JPH04345569A - Device for transferring lightweight load on travelling carriage - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To automate mounting and demounting of a container by a method wherein the mounting and demounting surface of a mounting and demounting means is pointed in parallel to the moving axis of a carriage, and mounting or demounting is effected in coordination with the mounting and demounting surface of the container after translation movement of the carriage and the container in parallel to and in relative to a movement axis. CONSTITUTION: A boss part 1 in the longitudinal direction of each lateral side of a container C is arranged symmetrically to the top part and the bottom of the container C and a slide means 12 arranged in parallel to movement axes X and X' is mounted on a self-running carriage 11. The slide means 12 has a lock means 15 and the lock means 15 is provided with a column body engageable with and retractable from the void place of the container. When the carriage 11 is moved in the direction of an arrow mark, the slide means 12 of the carriage 11 is engaged with the boss 1 of the container C, and the lock means 15 locks the carriage 11 at the container C when a retractable column body is contained in the void place 6 of the container.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a device for transporting light loads (10 to 15 kg) placed in containers that are transported by self-propelled carriages on rails.

0002

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In general, different devices of this type have already been proposed.

[0003] And, in particular, US Pat. No. 4,015,53
In the first type of device shown in specification No. 7,
The container is permanently fixed to the self-propelled carriage.

[0004] In this case, a movable slider is mounted on the carriage, which stores the receiving stations. For this type of device to work correctly, the station must have permanently available a number of carriages pre-assigned to it. Therefore, the receiving station needs to force the carriages back to the sending station in the shortest possible time. This is a major drawback that can result in equipment failure if work specifications are not followed.

[0005] Of course, for computer-driven transfer devices, the self-propelled carriage is assumed to work in two directions. In this case, the station no longer has a pre-designated carriage. These carriages are parked at different locations throughout the installation in parking areas provided for their intended purpose. A shipping station calls a self-propelled carriage with an empty container, and after loading the container, ships the carriage. The receiving station must unload the carriage in the shortest possible time and send it back to the area where carriages with empty containers are parked.

[0006] Therefore, in the two aforementioned types of devices, the receiving station becomes saturated very quickly if the carriages are not dispatched and retrieved within a short time. This saturation condition degrades performance and results in rapid device failure.

[0007]In particular, German patent (DE) No. 3308778
Another type of device shown in that patent provides a removable container that can be locked to a self-propelled carriage. However, the disadvantage of this solution is that, in order to be able to operate the device accurately, the user has to quickly re-enter the self-propelled carriage when it enters the station for loading or unloading. must be there so that it can be used for other tasks. To overcome this drawback, in GB 2194498 an automatic loading/unloading station is proposed, in which the container is locked transversely to the carriage with respect to its axis of movement. Proposed. but,
This type of equipment requires relatively complex and expensive loading/unloading stations.

The aim of the invention is inter alia to overcome these disadvantages.

[0009]

[Means for Solving the Problems] According to the present invention, there is provided a transfer device of the above-mentioned type, which includes a self-propelled carriage movable on a rail and having attachment/detachment means, and a container which is freely removable with respect to the attachment/detachment means. A transfer device configured to be locked and temporarily fixed and such that loading and unloading of containers of this type from a carriage takes place at an automatic loading and/or unloading station. and the attachment/detachment means comprises at least one attachment/detachment surface, which surface is oriented parallel to the axis of movement of the carriage and cooperates with a corresponding attachment/detachment surface provided on the container to facilitate the loading or unloading thereof. The departure is
It is characterized in that it is carried out after a relative translational movement of the carriage/container parallel to the axis of movement.

[0010] Advantageously, the driving force necessary for said movement is provided by the carriage itself.

[0011] In this case, the loading station has a device for positioning the container in the loading position, ie in a position in which the carriage itself is locked by its own loading and unloading surface with respect to the loading and unloading surface of the container.

[0012] The unloading station is provided with traction means which act on the container in the unloading area and are arranged to hold it stationary during the unloading process, ie during the movement of the carriage resulting in said unloading.

[0013] Of course, these loading and/or unloading stations bring the containers to the loading area.
Alternatively, a sorting device may be provided to move the containers from the unloading area.

[0014]

[Operation] At the loading station, the container is temporarily fixed to the attachment/detachment surface of the self-propelled carriage by the attachment/detachment surface parallel to the moving axis of the carriage that cooperates with this attachment/detachment surface. The container is transported on a rail, and at an unloading station, the self-propelled carriage and the container are separated at the attachment/detachment surfaces by relative movement parallel to the movement axes of the self-propelled carriage, and the container is removed from the self-propelled carriage.

The traction means of the unloading station hold the container stationary to ensure said relative movement.

