WO2019110350A1

WO2019110350A1 - Ball bearing module for supporting a traction means of a conveyor device

Info

Publication number: WO2019110350A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/082528
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jonas Steffen; Siegmund Dudek; Helmut Maiwald
Original assignee: Interroll Holding Ag
Priority date: 2017-12-07
Filing date: 2018-11-26
Publication date: 2019-06-13
Also published as: DE102017011303A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a ball bearing module (80) for supporting a traction means of a conveyor device along a curve of the conveyor device, said module comprising a plurality of supporting rollers (130) for withstanding curving forces along the curve of the conveyor device in a rolling manner. The supporting rollers (130) are successively arranged in a row along a connection body (82). The connection body (82) is embodied in a flexibly deformable manner, substantially vertically to the row, such that the arrangement of the supporting rollers (130) along the connection body (82) can be flexibly adapted, together with the connection body (82), to curve courses with different curve radii.

Description

BALL BEARING MODULE FOR REMOVING ONE

ACCOMMODATION OF A CONVEYOR DEVICE

description

The invention relates to a ball bearing module for supporting a traction means of a

Conveyor along a curve of the conveyor and a method for

Mounting a ball bearing module.

Conveyors such as e.g. Plate conveyors serve for transporting conveyed goods on a transport surface, which is provided by a plurality of transport plates. The transport plates can be driven by means of a traction means such as a cable and / or a conveyor chain. When guiding the driven traction means arise in particular cornering problems with the power dissipation of the forces occurring here. One of the forces occurring here is a constricting force that can be described by means of the Euler-Eytelwein formula. Compared to this constricting force the driven traction means should be supported in the direction of the center of the curve as possible without friction.

From the prior art solutions are known for supporting, in which at each chain link of a driven conveyor chain a rolling Abstützrad is arranged, whose axis of rotation is arranged substantially vertically and by means of which the chain link can roll towards the curve center of the curve.

While this known solution, although the friction forces on the inner curve well reduced by rolling the support wheels described, this solution is complicated, especially with a high component cost to realize.

The invention is therefore based on the object, the simplest possible mounting of support rollers for supporting a traction means of a conveyor along to allow a curve of the conveyor.

This object is solved by the subject matters of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are the subject matters of the dependent claims.

One aspect relates to a ball bearing module for supporting a traction means of a conveyor along a curve of the conveyor. The ball bearing module has a plurality of support rollers for rolling away bending forces along the curve of the conveyor, and a connecting body along which the support rollers are arranged one behind the other in a row. The connecting body is substantially perpendicular to the row, e.g. formed transversely to the conveying direction of the conveyor, flexibly deformable, so that the arrangement of the support rollers along the connecting body together with the connecting body is flexibly adaptable to curves with different curve radii.

The ball bearing module is designed for use in a conveyor, in particular for a plate conveyor of the type described above. The conveyor has a traction means which is driven for the purpose of conveying conveyed material. The driven traction means may be formed, for example, as a driven conveyor chain. In general, instead of the conveyor chain also another traction means may be used, such as e.g. a steel cable, a rubber block chain, etc. On the traction means a T ransportaufsatz be attached, on which the conveyed goods can be conveyed along the conveying direction.

On the traction means of the conveyor, a plurality of identical transport attachments can be arranged. This plurality of transport essays can be arranged one behind the other on the driven traction means, in particular be placed on this and / or be connected to this, for example, form-fitting manner. In this case, transport surfaces of the transport attachments can be arranged in such a way that together they form a substantially coherent, movable conveying surface, on which the transported goods travel along the conveyor Conveyor can be promoted.

The conveyor has at least one curve along which conveyed material can be transported. The conveying direction of the conveyor follows the curve. The ball bearing module is designed for direct and / or indirect support of the traction means along the curve of the conveyor. In this case, the ball bearing module is designed and provided to be used as a static module of the conveyor, so as a stationary element and / or component of the conveyor. Relative to the stationary and thus static ball bearing module, the traction means is driven, which is designed as a movable part and / or module of the conveyor.

The traction means may either rest directly on the ball bearing module in the curve or indirectly, i. For example, about the transport essays, which are moved together with the traction means and roll on the support rollers. The ball bearing module is used in particular for supporting and / or absorbing the tensile forces, which are described with the Euler-Eytelwein formula. Thus, the ball bearing module is used for direct and / or indirect, rolling removal of the constricting force transmitted by the traction means.

The ball bearing module has in this case the plurality of support rollers, which may be formed as ball bearings. The ball bearing module may, for example, have a predetermined number of support rollers. The support rollers are arranged on the ball bearing module so that they absorb rolling forces in an operating position of the ball bearing module, which act in a substantially horizontal direction. The support rollers may in particular have rollers whose axes of rotation point in a substantially horizontal direction. When conveyed along a slope and / or inclination, the axes of rotation of the support rollers may be arranged slightly different from the vertical, eg depending on the slope / inclination by a maximum of about 45 ° deviating, preferably by a maximum of about 25 ° deviating, more preferably at most in the single-digit degree range deviating. The ball bearing module can in particular be designed and provided to allow lateral support surfaces of the transport attachments to roll on the traction means on the support rollers. Here, the ball bearing module is arranged so that it is arranged along the curve substantially adjacent to the traction means and / or the T ransportaufsätzen. The ball bearing module may in this case be arranged directly adjacent in particular in the direction of the curve center and / or the center of the coil to support surfaces of the traction means and / or the transport attachments.

The support rollers are arranged on the connecting body and secured thereto so that they are rotatable about their axis of rotation. The connecting body may be formed of a plastic which is flexible. Along the connecting body, the supporting rollers are arranged one behind the other in an e.g. arranged in a straight line. This series is intended to be arranged along the conveying direction of the conveyor, in particular along a curve. Although the support rollers can also be arranged in a straight line one behind the other along a straight section of the conveyor. At such a rectilinear part, however, no or only small shear forces occur, which is why the use of the ball bearing module on rectilinear sections of the conveyor is not always useful.

Since the support rollers are all arranged and fixed to the connecting body, all support rollers are assembled by the assembly of the connecting body along the conveyor track and / or on the conveying path of the conveyor. Thus, the support rollers do not have to be mounted individually individually, but can be assembled in a simplified manner as a group, namely by assembling and / or mounting the connection body as a single component. For this purpose, the connecting body may have mounting means, via which it can be mounted on the conveyor track of the conveyor.

Along the connecting body, the support rollers form a row. In one Embodiment, the support rollers and two (or more) arranged substantially parallel to each other rows along the connecting body ausbiiden. However, the support rollers preferably form exactly one row along the connecting body, as this makes it possible to simplify deformation of the connecting body transversely and / or substantially perpendicular to this series arrangement. The connecting body may be formed substantially oblong along the row. Along the row, the connecting body has a greater extent than in any direction transverse thereto. The connecting body may be formed along the row, for example, many times longer than transversely thereto. The connecting body may be formed along the row, for example, at least three times as long, at least five times as long and / or at least ten times as long as wide.

The connecting body is formed of an elastically deformable plastic, for example of POM, which is the abbreviation for polyoxymethylene. In any case, the connecting body is made of a non-metallic material, in particular of a plastic. The connecting body may, for example, be substantially rectilinear, as long as no forces act on it. In this case, the row along which the support rollers are arranged on the connecting body, formed in a substantially straight line.

A substantially rectilinearly formed connecting body can be used for curve guidance along both a left-hander curve and a right-hander and is therefore versatile. In an alternative embodiment, the connecting body may have some bending, whereby the row of supporting rollers may also be slightly bent. Such a pre-bent connecting body can only be used on either right-hand curves or left turns of the conveyor, depending on the orientation of the pre-bend of the connecting body.

Preferably, the connecting body is formed substantially straight elongated, so that the support rollers are arranged on the connecting body along a substantially rectilinear row. This is true for at least one condition the ball bearing module, in which no forces act on the ball bearing module and in which it is not yet mounted on the conveyor. When mounting the ball bearing module on and / or along a curve of the conveying direction of the connecting body is flexibly deformed. Here, the connecting body is bent so that the row in which the support rollers are arranged, forms a curved row. The bending can be effected such that the axes of rotation of the support rollers are further aligned substantially vertically and substantially parallel to each other. In the operating position, the bending thus takes place primarily in a substantially horizontal direction. This applies to the deformation of the connecting body and thus also to the deformation of the row in which the support rollers are arranged.

