MXPA98001794A - System of supply and method for the operation of a consumi element - Google Patents

Abstract

A supply system (10), for the delivery of elements (103, 150) to one or more consumers (12), this system comprises a referral device (76, 76 ', 76"), which supplies the elements, from a stored quantity (78), to a sorting device (70, 70 '), which only allows the passage of elements having a predetermined position and with a transport device (72, 72'), which transports the elements classified and correctly positioned (130, 150) to the consumer (12), characterized in that the reference device (76, 76 ', 76") is part of a basic module, while the classification device (70, 70') and the transport device (72, 72 ') belong to an interchangeable module. In this way, the components of the supply system (10) can be manufactured and used more rationally, which reduces investment costs and can be amortized more quickly.

Description

SUPPLY SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE OPERATION OF A CONSUMER ELEMENT The present invention relates to a supply system, for the delivery of elements to one or more consumers, this system comprises a referral device (or loader), which supplies the elements, from a stored amount thereof, to a device classifi¬ », Which allows only elements with a predetermined position, and to a transport device, which transports the classified items, placed correctly, to the consumer, and also refers to a method for operation by a consumer, with a supply system, which can be attached, in accordance with the preamble of claim 26. In the metal sheet process industry, it is * use classification systems, stationary or mobile, and / or transport for the installation of fasteners, guide elements or reinforcement elements in parts of sheets of metal. Mobile units are used, as needed, at various points in the installation of the elements in a factory. These classification and transport systems are suitable or for the process of a simple type of elements or for the process of families of elements, closely related in their geometry. They consist, as a rule, of a container which receives the elements that are to be filled in bulk, a classifier that carries the elements within a defined transport position and a transport device which produces the loading force for transporting the elements to the installation point. Classification systems operating on the basis of vibratory or band feeders are known and which classify the filling elements by the characteristics of the configuration or its center of gravity. For transport devices, one distinguishes between blow systems and thrust systems. Both the vibratory feeders and the belt feeders and also the associated transport devices, blowing and pushing, are available from the company Profil Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co., KG, Friedrichsdorf, Germany, among others, and have been part of its program of advantages for a long time. In a special case where the classifier can be arranged, with respect to the installation point, so that the elements to be processed can reach the installation site by means of slides under the action of gravity, the transport device It can be formed as a slide. The classifier and transport systems, described above, represent a relatively high investment cost, with a restricted spectrum of use, due to the direct functional union to the elements to be processed. An economic use is, as a rule, only possible when high production quantities and / or 5 corresponding long periods of use are present. Classification and referral devices, which until now have been produced by the company Profil Verbindungstechnik GmbH & Co., KG, have the following basic provisions: * As a rule, systems are designed as mobile units. In special cases, there is also the device is installed in a fixed location. In both cases, the installation of all the components associated with the particular systems of feeding and sorting takes place on a platform. The elements, which are always placed on the machine in volumetric form, move towards the sorter, or with the help of a vibratory feeder or with drum or chain link feeders, with a bucket type action (known as band feeders). Systems based on vibratory feeders have sorting traps, which orient the elements by means of the position of their centers of gravity or specific configuration characteristics that only pieces oriented in a specific position can pass through slides to the feeder. Items that do not have the desired position, however, they fall back into the supply of elements. In contrast systems that are based on band feeders that have classification traps, in which the elements have to pass through a trap corresponding to their profile. Parts that do not have the correctly oriented position are tilted back into the supply shelter, with the help of a serrated roller or scraped, for example with the help of a mobile comb crosswise. The apparatus for advancing the elements from the classifier to the consumer, that is to say the transport devices, is based on pushing or blowing systems, with the help of which the elements that are going to transported are supplied in the form of element per element (method of transport blown) or in chain to * through flexible plastic hoses (transport push method) to the process station, ie to the consumer. 20 With the blowing systems, the elements are supplied with the help of a pulse of compressed air through a plastic hose to the process station in the consumer. In contrast, with the push apparatus, use is made systems that work with the help of cylinders and pneumatic systems, which are based on the working principle of the friction forces produced by the rotating magnetic discs. The control of the whole system of classification and feeding, takes place, as a rule, through control cabinets based on SPS, with whose help the interfaces to the operator and optionally to the installation machine, can also be inspected. Pneumatic control devices, lubricating devices hydro-tires and accident and acoustic protection elements complete the functional system. All the above-described parts of the sorting and transport apparatus are designed so that they use only one defined element or a small number of geometrically similar components that can be processed. A problem with classification systems and ? - transport, previously known, is that the close association with the respective element to be transported and with the machine that probes this element, that is, the As a consumer, it means that particular sorting and transport systems are not frequently used, in addition to mass production, however, they must be available in the event that the same piece of sheet metal is manufactured again. In other words, the systems of classification and transport, previously known, represent relatively complicated pieces that, however, are used relatively little. It is the object of the present invention to provide a system of the kind initially named, which can be used flexibly even with the need to handle different elements or different connection elements, and it is possible to decrease investment costs and achieve greater flexibility and a greater use factor. In order to satisfy this object, a supply system according to claim 1 is provided. In other words, the referrer or charger, which charges and controls the sorting device, forms a part of a basic module, in both the classification device and the device transport belong to an interchangeable module. Expressed differently, through a modular design, a basic system is achieved which can be used independently of the particular element and which, if required, can be combined with interchangeable modules quickly, which have been designed depending on the elements. This means that the basic module is designed to handle a plurality of different elements and can thus be used for a spectrum of different elements. In this aspect, the elements can be truly filled in the type of respective supply chambers of the basic module, or a mixture may be present in a supply chamber or a plurality of supply chambers of the basic module. When the basic module is to be used for feeding a plurality of similar process stations in the consumer or in a plurality of consumers, that is, when only one type of element is to be used, then these elements can be filled. within the (only) supply chamber of the basic module or within supply chambers of the basic module, depending on how this basic module is designed. The referral device, which feeds the sorting device, can be designed for sending items from all the supply chambers of the basic module simultaneously, or as respective shipping units for each supply chamber individually. Since a relatively frequent situation arises in practice in which the supply system has to feed a plurality of different work stations into one or more consumers, with different elements being used for different work stations, it is possible that the basic module have a plurality of supply chambers for different elements. Depending on the design of the basic module from one to six supply chambers may be present, but other camera numbers are also entirely conceivable. In this way, the mixing hazard * can be avoided, ie an element of a specific class or size can not enter the neighboring shipping path of another element, that is, of a different class or size. The sorting device may comprise a sorting unit for feeding a single workstation of the consumer or may comprise a plurality of similar or different sorting units, whereby the simultaneous feeding of a number $ corresponding of work stations with elements similar or different is possible. Although the classification units are each designed for a specific element and thus may differ from each other, as a result of their design for use with different elements with different transport modes (for example, pushing or blowing), they can, however, have certain basic dimensions in common, so they can, say, be arranged along the side of each other, according to a grid dimension, and economically secured to the basic module. 