EP2466006B1 - Transport device for transport cart and transport assembly with same - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for transferring a transportable on a rail system trolley from a horizontal rail section of the rail system on a horizontal rail section inclined rail section of the rail system or vice versa from a sloping rail section on a horizontal rail section of the rail system, with a swivel mounted about a horizontal pivot axis pivoting rail, which aligned in a first position with the horizontal rail portion and in a second position with the inclined rail portion.

Such a device is from the EP 0 663 471 A1 known.

1. a) einem Schienensystem, welches einen ersten Horizontalschienenabschnitt, der auf einem ersten Höhenniveau angeordnet ist, und einen Überführungsbereich mit einem gegenüber dem ersten Horizontalschienenabschnitt geneigten Schienenabschnitt umfasst, der zu einem zweiten Horizontalschienenabschnitt führt, welche auf einem zweiten, von dem ersten Höhenniveau verschiedenen Höhenniveau angeordnet ist;
2. b) mehreren antreibbaren Transportwagen, mittels welchen jeweils wenigstens ein Gegenstand auf dem Schienensystem verfahrbar ist;
3. c) einer Überführungsvorrichtung, mit welcher die Transportwagen von dem ersten Schienenabschnitt auf den geneigten Schienenabschnitt überführt werden können.

Moreover, the invention relates to a conveyor for transporting objects with

1. a) a rail system comprising a first horizontal rail section disposed at a first height level and a transfer section having a rail section inclined from the first horizontal rail section leading to a second horizontal rail section arranged at a second height level different from the first height level is;
2. b) a plurality of drivable transport car, by means of which in each case at least one object on the rail system is movable;
3. c) a transfer device with which the trolley can be transferred from the first rail section on the inclined rail section.

Such conveyor systems with transfer devices of the type mentioned are known from the market as overhead monorail systems in which there are different sections of the rail system, which are arranged at different height levels.

The bridging of the height difference between these located at different height levels rail sections of the conveyor via inclined rail sections. In order to transfer the trolley from a horizontal rail section on an inclined rail section, these two sections are connected in known from the market conveyor systems over curved in the vertical direction rail sections, which thus each form a transfer device of the type mentioned. However, the radius of curvature of such a curved rail section must be relatively large, since the chassis of the commonly used trolley is not suitable to follow a strong curvature in the vertical direction.

The energy supply of the trolley is usually done by along the rails laid sliding lines. These sliding lines also limit the scope that is available for the radius of curvature of a curved rail section.

Accordingly, curved rail sections which connect a horizontal rail section with a sloping rail section are relatively long and structurally complex.

It is therefore an object of the invention, a transfer device and to provide a conveyor system of the type mentioned, which takes into account this idea.

This object is achieved in a transfer device of the type mentioned in that
the pivot axis is offset relative to the geometric center of the pivot rail.

The invention is based on the recognition that a rising dolly, which can be moved on an inclined rail section, with a kind of vertical switch from the horizontal rail section on the inclined rail section can then be converted particularly favorable. The swivel rail may be rectilinear and requires no curvature, which is why it may be formed shorter than a corresponding curved rail section.

In addition, when there is a pivot rail, the cart may also pass the transition to another rail level height level without a level crossing when the pivot rail connects two horizontal rail sections at the same height in a horizontal position.

Advantageously, a coupled to the pivot rail pivoting device is provided by means of which the pivot rail between the first position and the second position is pivotable.

This pivoting device operates preferably motor.

Instead or in addition, it is advantageous if means are provided by which the pivoting rail is releasably lockable in its first or second position. If no active pivoting device is provided, a pivoting of the pivoting rail can be effected for example by the downwardly acting weight of a trolley.

It is particularly advantageous if the pivoting rail is held by retaining means, in particular by spring force in its first position. These holding means and optionally the spring force are then adjusted so that it is smaller than the effective weight of a truck located on the pivot rail.

It is particularly effective when the swivel rail is straight.

