TRANSPORT UNIT OF AN OVERHEAD CONVEYOR SYSTEM, HAVING A BUFFER ELEMENT

Abstract

The invention relates to a transport unit (1, 1a-d, 1a-d) of an overhead conveyor system (2, 2, 2), comprising an elastically deformable buffer element (11, 11, 11, 11a-d, 11a-d), which is designed to store deformation energy when under load and to release same when no longer under load.

Claims

1. A transport unit (1, 1a-d, 1a-d) of an overhead conveyor device (2, 2, 2), comprising: an elastically deformable buffer element (11, 11, 11, 11a-d, 11a-d) arranged with respect to the transport unit (1, 1a-d, 1a-d), and configured to store deformation energy when loaded and to release the deformation energy when the load is removed.

2. The transport unit (1, 1a-d, 1a-d) according to claim 1, wherein the buffer element (11, 11, 11, 11a-d, 11a-d) is configured to perform mechanical work with the released deformation energy.

3. The transport unit (1, 1a-d, 1a-d) according to claim 2, wherein the buffer element (11, 11, 11, 11a-d, 11a-d) is deformable when loaded in such a way that the stored deformation energy is sufficient, when the deformation energy is released and the buffer element (11, 11, 11, 11a-d, 11a-d) has returned to its original unloaded shape, to accelerate a transport unit (1, 1a-d, 1a-d) along a conveying line of the overhead conveyor device (2, 2, 2).

4. The transport unit (1, 1a-d, 1a-d) according to claim 1, wherein the buffer element (11, 11, 11, 11a-d, 11a-d) is constituted in one piece.

5. The transport unit (1, 1a-d, 1a-d) according to claim 1, wherein the buffer element (11, 11, 11, 11a-d, 11a-d) is made at least partially of plastic.

6. The transport unit (1, 1a-d, 1a-d) according to claim 1, wherein the buffer element (11, 11, 11, 11a-d, 11a-d) comprises a first leg (111, 111, 111a-d) and a second leg (112, 112, 112a-d) projecting from the first leg (111, 111, 111a-d), which legs are connected by a link section (113, 113) in such a way that the legs can be moved towards one another when the buffer element (11, 11, 11, 11a-d, 11a-d) is loaded.

7. The transport unit (1, 1a-d, 1a-d) according to claim 6, wherein the first leg (111, 111a-d) and the second leg (112, 112a-d) are also connected by at least one bridge (115), wherein the at least one bridge (115) is deformable when the buffer element (11, 11, 11, 11a-d, 11a-d) is loaded.

8. The transport unit (1, 1a-d, 1a-d) according to claim 1, wherein the buffer element (11, 11, 11, 11a-d, 11a-d) comprises an optically visible marking to identify the buffer element (11, 11, 11, 11a-d, 11a-d).

9. The transport unit (1, 1a-d, 1a-d) according to claim 1, wherein the buffer element (11, 11, 11, 11a-d, 11a-d) is detachably connected to the transport unit (1, 1a-d, 1a-d).

10. The transport unit (1, 1a-d, 1a-d) according to claim 1, wherein the buffer element (11, 11, 11, 11a-d, 11a-d) is arranged on one side (14) of the transport unit (1, 1a-d, 1a-d), wherein, when the transport unit (1, 1a-d, 1a-d) is abutting against another, preferably following transport unit (1, 1a-d, 1a-d), the buffer element (11, 11, 11, 11a-d, 11a-d) is arranged and loaded between the two transport units (1, 1a-d, 1a-d).

11. The transport unit (1, 1a-d, 1a-d) according to claim 10, wherein the buffer element (11, 11, 11, 11a-d, 11a-d) is arranged on the side (14) of the transport unit (1, 1a-d, 1a-d) orientated in the conveying direction (F) or opposite to the conveying direction (F).

12. The transport unit (1, 1a-d, 1a-d) according to claim 1, wherein the transport unit (1, 1a-d, 1a-d) is a carriage freely movable in a running rail (21, 21).

13. An overhead conveyor device with a transport unit (1, 1a-d, 1a-d) according to claim 1, wherein the overhead conveyor device (2, 2, 2) comprises a delivery point (24) of the transport units (1, 1a-d, 1a-d) and a barrier element (22, 22) arranged at the delivery point (24), wherein the barrier element (22, 22) is configured to selectively block or release the transport units (1, 1a-d, 1a-d).

