Separating-joining device and method

Abstract

The invention relates to a separating-joining device (10) for separating and joining a carrier body (11) and for discharging (140) a carrier body section (20), comprising: a guide unit (13) for guiding the carrier body (11) and / or a carrier body section along a transport path (TP) between a first drivable conveying unit (14) and a second drivable conveying unit (15), at least one separating unit (16) arranged along the transport path (TP) for thermally separating the carrier body (11) into at least one first carrier body section (17) and a remaining carrier body section (18), wherein the remaining carrier body section (18) has a second carrier body section (20) and a third carrier body section (21) which can be separated from the second carrier body section (20), and a joining unit (23) for thermally joining (160) the first carrier body section (17) and the third carrier body section (21) at a joining interface (24), and at least one discharge unit (25) for discharging (140) the second carrier body section (20) of the remaining carrier body section (18) in a discharge outlet (26), wherein the discharge unit (25) has a diverter (27).

Description

[0001] Separating-joining device and method

[0002] The invention relates to a separating and joining device and a method particularly suitable for punched strip processing.

[0003] DE 10 2021 112 582 A1 discloses a punched strip production system with a mechanical separation of strip segments. Mechanical separation devices are subject to wear, are inaccurate, and prone to failure. DE 10 2021 112 262 A1 discloses a punched strip production system with a mechanical separation of strip segments. WO 2019 / 214 855 A1, DE 20 2018 002 305 A1, and DE 10 2018 003622 A1 disclose devices for separating a workpiece that also operate mechanically. Mechanical devices for mechanically cutting the carrier body to sort out defective components can also require a large installation space. Furthermore, the carrier body may only be accessible to a limited extent for mechanical cutting, so that a mechanical device for mechanically cutting the carrier body is only suitable to a limited extent for sorting out the defective components in order to separate out components that are arranged closely together without causing damage.In addition, switching from one stamped part to another (so-called item change) can involve significant retooling effort on a mechanical device for mechanically cutting the carrier body to sort out the defective components. Furthermore, mechanical devices can be subject to high wear and tear and require high maintenance costs.

[0004] EP 2 285 521 B1 discloses a laser punching device for high-speed cutting. This device is used to cut a material supply from a coil supply and can also be used for welding.

[0005] CN 1 13 385 937 A discloses a laser welding device for induction coils, which additionally features a feeding and cutting mechanism. DE 10 2022 111 646 A1 discloses a separating and joining device and a method for sorting out a defective component. A disadvantage is that it is difficult to reliably remove separated strip sections, especially longer sections containing multiple components.

[0006] EP 0396 498 A1 discloses a method for joining flat strips with a thickness of 0.2 to 1.5 mm. A plasma welding arc is used. The method does not involve separating strip sections, but rather simply joining strip ends. Another disadvantage is that the welding arc can cause deformation and / or contamination of the components.

[0007] The object of the invention is to provide an improved separating-joining device and an associated method.

[0008] The invention includes a device having the features of independent patent claim 1 and a method having the features of independent patent claim 10.

[0009] When inspecting punched parts from a carrier strip designed as an endless belt, defective strip sections or test strip sections must be removed from the automated process. For this purpose, they must be separated from the endless belt and the now separated endless belt must be reassembled.

[0010] In the current state of the art, individual parts are often manually separated from an endless belt and then reassembled. This often involves mechanical removal of the defective parts.

[0011] This increases the process times for removing defective parts, especially when multiple defective parts are involved. This entails a high risk of downtime for the entire punching line. At the same time, the mechanical removal of the parts results in longer setup times.

[0012] It is therefore an object of the present invention to at least partially overcome at least one of the disadvantages described above. In particular, the object of the invention is to provide a separating and joining device that, on the one hand, optimizes the process time and, on the other hand, enables efficient separating and joining.

[0013] The above object is achieved by a device having the features of independent patent claim 1 and by a method having the features of independent patent claim 9. Further features and details of the invention emerge from the subclaims, the description, and the drawings. Features and details described in connection with the invention also naturally apply in connection with the method according to the invention, and vice versa, so that with regard to the disclosure, reference is always made to the individual aspects of the invention.

[0014] A first aspect of the invention is a separating-joining device for separating and joining a carrier body and for removing a carrier body section. The separating-joining device comprises the following:

[0015] - a guide unit for guiding the carrier body and / or a carrier body section along a transport path between a first drivable conveyor unit and a second drivable conveyor unit,

[0016] - at least one separation unit arranged along the transport path between the first drivable conveyor unit and the second drivable conveyor unit for thermally separating the carrier body into at least a first carrier body section and a residual carrier body section at a first separation interface and for thermally separating the residual carrier body section into a second carrier body section and a third carrier body section separable from the second carrier body section at a second separation interface,

[0017] - at least one joining unit arranged along the transport path between the first drivable conveyor unit and the second drivable conveyor unit for thermally joining the first carrier body section and the third carrier body section at a joining interface, in particular wherein the joining unit is identical to the separating unit,

[0018] - wherein the first drivable conveyor unit is provided for transporting the carrier body and / or one of the first carrier body sections in a feed direction and a return direction opposite to the feed direction,

[0019] - wherein the second drivable conveyor unit is provided for transporting the carrier body and / or a residual carrier body section and / or the second carrier body section and / or the third carrier body section in the feed direction,

[0020] - at least one dispensing unit for dispensing the second carrier body section of the remaining carrier body section into a dispensing outlet, wherein the dispensing unit has a switch and the switch can be switched from a first state in which the carrier body and / or the third carrier body section can be transported along the transport path to a second state in which the carrier body and / or the second carrier body section can be transported into the dispensing outlet while deflected from the transport path.

