A transport and docking device for AGV trolleys

Abstract

This utility model discloses a handling and docking device for AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) trolleys. The device includes a top plate positioned above the AGV trolley, with power units on both sides of the top plate. A lifting unit is located at the output end of each power unit, and a lifting plate is positioned at the top of the lifting unit. A fixing plate is located in the middle of the top plate, and both the fixing plate and the lifting plate have limiting blocks at their tops for supporting materials. This utility model effectively distributes the weight of the materials through the fixing plate, reducing the load on the lifting unit and minimizing the possibility of damage due to excessive load over time. This lowers the probability of device malfunction and extends the device's service life.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a handling and docking device, and more particularly to a handling and docking device for AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) trolleys. Background Technology

[0002] The handling of rolled materials is a crucial step in the film production process, urgently requiring efficient integration with automated systems. The emergence of AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) handling docking devices precisely addresses this need. Traditional manual or semi-manual transportation methods are not only inefficient and labor-intensive, but also pose certain safety risks and are difficult to integrate with automated warehousing systems, failing to meet the demands of modern large-scale, high-efficiency production. Chinese invention patent CN108482521A discloses a docking mechanism for AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) carts transporting racks, specifically including a traction structure, a traction lifting component, a lifting structure, and a lifting component. The traction structure is used for traction and transport of the AGV carts on the racks, and the lifting structure is used for lifting and transporting the AGV carts on the racks. The traction structure includes a traction component and a sleeve that cooperates with the traction component; the traction component and the sleeve can move relative to each other and are sleeved together. The traction lifting component is connected to the traction component or the sleeve. The lifting structure includes a docking component; the lifting component and the docking component can move relative to each other and lift the docking component. The traction lifting component and the lifting component can be selectively connected. The traction lifting component or the lifting component is connected to the AGV cart. However, this type of docking mechanism also has areas for improvement: for example, if only the lifting device bears the load, prolonged load-bearing of the lifting component may cause damage to the lifting device, thus affecting the service life of the device. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a material handling and docking device for AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) trolleys. This invention effectively distributes the weight of materials through a fixed plate, reducing the load on the lifting mechanism, minimizing damage caused by excessive load over prolonged periods, lowering the probability of device malfunction, and extending the device's service life.

[0004] The technical solution of this utility model is: a handling and docking device for AGV trolleys, including a top plate set above the AGV trolley, power units on both sides of the top plate, a lifting unit at the output end of the power unit, and a lifting plate at the top of the lifting unit; a fixing plate in the middle of the top plate, and limiting blocks for supporting materials at the top of both the fixing plate and the lifting plate.

[0005] In the aforementioned AGV trolley handling and docking device, the top plate is provided with connecting plates on both sides; the power unit includes a motor fixed below the connecting plates, the output end of the motor is connected to a transmission mechanism, the output end of the transmission mechanism is connected to a synchronous shaft, and a lifting device is provided on both sides of the synchronous shaft, the output ends of the lifting devices on both sides are connected to the lifting plate.

[0006] In the aforementioned AGV trolley handling and docking device, the limiting block includes two symmetrical blocks that tilt towards the middle, forming a limiting groove between the symmetrical blocks, and the symmetrical blocks are fixed to the lifting plate.

[0007] In the aforementioned AGV trolley handling and docking device, the top of the limiting block is provided with an ascending block connected to the symmetrical block, and the ascending block is mounted on the top of the symmetrical block.

[0008] In the aforementioned AGV trolley handling and docking device, the transmission mechanism includes a first synchronous pulley connected to a motor, a synchronous belt sleeved on the first synchronous pulley, a second synchronous pulley connected to the other end of the synchronous belt, and the second synchronous pulley connected to a synchronous shaft.

[0009] In the aforementioned AGV trolley handling and docking device, the lifting device is a screw jack set on both sides of the synchronous shaft. A lead screw runs through the screw jack, passes through a connecting plate, and the upper end of the lead screw is connected to the lifting plate.

