ITTO950186A1

ITTO950186A1 - TRANSPORT SYSTEM OF TROLLEYS ALONG A SLIDING TRACK AND MEANS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SYSTEM.

Info

Publication number: ITTO950186A1
Application number: IT95TO000186A
Authority: IT
Inventors: Alessandro Solimano
Original assignee: Alessandro Solimano
Priority date: 1995-03-14
Filing date: 1995-03-14
Publication date: 1996-09-14
Also published as: ITTO950186A0; IT1278989B1

Abstract

Sistema di trasporto di carrelli lungo una pista di scorrimento, in cui, secondo la presente invenzione, almeno un organo flessibile portante (12), ad esempio a fune, è guidato ed è fatto scorrere lungo dei rispettivi mezzi di sostegno e guida (11.1, 11.2, 11.3), ad esempio a forma di rotaia a gola, formanti almeno un tratto di detta pista, lungo cui detto almeno un organo flessibile portante presenta una sua parte superiormente esposta. ed in cui almeno un carrello (14, 14', 14'') è appoggiato a gravità su detta parte superiormente esposta di detto almeno un organo flessibile portante (12) tramite almeno un suo rullo folle (14.1, 14.1', 14.1"), in guisa da essere trasportato mediante detto almeno un organo flessibile (12) rispetto a detti mezzi di sostegno e guida (11.1. 11.2, 11.3), mentre detto almeno un suo rullo folle (14.1, 14.1', 14.1") è fermo.Carriage transport system along a sliding track, wherein, according to the present invention, at least one flexible supporting member (12), for example rope, is guided and is made to slide along the respective support and guide means (11.1, 11.2, 11.3), for example in the form of a groove rail, forming at least a portion of said track, along which said at least one flexible supporting member has a part of it which is exposed above. and wherein at least one trolley (14, 14 ', 14' ') is supported by gravity on said top exposed part of said at least one flexible supporting member (12) by means of at least one idle roller thereof (14.1, 14.1', 14.1 ") , so as to be transported by means of said at least one flexible member (12) with respect to said support and guide means (11.1. 11.2, 11.3), while said at least one idle roller thereof (14.1, 14.1 ', 14.1 ") is stationary.

Description

DESCRIZIONE dell'invenzione industriale dal titolo: DESCRIPTION of the industrial invention entitled:

"SISTEMA DI TRASPORTO DI CARRELLI LUNGO UNA PISTA DI SCORRI-MENTO E MEZZI PER L'ATTUAZIONE DEL SISTEMA" "TRANSPORT SYSTEM OF TROLLEYS ALONG A SLIDING TRACK AND MEANS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SYSTEM"

TESTO DELLA DESCRIZIONE TEXT OF THE DESCRIPTION

La presente invenzione concerne un sistema di trasporto di carrelli lungo una pista di scorrimento. L'invenzione concerne, altresì, i mezzi per l'attuazione del suddetto sistema. Con il termine "pista" si intende qui designare un percorso prestabilito per lo scorrimento di carrelli, definito da un sopporto materiale, quale una guida, ed il quale può essere anche di tipo aereo, ad esempio, con carrelli sospesi. The present invention relates to a system for transporting trolleys along a sliding track. The invention also concerns the means for implementing the aforesaid system. The term "runway" here is intended to designate a predetermined path for the sliding of trolleys, defined by a material support, such as a guide, and which can also be of the overhead type, for example, with suspended trolleys.

Scopo principale della presente invenzione è quello di provvedere un sistema di trasporto di carrelli lungo una pista di scorrimento, che sia semplice e sicuro e che consenta, inoltre, quando desiderato, di arrestare un primo carrello in una zona, scelta a piacere, della pista medesima, permettendo ad un secondo carrello, che segue, di avanzare sino al primo carrello, fermo, accatastandosi contro lo stesso, e analogamente per un terzo carrello successivo al secondo, e così di seguito, in modo da rendere possibili accumuli programmati di carrelli lungo la pista per fini diversi (ad esempio, per stoccaggi di materiali, attese per cambio di percorso, stagionature, essiccamenti di prodotti, e simili). The main object of the present invention is to provide a system for transporting trolleys along a sliding track, which is simple and safe and which also allows, when desired, to stop a first trolley in an area, chosen as desired, of the track. itself, allowing a second trolley, which follows, to advance up to the first trolley, stationary, stacking against it, and similarly for a third trolley following the second, and so on, so as to make possible programmed accumulations of trolleys along the runway for different purposes (for example, for storing materials, waiting for a change of route, seasoning, drying of products, and the like).