[0021] In the present case, a switch is understood to be a device for switching a material flow between at least two, in particular exactly two, material flow paths. The material flow can be received at a material flow inlet of the switch and, in a first switching state of the switch, can be discharged to a first material flow outlet, for example, a standard material outlet, and, in a second switching state of the switch, to a second material flow outlet, for example, an output outlet.

[0022] The material flow here is understood as the carrier body being transported in the feed direction. In the first switching state of the switch, the carrier body or the third carrier body section is transported or discharged along the specified transport path to a standard material outlet or a waiting position. In the second switching state of the switch, the remaining carrier body section or the second carrier body section is diverted from the transport path—for example, via a discharge opening into a discharge path—and discharged into the discharge outlet by means of the discharge unit.

[0023] The dispensing unit's switch can be or have a dispensing opening. This dispensing opening can be permanently open or closable.

[0024] A separating and joining device of this type enables the rapid removal of defective material sections or makes test sections quickly available. For this purpose, the carrier body only needs to be thermally separated at a specified location, i.e., the separation interface. At the same time, the third carrier body section and the first carrier body section can be quickly and easily joined together to form a single carrier body, simplifying and ensuring further transport of the carrier body.

[0025] This optimizes the entire process, since neither the upstream devices for preparing or producing the carrier body nor the downstream devices for further processing need to be stopped in order to separate out defective areas or test strips.

[0026] Within the scope of the invention, it is conceivable for the dispensing unit to comprise a mechanical conveying unit for dispensing the second carrier body portion of the remaining carrier body portion. The mechanical conveying unit is a conveyor belt, in particular a structured conveyor belt, and / or a roller conveyor, in particular a structured roller conveyor, and / or at least one spring-loaded roller, in particular at least one spring-loaded roller pair.

[0027] A mechanical conveyor unit accelerates the removal of the second carrier body section, thus ensuring rapid removal. This is particularly advantageous for joining the first carrier body section and the third carrier body section to the carrier body, as it ensures that the joining interface area is free of the second carrier body section. This increases the efficiency of the separating-joining device process and contributes positively to the fast and precise separating and joining of the carrier body.

[0028] Furthermore, it is conceivable for the separating-joining device to have a pneumatic conveying unit for discharging the second carrier body section of the remaining carrier body section. The pneumatic conveying unit is a compressed air nozzle, in particular a compressed air nozzle at a beginning of the separating unit, and / or a suction unit, in particular a suction unit at an end of the separating unit, wherein the separating unit has a channel for the guided injection and / or suction of the second carrier body section. The pneumatic conveying unit is particularly efficient because compressed air is already used to operate the separating-joining device. This can then be provided in a simple manner for the compressed air nozzle and / or the suction unit.

[0029] Furthermore, the separating and joining device can be provided with an insertion aid for inserting the second carrier body section of the remaining carrier body section into the dispensing unit, in particular into the switch, between the first drivable conveyor unit and the second drivable conveyor unit, in particular the mechanical and / or pneumatic conveyor unit upstream of the dispensing unit. The insertion aid is at least one compressed air nozzle, wherein the at least one compressed air nozzle is designed to blow onto the second carrier body section on an upper side. Additionally or alternatively, the insertion aid is at least one suction nozzle, wherein the at least one suction nozzle is designed to suck onto the second carrier body section on an underside. Additionally or alternatively, the insertion aid is at least one insertion plate, in particular an insertion channel, for deflecting the second carrier body section.

[0030] The insertion aid is used to guide and thus safely insert the second carrier body section of the remaining carrier body section into the switch of the dispensing unit. For dispensing, the switch is set to the second position, and the remaining carrier body is guided into the insertion aid using the feed rate. The insertion aid thus ensures that the remaining carrier body is guided into the dispensing path. This is particularly advantageous for carrier bodies made of a flexible material and therefore do not have a rigid shape.

[0031] It is particularly advantageous for the separating and joining device if the discharge unit is height-adjustable. This height adjustability allows the discharge unit's switch to be easily switched from one position to the other, as the discharge path or discharge opening can be easily adjusted to align with the material path.

[0032] Furthermore, it is advantageous for the separating-joining device to include a control unit for regulating and / or controlling the separating unit, the joining unit, the first drivable conveyor unit, the second drivable conveyor unit, and / or the dispensing unit. The control unit is designed to control and / or regulate the first drivable conveyor unit in order to transport the carrier body in the feed direction and the first carrier body section in the feed direction and the return direction.

[0033] This enables efficient thermal separation of the carrier body into the remaining carrier body section and the first carrier body section, as well as the remaining carrier body section into the second carrier body section and the third carrier body section. At the same time, the transport of the first carrier body section in the return direction enables precise alignment of the separating edges of the first carrier body section and the third carrier body section, allowing joining at the joining interface.

