Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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CONVEYOR SYSTEM WITH AT LEAST THREE AXLE DEVICES
The invention relates to a conveying system having the features of the
preamble of
Claim 1.
Conveying systems of this kind have the task of transporting workpieces to a
station for
processing. At the same time, conveying systems of this kind are used to clamp
the
workpieces in order to define their position relative to the station.
Depending on the requirements of the station, the conveying systems must
arrange the
workpieces relative to the station with limited tolerances and/or move said
workpieces at
a defined or at least known speed relative to the station or temporarily stop
said
workpieces.
The publication WO 03/070420 Al, which is likely the closest prior art,
discloses a
feeding device for feeding workpiece carriers along a belt conveyor using a
conveyor
which is driven in a controlled manner and which engages under the workpiece
carrier
in a transfer station arranged upstream of the processing station and lifts
said workpiece
carrier off the belt conveyor and transports said workpiece carrier in a
raised state into
the processing station and supports said workpiece carrier there during
workpiece
processing. The conveyor has two shafts, each of which moves a plate for
holding the
component carriers. The plates are moved by the axes in a circulating manner,
wherein
the plates are first passed through the processing station to deliver the
workpiece
carrier. The plates are subsequently lowered and, in the lowered state, moved
back
under the processing station to pick up a new workpiece carrier. Thus, the
plates
operate in a circulating principle.
An object of the present invention is to propose a conveying system, wherein
the
conveying system allows improved adaptation to the intended use. This object
is
achieved by a conveying system having the features of Claim 1. Preferred or
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-26
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advantageous embodiments of the invention and other invention categories are
found in
the dependent claims, the following description and the accompanying drawings.
The invention relates to a conveying system which is suitable and/or designed
for
conveying components and/or component holders for components. Thus, the
conveying
system can convey the components or component holders, optionally together
with
components.
In particular, the components can be configured as workpieces. Preferably, the
components are elongate, in particular flat. Preferably, the surface of the
components is
flat. For example, the components can be implemented as plates or strips. The
component holders have the function of holding the components such that the
components are held by the component holders. Optionally, the components
and/or the
component holders form part of the conveying system. The component holders can
hold
exactly one component or at least one component.
The conveying system has at least three axis devices for transporting
component
receiving portions. In particular, the conveying system can have four, five,
six or more
axis devices with the same design or a different design. In particular, each
axis device
has at least one or exactly one component receiving portion. The component
receiving
portion forms a mechanical interface for receiving the exactly one or at least
one
component or the exactly one or at least one component holder. The component
receiving portion can have members, such as pins, grippers, active members, in
particular active grippers or the like, for holding the component and/or the
component
holder in a positionally defined manner. Preferably, the component or
component holder
is arranged so as to overlap the component receiving portion or even to be
completely
on the component receiving portion.
The axis devices are preferably designed independently of one another and can
each
have one or more individual axes, preferably exactly two individual axes for
moving
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-26
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and/or manipulating the component receiving portion. Optionally, the axis
device has
further axes which, in particular, do not fulfill a shuttle function but allow
fine alignment
of the component or component holder in the sense of setting the component
position,
e.g. "angle adjustment" or "setting straight" or the like, in order to bring
the component
into the process region of the process unit, in particular of the print head,
in spite of
tolerances.
The axis devices each have the task of transporting the associated component
receiving portion on at least one or exactly one station path along a main
transport
direction in at least one or exactly one component station. Preferably, the
component
receiving portions are transported in a straight line along a main transport
direction on
the station path. For example, the component station can have a process
function
and/or a manufacturing function and/or a measurement function. Particularly
preferably,
the component station has a process unit, wherein the component receiving
portion is
transported along the station path at the process unit for processing the
component.
Particularly preferably, the component receiving portion is transported
continuously
along the station path. Possible processes in the component station and/or
relating to
the process unit are: printing on surfaces of the components; measuring
surfaces of the
components; digitizing surface structures, colors and properties of the
components;
other processing, treatment and/or analysis of component surfaces; processing
of
materials or the components in a continuous or alternatively cyclic mode of
operation.
Optionally, the conveying system includes the component station. Optionally,
the
component station defines a process direction via which the process takes
place in the
direction of the component or the component receiving portion.
The at least three, preferably some, in particular all of the, axis devices of
the conveying
system each have a carriage assembly and a linear shaft apparatus.
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The linear shaft apparatus is used to move the component receiving portion
along the
station path in the main transport direction and to return the component
receiving
portion in a reverse direction. Preferably, the linear shaft apparatus has a
length of more
than 2 m, preferably more than 3 m, in particular more than 4 m. In principle,
the linear
shaft apparatus can be the last axis before the component holding portion
and/or
directly move said component receiving portion. However, it is preferred for
the linear
shaft apparatus to support the carriage assembly together with the component
receiving
portion. Particularly preferably, the linear shaft apparatus extends in
parallel with the
main transport apparatus. Particularly preferably, the linear shaft apparatus
moves the
component receiving portion and/or the carriage assembly in an oscillating
and/or
reciprocating manner in the main transport direction.
The carriage assembly has at least one or exactly one of the component
receiving
portions and a feed apparatus for feeding the component portion from an
avoidance
state to a transport position and/or in the reverse direction. The conveying
system, in
particular the axis device, in particular the linear shaft apparatus, is
configured to move
the component receiving portion in the transport position on the station path
along the
main transport direction. In particular, the component receiving portion is
brought into
the transport position by the feed apparatus and subsequently moved along the
station
path by the linear shaft apparatus. For example, after the station path, in
particular after
unloading the component receiving portion, or even during the return
operation, the feed
apparatus transfers the component receiving portion to the avoidance state.
While it is
preferably provided for the feed apparatus not to move the component receiving
portion
on the station path in the transport position, the feed apparatus can move the
component receiving portion in the avoidance state during the return
operation, in
particular in the reverse direction to the main transport direction, for
example as long as
or insofar as this does not give rise to a collision of the component
receiving portion.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-26
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It can be provided for the feed apparatus to have a separate actuator and/or
at least
one or exactly one separate axis apparatus for the feeding movement.
Alternatively, the
feed apparatus is driven via the linear shaft apparatus.
It is proposed for at least two, preferably at least three, four, five or more
of the axis
devices to be configured in such a way that the component receiving portions
are
arranged and/or arrangeable laterally offset from one another in the region of
the station
path in the avoidance state. In particular, the component receiving portions
are offset
from one another in an offset direction during the optionally time-delayed
crossing of the
station path, wherein the offset direction is perpendicular to the main
transport direction
and perpendicular to a vertical and/or to the process direction. Optionally,
in addition,
the component receiving portions are arranged and/or arrangeable vertically
offset from
one another.
