DE102022114378B3 - Lifting-lowering conveyor system and method for operating a lifting-lowering conveyor system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a lifting-lowering conveyor system (1) for synchronously transporting several components individually from a first processing station (12.1) to a second processing station (12.2), comprising at least one adjusting unit (13.1, 13.2) which is adjustably arranged on a carriage (9). ), which has at least one coupling means (15) for positively coupling a component to be transported by the carriage (9) to the carriage (9), and at least one actuator (17.1, 17.2) which automatically actuates the at least one actuating unit (13.1, 13.2), 17.3), which is designed and set up to automatically adjust the coupling means (15) relative to the carriage. The invention also relates to a method for operating a lifting and lowering conveyor system (1) for synchronously transporting several components individually from a first processing station (12.1) to a second processing station (12.2).

Description

The invention relates to a lifting and lowering conveyor system for the synchronous transport of several components individually from a first processing station to a second processing station. The invention also relates to a method for operating a lifting and lowering conveyor system for synchronously transporting several components individually from a first processing station to a second processing station.

The DE 295 12 242 U1 describes a lifting shuttle for transfer systems with a spar, at least one end frame and one or more lifting drives as well as with a vertical guide for the end frame, which is designed as an isosceles straight thrust crank, the lifting drives being arranged separately from the vertical guide and acting directly on the spar and the end frame, wherein the longitudinal guide and the lower link bearing of the vertical guide are arranged on the ground.

The DE 296 18 325 U1 describes a transport device, in particular a lifting shuttle, for several processing stations, consisting of a driven lifting device, which has a plurality of lifting elements mounted on stands and one or more support bars which are movably guided on the lifting elements and have a spar drive, the transport device being constructed from several station-wise modules.

The DE 202 02 491 U1 describes a feed device for feeding workpiece carriers along a belt conveyor to a processing station, with a controlled-driven transporter which reaches under the workpiece carrier in a transfer station upstream of the processing station and lifts it off the belt conveyor and transports it in the raised state into the processing station and supports it there during workpiece processing .

The EP 0 343 270 B1 describes a transport device with a transport frame and supports (skid) for conveying vehicles to be manufactured in particular through assembly, testing and other workplaces, whereby the skid, like the motor vehicle, also during assembly, testing and further processing in the assembly, testing and Another workplace remains, with only four supports for receiving the wheels of a motor vehicle, arranged in particular on the inside of the two longitudinal bars, protruding into the flat surface enclosed by the transport frame.

The object of the invention is to create a lifting-lowering conveyor system for the synchronous transport of several components individually from a first processing station to a second processing station, which can be used particularly flexibly, in particular without the use of skids, even for several different types of components in the same Conveyor line can be used simultaneously. The object of the invention is also to create an associated method for operating a lifting and lowering conveyor system for the synchronous transport of several components individually from a first processing station to a second processing station, with which the lifting and lowering conveyor system can be used particularly flexibly, can be used simultaneously for several different types of components in the same conveyor line, especially without the use of skids.

• - eine automatische Hubvorrichtung mit wenigstens einem Grundgestell, mit wenigstens einer Trageinrichtung, die höhenverstellbar an dem wenigstens einen Grundgestell gelagert ist, und mit wenigstens einem Hubantrieb, der ausgebildet und eingerichtet ist zum automatischen Heben und Senken der wenigstens einen Trageinrichtung relativ zum wenigstens einen Grundgestell,
• - einen an der wenigstens einen Trageinrichtung der automatischen Hubvorrichtung horizontal verstellbar gelagerten Schlitten, der von wenigstens einem an den Schlitten angekoppelten, ansteuerbaren Horizontalantrieb in einer horizontalen Richtung relativ zur wenigstens einen Trageinrichtung automatisch verstellbar ist, und
• - wenigstens eine an dem Schlitten verstellbar angeordnete Stelleinheit, die wenigstens ein Kopplungsmittel zum formschlüssigen Ankoppeln eines durch den Schlitten zu transportierenden Bauteils an den Schlitten aufweist, und wenigstens einen die wenigstens eine Stelleinheit automatisch betätigenden Stellantrieb, der ausgebildet und eingerichtet ist zum automatischen Verstellen des Kopplungsmittels relativ zum Schlitten.

The task is solved by a lifting-lowering conveyor system for synchronously transporting several components individually from a first processing station to a second processing station, comprising:

• - an automatic lifting device with at least one base frame, with at least one support device which is mounted in a height-adjustable manner on the at least one base frame, and with at least one lifting drive which is designed and set up for automatically raising and lowering the at least one support device relative to the at least one base frame,
• - a carriage mounted horizontally adjustable on the at least one carrying device of the automatic lifting device, which can be automatically adjusted in a horizontal direction relative to the at least one carrying device by at least one controllable horizontal drive coupled to the carriage, and
• - at least one actuating unit arranged adjustably on the carriage, which has at least one coupling means for positively coupling a component to be transported by the carriage to the carriage, and at least one actuating drive which automatically actuates the at least one actuating unit and which is designed and set up for automatically adjusting the coupling means relative to the carriage.

The lifting-lowering conveyor system according to the invention can also be referred to as a lifting shuttle for transfer systems or a lift-and-carry shuttle. It generally serves to automatically simultaneously convert at least two components within a production line or assembly line with several processing stations arranged in series one behind the other from a first processing station into a second processing station immediately following in the production line. So In a simple case, the production line can have, for example, three processing stations, i.e. a first processing station, a second processing station and a third processing station. The components can be, for example, body shells in an automobile production facility. In each processing station, an individually specific work step can be carried out on the component present in the respective processing station. The respective work step can be, for example, a manufacturing step, such as a welding process, or can, for example, be an assembly step, such as screwing a component onto the component. The respective work step is carried out in a fixed work cycle for all processing stations, ie all components in all processing stations of the relevant production line are simultaneously transferred to the next processing station. This transfer is carried out by the lifting-lowering conveyor system.

