Lifting and transporting device for positioning a screwing device

Abstract

The invention relates to a lifting and transporting device (1) for positioning a screwing device (50) in relation to screws (110) which are arranged along a curved path, comprising a frame (5) on which guide rollers (3) are mounted, via which guide rollers the frame (5) can be guided on a movement path parallel to the curved path, a lifting device (21) for raising and lowering the screwing device (50) in a lifting direction, wherein the lifting device (21) is mounted on a first frame part (7) of the frame via a mounting device (29) and can be connected to the screwing device (50), wherein the guide rollers (3) comprise first guide rollers (15) which support the frame (5) in the lifting direction, and wherein the frame (5) has a second frame part (9) which can be pivoted about a frame axis (A) running in the lifting direction, wherein at least one of the first guide rollers (15) is arranged on the second frame part (9).

Description

[0001]

[0002] Lifting and transport device for positioning a screw device

[0003] The present invention relates to a lifting and transport device for positioning a screw device.

[0004] Especially when manufacturing bolted connections between two large components, comparatively large nuts and bolts are used. Screwing devices are employed to tighten these connections, but these are relatively difficult to handle due to their size and weight. For example, so-called bolt tensioning cylinders are used for highly stressed bolted connections. A bolt tensioning cylinder is placed on the nut-equipped end of a bolt to apply a defined preload force to the bolt. Bolt tensioning cylinders are unwieldy, and placing them on the bolts is both time-consuming and requires considerable effort.

[0005] The components to be joined can be, for example, conical or cylindrical, or hollow conical or hollow cylindrical, and can be connected using a flange. A large number of bolted connections are arranged along the flange. Tightening such bolted connections is particularly complex and time-consuming when using the aforementioned relatively large bolting devices, as the device must be placed on each individual bolt.

[0006] To simplify the handling of the screwing device, a lifting and transport device is known, for example, from EP 2 660 182 A2, by means of which the screwing device can be raised and lowered and moved along the series of screw connections. However, the disadvantage of the previously known lifting and transport device is that the rollers are largely fixed to one another, and the previously known lifting and transport device can only be used conveniently with components with a comparatively large radius.

[0007] It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a lifting and transport device of the type mentioned at the outset, which is more flexible in its positioning on screw devices and can be used advantageously, in particular, with regard to screws that are arranged along a curved path with a comparatively small radius.

[0008] The invention is defined by the features of claim 1.

[0009] The lifting and transport device according to the invention for positioning a screw device with respect to screws arranged along a curved path comprises a frame on which guide rollers are mounted, allowing the frame to be guided along a path of movement parallel to the curved path, and a lifting device for raising and lowering the screw device in a lifting direction. The lifting device is mounted on a first frame section of the frame via a bearing device and is connectable to the screw device. The guide rollers include first guide rollers that support the frame in the lifting direction. The invention is characterized in that the frame has a second frame section that is pivotable about a frame axis extending in the lifting direction, with at least one of the first guide rollers being arranged on the second frame section.

[0010] By means of the lifting and transport device according to the invention for positioning a screw device, the screw device can advantageously be moved along a path of movement parallel to the curved path along which the screws are arranged. Because the frame has a first frame part and a second frame part, wherein the second frame part is pivotable relative to the first frame part and at least one of the first guide rollers is arranged on the second frame part, the guide roller arranged on the second frame part can be pivoted relative to other first guide rollers, so that they are arranged at different angles and enable rolling along a curved path of movement.

[0011] The first guide rollers, which support the frame in the lifting direction, have a rotation axis orthogonal to the lifting direction.

[0012] In the context of the invention, during a typical application of the lifting and transport device, the lifting direction is vertical. The path of movement along which the lifting and transport device can be guided is, in typical applications, in a horizontal plane.

[0013] Of course, a screw device can also be moved along a straight path of movement using the lifting and transport device according to the invention, by pivoting the second frame part relative to the first frame part in such a way that the first guide rollers are aligned with each other.

[0014] The second frame part can be pivotably mounted on the first frame part.

[0015] It may be provided that at least one of the first guide rollers is arranged on the first frame part. In this case, the lifting and transport device could, for example, have two first guide rollers, with the first of the first guide rollers arranged on the second frame part and a second of the first guide rollers on the first frame part. In this case, by pivoting the second frame part, the first guide roller arranged on it can be adjusted relative to the guide roller arranged on the first frame part.

[0016] Alternatively, the frame can be provided with a third frame part that is pivotable about a frame axis extending in the lifting direction, with at least one of the first guide rollers being arranged on the third frame part. The third frame part can be pivotably mounted on the first frame part. In this embodiment, two pivotable frame parts, each with a first guide roller, are arranged so that the first guide rollers arranged on them can be adjusted accordingly by pivoting the first and second frame parts.

