TRANSFERRING APPARATUS

A transferring apparatus includes: a frame; a track including a stator arranged along edges of the frame; a plurality of movers; and a controller. Each of the plurality of movers includes: a body extending around an edge of the stator; a pair of magnets on both sides of the body and facing an upper surface and a lower surface of the stator, respectively; and a seating block on an upper surface of the body and configured to support an object.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0033459, filed on Mar. 14, 2023, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a transferring apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

Multiple processes are required to manufacture a battery pack, and to move various parts between the different processes, a turn table method or a shuttle method may be used. However, in the case of the turn table method or the shuttle method, the space for installing the necessary equipment is limited and it is difficult to add or change a process line due to concerns about wiring interference because of high-speed transfer in the facility.

A mobile phone pack and coin cell pack process using a battery pack and, in particular, a small battery cell, requires high productivity per battery pack, and a flexible process line design is desirable to accommodate new types of applications in a short cycle.

The related art described above includes information the inventor used to derive embodiments of the present disclosure and/or technical information acquired during the process of deriving the same. Thus, the above information is not necessarily a technique known to the general public prior to the filing of the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure include a transferring apparatus configured to use (or including) a linear motor system (LMS) such that it has an overall simplified structure and easier maintenance and repair.

However, the above aspects and features of the present disclosure are examples, and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a transferring apparatus includes: a frame; a track including a stator arranged along edges of the frame; a plurality of movers; and a controller. Each of the plurality of movers includes: a body extending around an edge of the stator; a pair of magnets on both sides of the body and facing an upper surface and a lower surface of the stator, respectively; and a seating block on an upper surface of the body and configured to support an object

The transferring apparatus may further include a stop protrusion in an inner portion of the body, and the stop protrusion may be configured to be selectively retracted into the inner portion of the body or to protrude from the inner portion of the body toward the stator according to whether or not a current is supplied to the stator.

The stop protrusion may include a pair of stop protrusions. A first one of the stop protrusions may be on an inner side surface of an upper portion of the body, and a second one of the stop protrusions may be on an inner side surface of a lower portion of the body and facing each other with the stator therebetween.

The pair of stop protrusions may not overlap each other.

The body may have a receiving groove on a surface of the body facing the stator into which the stop protrusion is received.

The stop protrusion may include: an elastic member supported on an inner side surface of the receiving groove; and a wedge at an end portion of the elastic member and facing the stator. When the stop protrusion is retracted into the receiving groove, the elastic member may be maintained in a compressed state.

The stator may have an insertion groove on a surface thereof facing the stop protrusion and corresponding to the wedge.

The mover may include an electromagnet and a control device for controlling the electromagnet. The stop protrusion may be retracted by a current supplied to the electromagnet when a current is supplied to the stator and the stop protrusion may protrude toward the stator when the current to the electromagnet is cut off in response to no current being supplied to the stator.

The controller may be configured to transmit a stop signal to the mover when the current is not normally supplied to the stator, and the mover may be configured to cut off the current to the electromagnet in response to receiving the stop signal.

The seating block may include a damper on a surface thereof facing an adjacent mover.

The damper may protrude beyond the body from a side surface of the seating block facing toward the adjacent mover.

The track further may further include a rail supported by the frame and arranged downwardly and apart from the stator, and the mover may further include a roller on a bottom surface of the body and contacting the rail.

The rail may have a support rib extending in a width direction at an upper end thereof, and the roller may be rotatably coupled to a support protruding downwardly from the bottom surface of the body and contacts the support rib.

The roller may include a pair of rollers respectively contacting both sides of the support rib.

The mover may have a mounting groove in an upper surface of the seating block and configured to receive the object.

A pair of mounting grooves may be spaced apart from each other in both sides of the mover in a moving direction of the mover, and the pair of mounting grooves may be configured to receive the object in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the mover.