[0034] Within the scope of the invention of the separating and joining device, it is conceivable for the separating unit to be a laser separating unit, wherein the thermal separation of the carrier body into the first carrier body section and the remaining carrier body section takes place at the first separating interface, and the thermal separation of the remaining carrier body section into the second carrier body section and the third carrier body section takes place at the second separating interface of the carrier body by means of a laser beam. Additionally or alternatively, it is conceivable for the separating and joining device to be a laser joining unit, in particular a laser welding unit, wherein the thermal joining of the first carrier body section and the third carrier body section to the carrier body takes place at the joining interface by means of a laser beam. It is particularly advantageous and, above all, space-saving if the laser separating unit and the laser joining unit are one laser unit.Advantageously, the laser unit can be designed for cutting in pulsed laser mode. Advantageously, the laser unit can be designed for joining in continuous-wave laser mode, or in long-pulse mode with longer pulses than those used for cutting.

[0035] Furthermore, it is conceivable in the separating-joining device that a first clamping unit is provided for clamping the carrier body for the thermal separation of the carrier body into the first carrier body section and the remaining carrier body section at the first separation interface of the carrier body, and for the thermal separation of the remaining carrier body section into the second carrier body section and the third carrier body section at the second separation interface of the carrier body for the removal of the second carrier body section. Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable in the separating-joining device that a second clamping unit is provided for clamping the carrier body for the thermal joining of the first carrier body section and the third carrier body section to the carrier body at the joining interface of the carrier body, wherein in particular the first clamping unit and the second clamping unit are the same clamping unit.

[0036] The first and / or second clamping unit can be used to fix the position of the carrier body or the remaining carrier body section during the cutting and / or joining process. This increases the accuracy and speed of the cutting and joining process with the cutting-joining device.

[0037] A second aspect of the invention is a method for separating and joining a carrier body and for dispensing a second carrier body portion of a carrier body, comprising the following steps:

[0038] - Transporting the carrier body in a feed direction by means of a first drivable conveyor unit and / or a second drivable conveyor unit,

[0039] - Determining, in particular automated determining, a first separation interface and a second separation interface of the carrier body by means of the control unit,

[0040] - First thermal separation, in particular automated thermal separation, of the carrier body at the first separation interface to form a first carrier body section and a residual carrier body section by means of the separation unit, wherein a section of the residual carrier body section forms a second carrier body section,

[0041] - Transporting the first carrier body section in the feed direction by means of the first drivable conveyor unit - Discharging the second carrier body section of the remaining carrier body section through a discharge outlet by means of the discharge unit,

[0042] - Second thermal separation, in particular automated thermal separation, of the residual carrier body section at the second separation interface by means of the separation unit, wherein a third carrier body section is formed by separating the second carrier body section from the residual carrier body section,

[0043] - Transporting the first carrier body section in a return direction opposite to the feed direction to the third carrier body section by means of the first drivable conveyor unit, wherein an end of the third carrier body section lying from the feed direction and an end of the first carrier body section lying from the return direction form a joining interface,

[0044] - thermally joining the first carrier body section and the third carrier body section to the new carrier body at the joining interface by means of the joining unit.

[0045] For thermal joining, the end of the third carrier body section facing the feed direction and the end of the first carrier body section facing the return direction can overlap, be butted, or be arranged as a weldable joint. The design of the joint can be selected depending on the joining method used and the design of the carrier body.

[0046] For guided discharge, the discharge unit can be equipped with a switch that can be switched from a first state, in which it transports a material stream along the transport path, to a second state, in which it transports the material stream along a discharge path. The discharge path is then branched off from the transport path.

[0047] The material flow here is understood as the carrier body being transported in the feed direction. In the first switching state of the switch, the carrier body or the third carrier body section is transported or dispensed along the specified transport path to a standard material outlet or a waiting position. In the second switching state of the switch, the remaining carrier body section or the second carrier body section is diverted from the transport path via the discharge outlet into a discharge path and discharged by the discharge unit.

[0048] The switch increases the efficiency of the dispensing unit and accelerates the entire process, as a second carrier body section of indefinite length can be branched off in a simple manner without having to interrupt the conveying process of the remaining carrier body section.

[0049] The dispensing unit's switch can be or have a dispensing opening. This dispensing opening can be permanently open or closable.

[0050] This process enables the rapid removal of defective material sections or test sections. For this purpose, the carrier body only needs to be thermally separated at a specified location, i.e., the separation interfaces. At the same time, the third carrier body section and the first carrier body section can be quickly and easily joined to form a single carrier body. This simplifies and ensures the further transport of the defect-free carrier body for further processing.

[0051] The transport of the first carrier body section in the feed direction by means of the first drivable conveyor unit and the discharge of the second carrier body section of the remaining carrier body section through a discharge outlet by means of the discharge unit can be carried out simultaneously or sequentially. The order of these steps depends on the design of the discharge unit or the switch of the discharge unit.

[0052] In the method, it is conceivable for the dispensing unit to dispense the second carrier body portion during dispensing by means of a mechanical conveyor unit. The mechanical conveyor unit is a conveyor belt, in particular a structured conveyor belt, and / or a roller conveyor, in particular a structured roller conveyor, and / or at least one spring-loaded roller, in particular at least one spring-loaded roller pair.

[0053] The mechanical conveyor unit enables accelerated ejection and rapid removal of the second carrier body section. Conversely, this also enables rapid joining of the first and third carrier body sections to form the carrier body.

