WO2015170145A1 - Automated system for loading, unloading and handling objects or pieces to be processed in industrial processing systems - Google Patents

Automated system for loading, unloading and handling objects or pieces to be processed in industrial processing systems Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2015170145A1
WO2015170145A1 PCT/IB2014/061327 IB2014061327W WO2015170145A1 WO 2015170145 A1 WO2015170145 A1 WO 2015170145A1 IB 2014061327 W IB2014061327 W IB 2014061327W WO 2015170145 A1 WO2015170145 A1 WO 2015170145A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
bars
conveyor
trolleys
loading
trolley
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2014/061327
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Giovanni SEDINO
Luigi Canella
Original Assignee
Finiture Srl
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Finiture Srl filed Critical Finiture Srl
Publication of WO2015170145A1 publication Critical patent/WO2015170145A1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G65/00—Loading or unloading
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G1/00—Storing articles, individually or in orderly arrangement, in warehouses or magazines
    • B65G1/02—Storage devices
    • B65G1/04—Storage devices mechanical
    • B65G1/0464—Storage devices mechanical with access from above
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G2201/00—Indexing codes relating to handling devices, e.g. conveyors, characterised by the type of product or load being conveyed or handled
    • B65G2201/02—Articles
    • B65G2201/0214—Articles of special size, shape or weigh
    • B65G2201/022—Flat

Definitions

  • This patent relates to loading, unloading and handling systems for objects to be processed in industrial plants, and in particular concerns a new automated system for the loading, unloading and handling of objects or pieces, particularly those having a two-dimensional geometry, comprising one or more trolleys or mobile storage devices for the objects to be processed, loading/unloading systems for those objects to/from at least one overhead conveyor, preferably dual -track.
  • the new system is especially applicable in industrial plants, for processing of various types such as, for example, painting and other finishing operations.
  • the state of the art includes industrial systems for the processing of objects or pieces in general, where objects are handled in one or more processing stations.
  • This handling operation can take place using trolleys, on which one or more of these objects are manually loaded and transported to the processing stations.
  • the state of the art also includes overhead dual track conveyors, that is, equipment for handling items generally consisting of two tracks: one for the drive chain, and the other for the trolleys equipped with devices suited for hanging the items or parts to be processed. These trolleys are either pushed or pulled by the aforementioned chain.
  • the state of the art includes systems to carry out coating or surface treatment operations on objects with a predominantly two-dimensional geometry, that is, mostly flat, such as doors, plain door and window frames, whether assembled or not, and part of furniture or furnishings, etc.
  • These processing facilities include the transport of the item to be painted to the painting station, for example, bound to a suitable support, where the painting devices, such as robotic machines equipped with sprayers, carry out the coating of the item.
  • the item painted in this manner can then be subjected to further treatments, for example, the drying of the paint or other finishing operations.
  • the loading and unloading operations of the workpieces are mostly carried out manually and require the considerable use of labour which, especially in the case of automated processes, has a significant effect on the total processing times.
  • the timing related to the loading and unloading operations often get out- of-sync with the other processes generating problems of timing, especially in the case of conveyors with limited flexibility.
  • the current art comprises automatic loading and unloading systems, which, however, are characterized by being very expensive and/or not very flexible, that is, having limitations regarding the shape or size of pieces they are able to handle.
  • the current art also includes lifting equipment to facilitate loading and unloading operations, but this does not resolve the aforementioned issues.
  • the new automated system enables the:
  • the main purpose of the present invention is therefore to automate the loading, unloading, handling and storage operations of multiple objects or pieces to and from a processing line.
  • Another important purpose of the present invention is to simplify the loading and unloading operations to/from a preferably dual-track overhead conveyor.
  • the loading and unloading of the pieces is carried out to and from trolleys the supports of which are easier to access for the operator.
  • Yet another purpose of the present invention consists of being able to perform the loading and unloading operations directly where the processing will take place, respectively upstream and downstream of that for which the overhead conveyor is employed.
  • the pieces can be loaded directly in the production areas and unloaded in the final assembly areas.
  • a further purpose of the present invention is to rationalize the loading and unloading operations of an overhead conveyor, preferably dual-track. In fact, these operations will be performed independently of the conveyor itself, in this way disconnecting the loading and unloading from the type of process for which the transporter was constructed.
  • Still another purpose of the present invention consists of being able to create buffers outside the main line, for the more flexible management of the flow of materials being processed.
