EP1464905B1 - Apparatus for transporting metallic workpieces - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (1) is for transporting metallic workpieces, particularly during heat treatment and comprises a transport unit (2) which is moved horizontally by a movement mechanism (3). The transport unit is borne by a frame (7) relatively movable to the movement mechanism. The transport unit is floatingly located in relation to the frame, by means of elastic bearing bodies (13), preferably made of rubber. The elastic bearing bodies have at least one preferably steel inlay plate. The transport unit (2) is a heat-insulated and gas and/or vacuum-tight transport chamber. For a vacuum-tight connection, the transport unit has a connection side tension device (12). The tension device is formed by at least two tension units movable relatively to the transport chamber, which engage in the tension position in abutments formed on a counter module.

Description

The invention relates to a device for transporting metallic workpieces, in particular during a heat treatment, with a transport device and a transport direction horizontally moving chassis.

Devices of the aforementioned type are known from the prior art, for example from EP 1 229 137 and have proven themselves in everyday practical use. They serve to easily transport the workpieces to be supplied in the course of a heat treatment to different heat treatment chambers and to supply them to the respective heat treatment chambers as needed. It is particularly advantageous that the transport device can be moved independently of the respective modular heat treatment chambers, so that it is possible for the user to approach individual treatment chambers in a variable order as needed. In order to ensure that the workpieces to be treated are exposed to only a predeterminable atmosphere during transport, according to EP 1 229 137 it may be provided to form the transport device as a heat-insulated and vacuum-tight transport chamber.

In such an embodiment of the transport device, it is essential that the transport device and the heat treatment chamber to be approached can be coupled to one another in a vacuum-tight and heat-insulated manner. For this purpose, it is necessary, the transport device on the one hand and the On the other hand, to precisely position the heat treatment chamber in its respective position, so that a defined coupling of the transport device to a respective heat treatment chamber can be performed. In this case, even slight deviations in the positioning of the transport device and / or the heat treatment chamber may result in positional inaccuracies, as a result of which reliable, ie in particular vacuum-tight, coupling of the transport device and heat treatment chamber can not always be guaranteed. Reasons for such positional inaccuracies can be manufacturing tolerances, wear and tear caused by wear, various temperature influences or pressure differences.

As a result of such positional deviations, there have been problems in the past with the coupling of the transport device, resulting in disadvantageously extended times for the execution of the procedure or even process aborts resulted.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a device for transporting metallic workpieces, which allows a positionally accurate coupling of the transport device to a counter module, for example to a heat treatment chamber.

This object is achieved by a device for transporting metallic workpieces, which is characterized in that the transport device is carried by a relative to the chassis movably arranged frame, wherein the transport device is mounted floating relative to the frame.

Horizontally movably arranged is the transport device by means of movable, for example, on rails chassis. The transport device can be approached in this way to individual counter modules, such as heat treatment chambers. The transport device is carried by a frame that is movable relative to the chassis, so that after the transport device has approached a counter module, the transport device can be coupled to the counter module relative to the chassis. A positioning of the transport device is therefore carried out due to two different movements. With a first movement, the transport device is approached as required by means of the horizontally moving chassis to the respective counter module and with a second movement, the transport device is moved relative to the chassis for coupling to the counter module. In the course of the second movement, the coupling of the transport device to the counter module, wherein according to the invention it is provided that the transport device is mounted floating relative to the frame. Any position inaccuracies of the transport device relative to the counter module can be compensated so that in each case a desired coupling of transport means on the one hand and counter module on the other hand can be achieved. The floating mounting of the transport device makes it possible to compensate for any misalignment of the transport device relative to the approaching counter module, which may arise, for example, as a result of manufacturing tolerances. A heat-insulated and vacuum-tight connection between the transport device and the counter module can thus be ensured in an advantageous manner.

For the purposes of the invention, this is understood to mean, under floating or else flexible mounting, such a bearing which, in particular with respect to the horizontal plane, has positional inaccuracies, ie. H. Can compensate for misalignments.

The floating mounting of the transport device is preferably formed from a plurality of elastic bearing bodies arranged between the transport device on the one hand and the frame on the other hand. In this case, preferably, each force-transmitting connection between the transport device and the frame is formed with the interposition of a corresponding bearing body. Thus, for example, be provided to connect the transport device and the corresponding thereto designed frame at four bearing points force-transmitting with each other. Correspondingly, a total of four bearing bodies would have to be provided, one bearing body each being to be arranged between the frame and the transport device per bearing point.

