WO2004071909A1

WO2004071909A1 - A conveyor belt installation and a steering assembly for a conveyer belt installation

Info

Publication number: WO2004071909A1
Application number: PCT/IB2004/000188
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jacques Henri Smit
Original assignee: Jacques Henri Smit
Priority date: 2003-02-16
Filing date: 2004-01-27
Publication date: 2004-08-26

Abstract

The invention relates to a conveyor belt installation (10). The installation includes a conveyor belt (12) supported by a plurality of rollers (14) extending transversely to the belt, with the belt being movable lengthwise along a path (18) defined by said rollers, and at least one steering assembly (20) for centering the belt relative to the path as the belt moves along the path. The assembly includes a steering roller (22) extending transversely across the path and the belt and having a curved outer surface (26) in contact with the belt, the steering roller being rotatable about a rotational axis (24) thereof in response to lengthwise movement of the belt. The steering roller in response to transverse deviation of the moving belt from the path, is pivotable about a pivot axis (45) to assume an attitude in which its rotational axis is inclined to the path at an oblique angle (“A”) and in which contact between the steering roller and moving belt automatically steers said part of the belt back towards the path. The steering roller is also bodily movable, in response to transverse deviation of the moving belt from the path, in the same transverse direction as that in which the deviation takes place. The invention extends to the above steering assembly.

Description

A CONVEYOR BELT INSTALLATION AND A STEERING ASSEMBLY FOR A

CONVEYOR BELT INSTALLATION

This invention relates, broadly, to conveyor belts. It more particularly

relates to a conveyor belt installation, and to a steering assembly for a conveyor belt

installation.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a conveyor

belt installation which includes an elongated flexible endless conveyor belt supported

by a plurality of rotatably mounted rollers, the conveyor belt being movable lengthwise

along a path defined by said plurality of rollers, the rollers extending transversely to

the belt and the conveyor belt installation including at least one steering assembly for

centring the belt relative to the path when, as the belt moves along the path, a

transverse deviation from the path of the part of the belt at the assembly takes place,

the steering assembly including a steering roller rotatable about a rotational axis

thereof and having a curved outer surface in contact with the belt, the steering roller

extending transversely across the path and across the belt and being rotatable about

its rotational axis in response to movement of the belt .along the path, the steering

roller, in response to said transverse deviation of the moving belt from the path, being

pivotable about a pivot axis in response to said transverse deviation of the moving belt

from the path to assume an attitude in which its rotational axis is inclined to the path

at an oblique angle and in which contact between the steering roller and moving belt automatically steers said part of the belt back towards the path, said pivotability of

the steering roller in response to said transverse deviation of the moving belt from the

path causing the end of the steering roller towards which the transverse deviation

takes place to move in the forward direction relative to the direction of movement of

the belt at the steering roller, and causing the other end of the steering roller to move

in the rearward direction relative to the direction of movement of the belt at the

steering roller, the steering roller also being bodily movable, in response to said

transverse deviation of the moving belt from the path, in the same transverse direction

as that in which the deviation takes place.

The steering assembly may include two limbs respectively journalled to

the steering roller at positions spaced along its rotational axis, each limb being

pivotally connected by means of a pivot connection to the steering roller, and each

limb being pivotally secured by means of another pivot connection to an anchorage

therefor at a position spaced from its pivot connection to the steering roller, said pivot

connections having pivot axes which are parallel to one another and are transverse to

the rotational axis of the steering roller. The pivot axes may occupy the corners of a

trapezium, the spacing between the pivot axes of the one limb being the same as the

spacing between the pivot axes of the other limb so that the trapezium has two sides

of equal length which are provided by the limbs. The spacing between the pivot axes

at the pivot connections of the limbs to the steering roller may be smaller than the

spacing between the pivot axes at the anchorages. According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a steering

assembly for steering the belt of a conveyor belt installation having an elongated

flexible endless conveyor belt supported by a plurality of rotatably mounted rollers

extending transversely to the belt, the conveyor belt being movable lengthwise along