[0016] The sorting device also transports containers from one station to another at the loading and/or unloading station.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In FIG. 1, a container C, shown in perspective view, is provided with a longitudinal boss 1 on each of its lateral sides. These bosses 1 are arranged symmetrically at the top and bottom of the container C. The boss 1 has an inclined surface 2 at each end to facilitate its insertion into the slide 12 of the carriage shown in FIG.

[0018] The cover 3 of the container C is open on its largest side, and its joint surface is indicated by 4. The cover 3 of the container is fitted with a closure means 5 on one of its smallest sides and a hinge on the other side.

In a variant not shown, the closing means 5
are simultaneously configured to form a hinge. In this case, the small opposite side of the container is fitted with hinged closing means 5. and a hinge closing means 5 disposed on the opposing surface.
By simultaneously operating the cover 3, it is possible to open it on one of its facets and also to remove the cover.

In FIG. 2, the self-propelled carriage 11 includes:
A sliding means 12 is mounted which is arranged parallel to the movement axis XX'. The sliding means 12 has in its center an electrically controlled locking means 15, which comprises a retractable column that can be engaged in a cavity provided in the container. An electric or electronic control unit 17 checks the exact position of the locking means 15.

In FIG. 3, when moving in the direction of the arrow,
It is shown that the sliding means 12 of the carriage 11 are engaged with the boss 1 of the container C. Locking means 15 lock the carriage 11 to the container when the retractable column is accommodated in the cavity 6 of the container.

A cross-sectional view of the carriage 11 in FIG.
FIG. 4) shows how the locking means 15 lock the container C and its boss 1 together by means of the sliding means 12.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the sliding means 12 has a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional shape;
The upper ends of the two vertical legs of the shape are curved inward.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to this configuration.

Therefore, instead of being a fixed structure, the sliding means can have two parallel elements 22 and 22' having a C-shape with mutually facing recesses, these two elements (as previously mentioned) (corresponding to the vertical leg) is
From an open position, which is configured to be movable relative to each other under the action of an actuating mechanism (not shown) and facilitates insertion (loading) or removal (removal) of the container C, to a closed position tightly associated with the boss 1 of the container C (Fig. 6(C)].

The channel elements 22, 22' are shown in FIG. 6(B).
6(A), or oscillate as shown in FIG. 6(A).

[0027] The shape of the channel element is designed in such a way that, in addition to gripping the container C, it efficiently locks the container C to the self-propelled carriage 11, especially during transitions between two stations.

FIG. 7 shows the construction of a loading/unloading station with a main track 31. This station comprises a loading/unloading track 32, which has a square or other rectangular path and is open at the level of the corner areas of the square or other rectangle thus formed.

This loading/unloading track has in particular the following configuration: a first linear length 33 extending parallel to the main track 31, which can be used for self-propelled vehicles with or without containers C; The carriage 11 is moved from the main track 31 to the linear length 33 or vice versa.
a second linear length connected to one end of the length 33 via a 90° curved portion 36, associated with a transition point 34 designed to transition from the main track 31 to the main track 31; an unloading section comprising a straight track section 35, a loading section consisting in succession of the following elements: a third straight track length connected to the second end of the first length section 33 via a second curved section 37; a fourth straight track length 40 connected to the third length by a curved portion 38 and a third curved portion 39, the fourth length 40 extending parallel to the first length 33; It also has an automatic loading device at its end.

A conveyor 42 is arranged above the length 35 of the unloading section, which carries the self-propelled carriage 11
It is configured to engage with the upper boss 1 of the container C which has been transferred to the unloading area.

When the carriage 11 and the container C are separated by the backward movement of the carriage 11, the container C remains suspended on the conveyor 42. In that case, the conveyor 42 is provided with a ramp so that the container C can be moved by its own weight to the storage area.

The loading area 41 associated with the length 40 of the loading section consists of two consecutive loading areas Z1,
Z2, relative to which the container C is centered and automatically mounted and locked in the carriage 11 according to the method described above.

As is clear, not only the loading station but also the unloading station is constructed without the use of complex sorting equipment.

However, the present invention does not exclude the use of a sorting device.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the loading station 43 therefore comprises a sorting device 43 formed by simple traction means 43, which
'is configured to bring and position the container. This traction means 43 is movable between the following two positions: a standby position (container receiving position) shown in broken lines in FIG. In this example the unloading station is
A second inclined conveyor 44 is provided behind the conveyor 42 described in connection with FIG. 7, against which the lower part of the container C abuts.

The present invention is not limited to a predetermined shape of the attachment/detachment surface.

Therefore, instead of a boss, the container C can be provided with a prismatic recess 144, for example with a dovetail cross-sectional shape, as shown in FIG. In this case, the slide is formed by a length of channel member 45 having a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional shape, the base of which is fixed to carriage 11 and the vertical flange of which substantially follows the shape of a prismatic recess 144. It is provided with ribs 46 of complementary shapes.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show a particularly useful embodiment of a loading and/or unloading station.

