Stop module

Abstract

Stop module (24) for stopping an object (20) in a precise position, which is moved on a transport path (12) with a defined transport direction (19), comprising: - a base housing (26); - a guide housing (66) which is rotatably connected to the base housing (26) via an axis (68); - a stop member (28) which is movable into a transport plane (30) to stop an object (20) and out of the transport plane (30) to release the object (20); - a fluidic damping device (32) which is designed to move the stop member (28) in a damped manner during a working movement while the object (20) is stopped from an initial position of the damping device (32) to an end position of the damping device (32), wherein the damping device (32) has a first piston-cylinder arrangement arranged in the guide housing with a damping piston (38) movable within a damping cylinder (36) along a cylinder axis (39), wherein the first piston-cylinder arrangement has a first piston rod (42a) and a second piston rod (42b) of equal length arranged parallel thereto, each of which connects the damping piston (38) to the stop member (28); and - a return device which is designed to return the damping device (32) from the end position to the starting position by means of a return movement; wherein the damping cylinder (36) and the damping piston (38) each have a width dimension (b) in a cross-section orthogonal to the cylinder axis (39) which is greater than a height dimension (h) measured orthogonal to the width dimension (b) in the cross-section, and wherein the damping cylinder (36) and the damping piston (38) each have either (i) a pentagonal or polygonal shape or (ii) an oval outline with two equal-length, mutually opposite, parallel, straight sections and two semicircular, equal-sized, mutually opposite, round sections which connect the two straight sections to one another.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a stop module for precisely stopping an object that is moved along a transport path with a defined transport direction.

[0002] The stop module according to the invention has a stop member that can be moved into a transport plane to stop an object and out of the transport plane to release the object. Furthermore, the stop module has a fluidic damping device that is designed to move the stop member in a damped manner from an initial position of the damping device to an end position of the damping device during a working movement while the object is stopped. The damping device has a first piston-cylinder arrangement with a damping piston that is movable within a damping cylinder along a cylinder axis. Furthermore, the stop module has a return device that is designed to return the damping device from the end position to the initial position by means of a return movement.

[0003] A stop module is known, for example, from DE 10 2017 104 151 B3.

[0004] Another deflection module is known from the subsequently published DE 10 2019 205 718 A1.

[0005] In practice, stop modules are sometimes also referred to as separators. They are used to position objects at a processing station using the transport path and / or to separate them from a group or collection of objects. The objects are usually workpieces that are processed in one or more operations along the transport path. The workpieces can be arranged on a workpiece carrier, with the stop module in this case usually positioning and / or separating the workpiece carrier. The transport path can, for example, be a conveyor belt on which the workpieces or workpiece carriers are moved in the defined transport direction.

[0006] Furthermore, there are stop modules in the form of so-called corner dampers, which are typically used to change direction when transporting shock-sensitive and / or fragile objects. A corner damper can, for example, be arranged at a T-junction between two transport lines, opposite the junction of the transverse line, to gently stop an object when changing from the transverse line to the longitudinal line before it continues to be transported along the longitudinal line. Wörner Automatisierungstechnik GmbH, based in 73770 Denkendorf, Germany, (the applicant), offers fluidic corner dampers, which differ from the aforementioned separators primarily in that the stop here cannot be lowered downwards out of the transport line, but remains in the installation position at the level of the transport line.

[0007] Such stop modules (both separators and corner dampers) are available with integrated damping, which ensures that the object is slowed down slowly when it stops on the transport route and does not hit a fixed stop “hard”.

[0008] Fluidic damping, whether with oil or air, is typical for stop modules with integrated damping. Representative of many other prior art examples, EP 0 484 648 B1 discloses a pneumatically operated stop module in which both the lowering and return movement of the stop and the damping are pneumatically controlled.

[0009] DE 10 2014 110 822 B4 describes a stop module with a damping device that uses a pneumatic piston-cylinder arrangement. The stop is reset using two magnets.

[0010] DE 10 2010 056 036 A1 discloses a stop module with a fluidic braking element which contains a fluid in a piston-cylinder arrangement, the viscosity of which can be changed electrically or magnetically.

