A sterilization line

Abstract

A kind of sterilization production line, including sterilization cabinet, first transfer mechanism and be located in the transfer platform of sterilization cabinet feed end, one side of transfer platform is equipped with loading platform, loading platform is equipped with loading assembly for transferring material to trolley, first conveying track is equipped on sterilization cabinet, transfer platform and loading platform, first transfer mechanism is used to transfer trolley in sterilization cabinet, transfer platform and loading platform, including temporary storage platform, it is located in one side of transfer platform, second conveying track is equipped on temporary storage platform and transfer platform;Second transfer mechanism is used to transfer trolley between transfer platform and temporary storage platform;Lifting mechanism is located in transfer platform and is used to switch trolley between first conveying track and second conveying track, completely solve the production interruption problem caused by traditional single trolley mode, realize the continuous flow of material, greatly improve the overall efficiency and batch processing capacity of production line.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of food and pharmaceutical packaging machinery and equipment, and in particular to a sterilization production line. Background Technology

[0002] In sterilization systems for food and pharmaceutical packaging machinery, the sterilization cabinet is one of the core pieces of equipment, and the efficiency of its loading and unloading methods directly affects the capacity and continuity of the entire production line. Traditional transfer methods often employ a single-cart structure, such as the sterilization system disclosed in CN113428436A. This system uses a robotic arm, a feeding platform, and a loading cart to transport and sterilize containers. Although this solution has a relatively compact structure, it can only use one loading cart for operation. When this cart enters the sterilization cabinet for sterilization, both the upstream loading and downstream unloading processes must be stopped, preventing continuous production and limiting the batch processing capacity and production efficiency of the entire line.

[0003] To address the efficiency bottleneck caused by single-cart systems, existing technologies have adopted multi-cart cyclic operation solutions, such as the automated sterilization logistics transfer system for four-way shuttles provided in CN118637289A. This system, through the design of four-way shuttles, multiple docking and conveying units, and temporary storage areas, enables the sterilization carts to move between multiple workstations, improving the system's continuous operation capability to some extent. However, this type of solution relies on a ring or mesh-like circulating track system, significantly increasing the floor space required. It also necessitates multiple four-way shuttles and complex detection and control components, resulting in a complex and costly system structure, and placing high demands on factory space layout. This limits its applicability in space-constrained applications.

[0004] In summary, existing sterilization material transfer solutions are either limited by a single-cart model, resulting in low production efficiency, or suffer from large footprint, high system complexity, and increased costs due to the use of complex circular tracks and multi-cart systems. Therefore, there is an urgent need in the field for an automated transfer solution that can achieve continuous production, improve batch processing capacity, and is also compact, space-saving, easy to implement, and easy to maintain. Utility Model Content

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology and provide a sterilization production line that can realize continuous production, improve batch processing capacity, and has a compact structure, small footprint, and is easy to implement and maintain.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve its technical problem is as follows: a sterilization production line, including a sterilization cabinet, a first transfer mechanism, and a transfer platform located at the feeding end of the sterilization cabinet. A loading platform is provided on one side of the transfer platform, and a loading component for transferring materials to a trolley is provided on the loading platform. The sterilization cabinet, the transfer platform, and the loading platform are provided with a first conveying track. The first transfer mechanism is used to transfer the trolley between the sterilization cabinet, the transfer platform, and the loading platform, and includes a temporary storage platform located on one side of the transfer platform. The temporary storage platform and the transfer platform are provided with a second conveying track. A second transfer mechanism is used to transfer the trolley between the transfer platform and the temporary storage platform. A lifting mechanism is located on the transfer platform for switching the trolley between the first conveying track and the second conveying track.

[0007] This solution achieves multi-path transport and temporary storage for the trolleys by setting up a temporary storage platform, a second conveyor track, a second transfer mechanism, and a lifting mechanism. When the trolleys in the sterilization cabinet are performing sterilization operations, subsequent fully loaded trolleys can be temporarily stored on the temporary storage platform via the second conveyor track, avoiding the interruption of upstream loading operations. This solves the problem of the production line having to stop and wait in the single-trolley mode, significantly improving production continuity and batch processing capacity.

