A tray loading and unloading device

Abstract

This utility model discloses a tray receiving and unloading device. A conveyor line is mounted on a frame to carry and feed trays. A positioning mechanism includes a right-angle limiting plate. A lifting mechanism includes a lifting module and a lifting plate. The lifting plate is located at the output end of the lifting module and is driven to move up and down through the conveyor line to carry the trays. A clamping mechanism is located above the conveyor line and includes side-top components and support components. Multiple support components are located on opposite sides of the conveyor line and are driven to support the lower ends of stacked trays. A pair of side-top components are symmetrically located on opposite sides of the conveyor line and are driven to clamp the opposite sides of the stacked trays. This utility model, through the cooperation of the side-top components and support components, can achieve clamping and support of stacked trays at different positions. By adjusting the clearance at different positions and coordinating with the actions of the conveyor line and the lifting mechanism, it can achieve tray receiving and unloading, especially suitable for tray receiving and unloading where there are no slots on the side walls.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of feeding device technology, and in particular to a tray take-up and take-down device. Background Technology

[0002] In production lines, trays are a common and widely used logistics container. They are trays that carry workpieces and can be used in various links of the supply chain for the neat and safe storage, handling or transportation of goods, improving production efficiency through stable transmission and precise positioning.

[0003] Trays used in different applications are made of different materials, such as metal trays and plastic trays. Most trays are designed with slots, stacking clips, or anti-slip structures, allowing for safe multi-layer stacking and saving storage space. However, some trays with special structures, such as some metal trays, lack slots on their side walls. For these types of trays, the lack of slots creates gaps between adjacent trays during stacking or unloading, preventing components from fitting properly. This affects the stacking or separation of trays, ultimately requiring a robot to handle the trays for loading and unloading. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this utility model is to provide a tray receiving and unloading device. Through the cooperation of the side top component and the support component, it can achieve clamping and support of stacked trays at different positions. By the clearance at different positions and the action of the conveyor line and the lifting mechanism, it can realize the receiving and unloading of trays. It is especially suitable for receiving and unloading trays without slot structure on the side wall.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is: a tray loading and unloading device, comprising a frame, and:

[0006] A conveyor line, mounted on the frame, is used to carry and feed trays, wherein the feeding direction of the conveyor line is at least one side of its extension direction.

[0007] The positioning mechanism includes at least one pair of right-angle limiting plates, which are disposed above the conveyor line and diagonally opposite each other.

[0008] The lifting mechanism includes a lifting module and a lifting plate. The lifting module is mounted on the frame, and the lifting plate is located at the output end of the lifting module and is driven to move up and down through the conveyor line carrying the tray.

[0009] A clamping mechanism is disposed above the conveyor line and includes side-top components and support components. A plurality of support components are disposed on opposite sides of the conveyor line and driven to support the lower ends of the stacked trays. A pair of side-top components are symmetrically disposed on opposite sides of the conveyor line and driven to clamp the opposite sides of the stacked trays.

[0010] As a further optimization, the side-top assembly includes a first cylinder and a side pressure plate. The first cylinder is mounted on the frame, and the side pressure plate is located at the output end of the first cylinder and is driven to move and abut against the side wall of the tray.

[0011] As a further optimization, there are an even number of support components, which are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the conveyor line; each support component includes a second cylinder and a support plate, the second cylinder is disposed on the frame, and the support plate is disposed at the output end of the second cylinder and is driven to move and abut against the lower end of the tray.

[0012] As a further optimization, the conveyor line is a pair of belt feeders symmetrically arranged on the frame and moving synchronously, with a clearance space between the pair of belt feeders for the lifting mechanism to pass through.

[0013] As a further optimization, the conveyor line also includes a material blocking assembly disposed on the frame or positioning mechanism. The material blocking assembly includes a lifting cylinder and a baffle disposed at the output end of the lifting cylinder. The baffle is driven to move up or down to abut against the tray fed by the conveyor line.

[0014] As a further optimization, the lifting module includes a drive unit, a transmission unit, and a lead screw and nut assembly. A first mounting plate is provided on the frame, and the lead screw and nut assembly is disposed on the first mounting plate. Its upper end and lower part are rotatably connected to the lifting plate and the second mounting plate, respectively. The drive unit is disposed on the second mounting plate and is connected to the lower end of the lead screw and nut assembly through the transmission unit.

[0015] As a further optimization, the second mounting plate is provided with a pair of guide rods, and the first mounting plate is provided with a pair of guide cylinders. The guide rods are movably mounted inside the guide cylinders and their upper ends are connected to the lifting plate, which can ensure the accuracy and stability of the lifting plate movement.

