FR2769010A1 - Intermediate storage station for components - Google Patents

Abstract

The station is arranged between two work posts. It has a base (16) and a helical storage area (2) which is attached to a support (6) that can be moved in translation along the length of a column (7) mounted on the base. In this way the storage area can be moved between a loaded position, where it is adjacent to one work post (4), and a second unloaded position, where it is adjacent to a second work post. The support includes a lock (10) to lock its position on the column.

Description

STORER FOR INTERMEDIATE STORAGE OF COMPONENTS
The present invention relates to a storage device for the intermediate storage of components, in particular between two work stations.

At present, the components which must undergo different processing operations, such as machining operations, assembly operations, etc., are transported from work stations to work stations, each of said stations corresponding to one or more operations. treatment. To do this, the compounds treated on a work station are stored in bins, which are then transported to another work station. The components must then be taken out of the tanks to be treated. However, the containers for transporting the components are bulky and once filled with components, they become particularly heavy to handle and transport.

One solution to solving the transport problem consists in using conveyors or conveyor belts by which the bins can move. However, a conveyor belt and an often large transport bin require a certain space which is not always available on the work station. In addition, the location of the transport container is fixed so that the height of said transport container is not necessarily adapted to the size of the operator who works on the work station and who must handle the components contained in the bac.

On the other hand, the level of the components in the tank varies according to the quantity of components loaded or unloaded. When there are few components left at the bottom of the bin, the operator's arm must travel a longer distance than when the bin is full. The operator therefore loses time recovering the components at the bottom of the tank, which leads to a reduction in his productivity. In addition, since the pick-up and drop-out heights vary constantly, the work of charging or discharging cannot be carried out by a simple automaton.

Finally, the transport container is generally in the form of a box and the components are often placed in the transport container in no particular order. This means that the volume of the transport container is not being used optimally and that more containers will have to be used than necessary.

The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a storage device which allows intermediate storage and transport of components in particular between two work stations without effort by eliminating any manipulation of heavy and bulky transfer tanks. In addition, the storage device according to the invention adapts to the environment of the work stations and makes it possible to increase the productivity of the operator by avoiding any unnecessary movement and by offering an optimal storage volume as a function of the components to be store.

To this end, the invention relates to a storage device of the kind indicated in the preamble, characterized in that it comprises a base and at least one storage tank receiving said components, said storage tank being coupled to a carrier element arranged to move in translation along a column mounted on said base, so that the storage tank is movable between a loading position relative to a work station and a discharge position relative to the other work station, that said carrier element comprises blocking means for blocking it on the column, and in that said storage tank has the shape of a helix, the pitch of which varies from 0 to infinity. Thus, the loading and unloading positions can be adjusted so as to correspond respectively to ideal drop-off and height-taking points with respect to said work stations.

Alternatively, the storage tank includes a fastening element which is detachably attached to the carrier element.

According to another variant, said carrier element consists of a tubular element which slides along a central column, the storage tank being wound around said tubular element.

Preferably, said locking means comprise a locking screw abutting against the central column.

Advantageously, the central column can include means for locating the charge and discharge positions. Said locating means may include lower and upper stops, the central column comprising a plurality of orifices distributed along said column, the lower and upper stops being engaged in the corresponding orifices so as to identify the positions of charging and discharging . The locating means can also consist of rings held around the central column.

Advantageously, the storage device can include means for driving the carrier element, said means being chosen from mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic means. Said drive means can be controlled by a control unit.

Depending on the shapes of the components to be stored, the storage tank may consist of a chute having a section of shapes corresponding to those of the components to be stored. It can also consist of rollers rotating around their respective axis, said axes extending radially to the tubular element.

Advantageously, the storage tank can consist of radial elements placed on the tubular element and wires fixed on said radial elements to form a bearing surface, said wires being wound around the tubular element. so as to form said helix. In another embodiment, the storage tank consists of combs placed on the tubular element radially and bands inserted vertically into the teeth of said combs to form a bearing surface, said bands being wound around the tubular element so as to form said helix. Said strips can have different heights. They can also have an inverted L-shaped section so as to substantially close the bearing surface.

