A bar code detection mechanism of a hang tag printing apparatus

Abstract

The utility model relates to a label printing equipment discloses a bar code detection mechanism of label printing equipment, include: mounting bracket, conveyer belt component, first installation department, sensor, second installation department, industry bar code scanner, third installation department, encoder, movable plate, drive portion. Outside first conveyer belt again sets up a group of second conveyer belt, and there is a certain interval between second convey belt and first conveyer belt. Movable plate is in horizontal state, and label can pass movable plate and enter second conveyer belt. Movable plate is inclined, and label will be stopped by movable plate when leaving first conveyer belt, at this moment, a part of label is still in first conveyer belt, and slip appears between label and first conveyer belt, design movable plate's position, make label's part in first conveyer belt less and make label's gravity center outside first conveyer belt, accordingly, label will fall from first conveyer belt under the action of gravity, and can not enter second conveyer belt.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to hang tag printing equipment, and in particular to a barcode detection mechanism for hang tag printing equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Hang tag printing equipment generally includes: a card issuing mechanism that issues stacked hang tags one by one, a first conveyor belt receiving the issued hang tags, a printing module and a UV curing module set along the first conveyor belt. The printed content on the hang tags usually includes a barcode, typically a one-dimensional barcode. Due to printing abnormalities, incomplete curing, wear, or other reasons, a small number of hang tags may have barcodes that fail to scan. These hang tags with failed barcode scans need to be detected and removed by an inspection mechanism.

[0003] Existing testing mechanisms typically involve a combination of sensors, industrial barcode scanners, and pushers. The hangtag continues to be transported by the first conveyor belt. As the hangtag passes through, a sensor sends a signal to the PLC, which controls the industrial barcode scanner to scan the hangtag's barcode. The PLC is also equipped with a matching digital input module. The industrial barcode scanner's failure output is connected to the digital input module. A failure signal is input to the PLC, which controls a cylinder to extend or retract the pusher once, pushing the hangtag that failed to scan the barcode off the first conveyor belt.

[0004] The tags are spaced relatively close together, requiring the pusher plate to extend and retract quickly each time. The tags are also thin, and when laid flat on the first conveyor belt, the side available for the pusher plate to contact is very small. This leads to issues such as tags being missed, stuck, or not being pushed out at all when the existing inspection mechanism pushes tags that failed to scan the barcode off the first conveyor belt. Utility Model Content

[0005] This application provides a barcode detection mechanism for a hang tag printing equipment, which uses a movable plate to separate hang tags that fail to scan the barcode, thus solving the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0006] This application provides a barcode detection mechanism for hang tag printing equipment, comprising: Mounting rack; A conveyor belt assembly, mounted on a mounting frame, is used to transport tags horizontally from a first side to a second side; The first mounting section is installed on the mounting bracket; A sensor, installed in the first mounting section, is used to sense the tags conveyed by the conveyor belt assembly. The second mounting section is installed on the mounting bracket; An industrial barcode scanner, installed in the second mounting section, is used to scan tags sensed by sensors; The third mounting section is installed on the mounting bracket; An encoder, installed in the third active section, is used to count the scanned tags; The movable plate, movably connected to the mounting frame, has: a horizontal state in which scanned qualified hang tags pass over the top surface, and an inclined state in which scanned unqualified hang tags are blocked and fall from the second side of the conveyor belt assembly. The drive unit is used to switch the state of the movable plate.

[0007] In some embodiments, two sets of telescopic bars are provided between the movable plate and the mounting frame; the fixed part of the telescopic bar is fixedly connected to the mounting frame; the movable part of the telescopic bar is hinged to the movable plate; the driving part is a cylinder; the cylinder body is hinged to the mounting frame; the piston rod is fixedly connected to the movable plate, and the fixed connection position coincides with the hinge position where the movable plate and the movable part are hinged.

[0008] In some embodiments, the industrial barcode scanner has a connector fixedly connected to the second mounting portion and capable of sliding and adjusting the fixed connection position along the horizontal longitudinal direction.

[0009] In some embodiments, the connector includes: a first base for fixed connection with a second mounting part, and a second base for mounting an industrial barcode scanner; the second base is fixedly connected to the first base and can slide up and down to adjust the fixed connection position.

