A high efficiency metal can spacer stacking system and method

Abstract

A high-efficiency metal can interlayer stacking system comprises a conveying device provided with a can arranging device and a stacking device in a conveying direction, and a tray lifting device and a felt paper laying device are arranged behind the stacking device; the conveying device comprises a conveying belt and a pneumatic conveying mechanism, and the pneumatic conveying mechanism is arranged in front of the can arranging device; the can arranging device can screen metal cans and arrange the metal cans in order so that the metal cans enter a working position of the stacking device in a preset arrangement mode; the stacking device can lift the metal cans and move the metal cans to a tray position and can lay felt paper above the metal cans synchronously; and the felt paper laying device can place felt paper at a position that can be lifted by the stacking device. Through the above device, the metal cans can be stacked in an interlayer arrangement and the felt paper can be arranged in an interlayer arrangement, so that the metal cans are more stable, the above design can move the metal cans in a preset arrangement mode, the metal cans are convenient to pick up and screen, and a specific use method for the system is also disclosed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of metal can stacking equipment technology, specifically to a high-efficiency metal can interlayer stacking system and method. Background Technology

[0002] After the metal cans are manufactured, they need to be packed on pallets for transportation. Generally, the packing process involves placing the manufactured metal cans on a conveyor belt, with limiting mechanisms installed on both sides and at the end of the conveyor belt. After the metal cans move to the end, they can be lifted by a robotic arm on the conveyor belt and placed on top of a pallet. After a certain number of metal cans are stacked on the same horizontal plane through repeated reciprocating movements of the robotic arm, the pallet needs to be moved and metal cans are stacked on top of the previous ones. If any metal cans shift during the process, it will cause instability in the overall stacked metal cans, which will affect the subsequent metal can packing operations and thus the packing efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the problem that directly stacking metal cans sequentially can easily lead to instability in the stacked can layers, thus affecting packaging efficiency, this invention provides a high-efficiency metal can layer stacking system and method.

[0004] The technical solution of this invention is as follows:

[0005] A high-efficiency metal can layer stacking system includes a conveying device, wherein a can sorting device and a stacking device are sequentially arranged along the conveying direction, and a pallet lifting device and a felt paper laying device are sequentially arranged after the stacking device.

[0006] The conveying device includes a horizontally arranged conveyor belt and a pneumatic conveying mechanism, with the pneumatic conveying mechanism located in front of the tank unloading device;

[0007] The can handling device includes one or more fixed crossbeams perpendicular to the transport direction of the conveying device. The fixed crossbeams are positioned above the conveyor belt and have multiple movable baffles spaced apart along their length. The length direction of the movable baffles is parallel to the transport direction of the conveying device, and their position relative to the fixed crossbeams is adjustable. A collecting mechanism is provided on the side of the movable baffles near the stacking device. The collecting mechanism includes multiple baffles opposite to the movable baffles, with one end of the baffles connected to the movable baffles and the other end inclined toward the center of the conveying device. The spacing between adjacent baffles is the same as the spacing between adjacent movable baffles. Metal cans can pass through adjacent movable baffles and the collecting mechanism.

[0008] The stacking device includes a traversing mechanism that can move along the transport direction of the conveying device. Above the traversing mechanism is a reference beam perpendicular to the transport direction of the conveying device. The reference beam is spaced along the transport direction of the conveying device with first lifting beams that can move vertically. Below the first lifting beams are multiple lifting rods that are aligned with the metal cans and can lift the metal cans.

[0009] The stacking device is provided with a limiting mechanism at the end of the conveying device. The limiting mechanism is located on the side of the first lifting beam away from the can unloading device and close to the pallet lifting device. The limiting mechanism includes an extended perforated plate flush with the conveying device. The extended perforated plate is provided with multiple telescopic limiting posts, and the lowest position that the top of the telescopic limiting post can reach is lower than the upper surface of the extended perforated plate.

[0010] The stacking device is provided with a second lifting beam on the side near the pallet lifting device, and a suction cup mechanism is provided below the second lifting beam. The suction cup mechanism can move to the top of the felt paper laying device when the lateral movement mechanism and the can handling device reach the farthest distance.

[0011] The felt paper laying device includes a felt paper straightening mechanism, which can move the felt paper to a position corresponding to the suction cup mechanism.

[0012] Unlike existing systems, this system can lay felt paper between the layers of metal cans. By setting the felt paper, the stacking of metal cans becomes more stable. In order to achieve rapid stacking, the stacking device of this device can stack an entire layer of metal cans at once. In order to achieve the above functions, this system uses a pre-set can-sorting device to ensure that the metal cans reaching the bottom of the stacking device are always in a preset position. The mutual contact between adjacent metal cans can overcome gravity through friction during the lifting process of the lifting rod of the stacking device, and thus can move synchronously with the metal cans that are directly lifted and move synchronously with the lifting rod. Therefore, it is possible to achieve stacking by moving with the lifting rod and reaching the tray without having to set a lifting rod for each metal can.

[0013] The specific design of the aforementioned can handling device is as follows: the ends of the baffles furthest from the movable partitions are symmetrically arranged about the center of the conveying device, and the distance between these ends and the stacking device decreases sequentially from the center of the conveying device to both sides. Given a preset metal can diameter length of d, the minimum distance between the two outermost baffles is... And x is a natural number greater than 0. Since the specifications of the metal cans are different, the baffle of the above-mentioned collection mechanism also needs to be adjusted according to the situation. After adjustment, it is necessary to ensure that the metal can enter the bottom of the stacking device in a preset state. Through the above design, the metal can can obtain the maximum contact area, thereby preventing it from falling off during movement.

