HANGING CONVEYOR AND DRIVE CHAIN FOR THE HANGING CONVEYOR

专利摘要:
The invention relates to a drive chain (50) for an overhead conveyor (100) that transports hanging articles, in particular garments, between spaced locations, the drive chain (50) having a plurality of tie rod elements (10) connected to each other via coupling elements (58), wherein each pull rod element (10) has a base body (12) extending substantially along a conveying direction (96) and having a first longitudinal end (22) and a second longitudinal end (24) facing each other and each having a connecting portion (28, 30) into which a connecting bolt (52) is insertable, wherein the base body (12) has a frictional engagement portion (16) which is adapted to a drive wheel (83-1) of a friction roller drive (82) of the overhead conveyor ( 100) which is pressed against the frictional engagement portion (16) to frictionally interact to the drive chain (50) in the conveying direction (96) to be because of; characterized in that the base body (12) additionally comprises a positive engagement portion (18) adapted to interact with a plurality of spaced synchronizing units (82) which prevent offset adjacent tie rod elements (10) in the conveying direction (96) by positive engagement the offset is variably adjusted between adjacent tie rod elements (10-1, 10-2, 10-3) during a pushed and / or pulled travel of the drive chain (50).
公开号:AT510754A2
申请号:T1720/2011
申请日:2011-11-18
公开日:2012-06-15
发明作者:Max Winkler
申请人:Ssi Schaefer Peem Gmbh；
IPC主号:

专利说明:

