EP2350389A2

EP2350389A2 - Device for transferring articles and conveyor system comprising said device

Info

Publication number: EP2350389A2
Application number: EP09818656A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jean-Marc Huguenin; Alexander SCHUBRA
Original assignee: Eisenmann SE
Current assignee: Eisenmann SE
Priority date: 2008-11-29
Filing date: 2009-11-27
Publication date: 2011-08-03
Also published as: RU2537220C2; WO2010060642A2; CN102227533A; RU2011126255A; US20110265680A1; WO2010060642A3; CN102227533B; DE102008059711A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for transferring a transport car (20) which can be displaced on a track system (12) from a first track section (14) of the track system (12) that is arranged on a first level, to a second track section (16) of the track system (12) that is arranged on a second level different from the first level. The device (34; 1034; 2034; 3034) comprises at least one first and one second transfer carriage (42; 1042; 2042; 3042; 60; 1060; 2060; 3060) which can carry at least one respective transport car (20) to be transferred and which can be displaced in opposite directions on two different levels. The invention further relates to a conveyor system for transporting articles, comprising said transfer device (34; 1034; 2034; 3034).

Description

Device for transferring objects and conveyor system with such a device

The invention relates to a device for converting a transportable on a rail system trolley from a first rail portion of the rail system, which is arranged at a first height level, to a second rail portion of the rail system, which is arranged at a second, different from the first height level height level. Such devices are necessary, for example, in electric monorails, in which there are different sections of the rail system, which are arranged at different height levels.

The invention also relates to a conveyor system for the transport of objects with

a) a rail system comprising a first rail section disposed at a first height level and a second rail section disposed at a second height level different from the first height level;

b) a plurality of drivable transport car, by means of which in each case at least one object on the rail system is movable;

c) a transfer device with which the trolley can be transferred from the first rail section to the second rail section.

The bridging of the height difference between rail sections of such a conveyor system can be done for example via inclined rail sections. The inclination However, more inclined rail sections relative to a horizontal plane may not be too large for a trolley can overcome a slope or slope section without difficulty. Accordingly, the length of such an inclined rail section in the transport direction is always dependent on the height difference to be overcome between the two rail sections of the rail system arranged at different height levels and the maximum possible inclination of an inclined section arranged therebetween.

In order to save this required space in the transport direction, sometimes devices of the type mentioned are used. Such devices known from the market comprise a transfer carriage, which can be moved between a height level associated with the lower rail section and a height level associated with the upper rail section of the rail system. In this case, the space required in the transport direction is the lowest when the transfer carriage is moved vertically.

If transfer is to take place, for example, from a lower rail section to an upper rail section of the rail system, the transfer carriage picks up a transport carriage from the lower rail section, moves to the upper rail section and releases the transport carriage there again. Thereafter, the now empty Umsetzschlitten is moved back to the lower rail section, where he receives another trolley, etc ..

However, the throughput of such a transfer device is limited. However, especially in electric monorail systems with a large number of transport vehicles, situations can arise in which a large number of transport vehicles can move from a lower rail section to an upper one within the shortest possible time Rail section, or vice versa, must be implemented.

In order to increase the maximum throughput when moving the trolley, usually two parallel transfer devices of the type mentioned above are used, wherein the rail sections are connected via a respective turnout with the now two transfer devices. However, this solution is relatively expensive, since two conversion devices and two switch systems are required, the latter additionally require appropriate control components.

The object of the invention is therefore to improve a device of the type mentioned in that their throughput is increased in a cost effective manner.

This object is achieved in a device of the type mentioned in that it comprises at least a first and a second Umsetzschlitten, each of which can carry at least one to be handed over trolley and in opposite directions between two height levels are movable.

