A trolley for an assembly line

Abstract

This application discloses a material carrier for an assembly line, comprising a mounting frame, a material holding plate, two sets of walking components, a drive component, a first switch, a second switch, a controller, and a power supply. The material holding plate is horizontally positioned and fixedly connected to the top surface of the mounting frame. The two sets of walking components are positioned opposite each other at the front and rear ends of the mounting frame along the walking path, driving the mounting frame to move. The drive component is located within the mounting frame and connected to the two sets of walking components, driving the two sets of walking components to rotate synchronously. The controller is connected to the drive component and controls its operation. Both the first and second switches are electrically connected to the controller, allowing the controller to control the drive component's operation based on signals received from either the first or second switch. The power supply is placed within the mounting frame and is electrically connected to the drive component, the first switch, the second switch, and the controller. This design helps eliminate wasted operator walking time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of production equipment, specifically to a material cart for use in an assembly line. Background Technology

[0002] Large production workshops typically employ automated transport systems to move products to various production stations at pre-set conveying rates. At some assembly stations, manual assembly is required. These stations are equipped with shelves containing the necessary parts and tools. When the automated transport system delivers products to these stations, workers must manually assemble the parts within a specified time. When a station has a large number of parts to assemble, or when products are produced on mixed lines with significantly different assembly processes, workers must frequently travel between assembly points and shelves. This results in significant wasted walking time, high labor intensity for workers, and the inability to complete the assembly process within the standard cycle time, thus disrupting orderly production. Currently, to ensure assembly is completed within the standard cycle time, an additional worker is required, increasing production costs. Utility Model Content

[0003] To address at least one of the aforementioned problems, this utility model provides a material cart for use in an assembly line. To achieve the above objective, this application employs the following technical solution:

[0004] A material carrier for an assembly line includes a mounting frame, a material holding plate, two sets of traveling components, a drive assembly, a first switch, a second switch, a controller, and a power supply. The material holding plate is horizontally positioned and fixedly connected to the top surface of the mounting frame. The two sets of traveling components are positioned opposite each other at the front and rear ends of the mounting frame along the traveling path. Each traveling component includes two bearings, a connecting shaft, and two wheels. The two bearings are positioned opposite each other, and their bearing seats are respectively fixedly connected to the bottom end of the mounting frame. Both ends of the connecting shaft are coaxially fixedly connected to the inner rings of the two bearings, and the connecting shafts of the two sets of traveling components are parallel to each other. The two wheels are coaxially fixedly connected to both ends of the connecting shaft. The drive assembly includes a drive motor, a first driving pulley, a first driven pulley, a first synchronous belt, a second driving pulley, a second driven pulley, and a second synchronous belt. The drive motor is fixedly connected within the mounting frame. The pulleys are coaxially and fixedly connected to the output shaft of the drive motor. The first driven pulley is coaxially and fixedly connected to the connecting shaft of one set of walking components. The first synchronous belt connects between the first driving pulley and the first driven pulley. The second driving pulley is mounted on the same connecting shaft as the first driven pulley and is coaxially and fixedly connected to this connecting shaft. The second driven pulley is coaxially and fixedly connected to the connecting shaft of another set of walking components. The second synchronous belt connects between the second driving pulley and the second driven pulley. The controller is electrically connected to the drive motor and is used to control the operation of the drive motor. The first switch and the second switch are both electrically connected to the controller and are used to control the drive motor to rotate forward when the controller receives a signal from the first switch and to control the drive motor to rotate in reverse when the controller receives a signal from the second switch. The power supply is placed in the mounting frame and is electrically connected to the drive motor, the first switch, the second switch, and the controller.

[0005] Preferably, it also includes a first proximity switch and a second proximity switch; the first proximity switch and the second proximity switch are respectively installed at both ends of the mounting frame along the walking direction, the first proximity switch is used to detect the positioning plate located at the end of the walking route, and the second proximity switch is used to detect the positioning plate located at the beginning of the walking route; both the first proximity switch and the second proximity switch are electrically connected to the controller, and are used to control the drive motor to reverse when the controller receives the signal from the first proximity switch, and to control the drive motor to turn off when the controller receives the signal from the second proximity switch.