[0001] The present invention relates to a drive chain for an overhead conveyor having a plurality of tie rod elements connectable to each other. The invention further relates to a suspension conveyor equipped with such a drive chain. The drive chain is essentially driven by a friction roller drive and thereby moved in a conveying direction. Hanging articles, such as Garments hanging on hangers or hooks are e.g. suspended in pockets in the drawbar elements or hung between adjacent drawbar elements. Each tie rod element can simultaneously transport one or more hanging articles.
Conventional overhead conveyors, as described by way of example in the European patent application EP 0 388 668 A1 and the German patent DE 34 24 426 CI, often have roller chains as a drive chain. The roller chain itself has outer plates and inner plates, which are connected to each other via bolts. The bolts serve as bearings for sleeves on which shell-shaped rollers sit. The inner tabs are seated on the bushings, referred to as sleeves, which are located on the bolt. The outer tabs sit directly on the bolt. Between the inner tabs is in each case a roll on the sleeve. This causes a reduction of the driving forces and the wear. Roller chains are often used in chain drives, such as e.g. on the bike, motorcycle or as a suspension conveyor drive chain. Because of the high load often comes with a version with double links used (duplex chain).
A duplex chain is also used in European Patent EP 1 690 811 Bl as a drive chain, in which a second set of rollers and connecting straps is omitted, so that a projecting portion of the bolt serves as a driver. These drivers catch like a claw in tops of transport adapters.
Furthermore, drawbar chains are known in which the chain links consist of tie rod elements which are connected to each other via gimbaled universal joints. Such drawbar members comprise an elongated body having one or more pockets for receiving stirrup heads, the body having at least a portion having a planar surface and extending substantially in the longitudinal direction (conveying direction). At this section, a drive wheel of a friction roller drive can be pressed, wherein opposite to the drive wheel usually a counter-pressure wheel is arranged. The counter-pressure wheel is pressed against a likewise flat surface of the drawbar member, which is opposite to the surface against which the drive wheel is pressed. The drive wheel and the counterpressure wheel clamp the drawbar elements between them. The flat surfaces are designed so that the drive wheel and the counterpressure wheel perpendicular to the transport direction must not be nachgefuhrt as possible, as would be the case with depressions in the surface, or have to give way, as would be the case with elevations in the surface.
In known tie-rod drive chains of the type mentioned above, the drive via a frictional engagement by the pairs of wheels of the roller drives are pressed against the tie rod elements. The drive chain may be several hundred meters long since e.g. Within a garment store, large distances often have to be covered between a storage location and a shipping location. Therefore, the drive chain is often driven by a variety of friction roller drives. In the conveying direction adjacent friction roller drives are e.g. provided at intervals of about 40 m. The distances can vary. In pitch ranges, the drives may be e.g. sit closer.
The (endless) drive chain often passes between the substantially horizontal sections gradients and gradients during a cycle. The drive chain is either pulled and / or pushed by the friction roller drives. A drive arranged at the foot of a slope usually pushes the chain uphill, * ··· ♦ * ·· Φ ······························································································ While a friction roller drive arranged after one end of the pitch usually pulls the chain. If the chain is heavily loaded in the area of the slope, that is with many garments, the drive chain is compressed in the area of the foot of the slope, whereas it is stretched at an upper end of the slope. Furthermore, compression and expansion of the drive chain due to the game with a game between the tie rod elements mounted universal joints are possible. 10007] There may even be situations in which the e.g. in the immediate vicinity of the slope arranged drives alone not sufficient to move the chain in the conveying direction. The drives, that is to say the drive wheels, rotate through. It comes to slip. The frictional engagement is lost in this situation as long as further away arranged drives assistive occur. At the top of the slope, the chain continues to stretch until there are enough more downstream drives on the stalling portion of the chain, while at the foot of the slope, other drives further upstream push it. Until it is so far enough that a sufficient number of drives to move the drive chain frictionally, there is a slip on the affected drives. This means that although the entire system is operated with a medium, constant conveying speed, the chain can occasionally or partially come to a standstill. This is problematic in overhead conveyors which require tracking of the tie rod elements e.g. to operate switches or the like.
A path-dependent control with e.g. Incremental counter, for example, is able to distinguish and count individual tie rod elements. Usually, an incremental counter is provided which serves as a reference for the entire overhead conveyor. At the location of the incremental counter, it is tracked by how many drawbar elements the drive chain has been moved in the conveying direction. Due to the possible problems described above, this does not necessarily mean that at each location along a transport path of the overhead conveyor, the transport chain has been transported by the same route in the conveying direction. Before the above-described fall, it may be 4 *.
Situations come in which the transport chain was moved less far from. If exactly at this location a switch is seated, which is due to a certain feed of the entire drive chain, that is to operate in response to a predetermined Zugstangenelements, it can lead to incorrect operations. A higher-level control supposedly means to operate the switch at a given drawbar element, although this predetermined drawbar element has not yet arrived at the point of the switch. This is a big problem in controlling the entire system.
Although the overhead conveyor can be used e.g. With the aid of an absolute reference point on the drive chain, it can always be reset and restarted in terms of tax technology, in other words using software. In practice, however, there may be instances in which the software-technical compensation means are insufficient to determine an actual offset with exact position.
Particularly problematic is the wear on a pull rod chain. The joints may wear in the area of the movable components, creating a play between adjacent tie rod elements. Therefore, it may be necessary in the course of the years of operation, that the chain has to be readjusted mechanically and the control has to be reset accordingly.
