CN220519412U - Cache device - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model provides a buffer device, which is provided with a buffer station, wherein the buffer station is positioned between two operation stations, the two operation stations comprise a first operation station and a second operation station, and the buffer device comprises: the first conveying device is arranged between the first operation station and the buffer station and is used for circularly conveying a first carrier between the first operation station and the buffer station, and the first carrier is used for carrying the workpiece; the second conveying device is arranged between the second operation station and the buffer station and is used for circularly conveying the first carrier between the second operation station and the buffer station; the cache bin is provided with a plurality of storage bits and is used for storing workpieces; and the buffer storage conveying device is arranged at the buffer storage station and is used for conveying the workpiece on the first carrier conveyed by the first conveying device to the storage position or conveying the workpiece on the storage position to the first carrier conveyed by the second conveying device.

Description

Cache device

Technical Field

The utility model relates to the technical field of production and processing, in particular to a cache device.

Background

In the production process of an automated production line, it is necessary to transport workpieces from an upstream station to a downstream station by means of a carrier. In the prior art, when the upstream or downstream equipment is abnormal, the equipment of the whole production line needs to be stopped, a carrier streamline for conveying workpieces is forced to stop, and the utilization rate of the whole production line equipment and the comprehensive efficiency of the equipment are seriously influenced by the stop time.

Disclosure of Invention

The utility model provides a new technical scheme of a buffer device, which at least can solve the problem of low utilization rate of the whole line device caused by shutdown of upstream or downstream devices of a production line in the prior art.

The utility model provides a buffer device, which is provided with a buffer station, wherein the buffer station is positioned between two operation stations, the two operation stations comprise a first operation station and a second operation station, and the buffer device comprises: the first conveying device is arranged between the first working station and the buffer storage station and is used for circularly conveying a first carrier between the first working station and the buffer storage station, and the first carrier is used for carrying workpieces; the second conveying device is arranged between the second working station and the buffer storage station and is used for circularly conveying the first carrier between the second working station and the buffer storage station; the cache bin is provided with a plurality of storage bits and is used for storing the workpieces; the buffer storage conveying device is arranged at the buffer storage station and is used for conveying the workpiece on the first carrier conveyed by the first conveying device to a storage position of the buffer storage bin or conveying the workpiece on the storage position to the first carrier conveyed by the second conveying device.

Optionally, the first conveying device and the second conveying device each include: the two conveying lines comprise a first conveying line and a second conveying line, the first conveying line and the second conveying line are spaced apart in the vertical direction, the first conveying line is used for conveying the first carrier to the buffer station, and the second conveying line is used for conveying the first carrier to the operation station; the lifting module is arranged at one end of the conveying line, which is close to the buffer station, and is movable between a first state and a second state, when the lifting module is in the first state, the lifting module corresponds to the first conveying line and receives the first carrier from the first conveying line, and when the lifting module is in the second state, the lifting module corresponds to the second conveying line and outputs the first carrier to the second conveying line.

Optionally, the lifting module includes: a mounting base; the lifting platform is movably arranged on the mounting seat in the vertical direction; the driving piece is connected with the lifting platform to drive the lifting platform to move in the vertical direction; and the bidirectional conveyor belt is arranged on the lifting platform, is aligned with the first conveying line when the lifting module is in the first state, receives the first carrier from the first conveying line, is aligned with the second conveying line when the lifting module is in the second state, and conveys the first carrier to the second conveying line.

Optionally, a second carrier is carried on the first carrier, the second carrier is used for carrying the workpiece, and the storage bin in the buffer material is used for storing the second carrier.

Optionally, each storage bit is provided with a first sensor for sensing the second carrier on the storage bit.

Optionally, the first conveying device and the second conveying device are located on the same side of the buffer bin, and the buffer conveying device includes: snatch module, sideslip module and transport module, snatch the module and locate the buffering station, and be located the buffering feed bin is close to one side of first conveyor, snatch the module be used for snatching the second carrier, and the lifting module with carry between the sideslip module the second carrier, a part of sideslip module is located the buffering feed bin is close to one side of first conveyor, another part of sideslip module is located the buffering feed bin is kept away from one side of first conveyor, at least a part of sideslip module is along the horizontal direction movable, in order to with the second carrier is followed the buffering feed bin is close to one side of first conveyor is carried to the buffering feed bin is kept away from one side of first conveyor, the transport module is located the buffering feed bin is kept away from one side of first conveyor, the transport module is used for carrying between the buffering feed bin the second carrier.

Optionally, the number of the traversing modules and/or the carrying modules is two, and the two traversing modules and/or the two carrying modules are mutually independent.

Optionally, the grabbing module includes: the support is arranged at the buffer station; the clamping mechanism is movably arranged on the bracket between a clamping state and a loosening state so as to clamp or loosen the second carrier; the first driving mechanism is arranged on the support and is connected with the second driving mechanism to drive the second driving mechanism to move along the Y-axis direction, the second driving mechanism is connected with the third driving mechanism to drive the third driving mechanism to move along the X-axis direction, the third driving mechanism is connected with the clamping mechanism to drive the clamping mechanism to move along the Z-axis direction, the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction are horizontal directions which are mutually perpendicular, and the Z-axis direction is vertical.