[0014] The specific arrangement of the aforementioned lifting rods is as follows: multiple lifting rods are spaced apart along the transport direction perpendicular to the conveying device, and two rows of lifting rods are spaced apart along the transport direction of the conveying device on a single first lifting beam. The two rows of lifting rods are staggered, with a spacing of d / 2. The straight-line length of two adjacent lifting rods is d, and one and only one lifting rod is located at the center of the conveying device. This ensures that the lifting rods can be aligned with and lifted by the metal cans after passing through the can handling device, and that the above arrangement can ensure the lifting of metal cans located at both ends of the stacking device, thereby ensuring that all metal cans in the middle position can be lifted.

[0015] To remove metal cans with shaped defects, the can handling device includes a screening mechanism before the collection mechanism. This screening mechanism comprises movable perforated plates and a laser detector. Multiple movable perforated plates are spaced apart along the length of the fixed crossbeam, with each plate positioned between adjacent movable partitions. The laser detector includes a emitting end and a reflecting end, with the emitting and reflecting ends respectively located on the outermost two movable perforated plates away from the center of the conveying device. Light emitted from the emitting end can pass through the openings in the multiple movable perforated plates and reach the reflecting end. When a metal can is deformed, the movable perforated plates rotate upwards or downwards, changing the position of their openings. This prevents the light emitted from the emitting end from passing through normally, thus identifying the defective metal can and alerting the operator to remove it.

[0016] To screen for metal cans with lateral deformation, a visual screening device is also provided between the can handling device and the stacking device. This visual screening device includes a rotatable cylinder, horizontally positioned with its rotation axis perpendicular to the transport direction of the conveying device. Multiple first and second inspection units are circumferentially arranged around the rotation axis on the outer wall of the cylinder. These first and second inspection units are arranged corresponding to the metal cans and can all be inserted into the cans to take pictures. Because the metal cans are in close contact with each other, conventional visual inspection devices cannot be used. However, this device, due to the can handling device, allows the metal cans to move in a preset arrangement. Therefore, this device includes a rotatable visual inspection device that can be inserted into the metal cans to take pictures and determine whether they are deformed. The use of this device does not affect the normal operation of the device.

[0017] To prevent metal cans from being transported directly to the pallet by the conveying device, the extended perforated plate is provided with multiple corresponding openings at the telescopic limit post positions, and two adjacent openings form a limit hole group. The extended perforated plate is provided with multiple fixed hole groups at intervals along the transport direction perpendicular to the conveying device, and the fixed hole groups and the lifting rods are arranged opposite to each other in the transport direction of the conveying device. Along the transport direction of the conveying device, the spacing between the fixed hole groups and the corresponding lifting rods is the same.

[0018] To prevent the stacking device from failing to lift the metal cans in time, which would cause the visual sorting device to scatter the metal cans, any one of the limiting hole groups is a converging hole connecting two openings, and a rangefinder facing the can sorting device is set on the side of the telescopic limiting post away from the can sorting device. The rangefinder is flush with the top of the telescopic limiting post and rises and falls synchronously with the telescopic limiting post. The rotating cylinder can stop rotating when the rangefinder reaches the minimum value.

[0019] The specific design of the aforementioned visual screening device is as follows: both the first and second inspection units include multiple uprights spaced apart along the length of the rotation axis. Each upright is perpendicular to the rotating cylinder and has a camera unit at its end furthest from the cylinder. The linear velocity of the camera unit is the same as the conveyor belt speed, and the lowest point reachable by the camera unit is lower than the highest plane of the metal can. The spacing between adjacent camera units in the first or second inspection unit is [missing information]. There is one and only one camera unit located at the center of the conveying device. The first detection unit is positioned between two adjacent second detection units, and either the first or second detection unit can be aligned with the center of the metal can in a vertically downward position. The camera unit can be inserted into the metal can during rotation, and can be moved out during its movement to avoid affecting its normal operation. For ease of use, a color-changing light strip can be circumferentially installed around the camera unit, illuminating when deformation is detected, thereby alerting operators to which metal can has a problem.

[0020] The method for determining whether to take a video is as follows: the camera unit can be inserted into the metal can and trigger a video recording command when it rotates to a vertically downward position. A vertically downward position indicates that the camera unit has been inserted into the metal can, after which a photo can be taken. This function can be achieved simply by connecting a rotary encoder to the rotation axis of the rotating cylinder. When any camera unit is vertically downward, the rotary encoder is reset to zero, the rotation angle is input, and the camera unit at the corresponding position is controlled to take a photo.

[0021] A high-efficiency metal can partition stacking method, using the aforementioned high-efficiency metal can partition stacking system, includes the following steps:

[0022] (1) Conveying: Turn on the conveyor and place the metal can on the conveyor belt;

[0023] (2) The metal cans are conveyed by the air conveyor mechanism, stacked forward, and separated by movable partitions. Multiple metal cans pass through the adjacent movable partitions respectively. Then, by the action of the collection mechanism, the metal cans are arranged neatly and moved to the stacking device position.

