Positioning unit for a conveying system, conveying system

Abstract

A positioning unit for positioning a carriage on a conveying system is disclosed. The positioning unit has positioning sections that allow the carriage to be introduced into a tightened contact state for positioning. A first positioning section of the positioning unit can be manipulated into the tightened contact state by a particularly electric drive device of the positioning unit. Furthermore, a conveying system having the positioning unit is disclosed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a positioning unit for a conveying system and a conveying system having said positioning unit. Background Technology

[0002] Workpieces can be transported from station to station using a conveyor system. One known solution is, for example, the applicant's conveyor system "TS1". As the conveying device, a continuously circulating belt, toothed drive belt, flat chain, or barrier roller chain or round belt can be used. On these conveyors, a workpiece carrier receiving the workpiece is driven by friction. Workpiece processing can be performed at the station, for example. For this purpose, during the continued operation of the conveyor, the workpiece carrier is stopped at the station by a positioning unit, also known as a separator. The positioning unit clamps the workpiece carrier between two positioning sections, one of which is pneumatically actuated in contact with the workpiece carrier and presses the workpiece carrier toward the second positioning section. During the dwell phase, the actuator remains pneumatically actuated. After the operation at the corresponding station is completed, the workpiece carrier is released by the separator / positioning unit for transport to the next station.

[0003] Because the installation and maintenance of pneumatic systems represent relatively high costs, a positioning unit with an electric actuator for manipulating the positioning section is used as an alternative. Here, the electric actuator is also controlled such that it initially contacts the positioning section with the workpiece carrier, applies a holding force, and maintains that holding force while the workpiece carrier remains on the station.

[0004] The disadvantage here is the relatively high load and energy consumption of the electric actuator during the dwell phase, which hides the danger of overheating and related failures. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In contrast, the objective of this invention is to provide a positioning unit for a transmission system with high fault tolerance. Another objective is to provide a transmission system with high fault tolerance.

[0006] The first task is solved by a positioning unit for positioning a carriage at or within a conveying system, the positioning unit having positioning sections by which the carriage can be introduced into a tightened contact state for positioning, wherein a first positioning section of the positioning section can be manipulated into the tightened contact state by a drive mechanism of the positioning unit, characterized in that the positioning unit has a mechanism by which the first positioning section is supported into the tightened contact state without being manipulated by the drive mechanism. The second task is solved by a conveying system having a line guide mechanism and a carriage that can be guided or is guided on the line guide mechanism and having a positioning unit according to the invention arranged on the line guide mechanism.

[0007] Advantageous improvements to the positioning unit are described below.

[0008] A positioning unit for positioning a carriage, particularly a workpiece carriage, in or within a conveying system has a positioning section by which the carriage can be brought into a tightened contact state for its positioning. The tightened contact state means that the carriage is positioned and a tightening force is transmitted from the positioning section to the carriage. At least one, preferably only one, positioning section can be manipulated into the tightened contact state by a drive mechanism of the positioning unit. The drive mechanism is, in particular, electric. According to the invention, a particularly mechanical mechanism is provided by which the first positioning section is supported into the tightened contact state, so that the drive mechanism does not need to apply an operating force or a holding force.

[0009] The positioning unit and the transmission system implemented with the positioning unit thus have high fault safety with the same or less overhead, because the drive device only needs to do work until a tight contact state is reached and can be converted to an energy-free, especially non-energized state in the tight contact state.

[0010] Preferably, the drive device is electric in order to achieve lower equipment costs than a pneumatic solution.

[0011] The drive device is preferably a linear drive device, especially an electromagnet with a movable armature, or a rotary drive device, especially a motor or stepper motor.

[0012] The second positioning section of the positioning section can technically be fixed and / or immovable. Therefore, it is only used as a top retainer or support.

[0013] The preferred fit between the bracket and the positioning section is a form fit and / or a force-transmitting fit.

[0014] The electric drive device is either coupled to the first positioning section only in a compressive manner when manipulated in the direction of the tightened contact state, or coupled to the first positioning section in a tensile manner when manipulated back to the initial state.

[0015] The first positioning section can be manipulated linearly, oscillatingly, or rotatingly into a tightened contact state and is thus supported.

[0016] In one improved embodiment, a transmission mechanism is provided, through which the first positioning section is displacement-coupled with the drive device. Therefore, a displacement transmission ratio and / or a force transmission ratio can be set for effective control of the positioning.

[0017] For this purpose, the transmission ratio of the transmission mechanism depends on the displacement, that is, it is variable within the displacement range.

