DE102019117026B4 - Transport system - Google Patents

Abstract

Transport system for transporting a load carrier (6) of the transport system, the transport system comprising: the load carrier (6), a rail (24) with a first and a second end, one guided by the rail (24) and along the rail (24) between the first and the second end movable shuttle (10), wherein the shuttle (10) has an engaging element with an engaging portion (17) for engaging with a load carrier (6) used and a fulcrum (15) extending from the engaging portion (17) is spaced, comprises a drive (12) for moving the shuttle (10) along the rail (24) and a rotary actuator which, in use, causes the engagement element to rotate about the pivot point (15), so that when the shuttle ( 10) is arranged in the vicinity of the first end, the engagement element is positionable in a first rotational configuration in which the engagement portion (17) protrudes outwardly beyond the first end of the rail (24), and when the shuttle (10) in is arranged in the vicinity of the second end, the engagement element is positionable in a second rotational configuration in which the engagement element is rotated about the pivot point (15) by substantially 180 ° with respect to the first rotational configuration, and in which the engagement portion (17) after protrudes outwardly beyond the second end of the rail (24), wherein the load carrier (6) comprises a slot (41A, 41B) for engagement with the engagement section (17), wherein the slot (41A, 41B) enables a relative movement of the engagement section (17 ) and the load carrier (6) allows during the rotation of the engagement element.

Description

This invention relates to transport systems, a roller transport system and a roller storage system.

Background and prior art

In various industries, such as the semiconductor industry and particularly those using surface mount technology (SMT), it is necessary to effectively handle reels of tape. For example, with SMT it is standard to store electrical and electronic components in discreet bags in plastic straps that are stored on corresponding rollers. Since an SMT process can include many different components, it follows that many tapes and thus reels must be stored in an accessible manner. In view of the prevailing trend towards fully automated factories, such a roller store must not only be space-saving, but also allow the rolls to be automatically loaded onto the store and the rolls to be removed from this store. This loading and unloading should also be done quickly to ensure uninterrupted processing. In the SMT area, such a warehouse can be referred to as a “material tower”.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a reliable, quick and space-saving means for storing objects such as rolls and to enable fully automatic loading and unloading of these objects.

It will be recognized, however, that many of the approaches of the present invention are also applicable to the storage and transfer of items in other industries.

From the scriptures DE 30 48 471 A1 , DE 14 56 525 A , DE 69 10 926 U , DE 10 2005 035 631 A1 , DE 38 09 943 A1 , DE 10 2011 007 280 A1 generic devices are known. the DE 30 48 471 A1 describes, for example, a transport system for transporting a load carrier. The transport system comprises a rail with a first and a second end, a shuttle guided by the rail and movable along the rail between the first and the second end, the shuttle having an engagement element with an engagement portion for engagement with a load carrier in operation and a pivot point which is spaced from the engagement portion, a drive for moving the shuttle along the rail and a rotary actuator which, in use, causes the engagement element to rotate about the pivot point, so that when the shuttle is located in the vicinity of the first end, the engagement element can be arranged in a first rotational configuration, and when the shuttle is arranged in the vicinity of the second end, the engagement element can be arranged in a second rotational configuration in which the configuration in which the engagement element can be arranged about the pivot point by im Essentially 180 ° relative to the first rotation configu ration is rotated.

In accordance with the present invention, this object is achieved by a very compact transfer system which is operable to move objects such as rollers between different surfaces of a storage system.

Summary of the invention

• den Ladungsträger,
• eine Schiene mit einem ersten und einem zweiten Ende,
• ein von der Schiene geführtes und entlang der Schiene zwischen dem ersten und dem zweiten Ende bewegbares Shuttle, wobei das Shuttle ein Eingriffselement mit einem Eingriffsabschnitt zum Eingriff mit einem verwendeten Ladungsträger und einen Drehpunkt, der von dem Eingriffsabschnitt beabstandet ist, umfasst,
• einen Antrieb zum Bewegen des Shuttles entlang der Schiene und
• einen Drehaktuator, der im Gebrauch bewirkt, dass sich das Eingriffselement um den Drehpunkt dreht, so dass, wenn das Shuttle in der Nähe des ersten Endes angeordnet ist, das Eingriffselement in einer ersten Drehkonfiguration positionierbar ist, in der der Eingriffsabschnitt nach außen über das erste Ende der Schiene hinausragt, und wenn das Shuttle in der Nähe des zweiten Endes angeordnet ist, das Eingriffselement in einer zweiten Drehkonfiguration positionierbar ist, in der das Eingriffselement um den Drehpunkt um im Wesentlichen 180° in Bezug auf die erste Drehkonfiguration gedreht wird, und in der der Eingriffsabschnitt nach außen über das zweite Ende der Schiene hinausragt.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a transport system for transporting a load carrier of the transport system is provided, the transport system comprising:

