MODULAR SWITCH DEVICE FOR INTERMEDIATE STORAGE OF WORKPIECE CARRIERS FOR A LINEAR TRANSPORT SYSTEM

Description

Technical area

[0001] The invention relates to a modular switch device for the intermediate storage of workpiece carriers for a linear transport system. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating such a switch device. State of the art

[0002] Linear transport systems are used in industrial manufacturing, for example, to transport workpieces along a specific production path. Such linear transport systems typically have a conveyor belt, by means of which workpiece carriers mounted thereon can be transported in a desired transport direction. The height at which the workpiece carriers can be or are transported along the conveyor belt of the linear transport system is referred to as the transport level in this application.

[0003] As part of a technical process in which such a linear transport system is used, the workpieces usually go through a certain number of planned production steps.

[0004] In particular, such a linear transport system can be used for the production of electrical cables. However, it can also be used for any other workpieces.

[0005] Linear transport systems for manufacturing have been known for some time, for example from the expired US patent US6095054A.

[0006] Such linear transport systems typically include workpiece changeover areas where workpieces to be processed or already processed can be changed. In these changeover areas, for example, workpieces to be processed are placed on workpiece carriers that can be transported on the conveyor belt, or workpieces whose processing is complete are removed from the workpiece carriers that can be transported on the conveyor belt.

[0007] If a changeover area is used to insert or feed workpieces onto the linear transport system, it can be referred to as a loading area. If a changeover area is used to remove workpieces from the linear transport system, it can be referred to as a removal area.

[0008] After the workpieces are inserted, they are transported by the linear transport system from the changeover area to a processing area where they are machined. After machining, they are transported to the removal area. The insertion and removal areas of such linear transport systems are spatially separated. The workpieces are typically transported in a specific direction.

[0009] Before the workpiece carriers can be reloaded with workpieces, the machined workpieces must be removed from the linear transport system in the removal area and transported back to the loading area.

[0010] In contrast to linear transport systems, which are also known as linear transfer systems, the loading and unloading areas of so-called rotary table systems are identical, meaning that workpieces are loaded and unloaded at the same location. This offers process-related advantages. However, such a rotary table system is not suitable for processing any workpiece, especially bulky workpieces.

[0011] In linear transport systems, the insertion and removal of workpieces is often performed by operators. Insertion can be performed by one operator and removal by another, or insertion can be performed by a single operator and removal by an automated system.

[0012] With a rotary table system, the insertion and removal of workpieces can be carried out by one operator.

[0013] In order to provide the highest possible cycle time for the insertion and removal of workpieces, fast insertion and removal of workpieces is essential.

[0014] To accelerate the workpiece changeover process on the linear transport system, it is known that mechanical assistance can be provided during removal. This increases the removal speed. It may even be possible to eliminate the need for a second operator in the changeover area.

[0015] It is therefore desirable to further improve the process for machining workpieces on a linear transport system, in particular to avoid idle time in the machining area of ​​the linear transport system during workpiece changing.

[0016] JP H05178413 A discloses a generic modular switch device. Description of the invention

[0017] The object of the invention is to provide a solution by means of which the efficiency of a linear transport system can be increased.

[0018] The object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims, the description, and the accompanying figures. In particular, the independent claims of one claim category can also be developed analogously to the dependent claims of another claim category. Further embodiments and developments emerge from the subclaims and from the description with reference to the figures.

[0019] The present invention comprises a modular switch device according to claim 1.

[0020] Using such a switching device, it is possible to temporarily store workpiece carriers loaded with workpieces at a level different from the transport level, and then return them to the linear transport system or the processing area as needed. This makes it possible to create a changeover area for a linear transport system that can be used as both a loading and unloading area. This combines the advantages of a rotary table system with those of a linear transport system. Therefore, personnel and thus costs can be saved without negatively impacting the utilization of a processing area of ​​a linear transport system.

[0021] The workpieces temporarily stored using the diverter device can be fed directly into the processing area as soon as the workpieces returned from the processing area have passed the diverter device toward the changeover area, which acts as the removal area. While the previously temporarily stored workpieces are being processed in the processing area, the workpieces can be removed in the changeover area, which acts as the removal area. If necessary, the workpiece carriers can also be reloaded with workpieces. Furthermore, the modularity of the diverter device means that it can easily be integrated as an additional module into existing modular linear transport systems. By adapting the size of the diverter device, and thus the intermediate storage capacity, or by using multiple diverter devices, the solution is easily scalable for a wide variety of applications.

[0022] This switch device is advantageously suitable for a modular linear transport system. This means that the processing area and the changeover area are formed from one or more modules of the linear transport system. This allows the switch device to be easily inserted or arranged between the first module of a processing area and the last module of a changeover area.

[0023] The transport direction refers to the direction in which workpiece carriers can be transported. Workpiece carriers can be transported along the conveyor belt of the linear transport system from the changeover area to the processing area and from the processing area to the changeover area. Thus, there are two transport directions: from the processing area toward the changeover area and from the changeover area toward the processing area.

[0024] If "in the direction of transport" or "opposite the direction of transport" is used in the description, a specific transport direction is taken as a basis and in this context, relative local references with regard to a specific transport direction are to be clarified.

[0025] Any structure suitable for supporting a guide device mounted thereon, including the workpiece carrier and workpiece, can be used as the first and second support units. Advantageously, the first and / or second support units can comprise a base plate. This can be provided with recesses to reduce weight. This reduces the weight of the respective support unit, which means less force and thus less energy is required for the vertical adjustment of the support units.

[0026] If only the term "carrier unit" is used below without the suffix "first" or "second," the statements apply to the first and second carrier units in isolation. This does not imply that the first and second carrier units are designed in this way, but rather that at least one of the two carrier units, or even both carrier units, can be designed in this way. In an advantageous embodiment, the first and second carrier plates, including the components arranged or mounted on them, are of identical construction.

[0027] The first and second support units are each arranged horizontally extending and vertically spaced from one another. Furthermore, the two support units are arranged one above the other, in particular congruently in the vertical direction. The first support unit and the second support unit are arranged at a predetermined fixed distance relative to one another. This means that the distance between the first support unit and the second support unit always remains the same, regardless of the absolute vertical position.

[0028] The first carrier unit and the second carrier unit are part of an overall rigid structural unit which can be adjusted in the vertical direction between two positions by means of the lifting device in such a way that in a first position the guide device arranged on the first carrier unit can be positioned in such a way that workpiece carriers can be transported at the transport level by means of the guide device arranged on the first carrier unit, and that in a second position the guide device arranged on the second carrier unit can be positioned in such a way that workpiece carriers can be transported at the same transport level by means of the guide device arranged on the second carrier unit.

[0029] Therefore, either only the first or only the second carrier unit can always be arranged in such a way that workpiece carriers can be transported to the transport level by means of their respective guide devices. Joint adjustment does not involve the simultaneous arrangement of the first and second carrier units in such a way that workpiece carriers can be transported to the transport level by means of the respective guide devices of the respective carrier units. Jointly adjustable therefore means, in the sense of the application, a rigidly coupled movement of the first and second carrier units by means of the lifting device. In other words, the first carrier unit follows the second carrier unit in its movement and vice versa, wherein the relative position of the first carrier unit to the second carrier unit remains constant during the movement and in the adjustable end positions of the carrier units.

