DE102013212963A1 - Chain or belt pulley - Google Patents

Abstract

A chain or belt pulley 100, 200 includes a chain or pulley 110, an axle 120 passing through an axial opening of the chain or pulley 110, a raceway sleeve 130, and a plurality of rollers 140. The raceway sleeve 130 is interposed between the chain or belt Pulley 110 and the axle 120 disposed and connected to the chain or pulley 110. The rolling elements 140 are arranged between the raceway sleeve 130 and the axis 120, so that the chain or belt wheel 110 is rotatable about the axis 120.

Description

Embodiments relate to chain conveyor systems and more particularly to a chain or belt pulley.

In pallet transport systems, chains are often used to transport the goods. These transport chains pick up the weight of the pallets and their load and transport them along the defined path. The chain systems are constructed with chains in endless design. Since due to the friction occurring, the length of the chains and thus the length of the transport modules is limited, several transport modules must be lined up one behind the other to realize the entire transport route. At the joints, the pallets are transferred from one transport chain to the next. The transport chain is guided at this point via a deflection down and runs back along the transport module. To realize the transfer of the pallets smoothly and without delay, the pulleys must be made compact in order to have the shortest possible transfer areas. In this case, high loads, in particular impact loads and combined radial and axial loads must be absorbed by skewing and skew. At the same time, numerous start-stop processes result in metallic contact in the bearing and increased wear, which can lead to premature bearing failure. Furthermore, fat leakage or bearing contamination is often found as a cause of failure. Furthermore, the calculation of the life by the occurrence of radial and axial load is difficult to impossible.

There is therefore a need to provide a chain or belt pulley with increased life.

This need is met by a chain or belt pulley according to claim 1.

A chain or belt pulley according to an embodiment includes a chain or pulley, an axle passing through an axial opening of the chain or pulley, a raceway sleeve, and a plurality of rolling elements. The raceway sleeve is disposed between the chain or pulley and the axle and connected to the chain or pulley. Further, the plurality of rolling elements between the raceway sleeve and the axis is arranged so that the chain or pulley is rotatable about the axis.

Embodiments are based on the finding that by integrating a raceway sleeve into the chain or belt pulley, the raceway of the rolling elements can be improved (e.g., by material selection and / or surface treatment of the raceway sleeve) so that the life of the chain or belt pulley can be increased. Furthermore, the chain or Riemenumlenkrolle continue to be made compact, since the integration of a raceway sleeve requires little or no additional space.

In some embodiments, the raceway sleeve has a C-shaped cross section in a radial cross section. By the side surfaces of the C-shaped cross section, the rolling elements can be held in the axial direction in position.

Some embodiments relate to a chain or Riemenumlenkrolle with cylinders as rolling elements, so that the chain or pulley together with the axle and the rolling elements forms a cylindrical roller bearing. For example, the cylinders may be needles with a rolling element length to rolling element diameter ratio greater than 2.5. These needles can be arranged fully needle-like (ie without a cage). The needle bearing thus formed can accommodate high loads in a small size.

In some embodiments, the radial forces are absorbed by the rolling elements and limits (or accommodates) axial movements (or axial forces) of thrust washers, thrust rings, or guide washers. By separating the thrust load and radial load absorption mechanisms, the lifetime calculation can be performed with higher quality (accuracy), which can reduce the risk of premature failure prior to the calculated life.

In some embodiments, the axis has a bore which leads from the outside into the region of the rolling elements, so that lubricant can be introduced from the outside into the region of the rolling bodies via the bore. As a result, an initial lubrication and / or relubrication over the axis can be made possible. Furthermore, for example, the possibility for special lubrication during assembly can be realized with specially tailored to the application of grease.

Embodiments of the present invention will be explained below with reference to the accompanying figures. These show:

1 a schematic radial cross section of a Kettenumlenkrolle;

2 a schematic radial cross section of a Kettenumlenkrolle;

3 a representation of a transition between two transport modules of a chain transport system.

In the following, in the case of different, described exemplary embodiments, the same reference numbers may be used in part for objects and functional units which have the same or similar functional properties. Further, summary reference numerals may be used for components and objects that occur multiple times in one embodiment or in a drawing, but are described together in terms of one or more features. Components or objects which are described by the same or by the same reference numerals may be identical in terms of individual, several or all features, for example their dimensions, but may also be different if the description does not explicitly or implicitly make reference to the description. Furthermore, optional features of the various embodiments may be combined with each other or interchangeable.

