Refilling device and product conveying line

Abstract

This utility model provides a feeding device and a product conveying line, relating to the technical field of product conveying systems. The feeding device includes a base, an X-axis transfer mechanism, a Y-axis transfer mechanism, a Z-axis lifting mechanism, and a pick-and-place mechanism connected in sequence. The Z-axis lifting mechanism includes a primary lifting mechanism and a secondary lifting mechanism. The drive unit of the secondary lifting mechanism is fixedly connected to the execution unit of the Y-axis telescopic component, and the execution unit is fixedly connected to the drive unit of the primary lifting mechanism. In operation, the pick-and-place mechanism picks up, transfers, and releases the material placed on the material limiting part. This utility model solves the technical problems of existing feeding devices, where the lifting stroke is preset according to a certain product height and cannot be adjusted during operation, requiring a shutdown and reset of the lifting stroke when changing to products of different heights, resulting in complex operation, reduced production efficiency, and large space occupation and poor layout flexibility.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of product conveying systems, and in particular to a feeding device and a product conveying line. Background Technology

[0002] In modern industrial production, assembly line operations have become an important means of improving production efficiency. Products undergo multiple process steps during processing, and after each step, the product typically needs to be transported to the next processing location. Conveying devices, as key equipment connecting these process steps, usually have regularly arranged product placement positions, such as placement troughs or pallets, on their conveyor belts for carrying and positioning the products.

[0003] In actual production, various reasons can lead to empty product placement positions on the conveyor system. These include: empty positions created after defective products are removed during quality inspection; gaps caused by uneven material handling by the loading / unloading robot; and temporary gaps due to manual intervention. These empty product placement positions reduce overall conveying efficiency and decrease equipment utilization. To ensure efficient production line operation, a dedicated replenishment device is typically required to replenish empty positions on the conveyor line in real time.

[0004] Existing feeding devices mainly employ a combination design of a rotary drive mechanism, a lifting mechanism, and a robotic arm. Their working principle is as follows: the rotary mechanism rotates the robotic arm to the material-grabbing position; the lifting mechanism, with a preset lifting stroke, drives the robotic arm to descend to a preset height to grab the material; and a second rotation delivers the material to an empty space above the conveyor belt of the conveyor device for feeding. However, this type of feeding device has at least the following problems: (1) Before operation, the lifting mechanism needs to be preset according to the height dimension along the Z direction when the product is placed in the material placement position. After the lifting stroke is preset according to the size of a product, it remains fixed during operation. When the product type changes and the height dimension along the Z direction of the product changes, the machine needs to be stopped to reset the lifting mechanism to a new lifting stroke in order to transfer the material normally. The whole process is complicated and requires stopping the machine to change the stroke parameters, which seriously affects the production efficiency. (2) Its rotating mechanism requires a large rotation space during operation, which limits the layout flexibility of the feeding device in a compact production line; (3) The existing feeding device is equipped with a separate feeding device to fill the carrier after feeding the feeding device, which increases the production cost and occupies a large space, which is not conducive to the development of the production line towards a compact type. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this utility model is to provide a feeding device and a product conveying line to solve the technical problems in the prior art, such as the feeding device's lifting stroke being preset according to the height of a product and not being adjustable during operation, requiring the machine to be stopped and the lifting stroke reset when changing products of different heights, which is complicated to operate, affects production efficiency, and the existing feeding device occupying a large space and having poor layout flexibility.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the embodiments of this utility model adopt the following technical solutions: In a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a feeding device, comprising: The base has multiple material limiting parts arranged along the X direction on its upper surface, and the side of the base along the Y direction is the feeding side; An X-axis transfer mechanism 1, whose drive unit is fixedly connected to the base and drives its execution unit to reciprocate along the X-axis; Y-axis transfer mechanism 1 includes a Y-axis cantilever and a Y-axis telescopic assembly; one end of the Y-axis cantilever is fixedly connected to the execution part of the X-axis transfer mechanism 1, and the other end is suspended on the feeding side of the base; the drive part of the Y-axis telescopic assembly is fixedly connected to the Y-axis cantilever, and the execution part reciprocates along the Y-axis cantilever. Z-axis lifting mechanism one includes a primary lifting mechanism and a secondary lifting mechanism; the drive unit of the secondary lifting mechanism is fixedly connected to the execution unit of the Y-axis telescopic component, and the execution unit is fixedly connected to the drive unit of the primary lifting mechanism; Material picking and releasing mechanism one is installed on the execution part of the first-stage lifting mechanism. In the working state, it picks up, transfers and releases the material placed on the material limiting part.

