EP3720616B1 - Method for removing a follower plate from a container - Google Patents

Method for removing a follower plate from a container Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3720616B1
EP3720616B1 EP19704761.6A EP19704761A EP3720616B1 EP 3720616 B1 EP3720616 B1 EP 3720616B1 EP 19704761 A EP19704761 A EP 19704761A EP 3720616 B1 EP3720616 B1 EP 3720616B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
container
sensor
ventilation
switching element
follower plate
Prior art date
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Active
Application number
EP19704761.6A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3720616A1 (en
Inventor
Thomas Fippl
Patrick Scholl
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Atlas Copco IAS GmbH
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Atlas Copco IAS GmbH
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Publication date
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Publication of EP3720616A1 publication Critical patent/EP3720616A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05C—APPARATUS FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05C11/00—Component parts, details or accessories not specifically provided for in groups B05C1/00 - B05C9/00
    • B05C11/10—Storage, supply or control of liquid or other fluent material; Recovery of excess liquid or other fluent material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B9/00—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent material, without essentially mixing with gas or vapour
    • B05B9/03—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent material, without essentially mixing with gas or vapour characterised by means for supplying liquid or other fluent material
    • B05B9/04—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent material, without essentially mixing with gas or vapour characterised by means for supplying liquid or other fluent material with pressurised or compressible container; with pump
    • B05B9/047—Spraying apparatus for discharge of liquids or other fluent material, without essentially mixing with gas or vapour characterised by means for supplying liquid or other fluent material with pressurised or compressible container; with pump supply being effected by follower in container, e.g. membrane or floating piston, or by deformation of container
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05C—APPARATUS FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05C11/00—Component parts, details or accessories not specifically provided for in groups B05C1/00 - B05C9/00
    • B05C11/10—Storage, supply or control of liquid or other fluent material; Recovery of excess liquid or other fluent material
    • B05C11/1002—Means for controlling supply, i.e. flow or pressure, of liquid or other fluent material to the applying apparatus, e.g. valves
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05C—APPARATUS FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05C11/00—Component parts, details or accessories not specifically provided for in groups B05C1/00 - B05C9/00
    • B05C11/10—Storage, supply or control of liquid or other fluent material; Recovery of excess liquid or other fluent material
    • B05C11/1002—Means for controlling supply, i.e. flow or pressure, of liquid or other fluent material to the applying apparatus, e.g. valves
    • B05C11/1007—Means for controlling supply, i.e. flow or pressure, of liquid or other fluent material to the applying apparatus, e.g. valves responsive to condition of liquid or other fluent material
    • B05C11/101—Means for controlling supply, i.e. flow or pressure, of liquid or other fluent material to the applying apparatus, e.g. valves responsive to condition of liquid or other fluent material responsive to weight of a container for liquid or other fluent material; responsive to level of liquid or other fluent material in a container
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D7/00—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes
    • B67D7/06—Details or accessories
    • B67D7/58—Arrangements of pumps
    • B67D7/62—Arrangements of pumps power operated
    • B67D7/64—Arrangements of pumps power operated of piston type
    • B67D7/645—Barrel pumps