[0006] Preferably, it also includes a first indicator light and a second indicator light; both the first indicator light and the second indicator light are electrically connected to the controller, and are used to control the first indicator light to light up when the controller controls the drive motor to rotate forward, and to control the second indicator light to light up when the controller controls the drive motor to rotate in reverse.

[0007] Preferably, it also includes two sets of safety edge sensors; the two sets of safety edge sensors are respectively installed at both ends of the mounting frame along the walking direction, and are used to detect obstacles on the walking path; both sets of safety edge sensors are electrically connected to the controller, and are used to control the drive motor to shut down when the controller receives the signal from the safety edge sensor.

[0008] Preferably, it also includes a speed regulator; the speed regulator is electrically connected to the controller and is used by the controller to control the speed of the drive motor according to the speed value input in the speed regulator.

[0009] Preferably, it also includes a third switch; the third switch is electrically connected to the controller and is used to control the drive motor to shut down when the controller receives a signal from the third switch.

[0010] Preferably, it further includes a tensioning assembly; the tensioning assembly includes a first pin, a swing arm, a second pin, a torsion spring, and a tensioning wheel; the first pin is rotatably connected to the mounting frame, and the end of the first pin is fixedly connected to the top of the swing arm; the torsion spring is sleeved on the first pin, one end of the torsion spring is connected to the mounting frame, and the other end of the torsion spring is connected to the swing arm; the end of the second pin is fixedly connected to the bottom of the swing arm, the tensioning wheel is rotatably connected to the second pin on the same axis, and the outer circumferential surface of the tensioning wheel is connected to the first synchronous belt.

[0011] Preferably, it also includes at least one brush; the brush is fixedly connected to one side of the bottom end of the mounting frame, and the length of the brush matches the length of one side of the bottom end of the mounting frame; the bristles of the brush extend vertically, and the bottom of the bristles is not higher than the lowest point of the wheel.

[0012] Preferably, it also includes several baffles, which are respectively connected to the outer side of the mounting frame, and the baffles and the material holding plate are arranged to form a box-shaped structure with an open bottom.

[0013] Preferably, the shielding plate has a plurality of heat dissipation holes.

[0014] The accompanying material cart for an assembly line according to this utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0015] (1) Place the parts and tools used at the current workstation on the material holding plate of the device in this application, and adjust the walking speed of the device in this application according to the production line rhythm and the speed of the workers, so as to achieve precise accompaniment between the device in this application and the workers, which helps to eliminate the waste of the operators' walking time and reduce the intensity of the operation labor, and ensure the orderly production.

[0016] (2) The device of this application is convenient to use and highly flexible, and can realize the accompanying functions such as the assembly of different products in different work situations. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To better understand the above and other objects, features, advantages, and functions of this utility model, reference can be made to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings refer to the same parts. Those skilled in the art should understand that the drawings are intended to schematically illustrate preferred embodiments of this utility model and do not limit the scope of this utility model in any way; the parts in the drawings are not drawn to scale.

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a material cart for an assembly line according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0019] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the internal structure of a material cart for an assembly line according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0020] Figure 3 A partial structural schematic diagram of a material cart for an assembly line according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0021] Figure 4 A block diagram of a material cart for an assembly line according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0022] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0023] 1. Mounting frame; 11. Material holding plate; 12. Baffle plate; 121. Heat dissipation hole; 13. Observation window; 2. Walking assembly; 21. Bearing; 22. Connecting shaft; 23. Wheel; 3. Drive assembly; 31. Drive motor; 32. First driving pulley; 33. First driven pulley; 34. First synchronous belt; 35. Second driving pulley; 36. Second synchronous belt; 41. First switch; 42. Second switch; 43. Third switch; 5. Controller; 6. Power supply; 61. Roller; 71. First proximity switch; 72. Second proximity switch; 73. Safety contact sensor; 81. First indicator light; 82. Second indicator light; 9. Speed ​​controller; 91. Display; 10. Tensioning assembly; 101. First pin; 102. Swing arm; 103. Second pin; 104. Tensioner wheel; 111. Brush. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, including various details of the embodiments to aid understanding, and should be considered merely exemplary. Therefore, those skilled in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications can be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure. Similarly, for clarity and brevity, descriptions of well-known functions and structures are omitted in the following description.

