WO2005077787A2

WO2005077787A2 - Device for grasping a honey-comb structure that consists of paper or a similar material

Info

Publication number: WO2005077787A2
Application number: PCT/EP2005/001475
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wolfgang Daun; Ulrich Baumhus
Original assignee: Heinrich Kuper Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority date: 2004-02-13
Filing date: 2005-02-14
Publication date: 2005-08-25
Also published as: WO2005077787A3; DE102004007226A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a paper structure grasping device for grasping, lifting, transporting and depositing flat honey-comb structures (5) consisting of paper or a similar material. Said device comprises a support structure (14) on which individual grippers (10) are arranged which have downward pointing gripper fingers (13). The grippers can be laterally displaced, thereby varying their distance to each other.

Description

Device for gripping a honeycomb structure made of paper or similar material

description

The invention relates to a gripping device for gripping, lifting, transporting and depositing plate-shaped honeycomb structures made of paper or the like.

Sandwich panels are known from the prior art. They consist of a strip frame, which forms a free space in which honeycomb inserts, for example made of cardboard or paper, are inserted. The last frame is connected to an upper cover plate and a lower cover plate together with the honeycomb inserts. It is thus possible to form relatively thick furniture elements which - compared to conventional blockboard or chipboard - weigh considerably less and are cheaper to manufacture. The lower weight results in easier handling, lower package weights, a reduction in packaging effort and improved handling. A particularly favorable effect is that the lower weight makes it easier to transport with portable furniture.

It is known from the prior art to assemble last frames manually from longitudinal bars and cross bars and to manually insert the cut honeycomb inserts. Already this results in a considerable amount of work, which is reflected in the corresponding manufacturing costs. Placing and gluing the top cover plate and the bottom cover plate also requires a lot of manual work.

In the prior art, the cut honeycomb inlays or honeycomb structures are thus manually inserted into the compartments of the last frame or the like at great expense. It goes without saying that other technical applications can also be favorable for the invention. Such honeycomb structures are also used, for example, in filter elements or the like. In all of these processes, however, it is necessary to fit the honeycomb structure or the honeycomb element appropriately and exactly into a frame or the like.

The invention has for its object to provide a device of the type mentioned, which allows for automatic handling and insertion of honeycomb structures or honeycomb inserts with a simple structure and simple, reliable application.

According to the invention the object is achieved by the features of the main claim, the subclaims show further advantageous embodiments of the invention.

According to the invention, a support structure is thus provided, on which individual grippers are arranged, each of which is provided with at least one gripping finger directed downward. The support structure itself can be moved at least vertically, but preferably also in any horizontal direction, in order to be able to transport the received and gripped honeycomb insert or honeycomb structure accordingly.

In order to be able to grip the honeycomb insert or honeycomb structure, it is provided that the grippers can each be moved relative to one another in such a way that their distance changes after the Gripper fingers were inserted into the open, tubular honeycomb. This compresses or compresses the honeycomb structure when the grippers are closed. This compression can be done in different ways. On the one hand, only a slight compression or compression can be sufficient to transmit a sufficient force from the gripper finger to the honeycomb wall. In the event of a greater compression, the external dimensions of the honeycomb structure change accordingly, so that it is compressed to a predetermined extent and can be introduced into a frame or into a frame-like recess. After insertion, the grippers can open again, so that the honeycomb structure expands and essentially assumes its previous shape. The grippers can then be pulled off the honeycomb structure, the latter remaining positioned at the predetermined location.

According to the invention, this ensures on the one hand that the grippers can securely pick up and transport the honeycomb structure. On the other hand, the insertion of the honeycomb structure during assembly is made considerably easier, so that it is possible to insert it into a frame or the like with high precision and high accuracy of fit.

In a particularly advantageous development of the invention, it is provided that a plurality of gripper fingers are arranged on the gripper. These can be arranged, for example, like a comb. As a result, a large number of gripper fingers engage in different tubular honeycombs, which on the one hand ensures adequate power transmission and on the other hand prevents damage to the honeycomb structure when the grippers are closed.

In order to be able to detach the grippers from the honeycomb structure, it is advantageous if an ejector is mounted on the gripper and is movable in the longitudinal direction of the gripper fingers. The ejector can thus be moved to pull off the honeycomb structure become. It is advantageous if the ejector is plate-shaped or strip-shaped in order to avoid damage to the honeycomb structure.

In a favorable development of the invention, a group of four grippers is provided for each honeycomb structure, each of which can engage in the corner regions of the honeycomb structure.

The device according to the invention can preferably be actuated pneumatically. This enables a quick reaction and small structural dimensions.

The honeycomb structure to be used according to the invention can be made of paper, cardboard, plastic or a similar, elastically deformable material. The dimensions of the honeycomb structure can also be varied in many different ways. On the one hand, it is possible to provide a pure honeycomb structure. On the other hand, any type of tubular, elongated openings can be used to insert the gripper fingers.

