Storage mechanism and automatic printing equipment

Abstract

The invention discloses a storage mechanism and automatic printing equipment, the storage mechanism comprises a storage assembly and a pushing assembly, the storage assembly comprises a rack, a cache frame and a first driving part, the rack is provided with a guide rail, the cache frame is slidably connected to the guide rail, and the first driving part can drive the cache frame to move; the cache frame is provided with a plurality of layers of storage spaces for accommodating printed objects; and the pushing assembly comprises a machine base, a pushing plate and a second driving part, the machine base is connected to the machine frame, the machine base is provided with a horizontal first sliding rail, the pushing plate is slidably connected to the first sliding rail, and the second driving part can push the pushing plate to move so as to push the printed objects to move inside and outside the storage space. The cache frame of the storage assembly is provided with multiple layers of storage spaces for containing the printed objects, when the next module goes wrong or stops, the cache frame can be used for temporarily storing the printed objects, the printed objects are output after the module returns to normal, the stop waiting time is shortened, and the production efficiency is helped to be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of printing technology, and in particular to a storage mechanism and automatic printing equipment. Background Art

[0002] Automated printing equipment is usually equipped with an automatic conveying mechanism to drive the movement of printed materials so that the printed materials can automatically enter the automated printing equipment. The printed materials include certificates, cards, albums, etc. Due to the diversity of printed content, the printing components used include laser printing, inkjet printing, etc., and multiple modules need to be designed to perform corresponding printing operations. However, if a module fails or stops working, the entire automated printing equipment will stop working, seriously affecting production efficiency. Summary of the invention The present invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, the present invention provides a storage mechanism that can temporarily cache printed materials, reduce downtime waiting time, and help improve production efficiency.

[0003] The present invention also provides an automatic printing device having the storage mechanism.

[0004] According to the first aspect of the present invention, the storage mechanism includes a storage component and a pushing component. The storage component includes a frame, a buffer rack and a first driving component. The frame is provided with a guide rail, and the buffer rack is slidably connected to the guide rail. The first driving component can drive the buffer rack to move, and the buffer rack is provided with multiple layers of storage space to accommodate printed materials. The pushing component includes a base, a push plate and a second driving component. The base is connected to the frame, and the base is provided with a horizontal first slide rail. The push plate is slidably connected to the first slide rail. The second driving component can push the push plate to move so as to push the printed materials to move in and out of the storage space.

[0005] The storage mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects: The cache rack of the storage component has multiple layers of storage space to accommodate printed materials. The push plate of the push component pushes the printed materials to move in and out of the storage space. When the next module fails or stops, the cache rack can be used to temporarily store the printed materials. After the next module resumes normal operation, the printed materials can be output for continuous and automated production, reducing downtime waiting time and helping to improve production efficiency.

[0006] According to some embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention, the cache rack is a frame structure and forms multiple layers of storage space, each of the storage space is provided with an upper positioning block and a lower positioning block, there is a gap between the upper positioning block and the lower positioning block to match the thickness of the printed matter, and on the entrance side of the storage space, the upper positioning block and the lower positioning block are both provided with chamfers.

[0007] According to some embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention, the first driving component includes a first motor, a screw rod and a nut, the screw rod is connected to the output shaft of the first motor and is arranged vertically, the nut is sleeved on the screw rod, and the nut is connected to the cache rack through a support plate, the rack is provided with a vertical slide groove, and the support plate passes through the slide groove.

[0008] According to some embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention, a push block is connected to the end of the push plate, and the push block is connected to the push plate via a horizontal rotating shaft. When the push plate moves toward the cache rack, the push block maintains a vertical state to push the printed material; when the push plate moves away from the cache rack, the push block contacts the printed material and can rotate to avoid it.

[0009] According to some embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention, the push plate is connected to an elastic member, and under the action of the elastic member, the push block maintains a vertical state.

[0010] According to some embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention, the second driving component includes a second motor, a driving wheel, a driven wheel and a synchronous belt, the second motor is fixed to the machine base and is located at one end of the first slide rail, the driving wheel is fixed to the output shaft of the second motor, the driven wheel is rotatably connected to the machine base and is located at the other end of the first slide rail, the synchronous belt is connected to the driving wheel and the driven wheel, and the push plate is fixedly connected to the synchronous belt via a first support arm.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention, the pushing assembly includes two pushing plates, two second driving components and two first slide rails, wherein one of the pushing plates is used to push the printed material into the storage space, and the other pushing plate is used to push the printed material out of the storage space.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention, along the moving direction of the second push plate, a stroke difference between the two push plates is greater than a length of the storage space.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention, the machine base is provided with a first mounting plate and a second mounting plate spaced apart from each other, the first slide rail is provided on the top surface of the first mounting plate, and the second slide rail is provided on the bottom surface of the second mounting plate.