[0011] EP 1 777 177 A1 describes a stop module with an energy storage device that can be charged during the downward stroke of the stop, and whose stored energy is used to reset the stop. A compressed air reservoir is used as the energy storage device, in which air can be compressed during the downward stroke. After the downward stroke, the compressed air returns to the damping cylinder of the damping device via compressed air channels, thus ensuring that the damping device is returned to its original position.

[0012] It's easy to see that stop modules must meet different requirements depending on the type and weight of the objects to be stopped. If gentle deceleration / damping is desired, this requires a damping device adapted to the weight and transport speed of the objects. In addition, a simple, fast, and as reliable as possible return movement of the stop is often desired to enable high cycle times and short response times.

[0013] Another problem that arises in practice with damped stop modules concerns the size of the damping device. On the one hand, the largest possible damping volume is desired in order to be able to safely decelerate even objects with large masses. On the other hand, the space available for such stop modules is usually very limited due to the application. Accordingly, in most cases, only a limited amount of space is available within the stop module housing for the damping device.

[0014] A good compromise in this regard is achieved with the separator marketed by the applicant under the product name DBS-170 (see data sheet no. 44000625, "Separator, damped, DBS-170," available at https: / / www.woerner-gmbh.com / fileadmin / content / woerner / datas / products / vereinzeler / pneumatisch_gedaempft / DBS-170 / Datenblatt-DBS-170.pdf, last researched on December 18, 2018). This separator uses a damping device with two parallel damping cylinders and movable damping pistons. Each of the two damping cylinders can be designed to be comparatively small. Due to their parallel arrangement, the installation space of the stop module is not increased in height compared to a regular damped stop module with a single damping cylinder.However, the disadvantage of the DBS-170 separator is that two damping cylinders must be ventilated and vented simultaneously, requiring a separate hole for each damping cylinder in the housing. The air line within the housing is therefore somewhat more complex than with stop modules with only one damping cylinder. Furthermore, particularly in cases where a force acts eccentrically rather than centrally on the stop element, the two damping pistons can jam within the respective damping cylinders.

[0015] Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to provide a stop module with an improved damping device. In particular, it is an object to provide a stop module with a damping device that overcomes the above-mentioned problems and can still generate a comparatively large damping force while requiring the smallest possible installation space.

[0016] This task is solved by the impact module according to claim 1.

[0017] In contrast to the dampened stop modules known from the prior art, the stop module according to the invention uses a damping device whose damping cylinder and damping piston are not circularly cylindrical, but are wider in cross-section than they are high. Accordingly, the installation space of the damping device is not increased compared to a conventional damping device with a circular-cylindrical damping cylinder and damping piston, at least not in terms of height. At the same time, however, due to the increased width, the damping volume can be increased compared to a damping device with a circular-cylindrical damping cylinder and damping piston. The damping volume can also be increased with the damping device according to the invention compared to a damping device with two circular-cylindrical damping cylinders, as is known from the aforementioned DBS-170 separator.Compared to the DBS-170, the space between the two damping cylinders is now also used as a damping space.

[0018] Preferably, the width of the damping cylinder and the damping piston is more than 1.5 times greater than the height of the damping cylinder and the damping piston. Particularly preferably, the width of the damping cylinder and the damping piston is more than twice as large as the height of the damping cylinder and the damping piston.

[0019] It goes without saying that the width and height of the damping piston are adapted to the width and height of the damping cylinder. Typically, the width and height of the damping piston are slightly smaller than the width and height of the damping cylinder within which the damping piston moves, taking into account the usual tolerances. A corresponding sealing element, arranged between the damping piston and the damping cylinder, ensures appropriate sealing.

[0020] Compared to the above-mentioned example of a stop module with two damping cylinders, the stop module according to the invention has the further advantage that in the present case, despite the comparatively larger damping volume, only one damping cylinder needs to be provided and, accordingly, an uneven movement of two damping pistons cannot occur.

[0021] An oval damping device is particularly advantageous in terms of the aforementioned compromise between the smallest possible installation space and the largest possible damping volume. Compared to a damping device with two damping pistons, whose diameter corresponds to the height of an oval damping piston, the oval damping piston allows the damping volume to be increased by more than 30% while maintaining the same height and length / depth of the damping device.

