Transport system
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2023797723
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-11-03
- Filing Date
- 2023-10-23
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-02
AI Technical Summary
Existing transport systems for isolated fasteners, such as screws, powered by compressed air are noisy and energy-inefficient.
A transport system using a guide with a magnetizable contact surface and a magnet that moves along the guide channel to pull magnetizable connecting elements or holders, eliminating the need for compressed air by using magnetic forces for propulsion.
The system enables quiet and energy-efficient transportation of isolated fasteners by applying only the necessary drive energy to move the magnet, reducing noise and energy consumption.
Smart Images
Figure 1.1
Abstract
Description
[0001] Transport system
[0002] The invention generally relates to a transport system for transporting individual fasteners, such as nuts, pins, screws, and rivets. In particular, the invention relates to a transport system for transporting individual screws.
[0003] Transport systems for transporting individual fasteners are generally known and are used, for example, to transport screws individually from a magazine to a screwdriver. For this purpose, conventional transport systems use compressed air to feed the screws to the screwdriver through a hose.
[0004] However, the use of compressed air has several disadvantages. For example, compressed air-powered transport systems generate noise, which can be unpleasant for bystanders. Furthermore, compressed air-powered transport systems consume a relatively high amount of energy.
[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a transport system for transporting individual connecting elements which can be operated in a low-noise and energy-efficient manner.
[0006] The problem is solved by a transport system having the features of claim 1. The transport system comprises:
[0007] - a guide, wherein the guide defines a guide channel and at least one first contact surface for magnetizable connecting elements or for magnetizable holders for connecting elements; - at least one magnet that can be driven to move in a translational direction, wherein the magnet is arranged in the guide channel and is movable along the guide channel guided by a plurality of guide surfaces defining the guide channel, wherein the magnet is designed to hold one of the magnetizable connecting elements or one of the magnetizable holders for a connecting element on the first contact surface, and wherein the magnet is designed to move the magnetizable connecting element or the magnetizable holder for one of the connecting elements along the first contact surface by a movement of the magnet along the guide channel.
[0008] The guide therefore has a dual function. Firstly, the guide defines the first contact surface extending along the guide, which defines a transport path for the connecting elements. Secondly, the guide has the guide channel, along which the magnet can be moved, guided by the guide. The magnet is moved through the guide channel to transport the connecting elements. A magnetic field generated by the magnet radiates through the section of the guide forming the first contact surface and holds the respective connecting element or the respective holder for a connecting element to the first contact surface. More precisely, the magnet pulls the respective connecting element or the respective holder against the first contact surface.In order for the magnetic field to exert a force on the connecting element or the holder for a connecting element and thus to pull against the first contact surface, the connecting element or the holder for a connecting element is designed to be magnetizable.
[0009] The transport system allows fasteners such as screws to be transported individually along the guide without the use of compressed air, thus feeding them to a screwdriver, for example. Transport is relatively energy-efficient, as only the drive energy needed to drive at least one magnet along the guide is required.
[0010] Advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.
[0011] According to a structurally simple embodiment, the at least one magnet is coupled to a conveyor structure. The conveyor structure can be driven by a drive. The conveyor structure is preferably designed to be tensile-resistant. The conveyor structure can extend along the entire guide. The conveyor structure can be formed in one piece and thus be designed as a conveyor element. Alternatively, the conveyor structure can be formed from several individual sections that are connected to one another during operation. The conveyor structure is preferably designed with multiple links. This has the advantage that the length of the conveyor structure can be easily changed by adding or reducing links. The links are preferably shaped such that they can be connected to one another in a form-fitting manner. For this purpose, the links can have first coupling means which can be connected to second coupling means of an adjacent link.Preferably, at least a majority of the links are identical to one another. The conveyor structure can have a receptacle for the at least one magnet. For example, the conveyor structure can comprise holding means to which the at least one magnet can be coupled.