[0010] In the aforementioned AGV trolley handling and docking device, linear bearings are fixed on both sides of the connecting plate, and guide rods pass through the linear bearings. The top of the guide rods is connected to one end of the lifting plate.

[0011] In the aforementioned AGV trolley handling and docking device, the bottom of the fixing plate is provided with reinforcing ribs.

[0012] In the aforementioned AGV trolley handling and docking device, the top plate is fixed by multiple square steel pipes connected end to end to form a rectangle.

[0013] In the aforementioned AGV trolley handling and docking device, the synchronous shaft includes a first sub-shaft connected to a second synchronous pulley, the other end of the sub-shaft is connected to a first coupling, one end of the first coupling is connected to a connecting rod, the other end of the connecting rod is fitted with a second coupling, and the second coupling is connected to a second sub-shaft; the screw lifts on both sides are respectively fixed on the first sub-shaft and the second sub-shaft.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0015] 1. This utility model includes a lifting unit, with a lifting plate at the top; a fixing plate is located in the middle of the top plate, and both the fixing plate and the lifting plate have limiting blocks at their tops for supporting materials. The fixing plate is fixed in the middle of the top of the top plate, which can effectively distribute the weight of the material, transfer some of the force to the top plate, reduce the load on the lifting unit, significantly improve the overall structural strength and load-bearing capacity, stably support various materials to be transported, prevent the lifting unit from being damaged due to excessive local load, reduce the probability of device failure, lower maintenance costs, and extend the service life of the device.

[0016] 2. This utility model includes a lifting block mounted on top of the symmetrical block, with the lifting block and symmetrical block securely connected to form a detachable assembly structure. By installing the lifting transmission guide mechanism of the handling docking device on both sides of the AGV, the initial center height of the device's limiting block can be effectively reduced. Simultaneously, utilizing the AGV's limited 260mm height space, the lifting height of the limiting block is maximized, enabling it to handle large roll diameters up to 800mm. For small roll diameters of 350-450mm, a specially designed movable lifting block facilitates quick loading and unloading by operators. The connection between the lifting block and the symmetrical block not only ensures connection stability but also simplifies and speeds up operation. The design of the symmetrical block and the lifting block effectively expands the applicable roll diameter range, fundamentally reducing changeover time and operating costs caused by roll diameter mismatch, significantly improving overall operational efficiency, and providing a more flexible and efficient solution for automated production scenarios.

[0017] 3. This utility model includes a limiting block, which comprises two symmetrical blocks inclined towards the center, forming a limiting groove between the symmetrical blocks. The symmetrical blocks are fixed to the lifting plate. The inwardly inclined symmetrical block design makes the entrance of the limiting groove flare outward, which can play a certain guiding role when the material enters the limiting groove. Even if there is a slight deviation in the initial position of the component, it can smoothly enter the groove through the guidance of the inclined surface, effectively limiting the material placed on the lifting plate and preventing the material from shifting during the movement or lifting of the AGV, ensuring the safety of the material handling process, especially suitable for scenarios with high requirements for material stability. The symmetrical blocks are bolted to the lifting plate, which makes it easy to replace the symmetrical blocks with different inclination angles or sizes according to the size and specifications of the material, improving the convenience of the device and expanding the application range of the device.

