EP1058668A1 - Transporteur - Google Patents

Transporteur

Info

Publication number
EP1058668A1
EP1058668A1 EP99902930A EP99902930A EP1058668A1 EP 1058668 A1 EP1058668 A1 EP 1058668A1 EP 99902930 A EP99902930 A EP 99902930A EP 99902930 A EP99902930 A EP 99902930A EP 1058668 A1 EP1058668 A1 EP 1058668A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
pulley
damping element
conveyor
carrying elements
conveyor according
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP99902930A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Wouter Balk
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Ambaflex International BV
Original Assignee
AMBAFLEX BV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by AMBAFLEX BV filed Critical AMBAFLEX BV
Publication of EP1058668A1 publication Critical patent/EP1058668A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G21/00—Supporting or protective framework or housings for endless load-carriers or traction elements of belt or chain conveyors
    • B65G21/16—Supporting or protective framework or housings for endless load-carriers or traction elements of belt or chain conveyors for conveyors having endless load-carriers movable in curved paths
    • B65G21/18—Supporting or protective framework or housings for endless load-carriers or traction elements of belt or chain conveyors for conveyors having endless load-carriers movable in curved paths in three-dimensionally curved paths
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G2207/00—Indexing codes relating to constructional details, configuration and additional features of a handling device, e.g. Conveyors
    • B65G2207/24—Helical or spiral conveying path

