Stacking machine and method for stacking products

Abstract

The invention discloses a stacker crane and a method for stacking products. The stacker crane includes a frame in which a product transfer station and a tray stage are disposed. The product transfer station includes a drum assembly that is cyclically movable between a first position in which the drum assembly carries the product, a second position in which the drum assembly is out of bearing contact with the product allowing the product to fall onto the tray stage, and a third position adjacent to the first position in which the drum assembly is in contact with the tray stage. And in the process that the roller assembly moves from the third position to the first position, the products are conveyed into the product conveying station. In the depth direction of the stacker crane, the product conveying station is provided with an inlet end and a stop end arranged opposite to the inlet end. Products enter the product conveying station from the inlet end, and the stop end is arranged to prevent the products from leaving the product conveying station from the stop end. According to the stacker crane structure, the vertical space can be effectively utilized, the occupied area of the stacker crane is reduced, and the space utilization rate is increased.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of logistics and warehousing, specifically to a palletizing machine for palletizing products during the inbound and outbound processes, particularly suitable for palletizing mattresses or similar products. Background Technology

[0002] Automated warehouses (AWIs) typically include palletizers. Palletizers perform palletizing operations on products before they are received or shipped. For example, they stack products onto pallets, which are then transported by shuttles to the receiving station and stored in designated locations on the shelves, or the pallets are transported to the shipping station for subsequent outbound shipment.

[0003] Currently, commonly used palletizers are mainly designed for palletizing standard-sized products such as cartons. However, for flat products with large surface areas, such as mattresses, conventional palletizers present some problems. For example, due to the large surface area of ​​mattresses, the pallet used to hold them is also large, resulting in a larger footprint for palletizing operations. This places more stringent demands on storage space allocation in space-constrained environments, such as indoor automated warehouses. Furthermore, when stacking mattresses or similar products onto pallets, their large size may prevent accurate placement or cause misalignment, affecting stability. When multiple mattresses are stacked on a pallet, there is a risk of them falling off.

[0004] Therefore, in applications such as automated storage and retrieval systems (AS / RS), there is a demand for palletizing machines with improved structures that can be used to store mattresses or similar products with large surface areas. These palletizing machines occupy a smaller area and can position products more stably on product pallets, reducing the risk of products falling off the pallets. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application is made to address the problems existing in the prior art palletizing machines described above. The purpose of this application is to provide a palletizing machine suitable for mattresses or similar products, which has a small footprint and helps improve space utilization in warehouses. Furthermore, the palletizing machine provided by this application can also improve the positioning accuracy of products on product pallets, thereby improving the stability of product stacking.

[0006] This application provides a palletizer including a frame, within which a product conveying station and a pallet platform are disposed. The pallet platform is located above the product conveying station, thereby capable of receiving products from the product conveying station. The product conveying station includes a roller assembly comprising multiple rollers, and the roller assembly is capable of cyclical movement between a first position, a second position, and a third position. In the first position, the roller assembly supports the product. In the second position, the roller assembly disengages from supporting the product, allowing the product to fall onto the pallet platform. The third position is adjacent to the first position, and the roller assembly conveys the product into the product conveying station as it moves from the third position to the first position. In the depth direction of the palletizer, the product conveying station has an inlet end and a stop end disposed opposite to the inlet end. The product enters the product conveying station from the inlet end, and the stop end is configured to prevent the product from leaving the product conveying station from the stop end.

[0007] In this palletizer structure, a reciprocating roller assembly is incorporated. During one cycle of this assembly, the product is fed and released, completing the palletizing operation. This structure is particularly useful for palletizing mattresses or similar products that require a large floor space. Furthermore, this structure allows for the arrangement of product conveying stations and pallet platforms along the height of the palletizer, effectively utilizing vertical space, reducing the palletizer's footprint, and improving space utilization.

