DEVICE AND METHOD FOR THE SAFE AND FAST TRANSFER OF NEW GLASS SHEETS FROM THE PRODUCTION LINE TO A TRANSPORT VEHICLE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device and a method for the safe and rapid transfer of new glass plates from the production line to a transport vehicle

[0002] Large-area glass sheets are manufactured in the form of float glass by continuously pouring molten glass onto a tin bath heated in an elongated tank, creating the resulting glass ribbon. This glass ribbon has one side that has been placed on the tin bath, the so-called bath side. The other side of the glass ribbon, which has been cooled in air, is called the air side. The bath side and the air side have different properties. For example, since the air side has fewer irregularities, it is better suited for coatings. The subsequent processing of the float glass takes place by longitudinal and cross-cutting the glass ribbon that emerges from the float glass production line at a specific feed rate.Longitudinal cutting is performed by stationary longitudinal cutting wheels positioned above the glass ribbon, while cross-cutting is performed by cutting bridges and cross-cutting wheels moving across the ribbon. A sheet size of 6 meters by 3.21 meters is referred to as a large format. A sheet size of 3.21 meters by 2 meters (up to 2.5 meters) is referred to as a split-format sheet size or medium format.

[0003] To transport glass panels of this size from one location to another without breakage, holding mechanisms, usually in the form of a sturdy frame, are moved toward the glass panel in question and connected to it via suction cups. The holding mechanism, with the glass panel attached to it, is then moved further.

[0004] In terms of the state of the art, a device for transferring sheet material in a production plant and a related production plant with sheet material are known from the document DE 20 2010 017 750 U1.

[0005] The objective of this device is to provide a device for transferring sheet material in a production plant that is improved compared to the prior art and that eliminates some of the disadvantages mentioned above.

[0006] From the document DE 26 02 622 A1, another conventional device for transporting glass plates is known, wherein the glass plates held by suction cups can be rotated or tilted about 3 different axes and transported along rails.

[0007] The document US 2013 / 202393 A1 discloses another conventional device for transporting glass plates and an associated method, wherein glass plates delivered via a roller conveyor can be pivoted into a vertical position by a glass rack carriage movable on rails and can be moved laterally into stacking racks.

[0008] Furthermore, the document EP 0 048 334 A1 shows a device and a method for sorting unsorted glass panes, wherein unsorted glass panes are deposited in a sorted order into compartments of a stationary compartment rack by means of a transfer device from a compartment trolley movable on rails.

[0009] Finally, from the document US 2015 / 0151927 A1, a device and a method for stacking glass panes are known, wherein a glass rack can be loaded with inclined glass plates.

[0010] From the document US 5 620 293 A, which forms the preamble of patent claim 1, a device and method for the safe and rapid transfer of new glass sheets from the production line to a transport vehicle is known. This device comprises a glass sheet roller conveyor with a glass rack gripping and stacking device for receiving glass sheets from a production line. A glass rack carriage with at least one glass rack supported thereon moves on rails, whereby the glass rack can be loaded with inclined glass sheets. Furthermore, a rotating device for rotating the glass rack carriage by 180 degrees is arranged along the rails.

[0011] The invention is based on the object of providing a device and a method for the safe and rapid transfer of new glass plates from the production line to a transport vehicle, wherein the transport should be carried out quickly and without damage.

[0012] According to the invention, this object is achieved with regard to the device by the features of patent claim 1 and with regard to the method by the measures of patent claim 5.

[0013] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are characterized in the subclaims.

[0014] The invention is described in more detail below.

[0015] They show in detail: Fig.1 : an overview of the transfer process, Fig.2 : a cross-section of the transfer process, Fiq.3: a cross-section of the stabilizing device 10, Fiq.4: a plan view of the rotating device 2, Fig.5 : a shunting device for eliminating defective glass frame carriages, Fig.6 : an overview of the operating data of the entire plant determined during the transfer processes and Fig.6a : the continuation of the overview of Fig.6 .

[0016] The Fig.1: shows an overview of the transfer process of a stack of glass plates 9. On the right, you can see how a gripping and stacking device 7 places a glass plate 9 delivered on a glass plate roller conveyor 8 onto a glass rack carriage 3. The device 7 uses grippers 34, as shown in the Fig.5 are shown. The glass rack carriage 3 is connected to a rotating device 2, which allows the glass rack carriage 3 to be rotated into a position suitable for loading an existing transport vehicle 1 to be loaded. The rotating device 2 allows an empty glass rack carriage 3 to be moved toward the glass rack gripping and stacking device 7 for filling and then rotated in the loaded state to fill the other side.

