Material box checking mechanism

Abstract

The invention discloses a workbin checking mechanism, and relates to the technical field of workbin checking, the workbin checking mechanism is provided with an outer frame, a push-out mechanism, a workbin carrying mechanism and a workbin checking piece, and the workbin carrying mechanism is pushed out of an opening by the push-out mechanism mounted at the bottom of the outer frame, so that the workbin carrying mechanism has a flying space; when a material box is placed in the material box carrying mechanism, the material box carrying mechanism can carry the material box checking piece to fly, and when the material box is placed in the material box carrying mechanism, the material box carrying mechanism can carry the placed material box to move out of the outer frame or fly back into the containing outer frame. By means of the work bin checking device, the work bin can be subjected to photographing operation in the process that the work bin carrying mechanism transfers the work bin through the work bin checking piece, automatic checking of the work bin can be achieved in the process that the work bin is transferred, labels such as RFID do not need to be attached to the work bin, a robot does not need to continuously move in a storage area, and the work bin checking efficiency is improved. And safe operation of the storage area is ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of bin inventory technology, and in particular to a bin inventory mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] Inventory counting of tote boxes is a key task in warehouse management. Typically, inventory counting is performed using inventory robots that move along one side of the shelves or in the aisles between adjacent shelves. These robots count the tote boxes on the shelves, and their height often needs to be adjusted to allow them to count tote boxes at different shelf heights. Furthermore, RFID tags are often attached to the tote boxes during the inventory process. The inventory robot reads these RFID tags, and the corresponding tote box data is obtained based on the RFID tag reading results.

[0003] Although this inventory method can complete the inventory of bins, in actual inventory operations, robots are often required to perform continuous lifting and moving operations, making the entire inventory process time-consuming and labor-intensive. At the same time, the inventory and transfer of bins often require the use of different robots, which leads to limited environmental space in the entire storage area and affects the safe operation of the storage area. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The main objective of this invention is to propose a bin inventory mechanism, which aims to solve the technical problem that although existing technologies can complete bin inventory operations, in actual inventory operations, robots are often required to perform continuous lifting and moving operations, making the entire inventory process time-consuming and labor-intensive. At the same time, the inventory and transfer of bins often require the use of different robots, which leads to limited environmental space in the entire storage area and affects the safe operation of the storage area.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a bin inventory mechanism, comprising:

[0006] An outer frame, one side of which is open, and an accommodating space is formed inside the outer frame;

[0007] An ejection mechanism is installed at the bottom of the outer frame, and the ejection mechanism is switchable between an ejected state extending out of the opening and a retracted state retracted into the receiving space along a first direction at the bottom of the outer frame;

[0008] A material box transport mechanism, detachably mounted on the ejection mechanism, having a transport space within it for holding the material box, capable of carrying the material box and completing a transfer operation while the ejection mechanism is in the ejection state; and...

[0009] A bin inventory counting device is installed on the top of the bin transport mechanism and faces the transport space. The bin inventory counting device can count the bins in the transport space when the bin transport mechanism is in flight.

[0010] In one embodiment, the ejection mechanism includes:

[0011] A guide rail is mounted at the bottom of the receiving space and extends toward the opening in a first direction;

[0012] A pallet, placed within a receiving space, the bottom of which slides in conjunction with a guide rail, the pallet serving to support the hopper transport mechanism; and...

[0013] An ejection assembly is mounted on the inner wall of the receiving space opposite to the opening. The output end of the ejection assembly is connected to the tray. The ejection assembly can push the tray to slide along the guide rail in a first direction so that the tray can be switched between the ejected state and the retracted state.

[0014] In one embodiment, the ejection component includes a plurality of first telescopic members, which are spaced apart along a second direction, and the telescopic ends of all the first telescopic members are oriented toward the opening.

[0015] In one embodiment, the guide rail has multiple rails, which are spaced apart at the bottom of the receiving space along the second direction, and each rail extends to the opening along the first direction.

[0016] In one embodiment, the hopper transport mechanism includes:

[0017] A transport box is placed within the receiving space, forming the transport space. The top of the transport box has a loading / unloading opening for loading / unloading the boxes, which communicates with the transport box. The top of the transport box has multiple mounting positions, which are circumferentially spaced around the outer periphery of the loading / unloading opening. A box inventory unit is installed inside the transport box, positioned close to the loading / unloading opening and facing the transport space for inventorying the boxes within the transport space.

[0018] Multiple flight drive components, wherein the number of flight drive components is consistent with the number of mounting positions and they are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence, and each of the flight drive components can operate synchronously to carry the transport container in flight; and;

[0019] A fixing component is installed within the transport space and is used to fix the material box within the transport space.

[0020] In one embodiment, the flight drive assembly includes a drive motor and a propeller, the drive motor being mounted at the mounting position, the propeller being mounted on the output shaft of the drive motor, and the propeller being positioned above the drive motor.

[0021] In one embodiment, the propeller has foldable blades, the mounting position is recessed downward to form a receiving cavity, a second telescopic member is installed at the bottom of the receiving cavity, the drive motor is installed at the output end of the second telescopic member, the second telescopic member can drive the drive motor to drive the propeller to rise so that the propeller is exposed in the receiving cavity, or the second telescopic member can drive the drive motor to drive the propeller to descend so that the propeller is received in the receiving cavity.

[0022] In one embodiment, the fixing component includes:

[0023] A plurality of third telescopic members are installed at circumferential intervals on the inner wall of the transport container along the transport space, and the telescopic ends of all the third telescopic members extend into the transport space; and,

[0024] Multiple flexible abutment members are provided, the number of which is the same as the number of the third telescopic member and they are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence. All of the flexible abutment members can abut against the outer wall of the material box.

[0025] In one embodiment, the top of each of the outer frames is formed with a socket that can be inserted and engaged with the bottom of the other outer frame.

