EP2925645A1

EP2925645A1 - Conveyor chain

Info

Publication number: EP2925645A1
Application number: EP13805771.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Norbert Schwede; Elmar Hein
Original assignee: KHS GmbH
Current assignee: KHS GmbH
Priority date: 2012-11-30
Filing date: 2013-11-28
Publication date: 2015-10-07
Also published as: DE102012023432A1; WO2014082743A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a conveyor chain comprising chain links which are interconnected in the conveyor chain, each link being formed by at least two chain elements situated at a distance from one another and extending in the longitudinal direction of the chain, and also comprising chain joints which connect the chain links to one another in an articulated manner, each joint having a pin and a bearing bush that surrounds the pin, the bearing bush being able to pivot or rotate relative to the pin about a pin or chain-joint axis.

Description

transport chain

The invention relates to a transport chain according to the preamble

Claim 1.

Transport chains in their training as roller chains of a transport system of container treatment machines in the form of cleaning machines are known (DE 10 2009 006 492) and serve as part of the transport system for

Transporting the container to be cleaned between a container inlet and a container outlet through a variety of treatment zones with very

different treatment media and treatment temperatures,

for example, with temperatures in the range between 15 ° C and 85 ° C. These

Treatment zones are e.g. Dipping baths, also in the form of lye or

Acid baths, treatment zones for treating the containers with steam,

Treatment zones for treating the containers with hot water and cold water, also for external and internal spraying of the container. The transport system of such a container treatment machine comprises at least two, each forming a closed loop and with a large length through the

Treatment zones extending transport chains in the form of roller chains. Each of these parallel and spaced loops is passed over a plurality of sprockets formed by sprockets and at least one of

Sprockets circumferentially driven in the transport direction of the transport system. Between the transport chains, the container receiving container carrier, for example in the form of bottle baskets are provided. With circulating

Transport system subject to the transport chains in addition to the pure

mechanical loads, in particular in the form of tensile forces, even a considerable temperature cycling by constant heating and cooling, e.g. between 15 ° C or ambient temperature and the temperature of hot treatment zones, for example 85 ° C. Furthermore, the transport chains are also by the different treatment media, in particular by the

various liquid treatment media, such as lye, acid, water, etc., ie in particular by constant immersion in acid and alkali baths, heavily steamed by steam, by immersion and / or spraying with water. In addition, container treatment machines often in three-shift operation operate about 320 days per year, with four to ten cycles of the transport system per hour.

The transport chains each consist of a plurality of each other

adjoining and hinged to each other via chain links

Chain links, each in turn of at least two, in

Chain longitudinal direction extending and perpendicular to a chain hinge axis of the chain links spaced-apart chain elements, which are preferably designed as tabs. The chain joints include i.a. a bolt which forms with its pin axis the chain joint axis of the respective chain joint, as well as a bearing bush arranged on the bolt and directly surrounding it and pivotable relative to the bolt about the chain joint axis. in the

In the region of each chain joint, the chain elements of one chain link (outer chain elements) engage directly on the bolt and chain elements (inner chain elements) of the adjacent one arranged between the outer chain elements

Chain link on the bearing sleeve. On this is then formed between the inner chain elements and the respective role of the roller chain

Transport chain freely rotatably mounted around the chain joint axis. The outer ones

Chain elements are suitably secured on the respective bolt, for example by securing elements, e.g. in the form of securing clips, and / or by permanently deforming or caulking the bolt ends protruding beyond the outer chain elements, or by welding these bolt ends to the outer chain elements. The aforementioned loads of transport chains in

Container handling machines lead, in particular in the area of the chain joints, to considerable wear, inter alia, on the local bolt and / or on the bearing sleeve there, also due to unfavorable movement conditions between the bolt and the bearing sleeve. As a result of the movements within the container cleaning machine, there is no continuous, permanent and continuous movement between the pin and the bearing sleeve. Rather, bolt and bearing sleeve move relative to each other only by a few degrees, for example, less than 45 °, so that constantly only or substantially only one and the same portions of the surface of the respective bolt and the bearing sleeve are claimed and thus increased Wear subject. Also the different liquids of the

Treatment zones can at most only act as lubricants or lubricants. As a result of this wear, there is also an increasing elongation of the respective transport chain over time, so that it must be regularly checked and re-tensioned, which is considered in practice because of the associated expense as a disadvantage. Also known are transport chains in the form of roller chains with the features of the preamble of claim 1, as a web transport chains for tentering (DE 39 26 508 A1), the features of the preamble of

Claim 1, but are provided on the chain links both between the bolts and the bearing sleeve and between the bearing sleeve and the roller sliding sleeves. For use in a transport system of a container treatment machine, these known transport chains are neither intended nor suitable.