Because the transfer device now comprises two transfer carriages which can be moved in opposite directions between two height levels, the throughput of the device can be doubled. For this purpose, the transfer carriages are arranged, for example, such that the one transfer carriage is located on a height level assigned to the upper rail section of the rail system when the second transfer carriage is located on a height level assigned to the lower rail section of the rail system. In this way, for example, at the bottom, a transport vehicle can drive onto the second transfer carriage, while at the top a transport vehicle already converted with the first transfer carriage can drive onto the upper rail section. Then while the second change - A -

Meanwhile, the first transfer carriage is moved down to the lower rail portion of the rail system, so that the positions of the two Umsetzschlitten are reversed. Then a trolley can drive out of the transfer device again at the top, while at the bottom a trolley moves into the transfer device and the transfer process can be carried out again without the transfer trolley located at the top first having to travel down again, as is the case with known trolleys Transfer devices is the case.

Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

It is particularly advantageous if the transfer carriages can each be moved along a vertical guide rail. In this way, the space required for the transfer device space is minimized in the transport direction.

In view of their opposite movement between the two height levels care must be taken that the two transfer carriages do not interfere with their travel, in particular that one of the transfer carriages does not collide with a trolley carried by the other transfer carriages. This is achieved in that at least one of the two Umsetzschlitten has a support means for the transport vehicle, which is mounted pivotably about a pivot axis. By this measure, it is possible lent that annoying components of a transfer carriage from the sphere of influence of the other, oncoming Umsetzschlittens or possibly carried by this trolley are pivoted out when the two Umsetzschlitten pass each other in opposite directions. It is particularly advantageous if the pivot axis is horizontal.

In this context, it may also be helpful if at least one of the two Umsetzschlitten is horizontally movable. Also, a collision of the oncoming Umsetzschlitten can be prevented.

This can e.g. be effected by the Umsetzschlitten are guided by a support structure which is horizontally movable. In this case, for example, the two transfer carriages are not movable relative to one another, but are moved horizontally together with the supporting structure guiding them.

For this purpose, it is advantageous if the support structure runs by means of rollers in a horizontal guide rail. In this way, a positively driven and accurate movement can be achieved.

In a modification, it is favorable if the vertical guide rails for the transfer carriages comprise an upper section, a middle section and a lower section, and drive means are provided by means of which the upper section and the lower section are horizontally movable. In this case, the Umsetzschlitten can be moved horizontally with the movable upper or lower portion, whereby a relative movement of the two Umsetzschlitten in the horizontal direction is possible.

It is advantageous if the drive means are arranged so that the Umsetzschlitten are independently movable horizontally. In this way, it is possible to respond to special situations when transferring the trolley. Maintenance can also be achieved in this way. be lighter.

It is particularly advantageous if the guide rails comprise a first middle section and a second middle section, which are spaced apart in the horizontal direction, wherein the upper section and the lower section of the vertical guide rails each between a respective first position, in which are cursed with the first central portion, and a respective second position, in which they are aligned with the second central portion, are movable. This means that not each of the two Umsetzschlitten a lower, a middle and an upper rail section is assigned. Rather, the transfer carriages share a single lower section and a single upper section.

The object of the invention is also to provide a conveyor system of the type mentioned, which takes into account the above idea.

This object is achieved by a conveyor system of the type mentioned in that

d) as a transfer device, a transfer device according to one of claims 1 to 10 is provided.

Particularly well and efficiently, a transfer device according to the invention can be used when the conveyor system is designed in the manner of an overhead monorail.

Embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. In these show:

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a partial section of a conveyor deranlage for the transport of objects, wherein schematically a device for converting a trolley between two at different height levels arranged rail sections is shown;

Figures 2 to 5 are each a view in the direction of transport of a first embodiment of the transfer device, wherein various stages of converting dolly from the lower rail section to the upper rail section of the rail system are shown;

FIG. 6 shows a view corresponding to FIGS. 2 to 5 of a second embodiment of the transfer device;

Figure 7 is a view corresponding to Figure 6 of a third embodiment of the transfer device;

Figure 8 is a view in the transport direction of a fourth embodiment of the transfer device;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the transfer device of FIG

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In FIG. 1, 10 designates a conveying system, designed in the manner of an overhead monorail conveyor, for transporting objects, of which a section is shown. The conveyor system 10 comprises a rail system 12 with a first support rail 14 and a second support rail 16, which extend at different height levels above the level of a bottom 18. The first support rail 14 is arranged at a first height level, which is below a second height level, on which the second support rail 16 is arranged.

