Warehousing system and distribution equipment thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses a warehousing system and distribution equipment thereof. The distribution device of the warehousing system comprises a lifting mechanism, a separating mechanism located above the lifting mechanism and a transferring mechanism adjacent to the separating mechanism. The lifting mechanism comprises a first lifting assembly, a carrying table and a second lifting assembly mounted on the carrying table or the first lifting assembly, the carrying table can move along a height direction by being mounted on the first lifting assembly, and the carrying table is used for carrying a carrier and a plurality of material parts stacked on the carrier along the height direction; the second lifting assembly can jack a plurality of materials in the height direction; the separating mechanism comprises a capturing head which is used for fixedly holding a material piece; the transferring mechanism can be used for taking away one material piece from the pick-up head. According to the warehousing system and the distribution equipment thereof, the carrier and the multiple material pieces can move along with the transferring mechanism, and the multiple material pieces can be efficiently and sequentially moved to the multiple material storage positions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage system and its dispensing device, and more particularly to a multi-axis storage system and its dispensing device. Background Art

[0002] In the existing storage system, the feeding method is that the transfer mechanism conveys the workpieces to the storage positions one by one from the storage feeding port. Therefore, for each workpiece, the transfer mechanism needs to reciprocate between the storage feeding port and the storage position once, and there is room for improvement in this operation efficiency. Thus, the inventor believes that the above defects can be improved, and then devotes himself to research and combines the application of scientific principles, and finally proposes the present invention with reasonable design and effective improvement of the above defects. Summary of the Invention

[0003] An embodiment of the present invention provides a storage system and its dispensing device, which can effectively improve the defects that may occur in the existing storage system.

[0004] An embodiment of the present invention discloses a storage system, which includes: a storage device including a plurality of storage positions; and a dispensing device disposed within the storage device, and the dispensing device includes: a lifting mechanism including: a first lifting assembly; a carrier mounted on the first lifting assembly so that the carrier can move along a height direction through the first lifting assembly; wherein the carrier is used to receive a carrier and a plurality of workpieces stacked along the height direction on the carrier; and a second lifting assembly mounted on the carrier or the first lifting assembly, and the second lifting assembly includes a pushing member for being disposed at the bottom side of the plurality of workpieces; wherein the second lifting assembly can lift the plurality of workpieces along the height direction with the pushing member; a separating mechanism located above the carrier along the height direction, and the separating mechanism includes a picking head for holding a workpiece; and a transfer mechanism adjacent to the separating mechanism, and the transfer mechanism can take a workpiece from the picking head; wherein, when the carrier and the carrier and the plurality of workpieces received thereon are moved by the first lifting assembly towards the separating mechanism to a waiting position, the second lifting assembly can lift the plurality of workpieces with the pushing member so that the workpiece adjacent to the separating mechanism can be held by the picking head to implement a workpiece separation operation; wherein, when the picking head of the separating mechanism holds a workpiece, the transfer mechanism can transfer the workpiece from the picking head to a storage position.

[0005] An embodiment of the present invention also discloses a distribution device for a warehousing system, which includes: a lifting mechanism, which includes: a first lifting assembly; a carrier platform installed on the first lifting assembly so that the carrier platform can move along a height direction through the first lifting assembly; wherein the carrier platform is used to receive a carrier and a plurality of components stacked along the height direction on the carrier; and a second lifting assembly installed on the carrier platform or the first lifting assembly, and the second lifting assembly includes a pushing member for being arranged at the bottom side of the plurality of components; wherein the second lifting assembly can lift the plurality of components along the height direction with the pushing member; a separating mechanism located above the carrier platform along the height direction, and the separating mechanism includes a picking head for holding a component; and a transfer mechanism adjacent to the separating mechanism, and the transfer mechanism can take away a component from the picking head.

[0006] In summary, the warehousing system and its distribution device disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention are configured such that the first lifting assembly and the second lifting assembly capable of independently moving a plurality of components are combined with the separating mechanism, so that one component can be separately separated from the plurality of components to the picking head, thereby facilitating the movement of the carrier and the plurality of components together with the transfer mechanism and efficiently performing the operation of sequentially transferring the plurality of components to a plurality of storage positions.