  • the new system particularly for industrial processing plants, comprises in its main parts:
  • At least one overhead conveyor preferably dual-track, equipped with one or more movable supports suitable to engage the horizontal bars of the trolleys and tracks on which the movable supports slide, to bring the bars of the trolleys, and consequently the pieces, from one or more loading stations, to one or more piece processing stations, to one or more unloading stations.
  • Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional view of a trolley (1) or mobile storage device for pieces (A) to be processed, and part of a dual-track overhead conveyor (2), with a mobile support (6) to engage the bars (7) to hang the pieces (A).
  • Figure 2 shows another three-dimensional view of a trolley (1) and part of the overhead conveyor (2) with mobile support (6).
  • Figures 3 and 4 show a side view of a trolley (1) and the mobile support (6) in the loading or unloading stage of a bar (7) with the piece (A) hanging on/from the conveyor (2).
  • Figure 5 shows the outline of a painting line in which the new loading, unloading and handling of pieces (A) system is applied.
  • Figure 6 shows a three-dimensional view of the trolley (1) only
  • Figure 7 shows a plan view of the trolley (1) only.
  • Figure 8 shows in detail a fork (13) to support the bars (7), said forks (13) being placed at the top of the uprights (12) of said trolleys (1).
  • the new system of loading, unloading and handling of pieces (A) to be processed comprises:
  • At least one overhead conveyor preferably dual-track (2), preferably equipped with two tracks (21) and one or more mobile supports (6) for the coupling and transport of the bars (7) of the trolleys (1) and consequently also of the pieces (A) hanging on said bars (7), where said movable supports (6) run on said tracks (21);
  • Said trolleys (1) or mobile storage devices are equipped with wheels (1 1), fixed and/or pivoting, for their movement, and supports or vertical uprights (12) placed at a constant pitch (X), equipped with forks (13) or upper supports suited to hold a series of horizontal bars (7) arranged parallel to each other and side by side, each of which has a piece (A) hung on it.
  • Said pieces (A) are then arranged substantially parallel to the bars (7) themselves and side by side and aligned to each other. Said pieces (A) can be hung by means of fastening means (71) such as hooks, hooks with rings or staples, hooks screwed directly on the pieces (A), or other devices that may vary depending on the shape of the pieces (A) and of the process to be performed.
  • fastening means (71) such as hooks, hooks with rings or staples, hooks screwed directly on the pieces (A), or other devices that may vary depending on the shape of the pieces (A) and of the process to be performed.
  • Said movable supports (6) of the dual-track overhead conveyor (2) are equipped with hooks (61) suitable to catch and release said bars (7) of the mobile storage devices or trolleys (1) from which the pieces (A) are hanging.
  • Each of said movable supports (6) comprises for example a horizontal bar (62) with a length substantially equal to, greater than or less than the length of the bars (7) of the trolley (1).
  • each of said movable supports (6) of the conveyor (2) can be used to grab one or more of the bars (7) to hang the pieces (A), arranged for example in positions corresponding to multiple side by side trolleys (1).
  • the length of the bars (7) determines the transverse dimension of the trolleys (1), but for obvious reasons the trolleys (1) cannot be too large.
  • a typical configuration for a painting plant can have the bars (62) of the mobile support (6) of the conveyor (2) with a length of 3 meters, to which two aligned bars (7) from two adjacent trolleys (1), which measure about 1.5 meters each, can be hooked.
  • a painting line may have a single loading and unloading area (C), or multiple areas distant from each other.
  • FIG 5 there is a simplified diagram of a painting line comprising a single area (C) for loading/unloading, a painting station (V) with a robot (VI) for the application of the paint, and a deposit and holding area (D) for the drying of the pieces (A).
  • Said trolleys (1) can be positioned by hand, or by ancillary moving devices, on said rails (4) fixed to the floor, in such a way as to enable the translation unit (5) to move each trolley (1) to the desired position in the plant, corresponding to the loading and/or unloading stations (C).
  • Said translation unit (5) can be made up of one or more racks (51), for example mounted laterally to said trolleys (1) and one or more toothed wheels, or other systems, for example hydraulic or pneumatic.
  • each of the loading/unloading zones (C) one or more than one trolley (1) is positioned, side by side, depending on the number of bars (7) that can be taken by the movable supports (6) of the conveyor (2).