[0008] Furthermore, a clutch assembly is provided between the second transfer mechanism and the trolley. The clutch assembly is used to disengage from the second transfer mechanism when the trolley is raised or lowered. The clutch assembly allows the trolley to automatically separate from or engage with the second transfer mechanism during the raising or lowering process. The ingenious structural design avoids interference of the raising or lowering action with the transfer mechanism, ensures the smoothness and reliability of the trolley switching tracks, and reduces the risk of equipment failure.

[0009] Furthermore, the clutch assembly includes a pin on the trolley and a pin hole on the second transfer mechanism, employing a mechanical clutch method with a pin and a pin hole, which is simple in structure, accurate in positioning, and highly reliable.

[0010] Furthermore, the sterilization cabinet, transfer platform, and loading platform are arranged in a straight line, and the first conveying track and the second conveying track are set perpendicularly, simplifying the structure of the first conveying track.

[0011] Furthermore, the second conveying track on the transfer platform is mounted on a lifting mechanism. The height of the second conveying track is controlled by the lifting mechanism to enable the trolley to switch between different track layers, which optimizes space utilization, avoids structural interference caused by multiple track intersections, and improves the flexibility and compactness of the system layout.

[0012] Furthermore, the height of the second conveying track on the temporary storage platform is greater than the height of the first conveying track.

[0013] Furthermore, the sterilization cabinet is equipped with an unloading platform at its discharge port, and the unloading platform is equipped with unloading components. The unloading platform enables automatic unloading of the trolley after sterilization and empty trolley return.

[0014] Furthermore, the inlet and outlet of the sterilization cabinet are arranged opposite to each other.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: By setting up a temporary storage platform, a second conveying track, and a second transfer mechanism, this invention adds a trolley temporary storage function. When sterilization is in progress in the sterilization cabinet, trolleys that have already been loaded can be transferred to the temporary storage platform for storage, eliminating the need for machine downtime during loading operations on the loading platform. This completely solves the production interruption problem caused by the traditional single-trolley mode, realizes continuous material flow, and greatly improves the overall efficiency and batch processing capacity of the production line. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 —A perspective view of this utility model;

[0017] Figure 2 —A perspective view of the part of this utility model without the trolley;

[0018] Figure 3 —A partial perspective view of this utility model from another angle;

[0019] Figure 4 — Figure 3 A magnified view of part A in the image;

[0020] Figure 5 —A partial view of the clutch assembly of this utility model;

[0021] In the diagram: 1-sterilization cabinet, 2-transfer platform, 21-lifting mechanism, 3-loading platform, 31-loading component, 4-temporary storage platform, 5-first transfer mechanism, 6-second transfer mechanism, 7-first conveyor track, 8-second conveyor track, 9-clutch component, 91-pin, 92-pin hole, 10-unloading platform. Detailed Implementation

[0022] Reference Figures 1-5A sterilization production line includes a sterilization cabinet 1, a first transfer mechanism 5, and a transfer platform 2 located at the feeding end of the sterilization cabinet 1. A loading platform 3 is provided on one side of the transfer platform 2, and a loading component 31 for transferring materials to a trolley is provided on the loading platform 3. A first conveying track 7 is provided on the sterilization cabinet 1, the transfer platform 2, and the loading platform 3. The first transfer mechanism 5 is used to transfer the trolley between the sterilization cabinet 1, the transfer platform 2, and the loading platform 3, and includes a temporary storage platform 4 located on one side of the transfer platform 2. A second conveying track 8 is provided on the temporary storage platform 4 and the transfer platform 2. A second transfer mechanism 6 is used to transfer the trolley between the transfer platform 2 and the temporary storage platform 4. A lifting mechanism 21 is provided on the transfer platform 2 for switching the trolley between the first conveying track 7 and the second conveying track 8.

[0023] A clutch assembly 9 is provided between the second transfer mechanism 6 and the trolley. The clutch assembly 9 is used to engage and disengage with the second transfer mechanism 6 when the trolley is raised or lowered. The clutch assembly 9 includes a pin 91 on the trolley and a pin hole 92 on the second transfer mechanism 6. In other embodiments, the positions of the pin 91 and the pin hole 92 can also be interchanged.

[0024] The sterilization cabinet 1, transfer platform 2 and loading platform 3 are arranged in a straight line. The first conveying track 7 and the second conveying track 8 are set perpendicularly. The first conveying track 7 is a linear guide rail, and the second conveying track 8 is a roller arranged in a straight line. The rollers on the trolley cooperate with the first conveying track 7. The trolley is provided with a linear guide rail that cooperates with the second conveying track 8. There are two of each of the first and second conveying guide rails 7 and they are arranged in parallel.

