Backflow device for empty material box

Abstract

The utility model discloses a backflow device for an empty material box. The backflow device comprises a material frame with an upper-layer structural body and a lower-layer structural body, an upper-layer structure body of the material frame is used for storing and conveying external material boxes, a lower-layer structure body of the material frame is used for recycling empty material boxes, and a material separating device which is used for separating and limiting the material boxes so as to prevent the material boxes from being stacked and rushing out of the material frame and is convenient for a robot to grab workpieces is arranged at the tail end of the material frame; a material box recovery device used for enabling an empty material box to automatically flow back to a lower-layer structure body of the material frame to be recovered is further arranged at the end, close to the material distributing device, of the outer side wall of the material frame. The material box has the advantages that materials can be conveniently stored in the material box in the automatic production process of automobiles, the empty material box can automatically flow back, the labor intensity of workers is reduced, and the production efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of material transfer equipment in automobile production lines, and more specifically, to a return device for empty material bins. Background Technology

[0002] With the expansion of automated automotive production, material consumption in the production process is accelerating, leading to more frequent material replenishment by workers. This increases reliance on manual feeding operations and consequently raises labor costs. To reduce the dependence on manual operation in the material feeding process, a structure that facilitates material storage and empty bin return is needed. This would effectively reduce labor intensity and production costs, thereby enhancing the company's competitiveness.

[0003] Currently, the material handling process in automobile production is as follows: workers manually place material-filled bins into designated locations, then a transport robot picks up the materials for assembly. Once the materials are used up, workers remove the empty bins and place new, fully-filled bins on top. This process involves waiting time for the transport robots, wasting production time and failing to meet the demands of modern production. Not only is the operation inefficient and labor-intensive for workers, but the production cycle is also affected by the workers' operating speed, increasing the uncertainty of the production timeline.

[0004] How to solve the above problems has become an urgent technical issue. Utility Model Content

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a material bin for easy storage of materials and an automatic empty material bin return device for reducing the labor intensity of workers and improving production efficiency in the process of automated automobile production.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows:

[0007] A return device for empty material boxes includes a material rack with upper and lower structures; the upper structure of the material rack is used to store and transport external material boxes, and the lower structure of the material rack is used to recycle empty material boxes. A material distribution device is provided at the tail end of the material rack to separate and limit the material boxes to prevent them from stacking and overflowing the material rack and to facilitate the robot to grasp the workpiece; a material box recycling device is also provided on the outer side wall of the material rack near the material distribution device to automatically return the empty material boxes to the lower structure of the material rack for recycling.

[0008] Preferably, the rack includes a rack body with upper and lower structures for carrying material boxes. An upper guide rail is provided on the upper structure of the rack body for carrying the material boxes and conveying them by gravity to the end position of the material box recycling device for the handling robot to grasp the workpiece. A lower guide rail is provided on the lower structure of the rack body for carrying empty material boxes conveyed by the material box recycling device and conveying them by gravity to the corresponding starting position of the rack body.

[0009] Preferably, the material rack further includes a guide rod disposed on the inner side of the upper and lower structural layers of the material rack body to limit the left and right swing of the material box and prevent it from rushing out of the material rack. A baffle is also provided on both sides of the starting position of the upper and lower structural layers of the material rack body to prevent the material box from rushing out of the material rack. The material distribution device is disposed on the material rack body at the end away from the baffle and at the bottom of the upper guide rail.

[0010] Preferably, the material distribution device includes a final position cylinder mounted on the material rack body via a final position mounting plate at one end away from the baffle and located on both sides of the bottom of the upper guide rail. Each final position cylinder has a final position stop at its movable end, which can move with the end to restrict the first material box at the final position of the upper guide rail to wait for a signal to enter the termination position of the material box recycling device. The device also includes a secondary limit cylinder mounted on the material rack body via a primary and secondary mounting plate at one end near the final position mounting plate and located on both sides of the bottom of the upper guide rail. Each secondary limit cylinder has a secondary stop at its movable end, which can move with the end to restrict the second material box at a position before the final position of the upper guide rail to wait for a signal to enter the final position.

