Apparatus for the heat treatment of manufactured articles

Abstract

An apparatus (1) for the heat treatment of articles, comprising a longitudinal casing (2), a convection tunnel furnace (3) positioned longitudinally within the casing (2), a plurality of stackable trays (4) where the articles can be housed, a first conveyor (5) configured to transport a single row of stacks of stackable trays (4) through the furnace (3) from a loading position (6) of the first conveyor to an unloading position (7) of the first conveyor (5); the casing (2) having at least one first longitudinal flank (8) comprising an inner side (9) to the furnace (3) and an outer side (10) to the furnace (3); the furnace (3) having an inlet end (11) and an outlet end (12) of the stacks of stackable trays (4); the apparatus (1) comprising a second conveyor (13) configured for the return transport of the stackable trays (4) from a loading position (14) of the second conveyor (13) to an unloading position (15) of the second conveyor (13) of the stacks of stackable trays (4) and means for moving (16) the stackable trays (4) for movement from the unloading position (15) of the second conveyor (13) to the loading position (6) of the first conveyor (5) and for movement from the unloading position (7) of the first conveyor (5) to the loading position (14) of the second conveyor (13); the second conveyor (13) is located externally to the outer side (10) of the longitudinal flank (8), facing the outer side (10) of the longitudinal flank (8), and the means for moving (16) are located in a position between the loading and unloading positions (6, 7, 14, 15) of the first and second conveyors (5, 13).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for the heat treatment of manufactured articles.

[0002] Apparatuses for the heat treatment of manufactured articles have been available on the market for some time, the articles are typically small-sized semi-finished products from previous mechanical processing stations, after which heat treatments are necessary to complete and consolidate the specific properties and characteristics required by the finished product.

[0003] It is known that apparatuses for the heat treatment of manufactured articles can be bulky and occupy large spaces within production areas of industrial environments.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need to minimize the bulk of such apparatuses.

[0005] Moreover, it is known that such apparatuses are very expensive; thus, there is a need to use smaller components with lower power, which are notoriously less expensive, whenever possible.

[0006] There is therefore a need to improve the general structure of an apparatus for the heat treatment of manufactured articles.

[0007] The technical task of the present invention is, therefore, to create an apparatus that eliminates the technical inconveniences of the known technique.

[0008] Within this technical task, one aim of the invention is to create an apparatus with a reduced bulk compared to the state-of-the-art apparatuses.

[0009] Another aim of the invention is to create an apparatus with a lower overall cost than the current one.

[0010] The technical task, as well as these and other aims, according to the present invention, are achieved by creating an apparatus for the heat treatment of manufactured articles, comprising a longitudinal casing, a convection tunnel furnace positioned longitudinally within the casing, a plurality of stackable trays where said manufactured articles can be housed, a first conveyor configured for the transport of a single row of stacks of said stackable trays through said furnace from a loading position of the first conveyor to an unloading position of the first conveyor; said casing having at least a first longitudinal flank comprising an inner side to the furnace and an outer side to the furnace; said furnace having an inlet end and an outlet end for said stacks of said stackable trays; said apparatus comprising a second conveyor configured for the return transport of said stackable trays from a loading position of the second conveyor to an unloading position of the second conveyor of said stacks of said stackable trays and means for moving said stackable trays for shifting from said unloading position of the second conveyor to said loading position of the first conveyor and for shifting from said unloading position of the first conveyor to said loading position of the second conveyor, characterized by the fact that said second conveyor is located externally to said outer side of the longitudinal flank, facing said outer side of the longitudinal flank, and by the fact that said means for moving are located in a position between said loading and unloading positions of said first and second conveyors.

[0011] Other features of the present invention are also defined in the subsequent claims.

[0012] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more evident from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the apparatus according to the finding, illustrated by way of indicative and non-limiting example in the attached drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an overall isometric view of the apparatus with some elements removed for greater clarity; Figure 2 shows a front view of the apparatus as a whole; Figure 3 shows a transverse vertical section of the apparatus without some elements; Figure 4 shows a top view of the apparatus without some elements.

[0013] With reference to the cited figures, an apparatus for the heat treatment of manufactured articles according to the finding is shown, indicated overall by reference number 1.

