WO2007051450A1

WO2007051450A1 - Conveying device

Info

Publication number: WO2007051450A1
Application number: PCT/DE2006/001905
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Schauss
Original assignee: De-Sta-Co Europe Gbmh
Priority date: 2005-11-03
Filing date: 2006-10-25
Publication date: 2007-05-10
Also published as: DE102005052955A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a conveying device for automatically handling a workpiece. Said conveying device comprises at least one conveying element (1) with blade elements (2) for supporting and horizontally fastening the workpiece. According to the invention, at least one blade element (2) is provided with a fastening element (3) to vertically lock the workpiece.

Description

transport device

The invention relates to a transport device for automated handling of a workpiece according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

A transport device of the aforementioned type (for example, for a so-called step press) is known from DE 297 21 500 Ul. This consists of at least one transport element, often also called "transport bar", with blade elements (regularly also simply called "blades") for supporting and horizontal fixation of the workpiece.

In the mentioned transfer presses, which are used in particular in the automotive industry, flat sheet metal blanks are gradually deep-drawn. In this case, the flat blanks (in particular) are relatively difficult to handle automatically before the first processing step due to their ease of twisting. For this reason, the transfer press or the associated transport device is provided at the first processing stations with so-called grippers, which are optionally fluidly (hydraulically, pneumatically) or electrically actuated. These grippers (see, for example, DE 93 11 777 Ul) are relatively expensive.

Since the blanks regularly have a three-dimensional structure after the first deep-drawing process and are correspondingly more dimensionally stable than before the first re-forming, the abovementioned blades are regularly inserted on the transport bar in the subsequent processing stations of the step press instead of the gripper mentioned for the sake of simplicity. These blades are designed (hence the name), that the sheet metal part rest on this, but can not slip sideways. The blades are, which is easily understood, due to their simple construction much cheaper than the said gripper. AIs problematic has been found in the use of the blades but, and this applies even more, the higher the number of cycles with progressive improvement of the transfer press are that the sheet metal boards jump out of the blades during a downward movement of the transport bar and again and thus it to a business interruption can come. This jumping out is due to the pressure acting on the board back pressure of the ambient air in the downward movement and of course by the inertia of the board itself.

The invention is therefore based on the object, a transport device of the type mentioned - with basic maintenance of the blades and without the use of mentioned, costly gripper - to the effect that a jumping out of the blades is securely excluded.

This object is achieved with a transport device of the type mentioned by the features listed in the characterizing part of patent claim 1.

According to the invention, it is thus provided that at least one blade element has a fixing element for vertically locking the workpiece or is provided with a fixing element.

In other words, a mechanism is provided on at least one blade element, which ensures that the resting on the blade workpiece during a downward movement of the transport bar can not jump off the blade. The workpiece is thus effectively clamped between the blade and the fixing element, ie, a movement of the workpiece directed vertically upwards against the downwardly moving blade is excluded according to the invention. The fixing element according to the invention may be designed in various embodiments. Advantageous developments in this regard will become apparent from the dependent claims.

The transport device according to the invention including its advantageous developments according to the dependent claims will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing of a preferred embodiment.

It shows

Figure 1 in plan view the transport device according to the invention with blades with fixing elements;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a known prior art blade;

Figure 3 shows schematically the movement of the transport device; and

Figure 4 partially in section the blade according to the invention with fixing.

The transport device shown in the figures for the automated handling of a sheet metal blank consists of at least one transport element 1 (so-called transport bar) with blade elements 2 for supporting and horizontal fixation of the workpiece. Furthermore, in Figure 1, the above-mentioned gripper 10 used in undeformed metal blanks are shown schematically.

FIG. 2 shows a conventional blade element 2 known from the prior art. This consists essentially of a flat plate on which the workpiece (indicated by dashed lines) can be placed. This plate ensures that the workpiece (eg a sheet metal blank) can not fall down. Depending on requirements, at least one vertically extending wall is further provided (in Figure 2, there are two walls), which ensures that the workpiece is also fixed horizontally. The shovel 2 itself is regularly connected via a so-called support tube 6 with the transport bar 1 (see also Figure 1).

Essential for the transport device according to the invention is now that at least one blade element 2 has a fixing element 3 for vertical locking of the workpiece.

