A semi-automatic gravity slide conveyor system and automobile production line

Abstract

A semi-automatic gravity slide conveyor system and an automobile production line are disclosed, belonging to the technical field of automobile production lines. The semi-automatic gravity slide conveyor system includes a lifting and placing mechanism for carrying workpiece pallets and a picking and rotating mechanism. The lifting and placing mechanism includes a high placing position and a low returning position arranged vertically. The high placing position is connected to the picking and rotating mechanism via a gravity conveying track I, and the low returning position is connected to the picking and rotating mechanism via a gravity conveying track II. The advantages of this invention are that it uses gravity drive to realize the conveying and transfer of automobile parts, resulting in low conveying costs, convenient manual picking and placing, and improved safety and freedom of operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automobile production line technology, and in particular to a semi-automatic gravity slide conveyor system and an automobile production line. Background Technology

[0002] In automotive welding production workshops, conveying structures are widely used, with slide table conveying structures being a common method. These structures are extensively used to transport body-in-white parts between various production processes in the welding workshop, completing various technological processes and realizing the transfer of production processes between steps.

[0003] There are many types of slide conveyor equipment currently available. In workshop production, the conveying mechanisms are mainly divided into the following categories: 1. Roller-type unidirectional conveyor mechanism: This type of mechanism can only convey in one direction, and automotive parts are prone to jamming, resulting in a high on-site failure rate; 2. Hanging conveyor mechanism: This type of mechanism can convey in both directions, but requires workers to manually switch the positioning mechanism of automotive parts, resulting in high labor intensity and long loading time; 3. Accumulation chain motor conveyor mechanism: This type of mechanism uses motor conveying, which has high manufacturing costs, cannot achieve manual placement at any time, and has asynchronous pick-up and drop at both ends.

[0004] For example, patent CN206185353U discloses a conveyor slide for an automotive welding production line, including a base, a positioning fixture, a drive mechanism, and an electrical system. The positioning fixture slides on the base. The drive mechanism includes a telescopic cylinder, a guide rack, and a conveying rack. The cylinder body of the telescopic cylinder is connected to the base, and a gear is installed on the telescopic rod of the cylinder. The gear meshes with the guide rack and the conveying rack. The guide rack is located on the base, and the conveying rack is located on the positioning fixture. Although the above-mentioned conveyor slide can increase the conveying speed and reduce costs, it is not suitable for long automotive production lines, and the loading and unloading of automotive parts is inconvenient. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention provides a semi-automatic gravity slide conveyor system that uses gravity drive to transport and transfer automotive parts. This system offers low transport costs, convenient manual handling, and improved operational safety and flexibility.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve its technical problem is as follows: the semi-automatic gravity slide conveyor system includes a lifting and placing mechanism and a picking and rotating mechanism for carrying workpiece trays. The lifting and placing mechanism includes a high placing position and a low returning position arranged vertically. The high placing position is connected to the picking and rotating mechanism through gravity conveying track I, and the low returning position is connected to the picking and rotating mechanism through gravity conveying track II.

[0007] The lifting and placing mechanism includes a vertical lifting mechanism and a carrier plate I that is guided and slidably connected to it. The vertical lifting mechanism is equipped with a position sensor I for detecting that the carrier plate I is in the low position of returning the part and a position sensor II for detecting that the sliding plate is in the high position of placing the part.

[0008] The vertical lifting mechanism includes a fixed support, with sliding guide rail I and sliding guide rail II respectively provided on both sides of the fixed support. One end of the bearing plate I is slidably connected to the sliding guide rail I through a sliding plate, and the sliding plate is connected to the lifting cylinder. The other end of the bearing plate I is slidably connected to the sliding guide rail II through a sliding arm.

[0009] The support plate I is provided with an angle adjustment mechanism that rotates the support plate I, which is in the high position of the placement of the workpiece, to the downward angle; the angle adjustment mechanism includes a rotating shaft I rotatably connected to one side of the support plate I and clamping cylinders I disposed at both ends of the support plate I. One end of the rotating shaft I is rotatably connected to the sliding plate, and the clamping arms of the two clamping cylinders I act on the other side of the support plate I.

[0010] The support plate I is also provided with a clamping mechanism for clamping the workpiece tray; the clamping mechanism includes a locking cylinder installed at the bottom of the support plate I and a clamping block fixed on the rotating shaft I, the piston rod of the locking cylinder is hinged to the clamping block; a baffle I is provided on the side of the support plate I away from the clamping block, the baffle I is in contact with one side of the workpiece tray, and the clamping block extends out of the support plate I and is in contact with the other side of the workpiece tray.

[0011] The outer side of the support plate I is provided with a position sensor III for detecting the workpiece tray entering the support plate I. The position sensor III is connected to the lifting cylinder and the clamping mechanism through a PLC control unit to control the support plate I to clamp the workpiece tray and drive the tray to rise to the placement height.

[0012] A clamping cylinder II is provided on the side of the fixed bracket near the sliding guide rail I. The position sensor II is connected to the lifting cylinder and the clamping cylinder II through a PLC control unit so that the bearing plate I is positioned at the high position of the workpiece.

