EP1316647B1 - Suspended conveyor device - Google Patents

Abstract

Conveying system comprises a traveling path (3) composed of rails (2) and along which a conveying car (4) moves. The traveling path has at least one transfer rail section (5) which is able to move by a transfer device (6) relative to both connecting rails (7, 8) of the traveling path between a transfer position (9) and a processing position (10). At least one of the connecting rails has a stationary rail part (11) and a pendulum rail part (12) pivoting with the transfer device. <??>Preferred Features: The pendulum rail part pivots relative to the stationary rail part about an essentially horizontal axis running across the traveling path.

Description

The invention relates to a suspension conveyor with a track composed of rails along which at least one conveyor vehicle is movable, wherein the track has at least one Umsetzschienenabschnitt which is movable by an associated Umsetzzeinrichtung relative to bilateral connection rails of the guideway between at least one override position and a processing position.

Such a suspension conveyor is known from DE 37 11 043 A1 and DE 36 25 632 C1 as well as from practice, for example in the manufacture of motor vehicles. Along the overhead conveyor, parts of the motor vehicle are fed to an assembly line and the vehicle assembled from the different parts is transported along the assembly line. Of course, such suspension conveyor devices can also be used in other production methods, in automatic storage or the like.

The track is composed of a plurality of rails, the track being straight, curved and may also have slopes and gradients. Along the travel path moves the corresponding conveyor vehicle to which the object to be conveyed is attached or placed on this. In some places along the guideway converting means may be arranged, by which a Umsetzschienenabschnitt is moved relative to bilateral connection rails of the guideway. This movement can for example be laterally to the track, obliquely down and up or vertically down and up.

In order to be able to retract the conveyor vehicle in the Umsetzschienenabschnitt, this can be arranged by the conversion device in an overrun position. In this, the corresponding ends of the Umsetzschienenabschnitts are aligned with the connecting rails, that the conveyor vehicle can be moved between them without problems. By correspondingly converting the transfer rail section by the transfer device, it can be moved to a processing position in which there is no more alignment between transfer rail section and the corresponding connection rails.

This processing position can serve, for example, to process the object moved by the transport vehicle, to deposit it, to pick up an object or the like.

From practice, a suspension conveyor is known, in which the Umsetzschienenabschnitt must be moved beyond its actual over-ride position, a corresponding lock, for example, extended from the connecting rails and the Umsetzschienenabschnitt is deposited on this lock. Only when the override position is taken correctly in this way, for example, routed along the rails busbars of connecting rails and Umsetzschienenabschnitt are again connected to each other. This process for aligning and locking the revenue rail section relative to the connecting rails requires a relatively large amount of time, which is lost for the further processing of the object transported by the transport vehicle and leads to higher costs.

The invention is therefore based on the object to improve a suspended conveyor of the type mentioned in that in a structurally simple way, a faster alignment of revenue rail section and connecting rails is possible.

This object is achieved in connection with the features of the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that at least one connecting rail has a stationary rail part and a relative to this pivotable, the Umsetzschienenabschnitt associated pendulum rail part.

By means of the pendulum rail part, it is possible, even with not completely correct orientation of the transfer rail section with respect to the connecting rails, to allow the conveying vehicle to be driven over by corresponding pivoting of the pendulum rail part. At the same time can be automatically restored by pivoting the pendulum rail part and the power connection between connecting rails and Umsetzschienenabschnitt. It is no longer necessary to drive over the transfer rail section beyond the overrun position and to move back into the override position. Also, a corresponding locking of Umsetzschienenabschnitt and connecting rails can be omitted, as by appropriate pivoting the pendulum rail part a sufficiently accurate alignment of connecting rails and Umsetzschienenabschnitt is enabled.

A widely used converting device is a vertical transfer device. This has, for example, a lifting device for vertical movement of Umsetzschienenabschnitts between the overrunning position and processing position.

In order to be able to move the pendulum rail part in particular in such a vertical transfer device, the pendulum rail part can be pivotable relative to the stationary pendulum rail part about a substantially horizontal and transverse to the track pivot axis.

