FR2654695A1 - Device for automatic loading and unloading of self-contained containers on an apparatus for transport of light loads by automotive carriages on rails - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a set of devices making it possible to overcome the drawbacks of employing the existing apparatuses on the market. The devices comprise self-contained containers (4) equipped with bosses (3) and cavities allowing the automotive carriages to load them and unload them automatically and to fix them by locking during the passage between two stations. The stations have separate loading and unloading zones. The devices according to the invention are intended to equip apparatuses for transport and handling of light loads by the tertiary sector and industry.

Description

The present invention relates to light load transport devices (15 to
50 Kilos) placed in containers transported by self-propelled trolleys on rails.

Two types of devices currently on the market have major drawbacks leading to the blocking of installations if the operating rules are not respected.

 The first type of device uses self-propelled carts equipped with mobile cursors memorizing the destination station. In order for these installations to function properly, stations must have a certain number of carriages permanently allocated to them. It is necessary that each station has its trolleys at all times. To do this, destination stations must imperatively return them to the sending station as soon as possible.

The second type of device controlled by computers and microprocessors allows the
trivialization of self-propelled carts. In this case the stations no longer have
pre-assigned carts. These are parked in parking areas provided for this purpose at various places in the installation. A station wishing to make a shipment calls a self-propelled cart with empty container and proceeds after loading to a shipment.

The destination station must empty the trolley as soon as possible and send it back to a trolley parking area with empty containers.

In both types of device, the destination stations that do not return the carriages are quickly saturated. This situation reduces performance and results
quickly blocking the installation.

 The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of existing devices on the market.

According to a first characteristic, the containers are no longer integral with the
self-propelled carriages which can therefore load and unload them automatically
at stations.

 According to a second characteristic, self-propelled carriages are equipped with a locking device making it possible to make the container integral for the entire duration of the journey between two stations.

 According to a third characteristic, the stations include a zOne reserved for loading and a zOne reserved for unloading containers.

 According to particular embodiments: -The containers can be provided with bosses allowing their loading and unloading by a trolley.

-The containers may include cavities allowing the devices to
locking of self-propelled carriages to be active.

-Self-propelled carriages can be fitted with slides engaging the
container bosses for loading or unloading.

-Self propelled carts can be fitted with locking devices
by a bolt which is housed in the cavity of the container provided for this purpose. Erase
the bolt is electro-controlled.

-The loading or unloading areas of the stations can be equipped with
devices for sliding and centering containers.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention:
Figure 1 shows the container with its characteristics.

Figure 2 shows the cart with its loading, unloading and container locking devices.

Figure 3 shows the profile container with the bosses and the locking cavity.

Figure 4 shows a section along A on the cart loaded with the container according to the invention.

FIG. 5 represents a side view on the cart loaded with the container according to a variant of the invention.

FIG. 6 represents a section along A of the view of the carriage shown in FIG. 5.

Figure 7 shows the station with its loading and unloading zones.

In FIG. 1, the container shown in perspective has bosses (1) on each lateral flanks. These bosses (1) are found symmetrically
in the upper and lower part of the container. The bosses (1) have inclined planes (2) at each end facilitating the presentation of the slide (2) of the carriage shown in FIG. 2.

The lid (3) of the container opens on the largest side and its plane of
seal is shown in (4). The lid (3) of the container is equipped with a closure (5) on one of the smaller sides and a hinge on the other side.

 According to a variant not illustrated, the closure (5) forms at the same time a hinge.

In this case, the small opposite sides of the container are equipped with the hinge closure (5). I1 is then possible to open the cover (3) either on any of the small faces, or even dismantle the cover by simultaneously actuating the two hinge closings (5) located on the opposite faces.

With reference to Figure 2, the self-propelled cart (1) is equipped with a module
slide (2). The slide assembly (2) has in its center a device for
electro-controlled locking (5). An electrical or electronic control (7) checks
the correct position of the locking device (5).

In Figure 3, we understand that during its movement in the direction of the arrow
the slide (2) of the carriage (1) engages on the boss (3) of the container (4). The device
locking (5) makes integral the carriage (1) of Figure 2 when it comes to house the
retractable stud in the cavity (6) of the container.

In Figure 4, a section along A on the carriage (1) of Figure 2 highlights
evidence how the locking device (5) makes integral the container (4) and its bosses (3) through the slide (2).

In FIG. 5, according to a variant in FIG. 2, the self-propelled carriage (1) is equipped with a gripping device (2) allowing it to be taken at the level of the bosses (3)
of the container (4).

Figure 6 is a section along A on the carriage (1) of Figure 5
In FIG. 6, variants of the device for gripping the container are
represented. On the right-hand side of FIG. 6, according to a first variant, the
gripping device (2) of the container (4) may include articulations on the chain
riot (1) .The gripping device (2) is spread to allow it to engage on the
boss (3) of the container (4). On the central part of Figure 6, according to a second
variant, the gripping device (2) of the container (4) can be moved away from the boss
(3) by translation and can therefore engage on it.

The left part of Figure 6 represents the gripping device (2) of the container
(4) of the two variants in the locking position. The gripping device (2) can be electrically controlled using a mechanism installed in the self-propelled carriage (1). The shape of the gripping device (2) is designed to lock the container (4)
on the self-propelled trolley (1) during the journey between two stations.

Figure 7 shows the unloading area (1) of the containers (2) by the
self-propelled trolley (3). It also represents the loading area (4) of
containers (2) by the self-propelled cart (3).

The present invention is intended for the improvement of operating conditions
in light load transport equipment by self-propelled trolleys on rails.

This invention relates in particular to the tertiary sectors or industries for the
transport and automatic handling of light loads.

Claims (6)

 1- Transport device for light loads (15 to 50 Kilos) by self-propelled carts  on rails characterized by the fact that the containers being autonomous, they are loaded automatically at the sending stations and automatically unloaded at the receiving stations. The containers are made integral with the self-propelled carriages during the whole journey between two stations. 'a  installation include a loading and unloading area.  2- Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the containers are no longer integral with self-propelled carriages. They include bosses allowing the slides of self-propelled carriages to engage on them to load or unload them.  3- Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the containers have cavities allowing the locking device of self-propelled carriages  make them united during the journey between two stations.  4- Apparatus according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the carriages  self-propelled are equipped with slides allowing to engage on the bosses of  containers.  5- Apparatus according to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that the assembly  slide is equipped with a container locking device. This device controls  a bolt which is housed in the cavity of the container to make it integral with the carriage  self-propelled during the journey between two stations.  6- Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the station comprises  two zones, one specializing in loading, the other in unloading.