JP2022190295A - Belt conveyor and distribution device having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a belt conveyor capable of reducing a load of a drive motor and provide a distribution device having it.SOLUTION: A belt conveyor includes: a pair of opposingly disposed side frames; a drive pulley 31 and a follower pulley 32 rotatably mounted to both the ends of the pair of side frames; a drive motor 3M for rotating and driving the drive pulley 31; an endless belt 33 that is wound while straddling the drive pulley 31 and the follower pulley 32, and conveys an article placed on an upper surface of an upper part in a horizontal direction by rotation of the drive pulley 31 rotated and driven by the drive motor 3M; and a belt support frame 81 that is disposed while straddling between the pair of side frames and supports a lower surface in an upper part of the belt 33. In the belt conveyor, the belt support frame 81 has multiple slender support members 83 that are disposed side by side with an interval in a width direction of the belt 33, and are extended in a predetermined horizontal direction and support a lower surface in an upper part of the belt 33.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a belt conveyor used in a weight sorter or the like and a sorting device provided with the belt conveyor.

Goods such as agricultural and fishery products are, for example, sorted into ranks according to their weight, and those of the same rank are sometimes packed in boxes or bags. In this way, a weight sorter is used to sort articles into ranks according to their weight.

In a conventional weight sorter, for example, a weighing device that measures the weight of an article while conveying it in one direction by a belt conveyor, and an article weighed by the weighing device on the downstream side of the weighing device weighs the article. It is equipped with a sorting device for sorting. The sorting device includes, for example, a belt conveyor that conveys articles in one direction and sorting means such as a sorting arm.

In Patent Document 1, a first distribution arm for distributing defective products with insufficient weight and a second distribution arm for distributing defective products with excessive weight are provided on both left and right sides (both outer sides in the belt width direction) of a belt conveyor (conveyance mechanism). A configuration of a sorting device with an arm is described.

Further, Patent Document 2 describes the configuration of a belt conveyor used in a weighing device.

JP-A-2002-114366 JP-A-10-129821

Conventionally, the frame of the belt conveyor used in the sorting device or the weighing device is provided between a pair of side frames having a driving pulley and a driven pulley rotatably attached to both ends, and a pair of side frames. and a top plate that supports substantially the entire lower surface (rear surface) of the rotating upper portion of the conveyor belt. In this way, when substantially the entire lower surface of the upper portion of the conveyor belt is supported by the top plate, the longer the length of the conveyor (the longer the distance between the driving pulley and the driven pulley), the longer the length of the top plate. There is a problem that the contact area and the frictional force between the conveyor belt and the top plate increase, and the load on the drive motor that rotates the drive pulley increases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a belt conveyor and a sorting device having the belt conveyor that can reduce the load on the drive motor.

In order to achieve the above object, a belt conveyor according to one aspect of the present invention has a shape extending in a predetermined horizontal direction, and includes a pair of side frames arranged to face each other, and a pair of side frames at both ends of the pair of side frames. A drive pulley and a driven pulley that are rotatably mounted, a drive motor that rotationally drives the drive pulley, and a drive pulley that is wound across the drive pulley and the driven pulley and is rotationally driven by the drive motor. an endless belt for conveying an article placed on the upper surface of the upper portion in the predetermined horizontal direction; and a belt support frame disposed between the pair of side frames and supporting the lower surface of the upper portion of the belt. , wherein the belt support frames are arranged side by side at intervals in the width direction of the belt and extend in the predetermined horizontal direction to support the lower surface of the upper portion of the belt. elongated support members.

With this arrangement, the lower surface of the upper portion of the belt on which the articles are placed is supported by the belt support frame having a plurality of elongated support members spaced across the width of the belt, thereby reducing the upper portion of the belt. Compared to the case where the entire lower surface of the belt is supported by a top plate (flat plate), the contact area and frictional force between the belt and the belt can be reduced, and the load on the drive motor can be reduced.

Further, the belt support frame may be configured such that the width of the support members in the width direction of the belt is smaller than the spacing between the support members adjacent to each other in the width direction of the belt.