The object of the invention is to show a transport chain in the form of a roller chain of a transport system of a container treatment machine, which has an improved service life, must be re-tensioned less frequently and can be operated with a lower energy input. To solve this problem, a transport chain is designed according to claim 1. Further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

Significant advantages of the transport chain according to the invention consist in a reduced friction in the region of the chain joints when pivoting the

Chain links relative to each other and associated with a reduced

Wear in the area of the chain links and with a reduction in the elongation of the transport chain, so that for this chain a significant increase in the

Life is achieved. Due to the reduced friction in the area of

Chain joints is also reduced by the transport chain during operation on a drive applied resistance, so that continues to reduce the required drive power and energy use for the operation of a Transport chain having transport system revealed. If the additional sliding sleeves made of an elastic plastic so results in a certain elasticity for the transport chain in the chain longitudinal direction, for example with the advantage that when starting a transport system in the local transport chains shock-like mechanical loads avoided, or at least strongly dampened and thus also the life and Life of the transport chains used to be increased.

The term "substantially" or "approximately" means within the meaning of the invention

Deviations from the respective exact value by +/- 10%, preferably by +/- 5% and / or deviations in the form of changes insignificant for the function.

Further developments, advantages and applications of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the figures. In this case, all described and / or illustrated features alone or in any combination, in principle, the subject of the invention, regardless of their summary in the claims or their

Dependency. Also, the content of the claims is made an integral part of the description.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the figures of an embodiment. Show it:

Figure 1 is a partial length of a transport chain in the form of a roller chain.

Fig. 2 shows a section along the line I - I by the transport chain in the range of a chain link between two chain longitudinally adjacent chain links.

The transport chain designated generally by 1 in the figures is a roller chain part of an initially mentioned, but not shown, transport system of a container treatment machine, e.g. a bin cleaning machine with its various treatment zones, treatment media and

Treatment temperatures. The respective transport chain 1 is subject to circulating transport system considerable loads, as also mentioned above.

The transport chain 1 consists in a known manner of several in

Chain longitudinal direction successive chain links 2 and 3, which are each articulated to each other via a chain joint 4, and from rollers 5, of which at each chain joint 4 is provided in each case freely rotatable about a chain joint axis GA of the chain link 4. In the case of use, the rollers 5 are based on the transmission of the loads, in particular the vertical loads of the load

Transport system, and generally to the chain guide on roller guides 5.1 from.

The chain links 2 and 3 consist essentially of two in each case

Chain elements 6.1 and 7.1 (chain links 2) or 6.2 and 7.2 (chain links 3) each in the form of tabs. The chain elements 6.1 and 7.1 or 6.2 and 7.2 are each pairwise parallel to each other and offset in the direction of the chain joint axis GA against each other and provided spaced from each other. The

Chain elements 6.1 and 6.2 form the one longitudinal side of the transport chain 1 and the chain elements 7.1 and 7.2 the other side of the transport chain, namely when used in the container transport system that longitudinal side, which faces the further transport chain of this system. For the attachment of the container carrier, the chain elements 7.1 and 7.2 are each formed with an angled portion 8.

The chain links 4 each comprise an axially co-ordinated with the chain joint axis GA bolt 9 and the bolt 9 enclosing bearing sleeve 10 whose relative to the chain joint axis GA axial length at most equal to, but preferably slightly smaller than the distance that the facing and perpendicular to the Chain joint axis GA oriented

Surface sides of the chain elements 6.1 and 7.1 from each other. The chain elements 6.1 and 7.1 of the chain links 2 are held with corresponding, adapted to the diameter of the bolt 9 holes on this bolt and secured there in a suitable manner, for example, that at the respective, on the chain element 6.1 or 7.1 outwardly projecting

Bolt end a securing clip 1 1 is provided. Other measures to secure the chain elements 6.1 and 7.1, for example by deformation or Calking and / or by welding the respective pin end with the adjacent tab 6.1 and 7.1 are possible, as indicated in Figure 2 with 1 1 .1. To jamming the bearing sleeve 10 between the two outer

To avoid chain elements 6.1 and 7.1, the respective pin 9 is executed at its the chain elements 6.1 and 7.1 bearing ends, for example, with a reduced bolt diameter, so that step-like paragraphs 9.1 result against which the chain elements 6.1 and 7.1 with their facing each other

Surface sides abut, namely to maintain the distance between these surface sides, which is at most equal, but preferably greater than the axial length of the bearing sleeve 10th

The oriented with their surface sides also perpendicular to the chain joint axis GA chain elements 6.2 and 7.2 are held at both ends with matched holes on the bearing sleeve 10 of the respective chain link 4 and are located at the respective chain link 4 within the two outer chain elements 6.1 and 7.1 and spaced therefrom , In order to achieve a slight, low-wear turning of the respective roller 5 or to avoid that the respective roller 5 between the chain elements 6.1 and 7.2 of

