WO2007039163A1

WO2007039163A1 - Aligning and clamping device for a tank wagon

Info

Publication number: WO2007039163A1
Application number: PCT/EP2006/009279
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rainer Vogel
Original assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2005-10-03
Filing date: 2006-09-25
Publication date: 2007-04-12
Also published as: DE102005047676A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an aligning and clamping device for a tank wagon (2) comprising a bottom (2b) and a sidewall (2a) for receiving a tank (1a, 1b), wherein said tank wagon comprises holding means (3) for aligning and clamping the tank against the sidewall. The inventive holding system (3) is provided with a passive rotatable lever which comprises first and second ends and whose axis of rotation (3a) is positioned between said two ends. The lever comprises an active position for aligning and clamping the tank against the sidewall in which an area arranged at the first end of the rotatable lever is brought into contact with the tank wall opposite to the side wall and the second end of the rotatable lever is actuated by a triggering means, thereby making it possible to carry out a simple and efficient operation for aligning and clamping the tank on the tank wagon.

Description

description

Alignment and clamping device for a container wagon

The invention relates to an alignment and clamping device for a container wagon according to the preamble of claim 1.

In particular at post offices, containers for receiving and / or depositing mailpieces, e.g. used for sorting purposes. The containers can travel over a raceway by being carried by means of container wagons, such as sledges. In order to properly orient and hold the containers on a container wagon having a bottom and a side wall, e.g. the container trolley a holding means of the container against the side wall. If the container is to be placed on the container wagon or removed from the container wagon, the holding means must accordingly be activated or deactivated.

Empty transport containers, which are placed on rotating container wagons, can move on startup / stop of the machine and on the container wagon. As a result, the exact container position i. the orientation of the container is no longer given, which leads to disturbances in the container circulation and the shipment shedding.

For this reason, the empty containers are automatically aligned after placement on the container wagon and clamped until they are deported in the filled state of the container wagon. The alignment and clamping of the container after placing on the rotating container wagon unfortunately require a complex actuator. Containers with different container widths and width tolerances will also, within certain limits, be alignable and clampable only with undesired mechanical changes. A first solution is to use a geometric fixation of the container. The container wagon is shaped so that the container is geometrically fixed on the container wagon. Before pushing off the container, the geometric fixation is canceled, or the container is lifted out of a correspondingly shaped container bottom. There is no alignment and clamping of the container available. An exact placement of the empty container is also required: the greater the tolerance when placing the container is, the greater the game of containers on the container wagon. Furthermore, this solution is not suitable for different container dimensions.

A second method utilizes alignment or clamping of the containers by active (driven) alignment or clamping levers. However, this method requires a problematic and expensive energy transfer, a high technical control effort, corresponding higher costs due to additional actuators as well as an exception handling / sensor.

Furthermore, a fixation of the container can be used by means of friction surfaces on the container bottom, on which sit the container. Before the container is pushed off, the friction surfaces, e.g. swung down / pushed. However, after the "putting on" of the empty container, there is no displacement

(Aligning) the container more possible (The container position is virtually frozen). Notches (holes) in the container wagon can cause interference when the full containers are pushed off. The containers are not clamped yet, so sliding is still possible.

The invention has for its object to provide a support means for a container wagon, which ensures an effective and simple alignment and clamping function of a container on the container wagon. Instead of a container, however, an item such as a large postal package could be considered. According to the invention the object is achieved by the features of claim 1.

In this case, an alignment and clamping device for a container wagon is considered with a bottom and a side wall for receiving a container, wherein the container wagon has a holding means which aligns the container against the lateral wall and clamps. According to the invention, the holding means comprises a - e.g. passive, in contrast to known active means - rotatable lever having a first and second end, the axis of rotation between the two ends is arranged. Further, the lever comprises an activated position for aligning and clamping the container against the lateral wall, wherein a portion at the first end of the rotatable lever is in contact with a side wall of the container opposite the lateral wall, while the second end of the rotatable lever is actuated by means of a triggering means. The triggering agent may e.g. be arranged along a track of the container wagon or integrated directly on the container.

As a triggering means for the activated position of the lever, e.g. an external backdrop to the container wagon, an external pin and / or a pivoting of the container wagon are used. The triggering means for operating the alignment and clamping device can be located below and on the side of the container wagon. A backdrop may have a - possibly remotely controlled - switchable section, so that an operation takes place at a location of the backdrop or not. Similar principles can be applied to a pin (e.g., by pulling in or out) or pivoting (e.g., by guiding a roll of container wagon into a switchable link or stop).

The activated position can simply be kept permanently after the actuation, for example by means of a spring force. Also, the lever comprises a further, so-called deactivated position, in which the first end of the rotatable lever has a maximum distance to the side wall of the container wagon. This releases the container from the container car. As with the activated position, the deactivated position can be kept permanently with a suspension or a lock until actuation.

