Cargo replacement device and cargo replacement method

Abstract

The invention relates to a cargo replacing device and a cargo replacing method. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a cargo replacement apparatus includes: an automatic loading portion configured to load a first cargo thereon and move to a designated position; a transport section configured to load a second cargo thereon different from the first cargo and to transfer the second cargo; the buffering part is arranged between the automatic loading part and the conveying part; and a replacement portion configured to replace the first cargo and the second cargo together with the buffer portion. Therefore, the goods can be prevented from being damaged, and the replacement speed of different goods can be increased.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0093960, filed on Jul. 19, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a cargo replacement device and a cargo replacement method. Background Art

[0004] Conventionally, when workers move goods to a warehouse or storehouse, or when workers move goods from a warehouse or storehouse to a desired destination, the moving operation is performed by manually loading the goods onto a cart. Since such loading operations are repeatedly performed and the weight of the goods is large, workers may encounter accidents or come into contact with hazardous materials during manual operations, and the logistics process may be delayed due to damage to the goods and incorrect information about the goods.

[0005] To this end, a system capable of constructing various types of logistics processes has recently been developed to maximize profits and improve efficiency. As people's attention and demand for logistics technology increase, research in related fields such as logistics transportation, automation, efficiency, environmental protection technology, and unmanned driving technology is being actively carried out.

[0006] Related technical literature

[0007] (Patent Document 1) KR 2022-0066714 A. Summary of the invention

[0008] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a cargo replacement device and a cargo replacement method capable of preventing cargo damage are provided.

[0009] In addition, according to another aspect of the present disclosure, a cargo replacement device and a cargo replacement method capable of improving a replacement speed between different cargoes are provided.

[0010] According to the present disclosure, there is provided a cargo replacement device, comprising: an automatic loading section configured to load a first cargo thereon and move to a designated location; a transport section configured to load a second cargo different from the first cargo thereon and transfer the second cargo; a buffer section disposed between the automatic loading section and the transport section; and a replacement section configured to replace the first cargo and the second cargo together with the buffer section.

[0011] According to an embodiment, the replacement part can transport the first cargo and temporarily load the first cargo on the buffer part, can transport the second cargo and load the second cargo on the automatic loading part, and can load the first cargo loaded on the buffer part on the transport part. In addition, when the first cargo is loaded on the buffer part, the buffer part can measure the weight of the first cargo.

[0012] According to an embodiment, the automatic loading part may move the second cargo loaded on the automatic loading part to the outside of the replacing part, and the transporting part may transport the first cargo loaded on the transporting part to the outside of the replacing part.

[0013] According to an embodiment, the cargo replacement device may further include: a control unit configured to determine whether the measured weight is within a preset value range, and when the control unit determines that the measured weight is not within the preset value range, the control unit may generate an alarm.

[0014] According to an embodiment, the replacement part may include: a plurality of support frames vertically arranged at positions spaced apart from each other; a horizontal frame mounted on the support frames; guide rails mounted on the left and right sides of the horizontal frames along the longitudinal direction of the horizontal frames; and a cargo transfer unit configured to be driven forward and backward on the guide rails and to be able to be raised and lowered in a vertical direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0015] According to an embodiment, the cargo transfer unit may include: a driving mechanism configured to transport the cargo forward and backward; a lifting mechanism configured to move the cargo up and down; a rotating mechanism configured to change the loading direction of the cargo; and a holding mechanism configured to hold the cargo.

[0016] According to an embodiment, the first cargo may be wound spools of wound material and the second cargo may be empty spools without material, or the first cargo may be empty spools and the second cargo may be wound spools.

[0017] According to an embodiment, the material may include an electrode material of a battery.

[0018] According to the present disclosure, there is provided a cargo replacement method, comprising: loading a first cargo onto an automatic loading unit and moving the automatic loading unit to a designated position; loading a second cargo different from the first cargo onto a transport unit and transporting the second cargo; placing a buffer unit between the automatic loading unit and the transport unit; and replacing the first cargo and the second cargo together with the buffer unit.

[0019] According to an embodiment, replacing the first cargo and the second cargo may include: transporting the first cargo through the replacement part and temporarily loading the first cargo on the buffer part; measuring the weight of the first cargo through the buffer part; transporting the second cargo through the replacement part and loading the second cargo on the automatic loading part; and loading the first cargo loaded on the buffer part on the transport part through the replacement part.

