EP1795488B1 - Pick-up device for travelling system. - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a Fahrsystemaufnehmer according to the independent claim 1, and a method for assembling driving systems according to independent claim 9.
As driving systems, escalators and moving walks are referred to in the present description. Fahrsystemaufnehmer according to the invention are used in particular in the clocked production assembly of series of driving systems in production lines, as described in the patent application 05111810.7 the same applicant. In this case, each driving system or its driving system structure passes through a plurality of assembly stations. Series of driving systems may include multiple driving systems, typically between three and forty driving systems. The driving system structures, which are at the same time in production assembly, may be equal or different in length, high or wide. In each assembly station during a mounting phase, a specific assembly step, which in turn may include sub-steps performed. These assembly phases preferably last at least approximately the same length in the various assembly stations, for example about three hours. Once the assembly steps have been completed in all assembly stations, a transfer phase follows. During the transfer phase, driving system structures whose production assembly is completed are removed, while other driving system structures are spent in the respective next assembly station and you feed a "new" driving system structure whose manufacturing assembly begins.
For a rational and clocked production, it is important that the transfer of all involved driving system structures runs as synchronously as possible and is of the shortest possible duration, even if the individual driving systems differ in their length.

Such a short and synchronous transfer phase can not be realized by conventional means. A Fahrsystemaufnehmer according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from JP 11199165 known. This document proposes for the transport of an escalator or an escalator support via a staircase to support the escalator or the escalator support with a mobile support and to pull by means of a chain which is held by a support above the ground, upwards. From the US 6,808,057 is only a device with a mounted on a dock leveler of a truck stairs known whose inclination angle is adjustable, and from the US 4,260,318 is a device for moving pre-assembled escalators at their installation known. However, both devices are not suitable, even with smaller conversions, for the above-described transfer of in-line drive systems because of higher demands on stability, rigidity, maneuverability, accuracy, and flexibility of use.

• einen Fahrsystemaufnehmer zu schaffen, mit welchem ein Fahrsystem während einer Transferphase zu- und von einer Montagestation weggeführt werden kann und
• ein Verfahren zum Zusammenbauen von Fahrsystemen zu schaffen.

The object of the invention is to rationalize the manufacturing assembly of driving system structures and in particular

• to provide a Fahrsystemaufnehmer with which a driving system during a transfer phase and can be led away from a mounting station and
• to provide a method of assembling driving systems.

• für den Fahrsystemaufnehmer durch die Merkmale des unabhängigen Patentanspruchs 1und
• für das Verfahren durch die Merkmale des unabgängigen Patentanspruchs 9.

Der neue Fahrsystemaufnehmer muss insbesondere so gestaltet sein, dass das Ankuppeln am bzw. Abkuppeln von der Fahrsystemstruktur rasch und einfach durchführbar ist, wobei dennoch eine sichere Verkupplung erreicht werden muss. Da gleichzeitig eine Vielzahl von Fahrsystemen aufzunehmen ist, ist es vorteilhaft, zusätzliche Reserve-Fahrsystemaufnehmer bereitzustellen, und daher sollten die einzelnen Fahrsystemaufnehmer preisgünstig und einfach in der Herstellung und Wartung sein. Wie schon erwähnt, können die Fahrsystemstrukturen unterschiedlich bzw. verschieden breit oder lang sein, was bedeutet, dass die Fahrsystemaufnehmer diesbezüglich anpassbar sein sollten.The solution of this task is carried out according to the invention

• for the Fahrsystemaufnehmer by the features of independent claim 1und
• for the method by the features of the independent patent claim 9.

The new Fahrsystemsaufnehmer must be designed in particular so that the coupling on or uncoupling of the driving system structure is quickly and easily feasible, yet a secure coupling must be achieved. Since a plurality of driving systems are to be accommodated simultaneously, it is advantageous to provide additional reserve driving system receivers, and therefore the individual driving system receivers should be inexpensive and easy to manufacture and maintain. As already mentioned, the driving system structures may be different or different in width or long, which means that the driving system receivers should be adaptable in this regard.

Preferred details and developments of the inventive objects are defined by the dependent claims.