[0022] Alternatively, the damping cylinder and the damping piston each have the shape of a pentagon or polygon in the cross section.

[0023] In this way, a similar effect can be achieved as with an oval-shaped damping cylinder and an oval-shaped damping piston. However, the seal between the damping cylinder and the damping piston is somewhat more difficult than with a damping device with an oval cross-section.

[0024] According to the invention, the first piston-cylinder arrangement has a first piston rod and a second piston rod of equal length arranged parallel thereto, wherein the first and second piston rods are connected by their respective first ends to the stop member and by their respective second ends to the damping piston.

[0025] Such a connection of the damping piston and the stop element via two parallel piston rods results in a very stable connection between the stop element and the damping piston. This connection fixes the piston rods in their position. This design also places less demands on manufacturing accuracy. This is especially true compared to damping devices with two parallel damping cylinders, where the two damping cylinders must be very precisely aligned with each other. The stop element can also be manufactured as an investment casting without rework.

[0026] According to a further embodiment, the first piston-cylinder arrangement of the damping device has a guide part which is fixedly connected to the damping cylinder and serves to guide the first and second piston rods, wherein the guide part has a first opening through which the first piston rod is guided, and a second opening through which the second piston rod is guided.

[0027] This guide component allows for compensation of differences in the distances between the two piston rods. This effectively prevents internal distortion caused by tilting the damping piston within the damping cylinder.

[0028] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the first piston rod has a diameter equal to that of the second piston rod, but the second opening provided in the guide part is larger than the first opening provided therein.

[0029] As already mentioned, the two openings serve to support the two piston rods. The fact that one opening is larger than the other has the advantage that it allows for better compensation of the distances between the piston rods. It also offers the advantage that the larger second opening creates a gap between it and the second piston rod through which the damping cylinder can be vented during the working movement (damping movement) and re-ventilated during the return movement.

[0030] According to a preferred embodiment, the first opening is circular and the second opening is designed as an elongated hole.

[0031] In this context, a "slot" is understood to mean a hole whose width is greater than its height. Preferably, a slot is formed from two semicircles and an intermediate section connecting the two semicircles. The intermediate section may, but does not necessarily have to, consist of two parallel straight lines. The intermediate section may also be curved, with its curvature preferably being less than the curvature of the two semicircles of the slot.

[0032] According to a further embodiment, the first piston-cylinder arrangement of the damping device has a damping element which is arranged between the damping piston and the guide part.

[0033] This damping element serves to cushion the impact of the damping piston on the guide part. Especially during the return of the damping device, one side of the damping piston would otherwise directly impact the guide part. This would lead to increased wear and an unpleasant noise. The aforementioned damping element thus reduces wear and prevents unwanted noise.

[0034] The damping element is preferably designed as a damping disc arranged around the at least one piston rod. In the case of two piston rods, one damping disc can be used that is arranged around both piston rods. Alternatively, the damping element mentioned can also have two separate damping discs, with one damping disc arranged around one piston rod and the other damping disc around the other piston rod.

[0035] According to a further embodiment, the stop module according to the invention has an actuator which is designed to move the stop member optionally by an extension movement into the transport plane or by a retraction movement out of the transport plane.

[0036] Such an actuator is particularly necessary when using the stop module as a separator, to release the workpiece or workpiece carrier after the damped stop process through the retraction movement and then to move the stop module back into the transport path through the extension movement. As already mentioned above, such an actuator is not necessary when using the stop module as a corner damper.

[0037] According to a further embodiment, the actuator comprises a second piston-cylinder arrangement with an actuating piston movable within an actuating cylinder. The actuating piston of the second piston-cylinder arrangement is preferably operated pneumatically.

[0038] Alternatively, the actuator can also have a linear drive. This linear drive can be designed, for example, as an electric, pneumatic, and / or hydraulic drive. The linear drive can also be combined with a lever system. In the case of an electric drive, the actuator preferably has a telescopic drive or a spindle drive.

[0039] According to a further embodiment, the return device has a pressure line opening into the damping cylinder in order to bring the damping device back from the end position to the starting position by means of a pressurized fluid passed through this pressure line by means of a return movement.

