Transfer table

Abstract

The invention relates to a transfer table (1) comprising: a first conveying assembly (2) defining a first article conveying plane (23); a second conveying assembly (4) defining a second article conveying plane (43); and a raising-lowering mechanism (6) for the first and / or second assemblies (2, 4), comprising a cam (61) having a raceway (611) and a pair of follower rollers (62, 64) respective to the conveying assemblies (2, 4) and cooperating with the raceway (611) of the cam (61), the cam (61) being movable by pivoting between: a first position, in which the first plane (23) is disposed above the second plane (43); and a second position, in which the second plane (43) is disposed above the first plane (23). Abstract figure: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Transfer table Technical field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of automatic storage and retrieval systems (ASRS). These systems generally comprise a storage structure (warehouse) in which articles are stored individually or on suitable supports (trays, pallets, etc.). The supply and retrieval of the articles to the storage warehouse is carried out by series of conveyors and switches, controlled with a high degree of automation. The conveyors can be of different types such as rollers, belts, chains, stacker cranes, robots, etc. The main issues are related to the speed and reliability of the handling and extraction of the articles, but also the compactness of the system, as well as the guarantee of not damaging the articles handled.Indeed, changes in direction, accelerations and slowdowns are the potential place for damage to articles. This is the case, for example, of transfer tables, which are conveyor modules allowing an article to be directed in a direction transverse to the main direction in which the article is conveyed. Prior art

[0002] Patent document JP 6 140 467 B describes a transfer table for changing direction in a conveyor line. A number of conveyor rollers, spaced apart from each other, form an assembly which is vertically movable. A conveyor belt can be inserted between each pair of adjacent rollers. When an article transported by the rollers, in a first direction, needs to be diverted, the rollers lower and the belts rise to support the article and convey it in a direction perpendicular to this first direction.

[0003] The mechanism for raising and lowering the rollers and belts comprises eight cams cooperating with as many follower rollers. This design is heavy, uneconomical, bulky and complex. Also, this mechanism requires precise alignment of the eight cams to control the horizontality of the conveyors. These disadvantages become particularly problematic in a storage warehouse or in a conveyor line, which may include a large number of transfer tables of this type. Summary

[0004] The present disclosure makes it possible to respond to these problems, by proposing a more reliable but also simpler design, and therefore more economical and lighter.

[0005] A transfer table is provided comprising: a first assembly comprising a first frame carrying a plurality of first conveyor elements spaced two by two apart and defining a first article conveying plane; a second assembly comprising a second frame carrying a plurality of second conveyor elements spaced two by two apart and defining a second article conveying plane; and a mechanism for raising and lowering the first and / or second assembly(s), comprising a cam having a raceway and a pair of follower rollers cooperating with the raceway of the cam, one of the follower rollers being carried by the first frame and the other being carried by the second frame, the cam being pivotally movable between: a first position, in which the first plane is arranged above the second plane; and a second position, in which the second plane is arranged above the first plane.

[0006] The cooperation of two rollers belonging to two separate kinematic assemblies with the same cam, and more precisely with the same cam path, makes it possible to obtain a raising-lowering mechanism which is more compact, simpler, lighter and more reliable than known systems. While it may be advantageous to manipulate both assemblies, it is also possible to provide that only one of the two conveyors is vertically movable: its movement alone will determine which of the two planes is above the other. In this case, the stationary conveyor will still be provided with a follower roller, even if this will roll on a portion of cylindrical track to keep the conveyor vertically stationary. The system will be flexible because by a single replacement of the cam, the stationary conveyor will become mobile.

[0007] According to another aspect, the cam is a first cam and the pair of follower rollers is a first pair, the raising-lowering mechanism comprising a second cam and a second pair of follower rollers, one of the follower rollers of the second pair being carried by the first chassis and the other being carried by the second chassis. This system makes it possible to control with good reliability the height of at least one geometric line of each of the assemblies.

[0008] According to another aspect, the raising-lowering mechanism comprises a connecting rod connecting the first cam to the second cam, the connecting rod being pivotally attached to the first cam and the second cam at respective points such that the movement of the cams occurs in opposite directions.