[0030] A guide device is mounted on each of the first carrier unit and the second carrier unit, by means of which workpiece carriers can be transported in a guided manner at the transport level. The guide device arranged on the first carrier unit and the guide device arranged on the second carrier unit can preferably be of identical construction.

[0031] The workpiece carriers can be driven by a conveyor belt, especially when they are arranged at the transport level. A conveyor belt can be mounted on the first and second carrier units, which can be driven when the respective carrier unit is arranged such that workpiece carriers can be transported at the transport level.

[0032] In an advantageous embodiment, however, none of the carrier units has a conveyor belt, and a conveyor belt is arranged on a locally stationary part of the switch device. This is preferably arranged in such a way that a base of a workpiece carrier is positioned on it, thus allowing the workpiece carrier to be transported, when the workpiece carrier arranged on the first or second carrier unit is positioned at the transport level.

[0033] Furthermore, the guide device mounted on the first and / or second carrier unit can be arranged and configured such that workpiece carriers arriving from a processing area can be continuously transferred to the guide device mounted on the first and / or second carrier unit. The guide device mounted on the first and / or second carrier unit can also be arranged and configured such that workpiece carriers arriving from a changeover area can be continuously transferred to the guide device mounted on the first and / or second carrier unit.

[0034] The transferability of workpiece carriers from the processing area and the changing area to the guide device of the respective carrier unit can be ensured in particular if the carrier unit to which workpiece carriers are to be transferred is arranged in such a way that workpiece carriers can be transported on the transport level by means of this.

[0035] Any lifting device can be used for the joint vertical adjustment of the first and second carrier units. For example, this can achieve vertical adjustment with the aid of servomotors, hydraulic cylinders, or other methods. However, it is to be provided that the lifting device is designed such that it can reliably achieve joint vertical adjustment of the first and second carrier units with workpiece carriers equipped with workpieces arranged on at least one of the carrier units. Furthermore, the lifting device is designed such that, in a first lifting position, it can arrange the first carrier unit such that workpiece carriers arranged on its guide device can be transported at the transport level.The lifting device is also designed such that it can arrange the second carrier unit in a second lifting position such that workpiece carriers that can be arranged on its guide device can be transported at the transport level.

[0036] Advantageously, the lifting device is controlled by a control unit. For this purpose, the vertical position of the first and / or second carrier unit can be detected and fed to the control unit. Based on this, the control unit can then control the lifting device such that the first carrier unit or the second carrier unit is arranged such that workpiece carriers arranged thereon can be transported at the transport level.

[0037] According to the invention, the first and second support units are mounted on a common wall, which wall is vertically adjustable by means of the lifting device. By providing a common wall for the first support unit and the second support unit, which is vertically adjustable, a simple structural option is provided for adjusting the first and second support units together vertically and at a fixed distance from one another. Thus, no separate lifting device is required for the first support unit and the second support unit.

[0038] The wall can be formed in one or more parts. In particular, it can be arranged parallel to the transport direction. Furthermore, it can be arranged on a side of the carrier unit facing away from the guide device, and its normal vector can be oriented in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the transport direction. In this case, the wall can be referred to as the rear wall, while the guide device is arranged in a "front" area of ​​the respective carrier unit.

[0039] The first support unit and the second support unit can each be connected to the wall via a horizontal rail arranged parallel to the guide device mounted on the respective support unit. This allows for simple and secure mounting of the support units on the wall. Furthermore, the wall can also be non-removably connected to the first and second support units, for example, welded, but the wall can be mounted on the switch device with a rail frame that can be adjusted in height.

[0040] In one embodiment of the switch device, the lifting device is designed as a pneumatic cylinder having a cylinder base body that is stationary relative to a frame and mounted on the frame, and a piston that can be adjusted in a controlled manner in the vertical direction, wherein the piston, in particular its end, is mounted on a cross plate arranged on the wall. The frame absorbs the force of the cylinder base body, which must be applied in order to effect a vertical adjustment of the first and second support units. Furthermore, the frame can mount further components of the switch device. The use of a cross plate arranged on the wall is advantageous because the force of the piston can be absorbed by the cross plate in the vertical direction. The cross plate thus comprises a horizontally arranged part on which the piston or its end can be located.The force of the piston then acts vertically on the cross plate arranged perpendicular to the wall. This avoids shear forces, particularly between the wall and the piston. The use of a pneumatic cylinder is advantageous because it can be controlled precisely and can be moved relatively quickly in the vertical direction. This ensures reliable vertical adjustment with simultaneous short adjustment times for the switch device between, for example, an intermediate storage level for the workpiece carriers that is raised relative to the transport level and the transport level. In addition to the frame, a guide frame can also be provided with which the lifting movement of the lifting device, and thus the joint adjustment of the first and second carrier units, can be guided.

[0041] According to the invention, the vertical adjustment of the wall is limited by a first and a second shock absorber, wherein the first shock absorber is arranged such that it limits the vertical adjustment when the guide device mounted on the first carrier unit is positioned such that workpiece carriers that can be arranged thereon can be transported at the transport level, wherein the second shock absorber is arranged such that it limits the vertical adjustment when the guide device mounted on the second carrier unit is positioned such that workpiece carriers that can be arranged thereon can be transported at the transport level. In this way, a desired, in particular transport level-related end position of the first and second carrier unit is provided in a simple manner, wherein the movement of the first and second carrier unit is braked in a controlled manner when approaching the respective end position.

[0042] Furthermore, the first and the second shock absorber can be queried by at least one position sensor. From the values ​​of the position sensor, a damping state of the respective shock absorber can be determined and from this, by means of a control unit, it can be deduced whether the respective carrier unit is already positioned in the desired end position. The control unit can be used to control the lifting device in such a way that the respective carrier unit is positioned in such a way that workpiece carriers stored on it can be transported or arranged at transport level. If the first carrier unit is positioned in such a way that workpiece carriers stored on it can be transported or arranged at transport level, this preferably corresponds to the end position of the first carrier unit. If the second carrier unit is positioned in such a way that workpiece carriers stored on it can be transported or arranged at transport level.are arranged, this preferably corresponds to the end position of the second carrier unit.

[0043] Preferably, the first shock absorber and the second shock absorber interact with the frame to limit the vertical adjustment. The first and / or second shock absorber can be arranged on a part that is movable with the lifting device. They can also be arranged on the frame and interact with a vertically adjustable part, e.g., the first and / or second support unit, of the switch device to limit the vertical adjustment.

[0044] In a further embodiment of the switch device, a plurality of sensors for detecting the position of workpiece carriers are arranged on the first and second carrier units. The sensors are preferably connected to a control unit. By detecting the position of individual workpiece carriers using corresponding sensors, the switch device can be vertically adjusted depending on the position and number of workpiece carriers present on the respective carrier unit. Induction sensors, for example, can be used as sensors, by means of which the presence of a workpiece carrier at a specific position on the carrier unit can be determined.

