Sorting machine

Abstract

The utility model provides a sorting machine which is provided with a feeding station and a discharging station, and the discharging station comprises a plurality of discharging sub-areas. The sorting machine comprises a rack; the conveying device is arranged on the rack, is provided with a plurality of carrying tables in the conveying direction of the conveying device and is used for conveying the carrying tables from the feeding station to the discharging station; the sorting trolleys are correspondingly connected with the carrying tables, each sorting trolley comprises a first conveying mechanism and a first controller, and the first controllers are connected with the first conveying mechanisms; the feeding device is arranged on the feeding station and used for conveying the batteries to the sorting trolley; the discharging device is arranged at the discharging station and used for receiving the batteries from the sorting trolley, the discharging device is provided with a plurality of discharging openings formed based on the grades of the batteries, and the discharging openings correspond to the discharging sub-areas; and the multiple second controllers are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the multiple discharging sub-areas, and the second controllers are in communication connection with the first controller so as to control the first conveying mechanism to output the batteries at the corresponding discharging openings according to the grades of the batteries.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of battery production equipment, and more specifically, to a sorting machine. Background Art

[0002] In the related technology, batteries need to be sorted according to their own grades during the production process, so as to classify and store batteries of different grades. The existing technology usually adopts a combination of code scanning and robotic arms. The battery is first scanned by a code scanning mechanism, and then the robotic arm is used to grade the battery according to the battery grade obtained by scanning. However, the robotic arm takes a long time to pick up and put down materials, and the grading efficiency is low, which makes it difficult to cope with the rapidly growing demand for battery production. Utility Model Content

[0003] The utility model aims to provide a new technical solution for a sorting machine, which can at least solve the problem of low battery grading efficiency in the prior art.

[0004] The utility model provides a sorting machine, the sorting machine has a loading station and a unloading station, the unloading station includes a plurality of unloading sub-areas, the sorting machine includes: a frame; a transport device, the transport device is arranged on the frame, the transport device is provided with a plurality of carriers along its own conveying direction, the transport device is used to transport the plurality of carriers from the loading station to the unloading station; a plurality of sorting carts, the plurality of sorting carts are correspondingly connected to the plurality of carriers, the sorting cart includes a first conveying mechanism and a first controller, the first controller is connected to the first conveying mechanism to control the first conveying mechanism to receive or output batteries; a loading device, the loading device A loading device is arranged at the loading station, and is used to convey the battery to the sorting trolley; a unloading device is arranged at the unloading station, and is used to receive the battery from the sorting trolley, and the unloading device has a plurality of unloading ports arranged based on the grade of the battery, and the plurality of unloading ports are arranged corresponding to the plurality of unloading sub-areas; a plurality of second controllers, a plurality of the second controllers are arranged on the frame and are arranged one-to-one corresponding to the plurality of the unloading sub-areas, the second controllers are communicatively connected with the first controller, and the second controller is used to control the first controller according to the grade of the battery so that the first conveying mechanism outputs the battery at the corresponding unloading port.

[0005] Optionally, the loading station and the unloading station are spaced apart along a first direction, and the transport device includes: two first pulleys, the two first pulleys are spaced apart along the first direction, the axis of each first pulley extends along a second direction, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction; a first conveyor belt, the first conveyor belt is wound around the two first pulleys, and a plurality of the platforms are connected to the first pulleys.

[0006] Optionally, a plurality of the unloading areas are arranged along the first direction, and the sorting machine further comprises: a mounting frame, the mounting frame is arranged on the frame, the mounting frame extends along the first direction, and a plurality of the second controllers are arranged on the mounting frame at intervals along the first direction.

[0007] Optionally, the first conveying mechanism includes: two second pulleys, the two second pulleys are arranged to be spaced apart along the second direction, and the axis of each second pulley extends along the first direction; and a second conveyor belt, the second conveyor belt is wound around the two second pulleys, and the second conveyor belt is used to receive or output the batteries.

[0008] Optionally, the unloading device includes: a plurality of second conveying mechanisms, the plurality of second conveying mechanisms are arranged along the first direction, each second conveying mechanism is used to convey the battery along the second direction, and each second conveying mechanism is provided with the unloading port at one end close to the transportation device.

[0009] Optionally, the loading station has a plurality of loading sub-areas arranged along the first direction, the loading device has a plurality of loading ports, the plurality of loading ports are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of loading sub-areas, the sorting machine further includes: a plurality of third controllers, the plurality of third controllers are arranged on the mounting frame at intervals along the first direction, the plurality of third controllers are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of loading sub-areas, the third controllers are communicatively connected with the first controller, and are used to control the sorting trolley in the corresponding loading sub-area to receive the batteries.

[0010] Optionally, the loading device includes: a plurality of third conveying mechanisms, the plurality of third conveying mechanisms are arranged along the first direction, each of the third conveying mechanisms is used to convey the battery along the second direction, and each of the third conveying mechanisms is provided with the loading port at one end close to the transport device.

[0011] Optionally, a buffer station is provided between the loading station and the unloading station.

[0012] Optionally, the buffer station is used to accommodate at least two of the sorting carts.

