GB2040244A

GB2040244A - Conveyor machine with stations for assembling and/or machining workpieces

Info

Publication number: GB2040244A
Application number: GB7944499A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1978-12-27
Filing date: 1979-12-28
Publication date: 1980-08-28
Also published as: CH636550A5; IT7928409A0; IT1127752B; GB2040244B

Abstract

The machine has a plurality of work stations (121) distributed along a closed conveyor circuit. The conveyor circuit has two parallel rectilinear tracks interconnected by semi-circular end portions. Two longitudinal girders (118, 118') are disposed symmetrically relative to the longitudinal mean plane (119) of the machine with attachment means (1241, 1242, 1251, 1252, 126, 127) securing the work stations (121) to the girders (118, 118') in adjustable positions. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Conveyor machine with a plurality of stations for assembling and/or machining workpieces The invention has for object a conveyor machine with a plurality of stations for the assembling and/or machining of workpieces.

It relates to a machine in which the pieces to be machined and/or assembled circulate, carried by trays, in a closed circuit having two rectilinear parallel tracks interconnected by circular portions, working stations being distributed along the straight tracks opposite each of which an arriving tray is displaced transversely to the track so as to bring the workpiece carried by it into operating location relative to a machining or assembling means comprised in said station, after which the tray is returned to the said circuit so as to be conveyed to the next station, etc.

One object of the invention is to provide such a machine which could be easily adapted to the diverse operating requirements.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine which, composed of the same elements, should be suitable for setting up with a variable number of stations.

Another object is to provide a machine in which each section could be located in an adjustable emplacement.

Afurther object of the invention is to provide a machine in which each station has a practically indeformable framework.

A further object of the invention is a machine in which each station can be easily adapted to the assembly or machining work which is to be carried out therein.

A further object of the invention is to facilitate the supervision of such a machine whilst providing optimum conditions of safety for the supervising personnel.

A machine according to the invention for the assembly and/or machining of workpieces, comprising a multiplicity of work stations distributed along a closed circuit for circulation of said workpieces with two parallel rectilinear tracks interconnected by semicircular portions, is characterised in that it comprises two girders, longitudinal and symmetrical relative to the mean longitudinal plane of the machine, with means of attachment, along the girders, in adjustable emplacements, of the frameworks of the work stations.

In one form of embodiment, the framework of a work station comprises a floor mounted on said girders and columns supporting a ceiling.

According to another feature, the machine according to the invention is characterised in that, comprising in principle exclusively automatically operating work stations, it has an enclosure which surrounds not only the circuit of circulation of said trays, but also the totality of the work stations, the longitudinal walls of said enclosure, parallel to the rectilinear circulation tracks, being transparent in at least their central portion to allow the observation of the work stations and of the circulating workpieces, the wall having apertures for control knobs and/or signalling means of the stations, preserving for the machine all its operating flexibility by allowing the work stations to be manually controlled if necessary and preserv ing the possibilities of constant checking of the state of the various work stations, all this whilst providing a greater safety of operation than previous machines.

The overall volume of the machine is not increased relative to a machine in which the stations protrude relative to the protecting wall.

The visibility is better.

The construction is simplified and the access to the various parts of the machine in case of necessity is facilitated.

In the machines concerned by the invention, the trays are driven positively using a chain or similar and the driving means become inoperative when the resistance to forward movement of the tray exceeds a predetermined value.

The arresting of the driving means is obtained in the manner whereby these driving means comprise a pinion carried by each tray and the denture of which cooperates with the link rods of the chain, at least one cheek of the pinion being applied against the tray, so that the driving of the pinion in rotation and thus the idling of the tray depend on the friction prevailing between the cheek of the pinion and the tray. According to a third feature, the invention has for object a device by means of which it is possible to adjust the value of the frictional resistance of the pinion above which the driving means become inoperative.

This adjustment makes it possible to take into account the load of the tray and also the wear.

In the following description, given by way of example, reference shall be made to the attached drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a view in side elevation; Figure2 is a schematical sectional view, taken along the line 2-2 in Figure 1, certain elements of the machine having been omitted for the sake of clarity; Figure 3 is a view, partly in elevation, at 90 of the Figure 1, and partly in section taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a schematical view, partly in side elevation and partly in longitudinal section, with omission of certain elements, of another form of embodiment; Figure 5 is a schematical view in transverse section, again with certain elements removed; Figure 6 is a view in transverse section of a part of the machine on an enlarged scale; Figure 7 is a corresponding view in side elevation;; Figure 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a view in side elevation of this other form of embodiment; Figure 10 is a sectional view taken along the line 10-10 in Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a vertical section through a device for adjusting the resistance to forward movement of a tray; Figure 12 is a sectional view taken along the line 12-12 in Figure 11; Figure 13 is a section taken along the line 13-13 in Figure 11.

