Support for a rail-mounted floor conveyor and rail-mounted floor conveyor with support

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a support for a rail-mounted industrial conveyor, comprising a hollow profile, at least one of whose cavities is enclosed by a wall.

[0002] The invention further relates to a rail-mounted industrial conveyor with such a support, the wheels of which are in contact with at least one pair of rails and which is movable on these, wherein the rail-mounted industrial conveyor can be loaded with a load on a loading platform.

[0003] The rails (or pairs of rails) referred to here are primarily, but not exclusively, those distributed by the applicant in accordance with DE 4318383 C1 or WO 2014 / 032699 A1. This type of round rail has proven highly effective in practice due to its simple design and ease of manufacture. Furthermore, the round profile allows for the safe guidance of a rail-mounted industrial conveyor (hereinafter referred to simply as a conveyor) with concave wheel contact surfaces. The special shape of the rollers enables very low rolling resistance and precise guidance of the system. Even objects weighing several tons can be moved manually. Another advantage for factory floors is that the rail can be installed almost flush with the floor, thus ensuring that the freedom of movement of other vehicles is not restricted.In contrast to U-shaped rails in which the wheels of industrial trucks run, the risk of contamination of the rails is significantly reduced.

[0004] The conveyors and rail systems are frequently used for flow production. This means that the conveyors are loaded with a load, transported to various stations where the load is processed, and finally unloaded again.

[0005] These loads can vary significantly in weight and dimensions from one location to another. Manufacturing these material handling vehicles requires custom-built units tailored to the operator's specific needs. These vehicles typically feature welded steel frame constructions, the dimensions of which are determined by the size of the loads to be transported. These frame constructions must be correspondingly rigid and resistant to heat, which generally results in a high weight.

[0006] Currently, wheel cassettes with one or more bearing-mounted wheels are being manufactured in a satisfactory but nonetheless complex manner. These cassettes must be connected to the previously constructed steel frame. An example of such a cassette housing is shown in DE 20 2019 100 904 U1. Understandably, the track gauge must be precisely maintained.

[0007] EP 1155937 describes a carriage for rail systems with substantially right-angled rail crossings, equipped with liftable and lowerable rollers that can be engaged with one of the rail pairs by lowering and disengaged from one by raising. A rail-guided AGV from Strothmann - Precision and energy efficiency in flow assembly up to 100 t, XP055927213, https: / / www.youtube.com / watch?v=OiNpp32zf6g, is known from the video "Track-guided AGVs from Strothmann - Precision and energy efficiency in flow assembly up to 100 t", XP055927213, https: / / www.youtube.com / watch?v=OiNpp32zf6g.

[0008] The purpose of the invention is to simplify the design and manufacturing effort of a rail-mounted industrial conveyor.

[0009] The problem is solved with regard to a rail-mounted industrial conveyor with the features of claim 1 and in particular by the fact that the wall on the side adjacent to the rails has at least one groove-shaped recess into which the axle or axle bearing of one or more wheels can be accommodated and the wall has a recess for at least a part of a wheel.

[0010] This allows the axle or axle bearing to be recessed into the support and secured there. In any case, the wheel axle is housed in the recess and thus protected from dirt and collisions. For the recess to accommodate the wheel bearings, a downward-facing opening the width of the wheel axle or bearing is necessary in the area designated for this purpose. The wheel axles or bearings can then be easily inserted into the recess if there is a cutout, such as a milled-out section in the support profile, for the wheel itself. The cutout is located in the area of ​​the hollow profile or at the point on the support that, during later operation of the material handling system, lies directly above a rail. It is also advantageous if the support has a length that spans the track gauge. Since the track gauge is known, a cutout for at least part of a wheel is then provided in the wall at intervals corresponding to the track gauge.

[0011] It is advantageous if the indentation extends over the length of the support.

