Tray caching and distributing device

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of material caching, and particularly relates to a tray caching and distributing device which comprises a carrying table, a lifting mechanism, a caching mechanism and an output mechanism, and the lifting mechanism is connected with the carrying table and used for adjusting the vertical position of the carrying table; the caching mechanism comprises two caching frames which can be close to or far away from each other, each caching frame is provided with a plurality of supporting parts at intervals in the vertical direction, and the supporting parts located on the different caching frames are in one-to-one correspondence, so that when the two caching frames are close to each other, a plurality of caching structures used for being in lap joint and independently bearing the trays on the carrying table are formed; the multiple temporary storage structures arranged in the vertical direction can conduct temporary storage on the multiple trays correspondingly, and a preset gap is formed between every two adjacent trays in the vertical direction, so that direct contact between the upper-layer trays and the lower-layer trays can be avoided, deformation of the trays on the bottom layer due to too large pressure can be avoided, and the service life of the trays on the bottom layer is prolonged. Therefore, the service life of the charging tray can be prolonged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of material buffering, and in particular to a material tray buffering and distributing device. Background Art

[0002] During the production and processing of products, products are often placed in trays to prevent collisions with the outside world, thereby protecting the products. In order to improve production efficiency and equipment utilization, the products to be processed are usually pre-stacked together with their trays and stored on a buffer table to facilitate subsequent material separation by robots or conveying equipment, thereby facilitating subsequent operations.

[0003] However, as the stack height increases, the pressure on the trays at the bottom increases. If the trays at the bottom are under excessive pressure for a long time, they are prone to irreversible deformation (such as bending, twisting, and collapse). The deformation of the trays not only directly causes physical damage to the trays themselves, shortening their service life and increasing production costs, but also often causes the stack of trays on the buffer table to shift after deformation. As a result, the robot or conveying equipment cannot accurately position the trays during the subsequent material distribution process, affecting the delivery efficiency of the product.

[0004] Therefore, the above problems need to be solved urgently. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a material tray caching and material distributing device to prevent the bottom material tray from being deformed due to excessive pressure during the caching process, so as to increase the service life of the material tray.

[0006] To achieve this object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0007] The tray buffering and distributing device comprises:

[0008] A carrier, used for carrying the material tray;

[0009] A lifting mechanism connected to the platform and used to adjust the vertical position of the platform;

[0010] The cache mechanism includes two cache racks that can move toward or away from each other in a first direction, each of the cache racks being provided with a plurality of support portions spaced apart in a vertical direction, the support portions on different cache racks corresponding to each other one by one, so that when the two cache racks are brought close together, a plurality of cache structures are formed for overlapping and independently supporting the trays on the carrier, and after the trays are overlapped, a predetermined gap is provided between adjacent trays in the vertical direction;

[0011] The output mechanism is used to output the material tray released from the buffer structure.

[0012] Preferably, any of the support portions comprises a plurality of inserts spaced apart along a second direction, wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction;

[0013] A plurality of insertion holes for inserting the insertion blocks are provided on both side walls of the material tray that are opposite to each other along the first direction, and the plurality of insertion blocks are provided in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of insertion holes.

[0014] Preferably, a cross section of the insertion hole along the vertical direction is larger than a cross section of the insertion block along the vertical direction.

[0015] Preferably, the lifting mechanism comprises:

[0016] A bracket is arranged below the platform at intervals;

[0017] Two first lifting members are spaced apart from each other on the bracket and have first lifting ends that are synchronously lifted and lowered along the vertical direction;

[0018] A connecting plate, provided at the two first lifting ends;

[0019] The second lifting member is provided on the connecting plate and is located between the two first lifting members. The second lifting end of the second lifting member is connected to the carrier.

[0020] Preferably, the lifting mechanism further includes a plurality of guide members, and the plurality of guide members are evenly distributed between the bracket and the connecting plate.

[0021] Preferably, the material tray cache and material distribution device also includes a limiting mechanism, which is arranged on one side of the platform in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to limit the platform from separating from the material tray when receiving the material tray.

[0022] Preferably, the limiting mechanism includes:

[0023] a third lifting member having a third lifting end that is lifted and lowered in a vertical direction;

[0024] A limiting block is arranged at the third lifting end and faces the side wall of the material tray.

