Alternate discharging device and method

Abstract

The invention provides an alternate discharging device and method. The device comprises a rack, a conveying mechanism, a bearing mechanism and a discharging mechanism. The conveying mechanism is movably connected with the rack, and a discharging area is arranged in the moving direction of the conveying mechanism. The bearing mechanisms are mounted on the conveying mechanism, and the multiple bearing mechanisms are arranged in the moving direction of the conveying mechanism; the discharging mechanisms are installed on the machine frame, and at least two discharging mechanisms are arranged in the discharging area in the moving direction of the conveying mechanism in a spaced mode. The method adopts the device. According to the discharging device, at least two discharging mechanisms are arranged in the discharging area at intervals, two adjacent products on the conveying mechanism can be alternately discharged in a staggered mode, the collision problem is avoided, and the working efficiency and the product quality are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the technical field of unloading devices, and more specifically, relates to a device and method for alternate unloading. Background Art

[0002] A fruit sorter is a device commonly used in the fruit processing industry for grading and unloading fruits. Traditional fruit sorters usually adopt a single unloading position, that is, all fruits are unloaded through the same position. However, there is a problem with this single unloading position, that is, when two adjacent fruits reach the unloading position simultaneously, they will collide.

[0003] Currently, there are some solutions for fruit sorters to solve the collision problem. For example, some sorters use robotic arms to unload fruits one by one, and avoid collisions by slowing down the unloading speed. Some other sorters use a combination of conveyor belts and sensors, and by controlling the speed and position of the conveyor belt, adjacent fruits can be staggered to avoid collisions.

[0004] However, the solutions in the prior art have some problems or limitations. For example, although using a robotic arm to unload fruits one by one can avoid collisions, the unloading speed is slow and cannot meet the requirements of high - efficiency production. Although the method using conveyor belts and sensors can stagger adjacent fruits, there is still a risk of collision, and a more complex control system is required. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of the embodiments of this application is to provide a device and method for alternate unloading to solve the technical problems in the prior art that fruits are unloaded successively through the same position, which easily causes collisions, resulting in scratches, cracks or pulp extrusion on the fruits.

[0006] To achieve the above purpose, the technical solution adopted in this application is: to provide a device for alternate unloading, including:

[0007] A frame;

[0008] A conveying mechanism, the conveying mechanism is movably connected to the frame, and along the moving direction of the conveying mechanism, there is a unloading area;

[0009] A carrying mechanism, the carrying mechanism is installed on the conveying mechanism, there are multiple carrying mechanisms, and the multiple carrying mechanisms are arranged along the moving direction of the conveying mechanism; and

[0010] A unloading mechanism, the unloading mechanism is installed on the frame, and in the unloading area, along the moving direction of the conveying mechanism, at least two unloading mechanisms are arranged at intervals.

[0011] Optionally, the conveying mechanism includes a driving wheel, a driven wheel, and a transmission line, and the transmission line is tensioned between the driving wheel and the driven wheel; the carrying mechanism is installed on the transmission line.

[0012] Optionally, a guide rail is installed on the frame, and a plurality of sliders are installed on the transmission line. The plurality of sliders are arranged along the moving direction of the transmission line, and the sliders are slidably connected to the guide rail.

[0013] Optionally, the carrying mechanism includes a base and a carrier. The base is installed on the conveying mechanism, and the carrier is installed on the base.

[0014] Optionally, the carrier has a recess for placing the product.

[0015] Optionally, the carrier is cylindrical, and the product is placed between two adjacent carriers.

[0016] Optionally, the unloading mechanism includes an ejector. Along the moving direction of the conveying mechanism, the ejector is located on one side of the conveying mechanism;

[0017] One end of the carrier is rotatably connected to the base, and the ejector can abut against the other end of the carrier to turn the carrier over.

[0018] Optionally, the unloading mechanism includes an air duct; along the moving direction of the conveying mechanism, the air duct is located on one side of the conveying mechanism; the air duct has an air outlet, and the air outlet is arranged towards the conveying mechanism.

[0019] This application also provides an alternating unloading method, which adopts the above-mentioned alternating unloading device. The method includes:

[0020] Placing the product on the carrying mechanism;

[0021] The product moves on the conveying mechanism along with the carrying mechanism; when one of the products reaches the position of an unloading mechanism in the unloading area, start this unloading mechanism to unload the product;

[0022] When the next product reaches the position of the other unloading mechanism in the unloading area, start the next unloading mechanism to unload the next product;

[0023] Repeat the above operations to complete the unloading of all products.

[0024] Optionally, the alternating unloading device further includes a product grade identification system. Before the product reaches the unloading area, first identify the grade of the product through the product grade identification system, and then convey the product to the corresponding grade unloading area to complete the unloading.

