FR2884237A1 - Motor vehicle equipment transporting and handling installation, has load transfer devices, where each device has active position, in which load is moved from conveyor exit to carriage, when carriage is raised to height related to exit - Google Patents

Abstract

The installation has load transfer devices (20) disposed at an exit (10) of each of the multiple conveyors (4). Each device has a rest position, in which loads (6) present on the conveyor are stopped by stops (18) of the conveyor, and an active position, in which one of the loads is moved from the exit towards an unloading carriage (28) under the effect of the weight of the load, when the carriage is raised to a necessary height with respect to the exit.

Description

The present invention relates to a transport and

  handling of automotive vehicle equipment, of the type comprising several conveyors supported by a structure, each conveyor being inclined from an inlet of the conveyor to an output of the conveyor so that a

  s load placed on the conveyor tends to move from the inlet to the outlet under the effect of its own weight, and each conveyor comprising a stop capable of stopping a load at the exit of the conveyor, and at least one unloading member for taking out the loads at the exit of the conveyors, the unloading member being movable relative to the structure so that it can be moved selectively opposite the exit of each of the conveyors.

  Such a transport and handling facility is used for example to temporarily store different types of parts on different conveyors, and collect these parts as needed.

  To collect loads at the exit of the conveyors, it is possible to use a motorized forklift truck, comprising a vertically movable fork and constituting an unloading member.

  Nevertheless, forklifts are expensive to purchase, maintain, and operate. In addition, forklifts can only be driven by qualified operators, and the fork should be handled carefully to remove a load from a conveyor, avoiding the stop at the exit of the conveyor, without dropping the load. The operation is even more difficult when the load is at a high height, of the order of a few meters.

  An object of the invention is to provide a transport and handling facility for storing loads over a large height while simplifying the removal and handling of loads.

  For this purpose, the invention proposes a transport and handling installation of the aforementioned type, characterized in that it comprises transfer devices arranged at the exit of each conveyor, each transfer device having a rest position in which the loads present on the conveyor are stopped by the or each abutment of the conveyor, and an active position in which at least the first of the loads present on the conveyor from the outlet moves under the effect of its own weight from the conveyor to the unloading member, each transfer device being activatable when the unloading member is opposite the output of the corresponding conveyor.

  According to other embodiments, the transport and handling installation comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in any technically possible combination: each transfer device comprises a mobile mounted transfer support on the structure between a lowered rest position, in which the first of the loads rests on the conveyor, and an active raised position, wherein at least the first of the loads rests on the transfer support, the transfer support being inclined in the direction of the conveyor outlet, so that at least the first load moves under the effect of its own weight of the transfer medium on the unloading member avoiding the or each stop of the conveyor; the transfer support is pivotally mounted about an axis of rotation on the structure; each conveyor extends between its outlet and its inlet in a conveying direction, and in that the axis of rotation of the transfer support is substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction; the transfer support comprises at least one rail and rollers arranged on the rail so that a load resting on the transfer support bears on the rollers; a transfer device comprises a stop for blocking loads present on the conveyor upstream of the loads to be transferred onto the unloading member; the stop of the transfer device is integral with the transfer support of the transfer device; each transfer device comprises triggering means capable of cooperating with additional selection means of the selectively movable unloading member in a plurality of positions, each position corresponding to a transfer device, the triggering means being arranged in such a manner that that a given transfer device selectively passes from its rest position to its active position when the unloading member is brought opposite said determined transfer device and if the means for selecting the unloading member are positioned in the position corresponding to said transfer device; - The unloading member is movable successively in front of each output; the outlets are aligned vertically, and in that the discharge member is vertically movable; the selection means are arranged to selectively engage with a triggering part of each transfer device when the selection means are placed in the corresponding position and when the unloading member is mounted vertically opposite the corresponding output , so as to lift the transfer medium of said transfer device in the active position.

  The invention and its advantages will be better understood on reading the description which will follow, given solely by way of example, and with reference to the appended drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevation a transport and handling installation according to the invention, comprising several conveyors, a loading device, an unloading device, and transfer devices at the exit of the conveyors; FIG. 2 is a plan view of an outlet of a conveyor, of a corresponding transfer device, and of the unloading device of the installation of FIG. 1; - Figure 3 is a sectional view along III-III of Figure 2, illustrating an unloading carriage of the unloading device and a support of the transfer device in a rest position; - Figure 4 is a view similar to that of Figure 3, illustrating the support in an active position; FIG. 5 is a detailed perspective view of the transfer device of FIGS. 2 to 4; - Figure 6 is a schematic top view of the entrance of a conveyor and the loading device; - Figure 7 is a side view corresponding to that of Figure 6, illustrating the loading device in a rest position; and - Figure 8 is a view similar to that of Figure 7, illustrating the loading device in an active position.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the installation 2 comprises a structure 3 supporting several superimposed conveyors 4, for example three, each conveyor 4 being adapted to transport loads 6 from an inlet 8 to an outlet 10, a device loading 12 for loading loads 6 at the inputs 8 of the conveyors 4, and an unloading device 14 for discharging the loads 6 at the outlets 10 of the conveyors 4.

