Automatic exchangeable support means for lateral surface supports

Abstract

The invention relates to a support means for coils or semi-finished products made of metal material, preferably steel, comprising a support surface for the coil or semi-finished product and an exchangeable support which can be applied to the support surface and removed again and which is designed to at least partially cover the support surface, wherein the exchangeable support can be moved over the support surface and away therefrom by means of an exchangeable support transport device. The invention further relates to a method for applying and optionally removing an exchangeable support on a support means, characterised by the steps of (1.) pivoting the exchangeable support in over the support surface, (2.) depositing a first coil or semi-finished product on the support surface in such a way that the exchangeable support completely covers the surface between the first coil or semi-finished product and the support surface, (3.) removing the first coil or semi-finished product from the exchangeable support and the support means, and (4.) pivoting the exchangeable support out of the region above the support surface, optionally followed by (5.) depositing a second coil or semi-finished product having a different surface finish than the first coil or semi-finished product directly on the support means.

Description

[0001] 41 438 DE Kr.sg 10.10.2024

[0002] AMOVA GmbH, Wiesenstraße 30, D-57271 Hilchenbach

[0003] Automatic interchangeable pad for surface pads

[0004] 1. Field of the invention

[0005] The invention relates to supports for coils or semi-finished products made of metallic material, preferably steel or copper and its alloys, as used in a variety of transport systems or storage facilities for heavy goods such as coils, windings of metallic strips (slit strip), or semi-finished products. Such semi-finished products include, for example, sheets, slit strip, billets, or the like made of metallic material, which are stored or temporarily stored for further processing or transport directly after casting or after one or more processing steps. Coils or sheets typically weigh between 10 and 50 tons and therefore require specially designed and equipped transport and storage facilities.

[0006] 2. State of the art

[0007] Within the production process, coils made of metallic materials such as steel strip, copper strip, or copper alloys are moved using a variety of different devices, such as specialized storage and retrieval machines in high-bay warehouses, coil pallet trucks or coil transport trolleys, pallets with or without coil supports, pallets in a pallet transport system, particularly walking beam conveyors, telescopically extendable tables, or similar equipment. However, the preferably automated handling of different materials and goods with varying surface finishes presents a problem when surface contaminants or impurities flake off a first coil or semi-finished product and then have to be removed from its support after the coil or semi-finished product has been removed to prevent contamination of a subsequent coil or semi-finished product.

[0008] It is known from the prior art that for different materials and / or surface conditions of the goods to be transported or stored, a cleaning step is required on different support surfaces before a new coil or semi-finished product can be placed on the support.

[0009] This need for manual intervention in normally automated transport and storage processes increases cycle times and reduces the overall throughput of transport systems. The necessary personnel costs increase so significantly that economical operation hardly seems possible anymore.

[0010] 3. Object of the invention

[0011] It was therefore an object of the invention to provide a support for coils or semi-finished products made of metallic material, as well as a method for preferably automating the operation of such a support, which do not exhibit the problems known from the prior art and, in particular, can make manual intervention or even cleaning unnecessary. This object is achieved according to the invention by means of a support comprising the features of claim 1, and a method comprising the features of claim 15. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are set out in the dependent claims and in the description.

[0012] 4. Summary of the invention

[0013] According to a first aspect of the invention, a support for coils or semi-finished products made of metallic material, preferably steel or copper and its alloys, is provided. This support has a bearing surface for the coil or semi-finished product and a replaceable support that can be applied to and removed from the bearing surface and that at least partially covers the bearing surface. The movement of the replaceable support across and away from the bearing surface can be effected by means of a replaceable support transport device. The invention thus relates to a support that can, preferably automatically and without the need for manual intervention, apply replaceable supports to the bearing surface as required in order to protect the support and prevent contamination of the support itself and its bearing surface.Any flaking from a first coil or semi-finished product, such as scale flaking or the like, remains on the interchangeable support, which serves as an intermediate layer between the support surface and the coil or semi-finished product. If a second coil or semi-finished product made of a different material and with a different surface finish is to be placed on the support surface, either a new interchangeable support is moved across the support surface using the interchangeable support transport device, or, if the new coil or semi-finished product has a surface free of scale, rolling oils, or other contaminants, an interchangeable support can be removed. In the latter case, the coil or semi-finished product then rests directly on the support surface without an interchangeable support as an intermediate layer.In this case, a replaceable support would only be used again when a new coil or semi-finished product is to be placed on the support surface, where there is a risk of contamination and / or damage to the support surface or the entire support.

