CH719111A1 - conveyor system. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a conveyor system (1) for conveying objects, which comprises a transport device for transporting objects along a predetermined route. The transport device comprises at least one running rail (111) and at least one running carriage (112) which can be attached to the running rail (111). The carriage (112) is configured to run along the running rail (111) in a conveying direction (F) and to convey at least one object. The conveyor system (1) further comprises a driver device (12) which is arranged and can be driven at least in some areas along the running rail (111) for driving the carriage (112) of the transport device (11). The driver device (12) comprises at least one driver element (121) with a freely rotatable driver roller (122), wherein the freely rotatable driver roller (122) can be brought into engagement (E) with the carriage (112) along the carriage (112). of the running rail (111).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of materials handling. It concerns a conveyor system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A large number of systems are known from the prior art for the automatic transport of objects, in particular objects transported in a suspended manner, along rails guided through a room. Typically, objects hanging on carriages are entrained along a transport rail by a driver device which runs parallel at least in some areas, is driven and is in engagement with the carriages. The known, usually hook-shaped driver elements must be actively disengaged at a planned stopping station of the carriage or when an obstacle occurs.

DE102005006455A1 discloses a transport system for hanging objects, in particular for items of clothing hanging on hangers, with a transport rail, with a drive chain which is arranged in the transport rail so that it can move in a conveying direction and has catches projecting downwards, and with rollers in the transport rail below the drive chain guided holding elements for the objects, which can be moved in the conveying direction by means of the drive chain. The transport system is characterized in that the carriers are designed like bolts, that the holding elements are mounted in the transport rail so as to oscillate around only a pair of rollers and have upwardly projecting lugs for engaging in the drive chain between two adjacent carriers and that between the transport rail and the Holding elements means are provided which prevent a disengagement of approach and driver at a predetermined maximum inclination of the holding element relative to a normal on the transport rail in a spanned by the conveying direction vertical transport plane.

DE20317972U1 describes an overhead conveyor system with a conveyor rail, a drivable conveyor device arranged above the conveyor rail, pawl drivers attached to the conveyor device and directed towards the conveyor rail for transporting hanger hooks that can be moved on the conveyor rail in a conveying direction, each pawl driver having a carrier connected to the conveyor device and a pawl which has a catch which lags behind in the conveying direction and which is on the carrier by means of a pivot axis which is arranged laterally and above the conveying rail and at an acute angle of at most 60° to the conveying direction.

EP3186036B1 describes a conveyor system for transporting objects, in particular goods, along a predetermined route, which comprises a running rail and at least one running carriage running on this running rail and being freely movable along the running rail, as well as a driven engagement device, which extends at least in sections along of the running rail and comprises a plurality of engaging elements movable along the running rail and engageable with the running carriage for controlling the movement of the at least one running carriage.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

The known driver devices of conveyor systems work with driver elements that resolve the engagement when an obstacle occurs and fall back into an engaged basic position. The known systems work with hook-shaped driver elements, which are arranged adjustable between at least two positions. The change of position between the engaged position and an open position is associated with undesirable noise development, because a rattling noise occurs when changing back and forth between the two positions. Furthermore, the hook-shaped driver elements tend to wear out locally.

[0007] One object of the invention can be seen in reducing the noise generated by the driver device.

A conveyor system according to the invention for conveying objects comprises a transport device for transporting objects along a predetermined route. The transport device is preferably an overhead conveyor. For conveying objects, the transport device comprises at least one running rail and at least one running carriage that can be attached to the running rail. Good results in terms of smooth running and directional stability can be achieved if the cross-sectional profile of the running rail comprises at least three profile sections connected to one another.

Preferably, the running rail has a first laterally outwardly open profile section for accommodating first rollers of the carriage, a second laterally outwardly open profile section for accommodating second rollers of the carriage, and a third profile section open in the vertical direction for accommodating third rollers of the carriage up. In a preferred variant, the first and the second profile section of the running rail are arranged mirror-symmetrically to a vertical center plane of the running rail. Such a structure of the rail and the corresponding carriage makes it possible to convey even heavy loads on track and without swaying.

