Production line material management system and carrying trolley

Abstract

The invention provides a production line material management system and a carrying trolley, and relates to the field of carrying equipment, and the production line material management system comprises a block definition module, a moving path module, a controller, a moving module and an arrangement module. By means of the movable module, materials needing to be carried are picked up through the movable module, and when the materials are carried to a designated area, the movable module is controlled through the arrangement module to put down the materials, so that the carrier can carry the materials continuously without intervention of operators, manual intervention is reduced, and the carrying efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of handling equipment, and more particularly, to a production line material management system and a handling trolley. Background Art

[0002] In traditional production line material handling, the handling trolley is a basic and common device that can move along a preset track or path between production lines to transport materials from one location to another. However, traditional handling trolleys usually cannot automatically pick up and drop materials. Operators need to manually place the materials on the trolley and manually unload them at the destination, which not only increases the labor intensity of the operators, but also the handling trolley cannot continuously handle without operators, reducing the handling efficiency.

[0003] For example: The "Unmanned Handling Trolley Material Distribution System Based on 5G Remote Control Operation" disclosed in the Chinese invention patent (application number: 202311784221.8), its specification discloses that it includes: a material management unit for managing the centralized scheduling of materials and tracking and monitoring the entire process of material distribution; an unmanned handling trolley for distributing materials according to the scheduling tasks of the material management unit; a remote control terminal for remotely monitoring and operating the unmanned handling trolley; a control system for receiving instructions sent by the remote control terminal and automatically controlling the unmanned handling trolley to perform corresponding movements and actions; a 5G communication system for wireless communication connection between the material management unit, the unmanned handling trolley, the remote control terminal, and the control system. The present invention utilizes the characteristics of the 5G network such as high speed, low latency, large capacity, and high-density connection to achieve remote operation, collaborative work, perception and decision support of the unmanned handling trolley, and safe material distribution, providing a more efficient, accurate, and intelligent solution for material distribution; the above patent can prove the defects existing in the prior art.

[0004] Therefore, we make improvements and propose a production line material management system and a handling trolley. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to address the problem that the current handling trolley cannot automatically pick up and drop materials.

[0006] To achieve the above invention purpose, the present invention provides the following production line material management system and handling trolley to improve the above problems.

[0007] Specifically, this application is as follows:

[0008] A production line material management system, comprising:

[0009] Block definition module: The user selects two areas to be transported, defines the starting point and the ending point for the two areas, enables the transport vehicle to carry materials from the starting point, place the transported materials at the ending point, and transmits the information to the arrangement module through the controller;

[0010] Moving path module: The user plans the moving path and the width of the path between the two blocks, enabling the transport vehicle to move according to the specified path and width;

[0011] Controller: Used to receive and analyze the received information, and issue corresponding instructions or signals;

[0012] Activity module: Used to control the movement, picking up and putting down of materials by the transport vehicle;

[0013] Arrangement module: The arrangement module determines whether the transport vehicle has moved to the ending point according to the ending point defined by the block definition module. When the transport vehicle moves to the ending area, it controls the transport vehicle to neatly arrange and place the materials.

[0014] As a preferred technical solution of the present application, the block definition module includes:

[0015] Block division unit: including a control panel, the control panel displays the production line map, the user selects two areas on the map by clicking or dragging, and the user selects two areas and the area size in the production line map through the control panel;

[0016] Initial selection unit: After the user selects two blocks through the block division unit, the system enters the initial selection unit, and the system pops up a prompt box, asking the user to select one of the areas as the starting point.

[0017] As a preferred technical solution of the present application, the moving path module includes:

[0018] Path selection unit: After defining the starting point and the ending point in the initial selection unit, the system enters the path selection unit, and the user draws multiple line segments on the map by clicking, dragging or using drawing tools. The line segments represent the moving routes of the transport vehicle back and forth;

[0019] Width planning unit: After completing the path drawing in the path selection unit, the system enters the width planning unit. The user selects a unified width or a custom width. When selecting a unified width, the user can edit the width of the line segment with one click. When selecting a custom width, the user needs to edit the width of each line segment one by one.