[0009] According to another aspect, the raising-lowering mechanism comprises a connecting rod connecting the first cam to the second cam, the connecting rod being pivotally attached to the first cam and to the second cam at respective points such that the movement of the cams takes place in identical directions.

[0010] The connecting rods make it possible to simply and reliably synchronize the movements of the different cams and therefore the height of the conveyor assemblies.

[0011] According to another aspect, the raceway has one or two angular end stops. This allows the vertical movement of the conveyors to be precisely controlled without the use of sensors, actuators and / or control loops.

[0012] According to another aspect, the first and second cams each comprise one or two angular end-of-travel stops configured in such a way that when one of the stops or the stop of the first cam engages a roller carried by the first chassis, respectively carried by the second chassis, one of the stops or the stop of the second cam simultaneously engages a roller carried by the first chassis, respectively carried by the second chassis. The presence of several stops makes it possible to take up the forces or the lateral clearances to obtain precise maintenance of the conveyors in the extreme positions.

[0013] According to another aspect, an electric motor is arranged coaxially with the pivot axis of the (first) cam. This design is particularly compact.

[0014] According to another aspect, the electric motor has an external rotor, the (first) cam being formed or attached to the external rotor.

[0015] Alternatively, the motor may be remote and connected to the cam by a drive belt or chain.

[0016] According to another aspect, the rolling path comprises a so-called common portion on which one then the other of the rollers roll during the pivoting of the cam from the first position to the second position.

[0017] According to another aspect, the raceway has a curvilinear length and the common portion extends over 10 to 30% of the curvilinear length of the raceway.

[0018] According to another aspect, the common portion extends over an angle of the raceway of between 10° and 60°.

[0019] According to another aspect, the transfer table comprises a third cam and a fourth cam, as well as a third pair of follower rollers and a fourth pair of follower rollers, the third and fourth cams and pairs being arranged symmetrically to the first and second cams and pairs, relative to a median plane of the transfer table. This configuration makes it possible to particularly precisely control the horizontality (or the inclination, if desired) of the conveying planes.

[0020] According to another aspect, the angular movement between the first position and the second position is between 30 and 180°. Depending on the diameter of the cam and the rollers, and the height movement of the conveyors, the cam can be optimized to obtain a configuration change as quickly as possible while protecting against possible jolts.

[0021] According to another aspect, the cam(s) may be pivoted into a position median angular position in which the first and second planes coincide. A neutral position can thus be provided, angularly between the first and second positions. From this position, the first or second conveyor can be quickly selected to convey the articles. The cam position in which the planes coincide can be the position of highest altitude. This makes it possible not to translate the load conveyed vertically and never to modify the conveying plane.

[0022] The invention also relates to a method of transferring articles using the transfer table described above, the method comprising: conveying an article by the first assembly, pivoting the cam from the first position to the second position, and then conveying the article by the second assembly.

[0023] According to another aspect, the pivoting of the cam from the first position to the second position is carried out in a first pivoting direction and the method further comprises a step of pivoting the cam from the second position to the first position carried out in a second pivoting direction, opposite to the first pivoting direction. Thus, and unlike certain known systems; there is no need to perform a complete rotation of the cam before being able to return to the first position. Brief description of the drawings

[0024] Other characteristics, details and advantages will appear on reading the detailed description below, and on analyzing the attached drawings, in which: Fig.l

[0025] [Fig.l] shows an exploded view of the transfer table according to one embodiment. Fig. 2

[0026] [Fig.2] shows a cam usable in the transfer table according to one embodiment. Fig. 3

[0027] [Fig.3] shows three angular positions of the cam as well as the follower rollers. Fig. 4

[0028] [Fig.4] shows a detail of the frames of the up-down mechanism. Fig. 5

[0029] [Fig.5] highlights the common portion of the cam path. Fig. 6

[0030] [Fig.6] shows a cam directly formed on the rotor of an electric motor. Description of the embodiments

[0031] [Fig.l] shows an exploded view of a transfer table 1 according to the invention. The transfer table 1 is composed of three main elements, a first assembly 2 conveyor, a second conveyor assembly 4 and a raising-lowering mechanism 6 of the first and second assemblies 2, 4.

