Unit and Method for Conveying Workpieces Along a Processing

Abstract

A unit and method are provided for conveying workpieces along a processing run, having at least one transport car ( 10 ), moving along the processing run in a conveying direction (FR) and a rotating shaft ( 20 ), mounted on the transport car ( 10 ), close to a first of the ends thereof, to rotate about the axis thereof at right angles to the conveying direction (FR) and on which a mounting ( 40 ) for the workpiece to be processed is provided. The rotating shaft ( 20 ) is only mounted close to the first end thereof on the transport car ( 10 ) and may thus be driven in the conveying direction (FR), the second free end thereof being passively transported along in the conveying direction (FR). It is thus possible to pivot the rotating shaft ( 20 ) in a plane running at right angles to the conveying direction, in particular, to permit a space saving return.

1 . Unit for conveying a workpiece along a processing run, comprising
 at least one transport car ( 10 ), movable along the processing run in a conveying direction (FR),   and a rotating shaft ( 20 ), mounted on the transport car ( 10 ), close to a first of the ends thereof, to rotate about the axis thereof at right angles to the conveying direction (FR) and on which a mounting ( 40 ) for the workpiece to be processed is provided,   wherein   the rotating shaft ( 20 ) is only mounted close to the first end thereof on the transport car ( 10 ) and may thus be driven in the conveying direction (FR), whereas the second free end thereof is moved along passively in the conveying direction.   
   
   
       2 . Unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the rotating shaft ( 20 ) is arranged in such a manner that it may at least in part be pivoted in a plane running at right angles to the conveying direction (FR). 
   
   
       3 . Unit according to  claim 2 , wherein the transport car ( 10 ) is arranged together with the entire rotating shaft ( 20 ) to be pivotable in said plane. 
   
   
       4 . Unit according to  claim 2 , wherein the rotating shaft ( 20 ) comprises a folding mechanism ( 22 ,  300 ), by which the second end of the rotating shaft ( 20 ) is pivotable in said plane. 
   
   
       5 . Unit according to  claim 2 , wherein the rotating shaft ( 20 ) is pivotable by at least 45°. 
   
   
       6 . Unit according to  claim 5 , wherein the rotating shaft ( 20 ) is pivotable by 90°. 
   
   
       7 . Unit according to  claim 1 , with the second end of rotating shaft ( 20 ) being provided with a non-driven support element ( 80 ) which can run on a support surface ( 90 ). 
   
   
       8 . Unit according to  claim 1 , further including a guiding way ( 70 ), along which the transport car ( 10 ) is movable in the conveying direction (FR). 
   
   
       9 . Unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the transport car ( 10 ) is driven in the conveying direction (FR) by a conveying chain, a belt or a rope drive. 
   
   
       10 . Unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the rotating movement of the rotating shaft ( 20 ) around its axis is coupled to the movement of the transport car ( 10 ) in the conveying direction (FR) via a rotating drive ( 30 ). 
   
   
       11 . Unit according to  claim 10 , wherein the rotating drive ( 30 ) is a roller lever. 
   
   
       12 . Unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the rotation of the rotating shaft ( 20 ) around its axis is created by means of a separate rotating drive ( 35 ). 
   
   
       13 . Unit according to  claim 12 , wherein the separate rotating drive ( 350 ) is an electric drive. 
   
   
       14 . Unit according to  claim 1 , further including means for compensating the torque created by the workpiece which is mounted on the rotating shaft ( 20 ). 
   
   
       15 . Unit according to  claim 14 , wherein a counter-weight ( 50 ) is provided at the first end of rotating shaft ( 20 ) for compensating the torque. 
   
   
       16 . Unit according to  claim 15 , wherein the counter-weight ( 50 ) is fixed to the first end of the rotating shaft ( 20 ) via a carrier ( 60 ) in such a manner that the distance thereof to the rotating axis of the rotating shaft ( 20 ) is variable. 
   
   
       17 . Unit according to  claim 14 , wherein a lever-spring mechanism is provided for compensating the torque. 
   
   
       18 . Method for conveying a workpiece along a processing run, comprising the following steps:
 moving a transport car ( 10 ) in a starting position,   fixing a workpiece which is to be processed on a rotating shaft ( 20 ) which is rotatably supported on said transport car ( 10 ) in the area of a first of its ends,   conveying said transport car ( 10 ) along a processing run in a conveying direction (FR), with the rotating shaft ( 20 ) being oriented at right angles to said conveying direction (FR),   detaching the workpiece from the rotating shaft ( 20 ) in a disposal position,   pivoting the rotating shaft ( 20 ) in a plane running at right angles to the conveying direction, and   returning the transport car ( 10 ) with the rotating shaft ( 20 ) into the starting position.   
   
   
       19 . Method according to  claim 18 , wherein the entire rotating shaft ( 20 ) is pivoted in said plane together with the transport car ( 10 ). 
   
   
       20 . Method according to  claim 19 , wherein during pivoting or following pivoting the transport car ( 10 ) is diverted to a return run, is returned there and again diverted in order to reach the starting position and is pivoted into its original position. 
   
   
       21 . Method according to  claim 18 , wherein only a partial area of the rotating shaft ( 20 ) which includes the second end of the rotating shaft is pivoted in said plane. 
   
   
       22 . Method according to  claim 20 , wherein the partial area of the rotating shaft ( 20 ) is diverted during pivoting or following pivoting to a return run, is oriented in parallel with the conveying direction (FR) for return and is again diverted in order to reach the starting position and is pivoted into its original position.