Material line external buffer device and material conveying system

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of material line outside buffer device, and discloses material conveying system with material line outside buffer device, wherein material line outside buffer device includes rack, elevator and feeding and discharging mechanism, rack has the conveying passage in the bottom layer and the buffer warehouse position of several layers above conveying passage, buffer warehouse position is used to store material tray;Elevator is used to transfer material tray between conveying passage and each layer buffer warehouse position;Feeding and discharging mechanism is between conveying passage and material line, for transferring material between material tray and the tray of material line.The utility model of a kind of material line outside buffer device can utilize vertical space, realize outside line buffer, increase storage capacity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of material buffering, and in particular to an off-line material buffering device and a material conveying system. Background Technology

[0002] The performance and quality of lithium batteries are closely related to the manufacturing process. Generally speaking, the lithium battery manufacturing process is complex. The front-end process mainly includes slurry mixing, positive and negative electrode coating, rolling, slitting, electrode fabrication and die cutting; the middle-end process mainly includes stacking and cell assembly; and the back-end process mainly includes packaging, formation and capacity testing, testing and sorting, module assembly and PACK.

[0003] To ensure the continuity of lithium battery production, most mainstream lithium battery manufacturers utilize automated materials to achieve automated production.

[0004] However, traditional automated material lines are limited by the actual space of the factory and cannot meet the high buffer capacity requirements. If a certain process equipment fails, the downstream process will often be waiting for materials and the upstream process will be blocked. In some cases, the failure time is too long and the entire equipment will be paralyzed and unable to work normally. Utility Model Content

[0005] This invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, this invention proposes an off-line material buffering device that can utilize vertical space to achieve off-line buffering and increase storage capacity.

[0006] This utility model also proposes a material conveying system with the above-mentioned material line external buffer device.

[0007] The material line off-line buffer device according to a first aspect embodiment of the present invention includes:

[0008] The material rack has a conveyor channel at the bottom and several layers of buffer storage spaces above the conveyor channel, the buffer storage spaces being used to store material trays;

[0009] The elevator is used to transfer the material tray between the conveying channel and the buffer storage locations on each layer;

[0010] The loading and unloading mechanism, located between the conveying channel and the material line, is used to transfer materials between the material tray and the pallet of the material line.

[0011] The material line off-line buffer device according to the embodiments of the present utility model has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0012] 1. This utility model, by setting up multi-layer buffer storage locations in conjunction with the elevator, breaks through the spatial limitations of traditional planar material lines, significantly improves the vertical buffer capacity, and can cope with the problem of temporary material backlog when equipment fails.

[0013] 2. This utility model sets up a conveying channel at the bottom of the material rack, and each buffer storage location is connected to the conveying channel via an elevator. The conveying channel can connect the material line and the buffer storage location, so that the buffer storage location can store material trays that are full of material and empty material trays. This is conducive to the full utilization of the buffer storage location, eliminates the need to store material trays that are full of material and empty material trays separately, and helps to reduce the number of buffer storage locations.

[0014] 3. This utility model utilizes the height difference of the material rack to effectively ensure the distinction between full and empty material trays and the flow and interaction between them, thus solving the problem to the greatest extent possible the need for long material buffering time and large buffering capacity under the premise of limited factory space.

[0015] 4. This utility model enables rapid switching between material trays and material line trays through the loading and unloading mechanism, ensuring that upstream and downstream of a faulty process can still maintain local logistics operation through buffer storage, thus avoiding the paralysis of the entire line.

[0016] 5. This utility model features an off-line buffer material tray and a material line tray that are relatively independent in function. The material tray avoids simply increasing the buffer capacity by adding a material line tray, thus directly reducing the cost of the material line tray.

[0017] According to some embodiments of the present invention, each layer of the buffer storage space of a material rack is provided with a first conveyor line with the same conveying direction, and the material rack is provided with two elevators, which are respectively located at both ends of each layer of the buffer storage space along the conveying direction of the first conveyor line.