  • trolleys (1) In the case, for example, of two or more trolleys (1), they are placed side by side and move in synchrony for the simultaneous loading/unloading of several of said bars (7) of the trolleys (1).
  • One of the empty movable supports (6) of the conveyor (2) is positioned at a loading and/or unloading area (C);
  • At least one trolley (1) (or trolleys, in the case of multiple bars) is positioned in the loading and/or unloading area (C), below the lifting unit (3) of the conveyor (2);
  • Said lifting unit (3) lowers the bar (62) of the mobile support (6) of the conveyor (2) until the relative gripping means or hooks (61) are at the height of said one or more bars (7) to be grasped on said at least one trolley (1);
  • Said at least one trolley (1) advances, for example, by at least a half-pitch, until said bar (7) to be lifted touches said hooks (61) of the mobile support (6) of the conveyor (2);
  • Said lifting unit (3) raises the bar (62) of the mobile support (6) of the conveyor (2) and therefore also raises the bar (7) of the trolley (1), on which the piece or pieces (A) are hung (Fig. 3);
  • Said trolley (1) advances by at least another half-pitch in order to enable the piece(s) (A) picked up to exit, preventing collision against the vertical uprights (12) of the trolley itself (Fig. 4).
  • Said movable support (6) of the conveyor (2) moves, sliding on said tracks (21), carrying the piece(s) just loaded with it.
  • Said control unit determines the correct synchronization of the sequence.
  • the unloading of one or more pieces (A) occurs by means of the same sequence in reverse order. That is, the transfer of the pieces (A) from the dual-track overhead conveyor (2) to the trolleys (1) or mobile storage devices.
  • the new system is particularly suitable for plants for the painting of pieces (A) transported by a dual-track overhead conveyor (2) which, in addition to said loading and/or unloading areas (C), may include stations for painting, impregnation, drying, sanding, etc., and any other operation that can be connected to a complete painting process.
  • a dual-track overhead conveyor (2) which, in addition to said loading and/or unloading areas (C), may include stations for painting, impregnation, drying, sanding, etc., and any other operation that can be connected to a complete painting process.
  • Each of said bars (7) includes mechanical, electronic and/or electromechanical identification devices for the correct routing of the bar and the related piece.
  • each of said bars (7) of the trolleys (1) can be set up to have an electronic device with RFID technology or similar devices which store data relating to the piece (A) hanging on it, for example the colour to use for painting, finishing, the destination, the identification of the production lot, the type of the piece, etc.
  • Said electronic device is suited to communicate with the control unit with a PLC and with devices for the control of the processing parameters on the piece (A) itself.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Intermediate Stations On Conveyors (AREA)
  • Chain Conveyers (AREA)

Abstract

System for the automatic loading and unloading of objects with a mainly two-dimensional geometry (doors) with dual-track overhead conveyors for various applications including painting. One or more pieces are attached, hung or otherwise bound to at least one bar (7) to transport pieces placed on mobile storage devices, or trolleys (1), which are conducted in overhead conveyors specially arranged for the automatic transfer of the bars (7) carrying pieces to the bars (6) of a dual-track overhead conveyor (2) and vice versa. The trolleys (1) move on rails (4) by means of horizontal translation units (5).

Description

AUTOMATED SYSTEM FOR LOADING, UNLOADING AND HANDLING OBJECTS OR PIECES TO BE PROCESSED IN INDUSTRIAL PROCESSING SYSTEMS DESCRIPTION
This patent relates to loading, unloading and handling systems for objects to be processed in industrial plants, and in particular concerns a new automated system for the loading, unloading and handling of objects or pieces, particularly those having a two-dimensional geometry, comprising one or more trolleys or mobile storage devices for the objects to be processed, loading/unloading systems for those objects to/from at least one overhead conveyor, preferably dual -track. The new system is especially applicable in industrial plants, for processing of various types such as, for example, painting and other finishing operations.
The state of the art includes industrial systems for the processing of objects or pieces in general, where objects are handled in one or more processing stations.
This handling operation can take place using trolleys, on which one or more of these objects are manually loaded and transported to the processing stations.
The state of the art also includes overhead dual track conveyors, that is, equipment for handling items generally consisting of two tracks: one for the drive chain, and the other for the trolleys equipped with devices suited for hanging the items or parts to be processed. These trolleys are either pushed or pulled by the aforementioned chain.
The state of the art includes systems to carry out coating or surface treatment operations on objects with a predominantly two-dimensional geometry, that is, mostly flat, such as doors, plain door and window frames, whether assembled or not, and part of furniture or furnishings, etc.