Un altro scopo della presente invenzione è quello di provvedere dei mezzi per l'attuazione del sistema sopra specificato, che siano strutturalmente semplici, di sicuro ed affidabile funzionamento e di ridotto dispendio tecnico-economico. In vista di tali scopi, la presente invenzione provvede un sistema di trasporto di carrelli lungo una pista di scorrimento, la cui caratteristica essenziale forma oggetto della rivendicazione principale, che si intende qui integralmente riportata. Another object of the present invention is to provide means for implementing the system specified above, which are structurally simple, safe and reliable in operation and of reduced technical-economic expenditure. In view of these purposes, the present invention provides a system for transporting carriages along a sliding track, the essential characteristic of which forms the subject of the main claim, which is intended to be fully reported here.

La caratteristica principale dei mezzi per l'attuazione del suddetto sistema forma oggetto della rivendicazione 5, che si intende anch'essa qui riportata integralmente. The main characteristic of the means for implementing the aforesaid system forms the subject of claim 5, which is also intended as reported in its entirety.

Ulteriori caratteristiche vantaggiose risultano nelle rivendicazioni subordinate, che pure si intendono qui integralmente riportate. Further advantageous characteristics result in the subordinate claims, which are also intended as fully reported here.

La presente invenzione viene dettagliatamente descritta in quanto segue, con riferimento ai disegni allegati, forniti a solo titolo di esempio non limitativo, in cui: The present invention is described in detail in what follows, with reference to the attached drawings, provided by way of non-limiting example only, in which:

- la fig. 1 è una vista in elevazione di una forma esemplificativa di attuazione del sistema di trasporto di carrelli lungo una pista di scorrimento, secondo la presente invenzione; - fig. 1 is an elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the system for transporting carriages along a sliding track, according to the present invention;

- le figure 2 e 3 sono delle viste in sezione, a scala maggiore, rispettivamente secondo la linea II-II e la linea III-III di fig. 1; - figures 2 and 3 are sectional views, on a larger scale, respectively according to line II-II and line III-III of fig. 1;

- la fig· 4 è una vista prospettica, schematica, illustrante il principio di funzionamento del sistema secondo l'invenzione, per l’accumulo programmato di più carrelli lungo la pista di scorrimento; - fig 4 is a perspective view, schematic, illustrating the operating principle of the system according to the invention, for the programmed accumulation of several trolleys along the sliding track;

- la fig. 5 è una vista di dettaglio, in elevazione ed a scala maggiore, di un particolare di fig. 4 (con parti omesse per semplificazione illustrativa). - fig. 5 is a detail view, in elevation and on a larger scale, of a detail of fig. 4 (with parts omitted for illustrative simplification).

Con riferimento, anzitutto, alle figure da 1 a 3, con 10 (fig. 1) è indicato nel suo insieme il sistema di trasporto di carrelli lungo una pista di scorrimento, secondo una forma esemplificativa di attuazione della presente invenzione. With reference, first of all, to Figures 1 to 3, the number 10 (Figure 1) indicates as a whole the system for transporting trolleys along a sliding track, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Detto sistema 10 comprende, essenzialmente: Said system 10 essentially comprises:

- Una pista aerea 11 di tipo lineare rettilineo ed includente: - An overhead runway 11 of straight linear type and including:

. una parte strutturale di sostegno 11.1, ad esempio, a guisa di trave metallica sospesa orizzontalmente, su cui è fissata una corrispondente guida rettilinea 11.2, pure metallica e presentante una scanalatura o gola longitudinale continua 11.3, a guisa di rotaia rettilinea a gola; . a structural supporting part 11.1, for example, in the form of a horizontally suspended metal beam, on which a corresponding rectilinear guide 11.2 is fixed, also metallic and having a continuous longitudinal groove or groove 11.3, in the form of a rectilinear rail with groove;