For this purpose, the lifting-lowering conveyor system has the carrying device, which is raised by means of the lifting device. A carriage is mounted on the support device and is automatically adjustable in a horizontal direction, i.e. in the conveying direction of the production line and against the conveying direction of the production line. The carriage extends over the entire production line in question or over a desired part of the production line, namely over two or more processing stations of the production line. By means of a transport movement of the carriage, for example, a first component is moved from the second processing station to the third processing station and a second component, which follows the first component, is moved from the first processing station to the second processing station.

In the prior art, it is common for each component to be processed in the several processing stations to be mounted on its own support frame. Such support frames are also known as skids. The support frames are designed identically for all components and have standardized counter-coupling means, which are designed to interact with coupling means of the lifting-lowering conveyor system, in particular to interact positively when the components or the support frames are in engagement with the carriage of the lifting-lowering conveyor system are when the carriage is raised by means of the lifting device of the lifting-lowering conveyor system. In this respect, all existing components or support frames are simultaneously lifted by the carriage and transported in the raised state to the next processing station. The position dimensions of the counter-coupling means on a support frame must match the position dimensions of the coupling means on the carriage of the lifting-lowering conveyor system. This makes it possible to process different types of components in the same production line simultaneously, since the different types of components are always mounted on identical support frames or skids and only the support frames or skids interact directly with the lifting-lowering conveyor system. The disadvantage here, however, is that a large number of carrier frames are required for the automated processing of a large number of components using the known lifting and lowering conveyor systems, since each individual component to be processed in the production line must be assigned its own carrier frame or skid. Each individual support frame or skid must also be individually adapted to the respective type of component.

By means of the solution according to the invention, however, it becomes possible to completely dispense with such support frames or skids and still to be able to automatically convert different types of components, in particular mixed in series, from one processing station into a subsequent processing station within the relevant production line in a very flexible manner can.

For this purpose, the lifting-lowering conveyor system according to the invention has at least one adjusting unit which is adjustable on the carriage and which has at least one coupling means for positively coupling a component to be transported by the carriage to the carriage, and the lifting-lowering conveyor system according to the invention also has at least one the at least one actuating unit automatically actuates the actuator, which is designed and set up for automatically adjusting the coupling means relative to the carriage.

In a first embodiment variant, an actuating unit can be assigned a single coupling means, so that by moving the actuating unit by means of an actuator, only this individual coupling means is adjusted relative to the carriage of the lifting-lowering conveyor system.

In a modified second embodiment variant, two or more coupling means can be assigned to a single actuating unit, so that by moving the individual actuating unit using the actuator, these two or more coupling means can be adjusted simultaneously, in particular synchronously, relative to the carriage of the lifting-lowering conveyor system.

The carriage of the lifting-lowering conveyor system can have several receiving sections. Each receiving section is designed to hold a component to be transported. Everyone The receiving section can therefore either have an adjusting unit which has two or more coupling means, so that the two or more coupling means can be automatically adjusted synchronously by the individual adjusting unit within the respective receiving section of the carriage. Alternatively, each receiving section can have two or more adjusting units, so that either a single adjusting unit, two adjusting units or several adjusting units or all adjusting units can be automatically adjusted relative to the carriage.

In a usual embodiment, the respective component can be picked up on the carriage at four support points, for example. Each of the four support points can accordingly be formed by a coupling means that can interact with a counter-coupling means on the component, in particular can interact in a form-fitting manner when the component is received on the slide. A larger component can, for example, be accommodated by means of four coupling means, which are positioned on the carriage in such a way that they lie at four corners of a larger-area rectangle spanned by the coupling means, whereas a smaller component can be accommodated on the carriage in such a way that the four coupling means are positioned on the carriage in such a way that they lie at four corners of a smaller-area rectangle spanned by the coupling means.

The carriage can, for example, have two bars arranged at a distance from one another and running parallel to one another, on which the adjusting means and coupling means are arranged. For example, in the case of a total of four coupling means per receiving section, two coupling means can be arranged on a spar on the left-hand side in the conveying direction and two further coupling means can be arranged on a spar on the right-hand side in the conveying direction. Of the two coupling means of a spar, either only one coupling means can be automatically adjustable, for example along the spar, i.e. in the conveying direction by means of the actuator, or both coupling means can be automatically adjustable, for example, along the common spar, i.e. in the conveying direction by means of the actuator, in particular relative to one another , so that the distance between the two coupling means from one another can be changed automatically. However, the two coupling means of a spar can also be adjusted uniformly, so that they can be adjusted together relative to the spar or relative to the carriage while maintaining their relative distance from one another.

Alternatively or additionally, the coupling means can also be automatically adjustable transversely to the conveying direction by means of the actuator. In this way, the transverse distance between two coupling means of two different bars can be changed, i.e. the track width of the coupling means on the carriage can be changed automatically.

The actuator or the multiple actuators can be designed to adjust the coupling means continuously, i.e. continuously, so that the coupling means can be adjustable between a minimum adjustment position and a maximum adjustment position in any intermediate positions. Alternatively, the actuator or the plurality of actuators can be designed to adjust the coupling means discontinuously, i.e. only in certain discrete stages or positions, so that the coupling means between a minimum adjustment position and a maximum adjustment position only in a predetermined few intermediate stage positions or only in a single intermediate stage position can be changed.

