GB2133755A

GB2133755A - Switch point for a monorail overhead conveyor

Info

Publication number: GB2133755A
Application number: GB08331992A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Wilhelm Kerckhoff
Original assignee: Duerr Automation and Fordertechnik GmbH
Current assignee: Duerr Automation and Fordertechnik GmbH
Priority date: 1983-01-25
Filing date: 1983-11-30
Publication date: 1984-08-01
Also published as: GB8331992D0; BR8400368A; ES529146A0; ES8407332A1; DE3302266A1; DE3302266C2

Abstract

The switch point comprises a slide (7) displaceable in a guide (2) essentially transversely to the running direction and carrying a straight rail piece (24) for connecting fixed rails (18,19) is a first position of the slide and a curved rail piece (25) for connecting fixed rails (18,20) in a second position of the slide. The slide (7) can be turned about its longitudinal central axis and inserted into the guide (2) in two alternative positions Fig. 4, Fig 5 differing 180 DEG from one another. It is therefore possible using the same fastening points (38,39; 40,41) for the rail pieces (24) (25) and appropriately turning the curved rail piece (25) to produce a right-hand or left-hand switch point. The rail pieces (24,25) are mounted on the slide (7) by means of C-shaped brackets turnable to engage either side of the web of a rail piece so that direction of travel through the point can be altered. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Switch point for a monorail conveyor The invention relates to a switch pointfora monorail conveyor preferably an overhead conveyor with a slide which is displaceable in a guide essentially transversely to the running direction and to which are fastenednexttooneanothertworail pieces, one of which, in a first position of the slide, connects a fixed first rail piece to a fixed second rail piece and another ofwhich, in a second position of the slide, connects the fixed first rail piece to a fixed third rail piece, at least one of said two rail pieces on the slide being curved.

Such switch point elements are known in monorail overhead-trolley conveyors, for example from German Offenlegungsschrift 2,804,005. In these, for example the first rail piece on the slide can be a straight rail piece which makes a continuous connection between a first and a second rail piece, whilst the second rail piece on the slide is curved, so that a connection is made between the first rail piece and a third rail piece extending at an angle to the first rail piece. The third rail piece is then part of a turn-out rail section.

To obtain a switch pointforturning outtothe right orto the left in known systems, two different types of slide have to be kept in stock, and either a fixed rail piece curved to the right, or a fixed rail piece curved to the left, is fastened to these, as desired.

In monorail overhead-trolleyconveyors, a power supplyfortheautomotive overhead-trolley conveyor is conventionally located on one side of the rail, so that the rails can only be fastened on the opposite side.

Consequently, when there are changes in the direction oftravel on the rail,thefasteningswouldalso have to be provided on the opposite side ofthe rail.

Since the known shunting switch points are required not only as turn-out switch points, but also as turn-in switch points, the resulting reversal of the direction of travel makes it necessary to keep two furthertypes of switch points in stock, since both the right-hand switch point and the left-hand switch point havetobedesignedto perform selectively the functions of either a turn-in switch point or a turn-out switch point.

An object of theinvention isto improve a switch point in such a waythat different switch point functions can be performed by means of a single slide.

From one aspect the invention comprises a switch pointfor a monorail conveyor comprising a slide displaceable in a guide transverselyto the rail running direction, two rail pieces being attached to the slide so that, in a first position of the slide, one ofthe rail pieces connects a firstfixed rail piece to a second fixed rail piece and, in a second position of the slide, the other of the two rail pieces connectsthefirstfixed rail piece to a third fixed rail piece, at least one of said two rail pieces being curved,theslide being symmetrical in relation to its horizontal plane so that it can be inserted intotheguideatwill in either of two positions differing 1800 from one another by rotating the slide about its central axis running parallel to the direction of dis-placement ofthe slide.

From another aspect, according to the invention there is a switch point for a monorail overhead-trolley conveyor, comprising a slide displaceable in a guide essentiallytransversely to the rail running direction and to which are fastened nextto oneanothertwo rail pieces, one of which, in a first position ofthe slide, connects a fixed first rail piece to a fixed second rail piece, and another which, in a second position of the slide, connects the fixed first rail piece to a fixed third rail piece, at least one rail piece ofthe slide being curved, characterised in that the slide has a design symmetrical in relation to its horizontal plane, such that it can be inserted into the guide in two positions differing 1800 from one another, in that fastening elementsforthe rail pieces can be fastened atthe same fastening points on the two opposite sides ofthe slide, and inthatthecurved rail pieces, which when assembled have end faces extending parallel to the direction of displacement ofthe slide, are essentially symmetrical in relation to their longitudinal centre plane.