[0012] In order to be able to transport several connecting elements simultaneously, it is advantageous if several magnets that can be driven in a translational direction, preferably in the transport direction, are provided. The plurality of magnets are preferably connected to one another via the conveyor structure. The plurality of magnets are preferably arranged at a distance from one another in the transport direction. The plurality of magnets can be attached to the conveyor structure at equal distances from one another. Advantageously, the plurality of magnets are arranged in the guide channel and can be moved along the guide channel guided by the plurality of guide surfaces defining the guide channel. Each magnet is advantageously designed to hold one of the magnetizable connecting elements or one of the magnetizable holders for a connecting element on the first contact surface.To avoid errors, it is advantageous if each magnet is designed to hold exactly one of the magnetizable connecting elements or exactly one of the magnetizable holders for a connecting element on the guide, in particular on the first contact surface. Preferably, each magnet is designed to move the respective magnetizable connecting element or the respective magnetizable holder for a connecting element along the guide, in particular along the first contact surface, by moving the magnets along the guide channel.
[0013] In order to be able to couple the at least one magnet, preferably the plurality of magnets, to the conveyor structure in a simple manner, it is advantageous if the conveyor structure is magnetizable, i.e. can be subjected to a force by a magnetic field. In this way, the magnet can be coupled to the conveyor structure by means of its magnetic attraction force. According to an inexpensive variant, the conveyor structure is formed by one or more sheet metal strips. Alternatively, the conveyor structure can also be made from a non-magnetizable material, for example a plastic material. For example, the conveyor structure can be formed from a plastic strip. The conveyor structure is preferably deformable in order to be able to adapt to the route of the guide. If the conveyor structure is designed as a conveyor element, the conveyor element is preferably designed to be flexurally elastic.If the conveyor structure is designed as a multi-link conveyor structure, the links are preferably coupled to one another so that they can move relative to one another. This has the advantage that the guide can run along a circular route and the conveyor structure can adapt to different radii of curvature of the circular route. To ensure that the at least one magnet does not slip relative to the conveyor structure, the magnet can be coupled to the conveyor structure via a positive connection. Preferably, the at least one magnet is coupled to the conveyor element via a force-fitting connection via the attractive force of the magnet and additionally via a positive connection. The positive connection can be created, for example, by a pin which is inserted into an opening in the magnet and an opening in the conveyor element.Alternatively, the positive connection can be created by a screw, which is inserted through an opening in the magnet and then screwed, for example, into a nut connected to the conveyor element. Alternatively or additionally, the positive connection between the at least one magnet and the conveyor structure can be established by coupling means formed on the conveyor structure. For example, at least one snap-lock element can be formed on the conveyor structure, by means of which a magnet can be positively attached to the conveyor structure.
[0014] According to one embodiment, the transport system comprises a drive wheel for driving the conveyor structure. The drive wheel preferably transmits a drive force, in particular in the form of a compressive force, to the conveyor structure. For example, the compressive force can be transmitted via a positive coupling between a drive section of the drive wheel and at least one magnet connected to the conveyor structure. According to one embodiment, the drive wheel has a plurality of drive sections arranged along a circumference of the drive wheel. The drive wheel can be designed such that a distance between a rotational axis of the drive wheel and an end of the at least one drive section spaced from the rotational axis is adjustable. In other words, a length of the drive sections can be adjustable. The guide can define an interior space which forms the guide channel. The guide is preferably tubular.According to one embodiment, the guide channel has a quadrangular cross-section. In other words, the guide can have a quadrangular inner circumference that defines the guide channel. Preferably, the guide channel has a rectangular cross-section, i.e., it is rectangular in shape. In other words, the guide surfaces defining the guide channel can be arranged perpendicular to one another. Preferably, the guide channel is defined by exactly four flat guide surfaces that define a rectangular cross-section of the guide channel. This allows, for example, disc-shaped magnets to be guided particularly well along the guide channel.
[0015] Preferably, the first contact surface is arranged opposite a guide surface of the guide channel. The first contact surface preferably forms an outer surface of the guide. The connecting elements are thus transported along an outer surface of the guide.