In addition to the aforesaid details, aspects and features of the present disclosure will be clarified and expanded in the following drawings, claims, and detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the figures, dimensions of the various elements, layers, etc. may be exaggerated for clarity of illustration. The same reference numerals designate the same elements. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Further, the use of “may” when describing embodiments of the present disclosure relates to “one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.” Expressions, such as “at least one of” and “any one of,” when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list. For example, the expression “at least one of a, b, or c” indicates only a, only b, only c, both a and b, both a and c, both b and c, all of a, b, and c, or variations thereof. As used herein, the terms “use,” “using,” and “used” may be considered synonymous with the terms “utilize,” “utilizing,” and “utilized,” respectively. As used herein, the terms “substantially,” “about,” and similar terms are used as terms of approximation and not as terms of degree, and are intended to account for the inherent variations in measured or calculated values that would be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art.

FIG.1is an exploded perspective view of a transferring apparatus10according to an embodiment.FIG.2is a plan view of the transferring apparatus10.FIG.3is an exploded perspective view of a mover200according to an embodiment.FIGS.4and5illustrate operation of the mover200according to an embodiment.FIGS.6and7illustrate an operation of the mover200according to another embodiment.FIG.8illustrates a state in which the mover200is mounted on a track100according to an embodiment.FIG.9is a side view illustrating a state in which a plurality of movers200are mounted on the track100according to an embodiment.

Referring toFIGS.1to9, the transferring apparatus10, according to an embodiment, may be used to (e.g., may be configured to) transfer an object S. The transferring apparatus10may be arranged in manufacturing equipment, for example, and may be used to transfer the object S from one process to another. The manufacturing equipment in which the transferring apparatus10is arranged is not limited and may be battery pack manufacturing equipment. Also, the object S may be a battery pack or a semi-finished product (or component) of a battery pack.

In an embodiment, the transferring apparatus10may be used in a facility for manufacturing a battery pack, for example, a coin cell pack for a wearable device or smart phone using a small battery cell. In addition, the object S may be a battery pack manufactured in the manufacturing facility or a product, such as a semi-finished product or a finished product, produced in a process of processing the battery pack. In addition, one transferring apparatus10or a plurality of transferring apparatuses10may be arranged in a manufacturing facility. In addition, the plurality of transferring apparatuses10may be arranged adjacent to each other and interlocked (or interconnected) with each other.

In an embodiment, the transferring apparatus10may be manufactured (or implemented) without a complicated wiring structure by implementing a transfer line by using a linear motor system (LMS). In addition, throughout this structure, lines may be easily changed or added according to the type and number of objects S, and maintenance and repair are easy.

In an embodiment, the transferring apparatus10may include a track100, a mover200, a controller300.

The track100supports a plurality of movers200and, at the same time, provides a path through (or along) which the plurality of movers200move. As illustrated inFIG.1, the track100may have a shape similar to a circle or an ellipse such that the plurality of movers200rotate and circulate in one direction. However, the shape of the track100is not limited thereto and may be appropriately selected according to the structure of the manufacturing facility in which the transferring apparatus10is installed, the specifications of the object S, and the manufacturing process. The track100may extend in one direction and may be configured such that the plurality of movers200reciprocate on the track100.

In an embodiment, the track100may include a frame110and a stator120.

The frame110supports other components of the track100and forms the overall shape of the track100. As illustrated inFIG.1, the frame110may be arranged in an inner portion of the track100, and both ends of the frame110may be curved to have a curvature (e.g., a certain or predetermined curvature). In addition, the inner portion of the frame110, from which both curved ends extend, may have a rectangular or square shape (e.g., the frame110may have an overall oval shape with a substantially rectangular center area). The frame110may have a groove continuously formed along the outer circumferential surface thereof, and the stator120may be inserted into the groove and supported by the frame110.

The stator120has a shape corresponding to the frame110and is arranged along edges of the frame110. As illustrated inFIG.1, the stator120may have a flat plate shape with an empty inner portion (or area) and may be inserted into the frame110. The stator120may be inserted into the groove formed in the outer circumferential surface of the frame110. In a state in which the stator120is inserted into the frame110, at least a portion of edges of the stator120protrudes toward the outside of the frame110. As illustrated inFIG.2, the plurality of movers200may be arranged and moved on (e.g., may move along) the protruding portion of the stator120.