One consideration of the invention is that, by offsetting the component
receiving
portions in the lateral direction, new possibilities are created for returning
the
component receiving portions past another and/or past the component station
without
collision. While the prior art discloses only a vertical offset, according to
the invention a
lateral offset is implemented with the conveying system. This design allows
improved
adaptation of the conveying system to planned uses. In particular, the lateral
offset
allows three or more axis devices to be used, whereas the prior art is limited
to two such
axes.
In a preferred further development of the invention, the component receiving
portions
are arranged laterally offset from one another in the avoidance state in such
a way as to
be able to travel, in the region of the station path without collision, past
one another
and/or past a component receiving portion which is moving through the station
path S,
in particular which is located in transport position. In particular, the
respective carriage
assemblies can also travel past one another and/or past the component station.
This
makes it possible for the component receiving portions of the at least two
axis devices
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-26
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to be moved without collision and thus independently of one another, at least
during the
return operation and/or in the reverse direction. The region of the station
path can
correspond to the length of the component station in the main transport
direction.
However, it can be provided for the region of the station path to be formed by
only a
portion of the station path.
It is further preferred for the carriage assembly to utilize a return volume
when returning
the component receiving portion in the region of the station path. The cross
section of
the return volume is formed by the collision contour of the carriage assembly.
It is
provided for the return volumes of the two axis devices not to overlap or even
to be
spaced apart. This further development ensures that the carriage assemblies
and thus
the component receiving portions can travel past one another without
collision.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least two, some, or all of the
component
receiving portions can be arranged randomly along the station path. In
particular, the
component portions of the axis apparatus can be arranged randomly, which are
arranged and/or arrangeable laterally offset in the avoidance state. Whereas,
in the
prior art, the two tool carriers can only be moved through the processing
station
alternately due to their design, the temporal offset and in particular the
collision-free
return operation mean that the component receiving portions can be moved
through the
station path in any desired order and thus randomly. In this embodiment, it is
thus
possible to always move the component receiving portion through the station
path
which, for example, is the first to be fitted with a component holder and/or
with a
component. Thus, if more than two axis devices are provided, any sequence can
be
achieved.
It is particularly preferred for the component receiving portions to be passed
through the
component station along the station path with as few gaps as possible in order
to
achieve maximum utilization of the component station. The utilization of the
component
station can be increased by using more axis devices. This is possible with the
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-26
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conveying system according to the invention since more than two axis devices,
as
known in the prior art, can be used due to the lateral offset. Furthermore,
the random
arrangement of the component receiving portions means that if the loading of a
component receiving portion is delayed, it is not necessary to wait for this
component
receiving portion; instead, another component receiving portion can be queued.
In a preferred further development of the invention, the axis device, in
particular some
or all of the axis devices, has a supply apparatus for supplying the carriage
assembly
with energy, in particular electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic energy, control
signals and/or
for exchanging further signals, such as sensor signals. For example, the
supply
apparatus is configured as a drag chain and/or energy guiding chain which is
dragged
back and forth in the main transport direction. The energy guiding chain (also
energy
chain, e-chain or drag chain) is a component in mechanical engineering that
guides and
protects flexible cables and pneumatic or hydraulic lines. Cables of this kind
are
connected to a machine part, in this case the carriage assembly, which is
constantly
moved back and forth. Without a guide of this kind, which guarantees
compliance with
the smallest permissible bending radius of the cables, the cables would
quickly be
destroyed under the continuous load. Preferably, at least two, three, some or
all of the
axis devices are associated with a supply apparatus of this kind. The supply
apparatus
is permanently connected to the carriage assembly during operation, in
particular in
such a way that the carriage assembly is supplied with the energy and/or
signals
without interruption and/or disconnection. The lateral offset also allows the
supply
apparatuses to be laterally offset from one another so that they can be
dragged
independently of one another in the main transport direction. This further
development
supports the random arrangement of the component receiving portions along the
station
path.
The component holders ¨ also referred to as shuttles ¨ can be configured as
passive
component holders and/or clamps for the component. Thus, the component is
arranged
on the component holder and optionally fixed in place. Alternatively, the
component
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-26
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holders can be configured as active component holders and fulfill other
functions, for
example. For instance, the component holders can have auxiliary axes for
manipulating
the component. For instance, the component holders can have rotary axes, pivot
axes
or linear axes. Alternatively or additionally, the component holders can have
sensors,
such as speed sensors, position sensors, temperature sensors, etc.
Alternatively or additionally, the component receiving portion can carry a
sensor system
that can be used for operation or diagnostics of the component holder
(acceleration
sensors, position and/or speed sensors, pressure sensors, temperature and
radiation
sensors (e.g., for measuring UV light curing lamps in the system).
Alternatively or additionally, the component holder can carry a sensor system
that is
used to monitor the component: pressure sensors, temperature sensors, force
sensors,
position sensors, vibration sensors and/or color sensors, etc.
Auxiliary axes can be located between the component holder and the component
receiving portion; these auxiliary axes may be assignable to the component
holder, or
they provide an extension for an additional function and are separate from the
component holder. The auxiliary axes can form a separate auxiliary device.
The active component holders can be supplied directly by the supply apparatus
and/or
indirectly by the carriage assembly.
In a particularly efficient implementation of the conveying system, it is
provided for the
feed apparatus to be configured as a single-axis apparatus. In principle, the
feed
apparatus can be implemented in any way desired, for example as a curved path,
a
rotary axis, a linear axis, etc. However, it is particularly cost-effective
for said feed
apparatus to be configured as a single-axis apparatus and/or to have only a
single
degree of freedom since only one drive motor is required and/or used in this
case. The
operating mode and/or energy supply of the feed apparatus can be provided by
an
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-26
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electrical connection, a pneumatic connection, a hydraulic connection and/or
active
mechanism or any other connection. The connection and/or active mechanism is
preferably routed via the supply apparatus.
In possible embodiments of the invention, the feed apparatus performs an
exclusively
linear motion, an exclusively rotational motion or a coupled linear/rotational
motion to
move the component receiving portion between the avoidance state and the
transport
position.
Preferably, the following is provided:
At least two of the axis devices are designed as linear displacement axis
devices. The
linear displacement axis devices, in particular the respective feed
apparatuses, displace
the particular component receiving portion in a linear direction, preferably
exclusively in
the linear direction and/or in a straight line. The displacement takes place
in a spatial
direction, in particular in a carriage coordinate system which is stationary
in the carriage
assembly and is carried along by the linear shaft apparatus. Viewing a
projection plane
oriented perpendicular to the main transport direction, the spatial directions
each define
a projection direction when the spatial directions are projected
perpendicularly onto this
projection plane.
It is additionally proposed for the projection directions of the at least two
axis devices to
be different. The differences can relate to the extension of the projection
direction
and/or the orientation of the projection direction. The projection direction
is considered
in particular for the transition from the avoidance state to the transport
position.
