Protective edge, feeding device and packaging equipment

Abstract

The utility model discloses a protection edge, a feeding device and packaging equipment. The feeding device comprises an installation frame, a feeding bin, a displacement mechanism and a material taking mechanism. The feeding bin is mounted on the mounting frame, and the feeding bin is used for accommodating the protective edges; the material taking mechanism is mounted on the displacement mechanism and is used for picking up the protective edges; the displacement mechanism is installed on the installation frame and used for driving the material taking mechanism to get close to the feeding bin so as to pick up the protection edges, the first packaging parts of the protection edges abut against one face of the photovoltaic module, and the bent parts of the protection edges are arranged on the edges of the photovoltaic module. According to the protection edge, the feeding device and the packaging equipment, the requirement of the feeding device for incoming materials is lowered, the situation of material blocking is not prone to occurring, and the feeding efficiency and the packaging efficiency are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of photovoltaic module packaging technology, specifically relating to a protective frame, feeding device and packaging equipment. Background Technology

[0002] For the packaging process of photovoltaic modules, existing packaging equipment can already achieve automatic packing of entire boxes with strapping. This equipment includes an automatic feeding device that places right-angle paper guards, which plays a crucial role in preventing the strapping from damaging the modules and also prevents the strapping from slipping. However, because right-angle paper guards are used, the existing feeding device suffers from drawbacks such as complex mechanical structure, difficult installation, and high maintenance costs. Furthermore, this feeding device has extremely high requirements for the incoming material (right-angle paper guards); otherwise, material jamming is very likely to occur, thus reducing production efficiency.

[0003] The information disclosed in this background section is intended only to enhance the understanding of the overall background of this utility model and should not be construed as an admission or in any way implying that the information constitutes prior art known to those skilled in the art. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this utility model is to provide a protective frame, feeding device and packaging equipment, which can improve the packaging efficiency of photovoltaic modules.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, a specific embodiment of this utility model provides the following technical solution: a protective rib for protecting a photovoltaic module. The protective rib includes a first packaging part, a second packaging part, and a bending part connected between the first packaging part and the second packaging part. The first packaging part has a first abutting surface for abutting one of two adjacent surfaces on the photovoltaic module, and the second packaging part has a second abutting surface for abutting the other of two adjacent surfaces on the photovoltaic module. The first abutting surface and the second abutting surface are located on the same plane, and the bending part is used to abut against the rib between two adjacent surfaces on the photovoltaic module.

[0006] In one or more embodiments of this utility model, the bent portion includes a crease or a groove.

[0007] A specific embodiment of this utility model also provides a feeding device for conveying the above-mentioned protective ribs to photovoltaic modules. The feeding device includes a mounting frame, a feeding bin, a displacement mechanism, and a material picking mechanism.

[0008] The feeding bin is mounted on the mounting frame and is used to house the protective ribs.

[0009] The material picking mechanism is mounted on the displacement mechanism and is used to pick up the guardrail;

[0010] The displacement mechanism is mounted on the mounting frame and is used to drive the material picking mechanism to approach the feeding hopper to pick up the protective ribs, and to hold the first packaging part of the protective ribs against one side of the photovoltaic module and to set the bent part of the protective ribs on the ribs of the photovoltaic module.

[0011] In one or more embodiments of this utility model, the material handling mechanism includes at least two spaced suction cups for picking up the protective ribs.

[0012] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the material handling mechanism further includes a clamping assembly, the clamping assembly including a driving unit and a clamping member mounted on the driving unit, the driving unit being used to drive the clamping member to abut against the first packaging part of the protective rib adsorbed by the suction cup.

[0013] In one or more embodiments of this utility model, the clamping member is disposed between two adjacent suction cups.

[0014] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the displacement mechanism includes an X-axis displacement component, a Y-axis displacement component mounted on the X-axis displacement component, and a Z-axis displacement component mounted on the Y-axis displacement component, and the material handling mechanism is mounted on the Z-axis displacement component;

[0015] The X-axis displacement component is used to drive the Y-axis displacement component to move along the X-axis direction, the Y-axis displacement component is used to drive the Z-axis displacement component to move along the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis displacement component is used to drive the material handling mechanism to move along the Z-axis direction.

