EP2167251B1 - Device for handling a load such as a sheet metal coil - Google Patents

Description

Technical area :

The present invention relates to a device for handling a load, such as a sheet metal coil according to the preamble of claim 1, comprising a support capable of carrying said load, said support being able to rotate on a chassis between at least one first position in which the axis of said load is vertical, so-called vertical axis position, and a second position in which the axis of said load is horizontal, so-called horizontal axis position, the frame being coupled to drive means to be mobile so as to be able to load and / or unload said load on another machine, such as a reel, and the support comprising means for holding and positioning said load arranged to hold said load during its change of position and depositing and / or resuming said load on or of said machine. An example of such a device is known from the document US-A-3,753,505 .

Prior art:

In the field of metallurgy, strips, sheets and the like which are packaged in coils, called "coils", are used to feed the production lines of metal parts obtained by cutting, stamping, forming, etc. These production lines are fed by feeders arranged at the head of line, on which the coils are carried by horizontal axis mandrels, in most cases. For coil widths less than about 500 mm, the coils are stacked, separated by planks, and rimmed on pallets or the like, to be stored and transported, the axis of these coils being vertical. It is therefore necessary to raise, swing or rotate a quarter turn each coil before being able to load on a reel, so as to move its axis from the vertical position to the horizontal position.

• ▪ par suspension de chaque bobine à un crochet à l'extrémité d'une élingue portée par un pont roulant,
• ▪ par retournement de chaque bobine avec la fourche d'un chariot élévateur (opération très dangereuse),
• ▪ par basculement de l'ensemble de la palette et de la pile de bobines sur une machine appelée « basculeur » du type à virole ou à équerre tournante, qui est une machine très coûteuse et très encombrante. L'inconvénient majeur de cette solution est qu'il faut retourner toute la pile de bobines alors que le besoin en production peut n'être que d'une seule bobine ou même que d'une fraction de cette seule bobine.

This operation is relatively dangerous. To date, it is done in different ways:

• ▪ by suspending each coil at a hook at the end of a sling carried by a traveling crane,
• ▪ by turning each spool with the fork of a forklift (very dangerous operation),
• ▪ by tilting the entire pallet and the coil stack on a machine called "tipper" type ferrule or rotating angle, which is a very expensive and very cumbersome machine. The major disadvantage of this solution is that it is necessary to return the entire coil stack while the production need may be only one coil or even a fraction of this single coil.

The publication US 4,322,198 proposes an automatic solution using an angled arm controlled in rotation to change the position of the axis of the sheet metal coil carried by the arm. The publication US 3,395,813 proposes another automatic solution using the weight of the spool for tilting a support from a position with a vertical axis to a position with a horizontal axis, maintaining the support in position with a vertical axis and returning the support in position with a vertical axis and it is held in this position by an actuator.

Whatever the means used to perform the tilting of a coil, the equipment or machines used are only used for this operation. Once the tilting is completed, it is necessary to load the reel. This additional operation consists in taking the coil in the horizontal axis position, positioning it and engaging it on the mandrel of the reel, at a depth exceeding the middle point of the jaws of the mandrel, before removing it.

This problem exists in other technical fields, such as the paper industry, the plastics industry, and so on. wherein the materials are packaged in coils or the like, which are heavy products to be handled.

Some solutions have been developed to meet part of this complementary function. The publications US 3,753,505 , US5,332,351 , GB 1,212,521 and EP 0 311 869 propose a handling device combining loading and unloading of a winder with tilting of the reel. However, no device allows to engage the coil on the mandrel of the reel deep beyond the midpoint of the jaws of the mandrel, before depositing. In addition, some solutions are very complex and expensive to implement and others require a reel or a specifically adapted infrastructure.

Current solutions are therefore incomplete and unsatisfactory, especially for the safety of the operator.

Invention:

The present invention aims to provide a solution to the problem by means of a simple, economical, compact, reliable and secure handling device, versatile, for switching each coil individually, and combining the tilting operation with the operations of loading and unloading of any type of reel.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a handling device of the kind indicated in the preamble, characterized in that said support comprises a central opening to be traversed by a mandrel of a reel during the loading and unloading operations of said load and in that said means for holding and positioning the load on the support are movable in translation radial and / or axial to align the axis of the load with the axis of the mandrel of the reel during said operations.

