Feeding positioning device for auxiliary material box of EMS trolley conveyor

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of conveying systems in factory workshops, in particular to a feeding positioning device for an auxiliary material box of an EMS trolley conveyor. Comprising a first guide plate and a second guide plate which are fixed to an EMS trolley body, the first guide plate and the second guide plate are installed on the front side and the rear side of a material box respectively, and the inner side surfaces of the first guide plate and the second guide plate abut against the outer front surface and the outer rear surface of the material box; the ends, close to the production line conveyor, of the first guide plate and the second guide plate are provided with guide parts inclining outwards, and the guide parts of the first guide plate and the second guide plate form a horn mouth shape expanding towards one side of the production line conveyor. According to the technical scheme, the first guide plate and the second guide plate are used for clamping and restraining movement of the material box so as to prevent the material box from inclining on the EMS trolley, the guide parts of the first guide plate and the second guide plate jointly form a horn mouth with an outward opening, the material box is guided to slide into the position between the first guide plate and the second guide plate, and collision of the material box is avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of conveying systems in factory workshops, and specifically to an auxiliary material box feeding and positioning device for an EMS trolley conveyor. Background Technology

[0002] An Electric Monorail System (EMS) is an automated material handling system widely used in factories, warehouses, and production lines. Driven by electricity, it runs along a fixed track to achieve efficient and precise material handling. It offers numerous advantages, including flexible track control, adaptability to process adjustments, reduced process time and costs, the ability to combine different functional cargo-carrying devices as needed, and quiet operation.

[0003] In a typical tobacco production line, EMS (Electronic Material Management) carts are used to transport material bins between the production line and the overhead storage unit. The EMS carts have chain conveyors for moving the material bins in and out of the carts. Positioning and fixing structures are installed on both sides of the chain conveyor on the EMS carts to secure the material bins.

[0004] In actual operation, due to issues such as long-term high-speed driving of the trolley and equipment installation gaps, the interface positioning between the EMS trolley conveyor and the production line conveyor is inaccurate when the trolley stops. This can lead to problems such as collisions and friction between the material box and the guide plate, resulting in wear or deformation of the material box contact surface, breakage of the guide plate mounting screw, and misalignment of the photoelectric sensor bracket for the limit detection of the material box on the trolley. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned deficiencies or defects in the existing technology, this utility model provides an auxiliary material box feeding and positioning device for EMS trolley conveyor, which guides the material box from the production line to the EMS trolley and avoids the material box from being bumped and scratched.

[0006] The EMS trolley conveyor auxiliary hopper feeding and positioning device includes a first guide plate and a second guide plate fixed to the EMS trolley body. The first guide plate and the second guide plate are respectively installed on the front and rear sides of the hopper, and the inner surfaces of the first guide plate and the second guide plate are in contact with the outer front and rear surfaces of the hopper. The ends of the first guide plate and the second guide plate near the production line conveyor have outwardly inclined guide portions, and the guide portions of the first guide plate and the second guide plate together form a funnel shape that expands towards the production line conveyor.

[0007] In some embodiments, the front and rear positions of the first guide plate and the second guide plate are adjustable; the first guide plate and the second guide plate are respectively installed on the vehicle body by a number of lead screws.

[0008] In some embodiments, two lead screws are respectively provided on the first guide plate and the second guide plate. One end of the lead screw is fixed on the first guide plate or the second guide plate. A threaded sleeve is rotatably installed on the vehicle body. The lead screw and the threaded sleeve are screwed together. Rotating the threaded sleeve adjusts the front and rear position of the guide plate.

[0009] In some embodiments, a nylon wear-resistant layer is provided on the side surface of the first guide plate and the second guide plate facing the hopper.

[0010] In some implementations, the feeding and positioning device also includes a position sensor for identifying the location of the hopper, and the position sensor sends the collected information to the controller of the chain conveyor on the EMS trolley.