These processing facilities include the transport of the item to be painted to the painting station, for example, bound to a suitable support, where the painting devices, such as robotic machines equipped with sprayers, carry out the coating of the item.
The item painted in this manner can then be subjected to further treatments, for example, the drying of the paint or other finishing operations.
The loading and unloading operations of the workpieces are mostly carried out manually and require the considerable use of labour which, especially in the case of automated processes, has a significant effect on the total processing times. In addition, the timing related to the loading and unloading operations often get out- of-sync with the other processes generating problems of timing, especially in the case of conveyors with limited flexibility.
The current art comprises automatic loading and unloading systems, which, however, are characterized by being very expensive and/or not very flexible, that is, having limitations regarding the shape or size of pieces they are able to handle. The current art also includes lifting equipment to facilitate loading and unloading operations, but this does not resolve the aforementioned issues.
To overcome these drawbacks, avoiding excessively expensive solutions, a new automated system for the loading, unloading and handling of objects or pieces has been developed for industrial processing plants.
The new automated system enables the:
• pieces to be loaded on one or more mobile storage devices or trolleys, even located far from one or more conveyors, for example, preferably of the dual-track type;
• trolleys to be transported, for example, by hand or by means of mechanized systems, to the conveyor,
• pieces to be automatically transferred from one or more trolleys to the supports of the overhead conveyor system. The same operations but in reverse order enable the unloading of the overhead conveyor and depositing of the processed pieces on the trolleys.
The main purpose of the present invention is therefore to automate the loading, unloading, handling and storage operations of multiple objects or pieces to and from a processing line.
Another important purpose of the present invention is to simplify the loading and unloading operations to/from a preferably dual-track overhead conveyor. In fact, the loading and unloading of the pieces is carried out to and from trolleys the supports of which are easier to access for the operator.
Yet another purpose of the present invention consists of being able to perform the loading and unloading operations directly where the processing will take place, respectively upstream and downstream of that for which the overhead conveyor is employed.
For example, in the case of the painting of doors and windows and frames in general, the pieces can be loaded directly in the production areas and unloaded in the final assembly areas.
A further purpose of the present invention is to rationalize the loading and unloading operations of an overhead conveyor, preferably dual-track. In fact, these operations will be performed independently of the conveyor itself, in this way disconnecting the loading and unloading from the type of process for which the transporter was constructed.
Still another purpose of the present invention consists of being able to create buffers outside the main line, for the more flexible management of the flow of materials being processed.
The new system, particularly for industrial processing plants, comprises in its main parts:
• one or more mobile storage devices or trolleys equipped with removable horizontal bars, with at least one workpiece being hung on each of those bars;
• at least one overhead conveyor, preferably dual-track, equipped with one or more movable supports suitable to engage the horizontal bars of the trolleys and tracks on which the movable supports slide, to bring the bars of the trolleys, and consequently the pieces, from one or more loading stations, to one or more piece processing stations, to one or more unloading stations.
Description of the system
Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional view of a trolley (1) or mobile storage device for pieces (A) to be processed, and part of a dual-track overhead conveyor (2), with a mobile support (6) to engage the bars (7) to hang the pieces (A).
Figure 2 shows another three-dimensional view of a trolley (1) and part of the overhead conveyor (2) with mobile support (6).
Figures 3 and 4 show a side view of a trolley (1) and the mobile support (6) in the loading or unloading stage of a bar (7) with the piece (A) hanging on/from the conveyor (2).
Figure 5 shows the outline of a painting line in which the new loading, unloading and handling of pieces (A) system is applied.
Figure 6 shows a three-dimensional view of the trolley (1) only, while Figure 7 shows a plan view of the trolley (1) only.
Figure 8 shows in detail a fork (13) to support the bars (7), said forks (13) being placed at the top of the uprights (12) of said trolleys (1).
As shown in Figure 1, the new system of loading, unloading and handling of pieces (A) to be processed comprises:
• One or more mobile storage devices, or trolleys (1), with one or more removable horizontal bars (7), each dedicated to the hanging of one or more pieces (A) to be processed;
• at least one overhead conveyor, preferably dual-track (2), preferably equipped with two tracks (21) and one or more mobile supports (6) for the coupling and transport of the bars (7) of the trolleys (1) and consequently also of the pieces (A) hanging on said bars (7), where said movable supports (6) run on said tracks (21);
• one or more vertical handling units (3) of said movable supports (6) of the conveyor (2), suited to raise/lower said movable supports (6) to grasp/unload the bars (7) of the trolleys (1) and consequently said pieces (A).