As long as an offset exists in the overall system, it can lead to a variety of faulty control, especially at input and Ausschleuspositionen or in so-called. Recording and dispensing stations. The control should e.g. actually dumping the # 4711 '' pull rod, but actually hauling the # 4709 pull rod because the drive chain in the area of the discharge station is delayed by the length of two tension elements.
Another problem is in the technical complexity e.g. to see a recording. A hanger to be hooked must fit into a predetermined pocket of a 5 • «» · · · · · * * • ···
Drawbar element to be hung. Often the drawbar elements have a plurality of pockets separated by vertical webs. When picking up a bracket, it must be avoided that the bracket is handed over to one of the vertical webs. For this purpose, insertion distances are provided, on which the hooks to be hooked are accelerated to the same speed as the drawbar chain. The Einschleusstrecken are each provided with its own drive, which is preferably speed-controlled in order to adapt to the speed of the drawbar chain can. If there is a slip that can not be detected at this location in the area of the transfer between the entry route and the drawbar chain, the stirrup may possibly be received in a wrong bag.
In order to safely hit a predetermined pocket, that is, these and no other pocket, their geometric length is chosen to be sufficiently large. This is especially important for sorter applications, because there can only be one hanger per bag. This reduces a capacity of the chain.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a pull-rod drive chain and an overhead conveyor which overcomes the above-described problems in the prior art. In particular, it is intended to provide a tie-rod drive chain and a suspension conveyor which are substantially interconnected by means of a frictional connection, such as e.g. be driven by a friction roller drive. In this case, the control is preferably carried out by a distance measurement (for example, the number of trailing rod elements).
This object is achieved by a drive chain for a suspension conveyor, the hanging articles, in particular garments, transported between spaced locations, wherein the drive chain has a plurality of interconnected via coupling elements Zugstangenelementen, each Zugstangenelement has a main body which is located in the Extends substantially along a conveying direction and which has a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end, which are located at the end of the conveying direction. The base body has a frictional engagement portion which is adapted to frictionally interact with a drive wheel of a friction roller drive of the overhead conveyor which is pressed against the frictionally engaging portion to frictionally engage the frictional engagement portion To move drive chain in the conveying direction; wherein the body further comprises a positive engagement portion adapted to interact with a plurality of spaced synchronization units which prevent misalignment of adjacent tie rod elements in the conveying direction by a positive engagement, the offset being variable between adjacent tie rod elements during a trailing and / or trailing movement of the drive chain established.
By the positive connection portion, it is possible to synchronize the feed of the drive chain at any location along the conveying path. During initial start-up, when the drive chain is at rest, the overhead conveyor can be adjusted so that there are virtually no compressed or stretched areas of the drive chain over the entire length of the overhead conveyor. If the drive chain is then moved, for example, by the length of a pull-rod element, which is preferably standardized with respect to its length in the conveying direction, then all other pull-rod elements preferably also move one length of the other. If, in the following, a movement to "from" is spoken, this refers to a movement in the conveying direction.
Despite the positive-locking sections, which are preferably arranged on each pull-rod element, in particular over substantially its entire length in the conveying direction, it is possible for compressions and extensions of the drive chain to occur between adjacent synchronization units, which in turn interact with these positive-locking sections. However, these can be compensated at least at the location of the respective synchronization unit. 7 "t" M ··· * * Μ · * ··· φ ·· # «• Φ · · Φ Φ Φ · φφ φφ" I "· ΦΦΦ Φ ·· [0018] Independently driven input and / or outfeed devices that were needed to workstations, such as Receiving or dispensing devices to integrate in the main stream of the overhead conveyor in a path-length-dependent control of the entire system, are superfluous by the invention.
The present invention causes weglängenabhängig controlled overhead conveyor despite a fraught with friction drive, which is intended to allow compressions and strains for the purpose of avoiding wear, weglängen- or feed dependent are still controllable.
Preferably, adjacent tie rod elements are each connected to each other via a universal joint, wherein each universal joint for continuous reception of one or more of the connecting bolt is formed with the universal joints, the drive chain can easily pass through curves. Typical curves have a radius that is a factor x greater than a single pull rod, depending on the tie rod length. The universal joints are arranged in opposite connecting portions of adjacent tie rod elements and connected by one or more connecting bolts with the Grundkörpem the Zugstangenelemente. A universal joint designed in this way makes it possible to keep the drive chain movable not only around curves but also through inclines and inclines. Cross connection bolts, which are usually horizontally oriented, may be used in addition to sensory differentiation of adjacent tie rod elements. A cross connection bolt may e.g. represent either the beginning or the end of a tie rod element. Whenever the drive chain passes a corresponding (statically mounted) sensor, a signal is generated which tells a higher level controller that a new tie rod element will subsequently pass the sensor. In this way, the tie rod elements of a chain can be counted consecutively. The count can be based on a path-dependent control. For this purpose, information about the relevant workstations may be present in the controller such as the places of points, loading stations, delivery stations, etc. are deposited. Preferably, distances between the workstations and an absolute reference point (e.g., the location of an initial sensor) are stored.
In a particular embodiment, the positive connection portion has a rack profile, which is provided at least on one side of the base body, in particular integrally formed, and which interacts positively over a length of the base body with at least one gear (or a Caterpillar drive) of the synchronization unit ,