[0017] In particular, it may be provided that the first and second frame parts are identical, but mirror images of each other.

[0018] By designing the frame with a first, second and third frame part, it is particularly possible to ensure that the first frame part is positioned centrally between the second and third frame parts and thus also centrally between the first guide rollers, so that a particularly stable guidance of the lifting and transport device can be achieved.

[0019] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the second and third frame sections are pivotable about the same frame axis. This allows for a combined bearing for the second and third frame sections.

[0020] Preferably, it is provided that two guide rails are arranged on the first frame part, extending in the direction of travel and being arranged laterally to the screwing device, with a holder for connecting the screwing device being guided in each guide rail.

[0021] The guide rails allow the screwing device to be advantageously guided in the stroke direction, preventing the screwing device from becoming jammed when placed on a screw.

[0022] The lifting device may be provided with two parallel levers, each lever being mounted on the first frame part via a bearing of the bearing assembly, with one end of each lever being connected to one of the brackets. The brackets can thus be advantageously moved by means of the levers to raise and lower the screw device. At the other end of the levers, the lifting device may have an operating device with a handle for manual operation of the lifting device.

[0023] Gas springs can also be arranged on the levers to dampen or assist the movement of the lifting device when raising and lowering the screw device. The gas springs can, for example, run from the first frame section to the first section connected to the brackets.

[0024] It is also possible, in principle, for the lifting device to be driven by a drive unit, such as a motor. For example, the bearing assembly of the lever mechanism on the first frame section may be driven in the lifting direction and connected to the brackets in the guide rails to move them for raising and lowering the screw device.

[0025] A locking device can be provided on one or all of the guide rails, enabling the holder guided in the corresponding guide rail to be locked in a specific position. For example, the locking device can lock the holder in the raised position of the screw device. This ensures that when the lifting and transport device moves along its path, for example to another screw, with the screw device in the raised position, it can be held in this position by means of the at least one locking device, so that no additional force is required to maintain the raised position of the screw device when the lifting and transport device is moved.

[0026] Preferably, the guide rollers include a second set of guide rollers that support the frame in a direction orthogonal to the lifting direction when the screwing device is lifted. These second guide rollers have roller axes extending in the lifting direction and are arranged below the first guide rollers. By means of these second guide rollers, the lifting and transport device according to the invention can thus be advantageously supported when the screwing device is lifted. Simultaneously, when the lifting and transport device is moved along its path of movement, the second guide rollers allow it to roll and be supported during the movement.This is particularly advantageous when, during the movement of the lifting and transport device, a force is exerted on the lifting mechanism to maintain the raised position of the screw device. This force generates a moment that acts below the first guide rollers as a force orthogonal to the lifting direction and must be supported. When the lifting mechanism is actuated, a tilting moment can occur around the first guide rollers, which is supported by the second guide rollers. The second guide rollers can, for example, bear against the circumferential side surfaces of a flange of a component to be joined, on which the first guide rollers are supported.

[0027] In principle, the force required to lift the screw device can be absorbed in ways other than by means of the second guide rollers. In addition to and as an alternative to the second guide rollers, auxiliary supports can be provided, for example, which rest against the screws located next to the screw being tightened. If, for example, at least one locking device is provided, or if the lifting mechanism does not introduce a moment into the frame to maintain the raised position of the screw device (which must be supported below the first guide rollers), then the provision of second guide rollers is not strictly necessary; the auxiliary supports are sufficient to provide support during the lifting process.

[0028] However, the training with two guide rollers offers greater stability and improved guidance of the lifting device during movement along the path of motion.

[0029] Preferably, at least one of the second guide rollers is arranged on the second frame part and / or at least one of the second guide rollers is arranged on the third frame part. This allows the second guide roller to pivot along with the respective frame part next to which it is located, thereby achieving movement along a curved path particularly advantageously. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a support device is provided which can be attached to the screw device, wherein the support device has at least one third guide roller by which the screw device can be supported during lowering. The support device is preferably movable independently of the frame.The lifting and transport device can be supported by the support device against a wall, for example, one arranged parallel to the curved path of the screws. Particularly when lowering the screw device, the lifting device can introduce a moment into the frame, generating a force perpendicular to the lifting direction, which can be advantageously supported by the third guide roller. The weight of the screw device can also generate such a force component, which can be supported by the third guide roller.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the at least one third guide roller is designed as an omni-roller and can roll in the direction of lifting and in a direction of movement orthogonal to the direction of lifting.

[0031] Omni-rollers can roll in two directions. For example, an omni-roller can consist of a roller body whose running surface is formed by further rolling elements.

