A pallet loading system and loading method

Abstract

This invention provides a pallet loading system and method. The system includes an adjusting device, a lifting device, and a pushing device connected in sequence. The adjusting device pushes a packaging box onto a pallet to form a set of pallets to be irradiated. The lifting device has a transmission device at its top and telescopic devices on both sides, which can clamp the pallets to be irradiated. The transmission device drives the telescopic devices to lift or lower the pallets to be irradiated. The lifting device can stack one set of pallets to be irradiated onto another set of pallets to be irradiated, forming stacked pallets. The pushing device is used to send the stacked pallets or the pallets to be irradiated into the irradiation track. The pallet loading system and method, through the design of the lifting device, achieve better stacking effect, improve efficiency, and save manpower.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an irradiation sterilization apparatus, and more particularly to a tray loading system and loading method. Background Technology

[0002] Irradiation sterilization is an effective method that uses electromagnetic waves generated by ionizing radiation to kill microorganisms on most materials. Radiations used for sterilization include electron beams, X-rays, and gamma rays. These can all control microbial growth or kill microorganisms in specific ways. X-rays and gamma rays can oxidize other substances or generate free radicals that then act on biomolecules, or act directly on biomolecules, breaking hydrogen bonds, oxidizing double bonds, destroying ring structures, or causing certain molecules to polymerize, thereby disrupting and altering the structure of biological macromolecules, thus inhibiting or killing microorganisms. Because irradiation sterilization utilizes the penetrating effect of radiation, it does not require opening the product packaging to be sterilized, ensuring that the inside of the product packaging remains sealed throughout the sterilization process and is not contaminated by bacteria from the external environment. Therefore, this sterilization method is widely used in the food and medical processing industries.

[0003] Currently, irradiation sterilization involves placing packaged products in an irradiation chamber, which is then placed on an irradiation track. The product then moves along the track into the irradiation chamber for irradiation treatment. The irradiation track has inlets and outlets, and within the chamber, it is arranged in multiple loops around the irradiation source to ensure uniform irradiation. In some irradiation sterilization methods, pallets are used instead of irradiation chambers, as long as the products are stacked stably and do not slip or fall off, especially for large packaged products. Figure 1 As shown, the pallet includes a fixedly connected support plate and a chassis. A baffle is provided on the edge of the chassis, and a groove is formed between the support plate and the baffle. Multiple omnidirectional balls are evenly distributed on the upper surface of the support plate, and the upper surfaces of the omnidirectional balls are flush with the upper surfaces of the baffles. Figure 2 As shown, the baffle extends outward from the edge to form a horizontal section, and then extends downward to form a vertical section. The end of the vertical section is located at the middle of the tray height. In use, the tray is placed above the irradiation track, and packaging boxes are manually placed on top of the tray. The packaging boxes contain products that need to be irradiated and sterilized. Usually, one tray can hold 1 to 4 packaging boxes. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides a pallet loading system and method, which solves the problem of placing packaging boxes onto pallets and sending them into the irradiation track. The technical solution is as follows:

[0005] A pallet loading system includes an adjusting device, a lifting device, and a pushing device connected in sequence. The adjusting device is used to push a packaging box onto a pallet to form a set of irradiated pallets. The lifting device has a transmission device at its top and telescopic devices on both sides, which can clamp the irradiated pallets. The transmission device is used to drive the telescopic devices to lift or lower the irradiated pallets. The lifting device can be used to stack one set of irradiated pallets on another set of irradiated pallets to form stacked pallets. The pushing device is used to send the stacked pallets or the irradiated pallets into the irradiation track.

[0006] The adjustment device includes a sliding panel located on the side of the pallet transfer track. Hydraulic push plates are provided on three sides of the sliding panel, and a hydraulic push plate is provided on the side of the pallet transfer track facing the sliding panel.

[0007] The dimensions of the packaging box are pre-entered into the control system, and it is placed according to the set method. Its position on the pallet is adjusted by a hydraulic pusher plate, and the pushing distance of the hydraulic pusher plate is controlled by the control system.

[0008] The lifting device includes a left support frame, a right support frame, and a top support frame. The left and right support frames are equipped with two telescopic devices arranged opposite to each other, namely a first telescopic device and a second telescopic device. The top support frame is equipped with a transmission device.

