ES2393863A1 - Modular roller conveyor to move bulks. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Modular roller conveyor for moving packages by transport lines, operating machine bases or other applications, comprising support frames (10), preferably made of metal profile, in which roller bearing cages are introduced (11). ) complete with rollers (21). The installation and dismantling operations of the cage-roller sub-assemblies in the support frames and the same frames can be easily carried out by exploiting the structural elasticity of the frames, and this facilitates the maintenance of the roller conveyor as well as the fixing operations from the frames to the structures of the transport lines. The assembly of the cage-roller sub-assemblies can also be carried out easily by virtue of the special conformation of the cages and the material with which they are made. The modularity of the roller conveyor is also achieved thanks to the use of specific joining elements of the complete cage frames; the latter, on the other hand, can be obtained with the desired lengths. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

MODULAR ROLLER CONVEYOR TO MOVE PACKAGES

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a roller conveyor for moving

5

packages for transport lines, operating machine bases, warehouses for

gravity or other similar applications.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Roller conveyors consisting of rotating rollers are known

1st

according to axes of rotation orthogonal to the direction of advance of the packages, where

the same rollers, which have a diameter of the order of a few centimeters and

a more or less equivalent length, they are installed in corresponding

support racks containing a preset amount of said

rollers The latter can be installed, individually and directly, in the

fifteen

frame or can be grouped beforehand in roller cages, the

which are then placed longitudinally on the support frames.

Both in solutions comprising installed rollers

individually on the racks as in the solutions where they are made

cage-roller subsets, operational difficulties are encountered at the time of

2nd

placement of the roller conveyor and also at the time of the respective

maintenance.

Indeed, it should be considered that when it is necessary to proceed to fix the

· Racks to the structures of the transport lines or to the bases of the

machine tools, the area where they are located must be released

2 5

the perforations, at the base of the racks, to be used for the operations of

riveting the same frames to the structures, and this is done, in the

case of solutions with rollers installed individually in the frame,

by bending deformation of the edges of the frame and decoupling

of each roller of the frame, repeating this operation, and then the operation

3rd

Reverse for mounting, for each of the rollers that are in the area

where to perform the riveting, while, in the case of solutions with

cage rollers, to release a certain area of the frame it is necessary to disassemble

one of the auctions located at the ends of the roller conveyor and

longitudinally remove the various cages, totally or partially, until reaching the

35

cage that is in the riveting area, and then perform the operations

reverse once the fixation or the possible maintenance service has been carried out, in

said area, both in the frame and in the cage or in the individual roller.

Another problem, both for solutions that include installed rollers

individually on the racks as for the solutions where they are formed

cage-roller subsets, is given by the fact that the bolts of the various

5

rollers are not connected to the edges of the frame so as to connect

rigidly the two edges with each other, but each end of the bolt is

simply supported on the respective shore or at most reactive in one direction,

external or internal It follows that for each transverse thrust

applied to the rollers and by these transmitted to the frame only one of the

1st

two shores; therefore, not only has a lower overall resistance of the

Roller conveyor to side solicitations, but also the

deformation of the requested shore can be of such magnitude to cause the

exit of the bolt of the headquarters associated to the opposite bank and, therefore, the fall of the

roller at the base of the frame.

fifteen

Another limit of the solutions of the known technique is represented by

the low permissible load value and the inability to bear, even for

short periods, that said load value is exceeded; in fact in such

conditions are the breakage of the bolt or roller cage, the bolt being

and the cage the most requested components throughout the structure, cantilever between

2nd

the two banks of the racks.

Finally, in the known constructive solutions the various modules

of the roller conveyor that constitute the transport line include

terminal auctions without reciprocal engagement. From the above it is determined that, in the

in case the union between two modules is in an area where the

2 5

roller conveyor were provided cantilever, other must be provided

rigid connection means of the racks of the two modules, said means

having to be able to guarantee, among other things, that it is not formed,

during the passage of the package along that section of the roller conveyor, a step

between the two modules due to bending deformations caused by weight

3rd

of the packages, step that can cause problems of advance of the packages or

surface damage of the same packages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The main objective of the present invention is to propose a

3 5

modular roller conveyor in which they are simpler, with respect to the

   Known technique, installation, disassembly and maintenance operations.