[0018] In one improved embodiment, the displacement transmission ratio of the transmission mechanism is zero and / or undergoes a sign change in the tightened contact state, and / or the displacement transmission ratio is greater than zero outside the tightened contact state, and / or the displacement transmission ratio is maximum in the initial state of the first positioning section, away from the tightened contact state. In particular, the displacement transmission ratio decreases from the initial state to the tightened contact state. In the initial state, the displacement transmission ratio is especially greater than zero and less than, equal to, or greater than one.

[0019] In one improved embodiment, the transmission mechanism is designed to allow the power flow from the drive unit to the first positioning section to be redirected at least once. This enables a variable arrangement of the first positioning section, the drive unit, and insertable or inserted coupling elements such as rods or springs.

[0020] In one improved embodiment, the transmission mechanism has at least one link through which the displacement on the drive side is directed and / or converted into an indirect or direct manipulatory displacement of the first positioning segment. Also provided here are the following feasible options: variable, especially relative to each other, adjusted arrangements and optimized utilization of structural space.

[0021] In one improved embodiment, the transmission mechanism has an elbow joint, the elbow of which is displacementally coupled to the drive device, and one leg of the elbow joint is displacementally coupled to the first positioning section.

[0022] In another improvement to the mechanism using an elbow lever, the positioning unit has a stop for fixing or adjusting the elbow, which, in a tightened contact state in the first positioning section, abuts against the stop during overextension. Through this overextension, the tightening force is no longer applied to the drive mechanism but is instead absorbed by the stop. The drive mechanism can then be switched to a non-powered state.

[0023] In one improved embodiment, as a supplement or alternative, the transmission mechanism can have a cam disk through which the displacement on the drive side is directed or converted into an indirect or direct manipulatory displacement of the first positioning segment. This particularly allows for the use of a rotary drive.

[0024] For displacement coupling, the first positioning section is indirectly or directly supported on the periphery, edge, or cam of the cam disk.

[0025] In one improved embodiment, the mechanism is formed by a segment of the periphery, edge, or cam, with a constant radius, meaning the slope along the periphery is zero. Therefore, the first positioning segment, indirectly or directly supported on this segment, does not induce tangential force or torque on the cam disc, thus achieving a self-locking state and allowing the drive mechanism to transition to a powerless state. Strictly speaking, this segment can have a small slope, and the self-locking function is still achieved, provided that the sliding pair and slope are arranged such that static friction exists until the aforementioned slope equals zero.

[0026] In one improved embodiment, the cam disk further comprises another peripheral segment, edge segment, or cam segment with a minimum radius, which can be global or local. This forms a segment or even a "groove," with the first positioning segment grounded or directly supported on the segment or groove in an initial state away from the tightened contact state. This also clearly defines the initial state.

[0027] To apply a tightening force, a preferred improvement is provided in which a separate tightening mechanism, such as a pressure spring, a pressure spring device, a gas spring, etc., is provided, thereby enabling the first positioning section to be tightened or tightened into a tightened contact state.

[0028] In a preferred improvement, the tightening mechanism is force-coupled with the drive device only along the manipulating displacement of the first positioning section, which begins with a first contact state of the first positioning section on the workpiece bracket and ends with a tightened contact state of the first positioning section on the workpiece bracket. Otherwise, there is no force coupling, and thus the drive device can be switched to a non-powered state.

[0029] If the last mentioned manipulatory displacement begins with the first contact state of two or all positioning sections on the workpiece bracket, then the manipulatory displacement is defined more precisely.

[0030] In one improved embodiment, in all the aforementioned cases, there exists a minimum displacement transmission ratio and a maximum force transmission ratio along the manipulated displacement due to the transmission mechanism.

[0031] In one improved embodiment, the outrigger of the elbow lever connected to the elbow is at least force-coupled with the tightening mechanism along the operating displacement, and otherwise not force-coupled.

[0032] The tightening mechanism preferably has a preload, so that a small stroke is sufficient to achieve a high tightening force at the start of force coupling with the drive device. This is advantageous because it allows full utilization of the last mentioned advantage of the minimum displacement transmission ratio and the maximum force transmission ratio in the region just before reaching the tightened contact state. In the tightened contact state, the ratio of preload to tightening force is approximately 0.9 to 0.98, preferably in the range of approximately 0.95.

[0033] The preload is preferably chosen to be so high that it can be reliably overcome, taking into account the width tolerances of the workpiece bracket and the positioning section, and the preload is not lower. Therefore, in an improved embodiment, the preload of the clamping mechanism and / or its spring stiffness is coordinated with the tolerances of the bracket and the positioning section, as well as the rated drive force. Through the spring preload, approximately the same clamping force is output to the workpiece bracket, regardless of the tolerances of the workpiece bracket and the positioning section.