A preferred embodiment of the new system comprises:
• one or more rails on the floor (4) for the movement and the correct positioning of one or more of the trolleys (1) in one or more loading/unloading stations (C), that is, in the vicinity of the lifting units (3);
• one or more translation units (5) for the horizontal movement of said trolleys (1) on said rails (4);
• at least one control unit with PLC for the coordination of all the movements of the new loading, unloading and handling system which is the subject of the present patent.
Said trolleys (1) or mobile storage devices are equipped with wheels (1 1), fixed and/or pivoting, for their movement, and supports or vertical uprights (12) placed at a constant pitch (X), equipped with forks (13) or upper supports suited to hold a series of horizontal bars (7) arranged parallel to each other and side by side, each of which has a piece (A) hung on it.
Said pieces (A) are then arranged substantially parallel to the bars (7) themselves and side by side and aligned to each other. Said pieces (A) can be hung by means of fastening means (71) such as hooks, hooks with rings or staples, hooks screwed directly on the pieces (A), or other devices that may vary depending on the shape of the pieces (A) and of the process to be performed.
It is appropriate to install mobile devices to hold the pieces (A) on said trolleys (1) to prevent excessive rocking during manual transfers. These devices must be easily removable so as not to be an obstacle during the loading/unloading operations.
Said movable supports (6) of the dual-track overhead conveyor (2) are equipped with hooks (61) suitable to catch and release said bars (7) of the mobile storage devices or trolleys (1) from which the pieces (A) are hanging.
Each of said movable supports (6) comprises for example a horizontal bar (62) with a length substantially equal to, greater than or less than the length of the bars (7) of the trolley (1). In this way, each of said movable supports (6) of the conveyor (2) can be used to grab one or more of the bars (7) to hang the pieces (A), arranged for example in positions corresponding to multiple side by side trolleys (1).
The length of the bars (7) determines the transverse dimension of the trolleys (1), but for obvious reasons the trolleys (1) cannot be too large. For example, a typical configuration for a painting plant can have the bars (62) of the mobile support (6) of the conveyor (2) with a length of 3 meters, to which two aligned bars (7) from two adjacent trolleys (1), which measure about 1.5 meters each, can be hooked.
Below said dual-track overhead conveyor (2) there are one or more areas (C) set up for loading only, or for unloading only, or for loading and unloading. For example a painting line may have a single loading and unloading area (C), or multiple areas distant from each other.
For example, in Figure 5, there is a simplified diagram of a painting line comprising a single area (C) for loading/unloading, a painting station (V) with a robot (VI) for the application of the paint, and a deposit and holding area (D) for the drying of the pieces (A).
Said trolleys (1) can be positioned by hand, or by ancillary moving devices, on said rails (4) fixed to the floor, in such a way as to enable the translation unit (5) to move each trolley (1) to the desired position in the plant, corresponding to the loading and/or unloading stations (C).
Said translation unit (5) can be made up of one or more racks (51), for example mounted laterally to said trolleys (1) and one or more toothed wheels, or other systems, for example hydraulic or pneumatic.
In each of the loading/unloading zones (C) one or more than one trolley (1) is positioned, side by side, depending on the number of bars (7) that can be taken by the movable supports (6) of the conveyor (2).
In the case, for example, of two or more trolleys (1), they are placed side by side and move in synchrony for the simultaneous loading/unloading of several of said bars (7) of the trolleys (1).
Work sequence for the transfer of one or more pieces (A) from the mobile storage devices or trolleys (1) to the dual-track overhead conveyor (2)
1. One of the empty movable supports (6) of the conveyor (2) is positioned at a loading and/or unloading area (C);
2. At least one trolley (1) (or trolleys, in the case of multiple bars) is positioned in the loading and/or unloading area (C), below the lifting unit (3) of the conveyor (2);
3. Said lifting unit (3) lowers the bar (62) of the mobile support (6) of the conveyor (2) until the relative gripping means or hooks (61) are at the height of said one or more bars (7) to be grasped on said at least one trolley (1);
4. Said at least one trolley (1) advances, for example, by at least a half-pitch, until said bar (7) to be lifted touches said hooks (61) of the mobile support (6) of the conveyor (2);
5. Said lifting unit (3) raises the bar (62) of the mobile support (6) of the conveyor (2) and therefore also raises the bar (7) of the trolley (1), on which the piece or pieces (A) are hung (Fig. 3);
6. Said trolley (1) advances by at least another half-pitch in order to enable the piece(s) (A) picked up to exit, preventing collision against the vertical uprights (12) of the trolley itself (Fig. 4).