[0009] Both the left and right support frames are equipped with slide rails, and the telescopic device has a slider on its side that can move along the slide rails.

[0010] The top support frame is equipped with a first rotating shaft, a third rotating shaft, and a fifth rotating shaft; the left support frame is equipped with a second rotating shaft; and the right support frame is equipped with a fourth rotating shaft. A first chain and a second chain are arranged side-by-side on the first and second rotating shafts; a fifth chain and a sixth chain are arranged side-by-side on the first and fifth rotating shafts; a third chain and a fourth chain are arranged side-by-side on the third and fourth rotating shafts; and a seventh chain and an eighth chain are arranged side-by-side on the third and fifth rotating shafts. The first telescopic device is driven by the first and second chains, and the second telescopic device is driven by the third and fourth chains. The fifth rotating shaft serves as the drive shaft and is connected to a transmission motor, which drives the first and third rotating shafts to rotate, thereby driving the second and fourth rotating shafts to rotate.

[0011] The first telescopic device is fixedly connected to the outer side of the first and second chains away from the pallet, and the second telescopic device is connected to the inner side of the third and fourth chains near the pallet.

[0012] The telescopic device includes an outer frame and a movable frame. The outer frame has sliders on the outer sides of its two edges and a sliding rail on its inner side. The movable frame has sliders on the outer sides of its two edges. Through the cooperation of the sliders and the sliding rails, the movable frame can extend or retract along the outer frame. The movable frame has support rods extending outward from its two edges. The ends of the support rods are provided with uprights for supporting the edges of the tray.

[0013] The outer frame is equipped with a telescopic motor, which drives the moving frame to extend or retract via a worm gear or linear bearing.

[0014] The loading method of the pallet loading system described above includes the following steps:

[0015] S1: Input the dimensions of the packaging box into the control system and set the method of placing it on the pallet;

[0016] S2: Place the packaging box onto the sliding panel of the adjustment device according to the set method, push the packaging box onto the pallet by the hydraulic push plate, and adjust its position on the pallet. The packaging box and the pallet form a set of irradiation pallets.

[0017] S3: When the irradiation trays need to be stacked, they are stacked using a lifting device to form stacked trays. When the irradiation trays no longer need to be stacked, they go directly to the pushing device.

[0018] When the telescopic device reaches both sides of the tray to be irradiated and is ready to lift it, the RFID reader reads the RFID tag on the side of the tray and transmits the information that the tray to be irradiated is above to the control system. At the same time, the RFID reader on the side of the tray transfer track reads the RFID tag on the side of the tray behind the tray to be irradiated and transmits the information that the tray to be irradiated is below to the control system.

[0019] S4: The pusher pushes the stacked trays or trays to be irradiated onto the irradiation track.

[0020] The pallet loading system and loading method, through the design of the lifting device, have a better stacking effect. The present invention has the following advantages: (1) It can place a group of pallets with packaging boxes on top of another group of pallets with packaging boxes to achieve height stacking and improve efficiency; (2) It reduces the handling time and physical strength of the staff and has better automation. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the tray;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the edge of the tray;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the layout structure of the pallet loading system;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the lifting device.

[0025] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the telescopic device;

[0026] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the transmission device;

[0027] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the pushing device. Detailed Implementation

[0028] like Figure 3 As shown, the pallet loading system includes an adjusting device 1, a lifting device 2, and a pushing device 3 connected in sequence. The adjusting device 1 is used to push the packaging box 9 to move it onto the pallet 10 to form a set of irradiation pallets. The lifting device 2 is equipped with a transmission device at the top and telescopic devices on both sides. The telescopic devices clamp the irradiation pallets. The transmission device is used to drive the telescopic devices to lift or lower the irradiation pallets. The lifting device 2 is used to stack one set of irradiation pallets on another set of irradiation pallets to form stacked pallets. The pushing device 3 is used to send the stacked pallets into the irradiation track 4.