In a non-inventive alternative, the pivot axis is preferably arranged in the geometric center of the pivot rail.

The pivot axis according to the invention can be arranged offset relative to the geometric center of the pivot rail in the longitudinal direction of one of the ends of the pivot rail.

Alternatively or additionally, the pivot axis relative to the geometric center of the pivot rail can be arranged offset in a direction which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the pivot rail.

• d) als Überführungsvorrichtung eine Überführungsvorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 8 vorgesehen ist.

The above object is achieved in a conveyor system of the type mentioned in that

• d) as a transfer device, a transfer device according to one of claims 1 to 8 is provided.

The advantages correspond to the advantages explained above for the transfer device.

Particularly well, a transfer device can be used when the conveyor is designed in the manner of a monorail.

Figuren 1 bis 4

einen Bereich einer Vertikalgabelung eines Schienensystems mit einer Überführungseinrichtung, durch welche ein Transportwagen von einer horizontalen Tragschiene auf eine in Transportrichtung nach oben geneigte Übergangsschiene des Schienensystems überführt werden kann, wobei verschiedene Stadien der Überführung gezeigt sind;

Figuren 5 und 6

den Bereich der Vertikalgabelung der Figuren 1 bis 4 mit einer abgewandelten Überführungseinrichtung in verschiedenen Überführungsstadien;

Figur 7

einen Bereich einer Vertikalkreuzung des Schienensystem mit der Überführungseinrichtung nach den Figuren 5 und 6;

Figuren 8 und 9

einen Bereich einer in Transportrichtung nach oben führenden Vertikalabknickung mit einer nochmals abgewandelten Überführungseinrichtung;

Figuren 10 und 11

den Bereich der Vertikalgabelung nach den Figuren 1 bis 6 mit einer weiteren abgewandelten Überführungseinrichtung;

Figuren 12 bis 15

einen Bereich einer in Transportrichtung nach unten führenden Vertikalabknickung mit nochmals einer weiteren abgewandelten Überführungseinrichtung;

Figuren 16 und 17

einen Bereich einer modifizierten in Transportrichtung nach oben führenden Vertikalabknickung mit wiederum einer abgewandelten Überführungseinrichtung;

Figuren 18 bis 21

einen Bereich einer modifizierten in Transportrichtung nach unten führenden Vertikalabknickung mit nochmals abgewandelter Überführungseinrichtung.

Embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. In these show:

FIGS. 1 to 4

a portion of a vertical fork of a rail system with a transfer device, by which a trolley from a horizontal support rail can be transferred to a transport direction upwardly inclined transition rail of the rail system, wherein various stages of the transfer are shown;

FIGS. 5 and 6

the area of the vertical fork of the FIGS. 1 to 4 with a modified transfer device in different transfer stages;

FIG. 7

a region of a vertical crossing of the rail system with the transfer device after the Figures 5 and 6 ;

FIGS. 8 and 9

a region of a leading vertical in the transport direction vertical bend with a further modified transfer device;

FIGS. 10 and 11

the area of the vertical fork after the FIGS. 1 to 6 with a further modified transfer device;

FIGS. 12 to 15

a region of a vertical bend leading downward in the transport direction with yet another modified transfer device;

FIGS. 16 and 17

a region of a modified in the transport direction upwardly leading vertical bend with turn a modified transfer device;

FIGS. 18 to 21

a region of a modified in the transport direction leading downward vertical bend with another modified transfer device.

In the FIGS. 1 to 21 is denoted by 10 in total one designed in the manner of an overhead monorail conveyor system for the transport of objects, of which in each case a section is shown.

The conveyor system 10 comprises a rail system 12 with horizontal support rails running at different height levels, which are identical in construction and of which only a first horizontal support rail 14 is shown at a first height level in the figures. The statements made with respect to this mounting rail 14 apply mutatis mutandis to the other horizontal mounting rails, not shown.

