EP2125313B1

EP2125313B1 - A transport system for sequential assembly of house bodies

Info

Publication number: EP2125313B1
Application number: EP08737532.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gerhard Kinast; Hans-Berth Klersy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Klersy Hans-Berth
Priority date: 2007-02-21
Filing date: 2008-02-20
Publication date: 2014-10-08
Anticipated expiration: 2028-02-20
Also published as: EP2125313A1; SE0700441L; WO2008102268A1; EP2125313A4; SE532257C2; ES2527443T3

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates in general to a transport system, and more specifically to a transport system which is directly adapted to be able to offer a sequential assembly, structured in accordance with the "assembly line principle", of one or a plurality of semi-house bodies and/or complete house bodies or units as modules.
The transport system, according to the present invention, is based on a method or a process for creating semi-house bodies and/or complete house bodies or units, by placing and securing, on a prefabricated floor element, modules, construction units, construction parts etc. which, coordinated in successive assembly stations, finally form a desired house body and/or a house unit or alternatively a semi-manufacture thereof.
The transport system is intended, for a continuous (or stepwise) production of the house bodies, to utilise a movably disposed, horizontally displaceable platform structure or set of platform segments for supporting one or more floor elements for one or more house bodies, said platform structure being movably disposed, by specifically configurated displacing means, as hydraulic operated piston-cylinder-arrangements, in two opposite directions, oriented towards one another, where a first direction is given first sets of platform structures and a second direction is given second sets of platform structures.
It should be observed that the expression "platform structure" and/or "platform set" is to be considered "virtually" in that there is, in practice, no clearly defined border or interface between a "first" platform structure or platform set and an adjacent "second" platform structure or platform set, as each platform structure is formed from a predetermined plurality of platform related segments, the expression here selected having come into use simply for purposes of simplification and clarification.
A transport system, disclosed according to the present invention finds its particular field of application within a production plant adapted for series or mass production of the same and/or different partly finished and/or completely finished house bodies, but may also be put into use for the production of more or less finished house units, such as semi-manufactures.