20 There are several ways to attach the interchangeable modules to the basic module. On the one hand, a transport trolley can be provided for the interchangeable module, according to claim 19, with this transport trolley having * optionally space for an interchangeable module or for a plurality of interchangeable modules. According to claim 20, both the platform of the basic module and the platform of the transport cart 5 can have a respective rail element, whereby an interchangeable module, placed on the rail element, of the basic module can be pushed on this rail element of the transport trolley, and an interchangeable module, placed on the element of carriage rail can be pushed on the rail element of this basic module. In this aspect, a latch element is preferably provided, in order to lock, in non-displaceable form, the interchangeable module, placed on the rail element of the basic module towards this basic module. The transport car is then designed preferi¬ ## STR1 ## according to claim 21, to receive at least two interchangeable modules, each having space on the rail element. This rail element is placed on a rotating table of the transport trolley or the transport trolley can be aligned with the basic module in two positions displaced by 180 ° by means of corresponding wheels. According to claim 22, a device The lift can also be used for the exchange of the interchangeable module, or the transport carriage of the interchangeable module can be shortened in a certain position in the basic module or it can be moved in a reception boss in the basic module. The transport carriage for the interchangeable module 5 can remain, at least substantially always together with the latter and can, when required, also be used for the coupling of the interchangeable module to the basic module. For example, the transport cart can have extendable and retractable wheels that can be used to raise the interchangeable module and lower it on the basic module. In a possible embodiment, the basic module is formed as a mobile unit, which can be moved with or without the respective interchangeable module to be installed within the vicinity of any desired consumer, so not only the interchangeable modules, but rather all # the basic module, can be used selectively in different locations of use. Since the basic module includes all the components and modules that can be used universally for different elements, such as, for example, the installation platform of the basic module, the electric control cabinet, which includes several functions, the pneumatic module, a lubrication system, elements of protection In the case of acoustics and accidents, chain conveyors and the camera or supply chambers of elements, one manages to use the basic module more frequently, and the total number of modules of this kind present in a factory can be substantially reduced, so that improves the 5 economy. Since the basic module is an independent element, the storage of spare parts and the service can be done more easily. Since the specific modules of elements rF. (sorting device and transport device) can If they are changed rapidly, the economy of the solution of the invention is further improved. The possibility of completely emptying the shelter or the element supply chamber, according to the present invention, similarly makes possible a rapid change of the basic module for the process of different elements. Likewise, an automatic adaptation of the control functions of the electric control cabinet to the operation mode of the installed transport device respectively and also the storage of the parameters of the machine that are adjusted during the installation procedure are preferably performed. According to the invention, an automatic adaptation of this kind can also take place for the pneumatic supply. Although the present invention is intended primarily for use with fasteners and automatic machines, such as presses, for the processing of the elements, it can also be used in other areas. Finally, all the parts that are delivered in volume and that can be transported individually, for example mechanical components that are going to be installed by an automatic machine, to form a mechanism, or buttons that have to be delivered to different automatic sewing machines, they can finally be considered as elements. Further preferred embodiments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims and also in the subsequent description. The invention will be described in the following in greater detail, with reference to the drawings, the suals show: Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a modular delivery system, according to the invention, in a press; Figure 2 is an illustration, partially in section, of the apparatus of Figure 1, as seen in the section plane II-II of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of a modular assembly supply system, according to the invention, directly before exchange of the interchangeable module; Figure 4 is a plan view of the apparatus of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a representation similar to Figure 3, but in a first stage of module exchange; Figure 6 is a plan view of the delivery system of Figure 5, but at a somewhat later point in time; Figure 7 is a representation similar to Figure 5, but in a later stage of module exchange; Figure 8 is a plan view of the delivery system of Figure 7, but here also at a later point in time; Figure 9 is a representation similar to Figure 3, but in the last stage of module exchange; Figure 10 is a plan view of the delivery system, according to Figure 9; Figure 11 is a side view of a variant of the modular supply system, according to the invention, briefly before carrying out the exchange of the module; Figure 12 is a plan view of the supply system, according to Figure 11; Figure 13 is a representation, according to Figure 11, but at a later point in time during module exchange; Figure 14 is a plan view of the delivery system of Figure 13; Figure 15 is a representation according to Figure 11, but after carrying out the exchange of the module; Figure 16 is a plan view of the delivery system of Figure 15; Figure 17 is a side view of a further variant of a modular supply system, according to the invention; Figure 18 is a plan view of the delivery system of Figure 17; Figure 19 is a representation, according to Figure 17, but in the first stage of a module change; Figure 20 is a plan view of the delivery system of Figure 19; Figure 21 is a representation corresponding to Figure 19, but at a later point in the time of the module change; Figure 22 is a plan view of the delivery system, according to Figure 21; Figure 23 is a representation, according to Figure 21, but after separation of the interchangeable module from the basic module; Figure 24 is a plan view of the delivery system, according to Figure 23; Figure 25 is a side view, similar to Figure 3, but with a further modular delivery system, according to the invention; Figure 26 is a plan view of the delivery system of Figure 25; Figure 27 is a side view, according to Figure 3, of a further variant of a modular supply system, according to the invention; Figure 28 is a plan view of the delivery system of Figure 27; Figure 29 is a side view, partially positioned of a modular transport device in a push mode; Figure 30 is a cross section corresponding to the section plane XXX-XXX of Figure 29; Figure 31 is a cross section through the modular transport unit in a blow mode, before coupling on the transport line; Figure 32 is a representation, according to Figure 31, but after coupling on the transport line and directly before blowing; Figure 33 is a sectional representation, according to the section plane XXXIII-XXXIII of Figure 31, on the left side of the central axis in Figure 33, while the right half shows a corresponding sectional drawing of the stage of the Figure 32, in both cases after the coupling of the transport line; Figure 34 is a plan view of the embodiment of Figure 31, as viewed in the direction of arrow XXXIV; and Figure 35 is an alternative transport unit in a magnetic mode. Figures 1 and 2 show, first of all, a schematic representation of the delivery system 10, according to the invention, which is designed here for the delivery of connection elements (not shown) to a consumer, in the form of a Press, in which the elements not illustrated are guided by lines 14 to a tool 16, placed in the working region of the press. The lines 14 can, for example, be made in the form of supply hoses, shipping rails or guide rails for the elements. In this specific example, four lines 14 are provided, which start from four transport units 18, arranged along one another in the supply system and carry respective adjustment heads 20 inside the press, with the four heads of adjustment 20, in this example, being associated with the upper tool 16 of the press 12. The lines 14 are flexible plastic hoses, so that the positioning of the delivery system with respect to the press is not critical. The supply system 10 can, for example, be arranged in the position in interrupted lines 10 'in Figure 2, whereby the lines 14', which are shown correspondingly in interrupted lines, are carried by means of 90 ° moderate arcs. to individual adjustment heads 20. Reference number 14"indicates the possibility of selectively guiding the lines to the rear side of the press with two adjustment heads plus 20" in the upper tool 16. If the two lines 14"are used simultaneously with the four lines 14 and 14 ', respectively, then the two further transport units (18), not shown, must be present in the delivery system 10. Figure 1 shows that the lines 14"can be guided in different ways on the back side of the press, with the example of Figure 1 showing two alternative possibilities for lines 14", that is, they go laterally past the press - as shown also in Figure 2 - or, nevertheless, happening on the superior side of the press. In both cases, suitable fasteners are supplied. The reference number 24 indicates connectors which can be used to connect the lines if an extension beyond the basic length is necessary.

