Material conveying cache device with straight-through function

Abstract

The invention discloses a material conveying caching device with a straight-through function. An arc-shaped bypass channel is arranged between the end point of the bottle inlet channel and the starting point of the bottle outlet channel; the head and the tail of the bypass channel are respectively connected to the head and the tail of the bottle inlet and outlet channel; the bottle feeding channel is provided with a channel changing device which divides materials of one flow channel conveyed along the channel into two flow channels in the bottle feeding channel and controls whether the materials enter the buffering platform or the bypass channel or not according to received control signals sent by an upper system. The materials entering the temporary storage platform or the bypass channel are finally conveyed out from the bottle outlet channel; according to a control signal sent by an upper system, the materials are controlled to enter the buffer platform or directly conveyed to the bottle outlet channel through the bypass channel. The material transmission caching device not only has a straight-through function, but also has a caching function, and is wider in application scene.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of product conveying technology in industrial production lines, and specifically to a material conveying buffer device with a through-flow function. Background Technology

[0002] In automated production lines that handle various operations on bottles, cans, vials, tins, boxes, cartons, and other packaging, a bottle-sorting device is typically used to group and buffer the centralized or loosely placed packages onto a buffer platform to improve automation. This buffer platform is then used for subsequent operations such as packaging, opening caps, or mixing the materials inside the bottles. This production line often employs single-line, multi-line, or even bulk processing and conveying. The buffer platform prevents issues from arising when downstream equipment, such as packaging machines, experiences material changes, malfunctions, or blockages, disrupting normal operation. This can lead to many machines stopping, while upstream filling machines cannot immediately cease operation, resulting in severe blockages and buildup. The buffer platform temporarily stores products without continuously supplying them to downstream equipment, thus preventing blockages. When all equipment resumes normal operation, the buffer platform can quickly output the products, preventing downstream equipment issues from impacting the overall production line capacity.

[0003] Prior art application CN2016105126310 discloses a feeding device and method for accumulation, which provides an overall process flow. A buffer conveyor pushes the product at the inlet onto the accumulation surface, and an output tool pushes the product from the accumulation surface into the next process channel at the outlet. Prior art applications CN201780011961.4 disclose a conveyor system with multiple outlets, and CN201780080455.0 discloses a product transfer device. These prior art applications, based on the first prior art application, improve upon the bottle-separating device to prevent bottles from being pushed into and out of the accumulation surface. Prior art application CN201510885578.4 discloses a bottle-separating device, method, and automated processing line, which achieves grouping and separation of dispersed bottles on the production line. The material transfer method, control device, and material transfer equipment disclosed in the prior art publication number CN202210473903.6 only discloses signal transmission and control, but does not disclose how to implement the hardware in detail. In summary, although the prior art also discloses the single-line or multi-line method to realize the transfer of products, it has the problems of large space occupation and low level of automation.

[0004] Existing caching platforms require a complete process regardless of whether caching is needed or not. Since a production line doesn't need caching most of the time, this leads to significant waste, including wasted energy, machine lifespan, and maintenance costs. Furthermore, machine failures can disrupt the production line, sometimes resulting in a net loss. To address this issue, we've developed a new structure. When caching isn't needed, the system can directly move to the next device without additional steps; caching only occurs when required. Summary of the Invention

[0005] 1. The technical problem to be solved:

[0006] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention provides a material transfer buffer device with a straight-through function. By implementing the straight-through function on the basis of an existing buffer platform, the device's functions can be controlled according to the speeds of the inlet and outlet channels.

[0007] 2. Technical Solution:

[0008] A material transfer buffer device with a straight-through function includes a bottle inlet channel, a square buffer platform, and a bottle outlet channel connected in sequence. The bottle inlet channel and the bottle outlet channel respectively convey / output materials to / from the buffer platform along two opposite sides of the square buffer platform. The device is characterized in that an arc-shaped bypass channel is provided between the end point of the bottle inlet channel and the beginning point of the bottle outlet channel, and the beginning and end of the bypass channel are respectively connected to the beginning and end of the bottle inlet channel and the bottle outlet channel.

