WO2017009775A2

WO2017009775A2 - A transport device for one or more processing and/or assembling stations of components of the industry and line for producing or assembling said industry components

Info

Publication number: WO2017009775A2
Application number: PCT/IB2016/054153
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pasquale Forte
Original assignee: Eldor Corporation S.P.A.
Priority date: 2015-07-14
Filing date: 2016-07-12
Publication date: 2017-01-19
Also published as: WO2017009775A3; ITUB20152161A1

Abstract

A transport device for one or more processing and/or assembling stations of components of the industry, comprises at least one longitudinal guide (2) extending along its own longitudinal axis (A) and provided with at least one upper sliding face (3), at least one carrier (8) slidingly coupled to the guide (2) and at least in part surmounting the upper face (3), at least one conveyor belt (9) having an operating segment (9a) movable along the longitudinal axis (A) and operatively associated with the carrier (8) to translate it along the guide (2), in which the operating segment (9a) of the conveyor belt (9) lies slidingly on the upper face of the guide (2) and is interposed between said upper face (3) of the guide (2) and the carrier (8) and the carrier (8) has at least one driving member (10) placed in contact with the operating segment (9a) of the conveyor belt (9).

Description

A TRANSPORT DEVICE FOR ONE OR MORE PROCESSING AND/OR ASSEMBLING STATIONS OF COMPONENTS OF THE INDUSTRY AND LINE FOR PRODUCING OR ASSEMBLING SAID INDUSTRY COMPONENTS

The present invention relates to a transport device for one or more processing and/or assembling stations of components of the industry and a line for producing and/or assembling said industry components.

Therefore, the present invention finds particular application in the manufacturing industry in general, in particular in the realization of automated production lines and having a plurality of stations arranged in succession.

In fact, in the processing or assembling of components it is known to use a supporting plane, or pallet, on which the pieces or components to be processed/assembled are placed, which is "freely" moved along the line exploiting a series of mats which move the plane towards the different stations, or coupled, through guides, shoes and "switches".

Clearly, for high-precision processing, such as, for example, the realization of electrical components, windings, coils or the like, the free pallet transport is not functional, since it introduces various imprecisions in the line.

In this light, other more rigid solutions have been developed over the years, in which each pallet is precisely guided thanks to the combined use of a rigid guide and a conveyor belt or rack.

One of such solutions is known from the document MI2005A001393, in which a line is shown, provided with a straight guide which is slidingly associated with a carrier which is, in turn, laterally and cantilevered provided with a movement system, i.e. a rack.

Alternatively, the rack is replaced by a conveyor belt which runs alongside the guide, in which the carrier is laterally and cantilevered provided with a toucher preloaded and configured to place in contact the carrier with the belt.

Disadvantageously, such solutions are not very accurate as they require a highly rigid support to allow the connection and the coupling between the guide and the movement device/toucher.

In fact, having to couple two elements distinct from one another through a third component (the support), both the realization of this latter and the mounting of each element with the third component assume critical importance, introducing different constructive and assembling criticality. Moreover, the forcibly elongated and thin conformation of the components often requires the calculation of preloads and deformations which allow, once in use, to obtain a linear and aligned set, a goal whose complexity increases according to the number of components involved.

In the light of the above, object of the present invention is to provide a transport device for one or more processing and/or assembling stations of components of the industry able to overcome the drawbacks of the aforementioned prior art.

More precisely, object of the present invention is to provide a highly precise transport device for one or more processing and/or assembling stations of components of the industry, having small dimensions.

Furthermore, object of the present invention is to provide a modular transport device for one or more processing and/or assembling stations of components of the industry, easy to assemble for the realization of the production line.

Said objects are achieved by a transport device for one or more processing and/or assembling stations of components of the industry having the characteristics of one or more of the following claims, and in particular by a device comprising at least one longitudinal guide extending along its own longitudinal axis and provided with at least one upper sliding face, at least one carrier slidingly coupled to the guide and at least in part surmounting said upper face and at least one conveyor belt having an operating segment movable along said longitudinal axis and operatively associated with the carrier to translate it along the guide.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the operating segment of the conveyor belt lies slidingly on the upper face of the guide and is interposed between said upper face of the guide and the carrier, in which the carrier has at least one driving member placed in contact with said operating segment of the belt.

Advantageously, in this way, the dimensions of the transport device are very small and the overlapping between the guide and the conveyor belt makes the mutual alignment automatic.