Optionally, the traversing module includes: the guide rail extends along the horizontal direction, the one end of guide rail is located the cache feed bin is close to one side of first conveyor, the other end of guide rail is located the cache feed bin is kept away from one side of first conveyor, the sideslip platform is followed the extending direction of guide rail movably locates the guide rail, in order to with the second carrier follow the cache feed bin is close to one side of first conveyor carries to the cache feed bin is kept away from one side of first conveyor.

Optionally, the traversing module further includes: the transfer platform is arranged on one side of the guide rail and used for bearing the second carrier; the second inductor is arranged on the middle rotary table and is used for inducing the second carrier on the middle rotary table.

Optionally, the handling module includes: the supporting plate is used for supporting the second carrier; the device comprises a fourth driving mechanism, a fifth driving mechanism and a sixth driving mechanism, wherein the fourth driving mechanism is connected with the fifth driving mechanism to drive the fifth driving mechanism to move along the X-axis direction, the fifth driving mechanism is connected with the sixth driving mechanism to drive the sixth driving mechanism to move along the Z-axis direction, the sixth driving mechanism is connected with the supporting plate to drive the supporting plate to move along the Y-axis direction, the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction are horizontal directions which are mutually perpendicular, and the Z-axis direction is vertical.

Optionally, the caching device further includes: the detection module is arranged above the transverse moving module and used for detecting and identifying the second carrier on the transverse moving module.

According to the buffer equipment, the buffer bin is arranged, and the first conveying device, the buffer conveying device and the second conveying device are matched, so that when production equipment abnormality occurs on the upstream or downstream of the buffer bin, workpieces can be taken out from the buffer bin and transported to the downstream operation bin, or the workpieces can be transported from the upstream operation bin to the buffer bin for temporary storage. The whole production line is prevented from being stopped due to the fact that a certain section of equipment on the production line breaks down, so that maintenance of the broken equipment is conveniently completed under the condition that other normal equipment on the production line is not stopped, the downtime is reduced, and the utilization rate of the production line and the comprehensive efficiency of the equipment are improved.

Other features of the present utility model and its advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the utility model, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the utility model and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the utility model.

FIG. 1 is a top view of a caching device according to one embodiment of the present utility model;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a first conveyor and a second conveyor of a caching apparatus according to one embodiment of the present utility model;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a lifting module of a cache device according to one embodiment of the present utility model;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a gripper module of a caching device according to one embodiment of the present utility model;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a traversing module of a caching device according to one embodiment of the present utility model;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a handling module of a caching apparatus according to one embodiment of the present utility model;

fig. 7 is a perspective view of a cache silo of a cache device according to one embodiment of the present utility model;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a detection module of a buffer device according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

Reference numerals

A caching device 100;

a first conveying device 10; a second conveying device 20; a first conveying line 111; a second conveyor line 112; a lifting module 12; a mounting base 121; a lift table 122; a driving member 123; a lead screw 1231; a bidirectional belt conveyor 124;

a cache silo 30; storing bits 31;

a grasping module 40; a bracket 41; a first drive mechanism 42; a second driving mechanism 43; a third drive mechanism 44; a clamping mechanism 45;

a first traverse module 50a; a second traverse module 50b; a guide rail 51; a traversing stage 52; a middle turn table 53; a second sensor 54;

a first carrying module 60a; a second carrying module 60b; a fourth driving mechanism 61; a fifth driving mechanism 62; a sixth driving mechanism 63; a pallet 64;

and a detection module 70.

Detailed Description

Various exemplary embodiments of the present utility model will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that: the relative arrangement of the components and steps, numerical expressions and numerical values set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the present utility model unless it is specifically stated otherwise.

The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the utility model, its application, or uses.

Techniques, methods, and apparatus known to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art may not be discussed in detail, but are intended to be part of the specification where appropriate.

In all examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values should be construed as merely illustrative, and not a limitation. Thus, other examples of exemplary embodiments may have different values.

It should be noted that: like reference numerals and letters denote like items in the following figures, and thus once an item is defined in one figure, no further discussion thereof is necessary in subsequent figures.

The cache device 100 according to the embodiment of the present utility model is specifically described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in fig. 1 to 8, a cache device 100 according to an embodiment of the present utility model includes: a first conveyor 10, a second conveyor 20, a buffer bin 30, and a buffer conveyor.

Specifically, the caching apparatus 100 has a caching station located between two job stations, including a first job station and a second job station. The first conveying device 10 is disposed between the first working station and the buffer station, and is configured to circularly convey a first carrier between the first working station and the buffer station, where the first carrier is configured to carry a workpiece. The second conveying device 20 is disposed between the second working station and the buffer station, and is configured to circularly convey the first carrier between the second working station and the buffer station. The cache silo 30 has a plurality of storage bits 31 for storing workpieces. The buffer conveyor is disposed at the buffer station, and the buffer conveyor is configured to convey the workpiece on the first carrier conveyed by the first conveyor 10 to the storage position 31 of the buffer bin 30, or convey the workpiece on the storage position 31 to the first carrier conveyed by the second conveyor 20.

In other words, the buffer apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present utility model is mainly composed of the first conveyor 10, the second conveyor 20, the buffer bin 30, and the buffer conveyor.

