Flexible automobile front end module conveying line system

Abstract

The application discloses a flexible automobile front end module conveying line system, which comprises parallel arranged feeding conveying lines and discharging conveying lines, the feeding conveying lines are sequentially provided with a storage area, a material taking area and a discharging area along the direction of the feeding port, the storage area is sequentially provided with a third storage position, a second storage position and a first storage position, the material taking area is provided with a material taking position adjacent to the first storage position and a robot for grabbing the automobile front end module, and the discharging area is provided with a discharging position; the trolley clamps the front end module to enter the storage area from the feeding port, sequentially passes through the three storage positions and then enters the material taking position, after the material taking position completes the material taking, the empty trolley enters the discharging position; the transfer device is arranged between the feeding conveying lines and the discharging conveying lines and is used for translating the empty trolley in the discharging position to the discharging conveying line; the empty trolley is conveyed in the discharging conveying line and finally leaves from the discharging port. The application has the advantages of small occupied space, low investment, small energy consumption and high flexibility, and can meet the fixed placement requirement of the front end equipment grabbing.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application belongs to the technical field of automobile front end module logistics conveying system, and particularly relates to a flexible automobile front end module conveying line system. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the rapid development of the automobile industry, the competition is becoming increasingly fierce, and the types of automobile products are becoming more and more rich, so the demand for flexible automation of production lines is also becoming higher and higher. In the design of the whole vehicle, the front end modular assembly scheme is generally adopted, and the front end module is distributed to the main line for installation after being distributed, and the conveying method includes AGV transfer, mechanical conveying line and manual transfer. Among them, the AGV transfer and mechanical conveying method is usually planned and implemented in a new factory, which requires a large space and a large amount of funds, and is not suitable for the implementation of existing factories; the manual transfer form is convenient and flexible, but it is difficult to meet the needs of the front end module automatic assembly equipment. SUMMARY

[0003] In order to solve the above problems existing in the prior art, the present application provides a flexible automobile front end module conveying line system, which is based on the actual production status and develops a conveying scheme of the front end module on the line side, occupies a small space, has low investment and low energy consumption, and has high flexibility, which can meet the positioning needs of the front end equipment grabbing.

[0004] The purpose of the present application is achieved by the following technical scheme:

[0005] A flexible automobile front end module conveying line system, comprising an upper conveying line and a lower conveying line arranged in parallel, the upper conveying line is provided with a storage area, a taking area and a lower area along the direction of the inlet, the storage area is provided with a third storage position, a second storage position and a first storage position in sequence, the taking area is provided with a taking position adjacent to the first storage position and a robot for grabbing the automobile front end module, and the lower area is provided with a lower position; the trolley clamps the front end module from the inlet into the storage area, passes through the three storage positions in sequence, and then enters the taking position, after the taking position completes the taking, the empty trolley enters the lower position; a transfer device is arranged between the upper conveying line and the lower conveying line, for translating the empty trolley in the lower position to the lower conveying line; the empty trolley is conveyed in the lower conveying line, and finally leaves from the outlet.

[0006] Further, the feeding conveying line is provided with a feeding guide rail, the trolley moves along the feeding guide rail, a first feeding cylinder and a second feeding cylinder are respectively arranged on the two sides of the feeding guide rail, and the first feeding cylinder and the second feeding cylinder are connected with the control cabinet; the first feeding cylinder is used for pushing the trolley from the third storage position to the second storage position or pushing the trolley from the second storage position to the first storage position, and the second feeding cylinder is used for conveying the trolley from the first storage position to the material taking position or conveying the trolley at the material taking position to the trolley unloading position; the material taking area is provided with a material taking cylinder, which is used for opening the front end module clamping device of the trolley, and then the front end module taking is completed by the robot; the trolley unloading position is provided with a jacking cylinder, which is used for jacking the empty trolley after taking to the transfer device; the trolley unloading conveying line is provided with a trolley unloading guide rail, the empty trolley after taking is transported to the trolley unloading guide rail from the transfer device, a trolley unloading cylinder is arranged on one side of the trolley unloading guide rail, the trolley unloading cylinder is connected with the control cabinet, and the trolley unloading cylinder moves the empty trolley along the trolley unloading guide rail and moves out from the discharge port, and finally returns to the sub-packaging area.