[0045] In a further variant of the switch device, at least one stop device, in particular at least one stop cylinder, is arranged on the first carrier unit and / or on the second carrier unit, by means of which the movement of the workpiece carriers on the respective conveyor belt can be stopped at a predetermined position. Such a stop device allows an active interruption of the movement of a workpiece carrier. The stop device can, for example, be designed as a lifting device which lifts a workpiece carrier from the conveyor belt in order to stop its movement. Alternatively, the stop device can, for example, also be designed as a stop block, which blocks movement of the workpiece carrier in the transport direction by the workpiece carrier running onto the stop block.

[0046] Preferably, the at least one stop device is arranged in a first and / or last third, in particular the first or last quarter, of the first and / or second carrier unit in the transport direction. Arranging a stop device in a first third or quarter and in a last third or quarter can be expedient, since workpiece carriers can be transported in both directions by means of the switch device. If workpiece carriers run, for example, from the changing area acting as a loading area onto one of the carrier units, the first workpiece carrier in the transport direction can be stopped at the stop device in the part of the first and / or second carrier unit facing the processing area. A predetermined number of workpiece carriers can run onto this first stopped workpiece carrier.If only one of the two carrier units is used for the intermediate storage of workpiece carriers, only this one can have the first and second stop device.

[0047] The positions of the workpiece carriers, and thus their number, can be detected using any position sensors present. If the required number of workpiece carriers is stored on the carrier unit that allows the workpiece carriers to be transported to transport level, a vertical movement can be initiated using the lifting device. This movement ends when the other carrier unit is positioned in such a way that the workpiece carriers can be transported to transport level. The stopping device can thus ensure that, for example, the workpiece carriers to be temporarily stored are arranged as centrally as possible on the respective carrier unit in the desired position.

[0048] In a further embodiment of the switch device, at least one first and one second stop device are arranged on the first carrier unit and / or on the second carrier unit, by means of which the position of workpiece carriers can be limited to a position between the first stop device and the second stop device on the respective conveyor belt. It is thus possible to define an area in which the workpiece carriers are to be arranged, in particular if the carrier unit together with the workpiece carriers mounted thereon are to be moved vertically. The limitation by means of the stop device is effected in such a way that the workpiece carriers arranged furthest outwards, i.e. the workpiece carriers arranged closest to the end of the respective carrier unit in and against a specific transport direction, are arranged at a maximum position of the first and second stop device.The workpiece carriers are therefore not positioned closer to the changeover area or the machining area than the first and second stop devices. The remaining workpiece carriers are arranged between these workpiece carriers, which are located in the outer positions.

[0049] In a further embodiment of the switch device, it comprises a first fixed part, which is arranged upstream of the first and second support units in the transport direction and is stationary relative to the transport level, and a second fixed part, which is arranged downstream of the first and second support units in the transport direction and is stationary relative to the transport level, wherein the first and / or the second fixed part comprises a conveyor belt, wherein workpiece carriers arranged on the first and second support units can be transported by means of the conveyor belt when the respective workpiece carriers are arranged at the transport level. The first and the second fixed part are thus parts of the switch device which cannot be vertically adjusted by the lifting device and are arranged upstream and downstream of the first and second support units in the transport direction. The first and / or the second fixed part can comprise a drive for the conveyor belt, which can be driven by means of the drive.

[0050] In an advantageous embodiment, the first and second fixed parts comprise a common conveyor belt, by means of which workpiece carriers can be conveyed in the transport direction. Preferably, only the first or only the second fixed part has a drive for driving the common conveyor belt. The common conveyor belt is preferably arranged such that they interact with a workpiece carrier when the latter is arranged at transport level. For this purpose, the workpiece carrier can have a foot that rests on the conveyor belt when the workpiece carrier is arranged at transport level. This allows the workpiece carrier to be conveyed in the transport direction, provided it is not stopped by a stop device.

[0051] By locating the drive and conveyor belt on one or both of the stationary fixed parts, it is possible to avoid the need for a conveyor belt, possibly even with an additional drive, on the first support unit and the second support unit. Furthermore, this avoids the need for the drive to be vertically adjusted when the first and second support units are adjusted. This would significantly increase the weight to be adjusted and make the switch device more expensive overall.

[0052] Furthermore, the first fixed part and the second fixed part can comprise a transport device by means of which workpiece carriers transported from the processing area or the changeover area can be transferred to the first or second carrier unit. In particular, the first fixed part and the second fixed part can have a conveyor belt, possibly a shared conveyor belt, by means of which workpiece carriers can be transported at transport level on the first and / or second fixed part. This conveyor belt can also be driven by the existing drive. Thus, a design can be implemented such that only one drive and only one conveyor belt are required to convey workpiece carriers across the entire switching device.

[0053] In a further embodiment, the first fixed part and the second fixed part each comprise at least one stop device which is designed to stop workpiece carriers transported from the processing area and / or from the changing area at a predetermined position, in particular on the fixed part which is reached first by the workpiece carrier, in particular before they are transferred to the guide device mounted on the first or second carrier unit. With such a stop device, it can be ensured that no transfer of workpiece carriers can take place if none of the carrier units is positioned such that workpiece carriers can be transported at the transport level. Otherwise, the workpiece carriers, together with the workpiece stored thereon, would fall off or slide off the conveyor belt of the fixed part.Workpiece carriers transported from the processing area can be stopped even if the first or second carrier unit is positioned such that workpiece carriers can be transported at the transport level, but workpiece carriers are currently being or are to be fed from the changeover area to the correspondingly positioned carrier unit. The at least one stop device of the first and second fixed part can be designed as a stop cylinder.

[0054] The invention also relates to a method for operating a modular switch device according to one of claims 1 to 7 by means of workpiece carriers, wherein a number of first workpiece carriers predetermined by a control unit is transported from a changeover area of ​​a linear transport system to the first carrier unit and is arranged on the first carrier unit within an area provided for the first workpiece carriers, wherein the control unit, after the predetermined number of first workpiece carriers has been arranged on the first carrier unit, effects a vertical adjustment of the first carrier unit and the second carrier unit, which arranges the second carrier unit in such a way that second workpiece carriers can be transported in a guided manner at the transport level on the guide device comprised by the second carrier unit.

[0055] The first and second workpiece carriers can be structurally different or identical. In particular, the choice of workpiece carrier can depend on the workpiece to be machined.

[0056] Using this method, a predetermined number of first workpiece carriers can be temporarily stored on a first carrier unit, which can then be quickly fed to a processing area as needed. Furthermore, targeted transfer of workpiece carriers with opposite transport directions can be achieved. This allows for a common loading and unloading area for a linear transport system or linear transfer system. Shuttle operation for the linear transport system is also possible.

[0057] Particularly when the workpieces are cables or lines, it can be advantageous to use first and second workpiece carriers that are structurally different. For example, the first workpiece carrier can have a long boom, and the second can have a shorter boom than the first. This can also be reversed, i.e., the first workpiece carrier can have a short boom, and the second workpiece carrier can have a longer boom than the shorter one. The first and second workpiece carriers can also differ structurally from one another in other ways.

[0058] Particularly when using workpiece carriers of different construction, it should be ensured that workpiece carriers of different designs are not processed simultaneously in the machining area, as otherwise undesirable interactions between workpiece carriers of different designs may occur, e.g. via the workpieces stored on them.

