Tray buffer reflow mechanism

Abstract

The application discloses a tray buffer backflow mechanism, which comprises a transport trolley, a buffer device and a lifting device. The transport trolley comprises at least two groups of material changing racks, the material changing racks comprise an upper layer and a lower layer, the buffer device comprises at least two groups of buffer racks, the buffer racks comprise a conveying layer and a backflow layer, each buffer rack is provided with a connecting rack capable of sliding towards the transport trolley on one side of the buffer rack, the connecting rack comprises a receiving layer and an output layer, the upper layer, the receiving layer and the conveying layer are correspondingly arranged, and the lower layer, the output layer and the backflow layer are correspondingly arranged; the lifting device is installed on the side of the buffer device away from the transport trolley, and the lifting device comprises a portal, a driving assembly and a secondary lifting assembly, the secondary lifting assembly comprises a supporting frame, a lifting driving element and a top frame, the driving assembly is used for driving the supporting frame to lift along the portal, the lifting driving element is installed on the supporting frame, the lifting driving element is used for driving the top frame to lift, and the top frame is used for being connected with the buffer rack. The scheme has the advantages that the tray conveying efficiency can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of workshop transportation technology, and in particular to a pallet buffer return mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous advancement of the automotive industry, the requirements for assembly efficiency are gradually increasing. Therefore, automated transportation and storage equipment is increasingly being used in automotive assembly workshops to replace manual labor in moving parts to the production line. Taking the transportation of bumpers as an example, in the traditional production model, operators needed to use trailers or cranes to move pallets containing bumpers to the side of the production line. After the bumpers were installed on the vehicle body, the empty pallets needed to be stacked again and transported to the transport trolley. With technological advancements, conveyor chains are typically used to replace manual handling of both full and empty pallets. In the actual workflow, operators need to use hand tools to drag / push full pallets from the transport trolley to the conveyor chain, which then transports them to the production line. After the bumpers are removed, the empty pallets are placed by the operator on a return conveyor chain, which transports them to the vicinity of the transport trolley, where another operator moves them to the transport trolley. This process still relies on manual handling by operators to exchange pallets between the transport trolley and the conveyor chain, making it difficult to keep up with the increasingly rapid production pace. Furthermore, the number of buffer pallets in each conveyor chain is limited, which requires the transport trolley to frequently exchange pallets with the conveyor chain, thereby increasing the number of shifts used by the transport trolley and indirectly increasing transportation costs.

[0003] In view of this, the present invention proposes a tray buffer return mechanism to solve or at least alleviate the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The main objective of this invention is to propose a pallet buffer return mechanism, which aims to solve the technical problems of low transmission efficiency and high transportation costs in the existing pallet logistics transmission process.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the tray buffer return mechanism proposed in this invention includes:

[0006] The transport trolley includes at least two sets of vertically spaced material changing racks, each rack including a vertically spaced upper material layer and a lower material layer. The upper material layer is used to place full pallets, and the lower material layer is used to place empty pallets.

[0007] A buffer device includes at least two sets of vertically spaced buffer racks. Each buffer rack includes a vertically spaced conveying layer and a return layer. Each buffer rack has a connecting frame that can slide towards the transport trolley on the side closest to the transport trolley. The connecting frame includes a vertically spaced receiving layer and an output layer. The feeding layer, the receiving layer, and the conveying layer are correspondingly arranged. The unloading layer, the output layer, and the return layer are correspondingly arranged. The connecting frame is provided with a hook. The material changing frame is provided with a buckle that cooperates with the hook. The conveying layer and the return layer are respectively provided with double-speed chains with opposite conveying directions.

[0008] A lifting device is installed on the side of the buffer device away from the transport trolley. The lifting device includes a gantry, a drive assembly, and a secondary lifting assembly. The secondary lifting assembly includes a support frame, a lifting drive component, and a top frame. The drive assembly is used to drive the support frame to move vertically up and down along the gantry. The lifting drive component is installed on the support frame and is used to drive the top frame to move up and down. The top frame is used to dock with the buffer rack.

[0009] In one embodiment, the conveying layer includes a first buffer section and a first conveying section. The first buffer section is located close to the transport trolley, and a speed-multiplying chain with a conveying direction from the transport trolley to the lifting device is installed in the first conveying section. A first limit cylinder is provided between the first buffer section and the first conveying section.

[0010] The reflux layer includes a second buffer section and a second conveying section. The second buffer section is located close to the transport trolley. The second conveying section is equipped with a speed-multiplying chain whose conveying direction is from the lifting device to the transport trolley. A second limit cylinder is provided between the second buffer section and the second conveying section.

[0011] The conveying layer further includes a first shifting member, which is installed on the first buffer section and is used to drive the solid pallet from the first buffer section to the first conveying section;

[0012] The return layer further includes a second shifting member, which is installed in the second buffer section and is used to drive the empty pallet from the second conveying section to the second buffer section;

[0013] The receiving layer is slidably connected to the first buffer section, and the output layer is slidably connected to the second buffer section. At least two parallel flow strips are installed in each of the receiving layer, the output layer, the first buffer section, and the second buffer section.

[0014] In one embodiment, both the receiving layer and the output layer further include a plurality of wheels and two parallel, spaced-apart strips. The flow strips are mounted on the strips, and the plurality of wheels are spaced-apart at the bottom of the strips. The connecting frame further includes a connecting rod, the two ends of which are respectively connected to two corresponding strips in the receiving layer and the output layer. The hook is mounted on one end of the strip near the transport trolley.

[0015] The first buffer section is equipped with a guide groove, the second buffer section is equipped with a support plate, the wheels of the receiving layer are disposed in the guide groove, and the wheels of the output layer abut against the support plate;

[0016] Alternatively, the first buffer section is equipped with a support plate, the second buffer section is equipped with a guide groove, the traveling wheel of the receiving layer abuts against the support plate, and the traveling wheel of the receiving layer is disposed in the guide groove.