[0013] The rotating mechanism for picking up parts includes two support frames and a bearing plate II between them. One side of the bearing plate II is connected to the two support frames via a rotating shaft II, and the other side of the bearing plate II is connected to a linkage mechanism to control the angle of the bearing plate II. The inner sides of the two support frames are respectively connected to the side of the bearing plate II away from the rotating shaft II via springs I.

[0014] The bottoms of the two support frames are connected by a crossbar. The linkage mechanism includes a connecting plate vertically fixed to the upper end of the crossbar, a pull rod passing through the connecting plate and the crossbar, a hinge rod connected to one end of the connecting plate, and a pressure rod hinged to the lower end of the hinge rod and the pull rod. The upper end of the pull rod is hinged to the bearing plate II.

[0015] The end of the connecting plate away from the hinge rod is connected to the pressure rod via spring II, and a pedal is fixed to the end of the pressure rod away from the hinge rod.

[0016] The outer side of the support plate II is provided with a baffle II for stopping the workpiece tray and a position sensor IV for detecting the workpiece tray entering the support plate II.

[0017] The gravity conveying track I and the gravity conveying track II are fixed on the frame from top to bottom. The gravity conveying track I includes two parallel inclined tracks I, with the end of the inclined track I near the high position of the placement part being higher than the end near the rotation mechanism of the picking part. The gravity conveying track II includes two parallel inclined tracks II, with the end of the inclined track II near the rotation mechanism of the picking part being higher than the end near the low position of the return part.

[0018] Both gravity conveying track I and gravity conveying track II are equipped with pallet blocking mechanisms. The pallet blocking mechanism includes a support plate fixed to the bottom end of gravity conveying track I or gravity conveying track II. Limiting cylinder I and limiting cylinder II are installed at intervals along the length direction of gravity conveying track I or gravity conveying track II at the bottom of the support plate. The piston rods of limiting cylinder I and limiting cylinder II extend out of the support plate and are respectively connected to the limiting connection of two workpiece pallets stacked side by side.

[0019] When the part-picking rotating mechanism is at the upward angle and there is no workpiece tray on it, the limiting cylinder I or limiting cylinder II near the part-picking rotating mechanism retracts and releases one of the workpiece trays; when the lifting and placing mechanism is at the return low position and there is no workpiece tray on it, the limiting cylinder I or limiting cylinder II near the return low position retracts and releases one of the workpiece trays.

[0020] The workpiece tray includes a tray body, on which a positioning frame for positioning the workpiece is provided, and multiple limiting blocks are symmetrically arranged at both ends of the tray body; the lifting and placing mechanism, the picking and rotating mechanism, and the gravity conveying track I and gravity conveying track II are all provided with roller tracks for sliding the workpiece tray.

[0021] An automobile production line includes the aforementioned semi-automatic gravity slide conveyor system.

[0022] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0023] 1. This invention provides a semi-automatic gravity slide conveyor system. The system uses a lifting mechanism at the placement position to raise the workpiece pallet to a high placement position. After placement and positioning, the workpiece pallet, carrying the workpiece, enters gravity conveying track I. Driven by gravity, it enters the pick-up rotating mechanism at the pick-up position. After pick-up, the pick-up rotating mechanism rotates the workpiece pallet to a downward angle, allowing it to enter gravity conveying track II. Driven by gravity, it enters the return position of the lifting mechanism. Finally, the lifting mechanism raises the workpiece pallet to a high placement position. The entire conveying system uses gravity drive to transport and transfer automotive parts, resulting in low transport costs, convenient manual pick-up and drop, and improved operational safety and freedom.

[0024] 2. This invention, by setting pallet blocking mechanisms on gravity conveying track I and gravity conveying track II, can achieve buffering of workpiece pallets. In conjunction with the working states of the pick-up rotation mechanism and the lifting and placing mechanism, it can achieve orderly movement of the workpiece pallets and improve conveying efficiency. This invention also uses a lifting and placing mechanism at one end of the conveying system to achieve automatic lifting and lowering of the workpiece pallet, which, in conjunction with a robotic arm, achieves automated workpiece placement. At the other end of the conveying system, a pick-up rotation mechanism is used, i.e., the workpiece pallet is rotated by manual foot pedaling, facilitating manual pick-up and improving the freedom and safety of the pick-up operation. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The following is a brief explanation of the contents of each of the accompanying drawings and the markings in the drawings:

[0026] Figure 1 This is an isometric view of the semi-automatic gravity slide conveyor system of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the lifting and placing mechanism of the present invention from a first perspective.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the lifting and placing mechanism in this invention from a second perspective.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the lifting and placing mechanism in this invention from a third perspective;

[0030] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the rotating mechanism for picking up parts in this invention;

[0031] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the gravity conveying track I and gravity conveying track II mounted on the frame in this invention;

[0032] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the tray blocking mechanism in this invention;

[0033] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the workpiece tray structure in this invention;

