Workstation for automated guided vehicle and material transport system comprising same
By designing a height-adjustable automated guided vehicle (AGV) workstation, the problems of poor adaptability and safety hazards of traditional workstations have been solved, resulting in equipment savings, increased production efficiency, and improved safety.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SURUGA SEIKI (NANTONG) CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-09-17
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-07
AI Technical Summary
Traditional workstations are difficult to adapt to different models of automated guided vehicles, resulting in high equipment costs and large space occupation. Furthermore, traditional roller conveyors are prone to material slippage, tilting, or even flying out when starting, stopping, or accelerating, posing safety hazards and failing to meet the high-efficiency and flexible production needs of modern smart factories.
An automated guided vehicle (AGV) workstation was designed, comprising a main profile frame, roller fixtures, roller lifting device, electrical control cabinet, and human-machine interface screen. Height adjustment is achieved through electric rollers and servo electric cylinders. Equipped with a reversible servo electric cylinder and pneumatic components, it enhances safety and adaptability. An emergency brake button and a call button are also provided to improve ease of operation.
It achieves a high degree of adaptability of workstations, reduces equipment configuration and space requirements, improves production efficiency and safety, avoids material damage and personal injury, and enhances the safety and stability of workers' operations.
Smart Images
Figure CN224466702U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of automated logistics technology, specifically to a work station for an automated guided vehicle and a material transport system including therein. Background Technology
[0002] In automated logistics systems, the docking of Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) with workstations is a crucial link in material handling. Traditional workstations typically employ fixed-height roller structures, making them difficult to adapt to different AGV models. This necessitates factories configuring multiple workstation specifications, increasing equipment costs and space requirements. Furthermore, traditional roller conveyors rely heavily on gravity for material transport, which is prone to material slippage, tilting, or even ejection during start-up, stopping, or acceleration, posing safety hazards and failing to meet the demands of modern smart factories for efficient and flexible production. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a height-adjustable, reliable workstation compatible with various AGVs to improve the automation level and operational efficiency of logistics systems. Utility Model Content
[0003] To address the above problems, this utility model provides a workstation for an automated guided vehicle (AGV), comprising: a main profile frame; a roller fixture including multiple rollers spaced apart in the front-rear direction of the workstation, the rollers being connected by a synchronous belt drive; a roller lifting device for controlling the vertical movement of the roller fixture relative to the main profile frame; an electrical control cabinet; and a human-machine interface screen electrically connected to the electrical control cabinet; wherein...
[0004] One of the plurality of rollers is an electric roller, and the electric roller is electrically connected to the electrical control cabinet;
[0005] The roller lifting device is electrically connected to the electrical control cabinet;
[0006] The roller fixture is fixed on a horizontal support frame consisting of a front support assembly, a rear support assembly, a left support assembly, and a right support assembly;
[0007] The roller lifting device includes: a folding servo electric cylinder; a first support plate, the left and right ends of the upper surface of the first support plate being fixed to the lower surface of the left support assembly and the lower surface of the right support assembly, respectively; a second support plate, the front and rear ends of the lower surface of the second support plate being fixed to two horizontal support bars, the horizontal support bars being fixed to the main profile frame; and a guide rod, the upper end of the guide rod being fixed to the first support plate, and the guide rod and the second support plate being slidably connected by a guide bearing.
[0008] According to this technical solution, workers can directly control the roller lifting device through a human-machine interface screen to adjust the height of the roller tooling. This allows the workstation to adaptively connect to automated guided vehicles (AGVs) of different heights, eliminating the need to equip each type of AGV with a separate workstation, saving factory space and improving production efficiency. Furthermore, by replacing the traditional non-powered roller conveyor line with a roller conveyor line that includes electric rollers, the risk of materials flying out and causing injury or damage to personnel or materials due to relying solely on gravity for material transport can be avoided, thus improving worker safety.
[0009] In an optional technical solution of this utility model, the roller fixture further includes two roller supports arranged on both sides along the left and right direction of the work station, with each roller having its two ends rotatably connected to the two roller supports; two side baffles fixed above the two roller supports; and a rear baffle fixed to the rear support assembly.
[0010] According to the technical solution, by fixing two side baffles above the roller support, the material tray can be fixed to prevent it from tilting or derailing due to inertia when starting, stopping or accelerating; and fixing a rear baffle on the rear support assembly can work together with the side baffles to fix it, and can also play a role in preventing collision when the work station receives the material tray to protect the service life of the work station.
