JPS6246809A - Shifter for pallet between trunk and branch bypass line connected to said trunk - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An apparatus for moving pallets to and from a branch detour having at least one end connected to the main line.

Generally, the terminal portion of the branch detour is orthogonal to the main line, but this relative positioning is not strictly mandatory within the scope of the invention.

Similar devices with the same function are known from the documents FR 2 306 788 or DE 2 525 829, in which the main line is accompanied by a branch detour with a slight U-shape. The movement is effected by pushing means mounted on the outside of the main line, at the level of the surface of the main line, opposite to the side on which the terminal part of the branch detour is located; a stop stops the pallet to be moved and the push means works on this pallet across the width of the main line. This device significantly increases the space requirement of the width of the main line and imposes an extrusion means whose working stroke is equal to the width of the main line.

The first object of the present invention is to provide a main line on which a large number of pallets move;
The object of the present invention is to provide a device for moving pallets between the main line and the terminal part of the branch detour, which arrangement results in no increase in the required space suitable for the branch detour.

A second object of the invention is to achieve a device as described above in which the travel stroke is reduced to a fraction of the width of the pallet.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a moving device which has the above-mentioned qualities without any changes in its structure or method of use, and which can also be used in the opposite direction for moving between the trunk line and the branch detour line. It is also about achieving.

In order to move a number of pallets between a main line with a general conveyor and a U-shaped branch detour connected to said main line by the free ends of parallel branches, according to the invention there is a general conveyor under each pallet. at least one operating pin located outside the target conveyor and on the side of the main line on which the branch detour is located and outside the general conveyor;
There is an unobstructed circulation path along which the operating pin of each pallet travels; a jack is attached at each free end portion of the branch detour perpendicular to the main line, with the end of the jack rod pointing toward the main line and the pallet between a first position in which the jack is in the circulation path and a second position in which the jack is behind the end of the branch detour with respect to the main line. It has a moving stroke of the clip.

The clip is preferably of the type consisting of a fixed jaw and an opposing movable jaw, the clip being operated between its end positions, ie between an open position and a closed position, for movement of the jack's piston rod.

Furthermore, the fixed jaw and the movable jaw are preferably arranged parallel to the direction of movement of the scale conveyor, and the movable jaw is preferably located on the side of the branch detour.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the movable jaw is
It is mounted for rotation about an axis perpendicular to the corresponding branch of the branch bypass line and is thus movable between an upper closed position and a lower open position in which the movable jaw closes the branch bypass line. Freely pass the operating pin of the pallet in the direction of circulation at the corresponding branch of the line.

Advantageously, the clip has a body that supports the axis of rotation of the movable jaw and connects the piston rod of the jack: the movable jaw has an operating extension which is acted upon by a return spring in the closed position and which is compressed by the spring. and adjacent to the jack a fixed stop provided in the second position zone of the clip to ensure open positioning.

There is a retractable stop provided for cooperating with the operating pin of each pallet at the branch of the branch detour where the pallets are moved to the main line and placed at a point retracted from the second position of the clip relative to the main line.

A description of preferred embodiments of the invention will now be given, without limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG.

The main line 1 is connected between two parallel longitudinal edges 3.4 by the arrow F1
It consists of a scale plate conveyor 2 for moving pallets P in the direction indicated by. Pallets P support parts to be processed at different work stations (not shown). These workshops can be arranged with U-shaped branch detours, which are connected to the main line 1 by the free ends of their parallel branches 5A, 5B, respectively. Those pallets P, driven by the conveyor 2 in the direction of the arrow F1, are moved in the branch 5A against the path K' in front of this branch and then in the direction of the arrow F1 to the arrival light at the end of the branch 5B 1□ carried. Edge 4 of main line 1 is minute 1
゜5A Oh. , 58 □□, , 1 and □ゎ7.91゜. 4 each. ．． Yuwa. Yo, scaly... 1 ya 2 □, F Kaa Aio. , Yo, 56.7ya: Ai, eh, yea. ahbo, □ka -□Means 6.7
are provided at two opposite longitudinal edges of each branch 5A, 5B. 1 On the main line 1, between the scale plate conveyor 2 and the branch detour line 5: between the adjacent longitudinal edges 4 there is a longitudinal circulation path 8 free of all obstacles. Each pallet P: is equipped with two operating pins 9A, 9B separated on its underside in the direction F1 of movement of the operating pin and preferably of the main line 1. These two operating pins 9A, 9B can be used if they are held with clips (DJmK2'v
y I-PeLvyj,'IL"5'fJf;!,,
'Ensure that. Those pallets P are conveyed
□When driven by Ya 2, two spaced apart
: pins 9A and 9B are in the direction of conveyor movement F1
1, and therefore moves through the circulation path 8.