[0007] In an optional implementation, the primary lifting mechanism has a preset lifting stroke one, and the secondary lifting mechanism has a preset lifting stroke two. In the initial state, the secondary lifting mechanism is in the state of descending to the lowest position of the preset lifting stroke.

[0008] In an optional embodiment, the material handling mechanism includes at least two sets of gripper structures arranged along the X direction; each set of gripper structures includes a finger-grip cylinder and two grippers fixedly connected to the two output ends of the finger-grip cylinder, and the finger-grip cylinder is fixedly connected to the execution part of the first-stage lifting mechanism.

[0009] In an optional embodiment, the Y-axis cantilever is disposed above the material limiting part along the Z-axis; the material limiting part includes at least one material carrying block, the material carrying block is fixed to the base, and at least one limiting groove extending along the Y-axis is provided on the upper surface of the material carrying block, and the upper edge of the two side walls of the limiting groove along the X-axis is provided with an avoidance notch for the material picking and placing mechanism to pick up the material.

[0010] In an optional embodiment, the limiting groove extends along the Y direction through the portion of the material block facing the feeding side.

[0011] In an optional embodiment, the feeding device further includes a feeding rack and an X-axis transfer mechanism II; the feeding rack is disposed on the feeding side of the base; the drive unit of the X-axis transfer mechanism II is fixedly connected to the feeding rack, and the drive unit of the X-axis transfer mechanism I is fixedly connected to the execution unit of the X-axis transfer mechanism II.

[0012] In an optional embodiment, the feeding device further includes a feeding gap detection mechanism, which is located at the X-direction end of the plurality of material limiting parts to detect whether each of the material limiting parts is empty.

[0013] Secondly, this utility model embodiment also provides a product conveying line, including an X-axis conveying device, a feeding device, and the aforementioned replenishing device described in the first aspect; wherein: The X-direction conveying device includes a conveyor belt, which is located on the feeding side of the feeding device. The feeding device includes: The frame includes a horizontal frame and uprights, the uprights supporting the horizontal frame above the X-axis conveying device and the feeding device; Y-direction transfer mechanism two, whose drive unit is fixedly connected to the cross frame and drives its execution unit to reciprocate along the Y direction on both sides of the conveyor belt in the Y direction; The Z-axis lifting mechanism two has its drive unit fixedly connected to the execution unit of the Y-axis transfer mechanism two; The second material handling mechanism is installed on the execution part of the Z-axis lifting mechanism. The second material handling mechanism picks up the material on the Y-axis side of the conveyor belt away from the feeding device and places the material on the conveyor belt or the material limiting part.

[0014] In an optional embodiment, the second material handling mechanism includes a mounting beam extending along the X direction and a plurality of gripper assemblies arranged and mounted on the mounting beam along the X direction.

[0015] In an optional embodiment, the product conveyor line further includes a conveyor belt vacancy detection mechanism, which is located at a portion of the conveyor belt along the X direction to detect whether the material placement position on the conveyor belt is vacant.

[0016] The embodiments of this utility model can achieve at least the following beneficial effects: In the feeding device provided in this embodiment, the lifting mechanism includes a primary lifting mechanism and a secondary lifting mechanism. Before use, the lifting strokes of the primary and secondary lifting mechanisms can be preset according to the height dimensions of the product (the height h1 along the Z-axis when the product is placed on the material limiting part 11 and the height h2 along the Z-axis when it is placed on the conveyor belt), as well as the preset whether the two mechanisms can be started individually or simultaneously. Possible scenarios include: (1) Based on the height of the product, preset the lifting stroke S11 when picking up materials and the lifting stroke S12 when releasing materials in the first-level lifting mechanism. Start the first-level lifting mechanism to replenish materials, and do not start the second-level lifting mechanism. (2) Based on the height of the product, preset the lifting stroke S21 when picking up materials and the lifting stroke S22 when releasing materials in the secondary lifting mechanism, start the secondary lifting mechanism to replenish materials, and do not start the primary lifting mechanism; (3) Based on the height of the product, the lifting stroke S11 when picking up materials and the lifting stroke S12 when releasing materials are preset for the first-level lifting mechanism, and the lifting stroke S21 when picking up materials and the lifting stroke S22 when releasing materials are preset for the second-level lifting mechanism. When replenishing materials, the first-level lifting mechanism and the second-level lifting mechanism are started at the same time (at this time, the lifting stroke S1 when picking up materials is the sum of S11 and S21, and the lifting stroke S2 ​​when releasing materials is the sum of S21 and S22).