In this embodiment, the loading/unloading area 47 is arranged in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the track 48. This is a belt conveyor 4 extending on each side of the track 48.
Consists of planet homes formed by 9.

During the unloading process, the carriage 11/container C attachment is moved into the unloading station 47, and finally the entire surface of the container C is brought into contact with the unloading area. The carriage 11 remains stationary in this position, releases the lock of the container C, moves rearward, and detaches itself from the container C. The belt transfer device 49 is then actuated to transfer the container C to a storage area located on the left or right side of the track.

[0041] In such a configuration, the container is loaded in exactly the reverse order of unloading.

[0042]

It is thus clear that the invention overcomes, with a particularly simple and inexpensive device, the aforementioned problems which have hitherto restrained the development of this type of load transfer device.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a container of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a carriage with equipment for loading, unloading and locking containers;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a container with a boss and a locking cavity;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 2A-A of the carriage that holds the container of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view showing the loading of containers onto a carriage in a variant of the invention;

FIG. 6(A), FIG. 6(B) and FIG. 6(C) show two variations of the device for gripping a container, FIGS. 5B-B
line cross section,

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a station with loading and unloading areas;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a modified example of a station similar to FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a container and a self-propelled carriage having a dovetail type attachment/detachment surface;

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a station that performs loading and unloading functions, showing the steps before unloading.

FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of a station performing loading and unloading functions, showing the end of the unloading process;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Longitudinal boss, 2... Inclined surface, 3... Cover, 4... Joint surface, 5... Closing means, 6... Vacant space, 11... Self-propelled carriage,
12...Sliding means, 13...Sliding means, 15...Locking means, 17...Electric or electronic control device, 22, 22'...Parallel element, 31...Main track, 32...Loading/unloading track,
33...first linear length portion, 34...transition point, 35
...Second linear trajectory length portion, 36...Curved portion, 37...Second curved portion, 38...Third linear trajectory length portion, 39...Third curved portion, 40...Fourth linear trajectory length portion , 41... Loading area, 42... Conveyor, 43... Loading station, 44... Second inclined conveyor, 45... Channel member, 4
6... Rib, 47... Loading/unloading area, 48... Track,
49...Belt conveyor, 144...Prismatic recess, C...
Container, Z1...loading area,

Claims (14)

[Claims] Claim 1: A self-propelled carriage that is movable on a rail and has attachment/detachment means, to which a removable container is latched and temporarily fixed; In a load transfer device in which loading and unloading takes place at an automatic loading and/or unloading station, the loading and unloading means comprises at least one loading and unloading surface, which is arranged parallel to the axis of movement of the carriage. and cooperating with a corresponding loading/unloading surface on the container, such that loading or unloading of the container takes place after a relative translational movement of the carriage/container parallel to said axis of movement. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the driving force necessary for said movement is exerted by the carriage itself. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said loading station includes means for positioning the container in the loading position, such that the carriage itself is engaged by its loading and unloading surface with the loading and unloading surface of the container. 4. The unloading station as claimed in claim 1, further comprising traction means acting on the container in the unloading area to hold the container stationary during said movement resulting in disengagement from the carriage. equipment. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the container attachment/detachment surface has a convex shape, and the carriage attachment/detachment surface has a concave shape. 6. The attachment/detachment surface of the container is formed by longitudinal bosses at the top and bottom of the lateral sides of the container, and the attachment/detachment surface of the carriage has a U-shaped cross-sectional shape, and
6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the upper ends of the two vertical legs of the shape are formed by longitudinal slides which are curved inwardly. 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the container attachment/detachment surface has a prismatic concave shape, and the carriage attachment/detachment surface has a convex shape. 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the container attachment surface has a convex dovetail shape and the carriage attachment surface is formed by a U-shaped channel element shaped to complement the prismatic recess. 9. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the loading and unloading surface of the carriage is formed by two parallel channel elements, which elements are movable relative to each other by the action of an actuating mechanism. 10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the channel element is movable by translation or rocking. 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the channel element has a container-locking configuration. 12. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the unloading station comprises an unloading track above which a conveyor is arranged such that the containers are held suspended by the upper part thereof and are moved to the storage area. 13. The loading station comprises a sorting device formed by simple traction means for moving and positioning the containers in the loading area, so that the assembly of the containers and the self-propelled carriages takes place automatically. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the traction means is movable between two positions: a standby position for receiving a container; and a temporary position for positioning the container in a loading area. 14. A platform comprising a loading and/or unloading station having a transition area arranged in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the track, the transition area being formed by a conveyor movable transversely to the track. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is formed from: