POSITIONING DEVICE FOR A TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENT AND TRANSPORT ARRANGEMENT

Description

State of the art

[0001] A positioning device for a transport arrangement is proposed, wherein the transport arrangement comprises at least one rail and one transport unit. The positioning device provides a base module with a positioning section and a rail coupling section.

[0002] Mobile and / or rollable transport units, such as trolleys, are used in a wide variety of areas. In manufacturing and / or processing environments, for example, small load carriers are transported on rollable units, so-called floor rollers. To guide such transport units, in particular floor rollers, rails are attached to the floor at relevant locations, especially storage locations, which allow the transport units to be positioned and / or secured. So-called monorails are used as rails, for example. In the prior art, positioning units are known for this purpose, which provide for the installation of brushes on the rails so that the brushes secure the rollable units in this area. The brushes used are subject to high levels of wear.

[0003] The document DE 10 2011 005 478 A1 describes a device for fixing at least one mobile transport device, which has a channel-like input area and an adjoining locking area, wherein a stop or closure is provided at the end of the locking area.

[0004] From US 2011 / 240 416 A1 a wheel restraint system for blocking a wheel on a loading ramp is known. Disclosure of the invention

[0005] A positioning device for a transport arrangement with the features of claim 1 is proposed. Furthermore, a transport arrangement with the positioning device is proposed. Preferred and / or advantageous embodiments emerge from the subclaims, the description, and the accompanying figures.

[0006] A positioning device is proposed. The positioning device is designed and / or provided in particular for a transport arrangement, in particular for use and / or integration or supplementation of the transport arrangement. The positioning device can be referred to in particular as a positioning bay for the transport arrangement. In particular, the positioning device is designed to "hold in position" and / or fix a component, in particular the transport unit. The transport arrangement is preferably designed and / or configured for use in a manufacturing, producing, and / or processing environment, for example in a factory or assembly. For example, the transport arrangement is designed to transport material, tools, and / or workpieces. Particularly preferably, the transport arrangement forms an arrangement for floor rollers and / or for the guided transport of goods and / or objects.The positioning device is specifically a modular positioning device.

[0007] The transport arrangement comprises at least one rail and at least one transport unit. The rail is designed, for example, as a monorail. The rail is designed for mounting and / or fastening to a floor, for example a factory floor. The rail is designed, in particular, to specify, guide and / or determine the transport path of the transport unit. In particular, a plurality of rails, in particular parallel rails, are provided, wherein the rails are designed to accommodate wheels or rollers spaced apart in the transverse direction. The transport unit is designed, in particular, to be rollable and / or mobile. For example, the transport unit forms a carriage, a floor roller and / or a unit with rollers or wheels. The transport unit comprises at least one, preferably a plurality, of rollers; alternatively and / or additionally, the transport unit comprises at least one or more wheels.In particular, the terms roller and wheel are used essentially synonymously and / or interchangeably in the following. The transport unit particularly preferably has wheel axles or roller axles. The wheel axles are spaced apart in a direction of travel. The direction of travel is preferably aligned in the same direction as a longitudinal extent, in particular the longitudinal extent of the transport unit and / or the longitudinal extent of the rail. In the case of a curved rail, the longitudinal extent is understood to be the local approach, for example a tangent to the rail. The rail has a first guide groove. The guide groove is designed to receive and / or guide at least one of the rollers and / or at least one wheel. The guide groove has in particular a guide groove base. The guide groove in particular comprises two side walls which, together with the guide groove base, form and / or delimit the groove. For guiding and / or using the transport arrangement orIn the transport unit, the roller and / or the wheel are arranged in the guide groove so that the trajectory and / or rolling path is predetermined by the guide groove or rail.

[0008] The positioning device comprises a base module. The base module is designed in particular for assembly, connection and / or arrangement with or in the rail. In particular, the base module is formed in one piece. The base module comprises a positioning section and a rail coupling section. In particular, the positioning section can be understood as a concave recess in the base module, wherein the rail coupling section can be understood, for example, as the outer side or convex shell of the base module. The rail coupling section is designed for insertion into the first guide groove. The inserted rail coupling section is held in a form-fitting manner by the first guide groove in the inserted state, wherein form-fitting is understood with respect to the transverse direction. In the inserted state, the base module is particularly preferably displaceable in the longitudinal direction or direction of travel.For example, the shape and / or contour of the rail coupling section corresponds to the contour and / or shape of the first guide groove.