The connecting body is deformable transversely to the conveying direction. Here, "transversely to the conveying direction" means that the connecting body is deformable in a direction transverse to its longest extent, so that its elongated extent adapts to the conveying direction of the conveying device. The specification relates to an operating position of the ball bearing module in which the ball bearing module is designed and arranged along the conveying direction and thus along a conveying path of the conveying device. In this operating position, the connecting body and thus also the row of the support rollers along the conveying direction of the conveyor, in particular, the series in which the support rollers are arranged, extends along the curve of the conveying direction.

The deformability of the connecting body makes it possible here to adapt the ball bearing module to different curves along the conveyor. Thus, the connecting body can be flexibly adapted to curves with different radii of curvature. Thus, the ball bearing module is versatile replaceable, namely to different curves of different conveyors.

The ball bearing module also has the advantage that the ball bearing module does not have to be made cumbersome with in a predetermined bend. The Rather connecting body can be formed substantially straight and be bent only when mounting to the conveyor. The flexible deformability of the connecting body also allows an accurate fitting of the row arrangement of the support rollers to the curve of the conveyor, without, for example, an unintentional play occurs and / or a deviation of the bends of the ball bearing module from the bend of the curve of the conveyor occurs. Thus, the ball bearing module can also be adapted very precisely to the curve.

Among other things, the flexible deformability of the connecting body can be achieved and / or improved in that the connecting body has a preferred direction along which it is extended and formed substantially longer than in any direction transverse thereto. Much longer, as already described above, may mean, for example, that the connecting body is formed along the preferred direction at least three times, preferably at least five times, more preferably at least ten times as long as in each direction transverse thereto. Furthermore, the connecting body may be formed so that while it receives the support rollers at associated rigid mounting positions, it is flexible between these rigid mounting positions. As a result, the flexible deformability can be given in particular between two adjacent support rollers, more precisely between two attachment positions. The support rollers remain stable at the attachment positions and substantially rigidly connected to the connecting body. Thus, the flexible deformability can also be achieved, for example, by forming a taper on the connecting body between the supporting rollers, on which the connecting body can be bent and / or deformed in a particularly simple manner.

In one embodiment, the connecting body is formed so flexible that the support rollers arranged one behind the other are adaptable to curves with each curve radius of 30 cm to 1 m. Preferably, the row of support rollers at each radius of curvature greater than or equal to 30 cm adaptable, more preferably at each radius of curvature less than -30 cm and at each greater than +30 cm. The latter means the ball bearing module can be adapted to both left-hand curves and right-hand curves of the conveying direction. The adaptability requires a relatively good flexibility of the connecting body, which can be achieved by suitable plastic materials. The radius of curvature here denotes the distance between the support rollers and the helix axis and / or the center of the curve.

One aspect relates to a ball bearing module for supporting a traction means of a conveyor along a curve of a conveyor, which may be, for example, a ball bearing module according to the aspect described above. The ball bearing module has a plurality of support rollers for rolling away bending forces along the curve of the conveyor and a connecting body, along which the support rollers are arranged in series in the conveying direction of the conveyor in a row. These features correspond in each case to the characteristics of the ball bearing module according to the aspect described at the outset. The ball bearing module further has a front fastening means at a front end of the connecting body in the conveying direction and a rear fastening means at a rear end of the connecting body in the conveying direction. In this case, the front fastening means of the ball bearing module at a rear attachment means of a similar, further ball bearing module can be fastened so that all support rollers of the two ball bearing modules are arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction of the conveyor in the substantially continuous row.

The first features of the ball bearing module can correspond to the corresponding features of the ball bearing module according to the initially described aspect, which is why all statements on these features with respect to the ball bearing module described above also apply to the ball bearing module according to this aspect. In the ball bearing module, a fastening means is provided both at the front end and at the rear end. The fastening means are designed so that they can be fastened together. In other words, the Connecting body of the ball bearing module can be extended by attaching a further connecting body, another, identical ball bearing module, etc.

The location information front end and rear end of the connecting body relate to the conveying direction in an operating position of the ball bearing module. As a result of the fastening means, the ball bearing module can be changed as often as desired by fastening any number of further ball bearing modules. In this case, in particular so many ball bearing modules can be fastened to each other that a complete curve and / or helical curve of the conveyor can be provided continuously with the support rollers of the mutually attached ball bearing modules.

When mounting the conveyor, the required number of ball bearing modules can first be connected to each other, and these are then attached to a conveyor track of the conveyor. The front and rear end of the connecting body refers to the two little extended ends of the substantially elongated connecting body. By fastening together the connecting body of the identical ball bearing modules, the ball bearing module is extended in the conveying direction. Thus, the ball bearing module or the majority of ball bearing modules can be adapted to any curved path length. This increases the versatility of the ball bearing module. By juxtaposing the ball bearing modules, a substantially continuous support function of the traction means along the curve of the conveyor can be provided.

Here, the fastening means may be formed on the connecting body so that the support rollers of the successively arranged and attached to each other identical ball bearing modules beyond the limits of the respective associated ball bearing module have a substantially constant, constant distance.

If two connecting bodies of two identical ball bearing modules are connected to one another, the axes of rotation of all ball bearing modules of the two ball bearing modules are arranged substantially parallel to one another. io

In a development of the ball bearing module, the front fastening means and the rear fastening means are designed to form a positive and / or non-positive connection. This results in a mechanical attachment of the ball bearing modules together. Thereby, it can be ensured that the ball bearing modules remain attached to each other in the operation of the conveyor, resulting in a load on the ball bearing modules, e.g. through the constricting forces. This type of attachment is particularly resistant and stable and leads to a longevity of the conveyor.

Furthermore, the positive and / or non-positive connection, e.g. be formed destructive detachable. In other words, the connection between the ball bearing modules in case of repair need to be solved again and / or opened to replace individual ball bearing modules and / or support rollers that have been damaged in operation and / or worn.

In one embodiment, the front attachment means and the rear attachment means are configured to form a clip connection. A clip connection is particularly easy to assemble and continue to be sufficiently resistant to the expected load in the conveyor. Furthermore, the clip connection can also be formed non-destructively detachable.

One aspect relates to a ball bearing module for supporting a traction means of a conveyor along a curve of the conveyor, which may be, for example, a ball bearing module according to one of the aspects described above. The ball bearing module has a plurality of support rollers for rollingly removing cornering forces along the curve of the conveyor and a connecting body, along which the support rollers are arranged one behind the other in a row. These features correspond to the characteristics of the ball bearing module according to the aspects described in the introduction. In this ball bearing module, the row of supporting rollers is furthermore formed from at least two rows of rollers offset relative to one another in the direction of rotation of the supporting rollers, whose support rollers overlap in the direction of rotation of the support rollers.

The staggered arrangement of the support rollers in two rows of rollers, the center distances between the support rollers can be reduced. Due to the overlapping arrangement, the support rollers are arranged closer together along the connecting body. This can improve the unrolling and absorption of the constricting forces on the ball bearing module.

In one embodiment, the plurality of support rollers is five to thirty. On the connecting body in this case five to thirty support rollers are arranged one behind the other in a row, in the operating position along the conveying direction of a curve of the conveyor. Instead of mounting these support rollers individually, all support rollers can be attached by simple assembly of the ball bearing module to the conveyor. Preferably, the plurality of support rollers is ten to twenty-five. This number has proved to be particularly advantageous with regard to both the simplification of assembly by a plurality of support rollers at the same time and a required handling of the elongated ball bearing module.

In one embodiment, the connecting body between each two adjacent support rollers on a taper (for example, to shorten the ball bearing module in the conveying direction). The taper between the adjacent support rollers may facilitate bending and / or deforming the connector body. The taper may be formed as a predetermined breaking point at which the ball bearing module can be shortened as needed. Thus, a ball bearing module which projects beyond a curve of the conveyor can be easily shortened to a desired target length. By means of the above-described embodiment with the front and rear fastening means and at the same time the taper described here, ball bearing modules fastened to one another can be assembled to a desired nominal length, both by lengthening when attaching additional ball bearing modules, and by shortening one or both ends Ball bearing modules at the for provided rejuvenations. Thus, the provision of the tapers increases the versatility of the ball bearing module.

In one embodiment, the ball bearing module has at least one guide means for attaching the ball bearing module to a curved guide of the conveying device. The guide means may be formed as a fixed guide means and / or as an adjustable, that is adjustable guide means. The guide means may in particular be formed as a groove and / or recess in the connecting body, in which a guide rail of the conveying path of the conveyor can be introduced. Alternatively, the guide means may also be formed as such a rail, which can be inserted into a corresponding groove on the conveyor track of the conveyor. In particular, the ball bearing module can have at least as many guide means as ball bearings.

In a development, the guide means can be fastened at different positions along the connecting body. This is an adjustable and / or adjustable guide means, which may be designed in particular as a separate component of the ball bearing module. The guide means may thus be designed as a variable guide means. The fastened at different positions bare guide means may be formed as one of several guide means of the ball bearing module. The ball bearing module may have both fixed and / or rigid guide means and at least one such adjustable and / or adjustable and / or variable guide means. The guide means may be fastened in particular at a position on the connecting body bar, on which also the support rollers are fastened. Thus, the connecting body may have a plurality of fastening positions, on each of which a ball bearing module and optionally the adjustable guide means can be fastened. The adjustability of the adjustable guide means may thus relate in particular to the position of the adjustable guide means on the connecting body. Such an adjustable guide means can make it easier to shorten the connecting body to an adjustable number of support rollers. Depending on the selected Shortening point, the at least one adjustable guide means may be attached to a mating attachment position, eg at the attachment position, next to which the ball bearing module has been shortened. Thus, the position of the adjustable guide means can be variably adjusted in dependence on the length of the connecting body.

According to one embodiment, the support rails are arranged along the connecting body at substantially uniform intervals from one another. The regular distances between the support rollers allow the most uniform possible guiding and / or rolling removal of the shear forces along the curve of the conveyor. In the embodiment in which the connecting bodies of two identical ball bearing modules can be fastened to one another, the fastening means can be designed such that the spacings of the supporting rollers remain substantially uniform even beyond the limits of the ball bearing module.

One aspect relates to a method for mounting a ball bearing module for supporting a traction means of a conveyor along a curve of a conveyor with the steps:

- Providing a predetermined number of support rollers for rolling removal of cornering forces along the curve of the conveyor;

- arranging the support rollers in series in a row along a connecting body of the ball bearing module;

- Deformation of the connecting body transversely to the conveying direction of the conveyor such that the support rollers along the curve of the curve of the conveyor are arranged one behind the other; and

- Attach the ball bearing module along a conveyor track of the conveyor.

The method can be carried out in particular by means of a ball bearing module according to the aspects described above. For this reason, all embodiments relating to the ball bearing modules according to the two aspects described at the outset also relate to the method and vice versa. One aspect relates to a method for mounting a ball bearing module for supporting a traction means of a conveyor along a curve of the conveyor, in particular according to the preceding aspect, with the steps:

- Providing a predetermined number of support rollers for rolling away of cornering forces along the curve of the conveyor;

- Affixing at least two connecting body of two ball bearing modules such that the support rollers of the two ball bearing modules are arranged one behind the other in a row; and

- Attaching the ball bearing modules along a conveyor track of the conveyor.

The method can be carried out in particular for mounting a ball bearing module according to the preceding aspects. Therefore, all versions of the two ball bearing modules also affect the process and vice versa. The two ball bearing modules may in particular be two identical ball bearing modules. The ball bearing modules can be fastened to one another, for example by means of appropriate fastening means, for example by means of a positive and / or non-positive connection, in particular a clip connection. After the ball bearing modules are fastened together, the support rollers of the two ball bearing modules can be arranged in a single row one behind the other. This is especially true when they are attached to the conveyor track. In this mounted state, all support rollers of the two ball bearing modules along the conveying direction along a curve and / or turning curve of the conveyor are formed and arranged.

According to one embodiment, the connecting body of the ball bearing module is severed at a taper between two adjacent support rollers. Thereby, the ball bearing module can be shortened at any taper between two adjacent support rollers, so as to increase the length of the ball bearing module adapt to the desired purpose.

According to one embodiment, the connecting body is attached to a web guide of the conveyor track. This can be done for example by means of a guide means of the ball bearing module. The web guide may for example be formed as a (guide) rail on which the connecting body is pushed. Thus, the ball bearing module automatically adapts to the shape of the web guide. The web guide is in this case aligned and arranged along the conveying path of the conveyor, so that the arrangement of the connecting body along the web guide automatically leads to a correct mounting and alignment of the ball bearing module.

One aspect relates to a conveyor with a ball bearing module according to one of the preceding aspects. The conveyor can be designed in particular as a plate conveyor. The ball bearing module may be arranged along a curve and / or helical curve of the conveyor for direct and / or indirect support of the traction means of the conveyor. The conveyor may in particular have a plurality of identical ball bearing modules, which are arranged one behind the other along the conveying direction along a curve and / or helical curve of the conveyor.

In the context of this invention, the terms "substantially" and / or "approximately" may be used to include a deviation of up to 5% from a numerical value following the term, a deviation of up to 5 ° from one on the other Term following direction and / or from an angle following the term.

Terms such as above, below, above, below, etc., unless otherwise specified, refer to the reference system of the earth in an operating position of the subject invention.

The term lateral "refers to a substantially horizontal direction transversely, ie substantially perpendicular, to the conveying direction. The term "conveying direction" refers to the course direction and the drive direction of the driven traction means along the conveying path through the plate conveyor.

The invention will be described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. Herein, the same or similar reference numerals may designate the same or similar features of the embodiments. Individual features shown in the figures may be implemented in other embodiments. Show it:

Fig. 1A in a side view a first plate conveyor for conveying

Conveyed material along a helical curve path;

Fig. 1B in a perspective view of the first plate conveyor for conveying conveyed material along a helical curve path;

Fig. 1C in a view from above the first plate conveyor for conveying

Material to be conveyed along a helical curve:

Fig. 1 D in a perspective view, a lower tail of the first

Plate conveyor for conveying conveyed goods along a helical curve path;

Fig. 2A in a view from above a second plate conveyor with a

Conveying surface, which is guided along a curve;

2B in a view from below the second plate conveyor with a

Conveying surface, which is guided along a curve;

Fig. 2C in a view from below a section of Fig. 2B, namely a

Section of the underside of the second plate conveyor in curve guide; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the second plate conveyor with a

Conveying surface, which is guided along a curve;

4 is a perspective view of an enlarged detail of a

Plate conveyor without conveyor chain;

5 shows a perspective view of elements of a static conveying path of a conveying device;

6 shows a detail of the perspective view shown in FIG. 5; 7 is a perspective view of a ball bearing module

Conveyor;

FIG. 8A shows a side view of two ball bearing modules attached to each other schematically illustrated; FIG.

Fig. 8B in a plan view two attached to each other, shown schematically

Bearings modules;

8C shows a side view against the longitudinal direction of a schematically illustrated ball bearing module;

8D in a side view against the longitudinal direction of a schematically illustrated ball bearing module without support rollers and without variable guide means;

9A is a perspective view of a ball bearing module; and

9B is a side view of the ball bearing module shown in FIG. 9A.

FIG. 1A shows in a side view a first plate conveyor 100 for conveying conveyed material along a helical curve path 103. The first plate conveyor 100 is not completely illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D, but only partially. In particular, a traction means and transport plates 50 of the first plate conveyor 100 are not shown in Figures 1A to 1C (but see, for example, Figure 4). Much of the helical curve 103 is shown without transport plates 50, without a conveyor chain and without support rollers.

The first plate conveyor 100 has a pedestal 110 adapted to be supported on an underside of the plate conveyor 100.