[0020] According to an embodiment, after replacing the first cargo and the second cargo, the cargo replacement method may further include: moving the second cargo loaded on the automatic loading part to the outside of the replacement part by the automatic loading part; and transporting the first cargo loaded on the transport part to the outside of the replacement part by the transport part.

[0021] According to an embodiment, replacing the first cargo and the second cargo may further include determining, by the control unit, whether the measured weight is within a preset value range, and generating an alarm when the control unit determines that the measured weight is not within the preset value range.

[0022] According to an embodiment, the first cargo may be wound spools of wound material and the second cargo may be empty spools without material, or the first cargo may be empty spools and the second cargo may be wound spools.

[0023] According to an embodiment, the material may include an electrode material of a battery.

[0024] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, damage to goods can be prevented.

[0025] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the replacement speed between different goods can be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0027] Figure 1 is an overall schematic diagram showing a process of inputting and unloading goods through various process equipment and various warehouses according to an embodiment;

[0028] Figure 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a cargo replacement device according to an embodiment;

[0029] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing a control unit of a cargo replacement device according to an embodiment;

[0030] Figure 4 is a perspective view schematically showing a replacement portion of a cargo replacement device according to an embodiment;

[0031] Figure 5is a perspective view schematically showing a cargo transfer unit of the cargo replacement device according to the embodiment; and

[0032] Figure 6 is a flow chart schematically illustrating a cargo replacement method according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The objects, advantages and features of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description and exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In addition, in the specification of the present disclosure, it should be noted that when the known technology related to the present disclosure may make the subject of the present disclosure unclear, its detailed description will be omitted.

[0034] In adding reference numerals to components throughout the drawings, it is to be noted that the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar components even though the components are shown in different drawings.

[0035] The terms used in the present disclosure are used to describe the embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, a singular expression includes a plural expression.

[0036] For the purpose of describing the embodiments, the drawings may be exaggerated or shown schematically.

[0037] In the present disclosure disclosed herein, the expressions “having”, “may have”, “including” and “comprising” or “may include” and “may include” used herein indicate the presence of corresponding features (e.g., elements such as values, functions, operations or components), but do not exclude the presence of additional features.

[0038] The terms “a”, “the other”, “another”, “first”, “second” and the like are used to distinguish one constituent element from another constituent element, and these constituent elements should not be limited by these terms.

[0039] It should be understood that when terms such as up, down, left, right, X-axis, Y-axis, Z-axis, etc. are used in the specification to indicate directions, these terms are merely for the convenience of description, and these directions may be expressed in a manner different from the directions indicated by these terms depending on the viewing position of the observer or the position of the object.

[0040] The embodiments described in the present disclosure and the accompanying drawings are not intended to limit the present disclosure to the specific forms disclosed. The present disclosure should be understood to cover all modifications, equivalents and / or alternatives of the embodiments.

[0041] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that such embodiments are provided to further understand the spirit of the present disclosure and do not limit the subject matter to be protected as disclosed in the detailed description and the appended claims.

[0042] Figure 1 is an overall schematic diagram showing the process of inputting and unloading goods through various process equipment and various warehouses according to an embodiment. Here, the goods can be defined as winding reels 20, 30, 40 in which the material M is wound on the mandrel C in a roll, and can also be defined as empty reels 22, 32, 42 with only the mandrel C. In addition, here, the material M is described as an electrode material of a battery, but this is only an example. Therefore, as long as the material M does not depart from the scope of the present disclosure, the material M can be replaced with any material that can be used in other industrial sites or other production lines.

[0043] Reference Figure 1 , at least one process equipment required for manufacturing battery electrodes, and at least one warehouse (or storage) capable of automatically inputting and outputting such electrode materials may be provided on site. The winding bobbins 20, 30, and 40 or the empty bobbins 22, 32, and 42 may be moved from the process equipment to the warehouse by the automatic loading section V, and may be moved from the warehouse to the process equipment by the automatic loading section V. The automatic loading section V may be a device configured to accurately and safely drive and move the corresponding bobbins after the winding bobbins 20, 30, and 40 or the empty bobbins 22, 32, and 42 are loaded onto the automatic loading section V. For example, the automatic loading section V may include an automatic guided vehicle (AGV) or the like.

[0044] In the manufacture of the battery electrode, the process equipment may include, for example, a mixing process equipment 100 , a coating process equipment 104 , a pressing process equipment 108 , a slitting process equipment 110 , and the like.

[0045] The mixing process apparatus 100 can perform mixing by inputting a conductive agent and a binder into an active material.

