• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    Buffer (10) for a production line, comprising a first vertical stack (11) of horizontal transport lines (14), each transport line forming a buffer level (113-117), a lift (15, 17), comprising a second vertical stack of lift levels ( 151-153), and an input (118) and an opposite output (119) at the same level. Each elevator level comprises a conveyor belt (14) and the number of elevator levels is such that one of the buffer levels (115) in each operating position of the elevator can be operated by an elevator level (151153), said buffer level (115) being located at the input level and is arranged as a transit level, so that the products can be brought from the input (118) to the output (119) without changing their level.
    公开号:BE1022849B1
    申请号:E2015/5146
    申请日:2015-03-13
    公开日:2016-09-21
    发明作者:Johan Gitsels；Anthony Victor
    申请人:Ic-S Nv；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    Buffer for production line The present invention relates to a buffer for temporarily storing products in a production line.
    Within a production line, there are many times when the line is interrupted somewhere. This is due to various causes, for example a technical malfunction, the carrying out of necessary maintenance on a part of the production line, and so on. With some production lines, the line cannot be stopped completely in such cases. This occurs when it is technically impossible for certain machines in the production line or it is not economically viable to stop these machines. For example, in a food production line, a continuous baking oven cannot be stopped immediately in certain cases when a film roll on the packaging machine needs to be replaced. In such cases, it is useful to provide a buffer at one or more places in the production line that can temporarily store products when the production line has to be stopped downstream of the buffer.
    Such buffer systems are known from DE 40 13 368, which describes a buffer system for stacks of wafer leaves. The buffer extends vertically over two levels. Each level extends horizontally and comprises several consecutive short conveyor belts, each of which can support one stack. A stack enters the buffer at one end of the lower level, traversing this lower level completely to the other end, where a lift lifts the stack to the upper level. There, the stack runs all the way through the upper level to one end where a robot arm removes the stack from the buffer. The storage capacity of this buffer is determined by the number of separately controllable conveyor belts. A disadvantage of this buffer is that the buffered products must go through the full length of the buffer - and consequently all levels - in order to be removed from the buffer. With trouble-free operation, DE 40 13 368 describes that the robot arm can short-circuit the buffer by moving stacks of wafer leaves directly from the conveyor to the conveyor. However, this requires that the supply and discharge belts are arranged close to each other.
    US 5350050 describes a buffer system with vertically multiple levels. A lift system is provided at the input and output of the buffer in the form of an endless chain lift with several trays. The chain lift makes it possible to simultaneously place a product offered by the production line on the lift on a platform and to move another product from the lift to the buffer on another platform. A disadvantage of this buffer is that the products must always be transported to a higher level in order to be brought from supply belt to discharge belt, even if the buffer is empty and no products have to be buffered. This is time consuming.
    It is an object of the present invention to provide a buffer of the aforementioned types that works more efficiently.
    It is an object of the present invention to provide a buffer for a production line that does not cause a significant increase in flow time in the production line when the line is trouble-free and no products have to be buffered.
    It is an object of the present invention to provide a buffer for a production line that is more compact and space-saving.
    It is an object of the present invention to provide a buffer for a production line that can be filled and emptied faster.
    According to an aspect of the invention, therefore, there is provided a device for buffering products in a production line, as set out in the appended claims.
    Devices according to aspects of the invention comprise a first stack of horizontal transport lines that are stacked vertically with the same spacing. Each transport line forms a buffer level, provided to buffer products on the transport line. Devices further include a lift that includes a second vertical stack of lift levels provided to operate the buffer levels with the products. The elevator levels are stacked at the same distance as the buffer levels, the elevator being arranged to move the elevator levels vertically so that all buffer levels of the first vertical stack can be operated by at least one elevator level. The number of elevator levels is such that for all operating positions of the elevator there is (at least) a buffer level that can always be served by an elevator level.
    The device is arranged to receive the products from the production line at a first end, at an input level and to deliver the production line at an opposite end, at an output level, the input level and the output level being at the same height located.
    According to aspects of the invention, each elevator level comprises a conveyor belt, which advantageously has a direction of movement parallel to a direction of movement of the conveyor lines. In addition, the buffer level, which can always be operated in all operating positions of the elevator, is located at the input level and is arranged as a transit level. These measures make it possible to bring the products from the first end to the opposite end without having to change their level. As a result, the structure of buffer devices according to the invention provides an integrated transit, which can transport products through the device in a fast and efficient manner when no buffering / storage of products is required. Because a buffer level is also provided at the input and output level, and this buffer level also serves as a transit level, the buffer device according to the invention is more compact and space-saving.
