WO2005085145A1

WO2005085145A1 - Pusher mechanism of glasswork forming machine

Info

Publication number: WO2005085145A1
Application number: PCT/CZ2005/000015
Authority: WO
Inventors: Josef JANDÍK; Martin Coufal; Tomás NOVOTNY
Original assignee: Sklostroj Turnov Cz, S.R.O.
Priority date: 2004-03-02
Filing date: 2005-02-10
Publication date: 2005-09-15
Also published as: CZ2004308A3; CZ296596B6

Abstract

A pusher mechanism of a glasswork forming machine comprising a drive with a first driving unit (1) and a second driving unit (2) configured on a base plate (3) in a way that their output shafts (4, 7) are parallel. The output shaft (4) of the first driving unit (1) is connected by a first transmission mechanism (5) with a hollow shaft (6) having a swivel seating in the base plate (3). The output shaft (7) of the second driving unit (2) passes through the centre of the hollow shaft (6). The hollow shaft (6) supports a parallelogram comprising a carrier (8), at least two cranks (11) and a shifting member (12). At least two swivel pins (9) are pivotally attached to the carrier (8), and the pins (9) are interconnected by a second transmission mechanism (10) with the output shaft (7) of the second driving unit (2). Every such a pin (9) supports a crank (11), pivotally attached to the shifting member (12). The output shaft (4) of the first driving unit (1) is connected with a first activator (32) for activating of a first sensor (30) fixed on the base plate (3) for sensing of the reference position of the carrier (8). The output shaft (7) of the second driving unit (2) is connected with a second activator (33) for activating of a second sensor (2) fixed on the base plate (3) for sensing of the reference position of the cranks (11). Both driving units (1, 2) are interconnected with a programmable electronic control unit (28) for controlling velocity and direction of rotation of the driving units (1, 2).

Description

Pusher mechanism of glasswork forming machine

Technical Field

The invention relates to a pusher mechanism of a glasswork forming machine comprising a drive with a first driving unit and a second driving unit configured on a base plate in a way that their output shafts are parallel, whereby the output shaft of the first driving unit is connected by a first transmission mechanism with a hollow shaft having a swivel seating in the base plate and the output shaft of the second driving unit passes through the centre of the hollow shaft, and the hollow shaft supports a parallelogram comprising a carrier, at least two cranks and a shifting member, while at least two swivel pins are pivotally attached to the carrier, and the pins are interconnected by a second transmission mechanism with the outlet shaft of the second driving unit and every such a pin supports a crank, pivotally attached to the shifting member.

Background Art

The pusher mechanism of the glasswork forming machine is used for the transportation of a formed glass product or a group of products from a fixed dead plate of the glasswork forming machine to a moving conveyor. The required movements of the mechanism depend on the number of sections and the manufacturing velocity of the line forming machine, on the dimensions and the final position of products on the conveyor.

There are known pusher mechanisms having mechanical drive which is derived from the drive of the forming machine using a cam, four-joint mechanism or other mechanism with erratic run.

An example of such a embodiment is known form the Czech author's certificate No. AO 174152 where a star mechanism with interrupted run is used as a drive optimised for a specific embodiment of the forming machine. Disadvantage of such embodiments is high time consumption for production of the mechanical parts, complexity and high requirements to space.

Another disadvantage is the fact that clearances in the mechanism in the event of alterations of the direction of the movement cause an uneven operation of the shifting member having an adverse impact upon the stability of the shifted products.

Another deficiency of such embodiments is their lack of ability to get adjusted to the alteration of the mode of operation of the forming machine for instance when operated with a lowered number of operated sections.

Another known embodiments of glasswork forming machine use a pneumatic cylinder mounted on a rotary member for approaching of the shifting member to the formed products and its shifting out from the row.

Such embodiment requires a distribution system supplying compressed air to every mechanism and a complicated or easy to damage supply to the moving pneumatic cylinder.

Embodiments according to US 756 398 respectively EP 0531899A1 solve shift of products from a part of working sections to one conveyor and from the remaining part of working sections to another parallel conveyor.

Disadvantage of this design is the need for two different mechanisms for each of the conveyors, a non-standard design of the conveyor and other process systems included to the line.

Embodiment according to US 5.429.65 uses the known design having the pneumatic cylinder mounted on the rotary member which is located on another sliding guidance turned to the axis of the conveyor under a specific angle facilitating the shifting phase of the process.