[0014] In this context, it is preferred if the interchangeable pad transport device can effect a movement, preferably a pivoting in and out, of the interchangeable pad from its rest position to a covering position. This particularly advantageously supports the preferably automated concept of covering the support surface with an interchangeable pad and removing the interchangeable pad as needed.

[0015] It is particularly preferred if the interchangeable support transport device is arranged in its rest position such that external access to the support by a transport device for the coil or semi-finished product, preferably a crane, is unimpeded. It is also preferred if the interchangeable support transport device does not impede the movement of the support or the coil or semi-finished product placed on it, even in the covered position. This can optionally be achieved by making the interchangeable support detachable from the interchangeable support transport device, at least in the covered position. This creates a support that preferably does not affect its overall functionality and freedom of movement, in particular allowing access by cranes or the movement of telescopically movable support tables.

[0016] In this context, it is particularly preferred if the interchangeable support, as already described, is designed to be separable from the interchangeable support transport device, at least in the covering position, preferably by means of a releasable magnetic, pneumatic, or mechanical locking mechanism between the interchangeable support and the interchangeable support transport device. This preferably allows the interchangeable support to be moved from the interchangeable support transport device into the covering position and remain there, separated from the interchangeable support transport device, at least largely, and preferably completely, covering the support surface. The interchangeable support transport device can then be moved further in such a way that there is no interaction with the functionality of the support itself, including its degrees of freedom. Likewise, the separable arrangement of the interchangeable support on the interchangeable support transport device allows for simple and, if necessary,Automated replacement of the changeover pad is also possible, for example in case of contamination, wear, or if a different material for the changeover pad or a different type of changeover pad, for example with different dimensions, is desirable for handling special materials of the coil or semi-finished product.

[0017] It is preferred that the interchangeable support transport device is arranged in the covering position such that the interchangeable support preferably completely covers the support surface from above. In principle, covering the support surface to such an extent is sufficient that the entire outer surface of the coil or semi-finished product resting on the support, specifically its support surface, comes into contact with the interchangeable support and not with the support surface. However, a support in which the interchangeable support completely covers the support surface is preferred, thereby reliably preventing any contamination or even damage to the support surface. In a first alternative and preferred embodiment of the invention, the interchangeable support transport device can be moved from the rest position to the covering position by means of a pivot lever arrangement.In a further alternative and equally preferred embodiment of the invention, the interchangeable pad transport device can be moved from the rest position to the covering position by means of an articulated drive arrangement. In a further alternative and equally preferred embodiment of the invention, the interchangeable pad transport device can be moved from the rest position to the covering position by means of a chain drive arrangement. In a further alternative and equally preferred embodiment of the invention, the interchangeable pad transport device can be moved from the rest position to the covering position by means of a chain or rope drive arrangement. In a further preferred alternative embodiment of the invention, the interchangeable pad transport device can be moved from the rest position to the covering position by means of a robot arrangement. In all of the aboveIn alternative and preferred embodiments, the drive can also be used, preferably, for the opposite movement of the interchangeable support transport device. This provides the most suitable and simplest drive solution for each application and the desired or necessary degrees of freedom for the movement of the support, both with and without a coil or semi-finished product attached, allowing the person skilled in the art to choose from a large number of commercially available and manageable drives.

[0018] The support according to the first aspect of the invention can be used in a variety of applications, preferably as a component of a storage and retrieval machine in a high-bay warehouse, a coil pallet truck, a coil transport trolley, a transport pallet, a telescopic table with or without a coil support, or a pallet truck with or without a coil support. In each case, the solution according to the invention can achieve the same effects and positively influence the applicability and throughput in transport and storage systems, in particular reducing operating costs. It is preferred if the replaceable support comprises a preferably coated metal sheet for at least partially covering the support surface. This provides a replaceable support that is comparatively wear-resistant despite the loads to be borne by the support and, moreover, leaves no residue adhering to the coil or semi-finished product.

