Abstract
The invention relates to a conveying system (1) for conveying items (2.1, 2.2) to be conveyed. The conveying system (1) comprises a conveying path (30) and at least one first conveying means (6) that can move along the conveying path (30) and is designed to convey a first item (2.1) to be conveyed. The conveying system (1) also comprises at least one second conveying means (7) which can move along the conveying path (30) along with the first conveying means (6) and which is designed to convey a second item (2.2) to be conveyed that is of a different type than the first item (2.1).
Claims
1. A conveying system (1) for conveying items (2.1, 2.2) to be conveyed, comprising a. a conveying path (30); b. at least one first conveying means (6) which can move along the conveying path (30) and is configured for conveying a first item (2.1) to be conveyed; and c. at least one second conveying means (7) which can move along the conveying path (30) together with the at least one first conveying means (6), wherein the at least one second conveying means (7) is configured for conveying a second item (2.2) to be conveyed that is different in nature from the first item (2.1) to be conveyed.
2. The conveying system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the conveying path (30) is constituted as an endless loop.
3. The conveying system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first conveying means (6) and the at least one second conveying means (7) are driven by a conveyor chain (47) at least over some sections along the conveying path (30).
4. The conveying system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the conveying path (30) comprises a conveyor rail (31) for the direct or indirect guidance of the at least one first conveying means (6) and the at least one second conveying means (7).
5. The conveying system (1) according to claim 4, wherein the at least one first conveying means (6) as well as the at least one second conveying means (7) are each connected by a fastening means (41) to conveying elements (40) which can be moved and are guided along the conveyor rail (31).
6. The conveying system (1) according to claim 5, wherein the conveying elements (40) each comprise a conveying carriage (42).
7. The conveying system (1) according to claim 6, wherein the conveyor rail (31) encloses a channel (32) running in the rail direction and the conveying carriages (42) are guided in the channel (32) as inner runners.
8. The conveying system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first conveying means (6) comprises at least one conveying support (10.1, 10.2) including a number of successive support elements (11.1, 11.2) for conveying a first item (2.1) to be conveyed lying freely on the assembled conveying support (10.1, 10.2) or that the at least one first conveying means (6) comprises at least one tray (20.1, 20.2, 20.3) for conveying a first item (2.1) to be conveyed lying on the tray (20.1, 20.2, 20.3).
9. The conveying system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one second conveying means (7) comprises at least one conveying support (10.1, 10.2) including a number of successive support elements (11.1, 11.2) for conveying a second item (2.2) to be conveyed lying freely on the assembled conveying support (10.1, 10.2) or that the at least one second conveying means (7) comprises at least one tray (20.1, 20.2, 20.3) for conveying a second item (2.2) to be conveyed lying on the tray (20.1, 20.2, 20.3).
10. The conveying system (1) according to claim 9, wherein the at least one first conveying means (6) comprises a conveying support (10.1, 10.2) including a number of successive support elements (11.1, 11.2) for conveying a first item (2.1) to be conveyed lying freely on the assembled conveying support (10.1, 10.2) and that the at least one second conveying means (7) comprises a tray (20.1, 20.2) for conveying a second item (2.2) to be conveyed lying on the tray (20.1, 20.2).
11. The conveying system (1) according to claim 9, wherein the at least one first conveying means (6) comprises a tray (20.1, 20.2) for conveying a first item (2.1) to be conveyed lying on the tray (20.1, 20.2) and the at least one second conveying means (7) comprises a tray (20.3) for conveying a second item (2.2) to be conveyed lying on the tray (20.3).
12. The conveying system (1) according to claim 8, wherein the at least one tray (20.1, 20.2, 20.3) comprises a tray plate (21) with a tray conveying surface (22), wherein the tray plate (21) is connected to a tilting device (24) which can tilt the tray plate (21) in a first rotational direction about a tilting axis (A) arranged parallel to the conveying direction of the conveying path (30) from a transport position into a first unloading position, in order to unload an item (2.1, 2.2) to be conveyed lying on the tray conveying surface (22) in a first direction transversely to the conveying direction (30).
13. The conveying system (1) according to claim 12, wherein the tray plate (21) can be tilted about the tilting axis from the transport position into a second unloading position, in order to unload an item (2.1, 22) to be conveyed lying on the tray conveying surface (22) in a second lateral direction transversely to the conveying direction (30).
14. The conveying system (1) according to claim 12, wherein the tilting device (24) comprises a control element (25.1, 25.2), by which the tray plate (21) is tilted into the first or second unloading position in an interaction with a control slide-way (66.1, 66.2).
15. The conveying system (1) according to claim 12, wherein the tray conveying surface (22) is surrounded at least partially by a retention frame (23).