The support rail 14 is designed in a conventional manner as I-profile and hung in a conventional manner to a support structure not shown here.

The conveyor 10 also includes a plurality of trolleys 16, of which in the figures only one the only one shown and which can be moved along the horizontal mounting rails. A transport direction, in which material to be conveyed is transported by means of the conveyor system 10 along the first horizontal support rail 14, is only in the FIGS. 1 . 5 . 7 . 8th . 10 . 12 . 16 and 18 each indicated by an arrow 18.

Along the support rail 14 not specifically shown sliding lines, which serve the power supply of the trolley 16 and the signal transmission to these. Such sliding lines correspond to the prior art.

Each trolley 16 comprises a support rail 14 encompassing chassis 20, which supports at least one rolling on top of the support rail 14 support roller 22 which receives the transported by the transport carriage 16 load. Each trolley 16 is driven by means of an electric motor 24 entrained by the chassis 20, which is energized and driven in the usual manner via the addressed contact rails.

The chassis 20 is secured by measures known per se against tilting and tilting against the support rail 14.

To be able to transport objects with the trolley 16, this comprises a transport hanger 26, which is connected via a coupling device 28 to the chassis 20 of the trolley 20. Due to the coupling device 28 of the trolley 16 is suitable for driving in a slope or slope portion of the rail system 12. The operation of this coupling device 28 corresponds to the prior art and is for example in the DE 10 2008 049 975 A1 described. The individual components of the trolley 16 are for simplicity only in FIG. 1 With provided with a reference numeral.

In order to bring a trolley 16 from the first horizontal support rail 14 to a second horizontal support rail at a different height level, the rail system 12 includes transfer areas 30. In these a relative to the horizontal support rail 14 inclined transition rail 32 is present, which specifies a sloping rail section,

The angle of inclination of the transition rail 32 relative to the support rail 14 is in this and the variants described below 45 °; however, other angles of inclination are possible. Generally speaking, the transition rail 32 is inclined at an angle of less than 90 ° relative to the horizontal support rail 14.

The transition rail 32 extends between two transfer devices of each of the height levels to be connected, of which in the figures only the transfer device 34 is always shown, which is associated with the first height level and thus the first support rail 14.

In these transfer areas 30, one of which in the FIGS. 1 to 21 is shown, carried first, a transfer of the trolley 16 of the first horizontal support rail 14 on the inclined transition rail 32 by means of a support rail 14 and thus their height level associated transfer device 34. Subsequently, the trolley 16 is assigned by means of one of the second horizontal support rail on the second height level Transfer device moved to this second horizontal support rail.

In the FIGS. 1 to 4 a transfer area 30 is shown which is designed as a vertical fork 36. Next The term vertical bifurcation will also be followed by the terms vertical crossing and vertical bifurcation. The term vertical bifurcation is intended to express that there can be either a change of direction with a vertical component of motion.

In the vertical fork 36, the transition rail 32 is inclined in the transport direction 18 upwards and the second horizontal support rail extends correspondingly above the first support rail 14. In addition, the support rail 14 in this vertical bifurcation 36 comprises a first horizontal rail section 38 and a second horizontal rail section 40, which are spaced from each other , The transfer device 34 comprises a rectilinear pivot rail 42, which is mounted pivotably about a horizontal pivot axis 44, which runs perpendicular to the transport direction 18. The pivot axis 44 is arranged in the geometric center of the pivot rail 42, as it corresponds to the non-inventive alternative.
When the pivot rail 42 assumes a horizontal position, as shown in the FIGS. 1 and 2 is shown, it is aligned with the two horizontal rail sections 38 and 40 and connects them. In this case, a trolley 16 can be driven via the pivot rail 42 from the first horizontal rail section 38 to the second horizontal rail section 40.

The pivot rail 42 and the inclined transition rail 32 are matched in their position and geometry to one another that the pivot rail 42 can assume an inclined position in which it is aligned with the inclined transition rail 32 such that a trolley 16 of the pivot rail 42 in its inclined Position on the inclined transition rail 32 can drive. This inclined position of the pivot rail 42 is in the Figures 3 and 4 shown.

