Automatic glass feeding, discharging and caching equipment and method

Abstract

The invention discloses automatic glass feeding, discharging and caching equipment and an implementation method, and belongs to the technical field of automatic machining. The equipment comprises a plurality of caching and conveying mechanisms which are horizontally arranged side by side and used for stacking, caching and / or conveying trays; the multiple lifting mechanisms are arranged at the first end of the cache conveying mechanism in a one-to-one correspondence mode. The horizontal transplanting mechanism is arranged above the lifting mechanisms and is used for picking up or placing the trays among the plurality of lifting mechanisms; the feeding and discharging transfer mechanism is arranged above the cache conveying mechanism and is used for transferring the glass materials to a feeding station; the multi-axis mechanical arm and the feeding and discharging transferring mechanism are horizontally arranged side by side, and the feeding and discharging picking mechanism is arranged at the tail end of the multi-axis mechanical arm and used for picking or placing glass materials. Through cooperation of the cache conveying mechanism, the lifting mechanism and the horizontal transplanting mechanism, high-density three-dimensional cache and flexible transfer of the trays are achieved, the integration level and production efficiency of the equipment are remarkably improved by combining accurate feeding and discharging of the multi-axis mechanical arm, and the production takt time of the front procedure and the rear procedure can be effectively balanced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automated processing equipment technology, and in particular to an automated glass loading, unloading and buffering device and method. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of glass deep processing, such as the production of mobile phone cover glass, automotive displays, and photovoltaic glass, multiple processes are typically required, including material cutting, CNC precision carving, cleaning, tempering, and coating. To ensure the continuous operation of the production line, material connection between each process is achieved through loading and unloading mechanisms, and buffer devices are set up to balance production fluctuations caused by inconsistent cycle times or short equipment shutdowns between processes.

[0003] In existing technologies, loading / unloading equipment and buffering equipment are often independently set up, resulting in low equipment integration, large footprint, and easy generation of fragments or contamination during material transfer. Furthermore, traditional loading / unloading mechanisms are mostly fixed, making it difficult to adapt to different sizes and types of glass materials, and lacking adjustment flexibility. Achieving seamless speed matching with upstream and downstream processes during automated loading / unloading is also a challenge. While some equipment has buffering functions, its buffer capacity is limited and it cannot achieve multi-station collaborative operation. When the production line cycle time changes, material accumulation or gaps can easily occur, affecting overall production efficiency.

[0004] Meanwhile, existing buffering devices are mostly single conveyor belts or stackers, lacking the ability to flexibly transfer and vertically stack pallets, making it difficult to meet the needs of high-density buffering. Therefore, there is a need for an automated glass loading, unloading, and buffering device that is highly integrated, flexible in adjustment, and can effectively balance production cycle time. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide an automated glass loading, unloading, and buffering device and method to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: an automated glass loading, unloading, and buffering device, comprising: The buffer conveying mechanism has multiple horizontally arranged side by side and is configured to stack buffer trays and / or convey trays; The lifting mechanism is provided in multiple ways and is correspondingly located at the first end of the buffer conveying mechanism, and is configured to lift or lower the tray from the first end to reset it. A horizontal transfer mechanism is located above the lifting mechanism and is configured to pick up or place trays among multiple lifting mechanisms; An infeed / outfeed transfer mechanism is located above the buffer conveyor mechanism and is configured to transfer glass materials to the loading station; A multi-axis robotic arm is positioned above the buffer conveying mechanism and horizontally parallel to the infeed and outfeed transfer mechanism. Its end is equipped with a loading and unloading picking mechanism for picking up or placing glass materials, and is configured to transfer materials from the infeed and outfeed transfer mechanism to the infeed and outfeed transfer mechanism.

[0007] The automated glass loading and unloading and buffering equipment of the present invention includes a buffer conveying mechanism comprising two horizontally parallel buffer conveyor belts, a buffer support frame for longitudinal rotation of the buffer conveyor belts, a conveying drive module for driving the conveyor belts to rotate, and a lifting module for lifting the current tray upward away from the buffer conveyor belt and providing a buffer position for the next tray.

[0008] The automated glass loading and unloading and buffering equipment of the present invention includes a buffer conveyor belt with multiple buffer positions along its length, and each buffer position is provided with two lifting modules, which are respectively located on both sides of the buffer position.

