Multi-layer tote cart

Abstract

The utility model provides a multilayer tote cart which comprises a bottom frame, a vertical frame, a plurality of layers of material placing plates and idler wheels, each material placing plate is provided with a separating piece capable of keeping a certain distance with the vertically adjacent material placing plates, and each separating piece comprises an upper separating piece, a middle piece and an arc-shaped piece. Lower bending parts formed between the arc-shaped pieces and the middle pieces form supporting legs capable of being supported on the upper partition pieces of the adjacent partition pieces, and when the material placing plate is in an overturning state, upper bending parts formed between the upper partition pieces and the middle pieces can abut against the lower surfaces of the arc-shaped pieces of the adjacent partition pieces. And the supporting legs are positioned on the same straight line. The supporting legs can be supported on the upper partition pieces of the adjacent partition pieces when the material containing plates are in the horizontal state so that the consistent distance can be kept between the adjacent material containing plates. And in the overturning state, the upper bending parts abut against the lower surfaces of the arc-shaped pieces of the adjacent partition pieces, so that the consistent distance can be kept between the adjacent material placing plates, and a mechanical arm can conveniently and smoothly pull all the material placing plates to overturn.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of equipment for material transportation and storage, specifically to a multi-layer turnover vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Turnover carts are indispensable equipment in modern logistics and production, especially in product processing and assembly, where they are a commonly used material transfer device. Currently, the structure of turnover carts has diversified according to the characteristics of the products they carry. For example, the material placement device (i.e., multi-layer turnover cart) disclosed in Chinese patent application publication number CN110752107A includes a base frame, two uprights respectively mounted vertically on one side of the base frame, a multi-layer material placement plate mounted on the base frame, and a first roller mounted below the base frame. One side of the material placement plate is hinged to the two uprights, while the other side has support feet to support the material placement plate. Springs are installed between the other two sides of the material placement plate and the corresponding uprights. When the material placement plate is in a horizontal state, the springs are in the same plane as the material placement plate, so that the material placement plate can maintain its flipped state when flipped upwards. Using such a material placement device, multiple products to be degassed can be placed, which helps to improve the space utilization of the degassed machine and thus improve production efficiency. Furthermore, by using springs, only the material placement plate needs to be flipped during loading and unloading, without the need to disassemble the material placement plate, saving loading and unloading time.

[0003] However, since the aforementioned multi-layer turnover carts are not only used in degassing machine systems, when they are pushed into their processes and need to cooperate with robotic arms (used to move products on the turnover carts), higher requirements are placed on the turnover carts. For example, the spacing between adjacent material trays needs to be consistent so that the robotic arm can smoothly flip each material tray. At the same time, it is necessary to know the flipping status of the material trays to avoid the robotic arm operating without load. Furthermore, the turnover cart needs to be reliably positioned in the required location to assist the robotic arm in starting.

[0004] Therefore, in order to work with the robotic arm, the aforementioned turnover cart needs to be modified accordingly. Utility Model Content

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a multi-layer turnover cart for use with a robotic arm, in light of the current state of the technology.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is as follows: The multi-layer turnover cart includes a base frame, a vertically mounted stand on one side of the base frame, a multi-layer material placement plate located on the base frame, and rollers located below the base frame. One side of each material placement plate is hinged to the stand. At both ends of the other side of each material placement plate, a separator is provided to maintain a certain distance from adjacent material placement plates. Springs are provided between the other two sides of each material placement plate and the stand. When the corresponding material placement plate is in a horizontal state, the springs are in the same plane as the corresponding material placement plate, so that the material placement plate can maintain its flipped state when flipped upwards. The feature is that: The aforementioned separator includes an upper separator attached to the upper surface of the corresponding material placement plate, an intermediate piece extending downward from the outer end of the upper separator, and an arc-shaped piece extending upward from the extended end of the intermediate piece and towards the inner end of the upper separator. The extended end of the arc-shaped piece is attached to the lower surface of the corresponding material placement plate. The downward bend formed between the arc-shaped piece and the intermediate piece constitutes a support foot that can be supported on the upper separator of the adjacent separator. When the material placement plate is in a flipped state, the upward bend formed between the upper separator and the intermediate piece can abut against the lower surface of the arc-shaped piece of the adjacent separator, and the support foot is on the same straight line L.

