Support unit for a carrier plat for the construction of a tiered rack, tiered unit with support units of this type and tiered rack for the heat treatment of workpieces

Abstract

The invention relates to a support unit (18) for a carrier plate (16) for the construction of a tiered rack (10) for the heat treatment of workpieces (12), wherein the carrier plate (16), along with multiple support units (18), forms a tiered unit (14) and has multiple plate through-openings (36), wherein a support unit (18) can be connected to the carrier plate (16) there in such a way that the carrier plate (16) carries the respective support unit (18) along in the event of a movement. There is a plug element (24) with a head section (26) which cannot pass through the plate through-opening (36) due to its shape, and with a shaft section (28) projecting from the head section (26) which is complementary to the plate through-opening (36) in such a way that it can pass through same, and which has a bottom end (30) at a distance from the head section (26). There is also a support element (32) that is connected to the bottom end (30) of the shaft section (28). In a functional configuration of the support unit (18), between the head section (26) of the plug element (24) and the support element (32), there is a spacing (42) and a receiving region (44) in which the carrier plate (16) can be arranged between the head section (26) and the support element (32) or where it is arranged in a tiered unit (14). In the unloaded functional configuration of the support unit (18), the plug element (24) and the support element (32) can be moved relative to one another and / or relative to the carrier plate (18) in a tiered unit (14). The invention also relates to a tiered unit (14) with a carrier plate (16) and support units (18) of this type, and a tiered rack (10) with tiered units (14) of this type.

Description

[0001] Support unit for a support plate for constructing a multi-level rack, multi-level unit with such support units and multi-level rack for the heat treatment of workpieces

[0002] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] 1. Field of the invention

[0004] The invention relates to a support unit for a support plate for constructing a tiered rack for the heat treatment of workpieces, in which the support plate forms a tiered unit with a plurality of support units and has a plurality of plate passages, wherein each support unit can be connected to the support plate in such a way that the support plate carries the respective support unit with it during movement, with a) a plug-in element with a head section which, due to its shape, cannot penetrate the plate passage, and with a shaft section protruding from the head section, which is complementary to the plate passage in such a way that it can penetrate it and which has a foot end remote from the head section; b) a support element which is connected to the foot end of the shaft section;wherein c) in a functional configuration of the support unit, a distance and a receiving area remain between the head section of the plug-in element and the support element, in which the support plate can be arranged between the head section and the support element or is arranged in the case of a tiered unit;

[0005] The invention also relates to a stacking unit for constructing a stacking frame for the heat treatment of workpieces, which comprises a support plate with several plate passages, wherein a support unit is connected to each support plate in such a way that the support plate carries the respective support unit during movement. Furthermore, the invention relates to a stacking frame for the heat treatment of workpieces, which comprises several stacking units, each with a support plate and several support units.

[0006] 2. Description of the state of the art

[0007] When heat treating workpieces, especially at temperatures above 1,000 °C, the workpieces are often placed in multiple levels on stacked racks with ceramic support plates and then treated in a suitable kiln. The ceramic support plates are usually made of silicon carbide (SiC), but can also be made of other materials such as graphite, cordierite, mullite, etc.

[0008] In order for the support plates to be stacked on top of each other, each plate must stand on three or more support units of the type mentioned above, which are usually also ceramic and made of the materials mentioned above, since metals cannot be used at the high temperatures. In earlier times, such tiered racks were manually assembled by factories when loading a kiln and dismantled again when emptying it.

[0009] However, the processes, especially the loading of a heat treatment furnace before and its emptying after heat treatment, are now mostly automated with the help of handling robots. For this purpose, the support units are rigidly connected to the support plate at the points where a plate passage is located in the support plate. The support plate then forms a stacked unit with the associated support units, which can be grasped and moved as a whole by a handling robot.

[0010] In a tiered frame, successive support units are arranged vertically along a longitudinal axis. Typically, the support element of one support unit rests on the head section of the plug-in element of the underlying support unit.

[0011] In support units of the type mentioned above, the head section of the plug-in element and the support element clamp the support plate between them in the functional configuration described above. The term "functional configuration" defines the configuration that the support unit and its plug-in element and support element are intended to assume and maintain during use.

[0012] In known support units, in this functional configuration, the plug-in element and the support element are immobile both relative to each other and relative to the support plate.

[0013] For this purpose, the plug-in element and the support element are usually screwed together. For example, a plug-in element has an external thread at its base end and is inserted through a panel opening from above. The support element has a complementary internal thread in its coupling area and is screwed to the plug-in element from below.

[0014] Regardless of the specific connection type, the support units are fixed in position relative to the support plate. This, and specifically the screw connection between the plug-in element and the support element, presents several problematic aspects.

[0015] First of all, it is already a challenge to position the support units for a tiered rack with multiple tiered units required in such a way that the vertically consecutive support units are axially aligned and that radial offsets do not occur, which would prevent the tiered units from stacking precisely. Such offset problems can be caused, for example, by structural tolerances in the length and width of the support plate, the positions and diameters of the plate openings, and the diameters of the plug-in and support elements.

[0016] In addition, the plug-in element and the support element are subject to shear stresses caused by lateral plate movements, which are already caused by thermal expansion. In known support units, this regularly leads to fracture, particularly of the plug-in element of the support unit.

[0017] Furthermore, during operation, the plug-in element and the support element may deviate from their functional configuration, for example, if the screw connection becomes loose. In this case, the load is no longer absorbed by the support element across its entire surface, but is instead transferred downwards via the screw thread. Tensile, shear, or compressive stresses can easily lead to fracture.

