EP3472064B1 - Device for storing parts by stacking - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for storing parts by stacking. Such a device is particularly suitable for storing parts having a symmetry of revolution, such as for example all types of rotors of a vehicle frame, which have similar shapes and dimensions. But the principle of the invention is also applicable to parts of prismatic shape or not necessarily having a symmetry of revolution. A storage device comprises spacer plates which are generally intended to be stacked one on top of the other to form a storage and / or transport pallet.

Currently, a spacer plate is designed specifically to accommodate a single type of part, the geometry and dimensions of which are perfectly identified and fixed. Such a plate is generally in one piece and comprises particular and non-modifiable reliefs, designed to receive each part to be stored in a predefined and stable position. However, a major drawback of such an intermediate plate is that it is not suitable for storing parts having slightly different geometries and dimensions. In addition, this specific spacer plate becomes obsolete and must be destroyed if the part changes dimensions.

The invention relates in particular to a storage device which has a modular nature allowing it to store different types of parts in terms of shape and dimensions.

The documents DE29920628 and CH710091 disclose a parts transport device according to the preamble of claim 1, with a perforated support plate, and pluggable wedges.

The subject of the invention is a device for storing parts, comprising at least one intermediate plate comprising locations each intended to receive one of said parts, in which the wedging elements are fixed on each side of at least one superimposed plate. .

The main characteristic of a storage device according to the invention is that said plate has two sides each provided with a plurality impressions, said device comprising wedging elements of different shape and dimensions, able to come to be placed in said impressions and to cooperate with the parts, so as to position each one in a stable manner of said parts in a location of the plate. In this way, unlike the existing monobloc intermediate plates with specific compartments provided for storing a single type of part, an intermediate plate of a storage device according to the invention is modular and capacitive insofar as its compartments are variable thanks to the presence of the wedging elements. Such a storage device can therefore accommodate parts of variable geometry and dimensions. In fact, said compartments are made from the locations provided for storing the parts, and by means of wedging elements capable of being fixed in the indentations of the intermediate plate, the shape and dimensions of the wedging elements being dictated by the structural characteristics of the parts to be stored. The character of modularity of the intermediate plate is conferred both by the presence of the indentations which make it possible to place the wedging elements at different places on said plate, and by the possibility of having wedging elements of geometry and dimensions different. The imprints can take any shape, and for example consist of holes or grooves. Likewise, these impressions can pass right through the intermediate plate. It is advantageously assumed that one and the same intermediate plate stores identical parts. A storage device according to the invention comprises several superimposed intermediate plates, said plates being able to store identical parts or different parts without distinction. In other words, each intermediate plate can store different parts, or else each intermediate plate stores identical parts but which are different from one plate to another. Preferably, the wedging elements are formed by solid parts, the disposition and arrangement of which on the intermediate plate, make it possible to create storage compartments capable of stabilizing the position of the parts to be stored. A wedging element consists of a solid part, which emerges from the intermediate plate. It is preferably assumed that the wedging elements are secured to the intermediate plate in a reversible manner, in particular to be able to be moved and / or dismantled and / or replaced. A compartment comprises a location designed to receive a part to be stored and the wedging elements of said part.

Advantageously, the imprints comprise holes and grooves, the grooves making it possible to adjust the position of the wedging elements on the plate according to the structural characteristics of the parts to be stored.

Depending on requirements, and in a configuration of superimposition of several intermediate plates, a wedging element can make it possible to wedge two parts placed in line with one another and on two different plates.

Preferably, the wedging elements comprise studs. In this way, the studs can for example delimit a space in which a part to be stored will be positioned. They can also constitute projections on which the parts to be stored will be nested.

Advantageously, the wedging elements comprise centering elements placed in the middle of the locations.

Advantageously, the wedging elements comprise clamping elements capable of being placed around each part. These elements can be assimilated to jaws which will just come into contact with said parts without exerting a particular clamping force.

Preferably, the wedging elements are fixed to the plate by means of a technique to be chosen from among screwing and riveting. Indeed, it is important for the wedging elements to be firmly secured to the plate, in particular to guarantee positioning stability of the parts to be stored. In addition, riveting and screwing are reversible fixing techniques, making it possible in particular to remove wedging elements to replace them with other wedging elements of another nature.

