A feeder device and a feeding apparatus

Abstract

The application relates to a feeding device and a feeding equipment. The feeding device comprises a separation assembly, the separation assembly comprises a separation plate, a material taking plate and a first moving driving element, the separation plate is provided with a material taking hole, a material blocking part and a material placing part, the material blocking part is located on the side of the material taking hole facing the material placing part, the material taking plate is arranged above the separation plate, the side of the material taking plate facing the separation plate is provided with a material suction part, and the driving end of the first moving driving element is connected with the material taking plate; under the driving action of the first moving driving element, the material taking plate drives the material suction part to move between the material taking hole and the material placing part.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of battery manufacturing equipment technology, specifically to a feeding device and feeding equipment. Background Technology

[0002] During battery production, current collectors need to be assembled onto the battery and welded in place. To improve automation, current collectors are typically supplied by a feeding device, and a robotic arm transfers the current collectors from the feeding device to the current collector welding station.

[0003] To facilitate handling and transfer, the material is fed into the collection trays in a stacked manner. Because the collection trays are relatively thin, typically between 0.1mm and 0.4mm, and static electricity may exist between them, the stacked trays tend to stick to each other. This causes overlapping when the top tray is being sucked up, as the trays below it are attached to the top tray. This "duplication" phenomenon severely affects the operation of the feeding device, even causing shutdowns and significantly reducing production efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a feeding device and equipment that can avoid overlapping and thus improve production efficiency in order to address the above problems.

[0005] A feeding device includes a separating component, the separating component comprising:

[0006] The separating plate has a material picking hole, a material blocking part and a material discharging part, and the material blocking part is located on the side of the material picking hole facing the material discharging part;

[0007] A material-collecting plate is arranged above the separating plate, and the material-collecting plate has a suction section on the side facing the separating plate; and

[0008] A first moving drive unit, the driving end of which is connected to the material-taking plate; under the driving action of the first moving drive unit, the material-taking plate drives the material-suction part to move between the material-taking hole and the material-discharging part.

[0009] In some embodiments, the suction part is used to pick up sheet material at the feeding hole; in a direction parallel to the axis of the feeding hole, the distance h between the suction part and the blocking part satisfies: a < h < 2a; where a represents the thickness of the sheet material.

[0010] In some embodiments, the separation assembly further includes a fixed base, the separation plate is fixedly connected to the fixed base, the material handling plate is movably connected to the fixed base, and the first moving drive is mounted on the fixed base.

[0011] In some embodiments, the separation assembly further includes a pressing unit, which includes a moving frame, a pressing rod, and a second moving drive component. The moving frame is movably connected to the fixed base and is located on the side of the material taking plate away from the separation plate. One end of the pressing rod is connected to the moving frame, and the other end of the pressing rod is arranged opposite to the material taking hole.

[0012] The second moving drive component is mounted on the fixed base, and the drive end of the second moving drive component is connected to the moving frame.

[0013] In some embodiments, the side of the material receiving plate facing the separating plate also has a dust suction section.

[0014] In some embodiments, the feeding device further includes a loading assembly arranged on the side of the separating plate opposite to the taking plate;

[0015] The loading assembly has a storage bin and a feed port located on top of the storage bin, the feed port and the dispensing hole being opposite each other.

[0016] In some embodiments, the feeding device further includes a support assembly, which includes a base, a transfer seat, and a third moving drive. The transfer seat is movably connected to the base for loading the feeding assembly. The third moving drive is mounted on the base, and its driving end is connected to the transfer seat.

[0017] In some embodiments, the support assembly further includes a first positioning unit, which includes a first positioning drive, a first positioning element, and a second positioning element; the first positioning drive is mounted on the transfer seat, the first positioning element is connected to the drive end of the first positioning drive, and the second positioning element is fixedly connected to the transfer seat and located on both sides of the loading assembly in a first direction.

[0018] In some embodiments, the support assembly further includes a second positioning unit, which includes a second positioning drive, a third positioning member, and a fourth positioning member; the second positioning drive is mounted on the transfer seat, the third positioning member is connected to the drive end of the second positioning drive, and the fourth positioning member is fixedly connected to the transfer seat and located on both sides of the loading assembly in a second direction, the second direction intersecting the first direction.

[0019] In some embodiments, the feeding device further includes a top material assembly disposed below the separation plate. The top material assembly includes a top material rod and a top material drive assembly. One end of the top material rod is connected to the drive end of the top material drive assembly, and the other end of the top material rod extends toward the separation plate.

[0020] In some embodiments, the top material assembly further includes a mounting base, a first guide rod, a top material seat, and a buffer elastic element. The mounting base is mounted on the driving end of the top material driving assembly and has a first guide hole. The first guide rod passes through the first guide hole. The top material seat is connected to one end of the first guide rod. The buffer elastic element abuts between the mounting base and the top material seat. The end of the top material rod away from the separation plate is connected to the top material seat.