[0034] The markings in the above figures are as follows: 1. Lifting and placing mechanism, 1-1. Vertical lifting mechanism, 1-11. Fixed bracket, 1-12. Sliding guide rail I, 1-13. Sliding guide rail II, 1-2. Bearing plate I, 1-3. Sliding plate, 1-4. Lifting cylinder, 1-5. Sliding arm, 1-6. Position sensor I, 1-7. Position sensor II, 1-8. Angle adjustment mechanism, 1-81. Rotating shaft I, 1-82. Clamping cylinder I, 1-9. Clamping mechanism, 1-91. Locking cylinder, 1-92. Clamping block, 1-93. Baffle I, 1-10. Position sensor III, 1-11. Clamping cylinder II, 2. Part picking and rotating mechanism, 2-1. Support frame 2-2. Bearing plate II, 2-3. Rotating shaft II, 2-4. Linkage mechanism, 2-41. Connecting plate, 2-42. Pull rod, 2-43. Hinge rod, 2-44. Pressure rod, 2-45. Spring II, 2-46. Pedal, 2-5. Spring I, 2-6. Crossbar, 2-7. Baffle II, 2-8. Position sensor IV, 3. Frame, 4. Gravity conveying track I, 4-1. Inclined track I, 5. Gravity conveying track II, 5-1. Inclined track II, 6. Pallet blocking mechanism, 6-1. Support plate, 6-2. Limiting cylinder I, 6-3. Limiting cylinder II, 7. Workpiece pallet, 7-1. Pallet body, 7-2. Positioning frame, 7-3. Limiting block. Detailed Implementation

[0035] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are used to illustrate the present invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0036] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting this invention.

[0037] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0038] In existing technologies, the conveying mechanisms used on automobile production lines mainly include roller-type unidirectional conveyors, hanging conveyors, and accumulation chain motor conveyors. Among them, roller-type unidirectional conveyors can only transport in one direction, and automobile parts are prone to jamming, resulting in a high on-site failure rate. While hanging conveyors can transport in both directions, they require manual switching of automobile part positioning mechanisms, which is labor-intensive and time-consuming. Accumulation chain motor conveyors use motor conveying, which is costly and cannot be manually placed at any time, resulting in asynchronous picking and placing at both ends.

[0039] Therefore, the present invention addresses the above-mentioned technical problems existing in the prior art, such as... Figures 1 to 8 As shown, this invention provides a semi-automatic gravity slide conveyor system, including a lifting and placing mechanism 1 and a picking and rotating mechanism 2 for carrying a workpiece pallet 7. The lifting and placing mechanism 1 includes a high placing position and a low returning position arranged vertically. The high placing position is connected to the picking and rotating mechanism 2 via a gravity conveying track I 4 to realize the placing and conveying of workpieces, and the low returning position is connected to the picking and rotating mechanism 2 via a gravity conveying track II 5 to realize the returning of the workpiece pallet 7. The lifting and placing mechanism 1 is located at the placing position of the production line, and the picking and rotating mechanism 2 is located at the picking position of the production line.

[0040] This invention uses a lifting and placing mechanism 1 to raise the workpiece pallet 7 to a high placement position. After placement and positioning, the workpiece pallet 7, carrying the workpiece, enters the gravity conveying track I4. Driven by gravity, it enters the picking and rotating mechanism 2 at the picking position. After picking up the workpiece at the picking position, the picking and rotating mechanism 2 rotates the workpiece pallet 7 to a downward angle and enters the gravity conveying track II5. Driven by gravity, it enters the return position of the lifting and placing mechanism 1. Finally, the lifting and placing mechanism 1 raises the workpiece pallet 7 to the high placement position, completing the workpiece transport. The entire conveying system uses gravity drive to transport and transfer automotive parts, resulting in low transport costs, convenient manual picking and placing, and improved safety and freedom of operation.

[0041] Specifically, the lifting and placing mechanism 1 includes a vertical lifting mechanism 1-1 and a carrier plate I1-2 that is guided and slidably connected to it. The vertical lifting mechanism 1-1 is equipped with a position sensor I1-6 for detecting that the carrier plate I1-2 is in the low position of returning to the workpiece and a position sensor II1-7 for detecting that the sliding plate 1-3 is in the high position of placing the workpiece. Both position sensors I1-6 and II1-7 can be configured as limit switches. Position sensors I1-6 and II1-7 are connected to the vertical lifting mechanism 1-1 through a PLC control unit. When the carrier plate I1-2 is lifted and lowered by the vertical lifting mechanism 1-1, when the carrier plate I1-2 touches the position sensor I1-6 or the position sensor II1-7, the PLC control unit controls the vertical lifting mechanism 1-1 to stop its operation to control the lifting and lowering position of the carrier plate I1-2, ensuring stable switching of the carrier plate I1-2 between the high position of placing the workpiece and the low position of returning to the workpiece.

