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A device for moving a machine or the like between plural workstations includes: a mechanism for suspending the machine, a guide, a structure for supplying the guide with electrical energy, a mechanical linkage between the machine and the guide, a connector for electrically connecting the machine to

A device for moving a machine or the like between plural workstations includes: a mechanism for suspending the machine, a guide, a structure for supplying the guide with electrical energy, a mechanical linkage between the machine and the guide, a connector for electrically connecting the machine to the guide, a connector for electrically connecting the machine to each workstation, and a switch for changing the electrical energy supply source of the machine when it is connected to both a workstation and to the guide. Further a management and control device controls moving the machine and its electrical energy supply.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A device for moving a machine between plural workstations, comprising: means for placing the machine in suspension; a guide; means for supplying the guide with electrical energy; means for providing mechanical linkage between the machine and the guide; first connection

The invention claimed is: 1. A device for moving a machine between plural workstations, comprising: means for placing the machine in suspension; a guide; means for supplying the guide with electrical energy; means for providing mechanical linkage between the machine and the guide; first connection means for electrically connecting the machine to the guide; second connection means for electrically connecting the machine to each workstation; switching means for changing an electrical energy supply source of the machine when the machine is connected to both a workstation and to the guide; and management and control means for moving the machine and for supplying electrical energy to the machine. 2. A device for moving a machine according to claim 1, wherein the means for placing the machine in suspension includes air cushions. 3. A device for moving a machine according to claim 2, wherein the air cushions are supplied with compressed air by the guide. 4. A device for moving a machine according to claim 1, wherein the guide includes an aerial guide and includes a dolly mounted on a bridge crane. 5. A device for moving a machine according to claim 4, wherein the bridge crane is equipped with marks placed on the bridge crane at regular intervals, and wherein the dolly includes a reader that cooperates with the marks to read a position of the dolly on the bridge crane. 6. A device for moving a machine according to claim 4, wherein the bridge crane is mounted to slide along two roughly parallel rails, and wherein each rail is equipped with marks placed on each rail at intervals and wherein the bridge crane includes a reader opposite each rail, with each reader cooperating with the corresponding marks to read a position of the bridge crane in relation to the corresponding rail. 7. A device for moving a machine according to one of claim 5, wherein the marks include barcodes. 8. A device for moving a machine according to one of claim 4, wherein the bridge crane is supplied with electrical energy by a system including a live conductor that extends longitudinally in relation to movement of the bridge crane and a contact slipper that is integral to the bridge crane and in permanent contact with the live conductor. 9. A device for moving a machine according to claim 4, wherein the connection means includes a first connector installed on the machine and a connector configured to cooperate with the first connector and that is installed on the dolly mounted on the bridge crane, wherein the first connector is in a fixed position on the machine, and wherein the second connector is in a mobile position on the dolly between a first position at which the second connector is connected to the first connector when both connectors are facing each other and a second position at which the second connector is at a distance from the first connector, a direction of movement of the second connector being roughly perpendicular to a junction plane of the first and second connectors. 10. A device for moving a machine according to claim 1, wherein the means for providing mechanical linkage includes a vertical linkage bolt and a housing whose shape corresponds to a shape of the linkage bolt to accommodate the linkage bolt, and wherein the vertical linkage bolt is placed on the guide and the housing is placed on the machine, or vice versa, and the device further comprising means for performing a relative movement of the linkage bolt in relation to the housing, in a vertical direction, for enabling the linkage bolt to enter or exit the housing when the linkage bolt is vertically aligned with the housing. 11. A device for moving a machine according to claim 10, wherein the means for providing mechanical linkage further includes positioning means with a positioning roller and a V-shaped housing to accommodate the positioning roller, and wherein the positioning roller is integral to the guide and the V-shaped housing is integral to the machine, or vice versa. 12. A device for moving a machine according to claim 11, wherein the positioning roller is mobile between a raised position and a lowered position, and wherein the positioning roller is configured to cooperate with the V-shaped housing to position the machine in relation to the guide. 13. A device for moving a machine according to claim 11, wherein the means for providing mechanical linkage further includes an alignment mechanism that includes converging guide walls and an alignment roller that moves between the guide walls, wherein a minimal distance between the guide walls corresponds roughly to a diameter of the alignment roller, wherein the alignment roller is integral to the guide and the guide walls are integral to the machine, and wherein the linkage bolt, the positioning roller in a lowered position, and the alignment roller are aligned and at roughly the same height. 14. A device for moving a machine according to claim 1, wherein the second connection means includes a first connector installed on the machine and a second, fixed connector that cooperates with the first connector and is installed on a vertical wall of the workstation, and wherein the first connector is mobile on the machine between a first advanced position, at which the first connector is connected to the second connector when the first and second connectors are opposite each other, and a second withdrawn position, at which the first connector is at a distance from the second connector, movement direction of the first connector being roughly horizontal and perpendicular to a junction plane of the first and second connectors. 15. A device for moving a machine according to one of claim 1, wherein the switching means includes comparison means for verifying, prior to switching, that a line connection of electrical current phases of a future supply source corresponds to a line connection of the electrical current phases of a present supply. 16. A device for moving a machine according to claim 1, wherein each workstation is equipped with two stops that cooperate with counterstops installed on the machine, and wherein the machine includes securing means for securing the machine onto at least one of the stops. 17. A device for moving a machine between workstations, comprising: air cushions configured to put the machine in suspension; a guide coupled to said machine so that said machine is movable along said guide; an energy supplier configured to supply electrical energy to the guide; a first connector configured to electrically connect the machine to the guide; a second connector configured to electrically connect the machine to each workstation; and a switch configured to change an electrical energy supply source of the machine when the machine is connected to both a workstation and to the guide. 18. The device for moving a machine according to claim 17, further comprising: a controller configured to move the machine and supply electrical energy to the machine. 19. A device for moving a machine between plural workstations, comprising: air cushions configured to place the machine in suspension; a guide; an energy supplier configured to supply electrical energy to the guide; linkage configured to mechanically link the machine and the guide; a first connector configured to electrically connect the machine to the guide; a second connector configured to electrically connect the machine to each workstation; a switch configured to change an electrical energy supply source of the machine when the machine is connected to both a workstation and to the guide; and a controller configured to move the machine and to supply electrical energy to the machine.