[0054] In the method, it is conceivable for the dispensing unit to dispense the second carrier body section during dispensing by means of a pneumatic conveying unit. The pneumatic conveying unit is a compressed air nozzle, in particular a compressed air nozzle at the beginning of the dispensing unit, and / or a suction unit, in particular a suction unit at the end of the dispensing unit. The second carrier body section is thereby injected and / or sucked into a channel.

[0055] The pneumatic conveying unit enables accelerated dispensing and rapid removal of the second carrier body section. This also enables rapid joining of the first and third carrier body sections to form the carrier body. The use of compressed air is particularly advantageous, as it is already used for the process and operation, so only an additional line is required.

[0056] Furthermore, it is conceivable in the method that the second carrier body is introduced into the dispensing unit during the dispensing by means of an insertion aid, wherein the insertion is carried out by blowing the upper side of the second carrier body section by means of a compressed air nozzle, and / or sucking the underside of the second carrier body section by means of a suction air nozzle, and / or deflecting the second carrier body section by means of the insertion plate, in particular the insertion channel.Furthermore, it is conceivable in the method that the first drivable conveyor unit transports the first carrier body section after the first thermal separation in the feed direction into a waiting position, wherein the waiting position is outside a region of the dispensing unit, and that the first drivable conveyor unit transports the first carrier body section after the second thermal separation in the return feed direction into a joining position, wherein the first carrier body section and the third carrier body section are subsequently joined to form the new carrier body at the joining interface.

[0057] The waiting position can be located behind the switch of the application unit in the feed direction so that the position of the first carrier body section is not influenced by the application unit.

[0058] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the second drivable conveyor unit transports the second carrier body section of the remaining carrier body section until the second separation interface is reached, wherein at the same time the discharge unit discharges the second carrier body section.

[0059] The third carrier body section is then separated from the remaining carrier body by the separation unit, allowing the second carrier body section to be further dispensed by the dispensing unit. Transporting the second carrier body section of the remaining carrier body section before separating the third carrier body section increases the efficiency of dispensing, enabling rapid joining of the first and third carrier body sections. Furthermore, a second carrier body section of greater length can also be dispensed.

[0060] Furthermore, it is advantageous in the method if the height of the dispensing unit is adjusted for dispensing the second carrier body section. Height can be understood as a coordinate perpendicular to the transport direction in a plane that includes the material flow path and the direction of the branched material flow. The height can be the coordinate opposite to the direction of gravity. By virtue of the height adjustability, the switch of the dispensing unit can be easily moved from a first state to a second state, since the dispensing path or dispensing opening can be easily adjusted into the material path.

[0061] In order to perform both the separating and joining processes as precisely as possible, it is advantageous to fix the positions of the carrier body or the residual carrier body section during the respective step. For this purpose, the carrier body or the residual carrier body section can be clamped during separating and the first and third carrier body sections can be clamped by means of a first and / or second clamping unit. The positioning of the first and / or third carrier body sections to form the joining point can be carried out with the aid of at least one image of the carrier body sections recorded with an image sensor. For this purpose, the separating-joining device can comprise the image sensor, which is connected to the control unit.

[0062] It is particularly advantageous in the process if the process is carried out with a separating-joining device as described above.

[0063] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which describes several embodiments of the invention in detail with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description may be essential to the invention individually or in any combination. The invention is illustrated in the following figures:

[0064] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a separating-joining device during the transport of a carrier body;

[0065] Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a separating-joining device during the removal of a second carrier body section;

[0066] Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a separating-joining device during the joining of a first and third carrier body section. Figure 4 is a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a dispensing unit.

[0067] Figure 5 is a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a dispensing unit;

[0068] Figure 6 is a schematic representation of a third embodiment of a dispensing unit;

[0069] Figure 7 is a schematic representation of a fourth embodiment of a dispensing unit;

[0070] Figure 8 is a schematic representation of a method for dispensing a second carrier section.

[0071] Fig. 1 to Fig. 3 show a separating-joining device 10 for separating and joining a carrier body 11 and for dispensing 140 the second carrier body section 20 comprising:

[0072] - a guide unit 13 for guiding the carrier body 11 and / or at least one carrier body section 17, 18, 20, 21 along a transport path TP between a first drivable conveyor unit 14 and a second drivable conveyor unit 15,

[0073] - at least one separating unit 16 arranged along the transport path TP between the first drivable conveyor unit 14 and the second drivable conveyor unit 15 for thermally separating the carrier body 11 into at least a first carrier body section 17 and a remaining carrier body section 18 at the first separating interface 19, wherein the remaining carrier body section 18 has a second carrier body section 20 and a third carrier body section 21 that can be separated from the second carrier body section 20 at the second separating interface 22, - at least one joining unit 23 arranged along the transport path TP between the first and the second drivable conveyor unit 15 for thermally joining the first carrier body section and the third carrier body 11 at a joining interface 24.

[0074] The joining unit 23 is identical to the separating unit 16.

[0075] The first drivable conveyor unit 14 is provided for transporting the carrier body 11 and / or one of the first carrier body sections 17 in a feed direction VR, see Fig. 1 , and a return feed direction RR opposite to the feed direction VR, see Fig. 3, and the second drivable conveyor unit 15 is provided for transporting the carrier body 11 and / or a remaining carrier body section 18 and / or the second carrier body section 20 and / or the third carrier body section 21 in the feed direction VR.

