Supporting carrier conveyor line

Abstract

The application discloses a supporting type carrier conveying line, which comprises a track and a carrier. The carrier comprises a coupling frame, a front walking part and a rear walking part for walking on the track are arranged on the coupling frame, and the front walking part and the rear walking part are spaced apart in the walking direction of the coupling frame. The inner end of a horizontally arranged balance bar is rotatably connected to the coupling frame, the connecting point of the balance bar and the coupling frame is located in the space, and the outer end of the balance bar is connected with a sliding support structure which is in sliding fit with the track. The outer end of the balance bar is a free end. During the turning of the carrier on the track, the free end of the balance bar swings to the side of the walking direction of the carrier, so that the balance bar is adapted to the turning of the carrier on the track. The length of the balance bar is smaller than the distance between the connecting point and the rear walking part, so that the balance bar and the sliding support structure are located in the space when the carrier walks in a straight line.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a conveyor line for conveying components, and more particularly to a conveyor line for conveying product components using a support carrier. Background Technology

[0002] To improve production efficiency, the manufacturing of multi-component products often requires the use of conveyor lines to transport the constituent components over long distances. The conveyor line structure includes a closed-loop track. In addition to the main rail, the track needs to be equipped with several branch rails. A rotating track-changing mechanism is installed between the branch rails and the main rail to allow the carrier to change track between the main rail and the branch rails. The branch rails create processing stations on their outer sides, allowing operators to complete the corresponding processes on the components at these stations. To adapt to the physical space of the workshop and the functional characteristics of the conveyor line itself, the main rail and branch rails require significant curvature. When the carrier travels on the track, it inevitably turns through these curved sections. For low-height carriers, due to their low center of gravity, the centrifugal force experienced by the carrier when turning through the curved sections is insufficient to disrupt its stability at standard speeds. However, for some taller vehicles, such as support vehicles, because the vehicles are equipped with storage devices, in order to facilitate the classification and placement of various components, some storage devices need to be set up with multiple layers of space. This results in a large overall height of the vehicle. The stability of such support vehicles when traveling to the curved part of the track cannot be guaranteed. Usually, the only way to meet the stability requirements of the vehicle is to reduce the speed of the vehicle on the track. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a support-type vehicle conveyor line, which can ensure stability when the conveyor line travels to the curved part of the track, and can appropriately increase the traveling speed of the vehicle on the track, thereby improving the conveyor line's efficiency in transporting components.

[0004] To solve the aforementioned technical problem, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a support-type carrier conveyor line, comprising a track and a carrier, the carrier including a connecting frame, on which a front traveling part and a rear traveling part for traveling on the track are provided, the front traveling part and the rear traveling part being spaced apart in the traveling direction of the connecting frame, the connecting frame being used to support a placed object, characterized in that...

[0005] The inner end of the horizontally positioned balance bar is rotatably connected to the connecting frame. The connection point between the balance bar and the connecting frame is located within the interval. The outer end of the balance bar is connected to a sliding support structure, which slides with the track.

[0006] The outer end of the stabilizer bar is a free end. During the turning process of the vehicle on the track, the free end of the stabilizer bar swings laterally in the direction of the vehicle's travel, so that the stabilizer bar adapts to the turning of the vehicle on the track. The sliding support structure interacts with the track to limit the tilt of the vehicle when turning on the track. The length of the stabilizer bar is less than the distance between the connection point and the rear traveling part, so that the stabilizer bar and the sliding support structure are within the interval when the vehicle is traveling in a straight line.

[0007] The storage device is generally a storage basket, which is directly placed and fixed on the upper surface of the connecting frame. To accommodate the distribution of various components, the storage basket is divided into multiple storage spaces, which typically have vertical tiers. This type of storage basket is generally suitable for placing footwear components, which are directly placed into their respective storage spaces. In other words, this conveyor line is suitable for applications in the footwear manufacturing industry. Rollers are generally installed on the front and rear traveling sections, rolling on the support surface of the track to propel the vehicle. A flexible drive device is required along the track, equipped with several drive components. These components, by contacting the vehicle, propel it along the track under the power of the drive device. When the vehicle turns on the track, the outer end of the balance bar extends to the outside of the connecting frame. The sliding support structure on the balance bar provides stability to the vehicle by sliding against the track, counteracting the centrifugal force generated during the vehicle's movement. The sliding support structure can be the upper and lower rollers described below, or other structures such as sliding buckles that form a concave-convex fit with the track. In the case of a double-rail structure, the sliding support structure is located between the two single rails, and it functions by sliding contact with the inner surface of the single rails.