. una testata anteriore 11.4, formata da un corpo scatolare fisso rispetto ad una estremità di detta parte strutturale di sostegno 11.1 e racchiudente una puleggia motrice 11.5 calettata su un corrispondente albero motore 11.6, proteso esterriamente alla testata per il collegamento di un motore di trascinamento, ad esempio elettrico, non illustrato in dette figure da 1 a 3; . a front head 11.4, formed by a box-like body fixed with respect to one end of said supporting structural part 11.1 and enclosing a driving pulley 11.5 keyed onto a corresponding motor shaft 11.6, extending outwardly to the head for the connection of a driving motor, to electrical example, not illustrated in said figures 1 to 3;

. una testata posteriore o terminale di rinvio 11.7, formata da un corpo scatolare fisso rispetta all'altra estremità di detta parte strutturale di sostegno 11.1 e racchiudente una puleggia folle di rinvia 11.8. . a rear head or transmission terminal 11.7, formed by a fixed box-like body respects the other end of said supporting structural part 11.1 and enclosing an idle transmission pulley 11.8.

1 mezzi di sospensione della parte strutturale di sostegno 11.1 non sono rappresentati, per semplificazione illustrativa. The suspension means of the supporting structural part 11.1 are not shown, for illustrative simplification.

- Un organo flessibile portante 1Z , secondo l'esempio a fune, avvolto ad anello chiuso su dette pulegge 11.5 e 11.8, attorno alle quali è fatto circolare mediante detti mezzi a motore, ed un cui ramo è guidato in detta gola longitudinale 11.3 della guida rettilinea 11.2, in guisa da essere superiormente esposto. Una pluralità di pulegge 13, tendifune, sopportate folli rispetto alla parte strutturale di sostegno 11.1, deviano secondo un andamento sinuoso l'altro ramo dell''organo flessibile 12. - A flexible bearing member 1Z, according to the cable example, wound in a closed loop on said pulleys 11.5 and 11.8, around which it is made to circulate by means of said motor means, and a branch of which is guided in said longitudinal groove 11.3 of the guide straight line 11.2, so as to be exposed above. A plurality of pulleys 13, cable tensioners, idly supported with respect to the supporting structural part 11.1, deviate in a sinuous way the other branch of the flexible member 12.

- Almeno un carrello 14, provvisto secondo l'esempio -di una coppia di rulli folli di appoggio 14.1, i cui assi sono contenuti in rispettivi piani trasversali rispetto a detta guida rettilinea 11.2,e che sono tra loro allineati secondo un piano verticale longitudinale, parallelo alla guida 11.2 stessa. Detti rulli folli 14.1 sono provvisti ciascuno di una gola circonferenziale esterna 14.2 ed appoggiano fermi, a gravità, in corrispondenza di detta loro gola, sul ramo superiormente esposto'di detto organo funicolare 12. Secondo l'esempio illustrato, detto carrello 14 è sospeso rispetto a detta pista aerea 11, mediante rispettivi bracci verticali di sospensione 14.3, sopportanti ciascuno alla sommità un rispettivo rullo folle 14.1. - At least one carriage 14, provided according to the example - with a pair of idle support rollers 14.1, the axes of which are contained in respective transverse planes with respect to said rectilinear guide 11.2, and which are aligned with each other according to a longitudinal vertical plane, parallel to the guide 11.2 itself. Said idle rollers 14.1 are each provided with an external circumferential groove 14.2 and rest firmly, by gravity, in correspondence with said groove, on the upper exposed branch of said funicular member 12. According to the illustrated example, said trolley 14 is suspended with respect to to said overhead track 11, by means of respective vertical suspension arms 14.3, each supporting at the top a respective idle roller 14.1.

