CN221342414U - Container loading and unloading device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a container handling device comprising: the bearing assembly and the picking and placing assembly. The carrier assembly is configured to transfer the container between the first side and the second side and has a pass-through space for movement of the container therethrough; the picking and placing assembly comprises a driving mechanism and a picking and placing mechanism; the picking and placing mechanism comprises a first picking and placing component and a second picking and placing component which are arranged in opposite directions; the driving mechanism is configured to drive the whole picking and placing mechanism to switch between a picking and placing position and an avoiding position; in the pick-and-place position, the pick-and-place mechanism is configured to move within the pass-through space to transfer containers on a first side by the first pick-and-place member or on a second side by the second pick-and-place member; when the container is positioned at the avoiding position, the taking and placing mechanism is configured to avoid the passing space so as to enable the container to pass through the passing space. The bidirectional picking and placing device has the advantages that bidirectional picking and placing is realized, driving cost is reduced, and the structure of the container loading and unloading device is simplified.

Description

Container loading and unloading device

Technical Field

The disclosure relates to logistics storage field, concretely relates to container handling device.

Background

In the goods-to-person storage logistics system, when the need of entering and exiting the warehouse of the container exists, the container to be stored can be sent to an operation workstation and then sent to a carrier through a container loading and unloading device, so that the container is stored; when the container is in a warehouse-out demand, the container is taken out from the carrier through the container loading and unloading device and is transmitted to the operation workstation, so that the container is completely warehouse-out.

In the prior art, the container loading and unloading device can only transport containers in one direction, and stable bidirectional goods taking and goods discharging are difficult to realize. For a container handling device capable of achieving bidirectional transportation, a driving motor needs to be respectively arranged for grippers on two sides. This makes the driving cost high, the electricity consumption high, and the structure of the container loading and unloading device complex.

Disclosure of utility model

The present disclosure provides a container handling apparatus for solving the problems existing in the prior art.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a container handling apparatus comprising:

A carrier assembly configured to transfer the container between the first side and the second side and having a pass-through space for movement of the container therethrough;

The picking and placing assembly comprises a driving mechanism and a picking and placing mechanism; the picking and placing mechanism comprises a first picking and placing component and a second picking and placing component which are arranged in opposite directions; the driving mechanism is configured to drive the whole picking and placing mechanism to switch between a picking and placing position and an avoiding position;

In the pick-and-place position, the pick-and-place mechanism is configured to move within the pass-through space to transfer containers on a first side by the first pick-and-place member or on a second side by the second pick-and-place member;

When the container is positioned at the avoiding position, the taking and placing mechanism is configured to avoid the passing space so as to enable the container to pass through the passing space.

In one embodiment of the disclosure, the picking and placing assembly comprises a first moving part and a second moving part which is connected with the first moving part in a sliding way, and the first picking and placing component and the second picking and placing component are arranged on two opposite sides of the second moving part;

the picking and placing assembly further comprises a guide mechanism, and the driving mechanism is configured to drive the first moving part and the second moving part to move, and the second moving part is configured to switch between a picking and placing position and an avoiding position under the limit of the guide mechanism.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the guiding mechanism includes a first guiding portion, a second guiding portion, and a third guiding portion that are sequentially communicated;

Wherein the second moving part is configured to drive the first picking and placing member to transfer the container on the first side under the limitation of the first guiding part; the second moving part is configured to drive the second taking and placing component to transfer the container on the second side under the limit of the third guiding part; and moving to the avoidance position under the restriction of the second guide portion.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the driving mechanism is configured to drive the first moving part and the second moving part to move to be matched with the first guiding part, the second guiding part or the third guiding part during the movement of the first moving part and the second moving part.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first guide portion and/or the third guide portion is configured to extend straight in a horizontal direction, and the second guide portion is located in a different direction from the first guide portion and the third guide portion;

The second moving part is configured to move the first picking and placing member and the second picking and placing member in the passing space along a straight line direction during the movement along the first guiding part or the third guiding part;

The second moving part is configured to move the first and second picking and placing members gradually away from the passing space when moving to the second guide part along the first or third guide part; alternatively, the second moving portion is configured such that the first and second picking and placing members move so as to gradually enter the passing space when moving along the second guide portion to the first or third guide portion.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the second guide portion is configured to be located above the first guide portion, the third guide portion; the second moving part is configured to move to the upper side of the bearing assembly along the second guiding part, and then the first picking and placing member and the second picking and placing member are configured to move to the upper side of the bearing assembly so as to avoid the passing space; or alternatively, the method can be used for processing,

The second guide part is configured to be positioned below the first guide part and the third guide part; the second moving part is configured to move to the lower side of the bearing assembly along the second guiding part, and then the first picking and placing member and the second picking and placing member are configured to move to the lower side of the bearing assembly so as to avoid the passing space.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the second guide includes a first inclined section inclined to and in communication with the first guide, and a second inclined section inclined to and in communication with a third guide.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first inclined section communicates with the second inclined section such that the second guide portion is V-shaped or U-shaped; or, a transition section is arranged between the first inclined section and the second inclined section, and the first inclined section, the transition section and the second inclined section are sequentially communicated.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the transition section is configured to be horizontal or curved.