[0008] Preferably, the product conveying station is further provided with at least one of the following structures: a stop portion disposed at a stop end, the stop portion extending along at least a portion of the width of the palletizer; and a clamping mechanism disposed on both sides of the product conveying station along the width direction of the palletizer, wherein when the product is conveyed to contact the stop portion, the clamping mechanism is actuated to clamp the product from both sides, thereby achieving the centering positioning of the product.

[0009] The stop section helps prevent products from accidentally falling off the end of the product transfer station opposite to the inlet. Furthermore, the centering operation of the clamping mechanism helps to accurately position the product onto the pallet in the pallet carrier when it falls from the product transfer station, and ensures that multiple products of the same size stacked on the pallet are neatly arranged.

[0010] In one specific structure, the palletizer is provided with a drive assembly to drive the roller assembly to reciprocate between a first position and a second position. The drive assembly includes: a first motor; a transmission wheel connected to the output shaft of the first motor; and a transmission belt, on which the rollers of the roller assembly are connected, and the transmission belt cooperates with the transmission wheel to convert the rotational motion of the transmission wheel into the linear reciprocating motion of the roller assembly.

[0011] Preferably, the product conveying station is also equipped with a roller guide rail, which is located on at least one side of the product conveying station along the width direction of the palletizer and is configured to receive and guide the drive belt. This roller guide rail effectively guides and restricts the movement trajectory of the drive belt, thereby helping to improve the stability of the roller assembly during reciprocating motion and reducing swaying or vibration.

[0012] In one specific configuration, the drive wheel is a sprocket, and the drive belt is a roller chain mating with the sprocket. Besides this specific configuration, the drive wheel and drive belt may also adopt other transmission structures used in the art.

[0013] Preferably, the roller chain is provided with multiple roller mounting parts, and the end of each roller is fixedly mounted on the roller mounting part by fasteners.

[0014] Preferably, the pallet carrier is configured to move closer to or further away from the product conveying station along the height of the palletizer. Additionally, the palletizer includes a controller configured to control the movement of the pallet carrier along the height of the palletizer, such that when the first product is stacked, the distance between the top of the pallet on the pallet carrier and the bottom of the product conveying station is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 15 cm. Preferably, this distance can be, for example, less than or equal to 3 cm.

[0015] By controlling the rise height of the pallet platform and the distance between it and the product transfer station, the product can be carried on the pallet in an almost "placed" state during the process of being transferred from the product transfer station to the pallet platform. This minimizes the horizontal momentum and impact during the product's fall, which helps to accurately position the product on the pallet.

[0016] Further preferably, the controller is configured to lower the pallet platform by a distance equal to the product thickness in the direction away from the product conveying station after each product is stacked. This lifting action allows for continuous, uninterrupted palletizing operations, minimizing pauses in the palletizing process and improving the efficiency of palletizing operations.

[0017] Specifically, the pallet platform moves at the height of the palletizer via a lifting mechanism, which includes: a second motor mounted on the top of the frame; and multiple cables, one end of which is connected to the pallet platform and the other end of which is connected to a cable reel mounted on the top of the frame. The cable reel is connected to the output shaft of the second motor.

[0018] Preferably, a first sensor is mounted on the frame at the inlet end of the product conveying station to detect whether the roller assembly is in the third position. A second sensor is also mounted on the frame near the stop end of the product conveying station to detect whether the roller assembly is in the first position. Additionally, a third sensor may be mounted below the stop end of the product conveying station to detect whether the roller assembly is in the second position.

[0019] Preferably, in addition to the clamping mechanism, a fourth sensor is also installed on the frame. The fourth sensor is located on both sides of the clamping mechanism and is used to detect whether the clamping mechanism is in contact with both sides of the product in order to complete the centering positioning of the product.