[0009] The positioning section is designed in particular to hold, position and / or fix the wheel and / or the roller. In particular, the positioning section is designed to receive the wheel and / or the roller, in particular to hold and / or position it in a form-fitting manner in the transverse and / or longitudinal directions. The positioning section has a second guide groove. Furthermore, the positioning section, in particular the second guide groove, comprises a driveable base section. In this respect, driveable means in particular driveable for the at least one wheel and / or the at least one roller. The base section can be made entirely of one material, for example the material of the base module; alternatively, the base section can have a material recess, so that the base section is supplemented or formed by an underlying level, for example the guide groove base.The base section has a depression for positioning and / or securing the transport unit, in particular the at least one wheel and / or roller of the transport unit. The depression is designed, for example, as a recess and / or a valley which is delimited in the longitudinal direction or direction of travel by two elevations or mountains. In particular, the depression can be understood as a depression of potential energy. The depression is designed, for example, in the shape of a parabola, a triangular shape, an arc of a circle or like a potential well. The guide groove is designed to be continuous and / or open in a longitudinal direction or in the direction of travel. In particular, this means that the guide groove or the base module has no end, so that the transport unit can roll in and / or out from both sides.

[0010] The proposed positioning device allows positioning of the transport unit in the longitudinal and / or transverse directions. The positioning device allows positioning locations to be subsequently added to an existing system of a transport arrangement and / or a rail. In particular, the proposed positioning device can be removed from the transport arrangement after use in a reversible and reusable manner. Due to its open design in the longitudinal direction, the positioning device or the basic module is versatile, particularly for use in different directions of travel of a transport unit.

[0011] One embodiment provides that the basic module has an input area and an output area. In particular, the input area and output area are of identical design and / or preferably serve to conceptually distinguish between the two ends. The input area and output area are in particular arranged at a distance from one another in the longitudinal direction and / or form an end area of ​​the basic module. In particular, the input area and output area are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction and / or form the ends of the positioning section of the second guide groove. In particular, the input area and output area are part of the positioning section and / or the second guide groove. A valley area is arranged between the input area and the output area. The valley area is in particular also part of the second guide groove. In particular, the input area, the output area and the valley area comprise part of the base section.The base section is higher in the entry and / or exit areas than in the valley area. In particular, the entry and exit areas are higher than the guide groove base when the base module is inserted. The base section in the valley area can be positioned at the same height or a few millimeters higher when inserted. In particular, for example, if there is a material recess or a hole in the valley area, the guide groove base can form part of and / or supplement the base of the valley area.

[0012] In particular, it is provided that the sink is symmetrical; in particular, the sink is symmetrical between the input region and the output region, particularly in the valley region. Symmetrical can be understood, for example, as symmetrical with respect to a vertex or a minimum in the valley region. Symmetrical is particularly preferably understood as axial symmetry with respect to a perpendicular bisector between the input region and the output region. For example, the sink is parabolic, triangular, potential well-shaped, or as a section of a circular arc.

[0013] One embodiment of the invention provides that the base module has an opening, a material recess, a hole, or a recess in the intermediate region and / or in the valley region. For example, in the region of this opening, the material recess, the hole, and / or the recess, the guide groove base forms a base and / or support for the accommodated wheels and / or rollers.

[0014] It is particularly preferred that the base module, for example in the positioning section and / or the second guide groove, has a taper for positioning the transport unit, in particular the wheels and / or the rollers. The taper is, in particular, a taper in the transverse direction. In particular, the taper is narrowest in the valley area, widening toward the entry and exit areas.

[0015] It is particularly preferred that the base module has at least two coupling interfaces. The coupling interfaces are designed, in particular, for reversible coupling with a counter-interface. The coupling interfaces are arranged, in particular, at a distance from one another in the longitudinal direction, for example, in the region of the input area and the output area. The coupling interfaces serve, in particular, to couple the modular components of the positioning device. In particular, the coupling interfaces are designed as plug-in interfaces, clip interfaces, form-fitting interfaces, mechanical and / or electromagnetic interfaces.