[0032] The first assembly 2 is a conveyor which transports articles (not shown) in direction A. The second assembly 4 is a conveyor which transports articles (not shown) in direction B. Direction B is not parallel to direction A and may be perpendicular to direction A.

[0033] The first assembly 2 comprises a first frame 21 on which a plurality of first conveyor elements 22 are arranged. In the example illustrated in [Fig.l], these elements are rollers 22. Alternatively, these elements may be sections of conveyor belts, chains or belts, or any other equivalent type of conveyor. At least one of the conveyor elements 22 may be motorized, by motor means carried by the frame 21 or by remote motor means, in kinematic connection with at least one of the elements 22. Alternatively, none of the elements 22 is motorized and the articles are conveyed by gravity or driven by external means.

[0034] The elements 22 are arranged so as to leave a gap between some of them. This gap is small enough not to hinder the proper conveying of the conveyed articles.

[0035] As illustrated in [Fig.l], the rollers 22 may be of different lengths and / or diameters. However, they are aligned along a plane 23 which is a plane on which the conveyed articles rest. The plane 23 may be horizontal or inclined relative to the horizontal.

[0036] The second assembly 4 comprises a second frame 41 on which a plurality of second elements 42 are arranged. In the illustrated example, the second elements are belts but other types of conveyor elements may be provided (chains, rollers, etc.). The second elements 42 may be of the same length or of different lengths. For example, belts of different lengths may be used to pivot the conveyed articles around a vertical axis in order to modify their orientation before and / or during their transport. The second elements 42 are aligned to form a second conveying plane 43.

[0037] At least one of the conveyor elements 42 can be motorized, by motor means carried by the chassis 41 or by remote motor means, in kinematic connection with at least one of the elements 42.

[0038] The first assembly 2 and the second assembly 4 are vertically movable. Alternatively, as discussed later, only one of the two assemblies 2, 4 is vertically movable. The respective gaps between the first elements 22 and between the second elements 42 are such that the second elements 42 can enter the gaps between the second elements and vice versa, in accordance with the vertical relative movement of the first and second chassis 21, 41. Thus, the articles are conveyed in the direction A when they rest on the plane 23 of the elements 22 or in the direction B when they rest on the plane 43 of the elements 42. In an absolute reference frame, the planes 23 and 43 can occupy the same altitude at the time of the transition between the transport of an article by the elements 22 and by the elements 42. This same altitude can be the maximum altitude that the planes 23, 43 can take during the vertical movement of the assemblies 2, 4. Alternatively, the assemblies 2, 4 can each convey the articles at a different altitude.

[0039] The vertical movement of the first and second assemblies 2, 4 is achieved by a raising-lowering mechanism 6. This mechanism 6 comprises a cam 61 which cooperates with a pair of follower rollers 62, 64. One of the rollers 62 is carried by the first chassis 21 and the second roller 64 is carried by the second chassis 4L. These two rollers 62, 64 roll on a raceway (denoted 611 in [Fig. 2]) of the cam 61. The cam 61 pivots about an axis C which is fixed in an absolute reference frame. Thus, the pivoting of the cam 61 causes the rollers 62 and 64 to rise and fall. The axis of the follower rollers 62, 64 is fixed relative to the respective chassis 21, 41.

[0040] In an embodiment not illustrated, a single cam is sufficient for the vertical movement of the frames 21, 41. It is sufficient for one point of the frames 21, 41 to be raised / lowered for the conveyor elements 22, 42 to alternately take on their function of conveying the transported articles. The planes 23 and 43 can thus vary in inclination to successively convey the articles. The planes 23 and 43 can also be kept horizontal by any suitable means, for example by passive actuators (slides, springs, attitude compensation, etc.) or active actuators (inclination sensors, jacks, electric motors, etc.).

[0041] The mechanism 6 may comprise a second cam 71 pivoting around an axis D and followed by a second pair of follower rollers 72, 74, carried respectively by the first and second chassis 21, 4L. The kinematics of the second cam 71 is identical to that of the first cam 61. The second cam 71 may be independent in pivoting of the first cam 61 in order to adjust the altitude of two points of the chassis 21, 41 independently.