[0013] Optionally, the number of the material discharge sub-areas and the number of the material discharge ports are both four.

[0014] Optionally, in the second direction, the first controller is arranged at one end of the sorting trolley, and a collecting arm is provided at the other end of the sorting trolley, and the second controller is arranged on the side of the transport device facing the first controller. The sorting machine also includes: a sliding beam line, which is arranged on the frame and located on the side of the transport device facing the collecting arm, and the sliding beam line is electrically connected to the collecting arm for supplying power to the first controller and the first conveying mechanism.

[0015] Optionally, the loading device and the unloading device are arranged on the same side of the transport device.

[0016] Optionally, the sorting machine further comprises: a buffer mechanism, the buffer mechanism is provided with the loading station, the buffer mechanism is connected to the frame and is located at one end of the sorting trolley away from the loading device, and the buffer mechanism is used to buffer the batteries on the sorting trolley.

[0017] Optionally, the buffer mechanism includes: a buffer block, which is movably arranged along the second direction on a side of the sorting trolley away from the loading device; a driving member, which is arranged on the frame and connected to the buffer block, and the driving member is used to drive the buffer block to buffer the batteries transported on the sorting trolley.

[0018] According to the sorting machine of the utility model, the unloading station is divided into multiple unloading sub-areas according to the grade of the battery, and multiple unloading ports are set on the unloading device corresponding to the multiple unloading sub-areas, and the first controller on the sorting trolley is controlled by the second controller fixed in the unloading sub-area, so that when the transportation device transports the sorting trolley through the multiple unloading sub-areas in sequence, the sorting trolley can unload the batteries to the corresponding unloading ports according to the grade of the batteries, thereby completing the graded unloading of the batteries. That is to say, the whole process of battery grading is carried out on the conveying structure. Compared with the traditional manipulator graded unloading, the actions of grabbing and releasing the materials are omitted, the waiting time for unloading is reduced, which is conducive to improving the grading efficiency and the production rhythm, and at the same time, the accuracy of sorting is also improved.

[0019] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 1 is a top view of a sorting machine according to an embodiment of the utility model;

[0022] Figure 2 It is a three-dimensional diagram of a part of the structure of a sorting machine according to an embodiment of the utility model;

[0023] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 An enlarged view of the circled portion at A in the middle;

[0024] Figure 4 is a top view of a partial structure of a sorting machine according to an embodiment of the utility model;

[0025] Figure 5 It is a side view of a part of the structure of a sorting machine according to an embodiment of the utility model;

[0026] Figure 6 It is a front view of a part of the structure of a sorting machine according to an embodiment of the utility model;

[0027] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 The enlarged view of the circled part at B in the middle;

[0028] Figure 8 is along Figure 6 Sectional view of the mid-CC line;

[0029] Fig. 9 yes Figure 8 A magnified view of the structure in the middle;

[0030] Fig.10 It is a side view of a sorting trolley in a sorting machine according to an embodiment of the utility model;

[0031] Fig.11 This is a front view of a sorting trolley in a sorting machine according to an embodiment of the utility model;

[0032] Fig.12 It is a top view of a sorting trolley in a sorting machine according to an embodiment of the utility model.

[0033] Reference numerals

[0034] 100. Sorting machine;

[0035] 1. Loading station; 1a. Loading sub-area; 2. Buffer station; 3. Unloading station; 3a. Unloading sub-area;

[0036] 10. Rack; 11. Mounting rack; 12. Second controller; 13. Third controller;

[0037] 20. Transport device; 21. Carrier; 22. First pulley; 23. First conveyor belt;

[0038] 30. Sorting trolley; 31. First conveying mechanism; 311. Second pulley; 312. Second conveying belt; 32. First controller; 33. Collector arm; 34. Bracket; 341. Hollow area; 35. Auxiliary roller; 46. Guide mechanism; 47. Tensioning mechanism;

[0039] 40. feeding device; 41. feeding port; 42. third conveying mechanism;

[0040] 50. unloading device; 51. unloading port; 52. second conveying mechanism;

[0041] 60. Sliding harness;

[0042] 70. Buffer mechanism; 71. Buffer block; 72. Driving member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangements of components and steps, numerical expressions and numerical values ​​set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention.

[0044] The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the present invention, its application, or uses.

[0045] Technologies, methods, and equipment known to ordinary technicians in the relevant art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, the technologies, methods, and equipment should be considered as part of the specification.

[0046] In all examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values ​​should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not limiting. Therefore, other examples of the exemplary embodiments may have different values.

[0047] It should be noted that like reference numerals and letters refer to similar items in the following figures, and therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it need not be further discussed in subsequent figures.

[0048] The sorting machine 100 according to the embodiment of the utility model is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0049] like Figures 1 to 12 As shown, the sorting machine 100 according to the embodiment of the present utility model includes: a frame 10, a transport device 20, a plurality of reverse selection carts, a loading device 40, a unloading device 50 and a plurality of second controllers 12.