The running rail can be designed in one piece and produced by bending a metal band or a metal strip, in that the first, second and third profile section each comprise a cross-sectional profile in a U-shape, the running rail having a connecting section with legs adjoining it on both sides.

The carriage is configured to run along the running rail in a conveying direction and to convey at least one object. The carriage typically comprises a U-shaped carriage body, which is designed to encompass the running rail and comprises a first and a second leg.

The first and the second leg can be connected to one another by a connecting section, which preferably runs perpendicular to the conveying direction of the running rail. Typically, the limbs adjoin the connecting section laterally, the first limb having first rollers attached to its inside and the second limb having second rollers attached to its inside. For high directional stability, the connecting section can have third rollers on a side facing the running rail. The first and second rollers are preferably arranged standing (horizontally) and the third rollers are arranged lying (vertically).

The conveyor system for conveying objects can include various variants of transport devices. A transport device designed as an overhead conveyor can have carriages with carrying elements. The carrying elements can be designed, for example, in the form of brackets, eyelets or hooks. To transport the objects, bags in the form of hanging bags or tote bags can be arranged on the carrying elements.

For transporting piece goods, the transport device can be designed as a horizontal conveyor. To transport the unit loads, the horizontal conveyor can include carriages which are suitable for receiving plates or baskets.

In a preferred variant, the carriage comprises at least one engaging element extending in the direction of the driver device. The engagement element can be operatively connected to the connecting section and/or one of the legs of the carriage. Alternatively, the driver element can also be formed integrally with the carriage. Good results can be obtained when the engaging element is a form element from the group of the following elements or a combination thereof: cylindrical pins, tenons, bulges, cams or protrusions or edges. In a preferred variant, the driver element is designed as a cylindrical pin that extends laterally from the carriage. The driver element preferably extends essentially perpendicular to the conveying direction of the running rail away from the carriage.

[0016] The conveyor system also comprises a driver device, which is arranged at least in certain areas along the running rail and can be driven, for driving the carriage of the transport device. The driver device can be suitable for taking the at least one carriage with it, at least in sections; for this purpose, it preferably comprises a drivable and revolving chain.

In a preferred variant, the driver device comprises a driven chain running around two pinions and guided in a chain guide arranged parallel to the transport device. Good results can be achieved if the chain is designed as a roller or pin chain. To prevent the chain from sagging or deflecting, the chain can be guided in a chain guide. The chain guide is preferably designed as a channel made of a plastic such as polyethylene. Polyethylene has the advantage of being relatively abrasion resistant and self-lubricating.

The driver device further comprises at least one driver element with a freely rotatable driver roller, wherein the freely rotatable driver roller can be brought into engagement with the carriage in order to entrain the carriage along the running rail. One of the advantages of a freely rotatable carrier roller compared to hook-shaped carrier elements is that they not only wear out selectively, but more evenly. Due to the free rotation of the roller, a random point on the outer surface of the freely rotatable driver roller is in engagement with the carriage for each intervention. Furthermore, a driver device with driver elements with a freely rotatable driver roller also makes it possible to reverse the conveying direction. Due to the rotationally symmetrical contour of the carrier roller and the free rotatability, it can rotate freely around this axis in both directions and thus take the respective carriage with it.

In a preferred variant, the at least one driver element with a freely rotatable driver roller can be connected to a drivable pin chain. Good results can be achieved if the at least one driver element can be connected to at least one pin of the pin chain by means of a spring connection. A locking element such as a lock washer or a shaft locking ring is preferably used for this purpose. The driver element can have an essentially C-shaped base body. The base body preferably has a first area with at least one borehole in order to connect the base body to at least one pin of the pin chain. For this purpose, the at least one pin of the pin chain can have a circumferential groove and the at least one driver element can have a bead corresponding to the groove.