16. The conveying system (1) according to claim 8, wherein at least two trays (20.1, 20.2, 20.3) arranged directly one behind the other on the conveying path (30) form a composition of trays (27.1, 27.2).
17. The conveying system (1) according to claim 16, wherein at least two trays (20.1, 20.2, 20.3) are constituted differently.
18. The conveying system (1) according to claim 16, wherein the conveying system (1) comprises a plurality of compositions of trays (27.1, 27.2), which are arranged along the conveying path (30) in each case at a distance from one another.
19. The conveying system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the conveying system (1) comprises at least one first loading device (51) for loading the at least one first conveying means (6) with a first item (2.1) to be conveyed and/or that the conveying system (1) comprises at least one second loading device (55) for loading the at least one second conveying means (7) with a second item (2.2) to be conveyed.
20. The conveying system (1) according to claim 19, wherein the first loading device (51) and/or the second loading device (55) is configured for loading an assembled conveying support (10.1, 10.2) with a first item (2.1) to be conveyed and/or is configured for loading a tray (20.1, 20.2) in a conveying position with a second item (2.2) to be conveyed.
21. The conveying system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the conveying system (1) comprises at least one first unloading device (61.1, 61.2) for unloading a first item (2.1) to be conveyed from at least one first conveying means (6) and/or that the conveying system (1) comprises at least one second unloading device (65.1, 65.2) for unloading a second item (2.2) to be conveyed from at least one second conveying means (7).
22. The conveying system (1) according to claim 21, wherein the conveying system (1) comprises at least one first unloading device (61.1, 61.2) for unloading a first item (2.1) to be conveyed from an assembled conveying support (10.1, 10.2) and/or that the conveying system (1) comprises at least one second unloading device (65.1, 65.2) for unloading a second item (2.2) to be conveyed from a tray (20.1, 20.2, 20.3).
23. A method for operating a conveying system (1) according to claim 1, comprising the steps: a. providing the conveying system; b. loading of the at least one first conveying means (6) with a first item (2.1) to be conveyed; and/or c. loading of the at least one second conveying means (7) with a second item (2.1) to be conveyed; d. conveying of the at least one first conveying means (6) along the conveying path (30) to a first unloading device (61.1, 61.2) and unloading of the first item (2.1) to be conveyed; and/or e. conveying of the at least one second conveying means (7) along the conveying path (30) to a second unloading device (62.1, 62.2) and unloading of the second item (2.2) to be conveyed in an unloading station.
24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the at least one first conveying means (6) and/or the at least one second conveying means (7) comprises a tray (21.1, 21.2, 21.3), which is brought into a loading position before the loading step and/or is held in a loading position during the loading.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0094] Aspects of the invention are explained in greater detail with the aid of the examples of embodiment shown in the following figures and the associated description. In the figures, diagrammatically:
[0095] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a conveying system according to the invention in a plan view;
[0096] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of an assembled conveying support according to the invention with a plurality of items to be conveyed that are conveyed thereon in a perspective view from above,
[0097] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of an assembled conveying support comprising two support elements in a perspective view from above;
[0098] FIG. 4 shows an assembled conveying support according to the embodiment from FIG. 3 in a frontal view;
[0099] FIG. 5 shows a first embodiment according to the invention of two trays which are constituted as tilting trays, in a perspective view from above;
[0100] FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of a tray according to the invention in a frontal view;
[0101] FIG. 7 shows the embodiment of the tray from FIG. 6 in a tilted state;
[0102] FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a conveying system according to the invention in a plan view;
[0103] FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of an unloading device with a pushing device in a plan view;
[0104] FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of a conveying system according to the invention in a plan view;
[0105] FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of a conveying system according to the invention in a plan view.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0106] Corresponding parts are provided with identical reference numbers, unless indicated otherwise, in the following figures and the associated description.
[0107] FIG. 1 shows diagrammatically an embodiment of a conveying system 1 according to the invention comprising two assembled conveying supports 10.1, 10.2, which can be moved along a conveying path 30 and which represent first conveying means 6. For the purpose of better illustration, conveying path 30 is represented interrupted. Assembled conveying supports 10.1, 10.2 are each composed of a number of successive support elements 11.1, 11.2. In the embodiment shown, the two conveying supports 10.1, 10.2 are constituted differently (not represented). A first conveying support 10.1 can be formed for example from a highly heat-resistant material, so that relatively hot items to be conveyed can be conveyed with it. Second conveying support 10.2, on the other hand, can comprise for example a surface made a plastic material with a high static friction coefficient, so that certain large items to be conveyed can be transported reliably. The two assembled conveying supports 10.1, 10.2 serve to convey items to be conveyed (not represented) lying freely on the latter. Shown conveying system 1 also comprises a plurality of trays 20.1, 20.2, which in the embodiment shown are combined as compositions of trays 27.1, 27.2 and serve as second conveying means 7. Trays 20.1, 20.2 are connected by a common conveyor chain 47 to assembled conveying supports 10.1, 10.2 and can thus be moved with the latter along conveying path 30. Trays 20.1, 20.2 serve to convey second items to be conveyed (not represented) lying on them.
