An automatic switching device for tooling pallet storage stacks

Abstract

This utility model relates to an automatic switching device for pallet storage and stacking, comprising a frame; a servo gantry mechanism mounted on the frame for pallet transfer; and a pallet storage mechanism located below the servo gantry mechanism. The pallet storage mechanism includes a storage rack and a clamping and lifting assembly located on one side of the storage rack. The storage rack includes a pallet plate and multiple positioning guide rods connected to the pallet plate. The pallet plate has multiple parking positions, and the multiple positioning guide rods are distributed around the parking positions and extend along a first direction. The clamping and lifting assembly includes multiple grippers at the same height and a lifting driver for driving the grippers to rise and fall. The grippers are located on both sides of the parking positions. This utility model significantly improves the pallet storage capacity and changeover efficiency, and can also store pallets of various thicknesses, meeting the flexible production needs of production lines.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of pallet stacking technology, and in particular to an automatic switching device for tooling pallet storage stacks. Background Technology

[0002] In automated manufacturing lines, tooling pallets are essential carriers for supporting and positioning different products. When the production line needs to switch to produce different product models, the traditional method relies on manual replacement of the corresponding type of pallet. This method has significant drawbacks, such as the time-consuming manual handling, which seriously affects changeover efficiency; frequent manual operations are prone to errors such as incorrect pallet placement, collision damage, or positioning deviations.

[0003] To improve traditional switching methods, automated storage devices that can automatically store and retrieve pallets have gradually emerged. Currently, automated storage devices use a shelf-type grid frame to store pallets. The grid frame has multiple storage slots for storing pallets. However, for pallets of different thicknesses, the storage slots can only store a limited number of pallet types, which cannot meet the flexible production needs of the production line. Moreover, the current automated storage devices have a slow pallet changeover speed and a long changeover time. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to overcome the limitations of the number and types of pallets that can be stored by traditional automatic storage devices in the prior art, as well as the low efficiency of pallet changeover. In this way, an automatic switching device for tooling pallet storage stack is provided, which significantly improves the number of pallets stored and the efficiency of changeover. It can also store pallets of various thicknesses in combination, thus meeting the flexible production needs of the production line.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this utility model provides an automatic switching device for tooling pallet storage stacks, comprising, frame; A servo gantry mechanism is mounted on the frame and is used to transfer pallets. A pallet storage mechanism is disposed below the servo gantry mechanism. The pallet storage mechanism includes a storage rack and a clamping and lifting assembly disposed on one side of the storage rack. The storage rack includes a tray and a plurality of positioning guide rods connected to the tray. The tray has a plurality of parking spaces. The plurality of positioning guide rods are distributed around the parking spaces and all extend along a first direction. The clamping and lifting assembly includes a plurality of grippers located at the same height and a lifting driver for driving the plurality of grippers to rise and fall. The plurality of grippers are respectively located on both sides of the parking space.

[0006] In one embodiment of the present invention, a clamping mechanism is further included, which is connected to the servo gantry mechanism and the servo gantry mechanism drives the clamping mechanism to move.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, the clamping mechanism clamps the two ends of the tray along a second direction, and the plurality of jaws clamp the two ends of the tray along a third direction, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the third direction.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of the tray storage mechanisms distributed along the third direction are further included, the tray storage mechanisms including a plurality of storage racks and a plurality of clamping and lifting assemblies distributed along the second direction.

[0009] In one embodiment of this utility model, the plurality of grippers and the plurality of parking spaces are distributed along the third direction.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the pallet is composed of a plurality of pallet segments distributed along the third direction, and the pallet segments are provided with the parking space and a plurality of positioning guide rods.

