DE9217202U1 - Overhead conveyor for transporting spinning cans - Google Patents

Description

6 2566-204/SÜ

Description

The invention relates to a hanging conveyor device for transporting spinning cans of the type explained in the preamble of claim 1.

Currently, spinning cans are transported in a carrying frame suspended from a conveyor. The carrying frame has a frame with a base plate on which the spinning cans are placed. The spinning cans must be placed in this frame by hand and then unloaded by hand. In addition, the fiber strands housed in the spinning cans are very sensitive to contact and in particular to friction on fixed parts. For this reason, it is not possible to continuously remove the fiber strands pressed into the spinning cans from the spinning cans and, for example, to feed a flyer into them when the spinning cans are still housed in the carrying frame.

The invention is based on the object of providing a hanging conveyor device for transporting spinning cans, which also allows automatic loading and unloading of the spinning cans.

The problem is solved by the characterizing features of claim 1.

The holding device, designed according to the invention as a holding clamp with freely pivotable arms, i.e. only under the effect of its own weight, is structurally

simply constructed and allows both automatic unloading and automatic loading by designing the distance between the arms in different swivel positions. In addition, the design according to the invention ensures that the holding tongs remain closed under the influence of the weight of the spinning can, and the projections of the arms thus hold the spinning can in a self-locking manner. In addition, the distance between the arms of the holding tongs that span the spinning can can be freely selected within a wide range, so that the fiber strand can be pulled out of the spinning can unhindered and without friction on the arms when it is still hanging on the overhead conveyor system.

Claim 2 describes a particularly preferred design and arrangement of the axis of rotation for the arms of the holding pliers.

The design according to claim 3 facilitates in particular the automatic unloading of the spinning cans from the conveyor.

Claim 4 describes a particularly preferred shape of the arms, in which both a good gravity position of the projections is achieved and sufficient free space remains for the unhindered extraction of the fiber strand.

Although theoretically two arms with correspondingly large projections or three arms would be sufficient, the holding tongs according to claim 5 are preferably provided with four arms, so that the holding tongs can be arranged symmetrically and thus balanced in terms of weight on the conveyor and, on the other hand, the spinning can is held securely even when the

Spinning can moves slightly in an oscillating motion, for example when starting off.

The symmetrical and paired arrangement of the arms according to claim 6 in turn facilitates loading and unloading.

The angle provided between the arms according to claim 7 offers, on the one hand, sufficient space for unhindered pulling out of the fiber strand and, on the other hand, ensures a sufficient distance between the points of attack of the projections of the arms on the spinning can.

The embodiment according to claim 8 facilitates or simplifies loading and unloading.

Claim 9 describes a design possibility for making loading and unloading easier. The projections designed as turntables can roll on the circumference of the spinning can, so that the conveying means can be conveyed over the fixed spinning cans during unloading as soon as the self-locking holding force between the projections and the spinning can has been released. During loading, the conveying means can be conveyed over the fixed spinning can until the arms are in a position favorable for loading.

Claim 10 describes a further embodiment of the projections, which allows a different procedure for loading and unloading.

The self-locking holding force between the projections and the spinning can is expediently according to claim 11 by lifting the spinning can

reached.

Claim 12 describes a further possibility for unloading the spinning cans, in which the arms are pushed apart by the circumferential projection of the spinning can when the spinning can is lifted.

Due to the design according to claim 13, the overhead conveyor device according to the invention can be guided over different horizontal planes, whereby the selectively acting stop on horizontal sections prevents the holding tongs from coming loose due to a spinning can swinging as a result of the conveying movement, and on inclined surfaces ensures that the upper edge of the spinning can always runs horizontally under the influence of gravity, so that here too the arms of the holding tongs are evenly loaded and cannot come loose automatically.

Claim 14 describes a particularly preferred structural design of a selectively acting stop.

If the circumferential projection of the spinning can is designed as a continuous circumferential flange according to claim 15, it is not necessary to ensure that the spinning can is correctly positioned with respect to the holding tongs when loading.

The detachable ring described in claim 16 is used for spinning cans that are not provided with a peripheral flange from the outset.

For better guidance of the fibre strand, the guide described in claim 17 can be provided.

This guide is expediently fastened detachably between two arms according to claim 18, so that it can be removed again if necessary.

Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. They show:

Fig. 1 is a perspective, schematic representation of part of an overhead conveyor system according to the invention,

Fig. 2 the enlarged front view

the holding pliers of the embodiment according to Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 the enlarged side view

the holding pliers of the embodiment according to Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is an enlarged top view of the holding pliers according to Fig. 1,

Fig. 5 is a partial view of another embodiment,

Fig. 6 a view similar to Fig. 2

of another embodiment,

Fig. 7 a perspective, schematic representation of a pendulum bearing of the holding clamp,

Fig. 8 the front view of Fig. 7 in

Connection with a straight rail,

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 1 with a conveyor running on an incline, and

Fig. 10 is a representation similar to Fig. 10 of another embodiment.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of part of a suspended conveyor system 1, which comprises a rail 2 and conveyor means 3 running on the rail 2. The rail 2 consists of two roof-shaped running surfaces that meet at right angles, on which pairs of rollers 4 of the conveyor means 3 are suspended. The rollers 4 of a pair are connected to one another by a C- or V-shaped bracket 5 that grips under the rail 2. The bracket 5 carries a cross-beam 6 vertically under the rail 2, which is designed in the form of a bar with a rectangular cross-section. In the embodiment shown, the cross-beam 6 consists of short pieces 6a, to which the brackets 5 are attached, and longer spacers 6b, which are carried between the shorter pieces 6a provided with brackets. Although each of the shorter pieces 6a of the crossbeam 6 has been provided with a bracket 5, the front bracket is not shown in Fig. 1 for reasons of clarity. Furthermore, only two shorter pieces 6a of the crossbeam 6 and one spacer are shown in Fig. 1, although a large number of these pieces can be coupled to form a common conveyor train. On the other hand,

However, only the shorter sections of the crossbeam, without intermediate spacers, can be moved individually or together on the rail.

On the underside of each of the shorter pieces 6a of the cross-member 6, a holding device in the form of a holding clamp 7 for spinning cans 8 is attached. The spinning cans 8 have the usual long cylindrical shape and have a circumferential projection around their upper opening in the form of a continuous and laterally outwardly projecting circumferential flange 9. The circumferential flange 9 can be molded onto the spinning can 8 or can be designed as a separate ring that can be detachably attached to the spinning can 8.

As can also be seen in connection with Fig. 2 to 4, the holding tongs 7 have four arms 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d that span the spinning can 8 from above. The arms extend in pairs on both sides of the rail 2, with the arms 10a, 10b forming a first pair and the arms 10c, 10d forming a second pair. Each pair of arms 10a, 10b and 10c, 10d is firmly connected to one another by a cross brace 11a or 11b that is firmly welded to the arms in such a way that the arms of a pair 10a, 10b or 10c, 10d form an angle of 50 to 60° with one another.

All arms 10a to 10d can be pivoted about a common axis of rotation 12a designed as a bolt 12. The bolt 12 is arranged vertically below the rail 2 in its vertical plane of symmetry and extends in the direction of the rail 2 and thus in the direction of the conveying path.

The bolt 12 is fixed in a bearing block 13,

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which is firmly connected to the cross-member piece 6a. Three sleeves 14a, 14b, 14c arranged one behind the other are rotatably mounted on the bolt 12. The arms 10a, 10b are welded together to the middle sleeve 14b and the arms 10c, 10d to one of the outer sleeves 14a, 14c. In this way, the symmetry of the arms of the holding clamp 7 with respect to the rail 2, which is necessary for balancing the conveyor 3, is achieved.

At the free end of each arm 10a to 10d facing away from the axis of rotation 12a, a projection in the form of a cylindrical rotating disk 15a, 15b, 15c and 15d is attached by means of a screw and washer so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation 15' in such a way that the circumference of each rotating disk 15a to 15d can roll on the circumference of the spinning can 8. The diameter of the rotating disks 15a to 15d is dimensioned such that they can grip under the flange 9 of the spinning can 8 and, when gripping under, can touch the circumference of the spinning can 8.

As indicated by dashed lines in Fig. 2, the bearing block 13 supporting the bolt 12 allows free pivoting of all arms 10a to 10d between a lower position U and an upper position O, whereby the bearing block 13 serves as a stop for the ends of the arms welded onto the sleeves 14a, b, c to limit their pivoting movement. For reasons of clarity, only the pivoting position of the right pair of arms 10c, 10d is shown in Fig. 2, whereby the left pair 10a, 10d can pivot in a mirror image.

