EP0699801B1 - Linear transfer system - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a longitudinal transfer system Rail profiles for guiding trolleys from one Processing station to another, being two neighboring rail profiles mechanically and with each other are electrically connected.

Due to the ever increasing demands of today Companies in international competition need quality and quantity but above all productivity be increased in order to remain competitive. I.e. the products have to be manufactured or to be assembled. Accordingly, it is required that the production processes automated and with each other be linked. This linkage of manufacturing processes and assembly operations is playing an ever increasing Role in modern manufacturing.

Individual areas or processing stations linked with each other in the company and can via Longitudinal transfer systems cooperate with each other.

A longitudinal transfer system essentially consists of individual rail tracks that are put together and on which workpieces or tools to be machined, if necessary. on trolleys from workstation to workstation are transported automatically. In the workstations workpieces are machined, then for example from production to quality control and then promoted for assembly.

To overcome bottlenecks in time or parallel To enable assembly operations are for a Longitudinal transfer system, for example, bypass systems accordingly EP-A 94102382.2 has been developed. Through the Bypass systems make parallel processes possible enable highly flexible production processes.

So far it is not possible to enter within a very short time Longitudinal transfer system to change to a different line. Just with considerable expenditure of time it is possible, for example to integrate a bypass into a longitudinal transfer system. This results in a failure of the entire transfer line and blocks all other work processes. That is why they are Mostly work and are done on weekends therefore extremely costly and time-consuming.

Another major disadvantage is that due to Differences in temperature in the different spatial separate manufacturing and assembly halls or the Seasons a longitudinal expansion (dillation) of the Rail strands of a longitudinal transfer system takes place. That's why are between the individual rail tracks Dillation joints are provided, but exactly must be bridged.

It should also be noted that the electrical Infeed of a longitudinal transfer system for the corresponding Carriages, the tools and workpieces from one Transport the processing station to another, by rail done itself. The rails are therefore conductors assigned, which consist of a different material, such as the rail itself. This results in a different Longitudinal expansion at the junctions of the individual tracks are also taken into account got to.

An expansion connector for busbars of the type mentioned above, which also permits dilatation is from DE-B-26 06 609.1 known. There is one to be connected Busbar ends in the longitudinal direction of the busbar extending tab part arranged with an elongated hole slidable in one of the other busbar ends assigned and there firmly attached fork plate is. The slot is a backdrop for one in the Fork bracket designed fixed slide bar. The electrical connection is made via additional, outside of the busbar strand lying flexible cables.

The present invention has for its object a Possibility of connection in a longitudinal transfer system create, which takes into account a dilation and one enables rapid exchange of rail profiles.

To solve this problem leads to mechanical Connection in a longitudinal groove in the rail profiles Connection part is used, which in the longitudinal groove of the a rail profile is held more tightly than in the longitudinal groove of the other rail profile. A similar The goal is also achieved by Rail profiles keyways are provided in the intervene on both sides and the Connect the rail profiles with a connecting element that is held clamped by the two profile strips, the clamping in the area of a rail profile is larger than in the area of the other rail profile.

Furthermore, the problem that the two Conductors of two adjacent rail profiles one Bridge is assigned so that the bridge to one Current conductor applied with a higher pressure than that other conductor.

According to the present invention, rail tracks of a transfer system with each other mechanically and electrically connected in such a way that dilation joints are bridged that on the one hand the power conductors continue to be supplied with power can be and on the other hand the rail itself has a smooth transition to the next rail profile. At the same time, in addition to mechanical and electrical connection ensures that a Dillation of the electrical conductors or the Rail profiles despite a mechanically precise connection is still possible.

Another major advantage of the present Invention is that both the mechanical and the electrical connection can be released very quickly, so that a Rail track can be replaced quickly that for example, a bypass without significant Installation effort can be used quickly from the side can.