[0011] In an optional technical solution of this utility model, the number of rollers is 6.
[0012] In an optional technical solution of this utility model, the roller tooling further includes a front baffle and a cylinder for controlling the up-and-down movement of the front baffle relative to the roller; wherein, the front baffle includes a first panel and a second panel welded together, the first panel is connected to the upper part of the cylinder, and the second panel has a 90° angle with the first panel.
[0013] According to the technical solution, after the material tray enters the work station, the raised front baffle, together with the baffles on the other three sides, serves to fix the material tray. When the material tray is transported into or out of the work station, the lowered front baffle will not obstruct the transport path. The above process makes it easier for workers to operate and greatly improves the safety, stability and efficiency of the operation.
[0014] In an optional technical solution of this utility model, the cylinder is fixed to the front support assembly via a connector.
[0015] According to this technical solution, the cylinder is connected to the front support assembly via a connector, so that the cylinder and the baffle can move up and down together with the roller tooling, and can be applied to various different heights.
[0016] In an optional technical solution of this utility model, the reciprocating servo electric cylinder includes a servo motor, a reducer, a cylinder body, a positioning component, and a push rod; wherein, the positioning component is fixed to the lower surface of the second support plate and connected to the upper end of the cylinder body; the upper end of the push rod is connected to the first support plate through a connecting seat fixed to the lower surface of the first support plate; and the servo motor is electrically connected to the electrical control cabinet.
[0017] According to this technical solution, by selecting a reciprocating servo electric cylinder and setting the motor and cylinder body in parallel, the axial length can be significantly reduced, saving installation space; and it has higher precision compared to traditional cylinders.
[0018] In an optional technical solution of this utility model, the workstation further includes a pneumatic component mounting plate, on which a pneumatic pressure detection device, a pressure regulating valve, and a solenoid valve are fixed; wherein, the pneumatic pressure detection device is connected to the cylinder via a pneumatic circuit; the solenoid valve is connected to the cylinder and the pressure regulating valve via pneumatic circuits respectively, and is electrically connected to the electrical control cabinet.
[0019] According to this technical solution, the cylinder pressure can be detected and adjusted in real time by configuring three components: a pressure detection device, a pressure regulating valve, and a solenoid valve, which is beneficial to the cylinder's safety. Furthermore, the cylinder's lifting and lowering can be directly controlled through a human-interactive screen, making operation more convenient.
[0020] In an optional technical solution of this utility model, the workstation further includes an emergency braking button and a call button; wherein the emergency braking button and the call button are electrically connected to the electrical control cabinet.
[0021] According to this technical solution, in an emergency, the emergency brake button can be used to stop all work at the work station directly, and the call button can be used to call the automated guided vehicle for docking, eliminating the need to spend time operating through the human-machine interface screen.
[0022] This utility model also provides a material transport system, which includes: an automated guided vehicle; a material tray; and a work station for the automated guided vehicle as described in any one of the above.
[0023] In an optional technical solution of this utility model, the material transport system may further include one or more roller line devices; wherein the roller line device has upper and lower roller lines.
[0024] 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
[0025] Figure 1This is a first-view structural schematic diagram of the workstation of the automated guided vehicle in the embodiment of this utility model.
[0026] Figure 2 This is a structural schematic diagram from a second perspective of the workstation of the automated guided vehicle in this embodiment of the invention.
[0027] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the structural relationship between the roller lifting device, the horizontal support frame, and the horizontal support bar in the embodiment of this utility model.
[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the structural relationship between the front baffle, cylinder, and front support assembly in an embodiment of this utility model.
[0029] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the material transport system in an embodiment of this utility model.
[0030] Figure 6 This is another schematic diagram of the material transport system in the embodiments of this utility model.
[0031] Figure label:
[0032] Main profile frame 1; Roller fixture 2; Roller 21; Electric roller 211; Non-powered roller 212; Roller support on the left side 22; Roller support on the right side 23; Left baffle 24; Right baffle 25; Rear baffle 26; Front baffle 27; First panel 271; Second panel 272; Cylinder 28; Connector 29; Roller lifting device 3; Servo electric cylinder 31; Servo motor 311; Reducer 312; Cylinder body 313; Positioning component 314; Push rod 315; First support plate 32; Second support plate 33; First horizontal support bar 331; Second horizontal support bar 332; Guide rod 34; Guide bearing 35; Connecting seat 36; Electrical control cabinet 4; Human-machine interface screen 5; Horizontal support frame 6; Front support assembly 61; Rear support assembly 62; Left support assembly 63; Right support assembly 64; Pneumatic component mounting plate 7; Air pressure detection device 71; Pressure regulating valve 72; Solenoid valve 73; Emergency brake button 8; Call button 9; Automatic guided vehicle 10; Material tray 11; Roller line device 12; Roller line 121. Detailed Implementation
[0033] To make the technical solutions and beneficial effects of the embodiments of this utility model more apparent and understandable, a detailed description is provided below by listing specific embodiments. The accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and local features may be enlarged or reduced to more clearly show the details of the local features; unless otherwise defined, the technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as those in the technical field to which this utility model pertains.
