DE10110429B4 - Conveying device for conveying objects along a circular path in a production plant - Google Patents

Abstract

A conveying device (12) serves to transport individual objects (14) along a circular path in a production plant. It comprises a stationary base (32) and a rotating device (57). Furthermore, a bearing device (40, 42) is provided which rotatably connects the rotary device (57) to the stationary base (32). At least one receptacle (26) for an article (14) is arranged on the rotating device (57) at a position radially spaced from the axis of rotation (43) of the rotating device (57). Further, a drive (44) is provided, which sets the rotating means (57) in a rotational movement. In order to increase the precision of the rotational movement, it is proposed that the bearing device comprises at least two axially spaced-apart bearing rings (40, 42) and the stationary base (32) is annular. Further, the rotator (57) comprises a hollow bearing shaft (38) and the bearing rings (40, 42), the stationary base (32) and the hollow bearing shaft (38) are arranged coaxially with each other.

Description

The present invention relates to a conveying device according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such a conveyor device is known from the market. It is used for example in the food industry and in the pharmaceutical industry in filling stations. In such filling stations, containers are automatically filled with a substance. The containers are fed to the conveyor via a linear conveyor. The supplied containers are received by product receptacles on the rotator which are radially spaced from the pivot of the rotator. Filling devices are present above the respective product receptacles on the rotary device, which fill the desired substance into the container during the continuous rotation of the rotary device. After about a 300 ° rotation of the rotating device, the container is again supplied from the product receiving a linear conveyor, which conveys the container to another processing station.

For the storage of the rotating device ball bearings are used, which are arranged below the rotating device and a stationary. have lower and one connected to the rotatable bearing device upper bearing shell in the sense of thrust bearings. The problem with this storage facility is that the turning device connected to it can not always perform its rotary motion with the required precision. In order to ensure the most accurate storage, in addition, a corresponding axial ball bearings must be made in each case for turning devices with different diameters. This is expensive and expensive.

DE 33 13 064 A1 describes a device with which cigarettes can be moved along a circular path. An inner hollow shaft is supported by ball bearings. DE 199 07 589 C1 describes a rotary feedthrough for electrical cables in a positive or negative pressure processing chamber. US 4,387,747 A relates to a filling device for containers, in which an inner hollow shaft is also mounted on ball bearings. DE 42 14 958 C2 describes an inspection machine for vessels in which air and electricity are passed through an internal hollow shaft. DE 295 14 343 U1 discloses a turntable mounted on a radial bearing. The radial bearing includes closed wire rings and a slotted bearing ring. DE 90 07 683 U1 in turn, generally relates to a radial ball bearing with slotted rings.

The present invention therefore has the task of developing a conveying device of the type mentioned in that their rotating device is mounted as precisely as possible and the production costs are reduced.

This object is achieved by a conveying device with the features of claim 1.

In this way it is possible to accomplish the storage of the rotating device by a radial bearing. In order nevertheless to ensure a secure positioning of the axis of rotation, two axially spaced pivot bearings are provided. The coaxial arrangement of the bearing rings, the stationary base and the bearing shaft allows a very small construction. Radial bearings are very easy to produce and are available in various diameters. According to the invention, the roller bearings comprise a plurality of rolling elements and are made of flexible endless blanks and adapted to the given geometric conditions. In this case, a particularly simple adaptation to the individual diameter geometry of the conveyor is possible. With the endless blanks bearing rings of any diameter can be produced, so that a slight adaptation to the given geometric conditions is possible. Such roller bearings also work wear-free and can, for example, if they are plastic coated, work very quiet. Furthermore, the production costs for the conveying device according to the invention are reduced. Through the hollow bearing shaft lines are passed to supply the rotating device. Examples of such conduits are fluid conduits for supplying a substance which is to be filled into a container accommodated in the receptacle. But also electrical lines for sensors or provided on the conveyor actuators can be performed protected in this way easy and protected from damage.

Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in subclaims.

