U.S. patent application number 10/470020 was filed with the patent office on 2004-07-29 for device for the transport of workpieces within a multi-stage press.
Invention is credited to Klemm, Peter.
Application Number | 20040144153 10/470020 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 7706601 |
Filed Date | 2004-07-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040144153 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Klemm, Peter |
July 29, 2004 |
Device for the transport of workpieces within a multi-stage
press
Abstract
A device for transporting workpieces within a multi-step press
with a transverse crossbeam for holding the workpiece. The
transverse crossbeam is aligned in its non-operative state at least
approximately perpendicularly to the transporting direction of the
workpieces. The crossbeam can be oriented in space by at least one
driving mechanism. In addition, a second, redundant driving
mechanism can be provided to move the transverse crossbeam in an
emergency operation.
Inventors: |
Klemm, Peter; (Stuttgart,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Crowell & Moring
Intellectual Porperty Group
P O Box 41300
Washington
DC
20044-4300
US
|
Family ID: |
7706601 |
Appl. No.: |
10/470020 |
Filed: |
July 23, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
November 2, 2002 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP02/12237 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
72/405.11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B21D 43/05 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
072/405.11 |
International
Class: |
B21J 011/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 23, 2001 |
DE |
101-57-328.6 |
Claims
1. A device for transporting workpieces within a multi-step press
having a transverse crossbeam to hold the workpiece, to be aligned
in a non-operative state thereof at least approximately
perpendicularly to a transporting direction of the workpieces and
configured to be oriented by at least one first driving mechanism,
and a second, redundant driving mechanism is provided for moving
the transverse crossbeam in an emergency operation.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one first driving
mechanism and the second driving mechanism each are configured such
that each can be used, by itself, for the emergency operation.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one first driving
mechanism and the second driving mechanism are linear direct
driving mechanisms.
4. The device of claim 3, wherein the at least one first driving
mechanism and the second driving mechanism have a common secondary
part and two primary parts that are independent of and interact
with one another.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one first driving
mechanism and the second driving mechanism are rotating electric
motors.
6. The device of claim 5, wherein the electric motors have a common
rotor and stators that are arranged independently of one
another.
7. The device of claim 5, wherein the electric motors have mutually
independent rotors with associated stators and are connected over a
transmission with the transverse crossbeam.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein each driving mechanism of the
transverse crossbeam is provided with an additional, redundant
driving mechanism.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein the transverse crossbeam is
operatively held at two ends thereof by levers, at least two of the
levers being driveable by at least one first and second driving
mechanism.
10. A multi-step press with at least one device for transporting
workpieces according to claim 1.
11. A multi-step press according to claim 10, wherein the at least
one first driving mechanism and the second driving mechanism each
are configured such that each can be used, by itself, for the
emergency operation.
12. A multi-step press according to claim 10, wherein the at least
one first driving mechanism and the second driving mechanism are
linear direct driving mechanisms.
13. A multi-step press according to claim 12, wherein the at least
one first driving mechanism and the second driving mechanism have a
common secondary part and two primary parts that are independent of
and interact with one another.
14. A multi-step press according to claim 10, wherein the at least
one first driving mechanism and the second driving mechanism are
rotating electric motors.
15. A multi-step press according to claim 14, wherein the electric
motors have a common rotor and stators that are arranged
independently of one another.
16. A multi-step press according to claim 14, wherein the electric
motors have mutually independent rotors with associated stators and
are connected over a transmission with the transverse
crossbeam.
17. A multi-step press according to claim 10, wherein each driving
mechanism of the transverse crossbeam is provided with an
additional, redundant driving mechanism.
18. A multi-step press according to claim 10, wherein the
transverse crossbeam is operatively held at two ends thereof by
levers, at least two of the levers being driveable by at least one
first and second driving mechanism.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is related to and incorporates by reference
herein U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/025,984, filed Dec. 26,
2001, entitled Multistation Press, U.S. Patent No. pending.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This application claims the priority of German patent
application No. 101 57 328.6, filed Nov. 23, 2001, the disclosure
of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
[0003] The present invention relates to a device for transporting
workpieces within a multi-step press of the type for transporting
workpieces and having a transverse crossbeam.
