EP3715008B1 - Bar conveyor device for transporting metal bars - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a bar conveyor device for conveying reinforcing steel bars.

From the EN 10 2015 203423 A1 and the EN 10 2011 106135 A1 Conveying devices for the general conveying of goods are known.

From the DE29518140U1 , the DE29615026U1 , the DE29714109U1 , the DE29714110U1 , the WO2017041122A1 and the WO2018007836A1 Various conveyors are known for manipulating metal rods in mesh welding systems. The known conveyors have the disadvantage that they do not allow exact positioning of the metal rods and high conveying capacity. The object of the present invention was to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide an improved rod conveyor device.

This object is achieved by a device according to the claims.

According to the invention, a rod conveyor device is designed for conveying reinforcing steel rods. The rod conveyor device comprises a conveyor comprising a first deflection station and a second deflection station, which are arranged at a distance from one another in the conveying direction. The conveyor further comprises a first traction means and a second traction means, wherein the first traction means and the second traction means are stretched at a distance from one another in the transverse direction between the first deflection station and the second deflection station, and wherein a plurality of support strips are formed which extend in the transverse direction and are coupled to the first traction means and to the second traction means, and serve to accommodate at least two metal rods arranged next to one another, wherein at least one magnet for fixing the metal rods is formed in at least three of the support strips.

The rod conveying device according to the invention has the advantage that the metal rods can be conveyed efficiently by means of the conveying means according to the invention and can be positioned exactly in a predetermined position.

In addition, the conveying means according to the invention is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and has a long service life due to its robust construction. In particular when conveying reinforcing steel bars that have a rough surface, the bar conveying device according to the invention offers surprising advantages with regard to the positioning of the reinforcing steel bars.

According to the invention, the conveyor has a support bar for the traction means, wherein the support bar is arranged between the two deflection stations, and wherein in the area of the support bar a first distance of the traction means from an axial plane is greater than a second distance of the traction means from the axial plane in the area of the deflection stations. This measure makes it possible to ensure that the metal rods only rest on those support bars which are arranged between the two deflection stations. This can prevent the metal rods from being lifted and thus displaced from their vertical position when the support bars are deflected in the area of the deflection stations.

According to the invention, the rod conveyor device serves not only for conveying metal rods, but also for conveying products that include metal rods. These can be, for example, reinforcement mats, lattice girders, three-dimensional reinforcement elements, as in the AT516118B1 described, and the like.

Furthermore, it can be expedient if at least two magnets are formed on at least one of the support strips, which are spaced apart from one another in the transverse direction. This has the advantage that local maxima of the magnetic force can be provided and the metal rods can be positioned exactly relative to one another in the transverse direction of the support strips.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the traction means are designed in the form of a link chain. Traction means designed in this way in particular can be very robust.

In addition, it can be provided that at least individual links of the link chain have a fastening tab for connecting to the support bar by means of a fastening means. This design allows the support bars to be easily attached to the link chain at different distances from one another as required.

Another advantageous embodiment is one in which the support strips can have a base and two U-shaped legs adjoining the base, the support strips being coupled to the traction means at their base and being designed to accommodate the metal rods at their legs. Support strips designed in this way are particularly easy to manufacture and They are robust in design and can also be used to hold the metal rods.

According to a further development, it is possible for several positioning notches to be formed on the legs at a grid spacing to accommodate the metal rods. This has the advantage that the individual metal rods can be positioned parallel to one another.

It can also be useful to provide a magnet for each positioning notch. This measure ensures that the metal rods can be held precisely in the positioning notch.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the first deflection station and the second deflection station each have a first gear for receiving the first traction means and a second gear for receiving the second traction means, wherein the two gears are each coupled to one another by means of a shaft. This measure can ensure that the two traction means run precisely and synchronously with one another and thus the metal rods are not displaced relative to one another in the conveying direction.

According to the invention, a mesh welding system for producing reinforcement meshes is provided with a bar conveyor, a cross bar laying device and a Rod welding device is provided. The rod conveying device is designed as described above.

For a better understanding of the invention, it is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures.