7. Said movable support (6) of the conveyor (2) moves, sliding on said tracks (21), carrying the piece(s) just loaded with it.
Said control unit determines the correct synchronization of the sequence.
The unloading of one or more pieces (A) occurs by means of the same sequence in reverse order. That is, the transfer of the pieces (A) from the dual-track overhead conveyor (2) to the trolleys (1) or mobile storage devices.
If the same area (C) is used for both loading and unloading the pieces (A) and the work sequence starts with the unloading, that is, the transfer from the conveyor (2) to the trolleys (1), said trolleys (1 ) must be loaded, leaving at least one empty place to enable the unloading of the first bar (7).
The new system is particularly suitable for plants for the painting of pieces (A) transported by a dual-track overhead conveyor (2) which, in addition to said loading and/or unloading areas (C), may include stations for painting, impregnation, drying, sanding, etc., and any other operation that can be connected to a complete painting process. In the case of painting lines that have multiple loading/unloading stations and/or open circuits, and equipped with piece identification devices, it is possible to automatically sort and group pieces by lots and/or types.
Each of said bars (7) includes mechanical, electronic and/or electromechanical identification devices for the correct routing of the bar and the related piece.
In fact, each of said bars (7) of the trolleys (1) can be set up to have an electronic device with RFID technology or similar devices which store data relating to the piece (A) hanging on it, for example the colour to use for painting, finishing, the destination, the identification of the production lot, the type of the piece, etc. Said electronic device is suited to communicate with the control unit with a PLC and with devices for the control of the processing parameters on the piece (A) itself.
Therefore, with reference to the above description and the attached drawings, the following claims are expressed.

Claims

1. Automated system for loading, unloading and handling of objects or pieces (A) to be processed with a predominantly two-dimensional geometry, for industrial processing plants in general, characterized in that it comprises:
· one or more mobile storage devices, or trolleys (1), with one or more horizontal removable bars (7), with at least one piece (A) to be processed being hung or otherwise bound to each of said bars (7), said trolley (1) being suited to be positioned in one or more loading and/or unloading areas (C);
• at least one overhead conveyor (2), in turn comprising one or more mobile supports (6), suitable to hook one or more of said horizontal bars (7) of said trolleys (1), and sliding tracks (21) of said mobile supports (6) to move said bars (7), and consequently said pieces (A), from one or more of said loading areas (C), to one or more piece (A) processing stations (V, D), to one or more unloading stations (C).
2. System, according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one conveyor (2) also comprises one or more vertical lifting units (3) of said mobile supports (6) of the conveyor (2), suited to raise/lower said mobile supports (6) to grasp/unload said bars (7) of the trolleys (1) and consequently said pieces (A).
3k System, according to claims 1, 2, characterized in that it also comprises: · one or more rails on the floor (4) for the movement and the positioning of one or more of said trolleys (1) in one or more of said loading and/or unloading areas (C), that is, in the vicinity of said lifting units
(3) of the conveyor (2);
• one or more translation units (5) for the horizontal movement of said trolleys (1) on said rails (4).
4. System, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises one or more control units with PLC for the coordination of all the movements of said mobile supports (6) and of said lifting unit (3) of the conveyor (2), of said translation units (5) of the trolleys (1).
5. System, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of said trolleys (1) in turn comprises:
• wheels (11), fixed and/or pivoting, for the movement of the trolleys;
• supports or vertical uprights (12) placed at a constant pitch (X), equipped with forks (13) or upper supports, suited to hold said bars (7);
• at least one series of horizontal bars (7) arranged parallel and side by side to each other, on each of which a piece (A) to be processed is hung;
• fixing means (71) of said pieces (A) to said bars (7) such that said pieces (A) are arranged substantially parallel to the bars (7) themselves and to each other, side by side and aligned.
6. System, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of said mobile supports (6) of the conveyor (2) in turn comprises:
• at least one bar (62) with a length substantially equal to or greater or less than the length of the bars (7) of a trolley (1);
• hooks or gripping means (61) on said bar (62), suited to take and to release said bars (7) of the trolleys (1) on which the pieces (A) are hung.