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for removing a follower plate from a barrel-like container according to the preamble of claim 1 and a device for conveying viscous material according to the preamble of claim 6.
  • Methods and devices for removing a follower plate from a container are used, for example, for applying adhesives, sealants, insulating materials or thermally conductive pastes to workpieces, in particular to bodywork components in the production of motor vehicles.
  • the viscous material is conveyed out of the container via the material outlet opening by means of a pump, with the follower plate being constantly held in contact with a surface of the material in the container by means of the lifting device and following the falling material level in the container by being lowered by means of the lifting device.
  • the follower plate is sealed with respect to the container shell, so that on the one hand no material can escape from the container and on the other hand no air from the environment can penetrate into the container. If the container is empty, it is exchanged for a new, full container.
  • the follower plate must be moved up and out of the container.
  • the inside of the container must be ventilated, otherwise a vacuum is created in the container, which prevents the follower plate from moving out. If the follower plate is lifted, it lifts the container as a result of the resulting negative pressure in the container and the static friction of its seals on the inner surface of the container jacket until compressed air is introduced into the container via the ventilation opening by means of the ventilation device and the resulting overpressure in the container pushes it down again.
  • a lifting device which has two double-acting cylinders, each with two pressure chambers that are tightly separated from one another by a piston.
  • Each piston is connected to the follower plate by means of a piston rod in such a way that when the follower plate is raised, a first of the pressure chambers is reduced and the second of the pressure chambers is enlarged.
  • a pressure sensor is provided in each case, which measures the pressure in one of the pressure chambers and uses the pressure values to control the lifting device and the ventilation device.
  • the invention is based on the idea of not leaving it to the skill and experience of the operator when to switch from lifting mode to ventilation mode and vice versa, but to automate this switching always be carried out under the same conditions.
  • at least one parameter characterizing the position of the container and/or the follower plate is measured by at least one sensor, preferably continuously or at short time intervals, and the measured values of the parameter are transmitted from the sensor to the control device, which controls the lifting device and the ventilation device.
  • a change between the lifting mode and the ventilation mode always takes place in a switching direction when the measured value of the at least one parameter exceeds a predefined first setpoint and in the opposite switching direction when the measured value of the at least one parameter falls below a predefined second setpoint.
  • the parameter is then to be selected so that it changes in a first direction in the lifting mode, in which the follower plate is raised and ventilation of the container interior is blocked, while it changes in the ventilation mode, in which the lifting of the follower plate is stopped and ventilation is released is changed in the opposite direction.
  • the first and/or the second setpoint value is specified anew at the beginning of the removal of the follower plate from the container, ie with each barrel change process.
  • the setpoints can be set manually by an operator who recognizes when the container has been raised far enough so that it is necessary to switch to ventilation mode, or the first and/or the second setpoint can be specified automatically.
  • the lifting device generally has at least one double-acting cylinder with two pressure chambers separated from one another in a pressure-tight manner by a piston, the piston being connected to the follower plate by means of a piston rod in such a way that when the follower plate is raised, a first of the pressure chambers is reduced and the second of the pressure chambers is enlarged will.
  • the at least one sensor is a force measuring sensor, which measures a force exerted by the container on an installation surface. This force is greatest when the container and the follower plate accommodated in the container bear their full weight on the installation surface. As soon as the container is lifted off the installation surface, the weight on the installation surface and thus on the force measuring sensor is reduced to zero.
  • the force measuring sensor thus has the function of a scale.
  • the control device switches from ventilation mode to lifting mode when the force exerted by the container on the installation surface exceeds a first target force value, and the control device switches from lifting mode to ventilation mode when the force exerted by the container on the installation surface falls below a second target force value.
  • the at least one sensor measures the position of the container in relation to a stationary point.
  • a path by which the container is moved, in particular raised can be measured in absolute terms.
  • the at least one sensor expediently measures the height of a container-fixed reference point over a footprint for the container, the control device switches from lifting mode to ventilation mode when the measured height exceeds a first target height, and the control device switches from ventilation mode to lifting mode when the measured Height falls below a second target height.
  • the at least one sensor can be a proximity sensor that detects the movement of a switching element that is moved with the container. This is expediently carried along when the container is lifted by a driver fixed to the container and is thereby lifted, rotated and moved in some other way.
  • the driver can, for example, be a beaded edge on the bottom of the container, which runs around and protrudes radially.
  • a driver it is also possible for a driver to be releasably attached to the container as an additional component and, in particular, to be removed again before the emptied container is transported away from the conveyor device.
  • the at least one switching element can expediently be raised against the force of a restoring element.
  • the preferably elastic restoring element for example a spring, then always pushes the switching element back into a rest position.
  • the switching element can be guided by means of a stationary guide device in such a way that it moves away from the container when it is lifted. In this way it releases the container if it is lifted too far, for example in the event of a lift mode malfunction.
  • the at least one switching element can also form a horizontal stop for positioning the container in a conveying position on the installation surface. It serves not only to act on the sensor in order to detect a movement of the container, but also to position the container exactly on the installation surface under the follower plate.
  • the at least one switching element can also be arranged in such a way that when the container is moved into the conveying position, it is moved a little, in particular raised or rotated, and thus indicates by acting on the sensor that the container is positioned in the conveying position.
  • the at least one switching element can be raised from a rest position in which it completely covers the at least one sensor. The sensor cannot then be influenced by foreign bodies when the switching element is in the rest position.
  • FIGs 1a, 1b 1 is a schematic representation of a device 10 for conveying viscous material from a cylindrical container 12 which has a container bottom 14 and a container jacket 16 extending upwards from the container bottom 14 .
  • the conveyor device 10 has a follower plate 18 which rests on an inner surface 20 of the container jacket 16 in a sealed manner on a surface of the viscous material accommodated in the interior 24 of the container.
  • the container 12 is already emptied and no longer contains any viscous material.
  • the follower plate 18 has a material outlet opening, not shown in detail, to which a pump is connected, which conveys the viscous material, usually an adhesive or sealant, to an application device.
  • the container 12 stands on a set-up surface 28.
  • a lifting device 30 is provided for moving the follower plate 18 and has a carrying device 32 rigidly connected to the follower plate 18 .
  • it has two double-acting cylinders 34 of identical construction, which are arranged on both sides of the follower plate 18 so that their central axes lie on a line with the central axis of the follower plate 18 .
  • the cylinders 34 each have a piston 36 which delimits a first, upper pressure chamber 38 and a second, lower pressure chamber 40 from one another in a pressure-tight manner.
  • a piston rod 42 runs through the first pressure chamber 38 and is guided out of the cylinder 34 in an axially sealed manner, both piston rods 42 being rigidly connected to the support device 32 .
  • the pistons 36 and with them By introducing pressure medium such as compressed air or Hydraulic fluid into the pressure chambers 38, 40, the pistons 36 and with them the follower plate 18 can be moved up and down, in particular to follow the decreasing material level in the container 12.
  • the first pressure chambers 38 communicate with one another in the same way as the second pressure chambers 40.
  • the first effective area of piston 36 facing first pressure chamber 38 is smaller than the second effective area facing second pressure chamber 40 .
  • there is a resultant upward force which, with a tolerance of less than 10%, preferably less than 5%, weighs the weight of the follower plate 18, the lifting device 32, the piston rods 42 and the piston 36 balances.
  • the follower plate 18 has a ventilation opening 44 through which air and in particular compressed air can be introduced into the interior 24 of the container.
  • a ventilation device 46 is provided, which has a compressed air line 48 running to the ventilation opening 44 , which is connected to a compressed air system 50 and can be shut off by means of a compressed air valve 52 . If the container 12 is empty, the follower plate 18 must be removed from it in order to exchange the container.
  • the follower plate 18 is raised a little, for example by a few centimetres, by means of the lifting device 30 in a lifting mode, as indicated by the arrows in FIG Fig. 1a 1, wherein the container 12 is raised the same distance with the follower plate 18. Then the lifting process is stopped and it becomes in a ventilation mode Compressed air is introduced into the interior of the container 24 by means of the ventilation device 46 via the compressed air line 48 and the ventilation opening 44, so that the excess pressure occurring in the interior of the container 24 moves the container 12 back down to the installation surface 28 with the follower plate 18 held in place, as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1b implied.
  • the device 10 has a sensor 56 which detects the position of the container 12 and transmits its measured values to the control device 54 .
  • the sensor 56 measures the position of the container 12 continuously or at short time intervals.
  • the sensor 56 is designed as a proximity sensor. It does not measure the position of the container 12 directly, but indirectly via a switching element 58.
  • a sensor receptacle 60 which is covered by the switching element 58 and encompassed on its sides, so that it is only acted upon by the switching element 58 and not in can be acted upon by foreign objects in an undesired manner.
  • the sensor mount 60 is firmly connected to the installation surface 28 .
  • This increase in distance which is identical to the distance the container 12 is lifted, is detected by the sensor 56. If the distance exceeds a predetermined first desired value, the sensor 56 sends a signal to the control device 54, which switches over from the lifting mode to the ventilation mode. The container 12 then lowers again and with it the switching element 58 until the container 12 stands up again on the installation surface 28 or is just above it and the distance between the switching element 58 and the sensor 56 is one falls below the second predetermined setpoint. The sensor 56 then transmits a signal to the controller 54, which switches back to the lifting mode.
  • the switching element 58 acts according to FIG Figures 2, 3 also as a stop when positioning the container 12 on the installation surface 28 and thus specifies, for example also in conjunction with other centering elements, the position in which the container 12 must be positioned on the installation surface 28 in order to be in a conveying position directly below the raised follower plate 18 to be located.
  • the correct positioning of the container 12 on the installation area 28 can then also be detected by the sensor 56.
  • the projection 64 has a ramp 68 on its underside, so that the switching element 58 is already raised a little when the beaded edge 62 is pushed under the projection 64 . This lifting of the switching element 58 is detected by the sensor 56 so that it can send a signal when the flanged edge 62 is located under the projection 64 .
  • FIG. 4 12 shows an alternative exemplary embodiment of the switching element 58. When it is raised, this not only performs a linear movement upwards, like the switching element 58 according to the first exemplary embodiment. It has a pin 70 which is guided in a guide link 72 of a stationary guide device 74 .
  • the guide slot 72 initially extends vertically upwards and then angled obliquely upwards away from the container 12 so that when the container 12 is lifted the switching element 58 is initially moved linearly upwards and then away from the container 12 . This measure prevents damage to the switching element if the container 12 is raised too far due to a malfunction or operator error.
  • FIGs 5a, 5b an alternative exemplary embodiment for the switching element 58 is shown.
  • This is slidably mounted on a stationary, vertically running guide rod 76 and has a switching section 78 for acting on the sensor 56, which is in turn designed as a proximity sensor, and a rigid associated with the switching section 78 flag 80 on.
  • the lug 80 extends vertically, ie in the axial direction of the guide rod 76, and radially with respect to the guide rod 76. If a container 12 is moved into its conveying position, the container jacket 16 is subjected to pressure, as in Figure 5b shown, the flag 80 and pivots it against the restoring force of a spring about the guide rod 76.
  • the invention relates to a method for removing a follower plate 18 of a device 10 for conveying viscous material from a barrel-like container 12, wherein the device 10 uses the follower plate 18 for closing the upwardly open, a container bottom 14 and a Container 12 has a container bottom 14 with a container jacket 16 extending upwards, which rests against the inner surface 20 of the container jacket 16 facing the container interior 24 and is movable in the direction of the container bottom 14 and away from the container bottom 14, and which has a material outlet opening and a ventilation opening 44, wherein the Device 10 has a lifting device 30 for lifting the follower plate 18, a ventilation device 46 for introducing compressed air into the container 12 through the ventilation opening 44 and a control device 54 for controlling the lifting device 30 and the ventilation device 46, and wherein the follower plate 18 is raised alternately in a lifting mode by means of the lifting device 30 and air is introduced into the container 12 in a ventilation mode by means of the ventilation device 46.
  • At least one parameter characterizing the position of container 12 and/or follower plate 18 is measured using at least one sensor 56, the measured values of the parameter are transmitted from sensor 56 to control device 54, and control device 54 alternately switches between the lifting mode and the ventilation mode always automatically if the measured value of the at least one parameter exceeds a predetermined first target value and if the measured value of the at least one parameter falls below a predetermined second target value.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Filling Or Emptying Of Bunkers, Hoppers, And Tanks (AREA)
  • Reciprocating Pumps (AREA)

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zum Entfernen einer Folgeplatte aus einem fassartigen Behälter gemäß Oberbegriff des Anspruchs 1 und eine Vorrichtung zum Fördern von viskosem Material gemäß Oberbegriff des Anspruchs 6.The invention relates to a method for removing a follower plate from a barrel-like container according to the preamble of claim 1 and a device for conveying viscous material according to the preamble of claim 6.