[0018] 4. The power unit of this utility model includes a transmission mechanism. The output end of the transmission mechanism is connected to a synchronous shaft. A lifting device is provided on each side of the synchronous shaft. The lifting device is a screw jack, with a lead screw passing through it and passing through a connecting plate. The upper end of the lead screw is connected to the lifting plate. The transmission mechanism includes a first synchronous pulley connected to a motor. A synchronous belt is sleeved on the first synchronous pulley, and a second synchronous pulley is connected to the other end of the synchronous belt. The second synchronous pulley is connected to the synchronous shaft. The synchronous shaft includes a first sub-shaft connected to the second synchronous pulley. A first coupling is connected to the other end of the sub-shaft. A connecting rod is connected to one end of the first coupling, and a second coupling is sleeved on the other end of the connecting rod. The second coupling is connected to the second sub-shaft. The screw jacks on both sides are respectively fixed to the first sub-shaft and the second sub-shaft. This invention employs a motor-driven synchronous pulley (first and second synchronous pulleys) and synchronous belt transmission, resulting in smooth transmission with low noise. Furthermore, it connects to the screw jack via couplings (first and second couplings) and connecting rods, achieving synchronous operation of a single-motor driven twin-screw jack. This ensures synchronized lifting at both ends of the lifting section, preventing materials from falling due to tilting of the lifting section. This makes the lifting action smoother, further improving the stability of the lifting process and achieving high stability and high precision. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a front view structural schematic diagram of this utility model;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a side view (excluding the AGV trolley) of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a side view structural schematic diagram of the present invention (including the AGV trolley);

[0022] Figure 4 This is a top view of the structure of this utility model;

[0023] Figure 5 This is a front view of the symmetrical block portion of this utility model;

[0024] Figure 6 This is a left view of the symmetrical block portion of this utility model;

[0025] Figure 7 This is a top view of the symmetrical block portion of this utility model;

[0026] Figure 8 This is a front view of the height-increasing block portion of this utility model;

[0027] Figure 9 This is a left view of the height-increasing block portion of this utility model;

[0028] Figure 10 This is a top view of the height-increasing block portion of this utility model.