One consideration here is that, by using different spatial directions and/or
projection
directions, the component receiving portions are not only moved to the
transport
position from different spatial directions, but rather the component receiving
portions are
also moved away in the reverse direction in different reverse spatial
directions so that
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-26
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said component receiving portions reach an avoidance state in which the
component
receiving portions are spaced apart from one another. This provides a new
option for
returning the component receiving portions past one another and/or past the
component
station without collision. While the prior art only discloses a displacement
of two
component carriers in a common direction, the conveying system allows
displacement
to be implemented in different directions. This design allows improved
adaptation of the
conveying system to planned uses.
In a preferred design of the invention, the linear displacement axis device
implements a
parallel displacement of the component receiving portion, in particular in the
carriage
coordinate system. This makes the feed apparatus particularly easy to
implement.
In a preferred further development of the invention, it is provided that, when
the linear
displacement axis device is stationary, i.e. when the linear shaft apparatus
is
deactivated, and/or in the carriage coordinate system, the spatial directions
of the two
axis devices, in particular of the two linear displacement axis devices, each
lie in a
linear displacement plane perpendicular to the main transport direction and/or
are
oriented substantially perpendicular to the main transport direction.
"Substantially
perpendicular" is defined as a deviation from perpendicular of less than 20 ,
preferably
less than 15 , in particular less than 10 or 5 . This further development
allows the
provision of a Cartesian or quasi-Cartesian robot system which is particularly
easy to
implement in terms of design and/or control engineering.
In a preferred further embodiment of the invention, the component receiving
portions in
the station path define a uniform reference projection point on the projection
plane. It is
proposed for the projection directions to include this uniform reference
projection point.
It can be provided for the projection directions to intersect at the reference
projection
point. In this case, a first component receiving portion is moved to the
transport position
from a first spatial direction and a second component receiving portion is
moved to the
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-26
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transport position from a second spatial direction, wherein the projection
directions of
the spatial directions assume an angle not equal to 00
.
In an alternative to this, the spatial directions and/or the projection
directions are
oriented antiparallel or substantially antiparallel. Thus, the spatial
directions and/or
projection directions are identical or at least similar, but oriented in
opposite directions.
In this case, angular deviations of less than 15 , preferably less than 10 ,
in particular
less than 50, can also be used. In this case, a first component receiving
portion is
moved to the transport position from a first spatial direction and a second
component
receiving portion is moved to the transport position from a second spatial
direction,
wherein the projection directions of the spatial directions assume an angle of
0 ,
possibly with said angular deviations from one another. In other words, the
component
receiving portions are moved in opposite directions in the direction of the
transport
position, and/or the spatial directions and/or the projection directions lie
in a common
plane. In a particularly simple embodiment of the invention, the spatial
directions and/or
the projection directions lie in a horizontal plane as the common plane.
Visually
speaking, the component receiving portions are fed into the station path from
the left or
right by the feed apparatus.
In possible further developments of the invention, the spatial directions
and/or the
projection directions can be in any desired intermediate angular range. Thus,
the
projection directions and/or spatial directions are not limited to a 12
o'clock - 3 o'clock -
6 o'clock - 9 o'clock position, but can adopt any desired intermediate angle.
For
example, it can be provided for there to be an obtuse or acute intermediate
angle
between projection directions of two of the linear axis devices. In
particular, there is no
right angle (90 ) or straight angle (180 ).
It is proposed for at least one, some or even all of the axis devices to be
configured as a
pivotal displacement device. The pivotal displacement device has the function
of
pivoting, in particular rotating and/or turning, the component receiving
portion about a
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-26
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pivot region. The pivoting can be configured as a pure rotational movement, in
which
case the pivot region is configured as a pivot axis. Alternatively, the
pivoting can be
configured as a rotational/translational movement, wherein the pivot region is
spatially
extended. The pivoting moves the component receiving portion from the
avoidance
state to the transport position and/or in the reverse direction.
One consideration here is that, by pivoting, the component receiving portions
are not
only folded into the transport position from different directions, but rather
the component
receiving portions are also folded away in the reverse direction in different
directions so
that said component receiving portions reach an avoidance state in which the
component receiving portions are spaced apart from one another. This provides
a new
option for returning the component receiving portions past one another and/or
past the
component station without collision. While the state of the art only discloses
a
displacement of two component carriers in a common direction, the conveying
system
allows folding away, optionally in different directions. This design allows
improved
adaptation of the conveying system to planned uses.
It is particularly preferred for the component receiving portion to be
configured as an
extension arm. The extension arm can be pivoted about the pivot region from
the
transport position to the avoidance state and/or in the reverse direction. It
is preferred
that, in an axial plan view, the pivot region is arranged on one side of the
station path in
the main transport direction in the region of the station path, and the
extension arm
extends over the station path towards the opposite side, at least in portions
or
completely. Here, the component receiving portion and/or the extension arm is
in the
.. transport position. Alternatively or additionally, it is preferred that, in
the avoidance
state, the pivot region is arranged on one side, in particular on the same
side, of the
station path, and the extension arm is arranged on the same side of the
station path.
With this embodiment, it is emphasized that the pivotal displacement axis
device
significantly reduces the collision contour of the component receiving
portion, in
particular during the return operation.
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In a preferred further development of the invention, a pivot angle for the
transition from
the avoidance state to the transport position and/or in the reverse direction
is at least
600, preferably at least 75 , and in particular at least or exactly 90 and/or
less than
120 , preferably less than 105 . Alternatively or additionally, it is
preferred for the
component receiving portion and/or the extension arm to be folded away at a
right
angle. This pivot angle ensures that the component receiving portion, in
particular the
extension arm, protrudes particularly far in the transport position and/or is
folded away
in a particularly space-saving manner in the avoidance state. Alternatively or
additionally, the component receiving portion, in particular the extension
arm, is
transferred from a horizontal orientation in the transport position to a
vertical orientation
in the avoidance state and/or in the reverse direction.
It is particularly advantageous for the pivot region to be aligned with the
main transport
direction. Particularly preferably, the pivot region is defined by a pivot
axis, wherein the
pivot axis is oriented in parallel with the main transport direction. This
allows a
particularly space-saving and thus compact design.
The conveying system can be configured to be particularly compact manner if
said
conveying system has two of the pivotal axis devices, which are arranged on
both sides
of the station path. In this case, it can be provided for the component
receiving portions
to be pivoted from the avoidance state to the transport direction in opposite
directions.
This allows a symmetrical or at least a near-symmetrical structure.
Alternatively, said
component receiving portions can also be pivoted in the same direction if the
design
constraints will allow it.