Verfahren und Vorrichtungen zum Entfernen einer Folgeplatte aus einem Behälter werden beispielsweise zum Auftragen von Klebstoffen, Dichtstoffen, Dämmstoffen oder Wärmeleitpasten auf Werkstücke, insbesondere auf Karosseriebauteile bei der Produktion von Kraftfahrzeugen, eingesetzt. Das viskose Material wird dabei mittels einer Pumpe über die Materialauslassöffnung aus dem Behälter gefördert, wobei die Folgeplatte mittels der Hebeeinrichtung stets in Anlage an einer Oberfläche des Materials im Behälter gehalten wird und durch Absenken mittels der Hebeeinrichtung dem absinkenden Materialspiegel im Behälter folgt. Gegenüber dem Behältermantel ist die Folgeplatte abgedichtet, so dass einerseits kein Material aus dem Behälter ausdringen und andererseits keine Luft aus der Umgebung in den Behälter eindringen kann. Ist der Behälter entleert, so wird er gegen einen neuen, vollen Behälter ausgetauscht. Zu diesem Zweck muss die Folgeplatte aus dem Behälter nach oben herausbewegt werden. Um die Folgeplatte im Behälter nach oben bewegen zu können, muss das Innere des Behälters belüftet werden, da sonst im Behälter ein Vakuum entsteht, das ein Herausbewegen der Folgeplatte verhindert. Wird die Folgeplatte angehoben, so hebt sie infolge des entstehenden Unterdrucks im Behälter sowie durch die Haftreibung ihrer an der Innenfläche des Behältermantels anliegenden Dichtungen den Behälter mit an, bis mittels der Belüftungseinrichtung über die Belüftungsöffnung Druckluft in diesen eingeleitet wird und der im Behälter entstehende Überdruck diesen wieder nach unten drückt. Dabei ist es üblich, zum Entfernen der Folgeplatte aus dem Behälter immer abwechselnd die Folgeplatte in einem Hebemodus der Vorrichtung ein Stück weit anzuheben, um dann in einem Belüftungsmodus mittels der Belüftungseinrichtung Druckluft in den Behälter einzuleiten. Hebemodus und Belüftungsmodus wechseln sich dann solange ab, bis die Folgeplatte an der Öffnung an der Oberseite des Behälters angekommen ist und aus diesem entnommen werden kann. Der Wechsel zwischen dem Hebemodus und dem Belüftungsmodus wird von einer Bedienperson manuell vorgenommen, was aufwendig zu bewerkstelligen ist und einige Erfahrung des Bedienpersonals erfordert.Methods and devices for removing a follower plate from a container are used, for example, for applying adhesives, sealants, insulating materials or thermally conductive pastes to workpieces, in particular to bodywork components in the production of motor vehicles. The viscous material is conveyed out of the container via the material outlet opening by means of a pump, with the follower plate being constantly held in contact with a surface of the material in the container by means of the lifting device and following the falling material level in the container by being lowered by means of the lifting device. The follower plate is sealed with respect to the container shell, so that on the one hand no material can escape from the container and on the other hand no air from the environment can penetrate into the container. If the container is empty, it is exchanged for a new, full container. For this purpose, the follower plate must be moved up and out of the container. In order to be able to move the follower plate upwards in the container, the inside of the container must be ventilated, otherwise a vacuum is created in the container, which prevents the follower plate from moving out. If the follower plate is lifted, it lifts the container as a result of the resulting negative pressure in the container and the static friction of its seals on the inner surface of the container jacket until compressed air is introduced into the container via the ventilation opening by means of the ventilation device and the resulting overpressure in the container pushes it down again. In order to remove the follower plate from the container, it is customary to alternately lift the follower plate a little in a lifting mode of the device and then introduce compressed air into the container in an aeration mode by means of the aeration device. Lifting mode and ventilation mode then alternate until the follower plate has arrived at the opening at the top of the container and can be removed from it. The changeover between the lifting mode and the ventilation mode is carried out manually by an operator, which is difficult to do and requires some experience on the part of the operator.

Aus der DE 10 2015 009 130 A1 ist ein Verfahren der eingangs genannten Art bekannt, bei dem eine Hebeeinrichtung zum Einsatz kommt, die zwei doppelt wirkende Zylinder mit jeweils zwei durch einen Kolben dicht gegeneinander abgegrenzten Druckräumen aufweist. Jeder Kolben ist mittels einer Kolbenstange so mit der Folgeplatte verbunden, dass beim Anheben der Folgeplatte ein erster der Druckräume verkleinert und der zweite der Druckräume vergrößert wird. Zudem ist jeweils ein Drucksensor vorgesehen, der den Druck in einem der Druckräume misst und die Druckwerte zum Ansteuern der Hebeeinrichtung und der Belüftungseinrichtung heranzieht.From the DE 10 2015 009 130 A1 a method of the type mentioned at the outset is known, in which a lifting device is used which has two double-acting cylinders, each with two pressure chambers that are tightly separated from one another by a piston. Each piston is connected to the follower plate by means of a piston rod in such a way that when the follower plate is raised, a first of the pressure chambers is reduced and the second of the pressure chambers is enlarged. In addition, a pressure sensor is provided in each case, which measures the pressure in one of the pressure chambers and uses the pressure values to control the lifting device and the ventilation device.

Es ist daher Aufgabe der Erfindung, ein Verfahren und eine Vorrichtung der eingangs genannten Art derart weiter zu entwickeln, dass die Folgeplatte einfacher aus dem Behälter entfernt werden kann.It is therefore the object of the invention to further develop a method and a device of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that the follower plate can be removed more easily from the container.

Diese Aufgabe wird erfindungsgemäß durch ein Verfahren mit den Merkmalen des Anspruchs 1 und eine Vorrichtung mit den Merkmalen des Anspruchs 6 gelöst. Vorteilhafte Weiterbildungen der Erfindung sind Gegenstand der abhängigen Ansprüche.According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1 and a device having the features of claim 6 . Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

Der Erfindung liegt der Gedanke zugrunde, es nicht dem Geschick und der Erfahrung des Bedienpersonals zu überlassen, wann vom Hebemodus in den Belüftungsmodus und umgekehrt umgeschaltet wird, sondern dieses Umschalten automatisiert stets bei Vorliegen der gleichen Bedingungen durchzuführen. Zu diesem Zweck wird mittels mindestens eines Sensors mindestens eine die Position des Behälters und/oder der Folgeplatte charakterisierende Kenngröße vorzugsweise kontinuierlich oder in kurzen zeitlichen Abständen gemessen und die Messwerte der Kenngröße werden vom Sensor an die Steuereinrichtung übermittelt, die die Hebeeinrichtung und die Belüftungseinrichtung ansteuert. Ein Wechsel zwischen dem Hebemodus und dem Belüftungsmodus findet stets dann in einer Umschaltrichtung statt, wenn der Messwert der mindestens einen Kenngröße einen vorgegebenen ersten Sollwert überschreitet und in der entgegengesetzten Umschaltrichtung, wenn der Messwert der mindestens einen Kenngröße einen vorgegebenen zweiten Sollwert unterschreitet. Die Kenngröße ist dann so zu wählen, dass sie sich im Hebemodus, in dem die Folgeplatte angehoben und eine Belüftung des Behälterinnenraums gesperrt wird, in einer ersten Richtung ändert, während sie sich im Belüftungsmodus, in dem das Anheben der Folgeplatte gestoppt und die Belüftung freigegeben wird, in der entgegengesetzten Richtung ändert. Dabei ist es möglich, dass der erste und/oder der zweite Sollwert zu Beginn des Entfernens der Folgeplatte aus dem Behälter, also bei jedem Fasswechselvorgang, aufs Neue vorgegeben wird. Die Sollwerte können durch eine Bedienperson manuell festgelegt werden, die erkennt, wenn der Behälter weit genug angehoben wurde, so dass auf den Belüftungsmodus umgeschaltet werden muss, oder die Vorgabe des ersten und/oder des zweiten Sollwerts kann automatisiert erfolgen.The invention is based on the idea of not leaving it to the skill and experience of the operator when to switch from lifting mode to ventilation mode and vice versa, but to automate this switching always be carried out under the same conditions. For this purpose, at least one parameter characterizing the position of the container and/or the follower plate is measured by at least one sensor, preferably continuously or at short time intervals, and the measured values of the parameter are transmitted from the sensor to the control device, which controls the lifting device and the ventilation device. A change between the lifting mode and the ventilation mode always takes place in a switching direction when the measured value of the at least one parameter exceeds a predefined first setpoint and in the opposite switching direction when the measured value of the at least one parameter falls below a predefined second setpoint. The parameter is then to be selected so that it changes in a first direction in the lifting mode, in which the follower plate is raised and ventilation of the container interior is blocked, while it changes in the ventilation mode, in which the lifting of the follower plate is stopped and ventilation is released is changed in the opposite direction. It is possible that the first and/or the second setpoint value is specified anew at the beginning of the removal of the follower plate from the container, ie with each barrel change process. The setpoints can be set manually by an operator who recognizes when the container has been raised far enough so that it is necessary to switch to ventilation mode, or the first and/or the second setpoint can be specified automatically.