As a result of this design, it is possible to achieve different switch point configurations by means of a single slide and the same two rail pieces. The slide needs only two fastening points for each of the two rail pieces. When the rail pieces are fastened on one side ofthe slide, for example a left-hand switch point is obtained. When the slide is rotated 1800 about its centre axis extending parallel to the direction of displacement and when it is put into its guide again in this position, the rail pieces can then be fastened on the opposite side, specifically so that even the curved rail pieces are mounted in a mirror image about their horizontal centre plane. A right-hand switch point is then obtained in this way, withoutfurther parts or additional fastening points on the slide being necessaryforthis purpose.

This fact is especially important as regards stockkeeping costs, and on the other hand it is also directly possible to convert a left-hand switch point into a right-hand switch point and vice versa, without additional parts or additional machining of parts being necessaryforthis purpose.

It is advantageous if the fastening points are vertical bores which pass through the slide. These can be used in the same way from both sides of the slide if the fastening elements are fastened to the slide, for example by means of bolts.

In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the fastening elements are held on the slide so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis and fixable in specific angular positions. This is important, especiallywhenthe conveying direction ofthe rails isto be reversed, since it is then en then necessarytotrnnsferthecurrent-collecting elements from one side of the rail pieces to the other.

Becausethefastening elements are rotatable, it then becomes possible to bring the fastening elements up againsttheoppositesideofthe rail, so that the conveying direction can be reversed with one and the same rail piece merely by rotatingthefastening elements 1800 and by transferring the conductor rails to the opposite side. In this way, both a right-hand switch point and a left-hand switch point, the conveying directions of which can be selected, can be produced by means of one slide and two rail pieces which are always the same.

It is especially advantageous if the fastening elements are C-shaped lugs,the upper ends of which are fastened to the fastening point ofthe slide and the lower ends of which carry the rail piece. When such a fastening element is rotated about the fastening point, the lower point of connection to the rail remains essentially in the same place and only changes its orientation in relation to the rail, so that when the lug is pivoted 1800 the rail piece can assume exactly the same position as before, and the lug then simply rests against the opposite side.

Two fastening points are preferably provided on the slide for each of the rail pieces.

In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the slide is designed as a rectangular frame construction and carries at each side edge at leasttwo guide rollers, the axes of rotation of which lie in the centre plane of the frame construction, and the guide rollers run in a horizontal rail of a stationary structure, to which the ends ofthe first, second and third rail pieces are fixed.

It is also advantageous if a fastening point for a slide drive is located on the top side and on the underside of the slide. In this way, the drive can remain unchanged when the frame is inserted into the guide in the reverse position, since in either case there is a possibility of connection between the slide and the drive at the same point in the space. The drive can be formed, for example, by a rod connected to a crank mechanism of an electric motor.

The invention is illustrated, merely byway of example, in the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure lisa diagrammatic plan of a switch pointwith a displaceable slide embodying the present invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged section on the line 2-2 in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan similarto Figure 1 of a right-hand turnout switch point; Figure4isaplansimilarto Figure3ofaright-hand turn-in switch point; Figure 5 is a plan similarto Figure 3 of a left-hand turn-out switch point; Figure 6 is a plan similarto Figure 3 of a left-hand turn-in switch point; Figure7 is a longitudinal elevation partly in section ofthe switch point of the switch point of Figure 4 along the line 7-7; and Figure 8 is a longitudinal elevation partly in section along the iine 8-8 in Figure7.

The design of a switch point which makes it possible to connect selectively afirst rail piece to a second or a third rail piece is explained in more detail below with referenceto Figures 1, 7 and 8.

The switch point 1 comprises an outer stationary frame or guide 2 with frame legs 3 which are arranged parallel to one another in a horizontal plane and which areconnected to one another attheir ends by cross-struts 4. Two parallel guide rails 5 extending parallel to and integral with theframe legs3, arse located on the sides ofthe legs facing one another, are open on theirsides facing one another, and form running rails of C-shaped cross-section (Figure 8).