According to this configuration, by making the width of the support member smaller than the interval between the support members adjacent to each other, the contact area between the belt support frame and the belt becomes smaller, and the frictional force between the belt and the belt can be made smaller. , the load on the drive motor can be further reduced.

Further, the support member may have a vertically elongated rectangular cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the predetermined horizontal direction. The use of such support members facilitates fabrication of the belt support frame.

Further, a plurality of the belt support frames may be arranged side by side in the predetermined horizontal direction between the pair of side frames.

According to this configuration, for example, even if the belt conveyor has a long machine length, the length of each belt support frame can be shortened, and the belt support frame can be easily handled during manufacturing and maintenance of the belt conveyor.

In addition, the belt support frame has attachment portions for attachment to predetermined attachment locations of the pair of side frames on both edge portions in the width direction of the belt, and the entire belt support frame including the attachment portions is provided. The shape may be symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane including the centerline in the width direction of the belt, and symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane including the centerline in the predetermined horizontal direction.

According to this configuration, when the belt support frame is attached to the side frame during manufacturing or maintenance of the belt conveyor, it is possible to attach the belt support frame without paying particular attention to the direction of the belt support frame. can be easily done. In addition, in the case of a structure in which a plurality of belt support frames are arranged side by side in a predetermined horizontal direction, each belt support frame can be mounted even if the mounting place is changed, and the mounting work of the belt support frames can be easily performed. can be done.

A sorting device according to an aspect of the present invention includes the belt conveyor described above, and sorting means for removing the articles conveyed by the belt conveyor from the belt conveyor.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION This invention has the structure demonstrated above, and is effective in the ability to provide the belt conveyor which can reduce the load of a drive motor, and a sorting apparatus provided with the same.

FIG. 1(A) is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a weight sorter equipped with a sorting device according to an example of the present embodiment, viewed from above, and FIG. It is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration as viewed from above. FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a sorting device showing a specific example. FIG. 2(B) is a schematic diagram showing the framework of the pedestal of the sorting device. FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the sorting device shown in FIG. 2(A). FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the sorting device shown in FIG. 2(A) viewed from the downstream side of the sorting conveyor in the conveying direction. FIG. 5(A) is a plan view of the belt support frame of the sorting conveyor viewed from above, and FIG. 5(B) is a side view of the belt support frame shown in FIG. 5(A) viewed from one direction. FIG. 5(C) is a side view of the belt support frame shown in FIG. 5(A) as seen from the other direction.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings, and overlapping descriptions thereof may be omitted. In addition, the drawings schematically show respective constituent elements for easy understanding, and the shapes, dimensional ratios, and the like may not be accurate representations. Moreover, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

(embodiment)
FIG. 1(A) is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a weight sorter equipped with a sorting device according to an example of the present embodiment, viewed from above, and FIG. It is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration as viewed from above.

First, an outline of a weight sorter equipped with a sorting device 100 of an example of the present embodiment will be described. This weight sorting machine sorts articles such as agricultural and marine products such as fruits and seafood into a predetermined number of weight ranks, and includes an infeed conveyor 1 and a weighing conveyor 2 supported by a weight sensor 2a such as a load cell. , a sorting device 100 including a sorting conveyor 3 and sorting arms 8 and 9 , an electrical component storage box 5 , an operation display 6 , and a control device 7 . Around the sorting conveyor 3, for example, storage boxes (containers) B1 to B7 for articles are arranged.

An operation display 6 is fitted in the upper part of the front surface of the electrical equipment storage box 5, and a control device 7 is stored therein. The operation display unit 6 is configured using, for example, a touch panel display or the like, and includes input means for operating the weighing machine and setting operating conditions thereof, etc., and display means for displaying the weight value of the article, etc. on the display screen. It has The control device 7 receives signals from the operation display 6 and outputs signals such as data to be displayed on the operation display 6 .

The control device 7 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer or the like, and controls the operation of the entire weighing machine. Therefore, the control device 7 controls the operations of the infeed conveyor 1, weighing conveyor 2, sorting conveyor 3, and sorting arms 8 and 9. FIG. Note that the control device 7 may be configured by a single control device that performs centralized control, or may be configured by a plurality of control devices that cooperate with each other to perform distributed control.