[0016] As a further optimization, the lifting plate includes a base plate and an upper plate. The base plate is connected to the lifting module. The base plate is provided with a mounting groove, and a magnet is provided in the mounting groove. The upper plate covers the base plate.

[0017] As a further optimization, the lifting mechanism also includes a pair of symmetrical clamping assemblies arranged on opposite sides of the lifting plate. The clamping assemblies include a translation cylinder and a clamping plate arranged at the output end of the translation cylinder. The clamping plate clamps the tray on the lifting plate via a drive.

[0018] As a further optimization, the tray loading and unloading device also includes a cover plate assembly, which includes a cover plate and positioning blocks. At least one pair of positioning blocks are disposed at the diagonal of the lower end of the cover plate. When the cover plate abuts against the upper end of the right-angle limiting plate, the positioning blocks are embedded in the right-angle limiting plate, which can accurately place the cover plate on the positioning mechanism.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0020] 1. By cooperating with the side top assembly and the support assembly, the stacked trays can be clamped and supported at different positions. By making room at different positions and cooperating with the conveyor line and the lifting mechanism, the trays can be received and unloaded, realizing the multiple functions of the device.

[0021] 2. The side top assembly and support assembly work together to clamp and support different positions of the tray, which is especially suitable for structures where there are no slots on the side wall of the tray, and can efficiently complete the receiving and unloading of this type of tray. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram of the present invention after removing the cover plate assembly.

[0024] Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of the conveyor line, positioning mechanism, and clamping mechanism of this utility model.

[0025] Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of the lifting mechanism of this utility model.

[0026] Figure 5 This is a bottom view structural diagram of the cover plate assembly of this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The following are specific embodiments of the present invention, which are described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0028] like Figures 1 to 4As shown, a tray loading and unloading device includes a frame 10, a conveyor line 20, a positioning mechanism 30, a lifting mechanism 40, and a clamping mechanism 50. The conveyor line 20 is mounted on the frame 10 to carry and feed trays 100. The feeding direction of the conveyor line 20 is at least one side of its extension direction. The positioning mechanism 30 includes at least a pair of right-angle limiting plates 31, which are positioned above the conveyor line 20 and diagonally arranged. The lifting mechanism 40 includes a lifting module 41 and a lifting plate 42. The lifting plate 42 is located on the frame 10 and is located at the output end of the lifting module 41. It is driven to move up and down through the conveyor line 20 to carry the tray 100. The clamping mechanism 50 is located above the conveyor line 20 and includes a side top component 51 and a support component 52. Multiple support components 52 are located on opposite sides of the conveyor line 20 and are driven to support the lower end of the stacked trays. A pair of side top components 51 are symmetrically located on opposite sides of the conveyor line 20 and are driven to clamp the opposite sides of the stacked trays.

