DE10123081C1 - Rotor unit turning objects on conveyor belt has rotary arms stacked coaxially which can be rotated relatively with respect to each other - Google Patents

Abstract

The rotary arms (2a, 2b) are stacked coaxially and can be rotated relatively to each other. An Independent claim is included for a method of selective rotation of objects.

Description

The invention relates to a rotating device for rotating Objects on a transport device comprising at least two rotating arms and at least one drive for the Rotating arms and a method for rotating objects.

Such rotary devices are known for. B. from EP 0615 929. With a turnstile with four wings become units with a side length ratio different from one rotated a roller conveyor. The turnstile is lifting and lowerable, for which purpose a gap is formed in the roller conveyor is. If the turnstile is raised, turn the Turnstile pivoted one unit so that it is transverse is promoted. A disadvantage of such a device is that the turnstile needs to be raised and lowered to be able to rotate the units or Allow to continue running without twisting, switch back and forth. The system is relatively sluggish because when lifting and lowering the Turnstile large masses have to be moved. Still is a gap in the conveyor is needed. what only with roller conveyors is possible so this system is not for sponsors with closed conveyor surface can be used, e.g. B. Belt conveyors.

The document FR 2085397 shows a similar device a turnstile. The turnstile can be raised so that the arms of the turnstile from the path of the objects  can be removed if objects are not turned should go through. It also reveals the possibility to lower individual areas of the wings of the turnstile in order to to turn objects passing by. The disadvantage is here that the objects to be rotated have a maximum height must not exceed. Furthermore, that is individual Lowering parts of the wing mechanically very complex and trouble-prone.

The embodiment shown in EP 0474 281 also shows Turnstile that is adjustable in height, so optional boxes to rotate or not to rotate. Again, the whole Turnstile raised or lowered, which is very slow is possible and thus prevents high throughput rates.

The object of the present invention is therefore a To create a rotating device on any conveyor can be used, is structurally relatively simple and high throughput rates allowed. It is also a task the invention to provide a method with a relatively simple device high throughput rates allows.

The object is achieved by a device with the Features of claim 1 and a method with the features of claim 18.

In the device according to the invention, the two arms can of a turnstile can be rotated against each other. Through a Parallel pivoting of both arms of the rotating device parallel to the direction of transport of the objects on the Transport device so it is possible to unturn objects to let happen. With a crossed position of the  However, rotating arms make it possible to rotate the objects perform. This is a selective turning of Objects, i.e. the turning of certain rotating arms approximate objects possible.

The two rotary arms can advantageously be completely arbitrary are rotated against each other, d. H. revolutions in one 360 ° levels are possible. This allows flexibility between the configuration in which objects can be rotated, and the configuration where objects can pass, be switched back and forth.

Advantageously, the two rotary arms can be one inside the other that when the arms are parallel, one arm fits into the recess of a second arm. Thereby both arms can hold the objects at about the same height attack and so regardless of the respective constellation of crossed arms with great reliability Always rotate objects exactly the same. Both arms can advantageously arranged close above the transport level his.

A mechanically simple embodiment of the invention consists of placing the swivel arms on top of each other.

Another advantageous embodiment of the invention consists of several rotating arms firmly connected to each other to be arranged one above the other. This creates quasi grids, so that the force of the rotating arms on the rotating object is distributed over a large area. Since the several interconnected rotating arms at different heights can act on the object to be rotated  advantageously a tilting of the object almost be excluded.

Advantageous embodiments of the cross-sectional area of the Swivel arms are round, rectangular, square, triangular or semicircular, where it is advantageous if the surface that with has contact with the object during the rotation, if possible lies flat against the object.

Furthermore, it is for the rotating device according to the invention from Advantage if the rotating arms have tapered ends. at easier mispositioning of the objects on the Transport device can through the tapered ends Objects are pushed into the correct position, so that the slight mispositioning can be compensated for.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention exists therein, motor drives for rotating the rotating arms provided. These motors are advantageous Servomotors, stepper motors or torque motors. With Such motors allow a quick movement achieve precise control of the rotating arms.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention exists in hanging the swivel arms on one axis and the To place the drive over the rotary arms, d. H. the arms from above drive. This allows the entire rotating device be arranged above the transport device so that a special type of transport device is irrelevant.