The representation of Figures 1 and 2 merely gives examples for the trajectories of the lines 14. They, in no way, will be considered as restrictive. Both the number of respective lines as well as the trajectories, arrangement, suspension and support of the individual lines can, in principle, be selected as desired. The adjustment heads 20 also need not be arranged in the upper tool of the press, they can also be arranged in the lower tool of the press or also in a tool arranged in an intermediate plate. The supply of elements from the supply system to the press must harmonize with the work cycle of the press. For this purpose, electric lines 26 and pneumatic lines 28 and, optionally, also the lines hydraulics 30, extend between the press and the delivery system. "# Also, it can be seen from Figure 1 that the delivery system includes an installation platform 34, which can be moved on wheels 32. In this way, the supply system can easily be moved to different positions within a factory. The wheels can optionally be equipped with brakes, in order to keep them in a selected operative position in relation to the press. Other detention possibilities can also be considered, for example, the screwing or direct anchoring of the platform 34 to the 36th floor of the factory area. It is not absolutely essential that platform 34 have wheels. For example, it can also be performed as a platform, so that a displacement is possible at any time, for example by means of a low-lift platform truck or a hoisting truck.

? Fork? The reference number 38 indicates a display and switching panel, which can be used by the operator. The arrangement of the first embodiment of the modular delivery system of the invention will be explained in the following in greater detail, with reference to Figures 3 to 10, with these drawings also serving to explain the ^ _ ^ interchangeable module exchange. ^ Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the basic module 10 of Figure 1 can first be seen, which, however, is rotated here by 180 ° relative to the modality in Figure 1, and also uses a shipping device or charger, designed differently. In these figures and also in all subsequent figures, the same reference numbers will be used for the same components and also components with the same function. It will be understood that the entire description is applied in the same way for all parts with the reference numbers and in truth even when these parts are supplied with a dash in the upper part or a double dash in it, that is, for safety of economy, a repeated description of the same piece or pieces with the same function in the different modalities will be omitted. The modular supply system 10, ie the modular supply apparatus 10 of Figure 3, is also formed here as a mobile unit with wheels 32, with the wheels also being here attached to the platform 34. This platform 34 belongs to the named basic module 40. In the illustration of Figure 3, an interchangeable module 42 is placed in the mobile unit 10 in addition to the basic module 40, and is installed on the platform 34 of the basic module 40. More specifically, the installation platform 34 it is equipped with the rails 44, in which the interchangeable module 42 can be moved linearly, but can be registered in the working position by pins (not shown) and locked mechanically by means of a quick action lock 46 to the basic module 40. in the desired position on the rails 44. On the left of the mobile unit 10, a second interchangeable module 42 'is placed, which is arranged on the rails 48 which they correspond in their design to the rails 44. These rails 48 are, in turn, mounted on a transport carriage 50, with this transport carriage, in this mode as well, being equipped with wheels 52 and corresponding braking devices 54. On the side of the transport car 50, which faces the mobile unit 10, a centering device 56 is placed, which, in the movement of the transport car 50, up to the coupling position in the mobile unit 10, is received in the a corresponding recess in the mobile platform 34 and can optionally be locked to this mobile platform by a locking pin or the like. In this coupling positionoptionally with locking, the rails 48 are aligned with the rails 44 and are fused directly together, for example as shown in Figure 6. Before the movement of the transport carriage to the coupling position of the basic module, the interchangeable module 42 'moves first, after releasing the latch 58 from the middle transport position, according to Figure 3, to the left on the transport carriage 50, in order to supply space to the right side of the transport cart 50 for the reception of module 42 that will be exchanged. Figure 6 shows the transport carriage coupled in the coupling position directly before exchange of the interchangeable module 42. Before exchange of this module, multiple plugs 60 for the pneumatic system and multiple plugs 62 for the electrical system have to be separated from the exchange module 42. After the release of the mechanical seal 46, which acts rapidly, the interchangeable module 42 can be moved in the direction of the arrow 64 to the left, on the right side of the transport carriage 50, with the rails aligned 48 and 44 serving for this purpose. After the module 42 has been exchanged and the module 42 is inserted back into the mobile unit, both present in the transport carriage 50, the coupling 56 of the transport carriage to the mobile unit 10 is released. The released state is shown in turn in Figure 7. The transport cart can now be moved away from the mobile unit 10, turned around and moved towards the mobile unit 10 again, which is illustrated schematically by the double arrow 66 and arrow 68 in Figure 8. After this movement, the exchanged module 42 is placed on the left side of the transport cart 50 in Figure 8, while the interchangeable module 42 'is now directly in front of the mobile unit 10. The transport carriage 50 is now moved back to the coupling position in the mobile unit 10 and the interchangeable module 42 'is pushed, optionally after the locking of the transport carriage 50 to the mobile unit 10, from the rails 48. on the aligned rails 44 of the mobile unit, until it collides with the registration pins (not shown) and a quick-action mechanical latch device 46, is placed under pressure in the place p for the mechanical locking of the recently exchanged module or engaging with the end 5 of the non-displaceable coupling of the exchanged module 42 'towards the mobile unit 10. The multiple plugs 60 for the pneumatic system and the multiple plugs 62 for the electronic system, can now be coupled to module 42 * recently exchanged. After the removal of the car to the left and after displacing the interchangeable module 42 in the center of the transport carriage, the situation of Figure 3 has occurred again. Instead of rotating the transport car 50 around, according to the arrow 68, it is entirely It is conceivable to install the rails 48 of the transport carriage 50 on a rotary table (not shown), which must then be arranged rotatably about a vertical axis of rotation, arranged approximately in the center of the transport carriage 50, so that only a small separation of the The transport carriage from the mobile unit is necessary in order to rotate the rotary table, which is similarly represented schematically by the arrow 68. The separation of the transport carriage from the mobile unit must be sufficient only for the purpose to ensure the rotation capacity of the rotary table, without the modules colliding with the mobile unit. In the representation of Figures 3 to 10, the interchangeable module 42 and also the interchangeable module 42 'consist of four similar sorting devices, 70 and 70', arranged laterally to each other, which are coupled to the respective transport device 72 and 72", respectively, and provide items classified according to the features or configurations and / or the position of the center of gravity to the respective transport units 712 and 72 ', respectively, the four similar sorting devices 70 and 70' and the devices 72 and 72 'corresponding transport are in each case formed as a unit, ie a module, so that the interchangeable module itself has a modular design and can be assembled quickly from the units 70 and 72 of transport and individual selection, connecting together the desired number of units depending on how many of said units will be present in the interchangeable module. For this reason, selection devices 70 and 70 'and transport devices 72 and 72' will often be referred to hereafter as "units". It will be understood that devices and units are one and the same thing, and the term unit is merely used to emphasize the modular design of the respective devices.