[0009] The automated glass loading, unloading, and buffering equipment of the present invention includes a lifting mechanism comprising a horizontally arranged material tray and a first lifting unit for driving the material tray to rise and fall.

[0010] The automated glass loading, unloading, and buffering equipment of the present invention includes a horizontal transfer module comprising a transverse drive unit arranged along the arrangement direction of the plurality of lifting mechanisms, a second lifting unit disposed on the movable terminal of the transverse drive module, and a transfer picking gripper disposed on the movable terminal of the second lifting unit.

[0011] The automated glass loading, unloading, and buffering device of the present invention includes a transfer pick-up gripper comprising a transfer bracket fixed to the movable terminal of the second lifting unit, a horizontal bracket disposed at the lower end of the transfer bracket, and a plurality of material tray suction nozzles disposed on the lower surface of the horizontal bracket; the horizontal bracket is provided with a fixing member for fixing the material tray suction nozzles.

[0012] The automated glass loading and unloading and buffering equipment of the present invention includes a material transfer mechanism comprising a temporary storage conveyor belt unit and a transfer conveyor belt unit that are adjacent end to end along the parallel direction of the plurality of buffer conveyor mechanisms, and a conveying drive unit and a transfer drive unit that respectively drive the conveyor belt unit and the transfer conveyor belt unit to rotate.

[0013] The automated glass loading, unloading, and buffering equipment of the present invention includes a multi-axis robotic arm that is a horizontal multi-axis robot, and a loading / unloading picking mechanism located at the lower end of the lifting drive screw of the multi-axis robotic arm. The loading / unloading picking mechanism includes a fixed sleeve coaxially fixed to the lower end of the lifting drive screw, a horizontal fixed plate blocking the opening at the lower end of the fixed sleeve, a horizontal support arm located on the upper surface of the horizontal fixed plate, and a material suction nozzle movably disposed on the horizontal support arm along its length. Two horizontal support arms are provided and are arranged side by side on both sides of the fixed sleeve.

[0014] The automated glass loading, unloading, and buffering equipment of the present invention includes a sealing cover on the end joint of the multi-axis robotic arm, which provides a sealed space for the upper end of the lifting drive screw. The upper end of the sealing cover has an ion air supply module that supplies air into it. The lifting drive screw has a channel that axially penetrates its upper and lower end faces. A piston adapted to the inner cavity of the sealing cover is coaxially fixed to the upper end of the lifting drive screw. A buffer air chamber is provided in the horizontal fixed plate. A first air outlet communicating with the buffer air chamber is provided on the lower surface of the horizontal fixed plate. A second air outlet is provided on the lower surface of the horizontal support arm. A first ventilation duct and a second ventilation duct communicating with each other and connecting the second air outlet to the buffer air chamber are respectively provided on the horizontal fixed plate and the horizontal support arm.

[0015] Furthermore, the present invention also provides a method for implementing an automated glass loading, unloading, and buffering device. The method includes the following steps: Step 1: The material handling and transfer mechanism receives glass materials from the upstream process and transports them to the loading station; Step 2: The multi-axis robotic arm drives the loading and unloading picking mechanism to move above the infeed and outfeed transfer mechanism to pick up the glass material; Step 3: The multi-axis robotic arm transfers the picked-up glass material to the empty material tray on the buffer conveyor mechanism, or places it directly on the infeed and outfeed transfer mechanism according to the production instructions for output to the downstream process; Step 4: The buffer conveyor moves the tray carrying the glass material along the conveying direction. When buffering is required, the lifting module lifts the tray upwards, causing it to detach from the buffer conveyor belt, making room for subsequent trays and realizing vertical stacking and buffering of the trays. Step 5: When it is necessary to transfer the tray between different buffer conveying mechanisms to adjust the buffer order or capacity, the lifting mechanism lifts the tray at the first end of the corresponding buffer conveying mechanism upwards, the horizontal transfer mechanism moves above the lifting mechanism, picks up the tray and transfers it to the lifting mechanism of another buffer conveying mechanism, and then the lifting mechanism descends to place the tray on the corresponding buffer conveying mechanism. Step 6: When material needs to be discharged, the multi-axis robotic arm picks up the glass material from the tray on the lifting mechanism and places it on the infeed and outfeed transfer mechanism, which then sends it to the downstream process. Step 7: The equipment control system dynamically adjusts the conveying speed of the buffer conveyor, the timing of the lifting mechanism, and the transfer path of the horizontal transfer mechanism according to the real-time cycle time of the preceding and following processes, so as to achieve material balance and continuous production.