[0014] An automated printing device according to an embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention comprises the storage mechanism as described in the embodiment of the first aspect.

[0015] Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will be given in part in the following description and in part will be obvious from the following description, or will be learned through practice of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments, wherein: Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of a storage mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 The structure of the storage component in the embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. Figure 1 ; Figure 3 The structure of the storage component in the embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. Figure 2 ; Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of the push component in an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numerals: Storage assembly 100, frame 110, guide rail 111, slider 112, cache rack 120, storage space 121, upper positioning block 122, lower positioning block 123, first driving component 130, first motor 131, screw rod 132, nut 133; Pushing assembly 200, base 210, first slide rail 211, second slide rail 212, first mounting plate 213, second mounting plate 214, push plate 220, push block 221, rotating shaft 222, first support arm 223, second driving component 230, second motor 231, driving wheel 232, driven wheel 233, synchronous belt 234, second push plate 240, third driving component 250. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and cannot be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0018] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that descriptions involving orientations, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc., and orientations or positional relationships indicated are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0019] In the description of the present invention, "several" means one or more, "more" means more than two, "greater than", "less than", "exceed" etc. are understood as not including the number itself, and "above", "below", "within" etc. are understood as including the number itself. If there is a description of "first" or "second", it is only used for the purpose of distinguishing the technical features, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying the relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features or implicitly indicating the order of the indicated technical features.

[0020] In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise clearly defined, terms such as setting, installing, connecting, etc. should be understood in a broad sense, and technicians in the relevant technical field can reasonably determine the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention based on the specific content of the technical solution.

[0021] It is understandable that, referring to Figures 1 to 4 The embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention provides a storage mechanism, which is applied to an automated printing device, and can temporarily cache printed materials, reduce downtime and waiting time, and help improve production efficiency. It can be understood that the printed materials include certificates, cards, albums, etc., and the following description is based on the printed materials being certificates.

[0022] The storage mechanism includes a storage component 100 and a pushing component 200. The storage component 100 is composed of a frame 110, a cache rack 120 and a first driving component 130. The frame 110 is the supporting structure of the entire storage mechanism, and is provided with a guide rail 111. The cache rack 120 is designed to slide along the guide rail 111 to achieve the movement of the cache rack 120. The guide rails 111 are usually two and are distributed at intervals to provide more stable support for the cache rack 120. Considering the large size of the cache rack 120, two sliders 112 are connected to each guide rail 111, and the two sliders 112 are distributed at both ends of the cache rack 120. The movement of the cache rack 120 is smoother and the support is more reliable. The cache rack 120 is provided with multiple layers of storage space 121, which can be arranged vertically, horizontally, or tilted. Each layer of storage space 121 is designed with space for accommodating certificates, thereby improving storage density and efficiency. The first driving component 130 is used to drive the cache rack 120 to move along the guide rail 111 so as to use each storage space 121 to store certificates. The first driving component 130 can select a power source such as a motor, hydraulic or pneumatic, depending on the design requirements and use environment of the storage mechanism.

[0023] The push assembly 200 includes a base 210, a push plate, and a second driving component 230. The base 210 is connected to the frame 110 to provide a fixed foundation for the push assembly 200. In addition, the base 210 can also be fixed to other equipment, and the base 210 and the frame 110 maintain a fixed relative position. A horizontal first slide rail 211 is provided on the base 210, and the push plate slides along the first slide rail 211. The function of the second driving component 230 is to push the push plate to move along the first slide rail 211 to push the certificate into the corresponding storage space 121, or push the certificate out of the storage space 121. The push plate pushes the certificate to move accurately in and out of the storage space 121 in the horizontal direction. The first driving component 130 and the second driving component 230 can be linked, for example, after a certificate is pushed into the corresponding storage space 121, the cache rack 120 moves, and then the next certificate is pushed into the corresponding next storage space 121.

[0024] It is understandable that there can be one push plate, two push plates, or a greater number. The following description takes two push plates as an example. For the sake of ease of description, the two push plates are: a first push plate 220 and a second push plate 240. The structures of the first push plate 220 and the second push plate 240 can be the same or different.

