OVERHEAD CONVEYING DEVICE HAVING SUPPORT FRAMEWORK MODULES

• US 20160207579A1
• Filed: 05/22/2014
• Published: 07/21/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Torsten Hosker
• Original Assignee: Torsten Hosker
• Inventors: HSKER, Torsten
• Granted Patent: US 9,908,575 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 65/18 Transportation, conveyor or haulage systems specially adapted for motor vehicle or trailer assembly lines conveyors and haulage in general B65G
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 41/006 with the conveyor not adjustably mounted on the supporting frame or base

Abstract

The invention relates to an overhead conveying device (01, 30, 52, 55) for integration in an assembly plant in order to transport vehicle components (31) by means of a conveying device (33) arranged on the overhead conveying device (01, 30, 52, 55), said overhead conveying device having a supporting framework (03, 38). The supporting framework (03, 38) has a length greater than 5 m and a width greater than 2 m, and the conveying device (33) can be mounted at the supporting framework (03, 38). The supporting framework (03, 38) and the conveying device (33) form a conveying corridor (32), in which the vehicle components (31) can be transported from an input point to an output point, and the supporting framework (03, 38) is borne above the floor (47) of the assembly plant by bearing means (39, 48). A free space, which is suitable for component assembly and/or for component transport and which can be walked and/or driven through, is formed between the underside of the supporting framework (03, 38) and the upper side of the floor (47) by the bearing means (39, 48). The supporting framework (03, 38) is formed from at least two supporting framework modules (03a, 03b, 03c, 38a, 38b) arranged one after another in the direction of the conveying corridor (32).

Claims

1. An overhead conveying device for integration in an assembly plant in order to transport components, said overhead conveying device comprising:

a supporting framework having a length greater than 5 m and a width greater than 2 m;

a conveying device mounted on the supporting framework, wherein the supporting framework and the conveying device form a conveying corridor, in which components can be transported in a direction of the conveying corridor from an input point to an output point, and wherein; and

support columns supporting the supporting framework wherein a free space suitable for component assembly and/or component transport and which can be walked and/or driven through is formed beneath the supporting framework wherein the supporting framework is formed from at least two supporting framework modules arranged one after another in the direction of the conveying corridor.

2. The overhead conveying device according to claim 1, in which the supporting framework modules, at a transition to adjacent supporting framework modules, have fastening devices, which make it possible to connect adjacent supporting framework modules.

3. The overhead conveying device according to claim 1, in which the overhead conveying device has an input supporting framework module, at which the input point for the components is disposed, and an output supporting framework module, at which the output point for the components is disposed.

4. The overhead conveying device according to claim 3, in which an intermediate supporting framework module is disposed between the input supporting framework module and the output supporting framework module.

5. The overhead conveying device according to claim 4, including several intermediate supporting framework modules wherein the intermediate supporting framework modules are substantially identical in construction.

6. The overhead conveying device according to claim 1 in which compensating elements between adjacent supporting framework modules, cushion vibrations between the supporting framework modules and/or relieve thermal stresses.

7. The overhead conveying device according to claim 1, in which at least two of said support columns form part of a column gantry disposed at at least one supporting framework module, wherein the least two support columns, whose lower ends are affixed on a floor of the assembly plant, and wherein at least one transverse bridge is affixed between the at least two support columns, and wherein the supporting framework module is arranged on the upper side of the transverse bridge.

8. The overhead conveying device according to claim 1, in which the supporting framework modules are self-supporting and can be transported in preassembled form.

9. The overhead conveying device according to claim 1, in which the supporting framework modules include at least two side parts extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the conveying corridor and limiting a cross-section of the conveying corridor to the right and to the left.

11. The overhead conveying device according to claim 1 in which each of the supporting framework modules include at least one floor part, which limits a cross-section of the conveying corridor from below.

12. The overhead conveying device according to claim 1, in which a maintenance walkway is affixed to at least one supporting framework module along a longitudinal side of the conveying device.

13. The overhead conveying device according to claim 1, in which the supporting framework modules are designed in the manner of a spatial truss and include longitudinally and transversely oriented and diagonal and upright interconnected supporting beam elements.

14. The overhead conveying device according to claim 13, in which the supporting beam elements have a closed tubular cross-section.

15. The overhead conveying device according to claim 1, in which the supporting framework modules are welded structures.

10. The overhead conveying device according to claim in which the conveying device is mounted between the two side parts and limits the cross-section of the conveying corridor from the top.