FIG. 1B shows the first plate conveyor 100 in a perspective view without transport attachments. The plate conveyor 100 has a lower track end 105 and an upper track end 107. The lower tail 105 is connected to the upper tail 107 via the Wendelkurvenbahn 103. The helical curve path 103 leads helically from the lower tail 105 around a spiral column 101 along a helical conveying path and / or conveying path to the upper tail 107. In the illustrated embodiment of the plate conveyor 100, the helical curve 103 revolves around the helical column 101 a total of three times. In other embodiments, the helical curve 103 may include more or less than three orbits of the helical column 101. In one embodiment, the helical curve 103 may also partially circumnavigate the helical column 101 such as, for example, half. At the upper tail 107, a substantially vertically sloping return surface 112 is formed back to the lower tail 105.

The plate conveyor 100 can be designed, for example, as a helical lift, on which conveyed material can be conveyed from the lower tail 105 along the helical curve 103 to the upper tail 107. The plate conveyor 100 can also be operated in the opposite direction, ie for conveying along the helical curve 103 from top to bottom.

Not shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B is a driven conveyor chain of the plate conveyor 100, on which transporting attachments are mounted. The conveyor chain is provided as a circulating traction means and is guided and driven from the lower trailing end 105 along the helical curve path 103 to the upper trailing end 107. The return of the self-contained conveyor chain takes place from the upper tail 105 along the return surface 1 12 steeply down and from a lower end of the return surface 112 on an underside of the plate conveyor 100 along back to the lower tail 105. A drive of the conveyor chain can, advantageously on a be formed lower or upper portion of the plate conveyor 100. Thus, for example, an upper and / or lower deflection roller of the plate conveyor 100 may be driven, for example as a driven roller. A lower deflection roller 160 is shown for example in Fig. 1 D, which may be formed as a driven roller. The drive may be at least partially designed as a drive arranged outside a deflection roller, such as a geared motor, as at least one deflection roller with internal motors, which may be embodied for example as a drum motor. On the plate conveyor 100 shown conveyed along the helical curve 103 can be conveyed in a vertical upward direction and / or in a vertical direction down.

Along the helical curve 103, the helical conveying path and / or web surface of the plate conveyor 100 encircles a helical axis W of the plate conveyor 100 which is approximately coincident with a cylinder axis of the helical column 101. The helical axis W represents in a view from above a curve center around which the conveyor chain and thus also the transport attachments 1 are guided.

This helical conveying path has a plurality of raceways 170 on both lateral sides of a ball bearing module 80, which extend in each case parallel to the helical conveying direction from the lower tail 105 to the upper tail 107. The raceways 170 may each consist of several consecutively arranged raceways 170 composed. Likewise, the ball bearing module 80 may be composed of multiple (e.g., identical) ball bearing modules 80.

FIG. 1C shows a top view of the plate conveyor 100. The total of six raceways 170 with the ball bearing module 80, which extend parallel to the conveying direction from the lower tail 105 to the upper tail 107, are also shown in FIG.

Figure 1D shows in a perspective view of the lower tail 105 of the plate conveyor 100 without conveyor chain and without T ransportaufsätze. In the illustrated section of the conveyor track, two rails are arranged and formed on a web surface 125 of the plate conveyor 100. The rail, which is arranged closer to the helical axis W, is designed as an inside chain guide 122. The other rail, which is further spaced from the helix axis W, is formed as an outside chain guide 121.

Along the shown straight section of the conveyor track is the conveyor chain between the two trained as rails chain guides 121 and 122 out. In curve pieces, in particular along the helical curve 103, the conveyor chain is not guided in such rails to reduce the friction and to absorb the constricting forces, but lateral support rollers 130 arranged on the inside of the curve of the conveyor chain.

FIG. 1 D shows only a single one of the support rollers 130 in extension of the inside chain guide 122. The axis of rotation of the support rollers 130 is formed substantially perpendicular to the web surface 125. Thus, the axes of rotation of the support rollers 130 are arranged substantially parallel to a vertical direction, more precisely offset by the slope of the web surface 125 to the vertical direction. Therefore, the support rollers 130 may also be referred to as lateral support rollers 130.

On the traction means, not shown in Figures 1A-1D, transport attachments 1 can be arranged, each of which has a transport plate 50 (see, for example, Fig. 4). The transporting attachments 1 can be designed as carriages and attached to a conveyor chain as a pulling means of the plate conveyor 100, e.g. be on the conveyor chain, be.

Lateral support surfaces of the attached to the conveyor chain T ransport essays 1 abut the lateral support rollers 130 and are guided on them curves outside past. In this case, the statically fixed lateral support rollers 130 can roll on lateral support surfaces of the transport attachments 1 to accommodate the cornering forces.

The lateral support rollers 130 may be e.g. be designed as a horizontal ball bearing, which absorb the constriction forces and remove these rolling. As a result, negative effects of the resulting forces to be removed and are reduced to the components of the plate conveyor 100 and 2Ö0.

On an (eg curve outside) lateral side cheek of the web surface 125, an elongated side guide 120 is formed, for example, as a rail, under which the transport attachments 1 are passed. Through this side guide 120 Lifting the T ransportaufsätze 1 can be prevented and / or reduced. On a (inner side) opposite side, which is hidden in the perspective shown in Figure 1 D, such a side guide 120 may also be arranged. The side guides 120 may be formed along the entire web surface 125 as engagement protection between the lateral side cheek and the T ransportaufsätzen 1 and / or as lift protection. The side guides 120 may be formed, for example, as a hollow profile. On the side guides 120, the lateral width of the conveyor track above the web surface 125 is reduced to such an extent that the lateral, ie for example the inside and outside, plate ends of the transport attachments 1 are arranged below the side guides 120.

FIG. 2A shows, in a view from above, a second plate conveyor 200 with a conveying surface 140 which is formed and / or guided along a right-hand curve. The second plate conveyor 200 is not complete, but only partially shown. Shown in Figure 2A are a plurality of T ransportaufsätzen 1, which are attached to a driven conveyor chain 150 as traction means. Each transport attachment 1 has a transport plate 50 with a transport surface 10. The transport surfaces 10 of all transport attachments 1 together form the conveying surface 140. In this case, the transport surfaces 10 of the forwardly driven transport attachments 1 are arranged substantially in the same plane, with successive transport surfaces 10 being able to partially overlap. The transport surfaces 10 of those transport attachments 1 which are being returned and may therefore be arranged overhead (not shown in FIG. 2A) may be arranged differently than in the plane of the conveying surface 140.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2A, the conveyor chain 150 is first driven along a rectilinear section of the conveyor track, whereupon the conveyor chain 150 is guided along a curve which in the exemplary embodiment is designed as a right-hand curve and in the course of which the conveying direction changes by approximately 180 °. In the illustrated embodiment of the plate conveyor 200, the conveyance of conveyed goods takes place substantially in the same plane, namely one in the Substantially horizontal plane which is spanned by the transport surfaces 10 which are oriented in the forward direction for conveying. The conveyance in a horizontal plane takes place in a similar manner as the conveyance along the helical curve path 103 of the first plate conveyor 100 shown in FIGS. 1A to 1D.

Each transport attachment 1 provides a transport surface 10, which is expanded in a direction substantially transversely (ie laterally) to the conveying direction larger than in the conveying direction. The conveying direction of a plate conveyor corresponds to the course and the drive direction of the driven conveyor chain 150. The conveyor chain 150 and the T ransportaufsätze 1 are movable components of the plate conveyor 200, i. they are driven and / or moved relative to statically fixed components of the plate conveyor 200. The statically fixed components of the plate conveyor 200 include the lateral support rollers 130 which are arranged along the curve and around which the conveyor chain 150 is guided. The lateral support rollers 130 are arranged so that their axis of rotation is arranged substantially in the vertical direction. The lateral support rollers 130 are used together with lateral support surfaces of the transport essays 1 for receiving and / or for unrolling the cornering forces that must be absorbed when cornering the driven conveyor chain 150.

Lateral to the conveying direction, the transport surfaces 10 extend over the conveyor chain 150 so far that a web width B of the conveying path is defined by the lateral width of the transport surfaces 10. The web width B is dependent on the lateral extent of the transport plates 50 of the transport attachments 1 (see also FIG. 4). Along the plate conveyors 100 and 200, all T ransportaufsätze 1 used each have the same lateral extent, which corresponds to the respective web width B.