[0020] As a preferred technical solution of the present application, the activity module includes:

[0021] Traveling unit: After the width planning unit completes the path and width settings, the system activates the traveling unit. The traveling unit reads the position information of the starting block and controls the carrier vehicle to move to that position. When the traveling unit detects the material, it sends the position information of the material to the picking unit and prepares for the picking operation. After picking up the material, the traveling unit controls the carrier vehicle to move along the planned path to the ending block according to the planned path information.

[0022] Picking unit: After receiving the position information of the material sent by the traveling unit, the picking unit controls the carrier vehicle to move to the middle position in front of the material, and then controls the carrier vehicle to pick up the material onto the carrier vehicle.

[0023] Placement unit: After receiving the information from the position memory unit, the placement unit controls the carrier vehicle to put down the material.

[0024] As a preferred technical solution of the present application, the arranging module includes:

[0025] Position memory unit: When the carrier vehicle moves to the ending block through the traveling unit, the position memory unit first reads the ending block information provided by the initial selection unit and the position information recorded when the material was previously placed by the placement unit. If this is the first time to place the material in the ending block, the position memory unit will instruct the placement unit to place the material at a corner of the block. After the placement is completed, the position memory unit records the position of the material and updates the internal status information so that the next available position can be found during the next placement. If this is not the first time to place the material, the position memory unit will find the next adjacent available position according to the previously recorded position information and instruct the traveling unit and the placement unit to place the new material at this position.

[0026] Pushing unit: When the placement unit places the material other than the first one in the ending block, the pushing unit first reads the position information of the placed material provided by the position memory unit. Then, the pushing unit controls the traveling unit to move to the opposite side of the newly placed material, and the pushing unit controls the carrier vehicle to move slowly through the traveling unit to push the new material towards the placed material to make them fit together.

[0027] As a preferred technical solution of the present application, the activity module further includes:

[0028] Avoidance unit: When the carrier vehicle encounters an obstacle while traveling on the planned path, the avoidance unit detects the position and size of the obstacle. The avoidance unit tries to perform an avoidance operation within the path width range. If the avoidance fails multiple times, the avoidance unit sends a signal to the control panel to prompt the user for manual intervention or re-plan the path.

[0029] A material handling trolley for a production line, comprising a frame. An installation groove is formed at the top end of the frame. Connecting grooves communicating with the inside of the installation groove are formed on both sides of the top end of the frame. A transmission assembly is arranged inside the installation groove. A moving assembly is arranged inside the connecting groove. A turning assembly is arranged at the front end of the moving assembly. Protective assemblies are arranged on both sides of the top end of the frame. A guiding assembly located in front of the installation groove is arranged at the top end of the frame.

[0030] As a preferred technical solution of the present application, the transmission assembly includes a motor fixed inside the installation groove. A first bevel gear is fixedly arranged at the output end of the motor. A second bevel gear is meshed with the front end of the first bevel gear. Spur gears located inside the connecting groove are arranged on both sides of the second bevel gear. The second bevel gear and the spur gears are fixedly connected by a mounting shaft.

[0031] As a preferred technical solution of the present application, the moving assembly includes a rack located inside the connecting groove and meshed above the spur gear. A connecting rod is fixedly arranged at the front end of the rack. The turning assembly includes a first fixing rod fixed at the front end of the connecting rod. The end of the first fixing rod is inclined towards the side away from the frame. A second fixing rod is fixedly arranged at the end of the first fixing rod. A flap is hinged to the end of the second fixing rod through a torsion spring. A fixing plate is fixedly arranged on the side of the second fixing rod away from the frame. An electric telescopic rod is fixedly arranged on the side of the fixing plate away from the frame. The end of the electric telescopic rod passes through the fixing plate and contacts the rear end of the flap.

