Transport system

Abstract

A transport system (1) for feeding a semi-finished product along an assembly path (P) comprises a drum (2) rotatable about an axis of rotation (R2) and at least one transport unit (4) connected to the drum (2); the transport unit (4) is movable along the assembly path (P), in use, by means of a rotation of the drum (2) about the axis of rotation (R2), and the transport system comprises a system (10) for connecting the transport unit (4) to the drum (2) configured in such a way that the transport unit (4) is slidable relative to the drum (2) along a sliding direction (D) between a first operating transport position at which it is moved close to the drum (2) and a second operating processing position at which it is moved away from the drum (2).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION TRANSPORT SYSTEM

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The present invention relates to a transport system, and in particular, to a transport system for moving semi-finished products or components which are to be subjected, during the transport, to further processing functional to obtaining a finished product.

[0004] Background art

[0005] Plants or systems for assembling complex products or items, such as, for example in the field of electronic cigarettes, are known in which several stations follow one another in sequence along an assembly path to complete different assembly or processing steps of the items.

[0006] A transport system feeds the semi-finished products between the stations where the processing may be performed, for example, welding, bending, deformation or other, during appropriate stops.

[0007] A criticality of the known plants is maintaining the components to be processed, especially if they are quite small, in an accurate position during the processing, in particular in the case where there is a need to apply forces, for example, bending, tinning, deformation or welding, to the components themselves.

[0008] In such a circumstance indeed, also the mechanical clearances in the transport system affect the correct execution of all the operations which could end up not being entirely accurate.

[0009] Another criticality is the sizing of the known transport systems which, to support the efforts to which they are subjected during the processing on the components, may be oversized, complex and excessively heavy.

[0010] Object of the invention

[0011] Therefore, there is a need for simple and reliable, but not necessarily oversized, transport systems. In this context, a transport system is suggested, capable of overcoming at least some of the drawbacks of the prior art described above and satisfying the aforesaid need.

[0012] In particular, it is the object of the present invention to provide a reliable and relatively compact transport system.

[0013] Such an object is achieved by a transport system comprising the technical features set out in one or more of the accompanying claims. The dependent claims correspond to possible different embodiments of the invention.

[0014] According to as aspect, the present invention relates to a transport system for feeding, along an assembly path, a semi-finished product intended for successive processing along the path itself.

[0015] For example, the semi-finished product may comprise a first plastic component, a support for example, and a second metal component, a metal sheet for example, to be joined by means of the deformation of the plastic component.

[0016] For example, the semi-finished product may comprise a first component and a second component to be joined by means of ultrasonic welding.

[0017] For example, the semi-finished product may comprise a metal sheet which is to be bent in a part thereof.

[0018] The transport system comprises a drum rotatable about a preferably vertical axis of rotation.

[0019] The transport system comprises a plurality of transport units connected to the drum, in particular, to the periphery thereof, for housing the semifinished products. For example, each transport unit has one or more seats for the semi-finished products.

[0020] The transport units are movable along the assembly path by means of the rotation of the drum about the axis of rotation.

[0021] The assembly path is preferably substantially circular.

[0022] The processing on the semi-finished products may take place, for example, in processing stations in which the transport units may be stopped.

[0023] The transport system comprises a system for connecting the transport units to the drum.

[0024] All the transport units are connected to the drum to be slidable relative to the drum itself along a direction parallel to the axis of rotation between a first operating transport position and a second operating processing position.

[0025] The transport units are movable relative to the drum so as to be moved to the second operating position so that the transported semi-finished products may be subjected, in the processing stations, to the processing required to obtain the finished product.

[0026] The system for connecting the transport units to the drum is configured so that each transport unit is slidable relative to the drum along a sliding direction parallel to the rotation axis between the first and second operating position.

[0027] Advantageously, the processing stations may be equipped so as to move the transport units away from the drum and, for example, abut them against abutments during the processing. Thereby, the drum is not subjected to stress and the operations on the semi-finished products may be managed as if the transport unit were released drum. The transport system is compact, in practice being assimilated with a wheel, and the drum may fulfill solely supporting and moving the semi-finished products without being subjected to other loads.

[0028] By being able to cancel any clearances blocking the unit against an abutment or, for example, by retaining it between the welding members of a welding system, it is possible to obtain completely accurate processing. For example, the transport unit may be blocked against a frame of the processing station during a deformation of a component of the semifinished product or during bending of the semi-finished product.