[0059] A predetermined number of loaded first workpiece carriers, identical in design to the second workpiece carriers or different in design to the second workpiece carriers, can thus be arranged on the first carrier unit or on the guide device encompassed by the first carrier unit. Once the arrangement of the first workpiece carriers on the first carrier unit is complete, the first and second carrier units can be moved vertically using the lifting device. The control unit controls the vertical adjustment such that the second carrier unit is arranged such that the workpiece carriers can be transported to transport level using these. The first workpiece carriers are thus stored by the first carrier unit at a level above the transport level and can be lowered back to the transport level if necessary.

[0060] In a further embodiment of the method, second workpiece carriers transported from the changeover area to the switch device are guided to the processing area by means of the guide device arranged on the second carrier unit and / or second workpiece carriers transported from the processing area to the switch device are guided to the changeover area by means of the guide device arranged on the second carrier unit. Thus, by means of the guide device mounted on the second carrier unit, a guided transport of workpiece carriers from the processing area to the changeover area or from the changeover area to the processing area takes place, while the first workpiece carriers continue to be arranged or temporarily stored on the first carrier unit. This enables normal operation of the linear transport system, which is not negatively affected by the intermediate storage of the first workpiece carriers.

[0061] In a further embodiment of the method, the control device checks whether the first workpiece carriers stored on the first carrier unit are released for transport to the processing area or to the change area. If the release is granted, the first carrier unit is lowered in such a way that the first workpiece carriers stored on the first carrier unit can be transported to the transport level and, after reaching the transport level, the first workpiece carriers are transported to the processing area or to the change area depending on whether the release has been made. During the release process, the control unit checks, for example, whether there are still second workpiece carriers arranged in the processing area which are to be transferred to the change area provided as the removal area before the processing of the temporarily stored first workpiece carriers. Furthermore, the control unit can check whether there are still second workpiece carriers to be processed with priority, i.e.from the changeover area, which acts as the loading area, to the processing area before the temporarily stored first workpiece carriers are transferred to the processing area. For this purpose, the control unit can be connected to a higher-level production control system, from which the control unit receives corresponding signals.

[0062] If the first workpiece carriers are released, the control unit lowers the first carrier unit so that the first workpiece carriers can be transported at the transport level. If the first workpiece carriers can be transported at the transport level, they are transported from the first carrier unit to the processing area by means of the guide device and the conveyor belt, where they are processed, or the already processed, temporarily stored first workpiece carriers are transported to the changeover area.

[0063] Advantageously, during the transport of the first workpiece carrier to the first workpiece carrier or during the processing of the first workpiece carrier in the processing area, a second workpiece carrier or at least one workpiece stored on the second workpiece carrier is removed in the changeover area. Thus, the first workpiece carriers are processed in parallel, and the workpieces stored on the second workpiece carriers are removed in the changeover area.

[0064] Furthermore, it can be provided that after the removal of the workpieces stored on the second workpiece carrier or the second workpiece carrier, at least one first or one second workpiece carrier, preferably a plurality of first or second workpiece carriers, is provided in the changeover area and fed to the switching device for intermediate storage. The information regarding the number of workpiece carriers to be intermediately stored and whether these should be first or second workpiece carriers can be specified by means of the control unit. Advantageously, these then provided first or second workpiece carriers can be transported to the switching device for intermediate storage and stored temporarily on the first carrier unit before the first workpiece carriers arrive at the switching device from the processing area.

[0065] For further processing of the workpiece carriers, it is advantageous to ensure that the control unit knows whether the first or second workpiece carriers are temporarily stored on the switch device. Alternatively, the first carrier unit intended for intermediate storage can always be used with structurally identical workpiece carriers, i.e., always only the first or always only the second workpiece carriers.

[0066] It is understood that intermediate storage can be carried out not only by means of the first carrier unit, but also by means of the second carrier unit. Short character description

[0067] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference to the accompanying figures. They show: Figure 1 shows a schematic view of the cross section of a first and a second carrier unit of the modular switch device, Figure 2 shows a perspective front view of the modular switch device, Figure 3 shows a perspective rear view of the modular switch device, Figure 4 shows a plan view of a carrier unit of the switch device, Figure 5 shows a flow chart to illustrate an exemplary method sequence when using identically constructed first and second workpiece carriers, and Figure 6 shows a flow chart to illustrate an exemplary method sequence when using structurally different first and second workpiece carriers.

[0068] The figures are merely schematic representations and serve only to illustrate the invention. Identical or equivalent elements are provided with the same reference numerals throughout. Detailed description

[0069] Figure 1shows a schematic side view of a section of the switch device 1. This comprises a first support unit 2, which is arranged horizontally, i.e., substantially perpendicular to the direction of gravity. Furthermore, the switch device 1 comprises a second support unit 3, which is also arranged horizontally. The first support unit 2 and the second support unit 3 are arranged congruently one above the other in a vertical direction V (direction of gravity) and are fixedly spaced from one another. According to Figure 1 the upper carrier unit is the first carrier unit 2 and the carrier unit arranged below the first carrier unit 2 is the second carrier unit 3.

[0070] A guide device 4 is arranged on the first carrier unit 2. The guide device 4 has a longitudinal extension direction perpendicular to the plane of the page. Likewise, the transport direction is perpendicular to the plane of the page. If the first carrier unit 2 is arranged at a transport level, a foot F of a first workpiece carrier WT1 arranged on the guide device 4 or guided by it is connected to the Figure 1 not shown conveyor belt. The first workpiece carrier WT1 can be transported guided to the transport level by means of the conveyor belt and the guide device 4.

[0071] On the second carrier unit 3, a guide device 5 is arranged, by means of which workpiece carrier WT2 arranged thereon interacts with the Figure 1not shown conveyor belt. The guide device 5 also has a longitudinal extension direction perpendicular to the plane of the page. Likewise, the transport direction is in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the page. If the second carrier unit 3 is arranged on a transport level, a foot F of a second workpiece carrier WT2 guided by the guide device 5 is connected to the Figure 1 not shown conveyor belt. The first workpiece carrier WT1 can be transported guided to the transport level by means of the conveyor belt and the guide device 5.

[0072] The guide device 4 and the guide device 5 can be designed essentially identically and arranged identically relative to their carrier unit 2 or 3.

[0073] Figure 1shows a first workpiece carrier WT1, which is arranged on the guide device 4 or guided by it, and a second workpiece carrier WT2, which is arranged on the guide device 5 or guided by it. In Figure 1 The first workpiece carrier WT1 and the second workpiece carrier WT2 are structurally different. However, they can also be structurally identical.

[0074] In Figure 1 For reasons of clarity, the first and second workpiece carriers WT1 and WT2 are not shown loaded. However, they are typically loaded with workpieces, e.g., pipelines, during operation of the switch device 1.

[0075] The first support unit 2 and the second support unit 3 are fixedly supported and arranged on a common wall 10. This wall 10 can comprise one or more rails by which the wall is mounted. The provision of rails allows for easy mounting of the first and second support units 2 and 3 on the wall 10, or for easy mounting of the wall on the switch device 1.