In one embodiment of the disclosure, the first guide part, the second guide part and the third guide part are guide grooves arranged on a guide bracket; the second moving part is configured to slidably fit with the guide groove through a guide part.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the guide bracket is configured to be coupled by a reinforcement at positions on opposite sides of the second guide part.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first moving part is in guiding engagement with the bearing assembly and is configured to move in a horizontal direction relative to the bearing assembly under the action of a driving mechanism; the second moving portion is configured to be a sliding fit on the first moving portion and is configured to be movable in a vertical direction with respect to the first moving portion.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the carrier assembly includes a base and a transport assembly disposed on the base; the transfer assembly is configured to transfer containers between a first side and a second side; the container is configured to be supported on the transfer assembly when the container is positioned within the pass-through space.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the conveyor assembly includes at least two conveyor belts disposed in spaced relation, the pick-and-place assembly being configured to be disposed between the conveyor belts; when the container is located at the avoidance position, the taking and placing mechanism is configured to avoid downwards to a position lower than the upper end face of the conveying belt, so that the container passes through the passing space or upwards to a position higher than the top of the passing space.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the conveyor assembly further comprises a conveyor motor configured to drive the at least two conveyor belts to rotate synchronously via a synchronization mechanism; the synchronous mechanism comprises a synchronous shaft which is rotatably connected to the first side or the second side of the base, and the same side ends of at least two conveying belts are configured to be wound on the synchronous shaft; the synchronous shaft is configured to drive at least two conveyor belts to synchronously rotate under the driving action of the conveyor motor.

In one embodiment of the disclosure, the synchronization mechanism further comprises a synchronous belt and a first adjusting mechanism, wherein the synchronous belt is respectively wound on a first driving wheel of the conveying motor and a roller wheel arranged at one end of the synchronous shaft; the first adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust the tension of the timing belt by moving the position of the conveyor motor.

In one embodiment of the disclosure, the conveying motor includes a fixing seat, and a first waist-shaped hole is arranged on the fixing seat; the conveyor motor is configured to be coupled to the base through the first kidney-shaped aperture.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the transmission assembly further includes a pulley and a second adjustment mechanism, the pulley being disposed at an end remote from the synchronization shaft, the other end of the transmission belt being configured to be wound around the pulley; the second adjustment mechanism adjusts the tension of the conveyor belt by moving the position of the pulley.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the transfer assembly includes a mounting portion secured to the base, the mounting portion having a second waist-shaped aperture disposed therein; the rotational shaft of the pulley is configured to be rotatably coupled to the mounting portion through the second kidney-shaped hole.

The beneficial effects of the present disclosure are that, a brand new picking and placing assembly structure is provided, so that the container loading and unloading device can realize stable bidirectional picking and delivering. The pick-and-place assembly provided by the disclosure comprises a first pick-and-place member and a second pick-and-place member which are arranged in a back-to-back manner, so that the pick-and-place mechanism can integrally move under the action of one driving mechanism. When the pick-and-place mechanism integrally moves to the pick-and-place position, the containers on the first side or the second side can be picked and placed. The bidirectional taking and placing device has the advantages that on the basis of realizing bidirectional taking and placing, the driving cost is reduced, the electricity consumption is reduced, and the structure of the container loading and unloading device is simplified.

Other features of the present disclosure and its advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, 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 disclosure and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the structure of a container handling apparatus of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of another angle of the container handling apparatus of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a portion of the structure of the container handling apparatus of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 3 at A;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view of the synchronization mechanism of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the structure of the pick-and-place assembly of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of another angle of the pick-and-place assembly of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the pick-and-place assembly of the present disclosure;

fig. 9 is a schematic view of the internal structure of the pick-and-place assembly of the present disclosure.

The one-to-one correspondence between the component names and the reference numerals in fig. 1 to 9 is as follows:

1. A base; 11. a baffle; 12. a fixing plate; 13. a guide bar; 14. a sensor;

2. A transfer assembly; 21. a conveyor belt; 22. a conveying motor; 23. a synchronizing mechanism; 231. a synchronizing shaft; 232. a first drive wheel; 233. a synchronous belt; 234. a roller; 24. a first adjustment mechanism; 25. a fixing seat; 251. a first waist-shaped hole; 26. a mounting part; 261. a second waist-shaped hole; 27. a belt pulley; 271. a rotating shaft; 28. a second adjustment mechanism;

3. A pick-and-place assembly; 31. taking and placing the motor; 32. a transmission mechanism; 321. a second drive wheel; 322. a transmission belt; 323. a driving wheel; 324. a first moving part; 33. a guide rail; 34. a second moving part; 35. a picking and placing mechanism; 351. a first pick-and-place member; 352. a second pick-and-place member; 353. a guide part; 354. a bracket; 36. a vacuum generator; 37. a guide bracket; 371. a first guide part; 372. a second guide part; 3721. a first sloped section; 3722. a second sloped section; 3723. a transition section; 373. a third guide part; 374. a reinforcing member; 38. and a support plate.

Detailed Description

Various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure 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 disclosure unless it is specifically stated otherwise.

The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, 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.

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.

In this document, "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", and the like are used merely to indicate relative positional relationships between the relevant portions, and do not limit the absolute positions of the relevant portions.

Herein, "first", "second", etc. are used only for distinguishing one another, and do not denote any order or importance, but rather denote a prerequisite of presence.

Herein, "equal," "same," etc. are not strictly mathematical and/or geometric limitations, but also include deviations that may be appreciated by those skilled in the art and allowed by fabrication or use, etc.

The present disclosure provides a container handling apparatus for loading and unloading containers on a tool or processing station. Wherein, the carrier can be a movable goods shelf, and the processing station can be a workbench in a workstation or a conveying line. The container handling device is capable of retrieving containers stored on the target storage location of the carrier and transferring them to the target processing station, or alternatively, retrieving containers from the target processing station and placing them in the target storage location of the carrier. Containers in this disclosure are primarily containers for loading goods in a logistics, including but not limited to bins, trays, packing boxes, and the like, without limitation.

The container loading and unloading device comprises: the bearing assembly and the picking and placing assembly. Wherein the carrier assembly is configured to transfer the container between the first side and the second side and has a pass-through space for movement of the container therethrough. The bearing component can bear the container, so that the container is stably supported above the bearing component. In addition, the carrier assembly is also capable of transporting the containers from the first side to the second side or from the second side to the first side. It should be noted that the first side and the second side are opposite sides of the conveying direction, and the first side and the second side are merely defined for convenience of distinguishing and describing opposite sides of the conveying mechanism, and there is no substantial difference between the first side and the second side. A pass-through space is formed above the carrier assembly through which the container can move, it being understood that there should be no obstruction or obstacle in the path of movement of the container during its movement.