[0010] In some embodiments, the equipment frame is fixed with a horizontal linear guide rail, which is used for connecting the first mounting part, the second mounting part, and the third mounting part; the first mounting part, the second mounting part, and the third mounting part are all provided with sliding locks.

[0011] In some embodiments, the encoder has a swing arm that is fixedly connected to a third mounting portion and can swing about a horizontal longitudinal axis to adjust the fixed connection position.

[0012] In summary, this application discloses a barcode detection mechanism for a hangtag printing equipment, comprising: a mounting frame, a conveyor belt assembly, a first mounting part, a sensor, a second mounting part, an industrial barcode scanner, a third mounting part, an encoder, a movable plate, and a drive unit. A second conveyor belt is installed outside the first conveyor belt, with a certain gap between the second and first conveyor belts to accommodate the movable plate. In a horizontal state, the top surface of the movable plate is flush with or slightly lower than the first conveyor belt. The hangtag gradually leaves the first conveyor belt, passing through the movable plate and entering the second conveyor belt during this process. If the movable plate is tilted, the hangtag will be blocked when leaving the first conveyor belt, causing a portion of the hangtag to remain on the first conveyor belt and slipping between the hangtag and the first conveyor belt. By designing the position of the movable plate so that less of the hangtag remains on the first conveyor belt, the center of gravity of the hangtag is placed outside the first conveyor belt. Consequently, the hangtag will fall off the first conveyor belt under gravity and cannot enter the second conveyor belt. The beneficial effect is improved separation of defective hangtags. Attached Figure Description

[0013] To better illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the background art, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments of this application or the background art will be described below.

[0014] Figure 1 This is a top view of this application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the present application; Figure 3 for Figure 2 An enlarged schematic diagram of part A in the middle; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the horizontal position of the movable board; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the tilted state of the movable plate; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the first mounting section and the sensor; Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the second installation section and the industrial barcode scanner; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the third mounting section and the encoder.

[0015] In the picture, 1. Mounting bracket; 1a. First part; 1a1. T-slot; 1b. Second part; 1b1. Vertical plate; 1b2. Linear guide rail; 1b3. Sliding lock; 2. Conveyor belt assembly; 21. Mounting plate; 22. Pulley; 23. First conveyor belt; 24. Motor; 3. First Installation Section; 4. Sensor; 4a. Connecting piece; 5. Second installation section; 6. Industrial barcode scanner; 6a. Connector; 6a1. First base body; 6a2. Second base body; 7. Third Installation Department; 8. Encoder; 8a. Swing arm; 9. Movable plate; 9a. Connecting shaft; 91. Telescopic bar; 911. Fixed part; 912. Moving part; 10. Drive unit; 10a. Connecting ear. Specific Implementation

[0016] The following description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only and not strictly to scale. Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in this disclosure should be understood in their ordinary sense by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. The terms "first," "second," and similar terms used in this disclosure do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different components. Terms such as "comprising" or "including" mean that the element or object preceding the word encompasses the elements or objects listed following the word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. Terms such as "connected" or "linked" are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but can include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. Terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," and "right" are used only to indicate relative positional relationships, and these relative positional relationships may change accordingly when the absolute position of the described object changes. Unless otherwise specified, the embodiments in this application can be combined with each other.

[0017] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 A barcode detection mechanism for a hangtag printing equipment includes: a mounting frame 1, a conveyor belt assembly 2, a first mounting part 3, a sensor 4, a second mounting part 5, an industrial barcode scanner 6, a third mounting part 7, an encoder 8, a movable plate 9, and a drive part 10.

[0018] Mounting bracket 1 may include: a first part 1a and a second part 1b. The outer walls of both sides of the first part 1a in the horizontal longitudinal direction have T-slots 1a1. The second part 1b is used for fixed connection of the first part 1a, and also has an upwardly extending vertical plate 1b1 on one side of the first part 1a in the horizontal longitudinal direction.

[0019] The conveyor belt assembly 2 is disposed in the first part 1a of the mounting frame 1. More specifically, the conveyor belt assembly 2 may include: two pairs of mounting plates 21, two pulleys 22, a first conveyor belt 23, and a motor 24. The mounting plates 21 are fixedly connected to the first part 1a by fasteners and T-slots 1a1. The pulleys 22 are rotatably connected to a pair of mounting plates 21 by bearings and shafts. The position of the mounting plates 21 can be adjusted so that the first conveyor belt 23 is taut on the two pulleys 22. The motor 24 can be mounted on one of the mounting plates 21, and the output shaft of the motor 24 can be connected to the shaft of the corresponding pulley 22 by a coupling.