In position U, diagonally relative to the spinning can, 8 opposite turntables, i.e. the

Turntables 15a and 15d or 15b and 15c have a distance from each other that is smaller than the diameter of the spinning cans 8, which is normally 600mm. Advantageously, the projections 15a to 15d also have a slight distance transverse to the vertical plane of symmetry through the rail 2, which is greater than zero. In the upper position O, these opposite rotating disks 15a and 15d or 15b and 15c are spaced apart from one another by a distance that is preferably greater than the diameter of the also standardized circumferential flange 9 of the spinning can 8. The pivoting of the arms 15a to 15d from the upper position 0 to the lower position U occurs only under the influence of gravity, i.e. the arms fall from the upper position O to the lower position U due to their own weight. Between the upper position 0 and the lower position U, the arms are in a holding position H. In this holding position, the axes of rotation 15' of each rotating disk 15a to 15d run essentially parallel to the circumferential surface of the spinning can 8, i.e. in a vertical direction, so that the upper sides of the rotating disks 15a to 15d lie completely flat on the underside of the circumferential flange 9. At the same time, the circumference of each of the rotating disks 15a to 15d abuts against the circumference of the spinning can 8.

As shown in Fig. 2, each of the arms 10a to 10d consists of a first section 10.1, a second section 10.2 and a third section 10.3. The sections 10.1 to 10.3 of each arm have different inclinations, these inclinations being designed such that the first section 10.1, which adjoins the axis of rotation 12a, leads essentially horizontally or slightly obliquely downwards when the arm is in the holding position H. The ...

The second section 10.2 of each of the arms 10a to 10d, which follows section 10.1, extends diagonally downwards at a significantly steeper angle, while the third section 10.3, to which the rotating disks 15a to 15d are attached, runs vertically downwards in holding position H. In this way, sufficient free space is created above the spinning can 8 for the fiber strands contained in the spinning can 8 (not shown) and bulging out of it upwards.

If the fiber strands are to be spun directly from the spinning can 8 hanging on the conveyor 3, a guide in the form of a guide ring 16 shown in more detail in Fig. 4 can be used. The guide ring 16 is preferably detachably attached to the retaining clip 7, specifically at a point facing the processing machine. The arrangement of the guide ring 16 between the arms 10a and 10b of the first pair is therefore only an example. In order to be able to arrange the guide at other points if necessary, it is detachably attached to the arms, for example by means of clips or the like.

For loading, empty conveyors 3 are conveyed along the rail 2 with the retaining clamps 7, whereby the arms 10a to 10d of the retaining clamp 7, as shown in Fig. 1, rear conveyor 3, hang down under the influence of gravity and are in the lower position U. These empty conveyors 3 are moved to a loading and unloading station 17. In this loading and unloading station 17, spinning cans 8 are on a platform 18 that can be raised and lowered. The platform is raised so far that the peripheral flange 9 is at a height that is approximately 8 to 10 mm higher than the height at which the

peripheral flange 9 when the spinning can 8 is transported by the conveyor 3.

During the conveying movement, the rotating disks 15a, 15c running ahead in the conveying direction hit the circumference of the spinning can 8, so that the arm pairs 10a, b and 10c, d are lifted upwards from their lower position U. As soon as the rotating disks running behind in the conveying direction, the rotating disks 15b and 15d, hit the circumference of the spinning can 8, the platform 18 is lowered until the circumferential flange 9 rests on the rotating disks 15a to 15d. When the platform 18 is lowered further, the spinning can 8 is released and is taken along by the conveying means 3.

Alternatively, the spinning can 8 can of course also be manually fastened in the holding tongs 7, whereby the arms 10a, b and 10c, d are conveniently pivoted manually with the aid of the cross struts 11a and 11b.

For unloading, the conveyors 3 with the spinning cans 8 hanging on them are again moved over a platform 18 that can be raised and lowered. If the spinning cans 8 to be removed are above the platform 18, the conveyor 3 is stopped and the platform 18 is raised. This releases the self-locking engagement of the tops of the turntables 15a to 15d with the underside of the peripheral flange 9 of the spinning can 8. If the drive of the conveyors is then started again, the conveyors 3 move over the spinning cans 8 that remain on the platform 18, with the turntables 15a to 15d only rolling along the outer peripheral surfaces of the spinning cans 8.

