FR3057561A1 - PLANE OBJECT TRANSFER DEVICE, ITS IMPLEMENTATION METHOD, AND HANDLING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING SUCH A DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

This device, which is intended for the transfer of flat objects, in particular plates or sheets, from a storage element (1) delimiting at least two distinct storage volumes (V1-V6) and / or to said element storage unit, comprises: - a fixed frame (2) with respect to said storage element; - A first carriage (3) movable in a substantially vertical direction (F3) relative to the frame; first motor means (4) able to move said first carriage in said substantially vertical direction; - A second carriage (5) movable in a substantially horizontal direction (F5) relative to the first movable carriage; second motor means (54) able to move said second carriage in said substantially horizontal direction, inside one or the other of said storage volumes; - Gripping means (63), adapted to cooperate with the upper face of a planar object placed in one of said storage volumes, these gripping means being integral with said second movable carriage.

Description

Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to the field of machines for unitary handling of flat objects, in particular sheets or plates.

State of the art

In certain industries, it is necessary to handle sheets or unit plates which are supplied by being superimposed in a rack, formed of several stages arranged one above the other. Each floor can include several sheets or plates placed one above the other, thus forming what is called a "package", possibly being separated from an interlayer sheet.

Manual handling of these unit sheets or plates stored in a rack is excluded for various reasons. Their weight can be too great, while the repetitive gesture leading to constrained positions of the body can be painful. In addition, manual handling involves a risk of injury to the operator, as well as a risk of soiling the surface of the sheets or plates.

According to the state of the art, the package of sheets or plates is apprehended, for example using the forks of a forklift which lift said package from below. Then we move it laterally, we put it on a flat support, and we apprehend a plate or sheet metal by hand or with a suction cup suspended from an arm (such as a crane) or a bridge (such as an overhead crane) .

This process has several drawbacks. It is time consuming and requires the use of a forklift (which is a potentially dangerous device in a workshop). In addition, it requires sufficient space in the workshop to circulate a forklift, it generates multiple handling operations, and it may damage the sheets or plates (in particular by scratching or folding).

We are therefore looking for a device which avoids the drawbacks of the known method described above, which allows the apprehension and (easy handling of single plates and sheets, and which is compact and quick to implement.

Objects of the invention

According to the invention the problem is solved by a device for transferring planar objects, in particular plates or sheets, capable of transferring said objects from a storage element (1), of the rack type, and / or to said storage element, said storage element delimiting at least two separate storage volumes (V1-V6), said device being characterized in that it comprises:

- a fixed frame (2) relative to said storage element;

- a first carriage (3) movable in a substantially vertical direction (F3) relative to the fixed frame;

- first motor means (4) capable of moving said first carriage in said substantially vertical direction;

- a second carriage (5) movable in a substantially horizontal direction (F5) relative to the first mobile carriage;

- second motor means (54) capable of moving said second carriage in said substantially horizontal direction, inside one or the other of said storage volumes;

- gripping means (63), capable of cooperating with the upper face of a planar object placed in one of said storage volumes, these gripping means being integral with said second mobile carriage.

According to other characteristics of the transfer device according to the invention, taken in isolation or in any technically compatible combination:

- The first motor means comprise a first rotary motor (4) capable of driving a pulley (41), as well as at least one filiform element (42) integral with said first carriage;

- The second motor means comprise a second rotary motor (54) capable of driving an endless screw (53) integral with said second carriage, capable of meshing with a threaded body (35) integral with said first carriage;

- The gripping means comprise at least one suction cup (63);

- The second carriage is integral with a gripping frame (6), equipped with said gripping means;

- The device further comprises a keyboard for controlling said motor means, able to cooperate with first sensors, capable of delivering information relating to the altitude of the first carriage, as well as second sensors, capable of delivering information relating to positioning horizontal of the second cart inside each storage volume.

The subject of the invention is also a method of implementing a device for transferring planar objects as above, comprising the following steps:

- a single planar object is optionally secured with the gripping means (63),

- the first movable carriage (3) is moved relative to the chassis, until it is positioned opposite a desired storage volume, belonging to said storage element (1),

- the second mobile carriage (5) is moved relative to the first mobile carriage, until it is positioned at the desired location inside said desired storage volume,

- the gripping means (63) are activated / deactivated, so as to extract a single planar object from a pack of planar objects / deposit said single planar object on said packet,

- said second carriage (5) movable is extracted from said desired storage volume.

The invention also relates to an assembly for handling objects, comprising a storage element (1), of the rack type, delimiting at least two separate storage volumes (V1-V6), and a device for transferring objects. plans as above.

According to other characteristics of the transfer device according to the invention, taken in isolation or in any technically compatible combination:

the first motor means (4) are placed on a roof (17) of said storage element;

- Said storage element (1) is equipped with said first sensors, capable of delivering information relating to the altitude of the first carriage, as well as said second sensors, capable of delivering information relating to the horizontal positioning of the second carriage inside of each storage volume.

