Abstract:
Battery gripper ( 12 ), for attracting by suction and handling starter batteries ( 26 ) of, in particular, motor vehicles, having a housing ( 56 ), in which a vacuum chamber which can be loaded with vacuum is provided and which has suction openings ( 84, 84 ) on the suction side thereof ( 54 ) which faces the starter battery to be attracted by suction, wherein the suction side is assigned a flexible lining ( 82 ) for contact with the starter battery, wherein the housing has a T-shaped cross section which runs parallel to the suction side, wherein the cross section has a bar section ( 64 ) and a web section ( 66 ) which extends transversely from the bar section, in such a way that the web section extends between the battery poles ( 68, 70 ) of the starter battery when the starter battery is attracted by suction to the battery gripper.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to a battery gripper for picking up by suction and handling starter batteries, in particular for picking up by suction and handling starter batteries of motor vehicles. The invention also relates to a gripping system comprising a tube lifter, an operating device for a tube lifter, at least a first vacuum source and a battery gripper of this kind. 
         [0002]    Conventionally, vacuum grippers comprise a housing in which a vacuum chamber to which a vacuum can be applied is provided, the housing comprising, on the suction side thereof that faces the workpiece, suction openings having a suction cross section, the suction side being associated with a flexible lining which contacts the workpiece. 
         [0003]    Vacuum grippers of this kind can be used in particular for grasping or lifting objects, for example stable flat materials, e.g. boards or plates, or smaller objects such as tins, tubs, dishes or the like. The vacuum grippers comprise the flexible lining for this purpose, which lining contacts a top face of the objects to be gripped. 
         [0004]    Owing to growing power requirements in motor vehicles and to start-stop systems which are becoming increasingly widespread, starter batteries in motor vehicles are becoming ever larger and thus also heavier. Therefore people replacing or moving starter batteries in car manufacturing or industries closely related to cars are also facing increasing physical strain. 
         [0005]    Owing to the structure thereof, starter batteries are very compact and are therefore often heavy. Moreover, conventionally, the surfaces of starter batteries do not have a continuously smooth outer contour, and therefore interference contours make it more difficult to pick up by suction or grip starter batteries. 
         [0006]    In general, starter batteries are stored on pallets or in boxes, said batteries being packed tightly together meaning that a grip can only be formed in spaces between starter batteries with difficulty. Therefore, up to now, starter batteries have been moved manually by means of a hook or claw such that it is possible to grip the starter batteries by the side of the battery. For this purpose, however, it is first necessary to shift the starter batteries out of position by hand. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The object of the invention is therefore that of providing a battery gripper which makes it possible to pick up by suction a starter battery of a motor vehicle by the top face of said battery, it being intended for the battery gripper to be simple to produce, and it being intended for the starter batteries to be gripped in a reliable and secure manner. 
         [0008]    This object is achieved by a battery gripper having the features of claim  1 . A battery gripper of this kind for picking up by suction and handling starter batteries, in particular of motor vehicles, comprises a housing in which a vacuum chamber to which a vacuum can be applied is provided and which comprises suction openings on the suction side thereof that faces the starter battery to be picked up by suction, the suction side being associated with a flexible lining for contacting the starter battery, the suction side and/or the flexible lining having a T-shaped cross section, the cross section having a bar section and a web section which extends transversely to said bar section such that the web section extends between the battery poles of the starter battery when said starter battery is picked up by suction on the battery gripper. This is particularly advantageous because, when the battery gripper is put into position, it is possible to prevent the battery poles of the starter battery to be handled from being contacted simultaneously. This advantageously prevents short-circuiting. In this case, it is conceivable for only the suction side and/or the flexible lining to have a T-shaped cross section, it also being possible for the entire housing of the battery gripper to have a T-shaped cross section that extends in parallel with the suction side. 