[0011] In some embodiments, the position sensor includes a plurality of photoelectric sensors spaced apart along a first guide plate, and a plurality of reflectors corresponding to the photoelectric sensors spaced apart along a second guide plate, wherein the transmitter of the photoelectric sensor emits an optical signal which is reflected back to the receiver by the reflectors.

[0012] In some embodiments, the photoelectric sensors include four: two are arranged on the left side of the first guide plate (inner and outer), and two are arranged on the right side of the first guide plate (inner and outer); when the material box is in the designed position, the material box blocks the two photoelectric sensors on the inner side, but does not block the two photoelectric sensors on the outer side.

[0013] In some embodiments, the photoelectric sensor is mounted on the back side of the first guide plate away from the material box, and the first guide plate has a first through hole for the light signal of the photoelectric sensor to pass through, and the first through hole corresponds one-to-one with the photoelectric sensor.

[0014] The reflector is mounted on the back side of the second guide plate away from the material box. The second guide plate has a second through hole for the light signal of the photoelectric sensor to pass through, and the second through hole corresponds one-to-one with the reflector.

[0015] In some embodiments, a stop assembly is provided at the end of the first guide plate and / or the second guide plate away from the production line. The stop assembly includes a metal bracket and a rubber stop block fixed on the metal bracket, with the end of the rubber stop block supporting the side wall of the material box.

[0016] In some implementations, the left and right positions of the stop assembly are adjustable.

[0017] A stud is fixedly connected to one end of the first guide plate and / or the second guide plate away from the production line. A through hole is provided on the metal bracket, and the stud passes through the through hole. Two sets of nuts are provided on the stud, and the metal bracket is clamped and fixed between the two sets of nuts.

[0018] Scale lines are provided on the first guide plate and / or the second guide plate.

[0019] The auxiliary material box feeding and positioning device for an EMS trolley conveyor, which applies the above-mentioned technical solution of this utility model, has the following effects:

[0020] This invention adds two guide plates, namely the first guide plate and the second guide plate, to the body of the EMS trolley. The first guide plate and the second guide plate are attached to the front and rear walls of the material box, respectively. The first guide plate and the second guide plate are parallel to each other, forming a channel between them to guide the movement of the material box on the EMS trolley.

[0021] Both the first and second guide plates have guiding sections near the production line, forming an outwardly expanding funnel shape. The EMS trolley's stopping position deviates from its designed position, and the EMS trolley's conveyor is staggered from the production line conveyor. When the hopper moves towards the EMS trolley, one corner of it will first press against the guiding section of the first or second guide plate. This guiding section forces the hopper to move to its designed position on the EMS trolley, between the first and second guide plates, preventing the hopper from bumping into the EMS trolley body or the conveyor and causing damage.

[0022] Other features and advantages of this invention will be described in detail in the following detailed description section. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the present invention in its working state;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the positions of the stop assembly and photoelectric sensor of this utility model;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the positions of the stop assembly and the reflector in this utility model;

[0026] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional view of the first guide plate;

[0027] Figure 5 This is a 3D view of the second guide plate;

[0028] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the nylon wear-resistant layer;

[0029] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the stop assembly;

[0030] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of an EMS trolley.

[0031] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0032] 1. First guide plate; 82. Second guide plate; 3. Nylon wear-resistant layer; 4. Stop assembly; 41. Rubber stop block; 42. Metal bracket; 5. Photoelectric sensor; 6. Reflector; 7. Scale line; 8. Guide part. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The specific embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are for illustration and explanation only and are not intended to limit the scope of this utility model.

[0034] In this utility model, unless otherwise stated, directional terms such as "upper" and "lower" generally refer to the orientation in the assembled and used state. "Inner" and "outer" refer to the inner and outer sides relative to the outline of each component itself.

[0035] This utility model provides an auxiliary material box feeding and positioning device for an EMS trolley conveyor, including a first guide plate 1 and a second guide plate 2 fixed on the body of the EMS trolley. The first guide plate 1 and the second guide plate 2 are respectively installed on the front and rear sides of the material box, and the inner surfaces of the first guide plate 1 and the second guide plate 2 are in contact with the outer front and rear surfaces of the material box. The first guide plate 1 and the second guide plate 2 are parallel to each other and are vertically fixed.