In particular, the presence of the guide alone allows to eliminate the presence of structural supporting elements, being the guide itself highly rigid and needing only a support for its placement in the station.

More precisely, in fact, the carrier has a central portion interposed between two side flanks, wherein the central portion comprises said driving member and the side flanks are slidingly coupled to the guide.

In this way, the transverse compactness of the device is ensured.

Furthermore, preferably the upper face of the guide and/or the central portion of the carrier comprise a longitudinal groove, parallel to said longitudinal axis, and shaped to receive and guide said conveyor belt.

Therefore, in this way the parallelism between belt and guide is ensured, without complications in the mounting or without the need to interpose a rigid and bearing supporting body between guides and belt.

Advantageously, the guide is a self-bearing monolithic element and does not need stiffening or supporting structural elements.

In this light, preferably all the auxiliary devices required for the various processing operations along the guide are directly coupled to it or, however, they discharge their weight on it.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the device comprises an auxiliary guide rigidly coupled to the guide, below it, and slidingly associated with one or more auxiliary members; more preferably, the device comprises a stop member slidingly coupled to said auxiliary guide and configured to switch between a coupling configuration, in which it engages said at least one carrier in order to move integrally to it along the auxiliary guide, and a release configuration, in which it releases the carrier to allow the translation along the longitudinal guide.

Advantageously, in this way it is possible to enable highly precise processing operations, which require the displacement of the pieces to be processed with respect to the processing "tools", without the need to move the tools (with consequent precision/stiffness problems) or to change the advancement speed of the belt.

In fact, such an embodiment of the stop member retain the carrier in such a way that the conveyor belt can crawl with respect to the driving member of the carrier, without the coupling of the two members.

However, these and other characteristics will be clearer from the following exemplary, and therefore not limiting description, of a preferred, and therefore not exclusive, embodiment of a transport device for one or more processing and/or assembling stations of components of the industry as illustrated in the appended figures, in which:

- Figure 1 shows a whole perspective view of a transport device for one or more processing and/or assembling stations of components of the industry according to the present invention;

- Figure 2 shows a greater detailed view of the device of Figure 1 ;

- Figure 3 shows a longitudinal sectional view according to the line Ill-Ill of Figure 2;

- Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view according to the line IV-IV of

Figure 2;

- Figure 5 shows the same cross-sectional view of Figure 4 in a further embodiment of the transport device according to the present invention;

- Figure 6 shows a longitudinal sectional view of a detail of the device of Figure 1 ; - Figure 7 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the detail of Figure 6, with a further part removed, in a second operating configuration.

With reference to the appended figures, number 1 indicates a transport device for one or more processing and/or assembling stations of components of the industry according to the present invention.

Note that the transport device 1 , alone or combined with other transport devices 1 , defines a pallet movement/transport line, i.e. a line of supporting planes of the products to be processed/assembled.

Therefore, the device 1 or the transport line extends along one or more motion directions and crosses one or more stations "S" or processing cells in which the products are assembled/processed.

Thus, the device 1 comprises at least one longitudinal guide 2 extending along its own longitudinal axis "A" and provided with at least one upper sliding face 3.

More precisely, the guide 2 extends along the longitudinal axis "A" between a first 2a and a second end 2b.

Therefore, the guide 2 extends crossing the processing station and said ends protrude from opposite sides of the station "S" itself.

The guide 2 is preferably a monolithic element made of hardened steel. Such guide 2 has an elongated conformation with at least one substantially flat face, defining the above-mentioned upper face 3.

Such face extends along the longitudinal axis "A" and is laterally delimited by two edges 4 processed so as to define the coupling portions for one or more sliding carriers 8 along the guide.

Preferably, the upper face 3 of the guide 2 has a width, measured transversely, i.e. perpendicularly, to the longitudinal axis, between 50 and

90 mm, more preferably between 60 and 80 mm, in particular about 70 mm.

Moreover, in order to allow the connection of the guide 2 to other components of the production line, it has a plurality of mounting points 6 arranged in succession on two rows. Such rows are spaced so that between them it runs a central longitudinal portion of the guide 2, better defined hereinbelow.

Preferably, the mounting points 6 are holes, preferably through holes, in which tightening screws 5 of appropriate dimensions are inserted or insertable.

The mounting points 6 can be used to anchor devices to the guide or to couple it, for example, to supports 24 of the station "S" (Figure 4) or to other components of the line (Figure 5).