The support rails 14 and 16 are designed in a conventional manner as I-profile and suspended in a conventional manner to a support structure not shown here.

The conveyor system 10 also comprises a plurality of transport cars 20, of which three transport vehicles 20a, 20b, 20c are shown in FIG. 1 and which can be moved on the carrier rails 14, 16. The transport direction, in which goods to be conveyed by means of the conveyor along the support rails 14, 16 is transported, is indicated by arrows 22.

Along the mounting rails 14, 16 do not run specially marked sliding lines, which serve the power supply of the trolley 20 and the signal transmission to these. Such sliding lines correspond to the prior art.

Each transport carriage 20 comprises a running gear 24 which surrounds the mounting rail 14 or 16 and which supports at least one support roller 26 which rolls on top of the mounting rails 14 or 16 (see FIGS. 2 to 7 and 9), which receives the load transported by the transport carriage 20. Each transport carriage 20 is driven by means of an electric motor, which is not specifically shown here, which is energized and driven in the usual way via the addressed conductor rails. The chassis 24 is protected by measures known per se against tilting and tilting against a vertical and a horizontal plane.

In order to be able to transport objects with the trolley 20, this comprises a transport hanger 28, which via a coupling member 30 with the chassis 24 of the trolley 20 is connected.

Between the on the lower support rail 14 and the upper support rail 16 is a in Figure 1 only schematically indicated transfer device 32, by means of which a coming from the lower support rail 14 Dolly 20 can be raised and transferred to the upper support rail 16. By means of the transfer device 32, the transport carriage 20 can overcome the difference in height between the lower support rail 14 and the upper support rail 16 without requiring a slope section of the rail system 12, which would have to have a relatively large extent in the transport direction 22 compared to the transfer device 32.

FIG. 2 shows a transfer station 34 as the first exemplary embodiment of the transfer device 32. This is formed portal-like and comprises a support frame 36 with a first vertical guide rail 38 and a second vertical guide rail 40. The vertical guide rails 38 and 40 extend in the transport direction 22 left or right next to the vertically superimposed support rails 14 and 16 predetermined vertical plane.

By the first vertical guide rail 38, a first Umsetzschlitten 42 is guided such that it is movable only in the direction indicated in Figure 2 by a double arrow 44 vertical directions. For this purpose, the first transfer carriage 42 comprises a carriage carriage 46, which supports guide rollers 48 cooperating with the first vertical guide rail 38 and which are each rotatable about a horizontal axis of rotation parallel to the transport direction 22. A jib 50 is articulated to the carriage running gear 46, which is pivotable via a joint 52 about a horizontal pivot axis 54, which runs parallel to the transport direction 22, between a carrying position and an idling position to be recognized in FIG. The joint 52 opposite the free end 56 of the arm 50 carries a rail piece 58, which has the same I-profile as the support rails 14 and 16. The dimensions of the boom 50 and the arrangement of the rail section 58 on this are tuned so that the rail section 58 is arranged in the predetermined by the support rails 14 and 16 vertical plane when the boom 50 of the first Umsetzschlittens 42 assumes its support position. In the idle position of the boom 50 this is pivoted about the pivot axis 54 upwards, so that the rail section 58 is located at a distance from the predetermined by the support rails 14 and 16 vertical plane. This will be discussed again below.

The transfer station 34 also comprises a second transfer carriage 60, which structurally largely corresponds to the first transfer carriage 42, for which reason components corresponding to those of the first transfer carriage 42 are identified by the same reference numerals in the second transfer carriage.

Also, the second transfer carriage 60 is guided with its guide rollers 48 via the second vertical guide rail 40 such that it is movable only in the vertical directions (see double arrow 44).

Notwithstanding the first Umsetzschlitten 42, the rail piece 58 is not attached directly to the free end 56 of the boom 50. Rather, the free end 56 of the slider 50 of the second transfer carriage 60 carries a bearing The rail 58 of the second transfer carriage 60 is supported from the same side as the rail 58 from the boom 50 of the first transfer carriage 42. Between the rail 58 of the second transfer carriage 60 and the free end 56 Thus, a distance remains from its extension 50, so that the chassis 24 of a transport carriage 20 can travel onto the rail section 58 of the second transfer carriage 60 and is likewise encompassed by the support structure 62 (cf. FIG. 5).

