Patent Application
20080053280
This invention is in the general field of production lines, particularly apparatus that catches and stores parts on such lines.
Parts catchers or parts accumulators collect parts from production lines. Typically the parts are finished parts produced by feeding raw material, such as material in bar form, to a lathe. The lathe machines the raw material, shaping and cutting off a complete, or near complete part, which is then stored in the parts catcher. Often the parts catcher is simply a bucket on some type of movable arm that can extend at the proper time via the machine control so as to catch the work piece to be stored. After receiving the part from the lathe, the parts catcher retracts and deposits the work piece through an opening in the machine guarding either into a collection box on the front of the machine, or onto a straight conveyor, typically 3-4 feet in length. Then the machine can continue making the next piece.
Some parts catchers have very limited storage space, and hence they provide only a short amount of unmanned runtime, and/or they present a strong possibility of damaging the finished parts as they bang together. Such limitations presented by the parts catcher undermine one of the significant advantages of bar feeding—extended periods of unmanned run time.
Parts accumulators can be large and the space they occupy can interfere with efficiency.
The invention generally features a stand-alone parts accumulator that can be retrofit as a unitary add-on to an existing production line. The parts accumulator includes: (a) a generally linear conveyor; (b) a rotary table comprising a spiral barrier guide defining a path from an outer region of the table to an inner region of the table; (c) a connector attaching the linear conveyor to the rotary table; (d) a motor connected to rotate the rotary table; (e) an adjustable controller connected to the motor to control rotation of the table.
Preferred embodiments may include other features. For example, the controller may be independently powered. A second motor may be connected to more the generally linear conveyor. A weir (e.g., a stationary bar extending over the table with arms extending from the bar into the path) may be positioned to meter movements of parts toward the center of the path. A bracket supports the generally linear conveyor to attach it to the rotary table.
A second aspect of the invention, which can be combined with the first aspect or employed independently, features a reversible bracket mounting the conveyor. The same bracket can be used for either left-hand or right-hand installations, and there is no need to disassemble (reconfigure) the drive when switching between left hand and right hand drive; nor is there any need to reconfigure the drive or to reverse the motor when switching between left hand and right hand drive. The bracket is positioned substantially within the periphery of the conveyor, so it does not obstruct access to the conveyor when the conveyor is not being used. When combined with the above-described rotary accumulator, the assembly presents a compact package.
A third aspect of the invention, which also can be used alone or combined with any one or more of the other aspects, features positioning the conveyor motor within the “footprint” of the conveyor, meaning that the motor does not increase the effective width of the overall device. The advantages of this include:
a) better weight balance, reducing the degree of support required for the conveyor and therefore the complexity of the conveyor mounting;
b) improved belt life by use of a belt drive that pulls the belt rather than pushing it;
c) improved ability to use the conveyor in tight spaces, by removal of obstructions from the working end of the conveyor; and
d) improved access to machine components such as foot pedals and oil fill points.
The invention thus permits the use of a separate motor to drive the conveyor without a substantial sacrifice of convenience or access to the conveyor, and without substantially increasing the footprint of the entire assembly.
In a fourth aspect of the invention, which also can be combined with either or both of the first two aspects, the conveyor width is between about 2″ and 8″. Preferably, the amount of dead space on each side is 1 inch or less. This feature also makes access to the machine easier.
The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.
In
Table 18 includes a spiral wall 22 forming a path 24 on the top of rotary table 18 in which parts can accumulate in a relatively compact area. Weir 26 includes triangular arms 28 extending downwardly into path 24 to control the movement of parts along path 24.
A controller 30 includes a connection for power and electronic controls for motor 32 which is connected to rotate table 18. The electronic controls manually control the speed at which table 18 rotates. Controller 30 also controls motor 33 which drives linear conveyor 12 so that the speed of conveyor 12 matches the speed at which table 18 rotates. An adjustable timer in controller 30 is set to match the machine tools cycle time. Conveyor 12 is an integral part or the accumulator 10, simplifying the installation of the accumulator onto the production line.
In operation, a production line (e.g. having a lathe), deposits parts on linear conveyor 12. Driven by motor 33, conveyor 12 moves the parts to ramp 17 and then onto table 18. The speed of rotation of table 18 and the speed of conveyor 12 are controlled by controller 30, so that parts are accumulated in the spiral path on table 18 at a desired rate. The weir 26 is stationary. As table 18 rotates, arms 28 contact the parts and move them toward the center of the spiral in an orderly way, with the parts added earlier being located at the center of the spiral and the later added parts being located at the periphery. When the path is loaded with parts, accumulator 10 is emptied for the next machine tool cycle.
As noted, there are advantages to driving the product accumulator with a motor that is separate from the conveyor motor. For example the stand-alone accumulator with its own motor can be more easily attached and detached.
In
Drive roller 56 is inboard (past) motor 48. As a result, the motor pulls the conveyor rather than pushes it, which is generally a more efficient design as it reduces the tendency for the conveyor belt to buckle when parts of significant weight are being conveyed. The invention achieves this design while remaining compact.
A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
This application claims priority to U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/842,501, filed on Sep. 6, 2006.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60842501 | Sep 2006 | US |