Referring now firstly to Figures 1-3, the machine, of rectangular general outline, comprises supports 11 and 12 (Figure 1) resting on the ground over interposed buffers 13, advantageously adjustable in height, and connected to a bar 14.

It comprises a circuit 15 (Figure 2) for circulating trays 16 with two parallel rectilinear tracks 17 and 18 interconnected by circular end portions 19 and 21.

Along the track 18 are provided two work stations 22" 222 and along the track 17 two other work stations 223 and 224. The station 221 receives the parts contained in a bowl 23 through a conveyor channel 24. The station 222 receives the parts by means of an endless belt 25 driven by a motor 26, the belt being supported by uprights 27 and 28 of adjustable height.

Each of the work stations has a window 31 adapted to receive a tray 16 and to hold it during the machining or assembly work carried out at the said station.

For example, at station 221, small columns 32,33 serve to support a jack 34 (Figure 3) and for sliding guidance of a movable assembly 35 carrying a gripping clamp 36 adapted to seize, through the window 31, a part positioned at the extremity of channel 24, to lift it and to set it down on the tray 16; after the latter has been introduced through the window by the transverse movement of the assembly 37 carrying it.

In its upper part, the station also comprises a control box 38 with a program card 39, as well as a control knob 41 for switching the station from its automatic to manual functioning mode, the latter then being controlled by knobs such as 42, and inversely.

The whole of the machine, with the exception of its supports 11 and 12 and the bar 14, is located in an enclosure 51 of parallelepipedal general shape, with two longitudinal faces 52 and 53 and two front faces 54 and 54'. Each longitudinal face is subdivided into an upper strip 55, a lower strip 56 and a central strip 57. The central strip 57, the height of which may be substantially twice that of strips 55 and 56, is made of a transparent material. The strips 55, 56 are either opaque - in which case they can be made of metal and be part of the structure of the machine - or made of a material of darkened transparency, like smoked glass. In principle, the faces 52 and 53 are external to all the elements of the machine.

The central strip 57 is constituted by panels with two walls 58, 59 (Figure 3) sliding horizontally. Such panels 61 and 62 are located on either side of a station. They are mounted for horizontal sliding in slides 63, 64. Their displacement is facilitated by clips 65. They are held in their closed position by a magnetic lock. End-side panels, also slidable. 66, 67, 68,69 allow access to the circular portions 19 and 21 of the conveyor circuit.

The lid 71 of each control box 38 is advantageously mounted on hinges by its internal edge 72. A button 73 projects from lid 71.

Moreover, from the upper strip protrudes a control grip 70 and two knobs 74 and 75 for starting and stopping the machine.

The front face 54' comprises a framing 76 in an opaque material or smoked glass and a central portion made of a transparent material 77. The constitution of face 54 is analogous to that of face 54'.

All the active parts of the machine are visible through the central transparent strip 57 of the one or the other face 52 and 53. The functioning of the various working stations is controlled at all times by observation of the telltales visible through the upper strip 55. All the controls are located outside the enclosure and are accordingly immediately accessible. In particular, in case of necessity, a station can be switched from its automatic mode of functioning to its condition of manual operation. In the latter case, it is controlled by operating the knobs 42.

If a manual intervention becomes necessary at any point of the machine, be it on the conveyor circuit itself or in a work station, it suffices to slide the transparent panel or panels 61, 62,66-69 opposite the location where it is desired to intervene to gain access thereto.

Reference shall now be made to Figure 4 to 10 relating to another embodiment. The machine rests on the ground with its supports 101 and 102 (Figure 4), cross-braced by a longitudinal bar 103. Each support has two horizontal branches 104 and 105 (Figure 5), carrying buffers 106 and 107, of adjustable height, provided to bear on the ground. The vertical stem 109 of each support terminates in two horizontal branches 111 and 112 and each of these branches has a longitudinal crosspiece 113 on which are fixed two half-clamps 114 and 115. The two half-clamps 114 and 115 cooperate, respectively, with half-clamps 116 and 117 to surround a longitudinal girder 118; the machine has two longitudinal girders 118 and 11849 (Figure 6), forming part of its robust structure and symmetrical relative to the median longitudinal plane 119.