[0016] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the feeding bin has a receiving cavity, the top of the feeding bin has a feeding port communicating with the receiving cavity, and the picking mechanism is used to pick up the protective rib from the feeding port.

[0017] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the feeding device further includes a pushing mechanism, the pushing mechanism including a second driving unit and a pushing member connected to each other, the pushing member being at least partially located in the receiving cavity, and the second driving unit being used to drive the pushing member to push the guard rib in the receiving cavity to the feeding port.

[0018] In one or more embodiments of this utility model, a first sensor is installed at the end of the feeding hopper near the feeding port, the first sensor being used to detect photovoltaic modules within the receiving cavity; and / or,

[0019] A second sensor is installed at the end of the feeding hopper away from the feeding port. The second sensor is used to detect the photovoltaic modules inside the receiving cavity.

[0020] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the feeding hopper includes a hopper body and a cover body. The hopper body has a feeding port and a feeding port. The cover body is placed over the feeding port. One side of the cover body is rotatably connected to the hopper body. The other side of the cover body is provided with a first latching part. The hopper body is provided with a second latching part for engaging with the first latching part.

[0021] In one or more embodiments of this utility model, the mounting frame includes a first bracket, a second bracket connected to the first bracket, and a mounting plate, the displacement mechanism is mounted on the second bracket, and the feeding hopper is mounted on the mounting plate.

[0022] A specific embodiment of this utility model also provides a packaging device, including the feeding device as described above.

[0023] Compared with the prior art, the protective rib, feeding device and packaging equipment of this utility model pick up the plate-shaped protective rib and hold it against one side of the photovoltaic module's upper rib to realize the feeding process of the protective rib. By using the protective rib for feeding, the requirements of the feeding device on the incoming material are reduced, the jamming situation is less likely to occur, and the feeding efficiency and packaging efficiency are improved. Attached Figure Description

[0024] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, 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 recorded in this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0025] Figure 1 This is a front view of the photovoltaic module of this utility model;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the protective rib in Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0027] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the feeding device in Embodiment 2 of this utility model;

[0028] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the feeding device in Embodiment 2 of this utility model;

[0029] Figure 5 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the feeding device in Embodiment 2 of this utility model.

[0030] Explanation of key figure labels:

[0031] 1. Feeding bin; 11. Bin body; 111. Second buckle part; 12. Cover body; 121. First buckle part; 13. Accommodation cavity; 14. Feeding port; 15. Inlet port; 16. Avoidance port; 17. First sensor; 18. Second sensor; 2. Displacement mechanism; 21. X-axis displacement component; 211. First mounting plate; 212. First cylinder; 22. Y-axis displacement component; 221. Second mounting plate; 222. Second cylinder; 23. Z-axis displacement component; 231. Third mounting plate; 232. Third cylinder; 3. Material taking mechanism; 31. Base; 32. Suction cup; 33. Pressing component; 331. First driving unit; 332. Pressing piece; 34. Dust-proof cover; 4. Mounting frame; 41. First bracket; 42. Second bracket; 43. Mounting plate; 5. Pushing mechanism; 51. Second driving unit; 52. Pushing piece; 6. Protective rib; 61. First packaging part; 611. First abutting surface; 62. Second packaging part; 621. Second abutting surface; 63. Bending part; 7. Photovoltaic module; 71. Rib. Detailed implementation manners

[0032] In order to enable those skilled in the art of this technology to better understand the technical solutions in this utility model, the following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of this utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this utility model, rather than all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0033] Refer Figure 1 As shown, the photovoltaic module 7 is usually in the shape of a cuboid, and there are multiple ribs 71 on its top.

[0034] As described in the background art, in the process of packing the photovoltaic module, a packing belt is required to tie the photovoltaic module tightly. In order to avoid damage to the photovoltaic module caused by the packing belt and the photovoltaic module, a protective rib is usually placed on the rib of the photovoltaic module. The protective rib is clamped between the packing belt and the photovoltaic module to play a role in protecting the photovoltaic module. The existing protective rib is a right-angle paper protective rib. The packing equipment includes a feeding device. In the process of automatic packing of the packing equipment, the feeding device is required to convey the right-angle paper protective rib to the photovoltaic module, and then cooperate with other devices or mechanisms of the packing equipment to wind and tie the packing belt to the right-angle paper protective rib and the photovoltaic module to complete the packing process of the packing belt.

