Adaptive flexible delivery steering mechanism

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of self-adapting flexible conveying steering mechanism, including intermediate passage and two side part conveying assemblies respectively located in the two sides of intermediate passage;In two side part conveying assemblies, at least one side part conveying assembly is elastic conveying assembly, and at least one elastic conveying assembly is elastic steering conveying assembly;Side part conveying assembly includes mounting seat, and elastic steering conveying assembly includes at least two layers of units arranged in corresponding mounting seat, in all units, at least one layer of unit is steering unit, and at least one layer of unit is elastic conveying unit.The self-adapting flexible conveying steering mechanism of the utility model not only can meet the requirement of article conveying, but also can adapt to any pose direction of article and adjust.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of material conveying and transfer technology, specifically an adaptive flexible conveying and steering mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] A conveying mechanism is a mechanical device that continuously, uniformly, and stably transports bulk materials or packaged goods along a fixed route. It mainly consists of components such as a conveyor belt, drive unit, tensioning device, and electrical control system. It features high productivity, long conveying distance, and low cargo damage rate. Conveying mechanisms can be classified according to their structural characteristics into conveyors with flexible components (where the traction component is a reciprocating closed system, such as belt conveyors and chain conveyors) and conveyors without flexible components (which utilize the rotational motion or vibration of working components to transport materials in a certain direction; the components do not have a reciprocating circulation form, such as screw conveyors and vibrating conveyors).

[0003] With the development of industrial technology, the requirements for conveying mechanisms are becoming increasingly stringent. In particular, some applications require conveying mechanisms not only to transport items along a set route but also to adjust the position and orientation of the items. To meet this requirement, some conveying mechanisms are equipped with dedicated robotic arms that grip the items to achieve position and orientation adjustment; others incorporate turntable mechanisms along the conveying path, using the rotation of these turntable mechanisms to achieve position and orientation adjustment.

[0004] While existing conveying mechanisms using robotic arms or turntables can adjust the orientation of items, they require prior identification of the item's conveying posture and precise position recognition. This necessitates expensive visual dynamic recognition systems, increasing equipment costs. Furthermore, although existing conveying mechanisms can meet the requirements for orientation adjustment to some extent, the orientation of different items can vary significantly. Each item requires independent calculation of the orientation adjustment angle, meaning existing conveying mechanisms lack adaptive capabilities and require precise identification and control of the item's orientation. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of this, the purpose of this utility model is to provide an adaptive flexible conveying and steering mechanism that can not only meet the requirements of conveying items, but also adapt to and adjust items in any orientation.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: An adaptive flexible conveying and steering mechanism includes a central channel and two side conveying assemblies located on both sides of the central channel; of the two side conveying assemblies, at least one side conveying assembly is an elastic conveying assembly, and at least one elastic conveying assembly is an elastic steering conveying assembly for making the narrower side of the conveyed item face the conveying direction; The side conveying assembly includes a mounting base, and the elastic steering conveying assembly includes at least two layers of units disposed within the corresponding mounting base. Among all the units, at least one layer of the unit is an elastic conveying unit for driving the conveyed item to move, and at least one layer of the unit is a steering unit for driving the conveyed item to turn to a set position direction.

[0007] Furthermore, the elastic conveying unit includes a first elastic support assembly, a first conveyor belt sleeved outside the first elastic support assembly, and a first synchronous wheel drive assembly for guiding and driving the first conveyor belt to move; the first elastic support assembly includes first elastic support units spaced apart along the length direction of the intermediate channel, and the first elastic support unit is provided with a first roller at one end facing the intermediate channel and rolls in cooperation with the first conveyor belt.

[0008] Furthermore, the first synchronous wheel drive assembly includes a driving wheel and a driven wheel installed in the corresponding mounting base and located at both ends of the first elastic support assembly, the first conveyor belt is sleeved on the driving wheel and the driven wheel and rolls in cooperation with the first roller, and a first drive motor that is drively connected to the driving wheel is installed on the corresponding mounting base.

[0009] Furthermore, the mounting base is also provided with a first tensioning wheel mechanism for tensioning the first conveyor belt.

[0010] Furthermore, the steering unit includes a second elastic support assembly, which includes second elastic support units spaced apart along the length of the intermediate channel. One end of the second elastic support unit facing the intermediate channel is provided with a second roller, an elastic plate, or an elastic transverse bar.