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a conveyor for conveying piece goods, for example, and the like through a path, comprising a frame, an endless conveyor belt supported by said frame and driven by driving means, which conveyor belt including a conveying part and a return part and which is provided with a plurality of elongated, seen in transverse direction, substantially rigid carrying elements, which are directly or indirectly interconnected and which are relatively pivotable, at least about an axis parallel to the conveying surface and perpendicularly to the direction of conveyance, wherein the frame comprises supporting sections for slidably supporting said carrying elements in the conveying part, as well as a plurality of pulleys for guiding and deflecting the conveyor belt, to which the supporting sections are adjacent.
  • the conveyor according to the invention is characterized in that the supporting sections are provided with a damping element on the leaving side of at least one pulley, which element is positioned such that it supports the carrying elements when they leave the pulley.
  • the damping element according to the invention effectively deadens the noise produced by the hard carrying elements landing on the hard supporting sections. Also any vibrations that are produced can be eliminated by the damping element. It is preferred to use a rubbery material or another material having damping properties as the material for the damping element.
  • the damping element can move along with the conveyor belt, for example in that the damping element is a circulating endless element. In this manner, the occurrence of friction between the damping element and the carrying elements or parts which are connected thereto is avoided.
  • the damping element is passed over the pulley in question, for example in that the damping element is an elastic cord or the like, which is passed over the pulley in question and over at least one further pulley in a path which extends slightly above the supporting surface of the supporting sections, at least on the leaving side of the pulley, and which extends in spaced- apart relationship with respect to the pulley to below the supporting surface of the supporting sections.
  • the damping element is an elastic cord or the like, which is passed over the pulley in question and over at least one further pulley in a path which extends slightly above the supporting surface of the supporting sections, at least on the leaving side of the pulley, and which extends in spaced- apart relationship with respect to the pulley to below the supporting surface of the supporting sections.
  • the damping element is guided in a straight path at the location of said convex path, in such a manner that the damping element extends slightly above said supporting sections and that it will be capable of biassing said carrying elements.
  • the invention is suitable not only for slat-type conveyors comprising slats which are linked together by a chain, but also for other conveyor types wherein open and interconnected carrying elements are used.
  • FIG. 1 is a general, very schematic side view of the embodiment of the conveyor according to the invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a plan view of the frame of the conveyor of Fig. 1.
  • Fig. 3 is a larger-scale view of detail III in Fig. 1.
  • Figs. 4a, 4b and 4c are sectional views along lines IVa-IVa, IVb-IVb and IVc-IVc, respectively, in Fig. 3.
  • Fig. 5 is a side view of the end pulley of Fig. 1. 4
  • Fig. 6 is a larger-scale view of detail 6 in Fig. 5.
  • Fig. 7 is a larger-scale view of detail 7 in Fig. 5.
  • Fig. 8 is a side view of a 90° deflection pulley equipped with a damping element, which is intended for use in another embodiment of a conveyor.
  • the drawing shows a conveyor which is capable of transporting goods, in particular piece goods, in vertical direction via a helical path.
  • Conveyors of this kind are also known as spiral conveyors or winding conveyors.
  • Said conveyors are capable of conveying products in a continuous flow, wherein said flow of products may be intended for vertical transport or for buffering during a process stage.
  • Applications are for example the foodstuffs industry, distribution centers, the graphical industry and the like.
  • the invention may also be used in a conveyor comprising a conveyor belt which is guided in a straight, a horizontal or a sloping path, however.
  • the illustrated conveyor comprises a frame 1, which is provided in the present case with a central column 2 with bases 3 and a helical guide chute 4, which winds round column 2 and which is secured thereto.
  • a frame construction are conceivable, of course.
  • An end pulley 5, 6 is provided at the upper end and at the lower end of guide chute 4, and a return chute 7 of frame 1 extends between said ends of helical guide chute 4.
  • the conveyor belt 8 supported by frame 1 is guided along different paths in the conveying part and in the return part. Also embodiments wherein the conveying part is returned along the underside of guide chute 4 are possible, however.
  • helical guide chute 4 comprises four windings, but this number may be larger or smaller, depending on the intended use.
  • the driving motor is capable of engaging the end pulley at the end of the conveyor path, that is, at end pulley 5 or 6, whilst it is furthermore possible to use auxiliary driving elements at other locations in the conveyor.
  • linear drive of the conveyor belt 8 is a possibility.
  • the conveyor may be connected to other conveyors at the location of upper and lower end pulleys 5, 6.
  • Conveyor belt 8 is provided with a large number of carrying elements in the form of slats 9 (see Figs. 3 - 7), which are interconnected, either directly or via an endless connecting element.
  • Slats 9 have an upper, flat conveying surface, and the spacing between the slats in the direction of conveyance is so small that products can be supported by a number of adjoining slats 9.
  • slats 9 are pivotally interconnected, either directly, or, in the present embodiment, via an endless connecting element (not shown) , in such a manner that slats 9 are capable of pivoting movement with respect to each other, both about a first axis extending parallel to their conveying surface and perpendicularly to the direction of conveyance, and about a second axis extending perpendicularly to the conveying surface and perpendicularly to the direction of conveyance.
  • slats 9 are slightly tapered near their ends, in a direction away from their axis, slats 9 do not interfere with each other in bends. Also other shapes, such as a diamond shape, a V-shape or a toothed shape, as well as overlaps or a combination thereof are possible. In a special embodiment, slats 9 may be segmented, in which case the conveyor belt is indeed only capable of movement in a fully curved path, but in which case a fully closed surface of the conveyor belt 8 is effected.
  • guide chute 4 of frame 1 comprises helical supporting sections 10 having an upper supporting surface 11 (see Figs. 4 - 7), on which slats 9 rest with their undersides, so that slats 9 are slidably supported by supporting surface 11 during their movement.
  • the amount of friction and wear can be limited by suitably selecting the materials of supporting sections 10 and the (plastic) slats.
  • noise may be produced, for example at the location of the transition from a support by end pulleys 5, 6 to the support by supporting sections 10, because the ends of slats 9 deform slightly upwards, as it were, at the transition from the circular path over pulley 5, 6 to the straight path over supporting sections 10, and subsequently they slam down on the supporting surface 11 of supporting sections 10.
  • the invention copes with this problem by providing a damping element, in this case consisting of a rubber elastic cord 12 which has been formed into an endless element and which is partially passed over end pulley 5 in this case and subsequently guided in such a path that the two cords 12 (in this case) are capable of catching the ends of slat 9 at the leaving side of end pulley 5 in order to prevent noise.
  • a damping element in this case consisting of a rubber elastic cord 12 which has been formed into an endless element and which is partially passed over end pulley 5 in this case and subsequently guided in such a path that the two cords 12 (in this case) are capable of catching the ends of slat 9 at the leaving side of end pulley 5 in order to prevent noise.
  • Fig. 5 shows the trajectory of cord 12 over end pulley 5 and two further pulleys 13, 14.
  • the trajectory of the cord and the use of pulleys for said cord can be adapted in dependence on the case in question, of course.
  • each cord 12 is guided in a groove 15 in the respective part of end pulley 5, whereby cord 12 extends slightly above the surface of end pulley 5, in such a manner that slat 9 is kept under 7 a slight tension.
  • Each slat 9 is held in position in outward direction in its centre, at the location of a chain (not shown) , by supporting sections 10, so that the wings of slat 9 are under a slight tension when passing over end pulley 5. This very measure already prevents deformation of slat 9 by the centrifugal forces.
  • the trajectory of cord 12 on the upper side of end pulley 5 is such that cord 12 extends slightly obliquely with respect to the supporting surface 11 of the respective supporting section 10, whereby it extends above supporting surface 11 adjacent to end pulley 5 and gradually disappears under supporting surface 11 as a result of said oblique trajectory.
  • the transfer of the respective end of slat 9 from end pulley 5 to supporting surface 11 of supporting section 10 takes place very gradually, as a result of which hardly any noise is produced.
  • This gradual transfer, which is effected by the selected trajectory of cord 12 is illustrated in Figs. 4a, 4b, 4c, which are sectional views along the trajectory of cords 12 and supporting sections 10.
  • end pulley functions as a driving pulley and the direction of conveyance of the conveyor is the upward direction
  • the pulling force on conveyor belt 8 will drop out after end pulley 5, as a result of which a possible excess length of the driving chain will collect at the leaving side of end pulley 5, whilst the drop out of the tension on conveyor belt 8 and/or of the chain thereof may also lead to rattling noises caused by movement or vibration of slats 9.
  • the middle portion of conveyor belt 8 is moved in a convex path, whereby also supporting sections 10 follow a convex path.
  • cord 12 may be of assistance as a damping element for damping noise and/or vibrations in that cord 12 is guided in a straight path, which extends slightly outside the path for the chain of the slats and the path of supporting surface 11, as a result of which cord 12 biases the respective end of slats 9, thus damping or preventing movements of the slats either in the plane of conveyance or in a direction perpendicularly thereto, as a result of which the amount of noise produced by said movements is decreased to a considerable degree.
  • Fig. 8 shows another variant of the invention, wherein cord 12 is used with a pulley 16 which is used for guiding conveyor belt through a 90° arc.
  • a deflection of conveyor belt 8 of this kind may cause noise, due to variations in the tension of conveyor belt 8, so that also in this case the biassing of parts, for example the ends of the slats or other carrying elements, may lead to a decreased noise production.
  • a great many other variations in the trajectory of cord 12 are conceivable, which can be selected in dependence on the path of the conveyor belt or on the construction of the frame or the like. Instead of using two cords for every pulley, it is also possible to use more than two cords, for example four, with conveyor belts having a greater width.
  • the invention provides a conveyor wherein a considerable noise reduction is achieved, using simple means, with a conveyor comprising a number of interconnected, rigid carrying elements .
  • the damping element may also be a stationary element or one or more elements which rotate about an axis, such as a roller or a wheel.
  • said endless element may also be a belt or the like, of course.
  • the damping element may also act on another part of the carrying elements, which may be positioned under the supporting surface of the supporting sections.
  • pulleys for driving, deflecting or reversing the conveyor belt is understood to include elements such as wheels or polygonal drums or the like.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chain Conveyers (AREA)
  • Structure Of Belt Conveyors (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un transporteur destiné à acheminer le long d'une voie des pièces telles que des marchandises ou similaires. Le transporteur comprend un bâti (1) et une bande convoyeuse sans fin (8) soutenue par le bâti, entraînée par un système d'entraînement et possédant un brin porteur et un brin de retour. La bande convoyeuse comprend plusieurs palettes sensiblement rigides (9) à allongement transversal, reliées entre elles directement ou indirectement et pouvant pivoter autour d'au moins un axe parallèle à la surface de transport et perpendiculaire au sens de transport. Le bâti comprend des parties d'appui (10), destinées à soutenir coulissantes les palettes dans le brin porteur, et plusieurs cylindres (5, 6) qui guident et font dévier le transporteur. Les parties d'appui sont reliées aux cylindres; de préférence, celles d'entre elles qui sont situées en aval d'au moins un cylindre comprennent un élément amortisseur (12) placé de manière à soutenir les palettes lorsqu'elles quittent un cylindre.
EP99902930A 1998-01-30 1999-01-28 Transporteur Withdrawn EP1058668A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL1008166A NL1008166C2 (nl) 1998-01-30 1998-01-30 Transporteur.
NL1008166 1998-01-30
PCT/NL1999/000050 WO1999038787A1 (fr) 1998-01-30 1999-01-28 Transporteur

