Device for conveying unit loads

Abstract

Device for conveying unit loads with a base body and a conveyor chain arranged on it for conveying the unit load along a conveyor path, wherein the conveyor chain has a plurality of pivotally connected support elements, of which at least a minority of the support elements are designed and configured to hold the unit load, with a drive device for generating a conveying movement of the conveyor chain with a first guide device that deflects the conveying movement of the conveyor chain by at least two deflection axes spaced parallel to each other, and with a second guide device for the translational movement guidance of the conveyor chain along at least one conveyor path section extending between the deflection axes, characterized by the fact that the first guide device (20) has guide means (32) arranged on at least a minority of the support members (10) and guide means (34) arranged rotatably in a circumferential direction to the deflection axis (22, 24) on at least one of the deflection axes (22, 24), which are designed and configured to interact with each other for the deflecting movement guidance of the support member (10) about the deflection axis (22, 24), and the second guide device (26) has guide means (38) arranged on at least a minority of the support members (10) and guide means (38) arranged on the base body (4), which are designed and configured to interact with each other for translational, in particular linear, movement guidance of the support member (10), such that the guide means (38) of the second guide device (20) arranged on the respective support member (10) determine the movement guidance of the conveyor chain (6) in the conveyor path section (28, 30) when passing through the conveyor path section (28, 30).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for conveying unit loads, which is used in industrial applications. It is designed to convey or transport unit loads along a conveyor path.

[0002] Devices of the type in question are known from the prior art. Furthermore, their basic structure and design are known from various embodiments.

[0003] In the known devices, conveyor chains are provided in which one or more chain links can be designed as support links for holding unit loads. In the known devices of the general type, the orientation of the unit load on the respective support link is of subordinate importance, so that no holding means for the unit load are provided on the support links to hold the unit load in a specific orientation or position on a given support link.

[0004] Such chains are therefore not intended for precise conveying, although in industrial environments there are applications where it is crucial that the conveying of the unit load to a predetermined location while maintaining a predetermined orientation of the unit load takes place with a low tolerance and is correspondingly precisely reproducible.

[0005] Devices of a general type are known, for example, from EP0309702 A1, EP4403495 A1 and EP0768252 B1. In the known devices, the support elements are articulated together by means of connecting elements and form a conveyor chain, which is designed and configured, for example, and in particular, for conveying unit loads, such as workpieces, semi-finished products and the like.

[0006] Furthermore, devices of the type in question are known from DE10227323A1, DE102005050558A1 as well as WO2016070215A1.

[0007] Accordingly, a conveying device known from the prior art is initially equipped with a base body and a conveying chain arranged thereon for conveying the unit load along a conveying path, wherein the conveying chain has a plurality of support elements connected to each other by means of a pivot joint, of which at least a minority of the support elements are designed and configured to hold the unit load.

[0008] To ensure the safe conveying of the unit loads along the conveyor path, the support elements are designed and configured to hold the unit loads in a predetermined orientation and position on the respective support element or conveyor chain. This is intended to ensure that the unit load is held by its respective support element and conveyed reproducibly along the conveyor path in the maintained orientation. This is crucial for guaranteeing the availability of the unit loads at predetermined positions along the conveyor path.

[0009] To form a flexible conveyor chain, the support links or their support bodies are connected to each other by means of connecting elements in a pivot-like manner.

[0010] Depending on the area of ​​application and the associated requirements for a conveyor chain, the relevant devices are designed and constructed differently.

[0011] To generate a conveying motion, known devices of the type in question provide a drive unit for driving the conveyor chain or its support links for a conveying motion along the conveying path.

[0012] In industrial settings, electric motors, as well as hydraulic or pneumatic motors and a related gearbox, are frequently used to generate drive motion. This gearbox converts the drive motion or rotary motion generated by the electric motor into drive motion for the conveyor chain. Accordingly, devices of this type include a drive unit for generating the conveying motion of the conveyor chain.

[0013] Devices for conveying unit loads are subject to high demands, particularly in industrial applications, regarding uptime and process times as well as functional reliability and precision. Therefore, not only the speed of the conveying movement is an important criterion, but also the precise guidance of the conveying movement.

[0014] Devices of the type in question provide a guide mechanism designed and configured for deflecting and translational, in particular linear, movement of the conveyor chain or at least a minority of the support links along at least one section of the conveyor path.

[0015] Therefore, known devices are provided with a first guide device that deflects the conveying movement of the conveyor chain around at least two deflection axes spaced parallel to each other, and with a second guide device for translational, in particular linear, movement guidance of the conveyor chain along at least one conveying path section extending between the deflection axes.

[0016] Depending on the arrangement of the deflection axes, the conveyor path sections can run parallel to each other. This occurs, for example, and particularly, when using two deflection axes arranged parallel to each other, and the conveyor path sections formed between them do not undergo any further deflection. In this case, the conveyor chain is deflected at least around one of the deflection axes in the direction of the other deflection axis, and in particular, deflected around both deflection axes, so that, for example, and particularly, a closed conveyor path is realized.

[0017] The known devices of this type use, among other things, a roller guide, the adjustment of which to achieve high precision in motion guidance is often very complex in order to attain the required guiding accuracy. In the assumed industrial application field, the guiding accuracy is very high due to the requirements of the processes for which such devices are used.

[0018] The invention aims to improve the realization of high drive and guidance precision.

[0019] To solve the problem set before it, the invention departs from the approach of providing an increase in the number of adjusting elements for the conveying movement in order to be able to realize and adjust the movement guidance more precisely.

[0020] Furthermore, the invention departs from the approach of increasing the number of guide means in order to compensate for tolerances by means of supplementary, simultaneously cooperating guide means to promote high precision.

[0021] The invention solves the problem set out for it in a surprisingly simple way by specifically realizing the conveying movement and the necessary guidance of the movement with guide means and accordingly provides the guide means of the first guide device for a deflecting guidance of the conveying movement of the conveyor chain and provides separate guide means for a translational, in particular linear, movement guidance, which are assigned to the second guide device.

[0022] A device according to the invention enables continuous as well as discontinuous or steady as well as discontinuous conveying of unit loads along the conveyor belt, whereby a discontinuous or discontinuous conveying movement places high demands on the motion control in order to realize a requirement-compliant conveying of the unit loads, since the conveyor chain is thereby exposed to high loads compared to a steady / continuous conveying movement.

[0023] Accordingly, the invention achieves a more precise control of the movement of the conveyor chain by providing for a specialization of the aforementioned guide means for the respective guide function and assigning the functions in particular to dedicated guide means.The invention is therefore characterized in that the first guide device has guide means arranged on at least a minority of the support members and guide means rotatably arranged in a circumferential direction to at least one of the deflection axes, which are designed and configured to interact with each other for the deflecting movement guidance of the support member around the deflection axis, and the second guide device has guide means arranged on at least a minority of the support members and guide means arranged on the base body, which are designed and configured to interact with each other for the linear movement guidance of the support member, such that the guide means of the second guide device arranged on the respective support member determine the movement guidance of the conveyor chain in the conveyor path section when passing through the conveyor path section.

[0024] The invention provides that the first guide device determines the deflecting motion of the conveyor chain or the respective support member guided around the deflection axes, and the second guide device determines the translational, in particular linear, motion in the conveying sections between the deflection axes.

[0025] Within the scope of the invention, a minority means a smaller number of support links than the total number of support links of the conveyor chain. Accordingly, it includes the possibility that at least one or only some of the support links of the conveyor chain are configured and designed accordingly. Furthermore, the invention provides as a further option that all support links are included.

[0026] This functional specialization allows such a device to be made more compact and the number of components to be reduced accordingly.

[0027] Furthermore, the invention takes into account that the minority of the first guide device may differ from the minority of the second guide device.

