WO2004050518A1

WO2004050518A1 - Telescopic conveyor device

Info

Publication number: WO2004050518A1
Application number: PCT/EP2003/012547
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jürgen Christmann
Original assignee: Caljan Rite-Hite Gmbh
Priority date: 2002-11-29
Filing date: 2003-11-11
Publication date: 2004-06-17
Also published as: GB2410482A; GB2410482B; GB0510693D0; DE10255843A1; DE10255843B4; AU2003283382A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a telescopic conveyor device (1) comprising a driving head (12) on its front end that is equipped with its own drive device (15). Said driving head retracts and extends the telescopic mechanism and in addition displaces optional connected auxiliary equipment such as handling robots, unloading belts or similar. A working platform (22) can be provided on the driving head (12) in order to accommodate equipment of this type and additional equipment can be located on said platform. The additional equipment creates an extra load on the driving wheel of the driving head (12) in such a way that even heavy equipment can be loaded and unloaded safely by the telescopic conveyor device into and from the cargo compartment of a vehicle.

Description

Telescopic conveyor

The invention relates to a telescopic conveyor device, in particular for general cargo, for example for loading and unloading trucks.

Telescopic conveyor devices often form the entrance and exit of piece goods loading or sorting devices. They are helpful when loading and unloading trucks, containers or similar containers or vehicles. While they are more or less stationary at the entrances of a loading hall, they have an extension arm with one or more sections. The boom can be in the

A vehicle's loading area to pick up or unload general cargo.

Such a telescopic conveyor device is known, for example, from US Pat. No. 4,643,299. It has a frame on which two frame sections which are telescopically interlocking are mounted. The frame sections can be inserted into or pulled out of the base frame. A conveyor belt runs on the top of the frame and is connected to a drive device. If the frame sections are extended, the conveyor track is extended in this way. Packages or similar piece goods can then be placed on the free-floating, tongue-like end of this telescopic conveyor device in order to be transported further.

The free-floating cantilever formed by the frame sections is held only by the base frame, which must therefore be designed to be correspondingly heavy and / or anchored to the floor.

From GB 1146895 a belt conveyor with length-adjustable and height-adjustable conveyor belt sections is known, which rests on a mobile base frame. The base frame is arranged approximately in the middle under the belt conveyor. Tipping moments emanate from the conveyor belt sections projecting forward and backward in the conveying direction, which must be absorbed by the base frame.

From EP 0658499 B1 a telescopic belt conveyor is also known, in the conveying path of which measuring devices such as a volume measuring frame and a weighing belt are integrated, so that an automatic package identification is possible. From utility model DE 20202926 UI it is also known to connect an unloading robot to a telescopic belt conveyor. This is mechanically firmly connected to the extendable free end, ie to the movably mounted frame section of the telescopic conveyor device, in order to be moved thereby. When the frame section is extended, the unloading robot is thus pushed by the telescopic conveying device into the loading space of the vehicle to be unloaded or loaded. The drive device of the telescopic conveyor must be designed for this additional load. The force required to move the unloading robot must be applied by the traversing drive of the movable frame section and transmitted to the floor via the installation of the base frame of the telescopic conveyor at the installation site. This can lead to difficulties.

Based on this, it is an object of the invention to provide a telescopic conveyor device which can be used in a variety of ways and allows flexible loading and unloading of piece goods.

This object is achieved with the telescopic conveyor device according to claim 1:

The telescopic conveyor device according to the invention has at least one extendable frame section which carries a driving pot at its free end. This is supported on the floor and is set up to adjust the frame section against the frame. This is done by moving the head over the ground. For this purpose, it has a driven wheel, wheels, caterpillar tracks or similar means of transportation. Consequently the moving head pulls the frame section out of the rest of the frame or pushes it in. No further drive or adjustment means is therefore required and provided between the frame and the frame section. The frame section is therefore freely displaceably mounted in the frame. The different pull-out positions are locked by stopping the travel head at an reached position.

This measure has several advantages. A first major advantage is the support of the extendable frame section on the floor. This means that even heavy objects that get onto the telescopic conveyor device gently or roughly cannot cause the telescopic conveyor to tip over due to overload. This makes it suitable for heavy loads.

Another advantage is that the traveling head, which stands or drives on the ground in any position, defines a fixed height of the end of the conveying means above the ground. Thus, regardless of whether a vehicle to be loaded or unloaded is somewhat higher or lower, operators can count on the same, as ergonomically set as possible, amount of the conveying means.