[0029] The adjustment device 1 includes a sliding panel 11, on three sides of which are provided with hydraulic push plates, and on the other side is a pallet transfer track. The hydraulic push plates include a first push plate 5, a third push plate 7, and a fourth push plate 8. The third push plate 7 and the fourth push plate 8 are arranged opposite to each other, with opposite pushing directions and relative movement. The first push plate 5 is used to push the packaging box 9 to the direction of the pallet transfer track 12. The side of the pallet transfer track 12 is provided with a second push plate 6. The first push plate 5 and the second push plate 6 are arranged opposite to each other, with opposite pushing directions.

[0030] The pallet transfer track 12 is used to transfer the pallet 10 and deliver it into position. Furthermore, a stop 13 is provided below the second push plate 6 to limit the position of the pallet 10 and prevent the pallet 10 from moving when the first push plate 5 pushes the packaging box 9 to the pallet 10. In use, the packaging box 9 is placed on the sliding panel, and then the third push plate 7 and the fourth push plate 8 move synchronously, clamping the packaging box 9 and centering it in the front-back direction. Then, the third push plate 7 and the fourth push plate 8 retract, and the first push plate 5 on the left pushes the packaging box 9 forward, pushing it above the transfer pallet 10 on the pallet transfer track 12. The upper surface of the transfer pallet 10, the upper surface of the universal ball bearings, and the upper surface of the stop plate are flush. After the packaging box passes the stop plate, it can easily move on the universal ball bearings. When the front side of the first push plate 5 passes the sliding panel, the first push plate 5 and the second push plate 6 begin to move relative to each other, clamping the packaging box 9 and centering it in the left-right direction. Then, the first push plate 5 and the second push plate 6 retract.

[0031] The pallet transport track 12 is used to place pallets 10. When each pallet reaches the side of the sliding panel, its left and right directions are limited by the action of the stop block 13, and its front and back directions are ensured so that its center is directly aligned with the center of the sliding panel. Furthermore, the dimensions of the packaging box 9 are pre-entered into the control system of the pallet loading system, and the pushing distance of the hydraulic pusher is controlled by the control system. When the pallet 10 moves on the pallet transport track 12, the pallet 10 is sensed by an infrared proximity switch on the side of the pallet transport track 12, thereby controlling the opening and stopping of the pallet transport track 12 to bring the pallet 10 to a set position.

[0032] The lifting device 2 includes a left support frame, a right support frame, and a top support frame 18. The left and right support frames are equipped with two telescopic devices arranged opposite to each other, namely a first telescopic device 23 and a second telescopic device 31. The top support frame 18 is equipped with a transmission device.

[0033] The left support frame includes a first left bracket 15, a second left bracket 16, and a first mounting base 17. The lower ends of the first left bracket 15 and the second left bracket 16 are fixedly connected to the first mounting base 17. Correspondingly, the right support frame includes a first right bracket 24, a second right bracket 25, and a second mounting base 26. The lower ends of the first right bracket 24 and the second right bracket 25 are fixedly connected to the second mounting base 26. The tops of the first left bracket 15, the second left bracket 16, the first right bracket 24, and the second right bracket 25 are all fixedly connected to the top support frame 18.

[0034] The top support frame 18 is rectangular, as are the first mounting base 17 and the second mounting base 26. Each of the first left bracket 15, the second left bracket 16, the first right bracket 24, and the second right bracket 25 has two supports. The two first left brackets 15 are located at the two left corners of the first mounting base 17, and the two second left brackets 16 are located at the two right corners of the first mounting base 17. The two first right brackets 24 are located at the two left corners of the second mounting base 26, and the two second right brackets 25 are located at the two right corners of the second mounting base 26.

[0035] Combination Figure 6 As shown, the top support frame 18 is provided with a first rotating shaft 19, a third rotating shaft 27, and a fifth rotating shaft 49; the first mounting base 17 of the left support frame is provided with a second rotating shaft 20; and the second mounting base 26 of the right support frame is provided with a fourth rotating shaft 28. A first chain 21 and a second chain 22 are arranged side-by-side on the first rotating shaft 19 and the second rotating shaft 20; a fifth chain 32 and a sixth chain 33 are arranged side-by-side on the first rotating shaft 19 and the fifth rotating shaft 49; a third chain 29 and a fourth chain 30 are arranged side-by-side on the third rotating shaft 27 and the fourth rotating shaft 28; and a seventh chain 34 and an eighth chain 35 are arranged side-by-side on the third rotating shaft 27 and the fifth rotating shaft 49.

