Transport device for transporting workpieces

Abstract

The utility model relates to transportation equipment for transporting a workpiece, the workpiece is particularly a shell flange, the transportation equipment comprises a first claw, a second claw and a retaining element, the first claw and the second claw are used for clamping the workpiece, and the transportation equipment can be hung on the retaining element. The retaining element is connected to the claw by means of a linkage. The link mechanism has a first rocker arm, a second rocker arm, a first link and a second link. The first claw is arranged on the first rocker arm, and the second claw is arranged on the second rocker arm. The first link is pivotable relative to the retaining element about an upper pivot axis and the second link is pivotable relative to the retaining element about the upper pivot axis. The upper wobble axis extends in a longitudinal direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a transportation device for transporting workpieces, especially housing flanges. The transportation device includes a first claw and a second claw for gripping the workpiece. Background Art

[0002] The drive unit of a machine has an electric motor and a mechanical transmission mechanism. The electric motor drives the machine through the transmission mechanism. When assembling the drive unit, the housing components of the transmission mechanism and the housing components of the electric motor are connected to each other. The housing components of the transmission mechanism and the housing components of the electric motor respectively have housing flanges fixed to each other.

[0003] The housing components of the transmission mechanism and the electric motor are connected to each other at a work station provided therefor through the housing flanges, and thus must first be transported to the above-mentioned work station. Transportation devices for transporting housing components with housing flanges are known. Summary of the Utility Model

[0004] Therefore, the object of the utility model is to further improve the transportation device for transporting workpieces.

[0005] This object is achieved by a transportation device having the following features.

[0006] The transportation device according to the utility model for transporting workpieces, especially housing flanges, includes a first claw and a second claw for gripping the workpiece and a holding element. The transportation device can be suspended via the holding element. The holding element is connected to the claws by means of a linkage mechanism. The linkage mechanism has a first rocker arm, a second rocker arm, a first connecting rod and a second connecting rod. The first claw is arranged on the first rocker arm, and the second claw is arranged on the second rocker arm. The first connecting rod can swing relative to the holding element about an upper swing axis, and the second connecting rod can swing relative to the holding element about the upper swing axis. The upper swing axis extends in the longitudinal direction.

[0007] The transportation device according to the utility model can transport workpieces quickly and safely, especially transport workpieces with a circular cross-section, such as housing flanges of an electric motor housing or a transmission mechanism housing. Manual transportation of the housing flanges is avoided, and the working efficiency during the assembly of the electric motor and the transmission mechanism is improved.

[0008] According to an advantageous design of the utility model, the linkage mechanism is designed as a four-bar linkage. The first connecting rod can swing relative to the first rocker arm about a first swing axis, the second connecting rod can swing relative to the second rocker arm about a second swing axis, and the first connecting rod can swing relative to the second connecting rod about the upper swing axis, and the first rocker arm can swing relative to the second rocker arm about a lower swing axis.

[0009] The four-bar linkage has a defined number of mechanical degrees of freedom and is thus flexible when receiving workpieces and at the same time robustly resistant to interference.

[0010] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, the first swing axis, the second swing axis, and the lower swing axis extend in the longitudinal direction in such a way that they are parallel and offset relative to each other and parallel and offset relative to the upper swing axis.

[0011] Thus, the connecting rod and the rocker arm can move in a plane perpendicular to the swing axis.

[0012] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, the transport device has an electric drive device for driving the first rocker arm relative to the second rocker arm about the lower swing axis.

[0013] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, the first claw can rotate relative to the first rocker arm about the first rotation axis. According to an advantageous design of the present invention, the second claw can rotate relative to the second rocker arm about the second rotation axis.

[0014] Preferably, the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis are aligned with each other. Thus, the workpiece held between the claws in the transport device can swing about the rotation axis.

[0015] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis extend in the transverse direction respectively.

[0016] The transverse direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0017] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, devices for fixing the first claw in a defined rotational position relative to the first rocker arm are mounted on the first claw and the first rocker arm. According to an advantageous design of the present invention, devices for fixing the second claw in a defined rotational position relative to the second rocker arm are mounted on the second claw and the second rocker arm.

