Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
  • B66C—CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES
  • B66C7/00—Runways, tracks or trackways for trolleys or cranes
  • B66C7/02—Runways, tracks or trackways for trolleys or cranes for underhung trolleys or cranes
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
  • B66C—CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES
  • B66C11/00—Trolleys or crabs, e.g. operating above runways
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
  • B66C—CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES
  • B66C7/00—Runways, tracks or trackways for trolleys or cranes
  • B66C7/12—Devices for changing direction of travel or for transferring from one runway to another; Crossings; Combinations of tracks of different gauges
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
  • B66C—CRANES; LOAD-ENGAGING ELEMENTS OR DEVICES FOR CRANES, CAPSTANS, WINCHES, OR TACKLES
  • B66C9/00—Travelling gear incorporated in or fitted to trolleys or cranes
  • B66C9/14—Trolley or crane travel drives

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a piece of machinery for the movement of objects.
• machinery which has trolleys associated in a removable manner with a supporting structure along a substantially rectilinear direction.
• the machinery can be installed both in closed environments, e.g. inside warehouses and factories, but also in open environments such as maritime and railway depots.
• One of the most common known type of machinery is an overhead crane comprising a load-bearing structure provided with a single guidance means for the movement of a device for the transport of objects along a first substantially rectilinear direction of movement.
• the device for the transport of objects is associated in a movable manner with the guidance means and is therefore movable along a portion or the entire extension of the guidance means itself.
• such machinery is also provided with movement means for moving the load-bearing structure along different directions of movement.
• patent document no. 102016000002169 teaches the use of a piece of machinery for the movement of objects comprising a supporting network to which a plurality of devices for the transport of objects is coupled in a removable manner.
• the supporting network comprises a plurality of guides which are adapted to guide the movement of such devices and which intersect transversely with each other to define the mesh of the network itself. This way, the devices for the transport of objects can be moved along different directions of movement without interfering with the displacement of the other devices.
• this type of devices is provided with a first body and a second body arranged at the upper face and the lower face respectively, of the supporting network and coupled together by interposition of appropriate coupling means which cross the network itself.
• the coupling means use one or more movable coupling elements which guarantee the mechanical coupling between the first body and the second body and at the same time do not interfere with the movement of the device for the transport of objects along the supporting network.
• each of such devices needs to be electrically powered and to receive and transmit data, e.g., positioning/movement data on the supporting network, device status data and the like.
• the component parts of the known type of machinery are generally connected by cable to a power supply/data transmission line, thus creating a complicated network of cables that becomes increasingly dense and intricate as more and more devices operate on the supporting network. Nevertheless, the cables can become tangled within the supporting network or tangle with each other during the movement of one or more devices for the transport of objects, greatly increasing the risk of malfunction and/or failure of the machinery of known type.
• the main aim of the present invention is to devise a piece of machinery for the movement of objects that allows interconnecting the component parts to each other of the machinery itself.
• An additional object of the present invention is to devise a piece of machinery for the movement of objects that allows interconnecting the first body to the second body of the devices for the transport of objects.
• Another object of the present invention is to devise a piece of machinery for the movement of objects that allows simplifying the operations of movement of the objects and reducing the time required for the performance of these operations with respect to the machinery of known type.
• Yet another object of the present invention is to devise a machinery for the movement of objects that allows overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art within a simple, rational, easy, effective to use and low cost solution.
• Figure 1 is an axonometric view of the machinery according to the invention
• Figure 2 is an axonometric view of a device of the machinery according to the invention
• Figure 3 is an axonometric view of an element of the device shown in Figure 2;
• Figure 4 is an axonometric view of a further element of the device shown in Figure 2;
• FIGS 5, 6, 7, 8 are schematic views of some possible embodiments of the machinery according to the invention.
• Figure 9 is an axonometric view of some elements of the machinery according to the invention.
• Figure 10 is an axonometric view of a portion of a possible embodiment of the machinery according to the invention;
• Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the device of the machinery shown in Figure 10;
• Figure 12 is an axonometric view of some elements of the machinery shown in Figure 10;
• Figure 13 is an axonometric view of a further embodiment of the machinery according to the invention.
• reference numeral 1 globally indicates a piece of machinery for the movement of objects.