The precise design of the respective classification units 70 and 70 'and of the transport units 72 and 72', respectively, is not of particular importance. These components can be designed according to the previously known components, used for the same purpose, for example as the present applicants sell them, provided they are designed in such a way that they can be arranged in a way that saves space, along the side of each other, in a multiple arrangement, as with the four respective units, shown in Figures 3 to 19. To complete, examples of transport units operating with blow and push, will be described later with respect to Figures 25 to 35. Although in Figures 3 to 10, four similar sorting devices are shown, 70 and 70 'respectively, and four similar transport devices, 72 and 72' respectively, so that one can assume that they can be used for four identical or similar elements in different sizes, the modularity of the present invention is thus selected so that in the embodiment shown here the four classification and transport devices can be selected in order to prepare the four elements of a total spectrum of elements of different types and sizes to the respective user.

By way of example, a quadruple arrangement is shown in the illustration of Figure 26, with two tracks for the thrust feed of nuts through transport devices 72, as previously described for two tracks for transporting bolt blown. by means of the blowing transport devices 72"., a total of four transport devices 72 and 72", which are similarly of modular design, are arranged in four tracks laterally to each other.The expression must also be given to the fact that the invention is not restricted to the use of four tracks or In principle, any desired number of tracks can be provided.An apparatus can also be equipped with only one to three transport devices or with more than four transport devices.The modular concept makes it possible to equip the mobile platform 50 of the interchangeable module 42 and 42 'as desired, with sorting and transporting devices 70, 70' and 72, 72 ', 72"of different modular designs. In Figures 3 to 10, one can also see connections 74 and 74 'for lines 14, 14' and 14", respectively, of Figures 1 and 2. These lines are normally coupled, in accordance with the invention. , by means of quick-action couplings, to the respective connections <;? 74 and 74 ', which is naturally a precondition for the provision of the respective elements to the user. The basic module 40 of Figure 3 includes a shipping device or magazine 70, which serves to send elements from the supply chamber 78 to the sorting device 70. Several possibilities exist for the design of this delivery device. If the same elements are delivered to all classification and transport devices, then one can operate with a delivery device 76 - shown in Figures 3 to 10, as a chain conveyor -, which lifts the elements out of the supply shelter 78, using plates 76 'connected to the recirculation chain 76" of the chain conveyor, and feeds them to the sorting traps associated with the sorting devices, from which all the elements that are not aligned in the transport position fall again by means of the slide 79 within the supply shelter. The feeding of the elements towards sorting units 70 may simply consist of the chain conveyor or belt loader lifting the elements from the supply chamber 78, and releasing them within the sorting units 70. You can see, for example, also from Figure 3, that the elements can be filled inside the supply shelter 78 by means of a filling flap 80, hinged at 84, and here a slide 82, for which it is necessary first to open the flap 80. On the lower inclined wall 86 of the shelter 78 of 5 supplies, there is similarly located a fin 88, which can pivot outward in the position 88 ', in order to completely empty the supply shelter 78. During this, the elements, still placed in the supply shelter 78, fall into the box 90 disposed below the mobile platform 34. When the flap 80 is open, it is possible to check that the supply shelter 78 has been completely emptied. This will normally be done when a module change in the interchangeable module 42 is carried out, because the module 42 to be exchanged is normally exchanged only when the consumer is going to be equipped with the use of other elements or with other sizes of elements or with a different complement of elements. In the most preferred embodiment, only one supply chamber or shelter 78 is provided and is filled with only one type and size of element. In this way, there is no danger of different types and sizes of elements causing confusion either by the sorting units 70 in use or by the operator when filling the supply chamber 78. Modular design is important in that case. Before In particular, any number of units 70 or 72 can be used for the classification and transport of the elements up to the maximum number allowed by the design of the basic module 40. In the second, it is easily possible to convert the system to use different numbers of units 70 and 72 for the 5 classification and transport of the elements. Third, the transport and sorting units 70 'and 72' that are not used with one of the basic modules 40 can be used with another basic module 40 instead of just remaining inactive, as would be the case if a design system The purpose of the prior art was used less than its full capacity. Fourth, the conversion of a type and size from one element to another can also be done quickly. It is simply necessary to remove all unused items from the supply chamber and replace them with a new type or size of element, and exchange units 70 and 72 of classification and transport previously used for new 70 'and 72', which can be used with the new type and size of element. In addition, the components that belong to the module basic 40 are more effective in terms of cost. In the absence of the modular system of the invention, these components would all have to be present in duplicate, once for the sorting and transport system 70 and 72 in use, and once for the sorting and transport system 70 'and 72', whose use has been temporarily discontinued. In addition, the conversion of one type and size of item to another can take place very quickly, and the storage space will be minimized. The 70 'and 72' units of classification and transport can be quickly connected together by any convenient means ^, and exchanged completely. The basic module 40 simply has an opening for ,? L receive units 70 and 70 'of classification of units 70 and 72' of classification and transport. The elements or damping plates present in the classification units and inside the basic module, prevent the elements from escaping from the basic module and ensure that, if these are not passed through the classification units, they fall back to the supply chamber 78 . 15 If less than the maximum number of 70 and 72 units of classification and transport is used, then any * remaining part of the reception opening in the basic module, which has not already been covered by units 70 and 72 in use, can simply be covered by a mounted plate in the interchangeable module or by a plate mounted on the basic module, and of course, the design of said plate can be chosen so that it can be removed and adjusted extremely quickly. It will be appreciated that the connection between the module interchangeable 42 and 42 'and the basic module 40 conveniently takes place on the base plate 34 of the basic module 40, so that physical connection is not necessary at the periphery of the reception opening of the basic module 40. However, this It would also be poss if desired. In addition, if desired, the guiding means could be provided at or near the receiving opening to ensure proper guidance of the sorting units 70 and 70 'when inserted into the receiving opening. The advantages described above also generally apply to the other variants of the delivery system of the invention described herein. The toothed rollers and transversely movable brushes of the sorting units and the chain or band of the belt loader are usually driven by means of respective electric motors. The connection to the electric motors for the toothed rollers and the transversely movable brushes of the sorting units is effected via the multiple electric plugs 62. The driving connection to the motor of the strip magazine 76 forms part of the basic module. It is similarly poss to operate only with a supply shelter when different elements are going to be processed. In this case, the different elements are placed in the supply shelter 78 as a mixture and the sorting takes place automatically by means of respective tracks, ie the respective sorting devices 70, 70 ', associated with the respective transport devices 72. , 72 ', 72. Another possibility is to provide the supply chamber 78 with a number of supply chambers (not shown), which correspond to the number of classification units and tracks that are provided. is arranged using division bands, so that the elements from the respective supply chambers can be fed to the respective sorting devices, without undesirably passing into the neighboring supply chambers. With this arrangement, the classification also takes place through the classification devices, but here in such a way that only elements that have the correct transport position are then passed to the transport devices. When an element, despite this subdivision into supply chambers, does not pass due to the type to the associated classifier device respectively, then, however, it is rejected by the device classifier, assuming that this classifier device is designed to allow only the passage of elements that have the correct configuration, size and transport position. If separate supply chambers are provided, then the classification devices are preferably designed so that the elements that are not allowed through them, for example because they have a false position, fall back into the supply chambers, provided respectively, in order to avoid an inconvenient mixture of the elements. In an arrangement with a plurality of supply chambers, it is also advantageous when all the supply chambers can be emptied simultaneously, for example through a fin 88, which is provided in common for all the supply chambers, but which have perpendicular bands that prevent the mixing of the empty elements. At this point, the expression when the fact is also given that the sending device does not necessarily have to be designed as a chain conveyor. There are certainly other possibilities, for example, the possibility of designing this device as the so-called vibratory feeder 76 ', as shown in the embodiments of Figures 27 and 28, or one can also operate with an inclined rotary drum 76', a feeder of drum, as shown in the embodiments of Figures 1 and 2, with this being necessary in this embodiment, to operate with a mixture of elements, unless all the attached tracks are provided for the process of the same element. In this case, the drum conveyor 76"again contains elements of just one type (and also size).