[0029] The labels in the attached diagram are as follows: 1-Top plate, 2-Connecting plate, 3-Transmission mechanism, 21-Linear bearing, 22-Guide rod, 101-Lifting part, 102-Lifting plate, 103-Limiting block, 1031-Limiting groove, 1032-Heightening block, 201-Power unit, 202-Motor, 203-First synchronous pulley, 204-Synchronous belt, 205-Second synchronous pulley, 2051-Synchronous shaft, 206-Lifter, 2061-Lead screw, 207-First coupling, 2071-First sub-shaft, 208-Connecting rod, 209-Second coupling, 2091-Second sub-shaft, 301-Fixing plate, 302-Reinforcing rib. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments, but this should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0031] Example: A transport and docking device for AGV carts, configured as follows Figure 1-4As shown, the AGV includes a top plate 1 mounted above the AGV trolley. The top plate 1 is fixed together by multiple rectangular steel tubes connected end-to-end. This frame structure reduces its own weight while significantly improving the overall structural strength and load-bearing capacity, better supporting the weight of materials and components above. Connecting plates 2 are provided on both sides of the top plate 1. The connecting plates 2 are preferably made of 45 steel. 45 steel has moderate strength and toughness, possessing both a certain load-bearing capacity and toughness. Moreover, the raw material price is low, the smelting process is simple, and production volume is large. Therefore, the raw material cost is far lower than that of alloy steel, stainless steel, and other materials. Furthermore, due to its good processing performance, no complex processing technology and equipment are required, reducing processing costs during production and making it suitable for mass production. Linear bearings 21 are fixed on both sides of the connecting plate 2. A guide rod 22 passes through the linear bearing 21. The top end of the guide rod 22 is bolted to one end of the lifting plate 102. The linear bearings 21 on the connecting plate cooperate with the guide rod 22 to provide stable guidance for the lifting movement of the lifting part 101, reduce shaking during the lifting process, and make the lifting action smoother. The bolted connection between the guide rod 22 and the lifting plate 102 ensures the firmness of the connection between the two and further enhances the stability of the lifting part 101. Power units 201 are provided on both sides of the top plate 1. The output end of the power unit 201 is provided with the lifting part 101, and the top of the lifting part 101 is provided with the lifting plate 102. The lifting plate 102 is preferably made of Q235-A, which is low-carbon steel. Low-carbon steel is inexpensive, cost-effective, and has good plasticity, making it easy to process and form. Moreover, as one of the carbon steels with the largest output in my country, it is in ample supply in the market, with complete specifications, and does not require special storage conditions. It also has moderate resistance to atmospheric corrosion. A fixing plate 301 is provided in the middle of the top plate 1. The bottom of the fixing plate 301 is provided with a reinforcing rib 302, which can effectively distribute the weight of the material and transfer part of the force to the top plate 1, reducing the load on the lifting part 101, significantly improving the overall structural strength and load-bearing capacity, and can stably support the various materials to be transported, avoiding damage to the lifting part 101 due to excessive local load, reducing the probability of device failure, lowering maintenance costs, and extending the service life of the device. The power unit 201 includes a motor 202 fixed below the connecting plate 2. The motor 202 is fixed below the connecting plate 2 by bolts. The motor 202 is preferably an integrated low-voltage servo motor. The integrated low-voltage servo motor has a compact structure, eliminating the connection cable and independent installation space between the motor and the driver, saving installation space, and eliminating the need for additional power lines and encoder lines between the motor and the driver, avoiding complex wiring work, reducing the risk of failure due to wiring errors. During installation, only the motor body needs to be fixed and the power supply and control signal need to be connected, which greatly shortens the equipment debugging cycle and improves production efficiency.The output end of the motor 202 is connected to a transmission mechanism 3. The transmission mechanism 3 includes a first synchronous pulley 203 connected to the motor 202. A synchronous belt 204 is sleeved on the first synchronous pulley 203. The other end of the synchronous belt 204 is connected to a second synchronous pulley 205. The second synchronous pulley 205 is connected to a synchronous shaft 2051. The diameter of the first synchronous pulley 203 is smaller than the diameter of the second synchronous pulley 205. This is a speed reduction transmission, which allows each component to work in a more optimal speed range, reduces friction loss, and improves overall efficiency. The output end of the transmission mechanism 3 is connected to a synchronous shaft 2051. A lifting device 206 is provided on each side of the synchronous shaft 2051. The output ends of the lifting devices 206 on both sides are connected to a lifting plate 102. The lifting devices 206 are screw jacks installed on both sides of the synchronous shaft 2051. Screw jacks are existing conventional products that can be obtained commercially. Screw jacks are usually composed of components such as worm gears, housings, bearings, and lead screws. Worm gear pairs are used for speed reduction and power transmission. The lead screw engages with the worm gear or nut to achieve linear motion. The worm is driven to rotate by a power source such as a motor or handwheel, and the worm drives the worm gear to rotate at a reduced speed. The inner cavity of the worm gear is machined with internal threads, which drive the lead screw to generate rotational motion or axial movement. Through the helical engagement between the lead screw and the nut, the rotational motion is converted into linear motion, thereby realizing actions such as pushing, pulling, or lifting. Screw jacks are small in size, lightweight, and occupy little space, making them easy to install and arrange. They are suitable for places with limited space, and are simple to operate. They can be manually driven or connected to a power source such as a motor for automated control, making them convenient and easy to master. In this embodiment, the screw jack includes a housing fixed on the connecting plate 2. Inside the housing, a worm gear and a worm are fixed by bearings. The worm gear and the worm are arranged perpendicularly. The worm is fixed on the synchronous shaft 2051, and the worm and the worm gear mesh with each other. The worm gear has an internal thread, and the worm gear meshes with a lead screw 2061 through the internal thread. The rotation of the synchronous shaft 2051 drives the worm to rotate, the rotation of the worm drives the worm gear to rotate, and the rotation of the worm gear drives the lead screw 2061 to move up and down. A lead screw 2061 runs through the screw jack, passing through the connecting plate 2. The upper end of the lead screw 2061 is connected to the lifting plate 102. The synchronous shaft 2051 includes a first sub-shaft 2071 connected to the second synchronous pulley 205. The other end of the sub-shaft 2071 is connected to a first coupling 207. One end of the first coupling 207 is connected to a connecting rod 208. The other end of the connecting rod 208 is fitted with a second coupling 209. The second coupling 209 is connected to the second sub-shaft 2091. The screw jacks on both sides are respectively fixed on the first sub-shaft 2071 and the second sub-shaft 2091.This device uses a motor 202 to drive synchronous pulleys (first synchronous pulley 203, second synchronous pulley 205) and a synchronous belt 204 for transmission. The transmission process is smooth and low-noise. It then connects to a screw jack via couplings (first coupling 207, second coupling 209) and connecting rod 208, achieving synchronous operation of a single motor 202 driving a twin-screw jack. This ensures synchronized lifting at both ends of the lifting section 101, further guaranteeing consistency in lifting actions and preventing material from falling due to tilting. Furthermore, the lead screw 2061 transmission features high precision and smooth operation, accurately controlling the lifting height of the lifting section 101 to meet the requirements of precise equipment docking. Through the combined design of "synchronous drive + precise guidance," high stability and high precision in the lifting process are achieved.