With the rack profile can ensure a positive connection along the entire length of the main body of a pull rod element. As soon as a drawbar element passes the synchronization unit, there is a positive connection between the drawbar element and the synchronization unit during the entire passage. This ensures that a possible slippage of the drive chain can be detected at any time, provided that the gear has a corresponding measuring device. The synchronization unit can be connected to the higher-level control for this purpose. Thus, e.g. the number of revolutions of the gear incrementally or absolutely counted. The higher-level controller is thus informed by means of a measured value, from which information a conveying speed can be derived at the location of the synchronization unit. This applies to both forward and reverse movements of the drive chain. Also, a slip can be detected where the drive chain does not move even though the friction roller drives are moving.
In a particular embodiment, the form-fitting section has a hole profile which interacts positively with pin-occupied elements of the synchronization unit.
Alternatively or in addition to the rack profile so a positive connection between the tie rod elements and the synchronization unit can be made 9. Although the rack profiles usually interact in a horizontal plane with the drive chain, the hole profile can also interact in a vertical plane with the pin-occupied element of the synchronization unit. Planners of a conveyor system can thus freely decide how to align the synchronization unit relative to the drive chain. Often there is not always sufficient space for an arrangement of the synchronization unit and the drive chain in a horizontal orientation available. In these cases one can e.g. dodge into the vertical. Conversely, of course, this also applies.
Further, it is preferred if a counter-pressure wheel of the friction roller drive with Vulkollan or a similar material is sheathed, wherein the drive wheel of the friction roller drive is preferably also coated with Vulkollan.
Vulkollan is one of the most powerful elastomers on the market Vulkollan has particularly good mechanical and dynamic material properties, in that it can be exposed to the highest mechanical loads and by having a very high dynamic load capacity. Vulkollan is a registered trademark of Bayer. Vulkollan has a high coefficient of friction, which reduces slippage between the drive chain and the chain drive friction rollers.
In a further advantageous embodiment, each pull rod element is an integrally formed injection-molded component and preferably has one or more transport pockets. Alternatively, the pull rod may also be formed as a metal die casting or welded from steel.
Due to the one-piece design of the body, the tie rod elements can be produced inexpensively. If the main body has pockets, the pull-rod element can be used in a drive chain of a suspension conveyor with sorting function. When sorting hanging goods, it is important to always be able to make a statement about where a certain hanging goods are on the market
10
Drive chain is located. Otherwise, no sorting can be preselected. During sorting, the hanging goods are placed in a predetermined order by hanging the hanging goods in a first step in the endless rotating drive chain and posted in a second step at a predetermined destination, there are usually a variety of destination points. In this case, a point or. exact positioning required.
The above-mentioned object is further achieved by an overhead conveyor comprising: at least one drive unit; at least one synchronization unit; a drive chain according to the invention; and preferably a guide rail in which the drive chain runs.
Preferably, each synchronization unit has a synchronization element which forms such a form fit with the form-fitting section that adjacent drawbar elements maintain a predetermined distance from one another in the conveying direction.
For this purpose, the synchronization element can preferably be driven at the same speed as the friction roller drive. If a given drawbar element arrives at the location of a synchronization unit within an allowable tolerance (path difference) and if the synchronization unit is immediately upstream of a workstation, the controller can actuate the downstream workstation with exact position. In this case, it does not need to be rechecked if an actual tie rod element matches a desired tie rod element at the workstation location. A number of sensors needed to verify the feed along the conveyor path can thus be significantly reduced. Empty Puffeiplätze, ie sections on the drive chain, which are not (deliberately) equipped with hanging goods, can thus be reduced. The superordinate controller can be sure that, for example, a group of garments is actually present within a predetermined area of the drive chain, that is to say it is hung there is and is not distributed over more than originally planned drawbar elements.
In an advantageous embodiment, the overhead conveyor on a reference point measuring device.
With the reference point measuring device, marking elements, such as e.g. the above-mentioned cross connection bolts are detected for each tie rod element, in particular be counted. The marking elements are arranged at regular intervals between adjacent drawbar elements. Each pull rod element has (per pocket) at least one marking element. It is understood, however, that a pull-rod element can also be equipped with a plurality of markings, which are then preferably arranged at regular intervals. Several marking elements are e.g. makes sense if the tie rod elements each have multiple pockets, with each bag a single goods to be hung. In this case, the higher-level control can identify a respective pocket by the marking elements.
In a further preferred Ausftihrungsform, the overhead conveyor has at least one station for receiving and / or dispensing of hanging articles on or on one of the drawbar elements of the drive chain, wherein preferably each station is associated with at least one synchronization unit, in the region of the station is arranged.
Both in the recording and in the delivery of hanging articles there is often a synchronization problem, such as when using drawbar elements with molded pockets. Vertical webs of these bags interfere with a recording or a levy, because there can be no hanging goods. If a hanging garment is hung exactly at the location of a vertical web (recording), it will cause interference. If a hanging garment is posted exactly at the location of a vertical web (delivery), disturbances occur because in both cases the vertical web is in the way. The hanging goods will not be hung or unhooked. Thus, it comes to a mistake.
It is particularly preferred if the associated synchronization unit is coupled to the drive chain of the overhead conveyor such that a station drive chain is driven at the same conveying speed as the drive chain.
Station drive units commonly used in conventional workstations to operate an infeed or outfeed distance of the station at the same speed as the main conveyor line represented by the drive chain can be easily omitted. The pull rod drive chain of the present invention then also powers the station drive chains. Thus, fewer elements are needed so that the overhead conveyor system of the present invention is cheaper and requires less maintenance.