Such a design requires location of a group of products on the dead plate under a specific angle corresponding to the angle of the straight guidance. Disadvantage of this design is a considerable interference with other mechanisms of the forming machine, another shifting movement of the entire mechanism, necessity of the installation of moving supply lines for working media and increased requirements to space.

Czech patent CZ 288 848 describes a pusher mechanism of a glasswork forming machine comprising a drive with a first driving unit and a second driving unit mounted on a base plate in a way that their output shafts are parallel. The output shaft of the first driving unit is connected by a first transmission mechanism with a hollow shaft having a swivel seating in the base plate. The output shaft of the second driving unit passes through the centre of the hollow shaft. The hollow shaft supports a parallelogram comprising a carrier, at least two cranks and a shifting member. At least two swivel pins are pivotally attached to the carrier. The pins are interconnected by a second transmission mechanism with the output shaft of the second driving unit. Every such a pin supports a crank, pivotally attached to the shifting member. The aim of the invention is to modify this known pusher mechanism of the glasswork forming machine in a way to provide a simple setting of development of velocity of the revolutions of the output shafts of the driving units.

Disclosure of Invention

The above-mentioned aim will be achieved through a pusher mechanism of a glasswork forming machine comprising a drive with a first driving unit and a second driving unit configured on the base plate in a way that their output shafts are parallel, whereby the output shaft of the first driving unit is connected by the first transmission mechanism with a hollow shaft having a swivel seating in the base plate and the output shaft of the second driving unit passes through the centre of the hollow shaft, and the hollow shaft supports a parallelogram comprising a carrier, at least two cranks and a shifting member, while at least two swivel pins are pivotally attached to the carrier, and the pins are interconnected by the second transmission mechanism with the output shaft of the second driving unit and every such a pin supports a crank, pivotally attached to the shifting member. According to the invention the output shaft of the first driving unit is connected with a first activator for activating of a first sensor fixed on the base plate for sensing of the reference position of the carrier, while the output shaft of the second driving unit is connected with a second activator for activating of a second sensor fixed on the base plate for sensing of the reference position of the cranks, and the both driving units are interconnected with a programmable electronic control unit for controlling velocity and direction of rotation of the driving units.

Advantage of the pusher mechanism of the glasswork forming machine according to the invention is the fact that it provides a simple control of the rotation of the output shafts of the driving units which enables to set up in principle any movement of the jaws that shift the products. Choosing of the velocity of the rotation of the driving unit can be used to adjust the operation of the pusher mechanism of the glasswork forming machine to a specific shifted product and nature of the manufacturing process. Another advantage is that standard available elements can be used in the construction of the pusher mechanism. It results in saving of expenses.

In order to enable selecting of a reference point at any place of the rotation, the first activator is connected with the output shaft of the first driving unit in an adjustable way and/or the second activator is connected with the output shaft of the second driving unit in an adjustable way.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the programmable electronic control unit is a personal computer (PC).

According to another advantageous embodiment, the programmable electronic unit is provided with a user's interface for entry of data. Such a user's interface can be a keyboard or a CD drive or a disc drive.

It is advantageous when the shifting member comprises of a holder that supports a shaped profile with an adjustably mounted support and with jaws, while the cranks are pivotally attached to the holder.

According to another advantageous embodiment, the first transmission mechanism comprises of a first driving pulley mounted on the output shaft of the first driving unit and connected by a first indented belt with a first driven pulley mounted on the hollow shaft.

According to another advantageous embodiment, the second transmission mechanism comprises of a second driving pulley mounted on the output shaft of the second driving unit and connected by a second indented belt with second driven pulleys mounted on pins.

It is advantageous for the safe operation of the mechanism to have at least one tightening pulley mounted on the carrier and touching the second indented belt.

Brief Description of Drawings

The invention will be explained with references to the drawings, in which the Fig. 1 shows a schematic picture of the pusher mechanism according to the invention. Fig. 2 to 9 show this mechanism in several phases of the movement seen from above including a representation of the dead plate, two shifted glass products and a part of the conveyor belt. Fig. 10 shows the angle α = 90° between the connection line of all crank pins and the longitudinal axis of the conveyor belt. Fig. 11 shows another embodiment where the angle α between the connection line of all crank pins and the longitudinal axis of the conveyor belt is less than 90°.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

The pusher mechanism of the glasswork forming machine shown in Fig. 1 comprises of a base plate 3 that is fixed to the support of the conveyor of the glasswork forming machine (not shown in Fig. 1). On the bottom side of the base plate 3, there are a first driving unit 1 and s second driving unit 2 fixed. Each driving unit 1 , 2 comprises of a drive and transmission unit in serial arrangement. Output shaft 4 of the first driving unit 1 is parallel to the output shaft 7 of the second driving unit 2.