Funzionamento: Operation:

Quando il motore di trascinamento comanda in rotazione l'albero motore 11.6 e quindi la puleggia motrice 11.5, l'organo funicolare 12 è fatto circolare con continuità attorno alla puleggia 11.5 stessa ed alla puleggia,di rinvio 11.8. Detto organo funicolare 12, pertanto, scorre con il suo ramo superiormente esposto, e su cui poggia — tramite i rulli 14.1 — detto carrello 14, lungo la gola 11.3 di detta guida rettilinea 11.2, ad esempio secondo la direzione indicata dalla freccia F in fig. 1. I rulli folli 14.1 del carrello 14 — che sono in contatto solo con l'organo funicolare 12 — sono fermi ed il carrello 14 stesso è fatto scorrere solidalmente con l’organo funicolare 12 rispetto alla guida rettilinea 12, in guisa da essere trasportato, ad esempio con un carico C sospeso, dal terminale posteriore di rinvio 11.7 verso la testata anteriore 11.4. When the drive motor rotates the drive shaft 11.6 and therefore the drive pulley 11.5, the funicular member 12 is made to circulate continuously around the pulley 11.5 itself and the transmission pulley 11.8. Said funicular member 12, therefore, slides with its branch exposed above, and on which it rests - through the rollers 14.1 - said carriage 14, along the groove 11.3 of said rectilinear guide 11.2, for example according to the direction indicated by the arrow F in fig. . 1. The idle rollers 14.1 of the trolley 14 - which are in contact only with the funicular member 12 - are stationary and the trolley 14 itself is made to slide integrally with the funicular member 12 with respect to the rectilinear guide 12, in order to be transported , for example with a suspended load C, from the rear transmission terminal 11.7 towards the front head 11.4.

Con riferimento ora anche alle figure 4 e 5, in cui sono illustrati due carrelli, rispettivamente 14' e 14", sospesi in successione e trasportati rispetto alla sopra descritta pista 11 e di cui il carrello 14' precede il carrello 14", secondo il verso di avanzamento lungo detta pista indicato dalla freccia FI nelle dette figure 4 e 5, si noterà che dei mezzi A di arresto per impatto sono disposti lungo detta pista 11 per arrestare il carrello anteriore 14', quando esso — durante il suo spostamento verso la testata anteriore 11.4 — urta contro i mezzi di arresto stessi. Nella condizione stazionaria del carrello anteriore 14', fermo contro i mezzi di arresto A — come illustrato in dette figure 4 e 5 — , poiché l'organo funicolare 12 è trascinato in circolazione continua, i rulli folli 14.1' del carrello 14' stesso sono condotti in rotazione per attrito contro detto organo funicolare, senza opporsi alla sua circolazione. Tale fatto è evidenziato mediante frecce nella parte sinistra di fig. 5. L'altro carrello 14" continua, frattanto, ad essere trascinato mediante l'organo funicolare 12 (come illustrato in dette figure), avanzando verso il carrello anteriore 14', ora stazionario, sino ad urtare e ad accatastarsi contro lo stesso, arrestandosi anch'esso. Anche nella condizione stazionaria del carrello posteriore 14", fermo contro il carrello 14', i rulli folli 14.1" del carrello 14" stesso ruotano per attrito contro l'organo funicolare 12, senza opporsi alla sua libera circolazione. Altri carrelli (non illustrati), eventualmente susseguenti al carrello 14", si possono cosi accatastare in sequenza lungo la pista 11 dietro al carrello 14" stesso. With reference now also to figures 4 and 5, in which two carriages 14 'and 14 "respectively, suspended in succession and transported with respect to the above-described track 11 and of which the carriage 14' precedes the carriage 14", are illustrated, according to direction of advancement along said track indicated by the arrow F1 in said figures 4 and 5, it will be noted that impact arresting means A are arranged along said track 11 to stop the front carriage 14 ', when it - during its movement towards the front head 11.4 - collides with the stopping means themselves. In the stationary condition of the front carriage 14 ', stopped against the stop means A - as illustrated in said figures 4 and 5 -, since the funicular member 12 is driven in continuous circulation, the idle rollers 14.1' of the carriage 14 'itself are ducts in rotation by friction against said funicular organ, without opposing its circulation. This fact is highlighted by arrows on the left side of fig. 5. Meanwhile, the other trolley 14 "continues to be dragged by means of the funicular member 12 (as illustrated in said figures), advancing towards the front trolley 14 ', now stationary, until it collides and piles up against it, Even in the stationary condition of the rear carriage 14 ", stopped against the carriage 14 ', the idle rollers 14.1" of the carriage 14 "itself rotate by friction against the funicular member 12, without opposing its free movement. Other trolleys (not shown), possibly following the trolley 14 ", can thus be stacked in sequence along the track 11 behind the trolley 14" itself.