         [0009]    It is also possible for a skirt and/or a curtain to be provided on the battery gripper so as to create a vacuum seal. In this case, it is particularly preferable for the skirt and/or curtain to be arranged on the lateral face of the battery gripper and to extend towards a starter battery that is to be picked up by suction and/or handled. 
         [0010]    In a first advantageous development of the battery gripper, the suction openings are designed such that the number, opening cross section and/or geometry thereof is adapted to a battery surface of a starter battery to be picked up by suction. In this case, it is particularly preferable for the number, opening cross section and/or geometry to be selected so as to be adapted to the likelihood of leakage on the top face of the battery to be picked up by suction. If leakage is likely to occur, i.e. in uneven regions on the top face of the battery, it is advantageous if a low number of suction openings having a smaller opening cross section are provided, whereas, in regions in which leakage is unlikely to occur, i.e. in flat regions, a larger number of suction openings having a larger opening cross section can be provided. 
         [0011]    It is also advantageous if suction openings are provided with at least two different opening cross sections, a first opening cross section being smaller than a second opening cross section. In this case, the suction openings are preferably arranged such that, in the region of an uneven battery top face, suction openings having the first opening cross section are preferably provided, whereas, in the region of a flat or almost flat battery top face, suction openings having the second opening cross section are preferably provided. The opening cross sections, or diameter, and the arrangement, or position, of the suction openings are advantageously selected so as to be adapted to the likelihood of leakage on the top face of the battery to be picked up by suction. If leakage is likely to occur, i.e. in uneven regions on the top face of the battery, it is advantageous if a low number of suction openings having the first opening cross section are provided, whereas, in regions in which leakage is unlikely to occur, i.e. in flat regions, a larger number of suction openings having the second opening cross section can be provided. 
         [0012]    In this case, it is particularly preferable if the suction side has three suction sections in the direction of the bar section, there being arranged in a middle suction section approximately the same number of suction openings having the first and the second opening cross section, and there being arranged in two end suction sections arranged outside the middle suction section only or predominantly suction openings having the second opening cross section. In this case, there being predominantly suction openings having the second opening cross section is to be understood as over 80% of the suction openings in the relevant suction section being suction openings having the second opening cross section. 
         [0013]    In a particularly advantageous development of the battery gripper, the middle suction section has a central suction section, there being arranged in the central suction section only suction openings having the first opening cross section, and the middle suction section having, next to the central suction section, two transition suction sections which adjoin the end suction sections, there being arranged in the transition suction sections only or predominantly suction openings having the second opening cross section. In this case, there being predominantly suction openings having the second opening cross section is to be understood as over 80% of the suction openings in the relevant suction section being suction openings having the second opening cross section. 
         [0014]    It is also advantageous if the suction side has a peripheral edge suction section, there being arranged in the edge suction section only or predominantly suction openings having the first opening cross section. In this case, there being predominantly suction openings having the first opening cross section is to be understood as over 80% of the suction openings in the relevant suction section being suction openings having the first opening cross section. 
         [0015]    In a further advantageous embodiment of the battery gripper, cylindrical recesses are provided in the flexible lining, which pass through the flexible lining, the suction openings leading into the recesses, and the size of the recesses corresponding to the size of the suction openings. 
         [0016]    In this case, it is particularly preferable for the recesses to be designed such that the number, base, geometry and/or depth thereof is adapted to a battery surface of a starter battery to be picked up by suction. In this case, it is particularly preferable for the number, base, geometry and/or depth to be selected so as to be adapted to the likelihood of leakage on the top face of the battery to be picked up by suction. If leakage is likely to occur, i.e. in uneven regions on the top face of the battery, it is advantageous if a low number of recesses having a smaller base are provided, whereas, in regions in which leakage is unlikely to occur, i.e. in flat regions, a larger number of recesses having a larger base can be provided. 