Chain links 3 jammed, the bearing sleeve 10 is made in its middle, the bearing for the roller 5 forming area with an enlarged outer diameter, so that two step-like heels 10.1 result, against the facing inner surface sides of the chain elements 6.2 and 7.2 are supported, namely in each case at a distance from the roller. 5

Apart from the different diameter of the bearing bores, the chain elements 6.1 and 6.2 are identical. The same applies to the

Chain elements 7.1 and 7.2. In particular, the length of the chain elements 6.1, 6.2, 7.1 and 7.2 is identical, so that there is a constant center distance between the chain links 4 along the transport chain 1. At least the rollers 5, the chain elements 6.1, 6.2, 7.1 and 7.2, the bolts 9 and the bearing sleeves 10 each consist of a high-strength metallic material, ie steel with high strength, eg steel of class C45. In order to avoid increased wear of the transport chain 1, a sliding sleeve 12 is additionally provided at each chain joint 4 between the bearing sleeve 10 and the pin 9, which preferably extends over the entire axial length of the bearing sleeve 10. The arrangement of the sliding sleeve 12 between the bearing sleeve 0 and the bolt 9 has the particular advantage that between the

Chain links 2 and 3 acting forces are transmitted over a relatively large area over the sliding sleeve 12, while the transmission of forces between the bolt or the bearing sleeve and the chain elements 6.1, 6.2, 7.1 and 7.2, compared to the axial length of the sliding sleeve 12 only have a reduced material thickness, in each case via a metal / metal compound.

The sliding sleeve 12 is made of a suitable plastic, for example of a thermoplastic and / or elastic plastic, preferably of a reinforced with fibers, such as glass fibers, carbon fibers and / or carbon nanofibers polymer, preferably also embedded in the polymer, the coefficient of friction between the Sliding sleeve 12 and the bearing sleeve 10 and / or the pin 9 even further reducing solids sliding particles. When

thermoplastic polymer for the sliding sleeve 12 is for example PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) or a material, as by the following

Material tables I and II is marked.

Material table I

Density 1, 51 g / cm ²

color white

Max. Moisture absorption 0.1 wt .-% DIN 53495 at 23 ° C / 50% r. F.

Max. Water absorption 0.2% by weight

Sliding coefficient μ, dynamic, 0.15-0.20

against steel

P x v value, max. (dry) 0.50 MPa x m / s

Bend modulus 4.500 MPa DIN 53457

Bending strength at 20 ° C 95 MPa DIN 53452

Compressive strength 47 MPa DIN 53452

Maximum recommended 45 MPa

Surface pressure (20 ° C)

Shore D hardness 74 DIN 53505 upper long-term + 200 ° C

application temperature

Upper short-term + 240 ° C

application temperature

Upper short-term + 250 ° C

Ambient temperature ¹⁾

Lower -50 ° C

application temperature

Thermal conductivity 0.24 W / m × K ASTM C 177

Thermal expansion coefficient 3 K ¹ x 10 ^"5 DIN 53572 (at 23 ° C) Material table II

The sliding sleeve 12 is for example designed and installed so that it is not connected to the bolt 9, or with the bearing sleeve 10 non-positively and / or positively, so that a rotation of the sliding sleeve 12 about the chain hinge axis GA both against the pin 9, as also with respect to the bearing sleeve 10 is possible. It is also possible to prefabricate the bearing sleeves 10 with the sliding sleeves 12 by molding these sliding sleeves.

The invention has been described above by means of an embodiment. It is understood that changes and modifications are possible without thereby departing from the inventive concept underlying the invention. So it is particularly possible, the respective pin 9 by positive engagement

torsionally secure with the chain elements 6.1 and 7.1 and / or the respective bearing sleeve 10 by positive engagement twist-secure with the chain elements 6.2 and 7.2 to connect, namely. in that at the connecting region of the bolts 9 and / or the bearing sleeve 10 have a deviating from the circular outer cross-section and the chain elements 6.1 and 7.1 or 6.2 and 7.2 have a corresponding outer cross-section hole, so that with respect to the movements within each chain link reliably unique conditions result.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, further advantages with regard to a reduction in the wear of chains and / or sprockets also result from the fact that the rollers 5 of the transport chains 1 have a certain flexibility with respect to the teeth of the sprockets.

Due to the inventively provided, elastically deformable

Sliding sleeve 10, it is possible that between sprockets and transport chain 1 unavoidably occurring, caused essentially by manufacturing tolerances or manufacturing errors or wear graduation errors are at least partially offset.

Thus, it is possible according to the invention that the real load or

Force distribution between the teeth of the sprocket and the rollers 5 of the transport chain 1 to the theoretical, determined by the geometric relationships force distribution. Fundamental investigations and results on the force distribution between the teeth of a sprocket and the rollers 5 of a conveyor chain 1 have been presented, for example, in the art by Peter Auerbach Dissertation "For the stress and service life of large-scale slide chains made of plastics".

