Mechanical device and method for transporting an object mounted on rollers

Abstract

The invention relates to a mechanical device (1) comprising: an object (3) mounted on rollers (2), preferably a pallet mounted on rollers (2), a first rail support (5) and a second rail support (6) separated from each other by a gap (4), a first transport device (14) for transporting the object (3) along the first rail support (5) between a first position in which the object (3) rests on the first rail support (5) and a transfer position (13), and a second transport device (16) for transporting the object (3) along the second rail support (6) between a second position in which the object (3) rests on the second rail support (6) and the transfer position (13). In the transfer position (13), the object (3) rests on both the first rail support (5) and the second rail support (6).The invention also relates to a method for transporting an object (3) mounted on rollers (2).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a mechanical device. The invention also relates to a method for transporting an object mounted on rollers, preferably a pallet mounted on rollers.

[0002] An object mounted on rollers, particularly a pallet, can be moved automatically on a rail support, which typically has two parallel guide rails. It may be necessary to transport the pallet across a gap between a first and a second rail support. This is the case, for example, if one of the two rail supports needs to be temporarily completely isolated from its surroundings by an enclosure. In this case, the two rail supports are spatially separated and not mechanically coupled.

[0003] German patent application DE 32 40 962 A1 describes a device for the successive automatic movement of pallets towards and away from a machine tool table. The device includes a bed anchored to the floor and a bed slide mounted on the bed to guide a pallet mounted on the slide. The device comprises a first transport mechanism for the linear movement of the bed slide and a driver attached to the bed slide that can engage with the pallet. The device also includes a second transport mechanism for the reciprocating movement of the driver in the direction of movement of the bed slide. The first transport mechanism can consist of a piston-cylinder assembly, and the second transport mechanism can include gears around which an endless chain is tensioned.

[0004] US Patent 2018 / 0070595A1 describes a material handling system that includes conveyor belts for conveying multiple rows of containers along a conveying path. The system may include a device for changing the direction of material movement, the device generating linear motion. The device may be a cylinder with a movable part to which a rod is attached. During operation, the rod contacts the material to be conveyed, pushing it onto a conveyor belt. The conveyor belt may have two driven chains with rods between them that are moved by the chains. The rods engage the containers to convey them.

[0005] JP S51-93589 U describes a pallet conveyor in which a pallet is placed on a group of rollers that are slightly inclined from the horizontal. The pallet is moved to a higher inclined side of the group of rollers by means of a pusher.

[0006] DE 195 46 887 A1 describes a conveyor system for pallets. DE 89 08 895 U1 describes a device for moving objects, e.g., in the form of pallets.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a mechanical device and a method that enable automated, process-reliable transport of an object mounted on rollers, in particular a pallet, over a gap between two rail supports.

[0008] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a mechanical device comprising: an object mounted on rollers, preferably a pallet mounted on rollers, a first rail support and a second rail support separated from each other by a gap, a first transport device for transporting the object along the first rail support between a first position in which the object rests on the first rail support and a transfer position, and a second transport device for transporting the object along the second rail support between a second position in which the object rests on the second rail support and the transfer position, wherein in the transfer position the object rests on both the first rail support and the second rail support.

[0009] The device described here enables a reliable, automated transfer of the object between the first and second transport units by ensuring that the object rests on both rail supports in the transfer position. To achieve this, the object typically rests with at least one roller on the first rail support and at least one other roller on the second rail support. This allows the object to be transported reliably in a "free-floating" position across a gap of a relatively large width, e.g., more than 0.5 m.

[0010] In one embodiment, the mechanical device comprises a separating device, preferably a lifting door, and a movement device for moving the separating device between a locking position, in which the separating device blocks the gap in the area of ​​the rail supports, and a release position, in which the separating device releases the gap in the area of ​​the rail supports for transporting the object.

[0011] As described above, in certain cases it is advantageous to install a separating device in the space between the two rail supports to prevent the object from moving between them. This separating device could, for example, be a lifting door that can be moved between the locked and unlocked positions by a lifting and lowering motion. Alternatively, the movement mechanism could be designed to laterally displace and / or pivot the separating device to move it between the locked and unlocked positions. The separating device can be essentially flat, but it can also deviate from a flat geometry.

[0012] In a further development of this embodiment, the machine device comprises a housing in which the first rail support is arranged, the housing being closable by moving the separating device into the locking position. In particular, the separating device can hermetically seal the housing from the environment in the locking position. This is advantageous, for example, if noise is generated inside the housing during handling or processing of the object or of items stored on the object, e.g., in the form of workpieces or workpiece parts. By hermetically sealing the interior of the housing from the environment, the noise generated outside the housing can be kept to a minimum. It is understood that, in this case, for noise control reasons, neither the housing nor the separating device may have any openings when the separating device is in the closed position.It is understood that the housing of the first rail support can also be hermetically sealed from the environment for reasons other than noise reduction. Furthermore, more than one sealing device may be provided to hermetically seal the housing from the environment.