In order to compensate for possible misalignment of Umsetzschienenabschnitt and connecting rails variable, the pendulum rail part can be pivotable about the pivot axis in both directions relative to the stationary rail part. This means that both a slightly too high and a little too deep arrangement of the Umsetzschabse section by appropriate pivoting of the pendulum rail part is compensated.

The pendulum rail part is at least so far pivotally mounted that it is pivotable between a track position and a pivot position. In the track position, he makes the connection between Umsetzschienenabschnitt and other rails ago.

In order to have sufficient space for adjusting the Umsetzschienenabschnitts available and at the same time to dispense with separate mechanisms for adjusting the pendulum rail part, the pendulum rail part when moving the Umsetzschienenabschnitts in machining position can be automatically pivoted from its Fahrwegposition in the pivot position.

In order to be able to dispense with separate mechanisms for adjusting the pendulum rail part when the transfer rail section is moved back into the override position, the transfer rail section and / or the transfer device can be a driver device have, by which during movement of the Umsetzschababschnitts in the override position of the pendulum rail part is zurückschwenkbar in track position.

There are various driver devices conceivable. For example, locking devices may be present, which lock when moving the Umsetzschabenabschnitts in the override position with the pendulum rail part and take this in his Fahrwegposition. In a simple embodiment, the entrainment device may be designed as a stop element protruding in the direction of the pendulum rail part from the transfer rail section. This engages under a corresponding part of the pendulum rail part and upon movement of the Umsetzschienenabschnitt in the override position the pendulum rail part is carried along and this entrainment is at the same time the correct alignment between the pendulum rail part and Umsetzschienenabschnitt guaranteed.

In order to possibly allow several height positions with entry and / or exit for the Umsetzschienenabschnitt, the entrainment device between an engaged and a disengaged position can be adjusted. The adjustment can be done by motor. Such an adjustment ensures that the Umsetzschienenabschnitt is coupled in its vertical movement by means of the lifting station with different pendulum rail part in different height positions by appropriately adjusting the entrainment in the engaged position. At the other pendulum rail parts of Umsetzschienenabschnitt moves with entrainment in Au-engages engagement position.

Instead of passive entrainment by the entrainment device on the transfer rail section or on the transfer device, an active adjustment of the pendulum rail part can also take place. It can for example take place in that the pendulum rail part is controllably adjustable between track position and pivot position. The adjustment can be done by a corresponding motor adjustment.

In order to save time in this context and to ensure the alignment between the pendulum rail part and Umsetzschienenabschnitt, the movement of the pendulum rail part and Umsetzschienenabschnitt can be synchronized. As a result, both rails occupy their aligned position substantially simultaneously.

In order to enable a simple articulated connection of pendulum rail part and stationary rail part, these can be assigned in particular releasably attached to each of the rail parts pivot arms, which are interconnected by means of a pivot bearing. The pivot arms are in this context designed so that they do not obstruct, for example, a laying of busbars along the rails.

In order to require as little space for the pivot arms, they can be designed as extending substantially in the rail longitudinal direction pivot plates.

To secure the pivot plates securely to the rails and at the same time to realize the pivot bearing in a simple manner, each pivot plate may have a mounting portion for releasable attachment to the rail part and a bearing portion for receiving the pivot bearing.

In general, runways are used for overhead conveyors or monorail overhead rail, which essentially have an I-shaped cross section with I-vertical web and at the ends arranged I-horizontal webs. In order to fasten the pivoting arms or pivoting plates to the rails, at least the fastening sections can be detachably fastened laterally to the I-vertical web. By this attachment is also ensured that the pivot arms are arranged substantially within the contour of the running rail or projecting little laterally about this.

In order to realize in the mounting of the pivot arms, the force introduction into the rail not only on the fasteners, longitudinal grooves can be formed opposite each other in I-horizontal webs of the rail, in which free end portions of at least the mounting plate engage in particular form-fitting. As a result of this engagement, the force is introduced from the fastening plate directly into the rail, so that the corresponding fastening devices for the fastening plate are only minimally loaded. This is particularly advantageous when the rail is made of a material such as aluminum and the pivot arms or plates are made of a material such as steel.

In order to realize the pivot bearing with sufficient stability and with a simple construction, the pivot bearing may have a bearing journal and a journal receiving sleeve receiving it, wherein at least the journal is fixed to one of the pivot plates and the journal receiving sleeve is held by the other pivot plate. The mutual pivoting takes place in this context by the relative rotation of the bearing pin and pin receiving sleeve.