[0036] To facilitate the movement of the hopper between the first guide plate 1 and the second guide plate 2, the distance between the first guide plate 1 and the second guide plate 2 is slightly larger than the front-to-back width of the hopper outline, typically 102%-105% of the front-to-back width of the hopper. The first guide plate 1 and the second guide plate 2 are made of metal plates or rigid plastic with reinforcing ribs on their backs. The first guide plate 1 and the second guide plate 2 are fixed to the EMS trolley body and are located on the front and back sides of the chain conveyor, respectively.

[0037] The first guide plate 1 and the second guide plate 2 have outwardly inclined guide portions 8 at their ends near the production line conveyor. The guide portions 8 of the first guide plate 1 and the second guide plate 2 together form a flared shape that expands towards the production line conveyor. The maximum distance between the openings of the flared shape formed by the guide portions 8 of the first guide plate 1 and the second guide plate 2 is 110%-120% of the front-to-back width of the material box. The bending angle of the guide portion 8 and the main body of the guide plate it belongs to is no greater than 30°.

[0038] To facilitate the adjustment of the installation positions of the first guide plate 1 and the second guide plate 2, and to accommodate material boxes of different sizes, the front and rear positions of the first guide plate 1 and the second guide plate 2 are adjustable. Specific details are as follows... Figure 1 , 4 and Figure 5As shown in the diagram, the first guide plate 1 and the second guide plate 2 are respectively mounted to the vehicle body via several lead screws. A threaded sleeve that mates with the lead screws is provided on the vehicle body; by rotating the threaded sleeve, the front-to-back position of the lead screws can be adjusted, thereby adjusting the front-to-back positions of the first guide plate 1 and the second guide plate 2. The lead screws extend along the front-to-back direction of the EMS trolley.

[0039] Two lead screws are respectively provided on the first guide plate 1 and the second guide plate 2. One end of the lead screw is fixed on the first guide plate 1 or the second guide plate 2. A threaded sleeve is rotatably installed on the vehicle body. The lead screw and the threaded sleeve are screwed together. Rotating the threaded sleeve adjusts the front and rear position of the guide plate.

[0040] A nylon wear-resistant layer 3 is provided on the surface of the first guide plate 1 and the second guide plate 2 facing the material box. The nylon wear-resistant layer 3 extends outward to the guide portion 8.

[0041] The feeding and positioning device also includes a position sensor to identify the location of the hopper. The position sensor sends the collected information to the controller of the EMS trolley's chain conveyor. The position sensor controls the hopper feeding process, ensuring that the hopper stops precisely at the designed position on the EMS trolley, preventing the hopper from swaying on the EMS trolley or the EMS trolley from becoming uneven.

[0042] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the position sensor includes multiple photoelectric sensors 5 spaced apart along the first guide plate 1. Multiple reflective plates 6, each corresponding to a photoelectric sensor 5, are spaced apart along the second guide plate 2. The transmitter of each photoelectric sensor 5 emits a light signal, which is reflected back to the receiver by the reflective plates 6. When the material box is located in the light signal path of the photoelectric sensor 5, it will block the light signal. The receiver of the photoelectric sensor 5 identifies whether the material box is located in its light signal propagation path by recognizing the reflected light. The position of the material box can be identified by the cooperation of multiple photoelectric sensors 5.

[0043] like Figure 1 As shown, the photoelectric sensor 5 includes four sensors: two inner and two outer sensors are arranged on the left side of the first guide plate 1, and two inner and two outer sensors are arranged on the right side of the first guide plate 1. When the material box is located at the designed position on the EMS trolley, the material box blocks the two inner photoelectric sensors 5, but does not block the two outer photoelectric sensors 5.