According to the invention, the forces actually occurring between the teeth of the sprockets and the rollers 5 do not differ by more than +/- 40%, preferably not more than +/- 30%, more preferably not more than +/- 20%, from the theoretical force distribution ,

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 transport chain

2, 3 chain link

4 chain joint

5 roll

5.1 Roller Guide

6.1, 6.2 tab

7.1, 7.2 tab

8 settlement

9 bolts

9.1 Stepped paragraph

10 bearing sleeve

10.1 Stepped paragraph

11 securing clip

11.1 Welding point

12 sliding sleeve

GA chain joint axle

Claims

claims

1. Transport chain in the form of a roller chain of a transport system a

Container handling machine,

with chain links (2, 3) which adjoin one another within the transport chain (1) and each of at least two spaced apart and extending in a chain longitudinal direction

Chain elements (6.1, 7.1, 6.2, 7.2) are formed,

with the chain links (2, 3) hingedly interconnecting chain joints (4) each having a bolt (9) made of steel and a bolt (9)

enclosing bearing sleeve (10) which is rotatable or pivotable about a pin or chain hinge axis (GA) relative to the pin (9), as well as

with rollers (5) which are each arranged between the chain elements (6.1, 7.1, 6.2, 7.2) of the chain links (2, 3) and are mounted on the chain links (4), the chain elements (6.1, 7.1) one

Chain link (2) on the local pin (9) and the chain elements (6.2, 7.2) of the other chain link (3) on the local bearing sleeve (10) engage, and wherein the chain links (4) between the bearing sleeve (10) and preferably made of steel bolts (9) is provided at least one sliding sleeve (12) made of plastic,

characterized,

that the transport chain the roller chain of a transport system of

Container treatment machine is that the bearing sleeves (10) each form the bearing for the rollers (5), and that the respective sliding sleeve (12) consists of a plastic which against the steel of the bolt has a Gleitreibwert (μ) of 0.09 - 0 , 25 or from 0.15 to 0.20.

2. Transport chain according to claim 1, characterized in that the respective sliding sleeve (12) consists of an elastic plastic.

3. Transport chain according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the

respective sliding sleeve (12) made of a thermoplastic material,

For example, PTFE.

4. Transport chain according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one sliding sleeve (12) consists of one with fibers, e.g. consists of glass fibers, carbon fibers and / or carbon nanofibres reinforced plastic.

5. Transport chain according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

in that it comprises first and second chain links (2, 3) whose chain elements (6.1, 7.1, 6.2, 7.2) are each arranged parallel to one another and which connect alternately to one another along the transport chain.

6. Transport chain according to claim 5, characterized in that at each

Chain link (4) the chain elements (6.1, 7.1) of a first chain link (2) outside, held on the respective pin chain links and the chain links (6.2, 7.2) of a second chain link (3) on the inside of the bearing bush (10) held chain links form.

7. Transport chain according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

in that spacers are provided in the region of the chain joints (4) to maintain a predetermined mutual distance between the chain links (6.1, 7.1, 6.2, 7.2), these spacers being formed, for example, on the pin (9) or on the bearing bush (10), eg in the form of systems (9.1, 10.1) for the chain elements (6.1, 7.1, 6.2, 7.2).

8. Transport chain according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that the at least one sliding sleeve (2) relative to the respective pin (9) and / or relative to the respective bearing sleeve (10) around the

Chain joint axis (GA) is rotatable.

9. Transport chain according to one of claims 1-8, characterized in that the material of the sliding sleeve (12) has at least the following properties:

Density 1, 51 g / cm ²

color white

Max. Moisture absorption 0.1% by weight DIN 53495 at 23 ° C / 50% r. F.

Max. Water absorption 0.2% by weight

P x v value, max. (dry) 0.50 MPa x m / s

Bend modulus 4.500 MPa DIN 53457

Bending strength at 20 ° C 95 MPa DIN 53452

Compressive strength 47 MPa DIN 53452

Shore D hardness 74 DIN 53505

Thermal expansion coefficient 3 K ¹ x 10 ^"5 DIN 53572

(at 23 ° C)

10. Transport chain according to one of claims 1-8, characterized in that the material of the sliding sleeve (12) has at least the following properties:

11. Transport chain according to one of the preceding claims, characterized

characterized in that the sliding sleeves (12) in material in the

Material properties and in their physical design are designed such that the chain tension, by the rollers (5) respectively on teeth of a the transport chain driving sprocket is transmitted, determined by the elastic deformability of the sliding sleeves (12) by not more than +/- 40% of the theoretical by the geometric conditions

Force distribution deviates.

12. Transport chain according to claim 11, characterized in that the

Deviation is not more than 30% or not more than 20%.