The buffer device 100 may be disposed in a production line of a product, and the production line may include a plurality of working stations, and a workpiece may sequentially pass through each working station according to a preset processing procedure and be processed at each working station.

The caching apparatus 100 may be disposed between two job sites, with the caching apparatus 100 having a caching site. When an abnormality occurs in the equipment of the work station downstream of the cache system and a shutdown is required, the cache equipment 100 may cache the workpiece.

Specifically, the two working stations may be a first working station and a second working station, respectively. In the production line, the first working station may be located upstream of the buffer station, and the second working station may be located downstream of the buffer station. After the corresponding processing of the workpiece is completed at the first working station, the workpiece can be conveyed to the second working station to complete the corresponding processing. The workpiece may be carried on a first carrier.

The first conveyor 10 may be disposed between the first work station and the buffer station. The first conveyor 10 may cyclically convey the first carrier between the first work station and the buffer station.

The second conveyor 20 may be disposed between the second work station and the buffer station. The second conveyor 20 may cyclically convey the first carrier between the second work station and the buffer station.

A cache silo 30 and a cache conveyor may be provided in the cache station. A plurality of storage bits 31 may be disposed in the cache silo 30, and each storage bit 31 may be configured to be adapted to a workpiece. Alternatively, a plurality of storage bits 31 may be arranged in an array within the cache silo 30.

The buffer conveyor may transport the workpiece on the first carrier conveyed by the first conveyor 10 to the storage position 31 of the buffer bin 30, or may transport the workpiece stored in the storage position 31 to the first carrier conveyed by the second conveyor 20.

When the production equipment on the upper and lower sides of the buffer station is not in failure, the buffer conveying device can directly convey the workpiece on the first conveying device 10 to the second conveying device 20 so as to realize the normal production flow of the workpiece.

The buffer conveyor may store the workpieces on the first conveyor 10 to the storage location 31 when production equipment downstream of the buffer location fails. After the production equipment downstream of the buffer station is subjected to fault removal and restarting, the buffer conveying device can convey the workpieces stored in the storage bit 31 to the second conveying device 20, so that the temporarily stored workpieces can be continuously processed.

When the production equipment upstream of the buffer station fails, the buffer conveyor may stop acquiring workpieces from the first conveyor 10, while the buffer conveyor may continue to convey the workpieces stored in the buffer bin 30 to the second conveyor 20, and thus, may continue to supply the workpieces downstream through the buffer equipment 100.

The specific operation of the cache device 100 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail below, taking a downstream failure of the production device as an example.

When the workpiece is processed at the first working station, the first conveying device 10 can convey the workpiece to the buffer station through the first carrier, and the buffer conveying device obtains the workpiece from the first carrier and conveys the workpiece to the storage position 31 controlled in the buffer bin 30. After the workpiece on the first carrier is taken away, the first carrier can flow back to the first working station through the first conveying device 10 so as to receive the workpiece which is correspondingly processed at the first working station.

After the production equipment downstream of the buffer station is out of order, the buffer conveying device can convey the workpieces stored in the buffer bin 30 to the first carrier conveyed by the second conveying device 20. The second conveyor 20 conveys the first carrier carrying the workpieces to a second work station where the workpieces are removed and correspondingly processed. After the workpieces on the first carrier are removed, the first carrier may be returned to the buffer station by the second conveying device 20 to receive the workpieces stored in the buffer station.

The first carrier in the first conveyor 10 and the first carrier in the second conveyor 20 are independent of each other, and the first carrier in the first conveyor 10 is circulated in the first conveyor 10 and the first carrier in the second conveyor 20 is circulated in the second conveyor 20.

Thus, according to the buffer device 100 provided by the utility model, by arranging the buffer bin 30, when production equipment abnormality occurs at the upstream or downstream of the buffer bin, the first conveying device 10, the buffer conveying device and the second conveying device 20 are matched, and the workpieces can be taken out from the buffer bin 30 to be transported to the downstream working bin or transported from the upstream working bin to be temporarily stored in the buffer bin 30. The whole production line is prevented from being stopped due to the fact that a certain section of equipment on the production line breaks down, so that maintenance of the broken equipment is conveniently completed under the condition that other normal equipment on the production line is not stopped, the downtime is reduced, and the utilization rate of the production line and the comprehensive efficiency of the equipment are improved.

In some alternative embodiments, the buffer conveyor may be a robot or manipulator that may grasp a workpiece from a first carrier conveyed by the first conveyor 10 and convey and store the workpiece to the storage location 31. The robot or manipulator may also grasp the workpiece stored on the storage location 31 and transfer the workpiece to the empty first carrier transported on the second transport device 20.

In some embodiments, the number of first carriers conveyed on the first conveying device 10 and the second conveying device 20 may be plural, respectively. The plurality of first carriers can circularly flow between the first working station and the buffer storage station or between the second working station and the buffer storage station so as to continuously carry out the conveying of the workpieces.

According to one embodiment of the present utility model, the first conveyor 10 and the second conveyor 20 each include: two conveyor lines and a lifting module 12.

