EP1905538A1 - Storing device for workpieces - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has an adjusting device (1) adjustably arranged on another adjusting device (2) that is adjustably arranged on a frame, where a distance between mounting devices (7.1, 7.2) is adapted to a dimension of a workpiece (6) by adjusting the device (1) against the device (2). The workpiece is aligned in reference to an alignment (8) formed by the mounting devices. A retainer device (5) is attached to the two adjusting devices and the frame, such that the alignment is provided opposite to the frame in a preset position independent of the dimension of the workpiece.

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a storage device for workpieces.

State of the art

Storage devices for workpieces are known in the art. Such storage devices are also referred to as workpiece carriers or as a device for the provision of workpieces and can be used for example in manufacturing technology. Thus, workpieces can be placed in a storage device and it can be accessed for example by a processing robot on these workpieces for performing a processing step. In this case, a workpiece is retrieved from the storage device by a robot arm, processed by means of a processing step and then returned to the original location of the storage device or to another free location of the storage device. A machining step may involve any machining step, such as mounting a bore, attaching a component, applying a thread, or performing a surface treatment such as surface painting. In this case, a machining robot can be set up such that a specific machining step can be carried out independently of a dimension of the workpiece, that is to say, for example, independently of the diameter of the workpiece, in an optimized manner, that is, for example, particularly quickly and inexpensively. In the prior art storage devices are known which are designed for a specific dimension of the workpiece, for example, for a certain diameter. For the production of similar workpieces of different dimensions, corresponding storage devices are used in the prior art for the respective dimension of the workpiece. So can for a first size of a workpiece, a first workpiece carrier can be used and for a second size of the workpieces, a second workpiece carrier can be used. However, the access by a robot arm to the workpieces must be reprogrammed when changing from a first size to a second size of the workpiece, since the workpieces are located at different locations on the workpiece carrier, depending on their size. In production engineering, it is also known, instead of reprogramming the robot arm, to redistribute the workpieces onto a workpiece carrier adapted to the robot arm. Such redistribution often occurs by hand and is therefore time consuming and costly. In addition, a specially adapted workpiece carrier is required for each size of the workpieces. It is a disadvantage of the prior art that no workpiece carriers are known, which are simple and can be easily and quickly adapted to different dimensions of workpieces, in particular different diameter of workpieces, without thereby a complete reprogramming of a robot arm for the Access to stored in the workpiece carrier workpieces is necessary.

Presentation of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to propose a new device for storing workpieces, which does not have the disadvantages of the prior art. The new device for storing workpieces should in particular be easily and quickly adaptable to different dimensions of workpieces.

According to the present invention, these objects are achieved in particular by the elements of the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments are also evident from the dependent claims and the description.

In particular, these objects are achieved by the invention in that a first displacement device is arranged displaceably on a second displacement device such that the second displacement device is displaceably arranged on a frame, in that the first displacement device and the second displacement device comprise oppositely arranged holding devices for storing workpieces, that by moving the first displacement device relative to the second displacement device, the distance between the receiving devices is adaptable to a dimension of workpieces, wherein workpieces with respect to one by the receiving devices formed centering, and that on the first displacement device, on the second displacement device and on the frame, a locking device is mounted such that the centering relative to the frame is always at the same position regardless of a dimension of workpieces. In particular, such a workpiece carrier has the advantage that workpieces in the workpiece carrier are always in the same position regardless of the size of the workpieces and can therefore be accessed by a robot arm for these workpieces, without the robot arm being reprogrammed for different sizes of the workpiece with respect to the workpiece position got to.

In one embodiment, the locking device is formed by suitably mounted and mutually associated holes through the first displacement device, by the second displacement device and by the frame and a bolt inserted into these holes. In this case, the displacement devices and the frame can be formed in particular from relatively thin sheets. The displacement devices can in particular be designed rectangular and guided against each other along the longer side of the displacement device against each other. The frame can be designed according rectangular. The holes can be mounted in particular on the edge of the sheets and the frame along the longer side of the displacement device. One way to attach these holes is to position the displacement devices against each other and with respect to the frame for a first workpiece size, with a drill bit a first hole to mount, which penetrates the shifters and through the frame, then to position the shifters for a second workpiece size - maintaining the centering of the workpieces - and then to attach a second bore. With a bolt, which is inserted in holes so mounted, the displacement devices can be fixed for a first or for a second workpiece size. Such a workpiece carrier has the particular advantage that the workpiece carrier is simple and that the workpiece carrier can be quickly and easily adapted to a workpiece size.

