Double-layer carrier circulation closed-loop transportation system

Abstract

The utility model discloses a double-layer carrier circulation closed-loop transportation system, relates to the technical field of automation equipment, and solves the problems of large occupied area, high equipment cost, multiple and complex mechanical structures and the like. Comprising a working conveying line, a backflow conveying line, a shifting fork mechanism and a line switching mechanism, a power assembly of the shifting fork mechanism drives a shifting piece to run along a concentric-square-shaped path, carriers on the working conveying line and the backflow conveying line are driven to move on a pushing section and a returning section respectively, and double-line carrier switching is achieved through a transposition transition section and a reset transition section. And the line switching mechanism ensures reliable connection of the carrier at the two ends of the double lines. According to the scheme, only one power assembly is used for completing double-line driving, a traditional independent return system is replaced, and the cost and the structural complexity are greatly reduced. Meanwhile, the shifting piece is separated from the carrier at a specific stage, so that the carrier naturally and temporarily stays, the operation requirements of machining, detection and the like are met, an additional blocking device is not needed, the system is further simplified, and the transportation stability and the operation efficiency are improved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model relates to automatic equipment technical field especially is double -deck carrier circulation closed -loop transportation system. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the automatic production line, especially in the scene involving multi-station assembly, detection or processing, efficiently and orderly conveying products or semi-finished products between stations is the key link to improve production efficiency. The production line conveying device is the key equipment to ensure efficient circulation of products and realize continuous production. At present, most production line conveying devices adopt single-layer conveying structure, and the carrier runs on a single plane along the circular track, passes through each station in turn, and after completing a cycle, the empty carrier returns to the starting point along the same path. The return path of the empty carrier occupies the same valuable production area space as the conveying path, resulting in increased overall equipment floor space and low space utilization. Moreover, setting up a separate conveying line for the empty carrier return, which is physically separated from the work conveying line, requires an additional independent drive system, increasing the cost.

[0003] To solve the problem of single-layer circular line, some systems design continuous circulation conveying systems, which are widely used in chain drive, belt drive, etc., to achieve uninterrupted uniform speed running. But it is not suitable for conveying requirements that the carrier must be stable at the station for a sufficient time to operate the semi-finished product on the carrier, because the carrier driven by chain or belt cannot be controlled and stable at the station. If a pneumatic or electric blocking device is installed at each operation station, it will forcibly stop the carrier when it arrives. Each station needs additional blocking devices and corresponding control units, which can easily cause system complexity and cost increase. The above conveying mode problems are common in many production line scenes that require carrier circulation conveying, such as electronic assembly, small appliance production, precision part machining, etc. Especially in long-distance production lines or cost-sensitive automation equipment (such as circuit breaker assembly equipment), these problems are particularly prominent. SUMMARY

[0004] The utility model discloses a double -deck carrier circulation closed -loop transportation system, effectively solve the problems such as large floor area, high equipment cost, many and complex mechanical structures.

[0005] The utility model discloses a technical scheme: including work conveying line, backflow conveying line, pull fork mechanism and line switching mechanism, work conveying line, backflow conveying line carry multiple displaceable carriers, pull fork mechanism includes multiple poking parts and power assembly, and the poking part is fixed on the output position of power assembly, and power assembly drives poking part to do the driving action of back character path, back character path includes advancing section, transposition transition section, back section and reset transition section, and the poking part keeps linkage connection with the carrier on work conveying line to push the carrier forward when advancing section, and the poking part is disconnected with the carrier on work conveying line when transposition transition section starts and forms linkage connection with the carrier on backflow conveying line when transposition transition section ends, and the poking part keeps linkage connection with the carrier on backflow conveying line and pushes the carrier back when back section, and the poking part is disconnected with the carrier on backflow conveying line when reset transition section starts and forms linkage connection with the carrier on work conveying line when reset transition section ends, and line switching mechanism is located at the link position of work conveying line and backflow conveying line two ends, and the corresponding conveying line carrier is switched to another conveying line.