In an embodiment, the stator120may include a plurality of electromagnets including coils. Accordingly, when a current is supplied to the stator120from a power supply source by the controller300, the electromagnets become magnetic, and repulsive and attractive forces are applied to magnets provided in the movers200to move the movers200along the track100.

In an embodiment, the stator120may have an insertion groove121. As illustrated inFIG.4, the insertion groove121may be formed in one surface of the stator120to correspond to (e.g., to be aligned with) a stop protrusion400, described below. The insertion groove121may have a shape corresponding to a wedge420of the stop protrusion400. Accordingly, when the stop protrusion400protrudes and the wedge420is inserted into the insertion groove121, the corresponding mover200may be stopped.

In an embodiment, the track100may further include a rail130. As illustrated inFIG.1, the rail130may have a shape corresponding to the stator120and has an empty inner portion (e.g., an empty inner area). The rail130may be supported under the track100. In an embodiment, the rail130may be supported under the stator120. The rail130allows the plurality of movers200moving along the stator120to move smoothly. In a state where the movers200are arranged to correspond to the stator120, the rail130may be arranged below a bottom surface of the movers200.

In an embodiment, the rail130may be arranged on (or under) a center of the mover200. As illustrated inFIG.8, a central axis of the mover200in a longitudinal direction and a central axis of the rail130in the longitudinal direction may be coaxially arranged. Accordingly, the mover200may move stably along the rail130.

In an embodiment, an upper portion (e.g., an upper surface) of the rail130may have a support rib132protruding in a direction perpendicular to a travelling direction of the mover200. As illustrated inFIG.8, the support rib132may be arranged (or fitted) between a pair of rollers260of the mover200, which will be described later, to contact the rollers260. Both ends of the support rib132may be inserted between the pair of rollers260. Thus, the mover200may stably move along the rail130while the rollers260are in contact with the support rib132.

While supporting the object S, the mover200moves along the track100to transport the object S. As illustrated inFIG.1, because the plurality of movers200are supported at one side of the track100, the plurality of movers200may move along the track100and transport the object S. As illustrated inFIG.2, while the plurality of movers200are aligned at one side of the track100, the object S is seated on the movers200. Thereafter, the mover200may move along the track100to the other side of the track100, stop, and then transfer the object S to a next process.

In an embodiment, the mover200may include a body210, a magnet220, and a seating block230(see, e.g.,FIG.3).

The body210clamps the stator120so that the mover200moves along the track100. As illustrated inFIGS.1to3, the body210has a rectangular parallelepiped or regular hexahedral shape, and a portion of an inner side surface of the body210facing the stator120may be cut (e.g., may be open or may be a groove). In one embodiment, the body210may have a “C” shape having a groove on the inner side surface thereof overall. The stator120is inserted into the groove formed in the inner side surface of the body210, and in this state, the mover200may move along the stator120.

In an embodiment, the body210may have a first portion211, a second portion212and a third portion213.

As illustrated inFIG.4, the first portion211is a block-shaped member arranged at an upper portion of the body210and extends toward the track100. The first portion211has a first inner side surface2111facing an upper surface of the stator120. One of a pair of magnets220, to be described below, may be arranged on the first inner side surface2111. In addition, the first portion211may include a first receiving groove2112into which the stop protrusion400, to be described later, is inserted.

The second portion212is a block-shaped member extending downwardly from one side of (e.g., from one end of) the first portion211. As illustrated inFIG.4, while the stator120is inserted into the body210, an end of the stator120may be spaced apart from (e.g., may face) a second inner side surface2121of the second portion212. Also, the magnet220may not be separately arranged on the second inner side surface2121.

The third portion213is a block-shaped member arranged parallel to the first portion211at one side (e.g., at an opposite side or end) of the second portion212. As illustrated inFIG.4, the third portion213is arranged to face the first portion211with respect to the second portion212and is spaced apart from the first portion211to partition an area in which the stator120is inserted. In addition, the third portion213has a third inner side surface2131facing a lower surface of the stator120. The other one of the pair of magnets220, to be described below, may be arranged on the third inner side surface2131.

In an embodiment, the body210may include one or more supports214on a bottom surface of the body210. As illustrated inFIGS.4and9, a pair of supports214may be arranged on the bottom surface of the body210, that is, on a lower surface of the third portion213. The supports214have a bar shape extending straight downwardly and may be spaced apart from each other such that the rollers260are rotatably arranged on the supports214, respectively. Accordingly, the support rib132of the rail130may be inserted between the pair of supports214and between the rollers260.

The magnet220is arranged on at least one side of the body210to move the mover200by electromagnetic interaction with the track100. As illustrated inFIGS.3and4, the pair of magnets220may be arranged on one side and the other (e.g., the opposite) side of the body210, and the stator120may be inserted therebetween. One of the pair of magnets220may be arranged on the first inner side surface2111of the first portion211, and the other of the pair of magnets220may be arranged on the third inner side surface2131of the third portion213. Accordingly, the pair of magnets220may be arranged to face the upper surface and the lower surface of the stator120, respectively, in a state in which the stator120is inserted into the groove of the body210.

While a current flows in the track100, in an embodiment, the pair of magnets220may be maintained in a state in which the magnets are spaced apart from the upper surface and the lower surface of the stator120. For example, the mover200may move while maintaining a non-contact state with the track100.

In an embodiment, the magnet220may have a first protrusion hole (e.g., a first protrusion opening)221. As illustrated inFIG.4, when the stop protrusion400is arranged in the first portion211of the body210, the first inner side surface2111of the first portion211of the pair of magnets220may have the first protrusion hole221at a portion corresponding to (e.g., aligned with) the first receiving groove2112. The first protrusion hole221is formed through the magnet220in a thickness direction, and the stop protrusion400may protrude toward the stator120through the first protrusion hole221or may be inserted into the first portion211again.

In an embodiment, the mover200may include the seating block230. The seating block230may be arranged on the body210, and the object S is seated on the seating block230. As illustrated inFIG.3, the seating block230may be arranged on an upper surface of the body210, and the object S may be arranged on the seating block230. The seating block230may have a rectangular parallelepiped shape and may have a cross-sectional area equal to or smaller than that of the body210.

In an embodiment, the mover200may include a damper240. As illustrated inFIG.3, dampers240may be arranged on each of both sides of the seating block230in a moving direction of the mover200. When the mover200stops or accelerates for an unexpected reason while moving, it may collide with a neighboring mover200; however, the damper240may absorb this impact. The damper240may be a deformable elastic member, such as rubber or spring.

As illustrated inFIG.9, in a state where a current flows through the stator120, the plurality of movers200may move side by side along the stator120while they are spaced apart from each other. If no current is supplied to the stator120at a desired timing while the plurality of movers200are moving, the electromagnets provided in the stator120may lose their magnetism and the plurality of movers200may move according to inertia and collide with each other. Here, as the damper240is provided on both sides of the seating block230in a traveling direction of the mover200, even if neighboring movers200collide with each other, impact may be minimized.

In an embodiment, the damper240may protrude more outwardly than (e.g., may protrude beyond) the body210. As illustrated inFIG.9, in a state where the damper240is arranged on the seating block230, an outer surface of the damper240may further protrude toward the neighboring mover200than an outer surface of the body210in a direction parallel to the moving direction of the mover200. Accordingly, if the movers200collide with each other, parts of the movers200other than the damper240may not collide before the dampers240collide.

In an embodiment, the mover200may have mounting grooves250. As illustrated inFIG.3, a pair of mounting grooves250may be arranged in an upper surface of the mover200. In an embodiment, the pair of mounting grooves250may be arranged in an upper surface of the seating block230. The pair of mounting grooves250are spaced apart from each other to partition (or form) a space into which the object S is inserted.

The pair of mounting grooves250may be spaced apart from each other to correspond to a width of the object S. In addition, each mounting groove250may have (or may be formed by) an upper portion extending toward the inside (e.g., extending toward the adjacent mounting groove250), and thus, the object S mounted in the mounting grooves250may be supported such that the object S is not unintentionally separated from the mounted state.