In order to pivot the pivoting rail 42 between its horizontal position and its inclined position, this is coupled to a pivoting device 46 which only in FIG. 1 and there is also shown only very schematically. In the modifications described below, the pivoting device 46 is in a corresponding manner only in the Figures 5 . 7 . 8th . 10 . 12 . 16 and 18 shown.

The pivoting device 46 can pivot the pivot rail 42 on the one hand motor. On the other hand, the pivoting device 46 may alternatively or additionally include one or more locking locks, by means of which the pivoting rail 42 in a position occupied, either the horizontal position or the inclined position, locked and can be selectively released from this position. This will be discussed again at the appropriate place.

In the in the FIGS. 1 to 4 shown transfer device 34 is the pivot rail 42 associated with a spring biased retaining key 48, which moves with the pivot rail 42 and can cooperate with a support member 50 on the trolley 16, which also only in FIG. 1 is provided with a reference numeral. Another such spring-loaded retaining key 52 is provided stationary on the inclined transition rail 32.

When the trolley 16 is to be transferred in the transfer area 30 of the horizontal rail portion 38 of the horizontal support rail 14 on the inclined transition rail 32, the trolley 16 is first moved to the pivot rail 42 until its support member 50 is guided past the retaining key 48 of the pivot rail 42, so that the transport carriage 16 is no longer counter to the transport direction 18 can be moved. This is in FIG. 2 shown.

As based on FIG. 2 is traceable, the trolley 16 moves so far on the pivot rail 32 that its center of gravity is as close as possible to the pivot axis 44. In this way, the force can be minimized, which is required for pivoting the pivot rail 32 with dolly 16 thereon.

Now, the pivot rail 42 is pivoted by means of the pivoting means 46 in its inclined position, in which it is aligned with the inclined transition rail 32, as in FIG. 3 is shown. By the retaining key 48 prevents the trolley 16 from the pivot rail 32 moves down or slips.

Now the trolley 16 is first moved so far up the inclined transition rail 32 until the retaining key 52 secures the trolley 16, which in FIG. 4 can be seen.

The above-mentioned transfer device, which is associated with the upper horizontal support rail, is analogous to the transfer device 34 is formed. By this transfer device, the trolley can then be driven in a corresponding manner to the upper horizontal support rail, whereby the transfer of the trolley 16 is completed by the first height level to the second height level.

The holding keys 48 and 52 may also be present in a corresponding manner in the following variants of the transitional region 30.

In the Figures 5 and 6 is a variant of the transfer device 34 in the region of the vertical bifurcation 36, in which no holding keys 48 and 52 are present. On the retaining clips 48 and 50 can be omitted if it is ensured by the coupling device 28 of the trolley 16 or other measures that it can not slip from the pivot rail 42 in its inclined position or the inclined transition rail 32 down. Otherwise, the transfer of the trolley 16 from the horizontal rail section 38 to the inclined transition rail 32 functions as described above.

In FIG. 7 the transfer area 30 is shown in the form of a vertical crossing 54. There are, as in the vertical bifurcation 36, the horizontal rail sections 38 and 40, in the transport direction 18 upwardly inclined transition rail 32 and the transfer device 34 with swivel rail 42 and pivot 46 available. In addition, there is another inclined transition rail 56. This second transition rail 56 is arranged in extension of the first transition rail 32 below the support rail 14 such that the pivot rail 42 connects the two transition rails 32 and 56 with each other when it assumes its inclined position.

In this case, a trolley 16 of the inclined pivoting rail 32 either up on the transition rail 32 or drive down on the transition rail 56 to from there by means of a respective transfer device on a relative to the support rail 14 upper horizontal support rail or a lower horizontal support rail to be transferred.