[0011] In one embodiment of this utility model, the frame is configured as a hollow frame, and the tray storage mechanism is located inside the hollow frame.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the clamping and lifting assembly further includes a connecting plate and a plurality of clamping drivers connected to the connecting plate. The connecting plate is movably connected to the frame along the first direction, and the plurality of grippers are movably connected to the connecting plate. The clamping drivers drive the plurality of grippers located on both sides of the parking space to move closer to or further away from each other.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the storage rack further includes a reinforcing plate having multiple access ports, the reinforcing plate being connected to the top of the multiple positioning guide rods, and the access ports being located directly above the parking space.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, a temporary storage platform is also provided on one side of the tray storage mechanism.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, the tray storage mechanism further includes a mounting plate connected to the frame, the lifting drive is connected to the mounting plate, and the connecting plate is movably connected to the mounting plate.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, the clamping and lifting assembly further includes a first arm and a second arm distributed on both sides of the parking space. The first arm and the second arm are movably connected to the connecting plate. Both the first arm and the second arm are connected to the grippers. A plurality of clamping drivers drive the first arm and the second arm to move closer to or further away from each other.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, the gripper is provided with a notch for accommodating the edge of the tray.

[0018] In one embodiment of this utility model, the servo gantry mechanism includes a first linear module, a second linear module, and a third linear module. The clamping mechanism is connected to the output end of the third linear module. The first linear module drives the second linear module and the third linear module to move along the third direction, the second linear module drives the third linear module to move along the second direction, and the third linear module drives the clamping mechanism to move along the third direction.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the above-mentioned technical solution of this utility model has the following beneficial effects: The tooling pallet storage and stacking automatic switching device of this utility model utilizes a pallet storage mechanism to store pallets and a servo gantry mechanism to transport pallets along the X, Y, and Z axes. Different types of pallets located at different workstations can be loaded and unloaded simultaneously, greatly improving pallet changeover efficiency. Pallets are stacked on a pallet plate, and positioning guide rods are used to position the pallets, allowing each workstation to stack pallets of various thicknesses, meeting the flexible production needs of the production line. Grippers on both sides of the workstation clamp the pallets, and a lifting driver raises or lowers the pallets, enabling rapid stacking, storage, or retrieval. Multiple workstations are set on the pallet plate, significantly increasing the storage capacity of the pallet storage mechanism. Multiple grippers at the same height allow the clamping and lifting assembly to flexibly store and retrieve pallets from multiple workstations, accelerating pallet changeover efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To make the content of this utility model easier to understand, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings. Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the automatic switching device for tooling pallet storage stacks in a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 for Figure 1 The diagram shows the structure of the tray storage mechanism. Figure 3 for Figure 1 The diagram shows the structure of the servo gantry mechanism and the frame. Figure 4 for Figure 2 A top view of the tray storage mechanism shown.

[0021] Explanation of reference numerals in the accompanying drawings: 1. Frame; 2. Servo gantry mechanism; 21. First linear module; 22. Second linear module; 23. Third linear module; 3. First pallet storage mechanism; 3a. First storage unit; 311. First pallet assembly; 312. Second pallet assembly; 313. Third pallet assembly; 314. Fourth pallet assembly; 321. Positioning guide rod; 322. Lifting driver; 323. Gripper; 324. Gripper; 325. Second arm; 326. First arm; 3 27. Connecting plate; 3281. First clamping driver; 3282. Second clamping driver; 3283. Third clamping driver; 3284. Fourth clamping driver; 33. Mounting plate; 34. Reinforcing plate; 341. Access port; 351. First parking space; 352. Second parking space; 353. Third parking space; 354. Fourth parking space; 3b. Second storage unit; 4. Second tray storage mechanism; 5. Temporary storage platform; 6. Clamping mechanism; X, Second direction; Y, Third direction; Z, First direction. Detailed Implementation

[0022] 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.

[0023] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in one embodiment of this utility model, an automatic switching device for tooling pallet storage stacks is disclosed, comprising: Rack 1; Servo gantry mechanism 2 is mounted on the frame 1 and is used to transfer pallets; The pallet storage mechanisms 3 and 4 are located below the servo gantry mechanism 2. The pallet storage mechanism includes a storage rack and a clamping and lifting assembly located on one side of the storage rack. The storage rack includes a tray and multiple positioning guide rods 321 connected to the tray. The tray has multiple parking spaces. The multiple positioning guide rods 321 are distributed around the parking spaces and extend along a first direction (Z-axis direction). The clamping and lifting assembly includes multiple grippers 324 and 323 located at the same height and a lifting driver 322 that drives the multiple grippers 324 and 323 to rise and fall. The multiple grippers 324 and 323 are located on both sides of the parking space.