[0032] like Figure 1 , 2As shown in Figure 5-10: Both the fixed plate 301 and the lifting plate 102 are equipped with limiting blocks 103 for supporting materials. Each limiting block 103 consists of two symmetrical blocks that tilt inwards, forming a limiting groove 1031 between them. The symmetrical blocks are fixed to the lifting plate 102. The preferred material for the symmetrical blocks is MC nylon, also known as monomer casting nylon or cast nylon. It has high tensile strength, rigidity, and hardness, as well as excellent toughness, impact resistance, and fatigue resistance. It can withstand frequent mechanical vibrations and load changes, is not easily broken or deformed, and is easy to process and cost-effective. It can be directly formed by monomer casting without the need for complex large-scale equipment. The cast blank can be machined into various shapes through simple cutting, drilling, and other machining to meet different structural requirements and lower the production threshold. The inward tilting design of the symmetrical blocks makes the inlet of the limiting groove 1031 flare outwards, which can play a certain guiding role when the material enters the limiting groove 1031. Even with slight initial positional deviations, the inclined surface guides the material smoothly into the slot, effectively limiting its movement on the lifting plate 102 and preventing displacement during AGV movement or lifting. This ensures safety during material handling, making it particularly suitable for scenarios with high material stability requirements. The symmetrical block is bolted to the lifting plate 102, allowing for easy replacement of symmetrical blocks with different inclination angles or sizes to suit material specifications, improving the device's convenience and expanding its application range. The top of the limiting block 103 has an ascending block 1032 connected to the symmetrical block, mounted on top of the symmetrical block. A first slot 1033 in the middle of the symmetrical block divides it into two platforms 1034. The bottom of the ascending block 1032 has a second slot 1035 that fits into the platform 1034, allowing for a secure connection between the ascending block 1032 and the platform 1034 (i.e., the top of the symmetrical block), forming a detachable assembly structure. Especially for solventless laminating machines and similar equipment with relatively low center heights (typically 750mm) when installing roll materials, the minimum height of the AGV platform (260mm) limits the ability to handle or install roll materials with a maximum diameter of 800mm using the AGV due to their excessively high initial center height. Therefore, by installing the lifting transmission guide mechanism of the handling and docking device on both sides of the AGV, the initial center height of the limiting block 103 can be effectively reduced. Simultaneously, by utilizing the limited 260mm height space of the AGV, the lifting height of the limiting block 103 can be maximized, enabling it to handle large-diameter rolls up to 800mm.For operations involving small rolls with a diameter of 350-450mm, a specially designed movable heightening block 1032 is provided for easy loading and unloading. This allows operators to quickly load and unload the block. The heightening block 1032 is movable and used for operations with a roll diameter of 350-450mm. It is inserted when needed and removed when not in use. The heightening block 1032 is slightly longer than the symmetrical block, and the inclination angle of the bottom inclined surface 1036 of the heightening block 1032 is consistent with the inclination angle of the top surface 1037 of the symmetrical block, allowing them to fit together perfectly. Two heightening blocks 1032 are fixed side by side on the platform 1034. The first slot 1033 and the second slot 1035 fit together. After the heightening block 1032 and the symmetrical block are locked in place, the top shape of the limiting block remains unchanged, only its height changes. The connection between the heightening block 1032 and the symmetrical block not only ensures the stability of the connection but also simplifies and speeds up the operation. The design of the symmetrical block and the heightening block 1032 effectively expands the range of applicable material roll diameters, fundamentally reducing changeover time and operating costs caused by roll diameter mismatch, significantly improving overall operating efficiency, and providing a more flexible and efficient solution for automated production scenarios.