The picking and placing assembly comprises a driving mechanism and a picking and placing mechanism, wherein the picking and placing mechanism comprises a first picking and placing component and a second picking and placing component which are arranged in a back-to-back mode. The picking and placing mechanism can transfer the container in various ways such as adsorption, pulling, hooking and the like, and correspondingly, the first picking and placing member and the second picking and placing member can be arranged in various different structures. For example, the first picking and placing member and the second picking and placing member can be adsorption structures, and the adsorption structures can be adsorbed on the side wall of the container by means of negative pressure adsorption or magnetic force adsorption; the first picking and placing component and the second picking and placing component can also be a structure capable of realizing pulling type transferring containers, such as a holding fork, a mechanical arm and the like, and can also be a hooking mechanism capable of hooking the front edge of the container.

The pick-and-place mechanism will be located in the pass-through space during the process of picking up the container to the carrier assembly, so that the pick-and-place mechanism will block the path of movement of the container when the carrier assembly transports the container. In order to prevent the container from being blocked by the picking and placing mechanism, the driving mechanism is configured to drive the whole picking and placing mechanism to switch between a picking and placing position and a avoiding position.

In particular, in the pick-and-place position, the pick-and-place mechanism is configured to move within the pass-through space to transfer the container on the first side by the first pick-and-place member or to transfer the container on the second side by the second pick-and-place member; in the evasive position, the pick-and-place mechanism is configured to evade the pass-through space to pass the container through the pass-through space. The picking and placing mechanism provided by the disclosure is integrally movable, that is, when the first picking and placing member transfers the container on the first side, the second picking and placing member arranged opposite to the first picking and placing member can move along with the first picking and placing member although not matched with any container, and the same is true. And when dodging, get and put the component and also dodge for whole, first getting and putting the component and the second is got and is put the component and all is located the container motion path outside the position, can not cause the shelter from the container.

The present disclosure provides a novel pick-and-place assembly structure that enables a container handling device to achieve stable bi-directional pick-and-place. The pick-and-place assembly provided by the disclosure comprises a first pick-and-place member and a second pick-and-place member which are arranged in a back-to-back manner, so that the pick-and-place mechanism can integrally move under the action of one driving mechanism. When the pick-and-place mechanism integrally moves to the pick-and-place position, the containers on the first side or the second side can be picked and placed. The bidirectional taking and placing device has the advantages that on the basis of realizing bidirectional taking and placing, the driving cost is reduced, the electricity consumption is reduced, and the structure of the container loading and unloading device is simplified.

Specific embodiments of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, the container handling apparatus provided by the present disclosure includes: a carrying assembly and a picking and placing assembly 3. Wherein the carrier assembly is configured to transfer the container between the first side and the second side and has a pass-through space for movement of the container therethrough. In one particular embodiment of the present disclosure, the carrier assembly includes a base 1 and a transfer assembly 2 disposed on the base 1, the transfer assembly 2 being configured to transfer containers between a first side and a second side. The container is configured to be supported on the conveyor assembly 2 when the container is located within the pass-through space.

The base 1 provides support for the pick-and-place container assembly, and the base 1 may be provided in any structure, such as a flat plate shape, a frame shape, etc., which may be provided at the bottom or around the transfer assembly 2, and the structure and position of the base 1 may be selected by those skilled in the art. In one embodiment as shown in fig. 1, the base 1 is provided in a frame-shaped structure and may be provided below the transfer assembly 2 to support the transfer assembly 2.

As shown in fig. 1, the directions of the first side and the second side are shown by arrow directions in fig. 1, and openings are respectively formed in the directions of the first side and the second side of the base 1, so that the picking and placing assembly 3 can pick and place containers positioned in the directions of the first side and the second side. As shown in the coordinate axis of fig. 2, the X-axis direction is the direction in which the first side and the second side are located, the Y-axis direction is the direction perpendicular to the X-axis on the horizontal plane, and the Z-axis direction is the vertical direction. The base 1 includes two baffles 11 spaced apart in the Y-axis direction, the baffles 11 limiting the lateral boundaries of the passing space. The base 1 further comprises two fixing plates 12 arranged on the first side and the second side respectively, the two fixing plates 12 being used for fixing part of the fixing structures on the transfer assembly 2 and the pick-and-place assembly 3.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in fig. 2 and 3, one guide bar 13 is provided inside each of the two baffles 11, and the two guide bars 13 define boundaries of opposite sides of the container in the Y-axis direction, so that the container can move linearly along the X-axis in a path defined by the two guide bars 13 in the passing space. The first and second sides of the two guide strips 13 are provided with flaring structures, respectively, which enables the container to move more smoothly between the two guide strips 13 under the guiding action of the flaring. The flaring is arranged on both sides to adapt to the bidirectional picking and placing container, and the container on which side is picked and placed has correspondingly adapted flaring. The width of the guide bar 13 may be adjusted according to the width of the container and the actual application scene, which is not limited by the present disclosure.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in fig. 1, three sensors 14 are mounted on the baffle 11 on one side thereof. Three sensors 14 are spaced apart along the X-axis and are configured to detect the presence of a container within the pass-through space and to monitor the specific location of the container in the pass-through space in real time.

The conveying assembly 2 is provided with an upper end surface for supporting the container, and a passing space for the container to pass through is arranged above the upper end surface. That is, the upper end surface restricts the bottom surface of the passing space. The transfer assembly 2 is capable of transporting containers, and in particular, the transfer assembly 2 may be a conveyor belt structure, thereby enabling transport of containers from a first side to a second side, or transport of containers from a second side to a first side. It will be appreciated that during movement of the container, there should not be any obstruction or obstacle in its path of movement.

