An automatic opening and closing operation system for a transfer station lifting device

Abstract

An automatic opening and closing system for a transfer station lifting device includes an automatic opening and closing device and multiple lifting devices that can pass through the automatic opening and closing device. Each lifting device includes a lifting frame and a support arm that can move within the lifting frame to open and close. The automatic opening and closing device is equipped with a pushing mechanism, which is used to push the support arm of the lifting device that has moved to that location to open or close. This invention facilitates fixed-point installation as needed, enabling the lifting device to automatically open and close its support arms in all directions, achieving automatic equipment transfer. Even if a large number of lifting devices are required, this structure simplifies the lifting device structure, and the lifting devices themselves have no power system, which not only reduces the weight of the lifting devices but also greatly reduces the use of power systems, saving energy and effectively reducing enterprise costs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automobile production line lifting equipment technology, specifically an automatic opening and closing operation system for a transfer station lifting equipment. Background Technology

[0002] In automotive production line conveyor systems, inverted skid conveyors (aerial hoists) are commonly used. Flexible production of multiple car models on the same line is the biggest demand of car companies, with more than five different models. This makes the design and implementation of aerial hoists difficult. Hoists often need to achieve the requirements of extending and retracting the left and right arms and moving the front and rear arms. This results in each hoist needing to be equipped with a motor reducer or electric push rod, which is not only costly but also bulky and prone to failure, making maintenance at high altitudes difficult. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the aforementioned problems, the purpose of this invention is to provide an automatic opening and closing operation system for a transfer station lifting device.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of the present invention is as follows: an automatic opening and closing operation system for a transfer station lifting device, comprising an automatic opening and closing device and multiple lifting devices that can pass through the automatic opening and closing device. Each lifting device includes a lifting frame and a support arm that can move within the lifting frame to achieve opening and closing. The automatic opening and closing device is provided with a pushing mechanism, which is used to push the support arm of the lifting device that has moved to that location to open or close, that is, to push the support arm to move outward to open, or to push the support arm to move inward to close, similar to the opening and closing of a robotic arm.

[0005] Furthermore, in order to ensure the stability and safety of each support arm during operation, a limit device is provided in the spreader frame to lock each support arm. The limit device opens when the push mechanism pushes the corresponding support arm, and locks the corresponding support arm again after the spreader device leaves the automatic opening and closing device.

[0006] Furthermore, the automatic opening and closing device is located below the roller bed frame. Symmetrical support rails on the top of the spreader frame are respectively supported on symmetrical roller groups on both sides of the roller bed frame. Symmetrical front spreader arms are provided on the front side of the spreader frame, and a rear spreader arm is provided on the rear side. The tops of the rear spreader arm and the front spreader arms on each side are slidably mounted on linear bearings at the front and rear of the spreader frame, and the linear bearings at the front and rear are vertically arranged, so that the two front spreader arms can move left and right on the front side of the spreader frame, and the rear spreader arm can move back and forth on the rear side of the spreader frame. Vertical levers are also provided on the tops of the front and rear spreader arms, and the lower ends of the front and rear spreader arms form a hook shape.

[0007] Furthermore, the automatic opening and closing device consists of a front and rear pushing mechanism. Each pushing mechanism includes a lever and a driving device for driving the lever. Each lever has an opening in the middle for passing through the lever plate. The front side of the automatic opening and closing device has left and right symmetrical levers for pushing the lever plate at the top of the front support arm of the spreader from left to right. The rear side of the automatic opening and closing device has a lever for pushing the lever plate at the top of the rear support arm of the spreader from front to back.

[0008] Furthermore, the drive device in the rear part of the automatic opening and closing device consists of a fixed rack and a geared motor. The fixed rack is fixedly connected to the moving frame, and the rear lever is fixedly connected to the rear geared motor and slidably connected to the moving frame through a linear bearing. The gear of the rear geared motor meshes with the fixed rack, so that when the rear geared motor runs, it drives the rear lever to move horizontally along the fixed rack.