The coupling means is intended for the positive coupling of a component to be transported by the carriage to the carriage. The component to be transported can have counter-coupling means which are designed to correspond to the coupling means of the lifting-lowering conveyor system, so that the coupling means can engage with the counter-coupling means of the component, in particular can enter into positive engagement in order to place the component on the carriage for horizontal transport. For example, in the specific case that the component is a bodyshell of a vehicle to be manufactured, the counter-coupling means can be formed by openings, such as punched outs or bores, in a respective sheet metal section of the bodyshell. In this case, the coupling means can be formed by projecting pins or pins, which can penetrate into the openings, such as punched outs or bores, of the component, i.e. the respective bodyshell, in order to accommodate the component on the carriage for horizontal transport.

An actuator can either automatically operate a single actuator or the actuator can automatically operate two or more actuators at the same time. However, each actuating unit can also be assigned its own actuator, so that a number of actuators corresponding to the existing number of actuating units can be provided on the carriage of the lifting-lowering conveyor system. Each actuating unit in turn can optionally only include a single coupling means sen or it can include two or more coupling agents.

A respective actuator can therefore be designed and set up to automatically adjust either a single coupling means relative to the carriage or a group of several coupling means relative to the carriage.

In general, in all embodiment variants, the respective actuating unit comprises at least one actuator and an actuator that automatically actuates the actuator. An actuating unit can optionally have two or more actuators and/or two or more actuators. It can be provided that an actuator actuates several actuators together or simultaneously. Each actuator can either be assigned a single coupling means or each actuator can be assigned several coupling means. Each coupling agent can determine a unique contact area or contact point to the component. The respective coupling means can be designed to act in a form-fitting manner. The respective coupling means can accordingly be formed by a projection or a recess on the actuator.

The at least one actuating unit can have a linear actuator and the at least one actuator can be designed and set up for linearly adjusting the coupling means by driving the linear actuator relative to the carriage in a direction parallel to the horizontal direction of movement of the carriage.

By means of the linear actuator, the at least one coupling means can be moved forward in the horizontal direction of movement of the carriage, in particular with respect to the production line in the direction of the next processing station of the production line and/or backwards with respect to the production line in the direction of the next processing station of the production line, i.e. adjusted become. Depending on requirements, the receiving point of the component on the receiving section of the carriage can be moved further forward, i.e. in the direction of the next processing station of the production line, or further backwards overall, i.e. against the direction of the next processing station of the production line. Alternatively or additionally, the distance between two coupling means arranged in the direction parallel to the horizontal direction of movement of the carriage can be changed, i.e. optionally increased or reduced. The multiple coupling means can thus be adapted to larger components or to smaller components.

The at least one actuating unit can have a linear actuator and the at least one actuator can be designed and set up for linearly adjusting the coupling means by driving the linear actuator relative to the carriage in a direction transverse to the horizontal direction of movement of the carriage.

By means of the transversely acting linear actuator, the at least one coupling means can be moved, i.e., adjusted, transversely to the horizontal direction of movement of the carriage, in particular with respect to the production line, transversely to the direction of the next processing station of the production line to the left and/or to the right. The receiving point of the component on the receiving section of the carriage can, depending on requirements, accommodate the component on a wider track or pick up the component on a narrower track. Alternatively or additionally, the complete receiving point for the component on the carriage can, if necessary, be offset slightly to the left or slightly to the right overall with respect to the direction of movement of the carriage. The multiple coupling means can thus be adapted to larger components or to smaller components, and in particular to components that project differently or to components with differently designed contours.

The at least one actuating unit can have a pivoting actuator and the at least one actuator can be designed and set up for pivoting adjustment of the coupling means by driving the pivoting actuator relative to the carriage.

With a pivoting actuator, a superimposed movement with a movement component in the horizontal direction of movement of the carriage and transverse to the horizontal direction of movement of the carriage can be realized simultaneously.

The at least one actuating unit can have at least one first actuator and at least one second actuator, the actuators being arranged at different positions of the carriage and each first actuator having its own first actuator for adjusting a first coupling means of the first actuator between an operating position of the first coupling means and a storage position of the first coupling means, and each second actuator is assigned its own second actuator for adjusting a second coupling means of the second actuator between an operating position of the second coupling means and a storage position of the second coupling means, wherein the at least one first actuator and the at least one second actuator are formed and are set up to selectively adjusting either the first coupling means into its operating position, in which the second coupling means is in its storage position, or the second coupling means into its operating position, in which the first coupling means is in its storage position.

In this embodiment variant, in which the actuating unit has at least one first actuator and at least one second actuator, a linear or pivoting adjustment of an individual actuator can be omitted. Rather, the at least one first actuator and the at least one second actuator are arranged at predetermined positions with respect to the carriage and only the first coupling means of the first actuator is selectively brought into the first operating position or brought into the first storage position, i.e. in particular between the first operating position and the first storage position is switched, or the second coupling means of the second actuator is selectively brought into the second operating position or brought into the second storage position, i.e. in particular switched between the second operating position and the second storage position. Instead of just a single first actuator or first coupling means and a single second actuator or second coupling means, three, four or even more actuators and coupling means can also be provided. These several actuators and coupling means can then be controlled in the manner of mechanical radio buttons (radio buttons), so that from a group of several actuators and coupling means only one actuator and one coupling means per actuating unit is in the operating position and the other actuators and Coupling means are in their storage positions.

The first actuator can be designed to raise the first coupling means into its operating position and to lower the first coupling means into its storage position and the second actuator can be designed to raise the second coupling means into its operating position and to lower the second coupling means into its storage position.

The first actuator and the second actuator can be designed, for example, in the form of a lifting magnet.

The at least one actuator can have an electric drive which is controlled by an electric control which also controls the lifting drive of the lifting device and the horizontal drive of the carriage.