Referring to fig. 6, the pick-and-place assembly 3 includes a driving mechanism and a pick-and-place mechanism 35, wherein the pick-and-place mechanism 35 includes a first pick-and-place member 351 and a second pick-and-place member 352 disposed opposite to each other. Specifically, the driving mechanism is a pick-and-place machine 31, and the pick-and-place machine 31 can drive the pick-and-place mechanism 35 to move. The pick-and-place mechanism 35 may transfer the container by various means such as suction, pulling, hooking, etc., and correspondingly, the first and second pick-and-place members 351, 352 may be provided in various different configurations. For example, the first and second picking and placing members 351 and 352 may be adsorption structures, which can be adsorbed on the sidewall of the container by negative pressure adsorption or magnetic force adsorption; the first and second picking and placing members 351 and 352 may have a structure capable of pulling the transfer container, such as a fork and a mechanical arm, or may have a hooking mechanism capable of hooking the front edge of the container.

In one specific embodiment of the present disclosure, the first and second pick-and-place members 351, 352 are each suction cups configured for engagement with an end surface of a container to load the container. As shown in fig. 6, the pick-and-place assembly 3 comprises a vacuum generator 36, wherein the vacuum generator 36 is used for realizing that the sucker provides vacuum and breaks the air, and in a vacuum mode, the sucker can firmly suck the end face of the container so as to realize the transfer container; in the emptying mode, the sucker can be separated from the end face of the container, so that the sucker is matched with the container.

As shown in fig. 6, the picking and placing mechanism 35 includes a bracket 354, the first picking and placing member 351 and the second picking and placing member 352 are disposed on the bracket 354 opposite to each other, and the bracket 354 connects the first picking and placing member 351 and the second picking and placing member 352 together, so that the picking and placing mechanism 35 forms a whole. In the process of taking the container to the bearing assembly, the taking and placing mechanism 35 needs to be matched with the container, and the taking and placing mechanism 35 will be located in the passing space, so that when the bearing assembly conveys the container, the taking and placing mechanism 35 can shield the movement path of the container. In order that the pick-and-place mechanism 35 no longer obstructs the container, the drive mechanism is configured to drive the pick-and-place mechanism 35 as a whole to switch between the pick-and-place position and the avoidance position.

Specifically, in the pick-and-place position, the pick-and-place mechanism 35 is configured to move within the pass-through space to transfer a container on a first side by the first pick-and-place member 351 or a container on a second side by the second pick-and-place member 352; in the evacuation position, the pick-and-place mechanism 35 is configured to evacuate the passage space so that the container passes through the passage space. The pick-and-place mechanism 35 provided by the present disclosure is integrally movable, that is, when the first pick-and-place member 351 transfers the container on the first side, the second pick-and-place member 352 disposed opposite to the first pick-and-place member 351 will move along with the first pick-and-place member 351 although not engaged with any container, and vice versa. And when dodging, the picking and placing mechanism 35 is also integrally dodged, and the first picking and placing member 351 and the second picking and placing member 352 are both positioned at positions outside the moving path of the container, so that the container is not shielded.

The present disclosure provides a novel pick-and-place assembly 3 structure that enables a container handling device to achieve stable bi-directional pick-and-place. The pick-and-place assembly 3 provided by the present disclosure includes a first pick-and-place member 351 and a second pick-and-place member 352 disposed opposite each other, which enables the pick-and-place mechanism 35 to move integrally under the action of one drive mechanism. The containers on the first side or the second side can be picked and placed when the pick-and-place mechanism 35 is moved integrally to the pick-and-place position. The bidirectional taking and placing device has the advantages that on the basis of realizing bidirectional taking and placing, the driving cost is reduced, the electricity consumption is reduced, and the structure of the container loading and unloading device is simplified.

The specific structure of the transfer assembly 2 will be described in detail below in connection with fig. 2 to 5.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, referring to fig. 2 and 3, the conveyor assembly 2 includes at least two conveyor belts 21 disposed in spaced apart relation, with the pick-and-place assembly 3 configured to be disposed between the conveyor belts 21. Specifically, the conveying assembly 2 provided in this embodiment includes two conveying belts 21 spaced apart along the Y-axis direction, and the pick-and-place assembly 3 is located between the two conveying belts 21. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, there may be more conveyor belts, and the pick-and-place assembly 3 may be located between any two conveyor belts 21.

In the evacuation position, the pick-and-place mechanism 35 is configured to evacuate downward to a position lower than the upper end surface of the conveyor belt 21 so that the container passes through the passage space or to evacuate upward to a position higher than the top of the passage space. Since the upper end surface of the conveying unit 2 restricts the bottom surface of the passing space, the pick-and-place mechanism 35 can avoid the passing space only by being positioned lower than the upper end surface when in the avoiding position in order to avoid the passing space. In another embodiment, the pick-and-place mechanism 35 may also avoid upwards to a position higher than the passing space, and it should be noted that, because the upper portion of the base 1 in this embodiment is not capped, the top of the passing space may be limited by the height of the container in the practical application process, and the pick-and-place mechanism 35 may move to a position higher than the top of the container to avoid.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, with continued reference to fig. 2 and 3, the conveyor assembly 2 further includes a conveyor motor 22, the conveyor motor 22 being configured to drive the synchronized rotation of at least two conveyor belts 21 via a synchronization mechanism 23. Specifically, the synchronizing mechanism 23 includes a synchronizing shaft 231 rotatably connected to the first side or the second side of the base 1, and the same side ends of at least two conveyor belts 21 are configured to be wound around the synchronizing shaft 231. The synchronizing shaft 231 is configured to drive the at least two conveyor belts 21 to rotate synchronously under the driving action of the conveyor motor 22. The synchronizing mechanism 23 further includes a timing belt 233, and the timing belt 233 is wound around a roller 234 provided at one end of the first driving wheel 232 and the synchronizing shaft 231 of the conveying motor 22, respectively.