a path defined by said plurality of rollers, the steering assembly including a steering

roller rotatable about a rotational axis thereof and having a curved outer surface for

contact with the belt and the steering roller being journalled to a support structure for

rotatably supporting the steering roller with its curved surface in contact with the belt

so that it is rotatable about its rotational axis in response to movement of the belt

along the path, the steering roller further being pivotally connected to its support

structure to permit pivoting of the steering roller about a pivot axis transverse to its

rotational axis, the support structure including two limbs respectively journalled to the

steering roller at positions spaced along its rotational axis, each limb being pivotally

secured by means of a pivot connection to the steering roller, the pivot connection

having a pivot axis transverse to the rotational axis of the steering roller.

Each limb may be provided with a pivot connection at a position spaced

along the limb from the pivot connection of the limb to the steering roller, for pivotally

connecting the limb to an anchorage therefor which is spaced from the roller, about

an axis parallel to the axis of the pivot connection of the limb to the roller. The pivot axes of the pivot connections spaced along the respective

limbs from the steering roller may be connected at positions spaced from each other

to a common anchor member such that the four pivot axes occupy the corners of a

of the pivot connections of the limbs to the steering roller may be smaller than the

spacing between the pivot axes of the connections of the limbs to the anchor

member.

The invention is now described, by way of example, with reference to

the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows, fragmentarily, a schematic top plan view of a conveyor belt

installation in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 shows a side elevation of the conveyor belt installation shown in

Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows, fragmentarily, a further plan view of the conveyor belt

installation, corresponding to that shown in Figure 1 , with its steering pulley pivoted

and moved compared with Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 shows, fragmentarily, a view corresponding to Figure 2 of a variant embodiment of a conveyor belt installation in accordance with the invention;

90 Figure 5 shows, fragmentarily, a view corresponding to Figure 1 of a yet further

embodiment of a conveyor belt installation in accordance with the invention; and

Figure 6 shows a side elevation of the conveyor belt installation shown in

Figure 5.

95 With reference to Figures 1 - 3 of the drawings, a conveyor belt

installation in accordance with the invention is generally indicated by reference

numeral 10.

The conveyor belt installation 10 includes an elongated flexible endless

100 conveyor belt 1 2 supported by a plurality of rotatably mounted rollers 14. The

conveyor belt 1 2 is arranged to move lengthwise in a direction indicated by arrow 1 6

along a path, diagrammatically indicated by chain-dotted line 1 8, defined by the rollers

1 4. The rollers 14 extends transversely to the belt 1 2, with their axes substantially

normal to the belt 1 2 and to the path 1 8.

105

The conveyor belt installation 10 further includes a steering pulley

assembly 20 for centring the belt 1 2 relative to the path 1 8 when, as the belt 1 2

moves along the path 1 8, part of the belt 1 2 at the steering assembly 20 departs or

deviates transversely, eg. in a direction normal to the path 1 8, from the path 1 8. In

1 10 this embodiment, the illustrated part of the conveyor belt installation 1 0 includes only one steering assembly 20. It is, however, to be appreciated that the conveyor belt

installation 10 can include more than one steering assembly 20. When including more

than one steering assembly 20, the various steering assemblies 20 will, typically, be

spaced from each other along the length of the conveyor belt 1 2.

The assembly 20 includes a steering roller 22. In the embodiment shown

in Figures 1 - 3, the steering roller 22 is located at an end of the path 1 8.

The steering roller 22 is rotatable about a longitudinal rotational axis 24

thereof, and has a curved outer surface 26 in contact with the belt 1 2 and around

which the belt 1 2 passes under tension. The steering roller 22 extends transversely

across the path 1 8 and across the belt 1 2 and, due to its positioning relative to the

belt 1 2, is rotatable about its rotational axis 24 in response to movement of the belt

1 2 along the path 1 8 in the direction of arrow 1 6. In the embodiments shown, the

steering roller 22 is circular cylindrical in shape. In other embodiments (not shown)

the steering roller 22 also has a circular cross-sectional profile but is tapered towards

its ends.

