GB2033865A

GB2033865A - Rotary conveyor for the treatment of goods in baths

Info

Publication number: GB2033865A
Application number: GB7936342A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Langbein Pfanhauser Werke AG
Current assignee: Langbein Pfanhauser Werke AG
Priority date: 1978-10-21
Filing date: 1979-10-19
Publication date: 1980-05-29
Also published as: SE7908220L; DE2845960A1; IT1123831B; GB2033865B; IT7926456A0; FR2439150B1; DE2845960C2; FR2439150A1; CH642327A5

Abstract

Equipment for the treatment of goods contained in baskets (1) in baths (2) contained in tanks (3) has the tanks in a circular path, a manipulator (4) to lower the baskets into the tanks, lift them out, and transfer them from tank to tank, and a controller for the manipulator, the manipulator having a rotatable guide frame (5) with vertically reciprocatable arms (6) to carry the baskets (1), and underneath the guide frame is provided a lifting platform (7) which can be raised and lowered by means of a suitable setting transmission (8) and is adapted to be rotatable with the guide frame, and optionally adaptable for rotation independently of the guide frame, the lifting platform having supporting blocks (9) of variable height associated with the arms (6), which arms are fitted with corresponding brackets (10). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Equipment for the treatment of goods in baths This invention relates to equipment for the treatment of goods contained in baskets in baths'contained in tanks, with special reference to metal cleaning, electroplating and the like installations, having a plurality of treatment tanks arranged equidistantly along a circular path, a manipulator to lower the baskets into the tanks, lift the baskets out of the tanks and transfer the baskets between adjacent tanks, and a controller, the manipulator having a rotatable guide frame with vertically reciprocating arms to each of which a single basket can be attached and which can be advanced from one treatment tank to the next by means of the guide frame.

In general, equipment of this type incorporates one arm for each treatment tank, transferrable in the manner described from one tank to the next. The circular path usually includes, in addition to the treatment tanks, a loading station and/or an unloading station, i.e., with devices whereby baskets can be inserted in the equipment so that the goods they contain can undergo their treatment in the tanks, and whereby baskets can be removed from the equipment after the goods have undergone their treatment. For production engineering reasons, it is often necessary in this case for the lowering of baskets into the tanks, their transfer between adjacent tanks and their insertion and removal at the loading/ unloading station to take place at differing levels.

In known equipment of this type, the individual arms are fitted with independent setting transmissions and setting motors, so that the arms and hence the baskets attached to them can be immersed to and transferred at different levels. This adds to the complexity and cost of the driving and controlling means.

The object of the invention is to provide improved equipment for the treatment of goods in treatment baths in which individual arms no longer need separate setting transmissions and setting motors.

According to the present invention, equipment for the treatment of goods contained in baskets in baths contained in tanks has a plurality of treatment tanks arranged equi-distantly along a circular path, a manipulator to lower the baskets into the tanks, lift the baskets out of the tanks and transfer the baskets between adjacent tanks, and a controller, the manipulator having a rotatable guide frame with vertically reciprocatable arms to each of which a single basket can be attached and which can be advanced from one treatment tank to the next by means of the guide frame and has underneath the guide frame a lifting platform which can be raised and lowered by means of a suitable setting transmission, rotatable with the guide frame (and optionally rotatable independently of the guide frame, in the forward or reverse direction), while the lifting platform has supporting blocks of variable height associated with the arms, which are fitted with corresponding brackets. The supporting blocks are preferably attached replaceably to the lifting platform, so that various supporting heights can be obtained.

The accruing advantages are to be seen in that, in the equipment of the invention, the levels required for the arms and the baskets on them, when lowered into the treatment tanks, during transfer and particu larlyduring insertion and removal at the loading/ unloading station, are no longer obtained by means of separate setting transmissions and setting motors for each arm, but rather by means of the supporting blocks. It is no longer necessary to provide individual driving and controlling means for the arm level adjustments, which are essential in the known equipment. Driving and control are limited to the rotation and raising and lowering of the guide frame and lifting platform, for which simple means can therefore be adopted. Different operating conditions can easily be obtained by replacing the supporting blocks with blocks of different heights.This will be disclosed in more detail by the following description of the accompanying drawings showing, by way of example only, one embodiment of the invention and in which Figure lisa diagrammatic side elevation, partly in vertical section, of equipment in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a view taken from the line A-A of Figure land Figures 3 to 6 show, still more diagrammatically, a development of the periphery of the lifting platform in the equipment of the invention, with supporting blocks in various functional positions.