[0029] In this invention, the tray receiving and unloading device operates on metal trays. These trays have no slots at the lower end of their sidewalls, meaning that when multiple trays of this type are stacked to form a stacked tray, there are no gaps between adjacent trays for insertion. This invention can be connected in series with an external tray feeding line or workstation, i.e., the external tray feeding line or workstation is connected in series with the conveyor line 20. The tray receiving and unloading device has two working states: tray receiving state and tray unloading state. When the device is in the tray receiving state, multiple trays 100 are stacked to form a stacked tray. The specific working process is as follows: a single tray is fed from the conveyor line 20. When the tray reaches below the positioning mechanism 30, the lifting mechanism 40 activates, and its lifting component 41 drives the lifting plate 42 upwards. The lifting plate 42 will then be positioned below the conveyor line... After a tray 100 on conveyor line 20 is lifted upwards and detached from the conveyor line 20, and when it reaches a set height, multiple support components 52 abut against the lower end of the tray 100, and the lifting mechanism 40 resets, completing the collection of the first tray. When collecting the second tray 100, the lifting plate 42 is driven by the lifting component 41 to lift one (second) tray on conveyor line 20. At the same time, a pair of side-lifting components 51 abut against the side wall of the tray on the support component 52, thereby clamping the tray on the support component 52. After the multiple support components 52 reset, they detach from the tray. The lower end of tray 100 is positioned such that the tray on the lifting plate 42 abuts against the lower end of the tray clamped by the side-top assembly 51. The side-top assembly 51 resets and disengages from the side wall of the tray. The lifting assembly 41 continues to drive the lifting plate 42 upward by a corresponding distance (so that the tray at the bottom is within the effective range of the side-top assembly 51 and the support assembly 52). Multiple support assemblies 52 then abut against the lower end of the tray at the bottom. The lifting mechanism 40 resets, completing the stacking of the second tray with the first tray. Similarly, when stacking the third tray and subsequent trays, the process repeats the second step. The stacking of trays is sufficient. During the process of stacking multiple individual trays to form a stacked tray, the position of the tray 100 can be defined by right-angle limiting plates 31. Preferably, the positioning mechanism 30 includes two pairs of right-angle limiting plates 31, that is, it has four right-angle limiting plates 31. The four right-angle limiting plates 31 are located at the four corners, and their enclosed horizontal cross-section is the same as the horizontal cross-section of the tray 100, which can ensure that the vertical projections of multiple trays coincide without misalignment. The height of the right-angle limiting plates 31 matches the height of the stacked trays. Preferably, the number of stacked trays is fifteen.When the tray receiving device is in the tray receiving state, after stacking fifteen trays, the stacked trays need to be moved from the clamping mechanism 50. When the tray receiving device is in the tray discharging state, the stacked trays are fed individually. The specific working process is as follows: the stacked trays (preferably fifteen trays) are placed on the clamping mechanism 50, that is, the support component 52 in the clamping mechanism 50 abuts against the lowest part of the stacked trays. At the lower end of the tray, each tray 100 needs to be placed individually on the conveyor line 20. A pair of side-top components 51 clamp the sidewalls of the stacked trays. The support component 52 resets and disengages from the lower end of the stacked trays. The lifting plate 42 is driven to move upward and abut against the lower end of the stacked trays. The side-top components 51 reset and disengage from the sidewalls of the stacked trays. The lifting plate 42 is driven to move the stacked trays downward a corresponding distance (so that the tray at the bottom of the stacked trays is no longer under the side-top components 51). Within its effective range, when a pair of side-top components 51 abut against the second-to-last tray or higher in the stacked trays, the trays on the lifting plate 42 move downwards with the lifting plate 42 and abut against the conveyor line 20, completing the unloading of one tray 100. This process is repeated to unload the tray 100. During this unloading process, the stacked trays can be clamped and positioned using only the action of a pair of side-top components 51, or the lifting plate 42 can move the trays on it... During the downward movement of the tray, the stacked trays are supported by the support component 52. Preferably, the support component 52 is only used to support the stacked trays at the initial stage of material feeding. During the feeding of each tray, only a pair of side-top components 51 clamp and position the stacked trays. Similarly, during the feeding of the tray 100, the right-angle limiting plate 31 can limit the stacked trays during the feeding process, ensuring that each tray 100 is located at the same position on the lifting plate 42. It should be noted that the side-top components 51 must at least abut against the side wall of the lowest tray in the stacked trays to ensure overall clamping and positioning of the stacked trays.

[0030] This utility model can achieve clamping and support of stacked trays at different positions through the cooperation of the side top component 51 and the support component 52. By giving way at different positions and cooperating with the action of the conveyor line 20 and the lifting mechanism 40, the tray 100 can be received and unloaded, realizing the multiple functions of the device.

[0031] Preferably, the side-top assembly 51 includes a first cylinder 511 and a side pressure plate 512. The first cylinder 511 is mounted on the frame 10, and the side pressure plate 512 is mounted at the output end of the first cylinder 511 and is driven to move and abut against the side wall of the tray 100. Thus, a pair of side pressure plates 512 can perform the clamping action on the stacked trays. Preferably, the side pressure plate 512 is made of polyurethane, which has certain deformation properties and can avoid damage to the tray when in contact with metal trays.

[0032] Furthermore, there are four support components 52, which are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the conveyor line 20 to ensure the stability of the support for the tray or stacked trays. The support component 52 includes a second cylinder 521 and a support plate 522. The second cylinder 521 is mounted on the frame 10, and the support plate 522 is mounted on the output end of the second cylinder 521 and is driven to move and abut against the lower end of the tray 100. The support plate 522 provides upward support for the tray or stacked trays.

[0033] Preferably, the conveyor line 20 is a pair of belt feed lines 21 symmetrically arranged on the frame 10 and moving synchronously. There is a clearance space 200 between the pair of belt feed lines 21 for the lifting mechanism 40 to pass through. The belt conveyor line 21 is a combination of components such as a motor, a drive pulley, a driven pulley, and a belt. It supports the tray 100 and drives the tray 100 to move via the pair of belts. Preferably, the motor in the belt feed line 21 can rotate in both forward and reverse directions, meaning the belt feed line 21 can feed materials in two directions. For example, in the receiving state, it can alternately receive materials fed to the trays on the belt feed line 21 for stacking; in the discharging state, it can alternately feed materials to the belt feed line 21 in two different directions.