[0017] When the product to be transferred is large in height, only the first-level lifting mechanism or only the second-level lifting mechanism is activated to lift and replenish the material; when the product to be transferred is small in height, both the first-level and second-level lifting mechanisms are activated simultaneously to replenish the material. This allows the lifting stroke of the lifting mechanism to be switched without stopping the machine, so that the material replenishing device can adapt to replenishing materials of different heights and sizes, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0018] The above-mentioned feeding device provided in this embodiment overcomes the technical problems of existing feeding devices, which have the lifting stroke preset according to the height of a product and cannot be adjusted during operation. When changing products of different heights, the machine must be stopped and the lifting stroke must be reset, which is complicated to operate and affects production efficiency. Without adding extra sorting processes, it realizes efficient, flexible and reliable automatic feeding operations, reduces production costs and improves production efficiency. Meanwhile, the feeding device utilizes the X-axis transfer mechanism, the Y-axis transfer mechanism, and the Z-axis lifting mechanism for sequential transmission. Compared with the rotary transmission structure, it occupies less space, has greater layout flexibility, and is conducive to the development of product conveying lines towards a compact design.

[0019] In addition, this utility model embodiment also provides several optional implementation methods. The specific implementation method section of this specification will provide a detailed description and explanation of the specific structure and functional effects of these optional implementation methods. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of this utility model or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the feeding device provided in an embodiment of the present utility model; Figure 2 for Figure 1 Enlarged view of the local structure of region A in the middle; Figure 3 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the feeding device provided in an embodiment of the present utility model; Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the working state of the feeding device provided in this embodiment of the utility model; Figure 5 for Figure 4 Enlarged view of the local structure of region B in the middle; Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of the product conveyor line provided in this embodiment of the utility model; Figure 7 for Figure 6 Enlarged view of the local structure of region C in the middle.

[0022] Icons: 100-Replenishing device; 1-Base; 11-Material limiting part; 111-Carrying block; 112-Limiting groove; 113-Avoidance notch; 2-X-direction transfer mechanism one; 3-Y-direction transfer mechanism one; 31-Y-direction cantilever; 32-Y-direction telescopic assembly; 4-Z-direction lifting mechanism one; 41-First-stage lifting mechanism; 42-Second-stage lifting mechanism; 5-Material pick-and-place mechanism one; 51-Finger cylinder; 52-Gripper; 6-Replenishment empty space detection mechanism; 7-Replenishment rack; 8-X-direction transfer mechanism two; 200-X direction transmission device; 300-Feeding device; 91-Frame; 92-Y-direction transfer mechanism II; 93-Z-direction lifting mechanism II; 94-Material pick-and-place mechanism II; 941-Mounting beam; 942-Gripper assembly; 95-Conveyor belt empty space detection mechanism. Detailed Implementation

[0023] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, 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, not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of this utility model described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0024] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0025] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the accompanying drawings indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one accompanying drawing, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent accompanying drawings.

[0026] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "upper," "lower," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly used when the utility model product is in use. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model 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. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model. In addition, the terms "first," "second," and "third," etc., are only used to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0027] Furthermore, the terms "horizontal" and "vertical" do not imply that the component must be absolutely horizontal or suspended, but rather that it can be slightly tilted. For example, "horizontal" simply means that its direction is more horizontal than "vertical," and does not mean that the structure must be completely horizontal, but can be slightly tilted.

[0028] In the description of this utility model, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "set," "install," and "connect" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0029] The following detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, outlines some embodiments of the present invention. Unless otherwise specified, the following embodiments and features can be combined with each other.

[0030] First aspect Reference Figures 1 to 5 This embodiment provides a feeding device 100, which includes a base 1, an X-direction transfer mechanism 2, a Y-direction transfer mechanism 3, a Z-direction lifting mechanism 4, and a material picking and placing mechanism 5 connected in sequence.