[0025] Preferably, the tray caching and distributing device further comprises a detection mechanism, which is arranged on the cache rack and is used to detect whether the tray is cached between two cache racks.

[0026] Preferably, the output mechanism includes two frames and two conveyor belts, the two frames are respectively arranged on both sides of the platform along the first direction, and the two conveyor belts are respectively arranged on the corresponding frames along the second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and can rotate synchronously.

[0027] Preferably, the distance between the two frames is adjustable.

[0028] Beneficial effects of the present invention:

[0029] The tray caching and material distribution device of the present invention has multiple caching structures arranged in the vertical direction, which can cache multiple trays separately, and there is a preset gap between adjacent trays in the vertical direction, so as to avoid direct contact between the upper tray and the lower tray, thereby avoiding deformation of the bottom tray due to excessive pressure, and thus improving the service life of the tray. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a material tray buffering and distributing device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 2 It is a structural diagram of the buffer mechanism and the output mechanism in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 3 is a structural diagram of a cache mechanism in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 4 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a lifting mechanism in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] In the picture:

[0035] 1. Carrier;

[0036] 2. Lifting mechanism; 21. Bracket; 22. First lifting member; 23. Connecting plate; 24. Second lifting member; 25. Guide member;

[0037] 3. Cache mechanism; 31. Cache rack; 32. Support portion; 321. Insert block; 33. First drive member; 34. First linear guide rail;

[0038] 4. Output mechanism; 41. Frame; 42. Conveyor belt; 43. Second driving member; 44. Second linear guide rail;

[0039] 5. Limiting mechanism; 51. Third lifting member; 52. Limiting block;

[0040] 6. Testing agency. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. It will be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are intended only to illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. It should also be noted that, for ease of description, the accompanying drawings only illustrate portions relevant to the present invention, not all structures.

[0042] In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "connected," "connected," and "fixed" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they may refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integration; mechanical connections or electrical connections; direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and internal communication between two components or interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention in specific circumstances.

[0043] In the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may include the first and second features being in direct contact, or may include the first and second features being in contact not directly but through another feature between them. Furthermore, a first feature being "above," "above," and "above" a second feature may include the first feature being directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or may simply mean that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being "below," "below," and "below" a second feature may include the first feature being directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or may simply mean that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0044] In the description of this embodiment, terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," and "right" are used to refer to positions or locations based on those shown in the accompanying drawings. These terms are intended solely to facilitate description and simplify operation, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the devices or components referred to must have, be constructed, or operate in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the present invention. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used solely for descriptive purposes and have no special meaning.

[0045] See also Figures 1 to 4 In this embodiment, a material tray caching and material distribution device is proposed, which includes a carrier 1, a lifting mechanism 2, a cache mechanism 3 and an output mechanism 4. The carrier 1 is used to carry the material tray; the lifting mechanism 2 is connected to the carrier 1 and is used to adjust the vertical position of the carrier 1; the cache mechanism 3 includes two cache racks 31 that can approach or move away from each other along a first direction, and each of the cache racks 31 is provided with a plurality of support parts 32 at intervals along the vertical direction. The support parts 32 on different cache racks 31 correspond to each other one by one, so that when the two cache racks 31 are close to each other, a plurality of cache structures for overlapping and independently carrying the material trays on the carrier 1 are formed. After the material trays are overlapped, there is a preset gap between adjacent material trays in the vertical direction; the output mechanism 4 is used to output the material trays released from the cache structure.

[0046] It can be understood that after the carrier 1 receives the tray conveyed by the previous process, the two ends of the tray in the first direction can extend to the outside of the carrier 1, and under the action of the lifting mechanism 2, the tray can be moved to between the two buffer racks 31, and the two buffer racks 31 are close to each other, so that the tray is lapped on the two support parts 32 of the buffer structure, and the two support parts 32 can apply a supporting force to the tray, and there is a predetermined gap between adjacent trays in the vertical direction, so as to avoid direct contact between the upper tray and the lower tray, thereby relieving the pressure applied by the upper tray to the bottom tray, avoiding deformation of the bottom tray, and improving the service life of the tray.