[0011] Furthermore, the steering unit also includes a second conveyor belt sleeved outside the second elastic support assembly and a second synchronous wheel mechanism for guiding the second conveyor belt, wherein the second elastic support unit rolls in cooperation with the second conveyor belt through the second roller.

[0012] Furthermore, the second synchronous wheel mechanism includes a first synchronous wheel and a second synchronous wheel installed in the corresponding mounting base and located at both ends of the second elastic support component, and the second conveyor belt is sleeved on the first synchronous wheel and the second synchronous wheel and rolls in cooperation with the second roller.

[0013] Furthermore, the mounting base is also provided with a second tensioning wheel mechanism for tensioning the second conveyor belt.

[0014] Furthermore, the corresponding mounting base is equipped with a drive motor that is driven and connected to the first synchronous pulley to drive the second conveyor belt to move, and makes the linear speed of the second conveyor belt less than the linear speed of the first conveyor belt; or, the first synchronous pulley is driven and connected to the drive pulley to drive the second conveyor belt to move, and makes the linear speed of the second conveyor belt less than the linear speed of the first conveyor belt; or, the first synchronous pulley rotates synchronously with the drive pulley, and the outer diameter of the first synchronous pulley is smaller than the outer diameter of the drive pulley, so that the linear speed of the second conveyor belt is less than the linear speed of the first conveyor belt; or, both the first synchronous pulley and the second synchronous pulley are unpowered synchronous pulleys.

[0015] Furthermore, the first elastic support assembly and the second elastic support assembly adopt the same structure of elastic support assembly. The elastic support assembly includes a first mounting plate and a second mounting plate. The first mounting plate and the second mounting plate are fixedly installed in the corresponding mounting base. The second mounting plate is located on the side of the first mounting plate facing the middle channel. The first elastic support unit and the second elastic support unit are elastic support units with the same structure. The elastic support unit includes a guide rod. The first mounting plate and the second mounting plate are provided with a first through hole and a second through hole corresponding to the guide rod. The guide rod passes through the first through hole and the second through hole and can move along the first through hole and the second through hole. A spring is sleeved on the guide rod and located between the first mounting plate and the second mounting plate. The spring extends or shortens synchronously with the movement of the guide rod.

[0016] Furthermore, the spring constant of the spring belonging to the steering unit is greater than or equal to the spring constant of the spring belonging to the elastic conveying unit.

[0017] Furthermore, in the free state, the distance between the elastic conveying unit and the center line of the intermediate channel is less than the distance between the steering unit and the center line of the intermediate channel.

[0018] Furthermore, the steering unit uses friction to drive the transported item to a set orientation, and the linear velocity of the elastic conveying unit is greater than the linear velocity of the steering unit.

[0019] Furthermore, of the two side conveying assemblies, one side conveying assembly is an elastic conveying assembly, and the other side conveying assembly is a conveyor belt assembly; the conveyor belt assembly includes at least one layer of conveyor belt unit installed in the corresponding mounting base, the conveyor belt unit includes a synchronous pulley installed in the corresponding mounting base and a synchronous belt sleeved on the synchronous pulley, and a second drive motor that is drively connected to one of the synchronous pulleys is installed on the corresponding mounting base.

[0020] Furthermore, both of the side conveying assemblies are elastic conveying assemblies, and of the two elastic conveying assemblies, one of the elastic conveying assemblies is an elastic steering conveying assembly, and the other of the elastic steering conveying assembly is an elastic support conveying assembly; the elastic support conveying assembly includes at least one layer of elastic conveying units installed in the corresponding mounting base.

[0021] Furthermore, a guide structure for guiding the conveyed item is provided between the two ends of the two side conveying assemblies; the guide structure includes guide ramps respectively provided at the ends of the two side conveying assemblies, the guide ramps causing the distance between the two side conveying assemblies to gradually decrease along the direction of conveying.

[0022] Furthermore, an intermediate conveying mechanism is provided in the intermediate channel, and the linear speed of the intermediate conveying mechanism is equal to the linear speed of the first conveyor belt.

[0023] Furthermore, it also includes a spacing adjustment mechanism for adjusting the distance between the two side conveying assemblies; the spacing adjustment mechanism includes a spacing adjustment unit for adjusting the position of one of the side conveying assemblies in the direction perpendicular to the intermediate channel, or the spacing adjustment mechanism includes spacing adjustment units for adjusting the positions of the two side conveying assemblies in the direction perpendicular to the intermediate channel.