[0024] (3) Stacking, the first lifting beam descends, then the lifting rod is inserted into the metal can and adsorbs the metal can. At the same time, the telescopic limit post moves to a position lower than the upper surface of the extension hole plate. The lateral movement mechanism moves to one end closer to the pallet lifting device. After moving to the limit position, the lifting rod releases the metal can. The telescopic limit post and the first lifting beam rise synchronously. The metal can is stacked on the upper surface of the pallet. The pallet lifting device controls the pallet to descend and the second lifting beam descends synchronously. The suction cup mechanism adsorbs the felt paper located above the felt paper laying device.

[0025] (4) Reset, the transverse mechanism moves to the end away from the pallet lifting device, and after moving to the limit position, the suction cup mechanism releases the felt paper, and the second lifting beam rises;

[0026] (5) Repeat steps (3) and (4) until the number of stacked metal cans reaches the preset requirement. Stacking can be performed quickly, and felt paper is placed between the metal can layers to ensure the stability of the stacked metal cans.

[0027] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: This invention is a high-efficiency metal can stacking system and method. Unlike existing systems, this system, by setting up a can-sorting device, can arrange metal cans entering the stacking device in a pre-set manner, and maximizes the friction between adjacent metal cans. Therefore, it can ensure that the lifting rod can be accurately inserted into the metal can and lifted during use. During the lifting process, the metal cans in the middle position can be moved synchronously to complete the stacking of the entire layer of metal cans. During the stacking process, the second lifting beam and suction cup mechanism can be set up to lay the felt paper. No additional stacking structure is required. Instead, it runs synchronously with the metal can stacking process, so it does not affect the stacking efficiency of the metal cans. At the same time, by setting up a screening mechanism and a visual screening device, deformed metal cans can be rejected to avoid transporting products that do not meet the specifications. In addition, the visual screening device of this device has a unique design to address the characteristic that the side walls of the metal cans are obscured and cannot be observed. Even if the side walls of the metal cans are obscured, the side walls can still be photographed and visually screened. Attached Figure Description

[0028] The solutions and advantages of this application will become clear to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments. The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0029] In the attached diagram:

[0030] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention (concealing the felt paper laying device);

[0031] Figure 2This is a front view structural diagram of the present invention (concealing the felt paper laying device).

[0032] Figure 3 This is a top view of the structure of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 4 This is a top view schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention (concealing the felt paper laying device).

[0034] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the can unscrambler device of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the screening mechanism of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the stacking device structure of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 8 for Figure 7 Partial structural diagram;

[0038] Figure 9 This is a front view schematic diagram of the can unscrambler device of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 10 This is a front view schematic diagram of the visual screening device of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structural principle of the visual screening device of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the suction cup mechanism and the second lifting beam structure of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 13 This is a top view of the stacking device and pallet lifting device of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 14 This is a top view of the limiting mechanism of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structural principle of the limiting mechanism of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 16 This is a top view of the visual screening device of the present invention.

[0046] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of the camera unit and color-changing light strip structure of the present invention;

[0047] The components represented by the various reference numerals in the diagram are:

[0048] 1. Conveying device; 11. Conveyor belt; 12. Pneumatic conveying mechanism; 121. Pneumatic conveying inclined hole; 122. Movable baffle; 13. Limiting side rod; 2. Can handling device; 21. Fixed crossbeam; 22. Movable partition; 23. Gathering mechanism; 24. Screening mechanism; 241. Laser detector; 242. Movable perforated plate; 3. Stacking device; 31. Lateral movement mechanism; 32. Reference crossbeam; 33. First lifting crossbeam; 34. Lifting rod; 35. Limiting mechanism; 351. Extended perforated plate; 352. Telescopic limiting column; 353. Rangefinder; 36. Second lifting crossbeam; 37. Suction cup mechanism; 4. Pallet lifting device; 5. Felt paper laying device; 6. Visual screening device; 61. Rotating cylinder; 62. First inspection unit; 621. Camera unit; 622. Color-changing light strip; 63. Second inspection unit. Detailed Implementation

[0049] like Figure 3 The high-efficiency metal can stacking system shown includes a conveying device 1. The conveying device 1 is equipped with a can sorting device 2 and a stacking device 3 arranged sequentially along the conveying direction. The can sorting device 2 can arrange the metal cans neatly and transport them. Then, the stacking device 3 can lift and stack the metal cans in a fixed state. In this way, the entire layer of metal cans can be stacked at the same time without having to lift and stack the same layer of metal cans multiple times. After that, a pallet lifting device 4 and a felt paper laying device 5 are arranged sequentially after the stacking device 3. The pallet lifting device 4 can lift and lower the pallet. After stacking one layer of metal cans, it can drive the pallet downward, thereby ensuring that the stacking device 3 can reciprocate in a preset manner. The felt paper laying device 5 can work with the stacking device 3 to lay the felt paper. The felt paper is laid between two adjacent layers of metal cans, which can ensure that the stacked metal cans are more stable.