The base body preferably comprises a second area on which an axis can be formed. For easy interchangeability, the axle can include a snap connection, by means of which the freely rotatable driver roller can be locked laterally on the axle, ie is secured axially. The freely rotatable driver roller is preferably arranged so that it can rotate freely radially about the axis, but is fixed in a secure position axially along the axis. This prevents the freely rotatable driver roller from slipping in the axial direction on the axis when it engages with a carriage due to the force applied by the carriage.

In order to achieve offset-free and clean running of the roller on the axle and thus to ensure smooth running, the freely rotatable carrier roller arranged on the axle can include a hub. Good results can be obtained if the hub comprises a metal sleeve which freely rotates around the axis of the driving element.

Good results can be achieved if the freely rotatable driver roller is elastically deformable. The freely rotatable driver roller can thereby be brought into engagement with the carriage in that a frictional connection between the driver roller and the carriage can be produced by at least partially temporary deformation of the freely rotatable driver roller.

[0023] Temporary is to be understood as meaning the period of time in which the freely rotatable driver roller is in engagement with the carriage. The temporary deformation is usually a deformation of the lateral surface of the freely rotatable driver roller. When the freely rotatable driver roller engages, the frictional connection is generated by a mixture of a temporary positive connection and a frictional connection. At least one driver element, which can be moved along the transport device, is brought into engagement with at least one carriage in order to take along a carriage by means of the entrainment device.

The fit between the axle and the freely rotatable roller, as well as the hardness of the material of the roller are chosen such that the freely rotatable driver roller entrains the carriage in a non-blocked state. The frictional connection between the freely rotatable driver roller and the carriage is achieved in that the freely rotatable driver roller is temporarily deformed in certain areas. The form of the local deformation of the freely rotatable carrier roller results from the geometry of the engagement element of the carriage. Preferably, the shape of the local deformation can be a partial indentation. After the carriage is released, the freely rotatable carrier roller essentially returns to its initial state.

In a blocked state of the carriage, for example by a stop element at a workstation, the freely rotatable driver roller is partially deformed in such a way that the freely rotatable roller rolls over the engagement element of the carriage without taking the carriage. In this case, rolling away refers to the rolling of the freely rotatable carrier roller on the engagement element of the carriage. In an undeformed initial state, the lateral surface of the freely rotatable driver roller is essentially cylindrical. If the lateral surface is brought into engagement with a blocked carriage, and the lateral surface is elastically deformed by the engagement element of the carriage. After rolling over the engagement element of the carriage, the outer surface of the freely rotatable driver roller essentially returns to its initial cylindrical state.

[0026] Good results can be achieved if the freely rotatable driver roller consists essentially of an elastically deformable foam plastic. In a preferred variant, the freely rotatable driver roller is made of polyurethane. One of the advantages of a freely rotating flight roller, as opposed to a hooked flight element, is that the roller does not only wear out locally. Due to the free rotatability, a different point on the outer surface of the freely rotatable carrier roller is engaged with the carriage each time it engages with the carriage. A freely rotatable carrier roller therefore has a longer service life than hook-shaped carrier elements.

In order to be able to release individual driver elements quickly and easily in the event of wear or in the event of a fault, these are preferably connected to the chain by means of the tongue and groove connection. In order to be able to efficiently detach a driver element from the chain, the at least one driver element can have a receiving space. The receiving space can be designed, for example, as a groove which is arranged on the base body of the at least one driver element.

Good results can be achieved if the receiving space is limited by the pin chain. Such a receiving space, which in the mounted state is formed by the driver element connected to the chain, by the groove of the driver element and the chain, can be used to accommodate a tool. The receiving space can be configured to receive a tool in order to detach the driver element from the pin chain using the tool. The driver element is preferably pried off the pin chain. This can be done, for example, using a standard screwdriver.