• the machinery 1 for the movement of objects comprises: a supporting structure 2, 22 comprising at least one supporting network 2 provided with: at least a first face and a second face 3, 4 opposite each other; a plurality of first guides 5 and of second guides 6 intersecting transversely to each other along their respective first and second guidance directions A, B to define a plurality of meshes of the network itself.
• mesh is meant to indicate the portion of the supporting network 2 defined by the intersection of a pair of first guides 5 with a pair of second guides 6.
• each mesh of the supporting network 2 defines a vacant portion 7. Therefore, the supporting network 2 defines a plurality of vacant portions 7 delimited by the guides 5, 6.
• the guides 5, 6 are positioned parallel to each other to define a network lying on an individual horizontal plane.
• the machinery 1 comprises at least one device 29 for the transport of objects, which is coupled movable along the first and the second guidance direction A, B to the supporting structure 2, 22 and provided with: at least a first body 8 arranged, in use, facing the first face 3; at least a second body 9 opposite the first body 8 and arranged, in use, facing the second face 4; coupling means 28 interposed between the first body and the second body 8, 9 and configured to keep the latter locked to each other during the movement of the device 29 along the first and the second guidance direction A, B.
• the coupling means 28 are positioned between the first and the second body 8, 9 through the supporting network 2.
• the coupling means 28 are arranged, in use, through at least one vacant portion 7 of the supporting network 2.
• the machinery 1 also comprises power supply/data transmission means 20, 21, 31 connected to at least one of either the first body 8, the second body 9 or the supporting structure 2, 22.
• the machinery comprises interconnection means 10, 11, 12, 26, 27, 30, 32, 34, separate from the power supply/data transmission means 20, 21, 31, operatively connected to the latter and adapted to interconnect at least one of either the first body 8, the second body 9, the supporting structure 2, 22 or the power supply /data transmission means 20, 21, 31 to at least another of either the first body 8, the second body 9, the supporting structure 2, 22 or the power supply/data transmission means 20, 21, 31.
• interconnection means 10, 11, 12, 26, 27, 30, 32, 34 connect the power supply/data transmission means 20, 21, 31 to at least one of either the first body and the second body 8, 9.
• interconnection means 10, 11, 12, 26, 27, 30, 32, 34 comprise at least one connection assembly 10, 11, 12, 30, 34 of the first body and of the second body 8, 9 configured to operatively connect the power supply /data transmission means 20, 21, 31 to the other of either the first or the second body 8, 9.
• connection assembly 10, 11, 12, 30, 34 is operatively connected to the power supply /data transmission means 20, 21, 31.
• connection assembly 10, 11, 12, 30, 34 is configured to connect the first body and the second body 8, 9 to each other, so that they share the power supply/data provided by the power supply/data transmission means 20, 21, 31 with each other or exchange with each other data generated by the bodies themselves.
• the interconnection means 10, 11, 12, 26, 27, 30, 32, 34 comprise at least one electric connection assembly 10, 11, 12, 34 provided with: at least a first portion 10 associated with the first body 8; at least a second portion 11 associated with the second body 9; at least a third portion 12 associated with the coupling means 28 and arranged in contact with the first and the second portion 10, 11 by electrically connecting to each other.
• the first, the second and the third portion 10, 11, 12 are conveniently made of an electrically conductive material.
• the coupling means 28 are movable to allow the passage of at least one of either the first or the second guide 5, 6 between the first and the second body 8, 9 during the movement of the device 29 along at least one of either the first or the second direction of guidance A, B.
• the coupling means 28 are movable to pass through vacant portions 7 adjacent to each other during the movement of the device 29 along the directions of guidance A, B.
• the coupling means 28 keep the first and the second body 8, 9 rigidly coupled to each other without interfering with the movement of the device 29.
• the third portion 12 is movable in a sliding manner in contact with at least one of either the first or the second portion 10, 11, by electrically connecting the latter during the movement of the coupling means 28.
• the third portion 12 is arranged in contact with the first and the second portion 10, 11 even when the coupling means 28 are moved to pass through different vacant portions 7.
• the coupling means 28 comprise at least one coupling element 13, defining at least one housing seat 14 and operable in rotation to accommodate inside the housing seat 14 at least one of either the first or the second guide 5, 6 during the movement of the device 29 along at least one of either the first or the second direction of guidance A, B.