[0032] As a preferred technical solution of the present application, the guiding assembly includes a sliding plate slidably connected to the top end of the frame. Two hinge plates are hinged to the front end of the sliding plate. A first stop block is fixedly arranged on the side of the rack close to the transmission assembly. A second stop block is fixedly arranged on the side of the connecting rod close to the transmission assembly. The same blocking plate is fixedly arranged at the top ends of the two first stop blocks.

[0033] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0034] In the solution of the present application:

[0035] 1. By setting the movable module, the material to be transported can be picked up by the movable module. When it is transported to the designated area, the movable module is controlled by the arranging module to put down the material, so that the transport trolley can continuously transport without the intervention of operators, reducing manual intervention and improving the transport efficiency, and solving the problem that the existing transport trolley cannot automatically pick up and put down materials.

[0036] 2. Through the set moving path module, the selection path unit enables the user to draw a path on the map by clicking, dragging, or using the drawing tool, while the width planning unit is responsible for setting the width of the path, solving the problem in the prior art that without precise path planning, the transport vehicle will drive blindly, resulting in path conflicts and time delays.

[0037] 3. Through the set arrangement module, the position memory unit is responsible for recording the position information of the placed materials, and the pushing unit controls the transport vehicle to push the new materials towards the placed materials according to this information, making them fit closely together, solving the problem in the prior art of uneven material arrangement and low space utilization. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0038] Figure 1 It is the system flowchart of the production line material management system provided by this application;

[0039] Figure 2 It is the system flowchart of the block definition module and the moving path module in the production line material management system provided by this application;

[0040] Figure 3 It is the system flowchart of the arrangement module in the production line material management system provided by this application;

[0041] Figure 4 It is the system flowchart of the activity module in the production line material management system provided by this application;

[0042] Figure 5 It is the structural schematic diagram of the production line material handling trolley provided by this application;

[0043] Figure 6 It is the structural schematic diagram of the frame in the production line material handling trolley provided by this application;

[0044] Figure 7 It is the structural schematic diagram of the transmission component in the production line material handling trolley provided by this application;

[0045] Figure 8 It is the structural schematic diagram of the guiding component in the production line material handling trolley provided by this application;

[0046] Figure 9 It is the structural schematic diagram of the moving component in the production line material handling trolley provided by this application.

[0047] Labels in the figure:

[0048] 1. Frame; 21. Installation groove; 22. Connection groove; 23. Placing plate; 24. Blocking block;

[0049] 3. Protection component; 31. Protection plate; 32. Connection plate;

[0050] 4. Moving component; 41. Rack; 42. Connecting rod; 43. First stop block; 44. Second stop block;

[0051] 5. Flipping component; 51. First fixing rod; 52. Second fixing rod; 53. Flap; 54. Electric telescopic rod; 55. Fixed plate;

[0052] 6. Transmission component; 61. Motor; 62. First bevel gear; 63. Second bevel gear; 64. Mounting shaft; 65. Spur gear; 66. Support seat;

[0053] 7. Guiding component; 71. Sliding plate; 72. Hinged plate; 8. Blocking plate. Detailed implementation mode

[0054] In order to enable those skilled in the art of this technology to better understand the solution of the present invention, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0055] In order to enable those skilled in the art of this technology to better understand the solution of the present invention, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0056] It should be noted that, without conflict, the embodiments in the present invention and the features and technical solutions in the embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0057] It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters indicate similar items in the following drawings. Therefore, once an item is defined in one drawing, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent drawings.