[0046] The coating process apparatus 104 may apply the slurry in which the active material, the conductive agent, and the binder provided by the mixing process apparatus 100 are mixed with each other onto the electrode material.

[0047] The pressing process device 108 can perform compression so that the electrode material and the active material are firmly attached to each other.

[0048] The slitting process equipment 110 can adjust the size of the electrodes for use in the battery assembly process performed later.

[0049] On the other hand, the warehouse may include a foil warehouse 120 and a jumbo roll warehouse 130 .

[0050] The foil warehouse 120 may store and accommodate a foil-wound bobbin 20 including an electrode material such as a foil supplied from the outside. In addition, in the foil warehouse 120 , a foilless empty bobbin 22 may be replaced with the foil-wound bobbin 20 .

[0051] The jumbo roll warehouse 130 can store and contain electrode materials supplied from the coating process equipment 104 and the pressing process equipment 108. For example, the jumbo roll warehouse 130 can store and contain the first jumbo winding bobbin 30 and the second jumbo winding bobbin 40 including the electrode material that has completed the coating process and the electrode material that has completed the pressing process. In addition, in the jumbo roll warehouse 130, the first jumbo winding bobbin 30 and the second jumbo winding bobbin 40 can be replaced with the first jumbo empty bobbin 32 and the second jumbo empty bobbin 42.

[0052] The process of automatically inputting and unloading the wound bobbins 20, 30 and 40 or the empty bobbins 22, 32 and 42 through the various process equipment and various warehouses is as follows:

[0053] As shown by arrow 2, the foil winding bobbin 20 in the foil warehouse 120 can be loaded on the automatic loading part V, and then the automatic loading part V can move to the coating process equipment 104. As shown by arrow 4, the automatic loading part V can move the foil-free empty bobbin 22 from the coating process equipment 104 to the foil warehouse 120. In the foil warehouse 120, the foil-free empty bobbin 22 can be replaced with the foil winding bobbin 20. In this way, the processes shown by arrows 2 and 4 can be repeated.

[0054] As shown by arrow 6, the first jumbo winding bobbin 30 containing the electrode material that has completed the coating process in the coating process equipment 104 can be loaded onto the automatic loading part V, and then the automatic loading part V is moved to the jumbo roll warehouse 130. In the jumbo roll warehouse 130, the first jumbo winding bobbin 30 is replaced with the first jumbo winding empty bobbin 32, and the first jumbo winding bobbin 30 is stored in the jumbo roll warehouse 130. As shown by arrow 8, the first jumbo winding empty bobbin 32 can be loaded on the automatic loading part V, and then the automatic loading part V can be moved to the coating process equipment 104. In this way, the processes shown by arrows 6 and 8 can be repeated.

[0055] As shown by arrow 10, the first jumbo winding bobbin 30 in the jumbo coil warehouse 130 can be loaded on the automatic loading part V, and then the automatic loading part V can be moved to the pressing process equipment 108. As shown by arrow 12, the second jumbo winding bobbin 40 containing the electrode material that has completed the pressing process in the pressing process equipment 108 can be loaded on the automatic loading part V, and then the automatic loading part V can be moved to the jumbo coil warehouse 130. In the jumbo coil warehouse 130, the second jumbo winding bobbin 40 can be replaced with the second jumbo winding empty bobbin 42, and the second jumbo winding bobbin 40 can be stored in the jumbo coil warehouse 130. As shown by arrow 14, the second jumbo winding empty bobbin 42 can be loaded on the automatic loading part V, and then the automatic loading part V can be moved to the pressing process equipment 108. In this way, the processes shown by arrows 10, 12, and 14 can be repeated.

[0056] As shown by arrow 16, the second jumbo winding bobbin 40 stored and contained in the jumbo coil warehouse 130 may be loaded on the automatic loading part V, and then the automatic loading part V may be moved to the slitting process equipment 110. The electrode material that has completed the slitting process in the slitting process equipment 110 may be moved to a battery assembly process equipment (not shown) to perform a battery assembly process.

[0057] The above process is only an example for summarizing the content of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In addition, the movement of the winding bobbins 20, 30 and 40 or the empty bobbins 22, 32 and 42 by the automatic loading unit V can be changed according to the setting position of each process equipment and each warehouse, as long as it does not exceed the scope of the present disclosure.

[0058] Figure 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a cargo replacement device according to an embodiment.

[0059] The goods replacement device 200 can be set in a warehouse and can replace different goods with each other. The warehouse is a place where goods are replaced with each other. For example, Figure 1 As shown, the warehouse may include a foil warehouse 120 or a jumbo roll warehouse 130 .