[0026] In one embodiment, a plurality of the bin inventory mechanisms are arrayed along the vertical direction and the second direction to form a shelf, each of the openings in the shelf is arranged along the first direction, the shelf has multiple columns, the multiple columns of the shelf are spaced apart along the first direction, and a flight passage is formed between any two adjacent columns of the shelf.

[0027] The technical solution of this invention, through the setting of an outer frame, a push-out mechanism, a bin-carrying mechanism, and a bin-counting component, allows the bin-carrying mechanism, installed at the bottom of the outer frame, to be pushed out of the opening during use, thus providing the bin-carrying mechanism with flight space. At this point, the bin-carrying mechanism can carry the bin-counting component and fly. When a bin is placed inside the bin-carrying mechanism, it can carry the placed bin out of the outer frame or fly back into the outer frame. Since the bin-counting component is installed inside the bin-carrying mechanism, this invention allows for photographic and video recording of the bins during the bin-carrying mechanism's transfer process. This enables automatic bin counting during transfer, eliminating the need to attach RFID tags to the bins and the need for robots to continuously move within the storage area. A single transfer robot can handle both bin transfer and counting operations. Reducing the number of robots increases the environmental space of the storage area, ensuring safe operation. Attached Figure Description

[0028] 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.

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the material bin inventory mechanism provided by the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The schematic diagram of the material box carrying mechanism in the example is shown below;

[0031] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Another structural schematic diagram of the hopper transport mechanism in the example;

[0032] Figure 4 For use Figure 1 The diagram shows the structure of a shelf consisting of a bin inventory mechanism, as shown in the example.

[0033] Explanation of icon numbers:

[0034] 100. Outer frame; 110. Opening; 120. Reception space; 200. Push-out mechanism; 300. Material box carrying mechanism; 400. Carrying space; 500. Material box inventory component; 210. Guide rail; 220. Pallet; 230. Push-out assembly; 231. First telescopic component; 310. Carrying box; 320. Pick-up and drop-off port; 330. Flight drive assembly; 340. Fixing assembly; 331. Drive motor; 332. Propeller; 350. Reception cavity; 360. Second telescopic component; 370. Third telescopic component; 380. Flexible abutment component.

[0035] 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

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] Inventory counting of tote boxes is a key task in warehouse management. Typically, inventory counting is performed using inventory robots that move along one side of the shelves or in the aisles between adjacent shelves. These robots count the tote boxes on the shelves, and their height often needs to be adjusted to allow them to count tote boxes at different shelf heights. Furthermore, RFID tags are often attached to the tote boxes during the inventory process. The inventory robot reads these RFID tags, and the corresponding tote box data is obtained based on the RFID tag reading results.

[0040] The applicant's research found that although this inventory method can complete the inventory of bins, in the actual inventory process, robots often need to perform lifting and moving operations, making the entire inventory process time-consuming and labor-intensive. At the same time, the inventory and transfer of bins often need to be completed with the help of different robots, which leads to the environmental space of the entire storage area being limited and affecting the safe operation of the storage area.

[0041] This invention proposes a material bin inventory mechanism.

[0042] Please see Figures 1 to 4 For ease of understanding, this bin inventory mechanism includes an outer frame 100, an ejection mechanism 200, a bin transport mechanism 300, and a bin inventory component 500. One side of the outer frame 100 has an opening 110, and a receiving space 120 is formed inside the outer frame 100. The ejection mechanism 200 is installed at the bottom of the outer frame 100, and the ejection mechanism 200 can switch between an ejected state (extended out of the opening 110) and a retracted state (retracted into the receiving space 120) along a first direction at the bottom of the outer frame 100. The bin transport mechanism 300 is detachably placed in the ejection mechanism 200. The bin transport mechanism 300 forms a transport space 400 for placing bins. When the ejection mechanism 200 is in the ejection state, the bin transport mechanism 300 can carry the bins and complete the transfer operation. The bin inventory component 500 is installed on the top of the bin transport mechanism 300 and faces the transport space 400. The bin inventory component 500 can inventory the bins in the transport space 400 when the bin transport mechanism 300 is in the flight state.

[0043] Specifically, the outer frame 100 has a cubic structure with an opening 110 on its front side. An accommodating space 120 is formed within the outer frame 100 to accommodate the ejection mechanism 200 and the hopper transport mechanism 300. The ejection mechanism 200 is mounted on the bottom of the outer frame 100 and includes a guide rail 210 system and a drive device. The guide rail 210 system extends along a first direction, and the drive device drives the ejection mechanism 200 to slide on the guide rail 210 system, allowing the ejection mechanism 200 to switch between an ejected state (extended out of the opening 110) and a retracted state (retracted into the accommodating space 120). The hopper transport mechanism 300 is detachably placed on the support platform of the ejection mechanism 200. A transport space 400 is formed within the hopper transport mechanism 300, the dimensions of which match the external dimensions of the hopper for stable placement of the hopper. The bin-carrying mechanism 300 is equipped with a flight propulsion system, including a propeller 332 and a motor assembly, enabling the bin-carrying mechanism 300 to detach from the ejection mechanism 200 and carry the bins for flight operations when the ejection mechanism 200 is in the ejection state. The bin inventory unit 500 is mounted at the top center of the bin-carrying mechanism 300, with its lens facing the transport space 400. The bin inventory unit 500 is equipped with an image acquisition module and a data processing module, enabling real-time image acquisition and identification analysis of the bins within the transport space 400 when the bin-carrying mechanism 300 is in flight, thus completing the bin inventory operation. Preferably, in this embodiment, the bin inventory unit 500 is preferably a CCD vision camera.

[0044] The ejection mechanism 200, acting as an intermediate link between the outer frame 100 and the container transport mechanism 300, provides an operational platform for the container transport mechanism 300 to take off and land by switching between the ejected and retracted states. When the ejection mechanism 200 is in the ejected state, the container transport mechanism 300 can smoothly detach from the constraints of the outer frame 100 and activate its flight propulsion system for aerial operations; when the ejection mechanism 200 is in the retracted state, the container transport mechanism 300 can safely return to the receiving space 120 for docking and maintenance.