[0017] The transport vehicle 1 is open at the rear on the underside so that it can drive over a loaded carriage 3. In the glass transport vehicle 1 there is a lifting device 11 which can lift the glass rack 4 resting on a glass rack carriage 3 so that the glass rack 4 can remain in the transport vehicle 1 and the empty glass rack carriage 3 can move out of the glass transport vehicle 1, or the glass transport vehicle 1 can move on its own. This fact is described in the Fig.2 The corresponding area for loading a glass transport vehicle 1 is shown in the Fig.1 designated 31.

[0018] The rotating device 5 has a central wall 5, on the left side of which in the Fig.1 a filled glass rack is shown, and the right side shows a glass rack in the loaded state. A glass rack 4 is a torsion-resistant frame made of steel tubing

[0019] The Fig.2: shows a cross-section of the transfer process in detail.

[0020] Here, on the left side of the glass transport vehicle 1, a glass rack carriage 3 with a filled glass rack 4 in conjunction with a lifting device 11 for removal can be seen, and on the left side of the glass rack gripping and stacking device 7, another glass rack carriage 3 with two glass plates 9 of a glass rack 6 is shown in the loaded state, with another glass plate 9 resting on the glass plate roller conveyor 8. The lifting device 11 serves to lift a glass rack 4 to the loading height of the glass transport vehicle 1, as in the Fig.1 described.

[0021] The glass frame carriages 3 are transported on the shown rails 12 from the glass plate roller conveyor 8 to the glass transport vehicle 1.

[0022] The rotating device 2 shown in cross section with its central wall 5 has a stabilizing device 10 on the upper side of the central wall 5 which can be used on both sides and which, as shown in the Fig.3 As shown, each stack of glass plates can be supported to prevent tipping and displacement of the stack of glass plates during rotation of the rotating device 2. In this way, the speed of the rotating device 2 can be safely increased. In the area of ​​the glass rack gripping and stacking device 7, one of several glass breakage detectors 32 can be seen in this side view. Here, immediately after reloading, the glass plate roller conveyor 8 determines whether the respective glass plate is flawless.

[0023] The Fig.3: shows a cross-section of the stabilizing device 10. Above the rotating device 2, the drive 13 of a glass rack carriage 3 moved on the rails 12 is shown. On the right-hand side, a pivoting device 14 can be seen for inclining a loaded stack of glass plates 9 and for fixing and tilting the position of a glass rack towards the central wall 5 of the rotating device 2. Like the stabilizing device 10, this also enables rapid, safe rotation of the rotating device 2. The stabilizing device 10 has a drive 15 which can move the arms 16 on both sides downwards on the central wall 5.

[0024] A 3D stabilization device 17 is used to detect a glass frame. This device 17 determines whether the respective glass frame is damaged or distorted in its structure by comparing it with a flawless glass frame using a pattern recognition algorithm.

[0025] On the right side is one of the two stabilizer pressure plates marked 21 which also serve to stabilize glass plates 9,

[0026] The Fig.4 shows a plan view of the rotating device 2 with two carriages without a glass frame and without glass plates.

[0027] The circle shown in the center indicates the rotary plate 19 of the rotating device 2. The longest dimension in diameter of the rotating device 2 shown is the center wall 5 of the rotating device 2, shown from above. Here, a drive 15 for the stabilizing device is designated on the left side of the center wall 5, and the corresponding drive on the right side is not designated. On both drives of the respective stabilizing device, an arm 16 of the stabilizing device can be seen from above on both sides of the respective stabilizing device on the upper side of the center wall 5, with a pressure plate 21 designated on the right side.

[0028] On both sides of the central wall 5, the side walls of a glass frame carriage 3 can be seen from above, with the left side of the Fig.4 Parts of the drive 13 of the respective glass frame carriage are designated.

[0029] With the same center point as the turntable 19, the square outline of the base body 18 of the rotating device 2 can be seen.

[0030] The rails 12 extend transversely to the central wall 5, on which the respective glass frame carriage moves.

[0031] In the area of ​​the turning device 2, parts of the underfloor power supply rail 24 can be seen in the upper and lower parts of the image, which are also shown in the Fig.5 described. The current collectors 33 shown in this area also serve to supply energy. To determine the location of a glass frame carriage, the two distance detection sensors 20 on both sides directed towards the travel rails 12 are used to determine the distance of a carriage.