[0016] To prevent contaminants from entering the guide channel and thereby increasing friction, for example, the guide can have a completely closed cross-section at least along a transport path. Preferably, the guide only has a non-completely closed cross-section at the point where a drive, such as a drive wheel, engages the conveyor structure.
[0017] In order to achieve particularly good guidance of the at least one magnet in the guide channel, it is advantageous if the dimensions of the guide channel are adapted to the dimensions of the at least one magnet. In other words, the guide channel should be only slightly wider and higher than the magnet moving along the guide channel. For example, the guide channel can have a width that corresponds to less than 1 10% of a width or diameter of the magnet. Likewise, the guide channel can have a height that corresponds to less than 1 10% of a height of the magnet. It is understood that - if a connecting element is held jointly by several individual magnets - the dimensions of the several individual magnets are added accordingly in order to calculate, for example, the height "of the magnet".Preferably, each magnet is formed by two individual magnets, which are advantageously connected to the conveyor structure on opposite sides. However, each magnet can also be formed by three, four, or more individual magnets. The number of individual magnets required can depend on the connecting element to be transported.
[0018] According to one embodiment, at least the section of the guide forming the first contact surface is non-magnetizable and / or magnetic. In other words, the section of the guide forming the first contact surface is preferably permeable to the magnetic field generated by the at least one magnet. As a result, the section forming the first contact surface does not interfere with the magnetic field of the at least one magnet, so that the magnetic field passes through the section forming the first contact surface, thus securely holding the respective magnetizable connecting element or the respective magnetizable holder for the connecting elements to the first contact surface.
[0019] According to one embodiment, the guide defines a second contact surface for the magnetizable connecting elements or for the magnetizable holders for connecting elements. The second contact surface is preferably oriented obliquely, in particular perpendicular, to the first contact surface. A section of the guide forming the second contact surface is preferably non-magnetizable and / or magnetic. The first contact surface and the second contact surface are preferably arranged relative to one another such that a shank of a screw can bear against the first contact surface and an end face of a head of the screw facing the shank can bear against the second contact surface. Alternatively, the first contact surface and the second contact surface can be arranged relative to one another such that an end face of a nut can bear against the first contact surface and a peripheral side of a nut can bear against the second contact surface.
[0020] To ensure that the connecting elements rest securely on the first contact surface, it is advantageous if the first contact surface is designed as a flat surface, at least in sections. Alternatively or additionally, the second contact surface can be designed as a flat surface, at least in sections. Preferably, the first contact surface is designed entirely as a flat surface. According to a variant that is particularly easy to manufacture, the guide has a square outer circumference. Alternatively, the guide can have at least one rib extending along the guide and extending radially away from the guide. Such a rib can be used, for example, when transporting nuts to hold the nut in a form-fitting manner on the guide. The second contact surface can be formed by the rib. The guide is preferably coupled to a fastening structure on a circumferential surface that is not required as a contact surface.The fastening structure, and thus also the guide, are preferably arranged essentially stationary during operation.
[0021] According to an energy-efficient embodiment, the magnets are designed as permanent magnets. For example, the magnets can be designed as neodymium magnets.
[0022] According to one embodiment, the guide is predominantly, in particular entirely, made of a non-magnetic and / or non-magnetizable material. Preferably, the guide is predominantly, in particular entirely, made of a material that is permeable to magnetic fields. For example, the guide can be made predominantly or entirely of plastic. According to an easy-to-manufacture embodiment, the guide is made of a plastic tube with a constant cross-section.
[0023] In order to be able to arrange the guide as freely as possible in space, as in the case of compressed air-operated transport systems, it is advantageous if the guide is made predominantly, in particular completely, from an elastically deformable material, e.g. an elastomer.