[0025] The term "comprising" and its variations as used herein signify open inclusion, i.e., "including but not limited to". Unless otherwise stated, the term "or" means "and / or". The term "based on" means "at least partially based on". The terms "one example embodiment" and "one embodiment" mean "at least one example embodiment". The term "another embodiment" means "at least one additional embodiment". The terms "first", "second", etc., may refer to different or the same objects. Other explicit and implicit definitions may also be included below.

[0026] To at least partially address one or more of the aforementioned problems and other potential issues, embodiments of this disclosure provide a material carrier for an assembly line, such as... Figures 1 to 4 As shown, it includes an installation frame 1, a material holding plate 11, two sets of walking components 2, a drive component 3, a first switch 41, a second switch 42, a controller 5, and a mobile power supply 6.

[0027] The mounting frame 1 is a cuboid frame structure formed by several horizontal and vertical bars arranged and fixedly connected. The material holding plate 11 is horizontally arranged and fixedly connected to the top surface of the mounting frame 1. Preferably, the accompanying material cart of this application also includes several shielding plates 12, which are respectively connected to the outer side of the mounting frame 1 by several bolts. The shielding plates 12 and the material holding plate 11 form a box-shaped structure with an open bottom. Figure 1 As shown.

[0028] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, two sets of walking components 2 are arranged opposite to each other at the front and rear ends of the mounting frame 1 along the walking path. The walking component 2 includes two bearings 21, a connecting shaft 22, and two wheels 23. The two bearings 21 are arranged opposite to each other, and the bearing seats of the two bearings 21 are respectively fixedly connected to the bottom ends of the front or rear ends of the mounting frame 1 along the walking path. In this embodiment, the four bearings 21 of the two sets of walking components 2 are respectively arranged at the four apex corners of the bottom end of the mounting frame 1. The two ends of the connecting shaft 22 are respectively coaxially fixedly connected to the inner rings of the two bearings 21, and the connecting shafts 22 of the two sets of walking components 2 are arranged in parallel. The wheels 23 are preferably rubber-coated wheels, and the two wheels 23 are located between the two bearings 21. The two wheels 23 are respectively coaxially fixedly connected to the two ends of the connecting shaft 22.

[0029] The drive assembly 3 includes a drive motor 31, a first drive pulley 32, a first driven pulley 33, a first synchronous belt 34, a second drive pulley 35, a second driven pulley, and a second synchronous belt 36. The drive motor 31 is fixedly connected within the mounting frame 1. The first drive pulley 32 is coaxially and fixedly connected to the output shaft of the drive motor 31. The first driven pulley 33 is coaxially and fixedly connected to the connecting shaft 22 of one of the walking assemblies 2. The first synchronous belt 34 connects the first drive pulley 32 and the first driven pulley 33. The second drive pulley 35 is mounted on the same connecting shaft 22 as the first driven pulley 33 and is coaxially and fixedly connected to the connecting shaft 22. The second driven pulley is coaxially and fixedly connected to the connecting shaft 22 of another walking assembly 2. The second synchronous belt 36 connects the second drive pulley 35 and the second driven pulley.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the accompanying material cart of this application further includes a tensioning assembly 10; the tensioning assembly 10 includes a first pin 101, a swing arm 102, a second pin 103, a torsion spring, and a tension wheel 104; the first pin 101 is rotatably connected to the mounting frame 1, and the end of the first pin 101 is fixedly connected to the top end of the swing arm 102; the torsion spring is sleeved on the first pin 101, one end of the torsion spring is connected to the mounting frame 1, and the other end of the torsion spring is connected to the swing arm 102; the end of the second pin 103 is connected to the swing arm 102. The bottom end of 102 is fixedly connected, and the tension wheel 104 is coaxially rotatably connected to the second pin 103. The outer peripheral surface of the tension wheel 104 is connected to the first synchronous belt 34. Preferably, two sets of tensioning components 10 are provided, and the two sets of tensioning components 10 are respectively provided on both sides of the first synchronous belt 34. More preferably, tensioning components 10 are respectively provided on both sides of the second synchronous belt 36. The outer peripheral surface of the tension wheel 104 of the tensioning components 10 located on both sides of the second synchronous belt 36 is not connected to the first synchronous belt 34, but connected to the second synchronous belt 36.