[0042] The vertical lifting mechanism 1-1 includes a fixed support 1-11, which comprises two column structures on both sides and a connecting beam. One column structure includes a base and two vertically fixed support columns on it. A support plate 6-1 is fixed between the two support columns. Two vertical sliding guide rails I1-12 are arranged along the height direction on the inner side of the support plate 6-1. One end of the bearing plate I1-2 is slidably connected to the sliding guide rail I1-12 through a sliding plate 1-3. The sliding plate 1-3 is connected to a lifting cylinder 1-4, which is fixed to the outer side of the support plate 6-1. The other column structure includes a base and a vertically fixed support column on it, and a sliding guide rail II1-13 (i.e., a vertical channel steel). A sliding arm 1-5 is rotatably connected to the end of the bearing plate I1-2 away from the sliding plate 1-3. A roller that slides with the sliding guide rail II1-13 is installed at the end of the sliding arm 1-5. When the lifting cylinder 1-4 is activated, it drives the sliding plate 1-3 to slide along the sliding guide rail I1-12, and at the same time drives the sliding arm 1-5 at one end of the bearing plate I1-2 to slide along the sliding guide rail II1-13, so that the bearing plate I1-2 can slide stably up and down along the fixed bracket 1-11 to realize the position switching between the high position of placing the part and the low position of returning the part.

[0043] In addition, to ensure the reliability of the upward or downward positioning of the bearing plate I1-2, multiple upward limit blocks and multiple downward limit blocks can be set on the upper part of the fixed bracket 1-11 near the sliding plate 1-3, and an upper limit block opposite to the multiple upward limit blocks can be set on the upper end of the sliding plate 1-3, and a lower limit block opposite to the multiple downward limit blocks can be set on the lower end of the sliding plate 1-3, so that reliable mechanical blocking can be achieved after the bearing plate I1-2 moves upward or downward into position.

[0044] The support plate I1-2 is equipped with an angle adjustment mechanism 1-8 that rotates the support plate I1-2, which is in the high position of the workpiece, to the downward angle, so that the support plate I1-2 is smoothly connected to one end of the gravity conveying track I4, and the workpiece tray 7 on the support plate I1-2 slides onto the gravity conveying track I4 due to gravity. The angle adjustment mechanism 1-8 includes a rotating shaft I1-81 rotatably connected to one side of the bottom of the support plate I1-2 and clamping cylinders I1-82 disposed at both ends of the support plate I1-2. One end of the rotating shaft I1-81 is rotatably connected to the sliding plate 1-3. The clamping arms of the two clamping cylinders I1-82 act on the other side of the support plate I1-2. By controlling the clamping action of the two clamping cylinders I1-82, the support plate I1-2 can rotate around the rotating shaft I1-81 to the downward position and enter the gravity conveying track I4. When the clamping of the two clamping cylinders I1-82 is controlled to be released, the support plate I1-2 rotates back to its original position in the opposite direction around the rotating shaft I1-81 due to gravity. The two clamping cylinders I1-82 support both ends of the support plate I1-2.

[0045] The support plate I1-2 is also equipped with a clamping mechanism 1-9 for clamping the workpiece tray 7, ensuring the stability of the workpiece tray 7 during the operation of the vertical lifting mechanism 1-1 and the angle adjustment mechanism 1-8. The clamping mechanism 1-9 includes a locking cylinder 1-91 mounted at the bottom of the support plate I1-2 and a clamping block 1-92 fixed on the rotating shaft I1-81. The piston rod of the locking cylinder 1-91 is hinged to the clamping block 1-92. A baffle I1-93 is provided on the side of the support plate I1-2 away from the clamping block 1-92. The baffle I1-93 abuts against one side of the workpiece tray 7. When the locking cylinder 1-91 is activated, it causes the clamping block 1-92 to rotate and extend out of the support plate I1-2, abutting against the other side of the workpiece tray 7, thus achieving clamping and positioning of the workpiece tray 7.

[0046] The outer side of the support plate I1-2 is equipped with a position sensor III1-10 for detecting the entry of the workpiece tray 7 into the support plate I1-2. This position sensor III1-10 can be configured as a limit switch. When the workpiece tray 7 is transported to the return low position by the gravity conveying track II5, one end of the workpiece tray 7 touches the position sensor III1-10 on the outer side of the support plate I1-2. The position sensor III1-10 sends a positioning signal. The position sensor III1-10 is connected to the lifting cylinder 1-4 and the clamping mechanism 1-9 through the PLC control unit. The PLC control unit controls the clamping mechanism 1-9 to control the support plate I1-2 to clamp the workpiece tray 7. Then, the PLC control unit controls the lifting cylinder 1-4 to lift the workpiece tray 7 to the placement high position for placement operation.

[0047] The fixed bracket 1-11 is equipped with a clamping cylinder Ⅱ1-11 on the side near the sliding guide rail Ⅰ1-12. The position sensor Ⅱ1-7 is connected to the lifting cylinder 1-4 and the clamping cylinder Ⅱ1-11 through the PLC control unit. When the lifting cylinder 1-4 drives the sliding plate 1-3 and the bearing plate Ⅰ1-2 to rise along the fixed bracket 1-11, the sliding plate 1-3 touches the position sensor Ⅱ1-7. The position sensor Ⅱ1-7 sends a signal to the PLC control unit to indicate that the lifting plate has reached the correct position. The PLC control unit then controls the lifting cylinder 1-4 to stop and controls the clamping cylinder Ⅱ1-11 to clamp the lower end of the sliding plate 1-3 so that the bearing plate Ⅰ1-2 is stably positioned at the high position of the workpiece.