[0024] A particularly good holding force can be achieved if the at least one magnet is annular or disc-shaped. Preferably, the first contact surface is arranged tangentially to the magnet or to the circular outer circumference formed by the magnet. In other words, the first contact surface can be arranged adjacent to the circumferential surface of the magnet. The second contact surface can be arranged parallel to an upper side of the magnet. To enable secure axial alignment of the connecting elements on the guide, it is advantageous if the magnet is formed from at least two annular or disc-shaped individual magnets. These can, for example, be arranged in alignment with one another on opposite sides of the conveyor structure.
[0025] According to an advantageous embodiment, the guide defines a circular path for the at least one magnet. The guide itself therefore has no defined beginning and no defined end. In contrast, the transport path defined by the guide can have a start and an end which are spaced apart from one another. Advantageously, the at least one magnet is always moved in a defined conveying direction along the circular path. This makes transport more efficient. The conveyor structure is preferably designed as an endless conveyor structure, i.e. it functionally has no beginning and no end. According to one embodiment, the transport system comprises a feed station at which the connecting elements are individually assigned to the at least one magnet, in particular to one of the plurality of magnets. The feed station can define a start of the transport path.The feed station may comprise a feed channel through which screws or other fasteners are fed. The feed channel is preferably arranged such that the fasteners drop downward from the feed channel in such a way that the fasteners are either attracted by the at least one magnet or slide into one of the magnetizable fastener holders.
[0026] According to an advantageous embodiment, the transport system comprises a delivery station at which the connecting elements are individually detached from the guide or decoupled from the respective magnetizable holder and, for example, fed to a feed channel. The delivery station can comprise a detachment element designed to detach the magnetizable connecting element from the support surface or to remove a connecting element from the magnetizable holder for connecting elements. The detachment element can be wedge-shaped. The detachment element can be arranged or formed on the first and / or second support surface.
[0027] To prepare magnetizable fasteners for further processing, the transport system can include a demagnetization unit. This can demagnetize the magnetizable fasteners after they have been magnetized by the magnet during transport, preventing the fasteners from accidentally sticking to metallic objects.
[0028] If a magnetizable holder is provided for a connecting element, this magnetizable holder for a connecting element can be designed to clamp the connecting element and thus hold the connecting element by means of a frictional connection. For example, at least one clamping element can be provided on the magnetizable holder, which is subjected to a spring force and / or is itself elastically deformable in order to exert a clamping force on the connecting element. Alternatively or additionally, the magnetizable holder can have a receptacle, for example a funnel-shaped receptacle, into which the connecting element can be loosely inserted. The receptacle is preferably designed such that a head of the connecting element to be transported can be arranged in the receptacle and a shaft of the connecting element to be transported hangs downwards out of the receptacle.
[0029] The invention also relates to a method for transporting separated connecting elements. The method can be carried out, for example, with the transport system described above or below. The method comprises a
[0030] Holding at least one magnetizable connecting element or at least one magnetizable holder for one of the connecting elements by means of a magnet guided in a guide channel on a contact surface,
[0031] Driving the at least one magnet such that the at least one magnet moves along the guide channel, and such that the magnetizable connecting element held by the magnet moves with the magnet and rolls along the contact surface, or such that the magnetizable holder held by the magnet moves with the magnet and slides along the contact surface or rolls along the contact surface. The method, like the device, therefore comprises two alternatives. Either the connecting element to be transported is magnetizable. In this case, the connecting element to be transported can be held directly by the magnet and carried along by the magnet. Or the connecting element to be transported is not magnetizable, for example a plastic screw or a ceramic screw. In this case, a magnetizable holder for connecting elements is required, which is carried along by the magnet.
[0032] Preferably, the magnetizable connecting element held by the magnet is detached from the contact surface after completing a transport path. The magnetizable connecting element can then be demagnetized.
[0033] In the version with a magnetizable holder, the connecting element held by the magnetizable holder can be decoupled from the magnetizable holder after completing a transport distance. For example, the holder can be opened for this purpose.