* The mobile unit 10, ie the basic module 40, is, in other aspects, with all the subsequent components, which belong to the basic module 40, because they are used universally. This refers to the electrical control cabinet with the display 38, a pneumatic module 96, a lubrication system 98 and also noise protection devices ^ 0 and accidents. The electrical control cabinet 38 includes the following devices, which are not shown separately, but which are important for the universal applicability of the basic module. The components, according to the list that follows here are, in each case, known per se in customary supply systems and here simply are combined by the corresponding interfaces, for example connected to the programming, so that they can to be used for all interchangeable module 42, 42 ', 42", which can be connected to the basic module 40. The components of the control cabinet are the following: a) main connections, 20 b) input and output units, c) control programmable for the control or regulation of the operating parameters, such as, for example, the connection and disconnection of the sending devices 76, 76 ', 76", for the control or regulation of the working speed of the devices sending 76, 76 ', 76", for the regulation of the pressure of the transport device 72, 72', 72" and also in a specific manner both of the elements and of the particular application, for the regulation of the supply pressure of the adjustment heads 20, 20", connected to the transport devices 72, 72 ', 72", that is, to the lines 14, 14' and of the pressure of the lubricating device 98, d) a device of recognition to recognize the groups of functional components 70, 70 ', 72, 72', 72", which are present in modules 42, 42 ', 42", capable of exchange and connected to the basic module, e) connections, to which signals from the sensors present in the basic module 40 or in the interchangeable module 42, 42 ', 42"or in the consumer 12, such as, for example, sensors for measuring the state of filling in the basic module 40 and the end switches, end position sensors in the transport device 72, 72 ', 72"and in the adjustment head 20, 20' and, if required, f) one or more connection lines, 26, 28 , 30, for signal transmission between the supply system 10 and the consumer 12 and / or from the consumer 12 to the system of supply 10. Likewise, this supply system, ie the basic module, has the pneumatic supply 96, which can, for example, include a filter, an oil (including an oil tank), a water separator, valves, power units and also one or more connecting devices and, optionally, a compressor unit, with the coupling of the pneumatic supply to the interchangeable module 42, 42 'or 42"preferably taking place by means of multiple plugs 60. First of all, it is pointed out that although the compressed air is available in most factories, situations can certainly arise in which the performance of the internal system of the pneumatic supply of the factory is thus within the limits of its capacity, or in which pressure fluctuations are feared, which can not be be reconstructed with the operation of the delivery system of the invention, for the purpose of protection against such cases, it may be possible to equip the delivery system with its own compressor unit, which belongs to the basic module. Otherwise, if a suitable internal factory supply system is present, the required compressed air can be taken from this system. Depending on how the transport devices 72, 72 ', 72"are designed and which types and sizes of elements are to be processed, a respective compressed air requirement is determined for each transport device, which may, among other things, also depend on the length of the respective line 14, 14 ', 14", respectively. Once the values found for the operating parameters for specific configurations, such as the values for the air pressure and the oil supply index, are, for example, fed into a microprocessor or into a memory in the control cabinet by means of an input unit, or the interchangeable module attached respectively and also the classification and / or transport devices associated therewith are recognized by the system itself in the connection of the different interchangeable modules, whereby the desired controls can be performed automatically, according to the previously programmed or stored values. The multiple plugs 60 for the pneumatic system is preferably so designed that the pneumatic supply can recognize which tares it has to satisfy for the interchangeable module, respectively connected. Here one can also change to the corresponding pressure values;, previously fixed, and the flow quantities. All these measures ensure that with a module change, a quick and economic adaptation to the various circumstances of the inserted interchangeable module 42, 42 ', 42"takes place.

The basic module 40 also includes the lubricating device 98, which can be supplied from the pneumatic supply 96 or separately. The purpose of this lubricating device is to supply the individual elements or the number thereof with a small amount of lubricant, so that, on the one hand, they slide smoothly through the consumer's supply system and, on the other , ensure, if required, improved conditions ^^^ of friction in the consumer for the transmission of the lubricant. The lubrication system may also differ in the specific manner of the element or application, depending on the requirements. However, the basic module also includes a noise protection and security element. East The noise protection consists, first of all, of an insulation (not shown), which is provided in the region of the supply shelter 78 of the delivery device 76 and the surrounding housing and the sheet metal parts, for example also in the fin 80 and the fin 88. In this way they are damped operation noise, so that the noise level of the supply system can be maintained within acceptable limits. The acoustic insulation around the transport devices can, if necessary, also be provided because they also operate noises.