[0018] Thus, the workpiece held between the claws in the transport device can be fixed in a defined position relative to the transport device during transportation, especially in a horizontal position. In order to place the workpiece on the workstation, the workpiece can be rotated back to the vertical position again.

[0019] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, the devices for fixing respectively include a convex projection and a concave recess, and the projection and the recess are arranged such that the projection engages in the recess in a form-fitting manner in the defined rotational position.

[0020] According to an advantageous design of the present invention, the transport device has at least one electric drive device for driving the claws about the rotation axis.

[0021] According to an advantageous design of the present utility model, the first rocker arm and the second rocker arm are connected to each other by means of at least one spring element.

[0022] The spring element is, for example, a helical spring or a torsion spring.

[0023] According to an advantageous design of the present utility model, at least one spring element loads the first rocker arm and the second rocker arm such that the first claw moves away from the second claw.

[0024] Preferably, two spring elements are provided, which are designed as tension springs. The spring elements counteract the gravity that pulls the rocker arms and the claws downward. Therefore, when the transportation device is suspended by the holding element, the claws maintain a certain distance from each other.

[0025] The present utility model is not limited to the above-mentioned feature combinations. For those skilled in the art, especially for the purposes proposed and / or compared with the prior art, other reasonable combination possibilities of the above-mentioned feature combinations and / or individual features and / or the features to be described below and / or the features of the drawings can be obtained. Description of the Drawings

[0026] The present utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The present utility model is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings. The drawings only schematically show the subject matter of the present utility model, where:

[0027] Figure 1 A transportation device is shown,

[0028] Figure 2 A perspective view of the claws is shown,

[0029] Figure 3 A schematic view of the lower end region of the rocker arm is shown.

[0030] List of Reference Numerals:

[0031] 6 Holding element

[0032] 8 Workpiece

[0033] 11 First rocker arm

[0034] 12 Second rocker arm

[0035] 14 Assembly base

[0036] 15 Protrusion

[0037] 21 First claw

[0038] 22 Second claw

[0039] 24 Substrate

[0040] 25 Recess

[0041] 41 First spring element

[0042] 42 Second spring element

[0043] 51 First connecting rod

[0044] 52 Second connecting rod

[0045] 60 Upper swing axis

[0046] 61 First swing axis

[0047] 62 Second swing axis

[0048] 63 Lower swing axis

[0049] 71 First rotation axis

[0050] 72 Second rotation axis

[0051] X Longitudinal direction

[0052] Y Transverse direction

[0053] Z Vertical direction Detailed implementation manner

[0054] Figure 1 A transport device for transporting a workpiece 8 is shown. The transport device is particularly suitable for transporting a workpiece 8 with a circular cross-section, such as a housing flange of an electric motor housing or a transmission housing. The transport device includes a holding element 6. In the present case, the transport device is suspended by the holding element 6, for example, suspended on a crane or on a robotic arm.

[0055] The transport device includes a first jaw 21 and a second jaw 22 for gripping the workpiece 8. The transport device further includes a linkage mechanism by which the holding element 6 is connected to the jaws 21, 22. The linkage mechanism is designed as a four-bar linkage.

[0056] The linkage mechanism has a first rocker arm 11, a second rocker arm 12, a first connecting rod 51 and a second connecting rod 52. The first connecting rod 51 can swing relative to the holding element 6 about an upper swing axis 60, and the second connecting rod 52 can also swing relative to the holding element 6 about the upper swing axis 60. The first connecting rod 51 can also swing relative to the second connecting rod 52 about the upper swing axis 60.

[0057] At the end region of the first connecting rod 51 facing away from the holding element 6, the first connecting rod 51 can swing relative to the first rocker arm 11 about a first swing axis 61. At the end region of the second connecting rod 52 facing away from the holding element 6, the second connecting rod 52 can swing relative to the second rocker arm 12 about a second swing axis 62.

[0058] The first jaw 21 is arranged on the lower end region of the first rocker arm 11 facing away from the first link 51. The second jaw 22 is arranged on the lower end region of the second rocker arm 12 facing away from the second link 52. Here, the jaws 21, 22 are arranged opposite to each other and are designed to receive the workpiece 8. In the illustration shown here, such a workpiece 8 is clamped between the jaws 21, 22.