[0044] To prevent the photoelectric sensor 5 from being damaged by impact or scratches from the hopper, the photoelectric sensor 5 is mounted on the back side of the first guide plate 1 away from the hopper. The first guide plate 1 has a first through-hole for the light signal from the photoelectric sensor 5 to pass through, and each through-hole corresponds to one of the photoelectric sensors 5. Similarly, the reflector 6 is mounted on the back side of the second guide plate 2 away from the hopper. The second guide plate 2 has a second through-hole for the light signal from the photoelectric sensor 5 to pass through, and each through-hole corresponds to one of the reflector 6. When the first guide plate 1 and the second guide plate 2 have through-holes for the light signal to pass through, through-holes also need to be made at the corresponding positions of the nylon wear-resistant layer 3 to allow the light signal to pass through.

[0045] like Figure 2 , 3 and Figure 7 As shown, a stop assembly 4 is provided at the end of the first guide plate 1 and / or the second guide plate 2 away from the production line. The stop assembly 4 includes a metal bracket 42 and a rubber stop block 41 fixed on the metal bracket 42. The end of the rubber stop block 41 supports the side wall of the material box. The first guide plate 1 and the second guide plate 2 are bent at 90° on the side away from the guide part 8 to form a mounting seat, and the metal bracket 42 is fixed on the mounting seat. The left and right positions of the stop assembly 4 are adjustable. A stud is fixedly connected to the end of the first guide plate 1 and / or the second guide plate 2 away from the production line. A through hole is provided on the metal bracket 42, and the through hole passes through the stud. Two sets of nuts are provided on the stud. The metal bracket 42 is clamped between the two sets of nuts and fixed. Scale lines 7 are provided on the first guide plate 1 and / or the second guide plate 2.

[0046] When the EMS trolley reaches the designated receiving position and stops, the material box is transported from the production line conveyor to the EMS trolley conveyor. Due to a certain error in the stopping position of the trolley, the material box is not aligned with the EMS trolley conveyor. The material box will come into contact with the funnel-shaped opening formed by the guide areas of the first guide plate 1 and the second guide plate 2, generating friction. It will gradually correct itself as the opening of the guide area decreases. Based on the good wear resistance and self-lubricating properties of the nylon wear-resistant layer 3, wear on the surface of the material box can be effectively prevented. Along the conveying direction of the material box on the EMS trolley conveyor, there are four sets of photoelectric sensors 5 and reflectors 6, used to detect the position of the material box on the trolley. The light signal emitted by the photoelectric sensor 5 passes sequentially through the first guide plate 1, the nylon wear-resistant layer 3 on the first guide plate 1, the nylon wear-resistant layer 3 on the second guide plate 2, and the second guide plate 2, finally illuminating the reflector 6; the reflector 6 reflects back to the photoelectric sensor 5. When unloaded, all four sets of photoelectric sensors 5 are not blocked. During normal loading of the hopper, the second and third sets of photoelectric sensors 5 are blocked, while the first and fourth sets of photoelectric sensors 5 are not blocked. When the hopper gradually moves from the opening to the position of the third set of photoelectric sensors 5, the signal of photoelectric sensor 5 is blocked, and the trolley conveyor stops. At this time, it should be in the normal loading state (i.e., the second and third sets of photoelectric sensors 5 are blocked, while the first and fourth sets of photoelectric sensors 5 are not blocked). If the trolley conveyor motor does not stop in time or the hopper rushes forward due to inertia, the stop assembly 4 will stop the hopper. The rubber block of the stop assembly 4 acts as a stop and limit, and also buffers the impact force to prevent the hopper and guide plate from deforming due to impact. If the rubber block of the stop assembly 4 deforms due to aging and long-term stress, it can be checked and adjusted by adjusting the bolt and nut connection distance between the stop assembly 4 and the guide plate according to the scale line 7 on the guide plate.