Claims

1. A transport and docking device for AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) trolleys, characterized in that: The AGV includes a top plate (1) installed above the AGV trolley. The top plate (1) has a power unit (201) on both sides. The output end of the power unit (201) has a lifting unit (101). The top of the lifting unit (101) has a lifting plate (102). The top plate (1) has a fixing plate (301) in the middle. The top of the fixing plate (301) and the lifting plate (102) are respectively provided with a limiting block (103) for supporting materials.

2. The AGV trolley handling and docking device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top plate (1) has connecting plates (2) on both sides; the power unit (201) includes a motor (202) fixed below the connecting plate (2), the output end of the motor (202) is connected to a transmission mechanism (3), the output end of the transmission mechanism (3) is connected to a synchronous shaft (2051), and each side of the synchronous shaft (2051) is provided with a lifter (206), the output ends of the lifters (206) on both sides are connected to the lifting plate (102).

3. The AGV trolley handling and docking device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The limiting block (103) includes two symmetrical blocks that tilt towards the middle, forming a limiting groove (1031) between the symmetrical blocks, and the symmetrical blocks are fixed to the lifting plate (102).

4. The AGV trolley handling and docking device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The top of the limiting block (103) is provided with an increasing block (1032) connected to the symmetrical block, and the increasing block (1032) is locked above the symmetrical block.

5. The AGV trolley handling and docking device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The transmission mechanism (3) includes a first synchronous pulley (203) connected to the motor (202), a synchronous belt (204) is provided on the first synchronous pulley (203), and a second synchronous pulley (205) is connected to the other end of the synchronous belt (204). The second synchronous pulley (205) is connected to the synchronous shaft (2051).

6. The AGV trolley handling and docking device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The lifting device (206) is a screw jack set on both sides of the synchronous shaft (2051). A lead screw (2061) runs through the screw jack. The lead screw (2061) runs through the connecting plate (2), and the upper end of the lead screw (2061) is connected to the lifting plate (102).

7. The AGV trolley handling and docking device according to claim 2, characterized in that: Linear bearings (21) are fixed on both sides of the connecting plate (2), and a guide rod (22) runs through the linear bearing (21). The top end of the guide rod (22) is connected to one end of the lifting plate (102).

8. The AGV trolley handling and docking device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the fixing plate (301) is provided with reinforcing ribs (302).

9. The AGV trolley handling and docking device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top plate (1) is fixed by multiple square steel pipes connected end to end to form a rectangle.

10. The AGV trolley handling and docking device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The synchronous shaft (2051) includes a first sub-shaft (2071) connected to the second synchronous pulley (205). The other end of the first sub-shaft (2071) is connected to a first coupling (207). One end of the first coupling (207) is connected to a connecting rod (208). The other end of the connecting rod (208) is fitted with a second coupling (209). The second coupling (209) is connected to a second sub-shaft (2091). The screw jacks on both sides are fixed on the first sub-shaft (2071) and the second sub-shaft (2091) respectively.

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