[0006] Adopt the above technical scheme, realize the double line, closed type circulation transportation of carrier between work conveying line and backflow conveying line, and power assembly drives poking part to move along back character path in pull fork mechanism, so that only one power assembly can drive the carrier on work conveying line and backflow conveying line to move simultaneously, avoids the drawback of traditional transportation needing independent return drive system, reduces equipment cost while greatly simplifying mechanical structure complexity, and in cooperation with line switching mechanism, realizes reliable, automatic switching of carrier at the link position of work line and backflow line, guarantees the continuous reliable operation of circulation transportation system, in addition, after the poking part is disconnected with the carrier on work conveying line when transposition transition section starts, the carrier on work conveying line loses external pushing, and the carrier can obtain the time of short stay, to ensure that the carrier stably stays in the position for processing, assembling, detecting and other operations, without additional blocking device in the stay position, can ensure that the carrier stably stops in the corresponding position, which simplifies the system structure, reduces the configuration of additional blocking device, and reduces equipment cost and system complexity.

[0007] In a possible design, the poking part is a column body, the column body of which is fixed on the output position of the power assembly, the carrier is provided with a jack for the poking part, the end of the poking part is inserted into the jack along the movement direction of the transposition transition section or the reset transition section, and the poking part drives the carrier to move along the movement direction of the advancing section or the back section.

[0008] The above design, with its simple structure and stable connection between the cylindrical actuating component and the insertion hole, ensures that the actuating component can stably drive the carrier to move in the advancing and returning sections, and smoothly detach from and reconnect with the carrier in the switching and resetting transition sections, thus guaranteeing the reliability and accuracy of the carrier switching between different conveyor lines.

[0009] In one possible design, the working conveyor line is positioned above the return conveyor line, and the two are parallel to each other.

[0010] By adopting the above design, the working transport path and return path of the vehicle are set up in layers through the double-layer conveyor line design. Compared with the traditional single-layer transport structure, it reduces the space occupied by the empty vehicle return trip in the production area, making the overall layout more compact and regular, effectively improving the space utilization rate. In addition, it helps to simplify the cooperation action of the actuating parts and the sockets, and improves the accuracy of the connection between the actuating parts and the vehicle.

[0011] In one possible design, both the working conveyor line and the return conveyor line include conveyor rails, and a slider is fixedly installed at the bottom of the carrier, with the slider slidingly engaging with the conveyor rails.

[0012] The above design, with its sliding engagement of the conveyor rail and slider, provides stable guidance and support for the movement of the vehicle, reducing swaying and deviation during transportation and ensuring the smooth operation of the vehicle. In addition, this structure is simple, low-cost, and easy to maintain and replace, reducing the later maintenance costs of the equipment.

[0013] In one possible design, the line switching mechanism includes a shifting cylinder and a switching slide rail that matches the slider. The carrier can slide onto the switching slide rail via a toggle. The switching slide rail is connected to the output shaft of the shifting cylinder to shift between the working conveyor line and the return conveyor line. The switching slide rail is adapted to the conveyor slide rail and switches between the conveyor slide rails of the working conveyor line and the return conveyor line to connect the ends of the corresponding conveyor slide rails and receive or send out the corresponding carrier.

[0014] The above design enables the physical parallel connection between the switching slide rail and the target conveyor line, and in this state, the vehicle from the target line can be received naturally and smoothly. Thus, the efficient, smooth and automated transfer of the vehicle between the two conveyor lines is completed through simple slide rail docking and slider movement. This provides a vehicle switching method with a relatively simple structure, reliable operation and accurate positioning.

[0015] In one possible design, the power assembly includes a lateral drive, a transverse plate, a longitudinal drive, and a longitudinal plate. The transverse plate is connected to the output shaft of the lateral drive, the longitudinal drive is fixedly mounted on the transverse plate, the longitudinal plate is connected to the output shaft of the longitudinal drive, and the actuating element is fixedly mounted on the longitudinal plate along its axial direction.

[0016] By adopting the above design, the coordinated action of the lateral and longitudinal drive components can precisely control the movement of the actuating component on the longitudinal transfer plate along a U-shaped path, ensuring the accuracy and stability of the actuating component's movement. This power component structure is reasonably designed and can flexibly adjust the motion parameters of the actuating component, such as movement speed and stroke, according to actual production needs, to adapt to different production rhythms and vehicle transportation requirements, thereby improving the versatility and adaptability of the transportation system. Attached Figure Description

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

[0018] Figure 2 This is a partial structural diagram of the present invention. Figure One ;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a partial structural diagram of the present invention. Figure Two ;

[0020] Figure 4 This is a partial structural diagram of the present invention. Figure Three ;

[0021] Among them, 1. Working conveyor line; 11. Conveyor slide rail; 2. Return conveyor line; 3. Carrier; 31. Slider; 32. Insertion hole; 4. Fork mechanism; 41. Lateral drive component; 42. Lateral transfer plate; 43. Longitudinal drive component; 44. Longitudinal transfer plate; 45. Actuating component; 5. Line switching mechanism; 51. Shift cylinder; 52. Switching slide rail; 1a. Advancement section; 1b. Transition section; 1c. Return section; 1d. Reset transition section; D0. Target product. Detailed Implementation