For example, a supply conveyor (not shown) is provided in front of the infeed conveyor 1 . Articles are supplied to this supply conveyor from an operator or a pre-stage device (not shown), and the articles are conveyed to the infeed conveyor 1 . An infeed conveyor 1 receives articles sequentially conveyed by a supply conveyor and transfers them to a weighing conveyor 2 . The weighing conveyor 2 receives the articles conveyed by the infeed conveyor 1 and transfers them to the sorting conveyor 3.

The control device 7 receives a weighing signal from the weight sensor 2a, and based on a detection signal from an article detection sensor (not shown) provided between the infeed conveyor 1 and the weighing conveyor 2, for example, at a predetermined timing. , the weight of the article on the weighing conveyor 2 weighed by the weight sensor 2a is obtained, and it is determined to which of a plurality of preset weight ranks the weight of the article belongs. And operation|movement of the distribution arms 8 and 9 is controlled by controlling the arm drive device 12 (refer FIG. 2 etc.) mentioned later based on a determination result.

Here, for example, seven weight ranks are set, including six weight ranks of standard products, 1st to 6th, and a weight rank of non-standard products. These weight ranks can be set by operating the operation display 6 by the user.

For example, the weight range to be a standard product is set to be the lower limit weight value WL or higher and the upper limit weight value WU or lower. can be set to be the weight rank of Then, the weight range of standardized products can be divided into six, and first to sixth weight ranks can be set.

For example, items of the first weight rank are stored in the storage box B1, items of the second weight rank are stored in the storage box B2, and items of the third weight rank are stored in the storage box B3. Then, by operating the sorting arms 8 and 9 at the positions corresponding to the storage boxes B1 to B6, the articles of the first to sixth weight ranks are stored in the storage boxes B1 to B6. For example, in the case of articles of the first weight rank, the sorting arm 8 corresponding to the storage box B1 rotates about the rotation shaft 10 as indicated by the two-dot chain line and advances onto the sorting conveyor 3. As a result, articles conveyed in the direction of arrow a on the sorting conveyor 3 are stored in the storage box B1. In the case of articles of the fourth weight rank, the sorting arm 9 corresponding to the storage box B4 rotates about the rotating shaft 10 as indicated by the two-dot chain line and advances onto the sorting conveyor 3. As a result, articles conveyed on the sorting conveyor 3 in the direction of the arrow a are stored in the storage box B4. Articles belonging to the weight rank of non-standard products are accommodated in the non-standard product storage box B7 by not operating any of the sorting arms 8 and 9. - 特許庁

In addition, in order for the control device 7 to accurately control the timing at which the sorting arms 8 and 9 are operated, an article detection sensor is provided at the unloading end of the weighing conveyor 2 or in the middle of the sorting conveyor 3, etc., and its detection signal is It can be configured for input to the controller 7 .

Next, details of a specific example of the sorting device 100 will be described. FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the sorting device 100 seen obliquely from above, and FIG. Moreover, FIG. 3 is the top view which looked at the sorting apparatus 100 from the top. 4 is an enlarged view of the sorting device 100 viewed from the downstream side of the sorting conveyor 3 in the conveying direction. Note that FIG. 4 does not show the storage box mounting portions 70 provided on both sides of the pedestal 50 .

This sorting device 100 includes a sorting conveyor 3 as an example of a belt conveyor in the present embodiment, a driving device (a motor 3M and a drive transmission unit 3S) for operating the sorting conveyor 3, sorting arms 8 and 9, each sorting An arm driving device 12 (12A, 12B: see FIG. 4) for operating the arms 8, 9, a discharge chute 40, a stand 50 for placing the sorting conveyor 3, etc., and four bars 71 arranged horizontally. It is provided with a storage box placing portion 70 having a storage box. The discharge chute 40 is provided with a jump-out prevention plate 40 a for preventing the articles from jumping out from the sorting conveyor 3 . This jump-out prevention plate 40a is not shown in FIG.