In order to allow easy assignment between the bearing pin and pin receiving sleeve, the bearing portions of the pivot plates may overlap each other. As a result, the bearing portion with the pin receiving sleeve can be arranged in a simple manner so that the bearing journal attached to the other bearing portion can engage in the pin receiving sleeve.

In order to enable a good assignment and secure attachment of a pivot plate, the pendulum rail part associated first pivot plate may be formed substantially flat and protrude from it the bearing pin. With its side facing the bearing journal, the first pivot plate can rest correspondingly laterally on the I-vertical web.

To allow in this context a simple overlap of the various bearing sections, the stationary rail part associated second pivot plate may be formed with a step between mounting portion and bearing portion, wherein the bearing portion of the first pivot plate between bearing portion of the second pivot plate and I-vertical web can be arranged.

In order to allow in the rails a laterally full-surface conditioning of the various mounting portions in a simple manner, even if laterally on the I-vertical web recesses or recesses are present, each of the mounting portions may have on its I-vertical web facing side a relining pad. This further ensures that when mounting the swivel plates this or the rail will not be bent or damaged.

Since the I-vertical web of the rails may also be formed on its side facing away from the pivot plates with a recess, a shoulder or the like, each mounting portion may be assigned to a mounting plate on the side facing away from this I-vertical web. This compensates just the corresponding recesses, paragraphs, steps or the like, so that on both sides of the I-vertical web a full-surface system for fixing the pivot plates is given.

In order to be able to provide the pin receiving sleeve with sufficient length and to secure it to the outside, the bearing portion of the first pivot plate may be associated with a releasably connected to this cover plate, which in particular has a bearing opening for receiving an end portion of the pin receiving sleeve.

In order to replace the pin receiving sleeve optionally in a simple manner and yet be able to hold safely through the associated bearing plate, the pin receiving sleeve may have at its the bearing portion of the second bearing plate assigning end a radially outwardly projecting annular flange, one on a bearing portion of the first bearing plate assigning underside of the bearing portion of the second bearing plate formed annular recess can be inserted.

Through this positive connection of the annular flange and annular recess, the journal receiving sleeve is securely held.

To optionally secure the other bearing plate also on the journal receiving sleeve, can intervene between the cover plate and bearing portion of the second bearing plate on the first bearing plate in particular releasably secured intermediate plate.

In order to provide the intermediate plate with a certain support effect with respect to the cover plate and bearing sections on the first and second bearing plate and the journal receiving sleeve, this has at least two slots, are inserted into the feather keys or the like.

For fastening the bearing plates, it is advantageous if bolted connections are provided with respect to their detachable connection with each other and on the rail. These are in easy way solvable and can be solved quickly in particular for disassembly or replacement of worn parts of the bearing plates or bearing arms.

In order to derive the load of the connecting rail of stationary rail part and pendulum rail part in the region of the pivot bearing accordingly, the stationary rail part, in particular in the vicinity of the pivot bearing be assigned a suspension device. By means of this suspension device, the running rail is attached to a ceiling or the like.

The bearing pin is usually attached to the associated bearing portion, for example by welding or the like. To make this attachment safer, the bearing pin can be inserted with an outer diameter reduced end portion in a bore in the bearing portion of the first pivot plate and in particular fixed there. The transition between the reduced diameter end portion and the remaining part of the journal is preferably formed step-shaped, which is formed by this stage a contact surface for abutment against an edge of the bore in the bearing section. The fastening of the bearing journal and the bearing section can, for example, take place such that the end section is formed with a smaller depth than the bore, so that a corresponding welding of bearing journal and bearing section can still take place within the bore.

In the following, an advantageous embodiment of the invention will be described.