[0042] However, in the example illustrated in [Fig.l], the two cams 61, 71 are connected by a connecting rod 65 so that their pivoting is synchronous. The rolling path of the cams 61, 71 can be chosen so that the altitudes of the respective rollers are different but in a preferred example, the rolling paths are such that the rollers 62, 72 of the first set 2 (resp. the rollers 64, 74 of the second set 4) are at the same altitude for any angular position of the cams 61, 71.

[0043] In the example illustrated, the connecting rod 65 is connected (pivotally) in different positions to the cams 61, 71. In particular, diametrically opposite points have been chosen. so that the pivoting of the two cams 61, 71 takes place in opposite directions. The pivot points can be closer to each other, that is to say that in a middle position (see [Fig.3](c)), the pivots of the connecting rods are not aligned vertically with the center of the cams but angularly offset by a value between 5 and 10°, for example approximately 8°. The offset is to the right for the left cam, and it is to the left for the right cam.

[0044] The movement of the cams in opposite directions allows the lateral forces which are due to the weight of the assemblies 2, 4, applied to one cam to be compensated by the forces applied to the other cam. The cams are therefore less stressed and the frames are self-centered.

[0045] In this case, the cams can be substantially symmetrical. A slight phase shift, depending on the length of the connecting rod, the center distance between C and D, and the radius of the connecting rod attachment point, may have to be taken into account. This phase shift has been calculated as negligible for the orders of magnitude indicated below. In the opposite case, that is to say when the phase shift is not negligible, the raceways of the cams 61 and 71 will not be chosen as being symmetrical with respect to each other.

[0046] According to an alternative not illustrated, the connecting rod 65 is linked to the cams at identical points and the two cams 61, 71 pivot in the same direction. In this case, the cams 61, 71 can be identical if it is desired that the altitude of the rollers be the same for any angular position of the cams 61, 71.

[0047] The example illustrated in [Fig.l] also shows a third 81 and a fourth cam 91. These can be pivotally connected to the first and second cams 61, 71 on the axes C and D. Alternatively, the third and fourth cams can be eccentric or even be arranged at different altitudes. They can also be connected by a connecting rod 65. In the illustrated embodiment, the two connecting rods 65 are arranged to ensure pivoting in the opposite direction of the cams 81 and 91 but by analogy with the above, the connecting rod 65 connecting the third and fourth cams 81, 91 can also ensure movement in the same direction for these cams 81, 91.

[0048] The cam 61 or at least one of the cams 61, 71, 81, 91 can be pivotally driven by an electric motor 100. The rotor 101 of the motor 100 can be connected to a cam or to an axis of the cams by any suitable means (belt, chain, reducer or gear train, etc.).

[0049] Thus, the general operating principle of the transfer table 1 is as follows: an article coming from a conveyor not shown arrives on the transfer table 1. It is conveyed in direction A by the first assembly 2. The motor 100 is actuated to pivot the cam(s) 61, 71, 81, 91 so that the plane 43 rises and then the plane 23 descends, the elements 42 being introduced between the gaps separating the elements 22. The drive of the elements 22 may have ceased before or during the raising of the chassis 41. The motor 100 is stopped when the article which was resting on the elements 22 rests on the elements 42. The elements 42 are then set in motion to transport the article in direction B.

[0050] Once the article has been removed from the transfer table 1, the motor 100 can be engaged in the opposite direction to lower the plane 43 and raise the plane 23.

[0051] The motor 100 can stop in a middle or waiting position, for example in which the planes 23 and 43 coincide.

[0052] Advantageously, as shown in [Fig.l], the different cams and the different rollers are identical. This makes it possible to facilitate manufacturing, fine adjustments during assembly, logistics or maintenance. However, the invention is not limited to this configuration and those skilled in the art will understand that variations can be made to the rollers or cams.

[0053] [Fig.2] shows in detail an example of a cam 61 which can be used in the transfer table 1.

[0054] The cam 61 has a raceway 611 (or rolling strip 611) which is formed of a continuous surface without angularity. The follower rollers 62, 64 rest, due to their own weight and that of the assemblies 2, 4, on this raceway 611. The rollers 62, 64 roll mainly without sliding on the raceway 611.

[0055] The raceway 611 may draw a profile having a symmetry with respect to the vertical axis Z of [Fig.2]. It is understood that the raceway 611 may be chosen in order to obtain a particular kinematics in terms of vertical position, speed and acceleration of each roller.

