Vertical pallet storage system designed as an accumulation conveyor, especially for use in the bodywork construction of the automotive industry.

Abstract

The invention relates to a vertical pallet storage system, particularly for use in automotive body manufacturing, for conveying and storing unit loads. Pallets can be stored in intermediate positions on both the upward and downward moving chain sections.

Description

genus

[0001] The invention relates to a vertical pallet storage device designed as an accumulation conveyor, in particular for use in the body construction of the automotive industry, for moving pallets for conveying piece goods in a vertical direction with respect to the installation floor. State of the art

[0002] The applicant has already offered such pallet storage systems.

[0003] From DE 10 2010 046 809 A1, a paternoster lift for pallets in a high-bay warehouse is already known, wherein the high-bay warehouse has several floors and a pallet lock for supplying the paternoster lift with pallets, with a plurality of carrier devices which are designed to be loaded with the pallets, with a circumferential towing connection for conveying the carrier devices, wherein the paternoster lift is designed such that the towing connection is moved at a continuous conveying speed during upward and / or downward conveyance of the carrier devices. One or more provision devices are provided which are designed such that one of the carrier devices on one of the floors or in the pallet lock can be decoupled from the conveying speed in order to make the carrier device available for loading and / or unloading.The provision device comprises an offset device which is arranged between the carrier device and the towing connection and which enables a change in the relative position between the towing connection and the carrier device in and / or against a conveying direction. This offset device is designed as a telescopic device. The provision device comprises a deceleration device which is designed to decelerate and / or secure the carrier device relative to the towing connection during upward conveyance and at the same time to increase a relative distance between the carrier device and the towing connection and / or to increase and / or secure a relative distance between the carrier device and the towing device during a downward movement relative to the towing connection and at the same time to decrease a relative distance between the carrier device and the towing device.

[0004] The paternoster lift interacts with a high-bay warehouse, whereby the high-bay warehouse has several levels in the vertical direction and a pallet lock for supplying the paternoster lift with pallets. In particular, the high-bay warehouse is designed for storing the pallets. The support devices can be designed, for example, as cabins, support racks, or other mechanical interfaces for the pallets. This paternoster lift thus comprises a circumferential towing connection for conveying the support device. A towing connection is understood, for example, to be a circumferential carrier chain or a circumferential carrier belt. In particular, the towing connection is designed to be circumferential, so that it runs vertically, is deflected horizontally into a deflection area, then runs vertically again, is deflected horizontally into a lower deflection point, and closes.In particular, the towing connection is designed as an endless connection.

[0005] DE 101 41 074 B4 discloses a paternoster-type storage or warehousing arrangement with a plurality of support members for stored or stored goods. The device comprises two vertical conveyors for the support members, one vertical conveyor operating in an upward direction and the other vertical conveyor operating in a downward direction, with an upper and a lower transfer position. At the upper transfer position, the support members are successively separated from the vertical conveyor operating in an outward direction by horizontal displacement and coupled to the vertical conveyor operating in a downward direction, or are separated from the vertical conveyor operating in a downward direction and coupled or can be coupled to the vertical conveyor operating in an upward direction at the lower transfer position.The vertical conveyors are connected to each other at their upper and lower ends to form a closed rectangular circular track in a circular plane, wherein supporting part carriers rotating in the circular track interact with coupling parts on the supporting part side and the coupling parts on the supporting part side are each arranged on one side of the supporting parts.

[0006] In addition, this arrangement should offer the advantage that the vertical conveyors or their vertical guides can be arranged directly next to each other or at a greater distance from each other, as required. Task

[0007] The invention is based on the object of designing a vertical pallet storage device as a vertical accumulation conveyor in which pallets can be accumulated at any point on both the upward and downward moving chain strands which are continuously driven by a motor in one direction. Solution

[0008] This task is solved by a vertical pallet storage system designed as an accumulation conveyor, particularly for use in body construction in the automotive industry, for moving pallets to convey piece goods in a vertical direction relative to the installation floor, wherein the pallets are accumulated by one or more chains that are motor-driven in a rotating direction and at any point, both on the vertically upwardly moving chain strand and on the vertically downwardly moving chain strand, by stoppers or by pallets that run in opposite directions in order to be able to load or unload the pallets, wherein a chain comb is attached to the respective pallet, which transmits the power of the motor-driven chain to the pallet in a driving manner and thus moves the pallet up and down, and a stopper or another stopped pallet stops a subsequent pallet,wherein the chain comb is separable from the chain via a cam mechanism to stop the pallet in question and the pallet moves integrally with the chain and the cam mechanism and the chain comb is movable relative to the chain via a lever system. Some advantages