[0059] The first rocker arm 11 and the second rocker arm 12 cross each other at the lower swing axis 63. The first rocker arm 11 can swing relative to the second rocker arm 12 about the lower swing axis 63. Here, the lower swing axis 63 is located between the first swing axis 61 and the first jaw 21 and between the second swing axis 62 and the second jaw 22.

[0060] The first swing axis 61, the second swing axis 62, the upper swing axis 60 and the lower swing axis 63 each extend in the longitudinal direction X. Here, the first swing axis 61, the second swing axis 62, the upper swing axis 60 and the lower swing axis 63 are parallel to each other.

[0061] The transverse direction Y is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X. The vertical direction Z is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X and is also perpendicular to the transverse direction Y. The vertical direction Z is perpendicular to the ground and thus extends along the direction of gravity, which acts on the components of the transport device and on the workpiece 8.

[0062] The transport device includes a first spring element 41 and a second spring element 42. The first rocker arm 11 and the second rocker arm 12 are connected to each other by means of the spring elements 41, 42. Here, the spring elements 41, 42 are designed as tension springs.

[0063] The first spring element 41 engages on the first rocker arm 11 near the first jaw 21 and on the second rocker arm 12 near the second swing axis 62. The second spring element 42 engages on the second rocker arm 12 near the second jaw 22 and on the first rocker arm 11 near the first swing axis 61.

[0064] The first spring element 41 loads the first rocker arm 11 such that the first jaw 21 moves away from the second jaw 22. The second spring element 42 loads the second rocker arm 12 such that the second jaw 22 moves away from the first jaw 21.

[0065] Here, the spring elements 41, 42 compensate for the gravity acting downward along the vertical direction Z on the first rocker arm 11, the second rocker arm 12, the first jaw 21 and the second jaw 22. If no workpiece 8 is clamped between the jaws 21, 22, the jaws 21, 22 remain at a certain distance from each other.

[0066] The first jaw 21 is rotatable relative to the first rocker arm 11 about a first axis of rotation 71. The second jaw 22 is rotatable relative to the second rocker arm 12 about a second axis of rotation 72. The first axis of rotation 71 and the second axis of rotation 72 each extend in the transverse direction Y and are aligned with each other.

[0067] Figure 2 Perspective view showing the first jaw 21 of the transport device. The second jaw 22 is designed to be mirror-symmetrical to the first jaw 21.

[0068] The first jaw 21 has an upper plate and a lower plate that are parallel to each other. The upper plate and the lower plate are spaced apart from each other such that the workpiece 8 to be transported can be received between the plates. A spacer is formed between the upper plate and the lower plate, which also serves as a stop for the workpiece 8 to be transported.

[0069] The upper plate and the lower plate are connected to each other by a base plate 24. The base plate 24 is perpendicular to the upper plate and the lower plate. The base plate 24 is also perpendicular to the transverse direction Y.

[0070] A hole is formed approximately centrally in the base plate 24, which is arranged concentrically with the first axis of rotation 71. A shaft (not shown here) passes through this hole. The first jaw 21 is rotatable about the shaft and thus about the first axis of rotation 71.

[0071] A concave recess 25 is also formed in the base plate 24. The concave recess 25 is arranged offset from the first axis of rotation 71. The concave recess 25 is designed, for example, as a through-round hole in the base plate 24.

[0072] Figure 3 View showing the lower end region of the first rocker arm 11 of the transport device. The second rocker arm 12 is designed to be mirror-symmetrical to the first rocker arm 11.

[0073] The lower end region of the first rocker arm 11 includes a mounting base 14 having a stop surface. The stop surface is perpendicular to the transverse direction Y here.

[0074] A hole is formed in the mounting base 14, which is arranged concentrically with the first axis of rotation 71. A shaft (not shown here) passes through this hole. The first jaw 21 is rotatable about the shaft and thus about the first axis of rotation 71 relative to the mounting base 14 of the first rocker arm 11.