[0016] The positioning device comprises at least one drive-on module. The drive-on module has a counter interface for connecting and / or coupling to one of the coupling interfaces. In particular, for use of the positioning device, it is provided that the counter interface of the drive-on module is connected to the coupling interface in the input area. In particular, the drive-on module can also form a drive-off module, which is coupled, for example, in the output area of ​​the base module. The drive-on module comprises a drive-on groove, in particular for receiving and / or guiding the wheel and / or roller. In particular, the drive-on module forms a transition from the first guide groove to the second guide groove. The drive-off module forms, in particular, a transition from the second guide groove to the first guide groove. The drive-on module, in particular the drive-on groove, comprises a drive-on module base section, wherein the drive-on module base section has an incline.The slope of the drive-on module floor section slopes upwards in the longitudinal direction and / or direction of travel, in other words, from one groove entrance to one groove exit and / or from the first guide groove to the second guide groove. For use as a drive-off module, the slope is designed to slope downwards in the direction of travel or longitudinal direction, in order to reach the height level of the first guide groove from the height level in the exit area.

[0017] One embodiment of the invention provides that the positioning device has a terminal module. The terminal module is designed to be coupled to the base module. The terminal module has, in particular, a mating interface. The terminal module is designed, in particular, to be coupled to the coupling interfaces of the base module in the output area for its use. The terminal module is designed to form a cover and / or a closure for the second guide groove and / or the base module. In particular, the terminal module can form a cover and / or a closure for the rail of the transport arrangement. Particularly preferably, the terminal module forms a closure and a cover for the rail, the first guide groove, the base module and the second guide groove. One embodiment of the invention provides that the base module comprises an assembly interface.In particular, the base module can comprise a side section, for example a wing section, wherein the mounting interface is arranged, for example, in this area. The mounting interface is designed to connect, fix and / or lock the base module in or with the guide rail. For example, the mounting interface is designed to prevent displacement of the base module in the longitudinal direction in the first guide groove or relative to the rail. Particularly preferably, the mounting interface comprises a screw connection and / or a connection for a clamp-lock connection. For example, a screw can be used for this purpose to clamp the base module and rail.

[0018] It is particularly preferred that the base module, the ramp module, and / or the end module are formed from a plastic, in particular hard plastic. In particular, the base module, the ramp module, and / or the end module are formed as injection-molded parts.

[0019] A further subject of the invention is a transport arrangement with the positioning device. The transport arrangement comprises the rail and the transport unit. The positioning device is inserted and / or arranged in the first guide groove of the rail. The base module is designed to accommodate the at least one roller and / or the at least one wheel of the transport unit and / or serves to fix and position the transport unit.

[0020] Further effects, configurations, and advantages are evident from the attached figures and their description. They show: Figure 1 an embodiment of a positioning device; Figure 2 Section of a transport arrangement;

[0021] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a positioning device 1 with a base module 2, a drive-on module 3, and a terminal module 4. The positioning device, in particular the modules 2, 3, 4, are made of a plastic, a hard plastic. The modules 2, 3, 4 form a modular system. The base module 2 here provides two coupling interfaces 5a and 5b, which can be connected and / or coupled to a counter-coupling interface 6 of the drive-on module 3 and a counter-coupling interface 6 of the terminal module 4.

[0022] The base module 2 comprises a positioning section 7, which forms a second guide groove, and a rail coupling section 8 for connection and / or insertion into a rail. For example, the positioning section 7 is understood to be the convex and / or inner region of the groove, with the rail coupling section 8 forming, for example, the outer shell of this groove. The base module 2 has a longitudinal extension L, with the second guide groove running in the same direction. The base module 2 and in particular the positioning section 7 have an inlet region 9 and an outlet region 10, with the valley region 11 arranged between them. The inlet region 9 is designed to slope downwards towards the valley region 11, with the outlet region 10 being designed to slope upwards away from the valley region 11, so that the valley region 11 forms a depression in which the rollers and / or the wheel of the transport unit can be held and / or fixed.The valley region 7 comprises in particular a recess arranged between the regions 9 and 10.

[0023] In order to move the wheel and / or roller of the transport unit from a guide groove base of the rail to the higher entrance area 9 of the base module 2, the drive-on module 3 is provided, which comprises a drive-on module base section 12, a groove entrance 13, and a groove exit 14. The drive-on module 3 is designed such that the drive-on module base section 12 rises from the groove entrance 13 to the groove exit 14, in particular so that the elevation and / or height of the entrance area 9 of the base module 2 is reached at the groove exit 14.