[0011] Preferably, the material bin recycling device includes a workbench with a movable seat on the top of the corresponding outer wall of the material rack body. A slide groove for carrying the material bin is provided on the movable seat of the workbench, and one end of the slide groove near the lower guide rail is connected to the movable seat of the workbench by a hinge. A clamping block is also provided on the movable seat of the workbench on both sides of the slide groove to clamp and limit the material bin to prevent it from falling out of the slide groove. The clamping block is connected to a clamping cylinder provided on the movable seat of the workbench and located at the bottom of the slide groove so as to control its retraction to clamp the material bin.

[0012] Preferably, the bin recycling device further includes a movable seat on the workbench at the end away from the hinge for adjusting the relative angle between the slide and the hinge so that the bin slides down to the lower guide rail under gravity. A second guide rod is also provided on both sides of the top of the movable seat of the workbench to cooperate in defining the position of the bin so that it can move smoothly to the lower guide rail. Several guide shafts are provided at the bottom of the workbench, with the movable end of the guide shaft passing through the top of the workbench and connected to its movable seat. Several telescopic cylinders are provided at the bottom of the workbench, with the movable end of the telescopic cylinder passing through the top of the workbench and connected to its movable seat for transporting the bin from a position parallel to the upper guide rail to a position parallel to the lower guide rail.

[0013] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:

[0014] In this invention, multiple material bins can be stored at once via a material rack, allowing workers to place a large number of workpieces onto the rack in a single operation, eliminating the need for multiple loading operations, significantly reducing worker operating time and labor intensity. External robots receive materials automatically through a material distribution device, requiring no manual intervention. The robots can operate continuously, greatly improving production efficiency, increasing production cycle time, and reducing factory operating costs. Empty material bins are automatically returned to the material rack via a material bin recycling device for easy manual loading and material preparation. During the bin recycling process, the robot does not need to stop operating, thus not disrupting the production cycle and maximizing robot utilization. Therefore, this invention offers the advantages of convenient material storage bins and automatic empty bin return in automated automotive production, reducing worker labor intensity and improving production efficiency.

[0015] The present invention will become clearer from the following description and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are used to explain the embodiments of the present invention. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the material rack of this utility model;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the material dispensing device of this utility model;

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the material bin recycling device of this utility model.

[0021] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 100, material rack; 101, material bin; 102, main body of the material rack; 103, guide rod; 104, upper guide rail; 105, lower guide rail; 106, baffle; 200, material distribution device; 201, final position cylinder; 202, final position stop block; 203, final position mounting plate; 204, secondary limit cylinder; 205, secondary stop block; 206, secondary mounting plate; 300, material bin recycling device; 301, workbench; 302, telescopic cylinder; 303, guide shaft; 304, hinge; 305, second guide rod; 306, slide groove; 307, clamping block; 308, angle adjustment block; 309, clamping cylinder. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments.

[0023] See Figures 1 to 4 As shown, a return device for empty material boxes includes a material rack 100 with upper and lower structures. The upper structure of the material rack 100 is used to store and transport external material boxes 101, and the lower structure of the material rack 100 is used to collect empty material boxes 101. A material distribution device 200 is provided at the tail end of the material rack 100 to separate and limit the material boxes 101 to prevent them from stacking and overflowing the material rack 100, and to facilitate robot gripping of workpieces. A material box collection device 300 is also provided on the outer wall of the material rack 100 near the material distribution device 200 to automatically return empty material boxes 101 to the lower structure of the material rack 100 for collection. The material distribution device 200 is installed at the tail end of the material rack 100 and mainly serves to limit the material boxes 101. The bin recycling device 300 is connected to the outlet of the rack 100 and serves to move the bin 100 from the upper layer to the lower layer and return the bin to the rack 100.