LIST OF CHARACTERS

Aspects of the invention are explained in more detail on the basis of the exemplary embodiments shown in the following figures and the associated description. 1 shows a perspective side view of an exemplary embodiment of the conveyor system; FIG. 2 shows a perspective plan view of a driver element with a freely rotatable driver roller of the exemplary embodiment of the conveyor system according to FIG. 1; FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the exemplary embodiment of the conveyor system according to FIG. 1; 4a-4c the rolling away of the freely rotatable carrier roller of the carrier element of the exemplary embodiment of the conveyor system according to FIG. 2; 5 shows a sectional view of an embodiment of the driver element with a freely rotatable driver roller; 6 shows a sectional view of a second exemplary embodiment of the driver element with a freely rotatable driver roller.

PRESENTATION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the conveyor system 1 for conveying objects. The conveyor system 1 shown can be used as a horizontal conveyor for conveying plates or shells. Because of the geometry of the running rail 111, the running carriage 112 that is in engagement with it runs on the running rail 111 so that it cannot tip over. The conveyor system 1 shown thus includes a transport device 11 for transporting objects along a predetermined route. The transport device 11 shown comprises at least one running rail 111 and at least one carriage 112 that can be attached to the running rail 111. The running rail 111 shown comprises a cross-sectional profile with at least three profile sections 1111, 1112, 1113 connected to one another. The first 1111 and the second 1112 profile section of the running rail 111 are arranged mirror-symmetrically to one along a vertical center plane M of the running rail 111 . The running rail 111 shown can be made in one piece and produced by bending a metal band or a metal strip, in that the first 1111, second 1112 and third 1113 profile section each have a U-shaped cross-sectional profile, with the running rail 111 having a connecting section 1114 on both sides subsequent legs 1115 has. The carriage 112 is configured to run along the running rail 111 in a conveying direction F and to convey at least one object. The carriage 112 of the exemplary embodiment shown comprises a U-shaped carriage body 1122 which is designed to encompass the running rail 111 and comprises a first leg 1123 and a second leg 1124 . The first leg 1123 has first rollers mounted on its inside and the second leg 1124 has second rollers mounted on its inside. The two legs 1123, 1124 are connected here by means of a connecting section 1125. For high directional stability, the connecting section 1125 can have third rollers on a side facing the running rail 111 . The driver device 12 shown, which is arranged and can be driven at least in regions along the running rail 111, for driving the carriage 112 of the transport device 11, comprises at least one driver element 121 with a freely rotatable driver roller 122, wherein the freely rotatable driver roller 122 can be brought into engagement with the carriage 112 E around the Carriage 112 to take it along the rail 111.

Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the driver element 121, which includes a receiving space 1213 and is connected to a pin chain 123. As can be seen from the figure, the receiving space 1213 designed as a groove is delimited by the pin chain 123 . The receiving space 1213 is configured to receive a tool in order to detach the driver element 121 from the pin chain 123 by means of the tool, preferably by levering the driver element 121 off the pin chain. In the event of wear, individual driver elements 121 can thus be released quickly and easily. The driver element 121 can preferably be detached from the pin chain 123 using a commercially available screwdriver.

Figure 3 shows a top view of the exemplary embodiment of the conveyor system 1. The conveyor system 1 shown comprises a driver device 12 which is arranged and drivable at least in regions along the running rail 111 and has a large number of driver elements 121 connected to pins 1231 of the circulating pin chain 123 for driving the carriage 112 of the Transport device 11. Good results can be obtained if the chain is designed as a roller or pin chain 123. The driver elements 121 shown include freely rotatable driver rollers 122, which can be brought into engagement with the carriage 112 E in order to entrain the carriage 112 along the running rail 111 in the conveying direction F. As can be seen from Figure 3, the freely rotatable driver rollers 122 shown are elastically deformable and can therefore be brought into engagement E with the carriage 112 by deforming the freely rotatable driver roller 122, at least in some areas temporarily, preferably in the form of a partial indentation, creating a frictional connection between the carrier roller 122 and the carriage 112 can be produced. The engagement E is achieved here by at least one engagement element 1121 protruding in the direction of the driver device 12 . The engagement element 1121 is preferably a shaped element from the group of the following elements or a combination thereof: cylindrical pins, tenons, bulges, cams or projections or edges. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the engagement element 1121 is designed as a cylindrical pin which is connected to the carriage or integrally formed on it.