[0056] In the example illustrated, the raceway 611 can be "cut" into five zones. A central zone E can be characterized by a distance from the center O of the cam which can be substantially constant, that is to say in an arc of a circle. In a zone F and seen from the zone E, the raceway 611 approaches the center of the cam. A follower roller in contact with the zone F will therefore give a lower altitude to the corresponding chassis than a roller in contact with the zone E. Finally, a zone G constitutes a stop 612, 613 characterized by a clear distance of the raceway 611 from the center of the cam. A roller in contact with the stop 612, 613 blocks the pivoting of the cam. For example, the radius of curvature of the zones G can be less than the radius of the rollers. A significant slope in the zone G is another way of obtaining jamming of the cam by the roller. The stop forms a sort of "wall" collinear with the pivot axis of the cam 61 and tangent to the roller.Thus, even a very large torque available on the cam does not allow any vertical translation of the roller. This stop also implies a stable angular position of the cam and therefore . a stable vertical position of the conveyor assemblies. These stable positions guarantee indexing of the cam position even in the event of a motor control failure.

[0057] In a variant not illustrated, the cam 61 does not include a stop, or only includes one.

[0058] The order of magnitude of the zones E, F and G can be illustrated by means of the angles a, [3 and y. These can respectively be in the following ranges: [5;50], [10;150] and [30;180]. The angles are chosen according to the desired kinematics for the assemblies 2 and 4, and / or according to the respective diameters of the cams and rollers, and / or according to the desired permutation speed between the different configurations of the transfer table.

[0059] In an alternative not shown, the cam is not symmetrical. For example, an asymmetry may be provided on the movement of the frames 21, 4L. For example, one of the frames may have a smaller vertical travel, or a different vertical movement speed.

[0060] In an alternative, one of the two assemblies 2, 4 is vertically immobile and the cams are thus provided so that the rollers corresponding to the immobile assembly roll on a portion of the rolling path which is purely cylindrical. The transfer table thus functions as "pop-ups", that is to say that the articles conveyed by the elements 22 are suddenly deflected from their trajectory by the elements 42 which can be pushers, which are inserted between the elements 22. Such a system is flexible since it is sufficient to replace the cam having a cylindrical portion which makes the corresponding assembly 2, 4 vertically immobile, by a cam as discussed above, thanks to which the two assemblies are vertically movable.

[0061] [Fig.2] also shows a central hole 614 receiving a shaft for the pi cam vote around the axis C, and an offset orifice 615 which can be used to connect the connecting rod 65 to the cam 61.

[0062] [Fig. 3] shows three distinct positions of the raising-lowering mechanism using the cam 61 of [Fig. 2]. Position (a) shows the rollers 62, 72 of the first set in contact with the zone E of the respective cams 61, 71 while the rollers 64, 74 of the second set are in abutment in contact with the zone G of the cams. This position corresponds to the “first position” described above, in which the plane 23 is above the plane 43. In this position, the articles are conveyed by the elements 22.

[0063] Position (b) is the “second position” discussed above, in which plane 43 is above plane 23. Indeed, in this position, rollers 62, 72 of the first set 2 are in abutment in zone G of the cams while rollers 64, 74 of the second set 4 are in contact with zone E of the cams. In this position, the articles are conveyed by the elements 42.

[0064] Positions (a) and (b) show that the rollers 64, 74 or 62, 72 are simultaneously in contact with the stops of the different cams, which allows indexing of the position of the planes 23, 43 in mechanically stable positions, and makes it possible to overcome inaccuracies which could be linked to the precise control of the angular position of the electric motor.

[0065] In the example illustrated, the angular movement between the first position (a) and the second position (b) is such that, for example, the roller 61 passes from one end of the zone E to the end of the opposite zone G. This movement is equal to (a+y) / 2 and is between 30 and 180°. In this configuration, the zone E is a common portion, shared by the path of the two rollers, the rest of the path 611 being traveled by only one of the two rollers. This configuration further improves the compactness of the raising-lowering mechanism.