The Fahrsystemaufnehmer according to the invention comprises a drive unit and at least a first and a second receiving unit. As a recording unit, a recording platform with rollers or, if necessary, be used with skids.

The drive unit may be a train carriage, preferably with electric drive. Such a train carriage may for example have two axes and by means of a push rod or a flexible element, for example a chain or a rope, be coupled to the driving system structure, so that the drive unit is directly connected to the driving system structure.
Instead of such a towing vehicle and a kind of forklift truck can be used, which docks on serving as a receiving unit recording platform with heavy duty rollers. The driving system structure is picked up by this recording platform and another recording unit. In this case, the drive unit is indirectly via the receiving platform with the driving system structure in connection.

The Fahrsystemaufnehmer serves both to autonomously transfer the driving system structure and thereby supply them, for example, assembly stations and to remove them, as well as to serve in assembly stations as a support for the driving system structure to keep them stationary and to fix or off. The Fahrsystemaufnehmer and the driving system structure form at least during assembly a unit, which is referred to here as an intermediate product.

The mounting location may be, for example, an assembly hall, factory hall, gantry hall, open-air space, air-inflated hall or a roof-top hall or canopy. The mounting location includes a number of assembly stations, a plurality of vehicle pickups, and a control system. The assembly stations are visited successively and usually in a predetermined order by the intermediates, and in each assembly station during a predetermined assembly period a station-specific assembly step performed on a driving system structure. After completion of this assembly step, the intermediates are transferred during a transfer period to the subsequent assembly stations. The control system ensures that the assembly steps and transfer steps for all production-ready intermediate products are carried out simultaneously and in cycles. Here, the control system takes into account that the intermediates or the driving systems are designed differently. Although the assembly steps in the individual assembly stations are each station-specific, they are controllable in such a way that they are adapted to the respective intermediate product located there. This results in a mounting system in which the advantages and properties of one-off production are combined with the advantages and features of mass production.

Fig. 1

ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel eines Zwischenproduktes mit einem Fahrsystemaufnehmer nach der Erfindung und einer Fahrsystemstruktur, wobei der Fahrsystemaufnehmer an eine Fahrsystemstruktur für eine Fahrtreppe angekuppelt ist, während einer Bewegung in eine erste Richtung, in einer vereinfachten Darstellung, von der Seite gesehen;

Fig. 2

das in Fig. 1 dargestellten Zwischenprodukt, während seiner Bewegung in die Gegenrichtung, in gleicher Darstellung wie Fig. 1;

Fig. 3A

eine Antriebseinheit des in Fig. 1 dargestellten Fahrsystemaufnehmers, von der Seite;

Fig. 3B

die in Fig. 3A dargestellte Antriebseinheit, von oben;

Fig. 4A

ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel des Fahrsystemaufnehmers nach der Erfindung, von der nur die Antriebseinheit und die erste Aufnahmeeinheit dargestellt sind, mit einem Teil einer Fahrsystemstruktur, von der Seite;

Fig. 4B

die in Fig. 4A eingekreiste Einzelheit bzw. Detail, in vergrössertem Massstab;

Fig. 5A

die Antriebseinheit des in Fig. 4 dargestellten Fahrsystemaufnehmers, von der Seite;

Fig. 5B

die in Fig. 5A dargestellte Antriebseinheit, von oben;

Fig. 6A

die in den Fig. 5A und 5B dargestellte Antriebseinheit mit der angedockten ersten Aufnahmeeinheit, von der Seite;

Fig. 6B

die in Fig. 6A dargestellte Antriebseinheit mit Aufnahmeeinheit, von oben;

Fig. 7A

die in Fig. 6A und 6B dargestellte Aufnahmeeinheit, von vorne;

Fig. 7B

die in Fig. 7A dargestellte Aufnahmeeinheit, von oben;

Fig. 7C

die in Fig. 7A und 7B dargestellte Aufnahmeeinheit, von der Seite;

Fig. 8A

ein Zwischenprodukt, umfassend die in den Fig. 7A bis 7C dargestellte Aufnahmeeinheit und eine Fahrsystemstruktur, von hinten bzw. vorne ohne Antriebseinheit;

Fig. 8B

die in Fig. 8A dargestellte Aufnahmeeinheit, von der Seite, vorne und hinten an der Fahrsystemstruktur und ohne Antriebseinheit; und

Fig. 9

eine Montagestation nach der Erfindung, in stark vereinfachter Darstellung.