Fig. 1

eine Seitenansicht eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer Hängefördervorrichtung im Bereich einer Vertikalumsetzeinrichtung;

Fig. 2

eine vergrößerte Darstellung eines Details "X" aus Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

eine Seitenansicht von Schwenkarmen nach Fig. 2;

Fig. 4

ein Schnitt entlang der Linie IV-IV aus Fig. 3;

Fig. 5

eine Ansicht aus der Richtung V nach Fig. 4;

Fig. 6

eine Draufsicht auf einen ersten Schwenkarm;

Fig. 7

eine Draufsicht auf einen zweiten Schwenkarm;

Fig. 8

eine Draufsicht auf eine Abdeckplatte des Schwenklagers;

Fig. 9

eine Draufsicht auf eine Zwischenplatte des Schwenklagers nach Fig. 3; und

Fig. 10

eine Draufsicht auf eine Anschraubplatte des Schwenklagers nach Fig. 3.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a side view of an embodiment of a suspension conveyor in the region of a vertical transfer device;

Fig. 2

an enlarged view of a detail "X" of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

a side view of pivoting arms of FIG. 2;

Fig. 4

a section along the line IV-IV of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5

a view from the direction V of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6

a plan view of a first pivot arm;

Fig. 7

a plan view of a second pivot arm;

Fig. 8

a plan view of a cover plate of the pivot bearing;

Fig. 9

a plan view of an intermediate plate of the pivot bearing of FIG. 3; and

Fig. 10

a plan view of a mounting plate of the pivot bearing of FIG .. 3

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a suspended conveyor device 1 according to the invention, in particular in the region of a vertical transfer device 6. The suspended conveyor device 1 has a plurality of rails 2, which form a track 3 for a conveyor vehicle 4. For simplicity, only a section of the infrastructure and only one conveyor vehicle is shown.

The vertical transfer device 6 is used for raising and lowering a Umsetzschienenabschnitts 5 formed by corresponding rails 2. This is aligned in its drive-over position 9 to corresponding connecting rails 7 and 8 of the rest of the travel path 3. In this context, the vertical transfer device 6 generally has a stroke limiting device which defines at least one upper position of the transfer rail section 5, so that the connecting rails 7, 8 are not damaged by an overstroke.

In Fig. 1, the Umsetzschienenabschnitt 5 is shown in phantom in its processing position 10. In such a position, a conveyor vehicle 4 arranged in the region of the transfer rail section 5 can be lowered with the workpiece attached thereto, such as a vehicle part 59, for further processing of the vehicle part 59 in the region of a specific processing station. Subsequently, the transfer rail section 5 is returned by means of the vertical transfer device 6 moved in the override position 9 and the vehicle part 59 can be transported by means of the conveyor vehicle 4 along the guideway 3 on.

The connecting rails 7, 8 which are directly adjacent to the transfer rail section 5 on both sides are constructed at least in two parts from a stationary rail part 11, see also FIG. 2, and a pendulum rail part 12. The pendulum rail parts 12 are pivotable between a track position 14 and a pivot position 15. In Fahrwegposition 14 and Umsetzschienenabschnitt 5 in the overrun position 9 can be carried over these tracks along the guideway 3 by the conveyor vehicle 4 over these rails.

If the transfer rail section 5 is arranged in its processing position 10 by means of the vertical transfer device 6, the pendulum rail parts 12 are automatically pivoted into their swivel position 15, see the dashed representation in FIG.

The transfer rail section 5 is held by means of a support rail 66 arranged above it, wherein the support rail can be lowered and raised analogously to the transfer rail section 5 by means of a lifting station 67 arranged above it.

Along a direction of movement 58, the conveyor vehicle 4 with the workpiece 59 attached thereto is movable along the travel path 3.

In Fig. 2, a detail "X" of Fig. 1 is shown enlarged. The connecting rail is constructed of stationary rail part 11 and pendulum rail part 12, which are separated from each other along a parting line 68. Centrally along this parting line 68, a pivot axis 13 is arranged, about which the pendulum rail part 12 is mounted relative to the stationary rail part 11 between its Fahrwegposition 14 and its pivotal position 15 pivotally. It goes without saying that the pivoting movement of the pendulum rail part 12 can be done not only in Fig. 2 down, but also upwards in the direction of support rail 66. As a result, alignment of the pendulum rail part 12 and the transfer rail section 5 for overrunning the transport vehicle is possible even when the transfer rail section 5 is raised above the overrunning position 9.