[0050] like Figure 9As shown, the conveying device 1 includes a horizontally arranged conveyor belt 11 and a pneumatic conveying mechanism 12, with the pneumatic conveying mechanism 12 positioned in front of the can handling device 2. The conveyor belt 11 specifically comprises drive rollers located at both ends of the conveying device 1, and the drive rollers are equipped with perforated transmission belts. This structure enables the transport of metal cans, and the conveyor belt 11 runs continuously after the equipment is started without intermittent stops. Because the metal cans are relatively light, they can move synchronously with the conveyor belt 11 when transported without external force. Therefore, if the metal cans are spaced apart, the conveyor belt can transport them without... To arrange the metal cans in a close-fitting state, the aforementioned air conveying mechanism 12 is necessary. The specific structure of the air conveying mechanism 12 includes a perforated plate parallel to the upper surface of the conveyor belt. The opening direction of the perforated plate is inclined, which is the air conveying inclined hole 121, and it is inclined towards the transport direction of the conveyor belt. Then, a blower mechanism is set below the perforated plate. Through the action of the blower mechanism, airflow can be blown out from the opening of the perforated plate. Since the metal cans are relatively light, they can be blown forward and eventually close to the metal cans in front, thus arranging them tightly. In order to prevent the metal cans from being blown up, a movable baffle is also set above the perforated plate.

[0051] The above structure allows for the close arrangement and transportation of metal cans. However, this structure cannot arrange the metal cans neatly. Therefore, a can-handling device 2 is also required. Figure 5 , 6 As shown, the can handling device 2 includes one or more fixed crossbeams 21 perpendicular to the transport direction of the conveying device 1. The fixed crossbeams 21 are fixed above the conveying device 1 and can move along the length direction for easy adjustment as needed. Then, multiple movable partitions 22 are spaced apart along the length direction of the fixed crossbeams 21. The length direction of the movable partitions 22 is parallel to the transport direction of the conveying device 1 and their position relative to the fixed crossbeams 21 is adjustable, which facilitates the adjustment of the width of adjacent movable partitions 22. Metal cans can pass through the gaps between adjacent movable partitions 22 and can be sorted. In order to avoid affecting the movement of the metal cans, the fixed crossbeams 21 are set higher than the metal cans. Then, a gathering mechanism 23 is provided on the side of the movable partitions 22 near the stacking device 3. The gathering mechanism 23 includes multiple baffles that bend toward the center of the conveying device 1. In this way, all metal cans can be placed into the position of the stacking device 3 in a preset arrangement. Therefore, the stacking device 3 does not need to perform alignment operations, but can complete the stacking of metal cans by moving back and forth along a preset path.

[0052] Subsequently, the specific design of the aforementioned can-handling device 2 is as follows: the baffles of the collecting mechanism 23 are symmetrically arranged about the center of the conveying device 1, and their lengths increase sequentially from the center of the conveying device 1 to both sides. Therefore, the metal cans can be arranged in an alternating manner. Given that the diameter of the metal cans is preset to be d, the minimum distance between the two outermost baffles is... And x is a natural number greater than 0. The value of x affects the total width of the entire layer of metal cans. When determining the value of x, the corresponding x value needs to be selected according to actual needs. For metal cans of different diameters, the gathering mechanism 23 also needs to be adjusted to a suitable position. Therefore, the spacing of the movable partitions 22 can be adjusted as needed, and the spacing of the baffles of the gathering mechanism 23 can also be adjusted as needed. Therefore, the above device can be used for metal cans of different sizes. The above structure must ensure that after adjustment, the metal cans enter the stacking device 3 in a preset state. Through the above design, the metal cans can obtain the maximum contact area. Except for the metal cans located on the outside, a single metal can is in contact with at least 6 adjacent metal cans, which can obtain the maximum friction and thus prevent them from falling off during movement. And as Figure 16 As shown, to prevent the metal cans from scattering, adjustable limiting rods 13 are also provided on both sides of the conveying device 1, and the spacing between the limiting rods 13 is also [missing information]. .

[0053] Since non-compliant products are inevitable during the manufacturing or transportation of metal cans, if the user has requirements for the yield rate, a screening mechanism can be set in front of the stacking device 3 to remove non-compliant metal cans. There are two screening methods: one is that the metal can is bent, so it can be screened directly by height; the other is more difficult, where the side wall of the metal can is pressed into the inner cavity, and there are no defects when viewed from above. As mentioned earlier, in order to better stack the metal cans, the adjacent metal cans are arranged closely, so it is not possible to directly observe the side wall of the metal can. Therefore, this device is equipped with two screening structures, and the specific structures are shown below.

[0054] To remove metal cans with defects in shape, the can sorting device 2 is equipped with a screening mechanism 24 in front of the collection mechanism 23. The screening mechanism 24 includes movable perforated plates 242 and laser detectors 241. Multiple movable perforated plates 242 are spaced apart along the length of the fixed crossbeam 21, and the movable perforated plates 242 are located in the middle of two adjacent movable partitions 22. The laser detector 241 includes a emitting end and a reflecting end, and the emitting end and the reflecting end are respectively located on the side of the two outermost movable perforated plates 242 away from the center of the conveying device 1. The light from the emitting end can pass through the openings of multiple movable perforated plates 242 and reach the reflecting end. Under normal conditions, the movable perforated plate 242 is supported by the metal can and is located in the middle of the adjacent movable partitions 22. Therefore, when the metal cans are arranged and transported, the height of the movable perforated plate 242 is supported by the metal can and does not change. When the metal can is deformed, the movable perforated plate 242 will rotate upward or downward, and its opening position will change. As a result, the light from the transmitting end cannot pass through normally, so it is possible to determine that there is a problem with the corresponding metal can and remind the staff to screen it. This method is simple and efficient and can quickly screen metal cans.

