DEVICE FOR SETTING A CLAMP ARM POSITION AND CONTAINER TRANSPORTATION DEVICE

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for specifying a clamp arm position of a clamp for holding a container in a container transport device, and to a container transport device. State of the art

[0002] In the field of beverage bottling plants, it is known to transport containers through the beverage bottling plant using transport devices, whereby the containers are either transported standing with their container bottom on a bottom transport unit, or the containers are transported through the beverage bottling plant by clamps which grip the containers, for example, at their container neck or their container belly.

[0003] A distinction is made between active and passive clamps. Passive clamps are elastically pre-tensioned to a predetermined closing position and are elastically deformed when a container is inserted into the clamp. Once the container is inserted, the clamp closes due to the elastic pre-tension, and the clamp arms hold the container. With passive clamps, the container must be moved against the closing force of the clamping arms, which is generated by the clamp spreading. This results in a high force being applied to the container during insertion, making such clamps unsuitable for gripping or holding fragile, easily deformable, and / or thin-walled containers. At the very least, there is a tendency to scratch the surfaces of the containers, which can reduce their quality.

[0004] Active clamps are also known, in which the opening and closing of the clamping device is actively carried out by an actuator. Such active clamps serve in particular to enable the safe and gentle transfer of the respective containers from a preceding transport device or to ensure an equally safe and container-friendly transfer of the containers to a subsequent transport device. In particular, the active opening and closing of the clamp can prevent increased friction on the respective container, which could, for example, lead to scratching of the container.To reduce the complexity of an active clamp while simultaneously allowing the clamp arms to maintain a predetermined position in their resting state, such as a closed position, it is known to provide means on the clamp that apply a preload to the clamp arms, thus pre-tensioning them into the predetermined position. The clamp arms can be actively moved from the pre-tensioned position by actuating an actuating unit on the clamp. Actuating the actuating unit actively spreads the clamp arms. In conventional transport devices, for example, cams are actuated from below the clamp, with rotation of the cam causing the clamp arms to spread.

[0005] Alternatively, the actuating unit can be equipped with a roller or sliding element that can roll or slide on a guide cam element. The guide cam element defines the position of the actuating or control element. Typically, due to the clamp's preload, the actuating or control element is in a position corresponding to the clamp being closed. When the actuating or control element interacts with the guide cam element, it usually moves in a predetermined direction, causing the clamp arms to spread open.

[0006] The guide curve element is attached to a base frame rigidly fixed to the floor. The clamps with their control elements, on the other hand, are attached to a transport unit that is movable relative to the base frame. When a clamp enters the area of ​​the guide curve element, the clamp's control element interacts with the guide curve element in such a way that the clamp opens, allowing a container to be removed from or placed into the clamp.

[0007] The guide cam element must be designed such that the clamp spreads open from the closed position sufficiently to allow the insertion and removal of the largest container type being transported. If a smaller container type is being handled or transported, the clamp opens further than necessary for insertion or removal. This results in unnecessarily excessive wear on the clamp.

[0008] Furthermore, especially with rotary conveyors, centering and / or tracking errors of the conveyor star can occur when transporting containers with different diameters, as the clamp and conveyor star are set for one container type. Therefore, the setting is not ideal for all other container types being transported.

[0009] DE 295 07 933 U1 describes a transport star with gripping jaws in which several predefined closing positions are integrated. EP 1 970 329 A1 describes a transport device for containers with an adjustable cam element. Further container transport devices are disclosed in JP H01 267214 A, JP 2000 072245, which discloses the features of the preamble of claim 1, and US 3,043,447 A. Description of the invention

[0010] Starting from the known state of the art, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved container transport device with a device for specifying a clamp arm position of a clamp for holding a container.

[0011] The problem is solved by a container transport device according to claim 1, comprising a device for specifying a clamp arm position of a clamp for holding a container in a container transport device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims, the description, and the figures.

[0012] The device for specifying the clamp arm position of a clamp for holding a container in the container transport device comprises a guide cam element for specifying the position of a control element for controlling the clamp arm position of a clamp and a mounting unit for attaching the guide cam element to a base frame of a container transport device. The guide cam element is furthermore designed to be movable in an adjustment direction relative to the mounting unit.

[0013] Because the guide cam element is designed to be movable in one adjustment direction relative to the fastening unit, the stroke of the control element applied to the control element by the guide cam element can be adjusted. Changing the stroke of the control element also correspondingly changes the expansion of the clamp arms generated by the stroke of the control element in the clamp.

[0014] To transport a first container type, the guide cam element can be moved relative to the fastening unit in the adjustment direction to a first predetermined position, which, through an interaction with the control element, causes the clamp to widen, dimensioned such that the clamp is opened as far as is necessary for inserting or removing the first container type, without, however, creating an unnecessarily large widening of the clamp.