The pedestal 50 supports the sorting conveyor 3 and the like from below. 52, four support frames 55-58 supporting both ends of the support frames 51 and 52, reinforcing frames 59-62 connecting the supports 55-58, and each It is provided with a leg 63 made of an adjuster for height adjustment attached to the lower part of the struts 55-58. The struts 55-58 and the frames 51-54 and 59-62 can be formed by equilateral angles, for example, and are connected by welding or the like. In this example, the storage box placement section 70 having four rods 71 is attached to both sides of the pedestal 50, but the configuration of the storage box placement section 70 can be changed as appropriate, or may be omitted. .

The sorting conveyor 3 is a belt conveyor that conveys articles in a predetermined horizontal direction (direction of arrow a). , a pair of side frames 34 and 35 (FIG. 4) extending in the conveying direction and facing each other, a plurality of rod-shaped connecting portions 36 (FIG. 4) connecting the side frames 34 and 35, a belt support frame 81, and the like. I have. As shown in FIG. 4, each of the side frames 34, 35 is configured by, for example, an L-shaped angle having an L-shaped cross section, and has vertical portions 34a, 35a and horizontal portions 34b, 35b. Each connecting portion 36 connects between the vertical portions 34 a and 35 a of the side frames 34 and 35 .

The drive pulley 31 and the driven pulley 32 are rotatably attached to both ends of the side frames 34 and 35 in the transport direction, and a transport belt 33 is wound between the pulleys 31 and 32 . That is, the endless conveying belt 33 is wound around the drive pulley 31 and the driven pulley 32 . The driving pulley 31 is rotationally driven by a motor (driving motor) 3M via a drive transmission portion 3S. The drive transmission part 3S can have a well-known structure, although its cover member is shown and the inside thereof is not shown. A timing belt is wound between the pulleys. The motor 3M is fixed to the pedestal 50 on the upstream end side of the distribution conveyor 3 in the conveying direction.

A plurality of sorting arms 8 are arranged side by side in the conveying direction at predetermined intervals on one side of the sorting conveyor 3 in the width direction, and the sorting arm 9 is arranged on the other side of the sorting conveyor 3 in the width direction. are arranged side by side in the conveying direction at predetermined intervals.

As shown in FIG. 4, each of the sorting arms 8 and 9 includes a vertically extending rotating shaft 10 and a rotating shaft 10 fixed to the upper end of the rotating shaft 10. When the rotating shaft 10 is rotated, the sorting conveyor is moved. 3 and an arm portion 11 for removing articles from above. In addition, the arm part 11 is a part illustrated as the distribution arms 8 and 9 in FIG. 3, for example. An arm driving device 12 (12A, 12B) arranged below the sorting conveyor 3 is provided for each of the sorting arms 8, 9. As shown in FIG.

The arm driving device 12 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 13 having a top panel 13a through which the rotating shaft 10 passes, and rotates the rotating shafts 10 of the sorting arms 8 and 9 within the housing 13. It houses the drive unit. This drive section can have a known configuration that rotates the rotating shaft 10 forward and backward using, for example, an air cylinder or a motor.

The arm driving device 12A of the sorting arm 8 and the arm driving device 12B of the sorting arm 9 operate the sorting arms 8 and 9 to remove the articles from the sorting conveyor 3 (see FIG. 1A). ), the rotation shaft 10 of the sorting arm 8 and the rotation shaft 10 of the sorting arm 9 are configured to rotate in opposite directions.

In this example, the arm driving device 12A of each sorting arm 8 has the bottom plate 13b of the housing 13 fixed on one support frame 51 of the pedestal 50 with bolts (not shown), and the top plate A horizontal portion 34b of one side frame 34 of the sorting conveyor 3 is fixed onto the 13a with a bolt or the like (not shown). Similarly, the arm driving device 12B of each distribution arm 9 has the bottom plate 13b of the housing 13 fixed on the other support frame 52 of the pedestal 50 with bolts or the like (not shown), and the top plate 13a Above, the horizontal portion 35b of the other side frame 35 of the sorting conveyor 3 is fixed with bolts or the like (not shown). Thus, the arm drive devices 12A, 12B are attached between the pedestal 50 and the side frames 34, 35 of the sorting conveyor 3 so as to support the sorting conveyor 3. As shown in FIG.