[0024] The automatic switching device for tooling pallet storage and stacking described in this embodiment uses a pallet plate to support the pallet and a positioning guide rod 321 to position the pallet, so that the storage rack is not limited by the pallet thickness and can mix and stack pallets of various thicknesses. The pallet plate also has multiple positions to achieve high-capacity storage of the storage rack, effectively meeting the flexible production needs of the production line. After the grippers 324 and 323 on both sides of the position horizontally clamp the two ends of the pallet, the lifting driver 322 lifts and lowers to realize the rapid stacking or single-layer extraction of the pallet, improving the pallet storage and retrieval efficiency. The servo gantry mechanism 2 works in conjunction with the clamping and lifting components to realize the rapid and free change of pallets in different positions, reducing the pallet changeover time.

[0025] In one embodiment of this utility model, the lifting driver 322 is preferably an electric cylinder, which has high driving precision and ensures accurate pallet lifting and positioning; Reference Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, in one embodiment of this utility model, a clamping mechanism 6 connected to the servo gantry mechanism 2 is also included. The clamping mechanism 6 is used to clamp the tray. The clamping mechanism 6 is connected to the output end of the servo gantry mechanism 2. The servo gantry mechanism 2 drives the clamping mechanism 6 to move along the X, Y, and Z axes. The clamping mechanism 6 can cover any position of the storage rack, realizing access to all parking spaces without dead angles.

[0026] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, in one embodiment of this utility model, the clamping mechanism 6 includes a plurality of clamping members arranged opposite each other and a cylinder that drives the plurality of clamping members to move closer to each other to clamp the tray. The clamping members arranged opposite each other clamp the two ends of the tray along the second direction (X-axis direction), leaving clamping space at the two ends of the tray along the third direction (Y-axis direction), so that the plurality of grippers 324, 323 can clamp the two ends of the tray along the third direction. The second direction is perpendicular to the third direction, and the clamping members and grippers 324, 323 have orthogonal movement spaces, which can avoid interference.

[0027] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in one embodiment of this utility model, it further includes a plurality of tray storage mechanisms distributed along the third direction. The capacity is increased by increasing the number of tray storage mechanisms. Specifically, the plurality of tray storage mechanisms also include a first tray storage mechanism 3 and a second tray storage mechanism 4. Each tray storage mechanism includes two storage units distributed along the second direction. Each storage unit includes a storage rack and a clamping lifting assembly. Further, the two storage units are respectively labeled as the first storage unit 3a and the second storage unit 3b.

[0028] Reference Figure 2As shown, in one embodiment of this utility model, the pallet has four parking spaces, and two grippers 324 and 323 are respectively provided on the two sides opposite to each parking space. The four parking spaces and multiple grippers 324 and 323 are distributed along the third direction to ensure that the grippers 324 and 323 accurately clamp the middle of different pallets.

[0029] Reference Figure 2 As shown, in one embodiment of this utility model, the pallet is composed of four pallet segments distributed along the third direction and located on the same plane. Adjacent pallet segments are spaced apart. The pallet segments are designed to avoid affecting the overall flatness due to local deformation. Each pallet segment is provided with a parking space and multiple positioning guide rods 321. The four pallet segments are respectively labeled as the first pallet segment 311, the second pallet segment 312, the third pallet segment 313, and the fourth pallet segment 314.

[0030] Reference Figure 2 As shown, in one embodiment of this utility model, the multiple parking spaces include a first parking space 351, a second parking space 352, a third parking space 353, and a fourth parking space 354. Correspondingly, the first parking space 351 corresponds to the first pallet segment 311, the second parking space 352 corresponds to the second pallet segment 312, the third parking space 353 corresponds to the third pallet segment 313, and the fourth parking space 354 corresponds to the fourth pallet segment 314.