[0028] Furthermore, the invention includes the fact that the support links of the guide chain, on which guide means of the first guide device are arranged, do not necessarily correspond to the support links of the guide chain, on which guide means of the second guide device are arranged.

[0029] The invention succeeds in keeping the number of guide elements low and, in particular, in keeping the scope of the guide means at the same level as the known devices of the type concerned.

[0030] Furthermore, the invention succeeds in improving the effort required to achieve a required level of guidance precision by specializing or aligning the guidance means with the respective motion control, thereby achieving a specific coordination of the guidance means.

[0031] The invention therefore provides an option for functionally decoupling the guide means from each other, so that dedicated first guide means can be used for the previously described redirecting motion guidance of the conveyor chain and dedicated second guide means can be used for the translational, in particular, motion guidance of the conveyor chain.

[0032] Within the scope of the invention, the design or arrangement of the individual components assumes an operating state in which the device for conveying unit loads is set up and designed to be functional.

[0033] Advantageously, the invention also facilitates the inspection and monitoring of the wear condition. Furthermore, the guide elements can be designed independently of one another and tailored to specific requirements, and optimized for fulfilling their intended function. This allows for faster and more targeted detection and correction of errors during operation of a device according to the invention.

[0034] Moreover, the invention opens up a wider range of design possibilities for the design of the guide means, their dimensioning and their arrangement.

[0035] The invention also includes the option that the guide means of the first guide device arranged on the respective support member are in an inactive guiding state when passing through the conveyor path section. Thus, the guide means of the first guide device arranged on the respective support member are in an inactive guiding state when passing through the conveyor path section, meaning they are inactive with respect to a guiding function.

[0036] This can be achieved in particular by ensuring that the guiding means of the first guiding device arranged on the respective support member are designed and configured exclusively for the redirecting movement guidance of the respective support member.

[0037] Within the scope of the invention, this can optionally be implemented by providing the guide means for the guide means arranged on the support member only on the deflection axes, and therefore no guide means for the guide means of the first guide device arranged on the support member are available on the base body within the conveyor path section or sections.

[0038] Furthermore, the invention also includes the possibility that the guide means of the first guide device arranged on the relevant support member can support the function of the second guide device when passing through, thereby enabling them to have a secondary function.

[0039] Therefore, within the scope of the invention, the guiding means of the first guiding device, which are arranged on a relevant support member, can be designed and configured to support themselves on the base body in such a way that a tendency to tip or tipping moment in the relevant support member is at least limited or compensated.

[0040] This can be achieved, for example and in particular, by limiting the tilting movement of the support member by means of the guide means of the first guide device arranged on the support member in question, by supporting the support member on the base body at least temporarily or section by section to stabilize the conveying movement when passing through the relevant conveying path section.

[0041] Thus, the guide elements of the first guide device arranged on the support member can be configured and designed such that they cooperate to limit the aforementioned tilting movement of the support member with the base body during the passage of the conveyor path section by the support member, and in particular, they support themselves against it at least temporarily or section by section. For this purpose, for example, and especially, a support surface can be formed on the base body against which the guide elements support themselves to limit a tilting movement and therefore cooperate accordingly.

[0042] To achieve a high load-bearing capacity, it has proven advantageous, as an option of the invention, to manufacture the support member at least partially or entirely from a metal material, in particular a steel or aluminum alloy. This has the advantage of enabling increased stability and stiffness of the support members, thereby improving the precision of the conveying motion.

[0043] Depending on the type of conveying, in one option according to the invention, the unit loads can be fixed to the support member during the conveying process, thereby preventing relative movement between the support member and the unit load. Depending on the use of a suitable device, slight or predetermined or tolerated relative movements between the unit load and the respective support member are also permissible, so that the holding effect can be designed accordingly.

[0044] Depending on the requirements for precise conveying of the unit load, the support element can be designed and configured to hold the unit load securely to the support element.

[0045] Predominantly, one or a few individual items are arranged on a support member in a predetermined orientation relative to the support member. Accordingly, the holding of the item on the support member is determined such that, in particular and preferably within the scope of the invention, a support member is designed and configured such that an individual item is held or fixed on the support member in a predetermined orientation, so that it is held accordingly during conveying along the conveying path.

[0046] The support elements can be designed differently for conveying unit loads. A wide variety of design options are available to achieve the required conveying of the unit loads, depending on the specific type of unit load. Within the scope of the invention, the term "unit load" encompasses various types of, for example, and in particular, individual parts, workpieces, as well as assemblies, semi-finished products, or finished products.

[0047] The support links of a conveyor chain can be designed in very different ways. They can therefore be different or identical to each other. Furthermore, it is possible to combine different types of support links to form a conveyor chain.

[0048] In one option according to the invention, it is therefore provided for a further simplification of a conveying system according to the invention that the support elements of the conveyor chain have a similar or the same design of the support element.

[0049] For this purpose, the support elements can have a uniform design or a different design, as options according to the invention. To enable simple and cost-effective adaptation to various requirements, one option of the invention provides that the conveyor chain has or is formed by uniformly designed support elements. Accordingly, the conveyor chain can be formed by or consist of uniformly designed support elements.

[0050] This simplifies, for example, the production of such a conveyor chain, whereby the respective support link can be adapted to different requirements, for example by means of adapters. Therefore, a modular system can be provided to realize the conveyor chain with support links that can, in turn, be adapted to different requirements at a later date. Thus, the invention enables later adaptation or the creation of variants.

[0051] Within the scope of the invention, it is possible to implement the motion guidance in various ways. For example, it is possible to achieve translational, and in particular linear, motion guidance using a so-called sliding guide. Such a guide can be achieved, for example, by means of a sliding bearing. Furthermore, it is possible to use a so-called dovetail guide to achieve translational, and in particular linear, motion guidance. Overall, various rail guides can therefore be used to achieve the desired motion guidance.

[0052] In this context, the invention includes the option of using rolling elements to achieve motion guidance. Accordingly, within the scope of the invention, it is possible to use ball guides as the guiding means of the second guide device, in which rolling elements designed as balls interact with a guide rail to achieve motion guidance.

[0053] However, it has become apparent within the scope of the invention that the aforementioned implementation options contribute to increased implementation effort in order to achieve the desired guidance precision.

[0054] To improve the movement guidance of the conveyor chain along the guide path, a further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the guide means of the second guide device arranged on the support member have at least one guide roller rotatably arranged on the support member about an axis of rotation, and that the guide means arranged on the base body have at least one guide body with at least one guide track formed thereon for the guide roller, wherein a running surface of the guide roller and the guide track are designed to be coordinated for translational, in particular linear, movement guidance of the support member.

[0055] The invention thus offers the advantage that a guide roller can be cost-effectively and precisely tailored to the guiding requirements. Furthermore, the invention offers the advantage that such guide rollers are readily available as mass-produced goods, allowing the use of standard components.

[0056] The running surface of a guide roller is the outer or cylindrical surface of a guide roller, with which the guide roller rolls on a guide track and comes into contact with it.

[0057] Furthermore, the invention makes it possible to use standard components and modify them accordingly for the desired motion control. This can be done, for example, with regard to their outer surface.

[0058] Furthermore, it is possible to use such roles even under adverse environmental conditions, since such leadership roles are available in a wide range of implementations and can be adapted well to the environmental influences.

[0059] Furthermore, the invention offers a wide range of implementation options for designing a guide body with a guide track according to the guiding requirements. For example, it is also possible to use elements of the base body to design a guide body with a guide track.

[0060] For example, and in particular, within the scope of the invention, a guide track can be formed very precisely on a corresponding guide body by means of machining and adapted to the required guiding precision.