Embodiments will be explained in more detail below with reference to Kettenumlenkrollen. However, it is easy to understand that all execution apply equally to a Riemenumlenkrolle having a pulley instead of a sprocket.

1 shows a Kettenumlenkrolle 100 according to an embodiment. The chain idler 100 includes a sprocket 110 , one through an axial opening of the sprocket 110 leading axis 120 , a track sleeve 130 and a plurality of rolling elements 140 , The raceway sleeve 130 is between the sprocket 110 and the axis 120 arranged and with the sprocket 110 connected. The majority of rolling elements 140 is between the raceway sleeve 130 and the axis 120 arranged so that the sprocket 110 around the axis 120 is rotatable.

Through the integration of the raceway sleeve 130 may be the tread on which the rolling elements 140 to be improved during operation (eg with respect to hardness and / or roughness of the tread). This can be done for example by a suitable choice of material and / or an improved surface treatment. This allows the sprocket 110 For example, be made of a cheaper inferior material than the raceway sleeve 130 which can save costs. Because the raceway sleeve 130 requires little or no additional space, the Kettenumlenkrolle can be realized very compact, so that the transition areas between transport modules can be kept small.

Under a chain pulley 100 For example, a rotatable component is seen, which leads a chain along a part of its circumference and changed in its direction. For example, the Kettenumlenkrolle 100 the chain over the half circumference by 180 ° deflect, but other angles can be realized if the chain is guided correspondingly longer or shorter along the circumference of the chain guide pulley.

The sprocket 110 has, for example, along its circumference teeth for receiving a chain. The teeth may be arranged in the axial direction in one or more rows.

Generally, an axial direction of the Kettenumlenkrolle 100 a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the Kettenumlenkrolle 100 (in operation), extends. On the other hand, a radial direction is orthogonal to the axial direction and intersects the axis of rotation of the chain return roller 100 ,

The sprocket 110 has a parallel to the axis of rotation of the Kettenumlenkrolle 100 extending axial opening. Through this axial opening the axis leads 120 , The axis 120 For example, when installing the Kettenumlenkrolle 100 in a transport module at both ends (or sides) attached to the transport module.

The raceway sleeve 130 is with the sprocket 110 connected. The connection can be realized in different ways. For example, the raceway sleeve 130 with the sprocket 110 However, the raceway sleeve is screwed 130 with the sprocket 110 preferably connected by a press fit. The connection can thus be positive and / or non-positive both in the axial direction, as well as in the radial direction. In other words, the raceway sleeve 130 and the sprocket 110 can be connected so that the raceway sleeve 130 with the sprocket 110 is rigidly connected, so can not perform relative movements to each other.

The rolling elements 140 are between the raceway sleeve 130 and the axis 120 arranged. During operation, the rolling elements roll 140 along the circumference of the axis 120 and along the raceway sleeve 130 , This is the sprocket 110 that with the raceway sleeve 130 connected to the axis 120 rotatable.

The raceway sleeve 130 can be realized in different ways, in particular with regard to their geometry and their materials. For example, the raceway sleeve 130 at least for the running surface (or in total) of the rolling elements 140 have a harder material or consist of a harder material than the material that is the parent material of the sprocket 110 forms. Alternatively or additionally, the running surface for the rolling elements 140 a better surface treatment than one Surface of the sprocket 110 have experienced so that at least the tread of the raceway sleeve 130 a lower roughness (eg mean roughness R _a ) than a surface of the sprocket 110 having. The raceway sleeve 130 can for example be made of a metal sheet, in particular a steel sheet. The raceway sleeve 130 can be eg a stamped sheet metal. For example, the base material of the sprocket 110 simple steel, whereas the raceway sleeve 130 hardened steel, finished steel or other material or consists thereof.

Optionally, additionally or alternatively, the raceway sleeve 130 have a C-shaped cross section in a radial cross section. A radial cross section is, for example, a cross section along a plane that is parallel to a radial direction and parallel to the axis of rotation of the Kettenumlenkrolle 100 runs. A cross section is, for example, C-shaped if it has a base surface which is connected to two side surfaces, wherein the two side surfaces each with the base surface, for example an angle between 45 ° and 135 ° (or 70 ° to 110 ° or 80 ° to 100 °), in particular 90 °, and the base area in the radial cross section is longer than each of the two side surfaces.