Figures 4a - 4c show how the at least one freely rotatable driver roller 122 in the blocked state of the carriage 112 rolls over the engagement element 1121 without taking the carriage 112 with it. The freely rotatable driver roller 122 shown is elastically deformable and a frictional connection between the driver roller 122 and the carriage 112 is achieved by at least partially temporary deformation of the freely rotatable driver roller 122 . The fit between the axle 1212 and the freely rotatable cam roller 122, as well as the hardness of the material of the freely rotatable cam roller 122 are selected such that the freely rotatable cam roller 122 drives the carriage 112 in an unblocked state. When carriage 112 is blocked, for example by a stop element 13 at a work station, as shown in Figures 4a to 4c, the freely rotatable driver roller 122 is deformed in some areas in such a way that it rolls over engagement element 1121 of carriage 112 without carriage 112 take away After rolling over the engaging element 1121 of the carriage 112, the freely rotatable carrier roller 112 also essentially returns to the initial state. One of the advantages of a freely rotatable flight roller 122 as opposed to a hooked flight element is that the freely rotatable flight roller 122 does not wear out only locally. Due to the free rotation, a different point on the outer surface 1222 of the freely rotatable driver roller 122 engages with the carriage 112 with each engagement E with the carriage 112. A freely rotatable driver roller 112 therefore has a longer service life than hook-shaped driver elements.

Figures 5 and 6 show two exemplary embodiments of the at least one driver element 121. The exemplary embodiments of the driver element 121 shown have a substantially C-shaped base body 1215. The base body 1215 has a first area 1216 with at least one bore 1217 in order to connect the base body 121 5 to at least one pin 1231 of the pin chain 123 . As shown in FIG. 5, the at least one pin 1231 of the pin chain 123 can include a receptacle 1233 and the at least one driver element 121 can be locked by means of a securing element 14 by inserting it into the receptacle 1233. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6, the at least one pin 1231 of the pin chain 123 can include a circumferential groove 1232 and the at least one driver element 121 can include a bead 1211 corresponding to the groove 1232.

In both exemplary embodiments, the base body 1215 preferably includes a second region 1218 on which an axis 1212 is formed. For easy interchangeability, the freely rotatable driver roller 122 shown can be operatively connected to the axis 1212 of the driver element 121 by means of a snap connection 1214 . In order to ensure that the freely rotatable driver roller 122 runs smoothly on the axis 1212 and thus ensure smooth running, the freely rotatable driver rollers 122 shown each include a hub 1221 arranged on the axis 1212. The hub 1221 is preferably designed as a metal sleeve, which rotates freely around the axis 1212 of the driver element 121.

LIST OF REFERENCE MARKS

1 conveyor system 11 transport device 111 running rail 1111 first profile section 1112 second profile section 1113 third profile section 1114 connecting section 1115 leg (running rail) 112 carriage 1121 engagement element 1122 carriage body 1123 first leg 1124 second leg 1125 connection section 12 driver device 121 driver element 1211 bead 1212 axis 1213 receiving space 1214 Snap connection 1215 basic body 1216 first area 1217 bore 1218 second area 122 driver roller 1221 hub 1222 outer surface 123 pin chain 1231 pin (pin chain) 1232 groove (pin chain) 1233 receptacle 124 chain guide 13 stop element 14 securing element E engagement F conveying direction M central plane