[0031] Wherein: Multiple material limiting parts 11 are arranged along the X-direction on the upper surface of the base 1; the side of the base 1 along the Y-direction is the feeding side of the feeding device 100; the driving part of the X-direction transfer mechanism 2 is fixedly connected to the base 1 and drives its execution part to reciprocate along the X-direction; the Y-direction transfer mechanism 3 includes a Y-direction cantilever 31 and a Y-direction telescopic assembly 32; one end of the Y-direction cantilever 31 is fixedly connected to the execution part of the X-direction transfer mechanism 2, and the other end is suspended above the feeding side of the base 1; the Y-direction telescopic assembly 32... The drive unit is fixedly connected to the Y-axis cantilever 31, and the actuator moves reciprocally along the Y-axis cantilever 31; the Z-axis lifting mechanism 4 includes a primary lifting mechanism 41 and a secondary lifting mechanism 42; the drive unit of the secondary lifting mechanism 42 is fixedly connected to the actuator of the Y-axis telescopic assembly 32, and the actuator is fixedly connected to the drive unit of the primary lifting mechanism 41; the material picking and releasing mechanism 5 is installed on the actuator of the primary lifting mechanism 41, and in the working state, it picks up, transfers and releases the material placed on the material limiting part 11.

[0032] In use, the base 1 of the feeding device 100 is fixed to the conveying device ( Figure 5 The conveyor belt of the X-direction conveying device 200 (shown) is located on the Y-direction side, and at this time, the conveyor belt is located on the feeding side of the feeding device 100. During operation, the drive unit of the X-direction transfer mechanism 2 drives its execution unit to move the Y-direction transfer mechanism 3 along the X-direction. The drive unit of the Y-direction transfer mechanism 3 drives its execution unit to pick up the material on the material limiting part 11, and then transfers the material to the top of the conveyor belt and releases the material, thus completing the feeding operation.

[0033] In particular, referring to Figure 2 The lifting mechanism 4 includes a primary lifting mechanism 41 and a secondary lifting mechanism 42. Before use, the lifting strokes of the primary lifting mechanism 41 and the secondary lifting mechanism 42 can be preset according to the height dimensions of the product (the height h1 along the Z-axis when the product is placed on the material limiting part 11 and the height h2 along the Z-axis when it is placed on the conveyor belt), as well as the preset whether the two can be started individually or simultaneously. Possible scenarios include: (1) Based on the height dimensions of the product (the height h1 in the Z direction when the product is placed on the material limiting part 11 and the height h2 in the Z direction when it is placed on the conveyor belt), the lifting stroke S11 when the first-level lifting mechanism 41 picks up the material and the lifting stroke S12 when releasing the material are preset, and the first-level lifting mechanism 41 is started to replenish the material, while the second-level lifting mechanism 42 is not started. (2) Based on the height of the product, preset the lifting stroke S21 when picking up materials and the lifting stroke S22 when releasing materials in the secondary lifting mechanism, start the secondary lifting mechanism to replenish materials, and do not start the primary lifting mechanism; (3) Based on the height of the product, the lifting stroke S11 when the first-level lifting mechanism 41 picks up the material and the lifting stroke S12 when the material is released are preset, as well as the lifting stroke S21 when the second-level lifting mechanism 42 picks up the material and the lifting stroke S22 when the material is released are preset. When replenishing the material, the first-level lifting mechanism 41 and the second-level lifting mechanism 42 are started at the same time (at this time, the lifting stroke S1 when picking up the material is the sum of S11 and S21, and the lifting stroke S2 ​​when releasing the material is the sum of S21 and S22).

[0034] When the product to be transferred is large in height, only the first-level lifting mechanism 41 or only the second-level lifting mechanism 42 is activated to lift and replenish the material; when the product to be transferred is small in height, both the first-level lifting mechanism 41 and the second-level lifting mechanism 42 are activated simultaneously to replenish the material, so as to realize the function of switching the lifting stroke of the lifting mechanism without stopping the machine, so that the feeding device 100 can adapt to replenishing materials of different heights and sizes, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0035] The feeding device 100 provided in this embodiment overcomes the technical problems of existing feeding devices where the lifting stroke is preset according to the height of a product and cannot be adjusted during operation, and the lifting stroke must be reset when changing products of different heights, which is complicated to operate and affects production efficiency. It realizes efficient, flexible and reliable automatic feeding operation, reduces production costs and improves production efficiency. Meanwhile, the feeding device 100 utilizes the X-direction transfer mechanism 2, the Y-direction transfer mechanism 3, and the Z-direction lifting mechanism 4 for sequential transmission. Compared with the rotary transmission structure, it occupies less space, has higher layout flexibility, and is conducive to the development of product conveying lines towards a compact direction.

[0036] In this embodiment, the primary lifting mechanism 41 has a preset lifting stroke one, and the secondary lifting mechanism 42 has a preset lifting stroke two. Since the material handling mechanism 5 is installed in the execution part of the primary lifting mechanism 41 and is directly controlled by the primary lifting mechanism 41, preferably, in the initial state, the secondary lifting mechanism 42 is in the state of descending to the lowest position of the preset lifting stroke. When the height of the transferred product is large, only the primary lifting mechanism 41 is activated to lift and replenish the material, thereby improving the positioning accuracy. Of course, in some other optional embodiments of this embodiment, it can also be that in the initial state, the secondary lifting mechanism 42 is in the state of rising to the highest position of the preset lifting stroke, and when the height of the transferred product is large, only the secondary lifting mechanism 42 is activated to lift and replenish the material.

[0037] In this embodiment, both the primary lifting mechanism 41 and the secondary lifting mechanism 42 have a variety of optional structural types, including but not limited to a translation component formed by an electric cylinder and a telescopic rod assembly, or a translation component formed by a cylinder piston rod assembly, or a translation component formed by a motor and a ball screw nut assembly, or other linear translation structures.

[0038] In this embodiment, the material handling mechanism 5 can be selected, but is not limited to, a mechanical gripper structure or a vacuum suction structure with suction holes, etc., to adapt to various types of products and improve the stability and reliability of material transfer, and to prevent material from falling during the transfer process. (Continue referring to...) Figures 1 to 5 In an optional embodiment of this example, the material handling mechanism 5 includes at least two sets of gripper structures arranged along the X direction; each set of gripper structures includes a finger-grip cylinder 51 and two grippers 52 fixedly connected to the two output ends of the finger-grip cylinder 51, and the finger-grip cylinder 51 is fixedly connected to the execution part of the primary lifting mechanism 41. This optional embodiment adopts a multi-set gripper structure design, which enables the conveying device ( Figure 5 When the conveyor belt of the X-direction conveyor device 200 shown is replenished, it can simultaneously replenish at least two products, thereby improving production efficiency. In addition, the finger-grip cylinder can achieve rapid and accurate clamping and release of materials by precisely controlling the inlet and outlet of compressed air. It has the advantages of fast response speed, high control precision, simple structure, and ensuring stability and reliability in the material transfer process.

[0039] In an optional embodiment of this example, the Y-axis cantilever 31 is disposed above the material limiting part 11 along the Z-axis; the material limiting part 11 includes at least one material carrying block 111, the material carrying block 111 is fixed to the base 1, and at least one limiting groove 112 extending along the Y-axis is provided on the upper surface of the material carrying block 111. The upper edge of the two side walls of the limiting groove 112 symmetrical along the X-axis is provided with an avoidance notch 113 for the feeding and dispensing mechanism 5 to pick up the material. In this optional embodiment, the fixed material carrier block 111 and the limiting groove 112 provide a precise placement position for the product, and the clearance notch 113 provides sufficient operating space for the material picking and placing mechanism 5, enabling the material picking and placing mechanism 5 to easily pick up and place materials, improving the smoothness of the material picking and placing mechanism 5 in replenishing operations, and facilitating further improvement in production efficiency. In addition, the Y-axis cantilever 31 is arranged above the material limiting part 11 along the Z-axis, making the layout of the replenishing device more compact and further reducing the space occupied by the replenishing device. Furthermore, different material carrier blocks 111 can be designed for different products and assembled and fixed with the base 1 to increase the application flexibility of the replenishing device.

[0040] In an optional embodiment of this example, the limiting groove 112 extends along the Y direction through the portion of the material block 111 facing the feeding side. This design of the optional embodiment not only allows the material to move up and down along the Z direction for feeding, but also allows the material to directly enter or leave the limiting groove 112 along the Y direction, thereby reducing the alignment accuracy between the feeding mechanism 5 and the material during feeding and improving the flexibility and efficiency of the feeding operation.