The Umsetzschienenabschnitt 5 is associated with a driver 16 in the form of a stop element 17. This is in an engaged position 18 with an underside of the pendulum rail part 12. By the stop member 17, the free end of the pendulum rail part 12 when lifting the Umsetzschienenabschnitts 5 from its processing position 10, see Fig. 1, taken in the overrunning position 9 and in its Fahrwegposition 14 below simultaneous correct alignment of pendulum rail part 12 and Umsetzschienenabschnitt 5 are taken.

The stop element 17 can be adjusted by motor, if, for example, arranged by the Umsetzschienenabschnitt 5 arranged in different height positions connecting rails. By adjusting the stop element 17 in the disengaged position, passing the transfer rail section 5 on the pendulum rail part 12 in its pivot position 15 is possible. Only when approaching a desired height position, the stop member 17 is moved back into the engaged position 18 and can take the arranged in the desired height position pendulum rail part 12.

In order to protect the pendulum rail part and in particular its pivot bearing from excessive stress, the stationary rail part 7 in the vicinity of the pivot axis 13, a suspension device 54 is assigned.

In the following Figs. 3 to 5 different views are shown on components for verschenkbaren connection of stationary rail part 11 and pendulum rail part 12. FIG. 3 corresponds to a side view, FIG. 4 shows a section along the line IV-IV from FIG. 3 and FIG. 5 shows a view from the direction V according to FIG. 4.

The stationary rail part 11 is associated with a pivot arm 19 and the pendulum rail part 12, a pivot arm 20. The pivot arm 20 is pivotally mounted on pivot bearing 21 relative to the pivot arm 19. The pivot arms 19, 20 are formed as relatively flat pivot plates 23, 24, see also Fig. 4. Each of the pivot plates 23, 24 has a mounting portion 25, 26 and a bearing portion 27, 28. The attachment portions are approximately square in cross-section and comprise a series of screw connections 53 by means of which the attachment portions laterally on an I-vertical web 29 of stationary rail part 11 and pendulum rail part 12 are releasably attached.

In this context, it should be noted that the various rails of the guideway, see also Fig. 1, in cross-section I-shaped and have an I-vertical web 29 and at the ends of I-horizontal webs 32, 33 have.

The pendulum rail part 12 associated first pivot plate 23 has a flat extension and extends in the longitudinal direction 22 of the corresponding pendulum rail part 12. In the mounting portion 25, the first pivot plate 23 is attached to the I-vertical web 29, between which a Unterfütterungsauflage 40 is arranged. The relining overlay 40 serves to fill indentations 60 or recesses 60 arranged in the I vertical web 29. The relining overlay 40 is just thick enough that, when the fastening section 25 is fastened by means of the corresponding screw connections 53, no bending of the I vertical web 29 or of the fastening section 25 occurs he follows. In the two I-horizontal webs 32, 33 longitudinal grooves 30, 31 are formed opposite each other. In this free end portions 34, 35 of the mounting portion 25 are positively inserted.

In the bearing portion 27 of the first pivot plate 23, a bore 57 is formed, in which a lower end portion 26 of a journal 36 is inserted. This lower end portion 56 has a smaller outer diameter than the outer diameter 55 of the rest of the bearing pin 36, see for example Fig. 4. The lower end portion 56 terminates within the bore 57. This makes it possible, the bearing pin 36 still within the bore 57, for example by welding to attach with the bearing portion 27.

The second, the stationary rail part 11 associated pivot plate 24 also has a corresponding mounting portion 26 and bearing portion 28. Again, there is a positive arrangement of free end portions of the mounting portion 26 in corresponding grooves 30, 31 of the I-horizontal webs 32, 33 and an arrangement of a relining pad 41 between mounting portion 26th and the associated therewith the I-vertical web 29, see the comments on the first pivot plate 23rd

The second pivot plate 24 has a step 38 in the connection region of the fastening section 26 and the bearing section 28. The increment is just high enough to correspond to the thickness of the bearing portion 27 of the first pivot plate 23, see FIG. 4.

