LIFTING APPARATUS

Abstract

A lifting apparatus, including a support carriage movable along a track, a lifting element for holding a load, a lifting device for raising and lowering the lifting element vertically relative to the support carriage. The lifting device includes at least two tension elements, wherein each tension element can be wound onto the supporting carriage by a winding apparatus. A first drive is provided for driving a first winding apparatus and a second drive is provided for driving a second winding apparatus. The first drive has a drive motor which drives a shaft by a conical gear mechanism, the shaft drives a roller of the first winding apparatus by a gear mechanism element and the second drive has a drive motor which drives a roller of the second winding apparatus by a spur gear, parallel-shaft gear or planetary gear mechanism.

Claims

1-11. (canceled)

12. A lifting apparatus, comprising a support carriage which can be moved along a track, a lifting element for holding a load, a lifting device with which the lifting element can be raised and lowered in the vertical direction relative to the supporting carriage, wherein the lifting device comprises at least two tension elements, wherein each tension element is fixed with one end at the lifting element and at the supporting carriage and can be wound by means of each one winding apparatus onto the supporting carriage or onto the lifting element, wherein each tension clement is designed as plane sheet and each winding apparatus comprises at least one rover by which the tension element can be wound, wherein each tension element comprises a thickness and a width, wherein the width is at least 100 times of the thickness, wherein at least one first winding apparatus and at least one second winding apparatus is given, wherein a roller of the first winding apparatus and a roller of the second winding apparatus have axes of rotation which are arranged perpendicular to another, wherein a first drive is present for driving of the at least one first winding apparatus and a second drive for driving of the at least one second winding apparatus, wherein the first drive comprises a drive motor which drives at least one shaft via an conical gear mechanism, preferably via a bevel gear, which shaft drives a roller of the first winding apparatus via a gear mechanism element and wherein the second drive comprises a drive motor which drives a roller of the second winding apparatus via a spur gear, a parallel-shaft gear or a planetary gear mechanism.

13. The lifting apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the width is at least 500 times of the thickness.

14. The lifting apparatus according to claim 12, wherein four winding apparatus are present, wherein respectively the roller of two winding apparatus have axes of rotation which are arranged parallel to another and wherein the axes of rotation of the rollers of two winding apparatus are perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rollers of the two further winding apparatus.

15. The lifting apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the first drive for driving of two winding apparatus and the second drive for driving of two further winding apparatus are present.

16. The lifting apparatus according to claim 12, wherein three winding apparatus are present, wherein two rollers of the first and second winding apparatus have axes of rotation which are arranged parallel to another and the axis of rotation of the roller of the third winding apparatus is arranged perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the first and second winding apparatus.

17. The lifting apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the rollers of the first and second winding apparatus and the roller of the third winding apparatus form a H-shaped structure in the top plan view.

18. The lifting apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the tension elements consist of textile material, especially of a textile sheet, or of metal, especially of a metal sheet or of a netting.

19. The lifting apparatus according to claim 12, wherein between the first drive and the second drive a synchronization element is arranged for a synchronal movement of the two drives.

20. The lifting apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the gear mechanism element is a belt drive or a chain drive.

21. The lifting apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the spur gear is a parallel-shaft gear.

22. The lifting apparatus according to claim 12, wherein between the spur gear and the roller of the second winding apparatus a gear element is arranged, especially a belt drive or a chain drive.

Description

[0058] In the drawing embodiments of the invention are shown.

[0059] FIG. 1 shows in perspective view a lifting apparatus which is movable arranged along a path in horizontal direction, wherein one lifting element (lower frame) is arranged relatively to a supporting carriage (upper frame) in a lowered position,

[0060] FIG. 2 shows in the depiction according to FIG. 1however seen from a lower positionthe lifting apparatus, wherein the lifting element is arranged relatively to the supporting carriage in a lifted position,

[0061] FIG. 3 shows in perspective view he lifting apparatus without path (rail) seen from an upper position,

[0062] FIG. 4 shows the top plan view onto the arrangement according to FIG. 3,

[0063] FIG. 5 shows in perspective view an alternative embodiment of the invention in the depiction according to FIG. 3,

[0064] FIG. 6 shows the top plane view onto the arrangement according to FIG. 5,

[0065] FIG. 7 shows in perspective view the lower frame of the lifting apparatus with a compensation of the length of the belt according to a first embodiment,

[0066] FIG. 8 shows in perspective view the lower frame of the lifting apparatus with a compensation of the length of the belt according to a second embodiment and

[0067] FIG. 9 shows in perspective view a section of FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 respectively, wherein an eccentric is shown.

[0068] In the figures a lifting apparatus 1 is shown which is arranged movable in a horizontal direction along a track 2 being a rail. With the lifting apparatus 1 parts can be conveyed in horizontal direction wherefore the lifting apparatus 1 is moved along the track 2. Said movement can occur actively or passively, i.e. motorised or not motorised rollers can be provided in the region of the track 2.

[0069] The lifting apparatus 1 comprises substantially and upper arranged supporting carriage 3 (upper frame) and a lower arranged lifting element 4 (lower frame), wherein a lifting device 5 is provided to move the lifting element 4 in vertical direction V relatively to the supporting carriage 3, i.e. to lift or to drop it. A hanger 31 is fixed at the lifting element 4 which serves for the reception of a part, for example an autobody part.

[0070] The lifting device 5 comprises four winding devices 10, 11, 12 and 13 which comprise each a driven roller 14, 15, 16 and 17, wherein each roller 14, 15, 16, 17 winds or winds-up a tension element 6, 7, 8 and 9 when it is rotated around its respective axis of rotation a.sub.1, a.sub.2, a.sub.3 and a.sub.4 respectively (see for this FIG. 4).

[0071] The tensioning elements 6, 7, 8 and 9 are thereby designed as plane sheets and especially as wide belts which can consist for example of textile material or of a metallic netting. In FIG. 1 it is shown schematically that each tension element 6, 7, 8, 9 has a width B and a thickness D. To concretise the plane design of the tensioning elements said width is preferably at least 100 times of the thickness D, especially at least 500 times.

[0072] Especially in the FIGS. 3 and 4 it can be seen how the rotary drive of the rollers 14, 15, 16, 17 takes place to influence the vertical height of the lifting element 4 by winding and winding-up respectively of the tension elements 6, 7, 8, 9.

[0073] Accordingly, a first drive 18 is provided which comprises a drive motor 21 which drives a conical gear mechanism 22. By the conical gear mechanism 22 two shafts 23 and 24 are driven by which in turn each one gear mechanism element 25 and 26 is driven; the gear mechanism elements 25, 26 are preferably chain or belt drives. Hereby the rollers 14 and 15 respectively are rotated synchronous.

[0074] Furthermore, a second drive 19 is provided which comprises a drive motor 27 by which a spur gear 28 is driven. The spur gear 28 drives in turn two gear elements 29 and 30again preferably designed as chain or belt drivesby which the rollers 16 and 17 are rotated synchronous.

[0075] The two drives 18 and 19 are again synchronized relative to another wherefore a synchronisation element 20 is provided. In the embodiment a shaft section is provided therefore which connects the two drive motors 21 and 27 with another so that their shafts can only be rotated synchronous.

[0076] In FIGS. 5 and 6 and alternative embodiment of the invention is shown. The difference to the above described solution is that here instead of four winding devices only three of them are provided, namely the winding devices 10, 11 and 12 with its respective rollers 14, 15 and 16. The axes of rotation a.sub.1 and a.sub.2 of the rollers 14 and 15 are parallel arranged to another; the axis of rotation a.sub.3 of the roller 16 is arranged to them (in a top plan view) perpendicular so that a H-shaped structure for the three rollers 14, 15 and 16 is given when the same are viewed in the top plan view. Beside this the design corresponds to the above explained arrangement.