As shown in fig. 3, two conveyor belts 21 are arranged in the X-axis direction, and one synchronization shaft 231 arranged in the Y-axis direction is provided on the first side or the second side. Both sides of the synchronizing shaft 231 can rotate with respect to the two shutters 11 of the base 1, respectively. In the course of the rotation of the synchronizing shaft 231, the two conveyor belts 21 wound thereon can be driven together with the synchronizing shaft 231 by friction force, thus realizing the synchronous rotation of the plurality of conveyor belts 21.

As shown in fig. 2 and 3, a conveyor motor 22 may be disposed at a position below one of the conveyor belts 21 and driven by a synchronizing mechanism 23 disposed outside the side fence 11 to drive the conveyor belts 21 to rotate. Such an arrangement can save the floor space of the container handling apparatus, and allows the conveyor motor 22 to be disposed inside the baffle 11 without paying out the floor space. Meanwhile, hiding the transfer motor 22 inside the baffle 11 can also enhance the aesthetic appearance of the container handling apparatus.

The transfer motor 22 is provided with a first drive wheel 232 drivingly connected to its output shaft, specifically, the output shaft passes through the barrier 11 such that the first drive wheel 232 is located outside the barrier 11. One end of the synchronizing shaft 231 is provided with a roller 234 that rotates coaxially with the synchronizing shaft 231. One side of the timing belt 233 is wound around the first driving wheel 232, and the other side is wound around the roller 234. When the conveying motor 22 drives the first driving wheel 232 to rotate, the synchronous belt 233 is driven by the first driving wheel 232 to rotate and drives the roller 234 to rotate together, so that the synchronous shaft 231 is driven to rotate, and the two conveying belts 21 are driven to rotate.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the direction of rotation of the conveyor belt 21, and thus the transport assembly 2, may be controlled to transport containers to the first side or to the second side by controlling the forward or reverse rotation of the conveyor motor 22.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, referring to fig. 3 and 5, the timing mechanism 23 further includes a first adjustment mechanism 24, the first adjustment mechanism 24 being configured to adjust the tension of the timing belt 233 by moving the position of the conveyor motor 22. Specifically, the conveying motor 22 includes a fixing base 25, and a first waist-shaped hole 251 is disposed on the fixing base 25. The transfer motor 22 is configured to be connected to the base 1 through the first waist-shaped hole 251.

The fixing seat 25 is connected to the outside of the barrier 11 of the base 1, and is configured to connect the transfer motor 22 to the barrier 11. As shown in fig. 5, four first waist-shaped holes 251 may be provided on the fixing base 25, and four circular screw holes are provided on the baffle 11 at positions corresponding to the four first waist-shaped holes 251. The first adjustment mechanism 24 may be an adjustment bolt, and the fixing base 25 can be firmly fixed on the outer sidewall of the baffle 11 by four screws when the first adjustment mechanism 24 is screwed. When unscrewing the first adjusting mechanism 24, the user can slightly adjust the position of the fixing base 25 along the X-axis direction within the range of the first waist-shaped hole 251, that is, adjust the position of the conveying motor 22, thereby adjusting the tension of the timing belt 233.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in fig. 3, the transfer assembly 2 further includes a pulley 27, the pulley 27 being disposed at one end remote from the synchronizing shaft 231, and the other end of the transfer belt 21 being configured to wrap around the pulley 27. The number of pulleys 27 is identical to that of the conveyor belts 21, and in the case where two conveyor belts 21 are provided, two pulleys 27 are provided.

As shown in fig. 4, the conveyor assembly 2 further includes a second adjustment mechanism 28, the second adjustment mechanism 28 adjusting the tension of the conveyor belt 21 by moving the position of the pulley 27. Specifically, the transfer assembly 2 includes a mounting portion 26 fixed to the base 1, and the mounting portion 26 is provided with a second waist-shaped hole 261. The rotation shaft 271 of the pulley 27 is configured to be rotatably coupled to the mounting portion 26 through the second kidney-shaped hole 261. The mounting portion 26 may be a side plate structure arranged in the X-axis direction, and both ends of the side plate are fixed to the fixing plates 12 on both sides of the base 1, respectively. Each of the conveyor belts 21 is provided with one mounting portion 26 on each of opposite sides in the Y-axis direction. The pulley 27 has rotation shafts 271 protruding from both sides thereof, and the rotation shafts 271 protruding from both sides penetrate through the second waist-shaped holes 261 of the both side mounting portions 26, respectively, so that the pulley 27 is rotatably coupled to the second waist-shaped holes 261 to be rotatable with respect to the mounting portions 26.

The second adjusting mechanism 28 may be an adjusting bolt, and when the second adjusting mechanism 28 is screwed, the pulley 27 is rotatably connected between the two mounting portions 26, and the rotation shaft 271 is located at a fixed position in the second waist-shaped hole 261. When unscrewing the second adjusting mechanism 28, the user can slightly adjust the position of the rotation shaft 271, that is, the position of the pulley 27, in the X-axis direction within the range of the second waist-shaped hole 261, thereby adjusting the tension of the conveyor belt 21.

The specific structure of the pick-and-place assembly 3 will be described in detail below with reference to fig. 6 to 9.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, referring to fig. 6, the pick-and-place assembly 3 includes a first moving portion 324 and a second moving portion 34 slidably connected to the first moving portion 324, and the first and second pick-and-place members 351, 352 are disposed at opposite sides of the second moving portion 34. Specifically, the first pick-and-place member 351, the second pick-and-place member 352 are disposed on opposite sides of the bracket 354 in the X-axis direction, and the bracket 354 is fixedly connected to the second moving portion 34.

The first moving portion 324 is in guided engagement with the carrier assembly and is configured to move in a horizontal direction relative to the carrier assembly under the influence of the drive mechanism. Specifically, the pick-and-place assembly 3 includes a support plate 38 disposed along the X-axis direction, both ends of the support plate 38 are fixedly connected to the fixing plates 12 on both sides of the base 1, and the support plate 38 is used to fix a part of the structure in the pick-and-place assembly 3 to the base 1. The support plate 38 is fixedly connected to a guide rail 33 fixed to the support plate 38 in the X-axis direction, and the first moving portion 324 is guided and fitted to the guide rail 33.