• the housing seat 14 defines an opening 15 through which the guides 5, 6 can access and leave the housing seat 14.
• the housing seat 14 receives within it, through the opening 15, one of the guides 5, 6 and the coupling element 13 is rotated around the latter, e.g., by an angle between 150° and 180°.
• the device 29 continues its motion along the same direction of guidance A, B and the guide 5, 6 leaves the housing seat 14 through the same opening 15, without colliding with the coupling element 13.
• the coupling element 13 has a substantially “C” shape, i.e., it has a substantially circular shape interrupted by an opening.
• the first portion 10 comprises at least one pair of first conductive elements 16, and the second portion 11 comprises at least a second conductive element 17.
• the third portion 12 comprises at least a third conductive element 18 associated with the coupling element 13 and arranged, in use, in contact with the second conductive element 17 and with one of the first conductive elements 16.
• the third conductive element 18 is of the type of a conductive track extending longitudinally along the body of the coupling element 13.
• the third conductive element 18 has a substantially “C” shape coinciding with that of the coupling element 13.
• the coupling element 13 is provided with a contact face 19 along which the third conductive element 18 is associated.
• the conductive elements 16, 17, 18 are of the type of electric sliding contacts coupled sliding in contact with each other to keep electric continuity between them.
• first conductive elements 16 are arranged, in use, at the point where the body of the coupling element 13 is located and are spaced apart from each other by a predefined distance greater than or equal to the extension of the opening 15.
• the interconnection means 10, 11, 12, 26, 27, 30, 32, 34 comprise a plurality of electric connection assemblies 10, 11, 12, 34.
• the interconnection means 10, 11, 12, 26, 27, 30, 32, 34 comprise a pair of electric connection assemblies 10, 11, 12, 34 configured to share at least one power supply signal and at least one data signal between the first and the second body 8, 9, respectively.
• the third conductive elements 18 of corresponding electric connection assemblies 10, 11, 12, 34 are arranged side by side and suitably spaced apart.
• the second conductive elements 17, arranged in contact with the corresponding third conductive elements 18, are arranged side by side and suitably spaced apart.
• the first conductive elements 16, arranged in contact with the corresponding third conductive elements 18, are arranged side by side and suitably spaced apart.
• the coupling element 13 comprises a pair of contact faces 19 arranged opposite and parallel to each other. This way, a plurality of third portions 12 is associated with a contact face 19 and a further plurality of third portions 12 is associated with the other contact face 19.
• a third portion 12 is associated with a contact face 19 and the corresponding electric connection assembly 10, 11, 12, 34 is configured to connect the power supply provided by the power supply/data transmission means 20, 21, 31 between the first and the second body 8, 9.
• a plurality of third portions 12 are associated with the other contact face 19 and each of the corresponding electric connection assemblies 10, 11, 12, 34 is configured to transmit different data signals between the first and the second body 8, 9.
• the electric connection assembly 10, 11, 12, 34 comprises at least one insulating body 34, shown in the Figures 3 and 4, positioned between the third portion 12 and the coupling means 28.
• the third portion 12 is electrically insulated from the coupling means 28.
• the insulating body 34 is positioned between the third conductive element 18 and the coupling element 13.
• the insulating body 34 is positioned between the third portion 12 and any further third portions 12 so that the same are electrically insulated from each other.
• the coupling element 13 and one or more electric connection assemblies 10, 11, 12, 34 associated with the element itself define an electromechanical connection element 33.
• the machinery 1 comprises a plurality of electromechanical connection elements 33.
• the machinery 1 comprises a pair of electromechanical connection elements 33.
• each coupling element 13 is associated a third portion 12 and each electric connection assembly 10, 11, 12, 34 of said third portions 12 is configured to operate in conjunction with the other electric connection assemblies 10, 11, 12, 34 to connect between the first and the second body 8, 9 the power supplied by the power supply /data transmission means 20, 21, 31.
• the power supply /data transmission means 20, 21, 31 comprise at least one built-in power supply assembly 20, 21 mounted on the device 29 and provided with at least one of either: at least one electric battery 20 mounted on one of either the first body or the second body 8, 9; at least one photovoltaic module 21 mounted on one of either the first body or the second body 8, 9.
