EP0884262A1 - Switching device in a plate-shaped products conveyor - Google Patents

Abstract

The switching system, designed for a first lower rear conveyor (40) which ends at a forward driven roller (42) and a second lower forward conveyor (50) which is located after the first and starts at a driven rear roller (52), has a mechanism (60) between the two driven rollers (42,52). The mechanism has a cross-section with a rearward facing angle on one face and an oblique face with an ejection trajectory on a second. It also has diverging elements (26,32) just above the forward half of the first conveyor's front roller.

Description

The present invention relates to a switching device in a plate element transporter, and in particular to a device switch within a conveyor belt arranged between the outlet of a machine for processing sheets of paper or cardboard panels successive and a stacking station to eject to an area of unloads the sheets or panels whose processing quality has been recognized as insufficient.

Processing machines can be cutting formats and / or printing one or more colors or metallic patterns on the cutouts and / or folding the cutouts into flat boxes. Potential faults can therefore be errors of register of the colors between them, or smudges of glue or incorrect ranges, these errors being detected by devices automatic quality control, from cell readings photoelectric arranged on the passage of the elements. The elements devices detected as imperfect are exited from the chain by devices points, also called ejectors, just before stacking in batches of delivery.

We know a rotary ejector that works along an axis of vertical rotation to rotate within the belts of the the sheet to be ejected. However, the maximum frame rate and format sheets that can be ejected are limited. In addition, the movement of rotation printed on the ejected sheet may disturb the flow of sheets correct, or even trigger a jam.

We also know a linear ejector that moves the sheet to eject at an angle of 45 ° or 60 °. This ejector has the advantage of not not disturb the flow of correct sheets. However, the minimum and the maximum sheet sizes that can be processed are also limits. In addition, these ejectors require precise adjustment of the thickness of the leaf and are relatively expensive.

In addition, these two types of ejectors mentioned above require that one of the conveyor belts be lifted to ensure good ejection, which makes the transport of other leaves. In addition, high speed ejection can represent a danger for neighboring people.

In document EP 045 713, a device is described points for flat folded cardboard boxes based on one portion lower conveyor belt mounted in a frame can be tilted by a pneumatic cylinder rotating around the axis of its rear end drum so that its drum lower end cap opens downward discharge path for smeared boxes detected by a photoelectric cell.

Document US 4 324 522 discloses a device of the same type designed to sort metal plates into different stacks and in which the selection tilting conveyor portion is the front end of a long feed conveyor. The rear end of the next carrier may include a deflection plate rising simultaneously with lowering the adjacent selection portion to confirm the lowering of the plates to be ejected.

However, this type of referral firstly implements large and heavy organs involving significant inertia, which requires powerful means of training therefore expensive. In addition, this type of switch occupies a large volume in the machine. In the second example, it is also necessary to provide a holding mechanism of the tension in the bands of the first feed conveyor to tilting front end.

Above all, in all the devices mentioned above, the ejected plate elements, in particular cardboard boxes, are not always sufficiently well controlled, i.e. are neither required nor entrained along their deflection and ejection path, which can lead to situations of occasional accumulations, or even jamming, requiring the machine to stop.

Document FR 2 688 493 discloses a cutting device and change of direction of a non-conforming portion of a treated strip continuous. This device comprises, between two vertical pairs of belt drive rollers in a normal horizontal path, a forward and downward oblique deflection plate, plate of which the upper edge located slightly below the normal path is shaped as anvil. A lower flap with separating blade normally in high position guides the strip above the plate. When a portion defective tape is detected, the lower flap lowers, and a flap upper separator with a blade edge descends in rotation against the anvil to cut the strip and direct it along the plate towards an ejection path where it is pulled by traction rollers. AT the arrival of a new conforming portion of tape, the separator flap upper rises and the lower flap hits the anvil to cut new strip and steer the new front edge of the strip towards of the normal trip.