[0061] In the same way, it is possible to adjust the leadership roles accordingly, in order to align the leadership body with the leadership path developed on it to the leadership roles for cooperation with each other.

[0062] The implementation of a conveyor chain motion control system can vary in complexity. For example, the respective axes of rotation of the guide rollers can be arranged differently relative to each other. To simplify the design, an advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that at least the axes of rotation of the guide rollers are arranged on a common side of the support member, particularly parallel to each other. A preferred option within the scope of the invention is that all axes of rotation of the guide rollers of a support member are arranged parallel to each other.

[0063] This offers the advantage of simplified kinematic adjustment and adaptability to various requirements. Furthermore, it simplifies the design process to meet specific motion control requirements. Consequently, the alignment of the guide rollers with the guide rails for precise motion control is also simplified.

[0064] The invention comprises various options for arranging the guide rollers on a support member. To simplify the implementation of a motion guide, the invention includes the option of arranging the guide rollers together on one side of the support member.

[0065] It has proven advantageous to arrange the guide roller(s) on the rear side of the support element. This rear side is preferably facing away from, or opposite, the load-bearing side of the support element. Within the scope of the invention, a load-bearing side is one on which the unit load is arranged or supported for conveying along the conveyor belt.

[0066] Accordingly, in an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is determined that the axis of rotation is located on a rear side of the support member, which in an operating state is directed towards the base body and is oriented transversely, in particular orthogonally, to the rear side.

[0067] The operating condition has already been explained previously, so reference is made here. The rear side faces the base body and, in particular, is turned away from a support side that is designed and configured to hold the load on the support member, or forms a body side of the support member opposite the support side.

[0068] The invention offers the advantage that only one side of the support member is used to arrange the guide rollers on the support member. Therefore, the other sides of the support member can be used accordingly, for example, and in particular, to arrange or hold the load on the support member.

[0069] Accordingly, the invention also ensures that a load-bearing element can be designed to be correspondingly compact. Furthermore, the invention thus offers many degrees of freedom to specifically tailor a load-bearing element to its intended use.

[0070] Within the scope of the invention, it has been shown that the motion control can be made more precise by increasing the number of guide rollers. In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is optionally included that at least two guide rollers are provided.

[0071] These are preferably spaced apart from each other on the support member and their axes of rotation are parallel to each other, such that the guide body is arranged between the guide rollers and the guide rollers rest against the guide body.

[0072] An advantageous further development of the invention provides that the guide means of the support member have at least a first and a second guide roller, the axes of rotation of which are arranged substantially parallel and spaced apart from each other, and that the at least one guide body has at least a first guide track for the first guide roller and a second guide track for the second guide roller, wherein the guide rollers and the guide tracks are arranged and designed in such a way that they cooperate in an active state to guide the linear movement of the support member.

[0073] According to the invention, in an active state the guide rollers work together with the guide body to guide the movement and are in contact with each other accordingly.

[0074] The presence of at least two guide rollers increases the precision of the movement guidance through their interaction with the guide body.

[0075] The invention thus provides the option of setting up and designing one side of the guide body for interaction with one guide roller and another side of the guide body for interaction with the other guide roller, whereby very precise motion control and motion stability are achieved in the interaction of the guide bodies and guide rollers.

[0076] The type of guidance can be distributed across the guide roles in different ways. Accordingly, these roles do not necessarily have identical guidance functions and thus determine different degrees of freedom for the movement of the conveyor chain or its respective support link.

[0077] An advantageous further development of the invention provides that the guide body has the first guide track on a first side of the body and the second guide track on a second side of the body, which is spaced apart from the first side of the body.

[0078] This offers the advantage that the guide rollers effectively control the motion of the conveyor chain and can thus work together in a simple way to limit the degrees of freedom. Furthermore, this allows for very precise coordination of the motion control, as the guide tracks and guide rollers can be aligned to work together to control the movement of the support elements.

[0079] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the guide tracks on the guide body are designed to be symmetrical at least section by section with respect to a body plane, in particular to two body planes.

[0080] This makes it possible, for example, and in particular, to use an extruded profile as a guide body, on which guide surfaces are formed that can be adapted or post-processed for precise motion guidance. This allows for the cost-effective production of a guide body.

[0081] The invention includes – regardless of the aforementioned manufacturing method – the option that the guide body is also designed symmetrically with respect to at least one body plane, in particular with respect to two body planes. This also reduces the manufacturing effort.

[0082] In order to better adapt the motion guidance to different conditions, tolerances, wear phenomena, environment-dependent material changes and the like, an advantageous further development of the invention provides that the guide rollers are arranged on the support member in such a way that at least a distance between the first guide roller and the second guide roller of the support member is adjustable, whereby the arrangement of the guide rollers of a support member relative to each other can be changed and their arrangement relative to each other can be adjusted.

[0083] Accordingly, the guide rollers are arranged on the support member such that the distance of at least one guide roller in the radial direction to its axis of rotation relative to another guide roller of the support member is variable and thus adjustable. This adjustability can be achieved, for example, by means of screw connections or adjustable connections.

[0084] This creates a way to react simply and effectively to occurring or unforeseen changes or wear and tear.

[0085] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, for further variability of the arrangement of the guide rollers, it is provided that the arrangement of at least one of the guide rollers arranged on a support member is adjustable in the axial direction to the axis of rotation.

[0086] The invention thus provides that at least one guide roller can be adjusted in the direction of its axial axis of rotation such that the distance of at least one of the guide rollers to the support member can be changed, thereby enabling simple adjustment of the arrangement of this guide roller to the guide track. This allows, for example, manufacturing tolerances or wear conditions to be compensated for effectively and easily.

[0087] According to the invention, a guide track can be designed and implemented in different ways. For example, it can be designed in the shape of a trough, so that a guide roller experiences translational, in particular linear, movement in the axial direction relative to its axis of rotation.

[0088] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the guide body has at least one guide groove for forming one of the guide tracks, or that the guide roller has a circumferential guide groove on its running surface, into which the guide body engages at least partially by means of a guide track formed at least partially complementary to the guide groove for movement guidance.

[0089] This offers the advantage that a guide can be manufactured cost-effectively and precisely, for example, by means of a tensile machining of the guide body.

[0090] Furthermore, this allows the groove to be precisely tailored to the specific guidance requirements. It also makes it possible to easily and precisely adjust the guide path. For example, the guide path can be designed to be straight, thus providing an effective and simple method for linear motion guidance.

[0091] The cross-section of the guide groove can thus be uniform in its longitudinal direction. Therefore, the guide groove can be, for example, and in particular, U-shaped or V-shaped, or even shaped like a rounded guide channel. These cross-sectional shapes have proven sufficient for precise motion guidance within the scope of the invention. They are particularly cost-effective and yet can be manufactured with high precision.

[0092] The option of forming the guide groove as a circumferential guide groove on the guide roller, and of designing the guide track accordingly to complement the translational, in particular linear, motion guidance, offers the advantage that the motion guidance can be designed in a narrow construction. The invention takes into account the option that the circumferential guide groove can be designed in various ways, and the shaping can be analogous to the options described for the guide tracks of the guide body.

[0093] The invention also includes the option that, when using a plurality of guide tracks and correspondingly cooperating guide rollers, at least one of the guide tracks has a guide groove for forming one of the guide tracks, which cooperates with at least one guide roller designed accordingly for translational or linear motion guidance, and at least one further guide track cooperates with at least one further guide roller for translational or linear motion guidance, wherein the guide roller has a circumferential guide groove on its running surface, into which the guide body engages at least partially by means of a guide track formed at least partially complementary to the guide groove for translational, in particular linear, motion guidance.

[0094] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the guide groove has at least one lateral guide surface, which is also referred to as the groove cheek, which is angled, in particular at an obtuse angle, to a groove base of the guide groove.

[0095] Furthermore, it is provided as an option that the guide groove has two side guide surfaces which are arranged in such a way that the guide groove is shaped to taper in one direction towards the groove base.

[0096] The invention thus makes it possible to coordinate the guide rollers and the guide body in such a way as to achieve efficient motion control. The invention makes it possible to design a guide plane such that one guide roller is guided axially to its axis of rotation, while another guide roller is guided axially in the opposite direction. Furthermore, the invention allows the guide roller to be guided axially to its axis of rotation on both sides, thus enabling very precise motion control. Within the scope of the invention, the guide grooves can be identical in design, meaning that the guide grooves have the same cross-sectional shape.

[0097] To increase the precision of the motion control, a further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the running surface of the guide roller(s) is designed to be at least partially complementary to the guide track or the cross-sectional area of ​​the guide groove with which it interacts in an operating state. Furthermore, this advantageous embodiment also includes the option that the guide track is designed to be at least partially complementary to the cross-sectional area of ​​the guide groove of the guide roller.

[0098] The invention thus achieves the advantage that, by coordinating the respective guide role with its associated guide groove, with which it interacts to guide the movement, precise adjustment to the requirements of precise motion control can be achieved. In this respect, the invention succeeds in keeping tolerances during motion control small or minimal.

[0099] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the guide roller of the support member is arranged at a distance from the groove base in the operating state. This provides the advantage that, during the interaction of the guide groove with the relevant guide track, the guide roller is only brought into contact with the side guide surface(s), thus simplifying the alignment of the surfaces for motion guidance. Furthermore, this offers the advantage that guidance is unambiguously provided by the corresponding side guide surfaces, thereby avoiding deviations in motion guidance or limitations of freedom. Due to this advantageous embodiment of the invention, the guide roller is guided without contact with the groove base on the relevant guide track in the operating state.For the motion guidance according to the aforementioned option, it can also be provided that the guide groove is formed on the guide roller and the guide path of the guide body is designed accordingly.

[0100] A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the guide body is designed in the manner of a one-piece, in particular one-piece, guide rail, wherein the guide body is accordingly designed as one-piece, in particular one-piece.

[0101] The invention thus achieves the advantage that the guide track can be manufactured precisely, since it is formed as a single part or piece. Therefore, the invention takes into account that the guide body or guide rail can be manufactured using a workpiece, in which this workpiece is adapted to the relevant guide rollers for motion guidance, for example, and in particular by means of machining processes. As a result, very tight tolerances for motion guidance can be maintained, which allows for correspondingly high guiding qualities.

[0102] A further increase in the precision of the motion guidance is made possible by arranging at least one additional guide body on a further conveyor path section, according to a further advantageous development.

[0103] The invention thus achieves the advantage of ensuring precise motion control in various sections of the conveying path. This is advantageous for the usability of a device according to the invention, as the motion is precisely controlled in at least two sections of the conveying path.

[0104] The second guide device is – as already explained – specialized for translational, in particular linear, motion guidance of the support links of a conveyor chain. The relevant guide elements of the second guide device are therefore preferably inactive for motion guidance during a deflection movement of the respective support link in a circumferential direction around the deflection axes and are therefore not in an active state.

[0105] Furthermore, the first guide device is specially designed to deflect the conveyor chain in a circumferential direction around the respective deflection axes. An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the guide means of the first guide device have guide elements, and at least a minority of the support members each have at least one, in particular cylindrical, guide element that cantilevers from one side of a support member of the conveyor chain and is designed and configured such that, in conjunction with guide means of the first guide device arranged on the deflection axes, it causes a deflection of the support member or the conveyor chain in a circumferential direction relative to the respective deflection axes.

[0106] The invention thus enables the simple implementation of a guided movement of the conveyor chain around the deflection axis. Within the scope of the invention, it is possible to realize a wide range of design options for the guide element. In its simplest form, such a guide element can be designed like a pin.

[0107] However, within the scope of the invention, it has proven advantageous for a rolling element to form such a guide element, which is rotatably mounted on the respective support member. This minimizes friction losses that can occur during the deflection movement.

[0108] Accordingly, the inventor has also included the option of using a roller to form this rolling element in order to achieve a low-friction guiding movement.

[0109] Within the scope of the invention, it has also proven advantageous for realizing a construction method that the body side on which the guide element is arranged is different from the side on which the guide body(s) of the second guide device are arranged on the relevant support member.

[0110] It has been shown that the side of the body on which the guide element of the first guide device is located is arranged transversely to the side of the body on which the guide body(s) of the first guide device is / are located.

[0111] The invention therefore provides that at least one body side is intended for a deflecting movement guidance around the deflection axes, while at least one further body side of the support member is provided for a movement guidance along the conveyor path section.

[0112] This makes it possible to achieve a compact design for a conveyor chain or a device according to the invention and at the same time to achieve sufficient stability for the movement guidance.

[0113] Similarly, within the scope of the invention, the guide means of the second guide device for arrangement on the deflection axes can be designed in a wide range of implementations. For example, these guide means can have a curved rail as well as a cam guide arranged on one of the deflection axes, by means of which, in conjunction with the guide element of the respective support member, a deflecting movement guidance around the respective deflection axis can be achieved.

[0114] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the guide means of the first guide device have at least one deflecting body rotatably mounted about one of the deflection axes, which is designed and configured for transmitting the conveying movement generated by the drive means to the conveyor chain by means of the guide elements of the support members.

[0115] This offers the advantage that the guide elements perform an additional function besides motion guidance. This advantageously allows the number of components of a device according to the invention to be kept to a minimum. Furthermore, it also makes it possible to transfer the conveying motion generated by the drive elements precisely and with minimal slippage to the conveyor chain.

[0116] To improve the movement guidance, a further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the guide chain is designed and constructed in the manner of an endless chain.

[0117] The invention thus achieves the advantage of enabling a continuous conveying motion along the conveying path in a simple manner. Furthermore, it makes it possible to keep the implementation effort for a device according to the invention low.

[0118] A conveyor chain designed as an endless chain is accordingly configured and designed for a conveying motion that rotates around the deflection axes. This offers the advantage of conveying the unit load along the conveying path in one conveying direction, thus simplifying the drive control. Furthermore, it simplifies tensioning the conveyor chain in two opposing conveying sections, for example, by varying the distance between the deflection axes and locking the tension once a desired chain tension is reached. Within the scope of the invention, a tensioning device for the conveyor chain can also be provided for adjusting the chain tension. This device allows the chain tension to be varied or adjusted, for example, by changing the distance between the deflection axes. Besides simplifying assembly, this also facilitates...Dismantling the conveyor chain, for example, and in particular monitoring the movement guidance based on the chain tension.

[0119] The invention advantageously enables very precise movement control to reach target positions at different locations by means of a guide device according to the invention.

[0120] An apparatus according to the invention offers a precise and cost-effective as well as maintenance-friendly solution for operating one or more processing stations that are arranged along the conveyor path, in order to precisely feed this / these unit loads for handling and / or processing.

[0121] Within the scope of the invention, the aforementioned processing station can serve various purposes and is accordingly configured and designed for optimal functionality. For example, a processing station can be designed for inspecting, handling, modifying, packaging, as well as moving or handling the individual items.

[0122] A device according to the invention can thus preferably form a component of a process line or a processing plant in order to supply the unit goods to the individual processing stations.

[0123] This means that a conveying system according to the invention can support the industrial production of products or their processing and, among other things, improve the value chain accordingly.

[0124] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which exemplary embodiments of a device according to the invention are shown as representative of a multitude of devices formed according to the invention.

[0125] All claimed, described and illustrated features, taken individually and independently of each other as well as in any combination with each other, constitute the subject matter of the invention, irrespective of their description in connection with further components and irrespective of their representation in the drawing.

[0126] Therefore, the features are not bound to the constellation or the relationships described below, but can also form a device according to the invention in isolation from one another as well as in a different combination.

[0127] The figures in the drawing show possible designs and options of a device according to the invention, each in a schematic representation. The representations in the figures are therefore not necessarily to scale, and the scales used in the figures may differ from one another.

[0128] For better clarity, the illustrations are concentrated on the elements / components / substances that support understanding, whereby identical or corresponding components / substances or elements are provided with the same reference symbols in the figures.

[0129] For better clarity, not all elements / components / parts are always provided with reference symbols in the figures, whereby the assignment results from the same representation or a representation adapted to the view.

[0130] It shows: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention in a perspective view, Fig. 2 the embodiment in a side view S, as shown in Fig. 1 is marked, Fig. 3 the embodiment of the device according to the invention in the same side view as in Fig. 2 without conveyor chain, Fig. 4 a support element of the conveyor chain of the embodiment of the device according to the invention in a perspective view in an arrangement on a guide body in an active state, Fig. 5 the supporting link of the conveyor chain Fig. 4 with regard to its front in a front view as shown in Fig. 4 is marked by V, Fig. 6 the supporting link of the conveyor chain Fig. 5 in a sectional view, as shown in Fig. 5 is characterized by AA, wherein one of the guide rollers in illustration a) is removed from the guide body and in illustration b) is brought into contact with the guide body, Fig. 7 a schematic representation of a deflecting guide through the first guide device of the exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention, Fig. 8 the embodiment of a device according to the invention in a Fig. 1. View marked by D Fig. 9 a) a schematic and simplified representation of a second embodiment of a device according to the invention with regard to its first guide device, Fig. 9b) a schematic and simplified representation of a third embodiment of a device according to the invention with regard to its first guide device, Fig. 10. Schematic and reduced-detail representation of a third embodiment of a device according to the invention with regard to its first guide device.

[0131] For the sake of clarity, the following descriptions focus on the differences between the figures, even when the structure is the same or similar.

[0132] The features illustrated by the figures also apply analogously and comprehensively, as well as in isolation, to devices designed according to the invention. The explanations and the invention are therefore not limited to the described and illustrated embodiments or relationships.

[0133] Fig. Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a device 2 according to the invention for conveying unit loads (not shown) in a perspective view. The first embodiment of a device 2 according to the invention will hereinafter also be referred to as device 2.

[0134] The device 2 is equipped with a base body 4, which is designed and configured to hold further components, as explained below with reference to this exemplary embodiment.

[0135] The base body 4 can optionally include means for placing the device on a surface or floor, for example a frame (not shown), regardless of the further configuration of this embodiment of a device 2. The realization of such a frame is known, so no further explanation is necessary and is therefore omitted.

[0136] A conveyor chain 6 is rotatably mounted on the base body 4 and is designed and configured to convey the unit load along a conveyor path 8. The conveyor path 8 is indicated by a dashed line. Fig. 1 (as also in other figures) is symbolized and shown spaced apart from device 2 for better clarity.

[0137] The conveyor chain 6 has a plurality of pivotally connected support links 10 (uniformly designated with reference numeral 10 on two support links as representative of the others), of which, according to the invention, at least a minority of the support links 10 are designed and configured to hold the unit load. In this embodiment, all support links 10 are identical in design, so that all can be used to hold unit loads. The relevant holding means for holding the unit loads are not shown in the figures, as the design of such holding means is known and therefore requires no further explanation, so this is omitted.

[0138] The load-bearing members 10 are connected by fasteners (in Fig. 1 (representing the further ones at two connection points marked by 12) are connected to each other by means of which a pivot axis 14 is formed between them. This can be achieved, for example, by an axle body 16 (in Fig. 1 hidden and therefore in Fig. (Illustrated in Figure 4) can be implemented, as this embodiment makes use of. The support members 10 are therefore connected to each other at their free ends by means of axle bodies 16.

[0139] The realization of the aforementioned connecting means 12 and their arrangement for the swivel-jointed connection of the support members 10 to each other are known and therefore do not require further explanation, which is therefore omitted.

[0140] Within the scope of the invention, in such an embodiment, the conveyor chain 6 is designed as an endless chain as one implementation option, independent of the further design of this embodiment of a device 2, in which the free ends of the conveyor chain 6 are connected by the first and last support link 10 (in Fig. 1 each designated with reference numeral 10) are connected to each other.

[0141] The device is furthermore equipped with a drive unit 18 for generating a conveying motion of the conveyor chain 6. An option for transmitting the drive motion of the drive unit 18 to the conveyor chain 6 is described by means of Fig. 7 explained in more detail.

[0142] The device 2 is provided with a first guide device 20, which deflects the conveying movement of the conveyor chain 6 by at least two deflection axes 22, 24 spaced apart parallel to each other.

[0143] The invention, regardless of the design of this embodiment, includes the possibility that the conveying path 8 can be closed, as is also implemented in the illustrated device 2, and guided around the two deflection axes 22, 24, thereby realizing a circular movement of the conveyor chain 6. This simplifies, among other things, the transmission of a drive movement from the drive unit 18 to the conveyor chain 6 to achieve a conveying movement of the conveyor chain 6 or of the unit load arranged thereon.

[0144] Furthermore, the device 2 is equipped with a second guide device 26 for the translational movement of the conveyor chain 6 along at least one conveyor path section 28, 30 extending between the deflection axes 22, 24. In the device 2 shown in the figures, two conveyor path sections 28, 30, running parallel to and spaced apart from each other, are formed between the deflection axes 22, 24. Within the scope of the invention, this can also be implemented independently of this device 2 in other devices designed according to the invention in a different implementation or configuration, or in a different manner.

[0145] The conveyor path sections 28, 30 extending between the deflection axes 22, 24 are each in Fig. 1 (as well as others) is symbolized by a dash-dot line, which is shown spaced apart from device 2 for better clarity.

[0146] The further design of the second guidance device 26, as well as the aforementioned translational movement guidance, will be described below using the following: Fig. 4, Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 explained in more detail.

[0147] According to the invention, the first guide device 20 has guide means 32 arranged on at least a minority of the support members 10 and guide means 34 arranged rotatably in a circumferential direction to the respective deflection axis 22,24 on at least one of the deflection axes 22,24, which are designed and configured to interact with each other for the deflecting movement guidance of the support member 10 about the respective deflection axis 22,24.

[0148] In this device 2, all support elements 10 of the conveyor chain 6 are identically designed, so that all support elements 10 are guided accordingly by the first guide device 20 and second guide device 26 as soon as they interact with it in an active state.

[0149] This can be implemented accordingly for further embodiments of a differently designed device 2 according to the invention, regardless of the present design of the device 2.

[0150] The further development of the first management tools 32 is described below based on: Fig. 3 to Fig. 6 explained in more detail, with a labeling system in place for better clarity. Fig. 1 is done at one location, representing the other locations.

[0151] The further arrangement and design of the second guide device 26 as well as other invention-related components of the device 2 are shown and explained as options with reference to the further figures.

[0152] Fig. Figure 2 shows the device 2 from Fig. Figure 1 shows a side view in which conveyor path section 28 is offset from the device for better clarity. Conveyor path section 30 is hidden due to the view and runs parallel to conveyor path section 28.

[0153] Fig. Figure 3 illustrates device 2. Fig. 1 in a perspective view similar to in Fig. 1, although the conveyor chain 6 is not shown. Furthermore, the drive unit 18 is shown in a reduced detail, focusing solely on the gearbox 18".