[0036] The fifth rotating shaft 49 is equipped with four gears, which drive the fifth chain 32, the sixth chain 33, the seventh chain 34, and the eighth chain 35 respectively. The first rotating shaft 19 and the second rotating shaft 20 are each equipped with two gears for the rotation of the first chain 21 and the second chain 22. The third rotating shaft 27 and the fourth rotating shaft 28 are each equipped with two gears for the rotation of the third chain 29 and the fourth chain 30. During rotation, the fifth rotating shaft 49 is connected to the drive motor 50 and rotates as the drive shaft, driving the rotation of the first rotating shaft 19 and the third rotating shaft 27 through the chain. In turn, the first rotating shaft 19 drives the rotation of the second rotating shaft 20 through the chain, and the third rotating shaft 27 drives the rotation of the fourth rotating shaft 28 through the chain.

[0037] Furthermore, the two ends of the first rotating shaft 19, the third rotating shaft 27 and the fifth rotating shaft 49 are fixed to the top support frame 18 by bearings, the two ends of the second rotating shaft 20 are fixed to the first mounting base 17 by bearings, and the two ends of the fourth rotating shaft 28 are fixed to the second mounting base 17 by bearings.

[0038] When the fifth rotating shaft 49 begins to rotate clockwise, it drives the first rotating shaft 19 and the third rotating shaft 27 to rotate clockwise, which in turn drives the second rotating shaft 20 and the fourth rotating shaft 28 to rotate clockwise. If all telescopic devices need to achieve upward movement, then the telescopic devices need to be fixedly connected to the chains. At this time, the outer sides of the first chain 21 and the second chain 22 are in an upward state, and the inner sides are in a downward state (the outer side refers to the side away from the fifth rotating shaft 49, and the inner side refers to the side close to the fifth rotating shaft 49). The first telescopic device 23 of the left support frame is fixedly connected to the outer sides of the first chain 21 and the second chain 22; the inner sides of the third chain 29 and the fourth chain 30 are in an upward state, and the outer sides are in a downward state. Therefore, the second telescopic device 31 of the right support frame needs to be fixedly connected to the inner sides of the third chain 29 and the fourth chain 30 to achieve synchronous upward movement of the two telescopic devices. In this way, when the fifth rotating shaft 49 begins to rotate counterclockwise, it can drive the two telescopic devices to descend synchronously.

[0039] like Figure 5 As shown, the telescopic device includes an outer frame 38 and an inner movable frame 51. Two sliders are respectively provided on both sides of the outer frame 38 for engaging with the slide rails of the left and right support frames. Specifically, slide rails are provided on the inner sides of the two first left supports 15. Similarly, slide rails are provided on the inner sides of the two second left supports 16, the two first right supports 24, and the two second right supports 25. Taking the left support frame as an example, the inner sides of the two first left supports 15 and the two second left supports 16 engage with the sliders of the outer frame 38. The two sliders 36 on one side of the outer frame 38 correspond to the first and second left supports on one side of the left support frame, respectively, and the two sliders 37 on the other side of the outer frame 38 correspond to the first and second left supports on the other side of the left support frame, respectively. This allows the telescopic device to move up and down along the left support frame. Similarly, the other telescopic device can move up and down along the right support frame. The movable frames of the two telescopic devices are arranged opposite each other, and both approach the tray 10 when extended.

[0040] The outer frame 38 is rectangular, with two sides equipped with sliders, namely the first side and the second side. Movable rails are provided inside the two sides. The movable frame 51 is rectangular, including a third side inside the first side and a fourth side inside the second side. Movable sliders are provided on the outer sides of both the third and fourth sides of the movable frame 51, respectively, for moving along the movable rails inside the first and second sides, thus achieving the telescopic movement of the movable frame relative to the outer frame 38. Support rods extend from both the third and fourth sides of the movable frame: a first support rod 45 that can move along the movable rail inside the first side, and a second support rod 47 that can move along the movable rail inside the second side. The first support rod 45 has a first upright 46 fixedly connected to its end, and the other end connected to the third side. The second support rod 47 has a second upright 48 fixedly connected to its end, and the other end connected to the fourth side.