[0012] In this case, only one support profile is needed to build a conveyor for different track gauges. Depending on the size of the recess for the wheels, the wheels can even be moved to change the track gauge if required. The axle remains in the recess.

[0013] Preferably, the recess is adapted in its outer contour to the outline of the axle or axle bearing of one or more wheels.

[0014] This means that the axle or axle bearing can be inserted into the recess from the outside of the support and secured there, for example, with retaining devices. An axle typically has a circular cross-section, so the recess in the wall is sensibly shaped as a semicircle at its deepest point. The same applies when an axle bearing is used, such as a ball or roller bearing around an axle journal on the wheel. However, it is also possible to make the recess at least nearly rectangular in order to accommodate a small bearing block.

[0015] Advantageously, the carrier has a releasable clamping device for the axle or axle bearing.

[0016] If a removable clamping device is used instead of the potential screw fastening of the retaining means for the axle or axle bearing, the wheel spacing can be precisely adjusted to the track width of the rails at the installation site.

[0017] A simple and advantageous option is a tab bridging the recess, which allows the axle or axle bearing to be fixed in the recess.

[0018] Such a tab can be attached to the wall of the hollow profile via a simple screw connection and secures the wheel by spanning the bearing.

[0019] Preferably, at least one pressure or force sensor is integrated into the recess between the wall and the axle or axle bearing.

[0020] Such a sensor can be used to determine the forces acting on the wheel or wheel bearing. Excessive loads could damage the bearing, and the sensors can trigger an alarm in this case. If multiple pressure or force sensors are present, for example, under four wheels, uneven load distribution on the loading platform of the forklift can also be detected.

[0021] It is advantageous if the recess in the wall for the wheels has an encapsulation.

[0022] This prevents dirt from the wheels from entering the cavity of the carrier.

[0023] It is preferred if the hollow profile includes an extruded profile.

[0024] Such a profile is easy to manufacture. It should generally be made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. These are customizable in dimensions and stiffness, readily available as purchased components, and easily bolted together with suitable fasteners. The welding work previously required for steel sheet and steel profile frames is eliminated. Such an extruded profile is also significantly lighter than a comparable welded steel sheet construction. The ends can be closed with caps.

[0025] Alternatively, it is preferred if the hollow profile includes an extruded profile.

[0026] In this case, a lightweight material is also used for the hollow profiles, in particular fiber-reinforced plastic. These hollow profiles can also have end caps.

[0027] It is beneficial if the carrier has further recesses in the form of undercut grooves, to which further components suitable for the rail-mounted industrial conveyor can be attached using T-nuts.

[0028] These grooves can typically be integrated into the extruded or drawn profile during the manufacturing process. A wide variety of objects can be easily attached using these grooves, which would be significantly more complex with welded constructions. These objects can include signs, lamps, connecting tabs, or even tie rods or coupling rods.

[0029] The cavity is advantageously filled with a material that stiffens the support.

[0030] Suitable filler materials include, in particular, curable plastics or foams, which are lightweight but can significantly contribute to stiffening and reducing deflection in very wide industrial conveyors.

[0031] With regard to the rail-mounted industrial conveyor, the problem is solved by the fact that it has at least one support as described above.

[0032] Therefore, one can assume a single support or several coupled supports, depending on the desired dimensions of the industrial truck or the load to be transported.

[0033] It is advantageous if the rail floor conveyor is covered with a support plate that can accommodate a load to be transported.

[0034] This support plate can, for example, be removable and replaced by a smaller or larger one. It can have centering pins. Two supports are then spaced accordingly.

[0035] It is also advantageous if two or more hollow profiles are connected and arranged one above the other.

[0036] This allows the height of the conveyor to be adjusted. Manual processing steps are often performed on the load being transported while on these conveyors. Adjusting the height of the conveyor also allows for different working heights to be set. The hollow profiles can have the same cross-section, although their lengths do not have to be identical.