[0048] Specifically, the rotating mechanism 2 includes two support frames 2-1 and a bearing plate II 2-2 between them. Each support frame 2-1 includes a base and a frame structure fixed thereon. Side plates are fixed to the inner side of the frame structure. One side of the bearing plate II 2-2 is connected to the two support frames 2-1 via a rotating shaft II 2-3, and the other side of the bearing plate II 2-2 is connected to a linkage mechanism 2-4 to control the angle of the bearing plate II 2-2. The inner sides of the two support frames 2-1 are respectively connected to the side of the bearing plate II 2-2 away from the rotating shaft II 2-3 via springs I 2-5. When the linkage mechanism 2-4 is not operated, the side of the bearing plate II2-2 closest to the gravity conveying track I4 or gravity conveying track II5 is raised, so that the bearing plate II2-2 is at an upward angle, allowing the workpiece pallet 7 on the gravity conveying track I4 to smoothly enter the bearing plate II2-2 carrying the workpiece; when the linkage mechanism 2-4 is operated, or one side of the bearing plate II2-2 is pulled, the bearing plate II2-2 rotates around the rotation axis II2-3, so that the side of the bearing plate II2-2 closest to the gravity conveying track I4 or gravity conveying track II5 is lowered, so that the bearing plate II2-2 is at a downward angle, allowing the empty workpiece pallet 7 on the bearing plate II2-2 to smoothly enter the gravity conveying track II5 to enter the return low position.

[0049] The bottom of the two supporting frames 2-1 is connected by a crossbar 2-6. The linkage mechanism 2-4 includes a connecting plate 2-41 vertically fixed to the upper end of the crossbar 2-6, a pull rod 2-42 passing through the connecting plate 2-41 and the crossbar 2-6, a hinge rod 2-43 connected to one end of the connecting plate 2-41, and a pressure rod 2-44 hinged to the lower end of the hinge rod 2-43 and the pull rod 2-42. The upper end of the pull rod 2-42 is hinged to the bearing plate II 2-2 through the connecting rod I, and the lower end of the pull rod 2-42 is hinged to the pressure rod 2-44 through the connecting rod II. The end of the connecting plate 2-41 away from the hinge rod 2-43 is connected to the pressure rod 2-44 through the spring II 2-45, and a pedal 2-46 is fixed to the end of the pressure rod 2-44 away from the hinge rod 2-43. In its free state, the pressure rod 2-44 is raised, and the user's foot steps down on the pedal 2-46, causing the pressure rod 2-44 to rotate. This, in turn, causes the pull rod 2-42 to move downward, thereby lowering the side of the bearing plate II 2-2 closest to the gravity conveying track I 4 or II 5. This positions the bearing plate II 2-2 at a downward angle, allowing the empty workpiece tray 7 on the bearing plate II 2-2 to smoothly enter the gravity conveying track II 5 and reach the return position. When the pedal 2-46 is released, the pressure rod 2-44 automatically returns to its original position under the action of the spring II 2-45, and the pull rod 2-42 moves upward, causing the side of the bearing plate II 2-2 closest to the gravity conveying track I 4 or II 5 to gradually rise. Simultaneously, under the action of the spring I 2-5, the bearing plate II 2-2 quickly returns to its upward angle, allowing the workpiece tray 7 on the gravity conveying track I 4 to smoothly enter the bearing plate II 2-2 carrying the workpiece.

[0050] Specifically, gravity conveying track I4 and gravity conveying track II5 are fixed on the frame 3 from top to bottom. Gravity conveying track I4 includes two parallel inclined tracks I4-1. The end of the inclined track I4-1 near the high position of the placement is higher than the end near the rotating mechanism 2, making gravity conveying track I4 a delivery track. Gravity conveying track II5 includes two parallel inclined tracks II5-1. The end of the inclined track II5-1 near the rotating mechanism 2 is higher than the end near the low position of the return, making gravity conveying track II5 a return track.

[0051] Specifically, both gravity conveying tracks I4 and II5 are equipped with pallet blocking mechanisms 6, which buffer the workpiece pallets 7. These mechanisms, in conjunction with the workpiece rotation mechanism 2 and the lifting and placing mechanism 1, enable the orderly movement of the workpiece pallets 7 and improve workpiece conveying efficiency. The pallet blocking mechanism 6 includes a support plate 6-1 fixed to the bottom of gravity conveying track I4 or gravity conveying track II5. Limiting cylinders I6-2 and II6-3 are installed at intervals along the length of gravity conveying track I4 or gravity conveying track II5 on the bottom of the support plate 6-1. The piston rods of limiting cylinders I6-2 and II6-3 extend out of the support plate 6-1 and are respectively connected to the two workpiece pallets 7 stacked side-by-side for limiting.