[0058] Embodiment 1

[0059] Please refer to Figure 1 , a production line material management system, which includes:

[0060] Block definition module, where the user selects two areas to be transported, defines the starting point and the ending point for the two areas, enables the transport vehicle to transport materials from the starting point, place the transported materials at the ending point, and transmit the information to the arrangement module through the controller;

[0061] Moving path module, where the user plans the moving path and the width of the path between the two blocks, enabling the transport vehicle to move according to the specified path and width;

[0062] A controller, which is used to receive and analyze the received information and issue corresponding instructions or signals;

[0063] An active module, which is used to control the movement of the forklift truck, pick up and put down materials;

[0064] An arrangement module. The arrangement module determines whether the forklift truck moves to the end point according to the end point defined by the block definition module. When the forklift truck moves to the end point area, it controls the forklift truck to neatly arrange and place the materials.

[0065] Furthermore, as Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, the block definition module includes:

[0066] A block division unit, which includes a control panel. The control panel displays the production line map. The user selects two areas on the map by clicking or dragging, and the user selects two areas and the area size in the production line map through the control panel;

[0067] An initial selection unit. After the user selects two blocks through the block division unit, the system enters the initial selection unit. The system pops up a prompt box, asking the user to select one of the areas as the starting point. After selecting the starting point, the system defaults the other area as the end point. Subsequently, the system saves the information and is ready to enter the next module.

[0068] Furthermore, as Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 4 shown, the movement path module includes:

[0069] A path selection unit. After defining the starting point and the end point in the initial selection unit, the system enters the path selection unit. The user draws multiple line segments on the map through clicking, dragging or drawing tools. The line segments represent the movement routes of the forklift truck back and forth, but each line segment must be connected to the starting point, the end point or other line segments. After the user completes the path drawing, the system verifies the validity of the path to ensure that the path leads from the starting point to the end point and has no breakpoints. After passing the verification, the system saves the path information;

[0070] A width planning unit. After completing the path drawing in the path selection unit, the system enters the width planning unit. The user interface displays the drawn path and prompts the user to select the path width. The user can select a unified width or a custom width. When selecting a unified width, the user can edit the width of the line segment with one key. The user needs to input a specific width value, and the system applies this width to all path line segments. When selecting a custom width, the user needs to edit the width of each line segment one by one, and the system saves the width information of each line segment.

[0071] Furthermore, as Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown in the figure, the active module includes:

[0072] Travel unit: After the width planning unit completes the path and width settings, the system activates the travel unit. The travel unit reads the position information of the starting block and controls the carrier vehicle to move to that position. After reaching the starting block, the travel unit activates the built-in sensors or cameras (such as lidar, infrared sensors, etc.) to detect materials. If materials are detected, the travel unit sends the position information of the materials to the picking unit and prepares for the picking operation. If no materials are detected, the travel unit will move back and forth within the starting block until materials are found or the preset search times limit is reached. After picking up the materials, the travel unit controls the carrier vehicle to move along the planned path information to the ending block.

[0073] Picking unit: After receiving the material position information sent by the travel unit, the picking unit controls the carrier vehicle to move to the middle position in front of the material, and then controls the carrier vehicle to pick up the material onto the vehicle.

[0074] Placement unit: After receiving the information from the position memory unit, the placement unit controls the carrier vehicle to put down the material.

[0075] Embodiment 2

[0076] The production line material management system provided in Embodiment 1 is further optimized. Specifically, as Figure 1 and Figure 3 shown in the figure, the arrangement module includes:

[0077] Position memory unit: When the carrier vehicle moves to the ending block through the travel unit, the position memory unit starts to work. The position memory unit first reads the ending block information provided by the initial selection unit and the position information recorded when the material was previously placed by the placement unit. If this is the first time to place the material in the ending block, the position memory unit will instruct the placement unit to place the material at a corner of the block. After the placement is completed, the position memory unit records the position of the material and updates the internal status information so that the next available position can be found during the next placement. If this is not the first time to place the material, the position memory unit will find the next adjacent available position according to the previously recorded position information and instruct the travel unit and the placement unit to place the new material at that position. After each placement of the material, the position memory unit will update the status information to ensure that the materials are arranged orderly and compactly within the ending block.

