A rack rail material handling device

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of intelligent warehouse automation equipment technology, and in particular to a rack track picking and placing device. This device realizes automatic picking and placing of materials in a single storage location through a telescopic picking and placing mechanism. The telescopic picking and placing mechanism is raised and lowered on a lifting frame through a lifting component. The lifting frame moves laterally on a multi-layer rack through a horizontal track. In combination, the telescopic picking and placing mechanism can cover all positions of the multi-layer rack, realizing automatic picking and placing of materials in all positions of the multi-layer rack. It has the advantages of low cost and high degree of intelligence.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of intelligent warehouse automation equipment technology, and in particular to a rack track material handling device. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, intelligent warehousing is a major development direction in the warehousing field. At present, intelligent warehousing often uses AGVs to transfer materials between different shelves. However, the picking and placing of materials needs to be done by robotic arms or forklifts. Since the range of action of robotic arms is limited, one robotic arm cannot control the entire shelf. If multiple robotic arms are set up for a single shelf, the cost is too high. On the other hand, picking and placing materials by forklifts is inefficient and not conducive to the popularization of intelligent warehousing. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To overcome the above problems, the present invention provides a shelf track material handling device. The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve its technical problems is as follows: A shelving track material handling device is installed on a multi-layer shelving unit. Several parallel horizontal tracks are provided on one side of the shelving unit. A lifting frame is mounted on the horizontal tracks via a roller mechanism, which includes motor rollers that drive the lifting frame to move laterally along the horizontal tracks. Vertical slide rails are provided on the frame bars on both the left and right sides of the lifting frame. A telescopic material handling mechanism is slidably connected to the lifting frame via these vertical slide rails. A lifting motor is installed on the lifting frame. Lifting components are provided on the frame bars on both the left and right sides of the lifting frame. The left and right ends of the telescopic material handling mechanism are connected to the lifting components. The lifting motor drives the lifting components to move the telescopic material handling mechanism up / down along the vertical slide rails.

[0004] Furthermore, limiting walls extend downwards on both sides of the horizontal track to form a limiting groove with the lower end face that opens downwards; the roller mechanism also includes an auxiliary roller located below the motor roller. The motor roller rolls along the upper end face of the horizontal track, and the auxiliary roller rolls along the limiting groove. The motor roller and the auxiliary roller clamp the horizontal track in the middle, and limiting components are provided at both ends of the horizontal track to prevent the roller mechanism from leaving the horizontal track.

[0005] Furthermore, the auxiliary rollers include two rubber rollers that clamp the inner and outer sides of the limiting wall and roll synchronously along the limiting groove.

[0006] Furthermore, distance sensors are installed on both the left and right sides of the lifting frame to sense the distance the lifting frame moves laterally relative to the left and right ends of the multi-layer shelving along the horizontal track.

[0007] Furthermore, the lifting frame is equipped with a positioning sensor, and the horizontal track is equipped with several positioning holes, which are located on the movement sensing path of the positioning sensor to ensure that the lifting frame moves laterally into position.

[0008] Furthermore, the lifting assembly includes pulleys respectively disposed on the frame bars on the left and right sides of the lifting frame. The pulleys are all rolled on the frame bars by gears. One end of the two pulleys is connected by a drive shaft. The drive end of the lifting motor is connected to the drive shaft. The left and right ends of the telescopic material handling mechanism are fixedly connected to the pulleys. The lifting motor drives the pulleys to rotate synchronously through the drive shaft, so as to drive the telescopic material handling mechanism to rise / fall.

[0009] Furthermore, the telescopic picking and placing mechanism includes a telescopic arm that can be folded and extended inwards and outwards, and a drive motor. The drive motor drives the telescopic arm to extend and retract inwards / outwards to pick up / place materials. A fall arrestor is installed at the top of the lifting frame, and one end of the fall arrestor is connected to the telescopic picking and placing mechanism.

[0010] Furthermore, the lifting frame is equipped with several position sensors, and the telescopic material handling mechanism is equipped with position sensors. The position sensors are located on the movement path of the position sensors to sense the lifting position of the telescopic material handling mechanism.

[0011] Furthermore, the horizontal track is made of aluminum alloy and has an anti-static coating on its surface; the motor rollers and auxiliary rollers are both made of insulating rubber.

[0012] Furthermore, a grounding rail is installed on the horizontal track, and a grounding brush is installed on the lifting frame. The grounding brush slides along the grounding rail to keep the lifting frame grounded during movement.