[0008] Furthermore, the sliding support structure includes a connecting block movably connected to the outer end of the balance bar. A support wheel protrudes from the side of the connecting block, and the support wheel is horizontally positioned, with its outer circumferential surface designed to contact the side of the track. The support wheel's design allows for lateral positioning of the sliding support structure, preventing jamming between the structure and the track and improving the smoothness of the vehicle's movement on the track.

[0009] Furthermore, an upper roller and a lower roller are provided on the side of the connecting block. Both the upper and lower rollers are vertically arranged and separated in the vertical direction. A partition protrudes from the side of the track, extending along the length of the track and located between the upper and lower rollers. The partition is used to limit the lower roller from above. By inserting the partition between the upper and lower rollers, the partition restricts the lower roller, preventing the sliding support structure from detaching from the track. The structure is simple, the sliding support structure and the track cooperate smoothly, and the resulting resistance is low.

[0010] Furthermore, the connecting block is a prism. It is generally a regular prism with multiple lateral faces, which facilitates the positioning and installation of the upper and lower rollers and support wheels, improving the connection strength between these wheel-like structures and the connecting block. To achieve the installation of the upper and lower rollers and support wheels, connecting plates are typically integrally formed in pairs on the side of the connecting block, with these wheel-like structures pivotally connected between the two connecting plates.

[0011] Furthermore, a downwardly extending connecting member is fixedly connected to the outer end of the balance bar. The connecting member is intermittently inserted into the upper end of the connecting block, and the connecting block can rotate circumferentially relative to the connecting member. The connection between the connecting member and the connecting block can be achieved through a simple intermittent fitting, or through a connecting stud that intermittently passes through the connecting member. This connection between the connecting member and the connecting block allows for good adaptation to the movement of the connecting block relative to the connecting member, facilitating movement between the sliding support structure and the balance bar, thus enabling the sliding support structure to adapt well to the movement of the balance bar.

[0012] Furthermore, the connecting member is T-shaped, including a connecting part and a pivot connected together. The pivot is inserted into the upper end of the connecting block, and the connecting part is fixed to the balance bar. The T-shaped connecting member facilitates the connection between both ends and the balance bar and the connecting block, resulting in a simple structure and convenient connection operation.

[0013] Furthermore, the cross-section of the balance bar is U-shaped, and the connecting part is embedded within the balance bar. The balance bar is generally a plate-like body, and the balance bar is formed into a U-shape by bending and deformation, thereby forming a joint on the lower surface of the balance bar. The connecting part is embedded in this joint, which can effectively improve the connection strength between the connecting part and the balance bar.

[0014] Furthermore, a protruding spacer is provided on the upper surface of the balance bar, located at the midpoint of the balance bar's length. The spacer separates the balance bar from the connecting frame. By adding another structure to the balance bar, the spacer and the balance bar can be made of different materials, and the upper surface of the spacer is smaller than that of the balance bar. During operation, the surfaces of the spacer and the connecting frame that are close together can slide in contact, effectively reducing the frictional force from the connecting frame on the balance bar during swinging and improving the smoothness of the balance bar's swing. A material with excellent wear resistance can be used to manufacture the spacer to improve its service life.

[0015] Furthermore, the connecting frame includes a front frame and a rear frame. The front traveling unit is connected to the bottom side of the front frame, and the rear traveling unit is connected to the bottom side of the rear frame. A metal counterweight plate bridges between the front and rear frames, and the balance bar is connected to the counterweight plate. The front and rear frames are generally made of plastic, while the counterweight plate is generally made of iron or aluminum alloy. The connecting frame has a split structure. The counterweight plate lowers the overall center of gravity of the vehicle and effectively increases the load-bearing capacity of the connecting frame.

[0016] Furthermore, the sliding support structure, the front traveling section, and the rear traveling section are structurally identical. This makes the overall structure of the vehicle uniform, reduces the types of components, and facilitates the manufacturing and assembly of the vehicle.