In an alternative or further embodiment of the invention, the conveying system
has two
of the pivotal displacement axis devices, wherein the pivotal displacement
axis devices
are arranged on a common side of the station path. Here, it is preferred for
the
component receiving portions to be moved in the same direction, which enables
a
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-26
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particularly compact design. Alternatively, said component receiving portions
can also
be pivoted in opposite directions if the design constraints will allow it.
It is possible for the component receiving portion to be pivoted or folded in
the direction
of the process unit or in the reverse direction.
The fact that the conveying system has axis devices that are each associated
with a
linear shaft apparatus means that the component receiving portions and/or
carriage
assemblies of the various axis devices can travel independently of one
another. Thus,
the component receiving portions and/or carriage assemblies can be loaded and
unloaded without disrupting the flow of material in the at least one component
station.
This makes it possible for components to be fed continuously to the component
station
and the components in the component station to be processed continuously and
thus
efficiently. This is achieved in particular by the ability of the component
receiving
portions and/or carriage assemblies to be moved independently.
In one possible embodiment of the invention, at least one of the axis devices
is
configured as a linear pivotal axis device. In the linear pivotal axis device,
the
associated component receiving portion is pivoted in the carriage assembly by
the feed
apparatus 5. The pivoting is coplanar and/or in a common plane as occupied by
the
component receiving portion in the transport position. The linear pivotal axis
device can
also be referred to as a linear displacement axis device and/or a pivotal
displacement
axis device.
In a preferred further development of the invention, the or at least one
linear
displacement axis device is configured as a stroke displacement axis device,
wherein
the component receiving portion is able to be offset or is offset vertically
and/or in
parallel with the process direction by the feed apparatus. This further
development is a
special case since it provides for the component receiving portion to be
returned only
vertically offset in the avoidance state.
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In a particularly preferred implementation of the invention, the conveying
system has
two stroke displacement axis devices of this kind, wherein said stroke
displacement axis
devices are arranged on a common side of the station path in the avoidance
state.
Insofar as said stroke displacement axis devices each have a supply apparatus,
which
is configured, for example, as a drag chain, said stroke displacement axis
devices can
travel down the station path in a predetermined sequence in a circulating
manner. It is
proposed for the conveying system to comprise at least one further linear
displacement
axis device and/or at least one pivotal displacement axis device. In this way,
a
particularly compact embodiment is provided for a conveying system having
exactly
three or at least three axis devices.
Further features, advantages and effects of the invention will be apparent
from the
following description of preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention:
Figure 1 is a highly schematized side view of a conveying system as
one
exemplary embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 is a highly schematized front view of a conveying system as
one
exemplary embodiment of the invention;
Figures 3a to d are highly schematized front views of conveying systems in
front view
as exemplary embodiments of the invention;
Figure 4 is a highly schematized three-dimensional view of a conveying
system
as one exemplary embodiment of the invention;
Figures 5a to c are highly schematized front views of conveying systems as
further
exemplary embodiments of the invention;
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Figure 6 is a highly schematized front view of a conveying system as
one
exemplary embodiment of the invention;
Figures 7a to c are highly schematized front views of conveying systems as
further
exemplary embodiments of the invention;
Figure 8 is a highly schematized front view of a conveying system as
one
exemplary embodiment of the invention;
.. Figures 9 a, b are highly schematized front views of conveying systems as
further
exemplary embodiments of the invention;
Figures 10a and b are highly schematized front views of conveying systems as
further
exemplary embodiments of the invention;
Figure 11 is a highly schematized plan view of a conveying system as
a further
exemplary embodiment of the invention.
Corresponding or identical parts are provided with the same reference signs in
the
drawings.
Figure 1 shows a highly schematized side view of a conveying system 1 as one
exemplary embodiment of the invention. A component station 2 is shown, which
optionally forms part of the conveying system 1. For example, the component
station 2
can have a process head, a process unit or a processing head (not shown). A
plurality
of component stations 2 and/or processing heads can also be provided.
The conveying system 1 has a plurality of axis devices 3, each comprising a
linear shaft
apparatus 4, a feed apparatus 5 and a component receiving portion 6. Together,
the
feed apparatus 5 and the component receiving portion 6 form a carriage
assembly 7.
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Figure 6 shows one exemplary embodiment of a frame 17, wherein the frame 17
supports the axis devices 3. The frame 17 can also be in multiple parts. In
the spirit of
precision, the guide rails for the linear shaft apparatus 4 are preferably
continuous and
in particular are made in one part and/or in one piece. However, in the case
of larger
conveying systems 1 (e.g., with a guide rail length greater than 4 m), said
guide rails
can, due to the length, have butt joints that are rigidly connected in the
conveying
system.
The linear shaft apparatus 4 has the function of transporting the carriage
assembly 7 in
a main transport direction H as well as in a reverse direction G. In
particular, each linear
shaft apparatus 4 is configured to oscillate and/or reciprocate. For example,
the linear
shaft apparatus has a rail (not shown) on which the carriage assembly 7 is
transported
in the main transport direction H as well as in the reverse direction G.
The component receiving portion 6 has the function of receiving a component
holder 8
and/or a component 9. The loading takes place, for example, upstream of the
conveying
system 1 in one or more loading stations B and downstream of the conveying
system 1
in one or more unloading stations E. The loading station(s) B and the
unloading
station(s) E can also be configured as one common station. This can be
implemented,
for example, by allowing the component to be held securely in an "avoidance
position".
After being loaded, the component receiving portions 6 are transported one
after the
other past the component station 2 on a station path S and, in the process,
are
processed by the component station 2, specifically in a process direction P as
a working
direction. The process direction P can be oriented perpendicular to the main
transport
direction H as shown, but other working directions are also possible. After
processing,
the component receiving portions 6 are unloaded in the unloading station E and
transported back in the reverse direction G.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-26
- 18 -
Along the station path S, the component receiving portions 6 are each in a
transport
position so that they can be processed in the correct position in the
component station
2. In the reverse direction G, the component receiving portions 6 are each in
an
avoidance state so that they can be transported back without colliding with
the
component receiving portions 6 in the transport position. After the component
receiving
portions 6 are unloaded, it is only necessary that the avoidance state avoid
collisions. In
the unloading station E and/or in the loading station B, the component
receiving portions
6 can assume any desired position.
The transition from the transport position to the avoidance state and/or in
the reverse
direction is implemented by the feed apparatus 5, which is transported on the
linear
shaft apparatus 4.
Figure 2 is a schematic axial plan view of the conveying system 1 from Figure
1, with
only three axis devices 3 being shown to illustrate different types of axis
devices 3.
Two of the axis devices 3 are configured as linear displacement axis devices
10. The
linear displacement axis devices 10 each include the linear shaft apparatus 4,
the feed
apparatus 5 and the component receiving portion 6. The feed apparatus 5 moves
the
component receiving portion 6 from the avoidance state, in which the component
receiving portion 6 is shown by dashed lines, to the transport position. The
component
receiving portion 6 is fed along a spatial direction R, wherein the spatial
direction R
results in a projection direction R' in the axial projection shown, wherein
the spatial
direction R and/or the projection direction P is in a straight line. In
particular, the feeding
is performed by a parallel displacement of the component receiving portion 6.