14. The overhead conveyor device (2, 2, 2) according to claim 13, wherein transport units (1, 1a-d, 1a-d) following one another abut against one another when the first transport unit (1, 1a, 1a) is blocked in the conveying direction (F) by the barrier element (22, 22), so that at least one buffer element (11, 11, 11, 11a-d, 11a-d) is loaded, and that the overhead conveyor device (2, 2, 2) is configured at the delivery point (24) of the transport units (1, 1a-d, 1a-d) to remove the load on the at least one loaded buffer element (11, 11, 11, 11a-d, 11a-d) when the transport units (1, 1a-d, 1a-d) are released by the barrier element (22, 22), so that the buffer element (11, 11, 11, 11a-d, 11a-d) accelerates at least the first transport unit (1, 1a, 1a) in the conveying direction (F).

15. The overhead conveyor device (2, 2, 2) according to claim 13, wherein the overhead conveyor device (2, 2, 2) comprises a running rail (21, 21), wherein the running rail (21, 21) includes inclines in sections such that the transport units (1, 1a-d, 1a-d) can be driven by gravitation.

16. The overhead conveyor device (2, 2, 2) according to claim 13, wherein the overhead conveyor device (2, 2, 2) comprises external mechanical drives in sections, by means of which the transport units (1, 1a-d, 1a-d) can be driven.

17. A method for operating an overhead conveyor device (2, 2, 2) according to claim 13, comprising the steps: i) take-up of products by the transport units (1, 1a-d, 1a-d) at a take-up point (25) of the overhead conveyor device (2, 2, 2); ii) transport of the products to the delivery point (24) of the transport units (1, 1a-d, 1a-d); iii) blocking of the transport units (1, 1a-d, 1a-d) at the delivery point (24) by the barrier element (22, 22), wherein at least one buffer element (11, 11, 11, 11a-d, 11a-d) is loaded by the abutting of the transport units (1, 1a-d, 1a-d); and iv) release of at least one transport unit (1, 1a-d, 1a-d) by the barrier element (22, 22), wherein the load is removed from at least one buffer element (11, 11, 11, 11a-d, 11a-d) and at least the first transport unit (1, 1a, 1a) is accelerated in the conveying direction (F) by mechanical work of the at least one buffer element (11, 11, 11, 11a-d, 11a-d).

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the additional steps: v) delivery of the products from the transport units (1, 1a-d, 1a-d); and vi) return of the empty transport units (1, 1a-d, 1a-d) to the take-up point (25) of the overhead conveyor device (2, 2, 2).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0113] Embodiments of the invention are explained in greater detail with the aid of the following figures and the associated descriptions. In the figures:

[0114] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a transport unit with a buffer element;

[0115] FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of a transport unit from FIG. 1 without a buffer element;

[0116] FIG. 2B shows a perspective view of the buffer element from FIG. 1;

[0117] FIG. 2C shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a buffer element;

[0118] FIG. 2D shows a perspective view of a further embodiment of a buffer element;

[0119] FIG. 3 shows a side view of a section of an embodiment of an overhead conveyor device with a series of transport units according to FIG. 1;

[0120] FIG. 4 shows a side view of a section of an embodiment of an overhead conveyor device with a series of transport units according to FIG. 1;

[0121] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an overhead conveyor device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0122] Preferred embodiments are described in greater detail by reference to the figures in order to illustrate the invention.

[0123] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a transport unit 1. Transport unit 1 comprises a buffer element 11, which is fitted to a face 14 of transport unit 1. The buffer element 11 is shown in an unloaded state. In the shown embodiment, transport unit 1 is a carriage with rollers 13 and 13 as well as a gripper 12. The shown transport unit 1 is particularly suitable for conveying printed products which can be taken up by gripper 12. Opening or closing of gripper 12 can be achieved in a known manner with a suitable crank, over which roller 13 runs.

[0124] FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of transport unit 1 from FIG. 1 without a buffer element. A receptacle 15 can be seen at the point at which the buffer element was fitted in FIG. 1, into which receptacle a bracket of the buffer element can be inserted. Gripper 12 is shown in an opened position, which has been brought about by a movement of roller 13 compared to FIG. 1.