[0050] Specifically, the sorting machine 100 has a loading station 1 and a unloading station 3, and the unloading station 3 includes multiple unloading sub-areas 3a. The transport device 20 is arranged on the frame 10, and the transport device 20 is provided with multiple platforms 21 along its own conveying direction. The transport device 20 is used to transport the multiple platforms 21 from the loading station 1 to the unloading station 3. Multiple sorting carts 30 are connected to the multiple platforms 21 accordingly. The sorting cart 30 includes a first conveying mechanism 31 and a first controller 32. The first controller 32 is connected to the first conveying mechanism 31 to control the first conveying mechanism 31 to receive or output batteries. The loading device 40 is arranged at the loading station 1, and is used to convey batteries to the sorting cart 30. The unloading device 50 is arranged at the unloading station 3, and is used to receive batteries from the sorting cart 30. The unloading device 50 has multiple unloading ports 51 set based on the level of the battery, and the multiple unloading ports 51 are set corresponding to the multiple unloading sub-areas 3a. Multiple second controllers 12 are installed on the frame 10 and correspond to multiple unloading areas 3a one by one. The second controllers 12 are communicated with the first controller 32. The second controllers 12 are used to control the first controller 32 according to the level of the battery so that the first conveying mechanism 31 outputs the battery at the corresponding unloading port 51.

[0051] In other words, the sorting machine 100 according to the embodiment of the utility model is mainly composed of a frame 10, a transport device 20, a plurality of reverse selection carts, a loading device 40, a unloading device 50 and a plurality of second controllers 12. A code scanning device may be provided upstream of the sorting machine 100 for scanning the battery to be graded, thereby obtaining the grade information of the battery, and the sorting machine 100 may grade and unload the battery according to the grade of the battery.

[0052] Specifically, the sorting machine 100 has at least a loading station 1 and a unloading station 3, wherein the unloading station 3 may be composed of a plurality of unloading sub-areas 3a, the batteries may include a plurality of grades, each grade may correspond to one or more unloading sub-areas 3a, each unloading sub-area 3a is arranged corresponding to a unloading port 51 on the unloading device 50, so that each unloading sub-area 3a is used to unload batteries of a corresponding grade, and the batteries are input into the unloading device 50 from the corresponding unloading port 51 according to the grade of the batteries. Optionally, each unloading sub-area 3a may correspond to one grade.

[0053] The frame 10 can be used as a carrier to install the transport device 20. The transport device 20 can be provided with a plurality of carriers 21. Each carrier 21 can be provided with a sorting trolley 30. The sorting trolley 30 can receive batteries from the loading device 40, carry batteries, and output batteries to the unloading device 50. The transport device 20 can at least transport the carrier 21 and the sorting trolley 30 on the carrier 21 from the loading station 1 to the unloading station 3. Preferably, the transport device 20 can transport the carrier 21 and the sorting trolley 30 on the carrier 21 back and forth between the loading station 1 and the unloading station 3.

[0054] A plurality of unloading sub-areas 3a may be arranged in sequence along the conveying direction of the transport device 20, so that when the transport device 20 transports the sorting trolley 30, the sorting trolley 30 can pass through the plurality of unloading sub-areas 3a in sequence.

[0055] Each sorting trolley 30 is mainly composed of a first controller 32 and a first conveying mechanism 31. Each unloading sub-area 3a may be provided with a second controller 12, which may be fixedly mounted on the frame 10, and the second controller 12 is in communication connection with the first controller 32. When the sorting trolley 30 is conveyed to the unloading sub-area 3a corresponding to the level of the battery carried by itself, the second controller 12 may send an unloading instruction to the first controller 32, so that the first controller 32 controls the first conveying mechanism 31 to output the battery to the corresponding unloading port 51 on the unloading device 50.

[0056] For example, assuming that the battery grades include four grades of A, B, C, and D, the corresponding unloading station 3 includes four unloading sub-areas 3a of A, B, C, and D, and the unloading device 50 includes four unloading ports 51 of A, B, C, and D.

[0057] If the grade information obtained by the upstream scanning device after scanning the battery is grade A, the battery is loaded onto a sorting cart 30 through the loading device 40, and then the transportation device 20 transports the sorting cart 30 to the unloading station 3. When the sorting cart 30 reaches the A unloading sub-area 3a, the second controller 12 provided in the A unloading sub-area 3a sends an unloading instruction to the first controller 32 on the sorting cart 30, so that the first conveying mechanism 31 on the sorting cart 30 outputs grade A batteries to the A unloading port 51.

[0058] It should be noted that when the transport device 20 transports the sorting cart 30 to any unloading sub-area 3a, it can stay for a period of time to reserve operating time for the unloading of the battery. During the transportation process, one sorting cart 30 can stay in each unloading sub-area 3a, and the sorting cart 30 only outputs batteries to the unloading device 50 when it stops in the sorting sub-area that matches the battery level it is transporting, and does not output batteries to the sorting sub-area that does not match the battery level it is transporting. During the transportation process, the sorting cart 30 can pass through each unloading sub-area 3a in turn until the battery is unloaded through the unloading port 51 of the corresponding level to complete the graded unloading of the battery.