[0032] By providing an omni-roller as a third guide roller, it is advantageously possible to achieve support by means of the third guide roller both when raising and lowering the screw device and when moving the lifting and transport device along the path of movement.

[0033] The support device may include a fastening device for attaching it to the screw device and a roller bracket on which at least one third guide roller is mounted. The guide roller can be slidably and fixed relative to the fastening device via the roller bearing. This allows the third guide roller to be advantageously adjusted, for example, with respect to a surrounding wall, so that the lifting and transport device according to the invention can be adjusted with respect to different distances of the screws from the wall. Fixing the roller bracket ensures that the force can be advantageously transmitted after the fastening device has been adjusted.

[0034] In principle, the second guide rollers can also be arranged on sliding roller supports. If the second guide rollers are intended to be supported on the circumferential sides of a flange, the adjustable arrangement of the second guide rollers allows for adaptation to the distance between the sides of the flange and the screws. The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the following figures.

[0035] Fig. 1 shows the lifting and transport device according to the invention in a state arranged on a flange of a component,

[0036] Fig. 2 shows another view of the lifting and transport device shown in Fig. 1 ,

[0037] Fig. 3 shows a schematic detail of the first and second guide rollers of the lifting and transport device according to the invention and

[0038] Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of the support device of the lifting and transport device according to the invention.

[0039] Figures 1 and 2 show a schematic perspective view of a lifting and transport device 1 according to the invention.

[0040] In Fig. 1, the lifting and transport device 1 is mounted on a flange 100 with a plurality of screws 110. The screws 110 extend along a curved path, allowing the lifting and transport device 1 to move via guide rollers 3 along a path of movement that extends along the curved path of the screws. A screw device 50 is positioned relative to the screws 110 by means of the lifting and transport device 1.

[0041] The lifting and transport device 1 has a frame 5 on which guide rollers 3 are mounted.

[0042] The frame 5 consists of a first frame section 7, a second frame section 9, and a third frame section 11. The first frame section 7 is designed as a kind of frame, with the second or third frame section 9, 11 being pivotably mounted relative to the first frame section 7 about a frame axis A. The second or third frame section 9, 11 is mounted on the first frame section 7 via corresponding bearings 13 and can thus perform a kind of folding movement. The guide rollers 3 consist of first guide rollers 15, second guide rollers 17, and third guide rollers 19. Two first guide rollers 15 and one second guide roller 17 are arranged at the lower end of each of the second and third frame sections 9, 11. By pivoting the second and third frame sections 9, 11, the first and second guide rollers 15, 17 can be adjusted to adapt to the path of movement.

[0043] The first and second frame parts 9, 11 are essentially the same, but designed as mirror images of each other.

[0044] The first guide rollers 15 serve to support the lifting and transport device 1 in the lifting direction, which is represented in Fig. 1 by a corresponding arrow, and thus have a horizontally extending axis of rotation that extends in a horizontal plane transverse to the direction of movement of the lifting and transport device 1.

[0045] The second guide rollers 17 are supported on a side surface 100a of the flange 100. The second guide rollers 17 have a roller rotation axis 17a extending in the stroke direction.

[0046] A lifting device 21 serves to raise and lower the screw device 50 in the lifting direction. The lifting device 21 is connected to the - io- via brackets 23.

[0047] The lifting device 21 is connected to the screw device 50. The brackets 23 are guided in guide rails 25, which are attached to the first frame part 7 and are located laterally to the screw device 50. The lifting device 21 has two levers 27, which are mounted on the first frame part 7 by means of bearings 29a of a bearing device 29. One end 27a of each lever 27 is connected to one of the brackets 23. The lifting device 21 can be operated manually via the other ends 27b of the levers 27. For this purpose, the lifting device 21 has a handle 30 that connects the levers 27.

[0048] Gas springs 31 are also arranged on the levers 27, which dampen or support the movement of the lifting device 21 when raising and lowering the screw device 50.

[0049] Furthermore, locking devices 33 are arranged on the guide rails 25, which interact with the brackets 23 and lock and thus hold the brackets 23 in a raised position of the screw device 50. This allows the lifting and transport device 1 according to the invention to be moved advantageously with the screw device 50 raised, since, due to the locking mechanism, no force needs to be exerted on the lifting device 21 to maintain the raised position of the screw device 50 during movement of the lifting and transport device 1.

[0050] The lifting and transport device 1 can be supported on sides 100a of the flange 100 by means of the second guide rollers 17. This is particularly advantageous during the lifting process of the screw device 50, since operating the lifting device 21 introduces a moment into the first frame part 7, which generates a force transverse to the lifting direction that can be supported by the second guide rollers 17. The second guide rollers 17 can be adjustable via roller brackets 17b to allow adjustment relative to the flange 100.