[0009] Furthermore, the push mechanism on the rear side of the automatic opening and closing device is installed in the fixed frame below the rear side of the roller bed frame. The roller bed frame and the fixed frame are fixed under the same steel beam by a hanger. The linear slide rail is set below the fixed frame. The moving frame is slidably connected to the fixed frame through the linear slide rail. A drive device for pushing the moving frame to move left and right is provided on one side of the fixed frame.

[0010] Furthermore, the limiting device is a rack and pinion structure, including a limiting rack arranged along the moving direction of each support arm and a toothed block for engaging with the corresponding limiting rack. The toothed block is fixed to one end of a rotatable lever, which is equipped with a spring. The spring causes the toothed block to engage with the corresponding limiting rack in its normal state. The pushing mechanism is equipped with a pressure plate structure for pressing down the lever to separate the toothed block from the corresponding limiting rack.

[0011] Furthermore, the drive unit in the front part of the automatic opening and closing device is replaced with a geared rack 19 structure driven by a geared motor. The geared motor, gear and rack 19 directly drive the two front paddles to move simultaneously in opposite directions to each other.

[0012] Furthermore, the pressure plate structure is a plate-shaped structure that is inclined along the direction of movement of the lifting device, and the upper end of the lever is a bent horizontal structure. When the lifting device moves to the automatic opening and closing device, the inclined surface of the pressure plate structure gradually presses the upper end of the lever downward. When the lifting device continues to move forward and disengages from the automatic opening and closing device, the lever separates from the inclined surface of the pressure plate structure, and the lever automatically rebounds under the action of the spring.

[0013] Furthermore, the spreader frame and the roller bed frame are respectively equipped with limit switches for sensing the fully opened and closed states of the spreader's front support arm and rear support arm.

[0014] With the above settings, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0015] 1. The lifting device of the present invention can be opened when it reaches the position of the automatic opening and closing device, which facilitates the automatic operation of the support arm at the transfer station for loading and unloading parts.

[0016] 2. This invention is driven by a servo motor-driven lead screw and gear rack, which ensures accurate positioning and high reliability.

[0017] 3. The present invention has a compact structure, making it convenient to install and use in limited spaces.

[0018] 4. The movable stroke range of the paddle block structure and the paddle plate structure of the present invention is large, the system has good flexibility, and it can realize the co-production of multiple models.

[0019] 5. This invention facilitates fixed-point installation as needed, enabling automatic opening and closing of the lifting arms in all directions and automatic equipment transfer. Even if a large number of lifting devices are required, this structure simplifies the lifting device structure, and the lifting device itself has no power system, which not only reduces the weight of the lifting device but also greatly reduces the use of the power system, saving energy and effectively reducing the company's costs.

[0020] 6. This invention has a travel limit switch, which effectively avoids collisions caused by system malfunctions.

[0021] 7. The invention has good scalability. For example, if a multi-stroke cylinder is used to drive the moving frame to move left and right, or if other power units are used, the moving frame of the automatic opening and closing device can achieve large stroke and multi-point movement. Then, the lifting device can use multiple sets of rear support arms to adapt to more vehicle models.

[0022] 8. The mechanical principles of the power conversion of the front and rear push mechanisms of the automatic opening and closing device of the present invention can be interchanged or used simultaneously. For example, the screw system of the front push mechanism of the automatic opening and closing device can be replaced with a gear and rack system to speed up the running speed of the push block. The equipment can adapt to a faster production cycle and has stronger applicability. Attached Figure Description

[0023] The present invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a top view of the automatic opening and closing device of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the working structure of the front support arm of the lifting device of the present invention in the closed state;

[0027] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the working structure of the rear support arm of the lifting device of the present invention in the closed state;

[0028] Figure 5This is a schematic diagram of the structure in which the front part of the driving device of the present invention is replaced with a rack and pinion drive;

[0029] Figure 6 This is an enlarged structural schematic diagram of the limiting device of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0030] like Figure 1-6 As shown, an automatic opening and closing operation system for a transfer station lifting device includes an automatic opening and closing device and multiple lifting devices that can pass through the automatic opening and closing device. Each lifting device includes a lifting frame 1 and a support arm that can move within the lifting frame 1 to achieve opening and closing. The automatic opening and closing device is provided with a pushing mechanism, which is used to push the support arm of the lifting device that has moved to that location to open or close. The lifting frame 1 is provided with a limiting device for locking each support arm. The limiting device opens when the pushing mechanism pushes the corresponding support arm, and locks the corresponding support arm again after the lifting device leaves the automatic opening and closing device.