• the built-in power supply assembly 20, 21 comprises both an electric battery 20 and a photovoltaic module 21.
• the built-in power supply assembly 20, 21 comprises an electric battery 20 and a photovoltaic module 21 mounted on the first body 8 and another electric battery 20 and another photovoltaic module 21 mounted on the second body 9.
• the power supply to the device 29 is ensured as long as an electric battery 20 or a photovoltaic module 21 is operational and in operation, since the electric connection assembly 10, 11, 12, 34 allows sharing the power supply between the first and the second body 8, 9.
• the interconnection means 10, 11, 12, 26, 27, 30, 32, 34 comprise at least one wireless linking unit 30 comprising at least one wireless transceiver device 25 mounted on one of either the first body or the second body 8, 9.
• the wireless linking unit 30 comprises a pair of transceiver devices 25 configured to communicate with each other, wherein a transceiver device 25 is mounted on the first body 8 and a transceiver device 25 is mounted on the second body 9, as shown in Figure 5.
• the wireless linking unit 30 cannot however be ruled out wherein the same comprises a pair of transceiver devices 25 mounted on each body 8, 9. This way, at least one of the transceiver devices 25 mounted on a body 8, 9 is always able to communicate with the transceiver device 25 mounted on the opposite body 8, 9.
• the transceiver devices 25 communicate wirelessly by means of light radiation.
• the supporting structure 2, 22 is periodically interposed between the communication path of the transceiver devices 25, blocking the communication thereof.
• a possible embodiment of the machinery 1 wherein the same comprises an electric connection assembly 10, 11, 12, 34 and a wireless linking unit 30 is shown in Figure 5.
• the first and the second body 8, 9 share data with each other by means of the connection assembly 10, 11, 12, 30, 34.
• interconnection means 10, 11, 12, 26, 27, 30, 32, 34 comprise one of either the wireless linking unit 30 or the electric connection assembly 10, 11, 12, 34.
• the wireless linking unit 30 comprises an individual transceiver device 25 configured to communicate with the power supply /data transmission means 20, 21, 31.
• the data exchanged between the power supply /data transmission means 20, 21, 31 and one of either the first or the second body 8, 9 are shared with the other of the first or the second body 8, 9 by means of the electric connection assembly 10, 11, 12, 34.
• the power supply /data transmission means 20, 21, 31 comprise at least one remote power supply /data transmission assembly 31.
• the interconnection means 10, 11, 12, 26, 27, 30, 32, 34 comprise at least one of: at least one transceiver element 26 mounted on the remote power supply /data transmission assembly 31 and configured to communicate with the transceiver device 25; at least one connection element 27 interposed between the remote power supply /data transmission assembly 31 and at least one of either the first body 8, the second body 9 or the supporting structure 2, 22.
• connection element 27 is of the type of an electric conductor, such as e.g. an electric cable or the like.
• Figure 6 shows a possible embodiment of the machinery 1 wherein the interconnection means 10, 11, 12, 26, 27, 30, 32, 34 comprise a transceiver element 26 configured to communicate with two transceiver devices 25 mounted on the first and on the second body 8, 9 respectively, and a pair of connection elements 27 connected to the first and to the second body 8, 9 respectively.
• the power supply means 20, 21, 30 comprise a built-in power supply unit 20, 21.
• interconnection means 10, 11, 12, 26, 27, 30, 32, 34 comprise an individual connection element 27 operatively connected to one of either the first body 8, the second body 9 or the supporting structure 2, 22.
• the first and the second body 8, 9 share the power supply and/or the data by means of the connection assembly 10, 11, 12, 30, 34.
• the interconnection means 10, 11, 12, 26, 27, 30, 32, 34 comprise at least one connection assembly 32 of the supporting structure 2, 22 to at least one of either the first or the second body 8, 9.
• the power supply /data transmission means 20, 21, 31 are connected to the supporting structure 2, 22.
• the power supply /data transmission means 20, 21, 31 are connected to at least one of either the first or the second body 8, 9 by interposition of the connection assembly 32 and of the supporting structure 2, 22.
