SK139198A3 - Device for transporting flat, especially plate-like objects - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for transporting flat, especially plate-like, objects (2, 2') with a driven conveyor belt (4, 4') running around a conveyor belt body (3, 3') and on which the objects (2, 2') bear during transport. Said conveyor belt has suction apertures to which a vacuum from a vacuum system can be applied, is to be further developed in such a way that it is possible to convey suspended or supported magnetic and non-magnetic flat, especially plate-like objects at high speeds and considerable acceleration. This is achieved in that the vacuum system is integrated into at least one combined vacuum-magnet system (VMS) which is fitted in the conveyor belt body (3, 3') and its action is applied to the region of the conveyor belt (4, 4') bearing the objects (2, 2'). Each vacuum-magnet system (VMS) has at least one magnet (5, 5') and one vacuum channel (6, 6') connected to a vacuum source (4, 4') close to the conveyor belt (4, 4'), which is connected to the suction apertures in the conveyor belt (4, 4') via suction pipes (7, 7') passing through the magnets (5, 5').

Description

Technical field

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a device for transporting flat objects, in particular in the form of plates, comprising a support body about which a driven conveyor belt is circulated, onto which the flat objects adhere during transport, the conveyor belt being equipped with suction openings for vacuum system and vacuum. the system is integrated into at least one combined vacuum / magnetic system arranged in the support body, each vacuum / magnetic system comprising at least one magnet arranged at the transport belt and a vacuum channel connected to the vacuum source, which is connected to the suction ports of the transport belt.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Such a device is known from US-A-3,802,699. The device is equipped with a combined vacuum / magnetic system for transporting and placing objects in which the vacuum system and the magnetic system are arranged in parallel so that both magnetic and non-magnetic objects can be transported. The magnets of the magnetic system are arranged in the support body of the conveyor belt and are laterally away from the conveyor belt in order to prevent the magnetic force between the magnets and the objects to be transported from impeding the transport movement of the conveyor belt. This leads to the fact that this known device is relatively expensive and especially space-consuming.

DE-OS 21 64 859 discloses a device for the suspension transport of objects.

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This device is equipped with a conveyor belt which is formed by a flat belt, which is equipped with vacuum profiling, wherein the transported objects are pressed against the flat belt or sucked in by a vacuum. In order to substantially reduce the leakage of the vacuum system and to hold the articles firmly and efficiently, this known device is provided with a vacuum chamber with a smooth underside in which an elongated slot is formed. Underneath the underside of the vacuum chamber, the base web is provided with spaced openings which are directly below the elongate slot of the vacuum cell when the base web is moved. This base web is provided on its underside with a layer of elastic material with openings which correspond to the openings of the own conveyor belt, which is designed as a flat belt, but are larger and are designed as suction heads by which flat objects are transported by the conveyor belt under vacuum vacuum chamber. Despite this construction, a slip is necessary with this device, which leads to a decrease in positioning accuracy, which is a disadvantage especially at high transport speeds and high accelerations. In addition, when transporting heavier objects, it is impossible to prevent the conveyor belt from moving downward at least in part, which affects the operability of the vacuum system.

One such device is also known from DE 295 15 857 U1. This device is equipped with a circulating flat belt equipped with suction cups which are connected to a vacuum source and onto which objects are adjacent. Such flat belt devices and vacuum system are in principle suitable for transporting non-magnetic objects. Vacuum sealing on such flat belts cannot be achieved automatically when the vacuum source is connected due to the belt design, resulting in a delay in the vacuum effect after switching on. The flat belt itself may have a slip due to its design, which leads to a decrease in positioning accuracy, which is detrimental in particular at high transport speeds and high accelerations.

DE 41 05 388 A1 discloses a device for gripping and transporting objects which is provided with a series of plate carriers which are connected to one another in a circulating conveyor chain, each carrier having at least one suction opening on its transport side, which is at least a part of the conveying path connected to a stationary suction channel which is airtightly separated from the ambient atmosphere and which leads to a source of vacuum. The supports are adjustable in guide rails through which the edges of the supports run parallel to the transport direction. This device is relatively expensive since the transport device consists of a plurality of interconnected individual carriers. A similar device is known from DE 37 01 564 C1.