[0017] In one embodiment, the second buffer section includes a base frame, the guide groove or the support plate is mounted on the base frame, and at least two parallel flow strips are mounted on the top surface of the base frame;

[0018] The reflux layer is also equipped with a shifting assembly, which includes a balancer, a pull rope, a slide rail, a drive block, a handle, and multiple fixed pulleys. The balancer, the slide rail, and the fixed pulleys are all mounted on the base frame. The balancer is mounted on the side of the slide rail away from the transport trolley. The drive block is slidably mounted on the slide rail. Both sides of the drive block are respectively connected to the pull rope and the cable in the balancer. The end of the pull rope away from the balancer passes around multiple fixed pulleys in sequence and is connected to the handle.

[0019] In one embodiment, the loading layer includes a base frame and a loading drive component, the loading drive component being mounted on the base frame and used to drive the solid pallet to the first buffer section.

[0020] In one embodiment, the conveying layer further includes a third shifting member, which is installed at one end of the first conveying section near the lifting device and is used to drive the solid pallet from the first conveying section to the top frame;

[0021] The return layer also includes a fourth shifting component, which is installed at one end of the second conveying section near the lifting device and is used to drive the empty pallet from the top frame to the second conveying section.

[0022] In one embodiment, the gantry includes vertical frames and a top beam, with both ends of the top beam connected to the vertical frames, and the top beam and the vertical frames enclosing each other to form a gantry structure;

[0023] The support frame includes a chassis frame and two parallel side frames installed at intervals on the top surface of the chassis frame. The drive assembly is used to drive the chassis frame to rise and fall vertically. The lifting drive component is installed on one side of each of the two side frames opposite to each other, and each lifting drive component is connected to the top frame.

[0024] The gantry also includes a vertical rail, which is vertically installed on the vertical frame. Guide wheels are installed on both sides of the chassis frame, and the guide wheels are in rolling cooperation with the vertical rail.

[0025] In one embodiment, the vertical rail has a rectangular cross-section on the horizontal plane, and there are multiple guide wheels. The side of the vertical rail away from the top frame is defined as the outer side, and the two sides adjacent to the outer side are defined as the limiting sides.

[0026] Then, at least one of the guide wheels abuts against the outer side, and at least two other guide wheels abut against the two limiting sides respectively.

[0027] In one embodiment, the drive assembly includes a motor, a right-angle steering gear, a drive shaft, a gearbox, a drive chain, and a counterweight. The motor, the right-angle steering gear, and the gearbox are mounted on the top beam. The output shaft of the motor is connected to the drive shaft of the right-angle steering gear. A drive gear and a driven gear are rotatably mounted in the gearbox. Both ends of the drive shaft are connected to the driven shaft of the right-angle steering gear and the drive gear, respectively. Both the drive gear and the driven gear mesh with the drive chain. Both ends of the drive chain are connected to the counterweight and the chassis frame, respectively.

[0028] In one embodiment, there are two of each of the drive shaft, gearbox, drive chain, and counterweight. The two drive chains are respectively connected to the two sides of the chassis frame near the vertical frame. The two drive shafts and two gearboxes are symmetrically arranged along the symmetrical surfaces of the two vertical frames.

[0029] According to the technical solution of the present invention, the pallet buffer return mechanism includes a transport trolley, a buffer device, and a lifting device. The transport trolley includes at least two sets of vertically spaced material changing racks, each rack including a vertically spaced upper layer and a lower layer. The upper layer is used to place full pallets, and the lower layer is used to place empty pallets. The buffer device includes at least two sets of vertically spaced buffer racks, each rack including a vertically spaced conveying layer and a return layer. Each buffer rack has a connecting frame that can slide towards the transport trolley on the side closest to it. The connecting frame includes a vertically spaced receiving layer and an output layer. The upper layer, receiving layer, and conveying layer are correspondingly arranged, and the lower layer... The output layer and return layer are set up accordingly. The connecting frame is equipped with hooks, and the material changing frame is equipped with buckles that cooperate with the hooks. The conveying layer and return layer are respectively equipped with double-speed chains with opposite conveying directions. The lifting device is installed on the side of the buffer device away from the transport trolley. The lifting device includes a gantry, a drive assembly and a secondary lifting assembly. The secondary lifting assembly includes a support frame, a lifting drive component and a top frame. The drive assembly is used to drive the support frame to rise and fall vertically along the gantry. The lifting drive component is installed on the support frame and is used to drive the top frame to rise and fall. The top frame is used to dock with the buffer frame.

[0030] This arrangement gives the technical solution of the present invention the following beneficial effects:

[0031] (1) By vertically setting up multi-layer buffer racks, the number of full and empty pallets in the buffer device is increased. By setting up a secondary lifting component in the lifting device, the top frame can be connected with the material exchange racks of different heights, so that the lifting device can be adapted to exchange pallets with multi-layer material exchange racks. In this way, the transport trolley does not need to frequently exchange pallets with the buffer device, thereby reducing the frequency of use of the transport trolley and reducing the overall cost of logistics transmission. At the same time, it avoids the problem of production line stoppage due to insufficient number of full pallets in the buffer device, thereby avoiding production capacity loss.

[0032] (2) By setting a connecting frame at the end area of ​​the buffer rack and setting a material changing frame corresponding to the buffer rack on the transport trolley, when performing pallet exchange operations, it is only necessary to pull out the connecting frame and connect it with the material changing frame so that the hook and buckle can cooperate to perform pallet exchange operations. There is no need for manual handling of empty pallets and full pallets, saving time for pallet exchange operations.