[0040] A portion of this pressure line can be routed through the interior of the actuating piston, which is used as an actuator to effect the retraction and extension movement of the stop member. In such a case, the return device and actuator for the retraction and extension movement are combined. By introducing compressed air, the stop member is simultaneously moved out of the transport plane by a retraction movement, and the damping device is returned to its original position. According to the invention, the guide housing is rotatably connected to the base housing via an axis. In addition, the guide housing is connected to the base housing via a spring element that counteracts the actuating piston.

[0041] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0042] An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description. They show: Fig. 1 a simplified representation of a production plant with a transport line on which several stop modules according to the present invention are used; Fig. 2 a perspective view of an embodiment of the stop module according to the invention; Fig. 3 an exploded view of the Fig. 2 shown embodiment of the stop module according to the invention; Fig. 4-6 several sectional views of the Fig. 2 shown embodiment of the stop module according to the invention, wherein the stop module is in a different position in each case; Fig. 7 a connection of a stop member with a damping piston, which can be used in the stop module according to the invention; Fig. 8 is a front plan view of a damping piston which can be used in the stop module according to the invention; Fig. 9 a perspective view of the Fig. 2, wherein several housing parts have been omitted to illustrate the interior of the stop module; and Fig. 10 a plan view of a guide part that can be used in the stop module according to the invention.

[0043] In Fig. 1 is a system in which several stop modules according to the invention are used, designated in their entirety by the reference number 10.

[0044] The system 10 includes a transport path 12 and a number of processing stations 14 at which objects, usually in the form of workpieces 16, are processed sequentially. For example, this can be a system for packaging and labeling food. However, the use of the stop module according to the invention is not limited to this example. Rather, the stop module according to the invention can be used in any type of system that includes a transport path for conveying piece goods if the piece goods are to be stopped in a targeted manner at defined positions along the transport path. Accordingly, embodiments of the novel stop module can be implemented as a separator and / or as a corner damper.

[0045] In the illustrated case, the transport path 12 has two parallel tracks 18 on which a conveyor belt, a chain, a roller belt or the like rotates in the direction of the arrow 19. The Fig. The arrow 19 shown in Figure 1 indicates the transport direction of the transport path 12. Alternatively, the transport path 12 could, for example, have transverse rollers, at least some of which are driven.

[0046] Workpiece carriers 20 are placed on the transport path 12 transversely to the two tracks 18. Each workpiece carrier 20 carries a workpiece 16 and transports it along the tracks 18 in the transport direction 19.

[0047] Between the two tracks 18, cross members 22 are arranged, each of which has a stop module 24 mounted thereon. Each stop module 24 has a base housing 26 and a stop member 28 that is movable relative to the base housing 26. An embodiment of the stop module 24 according to the invention is shown in Fig. 2 shown in perspective.

[0048] As explained in more detail below with reference to the other figures, the stop member 28 can be moved upwards out of the base housing 26 and into the transport path 12 during an extension movement, and can be moved into the base housing 26 or towards it and out of the transport path 12 during a retraction movement. The terms "extension movement" and "retraction movement" therefore refer here to the movement of the stop member 28 relative to the base housing 26. However, the terms could just as well be used in reverse if one considers these terms in relation to the movement of the stop member 28 relative to the transport path 12.

[0049] If, after completing the retraction movement, the stop member 28 is in its lower working position, at least partially retracted into the base housing 26, the stop module 24 releases the transport path 12 so that the workpiece carrier 20 can slide on the two tracks 18 over the stop module 24. If, after its extension movement, the stop member 28 projects out of the base housing 26 and into the transport path 12, it hinders the transport of the workpiece carrier on the transport path 12 so that the workpiece carrier 20 is held in a defined position or braked. In this case, the conveyor belt, the chain, the roller conveyor or the like can continue to travel beneath the stopped workpiece carrier 20, i.e., the workpiece carrier 20 is held counter to the movement of the transport path 12.As soon as the stop member 28 is lowered into the base housing 26 by a retracting movement, i.e. is extended from the transport path 12, the corresponding workpiece carrier 20 is transported further.