Further details and advantages of the invention will be explained below with reference to exemplary embodiments and with reference to the drawing. Show it:

Fig. 1

a first embodiment of an intermediate product with a Fahrsystemaufnehmer according to the invention and a driving system structure, wherein the Fahrsystemaufnehmer is coupled to a driving system structure for an escalator, during a movement in a first direction, in a simplified view, seen from the side;

Fig. 2

this in Fig. 1 represented intermediate product, during its movement in the opposite direction, in the same representation as Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3A

a drive unit of in Fig. 1 illustrated Fahrsystemaufnehmers, from the side;

Fig. 3B

in the Fig. 3A illustrated drive unit, from above;

Fig. 4A

a second embodiment of the Fahrsystemaufnehmers according to the invention, of which only the drive unit and the first receiving unit are shown, with a part of a driving system structure, from the side;

Fig. 4B

in the Fig. 4A circled detail or detail, on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 5A

the drive unit of in Fig. 4 illustrated Fahrsystemaufnehmers, from the side;

Fig. 5B

in the Fig. 5A illustrated drive unit, from above;

Fig. 6A

in the Figs. 5A and 5B illustrated drive unit with the docked first receiving unit, from the side;

Fig. 6B

in the Fig. 6A illustrated drive unit with receiving unit, from above;

Fig. 7A

in the FIGS. 6A and 6B shown receiving unit, from the front;

Fig. 7B

in the Fig. 7A shown receiving unit, from above;

Fig. 7C

in the Figs. 7A and 7B shown receiving unit, from the side;

Fig. 8A

an intermediate comprising those in the Figs. 7A to 7C shown receiving unit and a driving system structure, from behind or front without drive unit;

Fig. 8B

in the Fig. 8A illustrated receiving unit, from the side, front and rear of the driving system structure and without drive unit; and

Fig. 9

an assembly station according to the invention, in a greatly simplified representation.

Equally acting components are not provided in all figures with the same reference numerals. Terms such as above, below, right, left refer to the representation of the components in the figures or the direction of movement of the driving system pickup.

In Fig. 1 an intermediate product 300 with a driving system pickup 100 is shown, which comprises a drive unit 102, a first receiving unit 104 and a second receiving unit 106. The driving system receiver 100 is coupled to the left, lower end of a driving system structure 10, that is to say the structure 10A of an escalator with a balustrade 10B, so that it is possible to shift to the left, in the direction of the arrow L.

The in the FIGS. 3A and 3B Drive unit 102, which is shown on a larger scale and may also be referred to as a tension element or self-propelled drive element, is a towing vehicle with a pair of rolling wheels 102A and a castor wheel arrangement 102B in the present exemplary embodiment. Furthermore, the drive unit 102 comprises an actuator 102C. On the drive unit 102, a coupling element 102D is fastened, with which the drive unit 102 is coupled directly to the driving system structure 10 to be moved, for example electromagnetically.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the coupling element 102D is a flexible element that can only be claimed in tension and that is therefore only suitable for pulling the driving system structure 10. The coupling element 102D can also be rigid, that is to say a push rod or push-pull rod, so that the drive system structure 10 can also be pushed and steered.

The receiving units 104 and 106 may each consist of a pair of sub-recording units, and they may be the same or different. The receiving units 104, 106 comprise an actual platform 104A, 106A and two respective rolling axes, which are equipped with the roller pairs 104B, 106B. Instead of the pairs of rollers, one or more rollers or one or more runners can be provided.

In Fig. 2 In turn, the driving system sensor 100 with the drive unit 102 and the receiving units 104 and 106 as well as the driving system structure 10 are shown. The drive unit 102 is coupled or coupled at the right, upper end of the driving system structure 10, so that the driving system structure 10 can be pulled to the right, in the direction of the arrow R.