    A method for buffering products in a production line is also described.
    Aspects of the invention will be explained in the following with reference to the following figures, without being limitative herein.
    Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a device according to the invention.
    Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a cassette, which forms part of the buffer of the device of Figs. 1.
    Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the input elevator (or output elevator) of the device of Figs. 1.
    Figures 4 to 7 show, respectively, a perspective view, front view, side view and top view of the input tape of the device of Figs. 1.
    With reference to FIG. 1, the buffer device 10 according to the invention comprises the actual buffer 11, an input portion 12 for introducing products into the buffer 11 and an output portion 13 for removing the buffered products from the buffer. As further described, the introduction and export of products can be effected by the same device, whereby the input portion and the output portion can be formed by one and the same component. The device 10 is preferably provided for being connected to a production line, so that the upstream part and the downstream part (relative to the position of the buffer) can be disconnected from the production line. Thus, the buffer device 10 receives the products from the upstream portion of the production line at end 118 and delivers the products to the downstream portion of the production line at the opposite end 119. The buffer 11, the input portion 12, and the output portion 13 are switched between the two ends 118 and 119 of the device.
    The buffer 11 comprises a plurality of horizontally arranged conveyor lines, which are advantageously of equal length and extend between input end 111 and output end 112. The conveyor lines of buffer 11 are stacked vertically on top of each other, advantageously at the same intermediate distance, and thus form several buffer levels 113-117 (or buffer layers), which are advantageously vertically aligned. The buffer 11 advantageously comprises an odd number of buffer levels. Five buffer levels 113-117 are shown in FIG. 1, and this number can be more or less than five without limitation.
    Each buffer level 113-117 is thus provided with a transport line, which has the function of buffering products on this transport line on the one hand, but also to transport the products between input end 111 and output end 112 at the corresponding buffer level. The conveyor line of a buffer level is advantageously formed by a succession of short conveyor belts 14, preferably of equal length and preferably of equal width, which are referred to as cassettes hereinafter. With reference to FIG. 2, a cassette 14 comprises a plurality of endless strings 141 that run parallel to the flow direction of the buffer (i.e., the direction between input end 111 and output end 112). Endless strings 141 are arranged between two axes 143 and 144 running perpendicular to the flow direction of the buffer. The strings 141 can be replaced by an endless belt the width of the cassette 14, by a grid, or any other suitable support surface for a transport line. It is clear that the successive cassettes can be replaced by a continuous conveyor belt without prejudice to aspects of the invention.
    Each cassette 14 can advantageously be driven individually (individually), for example by its own drive device, for example a servomotor or motor gearbox 142. In the example of FIG. 2 drives motor 142 shaft 144 to drive the strings. Each cassette is advantageously provided with a preferably optical detector, for example a photocell, arranged to detect whether there are products on the conveyor belt (belts) of the cassette.
    In the example of FIG. 1, each buffer level 113-117 comprises five consecutive cassettes 14, each of which can be driven separately, and which each comprise their own motor 142. The buffer 11 hereby acquires a matrix structure, wherein the cassettes 14 of each level 113-117 are advantageously arranged aligned with each other, whereby rows (buffer levels 113-117) and columns of cassettes 14 are formed.
    The sequence of separately drivable cassettes 14 per buffer level advantageously allows to incrementally supplement each buffer level. For example, products presented at the input end 111 can be conveyed to the output end 112 by successively driving the cassettes 14.
    The length of each cassette 14 - this is the distance in the direction of flow - can be selected as a function of the dimensions of the product to be buffered. The length of the cassettes 14 is advantageously chosen such that only one product can be placed over the length of the cassette. The cassettes 14 can have a width, referring to a dimension perpendicular to the flow direction in the same horizontal plane, which allows to buffer several products side by side on the same cassette.
    The buffer capacity of buffer 11 is directly proportional to the number of buffer positions. This is the result of the number of buffer levels 113-117, the number of cassettes 14 per level, and the number of products that can be stored side by side on a cassette 14. Assuming that three products can be buffered side by side on each cassette 14, the buffer capacity of buffer 11 in FIG. 1 formed by 5x5x3 or 75 buffer positions. The buffer capacity can be increased by providing more buffer levels and / or more cassettes 14 per buffer level.