[0034] To transport the fastener with as little friction as possible and thus as much energy as possible, if the magnetizable fastener is a screw with a head and a shaft, the screw's shaft can roll along the contact surface. The shaft preferably rests with its peripheral surface against the first contact surface. The head preferably rests with its end face facing the shaft against the second contact surface.
[0035] The invention is described below using purely exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1A shows a perspective view of a transport system according to the invention in a starting area of a transport route;
[0036] Fig. 1B is a perspective view of the transport system according to the invention from Fig. 1A in an end region of the transport path;
[0037] Fig. 2A is a perspective top view of the starting area of the transport path of Fig. 1A;
[0038] Fig. 2B is a further perspective view of the starting area of the transport path of Fig. 1A;
[0039] Fig. 3A is a perspective sectional view of the transport system according to the invention of Fig. 1A;
[0040] Fig. 3B is a sectional view of the transport system according to the invention of Fig. 1A perpendicular to a transport direction of the transport system;
[0041] Fig. 4A is a simplified sectional view of the transport system of Fig. 1A to illustrate a drive of the transport system;
[0042] Fig. 4B is a perspective view of a drive wheel of the transport system of Fig. 1A;
[0043] Fig. 5A is a further perspective view of the drive wheel of Fig. 4B;
[0044] Fig. 5B is a further perspective view of the end region of the transport path of Fig. 1B; Fig. 6 is a further perspective view of the end region of the transport path of Fig. 1B;
[0045] Fig. 7 is a side sectional view of a demagnetization unit in the end region of the transport path of Fig. 1 B;
[0046] Fig. 8A is a perspective view of a transport system according to the invention in a starting area of a transport route according to a second embodiment; and
[0047] Fig. 8B is another perspective view of the transport system of Fig. 8A.
[0048] Fig. 1A shows a starting area of a transport system 10 for magnetizable connecting elements 12a in the form of screws. The screws 12a are provided by a feed station 36 of the transport system 10. The feed station 36 comprises a gripper 58, as described in the German patent application DE 10 2022 1 16 779.8. The gripper 58 has two gripper fingers 60a, 60b (see Fig. 2B) that are movable relative to one another and can be adjusted between a holding position and a release position. The gripper fingers 60a, 60b are arranged parallel to one another and always remain parallel to one another during their adjustment movement between the holding position and the release position. The gripper fingers 60a, 60b remain spaced apart from one another in the holding position, as can be seen, for example, in Fig. 2A.In the holding position, the two gripper fingers 60a, 60b jointly hold a head 42 of the screw 12, while a shaft 44 of the screw 12 hangs freely downward between the gripper fingers 60a, 60b. To center the screw 12 in the gripper 58, the gripper fingers 60a, 60b jointly form a recess 64, particularly a funnel-shaped recess (see Fig. 2A). The gripper 58 can be pivotally mounted about a vertical axis by means of a rotary joint 76 in order to control a first feed channel 62 (see Fig. 3B) and to release one of the screws 12 into the feed channel 62 by moving the gripper fingers 60a, 60b into the release position.
[0049] In order to deliver the screw 12 into the feed channel 62, the gripper 58 is positioned over a receiving opening 66 (see Fig. 3A) of the feed station 36, wherein the receiving opening 66 is positioned below the gripper 58 such that when the gripper fingers 60a, 60b move into the release position, the screw 12 falls into the receiving opening 66 due to gravity. The screw 12 falls through the feed channel 62 (see Fig. 3B) directly into a free space which extends between a positioning element 68 and a guide 14. As a result, the shaft or threaded shaft 44 of the screw 12 comes into contact with a first contact surface 18 and the head 42 of the screw 12 comes into contact with a second contact surface 70. More precisely, an end face of the head 42 facing the shaft 44 rests on the second contact surface 70.