[0009] A vertical pallet storage system according to the invention has the significant advantage over the prior art of decoupling the workflow between the loading station and the unloading station. This is achieved by allowing pallets to be accumulated at any location, both on the vertically upward-moving chain strand and the vertically downward-moving chain strand, by means of stoppers or by pallets colliding against each other.

[0010] The electric motor, preferably located at the upper reversing station, drives the revolving chain in only one direction and can be operated continuously, ensuring that the chain fragments are constantly rotating, as the pallets can be stacked at any location. The chain comb, which transmits the power of the motor-driven chain to the pallet, prevents it from falling off. The cam mechanism can automatically disengage the chain comb from the drive chain, stopping the pallet in its movement. Since the pallets move integrally with the chain and the cam mechanism, the design is simple. Further inventive embodiments

[0011] Further inventive embodiments are described in patent claims 2 to 8.

[0012] From patent claim 2, a vertical pallet storage device can be seen in which a stop block is assigned to the stop stop, which activates the cam mechanism via a pre-tensioned return spring and moves the chain comb with respect to the chain.

[0013] In the embodiment according to claim 3, a pallet stop is associated with a pneumatically or electrically operated mechanism with a U-shaped trigger that stops the pallet as needed.

[0014] Claim 4 shows an advantageous embodiment which is characterized in that two chain wheels with free-running bushings are arranged on the pallet, which enable the movement of the pallet in one direction (pallet feed) but block movement in the opposite direction, such that a frame is assigned to the pallet storage, to which chain sections extending in the axial direction of these frames are assigned, with which the irreversible chain wheels mesh and form a locking system with the chain sections.

[0015] An embodiment according to claim 5 is also particularly advantageous, which is characterized in that the chain wheels with backstop for the vertical stroke direction are each assigned a freewheel bushing which blocks rotation in one of the two directions.

[0016] It has proven to be expedient that both the chain driving the pallets and the chain sections are designed as link chains, plate chains or Galsche chains - patent claim 6.

[0017] If necessary, several vertical pallet storage units can be arranged next to and / or behind one another according to claim 7.

[0018] A particularly advantageous embodiment is described in claim 8, in which the pallets moved upwards can be loaded with piece goods, while the pallets conveyed downwards can be unloaded by a robot.

[0019] The invention is illustrated, partly schematically, using an exemplary embodiment in the drawing. It shows: Fig. 1 A vertical pallet storage system in perspective view; Fig. 2 a vertical pallet storage in cooperation with a robot: Fig. 3 a detail of the Fig. 1 illustrated pallet storage, also in perspective view; Fig. 4 a detail from Fig. 1, in perspective view; Fig. 5 a detail from Fig. 1 on a larger scale; Fig. 6 a detail from Fig. 1, wherein a pallet is shown in motion, partly in perspective and the pallet is in the upward region; Fig. 7 the palette Fig. 6 when stationary; Fig. 8 a detail from Fig. 1, pallet in motion; Fig. 9 a detail from Fig. 1 in larger scale, with pallet stop, cam mechanism and chain comb; Fig. 10 a detail from Fig. 1 at pallet stop, pallet at standstill, partly shown in perspective; Fig. 11 a detail from Fig. 1 in larger scale with stop block, active stop for pallets, cam mechanism activated and chain comb disengaged from the chain strand; Fig. 12 Palette in forward movement upwards in perspective view; Fig. 13 a detail from Fig. 1 with pallet stop with U-release, pneumatic cylinder and stopper holder; Fig. 14 a detail from Fig. 1, trigger inactive, pallet passage; Fig. 15 Trigger active, pallet stop; Fig. 16 sprockets with freewheel bushing in perspective view; Fig. 17 reverse gear with locking pinion in the upward range; Fig. 18 Palette in downward movement, partly shown in perspective, and Fig. 19 the downward range, where sprockets are equipped with backstops.