[0047] Specifically, in the embodiment, when the carrier 1 is at the first height position, it can be docked with the conveying structure of the previous process, preferably a belt conveying structure. After receiving the tray, the carrier 1 is named as the first layer tray for easy distinction. Under the action of the lifting mechanism 2, the carrier 1 can be lifted to the second height position. At this time, the tray on the carrier 1 can be opposite to the lowermost buffer structure. For easy description, the plurality of buffer structures are sequentially named as the first buffer layer, the second buffer layer, and so on from bottom to top. That is, after the carrier 1 is at the second height position, the first tray is opposite to the first buffer layer. The specific number of layers can be adjusted according to the actual working condition, which is not limited here. After buffering the tray, the carrier 1 can return to the first height position under the action of the lifting mechanism 2 to receive the next tray, which is named as the second layer tray. Then, under the action of the lifting mechanism 2, the carrier 1 can be conveyed to the third height position between the first height position and the second height position. At this time, the second layer tray is abutted with the first layer tray or there is a small gap between them. After the two buffer racks 31 move away from each other, the first layer tray can be stacked on the second layer tray. Then, under the action of the lifting mechanism 2, the carrier 1 can be lifted to the second height position. At this time, the second layer tray is opposite to the first buffer layer, and the first layer tray is opposite to the second buffer layer. Then, when the two buffer racks 31 move close to each other, the first layer tray and the second layer tray can be separated and lapped on different support parts 32. In this way, a plurality of trays can be buffered in different buffer structures. It should be noted that since the trays are stacked on the carrier 1 for a short time, irreversible deformation of the tray at the bottom layer will not occur.

[0048] In the process of dispensing, the empty carrier 1 can be lifted to the second height position under the action of the lifting mechanism 2, at this time, the carrier 1 can abut against the lowest tray, then the two buffer frames 31 are away from each other, so that the trays buffered in different buffer structures can be stacked on the carrier 1, then the carrier 1 can be lowered to the third height position under the action of the lifting mechanism 2, so as to drive the height of all trays to be lowered, at this time, part of the trays can be removed from the buffer mechanism 3, then the two buffer frames 31 can be controlled to be close to each other to buffer the remaining part of the trays in the buffer structure, and the trays on the carrier 1 can be lowered to the fourth height position under the action of the lifting mechanism 2, at this time, the carrier 1 can be docked with the output mechanism 4, so as to complete the output of the trays.

[0049] In the embodiment, any supporting part 32 includes a plurality of insertion blocks 321 arranged at intervals along the second direction; the two side walls of the tray opposite in the first direction are each provided with a plurality of insertion holes for the insertion blocks 321 to be inserted, and the plurality of insertion blocks 321 and the plurality of insertion holes are one-to-one corresponding. It can be understood that when the two buffer frames 31 are close to each other, the insertion blocks 321 can be inserted into the insertion holes of the corresponding trays to complete the support of the trays, and in the process of moving away from each other, the insertion blocks 321 can be separated from the insertion holes, so as to release the trays during dispensing.

[0050] Further, the cross section of the insertion hole in the vertical direction is larger than the cross section of the insertion block 321 in the vertical direction. In this way, not only is it convenient for the insertion block 321 to be inserted into the insertion hole, but also after the carrier 1 can return to the first height position, all the trays can fall under the action of their own gravity, thereby interrupting the pressure transmission path of the upper trays to the lower trays, so that the weight of each layer of trays is independently borne on the corresponding supporting part 32, thereby avoiding the deformation of the bottom trays caused by long-term excessive pressure.

[0051] In addition, the buffer mechanism 3 further includes two first driving members 33, the driving ends of the two first driving members 33 move reciprocally along the first direction and are connected with the two buffer frames 31 respectively to control the two buffer frames 31 to move close to and away from each other, wherein the first driving member 33 is preferably a linear driving structure such as a linear cylinder in the prior art, which is not limited here, and two first linear guide rails 34 are arranged on both sides of each linear cylinder to ensure the stability of the buffer frame 31 during operation, and the buffer frame 31 is slidingly connected with the first linear guide rail 34 as a sliding block.