[0154] This reveals the guide means 36 of the second guide device 26 arranged on the base body 4, which realize the movement guidance of the conveyor chain 6 in the conveyor path sections 28, 30 by means of the support members 10 provided with further guide means (in Fig. 3 not shown) are guided translationally during the passage of the respective conveyance path section 28, 30.

[0155] In this embodiment, the guide means 36 arranged on the base body 4 are realized in the respective conveying path section 28, 30 by a guide body 40, 42, wherein due to the in Fig. The guide bodies 42 are concealed in the view shown in Figure 3. Accordingly, one of the guide bodies 40 is arranged on one conveyor path section 28 and another guide body 42 on the other conveyor path section 30.

[0156] The design of the guide bodies 40, 42 is the same for this device 42, so that it is explained with reference to the guide body 40 in the further figures.

[0157] On the guide bodies 40, 42, two guide tracks 44, 46 are formed, which in an active state with the guide means 38 arranged on the respective support member 10 (in Fig. (3 not shown) cooperate to provide translational, linear motion guidance for the respective support member 10, as realized in this embodiment. The guide means 38 arranged on the respective support member 10 are symbolically represented in this figure by a circle symbol and are explained with reference to the further figures.

[0158] An active state is established when the respective conveyor path section 28, 30 is passed by the relevant support member 10, whereby the guide means of the second guide device 26 come into contact with each other and a linear motion guidance for the conveyor chain 10 in the relevant conveyor path section 28, 30.

[0159] The guideways 44, 46 of the device 2 are identical in design and arranged symmetrically on the respective guide bodies 40, 42 with respect to two body planes 48, 50. The respective guide bodies 40, 42 are also symmetrically designed with respect to these two body planes 46, 50, with retaining means (not further specified) arranged at several points along the respective conveying path section 28, 30 to hold the respective guide body 40, 42 on the base body 4. The retaining means can, for example, and in particular, be implemented by a screw connection, which is known and therefore requires no further explanation.

[0160] The respective guide body 40,42 has the first guide track 44 on a first body side 52 and the second guide track 46 on a second body side 54 spaced apart from the first body side 52.

[0161] The interaction of the control resources 36, 38 of the second control facility 26 is demonstrated by means of Fig. 4 explained in more detail.

[0162] Fig. Figure 3 illustrates a design option for a guide body 40, which is designed independently of the other components of this device 2, in the manner of a guide rail, wherein the guide body 40 is designed as a single piece, in particular as a one-piece piece. As in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 3, such a guide body 40 extends longitudinally at least section by section along a relevant conveying path section 28, 30.

[0163] Furthermore, in Fig. 3 shows that the guide body 40 has a guide groove 56,58 for forming one of the guide tracks 44, 46.

[0164] The shape of the guide groove 56,58 is further explained by means of Fig. 4 explained.

[0165] Fig. Figure 3 illustrates the guide means 34 arranged on the respective deflection axes 22, 24 rotatably in a circumferential direction to the respective deflection axis 22, 24, which, in conjunction with the guide means 32 arranged on the respective support members 10, are designed and configured for the deflecting movement guidance of the respective support member 10 about the respective deflection axis 22, 24.

[0166] Fig. Figure 3 further clarifies that the guide means 34 of the first guide device 20 have at least one deflection body 60 rotatably mounted about one of the deflection axes 22, 24, which is designed and configured for transmitting the conveying motion generated by the drive means 18 to the conveyor chain 6 by means of the guide elements (explained in more detail below with reference to the further figures) of the support members 10. For this purpose, the deflection body 60 has two parallel, spaced-apart rotary disks 62, 64, the outer circumference of which has recesses 66 for the interaction of the guide means 32 to transmit the drive motion generated by the drive device 18 to the conveyor chain 6. Fig. For better clarity, 3 are each a recess of the respective rotary disk 62,64, representing the further recesses with the same reference numeral 66.

[0167] In order to support the movement guidance by tensioning the conveyor chain 6, the device 2 is provided with a tensioning device 68 for the conveyor chain 6, by means of which the conveyor chain 6 can be tensioned by varying or adjusting the distance between the deflection axes 22, 24.

[0168] The clamping device 68 in this device 2 is designed such that the base body 4 has two sections 70, 72, with a deflection axis 22, 24 arranged on each of sections 70, 72. The distance between the sections 70, 72 can be changed or adjusted via a central piece 74 arranged between sections 70, 72, so that the distance between the deflection axes 22, 24 can also be adjusted. The further implementation of the clamping device can be seen by way of example in the illustration in Fig. 3, so that no further explanation is needed.

[0169] As set out in the description introduction, the invention also includes an option that the guide means 32 of the first guide device 20 arranged on the relevant support member 10 support the function of the second guide device 26 when passing, thereby enabling them to have a secondary function.

[0170] Therefore, the guide means 32 of the first guide device 20, which are arranged on a relevant support member 10, can be designed and configured to support themselves on the base body 4 in such a way that a tendency to tip or tipping moment in the relevant support member 10 is at least limited or compensated.

[0171] This can be achieved, for example, and in particular, by the guide means 32 of the first guide device 20, which is arranged on the support member 10, limiting a tilting movement of the support member 10 by the support member 10 at least temporarily supporting itself on the base body 4 to stabilize the conveying movement when passing through the conveying path section 28,30.

[0172] Thus, the guide means 32 of the first guide device 20, arranged on the support member 10, can be configured and designed such that they cooperate to limit a aforementioned tilting movement of the support member 10 with the base body 4 during the passage of the conveyor path section 28, 30 by the support member 10, and in particular, are supported by it. For this purpose, for example, and in particular, a support surface SF can be formed on the base body 4, against which the guide means 32 are supported to limit a tilting movement and therefore cooperate accordingly. This is to be illustrated by the Fig. 3. illustrated, in which an area for the formation of a guide surface SF is marked.

[0173] This embodiment does not make use of this possibility, since the guide rollers 84',84" are not brought into contact with such a guide surface SF, but do not touch the base body or such a guide surface SF while passing through the conveyor path section 26,27.

[0174] Fig. Figure 4 illustrates the interaction of the guidance devices 36, 38 of the second guidance device 26 using one of the support links 10 of the conveyor chain 6, which is located in Fig. 4 are shown in an active state in which they interact with each other for a translational movement guidance of the supporting member 10.

[0175] The guide means 36 of the second guide device 26, which is arranged on the base body 4, comprises the guide body 40, which has two guide tracks 44,46 arranged on opposite sides 52,54 of the body, which are formed by guide grooves 56,58.

[0176] The shape of the guide groove 58 is representative of the further guide groove 56 in Fig. 4 explained.

[0177] The guide groove 58 has two lateral guide surfaces or groove cheeks 76, 78, which are each set at an obtuse angle to a groove base 80 of the guide groove 58 and are arranged relative to each other such that the guide groove 58 tapers in one direction towards the groove base 80. This results in a V-shaped groove cross-section.

[0178] Fig. Figure 4 illustrates that the guide means 38 of the second guide device 26 arranged on the support member 10 each have guide rollers 84', 84" arranged on the support member 10 that are rotatable about an axis of rotation 82.

[0179] Furthermore, it becomes clear how the guide bodies 40, 42 arranged on the base body 4 (in Fig. 4 not apparent) with the guide tracks 44, 46 formed thereon, interact in the operating state with the guide means 38, wherein the running surface 86 (uniformly provided with the reference numeral 86) of the respective guide roller 84', 84" and the guide track 44,46 assigned to the respective guide roller 84', 84" in the operating state are designed to be coordinated for the translational movement guidance of the support member 10.

[0180] The respective axes of rotation 82 of the first guide roller 84' and a second guide roller 84" are arranged parallel to each other on the support member 10. Furthermore, the guide rollers 84', 84" and the guide tracks 44, 46 are designed and configured to work together in the illustrated operating state to guide the linear motion of the support member 10.