[0076] In addition, the separating and joining device 10 has at least one dispensing unit 25 for dispensing 140 the second carrier body section 20 of the remaining carrier body section 18 into a dispensing outlet 26. The dispensing unit 25 has a switch 27, wherein the switch 27 can be switched from a first state in which the carrier body and / or the third carrier body section 21 can be transported along the transport path TP, see Fig. 1, to a second state in which the carrier body and / or the second carrier body section 20 can be transported into the dispensing outlet 26 while deflected from the transport path TP, see Fig. 2. Various embodiments of the dispensing unit 25 are described in more detail below with reference to Figs. 4 to 7.

[0077] To make switching between the first and second states of the switch 27 particularly easy, the dispensing unit 25 is designed to be height-adjustable. Fig. 1 shows the first state of the switch 27, in which the carrier body is transported 110 along the transport path TP in order to reach a standard material output or further processing. Fig. 2 shows the second state, in which the first carrier body section 17 has been separated from the carrier body at a first separation interface 19 and the height of the dispensing unit 25 has been adjusted so that the second carrier body section 20 can be transported 110 in the feed direction VR into the dispensing unit 25, while the separated first carrier body section 17 is in the waiting position WP.

[0078] 4 to 6, the dispensing unit 25 can have a mechanical conveyor unit 28 for dispensing 140 the second carrier body section 20 of the remaining carrier body section 18. Both in the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 4 and in the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 5, a combination of various mechanical conveyor units 28 is provided, wherein in both at least one spring-biased roller 31, and in particular a spring-biased roller pair, is provided. In addition, the dispensing unit 25 in FIG. 3 provides a conveyor belt 29 as the mechanical conveyor unit 28. This conveyor belt 29 can be a structured conveyor belt 29. In FIG. 4, a roller conveyor 30 is additionally provided. It is conceivable that this is a structured roller conveyor 30. In FIG. 6, a conveyor belt 29 is provided as the dispensing unit 25.

[0079] In Fig. 7, the dispensing unit 25 is designed as a pneumatic conveying unit 32 for dispensing 140 the second carrier body section 20 of the remaining carrier body section 18. Fig. 7 shows a pneumatic conveying unit 32 configured as a suction unit 34 at one end of the dispensing unit 25.

[0080] In Fig. 6, in addition to the conveyor belt 29, a compressed air nozzle 33 is provided at the beginning of the dispensing unit 25 as a pneumatic conveying unit 32. The combination of a mechanical conveying unit 28 and a pneumatic conveying unit 32 has proven particularly advantageous, since it allows for precise matching to the materials of the carrier body 11 or the second carrier body section 20. At the same time, the dispensing 140 can be carried out efficiently and cleanly.

[0081] For the configuration with both a compressed air nozzle 33 and a suction unit 34, the dispensing unit 25 has a channel 35 for the guided injection and / or suction of the second carrier body section 20. As shown in Fig. 7 for the suction unit 34 for sucking in the second carrier body section 20.

[0082] For simplified insertion of the second carrier body section 20 of the remaining carrier body section 18 into the dispensing unit 25, an insertion aid 36 is provided upstream of the dispensing unit 25 between the first drivable conveyor unit 14 and the second drivable conveyor unit 15, in particular the mechanical conveyor unit 28 and / or pneumatic conveyor unit 32.

[0083] In Fig. 4, at least one insertion compressed air nozzle 37 is provided as an insertion aid 36. The at least one insertion compressed air nozzle 37 is designed to blow air onto the second carrier body section 20 on an upper side. As a result, a front end of the remaining carrier body section 18 in the feed direction VR is deflected into the discharge unit 25 in order to discharge the second carrier body section 20 of the remaining carrier body section 18 from the conveyor belt 29 in combination with the spring-loaded roller 31.

[0084] In Fig. 5, at least one insertion suction nozzle 38 is provided as an insertion aid 36. The at least one insertion suction nozzle 38 is designed to suction the second carrier body section 20 onto a bottom side. As a result, an end of the remaining carrier body section 18 located at the front in the feed direction VR is deflected into the discharge unit 25 in order to discharge the second carrier body section 20 of the remaining carrier body section 18 by the roller conveyor 30 in combination with the spring-loaded roller 31.

[0085] In Figs. 6 and 7, at least one insertion plate 39 is provided as an insertion aid 36. The at least one insertion plate 39 is designed as an insertion channel for deflecting the second carrier body section 20. The insertion plate 39 forms a particularly simple insertion aid 36 for inserting the second carrier body section 12 into the channel 35 of the respective pneumatic conveying unit 32.

[0086] Furthermore, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, a control unit 42 for

[0087] Control and / or regulation of the separation unit 16, the joining unit 23, the first drivable conveyor unit 14, the second drivable conveyor unit 15, and / or the discharge unit 25 is provided. The control unit 42 is designed to control and / or regulate the first drivable conveyor unit 14 in order to transport 110 the carrier body 11 in the feed direction VR and the first carrier body section 17 in the feed direction VR and the return direction RR.