The two conveyor lines include a first conveyor line 111 and a second conveyor line 112, the first conveyor line 111 and the second conveyor line 112 being spaced apart in the vertical direction. The first conveyor line 111 is used for conveying the first carrier to the buffer station, and the second conveyor line 112 is used for conveying the first carrier to the working station. The lifting module 12 is disposed at one end of the conveyor line near the buffer station, and the lifting module 12 is movable between a first state and a second state. When the lifting module 12 is in the first state, the lifting module 12 corresponds to the first conveying line 111 and receives the first carrier from the first conveying line 111. When the lifting module 12 is in the second state, the lifting module 12 corresponds to the second conveying line 112 and outputs the first carrier to the second conveying line 112.

In other words, the two conveyor lines are spaced apart in the vertical direction. Two conveyor lines in the first conveyor 10 may be located between the first work station and the buffer station. Two conveyor lines in the second conveyor 20 may be located between the second work station and the buffer station.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 2, in the first conveying device 10, the first conveying line 111 may be located above the second conveying line 112. The first conveyor line 111 may convey the first carrier from the first work station to the buffer station. The second conveying line 112 may convey the first carrier from the buffer station to the first operation station, so as to implement reflow of the first carrier.

In the second conveying device 20, the first conveying line 111 may be located below the second conveying line 112. The second conveyor line 112 may convey the first carrier from the buffer station to the second work station. The first conveyor line 111 may convey the first carrier from the second work station to the buffer station.

The number of the lifting modules 12 in the cache device 100 may be two. The two lifting modules 12 may correspond to two conveyor lines within the first conveyor 10 and the second conveyor 20, respectively. Each lifting module 12 may be located at an end of the corresponding conveyor line adjacent to the buffer station.

For ease of illustration, the X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction may be defined. The Z-axis direction may be a vertical direction, and the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction may be horizontal directions perpendicular to each other.

Each of the transfer lines may extend in the Y-axis direction. At least a portion of the lift module 12 may be lifted in the Z-axis direction to switch the lift module 12 between the first state and the second state.

The operation of the lifting module 12 will be described in detail.

In the first conveying apparatus 10, when the lifting module 12 is in the first state, the lifting module 12 may be opposite to the first conveying line 111 and receive the first carrier from one end of the first conveying line 111, where the first carrier may carry the workpiece therein. The buffer conveyor may take the workpiece from the lift module 12. When the workpiece in the first carrier on the lifting module 12 is removed, the lifting module 12 can be switched to the second state.

When the lifting module 12 is in the second state, the lifting module 12 may be opposite to the second conveying line 112, and the first carrier on the lifting module 12 may be conveyed to the second conveying line 112, so as to implement the reflow of the first carrier through the second conveying line 112.

In the second conveying device 20, the first conveying line 111 is located below the second conveying line 112, and when the lifting module 12 is in the first state, the lifting module 12 is opposite to the first conveying line 111 to receive the first carrier conveyed by the first conveying line 111. The lift module 12 may switch to the second state after the conveyance is completed.

When the lifting module 12 is in the second state, the lifting module 12 may be opposite to the second conveying line 112, and the lifting module 12 carries the first carrier. The buffer conveyor may convey the workpieces in the buffer bin 30 to a first carrier of the lift module 12, and then the lift module 12 may convey the first carrier to the second conveyor line 112.

In this embodiment, two conveying lines are disposed in the first conveying device 10 and the second conveying device 20, and the two conveying lines are spaced apart in the vertical direction, so that the first conveying device 10 and the second conveying device 20 respectively form an upper layer of streamline and a lower layer of streamline, and the lifting module 12 is disposed to convey the first carrier between the two conveying lines, thereby realizing the cyclic conveying of the first carrier and the automatic backflow of the first carrier.

In some embodiments, each conveyor line may include a conveyor belt through which the first carriers are conveyed.

According to other embodiments of the present utility model, the lifting module 12 includes: a mounting base 121, a lifting table 122, a driving member 123, and a bidirectional conveyor 124.

The lifting table 122 is movably provided to the mounting base 121 in the vertical direction. The driving member 123 is connected to the elevating platform 122 to drive the elevating platform 122 to move in a vertical direction. The bi-directional conveyor 124 is disposed on the lift table 122, and the bi-directional conveyor 124 is aligned with the first conveyor line 111 and receives the first carrier from the first conveyor line 111 when the lift module 12 is in the first state, and the bi-directional conveyor 124 is aligned with the second conveyor line 112 and conveys the first carrier to the second conveyor line 112 when the lift module 12 is in the second state.

Specifically, the mounting seat 121 may be a fixed structure, the lifting platform 122 may be movably connected with the mounting seat 121, and the lifting platform 122 may move along the Z-axis direction. The driving member 123 may be disposed on the mounting base 121, and the driving member 123 may be connected to the lifting platform 122 to drive the lifting platform 122 to move along the Z-axis direction.

Optionally, a screw rod 1231 may be connected between the driving member 123 and the lifting platform 122, the driving member 123 may be a driving motor, an output end of the driving motor may be connected to the screw rod 1231, the screw rod 1231 may be connected to the lifting platform 122, and the screw rod 1231 may extend along the Z-axis direction. The driving motor drives the screw 1231 to rotate so that the elevating table 122 moves in the Z-axis direction.