[0020] Out of Fig. 1 shows a vertical pallet storage 1 which collects pallets 3 in an ascending direction on one side perpendicular to the installation floor 2 and pallets 3 in a descending direction perpendicular to the installation floor 2 downwards.

[0021] The pallets 3 are moved by a motor-driven chain strand, which is described in more detail below.

[0022] Pallets 3 are used to hold piece goods, for example, individual parts in the body shop of the automotive industry. Pallets 3 can be stopped at any position using electric or pneumatic stoppers, both in the upward direction and during their downward movement.

[0023] How to Fig. 2, the vertical pallet storage 1 enables decoupling during the workflow.

[0024] The pallets 3 are used in the Fig. 2, the conveyor is loaded with the approaching piece goods by an operator 4 and then moved in direction X via reversing stations 5 and 6.

[0025] The upward movement direction is indicated by the arrow X and the downward movement of the pallets 3 by the arrow T in the left illustration of the Fig. 1 indicated.

[0026] A robot 7 unloads pallets 3 in the downward area T.

[0027] The flow of goods after robot 7 is not shown.

[0028] Here, for example, unmanned vehicles can be loaded with general cargo, such as body parts in the automotive industry.

[0029] On the loading side in area X, the parts can also be brought in by unmanned vehicles. It is also possible to replace operator 4 with a robot that removes the brought-in piece goods and loads them onto pallets 3. For example, the loaded pallets 3 in area X can wait for unloading in area 8 until they are unloaded by robot 7 in area 9.

[0030] Out of Fig. Figure 3 shows a vertical pallet storage system 1 in general operation. An electric motor (not shown in detail) in the reversing station 6, designed as a drive head, drives a gear 10, which in turn drives a chain 11 in the direction X - T as an endless chain strand in one direction. The movement of the chain 11 drives the pallets 3 in the direction X or T. The motor in the reversing station 6, and thus the chain 11, can operate continuously, with the vertical parts of the chain 11 constantly moving in a circular motion in the direction X or T.

[0031] The Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show a chain comb 12 attached to a pallet 3, which transmits the force of the chain 11 to the pallet 3 and thus moves the pallet 3 in the direction X or T ( Fig. 3) moves up and down. Fig. 6, the pallet 3 is shown in motion. When the pallet 3 reaches a stopper 13 or another stopped pallet 3, the chain comb 12 ( Fig. 9) is separated from the chain 11. At this moment, the pallet 3 stops. The standstill position of the pallet 3 is Fig. 7 can be seen.

[0032] How to Fig. 8, the pallet 3 moves integrally with the chain 11 via the cam mechanism 14. The chain comb 12 then connects the pallet 3 to the chain 11.

[0033] Out of Fig. The cam mechanism 14 can be seen more clearly in Figure 9. The chain comb 12 is connected to the cam mechanism 14 via a lever system and is separated from the chain 11 when the cam mechanism 14 pivots into the stop position.

[0034] In Fig. 10 shows a pallet 3 at a standstill. The stopper 13 compresses the stop block against a compression spring of the pallet 3. This compression activates the cam mechanism 14 and separates the chain comb 12 from the chain 11, as described above in connection with Fig. 9. The pallet 3 then comes to a standstill. This situation is shown in Fig. 11. The stop block is shown in Fig. 1 is designated by the reference number 15.

[0035] In Fig. Figure 12 shows the upward movement of a pallet 3. The two chain breakers arranged parallel and spaced apart are clearly visible.

[0036] To maintain the position of a pallet 3 after stopping and prevent it from falling, a locking system is provided. Two sprockets with free-running bushings 16 are mounted on the pallet 3. These sprockets allow the pallet 3 to move in one direction (pallet feed), but they block in the opposite direction. To achieve this blocking, two fixed chain sections 19 and 20 are arranged on two fixed frames 17 and 18, on which these irreversible sprockets move in meshing fashion.

[0037] As from Fig. As can be seen in Figure 13, the pallet stop is associated with a pneumatically operated mechanism with a pneumatic cylinder 21. However, the pallet stop can also be electrically operated. A U-shaped trigger 22 is also associated with the pallet stop. This trigger 22 stops the advance of the pallets 3 if necessary. A stopper holder is shown at 23.

[0038] In Fig. 14 the U-shaped trigger 22 is shown during pallet passage and in Fig. 15 the pallet stop.