Figures

The invention will be described below, with reference to the accompanying drawings given solely by way of non-limiting example, in which;

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating an assembly for handling flat objects, equipped with a transfer device according to the invention; and

Figure 2 is a perspective view, illustrating on a larger scale certain components of the transfer device according to the invention.

detailed description

As shown in FIG. 1, the invention relates to transfer, namely the unstacking / stacking of flat objects from / on a storage element, of the "rack" type. This element or storage unit 1 conventionally comprises uprights 10, on which are superposed storage trays, here present in number from six 11 to 16. Two adjacent storage trays delimit storage volumes V1 to V6. Finally a roof 17, which is not intended for storage, is mounted in the upper part of the uprights 10.

The length and width of each plate 11 to 16, as well as the height between two adjacent plates, are variable and can be adapted according to the material of the flat objects, as well as their fields of use. As indicated above, in the example illustrated there are six plates. Again, this number can be different, and can be adapted according to the material of the planar objects, as well as their fields of use.

Planar objects within the meaning of the invention have a length and a width, which are each much greater than their thickness. By way of nonlimiting example, these objects are plates or sheets. Advantageously, the materials of these planar objects are different, from one storage volume to another. In the example illustrated, reference 011, 012, the objects of volume V1, 021, 022, ... the objects of volume V2, 061,

062, ..., the objects of volume V6.

The transfer device according to the invention firstly comprises a fixed frame 2, comprising two vertical rails 21 secured to the rack 1 by bars 22. This device further comprises a first carriage 3, movable vertically along the rails 21 This carriage 3 comprises a base 31, provided with rolling members, not shown, capable of sliding along the aforementioned rails. Two beams 32, connected by an end crosspiece, extend from this base 31.

The movement of the carriage 3 is ensured by a rotary electric motor 4, of a type known per se, which is mounted on the roof of the rack 1. This motor rotates, in two opposite directions, the axis A41 of a pulley 41 provided at the edge of the roof 17. This pulley in turn drives in translation, in two opposite directions, a filiform element of cable type 42, secured to the carriage 3 by any suitable means. The vertical movement of the carriage 3 is shown by the double arrow F3.

The transfer device according to the invention further comprises a second carriage 5, movable horizontally relative to the first carriage 3. This second carriage 5, of rectangular shape, comprises longitudinal members 51 connected by crosspieces 52. Furthermore a screw without end 53 extends parallel to the longitudinal members 51, being mounted at its two ends on the aforementioned crosspieces 52.

This worm can be rotated about its main axis, in a conventional manner, by an electric motor 54 shown schematically. The endless screw 53 meshes, in a manner known per se, with a threaded body 35, integral with the first carriage 3. The cooperation between this endless screw 53 and this threaded body 35 ensures the horizontal displacement of the second carriage 5 relative to the first carriage 3, which is indicated by the double arrow F5.

The second carriage 5 supports a gripping frame 6, thanks to fixing means not shown, in particular of the removable type. This frame 6, of rectangular shape, comprises two longitudinal uprights 61 and two lateral uprights 62, as well as gripping suction cups 63. These suction cups are provided, in the example illustrated, six in number, namely at each corner of the frame 6 as well as in the middle of each of its long sides. The attachment, advantageously removable, of the suction cups 63 on the frame 6 is carried out by any suitable means, in this case by means of screws 64 in the example illustrated.

Alternatively, one can provide a different number of suction cups, in particular between one and ten. As an additional variant, the suction cups can be replaced by other mechanical gripping members capable of cooperating with the free face of planar objects. The material of the latter may in particular be a metal, in particular in the case of sheets, or even a plastic material, glass, wood, or ceramic.

The transfer device according to the invention is finally equipped with means capable of controlling the motor means 4 and 54. These control means comprise a control keyboard, of any suitable type, mounted on one side of the rack 1 in order to facilitate its accessibility. This keyboard cooperates with sensors, not shown, of a type known per se, provided on the constituent elements of the rack.

More precisely, this rack is equipped with first sensors, capable of delivering information relating to the altitude of the first carriage 3, in particular with respect to the positioning of this carriage opposite each storage volume. In addition, the rack is equipped with second sensors, capable of delivering information relating to the horizontal positioning of the second carriage 5 inside each storage volume.

We will now describe the implementation of the transfer device according to the invention, as well as the assembly of handling flat objects which is equipped with it. Within the meaning of the invention, this handling assembly consists of the aforementioned transfer device, as well as of rack 1 equipped with its keyboard and its sensors.

It is assumed that different sets of sheets, which are made of different materials, are placed on the respective storage trays. It is also assumed, according to a first implementation variant, that one wants to extract one of these sheets from its storage volume, in this case that 044 outside the volume V4. In other words, it is desired to transfer it, outside of rack 1, to another station, which may be an additional storage station or else a station for shaping said sheet. In the example, it is assumed that it is a cutting station, provided in the lower part of rack 1.

The user presses, on the control keyboard, the number of the storage volume where the sheet in question is located. As seen above, in the example illustrated, this number is between 1 and 6, since there are six different storage volumes. This command will activate the first motor 4, in a first direction, which will cause the first carriage 3 to descend.