This device intended for treating a continuous strip is however ill-suited and too complex, therefore too expensive, to process elements in successive plates not to be cut and in front, preferably, be practically permanently trained by a transporter either strip or close parallel rollers.

The object of the present invention is a referral device to the within a plate carrier which is first particularly reliable, i.e. capable of applying a change unambiguous direction of the element so that it cannot collide with a mechanical organ. If necessary, the device must be able to effectively print a curvature to the element, even strong grammage, when switching to the new direction.

This should then minimize the risk of jamming, in particular by occupying a reduced distance in the direction of scroll items so that they stay as long as possible under the control of advance drive elements, whether directed to the normal path or to the eject path.

This system must also be particularly dynamic, that is to say have a very fast changeover time, to be able to follow high production rates. Preferably, the number of organs point mobile should be as small as possible and have each a low mass and / or inertia. Preferably, the operation of this device must also consume relatively little mechanical energy.

Finally, it is desirable that this referral device occupies a space as small as possible to make room for a bin recovery, to drive means on the ejection path, and room to operate components during maintenance or repair.

• un premier transporteur inférieur arrière se terminant par un galet ou un rouleau avant entraíné en rotation,
• un second transporteur inférieur avant à la suite du premier et commençant par un galet ou un rouleau arrière entraíné en rotation,
• des moyens d'appui des éléments en plaque sur les transporteurs inférieurs,
• un moyen d'aiguillage intercalé entre le galet ou rouleau avant du premier transporteur et le galet ou rouleau arrière du second transporteur, ce moyen présentant, en section transversale, un angle orienté vers l'arrière avec un premier côté aligné selon le trajet normal peu en dessous duquel il est situé, et un second côté oblique aligné selon un trajet d'éjection passant entre les premier et second transporteurs inférieurs, et
• des moyens de déviation agencés peu au dessus de la moitié avant du galet ou rouleau avant du premier transporteur qui, en position haute n'interfère pas avec le trajet normal des éléments le long du premier côté du moyen d'aiguillage, et qui, en position basse, force un trajet d'éjection courbé contre la périphérie avant de ce galet ou rouleau avant de telle sorte que ce trajet d'éjection continue sous le côté oblique des moyens d'aiguillage.

These aims are achieved by means of a switching device within a plate element transporter comprising, in combination,

• a first rear lower conveyor ending in a roller or a front roller driven in rotation,
• a second lower front conveyor following the first and starting with a roller or a rear roller driven in rotation,
• means for supporting the plate elements on the lower conveyors,
• a switching means interposed between the roller or front roller of the first conveyor and the roller or rear roller of the second conveyor, this means having, in cross section, an angle oriented towards the rear with a first side aligned along the normal path little below which it is located, and a second oblique side aligned along an ejection path passing between the first and second lower conveyors, and
• deflection means arranged slightly above the front half of the roller or front roller of the first conveyor which, in the high position does not interfere with the normal path of the elements along the first side of the switching means, and which, in low position, forces a curved ejection path against the front periphery of this roller or front roller so that this ejection path continues under the oblique side of the switching means.

By "front" and "rear", we mean a direction considered by relation to the direction of scrolling of the elements, that is to say respectively in downstream and upstream of the supply of plate elements. The notion of "length" of an element is also taken in the direction of scrolling, a "width" being perpendicular to it in a horizontal plane.

As a lower carrier, we can consider either a conveyor with one or more belts arranged in the direction of scrolling of the elements, and passing along an upper path over them rollers and returned to the ends by pulleys along a path lower return, one of the hens being motorized, for example, conveyor composed of a series of parallel rollers transverse to the direction of travel of the strip and arranged one after the other, these rollers are all driven at one of their common ends by the same belt.

As means of support of the plate elements on the lower carriers, we can also consider a bands passing under pressure rollers, or a series of rollers pressers mounted one after the other in the direction of travel elements.