[0033] (3) The double-speed chain in the conveying layer can automatically drive the full pallet to the lifting device, and the double-speed chain in the return layer can automatically drive the empty pallet to the vicinity of the transport trolley. The lifting device can receive the full pallet in the conveying layer, and after the operator removes the parts from the full pallet, it can automatically lift the empty pallet to the return layer, thereby automatically completing the transportation process of the full pallet and the empty pallet. As a result, the operator does not need to manually receive the full pallet from the conveying layer, nor does he need to manually lift the empty pallet and place it in the return layer, thus improving the receiving efficiency of the full pallet and the return efficiency of the empty pallet. Attached Figure Description

[0034] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0035] Figure 1 A top view schematic diagram of an embodiment of the tray buffer reflow structure provided by the present invention;

[0036] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the front structure;

[0037] Figure 3 A partial structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the buffer device and lifting device provided by the present invention;

[0038] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the front structure of an embodiment of the cache device provided by the present invention when it carries a tray;

[0039] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A top-view structural diagram;

[0040] Figure 6 for Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the side structure when the tray is not being carried.

[0041] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a connection frame according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 8 for Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the connecting frame in its extended state;

[0043] Figure 9 This is a top view of an embodiment of the shifting component provided by the present invention;

[0044] Figure 10 for Figure 9A schematic diagram of the side structure;

[0045] Figure 11 This is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of an embodiment of the shifting component provided by the present invention;

[0046] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the lifting device provided by the present invention;

[0047] Figure 13 for Figure 12 A structural diagram of the lifting device provided in the diagram when it is performing lifting operations;

[0048] Figure 14 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the secondary lifting assembly provided by the present invention;

[0049] Figure 15 for Figure 14 A top-view structural diagram;

[0050] Figure 16 for Figure 12 A partial structural diagram;

[0051] Figure 17 for Figure 16 A schematic diagram of the front structure.

[0052] Explanation of icon numbers:

[0053] 1000, Tray cache return mechanism;

[0054] 1. Transport trolley;

[0055] 2. Buffer device; 21. Buffer rack; 211. Conveying layer; 2111. First buffer section; 2112. First conveying section; 2113. First limit cylinder; 212. Return layer; 2121. Second buffer section; 2122. Second conveying section; 2123. Base frame; 213. Shifting assembly; 2131. Balancer; 2132. Pull rope; 2133. Slide rail; 2134. Drive block; 2135. Handle; 2136. Fixed pulley; 2137. Bar baffle; 22. Connecting frame; 221. Receiving layer; 222. Output layer; 223. Buckle; 224. Traveling wheel; 225. Strip frame; 226. Connecting rod; 23. Speed-doubler chain; 24. Flow strip; 25. Guide groove; 26. Support plate;

[0056] 3. Lifting device; 31. Gantry; 311. Vertical frame; 312. Top beam; 313. Vertical rail; 3131. Outer side; 3132. Limiting side; 32. Drive assembly; 321. Motor; 322. Right-angle steering gear; 323. Drive shaft; 324. Gearbox; 3241. Driving gear; 3242. Driven gear; 325. Drive chain; 326. Counterweight; 33. Secondary lifting assembly; 331. Support frame; 3311. Chassis frame; 3312. Side frame; 3313. Guide wheel; 332. Lifting drive component; 333. Top frame; 3331. Limiting groove; 3332. Anti-reverse cylinder;

[0057] 2000, full pallet; 3000, empty pallet.

[0058] The realization of the objective, functional features and advantages of the present invention will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0059] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not 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 effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0060] It should be noted that if the embodiments of the present invention involve directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.), the directional indications are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of the components in a specific posture. If the specific posture changes, the directional indications will also change accordingly.

[0061] Furthermore, if the embodiments of this invention involve descriptions such as "first" or "second," these descriptions are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. Additionally, the use of "and / or" or "and / or" throughout the text includes three parallel solutions. For example, "A and / or B" includes solution A, solution B, or a solution where both A and B are satisfied simultaneously. Furthermore, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by this invention.

[0062] To meet the demands of high-intensity, high-precision production, modern automotive assembly workshops are gradually transforming from traditional manual operations to intelligent and automated processes. Taking the transportation of bumpers as an example, in the traditional production model, bumper logistics and distribution heavily rely on manual intervention: workers must operate trailers or hoisting equipment to move pallets carrying bumpers from temporary storage areas to designated workstations on the production line; after the bumpers are removed from the pallets, the empty pallets must be sorted and stacked, and then transferred to a centralized recycling point via transport trolleys. This operational model not only suffers from high labor intensity and low handling efficiency, but also, due to the uncertainty of manual operation, makes it difficult to guarantee the timeliness and accuracy of logistics and distribution.

[0063] With the mature application of automation technology, conveyor systems are being introduced into automobile manufacturing workshops to replace manual handling. By constructing a material flow line of "transport trolley - conveyor chain - production line," the directional flow of full and empty pallets is achieved. Specifically, operators need to use special tools (such as tow hooks) to transfer full pallets from the transport trolley to the feeding conveyor chain, which automatically transports them to the production line. Empty pallets, on the other hand, are returned to the trolley parking area via a separate return conveyor chain, waiting for operators to move them to the transport trolley.

[0064] While the introduction of automated conveyor chains has significantly improved the mechanization of pallet transportation, current logistics systems still face significant efficiency bottlenecks. On one hand, the reliance on manual operation in pallet handling remains fundamentally unchanged: operators must continuously monitor the connection between the conveyor chain and transport trolleys, manually pushing full pallets onto the chain and picking up empty pallets. This semi-automated mode makes it difficult to further improve pallet transportation efficiency. On the other hand, based on actual on-site operations, each conveyor chain can only hold a maximum of 6 pallets at a time, while an automotive assembly line consumes approximately 35-40 bumper pallets per shift. This necessitates frequent pallet replenishment of the conveyor chain, typically requiring two transport trolleys to supply one conveyor chain, resulting in high overall logistics costs. A deeper problem lies in the limited buffer capacity of a single conveyor chain. When the buffer capacity is insufficient, the production line must be forced to stop and wait for pallet replenishment, directly leading to capacity loss and disrupting the original production rhythm.

[0065] In view of the above, the present invention proposes a tray buffer return mechanism to solve the above problems.

[0066] In one embodiment of the present invention, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2The pallet buffer return mechanism 1000 includes a transport trolley 1, a buffer device 2, and a lifting device 3. The transport trolley 1 includes at least two sets of vertically spaced material exchange racks (not shown in the figure). Each material exchange rack includes a vertically spaced upper layer and a lower layer. The upper layer is used to hold full pallets 2000, and the lower layer is used to hold empty pallets 3000. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The buffer device 2 includes at least two sets of vertically spaced buffer racks 21. Each buffer rack 21 includes a vertically spaced conveyor layer 211 and a return layer 212. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figures 5 to 8 Each buffer rack 21 is equipped with a connecting frame 22 that can slide towards the transport trolley 1 on the side closest to the trolley 1. The connecting frame 22 includes a receiving layer 221 and an output layer 222 arranged vertically at intervals. The loading layer, receiving layer 221 and conveying layer 211 are correspondingly arranged, and the unloading layer, output layer 222 and return layer 212 are correspondingly arranged. The connecting frame 22 is provided with hooks, and the material changing rack is provided with buckles 223 that cooperate with the hooks. The conveying layer 211 and the return layer 212 are respectively provided with double-speed chains 23 in opposite conveying directions; please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 12 and Figure 14 The lifting device 3 is installed on the side of the buffer device 2 away from the transport trolley 1. The lifting device 3 includes a gantry 31, a drive assembly 32 and a secondary lifting assembly 33. The secondary lifting assembly 33 includes a support frame 331, a lifting drive component 332 and a top frame 333. The drive assembly 32 is used to drive the support frame 331 to rise and fall vertically along the gantry 31. The lifting drive component 332 is installed on the support frame 331 and is used to drive the top frame 333 to rise and fall. The top frame 333 is used to dock with the buffer rack 21.

[0067] Specifically, a full pallet 2000 refers to a pallet containing parts (including but not limited to bumpers), and an empty pallet 3000 refers to a pallet without any parts. In this embodiment, two sets of material changing racks and buffer racks 21 are provided, meaning that both the transport trolley 1 and the buffer device 2 are four-layer structures. Correspondingly, the drive component 32 of the lifting device 3 can drive the top frame 333 to the heights corresponding to the first (from bottom to top) return layer 212 and the third return layer 212. Based on this, the lifting drive component 332 can drive the top frame 333 to the heights corresponding to the second and fourth transport layers. In this embodiment, the lifting drive component 332 includes one of a rodless cylinder and a stepper motor 321. Using a rodless cylinder or a stepper motor 321 to drive the lifting of the top frame 333 can improve the stability of the lifting movement of the top frame 333.

[0068] During pallet exchange, the transport trolley 1 enters the designated area, aligning the changing rack and the buffer rack 21. The operator manually pulls out the connecting frame 22, aligning the receiving layer 221 with the upper layer and the output layer 222 with the lower layer. The operator then manually inserts the hooks into the latches 223 to securely connect the connecting frame 22 to the changing rack. The operator then releases the full pallet 2000 from the upper layer through the receiving layer 221 into the conveying layer 211, and releases the empty pallet 3000 from the return layer 212 through the output layer 222 into the lower layer. This completes the pallet exchange operation for one set of buffer racks 21. The operation principle for the other set of buffer racks 21 is the same.

[0069] When receiving pallets 2000, taking the receiving of pallets 2000 in the fourth transport layer as an example, the drive component 32 in the lifting device 3 drives the secondary lifting component 33 to move as a whole, causing the top frame 333 to move to the height corresponding to the third return layer 212. Then, the lifting drive component 332 drives the top frame 333 to rise to the height corresponding to the fourth transport layer. The pallets 2000 in the fourth transport layer are released and move to the top frame 333. Then, the lifting drive component 332 keeps the top frame 333 in the rising state, and the drive component 32 drives the top frame 333 to fall to the height corresponding to the second output layer 222, so that the operator can pick up the parts.

[0070] When performing the return operation of empty pallet 3000, taking the return operation of empty pallet 3000 in the third return layer 212 as an example, after the operator removes the parts from the full pallet 2000, the empty pallet 3000 is still placed on the top frame 333. At this time, the lifting drive component 332 drives the top frame 333 to descend to the initial position. Then, the drive component 32 drives the secondary lifting component 33 to rise as a whole, so that the top frame 333 moves to the position height corresponding to the third return layer 212. After that, the empty pallet 3000 in the top frame 333 returns to the third return layer 212 and is transported to the direction of the transport trolley 1 by the double speed chain 23 in the third return layer 212.

[0071] The lifting device 3 can be equipped with a controller to automatically control the movement process of the drive component 32 and the secondary lifting component 33. The controller can be a PLC controller or an industrial computer, and the specific type of controller can be selected according to the needs of those skilled in the art.

[0072] To facilitate the movement of empty pallets 3000 and full pallets 2000, flow strips 24 are installed in the top frame 333, the upper layer and the lower layer. The installation of flow strips 24 is a conventional method for those skilled in the art. The number, position and orientation of the flow strips can be selected according to the actual design requirements, and will not be described in detail here.

[0073] It should also be noted that, depending on the layout requirements of the workshop, two sets of the 1000 pallet buffer return mechanism can be installed in parallel (e.g., Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, taking a vehicle bumper installation line as an example, two parallel pallet buffer return mechanisms 1000 are set up on the side of the line. One set of pallet buffer return mechanisms 1000 is responsible for supplying front bumpers to the installation line, and the other set of pallet buffer return mechanisms 1000 is responsible for supplying rear bumpers to the installation line. This not only conforms to the production process of the installation line, but also reduces the area occupied on the side of the installation line, and avoids the waste of walking movements for operators due to the two sets of pallet buffer return mechanisms 1000 being set up alternately.

[0074] According to the technical solution provided in this embodiment, by vertically setting up multi-layer buffer racks 21, the number of full pallets 2000 and empty pallets 3000 in the buffer device 2 is increased. By setting up a secondary lifting component 33 in the lifting device 3, the top frame 333 can be connected with material exchange racks of different heights, so that the lifting device 3 can adapt to the exchange of pallets with multi-layer material exchange racks. In this way, the transport trolley 1 does not need to frequently exchange pallets with the buffer device 2, thereby reducing the frequency of use of the transport trolley 1, reducing the overall cost of logistics transmission, and avoiding the production line stoppage caused by insufficient number of full pallets 2000 in the buffer device 2, thereby avoiding production capacity loss.

[0075] By setting a connecting frame 22 at the end area of ​​the buffer rack 21 and setting a material changing rack corresponding to the buffer rack 21 on the transport trolley 1, when performing pallet exchange operations, it is only necessary to pull out the connecting frame 22 and connect it with the material changing rack, so that the hook and buckle 223 can cooperate to perform pallet exchange operations. There is no need for manual handling of empty pallets 3000 and full pallets 2000, saving time for pallet exchange operations.

[0076] The double-speed chain 23 in the conveyor layer 211 can automatically drive the full pallet 2000 to the lifting device 3. The double-speed chain 23 in the return layer 212 can automatically drive the empty pallet 3000 to the vicinity of the transport trolley 1. The lifting device 3 can receive the full pallet 2000 in the conveyor layer 211 and automatically lift the empty pallet 3000 to the return layer 212 after the operator removes the parts from the full pallet 2000. This automatically completes the transportation process of the full pallet 2000 and the empty pallet 3000, so that the operator does not need to manually receive the full pallet 2000 from the conveyor layer 211, nor does the operator need to manually lift and place the empty pallet 3000 in the return layer 212. This improves the receiving efficiency of the full pallet 2000 and the return efficiency of the empty pallet 3000.

[0077] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, please refer to... Figure 5 and Figure 6 The conveying layer 211 includes a first buffer section 2111 and a first conveying section 2112. The first buffer section 2111 is located near the transport trolley 1. The first conveying section 2112 is equipped with a double-speed chain 23 whose conveying direction is from the transport trolley 1 to the lifting device 3. A first limit cylinder 2113 is provided between the first buffer section 2111 and the first conveying section 2112. The return layer 212 includes a second buffer section 2121 and a second conveying section 2122. The second buffer section 2121 is located near the transport trolley 1. The second conveying section 2122 is equipped with a double-speed chain 23 whose conveying direction is from the lifting device 3 to the transport trolley 1. A second limit cylinder (not shown) is provided between the second buffer section 2121 and the second conveying section 2122. The conveying layer 211 also includes a first shifting member (not shown), which is installed in the first buffer section 2111 and is used to drive the full pallet 2000 from the first buffer section 2111 to the first conveying section 2112; the return layer 212 also includes a second shifting member (not shown), which is installed in the second buffer section 2121 and is used to drive the empty pallet 3000 from the second conveying section 2122 to the second buffer section 2121; the receiving layer 221 is slidably connected to the first buffer section 2111, and the output layer 222 is slidably connected to the second buffer section 2121; at least two parallel flow strips 24 are installed in the receiving layer 221, the output layer 222, the first buffer section 2111, and the second buffer section 2121.

[0078] Specifically, the first limiting cylinder 2113 and the second limiting cylinder are either stop cylinders or lever cylinders, used to limit the full pallet 2000 or the empty pallet 3000. When the connecting frame 22 is not extended, it partially overlaps with the first buffer section 2111 and the second buffer section 2121. After the connecting frame 22 is extended, taking the full pallet 2000 as an example, the full pallet 2000 can slide through the flow strip 24 in the receiving layer 221 to the flow strip 24 in the first buffer section 2111, thus ensuring that the full pallet 2000 can always slide smoothly.

[0079] The first and second shifting components include rodless cylinders or cylinders with dragging functions. If a cylinder with dragging function is used, a wedge-shaped structure or a hook structure can be installed at the end of its telescopic rod, based on a standard cylinder. The tip of the wedge-shaped structure or hook structure needs to face the full pallet 2000 or the empty pallet 3000. A groove is pre-drilled at the bottom of the pallet for the wedge-shaped structure or hook structure to hook onto. In this case, the extension directions of the telescopic rods of the first and second shifting components should be opposite; that is, the telescopic rod of the first shifting component should extend towards the transport trolley 1 to drag the full pallet 2000 from the first buffer section 2111 to the first conveying section 2112; while the telescopic rod of the second shifting component should extend towards the second conveying section 2122 to drag the empty pallet 3000 from the second conveying section 2122 to the second buffer section 2121. If a rodless cylinder is used, the movement of the slider in the rodless cylinder can drive the movement of the full pallet 2000 or the empty pallet 3000.

[0080] With the configuration of this embodiment, for the conveying layer 211, the first buffer section 2111 is close to the transport trolley 1 and can temporarily store the full pallets 2000 sent from the receiving layer 221, preventing the full pallets 2000 from directly rushing into the first conveying section 2112. The first limiting cylinder 2113 plays the role of restricting the forward movement of the full pallets 2000. When there is space in the first conveying section 2112, the first limiting cylinder 2113 is released, allowing the full pallets 2000 in the first buffer section 2111 to enter the first conveying section 2112; when the first conveying section 2112 is fully loaded, the first limiting cylinder 2113 rises, preventing the full pallets 2000 from continuing to enter. For the return layer 212, the second buffer section 2121 is located near the transport trolley 1 and can temporarily store empty pallets 3000 sent from the second conveying section 2122, waiting for the trolley to pick them up or for the output layer 222 to transfer them, preventing empty pallets 3000 from accumulating in the conveying section. The second limit cylinder has the same function as the first limit cylinder 2113. In this way, by setting the first buffer section 2111 and the second buffer section 2121, the transport of full pallets 2000 and empty pallets 3000 is buffered, balancing the transport rhythm of the transport trolley 1, each conveying section and the lifting device 3, which helps to improve the stability of the pallet transport operation process of the pallet buffer return mechanism 1000.