When the appropriate vertical positioning sensor detects that this carriage is at the desired altitude, namely opposite the chosen storage volume V4, the first motor 4 is stopped. Then the second motor 54 is activated, in a first direction. The second carriage 5 then moves, relative to the first carriage 3, in the direction of the interior of this storage volume V4. When the appropriate horizontal positioning sensor detects that this carriage is in the desired location in this storage volume V4, namely opposite the sheet 044 to be extracted, the second motor 54 is stopped. The first motor 4 is again activated, in its first direction of rotation, until the suction cups 63 come into contact with this sheet 044.

These suction cups 63 are then activated, so that they engage with the upper face of the chosen sheet 044. The first motor 4 is again activated, but now in its opposite direction of rotation, so as to raise the suction cups and to raise the sheet 044 with respect to that 043, on which it was initially supported. The second motor 54 is then actuated, in the opposite direction, so as to bring out both the second carriage 5 and the sheet 044 which is integral therewith, outside the storage volume. The grip and extraction of the sheet 044 are implemented without interfering with the other sheets 041 to 043, present on the plate 14.

The second motor is then stopped, then the first motor is actuated again, in the same direction as above, which lowers the sheet 044 in the direction of the cutting station. Finally, the suction cups 63 are deactivated, so as to release this sheet for its actual cutting. We can then proceed to another extraction operation of an additional sheet, according to the same process as above.

According to the invention, it is also possible to transfer a sheet, from the workstation to the chosen storage volume. The same process as above is carried out, except that the activation and deactivation operations of the suction cups are reversed. This embodiment makes it possible, for example, to process a packet, formed from sheets of different materials. At the end of the transfer, the sheets are stored by material in the rack, i.e. each storage volume contains sheets of the same material.

In the foregoing, an automatic mode of use of the transfer device according to the invention has been described. Alternatively, one can also provide a manual mode of use of this transfer device.

The transfer device according to the invention has, among others, the following advantages. It allows the handling of a single planar object within a package ", without modifying the positioning of the other objects in this package. In addition, it is compact, especially in that it does not create a substantial footprint outside the storage rack. Finally, it is relatively simple in structure, while being accompanied by rapid and intuitive implementation for its user.

Claims (10)

1. Device for transferring planar objects, in particular plates or sheets, capable of transferring said objects from a storage element (1), of the rack type, and / or to said storage element, said element storage delimiting at least two separate storage volumes (V1-V6), said device being characterized in that it comprises: - a fixed frame (2) relative to said storage element: - a first carriage (3) movable in a substantially vertical direction (F3) relative to the fixed frame; - first motor means (4) capable of moving said first carriage in said substantially vertical direction; - a second carriage (5) movable in a substantially horizontal direction (F5) relative to the first mobile carriage; - second motor means (54) capable of moving said second carriage in said substantially horizontal direction, inside one or the other of said storage volumes; - gripping means (63), capable of cooperating with the upper face of a planar object placed in one of said storage volumes, these gripping means being integral with said second mobile carriage. 2. Device for transferring planar objects according to claim 1, characterized in that the first motor means comprise a first rotary motor (4) capable of driving a pulley (41), as well as at least one filiform element (42) secured to said first carriage. 3. Device for transferring planar objects according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second motor means comprise a second rotary motor (54) capable of driving an endless screw (53) integral with said second carriage, capable of meshing with a threaded body (35) integral with said first carriage. 4. Device for transferring planar objects according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gripping means comprise at least one suction cup (63). 5. Device for transferring planar objects according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second carriage is integral with a gripping frame (6), equipped with said gripping means. θ 6. Device for transferring planar objects according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a keyboard for controlling said motor means, capable of cooperating with first sensors, capable of delivering information relating to the altitude of the first carriage, as well as of the second sensors, capable of delivering information relating to the horizontal positioning of the second carriage inside each storage volume. 7. Method for implementing a device for transferring planar objects according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps: - a single planar object is optionally secured with the gripping means (63), - the first movable carriage (3) is moved relative to the chassis, until it is positioned opposite a desired storage volume, belonging to said storage element (1), - the second mobile carriage (5) is moved relative to the first mobile carriage, until it is positioned at the desired location inside said desired storage volume, - the gripping means (63) are activated / deactivated, so as to extract a single planar object from a pack of planar objects / deposit said single planar object on said packet, - said second carriage (5) movable is extracted from said desired storage volume. 8. Object handling assembly, comprising a storage element (1), of the rack type, delimiting at least two separate storage volumes (V1-V6), and a device for transferring planar objects according to one of the claims 1 to 6. 9. Handling assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that the first motor means (4) are placed on a roof (17) of said storage element. 10. Handling assembly according to claim 8 or 9, comprising a device for transferring planar objects according to claim 6, characterized in that said storage element (1) is equipped with said first sensors, capable of delivering information relating to the altitude of the first carriage, as well as of said second sensors, capable of delivering information relating to the horizontal positioning of the second carriage inside each storage volume. ΛΙ2