  The charges 6 comprise for example a pallet 7 supporting a motor vehicle part, for example a front or rear shield.

  The conveyors 4 are spaced vertically for example from a height of 1.5 m. The installation has a height of approximately 6 m, the upper conveyor 4 being located approximately 4.5 m from the ground.

  Each conveyor 4 extends between its inlet 8 and its outlet 10 in a longitudinal conveying direction L. Each conveyor 4 is formed by a pair of conveying rails 15 parallel to the direction L, inclined downward from the inlet 8 towards the output 10 of the conveyor 4, and provided with conveying rollers 16. A load 6 placed on a conveyor 4 moves under the effect of its own weight from the inlet 8 to the outlet 10 by sliding on the rollers 16 (arrow F1).

  Each conveyor 4 is provided at its output 10 with a stop 18. Several loads 6 arranged on a conveyor 4 are crammed against the first 6a of the loads 6 starting from the outlet 10, which is blocked by the stop 18.

  Each conveyor 4 comprises at its output 10 a transfer device 20 adapted to cooperate with the unloading device 14 to transfer a load 6 to the unloading device 14 as will be described in more detail later.

  The loading device 12 comprises a cage 22 delimited by the structure 3, and a carriage 24 sliding vertically (arrow F2) inside the cage 22 so as to come selectively opposite each inlet 8.

  The unloading device 14 comprises a cage 26 delimited by the structure 3, and a carriage 28 sliding vertically (arrow F3) inside the cage 26 so as to come selectively opposite each outlet 10.

  The carriages 24 and 28 are manually movable by an operator. To facilitate the work of the operator, each carriage 24, 28 is connected to a counterweight 29 by means of a cable 30 passed around a deflection pulley 31. In a variant, the movement of the carriages 24 and 28 is motorized.

  The conveyors 4 and associated transfer devices 20 are similar. Only an intermediate conveyor 4 and the associated transfer device 20, as well as their operation in cooperation with the unloading device 14, will be described in detail below, with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the carriage 28 comprises two horizontal rails 34 parallel to a vertical plane passing through the direction L, and provided with rollers 35, and crosspieces 36 extending between the rails 34.

  The carriage 28 is slidably mounted vertically along the upright of the cage 26 by means of pads 37.

  The carriage 28 comprises a selection rod 38 slidably mounted longitudinally (arrow S) on the carriage 28 via bearings 40.

  One of the bearings 40 comprises an E-shaped grid 42 comprising a longitudinal slot and three transverse slots 42a, 42b, 42c. The rod 38 is provided with a lug 44 moving in the grid 42 according to the longitudinal position and the angular orientation of the rod 38. The lug 44 and the grid 42 serve to immobilize the rod 38 selectively in three longitudinal positions determined.

  The carriage 28 comprises a vertical immobilization device 46 comprising bolts 48 connected to a control lever 50 via rods 52 for selectively engaging or disengaging the bolts 48 of corresponding housings (not shown) formed in the cage 26.

  The device 20 comprises two rails 54 parallel to a vertical plane passing through the direction L, and provided with rollers 55, and crosspieces 56 extending between the rails 54 and forming with the rails 54 a frame-shaped support 58.

  The frame 58 is fixed to the end of an arm 60 whose opposite end is rotatably mounted about an axis A perpendicular to the direction L on a crossmember 62 of the structure 3 extending transversely between the rails 15 .

  lo The frame 58 is movable about the axis A between a rest position (Figure 3) and an active position (Figure 4).

  The frame 58 is located vertically substantially under the first 6a of the loads 6 starting from the outlet 10. The frame 58 has an overall width less than the spacing between the rails 15 and can therefore move vertically between the rails 15.

  The device 20 comprises a control finger 64 projecting from the frame 58 towards the cage 26. The rod 38 is capable of interfering with the finger 64 during the vertical displacement of the carriage 28.

  In operation, the device 20 is initially in the rest position (FIG. 3), in which the frame 58 is lowered below the level of the rails 16. The loads 6 rest on the rollers 16, and the load 6a is blocked by the stop 18 .

  The operator wishing to take the load 6a on the intermediate conveyor 4 has the lug 44 in the slot 42b. Then the operator moves the carriage 28 empty.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the fingers 64 of the devices 20 have different lengths. The finger 64 of each device 20 is of shorter length than that of the device 20 located immediately above.