BACKGROUND ART

Methods, arrangements and constructions, relating to the above-disclosed technical field and possessing a function and a nature which satisfy set requirements, are previously known in the art in a plurality of different embodiments.
Thus, it is known in the art, within production plants for house bodies, to create a successive construction of these house bodies, more or less in accordance with an "assembly line principle".
The term "assembly line principle" is basically taken to signify that, during a production sequence, a floor element is to be moved, during a successive mounting sequence in position of applying modules, construction elements and/or units, from one assembly station to another.
The displacement of heavy platform structures and heavy house bodies or house constructions supported by the platform structure, and built from a floor element, formed from concrete, with a subjacent platform structure utilised and supporting the house bodies normally takes place stepwise, but can nevertheless still be considered as falling under the concept of the continuous "assembly line principle".
As regards the construction and production of less voluminous units, it is also known in the art to position semi-manufactures as units on specifically produced platforms and to impart to these platforms a continuous or stepwise displacement movement, with the aid of a used transport system, accordingly as the semi-manufacture is completed, in laterally related assembly stations, towards a finished product or unit.
It is further known in the art to cause said platforms, by per se known displacing means (such as hydraulically operated piston and cylinder assemblies), to be movably disposed in at least two main directions, oriented towards or opposite one another, where first direction is given first sets of platforms and a second direction is given second sets of platforms and where platform sets are coordinated in parallel side-by-side relation.
In such instance, the platforms consist of individual units and/or segments, with an outer circumference corresponding to or exceeding somewhat the circumference of the intended product as a unit or a module.
It is also known in the art methods and arrangements shown and described in the following patent publications;
US-A-3 820 216
US-A-3 958 320
US-A-4 272 050 and
DE-A1-2 338 445
Patent publication US-A-3 820 216 discloses a production line for the manufacture of prefabricated buildings.
It is here suggested a production line which is generally L-shaped.
The floor (1) has a long section (2) which comprises an assembly line (7) and a short section (3) which accommodates the greater part of a manufacturing line (10), said lines (7 and 10) extending generally at right-angles and optionally being located at different horizontal levels.
Various stores and other depots are provided along the two lines (7 and 10) which together constitute the production line of the factory.
The short section (3) includes an office (4) having direct access to the floor (1), a canteen and cloakroom (5) and a watch room (6) with toilet facilities.
At one corner of the floor (1) there is a depot or station (35) located at the head of the assembly line (7) in the long section (2) of the floor, said depot or station (35) also being at one end of the manufacturing line (10) and being fitted for the assembly of prefabricated panel elements to form cell-like building sections or room units intended for the construction of prefabricated dwelling or other buildings.
The term "cell-like building sections or room units" is to be interpreted as implying the provision of at least one wall and/or a floor and/or a ceiling.
Once assembled, said building sections or room units are conveyed along the assembly line (7) in common and are there provided with wallpaper or other wall coverings, doors, windows and so on as required.
Each building section or room unit is composed of a plurality of panel-like elements and normally will basically consist of a floor (80), upright walls (81 and 82) and a ceiling (83).
Patent publication US-A-3 958 320 discloses methods for the manufacture of pre fabricated building sections or room units and factories for the implementation of such methods.
It is here suggested the use of a hall (1) forming part of a factory, in which hall a production line (2) is arranged.
The production line (2) comprises a construction part (3), a manufacturing part (4) and an assembly part (5).
The panels that are to form walls, floors, ceilings and so on of the building sections are made in the parts (3 and 4) of the line (2) and are the assembled at the beginning of the part (5) of that line.
The assembled building sections are subject to further finishing techniques as they pass towards the end of the assembly part (5) of the production line (2) so that, when they reach said end, the sections are substantially complete and finished and are ready for use in the construction of prefabricated buildings.
A prefabricated building section (10) that may be made on the production line (2) is comprised principally by a floor panel (6), two wall panels (7 and 8) and a panel (9) for the ceiling or roof.
When the four panels (6 to 9) inclusive are assembled, the section (10) has the shape of a horizontally elongated rectangular parallelepiped, two opposite longer vertical side of which are missing.
Patent publication US-A-4 272 050 discloses a method and apparatus for pre-casting steel reinforced concrete box-like modules.
More specifically, the method and apparatus may be employed to form modules in a variety of ways.
They find their maximum utilization in an assembly line.
A completed pre-cast monolithic concrete module (300) including a floor (302), two longitudinally extending side walls (304), a roof (306) and a window opening (308).
Not shown are end walls which may partly or completely cover the end opening (310).
However, steel reinforcement means in the form of vertical rods (74) and horizontal rods (79) extending respectively from the floor and side walls are shown in preparation for the subsequent inclusion of a cast concrete end wall.
The assembly line is generally designated by the reference numeral (13) and comprises three sets of casting beds (15), each set including four casting beds.
The full advantages of the assembly line (13) can be realized whenever a set of interior forms (14) and a set of exterior forms (16), are associated with four casting beds (15). Thus, in the assembly line (13) it will be seen that there are three sets of interior forms (14) and three sets of exterior forms (16), one set for each four casting beds (15).
The patent publication DE-A1-2 338 445 discloses a method and a device for the production,of units or arrangements in the form of pallets.
It is here suggested preparatory sections (1-3) in a first production line segment, a perpendicular to said production line arranged transporting line or displacement means to transport the pallets to production sections (4, 5, 6 and7).
Sections (1-3) within the preparatory transporting line and the sections (4-7) within the production line are oriented in parallel.
Each pallet is exposing a rectangular form and is transported in a direction along the long sides.
DE 33 44 034 A1 discloses a transporting system according to the preamble of claim 1 with two sets of platforms next to each other and with transferring means to transfer each platform from one side to the other once this platform has reached the end of the line on one side or the other. This system is only optimised for one side of products. Indeed, no products greater than the size of the platform can be conveyed. And when a very small product is conveyed, there is still the need to use one full platform although only part of it could be sufficient.

Definitions:

The present invention is based upon predetermined "virtual" platform constructions where each platform consists of a number of platform related segments.
One platform may consist of a first number of segments, a second platform may consist of a first or a second number of segments, and so on.
Thus, a "virtual" platform consists of a number of segments which in a closed position may cover and support a ground or a floor unit for a building (and eventually thereto added segments).
Thus, the platforms simultaneously displaced may have the same or different forms and the same or different number of rectangular segments.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention aims at solving the following problem : to improve the flexibility of the known systems.
This problem is solved by the subject-matter of claim 1 and in particular the use of several platform segments to form a virtual platform of required dimensions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

One currently proposed embodiment, displaying the significative characterising features associated with the present invention, will now be described in greater detail hereinbelow for purposes of exemplification, with reference to the accompanying Drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 shows in principle a transport system with a platform structure, with sets of virtual platforms oriented in two parallel rows and where these are displaceable in each one of two counter-directed movements, where first coordinated sets of platforms are given a first direction of movement, while second coordinated sets of platforms are given a second, an opposing, direction of movement;
Fig. 2 shows a lateral displacement, significative of the invention, of a collection of coordinated platform segments (eight segments), supporting one or more semi-manufactures, from right-related sets of first platforms to left-related sets of second platforms;
Fig. 3 shows a lateral displacement, significative of the invention, of a single platform segment (9A4) from left-related second sets of platforms to right-related first sets of platforms;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a coordinated "virtual" platform in the form of an imaginary unit, with a number of total eight platform segments, illustrated supporting two floor units supported by selected segments; and
Fig. 5 is a sectional view through a floor unit, such as a unit which is placed to rest against only a few, say two or three, platform segments.