For ease of illustration, the direction indicated by the Y-axis in fig. 2 may be defined as the forward direction of the Y-axis, i.e., the forward direction of the Y-axis is the left-to-right direction in fig. 2, the reverse direction of the Y-axis is the opposite direction to the forward direction of the Y-axis,

the lifting platform 122 may be provided with a bidirectional conveyor belt 124, and the bidirectional conveyor belt 124 may rotate forward or reverse, so that the bidirectional conveyor belt 124 may convey the first carrier in the forward direction of the Y axis or in the reverse direction of the Y axis. The direction of extension of the bi-directional conveyor belt 124 may coincide with the direction of extension of the two conveyor lines.

When the lift module 12 is in the first state, the lift table 122 may be flush with the first conveyor line 111 and the bi-directional conveyor belt 124 may receive a first carrier from an end of the first conveyor line 111.

When the lift module 12 is in the second state, the lift table 122 may be flush with the second conveyor line 112 and the bi-directional conveyor 124 may convey the first carrier to the end of the second conveyor line 112.

In this embodiment, the lifting module 12 includes the mounting base 121, the lifting table 122 and the driving member 123, so that the lifting module 12 has a simple structure and high reliability. The lifting platform 122 is provided with the bidirectional conveying belt 124, so that bidirectional conveying of the first carrier can be realized according to requirements, and the lifting module 12 can not only receive the first carrier from the first conveying line 111, but also convey the first carrier to the second conveying line 112.

In some embodiments of the present utility model, the first carrier carries a second carrier thereon, the second carrier is used for carrying a workpiece, and the storage bit 31 in the cache silo 30 is used for storing the second carrier.

Specifically, the workpiece may be carried on a second carrier during the process of being conveyed, and the second carrier may be carried on the first carrier. The first carrier is merely circulated between the work station and the buffer station, and the second carrier can be transported with the workpiece to the buffer bin 30 for storage. The buffer conveyor can convey the second carrier carrying the workpiece. The first carrier may be a parent carrier and the second carrier may be a child carrier.

Alternatively, the storage bits 31 within the cache silo 30 may be adapted to the second carrier.

Through setting up the second carrier on first carrier, utilize the second carrier to bear the weight of the work piece, can realize carrying the work piece through carrying the second carrier, be favorable to carrying the protection work piece in, avoid the work piece damage.

According to some alternative embodiments of the present utility model, each storage bit 31 is provided with a first sensor for sensing a second carrier on the storage bit 31. The first sensor may be used to sense whether the second carrier is stored on the current storage bit 31. According to the sensing result of the first sensor, the buffer storage and conveying device can convey the second carrier to the empty storage position 31 or acquire the second carrier from the storage position 31 where the second carrier is stored, so as to realize intelligent storage.

According to other embodiments of the present utility model, the first conveyor 10 and the second conveyor 20 are located on the same side of the buffer bin 30, the buffer conveyor comprising: a grabbing module 40, a traversing module and a carrying module.

The grabbing module 40 is disposed at the buffer station and located at a side of the buffer bin 30 near the first conveying device 10, and the grabbing module 40 is used for grabbing the second carrier and conveying the second carrier between the lifting module 12 and the traversing module. A part of the traversing module is located at a side of the buffer bin 30 close to the first conveying device 10, and another part of the traversing module is located at a side of the buffer bin 30 far away from the first conveying device 10, and at least a part of the traversing module is movable in a horizontal direction to convey the second carrier from the side of the buffer bin 30 close to the first conveying device 10 to the side of the buffer bin 30 far away from the first conveying device 10. The carrying module is arranged at the buffer station and is positioned at one side of the buffer bin 30 away from the first conveying device 10, and the carrying module is used for carrying the second carrier between the traversing module and the buffer bin 30.

Specifically, in the X-axis direction, the buffer bin 30 may have a first side and a second side, the first side of the buffer bin 30 facing the first conveyor 10 and the second conveyor 20, and the second side of the buffer bin 30 being remote from the first conveyor 10 and the second conveyor 20.

The grabbing module 40, the traversing module and the carrying module may be respectively disposed at the buffer station.

The grasping module 40 may be located on a first side of the cache silo 30. The grabbing module 40 may grab the second carrier from the lifting module 12 of the first conveying device 10 and convey the second carrier to the traversing module, and the grabbing module 40 may grab the second carrier from the traversing module and convey the second carrier to the lifting module 12 of the second conveying device 20.

A portion of the traversing module may be opposite the first side of the cache bin 30, a further portion of the traversing module may be opposite the second side of the cache bin 30, and the traversing module may transport the second carrier in a horizontal direction such that the traversing module may transport the second carrier from the first side of the cache bin 30 to the second side of the cache bin 30.

The handling module may be opposite the second side of the cache silo 30. The carrying module can acquire the second carrier from the traversing module and carry the second carrier to the storage position 31 of the cache bin 30. The handling module may also acquire the second carrier from the storage location 31 and handle the second carrier onto the traverse module.

The specific operation procedure of the buffer transport device of this embodiment will be described in detail.

The grabbing module 40 grabs the second carrier on the first conveying device 10 and conveys the second carrier to the traversing module. The traversing module conveys the second carrier from the first side of the cache bin 30 to the second side of the cache bin 30, and the carrying module takes the second carrier from the traversing module and conveys the second carrier to the empty storage position 31 for storage, so as to realize the cache function.