It is understood that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained not only in the combination specified, but also in other combinations or alone, without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Ausftthrungsbeispiele of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description. Show it:
FIGS. 1A-E show various views of a first embodiment of a drawbar element of the invention;
2 is a perspective view of a conventional drawbar
Drive chain;
Fig. 3 shows a suspended conveyor system according to the invention; and 13 ♦ · * ··· ** ·· · · · · ♦ ·
Fig. 4 shows a detail of another overhead conveyor system according to the invention.
In the following description of the invention, like parts and features will be denoted by like reference numerals, and the disclosures contained throughout the specification may be applied to like parts and features with like references. Location information, such as top, bottom, side, etc. are based on the directly described figure and to transfer in a change in position mutatis mutandis to a new location.
In the following description, a pull-rod element according to the invention (hereinafter also referred to as "pull-rod") is always provided with the reference numeral 10, regardless of its design. The pull rod 10 represents a chain link of a suspension conveyor 100, as shown by way of example in FIG. 3. Fig. 2 shows a conventional drive chain 50 (hereinafter also referred to as "chain" for short), which, however, can be redesigned in the sense of the invention. A fundamental prerequisite of the invention is that the drive chain 50 are driven substantially by one or more friction roller drives 81, as will be described in more detail in connection with FIG. A friction roller drive 81 represents a possible form of a drive by means of frictional engagement.
Fig. 1A shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a tie rod 10 according to the invention. Fig. 1B shows a side view. Fig. IC shows a plan view. Fig. ID shows a section along a line A-A in Fig. IC. Fig. IE shows a section along a line B-B of Fig. ID. In the following, reference is made to FIGS. 1A to IE together.
The tie rod 10 has a base body 12 which extends substantially in a longitudinal direction 14. The longitudinal direction 14 is here oriented as an example parallel to the X direction. The main body 12 has a frictionally engaging portion 16 and a positive locking portion 18 which can adjoin one another. The frictional engagement portion 16 extends substantially in the longitudinal direction 14. The same applies to the positive engagement portion 18.
The main body 12 has a first longitudinal end 20 and a second longitudinal end 22. The first longitudinal end 20 may be provided with a first (horizontal) opening 24. The second longitudinal end 22 may be provided with a second (vertical) opening 26. The first and second longitudinal ends 20 and 22 define with the first opening 24 and the second opening 26 connecting portions 28 and 30. The connecting portions 28 and 30 serve to connect adjacent tie rods 10 with each other, as will be explained in more detail with reference to FIG , The orientation of the openings 24 and 26 are preferably selected so that a universal joint can be formed, so that the chain 50 can be guided without any problems by curves, gradients and / or drops. It is understood that a relative position of the connecting portions 28 and 30 can be changed. The orientation of the openings 24 and 26 can be reversed or changed. The openings 24 and 26 may be the same orientation.
The connecting portion 28 preferably has a vertical slot for receiving a coupling element (hinge). The connecting portion 30 preferably has a horizontal slot for receiving a coupling element. The slots in the connecting elements 28 and 30 are preferably formed so that the coupling element is pivotally storable therein. The openings 24 and 26 serve to receive bolts on which the coupling elements can be stored. Depending on the shape of the bolt, the shape of the openings 24 and 26 is selected. The openings 24 have here by way of example a circular cross section, as e.g. can be seen in Figures 1B, IC and ID for the connecting portions 28 and 30.
In Fig. 1A is good to see that the frictional engagement portion 16 along two lateral longitudinal sides 32 with preferably smooth and flat surface
15 «· · · · · ··· * • * • • ··« 33 is arranged. The lateral longitudinal sides 32 extend over an entire length of the main body 12 in the longitudinal direction 14. The longitudinal sides are oriented parallel (vertical) to one another. It is understood that the lateral longitudinal sides 32 may also include an angle with each other. The lateral longitudinal sides 32 extend in the vertical direction (Y-direction) almost over the entire base body 12, with the exception of the form-fitting section IS. The lateral longitudinal sides 32, together with a (horizontal) upper side 34 and a lower side 36, define a substantially cuboid base body 12. However, the base body 12 may also have other geometries.
Between the lateral longitudinal sides 32 reinforcing ribs 38 may be arranged crosswise in an interior 40. The interior 40 reduces an amount of material needed to make the drawbar 10. The reinforcing ribs 38 serve to stiffen the base body 12 in a transverse direction (Z direction). In Fig. 1, not shown friction rollers 83 of a friction roller drive 81 are pressed against the surfaces 33 of the longitudinal sides 32, so that a frictional engagement between the rollers 83, not shown, of the friction roller drive 81 and the base body 12 of the tie rod 10 is made. For this purpose, the rollers 83 are pressed with a sufficient force, preferably perpendicular to the surfaces 33 on the longitudinal sides 32.
The interior space 40 preferably does not extend over the entire height (Y direction) of the main body 12. In the embodiment of the drawbar 10 of FIG. 1, the interior 40 extends approximately over two-thirds of the height and substantially over an entire length apart from the connecting portions 28 and 30. Underneath the inner space 40 (see Fig. ID), dog ribs 42 may preferably be arranged in the longitudinal direction at regular intervals extending substantially in the vertical plane (YZ plane) , The driver webs 42 are used to carry, for example, Gleitadaptem 43, which are indicated in Fig. ID by dashed lines. Two adjacent carrier webs 42 define therebetween a chamber 44, which serves to receive preferably a single sliding adapter 43, as described in the German patent application DE 10 2010 045 725, which was filed on 8.9.2010 and to which reference is made in its entirety becomes.
The chambers 44 are preferably all the same length. This also applies if a plurality of drawbar elements 10 are connected to one another via coupling elements in the connecting sections 28 and 30. In this case, a rear entrainment web 42 defines a lateral boundary of a drawbar-spanning chamber 44 and a forwardmost entrainment web 42 of the directly upstream drawbar 10 has an opposite, other lateral boundary of the drawbar-spanning chamber 44.
