Optimization bench for glass plates and method for positioning glass plates using this bench
AssigneeBavelloni S.P.A.
InventorDavide Gariglio
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An optimization bench for glass plates is configured to move the plates in a longitudinal direction of the bench in order to arrange the plates in positions suitable to achieve optimal occupation of the available area on the bench. The bench includes a plurality of belt conveyors parallel to each other, selectively driven by motor means through a plurality of electrically operated clutches which are respectively associated with the belt conveyors. An electronic controller is configured to convey each plate by activating only the belt conveyors on which the plate rests, until all plates are arranged in an optimized manner on the bench area.
Claims11
An optimization bench for glass plates, comprising:
- a base
- conveyor means carried by the base and configured to support a plurality of glass plates over an area of the bench that is to be occupied and to move the plates in a longitudinal direction of the bench in order to distribute the plates over the area available on the bench, and
- drive means, controlled by an electronic controller, for selectively driving said conveyor means by coordinating the movements of the plates on the bench, in such a way as to arrange the plates in positions suitable to obtain an occupation of the area available on the bench,
- said conveyor means comprising a plurality of belt conveyors parallel to each other, extending in the longitudinal direction of the bench and each belt conveyor of said plurality of belt conveyors comprising a belt and two end pulleys engaged by the belt and rotatably supported by the base, said plurality of belt conveyors being configured to support and transport the glass plates in the longitudinal direction of the bench,
- said drive means comprising common motor means for said plurality of belt conveyors and a transmission system operatively interposed between said motor means and said plurality of belt conveyors,
- said transmission system comprising a plurality of electrically operated clutches respectively associated with the plurality of belt conveyors and selectively operable by said electronic controller to control the movement of respective belt conveyors of said plurality of belt conveyors, such that each belt conveyor of said plurality of belt conveyors can be activated by said common motor means independently of other belt conveyors of said plurality of belt conveyors, by activation of the respective clutch, and
- said electronic controller being configured to transport each plate by activating only supporting belt conveyors of said plurality of belt conveyors on which the plate is supported.
Method for positioning a plurality of glass plates on an optimization bench by occupying the area available on the bench, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing an optimization bench including a base and conveyor mean carried by the base and configured to support a plurality of glass plates over an area of the bench that is to be occupied and to move the plates in a longitudinal direction of the bench in order to distribute the plates over the area available on the bench, and
- selectively operating, by means of driving means under the control of an electronic controller, said conveyor means, coordinating the movements of the plates on the optimization bench in such a way as to arrange the plates in positions suitable to obtain an occupation of the area available on the bench,
- said conveyor means comprising a plurality of belt conveyors parallel to each other, extending in the longitudinal direction of the bench and each comprising a belt and two end pulleys engaged by the belt and rotatably supported by the base, said belt conveyors being configured to support and transport the glass plates in the longitudinal direction of the bench,
- said drive means comprising common motor means for said belt conveyors and a transmission system operatively interposed between said motor means and said belt conveyors,
- said transmission system comprising a plurality of electrically operated clutches respectively associated with the belt conveyors, and selectively operable by said electronic controller to control the movement of respective belt conveyors of the belt conveyors, such that each belt conveyor of the belt conveyors is operable by said common motor means independently of other belt conveyors of the belt conveyors, by activation of the respective clutch, and
- wherein each plate is conveyed by activating, by means of the electronic controller, only supporting belt conveyors of the belt conveyors on which the plate is supported.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.