Conveying line station controller
By employing MCU-controlled first and second output control modules in the conveyor line controller, and utilizing triggers and power switch chips to achieve high and low level digital outputs, the inaccuracy problem of traditional optocoupler control methods is solved, thereby improving the accuracy and production efficiency of the conveyor line.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- HUIZHOU TECHZEN IOT SCI & TECH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-10
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-19
AI Technical Summary
Traditional conveyor controllers using optical coupling suffer from problems such as incomplete conduction or inability to completely shut off, leading to inaccurate execution of conveyor mechanism actions and affecting production cycle time and efficiency.
The MCU-controlled conveyor station controller utilizes first and second output control modules to achieve high and low level digital outputs through first and second triggers and power switch chips, respectively. This avoids the defects of traditional optocoupler control methods and ensures accurate execution of the mechanism.
This improved the accuracy and production efficiency of the conveyor line, avoided mechanical malfunctions and inaccurate conveying rhythm, and ensured the smooth operation of the production process.
Smart Images
Figure CN224263554U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of conveyor technology, and specifically to a conveyor station controller. Background Technology
[0002] A conveyor line, also known as a material handling system, primarily functions to transport materials to various processing stations for corresponding production operations. It is widely used in manufacturing, logistics, and other industries. Depending on the type of material being transported, conveyor lines vary in type, with common examples including belt conveyors, roller conveyors, spiral conveyors, and overhead conveyors. In overhead conveyors, a carrier is typically suspended on a pre-set track, and a drive mechanism moves the carrier along the track, transporting materials to designated production stations. During manufacturing, a product often involves multiple processes. In mass production, products also need to be sorted and stored before being transported in batches to corresponding workstations for processing according to the production rhythm. To ensure accurate and orderly product transport, conveyor lines incorporate different modules such as sorting mechanisms, storage stations, conveying mechanisms, and warning lights. A controller is needed to manage these modules, controlling the sorting and storage mechanisms based on actual production conditions to regulate product flow or issue warnings to workers. Traditional controllers use optocoupler amplification for output control. The conduction current and resistance accuracy of the optocoupler are related to the characteristics of the optocoupler itself. There is a probability that the conduction is not smooth or that it is not completely shut off, which may cause the mechanism to fail to perform actions or to malfunction, affecting the pace and accuracy of product delivery, affecting the overall production process, and thus affecting production efficiency. Utility Model Content
[0003] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention provides a conveyor station controller.
[0004] This utility model is achieved using the following solution:
[0005] A conveyor line station controller includes a circuit board. The circuit board is equipped with an MCU, a first output control module connected to the MCU for outputting signals to the conveyor line mechanism, and a second output control module connected to the MCU for outputting signals to the warning lights of the conveyor line. The first output control module includes a first trigger connected to the MCU and a first power switch chip connected to the first trigger.
[0006] Furthermore, the second output control module includes a second trigger connected to the MCU and a second power switch chip connected to the second trigger.
[0007] Furthermore, the first power switch chip has four output terminals, and the second power switch chip has three output terminals.
[0008] Furthermore, the MCU adopts a GD32F303CBT6 chip, the first output control module is connected to pins 14, 15, 16, and 17 of the MCU, and the second output module is connected to pins 10, 11, and 32 of the MCU.
[0009] Furthermore, the first and second triggers are 74LVC14 type triggers, and the first and second power switch chips are TBD62003A type chips.
[0010] Furthermore, the conveyor station controller also includes an inbound card reader connected to the MCU and an outbound card reader connected to the MCU.
[0011] Furthermore, the conveyor station controller also includes a detection module connected to the MCU.
[0012] Furthermore, the conveyor station controller also includes an input module connected to the MCU.
[0013] Furthermore, the conveyor station controller also includes a terminal unit, and the MCU is connected to the terminal unit.
[0014] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:
[0015] The first output control module of this utility model adopts a first trigger and a first power switch chip to realize digital output directly controlled by the high and low levels of the NOT gate. This avoids the problem that the traditional optocoupler control method may have problems such as poor conduction or incomplete shutdown, which may cause the mechanism to fail to execute or malfunction. This ensures the conveying rhythm and accuracy of the conveyor line, avoids affecting the production process, and ensures production efficiency. Attached Figure Description
[0016] Figure 1 This is a topology diagram of a conveyor station controller provided in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the MCU in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the first output control module and the second output control module in an embodiment of this utility model.
[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the detection module in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] Figure 5This is a schematic diagram of the input module in an embodiment of the present utility model.
[0021] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of an embodiment of the present invention.