[0041] The movable frame 51 can extend and retract along the frame 38 via a telescopic motor 44 and a worm gear 43. The telescopic motor 44 is fixedly connected to the frame 38, and its shaft is connected to the worm gear. The worm gear drives the worm to rotate. One end of the worm passes through the middle of the movable frame 51, enabling the movable frame 51 to move. The other end passes through the through hole in the middle of the frame 38.

[0042] In use, the telescopic motor 44 controls the extension of the moving frame 51, so that the first upright 46 and the second upright 48 reach the lower edge of the tray. Then, when the telescopic device moves upward, the first upright 46 and the second upright 48 support the edge of the tray, driving the tray to move upward. When the next tray reaches directly below the previous tray, the lifting device lowers the upper tray down to directly above the next tray. Both trays are equipped with packaging boxes. The upper tray to be irradiated is stacked on top of the lower tray to be irradiated, forming a stacked tray.

[0043] Furthermore, the lifting device is provided in two sets, one of which is a spare.

[0044] like Figure 7 As shown, when the stacked pallet reaches the pushing device 3, the pushing device 3 is equipped with a fifth push plate 14, which pushes the stacked pallet onto the irradiation track. The pushing device 3 is located on the side of the pallet transport track 12. After the lifting device completes the stacking of the pallet, the pallet transport track 12 transports it to the pushing device 3. The pallet 10 is sensed by an infrared proximity switch, thereby controlling the opening and stopping of the pallet transport track 12. By adjustment, the pallet transport track 12 can form a continuous operation for the pallet 10, such that when one pallet enters the pushing device 3, the next two pallets are forming a stacked pallet, and the pallet after that is loading a packaging box.

[0045] In addition, both the pallet transport track 12 and the telescopic device are equipped with RFID readers to read the RFID tags on the sides of the pallets and send the data to the control system for storage of data on stacked pallets. In the pallet loading system provided by this invention, if the packaging boxes are large and do not require stacking, the pallets can directly pass through the lifting device to the pushing device and then enter the irradiation track.

[0046] The loading method of the pallet loading system includes the following steps:

[0047] S1: Input the dimensions of packaging box 9 into the control system and set the method of placing it on the pallet;

[0048] S2: Push the packaging box 9 onto the pallet 10 to form a set of irradiation pallets, and adjust the position of the packaging box 9 on the pallet 10;

[0049] Specifically, the packaging box 9 is placed on the sliding panel of the adjustment device 1 according to the set method. The front and rear positions of the packaging box 9 are adjusted by the third push plate 7 and the fourth push plate 8. Then the first push plate 5 pushes it onto the tray 10 to form a set of trays to be irradiated, and the left and right positions of the packaging box 9 are adjusted in conjunction with the second tray 6.

[0050] S3: When the irradiation trays need to be stacked, they are stacked by the lifting device to form stacked trays. When the irradiation trays no longer need to be stacked, they go directly to the pushing device 3.

[0051] Specifically, when the irradiation trays need to be stacked, they reach the lifting device, and the two sides of the irradiation trays are lifted by the telescopic device. When the next set of irradiation trays arrives directly below, the irradiation trays are lowered by the telescopic device. The two sets of irradiation trays are stacked to form a stacked tray. At this time, the upper tray is placed on the packaging box below.

[0052] When the telescopic device reaches both sides of the tray to be irradiated and is ready to lift it, it first reads the RFID tag on the side of the tray through the RFID reader and transmits the information that the tray to be irradiated is above to the control system. At the same time, the RFID reader on the side of the tray transfer track 12 reads the RFID tag on the side of the tray behind the tray to be irradiated and transmits the information that the tray to be irradiated is below to the control system.

[0053] S4: The pusher pushes the stacked trays or trays to be irradiated onto the irradiation track.

[0054] The pallet loading system and loading method, through the design of the lifting device, have a better stacking effect. The present invention has the following advantages: (1) It can place a group of pallets with packaging boxes on top of another group of pallets with packaging boxes to achieve height stacking and improve efficiency; (2) It reduces the handling time and physical strength of the staff and has better automation.