A work station can be fixed, 121, opposite one or the other of the rectilinear sections, respectively 122, 123 of the circuit (Figure 10), at any suitable emplacement by means of half-clamps 1241, 1251 and 1242, 1252 come to clamp around, by means of bolts 120, a longitudinal girder 118 and, by means of half-clamps 126,127 the longitudinal girder 118, the half-clamps 125 and 127 being fast with a metal flooring 128 being part of the framework 129 of station 121.

The framework 129 of a work station 121 comprises a pair 131 of internal columns 132, 133 (Figures 6 and 10), and a pair 141 of external columns 134, 135 (Figures 7) fixed to the flooring 128 by bolts 139, the pairs 131 and 141 supporting a roof 145, attached thereto by bolts 146, the framework thus forming the edges of a rectangular indeformable parallelepipede.

On a plate 151, mounted on the columns 134 and 135, is mounted the body 152 of a first jack 153, the movable element 154 of which is adapted to displace upward and downward a carriage 155 mounted slidably along the columns 134 and 135. The carriage 155 carries the body 156 of a second jack, the movable element 157 traversing the carriage is adapted to displace a slider 158 mounted along the columns 134 and 135 and carrying a gripper clamp 159 for seizing a part of another tool. Flanges 161 and 162 are fixed on the columns 134 and 135 and constitute positive stops for limiting the downward movement of the clamp 159 by cooperating with the lower face 163 of slider 158.

After being raised by the clamp 159, the part p located at the extremity of the channel 164 (Figures 6 and 10) and coming from a feeder bowl 165, the deposition of the piece under the action of the jack 156 is effected with the required precision by abutment of a flange 165' on an extension 166 of the movable element of the second jack against the body 156 of the latter.

On the external edges 171 ofthe rods 145 of the various stations is fixed a longitudinal girder 172 on which there may be fixed, in suitable emplacements, by means of a slider 170 (Figures 8) support platelets 173 and 174 between which are held pneumatic distributors 175 which thus can be provided in a variable number. The support platelet 174 is attached not only to the girder 172 but also to an upper longitudinal girder 176.

A roof 145 carries by means of slides 177, a preceding program card 178 and cards 179.

Electric circuits 181 or pneumatic circuits 182 emerge from longitudinal sheaths 183 which flank on either side an upper longitudinal board 184 located in the median longitudinal plane 119, the upper compartment 185 being limited by a summit wall 186.

The girders 172 and 176 serve to maintain an upper strip 187 (Figure 8) with apertures, such as 188, for the purposes making possible, should it become necessary, the direct actuation by pressure on the knobs 189 being part of the distributors 175.

Transparent parts 191 are provided in the strip 187 for observation of the cards 178.

The columns 132, 133 are surrounded by sheaths 193, 194 to accommodate electrical or pneumatic circuits 195, for example for controlling jacks 196 provided for the transverse displacement of a tray 197 intended for engagement and disengagement relative to a window 198 being part of a station 121.

A horizontal separating wall 199 is fixed on longitudinal beams 201 and 202 and separates the lower and upper part of the machine.

Referring now to Figures 11 to 13, the rod 901 is that of a link 902 of a chain 903 moving continuously in a movement perpendicular to the rod 901 and to the plane of Figure 11. The rod 901 is engaged in an interval 904 comprised between two teeth 9051 and 9052 of a pinion 906. The latter is mounted for rotation by its central eye 907 about a rod 908 mounted freely in the eye 907 and terminates at one extremity in a small collar 909. Between the said collar and the body 911 of pinion 906 there is interposed a first rectangular friction plate 912.On the face 914 of the body of the pinion opposite to the face 913 there is applied a second rectangular friction plate 915 by the action of a spiral spring 916, the opposite end of which bears on the inner surface 917 of a plate 918 of the tray which forms with the body 919 of said tray an interval 921 into which the pinion 906 is lodged.

An end projection 922 of the rod 912 is threaded and cooperates with a corresponding tap 923 of a hole 924 made in the plate 918. On its frontface 925, the rod 909 has a slot 926 for receiving a screwdriver.

The rotation in one direction or the other of the rod 912 will therefore tend to raise or to lower the assembly constituted by the pinion 906 and the friction plates 912 and 915 which envelop it, thus modifying the effect exerted by the spring 916, so that the friction couple developed on the pinion 906 is made greater or smaller.

When the pinion 906 does not rotate about the axis of rod 908, the displacement of the chain 903 entrains that of the pinion in a movement equipollent with that of the said chain and, in consequence, the tray comprising the body 919, the arms 931 and 932 of which surround from either side a rail 933, provide the guidance of the movement in which participates the plate 918 carrying a workpieceto be machined orto be assembled. The body and the plate are attached to each other by means of screws 934.

