Pallet stacking mechanism

Abstract

This utility model discloses a pallet stacking mechanism, which includes a gantry frame, a stacking roller conveyor, a lifting frame, and two stacking rods. The stacking roller conveyor is located on the lower side of the gantry frame for conveying and placing pallets. The lifting frame is slidably mounted on the gantry frame and can move up and down along the height direction of the gantry frame. The two stacking rods are respectively located on both sides of the lifting frame and can move up and down with the lifting frame. The two stacking rods can be driven to move closer or further apart along the width direction of the lifting frame to clamp or release the pallets. Each stacking rod is provided with a retaining element for inserting into the slot of the pallet. This utility model's pallet stacking mechanism uses stacking rods to replace the robotic arms in the prior art, resulting in a simpler structure and lower cost. The retaining elements can hold the pallets in place to prevent them from shifting during the stacking process, thereby improving the accuracy and stability of stacking.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of automated production technology, specifically relating to a pallet stacking mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] The pallet production process includes multiple steps such as injection molding, material handling, trimming pallet sprues, and pallet stacking. Stacking the trimmed pallets reduces their footprint, facilitating transportation and subsequent production steps. Pallet stacking is typically achieved using stacking mechanisms, with existing mechanisms generally employing robotic arms. However, robotic arms are complex and costly. Furthermore, due to the precision limitations of robotic arms, the pallet positions cannot remain consistent during stacking, leading to potential shifts. This shift becomes more pronounced when multiple pallets are stacked. Additionally, existing robotic arms often use pallet grippers, which are typically incompatible. This necessitates the use of different grippers for different pallets, increasing production costs.

[0003] The information disclosed in this background section is intended only to enhance the understanding of the overall background of this utility model and should not be construed as an admission or in any way implying that the information constitutes prior art known to those skilled in the art. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this utility model is to provide a pallet stacking mechanism with a simple structure and more accurate pallet stacking.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, a specific embodiment of this utility model provides the following technical solution: a pallet stacking mechanism, comprising a gantry frame, a stacking roller conveyor, a lifting frame, and two stacking rods. The stacking roller conveyor is disposed on the lower side of the gantry frame for conveying and placing pallets; the lifting frame is slidably disposed on the gantry frame and can move up and down along the height direction of the gantry frame; the two stacking rods are respectively disposed on both sides of the lifting frame and can move up and down with the lifting frame, and the two stacking rods can be driven to move closer or further apart from each other along the width direction of the lifting frame to clamp or release the pallet, and each stacking rod is provided with a retaining element for inserting into the slot of the pallet.

[0006] In one or more embodiments of this utility model, the retaining member is slidably disposed on the stacking rod and can be fixed relative to the stacking rod to adjust the position of the retaining member on the stacking rod.

[0007] In one or more embodiments of this utility model, each holding member includes a sleeve, a support plate, and a stop plate. The sleeve is sleeved on the stacking rod; the support plate extends horizontally from the sleeve toward the stacking roller conveyor; the stop plate is located on the side of the sleeve near the stacking roller conveyor and extends upward.

[0008] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the pallet extends horizontally from the bottom wall of the sleeve toward the stacking roller conveyor; the stop plate extends upward from one side wall of the sleeve.

[0009] In one or more embodiments of this utility model, the stacking roller conveyor includes a working section, a storage section, and a limiting plate. The working section has multiple rollers, and the pallets are stacked in the working section; the storage section has multiple rollers, and the rollers of the working section and the rollers of the storage section operate independently; and the limiting plate is vertically and vertically disposed on the stacking roller conveyor to prevent the pallets from moving along the stacking roller conveyor.

[0010] In one or more embodiments of this utility model, the limiting plate is vertically and vertically disposed between the working section and the storage section to prevent the pallet from entering the storage section from the working section.

[0011] In one or more embodiments of this utility model, a plurality of parallel guide rods are provided on the lifting frame along its width direction, and two stacking rods are slidably disposed on the guide rods to move closer to or further away from each other.

[0012] In one or more embodiments of this utility model, guide rails are provided on both sides of the gantry frame along its height direction, and multiple sliders are provided on both sides of the lifting frame. The sliders are engaged on the guide rails to move along the guide rails.