DESCRIPTION OF CURRENTLY PROPOSED EMBODIMENT

By way of introduction, it should be emphasised that, in the following description of one currently proposed embodiment, which displays the significative characterising features associated with the invention and which is clarified by means of the figures shown in the accompanying Drawings, we have selected terms and a special terminology with the intention in such instance principally of clarifying the inventive concept.
However, in this context it should be observed that expressions selected here should not be seen as restricted exclusively to the terms selected and utilised here, but that it should be understood that every such selected term is to be interpreted so that it in addition encompasses all technical equivalents, which function in the same or substantially the same manner in order in such instance to attain the same or substantially the same intention and/or technical effect.
With reference to accompanying Figs. 1-5 there are thus shown schematically and in detail not only the basic preconditions for the present invention but likewise the significative properties associated with the present invention have been given concrete form by means of the embodiment now proposed and described in greater detail hereinbelow.
Thus, Figs. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate the function of an endless transport system 1, constructed from platform structures, with coordinated virtual sets of platforms, where each such virtual platform set consists of a like or unlike number, forms and/or structures but each of a plurality, of platform segments, in different transport sequences and positions, and which system 1 is intended to be able to displace, continuously or stepwise, an elongate set of platform segments A1 to A8, transversely oriented in relation to the transport direction "D1" and "D2", applicable to each one of the platform sets 1A, 2A, 3A .... 9A. Each platform segment, such as A1, has a rectangular surface A1'.
The invention is intended, with the aid of a transport device "T" which, via displace means, cooperates with a plurality of adjacently oriented platform segments A1, A2, A3 ... A8, oriented in parallel and coordinated to individual sets of platforms, such as 1A, where the pattern of movement for these sets of platforms 1A-9A and each exposing platform segments A1 .... A8, are adapted to be able to offer a sequential assembly, structured in accordance with the "assembly line principle", of a plurality of house bodies or finished product.
Initially, this takes place in that, on platform segment A6, A7 and part of A8 (Fig. 4) within a platform set 1A, there is placed a metal frame 5 and coordinated module profiles 8, 8' and on site manufactured first floor element 2, and thereafter make for the positioning on the floor element 2 and its concrete slab 6 house associated modules, construction units, construction parts etc. (not shown), and under the utilisation of movably disposed sets of platforms, which are to displace themselves successively from platform 1A to 9A, for supporting of one, illustrated as 2 or more (2), floor element for one or more house bodies.
The floor element (2) accommodates the platform segments A2, A3 and A4.
Said platform structure, with its sets of platforms 1A ... 9A and where each platform set, such as 1A in Figure 4, is composed of a selected plurality of platform segments, here illustrated as segments A1, A2, ... A8, are, by not shown displacement means associated with the transport system "T" movably disposed in two directions, oriented opposite to one another, where a first direction "D1" is given first sets of platforms 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A and 5A and a second direction "D2" is given second sets of platforms 6A, 7A, 8A and 9A, under the exposure of a free buffer zone (in Fig. 1 located under the platform set 6A).
Fig. 2 illustrates how a coordinated set, in the form of a selected number of platform segments 5A1 ... 5A8 within the platform set 5A, included in said first sets of platforms 1A ... 5A, have been displaced "D3" to the left by a transport device "T" in order to take the place of the free buffer zone and thereby be able to be included in the second sets of platforms 5A; and 6A ... 9A in coordinated fashion.
Fig. 3 illustrates an intermediate position, where a platform set 9A empty of house bodies allocated to the platform segments 9A8, 9A7, has been displaced over so as to form a new platform set (1A).
Figs. 1 to 4 are intended to illustrate that, on a complete platform set 1A, with its platform segments A1 to A8, (Fig. 4) there are manufactured or placed one or more prefabricated floor elements 2, (2) with an outer "L" or here "U" shaped metal frame 5, transversely oriented metal profiles 8, 8' with through-going holes, a subjacent insulation panel or mat 7 and a concrete slab 6, divided in sections 4', 4" and forming an upper wear or floor surface 4a (according to Fig. 5).
The construction of this floor element 2 is shown in greater detail and described in a co-pending Swedish Patent Application, filed on today's date, and entitled "Floor element", filed by the same Applicant, and its corresponding International Patent Application WO 2008/102267 A1 .
The present invention is based on the feature that according as this or these floor elements 2, (2) are displaced in said first direction "D1" separate modules, construction units, construction parts etc. are applied to these floor elements 2 (2), within int. al. the platform sets 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A and 5A. Thus, one and the same construction is moved from one platform set 1A to 2A, to 3A and so forth.
When the displacement distance, along the first direction "D1", is completed for the platform set 1A, downstream to reference numeral 5A, a coordinated number (eight) of platform segments, such as 5A1 to 5A8, is displaced over so as to be included in the second sets of platforms and there be given a second displacement direction "D2", according to Fig. 2, and that during this transport distance 5A, 6A, 7A, 8A and to 9A the house bodies and/or semi-manufactures thereof (not shown) are supplemented further, towards a finished product, still resting against their original platform segments allotted the reference numerals A6, A7, A8 and A2, A3 and A4, respectively.
Displacement of platform segments from the second sets of platforms to the first set of platforms, according to Fig. 3, may be depending upon needs and take place piecewise and/or pairwise.
A displacement of platform segments, from the first set of platforms to the second set of platforms, normally takes place in a coordinated, as with 5-10, preferably 5-8, platform segment.
When the platform set 1A, with its two floor element 2, (2), has been displaced to the position 5A in Fig. 1, the platform segments A1-A4 can of course, as a unit, be displaced to the left, while platform segments A6, A7....A8 are displaced a selected time period later to the left, the floor elements 2 and (2) being able to change place in the production line.
According to the present invention a number of segments are transported along the displace direction "D1", each to an end and final position, along a displace direction "D3" in single cooperating number over to the displace direction "D2", each to an end and final position (9A4) and further long a displace direction "D4" to the first set (1A).
According to the present invention the displace direction "D1" and "D2" are supporting the sections by two or three sliding surfaces 10, 10a, however the displace directions "D3" and "D4" require a number of parallel sliding surfaces (or pair of surfaces) corresponding to the maximum number of segments included in a platform 5A.
Thus, as each virtual platform includes its number of segments, a computer (not shown) is allotted information of the number of and which segments are allocated to its virtual platform and its position in the transportation path and thus said computer may activate relevant displacement means.
The present invention is naturally not restricted to the embodiment disclosed above by way of example, but may undergo modifications without departing from the scope of the inventive concept as defined by the appended Claims.
In particular, it should be observed that every illustrated unit and/or circuit can be combined with every other illustrated unit and/or circuit within the scope of protection defined by the claims in order to be able to attain the desired technical function.

