DE102014206800A1 - Conveyor with continuous tension core - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a conveying means (20) with a continuous tension core (30) extending along a conveying direction (11), wherein a plurality of supporting elements (40) is provided, which are formed separately from each other, wherein on the supporting elements (40). Conveyed goods (16) can be supported. According to the invention, a first and a second group (41; 42) of support elements (40) are provided which are arranged separately from each other, being arranged on opposite sides of the tension core (30) transversely to the conveying direction (11), wherein the support elements (40 ) of the first and the second group are in each case materially connected to the tension core (30).

Description

The invention relates to a conveyor according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for its production.

Out US Pat. No. 7 641 045 B2 is a subsidy known. The conveying means comprises a continuous tension core, which is designed in the form of a toothed belt. On the tension core a plurality of separate support elements is snapped. The support elements are substantially rigid, forming a support surface for conveyed. The tension core is flexurally elastic only with respect to a single bending direction. The conveyor can accordingly be moved along a path which runs in one plane.

From the EP 1 311 446 B1 a conveyor is known, which is composed of a plurality of chain links. The chain links form support elements, which can support conveyed. The chain links are interconnected by joints which are rotatable with respect to two mutually orthogonal axes of rotation. This conveyor can be moved along a path that can run almost anywhere through space. However, the production of this conveyor is expensive.

The conveying means according to the invention can be produced in a particularly cost-effective manner, wherein it can be moved simultaneously along a path which can run virtually anywhere through the space.

According to the independent claim, it is proposed that a first and a second group of support elements are provided, which are formed separately from each other, wherein they are arranged transversely to the conveying direction on opposite sides of the tension core, wherein the support elements of the first and the second group respectively cohesively are connected to the tension core.

Such a conveyor can be produced particularly cost-effective with a method in which the support elements are produced in a multi-component extrusion or pultrusion process together with the tension core, which subsequently produced spaces between immediately adjacent support elements, in particular cut out to each other separate support elements to obtain. In the extrusion process liquefied plastic material is forced through a shaping opening, so that a profile body results, which has a constant cross-sectional shape over its entire length. In the pultrusion process, however, the liquefied plastic material is pulled through the shaping opening. For this purpose, the plastic material preferably surrounds a tensile strand, which can transmit the corresponding tensile forces. In the case of the corresponding multicomponent methods, different plastic materials are introduced into different regions of the shaping opening, resulting in a profile body at the end, which consists of different plastics. The tension core, in particular its jacket, is preferably formed by an elastomer, wherein the support elements are formed by a contrast, much harder plastic material. In order to achieve the desired bending elasticity of the conveying element, free spaces are produced between immediately adjacent supporting elements, so that the rigid supporting elements do not substantially hinder the bending of the conveying means.

In the dependent claims advantageous refinements and improvements of the invention are given.

The support elements may have a higher flexural rigidity than the tension core. Consequently, the bending elasticity of the conveyor is mainly determined by the tension core.

The traction core can have a minimum permissible bending radius with respect to two mutually orthogonal bending directions which is less than 500 mm and preferably less than 200 mm. The minimum permissible bending radius is preferably the bending radius at which the corresponding bending of the tension core does not cause any plastic deformation on the tension core. The said bending radius is preferably measured at a center line of the conveyor.

The tension core may comprise a tension-resistant tensile strand, which is surrounded by a jacket, which consists of an elastomer, wherein the support elements of the first and / or the second group are integrally connected to the shell. The elastomer may be, for example, EPDM. The support elements are preferably made of a plastic over the jacket much stiffer. Preferably, the support elements are made of POM. The abovementioned cohesive connection is preferably produced within the scope of the ready-addressed extrusion or pultrusion process.

The tensile strand may be a rope composed of a plurality of fibers extending in the conveying direction, wherein the fibers are preferably made of steel or polyamide, in particular aromatic polyamide. Such a tensile strand can endure the alternating bending occurring during the use of the conveying means over very long periods of time without causing a breakage the pull string comes. It is also conceivable, the pull cord integrally form a shape of a wire or a cable. It is also conceivable to form the tension cord in the form of a chain with a plurality of separate chain links. Said chain links are preferably much smaller than the support elements, wherein the corresponding volume is most preferably smaller by a factor of 10.

The individual support elements of the first and / or the second group may be spaced apart in the conveying direction, when the conveyor is straight. When the conveyor passes through a curve, the inside curve support elements are moved towards each other. The proposed distance prevents the support elements abut each other. Preferably, a contact of immediately adjacent support elements is permitted only when the conveyor moves with the minimum allowable bending radius through a curve.

The support elements of the first group may be arranged with respect to a plane of symmetry mirror-symmetrical to the support elements of the second group, wherein the tension cord extends in the plane of symmetry. As a result, the bending stresses which act on bending in the conveyor are minimized.

