley transports the left valve body material box to the NOK material box collection area for collection.

[0009] Actuator bins: The actuator bins enter the actuator assembly section from the beginning of the actuator discharge conveyor line, and then enter the AGV trolley from the end of the actuator bin distribution conveyor line. The AGV trolley transports the actuator bins to the NOK bin collection area for collection.

[0010] Accessory bins: Accessory bins enter the actuator assembly section from the beginning of the accessory conveyor line, then pass through the end of the accessory conveyor line, and then enter the AGV trolley from the beginning of the accessory conveyor line. The AGV trolley transports the accessory bins to the NOK bin collection area for collection.

[0011] The conveying path for the valve body and the finished valve product is as follows:

[0012] Valve body: The valve body is transported to the actuator assembly section via the first conveyor belt mechanism, and then transferred to the NOK valve body storage area;

[0013] Finished products: The finished products are transported to the NOK finished product storage area via the second conveyor belt mechanism in the accessory assembly section.

[0014] Furthermore, the left valve body hopper is equipped with a tray, which is transported together with the valve body on the production line. The tray is eventually transferred to the NOK finished product storage area along with the finished product. The advantage of this is that the tray in the valve body assembly section can assist in the assembly of the valve body.

[0015] Further defined, the feature is that the discharge end of the left valve body discharge conveyor line and the accessory conveyor line is equipped with a scanning mechanism. The scanning mechanism is used to distinguish between material boxes containing parts and empty material boxes. Its advantage is that by using the scanning mechanism to determine whether there are parts in the material box, material boxes containing parts are prevented from flowing into the NOK material box collection area. At the same time, an alarm device can be set up. When it is detected that there are parts in the discharged material box, an alarm can be issued to notify the staff to handle the situation.

[0016] Furthermore, the conveyor line is a two-layer structure. The upper layer is used to transport the material bins and pallets of valve components, while the lower layer is used for pallet return. The advantage of this design is that the upper and lower layers can reduce the design volume of the production line, and at the same time, it is easier to recycle the pallets. This automated recycling method is simpler.

[0017] Furthermore, the transfer conveyor line is equipped with a lifting mechanism at both the beginning and end. The lifting mechanism is used to realize the transfer of pallets between the upper and lower layers. Its advantage is that the lifting mechanism includes a lifting motor and a lifting platform. A push rod or a conveyor belt is provided on the lifting platform, the purpose of which is to enable the pallets to be transferred between the lower and upper layers.

[0018] Furthermore, the empty material box discharge end of the left valve body discharge conveyor line, the actuator hopper discharge conveyor line, and the accessory conveyor line is provided with an empty material box pushing mechanism. The empty material box pushing mechanism includes a sensor and a pushing cylinder. Its advantage is that it facilitates pushing the empty material box at the end of the conveyor line into the AGV trolley for transfer.

[0019] Furthermore, the valve assembly line includes several workstations, and each workstation is equipped with a stopper and a lifting and positioning mechanism. The advantage is that the stopper can be composed of a push rod motor and a sensor. The sensor detects the position of the tray and controls the push rod motor to extend and block the movement of the tray. The lifting and positioning mechanism includes a pneumatic push rod or a push rod motor and a sensor. After the sensor detects that the stopper is working, it controls the push rod or push rod motor to squeeze and limit the tray, thereby realizing the limitation of the tray's position.

[0020] Furthermore, the tray is equipped with an RFID reader, which is beneficial for status monitoring and data traceability to ensure normal production at each workstation.

[0021] Furthermore, the tray is equipped with a clamping mechanism, which can clamp valve bodies of different diameters. The advantage is that the clamping mechanism can be a symmetrically arranged electric slide table and a V-shaped clamping block arranged on the electric slide table. By controlling the movement of the electric slide table slider with electricity, valve bodies of different diameters can be clamped.

[0022] Furthermore, the discharge channel of the transfer conveyor line shall have at least two outlets.

[0023] The technical effects achieved by this invention are as follows:

[0024] (1) This transfer and conveying line system rationally plans the discharge path of the empty material box of the valve body, the empty material box of the actuator and the empty material box of the accessory, as well as the recycling path and recycling area of ​​the empty material box of the AGV trolley, which improves the automation level of the valve production line and avoids the accumulation of empty material boxes and the messy conveying on the production line.

[0025] (2) The assembled valve bodies and finished products are transferred to the designated NOK valve body storage area and NOK finished product storage area for separate storage, which can further avoid the situation of clutter on the valve production line.