Mediante la suddetta disposizione è pertanto possibile provvedere lungo la pista di scorrimento 11, tramite i mezzi di arresto A, una stazione di accumulo sequenziale dei carrelli 14', 14" (ed eventuali altri susseguenti), e ciò in modo semplice e sicuro. La disposizione dei mezzi di arresto A lungo la pista 11 può essere scelta a piacere. By means of the aforesaid arrangement it is therefore possible to provide along the sliding track 11, by means of the stop means A, a sequential accumulation station for the carriages 14 ', 14 "(and any other subsequent ones), and this in a simple and safe way. arrangement of the stop means A along the track 11 can be chosen at will.

Come risulta da quanto precede, la presente invenzione provvede un sistema e dei corrispondenti mezzi di trasporto di carrelli lungo una pista di scorrimento, di attuazione agevole e sicura, strutturalmente semplici, efficaci e poco dispendiosi, e mediante i quali è possibile realizzare, lungo detta pista, degli accumuli programmati di carrelli, per fini disparati. As it appears from the foregoing, the present invention provides a system and corresponding means for transporting trolleys along a sliding track, which are easy and safe to actuate, structurally simple, effective and inexpensive, and by means of which it is possible to realize, along said track, of the programmed accumulations of trolleys, for various purposes.

Naturalmente, numerose varianti potranno, in pratica, essere apportate rispetto a quanto descritto ed illustrato a solo titolo di esempio non limitativo, senza per questo uscire dall'ambito dell'invenzione e quindi dal dominio della presente privativa industriale. Naturally, numerous variations may, in practice, be made with respect to what has been described and illustrated by way of non-limiting example only, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention and therefore from the domain of the present industrial property.

Così, ad esempio, la pista di scorrimento può essere di tipo non sospeso e presentare struttura e conformazione diverse da quelle sopra illustrate e descritte. Thus, for example, the sliding track can be of the unsuspended type and have a structure and conformation different from those illustrated and described above.

L'organo flessibile portante può anche essere di tipo a cinghia ο catena. Esso pub anche essere lineare, non continuo. The supporting flexible member can also be of the belt or chain type. It can also be linear, not continuous.

D’altra parte, ciascun carrello può pure comprendere un solo rullo folle, oppure più di due rulli folli, mediante cui appoggia sull'organo flessibile portante. On the other hand, each carriage can also comprise a single idle roller, or more than two idle rollers, by means of which it rests on the flexible bearing member.

Inoltre, possono essere provvisti dei mezzi di arresto agenti non per impatto, ma ad esempio per attrazione magnetica. Pertanto, secondo un'altra forma di attuazione della presente invenzione, in una pista di scorrimento sono, ad esempio, provviste due guide rettilinee parallele, in cui scorrono rispettivi rami paralleli e superiormente esposti di due organi flessibili portanti, circolanti con continuità ed in sincronia tra loro. Almeno un carrello a due assi, con due rulli folli per ciascun asse, è appoggiato e trasportato lungo detta pista, solidalmente con detti organi flessibili portanti, tramite detti rulli folli poggianti fermi sugli organi stessi. Eventuali mezzi magnetici di arresto, disposti lungo detta pista, definiscono una stazione di accumulo, in cui detto almeno un carrello viene arrestato e staziona, mentre i suoi rulli folli ruotano per attrito contro detti organi flessibili, circolanti con continuità. Furthermore, stopping means can be provided which act not by impact, but for example by magnetic attraction. Therefore, according to another embodiment of the present invention, in a sliding track there are, for example, two parallel rectilinear guides, in which respective parallel and upper exposed branches slide of two flexible bearing members, circulating continuously and in synchrony between them. At least one trolley with two axes, with two idle rollers for each axis, is supported and transported along said track, integrally with said flexible bearing members, by means of said idle rollers resting firmly on said members. Any magnetic stopping means, arranged along said track, define an accumulation station, in which said at least one trolley is stopped and stationed, while its idle rollers rotate by friction against said flexible members, continuously circulating.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. System for transporting trolleys along a sliding track, characterized in that at least one flexible bearing member (12), for example a cable, is guided and is made to slide along the respective support and guide means (11.1, 11.2 , 11.3), for example in the form of a groove rail, forming at least a section of said track, along which said at least one flexible bearing member has a part of it exposed at the top, and hence at least one carriage (14, 14 ', 14 ") is supported by gravity on said upper exposed part of said at least one flexible bearing member (12) through at least one of its idle rollers (14.1, 14.1 ', 14.1"), so as to be transported by said at least one flexible member (12) ) with respect to said support and guide means (11.1, 11.2, 11.3), while said at least one of its idle rollers (14.1, 14.1 ', 14.1 ") is stationary.