         [0017]    Suction openings having a larger opening cross section advantageously lead into recesses having a larger recess cross section or a larger base, and suction openings having a smaller opening cross section advantageously lead into recesses having a smaller recess cross section or a smaller base. The cylindrical recesses advantageously extend perpendicularly to the suction side. Providing the recesses in the flexible lining is particularly advantageous because the recesses can act as chambers having a vacuum effect. 
         [0018]    It is also advantageous if the cylindrical recesses have a circular or oblong base. In the case of recesses having an oblong base, it is particularly preferable for two suction openings having the second opening cross section to be assigned to each oblong base or each recess. It is also particularly preferable in this case for the suction openings to be arranged, respectively, in the semicircular end regions of the oblong base. The oblong base is advantageously larger than the circular base, and therefore recesses having an oblong base have a larger recess cross section than recesses having a circular base. In the case of recesses having a circular base, one suction opening is preferably arranged coaxially with the circular base, which suction opening has the first opening cross section. 
         [0019]    In a further advantageous embodiment of the battery gripper, the battery gripper has a coupling section for connection to a tube lifter, the coupling section comprising an opening which leads into the vacuum chamber, and the coupling section comprising lock studs arranged evenly around the opening. 
         [0020]    Providing a coupling section of this kind makes it possible to connect the battery gripper to a tube lifter or to an operating device for a tube lifter. It is particularly preferable for it to be possible to connect the battery gripper to an operating device for a tube lifter, the operating device preferably comprising a pistol grip and it being possible to connect said operating device to the battery gripper by means of the coupling section. In order to couple the battery gripper to an operating device for a tube lifter, the lock studs can engage in receiving openings in the operating device in the manner of a bayonet fitting. It is made possible to operate the battery gripper using one hand by means of the pistol grip. 
         [0021]    It is also particularly preferable for the opening to be arranged in the side facing away from the suction side, the central longitudinal axis of the opening preferably extending perpendicularly to the suction side through the centre of gravity of the battery gripper. The opening makes it possible to connect a vacuum source to the battery gripper. In this case, it is conceivable for it to be possible to use the natural vacuum or the vacuum source of the tube lifter as the vacuum source for the battery gripper. 
         [0022]    In a particularly preferable development of the battery gripper, the flexible lining is a foam lining. 
         [0023]    Providing a foam lining as the flexible lining has been proven advantageous because foam is both particularly inexpensive and particularly suitable for the present purpose, since it conforms effectively to the sometimes uneven top face of the battery. It is however also conceivable to use a different type of flexible lining instead of a foam lining, for example any type of elastomer. 
         [0024]    In a further advantageous embodiment of the battery gripper, the housing has, on the side thereof that faces away from the suction side, a pole marker for a positive pole of a starter battery to be picked up by suction. The pole marker for the positive pole side is advantageously red, whereas a pole marker for a negative pole side can preferably be blue. Providing a pole marker of this kind for the battery poles makes it possible to simplify the gripping or picking up by suction and handling of a starter battery. On the basis of the pole marker, the operators of a battery gripper can determine from which side of the battery the web section has to be inserted between the battery poles in order to pick up by suction or grip the starter battery. 
         [0025]    It is also particularly preferable for the housing to have centre markers on the lateral face thereof in the region of the web section and on the side of the bar section that faces away from the web section. In this case, a lateral face is a peripheral face of the housing that is arranged transversely to the suction side. Providing the centre markers means that the orientation of the battery gripper can be used to position said battery gripper centrally on the battery top face of a starter battery. 
         [0026]    It is also advantageous if stop sections which project from the suction side are provided on the lateral face. Providing the stop sections means that a stop can be provided for a starter battery to be handled. In this case, it is particularly preferable for a stop section to be provided on the web section in the region of a gripper centre and for two stop sections which are preferably laterally reversed in relation to a mirror plane of symmetry to be provided eccentrically on the side of the bar section that faces away from the web section. 
         [0027]    In a further advantageous embodiment of the battery gripper, a mechanical clamping device for clamping the sides of a starter battery to be handled is provided. This means that an additional gripping or holding option can be provided, it being particularly preferable for clamping by means of the clamping device to occur only after the starter battery has been picked up by suction. 