Another important advantage of the invention is that further units can be connected to the head, which are moved by the head. For example, a handling robot, another conveyor belt or other auxiliary means can be moved, ie positioned, or integrated into the moving head. No forces are to be transmitted via the telescope, but the driving head moves directly on the shark lenboden or the floor of the loading area on which it is located. The telescope is passive and only follows the movement of the moving head without causing it. The extendable frame section is linearly displaceable. In addition, it can be pivoted to ensure that the driving head can also follow bumps. For this purpose, the frame can be mounted so that it can pivot overall, the pivot axis preferably being oriented transversely to the transport direction of the conveying means. If the traveling head is also to be able to carry out a lateral travel movement, it is expedient if the frame at its rear end, ie, the end remote from the traveling head, is also pivotable about a vertical axis, at least by a few degrees. The traveling head can then have a direction-controllable drive device in which the axis of rotation of a wheel or pair of wheels can be pivoted about a vertical axis. Alternatively, a first wheel for forward and backward movement of the travel head and a second wheel (or a wheel set in each case) for a lateral travel movement of the travel head can be provided, in which case both wheels alternately come into engagement with the ground. A lateral travel movement can also be used to move the telescopic conveyor sideways as a whole, for example to open a loading opening.

It is also possible to provide a working platform on the traveling head which is moved by the traveling head. The work platform can serve as the basis for accommodating a wide variety of work tools. In addition, measuring and classification devices, such as camera systems, measuring frames, scales and the like, can be integrated in the traveling head. However, it is also possible to set them up after the telescopic conveyor. Is the funding agency Directionally movable, it can be moved laterally as a whole when the head is retracted, for example driven by the head.

Further details of advantageous embodiments of the invention result from the drawing, the description or subclaims.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawing. Show it:

1 shows a telescopic conveyor device when loading or unloading a half-full truck in the extended state,

FIG. 2 shows the telescopic conveyor device according to FIG. 1 during a loading or unloading process in a less extended state,

FIG. 3 shows the telescopic conveyor device according to FIGS. 1 and 2 in a schematic side view,

FIG. 4 the telescopic conveyor device according to FIG. 3 with an attachment in a schematic side view, with a work station for semi-automatic loading and unloading,

FIG. 5 shows the telescopic conveying device according to FIG. 3 with another attachment,

FIG. 6 shows the telescopic conveyor device with a receiving platform without an additional device, 7 shows the telescopic conveyor device in a sectional representation with measuring means arranged on the traveling head and

Figure 8 shows a modified embodiment of a driving head in a basic representation.

In Figure 1, a telescopic conveyor 1 is illustrated, which is used in particular for loading and unloading vehicles 2 with piece goods 3. The telescopic conveying device 1 has a frame 4 with a frame section 6 mounted thereon in a direction 5. This in turn can carry a further frame section 7, which is displaceably mounted in the same direction 5. The frame 4 forms a telescope with the frame section 6 and the frame section 7 which may be present. The frame sections 7, 6 are supported on one another and the frame section 6 on the frame 4 by means of suitable linear guides.

A conveyor belt 8 is arranged on the top of the frame 4 or the frame sections 6, 7, the basic course of which is shown in FIG. 3 with a dash-dotted line. It is wrapped around a plurality of rotatably mounted rollers 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, 9e, 9f, 9g, which are arranged on the frame sections 6, 7 and the frame 4 and whose axis of rotation is oriented transversely to the transport direction R. This is parallel to the direction 5, in which the frame sections 6, 7 are movable. The roller 9f is connected to a drive device 11 which moves the conveyor belt 8 in the forward or backward direction.

At least the rollers 9a, 9g are cylindrical, so that the conveyor belt 8 defines a flat surface on the upper side of the telescopic conveyor device 1.

The frame 4 does not contain a drive for the frame section 6 or 7. The movement of the frame section is rather effected by a traveling head 12, which at the free end of the last telescope, ie here at the end of the frame. section 7 is arranged. The traveling head 12 is supported f via at least one wheel 13 or a pair of wheels on a floor 14 on which the telescopic conveyor device 1 is located. The wheel 13 is connected to a drive device 15 arranged in the traveling head 12, for example in the form of an electric motor with a reduction gear. The drive device 15 is used to drive the wheel 13 in a controlled manner forwards or backwards, or to stop it. The wheel 13 is rotatably supported about an axis 16 directed transversely to the direction R and supports the traveling head 12 on the floor 14. On its upper side, the travel head 12 can be provided with a roller conveyor 17, which holds driven rollers 18, 19 u. A camera 21 can be arranged between the rollers 18, 19, for example in order to recognize bar codes on the underside of packages, parcels or other pieces. Additional cameras can be provided for multi-sided detection.

