GB2347131A

GB2347131A - Bi-directional vibratory conveyor

Info

Publication number: GB2347131A
Application number: GB9904529A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Leslie Neville Reeves
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-02-26
Filing date: 1999-02-26
Publication date: 2000-08-30
Anticipated expiration: 2019-02-26
Also published as: GB2347131B; GB9904529D0

Abstract

A conveyor 14 for movement of particular material by means of vibratory motion, comprises a conveyor surface 10 and two pairs of eccentrically weighted matched rotors 19 and 22, the pairs having axes which are oppositely inclined to each other relative to the conveyor surface 10. Each matched rotor or pair of rotors 19 and 22 may have an associated braking means to prevent sympathetic rotation of one pair 19 and 22 when the other pair 19 and 22 is actuated. The braking means may comprise an inflatable pressure member 28 which forces a brake pad 27 against each rotatable body 25 to prevent its rotation. Each rotor may comprise an electric motor 23 having an output shaft 24 connected to an eccentrically disposed weight or rotatable body 25. The inflatable pressure member 28 may be mounted between the ends of a pair of arms 29, 30, the other ends of the arms 29, 30 being secured to a compressible rubber block 31 mounted on a support structure. The pairs of matched rotors 19 and 22 may be adapted to be operated alternatively, the other pair 19 and 22 being restrained by the braking means, so as to cause vibratory motion of particles on the conveyor surface to one end 12 or the other 13.

Description

BI-DIRECTIONAL VIBRATORY CONVEYOR This invention relates to a bi-directional vibratory conveyor, that is a conveyor for particulate material, wherein the material progresses along the conveyor due to the effects of vibrations imparted to the conveyor, which is capable of feeding the material alternatively in either direction along the conveyor.

It is known to vibrate a conveyor for movement of particulate material by mounting a pair of matched rotors with eccentric weights on a structure connected to the conveyor, so as to create vibration by rotation of the eccentric weights. A motor for each rotor is usually mounted to drive each rotor in a common housing therewith. The axes of the rotor-motor combinations are inclined with respect to the conveyor surface, to provide for a directional element to the vibrations, to ensure progress of the material in the desired direction.

According to a basic feature of the invention, a conveyor is made bidirectional by mounting a second pair of rotor-motor combinations, similar to the first pair, on the structure with their axes opposite inclined to the conveyor surface, so that either pair may be activated as required to vibrate the conveyor to move material in the selected one of the opposed directions.

In trials, it is found that if one pair of vibratory rotors is driven, the second undriven pair will rotate in sympathy, thus providing an interfering vibration to the conveyor which acts against the directional element in the vibration generated by the driven pair, to effectively multiply or reduce the net motion of conveyed particles in the desired direction.

In order to overcome this problem, the invention further provides a bi-directional vibratory conveyor having two pairs of rotary vibration generators, each pair having their axes of rotation inclined to the conveyor surface at an opposed inclination to the other pair, each rotary vibration generator having associated braking means to prevent sympathetic rotation.

The braking means may advantageously comprise an inflatable pressure member which serves to force a brake pad against each rotatable body, and thereby prevent rotation of the body whilst the pad is forced against the body. This will serve to prevent induced or sympathetic rotation of the body when the body is not driven for rotation, in response to vibrations generated by intended rotation of one or more other bodies.

Each of the, for example four, vibrator assemblies mounted below a conveyor to secure a bi-directional capability may comprise an electric motor, the out put shaft of which carries, eg. via a clutch, an eccentrically disposed weight or rotatable body, and a braking device comprising an inflatable pressure member with a brake pad for selective application to the rotatable body. This pressure member may be mounted between a pair of arms, the other ends of which are secured to a compressible rubber block mounted on a support structure.

A preferred embodiment of bi-directional vibratory conveyor according to the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a partially sectioned side view of a conveyor according to the invention; Figure 2 is an elevation of one vibration generator used in the conveyor; and Figure 3 is a plan view of the conveyor.

A bi-directional vibratory conveyor according to the invention is shown in Fig 1, from one side.