[0022] The image includes:
[0023] Circuit board 1, MCU 2, First output control module 3, First trigger 31, First power switch chip 32, Second output control module 4, Second trigger 41, Second power switch chip 42, Inbound card reader 5, Outbound card reader 6, Detection module 7, Input module 8, Terminal 9. Detailed Implementation
[0024] To facilitate understanding of this utility model by those skilled in the art, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings.
[0025] Reference Figures 1 to 6 This utility model provides a conveyor line station controller, which includes a circuit board 1. The circuit board 1 is equipped with an MCU 2 (Microcontroller Unit), a first output control module 3 connected to the MCU 2 for outputting signals to the conveyor line mechanism, and a second output control module 4 connected to the MCU 2 for outputting signals to the conveyor line's warning lights. The conveyor line is equipped with warning lights and storage stations for product sorting. The storage stations have blocking structures to prevent the movement of product carriers, such as inbound and outbound mechanisms. The first output control module 3 controls the blocking structures, and the second output module controls the conveyor line's warning lights. In this embodiment, one first output control module 3 and one second output control module 4 are provided.
[0026] like Figure 2 As shown, the first output control module 3 includes a first trigger 31 connected to the MCU 2 and a first power switch chip 32 connected to the first trigger 31. In this embodiment, the obstruction structure of the conveyor line is controlled by cylinders. This embodiment includes an inlet cylinder, a hand-operated cylinder, and an outlet cylinder, as well as a motor for lifting the product height. Therefore, the first power switch chip 32 has four output terminals, meaning the first output control module 3 has four control channels, used to control three cylinders and one motor. Through the first trigger 31 and the first power switch chip 32, digital output controlled directly by NOT gates is achieved. The NOT gate method is digital, with only high and low levels, eliminating the problems of non-conduction and incomplete shutdown. Therefore, it is more precise and avoids the problems of incomplete conduction or incomplete shutdown that may occur in traditional optocoupler control methods, leading to the mechanism's inability to execute or malfunction.
[0027] like Figure 2 As shown, the second output control module 4 includes a second trigger 41 connected to the MCU 2 and a second power switch chip 42 connected to the second trigger 41. In this embodiment, the second power switch chip 42 has three output terminals, which control three warning lights respectively. The warning lights can be used to provide various early warnings in the production site. Traditional warning lights require external equipment for connection, which increases costs and causes inconvenience for installation and maintenance. In this embodiment, the warning lights do not require additional equipment. The MCU 2 can directly drive the warning lights through the second output control module 4, forming a whole with the controller, making control convenient.
[0028] The MCU 2 uses a GD32F303CBT6 chip. The first output control module 3 is connected to pins 14, 15, 16, and 17 of the MCU 2, and the second output module is connected to pins 10, 11, and 32 of the MCU 2.
[0029] The first flip-flop 31 and the second flip-flop 41 are 74LVC14 type flip-flops. The first flip-flop 31 has pins 1, 3, 5 and 9 connected to pins 14, 15, 16 and 17 of MCU 2, respectively. The second flip-flop 41 has pins 1, 3 and 5 connected to pins 10, 11 and 32 of MCU 2, respectively.
[0030] The first power switch chip 32 and the second power switch chip 42 are both TBD62003A type chips. In this embodiment, the inbound cylinder is connected to pins 15 and 16 of the first power switch chip 32, the hand-operated cylinder is connected to pins 13 and 14 of the first power switch chip 32, the outbound cylinder is connected to pins 11 and 12 of the first power switch chip 32, and the motor is connected to pin 10 of the first power switch chip 32. The first warning light is connected to pins 15 and 16 of the second power switch chip 42, the second warning light is connected to pins 13 and 14 of the second power switch chip 42, and the third warning light is connected to pins 11 and 12 of the second power switch chip 42.
[0031] The conveyor station controller also includes an inbound card reader 5 connected to the MCU 2 and an outbound card reader 6 connected to the MCU 2. In actual production, the conveyor line has carriers that carry products, and these carriers have electronic tags that record product information. The inbound card reader 5 and the outbound card reader 6 can read the information from the electronic tags, thereby sorting, storing, or conveying the products. The MCU 2 is connected to the inbound card reader 5 or the outbound card reader 6 via a serial communication interface, thus communicating with the inbound card reader 5 or the outbound card reader 6.
[0032] like Figure 4As shown, the conveyor station controller also includes a detection module 7 connected to the MCU 2. The detection module 7 includes photoelectric sensors installed on the conveyor line. These sensors detect whether a product is in place and send a feedback signal to the MCU 2 (e.g., whether the storage station is full; if full, a feedback signal is sent to the MCU 2). The MCU 2 then sends a control signal to either the first output control module 3 or the second output control module 4. The detection module 7 has three photoelectric sensors: two for inbound and outbound detection, and one as a backup. The inbound photoelectric sensor is connected to pin 46 of the MCU 2, the outbound photoelectric sensor is connected to pin 45 of the MCU 2, and the backup photoelectric sensor is connected to pin 43 of the MCU 2.
