Pipelining with carrier storage stations

Abstract

The application discloses a pipeline with a carrier storage station, which is used for storing carriers and solves the problem of inconvenience in carrier storage on the existing pipeline, including a closed-loop main rail and a main driving mechanism, wherein the main driving mechanism is arranged in parallel with the main rail. A plurality of workstations are arranged along the main rail, and the workstations protrude to the outside of the main rail. The pipeline further includes a storage station arranged at the end of the main rail. The storage station includes a storage rail arranged in the horizontal direction, and the two ends of the storage rail are communicated with the main rail. The storage rail protrudes to the outside of the width direction of the main rail, and the storage rail has a plurality of straight rod portions. The straight rod portions are straight rod-shaped, and the straight rod portions provide the main storage space for the carriers. Adjacent straight rod portions are arc-shaped. A branch driving mechanism is arranged in parallel with the storage rail, and the branch driving mechanism is provided with a plurality of driving members. The driving members are used for pushing the carriers on the storage rail to move forward.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an assembly line, and more particularly to an assembly line with a storage station for storing vehicles. Background Technology

[0002] Assembly lines are used to manufacture products with multiple processing steps. During manufacturing, product components are loaded onto carriers, which move along the assembly line to complete each step of the process sequentially. Depending on the properties of the product components, the required carrier structures generally vary. Some carriers, such as those for footwear components, require relatively large physical spaces and are highly rigid, typically necessitating carriers with cavities for transport. This results in such carriers occupying a significant amount of space, and an assembly line may require dozens to hundreds of carriers. Storing and housing such a large number of carriers presents a considerable challenge for manufacturers.

[0003] Chinese patent document (publication number: CN 201403545Y) discloses an inbound guide rail for hangers in a garment manufacturing workstation, belonging to the field of mechanical technology. It solves the problems of limited length of existing hanger inbound rails and production line blockage caused by excessive hanger stacking. In this garment manufacturing workstation, the hanger inbound guide rail is located at the inlet of the workstation. The inlet end contacts the main rail mounted on the support frame, and the outlet end of the inbound guide rail is connected to the end guide rail of the lifting arm. The inbound guide rail is spirally curved and coiled. The horizontal plane of the outlet end of the inbound guide rail is lower than the horizontal plane of the end guide rail of the lifting arm. A pushing device is provided between the outlet end and the end guide rail of the lifting arm to transfer the hangers at the outlet end to the end guide rail of the lifting arm. The hanger inbound guide rail in this garment manufacturing workstation has the advantages of long inbound guide rail length and large hanger capacity.

[0004] This type of inbound guide rail is positioned at the first workstation of the garment system. The guide rail's bending and deformation in three-dimensional space creates a large storage space, allowing for the storage of a greater number of hangers. While this three-dimensional storage method is suitable for hangers with small footprints, it is clearly insufficient for more complex structures. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a production line with a vehicle storage station, which can provide storage space for vehicles and is well adapted to the storage of vehicles with relatively complex structures.

[0006] To solve the aforementioned technical problem, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a production line with a carrier storage station, comprising a closed-loop main rail and a main drive mechanism, the main drive mechanism being arranged parallel to the main rail, and having several protruding drive members on the main drive mechanism for propelling the carrier along the main rail; several workstations are arranged along the main rail, the workstations protruding to the outside of the main rail; characterized in that it further comprises a storage station, located at the end of the main rail, the storage station comprising a storage rail arranged horizontally, both ends of the storage rail communicating with the main rail, the storage rail protruding to the outside of the width direction of the main rail, the storage rail having several straight rod sections, the straight rod sections being straight rod-shaped, the straight rod sections providing the main storage space for the carrier, with an arc transition between adjacent straight rod sections; a support drive mechanism being arranged parallel to the storage rail, the support drive mechanism having several drive members for propelling the carrier on the storage rail forward.

[0007] The storage station is located at the end of the main rail, which refers to the integral end of the main rail, as shown in the figure. The storage rail is located at the upper end of the main rail. The straight rod section provides the main storage space for vehicles. This section occupies a larger size on the curved storage rail, and the vehicles to be stored mainly rest on the straight rod section. The rest of the storage rail has an arc transition.

[0008] Furthermore, the storage rail is formed by outward deformation of the main rail, and the support drive mechanism is integrated with the main drive mechanism to form a single, integral drive mechanism. This type of storage rail has good integrity, which facilitates smooth movement of the vehicle on the storage rail.

[0009] Furthermore, guide rails are arranged side-by-side on the outer sides of the main rail and storage rail, extending along the direction of the main rail and storage rail. A groove, equal in length to the guide rail, is provided within the guide rail, and the integrated drive mechanism is slidably disposed within the groove. The guide rails effectively control the direction of the integrated drive mechanism, facilitating its propulsion of the vehicles on the main rail and storage rail.

