WO2023187023A1

WO2023187023A1 - Measuring roller station for a belt scale of a conveyor belt system and conveyor belt system

Info

Publication number: WO2023187023A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/058219
Authority: WO
Inventors: Martin Brauer
Original assignee: Schenck Process Europe Gmbh
Priority date: 2022-03-31
Filing date: 2023-03-30
Publication date: 2023-10-05
Also published as: DE102022107642A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a measuring roller station for a belt scale of a conveyor belt system, and to a conveyor belt system comprising said type of measuring roller station. The invention also relates to a method for removing or replacing a weighing unit of a belt weigher of a conveyor belt system.

Description

Name of the invention

MEASURING ROLLER STATION FOR A BELT SCALE OF A CONVEYOR BELT SYSTEM

field of technology

The present invention relates to a measuring roller station for a belt scale of a conveyor belt system and a conveyor belt system with such a measuring roller station. The invention also relates to a method for removing or replacing a weighing unit of a belt scale of a conveyor belt system.

State of the art

Belt scales for continuously detecting and/or controlling a flow of bulk materials and the like are known from the prior art. One or more measuring roller stations are provided in a conveyor belt system, in which the rollers carrying the conveyor belt are supported on one or more weighing cells, which generate a signal depending on the weight of the flow of goods. This arrangement is usually installed as a weighing bridge by means of a frame structure between the longitudinal beams of the belt frame of the conveyor belt system. The signal generated in this way can be evaluated and further processed using suitable evaluation electronics on the belt scale.

The use of such belt scales has generally proven itself. However, the commissioning of belt scales has so far been comparatively complicated. Careful alignment of the measuring roller stations and, above all, their rollers is required to reliably record the weight of the goods to be weighed. To date, wires have often been stretched along the belt scale parallel to the direction of transport. Using the tension wires, the individual rollers are then aligned with one another.

The adjustment of the measuring roller stations therefore requires a relatively large amount of time and personnel. In addition, special know-how is required for the installation and therefore the presence of specially trained personnel on site for the entire duration of the work.

For very similar reasons, regular inspection and maintenance of existing belt scales is relatively time-consuming. Typically, the system must first be taken out of operation so that the weighing bridge can be removed from the conveyor frame so that, for example, the individual load cells can be inspected and replaced if necessary. The adjustment of the measuring roller stations must then be checked again and, if necessary, adjusted as described above. Such work is therefore often only carried out at longer intervals.

Against this background, it is desirable to make the commissioning as well as the control and maintenance of belt scales and their parts, especially the load cells, simpler and more cost-conscious. In this context, it is also desirable to increase occupational and operational safety. Summary of the invention

It is therefore the object of the present invention to overcome the described disadvantages of the prior art and in particular to provide means which enable easier commissioning, control and maintenance of belt scales and which at the same time can increase work and operational safety in connection with belt scales.

The object is achieved by the invention according to a first aspect in that a measuring roller station, in particular for a belt scale of a conveyor belt system, the measuring roller station having a measuring roller chair and at least one weighing unit, the measuring roller chair having a support body on which one or more rollers of the measuring roller station are arranged or can be arranged and which is connected or connectable to the weighing unit. Advantageously, the weighing unit includes a force transducer in addition to a housing, necessary connections, signal and/or supply lines.

The weighing unit can preferably have one or more analog outputs, which can be connected or is connected to one or more signal lines for transmitting the force measurement signal to a signal processing device. Advantageously, changes in shape on a measuring body of the force transducer can be detected and/or detected by means of the weighing unit, for example by means of stretch marks.

According to the invention, the weighing unit comprises a force transducer which has a force introduction surface and two force dissipation surfaces, the force introduction surface being provided for supporting the support body and for introducing the forces from the measuring roller chair and the force dissipation surfaces being penetrated by bores which are used to rigidly connect the force transducer to a connecting structure. serve, for example, an adapter or a band structure.

Accordingly, the measuring roller chair or the support body can be screwed easily and cost-effectively to the adjacent structure without moving parts. By selecting a force transducer suitable for direct weighing technology, it is possible to transfer loads such as dynamic forces, horizontal forces and/or moment loads in all directions to the adjacent structure in addition to the static vertical force component, without distorting the weighing result due to disruptive forces from the additional load. Furthermore, the accessibility of the weighing unit installed in the belt scale is made easier by moving the installation space of the weighing unit upwards and/or to the side within the measuring roller station. In this way it is possible for the weighing unit to be arranged in the mounted state on the belt frame of the conveyor belt system completely or partially above the belt frame and even on a longitudinal cross member of the belt frame. The weighing unit is therefore easily accessible from outside the belt frame, especially from the side.

The new installation position can be achieved particularly advantageously by an adapted course of the support body, in that the support body has a limiting section which limits the installation volume of the weighing unit laterally (i.e. along the specific transverse direction) in the y-direction. Starting from a conventional, typically straight-line measuring roller chair, only comparatively simple structural adjustments are necessary. For this purpose, it is sufficient, for example, to design the course of the support body, for example by folding or bending it in sections, in such a way that a volume is released on the side of the support body, within which the weighing unit can be arranged. The support body is advantageously designed to be trough-shaped.

As a result, the volume within which the weighing unit is positioned is advantageously limited to the inside of the belt frame by the support body, but is accessible from outside the belt frame. In comparison, the load cells are conventionally external, in particular on the side, mounted inaccessibly between the upper belt and lower belt of the conveyor belt running at high speed.

The proposed measuring roller station thus enables, for the first time, completely new installation positions of the weighing unit relative to the measuring roller chair. Due to the new arrangement options for the weighing unit, moments on the weighing unit can preferably be avoided or at least reduced. The remaining transverse forces in a direction perpendicular to the specific transverse direction downwards are rigid and can be transmitted directly into the belt structure without falsifying the measured values. Thanks to the new arrangement options for the weighing unit, it is also advantageously possible to absorb the lateral forces individually, i.e. separately. For example, the weighing unit is provided at a lateral end of the measuring roller station, in particular of the measuring roller chair.

Furthermore, the weighing unit is also particularly reliable and yet can be easily connected to the belt frame of the conveyor belt system. For example, the weighing unit provided, in particular at a side end, can be arranged directly or indirectly on the belt frame or parts thereof, such as in particular on a longitudinal cross member of the belt frame. In this way, it is optionally possible to record a force acting on the measuring roller station using direct weighing technology.

For the assembly of the proposed measuring roller station, preferably no or only small adjustments need to be made to the belt frame of a conveyor belt system itself, which means that assembly is possible with minimal tool, energy and personnel expenditure. For this reason, the proposed measuring roller station can also be easily retrofitted into existing conveyor belt systems and even existing belt scales. This also makes cost-effective series production possible.