As described above, the sorting conveyor 3 is supported on the pedestal 50 by the housings 13 of the arm driving devices 12A and 12B. For example, a column 38 or the like in FIG. 2A) may be provided.

A discharge chute 40 is provided for each sorting arm 8,9. The discharge chute 40 has an inclined surface that allows articles removed from the sorting conveyor 3 by the sorting arms 8 and 9 to slide downward avoiding the arm driving devices 12A and 12B. Therefore, the arm driving devices 12A, 12B arranged to extend laterally of the sorting conveyor 3 and the articles ejected from the sorting conveyor 3 by the sorting arms 8, 9 slide down on the discharge chute 40. For example, they can be stored in storage boxes B1 to B6 without colliding.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the distribution conveyor 3 is provided with a plurality of belt support frames 81 . As shown in FIG. 1(B), the upper portion of the rotating endless belt 33 on which the articles are placed is referred to as an upper portion 33a, and the lower portion thereof is referred to as a lower portion 33b. The belt support frame 81 supports the lower surface (back surface) of the upper portion 33a of the belt 33 from below. The belt 33 conveys the article placed on the upper surface of the upper portion 33a in the predetermined horizontal direction indicated by the arrow a by the rotation of the drive pulley 31 that is rotationally driven by the motor 3M.

A plurality of belt support frames 81 are arranged between the pair of side frames 34 and 35 in the conveying direction (predetermined horizontal direction) indicated by arrow a. Here, a plurality of belt support frames 81 (three in this example) are provided, but one may be provided, although the length is increased. By shortening the length as in this example and forming a structure in which it is divided into a plurality of parts, it becomes easier to handle.

In this example, the side frames 34 and 35 are constructed by attaching frame extension portions 34A and 35A shown in FIG. A pulley 32 is rotatably mounted. A connection plate 37 is attached to the frame extensions 34A and 35A to support the lower surface of the upper portion 33a of the belt 33 from below. The side frames 34 and 35 may be configured without the frame extension portions 34A and 35A, and the driven pulley 32 may be rotatably attached to the transport direction downstream end portions of the vertical portions 34a and 35a. In this case, the belt support frame 81 may be arranged in the vicinity of the driven pulley 32 as on the drive pulley 31 side without the connecting plate 37 .

5A is a plan view of the belt support frame 81 of the sorting conveyor 3 as seen from above, and FIG. 5B is a side view of the belt support frame 81 as seen from one direction. 5(C) is a side view of the belt support frame 81 viewed from the other direction.

As shown in FIG. 5, the belt support frame 81 includes a pair of end plates 82, a plurality of (four in this example) support members 83, a pair of connecting plates 84, a pair of mounting rods 85, and It has four bolts (flanged bolts) 86 screwed to both ends of the mounting rod 85 .

The pair of end plates 82 are arranged to face each other while being separated in the width direction W of the belt 33 of the sorting conveyor 3 (the width direction of the sorting conveyor 3). Each end plate 82 has a flat portion 82a and a vertical portion 82b.

The plurality of support members 83 are arranged in parallel in the width direction W of the belt 33 at predetermined intervals between the pair of end plates 82 . Each support member 83 has an elongated shape extending in the conveying direction (predetermined horizontal direction) indicated by arrow a. The width of each support member 83 in the width direction W of the belt 33 is smaller (narrower) than the interval between the support members 83 adjacent to each other. In this example, the cross-sectional shape of each support member 83 perpendicular to the conveying direction is a vertically elongated rectangle (see FIG. 5C). The lower surface of the upper portion 33a of the belt 33 is supported from below by the plurality of support members 83 and the flat plate portions 82a of the pair of end plates 82. As shown in FIG.

