DE102022117973B4 - Support device and conveyor - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a support device (30) for a conveyor (10) for an automatic placement machine (100), the support device (30) having a fastening device (32) for fastening to the conveyor (10) and a support unit (34) for supporting a component belt (92), wherein the support device (30) has at least one elastic connection device (36), the support unit (34) being connected to the fastening device (32) via the at least one elastic connection device (36), the support device (30) being integral and/or is designed monolithically. The invention further relates to a conveyor (10) for an automatic placement machine (100), the conveyor (10) comprising a propulsion device (20) for propelling a component belt (92) and the support device (30) for supporting the component belt (92), wherein the Support device (30) is designed to be elastic at least in sections.

Description

The invention relates to a support device for a conveyor for a placement machine, the support device having a fastening device for attachment to the conveyor and a support unit for supporting a component belt. The invention further relates to a conveyor for an automatic placement machine, the conveyor comprising a propulsion device for propelling a component belt and a support device for supporting the component belt.

In known placement machines, components are provided with component belts on component spools. Such a component belt is usually moved with a propulsion device of a conveyor and is thus unrolled from the component spool. The propulsion devices of known conveyors usually generate vibrations when interacting with the component belts. In particular, when sections of a propulsion device dip into and/or through a component belt, vibrations are generated for the component belt and thus a potentially disadvantageous movement of the components. For example, in the known prior art, undesirable coupling of plucking forces and resulting component movements occur due to frictional forces between a component belt and a pin of a propulsion device of a conveyor emerging from the component belt. Described clearly, vibrations and vibrations are generated in the component belt and for the components located therein. In the known prior art, this undesirable component movement is reduced by supporting the component belt on both sides, for example to the right and left of a component. These support elements are usually designed to be rigid and firmly connected to the conveyor.

The printed matter WO 2020/ 026 423 A1 and KR 10 2003 0 061 236 A describe generic devices.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to at least partially overcome at least one of the disadvantages described above. In particular, it is the object of the invention to provide a support device for a conveyor for a placement machine and a conveyor with a support device, in particular with which the provision of components to a placement machine is made possible with particularly little vibration, with little space requirement, advantageously and/or simply with cost-effective means.

The above object is achieved by a support device with the features of independent patent claim 1 and by a conveyor with the features of independent patent claim 6. Further features and details of the invention emerge from the subclaims, the description and the drawings. Features and details that are described in connection with the support device according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the conveyor according to the invention and vice versa, so that reference is or can always be made to each other with regard to the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention.

According to the invention, according to a first aspect, a support device for a conveyor for a placement machine is provided. The support device has a fastening device for fastening to the conveyor and a support unit for supporting a component belt. The support device has at least one elastic connection device, wherein the support unit is connected to the fastening device via the at least one elastic connection device. Preferably, the support unit is connected to the fastening device exclusively via the at least one elastic connecting device. The at least one elastic connecting device is preferably designed to be elastically deformable. The support device preferably has two or more connecting devices. The support device is preferably perforated at least in sections. The support device preferably comprises a honeycomb structure and/or a foam body. The support device is preferably made of a material with high intrinsic damping and/or has a structural design with high intrinsic damping. Furthermore, the support device is preferably designed to be trapezoidal and/or has a trapezoidal cross section. Particularly preferably, the at least one connecting device has an inclination towards the fastening device, in particular in the direction of a conveying direction of the component belt, so that the support unit is advantageously designed for tracking the component belt. The at least one elastic connecting device is, as explained in detail in the later description, designed to be elastic in terms of material and/or construction. A supporting and/or damping force of the at least one elastic connecting device is preferably adjustable. The at least one elastic connecting device enables an at least partially elastic connection of the support unit to the fastening device and thus an at least partially elastic support of a component belt. The at least one elastic connecting device preferably enables the component belt to be supported and/or pressed, in particular against a guide device of the support device and/or the conveyor. At least one Elastic connecting device advantageously enables the avoidance and/or damping of oscillating movements of the component belt.

The support device according to the invention thus advantageously enables the component belt to be supported and/or the component belt to be spring-loaded under a certain pretension. The forces of emerging teeth are preferably smaller than the preload caused by the support device. This advantageously prevents or at least reduces movement of the component belt. The support device according to the invention preferably presses the component belt upwards and/or against a pickup window of the conveyor.