[0024] Furthermore, the spacing adjustment unit includes an adjustment track perpendicular to the intermediate channel, an adjustment slider that slides with the adjustment track, and an adjustment drive mechanism for driving the adjustment slider to move along the adjustment track, and the side conveying assembly is mounted on the adjustment slider.

[0025] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: This invention relates to an adaptive flexible conveying and steering mechanism. By setting side conveying components on both sides of the central channel, the two side conveying components can guide the conveyed items. In particular, by setting at least one side conveying component as an elastic conveying component, an elastic force perpendicular to the central channel can be applied to the conveyed items during the conveying process. By setting at least one elastic conveying component as an elastic steering conveying component, and setting at least one layer of steering unit and at least one layer of elastic conveying unit within the elastic steering conveying component, the elastic conveying unit drives the conveyed items to move along the central channel. At the same time, relative movement occurs between the conveyed items and the steering unit. The steering unit applies a frictional force to the conveyed items in the opposite direction of the conveying direction. This frictional force applies a torque to the conveyed items and drives them to turn so that the narrower side of the conveyed items faces the conveying direction, thereby achieving adaptive adjustment of the position and orientation.

[0026] In summary, regardless of the orientation of the transported item as it enters between the two side transport components, the elastic force applied to the transported item by the elastic transport component and the frictional force applied to the transported item by the steering unit ensure that the narrower side of the transported item faces the transport direction. This allows the item to adapt to and adjust to any orientation, while maintaining the consistency of the orientation of all transported items. Attached Figure Description

[0027] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and beneficial effects of this utility model clearer, the following drawings are provided for illustration: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the adaptive flexible conveying and steering mechanism of this utility model; Figure 2 This is a left axonometric view of the adaptive flexible conveying and steering mechanism in this embodiment; Figure 3 This is a right axonometric view of the adaptive flexible conveyor steering mechanism in this embodiment; Figure 4 An exploded view of the flexible steering conveyor assembly; Figure 5 This is a structural schematic diagram of the elastic support assembly, the first synchronous wheel drive assembly, and the second synchronous wheel mechanism. Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the elastic support unit; Figure 7 This is a structural diagram of a three-layer unit.

[0028] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 1-The item being transported; 10-Intermediate channel; 11-Transmission belt; 12-Support frame; 13-Mounting bracket; 14-Adjusting track; 15-Adjusting slider; 16-Adjusting drive mechanism; 20-Elastic steering and conveying assembly; 21-First mounting base; 23-Elastic conveying unit; 231-First conveyor belt; 232-First elastic support unit; 233-First roller; 234-Driving wheel; 235-Driven wheel; 236-First drive motor; 237-First tensioning wheel mechanism; 24-Steering unit; 241-Second elastic support unit; 242-Second roller; 243-Second conveyor belt; 244-First synchronous pulley; 245-Second synchronous pulley; 246-Second tensioning wheel mechanism; 25-First mounting plate; 251-First through hole; 252-First guide sleeve; 26-Second mounting plate; 261-Second through hole; 262-Second guide sleeve; 27-Guide rod; 271-Limiting ring; 28-Spring; 30 - Conveyor belt assembly; 31 - Second mounting base; 32 - Conveyor belt unit; 33 - Synchronous pulley; 34 - Synchronous belt; 35 - Second drive motor; 40-Guide structure. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, so that those skilled in the art can better understand and implement the present invention. However, the embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0030] like Figure 1-3 As shown, the adaptive flexible conveying and steering mechanism of this embodiment includes a central channel 10 and two side conveying assemblies located on both sides of the central channel. Specifically, of the two side conveying assemblies, at least one is an elastic conveying assembly, and at least one elastic conveying assembly is an elastic steering conveying assembly used to orient the narrower side of the conveyed item toward the conveying direction. In this embodiment, of the two side conveying assemblies, one is an elastic conveying assembly, and the other is a conveyor belt assembly 30; that is, in this embodiment, the side conveying assembly that is an elastic conveying assembly is also an elastic steering conveying assembly 20.

[0031] In this embodiment, the side conveying assembly includes a mounting base, and the elastic steering conveying assembly 20 includes at least two layers of units disposed on the corresponding mounting base (hereinafter referred to as "first mounting base 21"). Among all the units, at least one layer is an elastic conveying unit 23 for driving the conveyed item 1 to move, and at least one layer is a steering unit 24 for driving the conveyed item 1 to turn to a set posture direction. In this embodiment, the steering unit 24 is used to drive the conveyed item 1 to turn to the narrower side facing the conveying direction. In this embodiment, the steering unit 24 uses friction to drive the conveyed item 1 to turn to the set posture direction. At this time, it is necessary to control the linear velocity of the elastic conveying unit 23 to be greater than the linear velocity of the steering unit 24. Specifically, the steering unit 24 can be 0 or greater than 0, which will not be elaborated further. In this embodiment, the first mounting base 21 is provided with two layers of units, one layer being the steering unit 24 and the other layer being the elastic conveying unit 23. The steering unit 24 is located below the elastic conveying unit 23. Of course, as shown in 7, a three-layer unit can also be set in the first mounting base 21, one layer of which is a steering unit 24, and the other two layers are elastic conveying units 23, with the steering unit 24 located between the two layers of elastic conveying units 23.

[0032] like Figure 4-5 As shown, in this embodiment, the elastic conveying unit 23 includes a first elastic support assembly, a first conveyor belt 231 sleeved on the first elastic support assembly, and a first synchronous wheel drive assembly for guiding and driving the first conveyor belt 231 to move. The first elastic support assembly includes first elastic support units 232 spaced apart along the length of the intermediate channel 10. One end of each first elastic support unit 232 facing the intermediate channel 10 is provided with a first roller 233 that rolls in cooperation with the first conveyor belt 231. In this embodiment, the first synchronous wheel drive assembly includes a driving wheel 234 and a driven wheel 235 mounted in the first mounting base 21 and located at both ends of the first elastic support assembly. The first conveyor belt 231 is sleeved on the driving wheel 234 and the driven wheel 235 and rolls in cooperation with the first roller 233. A first drive motor 236, which is throttledly connected to the driving wheel 234, is mounted on the first mounting base 21. Preferably, the first mounting base 21 also includes a first tensioning wheel mechanism 237 for tensioning the first conveyor belt 231.

[0033] like Figure 4-5As shown, in this embodiment, the steering unit 24 includes a second elastic support assembly, which includes second elastic support units 241 spaced apart along the length of the intermediate channel. A second roller 242 is provided at one end of the second elastic support unit 241 facing the intermediate channel 10. Thus, when relative movement occurs between the transported item 1 and the steering unit 24, the second roller 242 applies a frictional force opposite to the transport direction to the transported item 1, thereby driving the transported item 1 to turn to a set position and making the transport of the item 1 smoother. Of course, in other embodiments, the end of the second elastic support unit 241 facing the intermediate channel 10 is provided with an elastic plate or an elastic transverse rod. Applying a frictional force opposite to the transport direction to the transported item 1 using the plate or transverse rod also achieves the same purpose of driving the transported item 1 to turn to a set position.

[0034] In some embodiments, the steering unit 24 further includes a second conveyor belt 243 sleeved outside the second elastic support assembly and a second synchronous pulley mechanism for guiding the second conveyor belt 243. The second elastic support unit 241 rolls with the second conveyor belt 243 via a second roller 242. The second synchronous pulley mechanism includes a first synchronous pulley 244 and a second synchronous pulley 245 mounted in the first mounting base 21 and located at both ends of the second elastic support assembly, respectively. The second conveyor belt 243 is sleeved on the first synchronous pulley 244 and the second synchronous pulley 245 and rolls with the second roller 242. Preferably, the first mounting base 21 is also provided with a second tensioning pulley mechanism 246 for tensioning the second conveyor belt 243. In this way, the second conveyor belt 243 can be brought into contact with the conveyed item 1. When a relative displacement occurs between the second conveyor belt 243 and the conveyed item 1, the second conveyor belt 243 applies a sliding friction force to the conveyed item 1.

[0035] Specifically, in order to generate relative movement between the steering unit 24 and the conveyed item 1, the linear speed of the second conveyor belt 243 needs to be less than the linear speed of the first conveyor belt 231. Specifically, there are several ways to achieve the linear speed of the second conveyor belt 243 being less than the linear speed of the first conveyor belt 231, including: (1) A drive motor is installed on the first mounting base 21, which is connected to the first synchronous pulley 244 and is used to drive the second conveyor belt 243 to move. The drive motor is used to control the linear speed of the second conveyor belt 243 and make the linear speed of the second conveyor belt 243 less than the linear speed of the first conveyor belt 231; (2) The first synchronous pulley 244 is connected to the drive pulley 234 to drive the second conveyor belt 243 to move. By adjusting the first synchronous pulley 244 and the drive pulley 234, the linear speed of the second conveyor belt 243 can be controlled to be less than the linear speed of the first conveyor belt 231; The transmission ratio between 34 makes the linear speed of the second conveyor belt 243 less than the linear speed of the first conveyor belt 231; (3) The first synchronous wheel 244 rotates synchronously with the driving wheel 234, and the outer diameter of the first synchronous wheel 244 is less than the outer diameter of the driving wheel 234. Thus, under the same conditions as the first synchronous wheel 244 and the driving wheel 234, since the outer diameter of the first synchronous wheel 244 is less than the outer diameter of the driving wheel 234, the linear speed of the second conveyor belt 243 can be less than the linear speed of the first conveyor belt 231; (4) The first synchronous wheel 244 and the second synchronous wheel 245 are both unpowered synchronous wheels.