    The input portion 12 includes an input lift 15 that brings the products delivered from the upstream portion of the production line to the different buffer levels 113-117. With reference to FIG. 3, the input elevator 15 comprises a plurality of elevator levels 151-153, each of which can receive products. The elevator levels 151-153 are advantageously stacked vertically on top of each other, with the same, advantageously fixed, spacing as the buffer levels 113-117. Each lift level 151-153 advantageously comprises a conveyor belt which is arranged horizontally parallel to the conveyor lines of the buffer levels 113-117. The conveyor belt is aligned along the conveyor lines of the buffer levels so that they connect to each other with advantage. The conveyor belts are advantageously provided with elevator levels for moving products in the same flow direction as buffer 11. For example, each lift level may comprise a belt conveyor, identical to the conveyor belt of the cassettes 14 of the buffer 11.
    The lift 15 further comprises means for vertically moving the different lift levels 151-153 up and down. For example, the elevator levels are attached to the linear guides 155 which are arranged vertically. By means of a drive, for example motor 156, which can be a servo motor, or motor gearbox, the elevator levels 151-153 are advantageously moved up and down integrally, that is, maintaining the same intermediate distance. Furthermore, elevator 15 comprises a drive device for driving the conveyor belts of elevator levels 151-153 together or individually (individually). In the example of FIG. 3, each lift level 151-153 comprises a separate drive device, in the form of a motor 154, e.g. a motor gearbox or servo motor, which is responsible for driving the belt conveyors of the corresponding lift level.
    The elevator 15 is arranged such that all buffer levels 113-117 can be operated by moving the elevator vertically. In the example of FIG. 1, and with reference to FIG. 3, elevator 15 comprises three elevator levels 151 -153 which can serve all five buffer levels 113-117 of buffer 11. In FIG. 1, elevator 15 is shown in the extreme upper (operating) position. Thereby, the upper elevator level 151 is at the same height as the upper buffer level 113, the middle elevator level 152 at the same height as buffer level 114, and the lower elevator level 153 at the same height as buffer level 115. In this position, therefore, the upper three levels become 113-115 of buffer 11 operated by elevator 15. Consequently, the two lower buffer levels 116-117 (there are five buffer levels in total) are not operated by elevator 15 in this position. However, elevator 15 can be moved vertically to an extreme lower (operating) position, which is not shown in the figures. In the lower position, the lower elevator level 153 is at the same height as the lower buffer level 117, the middle elevator level 152 is at the same height as buffer level 116 and the upper elevator level 151 at the same height as buffer level 115. In this position, the lower three levels 115- 117 of buffer 11 operated by elevator 15.
    In addition to the upper position and the lower position, it is obvious that lift 15 can also take intermediate positions. In the example of FIG. 1, elevator 15 can still take an intermediate position, namely the position where elevator level 151 is at the same height as buffer level 114, elevator level 152 is at the same height as buffer level 115, and elevator level 153 is at the same height as buffer level 116.
    In the given configuration, it appears that in all three possible positions of elevator 15, the middle buffer level 115 is always operated. Advantageously, the number of elevator levels 151 -153 is such that in all operating positions of the elevator at least one buffer level (level 115 in the case of Fig. 1) is always served by the elevator. The elevator is advantageously arranged such that all elevator levels 151-153 can be positioned at level 115. This makes it possible to continuously accept products from the upstream part of the production line, and simultaneously to fill the buffer 11 at a level different from level 115.
    According to an aspect of the invention, this middle buffer level 115 acts as a throughput level for the buffer device. After all, it is advantageous to arrange the buffer device 10 in such a way that products are taken up by elevator 15 from the upstream part of the production line at the level of buffer level 115.
    The buffer device is advantageously arranged such that products are presented by the device 10 to the downstream part of the production line at the level of buffer level 115. The two above-mentioned measures (filling and emptying at level 115) make it possible that, when the production line works flawlessly and no products have to be buffered, the products can pass through the device 10 via the buffer level 115. It is therefore not necessary to have the products change level, or to have the elevator 15 change its operating position. Consequently, in an operating state of the device 10 with continuous product flow and without buffer storage, the buffer device 10 according to the invention will be able to realize a fast product flow and a minimal energy consumption. The throughput level actually forms a bypass for the buffer, which is integrated into the buffer. It follows that buffer devices according to aspects of the invention are extremely compact.