[0013] In a further embodiment, the first transport device has a first driver and is configured to move the first driver, preferably at the transfer position, between an engagement position for engaging a first cam of the object and a release position in which the first driver does not engage the first cam of the object, and / or the second transport device has a second driver and is configured to move the second driver, preferably at the transfer position, between an engagement position for engaging a second cam of the object and a release position in which the second driver does not engage the second cam of the object.

[0014] For moving the object between the first / second position and the transfer position, the first / second transport device typically has a first / second drive that moves the first / second carrier along the rail support, typically shifting it when it engages with the first / second cam of the object. For the transfer at the transfer position, the engagement of the first carrier with the first cam can be released, and the second carrier can be brought into engagement with the second cam, and vice versa. For process reliability, it is advantageous if at least one of the two carriers is engaged in the respective cam at all times. This can be ensured by first moving both carriers into their respective engagement positions at the transfer position before one of the two carriers is moved into the release position.

[0015] In one embodiment, the first transport device for moving the object along the first rail support comprises a cylinder-piston drive or a spindle drive. Such a drive has proven advantageous when only limited installation space is available for the drive. The cylinder-piston drive can, for example, have a pneumatic cylinder or an electric cylinder to move a piston rod linearly. The first driver can be attached to the piston rod of the cylinder-piston drive or to a threaded spindle of the spindle drive. The stroke of the linear movement of the first driver typically corresponds to the distance between the first position and the transfer position of the object.

[0016] In a further development of this embodiment, the first driver is attached to a piston rod of the cylinder-piston drive, wherein a cylinder of the cylinder-piston drive is movable, in particular pivotable or linearly raising and lowering, to move the first driver between the engagement position and the release position. A linear movement of the piston rod, typically in a horizontal direction, is sufficient to generate a linear movement of the object along the rail support. However, the linear movement of the piston rod generally does not allow movement of the first driver between the engagement position and the release position. To enable this, it is advantageous if the cylinder of the cylinder-piston drive can be moved. The movement of the cylinder can be a pivoting movement that changes the angular position of the cylinder.In this case, the cylinder can, for example, be mounted on a pivot bearing at its end opposite the piston rod. The piston rod, or first driver, can then be moved back and forth between the engagement and release positions by a suitable drive, such as a short-stroke cylinder. The driver, or piston rod, of the cylinder can be guided along a track. It is also possible to raise or lower the cylinder and piston rod of the cylinder-piston drive in a linear motion to achieve the movement between the engagement and release positions. The first driver can, for example, be designed as a driver pin or similar component that engages in a suitably shaped recess on the underside of the object, typically the underside of the pallet.

[0017] In a further embodiment, the first transport device is designed to place the object, with at least one roller, and in particular exactly one roller, on the second rail support during movement into the transfer position. Especially if the first transport device has a cylinder-piston drive or a spindle drive, the stroke of the linear movement between the transfer position and the first end position should not be too large. It is therefore advantageous if the object is moved along the first rail support by the first transport device only to the extent that, in the transfer position, only one of the rollers rests on the second rail support.

[0018] In another embodiment, the first driver, particularly in the form of a driver bolt, does not protrude upwards above the rail support in the release position. In this case, the first driver is lowered below the rail support or below the bearing surface of the guide rail when moving into the release position and can be passed over by the object mounted on rollers when the second transport device moves the object from the transfer position to the second position.

[0019] In another embodiment, the second transport device for moving the object along the second rail support has a chain drive. A chain drive is a proven drive for moving objects mounted on rollers, in particular a pallet or pallet truck. The chain drive has a second carrier, e.g., in the form of a hook, which is typically attached to the chain of the chain drive and engages in the second track on the object to move it from the transfer position to the second position. The second track can, for example, be located near the roller of the object that rests on the second rail support in the transfer position.

[0020] The second rail support can, for example, be part of a removal station for taking workpiece parts stored on the top of the pallet. The first rail support can, for example, be part of a handling station for handling a workpiece or workpiece parts stored on the top of the pallet. The handling station could, for example, be a singulation station where workpiece parts are separated from a remaining workpiece.