[0035] However, the storage conditions of the right-angle paper protective rib require high and it is easy to deform. Therefore, the requirements for the feeding device are relatively high, resulting in the existing feeding device having the disadvantages of complex mechanical structure, difficult installation, and high later maintenance cost. At the same time, due to the easy deformation of the right-angle paper protective rib, the feeding device is extremely prone to jamming, thus reducing the production efficiency.

[0036] To address the aforementioned problems, this embodiment discloses a protective flute, a feeding device, and a packaging device. By designing the protective flute and the feeding device, the feeding efficiency of the protective flute is improved, thereby increasing the overall packaging efficiency of the packaging device.

[0037] Example 1:

[0038] like Figure 2 As shown in the schematic diagram of the structure of the guard 6 in this embodiment, the guard 6 is plate-shaped (also called flat plate-shaped), and the guard 6 includes a first packaging part 61, a second packaging part 62, and a bending part 63 connecting the first packaging part 61 and the second packaging part 62.

[0039] Combination Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, the first packaging part 61 has a first abutting surface 611 for abutting one of two adjacent surfaces of the photovoltaic module 7, the second packaging part 62 has a second abutting surface 621 for abutting the other of two adjacent surfaces of the photovoltaic module 7, and the bending part 63 abuts against the rib 71 between two adjacent surfaces of the photovoltaic module 7. Before packaging, the first abutting surface 611 and the second abutting surface 621 of the protective rib 6 are located on the same plane. Preferably, the protective rib 6 can be a flat paper protective rib.

[0040] Specifically, the bending portion 63 includes a crease or a groove, both of which serve to facilitate bending of the bending portion 63.

[0041] For example, the protective corrugator 6 in this embodiment is obtained by processing a conventional flat paper corrugator, for example, by forming a crease on one side of the flat paper corrugator, and the part corresponding to the crease is the bending part 63.

[0042] Example 2:

[0043] The feeding device in this embodiment is used to transport the protective frame to the photovoltaic module. The protective frame is exactly the same as the protective frame in Embodiment 1, and will not be described again here.

[0044] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the feeding device in this embodiment includes a mounting frame 4, a feeding bin 1, a displacement mechanism 2, and a material handling mechanism 3.

[0045] The feeding bin 1 is installed on the mounting frame 4 to receive the protective rib 6; the picking mechanism 3 is installed on the displacement mechanism 2 to pick up the protective rib 6; the displacement mechanism 2 is installed on the mounting frame 4 to drive the picking mechanism 3 to approach the feeding bin 1 to pick up the protective rib 6, and to hold the first packaging part 61 of the protective rib 6 against one side of the photovoltaic module 7 and to set the bending part 63 of the protective rib 6 on the rib 71 of the photovoltaic module 7.

[0046] It can be understood that the displacement mechanism 2 can drive the material picking mechanism 3 to approach the feeding bin 1 and pick up the protective rib 6, and hold the first packaging part 61 of the protective rib 6 against one of the two adjacent surfaces of the photovoltaic module 7. The bending part 63 of the protective rib 7 is provided on the rib 71 of the photovoltaic module 7. With this configuration, it can be used with existing packaging equipment to wrap the packing tape around the protective rib 6. During the shrinking and tightening process of the packing tape, the protective rib 6 can be bent, thereby causing the second packaging part 62 of the protective rib 6 to abut against the other of the two adjacent surfaces of the photovoltaic module 7, thus completing the packing process. At this time, the protective rib 6 also changes from a flat shape to a right angle shape. In order to facilitate the introduction of the feeding device of this embodiment, in this embodiment, the example of the feeding device installing the protective rib 7 on the rib 71 on the top of the photovoltaic module 7 is used for explanation.