[0016] Compared with existing technologies, the advantages of this invention lie in the fact that by organically combining a buffer conveying mechanism, a lifting mechanism, a horizontal transfer mechanism, an infeed / outfeed transfer mechanism, and a multi-axis robotic arm, an automated system integrating loading / unloading, buffering, and transfer functions is constructed, solving the problems of dispersed functions and low integration in existing technologies. The parallel arrangement of multiple buffer conveying mechanisms provides a spatial basis for high-density buffering; the cooperation between the lifting mechanism and the horizontal transfer mechanism enables flexible scheduling of material trays between different buffer lines; and the multi-axis robotic arm ensures precise picking and placement of glass materials. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This is an overall structural diagram of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram of the buffer delivery mechanism of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Top view.

[0021] Figure 4 for Figure 3 AA sectional view.

[0022] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Enlarged view of a local structure.

[0023] Figure 6 for Figure 2 This is an overall view of the buffer conveying mechanism and lifting mechanism of the present invention after assembly.

[0024] Figure 7 This is a structural diagram of the horizontal transplanting mechanism of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 8This is a structural diagram of the material feeding and discharging transfer mechanism of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 9 This is a structural diagram of the multi-axis robotic arm of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 10 This is an overall structural diagram of the loading and unloading picking mechanism of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 11 for Figure 10 A bottom view.

[0029] Figure 12 This is a longitudinal sectional view of the lifting drive screw of the end joint of the multi-axis robotic arm according to the present invention.

[0030] Figure 13 This is a view of the loading and unloading picking mechanism of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 14 for Figure 13 BB cross-sectional view. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The terms "first," "second," "third," and "fourth," etc., used in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this invention are used to distinguish different objects, not to describe a specific order. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products, or apparatuses.

[0033] In this document, the term "embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a separate or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0034] "Multiple" refers to two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0035] Furthermore, the terms indicating orientation, such as "up," "down," "left," "right," "upper end," "lower end," and "longitudinal," are all based on the posture and position of the device or equipment described in this solution during normal use.

[0036] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, a clear and complete description will be provided below in conjunction with the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0037] Example 1 This embodiment discloses, as follows: Figures 1 to 14 The automated glass loading, unloading, and buffering equipment shown is used in glass deep processing production lines to realize the automated transfer and buffering of glass materials between processes.

[0038] The core architecture of this equipment includes multiple horizontally arranged buffer conveyor mechanisms 100. In an actual production workshop, 2-4 buffer conveyor mechanisms 100 can be set up depending on the size of the space and buffering requirements. Each buffer conveyor mechanism 100 has a corresponding lifting mechanism 200 at its first end (i.e., the end closest to the operation side). A horizontal transfer mechanism 300 is arranged across the lifting mechanism 200. Above the buffer conveyor mechanism 100, a material feeding and discharging transfer mechanism 400 and a multi-axis robotic arm 500 are arranged side by side with the horizontal transfer mechanism 300 (both are fixedly installed via a workstation plate 500). During operation, the material feeding and discharging transfer mechanism 400 receives glass material from the upstream washing machine and transports it to the designated loading position. The loading and unloading picking mechanism 510 at the end of the multi-axis robotic arm 500 then picks up the glass material and, according to system instructions, either directly returns it to the material feeding and discharging transfer mechanism 400 for output to the downstream tempering furnace, or places it into the empty material tray 600 on the buffer conveyor mechanism 100 for buffering.