[0045] The flying capability of the bin-carrying mechanism 300 frees the entire inventory operation from the limitations of traditional ground robots that require constant lifting and moving. By flying through the air, it can quickly reach the target location, improving the efficiency of the inventory operation. The bin inventory unit 500, installed on top of the bin-carrying mechanism 300 and facing the carrying space 400, ensures continuous monitoring and inventory of the carried bins during flight, achieving simultaneous transportation and inventory.

[0046] In this embodiment, by integrating inventory and transfer functions into the same device, the technical problems of time-consuming and labor-intensive inventory operations and space constraints caused by the need for multiple robots to work together in the prior art are solved. The flight capability of the bin-carrying mechanism 300 makes the entire operation process more efficient and flexible, the real-time inventory function of the bin-counting component 500 ensures the accuracy of the operation, and the switching function of the ejection mechanism 200 provides a reliable operational basis for the entire system, thereby realizing the safe and efficient operation of the storage area.

[0047] In this embodiment, by providing an outer frame 100, an ejection mechanism 200, a bin transport mechanism 300, and a bin inventory unit 500, during use, the ejection mechanism 200, installed at the bottom of the outer frame 100, pushes the bin transport mechanism 300 out of the opening 110, providing the bin transport mechanism 300 with flight space. At this time, the bin transport mechanism 300 can carry the bin inventory unit 500 in flight. When a bin is placed inside the bin transport mechanism 300, the bin transport mechanism 300 can carry the placed bin out of the outer frame 100 or fly back into the outer frame 100 for storage. Because the bin inventory unit... The 500 is installed inside the bin transport mechanism 300, which allows the invention to take photos and videos of the bins during the transfer process of the bins in the bin transport mechanism 300. This enables automatic inventory counting of the bins during the transfer process, eliminating the need to attach RFID tags to the bins and the need for robots to move continuously in the storage area. A single transfer robot can be used to perform the transfer and inventory operations of the bins. By reducing the number of robots, the environmental space of the storage area is increased, ensuring the safe operation of the storage area.

[0048] In one embodiment, the ejection mechanism 200 includes a guide rail 210, a tray 220, and an ejection assembly 230. The guide rail 210 is installed at the bottom of the receiving space 120 and extends toward the opening 110 in a first direction. The tray 220 is placed inside the receiving space 120, and the bottom of the tray 220 slides in cooperation with the guide rail 210. The tray 220 is used to support the material box transport mechanism 300. The ejection assembly 230 is installed on the inner side wall of the receiving space 120 opposite to the opening 110. The output end of the ejection assembly 230 is connected to the tray 220. The ejection assembly 230 can push the tray 220 to slide along the guide rail 210 in the first direction, so that the tray 220 can be switched between an ejected state and a retracted state.

[0049] Specifically, the guide rail 210 extends along the first direction and faces the opening 110 of the outer frame 100, providing a stable sliding trajectory for the tray 220. The guide rail 210 is made of precision-machined metal and its surface is polished to reduce frictional resistance, ensuring the smoothness of the tray 220 during sliding. Limiting protrusions are provided on both sides of the guide rail 210 to prevent the tray 220 from shifting laterally during sliding, ensuring the accuracy of the movement trajectory.

[0050] The pallet 220 serves as the platform for the material box transport mechanism 300. Its bottom is equipped with a sliding groove that mates with the guide rail 210. The inner wall of the sliding groove matches the outer contour of the guide rail 210, forming a sliding fit. The upper surface of the pallet 220 is provided with a positioning groove and a locking device to securely support the material box transport mechanism 300 and prevent displacement during its extension and retraction. The pallet 220 is made of a lightweight, high-strength alloy, ensuring load-bearing capacity while reducing overall weight and lowering the driving load on the extension assembly 230.

[0051] The ejection assembly 230 is mounted on the inner wall of the receiving space 120 opposite to the opening 110, i.e., on the rear wall of the outer frame 100. The ejection assembly 230 includes a drive motor 331, a transmission device, and a connecting rod. The drive motor 331 provides the power source, the transmission device converts the rotational motion of the motor into linear motion, and the connecting rod, as the output end of the ejection assembly 230, is connected to the rear end of the tray 220. When the drive motor 331 is started, the transmission device drives the connecting rod to extend in a first direction, pushing the tray 220 to slide on the guide rail 210 toward the opening 110, thus switching the tray 220 from the retracted state to the ejection state. When the drive motor 331 rotates in the reverse direction, the connecting rod retracts, and the tray 220 returns from the ejection state to the retracted state under the constraint of the guide rail 210.

[0052] The extension of the guide rail 210 along the first direction provides the pallet 220 with an accurate movement trajectory. The sliding cooperation between the pallet 220 and the guide rail 210 ensures the stability of the movement process. The driving action of the push-out component 230 enables the pallet 220 to reliably switch between the push-out state and the retracted state, providing a stable operating basis for subsequent flight operations and inventory functions, and improving the operating efficiency and reliability of the entire bin inventory mechanism.

[0053] In one embodiment, the extension component 230 includes a plurality of first telescopic members 231, which are spaced apart along a second direction, and the telescopic ends of all the first telescopic members 231 are oriented toward the opening 110.

[0054] Specifically, multiple first telescopic members 231 are spaced apart along a second direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction, i.e., perpendicular to the extension direction of the guide rail 210. When the first direction is a horizontal front-to-back direction, the second direction is a horizontal left-to-right direction, and the multiple first telescopic members 231 are arranged horizontally on the inner wall of the accommodating space 120. Each first telescopic member 231 includes a fixed end and a telescopic end. The fixed end is installed and fixed on the inner wall of the accommodating space 120, and the telescopic end is arranged as a movable part facing the opening 110 and connected to the rear end face of the tray 220.