  The carriage 28 passes in front of the lower conveyor 4 without the rod 38 coming into contact with the finger 64 of the associated device 20, because this finger 64 is too short given the longitudinal position of the rod 38.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the carriage 28 reaches the intermediate conveyor 4, and the rod 38 comes into contact with the finger 64 of the associated device 20.

  The operator continues to raise the carriage 28 (arrow F4). In doing so, the carriage 28 drives the frame 58 to its active position raised by rotation of the arm 60 about the axis A, as illustrated in FIG.

  In the active position, the rails 54 are parallel to the rails 15 and are above the level of the rails 15. The load 6a rests on the rollers 55. In this position, the rails 54 are inclined relative to the horizontal in position. lo descending towards the cage 26, so that the load 6a slides under the effect of its own weight on the rollers 55 by passing above the stop 18 (arrow F5), and is received by the carriage 28. The load 6a is retained on the carriage 28 by a stop 66.

  The device 20 comprises a stop 67 secured to the frame 58. The stop 67 engages in a housing 70 formed under the pallet 7 of the load 6b when the frame 58 is in the active position, so that the second load 6b is retained.

  Once the load 6a has been transferred to the carriage 28, the operator moves the carriage 28 down. In doing so, the device 20 returns to the rest position, the stop 37 disengages from the pallet 7 of the load 6b, and the remaining loads 6 on the conveyor 4 advance until the load 6b, which is now the first of the loads 6, bears on the abutment 18.

  To select the lower conveyor 4, the operator places the lug 44 in the slot 42a (FIG. 2), and to select the upper conveyor 4, the operator places the lug 44 in the slot 42c (FIG. 2).

  As illustrated in FIG. 5, the vertical displacement of the frame 58 is limited by locking means comprising a slot 72 formed on a cross-member 73 of the conveyor 4, and in which the finger 64 slides. The limited vertical displacement of the frame 58 prevents, in the rest position, that the frame 58 does not fall, which would prevent the finger 64 to hang the rod 38, and prevents, in the active position, that the frame 58 goes too far, in which case the load 6 carried by the frame 58 would not slide towards the trolley 28. s

  The unloading of the charges 6 is simple. Indeed, the operator has only to select a conveyor using the rod 38 and to reassemble the carriage 28 opposite the exit of this conveyor. The simple fact of raising the carriage 28 to the necessary height causes the displacement of the associated device 20 in the active position, and the transfer of a load of the conveyor on the unloading carriage 28, under the effect of the own weight of the load, without any other necessary operation. The risks of falls are reduced.

  It is not necessary to provide any motorized means or complicated mechanisms to unlock and / or move the load to be transferred.

  For the sake of clarity, the frame 58 has been shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 with a large angular displacement around the axis A, and in particular with a very low rest position. In practice, the deflection is reduced as much as possible so as to minimize the forces required to move ls of the device 20 in the active position.

  As illustrated in Figure 6, the carriage 24 comprises a cradle 74 slidably mounted along the upright of the cage 22 via shoe 75, and carrying a support 76 mounted to tilt on the cradle 74 about an axis B horizontal, through a shaft 77 integral with the support 76, and whose ends are received in bearings 78 integral with the cradle 74.

  The support 76 comprises two rails 79 parallel to a vertical plane passing through the direction L, and provided with rollers 80.

  The carriage 24 comprises a selection device comprising a rod 82 slidably mounted longitudinally on the support 76 via a bearing 83, comprising a grid 84 of E having a longitudinal slot and three transverse slots. The rod 82 comprises a lug 86 moving in the grid 84 so as to lock the rod 82 selectively in three different longitudinal positions each corresponding to a conveyor 4.

  The rod 82 is intended to bear at its end adjacent to the inputs 8 of the conveyors 4 with vertical stops 88 associated with the conveyors 4.

  The support 76 is movable between a horizontal rest position making it possible to maintain a load 6 on the carriage 76 (FIG. 7), in which the rails 79 are horizontal, and an active inclined position (FIG. 8) down towards the adjacent conveyor 4, in which a load 6 supported by the carriage 24 slides under the effect of its own weight on the rollers 80 and moves on the conveyor 4.

  The tilting of the support 76 is caused by the rod 82 bearing at one end 89 on a stop 88 when the carriage 24 is facing the inlet 8 of the corresponding conveyor 4.

  Similarly to the fingers 64 of the devices 20, and as illustrated in Figure 1, the stops 88 of the different conveyors 4 are offset horizontally relative to each other, so that a stop of a conveyor extends more protruding towards the cage 22 that the abutment of the immediately lower conveyor. Thus, the rod 82 passes an abutment or is supported by its end 87 on a stop 88 selectively depending on the position of the rod 82.