In curve guide along the plate conveyor 100 and / or 200, the transport plates 50 on a curve inside over and crunched together while fanned apart on a curve outside become. In this case, the transport plates 50 are designed and / or arranged along the conveyor chain 150 such that they form a substantially gap-free conveying surface 140 even in curve guidance (eg, in a view from above).

FIG. 2B shows the second plate conveyor 200 in a view from below. The lateral support rollers 130, which are fastened to a web surface 125, not shown in FIG. 2B, are formed only along the curve guide, but not along the linear paths of the conveyor belt of the plate conveyor 200 As a result, compared with conventional plate conveyors, the number of support rollers required can be reduced.

In the illustrated embodiment of the second plate conveyor 200, the lateral support rollers 130 are arranged along a semicircular circumference, so that a curve guide with a change in direction of the conveying direction of about 180 ° results. The transport panels 50 of the transport attachments 1 have an underside 20, which is shown in FIG. 2B. On the underside 20 of each transport attachment 1, a total of six laterally spaced support places 31 are formed in the exemplary embodiment shown, on which support rollers 30 can be arranged. In the illustrated embodiment, exactly two support rollers 30 are arranged on each underside 20 of each T ransportaufsatzes 1, and that in each case a support roller 30. This means that both a curved inner side of each support roller 30 is arranged as well as on a curve outside each wing a support roller 30. Each wing has adjacent to a central area of the transport panel 50 and / or the conveyor chain 150 a narrow track width support pad 31, a wide track width support pad 31 at a lateral plate end, and a middle track width support pad 31 therebetween , At each of these support locations 31, a support roller 30 may be arranged and / or be.

The support roller 30 may be formed, for example, at the central support location 31 of the respective wing, or at one of the laterally outer support locations 31 of the respective wing. The arrangement of the support rollers 30 under the wings can for example, be the same for the entire plate conveyor 200, vary from transport plate 50 to transport plate 50, or at least partially vary. In the embodiment shown, different support locations 31 are occupied by a carrying roller 30.

In other embodiments, for example, two support rollers 30 per wing may be provided or three support rollers 30 per wing, so that, for example, plate conveyor can be realized in which each transport attachment 1 is provided with a total of six support rollers 30. This can be useful if a high delivery load is expected. The attachment of multiple support rollers 30 may also allow a relatively wide web width B can be realized.

A section marked with an "A" on the underside of the plate conveyor 200 is shown enlarged below.

Figure 2C shows the detail A at the bottom of the plate conveyor 200 in an enlarged view. Shown is a section with a plurality of successive chain links of the conveyor chain 150, which is inserted into connecting devices 40 and secured thereto. The connecting devices 40 are formed and attached to the underside of the transport attachments 1. In the embodiment shown, each transport attachment 1 has exactly one such connection device 40, which is attached to at least one chain link of the conveyor chain 150. In this case, the connecting devices 40 have a greater lateral extent than the chain links of the conveyor chain 150.

In the context of the invention, the extent transverse and / or perpendicular to the conveying direction, ie a direction perpendicular to the driven guiding direction of the driven conveyor chain 150, is always referred to as lateral extent. At the same time, the lateral direction is a substantially horizontal direction.

Each of the connecting devices 40 has a lateral support surface 41 at least on the inside of the curve. The lateral support surfaces 41 of the transport articles 1 Together, they provide a rolling surface for the statically fixed lateral support rollers 130. As shown in FIG. 2C, the static lateral support rollers 130 do not roll directly on the conveyor chain 150 and thus do not directly wear the conveyor chain 150. Rather, if then the lateral support surfaces 41, which are easier exchangeable than the conveyor chain 150, eg wear and tear / or replacement of the transport essay 1. Replacing the transport attachment 1 is also simpler than exchanging one or more chain links of the conveyor chain 150, since when replacing one of the transport attachments 1, the conveyor chain 150 does not have to be opened.

In the curved guide, the lateral support surfaces 41 provide a contiguous rolling surface arranged below the transport plate 50 and directed towards the inside of the curve of the plate. At the lateral support surfaces 41, in particular at the ends of the support surface 41 in and against the conveying direction, projections and / or recesses may be formed, which lead to a partial overlap of adjacent lateral support surfaces 41. This is described in more detail below in particular in connection with FIGS. 6A to 6E.

The lateral support surfaces 41 of adjacent connecting devices 40 can be arranged so close one behind the other along the conveyor chain 150 that they touch and / or overlap at least in curve guide on the inside of the curve. As a result, a contiguous rolling surface for the statically fixed lateral support rollers 130 is provided, at least in the curve guide, facing the curve center point or the helix axis W, which is essentially gap-free.

This rolling surface, which is provided by the lateral support surfaces 41 of the individual transport attachments 1, is formed essentially along the conveying direction, but slightly offset from the center of the curve, and along a vertical direction.

Also shown in Figure 2C are some of the free Abstützplätze 31 and a occupied supporting space 31, on which a support roller 30 is arranged.

FIG. 3 shows parts of the second plate conveyor 200 in a perspective view. FIG. 3 shows a similar detail as, for example, FIG. 2A, only in a perspective view. At one end of the rectilinear course of the plate conveyor 200, it is shown how the transport attachments 1 are folded down to return the conveyor chain 150 below the conveying surface 140. As in FIGS. 2A and 2B, in FIG. 3 also web boundaries, side guides and / or web surfaces etc . not shown. These elements of the second plate conveyor 200 may be similar or identical to those of the first plate conveyor 100 shown in FIGS. 1A to 1D.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a section of the second plate conveyor 200 without driven conveyor chain 150, but with some elements of the web surface 125, above which the driven conveyor chain 150 is guided. Thus, in particular, a part of the web surface 125 is shown, which is arranged in a substantially horizontal plane. The web surface 125 is arranged substantially parallel to the conveying surface 140 below this and formed approximately the same size. The web surface 125 defines the conveying path of the plate conveyor 100 or 200 and can serve for unrolling and supporting the support rollers 30, which are arranged on the underside 20 of the transport attachments 1 and the weight of the T ransportaufsätze 1, the floating conveyor chain 150 and / or carry the subsidized goods.

The connection device 40, which has the lateral support surface 41 as a rolling surface for the lateral support rollers 130, is shown approximately in the center under a transport plate 50 of the transport supports 1. The lateral support rollers 130 can be attached to and / or on the web surface 125, e.g. by means of a screw and / or welded connection.

The conveyor chain 150 is not shown in FIG. 4, which allows a view of an internal cavity in the connection device 40. This cavity can as a Zugmittelaufnahme be formed for the conveyor chain 150. At least one fastening means 42 is provided in the interior of the connecting device 40, which can be designed, for example, as a clip for clipping to the conveyor chain 150, in particular to a chain link of the conveyor chain 150. A clip connection enables a form-fitting connection of the T which is easy to produce and easy to disengage transport attachment 1 with the conveyor chain 150.

Instead of a conveyor chain 150, another drawing medium, such as e.g. a steel cord and / or a rubber block chain are used.

The central axis of the conveyor chain 150 may be arranged lower in the operating position than the center of the statically fixed lateral support rollers 130. As a result, a tilting moment and thus a contact pressure of the transport attachments 1 together with traction means in the direction of the web surface 125 are generated and thus unwanted lifting of the transport attachments be prevented.

The transport surfaces 10 are arranged in operating position below the side guides 120 which prevent lifting of the transport attachments 1 from the web surface 125 under the influence of a one-sided external force, which prevent and / or reduce conveyed material or foreign bodies positioned on the transport surface 10 on one side, for example , The transport surfaces 10 are disposed in operating position below the side guides 120 and / or spaced therefrom that without the application of a one-sided external force on the transport surface 10, the side guides 120 are substantially unaffected to minimize friction, wear and noise , Thus, they contribute to the floating guidance of the conveyor chain 150. The web surface 125, the side guides 120 and the lateral support rollers 130 represent statically fixed elements of the plate conveyor 100 and 200, respectively.

FIG. 5 shows in a perspective view elements of a (static) conveying path of the conveying device. The conveyor may be formed, for example, as the plate conveyor 100 or the plate conveyor 200. In Figure 5 are some static, ie immovable, elements of the conveyor track shown. As a support of the conveyor tracks, the plate conveyor 100 or 200 several T raversen 90, which are attached to the helical column 101 (see Figures 1A and 1B).