Fig. 1

ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel einer Mattenschweißanlage in einer perspektivischen Ansicht;

Fig. 2

ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel einer Mattenschweißanlage mit zwei hintereinander angeordneten Fördermitteln in einer Seitenansicht;

Fig. 3

eine Draufsicht eines möglichen Layouts einer Mattenfertigungsanlage;

Fig. 4

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels eines Fördermittels;

Fig. 5

eine Seitenansicht eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels eines Fördermittels mit einer Auflageleiste;

Fig. 6

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Stabfördervorrichtung mit mehreren Fördermitteln.

They show in a highly simplified, schematic representation:

Fig.1

a first embodiment of a mat welding system in a perspective view;

Fig. 2

another embodiment of a mesh welding system with two conveyors arranged one behind the other in a side view;

Fig. 3

a top view of a possible layout of a mat production line;

Fig.4

a perspective view of a first embodiment of a conveying means;

Fig.5

a side view of another embodiment of a conveyor with a support bar;

Fig.6

a perspective view of a rod conveyor device with several conveyors.

To begin with, it should be noted that in the different embodiments described, identical parts are provided with identical reference symbols or identical component designations, whereby the disclosures contained in the entire description can be transferred analogously to identical parts with identical reference symbols or identical component designations. The position information chosen in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc., also refers to the figure directly described and shown, and these position information must be transferred analogously to the new position if the position changes.

Fig.1 shows a mesh welding system 1 for producing reinforcement meshes 2. The reinforcement meshes 2 have longitudinal bars 3 and transverse bars 4. The Longitudinal bars 3 and transverse bars 4 can be made of reinforcing steel.

In particular, the longitudinal bars 3 and the transverse bars 4 can generally be referred to as metal bars 5.

The longitudinal bars 3 and the transverse bars 4 are welded to form a reinforcement mat 2 by means of the mat welding system 1.

The mat welding system 1 comprises a bar conveyor device 6, onto which the longitudinal bars 3 are placed and fed to a bar welding device 7. The mat welding system 1 also comprises a cross bar laying device 8 which serves to feed the cross bars 4 to the bar welding device 7. In particular, the cross bars 4 can be fed to the bar welding device 7 independently of the bar conveyor device 6 by means of the cross bar laying device 8.

The rod conveyor device 6 comprises a conveyor 9, which has a first deflection station 10 and a second deflection station 11. A traction means 12 is guided around the two deflection stations 10, 11 and is arranged in a circumferential manner on the deflection stations 10, 11. The traction means 12 can be designed as a conveyor belt in a general embodiment, for example. A special embodiment of the conveyor 9 is described below in Fig.4 . described in more detail. The first deflection station 10 and/or the second deflection station 11 can be driven by means of a drive motor.

Due to the described structure of the conveyor 9, it has a conveying direction 13. The longitudinal bars 3 are placed on the conveyor 9 in such a way that their longitudinal extension is aligned parallel to the conveying direction 13.

The rod welding device 7 has a portal 14 on which at least two opposing welding heads 15 are arranged, which form a welding head pair. The welding heads 15 are arranged at an angle of 90° to the conveying direction 13 aligned transverse direction 16. Of course, it is also conceivable that several opposing welding heads 15 are formed, which form several welding head pairs.

An exact description of the rod welding device 7 or its variants can be found in the Austrian disclosure AT520866B1 cited.

The crossbar laying device 8 comprises an articulated arm robot 17 which serves to manipulate the crossbars 4. The articulated arm robot 17 has a gripping head 18 which is arranged at one end of the robot structure and serves to grip the crossbars 4. In particular, it can be provided that the gripping head 18 has several grippers 19 which are arranged at a distance G 20 from one another.

Furthermore, a profile rail 21 can be provided which is coupled to the articulated arm robot 17 and on which the individual grippers 19 are arranged. In particular, it can be provided that the grippers 19 are arranged on the profile rail 21 by means of spacers 22. The profile rail 21 can be formed, for example, from an aluminum profile which has a low mass. By using several grippers 19, bending of the cross bars 4 due to their own mass can be largely prevented. In particular, it can be provided that the cross bars 4 can be picked up individually by means of the articulated arm robot 17 and can be positioned in the area of the rod welding device 7.