  In operation, the operator has a load 6, on the support 76 of the carriage 24 initially lowered, places the rod 82 in a position corresponding to a conveyor 4, and raises the carriage 24.

  The rod 82 comes into contact with the first stop 88 which is sufficiently long to hook the end 89 of the rod 82 (FIG. 7). The carriage 24 is raised again slightly (arrow F6), so that the rod 82 retained by the stop 88 causes the tilting of the support 76 towards the conveyor 4 (FIG. 8), and the displacement of the load 6 under the effect of its own weight to the conveyor 4, rolling on the rollers 80 (arrow F7).

  The loading of a load 6 on a conveyor is simply done, by selecting a conveyor using the rod 82, and by moving the carriage 24 up to the height of the conveyor. Simply reassembling the carriage to the necessary height causes the tilting of the support 76 and the transfer of the load supported by the carriage 24 on the chosen conveyor, without complicated mechanism, and without the necessary motorization. i0

Claims (10)

  1.- Installation for transporting and handling motor vehicle equipment, of the type comprising several conveyors (4) supported by a structure (3), each conveyor (4) being inclined an input (8) of the conveyor (4). ) to an outlet (10) of the conveyor (4) so that a load (6) placed on the conveyor (4) tends to move from the inlet (8) to the outlet (10) under the effect of its own weight, and each conveyor (4) comprising at least one stop (18) capable of stopping a load at the outlet (10) of the conveyor (4), and at least one unloading member (28) making it possible to take the loads (6) at the outlet (10) of the conveyors (4), the unloading member (28) being movable relative to the structure (3) so as to be selectively movable opposite the outlet (10) of each of the conveyors (4), characterized in that it comprises transfer devices (20) is arranged at the outlet (10) of each conveyor (4), each transfer station (20) having a rest position in which the loads (6) on the conveyor (4) are stopped by the or each abutment (18) of the conveyor (4), and an active position in which at least the first load (6) present on the conveyor (4) from the outlet (10) moves under the effect of its own weight from the conveyor (4) to the unloading member (28), each transfer device (20) being activatable when the unloading member (28) is opposite the outlet (10) of the corresponding conveyor (4).   2.- Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that each transfer device (20) comprises a transfer medium (58) mounted to move on the structure between a lowered rest position, wherein the first load (6) rests on the conveyor (4), and an active raised position, in which at least the first of the loads (6) rests on the transfer medium (58), the transfer medium (58) being inclined towards the output (10). ) of the conveyor (4), so that at least the first load (6) moves under the effect of its own weight of the transfer medium (58) on the unloading member avoiding the or each stop (18). ) of the conveyor (4).   3. Installation according to claim 2, characterized in that the transfer support (58) is pivotally mounted about an axis of rotation (A) on the structure (3).   4.- Installation according to claim 3, characterized in that each conveyor (4) extends between its outlet (10) and its inlet (8) in a conveying direction (L), and in that the axis of rotation (A) of the transfer support (58) is substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction (L).   5.- Installation according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the transfer medium (58) comprises at least one rail (54) and rollers (55) arranged on the rail (54) so that a load (6) resting on the transfer support (58) bears on the rollers (55).   6.- Installation according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a transfer device (20) comprises a stop (67) for blocking loads (6) present on the conveyor (4) upstream of the loads ( 6) to be transferred to the unloading member (28).   7.- Installation according to claim 6 dependent on claim 2, characterized in that the stop (67) of the transfer device (20) is integral with the transfer medium (58) of the transfer device (20).   8.- Installation according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each transfer device (20) comprises triggering means (64) adapted to cooperate with selection means (38) complementary to the unloading member (28) selectively movable in a plurality of positions, each position corresponding to a transfer device (20), the trigger means (64) being arranged so that a predetermined transfer device (20) selectively passes from its position of rest in its active position when the unloading member is brought facing said i0 ls transfer device (20) determined and if the selection means (38) of the unloading member (28) are positioned in the position corresponding to said transfer device (20).   9.- Installation according to claim 8, characterized in that the discharge member (28) is movable successively in front of each outlet (10).   10.- Installation according to claim 9, characterized in that the outlets (10) are aligned vertically, and in that the unloading member (28) is movable vertically.   11.- Installation according to claim 10 dependent on claim 2, characterized in that the selection means (38) are arranged to engage selectively with a trigger portion (64) of each transfer device (20) when the selection means (38) are placed in the corresponding position and when the unloading member (28) is mounted vertically opposite the corresponding outlet (10) so as to lift the transfer medium (58) from said transfer device (20) in the active position.