The equipment shown in the drawings is for the treatment of goods in baskets 1, in baths 2. Three treatment tanks 3 are arranged equidistantly along a circular path. The equipment incorporates a manipulator 4 for lowering the baskets 1 into the tanks 3, raising the baskets 1 out of the tanks 3 and transferring them from one tank 3 to the next. It also incorporates a controller, which is not shown. The manipulator 4 has a rotating guide frame 5. Vertically reciprocating arms 6 are provided on the rotating guide frame 5, each carrying a basket 1. The arms 6 are transferred from one tank 3 to the next by the guide frame 5. Three treatment stations, I, II and Ill, each with a treatment tank 3, are supplemented by a further station IV, where baskets 1 can be loaded on to the arms 6 and baskets 1 containing goods already treated can be removed from the arms 6.

The significant feature of the invention is the provision of a lifting platform 7 underneath the guide frame 5. This can be raised and lowered, and rotated along with the guide frame 5, by means of a suitable setting transmission 8. The motions are indicated by arrows in Figures 1 and 2. However, the lifting platform 7 can also be rotated (by a motor which is not shown) independently of the guide frame 5 when the operating conditions so require; it can be rotated in either the forward or the reverse direction. For this purpose, the lifting platform 7 in its lowest position lies clear below the arms 6, and so can be rotated beneath them. The lifting platform 7 is fitted with supporting blocks 9 of variable height associated with the arms 6, which are fitted with corresponding brackets 10.Thus the arms 6 can be set to prescribed levels by means of the supporting blocks 9; they can also be raised simultaneously by actuating the lifting platform 7, when the brackets 10 rest on their supporting blocks 9. In order to obtain different levels, the supporting blocks 9 are replaceable, i.e., the lifting platform 7 can be fitted with supporting blocks 9 of different heights. The supporting blocks 9 only come into operation when transferring the baskets from one station to another.

In Figures 3 to 6 the lifting platform 7 and its rim 11 have been shown developed. The rim 11 is fitted with two supporting blocks, and above the rim 11 are shown the arms 6 of the guide frame 5, which carry the baskets 1 though these are not shown.

Figure 3 shows the walls 12 of a treatment tank 3, which walls make the lifting motion necessary during transfer. The lifting platform 7 is shown in its lowest position. In Figure 4, the lifting platform 7 is shown in its raised position. The arms 6 have been raised by the supporting blocks 9, so that they are at a level at which transfer can be effected by rotating the lifting platform 7. Figure 5 shows the situation reached after rotation and transfer and Figure 6 that after lowering the lifting platform 7 once again; the movements are continued so that the situation shown in Figure 3 is regained, after unloading and loading as required. In each downward stroke, the lifting platform is brought low enough for the supporting blocks 9 to move clear of the arms 6. The return to the starting position is effected at this setting. The arms 6 are supported in their lowest position by other constructional members, for example special stops.

The setting transmissions and setting motors for the guide frame 5 and the lifting platform 7, together with the associated control means, can easily be constructed with the resources of modern driving and control technology, to suit the kinematic requirements described above.

Claims

1. Equipment for the treatment of goods contained in baskets in baths contained in tanks having a plurality of treatment tanks arranged equidistantly along a circular path, a manipulator to lower the baskets into the tanks, lift the baskets out of the tanks and transfer the baskets between adjacent tanks, and a controller, the manipulator having a rotatable guide frame with vertically reciprocatable arms to each of which a single basket can be attached and which can be advanced from one treatment tank to the next by means of the guide frame, and having underneath the guide frame a lifting platform which can be raised and lowered by means of a suitable setting transmission and is adapted to be rotatable with the guide frame, while the lifting platform has supporting blocks of variable height associated with the arms, which arms are fitted with corresponding brackets.

2. Equipment as in Claim 1, wherein the lifting platform is adaptable for rotation independently of the guide frame.

3. Equipment as in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the supporting blocks are attached replaceably to the lifting platform.

4. Equipmentforthe treatment of goods contained in baskets in baths contained in tanks substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.