The conveyor comprises a substantially planar conveyor surface 10 with side fences 11 to prevent sillage of material over the edges of the surface 10, and alternative open discharge ends 12,13 one at each end of the conveyor. Material, such as particulate food stuffs, ranging from powders to discrete items such as wrapped or unwrapped sweets, may be loaded onto the conveyor near the middle, at arrow 14, and moved to either end 12 or 13 as required, by selecting the mode of operation of the conveyor.

The conveyor also comprises a support structure below the surface 10, comprising a pair of spaced apart side plates 15, 16 between which extend inclined cross-plates 17,18 placed symmetrically of the conveyor.

Each cross-plate 17,18 carries a respective pair of rotary vibration generators 19,20 or 21,22. The axes of the rotary vibration generators are disposed perpendicularly to the respective cross-plates.

The cross-plates extend at opposite angles of eg. 65 to the horizontal, and the axes of the rotary vibration generated are thus inclined at opposite angles of 25 to the horizontal.

Each rotary vibration generator is substantially as shown in Fig 2, and comprises an electric motor 23, having a drive shaft 24 on which is mounted an eccentrically biased mass 25, meaning that the centre of gravity of the mass 25 is off set to one side of the axis 26 of rotation of the rotary vibration generator. This may be achieved by off centre mounting of an assembly of metal discs, or by inserting a mass of greater density such as lead, to one side of the axis of rotation 26, or providing a void to one side of the axis of rotation.

The motor 23 is mounted by a suitable support on the respective cross-plate 17 or 18.

A brake disc 27 is carried for engagement with the free end face of the rotatable mass 25, so as to leave the mass free to rotate when driven by the motor 23. The disc 27 is applied by an inflatable pressure member 28, which is carried between a pair of arms, 29,30 attached to a mounting by a resilient eg. rubber block 31.

When the inflatable member 28 is deflated, the disc 27 is retracted from the mass 25, which is free to rotate. When the inflatable member 28 is fully inflated, the disc 27 is applied forcibly against the mass 25 which is thereby prevented from rotation.

The conveyor may be selected to progress material to either discharge end 12 or to discharge end 13, by activating one pair of rotary vibration generators 19 and 20; or 21 and 22 as appropriate, and leaving the other pair of generators idle. The provision of the brake discs 27, which are applied to the respective rotary masses 25, in the idle generators prevents sympathetic or induced rotation of the masses 25 of the idle generators, thus avoiding the generation of out of phase or other interfering vibrations which will act against the tendency of the selected operating generators to progress material along the conveyor in the selected direction.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A conveyor for movement of particular material by means of vibratory motion, comprising means providing a conveyor surface, and a structure connected to said means, with a pair of matched rotors with eccentric weights, characterised in that a second pair of matched rotors, similar to said first pair thereof, are mounted on said structure with their axes oppositely inclined to the axes of said first pair relative to said conveyor surface.
2. A conveyor according to claim 1, wherein each matched pair of rotors has associated braking means to prevent sympathetic rotation of one pair when the other pair is actuated.
3. A conveyor according to claim 2, wherein the braking means comprises an inflatable pressure member which serves to force a brake pad against each rotor, to thereby prevent rotation of the rotor whilst the pad is forced against the body.
4. A conveyor according to claim 2 or 3 wherein each rotor comprises an assembly consisting of an electric motor having an output shaft connected to an eccentrically disposed weight or rotatable body, and braking means comprising an inflatable pressure member having a brake pad for selective application to the rotatable body.
5. A conveyor according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said pressure member is mounted between the ends of a pair of arms, the other ends of which are secured to a compressible rubber block mounted on a support structure.
6. A conveyor according to claim 4, wherein two pairs of matched said rotors are mounted, each pair on a respective inclined plate disposed opposite and symmetrically to the other respective inclined plate, below the conveyor surface defining means.
7. A conveyor according to claim 6, wherein said pairs of matched rotors are adapted to be operated alternatively, with the respective other pair restrained by the braking means, to cause vibratory motion of particles on said conveyor surface towards one end or the other of the conveyor surface.