[0021] Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for transporting an object mounted on rollers, preferably a pallet mounted on rollers, between a first rail support and a second rail support, which are separated from each other by a gap, comprising the steps of: transporting the object by means of a first transport device along the first rail support between a first position in which the object rests on the first rail support and a transfer position, and transporting the object between the transfer position and a second position in which the object rests on the second rail support by means of a second transport device, wherein in the transfer position the object rests on both the first rail support and the second rail support.

[0022] In the first position, the object rests only on the first rail support; in the second position, the object rests only on the second rail support. As described above, the partial support of the object, or more precisely, its rollers, on the first rail support and on the second rail support in the transfer position ensures reliable transport of the object.

[0023] In one variant of the method, before the object is moved into the transfer position, a separating device, preferably a lifting door, is moved from a locking position, in which the separating device blocks the gap in the area of ​​the rail supports, to a release position, in which the separating device opens the gap in the area of ​​the rail supports for the transport of the object. As described above, the separating device or the lifting door can be moved into the locking position to separate a housing in which the first rail support is arranged from its surroundings, for example, to achieve a noise reduction effect.

[0024] In another variant, to transfer the object from the first rail support to the second rail support, a first driver of the first transport device is released from an engagement position at the transfer position, in which the first driver engages in a first cam of the object, and a second driver of the second transport device is moved into an engagement position in which the second driver engages in a second cam of the object, and / or to transfer the object from the second rail support to the first rail support, a second driver of the second transport device is released from an engagement position at the transfer position, in which the second driver engages in a second cam of the object, and a first driver of the first transport device is moved into an engagement position in which the first driver engages in a first cam of the object.As described above, it is advantageous if each driver is only released from its engagement position once the other driver has also reached its engagement position. This increases process reliability during object transfer.

[0025] In another variant, the first transport device has a piston-cylinder drive, on whose piston rod the first driver is attached, wherein, in order to move the first driver between the engagement position and a release position in which the first driver is not engaged with the first cam, a cylinder of the piston-cylinder drive is moved, in particular pivoted and / or raised or lowered in a linear movement.

[0026] During pivoting, the piston rod is typically tilted at a relatively small angle, allowing the first driver to be lowered or raised in a linear motion. Such a movement of the first driver can also be achieved by raising or lowering the cylinder in a linear motion.

[0027] In another variant, as the object moves into the transfer position, the first transport device places the object, with at least one roller, and preferably exactly one roller, on the second rail support. As described above, it is typically advantageous if the stroke or distance between the first end position and the transfer position during transport of the object is not too large. A small stroke can be achieved by placing only one outer roller of the object on the second rail support during transport into the transfer position, while the other rollers of the object remain on the first rail support. The object usually has more than two rollers, which are arranged laterally offset along the rail supports in the direction of the object's movement.In the case of two parallel guide rails, "a roller" refers to a pair of rollers that are arranged at the same height in the direction of movement of the object and that may be connected to each other by a common axis.

[0028] In another variant, the first driver, particularly in the form of a driver bolt, does not extend upwards above the first rail support in a release position where it is not engaged with the first cam. This allows the driver to be run over by the object or its rollers when the object is moved from the transfer position to the second position.

[0029] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary schematic diagrams. These show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a mechanical device with a pallet mounted on rollers, designed to transport the pallet between a first rail support and a second rail support, Fig. 2 a schematic representation of the machine device of Fig. 1 with the pallet in a first position, in which it rests on the first rail support, Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 schematic representations of the machine device of Fig. 1 with the pallet in a transfer position, Fig. 5 a schematic representation of a first transport device with a cylinder-piston drive for transporting the pallet along the first rail support, as well as Fig. 6 a schematic representation of the machine device of Fig. 1 with the pallet in a second position, in which it rests on the second rail support.

[0030] Fig. 1 to Fig. 4 and Fig. Figure 6 shows a mechanical device 1 used to transport a pallet 3 mounted on rollers 2 across a gap 4. The gap 4 separates a first rail support 5 on one side of the gap 4 from a second rail support 6 on the other side. In the example shown, the first rail support 5 is part of a singulation station for separating workpiece parts from a residual grid. The second rail support 6 is part of a removal station for removing workpiece parts, which are transported from the singulation station to the removal station using the pallet 3. Both rail supports 5 and 6 are mounted on a support frame.

[0031] The mechanical device 1 comprises a separating device, in the example shown a lifting door 7, and a movement device 8, indicated by a double arrow, for moving the lifting door 7 in a vertical direction between a Fig. 1. Dashed line indicating locking position 9, in which the lifting door 7 blocks the gap 4 in the area of ​​the rail supports 5, 6, and one also in Fig. 1 shown release position 10, in which the lifting door 7 releases the space 4 in the area of ​​the rail supports 5, 6 for the transport of the pallet 3.