Preferably, the plate is thermoformed and made of polyethylene or ABS. ABS stands for acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. In this way, the intermediate plate has good mechanical strength while remaining light.

A storage device according to the invention comprises at least two superimposed intermediate plates, wedging elements being fixed on each side of some of said superposed plates. For such a configuration, a storage device according to the invention is comparable to a storage pallet comprising several superimposed storage levels. In addition, an intermediate plate provided with wedging elements on its two sides will help to ensure the storage of parts on two successive levels of a storage device according to the invention. Advantageously, the intermediate plate is flat and of small thickness and the two sides of said plate consist of two flat faces.

Another object of the invention is the use of a storage device according to the invention for the storage of parts having a symmetry of revolution and grouping together all the rotors of a vehicle frame. Indeed, these rotors which may for example comprise disc brakes and drum brakes, are parts having a symmetry of revolution and which have similar shapes and dimensions. It is therefore sufficient to mount on each intermediate plate the wedging elements whose shape and dimensions are adapted to a specific rotor in order to be able to store said rotors on several superimposed intermediate plates.

A storage device according to the invention has the advantage of being modular, while remaining of constant weight and size compared to existing storage devices. It also has the advantage of allowing savings to be made insofar as it is currently necessary to design a specific spacer plate for each type of parts to be stored. Finally, it has the advantage of being flexible in use, because it can be mounted at the last moment depending on the type of parts to be stored. This flexibility is reflected in particular by the fact that it is quick and easy to change the configuration of an intermediate plate to switch from one product to be packaged to another.

• La figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'une plaque intercalaire nue d'un dispositif de stockage selon l'invention,
• La figure 2 est une vue du dessus de la plaque de la figure 1,
• La figure 3A est une vue en perspective du dessus d'une plaque intercalaire d'un dispositif de stockage selon l'invention, et équipé de premiers éléments de calage,
• La figure 3B est une vue en perspective du dessous de la plaque intercalaire de la figure 3A, et équipé de deuxièmes éléments de calage,
• La figure 4 est une vue de côté d'un premier exemple d'un empilement de trois plaques constituant un dispositif de stockage selon l'invention,
• La figure 5 est une vue de côté partielle d'un deuxième exemple d'un empilement de trois plaques constituant un dispositif de stockage selon l'invention,
• La figure 6 est une vue de côté partielle d'un troisième exemple d'un empilement de trois plaques constituant un dispositif de stockage selon l'invention,
• La figure 7 est une vue de côté partielle d'un quatrième exemple d'un empilement de trois plaques constituant un dispositif de stockage selon l'invention,
• La figure 8 est une vue du dessus d'un exemple d'une plaque intercalaire d'un dispositif de stockage selon l'invention, configurée pour stocker douze pièces,
• La figure 9 est une vue du dessus d'une plaque intercalaire d'un dispositif de stockage selon l'invention, configurée pour stocker neuf pièces.

A detailed description is given below of a preferred embodiment of a storage device according to the invention with reference to the following figures:

• The figure 1 is a perspective view of a bare intermediate plate of a storage device according to the invention,
• The figure 2 is a top view of the plate of the figure 1 ,
• The figure 3A is a perspective view from above of an intermediate plate of a storage device according to the invention, and equipped with first wedging elements,
• The figure 3B is a perspective view from below of the spacer plate of the figure 3A , and equipped with second wedging elements,
• The figure 4 is a side view of a first example of a stack of three plates constituting a storage device according to the invention,
• The figure 5 is a partial side view of a second example of a stack of three plates constituting a storage device according to the invention,
• The figure 6 is a partial side view of a third example of a stack of three plates constituting a storage device according to the invention,
• The figure 7 is a partial side view of a fourth example of a stack of three plates constituting a storage device according to the invention,
• The figure 8 is a top view of an example of an intermediate plate of a storage device according to the invention, configured to store twelve pieces,
• The figure 9 is a top view of a spacer plate of a storage device according to the invention, configured to store nine parts.

With reference to figures 1 and 2 , a storage device according to the invention comprises a superposition of intermediate plates 1 each comprising locations suitable for receiving particular parts to be stored. In the example considered, it is assumed that such a storage device has been developed to store all the rotors of a motor vehicle chassis, such as brake discs, for example. These rotors have the particularity of each having a symmetry of revolution and of having similar dimensions, only their particular geometries differ slightly from each other.