[0033] like Figure 5 As shown, the conveyor station controller also includes an input module 8 connected to the MCU 2. In this embodiment, there are two input modules 8, including a first input module 8 and a second input module 8. The first input module 8 is connected to pin 18 of the MCU 2, and the second input module 8 is connected to pin 19 of the MCU 2. In this embodiment, the first input module 8 is a hand-operated switch, and the second input module 8 is a micro switch. After the hand-operated switch is triggered, the MCU 2 receives a feedback signal, which sends a control signal to the first output control module 3, thereby controlling the motor to start and raising the product height (the heights of different parts of the conveyor line are different, and a motor-driven lifting mechanism is needed to raise the product height to facilitate the product entering another area).
[0034] The conveyor line station controller also includes a terminal unit, and the MCU 2 is connected to the terminal unit. The terminal unit can be a computer, tablet computer, smartphone, etc., to facilitate information interaction by staff.
[0035] During operation, when a product-carrying vehicle is transported into the station, the inbound card reader 5 reads the information from the electronic tag on the vehicle and sends a signal to the MCU 2. The MCU 2 then sends a signal to the first output control module 3, controlling the inbound cylinder to open, allowing the vehicle to enter the corresponding storage station. When the product leaves the station, the outbound card reader 6 reads the information from the electronic tag on the vehicle and sends a signal to the MCU 2. The MCU 2 then sends a signal to the first output control module 3, controlling the outbound cylinder to open the outbound mechanism, allowing the product to flow out of the storage station and be transported to the designated location. When a preset warning event occurs, the MCU 2 sends a control signal to the second output control module 4, illuminating the corresponding warning light. When a hand-operated switch or microswitch is triggered, the MCU 2 receives a feedback signal and sends a control signal to the first output control module 3, controlling the motor to start or stop. When the detection module 7 detects that the storage station is full, entry is not allowed. When the MCU 2 receives the signal, it will not send a control signal to the entry cylinder. When the detection module 7 detects that manual triggering is not allowed until exit (i.e., there is a product at the exit position), when the MCU 2 receives the signal, it will not send a control signal to the exit cylinder.
[0036] The first output control module 3, the first trigger 31, and the first power switch chip 32 of this utility model realize digital output directly controlled by the high and low levels of the NOT gate. This avoids the problem that the traditional optocoupler control method may have problems such as poor conduction or incomplete shutdown, which may cause the mechanism to fail to execute or malfunction. This ensures the conveying rhythm and accuracy of the conveyor line, avoids affecting the production process, and ensures production efficiency.
[0037] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the indicated orientation or positional relationship is only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and is not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model.
[0038] Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this utility model, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.
[0039] In this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connection," "fixed," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.
[0040] Although the description of this utility model has been given in conjunction with the specific embodiments described above, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that many substitutions, modifications, and variations can be made based on the above description. Therefore, all such substitutions, modifications, and variations are included within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A conveyor line station controller, characterized in that, The conveyor station controller includes a circuit board, which is equipped with an MCU, a first output control module connected to the MCU for outputting signals to the conveyor mechanism, and a second output control module connected to the MCU for outputting signals to the warning lights of the conveyor. The first output control module includes a first trigger connected to the MCU and a first power switch chip connected to the first trigger.
2. The conveyor station controller according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second output control module includes a second trigger connected to the MCU and a second power switch chip connected to the second trigger.
3. The conveyor station controller according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first power switch chip has four output terminals, and the second power switch chip has three output terminals.
4. The conveyor station controller according to claim 1, characterized in that, The MCU uses a GD32F303CBT6 chip. The first output control module is connected to pins 14, 15, 16, and 17 of the MCU, and the second output module is connected to pins 10, 11, and 32 of the MCU.
5. The conveyor station controller according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first and second triggers are 74LVC14 type triggers, and the first and second power switch chips are TBD62003A type chips.
6. The conveyor station controller according to claim 1, characterized in that, The conveyor station controller also includes an inbound card reader connected to the MCU and an outbound card reader connected to the MCU.
7. The conveyor station controller according to claim 1, characterized in that, The conveyor station controller also includes a detection module connected to the MCU.
8. The conveyor station controller according to claim 1, characterized in that, The conveyor station controller also includes an input module connected to the MCU.
9. The conveyor station controller according to claim 1, characterized in that, The conveyor station controller also includes a terminal unit, and the MCU is connected to the terminal unit.