It is advantageous here for each swivel arm or set of rotating arms arranged one above the other Provide drive motor. This allows the swivel arms  individually and individually controlled to the required To achieve configuration of the rotary arms relative to each other and to ensure the rotation of the objects.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention exists in rotating the pivot arms substantially at their end to store. This creates a compact design Rotating device reached. Another beneficial one Embodiment of the invention is the rotary arms in To store essentially in their midst. That’s it possible with relatively few movements of the rotating arms to ensure the required rotations of the objects.

Another advantageous embodiment of the invention consists of locking the rotating arms together provided. By locking it, for example possible, well-defined positions of the rotary arms relative to each other. These positions can, for example the parallel position and the 90 ° position to each other. If the rotating arms are in the 90 ° position, for example interlocked with each other, it is sufficient just one Rotating arm to drive the object to be rotated supposed to turn.

Another advantageous embodiment of the invention is the relative position of the rotating arms to each other with a pneumatic system (cylinder or the like).

Another advantageous embodiment of the invention consists of the rotating device as a whole or at least the height of the rotating arms should be adjustable. This can ensure that the rotating arms are the ones to be rotated Attack objects at or below their center of gravity  and to prevent the objects from tipping over. Depending on The quality of the objects can be the height of the rotating arms be adjusted.

It is also advantageous to turn the rotating device like this provide that the objects are rotated by 90 ° can. This allows the items that for example a substantially rectangular shape (Aspect ratio different one) in one Rotate 90 ° to each other as you would for training of layer images when stacking objects on one Pallet are necessary.

The method according to the invention consists of a Parallel or by vertical positioning of the rotating arms relative to each other a passing of the objects or a Allow objects to rotate. By having the arms are pivotable against each other, there is no individual Raising or lowering the turnstile entirely. In particular if only one arm has to be swiveled between the possibility of passing and the possibility of Switching rotating objects are high Throughput rates with the method according to the invention to reach.

In the method according to the invention, turning a Object and allowing an object to pass through any frequency and order. This makes it possible to use any combination of successive, rotated and not rotated Obtain items. The order you want from rotated and non-rotated objects result e.g. B. from the desired layer pattern, which the objects later in  occupy a position of a pallet stack, for example should.

The method can be particularly advantageous with containers of Beverage packaging is carried out with the Beverage packaging PET beverage bottles, Beverage bottles made of glass or cans can include.

The containers can be boxes, boxes, wrap-around boxes, trays or shrink packs.

The method is advantageously carried out in such a way that the distances between subsequent objects are not greater are considered the expansion of the objects in the Direction of transport, d. H. in the direction of the approximation of the Objects to the turning device.

Another advantageous embodiment of the invention is to control the rotation of the swivel arms so that the rotating arms the object to be rotated in the Do not start the rotary motion suddenly, but instead rather, slowly slowly starting to accelerate continuously. The The middle part of the rotary movement can then with a high Rotation speed. Towards the end of the rotation then the speed of rotation of the rotating arms slows down, to achieve a safe end position of the object.

The following is an embodiment of the invention Device and the inventive method based on the Embodiment of the device according to the invention with the help of the attached figures. It shows

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a rotation device according to the invention together with a rotating object and to a transport device,

Fig. 2 further embodiments of the rotary device,

Fig. 3 different process steps in the execution of the method according to the invention.

In Fig. 1 a rotating device 1 is shown. The rotating device 1 has rotating arms 2 a, 2 b which can be rotated relative to one another, ie relative to one another in a plane substantially parallel to the transport plane. The arms 2 a and 2 b are each suspended on mutually independent axes 3 a and 3 b, which can be driven by a drive device 4 , which can be, for example, at least one motor. It is conceivable to assign a separate motor to each of the rotary arms 2 a, 2 b, or to provide only a single motor and at least one controllable clutch. Alternatively, an indirect drive via a conveyor belt drive in connection with controllable clutches is conceivable.

An object 6 moves in the direction of the rotating device 1 on the transport device 5 realized in the exemplary embodiment as a rotating conveyor belt. In the illustrated embodiment, the rotary arms 2 a and 2 b are suspended in their centers on the axes 3 a and 3 b. The rotating arms 2 a and 2 b thus float freely above the transport device 5 , so that it can have a closed conveying surface. The two rotary arms 2 a and 2 b together with the respective axes 3 a and 3 b are mounted together with the motor device 4 on a suspension not shown for the sake of clarity. Even if the axes of rotation are located above the transport device 5 in the embodiment shown, it is also possible according to the invention to provide the axes next to or laterally offset above the transport device 5 . The transport device 5 shown can be, for example, a plate hinge chain belt, a mat chain, a conveyor belt or a roller bed.