In contrast to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the conveying device does not have to have a continuous helical helical curve path 103. Instead of this continuous helical curve path 103, in the conveying device shown in FIG. 5, web guides 91 are arranged on the statically fixed wheels 90, similar to e.g. in the plate conveyor 100 shown in Figures 1A to 1D. The turrets 90 are formed as substantially horizontally arranged carriers, which of the spiral column 101 and the

Spiral axis W substantially perpendicular radially outwardly protrude. The

Trusses 90 are attached to the helical column 101 and / or serve to stabilize and / or support the helical curve path 103. While the helical curve path 103 of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4 is designed as a surface that extends over the entire width of the web, that shown in FIGS and spiral curve path 103 shown in FIG. 6 is not continuous, but is formed interrupted transversely and / or laterally to the conveying direction (cf. also FIGS. 1B and 1C).

As a result, a large part of the area along the helical curve path 103 remains free. In the embodiment shown in Figures 5 and 6 is along the

Wendelkurvenbahn 103 substantially centrally disposed a plurality of support rollers 130, each of which a plurality is combined to form a ball bearing module 80. The ball bearing module 80 may, for example, have fifteen such support rollers 130 as shown in FIG. The support rollers can be fastened to the ball bearing module 80 via a respective journal 81. The support rollers 130 may be formed as ball bearings. The support rollers 130 of the ball bearing modules 80 serve for the rolling removal of the shear forces which occur when guiding along a curve and / or along the helical curve path 103.

The ball bearing modules 80 are arranged approximately centrally along the helical curve track 103, to be more precise somewhat from the middle of the track of the helical curve track 103 offset to the curve center and / or the helical axis W out. On both lateral sides of the ball bearing module 80 a plurality of raceways 170 is arranged. The conveyor preferably has a separate, associated track 170 for each carrying roller 30 of the transport attachments 1. Since three support rollers 30 can be provided per wing of the transport attachment 1 in the exemplary embodiment shown, three raceways 170 are provided and arranged both laterally and laterally to the right of the ball bearing module 80. Thus, the helical curve path 103 has a total of six raceways 170, each of which is designed and arranged for supporting a support roller 30 of the transport attachment 1.

Both the raceways 170 and the ball bearing module 80 are attached to at least one web guide 91. The web guide 91 may be formed in particular as a flat iron. The web guides 91 are attached to the crossbars 90 and as a static component of the conveyor 100; 200 trained. Both the T raverse 90 and the web guide 91 may be formed of a metal, in particular of steel. The traverses 90 and / or the web guides 91 may be formed as substantially flat structural components. In this case, the surface of the said structural components is arranged in a vertical plane. The surface of the web guides 91 are substantially perpendicular to the surface of the trusses 90, each in a substantially vertical plane.

Both the raceway 170 and the ball bearing module 80 may be formed of a plastic and / or have a plastic component. Here, the plastic is designed so that it can be flexibly deformed. Thus, both the track 170 and the ball bearing module 80 may be substantially rectilinear, as shown for example in FIG. Only during assembly of the ball bearing module 80 (and, for example, also the raceways 170), the ball bearing module 80 is deformed so that it adapts to the curvature of the web guide 91.

The trained as flat iron web guides 91 are bent so configured to adjust along the trajectory or helical curve 103 extending the conveying direction of the conveyor. The web guides 91 may be substantially formed as elongated metal strips whose longitudinal direction is aligned in the direction of greatest extent. The longitudinal direction extends along and / or parallel to the conveying direction of the conveyor. The width of the web guides 91 extends substantially in a vertical direction and is substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveyor. The thickness of the web guides 91 is their smallest extent. The thickness of the web guides 91 is arranged in a radial direction to the curve center and / or the helix axis W out. The web guides 91 formed as elongated strips are bent so as to be bent around the curve center and / or the helix axis W, substantially parallel to the conveying direction of the conveyor 100; 200th

FIG. 6 shows an enlarged detail of the elements of the conveyor shown in FIG. In particular, an end of the helical path curve is shown, at which both the web guides 91, the raceways 170, and the ball bearing modules 80 can end.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of one of the ball bearing modules 80 in an uninstalled state. In this uninstalled and unmounted condition of the ball bearing module 80, the ball bearing module 80 extends substantially straight along a longitudinal direction. Along this longitudinal direction, all the support rollers 130 of the ball bearing module 80 are arranged one behind the other in a row. Along this substantially rectilinear row, the support rollers 130 are arranged substantially equally spaced one behind the other.

Each journal 81 has at its upper end in each case one of the support rollers (ie ball bearings) 130, which are designed for rolling removal of the shear forces. On the support rollers 130, the shear forces of the lateral support surfaces 41 of the transport articles 1 can be removed, which on the traction means 150, so the Conveyor chain, are arranged (see Figures 3 and 4).

The ball bearing module 80 has a connecting body 82. The connecting body 82 is formed from a plastic which is flexible and in particular flexible in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the ball bearing module is flexible. The longitudinal direction of the ball bearing module 80 is marked L in FIG. The support rollers 130 are arranged uniformly spaced along this longitudinal direction L in the row.

Along the longitudinal direction L, the ball bearing module 80 does not necessarily have to be flexible, but in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction L. The connecting body 82 has a plurality of fastening positions 83. At each attachment position 83, a support roller 130 of the ball bearing module 80 is attached, in each case with its respective lower end. Between the attachment positions 83 a respective taper 84 is formed. Along the connecting body 82, attachment positions 83 and tapers 84 alternate. This means that between each two adjacent attachment positions 83 a respective taper 84 is formed.

On the one hand, the tapers 84 enable a simplified bending of the ball bearing module 80 along the web guide 91. On the other hand, the tapers 84 allow the ball bearing module 80 to be shortened between any two adjacent mounting locations 83 and / or ball bearing modules 80. At the mounting locations 83, the connector body 82 is made more solid, wider, and sturdier than at the intermediate tapers 84 the connecting body 82 are simply cut through, eg with a knife and / or pliers.

At each attachment position 83, both a support roller 130 can be received as well as a nut 89. Preferably, the support rollers 130 are US-welded to the bearing pin 81. US stands as an abbreviation for "ultrasonic welding". Alternatively or additionally, the support roller 130 with the nut 89 are attached to the attachment position 83. In the embodiment shown, the support rollers 130 are formed in the operating position above the connecting body, while the nuts 89 are arranged in a receptacle inside the mounting positions 83 of the connecting body 82. Thus, the support rollers 130 can be attached to the connecting body 82, in particular screwed. Via the connecting body 82, the plurality of support rollers 130 having the ball bearing module 80 are connected together to form a component (namely, the ball bearing module 80).

The connecting body 82 further comprises a plurality of static guide means 87. The static guide means 87 may each be formed as a guide groove, in the example shown e.g. as an upper guide groove. The size and in particular the width of the guide groove is matched to the thickness of the web guide 91. The static guide means 87 can be attached to the web guide 91, which can be introduced into the guide groove like a spring. In the exemplary embodiment shown, at least one static guide means 87 is formed at each attachment position 83 of the connecting body 82.

In addition, the ball bearing module 80 may also have at least one variable guide means 88. The variable guide means 88 is formed so that it is fastened at any attachment position 83 bar. In the embodiment shown, such a variable guide means 88 is arranged both at the foremost fastening position 83 and at the rearmost fastening position 83. In addition, at least one of the variable guide means 88 is also arranged approximately in the middle of the ball bearing module.

The variable guide means 88 also has at least one guide groove which is matched to the dimensions of the web guide 91. The guide groove of the variable guide means 88 is aligned and arranged opposite to the guide groove of the static guide means 87, which is arranged at the associated attachment position 83. In the embodiment shown that is variable guide means 88 therefore formed as a lower guide means. Together, the guide groove of the static guide means 87 and the guide groove of the variable guide means 88 of each attachment position 83 a receptacle for the web guide 91, which surrounds the flat iron from two opposite sides (here from above and below). As a result, both a positive and positive connection can be made.