After no abnormality of downstream production equipment, the carrying module takes the second carrier from the storage position 31 filled with the material and conveys the second carrier to the traversing module, the traversing module conveys the second carrier from the second side of the cache storage bin 30 to the first side of the cache storage bin 30, and the grabbing module 40 grabs the second carrier from the traversing module and conveys the second carrier to the first carrier on the second conveying device 20 so as to realize the exchange function.

In this embodiment, through the cooperation of the grabbing module 40, the traversing module and the carrying module, the second carrier located at one side of the cache storage bin 30 can be carried to the other side of the cache storage bin 30, and the second carrier is stored from the other side of the cache storage bin 30, so that the structure of the cache device 100 is more compact, and the occupied area of the cache device 100 is saved.

According to some alternative embodiments of the utility model, the number of traversing modules and/or handling modules is two, the two traversing modules and/or the two handling modules being independent of each other.

Specifically, the number of traversing modules may be two, and the two traversing modules may be a first traversing module 50a and a second traversing module 50b, respectively. The first traverse module 50a and the second traverse module 50b may be operated independently, respectively.

The first traversing module 50a may correspond to the first conveyor 10, and the first traversing module 50a may receive the second carrier from the gripper module 40 and convey the second carrier from the first side of the cache silo 30 to the second side of the cache silo 30. The second traversing module 50b may correspond to the second transporting device 20, and the second traversing module 50b may obtain the second carrier from the handling module and transport the second carrier from the second side of the cache silo 30 to the first side of the cache silo 30. The two traversing modules are arranged, so that feeding and discharging can be performed simultaneously, and the operation efficiency of the cache equipment 100 is improved.

It should be noted that, when the upstream or downstream equipment fault is removed, a part of the workpieces are stored in the buffer bin 30, so that the workpieces backlogged in the buffer bin 30 need to be sequentially transported to the downstream working station. At the same time, the upstream work station still continuously conveys new workpieces to the buffer station, at this time, the new workpieces need to be temporarily stored in the buffer bin 30 and are queued for downstream transportation.

The number of the carrying modules may be two, and the two carrying modules may be the first carrying module 60a and the second carrying module 60b, respectively. The first handling module 60a and the second handling module 60b may operate independently.

The first handling module 60a may correspond to the first traversing module 50a, and the first handling module 60a may receive the second carrier from the first traversing module 50a and transport the second carrier to the empty storage location 31 for storage. The second carrying module 60b may correspond to the second traversing module 50b, and the second carrying module 60b may obtain the second carrier from the full storage position 31 and convey the second carrier onto the second traversing module 50 b. The arrangement of two carrying modules can realize asynchronous material taking and discharging, and is beneficial to improving the operation efficiency of the cache equipment 100.

When the downstream production equipment is abnormal, the first traversing module 50a and the first transporting module 60a can continuously transport the second carrier to the cache bin 30, and the second traversing module 50b and the second transporting module can stop working.

After the downstream production equipment is repaired, the first traversing module 50a, the second traversing module 50b, the first carrying module 60a and the second traversing module 50b can work simultaneously to realize synchronous material taking and discharging.

In some embodiments of the present utility model, the grasping module 40 includes: a bracket 41, a gripper, a first drive mechanism 42, a second drive mechanism 43 and a third drive mechanism 44.

The support 41 is provided at the buffer station. The clamping mechanism 45 is movably provided to the bracket 41 between a clamped state and a released state to clamp or release the second carrier. The first driving mechanism 42 is arranged on the bracket 41 and is connected with the second driving mechanism 43 to drive the second driving mechanism 43 to move along the Y-axis direction, the second driving mechanism 43 is connected with the third driving mechanism 44 to drive the third driving mechanism 44 to move along the X-axis direction, the third driving mechanism 44 is connected with the clamping mechanism 45 to drive the clamping mechanism 45 to move along the Z-axis direction, the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction are mutually perpendicular horizontal directions, and the Z-axis direction is a vertical direction.

Specifically, the bracket 41 may be a fixed structure. The first driving mechanism 42 is provided to move the holding mechanism 45 in the Y-axis direction, the second driving mechanism 43 is provided to move the holding mechanism 45 in the X-axis direction, and the third driving mechanism 44 is provided to move the holding mechanism 45 in the Y-axis direction. Thus, by the cooperation of the first drive mechanism 42, the second drive mechanism 43 and the third drive mechanism 44, the movement of the gripping mechanism 45 in the horizontal plane and in the vertical direction can be achieved, thereby achieving the conveyance of the second carrier in the stereoscopic space.

The clamping mechanism 45 may be a clamping jaw. Each jaw is movable between a clamped state and an undamped state. The clamping jaw can clamp the second carrier when the clamping jaw is in a clamping state, and can unclamp the second carrier when the clamping jaw is in an unclamping state.

In some alternative embodiments, the number of the clamping mechanisms 45 may be two, and the two clamping mechanisms 45 may be synchronously fetched and placed, so as to further improve the efficiency of the cache device 100.

According to some alternative embodiments of the utility model, the traversing module comprises: a guide rail 51 and a traverse table 52.