The tension core and the support elements of the first and the second group may form a continuous support surface on which the conveyed material can be supported. As a result, the support elements disturb the bending of the conveyor very little. At the same time, a particularly large bearing surface is available for placing the conveyed material. It is also conceivable that the support elements of the first and the second group completely cover the tension core, so that the conveyed material rests exclusively on the support elements. Since the support elements are formed separately from each other and preferably separated by a gap, they do not hinder the bending of the tension core substantially.

The tension core, in particular the jacket, may be convex or concave curved in the region of the support surface. It should be noted that the comparatively soft tension core has a much higher coefficient of friction than the comparatively hard support elements. By selecting a suitable curvature of the curved region, it is thus possible to set the frictional force with which the conveying means entrains the conveyed material. It should be noted that operating conditions of the conveyor are known in which the conveyed is stopped with a separate device, wherein the funding continues to run under the conveyed. The drive of the conveyor should not be claimed by excessive frictional forces.

The support elements of the first and / or the second group may each comprise a base and a plate-like first leg, which is formed integrally with the base, wherein it is arranged perpendicular to this, wherein the base is materially connected to the tension core, wherein the conveyed can be supported on the first leg. The corresponding support element is particularly material-saving. At the same time it has a large support surface for the conveyed on the first leg. The cohesive connection between the base and the tension core can be made particularly strong, so that at this point, even with prolonged use of the conveyor no breakage is to be feared. In addition, the proposed funding with the inventive method is inexpensive to produce.

The support elements of the first and / or the second group may comprise a second plate-like leg, which is formed integrally with the base, wherein it is arranged parallel spaced from the first leg. Preferably, it is contemplated that the conveyor is guided by a slide bar, which is arranged between the first and the second leg. The aforementioned sliding strip therefore rests exclusively on the comparatively hard supporting elements, so that only slight frictional forces arise between the sliding strip and the conveying means, which place little load on the drive of the conveying means.

A width of the support element, in particular of the first and / or the second leg, which is measured in the conveying direction, can decrease transversely to the conveying direction to the outside, preferably decrease linearly. Such a conveyor can be moved through curves with a very small radius of curvature, at the same time a particularly large support surface for the conveyed material is available.

It is understood that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the particular combination indicated, but also in other combinations or in isolation, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It shows:

1 a sectional perspective view of a conveyor with a conveyor according to the invention;

2 the funding after 1 in cross-section;

3 a manufacturing device for carrying out the method according to the invention;

4 a first embodiment of an end connection for the conveying means according to the invention; and

5 a second embodiment of an end connection for the conveying means according to the invention.

1 shows a perspective sectional view of a conveyor 10 with a conveyor according to the invention 20 , The conveyor 10 includes a support profile 12 as it for example from the EP 1 249 407 B1 or the EP 1 301 422 B1 is known. The supporting profile 12 is made of extruded aluminum, so that it has a constant cross-sectional shape in the conveying direction 11 extends. Above and below are each two sliding strips 13 on the support profile 10 snapped, each in pairs together the funding 20 slidable lead. The sliding strips 13 are made of plastic and are preferably made by extrusion. The funding 10 runs on the support profile 12 and possibly other comparable support profiles endlessly around, so that a leading and a returning strand 14 ; 15 of the subsidy 20 results. On the upper leading strand 14 lies the conveyed goods 16 on, which is roughly illustrated as a cuboid. The returning strand 15 is at the bottom of the support profile 12 between two sliding strips 13 guided.

In the present case, the conveyed material lies on a substantially flat support surface 21 of the subsidy 20 on, as in the vast majority of applications of the funding 20 the case is. The bearing surface 21 of the subsidy 20 but can also be structured to the conveyed 16 better to take with you.

The funding 16 is from a train core 30 and a variety of support elements 40 composed. On the in 1 left side of the conveyor 20 is a first group 41 of supporting elements 40 arranged, their individual support elements 40 in the conveying direction 11 through V-shaped cutouts 46 spaced apart from each other. On the in 1 right side of the conveyor 20 is a second group 42 of supporting elements 40 arranged with respect to a plane of symmetry (no. 22 in 2 ) mirror-symmetric to the first group 41 is trained. The supporting elements 40 within a group are each formed identical to each other. The in the conveying direction 11 measured width of the support elements 40 takes due to the V-shaped cutouts 46 each from the outside.

Between the forward and the returning strand 14 ; 15 are undercut fastening grooves 17 on the support profile 12 arranged with which the conveyor 10 can be attached to a (not shown) parent assembly.