These holding and positioning means may comprise a hook adapted to bear on the inner bore of the load or a cradle able to bear on the outside of the load. According to the variant embodiments, the axis of rotation of the support on the chassis can be offset relative to the center of gravity of the support added with the load, this support being arranged to tilt under the effect of gravity in a direction of rotation. to move from position to vertical axis to position to horizontal axis. In this case, the tilting of the load in at least one direction of rotation is obtained without input of energy.

According to other embodiments, the axis of rotation of the support on the frame may be substantially coincidental with the center of gravity of said support plus the load. In this case, the device advantageously comprises additional drive means coupled to said support to switch from the vertical axis position to the horizontal axis position and vice versa.

In an alternative embodiment, the frame may be movable in translation in guide rails and the drive means may comprise at least one actuator coupled to said frame by a transmission.

These drive means are advantageously coupled to the support to switch in the direction of rotation to move from its horizontal axis position to the vertical axis position and may comprise a stand extending between a fixed stop fixed to the guide rails and an integral articulation of the support opposite the axis of rotation.

In another embodiment, the actuating means may comprise a fixed cam ramp on which circulates a roller secured to the support opposite the axis of rotation.

The guide rails are advantageously arranged in the extension of a reel and the actuating means are, in this case, arranged to move the frame of an additional stroke to load and / or unload the reel when the support is in position with horizontal axis.

Preferably, the frame has a stop defining the horizontal axis position of the support.

The cam ramp may comprise a first inclined section corresponding to the travel of the chassis during the rotation of the support and a second horizontal section corresponding to the additional travel of loading and / or unloading of the reel.

In another variant embodiment, the chassis may be on board a rolling machine constituting said drive means, and may comprise lifting means arranged to position said chassis in height.

Brief description of the drawings:

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un premier mode de réalisation d'un dispositif de manutention selon l'invention,
• les figures 2A à 2C sont des vues de côté du dispositif de la figure 1 respectivement en position à axe horizontal, en position intermédiaire et en position à axe vertical,
• les figures 3A-D sont des vues de détail de quatre variantes de réalisation des moyens de positionnement prévus sur le dispositif de la figure 1,
• les figures 4A à 4D sont des schémas de principe d'une variante de réalisation du dispositif de la figure 1 montrant les quatre séquences de fonctionnement pour charger une bobine sur un dévidoir,
• les figures 5A à 5D sont des vues schématiques d'une autre variante de réalisation du dispositif de la figure 1 montrant les mêmes séquences de fonctionnement qu'aux figures 4A à 4D,
• les figures 6A à 6D sont des vues schématiques d'une seconde forme de réalisation du dispositif de la figure 1 montrant les même séquences de fonctionnement, et
• les figures 7A et 7B sont des vues en perspective d'une station d'indexage de deux bobines respectivement en attente et en cours de chargement.

The present invention and its advantages will appear better in the following description of several embodiments given as non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• the figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a handling device according to the invention,
• the FIGS. 2A to 2C are side views of the device of the figure 1 respectively in the horizontal axis position, the intermediate position position and the vertical axis position position,
• the Figures 3A-D are detailed views of four alternative embodiments of the positioning means provided on the device of the figure 1 ,
• the Figures 4A to 4D are schematic diagrams of an alternative embodiment of the device of the figure 1 showing the four operating sequences to load a coil on a reel,
• the Figures 5A to 5D are schematic views of another alternative embodiment of the device of the figure 1 showing the same operating sequences as Figures 4A to 4D ,
• the Figures 6A to 6D are schematic views of a second embodiment of the device of the figure 1 showing the same operating sequences, and
• the Figures 7A and 7B are perspective views of an indexing station of two coils respectively waiting and being loaded.

Illustrations of the invention and various embodiments:

The figures 1 and 2 illustrate a first embodiment of a handling device 30, according to the invention, arranged to switch a load C by a quarter of a turn and to perform in addition the loading and / or unloading of this load C on another machine, such as a reel D provided with a mandrel M adapted to receive the load C. This load C may be a sheet metal coil, as shown in the figures, deposited by a forklift truck or the like, and intended to feed a reel located at the head of a production line, or an unfinished sheet metal reel to take back from the reel. This charge C may also consist of a stack of metal coils, as shown schematically in FIG. 3D figure , intended to feed a reel, the reels being deposited one after the other.