[0034] If, in an improved embodiment, the tightening mechanism is arranged aligned, parallel, or adjacent to the first positioning section, it can respond to individual structural space conditions. Here, flexible arrangement can be achieved through coupling via rods or similar devices.

[0035] Therefore, the tightening mechanism can be arranged, for example, in the direct or shortest power flow path extending from the drive unit to the first positioning section. Here, the structural space becomes longer or wider along the power flow path depending on the structural type. Alternatively, the tightening mechanism can be arranged in a branch of the shortest power flow path. Thus, the following arrangements of the tightening mechanism are possible, which can bring advantages in terms of structural space utilization and accessibility.

[0036] In one improved embodiment, the first positioning segment is pre-tightened to its initial state with a smaller reset force. This simplifies the reset process from the tightened contact state to the initial state and even eliminates the need for tensile coupling with the drive mechanism.

[0037] In one improved embodiment, the first positioning section is coupled to the drive unit in a compressive and tensile manner. This is particularly advantageous in improved embodiments with an overextended elbow, because the drive unit can pull the elbow back from its overextended state to its initial state when the tightened contact is released.

[0038] In one improved embodiment, the positioning unit has a bracket arranged between positioning sections.

[0039] In one improved embodiment, the positioning unit has a bridge for tightening the line guide mechanism of the transmission system from below or above. This bridge has opposing jaw plates or support sections that can be fixed to one side of the line guide mechanism. A first positioning section is operably supported on a first jaw plate, and a second positioning section is disposed on a second jaw plate. The second positioning section can be supported or disposed there in a fixed or movable manner. The bridge is sized such that it can withstand tightening forces with negligible deformation, preventing deformation of the line guide mechanism.

[0040] In a preferred improvement, the second positioning section is supported in a floating manner on the second jaw plate along the conveying direction.

[0041] Preferably, the second positioning section thus supported is arranged along the conveying direction in a spring-centered manner.

[0042] The floating support ensures that the second positioning section can move along the conveying direction during tightening, i.e., when the first positioning section is tightened onto the workpiece carrier using a centering action. Therefore, shear forces that could cause functional failure are prevented during tightening. The spring centering is responsible for maintaining the neutral or intermediate position of the workpiece carrier along the conveying direction.

[0043] A transmission system includes a line guiding mechanism, a bracket guided on the line guiding mechanism, and a positioning unit arranged on the line guiding mechanism, the positioning unit being designed according to at least one aspect described above. As mentioned above, the transmission system has high fault tolerance due to the characteristics of the positioning unit.

[0044] In an improved embodiment with a bridge and jaw plates, the jaw plates are respectively fixed to one side of the line guiding mechanism and the line guiding mechanism is tightened below by the bridge. Attached Figure Description

[0045] Two embodiments of the positioning unit according to the invention and one embodiment of a conveying system having the positioning unit are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0046] in:

[0047] Figure 1 A perspective view is provided of a conveying system according to one embodiment.

[0048] Figure 2 A 3D diagram showing the following... Figure 1 The positioning unit of the transmission system according to the first embodiment,

[0049] Figure 3 The cross-section shows the arrangement according to Figure 2 The positioning unit is in its initial state.

[0050] Figure 4 It shows according to Figure 3 The positioning unit is in a state of tight contact with the workpiece bracket.

[0051] Figure 5 A 3D diagram is shown for use according to Figure 1 The positioning unit of the transmission system according to the second embodiment,

[0052] Figure 6 The cross-section shows the arrangement according to Figure 5 The positioning unit is in its initial state.

[0053] Figure 7 It shows according to Figure 6 The positioning unit is in a state of tight contact with the workpiece bracket.

[0054] Figure 8 A perspective view shows a jaw plate according to two embodiments, having a positioning section on which it is floatingly supported.

[0055] Figure 9 A view showing the direction of transport is provided. Figure 8 The jaw plates, and

[0056] Figure 10 The longitudinal section shown is expanded along the conveying direction according to Figure 8 and 9 The jaw plates. Detailed Implementation

[0057] according to Figure 1The conveying system 1 has a line guiding mechanism 2, which in the illustrated embodiment is designed as a closed or ring-shaped structure. Alternatively, the line guiding mechanism 2 can have an open, straight, and / or curved orientation. The line guiding mechanism 2 has two parallel guide profiles or rails 4, on which a strip-like, chain-like, or link-like conveying device 6 circulates. Here, the conveying system 1, due to its closed structure, has four linear line segments 8 and four curved or arcuate segments 10. Figure 1 The two left-hand sections 10 are designed as rotating disks.

[0058] The workpiece carrier 12 is driven by the conveying device 6 on the conveying system 1 by means of friction. Here, in the illustrated embodiment, the workpiece carrier 12 is equipped with workpieces by an operator 14, although automated equipment is also possible.