The at least one actuator can have an electro-pneumatic drive, which is controlled by an electrical control, which also controls the lifting drive of the lifting device and the horizontal drive of the carriage.

• - automatisches Anheben wenigstens einer Trageinrichtung des Hub-Senk-Fördersystems relativ zu einem Grundgestell des Hub-Senk-Fördersystems, um die Trageinrichtung in eine Förderposition zu bringen, in welcher ein auf der Trageinrichtung horizontal verstellbar gelagerter Schlitten in einer horizontalen Förderrichtung relativ zur Trageinrichtung automatisch verstellbar ist, um die mehreren auf der Trageinrichtung gelagerten Bauteile jeweils individuell von einer ersten Bearbeitungsstation zu einer zweiten Bearbeitungsstation synchron transportieren zu können,
• - automatisches Verstellen des Schlittens in der horizontalen Förderrichtung relativ zur Trageinrichtung aus seiner Ausgangsstellung, so dass die mehreren auf der Trageinrichtung gelagerten Bauteile jeweils individuell von einer ersten Bearbeitungsstation zu einer im Bearbeitungsprozess der Bauteile nächstfolgenden zweiten Bearbeitungsstation synchron transportiert werden,
• - automatisches Absenken der wenigstens einen Trageinrichtung relativ zum Grundgestell, um die Trageinrichtung in eine Rückführposition zu bringen, in welcher ein auf der Trageinrichtung horizontal verstellbar gelagerter Schlitten in einer horizontalen Rückführrichtung entgegen der Förderrichtung relativ zur Trageinrichtung automatisch verstellbar ist, um den Schlitten in seine Ausgangsstellung zurückführen zu können,
• - automatisches Verstellen des Schlittens entgegen der Förderrichtung relativ zur Trageinrichtung, so dass der Schlitten in seine Ausgangsstellung bewegt wird, und
• - automatisches Verstellen wenigstens einer an dem Schlitten verstellbar angeordneten Stelleinheit, die wenigstens ein Kopplungsmittel zum formschlüssigen Ankoppeln eines durch den Schlitten zu transportierenden Bauteils an den Schlitten aufweist, mittels eines Stellantriebs, um das Kopplungsmittel relativ zum Schlitten zu verstellen.

The object is also achieved by a method for operating a lifting-lowering conveyor system for synchronously transporting several components individually from a first processing station to a second processing station, comprising the steps:

• - Automatic lifting of at least one carrying device of the lifting-lowering conveyor system relative to a base frame of the lifting-lowering conveyor system in order to bring the carrying device into a conveying position in which a carriage mounted horizontally adjustable on the carrying device automatically moves in a horizontal conveying direction relative to the carrying device is adjustable in order to be able to synchronously transport the several components stored on the support device individually from a first processing station to a second processing station,
• - automatic adjustment of the carriage in the horizontal conveying direction relative to the carrying device from its starting position, so that the several components stored on the carrying device are each individually transported synchronously from a first processing station to a second processing station next in the processing process of the components,
• - automatic lowering of the at least one carrying device relative to the base frame in order to bring the carrying device into a return position in which a carriage mounted horizontally adjustable on the carrying device can be automatically adjusted relative to the carrying device in a horizontal return direction counter to the conveying direction in order to return the carriage to its starting position to be able to trace back
• - automatic adjustment of the carriage against the conveying direction relative to the carrying device, so that the carriage is moved into its starting position, and
• - Automatic adjustment of at least one actuating unit which is adjustable on the carriage and has at least one coupling means for positively coupling a component to be transported by the carriage to the carriage, by means of an actuator in order to adjust the coupling means relative to the carriage.

The automatic adjustment of the at least one adjusting unit arranged adjustably on the carriage by means of the actuator in order to adjust the coupling means relative to the carriage can occur during the automatic lowering of the at least one carrying device relative to the base frame, during the automatic adjustment of the carriage against the conveying direction relative to the carrying device and/or during the automatic lifting of the at least one carrying device relative to the base frame.

In certain embodiments of production lines, the components transported by the lifting-lowering conveyor system can be placed on stationary support frames at the respective processing stations, so that a respective component is arranged in the relevant processing station in a precise position and position, so that the respective processing, in particular automated processing Processing on the component can take place in the processing station, independently of the lifting-lowering conveyor system.

In order to be able to arrange a component in a precise position within a processing station, stationary support frames are used, among other things, on which the component to be processed is placed in the processing station. Since the skids can be omitted with the lifting-lowering conveyor systems according to the invention, it may be necessary that the stationary support frames in the processing stations are no longer designed to be purely rigid, but rather the stationary coupling devices of the stationary support frames analogous to the coupling means on the carriage of the hub according to the invention -Lowering conveyor system is designed to be automatically adjustable.

A stationary support frame is also proposed that has at least one adjustably arranged actuating unit, which has at least one coupling means for the positive coupling of a component in the processing stations, with at least one actuator automatically actuating the at least one actuating unit being provided, which is designed and set up to automatic adjustment of the coupling means relative to the stationary support frame.

The at least one actuating unit of the stationary support frame can have a linear actuator and the at least one actuator can be designed and set up for linear adjustment of the coupling means by driving the linear actuator relative to the frame of the stationary support frame in a direction parallel to the conveying direction within the production line.

The at least one actuating unit of the stationary support frame can have a linear actuator and the at least one actuator can be designed and set up for linear adjustment of the coupling means by driving the linear actuator relative to the frame of the stationary support frame in a direction transverse to the conveying direction within the production line.

The at least one actuating unit of the stationary support frame can have a pivoting actuator and the at least one actuator can be designed and set up for pivoting adjustment of the coupling means by driving the pivoting actuator relative to the frame of the stationary support frame.