The extension arms 50 of the first and second transfer carriages 42, 60 comprise a support strut 64 which abuts against the respective carriage carriage 46 when the corresponding delivery arm 50 assumes its carrying position. As a result, in the transfer carriages 42 and 60, further pivoting of the boom 50 downwards is prevented when it has its carrying position.

The support frame 36 of the transfer station 34 comprises a ceiling cross member 66, which supports two deflection rollers 68 and 70, which are each rotatable about a horizontal axis of rotation which is parallel to the transport direction 22. Between the pulleys 68 and 70, a drivable by means of an electric motor 72 drive pinion 74 is arranged. The upwardly facing end faces 76 of the transfer carriages 42 and 60 are connected to one another via a chain 78 which runs on the deflection roller 68, the drive pinion 74 and the deflection roller 70. The deflection rollers 68 and 70 are positioned so that the chain 78 extends from the deflection roller 68 largely vertically downwards to the first transfer carriage 42 and from the deflection roller 70 substantially vertically downwards to the second transfer carriage 60.

In a modification, instead of the chain 78 also a Rope, a belt or the like in conjunction with adapted thereto, known per se drive means.

The drive pinion 74 can be rotated by means of the electric motor 72 selectively in a direction indicated by the arrow 80 first direction or in the direction indicated by an arrow 82 thereto opposite direction. When the drive pinion 74 is rotated in the direction of the arrow 80, the first transfer carriage 42 moves upward while the second transfer carriage 60 moves downward. If, however, the drive pinion 74 is rotated in the direction of the arrow 82, the first transfer carriage 42 moves downwards and the second transfer carriage 60 moves upwards. The first and second transfer carriages 42, 60 can be moved in opposite directions. This is effected in the present embodiment, characterized in that the first and the second Umsetzschlitten 42, 60 are coupled to each other via the chain 78.

The conversion station 34 described above now works as follows:

FIG. 2 shows the first transfer carriage 42 in its lowermost position, in which it is at a first height level. In this lowermost position of the first transfer carriage 42 whose rail piece 58 is aligned with the lower support rail 14 of the rail system 12th

By contrast, the second transfer carriage 60 assumes its uppermost position, in which it is at a second height level. In this uppermost position, the rail section 58 of the second transfer carriage 60 is aligned with the upper support rail 16 of the rail system 12.

The rolling on the lower support rail 14 Dolly 20a (see also Figure 1) now enters the transfer station 34, wherein he ascends on the rail section 58 of the first transfer carriage 42. In this position, the transport carriage 20a is fixed on the rail section 58 of the first transfer carriage 42 by means of a braking device not specifically shown here.

Now, the drive pinion 74 is moved by means of the electric motor 72 in the direction of the arrow 80, so that the first transfer dumping 42 moves with the trolley 20a up and the empty second transfer carriage 60 down. This is shown in FIG. When the second transfer carriage 60 moves downwardly, its boom 50 is pivoted upwards via the hinge 32, as can be seen in FIG. 3, in order that the boom 50 may be connected to the support structure 62 and the

Rail section 58 of the second transfer carriage 60 does not collide with the transport carriage 20a held by the first transfer carriage 42. This pivoting of the boom 50 of the second transfer carriage 60 can be effected, for example, by means of an electric motor not shown here, or by a link guide known per se.

The first transfer carriage 42 is moved with the trolley 20a until it assumes its uppermost position within the transfer station 34, in which it is at the same height level, as previously the first transfer carriage 42 in its uppermost position (see 4).

The rail section 58 of the first transfer carriage 42 is now in alignment with the upper support rail 16 of the rail system 12. The transport carriage 20a will now move from the rail section 58 of the first transfer carriage 42 to the upper support rail 16 of the rail system 12 and from there further to its destination. method of proceeding.

At this time, the second transfer carriage 60 assumes its lowermost position in the transfer station 34 in which it is at the same height level as the first transfer carriage 42 in its lowermost position. The boom 50 of the second transfer carriage 60 now assumes its support position again, so that the rail section 58 is aligned in the transport direction 22 with the lower support rail 14 of the rail system 12.