[0013] The beneficial effects of this invention are: This track-based material handling device is installed on a multi-level shelf. Several parallel horizontal tracks are set on one side of the shelf. A lifting frame is mounted on these tracks via a roller mechanism, which includes motor rollers that drive the lifting frame to move laterally along the tracks. Vertical slide rails are installed on the frame bars on both sides of the lifting frame. The telescopic material handling mechanism is slidably connected to the lifting frame via these vertical slide rails. A lifting motor is installed on the lifting frame, and lifting components are installed on the frame bars on both sides. The left and right ends of the telescopic material handling mechanism are connected to these lifting components. The lifting motor drives the lifting components to move the telescopic material handling mechanism up / down along the vertical slide rails. This device achieves automatic material handling for individual storage locations through the telescopic material handling mechanism. The telescopic material handling mechanism moves up and down on the lifting frame via the lifting components, and the lifting frame moves laterally on the multi-level shelf via the horizontal tracks. In summary, the telescopic material handling mechanism covers all positions on the multi-level shelf, enabling automatic material handling at all locations. It boasts advantages such as low cost and high level of intelligence. Attached Figure Description

[0014] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, wherein: Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional view of the rack track material handling device; Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the rack rail picking and unloading device; Figure 3 It is a three-dimensional view and a magnified view of a section of the horizontal track; Figure 4 These are a 3D view and a magnified view of the lifting frame; Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional view of the connection between the roller mechanism and the horizontal track; Figure 6 This is a 3D view of the lifting assembly; Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional view of the telescopic feeding mechanism.

[0015] Figure number marking: 100. Multi-layer shelving; 200. Horizontal rail; 201. Limiting wall; 202. Limiting groove; 203. Limiting component; 204. Positioning hole; 205. Grounding rail; 300. Lifting frame; 301. Roller mechanism; 3011. Motor roller; 3012. Auxiliary roller; 302. Vertical slide rail; 303. Lifting motor; 304. Lifting assembly; 3041. Pulley; 3042. Drive shaft; 305. Distance sensor; 306. Position sensor; 307. Fall arrestor; 308. Position sensor; 309. Grounding brush; 400. Telescopic material handling mechanism; 401. Telescopic arm; 402. Drive motor; 403. Position sensor. Detailed Implementation

[0016] To better understand the purpose, structure, and function of the present invention, the following detailed description of a specific embodiment of the present invention, "a shelf track material handling device," is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0017] The rack track material handling device of the present invention is applied in the field of intelligent warehousing, and is used in conjunction with multi-layer racks 100. See [link / reference]. Figures 1-4In this embodiment, two parallel horizontal tracks 200 are fixedly installed on the front side of the multi-layer shelf 100. The horizontal tracks 200 are close to the upper and lower ends of the multi-layer shelf 100 to cover it. The lifting frame 300 is rolled on the horizontal tracks 200 by four roller mechanisms 301. The roller mechanism 301 includes motor rollers 3011, each of which includes an independent motor and roller. The motor rollers 3011 drive the roller mechanism 301 to move laterally along the horizontal tracks 200, thereby driving the lifting frame 300 to move laterally along the horizontal tracks 200. The horizontal track 200 moves laterally; vertical slide rails 302 are provided on the frame bars on both the left and right sides of the lifting frame 300. The telescopic material handling mechanism 400 is slidably connected to the lifting frame 300 through the vertical slide rails 302. At the same time, a lifting motor 303 is provided on the lifting frame 300. Lifting components 304 are provided on the frame bars on both the left and right sides of the lifting frame 300. The left and right ends of the telescopic material handling mechanism 400 are connected to the lifting components 304. The lifting motor 303 drives the lifting components 304 to drive the telescopic material handling mechanism 400 to rise / fall along the vertical slide rails 302. The telescopic picking and placing mechanism 400 can reach any height of the lifting frame 300 via the lifting component 304, thereby picking and placing materials at any height position on the multi-layer rack 100. Simultaneously, the lifting frame 300, carrying the telescopic picking and placing mechanism 400, moves laterally to any horizontal position on the multi-layer rack 100, thus picking and placing materials at any horizontal position on the multi-layer rack 100. This device can achieve automated picking and placing of materials at any position on the multi-layer rack 100, improving material handling efficiency. It has low installation costs and a high degree of intelligence. Furthermore, this device occupies little space and is suitable for intelligent retrofitting of different types of warehouse racks.