[0004] A known transporting or shifting device for converting
machines or multi-step presses is described in DE 44 18 417 A1. In
spite of numerous different advantages of transporting workpieces
by transverse crossbeams, the problem can arise that, in the event
of a breakdown of the driving mechanisms for the transverse
crossbeams, there can be collisions. Thereby, the transverse
crossbeam itself and also the rams, the tool mounted thereon and
the workpiece, transported in the multi-step press, can be damaged,
because the workpiece is transported by the transverse crossbeam
completely independently of the processing of the workpiece.
[0005] EP 0 849 014 B1 describes a method for connecting a transfer
device for the transport of workpieces along several work stations
in an emergency type of operation, several direct electric driving
mechanisms being provided for driving a transfer rail. In the
emergency type of operation, a control device disconnects the power
to the direct driving mechanism affected by the breakdown and
continues to drive the remaining direct driving mechanism. This
ensures that the transfer rail is taken out of the work
stations.
[0006] However, the known procedure cannot be applied for a device
of this type, because the transverse crossbeam, as already
mentioned above, is moved completely independently of the driving
mechanism of the ram. Thus, the further operation of one or more of
the remaining driving mechanisms cannot ensure that the transverse
crossbeam, the driving mechanism of which is affected by the
breakdown, can be removed from the area of danger.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a device
for transporting workpieces within a multi-step press, for which,
even in the event of a breakdown of the driving mechanisms, any
damage to the transporting device or the press or its parts is
prevented.
[0008] This object has been accomplished by providing that,
additionally to the at least one driving mechanism, a second,
redundant driving mechanism is provided for moving the transverse
crossbeam in an emergency operation.
[0009] In the event of a breakdown of a driving mechanism, the at
least one redundant driving mechanism, which is provided pursuant
to the invention, advantageously enables the transverse crossbeam
to be operated further in an emergency operation, so that this
transverse crossbeam can also continue to be operated further, at
least for a short time synchronously with the ram and collisions of
the parts, belonging to the transporting device, such as the
transverse crossbeam, with the parts necessary for processing the
workpiece, such a the ram, can be prevented.
[0010] Alternatively, an escape movement alone of the transverse
crossbeam, brought about by the driving mechanism of the redundant
driving mechanism, is also contemplated. For this escape movement,
the transverse crossbeam can be moved into a position that is
secure with regard to possible collisions with the ram.
[0011] Both possibilities can be converted into practice, so that
the first driving mechanism and the second driving mechanism each
are capable of such a performance, and each can be used by itself
during the emergency operation of the transverse crossbeams.
[0012] Moreover, the performance of the two driving mechanisms can
be dimensioned relatively low, so that a relatively inexpensive
solution is provided which is, however, adequate for most of the
intended applications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description of the invention when considered in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings.
[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a multi-step press with
several inventive transporting devices disposed therein;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a transverse crossbeam
disposed over a lever arrangement at a vertical guiding element of
the transporting device;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a driving mechanism for the
transporting device in a first embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0017] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a driving mechanism for the
inventive transporting device of a second embodiment according to
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 shows a multi-step press designated generally by
numeral 1, which, in the present illustration, has three individual
steps 1a, 1b, and 1c, as well as three rams 2, which can be moved
up and down and at which tools 3 are mounted for molding workpieces
4 into any shape. The workpieces 4 are transported by several
transporting devices 5 from one of the steps 1a, 1b and 1c to the
next step in 1a, 1b and 1c. Of course, a completely different
number of steps can also be provided for the multi-step press
1.
[0019] In the illustrated press, the transporting device 5 has two
transverse crossbeams 6 for transporting the workpieces 4. The
crossbeams 6 are disposed between the steps 1a, 1b and the steps
1b, 1c, and are intended for holding the workpieces 4 which, in
their state of rest, are aligned approximately perpendicularly to
the transporting direction of the workpieces 4 shown by arrow "T".