[0020] This application also provides a method for palletizing products using the palletizing machine described above. The method includes the following steps in sequence: a) Position the roller assembly in the third position and raise the pallet platform to a predetermined distance from the bottom of the product transfer station; b) Move the roller assembly from the third position to the first position while simultaneously conveying the product onto the roller assembly, thereby transferring the product to the product conveying station; c) Move the roller assembly from the first position to the second position, while the stop end blocks the product from moving together with the roller assembly; d) As the roller assembly moves from the first position to the second position, the product gradually loses contact with the roller assembly, and thus the product falls onto the pallet supported on the pallet platform. e) When the roller assembly reaches the second position, the product falls completely onto the pallet, and the pallet platform descends to a predetermined height; f) After the pallet platform has descended to a predetermined height, the roller assembly is moved from the second position to the third position to prepare for receiving the next product.

[0021] Preferably, in step b above, when the roller assembly moves to the first position, the product is centered and positioned, and after the centering and positioning operation is completed, step c is performed.

[0022] Preferably, steps a to f can be repeated a predetermined number of times to stack multiple products on a pallet, wherein the product stacking operation on the pallet is determined to be complete based on one of the following parameters, and the pallet is transported to the next workstation: a predetermined number of products have been stacked on the pallet; the pallet platform is lowered to a predetermined height. Attached Figure Description

[0023] The accompanying drawings illustrate a non-limiting preferred embodiment of this application, and the features and advantages of this application become more apparent when viewed in conjunction with the drawings. Wherein: Figure 1A schematic perspective view of the palletizer of this application is shown.

[0024] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A partially enlarged perspective view of a palletizer, which clearly shows an exemplary structure of a drive assembly for driving the reciprocating motion of the roller assembly.

[0025] Figure 3a yes Figure 1 Another view of the palletizer shows a partially enlarged 3D view of the drive assembly and roller assembly.

[0026] Figure 3b yes Figure 3a The front view of the palletizer section shown.

[0027] Figure 3c This is a partial sectional side view of a palletizer showing the drive assembly and roller assembly, which more clearly shows the specific structure of the roller chain.

[0028] Figure 4 A partially enlarged view of the upper part of the palletizer is shown.

[0029] Figure 5a A partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of the palletizer is shown.

[0030] Figure 5b It shows Figure 5a The enlarged view of part I in the image shows the section where the first sensor is located.

[0031] Figure 5c It shows Figure 5a An enlarged view of part II, showing the section where the second sensor is located.

[0032] Figure 6a Another top-view perspective of the palletizer is shown.

[0033] Figure 6b It shows Figure 6a An enlarged view of part III in the image.

[0034] Figure 7 A partially enlarged 3D view of the palletizer is shown.

[0035] (Symbol Explanation)

[0036] 100 Palletizer; 110 Frame; 111 Frame top; 120 Product conveying station; 121 Roller assembly; 122 Roller; 123 Stop; 124 Clamping mechanism; 125 Roller guide rail; 130 Pallet platform; 131 Pallet support; 132 Cable; 133 Second motor; 134 Cable reel; 140 First motor; 141 Roller chain; 142 Sprocket; 143 Roller mounting part; 144 Fastener; 141-1 (first horizontal segment of the roller chain movement path); 141-2 (first vertical segment of the roller chain movement path); 141-3 (second vertical segment of the roller chain movement path); 141-4 (second horizontal segment of the roller chain movement path); 151 First sensor; 152 Second sensor; 153 Third sensor; 154 Fourth sensor. Detailed Implementation

[0037] The specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not constitute a limitation on the scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make various obvious modifications, variations, and equivalent substitutions to the present invention based on the embodiments shown in the drawings. Furthermore, without contradiction, the technical features in the different embodiments described below can be arbitrarily combined with each other, all of which fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 1 A schematic structural perspective view of the palletizer 100 of this application is shown. The palletizer 100 has a frame 110, which includes four columns and a plurality of crossbeams extending between each pair of adjacent columns, as shown in the figure. For ease of explanation, the palletizer 100 shown in the figure is defined as having a depth dimension along the depth direction D, a width dimension along the width direction W, and a height dimension along the height direction H.