[0066] If the example illustrated in [Fig.3] shows cam movements in opposite directions when moving from one position to another position, in an alternative not shown, the first cam 61 and the second cam 71 can pivot in the same direction.

[0067] Finally, position (c) corresponds to a middle position, in which the rollers are all at the same altitude, in contact with zone E of the cams. In this position, planes 23 and 43 coincide.

[0068] [Fig. 3] also illustrates the fact that the connecting rod 65 can have a more or less complex shape and it is not necessarily rectilinear. Its shape can in particular be chosen to avoid mechanical interference with other bodies during the movement of the connecting rod.

[0069] The distance between the axes of the cams 61, 71 may be several tens of centimeters, for example between 20 cm and 200 cm. The radius of the point at which the connecting rods are connected to the cams may be several tens of millimeters, for example between 20 mm and 80 mm.

[0070] [Fig.4] shows a detail of the up-down mechanism 6 in front view. If It is possible to provide rollers offset along the pivot axis of the cam (C in [Fig.l]), it may be advantageous, for the compactness of the system, for the rollers 62, 64 to overlap at least partially in a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis of the cam. To this end, the first chassis 21 may comprise a notch 211 which avoids mechanical interference between the first chassis 21 and the roller 64 of the second chassis 4L. The notch is large enough to leave any movement of the roller 64 free.

[0071] [Fig.4] also highlights the fact that the follower rollers 62, 64 are offset from each other, following a horizontal transverse direction perpendicular dicular to the pivot axis of the cam. The axes of rotation of the two rollers 62, 64 are typically parallel to the pivot axis C of the cam 61, and may be arranged on either side of the pivot axis C of the cam (or on either side of the vertical axis Z passing through the center of the cam 61).

[0072] Such an offset allows a phase shift between the rise / fall of the two assemblies 2, 4, while the two rollers 62, 64 roll in time offset on a common portion of the rolling path for the two rollers. Indeed, the rollers 62 and 64 each travel a portion of the rolling path 611 during the pivoting of the cam 61 and a certain portion of the rolling path is common to the paths of the two rollers. This aspect is also observable in [Fig. 3], where one can imagine the intermediate positions between the positions which are drawn.

[0073] The common portion is identified in [Fig. 5]. It may be a central portion between the two extreme positions of the path 611, in particular between the two stops 612, 613. The raceway extends from point PI to point P4. The length of the raceway is the curvilinear distance between PI and P4. The common portion extends from PI to P2. Its length may represent between 10 and 30% of the length of the raceway. The angle formed by the common portion (δ) may be between 10 and 60°. This common portion may correspond to the zone marked E in [Fig. 2],

[0074] The rollers may be offset along the C direction and / or may have a different width in the C direction. Thus, when the rollers only partially overlap in the plane perpendicular to C, the common portion is not as wide in the C direction as the rollers.

[0075] If [Fig.l] shows a motor 100 indirectly driving the cams, [Fig.6] illustrates an alternative in which the cam 61 can be formed directly on the rotor 101 of the motor. In this example, the motor 100 has an external rotor, so it has a fixed shaft with the axis C and a rotating tubular body. The cam 61 can be attached to the rotor 101 or be integral with it. [Fig.6] also shows that the third cam 81 can be mounted on the same rotor 101. This solution further improves the compactness and simplicity of the transfer table. List of reference signs

[0076] - 1: Transfer table - 100: electric motor - 101: electric motor rotor - 2: First conveyor assembly - 21: Chassis of the first conveyor assembly - 211: Notch in the first frame - 22: Conveyor elements of the first set - 23: First conveyor plan - 4: Second conveyor assembly - 41: Chassis of the second conveyor assembly - 42: Conveyor elements of the second set - 43: Second conveyor plan - 6: up-down system - 61: came -611: Cam bearing race - 612: first stop - 613: second stop - 614: central hole of the cam - 615: offset cam hole - 62: bearing of the first assembly cooperating with cam 61 - 64: bearing of the second assembly cooperating with cam 61 -71: second cam - 72: bearing of the first assembly cooperating with the cam 71 - 74: bearing of the second assembly cooperating with cam 71 -81: third cam - 91: fourth cam - A: conveying direction of the first set 2 - B: conveying direction of the second set 4 - C: pivot axis of the first cam 61 - D: pivot axis of the second cam 71 - E, F, G: areas of the 611 raceway