Als Kenngröße kommen verschiedene Kenngrößen in Betracht, die mit unterschiedlichen Sensoren gemessen werden. Diese unterschiedlichen Ausführungsformen sind zudem miteinander kombinierbar.Various parameters come into consideration as the parameter, which are measured with different sensors. These different embodiments can also be combined with one another.

Die Hebeeinrichtung weist in der Regel mindestens einen doppeltwirkenden Zylinder mit zwei durch einen Kolben druckdicht gegeneinander abgegrenzten Druckräumen auf, wobei der Kolben mittels einer Kolbenstange so mit der Folgeplatte verbunden ist, dass beim Anheben der Folgeplatte ein erster der Druckräume verkleinert und der zweite der Druckräume vergrößert wird.The lifting device generally has at least one double-acting cylinder with two pressure chambers separated from one another in a pressure-tight manner by a piston, the piston being connected to the follower plate by means of a piston rod in such a way that when the follower plate is raised, a first of the pressure chambers is reduced and the second of the pressure chambers is enlarged will.

Gemäß einer erfindungsgemäßen Ausführungsform ist der mindestens eine Sensor ein Kraftmesssensor, der eine vom Behälter auf eine Aufstellfläche ausgeübte Kraft misst. Diese Kraft ist dann am größten, wenn der Behälter und die im Behälter aufgenommene Folgeplatte mit ihrem vollen Gewicht auf der Aufstellfläche lasten. Sobald der Behälter von der Aufstellfläche abgehoben wird, verringert sich die auf der Aufstellfläche und damit auf dem Kraftmesssensor lastende Gewichtskraft bis auf Null. Der Kraftmesssensor hat damit die Funktion einer Waage. Dabei schaltet die Steuereinrichtung vom Belüftungsmodus in den Hebemodus um, wenn die vom Behälter auf die Aufstellfläche ausgeübte Kraft einen ersten Sollkraftwert überschreitet und die Steuereinrichtung schaltet vom Hebemodus in den Belüftungsmodus um, wenn die vom Behälter auf die Aufstellfläche ausgeübte Kraft einen zweiten Sollkraftwert unterschreitet.According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one sensor is a force measuring sensor, which measures a force exerted by the container on an installation surface. This force is greatest when the container and the follower plate accommodated in the container bear their full weight on the installation surface. As soon as the container is lifted off the installation surface, the weight on the installation surface and thus on the force measuring sensor is reduced to zero. The force measuring sensor thus has the function of a scale. The control device switches from ventilation mode to lifting mode when the force exerted by the container on the installation surface exceeds a first target force value, and the control device switches from lifting mode to ventilation mode when the force exerted by the container on the installation surface falls below a second target force value.

Gemäß einer alternativen Ausführungsform misst der mindestens eine Sensor die Position des Behälters in Bezug auf eine ortsfeste Stelle. Damit kann insbesondere ein Weg absolut gemessen werden, um den der Behälter bewegt, insbesondere angehoben wird. Zweckmäßig misst der mindestens eine Sensor die Höhe eines behälterfesten Referenzpunkts über eine Aufstellfläche für den Behälter, die Steuereinrichtung schaltet vom Hebemodus in den Belüftungsmodus um, wenn die gemessene Höhe eine erste Sollhöhe überschreitet und die Steuereinrichtung schaltet vom Belüftungsmodus in den Hebemodus um, wenn die gemessene Höhe eine zweite Sollhöhe unterschreitet. Der mindestens eine Sensor kann ein Näherungssensor sein, der die Bewegung eines mit dem Behälter bewegten Schaltelements detektiert. Dieses wird zweckmäßig beim Anheben des Behälters von einem behälterfesten Mitnehmer mitgenommen und dabei angehoben, gedreht und sonstwie bewegt. Der Mitnehmer kann beispielsweise ein Bördelrand am Behälterboden sein, der rings umläuft und radial absteht. Es ist jedoch auch möglich, dass ein Mitnehmer als zusätzliches Bauteil am Behälter lösbar angebracht wird und insbesondere dann vor Abtransport des entleerten Behälters von der Fördervorrichtung wieder entfernt wird.According to an alternative embodiment, the at least one sensor measures the position of the container in relation to a stationary point. In this way, in particular, a path by which the container is moved, in particular raised, can be measured in absolute terms. The at least one sensor expediently measures the height of a container-fixed reference point over a footprint for the container, the control device switches from lifting mode to ventilation mode when the measured height exceeds a first target height, and the control device switches from ventilation mode to lifting mode when the measured Height falls below a second target height. The at least one sensor can be a proximity sensor that detects the movement of a switching element that is moved with the container. This is expediently carried along when the container is lifted by a driver fixed to the container and is thereby lifted, rotated and moved in some other way. The driver can, for example, be a beaded edge on the bottom of the container, which runs around and protrudes radially. However, it is also possible for a driver to be releasably attached to the container as an additional component and, in particular, to be removed again before the emptied container is transported away from the conveyor device.

Zweckmäßig ist das mindestens eine Schaltelement gegen die Kraft eines Rückstellelements anhebbar. Das vorzugsweise elastische Rückstellelement, beispielsweise eine Feder, drängt das Schaltelement dann stets in eine Ruheposition zurück. Das Schaltelement kann mittels einer ortsfesten Führungseinrichtung so geführt sein, dass es sich beim Anheben vom Behälter weg bewegt. Auf diese Weise gibt es den Behälter frei, wenn dieser, beispielsweise bei einer Störung im Hebemodus, zu weit angehoben wird. Das mindestens eine Schaltelement kann zudem einen horizontalen Anschlag zur Positionierung des Behälters in einer Förderposition auf der Aufstellfläche bilden. Es dient dabei nicht nur der Beaufschlagung des Sensors, um eine Bewegung des Behälters zu erkennen, sondern auch der exakten Positionierung des Behälters auf der Aufstellfläche unter der Folgeplatte. Das mindestens eine Schaltelement kann zudem so angeordnet sein, dass es bei einer Bewegung des Behälters in die Förderposition ein Stück weit bewegt, insbesondere angehoben oder gedreht wird und so durch Beaufschlagung des Sensors anzeigt, dass der Behälter in der Förderposition positioniert ist. Zudem wird bevorzugt, dass das mindestens eine Schaltelement aus einer Ruheposition anhebbar ist, in der es den mindestens einen Sensor vollständig überdeckt. Der Sensor kann dann nicht durch Fremdkörper beeinflusst werden, wenn sich das Schaltelement in der Ruheposition befindet.The at least one switching element can expediently be raised against the force of a restoring element. The preferably elastic restoring element, for example a spring, then always pushes the switching element back into a rest position. The switching element can be guided by means of a stationary guide device in such a way that it moves away from the container when it is lifted. In this way it releases the container if it is lifted too far, for example in the event of a lift mode malfunction. The at least one switching element can also form a horizontal stop for positioning the container in a conveying position on the installation surface. It serves not only to act on the sensor in order to detect a movement of the container, but also to position the container exactly on the installation surface under the follower plate. The at least one switching element can also be arranged in such a way that when the container is moved into the conveying position, it is moved a little, in particular raised or rotated, and thus indicates by acting on the sensor that the container is positioned in the conveying position. In addition, it is preferred that the at least one switching element can be raised from a rest position in which it completely covers the at least one sensor. The sensor cannot then be influenced by foreign bodies when the switching element is in the rest position.