[0034] In the description of the embodiments of this utility model, the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "horizontal", "vertical (or vertical)", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and should not be construed as a limitation of this application.
[0035] In the embodiments of this utility model, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating the relative importance of the indicated features or the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" and "second" can explicitly include at least one of those features. In the description of the embodiments of this utility model, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc.
[0036] In the embodiments of this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly defined, the terms "installation," "connection," "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connection" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can also refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.
[0037] In this embodiment of the invention, unless otherwise explicitly defined, "on" the first feature and the second feature can mean that the first feature and the second feature are in direct contact, or that the first feature and the second feature are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "on" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the horizontal level of the first feature is higher than the horizontal level of the second feature.
[0038] Obviously, the embodiments described in this utility model are only some embodiments of this utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this utility model.
[0039] Please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3This utility model provides a work station for an automated guided vehicle (AGV), comprising: a main profile frame 1; a roller fixture 2, including multiple rollers 21 spaced apart in the front-rear direction of the work station, the rollers 21 being connected by a synchronous belt (not shown); a roller lifting device 3 for controlling the up-and-down movement of the roller fixture 2 relative to the main profile frame 1; an electrical control cabinet 4; and a human-machine interface screen 5, the human-machine interface screen 5 being electrically connected to the electrical control cabinet 4. One of the multiple rollers 21 is an electric roller 211, the electric roller 211 being electrically connected to the electrical control cabinet 4. The roller lifting device 3 is electrically connected to the electrical control cabinet 4. The roller fixture 2 is fixed on a horizontal support frame 6 composed of a front support assembly 61, a rear support assembly 62, a left support assembly 63, and a right support assembly 64. The roller lifting device 3 includes: a reversing servo electric cylinder 31; a first support plate 32, the left and right ends of the upper surface of the first support plate 32 being fixed to the lower surface of the left support assembly 63 and the lower surface of the right support assembly 64, respectively; a second support plate 33, the front and rear ends of the lower surface of the second support plate 33 being fixed to two horizontal support bars (the front one being the first horizontal support bar 331; the rear one being the second horizontal support bar 332), the horizontal support bars 331 and 332 being fixed to the main profile frame 1; and a guide rod 34, the upper end of the guide rod 34 being fixed to the first support plate 32, and the guide rod 34 and the second support plate 33 being slidably connected by a guide bearing 35. In some embodiments, the guide bearing 35 is a linear bearing.
[0040] According to this technical solution, workers can directly control the roller lifting device 3 through the human-machine interface screen 5 to adjust the height of the roller tooling 2, thereby enabling the workstation to adaptively connect to automated guided vehicles of different heights. This eliminates the need to equip different types of automated guided vehicles with separate workstations, saving factory space and improving production efficiency. In addition, by replacing the traditional non-powered roller line with a roller conveyor line including an electric roller 211, the situation where materials are easily thrown out and cause personal injury or material damage due to relying solely on gravity to transport materials can be avoided, greatly improving the safety of workers.
[0041] Please continue to refer to this. Figure 3 In some embodiments, the number of guide rods 34 may be four.
[0042] Please continue to refer to this. Figure 1 and Figure 2In some embodiments, the roller fixture 2 further includes two roller supports arranged on both sides along the left-right direction of the work station. The two ends of each roller 21 are rotatably connected to the two roller supports, wherein the roller support 22 located on the left side is fixed to the left support assembly 63, and the roller support 23 located on the right side is fixed to the right support assembly 64. The roller fixture 2 also includes two side baffles fixed above the two roller supports, wherein the baffle fixed to the left roller support 22 is the left baffle 24, and the baffle fixed to the right roller support 23 is the right baffle 25. The roller fixture 2 also includes a rear baffle 26 fixed to the rear support assembly 62.