[0077] A special and subsequently described embodiment of the invention deals with a statically determined compensation of the length of the belts which can be provided as an option at the described elevating device.

[0078] The elevating device 1 (lifting hanger) consistsas explainedof the supporting carriage 3 (upper frame) and the lifting element 4 (lower frame). The lower frame is held by the tension elements 6, 7, 8, 9. To keep the lifting load as low as possible the winding devices are meaningful arranged in the upper frame 3. This means that the end fixation of the belts takes place at the lower frame 4. Different length of the belts can result due to tolerances of thickness of the tension elements (lifting belts), due to differences in the diameter of the winding drums, due to small errors in the transmission etc. Furthermore, it is complicated at the assembly to adjust the length of the belts in such a manner that a desired distribution of the load results.

[0079] The embodiment which is described subsequently ensures a predetermined distribution of load onto the tension elements, wherein small differences in the length of the tension elements can be equalized. Thereby, the fixation of the ends of the belts can take place by winding of several layers onto a roller as well as by forming of loops in the belts.

[0080] Specifically preferred are the two subsequently described alternative embodiments of said compensation of the length of the belts,

[0081] The solution which is shown in FIG. 7 is subsequently denoted as type A, the solution which is shown in FIG. 8 is denoted as type B. In FIG. 9 a detail of the arrangement is shown. Thereby, the above described concept is provided in the FIGS. 7 to 9, wherein three tension elements 6 7, 8 (indicated in the FIGS. 7 and 8 only with respect to their location) are wound on rollers in H-shaped arrangement.

[0082] The solutions according type A and type B are not similarly suitable for both kinds of said end fixation of the belts. While type A can be employed at both kinds of end fixation of the belt the belt must in the case of type B mandatory be wound onto a rotatable end roll for the belt,

[0083] Central elements of the compensation of the belt length are two eccentric 32 which are supported centrally in the lower frame 4. The end roll of belt 33 which is arranged longitudinally is supported in a rocker 34 which axis of rotation W is supported in the eccentric 32 eccentrically to the axis of rotation E of the same. Due to the tension force of the belt onto the longitudinally arranged end roll of belt 33 a left-turning torque results onto the eccentrics 32. This torque is in balance with a right-turning torque which is exerted by two tie rods 35, 36. Those tie rods 35, 36 are each connected either with two further rockers 37, 38 of the traverse arranged end rolls of belt 39, 40 (at type A according to FIG. 7) or directly with the rotatable arranged traverse arranged end rolls of belt 39, 40 (at type B according to FIG. 8). Dependent of the linkage of the tie rods 35, 36 at the eccentric 32 the direction of the torque can also act in the counter direction of the description (cf. FIG. 7 and FIG. 8).

[0084] Thereby the tension force of the tie rods 35, 36 increases proportionally with the tension force of the belts of the transversal belts 6, 7 and thus of the right-turning torque. On the other hand the left-turning torque is proportional to the tension force of the longitudinal belt 8 (see FIG. 5). Depending from the relationship of the levers the equilibrium of the eccentrics 32 is kept at a certain partition of the lifting load between the longitudinal belt 8 and the two transversal belts 6, 7. When the relationships of the levers are identical the longitudinal belt 8 receives the half lifting load. The other half is divided between the two transversal belts 6, 7.

[0085] By an enlargement of the eccentricity for example the load onto the longitudinal belt 8 decreases and the load onto the two transversal belts 6, 7 increases. So, for example a distribution of the tension force of 30% transversal/40% longitudinal/30% transversal can be pretended.