Inspections of the measuring roller station, in particular the weighing unit and the mechanical connections between the weighing unit and the other parts of the conveyor belt system, can advantageously be carried out during ongoing operation of the system. This means that downtimes can be avoided or at least reduced. Accordingly, shorter test intervals can be carried out, which in turn can increase the operational safety of the conveyor belt system and the belt scale including the measuring roller stations as well as occupational safety for the staff and ultimately even reduce operating costs. This means that possible sources of error can be identified and eliminated at an early stage. In the event of a fault, the weighing unit can be replaced particularly easily due to its easy accessibility, as will be explained below. The proposed measuring roller station can therefore contribute to the desired requirement for high operational and occupational safety as well as high economic efficiency.

The measuring roller chair can advantageously be understood as a carrying means equipped or capable of being equipped with one or more rollers, for which the conveyor belt is moved when the measuring roller station is used in a conveyor belt system.

The supporting body has the limiting section, with, for example, a section of the supporting body being designed as a limiting section (i.e. limiting the volume accordingly).

The proposed measuring roller station can be used particularly advantageously as part of a belt scale. The belt scale, in turn, can be advantageously used together with a conveyor belt system. For example, a general belt scale has at least one measuring roller station (in particular at least one measuring roller station such as a measuring roller station proposed in this application) and at least one signal processing device for evaluating and/or processing the force measurement signal generated by the at least one weighing unit of the at least one measuring roller station. The signal processing device can For example, it can be provided remotely from the measuring roller station, for example in the cloud. If the measuring roller station is mounted on the belt frame of the conveyor belt system, the goods transported by the system can be weighed using the belt scales installed.

The proposed measuring roller station is particularly suitable for a belt scale for use in weighing and/or dosing technology and/or for use in a conveyor belt system or is set up for this purpose.

The proposed measuring roller station is particularly suitable for use with belt scales, such as conveyor belt scales, conveyor belt scales or metering belt scales, or is set up for this purpose.

By running a conveyor belt with the goods to be weighed over the measuring roller station, the belt load can be determined in whole or in part by means of the weighing unit. From the determined belt load and the transport speed, the conveying strength and the conveying quantity, especially in the case of a conveyor belt, can then optionally be calculated. With dosing belt scales, a desired conveying rate is specified or can be specified, and the required belt speed can then be adjusted from the determined belt load.

Preferably the conveyor belt is made of rubber or metal and/or it is a conveyor belt. Advantageously, during operation of the conveyor belt system, individual sections of the conveyor belt can be conceptually differentiated into at least an upper belt and a lower belt, with the upper belt in particular carrying the goods to be weighed.

Possible weighing goods are, for example, bulk goods such as sand, gravel, rock, minerals and/or coal.

The proposed measuring roller station is advantageously suitable for conveyor belt systems and/or belt scales that are designed for high conveying rates, for example of 10,000 tons per hour or more, in particular of 25,000 tons per hour or more.

The support body can, for example, be a support, in particular cuboid-shaped (approximately in a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to an extension of the support body) and/or with a T-, U- or H-profile. Alternatively or additionally, the support body can be made of steel or metal, in particular aluminum. In this respect, a steel beam has proven to be particularly advantageous.

The support body can be manufactured particularly easily for different widths (along the specific transverse direction).

The weighing unit is advantageously provided at a lateral end of the measuring roller stations.

In this application, a “lateral end” of the measuring roller station is preferably understood to mean an outer end of the measuring roller station along the specific transverse direction, unless the respective context dictates otherwise.

Due to the easy removal of the weighing unit from the measuring roller station, even and especially when the measuring roller station is mounted on the belt frame, a weighing unit can temporarily even be used in different measuring roller stations of a conveyor belt system (which measuring roller stations can belong to a single or several different belt scales, for example) or in different ones Conveyor belt systems (and therefore in particular in various belt scales) can be used. In addition, standardized weighing units can be used, particularly with regard to the measuring roller station. This means that minimal spare parts inventory, minimal procurement times and no width dependence of the measurement technology can be achieved. When the present application refers to a belt frame of a conveyor belt system, this is preferably understood to mean a belt frame that has two longitudinal crossbeams spaced apart along a transverse direction of the conveyor belt system and running in the transport direction as supports, the longitudinal crossbeams advantageously having vertical support elements and/or at least one Frame structure is attached or attachable to a stationary surface. The support elements and/or the frame structure are preferably provided by the band framework. The longitudinal beams can, for example, have a T-, H- or U-shaped profile, in particular in a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the transport direction. The said transverse direction of the conveyor belt system can advantageously be chosen to be identical to the specific transverse direction of the measuring roller station.

The weighing unit is advantageously suitable or designed for generating a force measuring signal depending on a force acting on the measuring roller station, in particular when the measuring roller station is mounted on a belt frame of the conveyor belt system.

Preferably, a three-dimensional Cartesian right-handed coordinate system with the directional axes x, y and z is defined or can be defined as an auxiliary coordinate system for the measuring roller station. Preferably, when the measuring roller station is used in a conveyor belt system, the x-axis of the auxiliary coordinate system points along a transport direction of goods to be weighed and the z-axis of the auxiliary coordinate system points “upwards”. The direction of the y-axis results from the Right-handedness of the coordinate system. Optionally, the auxiliary coordinate system can have its origin in the center of gravity of the measuring roller station. With the help of the auxiliary coordinate system, for example, a reliable assignment of the individual directions used within this application is possible. The person skilled in the art will of course understand that the auxiliary coordinate system is not a physical one feature of the measuring roller station, but is a purely mental construct.

Preferably, one of the possible transverse directions of the measuring roller station is defined as the "specific transverse direction" of the measuring roller station. There can be several transverse directions of the measuring roller stations (for example "from left to right" and "from right to left"). By defining a specific transverse direction as a "specific transverse direction " is referred to, reference can be made reliably to the transverse direction selected from the possibly several transverse directions.

Advantageously, a "transverse direction" of the measuring roller station, such as in particular the specific transverse direction, is or can be defined as a direction (i) which points from one end of the measuring roller station to the other, (ii) which runs parallel to the main extension direction of the measuring roller station, (iii ) which runs parallel to a horizontal direction, (iv) which, in a state of the measuring roller station mounted on the belt stand, runs parallel to a horizontal direction in the world coordinate system, (v) which, in particular in the mounted state of the measuring roll station on the belt stand, perpendicular to a transport direction of the conveyor belt system, (vi) which runs anti-parallel to the y-axis of the auxiliary coordinate system, and/or (vii) along which the, in particular standardized, width of the conveyor belt is dimensionally defined, unless otherwise arises from the respective context.

The support body advantageously consists of or has steel and/or metal, in particular aluminum.