While the trolley 20a is descending from the first transfer carriage 42 at the top, another transport trolley 20d on the rail section 58 of the second transfer trolley 60 moves down in the transfer station. Then, the drive pinion 74 is moved by means of the electric motor 72 in the direction of arrow 82, whereby the first transfer carriage 42 is moved downwards empty and the second transfer carriage 60 with the dolly 2Od upwards. Also, the boom 50 of the first transfer carriage 42 assumes its idle position, in which it is pivoted about the pivot axis 54 upwards when it is moved down.

The drive pinion 74 is moved in the direction of the arrow 82 until the first carriage 42 assumes its lowermost position shown in FIG. 2 and the second transfer carriage 60 assumes its uppermost position in the transfer station 34, likewise to be recognized in FIG. The boom 50 of the first transfer carriage 42 is again brought into its carrying position. While the transport vehicle 2Od is now moving from the second transfer carriage 60 onto the upper support rail 16 of the rail system 12, another transport vehicle 20 can drive onto the first transfer carriage 42 at the bottom and the process explained above can be repeated. The transfer station 34 can also be used to implement trolley 20 from the upper support rail 16 to the lower support rail 14 of the rail system 12. In this case, the arms 50 of the transfer carriages 42 and 60 each assume their idling position when the latter are moved upward. Basically, the arms 50 of the transfer carriages 42 and 60 are brought into their idle position when the transfer carriages 42 and 60 pass each other.

FIG. 6 shows a transfer station 1034 as a second exemplary embodiment of the transfer device 32. In this case, components which correspond to those of the transfer station 34 according to FIGS. 2 to 5 are identified by the same reference numerals plus the number 1000.

The transfer carriages 1042 and 1060 of the transfer station 1034 differ from the transfer carriages 42 and 60 essentially in that the respective boom 1050 is rigidly connected to the respective carriage carriage 1046.

The extension arms 1050 of the transfer carriages 1042 and 1060 are designed so that their rail sections 1058 do not run in a common vertical plane, but are viewed laterally offset relative to one another in the transport direction 22, so that the transfer carriages 1042 and 1060 can pass each other without that they or their respective arms 1050 collide with each other.

So that now coming from the lower support rail 14 of the rail system 12 Dolly 20 can be implemented on the upper support rail 16, the support frame 1036 of the transfer station 1034 in a horizontal direction which is perpendicular to the transport direction 22, back and forth movable. For this purpose, the support frame 1036 of the transfer station 1034 is mounted on rollers 1084, which roll in a guide rail 1086, which is anchored to the bottom 18 of the conveyor system 10. The support frame 1036 of the transfer station 1034 is connected to the piston rod 1088 of a hydraulic cylinder 1090, whereby the support frame 1036 is reciprocally movable between two positions, wherein in one position the rail piece 1058 of the first transfer carriage 1042 and in the other position the rail piece 1058 of second Umsetz- slide 1060 with the lower support rail 14 or the upper support rail 16 of the rail system 112 can be aligned.

In the turnover process, for example, first the support frame 1036 of the transfer station 1034 is brought into a position in which the rail section 1058 of the first transfer carriage 1042 is aligned in its lowest position with the lower support rail 14 of the rail system 12. Then, a trolley 20 moves on the first Umsetzschlitten 1042 and is, as explained above, conveyed upward until the rail piece 1058 of the first Umsetzschlittens 1042 with the upper support rail 16 of the rail system 12 is aligned.

The second transfer carriage 1060, which is at this moment in its lowermost position in the transfer station 1034, is laterally offset from the lower support rail 14 of the rail system 12 at this time.

After the transport carriage 20 has moved from the first transfer carriage 1042 to the upper support rail 16 of the rail system 12, the support frame 1036 of the transfer station 1034 is moved by a corresponding control of the hydraulic cylinder 1090 into a position in which the rail section 1058 of the in its second lowest position, the second transfer carriage 1060 is aligned with the lower carrier rail 14 of the rail system 12. Now you can further trolley 20 from the lower support rail 14 on the second transfer carriage 1060 ascend and be implemented accordingly to the upper support rail 16 of the rail system 12.