[0052] In this embodiment, the lifting mechanism 2 includes a bracket 21, two first lifting members 22, a connecting plate 23, and a second lifting member 24. The bracket 21 is spaced apart below the carrier 1. The two first lifting members 22 are spaced apart from the bracket 21 and have first lifting ends that rise and fall synchronously in the vertical direction. The connecting plate 23 is disposed at the two first lifting ends. The second lifting member 24 is disposed on the connecting plate 23 and is located between the two first lifting members 22. The second lifting end of the second lifting member 24 is connected to the carrier 1. It can be understood that the two first lifting members 22 can drive the connecting plate 23 to move in the vertical direction, and at the same time drive the second lifting member 24 to move in the vertical direction. The second lifting member 24 can also drive the carrier 1 in the vertical direction. Under the action of the first and second lifting members 22 and 24, the carrier 1 can be moved to a higher position, thereby meeting different production requirements. The first and second lifting members 22 and 24 are preferably linear drive structures such as linear cylinders or linear electric cylinders in the prior art, and are not specifically limited here.

[0053] Furthermore, the lifting mechanism 2 includes a plurality of guide members 25, which are evenly distributed between the bracket 21 and the connecting plate 23. It is understood that the guide members 25 can ensure the stability of the carrier 1 during movement, thereby preventing the tray from shifting during the lifting and lowering process, thereby ensuring the stability of the tray during the buffering and release processes. The guide members 25 are preferably telescopic guide rods as known in the art. Of course, in other feasible embodiments, they can also be other existing linear guide structures, which will not be described in detail here.

[0054] In this embodiment, the material tray buffering and distributing device further includes a limiting mechanism 5, which is arranged on one side of the carrier 1 in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, so as to limit the separation of the material tray from the carrier 1 when the carrier 1 receives the material tray. It can be understood that when the carrier 1 is at the first height position, it can dock with the belt conveyor structure of the previous process, and the belt conveyor structure can drive the material tray to move along the second direction. Due to the inertia of the material tray itself, the carrier 1 will continue to move after receiving the material tray. Under the action of the limiting mechanism 5, the maximum stroke of the material tray can be limited to prevent the material tray from separating from the carrier 1.

[0055] Specifically, the limiting mechanism 5 includes a third lifting member 51 and a limiting block 52. The third lifting member 51 has a third lifting end that rises and falls in the vertical direction. The limiting block 52 is disposed at the third lifting end and faces the side wall of the material tray. It will be understood that the third lifting end drives the limiting block 52 to move in the vertical direction, so that the limiting block 52 is located in the moving path of the material tray. The third lifting member 51 is preferably a linear drive structure such as a linear cylinder in the prior art, and is not specifically limited here.

[0056] It should be noted that the material tray cache and distribution device can not only be used as a loading material cache and distribution device, but also as a unloading material cache and distribution device. The cache and distribution method of the unloading material cache and distribution device is consistent with that of the loading material cache and distribution device, and will not be elaborated. Therefore, in some other feasible embodiments, a limiting mechanism 5 can be provided on both sides of the carrier 1 along the second direction. According to the conveying direction of the material tray, the corresponding limiting block 52 is selected to be raised, thereby improving the applicability of the material tray cache and distribution device.

[0057] In this embodiment, the material tray caching and distributing device further includes a detection mechanism 6, which is provided on the caching rack 31 and is used to detect whether there are material trays cached between two caching racks 31. It is understood that when all the material trays in the caching structure are released, a signal can be sent to start a new round of material caching.

[0058] For example, the detection mechanism 6 is electrically connected to the belt conveyor structure and the lifting mechanism 2 of the previous process. After all the trays in the buffer structure are released, the detection mechanism 6 sends a signal to the belt conveyor structure and the lifting mechanism 2, thereby enabling the carrier 1 to be at the first height position and the belt conveyor structure to start conveying the trays. The detection mechanism 6 is preferably a photoelectric sensor in the prior art.

[0059] In this embodiment, the output mechanism 4 includes two frames 41 and two conveyor belts 42. The two frames 41 are respectively arranged on either side of the carrier 1 along a first direction. The two conveyor belts 42 are respectively arranged on the corresponding frames 41 along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and are capable of synchronous rotation. It is understood that after the carrier 1 moves to the fourth height position, the portion of the material tray extending from the carrier 1 can overlap the two conveyor belts 42, under the action of the conveyor belts 42, the material tray can be output.