    It should be noted that the number of buffer levels does not necessarily have to be odd. However, with an odd number of buffer levels, it is achieved that the number of elevator levels is relatively minimal. The number of elevator levels is advantageously determined by the formula (B + 1) / 2, where B represents the number of buffer levels, including the throughput level, which is preferably odd. With a buffer with B = 5 buffer levels, the number of lift levels for lift 15 is equal to (5 + 1) / 2 or three.
    Advantageously, the transit level is located between the upper buffer level and the lower buffer level, excluding the two extreme levels. The throughput level is advantageously the middle buffer level. This makes it possible to fill the upper and lower levels as quickly as possible.
    Although not necessary, the input portion 12 may include an input tape 16 disposed on the side of elevator 15 opposite to buffer 11. Input belt 16 is useful for aligning products from the upstream part of the production line, for example when different products can be offered side by side. With reference to figures 4-7, input belt 16 comprises a conveyor belt in the form of endless strings 161, just like with the cassettes 14. The strings are successively arranged at a distance from each other between two axes 162 and 163 arranged perpendicularly to the flow direction, one of the shafts 162 of which can be driven, for example by motor 164. Lifting systems 165 are provided between the strings 161 for lifting products on the string belt from the belt, so that the belt can continue to run while the product is stationary on the lifting system. To that end, the lifting system 165 comprises a plurality of slats 166, each arranged between two successive strings 161 and extending between the two shafts 162 and 163. These slats 166 can be divided into different rows, with each series connected to a separate drive device 167. Drive direction 167 is advantageously provided to move slats 166 between a lower position where the slats are below the surface of the strings 161, and an upper position where the slats 166 are disposed above the surface of the strings.
    Such a lifting system 165 makes it possible to align different products in a row in a direction parallel to the flow direction through the buffer 11. The arriving products are individually detected by, for example, a photocell. Once a product is detected, the lifting system 165, corresponding to the transverse position of the product, is driven to lift the product off the conveyor, thereby stopping it. The same method is applied to the products arriving on adjacent tracks. When the desired number of products are next to each other on slats 166, all lifting systems 165 are driven to lower slats 166, whereby the adjacent products end up aligned with the belt. This row of products is now ready to be passed on to the elevator 15.
    If a row of products is incomplete and a new product already presents itself on a track where a product has already been stopped, then all systems drop and the aligned but incomplete row of products is delivered to the elevator. For such detection, a second row of photocells is arranged upstream of the input belt 16. Through a judicious choice of the number of lifting systems 165 along the input belt 16, which can be driven separately as well as together, it becomes possible to process products of different sizes. In some cases, especially in the case of foodstuffs, in particular bakery products that have to be packaged within a certain time, it is useful to build in a timer which ensures that the products lying next to each other on the input belt 16 after an adjustable time at the lift, even if the row is incomplete.
    An output portion 13 can be provided at the output end 112 of the buffer 11. Output section 13 advantageously comprises a lift 17, which has the same structure as lift 15 of the input section, and is therefore not further described. Elevator 17, which also comprises three elevator levels, is advantageously controlled independently of the input elevator 15. Elevator 17 is in fact a mirror image of elevator 15, and serves to discharge products from the different buffer levels 113-117 to the transit level, which is at the level of level 115. The downstream part of the production line, which is connected after the buffer device 10, takes the products at this level.
    It is possible, but not necessary, to provide the output part 13 with an output belt 18 arranged after (downstream of) elevator 17. The output belt 18, which comprises a conveyor belt similar to the input belt 16, but without the lifting systems 165 is located at the transit level and is provided to receive the products delivered by elevator 17 at the transit level and to deliver them to the downstream part of the production line. This part of the production line can start from the buffer device 10 both in the extension and perpendicular thereto. In FIG. 1, the downstream part leaves the production line via a conveyor belt 9 arranged perpendicular to the flow direction of the buffer.