7. System, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said mobile support (6) grabs two or more of said bars (7) side by side with their relative pieces (A) hanging from them, said bars (7) being arranged in corresponding positions of two or more trolleys (1) side by side in said loading and/or unloading area (C).
8. System, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, during the loading phase of one or more of said bars (7) from one or more of said trolleys (1) to said at least one conveyor (2),
• at least one of said empty mobile supports (6) of the conveyor (2) is suited to be positioned in correspondence with at least one of said loading and/or unloading areas (C);
• at least one of said trolleys (1) is suited to be positioned in said loading and/or unloading area (C), below said lifting unit (3) of the conveyor (2) and the relative mobile support (6);
· said lifting unit (3) is suited to lower said bar (62) of the mobile support (6) of the conveyor (2), until the relative gripping means or hooks (61) are at the height of said one or more bars (7) to be grasped on said at least one trolley
(i);
• said at least one trolley (1) is suited to be moved by at least a half-pitch, until said bar (7) to be lifted touches said hooks (61) of said mobile support (6) of the conveyor (2);
• said lifting unit (3) is suited to lift said bar (62) of the mobile support (6) of the conveyor (2) and thus to also raise the bar (7) of the trolley (1), to which the piece or pieces (A) to be processed are hung;
· said trolley (1) is suited to be moved by at least a further half-pitch in order to enable the piece(s) (A) picked up to exit, preventing collision against said vertical uprights (12) of the trolley(l) itself;
• said mobile support (6) of the conveyor (2) is suited to move on said tracks (21), taking the piece(s) (A) just loaded with it,
and vice versa, in the unloading phase (C) of at least one bar (7) from said conveyor (2) to at least one related trolley (1), and wherein said control unit provides for the determination of the correct synchronization of the sequence.
9. System, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in said loading phase of at least one bar (7) from a trolley (1) to said conveyor (2), said one or more translation units (5) are suited to
• move said trolley (1), positioned in said loading area (C), by at least one half- pitch, until said bar (7) to be lifted from the trolley (1) touches said lowered hooks (61) of the mobile support (6 ) of the conveyor (2), to enable the bar (7) to be picked up;
• move said same trolley (1) by at least a further half-pitch, so as to enable the bar (7) and the related piece(s) (A) picked up to exit, preventing collision against said vertical uprights (12) of the trolley (1) itself,
and vice versa, in the unloading phase (C) of at least one bar (7) from said conveyor (2) to at least one related trolley (1).
10. System, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of said bars (7) of the trolleys (1) comprises mechanical, electronic and/or electromechanical identification devices for the correct routing of the bar (7) and the associated piece (A).
11. System, according to claim 10, characterized in that each of said bars (7) comprises an electronic device with RFID technology for the storage of data relating to the piece (A) hanging from it and the processing to be performed on it, said RFID device being further suited to communicate with said control unit with PLC and with the devices for the control of the processing parameters on the piece (A) itself.
PCT/IB2014/061327 2014-05-08 2014-05-09 Automated system for loading, unloading and handling objects or pieces to be processed in industrial processing systems WO2015170145A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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ITPD2014A000118 2014-05-08
ITPD20140118 2014-05-08

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS61114905A (en) * 1984-11-06 1986-06-02 Takeshi Hayashi Storehouse high cargo-handling device
EP0253790A1 (en) * 1986-07-10 1988-01-20 Ab Volvo A method and arrangement for transferring articles
NL1028150C2 (en) * 2005-01-28 2005-12-23 Railtechniek Van Herwijnen B V Transport rail system for moving e.g. windows or doors along production line, allows objects to be moved along rail in rotated position
US20090020661A1 (en) * 2007-07-20 2009-01-22 Intigral, Inc. Attachment system

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS61114905A (en) * 1984-11-06 1986-06-02 Takeshi Hayashi Storehouse high cargo-handling device
EP0253790A1 (en) * 1986-07-10 1988-01-20 Ab Volvo A method and arrangement for transferring articles
NL1028150C2 (en) * 2005-01-28 2005-12-23 Railtechniek Van Herwijnen B V Transport rail system for moving e.g. windows or doors along production line, allows objects to be moved along rail in rotated position
US20090020661A1 (en) * 2007-07-20 2009-01-22 Intigral, Inc. Attachment system

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