The guide rail 51 extends in the horizontal direction, one end of the guide rail 51 is located at a side of the buffer bin 30 close to the first conveyor 10, and the other end of the guide rail 51 is located at a side of the buffer bin 30 remote from the first conveyor 10. The traverse table 52 is movably provided to the guide rail 51 along the extending direction of the guide rail 51 to convey the second carrier from the side of the buffer bin 30 near the first conveying device 10 to the side of the buffer bin 30 far from the first conveying device 10.

Specifically, the rail 51 may extend in the X-axis direction, and the rail 51 may pass from a first side of the cache silo 30 to a second side of the cache silo 30. Alternatively, as shown in fig. 7, the buffer bin 30 may include two bins, which may be spaced apart along the Y-axis direction. The guide rail 51 may pass between the two compartments.

The traversing platform can slide along the extending direction of the guide rail 51 so as to convey the second carrier between the two sides of the buffer bin 30.

According to other embodiments of the present utility model, the traversing module further comprises: a turntable 53 and a second inductor 54.

The middle turntable 53 is disposed at one side of the guide rail 51, and is used for carrying the second carrier. The second sensor 54 is disposed on the turntable 53 and is used for sensing a second carrier on the turntable 53.

As shown in fig. 5, one side of the guide rail 51 may be provided with a transfer table 53, and the transfer table 53 and the guide rail 51 may be spaced apart in the Y-axis direction. The transfer table 53 can be used for carrying the second carrier, and by arranging the transfer table 53, the transfer table 53 can be prepared in advance in the process of the operation of the cache device 100, so that the waiting time of the grabbing module 40 after grabbing the second carrier is reduced, and the efficiency of the cache device 100 is improved.

In addition, a second sensor 54 may be disposed at the transfer table 53, and the second sensor 54 may be used to sense whether the transfer table 53 carries the second carrier. The grasping module 40 may operate according to the result of the second sensor 54.

In some embodiments of the utility model, the handling module comprises: pallet 64, fourth drive mechanism 61, fifth drive mechanism 62, and sixth drive mechanism 63.

The supporting plate 64 is used for supporting the second carrier. The fourth driving mechanism 61 is connected with the fifth driving mechanism 62 to drive the fifth driving mechanism 62 to move along the X-axis direction, the fifth driving mechanism 62 is connected with the sixth driving mechanism 63 to drive the sixth driving mechanism 63 to move along the Z-axis direction, the sixth driving mechanism 63 is connected with the supporting plate 64 to drive the supporting plate 64 to move along the Y-axis direction, the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction are horizontal directions perpendicular to each other, and the Z-axis direction is vertical direction.

Specifically, the structure of the pallet 64 may be adapted to the second carrier. The fourth driving mechanism 61 is provided to move the holding mechanism 45 in the X-axis direction, the fifth driving mechanism 62 is provided to move the holding mechanism 45 in the X-axis direction, and the sixth driving mechanism 63 is provided to move the holding mechanism 45 in the Y-axis direction. Therefore, by the cooperation of the fourth driving mechanism 61, the fifth driving mechanism 62, and the sixth driving mechanism 63, the movement of the gripping mechanism 45 in the horizontal plane and in the vertical direction can be achieved, thereby achieving the conveyance of the second carrier in the three-dimensional space.

According to other embodiments of the present utility model, the cache apparatus 100 further includes a detection module 70, where the detection module 70 is disposed above the traverse module, and is configured to detect and identify the second carrier on the traverse module.

Specifically, each second carrier has a corresponding number. The detection module 70 may be disposed above the moving path of the traverse table 52 of the traverse module, and when the traverse table 52 carries the second carrier and passes below the detection module 70, the detection module 70 may identify and check the number of the second carrier, so as to realize automatic foolproof and prevent the cache device 100 from generating errors.

Alternatively, the detecting module 70 may be a CCD module, and when the traversing table 52 carries the second carrier and passes under the CCD module, the CCD module may take a photograph to identify the second carrier and calibrate the number of the second carrier sent by the control device of the production line, thereby realizing automatic foolproof.

In some alternative embodiments, the number of the detecting modules 70 may be two, and the two detecting modules may correspond to the two traversing modules one by one, so as to detect and identify the second carriers conveyed by the two traversing modules respectively.

In summary, the buffer device 100 provided by the present utility model may take out a workpiece from the buffer bin 30 and transport the workpiece to a downstream working station when an abnormality occurs in production equipment at the upstream or downstream of the buffer station, or transport the workpiece from the upstream working station to the buffer bin 30 for temporary storage. The whole production line is prevented from being stopped due to the fact that a certain section of equipment on the production line breaks down, so that maintenance of the broken equipment is conveniently completed under the condition that other normal equipment on the production line is not stopped, the downtime is reduced, and the utilization rate of the production line and the comprehensive efficiency of the equipment are improved.

While certain specific embodiments of the utility model have been described in detail by way of example, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the above examples are for illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the utility model. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the above embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the utility model. The scope of the utility model is defined by the appended claims.