[0052] The outer side of the bearing plate Ⅱ2-2 of the part-picking rotating mechanism 2 is provided with a baffle Ⅱ2-7 for stopping the workpiece tray 7 and a position sensor Ⅳ2-8 for detecting the workpiece tray 7 entering the bearing plate Ⅱ2-2. The position sensor Ⅳ2-8 can also be set as a limit switch. When there is no workpiece tray 7 in the bearing plate Ⅱ2-2, the position sensor Ⅳ2-8 does not detect the workpiece tray 7. The position sensor Ⅳ2-8 is connected to the limit cylinder Ⅰ6-2 and the limit cylinder Ⅱ6-3 through the PLC control unit. The PLC control unit controls the limit cylinder Ⅰ6-2 or the limit cylinder Ⅱ6-3 on the gravity conveying track Ⅰ4 to act, so as to control the release of one of the two workpiece trays 7 stacked side by side on the gravity conveying track Ⅰ4 that is closer to the part-picking rotating mechanism 2, while the other workpiece tray 7 is in the waiting position. Furthermore, position sensors I1-6 and III1-10 are connected to limit cylinders I6-2 and II6-3 via a PLC control unit. When position sensor I1-6 detects that the bearing plate I1-2 is in the low position of the return workpiece, and position sensor III1-10 detects that there is no workpiece tray 7 in the bearing plate I1-2, the PLC control unit controls the limit cylinder I6-2 or limit cylinder II6-3 on the gravity conveying track II5 to act, so as to control the release of one of the two workpiece trays 7 stacked side by side on the gravity conveying track I4 that is closer to the low position of the return workpiece, while the other workpiece tray 7 is in the waiting position. When the picking-up rotating mechanism 2 is at the upward angle and there is no workpiece tray 7 on it, the limiting cylinder I 6-2 or the limiting cylinder II 6-3 near the picking-up rotating mechanism 2 retracts and releases one of the workpiece trays 7; when the lifting and placing mechanism 1 is at the return low position and there is no workpiece tray 7 on it, the limiting cylinder I 6-2 or the limiting cylinder II 6-3 near the return low position retracts and releases one of the workpiece trays 7. The tray blocking mechanism 6 shortens the conveying stroke of a single workpiece tray 7 and improves the conveying efficiency.

[0053] Specifically, the workpiece pallet 7 includes a pallet body 7-1, on which a positioning frame 7-2 for positioning the workpiece is provided. Multiple limiting blocks 7-3 are symmetrically arranged at both ends of the pallet body 7-1. The limiting blocks 7-3 can be configured as buffer blocks. When the workpiece pallets 7 are buffered and stacked on the gravity conveying track I4 or the gravity conveying track II5, the limiting blocks 7-3 on two adjacent workpiece pallets 7 abut against each other, thus avoiding rigid collision of the workpiece pallets 7.

[0054] In addition, to ensure the smooth operation of the workpiece pallet 7 on the above-mentioned slide conveyor system, the lifting and placing mechanism 1, the picking and rotating mechanism 2, the gravity conveying track I 4 and the gravity conveying track II 5 are all equipped with roller tracks to allow the workpiece pallet 7 to slide.

[0055] The present invention also provides an automobile production line, including the above-mentioned semi-automatic gravity slide conveyor system.

[0056] The working principle of the above-mentioned semi-automatic gravity slide conveyor system is as follows: the workpiece trays 7 involved are distinguished by workpiece tray 7A, workpiece tray 7B, workpiece tray 7C and workpiece tray 7D.

[0057] Step 1: Place the component

[0058] When the workpiece pallet 7A is at the high position of the lifting and placing mechanism 1, the workpiece is positioned and placed on the workpiece pallet 7A at the high position by manual labor or a robot.

[0059] Step 2: The workpiece pallet 7 descends to the pick-up position.

[0060] 1) Positioning buffer of workpiece pallet 7A

[0061] ① After the workpiece is placed, the two clamping cylinders I1-82 clamp the workpiece, causing the bearing plate I1-2 to rotate around the rotating shaft I1-81 to the downward angle; ② The locking cylinder 1-91 drives the clamping block 1-92 to rotate around the rotating shaft I1-81, locking and releasing the workpiece pallet 7A carrying the workpiece; ③ Gravity drives the workpiece pallet 7A carrying the workpiece to run along the gravity conveying track I4 until the workpiece pallet 7A contacts the workpiece pallet 7B positioned and buffered on the gravity conveying track I4 through the limit block 7-3, realizing the accumulation function.

[0062] 2) The lifting and unloading mechanism 1 returns to its original position and the workpiece pallet 7B descends to the pick-up position.

[0063] The lifting and placement mechanism 1 returns to its original position and the workpiece pallet 7B descends to the pick-up position simultaneously.

[0064] Lifting and placing mechanism 1 returns to position: ① After the workpiece pallet 7A leaves the bearing plate Ⅰ1-2, the two clamping cylinders Ⅰ1-82 clamp and release, and the bearing plate Ⅰ1-2 rotates in the opposite direction around the rotation axis Ⅰ1-81 to the upward angle; ② The clamping cylinder Ⅱ1-11 opens, and the lifting cylinder 1-4 drives the bearing plate Ⅰ1-2 to descend along the fixed bracket 1-11 until the lower limit block at the lower end of the sliding plate 1-3 contacts the downward limit block on the fixed bracket 1-11, and the lower end of the sliding plate 1-3 contacts the position sensor Ⅰ1-6. The position sensor Ⅰ1-6 sends a descent to position signal to the PLC control unit, and the PLC control unit controls the lifting cylinder 1-4 to stop, so that the bearing plate Ⅰ1-2 returns to the low position of the workpiece.