[0041] Continue to refer to Figures 1 to 5 In an optional embodiment of this example, the feeding device 100 further includes a feeding rack 7 and an X-axis transfer mechanism 2 8; the feeding rack 7 is disposed on the feeding side of the base 1; the drive unit of the X-axis transfer mechanism 2 8 is fixedly connected to the feeding rack 7, and the drive unit of the X-axis transfer mechanism 1 2 is fixedly connected to the execution unit of the X-axis transfer mechanism 2 8. In this optional embodiment, by designing the feeding rack 7 and the X-axis transfer mechanism 2 8, and combining the drive unit of the X-axis transfer mechanism 1 2 fixedly connected to the base 1, and having multiple material limiting parts 11 arranged along the X direction on the upper surface of the base 1, the Y-axis transfer mechanism 1 3 and other operating mechanisms of the product conveyor line (e.g., during feeding) can be coordinated. Figure 5 When the movement trajectories of the feeding device 300 shown overlap or are blocked by other operating mechanisms, the base 1 and the X-direction transfer mechanism 2 can be driven to move simultaneously along the X direction by the X-direction transfer mechanism 28, so as to change the position of the multiple material limiting parts 11 in the feeding device relative to the conveying device. Figure 5 The X-axis conveying device 200 shown is positioned in the X-axis direction to avoid interference and ensure smooth material replenishment.

[0042] Continue to refer to Figures 1 to 5In an optional embodiment of this example, the feeding device 100 further includes a feeding gap detection mechanism 6. This mechanism 6 is located at the ends of multiple material limiting parts 11 along the X-direction and is used to detect whether each material limiting part 11 is empty. The feeding gap detection mechanism 6 may employ, but is not limited to, detection technologies such as photoelectric sensors, proximity sensors, and ultrasonic sensors. It is connected to the control unit of the host computer or the product conveying system. When the X-direction conveying mechanism 8 drives the multiple material limiting parts 11 to move along the X-direction, each material limiting part 11 passes through the feeding gap detection mechanism 6 sequentially. The feeding gap detection mechanism 6 determines whether there is material on the material limiting part 11. When there is a lack of material on the feeding gap detection mechanism 6, a material shortage signal is transmitted to the host computer or the product conveying system for replenishment of the material limiting parts 11 by the feeding device 100, ensuring normal feeding of the material limiting parts 11 by the feeding device 100. For example, a photoelectric sensor is used to detect the presence of material by emitting and receiving light beams. When material is present, the light beam is blocked. When the material limiting part 11 is empty, the light beam can pass through smoothly, thereby transmitting a material shortage signal.

[0043] Second aspect This embodiment provides a product conveyor line, referring to... Figure 6 and Figure 7 The product conveyor line includes an X-axis conveyor 200, a feeding device 300, and a replenishing device 100 provided by the first aspect.

[0044] Specifically: the X-direction conveying device 200 includes a conveyor belt, which is located on the feeding side of the feeding device 100.

[0045] The feeding device 100 includes a base 1, an X-direction transfer mechanism 2, a Y-direction transfer mechanism 3, a Z-direction lifting mechanism 4 and a material picking and placing mechanism 5 connected in sequence, and also includes a feeding rack 7, an X-direction transfer mechanism 8 and a feeding gap detection mechanism 6 (for the detailed structure and the effects that can be achieved by referring to the optional or preferred embodiments of the first aspect).

[0046] The feeding device 300 includes a frame 91, a Y-axis conveying mechanism 2 92, a Z-axis lifting mechanism 2 93, and a material pick-and-place mechanism 2 94. Specifically, the frame 91 includes a horizontal frame and a column, and the column supports the horizontal frame above the X-axis conveying device 200 and the feeding device 100. The drive unit of the Y-axis conveying mechanism 2 92 is fixedly connected to the horizontal frame and drives its execution unit to reciprocate along the Y-axis on both sides of the conveyor belt. The drive unit of the Z-axis lifting mechanism 2 93 is fixedly connected to the execution unit of the Y-axis conveying mechanism 2 92. The material pick-and-place mechanism 2 94 is installed on the execution unit of the Z-axis lifting mechanism 2 93. The material pick-and-place mechanism 2 94 picks up the material on the side of the conveyor belt away from the feeding device 100 in the Y-axis direction and places the material on the conveyor belt or the material limiting part 11.