Moreover, at the ends 2a, 2b of the guide, coupling portions with an adjacent guide 2 or with other components of the system are formed or, however, present.

In the illustrated embodiment, each ends 2a, 2b of the guide is provided with a pair of engagement seats 7 which can be coupled with a respective centering or connecting pin.

The device 1 comprises at least one carrier (8) slidingly coupled to the guide (2) and at least in part surmounting said upper face (3);

More precisely, the carrier 8 has a central portion 8a interposed between two side flanks 8b, in which the side flanks are slidingly connected to the guide 2, at the edges 4.

Note that, preferably, the carriers 8 are more than one and are movable along the guide to cross said one or more processing stations.

To move said one or more carriers 8, the device 1 is provided with at least one conveyor belt 9 having an operating segment 9a movable along said longitudinal axis "A" and operatively associated with the carrier 8 to translate it along the guide 2.

Therefore, the conveyor belt 9 is configured to move the carrier 8 by driving, i.e. by friction.

Preferably, the conveyor belt 9 is made of a composite with an inextensible nylon central foil coupled in the upper and lower faces with a nylon fabric coated with polyurethane. To move such belt 9 the presence of an electric motor (not shown) is provided, active on one or more pulleys.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the operating segment 9a of the conveyor belt 9 lies slidingly on the upper face 3 of the guide 2 and is interposed between the upper face 3 of the guide 2 and the carrier 8.

In this respect, preferably, the carrier 8 has at least one driving member 10 placed in contact with the operating segment 9a of the belt 9.

Advantageously, in this way the dimensions of the devices remain small and, contextually, the movement precision is high, maximum coaxiality being ensured between the guide 2 and the conveyor belt 9.

Note that the conveyor belt 9, in particular the operating segment 9a, lies on the upper face 3 of the guide, at the central longitudinal portion.

In other words, the conveyor belt 9 runs between the two rows of mounting points 6.

Therefore, the driving member 10 of the carrier 8 is placed at its central portion 8a.

Moreover, preferably the upper face 3 of the guide and/or the central portion 8a of the carrier 8 comprise a longitudinal groove 1 1 , parallel to the longitudinal axis "A" and shaped to receive and guide the conveyor belt 9. Advantageously, in this way the development coaxiality between conveyor belt 9 and guide 2 is further ensured, with a considerable increase in the movement precision and ease of assembling.

In this respect, the longitudinal groove 1 1 has a transverse dimension, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis "A", substantially corresponding to a width, measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis "A", of the conveyor belt 9.

In the preferred embodiments, the groove 1 1 (i.e. the belt 9) has a width between 30 and 40 mm, more preferably 1 mm.

Furthermore, such groove 1 1 has a depth between 1 .8 and 2 mm. In this respect, it should be noted that the conveyor belt 9 has a thickness comprised between 30 and 40 mm, and a thickness of about 1 .8-2 mm. Preferably, the operating segment 9a of the conveyor belt 9 has its end portions wrapped around respectively the first 2a and the second end 2b of the guide 2.

Therefore, two pulleys 16 or reversing rollers are preferably placed at such ends 2a, 2b of the guide 2, which enable the recirculation of the conveyor belt 9.

These pulleys or rollers 16 physically define the ends of the operating segment 9a of the belt.

Note that, preferably, the ends of the operating segment 9a are more internal than the ends 2a, 2b of the guide 2.

In other words, the side edges of the guide 2 protrude, along said longitudinal axis, with respect to its central portion.

Note that the engagement seats 7 (or grooves) are formed in the ends 2a, 2b of the guide, at the protruding edges 4.

Advantageously, in this way it is easy to abut, or connect, two nearby guides 2 connecting such edges, allowing the respective conveyor belts 9, albeit slightly, to be spaced.

Preferably, in fact, along a production line there are multiple devices 1 arranged in series with the respective rigidly connected guides 2 so that the first end 2a of a guide 2 is abutted to the second end 2b of the other and coupled to it by means of at least one joint 17 inserted in the engagement seats of both guides 2.

Therefore, in this way each edge 4 of the guide 2 is abutted and rigidly coupled to the corresponding edge of the adjacent guide at the ends 2a, 2b, while each belt 9 faces the belt 9 of the adjacent device so that a release zone of a belt 9 is next to a pickup zone of the subsequent belt. To favour the driving of the carrier 8 (or of the carriers 8) along the guide, the carrier 8 has a shoe 12 slidingly coupled to the guide 2 and a pressure element 13, translatable with respect to the shoe 1 2 to move it towards and away from the guide 2, defining said driving member 10.