[0076] On the wall 10 there is a cross plate 11, on which a Figure 1a lifting device (not shown) can be mounted. By means of the lifting device, the cross plate 11 can be adjusted together with the wall 10 in a vertical direction V, i.e., upwards and downwards. Preferably, the lifting device is mounted on the cross plate 11 in such a way that no shear forces occur between the cross plate 11 and the lifting device. The cross plate comprises a shock absorber 13, which limits the vertical movement of the first and second support units 2 and 3 upwards and dampens it near a lower end position.

[0077] Furthermore, the first carrier unit 2 and the second carrier unit 3 each comprise at least one sensor 14, preferably a plurality of sensors 14, for detecting the presence of a workpiece carrier at a specific position on the first or second carrier unit 2 or 3.

[0078] At least one stop device in the form of a stopper cylinder 15 is arranged on each of the first carrier unit 2 and the second carrier unit 3. The stopper cylinder serves to stop a workpiece carrier WT1 or WT2 transported by means of the guide device 4 or 5. The workpiece carrier can be stopped in different ways. For example, the workpiece carrier WT1 or WT2 can be brought out of engagement with the conveyor belt, in particular by lifting it. For example, the movement of the workpiece carrier WT1 or WT2 in the transport direction can also be blocked by means of the stopper cylinder, e.g. mechanically. In this case, the foot F is still engaged with the conveyor belt, but the conveyor belt slides under the foot due to the effect of the stopper cylinder.

[0079] According to Figure 1Thus, an assembly of the switch device 1 is shown which is adjustable in the vertical direction V, wherein the first carrier unit 2 and the second carrier unit 3, which are each aligned horizontally, can be raised or lowered together and workpiece carriers WT1, WT2 can be arranged on the respective guide device 4 or 5.

[0080] Figure 2 shows a perspective front view of the switch device 1. This shows a first carrier unit 2 with first workpiece carriers WT1 mounted thereon. Below this, hidden due to the perspective and therefore not provided with reference symbols, a second carrier unit is arranged, on which second workpiece carriers WT2 are arranged. The first carrier unit 2 and the second carrier unit are arranged on the common wall 10 and fixedly spaced from each other, so that a rigid structural unit, namely the assembly adjustable in the vertical direction V as part of the Fig. 1 The switch device 1 shown in FIG. Fig. 1 As can be seen, the wall 10 is aligned substantially in the vertical direction V. From a first, in the illustration of Fig. 1 The support units 2, 3, which are essentially horizontal and parallel to one another, extend from the left side of the wall 10. At an opposite side, in the illustration of Fig. 1 The lifting device engages on the right side of the wall 10.

[0081] In the present case, the second carrier unit is arranged such that it can transport a second workpiece carrier WT2 to the transport level. Furthermore, two second workpiece carriers WT2 are arranged on a first fixed part 17 and a second fixed part 18, also at the transport level.

[0082] The first and second fixed parts 17 and 18 are a part of the switch device 1 that is not vertically adjustable together with the first carrier unit 2 and the second carrier unit. The first and second fixed parts 17 and 18 are arranged in front of and behind the first carrier unit 2 and the second carrier unit in the transport direction and are always arranged during operation of the switch device 1 such that workpiece carriers WT1 and WT2 can be transported at transport level. The first and second fixed parts 17 and 18 each comprise a guide device for guiding, in particular moving, workpiece carriers WT1 and WT2 on the respective fixed part 17 and 18.

[0083] Thus, a workpiece carrier WT1 or WT2 transported from a changeover area or processing area toward the switch device 1 initially enters the switch device 1 on one of the fixed parts 17 or 18, depending on the direction of origin. From the respective fixed part 17 or 18, a workpiece carrier WT1 or WT2 is then transported to the carrier unit whose guide device is arranged such that the workpiece carriers WT1 or WT2 can be transported at transport level. Depending on the operation of the switch device, the workpiece carrier WT1 runs from the first fixed part 17 toward the second fixed part 18 or from the second fixed part 18 toward the first fixed part 17.

[0084] The first and / or the second fixed part 17 or 18 comprise a common, circulating conveyor belt 21, which is guided by means of a Figure 2can be driven by a drive (not shown). The drive can, for example, comprise two pulleys, at least one of which is driven, for example, by a motor. The conveyor belt 21 interacts with the pulleys in such a way that workpiece carriers can be moved or transported by means of the conveyor belt 21.

[0085] The conveyor belt 21 extends as a circulating belt running over the pulleys from the first fixed part 17 to the second fixed part 18. If the first carrier unit 2 or the second carrier unit is arranged at the transport level, a workpiece carrier WT1 or WT2 arranged on the respective guide device 4 or 5 is in engagement with the conveyor belt 21 and can be transported by it in the transport direction.

[0086] In Figure 2The switch device 1 is shown in a state in which a number of first workpiece carriers WT1 are temporarily stored on the first carrier unit 2. The second carrier unit is positioned such that second workpiece carriers WT2 transferred from the first fixed part 17 to the second carrier unit 2 can be transported toward a processing area by means of the switch device. Furthermore, the second carrier unit is also positioned such that workpiece carriers WT2 transferred from the second fixed part 18 to the second carrier unit can be transported toward a changeover area.

[0087] Furthermore, Figure 2 the frame 8 is visible as well as the guide frame 9, by means of which the wall 10 is supported on the guide frame 9.

[0088] Figure 3 shows a perspective rear view of the switch device 1, which in Figure 2 from the front perspective. The switch device 1 is thus in Figure 3shown in the same condition as in Figure 2 . The second carrier unit is further arranged such that by means of this, workpiece carriers, in particular second workpiece carriers WT2, can be transported to transport level, while the first storage unit is arranged elevated relative to the transport level and temporarily stores first workpiece carriers WT1.

[0089] The rear view shows a lifting device 6, which is designed as a pneumatic cylinder 7. The pneumatic cylinder 7 comprises a cylinder base body 71 and a piston 72. The cylinder base body 71 is fixedly mounted on the frame 8. The vertical displacement of the wall 10, including the first and second support units mounted thereon, is supported by the cylinder base body 71 and the frame 8.

[0090] In Figure 3The cylinder base body is connected to the frame 8 by means of a projecting stop plate 11'. The movable piston 72, which is also encompassed by the pneumatic cylinder 7, is mounted at its end on the cross plate 11. By vertically moving the piston 72 relative to the cylinder base body 71 or the frame 8, the cross plate 11, including the wall 10, can be moved vertically.

[0091] Two shock absorbers 12 are arranged in the area of ​​the stationary cylinder base body 71. These are referred to as first shock absorbers 12 because they serve to dampen and position the movement of the first carrier unit 2, specifically a movement such that workpiece carriers WT1 can be transported at a transport level by means of the first carrier unit 2.

[0092] The transport level corresponds to the height level at which workpiece carriers can be transferred from the processing area or the changing area to the switching device 1 or from the switching device 1 to the processing area or the changing area.