[0036] In this embodiment, both the first synchronous pulley 244 and the second synchronous pulley 245 are unpowered synchronous pulleys. Specifically, the first synchronous pulley 244 is coaxially arranged with the driving pulley 234, and the shafts of the first synchronous pulley 244 and the driving pulley 234 are in rotational engagement. Thus, the first drive motor 236 drives the driving pulley 234 to rotate, but does not drive the first synchronous pulley 244 to rotate. In this embodiment, the first elastic support assembly and the second elastic support assembly use elastic support assemblies with the same structure. Specifically, as shown... Figure 5 As shown, the elastic support assembly includes a first mounting plate 25 and a second mounting plate 26. The first mounting plate 25 and the second mounting plate 26 are fixedly installed inside the first mounting base 21. The second mounting plate 26 is located on the side of the first mounting plate 25 facing the central channel 10, and in this embodiment, the first mounting plate 25 and the second mounting plate 26 are parallel to each other. Specifically, to simplify the structure, in the elastic steering and conveying assembly 20 of this embodiment, the first mounting plate 25, which belongs to the elastic conveying unit 23 and the steering unit 24 respectively, is integrated, and the second mounting plate 26, which belongs to the elastic conveying unit 23 and the steering unit 24 respectively, is integrated.

[0037] In this embodiment, the first elastic support unit 232 and the second elastic support unit 241 adopt elastic support units with the same structure. For example... Figure 6As shown, the elastic support unit includes a guide rod 27. A first through hole 251 and a second through hole 261, corresponding to the guide rod 27, are provided on the first mounting plate 25 and the second mounting plate 26. The guide rod 27 passes through the first through hole 251 and the second through hole 261. A first guide sleeve 252, which slides and engages with the guide rod 27, is fitted inside the first through hole 251, and a second guide sleeve 262, which also slides and engages with the guide rod 27, is fitted inside the second through hole 261. A spring 28, located between the first mounting plate 25 and the second mounting plate 26, is fitted on the guide rod 27. The spring 28 extends or shortens synchronously with the movement of the guide rod 27. A first roller 233 or a second roller 242 is provided at the end of the corresponding guide rod 27 facing the central channel 10. Specifically, there are several ways to achieve the synchronous extension or shortening of spring 28 as guide rod 27 moves. For example, guide rod 27 can be set as a telescopic rod, with the core rod of the telescopic rod placed in the corresponding first through hole 251 and second through hole 261. The sleeve of the telescopic rod passes through the first through hole 251 and cooperates with spring 28 to achieve the technical purpose of driving spring 28 to extend and retract. In this embodiment, guide rod 27 is provided with a limiting ring 271 that moves synchronously with it. The limiting ring 271 is located between the first mounting plate 25 and the second mounting plate 26, and spring 28 is located between the limiting ring 271 and the second mounting plate 26. During the movement of guide rod 27 along the first through hole 251 and the second through hole 261, the limiting ring 271 is used to achieve the technical purpose of driving spring 28 to extend and retract.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment of this example, the spring constant of the spring belonging to the steering unit 24 is greater than or equal to the spring constant of the spring belonging to the elastic conveying unit 23, so that the elastic force applied by the steering unit 24 to the conveyed item 1 is greater than the elastic force applied by the elastic conveying unit 23 to the conveyed item 1, that is, the elastic force applied by the steering unit 24 to the conveyed item 1 can be increased, and the position and orientation of the conveyed item 1 can be better driven to adaptively adjust.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment of this example, in the free state, the distance between the flexible conveying unit 23 and the center line of the intermediate channel 10 is less than the distance between the turning unit 24 and the center line of the intermediate channel 10. Thus, in use, if both side conveying assemblies are flexible conveying assemblies, the spacing between the flexible conveying units 23 of the two side conveying assemblies can be set to adapt to the narrower side of the conveyed item 1; if one of the two side conveying assemblies is a flexible conveying assembly and the other is a conveyor belt assembly 30, the spacing between the flexible conveying units 23 and the conveyor belt assembly 32 located on both sides can be adjusted to adapt to the narrower side of the conveyed item 1. When the narrower side of the conveyed item 1 faces the conveying direction, the conveyed item 1 will not compress the turning unit 24. At this time, the side conveying components on both sides can be used to make the conveyed item 1 pass through quickly. When the wider side of the conveyed item 1 faces the conveying direction, the conveyed item 1 enters and compresses the elastic conveying unit 23, and at the same time, it will also compress the turning unit 24. Through the difference in linear velocity between the elastic conveying unit 23 and the turning unit 24, the conveyed item 1 is driven to turn, so that the conveyed item 1 passes through with the narrower side facing the conveying direction.