[0047] In the product conveyor line provided in this embodiment, the feeding device 300 has two functions: (1) Driven by Y-direction transfer mechanism 292 and Z-direction lifting mechanism 293, the material is fed into the X-direction conveyor belt of X-direction conveyor device 200 by material pick-up and drop mechanism 294, so that the product is conveyed along the X-direction on the conveyor belt. (2) The material shortage detection mechanism 6 sends a material shortage signal to the control system. The control system controls the feeding device 300 to replenish the material limiting part 11 of the feeding device 100. This process can be preset by the control system such as the host computer to replenish the feeding device 100 when all material limiting parts 11 are short of material, or to replenish the feeding device 100 when any or a specific number of material limiting parts 11 are short of material. When replenishing, the base 1 can be moved by the X-direction transfer mechanism 2 8 of the feeding device 100 so that the material limiting part 11 is aligned with the Y-direction transfer mechanism 2 92 of the feeding device 300 along the Y direction, so as to facilitate the replenishment of the feeding device 100. After the replenishment is completed, in order to avoid interference between the feeding device 100 and the feeding device 300, the base 1 can be moved by the X-direction transfer mechanism 2 8 of the feeding device 100 so that the material limiting part 11 and the Y-direction transfer mechanism 2 92 are staggered along the X direction, so as to ensure that the feeding device 100 can perform the replenishment work normally. In the product conveying line provided in this embodiment, there is no need to design a separate material replenishment mechanism for the feeding device 100. Instead, it shares a feeding device 300 with the X-direction conveying device 200. This avoids interference between the two, simplifies the structure of the production line, reduces production costs, and improves space utilization, which is conducive to the development of product conveying lines towards a compact design.

[0048] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the Y-axis transfer mechanism 2 92 and the Z-axis lifting mechanism 2 93 have a variety of optional structural types, including but not limited to, a translation component formed by an electric cylinder and a telescopic rod assembly, or a translation component formed by a cylinder piston rod assembly, or a translation component formed by a motor and a ball screw nut assembly, or other linear translation structures.

[0049] The material handling mechanism 2 94 can be, but is not limited to, a mechanical gripper structure or a vacuum suction structure with suction holes. To adapt to various types of products and improve the stability and reliability of material transfer, and to prevent materials from falling during transfer, in an optional embodiment of this example, the material handling mechanism 2 94 includes a mounting beam 941 extending along the X direction and multiple gripper assemblies 942 arranged and mounted on the mounting beam 941 along the X direction. The gripper assemblies 942 can, but are not limited to, adopt the same or similar structure as the gripper structure of the material handling mechanism 5, including a finger-grip cylinder and two grippers fixedly connected to the two output ends of the finger-grip cylinder. The finger-grip cylinder is fixedly connected to the mounting beam 941. The design of the mounting beam 941 and its multiple gripper assemblies 942 enables simultaneous loading of multiple products, improving production efficiency.

[0050] Continue to refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7 In an optional embodiment of this invention, the product conveyor line further includes a conveyor belt empty space detection mechanism 95. This mechanism 95 is located at a portion of the conveyor belt along the X-direction and is used to detect whether there is an empty space at a material placement position on the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt empty space detection mechanism 95 can employ, but is not limited to, detection technologies such as photoelectric sensors, proximity sensors, and ultrasonic sensors, and is connected to a host computer or the control unit of the product conveying system. When the conveyor belt moves along the X-direction, each material placement position on the conveyor belt passes sequentially through the conveyor belt empty space detection mechanism 95, which determines whether there is an empty space. When an empty space exists, the conveyor belt empty space detection mechanism 95 transmits a material shortage signal to the host computer or the product conveying system, activating the replenishment device 100 to replenish the empty space on the conveyor belt. For example, a photoelectric sensor can be used to detect the presence of material by emitting and receiving a light beam. When material is present, the light beam is blocked; when there is an empty space, the light beam can pass through smoothly, thereby transmitting an empty space signal.

[0051] Finally, it should be noted that the various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on the differences from other embodiments. Similar or identical parts between embodiments can be referred to mutually. The above embodiments in this specification are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and not to limit it. Although this utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features. These modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the various embodiments of this utility model.