[0015] If the container transport device is to transport a different type of container instead of the first type, the guide cam element can be moved relative to the fastening unit in the adjustment direction so that the clamp is opened as far as is necessary for inserting or removing the other type of container without unnecessarily widening the clamp.

[0016] Accordingly, the opening of the clamp or its clamp arms can be adjusted to the respective size of the container being transported. This prevents the clamp from opening unnecessarily large, resulting in less wear and tear.

[0017] The adjustment direction is aligned and the device is set up in such a way that by adjusting the guide cam element relative to the fastening unit, a maximum stroke specified by the guide cam element on the control element is adjusted.

[0018] A container transport device equipped with such a device can have a longer service life compared to conventional container transport devices, as the clamps can be in use for a longer period before a replacement becomes necessary.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment, a guide unit for guiding the cam element is arranged on the mounting unit, the guide unit preferably comprising a linear guide. The guide unit allows the adjustment direction to be precisely defined.

[0020] According to a further preferred embodiment, an adjustment device is provided for setting the position of the guide curve element relative to the mounting unit. This allows the position of the guide curve element relative to the mounting unit to be precisely defined.

[0021] Preferably, the adjusting device comprises a spindle drive, wherein a slide of the spindle operation engages with a spindle of the spindle operation in such a way that a rotation of the spindle causes the slide to be displaced in the adjusting direction.

[0022] According to a further preferred embodiment, the adjusting device comprises a drive unit, preferably a manually operated drive unit, particularly preferably a hand-operated crank or a hand-operated adjusting wheel.

[0023] Alternatively or additionally, the adjustment device can also include a drive unit in the form of an automatic drive, preferably an electric motor, wherein the automatic drive is preferably connected to a control / regulation system for controlling / regulating the automatic drive.

[0024] In order to make the best possible use of the installation space available on the container transport device, the adjusting device can include a deflection unit for deflecting a rotary axis, wherein the deflection unit is preferably arranged between the spindle and the drive unit, and wherein the deflection unit preferably comprises a bevel gear or a cardan joint.

[0025] The container transport device according to the invention comprises a base frame and a transport unit movable relative to the base frame, the transport unit having at least one clamp for holding a container. The container transport device is characterized in that the base frame comprises at least one device according to one of the preceding embodiments.

[0026] Because the container transport device includes at least one device according to one of the preceding embodiments, the advantages and effects described with regard to the device can also be achieved analogously by the container transport device.

[0027] The transport unit is rotatable about a pivot axis, with the adjustment direction being radial to the pivot axis. In other words, the transport unit is designed as a rotary unit, preferably in the form of a carousel or transport star.

[0028] Alternatively, the transport unit has a linear transport direction, wherein the adjustment direction is oriented transversely to the transport direction, preferably orthogonally to the transport direction. Brief description of the characters

[0029] Preferred further embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail by the following description of the figures. These show: Figure 1 schematically a perspective side view of a device for specifying a clamping arm position; Figure 2 schematically a side view of the device Figure 1 ; Figure 3 schematically a sectional view through the device made of Figure 1 ; Figure 4 schematically another perspective side view of the device Figure 1 ; Figure 5 schematically a perspective side view of a container transport device; Figure 6 schematic side view of the container transport device Figure 5 ; Figure 7A schematic view from below of the container transport device Figure 5 ; and Figure 8 A schematic top view of another container transport device. Detailed description of preferred embodiments

[0030] Preferred embodiments are described below with reference to the figures. Identical, similar, or equivalent elements in the different figures are designated with identical reference numerals, and repeated descriptions of these elements are sometimes omitted to avoid redundancy.

[0031] In Figure 1Figure 1 schematically shows a perspective side view of a device 1 for specifying the position of a clamp arm of a clamp (not shown) for holding a container in a container transport device. The device 1 comprises a guide cam element 2 for specifying the position of a control element of the clamp, which controls the clamp arm position of the clamp. It further comprises a mounting unit 3 for attaching the guide cam element 2 to a base frame of a container transport device. The guide cam element 2 is movable in an adjustment direction 4 relative to the mounting unit 3.

[0032] To provide the adjustability of the guide curve element 2 relative to the fastening unit 3, the guide curve element 2 is displaceable relative to the fastening unit 3 in the adjustment direction 4 specified by the linear guides 6 via a guide unit 6, which in this case comprises two linear guides 6.