The output shaft 4 of the first driving unit 1 is connected by a first transmission mechanism 5 with a hollow shaft 6 that rotatably mounted in the base plate 3 by means of two roller bearings.

In the shown embodiment the first transmission mechanism 5 comprises of a first driving pulley 17 mounted on the first output shaft 4 of the fist driving unit 1 and connected by a first indented belt 21 with a first driven pulley 18 mounted on the hollow shaft 6.

Inside the hollow shaft 6 there is mounted the output shaft 7 of the second driving unit 2 by means of roller bearing. The hollow shaft 6 is fixedly connected with a carrier 8 comprising according to the shown embodiment of a pair of plates located one above another. The output shaft 7 of the second driving unit 2 and two pins 9 pass through the pair of the plates. In the Fig. 1, the pins 9 are in a line and, therefore, only one is visible. The two pins 9 are connected by the second transmission mechanism 10 with the output shaft 7 of the second driving unit 2.

This second transmission mechanism 10 comprises of a second driving pulley 20 mounted on the output shaft 7 of the second driving unit 2 and connected by a second indented belt 22 with a second driven pulleys 19 mounted on the pins 9. Two tightening pulleys 23 (see for instance Fig. 3) push onto the outer side of the indented belt 22. The tightening pulleys 23 are seated on the carrier 8.

There are cranks 11 mounted on the both pins 9 and the cranks 11 are connected to a shifting member 12.

The shifting member 12 comprises of a holder 13 that supports a shaped profile 14. There are support 15 and two jaws 16 mounted on the shaped profile 14. Both cranks 11 are rotatably attached to the holder 13. The support 15 and both jaws 16 can be adjusted within a specific range by shifting them in the grooves of the shaped profile 14. The shown embodiment enables adjusting in the horizontal plane by shifting the support 15 in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the shifting of both jaws 16. Of course another shaped profile 14 can be used to achieve adjusting in other directions and planes provided such an adjusting is required.

Fig. 1 shows that a first activator 32 is connected with the output shaft 4 of the first driving unit 1 for activating a first sensor 30 fixed on the base plate 3 for sensing of reference position of the carrier 8. A second activator 33 is connected with the output shaft 7 of the second driving unit 2 for activating a second sensor 2 fixed on the base plate 3 for sensing of reference position of the cranks 11.

The meaning of the term activator 32 or 33 comprises any element that activates the sensor 30 or 31 after it has approached it, so that the sensor 30 or 31 generates a signal transmitted to the electronic control unit 28.

Any known sensor can be used as the sensors 30, 31, especially inductive sensors, mechanical sensors, optical sensors, capacity sensors and other units. The type of the chose activator 32, 33 depends on the type of the used sensor 30, 31. In case of inductive sensors the activator consists of ferromagnetic material. In case of mechanical sensors the activator comprises a mechanical stop. In case of optical sensors the activator is represented by a change of colour or optical properties of the sensed object. In case of capacity sensors the activator comprises of an element the capacity of which differs from the capacity of the surroundings.

In the described embodiment, the sensors 30, 31 are inductive units and the activators 32, 33 are made of a ferromagnetic material. The first activator 32 is connected with the output shaft 4 of the first driving 1 unit in an adjustable way for the accurate setting of the required reference position of the carrier 8. The second activator 33 is connected with the output shaft 7 of the second driving unit 2 in an adjustable way for the accurate setting of the required reference position of the cranks 11.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the first activator 32 is adjusted in order to obtain reference point of the carrier 8 which is identical to the starting position of the carrier 8. The second activator 33 is adjusted in order to obtain reference point of the cranks 11 which is identical to the starting position of the cranks 11. The specific starting position of the carrier 8 and cranks 11 is chosen according to the type of the product conveyed and the nature of the process.

According to the embodiment shown in the Fig. 2 and 10, the first activator 32 of the first sensor 30 and the second activator 33 of the second sensor 31 are adjusted in a way that when the carrier 8 is in its reference position, the angle between the connection line of all pins of the cranks 11 as in their reference position and the longitudinal axis of the conveyor belt 26 is α = 90°.