[0007] To limit the flipping angle of the material placement plate in the flipped state, preferably, a limit rod is installed at the top of the upright frame. When the uppermost material placement plate is in the flipped state, the limit rod abuts against the upper surface of the material placement plate. In this way, the uppermost material placement plate flips until its upper surface abuts against the limit rod, and is maintained in this flipped state under the action of the spring.

[0008] To adjust the tilting angle of the material placement plate, preferably, an adjusting nut is fixed to the top of the upright frame, and the limiting rod is a bolt threaded into the adjusting nut, with a locking nut threaded onto the bolt. In use, the bolt is rotated to move it laterally, and the locking nut is used to lock the bolt at a suitable position. When the bolt is locked in different positions, the uppermost material placement plate is allowed to rotate at different angles, thereby limiting the material placement plate to different tilting angles.

[0009] To detect the flipping status of the material trays, preferably, a conductive post is also insulatedly connected to the upright frame. A lever is provided on one side of each material tray, and multiple elastic pieces corresponding one-to-one with the levers on each material tray are installed on the conductive post. During the flipping of each material tray, each lever can move the corresponding elastic piece. At the same time, a sensor that can sense the movement of the elastic piece by the corresponding lever is provided on the upright frame. During the process of the robotic arm flipping the material tray, the sensor can detect when the paddle moves the corresponding elastic piece. Before and after the material tray is flipped, the paddle is not in contact with the corresponding elastic piece. This allows the robot to determine whether the operation of flipping the material tray is accurate. For example, if the sensor does not detect the paddle moving the corresponding elastic piece during the flipping process, the robot has failed to flip the corresponding material tray. If the sensor continues to detect the paddle moving the elastic piece after the flip is completed, it indicates that the material tray has been flipped but has not been flipped to the final position where the upper surface abuts against the limit rod or the upper bent part abuts against the lower surface of the arc-shaped piece of the upper material tray.

[0010] To enable the sensor to detect when the elastic sheet is actuated by the corresponding lever, preferably, the sensor includes a first resistor, a second resistor, and a battery. One end of the first resistor is connected to the positive terminal of the battery, and the other end is connected to one end of the second resistor via the aforementioned conductive post. The other end of the second resistor is grounded and connected to the negative terminal of the battery. A wireless transmitter is connected to one end of the first resistor for electrical connection with the controller of the robotic arm. Thus, when the lever actuates the corresponding elastic sheet, the wireless transmitter outputs a low potential; when the lever does not contact the corresponding elastic sheet, the wireless transmitter outputs a high potential. This potential signal is output to the controller of the robotic arm to determine whether the robotic arm's operation is accurate.

[0011] To allow the multi-layered material trays to flexibly enter different equipment (such as ovens), a split structure is preferably designed. This means that four rollers are installed at the four corners of a base frame. A push handle is located on one side of the base frame, adjacent to the side of the material tray. Multiple rollers that can rotate relative to the base frame are distributed parallel to each other within the base frame. The base frame can slide into each roller from the other side of the base frame. A plug for insertion into a slot at a positioning point is provided on the other side of the base frame. Positioning elements are also provided on the base frame to constrain the base frame to the rollers. Thus, when the plug is inserted into the slot, it indicates that the trolley has been reliably positioned at the desired location, at which point the robot arm can start and move the products on the trolley.

[0012] In order to transmit the signal of plug insertion into slot to the robot, preferably, the bottom frame is also provided with a protrusion, which can trigger a micro switch located at the positioning point when the plug is inserted into the slot.

[0013] To facilitate securing the base frame to the rollers on the base frame, the positioning element is preferably mounted on the base frame adjacent to the push handle. When the base frame slides into the rollers from the other side of the base frame, the positioning element adjacent to the push handle ensures the base frame slides completely into the base frame and locks it in place. Furthermore, the proximity of the push handle to the operator facilitates operation.