The bottom 36 of the tie rod 10 may be open at the bottom, so that the sliding adapter 43 can be inserted from below into the chambers 44. The driver webs 42 do not have to extend flat in the YZ plane. The driver webs 42 may have recesses, as it is exemplarily indicated in Fig. IE. The trapezoidal recess in Mitnehmersteg 42 of FIG. IE allows a certain play för the sliding adapter 43 until they come into engagement or out of engagement with the tie rod 10. The width (Z-direction) of the trapezoidal opening increases towards the bottom, so that the sliding adapter 43, depending on the configuration of its own width in the Z-direction, already out of engagement with the Mitnehmersteg 42 may come before it completely in the Y Direction emerges from the chamber 44. The same applies vice versa for the engagement with a sliding adapter 43. The shape of the recess in the carrier web 42 is arbitrary.
The positive locking section 18 (see FIG. 1B) provided in addition to the frictional engagement section 16 can be made by a rack profile 46. The rack profile 46 connects here from below to the frictionally engaging portion 16. The positive engagement portion 18 extends substantially in the longitudinal direction 14. In the tie rod 10 of FIG. 1, the rack profile 46 extends along both sides 32 of the base body ] The form-fitting section 18 serves to synchronize conveying speeds, as will be explained in more detail below. The form-fit section 18 can interact positively with correspondingly formed synchronization elements 84 of synchronization units 82 (cf., FIG. 3), as will also be described in greater detail below. A rack profile 46 is advantageous because as a synchronization element 84 e.g. Gears 86 can be used, which rotate about a vertical axis (Y-axis) in the horizontal plane (XZ-plane). It is understood that the orientation of the gears 86 depends on the orientation of the tie rods 10 at the respective site. In gradients or gradients of the chain 50, the gears 86 are then inclined accordingly.
Alternatively or additionally, a perforated profile 48 can be provided as a form-fitting section 18. In FIG. 1, holes 49 are provided in an intermediate bottom, which separates the inner space 40 from the chambers 44. The holes 49 are preferably uniformly spaced from one another and are arranged along the longitudinal direction 14. The holes 49 extend vertically through the intermediate bottom and can be positively locked e.g. interact with a studded wheel, which penetrates from below into the chambers 44 and engages in the holes 49. In order to have the necessary space for such a pin-occupied wheel, the recesses in the driver webs 42 (see Fig. IE) are provided.
It is understood that the positive connection portion 18 can be realized in other ways. The illustrated rack profile 46 and the hole profile 48 are merely exemplary in nature. The form-fit portion 18 may be provided on all sides of the body 12 and also within the body 12 and usually extends in the longitudinal direction 14 to detect, assist and / or synchronize a transport movement of the chain 50 consisting of tie rod elements 10. Upon detecting the transporting motion, the elements 84 interacting with the interlocking portion 18 are connected to path length measuring sensors (e.g., a rotary encoder or the like). When supporting a drive of the chain 50 18 18 ····· ♦ ··· · · these elements 84 are connected to their own drive. In synchronizing, these elements 84 are connected to other conveyor link components, either directly or via force transmitting other members (e.g., gears), which are not part of the main path, but are to be moved at the same speed.
Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a conventional drive chain SO, which is formed of tie rod elements 10 without form-fitting portions 18. It is understood that the drawbar elements 10 of the drive chain 50 of FIG. 2 can each also be provided with one or more form-fitting sections 18. Here it is clear that conventional chains can be easily replaced by chains according to the invention or the form-fitting unit can be retrofitted as a separate part (retrofitting).
Two drawbar elements 10-1 to 10-3 are shown by way of example in FIG. 2, which are connected by means of connecting bolts 52 via a coupling element 58, such as e.g. a universal joint 59, are interconnected. Each universal joint 59 has two, corresponding to the first and second openings 22 and 24 recesses to receive a longitudinal connecting pin 53 and a cross-connecting pin 52 rotatably mounted. On the longitudinal connecting pin 53 rollers 54 are each rotatably mounted, which allow movement of the drive chain 50 within a guide rail 57. The movement is forcibly guided by the guide rail 57. The weight of the drive chain 50 rests on the rollers 54, which run on a horizontally oriented tread in the guide rail 57. The guide rollers 56 force a lateral guidance of the drive chain 50 in the guide rail 57, which is only partially shown in FIG. The guide rail 57 may be made in one piece or in several parts. 2, the guide rail 57 is formed in two parts, wherein only a left part of the guide rail 57 is shown. A right part of the guide rail 57 is then oriented mirror-symmetrically to the illustrated left part of the guide rail 57. In the openings 24 and 26 and the openings for the universal joint high-strength plain bearings can be used.
Each of the tie rods 10-1 to 10-3 may be connected via a releasably inserted connecting rod 62 with its respective directly adjacent neighbor. The drawbar 10 of FIG. 2 also differs from the drawbar 10 of FIG. 1 in that instead of the chambers 44 of FIG. 1, one or more transport pockets 64 defined by vertical pocket webs 66 and horizontal support posts 67 are provided. In Fig. 2, each tie rod 10 has two equally sized transport pockets 64-1 and 64-2. Preferably, a gap 66 between adjacent tie rod elements is substantially the same size as one of the carry pockets 64-1 and 64-2. The horizontally oriented cross connection bolts 60 have a regular distance 68 (eg 25 cm) to each other and define control technology, a beginning or an end of a tie rod 10. The cross connection bolts 60 are preferably made of metal, in order to interact with sensors that a passing of Cross tie bolts 60 detect when the drive chain 50 is moved. Such sensor systems suffer from the disadvantage that in the case of slip often no signal is detected, although a cross-connection pin 60 has passed the corresponding sensor. It is understood that other elements of the tie rod elements 10 can serve as a reference for counting. The pocket webs 66 may e.g. be detected by means of light barriers. The sensor can be constructed in several parts. Thus, e.g. 5 sensors are arranged one behind the other regularly. At a distance of 5 cm between the sensors, a 25 cm long pull rod 10 can be dissolved in 5 cm increments, which increases the accuracy of the path-dependent control.
It is understood that the tie rod elements 10-1 to 10-3 of FIG. 2 can also be provided with form-fitting portions 18. The form-fitting portions 18 may be e.g. in the region of the frictional engagement sections 16, that is, in the upper region of the pockets 64, wherein sufficient space for the frictional engagement section should remain. The arrangement of the interlocking sections 18 in the upper ftftftft * ft * * 1ftft * ft * ft * 1ftfftftft ftftftftftft * * • * ft *·· 20