Described clearly, the support device according to the invention makes it possible, preferably in an installed state in a conveyor, to counteract, at least in sections, the forces that result from an interaction between the component belt and a propulsion device of a conveyor. For example, the support device according to the invention prevents and/or reduces the forces introduced by the insertion and/or removal of pin wheel teeth of the propulsion device in such a way that no or a reduced undesirable component movement occurs and/or a damping of the undesirable component movement is made possible.

In the context of the invention, the fastening device is to be understood as a device of the support device for fastening the support device to and/or at least in sections in the conveyor. The fastening device is preferably designed in one piece or as an assembly. The fastening device is preferably designed as a positive and/or non-positive fastening device. The fastening device is preferably designed for fastening to and/or with a counter-fastening device of the conveyor. By way of example, the fastening device is designed as holes in the support device for fastening to the conveyor with fastening means, such as screws. Also by way of example, the fastening device is designed as a plug connection, clips, bayonet lock and/or thread. The fastening device is preferably adjustable at least in sections. By way of example, the fastening device has at least one elongated hole in order to make the position of the fastening of the support device adaptable.

By connecting the support unit to the fastening device via the at least one elastic connecting device, when using the support device according to the invention with a conveyor, a support function through the support device and a provision of components are made possible in a particularly low-vibration, advantageous and simple manner using inexpensive means.

Within the scope of the invention, it can be advantageous that the support unit is designed at least in sections to be flat for guiding the component belt and/or has a curved side profile at least in sections. The support unit according to the invention is designed to support a component belt. Preferably, the support unit has at least one support surface for supporting the component belt. The support unit is preferably designed to support and/or guide an underside of the component belt, i.e. a side of the component belt facing away from the component. The side profile of the support unit, which is curved at least in sections, enables the component belt to be advantageously released from a propulsion device of the conveyor when the support device is installed on and/or in a conveyor. The support unit preferably has a circular section as a cross section, at least in sections. A support device designed in this way is particularly advantageous because when using the support device according to the invention with a conveyor, supporting a component belt and/or advantageous propulsion of the component belt is made possible with simple means, with vibrations of the component belt being advantageously reduced and/or avoided.

According to the invention, it is provided for the support device that the support device is designed in one piece and/or monolithically. The support device is preferably made of a plastic, in particular with elastic and/or damping properties. Additionally or alternatively, the support device is made of a metallic material.

This has the advantage of durability during splicing runs. Additionally or alternatively, the support device has a structure in which the contact surface between the component belt and the support device and/or an ejector is metallic and the rest of the support device is made of plastic. The support device designed in this way thus has a fastening device, a support unit and at least one elastic connecting device as a one-piece and / or monolithic device. The support device is preferably manufactured additively and/or particularly preferably manufactured using an injection molding technique. The one-piece and/or monolithic support device advantageously enables simple and cost-effective production of the support device as well as advantageous elasticity for the support function of the support device. The one-piece and/or monolithic support device advantageously enables elastic deformation the support device and/or movement of the support unit and thus, when using the support device according to the invention with a conveyor, supporting a component belt and/or advantageous propulsion of the component belt is made possible with simple means and in a particularly space-saving manner.

According to a preferred further development of the invention, it can be provided in a support device that the support unit is designed at least in sections, in particular completely, from electrically conductive material, in particular electrically conductive plastic. The at least sectional design of the support unit made of electrically conductive plastic is preferably to be understood as a coating of the support unit made of electrically conductive plastic. Preferably, a surface facing the component belt in the installed state, i.e. preferably the top side of the support unit, is designed to be electrically conductive. The support unit can preferably be connected in an electrically conductive manner to grounding and/or potential equalization. A support device designed in this way advantageously enables, through the choice of material and/or coating of the support unit, a reduction and/or avoidance of electrostatic fields that can be generated due to friction between a component belt and the support device.

According to a preferred further development of the invention, it can be provided in a support device that the at least one elastic connecting device is designed mechanically, as a web and/or strut. An embodiment of the at least one elastic connecting device as a mechanical connecting device is to be understood in the context of the invention, for example, as a spring. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one elastic connecting device is designed as a web and/or strut, in particular wherein the web and/or the strut are elastically deformable. In an embodiment of the elastic connecting device as a web and/or strut, it is particularly advantageous if the supporting device comprises more than one elastic connecting device in order to enable advantageous stability of the supporting device. A support device designed in this way is particularly advantageous due to the at least one elastic connecting device designed mechanically, as a web and/or strut, since the provision of components is made possible with particularly low vibrations, with a small space requirement, advantageously and/or simply using cost-effective means.