In other words, the invention consists in taking advantage of the form convex of the semi-cylindrical front periphery of the last roller or roller front of the first lower rear conveyor to apply using a means of deflecting a curvature to a plate element whose stiffness intrinsic minimum would normally have kept its trajectory normal passing through the first side of the switching means then the second lower front conveyor, this curvature making it take on the other hand a second path known as ejection, this second path being quickly confirmed by the second oblique side of the switching means.

In particular, this referral is all the more effective when one at less of its components, i.e. the latter roller or roller of the former conveyor, is rotated, therefore forces the element to advance in plate in one direction as in the other.

Advantageously, the deflection means can be one or several deflection pads whose sum of widths corresponds substantially at the width of the front edge of the plate element and the deflection underside is oblique or concave in correspondence with the front periphery of the front roller or lower roller, for example in shape of cylindrical corner portion at the apex between 5 and 90 degrees.

This particularly simple means of deflection proves to be remarkably effective for printing a curvature in combination with the roller or front roller of the rear conveyor, and is easy to maneuver quickly.

Advantageously, the deviation means can be the periphery lower rear of a roller or deflection roller, preferably a roller or roller driven in rotation, in particular this means of deflection is a band or strap passing under the lower rear periphery of a roller or front end roller belonging to either the front end a rear upper belt conveyor in correspondence with the rear lower conveyor, or at the front end of a rear portion of upper belt conveyor continuing in an upper loop.

This means of deviation is also particularly effective especially since it applies, in addition to the deviation, also a complementary drive in front of the plate element.

Preferably, the means of deflection is a combination of a strip or belt passing under a roller, by which this strip is driven, and two deflection pads on either side of the roller ensuring the curvature over the entire width of the front edge of the element in plate.

Preferably, an ejection conveyor starting with a pair of motorized rollers mounted opposite is arranged following the oblique side of the switching means, if desired one or both rollers being the departure of a conveyor belt.

This ejection conveyor arranged immediately following the referral means avoids any risk of blockage of plate elements deviated, and this by voluntary training of these elements including a higher speed than that of the normal journey.

Preferably, the distance between the pair of rollers or rollers defining the end of the first rear lower conveyor and either the pair of rollers or rollers defining the start of the second lower conveyor before either the pair of rollers or rollers defining the start of the conveyor ejection is less than the minimum length of an element.

This ensures that the plate elements are checked in permanence by means of training which therefore force these elements to move in one direction as in the other.

Preferably the deflection means are mounted on the arm short substantially horizontal of a lever whose end of the long arm oriented upwards is moved by an actuator so that these deflection means are moved between their high and low position perpendicular to the normal path of the plate elements.

This lever constitutes a mechanical amplifier allowing to print to the deflection means a short displacement between their normal high position and their low deflection position but with a high application force, using a power actuator only medium but whose stroke of the operating rod can be more important. One can in particular then use a good pneumatic cylinder market but very fast.

Usefully, the second lower front conveyor is mounted on a movable frame tilting forward to facilitate access to switching means, deflection means and ejection conveyor for maintenance and repair.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique de côté d'un transporteur incluant un aiguillage selon l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une vue schématique de côté de la section d'aiguillage du transporteur selon la figure 1,
• la figure 3 est une vue schématique à échelle agrandie de l'aiguillage des figures 1 et 2, et
• la figure 4 est une vue schématique du dessus de l'aiguillage des figures précédentes.

The invention will be better understood on studying an embodiment taken by way of nonlimiting example and illustrated by the following figures:

• FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a conveyor including a switch according to the invention,
• FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the switching section of the conveyor according to FIG. 1,
• FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view on an enlarged scale of the switch of FIGS. 1 and 2, and
• Figure 4 is a schematic top view of the switch of the previous figures.

In all these figures, identical parts or parts are designated by the same reference.

In Figure 1 is illustrated as a whole a conveyor bands belonging to a separation station. Such a station is intended to detach a plurality of poses printed and cut out a sheet of cardboard side by side in the width direction and according to several successive lines in length by different stations rotary or platen cutting and printing at the rear, that is to say on the right side of FIG. 1. This separation station therefore comprises several belt conveyors arranged side by side in fan so as to separate the poses in the width direction, these carriers with a higher feed speed than stations previous to also separate these poses in the direction of the length.

Each of the belt conveyors brings the poses according to a substantially horizontal path Tn to a stacking station corresponding located in front, that is to say on the left side of FIG. 1, and also includes a more visible switching device 26, 32, 42, 60 in FIG. 2 illustrating in an enlarged manner the front part of this carrier. This referral device allows clearing along a path Te poses of insufficient quality to a recovery tank 79. As such, each pose passes individually under a reading area including for example a camera and / or reading cells, detecting errors printing, for example color register errors between them, or traces or smudges of glue, or even non-conforming folds, this reading area being connected to electronic means and / or computers ordering the switchover toggling as soon as the passage from the rear edge of the last conforming pose is detected by another photocell placed close behind this switch.

As best seen in Figure 1, this belt conveyor first comprises a first lower conveyor belt 40 performing a horizontal top path passing over a plurality of rollers of support 44 until reaching a last front roller 42 returning this belt along a lower path where it passes through a tensioning mechanism and a lower drive axis before being twisted and then returned towards of its horizontal upper path. The steering and support rollers 42, 44 of this conveyor 40 are arranged on a lower vertical plate support 41 mounted at its rear edge pivoting on a hinge 39 integral with the chassis of the separation station.

Beyond the referral device, this transporter includes a second lower front conveyor 50 whose belt begins its journey horizontal upper passing through a first rear roller 52, continues it passing over support rollers 54, this belt being returned to its lower return path by its front end roller 59. In particular, these support and guide rollers 52, 54, 59 of the strip 50 are mounted on a vertical support plate 58 capable of being tilted forward for access to the switching device if necessary.

As best seen in Figure 2, this plate 58 is at this effect mounted through a pivot 48 to a plate bracket 51 which can be adjust the position along a through beam 53 of the station separation. This beam 53 is carried on either side of the chassis of the station by two tilting T-shaped side plates 55, one straight and a left, pivoting around their pivot 57 respectively. on the other side of the station, the T plate 55 can be tilted by its jack 49 acting between a fixed point of the chassis and its rear branch. So the position and orientation of each of the vertical support plates 58 lower front carrier 50 can be adjusted to be in the alignment of the lower vertical support plate 41 of the first lower conveyor 40.

More particularly according to the invention and as illustrated on the Figures 1 and 2, this conveyor comprises a single upper conveyor 30 making a substantially horizontal lower path passing under support rollers 35, and this in correspondence with the upper paths lower carriers. This top carrier is then returned along an upper return path being guided by rollers 38 where it goes through different tensioning devices and a higher axis back training before returning to his training path inferior.

In particular, and as best seen in Figure 2, the path lower of this belt 30 describes a loop oriented upwards at the level of the referral device 60 being successively guided by the roller 32 at the front end of the rear portion of the upper conveyor, two upper rollers 34, 34 ', then returned by an end roller 36 rear of the second front portion of this upper conveyor. This deflection loop has a substantially T-shaped, that is to say that the belt 30 is wound on the one hand at least on the front half of the periphery of the roller 32, the roller 34 being located behind this roller 32; and on the other hand wraps at least on the rear half of the periphery of the roller 36, the roller 34 'being situated in front of this roller 36.

All the rollers 35 for supporting the lower path, the rollers 38 for guide of the upper return path as well as the two loop rollers 34 and 34 'are mounted on a vertical support plate in two parts 31 and 31 'joined together and mounted by a hinge 37 on the frame of the separation station so as to be in coincidence with the plate of support 41. On the other hand, the two rollers 32 at the front end of the portion rear and rear end 36 of the front portion are both mounted on a lever 20 belonging to the switching device.