Part of the mechanical connection is made via a Connection part, which in a groove in the Rail profiles is introduced so that in one Rail profile of this connecting part by means of two Grub screws over a ball a gap push apart, is jammed in the groove. By doing connecting rail profile is the fastening part like this determined that a longitudinal displacement by stretching straight is still possible, however, the rail tracks exactly aligned and aligned with each other, so a carriage that runs over the treads of the Rail profiles runs through the transition in no way is affected.

Furthermore, the mechanical connection is made via two Profile strips, which are connected by bolts and engage in keyways. These bolts pull the two profile strips left and right of a joint between two rail profiles together. Next to a screw bolt but on one side of the joint there is also one Pressure screw provided, which the profile strips again apart so that a rail profile between the Profile strip is kept free of play but slidable.

According to the present invention, it is also contemplated that according to the mechanical connection an electrical Detachable connection between two rail tracks Transfer system is provided.

In the present embodiment is in a window an insulating shoe between two rail profile ends used, which is preferably made of current-insulating material consists. There is a clamping piece in the insulating shoe inserted, the two threaded holes and a shaft having. A bridge is inserted into the shaft which presses on current conductors, which from the clamping piece over the bridge can be held. The bridge is preferred with two contact surfaces on both sides of a recess trained so that one of the two Contact surfaces are each one conductor flag. Here a gap is formed between the conductor lugs, which also serves as a dilatation joint for the conductor serves. By an eccentrically penetrating the clamping piece Set screw becomes eccentric against the bridge Conductor clamped so that on one side one Contact surface firmly clamped one conductor, on the other hand the other conductor is movable.

The bridge is made of current-conducting, preferably made of copper-containing material, so that an optimal Transmission of electricity is guaranteed. The Grub screw crossing the bridge against the power conductor presses through one of the opposite windows Screw tool attacked. The window is opened by a Lid closed.

However, it should also be within the scope of the invention that several conductors in several grooves isolated in the Rail profiles integrated and / or the current conductors too can be arranged on both sides of the rail profiles. It is also within the scope of the invention that the mechanical and also the electrical connection on its own Find application, however, the combination of both is preferred.

Figur 1 eine Seitenansicht eines teilweise aufgebrochen dargestellten Ausschnittes aus einem erfindungsgemässen Längstransfersystems;

Figur 2 einen Querschnitt durch das Längstransfersystems entlang Linie II-II in Figur 1;

Figur 3 einen Querschnitt durch das Längstransfersystem entlang Linie III-III in Figur 1;

Figur 4 einen Längsschnitt durch das Längstransfersystem entlang Linie IV-IV in Figur 1;

Figur 5 eine Draufsicht auf ein vergrössert dargestelltes, erfindungsgemässes Verbindungsteil;

Figur 6 einen vergrössert dargestellten Querschnitt durch das Verbindungsteil entlang Linie VI-VI in Figur 5;

Figur 7 eine vergrössert dargestellte Draufsicht auf einen linken Profilstreifen in Figur 2;

Figur 8 einen Querschnitt durch den linken Profilstreifen entlang Linie VIII-VIII in Figur 7;

Figur 9 einen Querschnitt durch den linken Profilstreifen entlang Linie IX-IX in Figur 7;

Figur 10 eine Draufsicht auf einen rechten Profilstreifen in Figur 2;

Figur 11 einen Querschnitt durch den rechten Profilstreifen entlang Linie XI-XI in Figur 10;

Figur 12 einen Querschnitt durch den rechten Profilstreifen entlang Linie XII-XII in Figur 10;

Figur 13 eine Draufsicht auf eine erfindungsgemässe Schnappverbindung mit eingelegtem Stromleiter;

Figur 14 eine Frontansicht eines erfindungsgemässen Klemmstückes;

Figur 15 einen Querschnitt durch das Klemmstück entlang Linie XV-XV in Figur 14 mit eingelegtem Stromleiter;

Figur 16 einen vergrössert dargestellten Querschnitt durch eine erfindungsgemässe Brücke mit exzentrischer Lagerung.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention result from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments and from the drawing; this shows in

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a section, partially broken away, of a longitudinal transfer system according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows a cross section through the longitudinal transfer system along line II-II in Figure 1;