The corresponding bearing portion 28 extends parallel to the bearing portion 27, wherein this is inserted between the bearing portion 28 and the I-vertical web 29. In the bearing portion 28 of the second pivot plate 24 a bore is also formed, which is aligned with fixed pivot plates 23, 24 to the corresponding bore 57 in the bearing portion 27. Within this bore, a pin receiving sleeve 37 is arranged, in which the bearing pin 36 is inserted pivotally. The pin receiving sleeve 37 has at its the fastening portion 25 facing the end 47 on a radially outwardly projecting annular flange 48. This is formed in a corresponding annular recess 50 in a the mounting portion 25 facing bottom 49 of the mounting portion 26 of the second pivot plate 24. As a result, the pin receiving sleeve 37 is held in mounting of the pivot plates 23 and 24 with each other and with the corresponding rail parts in this annular recess 50.

The journal receiving sleeve 37 extends through the corresponding bore in the mounting portion 26 also and is also still guided by an intermediate plate 51 and a cover plate 44. The cover plate 44 is detachably connected to the second pivot plate 24 by a corresponding screw 53. The cover plate 44 forms a lateral visible surface of the pivot arms 19, 20 in the region of the pivot bearing 21. The cover plate 44 has a bearing opening 45 into which a free end portion 46 of the pin receiving sleeve 37 is inserted. The free end portion 46 terminates flush with the visible surface of the cover plate 44.

Between cover plate 44 and mounting portion 26 of the second pivot plate 24, the intermediate plate 51 is arranged. This is connected via a screw 53 with the first pivot plate 23. The intermediate plate 51 has a corresponding bore 65, see also Fig. 9, through which the pin receiving sleeve 37 extends. Furthermore, at least two elongated holes 64 are formed in the intermediate plate according to Figure 9, which serve for receiving passport for supporting in particular the pin receiving sleeve.

While the first pivot plate 23 is integrally formed from the mounting portion 25 and the bearing portion 27, in the second pivot plate 24, the bearing portion 28 is welded to the mounting portion 26 with the bearing portion 28 and mounting portion 26 partially overlapping to form the corresponding step 38.

In the area of the step 38, a recess 69 is arranged centrally in transverse extension, see FIG. 3, which allocates the bearing section 27 to the first pivot plate 23. The recess 69 serves in particular for receiving a tip 71, see FIG. 7, at one end of the first pivot plate 23. The tip 71 lies substantially on an axis of symmetry of the first pivot plate 23 and has two at an angle from the tip 71 in the direction of the fastening section 25 rearward flanks 72, 73. The angle between the flanks 72, 73 has a value in the range of approximately 0.5 ° to 5 ° or even more. The recess 69 allows in this context a rotation of the pivot plates 23, 24 relative to each other when the first pivot plate 23 swings with its tip 71. The flanks 72, 73 form a stop and thus a limitation of the swivel angle, wherein they can be placed on both sides of the tip 71 substantially at level 38, see also FIG.

Depending on the desired pivot angle between the two pivot plates, it is possible to increase the angle of the flanks 72, 73 and, if appropriate, to form the recesses 69 with a greater depth.

FIG. 5 shows, in particular, how the free end sections 34, 35 engage in a form-fitting manner in the corresponding longitudinal grooves 30, 31. In addition, it is visible that on a side facing away from the corresponding fastening portions 25, 26 of the pivot plates 23, 24 side 42, see also Fig. 4, of the I-vertical web 29, the mounting plates 43 are arranged. These are also inserted in a corresponding recess 60 on this side 42 of the I-vertical web 29. In general, the mounting plates 43 as well as the remaining parts of the pivot arms 19, 20 made of a metal such as steel, while the rail parts are made of aluminum.

With reference to FIG. 4 and in connection with FIGS. 6 and 7, it should be pointed out that, for example, a screw bar 62 is arranged on the fastening section 25 of the first pivot plate, the height of which corresponds approximately to the material thickness of the bearing section 28 of the second pivot plate 24. Similarly, a screw 61 is arranged on the bearing portion 28, whose height corresponds to the thickness of the intermediate plate 51.

In Fig. 6 to 10 are plan views of the various plates of the pivot arms 19, 20 and the mounting plate 43 is shown.

FIG. 6 shows a plan view of the second pivot plate 24 consisting of fastening section 26 and bearing section 28. In the bearing section 28, a bore for receiving the journal receiving sleeve 37, see FIG. 4, is formed. Furthermore, the dashed annular recess 50 for receiving the corresponding annular flange 48 of the pin receiving sleeve 47 is concentrically around this hole visible.