[0033] To predefine the position of the guide cam element 2 relative to the mounting unit 3, an adjusting device 7 is arranged between the mounting unit 3 and the guide cam element 2. According to this embodiment, the adjusting device 7 comprises a spindle drive 70. The spindle drive 70 includes a slide 71, which is guided on the linear guides 60 and to which the guide cam element is attached. A spindle of the spindle drive 70, concealed here, is connected via a deflection unit 74, which in this case comprises a bevel gear drive formed by two bevel gears 75, to a drive unit in the form of a hand-operated crank 73. By turning the crank 73, the spindle of the spindle drive 70 rotates, which it transmits to the slide 71 engaged with the spindle. Due to the guidance by the linear guides 60, the slide 71 is offset in the adjustment direction 4.

[0034] Alternatively, the adjustment device could also include a differently designed drive unit, for example an automatic drive with an electric motor.

[0035] Figure 2 schematically shows a side view of device 1. Figure 1 It can be clearly seen here that the guide cam element 2 extends above the fastening unit 3, as well as the adjusting device 7 including the guide unit 6. The crank 73, which is connected to the spindle drive 70 by the deflection unit 74, has a rotational axis 76 that is oriented at a right angle to the adjustment direction 4.

[0036] Out of Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view through device 1 from Figure 1 to be seen in which the functioning of the spindle drive 70, in particular the spindle 72, can be seen.

[0037] Figure 4 schematically shows another perspective side view of device 1. Figure 1From this view, it becomes clear that the fastening unit 3 represents a circular arc segment.

[0038] This allows the fastening unit 3 to be positioned in its shape appropriately on a transport device in a rotary design, in which the transport unit is a transport star.

[0039] In Figure 5 A schematic perspective side view of a container transport device 100 is shown. The container transport direction 100 comprises a base frame (not shown here) and a transport unit 120 rotatable relative to it about a pivot axis 122. The transport direction of the transport unit 120 is indicated by the reference numeral 121. The container transport direction 100 further comprises a device 1 according to the Figures 1 to 4 , which is hidden in the present illustration by the transport unit 120.

[0040] A plurality of clamps 5, oriented radially outwards with respect to the axis of rotation 122, are arranged on the transport unit 120. Each clamp comprises two clamp arms 52 that can move towards and away from each other. The clamp arms 52 of a clamp 5 are biased into a closed position by a spring clip 55.

[0041] The clamps 5 each have a control element 5 by means of which the position of the clamp arms 52 can be controlled. At the radially inner end of the control elements 5, each has a roller 51 which can interact with the guide cam element 2 such that it rolls on the guide cam element when it is moved circumferentially at the level of the device 1 with respect to the axis of rotation 122, as with respect to Figure 7 explained in more detail.

[0042] Figure 6 schematically shows a side view of the container transport device 100. Figure 5The guide cam element 2 of the device 1 extends to the level of the clamps 5, so that the rollers 51 of the clamps 5 can interact with the guide cam element 2.

[0043] The remaining part of the device 1 is essentially arranged below the transport unit 120. Furthermore, in Figure 6 The base frame 110, to which the device 1 is attached via the fastening unit 3, can be identified. This allows the guide cam element 2 to be adjusted relative to the base frame 110 and thus also relative to the transport unit 120 and the clamps 5 attached to it.

[0044] Figure 7 This is a schematic view from below of the container transport device 100. Figure 5The adjustment direction 4 extends radially with respect to the axis of rotation 122. Since the rollers 52 are arranged on a constant pitch circle with respect to the axis of rotation 122, adjusting the position of the guide cam element 2 in the adjustment direction 3 changes the stroke generated radially when the rollers 52 roll on the guide cam element 2 onto the control element 5. The closer the guide cam element 2 is moved to the axis of rotation 122, the smaller the stroke of the control elements 50 of the clamps 5 generated by it. The smaller the stroke of the control elements 50 in the radial direction, the less the clamp arms 52 spread.

[0045] In other words, the adjustment direction 4 is aligned such that by adjusting the guide cam element 2 relative to the fastening unit 3, a maximum stroke specified by the guide cam element 2 on the control element 50 can be adjusted.

[0046] In Figure 8 A schematic top view of a container transport device 100 according to a further embodiment is shown. The container transport device 100 again comprises a base frame 110 and a transport unit 120 movable relative to the base frame, which has a linear transport direction 121. The transport unit 120 can, for example, comprise a conveyor chain or a conveyor belt. The transport unit 120 comprises a plurality of clamps 5, which are essentially the clamps of the container transport direction 100 according to the Figures 5 to 7 corresponds.

[0047] A device 1 for predefining the clamp arm position of the clamps 5 for holding a container 8 is attached to the base frame 110 via a fastening unit 3, according to a further embodiment. The device 1 comprises, analogous to the device 1 described above, Figures 1 to 7A guide curve element 2, which is adjustable relative to the fastening unit 3 in an adjustment direction 4. In this case, the adjustment direction 4 is oriented orthogonally to the linear transport direction 121.