[0047] Since this utility model feeds plate-shaped guard ribs 6, the plate-shaped guard ribs 6 can be stacked and housed in the feeding bin 1. This not only reduces the space occupied by the guard ribs 6 and the probability of deformation, but also reduces the situation of material jamming caused by the easy deformation of the guard ribs 6, thus ensuring the feeding efficiency of the feeding device. It also increases the capacity of the plate-shaped guard ribs 6 in the feeding bin 1, thereby increasing the continuous working time of the feeding device. In addition, the feeding device of this utility model also has the advantages of simple structure, easy installation, and low maintenance cost.

[0048] like Figure 3 As shown, the mounting frame 4 includes a first support 41, a second support 42 connected to the first support 41, and a mounting plate 43. The displacement mechanism 2 is mounted on the second support 41, and the feeding bin 1 is fixedly mounted on the mounting plate 43. It can be seen from the figure that at least part of the displacement mechanism 2 is located above the feeding bin 1. This arrangement reduces the space occupied by the entire feeding device.

[0049] like Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the feeding bin 1 has a receiving cavity 13, and the top of the feeding bin 1 has a feeding port 14 connected to the receiving cavity 13. The picking mechanism 3 is used to pick up the guard ribs 6 from the feeding port 14. The guard ribs 6 are stacked in the receiving cavity 13, and the stacking direction is the Z-axis direction. The feeding port 14 is located at the top of the receiving cavity 13, that is, the Z-axis direction can be considered as the up and down direction in the figure. This arrangement can increase the capacity of the guard ribs 6 in the receiving cavity 13, and improve the continuous working time of the feeding device; it can also facilitate the displacement mechanism 2 to drive the picking mechanism 3 to approach or extend into the feeding port 14 along the Z-axis direction and pick up the guard ribs 6 located at or near the feeding port 14.

[0050] The horizontal dimensions of the receiving cavity 13 match the horizontal dimensions of the guard 6, and the horizontal dimensions of the opening of the feeding port 14 match the horizontal dimensions of the guard 6. With this configuration, when the displacement mechanism 2 drives the picking mechanism 3 to pick up the guard 6 and transport it to the photovoltaic module 7, the horizontal placement angle of the guard 6 hardly needs to be adjusted, and it can be adapted to the placement angle of the guard 6 on the photovoltaic module 7.

[0051] A first sensor 17 is installed on the end of the feeding hopper 1 near the feeding port 14. The first sensor 17 is used to detect the photovoltaic module 7 inside the receiving cavity 13. Specifically, in this embodiment, the first sensor 17 is a common through-beam photoelectric sensor, located on opposite sides of the feeding hopper 1. It can emit light into the receiving cavity 13 to identify whether there is a protective rib 6 blocking the light, thereby determining whether there is a protective rib 6 inside the end of the feeding hopper 1 near the feeding port 14. If there is no protective rib 6, it indicates that the feeding hopper 1 is empty and needs to be filled with protective rib 6. In other embodiments, the first sensor 17 can also be other commonly used sensors, as long as they can be used to identify whether there is a protective rib 6.

[0052] A second sensor 18 is installed at the end of the feeding hopper 1 furthest from the feeding port 14. The second sensor 18 is used to detect the photovoltaic modules 7 inside the receiving cavity 13. The structure of the second sensor 18 can be the same as that of the first sensor 17. Its function is to detect whether there are protective ribs 6 inside the end of the feeding hopper 1 furthest from the feeding port 14, thereby determining whether the feeding hopper 1 is full. Specifically, after the protective ribs 6 are manually filled into the feeding hopper 1, the entire feeding device will only operate if the second sensor 18 detects the presence of protective ribs 6 at the end of the feeding hopper 1 furthest from the feeding port 14, indicating that the feeding hopper 1 is full. This ensures the continuous working time of the feeding device each time and reduces the number of times the feeding hopper 1 needs to be fed.

[0053] Furthermore, the feeding hopper 1 includes a hopper body 11 and a cover 12. The hopper body 11 has a feeding port 14 and a feeding port 15. The cover 12 is placed over the feeding port 15. One side of the cover 12 is rotatably connected to the hopper body 11. The other side of the cover 12 is provided with a first latching part 121. The hopper body 11 is provided with a second latching part 111 for engaging with the first latching part 121. The hopper body 11 and the cover 12 form a receiving cavity 13.