[0010] Furthermore, the storage rail has a straight rod at its end, directly opposite the main rail, with an angle between the straight rod and the length direction of the main rail. This straight rod allows for full utilization of the space outside the main rail, providing a larger storage space for the vehicle and effectively enabling its storage.

[0011] Furthermore, the included angle is 90 degrees. This results in good overall integrity of the production line, a compact overall structure, and ease of setup.

[0012] Furthermore, a U-shaped portion is formed on the storage rail, extending outward from the main rail. The U-shaped portion is located on one side of the main rail in the width direction, and one side segment of the U-shaped portion is aligned with the end straight rod portion. This U-shaped portion is generally the same as the structure of a typical workstation, and a mature structure can be used as part of the storage rail, thereby simplifying the installation of the storage rail.

[0013] Furthermore, a U-shaped portion is formed on the storage rail, extending outward from the main rail. The U-shaped portion is located on one side of the main rail in the width direction, and one side section of the U-shaped portion is on the same straight line as the end straight rod portion. This U-shaped portion can also provide efficient storage space, which is beneficial for realizing the storage of the vehicle.

[0014] Furthermore, an upright frame is provided on the outside of the storage rail, and several layers of shelves are formed on the upright frame to support the vehicle. A lifting mechanism is used to lift the vehicle on the storage rail onto the shelves, or to lower the vehicle on the shelves onto the storage rail. The lifting mechanism can lift the vehicle directly, or it can lift it together with the movable rail described below. By setting up the upright frame to achieve multi-layer storage of the vehicle, the storage problem of the vehicle is well solved, which is convenient for storing vehicles with complex structures and is beneficial for storing empty vehicles.

[0015] Furthermore, the storage rail includes a movable rail, which is detachably connected to the rest of the storage rail, and provides space for at least one vehicle; the movable rail is connected to the lifting mechanism. This greatly facilitates the lifting of the vehicle and effectively simplifies the structure of the lifting mechanism.

[0016] Furthermore, a conveyor chain is arranged along the length of the shelf and is connected to a motor on the shelf. Driven by the motor, the conveyor chain moves the carrier on the shelf. The carrier can be placed directly on the conveyor chain or on the shelf. The conveyor chain is equipped with several driving components to move the carrier on the shelf, facilitating the storage and retrieval of the carrier. This allows the shelf to be set relatively long, providing a larger storage space for the carrier and enabling the storage of a large number of carriers.

[0017] Compared with existing technologies, the present invention has the following advantages: By setting a storage rail at the end of the main rail, and with the storage rail arranged horizontally, the storage rail can well adapt to the storage requirements of some complex structural vehicles, facilitating the storage of vehicles on the storage rail. By placing the storage rail at the end of the main rail, the space at the end of the main rail can be effectively utilized, increasing the capacity for vehicles and improving the space utilization rate of the assembly line within the factory. Setting the storage rail at the end of the main rail allows for the storage of vehicles without the need for a separate storage area within the workshop. This results in a more compact assembly line structure and eliminates the need for cross-area transportation of vehicles, thus improving the efficiency of the assembly line. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of one implementation of this production line.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram of another implementation of this production line.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of another implementation of this production line.

[0021] Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of the frame.

[0022] Figure 5 This is a magnified cross-sectional view of the shelf.

[0023] In the diagram: 1. Main rail; 2. Workstation; 21. Support rail; 3. Carrier; 4. Storage rail; 41. U-shaped section; 42. End straight rod section; 43. U-shaped section; 5. Frame; 6. Shelf; 7. Conveyor chain; 8. Motor. Detailed Implementation

[0024] Referring to the accompanying drawings, this production line is used to prepare products. A storage station is provided on the production line to store empty or loaded vehicles to reduce the operating pressure on the vehicles 3 on the production line.

[0025] The structure of this production line includes a closed-loop main rail 1 and a main drive mechanism. The main rail 1 is made of a tube forming a closed loop. The main drive mechanism is generally a flexible drive chain, which is adapted to the direction of the main rail 1 and is arranged parallel to the main rail 1. Several protruding drive components are provided on the main drive mechanism; these components can be push blocks or push rods. Driven by the drive chain, the drive components push the carrier 3 on the main rail 1 to move along the main rail 1. Several workstations are set along the direction of the main rail 1, where operators sit to perform the corresponding product processing steps. Several workstations 2 are set along the direction of the main rail 1, protruding to the outside of the main rail 1, with workstations formed at the positions of the workstations. Workbenches are set at the workstations, and processing machinery such as sewing machines are placed on the workbenches to complete the product processing steps. Workstation 2 includes a support rail 21, which is U-shaped in top view. Both ends of the support rail 21 extend towards the main rail 1, forming an inlet and an outlet. The carrier 3 enters the support rail 21 from the inlet and enters the main rail 1 from the outlet. The support rail 21 can extend horizontally or in three-dimensional space. When the support rail 21 extends horizontally, a flexible support drive mechanism is also provided on the outside of the support rail 21. The support drive mechanism is adapted to the orientation of the support rail 21 and is used to propel the carrier 3 forward on the support rail. To facilitate the entry and exit of the carrier 3 from the support rail 21, swing heads are provided at both ends of the support rail 21 to facilitate the transition of the carrier 3 between the main rail 1 and the support rail 21.