As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 6, a working platform 22 can be arranged on the traveling head 12, which can serve, for example, to accommodate additional devices. The working platform 22 is essentially formed by a horizontal plate arranged in front of the traveling head 12, which is provided with support wheels 23 at its free end and is otherwise held rigidly or also pivotably on the traveling head 12. In the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2, a height-adjustable unloading conveyor 24 is arranged on the work platform 22 and has, for example, a conveyor belt 25, a scissor roller conveyor 26 and a package pick-up or deposit belt 27. The scissor roller conveyor enables the package receiving or depositing belt 27 to be aligned in a variable manner with respect to the conveyor belt 25. Hydraulic cylinders 28, which are mounted, are used to adjust the height of the conveyor belt 25 support the working platform 22. The unloading conveyor 24 is preferably pivotally mounted on the traveling head 12, for example by the conveyor belt 25 being hooked onto a horizontal rod 29 held on the traveling head 12 with corresponding hooks. This rod 29 directed transversely to the transport direction R thus forms a type of hinge.

At its rear end, opposite the travel head 12, the telescopic conveyor device 1 is set up on the floor 14 with one or more supports 31. The supports 31 are preferably designed such that they allow a certain pivoting movement of the frame 4 about a pivot axis lying transversely to the transport direction R and approximately parallel to the floor 14. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the support 31 can have a somewhat arched foot 32, so that the pivoting on the floor 14 is readily possible. Alternatively, it can be replaced by a small frame on which the frame 4 is pivotally mounted. The pivot axis is then also oriented transversely to the transport direction R. Furthermore, the support 31 can alternatively be provided with a turntable, which defines a vertical pivot axis and enables the telescopic conveying device 1 to pivot laterally.

Optionally, a front support 33 spaced apart from the rear support 31 can be provided on the frame 4. The support 33 is preferably vertically adjustable, as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 3. It can be connected to a locking device 34, which can release or block a height adjustment of the support 33 in a controlled manner. This locking device 34 is preferably connected to the same control device as that Drive device 15 and is always released when the drive device 15 is activated. In this way, the weight of the telescopic conveyor completely rests on the wheel 13 and the support 31 as soon as the traveling head 12 is activated. If, on the other hand, it is deactivated, the support 33 is locked again so that it supports the telescopic conveying device and can transmit load to the floor 14.

The locking of the support 33 enables a problem-free separation of the travel head 12 from the frame section 7, for example when the travel head 12 is not required. If this is provided, a small drive device, which is only used for pushing out and pulling in the frame sections 6, 7 and is not further illustrated, can then be provided, which then only serves to extend and retract the telescope.

The telescopic conveyor 1 described so far operates as follows:

If a vehicle is to be loaded, for example, the driving head 12 is moved into the open loading space of the vehicle, and, as FIG. 1 illustrates, it pulls out the frame sections 6, 7 of the telescopic conveyor device 1. Depending on the conveying direction of the conveyor belt 8, general cargo can now be moved into or out of the vehicle 2. The package receiving or depositing belt 27 now picks up individual packages and conveys them via the scissor roller conveyor 26 and the conveyor belt 25 onto the telescopic conveyor device. When the vehicle 2 is loaded, the conveying directions of all the conveying means are reversed and the packages run in reverse order up to the package receptacle. or storage tape 27 to be filed orderly. In order to be able to control each individual pick-up or storage location, an operator can specifically adjust the position of the pallet pick-up or depositing belt 27. This can be seen from Figure 2. Drive and adjusting devices and the hydraulic cylinder 28, which are not further illustrated, make it possible, for example on the basis of an automatic control, an image detection of the piece goods 3, a control by means of control levers or similar measures, that the end of the package pick-up or deposit belt 27 each individual pick-up or storage place in succession starts up. The driving head 12 can also be controlled step by step in order to lengthen or shorten the telescopic conveyor device 1 as required.

As can be seen from FIG. 5, instead of the unloading conveyor 24, a simple conveyor belt 35 including a height adjustment can be attached, the free end of which lies on the floor. This can be important for manual loading and unloading, for example. So it is e.g. possible to first pick up heavy loads, such as machines, and then to lift them by actuating a hydraulic or motor drive 35a. If the belt is roughly horizontal, it can carry the heavy load further.

FIG. 7 illustrates a measuring frame 36 arranged on the traveling head 12, which can identify and / or measure piece goods. For example, barcode scanners, camera systems for barcode, font and / or dimensioning recognition and / or light barriers for detecting the package size are arranged here. Such a measuring frame 36 can alternatively also be arranged at the other end of the telescopic conveyor device 1. Figure 4 illustrates a further modification. Here, an unloading conveyor 24 is fastened to the traveling head 12, which in addition to the components illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 also has a seat 37 for an operator. A manual control device 38 with a control lever 39 is assigned to the seat 37, said control lever 39 allowing a targeted approach to desired positions by the package pick-up or deposit belt 27.

