NO802369L - MOVING DEVICES. - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method and a device for operating a belt conveyor. which consists of an endless controlled loop, which preferably • forms a serpentine path;; A number of consecutive and preferably superimposed loop parts merge into each other via breaking pulleys, whereby a number, of. these each one;-s. arranged for pulling engagement, in the loop.^Each clik breaking pulley exerts a pulling function on the part of the loop which is located between the nearest preceding pulling breaking pulley counted in. "the direction of movement of the loop and just mentioned breaking pulley.• '>■.'.

Movement of articles in connection with industrial production, e.g. within the workshop industry, the brewing industry, when manufacturing packages (glass, sheets, plastic) is often done with the help of belt conveyors. These often form serpentine roads. which consists of a number of loop parts, or ribbon loops that lie above each other. Lack of friction between the belt conveyor and transported articles means that the inclination of the conveyor's serpentine paths is relatively small. This in turn means that the number of running meters of the loop becomes large, and problems arise when operating the loop. The loop is often made up of a chain which is composed of a number of links which are connected to each other and movable in relation to each other, -to allow both horizontal and vertical curve thinning.'

In the case of longer chains, according to previously used techniques, problems arise with jerky movement, as well as disturbances in the stability of transported articles, with an accompanying risk of damage to them. The jerking also causes increased wear on the chains. The chain length is therefore maximized to approx. 30 m, after which a new closed loop is arranged. Each loop obtained in this way is provided with a separate drive. Transitions are arranged between the loops for the transfer of the transported articles from one loop to the next one. Any such transition involves the risk of disruptions in the movement of the articles. The limitation of the chain length and the resulting transitions between the loops, as well as the necessary separate drive units for each closed loop, mean that the costs for belt conveyors, which are arranged in the manner described, are high.

The chains are composed of interlocking links, which are provided with bearing wings. The links' bearing wings together form the chain's bearing plane or bearing surface. When operating the chain, drive means are brought, e.g. teeth, in engagement with the links' bearing wings in the space between adjacent links. With the help of separate control devices, the links and thus the chain are kept in the correct position during operation and during the passage of the breaker pulleys. The operation of the chains is thus relatively complicated according to known techniques.,

Driving against the bare wings also does not cause desired stresses on the links, as the driving force is applied far from the areas where the links are connected to each other. This results in moments of force which involve unwanted wear and reduced lifespan

on the chains. The described structure of the known technique with separate control members and with the relatively complicated drive members with engagement with the links' carrying wings also contributes to the high costs of belt conveyors according to the known technique.

The present invention specifies a method and a device in which the above-mentioned disadvantages are completely or partially eliminated. According to the invention, the entire belt conveyor can be made in a single closed loop, whereby the need for separately closed loops and transitions between them is eliminated. In the same way, the invention results in the chains obtaining a very smooth movement, whereby also the above-mentioned disadvantages in the form of wear of the chains, much leaning stability h06 transported articles,', 'costs for separate drive units, costs for the transition between the separately terminated the loops etc. disappear.

The invention also eliminates the need for separate control devices for the chains in connection with the breaker pulleys, at the same time that the previously unwanted moments of power largely disappear and are essentially replaced by just traction forces.

According to the invention, a belt conveyor is arranged consisting of an endless loop preferably composed of links which form a chain with a number of successive and preferably overlapping loop sections. These merge into each other when they pass the switching stages. A number of breaker pulleys are each arranged for pulling engagement in the "loop. The respective breaker pulley is rotated around its central axis by a drive device, whereby the rotation speed and dimensions of the respective breaker pulley are selected so that the peripheral speed in the breaker pulleys' contact area against the loop corresponds to the speed of the loop. Respective breaking pulley exerts a pulling force on the installation part of the loop and moves the part of the loop which is located between the closest preceding pulling breaking pulley calculated in the direction of movement of the loop and the just mentioned breaking pulley.

According to the invention, respective breaking pulleys are arranged with tooth-like devices along the periphery (edge) ■. Each link of the chain has, in addition to the 'previously indicated carrying wing, also a lower wing, which together limits an open groove towards the edge of the link and thereby also of the chain, in the bottom of which a bearing for an axle is arranged. This shaft connects successive links by means of a bearing at the rear end of the link in front. The bearing forms a protruding part in the groove, which is directed towards the link ice and thus the edge of the chain. Respective breaker pulleys pass into the links' grooves with an edge area, and engage with their tooth-like devices against the projecting bearings in the links' grooves. The distance between the tooth-like devices corresponds to the distance between the protruding bearings and successive links. The tooth-like structures rest against the links where these have great mechanical strength with the help of the stiffeners as bearings; implies, at the same time that, through the described structure, the forces for the movement of the chain are largely made up of tensile and compressive forces that are applied to the bearings for the shafts that connect the links of a chain. In this way, a quiet movement of the chains is obtained at the same time that the stress on the uncled links is reduced compared to previously used technology. The invention also eliminates to a certain extent the need for special control means to keep the chain in the correct position when passing over the breaker pulleys.

To obtain it. the desired quiet operation of the chains also requires that the chains' operation be as exact as possible. Otherwise there is a risk • that some breaker pulley in the series of breaker pulleys will no longer fit between the links, which will cause the plant to stop. To achieve correct engagement, a defined distance between the links' engagement surface is required. However, a certain inaccuracy in the position of the links arises because the previously mentioned storage at the rear end of the respective link is designed to allow bending of the chain in the lateral direction. The possibility of this bending is achieved by the above-mentioned bearing having a bearing hole which expands towards the edges of the hole, so that a certain movement in the longitudinal direction of the chain is obtained for the end parts of the shaft which connects adjacent links. The disadvantage of this is that the further from the central parts of the links the engagement against the respective link takes place, the more the specified movement of the bearing affects the position of the engagement surface of the link, and the greater the risk that the engagement does not occur correctly. According to the invention, the intake takes place. closer to the central "parts" of the links than in the known technique, which means that the above-mentioned disadvantages are overcome to such an extent that a number of pulleys pulling one after the other can be used to propel a chain which can thereby be made very long.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the breaking steps are fixed above each other on a common central shaft. One

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drive device rotates the center shaft and thus the breaker pulleys.

The above described design according to the invention of the breaking pulleys can also be applied to breaking pulleys which are arranged to only change the movement direction of the chains. Here too, due to the simple structure, advantages are obtained compared to known technology.' ;

From the above it appears that the improved operation and control of the belt conveyor according to the invention is obtained at lower costs than is the case with known technology. Also in the known technique, a breaking pulley is required in each transition between the loop parts of the loops. This is thereby arranged. free-running and to slow down the loop's movement as little as possible. •

According to a preferred embodiment of. invention, the pulling breaker pulleys are fixed to a fault shaft, which is connected at one end to a drive device, and which is supported at the other end, whereby any additional bearings can be arranged in between. The costs for these parts of the belt conveyor according to known technology or according to the invention is largely the same. According to known technology, the costs for drive devices for each closed loop as well as costs for switching devices are also added. for the transfer of the articles from one loop to a subsequent one as well as the costs of the special control devices for the chain in connection with each breaking pulley...

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the endless loop is arranged so that it forms a number; ascending and a number of descending serpentine lanes. Each serpentine track is thereby assembled by a number of loop partitions whose links are moved towards the device's upper part and lower part, respectively, with the help of pulling breaker pulleys ... Between the pulling breaker pulleys, the links of the loop parts pass over free-running breaker pulleys.-

A belt conveyor arranged in the manner described

in the above'has a very compact structure, and is spe-

particularly suitable for the accumulation of articles. In industrial activities, there is often a need for a shorter or longer time to

store articles in order and then have the option of taking out the articles in the same order as they are stored. A belt conveyor that is arranged in the manner described here meets these needs. ' t

A belt conveyor which is arranged with upward and downward loop sections is also suitable for use for downward and upward transport of articles, e.g. to a rebuttal ings stand ion-. In this way, e.g. parts down to the assembly station where they are put in place on e.g. an article, which is then moved up to a warehouse or to a subsequent assembly station.

A belt conveyor with a number of upward and a number of downward loop sections is also suitable for use as a storage device for e.g.; spare parts, where each type of spare part is assigned to a special container that is mounted on the belt, and where by moving the belt to a pick-up station you can successively retrieve articles that are, for example, recorded on an order form.

The invention shall be described in more detail in connection with a number of figures, where:

Fig. 1 shows a,..belt conveyor seen from the side,

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fig. 2 shows a belt conveyor seen from above,

fig. 3 a-c show links for connecting to one chain.

fig. 4 shows*a perspective view of the breaker pulley and. parts of

a loop seen from below,

fig. 5 shows from the side a belt conveyor for the transfer of

■articles both upwards and downwards, and

fig. 6 shows the conveyor according to fig. 5 seen from above.