[0078] The pushing unit starts to work when the placing unit places materials other than the first time within the end block. The pushing unit first reads the position information of the placed materials provided by the position memory unit. Then, the pushing unit controls the traveling unit to move to the opposite side of the newly placed material (for example, if the new material is placed on the right side of the placed material, the pushing unit will control the traveling unit to move to the left side of the new material). The pushing unit controls the carrier truck to move slowly through the traveling unit, gently pushes the new material towards the placed material to make them fit together. After the pushing is completed, the pushing unit confirms that the materials are closely arranged and prepares for the next placement or pushing operation.

[0079] Further, as Figure 4 shown, the active module further includes:

[0080] The avoidance unit, when the carrier truck encounters an obstacle while traveling on the planned path, the avoidance unit detects the position and size of the obstacle through the sensor. The avoidance unit attempts to perform avoidance operations within the path width range, such as adjusting the traveling direction, decelerating, etc. If multiple avoidance attempts fail (such as the obstacle is too large, the path is too narrow, etc.), the avoidance unit sends a signal to the control panel to prompt the user for manual intervention or re-plan the path.

[0081] Embodiment 3

[0082] Further optimize the production line material management system provided in Embodiment 1 or 2. Specifically, as Figure 5 、 Figure 6 and Figure 7 shown, a production line material handling trolley includes a frame 1. An installation groove 21 is opened at the top of the frame 1. Connecting grooves 22 communicating with the inside of the installation groove 21 are opened on both sides of the top of the frame 1. A placing plate 23 is fixedly provided at the rear of the top of the frame 1. The placing plate 23 is used to cover the upper part of the installation groove 21 to protect the components inside it;

[0083] A transmission component 6 is provided inside the installation groove 21. The transmission component 6 is used to drive the moving component 4 to move forward. A moving component 4 is provided inside the connecting groove 22. A turning component 5 is provided at the front end of the moving component 4. Protective components 3 are provided on both sides of the top of the frame 1. The protective components 3 are used to prevent the materials above the frame 1 from falling;

[0084] A guiding component 7 is provided at the top of the frame 1 in front of the installation groove 21. A blocking block 24 is fixedly provided at the top of the frame 1 in front of the guiding component 7. An inclined surface is opened above the front end of the blocking block 24. The blocking block 24 and the placing plate 23 are used to limit the movement of the guiding component 7 to prevent it from exceeding the specified movement range, and at the same time limit the movement range of the moving component 4.

[0085] Further, as Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown, the transmission assembly 6 includes a motor 61 fixed inside the installation groove 21. A first bevel gear 62 is fixedly provided at the output end of the motor 61. The motor 61 is used to drive the first bevel gear 62 to rotate. A second bevel gear 63 is meshed with the front end of the first bevel gear 62. When the first bevel gear 62 rotates, it drives the second bevel gear 63 to rotate;

[0086] On both sides of the second bevel gear 63, there are spur gears 65 located inside the connection groove 22. The second bevel gear 63 and the spur gears 65 are fixedly connected by a mounting shaft 64. When the second bevel gear 63 rotates, it drives the spur gears 65 to rotate through the mounting shaft 64. When the spur gears 65 rotate, they drive the moving assembly 4 to move. A support seat 66 fixedly connected to the inside of the installation groove 21 is rotatably connected to the mounting shaft 64.