         [0028]    The object mentioned at the outset is also achieved by a gripping system having the features of claim  14 . A gripping system of this kind comprises a tube lifter, an operating device for a tube lifter, at least a first vacuum source and a battery gripper according to at least one of the preceding claims, the first vacuum source being fluidically connected to the tube lifter. It is however also conceivable to provide a different lifting aid instead of a tube lifter, for example cranes, robots or the like. In this case, a central or decentralised vacuum supply may be provided as the vacuum source. A vacuum source of this kind can be powered electrically, for example in the manner of a pump or fan. Moreover, a pneumatic vacuum source in the form of an ejector is also conceivable. The vacuum source can, for example, be arranged directly on the battery gripper, whereas it is also possible to arrange the vacuum source on the lifting aid and to connect the vacuum source to the battery gripper by means of vacuum tubes provided for this purpose. 
         [0029]    In this case, the operating device preferably comprises a mating coupling section for connection to the coupling section of the battery gripper, it being particularly preferable for the mating coupling section to comprise a centering stud which can be inserted into the opening in the coupling section. It is also advantageous if the mating coupling section comprises receiving openings for receiving the lock studs of the coupling section of the battery gripper. As a result of rotation in the manner of a bayonet fitting, heads of the lock studs can be engaged from behind in receiving openings in order to releasably connect the battery gripper to the operating device. 
         [0030]    It is particularly preferable for the first vacuum source to be fluidically connected to the battery gripper. The vacuum source, which already supplies a vacuum to the tube lifter, can thus be provided so as to supply a vacuum to the battery gripper. 
         [0031]    It is however also conceivable for a second vacuum source to be provided which is fluidically connected to the battery gripper. A vacuum can thus be supplied to the battery gripper in a manner which is completely independent of the supply of a vacuum to the tube lifter. 
         [0032]    Further details and advantageous configurations of the invention can be found in the following description, by means of which the embodiment shown in the figures is described and explained in more detail. 
     
    
     
       BREIF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
         [0033]    In the figures: 
           [0034]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a gripping system comprising a battery gripper according to the invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged detail of the gripping system according to  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the gripping system according to  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 4  is a rear view of the gripping system according to  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the gripping system according to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , showing a motor vehicle starter battery that has been picked up by suction on the battery gripper; 
           [0039]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view from above of a battery gripper according to the invention; 
           [0040]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view from below of a battery gripper according to the invention; 
           [0041]      FIG. 8  is a view from below of a battery gripper according to the invention; 
           [0042]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view from below of an operating device of a gripping system according to  FIGS. 1 to 5 . 
       
    
    
       [0043]      FIGS. 1 to 5  show a gripping system  10  comprising a battery gripper  12  according to the invention,  FIGS. 6 to 8  showing the battery gripper  12  in isolation.  FIG. 9 , on the other hand, is a perspective view from below of an operating device  14  of a gripping system  10  according to  FIGS. 1 to 5 . 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0044]    The manner in which the gripping system  10  and the battery gripper  12  operate is described and explained in overall terms with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 9 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the gripping system denoted as a whole by reference numeral  10 . The gripping system  10  comprises the operating device  14  for a tube lifter  16 , it being possible to fasten the tube lifter  16  to a ceiling fitting (not shown) by means of a lug  18 . The tube lifter  16  also comprises, in the region of the lug  18 , a vacuum connector  20  by means of which the tube lifter  16  can be connected to a vacuum source (not shown in the figures). 