As best seen in Figures 2 and 3, the device switch according to the invention first comprises a switch angle 60 interposed, under the normal path Tn, between the front end roller 42 of the rear lower conveyor 40 and rear end roller 52 of the lower front conveyor 50. This return angle is a machined part having a rearward angled cross section. The face upper 62 of this machined part constitutes the first side of the angle provided to catch up with the normal path Tn, and is formed from a rear plane horizontal, followed by an oblique intermediate plane going up and ending in a third front plane also horizontal. The rear rear face 64 constitutes the second side of the angle provided to guide the ejection path Te, and is formed from a downward oblique plane at an angle of about 60 ° by compared to the horizontal.

This workpiece is held by two bolts side plates whose oblique rear edges extend the second side deflection oblique 64. Little below the machined part is arranged, between these side plates, a first roller 73 of an ejection belt 74 passing through a bottom hen 76 mobile under the effect of a device elastic not shown to tighten this belt. At this pebble upper 73 of belt 74 is arranged a large motorized roller 72 rotating at a peripheral speed higher than that of the transporters of so as to eject the defective elements very quickly.

Pinch point 70 for resumption of ejection drive between the rollers 72 and 73 is located a short distance from the generator upper of the front end roller 42 of the lower conveyor 40, notably less than 80mm minimum length of the poses planned to be processed by this separation station. It should be noted that the distance between the recovery point 56 of the front transporter on the normal path Tn constituted by the two upper rollers 36 and lower 52 is also located a short distance, on the order of 80mm, from the generator upper roller 42 where the laying is released by the rear conveyors.

As best seen in Figures 1 and 2, the ejection belt 74 directs the ejected poses in a conduit formed by the guide rails 77 and 78 bringing the poses ejected into the recovery tank 79.

The referral device further includes a lever 20 better visible in Figures 3 and 4. This lever comprises on the one hand a short arm 24 substantially horizontal arranged slightly above the referral angle 60 and of the roller 42, and on the other hand a long, substantially oblique vertical arm 22 forward. This lever 20 pivots about an axis supported by a bearing 36 ' of the upper support plate 31 ', this axis also carrying the roller 36 rear end of the front portion of the upper conveyor 30.

As best seen in Figures 3 and 4, the short arm 24 door, substantially in the middle, the roller 32 at the front end of the portion rear of conveyor 30 and, at its rear end, a vertical bridge 25 supporting two pads 26 on either side of the roller 32. These pads are present in the form of plates slightly oblique to the horizontal, of width corresponding substantially to that expected of the poses. It should be noted that the roller 32 is arranged on the short arm 24 so that its rear half is at the same level as half front of the end roller 42. Similarly, the front half of the pads 26 is also located at the level of the front half of the roller 42, this half with a curved bottom side, for example semi-cylindrical angle at the top between 10 ° and 30 °.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the lever 20 can take two positions. In the first position, the short arm 24 is in a high position so that the belt 30 guided by the roller 32 and the shoe 26 do not interfere not with the normal path Tn of the poses. In the second position marked by the reference 26 ′, the short arm 24 is in a low situation causing the rear part of the pads 26 and the belt 30 guided by the roller 32 surround a portion of the upper front periphery of the end roller 42 so as to force a curvature of the poses downwards. This curvature is such that the front edge of the installation necessarily passes under the oblique deflection side 64 of the referral angle 60.

In other words, this front end roller 42 of rear conveyor 40 constitutes a bending roller on which a pose is bent forward and downward under the effect of an imposed deviation jointly by the pads 26 and the belt 30 passing under the roller diverter 32 lowered. This curvature imposed between the end roller lower front and bending 42 on the one hand and the combination of shoe 26 and of the upper front end and deflection roller 32 on the other hand works better as the lower 40 and upper 30 belts force the advance of the installation even under this constraint.