[0059] The workpiece carrier 12, thus moved, with the workpiece (not shown) arranged on it, is stopped at station 16 of the so-called separator or positioning unit 18. Then, workpiece processing or other operations are performed at station 16. For this purpose, the positioning unit 18 fixes the workpiece carrier 12 in a defined position.

[0060] Figure 2 It shows, for example, in Figure 1 This is a first embodiment of a positioning unit 18, similar to the one arranged on the straight line segment 8 on the left side. It can be seen that the guide rails 4, in this embodiment, have strip-shaped conveyor devices 6 circulating on them. In this embodiment, square workpiece holders 12 are arranged on the conveyor devices 6. The positioning unit 18 has a bridge 20 that tightens the line guiding mechanism 2 from below, on which a first jaw plate 22 and a second jaw plate 24 are respectively arranged laterally on the guide rails 4. The positioning unit 18 is securely fixed to the guide rails 4 of the line guiding mechanism 2 by its bridge 20 and the first jaw plate 22 and the second jaw plate 24.

[0061] A rotating drive unit 26 is flanged to the first jaw plate 22. The rotating drive unit 26, via a transmission mechanism, can manipulate a first positioning section 28, which, in the illustrated embodiment, is designed to linearly guide the pins. The first positioning section 28 achieves height centering of the workpiece carrier 12 on one side of the first jaw plate 22 and longitudinal centering of the workpiece carrier 12 along the conveying direction. Opposite to the first positioning section 28, a second positioning section 30, which interacts with the first positioning section 28 and is fixed in the opposite direction, is arranged laterally outside the outer guide rail 4 and at the second jaw plate 24 where it is located.

[0062] The workpiece bracket 12 is designed as a plate and has a positioning groove 34 on the side of the second positioning section 30. This centering groove is located in... Figure 2 The center is also constructed on the end side 32 pointing in the direction of movement (arrow). The second positioning section 30 has a centering element 31, which is generally constructed in a rod shape and is coordinated with the positioning groove 34. In the illustrated embodiment, the centering element 31 achieves height centering of the workpiece bracket 12 on one side of the second jaw plate 24.

[0063] Figure 3 With the cross-section of the line guiding mechanism 2, that is, transverse to the transmission direction ( Figure 2 The cross-section of the arrow in the image shows the cross-section according to... Figure 2 The positioning unit 16. The first jaw plate 22 and the second jaw plate 24 are fixed to the groove of the guide rail 4 by a helical connection part 36 with a slider. The positioning unit 18 has a positioning unit 16 according to Figure 2 The support and housing structure 38 is fixed to the first jaw plate 22. The support and housing structure 38 is based on... Figure 2 and 3 The drive unit 26 receives the rotation. This drive unit is according to... Figure 2 The transmission belt drive device 40 and according to Figure 3 The drive shaft 42 is torque coupled.

[0064] A cam disk 44 with a variable radius r, serving as a transmission element, is fixed to the drive shaft 42 via a slot-tenon connection. A stepped cylindrical slider 48 is supported on the periphery of the cam disk 44 by its end side 50.

[0065] The pressure spring 52 is tightened between the first disc sleeve 54 and the second disc sleeve 56. Here, the preload can be adjusted by a tightening screw 55, through which the first disc sleeve 54 and the second disc sleeve 56 are connected in tensile force against the spring force.

[0066] The first disc sleeve 54 of the two disc sleeves is located behind the slider 48, and the second disc sleeve 56 is coupled to the spring head 58.

[0067] The spring head 58 is coupled to the first positioning section 28 in a compressive but not tensile manner via a T-shaped rocker arm 60.

[0068] The rocker arm 60 is pivotally supported by its T-shaped intermediate beam 62. One of its cross arms 64 is buoyantly supported on the spring head 58. In this embodiment, this support is achieved by means of a centering pin 66 of the cross arm 64, which is guided in an elongated hole 67.

[0069] The other horizontal arm 68 of the rocker arm 60 is slidably supported on the sliding surface 70 of the first positioning section 28. The first positioning section 28 is opposite to its operating direction ( Figure 3 (The arrow in the image) is supported by a return spring 72 on a guide mechanism 74 fixed to the jaw plate.

[0070] The first positioning section 28 is supported in the guide mechanism 74 by means of a sliding sleeve 76 in a sliding and axially movable manner.

[0071] The first positioning section 28 is configured as a pin and passes through the guide mechanism 74 toward the workpiece bracket 12. The centering section 78 of the pin, pointing toward the workpiece bracket 12, is designed to be tapered and has a suitable mating part in the workpiece bracket 12 as a tapered centering receiving portion 80.