First, it is proposed that the stationary base is arranged radially on the outside and the hollow bearing shaft radially inwards. In this "inner rotor", the rotatable parts of the bearing device are protected by the stationary base that surrounds them from the outside. As a result, on the one hand, the risk of damage to the bearing device, for example, by pollution from the outside, reduced. On the other hand, however, the pollution emanating from the bearing device is also kept away from the remaining area of the conveying device. This is particularly favorable when using the conveyor under clean room conditions. Basically but also the reverse arrangement of the parts conceivable.

In another development of the conveying device according to the invention, the rotating device comprises a conveyor plate, which is rotatably connected to the hollow bearing shaft and which has the receptacles for the container. With this conveyor plate, the containers can be moved easily. Furthermore, other equipment necessary for processing the transported products can be installed on it.

A simple way of axially positioning the bearing rings is characterized in that the hollow bearing shaft has on its outer side two mutually axially spaced circumferential grooves, in which the bearing rings are used.

It is also proposed that the bearing rings comprise four-point bearings.

It is particularly preferred that one of the bearing rings is connected to either the stationary base or with the hollow bearing shaft in the sense of a flying bearing in the axial direction only loose or play. In this way it is possible to absorb, for example, caused by thermal expansion of the stationary base and / or the hollow bearing shaft length changes of the distance between the two bearing rings. As a result, the wear during operation of the conveyor is reduced.

For axial fixing of a bearing ring, it is possible to provide a clamping ring, which is mounted axially on the stationary base and a stationary portion of the bearing ring axially against the stationary base. Such axial positioning of a bearing ring is particularly inexpensive and easy to manufacture and can be easily solved in case of maintenance.

In a particularly preferred development of the conveying device according to the invention, the latter comprises a wireless data transmission device, which comprises at least one sensor for detecting an operationally relevant parameter and a transmitter connected to the sensor. The sensor and the transmitter are arranged on the rotating device. The data transmission device further comprises a stationary receiver and a data processing unit connected thereto, wherein the receiver at least temporarily receives data from the transmitter and forwards it to the data processing unit.

In such a conveyor device can be dispensed with the usual sliding contacts for the transmission of data from the moving rotating device to the stationary base. Such sliding contacts have the disadvantage that on the one hand the data transmission can be faulty and that on the other hand by the grinding of a contact on another contact a constant wear and pollution source is present. This is a problem especially in the pharmaceutical and food industries. In a wireless data transmission device, this source of pollution is excluded.

In addition, a very flexible use of the conveyor device according to the invention is possible because the otherwise required wiring work for signal transmission from the rotary device omitted. Finally, significantly more signals can be transmitted via such a wireless data transmission device than is possible with sliding contacts. This is particularly favorable in the inventive highly precise rotary mounting of the rotating device, since due to the highly precise and accurate pivot bearing, the use of highly sensitive measuring, control and regulating sensors for a variety of tasks on the rotating device is possible.

It is particularly preferred if the wireless data transmission device also includes a receiver, which is arranged on the rotary device, and a stationary transmitter, which is connected to the data processing unit. In this case, not only a transfer of data from the rotator to a stationary part is possible, but also data can be transmitted to the rotating device, which can be used, for example, for controlling arranged on the rotator systems.

In order to ensure secure data transmission with low energy consumption, the distance between transmitter and receiver or between the antennas of transmitter and receiver should be as small as possible. This is taken into account in that development of the conveyor device according to the invention, in which the stationary receiver and possibly the stationary transmitter of the wireless data transmission device are arranged in the region of the stationary base. Basically, if the correspondingly necessary power can be made available, but also a data transmission over longer distances conceivable, for example, directly from the moving part of the device in a remote control room.

It is also proposed that an electrical energy store be provided on the rotating device, which with there arranged elements of the wireless data transmission device Power supplied. Such an electrical energy store may be, for example, an accumulator. It is particularly preferred that the conveying device has an induction device which supplies the electrical energy storage at least temporarily wirelessly with energy. It is thus possible, for example, to recharge the battery when the rotary device is at a standstill. In this development of the conveying device according to the invention, therefore, no manipulations (eg the production of plug connections) on the conveying device are required in order to ensure the power supply of the components of the wireless data transmission device arranged on the rotating device. As a result, on the one hand, the reliability is increased and, on the other hand, such a conveying device can also be used under the highest clean-room conditions.