Preferably, the conveying rate of the conveyor belt system and/or the belt scale is 10 tons per hour or more, preferably 100 tons per hour or more, 50,000 tons per hour or less, preferably 25,000 tons per hour or less, and/or between 10 tons per hour and 50,000 tons per hour, preferably between 100 tons per hour and 25,000 tons per hour. Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the measuring roller station has at least one connecting element, by means of which the measuring roller station can be mounted on a belt frame, in particular on at least one first, preferably a total of two, longitudinal cross members of the belt frame of the conveyor belt system, the connecting element having the weighing unit .

Because the connecting element has the weighing unit, it is advantageously possible to reliably measure a force acting on the measuring roller station. For example, the connecting element can also consist only of the weighing unit. Optionally, the connecting element has further coupling elements by means of which the weighing unit is connected or can be connected to parts of the measuring roller station and/or by means of which the weighing unit can be connected to the belt stand.

Preferably, in the mounted state of the measuring roller station on the band stand, the weighing unit is arranged directly on the band stand, in particular on the first longitudinal cross member of the band stand.

Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the connecting element enables a rigid connection between the measuring roller station and the band stand, in particular the first longitudinal cross member of the band stand.

Through a rigid connection, transverse forces that occur can be transferred particularly reliably into the belt structure. This means that the weight of the item to be weighed can be reliably determined using the weighing unit. In addition, damage to the weighing unit can be advantageously avoided because all transverse forces can be introduced into the weighing unit directly and without external links, leaf springs or stops and can be safely transferred from it.

The measuring roller station is advantageously designed so that at least portions of a force acting on the measuring roller station by a product to be weighed, in particular the portions of the force that can be introduced or introduced into the belt stand via the connecting element, are measured using direct weighing technology.

A rigid connection is produced, for example, by means of a cohesive connection (for example soldering, welding, gluing) and/or a non-positive connection (for example screw connection, press connection) to absorb force (such as the support body). A rigid connection advantageously means that no elastomer bearings or the like are provided between the weighing unit and the force absorber, for example to eliminate transverse forces or other disruptive forces. Such a rigid connection is maintenance-free and therefore particularly preferred.

In this structure, transverse forces advantageously do not interfere with the measurement, since the measuring principle of direct weighing technology, i.e. in particular the inclusion of the rigid connections between the weighing unit and the measuring roller station as well as between the weighing unit and the belt stand, transfers these mechanically, but compensates for them using measurement technology.

Furthermore, the measuring roller station can alternatively or additionally be designed in such a way that the flow of force between the force absorber (such as the supporting body) and the ground is directed exclusively via the weighing unit(s). With such a design of the measuring roller station, there are no force shunts that could cause measurement errors. Installation is also possible in steeply rising, angle-variable and/or reversible conveyor belts.

The measuring roller station can optionally also have one or more temperature sensors which are arranged in the vicinity of at least one of the weighing units. With one like this Temperature sensor can record the temperature in the area of the weighing units and use it to correct the force measurement signal.

Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the weighing unit has no leaf springs, no external links, no stops and/or no connecting frame.

Especially in the case of a rigid connection, due to the measurement principle of direct weighing technology mentioned above, transverse forces can be harmless, so that said elements that are typically used to reduce or eliminate transverse forces do not have to be provided in the weighing unit. This means that the weighing unit can be manufactured more cheaply and made more robust.

Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the connecting element (i) is provided at a lateral end of the measuring roller station and/or is arranged with at least one of its ends on the support body and/or (ii) extends from the support body, preferably along a first direction (z-direction), in particular perpendicular to the specific transverse direction (y-direction) and / or perpendicular to the transport direction (x-direction) of the conveyor belt system.

Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the rollers are arranged on the top of the support body and the connecting element on the underside of the support body.

Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the connecting element has at least two adapter elements, and the weighing unit is arranged sandwich-like between the two adapter elements, in particular along the first direction, in particular directly and/or at least in regions.

The adapter elements enable the weighing unit to be coupled reliably to the surrounding structures. This makes it possible to introduce a particularly reliable and targeted introduction of force into the weighing unit and from there into the belt frame. In particular, the adapter elements enable a particularly simple yet efficient adaptation to the roller chair. In particular, good flatness of the contact surfaces between the weighing unit and surrounding structures can be reliably achieved.

The adapter elements and the weighing unit can be connected to one another, for example, by means of a screw, weld, adhesive and/or solder connection.

The adapter elements are preferably both plate-shaped.

The adapter elements can each be cuboid bodies, for example made of steel and/or metal.

Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that a first adapter element of the at least two adapter elements is connected on the one hand to the support body and on the other hand to the weighing unit, preferably in each case directly and/or detachably.

The introduction of force described can be optimized by a direct connection between the first adapter element and the support body and the weighing unit.

The first adapter element and the support body can be connected to one another, for example, by means of a screw, weld, adhesive and/or solder connection.

A detachable connection between the first adapter element and the support body is possible, for example, by means of a screw connection. As a result, the connecting element, and therefore also the weighing unit, is reliable and can still be attached to the support body using simple means. A detachable connection between the first adapter element and the weighing unit is possible, for example, by means of a screw connection.

The first adapter element is preferably plate-shaped.

Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that a second adapter element of the at least two adapter elements is connected to the weighing unit, preferably directly and/or releasably, and/or to the band frame, in particular the first longitudinal cross member of the band frame, preferably directly and/or releasably, is connectable.

The force transmission described can be optimized by a direct connection between the second adapter element and the weighing unit and the belt frame.

The second adapter element and the weighing unit can be connected to one another, for example, by means of a screw, weld, adhesive and/or solder connection.

The second adapter element and the band structure can be connected to one another, for example, by means of a screw, weld, adhesive and/or solder connection.

A detachable connection between the second adapter element and the weighing unit is possible, for example, by means of a screw connection.

A detachable connection between the second adapter element and the band structure is possible, for example, by means of a screw connection.

The second adapter element is preferably plate-shaped.

Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the connecting element is releasably connected or connectable to the support body and/or is releasably connectable to the band frame, in particular the first longitudinal cross member of the band frame.

Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that in the mounted state of the measuring roller station on the belt stand, the weighing unit is arranged at least partially above the belt stand, in particular above the first longitudinal cross member, and/or at least partially on the belt stand, in particular on the first longitudinal cross member.

Due to the proposed course of the support body, in particular the boundary section, it is possible to position the weighing unit accordingly. This makes their accessibility from the side of the belt stand particularly advantageous.

Preferably, a first element is considered to be arranged “above” a second element if the first element has a higher height position (in particular along the z-axis of the auxiliary coordinate system) than the second element. Optionally, however, the first element may also not have one have a lateral offset (in particular along the x and y axes of the auxiliary coordinate system) to the second element in order to still be considered arranged “above” the second element.