For a better understanding of the advantageous effect of the invention, reference is made to FIG. There, the movement of the transport element 1 is shown. Arrow A represents the movement of the transport bar to the deformed workpiece. According to arrow B, the workpiece is then raised. Arrow C shows the movement of the workpiece in the next processing station. According to arrow D, the workpiece is then lowered. And this is the decisive moment for the fixing element. Without the fixing element according to the invention, it has repeatedly happened at high cycle numbers that the workpiece has jumped out of the blades, which in turn has led immediately to a business interruption. Thanks to the fixing element according to the invention, which ensures that the workpiece is not only vertically downwards (support surface of the blade), but also secured vertically upwards, such interruptions can be practically excluded. Decide from the process is that the fixing is brought into the fixing position at the latest during the movement according to arrow C, so that jumping out of the workpiece during the movement according to arrow D is omitted. According to arrow E then takes place a movement of the transport bar away from the workpiece, wherein previously, shortly after reaching the processing station, the fixing element was opened again. Finally, according to arrow F, a return movement takes place to the starting position.

It can be seen from the foregoing that the fixing element 3 has at least two setting positions, wherein the workpiece can be inserted freely into the blade element 2 in one setting position and at least vertically locked in the other setting position between the blade element 2 and the fixing element 3. According to the preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that the fixing element 3 is designed as a control cylinder 4 with piston rod 5. Reference is made in particular to FIG. 4, which clearly shows, in comparison with FIG. 2, how a currently used blade 2 can be converted into a blade 2 with a fixing element 3 with little design effort.

It has proven to be particularly advantageous to include the known carrier tube 6 of the blade element 2 in the conversion. As can be seen from FIG. 4, provision is made for the adjusting cylinder 4 to be arranged at least partially and preferably secured against rotation in the carrier tube 6. The proviso "at least partially" expresses that the actuating cylinder is either completely housed in the support tube 6 (not shown), but optionally also just partially in the range of the blade 2 itself can be arranged (as shown in Figure 4).

With regard to the proviso "preferably secured against rotation" is also provided as a constructive solution that on the support tube 6 a through-connected by a fluid port 7 of the actuating cylinder 4 opening 8 is arranged. The fluid connection 7 thus prevents rotation of the steep cylinder 4 within the support tube 6. At the same time, the actuating cylinder 4 can be reached via the opening 8 from the outside. The other fluid connection of the adjusting cylinder 4 is arranged in the embodiment shown otherwise in the region of the blade, so readily accessible from the outside.

The piston rod 5 is designed to implement the two above-mentioned parking positions. For this purpose, the actuating cylinder 4 is either pneumatically or hydraulically actuated. The piston rod 5 is, in order to be wear-resistant, preferably formed of hardened metal. Between the actuating cylinder 4 and the support tube 6 is the exact position Fixing and sealing a sealing element 9, preferably as shown, an O-ring provided.

Finally, it has proven to be particularly favorable with respect to the placement of the fixing element 3 that on a vertically extending wall of the blade element 2 an optionally by the actuating cylinder 4 and / or by the piston rod 5 is provided through opening, wherein the opening is arranged in alignment with the support tube 6 , This requirement allows an equally simple as well as space-saving accommodation of the fixing element 3.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 transport element

2 bucket element

3 fixing element

4 steep cylinders

5 piston rod

6 carrier tube

7 fluid connection

8 opening

9 sealing element

10 grippers

Claims

claims

1. Transport device for automated handling of a workpiece, comprising at least one transport element (1) with blade elements (2) for supporting and horizontal fixation of the workpiece, characterized in that at least one blade element (2) has a fixing element

(3) for vertical locking of the workpiece.

2. Transport device according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixing element (3) has at least two parking positions, wherein the workpiece in the one free position freely in the blade element (2) inserted and in the other adjustment position between the blade element (2) and the fixing element (3) is locked at least vertically.

3. Transport device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fixing element (3) as an actuating cylinder (4) with piston rod (5) is formed.

4. Transport device according to claim 3, wherein the blade element (2) by means of a support tube (6) on the transport element (1) is fixed, characterized in that the actuating cylinder (4) is at least partially and preferably secured against rotation in the support tube (6).

5. Transport device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the piston rod (5) is designed to implement both actuating positions.

6. Transport device according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the actuating cylinder (4) is optionally formed hydraulically or pneumatically actuated.

7. Transport device according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that on a vertically extending wall of the blade element (2) is optionally provided by the actuating cylinder (4) and / or by the piston rod (5) accessed through opening.

8. Transport device according to claim 7, characterized in that the opening is arranged in alignment with the carrier tube (6).

9. Transport device according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that on the carrier tube (6) of a fluid connection (7) of the actuating cylinder (4) accessed by opening (8) is provided.

10. Transport device according to one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that between the actuating cylinder (4) and the support tube (6), a sealing element (9), preferably an O-ring, is provided.

11. Transport device according to one of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that the piston rod (5) is formed of hardened metal.