Transit device and production line

Abstract

The application discloses a transfer device and a production line. The transfer device comprises a storage device and a conveying device. The storage device is used for storing carriers. The conveying device comprises a first conveying assembly and a second conveying assembly arranged on one side of the storage device. The first conveying assembly is used for conveying carriers carrying materials, and the second conveying assembly is used for conveying empty carriers in the opposite direction. The transfer device further comprises a loading and unloading device. The loading and unloading device is used for transferring carriers between the storage device and the first conveying assembly, and / or the loading and unloading device is used for transferring carriers between the storage device and the second conveying assembly. The carriers are stored or released by the storage device, so as to reduce the risk of blockage caused by too many carriers or the risk of insufficient supply caused by too few carriers, and adapt to different production speeds.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of material transfer, and in particular to a transfer device and a production line. BACKGROUND

[0002] Generally, a transfer device is needed on a production line to transfer materials. The production line needs to carry materials by a carrier, and after processing, the carrier needs to be returned to the transfer device to carry materials again. However, the existing transfer device cannot adapt to different production speeds of the production line to transfer and return the carrier, resulting in the problem of carrier congestion or insufficient supply. CONTENT OF THE UTILITY MODEL

[0003] Therefore, the present application provides a transfer device to adapt to different production speeds of the production line to transfer and return the carrier, thereby solving the problem of carrier congestion and insufficient supply.

[0004] The present application provides a transfer device, which includes a storage device and a conveying device. The storage device is used to store carriers. The conveying device includes a first conveying assembly and a second conveying assembly arranged on one side of the storage device. The first conveying assembly is used to convey carriers carrying materials, and the second conveying assembly is used to convey empty carriers in a direction opposite to the conveying direction of the first conveying assembly. The transfer device further includes a loading and unloading device. The loading and unloading device is used to transfer carriers between the storage device and the first conveying assembly, and / or the loading and unloading device is used to transfer carriers between the storage device and the second conveying assembly.

[0005] In the above embodiment, when the first conveying assembly and the second conveying assembly of the transfer device transfer and return the carriers, the carriers on the first conveying assembly or the second conveying assembly are transferred to the storage device by the loading and unloading device for storage, so as to reduce the risk of congestion of the carriers on the first conveying assembly or the second conveying assembly. The carriers on the storage device are transferred to the first conveying assembly or the second conveying assembly by the loading and unloading device, so as to reduce the risk of insufficient supply of the carriers, thereby realizing that the transfer device can adapt to different production speeds of the production line to transfer and return the carriers.

[0006] In some embodiments, the conveying device further includes a transfer mechanism, which is used to transfer carriers between the first conveying assembly and the loading and unloading device. And / or, the transfer mechanism is used to transfer carriers between the second conveying assembly and the loading and unloading device.

[0007] The transfer mechanism transfers the carriers of the first conveying assembly and the second conveying assembly, so that the loading and unloading device obtains or releases the carriers, thereby improving the loading and unloading efficiency of the loading and unloading device on the first conveying assembly and the second conveying assembly, and meanwhile, the transfer mechanism transfers the carriers, thereby reducing the risk that the first conveying assembly and the second conveying assembly need to stop working when the loading and unloading device loads and unloads.

[0008] In some embodiments, the conveying device further comprises a bearing assembly; the bearing assembly is arranged on one side of the second conveying assembly and / or the first conveying assembly, and has oppositely arranged first and second regions, both of which are used for the loading and unloading device to release or obtain the carriers. The transfer mechanism can be located between the first and second regions and release the carriers to the first or second region or obtain the carriers on the first or second region.

[0009] The arrangement of the bearing assembly enables the loading and unloading device to obtain or release the carriers in the first and second regions respectively, thereby reducing the waiting time of the loading and unloading device and the transfer mechanism, and improving the efficiency of the transfer of the carriers by the loading and unloading device and the transfer mechanism.

[0010] In some embodiments, the first and second regions are arranged in parallel or perpendicular to the direction in which the first conveying assembly conveys the carriers. The storage device is arranged between the first and second regions along the direction in which the first and second regions are arranged oppositely, and the storage device is provided with openings on both sides along the direction in which the first and second regions are arranged oppositely for the carriers to pass through. The number of the loading and unloading devices is two, one of which is used to transfer the carriers between the storage device and the first region, and the other is used to transfer the carriers between the storage device and the second region.

[0011] The arrangement of the storage device between the first and second regions shortens the distance from the storage device to the first and second regions, thereby improving the loading and unloading efficiency of the loading and unloading device, the arrangement of the openings on both sides enables the carriers in the storage device to enter and exit in both directions, and the arrangement of the two loading and unloading devices improves the loading and unloading efficiency of the storage device.

[0012] In some embodiments, the transfer mechanism can pass through the first conveying assembly along a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the first conveying assembly conveys the carriers, and carry the carriers on the first conveying assembly or release the carriers on the first conveying assembly. And / or the transfer mechanism can pass through the second conveying assembly along a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the second conveying assembly conveys the carriers, and carry the carriers on the second conveying assembly or release the carriers on the second conveying assembly.