As shown in Fig. 1, the two rotary arms 2 a and 2 b can be arranged one above the other. This results in a clear and simple design.

In the illustrated embodiment, the pivot arms have rectangular cross sections. The swivel arms can be made of full or Hollow sections exist.

The rotary arms shown can, as indicated in FIG. 1 on only one arm, have tapering, possibly rounded regions at their ends. If the object 6 is not arranged exactly exact position or distance exactly on the transport device 5, it can be accomplished by tapering, so that the pointed end of the pivot arm 2 b (or, correspondingly 2a) is brought into the optimum for rotating position or the insertion of the pivot arm be relieved between two successive objects.

In Fig. 2a, 2b advantageous embodiments of the rotating arms 2 a and 2 b relative to the rotation axes 3a and 3 b shown. In Fig. 2a, the rotary arms 2 a and 2 b are each suspended at one of their ends on the axis 3 a and 3 b. As a result, rotating arms protruding laterally beyond the transport device 5 can be avoided, so that overall an extremely compact design of the rotating device according to the invention results.

In Fig. 2b, there is shown how a plurality of superposed rotating arms 2 a, 2 a 'and 2 b, 2 b' can form a kind of grid, so that the rotary arms at different heights, the attack to rotating objects. It is also shown how the pivot arm 2 a can be pivoted into the recess between the pivot arms 2 b and 2 b '. The same applies to the pivot arm 2 b, which can be pivoted in between the pivot arms 2 a and 2 a '. The advantage of such an embodiment of the rotating arms is that force is exerted on the object to be rotated over a large area. This is advantageous for a gentle treatment of the object 6, especially at high throughput rates.

Furthermore, the swivel arms 2 a, 2 a ', 2 b, 2 b' arranged at different heights allow forces to be exerted on the object to be rotated at different heights, so that tilting of the object can largely be ruled out. This is particularly advantageous for objects with a high center of gravity and a small footprint.

FIG. 3 shows various steps that can occur when carrying out the method according to the invention. In Fig. 3a, a guided at a railing 7 tapering object 6 is shown on the rotation of the arms 2 a and 2 b formed, moved 7 turnstile arranged in a gap of the handrail. In Fig. 3b is shown as the object 6 enters the turnstile. Sensors (not shown) (not shown) can determine the exact position and rotational position of the object and report it to a control unit controlling the turnstile. Fig. 3c shows how the object 6 is rotated by simultaneously rotating the rotating arms 2 a and 2 b during the transport movement and finally in Fig. 3d reaches its predetermined end position with respect to the rotation by the rotating device. By means of the transport device 5 , the object 6 is conveyed further rotated through 90 °, for. B. to the layer formation station of a palletizing machine.

Furthermore 3e is shown in Fig., As a subsequent second object 6 'to the rotating arms 2 a and 2 b and approaches it passes without rotation. In Fig. 3f illustrates how the rotation arm 2 b parallel to the rotation arm 2a is detected. As can be seen in FIG. 3 g, the object 6 'passes the rotating arms 2 a and 2 b, which are placed in parallel with the railings 7 . After, as shown in Fig. 3h, the object 6 'has passed the center of the rotary arms 2 a and 2 b, one of the rotary arms 2 a and 2 b is again pivoted perpendicular to the transport direction and rotated synchronously. An already incoming object 6 "can then be rotated if necessary.

Even if the inventive method is illustrated, beginning here with the rotation of an object 6, it is according to the invention also possible first to an article 6 'of FIG. Letting 3e pass untwisted to 3h, and then a second object 6 as shown in Fig. 3a to 3e to turn.

It is also possible to rotate two, three or four or more objects 6 in succession on the transport device 5 or to allow two, three, four or more objects to pass unturned directly in succession.