The handling device 30 comprises a frame 31 movable in translation in guide rails 313 fixed to the ground in the axis of a reel D, this frame being coupled to drive means 35. It comprises a base 310 provided with rolling means housed in the guide rails 313, surmounted by a bracket 311 carrying at its free end a bearing 312 defining the axis of rotation A. The frame 31 carries a support 32 adapted to receive a load C such that a coil of sheet metal or the like. This support 32 comprises a frame or the like, rotatable about the axis of rotation A between at least one position with a vertical axis V and a position with a horizontal axis H, and vice versa. The axis of rotation A is in this example offset. relative to the center of gravity G of the support 32, so that the tilting of the support 32 in the clockwise direction R, to move from its position to vertical axis V to its position to horizontal axis H, is generated by the weight of the load C on the support 32 under the effect of gravity G. This mechanism is not reversible, the reverse tilting in the counterclockwise direction R 'being generated by the means of training 35 detailed below.

The drive means 35 comprise an actuator 350 such as a geared motor or the like coupled to the frame 31 by a transmission such as a pinion and chain system 351, the chain circulating in a closed loop in the U-shaped guide rails 313. any other known transmission may also be suitable. They also comprise a stand 352 which extends between a fixed abutment 353 integral with the guide rails 313 and a hinge 354 secured to the support 32 opposite the axis of rotation A. This stand 352 provides a locking function of the position of the support 32 and a rotational drive function of the support 32 in the counterclockwise direction R 'to move it from its horizontal axis position H to its vertical axis position V, as illustrated in FIGS. FIGS. 2A to 2C .

The operation of the handling device 30 is explained with reference to FIGS. 2A to 2C in which the device is shown empty. In the position illustrated in Figure 2C the handling device 30 is waiting to receive a load C, is remote from the reel D and the support 32 is in its position with a vertical axis V. When a load C is deposited on the support 32, the latter remains locked in its position with vertical axis V thanks to the stand 352 bearing against the fixed stop 353. The startup of the actuator 350 generates the movement of the frame 31 to the reel D and allows the rotation of the support 32 under the effect of gravity G. The articulation 354 of the stand 352 travels in a clockwise circle R centered on the fixed stop 353, until the support 32 reaches its position with a horizontal axis H illustrated in FIG. Figure 7A , delimited by a stop 314 provided on the frame 31, wherein the load C is facing the reel D. This first part of the race of the frame 31 is called L1 approach stroke. From this position, the frame 31 continues to move towards the reel D, driving with him the stand 352 whose foot runs in the guide rails 313, to an end stop 355 which stops the actuator 350 and defines the position of loading and / or unloading of the reel D. This second part of the Chassis race 31 is called L2 load race. The load C can be transferred from the support 32 to the mandrel M as explained below.

The return of the handling device 30 to its initial position illustrated in FIG. Figure 2C is performed by reversing the direction of rotation of the actuator 350 to drive the frame 31 in the opposite direction to the reel D. The frame 31 retreats a stroke L2 causing the stand 352 to its fixed stop 353 (cf. Fig. 2A ). At this stage, the frame 31 continues its displacement opposite the reel D and the stand 352 generates the rotation of the support 32 about its axis of rotation A in the anticlockwise direction R '(cf. Fig. 2B ) to move from its position with horizontal axis H to its position with vertical axis V (cf. Fig. 2C ).

The handling device 30 comprises means for holding and positioning 36 of the load C on the support 32 to prevent any risk of the load C falling and to ensure alignment with the mandrel M of the reel D to be loaded. For this purpose, the support 32 is preferably perforated to allow the passage of the mandrel M through said support 32. In the examples shown, the support 32 consists of a frame defining a central opening 33 sufficient to receive the mandrel M in the example of the figure 3A , the holding and positioning means 36 are in the form of a hook 360 adapted to bear on the internal bore of the load C. This hook 360 is slidably mounted on the support 32 and its radial position is adjustable to the means of threaded rods 361 for aligning the axis of the load C with the axis of the mandrel M of the reel D. This adjustment is therefore made at the time of putting into operation of the handling device 30. In this case, the reel D is equipped with an automatic expansion mandrel M and the jaws of the mandrel M are arranged so as to provide a passage P (cf. Fig. 1 ) for the hook 360 when loading and unloading the reel D. If the reel D is equipped with a mandrel M to manual expansion, the hook 360 must be movable in radial translation on the support 32 by means for example of the cylinders 362, as shown in FIG. figure 3B . This radial translation makes it possible to vertically deposit the load C on the jaws of the mandrel M.