In the stationary support frame, the at least one actuating unit can have at least one first actuator and at least one second actuator, the actuators being arranged at different positions on the frame of the stationary support frame and each first actuator having its own first actuator for adjusting a first coupling means of the first actuator between an operating position of the first coupling means and a storage position of the first coupling means, and each second actuator is assigned its own second actuator for adjusting a second coupling means of the second actuator between an operating position of the second coupling means and a storage position of the second coupling means, wherein the at least one first actuator and the at least one second actuator is designed and set up for selectively adjusting either the first coupling means into its operating position, in which the second coupling means is in its storage position, or the second coupling means into its operating position, in which the first coupling means is in its storage position.

In the stationary support frame, the first actuator can be designed to raise the first coupling means into its operating position and to lower the first coupling means into its storage position and the second actuator can be designed to raise the second coupling means into its operating position and to lower the second coupling means into its custody position.

In the stationary support frame, the at least one actuator can have an electric drive that is controlled by an electric control that also controls the lifting-lowering conveyor system.

In the stationary support frame, the at least one actuator can have an electro-pneumatic drive that is controlled by an electrical control that also controls the lifting-lowering conveyor system.

Specific exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail in the following description with reference to the attached figures. Specific features of these exemplary embodiments can represent general features of the invention, regardless of the specific context in which they are mentioned, if necessary also viewed individually or in further combinations.

• 1 eine perspektivische Teilansicht eines beispielhaften erfindungsgemäßen Hub-Senk-Fördersystems,
• 2 eine Draufsicht auf das beispielhafte erfindungsgemäße Hub-Senk-Fördersystem,
• 3 eine perspektivische Teilansicht des beispielhaften erfindungsgemäßen Hub-Senk-Fördersystems im Aufnahmebereich für ein einzelnes Bauteil,
• 4 eine perspektivische Teilansicht auf eine erste Ausführungsform einer Stelleinheit des erfindungsgemäßen Hub-Senk-Fördersystems,
• 5 eine schematische Darstellung eines Aufnahmebereichs für ein einzelnes Bauteil des erfindungsgemäßen Hub-Senk-Fördersystems mit Kopplungsmitteln in unterschiedlichen Betriebsstellungen der Stelleinheit mit einer Verstellbarkeit in Förderrichtung,
• 6 eine schematische Darstellung eines Aufnahmebereichs für ein einzelnes Bauteil des erfindungsgemäßen Hub-Senk-Fördersystems mit Kopplungsmitteln in unterschiedlichen Betriebsstellungen der Stelleinheit mit einer Verstellbarkeit quer zur Förderrichtung,
• 7 eine schematische Darstellung eines Aufnahmebereichs für ein einzelnes Bauteil des erfindungsgemäßen Hub-Senk-Fördersystems mit einer Gruppe von mehreren Kopplungsmitteln und mehreren Stelleinheiten mit einer vertikalen Verstellbarkeit der Kopplungsmittel,
• 8 eine schematische Darstellung von schwenkbaren Stelleinheiten an einem Aufnahmebereich für ein einzelnes Bauteil an dem Hub-Senk-Fördersystem,
• 9 eine schematische Darstellung von vertikal heb- und senkbaren Stelleinheiten an einem Aufnahmebereich für ein einzelnes Bauteil an dem Hub-Senk-Fördersystem, und
• 10 ein Flussdiagramm der Schritte in dem grundlegenden erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren.

Show it:

• 1 a partial perspective view of an exemplary lifting-lowering conveyor system according to the invention,
• 2 a top view of the exemplary lifting-lowering conveyor system according to the invention,
• 3 a perspective partial view of the exemplary lifting-lowering conveyor system according to the invention in the receiving area for an individual component,
• 4 a perspective partial view of a first embodiment of an actuating unit of the lifting-lowering conveyor system according to the invention,
• 5 a schematic representation of a receiving area for an individual component of the lifting-lowering conveyor system according to the invention with coupling means in different operating positions of the actuating unit with an adjustability in the conveying direction,
• 6 a schematic representation of a receiving area for an individual component of the lifting-lowering conveyor system according to the invention with coupling means in different operating positions of the actuating unit with an adjustability transversely to the conveying direction,
• 7 a schematic representation of a receiving area for a single component of the lifting-lowering conveyor system according to the invention with a group of several coupling means and several actuating units with a vertical adjustability of the coupling means,
• 8th a schematic representation of pivotable actuating units in a receiving area for an individual component on the lifting-lowering conveyor system,
• 9 a schematic representation of vertically raising and lowering actuating units in a receiving area for an individual component on the lifting and lowering conveyor system, and
• 10 a flowchart of the steps in the basic method according to the invention.

In the 1 an exemplary lifting-lowering conveyor system 1 is shown. The lifting-lowering conveyor system 1 is used to synchronously transport several components individually from a first processing station to a second processing station.

The lifting-lowering conveyor system 1 includes a main drive motor 2, which drives a crank 4 via a main gear 3, which automatically activates a lever 5. The lever 5 actuates a lifting device 6 of the lifting-lowering conveyor system 1.

The lifting-lowering conveyor system 1 accordingly has the automatic lifting device 6, which comprises at least one base frame 7, and at least one support device 8, which is mounted on the at least one base frame 7 in a height-adjustable manner. In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, the carrying device 8 is formed from two parallel rails 8a, 8b, on which the carriage 9 or one bar 9a and 9b is mounted in a horizontally adjustable manner.

The lifting-lowering conveyor system 1 has at least one lifting drive 10, comprising the main drive motor 2, the main gear 3, the crank 4 and the lever 5, which is designed and set up for automatically lifting and lowering the at least one support device 8 relative to the at least a base frame 7.