Another objective of the present invention is to propose a conveyor

of rollers that have a high structural resistance, of each of the

components and the structure as a whole, both to the solicitations

transverse as to the load, and that, in particular, is self-protected in case

5

of high value loads, impulsive or not.

A further objective of the present invention is to propose a

modular roller conveyor in which the connection between the various modules

ensure the necessary structural rigidity of the roller conveyor, even in

cantilever applications.

1st

These objectives are achieved by a modular roller conveyor,

for moving packages, of the type comprising at least one support frame,

preferably made in a metal profile, and at least one roller cage

complete with rollers, where said at least one frame comprises a base of

fixing and two lateral edges in which there are longitudinal seats where

fifteen

they can enter under pressure, in the direction perpendicular to the plane of advance of

the packages, the side bars of said at least one complete roller carrier cage

of rollers, in said frame having also obtained vertical ribs

of height and arrangement such that the upper parts of said ribs

turn out to be arranged, in conditions of admissible load, next

2nd

internally to said rollers, while under load conditions

admissible, they turn out to be arranged in contact with said rollers, causing

its blocking and preserving the integrity of the respective bolts. The venues

Longitudinals obtained at the edges of the frame include external walls

and internal reliefs distanced from said external walls of equal magnitude

2 5

to the thickness of the side bars of the roller cage, which, therefore,

they are embedded exactly between said external walls and said reliefs

internal

The roller cage consists of longitudinal bars

symmetrically opposed; each of said bars has bolts

30

solidarity fit to support, without linking, the rollers, said bolts being

interspersed with perforations in which the limbs of the

bolts integral to the opposite bar. The tips of the bolts and the

perforations are provided with annular cavities and annular projections

respectively, with proportions provided, so as to allow

3 5

snap coupling of the bars to the bolts of the opposing bars

   during assembly of the roller cage.

Both the assembly of each cage and the assembly of the entire

roller conveyor become possible and are facilitated by the special

material, thermoplastic, with which the components of the carrier cage are made

rollers; the thermoplastic material, in particular, of the rollers may vary in

5

function of the conformation and / or the external surface of the packages that must be

move.

Roller conveyor support frames include elements

of bindings that can be linked through thread means to the ends of the

metal profiles of the same frames, said auction elements being

1st

provided, in correspondence of its frontal surfaces, with portions in

relief arranged symmetrically with respect to the vertical intermediate plane and the

horizontal intermediate plane of the frame and provided with inclined planes in

correspondence of the horizontal central plane, so useful to allow

coupling by coupling, according to pairs of inclined planes of directions

fifteen

opposite, of the closing elements of two adjacent modules of the

roller conveyor This ensures the necessary continuity and rigidity

structural of the roller conveyor even in cantilever applications.

The advantages inherent in ease of installation, apart from disassembly

and maintenance of the roller conveyor comprising the components

2nd

cited above can be deduced very easily from the

features revealed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages and features of the present invention will become better.

2 5

manifest from the detailed description that follows in a way

preferred, but not exclusive, of realization thereof, illustrated by title

exemplifier, but not limitative, in the attached figures, in which:

-Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a support frame for

roller conveyors according to the present invention;

3rd

-Figure 2 shows a perspective view, in assembly configuration, of

a complete roller roll cage according to the present invention;

Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the cage of Figure 2 in

its final assembled configuration;

-Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a roller conveyor according to the

3 5

present invention;

   -Figure 5 shows a perspective view relative to the installation stage of

a cage with rollers in the support frame, or disassembly of the latter, of the

roller conveyor according to the present invention;

-Figure 6 shows a component of a roller conveyor according to the

present invention, and in particular a closing element;

5

-Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a complete module of the

roller conveyor according to the present invention;

-Figure 8 shows a longitudinal section view of the coupling area

of two modules of the roller conveyor according to the present invention;

-Figure 9 shows a cross-sectional view of a roller conveyor according to

1st

the previous figures comprising another component intended for containment

lateral of the packages;

-Figure 1 O shows a cross-sectional view of another support frame

for roller conveyors according to the present invention.