[0060] The cargo replacement device 200 may include: an automatic loading unit 220 configured to load a first cargo 204 thereon and move the first cargo 204 to a designated location; a transport unit 230 configured to load a second cargo 208 different from the first cargo 204 and transport the second cargo 208; a buffer unit 240 disposed between the automatic loading unit 220 and the transport unit 230; a replacement unit 250 configured to replace the first cargo 204 and the second cargo 208 together with the buffer unit 240; and a control unit 300 configured to control the automatic loading unit 220, the transport unit 230, the buffer unit 240, and the replacement unit 250. Here, the first cargo 204 may be a winding bobbin of a winding material, and the second cargo 208 may be an empty bobbin without material. Alternatively, the first cargo 204 may be an empty bobbin without material, and the second cargo 208 may be a winding bobbin of a winding material. Such a material may include an electrode material of a battery.

[0061] like Figure 1 As shown, the automatic loading unit 220 may be a device loaded with goods such as a wound bobbin or an empty bobbin and configured to move the corresponding goods through accurate and safe driving.

[0062] The automatic loading section 220 may include a cargo bracket 222 located on an upper plate of the automatic loading section 220 so that the first cargo 204 can be loaded on the automatic loading section 220. The automatic loading section 220 may move to a predetermined path according to the setting of the worker. For example, the automatic loading section 220 may move to the replacement section 250. In addition, the automatic loading section 220 may stop or wait at a designated position so that the first cargo 204 and the second cargo 208 can be quickly replaced. For example, the automatic loading section 220 may supply the first cargo 204 to the replacement section 250 and may receive the second cargo 208 from the replacement section 250 without moving from a designated position. After the first cargo 204 and the second cargo 208 are replaced, the automatic loading section 220 may load the second cargo 208 thereon, and then the automatic loading section 220 may move out of the replacement section 250.

[0063] The second cargo 208 may be loaded on the transport device 248, and then the transport unit 230 may move the second cargo 208 to the replacement unit 250. The transport unit 230 may include a conveyor belt conveyor configured to load cargo on a conveyor belt and transport the cargo by circulating a conveyor belt formed of rubber, fabric, wire mesh, steel plate, etc., and may include a roller conveyor configured to load cargo on a roller and transport the cargo by using the roller, but is not limited thereto, and may include various transport devices capable of transporting cargo. Such transport devices may include various transport machines that directly load cargo.

[0064] The first side portion of the transport portion 230 may be located inside the replacement portion 250, and the second side portion of the transport portion 230 may be located outside the replacement portion 250. Since the second side portion of the transport portion 230 does not interfere with the replacement portion 250, a stacker (not shown) may approach the second side portion of the transport portion 230. Therefore, the transport portion 230 may transport goods supplied from the replacement portion 250 and then transport the goods to the stacker, or may transport goods supplied from the stacker and then transfer the goods to the replacement portion 250. For example, the transport portion 230 may transport the first goods 204 supplied from the replacement portion 250 and then transport the first goods 204 to the stacker, and may transport the second goods 208 supplied from the stacker and then transport the second goods 208 to the replacement portion 250.

[0065] The stacker may input goods into the transport section 230, or may unload goods from the transport section 230. For example, the stacker may input the second goods 208 into the transport section 230 so as to supply the second goods 208 loaded on a shelf or rack in the warehouse to the replacement section 250. In addition, the stacker may unload the first goods 204 from the transport section 230 in order to store the first goods 204 supplied from the replacement section 250 on a shelf or rack in the warehouse.

[0066] The buffer section 240 may include a buffer cargo bracket 242 on an upper plate of the buffer section 240 so that the first cargo 204 is temporarily loaded on the buffer cargo bracket 242. In addition, the buffer section 240 may be located in the replacement section 250. In particular, the buffer section 240 may be located between the automatic loading section 220 and the transportation section 230. In addition, the buffer section 240 may be located between the automatic loading section 220 and at least a portion of the transportation section 230 (e.g., a first side portion of the transportation section 230). Therefore, the buffer section 240, the automatic loading section 220, and at least a portion of the transportation section 230 may be aligned in a line with each other in the replacement section 250.

[0067] The buffer section 240 is located between the automatic loading section 220 and the transport section 230. Therefore, in the replacement section 250, the operation moving lines for replacing the first cargo 204 and the second cargo 208 can be significantly reduced. The reduction of the operation moving lines can increase the replacement speed between different cargoes while preventing cargo damage to the greatest extent, thereby increasing the convenience of work, and can also significantly reduce the complexity of automation.