An embodiment with a highly compact actuating device is also shown, in which u.a. the bottom is pivotable to a transport direction of the container wagon and a first triggering means, preferably a link and / or a pin, the actuation triggers. In this case, the pivoting is initiated with a further triggering means, preferably a further link and / or a further pin. Because of the pivoting of the container wagon better alignment of the container or the consignments contained in the container can be ensured. The structure of the lever with variable fulcrum in connection with both triggering agents offers a high flexibility with respect to. Swing,

Clamping and alignment as well as a simple and compact realization of the alignment and clamping device according to the invention on a pivotable container wagon.

Another embodiment using a switching cam is further illustrated. In this case also a compact actuator for clamping and alignment of the container can be realized in an operation with a pen.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are set forth in the subclaims.

Subsequently, the invention will be explained in an embodiment with reference to the drawings. Show

1 alignment and clamping device with pivoting as a triggering means,

FIG 2 alignment and clamping device with backdrop as triggering means,

3 alignment and clamping device with combined pivoting and slide,

4 alignment and clamping device with a triggering means and pivoting with a further triggering means,

5 shows alignment and clamping device with switching cam as a triggering means before an actuation,

FIG 6 alignment and clamping device with switching cam as a triggering means after actuation.

1 shows a first alignment and clamping device for a container wagon 2 with a side wall 2a and a bottom 2b for receiving a container Ia, Ib, in which the container wagon has a holding means 3, which the container Ia, Ib against the side wall 2a. The support means 3 comprises a passive rotatable lever having first and second ends, the axis of rotation 3a of which is located between the two ends. The lever comprises an activated position for aligning and clamping the container Ia (shown on the left in the figure) against the lateral wall 2a, in which an area at the first (here upper) end of the rotatable lever is in contact with one side IIa of the container 1a , which is furthest from the lateral wall 2a. The second end of the rotary lever is by means of one along a distance 5 (eg guide tube) of the container car 2 arranged release means actuated. As a triggering means while the pivoting of the container car 2 is used to the transport direction along the route 5. The pivoted about the axis of rotation 2c of the container car 2 state shows in the left representation for the container Ia a maximum distance between the second end and the bottom 2b, as well as by rotation of the lever, a simultaneous attachment of the first end to the container Ia. In this case, for example, the second end of the lever can remain in contact with a stop 4 fastened to the container wagon or via a roller. This contact remains permanent, regardless of whether the container wagon 2 is pivoted or not. The lever can be activated or deactivated by the tilting of the container wagon and by the stop mounted in the container wagon. Tensioning means such as a suspension for holding the lever in contact with the container in the pivoted state or for releasing the lever away from the container after return of the pivoting are provided, but not shown. In this last position z. B. an empty container can be placed.

In this case (within certain limits) different container widths or container tolerances can be aligned and clamped without mechanical adjustments.

FIG 2 shows in principle the same alignment and clamping device for three in a transport direction V circulating container car 2 each with a container Ic, Id, Ie. Here, the container car 2 are positioned in the pivoted state. However, the swing does not act as a trigger for activating or deactivating the lever. Here a backdrop or at least guide sections along the transport direction V is arranged, via which the second end 3b (eg with a roller) of the lever is driven. The local contact is secured, for example by a springing, however, the second end of the lever could also roll permanently in a guide slot. Now, to change the distance between the second end 3a and the bottom 2b, the link will have portions whose distance from the container car 2 (here to the bottom 2b) are different. The scenery works the same as the stop 4 of Figure 1, but in a relation to the container wagon external (because unpaved) way. The lever thus comprises a further deactivated position, wherein the first end of the rotatable lever has a maximum distance to the side wall of the container wagon. This position is shown for the middle container wagon with the container Id. In this case, for example, the container could be exchanged while driving over this elevated gate section against another container. If the container wagon 2 continues over a now set lower section, the lever again turns to its activated position for alignment and clamping of the container Ie. In summary, the profile of the channels activates or deactivates the alignment and clamping device along the transport path. If a local activation or deactivation is required for the route, the profile can be adapted very flexibly by the use of switchable as well as possibly remotely controlled sections. By way of example, the channels can thus have a pivotable section (see

Arrows P between the containers Ic and Id), whereby the lever is deactivated or remains in the activated position. If the activation of the alignment and clamping device for the third container Ie is no longer desired, the container carriage 2 could be returned to a non-pivoted state according to FIG. 1 at the third deep link section.