[0031] An automatic opening and closing device is located below the roller frame 11. Symmetrical support rails 2 on the top of the lifting frame 1 are respectively supported on symmetrical roller groups 3 on both sides of the roller frame 11. Symmetrical front lifting arms 4 are provided on the front side of the lifting frame 1, and a rear lifting arm 7 is provided on the rear side. The tops of the rear lifting arm 7 and the front lifting arms 4 on each side are slidably mounted on linear bearings 5 ​​at the front and rear of the lifting frame 1, and the linear bearings 5 ​​at the front and rear are vertically arranged, so that the two front lifting arms 4 can move left and right on the front side of the lifting frame 1, and the rear lifting arm 7 can move back and forth on the rear side of the lifting frame 1. Vertical levers 6 are also provided on the tops of the front lifting arms 4 and the rear lifting arms 7, and the lower ends of the front lifting arms 4 and the rear lifting arms 7 form hooks.

[0032] The automatic opening and closing device consists of two pushing mechanisms, one at the front and one at the back. Each pushing mechanism includes a lever 8 and a driving device for moving the lever 8. Each lever 8 has an opening in the middle for passing through the lever plate 6. The front of the automatic opening and closing device has two symmetrical levers 8, which push the lever plate 6 at the top of the front support arm 4 of the lifting device from left to right. The rear of the automatic opening and closing device has one lever 8, which pushes the lever plate 6 at the top of the rear support arm 7 of the lifting device from front to back. That is, the openings of the two front levers 8 are aligned with the direction of movement of the lifting device, facilitating the entry or exit of the lever plate 6 through the front two levers 8. The opening of the rear lever 8 is perpendicular to the direction of movement of the lifting device. In order not to obstruct the entry or exit of the lifting device from the automatic opening and closing device, the pushing mechanism on the rear side of the automatic opening and closing device is installed in the fixed frame 13 below the rear side of the roller bed frame 11. The roller bed frame 11 and the fixed frame 13 are connected by a lifting rod. Fixed below the same steel beam, the linear slide rail 14 is set below the fixed frame 13. The moving frame 21 is slidably connected to the fixed frame 13 via the linear slide rail 14. A drive device for pushing the moving frame 21 to move left and right is provided on one side of the fixed frame 13. When the lifting device enters or exits the automatic opening and closing device, the moving frame 21 moves to one side via the drive device, such as a cylinder, causing the rear lever 8 to separate from the rear lever plate. At this time, the lifting device can enter or exit the automatic opening and closing device. When the lifting device moves to the automatic opening and closing device, the front lever plate 6 is inserted into the two front levers 8. The rear lever 8 pushes the moving frame 21 via a cylinder, putting the rear lever 8 onto the rear lever plate 6. Thus, the front two front support arms 4 are driven to move simultaneously towards or in opposite directions by the pushing mechanisms of the front and rear parts of the automatic opening and closing device, realizing the simultaneous closing or opening of the front support arms 4. Figure 3 And drive the rear support arm 7 of the spreader to move forward or backward, thereby closing or opening the rear support arm 7 of the spreader, such as Figure 4 .

[0033] The drive unit of the front part of the automatic opening and closing device is a screw 10 structure driven by a geared motor 9. The geared motor 9 and the screw 10 directly drive the two front paddles 8 to move simultaneously in opposite directions. The drive unit of the rear part of the automatic opening and closing device is a fixed rack 12 and a geared motor 9. The fixed rack 12 is fixedly connected to the moving frame 21. The rear paddles 8 are fixedly connected to the rear geared motor 9 and are slidably connected to the moving frame 21 through linear bearings. The gear of the rear geared motor 9 meshes with the fixed rack 12, so that when the rear geared motor 9 runs, it drives the rear paddles 8 to move horizontally along the fixed rack 12.