fifteen

PREFERRED RELATIONSHIP OF THE INVENTION

With reference to figure 1, the number 1 O indicates the frame of

support of a roller conveyor to move light bulges along

transport lines, operating machine bases, gravity warehouses or

other similar applications, where, in particular, the packages being transported

2nd

they have external surfaces that need to be preserved against scratches or

dents The frame, preferably made of extruded aluminum profile,

It has a substantially U-shaped shape to accommodate at least one cage holder.

rollers (11) as shown in figure 5. For this purpose, the frame (1 O)

It comprises two sides or side orils (12a and 12b), in which there are offices

2 5

Longitudinal (13a and 13b) intended to receive the external longitudinal bars

(14a and 14b) of the cage (11). The longitudinal sites (13a and 13b) comprise

external walls (15a and 15b) and internal reliefs (16a and 16b) parallel to said

external walls and away from them of a magnitude equal to the thickness of the

longitudinal bars (14a and 14b) of the cage (11) as can be seen in the

30

Figure 4. These internal reliefs (16a and 16b) allow the cage (11), once

placed in place, as can be seen in figure 4, represent a connection

rigid cross of the two edges (12a and 12b) of the frame (10); therefore to

each transverse force that is transmitted from the roller to the support frame

a reaction of the latter corresponds to the sum of the reactions of

35

both shores and, in addition, there is no risk that the cage (11) can exit,

   as a result of the transverse request, of the seat opposite the wall

against which the solicitation is directed.

In the base (18) of the frame (10) there are perforations (19), which can be seen

in figure 1, which serve to fix the frame to the structure of the chain of

transport, to the base of the operating machine or to another structure, by

5

riveted or abalone. At the base of the frame, there are also ribs (20a

and 20b), whose disposition and whose dimensions are such that its limbs

upper turns out to be arranged tangent to the rollers (21), as can be

observe in figure 4, thus constituting a security support base for

said rollers when the roller cage flexes inward because of

1st

high loads, impulsive or not, and thus prevent applications from being filed

Criticisms for roller bolts and overall structure On the other

side it should be noted that under such conditions of high loads, no

admissible, is obtained as a result of the contact of the ribs (20a and

20b) with the rollers (21), a blockage of the same rollers and, consequently,

fifteen

an automatic and timely condition of impeding the use of the conveyor of

rollers

The roller cage (11), as we can see in Figure 2, is

constituted by longitudinal bars (14a and 14b), symmetrically opposed;

each of said two bars has integral bolts (22), ~ which are

twenty

installed, with freedom of rotation, the rollers (21); the bolts (22) are

interspersed with perforations (23), in which the

extremities of the bolts integral to the opposite bar, in the

tips of the bolts (22) and inside the perforations (23) having,

respectively, annular cavities (24) and annular reliefs (25), with

2 5

dimensions provided, to allow snap engagement of bolts to

the counter bar in the final configuration shown in figure 3.

The pre-assembled cage in this way, then, is installed in the rack

(1 O) in the final position of figure 4, introducing it from above as

You can see in figure 5. Note that to make the coupling of the

30

cage (11) to the frame (10) there are protuberances (26), outside the bars (14a and 14b),

which can be clearly seen in figures 2 and 3, which end up staying

exactly in longitudinal grooves (27) made in the walls (15a and

15b) containment of the cage (11). The elasticity of the lateral edges of the

frame (1 O) and the material, thermoplastic, of the cage (11) facilitate both the

35

introduction from above of the cage in the frame as the respective extraction,

   When it becomes necessary. Note, in addition, that in the bars (14a and 14b) there are

notches (28) that can be seen in figure 2, interspersed between the

perforations (23) and bolts (22), such notches being suitable for

favor the fragmentation of the cage and, therefore, to regulate the length of the

same cage, from a minimum of 1 to a maximum of 1 O rollers in the example

5

illustrated, depending on the length of the roller conveyor that is due

perform.

Normally the modules of the roller conveyor comprise, in the

Illustrated example, a quantity of rollers equal to 1 O, as we can see in the

Figure 5 and Figure 7. In this last figure, at the ends of the module there are

1st

auction elements (29 and 29 ') that serve to block the sliding

longitudinal cages (11) with respect to the racks (10) and to connect

rigidly with each other two adjacent modules. As you can see in figure 6, in

the right part of the closing element (29) there is an upper portion (30) of

pseudotriangular conformation, embossed with respect to the front surface of

fifteen

said element (29), and on the left side we find a relief portion (31)

analogous, arranged specularly in the lower part of the element (29).