[0017] Compared with existing technologies, the present invention has the following advantages: In this transport line, by setting a balance bar on the vehicle, the sliding support structure at the outer end of the balance bar can maintain contact with the track during the vehicle's turning motion. The track supports the vehicle through the sliding support structure and the balance bar, effectively counteracting the centrifugal force generated when the vehicle turns, ensuring stable and reliable vehicle movement on the track and reducing the likelihood of tilting. Because the stability of the vehicle is guaranteed while moving on the track, its speed can be appropriately increased, thereby effectively improving the efficiency of the conveyor line. Due to the good stability of the vehicle on the track, its height can be appropriately increased, effectively improving the volume ratio of components loaded by the vehicle and increasing the single-load efficiency of components. Correspondingly, for a double-track system, the distance between the two single rails does not need to be too large, effectively reducing the size of the conveyor line, making its structure compact and improving the space utilization within the workshop. Correspondingly, the lateral dimensions of the front and rear traveling sections also do not need to be too large. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the supporting vehicles involved in this conveyor line.

[0019] Figure 2 It is a three-dimensional view of the stabilizer bar and its accessories in a support vehicle.

[0020] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Exploded view.

[0021] In the diagram: 1. Upper roller; 2. Lower roller; 3. Support wheel; 4. Connecting block; 100. Connecting frame; 101. Counterweight plate; 102. Rear frame; 103. Front frame; 200. Balance bar; 201. Spacer; 202. Connecting body; 203. Ring; 204. Connecting part; 205. Pivot; 300. Rear traveling part; 301. Rear force-bearing rod; 400. Sliding support structure; 500. Front traveling part; 501. Front force-bearing rod. Detailed Implementation

[0022] Referring to the accompanying drawings, this support-type carrier conveyor line is generally used in the footwear industry to achieve long-distance transportation of various components in footwear products, so that operators can complete various processes of the components at each processing station of the conveyor line.

[0023] The structure of this conveyor line includes tracks, which are elevated on the ground or suspended from the roof indoors. The tracks are generally made of aluminum profiles, with a support surface at the upper end for the vehicle to move along. The tracks consist of a main track and several branch rails. The main track forms the main structure, while processing stations are located at the branch rails. The main track has a large span and a closed-loop structure. A flexible main drive unit (usually a drive chain) is adapted to the direction of the main track. The main drive unit contains a motor that provides power for its operation. Several pushing components protrude from the main drive unit, extending towards the support surface of the track. The branch rails are generally arc-shaped, with both ends facing the main track. Movable track-changing mechanisms are installed between the branch rails and the main track at both ends, effectively creating a passage between the main track and the branch rails. Sometimes, independent flexible support drive units are also needed at the branch rails. These support drive units are adapted to the direction of the branch rails and also require several pushing components extending towards the support surface. The auxiliary drive unit is structurally similar to the main drive unit, except for differences in its orientation and dimensions. The track is not entirely straight; it includes curved sections. Several carriers run on the track, carrying components for the product. A traveling mechanism is located on the underside of each carrier, supported by the track's support surfaces, allowing the carrier to move along the track.

[0024] The vehicle structure includes a connecting frame 100 for supporting the object being placed on it. A traveling section is located on the bottom side of the connecting frame 100 and rests on the support surface of the track. Driven by a drive unit, the traveling section moves along the track. The vehicle has certain dimensions in the direction of travel; therefore, the traveling section consists of a front traveling section 500 and a rear traveling section 300, spaced apart in the direction of travel. To receive power from the drive unit, a front force-bearing rod 501 is movably provided on the front traveling section 500, and a rear force-bearing rod 301 is movably provided on the rear traveling section 300. The pusher on the drive unit pushes the front force-bearing rod 501 to achieve linear movement of the vehicle on the track. The force-bearing end of the rear force-bearing rod 301 is elastically raised upwards and normally does not receive the pushing force from the pusher. When the vehicle moves between the main rail and the support rail, the front force rod 501 of the vehicle will not be pushed by the push block because there is a gap between the main drive device and the support drive device. Therefore, a lower pressure block is provided at the track change position to press the rear force rod 301 downward, so that the rear force rod 301 is pushed by the corresponding push block.