[0087] Furthermore, as Figure 5 、 Figure 6 and Figure 7 shown, the moving assembly 4 includes a rack 41 located inside the connection groove 22 and meshed above the spur gear 65. When the spur gear 65 rotates, it drives the rack 41 to move. A connecting rod 42 is fixedly provided at the front end of the rack 41; The two turning assemblies 5 are symmetrically arranged;

[0088] The protection assembly 3 includes a protection plate 31 located on the side of the rack 41 away from the transmission assembly 6 and fixedly connected to the inside of the frame 1. The protection plate 31 is used to prevent the materials on the frame 1 from falling. A connecting plate 32 slidably connected to the rack 41 and the connecting rod 42 is fixedly provided on the side of the protection plate 31 close to the transmission assembly 6. The sliding connection makes the movement of the rack 41 and the connecting rod 42 more stable;

[0089] The turning assembly 5 includes a first fixing rod 51 fixed to the front end of the connecting rod 42. The end of the first fixing rod 51 is inclined away from the frame 1. The inclined setting allows more space to be reserved in the middle for the materials to pass through. A second fixing rod 52 is fixedly provided at the end of the first fixing rod 51. A flap 53 is hinged to the end of the second fixing rod 52 through a torsion spring. When the flap 53 contacts the materials, the flap 53 is turned inward by cooperating with the movement of the moving assembly 4. The flap 53 passes over the materials and is located between the frame 1 and the flap 53. After passing over, the flap 53 rebounds by the elastic force of the torsion spring. A fixing plate 55 is fixedly provided on the side of the second fixing rod 52 away from the frame 1. An electric telescopic rod 54 is fixedly provided on the side of the fixing plate 55 away from the frame 1. The end of the electric telescopic rod 54 passes through the fixing plate 55 and contacts the rear end of the flap 53. When the moving assembly 4 drives the turning assembly 5 to retract, the flap 53 is blocked by the end of the electric telescopic rod 54, thus preventing the flap 53 from continuing to rebound by the elastic force of the torsion spring. Then, the materials can be hooked back above the frame 1 through the flap 53 and the guiding assembly 7.

[0090] Furthermore, asFigure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 , Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown in Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 , Figure 8 and Figure 9 , the guiding assembly 7 includes a sliding plate 71 slidably connected to the top end of the rack 1. Two hinge plates 72 are hingedly provided at the front end of the sliding plate 71. The blocking block 24 is located between the two hinge plates 72. When the sliding plate 71 moves forward to push the hinge plates 72 to move out of contact with the rack 1, the hinge plates 72 are turned downward by gravity and hinge to contact the ground, so that the material can move up and down through the inclined hinge plates 72;

[0091] A first stop block 43 is fixedly provided on the side of the rack 41 close to the transmission assembly 6. When the rack 41 moves forward a certain distance, the first stop block 43 contacts the sliding plate 71, thereby driving the sliding plate 71 and the hinge plate 72 to move forward. A second stop block 44 is fixedly provided on the side of the connecting rod 42 close to the transmission assembly 6. When the connecting rod 42 moves backward a certain distance, the second stop block 44 contacts the sliding plate 71, thereby driving the guiding assembly 7 to move backward to return to its original position;

[0092] The tops of the two first stop blocks 43 are fixedly provided with the same blocking plate 8. When it is necessary to push the material on the rack 1 down, the electric telescopic rod 54 is started to retract its end. The flap 53 loses the block and thus turns over by the elastic force of the torsion spring. The transmission assembly 6 drives the moving assembly 4 and the first stop block 43 to move forward, so as to push the material to move through the blocking plate 8 and push the material down; the blocking plate 8 can also prevent the material on the rack 1 from falling.

[0093] The use process of the production line material management system and the handling cart provided by the present invention is as follows:

[0094] When it is necessary to pick up the material on the ground, the motor 61 is started to drive the second bevel gear 63, the mounting shaft 64 and the spur gear 65 to rotate, so that the moving assembly 4 moves, the flap 53 contacts the material, and the flap 53 turns backward through the hinge, so that the flap 53 can move over the material to the rear of the material. At the same time, the first stop block 43 contacts the sliding plate 71 to drive it to move forward, so that the hinge plate 72 is separated from the rack 1 and the front end contacts the ground, and it is placed obliquely;