[0093] The switch device 1 further comprises two second shock absorbers 13 arranged on the cross plate 11. When the pneumatic cylinder 7 moves the cross plate 11 together with the wall 10 upwards, the second shock absorbers 13 come into contact with a stop arranged on a guide frame 9. This gently brakes the lifting movement until the second carrier unit is positioned such that workpiece carriers can be transported to transport level using this or its guide device. The second shock absorbers 13 therefore serve to position the second carrier unit such that workpiece carriers can be transported to transport level using this.

[0094] The guide frame 9 supports the wall 10 together with the first support unit 2 and the second support unit mounted thereon. In particular, the wall 10 is mounted on the guide frame 9 for vertical movement. For this purpose, the guide frame can have guide rails to enable guided vertical movement.

[0095] The first carrier unit 2 further comprises a first stop device designed as a stop cylinder 15 and a second stop device designed as a stop cylinder 16. These serve to position the first workpiece carrier WT1 on the first carrier unit 2. A corresponding first and second stop device 15 and 16 are also provided for the second carrier unit for positioning the second workpiece carrier WT2. However, these stop devices and the second carrier unit are not shown in the perspective rear view in Figure 3 not visible.

[0096] Furthermore, Figure 3a schematic representation of a control unit 30, by means of which the lifting device 6 or the pneumatic cylinder 7 can be moved in a controlled manner. In particular, the conveyor belt 21 and / or its drive 22 can also be controlled with this control unit 30. Furthermore, the control unit 30 receives a plurality of input variables, for example from the position sensors 14, as well as from the stop devices 15 and 16 on the first carrier unit 2 and on the second carrier unit. Furthermore, the control unit can receive data from a production control system and from a control system for the linear transport system. Based on the acquired data, the carrier units are then lowered or raised by means of the lifting device 6 controlled by the control unit 30.

[0097] For this purpose, the control unit 30 has a machine-readable program code 31 which, when executed, provides a corresponding control of the lifting device and, if applicable, the conveyor belt 21 or the drive 22 for the conveyor belt 21. The program code can be stored in the control unit 30 by means of a memory or can be loaded or accessed by the control unit 30 from another location, e.g., via a network.

[0098] Figure 4shows a schematic plan view of the switch device 1. The first carrier unit 2 can be seen, on whose guide device 4 a plurality of first workpiece carriers WT1 are arranged. This is arranged at the transport level N, i.e. arranged such that first workpiece carriers WT1 can be conveyed from the first carrier unit 2 into the processing area B. It is understood that the first carrier unit 2 is thus also arranged such that first workpiece carriers WT1 can be conveyed from the first carrier unit 2 into the changeover area W.

[0099] In Figure 4It can be seen that a first fixed part 17 is provided upstream of the first carrier unit 2 in the transport direction T and a second fixed part 18 is provided downstream of the first carrier unit 2 in the transport direction. The first fixed part 17 and the second fixed part 18 are not height-adjustable by means of the lifting device, ie they are stationary relative to the frame during a lifting process of the first and second carrier unit.

[0100] The first and second fixed parts 17 and 18, respectively, are arranged such that they can be used to transport workpiece carriers at a transport level N, in particular the transport level N of the linear transport system. For this purpose, the first fixed part 17 and the second fixed part 18 comprise a common conveyor belt.

[0101] The first fixed part 17 and the second fixed part 18 each have a stop device designed as a stopper cylinder 19 or 20 for stopping the movement of workpiece carriers WT1 in or against a specific transport direction T on the respective fixed part 17 or 18.

[0102] If a workpiece carrier WT1 is transported from the processing area B, it is stopped before being handed over to the first carrier unit 2, unless it is intended for handover to the first carrier unit 2. Stopping also occurs, for example, if neither the first carrier unit 2 nor the second carrier unit is arranged in such a way that a workpiece carrier WT1 can be transported to transport level N by means of them. This applies in the same way if a workpiece carrier is transported from the changeover area W to the switch device. Appropriate sensors can be arranged upstream or provided on the respective fixed part 17 or 18, by means of which the presence of a workpiece carrier at the corresponding position or the running-in of a workpiece carrier onto a respective fixed part 17 or 18 can be detected.

[0103] The stop device 19 or 20 on the respective fixed part 17 or 18 ensures that no workpiece carrier is transferred to the first or second carrier unit that is not intended for this purpose. Furthermore, slipping of workpiece carriers WT1 from the incoming conveyor belt is prevented if the first and second carrier units are not arranged in such a way that a workpiece carrier WT1 can be transported to transport level N with them.

[0104] Figure 4 also shows two stop devices designed as stop cylinders 15 and 16, respectively, which are arranged on the first carrier unit 2. A first stop cylinder 16 is arranged in the first quarter or first fifth of the first carrier unit 2 in the transport direction T. A second stop cylinder 15 is arranged in the last quarter or last fifth of the first carrier unit 2 in the transport direction. This arrangement is present in the same way on the second carrier unit.

[0105] These first and second stop cylinders 15 and 16, respectively, serve to position the first workpiece carrier WT1 transferred to the first carrier unit 2 in a desired area of ​​the first carrier unit 2 and to secure it for vertical movement between the first and second stop cylinders 15 and 16, respectively. This is similarly provided for the second carrier unit in order to position workpiece carriers, in particular second workpiece carriers, on this carrier unit in the desired manner.

[0106] Figure 5 shows a flow chart for a schematic sequence of an exemplary method for operating the Figures 1 to 3 The modular switch device described above, wherein the first and second workpiece carriers used are of identical construction. The switch device is arranged between a processing area and a changeover area, wherein the changeover area is designed as an insertion and removal area.

[0107] The process assumes that second workpiece carriers are already being processed in the processing area and that the changeover area is free and the first workpieces can be positioned there on the first workpiece carriers.

[0108] First, workpieces are positioned or inserted on the first workpiece carriers in the changeover area on the conveyor belt.

[0109] In process step S1, the loaded first workpiece carriers are transported from the changeover area to the switching device. The transport takes place at the transport level of the linear transport system.

[0110] In a method step S2, the control unit checks whether the first carrier unit, ie the upper carrier unit, is arranged to receive first workpiece carriers, ie is arranged in such a way that first workpiece carriers can be transferred to it at the transport level.

[0111] In a next process step S3, a predetermined number of first workpiece carriers is transported to the first carrier unit. This predetermined number of first workpiece carriers is stored or can be determined in the control device.

[0112] In a method step S4, the first of the first workpiece carriers in the transport direction is stopped by the first stop device in the transport direction. For this purpose, the stopper cylinder is activated, and the first of the first workpiece carriers in the transport direction runs onto the stopper cylinder, blocking its movement in the transport direction and preventing it from being transported further.

[0113] In a next method step S5, the remaining first workpiece carriers of the specified number are arranged butt-to-butt against the first stopped workpiece carrier. The stopped workpiece carrier positioned upstream in the transport direction acts as a stopping device for subsequent workpiece carriers, since subsequent workpiece carriers run into it and are stopped. The specified number of workpiece carriers is determined such that they can be arranged in a designated area of ​​the first carrier unit, in particular butt-to-butt.

[0114] In a method step S6, the control unit uses position sensors to check the positions of the first workpiece carriers on the first carrier unit. The control unit evaluates whether the workpiece carriers are positioned in the designated area, in particular between a first stop cylinder in the first quarter of the carrier unit in the transport direction and a second stop cylinder in the last quarter of the first carrier unit in the transport direction. If this is not the case, the first workpiece carriers are repositioned until they are positioned in the designated area.