[0025] A balance bar 200 is movably connected to the connecting frame 100, and the balance bar 200 is horizontally positioned. The inner end of the balance bar 200 is rotatably connected to the connecting frame 100, and the outer end of the balance bar 200 is a free end. The connection point between the balance bar 200 and the connecting frame 100 is located within the gap between the front traveling section 500 and the rear traveling section 300. A sliding support structure 400 is connected to the outer end of the balance bar 200, and the sliding support structure 400 slides with the track. The length of the balance bar 200 is greater than the straight-line distance from the connection point to the outer edge of the connecting frame 100. Normally, the inner end of the balance bar 200 is rotatably connected at the center position in the width direction of the connecting frame 100, and is biased towards the front traveling section 500. If the width of the connecting frame 100 is large, when the vehicle turns on the track, the length of the balance bar 200 may not be guaranteed to extend to the lateral side of the connecting frame 100. However, it is certain that when the vehicle turns on the track, the outer end of the stabilizer bar 200 will adapt to the curvature of the track and swing laterally along the vehicle's direction of travel. The length of the stabilizer bar 200 is less than the distance between the connection point and the rear traveling section 300, ensuring that the stabilizer bar 200 and the sliding support structure 400 are within the specified interval when the vehicle is traveling in a straight line. Ideally, the connection point between the stabilizer bar 200 and the connecting frame 100, and the connection points between the two traveling sections and the connecting frame 100, are on a straight line, which is consistent with the vehicle's straight direction of travel. When the vehicle turns at the arc-shaped part of the track, the connecting frame 100 intersects with the arc-shaped part. Due to the action of the sliding support structure 400 on the track, the outer end of the balance bar 200 generally extends to the lateral side of the connecting frame 100, so that the balance bar 200 adapts to the turning of the vehicle on the track. Through the three-point action between the front traveling part 500, the rear traveling part 300 and the sliding support structure 400 and the track, the stability of the vehicle on the track is guaranteed. The vehicle is not prone to tilting when turning on the track, thus ensuring the stability of the component loading.

[0026] The sliding support structure 400 can be a sliding snap-fit ​​structure. As shown in the figure, the sliding support structure 400 includes a connecting block 4, which is a prism and is movably connected to the outer end of the balance bar 200. An upper roller 1 and a lower roller 2 are provided on the side of the connecting block 4, and the upper roller 1 and lower roller 2 are vertically separated. A partition protrudes from the side of the track, extending along the length of the track and located between the upper roller 1 and the lower roller 2. The partition is used to limit the lower roller 2 from above. This sliding support structure 400 is suitable for a double-rail track structure, i.e., the track includes two parallel single rails, and the connecting block 4 is located between the two single rails. Correspondingly, upper rollers 1 and lower rollers 2 are provided on opposite sides of the connecting block 4, and the upper rollers 1 and lower rollers 2 on both sides interact with the two single rails respectively. Both the upper roller 1 and the lower roller 2 are vertically arranged. The upper roller 1 contacts the support surface on the track and provides overall support for the vehicle. The lower roller 2, through its interaction with the partition, prevents the sliding support structure 400 from detaching from the track. A support wheel 3 is also protruding from the side of the connecting block 4. The support wheel 3 is horizontally arranged, and its outer circumferential surface contacts the inner surface of the track to prevent the sliding support structure 400 from jamming with the track.

[0027] A downwardly extending connector is fixed to the outer end of the balance bar 200. An insertion hole is provided on the upper end face of the connecting block 4. The connector is intermittently inserted into the insertion hole, thereby allowing the connecting block 4 to rotate circumferentially relative to the connector. Figure 3 As shown, the connecting member is T-shaped, including a connecting part 204 and a pivot 205 connected together. The pivot 205 is inserted into the insertion hole of the connecting block 4, allowing the connecting block 4 to rotate circumferentially relative to the connecting member. The connecting part 204 is generally fixed to the lower surface of the balance bar 200 by fixing bolts. The balance bar 200 is a plate-like body, with its opposite side edges bent, resulting in a U-shaped cross-section. The connecting part 204 is also a plate-like body, with its opposite side edges being straight. The connecting part 204 is fixed to the balance bar 200 by being embedded.