[0040] like Figure 1-3 As shown, in this embodiment, the conveyor belt assembly 30 includes at least one layer of conveyor belt unit 32 mounted on a corresponding mounting base (hereinafter referred to as "second mounting base 31"). The conveyor belt unit 32 includes a synchronous pulley 33 mounted in the second mounting base 31 and a synchronous belt 34 sleeved on the synchronous pulley 33. A second drive motor 35, which is pulsatorically connected to one of the synchronous pulleys 33, is mounted on the second mounting base 31. The second drive motor 35 controls the linear speed of the synchronous belt 34 to be equal to that of the first conveyor belt 231. Of course, a third tensioning mechanism (not shown in the figure) for tensioning the synchronous pulley 33 can also be provided in the second mounting base 31, which will not be described in detail here.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment of this example, in order to guide the transported item 1 into the space between the two side transport components, a guide structure 40 for guiding the item is provided between the two ends of the two side transport components. The guide structure 40 includes guide ramps respectively provided at the ends of the two side transport components, and the guide ramps make the distance between the two side transport components gradually decrease along the direction of the item entering.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment of this example, an intermediate conveying mechanism is provided within the intermediate channel 10, and the linear velocity of the intermediate conveying mechanism is equal to the linear velocity of the first conveyor belt 231. Specifically, the intermediate conveying mechanism can be implemented using various existing conveying mechanisms, such as a drive belt mechanism, a drive roller mechanism, etc. In this embodiment, the intermediate conveying mechanism adopts a drive belt mechanism, and the intermediate conveying mechanism includes a drive belt 11 and a support frame 12 for supporting the drive belt 11, with a mounting bracket 13 provided below the support frame 12.

[0043] The adaptive flexible conveying and steering mechanism of this embodiment also includes a spacing adjustment mechanism for adjusting the distance between the two side conveying components. For example... Figure 1-3 As shown, in this embodiment, the spacing adjustment mechanism includes two spacing adjustment units that respectively adjust the positions of the two side conveying components in the direction perpendicular to the central channel. Of course, in some other embodiments, the spacing adjustment mechanism may also include a single spacing adjustment unit for adjusting the position of one of the side conveying components in the direction perpendicular to the central channel. By adjusting the distance between the two side conveying components, the adaptive pose orientation adjustment requirements of conveyed items 1 of different sizes can be accommodated. In this embodiment, the spacing adjustment unit includes an adjustment rail 14 perpendicular to the central channel 10, an adjustment slider 15 slidably engaged with the adjustment rail 14, and an adjustment drive mechanism 16 for driving the adjustment slider 15 to move along the adjustment rail 14. The side conveying components are mounted on the adjustment slider 15. That is, in this embodiment, the first mounting base 21 and the second mounting base 31 are respectively mounted on the adjustment sliders 15 of the two spacing adjustment units. The adjustment drive mechanism 16 is a linear drive mechanism, which can be implemented in various ways. In this embodiment, the adjustment drive mechanism 16 adopts a screw mechanism.