[0086] The required position of the eccentric 32 is given in the case that the axis of rotation E of the eccentric and the axis of rotation W of the rocker of the longitudinal arranged end roll of belt 33 lie in a horizontal plane. Small changes of the length of the belt at the winding process or due to different lengthening of the belt can be equalised by the eccentrics 32 by a small rotational movement. Thereby, the longitudinal arranged end roll of belt 33 and the two transversal arranged end rolls of belt 39, 40 behave antivalent. This means that a lengthening of the longitudinal belt 8 can be compensated by a right hand rotation of the eccentrics 32 what corresponds to a lifting movement of the end rolls of belt at the transversal belts 6, 7. Thereby, a new equilibrium can be reached by substantially keeping of the predetermined load distribution.

[0087] The rocker 37, 38 of the transverse arranged end roll of belt 39, 40 ensures that the longitudinal belt 8 is loaded symmetrically, even if for example the two transverse belts 6, 7 wind slightly asymmetrically or lengthen slightly different due to an asymmetric load distribution in longitudinal direction. Nevertheless, longitudinal forces which act onto the longitudinal belt 8 can be received via the transverse rigidity of the longitudinal belt.

[0088] By monitoring of the eccentric movement, e. g. by means of end switches, additional a break of the belt or a flabby belt can be detected,

[0089] As can be seen from FIG. 7 for type A (with rockers for transverse rollers) the be rods 35, 36 are connected each with one rocker 37, 38 of the transverse rollers 39, 40. The transverse rollers are rotatable at the assembly process for winding the transverse belts. About three windings are normal to relieve via friction the fixation of the end of the belt at the end rolls of belt. After the assembly process the roller 39, 40 are firmly screwed with the rocker 37, 38,

[0090] This design allows that the ends of the belt are fixed by means of several windings or via loops of the belt. The first maintains the whole strength of the belt while loops weaken the belt at the location of the connection (seam, damping).

[0091] As can be seen from FIG. 8 for type B (with rotatable transverse rollers) the tie rods 35, 36 are directly connected here with the rotatable supported transverse arranged end rolls of belt 39, 40. The tangentially arranged transverse belts exert so a torque onto the end rolls of belt. Those torques create each a tension force in the tie rods 35, 36.

LIST OF REFERENCES

[0092] 1 Lifting apparatus

[0093] 2 Track (rail)

[0094] 3 Supporting carriage (upper frame)

[0095] 4 Lifting element (lower frame)

[0096] 5 Lifting device

[0097] 6 Tension element (textile sheet, belt)

[0098] 7 Tension element (textile sheet, belt)

[0099] 8 Tension element (textile sheet, belt)

[0100] 9 Tension element (textile sheet, belt)

[0101] 10 Winding apparatus

[0102] 11 Winding apparatus

[0103] 13 Winding apparatus

[0104] 13 Winding apparatus

[0105] 14 Roller

[0106] 15 Roller

[0107] 16 Roller

[0108] 17 Roller

[0109] 18 First drive

[0110] 19 Second drive

[0111] 20 Synchronisation element

[0112] 21 Drive motor of the first drive

[0113] 22 Conical gear mechanism (bevel gear)

[0114] 23 Shaft

[0115] 24 Shaft

[0116] 25 Gear mechanism element (belt drive/chain drive)

[0117] 26 Gear mechanism element (belt drive/chain drive)

[0118] 27 rive motor of the second drive

[0119] 28 Spur gear

[0120] 29 Gear element (belt drive/chain drive)

[0121] 30 Gear element (belt drive/chain drive)

[0122] 31 Hanger

[0123] 32 Eccentric

[0124] 33 End roll of belt (longitudinal)

[0125] 34 Rocker

[0126] 35 Tie rod

[0127] 36 Tie rod

[0128] 37 Rocker

[0129] 38 Rocker

[0130] 39 End roll of belt (transversal)

[0131] 40 End roll of belt (transversal)

[0132] V Vertical direction

[0133] D Thickness

[0134] B Width

[0135] a.sub.1 Axis of rotation

[0136] a.sub.2 Axis of rotation

[0137] a.sub.3 Axis of rotation

[0138] a.sub.4 Axis of rotation

[0139] W Axis of rotation of rocker 34

[0140] E Axis of rotation of eccentric