[0068] In addition, the buffer 240 may include a sensor 246 capable of measuring the weight of the first cargo 204 when the first cargo 204 is loaded on the buffer 240 .

[0069] Data of the weight value measured by the sensor 246 may be transmitted to the control unit 300 .

[0070] Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating a control unit of a cargo replacement device according to an embodiment.

[0071] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 As described above, the control unit 300 is connected to the automatic loading part 220, the transportation part 230, the buffer part 240, and the replacement part 250 in a wired or wireless manner, and can control each component part individually or comprehensively.

[0072] The control unit 300 may include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), various dedicated artificial intelligences (AI), computing chips, various computing units running machine learning model algorithms, a digital signal processor (DSP), any appropriate processor, controller, microcontroller, etc., but is not limited thereto. The control unit 300 may be various types of digital computers.

[0073] For example, the control unit 300 can be a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a workbench, a personal digital assistant, a server, a blade server, a mainframe computer, or other suitable computers. In addition, the control unit 300 can be a mobile device in various forms, such as a personal digital assistant, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a wearable device, and other similar computing devices.

[0074] In particular, the control unit 300 may determine whether the weight of the goods measured in the buffer 240 is within a preset value range.

[0075] To this end, the control unit 300 may include an input unit 302 , an output unit 304 , a storage unit 306 , a communication unit 308 , a power supply unit 310 , and a processor unit 312 .

[0076] The input unit 302 allows a worker to input commands or data, and may include hard keys, soft keys, a touch pad, a mouse, etc. In addition, the input unit 302 may have a touch screen form, and the output unit 304 is described below. Therefore, data for determining whether the goods temporarily loaded on the buffer 240 are normal goods may be input into the input unit 302 in advance by a worker.

[0077] The output unit 304 is configured to output input and received data, and may include a light emitting diode, a display, a speaker, etc. For example, when an abnormality occurs in the goods temporarily loaded on the buffer 240 , the output unit 304 may generate an alarm.

[0078] The storage unit 306 is configured to store all data for managing the operation of the cargo replacement device 200. For example, the data may include program code or executable commands, data structures, program modules, other data, etc., and the storage unit 306 may include a hard disk, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, etc.

[0079] The communication unit 308 can communicate with the automatic loading unit 220, the transportation unit 230, the buffer unit 240, and the replacement unit 250 in a wired or wireless manner, so as to be able to send and receive data with each component. In particular, the communication unit 308 can send a cargo measurement command to the buffer unit 240 to measure the weight of the loaded cargo, and can receive data on the measured cargo weight.

[0080] The power supply unit 310 may supply power to various components of the control unit 300 by using an external power source (using an external power grid or an external power source) or using an internal power source (such as a built-in rechargeable battery).

[0081] The processor unit 312 can operate by reading the program code stored in the storage unit 306. Therefore, the processor unit 312 can manage the driving and operation of the automatic loading section 220, the transportation section 230, and the replacement section 250. For example, the processor unit 312 can manage the number of movements and the movement speed of the automatic loading section 220, and can adjust the driving time and driving speed of the transportation section 230 in consideration of when the automatic loading section 220 enters the replacement section 250, and can control the operation time and operation speed of the replacement section 250.

[0082] In particular, the processor unit 312 may determine whether the cargo weight value received by the communication unit 308 is within a preset value range stored in the storage unit 306 .

[0083] When the cargo weight value is within the preset value range, the processor unit 312 may inform the worker through the output unit 304 that there is nothing abnormal with the cargo loaded on the buffer 240 , and then continue to perform subsequent processes.

[0084] When the cargo weight value is not within the preset value range, the processor unit 312 may notify the worker through the output unit 304 that there is an abnormality in the cargo loaded on the buffer unit 240 , and stop the operations of the transport unit 230 and the replacement unit 250 .

[0085] Therefore, the processor unit 312 can determine whether the goods loaded on the buffer part 240 are empty spools or winding spools. In addition, by notifying the worker of the determination result, the worker can conveniently check the process currently being carried out. For example, when the replacement part 250 replaces the first goods 204 supplied by the automatic loading part 220 with the second goods 208 transported by the transport part 230, the first goods 204 need to be loaded from the replacement part 250 through the buffer part 240, so that the worker knows that the current process is in the situation where the first goods 204 are input and the second goods 208 are unloaded.