[0039] A product transfer station 120 is provided on the upper part of the frame 110. This product transfer station 120 is used to receive and transfer products. One end of the product transfer station 120 in the depth direction D is the inlet end, through which products such as mattresses can be transported into the product transfer station 120. The other end of the product transfer station 120 in the depth direction D opposite to the inlet end is the stop end, on which a stop part 123 is provided (see...). Figure 4 This is used to prevent the product from leaving the stop end, or to prevent the product from falling out of the palletizer 100 from the other end opposite the inlet end.

[0040] exist Figure 4In the exemplary structure shown, the stop portion 123 is a stop plate extending along the width direction W of the palletizer 100. Alternatively, the stop portion 123 may be one or more stop bars extending along the width direction. Of course, the stop portion 123 may also only extend a portion of the width dimension of the palletizer 100, as long as it can prevent products from falling off the stop end.

[0041] Product transfer station 120 includes a roller assembly 121 comprising a plurality of rollers 122. The roller assembly 121 is movable along the depth direction D of the product transfer station 120, thereby transferring products from the inlet end to the stop end of the product transfer station 120. Preferably, at least a portion of the rollers 122 of the roller assembly 121, preferably each roller 122, is configured to rotate about its own axis. This allows products to be pushed from the inlet end of the product transfer station 120 toward the stop end even when the roller assembly 121 itself remains stationary.

[0042] In this application, the roller assembly 121 is configured to cyclically move between a first position, a second position, and a third position. In the first position, the roller assembly 121 extends substantially along the depth direction D of the palletizer 100, thereby enabling it to carry products. In the second position, the roller assembly 121 extends substantially, or mostly, vertically, thus creating an opening below the product conveying station 120, allowing products to fall downwards along the height direction H. In the third position, it is located below the first position in the height direction H, and the roller assembly 121 in the third position is substantially end-to-end adjacent to and generally parallel to the roller assembly 121 in the first position.

[0043] The palletizer 100 is equipped with a drive assembly for driving the roller assembly 121 to cyclically move between a first position, a second position, and a third position. The following will combine... Figure 2 , 3a - 3c will be used to describe in detail the exemplary structure and operation of the drive assembly. The drive assembly includes a first motor 140, which is, for example, fixedly mounted on the frame 110. A roller chain 141 is provided in the roller assembly 121, and each roller 122 in the roller assembly 121 is fixedly connected to the roller chain 141. Preferably, a roller chain 141 is provided on each of the two sides of the product conveying station 120 along the width direction W, and the two ends of the roller 122 are respectively connected to the two roller chains 141.

[0044] The roller chain 141 is wound around and meshes with the sprocket 142, so that the rotation of the sprocket 142 can be converted into linear motion of the roller chain 141. The sprocket 142 is connected to the output shaft of the first motor 140, and thus the rotation of the sprocket 142 is driven by the first motor 140.

[0045] like Figure 3a and 3b As shown more clearly in the image, a plurality of roller mounting portions 143 are provided on the roller chain 141, and the roller 122 is fixedly connected to the roller mounting portion 143 at its end by fasteners 144 such as screws and nuts.

[0046] Figure 3c A partial sectional side view of the palletizer 100 is shown, exposing one side of the roller chain 141 to more clearly show its specific structure. It can be seen that the roller chain 141 is formed in a closed loop, and thus the movement path of the roller chain 141 includes a first horizontal segment 141-1, a first vertical segment 141-2, a second vertical segment 141-3, and a second horizontal segment 141-4 connected end-to-end in sequence. The second horizontal segment 141-4 is located below the first horizontal segment 141-1 along the height direction H, and preferably is substantially parallel to the first horizontal segment 141-1.