One of the axis devices 3 is configured as a pivotal displacement axis device
11. The
pivotal displacement axis device 11 includes the linear shaft apparatus 4, the
feed
apparatus 5 and the component receiving portion 6. The feed apparatus 5 moves
the
component receiving portion 6 from the avoidance state, in which the component
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-26
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receiving portion 6 is shown by dashed lines, to the transport position. The
component
receiving portion 6 is fed by pivoting the component receiving portion 6 about
a pivot
region 12, wherein the pivot region 12 is formed as a pivot axis 13 in this
exemplary
embodiment. In this exemplary embodiment, the pivot region 12 and/or the pivot
axis 13
is oriented in the same direction as and/or in parallel with the main
transport direction H.
One of the axis devices 3 is configured as a stroke displacement axis device
14,
wherein the stroke displacement axis device 14 is a special case of the linear
displacement axis device 10. The stroke displacement axis device 14 includes
the linear
shaft apparatus 4, the feed apparatus 5 and the component receiving portion 6.
The
feed apparatus 5 moves the component receiving portion 6 from the avoidance
state, in
which the component receiving portion 6 is shown by dashed lines, to the
transport
position. The component receiving portion 6 is fed along a spatial direction
R, wherein
the spatial direction R results in a projection direction R' in the axial
projection shown,
wherein the spatial direction R and/or the projection direction R' is in a
straight line. In
particular, the feeding is performed by a parallel displacement of the
component
receiving portion 6. In the case of the stroke displacement axis device 14,
the
component section 6 is offset vertically and/or in the process direction P.
Due to the use of the feed apparatuses 5, the component receiving portions 6
in the
avoidance state are laterally offset from one another, in particular with
respect to the
process direction P and/or to the station path. This ensures that the
component
receiving portions 6 being returned can be moved past one another and/or past
component receiving portions 6 in the transport position without collision in
the region of
the station path S. This feature has the further advantage that at least some
of the
component receiving portions can be arranged randomly along the station path S
since
they can overtake one another along the station path S, for example. In
preferred
embodiments, collisions are also avoided outside the station path S since the
components 9 must already be traveling in a process-defined manner upon
entering the
station path S. Therefore, before and after the station path S by a length
equal to at
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-26
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least one component length and/or component holder length, the feed
apparatuses 5
must not move.
At least the feed apparatuses 5 require an energy supply and/or data
communication.
For this purpose, the axis devices 3 each have a supply apparatus 15, wherein
the
supply apparatus 15 is configured, for example, as a drag chain and/or energy
guiding
chain. As can be seen directly from Figure 2, the supply apparatuses 15 can be
transported along the main transport direction H independently of one another.
In
particular, it is not necessary to implement means for connecting and/or
disconnecting
the supply apparatuses 15. Rather, the supply apparatus 15 can remain
continuously
connected to the carriage assembly 7 and/or to an energy source.
Looking at the stroke displacement axis device 14 as a special case of a
linear
displacement axis device as well as the linear displacement axis device 10, it
can be
seen that the spatial directions R or the projection directions R' are
different and, in
particular, an intermediate angle not equal to 00 is provided between the
projection
directions R' in order to achieve the lateral offset. In contrast, in the case
of the pivotal
displacement axis device 11, the lateral offset is achieved by pivoting the
component
receiving portion 6 about the pivot region 12 or the pivot axis 13.
Figures 3a to 3d are schematic axial plan views of four different exemplary
embodiments of the conveying system 1 from the front. While only linear
displacement
axis devices 10 are shown in these figures, these exemplary embodiments can
also be
altered by replacing one of the linear displacement axis devices 10 (for
example, the
leftmost linear displacement axis device 10 in each case) with the pivotal
displacement
axis device 11 from Figure 2. It is also possible to use further pivotal
displacement axis
devices 11.
Figure 3a shows the conveying system 11 with three linear displacement axis
devices
10, wherein one of the three linear displacement axis devices 10 is configured
as a
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-26
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stroke displacement axis device 14. Two of the linear displacement axis
devices 10 lie
in a common plane, in this case a horizontal plane. Each of the axis devices 3
in Figure
3 a has a linear shaft apparatus 4 and a feed apparatus (not shown), wherein
the feed
apparatus and the component receiving portion 6 together form the carriage
assembly
7.
During operation, the respective component receiving portions 6 are moved
laterally into
the station path S before the station path S and are moved out again by the
feed
apparatus 5 after the station path S. In this exemplary embodiment, the
movement
occurs in the horizontal plane such that the spatial direction R or the
projection direction
R' are arranged in opposite directions to one another. As described in Figure
2, the
stroke displacement axis device 14 provides the component receiving portion 6
by
means of a vertical displacement. The three component receiving portions 6 can
be
randomly arranged on the station path S. The three spatial directions R or
projection
directions R' are oriented perpendicular to one another.
Figure 3b shows the conveying system 1 with four linear displacement axis
devices 10,
wherein two of the linear displacement axis devices 10 are arranged on the
horizontal
plane as in Figure 3a. The other two linear displacement axis device 10 are
arranged so
that the spatial direction R or projection direction R' thereof assumes an
intermediate
angle of approximately 450 to the projection direction P.
Figure 3c shows the conveying system 1 with five linear displacement axis
devices 10,
wherein a stroke displacement axis device 14 is arranged between the lower two
linear
displacement axis devices 10.
Figure 3d shows a conveying system 1 with five linear displacement axis
devices 10,
wherein one of the linear displacement axis devices 10 is configured as a
stroke
displacement axis device 14, wherein the other linear displacement axis
devices 10 are
arranged at an intermediate angle not equal to 00 or 180 .
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-26
-22 -
It should be noted in particular that the supply apparatuses 15 (not shown),
in particular
configured as a drag chain, for the axis devices 3 in Figures 3a to 3d are
independent of
one another such that they do not collide with one another.
In Figure 4, a three-dimensional view of the conveying system 1 shown in
Figure 3d is
given as an example to show the path of the component receiving portions 6.
However,
all component receiving portions 6 are shown in the same positions. In the
region of the
loading station B, the component receiving portions 6 are each in the
avoidance state.