[0125] FIG. 2B shows a perspective view of buffer element 11 from FIG. 1. Buffer element 11 comprises a first leg 111 and a second leg 112, which are connected by a link section 113. Buffer element 11 is shown in an unloaded state. A bracket 114 is arranged on first leg 111, which can be inserted into receptacle 15 from FIG. 2A and by means of which buffer element 11 can be connected detachably to transport unit 1. First leg 111 and second leg 112 are also connected via a bridge 115, wherein bridge 115 has a predetermined folding point 1151. When buffer element 11 is loaded, bridge 115 is deformed, wherein bridge 115 can be folded at predetermined folding point 1151. Second leg 112 comprises cutouts 116, which are bounded by further bridges 117. Buffer element 11 is constituted in one piece. Buffer element 11 is preferably made of foam.

[0126] FIG. 2C shows an embodiment of a buffer element 11, which has a D-shaped cross-section. A bracket 114 is arranged on a face 118 of buffer element 11, by means of which bracket buffer element 11 can be connected detachably to a transport unit. Buffer element 11 is constituted in one piece and is preferably made of foam.

[0127] FIG. 2D shows an embodiment of a buffer element 11, which comprises a spring plate 1191 and a foam core 1192. Spring plate 1191 comprises two leaf elements 1191a, 1191b, which are arranged adjacent to foam core 1192 at the periphery. A bracket 114 is arranged at a face 118 of spring plate 1191, by means of which bracket buffer element 11 can be connected detachably to a transport unit. Buffer element 11 comprises a first leg 111 and a second leg 112, which are connected by a link section 113. Buffer element 11 is shown in an unloaded state. When buffer element 11 is loaded, second leg 112 moves towards first leg 111 and thus absorbs the deformation energy. A buffer element 11 with a spring plate 1191, as is shown in the figure, has in particular ideal properties with regard to the acceleration work that can be performed by buffer element 11, and in particular a high acceleration even of large masses can be achieved by a high spring constant k of spring plate 1191.

[0128] FIG. 3 shows a side view of a section of an embodiment of an overhead conveyor device 2 with a running rail 21 and a barrier element 22. Four transport units 1a-d according to FIG. 1 are shown in the figure, wherein the three foremost transport units 1a-c are abutting against one another in conveying direction F. Transport units 1a-d are shown with printed products D. Buffer elements 11a, b of the front two transport units 1a, b are shown in the loaded state, in which buffer elements 11a, b are deformed. Second leg 112a of deformed buffer element 11a has been moved towards first leg 111a and is arranged essentially parallel to the latter. Buffer elements 11c, d of third transport unit 1c and fourth transport unit 1d are shown in the unloaded state, in which buffer elements 11c, d are not deformed. In the unloaded state, second leg 112d is arranged projecting from first leg 111d. Transport units 1a-1c are abutting against one another, because barrier element 22 prevents further movement of transport unit 1a in conveying direction F. Barrier element 22 can be moved up and down in the vertical direction relative to running rail 21, which is indicated by the double arrow. Transport unit 1a can move farther in conveying direction F by an upward movement of barrier element 22.

[0129] FIG. 4 shows a side view of a section of an embodiment of an overhead conveyor device 2 with a series of transport units 1a-d according to FIG. 1. Transport units 1a-d are driven by a chain drive 23. A movement of transport unit 1a in conveying direction F is blocked by barrier element 22, so that following transport units 1b-d abut against one another. Buffer elements 11a-11c are shown deformed in the loaded state, buffer element 11d being shown in the unloaded state.

[0130] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an overhead conveyor device 2 without transport units. Overhead conveyor device 2 comprises a running rail 21, a take-up point 25, a delivery point 24, a delivery conveyor 26 and a return section 27. Running rail 21 is constituted inclined in sections, in particular towards delivery point 24, so that transport units can be driven by gravitation in these sections. Arranged at the delivery point is a barrier element (not shown in the figure), by means of which transport units can be blocked. Buffer elements of the transport units can be loaded by following transport units by means of the mass thereof. As a result of acceleration from delivery point 24, the transport units move on a section parallel to a delivery conveyor 26, on which the transport units can deliver products, e.g. printed products. The empty transport units are moved back to take-up point 25 via return section 27. At take-up point 25, the empty transport units can take up products and be moved to delivery point 24.