Furthermore, a crossbar conveyor device 23 can be provided, which is arranged in the action area of the articulated arm robot 17 and serves to feed the crossbars 4. In the present embodiment, the crossbar conveyor device 23 has a conveying direction 24 which is aligned parallel to the conveying direction 13 of the conveyor 9.

In other embodiments not shown, it can of course also be provided that the cross bar conveyor device 23 is positioned or aligned differently than described here.

Based on Fig.1 A possible procedure for operating the mesh welding system 1 is described.

In a first method step, the longitudinal bars 3 are placed on the conveyor 9. This can be done, for example, with a schematically shown lifting device 25.

The longitudinal bars 3 placed on a support surface 26 of the conveyor 9 are transported to the bar welding device 7 by means of the conveyor 9 in a further process step. In parallel, a cross bar 4 is removed from the cross bar conveyor 23 by means of the cross bar laying device 8 and is also positioned in the area of the bar welding device 7 by means of the gripping head 18.

When both the longitudinal bars 3 and the cross bar 4 positioned by means of the gripping head 18 have reached their intended welding position in the area of the bar welding device 7, the cross bar 4 can be welded to the longitudinal bars 3 by means of the welding heads 15, in particular by means of two welding heads of a welding head pair.

In this case, several welding head pairs with opposing welding heads 15 can be provided, by means of which several welding processes can be carried out in parallel.

After the cross bar 4 has been welded to one of the longitudinal bars 3, the welding heads 15 can be moved in pairs in the transverse direction 16 in order to be able to weld the cross bar 4 to another longitudinal bar 3.

If the cross bar 4 is welded to the longitudinal bars 3 at a predefined number of welding points and thus has sufficient positional stability, the grippers 19 can be opened and the gripping head 18 can be moved to the cross bar conveyor device 23 in order to be able to pick up a new cross bar 4.

In parallel, analogous to the process steps already described, the welding heads 15 can be moved in the transverse direction 16 in order to be able to weld further longitudinal bars 3 to the already partially welded transverse bar 4.

When the cross bar 4 is welded to the longitudinal bars 3 at all the designated points, the longitudinal bars 3 can be advanced using the conveyor 9 until another desired welding position is reached. At the same time, the additional cross bar 4 that has already been picked up can be positioned in the area of the welding device 7 using the cross bar laying device 8 in order to be able to weld it as well.

Due to the inventive design of the mesh welding system 1, reinforcement meshes 2 can be produced flexibly, whereby a flexible distance between the individual longitudinal bars 3 or transverse bars 4 can be set.

Furthermore, it can be provided that individual longitudinal bars 3 or transverse bars 4 do not extend over the entire length or width of the reinforcement mat 2, but that recesses are realized in the reinforcement mat 2 by segmented or shorter longitudinal bars 3 or transverse bars 4.

Due to the described structure of the conveyor 9, it is not necessary for the rod welding device 7 to be moved in the conveying direction 13 of the conveyor 9. This measure allows the structure of the mat welding system 1 to be kept as simple as possible.

As from Fig.1 As can also be seen, it can be provided that a base 27 of the articulated arm robot 17 is arranged laterally next to the conveyor 9 when viewed in the transverse direction 16.

Fig.2 shows a further and possibly independent embodiment of the mat welding system 1 in a schematic side view.

As from Fig.2 As can be seen, it can be provided that the bar conveyor device 6 for feeding the longitudinal bars 3 to the bar welding device 7 has several conveyor means 9 arranged one behind the other, which can be driven independently of one another.

This measure allows the reinforcement mat 2 currently in the rod welding device to be welded, whereby the process steps described above can be carried out. The feed of the longitudinal rods 3 currently to be welded can be accomplished with the conveyor 9 which is arranged closest to the rod welding device 7.

In parallel, further longitudinal bars 3 for a further reinforcement mat 2 can be provided by means of the further conveying means 9 or the further conveying means 9. The further longitudinal bars 3 can be moved in the conveying direction 13 independently of the first longitudinal bars 3.