From there, said component receiving portions 6 can be transferred to the
transport
position by the respective feed apparatuses 5. By transferring the component
receiving
portions 6 one after the other into the transport position, they can be passed
through the
component station 2 sequentially and/or one after the other. In the region of
the
unloading station E after the station path S, the component receiving portions
6, in
particular after unloading the component 9 or the component holder 8 having
the
component 9, are transferred by the feed apparatus 5 from the transport
position to the
avoidance state and can be moved back towards the loading station B in the
reverse
direction G. Due to the lateral offset of the component receiving portions 6
and/or the
different spatial directions R and/or the different projection directions R',
in particular on
a projection plane PE oriented perpendicular to the main transport direction
H, the
component receiving portions 6 can move past the station path S together with
the
component receiving portions 6 in the transport position and/or past the other
component receiving portions 6 without collision. Provided that the distance
and/or the
different projection directions R' are selected accordingly, all the component
receiving
portions 6 can be positioned randomly at the beginning of the station path S.
If the
component receiving portions 6 overlap along the station path S in the
avoidance state,
they cannot be positioned randomly. Optionally, in addition, one or more
pivotal
displacement axis devices 11 can be used instead of one or more of the linear
displacement axis devices 10 shown.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-26
- 23 -
Figures 5a, b and c show a further exemplary embodiment of a conveying system
1,
wherein said conveying system 1 comprises three axis devices 3, wherein two of
the
axis devices 3 are configured as pivotal displacement axis devices 11 and one
of the
axis devices 3 is configured as a linear displacement device 10, in this
exemplary
embodiment as a stroke displacement axis device 14.
The axis devices 3 each have a carriage assembly 7, wherein the carriage
assembly 7
is guided in the main transport direction H by a guide 16 as part of the
linear shaft
apparatus 4.
The two pivotal displacement axis devices 11 are arranged on both sides of the
station
path S and each have the component receiving portion 6, which can be pivoted
through
900 via the pivot region 12, which is configured in this case as a pivot axis
13 that is
parallel to the main transport direction H. In the transport position, as
shown for the left-
hand pivotal displacement axis device 11 in Figure 5a, the component receiving
portion
6 is oriented normally and/or perpendicular to the process direction P. For
the special
case in which the process direction P is vertical, the component receiving
portion 6 is
oriented horizontally. In Figures 5b and c, the same pivotal displacement axis
device 11
is in the avoidance state, wherein the component receiving portion 6 is
pivoted back
through 90 . For the special case in which the process direction P is
vertical, the
component receiving portion 6 is oriented vertically. The other pivotal
displacement axis
device 11 is symmetrical to and/or a mirror image of the first pivotal
displacement axis
device 11 and is arranged on the opposite side of the station path S. In
Figures 5a and
c, the component receiving portion 6 is in the avoidance state, and in Figure
5b, the
component receiving portion 6 is in the transport position.
The stroke displacement axis device 14 is arranged centrally between the two
pivotal
displacement axis devices 11 and is in the avoidance state in Figures 5a and b
and in
the transport position in Figure 5c. The transition from the avoidance state
to the
transport position takes place by way of a vertical displacement and/or a
displacement
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-26
- 24 -
counter to the process direction P, meaning that the spatial direction R or
the projection
direction R' is opposite the process direction P.
During operation, the first pivotal displacement axis device 11 is first
brought into the
transport position in the region of the loading station B and can then be
processed along
the station path S in the component station 2. The other pivotal displacement
axis
device 11 is then brought into the transport position and processed along the
station
path S in the component station 2. While said other pivotal displacement axis
device 11
is being processed, the component receiving portion 6 of the first pivotal
displacement
axis device 11 can be unloaded, in particular in the unloading station E, and
transferred
to the avoidance state. The component receiving portion 6 of the stroke
displacement
axis device 14 is then brought into the transport position and processed along
the
station path S in the component station. While said component receiving
portion 6 is
being processed, the component receiving portion 6 of the first pivotal
displacement
axis device 11 can be loaded again in the loading station B and transferred to
the
transport position.
The three component receiving portions 6 shown can be arranged in any desired
order,
i.e., randomly, along the station path S. Optionally, in addition, the
conveying system 1
can include a further linear displacement axis device 10, as shown in Figure
4, which
can provide a fourth component receiving portion 6.
The axis devices 3 shown in Figures 5a, b and c and optionally the additional
linear
displacement axis device 10 can have respective supply apparatuses 15, for
example
configured as drag chains, which can be moved independently of one another
during
the oscillating movement of the linear shaft apparatuses 4. The axis devices 3
are
arranged laterally offset from one another.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-26
- 25 -
Each component receiving portion 6 is supported on a holder 18 via a support
20 in
order to achieve sufficient mechanical rigidity for the component receiving
portion 6. The
support 20 is configured as a strut which is folded away in the avoidance
state.
Figure 6 shows a possible design of the conveying system 1 with the three axis
devices
from Figures 5a, b and c. In addition to the components in the preceding
figures, the
component station 2 and a frame 17 can now be seen, to which the respective
linear
shaft apparatuses 4 and/or the guides 16 are fixed. In addition, the supply
apparatuses
15, configured as drag chains, are shown, which are arranged in parallel with
one
another.
Figures 7a, b and c show a further exemplary embodiment of a conveying system
1,
wherein said conveying system 1 has four axis devices 3, two of the axis
devices 3 are
each configured as pivotal displacement axis devices 11 and two of the axis
devices 3
are each configured as linear displacement devices 10, in this exemplary
embodiment
example as a stroke displacement axis device 14.
The two pivotal displacement axis devices 11 and one of the stroke
displacement axis
devices 14 are identical in design to those in the conveying system 1 in the
preceding
figures; therefore, reference is made to the corresponding description.
The present conveying system 1 has been supplemented with a further stroke
displacement axis device 14, wherein said further stroke displacement axis
device 14, is
arranged mirror-inverted and/or symmetrically in relation to the existing
stroke
displacement axis device 14. The two stroke displacement axis devices 14 use
the
same return volume during the return operation when the component receiving
portions
6 are in the avoidance state; thus, said stroke displacement axis devices have
a
predetermined sequence. The component receiving portions 6 of the pivotal
displacement axis devices 11 can be inserted randomly in the conveying system
1 in
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-26
- 26 -
Figures 7a, b and c, and the sequence for the component receiving portions 6
of the
stroke displacement axis devices 14 cannot be changed.
Figure 8 shows a possible design of the conveying system 1 with the four axis
devices
from Figures 7a, b and c. In addition to the components in the preceding
figures, the
component station 2 and a frame 17 can now be seen, to which the respective
linear
shaft apparatuses 4 and/or the guides 16 are fixed. In addition, the supply
apparatuses
15, configured as drag chains, are shown, which are arranged in parallel with
one
another. As with the embodiment in Figure 6, instead of the two stroke
displacement
axis devices 14, two linear displacement axis devices 10, such as those shown
in
Figure 3b, can be integrated, for example.