3 shows a cross section through the longitudinal transfer system along line III-III in Figure 1;

4 shows a longitudinal section through the longitudinal transfer system along line IV-IV in Figure 1;

FIG. 5 shows a plan view of an enlarged connection part according to the invention;

FIG. 6 shows an enlarged cross section through the connecting part along line VI-VI in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows an enlarged plan view of a left profile strip in FIG. 2;

8 shows a cross section through the left profile strip along line VIII-VIII in Figure 7;

FIG. 9 shows a cross section through the left profile strip along line IX-IX in FIG. 7;

Figure 10 is a plan view of a right profile strip in Figure 2;

FIG. 11 shows a cross section through the right profile strip along line XI-XI in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 shows a cross section through the right profile strip along line XII-XII in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 shows a plan view of a snap connection according to the invention with an inserted current conductor;

FIG. 14 shows a front view of a clamping piece according to the invention;

FIG. 15 shows a cross section through the clamping piece along line XV-XV in FIG. 14 with an inserted current conductor;

FIG. 16 shows an enlarged cross section through an inventive bridge with an eccentric bearing.

In Figure 1 there are two of a longitudinal transfer system Rail profiles 1a, 1b shown, the on impact are composed. About a mechanical and a electrical connection are the profiles 1a, 1b connected with each other.

According to FIG. 3, each rail profile 1a, 1b has a head 2 with treads for a not shown Dolly on, with a neck 3 rectangular hollow profile 4 is connected. In the head 2 is a longitudinal groove 5 is formed.

Opposite are a left and a right Side wall 6 and 7 of the hollow profile 4 each have two T-slots 8.1, 8.2 or 9.1, 9.2 molded in the area of the Side walls 6 and 7, however, at the end of one Rail profile 1a, 1b, as in particular in Figure 2 shown, are cut like a window. At the Assembling two rail profiles 1a and 1b is created in this way left and right windows 10 and 11.

Outside a connection point between two Rail profiles 1a and 1b is the groove 5 of one Cover strip 15 covered. In the right-hand T-slots snap connections 16 are clipped in, which current conductors Hold 17.

A downward facing surface of the hollow profile 4 is as Dovetail 12 formed, being in the two Side walls 6 and 7 each have a keyway 13.1 and 13.2 is molded.

In the area of a connection point, a joint 18 between the two rail profiles 1a and 1b by a mechanical and an electrical connection bridged. The mechanical connection has a connecting part 14, which in the groove 5 of both rail profiles, the joint 18th comprehensive, is used.

The essence of the connecting part 14 is that 5 three blind holes 19.1, 19.2, 19.3 are provided with a ball 20 inserted in each blind hole, which with the help of a grub screw 21 a gap 22 in Bottom of the connecting part 14 by tightening the Set screw 21 apart.

The main idea here is that on half of the connecting part 14 two blind holes 21 and on the other half only a blind hole 21 are provided.

After inserting the connecting part 14 into the groove 5 are on one side in the rail profile 1a two blind holes 19.1 and 19.2, the two grub screws 21 be tightened very firmly. This will make it Connecting part 14 firmly connected to the profile 1a. The rail profile 1b, which has been pushed in, is placed on the other side of the connecting part 14 with only one Set screw 21 tightened so far that a backlash-free, but not jamming connection between the profiles 1a, 1b and thus a movement in the longitudinal direction is possible, if the joint 18 is enlarged by dillation or downsized.

Another part of the mechanical connection takes over Definition of the rail profiles 1a and 1b on one Connection plate 23, which is part of a Supporting structure can be. To connect are a left and a right profile strip 24.1 and 24.2 provided that in EP-A 90124167.9 are described in more detail and with Bolts 25 cooperate.