Area of the tie rod elements 10 has the advantage that the positive-fit portions 18 do not collide with the hanging garments, which are transported in the pockets 64 hanging vertically downwards.
Referring to Figure 3, a hang request system 100 according to the invention is shown.
The hang request system 100 comprises a drive chain 50, e.g. equipped with drawbar elements 10 according to FIG. 1. The chain 50 is moved with a main drive 80 in the conveying direction 96. The main drive 80 may include one or more friction roller drives 81. As an alternative to the friction roller drives 81, other drives can be provided which also drive the chain 50 by means of frictional engagement. By way of example, FIG. 3 shows two friction roller drives 81-1 and 81-2, which are e.g. thirty to forty meters apart.
Each of the friction roller drives 81 has a designated friction roller 83-2 and preferably a (non-driven) counter roller 83-1. The counter rollers 83-1 can be force-supported against the chain 50, as exemplified for the roller 83-1 is indicated by means of a tensioned spring.
Furthermore, the overhead conveyor 100 has one or more synchronization units 82, which are preferably arranged in the immediate vicinity of control-relevant points (e.g., work stations or switches) along the chain 50. FIG. 3 shows by way of example four synchronization units 82-1 to 82-4. Each synchronization unit 82 has one or more synchronization elements 84, here in the form of gears 86-1 and 86-2. The first synchronization unit 82-1 is arranged downstream of the first friction roller drive 81-1. A second synchronization unit 82-2 is arranged upstream of a workstation 95, which is here designed as a receiving station 92. A third synchronization unit 82-3 is located directly upstream of a dispensing station 94. A fourth synchronization unit 82-4 connects to the first synchronization unit 82-1 with a short distance. The distance between the two synchronizing units 82-1 and 82-4 is selected so that a reference point measuring device 88 can be arranged therebetween. As mentioned above, the reference point measuring device 88 may be implemented in the form of a sensor 90 which either electromagnetically scans the crossover pins 60 or optically scans (e.g., in the form of a light barrier) the pocket lands 66. The synchronization units 82-1 and 82-4 prevent the chain 50 from slipping unnoticed in the area of the reference point measuring device 88. For this purpose, the synchronization units 82 and the reference point meter 88 may be connected to a higher level controller 98 either via a hardwire 99 (e.g., Ethemet bus) or wireless 101 (e.g., wireless LAN).
The synchronization units 82 may be driven to assist in maintaining an average conveying speed of the chain 50. However, the synchronization units 82 can also only provide signals representing an advancement of the chain 50 at the location of the respective synchronization unit 82. In this case, the synchronization units 82 are used as measuring points to drive the work stations 95, which may also be switches or the like, path-dependent. In other words, this means that the workstations 95 can be actuated so that predetermined tie rod elements 10 can be actuated in a location-accurate manner. The pull rod numbered "4711" takes e.g. on the receptacle 92 a slope would be in their rearmost pocket 64 on.
In order to keep an offset of the chain 50 in the region of the workstations 95, as indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 3, as low as possible, it is advisable to provide a separate synchronization unit 82 directly in front of and directly behind each station ,
However, the synchronization unit 82 also has another function. The synchronization unit 82 may, as will be explained in more detail in connection with FIG. 4, be used in conjunction with FIG. 4. FIG in order to synchronize feed and / or discharge lines of workstations 95, each having its own transport chain, in terms of their transport speed with the prevailing at the location of a respective workstation 95 transport speed of the drive chain 50. These speeds may be different over a total length of the chain 50 seen. The transport chains of the supply and discharge lines are not driven in this case and are driven by the synchronization elements 84 of the synchronization units 82 with.
Fig. 4 shows a plan view of a portion of a sorter 110. The Zugstangenantriebskette 50 is shown only partially and moves in the conveying direction 96, that is in Fig. 4 from right to left. Each pull rod element 10 has two pockets 64-1 and 64-2 here by way of example. When the pull rod drive chain 50 is used in a sorter 110, one single hanging garment is always transported per pocket 64. To hang hanging garments in the chain 50, one or more receiving stations 82 are located in close proximity to the chain 50. Each receiving station 82 has a feed path 112 which, in turn, can be adjacent to a rail 114 over which hangers or hooks 116 are provided to which the hanging garments hang. Singulation devices are not shown, which cause a discharge of the bracket 116 from the rail 114 to the feed section 112.
The feed path 112 of the receiving station 92 has a station drive chain 118 with a strand 120 circulating endlessly around deflection rollers.
In the region of the receiving station 92, preferably immediately upstream thereto, a synchronization unit 82 is provided with a gear 86 as a synchronization element 84 which meshes with the Zahnstangenpxofil 46 of the form-fitting portions 18, in Fig. 4 only on one side of the Zugstangenelemente 110th are provided. The pay wheel 86 further meshes with the run 120 to drive the station drive chain 118 at the same speed as the chain 502.... • * • • • »·············································································································· It is understood that the gear 86 can also couple via a translation to the strand 120.
The pickup station 92 does not need its own drive to move the station drive chain 118. The movement of the station drive chain 118 is synchronized with the movement of the drive chain 50. Even if it comes in some cases to slip in the drive chain 50, the station drive chain 118 moves synchronously to this. Even if the speed of the chain 50 varies widely, that is, is not constant over long periods of time, the station drive chain 118 is moved synchronously. A bar is handed over with pinpoint accuracy.
It is understood that analogous to a pickup station 94 or any other type of workstation 95 applies.
An advantage of this (direct) synchronization of the various drive chains 50 and 118 is that fewer empty buffer tie-rod elements 10 must be provided between (logically) associated sets of brackets 116 on the chain 50. The chain 50 can also be operated at a higher speed.
A further advantage is the fact that a pick-up or delivery at the location of a pocket web 66 (see Fig. 2) is avoided in a path-dependent control of the overall system.