According to a further feature of the invention, the bearing bodies have a molded body preferably made of rubber. As a result, an elastic storage of the transport device is achieved with respect to the frame, whereby the above-described floating storage is ensured. In this case, the moldings preferably on the frame as well as on the transport device side each have a metal plate, preferably made of steel end plate. This allows a good connectivity of the bearing body both with the transport device and with the frame on the one hand and a good application of force to be absorbed by the bearing bodies respectively bearing forces on the other. In addition, the terminal plates can absorb a comparatively high vertical force with little deformation, so that the safe storage is also guaranteed a laden with workpieces transport.

According to a further feature of the invention, the shaped body also has at least one insert plate made of metal, preferably of steel. The effect described above, that the bearing body can accommodate a high vertical force with less deformation, is enhanced by this measure in an advantageous manner.

Overall, a floating storage of the transport device is realized with the bearing bodies according to the invention in a simple and cost-effective manner, which is able to compensate in a relative to the transport horizontal plane greater movements and positional inaccuracies, while ensuring that high vertical forces can be absorbed by the storage.

In order to be able to prevent damage to the bearing body as a result of thrust forces occurring, it is provided according to a further feature of the invention that the connection plate or the insert plate are arranged on or vulcanised onto the shaped body. A safe introduction of force or power transmission within the bearing body is ensured in this way.

According to a further feature of the invention it is provided that for a vacuum-tight connection of a transport device designed as a transport chamber to a correspondingly formed counter module, the transport chamber has a connection side arranged clamping device. The purpose of this clamping device is the positionally secure fixation of the transport chamber relative to the counter module. A precisely using an expansive module using the flexible storage transport device can be fixed in position on the counter module with the help of the clamping device, so that after a coupling of the transport relative displacement between the transport device and counter module is not possible. The formation of a gas- and / or vacuum-tight connection between the transport device and the counter module can thus be secured in position until the clamping device is released.

As an alternative to the above-described clamping device, it is of course also possible to effect a vacuum-tight connection between the transport device and the counter module by pressing the transport device against the counter module, but in practice, in particular the use of a clamping device has proved to be particularly effective. To support the Ankoppelbewegung a centering device may be provided on the counter module, which centers the approaching transport device with respect to the on the transport means on the one hand and the counter module on the other hand provided openings.

According to a further feature of the invention, the clamping device consists of at least two movable relative to the transport device arranged clamping means, which engage in Verspannstellung formed in the counter module abutment. The two movably arranged clamping means are preferably arranged laterally opposite to the transport device and are extended after positioning of the transport device relative to the counter module and hooked into abutment formed on the counter module. Subsequently, the clamping means are tightened, whereby in position-securing manner, the transport device is pressed against the counter module. For a simplified engagement of the clamping means in the abutment formed on the counter module, the clamping means are preferably designed to be rotatable.

The clamping means are preferably formed from a hydraulically, pneumatically and / or electrically displaceable or rotatable cylinder, at the end of which a counter-module end is formed. Preferably, the Clamps interchangeably arranged on the cylinder, so that they can be selected and assembled according to size and weight as needed.

To form a gas-tight and / or vacuum-tight connection between the transport device and the counter module, the transport device has a seal on the connection side, preferably in the form of an O-ring. After pressing the transport device to the counter module is achieved by means of this seal all requirements expectant seal between the transport device and counter module, so that at the end opposite the atmosphere surrounding workpieces from the counter module in the transport device and vice versa can be transferred.

Fig. 1:

eine schematische Seitenansicht einer Vorrichtung zum Transportieren metallischer Werkstücke gemäß der Erfindung;

Fig. 2:

eine schematische Draufsicht von oben einer Vorrichtung zum Transportieren metallischer Werkstücke gemäß der Erfindung;

Fig. 3:

eine schematische Rückansicht einer Vorrichtung zum Transportieren metallischer Werkstücke gemäß der Erfindung;

Fig. 4a:

eine Seitenansicht eines Lagerkörpers;

Fig. 4b:

eine Draufsicht auf einen Lagerkörper;

Fig. 5:

eine schematische Darstellung einer Anlage zur Wärmebehandlung metallischer Werkstücke unter Verwendung einer Vorrichtung gemäß der Figuren 1 bis 3 und

Fig. 6a bis 6d:

eine schematische Draufsicht von oben betreffend die einzelnen Schritte eines Ankoppelvorganges.

Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to FIGS. Showing:

Fig. 1:

a schematic side view of an apparatus for transporting metallic workpieces according to the invention;

Fig. 2:

a schematic plan view from above of a device for transporting metallic workpieces according to the invention;

3:

a schematic rear view of an apparatus for transporting metallic workpieces according to the invention;

Fig. 4a:

a side view of a bearing body;

Fig. 4b:

a plan view of a bearing body;

Fig. 5:

a schematic representation of a plant for heat treatment of metallic workpieces using a device according to Figures 1 to 3 and

6a to 6d:

a schematic plan view from above concerning the individual steps of a Ankoppelvorganges.

Shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is a device for transporting metallic workpieces, wherein the device 1 shown here has a transport device in the form of a cylindrical transport chamber 2 which is thermally insulated and vacuum-tight towards the outside. The transport chamber 2 is used for receiving and transport to a batch compiled, not shown in detail in the figures workpieces.

The device 1 further comprises a chassis 3, under the use of the transport chamber 2 is moved horizontally. The chassis 3 preferably consists of a frame structure not shown in detail, which is guided by means of corresponding wheels 4 in trained rails 5. For driving a arranged on the chassis 3 electric motor 6 is carried, designed as a transport chamber 2 transport device of a frame 7, which in turn is arranged transversely to the direction of movement of the chassis 3 on this movable. For this purpose, the frame 7 has wheels 8, by means of which the frame 7 can be moved relative to the chassis 3 on rails 9 formed on the chassis 3.

The device 1 is also provided with means not shown in the figures for loading and unloading to be arranged within the transport chamber 2 workpieces having a horizontally movable pawl. By an electromechanical drive, the pawl can be moved by means of a forward and backward pressure chain in the horizontal direction, the leadership of the empty tower is made in a vertically arranged recording. In this way it is ensured that all start or braking operations in terms of a reliable transport of the workpieces from the transport chamber 2 into a treatment chamber 50, as shown for example in Figures 5 and 6a to 6d, or vice versa soft, d. H. run smoothly.

As can be seen in particular from FIGS. 1 to 3, the transport chamber 2 is connected to a vacuum system 10. This system makes it possible to evacuate the interior of the transport chamber 2 to a final pressure of about 0.1 mbar and to maintain this pressure level at a leak rate of about 0.003 mbar I / sec. Thus, it is ensured that the located in the transport chamber 2, heat-treated Workpieces are protected from environmental influences, such as an undesirable oxidation inducing oxygen supply.

In order to avoid a noticeable drop in temperature of the workpieces that were previously heated in a treatment chamber 50, the transport chamber 2 is provided with exchangeable thermal insulation of, for example, chromium-nickel steel and additionally has heating elements connected to a current feedthrough. The heating elements allow heating of the empty transport chamber 2 up to about 1200 ° C in a very short time at a control temperature of about ± 5 ° C.

On the front side of the transport chamber 2, a hermetically closing loading door is arranged, which can be raised in the vertical direction by means of a hydraulic drive in the present case, but also electrically or pneumatically actuated, depending on the application. To open or close the loading door moves in a double-walled portal 11 on the side facing away from the transport chamber 2 a clamping device forming clamping means 12 are arranged. The provided with the wheels 4 chassis 3 of the device 1 is driven by a driven by means of an inverter and thus jerk-free starting or braking E-motor 6, preferably a geared motor. The positional accuracy of about 1 mm permitting travel speed of the freely traveling in all directions and rotating on the ground chassis 3 is only between 0.01 m / sec and 0.03 m / sec, so that additional protective measures, such as a grid arrangement are dispensable. At the front and rear end of the chassis 3 but safety devices are nevertheless provided to trigger an emergency stop when hitting an obstacle.

The arranged on the chassis 3 rails 9 serve the relative movability of the transport chamber 2 relative to the chassis 3, wherein a method of the transport chamber 2 by a distance of about 200 mm is possible. The transport chamber 2 is moved by a hydraulic cylinder, not shown.

For a positionally accurate coupling of the transport chamber 2 on serving as a counter module treatment chamber 50, the transport chamber 2 is mounted by means of flexible bearing body 13 floating in the frame 7. Is caused by this floating bearing, that the transport chamber 2 is arranged relatively movable in a horizontal plane to the frame 7, so that position and position inaccuracies between transport chamber 2 on the one hand and treatment chamber 50 on the other can be compensated. A secure docking, ie a secure vacuum-tight coupling of the transport chamber 2 on the counter module can be ensured in an advantageous manner. To assist the Ankoppelvorganges also a centering can be provided, which is optionally arranged on the counter module or the transport chamber 2.