At branch 5A, between opposite edges of this, i.e. support and drive means 6, a double-acting jack 10 is installed orthogonally to main line 1.
is provided, the free end of the jack 10 is directed towards the trunk and is provided with a clip 11. Clip 1
1 is fixed at the end of the rod 13 of the jack 10 and is connected to the rotating shaft 1 of the fixed jaw 14 on the one hand and the movable jaw 16 on the other hand.
Consisting of a body 12 supporting 5; these jaws 14.
16 are parallel to the direction F1 of movement of the pallet P and spaced apart 2 of the same pallet between their jaws.
It has a length that allows the two operation pins 9A and 9B to be held together.

The axis of rotation 15 is perpendicular to the branch 5A; the movable jaw 16 is placed on the side of the jack 10 and the branch detour line 5; this jaw is furthermore moved under the action of the return spring 19 of the jack. An operating rod 18 slidingly mounted on the body 12 parallel to the rod 13 is provided with an operating extension 17 pivotably mounted thereon. The return spring 19 is the second A
, 2B and 2D, there is a tendency to bring the movable jaws 16 into the closed upper position. In this closed state of the clip, the jaws 14,16 are separated by a distance greater than the thickness of the operating pins 9A, 9B. In this way, the movable jaw 16 can hold the two operating pins 9A, 9B of the pallet together with the fixed jaw 14 without tightening them. A fixed stop 20 provided adjacent to the jack 10 and facing the operating rod 18
is attached to it.

The jack 10 can be moved to a first position, which can be seen in FIG. 2A, in which the clip is closed in the circuit 8. Those pallets P, those operation pins 9A,
9B is guided to pass freely between the jaws 14,16 of the clip 11 which is then placed in the closed position.

The jack 10 can move the clip 11 to a second position, visible in FIG. 2, behind the end of the branch detour line 5. In this second position of the clip 11, the operating rod 18 contacts the fixed stop 20 and the recoil exerted by the jack 10 presses the operating rod 18, compresses the spring 19 and brings the movable jaw into the open downward position, In this position, the movable jaw allows the pallet P to pass freely over the operating vias 9A, 9B in the direction indicated by the circulation arrow F2 of the branch 5A of the branch detour line 5. In this second position of the clip 11, all pallets driven by said clip are partially attached to the scale plate conveyor 2.
It also rests partly in the drive means 6 provided at the branch 5A, and between the longitudinal guide means 21, conventionally provided at the branch of the branch detour line 5 and only visible in FIG. enter. In these conditions, the pallet P is driven along the branch 5A (FIG. 2C).

Then, as soon as the pallet P has advanced enough so that the clips 11 are also released by their operating pins 9A, 9B, the jack 10 brings said clips back into their first position in the circulation path 8; then the movable jaws 16 It is returned to the closed position by the action of the spring 19 and waits for the pallet to be moved on the branch detour line 5. In this position jacks and clips do not contribute to additional space requirements for the equipment.

Figures 3A to 3D show the end portion of the branch 5B of the branch detour line 5, whereby pallets P towards the main line 1 are shown.
is returning. The jack 10, clip 11 and fixing stop 10 are constructed and arranged as in FIGS. 2A-2D.

So I won't explain them again. Furthermore, between the means 7 for supporting and driving the pallet towards the main line 1 in the direction indicated by the arrow F3 at the branch 5B there is a retractable stop 22, only shown in FIG. 3A. This stop 22
is actuated by some means, for example a jack (not shown), into a stop position, in which this stop engages the operating pins 9A, 9 of the first pallet P to arrive.
B protrudes so as to make contact. This retractable stop 22 is placed at a point retracting from the second position of the clip 11 relative to the main line. stop 22
The amount of retraction is such that when the pallet P is stopped by the stop with, the same pallet is furthermore completely on the branch 5B of the branch detour 5; this stop is therefore driven by the scale plate conveyor 2. does not impede circulation.

The functioning of the device on the return branch 5B is as follows. The retractable stop 22 holds by means of operating pins 9A, 9B the first pallet P which is in the stop position and which arrives towards the main line 1 in the direction of arrow F3. Although the jack 10 extends in the circuit 8 with the clip 11 placed in the first position closed state (FIG. 3A), the jack 10
II'i can also be retracted with the clip 11 placed in the open state in the second position. As soon as a free point in the main line 1 is detected between successive pallets, the stop 22 is retracted and the jatsugi 10 is moved by the operating rod 18 to the fixed stop 20 at 14. If it is not already there, it is placed in the second position, with the clip 11 in the open position for access. The pallet P is driven by the drive means 7 and the movable jaws ''=1-16 occupy an open lower position and the operating pins 9A, 9B return to encounter the fixed jaws 14. This position is set and detected. As soon as this is done, the jack 10 is extended.

As soon as this extended movement begins, the movable jaws 16 occupy a closed upper position and the pallet P moves onto the scale plate conveyor 2.
(Figure 3C).

When the clip 11 arrives at the first position in the circuit 8, the pallet P is at the entrance of the branch detour 5 (second
A) is again on the conveyor 2 (FIG. 3D); the pallet is not clamped between the jaws 14, 16 of the clip 11 which is closed, so that the operating pins 9A, 9B are held but not clamped. Arrow F1 by conveyor 2
is moved in the direction of

Branch detour line 50 Two branches 5A and 5B, jack 10
In the above example, where is only a portion, it has a stroke that is half the width of the pallet P. It will be noted that as a result, the conveying movement takes place quickly; furthermore, the return movement of the jack 10 takes place insidiously.