[0024] To close off the base module 2 and / or a rail of the transport arrangement, the end module 4 is provided, which comprises an end wall 15 which, when the counter interface 6 of the end module 4 is connected to the coupling interfaces 5b, closes off the second groove of the base module, in particular the first groove of the rail and / or the rail.

[0025] Furthermore, the base module 7 comprises a mounting interface 16. The mounting interface 16 is arranged, for example, in a wing section 17 of the base module, wherein in this embodiment it is provided that the base module 7 is connected and / or clamped to the rail by using a screw connection.

[0026] Figure 2shows the arrangement of the positioning device 1 in a transport arrangement 18. The transport arrangement 18 comprises the transport unit 19 and the rail 20. The transport unit 19 comprises wheels 21 which are guided in the rail 20. In order to position and / or fix the transport unit 19 in a position, the positioning device 1 is connected to the rail 20, in particular by means of the mounting interface 16, which forms a screw connection between the base module 1 and the rail 20. In particular, it can be seen that the end module 4 closes off the rail 20. In particular, Figure 2 that the drive-on module 3 can also be used as a drive-off module 4.

Claims

1. Positioning device (1) for a transportation assembly (18), wherein the transportation assembly (18) has at least one rail (20) and a transportation unit (19) having at least one roller and / or at least one wheel, wherein the rail (20) has a first guide groove having a first guide groove base, wherein for guiding the transportation unit (19) the at least one roller and / or the at least one wheel is disposed in the first guide groove, having a main module (2), wherein the main module (2) comprises a positioning portion (7) and a rail coupling portion (8), wherein the rail coupling portion (8) is designed for insertion into the first guide groove and / or for being held in a form-fitting manner by the first guide groove, characterized in that the positioning portion (7) has a second guide groove and a base portion which is able to be travelled on by the at least one wheel and / or the at least one roller, wherein the base portion has a depression for positioning and / or fixing the transportation unit (19), wherein the guide groove is designed to be continuous and / or open in a longitudinal direction of the main module (2).

2. Positioning device (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the main module (2) has an entry region (9) and an exit region (10), wherein the entry region (9) and the exit region (10) are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction, and a valley region (11) is disposed between the entry region (9) and the exit region (10), wherein the base portion in the entry region (9) and / or the exit region (10) is at a higher level than in the valley region (11).

3. Positioning device (1) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the depression between the entry region (9) and the exit region (10) is formed symmetrically with respect to the valley region (11).

4. Positioning device (1) according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that in an inserted state of the main module (2) in the guide rail, the base portion in the valley region (11) is disposed at the same height level as the first guide groove base.

5. Positioning device (1) according to one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the main module (2) in the intermediate region forms a breakthrough and / or a material clearance.

6. Positioning device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second guide groove has a taper for positioning the transportation unit (19) in a transverse direction.

7. Positioning device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the main module (2) has two coupling interfaces (5a,b), wherein the coupling interfaces (5a,b) are disposed so as to be spaced apart in the longitudinal direction.

8. Positioning device (1) according to Claim 7, characterized by a ramp module (3), wherein the ramp module (3) has a mating interface for connecting to one of the coupling interfaces (5a,b), wherein the ramp module (3) has a ramp groove having a ramp module base portion (12), wherein the ramp module base portion (12) is designed so as to ascend from a groove entry (13) to a groove exit (14).

9. Positioning device (1) according to Claim 7 or 8, characterized by an end module (4), wherein the end module (4) has a mating interface for connecting to one of the coupling interfaces (5a,b), wherein the end module (4) in conjunction with the coupling interface (5a,b) forms an end and / or a cover for the second guide groove.

10. Positioning device (1) according to one of Claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the coupling interface (5a,b) is formed as a clip, a latching and / or hook interface.

11. Positioning device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the main module (2) has an assembly interface (16) for connecting, locking and / or fixing the main module (2) and the guide rail.

12. Positioning device (1) according to Claim 11, characterized in that the assembly interface (16) is designed for a threaded connection and / or a clamped connection.

13. Positioning device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the main module (2), the ramp module (3) and / or the end module (4) are formed from a plastics material.

14. Transportation assembly (18) having the positioning device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, having a rail (20) and a transportation unit (19), wherein the positioning device (1) is inserted into and / or disposed in a first guide groove of the rail (20), wherein the main module (2) is designed for receiving the at least one roller and / or the at least one wheel of the transportation unit (19).