[0021] In some embodiments, the feeding device further includes a loading assembly disposed between the separating plate and the top loading assembly; the loading assembly has a stacking bin and a top loading port located at the bottom of the stacking bin, and one end of the top loading rod away from the top loading drive assembly passes through the top loading port.

[0022] A feeding device includes a transfer device, a discharge device, and the feeding device as described in any of the above embodiments;

[0023] The transfer device is used to transfer the sheet material on the feeding section to the discharging device.

[0024] In some embodiments, the transfer device includes a first transfer robot, a positioning component, and a second transfer robot; the first transfer robot is arranged between the positioning component and the feeding device; and the second transfer robot is arranged between the positioning component and the discharging device.

[0025] In some embodiments, the feeding device further includes a loading device arranged on the side of the feeding device away from the transfer device. The loading device is used to transfer the loading assembly to the transfer seat of the feeding device and to unload the loading assembly on the transfer seat of the feeding device.

[0026] In actual use, the aforementioned feeding device and equipment stack the sheet materials in the hopper of the loading assembly, with the top layer of sheet materials located at the feeding port. First, the first moving drive unit drives the picking plate to move until the suction section on the picking plate reaches the picking hole of the separating plate. Then, the suction section picks up the top layer of sheet materials. Next, the first moving drive unit drives the picking plate to move, causing the suction section on the picking plate to move towards the discharging section. As the suction section picks up the top layer of sheet materials and moves towards the discharging section, the blocking section prevents the lower layer of sheet materials from being blocked in the picking hole, ensuring that the lower layer of sheet materials attached to the top layer are not moved towards the discharging section along with the top layer. This ensures that the sheet materials transferred to the discharging section are single pieces, preventing overlapping. When the suction section of the picking plate reaches the discharging section, the suction section stops adsorbing the sheet materials, allowing the sheet materials to be released onto the discharging section. Then, driven by the first moving drive, the picking plate continues to move its suction section towards the picking hole. The robotic arm's suction cup picks up the sheet material from the unloading section and transfers it to the downstream station.

[0027] In this way, the combination of the separation plate and the material receiving plate enables the sheet material in the stockpile to be transferred piece by piece to the material discharging section, thus providing sheet material to the downstream workstation piece by piece, avoiding the phenomenon of overlapping sheets, and greatly improving production efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the feeding device in one embodiment of this application (the material taking plate is located in the first position);

[0029] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The diagram shows the structure of the feeding device (the material taking plate is located in the second position);

[0030] Figure 3 for Figure 2 The diagram shows the structure of the feeding device from another perspective (the top material assembly and mounting frame are omitted);

[0031] Figure 4 for Figure 2 The diagram shows the structure of the feeding assembly and the separating plate of the feeding device.

[0032] Figure 5 for Figure 4 The diagram shows the structure of the loading assembly.

[0033] Figure 6 for Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the loading assembly from another perspective;

[0034] Figure 7 for Figure 2 The diagram shows the structure of the feeding plate of the feeding device.

[0035] Figure 8 for Figure 7 The diagram shows the structure of the material handling plate from another perspective.

[0036] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the feeding device in one embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0037] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of this application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of this application. However, this application can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar modifications without departing from the spirit of this application. Therefore, this application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0038] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing this application 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, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0039] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0040] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise expressly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0041] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0042] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may be an intervening element. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intervening element. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible implementation.

[0043] This application provides a feeding device 300 for supplying sheet material to downstream workstations. The sheet material can be a manifold, or other types of sheet material, which are not limited here.

[0044] Please see Figures 1 to 5 The feeding device 300 includes a loading assembly 10 and a separating assembly 20. The loading assembly 10 has a storage bin and a feeding port 11 communicating with the storage bin (see [link to relevant documentation]). Figure 5 Several sheets are stacked in a storage bin, with a feed port 11 located at the top of the bin so that the topmost sheet can be removed from the feed port 11. The separation assembly 20 includes a separation plate 21, a picking plate 22, and a first moving drive 23. The separation plate 21 is disposed on the side of the loading assembly 10 with the feed port 11 and has a picking hole 211 arranged opposite to the feed port 11 (see...). Figure 4 The separating plate 21, on the side facing away from the loading assembly 10, also has a discharge section 213 for loading sheet material. A take-up plate 22 is arranged on the side of the separating plate 21 facing away from the loading assembly 10, and the take-up plate 22 has a suction section 221 on the side facing the separating plate 21 (see...). Figure 8 The driving end of the first moving drive member 23 is connected to the picking plate 22, enabling the first moving drive member 23 to drive the picking plate 22 to move relative to the separating plate 21. During the movement of the picking plate 22 relative to the separating plate 21, the suction part 221 on the picking plate 22 moves between the picking hole 211 and the discharging part 213. The separating plate 21 also has a baffle part 215 on the side opposite to the loading assembly 10 (see...). Figure 4 The material stop 215 is located on the side of the material pick-up hole 211 facing the material discharge part 213.