In the same direction aims that development of the conveyor device according to the invention, in which solar cells are arranged on the rotating device, which supply the arranged there elements of the wireless data transmission device with power. In this way, the light normally present in each production environment can be used to power the components present on the rotator.

Finally, it is proposed that components of the data transmission device, in particular by Faraday encapsulation, be protected against electromagnetic interference. This allows a reduction of the necessary transmission power with high transmission reliability.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a conveying device will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawing show;

1 a plan view of an area of a production plant with a conveyor, with the individual products can be transported along a circular path;

2 a section along the line II-II of 1 ;

3 to 8th : the conveyor of 1 during various manufacturing steps;

9 : a bearing ring of the conveyor of 1 ; and

10 : a schematic representation of the conveyor of 1 with a wireless data transmission device.

A production plant carries in 1 Overall, the reference number 10 , She is in 1 only a partial area shown. It comprises a conveyor 12 , with the individual items 14 can be moved along a circular path. At the objects 14 In the present case, they are containers which, during their transport, pass through the conveyor 12 a substance (not shown) is filled. The conveyor 12 is thus part of a filling device.

The containers 14 become the conveyor 12 from a linear conveyor 16 in the direction of an arrow 18 fed. About a screw conveyor 20 , its screw conveyor 22 has an increasing slope over its longitudinal extent, those of the linear conveyor 16 delivered container 14 sporadically. The isolated containers 14 be from an entrance carousel 24 taken and product shots 26 , which on the conveyor 12 are provided, supplied. After filling, the containers are 14 from the conveyor 12 to an exit carousel 28 delivered and another linear conveyor 30 fed.

The basic structure of the conveyor 12 is in detail in 2 shown:
The conveyor 12 initially includes a stationary base 32 , which is designed as a retaining ring. The retaining ring 32 has an outer circumferential ring land 34 on, over which the retaining ring 32 For example, on a machine table 36 is moored. Coaxial with the retaining ring 32 is radially inward of this a hollow bearing shaft 38 available. The hollow bearing shaft 38 is opposite the retaining ring 32 by two axially spaced radial bearing rings 40 and 42 around a rotation axis 43 rotatably mounted. The hollow bearing shaft 38 stands down over the retaining ring 32 about and is not shown here manner with a drive 44 connected.

Both bearing rings 40 and 42 are in the outer wall of the hollow bearing shaft 38 in ring grooves 46 respectively. 48 held. The upper bearing ring 40 is also by a top of the retaining ring 32 attached clamping ring 50 against an axial seat 52 in the retaining ring 32 jammed. The clamping ring 50 is by screws 54 on the retaining ring 32 attached.

The hollow bearing shaft 38 extends axially upwards slightly above the upper edge of the clamping ring 50 out. At its upper protruding end is at the hollow bearing shaft 38 not shown here manner a total circular conveyor plate 56 attached. In this evenly distributed over its circumference semicircular cutouts are introduced, which are the product images 26 form. The diameter of a product intake 26 is slightly larger than the diameter of one container 14 , The hollow bearing shaft 38 and the conveyor plate 56 with the product shots 26 together form a turning device 57 ,

Below the outer edge of the conveyor plate 56 is a circular segment-shaped slide 58 arranged on which the containers 14 stand. The slide rail 58 sits down along the conveying path of the container 14 over the carousels 24 and 28 and the linear conveyors 16 and 30 continued. Radially outward is the slide rail 58 through a vertically upstanding web 60 limited. With a rotation of the conveyor plate 56 due to a drive of the hollow bearing shaft 38 through the drive 44 become the containers 14 from the product shots 26 taken in the form of a driver. The containers 14 thus glide along a circular path 62 (see. 1 ) on the slide rail 58 ,

The production of the conveyor 12 is from the 3 - 8th seen:
First, in the outer peripheral surface of the hollow bearing shaft 38 the two annular grooves 46 and 48 introduced (cf. 3 ). The axial position of the annular grooves 46 and 48 lies at the height of the axial ends of the hollow bearing shaft 38 However, some of these are spaced apart. In the lower ring groove 48 then becomes the lower bearing ring 42 used (see. 4 ). For both bearing rings 40 and 42 are rolling bearings with four-point bearing, which are made of flexible endless blanks (see. 9 ).