[0022] like Figures 1-4The illustrated double-layer carrier closed-loop transport system includes a working conveyor line 1, a return conveyor line 2, a fork-shifting mechanism, and a line switching mechanism 5. The working conveyor line 1 and the return conveyor line 2 are arranged in parallel and can be configured with different lengths and directions according to production line layout requirements. Multiple movable carriers 3 are carried on these lines for placing target products D0 or semi-finished products. The fork-shifting mechanism includes multiple actuating elements 45 and a power assembly. The actuating elements 45 are fixed at intervals at the output positions of the power assembly, and the power assembly drives the actuating elements 45 to perform a zigzag path movement. The U-shaped path includes a propulsion section 1a, a transposition transition section 1b, a return section 1c, and a reset transition section 1d. In the propulsion section 1a, the actuating element 45 maintains linkage with the carrier 3 on the working conveyor line 1, pushing the carrier 3 forward along the working conveyor line 1. In the transposition transition section 1b, the actuating element 45 disengages from the carrier 3 on the working conveyor line 1 and forms a linkage connection with the carrier 3 on the return conveyor line 2 at the end of this section. In the return section 1c, the actuating element 45 maintains a linkage connection with the carrier 3 on the return conveyor line 2 and pushes the carrier 3 backward. In the reset transition section 1d, the actuating element 45 disengages from the carrier 3 on the return conveyor line 2 and re-establishes linkage with another carrier 3 on the working conveyor line 1 at the end of this section. The line switching mechanism 5 is located at the connection position at both ends of the working conveyor line 1 and the return conveyor line 2, and transports the corresponding conveyor line carrier 3 to switch to another conveyor line.

[0023] The actuating element 45 is cylindrical, and its cylindrical body is fixed to the output position of the power assembly by bolts. The carrier 3 has a matching insertion hole 32 for the actuating element 45. The diameter of the insertion hole 32 is slightly larger than the diameter of the actuating element 45. The end of the actuating element 45 is inserted into the insertion hole 32 along the movement direction of the shift transition section 1b or the reset transition section 1d, and the actuating element 45 drives the carrier 3 to move along the movement direction of the advance section 1a or the return section 1c. When the actuating element 45 moves to the advance section 1a or the return section 1c, the end of the actuating element 45 is inserted into the insertion hole 32 of the carrier 3. Through the abutment and cooperation between the actuating element 45 and the wall of the insertion hole 32, the carrier 3 moves radially along the insertion hole 32. In the shift transition section 1b or the reset transition section 1d, the actuating element 45 is pulled out from the insertion hole 32 along the axial direction of the insertion hole 32, and then inserted into the insertion hole 32 of another carrier 3, thereby realizing the disengagement or reconnection with the carrier 3. Of course, the toggle 45 can be replaced with an electromagnet, and the vehicle 3 is equipped with a corresponding iron block.

[0024] The working conveyor line 1 is located above the return conveyor line 2, and the two are parallel to each other. The working conveyor line 1 is on the upper level, and the return conveyor line 2 is on the lower level and parallel to the working conveyor line 1, with the same length, for the return of empty vehicles 3. This double-layer parallel layout allows the working conveyor line 1 and the return conveyor line 2 to be separated in vertical space, effectively saving horizontal floor space, while also facilitating the observation and operation of vehicles 3 on both conveyor lines by the operators.

[0025] Both the working conveyor line 1 and the return conveyor line 2 include aluminum alloy conveyor rails 11. The conveyor rails 11 are fixed on the frame of the production line. A slider 31 is fixedly installed at the bottom of the carrier 3. The slider 31 slides in cooperation with the conveyor rails 11, so that the carrier 3 can move stably along the rails during the conveying process, reducing shaking and deviation.