The two side surfaces of the C-shaped cross section may, for example, in the radial direction to the axis 120 extend and from the axis 120 have a distance that is smaller than a radius of the rolling elements 140 , This allows the rolling elements 140 a sufficient hold in the axial direction are given, so that there is essentially no or only negligible axial movements of the rolling elements 140 opposite the sprocket 110 can come. The distance between axis 120 and the side surfaces of the raceway sleeve 130 can still be chosen so large that a contact of the raceway sleeve 130 with the axis 120 can be prevented.

The rolling elements 140 can have different shape, so from the sprocket 110 and the axis 120 a different kind of bearing can be formed. For example, it can be at the rolling elements 140 act around cylinder, so through the sprocket 110 with raceway sleeve 130 , the rolling elements 140 and the axis 120 essentially a cylindrical roller bearing is realized. The rolling elements 140 can be held with a cage at a distance relative to each other or vollzylindrig be formed without a cage (without cage completely fill the space), for example, to be able to cope with higher loads. Furthermore, the cylinders can optionally be designed to be very long and thin (needle-shaped) in order to save as much space as possible and still achieve high load capacity. In this connection, it is often referred to a needle bearing in which the Wälzkörpernadeln a ratio of Wälzkörperlänge to Wälzkörperdurchmesser of, for example, more than 2.5 (or more than 2, more than 5 or more than 10). The needles can in turn be held by a cage in a relative distance from each other or fully needle-like (without cage) can be arranged. In other words, with the rolling elements 140 they may, for example, be cylinders, in particular needles with a rolling element length to rolling element diameter ratio of more than 2.5, which are fully needle-shaped along the circumference of the axis 120 are arranged.

By using a raceway sleeve 130 can optionally, alternatively or additionally easily on one or both sides of the raceway sleeve 130 (in the axial direction), a seal may be integrated to reduce or prevent the ingress of contaminants into the Wälzkörperbereich and / or leakage of lubricant from the Wälzkörperbereich. For example, on both sides of the raceway sleeve 130 one sealing ring each 160 (a gap seal) may be arranged. The two sealing rings 160 can each with the sprocket 110 be connected and the gap between sprocket 110 and axis 120 seal (eg with the axis 120 in contact and in operation on the surface of the axle 120 slide along).

Furthermore, the sealing ring may have, for example, sealing tips, which in relation to the rolling elements 140 directed to the outside, so that more lubricant can pass from the inside out than dirt can penetrate from the outside.

The chain idler 100 can be optional in the area of rolling elements 140 be filled with lubricant. This lubricant can already be used in the manufacture of the chain guide pulley 100 or be introduced later. For example, the axis 120 optionally a hole 124 have, from the outside (accessible from outside the Kettenumlenkrolle) in the region of the rolling elements 140 leads, so over the hole 124 Lubricant from the outside in the area of the rolling elements 140 can be introduced. In 1 is the hole through a dashed line in the area of the axis 120 indicated. The bore may, for example, from the outside first in the axial direction centrally along the axis of rotation up to the height of the rolling elements 140 extend and there from the axis of rotation in the radial direction to the rolling elements 140 extend. It can therefore be an initial lubrication and / or re-lubrication on the axis. Also, the possibility for special lubrication during assembly, for example by a specially tailored to the application grease selection can be created.

For example, an elastomer seal (sealing ring), which is suitable for relubrication, can also be used for this purpose.

Optionally, additionally or alternatively, the reception of radial forces can be essentially separated from the reception of axial forces. For example, the Kettenumlenkrolle be formed so that radial forces are absorbed by the rolling elements and axial movements of the sprocket 110 relative to the axis 120 limited by one or more thrust washers, one or more guide washers and / or one or more shaft retaining rings, so that axial forces substantially (eg except for friction on the rolling elements or the like) through the one or more thrust washers, the one or more guide discs and / or the one or more shaft securing rings are received. By decoupling or separating the axial load and the radial load, it is possible to perform the lifetime calculation with higher accuracy, so that the risk of an early failure can be reduced.