In running rails5run roller6journalled on an inner frame or slide 7 which consists oftwo legs 8 extending parallel to the frame legs3 and two legs 9 connecting the legs 8 and extending- perpendicularlythernto. The rollers 6 arejournalled on the ends ofthe transversely extending legs 9. For guiding the innerframe or slide 7 in the outer frame or guide 2thereareguide rollers 10 journalled on the undersides ofthetransversely extending legs 9 and bearing laterally againstthe lower inner edges 11 ofthe guide rails 5(Figure8).

In this embodiment legs 8 and 9 have an essentially square cross-section and are located in a horizontal plane. The axes of rotation ofthe lateral rollers6 are arranged exactly in the horizontal centre plane.of the innerframe 7, so thatthis frame 7 has a substantially symmetrical design about this horizontal centre plane.

All ofthe guide rollers 10 are located on one side only oftheframe, on the underside as shown in Figure 8.

Theframe7 is mounted displaceably along the guide rails 5, which are longerthan the innerframe 7.

The frame 7 can thus be moved to and fro along the guide rails by means of a drive. This drive comprises a drive motor 12 with a driven crank 13, a connecting rod 14 being articulated rotatablyon the free end of crank 13. The connecting rod 14 extends, through a slot 15 in the leg 9 in the innerframe7 as far as the opposite transversely extending leg 9. On the inside ofthe leg 9, the rod 14 is connected to the innerframe 7 so as to be rotatableaboutavertical axis. The connecting rod 14 is located exactly in the horizontal centre plane of the innerframe 7 (see Figure 7).

Because of the symmetrical design ofthe inner frame 7, theframe7can also be inserted in reverse into the guide rails 5 ofthe outer frame, that is to say in a position rotated 1800 aboutthe longitudinal axis of the innerframe 7. When the innerframe 7 is inserted into the outerframe 2 in this way, the guide rollers 10 previously arranged on the underside oftheframe7 are then located on the top side of the frame 7 so asto guide the frame by abutting the upper inner edges 16 ofthe guide rails. Otherwise, there is no essential difference, and in particularthe connecting rod 14 passesthroughtheslot 15inonetransversly- extending leg 9 ofthe innerframe7 and is fastened in the same way to the o pposite transversely-extending leg 9.This fastening can becarried outSorexamFUEler by means of a pin 17 which is-retained at one end'on the innerface ofthe corrnspondingtransyersely extending leg 9 and which extends into-an onficein the connecting rod 19. When theframe 7 is reversed, the pin extends from the other side intothe orifice at the end oftheconnecting rod T4. In eithercasethe point of connection remains exactly in the, centre plane ofthe innerframe 7.

Fastened to one of the frame legs3 of the outer frame 2, on the undersideofthefiame 2, is a first straight rail piece8. Asirnilarsecond straight rail piece 19 is located opposite rail piece 18 on the other frame leg 3. offset laterally relative to the rail piece 19 is a straight, obliquely extending fixed third rail piece 20.The rail pieces 18,19,20 terminate, attheir ends which face the frame, in respective end faces21,22 and 23, all extending parallel to the direction of displacement ofthe innerframe 7.The two end faces 22 and 23 ofthe rail pieces 19,2which are located on the same side offrame2fiein a ccsrrrmoru plane.

Two rail pieces 24 and 25 are fastened to the inner frame 2 on its underside. The rail piece 24 extends in a straight line and parallel to the fixed rail pieces 18 and 19, but the rail piece 25 is curved, first extending parallel to thefirstfixed rail piece 18 on the side adjacent to the latter and then extending on the opposite side parallel to the third fixed oblique rail piece 20 (Figure 1).

The fastening ofthe rail pieces 24 and 25 to the inner frame 7 is chosen so that in a first end position of the inner frame 7 (Figure 1) the curved rail piece 25 connects the first fixed rail piece 1 8to the oblique third rail piece 20, whilst in the other end position (Figure 3) the straight rail piece 24 connects the first fixed rail piece 18to the second fixed rail piece 19.

To fasten the rail pieces to the frame, C-shaped lugs 26 are used, as shown in Figures 2 and 7. Each lug carries at its free lower end 27 a vertical supporting plate 28 which reststwo-dimensionally against a web 31 conecting two flanges 29 and 30 ofthe rail piece.