[0055] Next, one of the key inventive points of this invention is the inclusion of a visual screening device 6 between the can handling device 2 and the stacking device 3 for screening metal cans with lateral deformation. The visual screening device 6 includes a rotatable rotating cylinder 61, which is horizontally positioned with its rotation axis perpendicular to the transport direction of the conveying device 1. Multiple first detection units 62 and second detection units 63 are circumferentially arranged around the rotation axis on the outer wall of the rotating cylinder 61. These first and second detection units 62 and 63 are arranged corresponding to the metal cans and can be inserted into the cans to take pictures. The rotation of the rotating cylinder 61 allows for synchronization with the metal cans on the conveying device 1, thus avoiding collisions between the detection units and the metal cans. Furthermore, since the metal cans are tightly packed together, conventional visual inspection devices cannot be used. However, this device, due to the can handling device 2, allows the metal cans to move in a preset arrangement. To address this feature, the device includes a rotatable visual inspection device that can be inserted into the metal cans to take pictures and determine whether they are deformed. The use of this device does not affect the normal operation of the device.

[0056] like Figure 10 , 11As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the specific design of the aforementioned visual screening device 6 is as follows: Both the first detection unit 62 and the second detection unit 63 include multiple uprights spaced apart along the length of the rotation axis. Each upright is perpendicular to the rotating cylinder 61, and a camera unit 621 is located at its end furthest from the cylinder 61. The linear velocity of the camera unit 621 is the same as the conveyor belt speed, ensuring that after any camera unit 621 is aligned, subsequent camera units 621 are aligned with the metal cans on the conveyor belt. Furthermore, the lowest point reachable by the camera unit 621 is lower than the highest plane of the metal can, ensuring that the camera unit 621 can be inserted into the metal can. Since the metal can has a tapered design at the top, directly shooting from above will not reveal information about the inward bending of the side walls. Therefore, the camera unit 621 must be inserted into the metal can to take pictures and obtain information about the side wall bending. The spacing between adjacent camera units 621 in the first detection unit 62 or the second detection unit 63 is then determined. This design ensures that once any one camera unit 621 is aligned with the metal can, all other camera units 621 are also aligned, with only one camera unit 621 located at the center of the conveying device 1 between any two adjacent units. The first detection unit 62 is positioned between two adjacent second detection units 63, ensuring that the metal can is aligned with either the first or second detection unit 62 depending on its position. Furthermore, in this structure, the first or second detection unit 62 can be aligned with the center of the metal can in a vertically downward orientation. During rotation, the camera unit 621 can be inserted into the metal can, and during its movement, it can be moved out to avoid affecting its normal movement. For ease of use, a color-changing light strip 622 can be circumferentially arranged around the camera unit 621. This light strip illuminates upon detecting deformation, thereby alerting the operator to which metal can has a problem.

[0057] In the above structure, the method for determining whether to take a picture is as follows: the camera unit 621 can be inserted into the metal can and trigger a camera command when it rotates to a vertically downward position. The vertical downward position of the camera unit 621 indicates that it has been inserted into the metal can, and then a picture can be taken for judgment. This function can be achieved simply by connecting a rotary encoder to the rotating shaft of the rotating cylinder 61. When any camera unit 621 is vertically downward, the rotary encoder is first zeroed, then the rotation angle is input into the encoder, and once the rotation angle is reached, the corresponding camera unit 621 is controlled to start the camera function. For example, the angle between adjacent first detection units 62 and second detection units 63 and the rotating cylinder 61 is Q. When any first detection unit 62 is vertically downward, the rotary encoder is zeroed. Then, as long as the rotation angle reaches Q or an integer multiple of Q, the camera unit 621 of the corresponding detection unit is controlled to take a picture.

[0058] If a problem is found with a metal can, it can be manually rejected by staff and replaced with a standard-compliant metal can. Since the number of problematic metal cans is relatively small, there is no need to set up a dedicated rejection device. Of course, if the yield rate is low, an additional device can be set up to work with a screening mechanism for rejection.

[0059] After completing the above structure, as follows Figure 1 , 2 As shown in Figures 4, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, and 15, the stacking device 3 includes a transverse mechanism 31 that can move along the transport direction of the conveying device 1. The transverse mechanism 31 is driven independently and does not move synchronously with the conveying device 1. Above the transverse mechanism 31, a reference beam 32 perpendicular to the transport direction of the conveying device 1 is provided. The reference beam 32 is provided with first lifting beams 33 that can move vertically at intervals along the transport direction of the conveying device 1. Below the first lifting beams 33, a plurality of lifting rods 34 are provided. The lifting rods 34 can be inserted into the corresponding metal cans and lifted by adsorption. The first lifting beams 33 at intervals can lift the entire layer of metal cans. Metal cans that are not aligned with the lifting rods 34 can be lifted synchronously by friction.

[0060] The specific arrangement of the aforementioned lifting rods 34 is as follows: multiple lifting rods 34 are spaced apart along the transport direction perpendicular to the conveying device 1, and each first lifting beam 33 has two rows of lifting rods 34 spaced apart along the transport direction of the conveying device 1. The two rows of lifting rods 34 are staggered, with a spacing length of d / 2. The straight-line length of two adjacent lifting rods 34 is d, and there is one and only one lifting rod 34 located at the center of the conveying device 1. This ensures that the aforementioned lifting rods 34 can be aligned with and lifted by the metal cans after passing through the can handling device 2. The above arrangement can ensure the lifting of metal cans located at both ends of the stacking device 3. Then, due to the small weight of the metal cans and the friction generated by their close contact, all the metal cans in the middle position can be lifted.