The pair of connecting plates 84 are connected by welding to portions 82bb of the belt support frame 81 bent toward the inside of the belt support frame 81 at the vertical portions 82b at both end portions in the conveying direction of the pair of end plates 82. are connected by welding to both ends of the

The pair of mounting rods 85 are rod-shaped members extending in the width direction W of the belt 33, are arranged parallel to each other at intervals in the conveying direction indicated by the arrow a, pass through all the support members 83, It penetrates through the vertical portions 82b of the pair of end plates 82 and is connected by welding at each penetration portion. Also, the length of each mounting rod 85 is substantially equal to the interval between the vertical portions 34a, 35a of the pair of side frames 34, 35. As shown in FIG.

Both ends of each mounting rod 85 are provided with threaded holes into which bolts 86 are screwed. The vertical portion 34a of the side frame 34 is provided with two grooves 34c into which the threaded portions of the two bolts 86 are inserted from above. Although not shown, the vertical portion 35a of the side frame 35 is similarly provided with two grooves (referred to as "grooves 35c") into which the threaded portions of the two bolts 86 are inserted from above.

When attaching the belt support frame 81 to the pair of side frames 34 and 35, the four bolts 86 are loosened and the threaded portions of the four bolts 86 are threaded into the four grooves 34c of the pair of side frames 34 and 35. , 35c and four bolts 86 are tightened. In this manner, the belt support frame 81 is arranged across the vertical portions 34a, 35a of the pair of side frames 34, 35. As shown in FIG.

As described above, the belt support frame 81 has attachment portions (bolts) for attachment to predetermined attachment locations (grooves 34c and 35c) of the pair of side frames 34 and 35 at both edges of the belt 33 in the width direction W. 86). The overall shape of the belt support frame 81 including the mounting portion (bolt 86) is symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane P1 including the center line in the width direction W of the belt 33, and is centered in the conveying direction indicated by arrow a. It is configured to be symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane P2 containing lines. Therefore, for each belt support frame 81, the two grooves 34c of the side frame 34 and the two grooves 35c of the side frame 35, which are the mounting portions of the belt support frame 81, are provided at symmetrical positions with respect to the vertical plane P1. Two grooves 34c of 34 are provided at symmetrical positions with respect to the vertical plane P2, and two grooves 35c of the side frame 35 are provided at symmetrical positions with respect to the vertical plane P2.

In this embodiment, the lower surface of the upper portion 33a of the belt 33 on which articles are placed is supported by a belt support frame 81 having a plurality of elongated support members 83 arranged at intervals in the width direction W of the belt 33. , the contact area and frictional force between the belt 33 and the belt 33 can be reduced, and the load on the motor 3M can be reduced, compared to the case where the entire lower surface of the upper portion 33a of the belt 33 is supported by a top plate (flat plate).

In the present embodiment, the belt support frame 81 has a plurality of spaced support members 83 arranged only in the central portion of the belt 33 in the width direction W and in the vicinity thereof. Although the flat plate portions 82a are arranged in the regions near both ends in the direction W, since the article is conveyed in the central portion in the width direction W of the belt 33 and the region in the vicinity thereof, the flat plate portions 82a on both end sides are applied. Since the weight of the article is small and the frictional force is also small, the influence of the load on the motor 3M is also small. If the belt support frame 81 can obtain sufficient rigidity, the end plate 82 having the flat plate portion 82a is not provided, and support members 83 are provided at intervals in that region as well. good too.

Further, in the present embodiment, the width of each support member 83 is made smaller (narrower) than the interval between the support members 83 adjacent to each other, so that the contact area with the belt 33 becomes smaller. can be made smaller, and the load on the motor 3M can be reduced.

In addition, in this embodiment, even if the belt conveyor has a long machine length, such as the sorting conveyor 3 in which the sorting arms (8, 9) are arranged side by side in the conveying direction. By arranging a plurality of belt support frames 81 side by side in the conveying direction, the length of each belt support frame 81 can be shortened. is easier to handle.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5(A), by providing an elongated hole 87 in the flat plate portion 82a of the end plate 82 of the belt support frame 81, the weight of the belt support frame 81 can be reduced and its handling becomes easier. Become.