[0045] When the suction section 221 on the picking plate 22 is located at the picking hole 211, since the picking hole 211 is opposite to the feed port 11 at the top of the hopper, the suction section 221 can pick up the topmost sheet. As the picking plate 22 moves the suction section 221 from the picking hole 211 to the discharge section 213, the blocking section 215 blocks the lower sheet attached to the topmost sheet, preventing the lower sheet from following the topmost sheet to the discharge section 213, ensuring that the suction section 221 can only pick up the topmost sheet, thus avoiding overlapping. When the picking plate 22 moves the suction section 221 to the discharge section 213, the suction section 221 releases the picked-up sheet onto the discharge section 213.

[0046] In actual use, the aforementioned feeding device 300 stacks sheet materials in the stacking bin of the loading assembly 10, with the topmost sheet material located at the feeding port 11. First, the first moving drive 23 drives the picking plate 22 to move until the suction part 221 on the picking plate 22 reaches the picking hole 211 of the separating plate 21. Then, the suction part 221 picks up the topmost sheet material. Next, the first moving drive 23 drives the picking plate 22 to move, causing the suction part 221 on the picking plate 22 to move towards the discharging part 213. When the suction part 221 picks up the topmost sheet material and moves towards the discharging part 213, the blocking part 215 blocks the lower sheet material, ensuring that the lower sheet material attached to the topmost sheet material is blocked within the picking hole 211 and does not move towards the discharging part 213 along with the topmost sheet material. This ensures that the sheet material transferred to the discharging part 213 is a single sheet, preventing overlapping. When the suction section 221 of the picking plate 22 reaches the discharging section 213, the suction section 221 stops adsorbing the sheet material, allowing the sheet material to be released onto the discharging section 213. Then, driven by the first moving drive 23, the picking plate 22 continues to move the suction section 221 towards the picking hole 211. The robotic arm suction cup picks up the sheet material from the discharging section 213 and transfers it to the downstream station.

[0047] In this way, the separation plate 21 and the material receiving plate 22 work together to transfer the sheet material in the stockpile to the material discharging section 213 piece by piece, thereby providing sheet material to the downstream workstation piece by piece, avoiding the phenomenon of overlapping sheets, and greatly improving production efficiency.

[0048] Specifically, in the embodiment, in the direction parallel to the axis of the feeding hole 211, the distance h between the suction part 221 and the blocking part 215 satisfies: a < h < 2a. Here, a represents the thickness of the sheet material. Thus, by limiting the distance h between the suction part 221 and the blocking part 215, it is ensured that when the feeding plate 22 moves the suction part 221 from the feeding hole 211 to the discharging part 213, only the suction part 221 and the uppermost sheet material it sucks can pass through the blocking part 215, while the lower sheet material is blocked by the blocking part 215. This ensures that the suction part 221 can only suck up one sheet material to reach the discharging part 213.

[0049] Please see Figure 7 and Figure 8 Specifically, in this embodiment, the feeding plate 22 has a first groove on the side facing the separation plate 21, serving as the aforementioned suction part 221. The feeding plate 22 also has a first airflow channel, and the separation assembly 20 further includes a first air connector a1 installed on the side of the feeding plate 22 opposite to the separation plate 21. The first airflow channel connects the first groove and the first air connector a1. This first air connector a1 is used to connect to an external negative pressure source via a pipeline. Thus, the external negative pressure source evacuates the first airflow channel through the first air connector a1, thereby generating negative pressure at the suction part 221, which in turn adsorbs the sheet material into the first groove. When it is necessary to release the sheet material, the external negative pressure source stops evacuating the first airflow channel, causing the negative pressure at the first groove to disappear, thereby stopping the adsorption of the sheet material. It can be understood that the distance h between the suction part 221 and the blocking part 215 refers to the distance between the bottom surface of the first groove and the blocking part 215.

[0050] Please see Figure 4 Specifically, in this embodiment, the separating plate 21 has a second groove on the side facing the material receiving plate 22, serving as the aforementioned material dispensing section 213. The separating plate 21 also has a second airflow channel. The separating assembly 20 further includes a third air connector a3 mounted on the separating plate 21. The second airflow channel connects the second groove and the third air connector a3. The third air connector a3 is used to connect to an external negative pressure source via a pipeline. Thus, the external negative pressure source evacuates the second airflow channel through the third air connector a3, generating negative pressure at the material dispensing section 213, thereby adsorbing the sheet material into the second groove. When it is necessary to stop adsorbing the sheet material, the external negative pressure source stops evacuating the second airflow channel, causing the negative pressure at the second groove to disappear, thereby stopping the adsorption of the sheet material.