[0115] If positioning is present in the designated area of ​​the first carrier unit, the control unit activates the lifting device in a method step S7 and lifts the first carrier unit, including the first workpiece carriers mounted thereon, as well as the second carrier unit. The lifting occurs in such a way that the second carrier unit is positioned such that the workpiece carriers mounted thereon can be transported at a transport level.

[0116] In a process step S8, second workpiece carriers are then temporarily transported from the processing area via the switching device to the changeover area. Meanwhile, the first workpiece carriers are temporarily stored on the upper level. The first workpiece carriers remain temporarily stored on the upper level until they are released. This release can be communicated from a production control unit to the control unit controlling the lifting device.

[0117] In a process step S9, the control unit checks whether the transport of the temporarily stored workpiece carriers is authorized. This authorization is given when all second workpiece carriers have been transported from the processing area via the second carrier unit to the changeover area, which acts as the removal area for the second workpiece carriers.

[0118] If this is the case, the control unit lowers the first carrier unit in a method step S10 such that the first workpiece carriers stored thereon can be transported to transport level.

[0119] In a process step S11, the first workpiece carriers are transported from the first carrier unit to the processing area and processed there. There, a corresponding finished product is produced from the workpieces, for example, held on the first workpiece carriers.

[0120] In process step S12, the workpieces are removed from the second workpiece carriers and these are loaded with new workpieces, e.g. pipelines.

[0121] A new cycle can then begin, in which first or second workpiece carriers, in particular loaded with workpieces, are prepared for intermediate storage on the switching device and transported thereto. It is understood that the cycle can also be run with intermediately stored second workpiece carriers instead of first workpiece carriers.

[0122] Using such a method, it is possible for a changeover area, which can be used simultaneously as a loading area and as a removal area, to be efficiently operated by only one operator without negatively affecting the productivity of the linear transport system.

[0123] Figure 6shows a variant of the method for first and second workpiece carriers of different designs, for example, the first workpiece carrier can have a long boom and the second workpiece carrier a short boom. Such differently designed workpiece carriers are particularly advantageous in the production of cables. In the method according to Figure 6 the above process steps S1 to S12 are carried out according to Figure 5 go through accordingly.

[0124] When processing first and second workpiece carriers that are structurally different, it is important to avoid having workpiece carriers of different designs arranged simultaneously in the changeover area or for workpiece carriers of different designs to meet on the linear transport system. To operate a linear transport system efficiently, it is advantageous to Figure 5 to further develop the procedures described.

[0125] While in process step S12 the workpieces are removed from the second workpiece carriers and these are equipped with new workpieces, e.g. pipelines, in a process step S13 the first workpiece carriers processed in the processing area are transported back towards the change area.

[0126] However, since second workpiece carriers are positioned in the changeover area, the first workpiece carriers transported from the processing area cannot be transported into the changeover area.

[0127] For this reason, the first workpiece carriers are re-routed by means of the switching device in order to allow the newly loaded second workpiece carriers arranged in the changeover area to pass through without the first and second workpiece carriers meeting each other.

[0128] In a method step S14, the predetermined number of first workpiece carriers arriving from the processing area is arranged on the first carrier unit of the switch device. For this purpose, a check is carried out beforehand to determine whether the first carrier unit is arranged in such a way that first workpiece carriers arriving from the processing area can be arranged on its guide device. If this is not the case, the lifting device is controlled accordingly and the first carrier unit is positioned accordingly. If the method is carried out according to the above method steps S1 to S12, however, the first carrier unit is in a position suitable for receiving first workpiece carriers. The first workpiece carriers transported from the processing area run via the fixed part facing the processing area onto the guide device of the first carrier unit.

[0129] In a method step S15, the first workpiece carrier running in the direction of the change area is stopped by means of a stop device facing the change area on the guide device of the first carrier unit.

[0130] Subsequently, in a method step S16, the predetermined number of first workpiece carriers are arranged butt-to-butt and the positions of the first workpiece carriers on the first carrier unit are checked in a method step S17.

[0131] If the first workpiece carriers are arranged in such a way that the vertical adjustment of the first carrier unit can take place, the first and second carrier units are raised in a method step S18 until the second carrier unit is arranged in such a way that workpiece carriers can be transported to transport level by means of its guide device.

[0132] If the second carrier unit is positioned accordingly, the second workpiece carriers are conveyed from the changeover area via the switching device into the processing area. This occurs in process step S19.

[0133] In a next method step S 20, the control unit checks whether the first workpiece carriers stored on the first carrier unit can be released for further transport into the changeover area, in particular whether all second workpiece carriers from the changeover area have already left the switching device in the direction of the processing area.

[0134] If this is the case, in a method step S21, the first carrier unit can be lowered such that the first workpiece carriers are positioned at transport level. The first workpiece carriers can then be transported by the switching device to the changeover area.

[0135] In a method step S22, the workpieces processed in the processing area, e.g., finished pipes, which are stored on the first workpiece carriers, are removed in the changeover area. The first workpiece carriers arranged in the changeover area can then be reloaded with new workpieces, e.g., pipes. The method can then be repeated from the beginning with step S1. Using the method according to Figure 6 This provides the option of operating a linear transport system with two differently designed workpiece carriers, which are always guided past each other in such a way that production problems are avoided. Furthermore, the removal and insertion of workpieces is also possible using a single changeover area and with only one person. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0136] 1Switch device 2Carrier unit, first 3Carrier unit, second 4Guide device, mounted on the first carrier unit 5Guide device, mounted on the second carrier unit 6Lifting device 7Cylinder 71Cylinder base body 72Piston 8Frame 9Guide frame 10Wall 11Cross plate 11Stop plate 12Shock absorber, first 13Shock absorber, second 14Position sensor 15Stop device, stopper cylinder, first 16Stop device, stopper cylinder, second 17Fixed part, first, upstream of the carrier units in the transport direction 18Fixed part, second, downstream of the carrier units in the transport direction 19Stop device, first fixed part: stopper cylinder 20Stop device, second fixed part: stopper cylinder 21Conveyor belt, arranged for transport at transport level 22Drive for conveyor belt 30Control unit 31Machine-readable program code WChange area BProcessing area WT1Workpiece carrier, first WT2Workpiece carrier, second FFoot of a workpiece carrier TTransport direction NTransport level VVertical direction S1Conveying of loaded first workpiece carriers from the changeover area to the switching device S2Checking step as to whether the first carrier unit is arranged to receive first workpiece carriers S3Transporting the specified number of first workpiece carriers to the first carrier unit S4Stopping the first workpiece carrier in the transport direction S5Arranging the first workpiece carriers butt-to-butt S6Checking the positions of the first workpiece carriers on the first carrier unit S7Lifting the first carrier unit together with the first workpiece carrier until the second carrier unit is arranged to receive second workpiece carriers S8Transporting second workpiece carriers from the processing area to the changeover area S9Checking for release of the first workpiece carriers S10Lowering the first carrier unit to transport workpiece carriers to the processing area S11Transporting the first workpiece carriers towards the processing area S12Removing and loading the workpieces on the secondWorkpieces stored on workpiece carriers in the changeover area S13Transporting first workpiece carriers from the processing area to the switching device S14Transporting the specified number of first workpiece carriers to the first carrier unit S15Stopping the first workpiece carrier in the transport direction S16Arranging the first workpiece carriers butt-to-butt S17Checking the positions of the first workpiece carriers on the first carrier unit S18Lifting the first carrier unit together with the first workpiece carrier until the second carrier unit is arranged to receive second workpiece carriers S19Transporting second workpiece carriers from the changeover area to the processing area S20Checking for release of the first workpiece carriers S21Lowering the first carrier unit to transport workpiece carriers to the changeover area S22Removing and then loading the workpieces stored on the first workpiece carriers in the changeover area