[0050] With the help of the Fig. 1, it is possible to separate the workpieces 16, which are transported one after the other on the transport path 12, and to stop them precisely at processing stations 14a-14c. Fig. 1, for example, the workpiece carrier 20 with the workpiece 16a has passed over the stop module 24a and is now held in place by the second stop module 24b at the defined position for the processing station 14a. After the workpiece carrier 20 with the workpiece 16a has been released, the stop member 28 of the first stop module 24a has been moved back up into the transport path 12 in order to stop the next workpiece carrier 20 with the workpiece 16b. Thus, the stop modules 24a-24d arranged in series one behind the other ensure the separation of the workpieces when they are individually controlled in sequence by a system control system (not shown here) such that a separated workpiece carrier 20 with a workpiece 16 passes step by step through the processing stations 14a-14c.

[0051] Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of the Fig. 2 illustrated embodiment of the stop module 24.. Fig. 4-6 show several sectional views of the stop module 24 in different operating positions which occur during use of the stop module 24.

[0052] Fig. 4 shows the operating position that the stop module 24 typically has before a workpiece carrier 20 strikes the stop member 28. The stop member 28 projects into a transport plane located above the base housing 26, which is shown in dashed lines and is provided with the reference number 30.

[0053] Fig. Figure 5 shows the operating position of the stop module after a workpiece carrier 20 has been struck against the stop member 28 and decelerated thereby. During this deceleration process, the stop member has moved relative to the base housing 26 in the transport direction 19 (see Figure 5). Fig. 4 and Fig. 5). During operation of the stop module 24, the Fig. 5 usually refers directly to the operating position shown in Fig. 4. The stop member 28 still projects into the transport plane 30, so that the braked workpiece carrier 20 is still held and thus cannot move further along the transport path 12.

[0054] Fig. 6 shows the operating position of the stop module 24, in which a workpiece carrier 20 located on the transport path 12 is released and can move further in the transport direction 19. In comparison to the position shown in Fig. In the operating position shown in Figure 5, the stop member 28 was moved downwards out of the transport plane 30 and simultaneously moved back into the starting position.

[0055] The functions and components required to ensure the operation of the stop module 24 are described below with reference to the Fig. 3-6 are explained in more detail.

[0056] The stop module 24 according to the invention has a damping device 32 for damping the stop member 28. Furthermore, the stop module 24 has an actuator 34 which is designed to move the stop member 28 out of the transport plane 30 by a retraction movement or to move it into the transport plane 30 by an opposite extension movement.

[0057] In the illustrated embodiment, the damping device 32 is designed as a piston-cylinder arrangement. It has a damping cylinder 36 and a damping piston 38 movable therein. The damping piston 38 has, as can be seen in particular from Fig. 7-9, in this exemplary embodiment, the damping device 32 has an oval cross-section. This has the advantage that, despite the small vertical extension of the damping piston 38 and the damping cylinder 36, a comparatively large damping volume can be achieved. The damping device 32 is thus relatively flat despite the comparatively large damping volume.

[0058] Irrespective of the exact cross-sectional shape of the damping cylinder 36 and the damping piston 38, the width dimension b of the damping cylinder 36 and the damping piston 38 is greater than the height dimension h of the damping cylinder 36 and the damping piston 38 according to the invention (see Fig. 8). Preferably, the width b of the damping cylinder 36 and the damping piston 38 is more than 1.5 times greater, particularly preferably more than twice greater, than the height h of the damping cylinder 36 and the damping piston 38.

[0059] The cross-section of the damping cylinder 36 or the damping piston 38 referred to refers to the cross-section orthogonal to the cylinder axis 39, along which the damping piston 38 moves within the damping cylinder 36. The height extension h is measured in this cross-section orthogonal to the width extension b. Accordingly, the cylinder axis 39, the direction along which the height extension h is measured, and the direction along which the width extension b is measured, are all orthogonal to each other.

[0060] The seal between the damping cylinder 36 and the damping piston 38 is preferably achieved by means of a sealing element 40 arranged on the damping piston 38. In the illustrated embodiment, the sealing element 40 is designed as an oval sealing element. The sealing element can be designed as a quad ring seal, O-ring, lip seal, or other special seal. As shown in the present embodiment, the sealing element 40 is preferably arranged in a circumferential groove formed in the circumference of the damping piston 38. This groove prevents the sealing element 40 from becoming detached or from undesired rotation relative to the damping piston 38 during the damping and return movement of the damping device 32.