[0018] Even with proper clamping, small gaps remain between the support plate and the head section of the plug-in element or the support element. There, and further along the plate passage, powder from ceramic abrasion can accumulate, which can then cause local melting phases during subsequent heat treatments. These phases then lead to rigid bonding of the components to the support plate upon cooling.

[0019] It is now the object of the invention to provide a support device, a tiered unit and a tiered frame of the type mentioned at the outset which take these ideas into account.

[0020] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0021] This object is achieved in a support unit of the type mentioned at the outset in that d) in the unloaded functional configuration of the support unit, the plug-in element and the support element are movable relative to one another and / or, in the case of a tiered unit, relative to the support plate.

[0022] The support unit is present in such an unloaded functional configuration, for example, when an individual tier unit is moved by a handling robot that engages the support plate for this purpose. With this type of support unit design, the support plate is not clamped between the head section of the plug-in element and the support element, but it is still ensured that the support element can absorb the load and that the support unit as such is carried along when the tier unit moves. A screw connection can still be formed between the plug-in element and the support element, but the load is prevented from being absorbed by the screw connection. If powder gets into the areas between the support plate and the support unit, it can be removed more easily and sticking of the components can be prevented.Details on such functional configurations will be provided below in the description of the exemplary embodiments. The plug-in element can, in principle, be a single piece. However, it is also advantageous if the head section of the plug-in element is designed as a separate head part and the shaft section as a shaft part, which are detachably connected to one another by means of a connection, in particular by means of a threaded connection. As will become apparent below from the description of the exemplary embodiments, this opens up additional possibilities when assembling a tiered unit.

[0023] In one variant, the shaft part is designed as a separate shaft part, which is also detachably connected to the support element.

[0024] In this case, it is particularly advantageous if the support element is a support sleeve. A sleeve always has a through-channel and can be designed, in particular, as a hollow cylinder with a constant or stepped inner cross-section. The outer and inner cross-sections can, but do not have to, be circular. In any case, the support plate can rest firmly on the end of a support sleeve, while the plug-in part extends into the interior of the support sleeve.

[0025] In order to ensure that the plug-in element and the support element do not lose their connection with each other in the unloaded functional configuration, it is advantageous if the support element has a counter device which cooperates with the foot end of the plug-in element in such a way that the foot end of the plug-in element takes the support element with it during a movement.

[0026] In conjunction with a support sleeve, the following alternatives are particularly preferred, in which a) the plug-in element has at least two coupling pins projecting transversely to its longitudinal axis at its base end, wherein aa) the counter-measurement of the support sleeve comprises counter-ribs matching the coupling pins of the plug-in element, which project inwards on the inner circumferential surface of the support sleeve and are spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction such that the coupling pins of the plug-in element can be guided through between the counter-ribs; or ab) the counter-measurement of the support sleeve comprises guide slots or guide grooves complementary to the coupling pins of the plug-in element, which extend in the wall of the support sleeve from an open end to a stop end and in which the coupling pins of the plug-in element are guided;or b) the plug-in element forms a coupling collar, in particular a coupling cone, at its base end and the counter device of the support sleeve is formed by a step complementary to the coupling collar with a downward-facing step surface in the inner surface of the support sleeve;

[0027] Particularly in cases a)ab) and b) it is advantageous if the plug-in element is in two parts as described above; this will become clear below.

[0028] In alternative a)aa), the counter ribs are preferably designed in the form of cylinder segments, each of which has an indentation on its underside, which is designed such that a) a horizontal, circumferential surface remains radially outward on the underside of the respective cylinder segment; or b) the surface of the indentation merges radially outward into the inner circumferential surface of the support sleeve.

[0029] A design in which the plug-in element and the support element cannot be moved relative to each other in the functional configuration can be advantageously realized by the plug-in element having an external thread at its base end and the support sleeve having a complementary internal thread in its coupling area.

[0030] Such a design, in which the plug-in element and the support element cannot be moved relative to one another in the functional configuration, can advantageously also be achieved with an alternative variant with respect to the plug-in element, in which the head section is again designed as a separate head part and the shaft section as a shaft part, which are detachably connected to one another by means of a connection, in particular by means of a threaded connection, but in which the shaft part is connected in one piece to the support element at its base end, so that a support / shaft element is formed which comprises the support element and the shaft part in one piece.

[0031] As explained above, in a tiered rack, the support element of a support unit generally rests on the head section of the plug-in element of the underlying support unit. Alternatively, it may be advantageous for the support sleeve to have a lower section with an inner diameter and a cross-section that are matched to the outer diameter and cross-section of the head section of the plug-in element such that a support element can be guided from above over the head section of the plug-in element of a support unit located below it, so that the support element receives and surrounds this adjacent head section. Under load in the tiered rack, a support element then carries the support plate assigned to it in the tiered unit and, in turn, rests on the support plate of the tiered unit located below it. This is particularly advantageous in cases where the plug-in element and the support element are not movable relative to one another in their functional configuration.

[0032] The above-mentioned object is achieved in a tiered unit of the type mentioned above in that the support units are designed with some, several or all of the possible features explained above.

[0033] The above-mentioned task is solved in a tiered frame of the type mentioned above in that the tier units are each such tier unit.