Claims (23)

1. Rotating device ( 1 ) for selectively rotating objects ( 6 ) on a transport device ( 5 ) comprising: at least two rotating arms ( 2 a, 2 a ', 2 b, 2 b') and at least one drive ( 4 ) for the rotating arms ( 2 a, 2 a ', 2 b, 2 b'), characterized in that the rotary arms ( 2 a, 2 a ', 2 b, 2 b') are arranged coaxially and one above the other and can be rotated relative to one another. 2. Rotating device ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the two rotating arms ( 2 a, 2 a ', 2 b, 2 b') can be rotated in parallel planes by 360 °. 3. Rotating device ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the rotating arms ( 2 a, 2 a ', 2 b, 2 b') can be rotated into one another. 4. Rotating device ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a plurality of fixedly interconnected rotating arms ( 2 a, 2 a ', 2 b, 2 b') are arranged one above the other. 5. Rotating device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the rotating arms ( 2 a, 2 a ', 2 b, 2 b') have cross-sectional areas that are round, rectangular, square, triangular or semicircular and preferably tapered ends to have. 6. Rotating device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the rotating arms ( 2 a, 2 a ', 2 b, 2 b') are arranged in a gap in a railing ( 7 ) and can optionally be brought into alignment with this are. 7. Rotating device ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that motors ( 4 ) for rotating the rotating arms ( 2 a, 2 a ', 2 b, 2 b') are provided. 8. Rotary device according to claim 7, characterized in that the motors ( 4 ) are servomotors ( 4 ), stepper motors ( 4 ) or torque motors ( 4 ). 9. Rotating device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the rotating arms ( 2 a, 2 a ', 2 b, 2 b') are suspended on at least one axis ( 3 a, 3 b) and the drive ( 4th ) of the axis ( 3 a, 3 b) lies above the rotating arms. 10. Rotating device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that for each rotating arm ( 2 a, 2 a ', 2 b, 2 b') or each set of fixedly arranged rotating arms ( 2 a, 2 a ', 2nd b, 2 b ') a selectively controllable drive motor ( 4 ) is provided, the rotating arms being drivable synchronously with the conveying movement of the transport device ( 5 ). 11. Rotating device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the rotating arms ( 2 a, 2 a ', 2 b, 2 b') are rotatably mounted at one of their ends. 12. Rotating device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the rotating arms ( 2 a, 2 a ', 2 b, 2 b') are rotatably mounted in their center. 13. Rotating device ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the rotating arms ( 2 a, 2 a ', 2 b, 2 b') can be locked in alignment with one another or to form a railing ( 7 ). 14. Rotating device ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the rotating arms ( 2 a, 2 a ', 2 b, 2 b') can be rotated with one another by means of pneumatics (cylinder). 15. Rotating device ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the rotating arms ( 2 a, 2 a ', 2 b, 2 b') are adjustable in height. 16. Rotating device ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the objects ( 6 ) can be rotated by 90 °. 17. A method for the selective rotation of objects ( 6 ) on a transport device ( 5 ) with a rotating device ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the rotation comprises the steps:

• - Approaching a first object ( 6 ) to the rotating device ( 1 ),
• Bringing the at least two rotary arms into a cross position relative to one another,
• - Rotating the first object ( 6 ) on the transport device ( 5 ) by simultaneously rotating the at least two rotating arms ( 2 a, 2 a ', 2 b, 2 b'),
• Moving the first object ( 6 ) away from the rotating device ( 1 ),
• - and letting pass includes the steps:
• - Approaching an object ( 6 ) to the rotating device ( 1 ),
• - Unscrewing the rotating arms ( 2 a, 2 a ', 2 b, 2 b') from the path of the second object ( 6 ') on the transport device ( 5 ) so that the object ( 6 ) passes the rotating device ( 1 ) and not being rotated

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that any number of objects ( 6 , 6 ') are rotated directly one after the other or not rotated. 19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the objects ( 6 ) are containers ( 6 ) of beverage packaging. 20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that the beverage packaging beverages bottles made of PET, Beverage bottles made of glass or cans. 21. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that the distances between subsequent objects ( 6 , 6 ') are not greater than the extent of the objects ( 6 , 6 ') in the direction of the approach of the objects ( 6 , 6 ') to the rotating device ( 1 ). 22. The method according to claim 19 or 21, characterized in that the containers ( 6 ) are bottle crates, boxes, wrap-around boxes, trays or shrink packs. 23. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 22, characterized in that the beginning part and the end part of the rotary movement of the rotary arms ( 2 a, 2 a ', 2 b, 2 b') for rotating the object ( 6 ) with an increasing or decreasing speed.