[0061] The damping piston 38 of the damping device 32 is connected to the stop member 28 via at least one piston rod 42. This connection is preferably a rigid connection. Consequently, a movement of the stop member 28 in the transport direction 19 occurring during a braking process of a workpiece carrier 20 also causes a movement of the damping piston 38 within the damping cylinder 36 along the same direction 19. The position of the damping device 32 before this movement (see Fig. 4) is referred to here as the initial position of the damping device 32. The position of the damping device 32 after this damping movement, i.e. the position in which the damping piston 38 is fully retracted into the damping cylinder (see Fig. 5) is referred to here as the end position of the damping device 32. In the Fig. 6, the damping device 32 was returned to its original position.

[0062] In the embodiment shown here, the damping piston 38 is connected to the stop member 28 via two piston rods 42a, 42b (see Fig. 3, Fig. 7 and Fig. 9). Although one piston rod 42 is generally sufficient to connect the damping piston 38 to the stop member 28, the use of two piston rods 42a, 42b has several advantages. Firstly, the connection between the damping piston 38 and the stop member 28 becomes more stable. Secondly, this reduces the risk of the damping piston 38 undesirably tilting within the damping cylinder 36 when an eccentric force acts on the stop member 28.

[0063] Piston rod 42a, referred to herein as the first piston rod, and piston rod 42b, referred to herein as the second piston rod, are preferably arranged parallel to each other and of equal length. Furthermore, it is preferred that the two piston rods 42a, 42b have the same diameter.

[0064] In the embodiment shown here, the two piston rods 42a, 42b are detachably fastened at their first ends 44a, 44b to the stop member 28 by means of screws 46a, 46b (see Fig. 3). At their respective opposite second ends 48a, 48b, the piston rods 42a, 42b preferably each have an external thread with which the piston rods 42a, 42b are screwed into internal threads provided for this purpose in the damping piston 38.

[0065] The detachable connection between the piston rods 42a, 42b, the stop member 28 and the damping piston 38 facilitates both the assembly and disassembly (for example in the event of an inspection or repair) of the stop module 24. However, it should be noted that the piston rods 42a, 42b can also be fixedly connected to the stop member 28 or the damping piston 38 without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0066] The damping device 32 further comprises a guide part 50, which serves to laterally or radially guide the piston rods 42a, 42b. This guide part 50 is preferably fixedly connected to the damping cylinder 36. The guide part 50 serves as a bearing for the two piston rods 42a, 42b. Differences in the distances between the two piston rods 42a, 42b can be compensated via the guide part 50. The guide part 50 is preferably designed as an injection-molded part. Although the guide part 50 is certainly advantageous for supporting the two piston rods 42a, 42b, it should be noted that the guide part 50 is not absolutely necessary for the general function of the stop module 24.

[0067] Fig. 10 shows the guide part 50 according to one embodiment in a plan view. As can be seen therefrom, the guide part 50 has a first opening 52a through which the first piston rod 42a is guided, and a second opening 52b through which the second piston rod 42b is guided. The second opening 52b is preferably larger than the first opening 52a. The first opening 52a is preferably circular. The second opening 52b is preferably designed as an elongated hole. This creates a small gap between the second opening 52b and the outer circumference of the second piston rod 42b. This gap serves, on the one hand, to compensate for the distances between the two piston rods 42a, 42b. On the other hand, the gap serves as air compensation during the working and return movement of the damping device 32. Air can pass through this gap from one cylinder chamber into the other cylinder chamber of the damping cylinder 36.

[0068] In this case, the cylinder chambers are the two spaces within the damping cylinder 36, which are located in front of and behind the damping piston 38. In Fig. 4, the first cylinder chamber 54 in front of the damping piston 38 is completely filled with air or decompressed and the second cylinder chamber 56 behind the damping piston 38 (see Fig. 5) completely vented. In the Fig. In the operating position of the stop module 24 shown in Figure 5, this is exactly the opposite, i.e. the first cylinder chamber 54 is completely compressed or vented and the second cylinder chamber 56 is completely ventilated.