When mounting the ball bearing module 80 to the web guide 91, the ball bearing module 80 can first be fastened to the web guide 91 without variable guide means 88. Thereafter, at least one or more variable guide means 88 may be affixed (e.g., bolted) to the ball bearing module 80 such that the web guide 91 is clamped to which the ball bearing module 80 is secured. Alternatively, the variable guide means 88 may also be initially loosely and / or twisted arranged at the respective attachment position 83, so that the ball bearing module 80 can be easily attached to the web guide 91. Subsequently, the variable guide means 88 can be rotated, for example, by about 90 ° to the respectively associated fastening screw, so that the described clamping seat can be formed. This simplifies the assembly of the ball bearing module 80 on the web guides 91. In particular, it allows a simple displacement of the ball bearing module on the web guide 91 along the conveying direction, for example also past the crossbeams 90. With fixedly installed variable guide means 88, a passing and / or passing the ball bearing modules 80 on the turrets 90 along the conveying direction would be hindered. Therefore, the variable guide means 88 can either be installed later or placed twisted first and later rotated to its desired position. In the target position, the guide groove of the variable guide means 88 and the guide groove of the static guide means 87 are fixed to opposite (e.g., vertical) ends of the web guide 91. The two guide grooves are aligned substantially parallel to each other.

The variably adjustable and / or adjustable design of the variable Guide member 88 also further simplifies truncation of ball bearing modules 80 at any taper 84. After trimming, variable guide means 88 may be attached to the new truncated end of ball bearing module 80, particularly at the respective end attachment position 83.

At a front end (viewed in the conveying direction) of the ball bearing module 80 and / or the connecting body 82, a front fastening means 85 is formed. At the opposite end of the ball bearing module 80 and / or the connecting body 82, a rear attachment means 86 is arranged. The two attachment means 85 and 86 are formed along the longitudinal direction of the ball bearing module 80 at opposite ends.

The front attachment member 85 and the rear attachment member 86 are congruent with each other. Thus, the front attachment means 85 of a ball bearing module 80 can be attached to the rear attachment means 86 of a similar ball bearing 80 and vice versa. The fastening means 85 and 86 make it possible to fasten two ball bearing modules 80 which are to be mounted on one another. As a result, an extended ball bearing module 80 can be formed, which is constructed from two or more, in particular, any number of ball bearing modules 80.

In particular, as many ball bearing modules 80 can be fastened one behind the other in the longitudinal direction L, as for a complete lining of the helical-path curve 103 and / or the curve of the conveyor 100; 200 are needed. Thus, the entire curved path and / or Wendelkurvenbahn 103 of the conveyor 100; 200 bearing journals 81 and disposed thereon support rollers 130 are equipped. At the end of the curve and / or Wendelbahnkurvenende the one or more protruding ball bearing modules 80 can be cut at the tapers 84 fit. Thus, by the ball bearing module 80, a complete assembly of the helical curve 103 and / or curve of the conveyor 100; 200 with support rollers 130 allows and / or realized. FIG. 8A shows a side view of two ball bearing modules 80 fastened to one another, which differ somewhat from the ball bearing module 80 shown in FIG. In both embodiments of the ball bearing module 80, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same or similar features. The two ball bearing modules 80 extend in the longitudinal direction L, in which the support rollers 130 are arranged one behind the other in series. The two shown ball bearing modules 80 have a total of four variable guide means 88, one at the front and rear end in the longitudinal direction L of the connecting body 82, if necessary, more can be added in a central position.

FIG. 8B shows a top view of the ball bearing modules 80. In this view, mainly the support rollers 130 are shown, which cover the fastening positions 83 and the majority of the remaining ball bearing modules 80, in particular the connecting bodies 82, in a plan view from above. Only the tapers 84 between the mounting positions 83 are clearly shown in FIG. 8B.

At the two longitudinal ends of the fastening means 85 and 86 are formed, which may protrude beyond the respective end-side support roller 130. In the embodiment shown, the fastening means 85 and 86 are formed in two parts and have an upper and lower part. In this case, for example, the rear attachment means 86 have a projection, for example a nose, which can mature in a recess of the front attachment means 85 egg ng. In addition, at least one of the fastening means 85 or 86 may have a projection which can engage in a recess of the respectively congruent fastening means 85 or 86. The fasteners 85 and 86 may be formed and provided to form a clip connection.

FIG. 8C shows a ball bearing module 80 in a view opposite to the longitudinal direction L. In this case, in particular, one of the static guide means 87 and the associated variable guide means 88 are shown. The two guide means 87 and 88 form opposite sides of the web guide 91 (not shown in Fig. 8C) each have a guide groove for the web guide 91 from. In the embodiment shown, both the variable guide means 88 and the static guide means 87 at the attachment position 83 each have two guide grooves. This makes it possible to fasten the ball bearing module 80 to two web guides 91, in particular between two web guides 91. By attaching to two web guides 91, both the stability of the ball bearing module 80 in the operating position on the conveyor 100; 200 are increased, as well as the attachment to the web guide or the web guides 91. The guide groove (s) of the static guide means 87 is (are) open at the bottom. The guide groove (s) of the variable guide means 88 is open at the top.

The variable guide means 88 is fixed to the lower end of the connecting body 82, for example screwed to this lower end via a screw. The variable guide means 88 is formed at the opposite (ie upper) end of the connecting body 82, as well as the support rollers 130th

In general, the guide means 87, 88 can be arranged and formed on vertically opposite ends of the connecting body 82.

FIG. 8D shows in a side view, opposite to the longitudinal direction L, the ball bearing module 80 without support rollers 130 and without variable guide means 88. More specifically, it substantially shows the connecting body 82 of the ball bearing module 80 with the bearing journals 81 without support rollers 130. In this illustration, the ball bearing module 80 only has static guide means 87, which form guide grooves which can receive the web guides 91 from one side only. Therefore, the ball bearing module 80 thus shown can not form a press fit of two opposite sides with the web guide 91 yet. For this purpose, at least one variable guide means 88 is required. During assembly of the ball bearing module 80, the latter is flexibly deformed in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L, so that the ball bearing module 80, which is substantially rectilinear in an unmounted position, is deformed and / or bent in such a way that it corresponds to the curvature of the conveyor 100; 200 adapts. As a result, the mounted ball bearing module 80 is curved, wherein the curvature of the ball bearing module 80 essentially corresponds to the curvature of the conveying direction of the conveyor 100; 200 corresponds along a curve and / or helical curve of the conveyor.

9A shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a ball bearing module 80 '. The ball bearing module 80, like the ball bearing module 80 described above, has a plurality of support rollers 130 arranged in series in a row. Here, in particular, the axes of rotation of the support rollers 130 are in a (shown here bent) series.

The axes of rotation of the support rollers 130 are in particular in a plan view and parallel to the axes of rotation of the support rollers 130 in a row.

In contrast to the ball bearing module 80, the support rollers 130 of the ball bearing module 80 'are arranged in two mutually parallel rows. The parallel offset is in this case formed parallel to the axes of rotation of the support rollers 130. In this case, the support rollers 130 are not only arranged offset in parallel to each other, but also overlapping one another (viewed in the direction parallel to the direction of rotation of the support rollers 130).

By this paralleiversetzte, overlapping arrangement of the support rollers 130, the axes of rotation of the support rollers 130 of the second ball bearing module 80 are arranged closer to each other than the first ball bearing module 80. This can lead to improved unrolling of the support surfaces 41 of T ransportaufsätze 1 on the support rollers 130 (see also Fig. 4), since each support surface 41 can always roll on at least two Abstützrolien 130. Fig. 9B schematically shows a side view of the ball bearing module 80 'shown in Fig. 9A. Here it is shown that only every second support roller 130 rests with its inner ring on a bearing journal 81, while the support roller 130 arranged between two such elevated support rollers 130 is formed lowered, ie with the inner ring on a very short, not shown in the figures, bearing pin is arranged almost directly on the connecting body 82. Almost immediately means a distance of, for example, at most 1 mm, preferably of about 0.5 mm, to the top of the connecting body 82nd

Due to the staggered arrangement of the support rollers 130 in at least two planes, the center distances of the support rollers 130 are reduced. Here, about half of the support rollers 130 is disposed in an upper roller row 131 and the other half of the support rollers 130 in a lower roller row 132. The support rollers 130 of the upper row of rollers 131 are mounted on a bearing pin 81 and thus more spaced from the connecting body 82, while the support rollers 130 of the lower roller row 132 are arranged virtually without bearing pin almost directly on the connecting body 82.

