WO2002076684A1

WO2002076684A1 - Parts storage bin for an assembly station

Info

Publication number: WO2002076684A1
Application number: PCT/FR2002/001046
Authority: WO
Inventors: Claude Loewert
Original assignee: Ergos S.A.
Priority date: 2001-03-26
Filing date: 2002-03-26
Publication date: 2002-10-03
Also published as: DE10124541A1; FR2822403A1; FR2822403B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a parts storage bin (1) for an assembly station which pivots in such a way as to generate the movement of the parts towards the front of the storage bin by means of gravity. In this way, the inventive bin can be used to reduce the amplitude of movements, wrist flexions, operator fatigue and the time taken to grip parts, thereby making significant savings during the assembly stages. Said storage bin (1) comprises a fixed support (3) that supports a container (2) which is provided with at least one area for gripping (4) parts. The container (2) is mobile and mounted to pivot on the fixed support (3) between a lower position, in which it is full, and an upper position, in which it is empty. Return means (6) are disposed between the container (2) and the fixed support (3) in such a way as to gradually return the container (2) to the upper position as the parts are unloaded and, in this way, to cause the parts to fall automatically into the gripping area (4) by means of gravity. The inventive bin is suitable for assembly stations and lines for mounting assemblies and sub-assemblies of parts.

Description

PARTS STORAGE CONTAINER FOR ASSEMBLY STATION

The present invention relates to a parts storage bin for an assembly station comprising at least one container disposed on at least one fixed support, this container receiving said parts to be stored and comprising at least one gripping zone for said parts located in a front zone. of said container.

Various storage bins of this type exist on the market. They are generally in the form of containers placed flat on a work station. These storage bins are filled with parts intended to be removed by an operator and are therefore gradually emptied of their content by the operator. First, the operator takes the parts located at the front of the storage bins then, secondly, searches further and further for the parts still available in the storage bins. Once emptied, these storage tanks are again filled manually, semi-automatically or automatically. These storage bins are not satisfactory. Indeed, as they become empty, the operator must make increasingly large gestures, or even move to access the last most distant parts and moreover, bend the wrist to grab the stored parts at the bottom of the tank. These broad gestures generate fatigue, loss of time and increase the risks of musculoskeletal disorders in the operator, in particular when the wrist is repeatedly put in hyper-flexion. Ergonomics studies have made it possible to determine the dimensions of a so-called comfort zone in which the risks of pathological fatigue linked to repetitive gestures are limited. This so-called comfort zone generally corresponds to a semi-sphere centered on the operator, of approximately 600 mm in diameter. However, these storage bins do not allow to work in this so-called comfort zone.

Other storage bins have been studied to try to solve this problem. In publication FR-A-1 467 837, the storage bin is placed on a support comprising tabs for tilting the container and causing the pieces to be gripped by gravity to advance into a front zone. However, these legs are fixed and do not allow the tank to be tilted gradually depending on the weight of the parts contained in the storage tank. Thus, the parts clump together in the front area, leaving the rear of the storage tank empty and useless, the front being overloaded and liable to overflow.

The storage tanks described in the publications FR-A-2 722 486 and US-A-3 663 078 have a double movable bottom associated with springs, this double movable bottom tilting and raising it according to the weight of the parts . These storage bins present the major risk that parts become trapped between the movable double bottom and the walls of the storage bin, making this movable double bottom inoperative. In addition, the inclination of the movable double bottom is not necessarily progressive and uniform and it requires the operator to perform larger gestures generating premature muscle fatigue. In addition, as many moving bases and springs are needed as there are storage bins, which makes this solution particularly expensive.

Publication TJS-A-2 580 041 describes another storage bin suspended from the rear and articulated on a support. When the storage bin is loaded, the front lowers. As it empties, a spring disposed between the rear of the storage tank and the support raises this storage tank to a high position in which it activates a filling detector. This storage bin is a simple cubic and deep container which is not at all studied to facilitate the gripping of the parts it contains. In addition, it works in reverse of the desired goal which is to promote the movement of the parts by gravity towards the front of the storage bin as it dies and thus facilitate gripping of the parts.