Im Folgenden wird die Erfindung anhand der in der Zeichnung schematisch dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiele näher erläutert. Es zeigen

Fig. 1a, 1b
eine Vorrichtung zum Fördern von viskosem Material in schematischer Darstellung im Hebemodus und im Belüftungsmodus;
Fig. 2
eine schematische Detaildarstellung mit einem Schaltelement der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1a, 1b in Draufsicht;
Fig. 3
eine schematische Detaildarstellung mit einem Schaltelement der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1a, 1b in Seitenansicht, teilweise im Schnitt;
Fig. 4
eine schematische Darstellung eines Schaltelements in Seitenansicht gemäß einem alternativen Ausführungsbeispiel und
Fig. 5a, 5b
eine schematische Detaildarstellung mit einem Schaltelement der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 1a, 1b gemäß einem weiteren alternativen Ausführungsbeispiel in Draufsicht und in Seitenansicht.
The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown schematically in the drawing. Show it
Figures 1a, 1b
a device for conveying viscous material in a schematic representation in the lifting mode and in the aeration mode;
2
a schematic detailed representation with a switching element of the device according to FIG Figures 1a, 1b in top view;
3
a schematic detailed representation with a switching element of the device according to FIG Figures 1a, 1b in side view, partly in section;
4
a schematic representation of a switching element in side view according to an alternative embodiment and
Figures 5a, 5b
a schematic detailed representation with a switching element of the device according to FIG Figures 1a, 1b according to a further alternative embodiment in top view and in side view.

In Fig. 1a, 1b ist schematisch eine Vorrichtung 10, zum Fördern von viskosem Material aus einem zylindrischen Behälter 12 dargestellt, welcher einen Behälterboden 14 und einen sich vom Behälterboden 14 nach oben erstreckenden Behältermantel 16 aufweist. Die Fördervorrichtung 10 weist eine Folgeplatte 18 auf, die an einer Innenfläche 20 des Behältermantels 16 abgedichtet anliegend auf einer Oberfläche des im Behälterinneren 24 aufgenommenen viskosen Materials aufliegt. In der Darstellung gemäß Fig. 1a, 1b ist der Behälter 12 bereits entleert und enthält kein viskoses Material mehr. Die Folgeplatte 18 weist eine nicht näher dargestellte Materialauslassöffnung auf, an die eine Pumpe angeschlossen ist, die das viskose Material, meist ein Kleb- oder Dichtstoff, zu einer Auftragsvorrichtung fördert. Im Verlauf des Förderns nimmt die Menge des viskosen Materials im Behälter 12 ab, so dass die Folgeplatte 18 nach und nach nach unten bewegt wird, um in Anlage an die Oberfläche 22 des viskosen Materials gehalten zu werden. Während des Förderns steht der Behälter 12 auf einer Aufstellfläche 28.In Figures 1a, 1b 1 is a schematic representation of a device 10 for conveying viscous material from a cylindrical container 12 which has a container bottom 14 and a container jacket 16 extending upwards from the container bottom 14 . The conveyor device 10 has a follower plate 18 which rests on an inner surface 20 of the container jacket 16 in a sealed manner on a surface of the viscous material accommodated in the interior 24 of the container. In the representation according to Figures 1a, 1b the container 12 is already emptied and no longer contains any viscous material. The follower plate 18 has a material outlet opening, not shown in detail, to which a pump is connected, which conveys the viscous material, usually an adhesive or sealant, to an application device. With the progress of conveying, the amount of the viscous material in the container 12 decreases, so that the follower plate 18 is gradually moved downward to be held in abutment with the surface 22 of the viscous material. During conveying, the container 12 stands on a set-up surface 28.

Zum Bewegen der Folgeplatte 18 ist eine Hebeeinrichtung 30 vorgesehen, die eine starr mit der Folgeplatte 18 verbundene Trageinrichtung 32 aufweist. Zudem weist sie zwei baugleiche doppeltwirkende Zylinder 34 auf, die beidseitig der Folgeplatte 18 angeordnet sind, so dass ihre Mittelachsen auf einer Linie mit der Mittelachse der Folgeplatte 18 liegen. Die Zylinder 34 weisen jeweils einen Kolben 36 auf, der einen ersten, oberen Druckraum 38 und einen zweiten, unteren Druckraum 40 druckdicht gegeneinander abgrenzt. Durch den ersten Druckraum 38 verläuft jeweils eine Kolbenstange 42, welche axial aus dem Zylinder 34 abgedichtet herausgeführt ist, wobei beide Kolbenstangen 42 starr mit der Trageinrichtung 32 verbunden sind. Durch Einleiten von Druckmedium wie Druckluft oder Hydraulikflüssigkeit in die Druckräume 38, 40 lassen sich die Kolben 36 und mit ihnen die Folgeplatte 18 nach oben und unten bewegen, insbesondere um dem abnehmenden Materialspiegel im Behälter 12 zu folgen. Die ersten Druckräume 38 kommunizieren ebenso miteinander wie die zweiten Druckräume 40.A lifting device 30 is provided for moving the follower plate 18 and has a carrying device 32 rigidly connected to the follower plate 18 . In addition, it has two double-acting cylinders 34 of identical construction, which are arranged on both sides of the follower plate 18 so that their central axes lie on a line with the central axis of the follower plate 18 . The cylinders 34 each have a piston 36 which delimits a first, upper pressure chamber 38 and a second, lower pressure chamber 40 from one another in a pressure-tight manner. A piston rod 42 runs through the first pressure chamber 38 and is guided out of the cylinder 34 in an axially sealed manner, both piston rods 42 being rigidly connected to the support device 32 . By introducing pressure medium such as compressed air or Hydraulic fluid into the pressure chambers 38, 40, the pistons 36 and with them the follower plate 18 can be moved up and down, in particular to follow the decreasing material level in the container 12. The first pressure chambers 38 communicate with one another in the same way as the second pressure chambers 40.

Die dem ersten Druckraum 38 jeweils zugewandte erste wirksame Fläche des Kolbens 36 ist kleiner als die dem zweiten Druckraum 40 zugewandte zweite wirksame Fläche. Bei gleichem Druck in beiden Druckräumen 38, 40 ergibt sich eine resultierende Kraft nach oben, die ungefähr, mit einer Toleranz von weniger als 10%, vorzugsweise von weniger als 5%, das Gewicht der Folgeplatte 18, der Hebeeinrichtung 32, der Kolbenstangen 42 und der Kolben 36 ausgleicht.The first effective area of piston 36 facing first pressure chamber 38 is smaller than the second effective area facing second pressure chamber 40 . With the same pressure in both pressure chambers 38, 40, there is a resultant upward force which, with a tolerance of less than 10%, preferably less than 5%, weighs the weight of the follower plate 18, the lifting device 32, the piston rods 42 and the piston 36 balances.