The contacts that prevent the supply system from being taken into operation, when the flap 80 or flap 88 'are opened, or with defective connections of the interchangeable module, or light barriers that prevent the operation when an operator or an unauthorized person arrives within areas in the supply system, it belongs to the important security devices. Such safety devices must also serve to interrupt the operation of the supply system when, during operation, a flap is opened in an unauthorized manner or interferes somewhat in the dangerous regions of the supply system. The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to further embodiments. Figures 11 to 16 show an alternative way of effecting a change of the interchangeable module. For this purpose, a separate transport carriage 50 is provided for each interchangeable module. Figure 11 shows a situation in which the basic module 40 is available to receive an interchangeable module 42. This interchangeable module 42 is placed on the respective transport carriage 50. In this embodiment, the rails are avoided. Instead of them, the mounting platform 34 is equipped with conical central joints 35 or other guiding elements (Figure 12), on which the interchangeable module 42 ', which has been transported in place, is lowered by means of a hoisting device 100. A conical bore 45 is machined on the base plate 51 for the interchangeable module for each centering joint 35, so that a latch of interlocking shape prevents horizontal sliding of the module. A central screw of assembly 46 prevents movement of the vertical direction. In Figures 11 and 12, the transport cart 50 is moved in the direct vicinity of the basic module 40, i.e. the unit Mobile I0 10. Figures 13 and 14 show the elevation transport (arrow 110) and horizontal transport (arrow 112) of the module , which is subsequently lowered, according to the arrow 114 on the centering joints 35 on the mobile platform 34 of the mobile unit 10, ie of the basic module 40. The emptying carriage 50 can then be removed of the working range of the system supply. In this embodiment, it is not necessary to lock the transport carriage 50 to the mobile platform 34. It is sufficient to drive the braking devices 54 of the transport carriage 50 and 33 of the moving platform 34. 20 Figures 15 and 16 show the position after of lowering the interchangeable module 42 'on the platform 34 of the mobile unit, and after the insertion of multiple pneumatic plugs 60 and multiple electric plugs 62. Figures 17 to 24 show a third variant, in which the mounting platform 34 is provided with a rectangular cutout or receiving projection 112, in which the interchangeable module, mounted on the separate transport carriage 50, is pushed. The frame 53 of the separate transport carriage 50 is provided with a retractable and extensible platform 51 (see Figures 18, 20), so that the latter can be lowered from a raised transport position to the level of the mounting platform 34 of the basic module 40. In this arrangement, a horizontal fixation is made, as in the embodiment of Figures 11 to 16, that is preferably by means of a conical centering joint 35 and the holes 45, and the securing in the vertical direction can also take place here via a joint screw 46 or a quick-action closure. The raising and lowering of the platform 51 of the interchangeable module can take place here in different ways and means. In the illustrated arrangement, the platform 51 is connected by scissor joints 104 to the frame 53 of the transport carriage 50, so that in the actuation of the scissor joints, for example by means of an axis, the members of the joints of scissors can adopt different angles to each other, whereby different heights of the platform 51 can be achieved, in a manner similar to a scissor-type cat.

Alternatively, the wheels themselves may be adjusted in position relative to the frame 53, which, however, is not shown here. In this embodiment, the interchangeable module remains with the transport carriage 50, so that a relatively simple design of the transport carriage is possible, despite the existing possibility of raising and lowering the platform 51. It is conceivable to modify the Figure 17 to 24 so that there is no lifting or lowering of the interchangeable module, but rather only a mechanical locking of the transport carriage with the mobile platform 34 of the basic module 40, after it has been moved in the outgoing 112 reception. The functional sequence of this embodiment is as follows: As shown in Figures 27 and 18, the transport cart 50 with the sorting and transport devices, 70 and 72, to be exchanged, is placed in position on the module basic 40 defined by the pins 35 centering. In addition, the transport carriage 50 is secured by means of the screw connection or the quick fastening device 46. In Figures 19 and 20, the transport carriage 50 rises after releasing the screw connection or the quick clamping device by bringing the platform 51 along the rail, until the transport carriage is no longer fixed by the joints 35 of centering. As shown in Figures 21 and 22, the transport cart can now be moved out of the basic module. Figures 23 and 24 show that the transport cart, with the last sorting and transport device, used, is separated from the basic module and replaced by another transport cart 50, with the sorting and transport devices that are going to use immediately. As previously indicated, Figures 25 and 26 show a variant of the modular supply system, which has two tracks for the blowing supply of the bolt elements and two tracks for the thrust feed of the nut elements. The connection to the basic module 40 also preferably takes place here by means of multiple plugs 60 for the pneumatic system and by means of multiple plugs 62 for the electrical system. The design of the transport device 72 for the thrust feed is shown in Figures 29 and 30, while the transport device 72"for the blow mode is shown in Figures 31 to 34. Figures 27 and 28 show that the interchangeable module, even if the basic module is designed to supply four lines 14 or tracks, it can be equipped with a smaller number of transport devices, in this case with two tracks for the blowing supply of the bolts by means of two devices transport 72", which corresponds to transport devices 72" of Figure 26. 5 Another difference in the embodiment of Figures 27 and 28 is the use of a different shipping device 76, here, for example, a vibrating feeder 76 ', for delivery of the elements to the associated sorting device 70 * with transport devices. Such feeders vibrators are known per se and are available from the company Profil. Therefore, they are not described here especially. In the modalities of Figures 25, 26 and 27, the precise nature of delivering the interchangeable module to the basic module is not shown. However, this may take place, as desired, for example, in accordance with one of * the variants previously described, with the use of centering joints 35 which are shown here according to the embodiment of Figures 11 to 16, ie a device Elevator 110 comes into use here. In the transport device for the thrust feed of the nut elements, according to Figures 29 and 30, two tracks, 120, 122, are arranged along the side, as can be seen from Figure 30, and They are provided with respective pneumatic cylinders 124.