[0014] To ensure the support foot can stably support the material placement plate, preferably, the extended end of the intermediate piece extends obliquely downwards, forming an acute bending angle α between the intermediate piece and the upper partition. If the intermediate piece extends vertically downwards from the upper partition, the support foot rests on the upper bend formed between the upper partition and the intermediate piece of the adjacent partition, failing to provide stable support. Therefore, the intermediate piece is designed to extend towards the inner end of the upper partition and form an acute angle with it. In this way, the support foot can rest on the upper partition of the adjacent partition, and the upper partition is attached to the upper surface of the corresponding material placement plate. That is, the upper partition and the material placement plate are arranged parallel, and the support foot can stably support the upper partition of the adjacent partition, maintaining a consistent spacing between adjacent material placement plates. Simultaneously, the upper partition, intermediate piece, and arc-shaped piece form a stable triangular structure, and the support foot is the lower bend formed between the arc-shaped piece and the intermediate piece. This lower bend serves as a vertex of the triangular structure away from the material placement plate, providing stable support for the material placement plate.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the multi-layer turnover cart of this utility model has a different feature. The partition includes an upper partition, an intermediate partition, and an arc-shaped partition. The lower bend formed between the arc-shaped partition and the intermediate partition forms a support foot. When the material plate is in a horizontal state, the support foot can support the upper partition of the adjacent partition, so that the spacing between the adjacent material plates remains consistent. In the flipped state, the upper bend formed between the upper partition and the intermediate partition abuts against the lower surface of the arc-shaped partition of the adjacent partition, and all the support feet are in the same straight line, so that the spacing between the adjacent material plates remains consistent in the flipped state, which makes it easier for the robot to flip each material plate smoothly. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the material placement plate in a horizontal state in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0018] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Enlarged view of point A in the middle;

[0019] Figure 4 for Figure 2 Enlarged view of point B in the middle;

[0020] Figure 5This is a schematic diagram of the sensor (with the material feeding plate in a horizontal state) in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0021] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the sensor (in the state of the lever actuating the elastic sheet) in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0022] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the sensor (with the material feeding plate in a flipped state) in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram showing that some of the material placement plates are in a flipped state in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0024] Figure 9 for Figure 8 Enlarged view of point C in the middle;

[0025] Figure 10 for Figure 8 Enlarged view of point D in the middle;

[0026] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the bottom frame, push handle, and roller in an embodiment of this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0028] like Figure 1-11 The figure shown is a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] This embodiment of the multi-layer turnover cart includes a base frame 1, a vertically mounted stand 2 on one side of the base frame 1, multi-layer material placement plates 3 located on the base frame 1, and rollers 4 located below the base frame 1. The material placement plates 3 can be solid plates or grid-like plates as shown in the figure. Each material placement plate 3 is hinged to the stand 2 on one side. At both ends of the other side of each material placement plate 3, there are separators 31 that maintain a certain distance from adjacent material placement plates 3. Springs 32 are provided between the other two sides of each material placement plate 3 and the stand 2. When the corresponding material placement plate 3 is in a horizontal state, the springs 32 are in the same plane as the corresponding material placement plate 3. The material placement plate 3 can be flipped upwards by a robotic arm and maintained in a flipped state under the action of the springs 32. See details below. Figure 9 When the material plate 3 is in a horizontal state, since the spring 32 and the material plate 3 are on the same plane, the spring 32 will not apply a rotational force to the material plate 3, and the material plate 3 will not rotate. When the external force flips the material plate 3 upward, the spring 32 will generate a radial pulling force on the material plate 3, so that the material plate 3 will not fall.