Preferably, in the mounted state of the measuring roller station on the belt stand, the weighing unit is then at least partially "above" a longitudinal cross member of the belt stand, if, in particular when considering only the weighing unit and longitudinal cross member, the weighing unit is along a projection direction perpendicular to the specific transverse direction, in particular along a direction parallel to the negative z-axis of the auxiliary coordinate system, pointing downwards and / or parallel to the first direction, has a projection onto the respective longitudinal traverse of the belt frame. Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the boundary section extends along a direction that is not parallel to the specific transverse direction.

In a sense, the boundary section can protrude at an angle from a (particularly horizontal) cutting plane, within which at least another section of the supporting body runs.

Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the weighing unit is arranged on and/or relative to the measuring roller chair in such a way that the weighing unit has a projection onto a surface of the boundary section along a specific projection direction parallel to the specific transverse direction.

The person skilled in the art understands that the projection of the weighing unit in itself is not a physical feature of the measuring roller station or parts thereof. Rather, the arrangement of the weighing unit can be described by the projection.

In the proposed measuring roller station, the projection of a component (such as the weighing unit) can advantageously be determined experimentally as follows: Using a light source, the weighing unit is illuminated along the respective projection direction, with the weighing unit being located completely within the light field. The shadow cast by the weighing unit onto a surface of a defined other component (e.g. the boundary section) represents the projection of the component (e.g. the weighing unit).

Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the support body has at least one middle section and / or the support body has at least two end sections, at least one end section of the two end sections being designed as a specific end section which has the boundary section at least partially and / or at least in sections and /or trains.

In this way, the volume within which the weighing unit is provided can be provided particularly well on a side region of the measuring roller station.

Advantageously, the boundary section is a partial section of the specific end section. Optionally, the boundary section is a subsection exclusively of the specific end section.

Advantageously, the middle section is directly connected to the two end sections and/or the middle section is arranged between the two end sections. For example, the end sections can be welded to the middle section.

The support body is advantageously formed in one piece. This makes the support body particularly stable and enables reliable use even under large weight forces.

The mounting section can, for example, have a flange or be designed as such. This provides a particularly advantageous possibility of establishing a direct or indirect connection of the measuring roller station to the strip stand. Advantageously, the connection can be established with the first longitudinal cross member of the belt structure.

Preferably, the extension section extends from the middle section, in particular an end of the middle section, to the mounting section, in particular an end of the mounting section.

The extension section advantageously has the boundary section completely or represents it. It can then be identical to it. Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the connecting element, in particular the first adapter element thereof, is arranged on the specific end section, in particular the mounting section, preferably directly.

Preferably, the connection between the mounting section and the first adapter element is realized by means of a screw connection.

Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the mounting section in the measuring roller station is higher than the extension section and/or the middle section.

Such a configuration is particularly suitable for arranging the weighing unit in such a way that it is also easily accessible from the side. Advantageously, the volume within which the weighing unit is provided is at least partially limited by the boundary section and the mounting section. The mounting section is then advantageously delimited along a direction perpendicular to the specific transverse direction and/or anti-parallel to the first direction. This means that the mounting section advantageously limits the volume within which the weighing unit is provided along a direction parallel to the z-axis of the auxiliary coordinate system.

In this case, “lying higher” is advantageously a relative position indication when viewed along a direction parallel to the y-axis of the auxiliary coordinate system, perpendicular to the specific transverse direction and/or a vertical direction.

Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the extension section is arranged, in particular along the extension of the support body, between the middle section and the mounting section and/or at an angle on the middle section.

For example, the extension section and the middle section are welded together and/or have a folded transition.

Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the extension section runs in a straight line.

Optionally, the extension section runs neither horizontally nor vertically, for example neither parallel to the y-axis of the auxiliary coordinate system nor parallel to the z-axis of the auxiliary coordinate system.

Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the mounting section is arranged at an angle on the extension section and/or the mounting section is offset, in particular in height, and/or extends parallel to the central section.

For example, the mounting section and extension section are welded together and/or have a folded transition.

Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that a first angle is included between the middle section and the extension section and the first angle is more than 0 degrees, less than 180 degrees and/or between 10 degrees and 170 degrees, in particular between 45 degrees and 160 degrees , amounts.

For multiple angles included between the central portion and the extension portion, the first angle is preferably the smallest of the multiple possible angles. Alternatively or additionally, the first angle lies in a plane parallel to the yz plane of the auxiliary coordinate system. Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that at least a second angle is included between the mounting section and the extension section and (i) the second angle and the first angle have the same value, (ii) the second angle has a smaller value than the first angle (iii) the second angle has a larger value than the first angle, and/or (iv) the second angle is more than 0 degrees, less than 180 degrees and/or between 10 degrees and 170 degrees, in particular between 45 degrees and 160 degrees.

For multiple angles included between the mounting portion and the extension portion, the second angle is preferably the smallest of the multiple possible angles. Alternatively or additionally, the second angle lies in a plane parallel to the yz plane of the auxiliary coordinate system.

Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the middle section runs along a direction parallel or anti-parallel to the specific transverse direction.

As a result, a horizontal course of the middle section can advantageously be achieved when the measuring roller station is in a state mounted on the belt stand.

This means that the middle section advantageously runs along the y-axis of the auxiliary coordinate system.

Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the specific end section, in particular the limiting section, is the only part of the measuring roller station that limits the volume along the specific transverse direction and/or onto which the weighing unit has a projection along the specific projection direction.

Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the support body, in particular the specific end section, in particular the mounting section, has support means for at least partially supporting the support body, in particular the specific end section, on a band frame in the assembled state of the measuring roller station between the support means and the band frame, in particular the first longitudinal traverse of the belt frame, has an intermediate element that can be arranged at least temporarily.

The supporting means makes it particularly easy to temporarily relieve the load on the supporting body. The force acting on the support body can be introduced into the intermediate element by means of the supporting means and in this way can be diverted into the band structure along an alternative force path.

This is particularly advantageous if the weighing unit is arranged between the assembly section and the belt frame. In this way, the weighing unit can be removed reliably and safely from the measuring roller station without much effort, while the flow of force is redirected accordingly.

Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the support means forms a projection and/or is flat and/or cuboid-shaped and/or extends from the specific end section, in particular the mounting section, along a second direction perpendicular to the specific transverse direction and/or perpendicularly extends to the first direction.

In this way, the supporting means can be implemented particularly easily. For example, the structure may be attached to the specific end portion by welding. This means that the supporting means can also be easily arranged later.

This means that the second direction advantageously runs along a direction parallel to the positive or negative x-axis of the auxiliary coordinate system. Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the measuring roller station has at least two weighing units, and the measuring roller station is preferably constructed mirror-symmetrically with respect to a central plane of the measuring roller station that runs perpendicular to the specific transverse direction.

The measuring roller station is advantageously mounted or mountable on the belt frame by means of two weighing units, in particular with the formation of a rigid connection in each case.

This advantageously allows the forces on both sides of the measuring roller station to be determined separately from one another.