[0054] Specifically, the feeding device also includes a pushing mechanism 5, which includes a second drive unit 51 and a pushing component 52 connected to each other. The pushing component 52 is at least partially located within the receiving cavity 13. The second drive unit 51 is used to drive the pushing component 52 to push the guard ribs 6 in the receiving cavity 13 to the upper feeding port 14. The pushing component 52 abuts against the bottommost guard rib 6 in the receiving cavity 13. The direction of movement of the pushing component 52 is the Z-axis direction. When the picking mechanism 3 picks up a guard rib 6, the pushing mechanism 5 can drive the guard rib 6 in the receiving cavity 13 to move upward. The distance of movement can be the thickness of a guard rib 6 (i.e., the dimension of the guard rib 6 in the Z-axis direction), which facilitates the picking mechanism 3 to pick up the next guard rib 6 and improves the automation level of feeding.

[0055] It is understandable that the feeding bin 1 is a hollow structure with the upper and lower parts connected through it. That is, the bottom of the feeding bin 1 has a relief opening 16 that is connected to the receiving cavity 13. The relief opening 16 is used to allow the pusher 52 to enter the receiving cavity 13.

[0056] In this embodiment, the second drive unit 51 is fixedly mounted on the mounting plate 43 in the mounting bracket 4. The second drive unit 51 can be a commonly available lead screw motor assembly (also known as an electric lead screw), and the pusher 52 is connected to the slider on the lead screw motor assembly. In other embodiments, the second drive unit 51 can be a commonly available servo motor, and the output end of the servo motor is connected to a commonly available conveyor belt or transmission chain, and the pusher 52 is connected to the conveyor belt or transmission chain.

[0057] In this embodiment, during operation, the first latching part 121 and the second latching part 111 engage, and the cover 12 is fixedly installed on the feed inlet 15 on the hopper 11 to prevent the guard 6 from moving out of the feed inlet 15. When it is necessary to fill the feed hopper 1 with the guard 6, the engagement of the first latching part 121 and the second latching part 111 can be released, and then one side of the cover 12 can be rotated to open the cover 12. The pusher 52 of the pusher mechanism 5 moves to the bottom of the receiving cavity 13, and the guard 6 can be filled into the receiving cavity 13 from the feed inlet 15.

[0058] like Figure 3 As shown, the displacement mechanism 2 in this embodiment includes an X-axis displacement component 21, a Y-axis displacement component 22 mounted on the X-axis displacement component 21, and a Z-axis displacement component 23 mounted on the Y-axis displacement component 22. The material handling mechanism 3 is mounted on the Z-axis displacement component 23. The X-axis displacement component 21 is used to drive the Y-axis displacement component 22 to move along the X-axis direction, the Y-axis displacement component 22 is used to drive the Z-axis displacement component 23 to move along the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis displacement component 23 is used to drive the material handling mechanism 3 to move along the Z-axis direction.

[0059] In this embodiment, the X-axis displacement assembly 21 includes a first mounting plate 211 and a first cylinder 212. The first mounting plate 211 is fixedly mounted on the second bracket 42 of the mounting frame 4, and the piston rod of the first cylinder 212 is fixedly mounted on the first mounting plate 211. The Y-axis displacement assembly 22 includes a second mounting plate 221 and a second cylinder 222. The second mounting plate 221 is fixedly mounted on the cylinder body of the first cylinder 212, and the cylinder body of the second cylinder 222 is fixedly mounted on the second mounting plate 221. The Z-axis displacement assembly 23 includes a third mounting plate 231 and a third cylinder 232. The third mounting plate 231 is connected to the piston rod of the second cylinder 222, the cylinder body of the third cylinder 232 is fixedly mounted on the third mounting plate 231, and the piston rod of the third cylinder 232 is connected to the material handling mechanism 3.

[0060] Understandably, through the above setup, the displacement mechanism 2 can drive the material handling mechanism 3 to pick up the protective rib 6 from the feeding bin 1, and then drive the material handling mechanism 3 and the protective rib 6 thereon to the photovoltaic module 7. Please refer to the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions. Figure 3 As shown.