[0014] The apparatus 1 for the heat treatment of manufactured articles comprises a longitudinal casing 2, a convection tunnel furnace 3 positioned longitudinally within the casing 2, and a plurality of stackable trays 4 where the manufactured articles can be housed.

[0015] The furnace has, in a known manner, a circuit for forced circulation of heated air for conducting the heat treatment of the manufactured articles.

[0016] Typically, the manufactured articles subjected to the heat treatment comprise friction materials, typically brake pads.

[0017] The apparatus 1 comprises a first conveyor 5 configured for the transport of a single row of stacks of said stackable trays 4 through said furnace 3 from a loading position 6 of the first conveyor to an unloading position 7 of the first conveyor 5.

[0018] The first conveyor 5 passes through a first and a second waiting station 22, 23.

[0019] The furnace 3 has an inlet end 11 and an outlet end 12 for the stacks of said stackable trays 4. The first waiting station 22 is designed for the temporary holding of the stackable trays 4 loaded with the articles to be treated and is located between the loading position 6 of the first conveyor 5 and the inlet end 11 of the furnace 3.

[0020] The second waiting station 23 is designed for the temporary holding of the stackable trays 4 loaded with the treated articles and is positioned between the outlet end 12 of the furnace 3 and the unloading position 7 of the first conveyor 5.

[0021] The apparatus 1 includes a second conveyor 13 configured for the return transport of the stackable trays 4 from a loading position 14 of the second conveyor 13 to an unloading position 15 of the second conveyor 13 of the stacks of stackable trays 4.

[0022] The casing 2 has at least a first longitudinal flank 8 comprising an inner side 9 to the furnace 3 and an outer side 10 to the furnace 3.

[0023] The second conveyor 13 is located externally to the outer side 10 of the longitudinal flank 8, facing it.

[0024] The first and second conveyors 5, 13 are endless chain belts and are horizontal, parallel, and straight.

[0025] Additionally, they can be coplanar or lie on two offset planes.

[0026] In the case of offset planes, the second conveyor 13 lies on a lower plane than the plane on which the first conveyor 5 lies, as visible in the attached figures.

[0027] The apparatus 1 includes one or more means for moving 16 the stackable trays 4 from the unloading position 15 of the second conveyor 13 to the loading position 6 of the first conveyor 5 and from the unloading position 7 of the first conveyor 5 to the loading position 14 of the second conveyor 13.

[0028] The means for moving 16 are positioned between the loading and unloading positions 6, 7, 14, 15 of the first and second conveyors 5, 13.

[0029] The trays 4 have a longitudinal axis L.

[0030] The means for moving 16 include multi-axis robots.

[0031] The multi-axis robots are programmed to place the stackable trays 4 on the first conveyor 5 with their longitudinal axis L orthogonal to the first conveyor 5.

[0032] The multi-axis robots are also programmed to place the stackable trays 4 on the second conveyor 13 with their longitudinal axis L parallel to the second conveyor 13.

[0033] Moreover, the multi-axis robots are programmed to execute a movement trajectory for the stackable trays 4 between the first conveyor 5 and the second conveyor 13 and vice versa.

[0034] The movement trajectory of the stackable trays 4 includes a horizontal translatory component, a vertical translatory component, and a rotational component of 90° around a vertical axis.

[0035] In practice, each time a tray is moved from one conveyor to the other, it is rotated by 90°; this occurs because the trays are positioned differently on the two conveyors.

[0036] This particular movement of the trays allows minimizing the space between the two conveyors while ensuring a shorter movement time for the trays.

[0037] The apparatus 1 includes one or more first conveyor belts 17 for feeding the articles to be treated to the loading position 6 of the first conveyor 5 and one or more second conveyor belts 18 for removing the treated articles from the unloading position 7 of the first conveyor 5.

[0038] The means for moving 16 are configured to move, besides the trays 4, also the articles from the first conveyor belts 17 to the stackable trays 4 and from the stackable trays 4 to the second conveyor belts 18.

[0039] In some versions, the apparatus 1 includes two first conveyor belts 17 for feeding two different types of articles to be treated.