[0048] The device 1 comprises a guide unit 6 and an adjustment device 7, the latter including a drive unit (not shown) comprising an automatic drive. The automatic drive is connected to a control unit (not shown). This allows the position of the guide cam element 2 to be adjusted without requiring a person to enter the area of ​​the container transport direction 100.

[0049] If a clamp 5 is transported in the transport direction 121 into the area of ​​the device 1, the roller 51 of the clamp 5 interacts with the guide cam element 2 by rolling over the guide cam element 2.

[0050] Since the guide curve element 2 is in a fixed position, the control element 50 connected to the clamp arms 52 undergoes a displacement in the adjustment direction 4 such that the clamp arms 52 are spread open in an expanding direction 53. This results in the clamp 5 opening and releasing the container 8 held within it, so that it can be removed from the area of ​​the clamp 5.

[0051] Reference numeral 54 indicates a stroke forced onto the control element 50 by the guide curve element 2 in its current position. The height of the stroke 54 determines the extent of the spread of the clamp arms 52.

[0052] The size or height of the stroke 54 can be adjusted by changing the position of the guide cam element 2 in the adjustment direction 4. If the guide cam element 2 is moved towards the mounting unit 3, the resulting stroke is different from the one shown in Figure 8The stroke 54 shown is reduced. Accordingly, the expansion or spreading of the clamping arms 52 is also smaller. If the guide cam element 2 is moved away from the fastening unit 3, the resulting stroke 54 of the control element 50, and thus the expansion or spreading of the clamping arms 52, is greater than in the figure shown. Figure 8 configuration shown. Reference symbol list

[0053] 1 Device 2 Guide cam element 3 Mounting unit 4 Adjustment direction 40 Radius 5 Clamp 50 Control element 51 Roller 52 Clamp arm 53 Spreading direction 54 Stroke 55 Spring clip 6 Guide unit 60 Linear guide 7 Adjustment device 70 Spindle drive 71 Slide 72 Spindle 73 Crank 74 Deflection unit 75 Bevel gear 76 Rotary axis 8 Container 100 Container transport device 110 Base frame 120 Transport unit 121 Transport direction 122 Rotary axis

Claims

1. Container transport apparatus (100), comprising a base frame (110) and a transport unit (120) which is movable relative to the base frame (110) and has at least one clamp (5) for holding a container (8), the base frame (110) comprising: an apparatus (1) for predefining a clamp arm position of the clamp (5), comprising a guide curve element (2) for predefining a position of a control element (50) for controlling the clamp arm position of the clamp (5) and a fastening unit (3) for fastening the guide curve element (2) to the base frame (110), the guide curve element (2) being designed to be movable in an adjustment direction (4) relative to the fastening unit (3), characterized in that the adjustment direction (4) is oriented in such a way and the apparatus (1) is configured such that, by adjusting the guide curve element (2) relative to the fastening unit (3), a maximum stroke (54) predefined by the guide curve element (2) on the control element (50) is adjusted, with the result that the widening of the clamp (5) is adapted to the respective size of the container (8) to be transported, and the transport unit (120) is rotatable about an axis of rotation (122), the adjustment direction (4) being oriented radially with respect to the axis of rotation (122), or the transport unit has a linear transport direction (121), the adjustment direction (4) being oriented transversely with respect to the transport direction (121).

2. Container transport apparatus (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that a guide unit (6) for guiding the guide curve element (2) is arranged on the fastening unit (3), the guide unit (6) preferably comprising a linear guide (60).

3. Container transport apparatus (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an adjustment device (7) for adjusting the position of the guide curve element (2) relative to the fastening unit (3) is provided, the adjustment device (7) preferably comprising a spindle drive (70), a carriage (71) of the spindle drive (70) being in engagement with a spindle (72) of the spindle drive (70) in such a way that a rotation of the spindle (72) brings about a displacement of the carriage (71) in the adjustment direction (4).

4. Container transport apparatus (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the adjustment device (7) comprises a drive unit, preferably a drive unit which can be actuated manually, particularly preferably a crank (73) which can be actuated manually or an adjusting wheel which can be actuated manually, and / or an automatic drive, particularly preferably an electric motor, the automatic drive preferably being connected to an open-loop / closed-loop control for open-loop / closed-loop control of the automatic drive.

5. Container transport apparatus (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that the adjustment device (7) comprises a deflection unit (74) for deflecting an axis of rotation (76), the deflection unit (74) preferably being arranged between the spindle (72) and the drive unit, the deflection unit (74) preferably comprising a bevel gear mechanism or a cardan joint.

6. Container transport apparatus (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjustment direction (4) is oriented orthogonally with respect to the linear transport direction (121).