The steering roller 22 at its ends is rotatably journalled respectively to

the ends of elongated limbs 28, 30 (shown substantially only). Each of the limbs 28,

30 is pivotally secured by means of a pivot connection to the associated end of the

steering roller 22. The pivot connections by means of which the limbs 28, 30 are secured to said ends of the steering roller 22 are respectively indicated by reference

numerals 32 and 34. At opposite ends of the limbs 28, 30 they are pivotally secured

135 by means of further pivot connections 36, 38 to anchorages therefor provided by

opposite ends of an anchor member 40 in the form of a bar shown mounted on a wall

42.

The pivot connections 32, 34, 36, 38 have pivot axes 44 which are

140 parallel to one another. The pivot axes 44 are illustrated in Figure 2.

The spacing of the pivot axes 44 along the limbs 28, 30 are of equal

length so that the pivot axes 44 occupy the corners of a trapezium, with the spacing

between the axes 44 of the pivot connections 32, 34 being smaller than the spacing

145 between the axes 44 of the pivot connections 36, 38.

When the belt 1 2 is centred on the rollers 1 2 and path 14, it is located

midway between the pivot connections 36, 38. When the part of the belt 1 2 in

contact with the steering roller 22 deviates or departs from the path 1 8, in the

150 direction, for example, towards connection 32 as shown in Figure 3, said departure or

deviation of the belt 1 2 acts to cause the end of the steering roller 22 adjacent

connection 32 to move in the forward direction, relative to the direction of movement

1 6 of the belt 1 2. The other end of the steering roller 22 simultaneously moves in the

rearward direction relative to the direction of movement 1 6 of the belt 1 2, the 155 direction of movement of the belt, being the direction in which it conveys material.

Simultaneously, the roller 22 moves bodily and transversely in the same direction as

the deviation of the belt 1 2.

In other words, the end of the roller 22 adjacent the connection 32

160 moves away from the wall 40 while the end of the roller 22 adjacent the connection

34 moves towards the wall 40, so that the roller 22 pivots about an upwardly

extending pivot axis (shown at 45 in Figure 1 ) to assume the attitude shown in Figure

3, in which its axis 24 is inclined at an oblique angle A to the path 1 8.

165 When the roller 22 has pivoted about axis 45 and has moved bodily, as

shown in Figure 3, away from its attitude and position illustrated in Figure 1 ,

interaction between the roller 22 and belt 1 2, caused by contact between the moving

belt and the curved surface 26 of the roller 22 urges the belt 1 2 back towards the

path 18. This centres the belt 12 relative to the path 18, by returning it to the

170 centred position shown in Figure 1 , or by at least reducing or resisting the deviation of

the belt 1 2 from the path 1 8 at the roller 22.

Referring now to Figure 4, a variant embodiment of a conveyor belt

175 numeral 50. Unless otherwise specified, reference numerals used to indicate parts or

features of the conveyor belt installation 10 are also used to indicate like parts or features of the conveyor installation 50.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the steering roller 22 acts as a

180 deflection - or snub/bend pulley.

In Figure 4, the pivot axes 44 of the respective pivot connections at the ends of the limbs 28, 30 to the roller 22 and to the anchor member 40 (see also Figure 1) are also parallel to one another, but extend at an oblique angle B relative to the horizontal part

185 of the belt 12 which is shown supported by the rollers 14 in Figure 4. In Figure 4 the anchor member is not illustrated, nor are the connections 32 and 36, only the connections 34 and 38 being visible. The steering assembly 20 shown in Figure 4 operates substantially similarly to the steering pulley assembly 20 shown in Figures 1 - 3. Thus, deviation of the belt 12 from the path 18 towards the connection 32 automatically moves

190 the roller 22 in the same direction while pivoting the limbs 28, 30 about the axes 44, to pivot the roller 22 about an axis normal to its rotational axis, while moving its end having the connection 32 forwardly relative to belt movement in the direction of arrow 16 and moving its end having the connection 34 rearwardly. This gives the roller 22 an attitude in which it has its rotational axis oblique relative to the path 18 of the belt 22. In this attitude and

195 position of the roller 22, contact and interaction between the belt 12 and roller 22 automatically tends to urge the belt 12 towards its centred position relative to the path 18, to eliminate or at least reduce or resist the deviation of the belt from the path 18.