[0037] In everyday operation of the now very lightweight industrial truck, it can be advantageous if it has at least one transport wheel and a handle for manual transport.

[0038] Especially if the rail transport of the industrial truck to the load unloading station only takes place in one direction, the empty industrial truck can therefore be manually driven back to the starting position due to its low weight.

[0039] The invention will now be explained with reference to the illustrative drawings. These show Fig. 1 a three-dimensional view of a wheeled carrier, essentially from the underside Fig. 2 a cross-section through the beam of Fig. 1 with a partial cut through a wheel Fig. 3 a three-dimensional representation of a wheel including wheel axle on a circular rail, Fig. 4 a side view of a floor conveyor according to the invention Fig. 5 Two superimposed hollow support profiles for height adjustment.

[0040] In Fig. 1 The figure shows a carrier according to the invention in three-dimensional form, which, already equipped with wheels, represents a very narrow, complete industrial conveyor 1. The view is therefore essentially of the underside of the carrier 2.

[0041] The hollow profile 3 is clearly recognizable as an extruded profile, preferably made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. Alternatively, and depicted in the same way, it could also be an extruded hollow profile made of a fiber-reinforced plastic. The view of the end face reveals the cavities 4. These are surrounded by the outer wall 5 and, in this embodiment, can also include struts 23 for stiffening the hollow profile 3. Additionally, the at least one cavity 4 can be filled with a material that stiffens the support 2.

[0042] The wall 5 has a recess 6 extending over the entire length of the hollow profile. The contour of the recess is precisely adapted to the axle 9 of the wheel 8. However, the recess could also be designed in the profile such that a bearing of the wheel 8 can be accommodated within it. In this embodiment, the wheel axles are fixed by means of tabs 13, but may still be rotatable.

[0043] The Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a carrier 2 equipped with a total of four wheels 8, two on each side, spaced exactly at the track gauge of the rails on which the forklift equipped with the carrier is to travel. This unit in itself already constitutes a narrow forklift.

[0044] Fig. 2 shows a longitudinal section through beam 2. Fig. 1 and also by a wheel (on the left side). The narrow industrial conveyor 1 therefore has four wheels 8 (of which only 2 are visible) and a load-bearing surface 10. In this view, the recess 7 for part of the wheel 8 in the hollow profile 3 is more clearly visible. The recess 7 can also be provided with an encapsulation 15 towards the hollow profile 3 so that no dirt from the wheels can enter the hollow profile 3. The axles 9 of the wheel 8 lie exactly in the recess 6. On the right side, a pressure or force sensor 14 is also indicated, which can be used to determine the load on the industrial conveyor.

[0045] The cross-section of the wheel, including the axle, illustrates one possible way in which the wheel 8 is positioned in the recess 6. A clamping device 12 is shown, which, when a screw is tightened, secures the axle firmly against the side walls of the recess. Additionally, the tab 13 prevents the wheel from falling out of the recess. The wheel itself rotates on a small roller bearing 19 on the axle 9.

[0046] In Fig. 3 The advantage offered by the concavely machined wheel circumference 18 becomes apparent when it is in contact with a round rail 11 distributed by the applicant. Although the rail can be recessed into the floor and does not pose a tripping hazard or obstacle, the wheel 8 is guided securely and stably in the track. With this arrangement, even the heaviest loads can be transported safely on the newly created lightweight industrial conveyor.

[0047] To demonstrate the versatility of the possible applications of the rail-mounted industrial conveyor 2 according to the invention, the following are shown in Fig. 4 Two such supports 2.1 and 2.2 are provided with a support plate 17. With appropriate centering devices and connecting elements (not shown), a floor conveyor 1 with a large conveying surface can be created in this way. The connecting elements can, for example, be fastened with T-nuts in the undercut grooves 16 provided on the hollow profile 3.