[0050] The guide 14 defines a guide channel 16 for magnets 20. In order to guide the magnets 20 in the guide channel 16, the guide 14 has four guide surfaces 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d defining the guide channel 16. The guide surfaces 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d are each arranged at right angles to their adjacent guide surfaces, so that the guide channel 16 has a rectangular cross-section. As can be seen in Fig. 3B, an inner circumference 28 of the guide 14 is adapted in terms of its shape and size to the magnets 20 to be guided. The guide 14 has a completely closed cross-section 32 along a transport path 30, which begins at the feed station 36 and extends to a discharge station 38 (see Fig. 1B). This prevents contaminants from entering the guide channel 16. The guide 14 also has a rectangular outer circumference 34. This allows the guide 14 to be secured by a fastening element 72 (see Fig.3B), which extends along three circumferential sides of the guide 14, can be easily held. The guide 14 is thus formed by a rectangular tube. The guide 14 is made of an elastically deformable plastic, allowing the guide 14 to be bent. This allows the path of the guide 14 to be designed relatively flexibly.
[0051] The guide 14 defines a circular path. In other words, the guide channel 16 has no beginning and no end. A plurality of magnets 20 are arranged in the guide channel 16. The magnets 20 are each connected to a conveyor structure 24, which can be driven along the guide channel 16 by a drive wheel 26 (see Fig. 4A). In the present case, the conveyor structure 24 is designed as a slightly magnetizable sheet metal strip, so that the magnets 20 adhere somewhat to the sheet metal strip due to their magnetic attraction. The conveyor structure 24 does not necessarily have to be magnetizable. The conveyor structure 24 also does not have to be designed as a sheet metal strip. Alternatively, the conveyor structure 24 could also be made of plastic. The conveyor structure 24 could also consist of a plurality of modules or links that are positively connected to one another.To securely fix the magnets 20 to the conveyor structure 24, holes can be formed at regular intervals in the conveyor structure 24. Furthermore, the magnets 20 can be formed from at least one, preferably exactly two, annular individual magnets 20a, 20b. In this case, a pin 46 can be inserted through each hole in the conveyor structure 24, and the individual magnets 20a, 20b can be placed onto the pin 46 from opposite sides. As a result, the magnets 20 are not only positively connected to the conveyor structure 24, but also positively connected. Numerous other possible ways of positively connecting the magnets 20 to the conveyor structure 24 are conceivable. Two perspective views of the drive wheel 26 can be seen in Figs. 4B and 5A.The drive wheel 26 has a plurality of drive sections 26a extending radially in different directions from a center of the drive wheel 26 located on a rotation axis 48. The drive sections 26a are variable in terms of their length. For this purpose, the drive sections 26a in the present example have a section 77 that is displaceably mounted in the radial direction relative to a base 74. The displaceably mounted section 77 can be locked, preferably continuously, in various positions relative to the base 74. The lengths of the drive sections 26a are thus adjustable. As a result, the drive sections 26a can be adjusted within a range independent of the distance between the rotation axis 48 and the guide channel 16 such that the drive sections 26a can engage in the guide channel 16 (see Fig. 4A) and exert a compressive force on the magnets 20 attached to the conveyor structure 24.For this purpose, the guide 14 has an open cross-section in the area of a drive path 82.
[0052] When a screw 12, as shown in Fig. 3B, is provided in the feed station 36 and the magnets 20 are driven via the conveyor structure 24, the next magnet 20 guided past the screw 12 entrains the screw 12. The screw 12 is thereby captured by the magnetic field of the magnet 20 and moved with the magnet 20 along the first contact surface 18, i.e., relative to the first contact surface 18. The screw 12 rolls along the contact surface 18, creating only rolling friction between the contact surface 18 and the screw 12.
[0053] When the screw 12 arrives at the end of the transport path 30 at the delivery station 38 (see Fig. 1 B), the screw 12 runs against a wedge-shaped release element 52 arranged on the contact surface 18. The release element 52 ensures that the magnetic holding force of the magnet 20 is overcome and thus the screw 12 is released from the magnet 20 and the contact surface 18. For this purpose, the release element 52 is designed such that the screw 12 runs against an inclined surface 78 of the release element 52. The inclined surface 78 displaces the screw 12, causing the screw 12 to move away from the contact surface 18. If the screw 12 is sufficiently far away from the respective magnet 20, the magnetic field of the magnet 20 is too weak to hold the screw 12, and the screw 12 can fall into a second feed channel 80 (see Fig. 7). The transported screws 12 are demagnetized in the feed channel 80. A demagnetization unit 40 is provided for this purpose.