Rolling bearings as four-point bearings are particularly well suited for changing axial or radial loads. By a large number of rolling elements 64 a very precise guidance with high static and dynamic loads is achieved. The bearing rings 40 and 42 are covered with a profile band (in 9 not shown), which is made of plastic and a particularly quiet running of the bearing rings 40 and 42 allows. The bearing rings 40 and 42 consist of a radially inner guideway 66 with the hollow bearing shaft 38 is connected, and a radially outer guideway 68 at least radially on the retaining ring 32 rotatably rests.

After inserting the lower bearing ring 42 in the lower ring groove 48 the hollow bearing shaft 38 becomes the retaining ring 32 from above over the hollow bearing shaft 38 pushed ( 5 ). The retaining ring slides 32 with a storage area 70 on the radially outer guideway 68 of the lower bearing ring 42 along. A non-rotatable connection between the guideway 68 and the retaining ring 32 in installation position is produced by acting in the circumferential direction friction. The length of the retaining ring 32 is sized so that when the lower bearing ring 42 in the area of the end of the lower storage area 70 on the retaining ring 32 passes, the upper annular groove 46 is accessible. This condition is in 6 shown.

Now in the upper ring groove 46 the upper bearing ring 40 be used accordingly 7 , The retaining ring 32 is now pushed back up until the upper bearing ring 40 at the axial seat 52 in the retaining ring 32 is applied. This is the radially outer track 68 of the upper bearing ring 40 on an upper storage area 72 on the retaining ring 32 at. This condition is in 8th shown.

Subsequently, on the upper end of the retaining ring 32 the clamping ring 50 screwed. As a result, the upper bearing ring 40 against the axial seat 52 of the retaining ring 32 pressed and fixed axially. The lower bearing ring 42 On the other hand, only axially in the lower annular groove 48 in the hollow bearing shaft 38 whereas he held with the retaining ring 32 is only loosely connected in the axial direction. In this way, lead to different changes in length of the retaining ring 32 on the one hand and the hollow bearing shaft 38 on the other hand, for example, due to temperature fluctuations not to a strain of the bearing rings 40 and 42 ,

How out 10 it can be seen comprises the conveyor 12 also a wireless data transmission device 74 , This first comprises a plurality of sensors, of which in 10 only those with the reference number 76 is shown. The sensors detect z. B. an assignment of the product images 26 , the filling state of the containers 14 etc. With the sensors 76 is a transmitter 78 connected, the signals to a stationary receiver 80 sends. Electrical energy gets the sensor 76 as well as the transmitter 78 from an accumulator 80 , in the lower part of the hollow bearing shaft 38 is arranged.

The accumulator 80 is through an induction device 82 charged. In an embodiment not shown, the accumulator 80 in addition to or instead of the induction device 82 powered by solar cells, which convert the light usually present in the area of the production facility into electrical energy anyway. The transmitter 78 and the accumulator 80 are inside the hollow bearing shaft 38 arranged. In this area is also a stationary receiver 84 provided by the transmitter 78 receives radiated signals.

Due to the short distance between transmitters 78 and receiver 84 is only a low transmission power of the transmitter 78 required, so that only a small accumulator 80 is required. The stationary receiver 84 in turn is with a stationary transmitter 86 connected to the receiver 84 received signals to a second stationary receiver 88 sends. This second stationary receiver 88 can be arranged outside the production room, for example in a control room (not shown). The transmitted signals are from the receiver 88 to a PC 90 forwarded, the corresponding information, for example, to a printer 92 outputs.

The ones from the sensors 76 recorded data can thus be transmitted without the need for lines to a remote from the production room control room. In an embodiment not shown is on the hollow bearing shaft 38 also provided a receiver which receives control commands from a transmitter. In this way, for example, provided on the rotating device servomotors can be controlled wirelessly.