[0055] The spaced distribution of multiple first telescopic members 231 provides a uniformly distributed pushing force to the tray 220, avoiding deformation or instability of the tray 220 caused by single-point force. In one specific embodiment, the ejection assembly 230 includes three first telescopic members 231, which are equally spaced along a second direction. The middle first telescopic member 231 is located on the central axis of the tray 220, and the two side first telescopic members 231 are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the central axis. Each first telescopic member 231 adopts a hydraulic cylinder structure, including a cylinder body, a piston, and a piston rod. The cylinder body, as the fixed end, is fixed to the inner wall of the accommodating space 120 by bolt connection. The piston rod, as the telescopic end, extends through the cylinder body end cover toward the opening 110. A connecting plate is provided at the front end of the piston rod, and the connecting plate is fixedly connected to the rear end face of the tray 220 by threaded connection.

[0056] All the telescopic ends of the first telescopic components 231 are oriented towards the opening 110, ensuring the consistency of the pushing force direction. When the hydraulic system injects pressurized oil into the cylinder of each first telescopic component 231, the piston moves towards the opening 110 under the action of oil pressure, causing the piston rod, i.e., the telescopic end, to extend synchronously, thereby pushing the tray 220 to slide along the guide rail 210 towards the opening 110, realizing the switch from the retracted state to the extended state. When the hydraulic system recovers the pressurized oil from the cylinder of each first telescopic component 231, the piston retracts towards the inner wall under the action of the return spring, causing the piston rod to retract synchronously, and the tray 220 returns from the extended state to the retracted state under the constraint of the guide rail 210.

[0057] The spaced distribution of multiple first telescopic components 231 along the second direction avoids the problem of uneven force that may be caused by single-point pushing. The consistent configuration of the telescopic ends of all first telescopic components 231 facing the opening 110 ensures the uniformity of the pushing force direction, thereby ensuring the smooth sliding of the pallet 220 on the guide rail 210. This provides a strong guarantee for the positioning and smooth movement of the material box carrying mechanism 300, and improves the working accuracy and efficiency of the entire material box inventory mechanism.

[0058] In one embodiment, the guide rail 210 has multiple rails, which are distributed at intervals along a second direction at the bottom of the receiving space 120, and each guide rail 210 extends along a first direction to the opening 110.

[0059] Specifically, multiple guide rails 210 are spaced apart along a second direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction, i.e., perpendicular to the extension direction of the guide rails 210. When the first direction is a horizontal front-to-back direction, the second direction is a horizontal left-to-right direction, and the multiple guide rails 210 are arranged in parallel at the bottom of the receiving space 120. Each guide rail 210 extends from the inside of the receiving space 120 to the opening 110 along the first direction, providing a complete movement trajectory for the tray 220 to switch between the extended and retracted states.

[0060] Preferably, the ejection mechanism 200 includes two guide rails 210, which are symmetrically distributed along a second direction on both sides of the bottom of the receiving space 120. Each guide rail 210 is made of precision-machined stainless steel and has a rectangular cross-section. The surface of the guide rail 210 is precision-ground to ensure that the surface roughness meets the sliding requirements. The two guide rails 210 are fixedly installed on the bottom plate of the receiving space 120 by bolt connection, and the spacing between the guide rails 210 matches the distribution spacing of the sliding grooves at the bottom of the tray 220. The bottom of the tray 220 is provided with two corresponding sliding grooves, and a linear bearing is installed in each sliding groove. The inner diameter of the linear bearing matches the outer dimensions of the guide rail 210 to form a sliding fit relationship. When the ejection assembly 230 drives the tray 220 to move, the tray 220 slides synchronously along the two guide rails 210 through the two sliding grooves to achieve smooth linear motion.

[0061] The configuration of each guide rail 210 extending along the first direction to the opening 110 ensures that the tray 220 can be fully extended outside the receiving space 120. The length of each guide rail 210 is determined according to the extension stroke of the tray 220. The front end of the guide rail 210 extends a certain distance outside the opening 110, and the rear end extends to near the inner sidewall of the receiving space 120. A limit stop is provided at the front end of the guide rail 210 to prevent the tray 220 from being over-extended, and a buffer device is provided at the rear end to avoid impact when the tray 220 retracts. A lubrication groove is provided in the middle section of the guide rail 210, and lubricating oil is periodically injected to reduce frictional resistance, improve the smoothness of sliding, and extend service life.

[0062] In this embodiment, multiple guide rails 210 are used to provide multi-point support and guidance for the movement of the pallet 220. The spaced distribution of the multiple guide rails 210 along the second direction provides a uniformly distributed support force for the pallet 220, avoiding insufficient support or local stress concentration problems that may be caused by a single guide rail 210. The configuration in which each guide rail 210 extends to the opening 110 along the first direction ensures that the pallet 220 receives effective guidance and constraint throughout its entire movement stroke, thereby guaranteeing the accuracy and stability of the pallet 220's movement trajectory.

[0063] In one embodiment, the bin transport mechanism 300 includes a transport bin 310, a fixing component 340, and a plurality of flight drive components 330. The transport bin 310 is placed in the receiving space 120, and a transport space 400 is formed inside the transport bin 310. A pick-up and put-down opening 320 for picking up and putting down bins is formed on the top of the transport bin 310. The pick-up and put-down opening 320 is connected to the transport bin 310. A plurality of mounting positions are formed on the top of the transport bin 310. The plurality of mounting positions are distributed circumferentially around the outer periphery of the pick-up and put-down opening 320. A bin inventory component 500 is installed inside the transport bin 310. The bin inventory component 500 is close to the pick-up and put-down opening 320 and is disposed facing the transport space 400 for inventorying the bins in the transport space.

[0064] Located above the loading and unloading port 320, the number of flight drive components 330 and the installation positions are the same and corresponding one-to-one. Each flight drive component 330 can operate synchronously to carry the transport box 310 in flight. The fixing component 340 is installed in the transport space 400 and is used to fix the material box in the transport space 400.