The FIGS. 8 and 9 show a modification of the transfer device 34 in a transfer area 30, as in the transport direction 18 leading vertical buckling 58 is formed. There, there is no second horizontal rail section 40. Since the space below the transport direction inclined upward transition rail 32 is free, the inclined transition rail 32 can be brought closer to the support rail 14 and the pivot rail 32 is formed to be shorter overall than in the vertical bifurcation 36 or Vertical intersection 54 is the case.

In the first two cases must be ensured that the distance between the support rail 14 and the inclined transition rail 32 and 56 is so large that a trolley 16 with transport hanger 26 can safely pass through the gap between the rails concerned.

In the Figures 10 and 11 Now a again labeled 36 vertical fork is shown, but in which a transfer device 34 is provided with a modified pivot rail 42. In this modified pivot rail 42, the pivot axis 44 is not centrally arranged, but relative to the geometric center of the pivot rail 42 in the longitudinal direction of the cooperating with the first horizontal rail section 38 end 60 of the pivot rail 32 to offset.

When the inclined transition rail 32 their position relative to the vertical fork 36 after the FIGS. 1 to 6 Retains, as it is in the Figures 10 and 11 is shown, the pivot rail 32 may be formed shorter due to the position of the pivot axis 44.

If the length of the pivot rail 32, however, remains unchanged, the vertical distance between the support rail 14 and the inclined transition rail 32 can turn out larger, so that trolley 16 can be worn, which are structurally larger and continue to build up or whose transport hanger 26 requires more space in the downward direction.

The FIGS. 12 to 15 show a transfer region 30, which is formed as a down in the transport direction 18 vertical bend 62. There, the transition rail 32 is thus inclined in the transport direction 18 downward. While in the Figures 10 and 11 the lateral offset of the pivot axis 44 of the pivot rail 42 is relatively moderate, the pivot axis 44 of the pivot rail 42 is arranged there in the region of the rail end 60, which is assigned to the horizontal rail section 38.

In FIG. 12 the pivoting device 46 is illustrated. Optionally, in such an arrangement of the pivot axis 44 can be dispensed with a motorized pivoting device 46 for pivoting the pivot rail 42. Instead, the above-mentioned releasable locking the pivot rail 42 may be present.

In this case, the trolley 16 initially moves to the locked in its horizontal position swivel rail 42, as in FIG. 13 is shown. Then the locking of the pivot rail 42 is released and this pivoted by the downward weight of the trolley 16 with the loaded hanger 26 about the pivot axis 44 around down in the in the Figures 14 and 15 shown tilted position. The pivoting movement of the pivot rail 42 can be braked by dampers, as they are known in and of themselves.

Then, the pivoting rail 42 is locked in its pivoted position and the trolley 16 can drive on the downwardly sloping transition rail 32 (see Figure 15). After that, the swivel rail 42 again Pivot the top in the horizontal orientation. This can be effected either by motor or by other means such as by spring force. In the latter case, the pivoting rail 42 by a corresponding spring force in its first position in which it is aligned with the horizontal rail portion 38 of the support rail 14, held. This spring force is overcome by the downwardly directed weight force of the trolley 16 when the trolley 16 rides on the pivot rail 42 and comes to lie beyond the pivot axis 42.

Overall holding means are provided by means of which the pivot rail 42 is held in its first position or returned to this, when the pivot rail 42 is not locked in its second position. As such holding means can serve on the one hand a spring or similar acting devices which exert the above-mentioned spring force on the pivot rail 42. On the other hand, well-known means such as pneumatic devices, counterweights or the like come into question.

Optionally, can be dispensed with the locking of the pivot rail 42. In this case, the pivoting rail 42 pivots downward, while the transport carriage 16 ascends on it, as soon as this seen in the direction of transport 18 has passed the pivot axis 44.

The Figures 16 and 17 show a transfer area 30, which is formed as in the transport direction 18 upwardly leading vertical bend 64 and in which a transfer device 34 is provided with a pivot rail 42, the pivot axis 44 relative to the geometric center of the pivot rail 42 now in the longitudinal direction of that with the inclined transition rail 32 cooperating end 66 of the pivoting rail is offset, which is opposite to the end 60.