[0051] Please see Figure 7 and Figure 8In embodiments of this application, the separation assembly 20 further includes a fixed base 24, with the separation plate 21 fixedly connected to the fixed base 24 and the material-taking plate 22 movably connected to the fixed base 24. A first moving drive member 23 is mounted on the fixed base 24, and the driving end of the first moving drive member 23 is connected to the material-taking plate 22, thereby enabling the first moving drive member 23 to drive the material-taking plate 22 to move relative to the fixed base 24, thereby realizing the movement of the suction part 221 on the material-taking plate 22 between the material-taking hole 211 and the material-discharging part 213. Optionally, the first moving drive member 23 can be a cylinder.

[0052] Optionally, a first guide rail 241 is provided on the fixed base 24, and a first slider 225 is provided on the picking plate 22. The first slider 225 is slidably connected to the first guide rail 241, thereby guiding the movement of the picking plate 22 relative to the fixed base 24 by the movement of the first slider 225 along the first guide rail 241.

[0053] It should be noted that when the suction unit 221 picks up the top layer sheet at the feeding hole 211 and transfers it, the lower layer sheet will shift positionally along with the top layer sheet, causing the suction unit 221 to fail to pick up sheet again at the feeding hole 211. To overcome the above defect, in this embodiment, please refer again... Figure 3 The separation assembly 20 also includes a pressing unit 25, which presses down on the top of the sheet material in the stacking bin to ensure that the sheet material stacked on top is upright. Specifically, the pressing unit 25 includes a moving frame 251, a pressing rod 252, and a second moving drive 253. The moving frame 251 is movably connected to the fixed base 24 and is located on the side of the picking plate 22 opposite to the separation plate 21. One end of the pressing rod 252 is connected to the moving frame 251, and the other end of the pressing rod 252 is arranged opposite to the picking hole 211. The second moving drive 253 is mounted on the fixed base 24, and the driving end of the second moving drive 253 is connected to the moving frame 251.

[0054] Thus, when the picking plate 22 moves its suction section 221 to the discharging section 213, the second moving drive 253 drives the moving frame 251 to move closer to the separating plate 21, causing the pressing rod 252 to insert into the picking hole 211 to press the sheet material in the stacking bin into the correct position, so that the subsequent suction section 221 can pick up the top layer of sheet material again. Optionally, the second moving drive 253 can be a cylinder.

[0055] Furthermore, the material taking plate 22 has a clearance hole 223 for the pressure rod 252 to pass through, thereby using the clearance hole 223 to avoid the pressing action of the pressure rod 252 and prevent the material taking plate 22 from interfering with the pressure rod 252.

[0056] Optionally, a second guide rail is provided on the fixed base 24, and a second slider is provided on the moving frame 251. The second slider is slidably connected to the second guide rail, thereby guiding the movement of the moving frame 251 relative to the fixed base 24 by moving the second slider along the second guide rail.

[0057] In a specific embodiment, the side of the material taking plate 22 facing the separation plate 21 also has a dust suction part 227, which is used to remove dust from the area between the separation plate 21 and the material taking plate 22, thereby removing dust from the material taking hole 211, the material blocking part 251 and the material discharging part 213 to ensure the cleanliness of the sheet material.

[0058] Optionally, the material-collecting plate 22 has a dust removal channel. This dust removal channel extends through the side of the material-collecting plate 22 facing the separation plate 21 to form a dust removal port, which serves as the aforementioned dust collection part 227. The dust removal channel also extends through the side of the material-collecting plate 22 away from the separation plate 21 to form a vent. The separation assembly 20 further includes a second air connector a2, which is installed at the vent and connected to an external dust collection device via a pipe. The external dust collection device removes dust from the area between the separation plate 21 and the material-collecting plate 22 through the dust removal port. Further, the material collection part 221, the dust removal part 227, and the clearance hole 223 are arranged sequentially at intervals along the movement direction of the material-collecting plate 22 (i.e., the second direction X2 described below).

[0059] Please see again Figures 1 to 3 In embodiments of this application, the feeding device 300 further includes a support assembly 30 for supporting the loading assembly 10. The support assembly 30 includes a base 31, a transfer seat 33, and a third moving drive member 35. The transfer seat 33 is movably connected to the base 31 for loading the loading assembly 10. The third moving drive member 35 is mounted on the base 31, and its driving end is connected to the transfer seat 33, thereby enabling the third moving drive member 35 to drive the transfer seat 33 to move relative to the base 31 between a loading position and a feeding position. When the third moving drive member 35 drives the transfer seat 33 to move relative to the base 31 to the loading position, the loading assembly 10 can be placed on the transfer seat 33. When the third moving drive 35 drives the transfer seat 33 to move relative to the base 31 to the feeding position, the transfer seat 33 drives the loading assembly 10 on it to move below the separating plate 21, and the feeding port 11 on the loading assembly 10 and the picking hole 211 on the separating plate 21 are opposite to each other. Optionally, the third moving drive 35 can be a cylinder.