The particularity of a storage device according to the invention is that the intermediate plates 1 are common for all types of rotors to be stored, the compartments being made by means of specific wedging elements placed in said locations and whose shape and form. the dimensions are linked to the structural characteristics of the rotors to be stored. In this way, the storage devices have identical intermediate plates 1 and differ from each other only at the level of the wedging elements mounted on said plates.

With reference to figures 1, 2 , 3A and 3B each intermediate plate 1 is thus thermoformed in polyethylene or ABS, and has a low thickness of between 4 mm and 7 mm. In the examples taken into consideration, each intermediate plate 1 is sized to store nine or twelve rotors. Typically, the intermediate plate 1 has a generally rectangular shape and thus makes it possible to distinguish two flat faces 2, 3 rectangular. It is delimited by a peripheral edge 4 in extra thickness intended to ensure a certain stiffness to the plate 1. Said plate 1 comprises a multiplicity of orifices, essentially in the form of holes 5 and grooves 6 to allow the fixing of the wedging elements. . In fact, each wedging element is inserted into a hole 5 or into a groove 6 and is then fixed to said plate 1 by screwing or riveting. In this way, when it is planned to store a particular type of rotor by means of a device according to the invention, the corresponding wedging elements having a shape and dimensions adapted to said rotor, are then fixed at the level of the holes 5 and specific grooves 6 of the plate 1 provided for this purpose. In addition, the plate comprises zones 7 for gripping by a robot by means of a suction cup or a clamp. It also has oblong openings 8 for the passage of the hands, allowing an operator to manipulate it easily. Each plate 1 is provided with an identification zone 9 provided for example with a QR code which can be read by means of an electronic device in order to know the information related to the characteristics of the intermediate plate concerned, and / or related the type of parts to be stored, their references, their quantity ... It has zones 10 for wedging the robot by laser sensor.

With reference to the figure 3A , the first wedging elements are represented by bowl centralizers 11, which are cylindrical parts having at one end a cylindrical recess 12. All these bowl centralizers 11 are implanted by screwing on a first face 2 of the spacer plate 1 at the end. level of holes 5 provided for this purpose. For this configuration, the intermediate plate 1 is intended to store discs.

With reference to the figure 3B , second wedging elements are represented by wheel centering devices 13, which are cylindrical parts whose external diameter is smaller than the external diameter of the bowl centering devices 11. All these wheel centering devices 13 are implanted by screwing onto a second face 3 of the intermediate plate 1 at the level of holes 5 provided for this purpose. In this way, the intermediate plate 1 has on one side bowl centerers 11, and on the other side has wheel centerers 13. The bowl centering devices 11 are placed in line with the wheel centering devices 13, so that the axis of revolution of each bowl centering device 11 coincides with the axis of revolution of a wheel centering device 13 placed on the other side. .

With reference to the figure 4 , the intermediate plates 1 provided with bowl centering devices 11 and wheel centering devices 13 can be superimposed so as to store brake discs 14, 15 by making them cooperate with the Bowl centralizers 11 and wheel centralizers 13. Schematically, a brake disc 14, 15 comprises a cylindrical body 16, a first end of which ends in a circular wall 17 provided with a central opening and a second end of which is widened by a planar and annular wall 18. More precisely, the plane of the annular wall 18 is perpendicular to the axis of revolution of the cylindrical body 16. The two ends of the cylindrical body 16 mentioned above are considered with respect to the axis of revolution of said cylindrical body 16. The spacer plates 1 are superimposed so that the bowl centering devices 11 are placed on an upper face 2 of each of said plates 1, and so that the wheel centering devices 13 are placed on a lower face 3 thereof. In this way, each disc 14, 15 is placed on an intermediate plate 1 so that a bowl centering device 11 is inserted into the cylindrical body 16 of each disc 14, 15 at the second end which is widened by the annular wall 18, and so that a wheel centering device 13 of the upper plate 1 is inserted into said cylindrical body 16 at the central opening of the first end. In this way, the position of each brake disc 14, 15 within the storage device is stabilized by a bowl centering device 11 of the intermediate plate 1 on which it is placed, and by a wheel centering device 13 of the intermediate plate. upper 1. Depending on the thickness of the annular wall 18 located at the second end of the disc 14, 15, shims 19 can be inserted between the upper intermediate plate 1 and said annular wall 18 of a disc 14, 15 resting on the intermediate plate 1 from below.