[0029] Quite advantageously, the transport units are slidable, but they may be moved between the first and second operating positions by mechanisms possibly present in the processing stations and not autonomously by the transport system, which therefore is very simple in this regard.

[0030] The connecting system preferably comprises a first guide in the drum and a first runner, integral with the transport unit, engaged in the guide and slidable along it. Preferably, the drum has at least a first hole having axis parallel to the axis of rotation; the first guide comprises a first bushing inserted in the first hole and the first runner is slidable in the first bushing. Advantageously, a runner-bushing coupling is highly efficient, has very low friction and allows an optimal guiding of the transport unit.

[0031] Preferably, the connecting system comprises a second guide in the drum and a second runner integral with the transport unit; the second runner is engaged in the second guide and is slidable along it.

[0032] The second guide is parallel to the first guide and the second runner is parallel to the first runner. The drum has at least a second hole having axis parallel to the axis of rotation; the second guide comprises a second bushing inserted in the second hole and the second runner is slidable in the second bushing. Preferably, the first and second runners are aligned along a radius of the drum. The use of two guides and respective runners engaged in the guides gives increased stability to the transport units and accuracy in positioning them.

[0033] Preferably, the connecting system comprises at least one elastic element, a compression spring for example, interposed each transport unit and the drum.

[0034] Each elastic element keeps the corresponding transport unit in the first operating position or in the second operating position, opposing a movement of the transport unit itself from the first operating position to the second operating position, or vice versa. Advantageously, thereby, the processing stations in which it is necessary may be equipped so as to move the units from the first operating position to the second operating position or from the second operating position to the first operating position while it is the elastic element that brings the transport unit back to the starting position (first operating position or second operating position). Preferably, the connecting system comprises, for each transport unit, a plate rigidly connected to the first and second runners and arranged on the opposite side of the transport unit relative to the drum.

[0035] The plate may be, for example, screwed to the first and second runners, facilitating a disassembly of the transport unit from the drum.

[0036] Preferably, the elastic element is interposed between the plate and the drum; advantageously, such a location allows, for example, a practical replacement of the elastic element or possibly an adjustment of it.

[0037] Preferably, the support drum has a housing for the elastic element which may serve as guide or containment of the elastic element itself.

[0038] Preferably, the transport unit comprises an arm in which said seat is made. Preferably, the transport unit covers a main body and the arm is fastened, in a releasable manner, to the main body. Thereby, it is possible to replace the arm based on the semi-finished products to be processed or, for example, based on the processing to be performed to obtain the finished product.

[0039] Further features and advantages of the aforesaid aspects will become more apparent from the indicative, and thus non-limiting, description of at least one preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a transport system.

[0040] Brief description of the drawings

[0041] Such a description will be presented below with reference to the accompanying drawings, provided by way of mere and thus non-limiting indication, in which:

[0042] -Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic perspective view of an assembly system comprising a transport system according to the description;

[0043] -Figure 2 shows a diagrammatic perspective view of a detail of the transport system according to the description, with certain parts removed for greater clarity;

[0044] -Figure 3 shows a diagrammatic perspective top view of a detail of the transport system according to the description;

[0045] -Figure 4 shows a diagrammatic perspective bottom view of a detail of the transport system according to the description;

[0046] -Figure 5 shows a diagrammatic sectional view of a detail of the assembly system of Figure 1 with the transport system according to the description, in a first operating configuration;

[0047] -Figure 6 shows a diagrammatic sectional view of a detail of the assembly system of Figure 1 with the transport system according to the description, in a second operating configuration.

[0048] With particular reference to Figure 1 , reference numeral 1 indicates an example of a transport system according to the description, intended to feed semi-finished products (not shown) along an assembly path P.

[0049] Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

[0050] The transport system 1 is described in detail below limited to the parts required for the understanding of the present invention.

[0051] The transport system 1 comprises a drum 2 rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation R2. In alternative embodiments (not shown), the axis of rotation R2 may also be inclined according to the assembly path P to be imposed on the semi-finished products, for example, based on the processing to which they must be subjected.

[0052] In the example illustrated, the transport system 1 comprises a base 3 for supporting drum 2 inside of which a system (not shown) is housed for driving the drum 2 itself.

[0053] The transport system 1 comprises a plurality of transport units 4 connected to drum 2 and brought into rotation by it.