[0059] Therefore, according to the sorting machine 100 of the embodiment of the utility model, the unloading station 3 is divided into multiple unloading sub-areas 3a according to the grade of the battery, and multiple unloading ports 51 are set on the unloading device 50 corresponding to the multiple unloading sub-areas 3a, and the second controller 12 fixed in the unloading sub-area 3a is used to control the first controller 32 on the sorting trolley 30, so that when the transportation device 20 transports the sorting trolley 30 through the multiple unloading sub-areas 3a in sequence, the sorting trolley 30 can unload the battery to the corresponding unloading port 51 according to the grade of the battery, thereby completing the graded unloading of the battery. That is to say, the entire process of battery grading is carried out on the conveying structure. Compared with the traditional manipulator graded unloading, the actions of grabbing and releasing the material are omitted, the unloading waiting time is reduced, which is beneficial to improving the grading efficiency, improving the production rhythm, and at the same time improving the accuracy of sorting.

[0060] According to one embodiment of the utility model, the loading station 1 and the unloading station 3 are spaced apart in a first direction, and the transport device 20 includes two first pulleys 22 and a first conveyor belt 23. The two first pulleys 22 are spaced apart in the first direction, and the axis of each first pulley 22 extends in a second direction, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. The first conveyor belt 23 is wound around the two first pulleys 22, and a plurality of carriers 21 are connected to the first pulleys 22.

[0061] In other words, the transport device 20 can be mainly composed of two first pulleys 22 and a first conveyor belt 23. The first conveyor belt 23 can be wound around the two first pulleys 22, and at least one of the two first pulleys 22 can be a driving wheel for providing power for transportation. The two first pulleys 22 can be spaced apart in the first direction so that the first conveyor belt 23 can transport the carrier 21 and the sorting trolley 30 in the first direction. The carrier 21 can be fixedly mounted on the first conveyor belt 23, and provide a carrier for the installation of the sorting trolley 30, so as to facilitate the disassembly, assembly and maintenance of the sorting trolley 30.

[0062] In addition, the loading station 1 and the unloading station 3 are arranged to be spaced apart along the first direction so that when the first conveyor belt 23 conveys the sorting trolley 30 along the first direction, the sorting trolley 30 passes through the loading station 1 and the unloading station 3 in sequence.

[0063] In this embodiment, the conveying device is configured as a belt drive structure, which has the advantage of high conveying efficiency, is conducive to accelerating the sorting rhythm, and improves the sorting efficiency.

[0064] Optionally, the first conveyor belt 23 may be a synchronous belt, and the first pulley 22 may be a synchronous pulley, so as to improve the transmission accuracy and transmission efficiency, thereby further improving the sorting efficiency.

[0065] According to some other embodiments of the utility model, a plurality of unloading areas 3a are arranged along a first direction, and the sorting machine 100 further includes a mounting frame 11, which is disposed on the frame 10 and extends along the first direction, and a plurality of second controllers 12 are arranged on the mounting frame 11 at intervals along the first direction.

[0066] Specifically, since a plurality of unloading sub-areas 3a are arranged along the first direction, when the first conveyor belt 23 conveys the sorting trolley 30 along the first direction, the sorting trolley 30 can pass through each sorting sub-area in sequence.

[0067] The frame 10 may be provided with a long strip mounting frame 11, and a plurality of second controllers 12 may be mounted on the mounting frame 11 at intervals along the first direction. The mounting frame 11 may provide a reasonable height for the second controllers 12, so that each second controller 12 can only control the first controller 32 on the sorting trolley 30 in the unloading sub-area 3a where it is located.

[0068] When the sorting trolley 30 is in the unloading sub-area 3a, the second controller 12 can be located below the sorting trolley 30, the sorting trolley 30 can include a frame 10, the first controller 32 can be fixed on the frame 10, and a hollow area 341 can be provided at the bottom of the frame 10, so that the second controller 12 and the first controller 32 can be arranged opposite each other in the vertical direction without obstruction, thereby, the second controller 12 can send unloading instructions to the first controller 32 through the hollow area 341. It should be noted that Figure 2 and Figure 3 In order to show the hollow area 341 , the first controller 32 is hidden.

[0069] Optionally, the first controller 32 may include an infrared receiver, and the second controller 12 may include an infrared transmitter.

[0070] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the first conveying mechanism 31 includes two second pulleys 311 and a second conveyor belt 312. The two second pulleys 311 are spaced apart along the second direction, and the axis of each second pulley 311 extends along the first direction. The second conveyor belt 312 is wound around the two second pulleys 311, and the second conveyor belt 312 is used to receive or output the battery.

[0071] In other words, the first conveying mechanism 31 may be mainly composed of two second pulleys 311 and a second conveyor belt 312. The two second pulleys 311 may be spaced apart along the axial direction of the first pulley 22, so that the second conveyor belt 312 wound around the second pulleys 311 can convey the battery along the second direction. In addition, by the forward and reverse rotation of the second pulley 311, the second conveyor belt 312 may be controlled to convey the battery in the forward or reverse direction along the second direction.