Thereafter, the support frame 1036 is moved by a corresponding control of the hydraulic cylinder 1090 again in a position in which the first Umsetzschlitten 1042, which now again assumes its lowermost position in the transfer station 1034, is arranged so that its rail piece 1058 with the lower support rail fourteenth of the rail system 12 is aligned.

FIG. 7 shows, as a further embodiment of the transfer device 32, a transfer station 2034 in which components which correspond to those of the transfer station 1034 of FIG. 6 bear the same reference numerals plus 1000.

Instead of the support frame 1046, the transfer station 2034 has a support column 2092, which is formed on opposite sides as each vertical guide rail 2038 and 2040, which cooperate with the first transfer carriage 2042 and the second transfer carriage 2060.

The chain 2078 is guided here only via the drive pinion 2074, which is dimensioned such that the chain 2078 runs largely vertically downwards to the respective transfer carriage 2042 or 2060.

While at the transfer stations 34 and 1034, the extension arms 50 and 1050 of the transfer carriages 42 and 60 or 1042 and 1060 are each assigned to each other, the extension arms 2050 of the transfer carriages 2042 and 2060 of the transfer station 2034 are away from one another. Otherwise, the transfer station 2034 functions, however, as explained above for the transfer station 1034 according to FIG.

In FIGS. 8 and 9, as a further embodiment of the transfer device 32, a transfer station 3034 is shown, in which those components which correspond to those of the transfer station 2034 according to FIG. 7 are identified with the same reference numerals plus 1000.

The transfer station 3034 comprises a support structure 3094 which is anchored laterally next to the support rails 14, 16 of the rail system 12 on the floor 18 of the conveyor system 10.

On the support rails 14, 16 facing the front of the support structure 3094 is a front vertical guide rail 3096, which is designed as an I-profile, and mounted on the back of the support rails 14, 16 back of the support structure 3094 a structurally identical rear vertical guide rail 3098. These guide rails 3096, 3098 extend in a region 3100 above the lower support rail 14 of the rail system 12 and below the upper support rail 16 of the rail system 12, are of equal length and aligned flush with each other above and below.

Above the guide rails 3096, 3098, an upper vertical guide rail 3102 is arranged, whose cross section corresponds to that of the guide rails 3096 and 3098. The upper guide rail 3102 can be moved horizontally between a rearmost position, in which it is aligned with the rear guide rail 3098, and a frontmost position, in which it is aligned with the front guide rail 3096. For this purpose, the upper guide rail 3102 is rigidly coupled to a piston rod 3108 of a correspondingly aligned hydraulic cylinder 3110, which is used as a shifting unit. direction works. The upper guide rail 3102 thus follows the translational movement of the piston rod 3108. In addition, the rigid coupling of the upper guide rail 3102 with the piston rod 3108 prevents tilting of the upper guide rail 3102 with respect to a vertical plane.

In an analogous manner, below the guide rails 3096, 3098, a lower vertical guide rail 3112 is arranged, whose cross section corresponds to that of the guide rails 3096, 3098 and the upper guide rail 3102. The lower guide rail 3112 can also be moved horizontally between a rearmost position, in which it aligns with the rear guide rail 3098, and a frontmost position, in which it aligns with the front guide rail 3096. For this purpose, the lower guide rail 3112 is rigidly coupled to a piston rod 3118 of a correspondingly aligned hydraulic cylinder 3120, which acts as a displacement device for the lower guide rail 3112 acts.

The two Umsetzschlitten 3042 and 3060 are in this

Embodiment identical, i. in both transfer carriages 3042, 3060, the free end of the boom 3050 carries the rail piece 3058. The transfer carriages 3042 and 3060 extend in the guide rails 3096, 3098 or the guide rails 3102, 3112, with their carriage carriages 3046 formed to guide the guide rails 3096 , 3098 or the guide rails 3102, 3112 engage around. Their arms 3050 project in each case in the direction of the mounting rails 14, 16 of the rail system 12.