Further, in this embodiment, the belt support frame 81 has mounting portions for mounting to predetermined mounting locations (grooves 34c and 35c) of the pair of side frames 34 and 35 at both edge portions in the width direction W of the belt 33. (bolts 86) and the overall shape of the belt support frame 81 including the mounting portion (bolts 86) is symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane P1 including the center line in the width direction W of the belt 33, and is indicated by an arrow a. It is configured to have a symmetrical shape with respect to a vertical plane P2 including the center line in the conveying direction (predetermined horizontal direction). With this configuration, when the belt support frame 81 is attached to the side frames 34 and 35 during manufacturing or maintenance of the belt conveyor (distribution conveyor 3), it is possible to attach the belt support frame 81 without particular attention to the direction of the belt support frame 81. Therefore, the work for attaching the belt support frame 81 can be easily performed. Further, when a plurality of belt support frames 81 are arranged side by side in the conveying direction as in the present embodiment, each belt support frame 81 can be mounted even if the mounting locations are exchanged, and the mounting work of the belt support frames 81 can be performed. can be easily done.

In the present embodiment, a plurality of sorting arms (8, 9), which are examples of sorting means, are arranged side by side in the conveying direction of the sorting conveyor 3 on both sides of the sorting conveyor 3. A plurality of sorting arms may be arranged side by side in the transport direction of the sorting conveyor 3 on one side of the sorting conveyor 3 . In addition, there is also a configuration in which one sorting arm is arranged on each side of the sorting conveyor 3, and a configuration in which only one sorting arm is arranged on one side of the sorting conveyor 3. It is possible. Note that the length of the sorting conveyor 3 (the length in the conveying direction) may be appropriately changed according to the number of sorting arms and the like.

In addition, the belt support frame 81 of the present embodiment is not limited to the belt conveyor (sorting conveyor 3) used in the sorting device, and other belt conveyors such as a belt conveyor used in a weighing device that weighs while conveying articles. can also be applied to

From the above description many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description is to be construed as illustrative only and is provided for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the invention. Substantial details of construction and/or function may be changed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION This invention is useful as a belt conveyor which can reduce the load of a drive motor, and a sorting apparatus provided with the same.

3 distribution conveyor 8, 9 distribution arm 3M motor 31 drive pulley 32 driven pulley 33 belts 34, 35 side frame 81 belt support frame 83 support member 100 distribution device

Claims (6)

a pair of side frames facing each other and having a shape extending in a predetermined horizontal direction;
a driving pulley and a driven pulley rotatably attached to both ends of the pair of side frames;
a drive motor that rotates the drive pulley;
an endless belt that is wound across the driving pulley and the driven pulley and conveys an article placed on the top surface of the upper portion in the predetermined horizontal direction by rotation of the driving pulley rotationally driven by the driving motor;
a belt support frame disposed across the pair of side frames and supporting the lower surface of the upper portion of the belt;
A belt conveyor comprising
The belt support frame is
a plurality of elongate support members spaced apart in the width direction of the belt and extending in the predetermined horizontal direction to support the lower surface of the upper portion of the belt;
belt conveyor. The belt support frame is
The width of the support member in the width direction of the belt is smaller than the interval between the support members adjacent to each other in the width direction of the belt.
The belt conveyor according to claim 1. The support member is
A cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the predetermined horizontal direction is a rectangle elongated in the vertical direction,
The belt conveyor according to claim 1 or 2. A plurality of the belt support frames are arranged side by side in the predetermined horizontal direction between the pair of side frames,
A belt conveyor according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The belt support frame is
Attachment portions for attachment to predetermined attachment points of the pair of side frames are provided on both edge portions in the width direction of the belt, and the overall shape of the belt support frame including the attachment portions is aligned in the width direction of the belt. It is symmetrical with respect to the vertical plane including the centerline in the predetermined horizontal direction, and is symmetrical with respect to the vertical plane including the centerline in the predetermined horizontal direction.
The belt conveyor according to any one of claims 1-4. A belt conveyor according to any one of claims 1 to 5;
a sorting means for removing the articles conveyed by the belt conveyor from the belt conveyor;
Sorting device with.

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