[0072] For the sake of convenience, it can be defined that the direction in which the sorting trolley 30 moves away from the unloading device 50 is the positive direction of the second direction, and the direction in which the sorting trolley 30 moves toward the unloading device 50 is the negative direction of the second direction.

[0073] When the loading device 40 and the unloading device 50 are located on the same side of the transport device 20, the loading device 40 can transport the battery to the sorting trolley 30 in the positive direction of the second direction, and at the same time, the first conveying mechanism 31 works so that the second conveyor belt 312 receives the battery in the positive direction of the second direction until the battery is completely loaded on the sorting trolley 30, and then the first conveying mechanism 31 stops working. The transport device 20 transports the sorting trolley 30 to the unloading station 3. When the sorting trolley 30 reaches the sorting sub-area corresponding to the grade of the battery it carries, under the control of the second controller 12, the first conveying mechanism 31 stops working so that the second conveyor belt 312 outputs the battery in the reverse direction of the second direction, and the battery is received by the unloading device 50. When the battery is completely separated from the sorting trolley 30, the first conveying mechanism 31 stops working.

[0074] In this embodiment, the conveying trolley adopts a belt drive method to convey the batteries, which is beneficial to improving the conveying efficiency, and the movement process is simple and the structure is compact, which is not only beneficial to improving the grading efficiency, but also beneficial to saving space.

[0075] According to some optional embodiments of the utility model, the unloading device 50 includes a plurality of second conveying mechanisms 52, which are arranged along the first direction, each second conveying mechanism 52 is used to convey the battery along the second direction, and each second conveying mechanism 52 is provided with a unloading port 51 at one end close to the transportation device 20.

[0076] Specifically, the unloading device 50 may be composed of a plurality of second conveying mechanisms 52, and the plurality of second conveying mechanisms 52 may be arranged along the first direction to correspond one-to-one with the plurality of unloading sub-areas 3a arranged along the first direction. Each second conveying mechanism 52 may convey the battery along the second direction, for example, the second conveying mechanism 52 may include two third pulleys and a third conveyor belt, and the third conveyor belt is wound around the two third pulleys.

[0077] In addition, a discharge port 51 may be provided at one end of the second conveying mechanism 52 close to the transport device 20 in the second direction, so that the second conveying mechanism 52 can receive batteries from the sorting trolley 30 .

[0078] Therefore, in the sorting sub-area, the batteries can be transported by the sorting trolley 30 and the second conveying mechanism 52 in sequence, and the conveying direction of the batteries is the same, without changing the posture of the batteries, which is beneficial to improving the efficiency of graded transportation.

[0079] According to some other embodiments of the utility model, the loading station 1 has a plurality of loading sub-areas 1a arranged along the first direction, the loading device 40 has a plurality of loading ports 41, and the plurality of loading ports 41 are arranged one-to-one with the plurality of loading sub-areas 1a, and the sorting machine 100 further includes a plurality of third controllers 13. The plurality of third controllers 13 are arranged on the mounting frame 11 at intervals along the first direction, and the plurality of third controllers 13 are arranged one-to-one with the plurality of loading sub-areas 1a, and the third controllers 13 are connected in communication with the first controller 32, and are used to control the sorting trolley 30 in the corresponding loading sub-area 1a to receive the battery.

[0080] Specifically, the loading station 1 may include multiple loading sub-areas 1a, and the multiple loading sub-areas 1a may be arranged along the first direction. A third controller 13 may be provided in each loading sub-area 1a, and the third controller 13 may be fixed on the mounting frame 11 and can be communicatively connected with the first controller 32.

[0081] The loading device 40 may have a plurality of loading ports 41 , each of which may be provided corresponding to a loading sub-area 1 a , and batteries may be transported to the sorting trolley 30 in the corresponding loading sub-area 1 a through each loading port 41 .

[0082] When the battery transported by the loading device 40 reaches the loading port 41, if there is no sorting trolley 30 in the corresponding loading sub-area 1a, or the sorting trolley 30 in the loading sub-area 1a is already loaded with batteries, the battery on the loading device 40 waits until the empty sorting trolley 30 enters the loading sub-area 1a. Then the third controller 13 sends a loading instruction to the first controller 32 on the empty sorting trolley 30, so that the first conveying mechanism 31 receives the battery along the second direction, and the loading device 40 outputs the battery along the second direction until the battery is completely loaded on the sorting trolley 30. Then the sorting trolley 30 can be transported to the unloading station 3.

[0083] Optionally, the third controller 13 has the same structure and height as the second controller 12 .

[0084] The distance between two adjacent loading sub-areas 1a is the same as the distance between two adjacent unloading sub-areas 3a, so that when the transport device 20 transports a predetermined distance, a sorting trolley 30 can stay in each loading sub-area 1a and each unloading sub-area 3a. The distance between two adjacent third controllers 13 is the same as the distance between two adjacent second controllers 12.

[0085] In this embodiment, a loading device 40 is provided to include a plurality of loading ports 41, so that the plurality of loading ports 41 correspond one-to-one to the plurality of loading sub-areas 1a in the loading station 1. The loading device 40 can be used to load a plurality of batteries at the same time, which is beneficial to improving the loading efficiency, thereby speeding up the conveying rhythm and improving the sorting efficiency.