DE 39 37 668 A1 discloses a conveying device for containers placed on it, which is formed by a belt conveyor assembled from plates. By arranging the suction channels between the upper and lower branches of the conveyor, a vacuum transport plane is created, the suction channel openings being formed by interspaces at the joints of the individual plates of the plate chain. This device is mainly designed for transporting lightweight plastic bottles or the like on it and is not suitable for transporting heavier objects in the hinge.

DE 39 08 279 A1 discloses a holding or holding device which serves for lifting and / or tilting objects, but is not designed as a conveying device in the sense of a conveyor belt and is neither suitable for this purpose. This holding or holding device can be provided with both magnetic and suction elements as holding or holding elements.

DE 42 10 188 A1 discloses a transport device for transporting goods placed thereon on a given transport path. The device comprises at least one guide element which defines a conveying path and on which conveying carriers are guided which are designed in such a way that the goods can be stored or retained thereon. In the region of the guide element there is provided a circulating drive element to which the transport carriers can be connected, the circulating drive element being of a magnetizable material and the transport carriers being provided with magnetic coupling elements which interact with the magnetizable material of the drive element and adhere thereto. a transport carrier with a circulating drive element. Apparently, this device is suitable only for the transport of laid objects which are placed on or attached to the transport carriers.

For example, DE-OS 19 30 896 and DE 25 54 046 C2 disclose magnetic conveyors for the transport of ferromagnetic objects, in which magnetic systems are integrated in the body of the conveyor belt which secure the objects to the conveyor belt by magnetic forces. However, such a device is suitable only for the suspension transport of ferromagnetic objects, non-magnetic objects cannot be transported by such a device. Another such magnetic conveyor is known from DE 31 47 414 A1. This conveyor is provided along the conveying path with rolling elements which extend above the pole surfaces of the holding magnets and on which the ferromagnetic objects to be transported rest. Furthermore, the conveyor is equipped with a towing device which carries objects along the conveying path, which objects rest solely on the rolling elements, but not on the conveyor belt, thereby reducing friction and thus wear.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to further improve devices of this kind so as to allow suspended or laid magnetic and non-magnetic flat, especially plate-shaped, objects with high speeds and accelerations to be transported.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This problem is solved and the deficiencies of known devices of this kind are largely eliminated by a device for transporting flat objects, mainly in the form of plates, consisting of a support body around which a driven conveyor belt is circulated, onto which flat objects are transported. by suction openings connected to the vacuum system and the vacuum system being integrated in at least one combined vacuum / magnetic system arranged in a support body, each vacuum / magnetic system comprising at least one magnet arranged at the transport belt and a vacuum channel connected to the vacuum source which is connected to the suction orifices of the conveyor belt according to the invention, characterized in that the at least one magnet is arranged between the vacuum channel and the conveyor belt on the object facing away from the conveyor belt and is The vacuum channel is connected to the suction openings of the conveyor belt by means of suction pipes which pass through the magnet.

The solution according to the invention provides a construction of a transport device which enables the transport and positioning of suspended or laid flat, mainly plate-like objects without slipping them, with high speeds and accelerations, wherein the objects can be both ferromagnetic materials such as ferromagnetic sheets and non-ferromagnetic materials such as aluminum sheets or plastic plates. In this way it is possible to transport and position objects of different materials with a single transport device, and this can even take place simultaneously. In this mode of operation, both the vacuum system and the magnetic system are then operated, which results in an extremely good pressing of the objects to the surface of the conveyor belt.

If only ferromagnetic objects are transported, it is of course possible to temporarily disable the vacuum system in individual cases. The compact design of the device is thereby achieved, so that the dimensions of the support body or the conveyor belt frame are not appreciably larger than in the case of known devices with only a magnetic system.

It is particularly advantageous for a series of vacuum / magnetic systems arranged in the transport direction for transport in the hinge.

By optional individual activation or deactivation of the individual vacuum / magnetic systems, it is thus possible to deactivate sub-regions of the conveyor belt so that objects located in these areas are discarded in precise positions while the conveyor belt remains functional in other regions, that the articles can be transported and deposited or possibly dropped in another region of the conveyor belt. It is particularly advantageous that by separating the magnetic systems it is possible to separate the ferromagnetic objects from the non-ferromagnetic objects.

In order to increase the effect of the magnetic systems on the objects to be conveyed, a solution is used in which at least one magnet is provided with guide rails which form a guide for the conveyor belt.

The guide rails are preferably designed as part of the respective vacuum system, which is realized in such a way that the guide rails overlap the side of the magnets facing the conveyor belt and are equipped with suction openings which are connected to the exhaust ducts.