[0054] In the illustrated example, the transport system 1 comprises 24 transport units 4 and, in alternative embodiments, it may comprise any number of transport units 4 according to, for example, the processing to which the semi-finished products must be subjected and / or the overall volumes of the processing stations required for such objects. The transport units 4 are connected to a periphery 2a of drum 2. The periphery 2a of drum 2 comprises a plurality of teeth 5, which radially develop or radially project, at which the transport units 4 are connected to drum 2. Each transport unit 4 is connected to drum 2 independently of the others, therefore, reference is made below in the description also to a single transport unit 4, since all the transport units 4 are equal to one another.

[0055] Each transport unit 4 has a main body 6 and an arm 7 projecting from the main body 6. The arm 7 preferably has a seat 8 for the semi-finished product to be moved with the transport system 1 .

[0056] As shown in Figure 7, the arm 7 is preferably attached to the main body 6 in a releasable manner, for example, by means of screws 9, to be disassembled and replaced.

[0057] The transport system 1 comprises a system, indicated overall by reference numeral 10, for connecting the transport unit 4 to drum 2.

[0058] The connecting system 10 is configured so that the transport unit 4 is slidable relative to drum 2 along a sliding direction D between a first operating transport position, as shown in Figures 2 and 5, for example, and a second operating processing position, shown in Figure 6. Preferably, the sliding direction D is parallel to the axis of rotation R2 (that is, it preferably is vertical).

[0059] The transport unit 4, in the first operating transport position, is moved close to drum 2, and in the second operating processing position, is moved away from drum 2 along the sliding direction D.

[0060] In the embodiment illustrated as example, the connecting system 10 comprises a first and a second runners, 11 , 12 which are integral with the transport unit 4, in particular with the main body 6 of it.

[0061] The first and second runners are preferably in the form of pins.

[0062] The connecting system 10 comprises a first guide 13 and a second guide 14, for the first runner 11 and for the second runner 12, respectively, in drum 2. The first and second runners 11 , 12 are engaged in the first guide 13 and in the second guide 14, respectively, and slide along them.

[0063] In the example illustrated, the drum has a first and second holes 15, 16, in which a first and second bushings 17, 18, respectively, are inserted. The first hole 15 and the first bushing 17 define the first guide 13; the second hole 16 and the second bushing 18 define the second guide 14. The first and second holes 15, 16 have preferably an axis parallel to the axis of rotation R2.

[0064] The first runner 11 is engaged in the first bushing 17 and the second runner is engaged in the second bushing 18. The second holes 16 are preferably each made in a corresponding tooth 5.

[0065] As illustrated, the first and second runners 11 , 12 of each transport unit 4 are aligned along a corresponding radius R4 of drum 2.

[0066] A sliding of the first and second runners 11 , 12 in the respective first and second bushings 17, 18 determines a passage of the transport unit 4, relative to drum 2, between the first operating transport position and the second operating processing position, along the sliding direction D.

[0067] With reference to Figures 2 to 6, it is worth noting that the connecting system 10 for coupling the transport unit 4 to drum 2 comprises an elastic element 19 interposed transport unit 4 and said drum 2.

[0068] In the example illustrated, the elastic element 19 is a compression spring, but it may be any other device in alternative embodiments (not shown).

[0069] The elastic element 19 keeps the transport unit 4 in the first operating transport position, i.e., close to drum 2, opposing a movement of the transport unit 4 from the first operating position to the second operating position.

[0070] In this regard, the elastic element 19 is in an elongated configuration in Figure 5, and it is in a compressed configuration in Figure 6.

[0071] In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the elastic element 19 keeps the transport unit 4 in the second operating transport position, i.e., moved away from drum 2, opposing a movement of the transport unit 4 from the second operating position to the first operating position. For example, in such an embodiment, the elastic element 19 is a tension spring in a drum 2-transport unit 4 assembly of the type shown in Figures 5 and 6.

[0072] In particular, in the example illustrated, the connecting system 10 comprises a plate 20 rigidly connected to the first and second runners 11 , 12, arranged on the opposite side of the transport unit 4 relative to drum 2. In the example shown, the first and second holes 15, 16 are through holes for fastening the transport unit 4 to drum 2 with plate 20.

[0073] In the example shown, the connecting system 10 comprises a pair of screws 21 for fastening plate 20 to the first and second runners 11 , 12.

[0074] As shown, the elastic element 19 is interposed between plate 20 and drum 2.