[0013] The transfer mechanism is vertically moved through the transfer mechanism to pass through the first conveying assembly and the second conveying assembly, so as to shorten the moving distance of the transfer mechanism and reduce the risk of interference between the transfer mechanism and the first conveying assembly and the second conveying assembly.

[0014] In some embodiments, the transfer device further comprises a detection device for detecting the carrier on the conveying device and sending a feedback signal to the feeding and discharging device. The detection device detects the carrier to determine whether the carrier is normal, so as to store the defective carrier to the specified position of the storage device by the feeding and discharging device.

[0015] In some embodiments, the detection device is a line laser scanner for detecting the carrier and sending a feedback signal to the feeding and discharging device. The line laser scanner with high stability is used to detect the carrier, so as to improve the detection accuracy of the detection device and reduce the risk of damaged carriers continuing to flow into the production line.

[0016] In some embodiments, the storage device is arranged on one side of the conveying device in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the first conveying assembly. The storage device is arranged on one side above or horizontally to the conveying device, so as to reduce the risk of interference of the storage device with the path of the conveying device.

[0017] The production line comprises at least two processing devices and the above-mentioned transfer device. The production line is relatively provided with a head end and a tail end. All the processing devices are sequentially arranged from the head end to the tail end, and each processing device is used for processing the material on the carrier. The number of transfer devices is at least one, and the transfer device is arranged between adjacent processing devices. The transfer device is used for transferring the carrier between adjacent processing devices.

[0018] The at least two processing devices are used to process the material in different processes, and the transfer device is used to transfer the material and the carrier between adjacent processing devices.

[0019] In some embodiments, along the arrangement direction of all the processing devices, the transfer device is further arranged on the side of the processing device at the head end away from the tail end. The transfer device is used for transferring the carrier with the material to be processed between the processing device at the head end and the transfer vehicle outside. And / or the transfer device is further arranged on the side of the processing device at the tail end away from the head end. The transfer device is used for transferring the processed material between the processing device at the tail end and the transfer vehicle outside.

[0020] The transfer device is used to transfer the carrier between the transfer vehicle outside and the processing device at the head end or the tail end, so as to realize the feeding and discharging function of the production line by the transfer vehicle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1A schematic diagram of a production line provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0022] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a transfer device of Figure 1

[0023] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a conveying device of Figure 2

[0024] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a storage device and a loading and unloading device of Figure 2

[0025] Figure 5 A working state schematic diagram of a conveying device in Figure 2

[0026] Figure 6 A working state schematic diagram of another conveying device in Figure 2

[0027] Figure 7 A working state schematic diagram of still another conveying device in Figure 2

[0028] Figure 8 A working state schematic diagram of yet another conveying device in Figure 2

[0029] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of another perspective of Figure 8

[0030] Figures 5 to 8 In the above, S represents the moving direction of the transfer mechanism to drive the carrier to store or release.

[0031] Main element symbol explanation

[0032] 10, production line; 11, head end; 12, tail end; 20, processing device; 30, transfer device; 31, storage device; 32, conveying device; 321, first conveying assembly; 322, second conveying assembly; 323, bearing assembly; 3231, first area; 3232, second area; 324, transfer mechanism; 325, third area; 326, fourth area; 33, loading and unloading device; 331, loading and unloading manipulator; 332, feeding mechanism; 34, detection device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all the embodiments.

[0034] ​​​​​​​​It should be noted that when a component is considered to be "connected" to another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or may also have an intervening component. When a component is considered to be "placed" on another component, it can be directly placed on the other component or may also have an intervening component. The terms "top," "above," "below," "front," "back," and similar expressions used in this article are for illustrative purposes only.

[0035] The terms “first”, “second”, etc., are used only to distinguish different objects and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implying the quantity, specific order, or primary and secondary relationship of the indicated technical features.

[0036] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application.

[0037] This application provides a transfer device, including a storage device and a conveying device. The storage device is used to store carriers. The conveying device includes a first conveying assembly and a second conveying assembly disposed on one side of the storage device. The first conveying assembly is used to convey carriers carrying materials, and the second conveying assembly is used to convey empty carriers in a direction opposite to the conveying direction of the first conveying assembly. The transfer device also includes a loading / unloading device for transferring carriers between the storage device and the first conveying assembly, and / or for transferring carriers between the storage device and the second conveying assembly.

[0038] In the above embodiments, when the first conveying component and the second conveying component of the transfer equipment transfer and return the carriers, the loading and unloading device transfers the carriers on the first conveying component or the second conveying component to the storage device for storage, so as to reduce the risk of blockage caused by too many carriers on the first conveying component or the second conveying component. The loading and unloading device also transfers the carriers on the storage device to the first conveying component or the second conveying component, so as to reduce the risk of insufficient carrier supply. Thus, the transfer equipment can adapt to different production speeds of the production line to transfer and return the carriers.

[0039] Some embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise specified, the following embodiments and features can be combined with each other.