[0018] The advantages of this invention are as follows: By setting up a first conveyor line with the same conveying direction in each layer of a material rack, and setting up two elevators in each material rack, with the two elevators located at both ends of the first conveyor line in the conveying direction of each layer of the material rack, it can be understood that, on the one hand, the unified design of the first conveyor line in the direction of each layer of the material rack simplifies the logistics path planning, avoids collisions or path conflicts caused by multi-directional conveying, and improves the transfer efficiency; on the other hand, the bidirectional elevator layout can realize the simultaneous picking and placing of material trays in the material rack, effectively improving efficiency.

[0019] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the buffer storage location can store multiple material trays, and the multiple material trays are arranged along the conveying direction of the first conveyor line.

[0020] The advantages of this invention are: by enabling the buffer storage location to store multiple material trays, which are arranged along the conveying direction of the first conveyor line, the single-layer buffer capacity is further expanded, making the buffer capacity linearly superimposed. On the other hand, the linear arrangement of multiple material trays facilitates the implementation of the first-in-first-out material management logic through the first conveyor line, ensuring that the material turnover sequence is controllable and preventing materials on the rack from being placed for a long time without being able to circulate to the next process. Materials are easily affected by external environmental factors such as moisture and dust, which can affect the performance and quality of the materials.

[0021] According to some embodiments of this utility model, two material racks are provided, and a first transfer line is also included. The loading and unloading mechanism, the conveying channel of one material rack, the first transfer line and the conveying channel of the other material rack are connected end to end along the conveying direction of the material tray to form a closed-loop conveying line.

[0022] The advantages are: by setting up two material racks and a first transfer line, the loading and unloading mechanism, the conveying channel of one material rack, the first transfer line and the conveying channel of the other material rack are connected end to end along the conveying direction of the material tray to form a closed-loop conveying line. It can be understood that, on the one hand, the double material rack closed-loop conveying design realizes the recycling of the material tray, avoids the interruption of the path of empty material tray return, and improves the continuity of logistics. On the other hand, the closed-loop conveying line structure can dynamically balance the load pressure of the two material racks and prevent the system bottleneck caused by the overload of a single material rack.

[0023] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a second transfer line is also included, wherein the discharge end of one of the conveying channels is sequentially connected to the inlet end of the second transfer line and the inlet end of the loading and unloading mechanism, and the inlet end of the other conveying channel is sequentially connected to the discharge end of the second transfer line and the discharge end of the loading and unloading mechanism.

[0024] The advantages of this invention are: by setting up a second transfer line, the discharge end of one conveying channel is sequentially connected to the inlet end of the second transfer line and the inlet end of the loading / unloading mechanism, and the inlet end of another conveying channel is sequentially connected to the discharge end of the second transfer line and the discharge end of the loading / unloading mechanism. It can be understood that the second transfer line and the loading / unloading mechanism can respectively form a first type of closed-loop conveying line where the second transfer line, the conveying channel of one material rack, the first transfer line, and the conveying channel of another material rack are sequentially connected end-to-end along the conveying direction of the material tray, as well as the loading / unloading mechanism and the conveying channel of one material rack. The second type of closed-loop conveyor line connects the first transfer line and another material rack sequentially along the conveying direction of the material trays. When the buffering process changes its requirements, i.e., from buffering material requirements to releasing material requirements, full or half-full material trays flow from the second type of closed-loop conveyor line to the full-tray buffer storage location. The control trays on the conveyor line flow back to the empty tray buffer storage location from the first closed-loop conveyor line. The full-tray material trays in the full-tray buffer storage location flow from the second type of closed-loop conveyor line to release materials. This facilitates the efficient switching of the material tray flow path when the buffering process changes its requirements.

[0025] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the discharge end of the conveying channel is provided with an empty tray detection position, which is used to detect whether the material tray is empty.

[0026] The advantage of this invention is that by setting an empty tray detection position at the discharge end of the conveying channel, the empty tray detection position is used to detect whether the material tray is empty. Thus, the empty tray detection position automatically identifies empty trays and prioritizes their return to the warehouse, reducing ineffective transportation energy consumption.

[0027] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the material tray includes a base frame and several blister trays stacked on the base frame, the blister trays being used to store materials.