[0025] The beneficial effects of a device and method for alternative discharging provided by this application are as follows: Compared with the prior art, the device for alternative discharging in this application can enable adjacent two products (fruits) on the conveying mechanism to be discharged alternately and staggeredly by arranging at least two discharging mechanisms at intervals in the discharging area. The collision between fruits is effectively reduced, thereby reducing the risk of fruit damage and deformation; the fruits can be discharged individually, avoiding problems such as appearance scratches, cracks or pulp extrusion caused by collision, which helps to improve the quality and value of fruits; the alternative discharging method can improve the working efficiency of the sorting machine on the premise of ensuring quality, and the alternative working mode can reduce the loss of the discharging components and improve the service life of the equipment. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of this application. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts.

[0027] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the working process of a device for alternative discharging provided by an embodiment of this application Figure 1 ;

[0028] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the working process of a device for alternative discharging provided by an embodiment of this application Figure 2 ;

[0029] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the working process of a device for alternative discharging provided by an embodiment of this application Figure 3 ;

[0030] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the structure of a device for alternative discharging provided by Embodiment 1 of this application;

[0031] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the air blowing plate in a device for alternative discharging provided by Embodiment 1 of this application;

[0032] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the structure of a device for alternative discharging provided by Embodiment 2 of this application.

[0033] Among them, the reference numerals in the drawings are as follows:

[0034] 100 - frame;

[0035] 200 - conveying mechanism;

[0036] 300 - Bearing mechanism; 301 - Bearing part;

[0037] 400 - Unloading mechanism; 401 - Blowing plate; 411 - First air passage; 412 - Second air passage; 402 - First air outlet; 403 - Second air outlet; 404 - First air inlet; 405 - Second air inlet; 410 - First ejecting part; 420 - Second ejecting part;

[0038] 500 - Guide rail;

[0039] 600 - Slide block. Detailed implementation manners

[0040] In order to make the technical problems, technical solutions and beneficial effects to be solved by the present application clearer and more understandable, the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application and are not used to limit the present application.

[0041] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "disposed on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or indirectly on the other element. When an element is referred to as being "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or indirectly connected to the other element.

[0042] It should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "length", "width", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation to the present application.

[0043] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such features. In the description of the present application, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0044] Please refer to together Figures 1 to 3, the alternate unloading device provided in the embodiment of the present application is now described. The alternate unloading device comprises a frame 100, a conveying mechanism 200, a bearing mechanism 300 and a unloading mechanism 400; the conveying mechanism 200 is movably connected to the frame 100, and a unloading area is provided along the moving direction of the conveying mechanism 200; the bearing mechanism 300 is installed on the conveying mechanism 200, and there are multiple bearing mechanisms 300, and multiple bearing mechanisms 300 are arranged along the moving direction of the conveying mechanism 200; the unloading mechanism 400 is installed on the frame 100, and in the unloading area, at least two unloading mechanisms 400 are arranged at intervals along the moving direction of the conveying mechanism 200.

[0045] Compared with the prior art, the alternating unloading device provided by the present application can alternately unload two adjacent products (fruits) on the conveying mechanism 200 by arranging two unloading mechanisms 400 at least at an interval in the unloading area, so that the collision between fruits is effectively reduced, thereby reducing the risk of damage and deformation of fruits; fruits can be unloaded separately, avoiding problems such as scratches, cracks or pulp squeezing caused by collisions, which helps to improve the quality and value of fruits.

[0046] In this embodiment, there is no limitation on the specific position of the unloading mechanism 400, and the unloading mechanism 400 may be located at any position close to the conveying mechanism. Figure 1 As shown, the unloading mechanism 400 can be arranged on the side of the unloading area away from the product flow direction; Figure 2 As shown, the unloading mechanism 400 can also be arranged above the unloading area; Figure 3 As shown, the discharge mechanism 400 can also be arranged on the side of the discharge area facing the product flow direction.

[0047] In one embodiment of the present application, the conveying mechanism 200 includes a driving wheel, a driven wheel and a transmission line, and the transmission line is tensioned between the driving wheel and the driven wheel; the bearing mechanism 300 is installed on the transmission line.

[0048] It is understandable that the driving wheel is connected to a driving mechanism (such as a motor) for driving the driving wheel to rotate, thereby driving the conveyor line to move. Figure 6 As shown, the transmission line can be a chain, and correspondingly, the driving wheel and the driven wheel are both sprockets; the transmission line can also be a V-belt, and correspondingly, the driving wheel and the driven wheel are both pulleys.

[0049] In one embodiment of the present application, see Figure 6 A guide rail 500 is installed on the rack 100, and a plurality of sliders 600 are installed on the transmission line. The plurality of sliders 600 are arranged along the moving direction of the transmission line, and the sliders 600 are slidably connected to the guide rail 500.