[0043] According to the technical solution, by fixing two side baffles 24 and 25 above the roller supports 22 and 23 respectively, they can be used to fix the material tray when the work station is in operation, preventing the material tray from tilting or derailing due to inertia when starting, stopping or accelerating; and fixing a rear baffle 26 on the rear support assembly 62, which can play a limiting and anti-collision role when the work station receives the material tray to protect the service life of the work station, and can work together with the side baffles 24 and 25 to fix the material tray, which facilitates the stable operation of the workers at the work station.
[0044] Please continue to refer to this. Figure 1 In some embodiments, the number of rollers 21 is 6.
[0045] Please continue to refer to this. Figure 1 In some embodiments, the roller 21 consists of one electrically powered roller 211 and five unpowered rollers 212. In some embodiments, viewed from the front-to-back direction of the work station, the third roller from the front is the electrically powered roller 211, and the remaining five rollers are all unpowered rollers 212.
[0046] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 In some embodiments, the roller fixture 2 further includes a front baffle 27 and a cylinder 28 for controlling the up-and-down movement of the front baffle 27 relative to the roller 21; wherein, please refer to Figure 4 The front baffle 27 includes a first panel 271 and a second panel 272 welded together. The first panel 271 is connected to the upper part of the cylinder 28, and the second panel 272 has a 90° angle with the first panel 271.
[0047] According to the technical solution, after the material tray enters the work station, the raised front baffle 27, together with the baffles on the other three sides, serves to fix the material tray and prevent subsequent material trays from continuing to roll forward and damaging the preceding material trays. When the material tray is transported into or out of the work station, the lowered front baffle 27 will not obstruct the transport path. The above process is more convenient for workers to operate and greatly improves the safety, stability and efficiency of the operation.
[0048] Please continue to refer to this. Figure 4 In some embodiments, the cylinder 28 is fixed to the front support assembly 61 by a connector 29.
[0049] According to the technical solution, the cylinder 28 is connected to the front support assembly 61 through the connector 29, so that the cylinder 28 and the front baffle 27 can move up and down together with the roller tooling 2, so that the roller line including the liftable front baffle 27 can be applied to a variety of different heights.
[0050] Please continue to refer to this. Figure 1 and Figure 3 In some embodiments, the reciprocating servo electric cylinder 31 includes a servo motor 311, a reducer 312, a cylinder body 313, a positioning component 314, and a push rod 315; wherein, the positioning component 314 is fixed to the lower surface of the second support plate 33 and connected to the upper end of the cylinder body 313; the upper end of the push rod 315 is connected to the first support plate 32 through a connecting seat 36 fixed to the lower surface of the first support plate 32; and the servo motor 311 is electrically connected to the electrical control cabinet 4.
[0051] According to this technical solution, by selecting a reciprocating servo electric cylinder 31 and setting the servo motor 311 and cylinder body 313 in parallel, the axial length can be significantly reduced, saving installation space; and it has higher precision compared to traditional cylinders.
[0052] Please continue to refer to this. Figure 2 In some embodiments, the workstation further includes a pneumatic component mounting plate 7, on which a pressure detection device 71, a pressure regulating valve 72, and a solenoid valve 73 are fixed. The pressure detection device 71 is connected to the cylinder 28 via an air circuit. The solenoid valve 73 is connected to the cylinder 28 and the pressure regulating valve 72 via air circuits, and is electrically connected to the electrical control cabinet 4. For example, the air inlet of the solenoid valve 73 is connected to the output port of the pressure regulating valve 72, while the air outlet of the pressure regulating valve is connected to the cylinder.
[0053] According to this technical solution, by configuring three components—a pressure detection device 71, a pressure regulating valve 72, and a solenoid valve 73—the pressure of the cylinder 28 can be detected and adjusted in real time, which is beneficial to the safety of the cylinder 28. Furthermore, the lifting and lowering of the cylinder 28 can be directly controlled through the human-interactive screen 5, making the operation more convenient.
[0054] Please continue to refer to this. Figure 2 In some embodiments, the workstation further includes an emergency stop button 8 and a call button 9; wherein the emergency stop button 8 and the call button 9 are electrically connected to the electrical control cabinet 4 respectively.
[0055] According to this technical solution, in an emergency, the emergency brake button 8 can be used to stop all work at the work station, and the call button 9 can be used to call the automated guided vehicle for docking, without having to spend time operating through the human-machine interface screen 5.