[0028] The advantages of this invention are: by including a base frame and several blister trays stacked on the base frame in the material tray, the blister trays are used to store materials. Thus, on the one hand, the stacking design of the blister trays saves space occupied by the material tray and further increases the storage density of a single tray. On the other hand, the base frame provides rigid support to prevent the blister trays from deforming when stacked in multiple layers, thus ensuring the physical protection of the materials.

[0029] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the loading and unloading mechanism includes a stacking tray assembly, which is used to stack the blister trays onto the base bracket or remove the blister trays from the base bracket.

[0030] The advantages of this invention are: by including a stacking tray assembly in the loading and unloading mechanism, the stacking tray assembly is used to stack blister trays on the base bracket or remove blister trays from the base bracket. Thus, the stacking tray assembly realizes the automated stacking and splitting of blister trays, reduces manual intervention, and improves loading and unloading efficiency. At the same time, the mechanical stacking has high precision and avoids material damage or misalignment caused by manual operation.

[0031] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the loading and unloading mechanism includes a gripping and moving component, which is used to grip and move materials from the pallet to the material tray or to grip and move materials from the material tray to the pallet.

[0032] The advantages of this invention are: by including a gripping and moving component in the loading and unloading mechanism, the gripping and moving component is used to grip and move materials from the pallet to the material tray or from the material tray to the pallet. Thus, the gripping and moving component directly transfers materials, achieving precise docking between the material line and the buffer device, adapting to the needs of flexible replenishment in small batches. At the same time, the gripping action is compatible with materials of different specifications, enhancing the versatility of the device.

[0033] The material conveying system according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a material line buffer device and a material line according to a first aspect of the present invention. The material line is disposed between two adjacent processes in lithium battery production and is used for material conveying between two adjacent processes in lithium battery production.

[0034] The material conveying system according to the embodiments of this utility model has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0035] 1. This utility model, by setting up multi-layer buffer storage locations outside the material line buffer device in conjunction with the elevator, breaks through the spatial limitations of traditional planar material lines, significantly improves the buffer capacity in the vertical direction, and can cope with the problem of temporary material backlog when equipment fails.

[0036] 2. This utility model sets up a conveying channel at the bottom of the material rack of the buffer device outside the material line. Each buffer storage unit is connected to the conveying channel through an elevator. The conveying channel can connect the material line and the buffer storage unit, so that the buffer storage unit can store material trays that are full of material and empty material trays. This is conducive to the full utilization of the buffer storage unit, eliminates the need to store material trays that are full of material and empty material trays separately, and helps to reduce the number of buffer storage units.

[0037] 3. This utility model utilizes the height difference of the material rack in the material buffer device outside the material line to effectively ensure the distinction between full and empty material trays and the flow and interaction between the two, thus solving the problem to the greatest extent possible the need for long material buffering time and large buffering capacity under the premise of limited factory space.

[0038] 4. This utility model achieves rapid switching between material trays and material line pallets through an external buffer device and a loading / unloading mechanism, ensuring that upstream and downstream of a faulty process can still maintain local logistics operation through the buffer storage location, thus avoiding the paralysis of the entire line.

[0039] 5. This utility model utilizes an external material buffer device with relatively independent settings for the external buffer material tray and the material line tray, and the functions are also relatively independent. The application of the material tray avoids simply increasing the buffer capacity by adding material line trays, and directly reduces the cost of material line trays.

[0040] 6. This utility model integrates the off-line buffer device with the material line, forming a buffer isolation between adjacent processes. Even if the equipment in a certain process stops, the upstream and downstream can still maintain local production through the buffer storage.

[0041] 7. This utility model utilizes a modular buffer device that can be deployed independently of the main material line, facilitating the transformation and upgrading of existing production lines and reducing transformation costs.

[0042] According to some embodiments of this utility model, it also includes:

[0043] The cached demand acquisition module is used to acquire the normal flow material demand signal of the material line, the cached material demand signal, and the acquired material demand signal.

[0044] The control module is used to receive signals from the buffer demand acquisition module and control the material line off-line buffer device to perform buffering or releasing material actions.

[0045] The buffer material action includes the control module controlling the material line off-line buffer device to move the empty material tray from the buffer storage location to the loading and unloading mechanism to remove the empty tray and place the material, and the full material tray moving from the loading and unloading mechanism to the empty storage location.