The shoe 12 has substantially a "C" conformation having two mutually opposite concavity and defining the side portions 8b of the carrier 8.

Therefore, each of such concavities is coupled to a side edge 4 of the guide 2.

Preferably, the pressure element 13 is associated with the shoe 12 through elastic means 14 configured to generate a thrust (or, alternatively, a traction) toward the upper face 3 of the guide, i.e. towards the conveyor belt 9.

In the preferred embodiment, the carrier 8 comprises a plate 15 for supporting and/or securing the components to be processed and/or assembled.

This plate 15 defines the pallet on which component "C" to be processed are loaded and, preferably, anchored.

The plate 15 is rigidly secured to the shoe 12; such plate 15 and shoe 12 are shaped to define there between an interspace 15a in which the pressure element 13 is inserted.

Therefore, the pressure element 13 is enclosed between said plate 15 and said shoe 12.

More precisely, the pressure element 13 is movable inside the interspace 15a towards and away from the guide 2.

The elastic means 14 are operatively interposed between the plate 15 and the pressure element 13 (if they work in compression) or between the shoe 12 and the pressure element 13 (if they work in traction) to maintain the pressure member 13 in contact with the conveyor belt 9 by increasing the driving effect (i.e. the friction).

Preferably, the pressure element 13 comprises, with reference to the longitudinal axis A and to an advancing direction of the carrier 8, at least a front touching portion 13a and a rear touching portion 13b. More precisely, the pressure element 13 is longitudinally arranged astride the shoe 12 so as to define such front 13a and rear touching portion 13b. In the illustrated embodiment, the shoe 12 comprises a central opening 12a and the pressure element 13 comprises a centering tooth inserted (and slidable) in said central opening 12a to define an intermediate touching portion 13c.

Note that the central opening 12a is, preferably, a through opening, with axis perpendicular to the upper face 3 of the guide 2, in order to allow the crossing by the intermediate touching portion 13c.

Therefore, the pressure element 13 is an "E" shaped body, in which the "bars" of the E define respectively the front 13a, intermediate 13c and rear touching portion 13b.

Preferably, moreover, the device 1 comprises at least one stop member 22 arranged along the guide 2 and directly connected to it at at least one of the mounting points 6.

The stop member 22, otherwise known as indexing device, is configured to engage the carrier 8 in order to stop its movement or, in any case, to prevent its sliding integral with the conveyor belt 9.

This allows the implementation of the processing operations in the various stations, without the need to have mobile processing heads or tools.

Preferably, the stop member 22 is switchable between a coupling configuration, in which it engages the carrier 8, and a release configuration, in which it releases the carrier 8 to allow the translation along the longitudinal guide 2.

Therefore, the stop member 22 can be associated with heads or processing tools of different nature and type, which, thus, will not be discussed in this text since they are known or, in any case, not directly related to the object of the present invention.

Preferably, as mentioned, the stop member 22 is directly coupled to the guide 2. More precisely, the stop member has respective coupling holes 22a, each aligned with a mounting point 6 of the guide 2 and coupled to it through a special screw or threaded coupling.

Alternatively, or in combination, the device further comprises an auxiliary guide 23 rigidly coupled to the guide 2, below it, and directly coupled to it at one or more mounting points 6.

Preferably, therefore, the auxiliary guide 23 extends parallel to the guide 2 for a predetermined length portion and is directly coupled to it, preferably by screw or the like.

Therefore, in the preferred embodiment, the auxiliary guide 23 has respective coupling holes 23a, each aligned with a mounting point 6 of the guide 2 and coupled to it through a special screw or threaded coupling. Such auxiliary guide 23 has its main application in allowing the placement and positioning of devices which, in use, need to move with respect to the guide 2.

In certain embodiments, a mobile pallet indexing system is slidingly associated with such auxiliary guide 23, which can be pneumatically moved or electrically programmable to perform the same processing operation on different pieces mounted on the pallet itself.

Alternatively, small devices are secured to the auxiliary guide 23 for light operations at the pallet edge.

In both cases, the positioning of the auxiliary guide 23, directly coupled to the longitudinal guide 2 allows to improve the displacement precision and, therefore, the processing operations.

In this respect, in certain embodiments, the stop member 22 (or indexing device) is slidingly coupled to said auxiliary guide 23.