[0047] As the roller chain 141 cyclically moves along its movement path through the first horizontal segment 141-1, the first vertical segment 141-2, the second vertical segment 141-3, and the second horizontal segment 141-4, the roller assembly 121 can also sequentially cyclically move to its first position, second position, and third position. Specifically, when the roller assembly 121 is substantially entirely within the first horizontal segment 141-1 of the movement path of the roller chain 141, the roller assembly 121 is in its first position. In this first position, the roller assembly 121 can hold a mattress or similar product. When the roller assembly 121 moves to the first vertical segment 141-2 and / or the second vertical segment 141-3 of the movement path of the roller chain 141, the roller assembly 121 is in its second position, where it is no longer in contact with the product, thereby allowing the product to fall from the product transfer station 120 onto a tray on the tray platform.

[0048] When the roller assembly 121 moves to the second horizontal segment 141-4 in the movement path of the roller chain 141, the roller assembly 121 is in its third position. As it continues to move toward the first position with the roller chain 141, it can receive products from the upstream station and transport the products to the product conveying station 120, specifically to the aforementioned first position.

[0049] In addition to the chain-sprocket structure specifically described above, other transmission structures can also be used, such as belt-drive wheel structures, as long as they can drive the roller assembly 121 to reciprocate between the first and second positions.

[0050] The first motor 140 is preferably a unidirectional rotating motor, which can drive the roller chain 141 to circulate in one direction, thereby causing the roller assembly 121 to circulate through the first horizontal section 141-1, the first vertical section 141-2, the second vertical section 141-3, and the second horizontal section 141-4 in sequence.

[0051] Preferably, roller guide rails 125 are also provided on both sides of the roller assembly 121. The roller guide rails 125 are configured to accommodate the roller chain 141, thereby guiding and restricting the roller chain 141. This reduces the swaying of the roller assembly 121 during reciprocating motion, thereby improving the reciprocating motion stability of the roller assembly 121.

[0052] Alternatively, better, such as Figure 5a and 5b As shown, a first sensor 151 is provided on one side of the inlet end of the product conveying station 120. This first sensor 151, for example, is a vision sensor, which can be used to detect whether the roller chain 141 has moved to the third position, thus being ready to receive and convey products from the upstream station. Specifically, a marker, such as a marking piece, is provided on the roller chain 141, which corresponds to the position of a designated roller 122 (usually the first roller 122) in the roller assembly 121 in its direction of movement. When the first sensor 151 detects the marking piece, it indicates that the roller assembly 121 has moved to the third position.

[0053] If possible Figure 4 As can be seen more clearly, a clamping mechanism 124 is preferably also provided in the product transfer station 120. Specifically, two clamping plates are provided on both sides along the width direction W of the palletizer 100. The clamping mechanism 124 is configured to clamp the product already carried on the roller assembly 121 from both sides when the clamping mechanism 124 is actuated, thereby achieving the centering positioning of the product. Preferably, the two clamping plates are actuated synchronously. This centering positioning of the product helps to improve the accuracy of product palletizing, for example, enabling the product to fall more accurately onto the pallet platform 130, which will be described in detail below.

[0054] Further preferably, a second sensor 152 can be installed at the stop end of the product conveying station 120, such as... Figure 5a and 5cAs shown. The second sensor 152 is used to detect whether the product has been conveyed to the first position to determine that the product has fully entered the product conveying station 120. Specifically, when the second sensor 152 detects the aforementioned marking sheet, it indicates that the roller assembly 121 has moved to its first position, thus determining that the product has fully entered the product conveying station. At this time, the controller of the palletizer 100 can actuate the clamping mechanism 124 to center the product. After centering the product, the clamping mechanism 124 can be released to allow the product to subsequently fall. Back Figure 1 A pallet platform 130 is provided at the lower part of the frame 110. This pallet platform 130 is positioned along the height direction H below the product conveying station 120 and is configured to support pallets. When the roller assembly 121 is in the second position, the pallet can receive products falling from the product conveying station 120. In this application, the pallet platform 130 is preferably located directly below the product conveying station 120. This structure fully utilizes the vertical space of the palletizer 100, allowing product conveying in the upper space of the palletizer 100 and product palletizing in the lower space. This helps to significantly reduce the floor space occupied by the palletizer 100.