[0031] like Figure 2 and Figure 4As shown, the controller 5 is installed inside the mounting frame 1 and is electrically connected to the drive motor 31 to control the operation of the drive motor 31. The first switch 41 and the second switch 42 are both installed on the top surface of the material receiving plate 11 or the outer surface of the baffle plate 12. Both switches are electrically connected to the controller 5 and are used to control the drive motor 31 to rotate forward when the controller 5 receives a signal from the first switch 41, and to control the drive motor 31 to rotate in reverse when the controller 5 receives a signal from the second switch 42. When the drive motor 31 rotates forward, the accompanying material cart runs along the direction from the start to the end of the travel route; when the drive motor 31 rotates in reverse, the accompanying material cart runs along the direction from the end to the start of the travel route. Preferably, the accompanying material cart of this application also includes a speed regulator 9. The speed regulator 9 is installed on the mounting frame 1, and the speed value is input via the knob, button, or touchscreen of the speed regulator 9 and displayed on the display 91 of the speed regulator 9. The speed regulator 9 is electrically connected to the controller 5 and is used by the controller 5 to control the speed of the drive motor 31 according to the speed value input into the speed regulator 9.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the accompanying material cart of this application further includes a first proximity switch 71 and a second proximity switch 72; the first proximity switch 71 and the second proximity switch 72 are respectively installed at both ends of the mounting frame 1 along the walking direction. The first proximity switch 71 is used to detect the positioning plate located at the end of the walking route, and the second proximity switch 72 is used to detect the positioning plate located at the starting point of the walking route. Both the first proximity switch 71 and the second proximity switch 72 are electrically connected to the controller 5, and are used to control the drive motor 31 to reverse when the controller 5 receives the signal from the first proximity switch 71, and to control the drive motor 31 to turn off when the controller 5 receives the signal from the second proximity switch 72. Preferably, the controller 5 is provided with a timing unit, which is used to start timing when the controller 5 receives the signal from the first proximity switch 71, and when the timing duration reaches a preset duration threshold, the controller 5 controls the drive motor 31 to reverse.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the accompanying material cart of this application further includes a first indicator light 81 and a second indicator light 82; both the first indicator light 81 and the second indicator light 82 are installed on the top surface of the material holding plate 11 or the outer surface of the baffle plate 12, and both the first indicator light 81 and the second indicator light 82 are electrically connected to the controller 5, and are used to control the first indicator light 81 to light up when the controller 5 controls the drive motor 31 to rotate forward, and to control the second indicator light 82 to light up when the controller 5 controls the drive motor 31 to rotate in reverse; preferably, the first indicator light 81 and the second indicator light 82 are different colors, for example, the first indicator light 81 is green and the second indicator light 82 is yellow.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the accompanying material cart of this application further includes two sets of safety edge sensors 73; the two sets of safety edge sensors 73 are respectively installed at both ends of the mounting frame 1 along the walking direction, for detecting obstacles on the walking route; both sets of safety edge sensors 73 are electrically connected to the controller 5, for controlling the drive motor 31 to shut down when the controller 5 receives a signal from the safety edge sensor 73. Preferably, the accompanying material cart of this application further includes a third switch 43; the third switch 43 is electrically connected to the controller 5, for controlling the drive motor 31 to shut down when the controller 5 receives a signal from the third switch 43.