In the embodiment of the ball bearing module 80 'shown in Figures 9A and 9B, the ball bearing module 80' is not mounted on a vertical track guide 91 as the ball bearing module 80 (see Figure 6) but placed on and positioned thereon on a substantially horizontally disposed track guide 91 screwed.

Additionally or alternatively, the ball bearing module 80 'with the two rows of rollers 131 and 132 may be designed such that it at least partially surrounds the (vertical or horizontal) web guide. In this case, in particular, the connecting body 82 of the ball bearing module 80 can have at least one fastening extension with which it can at least partially cover and / or encompass the web guide. In this case, the attachment extension can be designed such that it at least partially surrounds at least the underside of the web guide. For this purpose, this attachment extension in lateral cross section may be formed substantially U-shaped, more precisely in the form of a horizontal 'U', the two U-legs bear against the top and bottom of the (eg horizontally arranged) web guide. The attachment extension can either be formed along the entire length L of the ball bearing module 80 ', or only in regions (eg at the two longitudinal ends).

Attachment to a substantially horizontally disposed web guide (not shown in Figs. 9A and 9B) enables stable mounting of the ball bearing modules 80 '.

In general, however, the single-row ball bearing mode! 80 can be mounted on a substantially horizontal track guide just as the double row ball bearing module 80 'can be attached to a substantially vertical track guide 91.

Like the ball bearing module 80, the ball bearing module 80 'has at its two longitudinal ends (in the conveying direction) a front fastening means 85 and a rear fastening means 86, respectively. Thus, identical ball bearing modules 80 'can be attached to each other.

The ball bearing module 80 'has a pre-bent connector body 82 which may have drill holes for attachment to the web guides.

Also, the ball bearing module 80 'with the two rows of rollers 131 and 132 may be separable between each two support rollers 130, in particular between each support roller 130 of the upper roller row 131 and the immediately adjacent support roller 130 of the lower row of rollers 132 (and vice versa). Thus, the length of the ball bearing module 80 'can be adapted to the length of the (helical) curve of the conveyor.

Alternatively, it may also be provided not to form a taper between the support rollers 130 of the ball bearing module 80 'for severing. So can the ball bearing module 80 'be part of a ball bearing system comprising at least two ball bearing modules of different lengths. The ball bearing system may, for example, have a shorter ball bearing module, eg with 5 to 15 support rollers 130, and the ball bearing module 80 'as a longer ball bearing module, which may have eg twice as many support rollers 130, in particular between 10 and 30 support rollers 130. Alternatively to the shorter ball bearing module or in addition to this, the ball bearing system may have an adapter ball bearing module, for example, has only one or two support rollers 130, ie, for example, a support roller 130 per row of rollers 131 and 132. By attaching this adapter ball bearing module, the total length can also be adapted to the desired track length.

Likewise, the ball bearing module 80 shown in Figures 7 and 8 may be formed as part of a corresponding Kugeilagersystems.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 transport attachment

10 transport surface

20 bottom

30 carrying roller

31 workstation

40 connection device

41 lateral support surface

42 fasteners

50 transport plate

80 ball bearing module

80 'ball bearing module

81 bearing pin

82 connecting body

83 mounting position

84 rejuvenation 85 front fortification

86 rear fortification

87 static leadership

88 variable leadership

89 mothers

90 traverse

91 web guide (flat iron)

100 plate conveyors; Conveyor

101 spiral column

103 spiral curve

105 lower tail

107 upper tail

1 10 base

1 12 return surface

120 side guide

121 outside Ketenführung

122 inside Ketenführung

125 railway area

130 support roller

131 upper roller row

132 lower roller row

140 conveyor surface

150 production kete; Zugmitel

160 pulley

170 career

200 plate conveyors; Conveyor

B web width

helix axis

Claims

claims

A ball bearing module (80; 80 ') for supporting a traction means (150) of a conveyor (100; 200) along a curve of the conveyor (100; 200), comprising:

a plurality of support rollers (130) for rolling away cornering forces along the curve of the conveyor (100; 200); and a connector body (82) along which the support rollers (130) are sequentially arranged in a row;

wherein the connecting body (82) is formed flexibly deformable substantially perpendicular to the row, so that the arrangement of the support rollers (130) along the connecting body (82) together with the connecting body (82) is flexibly adaptable to curves with different curve radii.

2. Ball bearing module (80, 80 ') according to claim 1, wherein the connecting body (82) is designed so flexible that the successively arranged support rollers (130) to curves with each curve radius of 30 cm to 1 m are adaptable.

3. ball bearing module (80, 80 ') for supporting a traction means of a

Conveying device (100; 200) along a curve of the conveying device (100; 200), in particular according to one of the preceding claims, with:

wherein at a front end of the connecting body (82) in the conveying direction, a front fastening means (85) is formed and at a rear end of the connecting body (82) in the conveying direction, a rear fastening means (86) is formed, wherein the front fastening means (85) of the ball bearing module (80, 80 ') on a rear attachment means (86) of a structurally similar further Ball bearing module (80, 80 ') can be fastened so that all support rollers (130) of the two ball bearing modules (80, 80') in the conveying direction of the conveyor (100;

200) are arranged one behind the other in a row.

The ball bearing module (80; 80 ') of claim 3, wherein the front attachment means (85) and the rear attachment means (86) are configured to form a positive and / or non-positive connection.

A ball bearing module (80; 80 ') according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the front attachment means (85) and the rear attachment means (86) are configured to form a clip connection.

6. ball bearing module (80 ') according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the series of support rollers (130) from at least two mutually in the direction of rotation of the support rollers (130) offset rows of rollers (131, 132) is formed, the support rollers (130) in the rotational direction overlap the support rollers (130).

A ball bearing module (80; 80 ') according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of support roller (130) is 5 to 30.

A ball bearing module (80, 80 ') according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting body (82) has a taper (84) between each two adjacent support rollers (130).

A ball bearing module (80; 80 ') according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one guide means (87; 88) for attaching the ball bearing module (80) to a cam guide (91) of the conveyor (100; 200).

A ball bearing module (80; 80 ') according to claim 9, wherein the guide means (88) is securable at different positions (83) along the connector body (82).

1 1. ball bearing module (80, 80 ') according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the support rollers (130) are arranged along the connecting body (82) substantially equally spaced from one another.

12. A method for mounting a ball bearing module (80, 80 ') for supporting a traction means (150) of a conveyor (100, 200) along a curve of

Conveyor (100; 200) comprising the steps of:

Providing a predetermined number of support rollers (130) for rolling away cornering forces along the curve of FIG

Conveying device (100; 200);

Arranging the support rollers (130) in series in a row along a connecting body (82) of the ball bearing module (80, 80 '); Deforming the connecting body (82) transversely to the conveying direction of the conveyor (100; 200) such that the supporting rollers (130) are arranged one behind the other along the curve of the curve of the conveyor (100; 200); and

Attaching the ball bearing module (80; 80 ') along a conveyor track of the conveyor (100; 200).

13. A method for mounting a ball bearing module (80, 80 ') for supporting a traction means (150) of a conveyor (100, 200) along a curve of

Conveying device (100; 200), in particular according to claim 12, with the steps:

Conveying device (100; 200);

- arranging the support rollers (130) successively in a row along a connecting body (82) of the ball bearing module (80);

affixing at least two connecting bodies (82) of two ball bearing modules (80; 80 ') such that the supporting rollers (130) of the two ball bearing modules (80; 80') are arranged one behind the other in a row; and

Attaching the ball bearing modules (80; 80 ') along a conveyor track of the conveyor (100; 200).

14. The method of claim 12 or 13, wherein the connecting body (82) of the Ball bearing module (80, 80 ') at a taper (84) between two adjacent support rollers (130) is severed.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the connecting body (82) on a web guide (91) of the conveyor (100; 200) is attached.