    The arrangement with buffer 11, input portion 12 and output portion 13 allows all conveyor belts of the buffer device 10 - in particular input elevator 15, buffer lines 113-117 and output elevator 17, and possibly input belt 16 and / or output belt 18 - only control the flow direction (direction from end 111 to end 112). No movements of these conveyor belts are required in the opposite sense. After all, a product coming from the upstream part of the production line, and delivered to, for example, input tape 16, can be stored anywhere in the buffer (i.e. on any cassette 14, at any buffer level 113-117), and then be released again at the downstream part of the production line, without having to reverse the direction of movement of the product in the device 10. This is time-saving. By independently controlling input elevator 15 and output elevator 17, it is also made possible to uncouple the filling and emptying of the buffer.
    It should be noted that in principle it is possible to dispense with the output part 13 (output lift 17 and possibly output belt 18) without prejudice to aspects of the invention. In principle, for example, the conveyor belt 9 can be arranged directly after the buffer 11, at the transit level (level 115). In such a case, the lift 15 acts as both a buffer input lift and a buffer output lift for the buffer levels different from the throughput level.
    In particular, with normal flow-through and without buffering, all products are conveyed at the transit level, via the optional input belt 16, the elevator 15, which can be arranged in any position (there is one elevator level 151-153 at each transit level) ), and the cassettes 14 from the buffer level 115 to the output end 112, where the products from the buffer level 115 roll directly onto the conveyor belt 9 of the downstream part of the production line.
    If a buffering action appears to be necessary, e.g. in the event of a failure on the downstream part of the production line, the buffer can be filled via elevator 15. For example, the buffer level 115 corresponding to the transit level can first be filled. This is made possible by the separately drivable cassettes 14 at this level. Once this level is full, the higher and / or lower buffer levels can be filled via the elevator 15, in the usual manner.
    In such a case the emptying of the buffer 11 proceeds by reversing the direction of movement of the cassettes 14 of the buffer levels 113-114 and 116-117, different from the transit level 115, whereby the products are brought back to the elevator 15. The lift 15 can then bring the products released by the buffer to the transit level 115. The buffer 11 is therefore also emptied via elevator 15, which differs slightly compared to an embodiment in which the output elevator 17 is present. The direction of movement of the buffer levels 113-114 and 116-117, different from the transit level 115, and possibly of the conveyor belts of the elevator levels 151-153, should in this case be reversible to enable emptying of these buffer levels. It is not necessary in this case, but it is advantageous to make the conveyor belts of the elevator levels 151-153 separately (individually) drivable.
    Alternatively, the input portion (input elevator 15, and optionally input belt 16) can be dispensed with without prejudice to aspects of the invention. In such a case, the buffer device does not comprise an input elevator 15, but does include the output elevator 17, which then also serves as an input elevator. In order to be able to buffer products in this case at levels different from the transit level, these products always first have to go all the way through the buffer level 115 to the elevator 17. The elevator 17 will then bring the products to the higher or lower buffer levels. Also in this case at least the cassettes of the buffer levels 113-114 and 116-117 are different from the transit level provided with a conveyor belt with reversible direction of movement.
    It will be appreciated that in case there is only one elevator 15 or 17 that provides both the input and the output, this elevator can be placed at any position between the ends 111 and 112 of the buffer 11. In other words, cassettes 14 of the buffer levels can be placed on both sides of the elevator.
    A control unit 19 can be provided to control the drive of the components of the buffer device 10. It may, for example, be provided for controlling the drive devices 142 of the cassettes 14 and the drive devices 154, 156 of the elevator (s) 15, 17. The control unit 19 can be programmed with different operating modes for the buffer device 10, corresponding to different operating states of the buffer, such as, for example, product transit with or without buffering, filling the buffer with or without delivery to the product line downstream, emptying the buffer, etc. It is also possible to provide different operating modes for the same operating state of the buffer in the control unit 19, such as FIFO (First In First Out), or a different order between input and output of products. Each of these operating modes requires an appropriate coordination of the drive of the various components, which can be provided by the control unit 19. The possibility of providing a specific operating mode also depends on the arrangement (presence of only one or two lifts for input and output). For example, in the case that only one elevator is provided (elevator 15 or elevator 17), it is not possible to implement a FIFO operating mode.
    The control unit may also include a user interface, e.g., a touch screen, for interaction with an operator. As usual, it can be provided with the necessary ports for connection to an external PC, or to a network, such as LAN, etc.
    Detectors, such as photocells, arranged in, before, or after the buffer device 10 can be connected to control unit 19. The control unit 19 is in this case provided for controlling the components taking into account information obtained from the detectors. The control unit 19 can be connected to the global control / control of the production line, so that it can change its operating mode automatically when signals are received from the production line for this purpose, such as, for example, buffering or delivering products upon stopping or restarting the conveyor belt 9 .