Turning to Figures 5 and 6, a further variant embodiment of a conveyor 200 belt installation in accordance with the invention is generally indicated by reference

numeral 70. Once again, unless otherwise specified, reference numerals used to

indicate parts or features of the conveyor belt installations 10 and 50 are also used to

indicate like parts or features of the conveyor installation 70.

205 In the embodiment shown in Figures 5 and 6, the steering roller 22 acts

as a support roller. The Support provided by the roller 22 to the belt 12 acts to

ensure that the roller 12 is constantly, upon operation of the installation 70, in contact

with the belt 12.

210 In the embodiments shown in Figures 5 and 6, the pivot axes 44 of the respective pivot connections at the ends of the limbs 28, 30 to the roller 22 and to the anchor member 40 (see also Figure 1) are also parallel to one another, but extend at an oblique angle C relative to the belt 12. The steering assembly 20 shown in Figures 5 and 6 operates substantially similarly to the steering assemblies 20, 50 shown in Figures 1 - 4.

215 Thus, deviation of the belt 12 from the path 18 towards the connection 32 automatically moves the roller 22 in the same direction while pivoting the limbs 28, 30 about the axes 44, to pivot the roller 22 about an axis normal to its rotational axis in a plane indicated by chain - dotted line 72, while moving its end having the connection 32 forwardly relative to belt movement in the direction of arrow 16 and moving its end having the connection 34

220 rearwardly. This gives the roller 22 an attitude in which it has its rotational axis oblique relative to the path 18 of the belt 22. As with the embodiments shown in Figures 1 - 4, in this attitude and position of the roller 22, contact and interaction between the belt 12 and

roller 22 automatically tends to urge the belt 12 towards its centred position relative to the

path 18, to eliminate or at least reduce or resist the deviation of the belt from the path 18.

225 In Figures 5 and 6 there is no wall 42, and anchor member 40 and the ends of the limbs

28,30 respectively carrying the connections 36 and 38 have been omitted for ease of illustration from Figure 5. In this embodiment the anchor member 40 supporting the

connectors 36 and 38, is vertically movable and resiliently suspended above the belt 12

being biassed upwardly sufficiently to keep roller 22 in supporting contact with belt 12.

230

While use of the assembly 22 has been described above in relation to a

deviation of the belt 1 2 in a transverse direction towards the pivotal connection 32

and away from the pivotal connection 34, it will be appreciated that the assembly

functions in a substantially analogous fashion, in the event of a deviation of the belt

235 1 2 in the opposite direction, away from connection 32 and towards connection 34.

It is and advantage of the invention that it provides a robust, inexpensive

and reliable steering or tracking assembly for resisting unwanted deviations of

conveyor belts from their intended paths along their support rollers. Particularly in the

240 event of long conveyor belt installations of several kilometers or more in length

carrying heavy loads, a deviation which leads to a stoppage can cause substantial

damage and loss of production. The present invention addresses the deviation

problem using a fully mechanical steering assembly which operates automatically and reliably at low cost.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 . A conveyor belt installation which includes an elongated flexible endless

conveyor belt supported by a plurality of rotatably mounted rollers, the conveyor belt

being movable lengthwise along a path defined by said plurality of rollers, the rollers

extending transversely to the belt and the conveyor belt installation including at least

one steering assembly for centring the belt relative to the path when, as the belt

moves along the path, a transverse deviation from the path of the part of the belt at

the assembly takes place, the steering assembly including a steering roller rotatable

about a rotational axis thereof and having a curved outer surface in contact with the

belt, the steering roller extending transversely across the path and across the belt and