The nut elements 130 coming from the sorting device 70 (not shown in Figure 29) are filled in the guide passage 126 corresponding to the nut elements and slide to the right by gravity (see Figure 29) . A detector 128 checks whether sufficient nuts are supplied in the guide channel 126. If no nuts are found here, then this is an indication that the supply of nuts has come to an end, which leads via the control in the cabinet control, to the supply system and also to the consumer decoupling, or at least a warning is given to the operator, for example by means of the indicator 38, or as an acoustic signal or as a blink signal, that the supply needs to be fill. In order to be able to transport the nut elements 130 further into the line 14 and to the consumer, a finger 132, pivotally arranged, engages in a bore of a nut element 130. This finger 132 is pivotally mounted on a carriage 134. about the axis 136. This carriage is pushed to the right by the piston rod 138 of the pneumatic cylinder 124, and indeed over a stroke, which includes a plurality of elements, and is limited by the stops 140 and 142. The cylinder 124 and the pneumatic supply 96 determine the pressure which the pivotable finger 132 exerts on the nut elements under the control of the control cabinet 38. The line 14 is filled with such nut elements. They are taken one at a time by the adjustment head 20 or 20"in the press, whereby the finger 132 is advanced through a trajectory section, which corresponds to the maximum diameter of the element. 142, then, for example, is detected by the increase in pressure and leads to an alteration of the pneumatic cylinder 124, whereby the finger element 132 rotates about the axis of rotation 136 opposite the force of the spring 144. This carriage 134 it can then be retracted up to the stop 140, whereby the pneumatic cylinder is changed once again, as a result of the action of the spring, the tip of the finger element 132 engages in the bore of a nut element again and further Nut members move to the right The two tracks 120, 122, arranged along the side of each other, operate completely independently of each other The transport device 72"for the blow transport is shown in FIGS. Figures 31 to 34 and is normally used with bolt elements 150. As is evident from Figure 31, bolt members 140 arrive in the direction of arrow 151 from the corresponding sorting device 70"in the desired transport position and are correspondingly guided by the guide rod 152. In the blow head 154 * of the transport device, there is only space for a bolt element 150. That is to say, the work head 154 corresponds to the dimensions of the bolt elements 150. When the front bolt element 150 has reached the position of Figure 31, which is determined by the detector 153, then the sleeve 156, which is provided, displaceably, in the blower head 154, is raised by É the pneumatic pressure, so that the shaft part of the bolt element 150 comes to be placed in the sleeve. In the upper end position of the displaceable sleeve 156, which is shown in Figures 32 and 33, a guide needle 159 leaves the sleeve 156 ,. whereby a flow passage 160 is opened. The air pressure prevailing in the pressure chamber 162 can now flow into the sleeve 156 and blow, as in an arc gun, the bolt element in the direction of ~ ^ fr, the arrow 164 within the attached line 14. A sensor 128, also serves here for the determination of whether sufficient bolt elements 150 are provided. modality, a finger 164, arranged pivotally, is projected under the action of the spring 168 into the upper part of the blow head 154 and prevents blowing of a bolt element if a line 14 is not present. By inserting the end of the line 170, the finger 164 is pivoted against the force of a spring by the pin 172 outside the hole 154. A spring-loaded indicator pin 176 engages in a slot at the end 170 of the line and thereby locks the connection between the blow head 154 and the line end 154. For end insertion of line 170 and for the release of the connection, it is necessary to remove the head 178 of the indication pin to the outside. Finally, Figure 35 shows an alternative transport unit, which is designated here as a magnetic transport device. The elements, which are here shown similarly as nut elements, come from the associated classification units 70 or 80 ', by means of the guide channel 180, correspondingly designated, in the lower peripheral region of a rotating magnetic wheel 182, which it attracts the nut elements and they move along the direction of rotation 184 of the magnetic wheel 182 until they reach a deflector 186. On the deflector, the nut elements enter a further guide passage 188 and from there within a line 14, which leads to the consumer. That is, the nut members 130 are further transported in the direction of the arrow 190 and in the line 14. The device 192 represents a quick-connect coupling for the line 14. As mentioned above, the classifying devices and the devices conveyors of the present invention will typically be formed as units, ie, modules that can be connected together in any desired number and / or design to form the interchangeable module. As also described, the interchangeable module will be pneumatically and electrically connected to the basic module through multiple plugs 60 and 62. The above is advantageous if the individual classification and transportation units are equipped with pneumatic lines and electric conductors, which can themselves alone connect to the plugs of the 60 and 60 multiple plugs 62 through fast respective connections. This facilitates the rapid assembly of an interchangeable module from a plurality of classification and transport units. If the basic module end of the multi-plug connector is a plug instead of a plug, then the plug will be provided in the interchangeable module, and the individual tire and electrical conductors will be connected to ^ * - respective "pegs" of the plug in the interchangeable module (42), through respective fast couplers. The multiple plugs 60 and 62 have a sufficient number of individual connection locations, ie, "plugs", which can supply the required number of hydraulic or electric lines for the maximum number of classification and transportation units that can be used with the basic module. Since each "plug" of the multiple connector tire 60 is connected to a respective pneumatic line of one of the associated classification and transport units, the electronic program of the control cabinet can be such that the appropriate pressure is supplied to each of the respective pins, and therefore to the driver 5 associated, through the pressure control valve í ^^

Claims (31)

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N S

1. A system of supply, for the delivery of elements to one or more consumers, this system comprises a 5 a referral device (or feeder), which supplies the elements, from a stored quantity of them, to a sorting device, which only allows the k elements having a predetermined position to pass through, and with a transport device, the which transports the elements 10 classified, correctly placed, to the consumer, this system is characterized in that the reference device is part of a basic module, while the classifying device and the transport device belong to an interchangeable module.

2. The supply system, according to claim 1, characterized in that the basic module is designed to handle a plurality of different elements.

3. The supply system, according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that 20 the elements can be filled, according to the type, into the respective supply chambers of the basic module.

4. The supply system, according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the elements can be filled, as a mixture, inside the supply chamber or within a plurality of supply chambers of the basic module.

5. The supply system, according to claim 4, characterized in that the reference device is designed for the simultaneous transport of the elements from all the supply chambers of the basic module or as respective reference units for each ____ r ^ Kr * ~ supply chamber individually.

6. The supply system, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the basic module has, in addition to the reference device, from the supply chamber or supply chambers, a mobile installation platform.

7. The supply system, according to claim 6, characterized in that the functional devices, which are designed independently of the elements, such as, for example, an electric control cabinet with a display device, a pneumatic supply, a device of lubrication and / or noise and / or safety protection devices, are associated with the basic module and are secured, preferably directly or indirectly, to the mobile mounting platform

8. The supply system, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control cabinet includes at least the following components or performs, at least, some of the following functions: a) main connections, b) input and output units , c) programmable control for the control or regulation of the operating parameters, such as, for example, the connection and disconnection of the referral devices, for the control or regulation of the working speed of the sending devices, for the regulation of the pressure of the transport device and also in a specific manner both of the elements and of the partisular application, for the regulation of the supply pressure of the adjustment heads, connected to the transport devices, that is to say, to the lines and the pressure of the lubricating device, d) a recognition device to recognize the groups of functional components, which they are present in the modules, capable of exchange and connected to the basic module, e) connections, to which the signals from the sensors present in the basic module or in the interchangeable module or in the consumer, such as, for example, sensors of measurement of the filling state in the basic module and the end switches, sensors of * end position in the transport device and in the adjustment head and, if required, f) one or more connection lines, for transmission of signal between the supply system and the consumer and / or 5 from the consumer to the supply system.