[0020] The conveyor belt assembly 2 is used to transport the tag from the first side to the second side in a horizontal direction, that is, the belt body on the first conveyor belt 23 is horizontal and the direction of movement is in a horizontal direction.

[0021] The first mounting part 3 is installed on the second part 1b of the mounting bracket 1. More specifically, the first mounting part 3 can be fixedly connected to the vertical plate 1b1 by fasteners.

[0022] Please see Figure 2 and Figure 6 The sensor 4 is mounted on the first mounting part 3. More specifically, the first mounting part 3 may be horizontal and longitudinal, and has a rectangular rod extending above the first conveyor belt 23. The sensor 4 may have a connecting piece 4a, which can be fixedly connected to the first mounting part 3 by screws.

[0023] Sensor 4 is used to sense the tags conveyed by conveyor belt assembly 2. The tags are generally made of paper, and accordingly, sensor 4 can be capacitive.

[0024] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 The second mounting part 5 is mounted on the mounting bracket 1. For a more specific installation method, please refer to the first mounting part 3 and the mounting bracket 1.

[0025] An industrial barcode scanner 6 is installed in the second mounting section 5. The industrial barcode scanner 6 is used to scan the hang tag sensed by the sensor 4; that is, in the direction the hang tag is conveyed, the industrial barcode scanner 6 is located behind the sensor 4. More specifically, a PLC can be used; as the hang tag passes through the sensor 4, a signal is generated and input into the PLC to start the industrial barcode scanner 6 for one scan.

[0026] Please see Figure 2 and Figure 7 In some embodiments, the industrial barcode scanner 6 has a connecting seat 6a, which is fixedly connected to the second mounting portion 5. The connecting seat 6a can also slide along the horizontal longitudinal direction to adjust the fixed connection position. More specifically, the second mounting portion 5 can be horizontally longitudinal and has a rectangular rod extending above the first conveyor belt 23. The connecting seat 6a can be sleeved on the rectangular rod and slide along the horizontal longitudinal direction of the rectangular rod. The connecting seat 6a can also be threaded with a first locking bolt. Tightening the first locking bolt so that it abuts against the rectangular rod can fix the connecting seat 6a relatively.

[0027] Adjusting the fixed connection position of the connector 6a in the second mounting part 5 also adjusts the industrial barcode scanner 6, allowing the industrial barcode scanner 6 to better adapt when the tag changes.

[0028] Furthermore, the connecting seat 6a includes: a first seat body 6a1 and a second seat body 6a2. The first seat body 6a1 is used for fixed connection with the second mounting part 5. The second seat body 6a2 is used for mounting the industrial barcode scanner 6. The second seat body 6a2 is fixedly connected to the first seat body 6a1 and can slide up and down to adjust the fixed connection position. More specifically, the first seat body 6a1 may have an oblong groove, and the second seat body 6a2 may have a through hole, with a fastener provided between the through hole and the oblong groove.

[0029] Adjusting the fixed connection position of the second body 6a2 to the first body 6a1 also adjusts the industrial barcode scanner 6. When the barcode length changes (the long side of the tag is generally horizontal, and the barcode is vertical), the industrial barcode scanner 6 can adapt better.

[0030] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 The third mounting part 7 is mounted on the mounting frame 1. For more specific installation methods, please refer to the first mounting part 3 and the mounting frame 1.

[0031] Encoder 8 is installed in the third moving part. Encoder 8 is used to count the scanned tags; that is, according to the direction the tags are conveyed, encoder 8 is located after industrial barcode scanner 6. As the tag passes through encoder 8, friction causes the encoder wheel to rotate once, generating a pulse signal that is input to the PLC. The PLC counts the pulse signals based on the rising edge. The PLC is equipped with a matching digital input module. The successful read output of industrial barcode scanner 6 is connected to the input of the digital input module. This input signal can be used in the PLC's pulse signal counting program; that is, pulse signal counting only occurs if the read is successful, thus counting the successfully scanned tags.