[0081] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, please refer to... Figure 7 and Figure 8Both the receiving layer 221 and the output layer 222 include multiple wheels 224 and two parallel, spaced-apart strips 225. The flow strips 24 are mounted on the strips 225, and the multiple wheels 224 are spaced apart at the bottom of the strips 225. The connecting frame 22 also includes a connecting rod 226, with both ends of the connecting rod 226 connected to the corresponding two strips 225 in the receiving layer 221 and the output layer 222, respectively. Hooks are installed on the end of the strip 225 near the transport trolley 1. The first buffer... The first buffer section 2111 is equipped with a guide groove 25, the second buffer section 2121 is equipped with a support plate 26, the wheels 224 of the receiving layer 221 are positioned in the guide groove 25, and the wheels 224 of the output layer 222 abut against the support plate 26; or, the first buffer section 2111 is equipped with a support plate 26, the second buffer section 2121 is equipped with a guide groove 25, the wheels 224 of the receiving layer 221 abut against the support plate 26, and the wheels 224 of the receiving layer 221 are positioned in the guide groove 25. The guide groove 25 includes an upper top plate and a lower bottom plate, and the wheels 224 abut against the upper top plate and the lower bottom plate to prevent them from dislodging from the guide groove 25. This configuration allows the connecting frame 22 to extend and retract relative to the buffer frame 21. Because of the wheels 224, when the connecting frame 22 needs to dock with the material changing frame, simply pulling the connecting rod 226 towards the material changing frame will pull the connecting frame 22 out entirely.

[0082] In one embodiment of the present invention, please refer to Figures 9 to 11The second buffer section 2121 includes a base frame 2123, with guide grooves 25 or support plates 26 mounted on the base frame 2123, and at least two parallel flow strips 24 mounted on the top surface of the base frame 2123; the return flow layer 212 is also equipped with a shifting assembly 213, which includes a balancer 2131, a pull rope 2132, a slide rail 2133, a drive block 2134, a handle 2135, and multiple fixed pulleys 2136. The rail 2133 and the fixed pulleys 2136 are both mounted on the base frame 2123. The balancer 2131 is mounted on the side of the rail 2133 away from the transport trolley 1. The drive block 2134 is slidably mounted on the rail 2133. The two sides of the drive block 2134 are respectively connected to the pull rope 2132 and the cable in the balancer 2131. The end of the pull rope 2132 away from the balancer 2131 passes through multiple fixed pulleys 2136 and is connected to the handle 2135. With this configuration, when there is an empty pallet 3000 in the second buffer section 2121 and the output layer 222 of the connecting frame 22 has been connected to the unloading layer of the transport trolley 1, simply pulling the handle 2135 will send the empty pallet 3000 into the output layer 222 and allow the empty pallet 3000 to enter the unloading layer of the transport trolley 1 by inertia. The specific principle is as follows: the operator pulls the handle 2135, causing the handle 2135 to move the pull rope 2132. Under the steering action of multiple fixed pulleys 2136, the pull rope 2132 can pull the drive block 2134 along the slide rail 2133 towards the transport trolley 1, thereby moving the empty pallet 3000 towards the transport trolley 1. After the empty pallet 3000 enters the transport trolley 1, the handle 2135 is released, and the drive block 2134 is reset under the action of the balancer 2131. In this way, there is no need for manual dragging of the empty pallet 3000 from the second buffer section 2121 to the unloading layer, further improving the efficiency of the empty pallet 3000 return.

[0083] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, in order to improve the reliability of the drive block 2134 driving the empty tray 3000 to move, a rotatable baffle 2137 is installed on the top of the drive block 2134. The baffle 2137 can press against the groove at the bottom of the empty tray 3000, so that the drive block 2134 can stably drive the empty tray 3000 to move. When the drive block 2134 is reset, the baffle 2137 rotates counterclockwise under the action of the empty tray 3000, so that it will not drive the empty tray 3000 to retract.

[0084] In one embodiment of the present invention, the feeding layer includes a base frame and a feeding drive (not shown). The feeding drive is mounted on the base frame and is used to drive the full pallet 2000 to the first buffer section 2111. The feeding drive includes one of a top-loading cylinder and a rodless cylinder. After the feeding layer docks with the receiving layer 221, the feeding drive can automatically transport the full pallet 2000 to the receiving layer 221 without manual dragging.

[0085] In another embodiment, the base frame in the loading layer is tilted toward the receiving layer 221, so that the pallet 2000 can automatically slide to the receiving layer 221 by gravity.

[0086] In one embodiment of the present invention, the conveying layer 211 further includes a third shifting member (not shown), which is installed at one end of the first conveying section 2112 near the lifting device 3 and is used to drive the full pallet 2000 from the first conveying section 2112 to the top frame 333; the return layer 212 further includes a fourth shifting member (not shown), which is installed at one end of the second conveying section 2122 near the lifting device 3 and is used to drive the empty pallet 3000 from the top frame 333 to the second conveying section 2122. Specifically, the third shifting member is used to transport the full pallet 2000 in the first conveying section 2112 to the top frame 333 in the lifting device 3, and the fourth shifting member is used to transport the empty pallet 3000 in the top frame 333 to the second conveying section 2122. Specifically, the third shifting member is a cylinder with a pushing function, whose telescopic rod can extend towards the lifting device 3, thereby pushing the full pallet 2000 into the top frame 333. The fourth shifting component is a cylinder with a dragging function. Its telescopic rod can extend toward the lifting device 3. Its specific structure can be found in the description of the first and second shifting components in the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0087] In this embodiment, a guide structure for the telescopic rod is installed in the top frame 333. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 14 and Figure 15 Specifically, it is formed by two U-shaped grooves arranged opposite each other, which together form a limiting groove 3331. When the telescopic rod in the third or fourth shifting member extends into the top frame 333, the limiting groove 3331 is used to limit the movement direction of the telescopic rod, preventing excessive displacement of the limiting rod and affecting the movement of the full pallet 2000 and the empty pallet 3000. In addition, at least one anti-reverse cylinder 3332 is also installed in the top frame 333. The anti-reverse cylinder 3332 includes one of a stop cylinder and a lever cylinder, which is used to limit the position of the full pallet 2000 or the empty pallet 3000 in the top frame 333, preventing the full pallet 2000 or the empty pallet 3000 from sliding beyond the limit and causing the pallet to slip.