[0075] An outwardly protruding projection 15 is also formed on the mounting base 14. The outwardly protruding projection 15 is arranged offset from the first axis of rotation 71. The distance of the outwardly protruding projection 15 to the first axis of rotation 71 corresponds to the distance of the concave recess 25 of the first jaw 21 to the first axis of rotation 71.

[0076] In the defined rotational position of the first pawl 21 relative to the first rocker arm 11, the projection 15 engages in the recess 25 in a form-fitting manner. Thereby, the first pawl 21 is fixed to the first rocker arm 11. Accordingly, the outwardly projecting projection 15 and the inwardly concave recess 25 are means for fixing the first pawl 21 in the defined rotational position on the first rocker arm 11.

Claims

1. A transport device for transporting workpieces, the transport device comprising: a first jaw (21) and a second jaw (22) for gripping a workpiece (8), a holding element (6) via which the transport device can be suspended, characterized in that the holding element (6) is connected to the first jaw (21) and the second jaw (22) by means of a linkage mechanism, the linkage mechanism having a first rocker arm (11), a second rocker arm (12), a first connecting rod (51) and a second connecting rod (52), the first jaw (21) being arranged on the first rocker arm (11), the second jaw (22) being arranged on the second rocker arm (12), the first connecting rod (51) being able to swing relative to the holding element (6) about an upper swing axis (60), the second connecting rod (52) being able to swing relative to the holding element (6) about an upper swing axis (60), the upper swing axis (60) extending in the longitudinal direction (X).

2. The transport device for transporting workpieces according to claim 1, characterized in that the linkage mechanism is designed as a four-bar linkage mechanism, the first connecting rod (51) being able to swing relative to the first rocker arm (11) about a first swing axis (61), the second connecting rod (52) being able to swing relative to the second rocker arm (12) about a second swing axis (62), the first connecting rod (51) being able to swing relative to the second connecting rod (52) about the upper swing axis (60), the first rocker arm (11) being able to swing relative to the second rocker arm (12) about a lower swing axis (63).

3. The transport device for transporting workpieces according to claim 2, characterized in that the first swing axis (61), the second swing axis (62) and the lower swing axis (63) each extend in the longitudinal direction in a manner parallel and offset relative to each other and parallel and offset relative to the upper swing axis (60).

4. The transport device for transporting workpieces according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the transport device has an electric drive device for driving the first rocker arm (11) relative to the second rocker arm (12) about the lower swing axis (63).

5. The transport device for transporting workpieces according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first jaw (21) can rotate relative to the first rocker arm (11) about a first rotation axis (71), and / or, the second jaw (22) can rotate relative to the second rocker arm (12) about a second rotation axis (72).

6. The transport device for transporting workpieces according to claim 5, characterized in that the first rotation axis (71) and the second rotation axis (72) each extend in the transverse direction (Y).

7. The transport device for transporting workpieces according to claim 5, characterized in that on the first jaw (21) and on the first rocker arm (11) there are formed means for fixing the first jaw (21) relative to the first rocker arm (11) in a defined rotational position, and / or, on the second jaw (22) and on the second rocker arm (12) there are formed means for fixing the second jaw (22) relative to the second rocker arm (12) in a defined rotational position.

8. The transport device for transporting workpieces according to claim 7, characterized in that, The means for fixing correspondingly comprise a protruding projection (15) and a recessed portion (25). The projections and recesses are arranged such that in a defined rotational position, the projection (15) engages in a form-fitting manner in the recess (25).

9. The transport device for transporting workpieces according to claim 5, characterized in that the transport device has at least one electric drive device for driving the first pawl (21) about a first axis of rotation (71) or the second pawl (22) about a second axis of rotation (72).

10. The transport device for transporting workpieces according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first rocker arm (11) and the second rocker arm (12) are connected to each other by means of at least one spring element (41, 42).

11. The transport device for transporting workpieces according to claim 10, characterized in that the at least one spring element loads the first rocker arm (11) and the second rocker arm (12) such that the first pawl (21) moves away from the second pawl (22).

12. The transport device for transporting workpieces according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The workpiece (8) is a housing flange.

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