[0034] In addition, the conveyor line 20 also includes a material blocking component 22 disposed on the frame 10 or the positioning mechanism 30. The material blocking component 22 includes a lifting cylinder 221 and a baffle 222. Preferably, the lifting cylinder 221 is disposed on the right-angle limiting plate 31 in the positioning mechanism 30, and the baffle 222 is disposed at the output end of the lifting cylinder 221. The baffle 222 is driven to move down and abut against the side wall of the tray 100 fed by the conveyor line 20. It can block the tray 100 before it is lifted by the lifting mechanism 30 while being fed on the conveyor line 20, ensuring the accuracy of the position of the tray 100 before it is lifted by the lifting mechanism 30. By disposing of the material blocking component 22 on the right-angle limiting plate 31, the material blocking position of the tray 100 can be better matched with the positioning range of the positioning mechanism 30. With four right-angle limiting plates 31 and the conveyor line 20 capable of feeding in two directions, four material blocking components 22 are also set, with one material blocking component 22 on each right-angle limiting plate 31, which can ensure the balance of material blocking on the tray 100.

[0035] Preferably, the lifting module 41 includes a drive unit 411, a transmission unit 412, and a lead screw and nut assembly 413. A first mounting plate 4101 is provided on the frame 10. The nut in the lead screw and nut assembly 413 is fixedly mounted on the first mounting plate 4101, and its upper and lower ends (e.g., via bearings) are rotatably connected to the lifting plate 42 and the second mounting plate 4102, respectively. The drive unit 411 is a motor, mounted on the second mounting plate 4102, and connected to the lower end of the lead screw and nut assembly 413 via the transmission unit 412. The transmission unit 412 is a combination of a driving wheel, a driven wheel, and a belt. The drive unit 411 drives the lead screw and nut assembly 413 to move via the transmission unit 412. Since the nut in the lead screw and nut assembly 413 is fixed to the first mounting plate 4101 on the frame 10, the lead screw in the lead screw and nut assembly 413 moves up and down relative to the nut while rotating, thereby driving the second mounting plate 4102 and the lifting plate 42 to move up and down.

[0036] Furthermore, the second mounting plate 4102 is provided with a pair of guide rods 4141, and the first mounting plate 4101 is provided with a pair of guide cylinders 4142. The guide rods 4141 are movably mounted inside the guide cylinders 4142 and their upper ends are connected to the lifting plate 42, which can ensure the accuracy and stability of the lifting plate 42's up and down movement. The upper end of the guide cylinder 4142 is provided with a limiting ring, which can prevent the lifting plate 42 from falling.

[0037] Furthermore, the lifting plate 42 includes a base plate 421 and an upper plate 422. The base plate 421 is connected to the lifting module 41, that is, rotatably connected to the lead screw nut pair 413 and fixedly connected to the guide rod 4141. The upper end face of the base plate 421 is provided with a mounting groove (not shown), and a magnet (not shown) is provided in the mounting groove. The upper plate 422 is fixedly covered on the base plate 421. If the tray 100 is made of metal and has magnetic attraction, the stability of the tray 100 on the lifting plate 42 can be ensured when the lifting plate 42 contacts the tray 100.

[0038] Preferably, the lifting mechanism 40 further includes a pair of clamping components 43 symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the lifting plate 42. The clamping components 43 include a translation cylinder 431 arranged on the lifting plate 42 and a clamping plate 432 arranged at the output end of the translation cylinder 431. The clamping plate 432 is driven to clamp the tray 100 located on the lifting plate 42. Especially when the stacked trays are unloaded, when the lifting plate 42 abuts against the tray at the bottom, the pair of clamping plates 432 are driven to clamp the bottom tray, which makes the tray more stable and relatively easy to detach from the stacked trays.

[0039] Combination Figure 1 and Figure 5 As shown, the tray loading and unloading device also includes a cover plate assembly 60, which includes a cover plate 61 and positioning blocks 62. At least one pair of positioning blocks 62 are disposed at the diagonal lower end of the cover plate 61. When the cover plate 61 abuts against the upper end of the right-angle limiting plate 31, the positioning blocks 62 are embedded in the right-angle limiting plate 31. The cover plate 61 can cover the upper end of the positioning mechanism 30. If, during the loading state, stacked trays are placed in the positioning mechanism 30, and the number of trays 100 in the stacked trays exceeds the set number, the cover plate 61 cannot effectively cover. With four right-angle limiting plates 31, four positioning blocks 62 are also provided, respectively located at the lower corners of the cover plate 61. Through the cooperation of the positioning blocks 62 and the right-angle limiting plates 31, the cover plate 61 can be accurately positioned at the upper end of the right-angle limiting plate 31.