[0013] In one or more embodiments of this utility model, a first driving member is provided on the lifting frame to drive the two stacking rods to move closer or further apart from each other along the width direction of the lifting frame; a second driving member is provided on the gantry frame to drive the lifting frame to move up and down along the gantry frame.

[0014] In one or more embodiments of this utility model, a guide plate is provided on both sides of one end of the stacking roller conveyor, and the distance between the two guide plates gradually decreases to an equal spacing along the conveying direction of the stacking roller conveyor.

[0015] Compared with existing technologies, the pallet stacking mechanism of this invention uses stacking rods instead of robotic arms, resulting in a simpler structure and lower cost. Limiting plates are installed on the stacking roller conveyor to prevent pallet movement and restrict their position, ensuring that the stacking rods maintain a consistent stacking position on the conveyor, reducing pallet offset during stacking. Holding components secure the pallets, preventing displacement during stacking and improving stacking accuracy and stability. The holding components can also be adjusted in position on the stacking rods to accommodate pallets of different sizes. Furthermore, guide plates working in conjunction with the limiting plates further guarantee the stacking position of each pallet on the stacking roller conveyor. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a pallet stacking mechanism in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a partial structural diagram of the pallet stacking mechanism in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of a stacking rod in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Explanation of key figure labels:

[0021] 1-Gantry frame, 11-Guide rail, 2-Stacking roller conveyor, 21-Limit plate, 22-Working section, 23-Storage section, 3-Lifting frame, 31-Guide rod, 32-Slider, 4-Stacking rod, 5-Holding component, 51-Sleeve, 52-Panel, 53-Stop plate, 6-First driving component, 7-Second driving component, 8-Guide plate. Detailed Implementation

[0022] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions of this utility model, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0023] like Figure 1-3As shown, a pallet stacking mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a gantry frame 1, a stacking roller conveyor 2, a lifting frame 3, and two stacking rods 4. The stacking roller conveyor 2 is disposed on the lower side of the gantry frame 1 for conveying and placing pallets. The lifting frame 3 is slidably disposed on the gantry frame 1 and can move up and down along the height direction of the gantry frame 1. The two stacking rods 4 are respectively disposed on both sides of the lifting frame 3. The two stacking rods 4 can be driven to move closer or further apart along the width direction of the lifting frame 3 to clamp or release pallets. Each stacking rod 4 is provided with a retaining member 5 for inserting into the slot of the pallet.

[0024] The pallet stacking mechanism works as follows: The first pallet is fed into the stacking roller conveyor 2 from one end and transported between two stacking rods 4. The two stacking rods 4 approach each other to clamp the pallet, and the retaining element 5 is inserted into the pallet's slot. Then, the lifting frame 3 moves upward to lift the pallet. After completing the above steps, the second pallet continues to enter from the stacking roller conveyor 2 between the two stacking rods 4. The lifting frame 3 moves downward, placing the clamped first pallet on the upper surface of the second pallet, and then the two stacking rods 4 move away from each other to release the first pallet. Next, the lifting frame 3 continues to move downward, causing the two stacking rods 4 to move to both sides of the second pallet, and then the two stacking rods 4 approach each other to clamp the second pallet, and the retaining element 5 is inserted into the second pallet's slot. Then, the lifting frame 3 lifts the first and second pallets together. The above operation is repeated to achieve the stacking of multiple pallets.

[0025] In the above embodiments, the pallet stacking mechanism of this utility model uses a stacking rod 4 to replace the robotic arm in the prior art, resulting in a simpler structure and lower cost. The clamping component 5 can hold the pallet in place to prevent it from shifting during the stacking process, thereby improving the accuracy and stability of stacking.

[0026] In one implementation, such as Figure 3 As shown, the retaining member 5 is slidably mounted on the stacking rod 4 and can be fixed relative to the stacking rod 4 to adjust its position on the stacking rod 4. For example, the stacking rod 4 can have multiple screw holes, and each stacking rod 4 can have two retaining members 5. The retaining member 5 can be adjusted in position on the stacking rod 4 according to the size of the pallet, and then fixed to the stacking rod 4 by bolts or other fixing methods to adjust the distance between the two retaining members 5. With this configuration, the stacking rod 4 can be used for pallets of various sizes, greatly reducing production costs compared to developing dedicated pallet clamps.