In all of the above-described embodiments of the telescopic conveying device 1, the axis of rotation 16 of the wheel 13 is oriented transversely to the conveying direction R. This allows only a forward / backward movement of the travel head 12 and thus an extension and retraction of the telescope. Alternatively, the wheel 13 can also be designed to be controllable in order to be able to pivot the telescopic conveying device 1 laterally or to move laterally in parallel with the traveling head 12. A further alternative lies in the embodiment according to FIG. 8, according to which the travel head 12 has a support 41 at the end. Adjacent to this is a wheel 42 to be used for transverse movements, which is held by a drive unit 43. This is vertically adjustable in order to bring the wheel 42 into and out of engagement with the base 14. Likewise, the drive device 15 with the wheel 13 is vertically adjustable in order to selectively bring the wheel 13 into and out of engagement with the base 14. In the idle state, the traveling head 12 stands on the floor by means of the support 41. If it is now to be moved transversely, the drive device 43 is adjusted downward so that the wheel 42 takes over the load and the support 41 lifts off from the ground somewhat. The head 12 can now be adjusted to the right or left by rotating the wheel 42 forwards or backwards. Should the head be moved forwards or backwards , the drive device 43 is raised and the drive device 15, which was previously raised, is lowered. She now carries the burden. The wheel 42 and the support 41 hover above the ground. Forward and backward movement is possible. If the travel head 12 is to be stopped, both drive devices 43, 15 are adjusted upward again and stopped. Alternatively, instead of the support 41, it can also be provided that in the idle state one or both drive devices 43, 15 are adjusted downward and thus carry the load. As an alternative to the linear adjustment shown, they can also be arranged on a common rocker, which either bring the wheel 13 or the wheel 42 into contact with the floor 14.

A telescopic conveyor device 1 has at its front end a traveling head 12 which has its own drive device 15. This serves both to extend and retract the telescope and to move optionally connected additional devices such as handling robots, unloading belts or the like. To accommodate such devices, a working platform 22 can be provided on the traveling head 12, on which further devices can be arranged. These additionally load the drive wheel of the traveling head 12 with their weight, so that even heavy devices can be safely moved into and out of a loading space of a vehicle by the telescopic conveying device.

Claims

Claims:

1. telescopic conveying device (1) for conveyed goods (3), in particular for general cargo, also in the heavy load area,

with a frame (4) which can be set up on a floor (14) and which has at least one frame section (6, 7) mounted so that it can be pulled out in one direction (5),

with a conveying means (8) which is set up for transporting the conveyed goods (3),

with a driving pot (12) which is connected to one of the frame sections (6, 7) and has at least one drive means (13, 15) which is supported on the floor (14) and is set up to move the frame section (6, 7) to be adjusted against the frame (4).

2. Telescopic conveyor according to claim 1, characterized in that the conveying means (8) is connected to a drive device (15) in order to give the conveyed goods (3) a controlled transport movement.

3. Telescopic conveyor according to claim 1, characterized in that the conveying means (8) is a conveyor belt.

4. Telescopic conveyor according to claim 1, characterized in that the conveying means (8) is a roller conveyor.

5. Telescopic conveyor device according to claim 1, characterized in that the conveying means (8) defines a conveying path which extends over the entire length of the frame (4) and the frame section (6, 7) and whose transport direction (R) with the direction ( 5), in which the frame section (6, 7) is adjustable against the frame (4).

6. Telescopic conveyor according to claim 1, characterized in that the drive means has at least one wheel (13) which is connected to an arbitrarily controllable motor.

7. Telescopic conveyor according to claim 6, characterized in that the wheel (13) has an axis of rotation (16) which is oriented transversely to the direction (5) in which the frame section (6, 7) is extendable.

8. Telescopic conveyor according to claim 6, characterized in that the wheel (13) is held steerable.

9. Telescopic conveyor device according to claim 1, characterized in that a working platform (22) for attachments is formed on the traveling head (12).

10. Telescopic conveyor according to claim 1, characterized in that a pivotally mounted unloading conveyor (14) is arranged on the traveling head (12)

11. Telescopic conveyor according to claim 1, characterized in that on the traveling head (12) has a pivotally mounted boom with a seat (37) for an operator, a control member (39) and an unloading conveyor (24) is arranged.

12. Telescopic conveyor according to claim 1, characterized in that the conveyor (8) in the region of the traveling head (12) is designed as a roller conveyor (17).

13. Telescopic conveyor according to claim 12, characterized in that the roller conveyor (17) has the at least one camera (21).

14. Telescopic conveyor according to claim 1, characterized in that on the frame (4), the frame section (6, 7) or at a location upstream of the frame section (6, 7), a measuring frame (36) for 6-sided barcode detection is arranged.

15. Telescopic conveyor according to claim 1, characterized in that the frame (4) is pivotally mounted about an axis transverse to the transport direction (R).

16. Telescopic conveyor according to claim 1, characterized in that the frame (4) is mounted to be movable transversely to the conveying direction.