The invention is described below using an exemplary embodiment in conjunction with the drawing. It shows:

1 is a simplified perspective view of a sandwich panel known from the prior art, in which a honeycomb structure or honeycomb insert according to the invention is used,

2 to 6 simplified, perspective representations of the conditions of use of the gripping device according to the invention, Fig. 7 is a partial perspective sectional view of a structure of a sandwich panel provided with a honeycomb insert according to the invention, and

8a to 8c show a perspective view of an overall system according to the invention for producing a sandwich panel using the honeycomb structure gripping device according to the invention.

The sandwich panel shown in FIG. 1 comprises an upper cover panel 1 which is placed on a strip frame. This consists of two parallel longitudinal bars 2 and at least two transverse bars 3. In the compartment formed from the longitudinal bars 2 and the transverse bars 3, a honeycomb insert 5 is inserted, which consists of paper or cardboard and a honeycomb-like structure in a plan view from a preferred manner has hexagonal honeycombs. The reference number 4 indicates a reinforcing insert, which is additionally e.g. can be used to mount fittings, door locks or the like in a door.

2 to 6 show a simplified, perspective representation of the structure and the mode of operation of the gripping device according to the invention:

2 shows a honeycomb structure or honeycomb insert 5. This is made of paper or cardboard, for example, and is constructed analogously to a honeycomb.

A part of the gripping device according to the invention is assigned to the honeycomb insert 5 in the drawing. This comprises a support structure 14, of which two mutually parallel rails are shown, on which grippers 10 are slidably mounted. The grippers 10 each comprise a plurality of gripper fingers 13 pointing downwards, which extend in rows like a comb. An ejector 15 is attached between the rows of gripper fingers 13, which in is movable in the vertical direction relative to the gripper 10. The ejector 5 is plate-shaped, for example in the form of a perforated plate.

As the arrows indicate, the support structure 14 can be lowered with the grippers 10, so that the gripper fingers 13 can be inserted into the honeycomb of the honeycomb insert 5.

Fig. 3 shows the lowered state, a representation of the honeycomb insert 5 has been omitted for the sake of clarity of the figure. It can be seen from the arrows in FIG. 3 that the individual grippers 10 are each approachable along the rails of the support structure 14 and that the grippers 10 lying next to one another continue to approach each other.

Fig. 4 shows a state in which the gripping device is "closed" and the gripper fingers 13 are in the honeycomb of the honeycomb structure 5. This compresses or compresses it, resulting in smaller external dimensions.

It is subsequently possible to raise the arrangement shown in FIG. 4 and to transport it as required. It is possible, for example, to insert the compressed or compressed honeycomb insert 5 into a frame, for example a strip frame.

5 shows the next work step in which the honeycomb insert 5 is separated from the grippers 10 or the gripper fingers 13. This is done by moving the ejector 15 downwards.

In FIG. 6 the arrows show how the gripping device "opens" in order to assume the initial state shown in FIG. 2. The basic idea is therefore to introduce the gripper fingers into the honeycomb of the honeycomb insert 5, to compress the honeycomb insert 5 by approaching the gripper fingers 13 and to lift and transport them in the compressed state. After the compressed honeycomb structure has been set down, the gripping device is pulled off or the honeycomb structure is pressed off. The honeycomb structure opens and returns to its original size. According to the invention, it is possible to push the honeycomb structure 5 away from the gripping device in the compressed state or to first open the gripping device and then pull it off the honeycomb unit.

7 shows a perspective partial sectional view of the structure of a sandwich panel according to the invention with a strip frame which comprises longitudinal bars 2 and cross bars 3, not shown. A honeycomb insert 5 is inserted into the last frame, the gripping device according to the invention described above being used for the insertion. The strip frame is then glued to an upper cover plate 1 and a lower cover plate 2. An upper veneer 11 can be applied to the upper cover plate 1, the upper side of the lower cover plate 6 can be provided with a lower veneer 12.

The longitudinal bars and cross bars can be made from materials such as MDF, solid wood or chipboard. The top cover plate 1 and the bottom cover plate 6 can have thicknesses of 5 to 10 mm. An upper and lower veneer 11 or 12 can be glued to the surfaces (outer surfaces) of the upper cover plate 1 or the lower cover plate 6. Instead of the veneers, other laminating materials (foil, lacquer or the like) can also be used. The top cover plate 1 and the bottom cover plate 2 can be made of hardboard, chipboard or HDF. It is understood that the side Visible surfaces can also be veneered or covered with laminating material or the like.