[0031] Reference Figure 2 As shown, in one embodiment of this utility model, each pallet segment is provided with six positioning guide rods 321, wherein each pallet segment is provided with two positioning guide rods on each side along the third direction, and one positioning guide rod on each side along the second direction.

[0032] Reference Figure 3 As shown, in one embodiment of this utility model, the frame 1 is configured as a hollow frame, and the tray storage mechanism is located inside the hollow frame. The overall structural space occupies a small proportion and no additional production line space layout is required.

[0033] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 4As shown, in one embodiment of this utility model, the clamping and lifting assembly further includes a connecting plate 327 and four clamping drivers connected to the connecting plate 327. The connecting plate 327 is movably connected to the frame 1 along the first direction via a slide rail and a slider. A plurality of grippers 324 and 323 are movably connected to the connecting plate 327. The four clamping drivers are respectively used to drive the grippers 324 and 323 on both sides of the four parking spaces to move closer or further apart. The lifting driver 322 drives the connecting plate 327 to lift and lower, so as to realize the synchronous lifting and independent clamping of the plurality of grippers 324 and 323. When the plurality of grippers 324 and 323 move closer together, they clamp the two ends of the tray; otherwise, they release the tray. Further, the four clamping drivers are respectively labeled as the first clamping driver 3281, the second clamping driver 3282, the third clamping driver 3283, and the fourth clamping driver 3284.

[0034] Reference Figure 2 As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, the storage rack further includes a reinforcing plate 34 with eight access ports 341. The reinforcing plate 34 is connected to the top ends of the multiple positioning guide rods 321 of the first storage unit 3a and the second storage unit 3b. The reinforcing plate 34 is used to fix the multiple positioning guide rods 321 and improve the stability of the storage rack. The access ports 341 are located directly above the parking space. The access ports 341 are larger than the tray so that the tray can pass through the access ports 341 to enter or leave the corresponding parking space.

[0035] Reference Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, a temporary storage platform 5 is also provided on one side of the pallet storage mechanism. The temporary storage platform 5 is used to temporarily store the pallets to be stored and the pallets to be changed. The servo gantry mechanism 2 can complete the pallet recycling and changing in a single round trip, ensuring that the device changes the pallet without stopping and eliminating the idle waiting time of the servo gantry mechanism 2. The temporary storage platform 5 is provided with a positioning fixture for positioning the pallets.

[0036] Reference Figure 2 As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, the tray storage mechanism further includes a mounting plate 33 connected to the frame 1, a lifting drive 322 connected to the mounting plate 33, and a connecting plate 327 movably connected to the mounting plate 33 along the first direction via a slide rail and a slider.

[0037] Reference Figure 2As shown, in one embodiment of this utility model, the clamping and lifting assembly further includes four first arms 326 and four second arms 325. One first arm 326 and one second arm 325 are distributed on both sides of one of the parking spaces. The first arm 326 and the second arm 325 are movably connected to the connecting plate 327 via slide rails and sliders. The first arm 326 and the second arm 325 are respectively connected to the grippers 323 and 324. Each clamping driver drives the first arm 326 and the second arm 325 on both sides of the parking space to move closer or further apart in the horizontal direction, thereby clamping or releasing the pallet. Further, the clamping driver is preferably a gripper cylinder, and the first arm 326 and the second arm 325 are respectively connected to the two output ends of the gripper cylinder.

[0038] In one embodiment of the present invention, the grippers 324 and 323 are provided with notches for accommodating the edge of the tray. When the grippers 324 and 323 approach the tray, the edge of the tray is horizontally inserted into the notch so that the tray is clamped. The notch can accommodate trays of various thicknesses. The clamping and lifting assembly can store various trays in the storage rack.

[0039] Reference Figure 3 As shown, in one embodiment of this utility model, the servo gantry mechanism 2 includes a first linear module 21, a second linear module 22, and a third linear module 23. The clamping mechanism 6 is connected to the output end of the third linear module 23. The first linear module drives the second linear module and the third linear module to move along the third direction, the second linear module drives the third linear module to move along the second direction, and the third linear module drives the clamping mechanism 6 to move along the third direction.