[0046] The material release action includes the control module controlling the material line external buffer device to move a full material tray from the buffer storage location to the loading and unloading mechanism to release the material, and the empty material tray moving from the loading and unloading mechanism to the empty storage location.

[0047] Additional aspects and advantages of this invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0048] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0049] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the material line external buffer device and material conveying system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0050] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The diagram shows the structure of the material line external buffer device;

[0051] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A front view of the material line external buffer device is shown;

[0052] Figure 4 for Figure 2 The diagram shows the structure of the material tray.

[0053] Attached reference numerals: 100-material rack, 110-conveying channel, 120-buffer storage location, 130-material tray, 140-elevator, 150-loading / unloading mechanism, 160-material line, 170-pallet, 180-first conveyor line, 190-first transfer line, 200-second transfer line, 210-empty tray detection position, 220-base bracket, 230-blister tray, 240-stacking tray assembly, 250-grabbing and moving assembly. Detailed Implementation

[0054] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this utility model, and should not be construed as limiting this utility model.

[0055] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the directional descriptions, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc., indicate the directional or positional relationship based on the directional or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0056] In the description of this utility model, "several" means one or more, "multiple" means two or more, "greater than," "less than," and "exceeding" are understood to exclude the stated number, while "above," "below," and "within" are understood to include the stated number. If "first" and "second" are mentioned, it is only for the purpose of distinguishing technical features and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features or the order of the indicated technical features.

[0057] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation, connection, and linkage" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they can refer to mechanical connections or electrical connections; they can refer to direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0058] The following describes, with reference to the accompanying drawings, an off-line buffer device and a material conveying system according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0059] This utility model aims to provide embodiments of an off-line buffer device and a material conveying system.

[0060] Reference Figure 1 In this embodiment, the material conveying system includes an external buffer device for the material line and a material line 160. The material line 160 is arranged between two adjacent processes in lithium battery production and is used for material conveying between two adjacent processes in lithium battery production.

[0061] This embodiment integrates the off-line buffer device with the material line 160 to form a buffer isolation between adjacent processes. Even if the equipment in a certain process stops, the upstream and downstream can still maintain local production through the buffer storage location 120.

[0062] This embodiment integrates the material line off-line buffer device system with the production management system to achieve real-time data sharing and collaborative management, effectively responding to the bidirectional needs of the production system for cell buffering commands and cell release commands.

[0063] This embodiment utilizes a modular caching device that can be deployed independently of the main material line 160, facilitating the transformation and upgrading of existing production lines and reducing transformation costs.

[0064] In some specific embodiments, the material line 160 can be configured as a double-layer double-speed chain material line 160, which realizes that after the previous process unloads the material, the full pallet 170 is transferred to the next process, and after the next process loads the material, the empty pallet 170 is returned to the previous process.

[0065] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 The material line buffer device of this utility model embodiment includes a material rack 100, a hoist 140 and a loading and unloading mechanism 150.

[0066] For the rack 100, the rack 100 has a conveying channel 110 at the bottom and several layers of buffer storage locations 120 above the conveying channel 110, the buffer storage locations 120 being used to store material trays 130.

[0067] In this embodiment, a conveying channel 110 is set at the bottom of the material rack 100. Each buffer storage unit 120 is connected to the conveying channel 110 via a hoist 140. The conveying channel 110 can connect the material line 160 and the buffer storage unit 120, so that the buffer storage unit 120 can store both full material trays 130 and empty material trays 130. This is beneficial to the full utilization of the buffer storage unit 120 and eliminates the need to store full material trays 130 and empty material trays 130 separately, which helps to reduce the number of buffer storage units 120.

[0068] This embodiment utilizes the 100-layer height difference of the material rack to effectively ensure the distinction between the material tray 130 filled with materials and the empty material tray 130, as well as the flow and interaction between the two. This solves the problem to the greatest extent possible under the premise of limited space in a narrow factory, where there is a need for long material buffering time and large buffering capacity.