The FIGS. 4A to 8B refer to a second embodiment of the invention Fahrsystemaufnehmers. Fig. 4A shows this Fahrsystemaufnehmer 200, but without second receiving unit, with a part of the driving system structure 10 including balustrade 10B and structure 10A.

The Fahrsystemaufnehmer 200 includes a drive unit 202 in the form of a conventional forklift truck or self-propelled heavy-duty forklift, which in the Figs. 5A and 5B is shown in more detail.

Furthermore, the driving system sensor 200 comprises a drive unit 202 with a first docked receiving unit 204, and usually at least one second receiving unit, not shown. The FIGS. 6A and 6B shows the drive unit 202 with the docked receiving unit 204th

Details of the receiving unit 204 are from the Figs. 7A to 7C seen. The receiving unit 204, essentially a receiving platform, is movably mounted on four heavy duty rollers 208. In order to connect the drive unit 202 with the receiving unit 204, docking means are provided, in the present example a mandrel or plug-in bolt on the drive unit 202. Complementary mandrel receptacles or lugs and / or eyelets or stirrups or rings or eye bolts or chain links or carabiners on the receiving unit 204. The receiving unit 204 has in the present embodiment, several, namely four, mandrel shots. The drive unit 202 docks on the receiving unit 204 by her mandrel or pin alternatively engages in one of the four mandrel shots. This makes it possible to move the receiving unit 204 by train and push in different and different directions.

The receiving unit 204 further comprises transport foot receptacles 220. The Transportfussaufnahmen 220 are formed as Transportfussklauen or Transportfussgabeln. The transport foot receptacles 220 serve to receive corresponding transport feet 20 of the moving system structure 10 to be moved and can also be height, depth and width adjustable. For a first transfer phase, the driving system structure 10, usually by means of a hoist or overhead crane or gantry crane, lowered onto the receiving unit 204, such that their transport feet 20 are sunk into the Transportfussaufnahmen 220 (see Fig. 8A ). The transport foot receptacles 220 prevent a vertical downward movement and a horizontal slippage of the driving system structure 10 from the receiving unit 204. The transport foot 20 of the driving system structure 10 is encompassed by the transport foot receptacle 220, because the recess of the transport foot receptacle 220 and the transport foot 20 are both longitudinally also coordinated in the transverse direction with respect to shape and size or formed complementary. In the present embodiment, the fork-shaped or claw-shaped Transportfussaufnahme 220 prevents forward and backward movement of the driving system structure 10 relative to the receiving unit 204. The width of the Transportfussaufnahme 220 is, with some play, adapted to the transport foot 20, so that a lateral movement or transverse movement of the Driving system structure 10 relative to the receiving unit 204 is impossible. In addition, lateral boundary plates prevent sliding away or slipping of the transport foot 20 in the transverse direction.

The Transportfussaufnahmen 220 are mounted in pairs on the actual receiving platform 205 of the Fahrsystemaufnehmers 204 so that each pair of Transportfussaufnahmen 220 left and right transport foot 20 of the driving system structure 10, with left and right on the direction of travel of the finished driving system refer (see Fig. 8A ).

Since the traveling system structures 10 to be moved do not all have the same width, the receiving unit 204 is wide-adjustable. For this purpose, on the one hand, the actual receiving platform 205 and, on the other hand, the transport foot receivers 220 are designed such that the latter, depending on the width of the driving system structure 10 to be picked up or transferred, can be arranged at different widths or at different mutual distances on the receiving platform 205 , Particularly simple is an arrangement in which the Transportfussaufnahmen 220 only have to be repositioned or reversed or screwed. This also has the advantage that defective or worn Transportfussaufnahmen 220 can be easily replaced. The transport foot receptacles 220 may also be mounted laterally adjustable and lockable in guides on the receiving platform 205, such that a stepless or stepped width adjustment is possible.

Preferably, the transport foot receptacles 220 and the transport feet 20 are formed so that a slight adjustment of the altitude and / or inclination or horizontal position of the driving system structure 10 is possible.

The receiving units 204 of the driving system receivers may be designed such that they serve as stationary supports for the driving system structures 10 not only during the transport phases as mobile but also during the assembly phases.