[0039] Furthermore, the buffer conveying mechanism 100 specifically includes two parallel buffer conveyor belts 110, which are supported by a buffer support frame 120 and driven by a conveying drive module 130 (servo motor + reducer) to achieve horizontal conveying of the material tray 600. Multiple buffer positions 111 are divided along the length of the buffer conveyor belts 110. At least one lifting module 140 is provided on each side of each buffer position 111. Specifically, the lifting module 140 consists of a vertically upward-facing first cylinder 141 and a horizontally positioned second cylinder 142 on its upper movable terminal. A C-shaped support member 14a is fixed to the movable terminal of the second cylinder 142. The opening of the C-shaped support member 14a faces the buffer conveyor belt 110, and its upper support arm is relatively short. The first cylinder 141 lifts the second cylinder 142 to move up and down, while the second cylinder 142 drives the C-shaped support member 14a to move horizontally. When the tray reaches its designated position, a proximity sensor detects and identifies the position. At this point, the second cylinder 142 resets, moving the upper arm of the C-shaped support 14a under the positioned tray and lifting it upwards. This allows the positioned tray to be lifted away from the conveyor belt. To achieve longitudinal stacking of the trays, a clearance groove 601 is recessed at the edge of the upper surface of the tray to avoid the upper arm of the C-shaped support 14a.

[0040] In actual processing, when the first batch of glass is placed into the tray 600 and conveyed to the first buffer position 111, if the system determines that buffering is needed, it triggers the lifting modules 140 on both sides of the buffer position 111 to lift upwards simultaneously, smoothly lifting the tray 600 and removing it from the buffer conveyor belt 110. In this way, the buffer conveyor belt 110 can continue to rotate, sending the second tray 600 to the second buffer position 111. In this manner, vertical stacking of the trays 600 can be achieved without increasing the length of the equipment, greatly improving the buffer density. For example, if a buffer conveyor mechanism 100 has four buffer positions, it can buffer up to four fully loaded trays 600 simultaneously in the horizontal direction.

[0041] Furthermore, the lifting mechanism 200 consists of a horizontal tray support plate 210 and a first lifting unit 220 (such as a cylinder, electric cylinder, or linear motor; in this embodiment, a linear motor is preferred). When it is necessary to transfer the tray at the first end of a buffer conveyor 100 to another buffer line, the lifting mechanism 200 at that location is activated, and the first lifting unit 220 drives the tray support plate 210 to rise, lifting the tray upwards from between the two buffer conveyor belts 110 to a predetermined height (above the workstation plate), waiting for the horizontal transfer mechanism 300 to pick it up.

[0042] Furthermore, the horizontal transfer mechanism 300 includes a transverse drive unit 310 (specifically a linear motor, but could also be a horizontal screw motor module or a cylinder module, etc.) spanning all the buffer conveying mechanisms 100. A second lifting unit 320 (specifically a vertically positioned cylinder, but could also be a screw motor module or a linear motor, etc.) is mounted on the movable terminal of the transverse drive unit 310. A transfer picking gripper 330 is fixed on the movable terminal of the second lifting unit 320. The transfer picking gripper 330 specifically consists of a transfer bracket 331, a horizontal bracket 332, and multiple tray suction nozzles 333. When the lifting mechanism 200 lifts the tray, the horizontal transfer mechanism 300 moves above it, the second lifting unit 320 descends, causing the horizontal bracket 332 to come close to the tray, and the tray suction nozzles 333 generate negative pressure through a vacuum generator to firmly adhere to the tray. Subsequently, the second lifting unit 320 rises, and the lateral drive unit 310 drives the entire gripper and tray to move above the lifting mechanism of the target buffer conveyor, then lowers and releases the tray, thereby completing the cross-line transfer.

[0043] Furthermore, the material handling transfer mechanism 400 consists of a temporary storage conveyor belt unit 410 and a transfer conveyor belt unit 420 arranged end to end, and are driven by independent conveying drive units 430 and 440 (both motors). In practical applications, the temporary storage conveyor belt unit 410 can be designed to be relatively long to receive and temporarily store multiple pieces of glass from upstream, forming a small buffer zone. When the multi-axis robotic arm 500 is ready to pick up materials, the temporary storage conveyor belt unit 410 transfers the glass materials one by one to the transfer conveyor belt unit 420, which, with its precise positioning capability, accurately delivers the glass materials to the picking position of the multi-axis robotic arm 500, ensuring the rhythm and accuracy of loading and unloading.