[0028] The connecting frame 100 includes a front frame 103 and a rear frame 102, both of which are rod-shaped. The front frame 103 and rear frame 102 are arranged parallel to each other. A front traveling part 500 is connected to the bottom side of the front frame 103, and a rear traveling part 300 is connected to the bottom side of the rear frame 102. A metal (generally iron or aluminum) counterweight plate 101 bridges the front frame 103 and rear frame 102. Both ends of the counterweight plate 101 are embedded into countersunk holes provided on the plastic front frame 103 and rear frame 102, respectively, forming a flat plane on the upper surface of the connecting frame 100. A hollow connecting body 202 is inserted into the inner end of the balance bar 200. Figure 3As shown, the connecting body 202 has a T-shaped axial section. A connecting bolt passing through the counterweight plate 101 is threaded onto the connecting body 202. A collar 203 connects to the connecting bolt, thus achieving a movable connection between the balance bar 200 and the counterweight plate 101. A spacer 201 is typically attached to the upper surface of the balance bar 200 by welding, screwing, or gluing. The spacer 201 is shorter than the balance bar 200, and its width corresponds to the width of the balance bar 200. The spacer 201 is positioned at the midpoint of the balance bar 200's length, protruding from its upper surface. The spacer 201 creates a gap between the balance bar 200 and the counterweight plate 101, the gap distance corresponding to the thickness of the spacer 201. The spacer 201 is generally made of metal, such as iron or aluminum. To reduce weight, several holes can be provided on the spacer 201. When the balance bar 200 swings to adapt to the movement of the vehicle, there can be a certain amount of sliding friction between the spacer 201 and the counterweight plate 101.

[0029] The sliding support structure 400, the front traveling part 500, and the rear traveling part 300 have the same structure. However, when assembling the vehicle, they differ in their mounting positions on the connecting frame 100, which leads to the difference in their names.

Claims

1. A support-type carrier conveyor line, comprising a track and a carrier, the carrier including a connecting frame, wherein the connecting frame is provided with a front traveling part and a rear traveling part for traveling on the track, the front traveling part and the rear traveling part being spaced apart in the traveling direction of the connecting frame, the connecting frame being used to support a placed object, characterized in that, The inner end of the horizontally positioned balance bar is rotatably connected to the connecting frame. The connection point between the balance bar and the connecting frame is located within the interval. The outer end of the balance bar is connected to a sliding support structure, which slides with the track. The outer end of the stabilizer bar is a free end. During the turning process of the vehicle on the track, the free end of the stabilizer bar swings laterally along the direction of travel of the vehicle, so that the stabilizer bar adapts to the turning of the vehicle on the track. The sliding support structure interacts with the track to limit the tilt of the vehicle when turning on the track. The length of the stabilizer bar is less than the distance between the connection point and the rear traveling part, so that the stabilizer bar and the sliding support structure are within the interval when the vehicle is traveling in a straight line. The sliding support structure includes a connecting block, which is movably connected to the outer end of the balance bar. A support wheel is provided protruding on the side of the connecting block. The support wheel is horizontally arranged, and the outer circumferential surface of the support wheel is used to contact the side of the track. The outer end of the balance bar is fixedly connected to a downwardly extending connector, which is intermittently inserted into the upper end of the connecting block. The connecting block can rotate circumferentially relative to the connector.

2. The support-type carrier conveyor line according to claim 1, characterized in that, An upper roller and a lower roller are provided on the side of the connecting block. The upper roller and the lower roller are both vertically arranged and separated in the vertical direction. A partition is provided protruding on the side of the track. The partition extends along the length of the track and is located between the upper roller and the lower roller. The partition is used to limit the lower roller from the upper side.

3. The support-type carrier conveyor line according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting block is a prism.

4. The support-type carrier conveyor line according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting component is T-shaped and includes a connecting part and a pivot connected together. The pivot is inserted into the upper end of the connecting block, and the connecting part is fixed to the balance bar.

5. The support-type carrier conveyor line according to claim 4, characterized in that, The cross-section of the balance bar is U-shaped, and the connecting part is embedded in the balance bar.

6. The support-type carrier conveyor line according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The upper surface of the balance bar is provided with a protruding partition, which is located at the middle position along the length of the balance bar and is used to separate the balance bar from the connecting frame.

7. The support-type carrier conveyor line according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The connecting frame includes a front frame and a rear frame. The front traveling part is connected to the bottom side of the front frame, and the rear traveling part is connected to the bottom side of the rear frame. A metal counterweight plate is bridged between the front frame and the rear frame, and the balance bar is connected to the counterweight plate.

8. The support-type carrier conveyor line according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The sliding support structure, the front traveling part, and the rear traveling part have the same structure.

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