The present invention aims to overcome these major drawbacks by proposing a parts storage bin for assembly station, this storage bin being pivotable so as to generate the displacement of the parts by gravity towards the front of the bin. storage, simple and economical in design, easy and reliable to use and use, to significantly reduce the range of motion, the risks of musculoskeletal disorders, operator fatigue and parts gripping times, and thus generate significant savings in the assembly processes of parts, this storage bin also being usable and adaptable on any type of work stations or assembly lines.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a storage bin of the kind indicated in the preamble, characterized in that said container is movable and pivotally mounted on said fixed support around an axis B, B 'between a low position which corresponds to the 'loaded state of said container and a high position which corresponds to the unloaded state of said container and in that said storage bin comprises return means associated with said container, distant from the axis B, B' and arranged to create a torque of rotation about the axis B, B 'so as to gradually return the container to the high position as the parts are unloaded and thus cause the parts to descend automatically, by gravity, into said gripping zone.

The return means may include at least one return member disposed between said fixed support and said container.

In the preferred embodiment, the return means comprise at least one push plate associated with at least one return member, said push plate being partially supported under said container and pivotally mounted about an axis C substantially parallel to said axis B .

This push plate preferably includes a heel coupled to said return member, said axis C being disposed substantially in the angle formed by said push plate and said heel. The return member can be a tension spring, one end of which is fixed to said heel and the other end of which is fixed to said fixed support.

The axis B, B * preferably comprises two coaxial fingers pivotally mounted in two bearings, one of the fingers or bearings being provided on the container, the other on the fixed support.

According to a first embodiment, the fingers and the bearings are permanently mounted.

According to a second embodiment, the guide holes are provided in the bottom of a groove, the fingers and the bearings are removably mounted, the fingers being guided in translation in the grooves.

The container may comprise at least two side walls arranged to form a funnel so as to guide the parts towards said gripping zone.

The container advantageously comprises at least two substantially parallel side walls and the support comprises at least two side walls arranged to guide the container during its positioning on the support.

The container may also have a flared and lowered front wall allowing access to the parts stored in said gripping zone without bending the wrist. H may also include an internal coating with a low coefficient of friction so as to facilitate the sliding of said parts towards said gripping zone.

The container can finally comprise a cover covering at least partially the gripping zone, this cover being able to be movable in rotation around a fixed axis D ′ and substantially parallel to the axis B ′, the cover and the support being arranged for cooperate when the container is disposed on the support so as to rotate the cover in an open position.

The container may advantageously include a bottom receiving the parts and forming a progressive slope arranged to facilitate the sliding of the parts towards said gripping zone.

In the preferred embodiment, the fixed support comprises fixing means arranged to allow the fixing of said storage tank on said assembly station.

Depending on the applications, the storage bin may include detection means associated with said container and arranged to detect its angular position relative to said fixed support.

The storage bin advantageously comprises at least one stop arranged to limit the high position of said container as well as a handling handle facilitating its transport.

Advantageously, the container has lugs and housings oriented one down, the other upwards or vice versa, and arranged so that when two storage bins are superimposed, the housings of the first storage bin receive the lugs of the second storage tank and vice versa in order to be able to stably stack several storage tanks.

The present invention and its advantages will appear more clearly in the following description of an exemplary embodiment, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 represents a front perspective view of the storage tank according to a first embodiment of the invention, FIG. 2 represents a rear perspective view of the storage bin of FIG. 1,

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C represent side views of the storage tank of FIG. 1 respectively in the loaded, intermediate and unloaded positions,

FIG. 4 represents a top view of an operator installed at a work station comprising several storage bins according to the invention,

FIGS. 5A and 5B represent perspective views before, respectively, of the container and of the support of the storage bin according to a second embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 6 represents a front perspective view of the container and the support of the storage bin of FIGS. 5A and 5B assembled, and

Figure 7 shows a perspective view of two stacked containers.

With reference to the figures, the storage tank 1, the according to the invention is intended to be installed on an assembly station. It allows you to store parts and facilitate their gripping by an operator. The storage tank 1, l 'comprises a container 2, 2' pivotally mounted on a fixed support 3, 3 '. The container 2, 2 'is movable around an axis B, B' fixed relative to the support 3, 3 'between a low position in which it is loaded and a high position in which it is unloaded. The parts stored in the container 2, 2 ′ are removed by the operator who uses them to carry out a predetermined assembly. Several storage tanks 1, l 'can be installed on the same assembly station, each of the storage tanks 1, being for example dedicated specifically to a type of parts. These storage tanks 1, l 'can be arranged adjacent, for example on a substantially horizontal plate, or superimposed, for example in racks.