[0034] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. These show: Figure 1 shows a front view of a stacked rack for the heat treatment of workpieces, in which several stacked rack units, each consisting of a support plate and several support units, are stacked on top of one another;

[0036] Figure 2 shows a detailed view of a corner area of ​​the tiered frame;

[0037] Figure 3 is a front view of the tiered frame with the top tier unit lifted off and shown in a transport phase in which the tier unit is moved separately and in which the support units are in an unloaded functional configuration;

[0038] Figure 4 is a front view of the tier unit, illustrating the mobility of the support plate and the support units relative to each other when the support units are in an unloaded functional configuration;

[0039] Figure 5 shows a one-piece plug-in element and a support element of a support unit according to a first embodiment;

[0040] Figure 6 partial sections of a tier unit with the support unit according to Figure 5 in the frame assembly;

[0041] Figure 7 partial sections of the tier unit with the support unit according to Figure 5 in a transport phase;

[0042] Figure 8 shows a one-piece plug-in element and a support element of a support unit according to a second embodiment;

[0043] Figure 9 partial sections of a tier unit with the support unit according to Figure 8 in the frame assembly;

[0044] Figure 10 various partial sections of the tier unit with the support unit according to Figure 8 in a transport phase;

[0045] Figure 11 shows a two-part plug-in element comprising a head part and a shaft part, as well as a support element of a support unit according to a third exemplary embodiment; Figure 12 shows partial sections of a tiered unit with the support unit according to Figure 11 in the frame assembly;

[0046] Figure 13 partial sections of the tier unit with the support unit according to Figure 11 in a transport phase;

[0047] Figure 14 shows a two-part plug-in element comprising a head part and a shaft part as well as a support element of a support unit according to a fourth embodiment;

[0048] Figure 15 partial sections of a tier unit with the support unit according to Figure 14 in the frame assembly;

[0049] Figure 16 Partial sections of the tier unit with the support unit according to Figure 14 in a transport phase;

[0050] Figure 17 shows a two-part plug-in element comprising a head part and a shaft part as well as a support element of a support unit according to a fifth embodiment;

[0051] Figure 18 Partial sections of a tier unit with the support unit according to Figure 17 in the frame assembly;

[0052] Figure 19 various partial sections of the tier unit with the support unit according to Figure 17 in a transport phase;

[0053] Figure 20 shows a one-piece plug-in element and a support element of a support unit according to a sixth embodiment;

[0054] Figure 21 shows a partial section of a tier unit with the support unit according to Figure 20 in the frame assembly;

[0055] Figure 22 shows a partial section of the tier unit with the support unit according to Figure 20 in a transport phase;

[0056] Figure 23 shows a head part and a support / shaft element of a support unit according to a seventh embodiment; Figure 24 shows partial sections of a tier unit with the support unit according to Figure 23 in the frame assembly;

[0057] Figure 25 Partial sections of the tier unit with the support unit according to Figure 23 in a transport phase.

[0058] DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0059] Figure 1 shows a multi-level rack, designated overall by 10, for the heat treatment of workpieces 12, which is used in particular for heat treatments at temperatures above 1,000°C.

[0060] The figures show reference coordinate systems which are each intended to be rotationally anchored to a component assigned to the reference coordinate system or to a structure consisting of several parts, so that they move spatially with the component or structure. In relation to the coordinate systems and taking into account the orientation of the tiered frame 10 and the tiered units 14 during furnace operation, the directional information used below on the right means the positive x-direction, at the front the positive y-direction and at the top the positive z-direction. The directional information on the left, back and bottom indicate the opposite direction. A vertical or a vertical plane therefore runs in the z-direction and a horizontal or a horizontal plane therefore runs in an xy-plane. In the figures, for the sake of clarity, not all parts and components are always provided with a reference symbol.

[0061] The tiered rack 10 comprises a plurality of detachably stacked tier units 14, three of which are shown in Figure 1, wherein the components explained below are provided with reference numerals only for the uppermost tier rack 14 there. Each tier rack 14 comprises a support plate 16 and a plurality of support units 18. The support plate 16 defines an upper side or support side 20 and a lower side or support side 22. Each support unit 18, in turn, comprises a plug-in element 24 which defines a head section 26 and a shaft section 28 protruding from the head section 26 and having a foot end 30 remote from the head section 26. In addition, each support unit 18 comprises a support element 32 which is connected to the foot end 30 of the shaft section 28.

[0062] Figures 1 to 22 illustrate embodiments in which the support element 32 has a coupling region 34 that is complementary to the base end 30 of the shaft portion 28. In a modification described further below with reference to the embodiment according to Figures 23 to 25, the support element 32 can also be integrally connected to the shaft portion 28.

[0063] The workpieces 12 are positioned on the support side 20 of the support plate 16, which, when the stacking unit 14 is in its installed position, rests with its support side 22 on the support element 32 of the support unit 18. The stacking units 14 can be stacked on top of one another in such a way that a gap remains between two adjacent support plates 16 of the stacking rack 10 by removably placing the support units 18 on top of one another. Figures 1 and 3 show a stacking rack 10 with only three stacking units 14; in practice, a stacking rack 10 may well comprise ten or more stacking units 14.

[0064] To ensure a sufficiently stable structure for the stacking frame 10, each support plate 16 must cooperate with at least three support units 18. The shape of the support plate 16 can, in principle, be arbitrary and may also depend on the geometry of the firing chamber of a kiln to be used. In a connecting area, in which the support plate 16 is to cooperate with a support unit 18, the support plate 16 has a plate passage 36 with a vertical passage axis and defines a plate thickness 40. In these connecting areas, the support plate 16 may, if necessary, have a different thickness than in the areas where the workpieces 12 are placed.

[0065] In the present embodiments, the support plate 16 of the tiered unit 14 is rectangular and has a plate passage 36 in each of its four corner regions 38; a support unit 18 is arranged there in each corner region. Figure 2 illustrates corner regions 38 of two tiered units 14 stacked on top of one another in a perspective view. As explained above, a tiered unit 14 is moved by a robot for assembling or disassembling the tiered frame 10 during a transport phase, which robot engages the support plate 16 for this purpose. Figure 3 illustrates such a transport phase, in which the uppermost tiered unit 14, loaded with workpieces 12, is detached from the two tiered units 14 already stacked on top of one another.