[0069] Reference Figure 4 In some specific embodiments, the material tray 130 includes a base bracket 220 and a plurality of blister trays 230 stacked on the base bracket 220. The blister trays 230 are used to store materials. Thus, on the one hand, the stacking design of the blister trays 230 saves space occupied by the material tray 130 and further increases the storage density of a single tray. On the other hand, the base bracket 220 provides rigid support to prevent the blister trays 230 from deforming when stacked in multiple layers, thus ensuring the physical protection of the materials.

[0070] The elevator 140 is used to transfer the material tray 130 between the conveying channel 110 and the buffer storage locations 120 at each level.

[0071] This embodiment, by setting up a multi-layered buffer storage space 120 in conjunction with the elevator 140, breaks through the spatial limitations of the traditional planar material line 160, significantly improves the vertical buffer capacity, and can cope with the problem of temporary material backlog when equipment fails.

[0072] The loading and unloading mechanism 150 is located between the conveying channel 110 and the material line 160. The loading and unloading mechanism 150 is used to transfer materials between the material tray 130 and the pallet 170 of the material line 160.

[0073] In this embodiment, the loading and unloading mechanism 150 enables rapid switching between the material tray 130 and the material line 160 pallet 170, ensuring that the upstream and downstream of the faulty process can still maintain local logistics operation through the buffer storage location 120, thus avoiding the paralysis of the entire line.

[0074] In this embodiment, the material tray 130 and the material line 160 tray 170 are set up relatively independently, and their functions are also relatively independent. The application of material tray 130 avoids the method of simply adding material line 160 tray 170 to increase the buffer capacity, and directly reduces the cost of material line 160 tray 170.

[0075] In some specific embodiments, each layer of buffer storage 120 of a material rack 100 is provided with a first conveyor line 180 with the same conveying direction, and the material rack 100 is provided with two elevators 140, which are located at both ends of each layer of buffer storage 120 along the conveying direction of the first conveyor line 180.

[0076] Understandably, on the one hand, the unified design of the first conveyor line 180 in each layer of the buffer storage location 120 simplifies the logistics path planning, avoids collisions or path conflicts caused by multi-directional conveying, and improves transfer efficiency. On the other hand, the layout of the bidirectional elevator 140 can realize the simultaneous picking and placing of material trays 130 in the buffer storage location 120, effectively improving efficiency.

[0077] In some specific embodiments, the buffer storage location 120 can store multiple material trays 130, which are arranged along the conveying direction of the first conveyor line 180. This not only further expands the single-layer buffer capacity and makes the buffering capacity linearly superimposed, but also facilitates the implementation of the first-in-first-out material management logic through the first conveyor line 180, ensuring that the material turnover sequence is controllable and preventing materials on the rack 100 from being placed for a long time and unable to flow to the next process. Materials are easily affected by external environmental factors such as moisture and dust, which can affect the performance and quality of materials.

[0078] In some specific embodiments, two material racks 100 are provided, and a first transfer line 190, a loading and unloading mechanism 150, a conveying channel 110 of one material rack 100, the first transfer line 190 and the conveying channel 110 of the other material rack 100 are connected end to end along the conveying direction of the material tray 130 to form a closed-loop conveying line.

[0079] Understandably, on the one hand, the closed-loop conveying design of the dual material racks 100 enables the recycling of material trays 130, avoids the interruption of the return path of empty material trays 130, and improves the continuity of logistics. On the other hand, the closed-loop conveying line structure can dynamically balance the load pressure of the two material racks 100, and prevent system bottlenecks caused by overload of a single material rack 100.

[0080] Furthermore, it also includes a second transfer line 200, with the discharge end of one conveying channel 110 sequentially connected to the feed end of the second transfer line 200 and the feed end of the loading and unloading mechanism 150, and the feed end of the other conveying channel 110 sequentially connected to the discharge end of the second transfer line 200 and the discharge end of the loading and unloading mechanism 150.

