Patent ID: 7287950
Filing Date: 2007-10-30
Classification: B21D,B65G,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A transfer arrangement for transferring a workpiece in a transfer direction between first and second spaced locations (starting point 41 , end point 42 ), comprising: at least one guide rail ( 14 ) extending along the transfer direction, a carriage ( 16 ) movably supported on the at least one guide rail ( 14 ), a carriage drive ( 17 ) for moving the carriage ( 16 ) back and forth along the guide rail ( 14 ), a transfer arm ( 24 ) comprising first and second pivot elements ( 22 , 23 ) the first pivot element ( 22 ) being pivotally supports on the carriage ( 16 ) and the second pivot element ( 23 ) being pivotally connected with one end to the first pivot element ( 22 ) by a pivot joint ( 27 ), a workpiece holding means ( 33 ) attached to the other end of the second pivot element ( 23 ) for moving the workpiece holding means ( 33 ) in the transfer direction, and a control arrangement for controlling the carriage drive ( 17 ) such that, during the transfer of the workpiece holding means ( 33 ) from one to the other of the first and second spaced locations ( 41 , 42 ), the carriage ( 16 ) is at least slowed down, while the workpiece holding means ( 33 ) with any workpiece held thereby is continually moved by the transfer arm ( 24 ), the carriage ( 16 ) being movable during the transfer between a starting point ( 41 ) and an end point ( 42 ) and the control arrangement accelerating first the carriage ( 16 ) together with the workpiece holding means ( 33 ) supported by the arm ( 24 ) with rearwardly stretched out pivot elements ( 22 , 23 ), the carriage then being slowed down while the pivot elements ( 22 , 23 ) are pivoted to continue to move the workpiece holding means ( 33 ) ahead of the carriage ( 16 ) and the carriage being again accelerated and finally decelerated to a standstill at the end point ( 42 ) while the arm elements ( 22 , 23 ) are stretched out forwardly.