It is particularly advantageous if the conveyor belt is formed by at least one toothed belt, preferably equipped with ferromagnetic inserts, and is guided in correspondingly produced guide rails.

When using such a toothed belt, a particularly good vacuum seal can be achieved, since the toothed belt is precisely positioned precisely by a guide formed by guide rails and is pressed against the guide rails by the vacuum system. Furthermore, the toothed belt is attracted by magnets due to its ferromagnetic inserts, thereby effectively preventing the toothed belt from overhanging. Furthermore, due to the fact that the toothed belt teeth fit precisely into the drive wheel, the use of such a toothed belt also enables the extremely high positioning accuracy of the transported objects to be achieved.

In order to optimize the vacuum system, it is furthermore advantageous if the guide rails are provided with at least one groove-shaped suction channel, which is provided with a sealing surface and which is covered from above or below by a toothed belt provided with suction holes in this area.

A particularly advantageous solution then consists in that the suction holes of the toothed belt are provided on the inside of the toothed belt with sealing flaps which overlap the suction channel of the guide rails on the sides. With this embodiment, a self-retaining vacuum seal is achieved to a large extent when the vacuum source is switched on. The frictional forces remain manageable, that is to be overcome, and are largely independent of the number of suction chambers enclosed by the articles to be transported, as long as the suction chambers belong to the same vacuum system. There is also no need for a special additional precise guide of the toothed belt on the sealing surface.

Further, the vacuum system can be advantageously optimized such that the toothed belt is provided on its object-facing side with a series of arranged annular elevations on which the flat objects are adjacent and which form suction chambers for the objects in conjunction with the toothed belt suction openings. These suction chambers are then tightly covered by the transported objects so that vacuum losses are minimized.

The sealing flaps are preferably designed to form a distribution channel through which the suction openings moving together with the toothed belt are continuously connected to the stationary suction openings.

Furthermore, the suction holes can be designed as throttle holes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is illustrated by the following non-limiting examples, which are described in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a hinge transport device according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a section along II-II in FIG. 1, a

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a device for transporting laid objects according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The device 1 for transporting flat, especially plate-like objects, such as sheets, in a hinge is shown in FIG. 1 and 2, wherein a flat object 2, for example a sheet metal, is also indicated.

The device 1 consists of a support body 3, on which the conveyor belt is formed, which is formed by a toothed belt 4, on the underside of which the flat objects 2 abut during transport. The transport direction 16 or transport is perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. 1 and FIG. 2 indicated by a double arrow.

In the support body 3 of the device 1 there is arranged a device for holding flat objects 2 on the surface of the toothed belt 4. The device according to the invention consists of a series of transported combined vacuum / magnetic VMS systems acting on the toothed belt regions 4. carry flat objects 2.

Each of these successive vacuum / magnetic VMS systems consists of magnets 5 arranged at the toothed belt 4, and a vacuum channel 6 which is connected by a connection 6a to a vacuum source 6b. Each vacuum channel 6 is connected to the toothed belt 4 by an exhaust duct 7, which passes through the respective magnets 5, as will be described in more detail below. Depending on the overall conveying length of the device 1, a corresponding number of vacuum / magnetic VMS systems, each consisting of magnets 5 and a vacuum channel 6, are arranged in series in the support body 3. 2 shows three VMS vacuum / magnetic systems arranged in series.

The magnet 5 of each vacuum / magnetic VMS system is provided on the underside with guide rails 8 forming a guide 9 for the toothed belt 4. The guide rails 8 at least partially overlap the underside of the magnets 5 facing the toothed belt 4 and are equipped with suction in their middle region. apertures 10, which are connected to exhaust ducts with

These suction holes 10 in the guide rails 8 open into at least one groove-shaped suction channel H formed in the guide rails 8 and which is covered from below by a toothed belt 4. This toothed belt 4 is in its central region which overlaps the respective the suction channel 11 is provided with suction openings 12 which are provided with sealing flaps 13 on the inside. These sealing flaps 13 are designed so that they tightly embrace the edges of the inner guide rail 8 in which the suction channel 11 is formed in the groove shape so that δ

this suction channel 11 of said guide rail 8 is tightly closed, with the exception of suction openings 10 and suction openings 12.