• the load carrier,
• a rail with a first and a second end,
• a shuttle guided by the rail and movable along the rail between the first and the second end, the shuttle comprising an engagement element having an engagement portion for engagement with a load carrier used and a pivot point which is spaced apart from the engagement portion,
• a drive for moving the shuttle along the rail and
• a rotary actuator which, in use, causes the engagement member to rotate about the pivot point such that when the shuttle is positioned near the first end, the engagement member is positionable in a first rotational configuration in which the engagement portion is outwardly beyond the first End of the rail protrudes, and when the shuttle is arranged in the vicinity of the second end, the engagement element is positionable in a second rotational configuration in which the engagement element is rotated about the pivot point by substantially 180 ° with respect to the first rotational configuration, and in which the engagement portion protrudes outwardly beyond the second end of the rail.

A transport system is preferred for transporting the load carrier from an input position to an output position, the input position and the output position being spaced apart in the horizontal plane, the first end being arranged in the vicinity of the input position and the second end being arranged in the vicinity of the starting position in use is arranged, the drive moves the shuttle during a transport process in use along the rail and the Rotary actuator causes the engagement element to rotate around the pivot point within the horizontal plane during the transport process, so that the shuttle is arranged at the beginning of the transport process in use near the entry position with the engagement element in the first rotary configuration, and the shuttle at the end of the Transport process is arranged in the vicinity of the starting position with the engagement element in the second rotational configuration, so that the distance covered by the engagement portion during the transport process is greater than the distance covered by the pivot point during the transport process.

Furthermore, a transport system is preferred, wherein the engagement element comprises an arm, wherein the engagement portion is arranged in the vicinity of one end of the arm and the pivot point is arranged in the vicinity of the distal end of the arm.

A transport system is preferred, wherein the rotary actuator comprises a rack and pinion transmission, the pinion being provided on the engagement element.

Alternatively, a transport system is preferred, the rotary actuator comprising a motor.

Furthermore, a transport system is preferred, further comprising an engagement actuator which is operable to move the engagement element into and out of engagement with the load carrier. The engagement actuator can be operated to move the engagement element along an axis orthogonal to the rail. Furthermore, a transport system is preferred, wherein the engagement actuator is mounted on the shuttle and is operable to move the engagement element relative to the shuttle.

Furthermore, a transport system is preferred which comprises a table carrier for carrying a load carrier thereon, and wherein the table carrier comprises a load cell for determining the mass of the load carrier. The table support can comprise four legs, each leg being associated with a corresponding load cell for determining the mass of the load carrier.

The charge carrier includes a slot for engaging with the engaging portion, the slot enabling relative movement of the engaging portion and the charge carrier during rotation of the engaging element. The slot may be disposed near one end of the load carrier, and the load carrier includes an additional slot at a distal end of the load carrier for engagement with the engaging portion.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a roller transport system is provided which comprises the transport system of the first aspect, wherein the load carrier is designed to carry a roller.

• ein Gehäuse, das eine erste und eine zweite Anordnung von Rollenlagerorten umfasst,
• eine Spur, die zwischen der ersten und zweiten Anordnung und nahe jedem Rollenlagerort jeder Anordnung verläuft, und
• das Rollentransportsystem des zweiten Aspekts,
• wobei das Rollentransportsystem an der Spur mit seiner Schiene orthogonal zu der Spur montiert ist und entlang der Spur fahrbar ist, so dass das erste Ende der Schiene in der Nähe irgendeines der Rollenlagerorte der ersten Anordnung positionierbar ist, und das zweite Ende der Schiene in der Nähe irgendeines der Rollenlagerorte der zweiten Anordnung positionierbar ist.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a roller bearing system comprising:

• a housing comprising first and second arrangements of roller bearing locations,
• a track extending between the first and second assemblies and near each roller storage location of each assembly, and
• the roller transport system of the second aspect,
• wherein the roller transport system is mounted on the track with its rail orthogonal to the track and is drivable along the track so that the first end of the track is positionable in the vicinity of any of the roller storage locations of the first arrangement and the second end of the track in proximity any of the roller bearing locations of the second arrangement is positionable.