Claims

A transporting system (1) adapted to offer a sequential assembly of a plurality of house bodies, structured in accordance with an "assembly line principle", comprising:
- a movably disposed platform structure, with coordinated sets of platforms (1A-9A), adapted to support one or more floor elements (2, (2)) for one or more house bodies; and

- displacement means adapted to move said sets of platforms (1A-9A) in at least two directions ("D1", "D2") oriented opposite one another, wherein a first direction ("D1") is given a first set of platforms (1A-5A) and a second direction ("D2") is given a second set of platforms (6A-9A), wherein said first and second sets of platforms (1A-5A; 6A-9A) are arranged next to each other,
characterised in that
each platform set (1A-9A) comprises a selected number of platform segments (A1-A8) to form a virtual platform set,
the virtual platform sets are adapted to permit manufacture or positioning of one or more floor elements (2, (2)) on the virtual platform sets, as well as application of modules, construction units and/or construction parts to said one or more floor elements (2, (2)) to form one or more complementable semi-manufactures (2, (2)), as the virtual platform sets are displaced in said first direction ("D1"),
the transporting system further comprises a transport device ("T") adapted to displace only one segment and also adapted to displace a selected number of platform segments (A2, A3, A4; A6, A7, A8), supporting the one or more complementable semi-manufactures (2, (2)) in a third direction ("D3") from said first set of platforms (1A-5A) to a free buffer zone of said second set of platforms (6A-9A) when a displacement distance for said selected number of platform segments (A2, A3, A4; A6, A7, A8) in said first direction ("D1") is completed, so as to form an introducing part of the second set of platforms (6A-9A) and are there given the second displacement direction ("D2"), and
the virtual platform sets are adapted to permit further supplementation of the one or more complementable semi-manufactures (2, (2)) to a finished semi-manufacture and/or finished house body during displacement of the virtual platform sets in the second direction ("D2").
The system as claimed in Claim 1, further comprising displacement means adapted to displace platform segments (A1-A8) from the second set of platforms (6A-9A) to the first set of platforms (1A-5A) piecewise, pairwise and/or in coordination.