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1058668A1 true EP1058668A1 (fr) 2000-12-13

Family

ID=19766438

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99902930A Withdrawn EP1058668A1 (fr) 1998-01-30 1999-01-28 Transporteur

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1058668A1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2002501869A (fr)
AU (1) AU2301899A (fr)
NL (1) NL1008166C2 (fr)
WO (1) WO1999038787A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5814565A (en) 1995-02-23 1998-09-29 University Of Utah Research Foundation Integrated optic waveguide immunosensor
US6390289B1 (en) 2000-02-04 2002-05-21 Richard M. Hoggan Conveyor belt alignment device
US9434545B2 (en) 2010-11-02 2016-09-06 Laitram, L.L.C. Belt conveyors and viscoelastic dampers and methods for damping conveyor belts

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5742886Y2 (fr) * 1978-10-25 1982-09-21
US4627529A (en) * 1985-04-22 1986-12-09 C. & T. Tarlton, Inc. Spiral conveyor
US5088597A (en) * 1989-04-19 1992-02-18 Rexnord Corporation Traction wheel
GB9203698D0 (en) * 1992-02-20 1992-04-08 Mcg Techno Pack Ltd Conveyor
NL9301395A (nl) * 1993-08-11 1995-03-01 Capelleveen Bv Geb Spiraaltransporteur.

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO9938787A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2301899A (en) 1999-08-16
WO1999038787A1 (fr) 1999-08-05
JP2002501869A (ja) 2002-01-22
NL1008166C2 (nl) 1999-08-02

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