Advantageously, in this way the processing devices are coupled to the station, therefore they do not move, and it is the carrier 8 which is suitably moved along the auxiliary guide 23 (by the stop member 22) to allow that the processing operation is carried out at different points (for example on different components arranged on the carrier 8). Preferably, the device 1 comprises a first longitudinal guide 2' parallel and superimposed to a corresponding second longitudinal guide 2".

Such first 2' and second guide 2" are respectively associated with a first 9' and a second conveyor belt 9" movable in the opposite direction.

In other words, the first belt 9' (in particular its operating portion 9a') moves from the first end 2a' to the second end 2b' of the first guide 2', while the second belt 9" (in particular its operating portion 9a") moves from the second end 2b" towards the first end 2a" of the second guide 2".

Therefore, the first guide 2' defines an operating outward stroke for the carriers 8, while the second guide 2" defines a preferably non-operating return stroke.

In fact, during the translation along the first guide 2' the carriers 8 carry the components, while during the return stroke are preferably "unloaded". To allow the passage (i.e. the movement) of each carrier 8 between the first 2' and the second guide 2", the device 1 comprises an elevator assembly 18 provided with a support element 19 substantially shaped as said guide 2 in order to receive, by means of sliding, the carrier 8.

This support element 19 is movable, by means of an elevator member 18a, between a first position, at a higher height, in which it faces and is aligned to the second end 2b' of the first guide 2' to receive the carrier 8, and a second position, at a lower height, in which it faces and is aligned to the second end 2b" of the second guide 2" to release the carrier 8.

In the illustrated embodiment, the support element 19 comprises a pin 19a, preferably two, insertable in a respective engagement seat 7 of the guide 2.

More precisely, it should be noted that the first guide 2' has engagement seats 7 opened (i.e. facing) downwards, thus inferiorly, to receive the pin 19a, preferably the pins 19a, of the ascending support element 19.

On the contrary, the second guide 2" has engagement seats 7 opened (i.e. facing) upwards, thus upwardly, to receive the pin 19a, preferably the pins

19a, of the descending support element 19. Preferably, to facilitate the positioning of the carrier 8 on the support element 19, the elevator assembly 18 also comprises driving (or towing) means 20 placed laterally to the support element 19 itself and configured to couple, preferably by friction, to the carrier 8, preferably to the shoe 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the driving (or towing) means 20 are defined by a conveyor or further belt 20a.

Preferably, the driving (or towing) means 20 are integral with the support element 19 and translate with it between the first and the second position. Note that, to allow the full movement cycle of the carrier 18, the device is provided with two elevator assemblies 18, a descending one placed at the second end 2b of the guide 2 and an ascending one placed at the first end 2a of the guide 2.

Preferably, the device 1 also comprises a cleaning assembly 17 of the carrier 8 place immediately downstream of the longitudinal guide 2 and configured to clean the carrier 8 from debris, chips or soil of other nature at the end of the assembling/processing operation.

Preferably, the cleaning assembly 17 comprises a support element 19 of the carrier 8 provided with at least one through hole 19b and suction (or blowing) means 21 associated with the support element 19, in the vicinity of the through hole 19b, and configured to remove any residual materials present on the carrier 8.

Preferably, the through holes 19b are more than one and they are all in fluid connection with the suction means 21 .

Preferably, the cleaning assembly 17 is associated with the elevator assembly 18.

Therefore, the support element 19 of the cleaning assembly 17 corresponds to the support element 19 of the elevator assembly 18.

The invention achieves the intended objects and provides important advantages. In fact, the presence of a conveyor belt that runs over the guide allows to ensure the perfect alignment between the two, simplifying the structure of the device and obtaining a rapid and quick assembly.

Moreover, the possibility of using a simple joint to couple two adjacent guides, and, therefore, two subsequent stations/cells makes the structure of the production line highly flexible, with a considerable reduction in setup and movement time.

In addition, the preparation of a "self-bearing" guide makes all the components of the system directly coupled to it, with significant improvements in the mounting precision and simplicity.

Claims

1 . A transport device for one or more processing and/or assembling stations of components of the industry, comprising:

- at least one longitudinal guide (2) extending along its own longitudinal axis (A) and provided with at least a upper sliding face (3);

- at least one carrier (8) slidingly coupled to the guide (2) and at least in part surmounting said upper face (3);

- at least one conveyor belt (9) having an operating segment (9a) movable along said longitudinal axis (A) and operatively associated with the carrier (8) to translate it along the guide (2);

characterized in that the operating segment (9a) of the conveyor belt (9) lies slidingly on the upper face of the guide (2) and is interposed between said upper face (3) of the guide (2) and the carrier (8); said carrier (8) having at least one driving member (10) placed in contact with said operating segment (9a) of the conveyor belt (9).