[0075] Preferably, drum 2 has a housing 22 for the elastic element 19 in which the elastic element 19 is at least partly inserted.

[0076] With reference to Figures 1 , 5, 6, reference numeral 200 indicates an assembly system comprising a transport system 1 according to the description, and a processing station 100 for example.

[0077] The assembly system 200 and the processing station 100 are described below limited to the parts required for the understanding of the present invention.

[0078] In use, the transport system 1 brings its transport units 4 to the processing station 100 arranged along the assembly path P.

[0079] Diagrammatically, the processing station 100 comprises a frame 101 , regardless of the specific processing on the semi-finished product.

[0080] The processing station 100 comprises a control stop 102 supported by frame 100.

[0081] The control stop 102 is positioned above the transport unit 4 in the processing station 100.

[0082] The transport unit 4, in the second operating fastening position, abuts against the control stop 102, as shown in Figure 6.

[0083] In the example illustrated, the processing station 100 comprises a pusher 103 movable between a lowered position, shown in Figure 5, and a raised position, shown in Figure 6.

[0084] The processing station 100 is configured so that pusher 103 pushes the transport unit 4 upwards up to abutting it against the control stop 102 in the passage from the respective lowered position to the raised one. Advantageously, the transport system 1 is such that a suitably equipped processing station 100 may move the transport units 4 from the first operating position to the second operating position.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A transport system for feeding a semi-finished product along an assembly path (P), said transport system comprising a drum (2) rotatable about an axis of rotation (R2) and at least one transport unit (4) connected to said drum (2) and movable along the assembly path (P), in use, by means of a rotation of the drum (2) about the axis of rotation (R2), said transport system being characterised in that it comprises a system (10) for connecting said transport unit (4) to said drum (2) configured in such a way that said transport unit (4) is slidable relative to said drum (2) along a sliding direction (D) between a first operating transport position at which the transport unit (4) is moved close to the drum (2) and a second operating processing position at which the transport unit (4) is moved away from the drum (2).

2. The transport system according to claim 1 , wherein the connecting system (10) comprises at least a first guide (13, 14) in said drum (2) and a first runner (11 , 12) integral with said transport unit (4), said first runner (11 , 12) being engaged in said first guide (13, 14) and slidable along it.

3. The transport system according to claim 2, wherein said drum (2) has at least a first hole (15, 16) and wherein said first guide (13, 14) comprises a first bushing (17, 18) inserted in said first hole (15, 16), said first runner (11 , 12) being slidable in said first bushing (17, 18).

4. The transport system according to claim 3, wherein said connecting system (10) comprises a second guide (13, 14) in said drum (2) and a second runner (11 , 12) integral with said transport unit (4), said second runner (11 , 12) being engaged in said second guide (13, 14) and slidable along it, said second guide (13, 14) being parallel to said first guide (13, 14) and said second runner (11 , 12) being parallel to said first runner (11 , 12), said drum (2) having at least a second hole (15, 16), said secondguide (13, 14) comprising a second bushing (17, 18) inserted in said second hole (15, 16), said second runner (11 , 12) being slidable in said second bushing (17, 18).

5. The transport system according to claim 4, wherein said first and second runners (11 , 12) are aligned along a radius (R) of said drum (2).

6. The transport system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said connecting system (10) comprises at least one elastic element (19) interposed between said transport unit (4) and said drum (2) to keep said transport unit (4) in said first operating position or in said second operating position, said elastic element (19) opposing a movement of said transport unit (4) from the first operating position to the second operating position or vice versa.

7. The transport system according to claim 4 or 5 or 6, wherein said connecting system (10) comprises a plate (20) rigidly connected to said first and second runners (11 , 12) and positioned on the opposite side of the transport unit (4) relative to the drum (2), said elastic element (19) being interposed between said plate (20) and said drum (2).

8. The transport system according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said drum (2) has a housing (22) for said elastic element (19), said elastic element (19) being housed at least partly in said housing (22).

9. The transport system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said transport unit (4) comprises an arm (7) in which a seat (8) is made for said semi-finished product.

10. The transport system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said axis of rotation (R2) is vertical.11 . The transport system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said sliding direction (D) is parallel to said axis of rotation (R2).

12. The transport system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said transport unit (4) is connected to a periphery (2a) of said drum (2).

13. The transport system according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of transport units (4) connected to a periphery (2a) of said drum (2).

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