[0018] It should be noted that the telescopic loading and unloading mechanism 400 in this embodiment uses a telescopic loading structure commonly used in the prior art, see details below. Figure 7 The telescopic picking and placing mechanism 400 includes a telescopic arm 401 that can be folded and extended inward and outward, and a drive motor 402. The drive motor 402 drives the telescopic arm 401 to extend and retract inward / outward to pick up / place materials in the multi-layer shelf 100.

[0019] See further Figure 5In this embodiment, limiting walls 201 extend downwards from both sides of the horizontal track 200 to form downward-opening limiting grooves 202 with the lower end face. The roller mechanism 301 also includes an auxiliary roller 3012 disposed below the motor roller 3011. The motor roller 3011 rolls along the upper end face of the horizontal track 200, and the auxiliary roller 3012 rolls along the limiting grooves 202. The motor roller 3011 and the auxiliary roller 3012 sandwich the horizontal track 200 in the middle, restricting the roller mechanism 301 from disengaging from the horizontal track 200 in the front-back direction. Limiting members 203 are provided at both ends of the horizontal track 200 to restrict the roller mechanism 301 from disengaging from the horizontal track 200 in the left-right direction. Preferably, the limiting member 203 is an explosion-proof polyurethane buffer block, which also has an explosion-proof function.

[0020] More specifically, the auxiliary roller 3012 includes two rubber rollers. The two rubber rollers clamp the inner and outer sides of the limiting wall 201 and roll synchronously along the limiting groove 202, so that the roller mechanism 301 rolls more smoothly.

[0021] See further Figure 4 In this embodiment, distance sensors 305 are provided on both the left and right sides of the lifting frame 300 to sense the distance that the lifting frame 300 moves laterally along the horizontal track 200 relative to the left and right ends of the multi-layer shelf 100, and transmit the distance information to the central controller to help determine the position of the lateral movement of the lifting frame 300.

[0022] For more details, see Figure 3 and Figure 4 In this embodiment, a positioning sensor 306 is provided on the lifting frame 300, and a plurality of positioning holes 204 are provided on the horizontal track 200. The positioning holes 204 are located on the movement sensing path of the positioning sensor 306 to ensure that the lifting frame 300 moves laterally into position, so as to facilitate the telescopic material handling mechanism 400 to accurately pick up and place materials.

[0023] See Figure 6 To achieve better explosion-proof performance, in this embodiment, the lifting assembly 304 includes pulleys 3041 respectively disposed on the frame bars on the left and right sides of the lifting frame 300. The pulleys 3041 are all rolled on the frame bars by gears. One end of the two pulleys 3041 is connected by a drive shaft 3042. The drive end of the lifting motor 303 is connected to the drive shaft 3042. Both ends of the telescopic material handling mechanism 400 are fixedly connected to the pulleys 3041. The lifting motor 303 drives the pulleys 3041 to rotate synchronously through the drive shaft 3042, thereby driving the telescopic material handling mechanism 400 to rise / fall. The pulleys 3041 have good anti-static and anti-spark effects, which can better adapt to the storage scenarios that require explosion protection.

[0024] See further Figure 4 and Figure 7 In this embodiment, a fall arrestor 307 is provided at the top of the lifting frame 300. One end of the fall arrestor 307 is connected to the telescopic material handling mechanism 400 to provide fall protection.

[0025] More specifically, in this embodiment, the lifting frame 300 is provided with a plurality of position sensors 308, and the telescopic picking and placing mechanism 400 is provided with a position sensor 403. The position sensor 403 moves up and down with the telescopic picking and placing mechanism 400, and the position sensor 308 is located on the moving path of the position sensor 403, thereby sensing the position of the telescopic picking and placing mechanism 400 as it rises and falls, ensuring that the telescopic picking and placing mechanism 400 reaches the specified height to complete picking and placing of materials.

[0026] It should be noted that, preferably, the horizontal track 200 is made of aluminum alloy and the surface of the horizontal track 200 is coated with an antistatic coating; the motor roller 3011 and the auxiliary roller 3012 are both made of insulating rubber, realizing the explosion-proof design of this device, so that this equipment can be used in explosion-proof storage environments.

[0027] Furthermore, to achieve even better explosion-proof performance, see [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 3 and Figure 4 In this embodiment, a grounding rail 205 is also provided on the horizontal rail 200, and a grounding brush 309 is provided on the lifting frame 300. The grounding brush 309 slides along the grounding rail 205 so that the lifting frame 300 remains grounded during movement, preventing deflagration caused by electric sparks and static electricity.