[0032] The Fig.5 shows a shunting device for eliminating defective glass frame carriages.

[0033] From the left side of the overview in the Fig.5 Guide rails 12 from the glass plate roller conveyor 8 with its glass frame gripping and stacking device 7 and its grippers 34 via a loading position 23 under a glass frame 6 in the loaded state on the rotating device 2 into the area of ​​a glass transport vehicle 1 to a reserve position 26 for possible relocation.

[0034] Detection devices 22 are mounted at the loading point 23 and a power supply rail 24 runs between the travel rails 12.

[0035] On the right side of the Fig.5 A shifting location 25 with the number 1 and a shifting location 28 with the number 2 with shifting carriages 30 and 27 are shown on a shifting track 29. A reserve location 26 for further shifting is available as an alternative.

[0036] Any additional glass frame carriages 3 that may be required can be moved to any location on the transfer system using a crane (not shown) or a forklift truck.

[0037] The Fig.6 shows an overview of the operating data of the entire system determined during the transfer processes.

[0038] Twelve of a total of 19 steps are shown here, each of which collects data that leads to key figures that are used for analysis by evaluating this data and for controlling the system.

[0039] The 1st step This concerns the glass plate roller conveyor 8 and its sensors. The data collected here concerns the temperature of the glass plates, the speed of the incoming glass plates, the operating time, and the energy consumption during operation of the roller conveyor 8.

[0040] The 2nd stepThis concerns the grippers 34 used to grasp a glass plate and their sensors. The respective data concerns the available vacuum of the respective grippers 34 and the energy required to create the vacuum. Furthermore, the prevailing temperature is measured. Furthermore, the distance of the grippers 34 from the glass plate and the force acting on the glass plate are determined.

[0041] In the Step 3 The sensors of the glass rack gripping and stacking device 7 are measured. Here, too, the operating temperature and the cycle time achieved during operation are important. Energy consumption is also measured.

[0042] The Step 4 concerns the detection of the respective conveyed glass plate 9. Mainly the operating data of the 3D scanning device 17 are taken into account here, which relate to glass breakage and / or defects in the structure of a glass plate.

[0043] These 4 operating steps concern the process of recording a glass plate and the data collected is generated for each glass plate recorded.

[0044] In the Step 5 The sensor system of a gun carriage 3 is being examined. The data collected includes operating time and operating temperature, as well as the determination of the applied load. Furthermore, the speed of a gun carriage 3 and the energy consumption required during operation are measured.

[0045] The Step 6 concerns the detection and measurement of the distance travelled by a glass frame carriage 3. The occupancy of the rails 12 and the free corridor for a planned route are measured.

[0046] In the 7th stepThe sensor system of the swivel device 14 is measured during the operation of a glass rack carriage 3. The pressure of the resting glass rack and its load are determined, as well as the energy consumption of the swivel device 14 when swiveling a glass rack to the center wall 5 of the rotating device 2. Furthermore, the operating temperature and the cycle rate of the swivel process are determined. Step 8 concerns the stabilizer 10.

[0047] Here, the force with which an arm 16 fixes a stack of glass plates is determined. Furthermore, the cycle rate achieved during operation and the energy consumption are important parameters.

[0048] The Step 9 This concerns the sensor technology of the rotating device 2. The applied load and energy consumption during the rotating process are determined. Furthermore, the achieved speed and operating temperature are measured.

[0049] The 10 stepsconcerns the detection and measurement of the distance travelled by a glass frame carriage 3. The occupancy of the rails 12 and the free corridor for a planned route are measured.

[0050] The 11th step concerns the detection of the loading area 31 for the transport vehicle 1. Here it is determined whether the space 31 is free or occupied.

[0051] In the 12th step Transport vehicle 1 is detected. The position of the respective vehicle 1 is determined.

[0052] Fig.6a shows the continuation of the overview of Fig.6 .

[0053] In the Step 13 The sensor system of the lifting device 11 in the glass transport vehicle 1 is discussed. The load represented by the respective glass rack is determined and the energy required by the lifting device 11 to lift the glass rack is measured. In addition, the contact of the glass rack with the respective vehicle 1 is recorded.

[0054] In the Step 14 Transport vehicle 1 is detected. The position of the respective vehicle 1 is determined.

[0055] In the Step 15 The sensor system of a gun carriage 3 is being examined. The data collected includes operating time and operating temperature, as well as the determination of the applied load. Furthermore, the speed of a gun carriage 3 and the energy consumption required during operation are measured.