[0065] When workpiece pallet 7B descends to the pick-up position: When position sensor Ⅳ2-8 does not detect workpiece pallet 7 in bearing plate Ⅱ2-2, the PLC control unit controls the piston rod of limit cylinder Ⅰ6-2 (or limit cylinder Ⅱ6-3) directly below workpiece pallet 7A on gravity conveying track Ⅰ4 to extend, while the piston rod of limit cylinder Ⅱ6-3 (or limit cylinder Ⅰ6-2) that limits workpiece pallet 7B retracts, releasing workpiece pallet 7B. Workpiece pallet 7A is then blocked by the limit, causing workpiece pallet 7B to run along gravity conveying track Ⅰ4 until the limit block 7-3 on one side of workpiece pallet 7B contacts the baffle Ⅱ2-7 on the outside of bearing plate Ⅱ2-2, at which point workpiece pallet 7B stops.

[0066] Step 3: Adjust the angle of pickup and return.

[0067] 1) The workpiece is manually removed from the workpiece tray 7B. After the workpiece is removed, the person steps down on the pedal 2-46, which drives the pressure rod 2-44 to rotate, thereby driving the pull rod 2-42 to move down. This causes the bearing plate II 2-2 to descend to the side of the gravity conveying track I 4 or gravity conveying track II 5, so that the bearing plate II 2-2 is at a downward angle, allowing the empty workpiece tray 7B on the bearing plate II 2-2 to smoothly enter the gravity conveying track II 5.

[0068] 2) After the workpiece pallet 7B leaves the bearing plate Ⅱ2-2, the person releases the foot pedal 2-46. Under the action of the spring Ⅱ2-45, the pressure rod 2-44 automatically returns to its original position, and the pull rod 2-42 moves upward, so that the bearing plate Ⅱ2-2 is gradually lifted to the side close to the gravity conveying track Ⅰ4 or gravity conveying track Ⅱ5. At the same time, under the action of the spring Ⅰ2-5, the bearing plate Ⅱ2-2 quickly returns to its original position at the upward angle.

[0069] Step 4: The workpiece pallet 7 descends to the return low position.

[0070] 1) Positioning buffer of workpiece pallet 7B

[0071] The workpiece pallet 7B runs along the gravity conveying track II5 until it contacts the workpiece pallet 7C, which is positioned and buffered on the gravity conveying track II5, through the limit block 7-3, thus realizing the accumulation function.

[0072] 2) The workpiece pallet 7C descends to the return low position.

[0073] When position sensor I1-6 detects that the support plate I1-2 is in the low position for returning parts, and position sensor III1-10 detects that there is no workpiece tray 7 inside the support plate I1-2, the PLC control unit controls the piston rod of the limiting cylinder I6-2 (or limiting cylinder II6-3) directly below the workpiece tray 7B on the gravity conveying track II5 to extend, while the piston rod of the limiting cylinder II6-3 (or limiting cylinder I6-2) that limits the workpiece tray 7C retracts, releasing the workpiece tray 7C. The workpiece tray 7B is then blocked by the limiting cylinder, causing the workpiece tray 7C to run along the gravity conveying track II5 until the limiting block 7-3 on one side of the workpiece tray 7C contacts the baffle I1-93 on the outside of the support plate I1-2, at which point the workpiece tray 7C stops. The locking cylinder 1-91 drives the clamping block 1-92 to rotate around the rotating shaft I1-81, clamping the workpiece tray 7C tightly.

[0074] Step 5: The workpiece pallet 7 moves up to the high position for placing the workpiece.

[0075] When the lifting cylinder 1-4 is activated, it drives the bearing plate I1-2 to rise along the height direction of the fixed bracket 1-11 until the upper limit block at the upper end of the sliding plate 1-3 contacts the upper limit block on the fixed bracket 1-11, and the upper end of the sliding plate 1-3 contacts the position sensor II1-7. The position sensor II1-7 sends a signal to the PLC control unit to indicate that the lifting plate has reached the target position. The PLC control unit then controls the lifting cylinder 1-4 to stop and controls the clamping cylinder II1-11 to clamp the lower end of the sliding plate 1-3, so that the bearing plate I1-2 is stably positioned at the high position of the workpiece.

[0076] In summary, this invention uses gravity drive to transport and transfer automotive parts, resulting in low transport costs, convenient manual handling, and improved operational safety and flexibility.

[0077] The above description is merely an illustration of some principles of the present invention. This specification is not intended to limit the present invention to the specific structures and applicable scope shown. Therefore, all possible modifications and equivalents that may be used fall within the scope of the patent application of this invention.