The unloading of the spinning cans can still be improved

by the design according to Fig. 5. The part of a holding tong 27 shown differs from the holding tong 7 only by a connecting rod 28 designed as a stop for the peripheral flange 9 of the spinning can 8, which bridges the angle between the second section 21.2 and the third section 21.3 of an arm 21 provided with the rotating disk 25. If the spinning can 8 is raised, its flange 9 strikes against the inclined connecting rod 28 and thus raises the arm 21 in the direction of its upper position 0. Since in this embodiment the rotating disks no longer roll on the circumference of the spinning can 8 when the conveyor 3 moves relative to the spinning can 8, this embodiment is not only suitable for projections designed as rotating disks, but can also be used for projections firmly connected to the arms.

Fig. 6 shows a further embodiment of a holding tong 37, which differs from the holding tongs 7 and 27 by a different shape of the arms 31. The arms 31 have only a first section 31.1 and a second section 31.2, whereby the first section 31.1, which adjoins the axis 12a, runs essentially horizontally or slightly inclined downwards and outwards. The adjoining second section 31.2 runs vertically over its entire length when the arm 31 is in the holding position H. In this way, the free space above the spinning cans 8 can be increased even further.

To ensure that all arms of a holding clamp are evenly loaded, even if the conveyor 3 moves over inclined rails

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moved up or down, the holding clamp 7 is attached to the conveyor 3 via the pendulum suspension 40 described in Fig. 7 to 9. The pendulum suspension 40 contains an upwardly projecting web 41 which is firmly connected to the bearing block 13 and which extends through a slot

42 extends in the crossbeam 6 and is pivotably mounted therein via a pendulum axis 43 running transversely to the rail 2. The web 41 projects upwards over the surface of the crossbeam 6 facing the rail. The slot 42 is longer in the longitudinal direction of the crossbeam 6 and thus in the longitudinal direction of the rail 2 than the web 41, so that the holding clamp 7 can be rotated over a predetermined angular range α around the pendulum axis

43 can swing. The angle range oc must be at least as large as the greatest gradient or the greatest incline within the rail track. In this way, as shown in Fig. 9, the holding clamp 7 always positions itself vertically on inclines or declines, so that the weight of the spinning can 8 rests evenly on all four arms and thus there is no danger of the arms of the holding tongs 7 being pushed apart by uneven loading and the spinning can 8 falling out of the conveyor 3.

However, this pendulum movement is unnecessary or undesirable in horizontal rail sections 2, since a pendulum movement of the spinning can 8 occurring in the horizontal rail area, for example when starting up, can press the arms of the holding tongs 7 open. In order to prevent this, a stop bar 44 is arranged selectively at points on the rail path where no pendulum movement should occur, below the rail 2. The stop bar 44 engages with the web 41 and prevents the web 41 from pivoting about the pendulum axis 43.

Fig. 10 shows the holding tongs according to Fig. 5 with a differently designed projection 45. The projection has the shape of a truncated cone, which is mounted on the arms with its larger base surface 45a pointing upwards and is rotatable about an axis of rotation 45'. The inclination of the outer surface 45b is selected such that the arms 21 are pressed apart by contact of the outer surface 45b with the peripheral flange 9 when an empty holding tong 27 and a spinning can 8 move perpendicularly towards each other. In this way, the conveyor means 3 can be automatically loaded with the spinning cans 8. Unloading takes place analogously to Fig. 5, i.e. by lifting the spinning can 8 until the peripheral flange 9 strikes the connecting rod 28 and presses the arms 21 apart when it is raised further.

In this embodiment, it would be sufficient to design the projections 45 merely as fixed noses with an inclined surface 45b as shown in Fig. 10 and pointing in the direction of the spinning can 8.

In a modification of the described and drawn embodiments, the details of the figures can be interchanged. It may be sufficient to provide only two arms for each holding tongs, possibly with correspondingly large projections. A firm hold for the spinning cans could also be achieved with three arms. The distance between the arms can be selected as required. For example, it could be useful to arrange the arms evenly distributed around the circumference of the spinning can. If the spinning cans are unloaded transversely to their conveying direction, it can

·

It may be advisable to arrange the axis of rotation around which the arms rotate transversely to the conveying direction. Finally, all arms of the holding clamp can be pivoted individually and, if necessary, around their own axis. It is also possible to arrange the collet on the conveying means so that it can rotate around a vertical axis and, if necessary, lock it in a preselected position. Finally, the selectively acting stop can also be formed by a locking device or the like.