[0066] Each support unit 18 of a tier unit 14 can now be connected to the support plate 16 in such a way that the support plate 16 carries the respective support unit 18 with it during such or other movements.

[0067] For this purpose, the head section 26 of the plug-in element 24 is designed such that, due to its shape, it cannot penetrate the plate passage 36 of the support plate 16; the shaft section 28, on the other hand, is complementary to the plate passage 32 such that it can penetrate it. In the tiered unit 14, the head section 26 is located on the support side 20 of the support plate 16, with the shaft section 28 extending downward through the plate passage 32 so that its base end 30 is located below the support plate 16. In the tiered unit 14, the support element 34 of the support unit 18 is also located below the support plate 16 and is coupled to the base end 30 of the plug-in element 24 via its coupling region 34.

[0068] The support unit 18 can, in principle, be exposed to two main states during its use, namely a loaded state in which the support element 32 of the support unit 18 directly receives a load and transfers this load downwards, and an unloaded state in which no load acts on the support element 32 of the support unit 18.

[0069] In a tiered rack 10, as illustrated in Figure 1, or in the lower two tier units 14 in Figure 2, the tier units 14 are arranged in a rack assembly, and the support units 18 of the tier units 14 there each assume a load state. Generally speaking, the load state for the tier unit 14 is defined by the fact that the respective support plate 16 of the tier unit 14 rests on the support elements 32 of the support units 18. In principle, therefore, the support units 18 already assume such a load state for a tier unit 14 that is individually and separately stored in this way, without having to support workpieces 12. A transport phase explained above is an example of a situation in which the support unit 18 of the tier unit 14 is in an unloaded state, in which no load acts on the support element 32 of a support unit 14.

[0070] When a plug-in element 24 is functionally coupled to a support element 32, the support unit 18 defines a functional configuration. This can be assumed by an isolated support unit 18, but is particularly present when a tiered unit 14 is formed from a support plate 16 and support units 18.

[0071] In this functional configuration of the support unit 18, the plug-in element 24 is coupled to the support element 32 in such a way that a distance 42 and a receiving area 44 remain between the head section 26 of the plug-in element 24 and the support element 32, in which the support plate 16 can be arranged between the head section 26 and the support element 32 or is arranged in the case of a tiered unit 14. It should be emphasized again that this functional configuration can also be assumed by a support unit 14 as such, i.e., without being part of a tiered unit 14.

[0072] The load state of a support unit 18 explained above defines a loaded functional configuration and the unloaded state of a support unit 18 explained above defines an unloaded functional configuration.

[0073] In the support unit 18 described here, the plug-in element 24 and the support element 32 are coupled to one another according to the invention in such a way that, in the unloaded functional configuration of the support unit 18, the plug-in element 24 and the support element 32 are movable relative to one another and / or, in the case of a tier unit 14, relative to the support plate 18.

[0074] The resulting possible freedom of movement in a floor unit 14 in an unloaded functional configuration for a floor unit 14 is schematically illustrated in Figure 4 using the double arrows shown there.

[0075] If the plug-in element 24 and the support element 32 are movable relative to one another in an insulated support unit 18 according to the first alternative, this means that in the case of a tiered unit 14, the plug-in element 24 and the support element 32 are also each movable relative to the support plate 16 of the tiered unit 14. This is described below using the exemplary embodiments according to Figures 5 to 19. In Figure 4, the double arrows shown on the support units 14 then refer separately to the associated plug-in element 24 and the support element 32.

[0076] The second alternative, in which the plug-in element 24 and the support element 32 in a tiered unit 14 are movable relative to the support plate 16 of the tiered unit 14, can also be implemented if the plug-in element 24 and the support element 32 are not movable relative to one another. In this case, for example, the distance 42 between the head section 26 of the plug-in element 24 and the support element 32 is greater than the plate thickness 40 in their connection area. This will be explained again below using the exemplary embodiment according to Figures 20 to 22. In Figure 4, the double arrows shown on the support units 14 then refer only to the respective support unit 14 as a whole.

[0077] Figures 5 to 7 now illustrate a first embodiment of the support unit 18, in which the plug-in element 24 is formed in one piece.

[0078] The head section 26 is designed as a head disk 46 and, in the present exemplary embodiment, has an upwardly pointing coaxial projection (not specifically designated) which can serve as a radial securing means and, if appropriate, a centering guide for a support element 32 of an adjacent tier unit 14 which is placed on the plug-in element 24 located thereunder.

[0079] At the base end 30, the plug-in element 24 has a coupling pin 48 projecting to the right and left, i.e., in opposite directions transverse to its longitudinal axis, with a top surface 50 that is curved here and follows a semicircle in cross-section. However, a different design of the top surface 50 is possible.

[0080] The shaft section 28 has, from top to bottom, an upper region 28a, a middle region 28b, and a lower region 28c. In the present embodiment, the shaft section 28 tapers from top to bottom, with the coupling pins 48 extending radially far enough to align with the region with the larger cross-section of the shaft section 28. In the present case, the upper region 28a has the largest cross-section, then the middle region 28b tapers downwards and merges into the lower region 28c with the smallest cross-section, which encompasses the base end 30 and carries the coupling pins 48.

[0081] The support element 32 is designed in the form of a hollow cylinder as a support sleeve 52, the diameter of which is matched to the head plate 46 so that the support sleeve 52 can be placed on a head plate 46 of an adjacent support unit 18. In its coupling area 34, the support element 32 has a locking device 54, which generally cooperates with the base end 30 of the plug-in element 24 and, specifically in the embodiment shown here, with the coupling pins 48 of the plug-in element 24 such that the base end 30 of the plug-in element 24 entrains the support element 32 during a movement. The base end 30 of the plug-in element 24 then serves as a driver for the support element 32.