Alternatively, the assembly stations may also contain their own, stationary receiving units. In this case, foot receptacles or transport foot receptacles 220 are preferably provided, which are configured and can be arranged so that they can receive the transport feet 20.

In another embodiment, the mounting stations may include stationary receiving units 204, but without foot receptacles. The driving system structures 10 are then stored for the assembly phases together with their transport feet 20 and the Transportfussaufnahmen 220 or without the Transportfussaufnahmen 220 in the assembly stations on the local stationary receiving units 204.
Furthermore, the driving system structure 10 and / or the transport foot 20 rests on the receiving platform 205.
The feet or transport feet 20 and the foot receptacles 220, in particular if they serve not only as a mobile Transportfussaufnahmen during the transport phases, but also as a stationary Fußaufnahmen during the assembly phases are preferably, but not necessarily, height adjustable. This ensures that the altitude of the individual foot areas of the driving system structures 10 is adjusted or adjusted.

The height adjustment can be achieved with an arrangement in which the foot receptacle 220 has two at an angle W1 and symmetrically to a vertical plane V arranged wings T. The male Transportfuss 20 is complementary and is located on these wings T at least partially on or on. The distance of the wings T from the vertical plane V can be changed. With a reduction of this distance, the transport foot 20 is raised, with an increase of this distance, the transport foot 20 is lowered, wherein the vertical axis of Transport foot 20 remains in place, so that no horizontal displacement of the transport foot 20 and thus the driving system structure 10 occurs. An additional advantage of this arrangement is that the sinking of the transport feet 20 is facilitated, since by the inclined wings T of the foot receptacles 220 to some extent a self-centering effect is achieved.

The receiving unit 204 is further equipped with two attached to the actual receiving platform 205 sliders 230. Alternatively, only one sling bar, if necessary. One or more eye bolts or other means may be provided, in which a lifting crane can engage to transport the Fahrsystemaufnehmer 200 using a hoist, such as a crane. The slingbars may also be configured and arranged to be gripped and lifted by a forklift truck.

In Fig. 7C is an essential aspect indicated by the arrows B1 and B2. Namely, in a presently preferred embodiment, the receiving unit 204 according to the invention can be moved both forward (in the direction B2) and sideways (in the direction B1). This eliminates the need for time-consuming and lengthy maneuvering of the very large and heavy loads or loads. In Fig. 9 This type of transverse displacement is used at the lower end of the mounting location where a shift from left to right takes place. Of course, an opposite movement to B1 and B2 is also easy, effortlessly possible, so backwards and to the other side.

Fig. 8A and Fig. 8B show an intermediate product 300, namely the receiving unit 204 with the driving system structure arranged thereon 10, wherein the transport feet 20 are arranged in the Transportfussaufnahmen 220.

Fig. 9 shows an assembly location 400 during a transfer phase. The assembly site 400 includes a plurality of assembly stations 410 configured to perform station-specific, different assembly steps, wherein each assembly step may include individual substeps. The assembly station 410 also includes a plurality of driving system receivers 200 and a control system 430 that controls the operations in the assembly site 400 fully or partially automated. A hoist 420, for example a gantry crane, overhead crane or slewing crane serves to sink the driving system structures 10 into the driving system receivers 200 and to remove them again from the driving system receivers 200. Other hoists are not necessary, so that the mounting location 400 does not require complex building structures, which is a clear advantage over conventional assembly halls.

A first driving system pickup 200, in Fig. 9 shown at the top left is provided to receive a ride system structure 10. Further driving system receivers 200 have already picked up driving system structures 10 and together with them form intermediate products 300. The intermediates 300 are supplied to the individual assembly stations 410 during the transfer phases by means of the autonomously movable driving system receivers 200 and / or removed therefrom. The intermediates 300 can be both longitudinally and transversely thereto, as between the in Fig. 9 below shown assembly stations to be transferred. During the assembly phases, the intermediates 300 are stationary in the assembly stations 410. After completion of all individual assembly The driving system structure 10 is removed from the respectively finished intermediate product 300, which can be done with the aid of the already mentioned hoist 420, as is shown in FIG Fig. 9 shown on the top right. The control system 430, shown in phantom by dashed lines, serves to control the entire process of manufacturing assembly. The control system 430 may also include only parts of the mounting location 400, for example, only the mounting stations 410.
The controller 430 may control the assembly stations 410 and also semi-robots and robots located in the assembly stations 410, such as welding robots, spot welding robots, glass placement robots, etc.