[0027] Specifically, such as Figure 3As shown, each retaining element 5 includes a sleeve 51, a support plate 52, and a stop plate 53. The sleeve 51 is fitted onto the stacking rod 4 and is tightly engaged with the stacking rod 4 so that the two do not rotate relative to each other, thereby ensuring that the retaining element 5 can be stably connected to the stacking rod 4.

[0028] The pallet 52 extends horizontally from the sleeve 51 towards the stacking roller conveyor 2 so that it can be inserted into the slot of the pallet as the stacking rods 4 approach each other, thus achieving a positioning effect. At the same time, it can support the pallet during the pallet lifting process to ensure that the pallet does not fall between the two stacking rods 4.

[0029] The stop plate 53 is located on the side of the sleeve 51 near the stacking roller conveyor 2 and extends upward. The stop plate 53 can align multiple stacked pallets in the vertical direction. In particular, during each stacking process, the bottom two pallets are further aligned, and so on, to achieve vertical alignment of multiple pallets.

[0030] Preferably, the pallet 52 extends horizontally from the bottom wall of the sleeve 51 toward the stacking roller conveyor 2; the stop plate 53 extends upward from one side wall of the sleeve 51. This arrangement can achieve the assembly accuracy between the sleeve 51, the pallet 52 and the stop plate 53, thereby further improving the consistency of pallet stacking.

[0031] In one embodiment, the stacking roller conveyor 2 includes a working section 22, a storage section 23, and a limiting plate 21. Both the working section 22 and the storage section 23 have multiple rollers, and the rollers of the working section 22 and the storage section 23 operate independently. For example, the rollers of the working section 22 can be driven by one motor, while the rollers of the storage section 23 are driven by another motor. After a certain number of pallets are stacked in the working section 22, the motor driving the rollers of the working section 22 rotates, conveying the stacked pallets to the storage section 23, allowing the working section 22 to continue with subsequent pallet stacking operations. Once the pallets are conveyed to the storage section 23, according to the production rhythm, the rollers of the storage section 23 rotate under the drive of another motor, transporting the pallets to the subsequent production line in a timely manner. This arrangement ensures that the operations of the working section 22 and the storage section 23 do not interfere with each other, improves production efficiency, and prevents the stacked pallets from having nowhere to be placed, thus avoiding impacts on subsequent pallet stacking.

[0032] A limiting plate 21 is vertically and flexibly mounted on the stacking roller conveyor 2 to prevent pallets from moving along the stacking roller conveyor 2. Preferably, the limiting plate 21 is vertically and flexibly positioned between the working section 22 and the storage section 23 to prevent pallets from directly entering the storage section 23 from the working section 22. The limiting plate 21 serves two purposes: firstly, it limits the position of the pallets to ensure that the pallets are stacked in the same position on the working section 22 each time; secondly, it avoids mutual interference between the working section 22 and the storage section 23.

[0033] In one implementation, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the lifting frame 3 has multiple parallel guide rods 31 arranged along its width direction. Two stacking rods 4 are slidably mounted on the guide rods 31 to move closer or further apart. For example, there can be two guide rods 31, and the stacking rods 4 are "L"-shaped. A vertical section of the stacking rod 4 is fitted onto the two guide rods 31 via a connector, allowing them to move closer or further apart along the guide rods 31. Furthermore, the lifting frame 3 is equipped with a first driving member 6 to drive the stacking rods 4 to move closer or further apart along the width direction of the lifting frame 3. For example, the first driving member 6 can be a driving cylinder or other driving device that can achieve the same effect. One end of the driving cylinder is connected to the stacking rod 4, and the extension and retraction of the driving cylinder allows the two stacking rods 4 to move closer or further apart.

[0034] Guide rails 11 are provided on both sides of the gantry frame 1 along its height direction, and multiple sliders 32 are provided on both sides of the lifting frame 3. The sliders 32 are engaged with the guide rails 11 to move along the guide rails 11. Furthermore, a second driving member 7 is provided on the gantry frame 1 to drive the lifting frame 3 to move up and down along the gantry frame 1. For example, the second driving member 7 can be a driving cylinder or other driving device that can achieve the same effect. One end of the driving cylinder is connected to the lifting frame 3, and the up and down movement of the lifting frame 3 is achieved by the extension and retraction of the driving cylinder.