being rotatable about its rotational axis in response to movement of the belt along the

path, the steering roller, in response to said transverse deviation of the moving belt

from the path, being pivotable about a pivot axis in response to said transverse

deviation of the moving belt from the path to assume an attitude in which its

rotational axis is inclined to the path at an oblique angle and in which contact

between the steering roller and moving belt automatically steers said part of the belt

back towards the path, said pivotability of the steering roller in response to said

transverse deviation of the moving belt from the path causing the end of the steering

roller towards which the transverse deviation takes place to move in the forward

direction relative to the direction of movement of the belt at the steering roller, and

causing the other end of the steering roller to move in the rearward direction relative to the direction of movement of the belt at the steering roller, the conveyor belt

installation being characterized in that the steering roller is also bodily movable, in

270 response to said transverse deviation of the moving belt from the path, in the same

transverse direction as that in which the deviation takes place .

2. A conveyor belt installation as claimed in Claim 1 , characterized in that

the steering assembly includes two limbs respectively journalled to the steering roller

275 at positions spaced along its rotational axis, each limb being pivotally connected by

means of a pivot connection to the steering roller, and each limb being pivotally

secured by means of another pivot connection to an anchorage therefor at a position

spaced from its pivot connection to the steering roller, said pivot connections having

pivot axes which are parallel to one another and are transverse to the rotational axis

280 of the steering roller.

3. A conveyor belt installation as claimed in Claim 2, characterized in that

the pivot axes occupy the corners of a trapezium, the spacing between the pivot axes

of the one limb being the same as the spacing between the pivot axes of the other

285 limb so that the trapezium has two sides of equal length which are provided by the

limbs.

4. A conveyor belt installation as claimed in Claim 3, characterized in that

the spacing between the pivot axes at the pivot connections of the limbs to the 290 steering roller is smaller than the spacing between the pivot axes at the anchorages.

5. A steering assembly for steering the belt of a conveyor belt installation

having an elongated flexible endless conveyor belt supported by a plurality of rotatably

mounted rollers extending transversely to the belt, the conveyor belt being movable

295 lengthwise along a path defined by said plurality of rollers, the steering assembly

being characterized in that it includes a steering roller rotatable about a rotational axis

thereof and having a curved outer surface for contact with the belt and the steering

roller being journalled to a support structure for rotatably supporting the steering roller

with its curved surface in contact with the belt so that it is rotatable about its

300 rotational axis in response to movement of the belt along the path, the steering roller

further being pivotally connected to its support structure to permit pivoting of the

steering roller about a pivot axis transverse to its rotational axis, the support structure

including two limbs respectively journalled to the steering roller at positions spaced

along its rotational axis, each limb being pivotally secured by means of a pivot

305 connection to the steering roller, the pivot connection having a pivot axis transverse

to the rotational axis of the steering roller.

6. A steering assembly as claimed in Claim 5, characterized in that each limb is

provided with a pivot connection at a position spaced along the limb from the pivot

310 connection of the limb to the steering roller, for pivotally connecting the limb to an

anchorage therefor which is spaced from the roller, about an axis parallel to the axis of the pivot connection of the limb to the roller.

7. A steering assembly as claimed in Claim 6, characterized in that the

315 pivot axes of the pivot connections spaced along the respective limbs from the

steering roller are connected at positions spaced from each other to a common anchor

member such that the four pivot axes occupy the corners of a trapezium, the spacing

between the pivot axes of the one limb being the same as the spacing between the

pivot axes of the other limb so that the trapezium has two sides of equal length which

320 are provided by the limbs.

8. A steering assembly as claimed in Claim 7, characterized in that the

spacing between the pivot axes of the pivot connections of the limbs to the steering

roller is smaller than the spacing between the pivot axes of the connections of the

325 limbs to the anchor member.

9. A conveyor belt installation as claimed in Claim 1 , substantially as herein

described and illustrated.

330 10. A steering assembly as claimed in Claim 5, substantially as herein

described and illustrated.