[0044] Furthermore, the multi-axis robotic arm 500 is preferably a horizontal multi-joint robot (SCARA robot), with a lifting drive screw 520 driven by a servo motor at its end. A loading / unloading pick-up mechanism 510 is installed at the lower end of this screw. To prevent dust contamination or electrostatic discharge during the pick-up process of precision glass, this device is designed with a special dustproof and anti-static structure. A sealing sleeve 530 is provided on the end joint of the multi-axis robotic arm 500, covering the upper end of the lifting drive screw 520 to form a sealed space. An ion air supply module 540 is connected to the top of the sealing sleeve 530, continuously supplying ion air into the sealed space. An axially penetrating channel 521 is machined in the center of the lifting drive screw 520, and a piston 550 is coaxially fixed at the upper end of the screw, slidingly sealing with the inner cavity of the sealing sleeve 530. Under pressure, the ion air enters the axial channel 521 of the screw through the piston 550 and is delivered all the way to the lower end.

[0045] Furthermore, in the loading and unloading picking mechanism 510 at the lower end of the lifting drive screw 520, the fixing sleeve 511 connects the lower end of the screw to the horizontal fixing plate 512. The material suction nozzle 513 is horizontally movably mounted on the horizontal support arm 515. Specifically, a strip-shaped through hole 5a is provided in the center of the horizontal support arm along its length direction, penetrating its upper and lower surfaces. The material suction nozzle 513 is vertically mounted in the strip-shaped through hole 5a and is fixed in the strip-shaped through hole 5a by being fastened to the upper and lower surfaces of the horizontal support arm 515 by two nuts.

[0046] The horizontal fixed plate 512 has a buffer air chamber 5b inside, and a first air outlet 514 on its lower surface. Two horizontal support arms 515 fixed to the upper surface of the horizontal fixed plate 512 have ventilation channels 5c inside, and multiple second air outlets 516 on their lower surfaces. Ionizing air exits from the axial channel 521 and enters the buffer air chamber 5b. A portion of the ionizing air is then blown vertically downwards from the first air outlet 514, directly cleaning the glass material below; the other portion enters the horizontal support arms 515 through the first and second ventilation channels 517 and 518, and is finally blown obliquely out of the second air outlets 516, cleaning the area around the suction nozzle. Thus, throughout the entire process of the loading and unloading pick-up mechanism 510 descending to pick up the glass, the continuously blowing ionizing air can efficiently neutralize static electricity and blow away dust, ensuring the glass enters the next process in optimal cleanliness.

[0047] Example 2 This embodiment is basically the same as Embodiment 1, and the similarities will not be repeated. The difference is that this embodiment also provides an automated glass loading and unloading and buffering method based on the equipment described in Embodiment 1, the process of which is attached. Figure 2 As shown.

[0048] This method aims to achieve efficient flow and buffering of glass materials through intelligent step control, adapting to dynamic changes in production line cycle time. Specifically, it includes the following steps: Step 1: Material Receiving. After the upstream equipment (such as a CNC engraving machine) completes processing, the glass material is conveyed to the infeed / outfeed transfer mechanism 400. First, the temporary storage conveyor unit 410 starts, receives and temporarily stores the material, and then, according to the instructions of the control system, transfers the glass material one by one to the transfer conveyor unit 420. The transfer conveyor unit 420 finally precisely stops the glass material at the preset loading station, waiting to be picked up.

[0049] Step Two: Robotic Arm Material Retrieval. The control system plans the motion path of the multi-axis robotic arm 500 based on the current production task. The multi-axis robotic arm 500 drives its end-effector, the loading / unloading pickup mechanism 510, to move directly above the loading station of the infeed / outfeed transfer mechanism 400. Subsequently, the lifting drive screw 520 drives the pickup mechanism 510 to descend precisely, causing the material suction nozzle to contact the glass surface, and the glass material is firmly sucked in by negative pressure. During the descent and suction process, the ion air delivery module 540 continuously operates, blowing ion air from the first air outlet 514 and the second air outlet 516 to remove dust and eliminate static electricity from the glass.

[0050] Step 3: Material Dispatch. The multi-axis robotic arm 500 picks up the glass material and dispatches it based on the system's real-time judgment: if the downstream process (such as the tempering furnace) is waiting for material, the robotic arm directly transfers the material to the output end of the infeed / outfeed transfer mechanism 400, where it is delivered by the transfer conveyor unit 420; if the downstream process is busy or temporarily shut down, the robotic arm transfers the material to the empty tray on the currently idle buffer conveyor mechanism 100 for buffering.