The limitation of the axial movement can be realized in different ways. For example, the axis 120 on one side (the chain guide pulley) one integral with the rest of the axle 120 trained thrust washer 122 exhibit a movement of the sprocket 110 limited in the axial direction to this side, as in eg 1 is shown.

Optionally, alternatively or additionally, the sprocket 110 on one side (the chain pulley) one in one piece with the sprocket 110 trained thrust washer 112 exhibit. The thrust washer 112 of the sprocket 110 may for example have a smaller inner diameter than an outer diameter of the thrust washer 122 the axis 120 so the sprocket 110 during an axial movement in the direction of the thrust washer 122 the axis 120 by a contact of the two thrust washers 112 . 122 is stopped.

Additionally, optionally or alternatively, the sprocket 110 on the opposite side have a starting portion having an inner diameter which is larger than an outer diameter of the raceway sleeve 130 , In this initial area, a (further) thrust washer can 114 to be ordered. This is, for example, two-piece with the sprocket 110 trained, otherwise the assembly of Kettenumlenkrolle difficult or impossible.

Optionally, additionally or alternatively, the axis 120 on one side (the chain return roller) a groove 126 exhibit. In the groove 126 can be a shaft safety ring 128 be arranged, a movement of the sprocket 110 limited to this side in the axial direction. For example, an outer diameter of the shaft securing ring 128 larger than an inner diameter of the thrust washer 114 in the initial area of the sprocket 110 , This can cause an axial movement of the sprocket 110 relative to the axis 120 be limited because the thrust washer 114 not at the shaft securing ring 128 can pass, as for example in 1 is shown.

Alternatively, for example, the axis 120 on one side have an initial region with an outer diameter that is smaller than an outer diameter of the axis 120 in the area of the rolling elements 140 , In the starting area can be a thrust washer 129 be arranged, which is a movement of the sprocket 110 limited in the axial direction on this side, as for example in the in 2 shown embodiment is shown. The thrust washer 129 has, for example, a larger outer diameter than an inner diameter of the thrust washer 114 of the sprocket 110 so that they can not pass each other in the axial direction. Through the initial area with a smaller outer diameter, the thrust washer 129 the axis 120 be fixed in their intended position after the remaining Kettenumlenkrolle 200 was assembled.

Incidentally, apply to the in 2 shown Kettenumlenkrolle 200 that belong to the in 1 shown Kettenumlenkrolle made versions.

A chain or Riemenumlenkrolle can be used, for example, for power transmission (power transmission), pallet transport, chain drives or belt drives. A chain or Riemenumlenkrolle according to the principle described may vary in their dimensions in a wide range. For example, the dimensioning can be done depending on the size of the transport modules or chains or belts used. For example, the chain or pulley may have an inner diameter in the region of the raceway sleeve of less than 33 mm. Opposite this, the axle can 120 in a range of rolling elements 140 have an outer diameter of more than 15 mm. The space between them may be sufficient to the raceway sleeve 130 and the rolling elements 140 accommodate. Furthermore, the rolling element length, for example, less than 25 mm.

3 shows an example of a chain transport system 300 , Here is the transition between two transport modules 310 with the respective chain pulleys 320 shown.

Some embodiments relate to a Kettenumlenkrolle. In this case, an optimized career by a pressed raceway sleeve (sheet metal sleeve) are made possible. In contrast to versions in which the raceway was incorporated in the base material of the sprocket and the axle, the life of the chain guide roller can be significantly increased. Furthermore, in contrast to versions with deep groove ball bearings, the Kettenumlenkrolle be realized in a smaller space or they can take higher loads. By separating the axial guide, radial forces can be absorbed by the rolling elements and axial forces can be absorbed via thrust rings and / or discs. The seal can be done via a simple gap seal or other sealing concepts. An elastomeric seal suitable for relubrication can be used. Initial lubrication and / or relubrication (relubricatable) can be done via the axis. Furthermore, a possibility of special lubrication during assembly, e.g. with specially tailored to the application, fat selection can be achieved.

By the described concept, for example, a longer service life can be achieved by optimized running surface (for example hardness, roughness, etc.), the possibility of relubrication and / or a better sealing. By separating axial and radial load, it may be possible to perform the lifetime calculation with higher quality. This can reduce the risk of an early failure before the calculated lifetime.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, in the following claims and in the drawings may be of importance both individually and in any combination for the realization of the invention in its various forms.