[0040] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 1This application discloses a production line 10, including at least two processing devices 20 and at least one transfer device 30. The production line 10 includes a head end 11 and a tail end 12 arranged opposite each other. All the processing devices 20 are arranged sequentially from the head end 11 to the tail end 12, with one processing device 20 at each end (referred to as the processing device 20 at the head end 11 and the processing device 20 at the tail end 12, respectively). The transfer device 30 is located between two adjacent processing devices 20. During operation, after one processing device 20 processes the material (not shown) on a carrier (not shown), the transfer device 30 transfers the carrier to the next processing device 20, and this cycle repeats, thereby enabling all processing devices 20 to process the material individually, achieving automated material processing by the production line 10. Simultaneously, after the processing device 20 at the tail end 12 finishes processing the material, the material separates from the carrier, and the carrier is transported in the opposite direction by the transfer devices 30 and the processing devices 20, allowing the carrier to carry material again.

[0041] In some embodiments, the processing equipment 20 includes a processing area (not shown) and a conveyor line (not shown) for transporting a carrier, with at least one conveyor line passing through the processing area.

[0042] In some embodiments, two adjacent processing devices 20 may also be directly connected.

[0043] In some embodiments, the vehicle is part of production line 10.

[0044] In some embodiments, all the processing equipment 20 are arranged in a straight line along the X-axis.

[0045] In other embodiments, all the processing equipment 20 can also be arranged in curves or zigzags along other directions.

[0046] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3The transfer equipment 30 includes a conveying device 32 comprising a first conveying component 321 and a second conveying component 322. The first conveying component 321 is disposed on one side of the second conveying component 322 along the Y-axis. The first conveying component 321 of each transfer equipment 30 is connected to the conveyor line passing through the processing area on the adjacent processing equipment 20. The first conveying component 321 conveys a carrier carrying materials along the positive X-axis and connects all the conveyor lines passing through the processing area on the processing equipment 20 in series (hereinafter referred to as the transfer path), so that all processing equipment 20 can process the materials on the carrier sequentially. The second conveying component 322 of each transfer equipment 30 is connected in series with another conveyor line on the adjacent processing equipment 20 (hereinafter referred to as the return path). The second conveying component 322 is used to convey empty carriers along the negative X-axis, so that the carriers can move through all the processing equipment 20 to the beginning 11 of the production line 10 and repeatedly carry materials, thereby improving the reuse rate of the carriers.

[0047] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 2 The transfer equipment 30 also includes a storage device 31 and a loading / unloading device 33. The storage device 31 is disposed on one side of the first conveying assembly 321 and the second conveying assembly 322. The loading / unloading device 33 is used to transfer the carrier between the storage device 31 and the first conveying assembly 321. And / or the loading / unloading device 33 is used to transfer the carrier between the storage device 31 and the second conveying assembly 322, so that the storage device 31 stores the carriers on the first conveying assembly 321 and / or the second conveying assembly 322 respectively. When the processing equipment 20 is at its peak processing efficiency, the storage device 31 stores the carriers on the first conveying assembly 321 and / or the second conveying assembly 322 to reduce the risk of carrier accumulation on the first conveying assembly 321 and / or the second conveying assembly 322. When the processing equipment 20 is at its lowest processing efficiency, the storage device 31 releases the carriers to the first conveying assembly 321 and / or the second conveying assembly 322 to reduce the risk of insufficient carrier supply.

[0048] For example, during the process of transferring containers from the first conveying component 321 of the transfer equipment 30 to the processing equipment 20, if the processing efficiency of the processing equipment 20 is low due to factors such as malfunction, the loading / unloading device 33 transfers the containers on the first conveying component 321 to the storage device 31 for storage, thereby reducing the risk of the first conveying component 321 becoming blocked due to excessive containers. When the processing equipment 20 returns to normal, the loading / unloading device 33 releases the containers in the storage device 31 onto the first conveying component 321, so that the first conveying component 321 can quickly transfer the containers to the processing equipment 20 (at the same time, the processing speed of the processing equipment 20 can be increased), so that the processing equipment 20 can speed up the processing of materials and output containers to the downstream processing equipment 20 more quickly, thereby reducing the risk of low production efficiency caused by insufficient material supply to the downstream processing equipment 20.

[0049] Similarly, during the process of the second conveying component 322 of the transfer equipment 30 returning the carrier to the processing equipment 20 at the first end 11, if the processing efficiency of one of the processing equipment 20s on the production line 10 is low due to factors such as malfunction, the loading and unloading device 33 transfers the carrier on the second conveying component 322 to the storage device 31 for storage. This reduces the risk of the carrier accumulating on the second conveying component 322 after the return, which could lead to blockage due to excessive carriers. When one of the processing equipment 20s on the production line 10 returns to normal, the loading and unloading device 33 releases the carrier from the storage device 31 onto the second conveying component 322, allowing the second conveying component 322 to quickly return the carrier to the processing equipment 20 at the first end 11 (while simultaneously increasing the processing speed of the processing equipment 20). This allows the processing equipment 20 at the first end 11 to process materials more quickly, enabling it to output carriers to the downstream processing equipment 20 more quickly, thereby reducing the risk of insufficient material supply to the downstream processing equipment 20 and resulting in low production efficiency.