Further specific aspects and features of the present invention are set out in the accompanying claims.

Figure list

• 1 zeigt schematisch eine Schnittansicht durch ein Rollenlagersystem gemäß einer Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung von oben;
• Die 2 und 3 zeigen schematisch perspektivische Ansichten eines Transportsystems gemäß einer Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung;
• 4 zeigt schematisch das Transportsystem von 2 von oben;
• 5 zeigt schematisch das Transportsystem von 2 von der Seite;
• 6 zeigt schematisch eine perspektivische Ansicht des Tischträgers des Transportsystems von 2;
• 7 zeigt schematisch eine perspektivische Ansicht des beweglichen Shuttles des Transportsystems von 2;
• 8 zeigt schematisch eine perspektivische Ansicht der Führung des Transportsystems von 2;
• 9 zeigt schematisch eine perspektivische Ansicht des Antriebssystems des Transportsystems von 2;
• Die 10A-D zeigen schematisch eine Beladesequenz unter Verwendung des Transportsystems von 2 von oben; und
• Die 11A-D zeigen schematisch eine Vorwärts-Entladesequenz unter Verwendung des Transportsystems von 2 von oben.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures (not to scale), in which the following is shown:

• 1 shows schematically a sectional view through a roller bearing system according to an embodiment of the present invention from above;
• the 2 and 3 show schematic perspective views of a transport system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
• 4th shows schematically the transport system of 2 from above;
• 5 shows schematically the transport system of 2 of the page;
• 6th FIG. 11 shows a schematic perspective view of the table support of the transport system from FIG 2 ;
• 7th FIG. 11 schematically shows a perspective view of the movable shuttle of the transport system of FIG 2 ;
• 8th FIG. 11 shows, schematically, a perspective view of the guide of the transport system from FIG 2 ;
• 9 FIG. 11 shows schematically a perspective view of the drive system of the transport system of FIG 2 ;
• the 10A-D show schematically a loading sequence using the transport system of FIG 2 from above; and
• the 11A-D FIG. 11 schematically shows a forward unloading sequence using the transport system of FIG 2 from above.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention

1 shows schematically a sectional view through a roller bearing system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention from above. The storage system 1 is through a housing 2 defines, as shown, two linear arrangements of roller bearing locations 3 , 4th includes. Roll storage locations 3 are provided in a first arrangement while roller bearing locations 4th are provided in a second arrangement. As shown, each location includes 3 , 4th a role 5 , with each role 5 from a respective load carrier 6th is supported and carried with a generally plate-like shape. Any role 5 lies flat on a load carrier 6th on so that the diameter of the roll 5 parallel to the plane of the surface of the charge carrier 6th lies. Although in 1 not shown is the surface of each charge carrier 6th advantageously configured to at least partially resemble the circular shape of a roller 5 to conform to unwanted movement of the roller 5 towards their respective load carrier 6th to prevent. As in 1 shown, it is not necessary that the roller bearings 3 , 4th the first and second arrays are aligned in a line. The first and second arrangements are laterally by at least the dimension of a load carrier 6th spaced so that the load carriers 6th can be moved between the assemblies, as will be further described below. It's an elongated trail 7th provided between the first and second assemblies and in the vicinity of each roller storage location 3 , 4th every arrangement runs. On the trail 7th is a roller transport system 8th mounted that along the track 7th , ie along the X-axis in the direction generally shown at 9, is movable. Driving can be achieved in a number of ways as would be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, the roller transport system 8th from a belt, chain or conveyor system along the track 7th be driven or driven by a lead screw, a linear actuator or the like. As described in more detail below, the roller transport system is 8th operable to a load carrier 6th from a roll storage location 3 , 4th either the first or second arrangement to accommodate the charge carrier 6th along the trail 7th to move to a desired location and then a load carrier 6th to a desired roll storage location 3 , 4th within one of the first and second arrangements.