    In the following, a possible operating principle of the device in the embodiment according to FIG. 1 for the case of a tortilla production line, in which the buffer device 10 is arranged between the oven and the packaging device. The tortillas are presented to the buffer in stacks with the same number of tortillas per stack. In this example, the buffer is controlled by the control unit as a fully automatic multi-layer FIFO buffer.
    With trouble-free operation of the production line, the control unit 19 controls the buffer device 10 as a conveyor belt, whereby only the transit level 115 of the buffer 11 is addressed, while the buffer levels 113-114 and 116-117 are not operated differently from the transit level.
    The stacks of tortillas are supplied on the input belt 16 along different tracks distributed across the width of the belt, which does not always occur simultaneously. The stacks are aligned by means of lifting systems 165 on the belt 16 in the flow direction as described above and subsequently delivered to the elevator level located at the transit level (level 115). The conveyor belt of this elevator level rolls continuously, so that the stacks are passed on to the buffer level 115 (transit level). The lift 15 remains in the same vertical position in this operating mode. The cassettes 14 of buffer level 115 are continuously driven in the flow direction, so that the stacks are passed through the buffer 11 at the level 115 and delivered to the elevator level of elevator 17, which is located at the transit level. The conveyor belt of this elevator level continuously rolls to convey the stacks to the output belt 18 and further to the conveyor belt 9, which will deliver them to the packaging device. The lift 17 also remains in the same vertical position in this operating mode.
    In the event of a downstream malfunction in the production line, e.g. stoppage of the packaging line due to changing of the film roll, the control unit 19 is provided to change operating mode, whereby stacks of tortillas are buffered in the buffer 11 and no more stack is stacked on the conveyor belt 9 is issued. In this so-called buffer mode, the control unit can provide for controlling the components so that the stacks are first buffered in the transit level 115 until this level is full. A row of stacks will be placed on each cassette 14 of the level 115.
    Each cassette 14 is advantageously equipped with a photocell that detects the stacks. Upon detection of a stack and the subsequent cassette is full, the relevant cassette is stopped.
    Once the transit level 115 is fully loaded, the stacks supplied are led through the input elevator 15 to the other buffer levels. This can be provided by the control unit as follows. In the starting position, the input lift 15 is at the very bottom, with the upper lift level 151 at the level of the feed-through level 115 (and therefore also the input belt 16). A new row of stacks of tortillas is delivered from the input belt 16 to the elevator level 151. The input elevator 15 then moves up one level, so that the empty elevator level 152 becomes at the transit level. The next row of stacks coming from the input belt 16 is recorded on this. The lift 15 then again moves up one position. The lift is now at the very top with the lower empty lift level 153 at the level of the feed-through level and the input belt 16. In this position of the lift a next row of stacks coming from the input belt 16 is picked up by lift level 153. In this position of the elevator, the stacks at the two upper levels 151, 152 of the input elevator are also delivered at the two upper levels 113, 114 of the buffer 11. These two rows of stacks can slide on to the last cassette 14 of the corresponding buffer level.
    As soon as these two things (filling elevator level 153 and empty elevator levels 151, 152) have happened, the input elevator 15 moves down one position again, after which the elevator level 152 can be reloaded, whereafter the elevator drops a position, so that elevator level 151 is at transit level. In this position, the two lower elevator levels 153 and 152 can deliver their respective stacks to the two lower buffer levels 116 and 117, and the upper elevator level can be supplemented with a new row of stacks. The lift is now back in the starting position described above. The cycle as described above can be repeated again until the buffer is completely filled up, or until the operating mode changes.
    After the elimination of the malfunction in the production line, e.g. by restarting the packaging device, the control unit receives a signal which changes the operating mode from filling the buffer to emptying the buffer. The control unit 19 can be provided in this last operating mode to first control the transfer level, so that first the stacks of the transfer level are discharged to the output belt 18. As soon as the transfer level 115 is empty, or with sufficient time between delivering two consecutive rows , the output elevator 17 brings stacks of the upper or lower buffer levels 113-114, 116-117 to the transit level and delivers them to the output belt 18.
    Such a method makes it possible to conceal stacks at the back, regardless of the speed at which new stacks are buffered at the front. This makes it possible to easily hide the buffer. It is also clear that the method described above drives the buffer as a FIFO buffer.