[0009] The bottle inlet channel is equipped with a channel changing device that divides the material in one flow path transported along the channel into two flow paths in the bottle inlet channel, and controls whether the material enters the buffer platform or the bypass channel according to the control signal sent by the upper system; the material that enters the buffer platform or the bypass channel is finally delivered out from the bottle outlet channel.

[0010] When the control signal from the host system indicates that caching is required, when the material from the two flow channels enters the bottle inlet side of the caching platform, the bottle transfer device will arrange the material from the two flow channels into a row, with each flow channel as a unit, and move the preset number of materials from one flow channel to the upper surface of the caching platform. Then, according to the control signal from the host computer, the bottle pusher will push the outermost material located at the bottle outlet side of the caching platform to the bottle outlet channel.

[0011] When the received signal is a direct output, the material in the two channels of the inlet channel directly enters the bypass channel after passing through the channel on the opposite side. The material transfer direction is changed through the arc-shaped bypass channel. After passing through the bypass channel, the material directly enters the outlet channel on the opposite side of the outlet of the buffer platform and is transported to the next process from the outlet channel.

[0012] Furthermore, a bypass device is provided at the location where the bypass channel connects to the buffer platform to allow materials from both channels to directly enter and exit the bypass.

[0013] Furthermore, the buffer platform is provided with a frame structure; the bottle transfer device and the bottle pusher are both mounted on the frame structure and can move up and down and back and forth along the frame structure; the bottle transfer device and the bottle pusher are provided with clamping components, which prevent collisions between materials when performing bottle pushing actions.

[0014] Furthermore, the host computer control system determines whether the buffering process of the buffer platform needs to be activated by acquiring the feeding and discharging speeds of the upstream and downstream material transfer buffer device. If the feeding speed is greater than the discharging speed, the buffering process is activated; if the feeding speed is less than or equal to the discharging speed, the buffering process is not activated and the bypass channel is opened.

[0015] A material transfer buffering method includes a host system acquiring the material flow rate of upstream and downstream production lines. If the feeding rate is greater than the discharging rate, a buffering process is initiated, and a bottle-transfer device is activated to move the material in the bottle inlet channel into the buffering platform. If the material on the surface of the buffering platform exceeds a preset value, the upstream production line is paused, and the downstream bottle outlet channel executes the output process. If the feeding rate is less than or equal to the discharging rate, the buffering process is not initiated, and the bypass channel is opened.

[0016] Furthermore, the feeding speed and discharging speed are collected by setting up photoelectric sensors in the flow channel, and the photoelectric sensors are connected to the host computer for communication.

[0017] 3. Beneficial effects:

[0018] (1) The present invention provides a material transfer buffer device and method with a straight-through function, which provides a bypass channel with a straight-through function on the side of the buffer platform for direct production line when buffering is not required, thus saving costs.

[0019] (2) The material transfer buffer device and method with a through function provided by the present invention is based on the existing production line with corresponding improvements. It has low modification cost and low space requirements.

[0020] (3) The material transfer buffering method provided by this method has a simple control method, which can ensure that the total number of buffered materials meets the production speed of the production line, ensure the normal production of the production line, and save the floor space of the entire production line and reduce production costs. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1A schematic diagram of an overall device for a material transfer buffer with a through-flow function;

[0022] Figure 2 This is an overall schematic diagram of the caching platform in a specific embodiment of this method;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a material transfer buffer device with a straight-through function when the bypass channel is opened.