In a further embodiment not shown, the sensors and the mobile transmitter and possibly also the stationary parts of the data transmission device are protected against electromagnetic interference radiation in a special way. This can be done for example by a Faraday encapsulation. Such protection provides increased security in the transmission of mission-critical data and enables a reduction in the power required for secure data transmission.

Claims (14)

Conveying device ( 12 ) for conveying containers ( 14 ) along a circular path ( 62 ) in a filling device ( 10 ), with a stationary base ( 32 ), with a rotating device ( 57 ), with a bearing device, which the rotating device ( 57 ) rotatable with the stationary base ( 32 ), with at least one recording ( 26 ) for a container ( 14 ), which at one of the axis of rotation ( 43 ) of the turning device ( 57 ) radially spaced position on the rotating device ( 57 ), and with a drive ( 44 ), which rotates ( 57 ) in a rotational movement, characterized in that the bearing device at least two axially spaced-apart radial bearing rings ( 40 . 42 ) with a plurality of rolling elements ( 64 ), which consists of flexible endless blanks ( 66 . 68 ) and adapted to the given geometrical conditions, the stationary base ( 32 ) is annular, the rotating device ( 57 ) a hollow bearing shaft ( 38 ), the radial bearing rings ( 40 . 42 ), the stationary base ( 32 ) and the hollow bearing shaft ( 38 ) are arranged coaxially to each other, and by the hollow bearing shaft ( 38 ) Fluid lines for supplying the rotating device ( 57 ) are passed through which a substance can be supplied, which in one in the receptacle ( 26 ) container ( 14 ) is to be filled. Conveying device ( 12 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the stationary base ( 32 ) radially outward and the hollow bearing shaft ( 38 ) is arranged radially inward. Conveying device ( 12 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotating device ( 57 ) a conveyor plate ( 56 ), which with the hollow bearing shaft ( 38 ) is rotatably connected and which the recording ( 26 ) for the container ( 14 ) having. Conveying device ( 12 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hollow bearing shaft ( 38 ) on its outside two mutually axially spaced circumferential grooves ( 46 . 48 ) into which the bearing rings ( 40 . 42 ) are used. Conveying device ( 12 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bearing rings ( 40 . 42 ) Bearings with four point bearings. Conveying device ( 12 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of the bearing rings ( 40 . 42 ) either with the stationary base ( 32 ) or with the hollow bearing shaft ( 38 ) is connected in the sense of a flying bearing in the axial direction only loose or play. Conveying device ( 12 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a clamping ring ( 50 ) which is axially on the stationary base ( 32 ) and a stationary area ( 68 ) of a bearing ring ( 40 ) axially against the stationary base ( 32 ). Conveying device ( 12 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a wireless data transmission device ( 74 ), which comprises at least one sensor ( 76 ) for acquiring an operational parameter and one with the sensor ( 76 ) connected transmitters ( 78 ), wherein sensor ( 76 ) and transmitters ( 78 ) at the turning device ( 57 ) and which are a stationary receiver ( 84 ) and a data processing unit ( 90 ), the recipient ( 84 ) at least temporarily from the transmitter ( 78 ) Receives and sends data to the data processing unit ( 90 ). Conveying device ( 12 ) according to claim 8, characterized in that the wireless data transmission device also comprises a receiver, which is arranged on the rotary device, and a stationary transmitter, which is connected to the data processing unit. Conveying device ( 12 ) according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the receiver ( 84 ) of the wireless data transmission device ( 74 ) in the area of the stationary base ( 32 ) are arranged. Conveying device ( 12 ) according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that at the rotary device ( 57 ) an electrical energy store ( 80 ) is provided, which the elements arranged there ( 76 . 78 ) of the wireless data transmission device ( 74 ) supplied with electricity. Conveying device ( 12 ) according to claim 11, characterized in that it comprises an induction device ( 82 ), which the electrical energy storage ( 80 ) At least temporarily wirelessly supplied with energy. Conveyor device according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that solar cells are arranged on the rotating device, which supply the arranged there elements of the wireless data transmission device with power. Conveying device according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that components of the data transmission device are protected against electromagnetic interference.

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