[0061] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the material handling mechanism 3 includes a base 31 and two suction cups 32 spaced apart on the base 31. The suction cups 32 can pick up the protective flutes 6, thus serving to pick up the protective flutes 6. The two suction cups 32 can prevent the protective flutes 6 from rotating, ensuring the packaging is lowered.

[0062] In other embodiments, the number of suction cups 32 may be multiple or one. Alternatively, the picking mechanism 3 may not include suction cups 32, but may include other existing picking components or parts such as motorized grippers.

[0063] In this embodiment, two suction cups 32 are used to pick up the first packaging part 61 and the second packaging part 62 of the protective rib 6, respectively. When the first packaging part 61 of the protective rib 6 abuts against one side of a rib 71 of the photovoltaic module 7, the packaging mechanism will wrap the packing strap around the protective rib 6. During the shrinking and tightening process of the packing strap, the protective rib 6 can be driven to bend. The bending part 63 will bend so that the first packaging part 61 and the second packaging part 62 are perpendicular to each other, and the second packaging part 62 abuts against the other side of a rib 71 of the photovoltaic module 7. Therefore, it is necessary to break the vacuum of the suction cup 32 that picks up the second packaging part 62 in advance, so as to give up the suction force on the protective rib 6. Only one suction cup 32 is attached to the first packaging part 61 of the protective rib 6. Since the packing strap will apply pressure to the protective rib 6, thereby driving the protective rib 6 to bend, it may cause the protective rib 6 to have uncertain displacement or rotation, which will affect the packaging accuracy.

[0064] To address the aforementioned issues, the material handling mechanism 3 further includes a clamping assembly 33. The clamping assembly 33 comprises a first drive unit 331 and a clamping member 332 mounted on the first drive unit 331. The first drive unit 331 drives the clamping member 332 to abut against the first packaging section 61 of the protective frame 6, which is adsorbed by the suction cup 32. During this process, when the suction cup 32, which is absorbing the second packaging section 62, breaks the vacuum, the first drive unit 331 is activated, driving the clamping member 332 to approach the first packaging section 61 of the protective frame 6 adsorbed by the suction cup 32, and pressing the protective frame 6 firmly against the photovoltaic module 7. Through the cooperation of the clamping member 332 and the suction cup 32, uncertain displacement or rotation of the protective frame 6 is avoided when the packing strap applies pressure to it subsequently.

[0065] Specifically, the first drive unit 331 is mounted on the base 31. The first drive unit 331 can be a cylinder, that is, the cylinder body is fixedly mounted on the base 31, and the piston rod of the cylinder is connected to the clamping member 332. The movement direction of the clamping member 332 is the Z-axis direction. In other embodiments, the first drive unit 331 can also be an electric cylinder, a lead screw motor, or other structures.

[0066] In other embodiments, the two suction cups 32 can also simultaneously adsorb the first packaging part 61 of the protective rib 6, that is, the material handling mechanism 3 may not include the pressing component 33, but only include the two suction cups 32.

[0067] In this embodiment, the clamping member 332 is disposed between two adjacent suction cups 32. The clamping member 332 is located adjacent to the suction cup 32 used to adsorb the first packaging part 61. This arrangement allows the clamping member 332 and the two suction cups 32 to be aligned as much as possible, providing space for the packing strap to contact the protective rib 6. In other embodiments, when the protective rib 6 is large, the position of the clamping member 332 can be adjusted as needed.

[0068] Furthermore, such as Figure 4 As shown, a dust cover 34 is installed on the base 31. Figure 3 (Not shown in the image), along the Y-axis direction, a dust cover 34 is provided on the base 31 on the side opposite to the displacement mechanism 2, used to shield the suction cup 32 and the clamping assembly 33 from dust contamination.

[0069] Example 3:

[0070] The packaging equipment in this embodiment includes a feeding device. The packaging equipment is used to install the protective ribs onto the photovoltaic modules and then packs them using packing straps. The feeding device in this embodiment is exactly the same as the feeding mechanism in Embodiment 2, and the protective ribs are exactly the same as those in Embodiment 1; therefore, they will not be described again here. All other structures in the packaging equipment of this embodiment, except for the feeding device, can be existing structures or devices.