In another embodiment, associated with the first displacement device, on the second displacement device and on the frame guide openings with arranged in these guide slots guide pins. Such guide slots and guide pins can be mounted in particular in the region of the corners of the displacement devices and the frame. Such a workpiece carrier has the particular advantage that the guidance of the displacement devices relative to the frame can be configured with simple technical means.

In a further embodiment variant, the guide bolt consists of a screw, the guide opening attached to the frame comprises a thread for receiving the thread of the screw and the guide openings attached to the first displacement device and to the second displacement device consist of guide slots in which the shank of the screw engages one direction can move freely.

Brief description of the drawings

• Figur 1 zeigt schematisch in perspektivischer Darstellung einen erfindungsgemässen Werkstückträger.
• Figur 2 zeigt schematisch eine perspektivische Explosionsdarstellung eines erfindungsgemässen Werkstückträgers.
• Figur 3 zeigt schematisch eine erfindungsgemässe Arretierungsvorrichtung.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of examples. The examples of the embodiments are illustrated by the following attached figure:

• FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a workpiece carrier according to the invention.
• FIG. 2 schematically shows a perspective exploded view of a workpiece carrier according to the invention.
• FIG. 3 shows schematically a locking device according to the invention.

Ways to carry out the invention

In Figure 1, the reference numeral 3 refers to a frame of a workpiece carrier. The frame 3 may be formed of metal profiles, of sheet metal profiles or of any other materials. The frame 3 may include frame legs as sketched in FIG. The frame 3 may also be formed from sheet metal parts, so that such frame legs are not recognizable per se. The frame 3 may also include devices such as pins or slots to stack a plurality of racks on each other. In Figure 1, the reference numeral 1 refers to a first adjusting device and the reference numeral 2 refers to a second adjusting device. As outlined in FIG. 1, the adjusting devices 1, 2 are arranged on top of one another and on the frame 3.

In FIG. 2, the mentioned reference numbers refer to the same objects of the workpiece carrier according to the invention. FIG. 2 schematically shows a perspective exploded view of the first adjusting device 1, the second adjusting device 2 and the frame 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the adjusting devices are designed to match one another, wherein, in particular as described below, areas are created to accommodate workpieces. As shown in FIG. 2, the frame 3 can in particular comprise a free inner region, so that workpieces which are located in the workpiece carrier are also freely accessible from below, for example for a cleaning process.

In Figure 1, the reference numeral 7.1 refers to a first receiving device and the reference numeral 7.2 refers to a second receiving device. As shown in FIG. 1, the receiving device 7.1 is firmly connected to the displacement device 1 and the receiving device 7.2 is fixed to the displacement device 2 connected. As shown in FIG. 1, the first receiving device 7.1 and the second receiving device 7.2 are arranged opposite one another. As shown in FIG. 1, the first receiving device 7.1 and the second receiving device 7.2 can be formed, in particular, from opposing beams with triangular indentations, wherein respective storage places for workpieces are formed by the indentations. Such storage spaces are also referred to as "nests". As drawn in FIG. 1, such a storage location may comprise a centering 8, which centering 8 is defined, for example, by the intersection of imaginary connecting lines between diagonally opposite corners of the triangular indentations.

In Fig. 1, reference numeral 6 refers to a workpiece. As shown in Figure 1, the workpiece 6 may be arranged in one of the storage locations of the workpiece carrier described. The workpiece carrier shown in Figure 1, for example, offers space to arrange workpieces in 4 rows. Of course, more or fewer rows can be provided for arranging workpieces in a workpiece carrier. Each of the rows of the workpiece carrier shown in Figure 1 can accommodate 5 workpieces. Of course, the number of workpieces which can be accommodated by means of the workpiece carrier per row, can be designed arbitrarily. As shown in Figure 1, the workpiece 6 is centered with respect to a centering. This can result, in particular, in that the workpiece has a cylindrical shaft and a workpiece head as shown in FIG. The workpiece head rests on the receiving devices. The cylindrical shaft is arranged between the receiving devices. Depending on requirements, more or fewer workpieces can be arranged in each workpiece carrier.