[0061] Since the stacking device 3 may not be synchronized with the conveying device 1, in order to prevent the metal cans from falling off the conveying device 1, the stacking device 3 needs to be designed with a limiting mechanism 35 at the end of the conveying device 1. The limiting mechanism 35 is located on the side of the first lifting beam 33 away from the can handling device 2 and close to the pallet lifting device 4. The limiting mechanism 35 includes an extension perforated plate 351 that is flush with the conveying device 1. The extension perforated plate 351 has a telescopic limiting post 352 that can be raised and lowered at the opening position. The telescopic limiting post 352 can protrude outward relative to the extension perforated plate 351 and be used to block the metal cans. In order not to affect the stacking of the metal cans, the telescopic limiting post 352 can be lower than the upper surface of the extension perforated plate 351 after the first lifting beam 33 is lowered to the lowest height, that is, it can be retracted to below the upper surface of the extension perforated plate 351.

[0062] That is, as Figure 14 , 15 In the shown state, to prevent metal cans from being directly transported by the conveyor 1 to the pallet, the two openings of the extended perforated plate 351 form a fixed hole group. The extended perforated plate 351 has multiple fixed hole groups spaced apart along the transport direction perpendicular to the conveyor 1, and the fixed hole groups are arranged opposite to the lifting rod 34 in the transport direction of the conveyor 1. The metal cans can be blocked by extending telescopic limiting posts 352 at the fixed hole group positions. The arrangement of the fixed hole groups, combined with the can-holding device 2, allows the metal cans to stop with maximum friction and be lifted and moved by the stacking device 3. This ensures that the conveyor 1 maintains a constant speed and never stops during equipment operation. Furthermore, it ensures that the metal cans are arranged closely together, and the purpose of setting two openings corresponding to two telescopic limiting posts 352 in the fixed hole group is to allow the metal cans to... Figure 15 The device is positioned to prevent misalignment caused by the action of the conveying device 1.

[0063] It should be noted that the spacing between the fixing hole group and the corresponding lifting rod 34 is the same along the transport direction of the conveying device 1. This ensures that after the metal can is blocked, the metal can whose end contacts the telescopic limiting post 352 can be aligned with the lifting rod 34 and lifted by it.

[0064] Since the conveying device 1 never stops, when the stacking device 3 is inefficient, metal cans may be transported to the lifting limit post 352 and stopped. To prevent the stacking device 3 from failing to lift the metal cans in time, causing the rotating cylinder 61 of the visual sorting device 6 to continue rotating and disrupt the metal cans, the design requires that any one of the limiting hole groups is a converging hole connecting two openings, and a rangefinder is installed on the side of the telescopic limit post 352 away from the can-sorting device 2, facing the can-sorting device 2. The rangefinder 353 is flush with the top of the telescopic limit post 352 and rises and falls synchronously with the telescopic limit post 352. The rotating cylinder 61 can stop rotating when the rangefinder reaches its minimum value. Figure 15 As shown, when the rangefinder 353 reaches its minimum value, the metal can is in close contact with the telescopic limit post 352. After the telescopic limit post 352 descends, the projector 353 also descends. When it is below the extension plate 351, the distance measurement value will increase because there is no metal can blocking it. Therefore, the value can change. In other words, the rangefinder 353 can only be triggered and control the rotating cylinder 61 to stop when the metal can is touched by the telescopic limit post 352, thus achieving synchronization.

[0065] Finally, in order to lay the felt paper, a second lifting beam 36 is provided on the side of the stacking device 3 near the pallet lifting device 4, and a suction cup mechanism 37 is provided below the second lifting beam 36. The suction cup mechanism 37 can move to the top of the felt paper laying device 5 when the horizontal moving mechanism 31 and the can handling device 2 reach the farthest distance and the felt paper is adsorbed by the suction cup mechanism 37. After the second beam 36 is reset, the suction cup mechanism 37 can be released and the felt paper is laid on the top of the metal can layer.

[0066] For ease of use, the felt paper laying device 5 includes a felt paper straightening mechanism, which can move the felt paper to a position corresponding to the suction cup mechanism 37.

[0067] This can be achieved through the above-described device. Unlike existing systems, this system can lay felt paper between the metal can layers. By setting the felt paper, the stacked metal cans become more stable. In order to achieve rapid stacking, the stacking device 3 of this device can stack an entire layer of metal cans at once. In order to achieve the above functions, this system uses a pre-set can handling device 2 to ensure that the metal cans reaching the bottom of the stacking device 3 are always in a preset position. The friction between adjacent metal cans can overcome gravity during the lifting process of the lifting rod 34 of the stacking device 3, and thus move synchronously with the metal cans that are directly lifted and move synchronously with the lifting rod 34. Thus, it is possible to achieve stacking by moving with the lifting rod 34 and reaching the tray without having to set a lifting rod 34 for each metal can. Furthermore, for some customers with high requirements, a screening device can be added to the above structure to identify deformed metal cans and remove them by staff, thereby improving the yield rate of finished products.