[0181] The pivot axes 82 of the guide rollers 84', 84" are arranged on a rear side 88 of the support member 10, which is located in the Fig. 4 operating state shown are facing the base body 4 and are directed transversely or orthogonally to the rear side 88.

[0182] As mentioned previously, the guide rollers 84' and 84" are spaced 90° apart, a distance that is variable or adjustable. This is determined by... Fig. 6 explained.

[0183] Fig. Figure 5 shows the bearing side 89 of the support member 10, which is arranged opposite the rear side, in the arrangement according to Fig. 4 on the guide body 40 in the active state.

[0184] Furthermore, it is illustrated that the guide means 36 of the first guide device 20 within the scope of the invention have the guide elements 92, 92' and at least a minority of the support members 10 each have at least one, in particular cylindrical, guide element 92', which is arranged projecting from a body side 94 of a support member 10 of the conveyor chain 6 and is designed and configured such that, in conjunction with guide means 34 of the first guide device 20 arranged on the deflection axes 22, 24, it causes a deflecting movement of the support member 10 or of the conveyor chain 6 in the circumferential direction to the respective deflection axes 22, 24.

[0185] The aforementioned body side 94 is transverse to the rear side 88. Furthermore, in the device 2 shown, two body sides 94 (uniformly designated with reference numeral 94) are equipped with guide elements 92 (uniformly designated with reference numeral 92). In the device 2 shown, the guide elements 92, 92' comprise rolling elements 96 for friction-reduced interaction with the guide means 34 arranged on the deflection axes 22, 24 for a deflecting conveying movement of the support members 10. The rolling elements 96 are identical in design and implemented by means of ball bearings. They are therefore designated with the same reference numeral 96.

[0186] The interaction is based on Fig. 7 illustrates this.

[0187] Fig. Figure 6 illustrates, using the representations a), b), that the running surface 86 of the respective guide roller 84', 84" is designed at least sectionally complementary to the groove cross-section of the guide groove 56,58 of the respective associated guide track 44,46.

[0188] Fig. Figure 6 illustrates, using illustration b), that the guide means 38 of the second guide device 20 arranged on the respective support member 10 determine the movement guidance of the conveyor chain 6 in the conveyor path section 28, 30 when passing through the conveyor path section 28, 30.

[0189] Furthermore, it is shown that in the operating state shown, the guide roller 84',84" of the support member 10 is arranged at a distance from the groove base (80).

[0190] Furthermore, it is illustrated that the guide rollers 84', 84" are arranged on the support member 10 such that at least the distance 90 between the axes of rotation 82 of the first guide roller 84' and the second guide roller 84" of the support member 10 is variable and adjustable, thus allowing the distance between the guide rollers 84', 84" to be adjusted accordingly. This makes it possible to adjust or align the arrangement of the guide rollers 84', 84" relative to each other with the guide body 40 arranged between them in the operating state for motion guidance.

[0191] In Fig. Figure 6 shows that the respective axis of rotation 82 of the guide rollers 84', 84" is formed on a holding body 98, 98'. One of the holding bodies 98' is designed such that the axis of rotation 82 of the guide rollers 84" is arranged eccentrically to another axis of rotation 100 of the holding body 98, such that a rotational movement of the holding body 98 about the axis of rotation 100 causes a displacement of the axis of rotation 82 in a circumferential direction relative to the axis of rotation 100. This allows the distance 90 between the axes of rotation 82 of the guide rollers 84', 84" of a support member 10 to be adjusted.

[0192] Fig. Figure 7 shows the drive device 18 and an option for the design for a transmission of the drive movement to the conveyor chain 6, whereby this is not bound to the design of this embodiment of the device 2 and is therefore explained as representative of further embodiments of the device 2 according to the invention.

[0193] The drive unit 18 comprises a motor 18' (in Fig. 1), which generates a rotary motion in the operating state.

[0194] As already demonstrated by Fig. As explained in section 3, the deflecting body 60, which is rotatably arranged on the respective deflection axes 22, 24, has two parallel and spaced-apart rotating disks 62, 64, of which, due to the in Fig. In the selected view 7, the turntable 62 is concealed. The turntable 64 shown has recesses 66 on its outer circumference, which serve for the interaction of the guide elements 32 to transmit the drive motion generated by the drive unit 18 to the conveyor chain 6. A support element 10 of the conveyor chain 6 is shown as a representative example, the guide element 92, 92' of which is brought into engagement with the turntable 64 via the roller element 96 by means of the recess 66.

[0195] The rotary motion of the drive unit 18 is thus transmitted via a gearbox 18" (in Fig. (as shown in Figure 1) is transmitted to at least one (in this embodiment, both) turntable 64, which is rotatably mounted about the deflection axis 24. The recesses 66 arranged on the outer circumference 102 (symbolized by a circumferential arrow with the reference numeral 102) of the turntable 64 interact with the guide means 32 arranged on the respective support links 10 to transmit the rotary motion to the support links 10 of the conveyor chain 6, thus generating the conveying motion of the conveyor chain 6. The arrangement of the recesses 66 is correspondingly adapted to the design of the support links 10 of the conveyor chain 6. In device 2, the recesses are arranged at uniform intervals relative to each other on the turntable 64 in the circumferential direction 102.

[0196] The turntables 62 and 64 are designed identically, so the aforementioned features also apply to turntable 62.

[0197] The Fig. It can be seen from Figure 3 that the deflection elements 60 are identical in this embodiment, resulting in manufacturing and maintenance advantages. Furthermore, this achieves improved movement guidance of the support links 10 of the conveyor chain 6 around the deflection axes 22, 24.

[0198] Fig. Figure 8 shows the device 2 in a view that is in Fig. 1 is marked by D. The guide path 8 with guide path sections 28 and 30 is visible therein. Processing stations (not shown) can be arranged along the guide path 8, to which the workpiece is fed by means of the device 2, for example, and in particular by means of a timed conveying movement.

[0199] Fig. Figure 9 shows the guide body 40 in a configuration as a guide rail with guide tracks 44, 46 for the guide rollers 84', 84".

[0200] Fig. 9 a) shows an alternative design of the guide body 40 for a second embodiment of a device 2 according to the invention, with one side guide surface 76 for forming the guide track 44 and one side guide surface 78 for forming the guide track 46.

[0201] Fig. Figure 9 b) shows a further alternative design of the guide body 40 for a third embodiment of a device 2 according to the invention, each with the side guide surfaces 76, 78 for forming the guide tracks 44, 46, wherein the side guide surfaces 76, 78 are arranged transversely or orthogonally to the groove base 80.

[0202] Furthermore, this embodiment follows the design of the first embodiment.

[0203] Fig.Figure 10 shows a third embodiment of a device 2 according to the invention with regard to its first guide device 20. It is provided that the respective guide roller 84', 84" has a circumferential guide groove 56, 58 on its running surface 86, into which the guide body 40 engages at least partially by means of a guide track 44, 46 formed at least partially complementary to the guide groove 56, 58 for the purpose of guiding the movement.

[0204] The respective guide groove 56, 58 has two side guide surfaces 76, 78 which are angled, in particular at an obtuse angle, to the groove base 80 of the guide groove 56, 58 and are arranged to each other in such a way that the guide groove 56, 58 is tapered in one direction towards the groove base 80.

[0205] Furthermore, it is evident that the guide track 44,46 is designed to be at least partially complementary to the groove cross-section of the guide groove 56, 58 of the guide roller 84', 84".

[0206] The guide rollers 84', 84" are arranged at a distance of 90 from their axes of rotation 82, again according to the previously mentioned embodiments.

[0207] Furthermore, this embodiment follows the design of the first embodiment.