In FIG. 3, an alignment and clamping device with combined pivoting and link for four surrounding container each with a container If, Ig, Ih, Ii shown. The container wagons basically correspond to those of FIG. 1 in that they have a stop 4 fastened to the container wagon, with which the second end of the lever is in contact, for example by means of a roller. Furthermore, a pivoting at the pivot point 2c of the container car to the transport direction will trigger an activation of the lever for alignment and clamping of the container. In addition, a link according to FIG. 2 with a section for deactivating the orientation and the clamping is now used, via which, even in the pivoted state, the lever of the second container car Ig from the left is returned to a deactivated position. Thus, an empty container can be placed in the upwardly pivoted position of the container wagon. Between the first two container car with containers If, Ig, the second end (role) of the lever is redirected from the stop 4 on the gate 6. This redirection can be done in different ways. For example, the second end (roller or pin) of the lever can be actuated from the outside. For this purpose, an externally switchable roller can be used. In the present embodiment, the actuation takes place to deactivate the alignment and the clamping by means of the link 6, which takes over the leadership of the second end of the lever. It can also tank car with non-actuated role at the high portion of the scenery 6 over pass. In this case, the portion of the scenery between the two first container cars shown here rising on or off, so that if desired, for example, to exchange a container, the leadership takes place on the backdrop or not. The intermediate section may, for example, have rotatable and possibly remote-controlled means which, on the one hand, allow guidance of the second end of the lever on the link 6 and, on the other hand, an unchanged continuation of the second end of the lever on the stop 4 for one of two switched rotational positions. Now drives the container When the vehicle is lowered (see container Ih), the lever is returned to its activated position by eg a simple spring force.

A further deactivation of the lever can be done by a return position of the pivot to the transport direction. This is the case for the two from the last right container wagon with containers Ih, Ii. However, the last container trolley could also remain in its pivoted position and another trigger means could be used to deactivate the lever.

As a result, all possible activations or deactivations of the alignment and clamping device in the pivoted or flat state of a container wagon can be realized.

In FIG 4, one or two alignment and clamping devices with a triggering means and pivoting with a further triggering means for a container wagon with two containers Ik, 11, two pivotal bottom 2b, two lateral walls 2a shown. In this case, for each container, the extraction and clamping function is controlled by means of a first triggering means (link, pin and / or pivoting) and pivoting for the containers by means of a further triggering means (another link or a further pin). For the first container Ik, the bottom of the container wagon is shown in the non-pivoted state. At the bottom 2b here below the container car, a roller 10a is arranged, which can be actuated or guided by the further triggering means. Before actuation of the bottom of the container wagon is flat to the transport direction and remains the alignment and clamping device 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d of the lever 3 according to the previous figures in the open position, preferably for receiving an empty container. The second end 3b is close to the bottom of the container wagon and the first end 3, 3d far from the container Ik. If the second end 3b is received, for example, by means of a mechanical link and removed from the bottom of the container wagon (see distance d between the two second ends 3b for each container Ik, 11), now the first end 3, 3d of the aligning and clamping device to the free side of the container Ik to its orientation and clamping against the side wall 2a supplied to the container car. A now inverse deactivation of the Ausrieht- and clamping device is easily possible according to this model. The activation and deactivation can take place at the flat bottom 2b.

Further, a lock 8 for keeping the bottom 2b of the container car in the pivoted state below the bottom 2b can be arranged. If the bottom 2b is pivoted, the lock 8 can be fed to a stop of the container wagon by means of a suspension 9, such as a torsion spring. In this case, in a completely independent manner, the alignment and clamping device can be activated or deactivated by accessing the second end 3b, so that e.g. in the pivoted and unswiveled state of the bottom 2b, a new empty container can be placed.

To reset an activated pivoting of one of the floors, another release means, e.g. However, the release does not necessarily cause a deactivation of the alignment and clamping device which remains spring-loaded in the activated position 7, since the activation by the roller 10 a, 10 b of the lock or the deactivation by the release of the lock eighth independent of the lever 3, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d. As the only connection possibly a pivoting of a bottom 2b with activation of the lock 8 could form the triggering means for an activation of the alignment and clamping device.

Furthermore, FIG 4 also shows a highly compact form of a pivotable container wagon with multiple alignment and clamping devices each for a container. The alignment and

Clamping device has several rotating parts with each other with a spring tension for holding the lever 3 in its activated and / or deactivated position. By dividing the lever 3 according to Figure 1 to 3 in several arms on the one hand a lot of space can be gained. In this regard, an advantageous use of a pivot point 3a as a stop and slipping means for the rotary arm with ends 3c _; 3b (second end of the lever 3 = 3b) is provided. More generally, as the lever rotates, the pivot point of the lever should be slidable between its two ends.