On an upper side of the bearing portion 28, the screw bar 61 is also secured by welding in its overlap region to the mounting portion 26, see also Fig. 4. In this area, the mounting portion 26 has a mounting portion 28 projecting mounting flange 70, to which the bearing portion 28 with placed on its corresponding end and welded there. The attachment flange 70 has a smaller width than the remaining attachment portion 26.

In Fig. 7, the first pivot plate 23 is shown accordingly. This, see also FIG. 4, is constructed in one piece from fastening section 25 and bearing section 27, wherein the bearing section 27 has a smaller transverse extent than the fastening section 25. Directly adjacent to the mounting portion 25, the screw bar 62 is welded on an upper side of the bearing portion 27, see also Fig. 4. In the bearing portion 27, a bore is formed, in which the bearing pin 36 is inserted with its end portion 56 and secured there, see also Fig. 4.

Both in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, a relining overlay 40, 41 is arranged on an underside of the respective fastening sections 25, 26, in this regard see FIGS. 4 and 5.

In Fig. 8, the cover plate is shown with its bearing opening 45. The cover plate 44 has on its first pivot plate 23 facing end, see Fig. 3, Eckabkantungen 63 on.

Analog Eckabkantungen 63 are also formed at one end of the intermediate plate 51, see Fig. 9, which assigns the end of the second pivot plate 24, see Fig. 3. On both sides of the bore 65 in the intermediate plate 41 are elongated holes 64 are formed. In these a key 52, see Fig. 4, can be inserted.

In Fig. 10 is still a plan view of a substantially square Anschraubplatte 43 is shown, which is arranged according to Fig. 4 and 5 respectively on the pivot plates 23, 24 opposite side 42 of the I-vertical web 29 and for fastening this by means of the corresponding screw 53 serves.

The mode of operation of the suspended conveyor device according to the invention will be explained briefly below with reference to the figures.

In the region of a vertical transfer device 6, see Fig. 1, connecting rails 7, 8 are arranged on both sides of this along the travel path, which are formed from a stationary rail part 11 and a pendulum rail part 12. The two rail parts are rotationally stable connected to each other and the necessary installation of busbars along the track is not hindered. The vertical transfer device is associated with a Umsetzschienenabschnitt 5, which is raised and lowered. If the transfer rail section is lowered, the pendulum rail part automatically pivots into a corresponding pivot position. If the Umsetzschienenabschnitt raised again, it takes by means of a corresponding entrainment device 16, see, for example, Fig. 2, the pendulum rail part again in its Fahrwegposition 14 with.

The driving device can also be designed as a motor-adjustable stop element or as a motor adjustment device for direct adjustment of the pendulum rail part.

The pendulum rail part is due to the corresponding lifting movement of Umsetzschienenabschnitts when starting the Umsetzschienenabschnitts when starting the override position thereby raised so far that the two rails are approximately horizontal and easy driving over by a corresponding conveyor vehicle 4, see for example Fig. 1, is possible.

It should finally be noted that it is also possible to arrange two or more pendulum rail parts in succession and articulated with each other, wherein a first pendulum rail part according to the foregoing description is connected via a joint or a pivot bearing with a stationary rail part of a corresponding connecting rail. If two or more pendulum rail parts are arranged one behind the other, then each pendulum rail part can be pivoted by a smaller angle in order, for example, to allow the same pivoting angle as with only one pendulum rail part. It is also possible that the various pendulum rail parts each about the same angle as that described above, a pendulum rail part are pivotable, so that the result of the plurality of pendulum rail parts is a larger pivot angle relative to the stationary rail part. The return of the various pendulum rail parts in their substantially horizontal orientation can be done by a corresponding motor adjustment device or by a stop element on Umsetzschienenabschnitt and analog stop element for fixing the horizontal position between the various pendulum rail parts.