Although some aspects of the present invention have been described in the context of a device, it should be understood that these aspects also constitute a description of a corresponding method such that a block or device of a device is also to be understood as a corresponding method step or feature of a method step is. Similarly, aspects described in connection with or as a method step also represent a description of a corresponding block or detail or feature of a corresponding device.

The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention. It will be understood that modifications and variations of the arrangements and details described herein will be apparent to others of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, it is intended that the invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims and not by the specific details presented with the description and explanation of the embodiments.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

100

 Chain or belt pulleys

110

 Chain or pulley

112

 thrust washer

114

 thrust washer

120

 axis

122

 thrust washer

124

 drilling

126

 groove

128

 Circlip

129

 thrust washer

130

 Career sleeve

140

 rolling elements

160

 seal

200

 Chain or belt pulley

300

 Chain transport system

310

 transport module

320

 Kettenumlenkrolle

Claims (11)

Chain or belt pulley ( 100 . 200 ), with the following features: a chain or belt pulley ( 110 ); one through an axial opening of the chain or pulley ( 110 ) leading axis ( 120 ); a raceway sleeve ( 130 ) between the chain or belt pulley ( 110 ) and the axis ( 120 ) and with the chain or pulley ( 110 ) connected is; and a plurality of rolling elements ( 140 ) between the raceway sleeve ( 130 ) and the axis ( 120 ) are arranged so that the chain or pulley ( 110 ) around the axis ( 120 ) is rotatable. Chain or belt pulley according to claim 1, wherein the raceway sleeve ( 130 ) has a C-shaped cross section in a radial cross section. Chain or belt pulley according to claim 2, wherein the two side surfaces of the C-shaped cross-section in the radial direction to the axis ( 120 ) and from the axis ( 120 ) have a distance which is smaller than a radius of the rolling elements ( 140 ). Chain or belt pulley according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rolling elements ( 140 ) is about cylinders, in particular needles with a ratio of rolling element length to rolling element diameter of more than 2.5, the full needle along the circumference of the axis ( 120 ) are arranged. Chain or belt pulley according to one of the preceding claims, wherein on both sides of the raceway sleeve ( 130 ) a sealing ring ( 160 ), wherein the two sealing rings ( 160 ) each with the chain or pulley ( 110 ) and the gap between chain or pulley ( 110 ) and axis ( 120 ) seal. Chain or belt pulley according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the axle ( 120 ) a hole ( 124 ), which from the outside in the region of the rolling elements ( 140 ), so that over the hole ( 124 ) Lubricant from the outside into the area of the rolling bodies ( 140 ) can be introduced. Chain or belt pulley according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the chain or belt deflection roller is formed so that substantially radial forces from the rolling elements ( 140 ) and axial movements of the chain or pulley ( 110 ) relative to the axis ( 120 ) are bounded by one or more thrust washers, one or more guide washers and / or one or more shaft securing rings so that axial forces are substantially absorbed by the one or more thrust washers, the one or more guide washers and / or the one or more shaft securing rings. Chain or belt pulley according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the axle ( 120 ) on one side in one piece with the rest of the axis ( 120 ) trained thrust washer ( 122 ) having a movement of the chain or pulley ( 110 ) is limited in the axial direction on this side. Chain or belt pulley according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the chain or belt pulley ( 110 ) on one side integral with the chain pulley ( 110 ) trained thrust washer ( 112 ) and on the opposite side has a starting portion with an inner diameter which is larger than an outer diameter of the raceway sleeve ( 130 ), wherein in the initial area a thrust washer ( 114 ) is arranged, which is a movement of the chain or pulley ( 110 ) is limited in the axial direction on this side. Chain or belt pulley according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the axle ( 120 ) on one side a groove ( 126 ) and in the groove ( 126 ) a shaft securing ring ( 128 ) is arranged, which is a movement of the chain or pulley ( 110 ) bounded in the axial direction on this side, or where the axis ( 120 ) has on one side a starting region with an outer diameter which is smaller than an outer diameter of the axis ( 120 ) in the region of the rolling elements ( 140 ), and in the initial area a thrust washer ( 129 ) is arranged, which is a movement of the chain or pulley ( 110 ) is limited in the axial direction on this side.

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