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In fig. 1-4 can be found. A closed loop 10 forms a serpentine path containing a number of above each other located loop parts 15 a, b, c etc. A rack 17a-b supports a number of breaking pulleys 11, 16 above which the loop's direction of movement changes. The breaker pulleys 16 are free-running, while the breaker pulleys 11 are fixed to a drive shaft 13, which forms a common center. space shaft for all breaker pulleys 11. The drive shaft 13 is at one end stored in the stand 3 7, and at the other end is connected to a drive member 14. Fig. 2 shows the principle of a connected feed loop for input or output of , articles for loop 10.

In fig. 3 and 4 show an embodiment of the invention where the loop 10 is composed of a number of interconnected links 20. Fig. 3a shows the links seen from below, fig. 3 b the links seen from the side and fig. 3- c a link set f orfora. In figure b-c it is shown in particular how the links are attached to each other to allow changes of direction of the loop's direction of movement in two towards each other waving] right :vpTan. Fig. 3 b shows how each link has a rear bearing 28, whose bearing hole expands towards the edges of the hole. A shaft 27 is found in the rear bearing of each link. The shaft 27 is also stored in front bearings 24 a-b at each link. Hereby, the shaft 27 constitutes connecting means between two adjacent links. The design of the rear bearing 28•gives a certain movement to the axle, so that it can be bent back and forth. In this way, the chain can be bent if necessary. laterally (cf.

fig. 3 to). The bearings also allow the links to twist around the axle. In this way, the chain can be bent upwards or downwards (cf. fig.

3 b).

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From fig. 3 a-c further shows that each link 20 has a bearing surface

25 which is formed by two support wings 21 a-b, which are directed towards the edges of the link and on the upper side of the link connected with,. each other, so that the essentially planar support surface 25 is formed. One can be found on the underside of the links. fleet. 26,. which is formed by two relatively short lower wings 22 a-b, which are also directed towards the edges of the link and connected to each other - to form the surface 26.. Between the supporting wings 21 and the lower wings 22, a groove is formed on each side of the link

23, where respective'grooves are open towards the edges of the link. In resp. track ejects the front bearings 24 a-b 'f'o'r- the axle 27.

From fig. 4 shows in a detailed picture how one; Vds?aking breaking pulley 11 is arranged. The figure illustrates how the breaker pulley has a number of teeth 12, which, when the loop passes around the breaker pulley, engages the bearings; 24 -b- in; the tracks 23 b.

With its one support wing 21 b supports the respective link against the breaker pulley. With its second support wing 21 a supports resp. link against an essentially horizontal part 29 of a support 19, which also has an essentially vertical part 30 for limiting the path formed by the chain. The support thereby holds the article in place during the movement around the breaking pulley. In case of engagement in the slot:23, the •break pulley also cooperates with the lower wing of the link to control the chain in a vertical direction. The lower wing prevents the link's edge from lifting up. In a similar way, the support's horizontal part 29 is normally arranged for engagement in the link's opposite groove 29 for corresponding control of the link's and thus the chain's other edge. The described control prevents tendencies to lift the chain's edge.

At the connected feeding loops 18, articles are fed into and out of the loop 10. The operation of the loop 10 takes place with the help of the drive unit 14, which via the drive shaft 13 and the 'fixed' switching steps 11 on this move the loop in its direction of movement. The fixing of the switching pulleys by the common drive shaft means that synchronous movement is ensured for all switching pulleys; and thus also an exact and quiet movement of the loop 10. This shows that the length of the loop* 10 in itself does not constitute any limitation, as each pulling switching pulley only the part of the loop 10 which is located between the pulling 'breaking sheave' and the nearest preceding pulling breaking sheave moves, counted in the direction of movement of the loop. The part of the loop that is moved by the respective pulling pulley can thereby be adapted to the loads that prevail in each individual case.

Figures 5 and 6 show an alternative embodiment of the invention, where the conveyor's endless loop 10 is provided with a number of upward 15 a-b and a number of downward 15 a-b loop sections. The endless loop alternates between an upward movement and a downward movement via an upper loop part 36 or a ' lower loop part 37.