The toothed belt 4 is provided along its length on its inverted side 2 with a series of successive annular elevations 14 adjacent to the flat objects 2 and which, in conjunction with the suction openings 12 of the toothed belt 4, form suction chambers 15 for these flat objects 2. .

Device 1 operates as follows:

In order to activate the vacuum / magnetic system VMS, the vacuum source 6b is lowered so that either all or only selected vacuum channels 6 are evacuated via connections 6a, which can be opened or closed independently of each other. suction openings 10, suction openings 12 and annular elevations 14 thus create a vacuum in the suction chamber 15 of the respective vacuum system, which transports flat objects 2 in this region sucked to the toothed ridge surface 4. This suction is still ferromagnetic material in the case of flat objects 2. additionally supported by magnets 5 of the respective vacuum / magnetic VMS system and associated guide rails 8, which, in the case of ferromagnetic flat objects 2, additionally assist in attracting these flat objects 2 to the toothed belt surface 4. The toothed belt 4 is preferably provided 4a, so that it is itself attracted by the magnets 5 and is thus prevented from being overhung.

The construction of the vacuum systems using sealing flaps 13 on the inside of the toothed belt 4 in conjunction with the suction channels 11 in the form of grooves in the guide rails 8 and the suction chambers 15 in connection with adjacent flat objects 2 results in a self-retaining vacuum system. a vacuum seal whose frictional forces remain manageable and are largely independent of the number of suction chambers 15 enclosed by the flat objects 2 insofar as these suction chambers 15 belong to the same vacuum system.

Due to the possibility of activating or deactivating individual VMS vacuum / magnetic systems, it is also possible for suspended flat objects 2 to be transported simultaneously in one and the same device I and other flat objects 2 being activated in another area by activating or de-activating the respective vacuum / magnetic system. VMS lifted, or in the exact position postponed.

The device 1 is of course also suitable for any transport in the hinge, i.e. the flat objects 2 can also abut laterally and in any other angular position on the conveyor belt, i.e. the toothed belt 4.

In FIG. 3 shows a device 6 for transporting flat, mainly plate-shaped objects 2, for example sheets.

The device 1 comprises a support body 31, around which a conveyor belt is formed, which is formed by a toothed belt 41, on which the flat objects 2 rest during transport. The direction of transport or transport is perpendicular to the plane of the drawing.

In the support body 31 there is provided a device for exerting force on the flat objects 2 towards the surface of the toothed belt 4. This device for exerting force on the flat objects 2 towards the surface of the conveyor belt is according to the invention formed by a combined vacuum / magnetic system a belt 41 carrying flat objects 2.

This vacuum / magnetic system consists of magnets 6 arranged at the toothed belt 41, and a vacuum channel d 'which is connected to a vacuum source (not shown). The vacuum channel d 'is connected to the toothed belt 41 by a suction line 7 which passes through the respective magnets 53 as will be described in more detail below.

At least one magnet 51 is provided on its upper side with guide rails 81, which are equipped with toothed belt guides 91. The guide rails 81 overlap the side of the magnet 51 facing the toothed belt 8 and are provided with suction openings 10 '. These suction openings 10 'in the guide rails 81 open into at least one in the middle of the guide rails 81 of the groove-shaped suction channel 11' provided with a sealing surface 17 'at the bottom and covered by a toothed belt 41 at the top. The toothed belt 6 is provided with suction openings 12 'in its central region. which, in order to reduce leakage, in particular in the case of suction chambers 15 'not covered by flat objects 21, for example by metal sheets, and to suck and thereby seal the toothed belt 41 on the guide rail 81, are designed as throttling holes. Sealing flaps 13 'extending in the longitudinal direction are formed on the toothed belt 41 at its underside. which, at their ends, abut the sealing surface 17 'and thereby form a longitudinally extending distribution channel 16'. by means of which continuous suction is ensured during the movement of the toothed belt.