[0024] The instruction manual includes the following diagrams: 1. Bottle inlet channel; 2. Square buffer platform; 3. Bottle outlet channel; 4. Bypass channel; 5. Lane changing device; 6. Frame structure. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] As attached Figure 1 To be continued Figure 2 As shown; a material transfer buffer device with a straight-through function; including a bottle inlet channel 1, a square buffer platform 2 and a bottle outlet channel 3 connected in sequence; the bottle inlet channel and the bottle outlet channel respectively convey / output materials to / from the buffer platform along two opposite sides of the square buffer platform, characterized in that: an arc-shaped bypass channel 4 is provided between the end point of the bottle inlet channel and the beginning point of the bottle outlet channel, and the beginning and end of the bypass channel are respectively connected to the beginning and end of the bottle inlet channel and the bottle outlet channel;

[0027] The bottle inlet channel is equipped with a channel changing device 5 to divide the material in one flow path transported along the channel into two flow paths in the bottle inlet channel, and controls whether the material enters the buffer platform or the bypass channel according to the control signal sent by the upper system; the material that enters the buffer platform or the bypass channel is finally delivered out from the bottle outlet channel.

[0028] When the control signal from the host system indicates that caching is required, when the material from the two flow channels enters the bottle inlet side of the caching platform, the bottle transfer device will arrange the material from the two flow channels into a row, with each flow channel as a unit, and move the preset number of materials from one flow channel to the upper surface of the caching platform. Then, according to the control signal from the host computer, the bottle pusher will push the outermost material located at the bottle outlet side of the caching platform to the bottle outlet channel.

[0029] When the received signal is a direct output, the material in the two channels of the inlet channel directly enters the bypass channel after passing through the channel on the opposite side. The material transfer direction is changed through the arc-shaped bypass channel. After passing through the bypass channel, the material directly enters the outlet channel on the opposite side of the outlet of the buffer platform and is transported to the next process from the outlet channel.

[0030] Furthermore, a bypass device 5 is provided at the location where the bypass channel connects to the buffer platform to allow materials from both channels to directly enter and exit the bypass.

[0031] Furthermore, the buffer platform is provided with a frame structure 6; the bottle transfer device and the bottle pusher are both mounted on the frame structure and can move up and down and back and forth along the frame structure; the bottle transfer device and the bottle pusher are provided with clamping components, which prevent collisions between materials when the materials are pushed.

[0032] Furthermore, the host computer control system determines whether the buffering process of the buffer platform needs to be activated by acquiring the feeding and discharging speeds of the upstream and downstream material transfer buffer device. If the feeding speed is greater than the discharging speed, the buffering process is activated; if the feeding speed is less than or equal to the discharging speed, the buffering process is not activated and the bypass channel is opened.

[0033] A material transfer buffering method includes a host system acquiring the material flow rate of upstream and downstream production lines. If the feeding rate is greater than the discharging rate, a buffering process is initiated, and a bottle-transfer device is activated to move the material in the bottle inlet channel into the buffering platform. If the material on the surface of the buffering platform exceeds a preset value, the upstream production line is paused, and the downstream bottle outlet channel executes the output process. If the feeding rate is less than or equal to the discharging rate, the buffering process is not initiated, and the bypass channel is opened.

[0034] Furthermore, the feeding speed and discharging speed are collected by setting up photoelectric sensors in the flow channel, and the photoelectric sensors are connected to the host computer for communication. Specific implementation examples:

[0036] As attached Figure 2 , 3 The image shows a specific embodiment of the pass-through function implemented using this solution. Figure 2 The buffer platform device of this embodiment includes a platform, a bottle transfer device for collecting and pushing materials from the track surface to the platform surface, and a bottle pusher device for pushing materials from the platform surface to the opposite side.

[0037] Figure 3 In the image, the arrow indicates the direction of material flow when the straight-through function is enabled.

[0038] The control process of this solution specifically includes:

[0039] Step 1: Turn on the power to the machine and perform a pre-check of the device.

[0040] Step 2: The device displays normally. The staff inputs the process type, and the host computer sends commands to the bottle inlet channel, the square buffer platform and its bottle transfer and push devices, and the bottle outlet channel according to the process type.