[0086] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the loading device 40 includes a plurality of third conveying mechanisms 42, which are arranged along the first direction, each third conveying mechanism 42 is used to convey batteries along the second direction, and each third conveying mechanism 42 is provided with a loading port 41 at one end close to the transportation device 20.

[0087] Specifically, the loading device 40 is mainly composed of a plurality of third conveying mechanisms 42, and the plurality of third conveying mechanisms 42 can be arranged along the first direction to correspond to the plurality of loading sub-areas 1a. The direction in which each third conveying mechanism 42 conveys the battery is the same as the direction in which the sorting trolley 30 conveys the battery, and a loading port 41 is provided between the third conveying mechanism 42 and the transport device 20, and the third conveying mechanism 42 can load the sorting trolley 30 in the corresponding loading sub-area 1a through the loading port 41.

[0088] In this embodiment, multiple third conveying mechanisms 42 are provided to not only simultaneously load multiple sorting carts 30, but also to receive multiple grades of batteries from upstream production equipment using multiple third conveying mechanisms 42, which is conducive to further improving the conveying efficiency. At the same time, different production requirements can be met by adjusting the working state of each third conveying mechanism 42. For example, one or two third conveying mechanisms 42 can be enabled during low-speed production, and all third conveying mechanisms 42 can be enabled during high-speed production.

[0089] According to some optional embodiments of the utility model, a buffer station 2 is provided between the loading station 1 and the unloading station 3, so that the sorting trolley 30 can be buffered in the buffer station 2 during the conveying process, which can balance the takt time of loading and unloading, making the sorting process smoother and improving production efficiency, and on the other hand, it is also conducive to ensuring the continuity of production. In addition, the buffer station can also separate the loading station 1 and the unloading station 3, providing sufficient space for the installation of the loading device 40 and the unloading device 50.

[0090] According to some other embodiments of the present invention, Figure 1 As shown, the buffer station 2 is used to accommodate at least two sorting carts 30, which can better balance the rhythm of loading and unloading materials and improve the efficiency of sorting and conveying.

[0091] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, Figure 1 As shown, there are four unloading sub-areas 3a and four unloading ports 51. Battery production usually includes four levels, and the four unloading sub-areas 3a can correspond to four battery levels. Therefore, the sorting machine 100 can sort four levels of batteries to meet the needs of battery production.

[0092] Optionally, ten sorting carts 30 can stay on the upper surface of the first conveyor belt 23 at the same time, of which four sorting carts 30 are located in four loading sub-areas 1a, four sorting carts 30 are located in four unloading sub-areas 3a, and two sorting carts 30 are located in the buffer station.

[0093] According to some optional embodiments of the utility model, in the second direction, the first controller 32 is arranged at one end of the sorting trolley 30, and the other end of the sorting trolley 30 is provided with a collecting arm 33, and the second controller 12 is arranged on the side of the transportation device 20 facing the first controller 32. The sorting machine 100 also includes a sliding beam line 60, which is arranged on the frame 10 and located on the side of the transportation device 20 facing the collecting arm 33. The sliding beam line 60 is electrically connected to the collecting arm 33 and is used to supply power to the first controller 32 and the first conveying mechanism 31.

[0094] Specifically, the sorting trolley 30 has two ends in the second direction. A first controller 32 may be provided at one end of the sorting trolley 30 . The second controller 12 and the third controller 13 cooperating with the first controller 32 may be located on the same side of the transport device 20 as the first controller 32 .

[0095] A collector arm 33 may be provided at the other end of the sorting trolley 30, and a slide wire 60 extending along the first direction may be provided on the side of the transport device 20 facing the collector arm 33. The collector arm 33 may be connected to the slide wire 60 and slide along the slide wire 60. Thus, when the transport device 20 transports the sorting trolley 30 along the first direction, the slide wire 60 may continuously supply power to the sorting trolley 30 through the collector arm 33, so that the sorting trolley 30 can transport batteries at the loading station 1 and the unloading station 3 by starting the first conveying mechanism 31.

[0096] In this embodiment, the collector arm 33 and the first controller 32 are separately arranged at the two ends of the sorting vehicle 30 to avoid mutual interference between the two.

[0097] According to some other embodiments of the present invention, the loading device 40 and the unloading device 50 are arranged on the same side of the transport device 20 .

[0098] Specifically, if Figure 1 As shown, at the loading station 1, the loading device 40 can convey the battery to the sorting trolley 30 in the positive direction of the second direction, and the sorting trolley 30 can receive the battery in the positive direction of the first direction. The unloading device 50 can convey the battery in the reverse direction of the second direction, and the sorting trolley 30 can output the battery in the reverse direction of the second direction.

[0099] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the sorting machine 100 also includes a buffer mechanism 70, which is provided with a loading station 1. The buffer mechanism 70 is connected to the frame 10 and is located at one end of the sorting trolley 30 away from the loading device 40. The buffer mechanism 70 is used to buffer the batteries on the sorting trolley 30.