The construction of a transverse crossbeam 6, which enables a
so-called modular transfer, is described in more detail with
reference to FIG. 2.
[0020] The transverse crossbeam 6 is in each case mounted by way of
a lever arrangement 7 at both its ends at a vertically extending
guiding element 8 as part of the transporting device 5. In the
present case, only the end 6a of the transverse crossbeam 6 and
consequently only its mounting at the guiding element 8 is shown.
The lever arrangement 7 allows the transverse crossbeam 6 to be
oriented at will in space, especially in regard to different
heights of the two ends.
[0021] For this purpose, the lever arrangement 7 has a main lever
7a which is mounted rotatably with respect to the vertical guiding
element 8 and is held by three driving and connecting levers 7b, 7c
and 7d at the guiding element 8. Of course, one skilled in the art
will know that there is an identical mirror-image arrangement of
levers 7 at the end of the transverse crossbeam 6 opposite to the
end 6a, so that the transverse crossbeam 6, which additionally can
be rotated relative to the main lever 7a, can be oriented
practically at will in space.
[0022] In FIG. 3, two driving mechanisms 9, 10 are shown
schematically for the respective levers 7b, 7d. Consequently, these
driving mechanisms 9, 10 can move the two levers 7b and/or 7d
independently of one another. The main lever 7a is swiveled by two
levers 7b, 7d due to the fact these two levers engage a
transfer-of-forces point 7e and swivel the main lever 7a about a
fulcrum 7f, at which the main lever 7a is mounted at the guiding
element 8. Thereby, the transverse crossbeam 6 is enabled to move
in approximately any direction.
[0023] A redundant, that is, an additional driving mechanism 11 or
12, is assigned to each of the respective driving mechanisms 9 or
10 here. As shown in FIG. 3, all driving mechanisms 9, 10, 11 and
12 are linear direct driving mechanisms, the mode of action of
which, in principle, is known and therefore is not explained in
greater detail.
[0024] The driving mechanism 9 and the redundant device 11, which
is assigned to the driving mechanism 9, have a common secondary
part 13, on which two primary parts 9a, 11a are movably disposed.
In the same way, the driving mechanisms 10, 12 also have a common
secondary part 14, on which two primary parts 10a, 12a are movably
disposed. The primary parts 9a, 11a, as well 10a, 12a, are each
connected mechanically with one another and have the same command
signal, for example, the movement of the ram 2, although they can
be selected independently from one another within the scope of the
present invention. Alternatively to the version shown, the driving
mechanisms 9, 11 as well as 10, 12, can also have common primary
parts and, in each case, two secondary parts.
[0025] A slide 15 is connected mechanically with the driving
mechanisms 9, 11, and a slide 16 is connected mechanically with
driving mechanisms 10, 12. The slide 15 is mounted at the lever 7b,
and slide 16 is mounted at the lever 7d. In this way, the slides
15, 16 can be moved on an assigned guide rail 17 or 18,
respectively, both of which are disposed on the guiding element 8.
In this way, the two levers 7b, 7d can be shifted which, in turn,
leads to a shifting of the transverse crossbeam 6, as described
above.
[0026] The two driving mechanisms 9, 11 as well as 10, 12, which
belong together, can jointly effect the normal operation of the
transverse crossbeam 6, i.e., they have sufficient power for
jointly moving the transverse crossbeam 6 in all operating
situations. In the event that one of the driving mechanisms 9, 11
or 10, 12 fails, an emergency operation of the transverse crossbeam
6 is then still possible with the remaining driving mechanism 11, 9
or 12, 10, in that these are moved, for example, to a point at
which the workpieces 4 rest on the tools 3. Thereby, there is no
longer any danger of collision within the multi-step press 1. In
this state, the transverse crossbeam 6 is also removed from the
domain of influence of the ram 2. In the event that one of the
driving mechanisms 9, 10, 11 or 12 fails, it is freed from
advancing forces.