[0051] Step 4: Vertical Stacking of Buffers. The trays carrying glass material move forward on the buffer conveyor belt 110 of the buffer conveyor mechanism 100. When the system detects that buffer position 111 is idle, it controls the lifting modules 140 on both sides of the buffer position to rise synchronously, lifting the tray upwards and removing it from the conveyor belt. In this way, the lower buffer conveyor belt 110 can continue to rotate, receiving or conveying subsequent trays, thus forming multi-layered stacked buffers in the vertical direction, making great use of three-dimensional space.

[0052] Step 5: Tray Transfer. During production, the control system dynamically adjusts the buffering strategy based on the load of each buffer conveyor and the needs of downstream processes. For example, when one buffer line is full while another buffer line has space, the system initiates a cross-line transfer process. The lifting mechanism 200 of the target buffer line lifts the tray, the horizontal transfer mechanism 300 moves above it, picks up the tray using the transfer pick-up gripper 330, and then moves it horizontally above the lifting mechanism of the target buffer line, releasing the tray, which is then placed back onto the buffer conveyor belt by the lifting mechanism. This step achieves dynamic balancing of buffer resources.

[0053] Step Six: Precise Material Discharge. When a downstream process issues a material request, the multi-axis robotic arm 500 moves to the designated buffer conveyor 100 or lifting mechanism 200, precisely picks up the glass material from the tray, and then transfers and places it onto the infeed / outfeed transfer mechanism 400. The infeed / outfeed transfer mechanism 400 then starts, quickly and smoothly conveying the glass material to the receiving port of the downstream process.

[0054] Step Seven: Dynamic Cycle Control. Throughout the execution of all the above steps, the equipment's central control system (such as a PLC or industrial computer) monitors in real time the upstream material inflow frequency, downstream material demand frequency, occupancy rate of each buffer slot, and the status of each actuator. Based on this real-time data, the system uses a preset algorithm to dynamically adjust the rotational speed of the buffer conveyor belt 110, the start and stop timing of the lifting mechanism 200, the transfer path priority of the horizontal transfer mechanism 300, and the movement speed and cycle time of the multi-axis robotic arm 500. This ensures that the entire system always operates at its most efficient and balanced state, seamlessly connecting upstream and downstream processes and minimizing production losses caused by short equipment shutdowns.

[0055] It should be understood that those skilled in the art can make improvements or modifications based on the above description, and all such improvements and modifications should fall within the protection scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An automated glass loading, unloading, and buffering device, characterized in that, include: The buffer conveying mechanism has multiple horizontally arranged side by side and is configured to stack buffer trays and / or convey trays; The lifting mechanism is provided in multiple ways and is correspondingly located at the first end of the buffer conveying mechanism, and is configured to lift or lower the tray from the first end to reset it. A horizontal transfer mechanism is located above the lifting mechanism and is configured to pick up or place trays among multiple lifting mechanisms; An infeed / outfeed transfer mechanism is located above the buffer conveyor mechanism and is configured to transfer glass materials to the loading station; A multi-axis robotic arm is positioned above the buffer conveying mechanism and horizontally parallel to the infeed and outfeed transfer mechanism. Its end is equipped with a loading and unloading picking mechanism for picking up or placing glass materials, and is configured to transfer materials from the infeed and outfeed transfer mechanism to the infeed and outfeed transfer mechanism.

2. The automated glass loading, unloading, and buffering equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The buffer conveying mechanism includes two horizontally parallel buffer conveyor belts, a buffer support frame for longitudinal rotation of the buffer conveyor belts, a conveying drive module for driving the conveyor belts to rotate, and a lifting module for lifting the current tray upwards away from the buffer conveyor belts and providing a buffer position for the next tray.

3. The automated glass loading, unloading, and buffering equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that, The buffer conveyor belt has multiple buffer positions along its length, and each buffer position has two lifting modules, which are located on both sides of the buffer position.

4. The automated glass loading, unloading, and buffering equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lifting mechanism includes a horizontally arranged material tray and a first lifting unit that drives the material tray to rise and fall.