[0035] In one embodiment, a guide plate 8 is provided on each side of one end of the stacking roller conveyor 2, and the distance between the two guide plates 8 gradually decreases to an equal spacing along the conveying direction of the stacking roller conveyor 2. For example, the distance between the two guide plates 8 gradually narrows to an equal spacing, forming a funnel-shaped channel, so that when the pallet is driven to move by the stacking roller conveyor 2, it will reach the stacking position along the funnel-shaped channel. The guide plate 8 cooperates with the limiting plate 21 to ensure that the stacking position of each pallet to be stacked on the stacking roller conveyor 2 is always consistent, improving the stacking accuracy.

[0036] In summary, the pallet stacking mechanism of this invention uses stacking rods 4 to replace the robotic arms in the prior art, resulting in a simpler structure and lower cost. A limiting plate 21 is provided on the stacking roller conveyor 2 to prevent pallet movement and limit the pallet's position, ensuring that the stacking rods 4 maintain a consistent stacking position on the stacking roller conveyor 2, reducing pallet offset during stacking. The clamping member 5 holds the pallets in place to prevent displacement during stacking, thereby improving stacking accuracy and stability. The clamping member 5 can also be adjusted in position on the stacking rods 4 to accommodate pallets of different sizes. Furthermore, the guide plate 8, in conjunction with the limiting plate 21, further ensures the stacking position of each pallet on the stacking roller conveyor 2.

[0037] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that it can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of this invention. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered illustrative and non-limiting in all respects, and the scope of this invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, it is intended that all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims be included within this invention. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0038] Furthermore, it should be understood that although this specification describes embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative style is merely for clarity. Those skilled in the art should consider the specification as a whole, and the technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A pallet stacking mechanism, characterized by, include: Gantry frame; A stacking roller conveyor, located on the underside of the gantry, is used to transport and place pallets; the stacking roller conveyor includes a working section, a storage section, and a limiting plate; the working section has multiple rollers, and the pallets are stacked in the working section; The storage section has multiple rollers, and the rollers of the working section and the rollers of the storage section work independently; the limiting plate is vertically and vertically mounted on the stacking roller conveyor to prevent the pallet from moving along the stacking roller conveyor; a guide plate is provided on both sides of one end of the stacking roller conveyor, and the distance between the two guide plates gradually decreases to an equal spacing along the conveying direction of the stacking roller conveyor. The lifting frame is slidably mounted on the gantry and can move up and down along the height direction of the gantry; and Two stacking rods are respectively disposed on both sides of the lifting frame and can move up and down with the lifting frame. The two stacking rods can be driven to move closer or further apart from each other along the width direction of the lifting frame to clamp or release the pallet. Each stacking rod is provided with a retaining member for inserting into the slot of the pallet. The retaining member is slidably disposed on the stacking rod and can be fixed relative to the stacking rod to adjust the position of the retaining member on the stacking rod.

2. The tray stacking mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each card holder includes: A sleeve is fitted onto the stacking rod; The pallet extends horizontally from the sleeve toward the stacking roller conveyor; and A stop plate is located on the side of the sleeve near the stacking roller conveyor and extends upward.

3. The tray stacking mechanism of claim 2, wherein, The pallet extends horizontally from the bottom wall of the sleeve toward the stacking roller conveyor; the stop plate extends upward from one side wall of the sleeve.

4. The tray stacking mechanism of claim 1, wherein, The limiting plate is vertically and vertically positioned between the working section and the storage section to prevent the pallet from entering the storage section from the working section.

5. The tray stacking mechanism of claim 1, wherein, The lifting frame is provided with a plurality of parallel guide rods along its width direction, and the two stacking rods are slidably mounted on the guide rods so as to move closer to or further away from each other.

6. The tray stacking mechanism of claim 1, wherein, The gantry frame has guide rails on both sides along its height direction, and the lifting frame has multiple sliders on both sides. The sliders are engaged with the guide rails to move along the guide rails.

7. The tray stacking mechanism of claim 1, wherein, The lifting frame is equipped with a first driving component to drive the two stacking rods to move closer to or further away from each other along the width direction of the lifting frame; the gantry frame is equipped with a second driving component to drive the lifting frame to move up and down along the gantry frame.

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