[0035] The power bank 6 preferably uses a lithium iron phosphate battery. The power bank 6 is placed inside the mounting frame 1. Specifically, several rollers 61 are arranged below the power bank 6. The rollers 61 are arranged in parallel, and the extension direction of the rollers 61 is perpendicular to the picking and placing direction of the power bank 6. The two ends of the rollers 61 are rotatably connected to the mounting frame 1. The power bank 6 is electrically connected to the drive motor 31, the first switch 41, the second switch 42, the controller 5, the third switch 43, the first proximity switch 71, the second proximity switch 72, the safety contact sensor 73, the first indicator light 81, the second indicator light 82, and the speed controller 9.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of heat dissipation holes 121 are provided on the shielding plate 12 near the drive motor 31; preferably, an observation port is provided on the shielding plate 12 near the drive assembly 3, and an observation window 13 is connected to the observation port.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the accompanying material cart of this application further includes at least one brush 111; the brush 111 is fixedly connected to one side of the bottom end of the mounting frame 1, and the length of the brush 111 matches the length of one side of the bottom end of the mounting frame 1; the bristles of the brush 111 extend vertically, and the bottom of the bristles is not higher than the lowest point of the wheel 23, so that the bristles can contact the ground; preferably, brushes 111 are provided on all four sides of the bottom end of the mounting frame 1.

[0038] The operation process of the device in this application is as follows: all the parts and tools required for the assembly station are placed on the top surface of the material receiving plate 11; the operator turns on the first switch 41, the drive motor 31 rotates forward, and the accompanying material cart follows the operator from the starting point to the end point of the walking route. The operator can pick up and put away parts and tools at any time; when the assembly is completed, the operator can turn on the second switch 42, the drive motor 31 rotates in reverse, and the accompanying material cart moves from the end point to the starting point of the walking route; when the assembly is completed, the operator does not operate it, and the accompanying material cart will first move to the end point of the walking route and then return to the starting point of the walking route; when the accompanying material cart encounters an obstacle during the operation, it will stop. The operator can control the accompanying material cart to stop through the third switch 43, which helps to improve the safety and flexibility of the accompanying material cart operation.

[0039] The various embodiments of this disclosure have been described above. These descriptions are exemplary and not exhaustive, nor are they limited to the disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein is chosen to best explain the principles, practical application, or technical improvements to the embodiments in the market, or to enable others skilled in the art to understand this document.

Claims

1. A material cart for use in an assembly line, characterized in that: Includes mounting frame (1), material holding plate (11), two sets of walking components (2), drive component (3), first switch (41), second switch (42), controller (5), and mobile power supply (6); The material holding plate (11) is horizontally set and fixedly connected to the top surface of the mounting frame (1); Two sets of walking components (2) are arranged opposite to each other at the front and rear ends of the mounting frame (1) along the walking path; the walking component (2) includes two bearings (21), a connecting shaft (22) and two wheels (23); the two bearings (21) are arranged opposite to each other, and the bearing seats of the two bearings (21) are respectively fixedly connected to the bottom end of the mounting frame (1); the two ends of the connecting shaft (22) are respectively coaxially fixedly connected to the inner rings of the two bearings (21), and the connecting shafts (22) of the two sets of walking components (2) are arranged in parallel; the two wheels (23) are respectively coaxially fixedly connected to the two ends of the connecting shaft (22); The drive assembly (3) includes a drive motor (31), a first drive pulley (32), a first driven pulley (33), a first synchronous belt (34), a second drive pulley (35), a second driven pulley, and a second synchronous belt (36); the drive motor (31) is fixedly connected in the mounting frame (1); the first drive pulley (32) is coaxially fixedly connected to the output shaft of the drive motor (31), and the first driven pulley (33) is coaxially fixedly connected to the connecting shaft (22) of one of the walking assemblies (2). The first synchronous belt (34) is connected between the first driving pulley (32) and the first driven pulley (33); the second driving pulley (35) and the first driven pulley (33) are mounted on the same connecting shaft (22), and the second driving pulley (35) is coaxially and fixedly connected to the connecting shaft (22); the second driven pulley is coaxially and fixedly connected to the connecting shaft (22) of another set of walking components (2), and the second synchronous belt (36) is connected between the second driving pulley (35) and the second driven pulley; The controller (5) is electrically connected to the drive motor (31) and is used to control the operation of the drive motor (31); The first switch (41) and the second switch (42) are both electrically connected to the controller (5) and are used to control the drive motor (31) to rotate forward when the controller (5) receives the signal from the first switch (41) and to control the drive motor (31) to rotate in reverse when the controller (5) receives the signal from the second switch (42). The power bank (6) is placed inside the mounting frame (1), and the power bank (6) is electrically connected to the drive motor (31), the first switch (41), the second switch (42) and the controller (5).