[0025] In actual use, the cache rack 120 of the storage component 100 has a multi-layer storage space 121 to accommodate certificates. When the next module fails or shuts down, the cache rack 120 can be used to temporarily store multiple certificates. The current module does not need to shut down. After the next module resumes normal operation, the certificates are output for continuous automatic production, which reduces downtime waiting time and helps improve production efficiency. The storage mechanism proposed by the present invention is an automated and efficient certificate storage solution, and the management of certificates is more convenient and orderly.

[0026] In some embodiments of the present invention, in order to ensure stable storage and convenient access of the certificate, we optimize the structure of the cache rack 120, and the specific structure is as follows: the cache rack 120 adopts a frame structure to form a multi-layer storage space 121, which not only improves the overall structural strength and rigidity of the cache rack 120, but also increases the space utilization rate of the cache rack 120. Each storage space 121 is provided with an upper positioning block 122 and a lower positioning block 123, and a gap matching the thickness of the certificate is formed between the upper positioning block 122 and the lower positioning block 123. After the certificate enters, it can be accurately positioned to eliminate the slippage or displacement of the certificate. In order to facilitate the entry of the certificate, the upper positioning block 122 and the lower positioning block 123 are both designed with chamfers on the entrance side of the storage space 121. By setting the chamfers, the entrance is enlarged to prevent the certificate from colliding with the upper positioning block 122 and the lower positioning block 123, and the chamfers can push the certificate to automatically enter between the upper positioning block 122 and the lower positioning block 123, and also make the movement of the certificate smoother.

[0027] In some embodiments of the present invention, the first driving component 130 includes a first motor 131, a screw rod 132 and a nut 133. The first motor 131 serves as a power source, and its output shaft is connected to the screw rod 132. The screw rod 132 is parallel to the guide rail 111. The nut 133 is mounted on the screw rod 132 and connected to the cache rack 120 through a support plate. When the motor is working, the rotation of the screw rod 132 drives the nut 133 to move along the axial direction of the screw rod 132, thereby driving the cache rack 120 to move along the guide rail 111. The structure of the frame 110 has a vertical plate, and the screw rod 132 and the guide rail 111 are arranged on both sides of the vertical plate. A vertical slide groove is arranged on the frame 110 (vertical plate), and the support plate passes through the slide groove, and the structure is more compact.

[0028] During operation, by controlling the rotation of the first motor 131, the position of the cache rack 120 can be precisely controlled, thereby achieving rapid access to each storage space 121, which not only improves the efficiency of storing and retrieving certificates, but also ensures the accuracy and reliability of the operation.

[0029] It can be understood that, considering the continuous transportation of the certificate, taking the first push plate 220 pushing the certificate into the storage space 121 as an example, during the process of the first push plate 220 retreating, the first push plate 220 will collide with the certificate, and an improved design is made for the first push plate 220, and a push block 221 is connected to the end of the first push plate 220, and the push block 221 is connected to the first push plate 220 through a horizontal rotating shaft 222. When the first push plate 220 moves in a direction close to the cache rack 120, the push block 221 remains in a vertical state and contacts the certificate to push the certificate smoothly into the storage space 121; when the first push plate 220 moves in a direction away from the cache rack 120, the push block 221 contacts the certificate, and the push block 221 can rotate around the rotating shaft 222 to avoid the certificate, thereby preventing the certificate from being displaced by the push block 221. In addition, the first push plate 220 may also have a lifting function. After the certificate is pushed into the storage space 121, the first push plate 220 rises a certain distance to avoid the certificate. The first push plate 220 may be driven to rise and fall by structures such as a cylinder and a cam.

[0030] Furthermore, in order to keep the push block 221 in a vertical state and improve the stability of pushing the certificate, the first push plate 220 is connected to an elastic member, the function of which is to keep the push block 221 in a vertical state. When the first push plate 220 moves in a direction close to the cache rack 120, the elastic member provides a continuous force to ensure that the push block 221 always remains in a vertical state. When the first push plate 220 moves in a direction away from the cache rack 120, the push block 221 automatically flips over to avoid the certificate and returns to the initial position of pushing, and the elastic member drives the push block 221 to restore the vertical state. The elastic member can be an elastic member such as a spring, an elastic rubber or a shrapnel. For example, the elastic member is a torsion spring, which is mounted on the rotating shaft 222, and the two ends are respectively connected to the first push plate 220 and the push block 221.