The carrying device 8 of the automatic lifting device 6 carries the horizontally adjustable carriage 9, which is automatically adjustable in a horizontal direction relative to the at least one carrying device 8 by at least one controllable horizontal drive 11 coupled to the carriage 9.

In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, the carriage 9 comprises two parallel bars 9a, 9b. The two parallel bars 9a, 9b can be connected to one another mechanically, for example via cross struts, or they can be designed separately and moved in a synchronized manner using control technology. The horizontal drive 11 can comprise a motor, in particular an electric motor, the motor shaft of which carries a pinion which is in meshing engagement with a respective rack, which is connected to the carriage 9 or to the respective spar 9a, 9b.

In the 2 the lifting and lowering conveyor system 1 is shown again, from above. In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, the lifting-lowering conveyor system 1 serves a total of 5 processing stations tions 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4 and 12.5 of a production line 12 with the conveying direction F.

The 3 shows a section of the lifting-lowering conveyor system 1 in the area of one of the processing stations 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5.

In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, the lifting-lowering conveyor system 1 comprises an adjustably arranged actuating unit 13.1, 13.2 on the carriage 9 or on one of the bars 9a, 9b. In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, each actuating unit 13.1, 13.2 comprises an adjustable coupling means 15 for the positive coupling of a component to be transported by the carriage 9. A second coupling means 15 on the respective spar 9a, 9b can either be rigidly fastened or also adjustable via a separate actuating unit.

The respective actuating unit 13.1, 13.2 is moved by an assigned, automatically actuating actuator 14.1, 14.2, which is designed and set up to automatically adjust the coupling means 15, i.e. in the case of the present exemplary embodiment, two coupling means 15 in each case relative to the carriage 9.

In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, as shown in particular in 4 is shown in more detail, the at least one actuating unit 13.1, 13.2 has a linear actuator and the at least one actuator 14.1, 14.2 is designed and set up for linear adjustment of the coupling means 15 by driving the linear actuator relative to the carriage 9 or the bars 9a, 9b in a direction R parallel to the horizontal direction of movement F ( 2 ) of the carriage 9. The adjustable coupling means 15 can, for example, optionally be brought into a first position, brought into a third position offset from the first position by the distance S, or brought into a second position which is halfway between.

By means of the linear actuator, the at least one coupling means 15 can be moved in the horizontal direction of movement R of the carriage 9, in particular with regard to the production line F in the direction of the next processing station 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5 ( 2 ) the production line F is moved forward and/or with respect to the production line F in the direction of the next processing station 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5 of the production line F, that is, it is adjusted backwards. Thus, the receiving point of the component on the receiving section of the carriage 9 can, depending on requirements, move further forward, that is, in the direction of the next processing station 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5 of the production line F, or further backwards overall, that is, against the direction of the the next processing station 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5 of the production line F. Alternatively or additionally, the distance between two coupling means 15 arranged in the direction parallel to the horizontal direction of movement R of the carriage 9 can be changed, that is, can be optionally increased or reduced. The multiple coupling means 15 can thus be adapted to larger components or to smaller components.

In the 6 an alternative or even supplementary embodiment is shown schematically, in which the at least one actuating unit 13.1, 13.2 has a linear actuator and the at least one actuator 14.1, 14.2 is designed and set up for linear adjustment of the coupling means 15 by driving the linear actuator relative to the carriage 9 in a direction Q transverse to the horizontal direction of movement R ( 4 ) of the carriage.

By means of the transversely acting linear actuator, the at least one coupling means 15 can be moved in a direction Q transverse to the horizontal direction of movement R of the carriage 9, in particular with regard to the production line 12 transverse to the direction F of the next processing station 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5 of the production line F moved to the left and/or to the right, i.e. adjusted. The receiving point of the component on the receiving section of the carriage 9 can, depending on requirements, accommodate the component on a wider track or pick up the component on a narrower track. Alternatively or additionally, the complete receiving point for the component on the carriage 9 can, if necessary, be offset slightly to the left or slightly to the right overall with respect to the direction of movement R of the carriage 9. The multiple coupling means 15 can thus be adapted to larger components or to smaller components, and in particular to differently projecting components or to components with differently designed contours.

As in 7 is shown schematically, the at least one actuating unit 13.1, 13.2 can have at least one first actuator 16.1 and at least one second actuator 16.2, the actuators, in the case of the illustrated embodiment three actuators 16.1, 16.2 16.3, being arranged at different positions of the carriage 9 and each first actuator 16.1 has its own first actuator 17.1 for adjusting a first coupling means 15.1 of the first actuator 16.1 between an operating position B of the first coupling means 15.1 and a storage position V of the first coupling means 15.1, and each second actuator 16.2, 16.3 has its own second actuator 17.2, 17.3 for adjusting a second coupling means 15.2, 15.3 of the second actuator 16.2, 16.3 between an operating position B of the second coupling means 15.2, 15.3 and a storage position V of the second coupling means 15.2, 15.3 is assigned, the at least one first actuator 16.1 and the at least one second actuator 16.2, 16.3 are designed and set up for selectively adjusting either the first coupling means 15.1 into its operating position B, in which the second coupling means 15.2, 15.3 is in its storage position V, or the second coupling means 15.2 into its operating position B, in which the first coupling means 15.1 and in the case of the present exemplary embodiment also the third coupling means 15.3 are in their storage position.

The first actuator 17.1 can be designed to raise the first coupling means 15.1 into its operating position B and to lower the first coupling means 15.1 into its storage position V. The second actuator 17.2 can be designed to raise the second coupling means 15.2 into its operating position B and to Lowering the second coupling means 15.2 into its storage position V. The third actuator 17.3 can be designed to raise the third coupling means 15.3 into its operating position B and to lower the third coupling means 15.3 into its storage position V.