[0050] In some embodiments, when there are two or more processing devices 20, a transfer device 30 is provided between each pair of adjacent processing devices 20 to meet transfer requirements. Each transfer device 30 stores a carrier, reducing the risk of decreased processing efficiency due to continuous accumulation of carriers from the beginning 11 to the end 12. Furthermore, releasing carriers through each transfer device 30, relative to the return flow of carriers from the end 12 to the beginning 11, helps shorten the return distance, thereby reducing the feeding time of carriers at the beginning 11. This allows the processing device 20 at the beginning 11 to process materials more quickly. The segmented storage and release of carriers through multiple transfer devices 30 mitigates the risk of quantity fluctuations along the transfer or return path, contributing to improved stability of the overall processing efficiency of the production line 10.

[0051] In some embodiments, during operation, a transfer vehicle (hereinafter referred to as the first transfer vehicle) transfers materials from the outside to the processing equipment 20 at the beginning 11 of the production line 10. A transfer device 30 (hereinafter referred to as the transfer device 30 at the beginning 11) is also provided on one side of the processing equipment 20 at the beginning 11 to transfer the carrier carrying the materials from the first transfer vehicle to the processing equipment 20, thereby realizing the input of the materials to be processed into the production line 10.

[0052] After all the processing equipment 20 has finished processing the materials in sequence, the transfer equipment 30 (hereinafter referred to as the transfer equipment 30 at the tail end 12) is set up on one side of the processing equipment 20 at the tail end 12. It carries the processed materials from the processing equipment 20 at the tail end 12 to another transfer vehicle (hereinafter referred to as the second transfer vehicle) so that the second transfer vehicle can transfer the processed materials to the next production line 10 or the next process. At the same time, the transfer equipment 30 at the tail end 12 also transfers the empty carrier from the second transfer vehicle to the processing equipment 20 at the tail end 12 so that the empty carrier can be input into the production line 10 and transferred from the tail end 12 to the head end 11. Finally, the transfer equipment 30 at the head end 11 transfers the empty carrier from the processing equipment 20 at the head end 11 to the first transfer vehicle so that the first transfer vehicle can transfer the empty carrier to the previous production line 10, thereby realizing the recycling of the carrier.

[0053] In other embodiments, a loading and unloading mechanism is also provided on or outside the transfer vehicle for unloading materials from the vehicle or loading materials onto the vehicle, so that the transfer vehicle only moves the materials without having to transfer the vehicle to other production lines 10 upstream or downstream. This allows the vehicle to be used in an internal loop on the same production line 10, achieving the function of one vehicle corresponding to one production line 10.

[0054] In some embodiments, the transfer vehicle is part of production line 10.

[0055] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 3 The conveying device 32 also includes a transfer mechanism 324, which is used to transfer the carrier between the first conveying assembly 321 and the loading / unloading device 33, and / or between the second conveying assembly 322 and the loading / unloading device 33. By providing the transfer mechanism 324, the loading / unloading device 33 can acquire (release) the carrier outside the first conveying assembly 321 or the second conveying assembly 322, thereby reducing the risk that the loading / unloading device 33 might interfere with other carriers on the first or second conveying assembly 321 or the second conveying assembly 322 when acquiring (releasing) the carrier directly on the first or second conveying assembly 321 or the second conveying assembly 322, thus preventing the first and second conveying assemblies from continuously conveying the carrier. Simultaneously, it also improves the efficiency of the loading / unloading device 33 in acquiring or releasing the carrier from the conveying device 32.

[0056] For further details, please refer to Figure 3 The conveying device 32 further includes a carrying component 323, which is disposed on one side of the second conveying component 322 and / or the first conveying component 321. The carrying component 323 has a first region 3231 and a second region 3232 disposed opposite to each other. The transfer mechanism 324 is capable of releasing a carrier to or from the first region 3231 or the second region 3232, and the loading / unloading device 33 is capable of acquiring or releasing a carrier in the first region 3231 and the second region 3232, respectively. By setting the first region 3231 and the second region 3232, the loading / unloading device 33 and the transfer mechanism 324 can acquire or release a carrier in two different positions. For example, when the loading / unloading device 33 places the carrier in the first area 3231, it can retrieve the carrier in the second area 3232. At the same time, when the transfer mechanism 324 places the carrier in the second area 3232, it can retrieve the carrier from the first area 3231. Compared to only one location for carrier interaction, this reduces the time that the loading / unloading device 33 (transfer mechanism 324) needs to wait to retrieve or release the carrier due to the carrier being blocked or not having a carrier, thereby improving the efficiency of the loading / unloading device 33 and the transfer mechanism 324 in transferring the carrier.

[0057] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 3 The transfer mechanism 324 is located between the first area 3231 and the second area 3232 to shorten the distance between the transfer mechanism 324 and the first area 3231 and the second area 3232 respectively, thereby improving the working efficiency of the transfer mechanism 324.