    The operating modes described above are only examples of a possible control / control of the buffer device. Other options are within the reach of those skilled in the art.
    权利要求:
    Claims (17)
    [1]
    Conclusions
    Device (10) for buffering products in a production line, comprising: - a first vertical stack (11) of horizontal conveyor lines (14), arranged at the same distance from each other, each conveyor line forming a buffer level (113-117), provided to buffer the products on the conveyor line, - a lift (15, 17), comprising a second vertical stack of lift levels (151 -153), each lift level being provided to receive a product, the lift levels (151 -153) ) are stacked at the same distance as the buffer levels (113-117), the elevator being arranged to move the elevator levels vertically so that all buffer levels of the first vertical stack can be operated by at least one elevator level, the number of elevator levels being such that of the buffer levels (115) in each operating position of the elevator can be operated by an elevator level (151-153), the device (10) being adapted to prod a prod adopt the production line at an input level, and deliver it at an opposite end (119) to the production line at an output level, the input level and the output level being equal, wherein: - each elevator level comprises a conveyor belt (14), - the buffer level (115), which in each operating position of the elevator (15) can be operated by an elevator level, is located at the input level and is arranged as a transit level, so that the products from the first end (118) to the opposite end (119) can be brought without changing level, and - the number of elevator levels (151-153) is smaller than the number of buffer levels (113117).
    [2]
    Device according to claim 1, wherein the transit level (115) is located between the lower buffer level (117) and the upper buffer level (113), not counting this.
    [3]
    The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the number of buffer levels (113-117) is odd.
    [4]
    The device of claim 3, wherein the transit level (115) is the middle buffer level.
    [5]
    The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the elevator levels (151-153) is adapted to deliver and receive the products to the different buffer levels (113-117).
    [6]
    Device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the conveyor belt of each lift level is arranged with a reversible transport direction.
    [7]
    The device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the operating position of the elevator (15) corresponds to a vertical position of the elevator, a plurality of the buffer levels (113-117) passing through the elevator levels (151-153) can be operated.
    [8]
    Device according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a second lift (17), wherein the second lift comprises a third vertical stack of a plurality of lift levels (151-153), with the same spacing as the lift levels of the second vertical stack wherein each lift level is provided to receive a product, the second lift being arranged to move the lift levels of the second lift vertically so that all buffer levels of the first vertical stack can be operated by at least one lift level of the second lift, the the number of lift levels of the second lift is such that the transit level (115) in each operating position of the second lift can be operated by a lift level.
    [9]
    The device of claim 8, wherein the elevator (15) is arranged at the first end (118) and the second elevator (17) is arranged at the opposite end (119).
    [10]
    Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the buffer levels (113-117) comprises a horizontal transport line of equal length.
    [11]
    Device according to any of the preceding claims, comprising an input belt (16) arranged at the feed-through level (115), at the first end (118) of the device.
    [12]
    Device according to claim 11, wherein the input belt (16) has a direction of movement parallel to a direction of movement of the conveyor lines of the buffer levels (113-117) and comprises means (165) for aligning the products supplied on the input belt in the direction of movement .
    [13]
    Device according to any of the preceding claims, comprising an output belt (18) arranged at the transit level (115), at the opposite end (119) and provided to deliver the products present in the device to the production line.
    [14]
    Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each conveyor line comprises a sequence of separately controllable conveyor belts (14).
    [15]
    Device according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a control unit (19) provided for controlling the control of the transport lines of the first vertical stack, and of the elevator, the control unit (19) comprising a first operating mode, the lift remaining vertically stationary and the products traversing the device exclusively through the transit level (115), from the end (118) to the opposite end (119).
    [16]
    The device of claim 15, wherein the control unit (19) comprises a second operating mode, wherein the elevator is driven vertically to operate the buffer levels (113, 114, 116, 117).
    [17]
    Device according to claim 16, wherein in the second operating mode, the control unit (19) is provided to buffer the products that first enter the device on the transfer line of the transit level (115), and to transfer the incoming products to the buffer lines of the above or below buffer levels (113, 114, 116, 117) when the transit level of the transit level is full.
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
    法律状态:
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    PCT/IB2016/051439| WO2016147105A1|2015-03-13|2016-03-14|Buffer for manufacturing line|
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