• the power supply /data transmission means 20, 21, 31 are connected to the supporting structure 2, 22 by means of one or more connection elements This way, the power supply/data are transmitted via the power supply/data transmission means 20, 21, 31 to the device 29 by interposition of the supporting structure 2, 22, as shown in Figure 7.
• connection assembly 32 comprises at least one pair of sliding contacts 23 positioned between the supporting structure 2, 22 to at least one of either the first or the second body 8, 9.
• the device 29 moved along one of the directions of guidance A, B remains electrically connected to the supporting structure 2, 22 by interposition of the sliding contacts 23.
• the sliding contacts 23 are positioned between the supporting network 2 to at least one of either the first or the second body 8, 9.
• the supporting structure 2, 22 comprises at least one fixed conductor 22 and the sliding contacts 23 are positioned between at least one of either the first or the second body 8, 9 and at least one of either the fixed conductor 22 or the supporting network 2.
• the fixed conductor 22 is of the type of an electrically conductive body arranged in the proximity of the supporting network 2.
• the fixed conductor 22 has a slab- shaped conformation having an extension substantially equal to that of the supporting network 2, and extends substantially facing and parallel to the latter, as shown in Figure 7.
• one of the sliding contacts 23 is positioned between the fixed conductor 22 and one of either the first or the second body 8, 9, and the other of the sliding contacts 23 is positioned between the same body 8, 9 and the supporting network 2.
• Figure 8 shows a further embodiment of the machinery 1 wherein the supporting structure 2, 22 comprises a pair of supporting networks 2 spaced apart from each other and wherein the device 29 comprises: a pair of first bodies 8; a pair of coupling means 28, wherein one of the coupling means 28 is interposed between the second body 9 and one of the first bodies 8, and the other of the coupling means 28 is interposed between the second body 9 and the other of the first bodies 8.
• the supporting networks 2 extend substantially opposite and parallel to each other.
• the second body 9 is positioned between the supporting networks 2.
• the interconnection means 10, 11, 12, 26, 27, 30, 32, 34 comprise any combination of connection assemblies 10, 11, 12, 30, connection assemblies 32, connection elements 27 and transceiver elements
• the machinery 1 comprises movement means 43 of the device 29 along the guides 5, 6, provided with at least one movement assembly 35 provided with at least one pair of rotating assemblies 36 around at least one axis of rotation C, D, mounted opposite each other on the first body and on the second body 8, 9 respectively to abut against the guides 5, 6 on opposite sides and each of them comprising: a first wheel 37 rotating around a first axis of rotation C and provided with a first rolling surface 39 adapted to rotate in contact with one of the guides 5, 6 to move the device 29 along the same; a second wheel 38 coupled to the first wheel 37, movable in rotation around a second axis of rotation D orthogonal to the first axis of rotation C and provided with a second rolling surface 40 defining a portion of the first rolling surface 39 and adapted to rotate in contact with the other of the guides 5, 6 to move the device 29 along the same.
• the second wheel 38 is rotated around the second axis of rotation D and is at the same time integral in rotation with the first wheel 37, i.e., the rotation of the first wheel 37 around the first axis of rotation C causes the rotation of the second wheel 38 around the same axis.
• the device 29 can change direction of movement.
• the second wheel 38 is free to rotate in contact with a different guide 5, 6, so as to move the device 29 along a different direction of guidance A, B.
• the first wheel 37 is of the type of a driving wheel.
• the rotating assembly 36 comprises an actuator device 59, not shown in the illustrations, adapted to put the first wheel 37 into rotation.
• the second wheel 38 is preferably of the type of an idle wheel.
• the second wheel 38 has a substantially disc- shaped conformation.
• the second rolling surface 40 defines a first radial curvature profile which extends in a loop centered with respect to the second axis of rotation D and a second axial curvature profile which extends substantially orthogonal to the first radial curvature profile.
• the extension of the second axial curvature profile defines the thickness of the second wheel 38.
• the first rolling surface 39 defines a first radial curvature profile that extends in a loop centered with respect to the first axis of rotation C. Furthermore, the radius of curvature of the first radial curvature profile of the first rolling surface 39 substantially coincides with the radius of curvature of the second axial curvature profile of the second rolling surface 40.