The storage bin 1, l 'comprises return means 6, 6' arranged between the container 2, 2 'and the support 3, 3' and arranged to gradually bring the container 2, 2 'back to the high position as and measurement of unloading of parts. Thus, when the mass of the parts stored in the container 2, 2 'progressively decreases, the container 2, 2' pivots about the axis B, B ', the rear part of the container 2, 2' lifts, further tilting the container 2, 2 'and causing the displacement by gravity of the parts located at the rear of the container 2, 2' towards the front of the container 2, 2 '. Thanks to these return means 6, 6 'as long as the container 2, 2' contains parts, at least part of them is located in the gripping zone 4, 4 'and is easily accessible by the operator.

The container 2, 2 'consists in particular of a bottom 2a, 2'a and two side walls 2b, 2 * b, 2c, 2'c defining a storage area 14, 14' whose front part defines an area gripping 4, 4 '. This gripping zone 4, 4 ′ corresponds to the zone in which the operator can grasp the parts in an optimal manner, without carrying out too large gestures, or providing excessive muscular and articular efforts.

According to a first embodiment represented by FIGS. 1 to 4, the container 2 has, seen from above, a substantially trapezoidal shape of axis A. The side walls 2b, 2c form a funnel tightening towards the front of the container 2 , to guide the parts in the gripping area 4 of limited width. The bottom 2a connecting the walls 2b to 2c can form a gradual slope so that the rear of the container 2 is located above the front. It can also have a slightly concave shape. The container 2 can have any other shape as detailed below in the second embodiment. According to a second embodiment represented by FIGS. 5 to 6, the container 2 ′ illustrated has, seen from above, a substantially rectangular shape with an axis A. The side walls 2 ′ b, 2 ′ c are parallel and the bottom 2 'a connecting the walls 2'b to 2'c is for example planar or may have any other suitable form. This support 3 'comprises in this example two side walls 3 * b, 3'c which can be used to guide the container 2' for example if the containers 2 'are brought automatically by conveyors or rails in the corresponding supports 3' .

The bottoms 2a, 2'a can be extended at the front, by a flange forming the front wall 2d, 2'd flared, lowered and tilted forward to form a pouring spout and allow access to the parts stored in the gripping area 4, 4 ′ without requiring flexion of the user's wrist. H is also extended at the rear, by a rim forming the rear wall 2e, 2'e. In the grip zone 4, 4 ', the front walls 2d, 2'd and side 2b, 2'b, 2c, 2'c, are notched to facilitate access to the parts, without the risk of the hand striking the container 2, 2 '. In order to avoid any risk of scratching or cutting, the edges and angles of the container 2, 2 ′ are preferably smooth and without any sharp edges. They can also be rounded, for example, by a return forming a bead 20, 20 ′ or covered by a protection made of rubber or any other equivalent material. The bead 20, 20 ′ can also serve as a means of retaining the container 2, 2 ′ for example when it is placed on aluminum profiles.

The two side walls 2b, 2c are interconnected at the front of the container 2 by a handle 11 disposed substantially perpendicular to the axis A. Similarly, the rear wall 2'e may have a recess substantially symmetrical with respect to the 'axis A' forming a handle 11 '. These handles 11, 11 'serve as a means of handling the container 2, 2'. The handle 11 also makes it possible to increase the rigidity of the container 2 and to avoid the spacing of the side walls 2b and 2c when the container 2 is filled with heavy parts. The container 2, 2 'is, for example, made of molded or injected plastic. The bottom surface 2a, 2'a, intended to be in contact with the parts, can be made of a material with a low coefficient of friction or include a coating of this material, for example teflon. This material facilitates the sliding and the movement of the parts towards the grip zone 4.

The side walls 2'b, 2'c illustrated in FIG. 5A include labeling zones 22 'making it possible to identify the containers 2' and the fixed supports 3 '. These labeling zones 22 ′ can be smooth to receive self-adhesive labels or have grooves intended to receive, for example cardboard labels. The walls 2 ′ and 2 ′ may also have labeling zones 22 ′, outside and / or inside the container 2 ′.