[0072] On one hand, the positioning groove 34, together with the rod-shaped centering element 31 and the second positioning section 30, and on the other hand, the centering receiving part 80, together with the centering section 78 of the first positioning section 28, forms both line contact and point contact. Thus, the workpiece bracket 12 can be precisely positioned on the line guide mechanism 2 when the first positioning section 28 is manipulated.

[0073] Figure 3 The initial state before positioning is shown. Figure 4 Indicates the final state or location. (Using...) Figure 3 and Figure 4 To illustrate the positioning process. For clarity, in Figure 4 This is yet another illustration that abandons the use of unnecessary reference numerals.

[0074] according to Figure 3 The cam disk is in its initial state, and the stepper motor of the rotating drive 26 is also operated in its initial state. Therefore, the slider 48 abuts against the peripheral region of the cam disk 44 with a minimum or extremely small radius r. Therefore, the displacement or lift of the slider 48 is minimal, and consequently, the lift of the spring head 58 is also minimal. Therefore, the rocker arm 60 tilts maximally away from the workpiece holder, and the first positioning section 28 is tightened by the return spring 72 according to its position. Figure 3 In its initial state, the pressure spring 52 of the tightening mechanism 47 is pre-tightened, for example, to 200-300N, by means of the tightening screw 55 of the tightening mechanism 47. The workpiece bracket 12 is placed on the conveying device 6.

[0075] Now, the stepper motor of the rotating drive device 26 is gradually manipulated, thereby causing the cam disk 44 to move according to... Figure 3 , 4Rotating counterclockwise. Along this direction, the radius r continuously increases, thereby raising the slider 48 and engaging the first positioning section 28 against the return spring by means of the coupling of the tightening mechanism and the rocker arm 60. Here, the engagement speed is controlled only within the radius curve according to the rotational position of the cam disk 44, provided that the rotational drive device 26 has a constant rotational speed or step speed. If the centering sections pair up, i.e., the centering element 31, the positioning groove 34 and the centering section 78, the centering receiving part 80 engage, the process of lifting the workpiece carrier 12 from the conveying device 6 begins due to its centering effect.

[0076] When the positioning is nearing completion, the displacement of the first positioning section 28 decreases to zero due to this rigidity when the "rigid" first positioning section 28 and the second positioning section 30 come into contact with their corresponding "rigid" mating parts, namely, the centering receiving part 80 on the one hand and the edge side 33 of the workpiece bracket 12 on the other hand.

[0077] However, the rotating drive 26 and thus the cam disk 44 continue to rotate, wherein the radius continues to increase. Consequently, the slider 48 also always has a lift. Thus, at the moment of contact described last, a clamping force comes into play, which depends on the compression stroke of the clamping mechanism 47. This clamping force is transmitted by the rocker arm 60 to the first positioning section 28, which transmits the resultant force to the workpiece carrier 12, which is then supported on the second positioning section 30.

[0078] The preload of the tightening screw 55 of the tightening mechanism 47 can preferably be selected, without regard to this embodiment, such that it can be reliably overcome by the rotating drive 26, taking into account the respective width tolerances between the workpiece bracket 12 and the first positioning section 28 and the second positioning section 30. Preferably, this preload is not low. Therefore, it is possible for the rotating drive 26 to operate substantially without load and to move rapidly within 80%-95% of its (rotational) stroke.

[0079] The rotary drive 26 operates under load only during the last 5%-20% of the stroke (during which the transmission ratio of the transmission mechanism is very small), where the tightening force is then approximately 70%-95% of the rated tightening force. This applies independently of this embodiment.

[0080] According to Figure 4 The clamping force remains constant when the cam disk 44 is in a position in which the cam disk 44 abuts against the slider 48 with a peripheral section having a constant and maximum radius R. The peripheral section sweeps approximately 10°.

[0081] Because of the zero change in radius in this peripheral section, the tightening force on the cam disk 44 does not cause a force along the peripheral direction, but only a force along the radial direction. Therefore, in the tightened contact state of the first positioning section 28, the torque required to provide reverse support for the stepper motor of the rotating drive device 26 is not acting on the drive shaft 42.

[0082] In other words, a mechanism is provided by the peripheral section of the cam disk with a constant maximum radius R, through which the first positioning section is supported into a tightened contact state without being operated by the rotating drive device 26. Therefore, the drive device can remain de-energized and prevent overload, and its energy consumption is reduced.

[0083] The workpiece bracket 12 is released by manipulating the cam disk 44 clockwise using the drive device.

[0084] When the slider 48 is supported in the groove 43 on the periphery of the cam disk 44, the first positioning section 28 occupies an initial state that is fixed and not operated by the rotating drive device 26, away from the tightened contact state. This groove 43 is adjacent on the periphery to a peripheral section with the largest radius R.