Traction breaking pulleys 11 a-b are arranged in both areas where the loop's essentially horizontal direction of movement changes. In connection with this, drive shafts 13 a-b are found with the drive bridge 14 a-b. Along with the drive shafts 13 a-b .are..essentially each. another pulley pulling and every other free-running 16 a-b, In the figures, the directions of movement of the ten loops are indicated by means of arrows. From fig. 6 shows in particular how the upper loop part 36 and the lower loop part 37 are arranged, so that the loop gets a diagonal movement in the main book between the breaker pulleys.

The previously given functional description in connection with fig. 1-4 essentially also apply to the embodiment of the invention shown in fig. 5 and 6.

In the embodiment of the invention shown above, the traction breaker pulleys are arranged with a common drive shaft 13, which is connected to a common drive member 14. Within the scope of the invention, alternative embodiments with several drive shafts and several drive members are also accommodated. Also the option of separate drive means for each breaker pulley can occur.

In the following, the invention will be further characterized with the help of patent claims.

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Claims (9)

1. Method for operating a belt conveyor consisting of an endless controlled loop (10), which is preferably composed of links (29) ,; which form a chain for the collection, movement and/or distribution of objects, both of which are transporters. arranged with a number of successively following loop portions, (15) which are located one above the other, which merge into each other through switching pulleys (11, 16) leading end portions of the loop portions, character! watching TV; e d that a number of breaker pulleys are arranged for driving engagement; in the loop, and arranged one after the other in the loop's forward direction, that the breaker pulleys are rotated around their serial shafts by one or more drive members (14), whereby the rotation speed and dimensions of the respective breaker pulley are selected in such a way that the peripheral speed in the contact areas of the breaker pulleys against the loop matches , and the respective breaking pulley exerts a pulling function on the part of the loop which is situated between the nearest preceding pulling breaking pulley counted in the direction of movement of the loop, and the just mentioned breaking pulley. 2. Device for carrying out the method according to claim 1, consisting of an endless controlled closed loop (10), which is composed of links (20) which form a chain, where the loop is arranged with a number of loop parts located one above the other (15 ), which exceed ± each other through breaking pulleys, (11, 16) led end parts, characterized in that a number of breaking pulleys (11) are fixed on a number of central shafts (13), preferably a common central shaft, that drive devices (14) are connected to the center shafts and thereby preferably a common center shaft for this and thus the breaking pulleys' operation, whereby the respective breaking pulley (11) exerts a pulling function on the part of the loop (10) which is located between the closest pulling breaking pulley (11) calculated in the direction of movement of the loop and said breaking pulley . 3.. Device according to claim 2, in that each pulling breaking pulley Mll) is arranged with a number of teeth (12) which form part of a circular periphery at the breaking pulley, and which interacts with an open groove (23) in each link (20), and which was directed towards the edge of the link and limited by an upper bearing wing (21) and a lower wing (22) and with one drive wheel (24). - which is located at the bottom of the slot, where due to the rotation of the break chain, its teeth pass into the slot (23) and rest against the drive wheel (24), whereby the link is controlled in the direction of movement at the same time as it is pushed forward in the direction of movement of the chain and thereby pulls subsequent links in the direction of movement of the chain towards positions for interaction with the pulling breaker pulley. 4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the drive wheel (.24) is arranged as a front bearing for an axle (27) for the link's connection with an existing link in the direction of movement of the chain, and where the axle (27) interacts with a rear bearing (28) with the link present therein. 5. Device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that a support (19) has a horizontal part (29) for supporting the respective link's one support wing (21a) at the same time as the other support wing (21b) is supported by one of the teeth (12) of the breaker pulley (11) during the passage of the link around the breaker pulley. 6. Device according to one of claims 3-5, characterized in that the breaking pulley (11) and/or the support (19) is arranged relative to the chain for engagement in opposite grooves (23) of the links (22) ),vod the passage of the links around the switch center for controlling the respective edge position in the vertical direction. 7. Device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the support (19) has a mainly vertical part (30), which delimits the path the chain forms during the passage around the 'breaking pulley (11)' and others. ensures that transported articles remain on the chain during their passage around the breaker pulley. 8.A cording according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the endless loop (10 ' )-. forms a number of upward and a number of downward serpentine paths, where each serpentine path is composed of a number of loop parts (15, 15'), whose links (20) of the pulling breaker pulleys (11) are moved towards the upper part of the device or towards the lower part of the device. 9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that essentially every other breaking pulley, which is arranged along the respective central axis (13), 7 which is common to a number of breaking pulleys, is traction or free-running.