[0007] For a better understanding of the features and technical content of the present invention, please refer to the following detailed description and drawings of the present invention. However, these descriptions and drawings are only used to illustrate the present invention and do not impose any limitation on the protection scope of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 It is a top view schematic diagram of the warehousing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] Figure 2 For Figure 1 a partial side view schematic diagram of

[0010] Figure 3 For Figure 2 a side view schematic diagram of the first lifting assembly of

[0011] Figure 4 For Figure 3 a side view schematic diagram of the second lifting assembly of

[0012] Figure 5 For Figure 4 a side view schematic diagram of a robotic arm of the transfer mechanism of

[0013] Figure 6 For Figure 5 a subsequent operation side view schematic diagram of

[0014] Figure 7 ForFigure 6 Top view schematic diagram of the transfer mechanism after turning

[0015] Figure 8 is Figure 7 Top view schematic diagram of another robotic arm of the transfer mechanism during operation

[0016] Figure 9 is Figure 8 Top view schematic diagram of the transfer mechanism of placing the workpiece into the storage position with the robotic arm

[0017] Figure 10 is Figure 9 Top view schematic diagram of the transfer mechanism of placing the workpiece into the storage position with another robotic arm

[0018] Description of main component symbols:

[0019] 100 Warehousing system

[0020] 1 Warehousing equipment

[0021] 11 Warehousing entrance and exit

[0022] 12 Storage position

[0023] 13 Track

[0024] 2 Distribution equipment

[0025] 21 Bracket

[0026] 22 Lifting mechanism

[0027] 221 First lifting assembly

[0028] 222 Carrier platform

[0029] 2221 Conveyor belt

[0030] 223 Second lifting assembly

[0031] 2231 Pushing element

[0032] 23 Separation mechanism

[0033] 231 Retrieving head

[0034] 24 Transfer mechanism

[0035] 241 Third lifting assembly

[0036] 242 Robotic arm

[0037] 3 Carrier

[0038] 31 Carrier plate

[0039] 32 Workpiece string

[0040] 33 Guide sleeve

[0041] 200 Feeding system

[0042] 201 Conveying mechanism

[0043] M workpiece

[0044] H height direction Specific embodiments

[0045] The following are specific embodiments to illustrate the embodiments of the present invention related to "warehousing system and its distribution equipment". Those skilled in the art can understand the advantages and effects of the present invention from the content disclosed in this specification. The present invention can be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and various details in this specification can also be modified and changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the concept of the present invention. Additionally, the drawings of the present invention are only for simple schematic illustration and are not drawn according to actual dimensions, which is stated in advance. The following embodiments will further elaborate on the related technical content of the present invention, but the disclosed content is not intended to limit the protection scope of the present invention.

[0046] It should be understood that although terms such as "first", "second", "third", etc. may be used herein to describe various elements or signals, these elements or signals should not be limited by these terms. These terms are mainly used to distinguish one element from another, or one signal from another. Additionally, the term "or" used herein should, depending on the actual situation, possibly include any one or a combination of multiple of the associated listed items.

[0047] Please refer to Figures 1 to 10 as shown, which is an embodiment of the present invention. As Figure 1 shown, this embodiment discloses a warehousing system 100, which is used to be adjacent to a feeding system 200 and is configured downstream of the feeding system 200, so that a plurality of workpieces M conveyed by the feeding system 200 can be stored therein through the warehousing system 100.

[0048] As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, the warehousing system 100 includes a warehousing device 1 and a distribution device 2 configured within the warehousing device 1. In this embodiment, the warehousing device 1 includes a warehousing entrance and exit 11, a plurality of storage positions 12, and a track 13 located on one side of the plurality of storage positions 12. Further, the warehousing entrance and exit 11 is adjacent to the feeding system 200, and the warehousing entrance and exit 11 may include an entrance and an exit independently configured at different positions, or the warehousing entrance and exit 11 may also be a single entrance and exit, which is not limited in the present invention.

[0049] Furthermore, a plurality of storage positions 12 are arranged in at least one row along the direction of the parallel tracks 13. The storage positions 12 in this row may be arranged in a matrix, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in other embodiments not shown in the present invention, a plurality of storage positions 12 may also be arranged in two rows along the direction of the parallel tracks 13, and the two rows of storage positions 12 are respectively located on opposite sides of the track 13.

[0050] The dispensing device 2 may also be referred to as an overhead crane in this embodiment, and the dispensing device 2 includes a bracket 21, a lifting mechanism 22 mounted on the bracket 21, a separating mechanism 23 mounted on the bracket 21 and located above the lifting mechanism 22, and a transfer mechanism 24 mounted on the bracket 21 and adjacent to the separating mechanism 23. Among them, the bracket 21 is movably disposed on the track 13 so that the lifting mechanism 22, the separating mechanism 23, and the transfer mechanism 24 mounted on the bracket 21 can move together along the track 13 (relative to the plurality of storage positions 12). For example, the dispensing device 2 may drive the bracket 21 to move along the track 13 by mounting a servo motor (not shown) connected to the track 13 on the bracket 21.