[0082] In the present embodiment, two opposing, horizontally inwardly projecting counterribs in the form of cylinder segments 56 are formed as such a counter device 54 on the inner circumferential surface of the support sleeve 52 on the right and left sides. These counterribs define an inner radius 58 and free end surfaces 60, which here run vertically. The inner radius 58 is selected and the cylinder segments 56 are spaced and positioned from one another in the circumferential direction in such a way that the coupling pins 48 of the plug-in element 24 can be inserted between the opposite end surfaces 60 of two adjacent cylinder segments 56 when the coupling pins 48 point to the left or right. In the present case, the inner radius 56 of the cylinder segments 56 is complementary to the lower region 28c of the plug-in element 24.

[0083] In a modification not specifically shown, the opposite end surfaces of two adjacent cylinder segments 56 can be curved in such a way that a type of threaded passage is formed and the coupling pins 48 of the plug-in element 24 can only be guided between the cylinder segments 56 with a superposition of a vertical movement and a rotation about the longitudinal axis of the extension element 24. On the underside, each cylinder segment 56 also has an indentation 62, with a horizontal circumferential surface 64 remaining radially outside on the underside of the cylinder segment 56, which only bears a reference number in Figure 6B.

[0084] In the present case, the indentations 62 each define guide surfaces 66 which extend from bottom to top and from radially outside to inside, inclined. For the sake of clarity, these guide surfaces are only designated in Figures 6B and 6D and, in the present exemplary embodiment, correspond to the surface of a hemisphere segment and consequently have a curvature. As can be seen in particular in Figure 6B, the radius of these hemisphere segments is larger than the inner radius 58 of the cylinder segment 56, but smaller than the inner radius of the support sleeve 52, so that a horizontal annular surface section 68, now only designated in Figure 6B, is formed on the underside of each of the cylinder segments 56. In the support element 32, the guide surfaces 66 of the two cylinder segments 56 describe surface segments of a common hemisphere.

[0085] The plug-in element 24 and its coupling pins 48 are aligned with the cylinder segments 56 such that, viewed in the radial direction, the coupling pins 48 end before the annular surface sections 68 begin. Furthermore, the shaft section 28 of the plug-in element 24 is long enough that the coupling pins 48 are located below the cylinder segments 56 when the support unit 18 is under load.

[0086] When assembling a tiered unit 14, a plug-in element 24 is inserted with the foot end 30 first from the support side 20 of the support plate 16 through a plate passage 36. Then, a support element 32 on the support side 22 of the support plate 16, with downward-facing indentations 62, is guided over the plug-in element 24 such that its coupling pins 48 are guided between the cylinder segments 56 and come to rest below the cylinder segments 56. The support element 32 is then rotated 90° about its longitudinal axis so that the cylinder segments 56 overlap and come to rest over the coupling pins 48 and the right and left sides of the plug-in element 24 and the support element 32 point in the same direction; this configuration can be clearly seen, for example, in Figure 6C.In the loaded functional configuration of the support units 18, the support plate 16 now rests with its support side 22 on the support element 32 and the head plate 46 of the plug-in element 24 rests on the support side 20 of the day plate 16. As explained above, the coupling pins 48 are located below the counter device 54.

[0087] When the tiered unit 14 is now transferred from the loaded state to an unloaded state, for example, by a handling robot gripping the support plate 16 and detaching the tiered unit 14 from the frame assembly in the tiered frame 10, the support plate 16 initially lifts off the support elements 32 of the existing support units 18. In doing so, the respective plug-in element 24 is also moved upward, with the coupling pins 48 of the plug-in elements 24 moving upward into the recesses 62 of the counter device 54, i.e., the cylinder segments 56, and finally abutting the cylinder segments 56. This situation is illustrated in Figures 7A, B, C, and D.

[0088] When the tier unit 14 moves further upwards, the support element 32 is pulled upwards by the coupling pins 56 of the plug-in element 24 and the support unit 18 moves along with the support plate 16 in this configuration.

[0089] Due to the curved upper side 50 of the coupling pins 48 of the plug-in element 24 in interaction with the indentations 62 or the guide surfaces 66 of the counter device 54, a safety device 70 is also established, by which it is sufficiently reliably ensured that the plug-in element 24 remains connected to the support element 32 when it is transferred from the loaded state to the unloaded state and when it is in the unloaded state.

[0090] For example, in a tiered rack 10 in which a tiered unit 14 is located in the rack assembly, it may happen that the support element 32 rotates relative to the plug-in element 24, so that the right and left sides of the plug-in element 24 no longer point in the direction of the right or left side of the support element 32. However, if a plug-in element 24 is then initially moved upwards relative to the support element 32, the upper sides 50 of the coupling pins 48 reach the guide surfaces 66 of the counter device 54 of the support element 32. Due to their upward and inward inclination, the weight force causes a type of forced guidance or forced rotation of the support element 32 and the plug-in element 24 relative to one another, whereby the two components are forced into their driving configuration explained above.

[0091] In the above-explained, not shown design with the curved end surfaces 60, the safety effect of the safety device 70 is further increased.

[0092] Figures 8 to 10 illustrate a second embodiment of the support unit 18, in which the plug-in element 24 is formed in one piece. The support unit 18 differs from the support unit 18 according to the first embodiment shown in Figures 5 to 7 only by a modification of the locking device 54.

[0093] In these cases, the recess 62 is designed such that there is no longer a circumferential horizontal surface on the underside of the cylinder segments 56. The guide surface 66 of the recess 62 merges seamlessly into the inner surface of the support sleeve 52, as can be clearly seen in Figures 9B and 9C.