Optionally, in all variants described above and below, the swivel rail 42 may also have a curvature. In this case, their longitudinal direction should be understood as the direction from the end 60 to the end 66 of the pivot rail 42.

Otherwise, the above applies to the transfer device 34 after the FIGS. 12 to 15 Said accordingly accordingly.

In the FIGS. 18 to 21 Finally, shown as in the transport direction 18 leading down vertical bend 68 transfer area 30 in which a modified transfer device 34 is used. Also there, the transition rail 42 is inclined in the transport direction 18 downward. The pivot axis 44 of the pivot rail 42 is offset relative to the geometric center both in the direction of the end 60 and in a direction which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the pivot rail 42. For this purpose, the pivot rail 42 is supported by a bearing member 70, which defines this offset pivot axis 42.

In a modification not specifically shown, it may also be provided that the pivot axis 44 is offset relative to the geometric center of the pivot rail 42 only in one direction, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the pivot rail 42.

Overall, the transfer device 34 can be adjusted by a change in the position of the pivot axis 44 relative to the pivot rail 42 to different geometries and positions of horizontal rail sections to be connected and the opposite inclined transition rails, by special Factors of the conveyor system such as the type of dolly used or the available space are given.

In all transfer regions 30 described above, the transport direction 18 shown in each case with respect to the mounting rail 14 is merely exemplary. The transport direction 18 can also point in the other direction, at least in the case of the vertical fork 36 and the vertical intersection.

Claims (10)

1. Apparatus by means of which a transport cart (16) which can be displaced on a rail system (12) is transferred from a horizontal-rail portion (38) of the rail system (12) to a rail portion (32) of the rail system (12), said rail portion being inclined in relation to the horizontal-rail portion (38), or, vice versa, from an inclined rail portion to a horizontal-rail portion of the rail system (12),
   having
   a pivoting rail (42) which is mounted in a pivotable manner about a horizontal pivot pin (44) and is aligned, in a first position, with the horizontal-rail portion (38) and, in a second position, with the inclined rail portion (32),
   characterized in that
   the pivot pin (44) is offset in relation to the geometrical centre of the pivoting rail (42).
2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, characterized by the provision of a pivoting device (46), which is coupled to the pivoting rail (42) and by means of which the pivoting rail (42) can be pivoted between the first position and the second position.
3. Apparatus according to Claim 2, characterized in that the pivoting device (42) is motor-operated.
4. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the provision of means which can arrest the pivoting rail (42) in a releasable manner in its first or its second position.
5. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivoting rail (42) is retained in its first position by retaining means, in particular by spring force.
6. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivoting rail is rectilinear.
7. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivot pin (44) is offset longitudinally, in relation to the geometrical centre of the pivoting rail (42), in the direction of one of the ends (60, 66) of the pivoting rail (42).
8. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivot pin (44) is offset, in relation to the geometrical centre of the pivoting rail (42), in a direction which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the pivoting rail (42).
9. Conveying installation for transporting articles, having

   a) a rail system (12) which comprises a first horizontal-rail portion (38), which is arranged at a first height level, and a transfer region (30) with a rail portion (32) which is inclined in relation to the first horizontal-rail portion (38) and leads to a second horizontal-rail portion, which is arranged at a second height level, which is different from the first height level;

   b) a plurality of driveable transport carts (16), by means of which in each case at least one article can be displaced on the rail system (12);

   c) a transfer apparatus (34), by means of which the transport carts (16) can be transferred from the first rail portion (38) to the inclined rail portion (32),

   characterized in that

   d) the transfer apparatus (34) provided is a transfer apparatus (34) according to one of Claims 1 to 8.
10. Conveying installation according to Claim 9, characterized in that it is designed in the manner of an electric monorail conveyor.

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