[0086] In addition, when the first cargo 204 loaded on the buffer 240 is a winding bobbin, the processor unit 312 can measure the weight of the winding bobbin through the buffer 240, and the processor unit 312 can determine whether there is an abnormality in the winding bobbin. Therefore, since the processor unit 312 immediately notifies the worker of the determination result, the worker can check whether the current winding bobbin is a normal winding bobbin or an abnormal winding bobbin. In other words, during the cargo replacement process, the worker can instantly know the status of the cargo, so that information errors about the cargo status can be avoided.

[0087] The processor unit 312 may include a device capable of processing information such as a central processing unit (CPU), a programmable logic circuit (PLC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a system on a chip (SOC), a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), etc.

[0088] Figure 4 is a perspective view schematically showing a replacing portion of the cargo replacing device according to the embodiment. Figure 5 Schematically shows a perspective view of a cargo transfer unit of a cargo replacement device according to an embodiment. Figure 4 and Figure 5 To describe the present disclosure.

[0089] The replacement part 250 may include: a plurality of support frames 252, which are vertically arranged at positions spaced apart from each other; a horizontal frame 254, which is installed on the support frame 252; a guide rail 260, which is installed on the left and right sides of the horizontal frame 254 along the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction) of the horizontal frame 254; and a cargo transfer unit 258, which is constructed to be driven back and forth on the guide rail 260 and to be lifted and lowered along a vertical direction (Z-axis direction) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0090] For example, refer again to Figure 2The cargo transfer unit 258 can rotate, can be driven forward and backward, and can be raised and lowered in order to replace the first cargo 204 and the second cargo 208. Therefore, the cargo transfer unit 258 can move each of the first cargo 204 and the second cargo 208 upward and can move each of the first cargo 204 and the second cargo 208 downward to a desired destination.

[0091] For this reason, Figure 5 As shown, the cargo transfer unit 258 may include: a drive mechanism 2510, which is configured to transfer cargo back and forth (e.g. Figure 2 The first cargo 204 or the second cargo 208 shown in the figure); a lifting mechanism 2520 configured to move the cargo up and down; a rotating mechanism 2530 configured to change the loading direction of the cargo; and a holding mechanism 2540 configured to hold the cargo.

[0092] Specifically, the driving mechanism 2510 may be mounted on the guide rail 260 so that the driving mechanism 2510 can be driven forward and backward. Therefore, the driving mechanism 2510 can perform driving movement in a direction (Y-axis direction) parallel to the horizontal frame 254 along the guide rail 310 by operation of a driving module (not shown). The driving module may be mounted on at least one of the driving mechanism 2510, the lifting mechanism 2520, and the rotating mechanism 2530.

[0093] By operating the driving module, the lifting mechanism 2520 can move toward the automatic loading unit 220, the buffer unit 240 or the transportation unit 230 (see FIG. Figure 2 ) performs up and down lifting and lowering movement. Through the operation of the driving module, the rotating mechanism 2530 can rotate around the rotation axis R relative to the driving mechanism 2510. Here, the rotation axis R is set at the center of the driving mechanism 2510 and is formed in a direction parallel to the support frame 252 (Z-axis direction). In particular, the rotating mechanism 2530 can change the loading direction of the goods. For example, referring to Figure 5 and Figure 2 When the loading direction of the cargo (cargo loaded along the Y-axis direction) of the automatic loading unit 220 is different from the loading direction of the cargo (cargo loaded along the X-axis direction) of the transportation unit 230 and the second cargo 208 needs to be loaded onto the automatic loading unit 220, the rotating mechanism 2530 can rotate 90 degrees so that the second cargo 208 can be loaded onto the automatic loading unit 220.

[0094] The holding mechanism 2540 may include a carriage moving device 2544 installed on both sides of the rotating mechanism 2530 and reciprocating in a linear direction (X-axis direction), and may include a pair of holding arms 2548 installed at both ends of the carriage moving device 2544 and configured to hold the cargo according to the reciprocating motion of the carriage moving device 2544. A cylinder (not shown) for reciprocating the carriage moving device 2544 and a driving motor (not shown) for operating the cylinder may be installed in the rotating mechanism 2530. An opening 2560 may be formed at the lower portion of the pair of holding arms 2548 so that the mandrel of the first cargo 204 or the second cargo 208 can be matched with each opening 2560. Alternatively, instead of the opening 2560, a clamp may be formed at each lower portion of the pair of holding arms 2548 so that the mandrel of the cargo can be clamped or held.