As illustrated in particular by FIGS. 5A, 5B and 7, the container 2 ′ comprises lugs 23 ′ which are substantially vertical fixed to the junction between its side walls 2 ′ b, 2 ′ c and its bottom 2 ′ a. It likewise comprises substantially vertical housings 24 ′ provided on the bead 20 ′, of shape substantially complementary to that of the lugs and of slightly larger dimensions. Thus, and as shown in FIG. 7, when two storage tanks are superposed, the housings 24 'of the lower storage tank receive the pins 23' of the upper storage tank, ensuring correct positioning and holding the storage bins one above the other. The storage bins thus superimposed can be arranged for example on a storage and / or transport surface such as for example a pallet. This storage and / or transport zone may also include housings for receiving the lugs 23 ′ of the first storage bin placed thereon.

In another embodiment not shown, the pins 23 'can be provided on the bead 20' and the housings 24 'provided at the junction between the walls side 2'b, 2'c and bottom 2'a. Thus, when two storage tanks are superimposed, the housings 24 'of the upper storage tank receive the lugs 23' of the lower storage tank. In this embodiment, the storage and / or transport zone may also include lugs intended to house it in the housings 24 'of the first storage bin 1' placed on it.

The fixed support 3, 3 'has a substantially rectangular shape and is, for example, made of stamped sheets, folded and welded. The fixed support 3, 3 ', as shown in the figures, has a bottom 3a, 3' surrounded by two side walls 3b, 3 * b, 3c, 3'c and possibly with a front wall 3d, 3'd and a rear wall 3 rd, 3 rd. It also includes fixing means such as orifices and / or lights 12, 12 ′ allowing the passage of screws or nipples to ensure the fixing of the fixed support 3, 3 ′ on the assembly station or, for example, to an aluminum profile 12b (See fig.

1).

The fixed support 3, 3 'comprises, in the examples shown, a disc 12a, 12'a placed on the bottom 3a, 3' a, cooperating with fixing lugs (not shown) linked to the assembly station to allow fixing the fixed support 3, 3 'on the assembly station. The disc 12a, 12'a has a diameter greater than the width of the bottom 3a, 3'a and protrudes from this bottom 3a, 3'a by two lateral openings, each being produced in the lower part of one of the lateral walls 3b, 3T) or 3c, 3'c. This disc 12a, 12'a has a central lumen 12c, 12'c, of elongated shape, receiving the fixing lugs. Once the fixing lugs are housed in the slot 12c, 12'c, the storage bin 1, l 'can be turned or slid, for example manually, in order to orient it in a predetermined manner. Other assembly and fixing means can be provided depending on the work station to be equipped.

The container 2, 2 * is pivotally mounted on the fixed support 3, 3 'around an axis B, B', secured to the fixed support 3, 3 ', substantially perpendicular to the axis A, A' and substantially horizontal. This axis B, B 'is defined by two coaxial fingers 18, 18' pivoting in two bearings 19, 19 '.

According to the first embodiment, the container 2 is linked to the support 3 by a bar 13 of axis B whose ends form the two coaxial fingers 18. The bar 13 passes through the fixed support 3 by orifices provided in the side walls 3b , 3 c to form the bearings 19. The bar 13 can be stopped in translation, for example, by means of elastic rings arranged in grooves made at the ends of the bar 13 and, bearing on the outer faces of the side walls 3b , 3 tbsp. The container 2 has, under its front wall 2d, bearings in which the bar 13 can be clipped. The container 2 can thus pivot around this axis B between its two low and high positions. According to another embodiment not shown, each side wall 3b, 3c of the support 3 comprises a finger 18 being housed in a non-opening bearing provided in the side walls 2b, 2c of the container 2. Similarly and according to yet another form of embodiment not shown, each side wall 2b, 2c of the container 2 comprises a finger accommodating in a non-opening bearing provided in the side walls 3b, 3c of the support 3.

According to the second embodiment, the container 2 ′ is linked to the support 3 ′ by two coaxial fingers 18 ′ of axis B ′ each housed in a slide whose bottom forms the bearings 19 ′. The coaxial fingers 18 'and the slides are provided respectively on the container 2' and on the fixed support 3 'as illustrated or vice versa. This embodiment forms a removable connection making it possible to easily and quickly change an empty 2 'container against a full 2' container. These slides can be straight or curvilinear. They can be formed by a recess or delimited by raised walls oriented towards the inside of the fixed support 3 '. It is obvious that the containers 2, 2 ′, the supports 3, 3 ′ of the first and second embodiments can be combined with one another to constitute other embodiments.