[0094] In this way, it is even more reliably ensured that the coupling pins 48 of the plug-in element 24 abut against the guide surfaces 66 with their upper side 50 when a tier unit 14 is lifted and that the plug-in element 24 and the support element 32 assume their driving configuration in a like manner, which is illustrated in Figures 10A, 10B and 10C.

[0095] Figures 11 to 13 illustrate a third embodiment of the support unit 18, in which the plug-in element 24 is formed in two parts. The head section 26 is formed as a separate head part 72, and the shaft section 28 is formed as a separate shaft part 74. The head part 72 and the shaft part 74 can be detachably connected to one another, for which purpose a connection 76 is provided, which in the present embodiment is a threaded connection. In the present embodiment, the head part 72 has a threaded sleeve, and the shaft part 74 has a complementary external thread on its upper region 28a; these components can also be interchanged. In a modification not specifically shown, a different connection can also be formed, for example, in the manner of a bayonet lock. The shaft part 74—and thus the shaft section 28—here has a constant cross-section along its longitudinal axis in the regions 28a, 28b, and 28c.

[0096] The locking device 54 of the support element 32 is formed by two vertical guide slots 78 in the support sleeve 52, which extend in its wall from a lower, open end 80 to an upper stop end 82 opposite on the right and left sides of the support sleeve 52. The width of the guide slots 78 is complementary to the width of the coupling pins 48 on the plug-in element 24.

[0097] When assembling a tier unit 14, the support element 32 is now arranged on the support side 22 of the support plate 16 such that the open ends 80 of the guide slots 78 point downwards.

[0098] Then, the shaft part 74 is inserted from below into the support sleeve 52, with its foot end 30 pointing downwards, and the coupling pins 48 are inserted into the guide slots 78 of the support element 32.

[0099] The upper connecting end of the shaft part 74 is pushed from below through the plate passage 36 of the support plate 16 and the head part 72 is connected to the plug-in part 74 on its support side 20.

[0100] In the loaded functional configuration, the support plate 16 again rests on the support element 32 and the head part 72 on the support plate 16; the corresponding support element 32 of an adjacent support unit 18 rests on the head part 72. The length of the plug-in part 74 is adjusted such that, in the loaded state, the coupling pins 48 are arranged between the lower open end 80 and the upper stop end 82 of the guide slots 78; this is shown in Figures 12A, 12B, and 12C.

[0101] If the tier unit 18 is now transferred to the unloaded state during a transport phase, thereby transferring the support unit 18 to an unloaded functional configuration, the support element 32 can slide downward until the stop ends 82 of the guide slots 78 reach the coupling pins 48 of the shaft part 74, which then support the support element 32; this can be seen in Figures 13A, 13B, and 13C. The safety device 70 is implemented here by the interaction of the coupling pins 48 with the guide slots 78.

[0102] In a modification, three or more coupling pins 48 can also be present on the plug-in element 24, in which case a corresponding number of guide slots 78 are present in a corresponding arrangement.

[0103] Figures 14 to 16 illustrate a fourth embodiment of the support unit 18, in which the plug-in element 24 is again formed in two parts. This support unit 18 differs from the support unit 18 of the third embodiment according to Figures 11 to 13 in two aspects.

[0104] Firstly, in the locking device 54, guide grooves 84 are formed in the support element 32 instead of the guide slots, which, however, also have a lower open end 80 and an upper stop end 82. Secondly, the extension of the coupling pins 48 on the shaft part 74 is adjusted so that the coupling pins 48 can be inserted into the guide grooves 84 from below.

[0105] The assembly of a tier unit 14 is carried out as described above for the third embodiment, wherein the coupling pins 48 are arranged accordingly in the guide grooves 84.

[0106] Figures 15A, 15B, and 15C illustrate the loaded state, in which the coupling pins 48 are positioned between the open end 80 and the stop end 82 of the guide grooves 84. Figures 16A and 16B show the unloaded state in a transport phase, in which the support element 32 rests on the coupling pins 48 with the stop ends 82 of the guide grooves 84.

[0107] Figures 17 to 19 illustrate a fifth embodiment of the support unit 18, in which the plug-in element 24 is also formed in two parts. In contrast to the previously explained embodiments, the base end 30 of the shaft part 74 here does not have any coupling pins. Rather, the lower region 28c of the shaft section 28 forms the base end 30 and is designed as a coupling collar, which specifically forms a coupling cone 86 that widens downwards from the central region 28b. The upper region 28a and the central region 28b have an identical, constant cross-section, at least in the embodiment shown.

[0108] In a modification not shown, the lower region 28c can, for example, also have a constant cross-section and carry a circumferential rib as a collar at the foot end 30.

[0109] The inner surface of the support sleeve 52 is stepped and has an upper section 88 and a lower sleeve section 90 with a larger inner diameter, so that between the section 88 and the sleeve section 90 the counter unit 54 is formed by a circumferential step 92 with a downwardly facing stepped surface 94 which is complementary to the coupling collar, i.e. the coupling cone 86. The upper section 88 has an inner diameter complementary to the upper regions 28a, 28b of the shaft part 74, whereas the inner diameter of the lower sleeve section 90 is matched to the coupling cone 86 of the shaft part 74. In the present embodiment, an upwardly tapered cone section is formed between the upper section 88 and the lower sleeve section 90; however, this does not have to be the case.

[0110] During assembly of the tier unit 14, the shaft part 74 is also guided from below through the support sleeve 52 until the shaft part 74 projects through the plate passage 36 onto the support side 20 of the support plate 16, where it is connected to the head part 72 by means of the threaded connection 76.