If the mandrel M of the reel D does not allow the passage of the hook 360, then the positioning means 36 are designed to bear on the outside of the load C by means for example of a cradle formed by support bars 363, a support V, or the like. In this case, these positioning means 36 are also movable in radial translation on the support 32 by means for example of cylinders 364 to adapt to the outer diameter of the load C.

The handling device 30, according to the invention, can also be arranged to switch a load C consisting of a stack of several coils of sheets C1, C2, C3, Cn, as packaged, as shown in FIG. 3D figure . In this example, the positioning means 36 are radially movable on the support 32 by cylinders 364 and carry the load C by its outer diameter by means of axially movable support arms 365. The support arms 365 are axially movable to allow the removal of a single coil C1 at a time on the mandrel M of the reel D. Alternatively, the positioning means 36 can also carry the load C by its internal bore as in examples of Figures 3A and 3B , and in this case, the hook 360 is also axially movable.

Other mechanisms can also be used associated with the drive means 35 to ensure the displacement of the frame 31 in two steps L1 and L2, the first step L1 corresponding to the approach stroke in which the support 32 is tilted by one. quarter turn to bring the axis of the load C in a horizontal position aligned with the axis of the mandrel M of the reel D and the second step L2 corresponding to the loading stroke of the load C on the reel D. An example is shown schematically in Figures 4A to 4D and implements a fixed cam ramp 356 on which a roller 357 or the like integral with the support 32 is mounted opposite the axis of rotation A. The cam ramp 356 comprises a first inclined section corresponding to the stroke L1 at during which the frame 31 moves in translation towards the reel D and the support 32 switches from its vertical axis position V to its position with a horizontal axis H (cf. Fig. 4A and 4B ), followed by a second horizontal section corresponding to the stroke L2 during which the frame 32 continues to move in translation to bring the load C to the mandrel M of the reel D (cf. Fig. 4C and 4D ). The figure 4D illustrates the manner in which the handling device 30 of the invention makes it possible to load the reel D without the use of other handling equipment thanks to the support 32 which allows the mandrel M to pass through its central opening 33 in order to be able to deposit the load therein. C when the mandrel M extends.

The Figures 5A to 5D illustrate another alternative embodiment of the handling device 30 of the invention wherein the axis of rotation A of the support 32 is substantially coincidental with the center of gravity G of said support 32 plus the load C and in which the tilting of the support 32 between its positions with vertical axis V and horizontal axis H and vice versa is effected by additional drive means 37. They comprise an actuator 370 such as a motor, a geared motor, a jack, coupled in direct drive or by via a pinion / rack mechanical transmission or the like, to a drive shaft coincident with the axis of rotation A. The vertical axis V and horizontal axis positions H are delimited either by programming the control the actuator 370, or by limit switches provided on the frame 31 and not shown. In this embodiment, the chassis 31 is mounted on rolling means 38 and coupled to the reel D by rails or telescopic guides 380 arranged to delimit the races L1 and L2 of the handling device 30 necessary for the loading and unloading of the reel. D. Of course, the displacement of the frame 31 is controlled by the actuator 350 and any type of mechanical transmission coupled to the rails or telescopic guides 380. As in the previous embodiments, the support 32 has a central opening 33 for the passage of the mandrel M during loading of the reel D and the holding and positioning means 36 of the load C for example in the form of a hook 360 adjustable in radial position.

The Figures 6A to 6D illustrate a second embodiment of a handling device 40 according to the invention in which the frame 31 is mounted on a wheeled vehicle 41 operated by an operator, this rolling machine 41 constituting drive means of said frame 31 and having advantage of not being dedicated to a reel D in particular, but can feed different reels D with the same device. The frame 31 is similar to that of the previous example and also comprises additional drive means 37 for tilting the support 32 from a vertical axis position V to a horizontal axis position H and vice versa. The support 32 is also in accordance with the preceding examples in that it comprises a central opening 33 for the passage of the mandrel M and means for holding and positioning 36 of the load C. The rolling machine 41 comprises vertical guide columns 410 or similar, in or on which slides the frame 31 and lifting means 411, for example in the form of jacks, to move the frame 31 vertically and position the support 32 relative to the axis of the mandrel M of a given reel D. This construction makes it possible to have a handling device 40 that is versatile and adaptable to different types of reels D.