[0026] (3) The transfer conveyor line has two layers. The upper layer is used to transport the material boxes and pallets of valve parts, and the lower layer is used for the return of pallets. The design of the upper and lower layers can reduce the design volume of the production line, and at the same time, it is easier to recycle the pallets. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is a plan view of the transfer and conveyor system in this specific embodiment.

[0028] Appendix Number

[0029] Valve body assembly section 1, actuator assembly section 2, accessory assembly section 3, NOK material bin storage area 4, NOK valve body storage area 5, NOK finished product storage area 6, left valve body material bin discharge conveyor line 7, actuator material bin discharge conveyor line 8, accessory conveyor line 9, AGV trolley 10. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The following detailed description illustrates the specific implementation method:

[0031] like Figure 1As shown, a transfer conveyor system in a valve assembly line includes a left valve body material box discharge conveyor line 7 located in the valve body assembly section 1, an actuator material box discharge conveyor line 8 located in the actuator assembly section 2, and an accessory conveyor line 9 located in the accessory assembly section. A NOK material box storage area 4 is provided between the left valve body material box discharge conveyor line 7 and the left valve body material box discharge conveyor line 8. A NOK valve body storage area 5 is provided between the actuator material box discharge conveyor line 8 and the accessory conveyor line 9. A NOK finished product storage area 6 is provided between the accessory conveyor line 9 and the end of the valve assembly line. The system also includes a first conveyor belt mechanism connecting the valve body assembly end, the actuator assembly section 2, and the accessory assembly section 3, and a second conveyor belt mechanism facilitating the flow of materials within the accessory assembly section 3. In this embodiment, the right valve body components are located within the assembly area of ​​the valve body assembly section and do not require transportation.

[0032] The conveying path of the material bin is as follows:

[0033] like Figure 1 The arrow at the midpoint indicates the flow direction. The left valve body material box enters the valve body assembly section 1 from the beginning of the left valve body material box discharge conveyor line 7, and then enters the AGV trolley 10 from the end of the left valve body material box discharge conveyor line 7. The AGV trolley 10 transfers the left valve body material box to the NOK material box collection area 4 for collection; as shown... Figure 1 The dashed arrow indicates the flow direction: the actuator hopper enters the actuator assembly section from the beginning of the actuator discharge conveyor line, and then enters the AGV trolley 10 from the end of the actuator hopper distribution conveyor line. The AGV trolley 10 then transports the actuator hopper to the NOK hopper collection area 4 for collection; (e.g., ...) Figure 1 The solid line arrow indicates the flow direction (from the solid line arrow on the accessory conveyor line). The accessory box enters the actuator assembly section from the beginning of the accessory conveyor line 9, then passes through the end of the accessory conveyor line 9, and then enters the AGV trolley 10 from the beginning of the accessory conveyor line 9. The AGV trolley 10 transfers the accessory box to the NOK box collection area 4 for collection.

[0034] The conveying path for the valve body and the finished valve product is as follows:

[0035] like Figure 1 The arrow at the end of the first conveyor belt mechanism in the actuator assembly section 2 and accessory assembly section 3 indicates the direction. The valve body is transported to the actuator assembly section 2 through the first conveyor belt mechanism, and then transferred to the NOK valve body storage area 5. Finished product: The finished product is transported to the NOK finished product storage area through the second conveyor belt mechanism in the accessory assembly section 3.

[0036] like Figure 1In the middle accessory assembly section, the second conveyor belt mechanism at the end follows the flow direction indicated by the arrow. A tray is located in the left valve body hopper; the tray and valve body are transported together on the production line, and the tray ultimately flows with the finished product to the NOK finished product storage area 6. Trays are also located in the valve body assembly section 1 to assist in valve body assembly. Each tray is equipped with an RFID reader for status monitoring and data traceability to ensure normal production at each station. The tray also features a clamping mechanism capable of holding valve bodies of different diameters. This mechanism can consist of symmetrically arranged electric slides and V-shaped clamping blocks on the electric slides. Power control of the electric slide sliders allows for the clamping of valve bodies of varying diameters.

[0037] The left valve body discharge conveyor line and accessory conveyor line 9 are equipped with scanning mechanisms at their hopper discharge ends. These mechanisms distinguish between hoppers containing parts and empty hoppers, determining the presence of parts within each hopper to prevent them from flowing into the NOK hopper storage area 4. An alarm device can also be installed to alert personnel when parts are detected in a discharged hopper. The empty hopper discharge ends of the left valve body discharge conveyor line, actuator hopper discharge conveyor line 8, and accessory conveyor line 9 are equipped with empty hopper pushing mechanisms. These mechanisms include sensors and pushing cylinders, facilitating the movement of empty hoppers from the conveyor line ends into the AGV trolley 10 for transfer.