[0032] Please see Figure 2 and Figure 8 In some embodiments, the encoder 8 has a swing arm 8a. The swing arm 8a is fixedly connected to the third mounting part 7 and can swing around the horizontal longitudinal axis to adjust the fixed connection position. More specifically, the third mounting part 7 can be horizontal and longitudinal, and has a circular rod extending above the first conveyor belt 23. The upper end of the swing arm 8a can be sleeved on the circular rod. The swing arm 8a can also be threaded with a second locking bolt. Tightening the second locking bolt so that the second locking bolt abuts against the circular rod can fix the swing arm 8a relatively.

[0033] By adjusting the swing arm 8a, the interval between the encoder 8 code wheel and the first conveyor belt 23 can be adjusted to accommodate tags of different thicknesses.

[0034] Please see Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 8In some embodiments, the installation method of the first mounting part 3, the second mounting part 5, and the third mounting part 7 on the mounting frame 1 can also be as follows: a horizontal linear guide rail 1b2 is fixed on the side of the vertical plate 1b1 near the first conveyor belt 23; the linear guide rail 1b2 is used for connecting the first mounting part 3, the second mounting part 5, and the third mounting part 7, that is, the linear guide rail 1b2 has three matching mounting sliders; the first mounting part 3, the second mounting part 5, and the third mounting part 7 are all provided with a sliding lock 1b3, more specifically, the sliding lock 1b3 can be a guide rail clamp matching the linear guide rail 1b2, and the first mounting part 3, the second mounting part 5, and the third mounting part 7 are all fixedly connected to a mounting slider and a guide rail clamp by screws. When the sliding lock 1b3 is activated, the first mounting part 3, the second mounting part 5, and the third mounting part 7 are relatively fixed.

[0035] The spacing between sensor 4 and industrial barcode scanner 6, and between industrial barcode scanner 6 and encoder 8 can be adjusted to better adapt to changes in tag length.

[0036] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 The movable plate 9 is movably connected to the mounting frame 1. Through movement, the movable plate 9 has: a horizontal state in which the scanned qualified hangtag passes over the top surface, and an inclined state in which the scanned unqualified hangtag is blocked and falls from the second side of the conveyor belt assembly 2.

[0037] The drive unit 10 is used to switch the state of the movable plate 9. Accordingly, the drive unit 10 is controlled by the industrial barcode scanner 6 and the PLC. The PLC is equipped with a matching digital input module. The failure output terminal of the industrial barcode scanner 6 is connected to the input terminal of the digital input module. This input signal is input to the PLC to make the drive unit 10 work, and the movable plate 9 switches from the horizontal state to the tilted state, maintains the tilted state for a suitable time, and then returns to the horizontal state.

[0038] A second conveyor belt can be installed outside the first conveyor belt 23, with a certain gap between the second conveyor belt and the first conveyor belt 23 to accommodate the movable plate 9. In a horizontal state, the top surface of the movable plate 9 is flush with or slightly lower than the first conveyor belt 23. The tag gradually leaves the first conveyor belt 23, passing through the movable plate 9 and entering the second conveyor belt during this process. If the movable plate 9 is tilted, the tag will be blocked by it as it leaves the first conveyor belt 23. At this point, part of the tag remains on the first conveyor belt 23, and slippage occurs between the tag and the first conveyor belt 23. By designing the position of the movable plate 9 so that less of the tag remains on the first conveyor belt 23, the center of gravity of the tag will be outside the first conveyor belt 23. Consequently, the tag will fall off the first conveyor belt 23 under gravity and will not enter the second conveyor belt.

[0039] Accordingly, the movable plate 9 needs to be able to swing relative to the mounting frame 1. Obviously, if the movable connection between the movable plate 9 and the mounting frame 1 is directly hinged, then in order to achieve the above-mentioned effect of "making the portion of the tag on the first conveyor belt 23 smaller and making the center of gravity of the tag outside the first conveyor belt 23", the horizontal length of the movable plate 9 needs to be relatively large, which is not conducive to the tag passing through the movable plate 9.

[0040] Please see Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 In some embodiments, two sets of telescopic strips 91 are provided between the movable plate 9 and the mounting bracket 1.

[0041] The fixed part 911 of the telescopic strip 91 is fixedly connected to the mounting bracket 1. More specifically, the fixed part 911 can be integrally fixed to the top surface of the mounting plate 21. The movable part 912 of the telescopic strip 91 is hinged to the movable plate 9. More specifically, the movable plate 9 has connecting shafts 9a fixed on both horizontal and longitudinal edges, the two connecting shafts 9a are aligned, and the movable part 912 has through holes for the connecting shafts 9a to be inserted.