Advantageously, for each weighing unit of the at least two weighing units, an individual volume is defined, within which the respective weighing unit is provided, and which is at least partially delimited by an individual boundary section at least along an individual specific transverse direction of the measuring roller station. The person skilled in the art understands that in the case of a further (second) connecting element provided in mirror image, the explanations with regard to the interaction between the first connecting element and the first longitudinal cross member then advantageously also apply accordingly with regard to the interaction between the second connecting element and a second longitudinal cross member of the band frame apply unless the context dictates otherwise. The same applies preferably to explanations relating to the specific section, which also apply accordingly to other, mirror-image, specific sections.

Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that each of the two end sections of the support body is designed as a specific end section, wherein preferably both specific end sections are designed the same or are at least partially designed differently.

Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the measuring roller station has two or more than two similar connecting elements, with which the measuring roller station, in particular at its side ends, can be connected to the belt frame, in particular to the first longitudinal crossmember and at least one second longitudinal crossmember of the strip frame .

A second aspect of the invention comprises a conveyor belt system, in particular with at least one belt scale, in particular at least one conveyor belt scale, such as a conveyor belt scale, or at least a metering belt scale, the conveyor belt system having a belt frame with at least two longitudinal traverses and at least one measuring roller station mounted on the longitudinal traverses according to the first aspect the invention.

Because a conveyor belt system has a measuring roller station according to the first aspect of the invention, accessibility of the individual weighing units can be particularly advantageously possible from the side and even during ongoing operation of the system. This makes the commissioning, inspection and maintenance of the entire conveyor belt system, but especially the individual weighing units, easier and more cost-effective. In particular, the load of the item to be weighed can be measured using direct weighing technology.

Advantageously, the measuring roller station is part of the belt scale of the conveyor belt system and as such is preferably in turn part of the entire conveyor belt system.

All advantages and preferred features that were explained in relation to the measuring roller station according to the first aspect of the invention also apply here. Reference can therefore be made to the previous statements. Advantageously, the measuring roller station of the conveyor belt system is mounted on the belt frame as follows: Each measuring roller station has at least one connecting element, by means of which the respective roller station is at least partially mounted on the belt frame, the connecting element having at least one weighing unit. Advantageously, the connecting element extends between the band frame, in particular a longitudinal cross member of the band frame, and the support body, in particular a mounting section thereof, of the measuring roller station. Alternatively or additionally, the mounting section of the support body of the measuring roller station is arranged in alignment with the respective longitudinal traverse of the belt stand and/or has a projection onto the longitudinal traverse along a vertical downward direction (in particular parallel to the negative z-axis of the auxiliary coordinate system).

Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that there is a rigid connection between the measuring roller station and the belt stand, in particular the two longitudinal crossbars of the belt stand.

Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the measuring roller station has at least two weighing units, and these are provided by at least two connecting elements of the measuring roller station, and wherein the measuring roller station is attached to the belt frame, in particular to the two longitudinal cross members, by means of the at least two connecting elements, in particular rigidly Belt frame is mounted.

For this purpose, the measuring roller station can advantageously be mounted at each of its two lateral ends by means of a connecting element each having at least one weighing unit on the belt frame, in particular the two longitudinal traverses of the belt frame.

This allows the side loads to be recorded and evaluated separately, especially using direct weighing technology. A rigid connection avoids force shunts.

A further aspect of the invention includes a belt scale, in particular a conveyor belt scale, a conveyor belt scale and/or a metering belt scale, having at least one measuring roller station according to the first aspect of the invention and at least one signal processing device for evaluating and/or processing the force measurement signal generated by the at least one weighing unit of the at least one measuring roller station . Optionally, the signal processing device is set up to evaluate and/or process the force measurement signal generated by the at least one weighing unit of the at least one measuring roller station.

It was surprisingly recognized that a belt scale delivers particularly reliable results if it has a measuring roller station according to the first aspect of the invention.

The signal processing device can be implemented, for example, in software, in hardware or a combination of both. The signal processing device can alternatively or additionally have a memory, a processor, a receiving device, a transmitting device or any combination thereof. The signal processing device can alternatively or additionally provide and/or make available and/or have everything that it has, such as in particular all the resources necessary for this, for example in the form of software and/or hardware resources.

All advantages and preferred features that were explained in relation to the measuring roller station according to the first aspect of the invention also apply here. Reference can therefore be made to the previous statements.

A further aspect of the invention includes a method for determining and/or monitoring a state of a conveyor belt system and/or parts thereof, such as in particular one Measuring roller station, in particular a measuring roller station of a belt scale of the conveyor belt system, comprising the method:

Providing a conveyor belt system, in particular according to the second aspect of the invention, which has a belt frame and a plurality of roller stations mounted thereon, which carry or can carry a conveyor belt that can be moved along a transport direction, wherein at least two of the roller stations each act as a measuring roller station, in particular according to the first aspect of the invention, each with at least one weighing unit for generating a force measuring signal depending on a force acting on the respective measuring roller station;

Evaluating the force measurement signals of at least some of the weighing units; and

Generating an output signal that is indicative of an assembly state and/or an operating state of the conveyor belt system and/or parts thereof, based on at least one result of the evaluation, is proposed.

The invention is therefore based on the surprising finding that different influences on the conveyor belt system and its parts (such as in particular the belt scale or parts thereof) lead to a characteristic influence on the force transmission to the individual weighing units and therefore based on an evaluation of the force measurement signals in a simple but nevertheless reliable manner Wise statements about the states of the conveyor belt system and its parts, as well as in particular about the belt scale and its parts (such as a measuring roller station of the belt scale), can be derived.

This makes it particularly easy and yet reliable to draw conclusions about the status of the entire conveyor belt system and/or its parts based on the different loads on the individual measuring roller stations.

It has surprisingly been shown that by evaluating the individual weighing units of the measuring roller stations, an alignment of the measuring roller stations can be carried out particularly easily but still reliably and precisely. For example, based on different values of the force measurement signals, it can be determined or determined at which measuring roller stations additional compensating elements, for example in the form of lining plates, are necessary for adjusting the alignment, in particular the inclination, of at least individual measuring roller stations. The position (for example left or right side of an affected measuring roller station) and the height of the compensation element can optionally be determined as part of the evaluation. Optionally, the evaluation of the alignment also includes the evaluation and inclusion of force measurement signals from the weighing units determined during at least one, in particular exactly one, belt rotation without load.

Using the comparative evaluation, information about the height compensation of the roller stations, in particular their roller chairs, can be obtained particularly easily. The traditional procedure of aligning the roller stations using tension wires can therefore be omitted. This makes the commissioning, in particular the adjustment and alignment, of a conveyor belt system and, above all, its measuring roller stations of a provided belt scale particularly simple and yet reliable.