[0044] The principle of this embodiment is as follows: Before the transported item 1 enters the two side conveying components, the consistency of the position and orientation of the transported item 1 cannot be guaranteed; after the transported item 1 enters the two side conveying components: if the narrower side of the transported item 1 faces the conveying direction, the transported item 1 will not compress the turning unit 24, and the side conveying components on both sides can be used to make the transported item 1 pass through quickly; if the narrower side of the transported item 1 is tilted relative to the conveying direction, the elastic conveying unit 23 applies elastic force to the two diagonal positions of the tilted transported item. The conveyor drives the transported item to be aligned, so that the transported item 1 passes through with its narrower side facing the conveying direction. If the wider side of the transported item 1 faces the conveying direction, the transported item 1 enters and compresses the elastic conveying unit 23, and at the same time, it also compresses the steering unit 24. Through the difference in linear velocity between the elastic conveying unit 23 and the steering unit 24, the steering unit 24 applies frictional force to the transported item 1. The frictional force applies a torque to the transported item 1 and drives the transported item 1 to turn so that the narrower side of the transported item 1 faces the conveying direction.

[0045] Of course, in some other embodiments, both side conveying components can be elastic conveying components, and of the two elastic conveying components, one is an elastic steering conveying component 20, and the other is an elastic support conveying component. Specifically, the elastic support conveying component includes at least one layer of elastic conveying units 23 installed in the corresponding mounting base. The specific implementation is the same as or equivalent to the principles of the aforementioned embodiments in this example, and will not be repeated here.

[0046] The above-described embodiments are merely preferred embodiments provided to fully illustrate the present invention, and the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art based on the present invention are all within the scope of protection of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the claims.

Claims

1. An adaptive flexible conveyor turning mechanism, characterized by: It includes a central channel and two side conveying assemblies located on both sides of the central channel; of the two side conveying assemblies, at least one side conveying assembly is a flexible conveying assembly, and at least one flexible conveying assembly is a flexible steering conveying assembly for making the narrower side of the conveyed item face the conveying direction; The side conveying assembly includes a mounting base, and the elastic steering conveying assembly includes at least two layers of units disposed within the corresponding mounting base. Among all the units, at least one layer of the unit is an elastic conveying unit for driving the conveyed item to move, and at least one layer of the unit is a steering unit for driving the conveyed item to turn to a set position direction.

2. The self-adapting flexible delivery steering mechanism of claim 1, wherein: The elastic conveying unit includes a first elastic support component, a first conveyor belt sleeved outside the first elastic support component, and a first synchronous wheel drive component for guiding and driving the first conveyor belt to move; the first elastic support component includes first elastic support units arranged at intervals along the length direction of the intermediate channel, and the first elastic support unit is provided with a first roller at one end facing the intermediate channel and rolls in cooperation with the first conveyor belt.

3. The self-adapting flexible delivery steering mechanism of claim 1, wherein: The steering unit includes a second elastic support assembly, which includes second elastic support units spaced apart along the length of the intermediate channel. One end of the second elastic support unit facing the intermediate channel is provided with a second roller, an elastic plate, or an elastic transverse bar.

4. The self-adapting flexible delivery steering mechanism of claim 2, wherein: The steering unit includes a second elastic support assembly, which includes second elastic support units spaced apart along the length of the intermediate channel. One end of the second elastic support unit facing the intermediate channel is provided with a second roller, an elastic plate, or an elastic transverse bar.

5. The self-adapting flexible delivery steering mechanism of claim 4, wherein: The first synchronous pulley drive assembly includes a drive pulley and a driven pulley installed in the corresponding mounting base and located at both ends of the first elastic support assembly. The first conveyor belt is sleeved on the drive pulley and the driven pulley and rolls in cooperation with the first roller. A first drive motor that is connected to the drive pulley is installed on the corresponding mounting base. A first tensioning pulley mechanism for tensioning the first conveyor belt is also provided in the corresponding mounting base.

6. The self-adapting flexible delivery steering mechanism of claim 5, wherein: The steering unit further includes a second conveyor belt sleeved outside the second elastic support assembly and a second synchronous wheel mechanism for guiding the second conveyor belt. The second elastic support assembly rolls in cooperation with the second conveyor belt through the second roller.

7. The self-adapting flexible delivery steering mechanism of claim 6, wherein: The second synchronous pulley mechanism includes a first synchronous pulley and a second synchronous pulley installed in the corresponding mounting base and located at both ends of the second elastic support component, respectively. The second conveyor belt is sleeved on the first synchronous pulley and the second synchronous pulley and rolls in cooperation with the second roller. The corresponding mounting base is also provided with a second tensioning pulley mechanism for tensioning the second conveyor belt.