Claims (18)

— 1 — ·· Protection claims 1. Suspended conveyor device (1) for transporting spinning cans (8), with a conveyor means (3) which can be moved along a rail (2) in the conveying direction and a holding device (7, 27, 37) for the spinning cans (8) arranged on the conveyor means (3), characterized in that the holding device comprises a holding tongs (7, 27, 37) with a plurality of arms (10a to 10d, 21, 31) which engage the spinning can (8) from above, one end of the arms (10a to 10d, 21, 31) being freely rotatable about an axis of rotation (12a) and the other, free end of the arms being provided with a projection (15a to 15d, 25, 35, 45) for engaging under a circumferential projection (9) on the spinning can (8), the axis of rotation (12a) enabling the arms (10a to 1Od, 21, 31) between a lower position (U) and an upper position (O) via a holding position (H) located between the lower and the upper position, wherein the arms (10a to 1Od, 21, 31) in the lower position (U) hang freely downwards under the influence of gravity in such a way that the projections (15a to 15d, 25, 35, 45) are at a distance from one another which is smaller than the diameter of the spinning can (8), and wherein the projections (15a to 15d, 25, 35) in the holding position (H) engage under the circumferential projection (9) of the spinning can (8) in a self-locking manner under the influence of gravity. 2. Suspended conveyor device according to claim 1, characterized in that all arms (10a to 10d, 21, 31) are pivotable about a common axis of rotation (12a) which is arranged vertically below the rail (2). 3. Overhead conveyor device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the axis of rotation (12a) in — O JL ·♦
^{ω ·} · · conveying direction. 4. Overhead conveyor device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each arm (10a to 10d, 21, 31) has at least two sections (10.1, 10.3, 21.1, 21.3, 31.1, 31.2), one of the sections (10.1, 21.1, 31.1) extending laterally away from the axis of rotation (12a) and the other section (10.3, 21.3, 31.2) extending substantially perpendicular to a surface of the projection (15, 25, 35, 45) engaging under the circumferential projection (9) of the spinning can (8). 5. Overhead conveyor device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that four arms (10a to 10d, 21, 31) are provided. 6. Overhead conveyor device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the arms (10a to 10d, 21, 31) are arranged in pairs on opposite sides of the axis of rotation (12a). 7. Overhead conveyor device according to claim 6, characterized in that the arms (10a, b, 10c, d) of a pair enclose an angle of approximately 50 to 60° with respect to one another. 8. Overhead conveyor device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the arms (10a, b, 10c, d) of each pair are connected to one another for joint pivoting about the axis of rotation (12a). 9. Overhead conveyor device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the projections on the free ends of the arms (10a to 10d, 21, 31) are designed as rotary disks (15a to 15d, 25, 35) which roll around the circumference of the spinning can (8). 10. Suspended conveyor device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the projections (45) have on their side facing the spinning can (8) an inclined surface (45b) which extends obliquely downwards from a surface (45a) engaging under the peripheral projection (9). 11. Suspended conveyor device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a device (17) for lifting the spinning can (8) relative to the holding tongs (7, 27, 37) is provided. 12. Suspended conveyor device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that above the projections (15a to 15d, 25, 45) on the arms (10a to 10d, 21) there is at least one stop (28) for the circumferential projection (9) of the spinning can (8) for automatically pivoting the arms (10a to 10d, 21) into the upper position (0) with a shortened vertical distance between the holding tongs (7, 27) and the spinning can (8), the projections (15a to 15d, 25, 45) in the upper position (0) being at a distance from one another which is greater than the diameter of the circumferential flange (9). 13. Overhead conveyor device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the holding clamp (7, 27, 37) is arranged on the conveyor (3) so as to swing around a pendulum axis (43) running horizontally and perpendicular to the conveying direction under the influence of gravity, and that a selectively acting stop (44) for limiting the pendulum movement of the holding clamp (7, 27, 37) on horizontal rails (2) and for releasing the pendulum movement on inclined rails (2). 14. Overhead conveyor device according to claim 13, characterized in that the selective stop comprises a stop bar (44) fastened to the horizontal rail (2). 15. Overhead conveyor device according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the circumferential projection of the spinning can (8) is designed as a circumferential flange (9). 16. Suspended conveyor device according to claim 15, characterized in that the sliver flange (9) is a ring detachably attached to the spinning can (8). 17. Suspended conveyor device according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that each holding tong (7, 27, 37) is assigned a guide (16) for a fiber strand to be removed from the spinning can (8). 18. Overhead conveyor device according to claim 17, characterized in that the guide (16) is arranged between two
adjacent arms (10a to 10d, 21, 31) detachable
is attached.