[0095] Figure 6 is a flow chart schematically illustrating a cargo replacement method according to an embodiment.

[0096] The cargo replacement method may include a first moving process S620, a first transporting process S640, a placing process S660, and a replacing process S680.

[0097] First, in the first moving process S620, the automatic loading unit 220 may load the first cargo 204 and move to a designated position. For example, the automatic loading unit 220 may stop or wait at a designated position in the replacement unit 250 to supply the first cargo 204 to the replacement unit 250 and receive the second cargo 208 from the replacement unit 250.

[0098] In the first transport process S640, the transport part 230 may load the second cargo 208 different from the first cargo 204, and then may transport the second cargo 208. The second cargo 208 may be cargo supplied from a stacker.

[0099] In the placement process S660, the buffer part 240 may be disposed in the replacement part 250. In particular, the buffer part 240 may be disposed between the automatic loading part 220 and the transportation part 230.

[0100] exist Figure 6 In the embodiment, it is shown that the cargo replacement method is performed in the order of the first moving process S620, the first transporting process S640, and the placing process S660. However, this order is only an example, and the cargo replacement method is not performed in a specific order. For example, at least two of the first moving process S620, the first transporting process S640, and the placing process S660 can be started at the same time, and the placing process S660 can be started before the first moving process S620 or the first transporting process S640.

[0101] In the replacement process S680, the replacement part 250 may replace the first cargo 204 and the second cargo 208 together with the buffer part 240. The replacement part 250 may include a cargo transfer unit 258 so that cargoes different from each other can be replaced in the replacement part 250. Figure 5 The replacing portion 250 and the cargo transferring unit 258 that is movable on the upper portion of the replacing portion 250 are described in detail in the accompanying drawings, and thus a detailed description of the replacing portion 250 and the cargo transferring unit 258 will be omitted.

[0102] Specifically, the replacement process S680 may include a temporary loading process S6810, a weight measurement process S6820, a determination process S6830, an alarm process S6840, a first loading process S6850, and a second loading process S6860.

[0103] In the temporary loading process S6810 , the replacement part 250 maintains the first cargo 204 loaded on the automatic loading part 220 and transfers the first cargo 204 to the buffer part 240 so that the first cargo 204 can be temporarily loaded on the buffer part 240 .

[0104] In the weight measurement process S6820 , the buffer 240 may measure the weight of the first cargo 204 using the sensor 246 .

[0105] In the determination process S6830, the control unit 300 may receive data on the measured weight of the first cargo 204 and may determine whether the weight is within a preset value range. When the control unit 300 determines that the measured weight is not within the preset value range, the method proceeds to the alarm process S6840, and the control unit 300 may generate an alarm and may stop the operation of the replacement part 250.

[0106] In the determination process S6830, when the control unit 300 determines that the measured weight is within the preset value range, the method proceeds to the first loading process S6850.

[0107] In the first loading process S6850 , the replacement part 250 holds the second cargo 208 transported in the first transport process S640 , and transfers the second cargo 208 to the automatic loading part 220 so as to load the second cargo 208 onto the automatic loading part 220 .

[0108] In the second loading process S6860 , the replacement part 250 maintains the first cargo 204 loaded on the buffer part 240 , and transfers the first cargo 204 to the transportation part 230 , so that the first cargo 204 can be loaded on the transportation part 230 .

[0109] The cargo replacement method may further include a second moving process S700 and a second transporting process S720 performed after the replacement process S680.

[0110] In the second moving process S700, the automatic loading unit 220 may move the second goods 208 loaded in the first loading process S6850 to the outside of the replacement unit 250 for subsequent processes. In the second transporting process S720, in order to transfer the first goods 204 to the stacker, the transporting unit 230 may transport the first goods 204 loaded in the second loading process S6860 to the outside of the replacement unit 250. Figure 6 In the embodiment, it is shown that the cargo replacement method is performed in the order of the second moving process S700 and the second transportation process S720. However, this order is only an example, and the cargo replacement method is not performed in a specific order. For example, the second moving process S700 and the second transportation process S720 can be performed simultaneously, or the second transportation process S720 can be started before the second moving process S700.