[0088] In one embodiment of the present invention, please refer to Figure 12 and Figure 13The gantry 31 includes a vertical frame 311 and a top beam 312. Both ends of the top beam 312 are connected to the vertical frame 311, and the top beam 312 and the vertical frame 311 enclose a gantry structure. The support frame 331 includes a chassis frame 3311 and two parallel side frames 3312 installed on the top surface of the chassis frame 3311. The drive assembly 32 is used to drive the chassis frame 3311 to move vertically. Each of the two side frames 3312 has a lifting drive component 332 installed on one side opposite to the other. Each lifting drive component 332 is connected to the top frame 333. The gantry 31 also includes a vertical rail 313, which is vertically installed on the vertical frame 311. Guide wheels 3313 are installed on both sides of the chassis frame 3311, and the guide wheels 3313 roll in cooperation with the vertical rail 313. Specifically, the chassis frame 3311 serves as the base of the secondary lifting assembly 33, extending to the vertical frames 311 on both sides. The drive assembly 32 drives the chassis frame 3311 to rise and fall, thereby driving the side frames 3312 and the top frame 333 to move up and down. The guide wheels 3313 on both sides of the chassis frame 3311 are used to cooperate with the vertical rails 313 to reduce the friction during the lifting and lowering of the chassis frame 3311.

[0089] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, please refer to... Figure 16 and Figure 17 The vertical rail 313 has a rectangular cross-section on the horizontal plane. There are multiple guide wheels 3313. Defined as follows: the side of the vertical rail 313 furthest from the top frame 333 is the outer side 3131, and the two sides adjacent to the outer side 3131 are the limiting sides 3132. At least one guide wheel 3313 abuts against the outer side 3131, and at least two other guide wheels 3313 abut against the two limiting sides 3132 respectively. This arrangement allows multiple guide wheels 3313 to be clamped around the vertical rail 313, thereby limiting the horizontal displacement of the chassis frame 3311 and preventing horizontal offset during chassis frame 3311 lifting and lowering. This improves the stability of the chassis frame 3311 during lifting and lowering, preventing situations where the top frame 333 and the buffer frame 21 cannot align due to chassis frame 3311 swaying.

[0090] In one embodiment of the present invention, please refer to Figure 12 and Figure 13The drive assembly 32 includes a motor 321, a right-angle steering gear 322, a drive shaft 323, a gearbox 324, a drive chain 325, and a counterweight 326. The motor 321, right-angle steering gear 322, and gearbox 324 are mounted on the top beam 312. The output shaft of the motor 321 is connected to the drive shaft of the right-angle steering gear 322. A drive gear 3241 and a driven gear 3242 are rotatably mounted in the gearbox 324. Both ends of the drive shaft 323 are connected to the driven shaft of the right-angle steering gear 322 and the drive gear 3241, respectively. Both the drive gear 3241 and the driven gear 3242 mesh with the drive chain 325. Both ends of the drive chain 325 are connected to the counterweight 326 and the chassis frame 3311, respectively. The drive chain 325 rests on the tops of the drive gear 3241 and the driven gear 3242 and meshes with them. Taking the lifting process of the secondary lifting component 33 driven by the drive component 32 as an example, its working principle is as follows: The output shaft of the motor 321 rotates, driving the driven shaft of the right-angle steering gear 322 to rotate, thereby driving the transmission shaft 323 to rotate, causing the driving gear 3241 in the gearbox 324 to rotate. The driving gear 3241 drives the transmission chain 325 to move, thereby enabling the counterweights 326 and the chassis frame 3311 at both ends of the transmission chain 325 to move relative to each other. When the counterweights 326 descend, the chassis frame 3311 rises, and when the counterweights 326 rise, the chassis frame 3311 descends. The driven gear 3242 and the driving gear 3241 are set with a preset distance interval, which can improve the stability of the transmission chain 325 during operation. It can also adjust the horizontal distance between the counterweights 326 and the chassis frame 3311 by adjusting the preset distance between the driving gear 3241 and the driven gear 3242, thereby facilitating the adjustment of the connection position between the transmission chain 325 and the chassis frame 3311.

[0091] In one embodiment of the present invention, please refer to Figure 12 and Figure 13 The drive assembly 32 has two drive shafts 323, two gearboxes 324, two drive chains 325, and two counterweights 326. The two drive chains 325 are connected to the two sides of the chassis frame 3311 closest to the vertical frame 311, respectively. The two drive shafts 323 and two gearboxes 324 are symmetrically arranged along the symmetrical planes of the two vertical frames 311. This arrangement ensures the symmetrical arrangement of the drive assembly 32, allowing both sides of the chassis frame 3311 to connect to the drive chains 325. This results in a more even distribution of force on the chassis frame 3311 during lifting, further improving the stability of the secondary lifting assembly 33 during lifting.