The first and second transfer carriages additionally support lateral guide rollers 3104 and 3114 (see Figure 8) which are located in upper horizontal rails 3106 located at the level of the upper guide rail 3102 and lower horizontal rails 3116 at the level of the lower ones Guardrail 3112 are arranged, can roll.

The transfer station 3034 comprises two deflection rollers 3122, 3124 mounted at the bottom on the support structure 3094, which are fastened on a common drive shaft 3126, which can be driven by means of an electric motor 3128. The axis of the drive shaft 3126 runs parallel to the transport direction 22 of the conveyor system 10.

In addition, the transfer station 3034 comprises a top of the support structure mounted upper deflection roller 3130 which is vertically aligned with the lower guide roller 3122, and another mounted on top of the support structure upper deflection roller 3132, which is vertically aligned with the lower guide roller 3124. The upper pulleys 3130, 3132 are not driven.

About the vertically stacked Umlenkrollenpaar 3122, 3130 runs an endless chain 3134 and over the vertically stacked Umlenkrollenpaar 3124, 3132 runs an endless chain 3136 from. The endless chains 3134 and 3136 are provided with drivers not specifically shown here, which can interact with the transfer carriages 3042 and 3060.

Adjacent upper ends of the upper horizontal rails 3106 and lower horizontal rails 3116 are upper stops 3138 and lower stops 3140, respectively, which cooperate with the lateral guide rollers 3104 and 3114 of the transfer carriages 3042 and 3060 as discussed below.

The transfer station 3034 works as follows:

In the phase of the conversion process shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the upper guide rail 3102 has been replaced by a corresponding chende control of the hydraulic cylinder 3110 moved to its rearmost position. The first transfer carriage 3042 is located with its guide rollers 3048 in the upper guide rail 3108 and rests with its lateral guide rollers 3104 and 3114 against the upper stops 3138, whereby further movement of the first transfer carriage 3042 is prevented upwards.

The lower guide rail 3112 has been moved via a corresponding control of its associated hydraulic cylinder 3120 in its forwardmost position. The second transfer carriage 3060 is located with its guide rollers 3048 in the lower guide rail 3108 and assumes a vertical position in which its rail piece 3058 is aligned with the lower support rail 14 of the rail system 12 of the conveyor system 10. He lies with his side guide rollers 3104 and 3114 against the lower stops 3140, whereby a movement of the second Umsetzschlittens 3060 is suppressed down.

A transport vehicle 20 of the conveyor system 10 has already traveled from the lower support rail 14 of the rail system 12 to the second transfer carriage 3060 or onto the rail section 3058 thereof.

Now, the lower pulleys 3122, 3124 are rotated by means of the electric motor 3128 such that the first Umsetzschlitten 3042 down and the second Umsetzschlitten 3060 with the trolley 20 moves up. For this purpose, the above-mentioned carriers of the endless chains 3134 and 3136, which are not specifically shown, respectively engage the transfer carriages 3042, 3060, so that they are taken along in the direction of movement of the corresponding runs of the endless chains 3134, 3136. In this case, the first transfer carriage 3042 moves from the upper guide rail 3102 into the rear guide rail 3098 and the second transfer slide 3060 from the lower guide rail 3112 into the front guide rail 3096.

While the transfer carriages 3042, 3060 are guided by the rear and front guide rails 3098 and 3096, the upper guide rail 3102 is in its foremost position by means of its associated hydraulic cylinder 3110 and the lower guide rail 3112 by means of its associated hydraulic cylinder 3120 in their rearmost Position pushed.

Then, the second transfer carriage 3060 with the transport carriage 20 moves from the front guide rail 3096 into the upper guide rail 3102 and the unloaded first transfer carriage 3042 from the rear guide rail 3098 into the lower guide rail 3112. The lower deflection rollers 3122, 3124 are driven until the second transfer carriage 3060 rests with its lateral guide rollers 3104 and 3114 against the upper stops 3138 on the front side of the support structure 3094. In this position, the rail section 3058 of the second transfer carriage 3060 is aligned with the upper support rail 16 of the rail system 12 of the conveyor system 10.

Then moves the trolley 20 from the second Umsetzschlitten 3060 on the upper support rail 16 of the rail system 12 and from there to its destination.