The second moving portion 34 is configured to be slip-fitted over the first moving portion 324, and is configured to be movable in the vertical direction with respect to the first moving portion 324. The second moving part 34 may be a rail structure extending along the Z-axis direction, and the second moving part 34 is slidably engaged with the first moving part 324 in a guiding manner. The bracket 354 may be provided at the top end of the second moving portion 34, and when the second moving portion 34 slides in the Z-axis direction, the pick-and-place mechanism 35 integrally slides in the Z-axis direction along with the second moving portion 34.

Referring to fig. 9, the first moving part 324 may be a connection block structure, and opposite sides of the connection block in the Y-axis direction may be provided with sliding grooves extending in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction, respectively. Wherein a sliding groove extending along the X-axis direction can be in sliding fit with the guide rail 33; the sliding groove extending in the Z-axis direction can be slidably fitted with the second moving portion 34.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the picking and placing assembly 3 further includes a guiding mechanism, and the driving mechanism is configured to drive the first moving portion 324 and the second moving portion 34 to move, and the second moving portion 34 is configured to switch between the picking and placing position and the avoiding position under the limitation of the guiding mechanism. The second moving part 34 is fixedly connected with the picking and placing mechanism 35, and the guiding mechanism limits the second moving part 34 to switch between the picking and placing position and the avoiding position, namely, limits the picking and placing mechanism 35 to switch between the picking and placing position and the avoiding position.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 8, the guide mechanism includes a first guide portion 371, a second guide portion 372, and a third guide portion 373 that communicate sequentially from the first side to the second side. Wherein the second moving part 34 is configured to drive the first pick-and-place member 351 to transfer the container of the first side under the restriction of the first guide part 371; the second moving part 34 is configured to drive the second pick-and-place member 352 to transfer the container on the second side under the restriction of the third guide part 373; and moves to the escape position under the restriction of the second guide 372.

The first guiding portion 371 is located on the first side, and the second moving portion 34 is located along the first guiding portion 371 and close to the first side, so that the first pick-and-place member 351 will also follow the second moving portion 34 to be close to the first side together, so as to transfer the container located on the first side to the carrying assembly, or transfer the container on the carrying assembly to the carrier or the workbench on the first side.

The third guiding portion 373 is located in the second side direction, and when the second moving portion 34 approaches the second side along the third guiding portion 373, the second pick-and-place member 352 also follows the second moving portion 34 to approach the second side together, so as to transfer the container located on the second side to the carrying assembly, or transfer the container located on the carrying assembly to the carrier or the table on the second side.

The second guide portion 372 is located between the first guide portion 371 and the third guide portion 373, and the shapes of the first guide portion 371 and the third guide portion 373 may be completely uniform, which allows the second guide portion 372 to be located at a position directly intermediate the guide mechanisms. The second moving portion 34 is positioned at the retracted position of the pick-and-place mechanism 35 when engaged with the second guide portion 372, that is, at a position directly intermediate the guide mechanisms when the pick-and-place mechanism 35 is positioned at the retracted position.

The first guide portion 371, the second guide portion 372, and the third guide portion 373 are guide grooves provided on the guide bracket 37, wherein both ends of the guide bracket 37 are fixedly connected to the two fixing plates 12 of the base 1. The second moving portion 34 is configured to slidably fit with the guide groove by the guide portion 353. Referring to fig. 7, the guide 353 is fixedly coupled to the bracket 354 and is slidably fitted in the guide groove.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the driving mechanism is configured to move the second moving part 34 to be engaged with the first guide part 371, the second guide part 372, or the third guide part 373 during the movement of the first moving part 324, the second moving part 34. The movement locus of the second movement portion 34 is always restricted by the first guide portion 371, the second guide portion 372, and the third guide portion 373.

Specifically, referring to fig. 9, the pick-and-place assembly 3 further includes a transmission mechanism 32, where the transmission mechanism 32 is configured to drive the first moving portion 324 to slide along the guide rail 33 under the driving action of the driving mechanism. The transmission mechanism 32 includes a second driving wheel 321 rotatably connected to the output end of the power take-off and discharge machine 31, a transmission wheel 323 rotatably connected to a position apart from one side of the second driving wheel 321, and a transmission belt 322 wound around the second driving wheel 321 and the transmission wheel 323. The driving belt 322 is disposed along the X-axis direction, and the lower end of the first moving portion 324 is fixedly coupled to the upper side of the driving belt 322. When the discharge machine 31 drives the second driving wheel 321 to rotate, the driving belt 322 rotates between the second driving wheel 321 and the driving wheel 323 under the action of friction force, so as to drive the first moving part 324 to move along the X-axis direction. Further, the second moving portion 34 slidably connected to the first moving portion 324 can drive the pick-and-place mechanism 35 to move along the X-axis direction.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the direction of rotation of the driving belt 322 may be controlled by controlling the forward rotation or the reverse rotation of the pick-and-place machine 31, thereby controlling the movement of the first moving portion 324, the second moving portion 34, and the pick-and-place mechanism 35 to the first side or the second side.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in fig. 8, the first guide portion 371 and/or the third guide portion 373 are configured to extend straight in the horizontal direction. The second moving portion 34 is configured such that the first and second pick-and-place members 351, 352 move in a straight direction in the passing space during movement along the first or third guide portion 371, 373. Specifically, the second moving portion 34 moves along the first guide portion 371 and the third guide portion 373, that is, along the X-axis direction, and at this time, the first moving portion 324 is slidably engaged with the guide rail 33, and the second moving portion 34 is held stationary with respect to the first moving portion 324. The first picking and placing member 351 and the second picking and placing member 352 are integrally movable in the X-axis direction.