[0065] Specifically, when the transport box 310 is placed within the receiving space 120, its bottom engages with the tray 220 of the ejection mechanism 200, and the transport space 400 formed within the transport box 310 provides the receiving space 120 for the material box. The transport box 310 is made of lightweight, high-strength composite material, possessing good structural strength and a relatively light weight. The inner wall of the transport box 310 is smooth and flat, facilitating the loading and unloading of the material box. The top of the transport box 310 has a pick-and-place opening 320, which is a rectangular opening 110, slightly larger than the cross-sectional dimension of the material box, ensuring that the material box can smoothly pass through the pick-and-place opening 320 into or out of the transport space 400.

[0066] The top of the transport container 310 has multiple mounting positions, which are circumferentially spaced around the outer periphery of the loading / unloading port 320. In one specific embodiment, the top of the transport container 310 has four mounting positions, which are distributed at 90-degree intervals around the outer periphery of the loading / unloading port 320, i.e., located in front of, behind, to the left of, and to the right of the loading / unloading port 320, respectively. Each mounting position includes a mounting base and a connection interface. The mounting base is fixed to the top of the transport container 310 by bolts, and the connection interface is located on the upper surface of the mounting base for connection with the flight drive assembly 330. The distribution of the mounting positions is calculated to ensure that the lift generated by the flight drive assembly 330 can be evenly applied to the transport container 310, preventing the transport container 310 from tilting or becoming unstable during flight.

[0067] The number of flight drive components 330 corresponds to the number of mounting positions, with one flight drive component 330 installed at each mounting position. Each flight drive component 330 includes a motor, a propeller 332, and a control circuit. The motor is fixedly mounted on the mounting position via a connection interface, the propeller 332 is mounted on the motor's output shaft, and the control circuit is responsible for regulating the motor's speed and power. All flight drive components 330 can operate synchronously to carry the transport container 310. The flight control system coordinates the control of multiple flight drive components 330, ensuring that the speeds of each propeller 332 remain synchronized, generating balanced lift. When the flight control system issues a takeoff command, all flight drive components 330 start simultaneously, and the propellers 332 rotate at high speed to generate upward lift. When the total lift exceeds the total weight of the transport container 310 and the material box, the material box transport mechanism 300 disengages from the ejection mechanism 200, enabling flight.

[0068] A fixing assembly 340 is installed within the transport space 400 to secure the material box within the transport space 400. The fixing assembly 340 includes a clamping device and a locking device. The clamping device is located on the side wall of the transport space 400 and includes an adjustable clamping arm that can be adjusted according to the size of the material box, fixing the material box in the center of the transport space 400 through clamping action. The locking device is located at the bottom of the transport space 400 and includes a locking latch and a positioning groove. The positioning groove cooperates with a protruding structure on the bottom of the material box, and the locking latch locks the material box in the positioning groove by a spring drive, preventing the material box from shifting during flight.

[0069] In this embodiment, the transport box 310 provides a safe transport space 400 for the material box, the loading and unloading port 320 facilitates the loading and unloading of the material box, the circumferential distribution of multiple mounting positions provides a reasonable installation position for the flight drive assembly 330, the synchronous operation of the flight drive assembly 330 ensures the stability of the flight, and the setting of the fixing assembly 340 ensures the stability of the material box position during flight.

[0070] In one embodiment, the flight drive assembly 330 includes a drive motor 331 and a propeller 332. The drive motor 331 is mounted at a mounting position, and the propeller 332 is mounted on the output shaft of the drive motor 331 and is located above the drive motor 331.

[0071] Specifically, the drive motor 331 is mounted at mounting positions, which are circumferentially spaced around the outer periphery of the pick-up and drop-off port 320. The drive motor 331 is fixed to the mounting base at the mounting positions by bolts. The drive motor 331 is a brushless DC motor, characterized by high speed, high efficiency, and low noise. The stator windings of the motor are controlled by an electronic speed controller, enabling speed regulation. The body of the drive motor 331 is made of aluminum alloy with an anodized surface, providing excellent heat dissipation and corrosion resistance, ensuring the stability of the motor under long-term operation.

[0072] The propeller 332 is mounted on the output shaft of the drive motor 331. The propeller 332 is fixedly connected to the motor output shaft by a key connection to ensure that the propeller 332 rotates synchronously with the motor output shaft. The propeller 332 is made of carbon fiber composite material, which is lightweight, high-strength, and rigid. The blades of the propeller 332 have undergone aerodynamic calculations and optimizations, and have good lift characteristics and low power consumption.

[0073] The propeller 332 is positioned above the drive motor 331 to ensure that the downward airflow generated by the rotation of the propeller 332 does not interfere with the transport box 310 and the hopper. The output shaft of the drive motor 331 extends vertically upward, and the propeller 332 is mounted on the top of the output shaft. When the drive motor 331 starts, the motor output shaft drives the propeller 332 to rotate at high speed. The blades of the propeller 332 cut through the air to generate upward lift. The lift is transmitted through the motor to the mounting position, and then through the mounting position to the transport box 310, thereby enabling the transport box 310 to take off and fly.

[0074] In this embodiment, the configuration of the drive motor 331 mounted at the mounting position ensures a secure connection between the power unit and the transport box 310. The configuration of the propeller 332 mounted on the output shaft of the drive motor 331 enables the effective conversion of motor power into lift. The configuration of the propeller 332 above the drive motor 331 avoids airflow interference with the transported items. This effectively solves the problem of requiring additional lifting equipment in traditional bin inventory operations. Through the lift effect of the flight drive component 330, the bin transport mechanism 300 can autonomously fly to the designated location for inventory operations, improving the flexibility and efficiency of the operation. It is particularly suitable for areas that are difficult for traditional equipment to reach, such as high-level racks and narrow aisles.