[0028] It is understood that the present invention has been described through some embodiments, and those skilled in the art will recognize that various changes or equivalent substitutions can be made to these features and embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, under the teachings of the present invention, these features and embodiments can be modified to adapt to specific situations and materials without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, and all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims of this application are within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0029] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing the invention and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the invention. In the description of this application, "multiple" and "several" are understood as "at least two." "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, and B existing alone. A connected to B can represent: A and B directly connected, and A and B connected through C. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

Claims

1. A rack track material handling device, installed on a multi-layer rack (100), characterized in that, The multi-layer shelving (100) has several parallel horizontal rails (200) on one side. The lifting frame (300) is mounted on the horizontal rails (200) via a roller mechanism (301). The roller mechanism (301) includes a motor roller (3011), which drives the lifting frame (300) to move laterally along the horizontal rails (200). Vertical slide rails (302) are provided on the frame bars on both the left and right sides of the lifting frame (300). The telescopic picking and placing mechanism (40) 0) The vertical slide rail (302) is slidably connected to the lifting frame (300). The lifting frame (300) is equipped with a lifting motor (303). Lifting components (304) are provided on the frame bars on both the left and right sides of the lifting frame (300). The left and right ends of the telescopic picking and placing mechanism (400) are connected to the lifting components (304). The lifting motor (303) drives the lifting components (304) to drive the telescopic picking and placing mechanism (400) to rise / fall along the vertical slide rail (302).

2. The shelving track material handling device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The horizontal track (200) has downward-extending limiting walls (201) on both sides to form a downward-opening limiting groove (202) with the lower end face; the roller mechanism (301) also includes an auxiliary roller (3012) disposed below the motor roller (3011), the motor roller (3011) rolls along the upper end face of the horizontal track (200), the auxiliary roller (3012) rolls along the limiting groove (202), the motor roller (3011) and the auxiliary roller (3012) sandwich the horizontal track (200) in the middle, and both ends of the horizontal track (200) are provided with limiting members (203) to restrict the roller mechanism (301) from leaving the horizontal track (200).

3. A shelf track material handling device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The auxiliary roller (3012) includes two rubber rollers that clamp the inner and outer sides of the limiting wall (201) and roll synchronously along the limiting groove (202).

4. A shelf track material handling device according to claim 3, characterized in that, Distance sensors (305) are provided on both the left and right sides of the lifting frame (300) to sense the distance that the lifting frame (300) moves laterally relative to the left and right ends of the multi-layer shelf (100) along the horizontal track (200).

5. A shelf track material handling device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The lifting frame (300) is provided with a positioning sensor (306), and the horizontal track (200) is provided with a plurality of positioning holes (204). The positioning holes (204) are located on the movement sensing path of the positioning sensor (306) to ensure that the lifting frame (300) moves laterally into position.

6. A shelf track material handling device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lifting assembly (304) includes pulleys (3041) respectively disposed on the frame bars on the left and right sides of the lifting frame (300). The pulleys (3041) are all rolled on the frame bars by gears. One end of the two pulleys (3041) is connected by a transmission shaft (3042). The driving end of the lifting motor (303) is connected to the transmission shaft (3042). The left and right ends of the telescopic material handling mechanism (400) are fixedly connected to the pulleys (3041). The lifting motor (303) drives the pulleys (3041) to rotate synchronously through the transmission shaft (3042) so as to drive the telescopic material handling mechanism (400) to rise / fall.

7. A rack track material handling device according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The telescopic picking and placing mechanism (400) includes a telescopic arm (401) that can be folded and extended inward and outward and a drive motor (402). The drive motor (402) drives the telescopic arm (401) to extend / retract inward and outward to pick up / place materials in the multi-layer shelf (100). A fall arrestor (307) is provided at the top of the lifting frame (300), and one end of the fall arrestor (307) is connected to the telescopic picking and placing mechanism (400).

8. A shelf track material handling device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The lifting frame (300) is provided with a plurality of position sensors (308), and the telescopic picking and placing mechanism (400) is provided with a position sensor (403). The position sensor (308) is located on the moving path of the position sensor (403) to sense the lifting position of the telescopic picking and placing mechanism (400).

9. A shelf track material handling device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The horizontal track (200) is made of aluminum alloy and the surface of the horizontal track (200) is coated with an antistatic coating; the motor roller (3011) and the auxiliary roller (3012) are both made of insulating rubber.

10. A shelf track material handling device according to claim 9, characterized in that, A grounding rail (205) is also provided on the horizontal rail (200), and a grounding brush (309) is provided on the lifting frame (300). The grounding brush (309) slides along the grounding rail (205) so that the lifting frame (300) remains grounded during movement.

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