[0055] like Figure 7 As shown, the pallet platform 130 includes a pallet support 131 for supporting pallets. This pallet support 131 can be a structure consisting of a pair of support rails arranged on both sides of the palletizer 100 in the width direction W, such as... Figure 7 As shown illustratively. Alternatively, the tray support 131 may also be a plate-shaped support platform structure, which is also within the scope of this application.

[0056] Preferably, in this application, the pallet platform 130 is capable of moving closer to or further away from the product conveying station 120 in the height direction H of the palletizer 100. For example, the controller (not shown) of the palletizer 100 can control the distance between the pallet platform 130 and the product conveying station 120, thereby controlling the drop height of the product from the product conveying station 120 onto the pallet platform 130, so that the product can almost be "placed" onto the pallet. This helps to greatly eliminate the momentum and impact in the horizontal direction during the product's fall, ensuring that the product lands accurately and stably on the pallet.

[0057] Preferably, the controller controls the pallet platform 130 such that when the first product is stacked, the distance between the upper surface of the pallet in the pallet platform 130 and the bottom of the product conveying station 120 is equal to or slightly greater than the thickness of the stacked product. More preferably, the distance is in the range of greater than 0 and less than or equal to 15 cm, and more preferably less than or equal to 3 cm. In this way, when the roller assembly 121 moves to the second position, the product, which has lost the support of the roller assembly 121, can be almost "placed" onto the pallet, thereby facilitating the precise positioning of the product on the pallet.

[0058] Further preferably, during the process of stacking products onto a pallet, the controller can also control the pallet platform 130 to descend synchronously along the height direction H of the palletizer 100. For example, after each product is stacked onto the pallet, the controller will control the pallet platform 130 to descend by a distance substantially equal to one times the thickness of the product.

[0059] The palletizer 100 is equipped with a lifting mechanism to raise and lower the pallet carrier 130. This lifting mechanism includes multiple cables 132, from which... Figure 7 One of the cables, 132, can be seen. One end of cable 132 is connected to the pallet platform 130, for example, to the pallet support 131, and the other end extends upward and connects to the second motor 133 mounted on the top 111 of the frame 110 (see...). Figure 4 )connect.

[0060] like Figure 1 and 4 As shown, cable reels 134 are installed at the four corners of the top 111 of the frame, and cables 132 are wound around these cable reels 134. The cable reels 134 are connected to the output shaft of a second motor 133. The second motor 133 drives the cable reels 134 to rotate, thereby enabling the unwinding and rewinding of the cables 132, and consequently raising or lowering the pallet platform 130. Preferably, as... Figure 3c As shown, a third sensor 153 is installed below the stop end of the product conveying station 120, specifically at a position corresponding to the first vertical segment 141-2. This sensor detects and determines when the roller assembly 121 has moved to its second position. Specifically, when the third sensor 153 detects the aforementioned marking piece, it indicates that the roller assembly 121 has moved to the second position, at which point the pallet platform 130 is lowered. After the pallet platform 130 has lowered a predetermined distance, the roller chain 141 continues to move, thereby moving the roller assembly 121 to a third position to receive the next product.

[0061] Further, preferably, such as Figure 6a and 6bAs shown, a fourth sensor 154 is also provided in the product transfer station 120. This fourth sensor 154, for example, is located on both sides of the clamping mechanism 124, and can specifically be a diffuse reflection vision sensor. It can detect that both clamping plates of the clamping mechanism 124 have made contact with both sides of the product (e.g., a mattress), thus determining that the product is centered. Then, based on the detection results of the fourth sensor 154, the controller can control the clamping mechanism 124 to release its grip on the product, allowing the product to subsequently fall from the product transfer station 120 onto a tray on the tray platform 130.