[0108] FIG. 2 shows diagrammatically an embodiment of an assembled conveying support 10.1 according to the invention. The latter is constituted in the manner of a chain conveyor comprising a plurality of plate-shaped support elements 11.1, 11.2. Support elements 11.1, 11.2 each comprise on their upper surface an element surface 12.1, 12.2 for conveying an item 2.1 to be conveyed lying thereon in conveying directions F. Support elements 11.1, 11.2 are formed and arranged scale-like with respect to one another, in such a way that support elements 11.1, 11.2 lying adjacent to one another partially overlap. An assembled mobile conveying surface thus arises, which as shown also enables the conveying of larger items to be conveyed.
[0109] FIGS. 3 and 4 show an embodiment of the invention, wherein support elements 11.1, 11.2 of an assembled conveying support 10.1 are each connected by fastening means 41 to conveying elements 40 which can be moved and are guided along a C-shaped conveyor rail 31. Conveying elements 40 each comprise a conveying carriage 42. This conveying carriage 42 is arranged as an inner runner in a channel 32 in conveyor rail 31, said channel running in the rail direction, and comprises in the shown embodiment two support rollers 43.1, 43.2, which roll on running surfaces in channel 32. Shown conveying carriages 42 also comprise guide rollers 44, which roll on further guide surfaces of conveyor rail 31 and at least assist the conveying of conveying carriages 42 along conveying path 30.
[0110] FIG. 5 shows a composition 27 of two trays 20.1 of a first type, which are connected by a conveyor chain 47 guided in a conveyor rail 31 and formed from a plurality of conveying carriages 42. Both trays 20.1 are in a transport position. A tray 20.1 of the represented embodiment comprises in each case a tray plate 21, which comprises a flat tray conveying surface 22, on which an item to be conveyed (not represented) can be loaded. Tray plate 21 is connected to a tilting device 24 (only partially visible), which can tilt tray plate 21 about a tilting axis arranged parallel to conveying direction F of conveying path 30 from the transport position into a first or second unloading position, in order to unload an item to be conveyed lying on tray conveying surface 22 transversely to conveying path 30. For the control of the tilting, shown tray 20.1 comprises on each side a control element 25.1, 25.2 constituted as a roller, by means of which tray plate 21, interacting with a control slide-way (not represented) arranged along conveying path 30, can be tilted into a first or second unloading position. Tray 20.1 of the first type shown in FIG. 5 also comprises a two-part retention frame 23, which prevents an item to be conveyed lying on tray conveying surface 22 from slipping or rolling undesirably from tray 20.1. Retention frame 23 is configured such that it can be raised relative to tray conveying surface 22 during the tilting of tray plate 21, as a result of which the delivery of an item to be conveyed located on tray conveying surface 22 is assisted by sliding off.
[0111] FIGS. 6 and 7 show an embodiment of a tray 20.2 of a second type for a conveying system 1 according to the invention. FIG. 6 shows tray 20.2 in a transport position. Tray 20.2 comprises a tray plate 21 with a tray conveying surface 22, on which an item 2.2 to be conveyed is arranged. Tray plate 21 is connected by a tilting device 24 to a conveying carriage 42. Tilting device 24 comprises a control element 25.1, 25.2 comprising two rollers. The rollers of control element 25.1, 25.2 each run on control slide-ways 66.1, 66.2 assigned to the conveying path. In order to keep tray 20.2 in the transport position, control slide-way 66.1, 66.2 can be aligned relative to the conveying path in such a way that tray conveying surface 22 lies essentially horizontally, as is represented in FIG. 6.
[0112] FIG. 7 shows a tray 20.2 in an unloading position. To obtain the latter, tray plate 21 has been tilted by means of tilting device 24 about a tilting axis A arranged parallel to the conveying direction of the conveying path. This tilting process has been initiated, as represented, by the interaction of control elements 25.1, 25.2 with control slide-ways 66.1, 66.2.