[0031] In actual use, when the certificate needs to be pushed into the storage space 121, the second driving component 230 will push the first push plate 220 to move toward the cache rack 120, and the push block 221 will remain in a vertical state under the action of the elastic member to ensure contact with the certificate. After the push is completed, the second driving component 230 will pull the first push plate 220 back, and the push block 221 will contact the certificate, and the push block 221 will automatically rotate around the rotation axis 222 to avoid the certificate. In addition, the structure of the first push plate 220 provides a limit and support for the push block 221. For example, the first push plate 220 abuts against the side of the push block 221. When the push block 221 pushes the certificate, the push block 221 cannot rotate around the rotation axis 222, and has sufficient thrust to improve the reliability of use.

[0032] In some embodiments of the present invention, the second driving component 230 includes a second motor 231, a driving wheel 232, a driven wheel 233 and a synchronous belt 234. The second motor 231 is a power source. The second motor 231 is fixed on the base 210 and is located at one end of the first slide rail 211. The driven wheel 233 is rotatably connected to the base 210 and is located at the other end of the first slide rail 211. The output shaft of the second motor 231 is fixedly mounted with the driving wheel 232. The driving wheel 232 and the driven wheel 233 are connected by the synchronous belt 234 to form a transmission system, which ensures the tension and stable operation of the synchronous belt 234. The synchronous belt 234 is a flexible transmission element that can move and transmit power between the driving wheel 232 and the driven wheel 233.

[0033] The first push plate 220 is fixedly connected to the synchronous belt 234 via the first arm 223. The second motor 231 is started to drive the driving wheel 232 to rotate, and the first push plate 220 is driven to move linearly along the first slide rail 211 via the synchronous belt 234. The first push plate 220 can accurately push the certificate to the predetermined storage space 121.

[0034] In actual application, the structure of the second driving component 230 controls the movement of the first push plate 220 by controlling the start, stop and speed of the second motor 231, so as to achieve accurate pushing of the certificate. For example, when the certificate needs to be stored in the storage space 121, the second motor 231 is started to drive the first push plate 220 to move along the first slide rail 211 toward the cache rack 120, and the push block 221 pushes the certificate into the storage space 121. After the pushing is completed, the second motor 231 is reversed, and the first push plate 220 returns to its original position to prepare for the next pushing.

[0035] In some embodiments of the present invention, in order to realize the automatic storage and retrieval of the certificate, the storage mechanism is designed to include a first push plate 220, a second push plate 240 and a third driving component 250. The first push plate 220 is used to push the certificate into the storage space 121, and the second push plate 240 is used to push the certificate out of the storage space 121. The second push plate 240 is slidably connected to the second slide rail 212 provided on the base 210, and the second slide rail 212 is also arranged horizontally and parallel to the first slide rail 211. The third driving component 250 is responsible for pushing the second push plate 240 to move along the second slide rail 212, so as to realize the action of the second push plate 240 pushing the certificate out.

[0036] The second push plate 240 can be set above the push plate 220, or the second push plate 240 can be set below the push plate 220. The height difference between the second push plate 240 and the push plate 220 matches the height of two adjacent storage spaces 121, or matches two storage spaces 121 of any height. The push plate 220 pushes the certificate into the storage space 121 on the lower layer, and the second push plate 240 pushes the certificate out of the storage space 121 on the upper layer, without interfering with each other and proceeding in an orderly manner.

[0037] The second push plate 240 and the push plate 220 may also be arranged at the same height, which can also satisfy that the push plate 220 is used to push the certificate into the storage space 121 , and the second push plate 240 is used to push the certificate out of the storage space 121 .

[0038] Furthermore, along the moving direction of the second push plate 240, the difference between the stroke of the second push plate 240 and the stroke of the push plate 220 is greater than the length of the storage space 121, ensuring that the second push plate 240 can penetrate the entire storage space 121 when moving, thereby effectively pushing the certificate to completely leave the storage space 121.

[0039] In actual application, when it is necessary to take out the certificate stored in the storage space 121, the third driving component 250 is started to push the second push plate 240 to move along the second slide rail 212, and the front end of the second push plate 240 contacts the certificate and applies a thrust to push the certificate out of the storage space 121. The second push plate 240 can be provided with two push surfaces distributed at intervals, so that the certificate is pushed to move more smoothly and with balanced force.