Claims

1. A semi-automatic gravity slide conveyor system, characterized in that, It includes a lifting and placing mechanism and a picking and rotating mechanism for carrying a workpiece pallet. The lifting and placing mechanism includes a high placing position and a low returning position arranged vertically. The high placing position is connected to the picking and rotating mechanism via gravity conveying track I, and the low returning position is connected to the picking and rotating mechanism via gravity conveying track II. The lifting and placing mechanism includes a support plate I, and the support plate I is provided with an angle adjustment mechanism that rotates the support plate I at the high position of placing the part to the downward angle; the angle adjustment mechanism includes a rotating shaft I rotatably connected to one side of the support plate I and clamping cylinders I provided at both ends of the support plate I, one end of the rotating shaft I is rotatably connected to a sliding plate, and the clamping arms of the two clamping cylinders I act on the other side of the support plate I; The component-retrieving rotating mechanism includes two support frames and a bearing plate II between them. One side of the bearing plate II is connected to the two support frames via a rotating shaft II, and the other side of the bearing plate II is connected to a linkage mechanism to control the angle of the bearing plate II. The inner sides of the two support frames are respectively connected to the side of the bearing plate II away from the rotating shaft II via springs I. The bottom of the two support frames are connected by a crossbar. The linkage mechanism includes a connecting plate vertically fixed to the upper end of the crossbar, a pull rod passing through the connecting plate and the crossbar, a hinge rod connected to one end of the connecting plate, and a pressure rod hinged to the lower end of the hinge rod and the pull rod. The upper end of the pull rod is hinged to the bearing plate II. The end of the connecting plate away from the hinge rod is connected to the pressure rod via spring II, and a pedal is fixed to the end of the pressure rod away from the hinge rod.

2. The semi-automatic gravity slide conveyor system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lifting and placing mechanism also includes a vertical lifting mechanism, which is equipped with a position sensor I for detecting that the bearing plate I is in the low position of the return and a position sensor II for detecting that the sliding plate is in the high position of the placement.

3. The semi-automatic gravity slide conveyor system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The vertical lifting mechanism includes a fixed support, with sliding guide rail I and sliding guide rail II respectively provided on both sides of the fixed support. One end of the bearing plate I is slidably connected to the sliding guide rail I through a sliding plate, and the sliding plate is connected to the lifting cylinder. The other end of the bearing plate I is slidably connected to the sliding guide rail II through a sliding arm.

4. The semi-automatic gravity slide conveyor system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support plate I is also provided with a clamping mechanism for clamping the workpiece tray; the clamping mechanism includes a locking cylinder installed at the bottom of the support plate I and a clamping block fixed on the rotating shaft I, the piston rod of the locking cylinder is hinged to the clamping block; a baffle I is provided on the side of the support plate I away from the clamping block, the baffle I is in contact with one side of the workpiece tray, and the clamping block extends out of the support plate I and is in contact with the other side of the workpiece tray.

5. The semi-automatic gravity slide conveyor system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The outer side of the support plate I is provided with a position sensor III for detecting the workpiece tray entering the support plate I. The position sensor III is connected to the lifting cylinder and the clamping mechanism through a PLC control unit to control the support plate I to clamp the workpiece tray and drive the tray to rise to the placement height.

6. The semi-automatic gravity slide conveyor system according to claim 3, characterized in that: A clamping cylinder II is provided on the side of the fixed bracket near the sliding guide rail I. The position sensor II is connected to the lifting cylinder and the clamping cylinder II through a PLC control unit so that the bearing plate I is positioned at the high position of the workpiece.

7. The semi-automatic gravity slide conveyor system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer side of the support plate II is provided with a baffle II for stopping the workpiece tray and a position sensor IV for detecting the workpiece tray entering the support plate II.

8. The semi-automatic gravity slide conveyor system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The gravity conveying track I and the gravity conveying track II are fixed on the frame from top to bottom. The gravity conveying track I includes two parallel inclined tracks I, with the end of the inclined track I near the high position of the placement part being higher than the end near the rotation mechanism of the picking part. The gravity conveying track II includes two parallel inclined tracks II, with the end of the inclined track II near the rotation mechanism of the picking part being higher than the end near the low position of the return part.

9. The semi-automatic gravity slide conveyor system according to claim 1, characterized in that: Both gravity conveying track I and gravity conveying track II are equipped with pallet blocking mechanisms. The pallet blocking mechanism includes a support plate fixed to the bottom end of gravity conveying track I or gravity conveying track II. Limiting cylinder I and limiting cylinder II are installed at intervals along the length direction of gravity conveying track I or gravity conveying track II at the bottom of the support plate. The piston rods of limiting cylinder I and limiting cylinder II extend out of the support plate and are respectively connected to the limiting connection of two workpiece pallets stacked side by side.

10. The semi-automatic gravity slide conveyor system according to claim 9, characterized in that: When the part-picking rotating mechanism is at the upward angle and there is no workpiece tray on it, the limiting cylinder I or limiting cylinder II near the part-picking rotating mechanism retracts and releases one of the workpiece trays; when the lifting and placing mechanism is at the return low position and there is no workpiece tray on it, the limiting cylinder I or limiting cylinder II near the return low position retracts and releases one of the workpiece trays.

11. The semi-automatic gravity slide conveyor system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The workpiece tray includes a tray body, on which a positioning frame for positioning the workpiece is provided, and multiple limiting blocks are symmetrically arranged at both ends of the tray body; the lifting and placing mechanism, the picking and rotating mechanism, and the gravity conveying track I and gravity conveying track II are all provided with roller tracks for sliding the workpiece tray.

12. An automobile production line, characterized in that, Includes the semi-automatic gravity slide conveyor system as described in any one of claims 1 to 11.

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