Furthermore, it can be provided that at least some of the conveying means 9 can be displaced in the conveying direction 13. This allows the distance between the individual conveying means 9 to be varied.

Furthermore, a removal device 28 can be provided, which serves to transport away the already welded reinforcement mat 2. The removal device 28 can be arranged on the side of the rod welding device 7 opposite the rod conveyor device 6. In particular, it can be provided that the removal device 28 has a removal conveyor means 29, which can be designed in the same way as the conveyor means 9.

Fig.3 shows a schematic plan view of a mat production system 30 in which the mat welding system 1 is integrated, whereby the same reference symbols or component designations are used for the same parts as in the previous figures. In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, reference is made to the detailed description in the previous figures.

The mat production system 30 comprises a holder for several raw material rolls 31 on which the raw material of the metal rods 5, in particular the longitudinal rods 3 or cross rods 4, is rolled up. The metal rod 5 is pulled off the raw material roll 31 and straightened in a straightening system 32. The individual longitudinal rods 3 or cross rods 4 are then cut to their intended length in a cutting device 33. The individual longitudinal rods 3 or cross rods 4 are received in a rod magazine 34, where they can be separated and made available for further processing. The individual longitudinal rods 3 or cross rods 4 can then be transported by means of the lifting device 25 from the rod magazine 34 to the rod conveyor device 6 or to the cross rod conveyor device 23. There they can be welded to a reinforcement mat 2 by means of the mat welding system 1, as already described.

Fig.4 shows an embodiment of a conveyor 9 according to the invention in a perspective view. For the sake of clarity, the conveyor 9 has been shown with a small width. However, it goes without saying that the conveyor 9 can have a larger width.

As from Fig.4 As can be seen, it is provided that the conveyor means 9 comprises a first traction means 35 and a second traction means 36, which wrap around the first deflection station 10 and the second deflection station 11, respectively. In the view according to Fig.4 For reasons of clarity, the second deflection station 11 is not shown. The first deflection station 10 and/or the second deflection station 11 can have a drive.

The two deflection stations 10, 11 are spaced apart from one another at a distance A 37. Furthermore, several support strips 40 are formed, which extend in the transverse direction 16 of the conveyor 9.

For the sake of clarity, Fig.4 Only two of the support strips 40 are shown, but it should be mentioned that usually a plurality of support strips 40 are arranged at a periodic distance from one another. The support strips 40 are each coupled to the first traction means 35 and to the second traction means 36 or connected to them.

In the present embodiment, it is provided that the first traction means 35 and the second traction means 36 are designed as a link chain 41. A first gear 38 and a second gear 39 are provided, which serve to deflect the first traction means 35 and the second traction means 36, respectively. The two gears 38, 39 are arranged on a shaft 42, by means of which the two gears 38, 39 are torque-coupled to one another. The two gears 38, 39 and thus also the two traction means 35, 36 are arranged at a distance B 43 from one another. The length of the support bar 40 is therefore at least that of the distance B 43.

In a further embodiment not shown, it can also be provided that the first traction means 35 or the second traction means 36 is formed, for example, by a revolving toothed belt. In a further alternative, it can be provided that the first traction means 35 or the second traction means 36 is formed by a revolving cable.

As from Fig.4 As can also be seen, it can be provided that one or more fastening tabs 45 are formed on at least individual links 44 of the link chain 41, wherein the support strips 40 can be coupled to the fastening tabs 45 by means of fastening means 46. The fastening means 46 can be designed in the form of screws. Of course, it is also conceivable that the support strips 40 can be coupled to the fastening tabs 45 by some other connection. Furthermore, it is also conceivable that the support strips 40 can be connected to the individual links 44 of the link chain 41 by means of clamps. In yet another embodiment, it is also conceivable that the support strips 40 can be coupled to the fastening tabs 45 by means of a welded connection.

As from Fig.4 As can also be seen, it can be provided that the support strips 40 are U-shaped, with a base 47 being formed to which two legs 48 are connected. The base 47 can serve to fasten the support strips 40 to the traction means 35, 36. In particular, it can be provided that the base 47 faces the two traction means 35, 36. The legs 48 can have the support surface 26 for receiving the metal rods 5.