[0026] The line switching mechanism 5 includes a shifting cylinder 51 and a switching slide rail 52 that matches the slider 31. The carrier 3 can slide onto the switching slide rail 52 via the toggle member 45. The switching slide rail 52 is connected to the output shaft of the shifting cylinder 51 to shift between the working conveyor line 1 and the return conveyor line 2. The switching slide rail 52 is adapted to the conveyor slide rail 11. The switching slide rail 52 is an aluminum alloy slide rail of the same specification as the conveyor slide rail 11 but shorter in length. It switches between the conveyor slide rails 11 of the working conveyor line 1 and the return conveyor line 2 to connect the ends of the corresponding conveyor slide rails 11 in parallel and receive or send out the corresponding carrier 3. When the carrier 3 reaches the end of the working conveyor line 1 or the return conveyor line 2, the shift cylinder 51 drives the switching slide rail 52 to move, so that it is connected in parallel with the conveyor slide rail 11 of the corresponding conveyor line. The carrier 3, together with the slider 31, is pushed by the pusher 45 in the push section 1a or the return section and slides along the conveyor slide rail 11 to the switching slide rail 52. Then the shift cylinder 51 drives the switching slide rail 52 to move, and the carrier 3 and the slider 31 are switched to another conveyor line, so as to realize the stable transfer of the carrier 3 between the two conveyor lines.

[0027] The power assembly includes a transverse drive component 41, a transverse plate 42, a longitudinal drive component 43, and a longitudinal plate 44. The transverse plate 42 is connected to the output shaft of the transverse drive component 41. The longitudinal drive component 43 is fixedly mounted on the transverse plate 42, and the longitudinal plate 44 is connected to the output shaft of the longitudinal drive component 43. The actuating component 45 is fixedly mounted on the longitudinal plate 44 along its axial direction. The longitudinal drive component 43 is connected to the longitudinal plate 44 using a servo motor and a lead screw module. The transverse drive component 41 is connected to the transverse plate 42 using a cylinder and a cylinder connector. The longitudinal plate 44 and the transverse plate 42 slide via a slide rail slider 31 pair. The actuating component 45 is fixedly mounted on the longitudinal plate 44 along its axial direction with bolts. Through the coordinated movement of the transverse drive component 41 and the longitudinal drive component 43, the actuating component 45 is controlled to move along a U-shaped path. The movement speed and stroke of the actuating component 45 can be flexibly adjusted by adjusting the speed and pulse number of the servo motor or by adjusting the height or position of the actuating component 45.

[0028] The specific working principle of the transportation system in this application is as follows:

[0029] I. Starting point of the cycle: Propulsion and transportation stage

[0030] When the carrier 3 is on the working conveyor line 1, the actuating element 45 of the shifting fork mechanism 4 enters the propulsion section 1a under the drive of the power component. At this time, each actuating element 45 is inserted into the corresponding carrier 3 socket 32 ​​to form a rigid connection. The lateral drive element 41 pushes the actuating element 45 to move horizontally forward, causing each carrier 3 of the working conveyor line 1 to move a certain distance along the slide rail of the working conveyor line 1 until it stops.

[0031] II. Vehicle Switching 3: Transition Section 1b

[0032] The actuating component 45 enters the transposition transition section 1b, where the longitudinal drive component 43 pulls down the actuating component 45 so that it vertically disengages from the insertion hole 32 of the carrier 3. The carrier 3 loses its thrust and naturally stops. At this time, the carrier 3 immediately proceeds to the assembly, inspection, and other workstation operations, thus achieving a stable working window for the workstation operations. The actuating component 45 then continues to complete its movement and descends to the height of the return conveyor line 2, inserting itself into the insertion hole 32 of the carrier 3 on the corresponding return conveyor line 2, preparing for the return stage.

[0033] III. No-load return: Return conveying stage

[0034] When the actuating element 45 enters the return section 1c, the lateral drive element 41 pulls the actuating element 45 backward horizontally, causing each carrier 3 of the return conveyor line 2 to move a distance along the slide rail towards the starting point. During this process, the empty carrier 3 or the carrier 3 that has completed processing is intermittently moved back to the starting position.

[0035] IV. Reset by toggle: Reset transition section 1d

[0036] The actuating element 45 enters the reset transition section 1d, and the longitudinal drive element 43 lifts the actuating element 45 to disengage from the insertion holes 32 of each carrier 3 on the return conveyor line 2, and the carriers 3 on the return conveyor line 2 temporarily stop. The actuating element 45 continues to complete the movement and rises to the height of the working conveyor line 1, and inserts into the insertion hole 32 of the corresponding carrier 3 on the working conveyor line 1, preparing for the next cycle.