[0040] In this scenario, each of the two conveyor belts is designed to transport a single type of article. The two different articles are then placed on the same tray or on alternating trays 4.

[0041] In the same scenario, the apparatus also includes two second conveyor belts 18 for removing the two different types of treated articles.

[0042] In particular, the means for moving 16 take the treated articles arranged on the same tray or on alternating trays 4 and sort them into the two second conveyor belts 18 according to the type of article.

[0043] In this way, at the exit of the machine, there will be two second conveyor belts 18, each conveying a single type of article.

[0044] For the successful heat treatment of both types of articles, it is essential that both require the same type of treatment, both in terms of temperature and duration, as being placed on the same tray or on alternating trays, they will remain inside the furnace for the same time and at the same temperature.

[0045] The apparatus 1 includes a heating system 19, which can be an electric heating system or a gas heating system, for heating the furnace 3, supported by the longitudinal flank 8 above the second conveyor 13.

[0046] Specifically, in the illustrated case, the heating system 19 is a burner.

[0047] The apparatus 1 includes an access opening 20 for internal inspection of the furnace 3 positioned on the longitudinal flank 8 above the second conveyor 13.

[0048] The apparatus 1 also includes a platform 21 for monitoring the heating system 19 and for internal inspection of the furnace 3 through the access opening 20.

[0049] The platform 21 is positioned above the second conveyor 13 and below the heating system 19 and the access opening 20.

[0050] An operator who wants to inspect the furnace 3 or check the operation of the heating system 19 can do so easily by simply stepping onto the platform 21.

[0051] The inspection platform 21 extends at least the entire length of the furnace 3, allowing inspection of the entire longitudinal flank 8.

[0052] The vertical profile of the platform 21 includes the vertical projections of the second conveyor 13 to prevent objects from falling off the platform due to operator negligence, which could damage the second conveyor 13.

[0053] For the same reason, the second conveyor 13 is set back from the longitudinal edge of the platform 21 distal from the longitudinal flank 8 of the furnace 3.

[0054] The operation of the apparatus 1 according to the invention is evident from the description and illustrations and is substantially as follows.

[0055] Initially, the stackable trays 4 are in the unloading position 15 of the second conveyor 13.

[0056] The articles to be treated arrive at the apparatus 1 via the one or more first conveyor belts 17. Particularly, if the articles are of two or more different types, they will arrive at the apparatus 1 via two or more first conveyor belts 17, each conveyor belt carrying a different type of article. Meanwhile, the means for moving 16 move a first tray from the unloading position 15 of the second conveyor 13 to the loading position 6 of the first conveyor 5.

[0057] Once the first tray is positioned, the means for moving 16 move some articles from the first conveyor belts 17 to the first tray until it is filled.

[0058] Then, the means for moving 16 move a second tray from the unloading position 15 of the second conveyor 13 to the loading position 6 of the first conveyor 5.

[0059] Once the second tray is positioned, the means for moving 16 move some articles from the first conveyor belts 17 to the second tray until it is filled.

[0060] This process repeats iteratively until a whole column of stackable trays 4, loaded with articles to be treated, is completed.

[0061] The stackable trays 4 are then moved by the first conveyor 5 to the first waiting station 22, where they wait to enter the furnace 3.

[0062] Then, the stackable trays 4 pass through the inlet end 11 of the furnace 3 and enter the furnace 3 itself, still being transported by the first conveyor 5.

[0063] Inside the furnace 3, the articles on the stackable trays 4 are treated, and once the treatment is completed, they exit the furnace 3 through the outlet end 12 of the furnace 3, still being transported by the first conveyor 5.

[0064] Once out of the furnace 3, the stackable trays 4 wait for a period in the second waiting station 23 to allow an initial cooling of the articles before their removal from the stackable trays 4.

[0065] Then, still transported by the first conveyor 5, the stackable trays 4 reach the unloading position 7 of the first conveyor 5.

[0066] In this position, the means for moving 16 remove the treated articles from the topmost tray, that is, the highest tray in the stack, and place them on the second conveyor belts 18.