However, without changing the general design of the device of the invention, the operating pins 9A, 9B of the pallet P can
1 can be provided; it will be understood that in this case additional means must be provided for operating the movable jaw 16 with the clip 11 in order to project or release the operating pins 9A, 9B at the desired moment. It will be.

The general conveyors of the main line are floss, band, belt,
It can be constructed by any type of conveyor, such as rollers, plates, etc., that causes lateral movement of the conveyor.

In the moving device according to the invention, the upper surfaces of the main line 1 of the conveyor 2 and the branches 5A, 5B of the branch detour line 5 are placed on the same horizontal plane and at the same level, so that the pallet movement is lifted or rocked from the edge over which it is to be moved. It will be noted that it is easily performed without the need for any movement. According to another advantage of the invention, the jerks 10 of the movement of both parallel branches 5A, 5B are the same.

[BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS] Fig. 1 is a general plan view of a main line and a branch detour section in which a moving device according to the present invention is provided, and Figs. 2A to 2D are 1, a device for moving pallets from the main line to a branch detour line. Function 4
Figures 3A to 3D show four different positions of the function of the device for moving pallets from the branch detour to the main line; It is a side view seen along the line ■-■ in the figure. 1... Trunk line, 2... General conveyor, 5... Branch detour line, 5A, 5B... Branch, 6, 7... Longitudinal edge of transportation means, 8... Circulation path, 9A, 9B...operation pin, 10...jacket, 11...clip, P...pallet.

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. A main line (1) with a general conveyor (2) and a plurality of branches (5A, 5B) orthogonal to said main line and provided at the longitudinal edges of the moving means (6, 7). said main line (1) for moving a plurality of pallets (P) to and from a branch detour line (5) connected to said main line (1) by the free end of said main line (1);
and a conveyor jack (10) suitable for moving their pallets (P) between each said branch (5A, 5B), outside the general conveyor and on the side on which the branch detour (5) is located. In the main line (1) there is a circulation path (8) free of all obstructions, each pallet (P) being provided with operating pins (9A, 9B) on its underside for circulation in said circulation path (8). while each jack (10) provided orthogonally to the main line (1) at those branches (5A, 5B) of the branch detour is operated with a pallet (P) at the end of the jack rod directed towards the main line. a clip (11) suitable for at least holding the pins (9A, 9B) in the closed state;
), and the same clip as the first position where the clip is on the circulation path (8) is on the branch (5A, 5) of the branch detour line (5).
B) A device characterized in that said jack (10) has a travel stroke of the clip (11) between a second position behind the end of said jack (10). 2. The clip (11) consists of a fixed jaw (14) and a movable jaw (16) arranged parallel to the direction of movement (F_1) of the general conveyor (2), the movable jaw (16)
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the is located on the side of the branch detour (5). 3. A movable jaw (with which the clip (11) can be operated between an open position and a closed position, that is, between both end positions of the piston rod under the action of movement of the piston rod of the jack (10);
16) Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is of the type consisting of: 4. A movable jaw (16) is mounted so as to be movable between a closed position and an open position, and in the closed position, the movable jaw, together with the fixed jaw (14), engages the operating pins (9A, 9B) of the pallet (P). can be held, and in the open position, the operating pins (9A, 9B) can freely pass through the corresponding branches (5A, 5B) of the branch detour line (5) in the circulation direction (F_2, F_3) An apparatus according to claim 2. 5. The clip (11) is the rod (13) of the jack (10)
and has a main body (12) supporting a rotating shaft (15) in a direction transverse to the branches (5A, 5B) of the branch detour line (5), and the movable jaw (16) is attached by the above means (15). 5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the clip is movable between an open upper position and an open lower position. 6. an operating extension (17,
18) and the compression of said spring (19) in the second position zone of the clip (11) and the movable jaw (16).
) is placed in the open position with a fixed stop (20
) is present.
Apparatus described in section. 7. The jacks (10) of at least the branch (5B) and preferably both branches (5A, 5B) of the branch detour (5) return their pallets (P) towards the main line (1) 7. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the device has a stroke smaller than the width of the device. 8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the stroke of the jack (10) is approximately equal to half the width of the pallet (P). 9. In the closed state of the clip (11), the jaws (14, 16) of the clip are separated by a distance greater than the width of the operating pins (9A, 9B) provided under the pallet (P), so that the above-mentioned If the clip (11) occupies its first position in the circuit (8),
Both operation pins (9A, 9B) of the pallet (P) driven by the conveyor (2) are connected to the two jaws (14, 16).
3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that it passes freely between. 10. Provided to cooperate with the operating pins (9A, 9B) of the pallet (P) at the return branch (5B) and placed at a position farther from the main line (1) than the second position of the corresponding clip (11). 10. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that a retractable stop (22) is present.