The invention is described below on the basis of a schematic representation of an overall system in conjunction with FIGS. 8a to 8c:

Beginning with FIG. 8a, longitudinal bars 2 and cross bars 3 are first fed into the station 01.1 and positioned like a ladder. The longitudinal bars 2 are received in a stack magazine, the cross bars 3 are placed on circumferential conveyor belts at a distance from one another. The longitudinal bars 2 are at a distance from the cross bars 3.

In a station 01.2, the longitudinal bars and cross bars are transferred to a conveyor belt 8. Above the conveyor belt 8, a plurality of stops 9 are provided, which can be moved vertically and are used for the frontal engagement of the longitudinal bars 2 and for the respective positioning of the cross bars 3. The longitudinal bolts 2 and the transverse bolts 3 are accordingly stopped and positioned. When the longitudinal bar 2 and the cross bar 3 have reached their assembly position, the conveyor belt 8 is stopped. The joints are glued accordingly (not shown). Subsequently, the last frame is joined by lateral pressing. The adhesive fixes the longitudinal bars and cross bars 2, 3 immediately, so that a finished last frame can be transferred to another conveyor belt at station 01.3.

Simultaneously with the production of the last frame, the compressed material of the honeycomb insert is drawn into a honeycomb expander dryer 02.1 from a honeycomb plate supply 02.2. The previously folded honeycombs are set up and dried by the warm air so that they are fixed. A cutting device at the end of the honeycomb expander dryer 02.1 cuts from the resulting endless honeycomb carpet corresponding fixed dimensions of the honeycomb inserts 5. The size of these corresponds to the compartments of the last frame.

The separated and cut honeycomb inserts 5 are fed to a station 03.3. There you will be raised by grippers 10, which are provided with gripper fingers pointing downwards, which engage in the honeycomb of the honeycomb inserts 5. After being inserted into the honeycomb insert, the gripper fingers are brought closer together so that they compress the honeycomb insert and thus behave. By transferring the honeycomb inserts 5 hanging on the grippers 10 into the last frame, these are inserted into the last frame in station 03.1. It is inserted on a flat conveyor belt so that flatness is guaranteed.

Subsequently, the last frame with the honeycomb inserts used is transferred to a 04.0 inclined roller conveyor. Here, the last frame is positioned exactly.

The strip frame is subsequently provided with adhesive in station 05.0 on the top and on the bottom. This is done by means of upper and lower rollers, by means of which the adhesive is applied.

The glued strip frame is subsequently transported on a cone roller conveyor in order to have only a small contact area by means of conically shaped transport rollers so that the glue application on the underside of the strip frame is not impaired.

In a station 06.1, a stack of upper cover plates or lower cover plates is provided, for example by means of the forklift shown. The stack is transferred to a station 06.2. Using a vacuum lifting unit, an upper cover plate or lower cover plate is plate lifted off and transferred to a station 06.4. From this, an upper cover plate is placed on station 06.5 by means of a vacuum lifting unit 06.8, which is mounted on a portal, while a lower cover plate is transferred to station 06.7. The vacuum lifting unit now grips the top cover plate from station 06.5 and places it on the glued strip frame. After a short press, the vacuum lifting unit lifts the top cover plate together with the last frame and places it on the bottom cover plate in station 06.7. The sandwich panel is now fully assembled. In the stations 07.0 and 07.8 the sandwich plate is transported on and calender presses 09.1 and 09.2 are fed. This creates a firm bond to the finished sandwich panel. This leaves the calender presses 09.1 and 09.2 and is transferred to a transport station 10.0. From this, stacking takes place in stations 11.2 and 11.3, this being done by means of vacuum lifting units in station 11.1.

It goes without saying that before or after the stacking in stations 11.1 to 11.3, the edges can be trimmed or the sandwich panels divided into smaller individual sandwich panels.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 top cover plate

2 longitudinal bars

3 crossbars

4 reinforcement insert

5 honeycomb insert / honeycomb structure

6 lower deck plate

8 conveyor belt

9 stop

10 gripper 1 upper veneer 2 lower veneer 3 gripper fingers 4 support structure 5 ejector

Claims

Expectations

1. Honeycomb structure gripping device for gripping, lifting, transporting and depositing plate-shaped honeycomb structures (5) made of paper or the like with tubular honeycombs open at least on one side, with a support structure (14) on which individual grippers (10) are arranged, which each comprise at least one gripper finger (13) directed downwards, the support structure (14) being movable at least vertically, the grippers (10) being movable laterally to change their distance relative to the support structure (14).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of gripper fingers (13) are arranged on the gripper (10).

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the gripper fingers (13) are arranged like a comb.

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that an ejector (15) movable in the longitudinal direction of the gripper fingers (13) is mounted on the gripper (10).

5. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that the ejectors (15) are plate-shaped or strip-shaped.

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that for each honeycomb structure (5) four grippers (10) can be used at the corner regions thereof.

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the supporting structure (14) can be moved horizontally. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the device can be actuated pneumatically.