[0050] In this embodiment, by providing a guide rail 500 and a slider 600, the movement of the conveyor line can be guided, making the movement of the transmission line more stable.

[0051] In one embodiment of the present application, the carrying mechanism 300 includes a base and a carrier 301. The base is installed on the conveying mechanism 200, and the carrier 301 is installed on the base.

[0052] In one embodiment of the present application, the carrier 301 has a recess for placing the product.

[0053] In another embodiment of the present application, please refer to Figure 4 , the carrier 301 is cylindrical, and the product is placed between two adjacent carriers 301.

[0054] In one embodiment of the present application, the unloading mechanism 400 includes an ejector. Along the moving direction of the conveying mechanism 200, the ejector is located on one side of the conveying mechanism 200; one end of the carrier 301 is rotatably connected to the base, and the ejector can abut against the other end of the carrier 301 to turn the carrier 301.

[0055] In another embodiment of the present application, the unloading mechanism 400 includes an air duct; along the moving direction of the conveying mechanism 200, the air duct is located on one side of the conveying mechanism 200; the air duct has an air outlet, and the air outlet is arranged facing the conveying mechanism 200.

[0056] The present application also provides an alternate unloading method, which adopts the above-described alternate unloading device. The method includes: placing the product on the carrying mechanism 300; the product moves on the conveying mechanism 200 along with the carrying mechanism 300; when one product reaches the position of one unloading mechanism 400 in the unloading area, start this unloading mechanism 400 to unload the product; when the next product reaches the position of the other unloading mechanism 400 in the unloading area, start the next unloading mechanism 400 to unload the next product; repeat the above operations to complete the unloading of all products.

[0057] The alternate unloading method of the present application can improve the working efficiency of the sorter on the premise of ensuring quality. The alternate working mode can reduce the wear of the unloading components and improve the service life of the equipment.

[0058] In one embodiment of the present application, the alternate unloading device further includes a product grade identification system (not shown). Before the product reaches the unloading area, first identify the grade of the product through the product grade identification system, and then convey the product to the corresponding grade unloading area to complete the unloading. For example, set the first unloading area for first-class products and the second unloading area for second-class products.

[0059] The known technical / product application fields of this application include, but are not limited to, the following aspects:

[0060] Fruit sorting industry: This application can be applied to fruit sorting equipment. By setting the alternating discharging mechanism 400, it is possible to avoid the collision of fruits during the discharging process, improving the quality and appearance of fruits.

[0061] Food processing industry: In addition to fruit sorting equipment, the technology of this application can also be applied to other food processing equipment, such as vegetable sorting equipment, nut sorting equipment, etc., to improve the service life and product quality of these equipment.

[0062] Agricultural machinery industry: The technology of this application can be applied to various agricultural machinery, such as orchard harvesters, vegetable harvesters, etc. By means of an alternating operating mechanism, the vibration and impact during the operation of the machinery can be reduced, extending the service life of the machinery.

[0063] Packaging industry: The technology of this application can also be applied to packaging equipment. By setting the alternating discharging mechanism 400, it is possible to avoid the collision of products during the packaging process, improving the quality and integrity of the packaging.

[0064] In these application fields, the application method of this application is to set adjacent and alternating operating mechanisms. When fruits or other products pass by, the discharging mechanism 400 operates alternately, thereby avoiding the collision and damage of products and improving the service life of the equipment and the product quality.

[0065] Embodiment 1:

[0066] Please refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 simultaneously. In this embodiment, the carrier 301 is cylindrical, and the product is placed between two adjacent carriers 301, and the product is a fruit. The discharging mechanism 400 includes an air duct; along the moving direction of the conveying mechanism 200, the air duct is located on one side of the conveying mechanism 200; the air duct has an air outlet, and the air outlet is arranged facing the conveying mechanism 200.

[0067] Specifically, a blowing plate 401 is installed on the frame 100; two air ducts are opened on the blowing plate, namely the first air duct 411 and the second air duct 412. Each of the first air duct 411 and the second air duct 412 has an air outlet, namely the first air outlet 402 and the second air outlet 403. Valves are respectively arranged at the first air outlet 402 and the second air outlet 403 for controlling the blowing of the first air outlet 402 and the second air outlet 403.

[0068] It can be understood that the device is also provided with an air source, the air duct also has an air inlet, the first air duct 411 and the second air duct 412 respectively correspond to the first air inlet 404 and the second air inlet 405, and the first air inlet 404 and the second air inlet 405 are connected to the same air source.

[0069] When the first fruit reaches the position directly opposite the first air outlet 402, turn on the air source and open the valve of the first air outlet 402 to blow the first fruit off the carrier 301; when the second fruit reaches the position directly opposite the second air outlet 403, turn on the air source and open the valve of the second air outlet 403 to blow the second fruit off the carrier 301; when the third fruit reaches the position directly opposite the first air outlet 402, turn on the air source and open the valve of the first air outlet 402 to blow the third fruit off the carrier 301; and so on for the unloading methods of subsequent fruits.