The storage tank may include means for reducing friction between the components to be stored and said tank, said friction reduction means being chosen from mechanical, hydrostatic, aerostatic, vibratory means.

The storage tank may also include means for driving the components to be stored, said driving means being chosen from mechanical, magnetic, pneumatic, aeraulic, electrostatic means. Said entrainment means can be arranged so as to drive the components from the load position to the discharge position and / or vice versa. They can also include braking means so as to control the speed of movement of the components, said braking means being chosen from mechanical, magnetic, pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical means.

In addition, the storage tank may also include means for braking the components to be stored, said braking means being chosen from mechanical, magnetic, pneumatic, aeraulic, electrostatic means.

Advantageously, the friction reduction, drive and braking means can be composed of at least one pusher / brake element having a face with a reduced coefficient of friction for pushing the components and a face with a coefficient of friction. important for braking the components, said pusher / brake member being placed upstream of the last component loaded and / or between the components and / or downstream of the first component to be unloaded on the face corresponding to the desired function.

Advantageously, the column can be mounted on a movable base. For this, the base may include displacement members, said displacement members possibly comprising guide means. The displacement members are chosen from rolling and sliding members.

The present invention and its advantages will appear better in the following description of several exemplary embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: - Figure 1 shows a variant of the storage device according to the invention in the loaded position, - Figure 2 is a view of the same storage device in the discharge position, - Figure 3 is a view of another variant of the storage device according to the present invention, - Figures 4 to 7 show embodiments of the storage tank according to the invention, - Figures 8a to 8c show variants of the storage tank according to Figure 7, - Figures 9a to 9e show possible cross-sectional shapes for the chute of the storage tank, - Figure 10 shows the storage unit with the pusher element / brake, - Figure 11 shows the pusher / brake element, and - Figure 12 is a partial exploded view of another variant of the storage device according to the present invention.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the storage device 1 according to the invention comprises a storage tank 2 in which components 3 are arranged to be stored and transported between two work stations represented by the work plans 4 and 5.

In this variant, the storage tank 2 is fixed to a tubular support element 6 which slides along a vertical central column 7 between a load position relative to the work surface 4 (Fig. 1) and a discharge position in relation to work plan 5 (Fig. 2).

In this variant, the storage tank 2 consists of a chute 14 wound in the form of a helix around the tubular element 6. The chute 14 has a U-shaped section suitable for the shape of the components 3 to be stored. It is obvious that the section of the chute 14 may vary depending on the components to be stored. With reference to FIGS. 9a and 9b, the shape of the section of the trough 14 can for example correspond to a curve or to a V. As shown in FIGS. 9c and 9d, it can also constitute a U whose base has a groove in an inverted U or T shape to make guide grooves for components that have complementary shapes. The chute 14 can also be closed as shown in FIG. 9e.

The upper end 14a of the chute 14 constitutes a load level and the lower end 14b of the chute 14 constitutes a discharge level. Furthermore, the lower end 14b of the chute 14 is closed by means of an opening hatch 15 which holds the components 3 in the storage tank and which opens automatically when the storage device is brought closer to its position. of discharge.

The tubular element 6 is locked on the central column 7 in the chosen position by means of a locking system 10, which can in particular be a locking screw or any other known means. To identify the charge and discharge positions, lower and upper stops 11 and 12 are provided. These stops 11 and 12 are engaged in orifices 13 provided along the central column 7 along its longitudinal axis. The lower 11 and upper 12 stops are placed on the central column 7 as a function of the charging and discharging positions to be identified. The location of the loading and unloading positions can also be done by means of two rings arranged near each end of the central column 7 and locked in position by means of locking screws.

The central column 7 is hollow and has at its top a pulley 8 connected on the one hand to the tubular element 6 by a chain 9 and on the other hand to a counterweight (not shown) placed inside the central column 7. This counterweight system makes it possible to balance the tubular element 6 and to better control its upward and downward movement along the central column 7.