The track 7th is preferably also movable in the vertical direction, ie perpendicular to the plane of the picture, around the roller transport system 8th in addition to different arrangements (not shown) of roller storage locations 3 , 4th to move that are at different vertical levels within the housing 2 are located. For example, the track 7th be mounted on a conveyor system that extends vertically along the interior of the housing 2 or moved via a linear actuator or the like, as is well known in the art. This allows for multiple roller bearing locations within the housing 2 provided in various different vertical levels, and the roller transport system 8th can load carriers 6th Load and record to and from each of the storage locations. At least one of the roll storage locations 3 , 4th is also from outside the housing 2 accessible, so that matter 5 into the roller bearing system 1 can be supplied or removed therefrom, for example by an operator or a robotic vehicle (not shown).

the 2 until 5 show schematically a roller transport system 8th according to an embodiment of the present invention in perspective view, from above and from the side. It should first be noted that these figures show many details, many of which are not essential to explaining the present invention, and therefore these details are only explained when necessary for the sake of clarity. In addition, the roller transport system 8th controlled by a control means such as a suitably programmed computer, a processor, an application installed on a telephone, and so on. For the sake of clarity, the control means is not shown in the figures.

• einen Tischträger 18, der einen Ladungsträger 6 im Gebrauch trägt und auch eine Massenmessung eines getragenen Ladungsträgers 6 ermöglicht;
• ein bewegbares Shuttle 10, das zum Bewegen eines Ladungsträgers 6 auf und von dem Tischträger 18 betreibbar ist;
• eine Führung 11, die das Shuttle 10 durch ihre Bewegung führt; und
• ein Antriebssystem 23, das bewirkt, dass sich das Shuttle 10 bewegt.

The roller transport system 8th comprises four basic components:

• a table support 18th holding a load carrier 6th carries in use and also a mass measurement of a carried load carrier 6th enables;
• a moveable shuttle 10 that is used to move a load carrier 6th on and off the table support 18th is operable;
• a guided tour 11 who have favourited the shuttle 10 leads through their movement; and
• a drive system 23 that causes the shuttle 10 emotional.

the 6th until 9 each show schematically each of these basic components individually in perspective view.

The in 6th illustrated table support 18th here has a two-part construction, each part having an elongated support 27 with a substantially flat, preferably low-friction surface, which at each end by a leg 19th is mounted. Every thigh 19th is with a load cell 20th associated that determine the mass of a charge carrier 6th and its associated role 5 is operable when on the carriers 27 is worn, as will be described in more detail below. The load cells 20th turn are on the drive system 23 attached.

This in 7th depicted shuttle 10 comprises at its upper end an engaging element which, as shown, is in the form of an arm 14th having. This is exemplary only and other forms of engagement element such as a plate could also be used. The arm 14th can be rotated on the rest of the shuttle 10 at a fulcrum 15th attached to the one end of the arm 14th is arranged and around which the arm 14th can rotate as described below. That end of the arm 14th is partly from a pinion 16 in the form of a large sector of a circle, the diametrical center of the pinion 16 with the fulcrum 15th matches. At the distal end of the arm 14th there is an engaging portion 17th that is adapted to hold a specific load carrier 6th interacts in use. As shown, the engaging portion comprises 17th a relatively simple cylindrical protrusion extending from the surface of the arm 14th extends upwards and is dimensioned in the illustrated embodiment so that it fits snugly into a slot of a load carrier 6th fits (see below). Below the arm 14th includes the shuttle 10 also a drive interface 25th for engagement with a belt conveyor 13th of the drive system 23 and a rail interface 30th for engagement with a splint 24 of the drive system 23 . The shuttle 10 further comprises an engagement actuator 22nd , in this case an electric motor that is operable to drive the arm 14th relative to the drive interface 25th raise or lower (ie move along the Z-axis), for example using a lead screw (not shown) or other standard technique, as would be apparent to those skilled in the art. In use, this movement enables the engaging portion 17th , selectively into engagement with a charge carrier 6th to be raised or removed from it.