[0113] FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a conveying system 1 with a closed conveying path 30, along which a number of assembled conveying supports of different kinds/types 10.1, 10.2 as well as trays of different kinds/types 20.1, 20.2 (assembled conveying supports and trays are not represented in detail) are moved. Assembled conveying supports 10.1, 10.2 and trays 20.1, 20.2 are driven by a conveyor chain (not represented) constituted as an endless loop, which for its part is driven by a central drive module 5. Conveying system 1 also comprises sensors 4.1, 4.2, which detect the loading of assembled conveying supports 10.1, 10.2 and trays 20.1, 20.2 conveyed past them. Conveying system 1 also comprises a first loading device 51 for loading assembled conveying supports 10.1, 10.2 with items to be conveyed (not shown). Conveying system 1 also comprises a second loading device 55 for loading trays 20.1, 20.2 with items to be conveyed (not shown). Sensors 4.1, 4.2, drive module 5 and the two loading devices 51, 55 are controlled by a control 3. Three unloading zones with first unloading devices 61.1, 61.2 for unloading assembled conveying supports 10.1, 10.2 and/or second unloading devices 65.1, 65.2 for unloading trays 20.1, 20.2 are arranged along conveying path 30. Trays 20.1, 20.2 also comprise markers (not represented), with the aid of which the nature of tray 10.1, 10.2 and/or the identity (e.g. number) of tray 10.1, 10.2 and/or the item to be conveyed that is conveyed by the latter can be determined by means of sensors 4.1, 4.2.
[0114] FIG. 9 shows diagrammatically an embodiment of a first unloading device 61 for the lateral unloading of items 2.1 to be conveyed from an assembled conveying support 10.1. Unloading device 61 also comprises a pushing device 62, which can be moved in transversely to conveying direction F of conveying path 30 into the conveying region of conveying path 30, in order to displace an item 2.1 to be conveyed lying on assembled conveying support 10.1 transversely to the conveying direction onto a removing conveying device 63 and thus to unload assembled conveying support 10.1.
[0115] FIG. 10 shows diagrammatically an embodiment of a conveying system 1 according to the invention similar to the embodiment of a conveying system 1 represented in FIG. 1. Shown conveying system 1 comprises a plurality of trays 20.1, 20.2, 20.3, which in the shown embodiment are combined as compositions of trays 27.1, 27.2 and serve as a second conveying means. As represented diagrammatically, conveying system 1 comprises both trays 20.1, 20.2 with a spatial extension that is greater in the conveying direction and trays 20.3 with a special extension which is smaller in the conveying direction compared to the other trays 20.1, 20.2. In this way, two items to be conveyed (not represented) with different external dimensions can be transported on trays of suitable size, and at the same time the conveying capacity of conveying system 1 compared to conveying system 1 shown in FIG. 1 can also be increased for a plurality of applications. The combination of a composition of trays 20.1, 20.2, 20.3 can take place depending on the items to be conveyed by conveying system 1. In addition, the represented embodiment of conveying system 1 according to the invention comprises assembled conveying supports 10.1, 10.2 which are able to be moved and which represent first conveying means. Markers 50.3 spaced uniformly apart from one another are applied on assembled conveying supports 10.1, 10.2, which markers in this case are RFID tags with barcodes and lettering. The latter provide, amongst other things, a loading device (not represented) with information concerning the loading capacity of respective conveying supports 10.1, 10.2 and the remaining distance to at least one end of the conveying support. In this way, it can be ensured, for example before the loading of a particularly large item to be conveyed, that there is in fact still sufficient room on conveying support 10.1, 10.2 to accommodate the item to be conveyed. As represented diagrammatically, trays 20.1, 20.2 with the spatial extension that is larger in the conveying direction comprise markers 50.1, which in this embodiment are also RFID tags with barcodes and lettering. Trays 20.3 with the spatial extension that is smaller in the conveying direction also comprise markers 50.2. These markers 50.1, 50.2 can contain various retrievable information, for example concerning the mechanical and spatial conveying capacity of individual trays 20.1, 20.2, 20.3, and also concerning the item to be conveyed that is conveyed on the latter.
[0116] FIG. 11 shows diagrammatically an embodiment of a conveying system 1 according to the invention, which comprises a plurality of first conveying means 6, which can be moved along conveying path 30 and which comprise trays 20.3 with a rather small spatial extension in the conveying direction. Conveying system 1 also comprises a plurality of second conveying means 7, which can be moved along conveying path 30 together with first conveying means 6, or trays 20.3, and which comprise trays 20.1 with a spatially larger extension in the conveying direction compared to first conveying means 6. First conveying means 6 are configured in particular for conveying a relatively small first item to be conveyed, whereas second conveying means 7 are configured for conveying a second item to be conveyed that is larger compared to the first item to be conveyed. The first and the second conveying means are connected by conveying carriages 42, which together form a conveyor chain 47.