2. A transport device according to claim 1 , characterized in that said carrier (8) has a central portion (8a) interposed between two side flanks (8b), wherein the central portion (8a) comprises said driving member (10) and the side flanks are slidingly coupled to the guide (2).

3. A transport device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said upper face (3) of the guide and/or said central portion (8a) of the carrier (8) comprise a longitudinal groove (1 1 ), parallel to said longitudinal axis (A), shaped to receive and guide said conveyor belt (9).

4. A transport device according to claim 3, characterized in that said longitudinal groove (1 1 ) has a transverse dimension, perpendicular to said longitudinal axis (A), substantially corresponding to a width, measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A), of the conveyor belt (9).

5. A transport device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one carrier (8) has a shoe (12) slidingly coupled to the guide (2) and a pressure element (13), movable with respect to the shoe (12) towards and away from the guide (2) and defining said driving member (10).

6. A transport device according to claim 5, characterized in that said pressure element (13) comprises, with reference to the longitudinal axis (A) and to an advancing direction of the carrier (8), at least a front touching portion (13a) and a rear touching portion (13b).

7. A transport device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that said shoe (12) is substantially C-shaped having two concavities opposite each other and each coupled to a side edge of the guide (2); said pressure element (13) being longitudinally arranged astride said shoe (12) so as to define a front touching portion (13a) and a rear touching portion (13b).

8. A transport device according to claim 7, characterized in that said shoe (12) comprises a central opening (12a); said pressure element (13) comprising a centering tooth inserted in said central opening (12a) and defining an intermediate touching portion (13c).

9. A transport device according to any of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that said at least one carrier (8) comprises a plate (15) for supporting and/or securing the components (C) to be elaborated and/or assembled, said plate being fixed to said shoe, so that the pressure element (13) is at least partially blocked enclosed between said plate (15) and said shoe (12).

10. A transport device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said guide (2) has a width, measured perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis (A), of between 50 and 90 mm, preferably between 60 and 80 mm, more preferably of about 70 mm.

1 1 . A transport device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said guide (2) is a longitudinal monolithic element having an elongated shape and having a plurality of mounting points (6), arranged sequentially in two rows spaced apart by a quantity greater than one width, measured perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis (A), of the conveyor belt (9); said device comprising at least one stop member (22) arranged along said guide (2) and directly connected to it at at least one of said mounting points (6).

12. A transport device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an auxiliary guide (23) rigidly coupled to said guide (2), below it, and slidably attached to one or more auxiliary members.

13. A transport device according to claim 1 1 and 12, characterized in that said stop member (22) is slidably coupled to said auxiliary guide (23) and configured to switch between a coupling configuration, in which it engages said at least one carrier (8) in order to move integrally to it along the auxiliary guide (23), and a release configuration, in which it releases the carrier (8) to allow the translation along the longitudinal guide (2).

14. A transport device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said guide (2) extends between a first (2a) and a second end (2b); said operating segment (9a) of the conveyor belt (9) having its end portions respectively wrapped around said first (2a) and second end (2b) of the guide (2).

15. A transport device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a cleaning assembly (17) of the carrier (8) placed immediately downstream of said longitudinal guide (2) axis and having:

- a support element (19) of the carrier (8) provided with at least a through hole (19b);

- suction means (21 ) associated to said support element (19), in the vicinity of said through hole (19b), and configured to remove any residual materials present on said carrier (8).

16. A transport device according to claim 15, characterized in that it comprises a first longitudinal guide (2'), parallel and superimposed to a corresponding second longitudinal guide (2"), in which the conveyor belt (9') of the first guide (2') moves in a direction opposite to that of the second guide (2"); said device comprising an elevator assembly (18) associated to the support element (19) of the cleaning unit (17) and configured to move it from a higher height, aligned to the first guide (2'), to a lower height, aligned to the second guide (2"), or vice versa.

17. Line for producing or assembling components, comprising at least a first and a second working station (S), each provided with a transporting device (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the longitudinal guides (2) of the stations (S) are rigidly connected so that the first end (2a) of a guide (2) is abutted to the second end (2b) of the other and coupled to it by means of at least one joint (17) inserted in both said ends (2a, 2b).