The left profile strip 24.1 according to the Figures 7-9 two stepped bores 26.1 and 26.2 and one Threaded hole 27 on. Correspondingly symmetrical to the Stepped bores 26.1 and 26.2 have the right one Profile strips 24.2 according to Figures 10-12 Threaded bores 28.1 and 28.2 into which the Bolt 25 can engage. In the threaded hole 27 of the profile strip 24.1, however, is not one here shown grub screw used on one side with is provided with a cone tip. This cone tip engages a conical groove 29 (Figure 12) and thus acts on the Profile strips 24.1, 24.2 with an expansion pressure.

The grub screw and the conical groove 29 is on that Side of the joint 25 arranged, which is also by the Connecting part 14 is kept loose so that there is no play by appropriate expansion in the event of temperature fluctuations quite long rail profiles 1a, 1b along their Can extend the longitudinal axis.

Due to the chosen mechanical connection, an exact Adjust and loosen the connection of the rail profiles 1a and 1b possible.

In addition to the mechanical, releasable backlash-free Connection must also be an electrical connection be guaranteed to the longitudinal transfer system with electricity too supply to drive and control dolly. Power is supplied via current conductor 17 in the Snap connections 16 according to FIG. 13.

These have locking lugs 30, via which the Snap connections 16 in the T-slots 9.1 and 9.2 are clipped in, these with stops 31st be attacked. Each is preferred insulating material trained snap connection 16 the outer surface of the rail profile 1a, 1b with Contact surfaces 32 on.

The current conductor 17 is between two further locking lugs 33.1 and 33.2 clipped in, the current conductor 17 preferably consists of copper. The snap connections 16 are laterally along the rail profiles 1a, 1b between two windows 11 clipped into the T-slots 9.1 and 9.2 and isolate the conductor 17 from the profiles 1a, 1b. From However, current conductors 17 protrude from both sides Flags in the clear width of the window 11 and bump to each other or also form a joint. This will bridged by the electrical connection.

For this purpose, an insulating shoe 35 is in the window 11 used, which holds clamps 34. The insulating shoe 35 is preferably made of non-conductive material such as For example plastic, is manufactured and is in the Window 11 clipped in, the insulating shoe 35 through a web 36 is divided.

The clamp 34 is with two threaded holes 37.1 and 37.2 provided, the grub screw in one of the two 38 (see Figure 4) engages. The other hole is for an electrical connection, not shown here intended. The conductor can pass through this hole 17 are supplied with electricity at each connection point.

According to FIG. 15, the clamping piece 34 is designed such that between two clamping rails 39.1 and 39.2 in grooves 40.1 and 40.2 the current conductor is clipped on. Immediately behind the current conductor 17 is a shaft 41 in which a bridge 42 is inserted. On the one hand, the electrical conductors 17.1 and 17.2 facing, the bridge 42 with a Provided recess 43, the two contact surfaces 44.1 and 44.2 differentiates them. Through the contact surfaces 44.1 and 44.2, the bridge 42 bridges a gap 45 between the two current conductors 17.1 and 17.2.

On the opposite side of the contact surfaces 44 the bridge 42 has an eccentrically arranged one Guide bore 46 into which the grub screw 38 engages to pressurize the bridge 42.

The bridge 42 is together with the clamping piece 34 in the Insulating shoe 35 used. By screwing the Grub screw 38 is on the side of the rail profile 1a the contact surface 44.1 eccentrically against the current conductor 17.1 pressed.

The current conductor 17.2 of the rail profile 1b is through the Contact surface 44.2 is only subjected to slight pressure. Clamping takes place only to the extent that the Current conductors 17.2 expand due to temperature differences can move along the contact surface 44.2. Therefore, between the current conductor 17.1 and the Current conductor 17.2 of the gap 45 is provided for a linear expansion compensate due to temperature differences to be able to. This gap 45 becomes electrical through the bridge 42 bridges and thus the current from the conductor 17.1 passed over the bridge 42 to the current conductor 17.2.

To enable access to the grub screw 38, it can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 4 that the window 10 is closed with an end cover 47, which has a Fastening element 48, which in a holding strip 49th intervenes, is fixed. The holding strip is 49 inserted into one of the two T-slots 8.1, 8.2, so that the end cover 47 disappears in the rail profile and the outer surface of the profile is unaffected remains.