[0085] Figure 5 A second embodiment of the positioning unit 118 is shown. Here, the following description should be limited to deviations from the first embodiment, whenever possible. Components having the same design within the scope of the embodiments retain their reference numerals.

[0086] according to Figure 5 The positioning unit 118, at least the linear drive device 126, the support and housing structure 138, and the first positioning section 128 are components that are different from those that are arranged according to... Figures 2 to 4 The first embodiment. The linear drive device 126 is designed as an electromagnetic linear drive device and is supported in a manner that allows it to oscillate about an axis normal to the linear axis of the drive device via a swing bearing 125. To compensate for tolerances and to avoid lateral forces, the drive device is supported floatingly along the mentioned axis. Other differences are made according to... Figure 6 The cross-section shows that the positioning unit 118 is in the so-called initial state.

[0087] Figure 6 A cross-section of the positioning unit 118 is shown, which is similar to that shown in the diagram. Figure 3The first embodiment of the positioning unit 18 is shown in cross-section. For the sake of clarity, it should be noted that although the first positioning segment 28 and the second positioning segment 30 are in their initial state, i.e., not yet in contact with the workpiece carrier 12, as shown, the workpiece carrier 12 is... Figure 6 The middle part has already been shown in its raised position.

[0088] according to Figure 6 The electromagnetic linear drive device 126 is received in an axial end section and supported in a swingable manner according to... Figure 5 The linear drive 126 is housed in a can-shaped receiving portion 82 on the oscillating bearing 125. The linear drive 126 has a push rod 84 or armature that is axially actuated when energized. The linear drive 126 is protected by a housing section of a support and housing structure 138 to prevent damage. At the end section opposite the receiving portion 82, the push rod 84 is displacedly coupled to the elbow 86 of an elbow 144, which is configured as an elbow. The elbow 144 has a first leg 88 rotatably supported on the elbow 86, the distal end section of which is rotatably hinged to a first positioning section 128. A second leg 90, also rotatably supported on the elbow 86, is positioned approximately mirror-symmetrically away from the elbow. The distal end section 92 of the second leg 90 and the first positioning section 128 are initially out of contact.

[0089] Furthermore, a tightening mechanism 147 is provided, corresponding to the first embodiment with respect to the pressure spring 52, tightening screw 55, and first disc sleeve 54 and second disc sleeve 56. The difference is that the tightening mechanism 147 is not directly arranged in the power flow from the linear drive 126 to the first positioning section 128, but rather arranged alongside it. Specifically, the tightening mechanism is arranged with its spring longitudinal axis 149 parallel to the operating axis of the first positioning section 128, wherein the tightening mechanism 147 covers approximately the same axial length as the elbow 144. To redirect the tightening force of the tightening mechanism 147 to the elbow 144, a rockingly supported rod 160 is provided, one end section of which is configured to abut against the first disc sleeve 54 and its other end section is configured to abut against the end section 92 of the elbow 144. The second disc sleeve 56 is supported on the stop screw 96. At this stop screw, the preload can be adjusted—as a supplement to the tightening screw 55—within easy external access. An adjustable stop screw 96 for the elbow 86 is provided above the elbow 144 along the operating direction of the push rod 84. The first leg 88 and the second leg 90 are supported on the housing side by rollers 98, 99 and / or guide grooves on their undersides.

[0090] For the sake of clarity, in Figure 7 This is yet another illustration that abandons the use of unnecessary reference numerals.

[0091] according to Figure 6 The positioning unit 118 is in its initial state, the linear motor is not energized, the lift of the push rod is zero, the elbow 144 is thus bent, and the first positioning section 128 is disengaged. Furthermore, the elbow is not in contact with the rod 160, thus the pre-tensioned clamping mechanism 147, which is pre-tensioned to 200-300N, is rendered inactive. The workpiece carrier 12 is still on the conveying device 6.

[0092] The linear drive 126 is now energized. Lacking either a tightening or reaction force, the push rod 84 performs a rapid, essentially forceless stroke. The tightening force only applies when the first positioning section 128 contacts the workpiece bracket 12, the end section 92 contacts the rod 160, and the latter contacts the first disc sleeve 54. This torque is structurally and, due to the adjustment, is maintained until the elbow 144 is almost fully extended. During extension, the elbow's displacement transmission ratio is zero, but its force transmission ratio is at its maximum, according to... Figure 6 In the initial state of bending, this is the opposite.

[0093] If the centering sections are paired, that is, the centering element 31, the positioning groove 34 and the centering section 78, the centering receiving part 80 are respectively engaged, the process of lifting the workpiece bracket 12 from the conveying device 6 begins due to their centering effect.