[0060] Thus, when the sheet material in the stacking bin of the loading assembly 10 is used up, the third moving drive 35 drives the transfer seat 33 to move to the loading position. At this time, the empty loading assembly 10 can be removed from the transfer seat 33, and then the loading assembly 10 filled with sheet material can be placed on the transfer seat 33. Then, the third moving drive 35 drives the transfer seat 33 to move to the feeding position. At this time, the sheet material in the stacking bin of the loading assembly 10 continues to be sucked up by the suction unit 221 and transferred piece by piece to the discharge unit 213. Optionally, the loading assembly 10 can be a clip.

[0061] Optionally, a third guide rail is provided on the base 31, and a third slider is provided on the transfer seat 33, the third slider being slidably connected to the third guide rail. In this way, the movement of the third slider along the third guide rail guides the movement of the transfer seat 33 relative to the base 31.

[0062] In a specific embodiment, the support component 30 further includes a first positioning unit, which comprises a first positioning drive 372, a first positioning element 371, and a second positioning element 373. The first positioning drive 372 is mounted on the transfer seat 33, and the first positioning element 371 is connected to the drive end of the first positioning drive 372. The second positioning element 373 is fixedly connected to the transfer seat 33 and located on both sides of the loading component 10 in the first direction X1. The first positioning drive 372 is used to drive the first positioning element 371 to move closer to or away from the second positioning element 373, thereby causing the first positioning element 371 to push the loading component 10 against the second positioning element 373 or release the loading component 10. Thus, by driving the first positioning element 371 to push the loading component 10 against the second positioning element 373 through the first positioning drive 372, the position of the loading component 10 in the first direction X1 is positioned. Optionally, the first positioning drive 372 can be a cylinder.

[0063] Furthermore, the support assembly 30 also includes a second positioning unit, which includes a second positioning drive 382, ​​a third positioning member 381, and a fourth positioning member 383. The second positioning drive 382 is mounted on the transfer seat 33, and the third positioning member 381 is connected to the drive end of the second positioning drive 382. The fourth positioning member 383 is fixedly connected to the transfer seat 33 and is located on both sides of the loading assembly 10 in the second direction X2. The first direction X1 intersects the second direction X2, and preferably, the first direction X1 is perpendicular to the second direction X2. The second positioning drive 382 is used to drive the third positioning member 381 to move closer to or away from the fourth positioning member 383, thereby causing the third positioning member 381 to push the loading assembly 10 against the fourth positioning member 383 or release the loading assembly 10. Thus, by driving the third positioning member 381 to push the loading assembly 10 against the fourth positioning member 383 through the second positioning drive 382, ​​the position of the loading assembly 10 in the second direction X2 is positioned. Optionally, the second positioning drive 382 may be a cylinder.

[0064] It is understood that the first positioning unit positions the loading assembly 10 on the transfer seat 33 in the first direction X1, and the second positioning unit positions the loading assembly 10 on the transfer seat 33 in the second direction X2, thereby ensuring that when the transfer seat 33 moves to the feeding position, the feeding port 11 on the loading assembly 10 and the picking hole 211 on the separating plate 21 are opposite to each other, ensuring that the suction part 221 can pick up the uppermost sheet material in the stacking bin at the picking hole 211.

[0065] In embodiments of this application, the loading assembly 10 further has a top loading port 12 communicating with the stockpile (see...). Figure 6 The top discharge port 12 is located on the side of the stockpile opposite to the feed port 11. Specifically, the top discharge port 12 is located at the bottom of the stockpile, and the feed port 11 is located at the top of the stockpile. Please continue to see... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The feeding device 300 also includes a top-feeding assembly 40, which includes a top-feeding rod 42 and a top-feeding drive assembly 41. One end of the top-feeding rod 42 is connected to the drive end of the top-feeding drive assembly 41, and the other end of the top-feeding rod 42 passes through the top-feeding port 12. The top-feeding drive assembly 41 is used to drive the top-feeding rod 42 to move towards the stacking bin, thereby lifting the stacked sheets in the stacking bin toward the feeding port 11, ensuring that the topmost sheet can be picked up by the suction section 221.

[0066] It should be noted that, in order to ensure that the distance between the top sheet and the suction unit 221 remains consistent each time the suction unit 221 picks up the top sheet, after the suction unit 221 picks up and transfers the top sheet, the top material drive assembly 41 drives the top material rod 42 to lift the sheet in the stacking bin. The lifting height is the thickness of a single sheet.