In this embodiment variant, in which the actuating unit 13.1, 13.2 has at least one first actuator 16.1 and at least one second actuator 16.2, 16.3, a linear or pivoting adjustment of an individual actuator 16.1, 16.2, 16.3 can be omitted. Rather, the at least one first actuator 16.1 and the at least one second actuator 16.2, 16.3 are arranged stationary at predetermined positions with respect to the carriage 9 and only the first coupling means 15.1 of the first actuator 16.1 is either brought into the first operating position B or into the first storage position V brought, ie in particular switched between the first operating position B and the first storage position V, or the second coupling means 15.2 of the second actuator 16.2 or each further actuator 16.3 optionally brought into the second operating position B or brought into the second storage position V, ie in particular between the second operating position B and the second storage position V switched. Instead of just a single first actuator 16.1 or first coupling means 15.1 and a single second actuator 16.2 or second coupling means 15.2, three, four or even more actuators 16.3 etc. and coupling means 15.3 etc. can also be provided. These several actuators 16.1, 16.2, 16.3 etc. and coupling means 15.1, 15.2, 15.3 etc. can then be controlled in the manner of mechanical radio buttons (radio buttons), so that from a group of several actuators 16.1, 16.2, 16.3 etc. and Coupling means 15.1, 15.2, 15.3 etc. only one actuator 16.1, 16.2, 16.3 etc. and one coupling means 15.1, 15.2, 15.3 etc. per actuator 13.1, 13.2 is in the operating position B and the other actuators 16.2, 16.3 etc. and coupling means 15.2, 15.3 etc. are in their storage positions V, as in 7 is indicated.

As in 8th is shown schematically, the at least one actuating unit 13.1, 13.2 can have a pivoting actuator 16 and the at least one actuator 17 can be designed and set up for pivoting adjustment of the coupling means 15 by driving the pivoting actuator 16 relative to the carriage 9.

With a pivoting actuator 16, a superimposed movement with a movement component in the horizontal direction of movement of the carriage 9 and transverse to the horizontal direction of movement of the carriage 9 can be realized simultaneously.

In the 9 a further embodiment variant is shown, in which the actuating unit 13.1, 13.2 can each have a lifting actuator 16a. By means of the lifting actuator 16a, a respective associated coupling means 15 can also carry out a lifting movement with respect to the carriage 9 either alternatively or in addition to a linear or a transverse movement component.

The 10 shows schematically a basic method for operating a lifting-lowering conveyor system 1 for synchronously transporting several components individually from a first processing station 12.1 to a second processing station 12.2, comprising the following steps:

In a first step S1, at least one carrying device 8 of the lifting-lowering conveyor system 1 is automatically raised relative to a base frame 7 of the lifting-lowering conveyor system 1 in order to bring the carrying device 8 into a conveying position in which a on the carrying device 8 Horizontally adjustable carriage 9 is automatically adjustable in a horizontal conveying direction F relative to the carrying device 8 in order to be able to synchronously transport the several components stored on the carrying device 8 individually from a first processing station 12.1 to a second processing station 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5.

In a second step S2, the carriage 9 is automatically adjusted in the horizontal conveying direction F relative to the carrying device 8 from its starting position, so that the several components stored on the carrying device 8 are each individually moved from a first processing station 12.1 to a second one next in the processing process of the components Processing station 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5 are transported synchronously.

In a third step S3, the at least one carrying device 8 is automatically lowered relative to the base frame 7 in order to bring the carrying device 8 into a return position in which the carriage 9, which is mounted horizontally adjustable on the carrying device 8, is relative in a horizontal return direction counter to the conveying direction R to the carrying device 8 is automatically adjustable in order to be able to return the carriage 9 to its starting position.

In a fourth step S4, the carriage 9 is automatically adjusted against the conveying direction R relative to the carrying device 8, so that the carriage 9 is moved into its starting position.

In a fifth step S5, at least one actuating unit 13.1, 13.2, which is adjustable on the carriage 9 and has at least one coupling means 15 for positively coupling a component to be transported by the carriage 9 to the carriage 9, is adjusted automatically by means of an actuator 14.1, 14.2 to adjust the coupling means 15 relative to the carriage 9.

In a further development of the method, the automatic adjustment of the at least one actuating unit 13.1, 13.2 arranged adjustably on the carriage 9 can be carried out by means of the actuating drive 14.1, 14.2 in order to adjust the coupling means 15 relative to the carriage 9, during the automatic lowering of the at least one support device 8 relative to the base frame 7, during the automatic adjustment of the carriage 9 against the conveying direction relative to the support device 8 and / or during the automatic lifting of the at least one support device 8 relative to the base frame 7.

Claims (10)