[0094] Near the end of positioning, when the "rigid" first positioning section 28 and second positioning section 30 contact their respective "rigid" mating parts, on the one hand the centering receiving part 80 and on the other hand the edge side 33 of the workpiece bracket 12, the travel of the first positioning section 128 is zero due to the extension of the elbow. However, the elbow is minimally overextended due to the minimum over-lift of the push rod 84 and according to Figure 7 Contact with stop screw 96. If this point is reached, the linear drive 126 can be switched to a de-energized / unoperated state. Thus, the tightening force of the tightening mechanism 147 is maintained by the stop screw 96, not by the linear drive 126, achieving the same previously mentioned advantages for the linear drive 126.

[0095] Figure 8The second jaw plate 24, installed in both embodiments, is shown, having a second positioning section 30 and its centering element 31. This three-dimensional view, excluding the rest of the positioning unit, shows that the second positioning section 30 is constructed as a substantially square element and is spaced along the transport direction (double arrow) with a gap (d, see...) Figure 10 It is floatingly supported in the corresponding clearance 100 of the second jaw plate 24.

[0096] Figure 9 A view showing the direction of transport is provided. Figure 8 The second jaw plate 24. Here, a receiving portion 102 extending from the upper end section of the second positioning section 30 and opening toward the workpiece bracket 12, the rod-shaped centering element 31 being inserted into the receiving portion 102 and secured by two rearward bolts 104 (see...). Figure 10 The second positioning section 30 and its centering element 31 are thus fixed. Alternatively, they can be constructed as a single piece. A cover plate 106 is provided laterally outward, which faces upward and covers the second positioning section 30 and the open portion 100.

[0097] Figure 10 A longitudinal section showing the direction of transport, extending from the inside to the sides and outwards, is illustrated along the viewing direction. Figure 8 and Figure 9 The second jaw plate 24 has a second positioning section 30. The essentially hexagonal section of the second positioning section 30 is passed through two cylindrical through holes 108 along the conveying direction, each through hole being pierced by a cylindrical guide rod 110, which is fixed in position in the through hole 108 by means of countersunk screws.

[0098] The guide rods 110 extend from both sides in free end sections 112. These guide rods are supported in bearings 114 in a floating manner, allowing axial movement. These bearings are fixed to the jaw plate and, in this embodiment, are made as ball bushings. Figure 10 In the intermediate or neutral position shown, the second positioning section 30 is tightened between centering springs 116 arranged on both sides, wherein the spring tightening force and thus the intermediate position can be adjusted by adjusting screws 120 arranged on both sides.

[0099] With the aforementioned floating support, when tightening the workpiece bracket 12—for example, according to… Figure 3 and Figure 4As described, the second positioning section 30 and its centering section 31 move along the conveying direction (double arrow). Thus, the workpiece carrier 12 is also supported in a floating manner during tightening, until finally the centering section 78 and the centering receiving part 80 are in a form-fitting position under full tightening force. Then, ideally, the workpiece carrier 12 is definitively fixed by line contact on the centering element 31 side and (ideally) point contact on the centering section 78 side.

[0100] A positioning unit for positioning a carriage on a conveying system is disclosed. This positioning unit has positioning sections that allow the carriage to be brought into a tightened contact state for positioning. A first positioning section within the positioning unit can be actuated into the tightened contact state by a particularly electric drive mechanism of the positioning unit. A locking or self-locking mechanism is provided, by which the first positioning section is supported in the tightened contact state without being actuated by the drive mechanism. Furthermore, a conveying system having such a positioning unit is disclosed.