Claims (18)

1. Suspended conveyor system (1) comprising a runway (3) composed of rails (2) and along which runway at least one conveying trolley (4) can move, the runway (3) having at least one transfer rail section (5) which can be moved by means of an associated transfer device (6) relative to connecting rails (7, 8) arranged on both sides of the runway (3), between at least one transit position (9) and one processing position (10), characterized in that at least one connecting rail (7, 8) comprises a stationary rail part (11) and a pendulum rail part (12) which can be pivoted relative to the latter and which is assigned to the transfer device (6).
2. Suspended conveyor system according to Claim 1, characterized in that the pendulum rail part (12) can be pivoted, in particular in both directions, relative to the stationary rail part (11) about a pivot axis (13) which extends substantially horizontally and transversely with respect to the runway (3).
3. Suspended conveyor system according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pendulum rail part (12) can be pivoted automatically from its runway position (14) into a pivoted position (15) during the movement of the transfer rail section (5) into the processing position (10).
4. Suspended conveyor system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transfer rail section (5) and/or transfer device (6) have or has a driving device (16) by means of which the pendulum rail part (12) can be pivoted back into the runway position (14) during the movement of the transfer rail section (5) into the transit position (9).
5. Suspended conveyor system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the driving device (16) is designed as a stop element (17) which projects from the transfer rail section (5) in the direction of the pendulum rail part (12), which driving device (16) can be displaced in particular between an engagement position (18) and a disengagement position.
6. Suspended conveyor system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pendulum rail part (12) can be controllably displaced between the runway position (14) and pivoted position (15).
7. Suspended conveyor system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movement of the pendulum rail part (12) and transfer rail section (5) is synchronized.
8. Suspended conveyor system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pendulum rail part (12) and stationary rail part (11) are assigned a pivot arm (19, 20) which is fastened, in particular detachably fastened, to the respective rail part (11, 12), which pivot arms are connected to one another by means of a pivot bearing (21) and are designed, in particular, as pivot plates (23, 24) extending substantially in the rail longitudinal direction (22).
9. Suspended conveyor system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each pivot plate (23, 24) has a fastening section (25, 26) for detachable fastening to the rail part (11, 12) and a bearing section (27, 28) for receiving the pivot bearing (21).
10. Suspended conveyor system according to one of the preceding claims, in which the rails have a substantially I-shaped cross section, characterized in that at least the fastening section (25, 26) is detachably fastened laterally to the vertical I-web of the corresponding rail parts (11).
11. Suspended conveyor system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that longitudinal grooves (30, 31) are formed opposite one another in horizontal I-flanges (32, 33) of the rail part (11, 12), free end sections (34, 35) of at least the fastening section (25, 26) engaging, in particular with a positive fit, in these grooves.
12. Suspended conveyor system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivot bearing (21) comprises a bearing journal (36) and a journal-receiving bush (37) which receives the latter, at least the bearing journal (36) being held on one of the pivot plates (23, 24) and the journal-receiving sleeve being held by the other pivot plate (24, 23).
13. Suspended conveyor system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second pivot plate (24) assigned to the stationary rail part (11) is designed with a step (38) between the fastening section (26) and the bearing section (28), the bearing section (27) of the first pivot plate (23) being able to be arranged between the bearing section (28) of the second pivot plate (24) and the vertical I-web (29).
14. Suspended conveyor system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on its side (39) facing the vertical I-web (29), the fastening section (25, 26) has a backing support (40, 41) and/or each fastening section (25, 26) is assigned a screw-on plate (43) on that side (42) of the vertical I-web (29) which is remote from the said fastening section.
15. Suspended conveyor system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bearing section (27) of the first pivot plate (23) is assigned a cover plate (44) which is connected detachably to the said bearing section and which, in particular, has a bearing opening (45) for receiving an end section (46) of the bearing journal (36).
16. Suspended conveyor system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the journal-receiving sleeve (37) has a radially outwardly protruding annular flange (48) on its end (47) facing the bearing section (28) of the second pivot plate (24), this annular flange being able to be fitted into an annular depression (50) formed on a lower side (49) of the bearing section (28) of the second pivot plate (24), this lower side facing the bearing section (27) of the first pivot plate (23).
17. Suspended conveyor system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an intermediate plate (51) which is fastened, in particular detachably fastened, to the first pivot plate (23) engages between the cover plate (44) and bearing section (28) of the second pivot plate (24) and, in particular, comprises at least two slots (64) into which supporting devices such as feather keys or the like can be inserted.
18. Suspended conveyor system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stationary rail part (11) is assigned a suspension device (54).

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