[0081] It is understandable that the second transfer line 200 and the loading / unloading mechanism 150 can respectively form a first type of closed-loop conveyor line where the second transfer line 200, the conveying channel 110 of one material rack 100, the first transfer line 190, and the conveying channel 110 of another material rack 100 are sequentially connected end-to-end along the conveying direction of the material tray 130, and the loading / unloading mechanism 150, the conveying channel 110 of one material rack 100, the first transfer line 190, and the conveying channel 110 of another material rack 100 are sequentially connected end-to-end along the conveying direction of the material tray 130. The second type of closed-loop conveyor line connected to the tail, when the buffering process switches from a demand for buffered materials to a demand for released materials, the full or half-full material trays 130 flow from the second type of closed-loop conveyor line to the full-disc buffer storage location 120, the control trays 130 on the conveyor channel 110 flow back from the first type of closed-loop conveyor line to the empty tray buffer storage location 120, and the full-disc logistics trays on the full-disc buffer storage location 120 flow from the second type of closed-loop conveyor line to release materials, which is conducive to the efficient switching of the flow path of the logistics trays when the buffering process switches demand.

[0082] In some specific embodiments, one of the buffer storage locations 120 of the two racks 100 can be used as an empty storage location.

[0083] Understandably, when materials need to be buffered, empty material trays 130 need to be moved from a certain layer of the rack 100 to the loading / unloading mechanism 150 to load materials. At this time, the empty storage location serves as the buffer storage location 120 for storing full material trays 130. After all the empty material trays 130 of a certain layer have been moved to the loading / unloading mechanism 150 to load materials, that layer becomes an empty storage location. When materials need to be released, full material trays 130 need to be moved from a certain layer of the rack 100 to the loading / unloading mechanism 150 to release materials. At this time, the empty storage location serves as the buffer storage location 120 for storing empty material trays 130. After all the full material trays 130 of a certain layer have been moved to the loading / unloading mechanism 150 to release materials, that layer becomes an empty storage location.

[0084] In some specific embodiments, the discharge end of the conveying channel 110 is provided with an empty tray detection position 210. The empty tray detection position 210 is used to detect whether the material tray 130 is empty. Thus, the empty tray detection position 210 automatically identifies empty trays and prioritizes their return to the warehouse, reducing ineffective transportation energy consumption.

[0085] In some specific embodiments, the loading and unloading mechanism 150 includes a stacking tray assembly 240, which is used to stack or remove the blister trays 230 from the base bracket 220. Thus, the stacking tray assembly 240 realizes the automated stacking and splitting of the blister trays 230, reduces manual intervention, and improves loading and unloading efficiency. At the same time, the mechanical stacking has high precision, avoiding material damage or misalignment caused by manual operation.

[0086] In some specific embodiments, the loading and unloading mechanism 150 includes a gripping and moving component 250, which is used to grip and move materials from the pallet 170 to the material tray 130 or from the material tray 130 to the pallet 170. Thus, the gripping and moving component 250 directly transfers materials, achieving precise docking between the material line 160 and the buffer device, adapting to the needs of flexible replenishment in small batches. At the same time, the gripping action is compatible with materials of different specifications, enhancing the versatility of the device.

[0087] Specifically, the gripping and moving assembly 250 may include a three-axis moving structure and a clamping member disposed on the three-axis moving structure. The clamping member is used to grip materials, and the three-axis moving structure is used to drive the clamping member to move horizontally and to rise and fall vertically.

[0088] In some specific embodiments, the material conveying system further includes:

[0089] The cached demand acquisition module is used to acquire normal flow material demand signals of material line 160, cache material demand signals, and acquire material demand signals.

[0090] The control module is used to receive signals from the buffer demand acquisition module and control the material line external buffer device to perform buffering or releasing material actions.

[0091] The material buffering action includes the control module controlling the material line external buffering device to move the empty material tray 130 from the buffer storage location 120 to the loading and unloading mechanism 150 to remove the empty tray and place the material, and the full material tray 130 is moved from the loading and unloading mechanism 150 to the empty storage location.

[0092] The material release action includes the control module controlling the material line external buffer device to move the full material tray 130 from the buffer storage location 120 to the loading and unloading mechanism 150 to release the material, and the empty material tray 130 moving from the loading and unloading mechanism 150 to the empty storage location.

[0093] This embodiment utilizes off-line stacked buffers to greatly improve the continuity of the entire production line. Combined with an intelligent production management system, it reduces production losses caused by machine failures, enhances the overall intelligent processing and production capabilities of the equipment, solves the problem of how to increase the buffer capacity under production space constraints, and also comprehensively considers scenarios that may cause problems with cell quality in actual applications.