[0111] In the loaded state shown in Figures 18A and 18B, a gap remains between the step 92 and the shaft portion 74. As Figures 19A and 19B illustrate, in the unloaded state, the support sleeve 52 can slide downward until the step 92 rests on the coupling cone 86.

[0112] Figures 20 to 22 show a sixth embodiment of the support unit 18, which implements the above-described alternative that the plug element 24 and the support element 32 are not movable relative to each other, wherein the distance 42 between the head section 26 of the plug element 24 and the support element 32 is greater than the plate thickness 40.

[0113] For this purpose, the plug-in element 24, here again a one-piece assembly, is provided with an external thread 96 at its base end 30, while the support element 32 is provided with a complementary internal thread 98 in its coupling area 34. The base end 30 and the coupling area 34 of the support element 32 can also be configured alternatively and, for example, again form a type of bayonet lock.

[0114] Here, too, the support sleeve 52 is stepped, with an upper section 88 and a lower, downwardly open sleeve section 90 and a step 92, with no conical section running between them. The inner diameter and cross section of the lower sleeve section 90 of the support element 32 and the outer diameter and cross section of the head section 26 of the plug-in element 24 are coordinated with one another in such a way that a support element 32 can be guided from above over the head section 26 of the plug-in element 24 of a support unit 18 adjacent to the bottom, so that the support element 32 receives and surrounds this adjacent head section 26. This is illustrated in Figure 21, which shows the load state and the loaded functional configuration of the support unit 18.

[0115] In all five embodiments explained so far, in the loaded state, the support sleeve 52 of a support unit 18 rests downwards on the head section 26 of the plug-in element 24 of a support unit 18 adjacent downwards.

[0116] Deviating from this, in the sixth embodiment, the support sleeve 52 in the loaded state of a tiered frame 10 rests directly on the support plate 16 of an associated tiered unit 14 arranged underneath.

[0117] This concept can be implemented in principle, for which, in the first five embodiments, the outer diameter of the head section 26 of the plug-in element 24 and the inner diameter of the support element 32 at its lower end must be matched accordingly. In the sixth embodiment according to Figures 19 to 21, the tiered unit 14 is assembled by inserting the plug-in element 24, with the foot end 30 leading, from above through the plate passage 32 of the support plate 16 and into the support sleeve 52 located below, to which it is then screwed accordingly.

[0118] In the loaded state, the support plate 16 rests on the support sleeve 52, but a distance remains between the support plate 16 and the head section 26 in the upward direction, which distance corresponds to the difference between the distance 42 and the plate thickness 40.

[0119] When the tier unit 14 is brought into the unloaded state, the support unit 18, in the unloaded functional configuration, drops downward relative to the support plate 16 until the head portion 26 of the plug-in element 24 rests on the support side 20 of the support plate 16. A distance then remains between the support plate 16 and the support element 32 in the downward direction, which again corresponds to the difference between the distance 42 and the plate thickness 40. This is shown in Figure 22.

[0120] Finally, Figures 23 to 25 show, as a modification, a seventh embodiment of the support unit 18, which also realizes that the plug element 24 and the support element 32 are not movable relative to each other, wherein the distance 42 between the head section 26 of the plug element 24 and the support element 32 is greater than the plate thickness 40.

[0121] For this purpose, in this embodiment, the shaft part 74 is connected in one piece to the support element 32 at its base end 30, so that a support / shaft element 100 is formed which comprises the support element 32 and the shaft part 74 of the plug-in element 24 in one piece.

[0122] The head part 72 is separate and is designed as an axially continuous head ring 102 with an internal thread that complements an external thread in the upper region 28a of the shaft part 74, whereby the connection 76 is established or can be established. Here, too, in a modification not specifically shown, a different connection 76 can be formed, for example, in the manner of a bayonet lock. Furthermore, the head part 72 can be closed at its upper side, as in the other exemplary embodiments.

[0123] The upper region 28a of the shaft part 74 merges into the central region 28b via a circumferential clamping step 104 with an upwardly facing step surface 106; the lower region 28c with the foot end 30 has, in the present embodiment, the same cross-section as the central region 28b.

[0124] The head ring 102 can be screwed against the clamping step 104 and thereby clamped.

[0125] At the transition between the shaft part 74 and the support element 32, a circumferential support step 108 with a support step surface 110 is formed in the support / shaft element 100, on which the support plate 16 can rest.

[0126] The axial extension of the sections 28b and 28c of the shaft part 74 from the clamping step 104 to its base end 30 or to the support element 32 corresponds to the distance 42 and the receiving area 44 of the support unit 18.

[0127] The support element 32 is not designed as a support sleeve, but rather also has a sleeve section 90 that is open at the bottom but closed at the top. The term "sleeve section" here simply means that this section has a circumferential wall surrounding an interior space.

[0128] Here, too, the inner diameter and cross-section of the sleeve portion 90 are matched to the outer diameter and cross-section of the head portion 26 of the plug-in element 24, in this case the head ring 102: a support element 32, in this case the support / shaft element 100, can be guided from above over the head portion 26 of the plug-in element 24 of a support unit 18 adjacent to the bottom, so that the support element 32 receives and surrounds this adjacent head portion 26. This is illustrated in Figure 24, which shows the loaded state and the loaded functional configuration of the support unit 18. Thus, as in the sixth embodiment, in the seventh embodiment, the support element 32 in the loaded state of a tiered frame 10 rests directly on the support plate 16 arranged underneath it of an associated tiered unit 14.

[0129] In the embodiment shown here, the support element 32 of the support / shaft element 100 has a bell-shaped configuration. However, the geometry of the support element 32 can deviate from this and, for example, be designed in the manner of a cylinder. The support element 32 can also be longer in the axial direction than in the embodiment shown here. This applies in principle to all described embodiments: the length of the support element 32 is always adjusted to the desired distance between two adjacent support plates 16 in the tiered frame 10.