According to a preferred further development of the invention, it can be provided in a support device that the support unit has a first thickness and the fastening device has a second thickness, the first thickness corresponding to the second thickness or substantially to the second thickness. Within the scope of the invention, the phrase “X or essentially A support device designed in this way enables a particularly slim construction of the support device. In the context of the invention, the first thickness and the second thickness are to be understood as an extension of the fastening device and the support unit along and/or parallel to a support surface of the support unit. In the installed state, the support surface preferably corresponds to a propulsion level of a component belt in and/or on a conveyor and/or an underside of the component belt. The first thickness of the support unit and the second thickness of the fastening device are preferably designed such that free movement of the pin wheel and the component belt is enabled. A support device designed in this way is particularly advantageous since supporting a component belt and/or advantageous propulsion of the component belt is made possible with simple means and in a particularly space-saving manner.

According to a second aspect, the above object is further achieved by a conveyor according to the invention for a placement machine. The conveyor comprises a propulsion device for propelling a component belt and a support device for supporting the component belt. The support device is designed to be elastic at least in sections. In the context of the invention, the conveyor is to be understood as a separate conveyor unit, with the component belt being arranged on, for example, a spool in a belt container. The component belt can preferably be guided from the spool into the conveyor. The support device is preferably connected to and/or attached to a pickup window and/or a pickup position of the conveyor for the components. The propulsion device is designed, for example, as a pin wheel and/or gear and/or engages at least in sections in and/or through a component belt in order to advance the component belt. Described clearly, the support device is preferably arranged next to the propulsion device, in particular to the left of the propulsion device in the conveying direction of the propulsion device for the component belt. This advantageously reduces the reaction of the propulsion device emerging from the component belt and/or the pin wheel on the components, in particular the components located in the pick-up position. The elastic design, at least in sections, advantageously compensates for fluctuations in the thickness of the component belt. A supporting and/or damping force of the elastic support is preferred device adjustable. The conveyor according to the invention is particularly advantageous because the support device preferably enables both a support function relative to the component belt and the components as well as a detachment function of the component belt from the propulsion device. The support device preferably enables the component belt, in particular in the area of the propulsion device, to be supported in such a way that plucking forces on the part of the propulsion device and/or the emerging pins of the propulsion device are counteracted and the component belt is thus better supported. A conveyor designed in this way advantageously enables the vibrations on the components to be reduced and thus a more reliable supply of the components to an automatic placement machine.

According to a preferred further development of the invention, it can be provided in a conveyor that the support device is designed according to the first aspect. The conveyor described offers all the advantages that have already been described for the support device according to the first aspect of the invention.

According to a preferred further development of the invention, it can be provided in a conveyor that the support unit and/or the support device is arranged below a component belt channel for supporting the component belt. The component belt channel is preferably to be understood as a belt guide element and/or a constructive channel in which the component belt is advanced, moved and/or guided. Supporting the component belt from below advantageously enables a reduction in vibrations from the interaction of the component belt with the propulsion device. Preferably, a supporting and/or damping force of the supporting unit and/or the supporting device acts from below against the component belt and/or the component belt channel. The component belt channel preferably comprises a lateral guide for guiding the component belt.

Furthermore, it can be provided within the scope of the invention that the propulsion device comprises at least one pin wheel, wherein the at least one pin wheel is designed to engage at least in sections in recesses in the component belt for propelling the component belt, wherein the support device for supporting the component belt on a back of the at least a pin wheel is arranged. A pin wheel is preferably to be understood as a wheel which includes radial pins and/or teeth. The pins and/or teeth are in turn designed to engage at least in sections in recesses in the component belt and thus advance the component belt. The recesses are usually arranged on at least one side of the components and/or in at least one edge region of the component belt. According to the invention, the back of the pin wheel is preferably to be understood in such a way that the back of the pin wheel faces away from the components and/or a center of the component belt. The front of the pin wheel is therefore preferably facing the components and/or the center of the component belt. Arranging the support device on a back side of the at least one pin wheel is particularly advantageous, since this creates a small space requirement and the support function is made possible by the support device in a particularly advantageous manner compared to the component belt and close to the at least one pin wheel. In a conveyor according to the invention, the component belt preferably runs along a radial end face of the pin wheel, its pins and/or essentially along the radial end face of the pin wheel. A conveyor designed in this way is particularly advantageous because the arrangement of the support device on the back of the at least one pin wheel makes it possible to provide components with particularly little vibration, with little space requirement, advantageously and/or simply using cost-effective means.