[0024] In this embodiment, the material rack 100 includes a material rack body 102 with upper and lower structures for carrying the material box 101. An upper guide rail 104 is provided on the upper structure of the material rack body 102 for carrying the material box 101 and conveying the material box 101 to the end position of the material box recycling device 300 by gravity so that the handling robot can grab the workpiece. A lower guide rail 105 is provided on the lower structure of the material rack body 102 for carrying the empty material box 101 conveyed by the material box recycling device 300 and conveying it to the corresponding starting position of the material rack body 102 by gravity. The material rack 100 also includes guide rods 103 located on the inner sides of the upper and lower structural layers of the material rack body 102 to limit the left and right swing of the material box 101 and prevent it from rushing out of the material rack 100. Additionally, baffles 106 are provided on both sides of the starting position of the upper and lower structural layers of the material rack body 102 to prevent the material box 101 from rushing out of the material rack 100. The material distribution device 200 is located on the material rack body 102 at the end away from the baffles 106 and at the bottom of the upper guide rail 104. The material box 101 is a tool for holding workpieces and is used to transport workpieces for the robot to grasp. The material rack body 102 serves a load-bearing function and is connected to the guide rods 103, the upper guide rail 104, and the lower guide rail 105 to form a complete frame. The guide rods 103 limit the left and right swing of the material box 101 to prevent it from rushing out of the material rack 100. The upper guide rail 104 supports the material box 101 and, with the aid of gravity, transports the material box 101 to the end position. The lower guide rail 105 supports the material box 101 and, with the aid of gravity, transports the material box 101 to the starting position. The baffle 106 is installed at the starting position to prevent the material box 101 from rushing out of the material rack 100.

[0025] In this embodiment, the material distribution device 200 includes a final position cylinder 201 disposed on the material rack body 102 away from the baffle 106 and located on both sides of the bottom of the upper guide rail 104 via a final position mounting plate 203. Each final position cylinder 201 has a final position stop block 202 at its movable end, which can move with the end to restrict the first material box 101 at the final position of the upper guide rail 104 to wait for a signal to enter the termination position of the material box recycling device 300. It also includes a secondary limit cylinder 204 disposed on the material rack body 102 near the end of the final position mounting plate 203 and located on both sides of the bottom of the upper guide rail 104 via a primary and secondary mounting plate 206. Each secondary limit cylinder 204 has a secondary stop block 205 at its movable end, which can move with the end to restrict the second material box 101 at a position before the final position of the upper guide rail 104 to wait for a signal to enter the final position. The final position cylinder 201 pushes the final position stop 202 via air circuit control. The final position stop 202 is used to limit the material box 101, restricting it to the final position to wait for a signal to enter the working position. The final position mounting plate 203 is used to mount the final position cylinder 201 and connects the final position cylinder 201 and the material rack body 102. The secondary limit cylinder 204 pushes the secondary stop 205 via air circuit control. The secondary stop 205 is used to limit the material box 101, restricting it to a position before the final position to wait for a signal to enter the final position. The secondary mounting plate 206 is used to mount the secondary limit cylinder 204 and connects the secondary limit cylinder 204 and the material rack body 102.