[0075] In one embodiment, the propeller 332 has foldable blades, and the mounting position is recessed downward to form a receiving cavity 350. A second telescopic member 360 is installed at the bottom of the receiving cavity 350. A drive motor 331 is installed at the output end of the second telescopic member 360. The second telescopic member 360 can drive the drive motor 331 to drive the propeller 332 to rise so that the propeller 332 is exposed in the receiving cavity 350, or the second telescopic member 360 can drive the drive motor 331 to drive the propeller 332 to descend so that the propeller 332 is received in the receiving cavity 350.

[0076] Specifically, the foldable propeller blade includes a blade body and a folding joint. The blade body is made of carbon fiber composite material, possessing excellent strength and rigidity. The folding joint is located at the connection between the blade body and the propeller hub of propeller 332. The folding joint employs a hinge structure, including a pivot and a locking device. The pivot allows the blade body to fold and unfold relative to the hub, while the locking device locks the blades in the working position when they are unfolded. When propeller 332 is in operation, the locking device locks each blade in the unfolded position, with the blades radially distributed with the hub, forming the complete propeller 332 structure. When propeller 332 needs to be folded, the locking device releases, and the blades automatically fold to a position parallel to the hub under spring action, significantly reducing the space occupied by propeller 332.

[0077] The mounting position is recessed downwards to form a receiving cavity 350. The receiving cavity 350 has a cylindrical structure, and its diameter and depth are determined according to the size of the propeller 332. The inner diameter of the receiving cavity 350 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the propeller 332 after folding, and the depth of the receiving cavity 350 is sufficient to fully accommodate the drive motor 331 and the folded propeller 332. The inner wall of the receiving cavity 350 is smooth and flat, and a drainage hole is provided at the bottom to prevent rainwater accumulation. The upper end of the receiving cavity 350 is flush with the top of the transport box 310. When the propeller 332 is completely stored in the receiving cavity 350, the top of the transport box 310 is flat, which facilitates the stacking, storage, and transportation of the transport box 310.

[0078] A second telescopic member 360 is installed at the bottom of the receiving cavity 350. The second telescopic member 360 employs an electric push rod structure, including a motor, a lead screw, a nut, and a guide rod. The motor is mounted at the bottom of the receiving cavity 350, the lead screw is connected to the motor's output shaft, the nut is fitted onto the lead screw, and the guide rod is positioned parallel to the lead screw to prevent the nut from rotating during movement. The stroke of the second telescopic member 360 is determined based on the depth of the receiving cavity 350, ensuring that the drive motor 331 can move between two positions: fully retracted and fully extended within the receiving cavity 350. The thrust of the second telescopic member 360 is determined based on the total weight of the drive motor 331 and the propeller 332, with an appropriate safety margin.

[0079] The drive motor 331 is mounted on the output end of the second telescopic component 360, specifically on the nut. The drive motor 331 is fixedly connected to the nut via a connecting bracket made of lightweight aluminum alloy, providing sufficient strength to withstand the weight of the drive motor 331 and the reaction force generated by the propeller 332. The power cable of the drive motor 331 is connected to the power system inside the transport box 310 via a flexible cable. The length of the flexible cable is sufficient to meet the full-stroke movement requirements of the second telescopic component 360. The cable is spirally arranged within the receiving cavity 350 to prevent stretching damage during telescoping.

[0080] The second telescopic component 360 drives the drive motor 331 to raise the propeller 332 until it protrudes from the receiving cavity 350. When the material box transport mechanism 300 needs to enter flight mode, the control system sends a rising command to the second telescopic component 360. The motor of the second telescopic component 360 rotates forward, and the lead screw drives the nut to move upward. The nut drives the drive motor 331 and the propeller 332 to rise together. When the propeller 332 is fully exposed in the receiving cavity 350, the folding joint of the propeller 332 automatically unlocks, and the blades unfold to the working position under the action of centrifugal force. The locking device locks the blades. At this time, the drive motor 331 starts, and the propeller 332 begins to rotate to generate lift, realizing the flight function of the transport box 310.

[0081] The second telescopic component 360 drives the drive motor 331 to lower the propeller 332 until it is housed in the receiving cavity 350. When the cargo box transport mechanism 300 completes its flight mission and needs to be stored, the control system first stops the drive motor 331, the propeller 332 stops rotating, and then the locking device releases, folding the propeller blades to the storage position. Subsequently, the motor of the second telescopic component 360 reverses, the lead screw drives the nut downward, and the nut drives the drive motor 331 and the folded propeller 332 to descend together until the propeller 332 is completely housed in the receiving cavity 350, with the top of the propeller 332 flush with the top of the transport box 310. This not only reduces the space occupied but also protects the propeller 332.

[0082] In one embodiment, the fixing component 340 includes a plurality of third telescopic members 370 and a plurality of flexible abutment members 380. The plurality of third telescopic members 370 are installed at intervals along the circumference of the transport space 400 on the inner wall of the transport box 310, and the telescopic ends of all the third telescopic members 370 extend into the transport space 400. The number of flexible abutment members 380 is the same as the number of third telescopic members 370 and is arranged in a one-to-one correspondence. All flexible abutment members 380 can abut against the outer wall of the box.

[0083] Specifically, multiple third telescopic components 370 are installed at circumferential intervals on the inner wall of the transport box 310 along the transport space 400, which is the accommodating space 120 formed within the transport box 310 for placing the material box. Each third telescopic component 370 employs an electric push rod structure, including a drive motor 331, a reducer, a lead screw, and a slider. The drive motor 331 drives the lead screw to rotate via the reducer, and the lead screw drives the slider to move axially, achieving the telescopic function. The outer shell of each third telescopic component 370 is fixedly installed on the inner wall of the transport box 310 by bolt connections. The installation positions are calculated to ensure that each third telescopic component 370 can exert a uniform constraint force on the material box.