The return means 6, 6 * comprise, in the examples shown, a push plate 8, 8 'associated with elastic members 7, 7' such as tension springs. In this embodiment, the push plate 8, 8 'has a heel 8a. It is pivotally mounted around a bar 14, 14 'of axis C, C parallel to the axis B, B'. The axis C, C is arranged in the angle formed by the push plate 8, 8 'and its heel 8a, 8'a. The articulation of the push plate 8, 8 'on the bar 14, 14' is, for example, carried out by means of bearings 15, 15 'integral with the push plate 8, 8' and at least partially surrounding the bar 14, 14 '. Each tension spring 7, 7 'is connected at one end 7a, 7'a to the heel 8a, 8'a and at its other end 7b, Tb to the fixed support 3, 3'. In the examples illustrated, the heel 8a, 8'a has several holes allowing the passage of the ends 7a, 7'a. Likewise, the fixed support 3 comprises lugs 18 formed by raised sheet metal cutouts, each comprising an orifice allowing the ends 7b to pass. The support 3 'can also include orifices 18'. By fixing the ends 7a, 7b to different orifices, the tension of the tension spring 7, 7 'and the force which it exerts to adjust the container 2, 2' are adjusted. Any other equivalent system can be used to vary the tension of the tension spring 7, 7 ', for example a screw system.

These return means 6, 6 'can also be constituted by any other equivalent means, such as for example an elastic strap replacing the tension springs 7, 7', a leaf spring or a flexible N-shaped tongue arranged under the container 2 ', 2', one or more spiral springs arranged on either side of the container 2, 2 'on the axis B, B' or any combination. It is also possible to use a pneumatic cylinder or a stepping motor combined with a maneuvering bar. The return means 6, 6 'can finally be integrated into the axis B, B'. In this embodiment not shown, the axis B, B 'can be formed of fingers integral with the container 2, 2' and the fixed support 3, 3 'made of an elastically deformable material to allow the pivoting of the container 2, 2 'relative to the support 3, 3' and gradually return to its initial position when the torsional force applied to it decreases.

In yet another embodiment not shown, the axis B, B 'allowing the rotation of the container 2, 2' relative to the fixed support 3, 3 'can be arranged in a central zone of the container 2, 2'. In this case, the return means 6, 6 'will be connected to the front zone or to the rear zone of the container 2, 2'. The distance between the axis B, B 'and the bottom 3a, 3'a of the fixed support 3, 3' must then be sufficient to allow the tilting of the container 2, 2 'towards the front.

The different positions of the container 2 on the fixed support 3 of the first embodiment are shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C and are similar to those of the second embodiment. The parts are loaded into the storage bin 1 generally from the top, at the rear of the container 2. Due to the gradual slope or the simple stacking of the parts on the bottom 2a, part of these parts slides, during loading, by simple gravity towards the gripping area 4. The other parts are arranged randomly, generally side by side and superimposed, behind this gripping area 4, 4 '. As will be seen later, the loading of the parts can be manual, semi-automatic or fully automatic. Similarly, in the case of the storage tank 1 ', the containers 2' are removably arranged on the supports 3 'and when they are empty can be filled, the filling of the containers 2' can be carried out in masked time and in zones dedicated to this operation, the empty containers 2 'then being replaced by full containers 2' inserted in the supports 3 '. We can plan at the back storage bins; a full 2 'container store, waiting on supply ramps.

In FIG. 3A, the container 2 is loaded, which corresponds to its low position. To reach this low position, the parts poured into the container 2 tend to rotate it around its axis B, in the direction of the fixed support 3. By thus pivoting, the container 2 presses on the pusher plate 8 which itself pivots around from its C axis down. The heel 8a to which the tension springs 7 are fixed pulls on these tension springs 7 putting them under tension. It is of course necessary to choose tension springs 7 having a restoring force in relation to the weight of the parts stored.

Once the storage bin 1 is loaded, the operator can pick up parts from the gripping area 4. Due to the inclination of the bottom 2a, as the operator picks up pieces from the gripping area 4, certain parts located behind slide towards the gripping zone 4 The rear of the container 2 is therefore progressively discharged in favor of the gripping zone 4. The tension exerted on the tension spring 7 decreases and the restoring force of these tension springs 7 rotates the pusher plate 8 about the axis C, making itself rotate the container 2 around the axis B. The lifting of the rear of the container 2 thus causes the progressive sliding of the other parts which are still stored there towards the gripping zone 4 as illustrated by FIG. 3B, and so on until the container 2 reaches its unloaded position illustrated by FIG. 3C.