[0030] For the specific structure of the separator 31, please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 3In this embodiment, the separator 31 includes an upper partition 311, a middle partition 312, and an arc-shaped partition 313. The upper partition 311 is attached to the upper surface of the corresponding material placement plate 3. The middle partition 312 is bent obliquely downward from the outer end of the upper partition 311, forming an acute bending angle α between the middle partition 312 and the upper partition 311. The arc-shaped partition 313 is bent upward from the extended end of the middle partition 312 and extends towards the inner end of the upper partition 311. The extended end of the arc-shaped partition 313 is attached to the lower surface of the corresponding material placement plate 3. When the material placement plate 3 is in a horizontal state, such as... Figure 2-3 As shown, the downward bend 314 formed between the arc-shaped piece 313 and the intermediate piece 312 constitutes a support foot that can be supported on the upper partition 311 of the adjacent partition 31. Since the intermediate piece 312 is designed to extend towards the inner end of the upper partition 311 and form an acute angle with the upper partition 311, the support foot can be supported on the upper partition 311 of the adjacent partition 31. The upper partition 311 is attached to the upper surface of the corresponding material plate 3, that is, the upper partition 311 is arranged parallel to the material plate 3, and the support foot can stably support the upper partition 311 of the adjacent partition 31, so that the spacing between the adjacent material plates 3 remains consistent; when the material plate 3 is in the flipped state, such as Figure 8-10 As shown, the upper bend 315 formed between the upper partition 311 and the middle partition 312 can abut against the lower surface of the arc-shaped piece 313 of the adjacent partition 31, and make the support feet on the same straight line L, so that the adjacent material plates 3 can maintain a consistent spacing in the flipped state, thereby facilitating the robot arm to smoothly flip each material plate 3.

[0031] To limit the flipping angle of the material placement plate 3 in the flipped state, a limit rod 21 is installed on the top of the upright 2 in this embodiment. (See figure) Figure 4 and Figure 8 When the uppermost material plate 3 is in the flipped state, the limiting rod 21 abuts against the upper surface of the material plate 3. Under the combined radial tension of the limiting rod 21 and the spring 32 on the material plate 3, the material plate 3 can maintain its flipped state. The limiting position of the limiting rod 21 can be adjusted. Specifically, an adjusting nut 24 is fixed to the top of the stand 2, and the limiting rod 21 is a bolt threaded into the adjusting nut 24, with a locking nut 25 threaded onto the bolt. In use, the bolt is rotated to move it laterally, and the bolt is locked in the appropriate position with the locking nut 25. When the bolt is locked in different positions, the uppermost material plate 3 is allowed to rotate at different angles, thus the material plate 3 can be limited to different flipping angles by adjusting the bolt.

[0032] Since this transfer cart works in conjunction with a robotic arm to move products, it is necessary to monitor the flipping status of the material tray 3 during operation to avoid the robotic arm operating without load. (See also...) Figure 4-7The support frame 2 is also insulated with a conductive post 22 (the upper and lower ends of the conductive post 22 can be separated from the support frame 2 by an insulating plate). Each material plate 3 has a lever 33 on one side. The conductive post 22 is equipped with multiple elastic pieces 23 that correspond one-to-one with the lever 33 on each material plate 3. During the flipping of each material plate 3, each lever 33 can move the corresponding elastic piece 23. At the same time, the support frame 2 is equipped with a sensor 5 that can sense that the elastic piece 23 is moved by the corresponding lever 33. The sensor 5 can be housed in a small enclosure (not shown in the figure), which can be fixed to the bracket 2. The sensor 5 may include a first resistor 51, a second resistor 52, and a battery 53. One end of the first resistor 51 is connected to the positive terminal of the battery 53, and the other end is connected to one end of the second resistor 52 via the aforementioned conductive post 22. The other end of the second resistor 52 is grounded and connected to the negative terminal of the battery 53. A wireless transmitter (not shown in the figure) is connected to one end of the first resistor 51. This wireless transmitter can be an existing Bluetooth transmitter or other dedicated wireless transmitter, used to electrically connect to the controller of the robotic arm. During the process of the robotic arm flipping the material tray 3, when the lever 33 moves the corresponding elastic piece 23, it can be sensed by the sensor 5, and the wireless transmitter outputs a low potential, such as... Figure 6 As shown; before and after the material plate 3 is flipped, the lever 33 is in a state of not contacting the corresponding elastic piece 23, and the wireless transmitter outputs a high potential, such as Figure 5 and 7 As shown, the potential signal is output to the controller of the robot and the robot's operation is judged to be accurate. During the operation of the robot flipping the material plate 3 once, the wireless transmitter outputs signals in the order of high potential-low potential-high potential. If the wireless transmitter always outputs a high potential during the flipping process of the material plate 3, it indicates that the robot failed to flip the corresponding material plate 3. If the wireless transmitter still outputs a low potential after the flipping is completed, it indicates that the material plate 3 has been flipped but has not been flipped to the final position where the upper surface abuts against the limit rod 21 or the upper bent part 315 abuts against the lower surface of the arc-shaped piece 313 of the upper material plate 3.