Preferably to be used bearing body 13 are shown by way of example in Figures 4a and 4b. The bearing body is formed from an elastic material, for example a molded body 17 formed from rubber. The molded body 17 has a closing plate 14 or 15 formed from metal, preferably from steel, both on the frame and on the transport chamber side. These connection plates 14 and 15 are provided with bores 18, which make it possible to easily form a force-transmitting connection between the transport chamber 2 on the one side and the frame 7 on the other side. Taken into the mold body 17 are also insert plates 16. Together, the terminal plates 14 and 15 and the insert plates 16 contribute to the fact that the bearing body 13 can accommodate a high vertical force with only a small deformation. In the horizontal plane, d. H. However, in the plane substantially parallel to the terminal or insert plates plane movements, d. H. Position or position inaccuracies of the transport chamber 2 are compensated and compensated relative to the frame 7. In this way, a positionally accurate alignment of the transport chamber 2 relative to the counter module is possible. The floating or flexible mounting of the transport chamber 2 thus allows a position inaccuracies compensating coupling of the transport chamber 2 on the counter module 50th

For a position-safe arrangement of the transport chamber 2 to the treatment chamber 50 are provided on the transport chamber 2 clamping means 12. These are movable and can be moved as needed so that the transport chamber 2 is pressed to form a vacuum-tight connection to the treatment chamber 50.

The clamping means 12 are each formed by a hydraulic cylinder 19 and a clamping arm 20 arranged on the hydraulic cylinder 19 at the end. Each hydraulic cylinder 19 is carried by a crossbar 21, which in turn is arranged on the transport chamber 2. The hydraulic cylinders 19 can be moved in the direction transverse to the direction of movement of the chassis 3 and rotated about the longitudinal axis of the hydraulic cylinders 19. In Verspannstellung the iron 20 of the clamping means 12 engage in formed on the treatment chamber 50 abutment 22, as can be seen in particular in Figures 6a to 6d.

Shown in FIGS. 6a to 6d is the process sequence of coupling the transport chamber 2 to a treatment chamber 50. The transport chamber 2 is brought into position by the chassis 3 in FIGS. 6a to 6d with respect to the treatment chamber 50 to which the transport chamber 2 is coupled should. According to the position shown in Fig. 6a, the transport chamber 2 is still at a relative distance from the treatment chamber 50, wherein the clamping means 12 are in their initial position.

According to the position shown in Fig. 6b, the transport chamber 2 together with the frame 7 is moved relative to the chassis 3 and approached in the direction of the treatment chamber 50 thereto. In this position, the transport chamber 2 and the treatment chamber 50 are now only a few millimeters away from each other. Also in this position, the transport chamber 2 dwell the clamping means 12 still in their starting position. As soon as the transport chamber 2 has reached the position shown in FIG. 6b, the hydraulic cylinders 9 of the clamping means 12 rotate by 90 °, so that the clamping arms 20 of the clamping means 12 engage in the abutment 22 formed on the counter module. In the next method step, which is shown in Fig. 6d, proceed now the hydraulic cylinder 12 back towards the transport chamber 2, wherein due to the support of the clamping arm 20 on the abutments 22, the transport chamber 2 used the remaining millimeters of the treatment chamber 50 and vacuum-tight this is squeezed. On the connection side, the transport chamber can have a seal, preferably in the form of an O-ring.

According to the invention, a position or position compensation possibility of the transport chamber 2 with respect to a treatment chamber 50 is provided using the floating bearing, so that any misalignment of the transport chamber 2 can be compensated. The thus balanced positioning of the transport chamber 2 relative to the treatment chamber 50 can be secured in position using the clamping means 12, wherein a vacuum-tight connection between the transport chamber 2 on the one hand and treatment chamber 50 on the other hand achieved by the transport chamber 2 with the interposition of a corresponding seal by the clamping means 12 is pressed against the treatment chamber 50. Once the loading and unloading process is completed, the clamping means 12 can be released again, whereby the treatment chamber 2 can be released again and compared to the treatment chamber 50 can be moved.

FIG. 5 shows by way of example a system in which a device 1 described according to FIGS. 1 to 3 is used. On both sides of the device 1, a number of different treatment chambers 50 are placed, which are provided a vacuum preheating 50a, vacuum carburizing 50b, diffusion chamber 50c and a gas quenching chamber 50d or alternatively also oil or Salzbadsabschreckkammern.