In particular, it can be provided that positioning notches 49 are formed on the legs 48 of the support strip 40, which serve to accommodate the metal rods 5. The positioning notches 49 can be spaced apart from one another at a grid spacing 50. The grid spacing 50 is preferably selected such that the largest possible number of different reinforcement mats 2 with different pitches can be accommodated on the support strip 40.

Furthermore, at least one magnet 51 is provided on the support bar 40, which serves to fix the metal rods 5. The magnet 51 can be arranged in particular between the two legs 48 of the support bar 40. In particular, it can be provided that the magnet 51 is attached to the base 47.

In one embodiment, it can be provided that the magnet 51 is cast between the two legs 48 by means of a synthetic resin.

Furthermore, it can be provided that several magnets 51 are arranged on the support bar 40 at a distance from one another in the transverse direction 16. In particular, it can be provided that one magnet 51 is formed for each positioning notch 49.

In an alternative embodiment, it can also be provided that a magnet 51 is provided which extends over the entire area of the positioning notches 49.

If the conveying means 9 has a small width, two traction means 35, 36 may be sufficient.

In a further embodiment not shown, it can also be provided that several traction means 35, 36 are formed distributed over the width of the rod conveyor device 6. A bearing 52 can be formed on the shaft 42 between the individual gears 38, 39. Alternatively or additionally, a bearing 52 can also be formed on the outside of the gears 38, 39 on the shaft 42.

Fig.5 shows a side view of another embodiment of a conveyor 9. As can be seen from Fig.5 As can be seen, it can be provided that the first gear 38 of the first deflection station 10 and the first gear 38 of the second deflection station 11 or the second gear 39 of the first deflection station 10 and the second gear 39 of the second deflection station 11 are arranged at one level and thus form an axial plane 53.

Furthermore, a support strip 54 is formed, which is arranged between the first gear 38 of the first deflection station 10 and the first gear 38 of the second deflection station 11 or between the second gear 39 of the first deflection station 10 and the second gear 39 of the second deflection station 11.

The support bar 54 can be positioned such that the first traction means 35 or the second traction means 36 rest on the support bar 54 in the area between the first gears 38 or between the second gears 39 and are thus raised in this area by means of the support bar 54.

According to the invention, the traction means 35, 36 is arranged in the area of the base strip 54 at a first distance 55 from the axis plane 53. In the area of the gear wheel 38, 39, the traction means 35, 36 is arranged at a second distance 56 from the axis plane 53.

The first distance 55 is greater than the second distance 56. In other words, the traction means 35, 36 are lifted from the axle plane 53 relative to the gear wheels 38, 39 by means of the support strips 54.

This measure can prevent a leg 48 from being lifted off by the deflection of the support strip 40 when the support strip 40 rotates at the transition to the gear wheel 38, 39, which would raise the metal rod 5. This measure can therefore prevent an undesired lifting of the metal rods 5 in the area of the gear wheels 38, 39.

In particular, it can be provided that a bevel 57 is formed on the base strip 54, which serves for a smooth transition of the traction means 35, 36 between the gear wheel 38, 39 and the base strip 54.

The described structure of the conveyor 9 can be designed in addition to the rod conveyor device 6 also in the withdrawal device 28 or the withdrawal conveyor 29 or in the cross rod conveyor device 23.

Furthermore, it is of course also conceivable that other conveying devices have the described conveying means 9.

Fig.6 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a rod conveyor device 6 with several conveyor means 9 arranged one behind the other.

The embodiments show possible variants, whereby it should be noted at this point that the invention is not limited to the specifically illustrated variants of the same, but rather the scope of protection is determined by the claims. The description and the drawings are to be used to interpret the claims.

All information on value ranges in the description in question is to be understood as including any and all sub-ranges thereof, e.g. the information 1 to 10 is to be understood as including all sub-ranges starting from the lower limit 1 and the upper limit 10, ie all sub-ranges begin with a lower limit of 1 or greater and end with an upper limit of 10 or less, e.g. 1 to 1.7, or 3.2 to 8.1, or 5.5 to 10.