Plate 28 is pressed against the web 31 by means of a pressure plate 32. The pressure plate 32 is supported by its upper end lower ends respectively in longitudin al grooves 33 and 34 in the flanges 29 and 30 and thus the rail piece is fixed to the free end ofthe lug 26.

Each rail (Figure 2) has a design which is symmetrical in relation to its vertical longitudinal centre plane. A holder 35 carrying conductor and control rails 36 is fastened to the web 31 on the side located opposite the lug 26. The holder 35 is fastened to the web 31 by an engagement pin 37 passing through a bore in the web and engaging behindthe latter.

Each rail piece has a design which is also essentially symmetrical in relation to its horizontal longitudinal centre plane, as is clear fro Figure 2.

Each lug 26 is fastened directly to a frame (2 or7) by its upperfree end. Vertical through-bores 38,39,40 and 41 are located in the innerframe forthis purpose.

The bores 38 and 39 areforfastening the straight rail piece 24 and are located in the lateral legs 8 at equal distances from the transverse legs 9.

The bores 40 and 41 are for mounting the curved rail piece 25, one bore 40 being located in a lateral leg 8 and the other bore 41 in the transversely extending leg 9, and they are offset relative to one another in a direction parallel to the direction of displacement of theframe (Figure 1).

Inserted through these bores are bolts which pass through atthe upper end 42 of the lugs 26 to retain the lugs 26. The lugs can be rotated on the frame about the vertical axis defined by this bolt and can thus be fastened in different angular positions. Thus, it is possible, in one and the same position of a rail piece, to bring the corresponding holding lug 26 up against either side of the rail piece. Figure 7 shows, in unbroken line, on the left a lug 26 in a first position (right) and in a position pivoted 180 (left) by dot-and-dash lines. These alternative positions of the lug 26 leave either one side or the other of the rail piece, as desired, free of the lug and therefore available to receive holders35with conductor and control rails 36.Since in conveyortrucksthese conductorandcontrol rails 36 can alwaysbe located on the same side, this means that the direction in which the conveyortrucks run over the rail pieces can be reversed. Consequently, it is possible, simply by pivoting the lugs 26 and by arranging the conductor rails on the side ofthe rail pieces which is then free, to design the rail pieces for different conveying directions.

The pivoting ofthe lugs illustrated in Figure7 is, of course, possible for all the lugs. Specifically both the lugs carrying the fixed rail pieces 18, 19 and 20 and the lugs carrying the rail pieces 24 and 25 on the displaceable frame 7 may be pivotal.

In Figure 1,the curved rail piece 25 is bent towards the right, starting from the fixed first rail piece 18.

When the conductor and control rails 36 are located on the right-hand rail side in the conveying direction, in the embodiment of Figure 1 the conveyor trucks consequently always move from left to right. This switch point can therefore serve selectively to guide the conveyortruckfrom the first guide rail 18 eitherto the second guide rail 19 orto the curved third guide rail 20. This switch point is therefore designated a right-hand turn-out switch point.

Merely by rotating the lugs 26, by means of which the rail pieces are fastened to the frames 2 and 7, and by fastening the conductor and control rails 36 on the opposite side, this right-hand turn-out switch point becomes a right-handturn-in switch point In this configuration a conveyortruckarriving on the rail piece 20 can be turned into the straight rail section which is defined bythefixed rail pieces 19 and 18 (Figure 4).

To produce a left-hand turn-in switch point or left-hand turn-out switchpointwithout having to increase the number of fastening points (bores 38,39, 40,41), itis sufficientto turn overthe inner frame 7 in the way described above, so that its top side comes to the bottom. This is possible because ofthe design of the inner frame which is symmetrical in relation to the horizontal centre plane.

Although the bores 38 and 39 change places during this turning, the bores 40,41, which are offset in the longitudinal direction of the frame, do not. When the frame isturned and rail pieces 24 and 25 are fastened to the underside by lugs as described above, although it is possible to fasten the straight rail piece 24 in the same way as in the arrangement described hitherto, the curved rail piece 25 also has to be turned, so that its top side comes to the bottom. The curved rail piece 25 is then fastened to the innerframe such that a left-hand turn-out switch point or a left-hand turn-in switch point is obtained, as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6. The direction of travel is determined by the arrangement ofthe conductor and control rails and of the lugs.