         [0046]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged detail of the gripping system  10  according to  FIG. 1 . In this figure, it can clearly be seen that the operating device  14  comprises a connection device for a lift tube  22  of the tube lifter  16 . As is generally known, by means of this lift tube  22 , the operating device  14  is supplied with a vacuum and is thus raised or lowered by the length of the lift tube  22  decreasing or increasing, respectively. A coupling  24  is located on the underside of the operating device  14 , to which coupling the battery gripper  12  is fastened. By means of this battery gripper  12 , a motor vehicle starter battery  26 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , can be picked up by suction and grasped such that the starter battery  26  can be raised by the length of the lift tube  22  subsequently decreasing. The portion between the connection device and the coupling  24  is in the form of a pistol grip  26  such that it can be grasped and actuated using one hand, i.e. one-handedly. In this case, the ball of the thumb rests on a rest  28  that can be clipped on and consists of a relatively soft material, e.g. rubber or silicon rubber, such that fatigue-proof operation is possible. A trigger  30  is operated using the index finger, which trigger in turn activates a ventilation vent (not shown in the figures) which is integrated in the pistol grip  26 . 
         [0047]    The coupling  24  can pivot about a horizontal axis  32  such that the battery gripper  12  can be pivoted about the horizontal axis  32  in order to be placed on a starter battery  26 . As can be seen in  FIG. 9 , the coupling  24  comprises a centering stud  34  which engages in a central opening  36  in the battery gripper  12 , which can be seen particularly clearly in  FIG. 6 . By means of the centering stud  34 , a vacuum chamber (not shown in the figures) of the battery gripper  12  can be provided with a vacuum supply. The battery gripper  12  itself has, as can also be seen in  FIG. 6 , four lock studs  38  which are arranged evenly around the opening  36  and engage in keyhole-like receiving openings  40  in the underside of the coupling  24 . The battery gripper  12  rotating in the manner of a bayonet fitting results in the head of one lock stud  38  being engaged in each of the receiving openings  40  from behind. This locking position is secured by a securing plate  42  which can be radially pulled out on a tab  44  counter to a spring force for unlocking purposes. In the radially inner position (locking position), the securing plate  42  engages a receiving opening  40  from behind to a minimal extent such that the head of the lock stud  38  therein cannot be pulled out of the receiving opening  40 . 
         [0048]    A lock pin  46  can also be seen that can be partially pulled out from the coupling  24  in the direction of a longitudinal axis  47  of the operating device  14  counter to a restoring force. This results in the coupling plate  48  comprising the receiving openings  40  being unlocked such that said plate can be rotated about the longitudinal axis  47 . Folding down the partially pulled-out lock pin  46  prevents relocking. Moreover, the locking plate  48  comprises four receiving portions  50  for the lock pin  46  which are arranged evenly over the perimeter of said plate such that four defined rotational positions can be assumed. 
         [0049]    The manner in which the battery gripper  12  operates is described and explained in more detail with reference to  FIGS. 5 to 8 . 
         [0050]    As can unquestionably be seen in  FIG. 5 , a starter battery  26  is picked up by suction on the top face  52  of said battery by means of the battery gripper  12  of the gripping system  10 . 
         [0051]    For this purpose, the battery gripper  12  comprises a suction side  54  that faces the battery top face  52  of the starter battery  26  to be picked up by suction. The battery gripper  12  also comprises a housing  56 , the housing  56  having, as is shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a housing top part  58  and a housing bottom part  60 , the suction side  54  being arranged on the housing bottom part  60  side. 
         [0052]    The housing top part  58  and the housing bottom part  60  are screwed together by means of a total of thirteen connection screws  62 . Overall, the housing  56  has a T-shaped cross section which extends in parallel with the suction side  54 , the cross section or the housing  56  having a bar section  64  and a web section  66  which extends transversely or perpendicularly to said bar section  64 . The web section  66  is in this case designed such that, as can clearly be seen in  FIG. 5 , it extends between a positive pole  68  and a negative pole  70  of the starter battery  26  when said starter battery  26  is picked up by suction on the battery gripper  12 , such that the starter battery  26  is prevented from short-circuiting. 