[0026] The storage station is located at the end of the main rail 1, and as shown in the figure, it is located at the upper end of the main rail 1. The main structure of the storage station is the storage rail 4, which is set horizontally, meaning it extends horizontally. Under normal circumstances, the storage rail 4 and the main rail 1 are on the same horizontal plane, with both ends of the storage rail 4 connected to the main rail 1. The storage rail 4 protrudes beyond the width of the main rail 1, surrounding the outer periphery of that end of the main rail 1. The storage rail 4 has several straight rods, which provide the main storage space for the carrier 3, with an arc transition between adjacent rods. To enable the carrier 3 to move along the storage rail 4, a support drive mechanism is provided at the location of the storage rail 4. The support drive mechanism is arranged parallel to the storage rail 4 and has several drive components that propel the carrier 3 forward on the storage rail 4. The support drive mechanism can be independently set or integrated with the main drive mechanism as a single unit.

[0027] Figure 1 , 2 The image shows two structural forms of this production line. Figure 1 The main rail 1 is relatively long, allowing for the installation of multiple workstations 2. Figure 2 Because the main track 1 is relatively short, the number of workstations 2 set up is relatively small. Figure 1 , 2 The storage rail 4 is integrated with the main rail 1, and is formed by outward deformation of the main rail 1. The supporting drive mechanism is integrated with the main drive mechanism to form an integral drive mechanism, which propels the carrier 3 along the main rail 1 and the storage rail 4. The storage rail 4 has a straight end rod 42 located directly opposite the main rail 1, forming an angle of 90 degrees with the length direction of the main rail 1 for aesthetic purposes.

[0028] To ensure the drive chain adapts to the orientation of the main rail 1 and the storage rail 4, guide rails are arranged side-by-side on the outer sides of the main rail 1 and the storage rail 4, extending along their respective orientations. The guide rails are typically made of plastic and contain grooves of equal length to the guide rails. The drive chain in the integrated drive mechanism is slidably positioned within these grooves. The drive chain is connected to a sprocket, which drives the drive chain to slide within the grooves, thereby providing power for the movement of the vehicle 3.

[0029] Figure 3 The diagram shows that the main rail 1 is a waist-shaped closed-loop structure, and the main drive mechanism is arranged parallel to the main rail 1. The storage rail 4 is located at the end of the main rail 1. The storage rail 4 and the main rail 1 can be directly connected, or they can be connected through a transition swing head to complete the movement of the carrier 3 in and out of the storage rail 4. On this production line, a separate support drive mechanism is required. The pusher on the support drive mechanism extends to the storage rail 4 to propel the carrier 3 along the storage rail 4.

[0030] As shown in the figure, a U-shaped portion 43 is formed on the storage rail 4, extending outward from the main rail 1. The U-shaped portion 43 has a structure and dimensions that are basically the same as those of the workstation 2. The U-shaped portion 43 is located on one side of the main rail 1 in the width direction, upstream of the storage rail 4. The inlet end of the U-shaped portion 43 extends towards the main rail 1, and one downstream section of the U-shaped portion 43 is on the same straight line as the end straight rod portion 42. A U-shaped portion 41 is also formed on the storage rail 4, extending outward from the main rail 1 and located on one side of the main rail 1 in the width direction. The U-shaped part 41 is located on the downstream side of the storage rail 4. The upstream side section of the U-shaped part 41 and the end straight rod part 42 are on the same straight line. The downstream side section of the U-shaped part 41 is perpendicular to the main rail 1. A transition swing head is provided between the outlet end of the downstream side section and the main rail 1. The carrier 3 enters the main rail 1 through the downstream side section.

[0031] A support frame 5 is provided on the outside of the storage rail 4. Several layers of shelves 6 are formed on the support frame 5 to support the carrier 3. The shelves 6 are rod-shaped and are arranged in pairs along the horizontal direction. The carrier 3 to be stored is supported on the shelf 6. In the vertical direction, the interval between two adjacent shelves 6 corresponds to the vertical dimension of the carrier 3, and the main body of the carrier 3 can be accommodated within this interval. A lifting mechanism is used to lift the carrier 3 on the storage rail 4 onto the shelf 6, or to lower the carrier 3 on the shelf 6 onto the storage rail 4. The lifting mechanism is generally a lifting cylinder, but can also be a screw mechanism or a drive chain structure. The lifting or lowering of the carrier 3 is achieved through the lifting mechanism.