[0070] Embodiment 2:

[0071] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 6 simultaneously. In this embodiment, the carrier 301 has a recess for placing the product, and the product is a fruit. The unloading mechanism 400 includes an ejector. Along the moving direction of the conveying mechanism 200, the ejector is located on one side of the conveying mechanism 200; one end of the carrier 301 is rotatably connected to the base, and the ejector can abut against the other end of the carrier 301 to turn the carrier 301 over.

[0072] Specifically, the ejector can swing in a vertical plane. One end of the ejector is connected to the frame 100, and when one end of the ejector swings upward, it can abut against the carrier 301; it can be understood that the unloading mechanism 400 further includes a driving member for driving the ejector to swing.

[0073] There are two ejectors, namely the first ejector 410 and the second ejector 420. When the first fruit reaches the position directly opposite the first ejector 410, start the unloading mechanism 400 to make the first ejector 410 swing. The free end of the first ejector 410 lifts the carrier 301 carrying the first fruit, making the carrier 301 in an inclined state. The first fruit separates from the carrier 301 under its own gravity, completing the unloading of the first fruit; when the second fruit reaches the position directly opposite the second ejector 420, start the unloading mechanism 400 to make the second ejector 420 swing. The free end of the second ejector 420 lifts the carrier 301 carrying the second fruit, making the carrier 301 in an inclined state. The second fruit separates from the carrier 301 under its own gravity, completing the unloading of the second fruit; when the third fruit reaches the position directly opposite the first ejector 410, start the unloading mechanism 400 to make the first ejector 410 swing. The free end of the first ejector 410 lifts the carrier 301 carrying the third fruit, making the carrier 301 in an inclined state. The third fruit separates from the carrier 301 under its own gravity, completing the unloading of the third fruit; and so on for the unloading methods of subsequent fruits.

[0074] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present application and are not intended to limit the present application. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included within the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. An alternating discharging device, characterized in that, it includes: a frame; a conveying mechanism, the conveying mechanism is movably connected to the frame, and a discharging area is provided along the moving direction of the conveying mechanism; a bearing mechanism, the bearing mechanism is installed on the conveying mechanism, there are multiple bearing mechanisms, and the multiple bearing mechanisms are arranged along the moving direction of the conveying mechanism; and a discharging mechanism, the discharging mechanism is installed on the frame, and in the discharging area, at least two discharging mechanisms are arranged at intervals along the moving direction of the conveying mechanism.

2. The alternating discharging device according to claim 1, characterized in that, the conveying mechanism includes a driving wheel, a driven wheel and a transmission line, and the transmission line is tensioned between the driving wheel and the driven wheel; the bearing mechanism is installed on the transmission line.

3. The alternating discharging device according to claim 2, characterized in that, a guide rail is installed on the frame, a plurality of sliders are installed on the transmission line, the plurality of sliders are arranged along the moving direction of the transmission line, and the sliders are slidably connected to the guide rail.

4. The alternating discharging device according to claim 1, characterized in that, the bearing mechanism includes a base and a bearing member, the base is installed on the conveying mechanism, and the bearing member is installed on the base.

5. The alternating discharging device according to claim 4, characterized in that, the bearing member has a recessed portion for placing products.

6. The alternating discharging device according to claim 4, characterized in that, the bearing member is cylindrical, and products are placed between adjacent two bearing members.

7. The alternating discharging device according to claim 4, characterized in that, the discharging mechanism includes an ejecting member, and along the moving direction of the conveying mechanism, the ejecting member is located on one side of the conveying mechanism; one end of the bearing member is rotatably connected to the base, and the ejecting member can abut against the other end of the bearing member to turn the bearing member over.

8. The alternating discharging device according to claim 1, characterized in that, the discharging mechanism includes an air duct; along the moving direction of the conveying mechanism, the air duct is located on one side of the conveying mechanism; the air duct has an air outlet, and the air outlet faces the conveying mechanism.

9. An alternating discharging method, characterized in that, adopting the alternating discharging device according to any one of claims 1-8, the method includes: placing products on the bearing mechanism; the products move on the conveying mechanism along with the bearing mechanism; when one of the products reaches the position where one of the discharging mechanisms in the discharging area is located, start this discharging mechanism to discharge the product; when the next product reaches the position where the other discharging mechanism in the discharging area is located, start the next discharging mechanism to discharge the next product; repeat the above operations to complete the discharging of all products.

10. The alternating discharging method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The device for alternate discharging further includes a product grade identification system. Before the product reaches the discharging area, the product grade identification system is used to identify the grade of the product, and then the product is conveyed to the discharging area corresponding to the grade to complete the discharging.

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