Shown downwardly offset is the frame 17, which has two side regions and a
central
connecting portion for the arrangement of the axis devices 3. On the left
side, one of the
pivotal displacement axis devices 11 is shown; it can be seen that the
component
receiving portion 6 is pivoted about the pivot axis 13 on a holder 18, wherein
it is
possible to place a support 20 diagonally between the holder 18 and the
component
receiving portion 6. The support 20 can be integrated but is alternatively
implemented
as an articulated joint. The holder 18 can be cantilevered to integrate the
feed
apparatus 5 and/or provide space for the reinforcement 20. On the right side,
the
component receiving portion 6 of the stroke displacement axis device 14 is
shown,
which is configured as an L-shaped component. The component receiving portion
6 can
be moved vertically by the feed apparatus 5 (not shown) via a stroke guide
rail 19. The
axis devices 3 in Figure 6 can be configured in the same way.
Figures 9a and b illustrate a further variant of pivotal displacement axis
devices 11.
Figure 9a shows an exemplary embodiment of the conveying system 1 with two
pivotal
displacement axis devices 11 and two stroke displacement axis devices 14. The
stroke
displacement axis devices 14 are configured as previously described. In
contrast with
the preceding exemplary embodiments, the pivotal displacement axis devices 11
are
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-26
- 27 -
each configured as a stroke/pivotal displacement axis device, wherein the
component
receiving portions 6 are not only pivoted but additionally are displaced in a
linear
direction in order to be able to retract said component receiving portions in
the
avoidance state.
The advantage of this design can be seen in Figure 9b, in which a total of six
pivotal
displacement axis devices 11 are shown, each of which is configured as a
strike/pivotal
displacement axis device. The component receiving portions 6 have different
widths in
relation to a direction transverse to the main transport direction,
specifically in the
transport position, wherein the component receiving portions 6 arranged
further
outwards is wider than the component receiving portions 6 arranged further
inwards.
The pivotal displacement axis devices 11 are arranged on both sides in a clamp-
like
manner around the station path S and/or the stroke displacement axis devices
14.
During the transfer from the avoidance state to the transport position, the
respective
component receiving portions 6 are first moved linearly and are then folded
about the
pivot region 12 or the pivot axis 13. This transfer can also be a combined
and/or
superimposed pivoting/linear movement. In a cost-effective embodiment, this
combined
movement can be carried out with an actuator. The combined movement can be
used
with the pivotal displacement device 11, the linear displacement device 10
and/or the
stroke displacement device 14. During the transfer from the transport position
to the
avoidance state, respective component receiving portions 6 are folded back and
are
then moved linearly so as to be arranged flush or below flush with the
transport position.
This makes it possible for the externally arranged stroke/pivotal displacement
axis
devices to also bring the respective component receiving portions 6 into the
transport
position. The stroke directions of the pivotal displacement axis devices 11
are oriented
in parallel with one another and/or in the same direction as the process
direction P.
Figure 10a shows a conveying system 1 which, as in the previous figures, has
two
central stroke displacement axis devices 14 and, in addition, two pivotal
displacement
axis devices 11, which are configured as stroke/pivotal displacement axis
devices. The
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-26
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stroke/pivotal displacement axis devices are arranged on both sides of the
stroke
displacement axis devices 14. However, the linear movement and/or the stroke
movement of the stroke/pivotal displacement axis devices are oriented at an
angle to
the process direction P and/or inversely oriented in relation to one another
in a V-shape.
In order to save installation space, the component receiving portions 6 can be
moved in
such a way that, in the axial plan view shown, the pivot regions 12 are each
arranged
congruently with the position of the component receiving portion 6 of the
stroke
displacement axis device 14 in the transport position.
Figure 10b shows a conveying system 1 which, as in the conveying system 1 in
Figure
10a, is provided with two central stroke displacement axis devices 14. Instead
of only
two pivotal displacement axis devices 11, however, eight pivotal displacement
axis
devices 11 are provided in Figure 10b, each of which is configured as a
stroke/pivotal
displacement axis device, and wherein four of these axis devices 3 are
arranged on
each side of the central stroke displacement axis device 14. On each side, the
stroke/pivotal displacement axis devices each have a different set angle.
However, the
component receiving portions 6 are all as wide as one another. It is provided
for the
pivot region 12 or the pivot axis 13 to be able to be set to the same position
on each
side by the stroke movement and/or linear movement.
Optionally, in addition, the conveying systems 1 in Figures 9a and b and 10a
and b can
have further linear displacement axis devices 10 as shown in Figures 3a to d.
In the case of the conveying systems 1 shown in the drawings, the component
receiving
portions 6 of at least two axis devices 3 can always be arranged and/or
arrangeable
laterally offset from one another. This allows the component receiving
portions 6 to
move past one another and/or past other component receiving portions 6 and/or
past
the station path S without colliding in the avoidance state. In particular,
the respective
carriage assemblies 7 use different return volumes in the region of the
station path S,
wherein the return volumes of the two laterally spaced axis devices 3 are
arranged
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-26
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spaced apart from one another and/or so as not to overlap. The axis devices 3
that use
a dedicated return volume through which no other component receiving portion 6
passes can randomly arrange their respective component receiving portions 6
for the
station path S.
In the conveying systems 1 shown in the drawings, at least two linear
displacement axis
devices 10 can be provided or can be additionally integrated. One of the
linear
displacement axis devices 10 can be configured as a stroke displacement axis
device
14. The linear displacement axis devices 10 move the component receiving
portion 6 in
a linear and/or straight-lined spatial direction R. The spatial direction A
defines a
projection direction R'. In the conveying systems shown, the projection
directions R' are
different for at least two linear displacement axis devices 10. "Different"
can be mean an
angular offset or even an antiparallel arrangement. There can be an
intermediate angle
not equal to 00, 90 or 180 between the projection directions. In particular,
the
intermediate angle can be selected as desired. The angle can be, for example,
an
obtuse or acute intermediate angle.
In the conveying systems 1 shown, at least one of the axis devices 3 can be
configured
as the pivotal displacement axis device 11. For example, the component
receiving
portion 6 is configured as an extension arm. As shown in the drawings, the
component
receiving portion 6 can be folded from the transport position to the avoidance
state, i.e.,
pivoted in the direction of the linear displacement axis device 10.
Alternatively, the
component receiving portion 6 can also be unfolded in the reverse direction.