Claims

Claims

1. Transfer table (1) comprising: a. a first assembly (2) comprising a first frame (21) carrying a plurality of first conveyor elements (22) spaced two by two and defining a first plane (23) for conveying articles; b. a second assembly (4) comprising a second frame (41) carrying a plurality of second conveyor elements (42) spaced two by two and defining a second plane (43) for conveying articles; and c. a raising-lowering mechanism (6) of the first and / or second set(s) (2, 4), comprising a cam (61) having a raceway (611) and a pair of follower rollers (62, 64) cooperating with the raceway (611) of the cam (61), one of the follower rollers (62) being carried by the first chassis (21) and the other (64) being carried by the second chassis (41), the cam (61) being pivotally movable between: i.a first position (a), in which the first plane (23) is arranged above the second plane (43); and ii. a second position (b), in which the second plane (43) is arranged above the first plane (23).

2. Transfer table (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cam (61) is a first cam and the pair of follower rollers (62, 64) is a first pair, the raising-lowering mechanism comprising a second cam (71) and a second pair of follower rollers (72, 74), one of the follower rollers (72) of the second pair being carried by the first chassis (21) and the other (74) being carried by the second chassis (41).

3. Transfer table (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the raising-lowering mechanism (6) comprises a connecting rod (65) connecting the first cam (61) to the second cam (71), the connecting rod (65) being pivotally attached to the first cam (61) and to the second cam (71) at respective points such that the movement of the cams (61, 71) takes place in opposite directions.

4. Transfer table (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the up-down mechanism (6) comprises a connecting rod connecting the first cam (61) to the second cam (71), the connecting rod being pivotally attached to the first cam (61) and to the second cam (71) at respective points such that the movement of the cams (61, 71) takes place in identical directions.

5. Transfer table according to claim 1, characterized in that the rolling track (611) has one or two angular end-of-travel stops (612, 613).

6. Transfer table according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the first and second cams (61, 71) each comprise one or two angular end-of-travel stops (612, 613) configured in such a way that when one of the stops (612, 613) or the stop of the first cam (61) engages a roller (62, 64) carried by the first chassis (21), respectively carried by the second chassis (41), one of the stops or the stop of the second cam (71) simultaneously engages a roller (72, 74) carried by the first chassis (21), respectively carried by the second chassis (41).

7. Transfer table according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises an electric motor (100) arranged coaxially with the pivot axis (C) of the (first) cam (61).

8. Transfer table according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the electric motor (100) has an external rotor (101), the (first) cam (61) being formed or attached to the external rotor (101).

9. Transfer table according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the rolling path (611) comprises a so-called common portion (P2P3, E) on which one (62) then the other (64) of the rollers roll during the pivoting of the cam (61) from the first position (a) to the second position (b).

10. Transfer table according to claim 9, characterized in that the raceway (611) has a curvilinear length (P1P4) and the common portion (P2P3, E) extends over 10 to 30% of the curvilinear length of the raceway (611).

11. Transfer table according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the common portion extends over an angle (a, ô) of the rolling path (611) between 10° and 60°.

12. Transfer table according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it comprises a third cam (81) and a fourth cam (91), as well as a third pair of follower rollers and a fourth pair of follower rollers, the third and fourth cams (81, 91) and pairs being arranged symmetrically to the first and second cams (61, 71) and pairs (62, 64, 72, 74), relative to a median plane of the transfer table.

13. Transfer table according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the angular movement ((a+y) / 2) between the first position and the second position is between 30 and 180°.

14. Transfer table according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the cam(s) (61, 71, 81, 91) can be pivoted into a median angular position (c) in which the first and second planes (23, 43) coincide.

15. A method of transferring articles by means of the transfer table (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14, the method comprising: conveying an article by the first assembly (2), pivoting the cam (61) from the first position (a) to the second position (b), then conveying the article by the second assembly (4).

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the pivoting of the cam (61) from the first position (a) to the second position (b) is carried out in a first pivoting direction and the method further comprises a step of pivoting the cam (61) from the second position (b) to the first position (a) carried out in a second pivoting direction, opposite to the first pivoting direction.

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