         [0053]    For positioning the battery gripper  12  on a starter battery  26 , the housing  56  comprises a marker (not shown in the figures) for the positive pole  68  of the starter battery  26 . The housing  56  also comprises a centre marker  74  on a periphery lateral face  72  in the region of a gripper centre on the web section  66 . Moreover, the housing  56  comprises a centre marker  76  on the side of the bar section  64  that faces away from the web section  66  in the region of the gripper centre, which marker can be seen in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0054]    In order to be able to make it as simple as possible to position the battery gripper  12 , a stop section  78  is also provided in the region of the gripper centre on the web section  66 , which stop section projects from the suction side  54 . Two stop sections  80  which are laterally reversed in relation to a mirror plane of symmetry are also provided eccentrically on the side of the bar section  64  that faces away from the web section  66 , which stop sections also project from the suction side  54 . 
         [0055]    A flexible lining in the form of a foam layer  82  is arranged on the suction side  54  and contacts the starter battery  26 . The foam layer  82  is selected for the flexible lining because foam conforms effectively to the sometimes uneven top face  52  of the battery. 
         [0056]    As can be seen in particular in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the housing  56  comprises, in the suction side  54 , suction openings  84  having a first opening cross section and suction openings  86  having a second opening cross section. The first opening cross section of the suction openings  84  is in this case smaller than the opening cross section of the suction openings  86 . These suction openings  84 ,  86  lead into cylindrical recesses  88 ,  90  in the foam layer  82 . The recesses  88 ,  90  pass through the foam layer  82  completely, the recesses  88  having a circular base and the recesses  90  having an oblong base. The oblong base of the recesses  90  is in this case larger than the circular base of the recesses  88 . In the case of the recesses  88  having a circular base, each recess  88  is assigned a suction opening  84  which has the first opening cross section and is arranged coaxially with the circular base of the recess  88 . 
         [0057]    In the case of the recesses  90  having an oblong base, each recess  90  is assigned two suction openings  86  which have the second opening cross section and are arranged, respectively, in the semicircular end regions of the oblong base of the recesses  90 . 
         [0058]    As can be seen in  FIG. 7 , the suction side  54  has three suction sections  92 ,  94 ,  96  in the direction of the bar section  64 . A middle suction section  92  is provided in the middle of the suction side  54 , two end suction sections  94 ,  96  being arranged outside the middle suction section  92 . In the middle suction section  92 , there are provided approximately the same number of suction openings  84 ,  86  having the first and the second opening cross section, a corresponding number of recesses  88  having a circular base and recesses  90  having an oblong base also being provided. In the end suction sections  94 ,  96 , there are arranged only suction openings  86  having the second opening cross section and recesses  90  having the oblong base. 
         [0059]    As can be seen in particular in the view from below according to  FIG. 8 , the middle suction section  92  is further divided into a central suction section  98  and two transition suction sections  100 ,  102  adjoining the end suction sections  94 ,  96 . In the region of the central suction section  98 , there are arranged only suction openings  84  having the first opening cross section and recesses  88  having a circular base, whereas in the transition suction sections  100 ,  102 , there are arranged only or predominantly suction openings  86  having the second opening cross section and recesses  90  having the oblong base. 
         [0060]    Furthermore, the suction side  54  comprises an edge suction section  104 , indicated by a dashed line in  FIG. 8 , there being arranged in the edge suction section  104  only or predominantly suction openings  84  having the first opening cross section and recesses  88  having the circular base. 
         [0061]    The suction openings  84 ,  86  and the recesses  88 ,  90  are arranged in this case such that they can be adapted to the top face  52  of a battery such that, in uneven sections on the top face  52  of the battery, suction openings  84  having the smaller first opening cross section and recesses  88  having the smaller circular base are provided, whereas, in flat sections on the top face  52  of the battery, suction openings  86  having the larger second opening cross section and recesses  90  having the larger oblong base are provided, such that leakage caused by the top face of the battery being uneven can be minimised.