Claims (12)

1. Conveyor system (1) for conveying objects, comprising a transport device (11) for transporting objects along a predetermined route, which comprises at least one running rail (111) and at least one carriage (112) that can be attached to the running rail (111), which is configured to run along the running rail (111) in a conveying direction (F) and to convey at least one object, and a driver device (12) which is arranged at least in certain areas along the running rail (111) and can be driven, for taking along the carriage (112) of the transport device (11), which comprises at least one driver element (121) with a freely rotatable driver roller (122), wherein the freely rotatable driver roller (122) can be brought into engagement (E) with the carriage (112) along the carriage (112). the running rail (111). 2. Conveyor system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the freely rotatable driver roller (122) is elastically deformable and can thereby be brought into engagement (E) with the carriage (112) by at least partially temporary deformation of the freely rotatable Driver roller (122), preferably in the form of a partial indentation, a frictional connection between the driver roller (122) and the carriage (112) can be produced. 3. Conveyor system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the carriage (112) comprises at least one engagement element (1121) protruding in the direction of the driver device (12), preferably a shaped element from the group of the following elements or a combination thereof : Solid pins, tenons, bulges, cams or projections or edges. 4. Conveyor system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the driver device (12) comprises a drivable pin chain (123), wherein the at least one driver element (121) can be connected to the pin chain (123), preferably in that the at least a driver element (121) can be connected to at least one pin (1231) of the pin chain (123) by means of a spring connection. 5. Conveyor system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one pin (1231) of the pin chain (123) comprises a circumferential groove (1232) and the at least one driver element (121) has a groove (1232) corresponding bead (1211). 6. Conveyor system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one driver element (121) comprises a receiving space (1212) which is delimited by the pin chain (123) and is configured to accommodate a tool around the driver element ( 121) from the pin chain (123) by means of the tool, preferably by levering the driver element (121) off the pin chain. 7. Conveyor system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the freely rotatable driver roller (122) essentially consists of an elastically deformable foam plastic, preferably polyurethane. 8. Conveyor system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the freely rotatable carrier roller (122) comprises a hub (1221) which preferably comprises a metal sleeve which freely rotates around the axis (1212) of the carrier element (121). . 9. Conveyor system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the freely rotatable driver roller (122) can be operatively connected to an axis (1212) of the driver element (121) by means of a snap connection (1214). 10. Driver device (12) for taking along a carriage (112) of a transport device (11), which transport device (11) for transporting objects along a predetermined route has at least one running rail (111) and at least one running carriage (111) attachable to the running rail (111) 112), which is configured to run along the running rail (111) in a conveying direction (F) and to convey at least one object, wherein the driver device (12) can be driven and is arranged at least in regions along the running rail (111) and for Taking along the carriage (112) of the transport device (11) comprises at least one driver element (121) with a freely rotatable driver roller (122), wherein the freely rotatable driver roller (122) can be brought into engagement (E) with the carriage (112) around the Carry along the carriage (112) along the running rail (111). 11. A method for conveying objects along a conveying direction (F) comprising the following steps a. Providing a conveyor system (1) which comprises a transport device (11) and a driver device (12); b. At least one driver element (121) that can be moved along the transport device (11) engages (E) with at least one carriage (112), which driver element (121) comprises a freely rotatable driver roller (122). i. in a non-blocked state of the carriage (112) entrains the carriage (112), and ii. is partially deformed in a blocked state of the carriage (112) and rolls over the engagement element (1121) of the carriage (112) without taking the carriage (112) with it. 12. Method for conveying objects according to claim 11, characterized in that the lateral surface (1222) of the freely rotatable carrier roller (122) is brought into engagement (E) in an undeformed initial state with a blocked carriage (112) and the lateral surface (1222 ) is elastically deformed by the engaging member (1121) of the carriage (112) and substantially returns to the original state after rolling over the engaging member (1121) of the carriage (11 2).