Finally, for the sake of clarity, it should be noted that in order to better understand the structure, some elements have been shown not to scale and/or enlarged and/or reduced.

List of reference symbols

1 Mesh welding system 30 Mat production plant 2 Reinforcement mat 31 Raw material roll 3 Longitudinal bar 32 Straightening system 4 Crossbar 33 Cutting device 5 Metal rod 34 Stick magazine 6 Rod conveyor device 35 first traction device 7 Rod welding device 36 second traction device 8th Crossbar laying device 37 Distance A 9 Funding 38 first gear 10 first diversion station 39 second gear 11 second deflection station 40 Support bar 12 Traction device 41 Link chain 13 Funding direction Funding 42 Wave 14 portal 43 Distance B 15 Welding head 44 element 16 Transverse direction 45 Mounting bracket 17 Articulated arm robot 46 Fasteners 18 Gripping head 47 Base 19 Gripper 48 leg 20 Distance G 49 Positioning notch 21 Profile rail 50 Grid spacing 22 Spacers 51 magnet 23 Cross bar conveyor device 52 storage 24 Conveying direction cross bar conveyor 53 Axial plane 54 Underlay strip 25 Lifting equipment 55 first distance 26 Support surface 56 second distance 27 Base 57 Bevel 28 Extractor 29 Deduction subsidies

Claims (9)

1. Reinforcing steel bar conveying device (6) with a conveying means (9) comprising a first deflection station (10) and a second deflection station (11), which are arranged at a distance A (37) from one another in the conveying direction (13), characterized in that a first pulling means (35) and a second pulling means (36) are formed, the first traction means (35) and the second traction means (36) being tensioned at a distance B (43) from one another in the transverse direction (16) between the first deflection station (10) and the second deflection station (11), and a plurality of support strips (40) being formed which extend in the transverse direction (16) and are coupled to the first traction means (35) and to the second traction means (36), and serve to receive at least two metal rods (5) arranged next to one another, at least one magnet (51) for fixing the metal rods (5) being formed in each of at least three of the support strips (40), and the conveying means (9) having a support strip (54) for the pulling means (35, 36), wherein the support strip (54) is arranged between the two deflection stations (10, 11), and wherein in the region of the support strip (54) a first distance (55) of the pulling means (35, 36) from an axis plane (53) is greater than a second distance (56) of the pulling means (35, 36) from the axis plane (53) in the region of the deflection stations (10, 11).
2. Rod conveyor device (6) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least two magnets (51) are formed on at least one of the support strips (40), which are spaced apart from one another in the transverse direction (16).
3. Rod conveyor device (6) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the traction means (35, 36) are designed in the form of a link chain (41).
4. Rod conveyor device (6) according to claim 3, characterized in that at least individual links (44) of the link chain (41) have a fastening lug (45) for connection to the support strip (40) by means of a fastening means (46).
5. Rod conveyor device (6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support strips (40) have a base (47) and two legs (48) adjoining the base (47) in a U-shape, the support strips (40) being coupled at their base (47) to the pulling means (35, 36) and being designed at their legs (48) for receiving the metal rods (5).
6. Rod conveyor device (6) according to claim 5, characterized in that a plurality of positioning notches (49) for receiving the metal rods (5) are formed on the legs (48) at a grid spacing (50).
7. Rod conveyor device (6) according to claim 6, characterized in that one magnet (51) is provided for each positioning notch (49).
8. Rod conveyor device (6) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first deflection station (10) and the second deflection station (11) each have a first gearwheel (38) for receiving the first traction means (35) and a second gearwheel (39) for receiving the second traction means (36), the two gearwheels (38, 39) being coupled to one another in each case by means of a shaft (42).
9. Mesh welding installation (1) for producing reinforcing meshes (2) with a reinforcing steel bar conveying device (6), a transverse bar placing device (8) and a bar welding device (7), characterized in that the reinforcing steel bar conveying device (6) is designed according to one of the preceding claims.

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