[0062] The operating principle of the palletizer 100 of this application with the above-described structure will be described in detail below.

[0063] Before receiving the product, the roller assembly 121 is in the third position. At this time, the first sensor 151 detects that the roller assembly 121 is in the third position, indicating that it is ready to receive the product from the upstream station. At this time, the product conveying device (not shown) of the upstream station operates synchronously with the roller chain 141. While the roller chain 141 drives the roller assembly 121 from the third position to the first position, it feeds the product from the inlet end of the product conveying station 120 and onto the roller assembly 121. Under the action of the drive assembly, the roller assembly 121 moves along the depth direction D of the palletizer 100, carrying the product towards the first position. This movement of the roller assembly 121 towards the first position conveys the product into the product conveying station 120.

[0064] While the roller assembly 121 moves toward the first position, the controller can also control the pallet platform 130 to rise until it is a predetermined distance away from the bottom of the product conveying station 120, for example, the distance between the top of the pallet and the bottom of the product conveying station 120 is 0~10cm, preferably 0~1cm.

[0065] When the roller assembly 121 reaches its first position, the second product sensor 152 will detect that the roller assembly 121 has reached the first position. Based on this detection result from the second sensor 152, the product controller controls the clamping mechanism 124 to clamp the product from both sides, centering the product. After the product centering operation is completed, the controller can control the clamping mechanism 124 to release the clamp on the product. Preferably, the completion of the product centering operation can be detected by a third sensor 153.

[0066] Next, the roller assembly 121 moves from the first position to the second position. During this process, the product is blocked by the stop 123, gradually losing contact with the roller assembly 121 and losing the support of the roller 122. The product, now freed from the support of the roller 122, falls from the product transfer station 120 onto the pallet in the pallet carrier 130. Thus, the palletizing of one product is completed.

[0067] When the roller assembly 121 moves to the second position, the controller can control the pallet platform 130 to move downwards along with the pallet carrying the product, a predetermined distance, for example, reducing the height by a factor equal to one times the product thickness. Here, the movement of the roller assembly 121 to the second position can be detected by the fourth sensor 154.

[0068] After the pallet stage 130 is lowered to a predetermined height, the roller chain 141 continues to drive, causing the roller assembly 121 to move to a third position to receive the next product. Then, the above process is repeated to stack the next product onto the pallet in the pallet stage 130, for example, onto the previous product.

[0069] The above steps can be repeated a predetermined number of times. Depending on the specific work scenario or needs, a predetermined number of products are stacked on the pallet, or after the pallet platform 130 is lowered to a predetermined height, the pallet carrying the products is transferred from the palletizer 100 and transported to the next workstation.

[0070] The preferred embodiments of the palletizing machine of this application have been described in detail above. Those skilled in the art can make various obvious variations and modifications based on the above disclosure, and these are still within the scope of this application.

Claims

1. A palletizing machine, comprising a frame, wherein a product conveying station and a pallet platform are disposed within the frame, the pallet platform being located above the product conveying station to receive products from the product conveying station, characterized in that, The product conveying station includes a roller assembly comprising multiple rollers, and the roller assembly is capable of cyclical movement between a first position, a second position, and a third position. In the first position, the roller assembly is capable of carrying the product. In the second position, the roller assembly disengages from supporting the product to allow the product to fall onto the pallet platform. The third position is adjacent to the first position, and the roller assembly conveys the product into the product conveying station during its movement from the third position to the first position. In the depth direction of the palletizer, the product conveying station has an inlet end and a stop end disposed opposite to the inlet end, wherein the product enters the product conveying station from the inlet end, and the stop end is configured to prevent the product from leaving the product conveying station from the stop end.

2. The palletizing machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The product transfer station is also equipped with at least one of the following structures: A stop portion is disposed at the stop end and extends along at least a portion of the width of the palletizer; as well as A clamping mechanism is provided on both sides of the product conveying station along the width direction of the palletizer. When the product is conveyed to contact the stop, the clamping mechanism is actuated to clamp the product from both sides, thereby achieving the centering positioning of the product.