[0040] In one embodiment, the right-angle limiting plate 31 is provided with an oblong hole 310. A locking member passing through the oblong hole 310 fixes the right-angle limiting plate 31 to the frame 10. The oblong hole 310 allows for fine-tuning of the position of the right-angle limiting plate 31 to effectively match the size of the tray 100. Similarly, the cover plate 61 is provided with an adjustment groove 610, and a positioning block 62 is locked at a corresponding position on the oblong groove 610 to achieve alignment with the right-angle limiting plate 31. Additionally, the cover plate 61 is provided with a handle 63 for convenient operation.

[0041] The specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative examples illustrating the spirit of this utility model. Those skilled in the art to which this utility model pertains may make various modifications or additions to the described specific embodiments or use similar methods to substitute them, without departing from the spirit of this utility model or exceeding the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A tray dispenser comprising: Including racks, and: A conveyor line, mounted on the frame, is used to carry and feed trays, wherein the feeding direction of the conveyor line is at least one side of its extension direction. The positioning mechanism includes at least one pair of right-angle limiting plates, which are disposed above the conveyor line and diagonally opposite each other. The lifting mechanism includes a lifting module and a lifting plate. The lifting module is mounted on the frame, and the lifting plate is located at the output end of the lifting module and is driven to move up and down through the conveyor line carrying the tray. A clamping mechanism is disposed above the conveyor line and includes side-top components and support components. A plurality of support components are disposed on opposite sides of the conveyor line and driven to support the lower ends of the stacked trays. A pair of side-top components are symmetrically disposed on opposite sides of the conveyor line and driven to clamp the opposite sides of the stacked trays.

2. A tray dispenser according to claim 1, wherein, The side-top assembly includes a first cylinder and a side pressure plate. The first cylinder is mounted on the frame, and the side pressure plate is located at the output end of the first cylinder and is driven to move and abut against the side wall of the tray.

3. A tray dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The number of support components is even, and they are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the conveyor line. Each support component includes a second cylinder and a support plate. The second cylinder is disposed on the frame, and the support plate is disposed at the output end of the second cylinder and is driven to move and abut against the lower end of the tray.

4. A tray dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein, The conveyor line is a pair of belt feeders symmetrically arranged on the frame and moving synchronously, with a clearance space between the pair of belt feeders for the lifting mechanism to pass through.

5. A tray dispensing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 4, wherein, The conveyor line also includes a material blocking assembly mounted on the frame or positioning mechanism. The material blocking assembly includes a lifting cylinder and a baffle mounted on the output end of the lifting cylinder. The baffle is driven to move up or down and abuts against the tray being fed by the conveyor line.

6. A tray dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein, The lifting module includes a drive unit, a transmission unit, and a lead screw and nut assembly. A first mounting plate is provided on the frame. The lead screw and nut assembly is disposed on the first mounting plate, and its upper and lower ends are rotatably connected to the lifting plate and the second mounting plate, respectively. The drive unit is disposed on the second mounting plate and is connected to the lower end of the lead screw and nut assembly through the transmission unit.

7. A tray dispenser according to claim 6, wherein, The second mounting plate is provided with a pair of guide rods, and the first mounting plate is provided with a pair of guide cylinders. The guide rods are movable up and down inside the guide cylinders, and their upper ends are connected to the lifting plate.

8. A tray dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein, The lifting plate includes a base plate and an upper plate. The base plate is connected to the lifting module. The base plate is provided with a mounting groove, and a magnet is provided in the mounting groove. The upper plate covers the base plate.

9. A tray dispensing device according to claim 1 or 6 or 7 or 8, wherein, The lifting mechanism also includes a pair of symmetrical clamping assemblies arranged on opposite sides of the lifting plate. The clamping assemblies include a translation cylinder and a clamping plate arranged at the output end of the translation cylinder. The clamping plate clamps the tray on the lifting plate via a drive.

10. A tray dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein, It also includes a cover plate assembly, which includes a cover plate and positioning blocks. At least one pair of positioning blocks are disposed at the diagonal of the lower end of the cover plate. When the cover plate abuts against the upper end of the right-angle limiting plate, the positioning blocks are embedded in the right-angle limiting plate.

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