[0027] A generally known controlling system of the multi-step press
1 (not shown) can be configured to be switched over appropriately
in the event of a breakdown of the driving mechanisms 9-12 and
automatically adapt the outputs of the driving mechanisms 9-12
required for this purpose based upon the foregoing
construction.
[0028] Alternatively, only the driving mechanisms 9, 10 can be
intended for the normal operation of the transverse crossbeam 6.
That is, each, for itself, should then have a sufficiently high
power to operate the transverse crossbeam 6 in any operating state.
The two redundant driving mechanisms 11, 12 could then be engaged
only in an emergency operation and also have sufficient power to
operate the transverse crossbeam 6, so that the latter can also be
operated in the accustomed manner in the event of a failure of one
of the driving mechanisms 9 or 10 which are intended for the normal
operation.
[0029] Of course, it is also contemplated that the driving
mechanisms 11, 12 can be supplied with less power than the driving
mechanisms 9, 10, so that only an emergency operation, optionally
with a lesser overloading of the driving mechanisms 11 and 12, is
possible.
[0030] In principle, three different types of emergency operations
are now achievable, i.e., the "escape" of the transverse crossbeam
6 into the next possible safe position, the synchronous operation
between the transverse crossbeam 6 and the ram 2 up to the shutting
down of the multi-step press 1, and the moving of the transverse
crossbeam 6 to the end of a working cycle. One of these options is
selected, depending on the configuration of the driving mechanisms
9-12 as well as on the nature of the multi-step press 1 and the
workpieces 4.
[0031] FIG. 4 shows the two driving mechanisms 9, 11 for driving
the slides 15. The two driving mechanisms 9, 11 are constructed
here as rotating electric motors, which act with their respective
rotors 19, 20 on a transmission 21 and, with that, on the slide 15.
Once again, the driving mechanism 9 is intended for the normal
operation of the transverse crossbeam 6, and the driving mechanism
11 is constructed as a redundant driving mechanism for the
emergency operation of the transverse crossbeam 6. The comments,
already made above for the linear direct driving mechanisms, also
apply with regard to the respective performance and manner of
operation of the two driving mechanisms 9, 11 and, with that also,
with regard to the performance of the transverse crossbeam in the
event of an emergency operation, in the event of a breakdown of one
of the two driving mechanisms 9 or 11, the latter becoming
torque-free.
[0032] Alternatively, the two driving mechanisms 9, 11 can also
have a common rotor 22, on which two mutually independent stators
9b, 11b are mounted, as indicated by the dashed lines. In this
embodiment, it is optionally possible to do without the
transmission 21. The driving mechanisms 10, 12 can, of course, also
be constructed in the same manner as the driving mechanisms 9, 11
in such an embodiment.
[0033] The above-mentioned twisting of the transverse crossbeam 6
can be initiated over a further driving mechanism 23, which can be
disposed in the fulcrum 7f and the rotational movement of which is
transferred to the transverse crossbeam 6 by cogged belts and the
like disposed within the main lever 7a. The driving mechanism 23
can also be provided with a redundant driving mechanism.
[0034] Moreover, it is optionally contemplated to do without the
lever arrangement 7 and to drive the entire transverse crossbeam 6,
i.e., to swivel it about the fulcrum 7f, with the driving mechanism
23 configured correspondingly to do so. For this purpose also, a
redundant driving mechanism can be provided in the sense described
above. Moreover, in this case, a further driving mechanism 24 fully
rotating the transverse crossbeam 6 can be provided in the region
of the end 6a of the transverse crossbeam 6 within the main lever
7a. This can also be provided with a redundant driving mechanism
within the scope of the present invention.
[0035] The construction of the driving mechanisms 9-12 can, of
course, be employed for all transverse crossbeams 6 of the
multi-step press 1 which operate completely independently of one
another.
[0036] The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to
illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since
modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit
and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the
art, the invention should be construed to include everything within
the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
* * * * *