[0037] V. Cross-floor switching: Conveyor line transfer

[0038] When the carrier 3 arrives at the end of the working conveyor line 1, the line switching mechanism 5 is activated simultaneously. The shifting cylinder 51 pushes the switching slide rail 52 at the end of the working conveyor line 1 upward and shifts, so that it is precisely aligned with the working line slide rail. Specifically, the last carrier 3 at the end slides into the switching slide rail 52 along the conveyor slide rail 11 under the action of the pusher 45 in the advancing section 1a. Then, the pusher 45 enters the transition section 1b. During the transition section 1b, the shifting cylinder 51 lowers the switching slide rail 52, causing it to separate from the working conveyor line 1 and connect with the return conveyor line 2 conveyor slide rail 11, completing the track switching. In addition, during this process, when the carrier 3 descends, it moves downward along the axial direction of the corresponding pusher 45. The carrier 3 moves from the top of the pusher 45 to the bottom of the pusher 45. Then, when the pusher 45 enters the return section, it drives the carrier 3 to be transported onto the return conveyor line 2 conveyor slide rail 11. Similarly, when carrier 3 returns to the end of conveyor line 2, carrier 3 slides into switching slide rail 52, then rises to the height of working conveyor line 1, and carrier 3 slides into the starting end of working line to reload material, thus completing the entire closed loop.

Claims

1. A double-layer vehicle closed-loop transportation system, characterized in that: It includes a working conveyor line (1), a return conveyor line (2), a fork mechanism and a line switching mechanism (5). The working conveyor line (1) and the return conveyor line (2) carry multiple movable carriers (3). The fork mechanism includes multiple actuating elements (45) and a power component. The actuating elements (45) are fixed at intervals at the output position of the power component. The power component drives the actuating elements (45) to perform a zigzag path driving action. The U-shaped path includes a propulsion section (1a), a transposition transition section (1b), a return section (1c), and a reset transition section (1d). The actuating element (45) maintains a linkage connection with the carrier (3) on the work conveyor line (1) during the propulsion section (1a) to propel the carrier (3) forward. The actuating element (45) disengages from the carrier (3) on the work conveyor line (1) at the beginning of the transposition transition section (1b) and at the end of the transposition transition section (1b). The actuating element (45) forms a linkage connection with the carrier (3) on the return conveyor line (2) during the return section (1c) and pushes the carrier (3) backward. The actuating element (45) disengages from the carrier (3) on the return conveyor line (2) at the beginning of the reset transition section (1d) and forms a linkage connection with the carrier (3) on the working conveyor line (1) at the end of the reset transition section (1d). The line switching mechanism (5) is located at the connection point between the working conveyor line (1) and the return conveyor line (2), and transports the corresponding conveyor line carrier (3) to switch to another conveyor line.

2. The double-layer vehicle closed-loop transportation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The actuating element (45) is cylindrical, and its column is fixed at the output position of the power assembly. The carrier (3) has a socket (32) adapted to the actuating element (45). The end of the actuating element (45) is inserted into the socket (32) along the movement direction of the shift transition section (1b) or the reset transition section (1d). The actuating element (45) drives the carrier (3) to move along the movement direction of the push section (1a) or the return section (1c).

3. The double-layer vehicle closed-loop transportation system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The working conveyor line (1) is located above the return conveyor line (2), and the two are parallel to each other.

4. The double-layer vehicle closed-loop transportation system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: Both the working conveyor line (1) and the return conveyor line (2) include a conveyor rail (11), and a slider (31) is fixedly installed at the bottom of the carrier (3), and the slider (31) slides in cooperation with the conveyor rail (11).

5. The double-layer vehicle closed-loop transportation system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The line switching mechanism (5) includes a shift cylinder (51) and a switching slide rail (52) that matches the slider (31). The carrier (3) can slide onto the switching slide rail (52) via a toggle (45). The switching slide rail (52) is connected to the output shaft of the shift cylinder (51) to shift between the working conveyor line (1) and the return conveyor line (2). The switching slide rail (52) is adapted to the conveyor slide rail (11) and switches between the conveyor slide rails (11) of the working conveyor line (1) and the return conveyor line (2) to connect the end of the corresponding conveyor slide rail (11) and receive or send out the corresponding carrier (3).

6. The double-layer vehicle closed-loop transportation system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The power assembly includes a transverse drive (41), a transverse plate (42), a longitudinal drive (43), and a longitudinal plate (44). The transverse plate (42) is connected to the output shaft of the transverse drive (41), the longitudinal drive (43) is fixedly mounted on the transverse plate (42), the longitudinal plate (44) is connected to the output shaft of the longitudinal drive (43), and the actuating element (45) is fixedly mounted on the longitudinal plate (44) along its axial direction.

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