The evaluation of the force measurement signals can also lead to significant advantages during ongoing operation. This means that the correct alignment of the measuring roller stations can be continuously monitored. An output of the individual loads and the side loads can also serve as “condition monitoring” of the conveyor belt and payload status and/or the corresponding force measurement signals can be evaluated. Also A state of wear, in particular of the conveyor belt and/or the rollers, can be continuously determined.

In addition, by evaluating the individual force measuring signals, missing or blocked rollers and/or a lowering of the foundation can be detected particularly reliably, as an alternative or supplement, since the force measuring signals from the measuring roller station with a blocked roller or when the foundation is lowered deviate from an expected reference signal. For this purpose, the individual force measurement signals can be compared with one or more reference signals. The reference signal can be obtained in various ways, for example retrieved from a memory or be a measurement signal from a different roller station. Missing or blocked rollers of a measuring roller station and/or a lowering of the foundation can alternatively or additionally be detected by (i) evaluating the force measurement signals of the side loads of each measuring roller station separately and comparing them with each other and/or (ii) occurring loads that have a defined maximum load exceed, be recognized.

Advantageously, a calibration of the zero signal and/or a temperature dependence of each weighing unit is taken into account when evaluating the force measurement signals.

In addition, by evaluating the force measurement signals, errors in a weighing unit can also be determined alternatively or additionally. The evaluation preferably includes a comparison of the force measurement signal of the weighing unit when idle and under load.

In connection with the particularly advantageous installation position of the weighing unit, as is possible by a measuring roller station according to the first aspect of the invention, any problems attributable to a weighing unit can be solved by replacing or servicing the weighing unit in a very simple manner and possibly even during operation fix the system.

All advantages and preferred features that were explained in relation to the measuring roller station according to the first aspect of the invention and in relation to the conveyor belt system according to the second aspect of the invention also apply here accordingly, as long as a corresponding measuring roller station and/or a corresponding conveyor belt system is provided . Reference can therefore be made to the previous statements.

Features of the fourth aspect of the invention that are the same as features that were discussed in relation to the first and/or second aspect of the invention are typically given the same designations unless the context indicates otherwise. For example, the belt frame mentioned in the first and/or second aspect of the invention can be the specific belt frame of the conveyor belt system according to the fourth aspect of the invention. For example, the measuring roller station discussed in the first and/or second aspect of the invention can be the specific measuring roller stations of the present conveyor belt system.

Advantageously, the measuring roller stations of the conveyor belt system, which and if they are designed according to the first aspect of the invention, are all similar. This enables the system to be operated particularly cheaply, since spare parts are only necessary for one type of measuring roller station, making storage cheaper and easier. Alternatively, the measuring roller stations of the conveyor belt system, which and if they are designed according to the first aspect of the invention, are at least partially different.

The evaluation of the individual force measurement signals and the generation of the output signal can advantageously be carried out using an evaluation unit. For this purpose, the evaluation unit can preferably be supplied with the force measurement signals from the weighing units involved. The The evaluation unit is then set up accordingly for evaluating the force measurement signals supplied and generating the output signal.

The evaluation unit can be implemented, for example, in software, in hardware or a combination of both. The evaluation unit can alternatively or additionally have a memory, a processor, a receiving device, a transmitting device or any combination thereof. The evaluation unit can alternatively or additionally provide and/or make available and/or have everything that it has, such as in particular all the necessary resources, for example in the form of software and/or hardware resources, for the method.

For example, two or more than two, preferably three or more than three, preferably four or more than four, measuring roller stations can be provided, and in particular their force measurement signals can be evaluated.

Preferably, force measurement signals from at least two weighing units are evaluated.

Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the evaluated force measurement signals are signals from weighing units of at least two different measuring roller stations, with the relevant weighing units preferably all being arranged on the same side of the conveyor belt system.

Advantageously, the evaluated force measurement signals are signals from weighing units of at least three or more than three, preferably at least four or more than four, preferably at least five or more than four, different measuring roller stations.

By evaluating the force measurement signals only from weighing units on the same side of the conveyor belt system (for example left or right of the belt frame), a direct comparison can be carried out between the measuring roller stations and a deviation between the force applied to the weighing units involved can be determined. This makes it possible, for example, to identify at least one fundamental problem that exists in one of the measuring roller stations or in both measuring roller stations and in particular leads to an influence on the weight measurement.

Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that each measuring roller station has two weighing units whose force measurement signals are evaluated.

Preferably, the measuring roller station is supported, preferably with its two lateral ends, on the belt frame, in particular on the two longitudinal beams, via the two weighing units.

This means that an unequal force distribution within a measuring roller station can be detected and/or an evaluation of the force effects across measuring roller stations can be further improved.

Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the force measurement signals are evaluated by four or more than four, in particular eight or more than eight, weighing units, in particular by two or more than two, in particular four or more than four, measuring roller stations.

For example, two measuring roller stations are included and each measuring roller station has two weighing units, via which it is preferably supported on the belt frame, in particular with its side ends.

For example, four measuring roller stations are also included and each measuring roller station has two weighing units, via which it is preferably supported on the belt frame, in particular with its side ends. The nominal number of measuring roller stations whose force measurement signals are evaluated can be, for example, four. An advantageous area of application is between two and eight measuring roller stations.

Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the measuring roller stations of the weighing units involved are roller stations immediately following one another in the transport direction.

The transport direction is preferably the transport direction of the conveyor belt system. With respect to an auxiliary coordinate system of one of the measuring roller stations, the transport direction can, by definition, run parallel to the x-axis.

Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the evaluation of the force measurement signals includes that a difference signal of the force measurement signals is formed and/or evaluated.

The difference signal enables a particularly efficient evaluation of the force measurement signals among themselves.

Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the evaluation of the force measurement signals includes a difference signal being formed from the force measurement signals in pairs and all difference signals being evaluated.

This makes it possible to obtain a particularly advantageous overview of the relationships between the individual force flows and thus identify a condition based on a broad database.

Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the assembly state includes at least one state from the following group of states: alignment of the measuring roller stations; alignment of the measuring roller stations; Correct function and/or correct connection of the individual weighing units, in particular their load cells; and/or Correct lifting of the conveyor belt for alignment and adjustment.

Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the operating state includes at least one state from the following group of states: foundation lowering in the area of at least one measuring roller station, preferably including the side of the lowering; degree of wear on the conveyor belt; tape skew; Lack of a roller station roller; Blocking of a roll of a roll station; and/or defect in a weighing unit.

Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the output signal or a signal derived therefrom is sent to a remote entity, in particular to a cloud computer system and/or a technician.

In this way, the information regarding the status can be passed on particularly well and further processed elsewhere, in particular by other systems.