In this second embodiment, it is possible to provide indexing stations 50 near the reels D (cf. Fig. 7A and 7B ) arranged to receive at least two coils C waiting, arranged side by side in a vertical axis position, and intended to be taken by the handling device 40: for example a full reel waiting to load on the reel D and a reel unfinished from the reel D. This indexing station 50 comprises a receiving plate 51 worn by feet 52. In the example shown, the receiving plate 51 has at the right of each coil C a central opening 53 allowing the passage of the support 32 of the handling device 40 under the coil C. Similarly, the feet 52 delimit to the right of each coil C an indexing housing 54 adapted to receive the feet of the rolling machine 41 to be able to load a reel pending. In this case, the lifting means 411 of the handling device 40 can lower the support 32 under the coil C to be taken.

Of course, the exemplary embodiments of figures 5 and 6 may comprise a support 32 similar to that of the exemplary embodiments of Figures 1 to 4 whose center of gravity G is offset relative to the axis of rotation A to overcome the additional drive means 37.

It is clear from this description that the invention achieves the goals set, namely simple handling devices, economic, secure and versatile, capable of providing a complete solution since they allow the loading and unloading of one or more reels in addition to the load switching operation C.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described but extends to any modification and variation obvious to a person skilled in the art while remaining within the scope of protection defined in the appended claims.

Claims (14)

1. Device (30, 40) for handling a load (C) such as a sheet metal coil, comprising a holder (32) capable of supporting said load (C), said holder moving rotationally on a frame (31) between at least one first position in which the axis of the load (C) is vertical, called the vertical axis position (V), and a second position in which the axis of the load (C) is horizontal, called the horizontal axis position (H), and conversely, said frame (31) being connected to a drive means (35, 41) in order to be mobile to load and/or discharge said load (C) onto another machine, such as a reel (D), and said holder (32) comprising a means (36) for maintaining and positioning said load (C) designed to hold said load (C) while its position is being changed and to place and/or to take said load (C) on or from said machine, characterized in that said holder (32) comprises a central opening (33) to be traversed by a chuck (M) on a reel (D) during the operations of loading and unloading said load (C) and in that said maintenance and positioning means (36) move in radial and/or axial translation along said holder (32) to align the axis of the load (C) with the axis of the chuck (M) of a reel (D) during said operations.
2. Handling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotational axis (A) of the holder (32) on the frame (31) is offset relative to the center of gravity (G) of said holder (32) carrying the load (C), said holder being designed to turn by gravitational force in a direction of rotation (R) to pass from the vertical axis position (V) to the horizontal axis position (H).
3. Handling device according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotational axis (A) of the holder (32) on the frame (31) coincides generally with the center of gravity (G) of said holder (32) carrying the load (32), and in that it comprises an additional drive means (37) connected to said holder (32) to turn it from the vertical axis position (V) to the horizontal axis position (H) and vice versa.
4. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said frame (31) moves translationally within guide rails (313, 380) and in that said actuation means (35) comprises at least one actuator (350) connected to said frame (31) by a transmission (351).
5. Device according to claims 2 and 4, characterized in that said actuation means (35) is connected to said holder (32) in order to turn it in the reverse direction of rotation (R') to pass from the horizontal axis position (H) to the vertical axis position (V).
6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that said actuation means (35) comprises a prop (352) extending between a fixed stop (353) integral with the guide rails (313) and an articulation (354) integral with said holder (32) opposite said rotational axis (A), said prop (352) being designed to block said holder (32) in the vertical axis position (V).
7. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that said actuation means (35) comprises a fixed cam ramp (356) along which there circulates a guide roller (357) that is integral with said holder (32) opposite said rotational axis (A).
8. Device according to one of claims 6 and 7, characterized in that said guide rails (313) are located in the extension of a reel (D) and in that said actuation means (35) is designed to displace said frame (31) along a supplemental course (L2) to load and/or unload said reel (D) when said holder (32) is in horizontal axis position (H).
9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that said frame (31) comprises at least one stop (314) defining at least the said horizontal axis position (H) of the holder (32).
10. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that said cam ramp (356) comprises a first portion corresponding to the path (L1) of said frame (31) while said holder (32) is rotating and a second portion corresponding to the supplemental loading and/or unloading course (L2) of the reel (D).
11. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said frame (31) is associated with a moving device (41) that constitutes the drive means.
12. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the moving device (41) comprises a lifting means (411) for positioning said frame (31) at the top.
13. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said maintenance and positioning means (36) for the load (C) comprises a hook (360) for contacting the interior bore in the load (C).
14. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said maintenance and positioning means (36) for the load (C) comprises a bed (363) that can contact the exterior of the load (C).

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