Die Folgeplatte 18 weist eine Belüftungsöffnung 44 auf, über die Luft und insbesondere Druckluft in das Behälterinnere 24 eingeleitet werden kann. Zu diesem Zweck ist eine Belüftungseinrichtung 46 vorgesehen, die eine zur Belüftungsöffnung 44 verlaufende Druckluftleitung 48 aufweist, die an ein Druckluftsystem 50 angeschlossen ist und mittels eines Druckluftventils 52 absperrbar ist. Ist der Behälter 12 entleert, so muss für einen Behältertausch die Folgeplatte 18 aus ihm entfernt werden. Da diese dicht an der Innenfläche 20 anliegt, muss über die Belüftungsöffnung 44 Luft in das Behälterinnere eingeleitet werden, da sonst ein Anheben der Folgeplatte 18 mittels der Hebeeinrichtung 30 zu einem Anheben des Behälters 12 führen würde, da zum einen eine erhebliche Haftreibungskraft zwischen um die Folgeplatte 18 rings umlaufenden Dichtungen und der Innenfläche 20 des Behältermantels 16 besteht und zum anderen beim Herausziehen der Folgeplatte 18 aus dem Behälter 12 im Behälterinneren 24 ein Unterdruck entsteht. Wird die Folgeplatte 18 aus dem entleerten Behälter 12 herausgezogen, um den Behälter 12 durch einen neuen, vollen Behälter zu ersetzen, wird dabei schrittweise vorgegangen. Zunächst wird die Folgeplatte 18 mittels der Hebeeinrichtung 30 in einem Hebemodus ein Stück weit, beispielsweise um wenige Zentimeter, angehoben, wie durch die Pfeile in Fig. 1a veranschaulicht, wobei der Behälter 12 mit der Folgeplatte 18 um dieselbe Strecke angehoben wird. Anschließend wird der Hebevorgang gestoppt und es wird in einem Belüftungsmodus mittels der Belüftungseinrichtung 46 über die Druckluftleitung 48 und die Belüftungsöffnung 44 Druckluft in das Behälterinnere 24 eingeleitet, so dass durch den im Behälterinneren 24 entstehenden Überdruck der Behälter 12 bei festgehaltener Folgeplatte 18 wieder nach unten zur Aufstellfläche 28 bewegt wird, wie durch den Pfeil in Fig. 1b angedeutet.The follower plate 18 has a ventilation opening 44 through which air and in particular compressed air can be introduced into the interior 24 of the container. For this purpose, a ventilation device 46 is provided, which has a compressed air line 48 running to the ventilation opening 44 , which is connected to a compressed air system 50 and can be shut off by means of a compressed air valve 52 . If the container 12 is empty, the follower plate 18 must be removed from it in order to exchange the container. Since this is in close contact with the inner surface 20, air must be introduced into the interior of the container via the ventilation opening 44, otherwise lifting the follower plate 18 by means of the lifting device 30 would result in the container 12 being lifted, since on the one hand there is a considerable static friction force between the Follower plate 18 consists of circumferential seals and the inner surface 20 of the container shell 16 and, on the other hand, when the follower plate 18 is pulled out of the container 12 in the container interior 24, a negative pressure is created. When the follower plate 18 is withdrawn from the emptied container 12 in order to replace the container 12 with a new, full container, the procedure is stepwise. First, the follower plate 18 is raised a little, for example by a few centimetres, by means of the lifting device 30 in a lifting mode, as indicated by the arrows in FIG Fig. 1a 1, wherein the container 12 is raised the same distance with the follower plate 18. Then the lifting process is stopped and it becomes in a ventilation mode Compressed air is introduced into the interior of the container 24 by means of the ventilation device 46 via the compressed air line 48 and the ventilation opening 44, so that the excess pressure occurring in the interior of the container 24 moves the container 12 back down to the installation surface 28 with the follower plate 18 held in place, as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1b implied.

Das Umschalten zwischen dem Hebemodus und dem Belüftungsmodus erfolgt automatisch mittels einer die Hebeeinrichtung 30 und die Belüftungseinrichtung 46 ansteuernden Steuereinrichtung 54. Zu diesem Zweck weist die Vorrichtung 10 einen Sensor 56 auf, der die Position des Behälters 12 detektiert und seine Messwerte an die Steuereinrichtung 54 übermittelt. Der Sensor 56 misst die Position des Behälters 12 dabei kontinuierlich oder in kurzen zeitlichen Abständen. Im gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel (Fig. 2, 3) ist der Sensor 56 als Näherungssensor ausgebildet. Er misst die Position des Behälters 12 nicht direkt, sondern indirekt über ein Schaltelement 58. Er ist in einer Sensoraufnahme 60 angeordnet, die vom Schaltelement 58 überdeckt und an ihren Seiten rings umgriffen wird, so dass er ausschließlich vom Schaltelement 58 beaufschlagt wird und nicht in unerwünschter Weise von Fremdkörpern beaufschlagt werden kann. Die Sensoraufnahme 60 ist fest mit der Aufstellfläche 28 verbunden. Ein als Mitnehmer wirkender Bördelrand 62, der rings um den Behälterboden 14 umläuft, untergreift einen radial abstehenden Vorsprung 64 des Schaltelements 58, so dass bei einem Anheben des Behälters 12 das Schaltelement 58 gegen die Kraft einer an der Sensoraufnahme 60 abgestützten Rückstellfeder 66 angehoben wird und sich der Abstand zwischen dem Schaltelement 58 und dem Sensor 56 vergrößert. Diese Vergrößerung des Abstands, die identisch ist mit dem Weg, den der Behälter 12 angehoben wird, wird vom Sensor 56 detektiert. Überschreitet der Abstand einen vorgegebenen ersten Sollwert, gibt der Sensor 56 ein Signal an die Steuereinrichtung 54, die vom Hebemodus in den Belüftungsmodus umschaltet. Daraufhin senkt sich der Behälter 12 wieder ab und mit ihm das Schaltelement 58, bis der Behälter 12 wieder auf der Aufstellfläche 28 aufsteht oder sich knapp über ihr befindet und der Abstand zwischen dem Schaltelement 58 und dem Sensor 56 einen zweiten vorgegebenen Sollwert unterschreitet. Der Sensor 56 übermittelt dann ein Signal an die Steuereinrichtung 54, die wieder in den Hebemodus umschaltet.Switching between the lifting mode and the ventilation mode takes place automatically by means of a control device 54 that controls the lifting device 30 and the ventilation device 46. For this purpose, the device 10 has a sensor 56 which detects the position of the container 12 and transmits its measured values to the control device 54 . The sensor 56 measures the position of the container 12 continuously or at short time intervals. In the embodiment shown ( Figures 2, 3 ) the sensor 56 is designed as a proximity sensor. It does not measure the position of the container 12 directly, but indirectly via a switching element 58. It is arranged in a sensor receptacle 60, which is covered by the switching element 58 and encompassed on its sides, so that it is only acted upon by the switching element 58 and not in can be acted upon by foreign objects in an undesired manner. The sensor mount 60 is firmly connected to the installation surface 28 . A beaded edge 62 acting as a driver, which runs all around the container bottom 14, engages under a radially protruding projection 64 of the switching element 58, so that when the container 12 is lifted, the switching element 58 is lifted against the force of a return spring 66 supported on the sensor receptacle 60 and the distance between the switching element 58 and the sensor 56 increases. This increase in distance, which is identical to the distance the container 12 is lifted, is detected by the sensor 56. If the distance exceeds a predetermined first desired value, the sensor 56 sends a signal to the control device 54, which switches over from the lifting mode to the ventilation mode. The container 12 then lowers again and with it the switching element 58 until the container 12 stands up again on the installation surface 28 or is just above it and the distance between the switching element 58 and the sensor 56 is one falls below the second predetermined setpoint. The sensor 56 then transmits a signal to the controller 54, which switches back to the lifting mode.

Das Schaltelement 58 wirkt im gezeigten Ausführungsbeispiel gemäß Fig. 2, 3 zudem als Anschlag bei der Positionierung des Behälters 12 auf der Aufstellfläche 28 und gibt somit, beispielsweise auch in Zusammenwirkung mit weiteren Zentrierelementen, die Position vor, in der der Behälter 12 auf der Aufstellfläche 28 positioniert werden muss, um sich in einer Förderposition direkt unter der angehobenen Folgeplatte 18 zu befinden. Die korrekte Positionierung des Behälters 12 auf der Aufstellfläche 28 kann dann ebenfalls vom Sensor 56 detektiert werden. Zu diesem Zweck weist der Vorsprung 64 eine Auflaufschräge 68 an seiner Unterseite auf, so dass das Schaltelement 58 bereits ein Stück weit angehoben wird, wenn der Bördelrand 62 unter den Vorsprung 64 geschoben wird. Dieses Anheben des Schaltelements 58 wird vom Sensor 56 detektiert, so dass dieser ein Signal senden kann, wenn sich der Bördelrand 62 unter dem Vorsprung 64 befindet.In the exemplary embodiment shown, the switching element 58 acts according to FIG Figures 2, 3 also as a stop when positioning the container 12 on the installation surface 28 and thus specifies, for example also in conjunction with other centering elements, the position in which the container 12 must be positioned on the installation surface 28 in order to be in a conveying position directly below the raised follower plate 18 to be located. The correct positioning of the container 12 on the installation area 28 can then also be detected by the sensor 56. For this purpose, the projection 64 has a ramp 68 on its underside, so that the switching element 58 is already raised a little when the beaded edge 62 is pushed under the projection 64 . This lifting of the switching element 58 is detected by the sensor 56 so that it can send a signal when the flanged edge 62 is located under the projection 64 .