[0054] The guide 14 can extend parallel to a section of a fastening structure 50, for example, a profile, and can be fastened to the fastening structure 50 by several of the fastening elements 72. Alternatively, the guide 14 can also be arranged, as shown, for example, in Fig. 1A, at least in sections, freely suspended in space.
[0055] Figures 8A and 8B show a further embodiment. This embodiment is designed for transporting non-magnetizable screws, such as aluminum screws, plastic screws, or ceramic screws. The embodiment of Figures 8A and 8B differs from the previously described embodiment for magnetizable screws essentially in that magnetizable holders 112 are arranged on the guide 14 where magnets 20 are located along the guide 14.
[0056] Each magnetizable holder 112 has a funnel-shaped receptacle 56 in which a screw 12 can be received. The transport system 10 has a sensor (not shown) that determines whether an empty holder 112 is located below the first feed channel 62. If this is the case, the gripper 58 is opened so that the screw 12 can fall into the receptacle 56. The magnetizable holder 112 is designed such that it holds the head 42 of the screw 12 while the shaft 44 of the screw 12 hangs out of the holder 112. To hold the screw 12 even more securely, a clamping element 54 can be provided on the holder 112, which applies a clamping force to the screw 12. As shown in Figures 8A and 8B, the holder 112 can surround the guide 12 on three sides. This ensures good lateral guidance of the holders 112 moving along the guide 14.
[0057] List of reference symbols
[0058] 10 Transport system
[0059] 12 connecting element
[0060] 12a magnetizable connecting elements
[0061] 14 Guide
[0062] 16 guide channel
[0063] 18 contact surface
[0064] 20 magnets
[0065] 20a single magnet
[0066] 20b single magnet
[0067] 22 Guide surface
[0068] 24 Funding structure
[0069] 26 Drive wheel
[0070] 26a Drive section
[0071] 28 inner circumference
[0072] 30 transport route
[0073] 32 cross section
[0074] 34 outer circumference
[0075] 36 feeding station
[0076] 38 drop-off stations
[0077] 40 Demagnetization unit
[0078] 42 head
[0079] 44 shaft
[0080] 46 pen
[0081] 48 Rotation axis
[0082] 50 Mounting structure
[0083] 52 release element
[0084] 54 clamping element
[0085] 56 Holder 58 Gripper
[0086] 60 gripper fingers
[0087] 62 feed channel
[0088] 64 Recess 66 Receiving opening
[0089] 68 Positioning element
[0090] 70 contact surface
[0091] 72 Fastening element
[0092] 74 Base 76 Swivel joint
[0093] Section 77
[0094] 78 Inclined surface
[0095] 80 feed channel
[0096] 82 drive line
[0097] 112 magnetizable holder
Claims
Claims T ransport system (10) for the transport of individual connecting elements (12), in particular screws, comprising: a guide (14), wherein the guide (14) defines a guide channel (16) and at least one contact surface (18) for magnetizable connecting elements (12a) or for magnetizable holders (112) for one of the connecting elements (12); at least one magnet (20) which can be driven in a translational direction, wherein the magnet (20) is arranged in the guide channel (16) and is movable along the guide channel (16) guided by a plurality of guide surfaces (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d) defining the guide channel (16), wherein the magnet (20) is designed to hold one of the magnetizable connecting elements (12a) or one of the magnetizable holders (112) for one of the connecting elements (12) on the contact surface (18), and wherein the magnet (20) is designed toto move the magnetizable connecting element (12a) or the magnetizable holder (112) for one of the connecting elements (12) along the contact surface (18) by moving the magnet (20) along the guide channel (16). Transport system (10) according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of magnets (20) are provided that can be driven in a translational direction, wherein the magnets (20) are connected to one another via a conveyor structure (24), wherein the magnets (20) are arranged in the guide channel (16) and are guided by the plurality of guide surfaces defining the guide channel (16), (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d) are guided and movable along the guide channel (16), wherein each magnet (20) is designed to hold one of the magnetizable connecting elements (12a) or one of the magnetizable holders (112) for one of the connecting elements (12) on the contact surface (18), and wherein each magnet (20) is designed to move the respective magnetizable connecting element (12a) or the respective magnetizable holder (112) for one of the connecting elements (12) along the contact surface (18) by a movement of the magnets (20) along the guide channel (16). Transport system (10) according to claim 2, wherein the conveyor structure (24) is multi-element and in particular has coupling means (46) for coupling to the magnets (20). Transport system (10) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a drive wheel (26) is provided for driving the conveyor structure (24), which drive wheel exerts a driving force in the form of a pressure force on the conveyor structure (24), e.g.via a positive coupling with the magnets (20). Transport system (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide (14) has a quadrangular, in particular rectangular, inner circumference (28) that defines the guide channel (16), in particular wherein the guide (14) has a completely closed cross-section (32) along a transport path (30). Transport system (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims. wherein the guide channel (16) is adapted with regard to its dimensions to dimensions of the at least one magnet (20).
7. Transport system (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein at least the section of the guide (14) forming the contact surface (18) is not magnetizable.
8. Transport system (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide (14) defines a second contact surface (70) for the magnetizable connecting elements (12a) or for the magnetizable holders (112) for one of the connecting elements (12), which is oriented obliquely, in particular perpendicularly to the first contact surface (18).
9. Transport system (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact surface (18) is formed at least in sections as a flat surface.
10. T ransport system (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the magnets (20) are designed as permanent magnets, in particular neodymium magnets. 1 1. T ransport system (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide (14) is made of a non-magnetic and / or non-magnetizable material, e.g. plastic.
12. T ransport system (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide (14) is formed from an elastically deformable material, e.g. an elastomer.
13. Transport system (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one magnet (20) is annular or disc-shaped, and in particular wherein the contact surface (18) is arranged tangentially to the magnet (20).
14. T ransport system (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide (14) defines a circular path for the at least one magnet (20).
15. Transport system (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the transport system (10) comprises a feed station (36) at which the connecting elements (12) are individually assigned to the at least one magnet (20).
16. Transport system (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the transport system (10) comprises a delivery station (38) at which the connecting elements (12) are individually detached from the guide (14) or decoupled from the holder (112) and fed, for example, to a feed channel (16).
17. Transport system (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the transport system (10) comprises a demagnetization unit (40) for demagnetizing the magnetizable connecting elements (12a) after movement along the contact surface (18).
18. A method for transporting individual connecting elements (12), in particular with a transport system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising: Holding at least one magnetizable connecting element (12a) or at least one magnetizable holder (112) for one of the binding elements (12) by means of a magnet (20) guided in a guide channel (16) on a contact surface (18), Driving the at least one magnet (20) such that the at least one magnet (20) moves along the guide channel (16), and such that the magnetizable connecting element (12a) held by the magnet (20) moves with the magnet (20) and rolls along the contact surface (18), or such that the magnetizable holder (112) held by the magnet (20) moves with the magnet (20) and slides along the contact surface (18) or rolls along the contact surface (18). Method according to claim 18, wherein the magnetizable connecting element (12a) held by the magnet (20) is detached from the contact surface (18) after completing a transport path (30) and is subsequently demagnetized; or wherein the connecting element (12) held by the magnetizable holder (112) is decoupled from the magnetizable holder (112) after completing a transport path (30).Method according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the connecting element (12) is a screw with a head (42) and a shaft (44) and the screw rolls along the contact surface (18) with its shaft (44) or is held by its head (42) and suspended in the magnetizable holder (112).