2 shows the subsidy 20 to 1 in cross section. The funding 20 is mirror-symmetric with respect to the plane of symmetry 22 educated. The train core 30 has over its entire length a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape. Inside is a tension cord 31 arranged, which is preferably formed in the form of a rope. The fibers 33 of the tensile strand 31 run in the conveying direction, where they can be twisted together. The fibers 33 are preferably made of steel or aramid. The tension cord 31 is in the plane of symmetry 22 arranged in the vertical direction, preferably in the middle of the tensile strand 31 is arranged.

The tension cord 31 is from a coat 32 surrounded, which consists of an elastomer, such as EPDM. On the two opposite sides of the tension core 31 or the coat 32 there is a transitional area 23 in which the material of the coat 32 with the material of the supporting elements 40 is materially connected, wherein it is ideally at least partially come to a mixing of materials. Accordingly, the support elements 40 firmly with the coat 32 of the tension core 30 connected.

The supporting elements 40 are each U-shaped with a first and a second leg 44 ; 45 trained, which has a base 43 are integrally connected to each other. About the base 43 are the supporting bodies 40 cohesively with the jacket 32 of the tension core 30 connected, the base 43 into the already mentioned transition area 23 passes.

The first and the second leg 44 ; 45 are each formed in the form of a flat plate with a constant thickness. The clear distance between the first and the second leg 44 ; 45 is chosen so that with little play on the assigned sliding strip (No. 13 in 1 ) can slide. On the first leg 44 is part of the flat bearing surface 21 trained, on which the conveyed material rests. Between the supporting elements 40 is the bearing surface 21 on the coat 32 of the tension core 30 educated. Contrary to the representation, it may also be convexly or concavely curved there, in order to reduce the frictional forces between the conveyed material and the conveying means 20 adjust. The convex and the concave curved support surfaces are each by dashed lines 21a ; 21b indicated.

3 shows a manufacturing device 60 for carrying out the method according to the invention. The manufacturing device 60 includes a coil 61 , of which the tension cord 31 is rolled off. This is the tensile strand 31 from the in 3 right side through the manufacturing device 60 pulled, so that in this regard can be spoken of a pultrusion process.

The tension cord 31 becomes with respect to a passage direction 66 first through a plastic molding device 62 guided and in particular by the shaping opening arranged therein. The Kunststoffformvorrichung 62 becomes a first and a second plastic granules 64 ; 65 supplied, which are each heated in an associated extruder and processed into a viscous plastic mass. The two plastic masses are conveyed separately from each other to the shaping opening, wherein the first, after cooling softer plastic mass is fed in the middle of the shaping opening to the sheath (no. 32 in 2 ) around the tension cord 31 to build. It is conceivable that the jacket is preformed by a shaping auxiliary opening before it is introduced into the shaping opening, with which the final cross-sectional shape of the conveyor is made. The second, after cooling harder plastic mass is filled around the first plastic compound around in the shaping opening, so that the transition region (no. 23 in 2 ) results between the first and the second plastic mass. The second plastic mass forms the support elements 40 ,

After the grant 20 the plastic molding device 60 has left, it has over its entire length a constant cross-sectional shape, wherein it has a high flexural rigidity, after the two plastic materials are cooled. Therefore, the conveyor is by a cutting device 63 led, in, for example, with a cutting punch, the already mentioned V-shaped cutouts (no. 46 in 1 ) getting produced. After the cutting device 63 has the funding 29 the desired bending properties. It may be followed by other processing steps, such as a deburring process.

4 shows a first embodiment of an end connection for the conveying means according to the invention 20 , Shown is a partial sectional view, wherein the sectional plane with the plane of symmetry (no. 22 in 2 ) coincides. The first and the second end 24 ; 25 of the subsidy 20 lie on a contact surface 73 to each other, for example, is curved in a circle. The two ends 24 ; 25 be from a lanyard 20 in the form of a bracket 71 made of spring steel sheet. The clip 71 For this purpose, use appropriate undercuts at the ends 24 ; 25 of the subsidy 20 , especially in the Zugkern 30 , one. The clip 71 is substantially U-shaped, with the two free ends of the bracket at least approximately facing each other. The first embodiment is primarily for a conveyor 20 thought that has no tensile strand. But it can also be used for a conveyor with a tensile strand, the tensile strength of the conveyor 20 is limited in this case by the strength of the end connection.