By way of example, with reference to the figure 5 , other types of wedging elements can be used for drum hubs 20, such as for example specific centering devices 21, 22 one 21 belonging to the spacer plate 1 on which the drum hub 20 rests, and the 'other 22 belonging to the upper intermediate plate. Likewise, specific studs 23 implanted on the intermediate plate 1 on which said drum hubs 20 rest, can cooperate with the latter 20 to wedge them on said intermediate plate 1.

By way of example, with reference to the figure 7 , centralizers 24, 25 similar or neighboring to those used for drum hubs 20 can be used for disc hubs 26 in association with specific wedging studs 27.

By way of example, with reference to the figure 6 , other types of centralizers 28 associated with other types of studs 29 can be used for equipment 30 of the drum.

The examples illustrated in figures 5 to 7 , show that the intermediate plates 1 of the storage devices according to the invention are designed to store different types of rotors, by means of a simple readjustment of the shape and dimensions of the wedging elements capable of being attached to said intermediate plates 1.

With reference to the figure 8 , an intermediate plate 1 of a storage device according to the invention can be designed to accommodate twelve rotors 31, if the diameter of each rotor 31 is sufficiently small. The wedging elements appear as jaws 33 able to slide along the grooves 6 of the plate 1. These jaws 33 are just able to grip each rotor 31 of the frame in order to stabilize their positions on the plate 1, without however exerting a particular pressure on said rotors 31. In this way, each rotor 31 is locked by means of two jaws 33 placed on each side of said rotor 31.

With reference to the figure 9 , according to another preferred embodiment of a storage device according to the invention, an intermediate plate 1 can be designed to accommodate nine rotors 32, if the diameter of each rotor 32 is large. For this configuration, the wedging elements are also represented by jaws 33. In this way, depending on the configuration chosen, that is to say nine or twelve frame rotors to be stored, the spacer plate 1 will have the holes 5 and grooves 6 adapted to said configuration.

The spacer plates, the wedging elements as well as the parts to be stored which have been described above, are examples intended to illustrate a storage device according to the invention and to understand its principle. It is understood that the invention is not limited to these examples alone, and that it extends to any type of wedging element and to any type of part to be stored. Likewise, the number of parts to be stored on each of the intermediate plates is variable according to the needs encountered, and does not a priori present any particular limit if it is not the dimensions of the intermediate plates which cannot be infinite.

Claims (8)

1. Device for storing parts (14, 15, 20, 26, 30, 31, 32), comprising at least two spacer plates (1) comprising stations intended to each receive one of said parts (14, 15, 20, 26, 30, 31, 32), and each comprising two sides (2, 3) each provided with a plurality of impressions (5, 6), said device comprising differently shaped and sized wedging elements (11, 13, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 33) that are able to be located in said impressions (5, 6) and to cooperate with the parts (14, 15, 20, 26, 30, 31, 32) so as to stably position each one of said parts (14, 15, 20, 26, 30, 31, 32) in a station of the plate (1), characterized in that the wedging elements (11, 13, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 33) are fixed on either side of at least one superposed plate (1).
2. Storage device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the impressions comprise holes (5) and grooves (6), and in that the grooves (6) serve for adjusting the position of the wedging elements (11, 13, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 33) on the plates (1) depending on the structural features of the parts (14, 15, 20, 26, 30, 31, 32) that are to be stored.
3. Storage device according to either one of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the wedging elements comprise studs (11, 13, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29) .
4. Storage device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the wedging elements comprise centring elements (11, 13, 21, 22, 24, 25, 28) placed in the middle of the stations.
5. Storage device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the wedging elements comprise gripping elements (33) that are able to be placed around each part (14, 15, 20, 26, 30, 31, 32).
6. Storage device according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the wedging elements (11, 13, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 33) are fixed to the plates (1) using a technique to be chosen from among screwing and riveting.
7. Storage device according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the plates (1) are thermoformed and are made of polyethylene or ABS.
8. Use of a storage device according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, for storing parts having a rotational symmetry and encompassing all of the rotary parts of a vehicle chassis.

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