[0019] Furthermore, it is preferred if the support includes or is operatively connected to a monitoring system used to monitor the wear and / or surface condition of the replaceable support. This creates a support that can be particularly advantageously used in automated applications and detects, and preferably also indicates, the need to replace the replaceable support at an early stage.

[0020] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, an exchange device, preferably together with a storage unit for several exchangeable supports, is provided for exchanging the exchangeable support in its rest position. This creates a support that can be used multiple times and is capable of handling a large number of different coils or semi-finished metal products. The exchange of the exchangeable support can then be carried out as needed without interfering with the transport of the coil or semi-finished product on the support.

[0021] According to a second aspect of the invention, a method for applying and optionally removing a replaceable support on a support according to the first aspect of the invention is provided, wherein the method is characterized by the steps of (1.) pivoting the replaceable support over the support surface, (2.) placing a first coil or semi-finished product on the support surface such that the replaceable support completely covers the area between the first coil or semi-finished product and the support surface, (3.) removing the first coil or semi-finished product from the replaceable support and the support, and (4.) pivoting the replaceable support out of the area over the support surface, optionally followed by (5.) placing a second coil or semi-finished product with a different surface finish or made of a different material than the first coil or semi-finished product directly onto the support.This provides a method capable of reliably protecting the support, and especially its contact surface, from contamination or even damage. This is particularly relevant when placing a coil or semi-finished product with a contaminated or profiled surface, where the contamination may include, for example, scale, chips, dust, or rolling oil. Placing a coil or semi-finished product on the support without using a changeable support is only advisable if the surface of the coil or semi-finished product facing the support, and specifically its contact surface, is free of any kind of contamination and is designed in such a way that no contamination or damage to the contact surface is to be expected.The method according to the invention thus allows maximum flexibility in the use of the support without the need for manual intervention from the outside, in particular cleaning the support surface before placing another coil or semi-finished product with a different surface finish or made of a different material.

[0022] It is preferred that the interchangeable pad and the interchangeable pad transport device are separated from each other in the covered position, and that the interchangeable pad transport device is moved, preferably pivoted, from the covered position to a waiting position or back to the rest position without the interchangeable pad. This allows interchangeable pads to be exchanged as needed, whether due to wear or contamination of the previously used interchangeable pad, or when an interchangeable pad made of a different material is more suitable for further use than an interchangeable pad made of the first material.This also allows the use of interchangeable pads of different sizes and / or shapes, wherein, in a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the interchangeable pad transport device is operatively connected to a magazine or an interchangeable pad changing device, from and with which the replacement of an interchangeable pad can preferably be carried out automatically.

[0023] It is also preferred if the interchangeable support and the interchangeable support transport device can be separated from each other in the covering position, thereby ensuring that the support can be moved essentially unhindered by the interchangeable support transport device after the interchangeable support has been placed on it and the support surface of the support has been covered, in particular it can be telescoped and / or raised and / or lowered.

[0024] It is preferred that the pivoting of the interchangeable support from the rest position to the covering position and back is automated. For this purpose, the support according to the first aspect of the invention is preferably connected to a control unit in which the work steps as well as the size, weight, shape, and properties of the material to be placed on the support are stored. The method according to the second aspect of the invention can use this control unit to adjust the degree of automation of the method as desired, preferably to carry out a fully automated process.

[0025] 5. Brief description of the characters

[0026] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to six figures, the figures of which merely represent preferred embodiments of the invention which are not suitable to limit the scope of protection defined in the pending patent claims.

[0027] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a support according to the invention in a rest position,

[0028] Fig. 2 shows a support according to the invention in a covering position,

[0029] Fig. 3 shows a support according to the invention with a replaceable support separated from a replaceable support transport device,

[0030] Fig. 4 shows a cross-section through a support according to the invention without alternating support between the support surface and the coil, Fig. 5 shows a support according to the invention in a cross-sectional view with alternating support between the coil and the support surface, and

[0031] Fig. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a support according to the invention with a changeable support between coil and support surface and a changeable support transport device separate from the changeable support.