[0051] The lifting mechanism 22 includes a first lifting assembly 221, a platform 222 mounted on the first lifting assembly 221, and a second lifting assembly 223 mounted on the platform 222 or the first lifting assembly 221. In this embodiment, the first lifting assembly 221 is used to move the platform 222 and the second lifting assembly 223 substantially in a height direction H, thereby substantially moving a plurality of workpieces M, and the second lifting assembly 223 is described as being mounted on the first lifting assembly 221 and can be used to move a plurality of workpieces M slightly in the height direction H.

[0052] That is to say, the lifting mechanism 22 is configured with two mechanisms (namely: the first lifting assembly 221 and the second lifting assembly 223) that can independently move a plurality of workpieces M at different rates in the height direction H. It should be added that the specific structures of the first lifting assembly 221 and the second lifting assembly 223 can be adjusted and changed according to design requirements, and are not described in detail in this embodiment.

[0053] Furthermore, the platform 222 is used to receive a carrier 3 and a plurality of workpieces M stacked on the carrier 3 in the height direction H, and the second lifting assembly 223 includes a pushing member 2231 for being disposed (through the carrier 3) on the bottom side of the plurality of workpieces M. Among them, the second lifting assembly 223 can lift the plurality of workpieces M in the height direction H with the pushing member 2231.

[0054] It should be further noted that the workpiece M is in the shape of a disc in this embodiment. The carrier 3 can also be regarded as a component included in the dispensing device 2. In order to enable the carrier 3 to be efficiently matched with the lifting mechanism 22, the separating mechanism 23, and the workpiece M, the carrier 3 preferably has the following technical features, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0055] Specifically, the carrier 3 includes a carrier plate 31 disposed on the carrier table 222, a workpiece string 32 vertically fixed to the carrier plate 31, and a guiding sleeve 33 sleeved on the workpiece string 32 and disposed on the carrier plate 31. Among them, the workpiece string 32 is used to pass through a plurality of stacked workpieces M, and the guiding sleeve 33 is used to place a plurality of workpieces M thereon, so that the plurality of workpieces M are spaced apart from the pushing member 2231. In this embodiment, the guiding sleeve 33 has a structure with wider ends and a narrower middle section, and one of the two ends of the guiding sleeve 33 is fixed to the carrier plate 31, and the other is used to carry a plurality of workpieces M. Furthermore, the pushing member 2231 has a fork-like structure and passes through the middle section of the guiding sleeve 33.

[0056] In addition, the carrier table 222 is equipped with a conveyor belt 2221 adjacent to the pushing member 2231, and the conveyor belt 2221 is used to convey and carry the carrier 3 and a plurality of workpieces M. That is to say, in this embodiment, the carrier table 222 can receive the carrier 3 from the feeding system 200 through the conveyor belt 2221 from the storage entrance / exit 11, or convey the carrier 3 from the storage entrance / exit 11 to the feeding system 200.

[0057] For example, when the feeding system 200 uses its conveying mechanism 201 to convey the carrier 3 and the plurality of workpieces M thereon from the storage entrance / exit 11 into the storage system 100, the carrier table 222 is moved to a position adjacent to the storage entrance / exit 11, and the conveyor belt 2221 is made adjacent to the conveying mechanism 201 of the feeding system 200, so as to receive the carrier 3 and the plurality of workpieces M transmitted by the feeding system 200 through the conveyor belt 2221.

[0058] Furthermore, when the carrier table 222 is to convey the carrier 3 without any workpiece M thereon from the storage entrance / exit 11 to the feeding system 200, the carrier table 222 is moved to a position adjacent to the storage entrance / exit 11, and the conveyor belt 2221 is made adjacent to the conveying mechanism 201 of the feeding system 200, so as to convey the carrier 3 to the conveying mechanism 201 of the feeding system 200 through the conveyor belt 2221.

[0059] The separating mechanism 23 is suspended from the bracket 21 and is located above the carrier table 222 in the height direction H. That is to say, the separating mechanism 23 faces the carrier table 222 (or a plurality of workpieces M) in the height direction H. Among them, the separating mechanism 23 includes a picking head 231 for holding a workpiece M, and the structure of the picking head 231 can be adjusted and changed according to design requirements, and is not limited to the illustration in the drawings of this embodiment.