[0033] In addition, see Figure 11 In this embodiment, the multi-layer turnover cart is designed as a split structure, with four rollers 4, each mounted at one of the four corners of a base frame 6. A push handle 61 is located on one side of the base frame 6, adjacent to the side of the material placement plate 3. Multiple rollers 62, which can rotate relative to the base frame 6, are distributed parallel to each other within the base frame 6. The base frame 1 can slide into each roller 62 from the other side of the base frame 6. A plug 63 is provided on the other side of the base frame 6 for insertion into a slot (not shown in the figure) at a positioning point to position the turnover cart in the desired location. The base frame 6 also has protrusions 65, which can be located on either side of the base frame 6, or... Figure 11The protrusion 65 is located on the same surface as the plug 63. When the plug 63 is inserted into the slot, the protrusion 65 actuates a microswitch (not shown) located at the positioning point, thereby transmitting a signal to the robot arm to reliably position the trolley in the desired position. At this time, the robot arm can start and move the products on the trolley. The base frame 6 is also provided with a positioning element 64 that limits the base frame 1 to the roller 62 of the base frame 6 (this positioning element 64 can be a conventional positioning handle assembly in the prior art, see [link to relevant documentation]). Figure 11 The positioning element 64 is installed on the bottom frame 6 adjacent to the push handle 61. When the base frame 1 slides into each roller 62 from the other side of the bottom frame 6, the positioning element 64 provided adjacent to the push handle 61 can ensure that the base frame 1 slides completely into the bottom frame 6 and locks the base frame 1, so as to facilitate the operation of the operator.

[0034] In summary, as Figure 2 and Figure 5-8 As shown, the process of the robotic arm operating this multi-layer turnover cart is as follows:

[0035] During unloading: the turnover cart is moved to the positioning point, the plug 63 on the bottom frame 6 of the multi-layer turnover cart is inserted into the slot at the positioning point, the protrusion 65 touches the micro switch located at the positioning point, the robot moves the product on the topmost material plate 3, and after moving the product on one layer of material plate 3, the material plate 3 is flipped to the flipped state. During the flipping of the material plate 3, the sensor 5 on the stand 2 outputs signals to the controller controlling the robot in sequence according to high potential-low potential-high potential. When the controller receives a complete signal, it indicates that the robot has successfully flipped the topmost material plate 3 to the flipped state. This process is repeated to remove the products on each material plate 3 one by one.

[0036] During loading: the turnover cart is moved to the positioning point, the plug 63 on the bottom frame 6 of the multi-layer turnover cart is inserted into the slot at the positioning point, the protrusion 65 touches the micro switch located at the positioning point, and the robot begins to place the product on the placement plate 3 layer by layer. After placing one layer of product, the upper layer placement plate 3 is flipped down to a horizontal state. Similarly, during the rotation, the sensor 5 on the stand 2 outputs signals to the controller controlling the robot in sequence according to high potential-low potential-high potential. When the controller receives the complete signal, it indicates that the robot has successfully flipped the placement plate 3 to a horizontal state.