[0025] The second conveying track 8 on the transfer platform 2 is mounted on the lifting mechanism 21. The height of the second conveying track 8 on the temporary storage platform 4 is greater than the height of the first conveying track 7. When the trolley is on the first conveying track 7, the lifting mechanism 21 rises, the second conveying track 8 engages with the trolley, and the trolley disengages from the first conveying track 7. The second transfer mechanism 6 then moves the trolley onto the second conveying track 8. Figure 1 As shown, the lifting mechanism 21 is located between the two first conveying guide rails 7.

[0026] The sterilizer 1 has an unloading platform 10 at its discharge port, and an unloading assembly is provided on the unloading platform 10. The inlet and outlet of the sterilizer 1 are arranged opposite to each other.

[0027] The working principle and usage of this utility model are as follows: Two empty trolleys are initially positioned on the loading platform 3 and the temporary storage platform 4. The loading assembly 31 automatically loads the materials to be sterilized onto the trolleys on the transfer platform 3. After loading is completed, the first transfer mechanism 5 activates, transporting the fully loaded trolleys along the first conveying track 7 via the transfer platform 2 to the inlet of the sterilization cabinet 1, ready for sterilization. When the sterilization cabinet 1 is ready, the first transfer mechanism 5 directly sends the fully loaded trolleys into the sterilization cabinet 1 for sterilization.

[0028] When the sterilizer 1 is working, the empty trolley of the temporary storage platform 4 is transported to the temporary storage platform 4 through the second transfer mechanism 6. The lifting mechanism 21 descends and the trolley falls on the first conveying track 7. The first transfer mechanism 5 transfers the trolley to the loading platform 3. The loading component 31 loads the trolley. After loading is completed, the trolley returns to the temporary storage platform 4.

[0029] After the sterilizer 1 finishes its work, the trolley is moved to the unloading platform 10. After unloading, the first transfer mechanism 5 transfers the trolley to the loading platform 3 for loading. At the same time, the fully loaded trolley on the temporary storage platform 4 enters the sterilizer 1 through the transfer platform 2 for sterilization. The fully loaded trolley after loading is transferred to the temporary storage platform 4 to wait.

[0030] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A sterilization production line, comprising a sterilization cabinet (1), a first transfer mechanism (5), and a transfer platform (2) disposed at the feeding end of the sterilization cabinet (1), wherein a loading platform (3) is provided on one side of the transfer platform (2), and a loading assembly (31) for transferring materials to a trolley is provided on the loading platform (3), a first conveying track (7) is provided on the sterilization cabinet (1), the transfer platform (2), and the loading platform (3), and the first transfer mechanism (5) is used to transfer the trolley between the sterilization cabinet (1), the transfer platform (2), and the loading platform (3), characterized in that: include A temporary storage platform (4) is located on one side of the transfer platform (2), and a second conveying track (8) is provided on the temporary storage platform (4) and the transfer platform (2); The second transfer mechanism (6) is used to transfer the trolley between the transfer platform (2) and the temporary storage platform (4); The lifting mechanism (21) is located on the transfer platform (2) and is used to switch the trolley between the first transport track (7) and the second transport track (8).

2. The sterilization production line according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second transfer mechanism (6) is provided with a clutch assembly (9) between it and the trolley. The clutch assembly (9) is used to engage and disengage with the second transfer mechanism (6) when the trolley is raised or lowered.

3. A sterilization production line according to claim 2, characterized in that: The clutch assembly (9) includes a pin (91) on the trolley and a pin hole (92) on the second transfer mechanism (6).

4. A sterilization production line according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sterilization cabinet (1), transfer platform (2) and loading platform (3) are arranged in a straight line, and the first conveying track (7) and the second conveying track (8) are set perpendicularly.

5. A sterilization production line according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second conveying track (8) on the transfer platform (2) is located on the lifting mechanism (21).

6. A sterilization production line according to claim 5, characterized in that: The height of the second conveying track (8) on the temporary storage platform (4) is greater than the height of the first conveying track (7).

7. A sterilization production line according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The sterilizer (1) has an unloading platform (10) at its discharge port, and the unloading platform (10) is equipped with unloading components.

8. A sterilization production line according to claim 7, characterized in that: The inlet and outlet of the sterilizer (1) are arranged opposite to each other.

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