[0040] It is understandable that the structure of the third driving component 250 is the same as that of the second driving component 230, both of which are motor-driven synchronous belts to drive the second push plate 240, which is only for the convenience of description. Alternatively, the third driving component 250 uses an electric push rod to directly drive the second push plate 240.

[0041] In some embodiments of the present invention, the base 210 is designed to include a first mounting plate 213 and a second mounting plate 214, the first mounting plate 213 and the second mounting plate 214 are arranged in a vertical direction with an interval, the second mounting plate 214 is located above the first mounting plate 213, the first slide rail 211 is arranged on the top surface of the first mounting plate 213, and the second slide rail 212 is arranged on the bottom surface of the second mounting plate 214, so that the first slide rail 211 and the second slide rail 212 are distributed between the first mounting plate 213 and the second mounting plate 214, the structure is compact, the occupied space is reduced, and it is conducive to designing the height difference between the second push plate 240 and the push plate 220, thereby reducing parts.

[0042] The embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention proposes an automated printing device, which has multiple modules, including a certificate loading module, a first printing module, a second printing module, etc., and can continuously and automatically complete multiple printing tasks. A storage mechanism can be set at the output end of each module, and the cache rack 120 of the storage mechanism has a multi-layer storage space 121 to accommodate the certificates. When the next module fails or shuts down, the cache rack 120 can be used to temporarily store the certificates. After the next module resumes normal operation, the certificates are output for continuous automated production, which reduces downtime waiting time and helps improve production efficiency. Each module can be provided with a storage mechanism, or some modules can be provided with a storage mechanism, which can be determined according to actual usage requirements.

[0043] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various changes can be made within the knowledge scope of ordinary technicians in the relevant technical field without departing from the purpose of the present invention.

Claims

1. A storage mechanism, characterized in that: include: The storage assembly comprises a frame, a buffer rack and a first driving component, wherein the frame is provided with a guide rail, the buffer rack is slidably connected to the guide rail, the first driving component can drive the buffer rack to move, and the buffer rack is provided with multiple layers of storage space to accommodate printed matter; The pushing component includes a base, a push plate and a second driving component. The base is connected to the frame, the base is provided with a horizontal first slide rail, the push plate is slidably connected to the first slide rail, and the second driving component can push the push plate to move so as to push the printed matter to move in and out of the storage space.

2. The storage mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cache rack is a frame structure and forms multiple layers of storage space. An upper positioning block and a lower positioning block are provided in each storage space. There is a gap between the upper positioning block and the lower positioning block to match the thickness of the printed matter. On the entrance side of the storage space, the upper positioning block and the lower positioning block are both provided with chamfers.

3. The storage mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first driving component includes a first motor, a screw rod and a nut. The screw rod is connected to the output shaft of the first motor and is arranged vertically. The nut is sleeved on the screw rod. The nut is connected to the cache rack through a support plate. The rack is provided with a vertical slide groove, and the support plate passes through the slide groove.

4. The storage mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: A push block is connected to the end of the push plate, and the push block is connected to the push plate through a horizontal rotating shaft. When the push plate moves toward the direction approaching the cache rack, the push block maintains a vertical state to push the printed matter; when the push plate moves away from the cache rack, the push block contacts the printed matter and can rotate to avoid it.

5. The storage mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that: The push plate is connected with an elastic member, and under the action of the elastic member, the push block maintains a vertical state.

6. The storage mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second driving component includes a second motor, a driving wheel, a driven wheel and a synchronous belt. The second motor is fixed to the machine base and is located at one end of the first slide rail. The driving wheel is fixed to the output shaft of the second motor. The driven wheel is rotatably connected to the machine base and is located at the other end of the first slide rail. The synchronous belt is connected to the driving wheel and the driven wheel. The push plate is fixedly connected to the synchronous belt via a first support arm.

7. The storage mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pushing assembly includes two pushing plates, two second driving components and two first slide rails, wherein one pushing plate is used to push the printed matter into the storage space, and the other pushing plate is used to push the printed matter out of the storage space.

8. The storage mechanism according to claim 7, characterized in that: Along the moving direction of the push plates, a stroke difference between the two push plates is greater than the length of the storage space.

9. The storage mechanism according to claim 7, characterized in that: The machine base is provided with a first mounting plate and a second mounting plate which are spaced apart from each other in an upper and lower direction. The first slide rail is provided on the top surface of the first mounting plate, and the second slide rail is provided on the bottom surface of the second mounting plate.

10. Automated printing equipment, characterized in that, Comprising the storage mechanism as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9.

Images