Said both portions in relief (30 and 31) have, corresponding to the

horizontal central plane of the end element, inclined surfaces

respectively in opposite directions, so that in the approximation of

2nd

auction elements in solidarity with two adjacent modules,

partial horizontal translation of the two modules with each other, a reciprocal insert in

vertical direction of said closing elements and, therefore, of said modules

of the roller conveyor. In figure 8, where a view is shown in

longitudinal section of the coupling area of two adjacent modules of the

2 5

roller conveyor, one of the inserts that are

they form between said closing elements (29 and 29 ') and exactly the insert

which is formed between the upper relief portion (30) of the element (29) and the

lower relief portion (31 ') of the element (29'). An analogous insert in the

opposite direction, not shown in the figure, is formed between the raised portion

30

upper (30 ') of the element (29') and the lower portion (31) of the element (29). He

first of these inserts, shown in the figure, allows an eventual

downward displacement, consequent to a flexion of the right module

Plausibly due to the passage of a package, it is transmitted Unaltered to the module of the

left, while the other parallel insert, not shown, serves to

3 5

transmit the eventual shift to the right module unchanged

   below the module on the left when the load taxes on it. In the part

bottom of the element (29) are the accommodation venues (32 and 33) of the

thread connection means of said element with the metal profile of the frame

of support of which it constitutes the auction. Lateral to the element (29),

In addition, we find fins (34) that complete the coupling of the same element

5

with the respective support frame of the roller conveyor module.

Due to the coupling described above, between two adjacent modules of the

roller conveyor cannot have relative displacements in the direction

vertical and this proves extremely useful in the case that the union between the two

modules occur in a cantilever area between the conveyor supports

1st

of rollers, in which case, in the roller conveyors of the technique

known, it is necessary to resort to special systems and modalities of rigídízación

of the two modules with each other to prevent discontinuities in the advance plane

of the packages being transported and, due to these, possible surface damage

external of the same packages.

fifteen

For this purpose, the solution proposed through the present invention,

It also includes the use of rollers made of a thermoplastic material, different in

gender function of packages to move along the transport chain; in particular it

they use rollers of a polymeric material of high resistance against the

wear and low surface hardness for transporting packages whose surfaces

2 o

external should not suffer scratches or dents, while rollers are used

more rigid polymeric material when packages of a weight must be transported

greater or, anyway, less delicate.

A cross-sectional view of the roller conveyor is shown in Figure 9

according to the present invention where another component consisting of

2 5

a lateral containment edge (35) of the packages, said containment edge

being able to apply in different ways to the support frame (1 0), in particular

to the top of the edge (12a) of said frame.

Figure 10, finally, shows the cross section of a variant of

realization of a support frame for roller conveyors according to the

30

present invention Said frame (10 ') is suitable for the realization of

roller conveyors for moving packages of a weight greater than that of

packages to be transported by roller conveyors that include racks according to

Figure 1. The frame (1 0 '), in effect, has a stiffness and robustness

higher structural structure, while still retaining the typical elements of

3 5

the solution of the invention; in it we find, in effect, superiorly the

   longitudinal housing locations (13a 'and 13b') of roller cages, said

headquarters including external walls (15a 'and 15b'), internal reliefs (16a 'and 16b') and

longitudinal grooves (27 '), and we also find, at the base (18'),

ribs (20a 'and 20b') whose upper extremities turn out to be arranged

Tangent to the rollers of the roller conveyor. From the above derives the

5

realization of roller conveyors in which the

installation, disassembly and maintenance operations and which present

high structural resistance to both transverse solicitations and

load.

These characteristics and corresponding advantages still exist.

1st

also in the case that variants or modifications are made to what is described with

prior to exemplifying title.

Obviously the shape of the cross section of the support frame

it can adopt another variant, maintaining, anyway, the presence of

Typical elements described above of the described solution.

fifteen

Also the shape of the roller cage (11) may vary so that

concerns the relationship between its main dimensions, keeping everyone

characteristic features of comprising snap-on side bars

vertically with support racks, as well as the feature to compose

Easily series of variable quantity rollers.