Claims

1. A loading method for a pallet loading system, comprising the following steps: S1: Input the dimensions of the packaging box into the control system and set the method of placing it on the pallet; S2: Place the packaging box onto the sliding panel of the adjustment device according to the set method, push the packaging box onto the pallet by the hydraulic push plate, and adjust its position on the pallet. The packaging box and the pallet form a set of irradiation pallets. S3: When the irradiation trays need to be stacked, they are stacked using a lifting device to form stacked trays. When the irradiation trays no longer need to be stacked, they go directly to the pushing device. When the telescopic device reaches both sides of the tray to be irradiated and is ready to lift it, the RFID reader reads the RFID tag on the side of the tray and transmits the information that the tray to be irradiated is above to the control system. At the same time, the RFID reader on the side of the tray transfer track reads the RFID tag on the side of the tray behind the tray to be irradiated and transmits the information that the tray to be irradiated is below to the control system. S4: The pushing device pushes the stacked trays or trays to be irradiated onto the irradiation track; The pallet loading system includes an adjusting device, a lifting device, and a pushing device connected in sequence. The adjusting device is used to push the packaging box onto the pallet to form a set of irradiated pallets. The lifting device is equipped with a transmission device at the top and telescopic devices on both sides, which can clamp the irradiated pallets. The transmission device is used to drive the telescopic devices to lift or lower the irradiated pallets. The lifting device can be used to stack one set of irradiated pallets on top of another set of irradiated pallets to form stacked pallets. The pushing device is used to send the stacked pallets or the irradiated pallets into the irradiation track. The lifting device includes a left support frame, a right support frame and a top support frame. The left support frame and the right support frame are equipped with two telescopic devices arranged opposite to each other, namely a first telescopic device and a second telescopic device. The top support frame is equipped with a transmission device. The top support frame is equipped with a first rotating shaft, a third rotating shaft, and a fifth rotating shaft; the left support frame is equipped with a second rotating shaft; and the right support frame is equipped with a fourth rotating shaft. A first chain and a second chain are arranged side-by-side on the first and second rotating shafts; a fifth chain and a sixth chain are arranged side-by-side on the first and fifth rotating shafts; a third chain and a fourth chain are arranged side-by-side on the third and fourth rotating shafts; and a seventh chain and an eighth chain are arranged side-by-side on the third and fifth rotating shafts. The first telescopic device is driven by the first and second chains, and the second telescopic device is driven by the third and fourth chains. The fifth rotating shaft serves as the drive shaft and is connected to a transmission motor, which drives the first and third rotating shafts to rotate, thereby driving the second and fourth rotating shafts to rotate.

2. The loading method of claim 1, wherein: The adjustment device includes a sliding panel located on the side of the pallet transfer track. Hydraulic push plates are provided on three sides of the sliding panel, and a hydraulic push plate is provided on the side of the pallet transfer track facing the sliding panel.

3. The loading method of claim 2, wherein: The dimensions of the packaging box are pre-entered into the control system, and it is placed according to the set method. Its position on the pallet is adjusted by a hydraulic pusher plate, and the pushing distance of the hydraulic pusher plate is controlled by the control system.

4. The loading method according to claim 1, characterized in that: Both the left and right support frames are equipped with slide rails, and the telescopic device has a slider on its side that can move along the slide rails.

5. The loading method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first telescopic device is fixedly connected to the outer side of the first and second chains away from the pallet, and the second telescopic device is connected to the inner side of the third and fourth chains near the pallet.

6. The loading method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The telescopic device includes an outer frame and a movable frame. The outer frame has sliders on the outer sides of its two edges and a sliding rail on its inner side. The movable frame has sliders on the outer sides of its two edges. Through the cooperation of the sliders and the sliding rails, the movable frame can extend or retract along the outer frame. The movable frame has support rods extending outward from its two edges. The ends of the support rods are provided with uprights for supporting the edges of the tray.

7. The loading method according to claim 6, characterized in that: The outer frame is equipped with a telescopic motor, which drives the moving frame to extend or retract via a worm gear or linear bearing.

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