Fig. 4 zeigt ein alternatives Ausführungsbeispiel des Schaltelements 58. Dieses führt beim Anheben nicht nur eine lineare Bewegung nach oben aus, wie das Schaltelement 58 gemäß dem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel. Es weist einen Zapfen 70 auf, der in einer Führungskulisse 72 einer ortsfesten Führungseinrichtung 74 geführt ist. Die Führungskulisse 72 erstreckt sich zunächst vertikal nach oben und dann abgewinkelt schräg nach oben vom Behälter 12 weg, so dass beim Anheben des Behälters 12 das Schaltelement 58 zunächst linear nach oben und dann vom Behälter 12 weg bewegt wird. Diese Maßnahme verhindert eine Beschädigung des Schaltelements, wenn der Behälter 12 aufgrund einer Störung oder eines Bedienfehlers zu weit angehoben wird. 4 12 shows an alternative exemplary embodiment of the switching element 58. When it is raised, this not only performs a linear movement upwards, like the switching element 58 according to the first exemplary embodiment. It has a pin 70 which is guided in a guide link 72 of a stationary guide device 74 . The guide slot 72 initially extends vertically upwards and then angled obliquely upwards away from the container 12 so that when the container 12 is lifted the switching element 58 is initially moved linearly upwards and then away from the container 12 . This measure prevents damage to the switching element if the container 12 is raised too far due to a malfunction or operator error.

Auch in Fig. 5a, 5b ist ein alternatives Ausführungsbeispiel für das Schaltelement 58 dargestellt. Dieses ist an einer ortsfesten, vertikal verlaufenden Führungsstange 76 verschieblich gelagert und weist eine Schaltpartie 78 zum Beaufschlagen des wiederum als Näherungssensor ausgebildeten Sensors 56 sowie eine starr mit der Schaltpartie 78 verbundene Fahne 80 auf. Die Fahne 80 erstreckt sich zum einen vertikal, also in axialer Richtung der Führungsstange 76, und zum anderen radial bezüglich der Führungsstange 76. Sie ist um die Führungsstange 76 verschwenkbar sowie in Längsrichtung der Führungsstange 76 linear verschieblich an dieser gelagert. Wird ein Behälter 12 in seine Förderposition bewegt, so beaufschlagt der Behältermantel 16, wie in Fig. 5b dargestellt, die Fahne 80 und verschwenkt diese gegen die Rückstellkraft einer Feder um die Führungsstange 76. Durch dieses Verschwenken wird die Schaltpartie 78 über den Sensor 56 bewegt, so dass dieser das Vorhandensein des Behälters 12 in der Förderposition anzeigen kann. Zudem wird der Bördelrand 62 unter der Fahne 80 positioniert, wie in Fig. 5a dargestellt. Ein Anheben der Folgeplatte 18 unter Mitnahme des Behälters 12 führt dann auch zu einem Anheben des Schaltelements 58 aufgrund der Mitnahme der Fahne 80 durch den Bördelrand 62, so dass die Schaltpartie 78 vom Sensor 56 entfernt wird. Das Hochheben des Schaltelements 58 durch den Bördelrand 62 kann dann vom Sensor 56 gemessen werden. In Fig. 5a, 5b wird ein Schaltelement 58 gezeigt, das sich in Gestalt der Fahne 80 vertikal erstreckt. Es ist aber ebenso möglich, dass das Schaltelement 58 eine exzentrisch an der Führungsstange 76 gelagerte, bezüglich dieser drehbare und längsverschiebliche Scheibe ist.Also in Figures 5a, 5b an alternative exemplary embodiment for the switching element 58 is shown. This is slidably mounted on a stationary, vertically running guide rod 76 and has a switching section 78 for acting on the sensor 56, which is in turn designed as a proximity sensor, and a rigid associated with the switching section 78 flag 80 on. The lug 80 extends vertically, ie in the axial direction of the guide rod 76, and radially with respect to the guide rod 76. If a container 12 is moved into its conveying position, the container jacket 16 is subjected to pressure, as in Figure 5b shown, the flag 80 and pivots it against the restoring force of a spring about the guide rod 76. This pivoting moves the switch section 78 via the sensor 56 so that it can indicate the presence of the container 12 in the conveying position. In addition, the beaded edge 62 is positioned under the flag 80, as in Figure 5a shown. Raising the follower plate 18 entraining the container 12 then also leads to a raising of the switching element 58 due to the lug 80 being entrained by the flanged edge 62 , so that the switching section 78 is removed from the sensor 56 . The lifting of the switching element 58 by the flanged edge 62 can then be measured by the sensor 56 . In Figures 5a, 5b a switching element 58 is shown extending vertically in the form of tab 80. FIG. However, it is also possible for the switching element 58 to be a disk which is mounted eccentrically on the guide rod 76 and can be rotated and displaced longitudinally with respect to it.

Zusammenfassend ist folgendes festzuhalten: Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zum Entfernen einer Folgeplatte 18 einer Vorrichtung 10 zum Fördern von viskosem Material aus einem fassartigen Behälter 12, wobei die Vorrichtung 10 die Folgeplatte 18 zum Verschließen des nach oben offenen, einen Behälterboden 14 und einen sich vom Behälterboden 14 nach oben erstreckenden Behältermantel 16 aufweisenden Behälters 12 aufweist, welche an der dem Behälterinneren 24 zugewandten Innenfläche 20 des Behältermantels 16 anliegend in Richtung zum Behälterboden 14 und vom Behälterboden 14 weg beweglich ist, und welche eine Materialauslassöffnung und eine Belüftungsöffnung 44 aufweist, wobei die Vorrichtung 10 eine Hebeeinrichtung 30 zum Anheben der Folgeplatte 18, eine Belüftungseinrichtung 46 zum Einleiten von Druckluft in den Behälter 12 durch die Belüftungsöffnung 44 und eine Steuereinrichtung 54 zum Ansteuern der Hebeeinrichtung 30 und der Belüftungseinrichtung 46 aufweist, und wobei im Wechsel in einem Hebemodus mittels der Hebeeinrichtung 30 die Folgeplatte 18 angehoben und in einem Belüftungsmodus mittels der Belüftungseinrichtung 46 Luft in den Behälter 12 eingeleitet wird. Erfindungsgemäß ist vorgesehen, dass mittels mindestens eines Sensors 56 mindestens eine die Position des Behälters 12 und/oder der Folgeplatte 18 charakterisierende Kenngröße gemessen wird, dass die Messwerte der Kenngröße vom Sensor 56 an die Steuereinrichtung 54 übermittelt werden und dass die Steuereinrichtung 54 ein abwechselndes Umschalten zwischen dem Hebemodus und dem Belüftungsmodus stets dann automatisch vornimmt, wenn der Messwert der mindestens einen Kenngröße einen vorgegebenen ersten Sollwert überschreitet und wenn der Messwert der mindestens einen Kenngröße einen vorgegebenen zweiten Sollwert unterschreitet.In summary, the following can be stated: The invention relates to a method for removing a follower plate 18 of a device 10 for conveying viscous material from a barrel-like container 12, wherein the device 10 uses the follower plate 18 for closing the upwardly open, a container bottom 14 and a Container 12 has a container bottom 14 with a container jacket 16 extending upwards, which rests against the inner surface 20 of the container jacket 16 facing the container interior 24 and is movable in the direction of the container bottom 14 and away from the container bottom 14, and which has a material outlet opening and a ventilation opening 44, wherein the Device 10 has a lifting device 30 for lifting the follower plate 18, a ventilation device 46 for introducing compressed air into the container 12 through the ventilation opening 44 and a control device 54 for controlling the lifting device 30 and the ventilation device 46, and wherein the follower plate 18 is raised alternately in a lifting mode by means of the lifting device 30 and air is introduced into the container 12 in a ventilation mode by means of the ventilation device 46. According to the invention, at least one parameter characterizing the position of container 12 and/or follower plate 18 is measured using at least one sensor 56, the measured values of the parameter are transmitted from sensor 56 to control device 54, and control device 54 alternately switches between the lifting mode and the ventilation mode always automatically if the measured value of the at least one parameter exceeds a predetermined first target value and if the measured value of the at least one parameter falls below a predetermined second target value.