[0130] In the seventh embodiment according to Figures 22 to 24, the tiered unit 14 is assembled by inserting the shaft part 74, with the upper portion 28a leading, from below through the plate passage 32 of the support plate 16. On the support side 20 of the support plate 16, the head part 72 is then screwed onto the shaft part 74 and clamped against its clamping step 104.

[0131] In the loaded state, the support plate 16 rests on the support step surface 110 of the support element 32, but again a distance remains between the support plate 16 and the head section 26 in the upward direction, which distance corresponds to the difference between the distance 42 and the plate thickness 40.

[0132] When the tier unit 14 is brought into the unloaded state, the support unit 18, in the unloaded functional configuration, drops downward relative to the support plate 16 until the head section 26, i.e., in the present embodiment, the head part 72 in the form of the head ring 102, of the plug-in element 24 rests on the support side 20 of the support plate 16. A distance then remains in the downward direction between the support plate 16 and the support element 32, which again corresponds to the difference between the distance 42 and the plate thickness 40. This can be seen in Figure 24.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS Support unit for a support plate (16) for constructing a tiered frame (10) for the heat treatment of workpieces (12), in which the support plate (16) forms a tiered unit (14) with a plurality of support units (18) and has a plurality of plate passages (36), wherein a respective support unit (18) can be connected to the support plate (16) in such a way that the support plate (16) carries the respective support unit (18) with it during a movement, with a) a plug-in element (24) with a head section (26) which, due to its shape, cannot penetrate the plate passage (36), and with a shaft section (28) projecting from the head section (26), which is complementary to the plate passage (36) in such a way that it can penetrate it and which has a foot end (30) remote from the head section (26); b) a support element (32) which is connected to the foot end (30) of the shaft section (28);wherein c) in a functional configuration of the support unit (18) between the head section (26) of the plug-in element (24) and the support element (32) a distance (42) and a receiving area (44) remain, in which the support plate (16) can be arranged between the head section (26) and the support element (32) or is arranged in the case of a tiered unit (14); characterized in that d) in an unloaded functional configuration of the support unit (18) the plug-in element (24) and the support element (32) are movable relative to one another and / or in the case of a tiered unit (14) relative to the support plate (18). Support unit according to claim 1, characterized in that in the plug-in element (24) the head section (26) is designed as a separate head part (72) and the shaft section (28) is designed as; Shaft part (74) are formed, which are detachably connected to one another by means of a connection (76), in particular by means of a threaded connection. Support unit according to claim 2, characterized in that the shaft part (74) is formed as a separate shaft part (74) which is also detachably connected to the support element (32). Support unit according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the support element (32) is a support sleeve (52). Support unit according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the support element (32) has a counter device (54) which cooperates with the foot end (30) of the plug-in element (24) in such a way that the foot end (30) of the plug-in element (24) entrains the support element (32) during a movement.Support unit according to claim 5 with reference to claim 4, characterized in that a) the plug-in element (24) carries at its base end (30) at least two coupling pins (48) projecting transversely to its longitudinal axis, wherein aa) the counter device (54) of the support sleeve (52) comprises counter ribs matching the coupling pins (48) of the plug-in element (24), which project inwards on the inner circumferential surface of the support sleeve (52) and are spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction such that the coupling pins (48) of the plug-in element (24) can be guided through between the counter ribs; or ab) the counter device (54) of the support sleeve (52) comprises guide slots (78) or guide grooves (84) which are complementary to the coupling pins (48) of the plug-in element (24), which extend in the wall of the support sleeve (52) from an open end (80) to a stop end (82) and in which the coupling pins (48) of the plug-in element (24) are guided;. or b) the plug-in element (24) is formed at its base end (30) with a coupling collar, in particular a coupling cone, and the locking device (54) of the support sleeve (52) is formed by a step (92) complementary to the coupling collar with a downwardly facing step surface (94) in the inner circumferential surface of the support sleeve (52).

7. Support unit according to claim 6 a) aa), characterized in that the counter ribs are designed in the form of cylinder segments (56), each of which has an indentation (62) on its underside, which is designed such that a) a horizontal, circumferential surface (64) remains radially outward on the underside of the respective cylinder segment (56); or b) the surface of the indentation (62) merges radially outward into the inner circumferential surface of the support sleeve (52).

8. Support unit according to claim 4, characterized in that the plug element (24) has an external thread at its base end (30) and the support sleeve (52) has a complementary internal thread in a coupling region (34).

9. Support unit according to claim 2, characterized in that the shaft part (74) is connected at its base end (30) in one piece with the support element (32), so that a support / shaft element (100) is formed which integrally comprises the support element (32) and the shaft part (74) of the plug-in element (24).

10. Support unit according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the support element (32) has a lower sleeve section (90) with an inner diameter and a cross section which are matched to the outer diameter and the cross section of the head section (26) of the plug-in element (24) in such a way that a support element (32) can be inserted from above over the head section (26) of the plug-in element (24) into a below adjacent support unit (18) so that the support element (32) receives and surrounds this adjacent head section (26). Tier unit for constructing a tiered rack (10) for the heat treatment of workpieces (12), which comprises a support plate (16) with a plurality of plate passages (36), wherein in each case a support unit (18) is connected to the support plate (16) in such a way that the support plate (16) carries the respective support unit (18) with it during a movement, characterized in that the support units (18) are designed according to one of claims 1 to 11. Tier rack for the heat treatment of workpieces (12), which comprises a plurality of tier units (14), each with a support plate (16) and a plurality of support units (18), characterized in that the tier units (14) are each a tier unit (14) according to claim 11.

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