• the rotating assembly 36 is movable between a first configuration of work, wherein the first wheel 37 is free to rotate around the first axis of rotation C with the first rolling surface 39 in contact with one of the guides 5, 6 and the rotation of the second wheel 38 around the second axis of rotation D is locked, and a second configuration of work, wherein the rotation of the first wheel 37 around the first axis of rotation C is locked and the second wheel 38 is free to rotate around the second axis of rotation D with the second rolling surface 40 in contact with the other of the guides 5, 6.
• the rotating assembly 36 comprises locking/unlocking means 41 adapted to intervene alternatively on the first wheel and the second wheel 37, 38 to lock the rotation of the second wheel 38 and to free the rotation of the first wheel 37 in the first configuration of work, and to lock the rotation of the first wheel 37 and to release the rotation of the second wheel 38 in the second configuration of work.
• the locking/unlocking means 41 comprise a locking element 54 movably coupled in a sliding manner inside the first wheel 37 in approach/away movement to/from the second wheel 38.
• the locking/unlocking means 41 comprise at least one locking portion 60 associated with one of either the first body or second body 8, 9 and adapted to receive by interlocking the locking element 54 to prevent it from rotating around the first axis of rotation C.
• the locking element 54 is brought closer to the second wheel 38, stopping against it in abutment, and at the same time it is moved away from the locking portion 60, thus freeing the first wheel 37, which is thus able to rotate.
• the locking element 54 is moved away from the second wheel 38, thus freeing it, and at the same time it is brought closer to the locking portion 60, which receives and locks the same locking element, preventing the rotation of the first wheel 37.
• the first wheel 37 comprises a sliding channel 63 made passing through the first rolling surface 39 and adapted to accommodate the locking element 54.
• the sliding channel 63 defines a pair of gaps opposite one another, wherein a first gap is made passing through the first rolling surface 39, and a second gap is arranged facing the second rolling surface 40.
• the locking element 54 is mobile through the first gap in away/approach movement from/to the locking portion 60.
• the locking/unlocking means 41 comprise an electromagnet 61 mounted on one of the first or second body 8, 9 and configured to move the rotating assembly 36 from the first configuration of work to the second configuration of work.
• the electromagnet 61 is activated to move the locking element 54 closer to the locking portion 60, thus keeping the locking element 54 interlocked within the latter.
• the electromagnet 61 is deactivated, interrupting its action on the locking element 54.
• the locking means 54 comprise an elastically deformable member 62 adapted to move the rotating assembly 36 from the second configuration of work to the first configuration of work.
• the elastically deformable member 62 is loaded and opposes the action of the electromagnet 61, tending to move the locking element 54 in the first configuration of work.
• the elastically deformable member 62 is at least partly unloaded and tends to keep the locking element 54 in this configuration.
• the locking element 54 comprises a first and a second ending part 54a, 54b opposite one another, wherein the first ending part 54a protrudes from the first rolling surface 39 and wherein the second ending part 54b faces the second rolling surface 40.
• the locking portion 60 receives interlocking the first ending part 54a, blocking the rotation of the first wheel 37.
• the second ending part 54b stops in abutment against the second wheel 38, thus blocking the rotation thereof.
• the machinery 1 comprises adherence means 52, 53 between the movement means 43 and the guides 5, 6.
• the adherence means 52, 53 comprise a plurality of protrusions 52 made on the guides 5, 6 or on the rolling surfaces 39, 40, and a plurality of seats 53 coupleable in a removable manner to the protrusions 52 and made on the others of either the guides 5, 6 or the rolling surfaces 39, 40.
• the protrusions 52 are made spaced apart from each other along the rolling surfaces 39, 40 and the seats 53 are made spaced apart from each other along the guides 5, 6.
• one of the protrusions 52 made on the second rolling surface 40 is aligned with the protrusions 52 made on the first rolling surface 39.
• the adherence means 52, 53 comprise a protrusion 52 made at the first ending part 54a of the locking element 54.
• the protrusion 52 made at the first ending part 54a is arranged aligned with those made on the first rolling surface 39 so as to operate in conjunction with the seats 53 during the rotation of the first wheel 37.
• the first ending part 54a coincides with a protrusion 52.
• the guides 5, 6 comprise a pair of guidance faces 55 opposite each other and on which the seats 53 are made.