8. The self-adapting flexible delivery steering mechanism of claim 7, wherein: The mounting base is equipped with a drive motor that is connected to the first synchronous pulley and is used to drive the second conveyor belt to move, so that the linear speed of the second conveyor belt is less than the linear speed of the first conveyor belt; or, the first synchronous pulley is connected to the drive pulley to drive the second conveyor belt to move, so that the linear speed of the second conveyor belt is less than the linear speed of the first conveyor belt; or, the first synchronous pulley rotates synchronously with the drive pulley, and the outer diameter of the first synchronous pulley is smaller than the outer diameter of the drive pulley, so that the linear speed of the second conveyor belt is less than the linear speed of the first conveyor belt; or, both the first synchronous pulley and the second synchronous pulley are unpowered synchronous pulleys.

9. The self-adapting flexible delivery steering mechanism of claim 4, wherein: The first elastic support assembly and the second elastic support assembly are elastic support assemblies with the same structure. The elastic support assembly includes a first mounting plate and a second mounting plate. The first mounting plate and the second mounting plate are fixedly installed in the corresponding mounting bases. The second mounting plate is located on the side of the first mounting plate facing the middle channel. The first elastic support unit and the second elastic support unit are elastic support units with the same structure. The elastic support unit includes a guide rod. The first mounting plate and the second mounting plate are provided with a first through hole and a second through hole corresponding to the guide rod. The guide rod passes through the first through hole and the second through hole and can move along the first through hole and the second through hole. A spring is sleeved on the guide rod and located between the first mounting plate and the second mounting plate. The spring extends or shortens synchronously with the movement of the guide rod.

10. The self-adapting flexible delivery steering mechanism of claim 9, wherein: The spring constant of the spring belonging to the steering unit is greater than or equal to the spring constant of the spring belonging to the elastic conveying unit.

11. The self-adapting flexible delivery steering mechanism of any of claims 1-10, wherein: In its free state, the distance between the elastic conveying unit and the center line of the intermediate channel is less than the distance between the steering unit and the center line of the intermediate channel.

12. The self-adapting flexible delivery steering mechanism of claim 1, wherein: The steering unit uses friction to drive the transported item to a set orientation, and the linear velocity of the elastic conveying unit is greater than the linear velocity of the steering unit.

13. The self-adapting flexible delivery steering mechanism of claim 1, wherein: Of the two side conveying assemblies, one side conveying assembly is a flexible conveying assembly, and the other side conveying assembly is a conveyor belt assembly; the conveyor belt assembly includes at least one layer of conveyor belt unit installed in the corresponding mounting base, the conveyor belt unit includes a synchronous pulley installed in the corresponding mounting base and a synchronous belt sleeved on the synchronous pulley, and a second drive motor that is drively connected to one of the synchronous pulleys is installed on the corresponding mounting base.

14. The self-adapting flexible delivery steering mechanism of claim 1, wherein: Both of the side conveying assemblies are elastic conveying assemblies, and of the two elastic conveying assemblies, one of the elastic conveying assemblies is an elastic steering conveying assembly, and the other of the elastic steering conveying assembly is an elastic support conveying assembly; the elastic support conveying assembly includes at least one layer of elastic conveying units installed in the corresponding mounting base.

15. The self-adapting flexible delivery steering mechanism of claim 1, wherein: Each of the two side conveying assemblies has a guide structure between its two ends for guiding the conveyed item into the conveyed area; the guide structure includes guide ramps respectively disposed at the ends of the two side conveying assemblies, the guide ramps causing the distance between the two side conveying assemblies to gradually decrease along the direction of conveying into the conveyed area.

16. The self-adapting flexible delivery steering mechanism of claim 2, wherein: An intermediate conveying mechanism is provided in the intermediate channel, and the linear speed of the intermediate conveying mechanism is equal to the linear speed of the first conveyor belt.

17. The self-adapting flexible delivery steering mechanism of claim 1, wherein: It also includes a spacing adjustment mechanism for adjusting the distance between the two side conveying assemblies; the spacing adjustment mechanism includes a spacing adjustment unit for adjusting the position of one of the side conveying assemblies in the direction perpendicular to the intermediate channel, or the spacing adjustment mechanism includes spacing adjustment units for adjusting the positions of the two side conveying assemblies in the direction perpendicular to the intermediate channel.

18. The self-adapting flexible delivery steering mechanism of claim 17, wherein: The spacing adjustment unit includes an adjustment track perpendicular to the middle channel, an adjustment slider that slides with the adjustment track, and an adjustment drive mechanism for driving the adjustment slider to move along the adjustment track. The side conveying assembly is mounted on the adjustment slider.

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