[0058] In some embodiments, the first region 3231 and the second region 3232 are arranged in a direction parallel or perpendicular to the direction of the conveying carrier of the first conveying assembly 321. See also Figure 3 For example, the first region 3231 and the second region 3232 are arranged opposite each other along the X-axis.

[0059] In other embodiments, the first region 3231 and the second region 3232 are arranged opposite each other along the Y-axis, the X-axis and the Y-axis are perpendicular to each other, and both the X-axis and the Y-axis are parallel to the horizontal plane.

[0060] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 4A storage device 31 is disposed between the first region 3231 and the second region 3232, with openings (not marked) on both sides of the storage device 31 along the direction in which the first region 3231 and the second region 3232 are arranged opposite to each other. Two loading / unloading devices 33 are provided: one for transferring the vehicle between the storage device 31 and the first region 3231, and the other for transferring the vehicle between the storage device 31 and the second region 3232.

[0061] For example, when the first region 3231 and the second region 3232 are arranged opposite each other along the X-axis, the storage device 31 has openings on both sides along the X-axis. By placing the storage device 31 between the first region 3231 and the second region 3232, the distance from the storage device 31 to the first region 3231 and the second region 3232 is shortened, thereby improving the loading and unloading efficiency of the loading and unloading device 33. The openings on both sides allow the carrier inside the storage device 31 to enter and exit in both directions. Furthermore, the arrangement of two loading and unloading devices 33 further improves the loading and unloading efficiency of the storage device 31.

[0062] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 4 The storage device 31 is provided with multiple storage spaces (not labeled) for accommodating carriers, and each storage space has an opening on both sides for communication. The loading / unloading device 33 includes a loading / unloading robot 331 and a feeding mechanism 332. When the storage device 31 stores carriers, the loading / unloading robot 331 can release the carrier from the first area 3231 or the second area 3232 onto the feeding mechanism 332. The feeding mechanism 332 can extend into the storage space through the opening and release the carrier within the storage space. When the storage device 31 releases a carrier, the feeding mechanism 332 moves the carrier out of the storage space, and the loading / unloading robot 331 transfers the carrier from the storage device 31 to the first area 3231 or the second area 3232, thereby realizing the function of storing or releasing carriers on the storage device 31.

[0063] In some embodiments, the transfer mechanism 324 can pass through the first conveying assembly 321 in a direction perpendicular to the X-axis and carry the vehicle on the first conveying assembly 321 or release the vehicle onto the first conveying assembly 321.

[0064] In some embodiments, the transfer mechanism 324 can pass through the second conveying assembly 322 and / or the first conveying assembly 321 in a direction perpendicular to the X-axis. For example, referring to document 5, the transfer mechanism 324 can pass through the second conveying assembly 322 in a direction perpendicular to the X-axis, and carry a vehicle on the second conveying assembly 322 or release a vehicle onto the second conveying assembly 322. By moving the transfer mechanism 324 in a direction perpendicular to the X-axis, the travel distance of the transfer mechanism 324 when passing through the first conveying assembly 321 and the second conveying assembly 322 can be shortened, and the risk of interference between the transfer mechanism 324 and the first and second conveying assemblies 321 and 322 can be reduced relative to the transfer mechanism 324 moving in an inclined direction.

[0065] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 3 The first conveying component 321 and the carrying component 323 are distributed along the Y-axis. The carrying component 323 is positioned on one side of the second conveying component 322 along the positive Z-axis (hereinafter referred to as the first arrangement). The negative Z-axis is the direction of downward gravity. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are perpendicular to each other, meaning the carrying component 323 is positioned above the second conveying component 322. This arrangement results in an L-shaped distribution of the first conveying component 321, the carrying component 323, and the second conveying component 322 in a cross-section perpendicular to the horizontal plane, which helps to make the structure of the conveying device 32 more compact. By positioning the carrying component 323 above the second conveying component 322 and on one side of the first conveying component 321 in the horizontal direction, the distance from the carrying component 323 to the first and second conveying components 321 and 322 is shortened, which helps to improve the working efficiency of the transfer mechanism 324. Furthermore, since the conveyor lines within the processing equipment 20 correspond to the distribution positions of the first conveying component 321 and the second conveying component 322 in the transfer equipment 30, this arrangement is more efficient. By positioning the carrier component 323 above the second conveying component 322, and positioning it above the first conveying component 321, the carrier component 323 can avoid obstructing the area above the first conveying component 321. This allows the processing equipment 20 to directly process the material on the carrier of the first conveying component 321 after receiving it, thus reducing the risk of the return conveyor line of the processing equipment 20 obstructing the processing area of ​​the processing equipment 20.

[0066] In other embodiments, please refer to Figure 6The first conveying component 321, the second conveying component 322, and the carrying component 323 are distributed along the Y-axis. Exemplarily, the carrying component 323 is disposed between the first conveying component 321 and the second conveying component 322 (hereinafter referred to as the second arrangement). By sequentially distributing the first conveying component 321, the second conveying component 322, and the carrying component 323 on a horizontal plane, the carrying component 323 can also carry the vehicle on the first conveying component 321 and / or the second conveying component 322. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the second conveying component 322 is disposed between the first conveying component 321 and the carrying component 323 (hereinafter referred to as the third arrangement).