[0026] In this embodiment, the bin recycling device 300 includes a workbench 301 with a movable seat on the top of the corresponding outer wall of the main body 102 of the rack. A slide 306 for supporting the bin 101 is provided on the movable seat of the workbench 301, and one end of the slide 306 near the lower guide rail 105 is connected to the movable seat of the workbench 301 by a hinge 304. A clamping block 307 is also provided on the movable seat of the workbench 301 on both sides of the slide 306 to clamp and limit the bin 101 to prevent it from falling out of the slide 306. The clamping block 307 is connected to a clamping cylinder 309 provided on the movable seat of the workbench 301 and located at the bottom of the slide 306 so that the clamping cylinder 309 can control its retraction to clamp the bin 101. The bin recycling device 300 further includes a movable seat on the workbench 301, located at the end away from the hinge 304, for adjusting the relative angle between the slide 306 and the hinge 304 to allow the bin 101 to slide down to the lower guide rail 105 under gravity. A second guide rod 305 is also provided on both sides of the top of the movable seat of the workbench 301 to cooperate in defining the position of the bin 101 so that it can move smoothly to the lower guide rail 105. Several guide shafts 303 are provided at the bottom of the workbench 301, with the movable end of each guide shaft 303 passing through the top of the workbench 301 and connecting to its movable seat. Several telescopic cylinders 302 are provided at the bottom of the workbench 301, with the movable end of each telescopic cylinder 302 passing through the top of the workbench 301 and connecting to its movable seat to move the bin 101 from a position parallel to the upper guide rail 104 to a position parallel to the lower guide rail 105. The workbench 301 is the main body of the bin recycling device 300. The telescopic cylinder 302, controlled by an air circuit, moves the material box 101 from the upper position to the lower position. The slide 306 rotates around the center of the hinge 304, and its installation angle can be changed. During the descent and movement of the material box 101, the second guide rod 305 plays a role in stabilizing the movement and preventing the material box 101 from shaking and dislodging from the slide 306. The position of the slide 306 is the working position of the material box 101, and after the material box 101 is empty, it is guided into the lower guide rail 105. The clamping block 307 is used to clamp the material box 101 to prevent it from shaking excessively during operation and descent, causing it to dislodge from the slide 306. The angle adjustment block 308 is used to adjust the angle of the slide 306, allowing the material box 101 to slide under the action of gravity and enter the lower guide rail 105. The clamping cylinder 309, controlled by an air circuit, causes the clamping block 307 to retract and clamp the material box 101.

[0027] In this specific application, the worker places the predetermined workpiece into the material bin 101, and then places multiple material bins 101 onto the upper guide rail 104. The material bins 101, under the influence of gravity, slide to and touch the end-position stop 202, stopping at the working position. The robot then picks up the workpiece from the material bin 101. Once all workpieces have been removed by the robot, it sends a completion signal, the secondary stop 205 rises to prevent the material bin 101 adjacent to the working position from sliding, and then the end-position stop 202 descends. The material box 101 in the working position slides out of the working position and enters the material box recycling device 300. It stops when the material box 101 is completely in the slide 306. The recycling device 300 lowers the material box 101 with the telescopic cylinder 302. It stops when the slide 306 is aligned with the lower guide rail 105. Under the action of gravity, the material box 101 automatically slides into the lower guide rail 105. The material box 101 moves along the lower guide rail 105 to the worker's loading position, and the worker carries out the loading work of the next cycle.

[0028] In summary, this utility model, with the above-described structure, has the advantages of facilitating the storage of materials in the automated automobile production process, automatically returning empty material bins, reducing the labor intensity of workers, and improving production efficiency.

[0029] The preferred embodiments of this utility model have been described above. It should be understood that this utility model is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. Devices and structures not described in detail herein should be understood as being implemented in a conventional manner within the art. Any person skilled in the art can make many possible variations and modifications to the technical solutions of this utility model using the disclosed methods and techniques, or modify them into equivalent embodiments with equivalent changes, without departing from the scope of the technical solution of this utility model. This does not affect the essential content of this utility model. Therefore, any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and modifications made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of this utility model, without departing from the content of the technical solution of this utility model, still fall within the protection scope of the technical solution of this utility model.