2. A material cart for an assembly line according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a first proximity switch (71) and a second proximity switch (72); the first proximity switch (71) and the second proximity switch (72) are respectively installed at both ends of the mounting frame (1) along the walking direction. The first proximity switch (71) is used to detect the positioning plate located at the end of the walking route, and the second proximity switch (72) is used to detect the positioning plate located at the starting point of the walking route. The first proximity switch (71) and the second proximity switch (72) are both electrically connected to the controller (5) and are used to control the drive motor (31) to reverse when the controller (5) receives the signal of the first proximity switch (71) and to control the drive motor (31) to turn off when the controller (5) receives the signal of the second proximity switch (72).

3. A material cart for an assembly line according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a first indicator light (81) and a second indicator light (82); both the first indicator light (81) and the second indicator light (82) are electrically connected to the controller (5) and are used to control the first indicator light (81) to light up when the controller (5) controls the drive motor (31) to rotate forward, and to control the second indicator light (82) to light up when the controller (5) controls the drive motor (31) to rotate in reverse.

4. A material cart for an assembly line according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes two sets of safety edge sensors (73); the two sets of safety edge sensors (73) are respectively installed at both ends of the mounting frame (1) along the walking direction, and are used to detect obstacles on the walking route; both sets of safety edge sensors (73) are electrically connected to the controller (5), and are used to control the drive motor (31) to shut down when the controller (5) receives the signal from the safety edge sensor (73).

5. A material cart for an assembly line according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a speed regulator (9); the speed regulator (9) is electrically connected to the controller (5) and is used by the controller (5) to control the speed of the drive motor (31) according to the speed value input in the speed regulator (9).

6. A material cart for an assembly line according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a third switch (43); the third switch (43) is electrically connected to the controller (5) and is used to control the drive motor (31) to shut down when the controller (5) receives a signal from the third switch (43).

7. A material cart for an assembly line according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a tensioning assembly (10); the tensioning assembly (10) includes a first pin (101), a swing arm (102), a second pin (103), a torsion spring and a tensioning wheel (104); the first pin (101) is rotatably connected to the mounting frame (1), and the end of the first pin (101) is fixedly connected to the top of the swing arm (102); the torsion spring is sleeved on the first pin (101), one end of the torsion spring is connected to the mounting frame (1), and the other end of the torsion spring is connected to the swing arm (102); the end of the second pin (103) is fixedly connected to the bottom end of the swing arm (102), the tensioning wheel (104) is rotatably connected to the second pin (103) on the same axis, and the outer circumferential surface of the tensioning wheel (104) is connected to the first synchronous belt (34).

8. A material cart for an assembly line according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes at least one brush (111); the brush (111) is fixedly connected to one side of the bottom end of the mounting frame (1), and the length of the brush (111) matches the length of one side of the bottom end of the mounting frame (1); the bristles of the brush (111) extend vertically, and the bottom of the bristles is not higher than the lowest point of the wheel (23).

9. A material cart for an assembly line according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes several shielding plates (12), which are respectively connected to the outer side of the mounting frame (1). The shielding plates (12) and the material holding plate (11) are arranged to form a box-shaped structure with an open bottom.

10. A material cart for an assembly line according to claim 9, characterized in that: The shielding plate (12) has several heat dissipation holes (121).

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