The toothed belt po is provided along its length on its side facing the flat objects 2 with a series of successively arranged annular elevations 14 'adjoining the flat objects T and which, in conjunction with the suction openings 12' of the toothed belt Ψ, form flat suction chambers 15 '. objects 2λ

The device pracuje works as follows:

A vacuum source (not shown) is activated to activate the vacuum / magnetic system. By means of the vacuum channel d ', the suction ducts T, the suction openings 10'. suction openings 12 'and annular elevations 14' thus create a vacuum in the suction chambers 15 '. carried in a flat object "I 'pressed, optionally come to the surface of the rack 4 \ The latch is, in the case of flat articles 2 ² ferromagnetic material has additionally supported magnet they' and the related guides 8 \ which the ferromagnetic flat articles apos additionally help to attract Due to the construction of the vacuum system using sealing flaps 13 'on the underside of the toothed belt 6 in connection with the suction channels 11' in the form of grooves in the guide rails 11 'and the suction chambers 15' in connection therewith. The adjacent flat objects form a self-retaining vacuum seal when the vacuum is formed, the friction forces of which remain manageable and largely independent of the number of suction chambers 15 '. This means that the function of the device 1 'is ensured even if the toothed belt d' is not covered by the flat objects T over its entire length.

Due to the design of the force-applying device, i.e. the vacuum / magnetic systems, high transport speeds and, in particular, also very high accelerations can be achieved. To this end, the toothed belt is driven in a conventional manner by a suitable drive (not shown).

Depending on the properties of the transported flat objects T, both the respective magnetic system and the corresponding vacuum system can be activated during transport. In principle, however, it is also possible for these systems to be activated independently of each other if this is sufficient in individual cases. Of course, it is to be understood that a plurality of the described devices 1 and the like can be arranged side by side for the transport of larger objects.

Claims (10)

PATENT CLAIMS Apparatus for transporting flat objects (2, 2 '), in particular in the form of plates, consisting of a support body (3, 3') around which a driven conveyor belt (4, 4 ') is circulated, onto which flat objects (2) 2 ') adjacent to the transport, the conveyor belt (4, 4') being equipped with suction openings (12, 12 ') connected to the vacuum system and the vacuum system being integrated in at least one combined vacuum / magnetic system (VMS) which is arranged in the support body (3, 3 '), wherein each vacuum / magnetic system (VMS) comprises at least one magnet (5, 5') arranged at the conveyor belt (4, 4 ') and a vacuum channel (6, 6) connected to the vacuum source. 6 '), which is connected to suction openings (12, 12') of the conveyor belt (4, 4 '), characterized in that at least one magnet (5, 5') is on the flat objects (2, 2 ') to be transported ) facing away from the back of the conveyor belt (4, 4 ') arranged between the vacuum channel (6, 6') and a conveyor belt (4, 4 ') and is provided with guides (9, 9') for the conveyor belt (4, 4 '), the vacuum channel (6, 6') being with suction holes (12, 12 ') of the conveyor belt (4, 4 ') connected to the suction lines (7, 7 ^1), which pass through the magnet (5, 5'). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that a series of vacuum / magnetic systems (VMS) are arranged in the transport direction (16). Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one magnet (5, 5 ') is provided with guides (8, 8') which form guides (9, 9 ') for the conveyor belt (4, 4). '). Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the guide rails (8, 8 ') cover the side of the magnets (5, 5') facing the conveyor belt (4, 4 ') and are provided with suction openings (10, 10') which are connected to the exhaust ducts (7, 7 '). Device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the conveyor belt is formed by at least one toothed belt (4, 4j), preferably equipped with ferromagnetic inserts (4a), and is guided in correspondingly produced guide rails (8, 8 '). Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the guide rails (8, 8 ') are provided with at least one groove-shaped suction channel (11, 11'), which is provided with a sealing surface (17 ') and which is covered with a toothed a belt (4, 4 ') having suction openings (12, 12') in this area. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the suction openings (12, 12 ') of the toothed belt (4, 4') are provided with sealing flaps (13, 13 ') on the inside of the toothed belt (4, 4'). which closely overlap the suction channel (11.1 ') of the guide rails (8, 8') on the sides. Device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the toothed belt (4, 4 ') is provided with a series of annular elevations (14, 14') arranged one behind the other on its side facing the flat objects (2, 2 '), to which the flat objects (2, 2 ') abut and which, in conjunction with the suction openings (12, 12') of the toothed belt (4, 4 '), form suction chambers (15, 15') for the flat objects (2, 2 ') . Device according to claim 7 or one of the following claims, characterized in that the sealing flaps (13, 13 ') form a distribution channel (16, 16') which, together with the toothed belt (4, 4 '), are movable suction cups. the orifices (12, 12 ') continuously communicating with the stationary suction orifices (10, 10'). Device according to claim 6 or one of the following claims, characterized in that the suction openings (12, 12 ') are designed as throttling openings.