In an embodiment, the object S may be inserted between the pair of mounting grooves250in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the mover200. As illustrated inFIG.9, the mover200may move to the left or right, and the object S may be inserted into the mounting groove250in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction. Accordingly, the pair of mounting grooves250support both sides of the object S in the moving direction of the mover200, thus preventing the object S from separating even when the mover200rapidly accelerates or decelerates.

One more (e.g., a third) mounting groove250may be provided on the upper surface of the seating block230to face a direction in which the object S is inserted. For example, in a state in which the pair of mounting grooves250are arranged spaced apart from each other on the seating block230, the remaining one mounting groove250may be further arranged. Accordingly, while the mover200is moving, the object S may not escape inwardly toward the track100.

In an embodiment, the mover200may include the roller260. As illustrated inFIGS.3and4, the pair of rollers260are arranged on the bottom surface of the body210and may be rotatably supported by the supports214. Also, as illustrated inFIG.8, the pair of rollers260may be arranged to contact both sides of the rail130. The pair of rollers260clamp the support rib132of the rail130, and as the mover200moves, the rollers260may roll while making contact with a side surface of the rail130, thereby enabling the mover200move smoothly.

In an embodiment, the mover200may include an electromagnet270and a control device280. As illustrated inFIG.4, the electromagnet270may be arranged inside the body210. In an embodiment, the electromagnet270may be arranged inside the first receiving groove2112to correspond to the stop protrusion400. The control device280may selectively apply a current to the electromagnet270to magnetize it. When the transferring apparatus10operates normally, the control device280supplies a current to the electromagnet270, and the magnetic electromagnet270holds the stop protrusion400within the first receiving groove2112(e.g., holds the stop protrusion400in a retracted state). Then, if no current is supplied at an unexpected time while the transferring apparatus10is in power failure, the control device280may cut off the current supplied to the electromagnet270. As the magnetism of the electromagnet270dissipates, the protrusion400protrudes (e.g., extends) to stop the mover200.

The control device280may be arranged at one side of the body210and communicates with the controller300to control the operation of the mover200. When the mover200is to be stopped, the controller300may transmit a stop signal to the control device280causing the control device280to cut off the current supplied to the electromagnet270to make the stop protrusion400protrude.

The controller300transmits movement and stop signals to other components of the transferring apparatus10or controls the current supplied from a power supply source. The controller300may supply a current to the stator120such that the plurality of movers200move along the track100. In other embodiments, the controller300may control the current supplied to the stator120such that the plurality of movers200are maintained in a stopped state such that the objects S may be mounted.

One or more stop protrusions400may be arranged on one side of the mover200and may be selectively (or reversibly) supported in the body210or protruding from the body210to stop the mover200according to whether or not a current is supplied to the stator120. As illustrated inFIG.4, the stop protrusion400may be inserted into (e.g., retracted into) the body210and, in an embodiment, into the first receiving groove2112in the first portion211. The stop protrusion400may be arranged at a position corresponding to the electromagnet270and may protrude (e.g., may protrude from the first receiving groove2112) depending on whether or not a current is supplied to the electromagnet270.

In an embodiment, the stop protrusion400may remain retracted inside the body210when the transferring apparatus10operates normally, that is, when a current is normally supplied to the stator120. In addition, when the transferring apparatus10does not operate normally, that is, when the current supplied to the stator120is abnormally cut off, the stop protrusion400may protrude from (e.g., may extend from) the inside of the body210to contact the stator120. Accordingly, the mover200may stop.

In an embodiment, the stop protrusion400may include an elastic member410and the wedge420.

The elastic member410has one end supported on the inside of the body210, and the wedge420may be arranged at the other end of the elastic member410. As illustrated inFIG.4, the elastic member410may be supported on an inner side surface of the first receiving groove2112such that one end of the elastic member410faces the electromagnet270. The elastic member410may include a conductive material and may be compressed or expanded according to the magnetism of the electromagnet270.