2nd

The number of modules that make up a roller conveyor die

it can vary as widely as possible, as can also vary

number of roller cages housed in the same module.

The mode of connection of the various modules to the structures of

support can obviously differ depending on the applications; also the

2 5

specific form of the auction elements of each of the modules can

vary, still maintaining the rigid coupling characteristic between

adjacent modules.

The material, finally, with which the support frame is made,

obviously, it may differ from the extrudate of metallic material to be used with

3rd

preference; the same goes for the various types of polymeric material of the cage

roller holder, rollers and connecting elements of the various

modules with each other.

Obviously the roller conveyor described above can be provided

other variants and modifications without leaving the scope of protection of the

35

   inventive idea as claimed below.

Claims (8)

1.-Modular roller conveyor to move packages, of the type that

5

it comprises at least one support frame (10) and at least one carrier cage

rollers (11) complete with rollers (21), said at least one frame (10)

comprising a fixing base (18) and two lateral edges (12a and 12b) in the

which are longitudinal sites (13a and 13b) where they can be introduced under pressure,

in the direction perpendicular to the plane of advance of the packages, the side bars

1st

(14a and 14b) of said at least one complete roller carrier cage;

characterized by the fact that said support frame (1 O) comprises

ribs (20a and 20b), said ribs being arranged and having

dimensions such that its upper extremities turn out to be arranged

internally close to said rollers (21) under permissible loading conditions,

fifteen

while, under conditions of inadmissible load, impulsive or not, they are in

contact with said rollers, causing their blockage.

2. Roller conveyor according to claim 1, characterized by the

made said longitudinal seats (13a and 13b) made on the banks of the

frame (10) comprise external walls (15a and 15b) and internal reliefs (16a and

2nd

16b) distanced from said external walls of a magnitude equal to the thickness

of said side bars (14a and 14b) of the roller cage (11).

3.-Roller conveyor according to one of the claims

precedents, characterized by the fact that said roller cage (11)

it comprises longitudinal bars (14a and 14b) symmetrically opposed-in

2 5

which are integral bolts (22) suitable for supporting, without bonding, the rollers

(21), said bolts being interspersed with perforations (23) in which

they introduce the ends of the bolts integral to the opposite bar.

4.-Roller conveyor according to the preceding claim,

characterized by the fact that the ends of said pins (22) and said

.30

perforations (23) are provided with annular cavities (24) and reliefs

annular (25) respectively, with proportions provided, so as to

allow pressure coupling of the bars to the bolts of the bars

opposed during the assembly of the roller cage, and thus obtain the

rigid connection to each other of said side bars (14a and 14b).

5.-Roller conveyor according to claim 3 or 4, characterized

by the fact that said longitudinal bars (14a and 14b) comprise

external protrusions (26) suitable for entering exactly in

grooves (27) made in the external walls (15a and 15b) of said

5

longitudinal headquarters (13a and 13b).

6.-Roller conveyor according to one of claims 3 to 5,

characterized by the fact that said longitudinal bars (14a and 14b)

they include notches (28) suitable to favor the fragmentation of the cage

roller holder (11) and, therefore, to regulate its length depending on the length

1st

of the. roller conveyor

7. Roller conveyor according to one of the claims

precedents, characterized by the fact of comprising auction elements (29)

which can be linked to the ends of the support frames (1 O) and

suitable for rigidly connecting two adjacent conveyor modules to each other

fifteen

of rollers.

8.-Roller conveyor according to the preceding claim,

characterized by the fact that said closing elements (29) comprise

correspondence of its front surface, relief portions (30 and 31) arranged

symmetrically with respect to the vertical intermediate plane and the intermediate plane

2nd

horizontal of the frame and provided with inclined planes in correspondence of the

horizontal central plane of the closing element (29), so. such that in the

approach of two solidary end elements to two adjacent modules is

have a reciprocal insert, according to pairs of inclined planes of directions

opposed, of said auction elements.

25

9.-Roller conveyor according to one of the claims

precedents, characterized by comprising at least one edge of

lateral containment (32) of the packages, said containment edge being able to be applied

under pressure to the top of the edge (12a) of said support frame (10).