9. The supply system, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a pneumatic supply is provided, which includes, at least, some of the following components: a filter, a

10 oil, a water separator, valves, power units and also one or more termination devices and, optionally, a compressor unit. 10. The supply system, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that 15 provides a lubrication device for lubricating the elements and also the mechanical parts that come into contact with the latter, and is associated with the basic module.

11. The supply system, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that 20 provides a noise protection element, for example in the form of an acoustic insulation, in the region of the reference device.

12. The supply system, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a safety device is provided in the form of a screen element, which prevents access of the rejection device during the operation thereof, for example in the form of a cover with a connection and disconnection contact, with the screen and / or the cover, optionally, being acoustically isolated.

13. The supply system, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the classifying device consists of a sorting unit or a plurality of sorting units, the same or different.

14. The supply system, according to claim 13, characterized in that with a plurality of classification type units, the conveyor device distributes similar elements to all the classification units, which are in operation and coupled to the basic module.

15. The supply system, according to claim 13, characterized in that the transport device has a plurality of different sorting units, to which the correspondingly different elements can be supplied, or in the form of a mixture present in a supply chamber or separately, according to the type from different supply chambers.

16. The supply system, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the basic module includes one or more emptying openings, the one (s) which is (are) placed at the lowest point of the supply chamber , with the or each supply chamber enabling, by means of the walls, converging to the emptying opening (s), the problem-free emptying of the entire supply quantity through the or each emptying opening.

17. The supply system, according to claim 14, characterized in that the or each supply chamber makes it possible to check, visual and optical, free of problems, the emptied state.

18. The supply system, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the interchangeable module or the interchangeable modules can be connected to the basic module or functional units, mounted on their mounting platform and can be connected by means of quick-change couplings to the basic module. in fact in the sense of the rapid mechanical connection of the interchangeable module to the basic module, a quick electrical connection to the control cabinet and a fast pneumatic connection to the pneumatic system and also, optionally, a quick connection to the lubrication system.

* 19. The supply system, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport carriage is provided by the interchangeable module and preferably has space for two or more modules 5 interchangeable.

20. The supply system, according to claim 19, characterized in that both the platform "of the basic module as well as the transport carriage have their own rail elements, whereby a module 10 interchangeable, placed on the rail element, of the basic module, can be moved on the rail element of the transport trolley and an interchangeable module, placed on the rail element of the transport trolley, can be moved on the rail element of the basic module, in 15 that a latching device is preferably provided, ^ 0/0 in order to lock, in non-displaceable form, the interchangeable module, collated on the rail element of the base module, with respect to this basic module.

21. The supply system, according to claim 20, characterized in that the transport carriage is designed to receive at least two interchangeable modules, which have space on the rail element and because this rail element is placed on a rotary table of the transport car or this car The transport can be aligned by means of wheels corresponding to the basic module in two positions displaced by 180 °.

22. The supply system, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a lifting element, whereby an interchangeable module, placed on the basic module, can be moved from the basic module and placed on the transport cart, and an interchangeable module, placed on the transport cart, can be raised from the last and placed on the basic module, with an alignment device or a centering device, preferably being provided on at least the basic module and preferably also on the carriage of transport, in order to colosar, in non-displaceable form, the intermodable module on the base module or the transport car respectively, during its placement on the basic module or on the transport car, for which it can also be supplied, optionally, a latch device.

23. The delivery system, according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the basic module has a reception projection for the interchangeable module inside the transport carriage can be moved, at least partially, within the receiving projection, and this module basic and / or the transport trolley is equipped with a device for lifting or placing the interchangeable module from and on the basic module.

24. The supply system according to claim 23, characterized in that a guide element is provided on the basic module, preferably in the marginal region of the receiving projection, in order to center or align the interchangeable module during its placement.

25. The supply system, according to claim 23 or claim 24, characterized in that the transport cart forms a unit together with the interchangeable module and can be secured with this module on the basic module, with the wheels of the transport cart can preferably be raised and lowered for the placement and elevation of the interchangeable module.

26. Method for the operation of a consumer, which receives items from a supply system, in which this supply system includes a referral device for the delivery of items to the consumer, with this referral device supplying the items from a supply quantity to a sorting device, which only allows the passage of elements that have a trajectory with predetermined position and which is equipped with a transport device, which transports the elements, correctly placed to the consumer, characterized because, with a change of the elements, required by the consumer, an interchangeable module that includes the classifying device and the transport device is separated from a basic module, which includes the referral device and is removed from the basic module area, while a further interchangeable module, which corresponds to the changed requirements of the consumer, is coupled to the Basic module by means of rapid change devices, and taken into operation.

Method according to claim 26, characterized in that the interchangeable modules are transported away from the basic module and transported to this basic module on a transport carriage; and because the interchangeable modules are 15 transported away from the basic module and the basic module on a transport trolley; and because the interchangeable fc modules are pushed by means of rail elements or roller elements, from the basic module on the transport trolley and from the transport trolley inside the 20 basic module and they are locked there.

28. The method according to claim 26, characterized in that the interchangeable modules are transported to the basic module and away from this basic module in a transport carriage, with the module 25 interchangeable to be removed from this basic module, - which is lifted by a lifting device, from the basic module and placed on the transport cart; and in that the interchangeable module to be inserted into the basic module is optionally raised by the lifting device from the transport carriage and collated on the basic module, after turning around the transport carriage or after the rotation of a rotary table, placed on j ^ - the transport car.

29. Method, according to claim 26, characterized in that the interchangeable module, placed on a transport carriage inside the basic module, is separated from this basic module by the elevation of the interchangeable module relative to the transport carriage or by elevation of a platfof the transport cart with the 15 interchangeable module, for example by means of extendable wheels of the transport trolley and is removed with the transport trolley from a reception boss of the basic module; and because the subsequent interchangeable module on preferably one further carriage moves in the 20 receiving boss of the basic module and / or engages on the last one.

30. Supply system, according to claim 1, characterized in that a single supply chamber is provided, and in that the interchangeable module 25 comprises a plurality of sorting units and transport units, which are adapted to feed the same type and size of elements supplied by the delivery device, from the single supply chamber.

31. Supply system, according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 25 and 30, characterized in that the classification units and the transport units of an interchangeable module per se are modules adapted for quick connection together and / or a platf to fthe interchangeable module.