[0034] The limiting device is a rack and pinion structure, including a limiting rack 15 arranged along the moving direction of each support arm and a toothed block 16 for engaging with the corresponding limiting rack 15. The toothed block 16 is fixed to one end of a rotatable lever 17. The lever 17 is equipped with a spring, which causes the toothed block 16 to engage with the corresponding limiting rack 15 in its normal state. The pushing mechanism is equipped with a pressure plate structure 18 for pressing down the lever 17 to separate the toothed block 16 from the corresponding limiting rack 15. Specifically: The pressure plate structure 18 is a plate-shaped structure that is inclined along the direction of movement of the lifting device. The upper end of the lever 17 is a bent horizontal structure. When the lifting device moves to the automatic opening and closing device, the inclined surface of the pressure plate structure 18 gradually presses the upper end of the lever 17 downward. When the lifting device continues to move forward and leaves the automatic opening and closing device, the lever 17 separates from the inclined surface of the pressure plate structure 18. The lever 17 automatically rebounds under the action of the spring. In this way, the limiting device can limit each support arm after the lifting device leaves the automatic opening and closing device, preventing the support arm from opening during the movement, thus playing a better safety role.

[0035] The lifting frame 1 and the roller bed frame 11 are respectively equipped with limit switches 20 for sensing the fully opened and closed states of the front support arm 4 and the rear support arm 7 of the lifting device, providing secondary protection against over-extension. In addition, the electrical control system is involved, which is existing technology, mainly composed of PLC, frequency converter, ground control unit and other electrical components, for programming control of this device, so that the equipment can run automatically or be manually controlled.

[0036] Working principle of the invention: A production line can be equipped with two automatic opening and closing devices, one for loading the upper part and the other for unloading the lower part;

[0037] Loading Action: The empty lifting device in the air waits in advance at the loading point and is clamped and positioned by the positioning and locking device. The skid carries the car onto the lifting roller bed. The lifting roller bed carries the skid and the car body to a certain height. The front support arm 4 of the lifting device in the air retracts from its maximum width position and stops at the edge of the car body window frame. The rear support arm 7 of the rear lifting device moves from its farthest distance to the rear window frame of the car body and stops. The lifting roller bed carrying the skid descends. After the car body descends a certain distance, the lifting device support arm lifts the car body, realizing the conversion of the car body from the skid to the lifting device in the air. The lifting device carrying the car body is then transferred to the next work station.

[0038] The unloading action is the opposite of the loading action. The lifting device reaches the upper part through the overhead transfer roller and the return section roller to realize the circulation of the line, which is the overhead transfer roller and the return section roller currently used in automobile production lines.

[0039] The above description is merely an illustrative embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Any equivalent changes and modifications made by those skilled in the art without departing from the concept and principles of the present invention should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic opening and closing operation system for a transfer station lifting device, characterized in that: The device includes an automatic opening and closing device and multiple lifting devices that can pass through the automatic opening and closing device. The lifting device includes a lifting frame (1) and a support arm that can move within the lifting frame (1) to achieve opening and closing. The automatic opening and closing device is provided with a pushing mechanism, which is used to push the support arm of the lifting device that has moved to that location to open or close. The lifting frame (1) is provided with a limiting device for locking each support arm. The limiting device opens when the pushing mechanism pushes the corresponding support arm, and locks the corresponding support arm again after the lifting device leaves the automatic opening and closing device. The limiting device is a rack and pinion structure, including a limiting rack (15) arranged along the moving direction of each support arm and a toothed block (16) for meshing with the corresponding limiting rack (15). The toothed block (16) is fixed to a rotatable lever (1). 7) One end of the lever (17) is equipped with a spring. The spring causes the toothed block (16) under normal conditions to mesh with the corresponding limiting rack (15). The pushing mechanism is equipped with a pressure plate structure (18) for pressing down the lever (17) to separate the toothed block (16) from the corresponding limiting rack (15). The pressure plate structure (18) is a plate-shaped structure that is inclined along the direction of movement of the lifting device. The upper end of the lever (17) is a bent horizontal structure. When the lifting device moves to the automatic opening and closing device, the inclined surface of the pressure plate structure (18) gradually presses the upper end of the lever (17) downward. When the lifting device continues to move forward and disengages from the automatic opening and closing device, the lever (17) separates from the inclined surface of the pressure plate structure (18), and the lever (17) automatically rebounds under the action of the spring.

2. The automatic opening and closing operation system for a transfer station lifting device as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The automatic opening and closing device is set below the roller frame (11). The symmetrical support slide rails (2) on the top of the lifting frame (1) are respectively supported on the symmetrical roller groups (3) on both sides of the roller frame (11). The front side of the lifting frame (1) is provided with symmetrical lifting front support arms (4), and the rear side is provided with a lifting rear support arm (7). The top of the lifting rear support arm (7) and the lifting front support arms (4) on each side are respectively slidably set on the linear bearings (5) at the front and rear of the lifting frame (1), and the linear bearings (5) at the front and rear are vertically set, so that the two lifting front support arms (4) can move left and right on the front side of the lifting frame (1), and the lifting rear support arm (7) can move back and forth on the rear side of the lifting frame (1). The top of the lifting front support arm (4) and the lifting rear support arm (7) are also provided with vertical levers (6). The lower ends of the lifting front support arm (4) and the lifting rear support arm (7) form hooks.

3. The automatic opening and closing operation system for a transfer station lifting device as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The automatic opening and closing device consists of a front and rear push mechanism. Each push mechanism includes a paddle (8) and a drive device for driving the paddle (8) to move. Each paddle (8) has an opening in the middle for passing through the paddle plate (6). The front side of the automatic opening and closing device has paddles (8) that are symmetrical left and right, which are used to push the paddle plate (6) on the top of the front support arm (4) of the spreader from left to right. The rear side of the automatic opening and closing device has a paddle (8) that is used to push the paddle plate (6) on the top of the rear support arm (7) of the spreader from front to back.

4. The automatic opening and closing operation system for a transfer station lifting device as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The drive unit of the front part of the automatic opening and closing device is a screw (10) structure driven by a geared motor (9). The two paddles (8) on the front side are directly driven by the geared motor (9) and the screw (10) to move in opposite directions to each other. The drive unit of the rear part of the automatic opening and closing device is a fixed rack (12) and a geared motor (9). The fixed rack (12) is fixedly connected to the moving frame (21). The paddles (8) on the rear side are fixedly connected to the geared motor (9) on the rear side and are slidably connected to the moving frame (21) through a linear bearing. The gear of the geared motor (9) on the rear side meshes with the fixed rack (12), so that when the geared motor (9) on the rear side runs, it drives the paddles (8) on the rear side to move horizontally along the fixed rack (12).

5. The automatic opening and closing operation system for a transfer station lifting device as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The push mechanism on the rear side of the automatic opening and closing device is installed in the fixed frame (13) below the rear side of the roller bed frame (11). The roller bed frame (11) and the fixed frame (13) are fixed under the same steel beam by a hanger. The linear slide rail (14) is set below the fixed frame (13). The moving frame (21) is slidably connected to the fixed frame (13) through the linear slide rail (14). A drive device for pushing the moving frame (21) to move left and right is provided on one side of the fixed frame (13).

6. The automatic opening and closing operation system for a transfer station lifting device as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The drive unit in the front part of the automatic opening and closing device is replaced with a geared motor (9) and a gear-driven push rack (19) structure. The two paddles (8) on the front side are directly driven by the geared motor (9), the gear and the push rack (19) to move in opposite directions to each other.

7. The automatic opening and closing operation system for a transfer station lifting device as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The lifting frame (1) and the roller bed frame (11) are respectively equipped with limit switches (20) for sensing the closed state after the front support arm (4) and the rear support arm (7) of the lifting device are fully opened.

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