[0094] In the description of this specification, references to terms such as "an embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0095] The terms "first," "second," "third," "fourth," etc. (if applicable) in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments described herein can be implemented in a sequence other than that illustrated or described herein.

[0096] It should also be noted that, in the description of this specification, relational terms such as first and second are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations.

[0097] Furthermore, the terms “comprising” and “having”, and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units that are explicitly listed, but may also include other steps or units that are not explicitly listed or that are inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.

[0098] Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0099] The embodiments of the present utility model have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present utility model is not limited to the above embodiments. Within the scope of knowledge possessed by those skilled in the art, various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present utility model.

Claims

1. An external buffer device for material production lines, characterized in that, include: The rack (100) has a conveying channel (110) at the bottom and several layers of buffer storage spaces (120) above the conveying channel (110), the buffer storage spaces (120) being used to store material trays (130). A hoist (140) is used to transfer the material tray (130) between the conveying channel (110) and the buffer storage locations (120) on each level; The loading and unloading mechanism (150), located between the conveying channel (110) and the material line (160), is used to transfer materials between the material tray (130) and the pallet (170) of the material line (160).

2. The material line external buffer device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each layer of the buffer storage location (120) of a rack (100) is provided with a first conveyor line (180) with the same conveying direction. Each rack (100) is provided with two elevators (140), which are located at both ends of the buffer storage location (120) along the conveying direction of the first conveyor line (180).

3. The material line external buffer device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The buffer storage location (120) is capable of storing multiple material trays (130), which are arranged along the conveying direction of the first conveyor line (180).

4. The material line external buffer device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Two material racks (100) are provided, and a first transfer line (190) is also included. The loading and unloading mechanism (150), the conveying channel (110) of one material rack (100), the first transfer line (190) and the conveying channel (110) of the other material rack (100) are connected end to end along the conveying direction of the material tray (130) to form a closed-loop conveying line.

5. The material line off-line buffer device according to claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes a second transfer line (200), with the discharge end of one of the conveying channels (110) sequentially connected to the feed end of the second transfer line (200) and the feed end of the loading and unloading mechanism (150), and the feed end of the other conveying channel (110) sequentially connected to the discharge end of the second transfer line (200) and the discharge end of the loading and unloading mechanism (150).

6. The material line off-line buffer device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The discharge end of the conveying channel (110) is provided with an empty tray detection position (210), which is used to detect whether the material tray (130) is empty.

7. The material line external buffer device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The material tray (130) includes a base bracket (220) and a plurality of blister trays (230) stacked on the base bracket (220), the blister trays (230) being used to store materials.

8. The material line off-line buffer device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The loading and unloading mechanism (150) includes a stacking tray assembly (240) for stacking the blister tray (230) onto the base bracket (220) or removing the blister tray (230) from the base bracket (220).

9. The material line off-line buffer device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The loading and unloading mechanism (150) includes a gripping and moving component (250) for gripping and moving materials from the pallet (170) to the material tray (130) or gripping and moving materials from the material tray (130) to the pallet (170).

10. A material conveying system, characterized in that, Includes the material line external buffer device and material line (160) as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the material line (160) is disposed between two adjacent processes in lithium battery production, and the material line (160) is used for material conveying between two adjacent processes in lithium battery production.

11. The material conveying system according to claim 10, characterized in that, Also includes: The cached demand acquisition module is used to acquire the normal flow material demand signal, the cached material demand signal and the acquired material demand signal of the material line (160); The control module is used to receive signals from the buffer demand acquisition module and control the material line off-line buffer device to perform buffering or releasing material actions. The buffer material action includes the control module controlling the material line external buffer device to move the empty material tray (130) from the buffer storage position (120) to the loading and unloading mechanism (150) to remove the empty tray and place the material, and the full material tray (130) is moved from the loading and unloading mechanism (150) to the empty storage position. The material release action includes the control module controlling the material line buffer device to move the full material tray (130) from the buffer storage location (120) to the loading and unloading mechanism (150) to release the material, and the empty material tray (130) moving from the loading and unloading mechanism (150) to the empty storage location.

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