Claims (12)

1. A caching apparatus characterized in that the caching apparatus has a caching station located between two job stations including a first job station and a second job station, the caching apparatus comprising:

the first conveying device is arranged between the first working station and the buffer storage station and is used for circularly conveying a first carrier between the first working station and the buffer storage station, and the first carrier is used for carrying workpieces;

the second conveying device is arranged between the second working station and the buffer storage station and is used for circularly conveying the first carrier between the second working station and the buffer storage station;

The cache bin is provided with a plurality of storage bits and is used for storing the workpieces;

the buffer storage conveying device is arranged at the buffer storage station and is used for conveying the workpieces on the first carrier conveyed by the first conveying device to a storage position of the buffer storage bin or conveying the workpieces on the storage position to the first carrier conveyed by the second conveying device.

2. The caching apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first conveying device and the second conveying device each comprise:

the two conveying lines comprise a first conveying line and a second conveying line, the first conveying line and the second conveying line are spaced apart in the vertical direction, the first conveying line is used for conveying the first carrier to the buffer station, and the second conveying line is used for conveying the first carrier to the operation station;

the lifting module is arranged at one end of the conveying line close to the buffer station and can move between a first state and a second state,

when the lifting module is in the first state, the lifting module corresponds to the first conveying line and receives the first carrier from the first conveying line,

When the lifting module is in the second state, the lifting module corresponds to the second conveying line and outputs the first carrier to the second conveying line.

3. The cache device according to claim 2, wherein the lifting module comprises:

a mounting base;

the lifting platform is movably arranged on the mounting seat in the vertical direction;

the driving piece is connected with the lifting platform to drive the lifting platform to move in the vertical direction;

and the bidirectional conveyor belt is arranged on the lifting platform, is aligned with the first conveying line when the lifting module is in the first state, receives the first carrier from the first conveying line, is aligned with the second conveying line when the lifting module is in the second state, and conveys the first carrier to the second conveying line.

4. The caching apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first carrier carries a second carrier thereon, the second carrier being configured to carry the workpiece, the storage bit in the cache bin being configured to store the second carrier.

5. The caching device of claim 4, wherein each storage bit is provided with a first sensor for sensing the second carrier on the storage bit.

6. The caching apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first conveyor and the second conveyor are located on a same side of the cache silo, the cache conveyor comprising:

a grabbing module, a traversing module and a carrying module,

the grabbing module is arranged at the buffer station and positioned at one side of the buffer bin close to the first conveying device, and is used for grabbing the second carrier and conveying the second carrier between the lifting module and the traversing module,

a part of the traversing module is positioned at one side of the cache storage bin close to the first conveying device, another part of the traversing module is positioned at one side of the cache storage bin far away from the first conveying device, at least one part of the traversing module is movable along the horizontal direction so as to convey the second carrier from one side of the cache storage bin close to the first conveying device to one side of the cache storage bin far away from the first conveying device,

The carrying module is arranged at the buffer station and is positioned at one side of the buffer bin, which is far away from the first conveying device, and the carrying module is used for carrying the second carrier between the traversing module and the buffer bin.

7. The buffer storage device according to claim 6, wherein the number of the traversing modules and/or the carrying modules is two, and the two traversing modules and/or the two carrying modules are independent of each other.

8. The cache device of claim 6, wherein the grabbing module comprises:

the support is arranged at the buffer station;

the clamping mechanism is movably arranged on the bracket between a clamping state and a loosening state so as to clamp or loosen the second carrier;

the first driving mechanism is arranged on the support and is connected with the second driving mechanism to drive the second driving mechanism to move along the Y-axis direction, the second driving mechanism is connected with the third driving mechanism to drive the third driving mechanism to move along the X-axis direction, the third driving mechanism is connected with the clamping mechanism to drive the clamping mechanism to move along the Z-axis direction, the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction are horizontal directions which are mutually perpendicular, and the Z-axis direction is vertical.

9. The cache apparatus of claim 6, wherein the traversing module comprises:

a guide rail extending along the horizontal direction, one end of the guide rail being positioned at one side of the buffer bin close to the first conveying device, the other end of the guide rail being positioned at one side of the buffer bin away from the first conveying device,

the transverse moving platform is movably arranged on the guide rail along the extending direction of the guide rail, so that the second carrier is conveyed from one side of the cache storage bin, which is close to the first conveying device, to one side of the cache storage bin, which is far away from the first conveying device.

10. The caching apparatus of claim 9, wherein the traversing module further comprises:

the transfer platform is arranged on one side of the guide rail and used for bearing the second carrier;

the second inductor is arranged on the middle rotary table and is used for inducing the second carrier on the middle rotary table.

11. The caching apparatus of claim 6, wherein the handling module comprises:

the supporting plate is used for supporting the second carrier;

the device comprises a fourth driving mechanism, a fifth driving mechanism and a sixth driving mechanism, wherein the fourth driving mechanism is connected with the fifth driving mechanism to drive the fifth driving mechanism to move along the X-axis direction, the fifth driving mechanism is connected with the sixth driving mechanism to drive the sixth driving mechanism to move along the Z-axis direction, the sixth driving mechanism is connected with the supporting plate to drive the supporting plate to move along the Y-axis direction, the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction are horizontal directions which are mutually perpendicular, and the Z-axis direction is vertical.

12. The caching device of claim 6, further comprising:

the detection module is arranged above the transverse moving module and used for detecting and identifying the second carrier on the transverse moving module.