[0084] The number of flexible abutment members 380 is the same as the number of third telescopic members 370, and they are configured in a one-to-one correspondence; that is, one flexible abutment member 380 is installed at the telescopic end of each third telescopic member 370. The flexible abutment member 380 is made of elastic rubber material, possessing good elasticity and cushioning performance, which can apply restraining force to the material box while avoiding damage to the surface of the material box. The flexible abutment member 380 has a hemispherical structure, and its surface is provided with anti-slip texture to increase friction with the outer wall of the material box. The flexible abutment member 380 is installed on the slider of the third telescopic member 370 via a threaded connection. A universal joint is provided at the connection point, allowing the flexible abutment member 380 to adjust its posture within a certain angle range to adapt to different shapes and angles of the outer wall of the material box.

[0085] All flexible abutment members 380 can abut against the outer wall of the container. After the container is placed within the transport space 400, the control system initiates the fixing program, and all third telescopic members 370 extend synchronously, with the flexible abutment members 380 gradually approaching the outer wall of the container. Once the flexible abutment members 380 contact the outer wall of the container, the third telescopic members 370 continue to apply thrust, causing the flexible abutment members 380 to undergo elastic deformation and generate a pre-tightening force on the container. Force sensors monitor the contact force of each flexible abutment member 380 to ensure uniform distribution of constraint forces in all directions, preventing the container from tilting or deforming. The abutment of the flexible abutment members 380 against the outer wall of the container forms multi-point constraints, effectively limiting the movement of the container within the transport space 400 and ensuring the container maintains a stable position during flight. The cooperation of multiple third telescopic members 370 and the corresponding number of flexible abutment members 380 avoids damage to the container, improving the overall structure's environmental adaptability and user experience.

[0086] In one embodiment, the top of each outer frame 100 is formed with a socket that can be inserted and mated with the bottom of another outer frame 100.

[0087] Specifically, each of the outer frames 100 has a socket formed on its top. The socket has a circular or square opening 110 structure, with the opening 110 facing upwards. The inner diameter of the socket is determined according to the size of the plug-in part at the bottom of the outer frame 100.

[0088] The insertion hole is internally equipped with a positioning structure and a locking structure. The positioning structure includes a guide groove and a positioning boss. The guide groove is axially arranged along the inner wall of the insertion hole to guide the insertion part of the bottom of the other outer frame 100 to be accurately inserted. The positioning boss is located on the inner wall of the insertion hole and cooperates with the positioning groove at the bottom of the other outer frame 100 to achieve positioning between the two outer frames 100. The locking structure includes an elastic buckle and a locking groove. The elastic buckle is made of spring steel and has good elasticity and fatigue resistance. The elastic buckles are evenly distributed circumferentially on the inner wall of the insertion hole. The locking groove corresponds to the position of the elastic buckle. When the bottom of the other outer frame 100 is inserted into the insertion hole, the elastic buckle automatically engages with the locking groove to reliably lock the two outer frames 100.

[0089] The bottom of the other outer frame 100 has a plug-in portion that mates with the socket. This plug-in portion is cylindrical or rectangular, with its outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the socket, ensuring smooth insertion while maintaining a tight connection. The surface of the plug-in portion has a positioning groove that engages with a positioning boss within the socket to achieve circumferential positioning between the two outer frames 100, preventing relative rotation during use. The outer surface of the plug-in portion also has a locking protrusion that engages with a spring-loaded latch within the socket. When the plug-in portion is fully inserted into the socket, the locking protrusion pushes the spring-loaded latch to deform, and then the latch springs back into the locking groove of the locking protrusion, forming a reliable locking connection.

[0090] When it is necessary to connect two outer frames 100, the operator aligns the bottom insertion part of one outer frame 100 with the insertion hole at the top of the other outer frame 100 and applies a thrust in the axial direction. The insertion part is gradually inserted into the insertion hole under the guidance of the guide groove. During the insertion process, the positioning boss cooperates with the positioning groove to ensure the accurate relative position of the two outer frames 100.

[0091] When it is necessary to disassemble the connection between the two outer frames 100, the operator presses the release button on the outside of the socket. The release button pushes the elastic clip outward through the transmission rod, causing the elastic clip to disengage from the locking groove of the locking protrusion. Then, the outer frame 100 is pulled axially, and the plug-in part is disengaged from the socket, completing the disassembly process. The entire disassembly process is simple and quick, requiring no special tools, and is convenient for on-site maintenance and module replacement.

[0092] In one embodiment, multiple bin counting mechanisms are arrayed along the vertical and second directions to form a shelf. Each opening 110 in the shelf is arranged along the first direction. The shelf has multiple columns, which are spaced apart along the first direction, and a flight passage is formed between any two adjacent columns.

[0093] Specifically, the vertical direction refers to the perpendicular direction, and the second direction is the direction perpendicular to the first direction in the horizontal plane. Multiple bin counting mechanisms are orderly distributed in three-dimensional space according to a predetermined spacing and arrangement. In the vertical direction, the bin counting mechanisms are arranged in a hierarchical structure to ensure that the bin transport mechanism 300 has sufficient flight and operation space. In the second direction, the bin counting mechanisms are arranged in a row and column structure to meet the space requirements for bin storage and retrieval and equipment maintenance.

[0094] All openings 110 in the shelf are arranged along a first direction, where each opening 110 serves as a passageway for the bin transport mechanism 300 to enter and exit the bin inventory mechanism. The first direction is the longitudinal direction of the shelf. The arrangement of all openings 110 along the first direction means that all openings 110 face the same direction, forming a unified bin storage and retrieval direction. This allows the bin transport mechanism 300 to enter and exit the bin inventory mechanism along a unified path, avoiding intersections and conflicts in flight paths.

[0095] The shelving system consists of multiple rows spaced apart along a primary direction, forming the basic layout of the storage system. The supporting structure of the shelving uses a steel frame, with the uprights, beams, and diagonal braces all made of hot-rolled H-beams, providing sufficient load-bearing capacity and structural stability.