In particular, the movement of the diverter pads / rollers between the non-interference position 26 and the lower deflection position 26 ′ is all the better imposed as the other lever arm 22 is long. This long lift arm 22 is controlled by the end of the actuating rod of the pneumatic cylinder 28 whose rear of the body is supported by an extension vertical 31 '' located at the end of the upper vertical plate of support 31 '. Switching the switch in one direction then in the other can therefore be particularly fast, thus making it possible to follow particularly high transport speeds, for example of the order of 500 meters per minute.

It will be noted in particular that the only pieces put in movement are the cylinder rod 28, the lever 20, the deflecting roller 32 with its belt portion 30, and the pads 26. This assembly has a significantly less inert mass than a whole portion of carrier lower according to the state of the art.

Furthermore, it should be noted that the length of the loop formed by the strip 30 passing around the deflecting roller 32 is practically not changed between the high position and the low position of this roller in the configuration of this switch, so that there is no need to provide an additional means of adjusting the stroke length of this belt 30. In addition, by the arrangement of this deflection loop upwards by means of the rollers 34 and 34 ', the same belt 30 can be used for the rear and front portion of the surrounding upper conveyor the referral. This upper conveyor therefore remains simple to adjust and enforce.

As we have seen from this presentation, the switch according to the invention can be integrated into a small conveyor width, but could easily be adapted to a switch for a wider carrier by changing the initial pads to larger ones. Alternatively, several carriers can be provided side by side with their associated deflection devices which would then be actuated simultaneously.

Many improvements can be made to the referral device within the scope of the claims.

Claims (9)

Referral device within a plate element transporter characterized in that it comprises, in combination, a first rear lower conveyor (40) ending in a roller or a front roller (42) driven in rotation, a second lower front conveyor (50) following the first and starting with a roller or rear roller (52) driven in rotation, support means (30, 35) of the plate elements on the lower conveyors, a switching means (60) interposed between the roller or front roller (42) of the first conveyor (40) and the rear roller or roller (52) of the second conveyor (50), this means having, in cross section, an angle oriented towards the rear with a first side (62) aligned along the normal path (Tn) slightly below which it is located, and a second oblique side (64) aligned along an ejection path (Te) passing between the first and second lower conveyors, and deflection means (26,32) arranged slightly above the front half of the roller or front roller (42) of the first conveyor (40) which, in the high position does not interfere with the normal path (Tn) of the elements along the first side (62) of the switching means, and which, in the low position, forces an ejection path (Te) curved against the front periphery of this roller or front roller (42) so that this path d continuous ejection under the oblique side (64) of the switching means (60). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the deflection means are one or more deflection pads (26), the sum of widths corresponds approximately to the width of the front edge of the plate element. Device according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that that the deflection means is a strip (30) passing under the periphery lower rear of a roller or front end roller (32) belonging either to the front end of a rear upper carrier at bands in correspondence with the rear lower conveyor, i.e. the front end of a rear portion of the upper belt conveyor is continuing on an upper loop (34,34 ', 36). Device according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the deflection means is a combination of a passing band (30) under a roller (32) and two deflection pads (26) on either side of the roller (32). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an ejection conveyor (74) starting with a pair of motorized rollers (72,73) mounted opposite is arranged at the continuation of the oblique side (64) of the switching means (60), if desired one or more two rollers being the start of a conveyor belt (74). Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the distance between the pair of rollers (32,42) defining the end of the first rear lower conveyor (40) and either the pair of rollers (36,52) defining the start of the second lower front conveyor (50) or the pair of rollers (72,73) defining the start of the ejection conveyor (74) is less than the minimum length of an element. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deflection means are mounted on the arm short (24) substantially horizontal of a lever (20) whose end of the arm long (22) oriented upwards is moved by an actuator (28) of such so that these deflection means are moved between their high position and low perpendicular to the normal path (Tn) of the plate elements. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second front lower conveyor (50) is mounted on a movable frame (58) tilting forward. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second lower front conveyor (50) is suspended in free rotation around a pivot (48) so as to align automatically with the means support (30), as regards the angle around the pivot (48).

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