[0067] In a specific embodiment, the top-feeding assembly 40 further includes a mounting base 43, a first guide rod, a top-feeding seat 46, and a buffer elastic element 45. The mounting base 43 is mounted on the driving end of the top-feeding drive assembly 41 and has a first guide hole. The first guide rod passes through the first guide hole on the mounting base 43, allowing the first guide rod to move axially relative to the mounting base 43. The top-feeding seat 46 is connected to one end of the first guide rod, the buffer elastic element 45 abuts between the mounting base 43 and the top-feeding seat 46, and the end of the top-feeding rod 42 away from the loading assembly 10 is connected to the top-feeding seat 46. Thus, when the top-feeding drive assembly 41 drives the mounting base 43 to move toward the loading assembly 10, the mounting base 43 drives the top-feeding seat 46 and the top-feeding rod 42 on the top-feeding seat 46 to move toward the loading assembly 10, causing the top-feeding rod 42 to lift the sheet material in the stacking bin. When the top rod 42 lifts the sheet material in the stacking bin, under the action of the reaction force of the sheet material on the top rod 42, the top rod 42 can overcome the elastic force of the buffer elastic element 45 and generate a certain amount of floating, so as to avoid hard impact between the top rod 42 and the sheet material and damage to the sheet material. That is, the buffer elastic element 45 plays a buffering role.

[0068] Optionally, the buffer elastic element 45 can be a compression spring, which is sleeved on the outside of the first guide rod, and the two ends of the compression spring abut against the mounting base 43 and the top material base 46 respectively.

[0069] Furthermore, the top material seat 46 is provided with a second guide hole, and the top material assembly 40 also includes a second guide rod 44. One end of the second guide rod 44 is connected to the mounting base 43, and the other end of the second guide rod 44 passes through the second guide hole on the top material seat 46. In this way, the first guide rod and the second guide rod 44 are used to guide the movement of the top material seat 46 relative to the mounting base 43, and also to prevent the top material seat 46 from rotating.

[0070] Furthermore, both the base 31 and the transfer seat 33 are provided with through holes for the top material rod 42 to pass through, so that the top material rod 42 can pass through the through holes on the base 31, the through holes on the transfer seat 33 and the top material port 12 on the loading assembly 10 in sequence and enter the stacking bin, thereby lifting the sheet material in the stacking bin toward the feeding port 11.

[0071] Specifically, in this embodiment, the top-loading drive assembly 41 includes a lead screw 411, a lead screw nut 413, and a top-loading drive component 415. The lead screw 411 is rotatably mounted about its own axis, and the lead screw nut 413 is threadedly connected to the lead screw 411, thereby driving the lead screw nut 413 to move axially along the lead screw 411 when the lead screw 411 rotates about its own axis. The lead screw nut 413 is fixedly connected to a mounting base 43, allowing the mounting base 43 to move along with the lead screw nut 413. The top-loading drive component 415 is connected to the lead screw 411, enabling the top-loading drive component 415 to drive the lead screw 411 to rotate about its own axis. Thus, when material needs to be ejected, the ejector drive 415 drives the lead screw 411 to rotate, thereby causing the lead screw nut 413 to move along the axial direction of the lead screw 411. The lead screw nut 413 then drives the mounting base 43 to move, the mounting base 43 then drives the ejector seat 46 to move, and the ejector seat 46 then drives the ejector rod 42 to move, so that the ejector rod 42 lifts the sheet material in the stockpile.

[0072] Furthermore, the feeding device 300 also includes a mounting frame 50, on which the lead screw 411 is rotatably connected about its own axis. The mounting frame 50 has a third guide hole. The top material drive assembly 41 also includes a third guide rod 417 passing through the third guide hole. One end of the third guide rod 417 is fixedly connected to the lead screw nut 413, and the other end of the third guide rod 417 is fixedly connected to the mounting base 43, thereby guiding the movement of the mounting base 43 using the third guide rod 417.

[0073] Optionally, the mounting bracket 50 has two third guide holes. Two third guide rods 417 are provided, each passing through one of the two third guide holes. One end of each third guide rod 417 is fixedly connected to a lead screw nut 413, and the other end of each third guide rod 417 is fixedly connected to the mounting base 43. In this way, the two third guide rods 417 simultaneously guide the movement of the mounting base 43 and also prevent the mounting base 43 from rotating.

[0074] In the embodiments of this application, the loading assembly 10 has multiple stacking bins, each containing stacked sheet materials. Each stacking bin has a feed port 11 at its top and a top feed port 12 at its bottom. The stacking bins are spaced apart along a first direction X1, and thus the feed ports 11 are also spaced apart along the first direction X1. The separating plate 21 has multiple picking holes 211 and multiple discharging sections 213. The multiple picking holes 211 on the separating plate 21 are also spaced apart along the first direction X1 and correspond one-to-one with the multiple feed ports 11 on the loading assembly 10. The multiple discharging sections 213 on the separating plate 21 are arranged on the same side of the multiple picking holes 211 in a second direction X2 perpendicular to the first direction X1, and correspond one-to-one with the multiple picking holes 211. Each picking hole 211 has a retaining section 251 on the side facing the corresponding discharging section 213. The feeding plate 22 has multiple suction sections 221 on the side facing the separating plate 21, and the multiple suction sections 221 are spaced apart along the first direction X1. The first moving drive member 23 can drive the feeding plate 22 to move between a first position and a second position along the second direction X2. When the first moving drive member 23 drives the feeding plate 22 to move along the second direction X2 to the first position (see... Figure 1 Each suction part 221 on the material-receiving plate 22 corresponds one-to-one with each material-receiving hole 211 on the separating plate 21, ensuring that each suction part 221 can pick up the uppermost sheet material in each stacking bin at each material-receiving hole 211. When the first moving drive unit 23 drives the material-receiving plate 22 to move along the second direction X2 to the second position (see... Figure 2 Each suction section 221 on the material receiving plate 22 corresponds to each discharge section 213 on the separation plate 21, ensuring that each suction section 221 can release the sheet material it has sucked up onto its corresponding discharge section 213.