Claims

1. A return device for empty material bins, comprising a material rack (100) with upper and lower two-layer structures; characterized in that: The upper structure of the rack (100) is used to store and transport external material boxes (101), and the lower structure of the rack (100) is used to recycle empty material boxes (101). At the tail end of the rack (100), there is a material distribution device (200) for separating and limiting the material boxes (101) to prevent them from stacking and breaking out of the rack (100) and for facilitating the robot to grasp the workpiece. On the outer side wall of the rack (100), near the end of the material distribution device (200), there is also a material box recycling device (300) for automatically returning empty material boxes (101) to the lower structure of the rack (100) for recycling. The material distribution device (200) includes a final position cylinder (201) mounted on the material rack body (102) via a final position mounting plate (203) at one end away from the baffle (106) and located on both sides of the bottom of the upper guide rail (104). Each final position cylinder (201) has a final position stop at its movable end, capable of moving with that end to restrict the first material bin (101) to the final position of the upper guide rail (104) to await a signal to enter the termination position of the material bin recycling device (300). 202); also includes a secondary limiting cylinder (204) mounted on the material rack body (102) via a primary and secondary mounting plate (206) near one end of the final position mounting plate (203) and located on both sides of the bottom of the upper guide rail (104). Each of the secondary limiting cylinders (204) has a secondary stop (205) at its movable end that can move with that end to limit the second material box (101) to a position before the upper guide rail (104) is in the final position, waiting for a signal to enter the final position.

2. The return device for an empty hopper according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rack (100) includes a rack body (102) with upper and lower structures for carrying the material box (101). An upper guide rail (104) is provided on the upper structure of the rack body (102) for carrying the material box (101) and conveying the material box (101) to the end position of the material box recycling device (300) by gravity so that the handling robot can grab the workpiece. A lower guide rail (105) is provided on the lower structure of the rack body (102) for carrying the empty material box (101) conveyed by the material box recycling device (300) and conveying it to the corresponding starting position of the rack body (102) by gravity.

3. The return device for an empty hopper according to claim 2, characterized in that: The material rack (100) also includes a guide rod (103) provided on the inner side of the upper and lower structures of the material rack body (102) to limit the left and right swing of the material box (101) to prevent it from rushing out of the material rack (100). A baffle (106) is also provided on both sides of the starting position of the upper and lower structures of the material rack body (102) to prevent the material box (101) from rushing out of the material rack (100). The material distribution device (200) is provided on the material rack body (102) at one end away from the baffle (106) and at the bottom of the upper guide rail (104).

4. The return device for an empty hopper according to claim 3, characterized in that: The bin recycling device (300) includes a workbench (301) mounted on the outer wall of the corresponding side of the main body of the rack (102) and having a movable seat on top. A groove (306) for supporting the bin (101) is provided on the movable seat of the workbench (301), and one end of the groove (306) near the lower guide rail (105) is connected to the movable seat of the workbench (301) via a hinge (304). The workbench (300) also... On the movable seat of the workbench (301) and on both sides of the slide (306), there is a clamping block (307) for cooperating with each other to clamp and limit the material box (101) to prevent it from falling out of the slide (306). The clamping block (307) is connected to a clamping cylinder (309) located on the movable seat of the workbench (301) and at the bottom of the slide (306) so that the clamping cylinder (309) controls its retraction to clamp the material box (101).

5. The return device for an empty hopper according to claim 4, characterized in that: The bin recycling device (300) further includes a movable seat on the workbench (301) at one end away from the hinge (304) for adjusting the relative angle between the slide (306) and the hinge (304) so ​​that the bin (101) slides down to the lower guide rail (105) under gravity. A second guide rod (305) is also provided on both sides of the top of the movable seat on the workbench (301) to cooperate in defining the position of the bin (101) so that it can move smoothly to the lower guide rail (105). A plurality of guide shafts (303) are provided at the bottom of the worktable (301), and the movable end of the guide shaft (303) passes through the top of the worktable (301) and is connected to its movable seat. A plurality of telescopic cylinders (302) are provided at the bottom of the worktable (301), and the movable end of the telescopic cylinder (302) passes through the top of the worktable (301) and is connected to its movable seat for transporting the material box (101) from the parallel position of the upper guide rail (104) to the parallel position of the lower guide rail (105).

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