[0088] The separation unit 16 of the separation-joining device 10 according to Fig.1 and 2 is a laser separation unit 16. The thermal separation of the carrier body 11 into the first carrier body section 17 and the remaining carrier body section 18 takes place at the first separation interface 19 and the thermal separation of the remaining carrier body section 18 into the second carrier body section 20 and the third carrier body section 21 at the second separation interface 22 of the carrier body 11 by means of a laser beam.

[0089] The joining unit 23, which is identical to the separating unit 16, is accordingly a laser joining unit 23, in particular a laser welding unit. The thermal joining 160 of the first carrier body section 17 and the third carrier body section 21 to the carrier body 11 takes place at the joining interface 24 using a laser beam.

[0090] In order to fix the position of the carrier body 11 or the residual carrier body section 18 during both separating and joining, the separating-joining device 10 has clamping units. A first clamping unit 40 is provided for clamping the carrier body 11 for the thermal separation of the carrier body 11 into the first carrier body section 17 and the residual carrier body section 18 at the first separation interface 19 of the carrier body 11, and for the thermal separation of the residual carrier body section 18 into the second carrier body section 20 and the third carrier body section 21 at the second separation interface 22 of the carrier body 11 for the removal 140 of the second carrier body section 20. Furthermore, a second clamping unit 41 is provided for clamping the carrier body 11 for the thermal joining 160 of the first carrier body section 17 and the third carrier body section 21 to the carrier body 11 at the joining interface 24 of the carrier body 11.The first clamping unit 40 and the second clamping unit 41 are the same clamping unit. Fig. 8 shows a method 100 for separating and joining a carrier body 11, as well as for removing 140 a second carrier body section 20 of a carrier body 11. The method 100 is carried out using a separating-joining device 10 described above, as shown in Figs. 1 to 7, and comprises the following steps:

[0091] - Transporting 110 of the carrier body 11 in a feed direction VR by means of a first drivable conveyor unit 14 and / or a second drivable conveyor unit 15,

[0092] - Determining 120, in particular automated determining 120, a first separation interface 19 and a second separation interface 22 of the carrier body 11 by means of the control unit 42,

[0093] - First thermal separation 130, in particular automated thermal separation 130, of the carrier body 11 at the first separation interface 19 to form a first carrier body section 17 and a residual carrier body section 18 by means of the separation unit 16, wherein a section of the residual carrier body section 18 forms a second carrier body section 20,

[0094] - Transporting 110 of the first carrier body section 17 in the feed direction VR by means of the first drivable conveyor unit 14

[0095] - Discharge 140 of the second carrier body section 20 of the remaining carrier body section 18 through a discharge outlet 26 by means of the discharge unit 25,

[0096] - Second thermal separation 150, in particular automated thermal separation 150, of the residual carrier body section 18 at the second separation interface 22 by means of the separation unit 16, wherein a third carrier body section 21 is formed by separating the second carrier body section 20 from the residual carrier body section 18,

[0097] - Transporting 110 the first carrier body section 17 in a return direction RR opposite to the feed direction VR to the third carrier body section 21 by means of the first drivable conveyor unit, wherein a front end of the third carrier body section 21 with respect to the feed direction VR and a front end of the first carrier body section 17 with respect to the return direction RR form a joining interface 24,

[0098] - thermal joining 160 of the first carrier body section 17 and the third carrier body section 21 to the carrier body 11 at the joining interface 24 by means of the joining unit 23.

[0099] In this case, the height of the dispensing unit 25 is adjusted for dispensing 140 the second carrier body section 20. The switch 27 is moved from a first state (Fig. 1) to a second state (Fig. 2).

[0100] 4 to 6 brings the second carrier body section 20 out 140 during the discharge 140 by means of a mechanical conveyor unit 28. As already described above, the mechanical conveyor unit 28 of Figs. 4 and 5 is a conveyor belt 29, in particular a structured conveyor belt 28, and the mechanical conveyor unit 28 of Fig. 5 is a roller conveyor 30, in particular a structured roller conveyor 30. In addition, in Figs. 4 and 5 at least one spring-biased roller 31 is provided as at least one spring-biased roller pair.

[0101] The dispensing unit 25 of Figs. 6 and 7 dispenses 140 the second carrier body section 20 during dispensing 140 by means of a pneumatic conveying unit 32. The pneumatic conveying unit 32 of Fig. 6 has a compressed air nozzle 33 at the beginning of the dispensing unit 25. The pneumatic conveying unit 32 of Fig. 7, on the other hand, has a suction unit 34 at one end of the dispensing unit 25. Generally, pneumatic conveying units have a channel 35 into which the second carrier body section 20 is injected and / or sucked.

[0102] During the dispensing 140, the second carrier body section 20 is inserted 170 into the dispensing unit 25 by means of an insertion aid 36. The insertion 170 can be carried out by blowing the upper side of the second carrier body section 20 by means of a compressed air nozzle 33, see Fig. 4, or by sucking the underside of the second carrier body section 20 by means of a suction air nozzle, see Fig. 5, or by deflecting the second carrier body section 20 by means of the insertion plate 39, in particular the insertion channel, see Figs. 6 and 7.

[0103] After the first thermal separation 130, the first drivable conveyor unit 14 transports 110 the first carrier body section 17 in the feed direction VR to a waiting position WP, wherein the waiting position WP is outside a region of the dispensing unit 25. The first carrier body section 17 remains in this waiting position WP during the dispensing 140, see Fig. 2.

