GB1084592A - Load sensing device - Google Patents

Abstract

1,084,592. Storage installations. TRIAX CO. April 29, 1965 [May 6, 1964; Jan. 25, 1965], No. 18158/65. Heading B8E. [Also in Division H2] In an automatic storage installation in which a power operated carrier 13, Fig. 1, is disposed in an aisle 11 between opposed vertically and horizontally arranged rows of load supports 12 and is adapted to move loads vertically and horizontally between an access station and the supports 12, the carrier is provided with sensing means for stopping it if a load to be stored is skewed or oversize, or if the carrier leaves a load, or approaches a load, projecting into the aisle. Each load support 12 comprises a pair of opposed channels 17, Fig. 2 (not shown), adapted to receive loads 19 disposed on pallets 18. The carrier 13 comprises a pair of masts 20 supported for horizontal movement on wheels 23, 24 running on rail 25, one side of which has a rack engaged by a driven pinion 31, Fig. 4 (not shown), and by a pinion 26. The upper ends of the masts 20 are guided by a rail 28 also provided laterally with a rack engaged by a pinion 29 which is connected by a shaft 34 to a pinion 33 engaged with the rack on the rail 25. Backing rollers 27, 30 are provided on the masts 20. Mounted for vertical movement on the masts 29 is a frame 14 comprising a base 40 having upright supports 41, 42, the masts 20 having racks 43 engaged by driven pinions 44 carried by the frame 14, backing rollers 44a, Fig. 5 (not shown), being provided. The base 40 has a pair of laterally extending side plates 46, 47, Fig. 3 (not shown), carrying channels 48, 49 adapted to be aligned with the channels 17 of the supports 12. An extractor 50 is mounted on rollers 51, 52 in the channels 48, 49 for lateral movement between the frame 14, and the support channels 17, the extractor having a rack 53 which is engaged by a driven pinion 54 backed by a roller 55. The extractor 50 carries a platform 60 supported for vertical movement on jacks 61 disposed at the corners of the platform, the movement being sufficient to deposit a load on, or lift a load off, the supports 12. The supports 41, 42 of the frame 14 carry laterally directed supports 64, 65, the support 64 having mounted thereon limit switches 70, 701 operated by members 74, 74<SP>1</SP> and forming part of the sensing means. The members 74, 74<SP>1</SP> are connected to horizontal actuator rods 75, 75<SP>1</SP> attached to which are vertical actuator rods 77, 77<SP>1</SP>, the rods being spring-mounted so that if engaged by an oversize or badly placed load they operate the limit switches 70, 70<SP>1</SP>. Each limit switch 70 or 70<SP>1</SP> is of a conventional type having a plunger button 100, Fig. 9 (not shown), which, when pressed, operates the switch. The switches are each operated by a wobblestick type actuating mechanism 101 partially enclosed in a housing 102 which is secured to the switch housing 103, the latter having an aperture 105 which widens at 106 to provide an annular recess 107. A flexible diaphragm 110 extends across the aperture 105 and has secured to its centre a stem 112 having a dischead 112a and a contact member 114. The latter is in contact with the button 100 and the head 12a is spring-loaded against a flange 113a of a sleeve 113. Bearing against the flange 113a is a semispherical base 117 of a rod 116, the base 117 being mounted in a seat 119 secured to the housing 102 by a flexible cap 120 and a retainer 121. The rod 116 extends through the cap 120 and is connected by a close-wound coil spring 123 and a rod 124 to the limit switch operating member 74 or 74<SP>1</SP>. Any movement of the latter except axially away from the limit switch operates the limit switch to stop the carrier. In a modification, Fig. 11 (not shown), the sensing means includes, in addition to horizontal and vertical actuator rods 133, 136, an actuator rod 139 which is connected to the latter rods; this construction is used when any part of the carrier extends beyond the limit switches 70, 70<SP>1</SP>. In a second embodiment, Figs. 12 to 18 (not shown), the actuator rods are replaced by cables 160, 160<SP>1</SP>, which extend around the grooved ends of rods 146, 146<SP>1</SP> telescopically and resiliently mounted in supports 140, 141 carried by the frame 14 of the carrier. Each cable 160 or 160<SP>1</SP> has one end connected at 161 to one side of the frame 14 and the other end connected to a switch assembly 170 or 170<SP>1</SP>. Each of the latter comprises a limit switch 173 having a spring-loaded actuator 174 carrying a roller 175. A pulley 176 to which the cable end is secured carries a cam 180 disposed so that it normally keeps the actuator 174 depressed, but if it is moved by rotation of the pulley it allows the actuator to operate the limit switch. A spring-loaded detent 187 in the pulley 176 co-operates with a fixed dimple 189 to releasably retain the cam 180 in its normal position. In a third embodiment, Figs. 19 to 21 (not shown), similar to the first embodiment, the operating member 74, 74<SP>1</SP> of two pairs of limit switches 70, 70<SP>1</SP> are connected to vertical actuator rods. In a fourth embodiment, Figs. 22 to 28 (not shown), a carrier frame 234 is guided for vertical movement along masts 235 by wheels 236. Limit switch operating actuator frames 249 are provided. Each of the latter is supported at its top by switch assemblies 290, 290a, each of which, e.g. assembly 290, comprises a switch 293 mounted on a side plate 246 of the carrier frame 234, the switch having a plunger type operative member 297 which engages a recess 298 in a seat 299 on the actuator frame 249. A bracket 299 extends from the carrier frame 234 to back-support the seat 299; the bracket 294 allows lateral movement of the actuator frame 249 to operate the switches.