[0071] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that it can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of this invention. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered illustrative and non-limiting in all respects, and the scope of this invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, it is intended that all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims be included within this invention. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0072] Furthermore, it should be understood that although this specification describes embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative style is merely for clarity. Those skilled in the art should consider the specification as a whole, and the technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A protective ferrule for protecting photovoltaic modules, characterized in that, The protective rib includes a first packaging part, a second packaging part, and a bending part connecting the first packaging part and the second packaging part. The first packaging part has a first abutting surface for abutting one of two adjacent surfaces on the photovoltaic module, and the second packaging part has a second abutting surface for abutting the other of two adjacent surfaces on the photovoltaic module. The first abutting surface and the second abutting surface are located on the same plane, and the bending part is used to abut against the rib between two adjacent surfaces on the photovoltaic module.

2. The protective joist according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bent portion includes a crease or a groove.

3. A feeding device for conveying the protective frame as described in claim 1 or 2 onto a photovoltaic module, characterized in that, The feeding device includes a mounting frame, a feeding bin, a displacement mechanism, and a material handling mechanism; The feeding bin is mounted on the mounting frame and is used to house the protective ribs. The material picking mechanism is mounted on the displacement mechanism and is used to pick up the guardrail; The displacement mechanism is mounted on the mounting frame and is used to drive the material picking mechanism to approach the feeding hopper to pick up the protective ribs, and to hold the first packaging part of the protective ribs against one side of the photovoltaic module and to set the bent part of the protective ribs on the ribs of the photovoltaic module.

4. The feeding device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The material handling mechanism includes at least two spaced suction cups, which are used to pick up the protective ribs.

5. The feeding device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The material handling mechanism further includes a clamping assembly, which includes a drive unit and a clamping member mounted on the drive unit. The drive unit is used to drive the clamping member to abut against the first packaging part of the protective rib adsorbed by the suction cup.

6. The feeding device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The clamping element is located between two adjacent suction cups.

7. The feeding device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The displacement mechanism includes an X-axis displacement assembly, a Y-axis displacement assembly mounted on the X-axis displacement assembly, and a Z-axis displacement assembly mounted on the Y-axis displacement assembly; the material handling mechanism is mounted on the Z-axis displacement assembly. The X-axis displacement component is used to drive the Y-axis displacement component to move along the X-axis direction, the Y-axis displacement component is used to drive the Z-axis displacement component to move along the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis displacement component is used to drive the material handling mechanism to move along the Z-axis direction.

8. The feeding device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The feeding bin has a receiving cavity, and the top of the feeding bin has a feeding port that communicates with the receiving cavity. The material picking mechanism is used to pick up the protective rib from the feeding port.

9. The feeding device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The feeding device further includes a pushing mechanism, which includes a second driving unit and a pushing component connected to each other. The pushing component is at least partially located in the receiving cavity. The second driving unit is used to drive the pushing component to push the guard rib in the receiving cavity to the feeding port.

10. The feeding device according to claim 8, characterized in that, A first sensor is installed at the end of the feeding hopper near the feeding port. The first sensor is used to detect the photovoltaic modules inside the receiving cavity; and / or, A second sensor is installed at the end of the feeding hopper away from the feeding port. The second sensor is used to detect the photovoltaic modules inside the receiving cavity.

11. The feeding device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The feeding hopper includes a hopper body and a cover. The hopper body has a feeding port and a feeding port. The cover is placed over the feeding port. One side of the cover is rotatably connected to the hopper body. The other side of the cover is provided with a first latching part. The hopper body is provided with a second latching part for engaging with the first latching part.

12. The feeding device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The mounting frame includes a first bracket, a second bracket connected to the first bracket, and a mounting plate. The displacement mechanism is mounted on the second bracket, and the feeding hopper is mounted on the mounting plate.

13. A packaging device, characterized in that, Includes the feeding device as described in any one of claims 3 to 12.

Images