It is therefore possible, inthis way, to produce four different types of switch point, using exactly the same parts. There is no need for any special parts which can be used onlyfor one or only two types of switch point.

Adaptation is carried out simply as a result of different geometrical arrangements ofthe frame 7 in the frame 2 and ofthe rail pieces 24 and 25 on the inner frame 7, by means of a suitable angular position of the lugs 26 on theframes, and by an appropriate arrangement of the conductor and control rails on the side located opposite the lug.

Stock-keeping is made considerably easier because four different types of switch point can be produced by means ofthe same standard parts. Conversion from one type to another is also possible directly, and for this purpose only the frame 7 and/orthe rail pieces 24 and 25 have to be reassembled, although in some -=ases it may also be necessary to pivotthe lugs 26 and arrange the conductor and control rails 36 on the opposite rail side.

Claims

1. Switchpointsfora monorailconveyorcomprising a slide displaceable in a guide transversely ofthe rail runing direction, two rail pieces being attached to the slide so that, in a first position ofthe slide one of the rail pieces connects a first fixed rail piece to a second fixed rail piece and in a second position ofthe slide the other ofthe two rail pieces connects the first fixed rail piece to a third fixed rail piece, at least one of said two rail pieces being curved, the slide being symmetrical in relation to its horizontal plane so that it can be inserted into the guide at will in either oftwo positions differing 1800 from one another by rotating the slide about its central axis running parallel to the direction of displacement of the slide.

2. Switch point according to claim 1 in which fastening elementsforthe rail pieces are adaptedto be fastened atthe same fastening points on the two opposite sides of the slide.

3. Switch point according to claim 1 or claim 2 and in which the curved rail piece, which when assembled has end faces extending parallel to the direction of displacement ofthe slide is essentially symmetrical in relation to its longitudinal centre plane.

4. Switch pointaccordingtoanyofclaims 1 to3 when used in amonorail overhead trolley conveyor system.

5. Switch pointfor a monorail overhead-trolley conveyor, comprising a slide displaceable in a guide essentially transversely to the rail running direction and to which are fastened next to one another two rail pieces, one of which, in a first position ofthe slide, connects a fixed first rail piece to a fixed second rail piece, and anotherofwhich, in a second position of the slide, connects the fixed first rail piece to a fixed third rail piece, at least one rail piece ofthe slide being curved, characterised in thatthe slide has a design, symmetrical in relation to its horizontal plane, such that it can be inserted into the guide in two positions differing 180"from one another, in that fastening elementsforthe rail pieces can be fastened atthe samefastening points on the two opposite sides ofthe slide, and in thatthe curved rail pieces, which when assembled have end faces extending parallel to the direction of displacement ofthe slide, are essentially symmetrical in relation to their longitudinal centre plane.

6. Switch point according to claim 2 or claim 5, characterised in thatthefastening points are vertical bores which passthrough the slide.

7. Switch point according to claim 2 or claim 5 or claim 6 characterised in that the fastening elements are held on the slide so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis andfixable in specific angular positions.

8. Switch point according to any one of claims 2, 5, 6 and 7, characterised in that the fastening elements are C-shaped lugs,the upper end of each lug being fastenedtothefastening point ofthe slide, and the lower end of each lug carrying orsupporting one of the two rail pieces.

9. Switch point according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that two fastening points are provided on the slide for each ofthetwo rail pieces.

10. Switch point according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the slide is designed as a rectangularframe construction and carries at each side edge at least two guide rollers, the axes of rotation of the rollers lying in the centre plane oftheframe construction, and in thatthe guide rollers run in a horizontal rail of a stationary structure, to which the ends of the first, second and third rail pieces are fixed.

11. Switch point according to any one ofthe preceding claims, characterised in that a fastening pointfora slide drive is located on the top side and on the underside of the slide.

12. Switch point according to any one of claims 1 to 10 characterised in that a single fastening point located in the centre plane of the slide is provided on the slide forthe slide drive.

13. Switch pointfora monorail overhead trolley conveyor substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

14. Any novel integer or step, or combination of integers or steps, herein before described, irrespective ofwhetherthe present claim is within the scope of, or relates to the same or a different invention from that of, the preceding claims.