2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that stop means (A) of said at least one carriage (14, 14 ', 14 ") are arranged along said support and guide means (11.1, 11.2, 11.3) , so as to stop the trolley itself, while said at least one flexible bearing member (12) is made to slide with respect to said same support and guide means, making said at least one idle roller (14.1, 14.1 ', 14.1 ") of the trolley rotate stationary, by friction against said at least one flexible bearing member.

3. System according to claim 2, characterized in that along said at least one flexible bearing member (12) a plurality of trolleys (14 ', 14 ") are arranged in succession, each supported by gravity, on one of its upper exposed parts , by means of at least a respective idle roller (14.1 ', 14.1 "), so that - while said at least one flexible bearing member (12) is made to slide with respect to said support and guide means (11.1, 11.2, 11.3) -, after when a first carriage (14 ') is stopped by means of said stop means (A), each subsequent carriage (14 ") - according to the direction (FI) of advancement of the carriages with respect to said support and guide means - is carried, in sequence, to stop and pile up against the one that precedes it, thus providing along the sliding track (11), by means of said stop means (A), a sequential accumulation station of the trolleys (14 ', 14 ") transported.

System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one flexible bearing member (12) is continuous, for example it is shaped like a closed loop, and is made to slide continuously with respect to said support and guide means ( 11.1, 11.2, 11.3).

5. Means for carrying out the carriage transport system along a sliding track, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by this, which comprise at least one flexible bearing member (12), for example a cable, which is dragged, for example by motor means, guided and made to slide along respective support and guide means (11.1, 11.2, 11.3), for example in the shape of a groove rail, forming at least a section of said track, along which said at least a flexible bearing member has its upper part exposed, as well as at least one carriage (14, 14 ', 14 ") resting by gravity on said upper exposed part of said at least one flexible bearing member (12) through at least one of its idle roller (14.1 , 14.1 ', 14.1 "), so as to be transported by means of said at least one flexible member (12) with respect to said support and guide means (11.1, 11.2, 11.3), while said at least one idle roller thereof (.14.1, 14.1 ', 14.1 ") is stopped.

6. Means according to claim 5, characterized by this, which comprise stop means (A) for said at least one carriage (14, 14 ', 14 "), arranged along said support and guide means (11.1, 11.2, 11.3 ), so as to stop the trolley itself, while said at least one flexible bearing member (12) is made to slide with respect to said same support and guide means, making said at least one idle roller (14.1, 14.1 ', 14.1 ") of the carriage stationary, due to friction against said at least one flexible bearing member.

7. Means according to claim 6, characterized by this, which comprise a plurality of carriages (14 ', 14 ") arranged in succession along said at least one flexible bearing member (12), each supported by gravity, on a part thereof exposed above , by means of at least a respective idle roller (14.1 ', 14.1 "), so that - while said at least one flexible bearing member (12) is made to slide with respect to said support and guide means (11.1, 11.2, 11.3) -, after when a first carriage (14 ') is stopped by means of said stop means (A), each subsequent carriage (14 ") - according to the direction (FI) of advancement of the carriages with respect to said support and guide means - is carried, in sequence, to stop and pile up against the one that precedes it, thus providing along the sliding track (11), by means of said stop means (A), a sequential accumulation station of the trolleys (14 ', 14 ") transported.

8. Means according to one or more of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that said at least one flexible bearing member (12) is continuous, for example it is shaped like a closed loop, circulating around a plurality of pulleys (one of which motor 11.5 and another transmission 11.8), and is made to slide continuously with respect to said support and guide means (11.1, 11.2, 11.3). All substantially as described and illustrated and for the specified purposes.