[0100] Specifically, a plurality of buffer mechanisms 70 may be fixedly mounted on the frame 10, and the plurality of buffer mechanisms 70 may be arranged one by one in a plurality of loading sub-areas 1a, and the buffer mechanisms 70 may be located at one end of the sorting trolley 30 away from the loading device 40 to buffer the batteries loaded into each loading sub-area 1a.

[0101] When the sorting trolley 30 receives the battery from the loading device 40 in the loading sub-area 1a, the first conveying mechanism 31 on the sorting trolley 30 conveys the battery in the forward direction of the second direction, and then the battery touches the buffer mechanism 70, which buffers the battery and finally stops the battery. After the buffer mechanism 70 contacts the battery, the first conveying mechanism 31 can stop working.

[0102] In this embodiment, the buffer mechanism 70 can not only prevent the battery from falling, but also protect the battery and prevent the end of the battery from being damaged.

[0103] Optionally, the buffer mechanism 70 may include an elastic member, and the elastic member can be stretched and retracted along the second direction.

[0104] According to some optional embodiments of the utility model, the buffer mechanism 70 includes a buffer block 71 and a driving member 72. The buffer block 71 is movably disposed along the second direction on a side of the sorting trolley 30 away from the feeding device 40. The driving member 72 is disposed on the frame 10 and connected to the buffer block 71, and the driving member 72 is used to drive the buffer block 71 to buffer the batteries transported on the sorting trolley 30.

[0105] In other words, the buffer mechanism 70 may be mainly composed of a buffer block 71 and a driving member 72, and the driving member 72 may drive the buffer block 71 to move along the second direction. When the battery contacts the buffer block 71, the driving member 72 may drive the buffer block 71 to move in the positive direction of the second direction, that is, in a direction away from the feeding device 40, thereby buffering the battery until the movement of the battery in the second direction completely stops.

[0106] Optionally, the buffer mechanism 70 may further include a detection sensor, which may detect whether the battery is in contact with the buffer block 71. If it is determined to be in contact with the battery, the driving member 72 may be controlled to start working, and the first conveying mechanism 31 may be controlled to stop working.

[0107] In some optional embodiments, the sorting trolley further includes two auxiliary rollers 35 , a guiding mechanism 36 and a tensioning mechanism 37 .

[0108] Two auxiliary rollers 35 are spaced apart at two ends of the first conveying mechanism 31 along the second direction. The axis of each auxiliary roller 35 may extend along the first direction to assist the battery to enter or leave the first conveying mechanism 31 .

[0109] The guide mechanism 36 may be disposed above the second conveyor belt 312 to guide the battery to move along the second direction. The guide mechanism 36 may include a plurality of guide wheels arranged along the second direction, and the axis of each guide wheel may extend along the vertical direction. The first direction and the second direction may be horizontal directions perpendicular to each other. The number of the guide mechanisms 36 may be two, and the two guide mechanisms 36 may be spaced apart on both sides of the first conveyor mechanism 31 along the first direction.

[0110] The tensioning mechanism 37 may be connected to one of the two second pulleys 311 for adjusting the distance between the two second pulleys 311 to tension the second conveyor belt 312 .

[0111] The working process of the sorting machine 100 of the present invention is described in detail below.

[0112] The battery obtains the grade information after being scanned at the upstream scanning device. The controlled sorting trolley 30 is on standby in the loading sub-area 1a, and the third conveying mechanism 42 of the loading device 40 conveys the battery to the upper material port 41 in the positive direction of the second direction. The third controller 13 cooperates with the first controller 32. When it is detected that the current sorting trolley 30 is vacant, the first conveying mechanism 31 is controlled to receive the battery in the positive direction of the second direction. At the same time, the first controller 32 can record the grade information of the current battery. The battery continues to move in the positive direction of the second direction on the sorting trolley 30 until it contacts the buffer block 71, and then the first conveying mechanism 31 stops working, and the driving member 72 drives the buffer block 71 to move in the positive direction of the second direction to buffer the battery.

[0113] Then the transport device 20 transports the sorting trolley 30 along the first direction, so that the sorting trolley 30 passes through the buffer station 2 and multiple unloading sub-areas 3a. When the sorting trolley 30 is transported to the unloading sub-area 3a corresponding to the grade of the battery it carries, the second controller 12 in the unloading sub-area 3a can send an unloading instruction to the first controller 32 on the sorting trolley 30, so that the first conveying mechanism 31 outputs the battery in the reverse direction along the second direction, so that the battery enters the unloading port 51 matching its grade, and is unloaded and transported by the second conveying mechanism 52 at the unloading port 51, thereby completing the battery grading.