Lifting-lowering conveyor system for synchronously transporting several components individually from a first processing station (12.1) to a second processing station (12.2), comprising: - an automatic lifting device (6) with at least one base frame (7), with at least one carrying device (8), which is mounted in a height-adjustable manner on the at least one base frame (7), and with at least one lifting drive (10), which is designed and set up for automatically raising and lowering the at least one carrying device (8) relative to the at least one base frame (7), - a carriage (9) mounted horizontally adjustable on the at least one carrying device (8) of the automatic lifting device (6), which can be controlled by at least one horizontal drive coupled to the carriage (9) in a horizontal direction (R) relative to the at least one carrying device (8) is automatically adjustable, and - at least one adjusting unit (13.1, 13.2) arranged adjustably on the carriage (9), which has at least one coupling means (15) for positively coupling a component to be transported by the carriage (9) to the carriage (9), and at least one at least one actuating unit (13.1, 13.2) automatically actuating actuating drive (14.1, 14.2), which is designed and set up for automatically adjusting the coupling means (15) relative to the carriage (9). Lift-lower conveyor system Claim 1 , characterized in that the at least one actuating unit (13.1, 13.2) has a linear actuator (16, 16.1, 16.2) and the at least one actuator (14.1, 14.2) is designed and set up for linear adjustment of the coupling means (15) by driving the linear actuator (16, 16.1, 16.2) relative to the carriage (9) in a direction parallel to the horizontal direction of movement (R) of the carriage (9). Lift-lower conveyor system Claim 1 , characterized in that the at least one actuating unit (13.1, 13.2) has a linear actuator (16, 16.1, 16.2) and the at least one actuator (14.1, 14.2) is designed and set up for linear adjustment of the coupling means (15) by driving the linear actuator (16, 16.1, 16.2) relative to the carriage (9) in a direction transverse to the horizontal direction of movement (R) of the carriage (9). Lift-lower conveyor system according to one of the Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that the at least one actuating unit (13.1, 13.2) has a pivoting actuator (16) and the at least one actuator (14.1, 14.2) is designed and set up for pivoting adjustment of the coupling means (15) by driving the pivoting actuator (16 ) relative to the carriage (9). Lift-lower conveyor system Claim 1 , characterized in that the at least one actuating unit (13.1, 13.2) has at least a first actuator (16.1) and at least one second actuator member (16.2, 16.3), the actuators (16.1, 16.2, 16.3) being arranged at different positions on the carriage (9) and each first actuator (16.1) having its own first actuator (17.1) for adjusting a first coupling means (15.1). of the first actuator (16.1) between an operating position (B) of the first coupling means (15.1) and a storage position (V) of the first coupling means (15.1), and each second actuator (16.2, 16.3) has its own second actuator (17.2, 17.3). Adjusting a second coupling means (15.2, 15.3) of the second actuator (16.2, 16.3) between an operating position (B) of the second coupling means (15.2, 15.3) and a storage position (V) of the second coupling means (15.2, 15.3) is assigned, whereby the at least one first actuator (16.1) and the at least one second actuator (16.2, 16.3) are designed and set up for selectively adjusting either the first coupling means (15.1) into its operating position (B), in which the second coupling means (15.2, 15.3 ) is in its storage position (V) or the second coupling means (15.2, 15.3) is in its operating position (B), in which the first coupling means (15.1) is in its storage position (V). Lift-lower conveyor system Claim 5 , characterized in that the first actuator (17.1) is designed to raise the first coupling means (15.1) into its operating position (B) and to lower the first coupling means (15.1) into its storage position (V) and the second actuator (17.2, 17.3 ) is designed to raise the second coupling means (15.2, 15.3) into its operating position (B) and to lower the second coupling means (15.2, 15.3) into its storage position (V). Lift-lower conveyor system according to one of the Claims 1 until 6 , characterized in that the at least one actuator (17.1, 17.2, 17.3) has an electric drive which is controlled by an electric control which also controls the lifting drive (10) of the lifting device (6) and the horizontal drive (11) of the carriage ( 9) controls. Lift-lower conveyor system according to one of the Claims 1 until 6 , characterized in that the at least one actuator (17.1, 17.2, 17.3) has an electro-pneumatic drive which is controlled by an electrical control, which also controls the lifting drive (10) of the lifting device (6) and the horizontal drive (11) of the The carriage (9) is controlled. Method for operating a lifting-lowering conveyor system (1) for synchronously transporting several components individually from a first processing station (12.1) to a second processing station (12.2), comprising the steps: - Automatically lifting at least one carrying device (8) of the lifting-lowering conveyor system (1) relative to a base frame (7) of the lifting-lowering conveyor system (1) in order to bring the carrying device (8) into a conveying position in which a A carriage (9) mounted horizontally adjustable on the carrying device (8) can be automatically adjusted in a horizontal conveying direction (R) relative to the carrying device (8) in order to transport the several components stored on the carrying device (8) individually from a first processing station (12.1). to be able to transport synchronously to a second processing station (12.2), - Automatic adjustment of the carriage (9) in the horizontal conveying direction (R) relative to the carrying device (8) from its starting position, so that the several components stored on the carrying device (8) are each individually moved from a first processing station (12.1) to one in the processing process the components are transported synchronously to the next second processing station (12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 12.5), - Automatic lowering of the at least one carrying device (8) relative to the base frame (7) in order to bring the carrying device (8) into a return position in which the carriage (9), which is mounted horizontally adjustable on the carrying device (8), counteracts in a horizontal return direction the conveying direction (R) is automatically adjustable relative to the carrying device (8) in order to be able to return the carriage (9) to its starting position, - automatic adjustment of the carriage (9) against the conveying direction (R) relative to the carrying device (8), so that the carriage (9) is moved into its starting position, and - Automatic adjustment of at least one adjusting unit (13.1, 13.2) which is adjustable on the carriage (9) and has at least one coupling means (15) for positively coupling a component to be transported by the carriage (9) to the carriage (9), by means of a Actuator (17.1, 17.2, 17.3) to adjust the coupling means (15) relative to the carriage (9). Procedure according to Claim 9 , characterized in that the automatic adjustment of the at least one adjusting unit (13.1, 13.2) arranged adjustably on the slide (9) by means of the actuator (17.1, 17.2, 17.3) in order to adjust the coupling means (15) relative to the slide (9). , during the automatic lowering of the at least one carrying device (8) relative to the base frame (7), during the automatic adjustment of the carriage (9) against the conveying direction relative to the carrying device (8) and / or during the automatic raising of the at least a carrying device (8) relative to the base frame (7).

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