[0048] Fig. 5 shows that the height of the industrial conveyor 1 can also be changed via the hollow profiles 3, namely by preferably placing identical hollow profiles 3, 3.1, 3.2 on top of each other and also fixing them with connecting tabs 22, which are attached, for example, via T-nuts in undercut grooves 16.

[0049] Since the entire industrial conveyor 1 has become a relatively lightweight vehicle due to the use of hollow profiles, it can be moved by just one person away from the tracks 11 with track gauge S, even when it is not carrying a load. For this purpose, in this embodiment, according to... Fig. 5 Additional transport rollers 20 are attached to the forklift and a handle 21 is fitted. The handle is used to lift the forklift on one side until the rollers touch the floor and the edges 8 are lifted from the rail 11. The forklift can then be moved manually to another location.

[0050] The hollow profile 3 can itself represent the support 2. Furthermore, the hollow profile 3 overlaps both rails. The hollow profile 3 thus has a length that exceeds the track gauge of the rails 11.

[0051] Carrier 2 is preferably designed as a single piece and manufactured seamlessly. Reference symbol list

[0052] 1 Rail conveyor 2, 2.1, 2.2 Beam 3, 3.1, 3.2 Hollow profile 4 Cavity 5 Wall 6 Recess 7 Cutout 8 Wheel 9 Wheel axle or bearing 10 Load bearing surface 11 Rail, round rail 12 Clamping device 13 Tab 14 Pressure or force sensor 15 Encapsulation 16 Undercut grooves 17 Support plate 18 Concave wheel circumference 19 Roller bearing 20 Transport roller 21 Handle 22 Connecting tab 23 Strut Track gauge

Claims

1. Rail-type floor conveyor (1) with a load-bearing surface (10) and wheels (8), which is mounted on rails (11), comprising at least one carrier (2) which has a hollow profile (3)the at least one cavity (4) of which is enclosed by a wall (5), characterized in that the wall (5) comprises, on the side adjacent to the rails (11), at least one groove-shaped recess, in which the axle or the axle bearing (9) of one or more wheels (8) can be accommodated, and the wall (5) comprises a cutout (7) for at least one part of a wheel (8).

2. Rail-type floor conveyor (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the carrier has a length which overlaps the track width (S) of the rails (11), and a respective cutout (7) for at least one part of a wheel (8) is provided in the wall (5) at a distance corresponding to the track width (S).

3. Rail-type floor conveyor (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the recess (6) extends over the length of the carrier.

4. Rail-type floor conveyor (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the outer contour of the recess (6) is adapted to the contour of the axle or of the axle bearing (9) of one or more wheels (8).

5. Rail-type floor conveyor (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a releasable clamping device (12) for the axle or the axle bearing (9).

6. Rail-type floor conveyor (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least one lug (13) bridging the recess (6) is provided for fixing the wheel axle or the wheel bearing (9) in the recess (6).

7. Rail-type floor conveyor (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that at least one pressure or force sensor (14) is integrated in the recess (6) between the wall (5) and the wheel axle or the wheel bearing (9).

8. Rail-type floor conveyor (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the cutout (7) of the wall (5) for the wheels comprises an encapsulation (15).

9. Rail-type floor conveyor (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the hollow profile comprises an extruded profile.

10. Rail-type floor conveyor (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the hollow profile comprises an pultruded profile.

11. Rail-type floor conveyor (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises further recesses in the form of undercut grooves (16) on which further components matching the rail-type floor conveyor can be fastened by means of sliding blocks.

12. Rail-type floor conveyor (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the at least one cavity (4) is filled with a material which stiffens the carrier (2).

13. Rail-type floor conveyor (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that at least two carriers (2, 2.1, 2.2) are connected by means of a carrier plate (17).

14. Rail-type floor conveyor according to one of Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that two or more hollow profiles (3, 3.1, 3.2) are arranged one above the other in a connected manner.

15. Rail-type floor conveyor according to one of Claims 1 to 14, characterized in that it comprises at least one transport roller (20) and a handle (21) for manual transport.