5. The automated glass loading, unloading, and buffering equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The horizontal transplanting module includes a lateral drive unit arranged along the arrangement direction of the plurality of lifting mechanisms, a second lifting unit disposed on the movable terminal of the lateral drive module, and a transplanting pick-up gripper disposed on the movable terminal of the second lifting unit.

6. The automated glass loading, unloading, and buffering equipment according to claim 6, characterized in that, The transplanting and picking gripper includes a transplanting bracket fixed to the movable terminal of the second lifting unit, a horizontal bracket located at the lower end of the transplanting bracket, and a plurality of material tray suction nozzles located on the lower surface of the horizontal bracket; the horizontal bracket is provided with a fixing member for fixing the material tray suction nozzles.

7. The automated glass loading, unloading, and buffering equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The material handling transfer mechanism includes a temporary storage conveyor belt unit and a transfer conveyor belt unit that are adjacent to each other along the parallel direction of the multiple buffer conveyor mechanisms, as well as a conveying drive unit and a transfer drive unit that drive the conveyor belt unit and the transfer conveyor belt unit to rotate respectively.

8. The automated glass loading, unloading, and buffering equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The multi-axis robotic arm is a horizontal multi-axis robot. The loading and unloading picking mechanism is located at the lower end of the lifting drive screw of the multi-axis robotic arm. The loading and unloading picking mechanism includes a fixed sleeve coaxially fixed to the lower end of the lifting drive screw, a horizontal fixed plate blocking the opening at the lower end of the fixed sleeve, a horizontal support arm provided on the upper surface of the horizontal fixed plate, and a material suction nozzle movably provided on the horizontal support arm along the length direction. There are two horizontal support arms, which are respectively arranged side by side on both sides of the fixed sleeve.

9. The automated glass loading, unloading, and buffering equipment according to claim 8, characterized in that, The multi-axis robotic arm has a sealing sleeve on its end joint that provides a sealed space for the upper end of the lifting drive screw. The upper end of the sealing sleeve has an ion air supply module that supplies air into it. The lifting drive screw has a channel that runs axially through its upper and lower end faces. A piston that is adapted to the inner cavity of the sealing sleeve is coaxially fixed to the upper end of the lifting drive screw. A buffer air chamber is provided in the horizontal fixed plate. The lower surface of the horizontal fixed plate has a first air outlet that communicates with the buffer air chamber. The lower surface of the horizontal support arm has a second air outlet. The horizontal fixed plate and the horizontal support arm are respectively provided with a first ventilation channel and a second ventilation channel that communicate with each other and connect the second air outlet to the buffer air chamber.

10. A method for implementing an automated glass loading, unloading, and buffering device, wherein the automated glass loading, unloading, and buffering device according to any one of claims 1-9 is characterized in that, The above includes the following steps: Step 1: The material handling and transfer mechanism receives glass materials from the upstream process and transports them to the loading station; Step 2: The multi-axis robotic arm drives the loading and unloading picking mechanism to move above the infeed and outfeed transfer mechanism to pick up the glass material; Step 3: The multi-axis robotic arm transfers the picked-up glass material to the empty material tray on the buffer conveyor mechanism, or places it directly on the infeed and outfeed transfer mechanism according to the production instructions for output to the downstream process; Step 4: The buffer conveyor moves the tray carrying the glass material along the conveying direction. When buffering is required, the lifting module lifts the tray upwards, causing it to detach from the buffer conveyor belt, making room for subsequent trays and realizing vertical stacking and buffering of the trays. Step 5: When it is necessary to transfer the tray between different buffer conveying mechanisms to adjust the buffer order or capacity, the lifting mechanism lifts the tray at the first end of the corresponding buffer conveying mechanism upwards, the horizontal transfer mechanism moves above the lifting mechanism, picks up the tray and transfers it to the lifting mechanism of another buffer conveying mechanism, and then the lifting mechanism descends to place the tray on the corresponding buffer conveying mechanism. Step 6: When material needs to be discharged, the multi-axis robotic arm picks up the glass material from the tray on the lifting mechanism and places it on the infeed and outfeed transfer mechanism, which then sends it to the downstream process. Step 7: The equipment control system dynamically adjusts the conveying speed of the buffer conveyor, the timing of the lifting mechanism, and the transfer path of the horizontal transfer mechanism according to the real-time cycle time of the preceding and following processes, so as to achieve material balance and continuous production.

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