In Figure 1, the reference numeral 4 refers to a guide slot. The guide slot 4 can be designed as a breakthrough by the first displacement device. Corresponding breakthroughs respectively guide slots can be attached to the second displacement device 2 and the frame 3. By means of screws, nuts and washers, which are arranged in or on the guide slots 4, the first displacement part 1 on the second displacement part 2 and the second displacement part 2 on the frame 3 along a direction of the guide slots can be arranged displaceably. By tightening the screw and the nut, the first sliding part 1 can be fixed at a certain position on the second sliding part 2 and the second sliding part 2 can be fixed on the frame 3 at a certain position. Of course, it can be achieved by any other arrangement that the sliding parts 1, 2 relative to the frame 3 along a direction can be slidably arranged. For example, 4 threaded bores for receiving a screw can be arranged on the frame 3 in the region of the guide slots drawn in FIG. By means of screws, which are guided through the guide slots 4 and screwed into the threaded holes mentioned, a device for easy mutual fixation of the sliding parts 1, 2 and the frame 3 can be created.

In Figure 1, the reference numeral 5 refers to a locking device according to the invention. The locking device 5 is substantially formed by bores, which are for example mounted along one side of the sliding parts 1, 2 and the frame 3, and by a bolt (not shown) which is mounted in said bores. In this case, holes which are associated with one another and are provided for the attachment of a bolt, the sliding parts 1, 2 completely and the frame 3 at least partially. Of course, the said holes may be attached to any suitable locations of the sliding parts 1, 2 and the frame 3. Thus, the holes can also be mounted on both sides of the sliding parts 1, 2 and the frame 3. Or the holes can along a central web (not shown) of the sliding parts 1, 2 and the frame 3 are mounted.

In Figure 3, the reference numeral 1 refers to a first sliding part, the reference numeral 2 refers to a second sliding part and the reference numeral 3 refers to a frame. As shown in Figure 3, holes 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3 are mounted in the sliding parts 1, 2 and in the frame 3. The holes 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 each comprise mutually associated holes, which in particular completely break through the sliding parts 1, 2 and the frame 3. As indicated in Figure 3 by the horizontal arrows, the sliding parts 1, 2 can be moved in a substantially horizontal direction. By choosing the holes in the sliding parts 1, 2 and the frame 3 can be achieved that the sliding parts 1, 2 against each other and with respect to the frame 3 in a definable position as soon as the holes are one above the other and once in a hole 5.1 (like shown in Figure 3) a bolt 5.9 is attached. Thus, the holes 5.1 may be mounted such that the receiving devices 7.1, 7.2 of the sliding parts 1, 2 form a storage space for a workpiece 6, wherein the storage space is designed for a first workpiece size, wherein the workpiece 6 is centered with respect to a centering 8 , The bores 5.2 can be mounted in such a way that as soon as these bores are one above the other and a bolt 5.9 is mounted in these holes, the storage space formed by the receiving devices 7.1, 7.2 is designed for a second workpiece size, the workpiece 6 with respect to the same centering 8 as centered for the first workpiece size.

Claims (4)

Storage device for workpieces (6), characterized in that a first displacement device (1) is displaceably arranged on a second displacement device (2) such that the second displacement device (2) is displaceably arranged on a frame (3) such that the first displacement device ( 1) and the second displacement device (2) arranged opposite receiving devices (7.1, 7.2) for storing workpieces (6) that by moving the first displacement device (1) relative to the second displacement device (2), the distance between the receiving devices (7.1 , 7.2) to a dimension of workpieces (6) is adaptable, wherein workpieces (6) with respect to a by the receiving devices (7.1, 7.2) formed centering (8) are centered, and that on the first displacement device (1), on the second displacement device (2) and the frame (3) a locking device (5) is mounted such that d he centering (8) with respect to the frame (3) is always located at the same position regardless of a dimension of workpieces (6). Storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking device (5) by suitably mounted and mutually associated holes through the first displacement device (1), by the second displacement device (2) and by the frame (3) and introduced into these holes bolt is formed. Storage device according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that attached to the first displacement device (1), the second displacement device (2) and the frame (3) associated guide slots (4) in these guide slots (4) guide pins are. Storage device according to claim 1 to 2, characterized in that on the frame (3) has an opening with a thread for receiving a screw is mounted and that on the first displacement device (1) and the second displacement device (2) a guide slot (4) is formed, that is a shank of the screw in the guide slot can move freely.

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