[0067] Particularly, if the articles are of two or more different types, they are placed on two or more second conveyor belts 18, each different type of article placed on a different conveyor belt. When all articles are removed from the topmost tray, the means for moving 16 move the topmost tray from the unloading position 7 of the first conveyor 5 to the loading position 14 of the second conveyor 13.

[0068] Then, the means for moving 16 remove the treated articles from the second-topmost tray and place them on the second conveyor belts 18.

[0069] When all articles are removed from the second-topmost tray, the means for moving 16 move the second-topmost tray from the unloading position 7 of the first conveyor 5 to the loading position 14 of the second conveyor 13.

[0070] This process repeats iteratively until all the stackable trays 4 are emptied of articles and all the trays are moved to the loading position 14 of the second conveyor 13.

[0071] The second conveyor belts 18 then take away the treated articles from the apparatus 1.

[0072] The stackable trays 4, on the other hand, are transported by the second conveyor 13 from the loading position 14 of the second conveyor 13 to the unloading position 15 of the second conveyor 13.

[0073] During this transport, the stackable trays 4 pass below the platform 21 parallel to the outer side 10 of the longitudinal flank 8.

[0074] Once they reach the unloading position 15 of the second conveyor 13, the stackable trays 4 are ready to start the cycle again.

[0075] By stepping onto the platform 21, a human operator can monitor the heating system 19 and its parameters both when the furnace 3 is operational and when the furnace 3 is off, and can also inspect the inside of the furnace 3 through the access opening 20, strictly when the furnace 3 is off.

[0076] Modifications and variations, in addition to those already mentioned, are naturally possible.

[0077] It has been practically found that the apparatus 1 according to the invention is particularly advantageous.

[0078] In fact, the passage of the stackable trays 4 below the platform 21 during their empty return allows a reduction in the overall bulk of the apparatus 1.

[0079] In some previous solutions, the trays were returned on a conveyor belt below the apparatus 1, resulting in a further reduction of the bulk; however, this comes at the expense of increased height of the apparatus 1 to allow the passage of the trays, while maintaining the same width.

[0080] Indeed, the platform 21 was in the same position, so the width bulk was not changed.

[0081] The height bulk, however, was decreased, as was the length bulk: previously, with the trays being transported below the machine, the means for moving 16 were positioned beyond the two ends of the first conveyor 5 to allow the trays to be moved between the two conveyors.

[0082] With the modification of the current apparatus and the positioning of the second conveyor 13 below the platform 21, it is possible to position the means for moving 16 in an intermediate position between the loading and unloading positions 6, 7, 14, 15 of the first and second conveyors 5, 13, allowing the means themselves to reach both conveyors.

[0083] The apparatus 1 as described thus allows reducing the height and length bulk of the apparatus 1 while maintaining the same width.

[0084] Another advantage is that the means for moving 16 have a very limited path to move the trays between the two conveyors and to move the articles between the conveyor belts and the trays. Therefore, it is possible to use means for moving, such as robots, of smaller size and dimensions, with a consequent impact on the overall cost of the apparatus 1, which is thus reduced.

[0085] Finally, due to the limited excursion of the robot movements, the empty return cycle of the trays is significantly shorter.

[0086] The apparatus 1 thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept; moreover, all details can be replaced by technically equivalent elements.

[0087] In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, can be any according to the needs and the state of the art.

Claims

1. An apparatus (1) for the heat treatment of articles, comprising a longitudinal casing (2), a convection tunnel furnace (3) positioned longitudinally within the casing (2), a plurality of stackable trays (4) where said articles can be housed, a first conveyor (5) configured to transport a single row of stacks of said stackable trays (4) through said furnace (3) from a loading position (6) of the first conveyor to an unloading position (7) of the first conveyor (5); said casing (2) having at least one first longitudinal flank (8) comprising an inner side (9) to the furnace (3) and an outer side (10) to the furnace (3); said furnace (3) having an inlet end (11) and an outlet end (12) of said stacks of said stackable trays (4); said apparatus comprising a second conveyor (13) configured for the return transport of said stackable trays (4) from a loading position (14) of the second conveyor (13) to an unloading position (15) of the second conveyor (13) of said stacks of said stackable trays (4) and means for moving (16) said stackable trays (4) for movement from said unloading position (15) of the second conveyor (13) to said loading position (6) of the first conveyor (5) and for movement from said unloading position (7) of the first conveyor (5) to said loading position (14) of the second conveyor (13), characterized in that said second conveyor (13) is located externally to said outer side (10) of the longitudinal flank (8), facing said outer side (10) of the longitudinal flank (8), and in that said means for moving (16) are located in a position between said loading and unloading positions (6, 7, 14, 15) of said first and second conveyor (5, 13).