[0101] List of reference numerals

[0102] 1. Conveying System

[0103] 2. Line guidance mechanism

[0104] 4 guide rails

[0105] 6. Conveying devices

[0106] 8. Linear line sections

[0107] 10. Curved section of the line

[0108] 12 Workpiece bracket

[0109] 14 Operators

[0110] 16 stations

[0111] 18; 118 positioning units

[0112] 20 Bridges

[0113] 22 First jaw plate

[0114] 24 Second jaw plate

[0115] 26 Rotary drive mechanism

[0116] 28 First Positioning Section

[0117] 30 Second positioning section

[0118] 31 Centering element

[0119] 32 end side

[0120] 33 Edge side

[0121] 34 Positioning slots

[0122] 36 Spiral connection

[0123] 38; 138 Support and shell structure

[0124] 40. Belt drive device

[0125] 42 Drive shaft

[0126] 44 Cam disc

[0127] 46 Zhou Yuan

[0128] 47; 147 Tightening mechanism

[0129] 48 Slider

[0130] 50 end side

[0131] 52 Compression Spring

[0132] 54 First disc sleeve

[0133] 55 Tightening Screws

[0134] 56 Second disc sleeve

[0135] 58 Spring Head

[0136] 60 joysticks

[0137] 160 strokes

[0138] 62 T-shaped intermediate beam

[0139] 64 cross arms

[0140] 66 Reassuring Selling

[0141] 67 long holes

[0142] 68 cross arms

[0143] 70 Sliding surface

[0144] 72 Return Spring

[0145] 74 Guiding Mechanism

[0146] 76 Sliding Sleeve

[0147] 78. Centering Section

[0148] 80. Acceptance and Reassurance Department

[0149] 82 Reception Department

[0150] 84 tappet

[0151] 86 Elbow

[0152] 88 First Leg

[0153] 90 Second leg

[0154] 92 End Section

[0155] 96 Stop screw

[0156] 98, 99 rollers

[0157] 100 Empty Section

[0158] 102 Reception Department

[0159] 104 bolts

[0160] 106 Cover Plate

[0161] 108 through hole

[0162] 110 guide rod

[0163] 112 Free end section

[0164] 114 Spherical Bushing

[0165] 116 Centering Spring

[0166] 125 Oscillating Bearing

[0167] 126 Linear drive unit

[0168] 144 Elbow Bar

[0169] 149. Spring longitudinal axis

[0170] r Cam disk radius

[0171] R cam disk maximum radius

Claims

1. A positioning unit for positioning a bracket (12) at or within a conveying system (1), the positioning unit having positioning sections that allow the bracket (12) to be introduced into a tightened contact state for positioning, wherein a first positioning section (28; 128) of the positioning sections can be manipulated into the tightened contact state by a drive mechanism of the positioning unit (18; 118), characterized in that, The positioning unit has a mechanism by which the first positioning segment (28; 128) is supported in the tightened contact state without being manipulated by the drive device, wherein the mechanism is configured as a transmission mechanism, and the first positioning segment (28; 128) is displacementally coupled and / or force-coupled with the drive device through the transmission mechanism, wherein the transmission mechanism has an elbow (144), the elbow (86) of the elbow (144) is displacementally coupled with the drive device and a first leg (88) of the elbow (144) is displacementally coupled with the first positioning segment (28; 128).

2. The positioning unit according to claim 1, wherein, The drive device is configured as an electric drive device.

3. The positioning unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The transmission ratio of the transmission mechanism depends on the displacement.

4. The positioning unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, In the tightened contact state, the displacement transmission ratio of the transmission mechanism is zero, and / or, outside the tightened contact state, the displacement transmission ratio of the transmission mechanism is greater than zero, and / or, in the initial state of the first positioning section (28; 128) away from the tightened contact state, the displacement transmission ratio of the transmission mechanism is maximum.

5. The positioning unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The transmission mechanism has at least one rod through which the displacement on the drive side is turned or converted into an indirect or direct manipulatory displacement of the first positioning segment (28; 128).

6. The positioning unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The mechanism has a fixed or adjustable stop (96), and the elbow (86) abuts against the stop (96) during overextension of the elbow (86).

7. The positioning unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The transmission mechanism has at least one cam disk (44), through which the displacement on the drive side is turned or converted into an indirect or direct manipulatory displacement.

8. The positioning unit according to claim 7, wherein, The first positioning section (28; 128) is indirectly or directly supported on the periphery, edge or cam of the cam disk (44).

9. The positioning unit according to claim 8, wherein, The mechanism is formed by peripheral sections, edge sections, or cam sections with a constant radius.

10. The positioning unit according to claim 8, wherein, The positioning unit has another peripheral segment, edge segment, or cam segment with a minimum radius, in an initial state away from the tightened contact state, the first positioning segment (28; 128) is indirectly or directly supported on the other peripheral segment, edge segment, or cam segment.

11. The positioning unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The positioning unit has a tightening mechanism (47; 147), and the first positioning section (28; 128) can be tightened or tightened into the tightened contact state by the tightening mechanism (47; 147).

12. The positioning unit according to claim 11, wherein, The tightening mechanism (47; 147) along the first positioning section (28; 128), from the contact state of the first positioning section (28; 128) on the bracket (12) until the tightened contact state, is force-coupled with the drive device and otherwise not force-coupled.

13. The positioning unit according to claim 12, wherein, The second leg (90) of the elbow (144) connected to the elbow (86) is force-coupled with the tightening mechanism (47; 147) along the manipulation displacement and otherwise there is no force coupling.

14. A transmission system having a line guide mechanism (2) and a bracket (12) that can be guided or is guided on the line guide mechanism (2) and having a positioning unit (18; 118) arranged on the line guide mechanism (2) and designed according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

Images