Meanwhile, the lower guide rail 3112 is pushed together with the guided in this first Umsetzschlitten 3042 by means of its associated hydraulic cylinder 3120 in its foremost position. The first transfer carriage 3042 initially lies with its lateral guide rollers 3104, 3114 on the lower stops 3140 on the rear side of the support structure 3094. Then he drives with his side guide rollers 3104 and 3114 in the lower horizontal rails 3116 a. As a result, a downward movement of the transfer carriage 3042 in the lower guide rail 3112 is prevented. Finally, the first transfer carriage 3042 comes with a lateral guide rollers 3104, 3114 on the lower stops 3140 on the front of the support structure 3094 to lie. Here, the first Umsetzschlitten 3042 is vertically aligned so that its rail section 3058 is aligned with the lower support rail 14 of the rail system 12, on which already another transport carriage 20 is approaching.

At the same time, the upper guide rail 3102 is pushed together with the second Umsetzschlitten 3060 in its rearmost position, which takes place in the manner described above for the horizontal movement of the first Umsetzschlitten 3042. Now, there is a situation which corresponds to the situation shown in Figs. 8 and 9, except that the positions of the first and second transfer carriages 3042 and 3060 are reversed.

The conversion process described above will now be repeated accordingly.

Claims

claims

Device for moving a transport carriage (20) movable on a rail system (12) from a first rail section (14) of the rail system (12), which is arranged at a first height level, to a second rail section (16) of the rail system (12) which is arranged at a second height level different from the first height level,

characterized in that

the device (34; 1034; 2034; 3034) comprises at least first and second transfer carriages (42; 1042; 2042; 3042; 60; 1060; 2060; 3060) each carrying at least one transport carriage (20) to be transferred can and can be moved in opposite directions between two height levels.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the transfer carriages (42; 1042; 2042; 3042; 60; 1060; 2060; 3060) are each arranged along a vertical guide rail (38, 40; 1038, 1040; 2038, 2040; 3096); 3098, 3012, 3112) are movable.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one of the two transfer carriages (42; 1042; 2042; 3042; 60; 1060; 2060; 3060) comprises a carrying device (50, 58, 62; 1050, 1058, 1062; 2050, 2058, 2062, 3050, 3058) for the transport carriage (20) which is pivotably mounted about a pivot axis (54).

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the pivot axis (54) extends horizontally.

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one of the two Umsetzschlitten (1042; 2042; 3042; 1060; 2060; 3060) is horizontally movable.

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the transfer carriages (1042, 1060; 2042; 2060) are guided by a support structure (1036; 2092) which is horizontally movable.

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the support structure (1036; 2092) by means of rollers

(1084; 2084) in a horizontal guide rail (1086; 2086).

8. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that the vertical guide rails (3096, 3098, 3012,

3112) for the transfer carriages (3042, 3060) comprise an upper portion (3012), a central portion (3096, 3098) and a lower portion (3112), and drive means (3110, 3120) are provided by which the upper portion (3012 ) and the lower portion (3112) are horizontally movable.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the drive means (3110, 3120) are arranged so that the Umsetzschlitten (3042, 3060) are independently movable horizontally.

10. Apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the guide rails (3096, 3098, 3012, 3112) comprise a first central portion (3096) and a second central portion (3098), which are arranged in the horizontal direction at a distance from each other with the upper section (3012) and the lower section section (3112) of the vertical guide rails (3096, 3098, 3012, 3112) each between a respective first position in which they are aligned with the first central portion (3096), and a respective second position in which this with the second central portion (3098) are aligned, movable.

11. conveyor for transporting objects with

a) a rail system (12) comprising a first rail portion (14) disposed at a first height level and a second rail portion (16) disposed at a second height level different from the first height level;

b) a plurality of drivable transport car (20), by means of which in each case at least one object on the rail system (12) is movable;

c) a transfer device (32) with which the transport carriages (20) can be transferred from the first rail section (14) to the second rail section (16),

characterized in that

d) as transfer device (32) a transfer device (34; 1034; 2034; 3034) according to one of claims 1 to 10 is provided.

12. Conveying system according to claim 11, characterized in that it is designed in the manner of an overhead monorail.