Possible but more complicated is the use of multiple levers, which are arranged across the width of the container wagon side by side. This would make it easier to pick up, align and clamp an article or container with side profile deviations.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, an alignment and clamping device with a switching cam 10 as a triggering means for activating the alignment and the clamping of a container Ij is respectively represented before and after an actuation. In this case, the state of a possible pivoting (see axis of rotation 2c) of the suitable container wagon 2 influences this activation again. The control cam 10 is arranged externally along the path of the container wagon, which actuates a detent device fastened to the external area of the container wagon, wherein:

the latching device has a release lever 9 in conjunction with a spring-loaded latching lever 8,

the second end 3b of the rotatable lever 3 can be latched in the latching lever 8,

- Upon actuation of the control cam 10, a tilting of the trigger lever 9 and a further tilting of the locking lever 8 causes, which dissolves the latching of the second end 3b of the rotary lever on the locking lever to activate the alignment and clamping device. In this case, at least the switching cam 10 and / or the release lever 9 may have a roller which is provided as an intermediate element for the actuation.

A stop 7 can also be mounted below the bottom of the container trolley, so as to limit the rotational movement of the lever or the lever remains in the activated position rigidly against the stop, so that its second end 3b spatially fixed for a further deactivating the lever and so will be known.

To deactivate the rotatable lever, the second end 3b of the rotatable lever is e.g. passed over a (not shown here) mechanical and possibly switchable backdrop that attaches the second end 3b to the locking lever 8 new.

An alternative to deactivating the rotatable lever is also to activate a means for the flat position of the pivoted container wagon in a horizontal position, whereby the second end de 3b of the rotary lever is latched into the locking lever 8 despite a suspension resistance.

Claims

claims

An aligning and clamping device for a container trolley having a bottom and a side wall for receiving a container, wherein the container trolley has a holding means that aligns and clamps the container against the side wall

the holding means comprises a rotatable lever having a first and a second end, the axis of rotation of which is arranged between the two ends,

- The lever comprises an activated position for aligning and clamping the container against the side wall, wherein a portion at the first end of the rotatable lever is in contact with a lateral wall opposite side IIa of the container and the second end of the rotatable Levers is actuated by means of a triggering means.

2. The alignment and clamping device of claim 1, wherein the lever comprises a deactivated position, wherein the first end of the rotatable lever has a maximum distance to the side wall of the container car.

3. alignment and clamping device according to claim 1 or 2, d a d u r c h e c e n e s in that the trigger means is a backdrop with different distances to the container wagon, whereby at high and low distances the lever is in activated or deactivated position.

4. alignment and clamping device according to claim 3, characterized in that the link has a pivotable portion, whereby the lever is deactivated or remains in the activated position.

5. The alignment and clamping device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a trigger is a pin.

6. alignment and clamping device according to claim 5, d a d e r c h e c e n e s in that a deactivation of the lever activated by the pin has a return portion of the second end to the container wagon or the container wagon is pivoted.

7. Aligning and clamping device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a

Suspension means are provided for holding the lever in the activated and / or deactivated position.

8. Aligning and clamping device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bottom of the container wagon is pivotable to a transport direction.

9. Alignment and clamping device according to claim 8, characterized in that the pivoting with a further triggering means, preferably a backdrop and / or a pin, is introduced.

10. Aligning and clamping device according to claim 9, characterized in that the further triggering means is switchable.

11. alignment and clamping device according to claim 1 to 7, characterized in that the bottom of the container car to a transport direction is pivotable, which causes as a trigger means pivoting activation or deactivation of the rotatable lever.

12. The alignment and clamping device according to claim 11, characterized in that the lever is activated or deactivated by the pivoting and by a stop mounted in the container wagon.

13. The alignment and clamping device according to claim 11, wherein the link has a pivotable section, whereby the lever is deactivated or remains in the activated position.

14. Aligning and clamping device according to claim 11, wherein the second end of the rotatable lever has a lateral roller or a lateral pin, which is guided along the transport direction of the container, preferably via a pivotable link.

15. Aligning and clamping device according to claim 14, characterized in that the roller or the pin can be switched by means of external means.

16. alignment and clamping device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that during the rotation of the lever, the pivot point of the lever between see its two ends is displaceable.

17. The alignment and clamping device of claim 1, wherein the rotatable lever is spring-biased so that the second end of the rotatable lever is held away from the triggering means.

18. Alignment and clamping device according to one of claims 1 to 10, d a d e r c h e c e n e c i n e that t

the triggering means is a switching cam along the path of the container carriage, which actuates a latching device fastened to the external region of the container carriage,

- The locking device has a release lever in conjunction with a spring-loaded detent lever,

- The second end of the rotatable lever is latched in the latching lever,

- Upon actuation of the switching cam causes a tilting of the release lever and a further tilting of the locking lever, which dissolves the latching of the second end of the rotary lever on the locking lever to activate the alignment and clamping device.

19. Aligning and clamping device according to claim 18, characterized in that for deactivating the rotatable lever, the second end of the rotatable lever is guided over a gate, or the container carriage is pivoted, whereby the second end engages the locking lever again.