[0007] Further, the transfer device comprises a translation mechanism, a translation slide rail and a translation cylinder; the translation mechanism is installed on the translation slide rail through a sliding block, the translation slide rail is perpendicular to the conveying direction of the feeding conveying line, the translation cylinder is connected with the control cabinet, the empty trolley after taking is jacked to the translation mechanism at the trolley unloading position, and the translation cylinder drives the translation mechanism to move along the translation slide rail and translates the empty trolley to the trolley unloading conveying line.

[0008] Further, the third storage position, the second storage position, the first storage position of the storage area and the material taking position of the material taking area are respectively provided with a material detection switch, a position detection switch and a blocking cylinder, and the material detection switch, the position detection switch and the blocking cylinder in each area are respectively electrically connected with the control cabinet; the material detection switch is used for detecting whether the trolley enters the area, and when the trolley is detected to enter, a detection signal is transmitted to the control cabinet; the position detection switch is used for detecting whether the trolley entering the area enters the accurate position, and when the trolley enters the accurate position, the position detection switch transmits a detection signal to the control cabinet, the control cabinet controls the blocking cylinder to extend, and the position degree of the trolley is ensured.

[0009] Further, a safety grating is arranged at the end of the material taking area, which is used for detecting whether the trolley exits the material taking position.

[0010] Further, a trolley rack detection switch is arranged at the front end of the trolley unloading conveying line, which is used for detecting whether the empty trolley rack is transported to the trolley unloading conveying line from the transfer device.

[0011] Further, limit cylinders are arranged on the two sides of the material taking area, which are used for limiting the trolley.

[0012] Further, each of the air cylinders is provided with a cylinder detection switch, and each of the cylinder detection switches is electrically connected with the control cabinet, for detecting the extension or retraction state of each air cylinder.

[0013] Further, the trolley is provided with guide pins at the front and rear of the bottom, and the trolley body is provided with a part storage basket; the trolley body is provided with a traction device at the front and rear; the trolley body is provided with a front end module clamping device above, for clamping the front end module, and the front end module clamping device is designed in a spring pressing form at the upper part and a 360° rotating structure at the lower part.

[0014] The present application has the following beneficial effects:

[0015] The present application has high flexibility, and can meet the conveying requirements of different front end modules of multiple vehicle models by standardizing the size of the lower part of the trolley and designing the upper flexible clamp.

[0016] The present application uses multiple groups of air cylinders as the conveying execution structure, which has simple mechanism and small space occupation, effectively solves the problem of insufficient line side area during the inline production of multiple vehicle models, and has low energy consumption and maintenance cost.

[0017] The present application uses sensors and other devices to realize the control of PLC, and can realize automatic conveying and meet the fixed grabbing requirements of the front end equipment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments of the present application will be briefly introduced. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and other drawings can be obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor based on the contents of the embodiments of the present application and these drawings.

[0019] Figure 1 A flexible automobile front end module conveying line system overall scheme layout diagram is described in the embodiments of the present application.

[0020] Figure 2 A flexible automobile front end module conveying line system overall frame diagram is described in the embodiments of the present application.

[0021] Figure 3 A flexible automobile front end module conveying line system overall frame axonometric diagram is described in the embodiments of the present application.

[0022] Figure 4 A flexible automobile front end module conveying line system cylinder and signal switch arrangement diagram is described in the embodiments of the present application.

[0023] Figure 5 A trolley structure diagram is described in the embodiments of the present application.