[0032] In Fig. 1 and in Fig. Figure 2 shows pallet 3 in a first position 11, in which pallet 3 rests completely, i.e., with all rollers 2, on the first rail support 5. The transport of pallet 3 from the first position to a Fig. The second position 12, indicated by a dashed line, in which the pallet 3 rests with all rollers 2 on the second rail support 6, is transferred via a transfer position 13, in which the pallet 3 rests with one roller 2 on the second rail support 6 and with all other rollers 2 on the first rail support 5. The procedure for transporting the pallet 3 from the first position 11 to the second position 12 is described below in connection with Fig. 2 to Fig. 6 described.

[0033] A first transport device 14, which in the example shown has a cylinder-piston drive 15, is used to transport the pallet 3 along the first rail support 5 from the first position 11 to the transfer position 13. A second transport device 16, which in the example shown has a chain drive 17, is used to transport the pallet 3 along the second rail support 6 from the transfer position 13 to the second position 12.

[0034] The first rail support 5 is arranged in a housing 18 which is in Fig. Figure 1 shows the housing 18 being closed by moving the lifting door 7 into the locking position 9. In the example shown, the housing 18 is designed to completely separate its interior from its surroundings when the lifting door 7 is closed. This minimizes noise outside the housing 18 when workpieces are being processed inside the housing 18 during singulation onto the pallet 3. The housing 18 limits the available installation space for the first transport device 14.

[0035] The cylinder-piston drive 15 of the first transport device 14 has a pneumatic cylinder 19 with a piston rod 20, at the free end of which a first driver 21 is attached, which is designed as a driver pin. The driver pin 21 is located in the Fig. The first position 11 of the pallet 3, as shown in Figure 2, is in an engagement position in which the drive pin 21 engages in a first cam 22 in the pallet 3, which is located on the underside of the pallet 3. The pallet 3 is moved from the first position 11 to the transfer position 13 by the cylinder-piston drive 15 by extending the piston rod 20, thereby linearly displacing the pallet 3, in whose first cam 22 the first drive pin 21 engages, along the first rail support 5. As shown in Figure 2, the pallet 3 is in a first position 11, in an engagement position in which the drive pin 21 engages. Fig. As can be seen in 3, the first transport device 14 is designed to place the pallet 3 with exactly one roller 2 on the second rail support 6 when moving into the transfer position 13.

[0036] As in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2, the chain drive 17 of the second transport device 16 has an endless chain 23 to which a second driver 24 is attached. This driver is in a release position below the second rail support 6 when the pallet 3 rests on the first rail support 5. When the pallet 3 reaches the transfer position 13, which can be detected by a suitable sensor, the second driver 24 moves from the release position to an engagement position, in which it engages in a second cam 25 on the underside of the pallet 3, as shown in Figure 2. Fig. Figure 3 shows that the first driver, in the form of the driver bolt 21, initially remains in the engaged position in the first cam 22 of the pallet 3 to secure it. Only when the second driver 24, which is attached to the endless chain 23, is in the engaged position in the second cam 25, is the driver bolt 21 moved from the engaged position to a release position (see Figure 3). Fig. 4).

[0037] The movement of the drive bolt 21 from the in Fig. 3 shown intervention position into the in Fig. The release position shown in Figure 4 is achieved by means of a drive in the form of a short-stroke cylinder 26, which, in the fully extended position of the piston rod 20, moves the drive pin 21 downwards in a vertical direction. During this movement, the cylinder 19 of the cylinder-piston drive 15, which is connected to a pivot bearing 27 on its side facing away from the piston rod 20, pivots. The piston rod 20 with the drive pin 21 is guided along a guide track 28 during pivoting.

[0038] As in Fig. As can be seen from figure 5, the drive pin 21 does not protrude upwards above the first rail support 5 in the release position. When the drive pin 21 is in the release position, the pallet 3 can be moved from the in by means of the chain drive 17. Fig. 4 shown transfer position 13 into the in Fig. The pallet 3 is moved to the second position 12 shown in Figure 6, in which it rests completely on the second rail support 6. Here, the pallet 3 is moved along the second rail support 6 by means of the second driver 24, which engages in the second cam 25. To move the pallet 3 from the second position 12 to the first position 11, the steps described above can be performed in reverse.

[0039] Alternatively to the in Fig.In addition to the pivoting movement of the cylinder 19 shown in Figure 5, it can also be lowered in a linear movement to move the drive pin 21 back and forth between the release position and the engagement position. Instead of the cylinder-piston drive 15, another type of drive can be used that requires comparatively little installation space, for example, a spindle drive or the like. Instead of a pallet 3, other objects mounted on rollers 2 can also be moved between the first position 11 and the second position 12 in the manner described above.