In relation to the present invention, it is conceivable that the conveyor comprises a base body, with the support device being attached to the base body. The base body is preferably designed as a housing of the conveyor. Alternatively or additionally, the base body is designed as a structural component of the conveyor. Fastening the support device to the base body advantageously enables a stable arrangement of the support device, in particular the fastening device of the support device on the base body of the conveyor and relative to the component belt. An advantageous support function is thus made possible by the support unit and the at least one connecting device through the stable attachment of the fastening device to the base body of the conveyor. A conveyor designed in this way is particularly advantageous because the attachment of the support device to the base body of the conveyor makes it possible to provide components with particularly little vibration, with little space requirement, advantageously and/or simply using cost-effective means.

Within the scope of the invention, it can be advantageous for the conveyor to have a pickup position for picking up the components from the component belt by the placement machine, with the support device being arranged at the pickup position. The pickup position of the conveyor is to be understood in such a way that the components from the component belt can be picked up by the placement machine in the pickup position. Described clearly, the pick-up position is a section in and/or on the conveyor, which is designed to be advantageously accessible to the placement machine and enables the components to be picked up from the component belt and/or the conveyor. At For example, the pickup position is designed as a pickup window, in particular in the base body of the conveyor. The support device is advantageously arranged at the pick-up position and/or in the area of the pick-up position. The support device is preferably arranged under the component belt in the pick-up position. So that all components can be removed from the component belt and the shortest possible component belt pieces can be processed, it is advantageous to pick up the components close to the center of an exemplary pin wheel. Due to the local proximity between the pick-up position and the engagement of the pin wheel, the components can be set into unwanted movement by the pin wheel being inserted and removed without a support device according to the invention. A support device according to the invention advantageously enables the unwanted movement of the component belt and/or the components to be reduced and/or avoided.

• 1 in einer Seitenansicht einen Förderer mit einer Vortriebsvorrichtung, einem Bauteilgurt und einer Stützvorrichtung,
• 2 in einer Vorderansicht einen Förderer mit einer Vortriebsvorrichtung, einem Grundkörper, einem Bauteilgurt und einer Stützvorrichtung,
• 3 in einer perspektivischen Ansicht eine Stützvorrichtung mit einer Befestigungsvorrichtung, einer Stützeinheit und zwei elastischen Verbindungsvorrichtungen,

A support device according to the invention and a conveyor according to the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings. They show schematically:

• 1 in a side view a conveyor with a propulsion device, a component belt and a support device,
• 2 in a front view a conveyor with a propulsion device, a base body, a component belt and a support device,
• 3 in a perspective view a support device with a fastening device, a support unit and two elastic connecting devices,

Elements with the same function and mode of operation are in the 1 until 3 each provided with the same reference numerals.

In 1 A conveyor 10 with a propulsion device 20, a component belt 92 and a support device 30 is shown schematically in a side view. The conveyor 10 is designed for use with a placement machine 100. The conveyor 10 comprises a propulsion device 20 for propelling a component belt 92 and a support device 30 for supporting the component belt 92. The support device 30 is designed to be elastic in sections. The support device 30 has a fastening device 32 for fastening to the conveyor 10 and a support unit 34 for supporting the component belt 92 on and/or in the conveyor 10. The support device 30 also has two elastic connecting devices 36, the support unit 34 being connected to the fastening device 32 via the two elastic connecting devices 36. The support unit 34 is designed to be flat in sections for guiding the component belt 92 and has a curved side profile in sections. The propulsion device 20 comprises a pin wheel 22, the pin wheel 22 being designed to engage in sections in recesses 94 of the component belt 92 for propelling the component belt 92. The support device 30 is arranged to support the component belt 92 on a back side 24, that is to say on the left side of the pin wheel in the direction of advance, of the pin wheel 22. With reference to the image level of 1 the support device 30 is thus arranged in front of the pin wheel 22. The support unit 34 and the support device 30 are arranged below a component belt channel 96 for supporting the component belt 92. The conveyor 10 has a pick-up position 40 for picking up the components from the component belt 92 by the placement machine 100, with the support device 30 being arranged at the pick-up position 40. Due to the local proximity between the pick-up position 40 and the support device 30, unwanted movement of the components and the component belt 92 due to the insertion and removal of the pin wheel 22 is advantageously reduced and/or avoided.