5 shows a second embodiment of an end connection for the conveying means according to the invention 20 , Shown is a partial sectional view, wherein the sectional plane with the plane of symmetry (no. 22 in 2 ) coincides. The first and the second end 24 ; 25 of the subsidy 20 lie on a contact surface 73 to each other, which is for example flat. In the area of the contact surface 73 is a recess 74 in the train core 30 of the subsidy 20 arranged, extending over both the first and the second end 24 ; 25 of the subsidy 20 extends. In the recess 74 is a lanyard 70 arranged, with which the ends of the Zugstrangs 31 are firmly connected. The ends of the surrounding coat 32 in contrast, only by the tensile prestressing force of the tension cord 31 pressed together. In the connection means 70 they may be eyelets, knotless wire connectors, ferrules, egg shaped wire rope clips, wire clamps, simplex wire rope clamps or duplex wire rope clamps.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

promoter

11

conveying direction

12

support section

13

Slide Strip

14

leading the way

15

returning strand

16

conveyed

17

mounting groove

20

funding

21

supporting surface

21a

convex curved support surface

21b

concave curved support surface

22

plane of symmetry

23

Transition area

24

first end of the conveyor

25

second end of the conveyor

30

tensile core

31

tension cord

32

coat

33

fiber

40

supporting member

41

first group of supporting elements

42

second group of supporting elements

43

Base

44

first leg

45

second leg

46

neckline

60

making device

61

Spool with the tension cord

62

Plastic molding machine

63

cutter

64

first plastic granulate

65

second plastic granules

66

Throughput direction

70

connecting means

71

clip

73

contact surface

74

recess

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 7641045 B2 [0002]
• EP 1311446 B1 [0003]
• EP 1249407 B1 [0026]
• EP 1301422 B1 [0026]

Claims (13)

Funding ( 20 ) with a continuous tension core ( 30 ) extending along a conveying direction ( 11 ), wherein a plurality of support elements ( 40 ) is provided, which are formed separately from each other, wherein on the support elements ( 40 ) Conveyed goods ( 16 ), characterized in that a first and a second group ( 41 ; 42 ) of supporting elements ( 40 ) are provided, which are formed separately from each other, wherein they transversely to the conveying direction ( 11 ) on opposite sides of the tension core ( 30 ) are arranged, wherein the support elements ( 40 ) of the first and the second group in each case cohesively with the tension core ( 30 ) are connected. Conveying means according to claim 1, characterized in that the support elements ( 40 ) have a higher bending stiffness than the tension core ( 30 ). Conveying means according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tension core ( 30 ) with respect to two mutually orthogonal Biegerungen has a minimum allowable bending radius, which is smaller than 500 mm and preferably smaller than 200 mm. Conveying means according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tension core ( 30 ) a tension-resistant tensile strand ( 31 ) covered by a jacket ( 32 ), which consists of an elastomer, wherein the support elements ( 40 ) of the first and / or the second group cohesively with the jacket ( 32 ) are connected. Conveying means according to claim 4, characterized in that the tensile strand ( 31 ) is a rope consisting of several fibers ( 33 ), which are in the direction of 11 ), whereby the fibers ( 33 ) preferably made of steel or polyamide, in particular aromatic polyamide. Conveying means according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the individual support elements ( 40 ) of the first and / or the second group ( 41 ; 42 ) in the conveying direction ( 11 ) are spaced apart when the conveyor ( 20 ) is straight. Conveying means according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the support elements ( 40 ) of the first group ( 41 ) with respect to a plane of symmetry ( 22 ) mirror-symmetrical to the support elements ( 40 ) of the second group ( 42 ), wherein the tensile strand ( 31 ) in the plane of symmetry ( 22 ) runs. Conveying means according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tension core ( 30 ) and the supporting elements ( 40 ) of the first and second groups ( 41 ; 42 ) a continuous support surface ( 21 ) on which the conveyed goods ( 16 ) can be supported. Conveying means according to claim 8, characterized in that the tension core ( 30 ), in particular the jacket ( 32 ), in the area of the bearing surface ( 21 ) is convex or concave curved. Conveying means according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supporting elements ( 40 ) of the first and / or the second group ( 41 ; 42 ) one basis each ( 43 ) and a plate-like first leg ( 44 ) integral with the base ( 43 ), wherein it is arranged perpendicular to this, wherein the base ( 43 ) with the tension core ( 30 ) is materially connected, wherein the conveyed ( 16 ) on the first leg ( 44 ) can be supported. Conveying means according to claim 10, characterized in that the support elements ( 40 ) of the first and / or the second group ( 41 ; 42 ) a second plate-like leg ( 45 ) which is integral with the base ( 43 ), wherein it is parallel spaced from the first leg ( 44 ) is arranged. Conveying means according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a width of the support element ( 40 ), in particular of the first and / or the second leg ( 44 ; 45 ), which in the conveying direction ( 11 ) is measured, transversely to the conveying direction ( 11 ) decreases towards the outside, preferably decreases linearly. Method for producing a conveyor according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support elements ( 40 ) in a multi-component extrusion or pultrusion process together with the tension core ( 30 ), leaving open spaces ( 46 ) between immediately adjacent support elements ( 40 ) are produced, in particular cut out to separate support elements ( 40 ) to obtain.

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