[0111] In the above-mentioned cargo replacement method, when the first cargo 204 is an empty bobbin and the second cargo 208 is a wound bobbin, a replacement process (S620 to S720) according to the cargo replacement method may be performed in the foil warehouse 120, for example, wherein the foil-free empty bobbin 22 in the foil warehouse 120 is replaced with the foil wound bobbin 20, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 In addition, when the first cargo 204 is a winding bobbin and the second cargo 208 is an empty bobbin, a replacement process (S620 to S720) according to the cargo replacement method may be performed in the jumbo roll warehouse 130, for example, wherein the first jumbo winding bobbin 30 and the second jumbo winding bobbin 40 are replaced with the first jumbo winding empty bobbin 32 and the second jumbo winding empty bobbin 42 in the jumbo roll warehouse 130, as shown. Figure 1 shown.

[0112] The above contents are merely examples of applying the principles of the present disclosure, and other configurations may be further included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0113] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, it should be understood that the disclosure is not limited thereto, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure.

[0114] In addition, simple changes and modifications of the present disclosure are considered to be included in the scope and spirit of the present disclosure, and the protection scope of the present disclosure will be defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A cargo replacement device, comprising: an automatic loading unit, on which the first cargo is loaded and moved to a designated position; a transport section on which second cargo different from the first cargo is loaded and on which the second cargo is transferred; a buffer portion, disposed between the automatic loading portion and the transport portion; and A replacing part replaces the first cargo and the second cargo together with the buffer part.

2. The cargo replacement device according to claim 1, wherein: The replacing unit transports the first cargo and temporarily loads the first cargo on the buffer unit, transports the second cargo and loads the second cargo on the automatic loading unit, and loads the first cargo loaded on the buffer unit on the transport unit, and When the first cargo is loaded on the buffer part, the buffer part measures the weight of the first cargo.

3. The cargo replacement device according to claim 2, wherein: The automatic loading section moves the second cargo loaded on the automatic loading section to the outside of the replacing section, and the transport section transports the first cargo loaded on the transport section to the outside of the replacing section.

4. The cargo replacement device according to claim 2, further comprising: The control unit determines whether the measured weight is within a preset value range. Wherein, when the control unit determines that the measured weight is not within the preset value range, the control unit generates an alarm.

5. The cargo replacement device according to claim 1, wherein: The replacement unit comprises: A plurality of support frames are vertically arranged at mutually spaced positions; a horizontal frame mounted on the supporting frame; guide rails installed on left and right sides of the horizontal frame in a longitudinal direction of the horizontal frame; and The cargo transfer unit is driven forward and backward on the guide rail and is lifted and lowered in a vertical direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

6. The cargo replacement device according to claim 5, wherein: The cargo transfer unit comprises: The driving mechanism transports the goods forward and backward; A lifting mechanism for moving the cargo up and down; A rotating mechanism to change the loading direction of the cargo; and Holding the mechanism, holding the cargo.

7. The cargo replacement device according to claim 1, wherein: The first cargo is a wound spool of wound material and the second cargo is an empty spool without said material, or the first cargo is the empty spool and the second cargo is the wound spool.

8. The cargo replacement device according to claim 7, wherein: The materials include electrode materials for batteries.

9. A method for replacing goods, comprising: Loading a first cargo onto an automatic loading unit, and moving the automatic loading unit to a designated position; loading a second cargo different from the first cargo onto a transport unit and transporting the second cargo; placing a buffer portion between the automatic loading portion and the transport portion; and The replacing part replaces the first cargo and the second cargo together with the buffer part.

10. The cargo replacement method according to claim 9, wherein: Replacing the first cargo and the second cargo comprises: transporting the first cargo through the replacing section and temporarily loading the first cargo on the buffer section; measuring the weight of the first cargo through the buffer; transporting the second cargo through the replacing unit and loading the second cargo on the automatic loading unit; and The first cargo loaded on the buffer section is loaded on the transport section through the replacing section.

11. The cargo replacement method according to claim 10, wherein: After replacing the first cargo and the second cargo, the cargo replacement method further includes: moving the second cargo loaded on the automatic loading section to the outside of the replacing section through the automatic loading section; and The first cargo loaded on the transport section is transported to the outside of the replacement section by the transport section.

12. The cargo replacement method according to claim 10, wherein: Replacing the first cargo with the second cargo further includes determining, by a control unit, whether the measured weight is within a preset value range, and generating an alarm when the control unit determines that the measured weight is not within the preset value range.

13. The cargo replacement method according to claim 9, wherein: The first cargo is a wound spool of wound material and the second cargo is an empty spool without said material, or the first cargo is the empty spool and the second cargo is the wound spool.

14. The cargo replacement method according to claim 13, wherein: The materials include electrode materials for batteries.

Images