[0067] In some embodiments, the processing equipment 20 is provided with a processing device for processing materials, and the processing device is located on one side of the processing area.

[0068] It is understandable that, since the storage device 31 stores a large number of carriers, it occupies a large space relative to the conveying device 32. The relative position of the storage device 31 in the transfer equipment 30 corresponds to the relative position of the processing device in the processing equipment 20. Therefore, when the conveying device 32 is arranged in the first arrangement, the storage device 31 is located on one side of the conveying device 32 along the Y-axis. The first conveying component 321 approaches the storage device 31 relative to the second conveying component 322. After the first conveying component 321 conveys the carrier into the processing equipment 20, the carrier on the transfer path can approach the side of the processing device in the processing equipment 20 relative to the return path, which helps the processing device to process the material on the carrier.

[0069] In other embodiments, when the conveying device 32 is arranged in a second or third arrangement, the storage device 31 is arranged above the conveying device 32, making the structure of the transfer device 30 more compact. At the same time, when the first conveying component 321 transfers the carrier to the processing device 20, the carrier can be located below the processing device of the processing device 20, thereby also facilitating the processing device 20 to process the material.

[0070] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 5 There is one transfer mechanism 324, which passes through the second conveying assembly 322 in a direction perpendicular to the X-axis.

[0071] In other embodiments, the transfer mechanism 324 passes through the first conveying assembly 321 in a direction perpendicular to the X-axis.

[0072] For further details, please refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7A transfer mechanism 324 passes through the first conveying component 321 and the second conveying component 322 in a direction perpendicular to the X-axis, so as to realize the function of a transfer mechanism 324 simultaneously corresponding to the first conveying component 321 and the second conveying component 322.

[0073] In other embodiments, there are two transfer mechanisms 324 and two carrying components 323. One transfer mechanism 324 and one carrying component 323 are correspondingly arranged with the first conveying component 321, and the other transfer mechanism 324 and the other carrying component 323 are correspondingly arranged with the second conveying component 322.

[0074] In some embodiments, the transfer mechanism 324 includes a moving component (not shown) and a first conveying unit (not shown). The first conveying unit carries a vehicle and drives the vehicle to move, so that the first conveying unit conveys the vehicle to the outside of the transfer mechanism 324. The moving component drives the first conveying unit to move the vehicle, so that the transfer mechanism 324 drives the vehicle to transfer. The moving component is a power device with reciprocating force output, such as a cylinder, electric actuator, or lead screw module.

[0075] In some embodiments, the first conveying component 321, the second conveying component 322, and the first conveying unit are all conveyor belts.

[0076] In other embodiments, the first conveying assembly 321, the second conveying assembly 322, and the first conveying unit are all conveying rollers arranged at intervals.

[0077] In some embodiments, the carrier assembly 323 includes a second conveying unit (not shown) disposed in a first region 3231 and a second region 3232. The second conveying unit is constructed in the same way as the first conveying unit to transfer a carrier from the first region 3231 or the second region 3232 to the first conveying unit.

[0078] In other embodiments, the transfer mechanism 324 is a robotic arm device. The transfer mechanism 324 is disposed on one side of the first conveying component 321, the second conveying component 322 and the carrying component 323. The transfer mechanism 324 can extend to the first conveying component 321, the second conveying component 322 and the carrying component 323 to acquire or release the vehicle.

[0079] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 The first conveying assembly 321 and the second conveying assembly 322 both include a third region 325 and a fourth region 326 on the X-axis and along the conveying direction of the carrier, with the third region 325 located upstream of the fourth region 326.

[0080] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6Along the X-axis, the transfer mechanism 324 is located between the fourth region 326 and the third region 325. Both the third region 325 and the fourth region 326 are equipped with conveyor belts (unmarked) or conveyor rollers. When the carrier needs to be stored, as the carrier is transferred from the third region 325 to the fourth region 326, it passes through the first conveying unit of the transfer mechanism 324, which then transfers the carrier to the carrying assembly 323. When the carrier does not need to be stored, the first conveying unit of the transfer mechanism 324, together with the conveyor belts or conveyor rollers of the third region 325 and the fourth region 326, jointly transports the carrier out of the transfer equipment 30. When the storage device 31 releases the carrier, the first conveying unit of the transfer mechanism 324 transfers the carrier between the third region 325 and the fourth region 326, and together with the conveyor belt or conveyor rollers of the fourth region 326, transports the carrier out of the transfer equipment 30.

[0081] Please see Figure 6 When the carrying component 323 extends along the X-axis and the transfer mechanism 324 is located between the fourth region 326 and the third region 325, in the direction perpendicular to the X-axis, the first region 3231 corresponds to the third region 325 of the first conveying component 321, and the second region 3232 corresponds to the fourth region 326 of the first conveying component 321. This allows the storage device 31 to also be located between the third region 325 and the fourth region 326, thus enabling the loading / unloading device 33, the first conveying component 321, the second conveying component 322, and the carrying component 323 to be symmetrically distributed along the Y-axis, which is beneficial for a more reasonable and compact structural layout of the transfer device 30. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the first region 3231 corresponds to the fourth region 326 of the first conveying component 321, and the second region 3232 corresponds to the third region 325 of the first conveying component 321.