The second guide portion 372 is located in a different direction from the first guide portion 371 and the third guide portion 373. The second moving portion 34 is configured to move the first pick-and-place member 351, the second pick-and-place member 352 gradually away from the passing space when moving to the second guide portion 372 along the first guide portion 371 or the third guide portion 373; alternatively, the second moving portion 34 is configured to move the first pick-and-place member 351 and the second pick-and-place member 352 gradually into the passing space while moving along the second guide portion 372 toward the first guide portion 371 or the third guide portion 373.

Specifically, referring to fig. 8, the second guide 372 includes a first inclined section 3721 inclined to the first guide 371 and communicating with the first guide 371, and a second inclined section 3722 inclined to the third guide 373 and communicating with the third guide 373. When the second moving part 34 moves along the first inclined section 3721 in a direction approaching the first guide part 371 under the limit of the guide part 353, the pick-and-place mechanism 35 gradually enters the passing space to move the first pick-and-place member 351 to a height position where the first side container can be picked and placed. When the second moving portion 34 moves along the first inclined segment 3721 in a direction away from the first guiding portion 371 under the limiting action of the guiding portion 353, the pick-and-place mechanism 35 gradually leaves the passing space to move to the avoidance position.

When the second moving part 34 moves along the second inclined section 3722 in a direction approaching the third guide part 373 under the limit action of the guide part 353, the pick-and-place mechanism 35 gradually enters the passing space so that the second pick-and-place member 352 moves to a height position where the second side container can be picked and placed. When the second moving portion 34 moves in a direction away from the third guide portion 373 along the second inclined section 3722 under the limit action of the guide portion 353, the pick-and-place mechanism 35 gradually leaves the passing space to move to the avoidance position.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the second guide portion 372 is configured to be located above the first and third guide portions 371, 373. After the second moving portion 34 is configured to move into place along the second guide portion 372, the first and second pick-and-place members 351, 352 are configured to move above the carrier assembly to avoid passing through the space. The first guide portion 371 and the third guide portion 373 may be lower than the second guide portion 372, and when the second moving portion 34 moves toward the second guide portion 372 along the first guide portion 371 and the third guide portion 373, the second moving portion 34 drives the pick-and-place mechanism 35 to rise so as to be upwardly retracted through the space.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in fig. 8, the second guide portion 372 is configured to be located below the first guide portion 371, the third guide portion 373. After the second moving portion 34 is configured to move into place along the second guide portion 372, the first and second pick-and-place members 351, 352 are configured to move to below the carrier assembly to avoid passing through the space. The first inclined section 3721 and the second inclined section 3722 of the second guide portion 372 gradually decrease in the middle direction, and when the second moving portion 34 moves toward the second guide portion 372 along the first guide portion 371 and the third guide portion 373, the second moving portion 34 drives the pick-and-place mechanism 35 to descend so as to avoid downward passing through the space.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first inclined section 3721 communicates with the second inclined section 3722 such that the second guide 372 has a V-shape or a U-shape. Alternatively, a transition section 3723 is provided between the first inclined section 3721 and the second inclined section 3722, and the first inclined section 3721, the transition section 3723, and the second inclined section 3722 are sequentially connected. When the second moving portion 34 moves to a position where it cooperates with the transition section 3723, the pick-and-place mechanism 35 is located at the avoidance position. Specifically, the transition section 3723 is configured to be horizontal or curved. As shown in fig. 8, the transition section 3723 in the present embodiment is horizontal, and when the second moving portion 34 moves along the first inclined section 3721 or the second inclined section 3722 to the transition section 3723, the pick-and-place mechanism 35 moves to the lowest position, i.e. is retracted downward to the lowest position.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, referring to fig. 7 and 8, the guide bracket 37 is configured to be coupled by the reinforcement 374 at positions on opposite sides of the second guide 372. Since the guide groove structure is provided in the guide bracket 37 and the guide groove has a long extension length in the X-axis direction, the guide bracket 37 has a low strength and is at risk of breakage. In the present embodiment, the reinforcing member 374 is provided on the guide bracket 37 at the position of the second guide portion 372 having a weaker center, thereby improving the strength of the guide bracket 37. Specifically, the reinforcement 374 may be arched, with its lower ends fixed below the first and second inclined sections 3721 and 3722, respectively, and its middle upper side fixed above the transition section 3723. A certain gap is formed between the reinforcement 374 and the guide bracket 37 to ensure that the guide portion 353 can smoothly move on the guide bracket 37.

The foregoing description of the embodiments of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the various embodiments described. The terminology used herein was chosen in order to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application, or the technical improvements in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims.

Claims (19)

1. A container handling apparatus, comprising:

A carrier assembly configured to transfer the container between the first side and the second side and having a pass-through space for movement of the container therethrough;

The picking and placing assembly (3), wherein the picking and placing assembly (3) comprises a driving mechanism and a picking and placing mechanism (35); the picking and placing mechanism (35) comprises a first picking and placing component (351) and a second picking and placing component (352) which are arranged oppositely; the driving mechanism is configured to drive the whole picking and placing mechanism (35) to switch between a picking and placing position and a avoiding position;

In the pick-and-place position, the pick-and-place mechanism is configured to move within the pass-through space to transfer containers on a first side by a first pick-and-place member (351) or on a second side by a second pick-and-place member (352);

in the evacuation position, the pick-and-place mechanism (35) is configured to evacuate the passage space to allow the container to pass through the passage space.

2. The container handling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pick-and-place assembly (3) comprises a first moving portion (324) and a second moving portion (34) slidingly connected to the first moving portion (324), the first and second pick-and-place members (351, 352) being disposed on opposite sides of the second moving portion (34);

The picking and placing assembly (3) further comprises a guide mechanism, the driving mechanism is configured to drive the first moving part (324) and the second moving part (34) to move, and the second moving part (34) is configured to switch between a picking and placing position and an avoiding position under the limit of the guide mechanism.