Claims

1. A feeding device, characterized in that, include: The base (1) has multiple material limiting parts (11) arranged along the X direction on its upper surface, and the side of the base (1) along the Y direction is the feeding side; X-direction transfer mechanism 1 (2), whose drive unit is fixedly connected to the base (1) and drives its execution unit to reciprocate along the X direction; Y-direction transfer mechanism 1 (3) includes a Y-direction cantilever (31) and a Y-direction telescopic assembly (32); one end of the Y-direction cantilever (31) is fixedly connected to the execution part of the X-direction transfer mechanism 1 (2), and the other end is suspended on the feeding side of the base (1); the drive part of the Y-direction telescopic assembly (32) is fixedly connected to the Y-direction cantilever (31), and the execution part reciprocates along the Y-direction cantilever (31); Z-axis lifting mechanism (4) includes a primary lifting mechanism (41) and a secondary lifting mechanism (42); the drive part of the secondary lifting mechanism (42) is fixedly connected to the execution part of the Y-axis telescopic assembly (32), and the execution part is fixedly connected to the drive part of the primary lifting mechanism (41); Material picking and releasing mechanism 1 (5) is installed on the execution part of the first-stage lifting mechanism (41) and picks up, transfers and releases the material placed on the material limiting part (11) in the working state.

2. The feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first-level lifting mechanism (41) has a preset lifting stroke one, and the second-level lifting mechanism (42) has a preset lifting stroke two. In the initial state, the second-level lifting mechanism (42) is in the state of descending to the lowest position of the preset lifting stroke.

3. The feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The material handling mechanism (5) includes at least two sets of gripper structures arranged along the X direction; each set of gripper structures includes a finger-grip cylinder (51) and two grippers (52) fixedly connected to the two output ends of the finger-grip cylinder (51), and the finger-grip cylinder (51) is fixedly connected to the execution part of the first-stage lifting mechanism (41).

4. The feeding device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The Y-axis cantilever (31) is positioned above the material limiting part (11) along the Z-axis; The material limiting part (11) includes at least one material carrying block (111), which is fixed to the base (1). At least one limiting groove (112) extending along the Y direction is provided on the upper surface of the material carrying block (111). The upper edge of the two side walls of the limiting groove (112) symmetrical along the X direction is provided with an avoidance notch (113) for the material picking and dispensing mechanism (5) to pick up the material.

5. The feeding device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The limiting groove (112) extends along the Y direction through the portion of the material block (111) facing the feeding side.

6. The feeding device according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The feeding device (100) further includes a feeding rack (7) and an X-direction transfer mechanism two (8); the feeding rack (7) is located on the feeding side of the base (1); the driving part of the X-direction transfer mechanism two (8) is fixedly connected to the feeding rack (7), and the driving part of the X-direction transfer mechanism one (2) is fixedly connected to the execution part of the X-direction transfer mechanism two (8).

7. The feeding device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The feeding device (100) further includes a feeding gap detection mechanism (6), which is located at the X-direction end of the plurality of material limiting parts (11) to detect whether each of the material limiting parts (11) is empty.

8. A product conveyor line, characterized in that, It includes an X-axis conveying device (200), a feeding device (300), and a replenishing device (100) as described in claim 7; wherein: The X-direction conveying device (200) includes a conveyor belt, which is disposed on the feeding side of the feeding device (100); The feeding device (300) includes: The frame (91) includes a horizontal frame and uprights, the uprights supporting the horizontal frame above the X-direction conveying device (200) and the feeding device (100); Y-direction transfer mechanism 2 (92), whose drive unit is fixedly connected to the cross frame and drives its execution unit to reciprocate along the Y direction on both sides of the conveyor belt in the Y direction; Z-axis lifting mechanism 2 (93), the drive unit of which is fixedly connected to the execution unit of the Y-axis transfer mechanism 2 (92); Material pick-up and drop-off mechanism 2 (94) is installed on the execution part of the Z-axis lifting mechanism 2 (93). The material pick-up and drop-off mechanism 2 (94) picks up the material on the Y-axis side of the conveyor belt away from the feeding device (100) and places the material on the conveyor belt or the material limiting part (11).

9. The product conveyor line according to claim 8, characterized in that, The second material handling mechanism (94) includes a mounting beam (941) extending along the X direction and a plurality of gripper assemblies (942) arranged and mounted on the mounting beam (941) along the X direction.

10. The product conveyor line according to claim 8, characterized in that, The product conveyor line also includes a conveyor belt vacancy detection mechanism (95), which is located at a portion of the conveyor belt along the X direction to detect whether the material placement position on the conveyor belt is vacant.

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