[0032] 6. Detailed description of the figures

[0033] Fig. 1 shows a top view of a support 1 according to the invention for receiving a coil (not shown) on a support surface 3, which is laterally framed by two support rollers 7a, 7b. Such a support 1, in the illustrated form, is part of a storage and retrieval system, as used in high-bay warehouses, which are designed and equipped to move coils (not shown) both horizontally and vertically and then store them in storage compartments (not shown). For this purpose, the support 1 is telescopically designed, with the support surface 3 being able to be moved in two opposite directions in its longitudinal direction relative to its base 8. The support 1 also has an interchangeable support transport device 5 with an interchangeable support 4 attached to it, shown here in a rest position.In the illustrated rest position, the support 1 according to the invention can be used like a support 1 from the prior art, namely to receive a coil (not shown) on the support surface 3 such that the coil (not shown) rests directly on the support surface 3. Any contaminants adhering to the surface of the coil (not shown) can then be transferred directly to the support surface 3. The interchangeable support transport device 5 essentially consists of two supports 9a, 9b, which detachably support the interchangeable support 4 at their free ends, for example by means of a locking mechanism (not shown), and are connected to each other at their end opposite the interchangeable support 4 by a pivot drive 10, consisting of a rotary shaft 10a and a drive motor 10b.The support arms 9a, 9b have a free distance to each other that is greater than the longitudinal extent of both the support rollers 7a, 7b and the support surface 3 in order to allow the interchangeable support transport device 5 to pivot safely onto the support surface 3 and, if necessary, beyond.

[0034] Fig. 2 shows a support 1 according to the invention in a covering position, in which the interchangeable support 4 was pivoted from the rest position to the position shown by the interchangeable support transport device 5, such that the interchangeable support

[0035] 4 completely covers the support surface 3. The support arms 9a, 9b of the interchangeable support transport device 5 are actually arranged in front of and behind the support roller 7a in the covering position shown, even when the interchangeable support transport device

[0036] 5 and their individual components are shown penetrating the support roller 7a to highlight their function.

[0037] Fig. 3 shows a support 1 according to the invention, in which the interchangeable support transport device 5 has been separated from the interchangeable support 4, which rests on the support surface 3, and moved beyond the cover position shown in Fig. 2 via the pivot drive 10, such that the movement of the support surface 3 together with the interchangeable support 4 is freely possible in the longitudinal direction of the interchangeable support 4 and the support surface 3 in a telescopic manner towards the base 8. Locking mechanisms (not shown) are arranged on the support arms 9a, 9b for the mechanical separation of the interchangeable support transport device 5 and the interchangeable support 4, by means of which the fastening and releasing of the interchangeable support 4 and the interchangeable support transport device 5 can preferably be automated when the interchangeable support transport device 5 receives the command to pivot its movement from the rest position according to Fig. 1 beyond the cover position according to Fig. 2 into the position shown in Fig. 2.To transfer the 3 shown pivot position.

[0038] Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a support 1 according to the invention with the interchangeable support transport device 5 in a rest position. The support surface 3 is telescopically arranged in a base 8, movable into and out of the plane of the drawing, in order to move a coil 2 whose outer surface rests directly on the support surface 3. In the position shown, the interchangeable support 4 is not used between the coil 2 and the support surface 3, but remains connected to the interchangeable support transport device 5. This can be advantageous and desirable whenever the outer surface of the coil 2 is free of any contamination and / or has a surface finish that is unlikely to contaminate or damage the support surface 3.

[0039] Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a support 1 according to the invention in a covering position, in which the interchangeable support transport device 5 has arranged the interchangeable support 4 on the support surface 3 and thus between the support surface 3 and the outer surface of the coil 2.

[0040] Finally, Fig. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a support 1 according to the invention, analogous to the pivot position shown in Fig. 3, in which the interchangeable support transport device 5 has been moved beyond the cover position shown in Figures 2 and 5, after the interchangeable support transport device 5 has been separated from the interchangeable support 4. The interchangeable support 4 lies, as in the illustration according to Fig. 5, between the support surface 3 and the outer surface of the coil 2, so that contamination or damage to the support surface 3 by soiling, flaking, or adhesion to the outer surface of the coil 2 with respect to the support surface 3 can be reliably prevented.In the pivoting position of the interchangeable support transport device 5 shown here, the support surface 3 together with the interchangeable support 4 and the coil 2 can be safely moved relative to the base 8 into and out of the plane of the sheet without any interaction with the interchangeable support transport device 5 occurring.