[0069] The damping device 32 further comprises two further damping elements 58a, 58b (see Fig. 3 and Fig. 9). The two damping elements 58a, 58b are arranged locally between the damping piston 38 and the guide part 50. They serve to dampen the impact of the damping piston 38 on the guide part 50 during the return movement of the damping device 32. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the two damping elements 58a, 58b are each designed as damping discs arranged around the piston rods 42a, 42b. In principle, however, only a single damping element 58 could be used to ensure the aforementioned function, which is then preferably arranged around both piston rods 42a, 42b.

[0070] The actuator 34, which causes the retraction and extension movement of the stop member 28, comprises a second piston-cylinder arrangement with an actuating piston 62 movable within an actuating cylinder 60. If the actuator 34 is deactivated, the extension movement of the stop member 28 (into the transport plane 30) is initiated. A spring element 64 (see Fig. 3), which is arranged between the base housing 26 and a guide housing 66 movably mounted therein, counteracts the actuating piston 62 and thus causes the extension movement of the stop member 28 (into the transport plane 30). Conversely, the activation of the actuator 34 causes the retraction movement of the stop member 28 (out of the transport plane 30). A failure of the actuator 34 would therefore result in the stop member 28 remaining in the transport plane 30. An accidental release of an object to be stopped cannot therefore be caused by a failure of the actuator 34.

[0071] During both movements (retraction and extension movement), the stop member 28 is pivoted according to the present embodiment together with the guide housing 66. The guide housing 66 is mounted relative to the base housing 26 so as to be rotatable about an axis 68. This axis 68 is supported by means of bearing bushes 70 (see Fig. 3) mounted in the base housing 26.

[0072] Both the damping device 32 and the actuator 34 are fluidically actuated in the stop module 24 according to the invention. This fluidic actuation is preferably effected via compressed air. However, hydraulic actuation of both components would also be possible in principle.

[0073] In the presently shown embodiment of the stop module 24 according to the invention, the damping device 32 is reset via one and the same pressure line 72 via which the movement of the actuating piston 62 of the actuator 34 is also controlled.

[0074] The reset of the damping device 32 is understood to mean the process in which the damping device 32 is moved from the Fig. 5 shown end position into its Fig. 6 is returned and the damping piston 38 together with piston rods 42a, 42b and stop member 28 is extended again relative to the damping cylinder 36.

[0075] The pressure line 72 has several sections. A first section 74 runs through the interior of the actuating piston 62. This first section 74 of the pressure line 72 is designed as a channel-like through-opening that traverses the actuating piston 62. A second section 76 of the pressure line 72 runs inside the guide housing 66. This second section 76 of the pressure line 72 connects the first section 74 arranged inside the actuating piston 62 with the interior of the damping cylinder 36. A throttle device 78 projects into this second section 76 of the pressure line 72. This throttle device is preferably designed as an adjusting screw in order to be able to change the flow resistance caused by the throttle device 78. The main function of the throttle device 78 is to be able to vary the damping force of the damping device 32.

[0076] The retraction or lowering movement of the stop member 28 and the functionally coupled return movement of the damping device 32 is effected in detail as follows: A pressurized fluid (preferably compressed air) is introduced into the stop module 24 via a fluid inlet 80 provided on the base housing 26. From there, the fluid reaches the interior of the actuating cylinder 60. This causes a movement of the actuating piston 62 relative to the actuating cylinder 60. In the present embodiment, the actuating piston 62 moves substantially, but not exactly parallel to the transport direction 19 (in the Fig. 4-6) to the left. The movement of the actuating piston 62 causes the aforementioned pivoting movement of the guide housing 66 about the axis 68, whereby the stop member 28 is pivoted downwards in a clockwise direction out of the transport plane 30 (see Fig. 6).

[0077] During this pivoting movement, the fluid introduced into the actuating cylinder 60 through the fluid inlet 80 passes through the first section 74 of the pressure line 72 provided inside the actuating piston 62 into the second section 76 of the pressure line 72, which extends through the guide housing 66 and, past the throttle device 78, ultimately opens into the damping cylinder 36. Thus, during the retraction movement of the stop member 28 out of the transport plane 30, the damping device 32 is simultaneously reset.