3. The palletizing machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The palletizer is equipped with a drive assembly to drive the roller assembly to reciprocate between a first position and a second position, wherein the drive assembly includes: First motor, A transmission wheel, the transmission wheel being connected to the output shaft of the first motor; and A drive belt is provided, and the rollers of the roller assembly are connected to the drive belt, and the drive belt cooperates with the drive wheel, thereby converting the rotational motion of the drive wheel into the linear reciprocating motion of the roller assembly.

4. The palletizing machine as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The product conveying station is also provided with a roller guide rail, which is located on at least one side of the product conveying station along the width direction of the palletizer and is configured to receive and guide the drive belt.

5. The palletizing machine as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The drive wheel is a sprocket, and the drive belt is a roller chain that fits onto the sprocket.

6. The palletizing machine as described in claim 5, characterized in that, Multiple roller mounting parts are provided on the roller chain, and the end of each roller is fixedly mounted on the roller mounting part by fasteners.

7. The palletizing machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The pallet carrier is configured to move along the height of the palletizer toward or away from the product conveying station, and The palletizer also includes a controller configured to control the movement of the pallet platform along the height of the palletizer, such that when the first product is stacked, the distance between the top of the pallet on the pallet platform and the bottom of the product conveying station is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 15 cm.

8. The palletizing machine as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The controller is also configured to, after each product is stacked, reduce the pallet platform by a distance equal to the thickness of the product along a direction away from the product conveying station.

9. The palletizing machine as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The pallet platform moves at the height of the palletizer via a lifting mechanism, wherein the lifting mechanism includes: A second motor, the second motor being mounted on the top of the frame of the frame; and Multiple cables, one end of which is connected to the tray platform and the other end of which is connected to a cable reel mounted on the top of the frame. The cable reel is connected to the output shaft of the second motor.

10. The palletizing machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, At least one of the following sensors is mounted on the frame: A first sensor, located at the inlet end of the product conveying station, is used to detect whether the roller assembly is in the third position. The second sensor, located near the stop end of the product conveying station, is used to detect whether the roller assembly is in the first position. The third sensor, located below the stop end of the product conveying station, is used to detect whether the roller assembly is in the second position.

11. The palletizing machine as described in claim 2, characterized in that, A fourth sensor is installed on the frame, located on both sides of the clamping mechanism, and is used to detect whether the clamping mechanism contacts both sides of the product to complete the centering positioning of the product.

12. A method for palletizing products using a palletizer as described in any one of claims 1-11, characterized in that, The method includes the following steps in sequence: a) Position the roller assembly at the third position and raise the pallet platform to a position at a predetermined distance from the bottom of the product conveying station; b) Move the roller assembly from the third position to the first position while simultaneously conveying the product onto the roller assembly, thereby conveying the product into the product conveying station; c) Move the roller assembly from the first position to the second position, while the stop end prevents the product from moving with the roller assembly; d) As the roller assembly moves from the first position to the second position, the product gradually disengages from the roller assembly, thereby falling onto the pallet supported on the pallet platform; e) When the roller assembly reaches the second position, the product falls completely onto the pallet, and the pallet platform descends a predetermined height; f) After the pallet platform has descended to a predetermined height, the roller assembly is moved from the second position to the third position to prepare for receiving the next product.

13. The method as described in claim 12, characterized in that, In step b, when the roller assembly moves to the first position, a centering operation is performed on the product, and after the centering operation is completed, step c is performed.

14. The method as described in claim 12, characterized in that, Steps a through f are repeated a predetermined number of times to stack multiple products on the pallet, wherein the completion of the product stacking operation on the pallet is determined according to one of the following parameters, and the pallet is then transported to the next workstation: A predetermined number of the products have been stacked on the tray; The pallet platform descends to a predetermined height.

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