Fig. 11 shows another advantageous embodiment. In this embodiment the first activator 32 of the first sensor 30 and the second activator 33 of the second sensor 31 are adjusted in a way that after the stabilisation of the carrier 8 in its reference position, the angle α between the connection line of all pins of the cranks 11 as in their reference position and the longitudinal axis of the conveyor belt 26 is less than 90° but bigger than 75°. Advantage of this embodiment is that it allows to install more than two jaws 16. It is necessary when the operation involves the simultaneous forming of three or more products.

As it is apparent from Fig. 1, both driving units 1, 2 are connected via power amplifiers 27 to a programmable electronic control unit 28 for controlling velocity and direction of the rotation of the driving units 1, 2. Such a programmable electronic control unit 28 can be a microprocessor, PC, programmable logical automated device etc. In the case of the described embodiment the programmable electronic control unit 28 is a PC with a user's interface 29 for entry of data. The data carry information on the required velocity and direction of the rotation of the driving units 1, 2. The user's interface 29 is a keyboard of the PC and a CD drive of the PC. Every pusher mechanism of the glasswork forming machine of the described type has two driving units 1 , 2. It is apparent to experts, that one programmable electronic unit 28 may be connected to a number of dead plates. Such an opportunity is shown in the figure 1 by the schematic representation of other power amplifiers 27.

The specific design of the power amplifiers 27 depends on the type of the used driving unit 1 , 2. Such a power amplifier 27 can be represented by a pneumatic valve or a hydraulic valve or an amplifier etc.

The pusher mechanism of the glasswork forming machine shifts formed glass products from the fixed dead plates of individual sections of a line forming machine to a common moving conveyor belt that conveys the products to other working operations. Every section of the line glasswork forming machine has its own dead plate with the pusher mechanism.

Before starting the production it is possible to program the velocity and direction of the rotation of the driving units 1 , 2 in order to adapt the operation of the pusher mechanism of the glasswork forming machine to specific conditions. Data that characterized the required rotation velocity and direction of the driving units 1 , 2 are entered to the programmable electronic control unit 28 via the user's interface 29. In this described embodiment, the data will be entered by inserting respective CD to the CD drive. Here, the data are read to the memory of the programmable electronic control unit 28. A number of options may be stored on the CD. Every of them is optimised for specific range of products manufactured in the glasswork forming machine.

The first activator 32 turns together with the output shaft 4 of the first driving unit 1. Therefore, whenever the first activator 32 approaches the first sensor 30, the first sensor 30 transmits a signal to the programmable control unit 28 informing it on the fact that the carrier 8 has reached its reference position. Similarly, the second activator 33 turns together with the output shaft 7 of the second driving unit 2 and the approaching of the second activator 33 to the second sensor 31 is a signal for the programmable control unit 28 informing it on the fact that the cranks 11 have reached their reference position. The reference point is a preset position of the output shaft 4 of the first driving unit 1 respectively the output unit 7 of the second driving unit 2. Development of the velocity of the rotation of the output shafts 4, 7 is than referred to such preset reference points.

Fig. 2 shows the dead plate 25 of one section of the line glasswork forming machine. On the dead plate 25 rest in basic position two just formed glass bottles 24 that were shifted to the dead plate 25 by a system not shown in the Fig. 1. The bottles 24 are cooled down by air coming out from openings in the dead plate 25. The task of the pusher mechanism is to shift such bottles 24 to the conveyor belt 26. Fig. 1 shows the pusher mechanism in its initial position when only the second driving unit 2 is operated which causes the carrier 8 to be immobile for the time being and the cranks 11 are resetting the shifting member 12 towards the bottles 24.

Fig. 3 shows a phase when the jaws 16 of the shifting member 12 touch the bottles 24 while Fig. 4 shows the bottles 24 after a partial shift.

After the position shown in Fig. 4 has been reached, also the first driving unit 1 is activated and it starts to rotate the hollow shaft 6 and the carrier 8. The shifting member 12 keeps moving the bottles 24 to the conveyor belt 25 (see Fig. 5 and 6).

After the both bottles 24 have been moved to the conveyor belt 26 (see Fig. 6), the first driving unit 1 is stopped. The second driving unit 2 keeps turning in the same direction, so the shifting member 12 moves away (see Fig. 7) from the bottles 24 resting on the moving conveyor belt 26. The second driving unit 2 keeps turning in the same direction during the whole operation.