[0060] Furthermore, the transfer mechanism 24 in this embodiment can also be called a fork mechanism. The transfer mechanism 24 is adjacent to the separation mechanism 23, and the transfer mechanism 24 is located on the side of the separation mechanism 23 away from the feeding system 200. The transfer mechanism 24 can be used to take a material M from the picking head 231, and under the premise of achieving the above functions, the specific structure of the transfer mechanism 24 or the picking head 231 can be adjusted and changed according to design requirements, and the present invention is not limited here.

[0061] As described above, when the carrier 222 and the carrier 3 and the plurality of materials M supported thereon are moved to a waiting position (e.g., as Figure 3 ), the picking head 231 of the separation mechanism 23 is close to but not touching the carrier 3 and the plurality of materials M, and the second lifting assembly 223 can lift the plurality of materials M with the pushing member 2231, so that the materials M close to the separation mechanism 23 can be held by the picking head 231 (e.g.: Figure 4 shown) to achieve a material separation operation.

[0062] If Figures 5 to 9 As shown in FIG. 1 , when the picking head 231 of the separation mechanism 23 holds a material M, the transfer mechanism 24 can transfer the material M from the picking head 231 to a storage position 12 ; that is, the carrier 3 and the plurality of materials M can move relative to the plurality of storage positions 12 along with the transfer mechanism 24 .

[0063] Accordingly, in the storage system 100 disclosed in this embodiment, the distribution device 2 is equipped with a first lifting assembly 221 and a second lifting assembly 223 capable of independently moving multiple materials M, so that multiple materials M can be separated into one material M to the capture head 231, thereby facilitating the carrier 3 and the multiple materials M to move together with the transfer mechanism 24, and efficiently and sequentially transfer the multiple materials M to the multiple storage locations 12.

[0064] Furthermore, if Figures 5 to 9 As shown in , when the transfer mechanism 24 is transferring the material M to a storage position 12, the lifting mechanism 22 and the separation mechanism 23 can simultaneously perform the material separation operation (such as: Figure 6 The lifting mechanism 22 and the separation mechanism 23 are preparing to perform the material separation operation). Accordingly, the operation time of the transfer mechanism 24 can overlap with the material separation operation between the separation mechanism 23 and the lifting mechanism 22, so that the operation efficiency of the distribution device 2 can be further improved.

[0065] ​​It should be further noted that, for the convenience of understanding the process of the transfer mechanism 24 transferring the workpiece M from the picking head 231 to a storage position 12, one feasible structure of the transfer mechanism 24 is described below, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In this embodiment, the transfer mechanism 24 includes a third lifting assembly 241 and a plurality of robotic arms 242 mounted on the third lifting assembly 241; wherein, the plurality of robotic arms 242 can move along the height direction H through the third lifting assembly 241, and can pick up a workpiece M from the picking head 231, and the plurality of robotic arms 242 of the transfer mechanism 24 can be used to transfer the workpiece M stored in one of the storage positions 12 to another storage position 12 (e.g., Figures 8 to 10 ). In addition, although the number of the robotic arms 242 of the transfer mechanism 24 is described as a plurality in this embodiment, it can be adjusted to one according to the design requirements.

[0066] [Technical effects of the embodiments of the present invention]

[0067] In summary, for the storage system and its dispensing device disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention, the first lifting assembly and the second lifting assembly capable of independently moving a plurality of workpieces are combined with the separating mechanism, so that a plurality of workpieces can be separately separated into one workpiece and transferred to the picking head, which is beneficial for the carrier and the plurality of workpieces to move together with the transfer mechanism, and effectively perform the operation of sequentially transferring the plurality of workpieces to the plurality of storage positions.

[0068] Furthermore, for the storage system disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention, the operation time of the transfer mechanism can overlap with the workpiece separation operation between the separating mechanism and the lifting mechanism, so as to further improve the operation efficiency of the dispensing device.