[0041] Step 3: The relevant devices are activated. If the process type is straight-through, the upstream material enters the bottle inlet channel and flows directly out through the bottle outlet channel. The photoelectric sensors in the bottle inlet and bottle outlet channels collect the flow rate at the corresponding position based on a preset period. The speeds are compared. If the speed relationship of the buffer process is met, a command to start the buffer process is issued to the platform and its bottle transfer device and bottle pusher device. When the material enters the bottle inlet channel and overlaps with the buffer platform, the bottle transfer device stacks the material on the surface of the buffer platform to relieve the pressure on the bottle outlet channel.

[0042] Step 4: If the buffer platform is saturated, the host computer issues a stop command to the bottle inlet channel, the bottle inlet channel stops conveying materials, and the materials on the surface of the buffer platform are moved to the bottle outlet channel by the bottle transfer device.

[0043] Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, these are not intended to limit the invention. Any person skilled in the art can make various changes or modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be defined by the scope of the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A material transfer and buffer device with a straight-through function; comprising a bottle inlet channel, a square buffer platform, and a bottle outlet channel connected in sequence; wherein the bottle inlet channel and the bottle outlet channel respectively convey / output material to / from the buffer platform along two opposite sides of the square buffer platform, characterized in that: An arc-shaped bypass channel is provided between the end of the inlet channel and the beginning of the outlet channel, with the beginning and end of the bypass channel connected to the beginning and end of the inlet and outlet channels respectively. The bottle inlet channel is equipped with a channel changing device that divides the material in one flow path transported along the channel into two flow paths in the bottle inlet channel, and controls whether the material enters the buffer platform or the bypass channel according to the control signal sent by the upper system; the material that enters the buffer platform or the bypass channel is finally delivered out from the bottle outlet channel. When the control signal from the host system indicates that caching is required, when the material from the two flow channels enters the bottle inlet side of the caching platform, the bottle transfer device will arrange the material from the two flow channels into a row, with each flow channel as a unit, and move the preset number of materials from one flow channel to the upper surface of the caching platform. Then, according to the control signal from the host computer, the bottle pusher will push the outermost material located at the bottle outlet side of the caching platform to the bottle outlet channel. When the received signal is a direct output, the material in the two channels of the inlet channel directly enters the bypass channel after passing through the channel on the opposite side. The material transfer direction is changed through the arc-shaped bypass channel. After passing through the bypass channel, the material directly enters the outlet channel on the opposite side of the outlet of the buffer platform and is transported to the next process from the outlet channel.

2. The material transfer buffer device with straight-through function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bypass channel is equipped with a bypass device at the location where it connects to the buffer platform, allowing materials from both channels to directly enter and exit the bypass.

3. A material transfer buffer device with a through-flow function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The buffer platform has a frame structure; the bottle transfer device and the bottle pusher are both mounted on the frame structure and can move up and down and back and forth along the frame structure; the bottle transfer device and the bottle pusher are equipped with clamping components, which prevent collisions between materials when the materials are pushed.

4. A material transfer buffer device with a through-flow function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The host computer control system determines whether the caching process of the caching platform needs to be activated by acquiring the feeding and discharging speeds of the upstream and downstream materials of the material transfer caching device. If the feed rate is greater than the discharge rate, the caching process is activated. If the feed rate is less than or equal to the discharge rate, the buffer process will not be started, and the bypass channel will be opened.

5. A material transfer buffering method, implemented based on any one of the buffering devices according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: This includes the upper-level system acquiring the material flow speed of the upstream and downstream production lines. If the feeding speed is greater than the discharging speed, the system sends a message to start the buffer process, which activates the bottle transfer device to move the material in the bottle inlet channel into the buffer platform. If the material on the surface of the buffer platform exceeds the preset value, the upstream production line will be suspended and the downstream bottle outlet channel will execute the output process. If the feed rate is less than or equal to the discharge rate, the buffer process will not be initiated, and the bypass channel will be turned on.

6. A material transfer buffering method according to claim 5, characterized in that: The feeding and discharging speeds are collected by setting up photoelectric sensors in the flow channel, and the photoelectric sensors are connected to the host computer for communication.

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