After the position shown in Fig. 8 has been reached, the first driving unit 1 is activated again, however, in the opposite direction. As a consequence of this pusher mechanism is reset (see Fig 9) back to its starting position as shown in the Fig. 2.

Thus, one can summarise that the second driving unit 2 rotates all along the operation of the pusher mechanism in the same direction, however, the velocity of the rotation does not need to be constant. The first driving unit 1 is first locked and later on it rotates in one direction, than it is locked again and, after all, it rotates in the opposite direction until it reaches its initial position. Also in this case, the rotation velocity does not need to be constant as it is controlled by the programmable electronic control unit 28 depending on signals both from the first sensor 30 activated by the first activator 32 and from the second sensor 31 activated by the second activator 33.

The pusher mechanism of the glasswork forming machine has been described based on the example of one specific embodiment, however, experts have understood that a number of modifications could be designed based on the same substance of the invention. For instance, the transmission mechanisms 5, 10 can be in practice replaced by any known state-of-art transmission mechanism. The shifting member 12 may be shaped to match specific manufactured glass products etc. Moreover, it is apparent to experts that the power amplifier 27, electronic control unit 28, user's interface 29, sensors 30, 31 and activators 32, 33 may be replaced by any known technical elements after becoming familiar with the substance of the invention.

Claims

1. A pusher mechanism of a glasswork forming machine comprising a drive with a first driving unit (1) and a second driving unit (2) configured on a base plate (3) in a way that their output shafts (4, 7) are parallel, whereby the output shaft (4) of the first driving unit (1) is connected by a first transmission mechanism (5) with a hollow shaft (6) having a swivel seating in the base plate (3) and the output shaft (7) of the second driving unit (2) passes through the centre of the hollow shaft (6), and the hollow shaft (6) supports a parallelogram comprising a carrier (8), at least two cranks (11) and a shifting member (12), while at least two swivel pins (9) are pivotally attached to the carrier (8), and the pins (9) are interconnected by a second transmission mechanism (10) with the output shaft (7) of the second driving unit (2) and every such a pin (9) supports a crank (11), pivotally attached to the shifting member (12), characterized by the fact, that the output shaft (4) of the first driving unit (1) is connected with a first activator (32) for activating of a first sensor (30) fixed on the base plate (3) for sensing of the reference position of the carrier (8), while the output shaft (7) of the second driving unit (2) is connected with a second activator (33) for activating of a second sensor (2) fixed on the base plate (3) for sensing of the reference position of the cranks (11), and the both driving units (1, 2) are interconnected with a programmable electronic control unit (28) for controlling velocity and direction of rotation of the driving units (1 , 2).

2. The mechanism as in Claim 1 , characterized by the fact, that the first activator (32) is connected with the output shaft (4) of the first driving unit (1) in an adjustable way and/or the second activator (33) is connected with the output shaft (7) of the second driving unit (2) in an adjustable way.

3. The mechanism as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact, that the programmable electronic control unit (28) is a PC.

4. The mechanism as in Claims 1 to 3, characterized by the fact, that the programmable electronic control unit (28) is provided with a user's interface (29) for entry of data.

5. The mechanism as in Claim 4, characterized by the fact, that the user's interface (29) is a keyboard or a CD drive or a disc drive.

6. The mechanism as in any of the above Claims 1 to 5, characterized by the fact, that the shifting member (12) comprises of a holder (13) that supports a shaped profile (14) with an adjustably mounted support (15) and with jaws (16), while the cranks (11) are pivotally attached to the holder (13).

7. The mechanism as in any of the above Claims 1 through 6, characterized by the fact, that the first transmission mechanism (5) comprises of a first driving pulley (17) mounted on the output shaft (4) of the first driving unit (1) and interconnected by a first indented belt (21) with a first driven pulley (18) mounted on the hollow shaft (6).

8. The mechanism as in any of the above Claims 1 through 7, characterized by the fact, that the second transmission mechanism (10) comprises of a second driving pulley (20) mounted on the output shaft (7) of the second driving unit (2) and interconnected by a second indented belt (22) with second driven pulleys (19) mounted on pins (9).

9. The mechanism as in Claim 8, characterized by the fact, that at least one tightening pulley (23) mounted on the carrier (8) pushes on the second indented belt (22).