Claims (13)

  1. Method for removing a follower plate (18) of an apparatus (10) for conveying viscous material out of a barrel-like container (12), wherein the apparatus (10) has the follower plate (18) for closing off the container (12), which is open toward the top, has a container bottom (14) and a container mantle (16) that extends upward from the container bottom (14), which plate can be moved in the direction toward the container bottom (14) and away from the container bottom (14), lying against the inner surface (20) of the container mantle (16), which faces the container interior (24), and which plate has a material outlet opening and a ventilation opening (44), wherein the apparatus (10) has a lifting device (30) for raising the follower plate (18), a ventilation device (46) for introducing compressed air into the container (12) through the ventilation opening (44), and a controller (54) for controlling the lifting device (30) and the ventilation device (46), wherein alternately the follower plate (18) is raised in a lifting mode, by means of the lifting device (30), and air is introduced into the container (12) in a ventilation mode, by means of the ventilation device (46), wherein at least one characterizing characteristic variable that characterizes the position of the container (12) and/or of the follower plate (18) is measured by means of at least one sensor (56), wherein the measurement values of the characteristic variable are transmitted from the sensor (56) to the controller (54), and wherein the controller (54) constantly undertakes alternating automatic switch-over between the lifting mode and the ventilation mode when the measurement value of the at least one characteristic variable exceeds a predetermined first target value and when the measurement value of the at least one characteristic variable drops below a predetermined second target value, characterized in that the at least one sensor (56) is a force measurement sensor, which measures a force exerted by the container (12) on a supporting surface (28), wherein the controller (54) switches over from the ventilation mode to the lifting mode when the force exerted on the supporting surface (28) by the container (12) exceeds a first target force value, and wherein the controller (54) switches over from the lifting mode to the ventilation mode when the force exerted on the supporting surface (28) by the container (12) drops below a second target force value, and/or that the at least one sensor (56) measures the position of the container (12) with reference to a locally fixed location.
  2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and/or the second target value is predetermined at the start of removal of the follower plate (18) from the container (12).
  3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one sensor (56) measures the height of a reference point fixed in place on the container, above a supporting surface (28) for the container (12), that the controller (54) switches over from the lifting mode to the ventilation mode when the measured height exceeds the first target height and that the controller (54) switches over from the ventilation mode to the lifting mode when the measured height drops below a second target height.
  4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that the at least one sensor (56) is a proximity sensor that detects the movement of a switching element (58) moved with the container (12).
  5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the switching element (58) is entrained by a driver (62) fixed in place on the container when the container (12) is raised.
  6. Apparatus for conveying viscous material out of a barrel-like container (12) having a container bottom (14) and a container mantle (16) that extends upward from the container bottom (14), having a follower plate (18) for closing off the container (12), which plate can be moved in the direction toward the container bottom (14) and away from the container bottom (14), lying against the inner surface (20) of the container mantle (16), which faces the container interior (24), and which plate has a material outlet opening and a ventilation opening (44), having a ventilation device (46) for introducing compressed air into the container (12) through the ventilation opening (44), having a lifting device (30) for raising the follower plate (18), having a controller (54) for alternately controlling the lifting device (30) in a lifting mode and the ventilation device (46) in a ventilation mode, and having at least one sensor (56) for measuring at least one characteristic variable that characterizes the position of the container (12) and/or of the follower plate (18) and for transmitting the measurement values to the controller (54), wherein the controller (54) is set up for constantly undertaking alternating automatic switch-over between the lifting mode and the ventilation mode when the measurement value of the at least one characteristic variable exceeds a predetermined first target value and when the measurement value of the at least one characteristic variable drops below a predetermined second target value, characterized in that the at least one sensor (56) is a force measurement sensor, which measures a force exerted by the container (12) on a supporting surface (28) and/or that at least one switching element (58) that can move with the container (12) is provided for impacting the at least one sensor (56) .
  7. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the at least one sensor (56) is a proximity sensor for detection of a movement of the switching element (58).
  8. Apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that a driver (62) for entraining the switching element (58) is firmly and preferably releasably connected with the container (12).
  9. Apparatus according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the at least one switching element (58) can be raised counter to the force of a reset element (66).
  10. Apparatus according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the at least one switching element (58) is guided by means of a locally fixed guide device (74), in such a manner that is moved away from the container (12) when raised.
  11. Apparatus according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the at least one switching element (58) forms a horizontal stop for positioning of the container (12) in a conveying position on a supporting surface (28).
  12. Apparatus according to one of claims 6 to 11, characterized in that the at least one switching element (58) is arranged in such a manner that it is moved a certain distance in the case of a movement of the container into the conveying position.
  13. Apparatus according to one of claims 6 to 12, characterized in that the at least one switching element (58) can be raised out of a rest position in which it completely covers the at least one sensor (56).
EP19704761.6A 2018-03-02 2019-02-06 Method for removing a follower plate from a container Active EP3720616B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102018104763.0A DE102018104763A1 (en) 2018-03-02 2018-03-02 Method for removing a follower plate from a container
PCT/EP2019/052837 WO2019166200A1 (en) 2018-03-02 2019-02-06 Method for removing a follower plate from a container

Publications (2)

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EP3720616A1 EP3720616A1 (en) 2020-10-14
EP3720616B1 true EP3720616B1 (en) 2022-01-12

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US (1) US11772110B2 (en)
EP (1) EP3720616B1 (en)
KR (1) KR102592417B1 (en)
CN (1) CN111819009B (en)
DE (1) DE102018104763A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2019166200A1 (en)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102018104763A1 (en) * 2018-03-02 2019-09-05 Atlas Copco Ias Gmbh Method for removing a follower plate from a container
DE102019201623A1 (en) * 2019-02-08 2020-08-13 Henkel Ag & Co. Kgaa Device and method for conveying a fluid from a container
DE102020127440A1 (en) * 2020-08-06 2022-02-10 Atlas Copco Ias Gmbh Device for conveying viscous material
CN112620028B (en) * 2020-12-16 2021-12-28 山东智云芯科电子科技有限公司 A intelligent encapsulating device for instrument and meter makes

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FR2632891B1 (en) * 1988-06-17 1990-10-19 Saint Gobain Vitrage IMPROVEMENT IN THE MANUFACTURE OF A CORD OF ORGANIC MATERIAL TO BE USED AS A JOINT AND INTERMEDIATE IN A MULTIPLE WINDOW
DE4422606C1 (en) * 1994-06-28 1995-08-17 Wolfgang Puffe Delivery method for molten thermoplastic, esp. hot melt adhesive
USD387074S (en) * 1996-09-30 1997-12-02 Nordson Corporation Heated platen for liquifying thermoplastic materials
DE10012257A1 (en) 2000-03-14 2001-09-20 Voith Paper Patent Gmbh Coating equipment for paper or card manufacture or finishing, includes air boundary layer reduction unit in form of suction device with sliding resilient sections
DE10120878C1 (en) * 2001-04-27 2002-10-24 Kloeckner Desma Schuhmaschinen Application of closure pressure to injection molding machine producing shoe soles, employs combined pneumatic and hydraulic cylinder assembly exerting controlled forces
DE102004030654A1 (en) * 2004-06-24 2006-01-19 Sca Schucker Gmbh & Co. Kg Device for conveying viscous material
DE102005049805B4 (en) * 2005-08-19 2007-06-14 Erich Scheugenpflug emptying
CN202216790U (en) * 2011-09-23 2012-05-09 北京航天普霖科技有限公司 System for measuring and detecting static friction force and kinetic friction force
DE102013020932A1 (en) * 2013-12-11 2014-07-24 Daimler Ag Conveying unit for conveying fluid from container, has control unit adapted to receive signals characterizing parameters and provided from sensor and to control actuating unit depending on signal to move away follow-up plate from base
DE102015009130A1 (en) * 2015-07-20 2017-01-26 Sca Schucker Gmbh & Co. Kg Device for conveying viscous material
CN106641275B (en) * 2016-11-21 2018-09-28 浙江欧伦泰防火设备有限公司 A kind of clean gas extinguisher valve dress detecting method
DE102018104763A1 (en) * 2018-03-02 2019-09-05 Atlas Copco Ias Gmbh Method for removing a follower plate from a container

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CN111819009A (en) 2020-10-23
EP3720616A1 (en) 2020-10-14
DE102018104763A1 (en) 2019-09-05
WO2019166200A1 (en) 2019-09-06
US11772110B2 (en) 2023-10-03
CN111819009B (en) 2022-04-05
KR20200125938A (en) 2020-11-05
US20210046493A1 (en) 2021-02-18
KR102592417B1 (en) 2023-10-20

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