[0104] At the same time, the second drivable conveyor unit 15 transports 110 the second carrier body section 20 of the remaining carrier body section 18 until the second separation interface 22 is reached, wherein at the same time the discharge unit 25 discharges 140 the second carrier body section 20.

[0105] After the second thermal separation 150, the first drivable conveyor unit 14 transports 110 the first carrier body section 17 in the return direction RR into a joining position, wherein the first carrier body section 17 and the third carrier body section 21 are subsequently joined 160 to the carrier body 1 at the joining interface 24, as shown in Fig. 3.

[0106] List of reference symbols

[0107] 10 Separating and joining device

[0108] 11 carrier body

[0109] 13 Management Unit

[0110] 14 first drivable conveyor unit (14)

[0111] 15 second drivable conveyor unit (15)

[0112] 16 Separation unit

[0113] 17 first carrier body section

[0114] 18 Remaining carrier body section

[0115] 19 first separation interface

[0116] 20 second carrier body section

[0117] 21 third carrier body section

[0118] 22 second separation interface

[0119] 23 Joining unit

[0120] 24 joining interface

[0121] 25 application unit

[0122] 26 Discharge outlet

[0123] 27 Switch

[0124] 28 mechanical conveyor unit

[0125] 29 a conveyor belt

[0126] 30 roller conveyors

[0127] 31 spring-loaded roller

[0128] 32 pneumatic conveying unit

[0129] 33 Compressed air nozzle

[0130] 34 Suction unit

[0131] 35 channel

[0132] 36 Insertion aid

[0133] 37 Insertion compressed air nozzle

[0134] 38 Insertion suction nozzle

[0135] 39 Insertion plate

[0136] 40 first clamping unit

[0137] 41 second clamping unit 42 control unit

[0138] 100 procedures

[0139] 110 Transport

[0140] 120 Set

[0141] 130 first thermal separation

[0142] 140 spreading

[0143] 150 second thermal separation

[0144] 160 thermal joining

[0145] 170 Introduction

[0146] TP transport path

[0147] VR feed direction

[0148] RR retraction direction

[0149] WP waiting position

Claims

Patent claims 1. Separating-joining device (10) for separating and joining a carrier body (11) and for removing at least one carrier body section (20), comprising: - a guide unit (13) for guiding the carrier body (11) and / or at least one carrier body section (17, 18, 20, 21) along a transport path (TP) between a first drivable conveyor unit (14) and a second drivable conveyor unit (15), - at least one separation unit (16) arranged along the transport path (TP) between the first drivable conveyor unit (14) and the second drivable conveyor unit (15) for thermally separating the carrier body (11) into at least a first carrier body section (17) and a residual carrier body section (18), wherein the residual carrier body section (18) has a second carrier body section (20) and a third carrier body section (21) which can be separated from the second carrier body section (20), - at least one joining unit (23) arranged along the transport path (TP) between the first drivable conveyor unit (14) and the second drivable conveyor unit (15) for thermally joining (160) the first carrier body section (17) and the third carrier body section (21) at a joining interface (24), - wherein the first drivable conveyor unit (14) is provided for transporting the carrier body (11) and / or the first carrier body section (17) in a feed direction (VR) and a return direction (RR) opposite to the feed direction (VR), - wherein the second drivable conveyor unit (15) is designed to transport the carrier body (11) and / or the second carrier body section (20) and / or the third carrier body section (21) in the feed direction (VR), - at least one dispensing unit (25) for dispensing the second carrier body section (20) of the remaining carrier body section (18) into a dispensing outlet (26), wherein the dispensing unit (25) has a switch (27) and the switch (27) can be switched from a first state, in which the carrier body (11) and / or the third carrier body section (21) can be transported along the transport path (TP), to a second state, in which the carrier body and / or the second carrier body section (20) can be transported into the dispensing outlet (26) while deflected from the transport path (TP).

2. Separating-joining device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the joining unit (23) is identical to the separating unit (16).

3. Separating-joining device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the discharge unit (25) has a mechanical conveyor unit (28) for discharging the second carrier body section (20) of the remaining carrier body section (18), wherein the mechanical conveyor unit (28) is a conveyor belt (29), and / or a roller conveyor (30), and / or at least one spring-biased roller (31).

4. Separating-joining device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dispensing unit (25) has a pneumatic conveying unit (32) for dispensing the second carrier body section (20) of the remaining carrier body section (18), wherein the pneumatic conveying unit (32) is a compressed air nozzle (33) and / or a suction unit (34), wherein the dispensing unit (25) has a channel (35) for guided Injecting and / or sucking in the second carrier body section (20).

5. Separating-joining device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an insertion aid (36) for inserting the second carrier body section (20) of the remaining carrier body section (18) into the discharge unit (25) is provided between the first drivable conveyor unit (14) and the second drivable conveyor unit (15), wherein the insertion aid (36) is at least one insertion compressed air nozzle (37), wherein the at least one insertion compressed air nozzle (37) is designed to blow onto the second carrier body section (20) on an upper side, and / or wherein the insertion aid (36) is at least one insertion suction nozzle (38), wherein the at least one insertion suction nozzle (38) is designed to suck onto the second carrier body section (20) on an underside, and / or wherein the insertion aid (36) has at least one insertion plate (39) for deflecting the second carrier body section (20) is.

6. Separating-joining device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dispensing unit (25) is height-adjustable.