[0095] Subsequently, the motor 61 is controlled to rotate in the reverse direction to drive the moving assembly 4 to move in the reverse direction. Since the flap 53 is blocked by the end of the electric telescopic rod 54, after contacting the material, the material is hooked back, and the material is moved upward along the inclined plane through the inclined hinge plate 72, and moved to the sliding plate 71 and the placing plate 23. Subsequently, the second stop block 44 contacts the sliding plate 71 to drive the hinge plate 72 to retract;

[0096] When moving the material to the required position, start the electric telescopic rod 54 to retract its end, so that the flap 53 loses the block and flips forward by the elastic force of the torsion spring, so that it does not block the movement of the material. Then start the motor 61 to drive the moving assembly 4 and the first stop block 43 to move, push the material through the blocking plate 8, and the first stop block 43 contacts the sliding plate 71 to drive it to move, so that the material moves down through the inclined hinge plate 72, thereby pushing the material to the ground; then control the motor 61 to rotate in the reverse direction to retract the moving assembly 4, control the electric telescopic rod 54 to extend its end, and push the flap 53 back to prepare for the next material taking.

[0097] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, terms such as "installation", "connection", "connection", "fixation" and the like should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral body; it can be a mechanical connection, an electrical connection or communication with each other; it can be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and can be the communication inside two components or the interaction relationship between two components, unless otherwise clearly defined. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific situations.

[0098] Obviously, the above-described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all embodiments. The preferred embodiments of the present invention are given in the drawings, but do not limit the patent scope of the present invention. The present invention can be implemented in many different forms. On the contrary, the purpose of providing these embodiments is to make the understanding of the disclosed content of the present invention more thorough and comprehensive. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, for those skilled in the art, they can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing specific embodiments, or equivalently replace some of the technical features. Any equivalent structure directly or indirectly using the content of the specification and drawings of the present invention in other related technical fields is equally within the scope of the patent protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A production line material management system, characterized in that: include: In the block definition module, the user selects two areas that need to be transported and defines the starting point and the end point for the two areas, so that the transport vehicle transports materials from the starting point and places the transported materials at the end point, and transmits the information to the arrangement module through the controller; Moving path module, the user plans the moving path and width of the two blocks between the two blocks, so that the transport vehicle moves according to the specified path and width; A controller, which is used to receive and analyze the received information and issue corresponding instructions or signals; Activity module, used to control the movement of the transport vehicle, pick up and put down materials; The arrangement module distinguishes whether the transport vehicle has moved to the end point according to the end point defined by the block definition module. When the transport vehicle moves to the end point area, the transport vehicle is controlled to arrange the materials neatly.

2. A production line material management system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The block definition module includes: The block division unit includes a control panel, the control panel displays a production line map, and the user selects two areas on the map by clicking or dragging. The user selects two areas and area sizes in the production line map through the control panel; Initial selection unit, after the user selects two blocks through the block division unit, the system enters the initial selection unit, and the system pops up a prompt box, requiring the user to select one of the areas as the starting point.

3. A production line material management system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The moving path module comprises: Select the path unit. After defining the starting point and the end point in the initial selection unit, the system enters the path selection unit. The user draws multiple line segments on the map by clicking, dragging or drawing tools. The line segments represent the moving routes of the transport trucks. Width planning unit. After selecting the path unit and completing the path drawing, the system enters the width planning unit. The user selects a uniform width or a custom width. When a uniform width is selected, the user can edit the width of the line segment with one click. When a custom width is selected, the user needs to edit the width of each line segment one by one.

4. A production line material management system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The activity modules include: Traveling unit: after the width planning unit completes the path and width setting, the system activates the traveling unit, which reads the location information of the starting block and controls the transport vehicle to move to the location. The traveling unit detects the material, sends the location information of the material to the picking unit, and prepares to pick up the material. After picking up the material, the traveling unit controls the transport vehicle to move along the path to the end block according to the planned path information. The picking unit controls the transport vehicle to move to the middle position in front of the material after receiving the material position information sent by the driving unit, and then controls the transport vehicle to pick up the material onto the transport vehicle; The placement unit controls the transport vehicle to put down the materials after receiving the information from the position memory unit.