The central column 7 is arranged on a base 16 equipped with four swivel casters 17 and provided with brakes.

Referring to Figure 3, the store 1 'according to the present invention also comprises a storage tank 2' for storing components 3 and fixed on a tubular element 6 'sliding along a central column 7'. In this variant, the storage tank 2 'consists of two troughs 18 and 19 wound around the tubular element 6' to form a double helix. This variant thus makes it possible to double the storage volume. The chutes 18 and 19 each have a U-shaped section. The section can have the shapes described above and which correspond to FIGS. 9a to 9e. The upper end 19a of the chute 19 is extended relative to the upper end 1 8a of the chute 18 so that said upper ends 1 8a and 1 9a constitute the same level of load. On the contrary, the lower ends 18b and 19b of the troughs 18 and 19 stop along the same vertical plane so that they constitute two levels of discharge. Each lower end 18b, 19b is closed by means of an opening hatch 15 '.

In this variant, the central column 7 ′ constitutes a linear advance and guide unit so that the tubular element 6 ′ moves between the loading and unloading positions under the action of a jack 21 actuated by a motor 20 and controlled by a control unit 22. It is obvious that this jack can also be pneumatic or hydraulic.

The central column 7 'and the motor 20 rest on a base 16' equipped with wheels 17 '.

The wheels can of course be replaced by sliding members. These wheels can be guided by a rail, a marking on the ground or any other guide means known per se. The wheels can also be controlled automatically in a manner known per se.

FIG. 12 shows another embodiment of the storage device according to the invention.

In this variant, the carrier element 26 consists of a U-shaped plate fixed on one side of the column 27 in an off-center manner. The carrier element 26 slides along the column 27. The storage tank 2 comprises a fixing element 23 disposed on the outside of the propeller and consisting of a bar ending in a hook 24 for fixing on the carrier element 26. Thus, the storage tank 22 can be easily separated from the carrier element 26 so that it can, for example, be replaced for a storage tank having another shape or other dimensions. It is then possible to have a minimum number of columns and load-bearing elements and to use them each time with the storage tank corresponding to the components to be stored.

The storage tank 2 or 2 ′ can have several possible embodiments, each of which can be adapted to the storage devices as described above.

The troughs 14, 18 and 19 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 can be produced by deformation of metal parts. But this operation is relatively long. They can also be obtained by molding. For this purpose, it is necessary to "cut" the chute into several sections, said sections then being assembled.

With reference to FIG. 4, the storage tank 32 has the form of a developable propeller, that is to say of a propeller having the same tangent plane at any point of a generator. The propeller is of course wound around the tubular element 6. This form has the advantage of making the storage tank in one piece.

Referring to Figure 5, the storage tank 42 is composed of rollers 43 rotating about their respective axis 43a. The axes 43a are oriented radially with respect to the tubular element 6 and the rollers 43 are arranged so as to form for the components a support surface in the form of a helix. The rollers 43 can be mounted idle or they can be driven by integrated geared motors (not shown) either in a downward movement only or in a downward and upward mixed movement so as to allow the components to rise to the load level. The rollers 43 can be made of hard or flexible material. They can also be fitted with brushes to protect or better drive the components.

Referring to Figure 6, the storage tank 52 consists of combs 53 arranged on the tubular member 6 radially and so as to follow the curve of a propeller. The combs 53 have teeth facing upwards. In said teeth are inserted strips 54 on edge. The strips 54 are made of flexible material and are wound around the tubular element 6 in the form of a helix to form a flat bearing surface. As shown in FIG. 8a, the strips 54 can protrude from the comb at different heights depending on the depth of the teeth. The strip 54a is inserted into a shallow tooth of the comb 53 while the other strips 54 are arranged in deeper teeth. Therefore, the strip 54a constitutes a rim of the storage tank 52 to guide the components and prevent them from falling. It is also possible to provide that a central strip has a different height to constitute a guide means for components having on their surface a slot of complementary shape. With reference to FIG. 8b, the central strips 54b have a section in the form of
L upside down, the horizontal branches 54c of the upside down L constituting a quasi-closed bearing surface. The closure of the bearing surface can vary depending on the approximation of the strips 54 and 54b. The lateral strips 54 are of a height greater than that of the central strips 54b so as to form the edges of the storage tank 52. In the case where the strips 54 are all at the same height, it is possible to provide a hollow tube (not shown) which is placed around the propeller concentrically with the tubular element 6, the walls of said hollow tube serving as flanges. With reference to FIG. 8c, the central strips 54b are replaced by round wires 55 placed on the comb 53a, the lateral strip 54 acting as a rim.