A further aspect of the invention includes a conveyor belt monitoring system for the condition monitoring of a conveyor belt system and/or parts thereof, the conveyor belt monitoring system having a conveyor belt system which has a belt frame and a plurality of roller stations mounted thereon, which carry or can carry a conveyor belt movable along a transport direction, wherein at least two of the roller stations are each designed as a measuring roller station, each with at least one weighing unit for generating a force measuring signal depending on a force acting on the respective measuring roller station, the conveyor belt monitoring system having an evaluation unit, and wherein the force measuring signals of at least some of the weighing units are supplied or can be supplied to the evaluation unit, and wherein the evaluation unit is set up to carry out an evaluation of the force measurement signals supplied to the weighing units and based on at least one result of the Evaluation to generate an output signal that is indicative of an assembly state and/or an operating state of the conveyor belt system and/or parts thereof.

All advantages and preferred features that were explained in relation to the method according to the fourth aspect of the invention apply here too. This also applies to the embodiment of the conveyor belt system according to the second aspect of the invention and the measuring roller stations according to the first aspect of the invention (insofar as such a conveyor belt system or such a measuring roller station is used). Reference can therefore be made to the previous statements.

The evaluation unit can be the evaluation unit described in relation to the fourth aspect of the invention.

Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the conveyor belt monitoring system has a transmission unit which is set up to receive the output signal or a signal derived therefrom from the evaluation unit and/or to send the output signal or a signal derived therefrom to a remote entity, in particular to a Cloud computer system and/or a technician.

The transmitting unit can be implemented, for example, in software, in hardware or a combination of both. The transmitting unit can alternatively or additionally have a memory, a processor, a receiving device, a transmitting device or any combination thereof. The sending unit can alternatively or additionally provide and/or make available and/or have everything that it has, such as in particular all the resources necessary for this, for example in the form of software and/or hardware resources, for the method.

A further aspect of the invention includes a computer system, in particular a cloud computer system, which is set up to receive an output signal generated by the evaluation unit of the conveyor belt monitoring system, or a signal derived therefrom, and preferably to carry out a defined or definable action, such as in particular ( i) notifying an entity based on the content of the signal, (ii) storing data associated with the signal, and/or (iii) forwarding the signal and/or data associated therewith to a receiver.

The invention is therefore based on the surprising finding that the different states that the output signal can indicate can be responded to particularly reliably and effectively by providing a corresponding computer system.

For example, the computer system is a cloud computer system. This advantageously means that the computer system receives the signals via the Internet and optionally also forwards and/or sends the signal and/or the notification to the respective recipient via the Internet.

The computer system may comprise or represent a distributed system.

A further aspect of the invention includes a method for removing or replacing a weighing unit of a measuring roller station of a belt scale of a conveyor belt system, the method comprising:

Providing a conveyor belt system, in particular with at least one belt scale, according to the second aspect of the invention and/or a conveyor belt monitoring system with a belt frame and at least one measuring roller station mounted thereon and having at least one weighing unit; Transferring the measuring roller station, in particular during operation of the conveyor belt system, from a first configuration in which the weighing unit is arranged in a force-fitting manner between the support body and the belt frame, in particular a first longitudinal cross member of the belt frame, into a second configuration in which the weighing unit is arranged with reduced or no force connection is arranged between the support body and the belt frame, in particular the first longitudinal cross member of the belt frame; and

Removing the weighing unit from the measuring roller station, in particular along a direction parallel or anti-parallel to the specific transverse direction (y-direction) and/or from outside the belt stand.

The invention is therefore based on the surprising finding that a particularly easy installation and removal of the weighing unit is possible by temporarily reducing or completely interrupting the flow of force via the weighing unit by supporting the carrier body.

Since no special tools are required, replacing a weighing unit is particularly easy and inexpensive. Safety can also be improved, as the replacement does not require entering or working inside the conveyor frame. In addition, system downtime can be significantly reduced or even eliminated entirely.

Advantageously, the belt frame of the conveyor belt system has at least two longitudinal beams and the measuring roller station is mounted on the longitudinal beams.

The weighing unit is therefore advantageously removed along a direction parallel to the positive or negative y-axis of the auxiliary coordinate system.

All advantages and preferred features that were explained in relation to the measuring roller station according to the first aspect of the invention, to the conveyor belt system according to the second aspect of the invention and to the conveyor belt monitoring system according to the fifth aspect of the invention also apply here. Reference can therefore be made to the previous statements.

Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the transfer of the measuring roller station from the first to the second configuration comprises: at least secondly arranging an intermediate element between a support means of the support body of the measuring roller station and the belt frame, in particular a longitudinal cross member of the belt frame, of the conveyor belt system, in particular during the measuring roller station is in the second configuration, the support body is at least partially supported on the intermediate element.

Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the method comprises: releasing a connection between, on the one hand, the connecting element or parts thereof, such as in particular the adapter elements, and, on the other hand, the support body and/or the band frame, in particular a longitudinal cross member of the band frame.

Brief description of the drawings

Further features and advantages of the invention result from the following description, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are explained using schematic drawings.

Show:

1a shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a measuring roller station according to the first aspect of the invention within a first sectional plane; Fig. lb shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the measuring roller station from Fig. la within a second sectional plane perpendicular to the first sectional plane;

2a shows a schematic top view of a conveyor belt system according to the second aspect of the invention;

Fig. 2b is a schematic cross-sectional view of the conveyor belt system from Fig. 2a within a sectional plane along line AA in Fig. 2a;

Fig. 2c is a schematic cross-sectional view of the conveyor belt system from Fig. 2a within a sectional plane along line BB in Fig. 2a;

2d shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the conveyor belt system from FIG. 2a with an alternative measuring roller station;

3 shows a schematic flow diagram of a method according to the seventh aspect of the invention;

Figure 4 is a schematic view of a system according to the fifth aspect of the invention;

5 shows a schematic flow diagram of a method according to the fourth aspect of

Invention; and

Fig. 6 is a schematic view of a system according to the sixth aspect of the invention.

Description of the embodiments

Fig. la shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a measuring roller station 1 according to the first aspect of the invention within a first sectional plane. The first cutting plane runs parallel to a transverse direction Q (y-direction) of the measuring roller station 1, which is defined here as a specific transverse direction. The measuring roller station can be mounted on the belt frame of a conveyor belt system, for example as part of a belt scale, such as a transport, conveyor or metering belt scale.

Also shown in Fig. La is a Cartesian right-handed auxiliary coordinate system that is stationary relative to the measuring roller station 1, the x-axis of which points vertically out of the drawing plane of Fig. La and the z-axis of which runs vertically upwards within the drawing plane. The y-axis of the auxiliary coordinate system runs anti-parallel to the specific transverse direction Q.