[0042] The drive unit 10 is a cylinder, and the movable plate 9 has a certain length in the horizontal longitudinal direction, which can be achieved by using two cylinders for synchronous control. The cylinder body is hinged to the mounting bracket 1, and the piston rod of the cylinder is fixedly connected to the movable plate 9. The fixed connection position coincides with the hinge position where the movable plate 9 and the moving part 912 are hinged. More specifically, the connecting shaft 9a can pass through the moving part 912, and the piston rod can be fixedly connected to a connecting lug 10a for the connecting shaft 9a to insert into. A pin can be inserted and locked between the connecting lug 10a and the connecting shaft 9a.

[0043] The cylinder piston rod extends, causing the moving part 912 to move horizontally. At the same time, because the movable plate 9 is fixed relative to the cylinder piston rod, the movable plate 9 will also swing. The horizontal length of the movable plate 9 can be relatively small. When the movable plate 9 is switched to the tilted state, it can still achieve the effect of "making the part of the hangtag on the first conveyor belt 23 smaller and making the center of gravity of the hangtag outside the first conveyor belt 23".

[0044] If a second conveyor belt is set outside the first conveyor belt 23 as described above, the second conveyor belt can be set lower than the first conveyor belt 23 to leave space for the movement of the movable plate 9. The second conveyor belt can also be designed to be horizontal and vertical, so that the distance between the second conveyor belt and the first conveyor belt 23 can be designed to be larger.

Claims

1. A barcode detection mechanism for a hangtag printing equipment, characterized in that, include: Mounting bracket (1); A conveyor belt assembly (2), mounted on a mounting frame (1), is used to convey the tag from the first side to the second side in a horizontal direction; The first mounting part (3) is mounted on the mounting bracket (1); Sensor (4), installed on the first mounting part (3), is used to sense the tag conveyed by the conveyor belt assembly (2); The second mounting part (5) is mounted on the mounting bracket (1); An industrial barcode scanner (6) is installed in the second mounting part (5) for scanning the tag sensed by the sensor (4); The third mounting part (7) is mounted on the mounting bracket (1); An encoder (8), installed in the third active part, is used to count the scanned tags; The movable plate (9) is movably connected to the mounting frame (1) and has: a horizontal state in which a scanned qualified hang tag passes over the top surface, and an inclined state in which a scanned unqualified hang tag is blocked and falls from the second side of the conveyor belt assembly (2). The drive unit (10) is used to switch the state of the active plate (9).

2. The barcode detection mechanism for a hangtag printing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, Two sets of telescopic bars (91) are provided between the movable plate (9) and the mounting frame (1); the fixed part (911) of the telescopic bar (91) is fixedly connected to the mounting frame (1); the movable part (912) of the telescopic bar (91) is hinged to the movable plate (9); the drive unit (10) is a cylinder; the cylinder body is hinged to the mounting frame (1); the piston rod is fixedly connected to the movable plate (9), and the fixed connection position coincides with the hinge position of the movable plate (9) and the movable part (912).

3. The barcode detection mechanism for a hangtag printing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The industrial barcode scanner (6) has a connector (6a) which is fixedly connected to the second mounting part (5) and can slide and adjust the fixed connection position along the horizontal longitudinal direction.

4. The barcode detection mechanism for a hangtag printing equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that, The connector (6a) includes: a first body (6a1) for fixed connection with the second mounting part (5), and a second body (6a2) for mounting the industrial barcode scanner (6); the second body (6a2) is fixedly connected to the first body (6a1) and can slide up and down to adjust the fixed connection position.

5. The barcode detection mechanism for a hangtag printing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mounting bracket (1) is fixed with a horizontal linear guide rail (1b2), which is used to connect the first mounting part (3), the second mounting part (5), and the third mounting part (7); the first mounting part (3), the second mounting part (5), and the third mounting part (7) are all equipped with sliding locks (1b3).

6. The barcode detection mechanism for a hangtag printing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The encoder (8) has a swing arm (8a) which is fixedly connected to the third mounting part (7) and can swing around the horizontal longitudinal axis to adjust the fixed connection position.

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