[0096] A flight aisle is formed between any two adjacent rows of shelves, providing dedicated flight space and navigation path for the bin-carrying mechanism 300. The floor of the flight aisle is marked with navigation markers, including functional areas such as takeoff, landing, hovering, and emergency avoidance zones, using different colors and patterns to guide the flight behavior of the bin-carrying mechanism 300. Navigation equipment, including GPS base stations, lidar base stations, and communication base stations, is installed above the flight aisle to provide positioning and communication services for the bin-carrying mechanism 300.

[0097] Of course, since each bin transport mechanism 300 in the bin inventory system can inventory the bins within its respective transport space, once all bins have been inventoried, the bins inventoried by all bin transport mechanisms 300 can be summarized, thus obtaining the total number of bins in the entire shelf. Furthermore, since each bin transport mechanism 300 has a corresponding stop position, the bins it carries also have corresponding spatial data. By matching the spatial data with the corresponding bins, operators can accurately obtain the bin's position data. This method achieves precise inventory counting of the bins stored in the shelf.

[0098] In addition, it should be clarified that the inventory counting technologies of the tin box inventory components exemplified in this embodiment are all existing technologies. They are only applied in this embodiment, and no improvement or design of the inventory counting technology itself is made. Therefore, they will not be described in detail here.

[0099] In this embodiment, the construction and efficient operation of a large-scale bin inventory system are achieved through the array distribution of multiple bin counting mechanisms and the configuration of flight channels. The array distribution of the bin counting mechanisms along the vertical and second directions maximizes storage density and space utilization. The uniform arrangement of the openings 110 along the first direction simplifies the flight path and control logic of the bin transport mechanism 300. The spaced distribution of multiple rows of shelves facilitates system expansion and maintenance. The configuration of the flight channels provides a safe and reliable flight environment for the bin transport mechanism 300. This effectively solves the technical problems of low bin inventory efficiency and high labor costs in traditional warehousing systems. Automated flight inventory improves the level of intelligence in warehouse management, making it particularly suitable for application scenarios in large logistics centers and e-commerce warehouses, and providing important technical support for the digital transformation of modern warehousing and logistics.

[0100] The above description is merely an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structural transformations made using the contents of the present invention specification and drawings under the technical concept of the present invention, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A bin inventory mechanism, characterized in that, include: An outer frame, one side of which is open, and an accommodating space is formed inside the outer frame; An ejection mechanism is installed at the bottom of the outer frame, and the ejection mechanism is switchable between an ejected state extending out of the opening and a retracted state retracted into the receiving space along a first direction at the bottom of the outer frame; A material box carrying mechanism is detachably placed in the ejection mechanism. The material box carrying mechanism has a carrying space for placing the material box. The material box carrying mechanism can carry the material box and complete the transfer operation when the ejection mechanism is in the ejection state. as well as, A bin inventory counting device is installed on the top of the bin transport mechanism and faces the transport space. The bin inventory counting device can count the bins in the transport space when the bin transport mechanism is in flight.

2. The bin inventory mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The launching agencies include: A guide rail is mounted at the bottom of the receiving space and extends toward the opening in a first direction; A pallet, placed within a receiving space, the bottom of which slides in conjunction with a guide rail, the pallet serving to support the hopper transport mechanism; and... An ejection assembly is mounted on the inner wall of the receiving space opposite to the opening. The output end of the ejection assembly is connected to the tray. The ejection assembly can push the tray to slide along the guide rail in a first direction so that the tray can be switched between the ejected state and the retracted state.

3. The bin inventory mechanism as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The ejection assembly includes a plurality of first telescopic members, which are spaced apart along a second direction, and the telescopic ends of all the first telescopic members are oriented toward the opening.

4. The bin inventory mechanism as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The guide rail has multiple rails, which are distributed at intervals along the second direction at the bottom of the accommodating space, and each rail extends along the first direction to the opening.

5. The bin inventory mechanism as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The hopper transport mechanism includes: A transport box is placed within the receiving space, forming the transport space. The top of the transport box has a loading / unloading opening for loading / unloading the boxes, which communicates with the transport box. The top of the transport box has multiple mounting positions, which are circumferentially spaced around the outer periphery of the loading / unloading opening. A box inventory unit is installed inside the transport box, positioned close to the loading / unloading opening and facing the transport space for inventorying the boxes within the transport space. Multiple flight drive components, wherein the number of flight drive components is consistent with the number of mounting positions and they are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence, and each of the flight drive components can operate synchronously to carry the transport container in flight; and; A fixing component is installed within the transport space and is used to fix the material box within the transport space.

6. The bin inventory mechanism as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The flight drive assembly includes a drive motor and a propeller. The drive motor is mounted at the mounting position, and the propeller is mounted on the output shaft of the drive motor, with the propeller positioned above the drive motor.

7. The bin inventory mechanism as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The propeller has foldable blades. The mounting position is recessed vertically downward to form a receiving cavity. A second telescopic member is installed at the bottom of the receiving cavity. The drive motor is installed at the output end of the second telescopic member. The second telescopic member can drive the drive motor to drive the propeller to rise so that the propeller is exposed in the receiving cavity, or the second telescopic member can drive the drive motor to drive the propeller to descend so that the propeller is received in the receiving cavity.

8. The bin inventory mechanism as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The fixing component includes: A plurality of third telescopic members are installed at circumferential intervals on the inner wall of the transport container along the transport space, and the telescopic ends of all the third telescopic members extend into the transport space; and, Multiple flexible abutment members are provided, the number of which is the same as the number of the third telescopic member and they are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence. All of the flexible abutment members can abut against the outer wall of the material box.

9. The bin inventory mechanism as described in claim 8, characterized in that, Each of the outer frames has a socket formed on its top that can be inserted into the bottom of the other outer frame.

10. The bin inventory mechanism as described in claim 9, characterized in that, Multiple bin inventory mechanisms are arrayed along the vertical direction and the second direction to form a shelf. Each opening in the shelf is arranged along the first direction. The shelf has multiple columns, which are spaced apart along the first direction. A flight passage is formed between any two adjacent columns of the shelf.

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