[0068] Finally, the present invention also discloses a high-efficiency metal can partition stacking method, using the above-mentioned high-efficiency metal can partition stacking system, and including the following steps:

[0069] (1) Conveying: turn on the conveyor device 1, place the metal can on the conveyor belt, the metal can moves with the conveyor device 1, and when passing the pneumatic conveying mechanism 12, adjacent metal cans can be arranged closely.

[0070] (2) The metal cans are conveyed by the air conveying mechanism 12, stacked forward and arranged closely, and separated by the movable partition 22. Multiple metal cans pass through the adjacent movable partitions 22 respectively. Then, by the action of the collection mechanism 23, the metal cans are arranged neatly and moved to the stacking device 3. During this process, the screening mechanism 24 can identify and manually screen metal cans with defects in shape. Then, the camera unit 621 inserted into the metal can by the vision screening device 6 takes pictures and identifies metal cans that are bent and deformed inward, so as to ensure that the metal cans entering the stacking device 3 are qualified products.

[0071] (3) Stacking, the first lifting beam 33 descends, then the lifting rod 34 is inserted into the metal can and adsorbs the metal can. At the same time, the telescopic limit post 352 moves to a position lower than the upper surface of the extension plate 351. The lateral movement mechanism 31 moves to one end closer to the pallet lifting device 4. After moving to the limit position, the lifting rod 34 releases the metal can. The telescopic limit post 352 and the first lifting beam 33 rise synchronously. The metal can is stacked on the upper surface of the pallet. The pallet lifting device 4 controls the pallet to descend and the second lifting beam 36 descends synchronously. The suction cup mechanism 37 adsorbs the felt paper located above the felt paper laying device 5.

[0072] (4) Reset, the horizontal movement mechanism 31 moves to the end away from the pallet lifting device 4, and after moving to the limit position, the suction cup mechanism 37 releases the felt paper, and the second lifting beam 36 rises and resets.

[0073] (5) Repeat steps (3) and (4) until the number of stacked metal cans reaches the preset requirement. Stacking can be performed quickly, and felt paper is placed between the metal can layers to ensure the stability of the stacked metal cans.

Claims

1. A high efficiency metal can compartment stacking system comprising a conveying device (1), characterized in that, The conveying device (1) is provided with a can-sorting device (2) and a stacking device (3) in sequence along the conveying direction, and a pallet lifting device (4) and a felt paper laying device (5) are provided in sequence after the stacking device (3). The pallet lifting device can lift the pallet up and down, and can drive the pallet downward after stacking a layer of metal cans. The conveying device (1) includes a horizontally arranged conveyor belt (11) and a pneumatic conveying mechanism (12), and the pneumatic conveying mechanism (12) is arranged in front of the tank unloading device (2); The can handling device (2) includes one or more fixed crossbeams (21) perpendicular to the transport direction of the conveying device (1). The fixed crossbeams (21) are arranged above the conveyor belt (11) and have multiple movable partitions (22) spaced apart along the length direction. The movable partitions (22) are parallel to the transport direction of the conveying device (1) in the length direction and their position relative to the fixed crossbeams (21) is adjustable. A collection mechanism (23) is provided on the side of the movable partitions (22) near the stacking device (3). The collection mechanism (23) includes multiple baffles arranged opposite to the movable partitions (22). One end of the baffle is connected to the movable partition (22), and the other end is inclined toward the center of the conveying device (1). The spacing between adjacent baffles is the same as the spacing between adjacent movable partitions (22). Metal cans can pass through adjacent movable partitions (22) and the collection mechanism (23). The stacking device (3) includes a transverse mechanism (31) that can move along the transport direction of the conveying device (1). Above the transverse mechanism (31) is a reference beam (32) perpendicular to the transport direction of the conveying device (1). The reference beam (32) is provided with first lifting beams (33) that can move vertically along the transport direction of the conveying device (1). Below the first lifting beams (33) are multiple lifting rods (34), and the lifting rods (34) are aligned with the metal can and can lift the metal can. Except for the metal cans located on the outside, each metal can is in contact with at least 6 adjacent metal cans, and metal cans that are not aligned with the lifting rod can be lifted synchronously by friction. The stacking device (3) is provided with a limiting mechanism (35) at the end of the conveying device (1). The limiting mechanism (35) is located on the side of the first lifting beam (33) away from the can handling device (2) and close to the pallet lifting device (4). The limiting mechanism (35) includes an extension perforated plate (351) flush with the conveying device (1). The extension perforated plate (351) is provided with a plurality of telescopic limiting posts (352). The lowest position that the top of the telescopic limiting post (352) can reach is lower than the upper surface of the extension perforated plate (351). The stacking device (3) is provided with a second lifting beam (36) on the side near the pallet lifting device (4), and a suction cup mechanism (37) is provided below the second lifting beam (36). The suction cup mechanism (37) can move to the top of the felt paper laying device (5) when the horizontal moving mechanism (31) and the can handling device (2) reach the farthest distance. The felt paper laying device (5) includes a felt paper straightening mechanism, which can move the felt paper to a position corresponding to the suction cup mechanism (37); The minimum distance length of the outermost two baffles is d / 2 , and x is a natural number greater than 0.

2. A high efficiency metal can compartmentalized stacking system according to claim 1, wherein, The end of the baffle away from the movable partition is symmetrically arranged about the center of the conveying device (1), and the distance between this end and the stacking device decreases sequentially from the center of the conveying device (1) to both sides.