[0038] The conveyor line has two layers. The upper layer transports the material bins and pallets for valve components, while the lower layer handles pallet return. This two-layer design reduces the overall volume of the production line and facilitates pallet recycling, simplifying the automated recycling process. Lifting mechanisms are installed at both ends of the conveyor line to move pallets between the upper and lower layers. These mechanisms include a lifting motor and a lifting platform, on which push rods or conveyor belts are installed to facilitate pallet transfer between the upper and lower layers.

[0039] The valve assembly line includes several workstations, each equipped with a stopper and a lifting and positioning mechanism. The stopper can consist of a push rod motor and a sensor. The sensor detects the position of the tray and controls the push rod motor to extend and stop its movement. The lifting and positioning mechanism includes a pneumatic push rod or a push rod motor and a sensor. After the sensor detects the stopper's operation, it controls the push rod or push rod motor to press and limit the tray's position, thus limiting its location. Considering the discharge method of NOK products and NOK raw materials, the conveyor line has at least two discharge channels.

[0040] It should be noted in advance that, in this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., 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 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 according to the specific circumstances.

[0041] The above descriptions are merely embodiments of the present invention, and common knowledge regarding specific structures and characteristics is not elaborated upon here. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the structure of the present invention, and these should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention. These modifications and improvements will not affect the effectiveness of the present invention or the practicality of the patent. The scope of protection claimed in this application should be determined by the content of its claims, and the specific embodiments described in the specification can be used to interpret the content of the claims.

Claims

1. A flow-through conveyor system in a valve assembly line, comprising: The valve body assembly section, the actuator assembly section and the accessory assembly section are connected by the first conveying belt mechanism, and the second conveying belt mechanism is arranged in the accessory assembly section to facilitate the flow of materials. The conveying path of the left valve body box is as follows: the left valve body box enters the valve body assembly section from the head end of the left valve body box discharge conveying line, and then enters the AGV trolley from the tail end of the left valve body box discharge conveying line. The AGV trolley transports the left valve body box to the NOK box storage area for collection. The conveying path of the actuator box is as follows: the actuator box enters the actuator assembly section from the head end of the actuator discharge conveying line, and then enters the AGV trolley from the tail end of the actuator box discharge conveying line. The AGV trolley transports the actuator box to the NOK box storage area for collection. The conveying path of the accessory box is as follows: the accessory box enters the actuator assembly section from the head end of the accessory conveying line, and then enters the AGV trolley from the tail end of the accessory conveying line. The AGV trolley transports the accessory box to the NOK box storage area for collection. The conveying path of the valve body and the finished product is as follows: the valve body is conveyed to the actuator assembly section by the first conveying belt mechanism, and then transported to the valve body storage area. The finished product is transported to the finished product storage area by the second conveying belt mechanism in the accessory assembly section. The left valve body box is provided with a tray, which is conveyed together with the valve body in the production line, and finally flows together with the finished product to the NOK finished product storage area. The discharge end of the left valve body box discharge conveying line and the accessory conveying line is provided with a scanning mechanism to distinguish between the box containing parts and the empty box.

2. A flow transfer conveyor system in a valve assembly line as defined in claim 1, wherein, The conveying line is two layers, the upper layer is used to transport the valve parts box and the tray, and the lower layer is used to return the tray.

3. A flow transfer conveyor system in a valve assembly line as defined in claim 1, wherein, The head end and the tail end of the conveying line are provided with lifting mechanisms to realize the flow between the upper layer and the lower layer.

4. The flow transfer conveyor system in a valve assembly line of claim 1, wherein, The empty box discharge end of the left valve body box discharge conveying line, the actuator box discharge conveying line and the accessory conveying line is provided with an empty box pushing mechanism, which includes a sensor and a pushing cylinder.

5. A flow transfer conveyor system in a valve assembly line as defined in claim 4, wherein, The valve assembly production line includes several stations, and each station is provided with a stopper and a lifting positioning mechanism.

6. A flow-through conveyor system for use in a valve assembly line as defined in claim 1, wherein, The tray is provided with an RFID reader.

7. A flow-through conveyor system for use in a valve assembly line as defined in claim 1, wherein, The tray is provided with a clamping mechanism that can clamp valve bodies of different diameters.

8. A flow-through conveyor system for use in a valve assembly line as defined in claim 2, wherein, The discharge passage of the conveying line has at least two ports.

9. A flow-through conveyor system for use in a valve assembly line as defined in claim 2, wherein, ​ 10. The flow-through conveyor system for a valve assembly line of claim 1, wherein, ​

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