[0069] The above-disclosed content is only the preferred feasible embodiments of the present invention, and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent technical changes made by using the content of the specification and drawings of the present invention are included in the patent scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A storage system, comprising: A storage device, the storage device comprising a plurality of storage positions; as well as A dispensing device, the dispensing device is configured in the storage device, and the dispensing device comprises: A lifting mechanism, the lifting mechanism comprising: a first lifting assembly; a carrier, the carrier being mounted on the first lifting assembly so that the carrier can be moved along a height direction by the first lifting assembly; wherein the carrier is used to receive a carrier and a plurality of materials stacked on the carrier along the height direction; and a second lifting assembly, the second lifting assembly being mounted on the carrier or the first lifting assembly, and the second lifting assembly comprising a push-up member for being arranged on the bottom side of the plurality of the materials; wherein the second lifting assembly can lift the plurality of the materials along the height direction by the push-up member; a separation mechanism, the separation mechanism being located above the carrier along the height direction, and the separation mechanism comprising a pick-up head for holding one of the materials; and a transfer mechanism, the transfer mechanism being adjacent to the separation mechanism and capable of taking one of the materials from the picking head; When the carrier, the carrier supported thereon and the plurality of materials are moved to a waiting position toward the separation mechanism by the first lifting assembly, the second lifting assembly can lift the plurality of materials with the pushing member so that the materials adjacent to the separation mechanism can be held by the picking head to realize a material separation operation; When the picking head of the separation mechanism holds one of the material pieces, the transfer mechanism can transfer the material piece from the picking head to one of the material storage positions.

2. The storage system according to claim 1, wherein: When the transfer mechanism is in the process of transferring the material to one of the storage positions, the lifting mechanism and the separation mechanism can synchronously perform the material separation operation.

3. The storage system according to claim 1, wherein: When the carrier and the carrier and the plurality of materials supported thereon are located at the waiting position, the picking head of the separation mechanism does not touch the carrier and the plurality of materials.

4. The storage system according to claim 1, wherein: The carrier is equipped with a conveyor belt adjacent to the ejector, and the conveyor belt is used to transport and carry the carrier and the plurality of material pieces.

5. The storage system according to claim 1, wherein: The transfer mechanism includes a third lifting assembly and at least one robot arm installed on the third lifting assembly. The at least one robot arm can move along the height direction through the third lifting assembly and can be used to take away one of the materials from the picking head.

6. The storage system according to claim 5, wherein: At least one of the robotic arms is multiple in number, and the multiple robotic arms of the transfer mechanism can be used to transfer the material pieces stored in one of the storage locations to another of the storage locations.

7. The storage system according to claim 1, wherein: The storage equipment includes a track located on one side of the plurality of storage positions, the distribution equipment includes a bracket movably arranged on the track, and the lifting mechanism, the separation mechanism, and the transfer mechanism are installed on the bracket and can move together along the track.

8. The storage system according to claim 1, wherein: The dispensing device includes the carrier, and the carrier includes: a carrier plate, the carrier plate being disposed on the carrier platform; a material string, the material string being fixed upright on the carrier plate; wherein the material string is used to pass through the plurality of the stacked material pieces; and A guide sleeve is sleeved on the material string and arranged on the carrier plate; wherein the guide sleeve is used for placing a plurality of the material pieces thereon so that the plurality of the material pieces are spaced apart from the ejection piece.

9. A distribution device for a storage system, the distribution device for the storage system comprising: A lifting mechanism, the lifting mechanism comprising: a first lifting assembly; a carrier, the carrier being mounted on the first lifting assembly so that the carrier can be moved along a height direction by the first lifting assembly; wherein the carrier is used to receive a carrier and a plurality of materials stacked on the carrier along the height direction; and a second lifting assembly, the second lifting assembly being mounted on the carrier or the first lifting assembly, and the second lifting assembly comprising a push-up member, which is arranged on the bottom side of the plurality of the material pieces; wherein the second lifting assembly can lift the plurality of the material pieces along the height direction by the push-up member; a separation mechanism, the separation mechanism being located above the carrier along the height direction, and the separation mechanism comprising a pick-up head for holding one of the materials; and A transfer mechanism is adjacent to the separation mechanism and can be used to take one of the materials from the picking head.

10. The dispensing device of the storage system according to claim 9, wherein: The dispensing device includes the carrier and a bracket, and the lifting mechanism, the separation mechanism, and the transfer mechanism are installed on the bracket so as to move together; wherein the carrier includes: a carrier plate, the carrier plate being disposed on the carrier platform; a material string, the material string being fixed upright on the carrier plate; wherein the material string is used to pass through the plurality of the stacked material pieces; and A guide sleeve is sleeved on the material string and arranged on the carrier plate; wherein the guide sleeve is used for placing a plurality of the material pieces thereon so that the plurality of the material pieces are spaced apart from the ejection piece.

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