In the 8th illustrated leadership 11 comprises a generally elongated plate with a central opening 28 which extends over most of its length. The shuttle is in use 10 inside this opening 28 arranged so that the arm 14th above the guide 11 and the drive interface 25th below the guide 11 is located. The leadership 11 helps the shuttle 10 guide during its movement along the Y-axis. Near the center of the guide 11 and extending laterally therefrom is a cam plate 29 intended. This cam plate 29 serves as a support for the arm 14th during rotation, as described in more detail below. On the opposite side of the opening 28 to the cam plate 29 there is an upright rack and pinion gear, the teeth of which open 28 demonstrate. The rack 21 is arranged so that it can be used during the movement of the shuttle 10 with the pinion 16 is engaged.

This in 9 shown drive system 23 is used to control the driving of the shuttle 10 along the Y-axis. One drive 12th , here a motor, is used to drive a belt conveyor 13th connected, which extends along a stationary rail 24 extends along the Y-axis. The belt conveyor 13th is in use at the drive interface 25th of the shuttle 10 attached while the rail 24 is adapted to interface with the rail 30th engages to keep a safe track 7th for continuing the shuttle 10 to create, which limits it to a linear movement without shear movements. A flexible electrical connector 26th is at a base of the propulsion system 23 attached to receive electrical power from a manifold (not shown) with its distal end connected to the shuttles 10 can be connected to the engagement actuator 22nd provide electrical energy.

A transport operation for transporting a roll 5 within a roller bearing system 1 as described above, reference will now be made to FIG 10A-D and 11A-D described. the 10A-D show schematically a loading sequence which forms a first part of a transport process, during the 11A-D show schematically a forward unloading sequence, ie from one arrangement to another arrangement, which forms a second part of a transport operation.

As in 10A shown is a charge carrier 6th in an assigned roll storage location 3 the first arrangement, which forms an "entry position" for this process. The load carrier 6th is adapted to hold a circular roller (not shown) flat on its surface. At each end of it (in the Y-direction) is inside the charge carrier 6th a slot 41A , 41B designed, which is dimensioned so that it is at least as long in the X direction as the distance between the pivot point 15th and engaging portion 17th on the arm 14th is and wide enough to have a sliding cooperation with the engaging section 17th to enable.

At the beginning of the process is the shuttle 10 (please refer 7th ) near the entry position with the arm 14th arranged in a first rotary configuration in which the arm 14th over a first end of the rail 24 protrudes outwards (see 9 ) so that the engaging portion 17th a first end of the slot 41B subject, as in 10A shown. The engagement actuator 22nd (please refer 7th ) is then activated to the arm 14th relative to the rail 24 to raise and the engaging portion 17th in cooperative engagement with the slot 41B bring to.

As in 10B shown is the shuttle 10 along the rail 24 moved away from the entry position. The load carrier 6th with his role 5 will be behind the shuttle 10 until the engagement between the slot 41B and the engaging portion 17th drawn.

As in 10C shown, these mesh when the pinion 16 of the arm 14th the rack 21 reached and cause the arm 14th around the fulcrum 15th rotates into an intermediate rotation configuration. In 10C is the pinion 16 halfway along the rack 21 , and the arm 14th lies parallel to the X-axis so that the engaging portion 17th is now near the distal end of slot 41b.

As in 10D shown is the shuttle 10 continued to drive until the load carrier 6th the roller transport system 8th covered and by the table support 18th is completely worn. In this place the arm fell 14th around the fulcrum 15th rotated into a second rotational configuration in which it is about 180 ° relative to the first rotational configuration, so that the engagement portion 17th to the first end of the slot 41B returns. It should be noted that the shuttle 10 in this position is not at its travel limit, but further along the rail as described below 24 can be driven. In the in 10D the position shown can be the roller transport system 8th (see e.g. 3 ) optionally in the X direction along the track 7th (please refer 1 ) are moved to a subsequent transfer of the load carrier 6th to another roll storage location 3 , 4th to allow either the first or second arrangement. Alternatively and / or additionally, the track 7th optionally be moved in the vertical direction to the load carrier 6th to roller storage locations at different levels of the roller storage system 1 to transport. Because the load carrier 6th within the footprint of the roller transport system 8th is held and the arm 14th not over the end of the rail 24 protrudes is the roller transport system 8th compact and can be used without the risk of collision with other parts of the storage system 1 be moved. The roll storage location to which the load carrier 6th can optionally be used as an unloading bay from which the roll 5 can be removed for a separate process if required.