3. A high efficiency metal can compartmentalized stacking system according to claim 2, wherein, The lifting rods (34) are arranged in multiple intervals along the transport direction perpendicular to the conveying device (1), and a single first lifting beam (33) is arranged in two rows of lifting rods (34) along the transport direction of the conveying device (1). The two rows of lifting rods (34) are staggered and the distance between them is d / 2. The straight length of two adjacent lifting rods (34) is d. There is one and only one lifting rod (34) located at the center of the conveying device (1).

4. A high efficiency metal can compartmentalized stacking system according to claim 2, wherein, The can-sorting device (2) has a screening mechanism (24) in front of the collection mechanism (23). The screening mechanism (24) includes a movable perforated plate (242) and a laser detector (241). Multiple movable perforated plates (242) are spaced apart along the length of the fixed crossbeam (21), and the movable perforated plates (242) are located in the middle of two adjacent movable partitions (22). The laser detector (241) includes an emitting end and a reflecting end, and the emitting end and the reflecting end are respectively located on the side of the two outermost movable perforated plates (242) away from the center of the conveying device (1). The light from the emitting end can pass through the openings of multiple movable perforated plates (242) and reach the reflecting end.

5. A high efficiency metal can compartmentalized stacking system according to claim 2, wherein, A visual screening device (6) is also provided between the can handling device (2) and the stacking device (3). The visual screening device (6) includes a rotating cylinder (61) that can rotate. The rotating cylinder (61) is horizontally arranged and the rotation axis is perpendicular to the transport direction of the conveying device (1). Multiple first detection units (62) and second detection units (63) are arranged around the rotation axis on the outer wall of the rotating cylinder (61). The first detection units (62) and the second detection units (63) are arranged corresponding to the metal can and can be inserted into the metal can to take pictures.

6. A high-efficiency metal can partition stacking system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The extension plate (351) has a number of corresponding openings at the telescopic limit post (352), and two adjacent openings form a limit hole group. The extension plate (351) has a number of fixed hole groups spaced apart along the transport direction perpendicular to the conveying device (1), and the fixed hole groups and the lifting rod (34) are arranged opposite to each other in the transport direction of the conveying device (1). Along the transport direction of the conveying device (1), the fixed hole groups and the corresponding lifting rod (34) are spaced at the same distance.

7. A high-efficiency metal can partition stacking system according to claim 6, characterized in that, Any one of the limiting hole groups is a converging hole connecting two openings, and a rangefinder (353) facing the can-scraping device (2) is provided on the side of the telescopic limiting post (352) away from the can-scraping device (2). The rangefinder (353) is flush with the top of the telescopic limiting post (352) and rises and falls synchronously with the telescopic limiting post (352). The rotating cylinder (61) can stop rotating when the rangefinder reaches the minimum value.

8. A high-efficiency metal can partition stacking system according to claim 5, characterized in that, Both the first inspection unit (62) and the second inspection unit (63) include multiple uprights spaced apart along the length of the rotation axis. Each upright is perpendicular to the rotating cylinder (61) and has a camera unit (621) at its end furthest from the cylinder (61). The linear velocity of the camera unit (621) is the same as the conveyor belt speed, and the lowest point reachable by the camera unit (621) is lower than the highest plane of the metal can. The spacing between adjacent camera units (621) in the first inspection unit (62) or the second inspection unit (63) is [missing information]. There is one and only one camera unit (621) located at the center of the conveying device (1), the first detection unit (62) is located in the middle of two adjacent second detection units (63), and the first detection unit (62) or the second detection unit (63) can be aligned with the center of the metal can in a vertically downward state.

9. A high-efficiency metal can partition stacking system according to claim 8, characterized in that, The camera unit (621) can be inserted into the metal can and trigger a camera command when rotated to the vertically downward position.

10. A high-efficiency method for stacking metal can compartments, characterized in that, Using a high-efficiency metal can compartment stacking system as described in any one of claims 1-9, and comprising the following steps: (1) Conveying: Turn on the conveyor (1) and place the metal can on the conveyor belt; (2) The metal cans are conveyed by the air conveying mechanism (12), stacked forward, and separated by the movable partition (22). Multiple metal cans pass through the adjacent movable partitions (22), and then the metal cans are arranged neatly and moved to the stacking device (3) by the action of the collection mechanism (23). (3) Stacking, the first lifting beam (33) descends, then the lifting rod (34) inserts into the metal can and adsorbs the metal can. At the same time, the telescopic limit post (352) moves to a position lower than the upper surface of the extension plate (351), the lateral movement mechanism (31) moves to one end close to the pallet lifting device (4), and after moving to the limit position, the lifting rod (34) releases the metal can, the telescopic limit post (352) and the first lifting beam (33) rise synchronously, the metal can is stacked on the upper surface of the pallet, the pallet lifting device (4) controls the pallet to descend and the second lifting beam (36) descends synchronously, the suction cup mechanism (37) adsorbs the felt paper located above the felt paper laying device (5); (4) Reset, the transverse mechanism (31) moves to the end away from the pallet lifting device (4), and after moving to the limit position, the suction cup mechanism (37) releases the felt paper, and the second lifting beam (36) rises; (5) Repeat steps (3) and (4) until the number of metal cans stacked reaches the preset requirement.

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