[0051] Auxiliary supports 35 may also be provided on the first frame section 7, which interact with the screws 110. The auxiliary supports 35 engage behind the screws 110 with respect to the frame 5, thus serving as a safeguard against the lifting and transport device 1 falling off the flange 100.

[0052] As can best be seen from Fig. 3, the second and third frame parts 9, 11 are connected to each other via an adjusting rod 37. The pivoting of the second and third frame parts 9, 11 relative to the first frame part 7 can be easily adjusted via this adjusting rod 37.

[0053] The lifting and transport device 1 according to the invention further comprises a support device 39, which is freely movable from the frame 5. The support device 39 is thus designed as a separate part that can be attached to the screw device 50. The third guide rollers 19 are arranged on the support device 39. The support device 39 has a mounting device 41, which is plate-shaped and attached to the screw device 50. The third guide rollers 19 are arranged on roller brackets 43, which are designed to be displaceable relative to the mounting device 41. After the third guide rollers 19 have been positioned, the roller brackets 43 can be fixed in their position by means of fixing devices 45. By means of the third guide rollers 19, the lifting and transport device 1 according to the invention can be supported against a circumferential wall 120 of the component.The third guide rollers 19 can be adjusted using the roller bracket 43 to lie against the surrounding wall 120.

[0054] The third guide rollers 19 are designed as so-called omni-rollers and have a roller body 19a with a pivot axis extending in the lifting direction. The rolling surfaces of the roller body 19a are formed by rolling elements 19b, which have pivot axes in a horizontal plane. The design of the third guide rollers 19 as omni-rollers allows for support against the surrounding wall 120 both during the lifting and lowering movement of the screw device 50 and during movement of the lifting and transport device 1 along its path.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Lifting and transport device (1) for positioning a screw device (50) with respect to screws (110) arranged along a curved path, comprising a frame (5) on which guide rollers (3) are mounted, over which the frame (5) can be guided on a movement path parallel to the curved path, comprising a lifting device (21) for raising and lowering the screw device (50) in a lifting direction, wherein the lifting device (21) is mounted on a first frame part (7) of the frame via a bearing device (29) and is connectable to the screw device (50), wherein the guide rollers (3) comprise first guide rollers (15) which support the frame (5) in the lifting direction, characterized in that the frame (5) comprises a second frame part (9) which is pivotable about a frame axis (A) extending in the lifting direction, wherein at least one of the first guide rollers (15) is mounted on the second frame part (9) is arranged.

2. Lifting and transport device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the first guide rollers (15) is arranged on the first frame part (7).

3. Lifting and transport device according to claim 1, characterized in that the frame (5) has a third frame part (11) which is pivotable about a frame axis (A) extending in the lifting direction, wherein at least one of the first guide rollers (15) is arranged on the third frame part (11).

4. Lifting and transport device according to claim 3, characterized in that the second and the third frame part (11) are pivotable about the same frame axis (A).

5. Lifting and transport device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two guide rails are arranged on the first frame part (7) which extend in the lifting direction and can be arranged laterally to the screwing device (50), wherein a holder (23) for connecting to the screwing device (50) is guided in each guide rail (25).

6. Lifting and transport device according to claim 5, characterized in that the lifting device (21) has two parallel levers (27), wherein the levers are each mounted on the first frame part (7) via a bearing (29a) of the bearing device (29), wherein one end (27a) of each of the levers (27) is connected to one of the supports (23).

7. Lifting and transport device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide rollers (3) have second guide rollers (17) which support the frame (5) in a direction orthogonal to the lifting direction when lifting the screw device (50), wherein the second guide rollers (17) have roller pivot axes (17a) which extend in the lifting direction, wherein the second guide rollers (17) are arranged below the first guide rollers (15).

8. Lifting and transport device according to claim 7, characterized in that at least one of the second guide rollers (17) is arranged on the second frame part (9) and / or that at least one of the second guide rollers (17) is arranged on the third frame part (11).

9. Lifting and transport device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a support device (39) which is freely movable from the frame (5) and can be attached to the screw device (50), wherein the support device (39) has at least one third guide roller (19) over which the screw device (50) can be supported during the lowering of the screw device (50).

10. Lifting and transport device according to claim 9, characterized in that the at least one third guide roller (19) is designed as an omni-roller. is and can roll in the direction of lifting and in a direction of movement orthogonal to the direction of lifting.

11. Lifting and transport device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the support device (39) has a fastening device (41) for fastening the support device (39) to the screw device (50) and a roller holder (43) on which the at least one third guide roller (19) is mounted, wherein the roller holder (43) is designed to be displaceable and fixable relative to the fastening device (41).

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