If the desired destination “exit” roll storage location is in the same arrangement as the entrance, the transport process can be completed and the load carrier 6th by reversing the order described above.

Alternatively, if the desired destination “exit” roll storage location is in a different arrangement than the entrance, the transport process can also be completed by removing the load carrier 6th is pushed to the starting storage location in a "forward unloading sequence". This procedure will now be described with reference to the 11A-D described.

11A is identical to 10D , where the load carrier 6th completely within the footprint of the roller transport system 8th is arranged. To start the discharge sequence, the engagement actuator 22nd activated to the arm 14th lower and thus the engagement portion 17th from cooperative engagement with the slot 41B to move out.

Then the shuttle 10 , as in 11B shown along the rail 24 driven to the entrance, ie to the left as shown. Because the shuttle 10 during this movement the rack 21 happens, the arm turns 14th back to the first rotational configuration with the engaging portion 17th over the left edge of the load carrier 6th extends beyond. The engagement actuator 22nd is then activated to the arm 14th and thus the engaging portion 17th to raise. The shuttle 10 is then driven back in the direction of the starting point, ie to the right as shown.

The engaging portion 17th is initiated at the left-most edge of the load carrier 6th and is moved to the right. 11C shows the arrangement when the shuttle is 10 has moved enough so that the pinion 16 halfway along the rack 21 lies and the arm 14th parallel to the X-axis. The shuttle 10 continues in this direction until it reaches the in 11D reached position in which the shuttle 10 in the vicinity, but not in its furthest travel range along the rail 24 is located and the arm 14th is in the second pivot configuration, so that the arm 14th over the second end of the rail 24 protrudes outwards. In this way the charge carrier becomes 6th completely from the roll transport system 8th in the corresponding roll storage location 3 , 4th pushed. It becomes clear that when the shuttle 10 would be driven to its greatest extent, the load carrier 6th would be pushed too far away so that the engaging portion 17th into the slot during a subsequent transport process 41A could intervene, which is why the journey is stopped before this point.

By comparing the 11B and 11D it can be seen that the engagement section 17th The distance traveled during the transport process is greater than that of the pivot point 15th Distance traveled during the transport process.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the shuttle could 10 from the in 11A position shown instead of at the edge of the load carrier 6th to abut, are driven so that the engaging portion 17th cooperative with the slot 41A can come into action. In this case the shuttle can 10 when pushing off the load carrier 6th from the roll transport system 8th on its entire travel range along the rail 24 be driven, the engagement actuator 22nd then activated to the engaging portion 17th engaged with the slot 41A lower.

As mentioned earlier, load cells are 20th in association with each thigh 19th of the table support 18th provided to the mass of the load carrier 6th and determine its burden. Will the load cells 20th by measuring the mass of a load carrier 6th calibrated without a load, the load mass can be determined directly. It is advantageous that the load cell outputs can be connected in parallel, with time sampling and post-processing being carried out to reduce noise and improve accuracy.

The embodiments described above are only exemplary and other possibilities and alternatives within the scope of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, while the embodiments described above use a rack and pinion rotary actuator, a special rotary motor mounted on the shuttle could also be used to effect the required rotation of the engagement member.

Although the invention has been described primarily with reference to a roller bearing system, the invention is not so limited and could be used to advantage in a variety of load handling processes.