3. The container handling apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the guide mechanism includes a first guide portion (371), a second guide portion (372), and a third guide portion (373) that communicate in this order;

Wherein the second movement part (34) is configured to drive the first taking and placing member (351) to transfer the container on the first side under the limitation of the first guide part (371); the second movement part (34) is configured to drive the second taking and placing member (352) to transfer the container on the second side under the limitation of the third guide part (373); and moving to the avoidance position under the restriction of the second guide portion (372).

4. A container handling apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the drive mechanism is configured to move the second moving portion (34) into engagement with the first guide portion (371), the second guide portion (372) or the third guide portion (373) during movement of the first moving portion (324), the second moving portion (34).

5. A container handling apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first guide portion (371) and/or the third guide portion (373) are configured to extend straight in a horizontal direction, the second guide portion (372) being located in a different direction from the first guide portion (371) and the third guide portion (373);

The second moving part (34) is configured to move the first picking and placing member (351) and the second picking and placing member (352) in the passing space along a straight line direction during the movement along the first guide part (371) or the third guide part (373);

The second moving part (34) is configured to move the first and second picking and placing members (351, 352) gradually away from the passing space when moving to the second guide part (372) along the first or third guide part (371, 373); alternatively, the second moving part (34) is configured such that the first and second pick-and-place members (351, 352) move gradually into the passing space when moving along the second guide part (372) toward the first or third guide part (371, 373).

6. The container handling apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the second guide portion (372) is configured to be located above the first guide portion (371), the third guide portion (373); the second moving part (34) is configured to move to the upper side of the bearing assembly along the second guide part (372), and the first picking and placing member (351) and the second picking and placing member (352) are configured to move to the upper side of the bearing assembly so as to avoid the passing space; or alternatively, the method can be used for processing,

The second guide part (372) is configured to be positioned below the first guide part (371) and the third guide part (373); the second moving part (34) is configured to move to the position along the second guiding part (372), and the first picking and placing member (351) and the second picking and placing member (352) are configured to move to the lower part of the bearing assembly so as to avoid the passing space.

7. The container handling apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the second guide portion (372) includes a first inclined section (3721) inclined to the first guide portion (371) and communicating with the first guide portion (371), and a second inclined section (3722) inclined to the third guide portion (373) and communicating with the third guide portion (373).

8. The container handling apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first sloped section (3721) communicates with the second sloped section (3722) such that the second guide (372) is V-shaped or U-shaped; or, a transition section (3723) is arranged between the first inclined section (3721) and the second inclined section (3722), and the first inclined section (3721), the transition section (3723) and the second inclined section (3722) are communicated in sequence.

9. Container handling unit according to claim 8, wherein the transition section (3723) is configured horizontally or in a curve.

10. The container handling apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first guide portion (371), the second guide portion (372), and the third guide portion (373) are guide grooves provided on the guide bracket (37); the second moving portion (34) is configured to be slidably engaged with the guide groove by a guide portion (353).

11. Container handling unit according to claim 10, wherein the guide brackets (37) are configured to be connected by means of stiffeners (374) at positions on opposite sides of the second guide (372).

12. Container handling unit according to claim 2, wherein the first movement portion (324) is in guiding engagement with the carrier assembly and is configured to move in a horizontal direction relative to the carrier assembly under the influence of a drive mechanism; the second moving portion (34) is configured to be a sliding fit on the first moving portion (324), and is configured to be movable in a vertical direction with respect to the first moving portion (324).

13. Container handling unit according to claim 1, characterized in that said carrying assembly comprises a base (1) and a conveyor assembly (2) arranged on said base (1); the transfer assembly (2) is configured to transfer containers between a first side and a second side; the container is configured to be supported on the transfer assembly (2) when the container is located within the pass-through space.

14. Container handling unit according to claim 13, wherein said conveyor assembly (2) comprises at least two conveyor belts (21) arranged at intervals, said pick-and-place assembly (3) being configured to be arranged between the conveyor belts (21); when the container is located at the avoidance position, the taking and placing mechanism (35) is configured to avoid downwards to a position lower than the upper end face of the conveying belt (21), so that the container passes through the passing space or avoid upwards to be higher than the top of the passing space.

15. Container handling unit according to claim 14, wherein said conveyor assembly (2) further comprises a conveyor motor (22), said conveyor motor (22) being configured to drive the synchronous rotation of at least two of said conveyor belts (21) by means of a synchronizing mechanism (23); the synchronous mechanism (23) comprises a synchronous shaft (231) rotatably connected to the first side or the second side of the base (1), and the same side ends of at least two conveying belts (21) are configured to be wound on the synchronous shaft (231); the synchronous shaft (231) is configured to drive at least two conveyor belts (21) to synchronously rotate under the driving action of the conveyor motor (22).

16. Container handling unit according to claim 15, wherein said synchronizing mechanism (23) further comprises a timing belt (233) and a first adjusting mechanism (24), said timing belt (233) being wound around a first driving wheel (232) of said conveyor motor (22) and a roller (234) provided at one end of said synchronizing shaft (231), respectively; the first adjusting mechanism (24) is configured to adjust the tension of the timing belt (233) by moving the position of the conveying motor (22).

17. Container handling unit according to claim 16, wherein said conveyor motor (22) comprises a fixed seat (25), said fixed seat (25) being provided with a first waist-shaped hole (251); the conveyor motor (22) is configured to be connected to the base (1) through the first waist-shaped hole (251).

18. Container handling unit according to claim 15, wherein said conveyor assembly (2) further comprises a pulley (27) and a second adjustment mechanism (28), said pulley (27) being arranged at one end remote from said synchronizing shaft (231), the other end of said conveyor belt (21) being configured to be wound around said pulley (27); the second adjusting mechanism (28) adjusts the tension of the conveyor belt (21) by moving the position of the pulley (27).

19. Container handling unit according to claim 18, wherein said transfer assembly (2) comprises a mounting portion (26) fixed to said base (1), said mounting portion (26) being provided with a second waist-shaped hole (261); the rotation shaft (271) of the pulley (27) is configured to be rotatably coupled to the mounting portion (26) through the second waist-shaped hole (261).