[0075] Furthermore, the material receiving plate 22 is also provided with multiple dust suction parts 227, which are arranged at intervals along the first direction X1, and the multiple dust suction parts 227 are located between the multiple material receiving holes 211 and the multiple material discharging parts 213.

[0076] Furthermore, multiple top-feeding components 40 are also provided, and the multiple top-feeding components 40 are arranged at intervals along the first direction X1. The top-feeding rods 42 of the multiple top-feeding components 40 are correspondingly inserted into the multiple top-feeding ports 12 on the loading component 10, so as to use the top-feeding rods 42 of the multiple top-feeding components 40 to lift the sheet material in the multiple stacking bins respectively.

[0077] Based on the above-described feeding device 300, this application also provides a feeding apparatus. Please refer to [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 9The feeding setup includes a transfer device 400, a discharge device 500, and a feeding device 300 as described in any of the above embodiments. The transfer device 400 is arranged between the feeding device 300 and the discharge device 500, and is used to transfer the sheet material on the feeding section 213 of the feeding device 300 to the discharge device 500. The discharge device 500 is used to receive the sheet material transferred by the transfer device 400 and convey it downstream, thereby providing sheet material to downstream workstations. It should be noted that the discharge device 500 can be a material conveyor line, such as a belt conveyor line, as long as it can receive the sheet material transferred by the transfer device 400 and convey it to downstream workstations; no limitation is made here.

[0078] Further, the transfer device 400 includes a first transfer robot 401, a positioning component 402, and a second transfer robot 403. The first transfer robot 401 is arranged between the positioning component 402 and the feeding device 300, and is used to transfer the sheet material on the feeding section 213 of the feeding device 300 to the positioning component 402. The positioning component 402 is used to receive the sheet material transferred by the first transfer robot 401, and to position and measure the thickness of the sheet material. The second transfer robot 403 is arranged between the positioning component 402 and the discharging device 500, and is used to transfer the sheet material on the positioning component 402 to the discharging device 500.

[0079] Furthermore, the feeding equipment also includes a loading robot 200 and a loading conveyor line 100. The loading robot 200 is arranged on the side of the feeding device 300 opposite to the transfer device 400. The loading conveyor line 100 is used to convey loading assemblies 10 filled with sheet material to the loading robot 200, and also to receive empty loading assemblies 10 transferred by the loading robot 200. The loading robot 200 is used to transfer loading assemblies 10 filled with sheet material from the loading conveyor line 100 to the transfer seat 33 of the feeding device 300, and also to transfer empty loading assemblies 10 from the transfer seat 33 of the feeding device 300 to the loading conveyor line 100.

[0080] Thus, when the sheet material in the stacking bin of the loading assembly 10 on the transfer seat 33 is used up, the third moving drive 35 drives the transfer seat 33 to the loading position, and the first positioning drive 372 and the second positioning drive 382 respectively drive the first positioning member 371 and the third positioning member 381 to release the empty loading assembly 10 on the transfer seat 33. At this time, the loading robot 200 transfers the empty loading assembly 10 on the transfer seat 33 to the loading conveyor line 100. Then, the loading robot 200 loads the loading assembly 10 full of sheet material from the loading conveyor line 100 onto the transfer seat 33. Then, the first positioning drive 372 and the second positioning drive 382 respectively drive the first positioning member 371 and the third positioning member 381 to position the loading assembly 10 full of sheet material on the transfer seat 33. Finally, the third moving drive 35 drives the transfer seat 33 to the feeding position, so that the sheet material in the stacking bin of the loading assembly 10 on the transfer seat 33 can be picked up by the suction unit 221 and transferred piece by piece to the discharge unit 213.

[0081] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0082] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementation methods of this application, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this application, and these all fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this patent application should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A feeding device, characterized in that, Includes a separation component (20), said separation component (20) comprising: The separating plate (21) has a material taking hole (211), a material blocking part (215) and a material discharging part (213), and the material blocking part (215) is located on the side of the material taking hole (211) facing the material discharging part (213); A material-collecting plate (22) is arranged above the separating plate (21), and the material-collecting plate (22) has a suction section (221) on the side facing the separating plate (21); and The first moving drive (23) has its driving end connected to the material taking plate (22). Under the driving action of the first moving drive (23), the material taking plate (22) drives the material suction part (221) to move between the material taking hole (211) and the material discharging part (213).