In order to transport the untreated workpieces initially introduced into the vacuum preheating chamber 50a via a conveyor belt or a roller conveyor 51 into the treatment chamber 50 corresponding to the respective heat treatment, the transport chamber 2 of the transport device 1 is moved over the sluice 55 stationarily arranged in front of each treatment chamber 50 the vacuum preheating chamber 50a coupled. In the manner described above, a coupling takes place using the clamping means 12 described above.

To load the transport chamber 2 with the workpieces, the lock 55 and the transport chamber 2 are evacuated. Then, the doors of the vacuum preheating chamber 50a and the lock 55 and the loading door of the transport chamber 2 are opened and the workpieces are loaded into the transport chamber 2 by means of the loading fork. After the loading door is closed again, The transport chamber 2 is transported to one of the vacuum carburizing chambers 50b. The thermal insulation and the heating elements make sure that the workpieces experience no temperature loss. After reaching the position of the corresponding carburizing 50b opens a loading door opposite the second door of the rails 5 rectilinearly movable transport device 1 and the workpieces are moved over the standing on this treatment chamber 50 lock by means of the forks in the carburizing 50d.

During further transport of the workpieces in approximately one of the diffusion chambers 50c or the gas quenching chamber 50d, the sequence described above is repeated in a corresponding manner. The respective separately evacuated designed locks 55 help that the workpieces can be transported without great loss of time between treatment chambers 50, such as the carburizing 50b and the diffusion chambers 50c, accommodate different atmospheres, while ensuring that the workpieces in they are transported against environmental influences protective vacuum inside the transport chamber 2. Finally, the workpieces leave the gas quenching chamber 50d via a conveyor belt 52 which, depending on the type of heat treatment, conveys the workpieces to a tempering furnace 53 and to a cooling tunnel 54 adjoining this.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

contraption

2

transport chamber

3

chassis

4

wheel

5

rail

6

electric motor

7

frame

8th

wheel

9

rail

10

vacuum system

11

portal

12

clamping means

13

bearing body

14

connecting plate

16

insert plate

17

moldings

18

drilling

19

hydraulic cylinders

20

clamps

21

traverse

22

abutment

50

Treatment chamber / counter module

50a

Vacuum preheating

50b

Vacuum carburizing

50c

diffusion chamber

50d

Gas quenching chamber

51

Conveyor belt / roller track

52

Conveyor belt / roller track

53

tempering furnace

54

cooling tunnel

55

lock

Claims (14)

1. Apparatus for transporting metallic work pieces, particularly during heat treatment, including a transport device and a drive unit (3) moving the transport device horizontally, characterised in that the transport device is supported by a frame (7), which is moveably disposed with respect to the drive unit (3), whereby the transport device is mounted floating with respect to the frame (7)
2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the floating mounting of the transport device is constituted by a plurality of elastic support bodies (13) arranged between the transport device on the one hand and the frame (7) on the other hand.
3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the support bodies (13) include a shaped body (13) formed, preferably, of rubber.
4. Apparatus in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the shaped body (17) includes a respective end plate (14, 15) consisting of metal, preferably of steel, on the frame side and also on the transport device side.
5. Apparatus claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the shaped body (17) includes an insert plate (16) consisting of metal, preferably of steel.
6. Apparatus as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the end plate (14, 15) and the insert plate (16) are vulcanised onto and into, respectively, the shaped body (17).
7. Apparatus as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the transport device is a heat insulated transport chamber (2) which is of gas and/or vacuum-tight construction.
8. Apparatus as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that for the purpose of vacuum-tight connection of a transport device constructed in the form of a transport chamber (2) to a correspondingly constructed complementary module (5), the transport chamber (2) includes a clamping device provided on the connection side.
9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that the clamping device is constituted by at least two clamping means (12), which are moveably arranged relative to the transport chamber (2) and, in the clamped position, engage into an abutment (22) formed on the complementary module (50).
10. Apparatus as claimed in one of claims 8 or 9, characterised in that the clamping means (12) are rotatable.
11. Apparatus as claimed in one of claims 8 to 10, characterised in that the clamping means (12) are moveable or rotatable hydraulically, pneumatically and/or electrically.
12. Apparatus as claimed in one of claims 8 to 11, characterised in that the clamping means (12) include clamping brackets (20) on their end closest to the complementary module.
13. Apparatus as claimed in one of claims 8 to 12, characterised in that the abutments (22) formed on the complementary module (50) are constructed to correspond to the clamping brackets (20).
14. Apparatus as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the transport chamber (2) includes a seal on the connection side, preferably in the form of an o ring.

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