[0032] The storage rail 4 includes a movable rail, which is detachably connected to the rest of the storage rail 4. The movable rail is connected to the lifting mechanism and provides space for at least one carrier 3. When the target carrier 3 moves onto the movable rail, the lifting mechanism raises the movable rail, moving the carrier 3 upwards along with it. To accommodate the arrangement of multiple shelves 6 on the upright 5, the lifting mechanism can operate in a multi-stage manner, lifting the carrier 3 onto shelves 6 at corresponding heights. The upright 5 can have several rows of shelves 6, each row of shelves corresponding to one movable rail, and each movable rail corresponding to one lifting mechanism.

[0033] A power mechanism is provided on the shelf 6 to move the carrier 3 on the shelf 6 so that the carrier 3 can be arranged on the shelf 6. Sprockets are rotatably mounted at both ends of the shelf 6, one of which is connected to a motor 8. A conveyor chain 7 is connected to the sprocket on the shelf 6. Driven by the motor 8, the conveyor chain 7 moves along the length of the shelf 6, and the conveyor chain generally protrudes onto the upper surface of the shelf 6. When the lifting mechanism lifts the carrier 3 to the corresponding position, a pushing structure can be provided at the upper end of the lifting mechanism to push the lifted carrier 3 towards the shelf 6. Driven by the motor 8, the conveyor chain 7 moves, causing the carrier 3 that has entered the conveyor chain 7 to be conveyed forward. When the carrier 3 on the support frame 5 needs to enter the storage rail 4, the conveyor chain 7 moves in the opposite direction under the drive of the machine, so that the carrier 3 on the conveyor chain 7 enters the top of the lifting mechanism and is lowered by the lifting mechanism to the storage rail 4. Under the action of the support drive mechanism, the carrier 3 moves forward on the storage rail 4.

Claims

1. A production line with a carrier storage station, comprising a closed-loop main rail and a main drive mechanism, the main drive mechanism being arranged parallel to the main rail, the main drive mechanism having a plurality of protruding drive members for propelling the carrier along the main rail; and a plurality of workstations being arranged along the main rail, the workstations protruding to the outer side of the main rail, characterized in that, It also includes a storage station located at the end of the main rail. The storage station includes a storage rail, which is set horizontally and has its two ends connected to the main rail. The storage rail protrudes outward in the width direction of the main rail and has several straight rods. The straight rods provide the main storage space for the vehicle, and there is an arc transition between adjacent straight rods. The support drive mechanism is arranged in parallel with the storage rail and has several drive components. These drive components are used to push the vehicle on the storage rail forward.

2. The assembly line according to claim 1, characterized in that, The storage rail is formed by the outward deformation of the main rail, and the support drive mechanism is integrated with the main drive mechanism to form an integral drive mechanism.

3. The assembly line according to claim 2, characterized in that, Guide rails are arranged side by side on the outer side of the main rail and the storage rail. The guide rails extend along the direction of the main rail and the storage rail. A sliding groove is provided in the guide rail. The sliding groove is the same length as the guide rail. The integral drive mechanism is slidably arranged in the sliding groove.

4. The assembly line according to claim 1, 2, or 3, characterized in that, The storage rail has a straight rod at one end, which is directly opposite the main rail. The straight rod at one end forms an angle with the length direction of the main rail.

5. The assembly line according to claim 4, characterized in that, The included angle is 90 degrees.

6. The assembly line according to claim 4, characterized in that, A U-shaped portion is formed on the storage rail, extending outward from the main rail. The U-shaped portion is located on one side of the main rail in the width direction, and one side section of the U-shaped portion is on the same straight line as the end straight rod portion.

7. The assembly line according to claim 4, characterized in that, A gusseted portion is formed on the storage rail, extending outward from the main rail. The gusseted portion is located on one side of the main rail in the width direction, and one side section of the gusseted portion is on the same straight line as the end straight rod portion.

8. The assembly line according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that, An upright frame is provided on the outside of the storage rail, and several layers of shelves are formed on the upright frame to support the vehicle. A lifting mechanism is used to lift the vehicle on the storage rail onto the shelf, or to lower the vehicle on the shelf onto the storage rail.

9. The assembly line according to claim 8, characterized in that, The storage rail includes a movable rail that is detachably connected to the rest of the storage rail, and the movable rail provides space for at least one vehicle. The movable rail is connected to the lifting mechanism.

10. The assembly line according to claim 8, characterized in that, The conveyor chain is set along the length of the shelf and is connected to the motor on the shelf. Driven by the motor, the conveyor chain enables the carrier to move on the shelf.

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