List of reference symbols

1

Roller bearing system

2

casing

3

Roll storage location of the first arrangement

4th

Roll storage location of the second arrangement

5

role

6th

charge carrier

7th

track

8th

Roller transport system

9

Direction of travel

10

Shuttle

11

guide

12th

drive

13th

Belt conveyor

14th

poor

15th

pivot point

16

pinion

17th

Engagement section

18th

Table support

19th

leg

20th

Load cell

21

Rack

22nd

Engagement actuator

23

Drive system

24

rail

25th

Drive interface

26th

Flexible electrical connector

27

carrier

28

Guide opening

29

Cam plate

30th

Rail interface

41A, B

Slots

Claims (13)

A transport system for transporting a load carrier (6) of the transport system, the transport system comprising: the load carrier (6), a rail (24) with a first and a second end, one guided by the rail (24) and along the rail (24) between the first and the second end movable shuttle (10), wherein the shuttle (10) has an engaging element with an engaging portion (17) for engaging with a load carrier (6) used and a fulcrum (15) extending from the engaging portion (17) is spaced, comprises a drive (12) for moving the shuttle (10) along the rail (24) and a rotary actuator which, in use, causes the engagement element to rotate about the pivot point (15) so that when the shuttle (10) is arranged in the vicinity of the first end, the engagement element is positionable in a first rotational configuration, in the engaging portion (17) protrudes outwardly beyond the first end of the rail (24), and when the shuttle (10) is arranged in the vicinity of the second end, the engaging element is positionable in a second rotational configuration in which the engaging element about the Pivot point (15) is rotated by substantially 180 ° with respect to the first rotational configuration, and in which the engagement portion (17) protrudes outwardly beyond the second end of the rail (24), wherein the load carrier (6) has a slot (41A, 41B) for engaging with the engaging portion (17), the slot (41A, 41B) allowing relative movement of the engaging portion (17) and the charge carrier (6) during rotation of the engaging element. Transport system according to Claim 1 for transporting the load carrier (6) from an input position to an output position, the input position and the output position being spaced apart in the horizontal plane, the first end being arranged in the vicinity of the input position and the second end being arranged in the vicinity of the starting position in use is, the drive (12) moves the shuttle (10) during a transport process in use along the rail (24) and the rotary actuator causes the engagement element to rotate about the pivot point (15) within the horizontal plane during the transport process, so that the shuttle (10) is arranged at the beginning of the transport process in use in the vicinity of the input position with the engagement element in the first rotary configuration, and the shuttle (10) is arranged at the end of the transport process in the vicinity of the initial position with the engagement element in the second rotary configuration , so that the engagement portion (17) during the Transportvo The distance covered is greater than the distance covered by the pivot point (15) during the transport process. Transport system according to one of the Claims 1 and 2 wherein the engaging member comprises an arm (14), the engaging portion (17) being located near one end of the arm (14) and the pivot point (15) being located near the distal end of the arm (14). Transport system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotary actuator comprises a rack and pinion transmission, the pinion (16) being provided on the engagement element. Transport system according to one of the Claims 1 until 3 wherein the rotary actuator comprises a motor. A transport system according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an engagement actuator (22) operable to move the engagement element into and out of engagement with the load carrier (6). Transport system according to Claim 6 wherein the engagement actuator (22) is operable to move the engagement element along an axis orthogonal to the rail (24). Transport system according to one of the Claims 6 and 7th wherein the engagement actuator (22) is mounted on the shuttle (10) and is operable to move the engagement element relative to the shuttle (10). Transport system according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a table carrier (18) for carrying a load carrier (6) thereon, and wherein the table carrier (18) comprises a load cell (20) for determining the mass of the load carrier (6). Transport system according to Claim 9 wherein the table support (18) comprises four legs (19), each leg (19) being associated with a corresponding load cell (20) for determining the mass of the load carrier (6). Transport system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the slot (41B) is arranged in the vicinity of one end of the load carrier (6) and the load carrier (6) has an additional slot (41A) at a distal end of the load carrier (6) for engagement with the Comprises engaging portion (17). Roller transport system (8), comprising the transport system according to one of the Claims 1 until 10 , wherein the load carrier (6) is designed to carry a roller (5). A roller bearing system (1) comprising: a housing (2) comprising first and second arrangements of roller bearing locations (3, 4), a track (7) extending between the first and second arrangements and near each roller bearing location (3, 4 ) of each arrangement, and the roller transport system (8) after Claim 12 , wherein the roller transport system (8) is mounted on the track (7) with its rail (24) orthogonal to the track (7) and is movable along the track (7) so that the first end of the rail (24) in the Is positionable near any of the roller bearing locations of the first assembly (3), and the second end of the rail (24) is positionable near any of the roller bearing locations of the second assembly (4).

Images