[0040] The working principle of the tooling pallet storage stack automatic switching device of this utility model is as follows: The clamping driver drives the grippers 324 and 323 to clamp the pallet to be replaced. The lifting driver raises the pallet to be replaced to a predetermined height. Then, the clamping mechanism 6 picks up the pallet to be replaced from the parking space. The servo gantry mechanism 2 transfers the pallet to be replaced to the temporary storage platform 5. At the same time, the clamping mechanism 6 picks up the pallet to be stored on the temporary storage platform 5. The servo gantry mechanism 2 transfers the pallet to be stored to the predetermined height of the corresponding parking space. At the predetermined height, the grippers 324 and 323 clamp the pallet to be stored from both sides. After the storage pallet is released by mechanism 6, the servo gantry mechanism 2 moves the clamping mechanism 6 to the corresponding position to clamp the pallet to be changed and transfers it to the temporary storage table 5 for temporary storage. At the same time, the clamping lifting assembly lowers the storage pallet to place it on the pallet or stack it on the top pallet. After the pallet is placed stably, the clamping driver drives the first arm 326 and the second arm 325 to move away from each other and avoid the pallet. Finally, the clamping lifting assembly raises the grippers 324 and 323 back to the preset height to wait for the storage pallet to be clamped.

[0041] Obviously, the above embodiments are merely illustrative examples for clear explanation and are not intended to limit the implementation. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other variations or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively list all possible implementations here. However, obvious variations or modifications derived therefrom are still within the protection scope of this invention.

Claims

1. An automatic switching device for tooling pallet storage stacks, characterized in that, include, frame; A servo gantry mechanism is mounted on the frame and is used to transfer pallets; A pallet storage mechanism is disposed below the servo gantry mechanism. The pallet storage mechanism includes a storage rack and a clamping and lifting assembly disposed on one side of the storage rack. The storage rack includes a tray and a plurality of positioning guide rods connected to the tray. The tray has a plurality of parking spaces. The plurality of positioning guide rods are distributed around the parking spaces and all extend along a first direction. The clamping and lifting assembly includes a plurality of grippers located at the same height and a lifting driver for driving the plurality of grippers to rise and fall. The plurality of grippers are respectively located on both sides of the parking space.

2. The tooling pallet storage stack automatic switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a clamping mechanism connected to the servo gantry mechanism, the servo gantry mechanism driving the clamping mechanism to move.

3. The tooling pallet storage stack automatic switching device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The clamping mechanism clamps the two ends of the tray along the second direction, and the plurality of jaws clamp the two ends of the tray along the third direction, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the third direction.

4. The tooling pallet storage stack automatic switching device according to claim 3, characterized in that, It also includes a plurality of said pallet storage mechanisms distributed along the third direction, said pallet storage mechanisms including a plurality of storage racks and a plurality of said clamping lifting assemblies distributed along the second direction.

5. The tooling pallet storage stack automatic switching device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The multiple grippers and the multiple parking spaces are distributed along the third direction.

6. The tooling pallet storage stack automatic switching device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The pallet is composed of multiple pallet segments distributed along the third direction, and each pallet segment is provided with the parking space and multiple positioning guide rods.

7. The tooling pallet storage stack automatic switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rack is configured as a hollow frame, and the tray storage mechanism is located inside the hollow frame.

8. The tooling pallet storage stack automatic switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The clamping and lifting assembly further includes a connecting plate and a plurality of clamping drivers connected to the connecting plate. The connecting plate is movably connected to the frame along the first direction, and the plurality of grippers are movably connected to the connecting plate. The clamping drivers drive the plurality of grippers located on both sides of the parking space to move closer to or further away from each other.

9. The tooling pallet storage stack automatic switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The storage rack also includes a reinforcing plate with multiple access ports, the reinforcing plate being connected to the top of the multiple positioning guide rods, and the access ports being located directly above the parking space.

10. The tooling pallet storage stack automatic switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a temporary storage platform located on one side of the tray storage mechanism.

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