Figure 11 is a schematic plan view of a conveying system 1 from above as
another
exemplary embodiment of the invention. The conveying system 1 has four axis
devices
3,wherein two of the axis devices 3 are configured as stroke displacement axis
devices
14, as previously described.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-26
- 30 -
The remaining two axis devices 3 are configured as linear pivotal axis devices
21,
wherein said linear pivotal axis devices 21 are implemented both as linear
displacement
axis devices 10 and as pivotal displacement axis devices 11. In the case of
the linear
pivotal axis devices 21, each component receiving portion 6 is pivoted by the
feed
apparatus 5 in the carriage assembly 7. The pivoting is coplanar and/or in a
common
plane as occupied by the component receiving portion 6 in the transport
position. By the
pivoting, the component receiving portion 6 is displaced in parallel in the
common plane
such that, by means of the two linear pivotal axis devices 21, the component
receiving
portions 6 each define a projection direction in the projection plane
perpendicular to the
main transport direction, said projection directions being different and being
oriented in
opposite directions in the present case. Thus, the linear pivotal axis devices
21 can be
configured as linear displacement axis devices 10. At the same time, the
linear pivotal
axis devices 21 can be referred to as pivotal displacement axis devices 11
since the
component receiving portions 6 are pivoted about a further pivot region, said
further
pivot region being oriented perpendicular to the aforementioned common plane.
When
moving down the station path S in the main transport direction H, the
component
receiving portions 6 are in an extended pivoted state and thus in the
transport position;
in the reverse direction, the component receiving portions 6 are in a
retracted pivoted
state and thus in the avoidance state.
The pivotal displacement axis devices 11 can be integrated in any of the
conveying
systems 1 in the preceding figures.
Thus, the conveying systems 1 in particular allow components, in particular
materials, to
be positioned and transported relative to a process unit in the component
station 2, in
particular during continuous transport, e.g. for:
- printing on surfaces of components
- measuring surfaces of components
- digitizing surface structures, colors and properties of components
- other processing, treatment or analysis of component surfaces
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-26
-31-
- processing materials in a continuous or cyclic mode of operation.
The underlying function can be summarized as follows:
- Circulating movement of the component holders or component receiving
portions
6, although they are optionally provided with a cable drag chain as a supply
apparatus
15;
- Continuous material movement under the process head (discharge side
comparable to continuously running conveyor belt) or in component station 1;
- Extension of the process head and/or the component station 2 over a
larger area,
different working zones that have to cover one and the same area on the
component
and must be locally adjusted to one another
- Highly precise guidance of the component receiving portions 6 in the
direction
transverse to the conveying movement or main transport direction;
- Highly uniform movement possible in the region of the process unit or
component
station 2;
- High conveying speed of more than 1.5 m/s (example: 0.5 second process
time
for a component length of 0.5 m, 2 second process time for a component length
of 2 m)
possible;
- Scalable in terms of the speed and formats of the component;
- Being able to record the surface of the component in such a way that a
defined
position can be reached (either known or "frozen" so that it is possible to
take a
preliminary measurement of the position and orientation as well as possible
deformation
effects);
- Rigid connection to the process unit or component station 2 to enable
highly
reproducible relative positioning of the component and process unit or
component
station 2.
- details of the essential requirements:
- Preferably, components, in particular materials, have to be precisely
positioned
relative to the process unit or component station 2. A particular requirement
is that the
components are moved along under the process unit or component station 2 at a
constant speed, meaning that highly uniform movement is required both
transverse to
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-26
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the conveying direction and longitudinally with respect to the conveying
direction. The
process may require that the component can be moved with a max. permissible
dynamic deviation in the range of approx. 5 pm/13 ms.
- The costs of the process unit or component station 2 can be very high,
meaning
that maximum utilization of the process unit or component station 2 (ideally
without
interruptions) is the first optimization goal both in terms of process
stability and the
competitiveness of the system.
- The components to be processed are preferably mostly elongate since the
process unit or component station 2 should be configured to be as narrow as
possible in
the interest of investment costs.
The process unit or component station 2 can reach a length of more than 2 m in
order to
cover the entire width of the component in a staggered manner so that
processing is
possible in a single pass.
- The components to be processed can be fixed on the material transport
unit, in
particular to the component receiving portion 6, in order to shape the
components or to
fix the current shape so that preventive measurement is possible.
In particular, the conveying system 1 is configured as an embodiment of a
shuttle
system that makes it possible to work with more than two shuttle units as
component
holders 8, meaning that the low process time can be reduced.
Possible variant: Supplementing the two shuttles rotating around one another
in the
case of the stroke displacement axis device 14 with shuttles that can be
inserted from
the side (two shuttles rotate vertically around one another, one or two
shuttles rotate
horizontally around the vertical shuttles)
Possible variant: Supplementing the preceding variants with shuttles which are
arranged at spatial angles and make it possible to place a plurality of the
rotating loops
one inside the other on one side (push into the process path, pass through for
processing, move out of the process path, and move back to a "free" return
path)
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-26
- 33 -
Possible variant: System configuration equipped with additional fold-away
shuttles or
equipped entirely with fold-away shuttles, configured as pivotal displacement
axis
devices 11, so that the shuttles can start their return journey folded away.
In terms of
precision, this has the decisive advantage that the installation space is
minimized and
the force flow to the process unit or component station 2 can be shortened,
thus
significantly increasing the properties of the system in terms of precision
and
reproducibility.
- Due to the ability of the shuttle to be operated with a cable drag chain
as a supply
apparatus 15, the design makes it possible in principle to add any additional
follow-
along sensors or actuator units, e.g. grippers, sensors and an axis system for
degrees
of freedom in component orientation.
- Due to the increased number of shuttles, it is possible to gain time for
loading
and unloading the shuttles without the process unit or component station 2
having to
wait for this process (the more shuttles, the faster it is possible to pass
through the
process unit or component station 2)
Optionally or in a preferred embodiment, the invention may be set out as
follows:
- A shuttle system as a conveying system 1 having more than two shuttles,
in
which
- all shuttles can pass through under a shared process unit or component
station 2
- the shuttles are permanently connected to the frame (e.g. via a cable
drag chain,
guide rail)
- the movement of the shuttles is guided transversely to the conveying
direction by
a guide rail with a high degree of precision
- the shuttles can move through the process unit at a constant speed or
alternatively be positioned in the process unit in a cyclic manner
- the shuttles move sequentially through the process unit (there are only
minimal
gaps between the shuttles) ¨ the order is mostly fixed but can be changed if
necessary
- a loading and unloading interface is provided for loading the shuttles in
the
machine at one or two distributed locations.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-26
- 34 -
List of reference signs
1 Conveying system
2 Component station
3 Axis device
4 Linear shaft apparatus
5 Feed apparatus
6 Component receiving portion
7 Carriage assembly
8 Component holder
9 Component
10 Linear displacement axis device
11 Pivotal displacement axis device
12 Pivot region
13 Pivot axis
14 Stroke displacement axis device
15 Supply apparatus
16 Guide for the carriage assembly
17 Frame
18 Holder
19 Stroke guide rail
20 Support
21 Linear pivotal axis device
H Main transport direction
G Reverse direction
B Loading station
E Unloading station
S Station path
P Process direction
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-26
- 35 -
PE Projection plane
R Spatial direction
R' Projection direction
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-09-26