[0082] In other embodiments, please refer to Figure 8When the transfer mechanism 324 passes through the third region 325 or the fourth region 326, a conveyor belt or conveyor roller is provided in another region of the first conveying component 321 or the second conveying component 322. Similarly, when the carrier needs to be stored, as the carrier is transferred from one processing equipment 20 to another processing equipment 20 via the transfer device 30, the first conveying unit of the transfer mechanism 324 then transfers the carrier to the carrying component 323. When the carrier does not need to be stored, the first conveying unit of the transfer mechanism 324 and the conveyor belt or conveyor roller of the first conveying component 321 (second conveying component 322) together convey the carrier out of the transfer device 30. When the storage device 31 releases the carrier, the first conveying unit of the transfer mechanism 324 transfers the carrier to the third region 325, and together with the conveyor belt or conveyor roller of the first conveying component 321 (second conveying component 322), conveys the carrier out of the transfer device 30 (when the first conveying unit of the transfer mechanism 324 is located in the fourth region 326, the first conveying unit directly conveys the carrier out).

[0083] For further details, please refer to Figure 8 and Figure 9 When the transfer mechanism 324 passes through the third region 325 or the fourth region 326, the carrying component 323 is located at the end of the first conveying component 321 and the second conveying component 322 along the X-axis direction. Exemplarily, in the Z-axis direction, the carrying component 323 coincides with the third region 325 of the second conveying component 322, the carrying component 323 extends along the Y-axis direction, and the storage device 31 is distributed along the X-axis direction with the carrying component 323, and the storage device 31 is located above the first conveying component 321 and the second conveying component 322, which also improves the compactness of the structural layout of the transfer device 30. During operation, the transfer mechanism 324 transfers the carrier between the second conveying component 322 and the carrying component 323 along the Z-axis direction. At this time, the storage device 31 is only used to store or release the carrier to the second conveying component 322.

[0084] Please see Figure 6When the transfer mechanism 324 is positioned between the fourth region 326 and the third region 325, the carrying component 323 is distributed along the X-axis. In the direction perpendicular to the X-axis, the first region 3231 corresponds to the third region 325 of the first conveying component 321, and the second region 3232 corresponds to the fourth region 326 of the first conveying component 321. This allows the storage device 31 to also be located between the third region 325 and the fourth region 326, and enables the loading / unloading device 33, the first conveying component 321, the second conveying component 322, and the carrying component 323 to be symmetrically distributed along the Y-axis, further improving the rationality and compactness of the structural layout of the transfer equipment 30. At this time, the first conveying component 321 and the second conveying component 322 of the conveying device 32 are arranged in the second and third arrangements, respectively. Compared to the first arrangement, this helps reduce the risk of interference between the carrying component 323 and the first conveying component 321. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the first region 3231 may be configured to correspond with the fourth region 326 of the first conveying component 321, and the second region 3232 may be configured to correspond with the third region 325 of the first conveying component 321.

[0085] It is understood that the first conveying unit and the first conveying assembly 321 and the second conveying assembly 322 all include conveying rollers. The conveying rollers of the first conveying unit are respectively offset from the conveying rollers of the first conveying assembly 321 or the second conveying assembly 322, so as to realize that the conveying rollers of the first conveying unit move up and down through the conveying rollers of the first conveying assembly 321 or the second conveying assembly 322, so as to place the carrier on the conveying rollers of the first conveying assembly 321 or the second conveying assembly 322 or to lift the carrier on the conveying rollers of the first conveying assembly 321 or the second conveying assembly 322. At the same time, it can also maintain the conveying function of the first conveying assembly 321 or the second conveying assembly 322 unchanged. It is understood that when the transfer mechanism 324 is set in the third region 325 or the fourth region 326, the third region 325 or the fourth region 326 is also equipped with conveying rollers, that is, the transfer mechanism 324 is set at one end of the first conveying assembly 321 or the second conveying assembly 322.

[0086] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 3 The transfer equipment 30 also includes a detection device 34, which is disposed on the conveying device 32 and is used to detect the carriers on the conveying device 32. For example, when the detection device 34 detects that the carrier is damaged, the detection device 34 sends a feedback signal to the loading and unloading device 33, and causes the loading and unloading device 33 to place the damaged carrier in a designated area of ​​the storage device 31 for storage, so as to avoid the damaged carrier from continuing to flow into the production line 10 and causing the risk of inaccurate material positioning.

[0087] In some embodiments, the detection device 34 can also detect the material on the carrier. When the material is damaged or defective, the detection device 34 sends a feedback signal to all processing equipment 20 and transfer equipment 30 so that the carrier can carry the material and directly transfer it out of the production line 10, so as to prevent the processing equipment 20 from continuing to process the material. At the same time, the transfer vehicle stores the material in the designated area of ​​the transfer vehicle, which helps to improve the yield of the material.