[0056] In some implementations, a three-color indicator light may also be provided at the top of the workstation.
[0057] Please refer to Figure 5 This utility model also provides a material transportation system, which includes: an automated guided vehicle 10; a material tray 11; and a work station for the automated guided vehicle as described in any of the above. The automated guided vehicle 10 and the electrical control cabinet 4 in the work station are communicatively connected. When material transportation is required, the automated guided vehicle 10 can be directly invoked to dock with the work station through the human-machine interface screen 5 or the call button 9.
[0058] Please refer to Figure 6 In some embodiments, the material transport system may further include one or more roller conveyor units 12; wherein the roller conveyor unit 12 has upper and lower roller conveyors 121 (the lower roller conveyor is not shown). In this case, the electrical control cabinet 4 may be installed inside the roller conveyor unit 12.
[0059] Therefore, when more than one material tray 11 needs to be transported to the work station, the roller line device 12 can serve as a temporary storage point; after the worker finishes working at the work station, the roller 21 of the work station can be adjusted to the same height as the lower roller line (not shown) of the roller line device 12 by the roller lifting device 3, and then the finished material tray can be transported to the automatic guided vehicle.
[0060] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present utility model and are not intended to limit the present utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.
Claims
1. A work station for an automated guided vehicle, characterized in that, include: Main profile frame; The roller fixture includes multiple rollers spaced apart in the front and rear directions of the work station, and the rollers are connected by a synchronous belt drive. A roller lifting device is used to control the roller tooling to move up and down relative to the main profile frame; Electrical control cabinet; and A human-machine interface screen, electrically connected to the electrical control cabinet; wherein... One of the plurality of rollers is an electric roller, and the electric roller is electrically connected to the electrical control cabinet; The roller lifting device is electrically connected to the electrical control cabinet; The roller fixture is fixed on a horizontal support frame consisting of a front support assembly, a rear support assembly, a left support assembly, and a right support assembly; The roller lifting device includes: a folding servo electric cylinder; a first support plate, the left and right ends of the upper surface of the first support plate being fixed to the lower surface of the left support assembly and the lower surface of the right support assembly, respectively; a second support plate, the front and rear ends of the lower surface of the second support plate being fixed to two horizontal support bars, the horizontal support bars being fixed to the main profile frame; and a guide rod, the upper end of the guide rod being fixed to the first support plate, and the guide rod and the second support plate being slidably connected by a guide bearing.
2. The work station of the automated guided vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The roller fixture also includes two roller supports arranged on both sides along the left and right direction of the work station, and the two ends of each roller are rotatably connected to the two roller supports respectively. Two side baffles are respectively fixed above the two roller supports; and A rear baffle fixed to the rear support assembly.
3. The work station of the automated guided vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that, The number of rollers is 6.
4. The work station of the automated guided vehicle according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The roller fixture also includes a front baffle and a cylinder for controlling the up-and-down movement of the front baffle relative to the roller; wherein... The front baffle includes a first panel and a second panel welded together as one piece. The first panel is connected to the upper part of the cylinder, and the second panel has a 90° angle with the first panel.
5. The work station of the automated guided vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that, The cylinder is fixed to the front support assembly via a connector.
6. The work station of the automated guided vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reciprocating servo electric cylinder includes a servo motor, a reducer, a cylinder body, a positioning component, and a push rod; wherein... The positioning component is fixed to the lower surface of the second support plate and connected to the upper end of the cylinder. The upper end of the push rod is connected to the first support plate via a connecting seat fixed to the lower surface of the first support plate; The servo motor is electrically connected to the electrical control cabinet.
7. The work station of the automated guided vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that, The workstation also includes a pneumatic component mounting plate, on which a pressure detection device, a pressure regulating valve, and a solenoid valve are fixed; wherein... The air pressure detection device is connected to the cylinder via an air circuit; The solenoid valve is pneumatically connected to the cylinder and the pressure regulating valve, respectively, and is electrically connected to the electrical control cabinet.
8. The work station of the automated guided vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The workstation also includes an emergency stop button and a call button; wherein... The emergency brake button and the call button are electrically connected to the electrical control cabinet.
9. A material transport system, characterized in that, The material transport system includes: Automated Guided Vehicle; Material tray; and, The work station of the automated guided vehicle according to any one of claims 1-8.
10. The material transport system according to claim 9, characterized in that, The material transport system may further include one or more roller conveyor systems; wherein... The roller line device has two layers of roller lines, upper and lower.