[0060] Furthermore, the spacing between the two frames 41 is adjustable. It is understandable that by adjusting the spacing between the two frames 41, the spacing between the two conveyor belts 42 can be adjusted to accommodate different types of trays, further improving the applicability of the tray buffering and distributing device.

[0061] Specifically, the output mechanism 4 further includes a second drive member 43. The drive end of the second drive member 43 can be connected to one of the frames 41 to drive the frame 41 toward the other frame 41, or can be connected to both frames 41 to drive the two frames 41 toward or away from each other. For the movable frame 41, a second linear guide rail 44 is provided at the bottom of the frame 41 to ensure the stability of the frame 41 during movement.

[0062] In addition, the two first driving members 33 and the corresponding first linear guide rails 34 in the cache mechanism 3 are respectively arranged on the two frames 41, so that the distance between the two cache frames 31 can be adjusted synchronously while adjusting the distance between the two frames 41.

[0063] Obviously, the above embodiments of the present invention are merely examples for the purpose of clearly illustrating the present invention and are not intended to limit the embodiments of the present invention. A person skilled in the art would be able to make various obvious changes, readjustments, and substitutions without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. It is not necessary and impossible to enumerate all embodiments here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention shall be included within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. The tray buffering and distributing device is characterized by: include: A carrier (1) for carrying a material tray; A lifting mechanism (2) connected to the carrier (1) and used for adjusting the vertical position of the carrier (1); A cache mechanism (3) comprises two cache racks (31) capable of approaching or moving away from each other along a first direction, wherein each of the cache racks (31) is provided with a plurality of support portions (32) spaced apart in a vertical direction, and the support portions (32) located on different cache racks (31) correspond to each other one by one, so that when the two cache racks (31) are close to each other, a plurality of cache structures for overlapping and independently carrying the material trays on the carrier (1) are formed, and after the material trays are overlapped, a preset gap is provided between adjacent material trays in the vertical direction; An output mechanism (4) is used to output the material tray released from the buffer structure.

2. The tray buffering and distributing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Any of the support portions (32) comprises a plurality of inserting blocks (321) spaced apart along a second direction, wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction; A plurality of insertion holes for inserting the insertion blocks (321) are provided on both side walls of the material tray that are opposite to each other along the first direction, and the plurality of insertion blocks (321) are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of insertion holes.

3. The tray buffering and distributing device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The cross section of the insertion hole along the vertical direction is larger than the cross section of the insertion block (321) along the vertical direction.

4. The tray buffering and distributing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lifting mechanism (2) comprises: Brackets (21) are arranged below the carrier (1) at intervals along the vertical direction; Two first lifting members (22) are spaced apart and arranged on the bracket (21), and have first lifting ends that are synchronously lifted and lowered along the vertical direction; A connecting plate (23) is provided at the two first lifting ends; The second lifting member (24) is arranged on the connecting plate (23) and is located between the two first lifting members (22). The second lifting end of the second lifting member (24) is connected to the carrier (1).

5. The tray buffering and distributing device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The lifting mechanism (2) further comprises a plurality of guide members (25), and the plurality of guide members (25) are evenly distributed between the bracket (21) and the connecting plate (23).

6. The tray buffering and distributing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The material tray buffering and distributing device further comprises a limiting mechanism (5), wherein the limiting mechanism (5) is arranged on one side of the carrier (1) in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, so as to limit the separation of the material tray from the carrier (1) when the carrier (1) receives the material tray.

7. The tray buffering and distributing device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The limiting mechanism (5) comprises: A third lifting member (51) has a third lifting end that is lifted and lowered in a vertical direction; A limiting block (52) is arranged at the third lifting end and faces the side wall of the material tray.

8. The tray buffering and distributing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The material tray caching and distributing device further comprises a detection mechanism (6), which is arranged on the cache rack (31) and is used to detect whether the material tray is cached between two cache racks (31).

9. The tray buffering and distributing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The output mechanism (4) includes two frames (41) and two conveyor belts (42). The two frames (41) are respectively arranged on both sides of the carrier (1) along the first direction. The two conveyor belts (42) are respectively arranged on the conveyor belts (42) on the corresponding frames (41) along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and can rotate synchronously.

10. The tray buffering and distributing device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The distance between the two frames (41) is adjustable.

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