2. The feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The suction part (221) is used to suck up the sheet material at the feeding hole (211); in a direction parallel to the axis of the feeding hole (211), the distance h between the suction part (221) and the blocking part (215) satisfies: a < h < 2a; where a represents the thickness of the sheet material.

3. The feeder of claim 1, wherein The separation assembly (20) further includes a fixed base (24), the separation plate (21) is fixedly connected to the fixed base (24), the material taking plate (22) is movably connected to the fixed base (24), and the first moving drive (23) is mounted on the fixed base (24).

4. The feeder of claim 3, wherein The separation assembly (20) further includes a pressing unit (25), which includes a moving frame (251), a pressing rod (252), and a second moving drive (253). The moving frame (251) is movably connected to the fixed base (24) and is located on the side of the material taking plate (22) away from the separation plate (21). One end of the pressing rod (252) is connected to the moving frame (251), and the other end of the pressing rod (252) is arranged opposite to the material taking hole (211). The second moving drive (253) is mounted on the fixed base (24), and the driving end of the second moving drive (253) is connected to the moving frame (251).

5. The feeder of claim 1, wherein The material receiving plate (22) also has a dust suction section (227) on the side facing the separation plate (21).

6. The feeder of claim 1, wherein The feeding device further includes a loading assembly (10), which is arranged on the side of the separating plate (21) away from the picking plate (22); The loading assembly (10) has a storage bin and a feed port (11) located on top of the storage bin, the feed port (11) being opposite to the feeding hole (211).

7. The feeder of claim 6, wherein The feeding device further includes a support assembly (30), which includes a base (31), a transfer seat (33), and a third moving drive (35). The transfer seat (33) is movably connected to the base (31) for loading the feeding assembly (10). The third moving drive (35) is mounted on the base (31), and the driving end of the third moving drive (35) is connected to the transfer seat (33).

8. The feeder of claim 7, wherein The support assembly (30) further includes a first positioning unit, which includes a first positioning drive (372), a first positioning element (371), and a second positioning element (373). The first positioning drive (372) is mounted on the transfer seat (33), the first positioning element (371) is connected to the drive end of the first positioning drive (372), and the second positioning element (373) is fixedly connected to the transfer seat (33) and located on both sides of the loading assembly (10) in the first direction (X1).

9. The feeder of claim 8, wherein The support assembly (30) further includes a second positioning unit, which includes a second positioning drive (382), a third positioning component (381), and a fourth positioning component (383). The second positioning drive (382) is mounted on the transfer seat (33), the third positioning component (381) is connected to the drive end of the second positioning drive (382), and the fourth positioning component (383) is fixedly connected to the transfer seat (33) and located on both sides of the loading assembly (10) in the second direction (X2), which intersects with the first direction (X1).

10. The feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feeding device further includes a top material assembly (40) arranged below the separation plate (21). The top material assembly (40) includes a top material rod (42) and a top material drive assembly (41). One end of the top material rod (42) is connected to the drive end of the top material drive assembly (41), and the other end of the top material rod (42) extends toward the separation plate (21).

11. The feeder of claim 10, wherein The top material assembly (40) further includes a mounting base (43), a first guide rod, a top material seat (46), and a buffer elastic element (45). The mounting base (43) is installed on the driving end of the top material drive assembly (41) and has a first guide hole. The first guide rod passes through the first guide hole. The top material seat (46) is connected to one end of the first guide rod. The buffer elastic element (45) abuts between the mounting base (43) and the top material seat (46). The end of the top material rod (42) away from the separation plate (21) is connected to the top material seat (46).

12. The feeder of claim 10, wherein, The feeding device further includes a loading assembly (10), which is arranged between the separation plate (21) and the top loading assembly (40); the loading assembly (10) has a stacking bin and a top loading port (12) located at the bottom of the stacking bin, and the end of the top loading rod (42) away from the top loading drive assembly (41) passes through the top loading port (12).

13. A supply apparatus, characterized by comprising: It includes a transfer device (400), a discharge device (500), and a feeding device (300) as described in any one of claims 1 to 12; The transfer device (400) is used to transfer the sheet material on the feeding section (213) to the discharging device (500).

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein, The transfer device (400) includes a first transfer robot (401), a positioning component (402), and a second transfer robot (403); the first transfer robot (401) is arranged between the positioning component (402) and the feeding device (300); the second transfer robot (403) is arranged between the positioning component (402) and the discharging device (500).

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein, The feeding device also includes a loading robot (200), which is arranged on the side of the feeding device (300) away from the transfer device (400). The loading robot (200) is used to transfer the loading assembly (10) to the transfer seat (33) of the feeding device (300) and to unload the loading assembly (10) on the transfer seat (33) of the feeding device (300).

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