Claims (10)

1. Pick-up device (100, 200) for picking-up and moving a transportation system structure (10) of a transportation system, having a movable drive unit (102, 202) which can be connected with the transportation system structure (10) to move the transportation system structure (10), and at least one first pick-up unit (104, 204) and a second pick-up unit (106, 204) which can be driven by the drive unit (102, 202) and are embodied in such manner as to pick up the transportation system structure (10), the drive unit (202) being dockable onto one of the pick-up units (204), or the pick-up device having a coupling element (102D), for the purpose of connecting the drive unit (102) with the transportation system structure (10),
   characterized in that
   the pick-up unit (104, 106; 204) has one or more transport-foot receptacles (220), for example transport-foot forks or transport-foot claws, each of which accommodates a downwardly pointing transport foot (20) of a foot area of the transportation system structure (10) in such manner that the former is secured against horizontal displacement and vertical downward displacement relative to the transport-foot receptacle (220).
2. Pick-up device (100, 200) according to Claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the transport-foot receptacles (220) are arranged in pairs, preferably mirror-symmetrically to a lengthwise central plane, and in that the distance between the transport-foot receptacles (220) of a pair can be changed to adapt the width of the pick-up device (100, 200) to the transportation system structure (10).
3. Pick-up device (200) according to Claim 1, characterized in that
   it has coupling elements (102D, 202D) to dock the drive unit (202) to the pick-up unit (204), with a first coupling element (102D) to the drive unit (202) and a second coupling element (202D) to the pick-up unit (204).
4. Pick-up device (200) according to Claim 3, characterized in that
   the pick-up unit (104, 204) has several coupling elements (202D) which are arranged in such manner that the coupling element (102D) can be alternatively brought into engagement with one of these coupling elements so as to move the pick-up unit (104, 204) by means of the drive unit (202, 102) in various and highly diverse directions.
5. Pick-up device (200) according to Claim 4, characterized in that
   each coupling element (202D) on the pick-up unit (104, 204) is a pin receptacle or bolt receptacle and the coupling element (102D) on the drive unit (202, 102) is a pin or bolt.
6. Pick-up device (200) according to one of the foregoing claims,
   characterized in that
   the pick-up device (104, 204) has means, for example lifting loops or lifting tongues (230), to allow engagement of an external lifting device or lifting tackle or crane.
7. Pick-up device (200) according to Claim 1, characterized in that
   the transport-foot receptacle has two supporting surfaces (T) that stand relative to each other at a foot angle (W1), whose mutual distance increases upwardly and/or is settable and whose purpose is to serve as supporting surface for complementarily formed, preferably round, crowned, barrel-shaped, or spherical foot surfaces of the transport foot (20) so that the supporting surfaces (T) and the foot surfaces form a hoisting system for the height-adjustment of the transportation system structure (10).
8. Pick-up device according to Claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the foot receptacles (220) of the pick-up device (200) are height-adjustable for the purpose of horizontalizing or horizontally aligning the transportation system structure (10) for the assembly phase before execution of the station-specific assembly step.
9. Method for the assembly of transportation systems, in which from one transportation system structure (10) of a transportation system and one pick-up device (100, 200) according to one of claims 1 to 8 respectively an intermediate product (300) is formed, the intermediate products (300) pass sequentially, rhythmically, and/or simultaneously through an assembly plant (400), during the transfer phases each of the intermediate products (300) is transferred or transported between one of the assembly stations (410) and the respective subsequent assembly station (410), and during the assembly phases in the respective assembly stations (410) a station-specific assembly step is executed on the transportation system structures (10) of the intermediate products (300).
10. Method according to Claim 9,
    characterized in that
    a control system (430) of the assembly plant (400) maintains the assembly phases and/or the transfer phases at least approximately equal in terms of time and controls the transfer of the intermediate products (300).

Images