A small plate 935 is fixed on the upper face 936 of plate 918 by means of a tapped hole 937 thereon, into which is engaged a screw 938 with expanded head 939. The plate 935 has a bore 941 which, when the plate is attached, is at right angles to the hole 924, said bore limiting the course of rod 912.

Claims

1. Machine for the assembly and/orthe machining of work-pieces in a multiplicity of work stations distributed along a closed conveyor circuit for said pieces comprising two parallel rectilinear tracks interconnected by semi-circular portions, characterised in that it comprises two longitudinal girders symmetrical relative to the longitudinal median plane of the machine, with attachment means along the girders in adjustable emplacements of the frameworks of the work stations.

2. Machine according to Claim 1, characterised in that the framework of a work station comprises a floor mounted on said girders and columns supporting a roof.

3. Machine according to Claim 2, characterised in that external columns serve for the slidable mounting of the elements for assembling and/or machining the work-pieces.

4. Machine according to Claim 3, characterised in that the said external columns support jacks.

5. Machine according to Claim 3, characterised in that each station comprises a first jack and, participating in the movement of the movable element of a first jack, a second jack.

6. Machine according to Claim 3, characterised in that internal columns are surrounded by a sheath for accommodating electrical or pneumatic circuits.

7. Machine according to Claim 1, characterised in that it comprises an upper median board flanked by horizontal sheaths for accommodating circuits.

8. Machine according to Claim'1, characterised in that it comprises at each working station means for locating a variable number of pneumatic distributors provided for the automatic or manual operation of the station.

9. Machine according to Claim 8, characterised in that the distributors are supported by longitudinal girders being part of the framework of the machine.

10. Machine according to Claim 1, characterised in that it comprises, between the parallel conveyor tracks, a separating wall extending horizontally which separates the lower part and the upper part of the machine.

11. Machine for the assembly and/or machining of work pieces in a multiplicity of work stations distributed along a closed convey circuit for said pieces, characterised in that the machine as a whole inclusive of the working stations, is locked into an enclosure the walls of which are substantially parallel to the conveyor circuit and comprise transparent rectractable panels opposite the said circuit and the active elements of the work stations.

12. Machine according to Claim 11, in which the conveyor circuit comprises two rectilinear parallel tracks interconnected by semi-circular portions, characterised in that the enclosure is a parallelepipedal rectangle.

13. Machine according to Claim 12, comprising work stations along the rectilinear tracks and on the outside of these, characterised in that the enclosure contains the totality of the working stations, with the exception of the actuator knobs which project relative to the enclosure.

14. Machine according to Claim 12, characterised in that a longitudinal wall comprises a transparent central strip as well as an upper and a lower strip.

15. Machine according to Claim 14, characterised in that the upper strip is adjacent to the operating and control modules of the work stations.

16. Machine according to Claim 15, characterised in that the control cabinets can be opened from their upper face.

17. Machine according to Claim 12, characterised in that the front faces are partly transparent.

18. Conveyor machine for the assembly and/or machining of workpieces, comprising a plurality of work stations distributed along a closed conveyor circuit of workpiece-carrying trays in which means are provided for displacing a tray carrying a piece to be assembled or machined transversely from the conveyor circuit to a work-station and inversely, the trays being driven positively by means of a chain or the like and the driving means become inoperative when the resistance to forward movement of a tray exceeds a certain predetermined value, characterised in that the drive of the tray is derived from a chain in longitudinal displacement, through the intermediary of a pinion driven in rotation by the tray, means with adjustable surface friction being provided whith exert their effect on the pinion with respect to the rotation of the latter.

19. Machine according to Claim 18, characterised in that the pinion is lodged in a space provided between the body of the tray and the plate of the tray, friction plates surround the body of the pinion and are moved towards it by a spring of adjustable tension.

20. Machine according to Claim 19, characterised in that the spring is interposed between a friction plate and the plate of the tray.

21. Machine according to Claim 20, characterised in that the space between the friction plate opposite the plate and said plate, in which the spring is lodged, is of adjustable width.

22. Machine according to Claim 21, characterised in that the adjusting action is exerted on the other friction plate.

23. Machine according to Claim 22, characterised in that the adjustment is effected by means of a threaded rod cooperating with a tapped hole of the plate.

24. Machine according to Claim 23, characterised in that a small plate attached to the plate of the tray has a bore opposite the tapped hole to limit the course of the rod.

25. Machine for the assembly and/or machining of work-pieces in a multiplicity of work stations substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.