In 2 A front view of a conveyor 10 with a propulsion device 20, a base body 12, a component belt 92 and a support device 30 is shown schematically. The support device 30 is arranged on a back side 24 of the pin wheel 22 to support the component belt 92. The conveyor 10 comprises a base body 12, with the support device 30 being attached to the base body 12. The support unit 34 has a first thickness D1 and the fastening device 32 has a second thickness D2, the first thickness D1 corresponding to the second thickness D2. The back 24 of the pin wheel 22 faces away from the components and a center of the component belt 92. The front of the pin wheel 22 therefore faces the components and the center of the component belt 92. Arranging the support device 30 on a back side 24 of the pin wheel 22 is particularly advantageous, since this creates a small space requirement and the support function is made possible by the support device 30 compared to the component belt 92 in a particularly advantageous manner and close to the at least one pin wheel 22. The component belt 92 runs in the conveyor 10 according to 2 out of the image plane and thus along a radial end face of the pin wheel 22 and its pins. A conveyor 10 designed in this way is particularly advantageous because the arrangement of the support device 30 on the back 24 of the pin wheel 22 makes it possible to provide components with particularly little vibration, with little space requirement, advantageously and/or simply using cost-effective means.

In 3 is a schematic perspective view of a support device 30 with a fastening device 32, a support unit 34 and two elastic connecting devices 36 shown. The elastic connecting devices 36 are mechanical and designed as struts. The support device 30 is designed in one piece and monolithically. The support device 30 is trapezoidal and has a trapezoidal cross section. The two elastic connecting devices 36 have an inclination towards the fastening device 32 in the direction of a conveying direction of the component belt 92 (not shown), so that the support unit 34 is advantageously designed for tracking the component belt 92 (not shown).

Reference symbol list

10

Sponsor

12

Basic body

20

Propulsion device

22

pin wheel

24

back

30

Support device

32

Fastening device

34

Support unit

36

Connection device

40

Pickup position

92

Component belt

94

recesses

96

Component belt channel

100

placement machine

D1

first thickness

D2

second thickness

Claims (10)

Support device (30) for a conveyor (10) for a placement machine (100), the support device (30) having a fastening device (32) for fastening to the conveyor (10) and a support unit (34) for supporting a component belt (92), characterized in that the support device (30) has at least one elastic connection device (36), the support unit (34) being connected to the fastening device (32) via the at least one elastic connection device (36), the support device (30) being in one piece and /or is designed monolithically. Support device (30). Claim 1 , characterized in that the support unit (34) is designed at least in sections to guide the component belt (92) and / or at least in sections has a curved side profile. Support device (30) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support unit (34) is designed at least in sections from electrically conductive material, in particular electrically conductive plastic. Support device (30) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one elastic connecting device (36) is designed mechanically, as a web and/or strut. Support device (30) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support unit (34) has a first thickness (D1) and the fastening device (32) has a second thickness (D2), the first thickness (D1) being the second thickness ( D2) corresponds. Conveyor (10) for an automatic placement machine (100), the conveyor (10) comprising a propulsion device (20) for propelling a component belt (92) and a support device (30) for supporting the component belt (92), characterized in that the support device ( 30) is designed to be elastic at least in sections and according to one of Claims 1 until 5 is designed. Conveyor (10) according to one of the previous ones Claims 6 , characterized in that the support unit (34) and / or the support device (30) is arranged below a component belt channel (96) for supporting the component belt (92). Conveyor (10) according to one of the preceding claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the propulsion device (20) comprises at least one pin wheel (22), the at least one pin wheel (22) for at least partially engaging in recesses (94) of the component belt (92 ) is designed to advance the component belt (92), wherein the support device (30) for supporting the component belt (92) is arranged on a back side (24) of the at least one pin wheel (22). Conveyor (10) according to one of the previous ones Claims 6 until 8th , characterized in that the conveyor (10) comprises a base body (12), the support device (30) being attached to the base body (12). Conveyor (10) according to one of the previous ones Claims 6 until 9 , characterized in that the conveyor (10) has a pick-up position (40) for picking up the components from the component belt (92) by the placement machine (100), whereby the support device (30) is arranged at the pick-up position (40).

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