[0088] In some embodiments, the detection device 34 includes a line laser scanner, which detects parameters such as the length, height, width, or flatness of the carrier or material, thereby achieving the effect of detecting the carrier or material.

[0089] In other embodiments, the detection device 34 includes a CCD camera, which can also detect the vehicle and materials through image recognition.

[0090] In some embodiments, the detection device 34 may be disposed on the first conveying assembly 321, the second conveying assembly 322, or the transfer mechanism 324. This is to achieve the effect of detecting the materials or carriers being transferred or returned, as well as the carriers stored or released by the storage device 31.

[0091] In some embodiments, the first conveying assembly 321, the second conveying assembly 322, the transfer mechanism 324, or the carrying assembly 323 are respectively provided with positioning mechanisms for limiting the further conveying of the carrier and positioning the carrier. This improves the accuracy of the transfer mechanism 324 or the loading / unloading equipment in acquiring or releasing the carrier.

[0092] In some embodiments, the material is an electronic product such as a mobile phone.

[0093] In some embodiments, after the last processing device 20 has finished processing the material, the processing device 20 is also used to release a cover plate to the carrier so that the cover plate covers the top of the material, thereby reducing the risk of dust and other impurities falling onto the material and causing material contamination.

[0094] Furthermore, those skilled in the art should recognize that the above embodiments are merely illustrative of this application and are not intended to limit this application. Any appropriate changes and variations made to the above embodiments within the substantive scope of this application fall within the scope of this application.

Claims

1. A transfer device, characterized in that, include: Storage device for storing carriers; A conveying device, comprising a first conveying component and a second conveying component disposed on one side of the storage device, wherein the first conveying component is used to convey the carrier carrying material, and the second conveying component is used to convey the empty carrier in a direction opposite to the conveying direction of the first conveying component; The transfer equipment further includes a loading and unloading device for transferring the carrier between the storage device and the first conveying assembly; and / or The loading and unloading device is used to transfer the carrier between the storage device and the second conveying assembly.

2. The transfer equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The conveying device further includes a transfer mechanism for transferring the carrier between the first conveying assembly and the loading / unloading device; and / or The transfer mechanism is used to transfer the carrier between the second conveying assembly and the loading / unloading device.

3. The transfer equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that, The conveying device further includes a carrying component; the carrying component is disposed on one side of the second conveying component and / or the first conveying component, and the carrying component has a first area and a second area disposed opposite to each other, both the first area and the second area being used for the loading and unloading device to release or acquire the carrier; The transfer mechanism is able to be located between the first area and the second area, and to release the vehicle to the first area or the second area, or to acquire the vehicle in the first area or the second area.

4. The transfer equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that, The orientation in which the first region and the second region are arranged relative to each other is parallel or perpendicular to the direction in which the first conveying component conveys the carrier; Along the direction in which the first region and the second region are arranged relative to each other, the storage device is disposed between the first region and the second region, and the storage device has openings on both sides along the direction in which the first region and the second region are arranged relative to each other for the vehicle to pass through. The number of loading and unloading devices is two. One loading and unloading device is used to transfer the carrier between the storage device and the first area, and the other loading and unloading device is used to transfer the carrier between the storage device and the second area.

5. The transfer equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that, The transfer mechanism is capable of passing through the first conveying assembly in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the first conveying assembly conveys the vehicle, and carrying the vehicle on the first conveying assembly or releasing the vehicle onto the first conveying assembly; and / or The transfer mechanism can pass through the second conveying assembly in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the second conveying assembly conveys the vehicle, and carry the vehicle on the second conveying assembly or release the vehicle onto the second conveying assembly.

6. The transfer equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transfer equipment also includes a detection device, which is used to detect the carrier on the conveying device and send a feedback signal to the loading and unloading device.

7. The transfer equipment according to claim 6, characterized in that, The detection device is a line laser scanner, which is used to detect the carrier and send feedback signals to the loading and unloading device.

8. The transfer equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The storage device is located on one side of the conveying device in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the carrier is conveyed by the first conveying assembly.

9. A production line, characterized in that, The production line includes at least two processing devices and a transfer device as described in any one of claims 1 to 8. The production line is provided with a head end and a tail end opposite to each other. All the processing devices are distributed sequentially from the head end to the tail end. Each processing device is used to process the material on the carrier. The number of transfer devices is at least one, and the transfer device is located between two adjacent processing devices. The transfer device is used to transfer the carrier between the two adjacent processing devices.

10. The production line according to claim 9, characterized in that, Along the arrangement direction of all the processing equipment, the transfer equipment is also located on the side of the processing equipment at the first end away from the tail end. The transfer equipment is used to transfer the carrier carrying the material to be processed between the processing equipment at the first end and an external transfer vehicle. and / or The transfer device is also located on the side of the processing device at the tail end away from the head end. The transfer device is used to transfer the processed material between the processing device at the tail end and the external transfer vehicle.

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