[0092] The above description is merely an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any equivalent structural transformations made based on the technical concept of the present invention and the contents of the specification and drawings of the present invention, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A tray buffer return mechanism, characterized in that, include: The transport trolley includes at least two sets of vertically spaced material changing racks, each rack including a vertically spaced upper material layer and a lower material layer. The upper material layer is used to place full pallets, and the lower material layer is used to place empty pallets. A buffer device includes at least two sets of vertically spaced buffer racks. Each buffer rack includes a vertically spaced conveying layer and a return layer. Each buffer rack has a connecting frame that can slide towards the transport trolley on the side closest to the transport trolley. The connecting frame includes a vertically spaced receiving layer and an output layer. The feeding layer, the receiving layer, and the conveying layer are correspondingly arranged. The unloading layer, the output layer, and the return layer are correspondingly arranged. The connecting frame is provided with a hook. The material changing frame is provided with a buckle that cooperates with the hook. The conveying layer and the return layer are respectively provided with double-speed chains with opposite conveying directions. A lifting device is installed on the side of the buffer device away from the transport trolley. The lifting device includes a gantry, a drive assembly, and a secondary lifting assembly. The secondary lifting assembly includes a support frame, a lifting drive component, and a top frame. The drive assembly is used to drive the support frame to move vertically up and down along the gantry. The lifting drive component is installed on the support frame and is used to drive the top frame to move up and down. The top frame is used to dock with the buffer rack. The conveying layer includes a first buffer section and a first conveying section, the return layer includes a second buffer section and a second conveying section, the receiving layer is slidably connected to the first buffer section, the output layer is slidably connected to the second buffer section, and at least two parallel flow strips are installed in the receiving layer, the output layer, the first buffer section and the second buffer section. Both the receiving layer and the output layer further include multiple traveling wheels and two parallel and spaced-apart strips. The flow strip is installed on the strip, and the multiple traveling wheels are spaced apart at the bottom of the strip. The connecting frame further includes a connecting rod, the two ends of which are respectively connected to the two corresponding strips in the receiving layer and the output layer. The hook is installed on the end of the strip near the transport trolley. The first buffer section is equipped with a guide groove, the second buffer section is equipped with a support plate, the wheels of the receiving layer are disposed in the guide groove, and the wheels of the output layer abut against the support plate; Alternatively, the first buffer section is equipped with a support plate, the second buffer section is equipped with a guide groove, the traveling wheel of the receiving layer abuts against the support plate, and the traveling wheel of the receiving layer is disposed in the guide groove.

2. The tray buffer return mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first buffer section is located close to the transport trolley, and a speed-multiplying chain with the transport trolley pointing towards the lifting device is installed in the first conveying section. A first limit cylinder is provided between the first buffer section and the first conveying section. The second buffer section is located close to the transport trolley, and the second conveying section is equipped with a speed-multiplying chain whose conveying direction is from the lifting device to the transport trolley. A second limit cylinder is provided between the second buffer section and the second conveying section. The conveying layer further includes a first shifting member, which is installed on the first buffer section and is used to drive the solid pallet from the first buffer section to the first conveying section; The return layer also includes a second shifting member, which is installed in the second buffer section and is used to drive the empty pallet from the second conveying section to the second buffer section.

3. The tray buffer return mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The second buffer section includes a base frame, the guide groove or the support plate is mounted on the base frame, and at least two parallel flow strips are mounted on the top surface of the base frame; The reflux layer is also equipped with a shifting assembly, which includes a balancer, a pull rope, a slide rail, a drive block, a handle, and multiple fixed pulleys. The balancer, the slide rail, and the fixed pulleys are all mounted on the base frame. The balancer is mounted on the side of the slide rail away from the transport trolley. The drive block is slidably mounted on the slide rail. Both sides of the drive block are respectively connected to the pull rope and the cable in the balancer. The end of the pull rope away from the balancer passes around multiple fixed pulleys in sequence and is connected to the handle.

4. The tray buffer return mechanism as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The loading layer includes a base frame and a loading drive component. The loading drive component is mounted on the base frame and is used to drive the solid pallet to the first buffer section.

5. The tray buffer return mechanism as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The conveying layer further includes a third shifting component, which is installed at one end of the first conveying section near the lifting device and is used to drive the solid pallet from the first conveying section to the top frame; The return layer also includes a fourth shifting component, which is installed at one end of the second conveying section near the lifting device and is used to drive the empty pallet from the top frame to the second conveying section.

6. The tray buffer return mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The gantry includes vertical frames and a top beam, with both ends of the top beam connected to the vertical frames. The top beam and the vertical frames together form a gantry structure. The support frame includes a chassis frame and two parallel side frames installed at intervals on the top surface of the chassis frame. The drive assembly is used to drive the chassis frame to rise and fall vertically. The lifting drive component is installed on one side of each of the two side frames opposite to each other, and each lifting drive component is connected to the top frame. The gantry also includes a vertical rail, which is vertically installed on the vertical frame. Guide wheels are installed on both sides of the chassis frame, and the guide wheels are in rolling cooperation with the vertical rail.

7. The tray buffer return mechanism as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The vertical rail has a rectangular cross-section on the horizontal plane. There are multiple guide wheels. The side of the vertical rail away from the top frame is defined as the outer side, and the two sides adjacent to the outer side are defined as the limiting sides. Then, at least one of the guide wheels abuts against the outer side, and at least two other guide wheels abut against the two limiting sides respectively.

8. The tray buffer return mechanism as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The drive assembly includes a motor, a right-angle steering gear, a drive shaft, a gearbox, a drive chain, and a counterweight. The motor, the right-angle steering gear, and the gearbox are mounted on the top beam. The output shaft of the motor is connected to the drive shaft of the right-angle steering gear. A drive gear and a driven gear are rotatably mounted in the gearbox. The two ends of the drive shaft are respectively connected to the driven shaft of the right-angle steering gear and the drive gear. Both the drive gear and the driven gear mesh with the drive chain. The two ends of the drive chain are respectively connected to the counterweight and the chassis frame.

9. The tray buffer return mechanism as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The number of the drive shaft, the gearbox, the drive chain, and the counterweight are all two. The two drive chains are respectively connected to the two sides of the chassis frame near the vertical frame. The two drive shafts and the two gearboxes are symmetrically arranged along the symmetrical surfaces of the two vertical frames.

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