Referring to Figure 7, the storage tank 62 consists of a tubular structure wound in the form of a helix around the tubular element 6. The tubular structure is made of flexible materials such as aluminum or PVC. It can be smooth or rough inside depending on the desired speed of movement of the components. It is obvious that the tubular structure may have a rectangular, square or adapted section to the shape of the components to be stored.

The storage tank can also be produced by cutting a propeller in a full cylinder by milling. The shape of the cutter can vary to obtain different types of propeller.

The storage device 1 according to the present invention is used in a particularly simple manner.

The operating principle described below is based on the storage device 1, but it is obvious that the operating principle for the storage device 1 'is similar. At the start, the storekeeper 1 is brought before the work station identified by the work surface 4 on which the components 3 undergo a processing operation by an operator (not shown). Thanks to the casters, the operator places the storage device 1 in front of the work surface 4 and orientates it in an ideal manner according to the space available around the work station and the drop-off point for the treated components. Then, the operator adjusts the height of the storage tank 2 as a function of the height of the work surface 4 and possibly of its size so that the upper end 1 4a of the chute 14 which corresponds to the load level has the ideal height for the operator's drop-off point. To this end, the operator moves the tubular element 6 along the central column 7, this movement being controlled by the pulley 8 / counterweight system. Once the ideal removal position has been reached and during the first use of the storage device 2, the operator locates said position by engaging the lower stop 1 1 in the corresponding orifice 13 on the central column 7. Thus, during subsequent uses, it suffices to slide the tubular element 6 until it meets the lower stop 11. The operator then blocks the tubular element 6 on the central column 7 thanks to the locking system 10. The operator or possibly an automaton introduces the treated components 3 into the storage tank according to arrow A (Fig 1). The location of the storage unit being ideal, the operator performs a minimum of gestures, which contributes to increasing his productivity and reducing his fatigue. Thanks to the helical shape of the storage tank 2, the components 3 advance under the effect of gravity to the lower end 1 4b of the chute 14 where they are retained by an opening hatch 15. Thus, the upper end 14a of the chute 14 is always free to receive a component so that the drop point is of constant height regardless of the level of filling of the storage device. The charging operation in the storage tank can then be carried out by a simple automaton since the drop-off point is constant.

It is obvious that the advance of the components 3 in the storage tank can be done, in addition by gravity, using means for driving the components. These drive means may include braking means so as to control the speed of movement of the components, said braking means being chosen from mechanical, magnetic, pneumatic, hydraulic, electric means.

The drive means can be magnets fixed along the chute 14, a chain articulated with lugs, the chain being placed in the chute.

The drive of the components can also be carried out by means of an air cushion provided in the chute. It can also be provided that the parts are driven by vibration. In order to facilitate the driving of the components, it is also possible to provide means for reducing friction between the components to be stored and the reservoir, these means being able to be mechanical, hydrostatic, aerostatic or vibratory. For example, the storage tank can be mounted on a vibratory base so as to be able to adjust the speed of movement of the components inside the storage tank, this being obtained by varying the amplitude and frequency of the vibrations. Conversely, the bottom of the chute may include elements of added material to create friction with the components so as to slow their progress. The braking of the components can be done by any other mechanical, magnetic, pneumatic, aeraulic or electrostatic means.

With reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, the driving or braking of the components can be carried out by a pusher / braking element 25 in the form of a parallelepiped, one face of which comprises wheels 28 so as to reduce as much as possible the coefficient of friction between the push / brake element 25 and the storage tank 2. The other face 29 is covered with a layer of a material increasing the coefficient of friction such as rubber. Depending on the chosen function, the pusher / brake element is placed on the corresponding face. For the braking function, the face 29 is used and the pusher / brake element 25 is placed downstream of the first component to be stored as well as possibly between the components. For the drive function, the face is used with the wheels 28 and the pusher / brake element 25 is placed upstream of the last component to be stored as well as possibly between the components.

In order to be able to control the speed of the pusher / brake element 25 in drive function, there is provided on the two lateral faces a lug 30 which projects in the direction of its axis under the action for example of a pulse electric to block the pusher / brake element between the two walls of the storage tank 2.

Once the components 3 are all loaded in the storage tank 2, they can be put on standby in the store 2 if they are not to be treated immediately. To bring them to another work station represented by the work surface 5, it suffices to move the storage device 1 by means of the rollers 17. There are thus no heavy loads to transport. The operator places the storage device 1 in front of the work surface 5 and orientates it in an ideal manner according to the space available around the work station and the pick-up point of the treated components. Then, the operator adjusts the height of the storage tank 2 as a function of the height of the work surface 5 and possibly its size so that the lower end 14b of the chute 14 which corresponds to the discharge level has the ideal height for operator grip point. To this end, the operator moves the tubular element 6 along the central column 7, this movement being controlled by the pulley 8 / counterweight system. Once the ideal gripping position has been reached and during the first use of the storage device 1, the operator locates said position by engaging the upper stop 12 in the corresponding orifice 13 on the central column 7. Thus, during subsequent uses, it it suffices to reassemble the tubular element 6 along the central column 7 until it meets the upper stop 12. The operator then blocks the tubular element 6 on the central column 7 thanks to the locking system 10. The opening hatch 15 opened when the storage device 1 was approaching and the operator or possibly an automatic device discharges the components 3 from the storage tank one by one in the loading order. As the gripping position is ideal, the gripping distances are minimal. A "FIFO" type storage device is thus obtained (First
In - First Out) in which the first component loaded is the first component unloaded. The gripping point is of constant height whatever the level of filling of the storage device. The storage tank discharge operation can then be carried out by a simple automaton since the pick-up point is constant.

Thanks to drive means such as a chain to have a downward and upward movement of the components in the storage device, the "FIFO" storage device can be transformed into a "FILO" (First In - Last Out) type storage device in which the first component loaded is the last component unloaded.

Finally, thanks to the different possible embodiments of the storage tank, it is possible to adapt the shape of the storage tank according to the components to be stored so as to obtain an optimal storage volume. In addition, the dimensions and the slope of the storage tank are calculated according to the characteristics of the components to be stored such as the dimensions, the mass, and the desired speed of movement.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described but extends to any modification and variant obvious to a person skilled in the art. In particular, the embodiments described here have a vertical column but it is obvious that the storage tank can be coupled to an inclined column. The pitch of the propeller can vary from 0 to infinity, the storage tank can then consist of a linear chute inclined in the direction of the column.

Claims (25)