5. A production line material management system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The arrangement module comprises: Position memory unit. When the transport vehicle moves to the terminal block through the travel unit, the position memory unit first reads the terminal block information provided by the initial selection unit and the position information recorded when the material was placed by the placement unit. If this is the first time to place the material in the terminal block, the position memory unit will instruct the placement unit to place the material in a corner of the block. After the placement is completed, the position memory unit records the position of the material and updates the internal status information so that the next available position can be found when the material is placed next time. If this is not the first time to place the material, the position memory unit will find the next adjacent available position based on the previously recorded position information and instruct the travel unit and the placement unit to place the new material at that position. The pushing unit, when the placing unit places materials other than the first time in the terminal block, the pushing unit first reads the position information of the placed materials provided by the position memory unit, and then controls the traveling unit to move to the opposite side of the newly placed materials. The pushing unit controls the transport vehicle to move slowly through the traveling unit to push the new materials toward the placed materials to make them fit together.

6. A production line material management system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The activity module also includes: Avoidance unit: When the transporter encounters an obstacle while driving on the planned path, the avoidance unit detects the position and size of the obstacle and attempts to perform avoidance operations within the width of the path. If the avoidance fails multiple times, the avoidance unit sends a signal to the control panel to prompt the user to intervene manually or re-plan the path.

7. A production line material handling vehicle, using the production line material management system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The invention comprises a frame (1), a mounting groove (21) is provided at the top of the frame (1), connecting grooves (22) which are connected to the inside of the mounting groove (21) are provided on both sides of the top of the frame (1), a transmission component (6) is provided inside the mounting groove (21), a moving component (4) is provided inside the connecting groove (22), a flipping component (5) is provided at the front end of the moving component (4), protective components (3) are provided on both sides of the top of the frame (1), and a guiding component (7) located in front of the mounting groove (21) is provided at the top of the frame (1).

8. A production line material handling vehicle according to claim 7, characterized in that: The transmission assembly (6) comprises a motor (61) fixed inside the mounting groove (21), a first bevel gear (62) being fixedly provided at the output end of the motor (61), a second bevel gear (63) being meshed at the front end of the first bevel gear (62), spur gears (65) located inside the connecting groove (22) being provided on both sides of the second bevel gear (63), and the second bevel gear (63) and the spur gear (65) being fixedly connected via a mounting shaft (64).

9. A production line material handling vehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that: The moving assembly (4) comprises a rack (41) located inside the connecting groove (22) and meshed with the top of the spur gear (65), and a connecting rod (42) is fixedly provided at the front end of the rack (41); the flip assembly (5) comprises a No. 1 fixed rod (51) fixed to the front end of the connecting rod (42), the end of the No. 1 fixed rod (51) is inclined toward a side away from the frame (1), a No. 2 fixed rod (52) is fixedly provided at the end of the No. 1 fixed rod (51), a flap (53) is hingedly provided at the end of the No. 2 fixed rod (52) through a torsion spring, a fixed plate (55) is fixedly provided at the side of the No. 2 fixed rod (52) away from the frame (1), and an electric telescopic rod (54) is fixedly provided at the side of the fixed plate (55) away from the frame (1), and the end of the electric telescopic rod (54) passes through the fixed plate (55) and contacts with the rear end of the flap (53).

10. A production line material handling vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that: The guide assembly (7) comprises a sliding plate (71) slidably connected to the top of the frame (1); the front end of the sliding plate (71) is hingedly provided with two hinged plates (72); a first stopper (43) is fixedly provided on the side of the rack (41) close to the transmission assembly (6); a second stopper (44) is fixedly provided on the side of the connecting rod (42) close to the transmission assembly (6); and the top ends of the two first stoppers (43) are fixedly provided with the same blocking plate (8).

Images