[0078] As can be seen by comparing the Fig. 5 and Fig. As can be seen in Figure 6, the actuating piston 62 also performs a slight pivoting movement during the pivoting movement of the guide housing 66 and does not only move translationally along its longitudinal axis. The transfer point between the first section 74 and the second section 76 of the pressure line 72 is preferably sealed by a sealing ring 82 arranged at the front end of the actuating piston 62. The sealing between the actuating piston 62 and the actuating cylinder 60 is achieved by one or more additional sealing elements 84.

[0079] For the sake of completeness, the following additional components of the stop module 24 are mentioned, which are Fig.3: A pin 86 serves to connect the guide part 50 to the damping cylinder 36 arranged in the guide housing 66. A bolt 88, which is surrounded by the spring element 64, serves as a stop element which limits the lower position of the guide housing 66 and stops its movement in a damped manner (end position damping).

[0080] Finally, it should be mentioned that the stop module 24 does not necessarily have to be arranged below the transport plane 30. The stop module 24 can also be placed laterally or above the transport plane without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

[1] Stop module (24) for stopping an object (20) in a precise position, which is moved on a transport path (12) with a defined transport direction (19), comprising: - a base housing (26); - a guide housing (66) which is rotatably connected to the base housing (26) via an axis (68); - a stop member (28) which is movable into a transport plane (30) to stop an object (20) and out of the transport plane (30) to release the object (20); - a fluidic damping device (32) which is designed to move the stop member (28) in a damped manner during a working movement while the object (20) is stopped from an initial position of the damping device (32) to an end position of the damping device (32), wherein the damping device (32) has a first piston-cylinder arrangement arranged in the guide housing with a damping piston (38) movable within a damping cylinder (36) along a cylinder axis (39), wherein the first piston-cylinder arrangement has a first piston rod (42a) and a second piston rod (42b) of equal length arranged parallel thereto, each of which connects the damping piston (38) to the stop member (28); and - a return device which is designed to return the damping device (32) from the end position to the starting position by means of a return movement; wherein the damping cylinder (36) and the damping piston (38) each have a width dimension (b) in a cross-section orthogonal to the cylinder axis (39) which is greater than a height dimension (h) measured orthogonal to the width dimension (b) in the cross-section, and wherein the damping cylinder (36) and the damping piston (38) each have either (i) a pentagonal or polygonal shape or (ii) an oval outline with two equal-length, mutually opposite, parallel, straight sections and two semicircular, equal-sized, mutually opposite, round sections which connect the two straight sections to one another. [2] Stop module according to claim 1, wherein the width dimension (b) of the damping cylinder (36) and the damping piston (38) is more than 1.5 times greater than the height dimension (h) of the damping cylinder (36) and the damping piston (38). [3] Stop module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first piston-cylinder arrangement has a guide part (50) which is fixedly connected to the damping cylinder (38) and serves to guide the first and second piston rods (42a, 42b), wherein the guide part (50) has a first opening (52a) through which the first piston rod (42a) is guided, and a second opening (52b) through which the second piston rod (42b) is guided. [4] Stop module according to claim 3, wherein the first piston rod (42a) has a diameter equal to that of the second piston rod (42b), and wherein the second opening (52b) is larger than the first opening (52a). [5] Stop module according to claim 4, wherein the first opening (52a) is circular and the second opening (52b) is designed as an elongated hole. [6] Stop module according to one of claims 3-5, wherein the first piston-cylinder arrangement has a damping element (58a, 58b) which is arranged between the damping piston (38) and the guide part (50). [7] Stop module according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the stop module (24) has an actuator (34) which is designed to move the stop member (28) selectively by an extension movement into the transport plane (30) or by a retraction movement out of the transport plane (30). [8] Stop module according to claim 7, wherein the actuator (34) has a second piston-cylinder arrangement with an actuating piston (62) movable within an actuating cylinder (60). [9] Stop module according to claim 8, wherein the second piston-cylinder arrangement is arranged in the base housing (26), and wherein the actuating piston (62) engages the guide housing (66) to move the guide housing (66) for retracting or extending the stop member (28) relative to the base housing (26). [10] Stop module according to claim 9, wherein the guide housing (66) is connected to the base housing (26) via a spring element (64) which counteracts the actuating piston (62).

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