Claims

[1] Machine device (1) comprising: an object (3) mounted on rollers (2), a first rail support (5) and a second rail support (6) which are separated from each other by a gap (4), a first transport device (14) for transporting the object (3) along the first rail support (5) between a first position (11) in which the object (3) rests on the first rail support (5) and a transfer position (13), as well as a second transport device (16) for transporting the object (3) along the second rail support (6) between a second position (12), in which the object (3) rests on the second rail support (6), and the transfer position (13), wherein in the transfer position (13) the object (3) rests on both the first rail support (5) and the second rail support (6). [2] Machine device (1) according to claim 1, further comprising: a separating device (7), as well as a movement device (8) for moving the separating device (7) between a locking position (9) in which the separating device (7) blocks the gap (4) in the area of ​​the rail supports (5, 6) and a release position (10) in which the separating device (7) releases the gap (4) in the area of ​​the rail supports (5, 6) for the transport of the object (3). [3] Machine device (1) according to claim 2, further comprising: a housing (18) in which the first rail support (5) is arranged, wherein the housing (18) can be closed by moving the separating device (7) into the locking position (9). [4] Machine device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the first transport device (14) has a first driver (21) and is configured to move the first driver (21) between an engagement position for engagement in a first cam (22) of the object (3) and a release position in which the first driver (21) does not engage in the first cam (22) of the object (3). and / or in which the second transport device (16) has a second driver (24) and is designed to move the second driver (24) between an engagement position for engagement in a second cam (25) of the object (3) and a release position in which the second driver (24) does not engage in the second cam (25) of the object (3). [5] Machine device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first transport device (14) for moving the object (3) along the first rail support (5) comprises a cylinder-piston drive (15) or a spindle drive. [6] Machine device (1) according to claim 5, in which the first driver (21) is attached to a piston rod (20) of the cylinder-piston drive (15), wherein a cylinder (19) of the cylinder-piston drive (15) is movable to move the first driver (21) between the engagement position and the release position. [7] Machine device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the first transport device (14) is designed to place the object (3) with at least one roller (2) on the second rail support (6) when moving into the transfer position (13). [8] Machine device (1) according to one of claims 4 to 7, in which the first driver (21) does not project upwards above the first rail support (5) in the release position. [9] Machine device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the second transport device (16) for generating a linear movement of the object (3) along the second rail support (6) has a chain drive (17). [10] Method for transporting an object (3) supported on rollers (2) between a first rail support (5) and a second rail support (6) separated from each other by a space (4), comprising the steps: Transporting the object (3) by means of a first transport device (14) along the first rail support (5) between a first position (11), in which the object (3) rests on the first rail support (5), and a transfer position (13), as well as Transporting the object (3) between a second position (12), in which the object (3) rests on the second rail support (6), and the transfer position (13) by means of a second transport device (16), wherein in the transfer position (13) the object (3) rests on both the first rail support (5) and the second rail support (6). [11] Method according to claim 10, in which, prior to moving the object (3) into the transfer position (13), a separating device (7) is moved from a locking position (9), in which the separating device (7) blocks the gap (4) in the area of ​​the rail supports (5, 6), to a release position (10), in which the separating device (7) releases the gap (4) in the area of ​​the rail supports (5, 6) for the transport of the object (3). [12] Method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein, for the transfer of the object (3) from the first rail support (5) to the second rail support (6), a first driver (21) of the first transport device (14) is released from an engagement position at the transfer position (13) in which the first driver (21) engages in a first cam (22) of the object (3), and a second driver (24) of the second transport device (16) is moved into an engagement position in which the second driver (24) engages with a second cam (25) of the object (3), and / or wherein, for the transfer of the object (3) from the second rail support (6) to the first rail support (5), a second driver (24) of the second transport device (16) is released from an engagement position at the transfer position (13) in which the second driver (24) engages in a second cam (25) of the object (3),and a first driver (21) of the first transport device (14) is moved into an engagement position in which the first driver (21) engages with a first cam (22) of the object (3). [13] Method according to claim 12, wherein the first transport device (14) has a cylinder-piston drive (15) to whose piston rod (20) the first driver (21) is attached, wherein a cylinder (19) of the cylinder-piston drive (15) is moved to move the first driver (21) between the engagement position and a release position in which the first driver (21) is not engaged with the first cam (22). [14] Method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the first transport device (14) when moving the object (3) into the transfer position (13) places the object (3) with at least one roller (2) on the second rail support (6). [15] Method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the first driver (21) in a release position in which the driver (21) is not engaged with the first cam (22) does not project upwards above the first rail support (5).

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