The force of the tension spring 7, the shape and the dimensions of the container 2, of the pusher plate 8 and, the positioning of the axes of rotation B and C can be adapted according in particular to the weight, the volume and the shape of the parts. to store. In order to avoid possible blockages of parts, the container 2, 2 ′ has soft interior shapes, rounded and without angles, or any other equivalent shape.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a stop 16 advantageously completes the storage tank 1 in order to limit the high position of the container 2. This stop 16 is optionally produced by means of bolts mounted in substantially horizontal slots 17 made in the walls lateral 3b, 3c of the fixed support 3. Via the heel 8a, the pusher plate 8 comes to bear on this stop 16 H mitering the high position of the container 2. The slots 17 allow the position of this stop 16 to be adjusted and to adjust the high position of the container 2. This stop 16 can also be used in the storage tank 1a of the second embodiment.

A regulating flap (not shown) can be arranged in the container 2, 2 'to limit the flow of parts towards the gripping zone 4, 4'. It can thus retain certain parts at the rear of the container 2, 2 ', while the quantity of parts located in the grip zone 4, 4' decreases.

Likewise, and as illustrated in the second embodiment, the storage tank 1 'has a cover 17' mounted so as to be able to rotate on the container 2 'around a fixed axis D' and substantially parallel to the axis B ' . This axis D 'can be merged with the axis B'. This cover 17 ′ is arranged in the front part of the container 2 ′ to cover the gripping area 4 ′ for example when the storage tank l contains no part or contains parts which are not used for the assembly carried out. This cover 17 ′ thus makes it possible to protect the parts stored for example from dust. It also makes it possible to prevent the operator from mistakenly taking parts which are not useful for an assembly. This cover 17 ′ may or may not be removable. In the second embodiment, the container 2 'has two substantially vertical grooves made opposite one another inside the container 2', in the side walls 2'b, 2'c, these grooves accommodating a removable wall 21 'disposed above the cover 17'.

The storage bin 1, F can also be equipped with detection means making it possible to detect the angular position of the container 2, 2 'relative to the fixed support 3, 3' and in particular its high position. This detection can be coupled to an indicator, for example a light, indicating to the operator the position of the container 2, 2 ′ and therefore its loading state. These detection means can also be used to generate a control signal sent to an automatic or semi-automatic parts supply system. The filling can then be done without operator intervention, for example by means of discharge rails supplied by a hopper.

The storage bin 1, l 'can also be equipped with a "part pick-up" detector and an indicator light indicating "next part to take". Thus, for complex assemblies, the operator can be guided by, for example, luminous indications. The indicator lights associated with the storage bins can be automatically and successively lit in a precise sequence, the "next" storage bin indicator only lighting up if the "previous" storage bin detector has detected an "outlet" "in this storage bin.

FIG. 4 shows an operator installed at a work station equipped with several storage bins 1. This figure illustrates the standardized comfort zones 20, 30 in which the repetitive movements of the arms and forearms of the operator are not likely to generate pathological fatigue. The movements of the arms allow the operator's hand to access comfort zone 30. The movements of the forearms alone allow the operator's hand to access the comfort zone 20. While the rear of each container 2 is located outside of these comfort zones 20, 30, the gripping zones 4 are completely covered by the comfort zone 30. Thus, progressively that the storage bins 1 are emptied of their content, the rear is raised, the parts slide towards the gripping zone 4 and are therefore available in this comfort zone 30. Their gripping therefore does not generate large gestures nor operator displacement.

It is clear from this description that the invention achieves all the goals set. In particular, the automatic descent of the pieces into the gripping area allows the operator to limit his movements and therefore the time necessary for gripping the different pieces. These storage bins can be used and adapted to any type of workstation or assembly line.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described but extends to any modification and variant obvious to a person skilled in the art while remaining within the protection defined by the claims.

Claims

claims

1. Storage bin (1, l ') of parts for assembly station comprising at least one container (2, 2') disposed on at least one fixed support (3, 3 '), this container (2, 2' ) receiving said parts to be stored and comprising at least one gripping zone (4, 4 ') of said parts located in a front zone of said container (2, 2'), characterized in that said container (2, 2 ') is movable and pivotally mounted on said fixed support (3, 3 ') around an axis B, B' between a low position which corresponds to the loaded state of said container (2, 2 ') and a high position which corresponds to unloaded state of said container (2, 2 ') and in that said storage bin (1, l') comprises return means (6, 6 ') associated with said container (2, 2 *), distant from said axis B, B 'and arranged to create a torque around said axis B, B' so as to gradually return said container (2, 2 ') to the high position as the parts are unloaded and thus cause the descent automatic parts, by gravity, in said gripping area (4, 4 ').