[0047] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific details of the above embodiments. Within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention, various simple modifications can be made to the technical solution of the present invention, and these simple modifications all fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An auxiliary material box feeding and positioning device for an EMS trolley conveyor, characterized in that, Includes a first guide plate (1) and a second guide plate (2) fixed on the body of the EMS trolley. The first guide plate (1) and the second guide plate (2) are respectively installed on the front and rear sides of the material box. The inner surfaces of the first guide plate (1) and the second guide plate (2) are attached to the front and rear surfaces of the material box. The first guide plate (1) and the second guide plate (2) have outwardly inclined guide parts (8) at the end near the production line conveyor. The guide parts (8) of the first guide plate (1) and the guide parts (8) of the second guide plate (2) together form a flared shape that expands toward the production line conveyor.

2. The EMS trolley conveyor auxiliary material box feeding and positioning device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The front and rear positions of the first guide plate (1) and the second guide plate (2) are adjustable; the first guide plate (1) and the second guide plate (2) are respectively installed on the vehicle body through several screws.

3. The EMS trolley conveyor auxiliary material box feeding and positioning device according to claim 2, characterized in that, Two lead screws are provided on the first guide plate (1) and the second guide plate (2). One end of the lead screw is fixed on the first guide plate (1) or the second guide plate (2). A threaded sleeve is rotatably installed on the body of the EMS trolley. The lead screw and the threaded sleeve are screwed together. The threaded sleeve is rotated to adjust the front and rear positions of the guide plate.

4. The EMS trolley conveyor auxiliary hopper feeding and positioning device according to claim 1, characterized in that, A nylon wear-resistant layer (3) is provided on the side surface of the first guide plate (1) and the second guide plate (2) facing the material box.

5. The EMS trolley conveyor auxiliary material box feeding and positioning device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feeding and positioning device also includes a position sensor for identifying the location of the hopper. The position sensor will collect information and send it to the controller of the chain conveyor on the EMS trolley.

6. The EMS trolley conveyor auxiliary hopper feeding and positioning device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The position sensor includes a plurality of photoelectric sensors (5) spaced apart along the first guide plate (1), and a plurality of reflective plates (6) spaced apart along the second guide plate (2) corresponding to the photoelectric sensors (5). The light signal emitted by the transmitter of the photoelectric sensor (5) is reflected back to the receiver by the reflective plate (6).

7. The EMS trolley conveyor auxiliary hopper feeding and positioning device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The photoelectric sensor (5) includes four sensors: two are arranged on the left side of the first guide plate (1) and two are arranged on the right side of the first guide plate (1); when the material box is in the designed position, the material box blocks the two photoelectric sensors (5) on the inner side and does not block the two photoelectric sensors (5) on the outer side.

8. The EMS trolley conveyor auxiliary material box feeding and positioning device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The photoelectric sensor (5) is installed on the back side of the first guide plate (1) away from the material box. The first guide plate (1) has a first through hole for the light signal of the photoelectric sensor (5) to pass through. The first through hole corresponds one-to-one with the photoelectric sensor (5). The reflector (6) is installed on the back side of the second guide plate (2) away from the material box. The second guide plate (2) has a second through hole for the light signal of the photoelectric sensor (5) to pass through. The second through hole corresponds one-to-one with the reflector (6).

9. The EMS trolley conveyor auxiliary hopper feeding and positioning device according to claim 1, characterized in that, A stop assembly (4) is provided at one end of the first guide plate (1) and / or the second guide plate (2) away from the production line. The stop assembly (4) includes a metal bracket (42) and a rubber stop block (41) fixed on the metal bracket (42). The end of the rubber stop block (41) supports the side wall of the material box.

10. The EMS trolley conveyor auxiliary hopper feeding and positioning device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The left and right positions of the stop assembly (4) are adjustable; A stud is fixedly connected to one end of the first guide plate (1) and / or the second guide plate (2) away from the production line. A through hole is provided on the metal bracket (42), and the stud passes through the through hole. Two sets of nuts are provided on the stud. The metal bracket (42) is clamped between the two sets of nuts and fixed. Scale lines (7) are provided on the first guide plate (1) and / or the second guide plate (2).

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