7. Separating-joining device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a control unit (42) is provided for regulating and / or controlling the separating unit (16), the joining unit (23), the first drivable conveyor unit (14), the second drivable conveyor unit (15) and / or the discharge unit (25), wherein the control unit (42) is designed to control and / or regulate the first drivable conveyor unit (14) in order to move the carrier body in the feed direction (VR) and the first carrier body section (17) in the feed direction (VR) and the return direction (RR) to be transported (110).

8. Separating and joining device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the separating unit (16) is a laser separating unit (16), wherein the thermal separation of the carrier body (11) into the first carrier body section (17) and the remaining carrier body section (18) at the first separating interface (19) and the thermal separation of the remaining carrier body section (18) into the second carrier body section (20) and the third carrier body section (21) at the second separating interface (22) of the carrier body (11) takes place by means of a laser beam and / or that the joining unit (23) is a laser joining unit (23), wherein the thermal joining (160) of the first carrier body section 17 and the third carrier body section (21) to the carrier body (11) takes place at the joining interface (24) by means of a laser beam.

9. Separating-joining device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first clamping unit (40) for clamping the carrier body (11) is provided for the thermal separation of the carrier body (11) into the first carrier body section (17) and the remaining carrier body section (18) at the first separation interface (19) of the carrier body (11) and for the thermal separation of the remaining carrier body section (18) into the second carrier body section (20) and the third carrier body section (21) at the second separation interface (22) of the carrier body (11) for the removal of the second carrier body section 20 and / or that a second clamping unit (41) is provided for clamping the carrier body (11) for the thermal joining of the first carrier body section (17) and the third carrier body section (21) to the carrier body (11) at the joining interface (24) of the carrier body (11).

10. Method (100) for separating and joining a carrier body (11) and for removing (140) a second carrier body section (20) of a carrier body (11), comprising the following steps: - transporting (110) the carrier body (11) in a feed direction (VR) by means of a first drivable conveyor unit (14) and / or a second drivable conveyor unit (15), - defining (120) a first separation interface (19) and a second separation interface (22) of the carrier body (11) by means of a control unit (42), - first thermal separation (130) of the carrier body (11) at the first separation interface (19) to form a first carrier body section (17) and a residual carrier body section (18) by means of a separation unit (16), wherein a section of the residual carrier body section (18) forms a second carrier body section (20), - Transporting (110) the first carrier body section (17) in the feed direction (VR) by means of the first drivable conveyor unit (14) - discharging (140) the second carrier body section (20) of the remaining carrier body section (18) into a discharge outlet (26) by means of a discharge unit (25), - Second thermal separation (150) of the residual carrier body section (18) at the second separation interface (22) by means of the separation unit (16), wherein a third carrier body section (21) is formed by separating the second carrier body section (20) from the residual carrier body section (18), - Transporting (110) the first carrier body section (17) in a return direction (RR) opposite to the feed direction (VR) to the third carrier body section (21) by means of the first drivable conveyor unit (14), wherein a the front end of the third carrier body section (21) with respect to the feed direction (VR) and the front end of the first carrier body section (17) with respect to the return feed direction (RR) form a joining interface (24), - thermally joining (160) the first carrier body section (17) and the third carrier body section (21) to the carrier body (11) at the joining interface (24) by means of a joining unit (23).

11. Method (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that the dispensing unit (25) dispenses (140) the second carrier body section (20) during the dispensing (140) by means of a mechanical conveyor unit (28), wherein the mechanical conveyor unit (28) is a conveyor belt (29) and / or a roller conveyor (30) and / or at least one spring-biased roller (31).

12. Method (100) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the dispensing unit (25) dispenses (140) the second carrier body section (20) during the dispensing (140) by means of a pneumatic conveying unit (32), wherein the pneumatic conveying unit (32) is a compressed air nozzle (33) and / or a suction unit (34) and the second carrier body section (20) is sprayed and / or sucked into a channel (35).

13. Method (100) according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the second carrier body section (20) is introduced (170) into the dispensing unit (25) during the dispensing (140) by means of an insertion aid (36), wherein the insertion is carried out by Blowing the upper side of the second carrier body section (20) by means of an introduction compressed air nozzle (37), and / or Sucking the underside of the second carrier body section (20) by means of an introduction suction air nozzle (38), and / or In order to direct the second carrier body section (20) by means of the insertion plate (39).

14. The method (100) according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the first drivable conveyor unit (14) transports (110) the first carrier body section (17) after the first thermal separation (150) in the feed direction (VR) into a waiting position (WP), wherein the waiting position (WP) is outside a region of the dispensing unit (25), and in that the first drivable conveyor unit (14) transports (110) the first carrier body section (17) after the second thermal separation (150) in the return feed direction (RR) into a joining position, wherein the first carrier body section (17) and the third carrier body section (21) are subsequently joined (160) to form the new carrier body at the joining interface (24).

15. Method (100) according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that the second drivable conveyor unit (15) transports (110) the second carrier body section (20) of the residual carrier body section (18) until the second separation interface (22) is reached, wherein at the same time the discharge unit (25) discharges (140) the second carrier body section (20).

16. Method (100) according to one of claims 10 to 15, characterized in that the dispensing unit (25) for dispensing (140) the second carrier body section (20) is adjusted in height.

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