[0208] The invention can be set up and designed in various ways. For example, it is possible within the scope of the invention to design the guideways in such a way that they can be configured differently on different guideways. The same applies to the guide rollers. Furthermore, it is possible to use different guide rollers on different guideways. Reference sign 2 Device for conveying unit loads 4 basic shapes 6 Conveyor chain 8 Funding path 10 load-bearing elements 12 Fasteners 14 Swivel joint axle 16 axle bodies 18 Drive unit 18' engine 18" gearbox 20 first management facility, 22 Deflection axle 24 Deflection axle 26 second command facility 28th stage of the funding path 30th stage of the funding path (further) 32 Guidance devices (arranged on the load-bearing member, the first guidance device) 34 Guide devices (arranged on the deflection axis, the first guide device) 36 Guide devices (arranged on the base body, the second guide device) 38 Guidance devices (arranged on the support member, the second guidance device) 40 guide bodies (of conveyor path section 28, arranged on the base body) 42 Guide bodies (of conveyor path section 28, arranged on the base body) 44 Guide track on the guide body 46 Guide track on the guide body 48 Body plane (of the respective guiding body 40, 42) 50 Body level (of the respective guiding body 40, 42) 52 first body side (of the guiding body) 54 second side of the body (of the leading body) 56 Guide groove 58 Guide groove 60 deflection bodies 62 turntable 64 turntable 66 Recess of the turntable 68 Clamping device 70 Section of the base body 72 Section of the base body 74 Middle section of the base body 76 Side guide surface (groove cheek) 78 Side guide surface (groove cheek) 80 Groove 82 Rotary axis (for guide roller) 84' first leadership role 84" second leadership role 86 tread surface 88 Back side of the support member 10 89 Bearing side of the load-bearing member 10 90° distance between the axes of rotation of the guide rollers, guide track (for the guide roller) 92 Guide element 92' guide element 94 Body side of a support member for the guide elements 96 rolling elements 98 retaining bodies 98' Holding body with eccentric axes 100 Body rotation axis of the holding body 102 outer circumference of the turntable SF guide surface on the base body QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 0309702 A1

[0005] EP 4403495 A1

[0005] EP 0768252 B1

[0005] DE 10227323A1

[0006] DE 102005050558A1

[0006] WO 2016070215A1

[0006]

Claims

[1] Device for conveying unit loads with a base body and a conveyor chain arranged on it for conveying the unit load along a conveyor path, wherein the conveyor chain has a plurality of pivotally connected support elements, of which at least a minority of the support elements are designed and configured to hold the unit load, with a drive device for generating a conveying movement of the conveyor chain with a first guide device that deflects the conveying movement of the conveyor chain by at least two deflection axes spaced parallel to each other, and with a second guide device for the translational movement guidance of the conveyor chain along at least one conveyor path section extending between the deflection axes, characterized by , that the first guide device (20) has guide means (32) arranged on at least a minority of the support members (10) and guide means (34) arranged rotatably in a circumferential direction to the deflection axis (22, 24) on at least one of the deflection axes (22, 24), which are designed and configured to interact with each other for the deflecting movement guidance of the support member (10) about the deflection axis (22, 24), and the second guide device (26) has guide means (38) arranged on at least a minority of the support members (10) and guide means (38) arranged on the base body (4), which are designed and configured to interact with each other for translational, in particular linear, movement guidance of the support member (10), such that the guide means (38) of the second guide device (20) arranged on the respective support member (10) determine the movement guidance of the conveyor chain (6) in the conveyor path section (28, 30) when passing through the conveyor path section (28, 30). [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized by , that the guide means (38) of the second guide device (26) arranged on the support member (10) include at least one guide roller (84', 84") rotatably arranged on the support member (10) about an axis of rotation (82). and that the guide means (40) of the second guide device (26) arranged on the base body (4) have at least one guide body (40, 42) with at least one guide track (44, 46) formed thereon for the guide roller (84', 84"), wherein the running surface (86) of the guide roller (84', 84") and the guide track (44, 46) are designed to be coordinated for translational, in particular linear, movement guidance of the support member (10). [3] Device according to claim 2, characterized by , that the axis of rotation (82) is on a rear side (88) of the support member (10), which in an operating state is directed towards the base body (4) and is directed transversely, in particular orthogonally, to the rear side (88). [4] Device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by, that the guide means (36) of the support member (10) have at least a first and a second guide roller (84', 84"), the axes of rotation (82) of which are arranged substantially parallel and spaced apart from each other, and the at least one guide body (40, 42) has at least a first guide track (44) for the first guide roller (84') and a second guide track (46) for the second guide roller (84"), wherein the guide rollers (84', 84") and the guide tracks (44, 46) are arranged and designed in such a way that they cooperate in an active state for the translational, in particular linear, guidance of the support member (10). [5] Device according to claim 4, characterized by , that the guide body (40, 42) has the first guide track (44) on a first body side (52) and has the second guide track (46) on a second body side (54), which is spaced apart from the first body side (52). [6] Device according to one of the claims, characterized by , that the guide tracks (44, 46) on the guide body (40, 42)) are designed symmetrically at least section by section to a body plane (48), in particular to two body planes (50). [7] Device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized by , that the guide rollers (84',84") are arranged on the support member (10) such that at least a distance (90) of the first guide roller (84') to the second guide roller (84") of the support member (10) is adjustable. [8] Device according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized by , that the arrangement of at least one of the guide rollers (84',84") arranged on a support member (10) is adjustable in the axial direction to the axis of rotation (82). [9] Device according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterized by, that the guide body (40, 42) has at least one guide groove (56, 58) for forming one of the guide tracks (44, 46), or that the guide roller (84', 84") has a circumferential guide groove (56, 58) on its running surface (86) into which the guide body (40, 42) engages at least partially by means of a guide track (44, 46) formed at least partially complementary to the guide groove for movement guidance. [10] Device according to claim 9, characterized by , that the guide groove (56, 58) has at least one side guide surface (76, 78) which is angled, in particular at an obtuse angle, to a groove base (80) of the guide groove (56, 58), in particular optionally, that the guide groove (56, 58) has two side guide surfaces (76, 78) which are arranged to each other in such a way that the guide groove (56, 58) is shaped tapering in one direction towards the groove base (80). [11] Device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized by, that the running surface (86) of the guide roller (84',84") is designed at least sectionally complementary to the groove cross-section of the guide groove (56, 58) or that the guide track (44,46) is designed at least sectionally complementary to the groove cross-section of the guide groove (56, 58) of the guide roller (84', 84"). [12] Device according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized by , that in the operating state the guide roller (84',84") of the support member is spaced apart from the groove base (80). [13] Device according to any one of claims 2 to 12, characterized by , that the guide body (40, 42) is designed in the manner of a guide rail, wherein the guide body (40, 42) is designed in one piece, in particular in one piece. [14] Device according to any one of claims 2 to 13, characterized by , that at least one further guide body (40, 42) is arranged on a further conveying path section (28, 30). [15] Device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized by, that the guide means (32, 34) of the first guide device (20) have guide elements and at least a minority of the support members (10) each have at least one, in particular cylindrical, guide element (92, 92') which is cantilevered on a body side (94) of a support member (10) of the conveyor chain (6) and is designed and configured such that this guide means (34) of the first guide device (20) arranged on the deflection axes (22, 24) causes a deflecting movement of the support member (10) orthe conveyor chain (6) in the circumferential direction to the respective deflection axes (22,24), wherein in particular the guide means (32, 34) of the first guide device (20) have at least one deflection body (60) rotatably mounted about one of the deflection axes (22,24), which is designed and configured for transmitting the conveying movement generated by the drive device to the conveyor chain (6) by means of the guide elements (32) of the support members (10).

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