• the rolling surfaces 39, 40 in use, rotate in contact with the guidance faces 55.
• the guides 5, 6 define a plurality of meshes of the supporting network 2 that are identical to each other.
• seats 53 are made in a number equal to such predefined number, to which a seat 53 is added, aligned to the previous ones, made on the second rolling surface 40.
• each seat 53 made at the intersection of two guides 5 is always engaged by one of the protrusions 52 made on the second rolling surface 40.
• the first axes of rotation C of the rotating assemblies 36 of the movement assembly 35 are arranged substantially orthogonal to each other.
• the movement means 43 comprise a plurality of the movement assemblies 35, each of which is mounted on the device 29 arranged rotated by 90° around an axis of reference E orthogonal with respect to the first and second axis of rotation C, D with respect to the adjacent movement assemblies 35.
• the movement means 43 comprise four movement assemblies 35.
• the distance between adjacent movement assemblies 35 is equal to the length of the guidance section 5, 6 defining a mesh of the supporting network 2.
• the machinery 1 comprises a plurality of fixing assemblies 56, each of which is interposed between either one of the bodies 8, 9 or one of the rotating assemblies 36 and is configured to press the latter under pressure in contact with a guide 5, 6.
• rotating assemblies 36 are coupled together movable in a sliding manner close to/away from the corresponding body 8, 9 by interposition of the fixing assemblies 56.
• the fixing assemblies 56 comprise an elastically deformable body 58 adapted to maintain the rotating assembly 36 in contact under pressure with the guide 5, 6.
• the supporting network 2 comprises at least one pair of first guides 5 extending opposite and parallel to each other along a curved direction of extension F.
• the rotating assemblies 36 are moved close to/away from the corresponding body 8, 9 depending on the curvature of the direction of extension F.
• the machinery 1 comprises guidance means 42 of the device 29 along the guides 5, 6, provided with a pair of guidance assemblies 44, 45 mounted opposite each other on the first body and the second body 8, 9 respectively, and each of them comprising: a pair of first guidance assemblies 44 opposite each other and adapted to slide in contact with a pair of the first guides 5 opposite each other; a pair of second guidance assemblies 45 opposite each other and adapted to slide in contact with a pair of the second guides 6 opposite each other.
• each guidance assembly 44, 45 comprises a plurality of rotating elements 48 arranged, in use, to rotate in contact with the guides 5, 6.
• each guide 5, 6 comprises at least one lateral portion 49 arranged facing, opposite and parallel to the lateral portion 49 of another guide 5, 6 defining the same mesh.
• the rotating elements 48 are arranged, in use, at least partly inside the mesh to rotate in contact with the lateral portion 49.
• the lateral portion 49 comprises a pair of inclined faces opposite and converging to each other towards the inside of the mesh.
• the rotating elements 48 rotate in contact with the inclined faces 50.
• the rotating elements 48 rotate around a central axis G which extends substantially parallel to the inclined face 50 along which the same rotating element rotates. It cannot however be ruled out that the central axis G extends substantially transversally with respect to the inclined face 50.
• the machinery 1 comprises a plurality of anchoring assemblies 57, each of which is interposed between either one of the bodies 8, 9 or one of the rotating elements 48 and is configured to press under pressure the latter in contact with a guide 5, 6.
• each of the rotating elements 48 is coupled movable in a sliding manner close to/away from the corresponding body 8, 9 by interposition of the anchoring assemblies 57.
• the lateral portions 49 comprise a plurality of invitation portions 51 arranged at the intersections between the first guides and the second guides 5, 6 and adapted to abut against the rotating elements 48, moving them close to the respective bodies 8, 9 to pass over the guides 5, 6.
• the invitation portions 51 define an inclined wall adapted to join with a gradual slope the lateral portion 49 of a guide 5, 6 to another guide 5, 6 which transversely intersects the first one.
• the rotating elements 48 ascend the invitation portion 51, approach the respective body 8, 9, override the other of the first or the second guide 5, 6 and return into contact with the lateral portion 49 descending along the next invitation portion 51.
• the anchoring assemblies 57 comprise an elastically deformable element, not shown in the illustrations, adapted to keep the rotating element 48 in contact under pressure with the guide 5, 6.