[0039] Freewheel bushings 24 are made of Fig. 17 and also a pinion 25, which meshes with a chain section. 26 denotes an axle. Chain wheels 27 are visible from the perspective view in Fig. 16 can be seen.

[0040] The freewheel bushings 24 are mounted inside the pinions 25 on the axle 26. The freewheel bushings 24 allow rotation in one direction while blocking in another direction.

[0041] The pinions 25 thus serve as locking pinions, especially in the downward range.

[0042] Fig.18 shows the movement of the pallets 3 in direction T, i.e., downward. In the downward range, the pallets 3 are securely held in position by a free-running pinion 28. The rotation of the pinion—in this case, clockwise—blocks the free fall of the pallet 3 due to its own weight. The sprocket is aligned with the chain guide 12.

[0043] The features described in the patent claims and in the description as well as those apparent from the drawings may be essential for the realisation of the invention both individually and in any combination. List of reference symbols 1 pallet storage, vertical 2 installation floors 3 pallets 4 Operator 5 reversing station 6 " 7 robots 8 Area 9 " 10 gear 11 Chain 12 chain comb 13 stoppers 14 Cam mechanism 15 stop block 16 socket 17 frames 18 " 19 Chain section 20 " 21 cylinders, pneumatic 22 triggers, U-shaped 23 Stopper holder 24 freewheel bushings 25 pinions 26 Axis 27 sprocket 28 pinion, freewheeling X Direction of movement upwards T Direction of movement downwards

Claims

[1] A vertical pallet storage device (1) designed as an accumulation conveyor, particularly for use in bodywork construction in the automotive industry, for moving pallets (3) for conveying piece goods in a vertical direction (X or T) relative to the installation floor (2), wherein the pallets (3) can be accumulated by one or more chains (11) which are motor-driven in a rotating direction and at any desired location, both on the vertically upwardly moved chain strand and on the vertically downwardly moved chain strand, by stoppers or by mutually advancing pallets (3), in order to be able to load or unload the pallets, wherein a chain comb (12) is attached to the respective pallet (3), which transmits the force of the motor-driven chain (11) to the pallet (3) in a driving manner and thus moves the pallet (3) upwards (X) and downwards (T), and a stopper (13) or another stopped pallet (3) stops a subsequent pallet (3),wherein the chain comb (12) is separable from the chain (11) via a cam mechanism (14) in order to stop the pallet (3) in question, and the pallet (3) moves integrally with the chain (11) and the cam mechanism (14), and the chain comb (12) is movable relative to the chain (11) via a lever system. [2] Vertical pallet storage device designed as an accumulation conveyor according to claim 1, characterized by that the stopper stop is assigned a stop block (15) which activates the cam mechanism (14) via a pre-tensioned return spring and moves the chain comb (12) with respect to the chain (11). [3] Vertical pallet storage designed as an accumulation conveyor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that a pallet stop is assigned a pneumatically or electrically operated mechanism with a U-shaped trigger (22) which stops the pallet (3) as required. [4] Vertical pallet storage designed as an accumulation conveyor according to claim 1 or one of the following claims, characterized by that two chain wheels with free-running bushings are arranged on the pallet (3), which enable the movement of the pallet (3) in one direction (pallet feed) but block movement in the opposite direction, such that a frame (17, 18) is assigned to the pallet storage (1), to which chain sections (19, 20) extending in the axial direction of these frames (17, 18) are assigned, with which the irreversible chain wheels mesh and form a locking system with the chain sections (19, 20). [5] Vertical pallet storage designed as an accumulation conveyor according to claim 1 or one of the following claims, characterized by that the chain wheels with backstop for the vertical lifting direction are each assigned a freewheel bushing (24) which blocks rotation in one of the two directions. [6] Vertical pallet storage designed as an accumulation conveyor according to claim 1 or one of the following claims, characterized by that both the chain (11) driving the pallets (3) and the chain sections (19, 20) are designed as link chains, plate chains or Gall chains. [7] Vertical pallet storage designed as an accumulation conveyor according to claim 1 or one of the following claims, characterized by that several vertical pallet storage units (1) are arranged next to and / or behind one another. [8] Vertical pallet storage designed as an accumulation conveyor according to claim 1 or one of the following claims, characterized by that the pallets (3) moved upwards (X) can be loaded with piece goods, while the pallets (3) moved downwards can be unloaded by a robot (7).

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