权利要求:
Claims (9)
[1]
P43973

1. Drive chain (50) for an overhead conveyor (100), the hanging articles, in particular articles of clothing transported between spaced locations, the drive chain (50) having a plurality of tie rod elements (10) connected to each other via coupling elements (58), each tie rod element (10) having a base body (12) extending substantially along a direction of conveyance (Fig. 96) and having a first longitudinal end (22) and a second longitudinal end (24) facing each other and each having a Verbindungsab section (28, 30) into which a connecting pin (52) is insertable, wherein the Base body (12) has a frictional engagement portion (16) which is frictionally changed with a drive wheel (83-1) of a friction roller drive (82) of the suspension requestor (100) which is pressed against the frictional engagement portion (16) acting to move the drive chain (50) in the conveying direction (96); characterized in that the base body (12) additionally comprises a positive engagement portion (18) adapted to interact with a plurality of spaced synchronizing units (82) which prevent misalignment of adjacent tie rod elements (10) in the conveying direction (96) by positive locking, wherein the offset is variably adjusted between adjacent tie rod elements (10-1, 10-2, 10-3) during a pushed and / or pulled movement of the drive chain (50).
[2]
2. Drive chain according to claim 1, wherein adjacent tie rod elements (10-1,10-2, 10-3) are each connected to each other via a universal joint (59), where each universal joint (59) for continuously receiving one or more of the connecting bolts ( 52) is formed.
[3]
3. Drive chain according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the positive connection portion (18) has a rack profile (46) provided at least on one side (32, 34, 36) of the base body (25), in particular integrally formed, and preferably over the length of the base body (12) interacts positively with at least one toothed wheel (86) of the synchronizing unit (82).
[4]
4. Drive chain according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the positive connection portion (16) has a perforated profile (48) which interacts positively with pin-occupied elements of the synchronization units (82).
[5]
5. Drive chain according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a counter-pressure wheel (83-2) of the friction roller drive (81) is coated with Vulkollan to interact with the drive wheel (83-1) of the friction roller drive (81), which preferably also with Vulkollan is sheathed
[6]
6. Drive chain according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each tie rod element (10) is a one-piece injection-molded component and preferably one or more transport pockets (64).
[7]
7. overhead conveyor (100) comprising: at least one drive unit (80); at least one synchronization unit (82); a drive chain (50) according to any one of claims 1 to 6; and preferably a guide rail in which the drive chain (50) runs.
[8]
8. overhead conveyor (100) according to claim 7, wherein each synchronization unit (82) has a synchronization element (84) with the form-fitting portion (18) forms such a positive fit that adjacent tie rod elements (10-1,10-2, 10-3 ) maintain a predetermined distance in the conveying direction (96) to each other.
[9]
9. overhead conveyor according to one of claims 7 to 8, having a reference point measuring device (88) to detect marking elements (60, 62), in particular to count, at regular intervals (68) between adjacent tie rod elements (10). are arranged. A hanging requesting system (100) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, comprising at least one station (95) for receiving and / or delivering hanging articles to one of the drawbar elements (10) of the drive chain (50), preferably each station (95). at least one of the synchronization units (82) is assigned, which is arranged in the region of the respective station (95). The hang request system of claim 10, wherein the associated synchronization unit (82) couples to the drive chain (50) such that another station drive chain is driven at the same speed as the drive chain.

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同族专利:

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公开号 | 公开日

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AT510754B1|2015-12-15|

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DE102010053426B3|2012-06-06|

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US20120193192A1|2012-08-02|

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AT510754A3|2015-05-15|

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法律状态:

优先权:

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申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题

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DE102010053426A|DE102010053426B3|2010-11-30|2010-11-30|Drive chain for suspension conveyor for transporting hanging articles, particularly garments between remote locations, comprises multiple tension rod elements, which are connected by coupling elements |

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