[0024] In the picture:

[0025] A1 - First storage location; A2 - Second storage location; A3 - Third storage location; B - Material handling location; C - Unloading location;

[0026] 1-Material cart; 2-Feeding guide rail; 3-Feeding cylinder No. 1; 4-Feeding cylinder No. 2; 5-Retrieval cylinder; 6-Lifting cylinder; 7-Transfer mechanism; 8-Transfer slide rail; 9-Transfer cylinder; 10-Discharge cylinder; 11-Discharge guide rail; 12-Blocking cylinder; 13-Material presence detection switch; 14-Actuation detection switch; 15-Safety light curtain; 16-Cylinder detection switch; 17-Material rack detection switch; 18-Material rack hook detection switch; 19-Limit cylinder;

[0027] 101-Parts storage basket; 102-Guide pin; 103-Traction device; 104-Front-end module clamping device; 105-Front-end module. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and not intended to limit it. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, the accompanying drawings show only the parts relevant to the present invention, and not all of the structures.

[0029] Example

[0030] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment is a flexible automotive front-end module conveyor system, including a parallel loading conveyor and a unloading conveyor. The loading conveyor has a storage area, a picking area, and an unloading area arranged sequentially along the inlet direction. The storage area has three storage positions: a third storage position A3, a second storage position A2, and a first storage position A1. The picking area has a picking position B adjacent to the first storage position A1 on the same track, and a robot for gripping the automotive front-end module 105. The unloading area has an unloading position C. A trolley 1, holding the front-end module 105, enters the storage area from the inlet and passes through the three storage positions sequentially along the loading guide rail before entering the picking position B. After picking at the picking position B, the empty trolley enters the unloading position C. A transfer device is provided between the loading and unloading conveyors to move the empty trolley at the unloading position C to the unloading conveyor. The empty trolley is then conveyed along the unloading guide rail within the unloading conveyor and finally leaves from the outlet.

[0031] Furthermore, such as Figure 2 , Figure 3As shown, the feeding conveying line is provided with a feeding guide rail 2, the trolley 1 moves along the feeding guide rail, and a first feeding cylinder 3 and a second feeding cylinder 4 are respectively arranged on both sides of the feeding guide rail 2, the first feeding cylinder 3 and the second feeding cylinder 4 are respectively connected with the control cabinet, the first feeding cylinder 3 is used to push the trolley 1 to move between the storage positions in the storage area in sequence, that is, to push the trolley 1 from the third storage position A3 to the second storage position A2, or to push the trolley 1 from the second storage position A2 to the first storage position A1, and the second feeding cylinder 4 is used to push the trolley from the storage area to the material taking area, and further push the trolley in the material taking area to the trolley unloading area, that is, the second feeding cylinder 4 is used to convey the trolley 1 from the first storage position A1 to the material taking position B, and convey the trolley in the material taking position B to the trolley unloading position C; the material taking area is provided with a material taking cylinder 5, which is used to open the front end module clamping device of the trolley 1, and then the robot completes the front end module material taking; the trolley unloading position C is provided with a jacking cylinder 6, which is used to jack up the empty trolley after completing the material taking to the translation mechanism 7 of the transfer device.

[0032] Further, as shown in Figure 2 , Figure 3 , the transfer device comprises a translation mechanism 7, a translation slide rail 8 and a translation cylinder 9, the translation mechanism 7 is installed on the translation slide rail 8 through a sliding block, the translation slide rail 8 is perpendicular to the conveying direction of the feeding conveying line, and the translation cylinder 9 is connected with the control cabinet, and the translation cylinder 9 is used to drive the translation mechanism 7 to move along the translation slide rail 8 to the discharging conveying line.

[0033] Further, as shown in Figure 2 , Figure 3 , the discharging conveying line is provided with a discharging guide rail 11, the empty trolley after completing the material taking is conveyed to the discharging guide rail 11 by the transfer device, one side of the discharging guide rail 11 is provided with a discharging cylinder 10, the discharging cylinder 10 is connected with the control cabinet, and the discharging cylinder 10 moves the empty trolley 1 along the discharging guide rail 11, moves out from the discharging port, and finally returns to the sub-packaging area.

[0034] Further, as shown in Figure 3 , Figure 4 , the third storage position A3, the second storage position A2, the first storage position A1 of the storage area and the material taking position B of the material taking area are respectively provided with a material detection switch 13, a position detection switch 14 and a blocking cylinder 12, and the material detection switch 13, the position detection switch 14 and the blocking cylinder 12 in each area are respectively electrically connected with the control cabinet; the material detection switch 13 is used to detect whether the trolley enters the area, and when the trolley is detected to enter, a detection signal is transmitted to the control cabinet; the position detection switch 14 is used to detect whether the trolley entering the area enters the accurate position, and when the trolley enters the accurate position, the position detection switch 14 transmits a detection signal to the control cabinet, the control cabinet controls the blocking cylinder 12 to extend, and the position degree of the trolley is ensured.

[0035] Further, as shown in Figures 2 to 4 The two sides of the material taking area are provided with limiting air cylinders 19 for limiting the trolley 1.

[0036] Further, as shown in Figures 2 to 4 The end of the material taking area is provided with a safety grating 15 for detecting whether the trolley exits the material taking position B.

[0037] Further, as shown in Figures 2 to 4 The front end of the discharging conveying line is provided with a rack detection switch 17 for detecting whether an empty rack is transported to the discharging conveying line by the transfer device. In the embodiment, the rack detection switch 17 is an optical reflection switch GL6-P4211.

[0038] Further, as shown in Figures 2 to 4 Each air cylinder is provided with an air cylinder detection switch, and each air cylinder detection switch is electrically connected with the control cabinet for detecting the extension or retraction state of each air cylinder.

[0039] Further, as shown in Figures 2 to 4 The upper feeding guide rail 2 is provided with a rack hook detection switch 18 near the inlet for detecting whether the rack hook is retracted.

[0040] Further, as shown in Figure 5 The bottom of the trolley 1 is provided with guide pins 102 in front and back respectively for ensuring the trolley to run in the guide rail of the conveying line.

[0041] Further, as shown in Figure 5 The trolley 1 is provided with a part storage basket 101 on the body for adapting to more vehicle models; the body is provided with a traction device 103 in front and back respectively for transferring multiple trolleys; the body is provided with a front end module clamping device 104 above for clamping the front end module. The upper part of the front end module clamping device 104 adopts a spring pressing form to improve the compatibility of each vehicle model, and the lower part is designed as a 360° rotating structure for facilitating operation.

[0042] Further, as shown in Figure 5 The lower part of the trolley 1 can be made into a unified specification according to the actual conveying width.

[0043] The working principle of the embodiment will be briefly introduced as follows:

[0044] The feeding conveying line of the embodiment adopts five trolley stations, including three storage positions, one material taking position and one unloading position. When the trolley enters the third storage position, the trolley entering is detected by the trolley entering detection switch, and the signal is transmitted to the control cabinet. After the trolley enters the accurate position, the position detection switch transmits the signal to the control cabinet, the control cabinet controls the blocking cylinder to extend, and the position degree of the trolley is ensured. When the trolley position behind the third storage position is empty, the controller controls the first feeding cylinder to run, and controls the blocking cylinder to extend and retract at the same time, so as to convey the trolley to the second storage position. When the trolley enters the second storage position, the trolley entering detection switch detects the trolley entering, and transmits the signal to the controller. When the trolley enters the accurate position, the position detection switch transmits the signal to the controller, the controller controls the blocking cylinder to extend, and the position degree of the trolley is ensured. When the trolley position behind the second storage position is empty, the controller controls the first feeding cylinder to continue running, and controls the blocking cylinder to extend and retract at the same time, so as to convey the trolley to the first storage position. Similarly, the second feeding cylinder is responsible for conveying the trolley to the material taking area, the material taking cylinder is responsible for opening the front module clamping device (front module clamp) on the trolley, after the robot takes the material, the second feeding cylinder conveys the trolley to the unloading position. The jacking cylinder of the unloading position lifts the trolley off the ground, the translation cylinder moves it to the unloading conveying line, the unloading cylinder pushes the trolley to the discharge port, conveys it to the moving area, and finally returns to the sub-packaging area.

[0045] Although the embodiments of the present application have been shown and described, it is to be understood that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to the embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present application, and the scope of the present application is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A flexible automotive front-end module conveyor system, characterized in that, The device comprises a parallelly arranged feeding conveying line and discharging conveying line, the feeding conveying line is sequentially provided with a storage area, a taking area and a discharging area along the direction of the feeding port, the storage area is sequentially provided with a third storage position, a second storage position and a first storage position, the taking area is provided with a taking position adjacent to the first storage position and a robot for grabbing the front end module, and the discharging area is provided with a discharging position; the trolley clamps the front end module to enter the storage area from the feeding port, sequentially passes through the three storage positions and enters the taking position, after the taking position completes the taking, the empty trolley enters the discharging position; a transfer device is arranged between the feeding conveying line and the discharging conveying line, for translating the empty trolley in the discharging position to the discharging conveying line; the empty trolley is conveyed in the discharging conveying line and finally leaves from the discharging port; the feeding conveying line is provided with a feeding guide rail, the trolley moves along the feeding guide rail, a first feeding cylinder and a second feeding cylinder are respectively arranged on both sides of the feeding guide rail, and the first feeding cylinder and the second feeding cylinder are connected with a control cabinet; the first feeding cylinder is used for pushing the trolley from the third storage position to the second storage position or from the second storage position to the first storage position, and the second feeding cylinder is used for conveying the trolley from the first storage position to the taking position or conveying the trolley in the taking position to the discharging position; the taking area is provided with a taking cylinder, for opening the front end module clamping device of the trolley, and then the robot completes the taking of the front end module; the discharging position is provided with a jacking cylinder, for jacking the empty trolley after the taking to the transfer device; the discharging conveying line is provided with a discharging guide rail, the empty trolley after the taking is transported to the discharging guide rail from the transfer device, a discharging cylinder is arranged on one side of the discharging guide rail, the discharging cylinder is connected with the control cabinet, the discharging cylinder moves the empty trolley along the discharging guide rail and moves out from the discharging port, and finally returns to the sub-packaging area.

2. The flexible front end module conveyor system of claim 1, wherein, The transfer device comprises a translation mechanism, a translation slide rail and a translation cylinder; the translation mechanism is installed on the translation slide rail through a sliding block, the translation slide rail is perpendicular to the conveying direction of the feeding conveying line, the translation cylinder is connected with the control cabinet, the empty trolley after the taking is jacked to the translation mechanism in the discharging position, and the translation cylinder drives the translation mechanism to move along the translation slide rail and translates the empty trolley to the discharging conveying line.

3. The flexible front end module conveyor system of claim 1, wherein, The third storage position, the second storage position, the first storage position of the storage area and the taking position of the taking area are respectively provided with a material detection switch, a position detection switch and a blocking cylinder, and the material detection switch, the position detection switch and the blocking cylinder in each area are respectively electrically connected with the control cabinet; the material detection switch is used for detecting whether the trolley enters the area, and when the trolley is detected to enter, a detection signal is transmitted to the control cabinet; The position detection switch is used for detecting whether the trolley entering the area enters the accurate position, and when the trolley enters the accurate position, the position detection switch transmits a detection signal to the control cabinet, the control cabinet controls the blocking cylinder to extend, and the position degree of the trolley is ensured.

4. The flexible front end module conveyor system of claim 1, wherein, The end of the taking area is provided with a safety grating for detecting whether the trolley exits the taking position.

5. The flexible front end module conveyor system of claim 1, wherein, The front end of the discharging conveying line is provided with a rack detection switch for detecting whether the empty rack is transported to the discharging conveying line from the transfer device.

6. The flexible front end module conveyor line system of claim 1, wherein, The limit air cylinders are arranged on both sides of the material taking area and used for limiting the material car.

7. The flexible front end module conveyor system of any one of claims 1, 2, 6, wherein, An air cylinder detection switch is arranged on each air cylinder and electrically connected with the control cabinet, and used for detecting the extension or retraction state of each air cylinder.

8. The flexible front end module conveyor line system of claim 1, wherein, The material car is provided with guide pins at the front and rear bottom, a part storage basket on the car body, a traction device at the front and rear of the car body, and a front end module clamping device above the car body for clamping the front end module, wherein the upper part of the front end module clamping device adopts a spring pressing form, and the lower part is designed as a 360° rotating structure.

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