2. Storage bin (1, l ') according to claim 1, characterized in that said return means (6, 6') comprise at least one return member disposed between said fixed support (3, 3 ') and said container (2, 2 ').

3. Storage bin (1, l ') according to claim 2, characterized in that said return means (6, 6') comprise at least one push plate (8, 8 ') associated with at least one return member (7, 7 '), said push plate (8, 8') being partially supported under said container (2, 2 ') and pivotally mounted about an axis C, C substantially parallel to said axis B, B'.

4. Storage bin (1, l ') according to claim 3, characterized in that said push plate (8, 8') has a heel (8a, 8'a) coupled to said return member (7, 7 ') , said axis C being disposed substantially in the angle formed by said push plate (8, 8 ') and said heel (8a, 8'a).

5. Storage bin (1, l ') according to claim 4, characterized in that said return member (7, 7') is a tension spring, one end (7a, 7'a) is fixed to said heel ( 8a, 8'a) and another end (7b, 7'b) is fixed to said fixed support (3, 3 ').

6. Storage bin (1, l ') according to claim 1, characterized in that said axis B, B' comprises two fingers (18, 18 ') coaxial pivotally mounted in two bearings (19, 19'), the one of said fingers or of said bearings being provided on said container (2, 2 '), the other on said fixed support (3, 3').

7. Storage bin (1, l ') according to claim 6, characterized in that said fingers (18) and said bearings (19) are mounted between them permanently.

8. Storage bin (1, l ') according to claim 6, characterized in that said guide holes are provided in the bottom of a groove (19') and in that said fingers (18 ') and said bearings (19 ') are removably mounted between them, said fingers (18') being guided in translation in said grooves (19 ').

9. Storage bin (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said container (2) comprises at least two side walls (3b, 3 c) arranged to form a funnel so as to guide the parts towards said gripping area (4).

10. Storage bin (l ¹ ) according to claim 1, characterized in that said container

(2 ') has at least two side walls (2'b, 2'c) substantially parallel and said support (3') has at least two side walls (3'b, 3'c) arranged to guide said container (2 ') when it is placed on said support (3').

11. Storage bin (1, l ') according to claim 1, characterized in that said container (2, 2') has a wall (2d, 2'd) before flared and lowered allowing access to the parts stored in said gripping area, without bending the operator's wrist.

12. Storage bin (1, l ') according to claim 1, characterized in that said container (2, 2') has a bottom (2a, 2'a) receiving said parts and forming a progressive slope arranged to facilitate the sliding of said pieces towards said gripping area (4, 4 ').

13. Storage bin (1 ') according to claim 1, characterized in that said container (2') comprises a cover (17 ') covering at least partially said gripping area (4').

14. Storage bin (1 ') according to claim 13, characterized in that said cover (17') is movable in rotation about an axis D 'fixed and substantially parallel to said axis B'.

15. Storage bin (1, l ') according to claim 1, characterized in that said container (2, 2') has an inner coating with low coefficient of friction so as to facilitate the sliding of said parts towards said gripping area (4, 4 ').

16. Storage bin (1, l ') according to claim 1, characterized in that said fixed support (3, 3') comprises fixing means (12, 12 ') arranged to allow the fixing of said storage bin ( 1, l ') on said assembly station.

17. Storage bin (1, l ') according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises detection means associated with said container (2, 2') and arranged to detect its angular position relative to said fixed support (3 , 3 ').

18. Storage bin (1, l ') according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one stop (16, 16') arranged to limit the high position of said container (2, 2 ').

19. Storage bin (1, l ') according to claim 1, characterized in that said container (2, 2') comprises at least one handling handle (11, 11 ').

20. Storage bin (1 ') according to claim 1, characterized in that said container (2') comprises lugs (23 ') and housings (24') oriented one down the other up or inversely and arranged so that when two storage tanks (1 ') are superimposed, said housings (24') of said lower storage tank (1 ') receive said lugs (23') of the upper storage tank (l ¹ ) or vice versa .