Claims 1. Storer (1, 1 ') for the intermediate storage of components (3), in particular between two work stations (4, 5), characterized in that it comprises a base (16) and at least one reservoir for storage (2, 2 ', 32, 42, 52, 62) receiving said components (3), said storage tank (2, 2', 32, 42, 52, 62) being coupled to a carrier element (6, 6 ', 26) arranged to move in translation along a column (7, 7', 27) mounted on said base (16), so that the storage tank (2, 2 ', 32, 42, 52 , 62) is movable between a load position relative to a work station (4) and a discharge position relative to the other work station (5), in that said carrier element (6, 6 ', 26) comprises locking means (10) for locking it on the column (7), and in that said storage tank (2, 2 ', 32, 42, 52, 62) has the shape of a helix, the pitch of the helix varying from O to infinity. 2. Storage device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the storage tank (2) comprises a fixing element (23) which is fixed on the carrier element (26) detachably. 3. Storage device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said carrier element consists of a tubular element (6, 6 ') which slides along a central column (7, 7'), the reservoir of storage (2, 2 ', 32, 42, 52, 62) being wrapped around said tubular element (6, 6'). 4. Storage device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the central column (7) comprises means for locating (11, 12) the charge and discharge positions. 5. Storage device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that said locating means comprise lower (11) and upper (12) stops and in that the central column (7) comprises a plurality of orifices (13) distributed along said column, the lower (11) and upper (12) stops being engaged in the corresponding orifices (13) so as to identify the charging and discharging positions. 6. Storage device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the locating means consist of rings held around the central column (7). 7. Storage device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said locking means comprise a locking screw (10). 8. Storage device (1, 1 ') according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means for driving the carrier element (6, 6'), said means being chosen from mechanical means (8, 9), electrical (20, 21), pneumatic, and hydraulic. 9. Storage device (1, 1 ') according to claim 8, characterized in that said drive means are controlled by a control unit (22). 10 Storer (1, 1 ') according to claim 1, characterized in that the storage tank (2, 2', 32, 42, 52, 62) consists of a chute (14, 18, 19) having a section of shapes corresponding to those of the components (3) to be stored. 11. Storage device (1, 1 ') according to claim 1, characterized in that the storage tank (42) consists of rollers (43) rotating around their respective axis (43a), said axes (43a) extending radially to the tubular element (6). 12. Storage device (1, 1 ') according to claim 1, characterized in that the storage tank (52) consists of radial elements (53a) placed on the tubular element (6) and fixed wires (55) on said radial elements (53a) to form a bearing surface, said wires (55) being wound around the tubular element (6) so as to form said helix. 13. Storage device (1, 1 ') according to claim 1, characterized in that the storage tank (52) consists of combs (53) placed on the tubular element (6) radially and of strips (54) inserted vertically into teeth of said combs (53) to form a bearing surface, said strips (54) being wound around the tubular element (6) so as to form said helix. 14. Storage device (1, 1 ') according to claim 13, characterized in that said strips (54, 54a) have different heights. 15. Storage device (1, 1 ') according to claim 13, characterized in that said strips (54b) have an inverted L-shaped section (54c) so as to substantially close the bearing surface. 16. Storage device (1, 1 ') according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the storage tank (2, 2', 32, 42, 52, 62) comprises means for reducing friction between the components to store and said reservoir, said friction reduction means being chosen from mechanical, hydrostatic, aerostatic, vibratory means. 17. Storer (1, 1 ') according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the storage tank (2, 2', 32, 42, 52, 62) comprises means for driving the components to be stored said drive means being chosen from mechanical (25), magnetic, pneumatic, aeraulic, electrostatic means. 18. Storage device (1, 1 ') according to claim 17 characterized in that said drive means are arranged so as to drive the components from the loading position to the discharging position and / or vice versa. 19. Storage device (1, 1 ') according to claim 17, characterized in that the drive means comprise braking means (30) so as to control the speed of movement of the components, said braking means being chosen from mechanical, magnetic, pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical means. 20. Storage device (1, 1 ') according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the storage tank (2, 2', 32 42, 52, 62) comprises means for braking the components to be stored, said components braking means being chosen from mechanical (25), magnetic, pneumatic, aeraulic, electrostatic means. 21. Storage device (1, 1 ') according to claims 16, 17 and 20, characterized in that drive and braking means are composed of at least one push / brake element (25) having a friction coefficient face reduced for pushing the components and a face (29) with a high coefficient of friction for braking the components, said pusher / brake member (25) being placed upstream of the last loaded component and / or between the components and / or downstream of the first component to be unloaded on the face corresponding to the desired function. 22. Storage device (1, 1 ') according to claim 1, characterized in that the column (7, 7') is mounted on a movable base (16). 23. Storage device (1, l ') according to claim 22, characterized in that the base (16) comprises displacement members. 24. Storage device (1, 1 ') according to claim 23, characterized in that said displacement members comprise guide means. 25. Storer (1, 1 ') according to claim 23, characterized in that said displacement members are chosen from rolling members (17, 17') and sliding.