[0114] To sum up, the sorting machine 100 of the utility model divides the unloading station 3 into multiple unloading sub-areas 3a according to the grade of the battery, and sets multiple unloading ports 51 on the unloading device 50 corresponding to the multiple unloading sub-areas 3a, and uses the second controller 12 fixed in the unloading sub-area 3a to control the first controller 32 on the sorting trolley 30, so that when the transportation device 20 transports the sorting trolley 30 through the multiple unloading sub-areas 3a in sequence, the sorting trolley 30 can unload the battery to the corresponding unloading port 51 according to the grade of the battery, thereby completing the graded unloading of the battery. That is to say, the whole process of battery grading is carried out on the conveying structure. Compared with the traditional manipulator graded unloading, the actions of grabbing and releasing the material are omitted, the unloading waiting time is reduced, which is beneficial to improving the grading efficiency, improving the production rhythm, and at the same time improving the accuracy of sorting.

[0115] Although some specific embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail by way of examples, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the above examples are for illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the above embodiments may be modified without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A sorting machine, characterized in that: The sorting machine has a loading station and a unloading station, wherein the unloading station includes a plurality of unloading sub-areas, and the sorting machine includes: frame; A transport device, the transport device is arranged on the frame, the transport device is provided with a plurality of carriers along its own transport direction, and the transport device is used to transport the plurality of carriers from the loading station to the unloading station; A plurality of sorting carts, wherein the plurality of sorting carts are connected to the plurality of carriers correspondingly, the sorting carts include a first conveying mechanism and a first controller, and the first controller is connected to the first conveying mechanism to control the first conveying mechanism to receive or output batteries; A feeding device, which is arranged at the feeding station and is used to convey the batteries to the sorting trolley; A material unloading device, which is arranged at the unloading station and is used to receive the battery from the sorting trolley, and the material unloading device has a plurality of unloading ports arranged based on the grade of the battery, and the plurality of unloading ports are arranged correspondingly to the plurality of unloading sub-areas; A plurality of second controllers are arranged on the frame and correspond one to one with the plurality of unloading sub-areas. The second controllers are communicatively connected with the first controller. The second controllers are used to control the first controller according to the level of the battery so that the first conveying mechanism outputs the battery at the corresponding unloading port.

2. The sorting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The loading station and the unloading station are spaced apart along a first direction, and the transport device comprises: Two first pulleys, the two first pulleys are arranged in a first direction and spaced apart from each other, the axis of each first pulley extends in a second direction, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction; The first conveyor belt is wound around the two first pulleys, and the plurality of carriers are connected to the first pulleys.

3. The sorting machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: The plurality of material unloading sub-areas are arranged along the first direction, and the sorting machine further comprises: A mounting frame is provided on the frame, the mounting frame extends along the first direction, and a plurality of the second controllers are arranged on the mounting frame at intervals along the first direction.

4. The sorting machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first conveying mechanism comprises: Two second pulleys, the two second pulleys are arranged spaced apart along the second direction, and the axis of each second pulley extends along the first direction; A second conveyor belt is wound around the two second belt wheels, and the second conveyor belt is used for receiving or outputting the batteries.

5. The sorting machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: The unloading device comprises: A plurality of second conveying mechanisms are arranged along the first direction, each of the second conveying mechanisms is used to convey the battery along the second direction, and each of the second conveying mechanisms is provided with the unloading port at one end close to the transport device.

6. The sorting machine according to claim 3, characterized in that: The feeding station has a plurality of feeding sub-areas arranged along the first direction, the feeding device has a plurality of feeding ports, and the plurality of feeding ports are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of feeding sub-areas, and the sorting machine further includes: A plurality of third controllers are arranged on the mounting frame at intervals along the first direction, the plurality of third controllers are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of loading sub-areas, and the third controllers are communicatively connected with the first controller for controlling the sorting trolley in the corresponding loading sub-area to receive the batteries.

7. The sorting machine according to claim 6, characterized in that: The feeding device comprises: A plurality of third conveying mechanisms are arranged along the first direction, each of the third conveying mechanisms is used to convey the battery along the second direction, and each of the third conveying mechanisms is provided with the loading port at one end close to the transport device.

8. The sorting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: A buffer station is provided between the loading station and the unloading station.

9. The sorting machine according to claim 8, characterized in that: The buffer station is used to accommodate at least two of the sorting carts.

10. The sorting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of the material discharge sub-areas and the material discharge openings are both four.

11. The sorting machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: In the second direction, the first controller is arranged at one end of the sorting trolley, the other end of the sorting trolley is provided with a collector arm, the second controller is arranged on a side of the transport device facing the first controller, and the sorting machine further comprises: A sliding beam line is arranged on the frame and located on a side of the transport device facing the collector arm. The sliding beam line is electrically connected to the collector arm and is used to supply power to the first controller and the first conveying mechanism.

12. The sorting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The loading device and the unloading device are arranged on the same side of the transport device.

13. The sorting machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: Also includes: A buffer mechanism is provided with the loading station, the buffer mechanism is connected to the frame and is located at one end of the sorting trolley away from the loading device, and the buffer mechanism is used to buffer the batteries on the sorting trolley.

14. The sorting machine according to claim 13, characterized in that: The buffer mechanism comprises: a buffer block, the buffer block being movably arranged along the second direction on a side of the sorting trolley away from the feeding device; A driving member is disposed on the frame and connected to the buffer block, and the driving member is used to drive the buffer block to buffer the batteries transported on the sorting trolley.

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