Claims (14)

1. Longitudinal transfer system, comprising rail profiles (1a, 1b) for guiding transport wagons from one processing station to another, two adjacent rail profiles (1a, 1b) being interconnected mechanically and electrically, characterised in that a connecting part (14) is inserted into an elongate groove (5) in the rail profiles (1a and 1b) for the mechanical connection, said connecting part being retained more tightly clamped in the elongate groove (5) of one rail profile (1a and 1b) than in the elongate groove (5) of the other rail profile (1b or 1a).
2. Longitudinal transfer system, comprising rail profiles (1a, 1b) for guiding transport wagons from one processing station to another, two adjacent rail profiles (1a, 1b) being interconnected mechanically and electrically, characterised in that V-shaped grooves (13.1 and 13.2) are provided on the rail profiles (1a, 1b), in which grooves profile strips (24.1, 24.2) engage bilaterally and connect the rail profiles (1a, 1b) to a connecting element (23), which is held clamped by the two profile strips, the clamping in the region of one rail profile (1a or 1b) being greater than in the region of the other rail profile (1b or 1a).
3. Longitudinal transfer system, comprising rail profiles (1a, 1b) for guiding transport wagons from one processing station to another, two adjacent rail profiles (1a, 1b) being interconnected mechanically and electrically, characterised in that a bridge (42) is associated with the two current conductors (17.1 and 17.2) of two adjacent rail profiles (1a, 1b) so that the bridge (42) acts with a higher pressure on one current conductor (17.1) than on the other current conductor (17.2).
4. Longitudinal transfer system according to claim 3, characterised in that the bridge (42) has at least one contact surface (44.1, 44.2) on each side of a recess (43), one contact surface (44.1) being acted upon with a higher pressure by an eccentrically disposed setscrew (38) in a clamping piece (34).
5. Longitudinal transfer system according to claim 4, characterised in that a bore (37) is provided in the clamping piece (34) in order to supply current to the bridge (42) and to the current conductors (7o1, 72)*.
6. Longitudinal transfer system according to claim 4 or 5, characterised in that the clamping piece (34) has a shaft (41) in which the bridge (20)** is disposed.
7. Longitudinal transfer system according to claim 6, characterised in that the current conductors (17.1, 17.2) are retained over the shaft (41) or respectively the clamping piece (34) in grooves (40) by clamping bars (39).
8. Longitudinal transfer system according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterised in that the clamping piece (34) sits in an insulating shoe (35) which is inserted into a window (11) between two rail profiles (1a, 1b).
9. Longitudinal transfer system according to at least one of claims 4 to 8, characterised in that the setscrew (38) is accessible through a window (10) in the rail profile (1a, 1b), the window (10) being closable with a closing cover (47).
10. Longitudinal transfer system according to claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the connecting part (14) has a gap (22) and is provided with at least one blind hole (19), into which a ball (20) is introduced, said ball pressing the gap (22) as a result of a screw (21) being tightened.
11. Longitudinal transfer system according to claim 10, characterised in that the connecting part (14) has two blind holes (19.1 and 19.2) on one side of a joint (18) between two rail profiles (1a, 1b) and one blind hole (19.3) on the other side, the ball (20) being acted upon with lower pressure in the last-mentioned blind hole (19.3).
12. Longitudinal transfer system according to claim 2, characterised in that one profile strip (24.1) has two stepped bores (26) on the right and on the left of the centre, an additional threaded bore (27) being disposed adjacent a bore.
13. Longitudinal transfer system according to claim 12, characterised in that the other profile strip (24.2) has two threaded bores (28) on the right and on the left of the centre, an additional conical groove (29) being provided adjacent a threaded bore (28).
14. Longitudinal transfer system according to claim 13, characterised in that the profile strips (24.1, 24.2) are acted upon with tension by at least one threaded bolt (25) and with pressure via at least one setscrew (38), which passes through the threaded bore (27) and is supported against a conical groove (29).

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