[0056] The Step 16 concerns the detection and measurement of the distance travelled by a glass frame carriage 3. The occupancy of the rails 12 and the free corridor for a planned route are measured.

[0057] The 17th step concerns the detection of the respective conveyed glass plate 9. Mainly the operating data of the 3D scanning device 17 are taken into account here, which relate to glass breakage and / or defects in the structure of a glass plate.

[0058] The 18th step This concerns the sensor technology of the rotating device 2. The applied load and energy consumption during the rotating process are determined. Furthermore, the achieved speed and operating temperature are measured.

[0059] The 19th step concerns the route to loading point 23.

[0060] The occupancy of the running tracks 12 and the free corridor for a planned route are measured. List of reference symbols

[0061] 1 Glass transport vehicle 2 Rotating device 3 Glass rack - carriage 4 Glass rack (filled) 5 Center wall of the rotating device 6 Glass rack (ready for loading) 7 Glass rack - gripping and stacking device 8 Glass plate roller conveyor 9 Glass plates 10 Stabilizing device 11 Lifting device for a glass rack 12 Rails 13 Drive for a glass carriage 14 Swivel device 15 Drive for the stabilizing device 16 Arm of the stabilizing device 17 3D scanning device for the detection of a glass rack 18 Base body of the rotating device 2 19 Turntable of the rotating device 2 20 Distance detection sensor for the carriage track 21 Stabilizer pressure plate 22 Detection device for the loading process 23 Loading station 24 Underfloor power supply rail 25 Shifting station no. 1 26 Reserve space for a shift 27Sliding carriage no. 2 for a carriage with a glass frame 28Sliding station no. 2 29Sliding track 30Sliding carriage no.1 31Loading area of ​​the transport vehicle 32Glass breakage detectors 33Current collectors 34Grippers.

Claims

1. Device for the secure and fast transfer of new glass plates from the production line to a transport vehicle, with the following features: a glass plate roller conveyor (8) with a glass rack gripping and stacking device (7) for receiving glass plates (9) from a production line, at least one, on tracks (12) moving glass rack carriage (3), with at least one overlying glass rack (4, 6), wherein the glass rack (4, 6) can be loaded with inclined glass plates (9), and a, in course of the tracks arranged rotating device (2) for rotating the at least one glass rack carriage (3) by 180 degrees for loading each glass rack carriage (3), characterized by: two parallel, at right angles on the glass plate roller conveyor (8) centered tapered tracks (12), where in the area between the tracks an underfloor power supply rail (24) is arranged, and where the glass racks (4, 6) can be fixed by a pivoting device (14) in the inclined position.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that: for detecting the integrity of a glass rack (4, 6) a stabilization device (10) is provided at the top of the center wall (5) of the rotating device (2), wherein at each arm (16) of the stabilization device (10) a 3D scanning device (17) is arranged.

3. Device according to one of the claims 1 or 2, characterized in that: a shifting track (29) running transversely to the tracks (12) with sliding carriages (30, 28) is provided for a carriage (3) with a glass rack as a reserve.

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: at the loading station (23) in the area of the glass plate roller conveyor (8) on both sides of the relevant glass rack carriage (3) each having a detection device (22) for the loading process.

5. Method for the secure and fast transfer of new glass plates from the production line to a transport vehicle, comprising the following steps: a by a conveyor line delivered glass plate (9) is conveyed by a roller conveyor (8) and is transferred by a glass rack gripping and stacking device (7) on a, on a glass rack carriage (3) overlying glass rack (4, 6), wherein the glass rack (4, 6) by a pivoting device (14) is fixed in the inclined position, after the for the glass rack (4, 6) predefined number filling of the glass rack carriage (3), it will be driven by its drive (13) to a rotating device (2), fixed by a stabilization device (10) on the rotating device (2), and rotated by 180 degrees for loading with another glass rack carriage (3), after loading the rotating device (2) with two glass rack carriages (3), these are transported into the respective prepared relevant glass transport vehicle (1), wherein the glass rack carriage (3) on tracks (12) is transported from the roller conveyor (8) to the transport vehicle (1), and a power supply through a in the area between the tracks (12) arranged underfloor power supply rail (24).

6. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that: in the event of glass breakage or possible defects, a displacement via an additional track in the form of a sliding track (29) with sliding carriages (30, 28) is performed.

7. Method according to one of the claims 5 or 6, characterized in that: a loading process at the loading station (23) in the area of the glass plate roller conveyor (8) is detected by a on both sides of the glass rack carriage (3) arranged detection device (22).