2. An apparatus (1) for the heat treatment of articles according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said first and second conveyors (5, 13) are horizontal, parallel, and rectilinear.

3. An apparatus (1) for the heat treatment of articles according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said first and second conveyors (5, 13) are coplanar.

4. An apparatus (1) for the heat treatment of articles according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said first and second conveyors (5, 13) lie on two staggered planes, said second conveyor (13) lying on a plane lower than the plane on which said first conveyor (5) lies.

5. An apparatus (1) for the heat treatment of articles according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said first and second conveyors (5, 13) are endless chain belts.

6. An apparatus (1) for the heat treatment of articles according to any preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises one or more first conveyor belts (17) for feeding said articles to be treated to the loading position (6) of the first conveyor (5), and one or more second conveyor belts (18) for removing said treated articles from the unloading position (7) of the first conveyor (5).

7. An apparatus (1) for the heat treatment of articles according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said means for moving (16) are configured to also move said articles from said first conveyor belts (17) to the stackable trays (4), and from the stackable trays (4) to said second conveyor belts (18).

8. An apparatus (1) for the heat treatment of articles according to any one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that it comprises two of said first conveyor belts (17) for feeding two different types of articles to be treated, and for arranging on the same tray or in alternating stackable trays (4) the said two different types of articles to be treated.

9. An apparatus (1) for the heat treatment of articles according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that it comprises two of said second conveyor belts (18) for removing two different types of treated articles, and for sorting said two different types of treated articles arranged on the same tray or in alternating stackable trays (4).

10. An apparatus (1) for the heat treatment of articles according to any preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a heating system (19) for heating the furnace (3) supported by the longitudinal flank (8) above the second conveyor (13), an access opening (20) for internal control of the furnace (3) positioned on the longitudinal flank (8) above the second conveyor (13), and a platform (21) for controlling said heating system (19) and for internal inspection of the furnace (3) through said access opening (20), said platform (21) being positioned above the second conveyor (13) and below the heating system (19) and the access opening (20).

11. An apparatus (1) for the heat treatment of articles according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said platform (21) for control extends at least for the entire length of the furnace (3).

12. An apparatus (1) for the heat treatment of articles according to any one of claims 11 or 12, characterized in that the vertical projection of the second conveyor (13) intercepts the outline of the platform (21).

13. An apparatus (1) for the heat treatment of articles according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that said second conveyor (13) is positioned rearwardly relative to the longitudinal edge of the platform (21) distal from the longitudinal flank (8) of the furnace (3).

14. An apparatus (1) for the heat treatment of articles according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said first conveyor (5) passes through a first waiting station (22) for temporary stalling of said stackable trays (4) loaded with said articles to be treated positioned between said loading position (6) of the first conveyor (5) and said inlet end (11) of said furnace (3), and a second waiting station (23) for temporary stalling of said stackable trays (4) loaded with said treated articles positioned between said outlet end (12) of said furnace (3) and said unloading position (7) of the first conveyor (5).

15. An apparatus (1) for the heat treatment of articles according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said stackable trays (4) have a longitudinal axis (L) and said means for moving (16) comprise multi-axis robots programmed for arranging the stackable trays (4) on the first conveyor (5) with their longitudinal axis (L) orthogonal to the first conveyor (5), for arranging the stackable trays (4) on the second conveyor (13) with their longitudinal axis (L) parallel to the second conveyor (13), and for executing a movement trajectory of the stackable trays (4) between the first conveyor (5) and the second conveyor (13) and vice versa, comprising a horizontal translational component, a vertical translational component, and a 90° rotational component around a vertical axis.

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