When a current is supplied to the electromagnet270and the electromagnet270becomes magnetic, the elastic member410may be compressed toward the electromagnet270, and accordingly, the wedge420may be located within (or retracted into or held within) the first receiving groove2112and the first protrusion hole221. Then, when the current supplied to the electromagnet270is cut off by the control device280and the controller300, the electromagnet270loses its magnetism, and the elastic member410is stretched (or expands) due to a restoring force. Accordingly, the wedge420may protrude through (or extend from) the first receiving groove2112and the first protrusion hole221to be accommodated in the insertion groove121in the stator120.

The wedge420is supported at one end of the elastic member410and selectively contacts the stator120to stop the mover200. The wedge420may have a downwardly and inwardly tapered shape.

The operation of the transferring apparatus10according to an embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS.1to5below.

First, the object S is seated in the plurality of movers200. In this state, the controller300may control the current supplied to the stator120such that the plurality of movers200remain stationary. The object S may be inserted in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the mover200moves and may be mounted in the mounting groove250. In addition, the control device280provided in the mover200sends a current to the electromagnet270so that the electromagnet270, which is then magnetic, supports (e.g., retracts) the stop protrusion400(see, e.g.,FIG.4).

When all the objects S are seated, the controller300controls the current supplied to the stator120such that the plurality of movers200move. When the plurality of movers200move along the track100and arrive at a designated position, the controller300stops the plurality of movers200by controlling the current supplied to the stator120again. Then, after a separate transfer robot or robot arm separates the object S from the movers200, the controller300moves the plurality of movers200by controlling the current supplied to the stator120.

While the movers200are moving, if an unexpected problem occurs in the current transmitted to the stator120, such as a power outage, power cut, or overcurrent, in the transferring apparatus10, the controller300may stop the movers200. The controller300transmits a stop signal to the control device280of the mover200, and the control device280cuts off the current supplied to the electromagnet270. Accordingly, the electromagnet270loses its magnetism, and the elastic member410, which is compressed, extends such that the wedge420protrudes downwardly (see, e.g.,FIG.5). The protruding wedge420is inserted into the insertion groove121in the stator120, and the mover200is stopped by friction between the stop protrusion400and the stator120.

Even if the stop protrusion400operates and the mover200does not completely stop, the damper240provided on the seating block230may relieve (or alleviate) an impact caused by a collision between the movers200, thereby preventing damage to the mover200.

In another embodiment, a plurality of stop protrusions400may be provided. The stop protrusions400may be arranged on an inner side surface of an upper portion of the body210and an inner side surface of a lower portion of the body210to face each other with the stator120therebetween. As illustrated inFIGS.6and7, a first receiving groove2112and a third receiving groove2132may be formed in the first portion211and the third portion213of the body210, respectively. In addition, the insertion groove121may be formed in the upper surface of the stator120to correspond to the first receiving groove2112, and another insertion groove121may be formed in the lower surface of the stator120to correspond to the third receiving groove2132. In addition, stop protrusions400are arranged inside the first receiving groove2112and the third receiving groove2132, respectively, and a pair of electromagnets270are arranged to correspond to the pair of stopping protrusions400.

When the controller300transmits a stop signal to the control device280, the control device280controls the current supplied to the electromagnet270arranged to correspond to each stop protrusion400. Accordingly, the electromagnets270lose its magnetism, and the elastic members410, which are compressed, of each stop protrusion400protrude toward the stator120while extending due to the restoring force (see, e.g.,FIG.7). Then, each wedge420is inserted into the corresponding insertion groove121in the stator120, and the mover200stops. Because the pair of stop protrusions400arranged to face each other are provided in the body210as described above, the mover200may be more stably and reliably stopped.

In an embodiment, the pair of stop protrusions400may be arranged not to overlap each other. As illustrated inFIGS.6and7, the pair of stop protrusions400may be arranged apart from each other such that they do not overlap each other in a vertical direction. Thus, the pair of stop protrusions400and the stator120may contact each other at different points from each other. Accordingly, the mover200may be more stopped stably.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a transfer line is implemented by using an LMS, thereby simplifying configuration of the transferring apparatus without a complicated wiring structure while facilitating the change of lines and maintenance and repair thereof.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, when a current is not supplied normally to the transferring apparatus, the stop protrusions may be controlled to rapidly stop the movers to prevent collision between the movers.