• the machinery 1 comprises shifting means 46, 47 of the guidance assemblies 44, 45, provided with: first shifting means 46 configured to move the pairs of first guidance assemblies 44 close to the pair of first guides 5, by abutting against them, and away from the pair of first guides 5, by freeing them; - second shifting means 47 configured to move the pairs of second guidance assemblies 45 close to the pair of second guides 6, by abutting against them, and away from the pair of second guides 6, by freeing them.
• the guidance means 42 are movable between a first configuration of use, wherein the pairs of first guidance assemblies 44 are moved close to the pair of first guides 5, by abutting against them, the pairs of second guidance assemblies 45 are moved away from the pair of second guides 6, by freeing them, and the device 29 is movable along the first direction of guidance A, and a second configuration of use, wherein the pairs of first guidance assemblies 44 are moved away from the pair of first guides 5, by freeing them, the pairs of second guidance assemblies 45 are moved close to the pair of second guides 6, by abutting against them, and the device 29 is movable along the second direction of guidance B .
• the anchoring assemblies 57 coincide with the shifting means 46, 47.
• the first guidance assemblies 44 mounted on the first body 8 are arranged opposite the first guidance assemblies 44 mounted on the second body 9.
• the second guidance assemblies 45 mounted on the first body 8 are also arranged opposite the second guidance assemblies 45 mounted on the second body 9.
• the first shifting means 46 are configured to move the pairs of first guidance assemblies 44 closer to each other to stop in abutment against the pair of first guides 5, and away from each other to free the pair of first guides 5.
• the second shifting means 47 are configured to move the pairs of second guidance assemblies 45 closer to each other to stop in abutment against the pair of second guides 5, and away from each other to free the pair of second guides 5.
• the pairs of first guidance assemblies 44 are moved closer to each other to stop in abutment against the pair of first guides 5, the pairs of second guidance assemblies 45 are moved away from each other to free the pair of second guides 6 and the device 29 is movable along the first direction of guidance A.
• the pairs of first guidance assemblies 44 are moved away from each other to free the pair of first guides 5, the pairs of second guidance assemblies 45 are moved closer to each other to stop in abutment against the pair of second guides 6 and the device 29 is moved along the second direction of guidance B .
• the guidance means 42 are moved in the first or second configuration of use. This way, the guidance assemblies 44, 45 do not interfere with the movement of the device 29.
• the first guidance assemblies 44 and the second guidance assemblies 45 mounted on the first body 8 are arranged opposite the second guidance assemblies 45 and the first guidance assemblies 44 mounted on the second body 9, respectively.
• each guidance assembly 44, 45 is associated with a corresponding rotating assembly 36.
• each guidance assembly 44, 45 comprises a pair of rotating elements 48 jointly movable with each other in approach/away movement to/from at least one of the guides 5, 6 between the first and the second configuration of use.
• said pair of rotating elements 48 is adapted to abut against at least one of the guides 5, 6 straddling the same, i.e. on opposite sides of the same; the rotating elements 48 of each pair, in fact, are arranged inclined and converging with each other to abut against respective inclined faces 50.
• each guidance assembly 44, 45 comprises two pairs of rotating elements 48 associated opposite each other with a corresponding rotating assembly 36.
• the shifting means 46, 47 are configured to independently move each pair of rotating elements 48.
• the interconnection means allow connecting the component parts of the machinery the one to the other, thereby significantly reducing the complexity thereof.
• connection assembly allows interconnecting in a simple manner the first and the second body of the device for the transport of objects without interfering with its movement.
• the electric connection assembly allows the first and the second body to share the power supply and exchange data.
• connection assembly allows the device to be connected to the power supply/transmission means in a simple and compact manner, minimizing the use of cables.
• the movement assemblies allow the direction of movement of the device to be changed quickly and easily.
• the guidance means give the device greater stability during its movement along the supporting network.
• the fixing assemblies increase the stability of the device and allow it to be moved on curved- shaped supporting networks.
• the anchoring assemblies also help increase stability.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
• Manipulator (AREA)

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• 2021
  • 2021-05-11 EP EP21730981.4A patent/EP4149877A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2021-05-11 WO PCT/IB2021/054007 patent/WO2021229436A1/en unknown

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