Claims

1. Modular diverting apparatus (1) for intermediate storage of workpiece carriers (WT1, WT2) for a linear transport system, wherein the diverting apparatus (1) is arrangeable between a changeover region (W), in particular an introduction and / or removal region, and a processing region (B) of a linear transport system that transports workpiece carriers (WT1, WT2) at a transport level (N), comprising a first horizontally arranged carrier unit (2) and a second horizontally arranged carrier unit (3), wherein the first and second carrier units (2, 3) are arranged vertically one above the other and are at a fixed distance from one another, wherein mounted on the first carrier unit (2) and the second carrier unit (3) is in each case one guide device (4, 5) by way of which workpiece carriers (WT1, WT2) are transportable in a transporting direction (T), wherein the first carrier unit (2) and the second carrier unit (3) are jointly adjustable in a vertical direction (V) by means of a lifting apparatus (6, 7) in such a way that both the guide device (4) arranged on the first carrier unit (2) and the guide device (5) arranged on the second carrier unit (3) are able to be positioned in such a way that, by means of the respective guide device (4, 5), workpiece carriers (WT1, WT2) are transportable at the transport level (N), characterized in that the workpiece carriers (WT1, WT2) are transportable in the transport direction upon interaction with a transport belt (21), and in that the first and second carrier units (2, 3) are mounted on a common wall (10), wherein the wall (10) is adjustable in the vertical direction (V) by means of the lifting apparatus (6, 7), and in that the vertical adjustment of the wall (10) is limited by a first and a second shock absorber (12, 13), wherein the first shock absorber (12) is arranged in such a way as to limit the vertical adjustment when the guide device (4) mounted on the first carrier unit (2) is positioned in such a way that workpiece carriers (WT1, WT2) arrangeable thereon are transportable at the transport level (N), wherein the second shock absorber (13) is arranged in such a way as to limit the vertical adjustment when the guide device (5) mounted on the second carrier unit (3) is positioned in such a way that workpiece carriers (WT1, WT2) arrangeable thereon are transportable at the transport level (N).

2. Modular diverting apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the lifting apparatus (6, 7) is in the form of a pneumatic cylinder (7) having a cylinder main body (71), which is positionally fixed relative to a framework (8) and is mounted on the framework (8), and a piston (72), which is adjustable in a controlled manner in the vertical direction (V), wherein the piston (72), in particular the end thereof, is mounted on a transverse plate (11) that is arranged on the wall (10).

3. Modular diverting apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of sensors (14) for detecting the position of workpiece carriers (WT1, WT2) is arranged on the first and on the second carrier unit (2, 3).

4. Modular diverting apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, on the first carrier unit (2) and / or on the second carrier unit (3), there are / is arranged in each case at least one stopping apparatus (15, 16), in particular stopper cylinder, by means of which the movement of the workpiece carriers (WT1, WT2) on the respective guide device (4, 5) is stoppable at a predefined position.

5. Modular diverting apparatus according to Claim 4, wherein, on the first carrier unit (2) and / or on the second carrier unit (3), there are / is arranged in each case at least one first and one second stopping apparatus (15, 16) by means of which the position of workpiece carriers (WT1, WT2) is limitable to a position between the first stopping apparatus (15) and the second stopping apparatus (16) on the respective guide device (4, 5).

6. Modular diverting apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a first fixed part (17), which is arranged in front of the first and second carrier units (2, 3) in the transport direction (T) and is positionally fixed relative to the transport level (N), and a second fixed part (18), which is arranged behind the first and second carrier units (2, 3) in the transport direction (T) and is positionally fixed relative to the transport level (N), wherein the first and / or the second fixed part (17, 18) comprise(s) a transport belt (21), wherein, by means of the transport belt (21), workpiece carriers (WT1, WT2) arranged on the first or second carrier unit (2, 3) are transportable when they are arranged at the transport level (N).

7. Modular diverting apparatus according to Claim 6, wherein the first fixed part (17) and the second fixed part (18) each comprise at least one stopping apparatus (19, 20) which is configured to stop at a predefined position, in particular on the first or second fixed part (17, 18), workpiece carriers transported in from the processing region (B) and / or from the changeover region (W), in particular before said workpiece carriers are transferred to the guide device (4, 5) mounted on the first or second carrier unit (2, 3).

8. Method for operating a modular diverting apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims using workpiece carriers, wherein, from a changeover region (W) of a linear transport system, a number, predefined by a control unit (30), of first workpiece carriers (WT1) is transported (S3) onto the first carrier unit (2) and is arranged (S4, S5) on the first carrier unit (2) within a region intended for the first workpiece carriers (WT1), wherein, after arrangement of the predefined number of first workpiece carriers (WT1) on the first carrier unit (2), a vertical adjustment of the first carrier unit (2) and the second carrier unit (3) is brought about (S7) by the control unit (30), the second carrier unit (3) being arranged by said vertical adjustment in such a way that, by means of the guide device (5) mounted on the second carrier unit (3), second workpiece carriers (WT2) are transportable in a guided manner at the transport level (N).

9. Method according to Claim 8, wherein second workpiece carriers (WT2) transported from the changeover region (B) to the diverter apparatus (1) are transported in a guided manner to the processing region (B) by means of the guide device (5) arranged on the second carrier unit (3), and / or second workpiece carriers (WT2) transported from the processing region (B) to the diverter apparatus (1) are transported in a guided manner to the changeover region (W) by means of the guide device (5) arranged on the second carrier unit (3).

10. Method according to Claim 8 or 9, wherein, by means of the control device (30), it is checked (S9, S20) whether the first workpiece carriers (WT1) mounted on the first carrier unit (2) are cleared for transport into the processing region (B) or for transport into the changeover region (W), wherein, in the case of clearance, the first carrier unit (2) is lowered (S10) in such a way that first workpiece carriers (WT1) mounted on the first carrier unit (2) are transportable at transport level (N) and, after the transport level (N) has been reached, the first workpiece carriers (WT1) are transported (S11, S21) to the processing region (B) or to the changeover region (W) according to the clearance realized.

11. Method according to one of Claims 8 to 10, wherein, during the transport of the first workpiece carriers (WT1) to the processing region (B) or during processing of the first workpiece carriers (WT1) therein, at least one second workpiece carrier (WT2) or one workpiece mounted on the second workpiece carrier (WT2) is removed (S12) in the changeover region (W).