Claims

1. A multi-layer turnover cart, comprising a base frame (1), a vertically mounted stand (2) on one side of the base frame (1), a multi-layer material placement plate (3) located on the base frame (1), and rollers (4) disposed below the base frame (1), wherein one side of each material placement plate (3) is hinged to the stand (2), and both ends of the other side of each material placement plate (3) are provided with a separator (31) that can maintain a certain distance from the adjacent material placement plates (3) above and below, and springs (32) are respectively provided between the other two sides of each material placement plate (3) and the stand (2), wherein the springs (32) are in the same plane as the corresponding material placement plate (3) when the corresponding material placement plate (3) is in a horizontal state, so that the material placement plate (3) can maintain a flipped state when flipped upward, characterized in that: The separator (31) includes an upper partition (311) attached to the upper surface of the corresponding material plate (3), an intermediate piece (312) extending downward from the outer end of the upper partition (311), and an arc-shaped piece (313) extending upward from the extended end of the intermediate piece (312) and extending towards the inner end of the upper partition (311). The extended end of the arc-shaped piece (313) is attached to the lower surface of the corresponding material plate (3). 13) The lower bend (314) formed between the middle piece (312) and the upper bend (315) can be supported on the upper piece (311) of the adjacent partition (31) when the material plate (3) is in the flipped state, and the upper bend (315) formed between the upper piece (311) and the middle piece (312) can abut against the lower surface of the arc-shaped piece (313) of the adjacent partition (31) and make the support foot on the same straight line L.

2. The multi-layer turnover cart according to claim 1, characterized in that: A limiting rod (21) is installed on the top of the stand (2). When the uppermost material plate (3) is in a flipped state, the limiting rod (21) abuts against the upper surface of the material plate (3).

3. The multi-layer turnover cart according to claim 2, characterized in that: An adjusting nut (24) is fixed to the top of the stand (2), and the limiting rod (21) is a bolt threaded in the adjusting nut (24), and a locking nut (25) is threaded on the bolt.

4. The multi-layer turnover cart according to claim 1, characterized in that: A conductive post (22) is also insulatedly connected to the upright frame (2). A lever (33) is provided on one side of each of the material plates (3). Multiple elastic pieces (23) are installed on the conductive post (22) that correspond one-to-one with the levers (33) on each material plate (3). During the flipping process of each material plate (3), each lever (33) can move the corresponding elastic piece (23). At the same time, a sensor (5) is provided on the upright frame (2) that can sense that the elastic piece (23) is moved by the corresponding lever (33).

5. The multi-layer turnover cart according to claim 4, characterized in that: The sensor (5) includes a first resistor (51), a second resistor (52), and a battery (53). One end of the first resistor (51) is connected to the positive terminal of the battery (53), and the other end is connected to one end of the second resistor (52) through the conductive post (22). The other end of the second resistor (52) is grounded and connected to the negative terminal of the battery (53). At the same time, a wireless transmitter is connected to one end of the first resistor (51) for electrical connection with the controller that controls the robotic arm.

6. The multi-layer turnover cart according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: There are four rollers (4), which are respectively installed at the four corners of a base frame (6). A push handle (61) is provided on one side of the base frame (6) adjacent to the side of the material plate (3). Multiple rollers (62) that can rotate relative to the base frame (6) are distributed parallel to each other inside the base frame (6). The base frame (1) can slide into each roller (62) from the other side of the base frame (6). A plug (63) for inserting into the slot at the positioning point is provided on the other side of the base frame (6). A positioning member (64) is also provided on the base frame (6) to limit the base frame (1) on the rollers (62) of the base frame (6).

7. The multi-layer turnover cart according to claim 6, characterized in that: The bottom frame (6) is also provided with a protrusion (65), which can activate a micro switch located at the positioning point when the plug (63) is inserted into the slot.

8. The multi-layer turnover cart according to claim 6, characterized in that: The positioning element (64) is mounted on the bottom frame (6) adjacent to the push handle (61).

9. The multi-layer turnover cart according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The extension end of the intermediate piece (312) extends obliquely downward, so that an acute-angled bending angle α is formed between the intermediate piece (312) and the upper partition piece (311).

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