[0041] Reference symbol list

[0042] 1 support

[0043] 2 Coil 3 Contact surface

[0044] 4 interchangeable editions

[0045] 5 interchangeable pad transport device

[0046] 6 Swivel lever arrangement

Claims

Patent claims 1. Support (1 ) for coils (2) or semi-finished products made of metallic material, preferably steel or copper and its alloys, with a support surface (3) for the coil (2) or semi-finished product and an interchangeable support (4) that can be applied to and removed from the support surface (3) and that is designed to at least partially cover the support surface (3), wherein the movement of the interchangeable support (4) over the support surface (3) and away from it can be effected by means of an interchangeable support transport device (5).

2. Support (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that a movement, preferably a pivoting in and out, of the interchangeable support (4) from a rest position to a covering position can be effected by means of the interchangeable support transport device (5).

3. Support (1 ) according to claim 2, characterized in that the interchangeable support transport device (5) is arranged in the rest position such that access to the support (1 ) from the outside by a transport device for the coil (2) or semi-finished product, preferably a crane, is unimpeded.

4. Support (1) according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the interchangeable support (4) is designed to be separable from the interchangeable support transport device (5) at least in the covering position, preferably by means of a releasable magnetic, pneumatic or mechanical locking mechanism between the interchangeable support (4) and the interchangeable support transport device (5).

5. Support (1 ) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the interchangeable support transport device (5) is arranged in the covering position such that the interchangeable support (4) preferably completely covers the support surface (3) from above.

6. Support (1 ) according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the interchangeable support transport device (5) can be moved from the rest position to the covering position and back by means of a pivot lever arrangement (6).

7. Support (1) according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the interchangeable support transport device (5) can be moved from the rest position to the covering position and back by means of a joint drive arrangement.

8. Support (1 ) according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the interchangeable support transport device can be moved from the rest position to the covering position and back by means of a chain drive arrangement.

9. Support (1) according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the interchangeable support transport device can be moved from the rest position to the covering position and back by means of a chain or rope drive arrangement.

10. Support (1) according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the interchangeable support transport device can be moved from the rest position to the covering position and back by means of a robot arrangement.

11. Support (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support (1) is a component of a storage and retrieval machine, a bundle pallet truck, a bundle transport trolley, a transport pallet, a telescopic table with or without a bundle support or a lifting beam with or without a bundle support.

12. Support (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the changeable support (4) comprises a preferably coated metal sheet for at least partially covering the support surface (3).

13. Support (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a monitoring system is provided for monitoring the wear and / or the surface condition of the interchangeable support (4).

14. Support (1 ) according to one of claims 2 to 13, characterized in that a changing device, preferably together with a storage unit for several interchangeable supports (4), is provided for changing the interchangeable support (4) in the rest position.

15. Method for applying and optionally removing a replaceable support (4) in a support (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the steps of (1.) pivoting the replaceable support (4) over the support surface (3), (2.) placing a first coil (2) or semi-finished product on the support surface (3) such that the replaceable support (4) preferably completely covers the area between the first coil (2) or semi-finished product and the support surface (3), (3.) removing the first coil (2) or semi-finished product from the replaceable support and the support surface (3), and (4.) pivoting the replaceable support (4) out of the area above the support surface (3), optionally followed by (5.) placing a second coil (2) or semi-finished product with a different surface finish or made of a different material than the first coil (2) or semi-finished product directly onto the support surface (3).

16. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that the interchangeable support (4) and the interchangeable support transport device (5) are separated from each other in the rest position and the interchangeable support transport device (5) is moved, preferably pivoted, from the covering position into a waiting position or back into the rest position without the interchangeable support (4).

17. Method according to one of claims 15 or 16, characterized in that the pivoting in and out of the interchangeable support (4) is automated.

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