The measuring roller station 1 has a measuring roller chair 3 and two weighing units 5. According to the invention, the weighing unit 5 comprises a force transducer which has a force introduction surface (not shown) and two force dissipation surfaces 52. The force transducer is preferably penetrated by holes on the force dissipation surfaces 52, so that the force transducer can be rigidly screwed to a base or a connecting structure, for example an adapter 35 or belt frame 103, using screws. In addition, the measuring roller station 1 has two connecting elements 9 at its lateral ends 7, with which the measuring roller station 1 can be mounted on a belt frame of the conveyor belt system.

The measuring roller chair 3 in turn has a support body 11, on the top 13 of which three rollers 15 with corresponding holders 17 are arranged. The rollers 15 can carry a conveyor belt 19 that can move along a transport direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing (x direction). During operation of the conveyor belt system, in which the measuring roller station is then provided, the weighing material, for example in the form of bulk goods, lies on the conveyor belt 19. The support body 11 has a first end section 21a along the transverse direction Q (y direction), a middle section 23 running horizontally (along the y direction) and a second end section 21b. The two end sections 21a, 21b are each designed in an identical manner as specific end sections. Therefore, only the specific end portion 21a will be described.

Fig. lb shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the measuring roller station from Fig. la within a second sectional plane running through the connecting element 9 of the specific end section 21a, perpendicular to the first sectional plane. The auxiliary coordinate system is also shown again for quicker orientation.

The specific end portion 21a has an extension portion 25 and a mounting portion 27. The extension section 25 is arranged at an angle on the middle section 23 and the mounting section 27 is arranged at an angle on the extension section 25. The three sections 23, 25, 27 are welded together, so that the support body 11 is formed in one piece as a whole.

Starting from the mounting section 27, the connecting element 9, which is detachably connected to the mounting section 27 at one end 29 and which can be connected to the belt frame of the conveyor belt system at its other end 31, extends along the negative z-direction in the auxiliary coordinate system, downward.

The connecting element 9 has one of the two weighing units 5 and two plate-shaped adapter elements 33, 35, between which the weighing unit 5 is sandwiched. The upper adapter element 33 is connected to the mounting section 27 and the weighing unit 5 and the lower adapter element 35 is connected to the weighing unit 5 and can be connected to the belt frame for mounting the measuring roller station 1. For example, a screw connection can be selected for each individual connection.

Since the extension section 25 runs obliquely upwards, namely in the present case enclosing an angle a of more than 90 degrees (see Fig. la, for example 135 degrees) with the central section 23, an extension section 25 can be used as a limiting section along the transverse direction Q (y - Direction) at least partially limited volume 37, within which the weighing unit 5 is provided, can be provided. This installation volume 37 can be moved comparatively far upwards due to the course of the support body 11 within the measuring roller station 1. As a result, the weighing unit 5 can also be arranged above the belt stand when the measuring roller station 1 is mounted on the belt stand. The weighing unit 5 is therefore advantageously accessible from the side (for the weighing unit of the specific end section 21a, i.e. along the transverse direction Q), even when the measuring roller station 1 is mounted on the belt stand.

The measuring roller station 1 is constructed mirror-symmetrically, the mirror plane being a center plane of the measuring roller station 1 that runs perpendicular to the transverse direction Q. That is, the specific end portion 21b is equally mountable to the belt frame by means of the other connecting member 9.

Fig. 2a shows a schematic top view of a conveyor belt system 101 according to the second aspect of the invention.

The conveyor belt system 101 has a belt frame 103, shown in sections in FIG. The roller stations 107 are transverse to the longitudinal beams 105 mounted on the belt frame 103 by connecting their lateral ends to the two longitudinal beams 105.

Two of the roller stations 107 are designed as identical measuring roller stations 109 according to the first aspect of the invention. For example, the two measuring roller stations 109 are each designed like the measuring roller station 1 described with reference to FIGS. 1a and 1b.

A conveyor belt, which carries the roller stations 107, including the measuring roller stations 109, can be movable along a transport direction that runs within the drawing plane of FIG.

Fig. 2b shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the conveyor belt system 101 within a sectional plane along the line AA in Fig. 2a, which runs through one of the two measuring roller stations 109. Fig. 2c shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the conveyor belt system 101 from Fig. la within a sectional plane along the line BB in Fig. 2a.

Features of the cut measuring roller station 109, which are the same as the features of the measuring roller station 1 explained with reference to FIGS. 1a to 1b, are provided with the same, but simply primed, reference numerals.

The connecting elements 9' extend between the longitudinal beams 105 of the belt frame 103 and the mounting sections 27' of the support bodies 11' of the measuring roller chairs 3'. As a result, the weighing units 5 'are arranged above the longitudinal beams 105. This advantageously eliminates force shunts and minimizes transverse forces in the weighing units.

The measuring roller station 109 is rigidly mounted on the belt frame 103 by means of the two connecting elements 9 '. For this purpose, the upper adapter element 33' is connected to the respective mounting section 27' and the respective weighing unit 5' by means of a screw connection. And the respective lower adapter element 35' is connected to the respective longitudinal cross member 105 of the belt frame 103 and the respective weighing unit 5' by means of a screw connection. The forces acting on the two lateral ends 7' are therefore measured using direct weighing technology.

A product to be weighed that is transported on the conveyor belt 19' generates a weight force that is transmitted to the weighing units 5' via the support body 11'. As a result, force measurement signals can be generated and optionally evaluated by the weighing units 5' depending on the weight force.

Fig. 2d shows the view of Fig. 2c, but with a measuring roller station in a further embodiment. For the sake of simplicity, the reference numbers are retained unchanged with the same features. In the alternative embodiment of the measuring roller station 1', the support body 7' has a cuboid support means 111 on the mounting section 27', which extends to the right (counter to the x direction) starting from the mounting section 27' in FIG. 2d.

An intermediate element 113, for example a cuboid, can be positioned between the support means 111 and the longitudinal cross member 105. This can reduce the load on the weighing unit 5'. This means that the weighing unit 5' can be replaced particularly easily.

In the Figs. 2a-d also shows the auxiliary coordinate system of a measuring roller station 109 for faster orientation.

3 shows a schematic flowchart 200 of a method according to the seventh aspect of the invention. The method relates to said advantageous exchange of a weighing unit of a preferred measuring roller station in a conveyor belt system according to the second aspect of the invention. First, in 201, a conveyor belt system (for example conveyor belt system 101) with a belt frame 103 and a measuring roller station 109 mounted thereon, which has a corresponding support means, is provided. This can be a measuring roller station 109, as explained with reference to FIG. 2d.

Subsequently, in 203, the screw connections between the connecting element 9 'and the support body 11' on the one hand and the longitudinal cross member 105 on the other hand are released.

The intermediate element 9 'is then arranged in 205 between a support means 111 and a longitudinal cross member 105 of the belt frame 103. As a result, the mounting section 27 'is supported on the intermediate element 113. This changes the measuring roller station 109 from a first configuration, in which the weighing unit 5 'is arranged in a non-positive manner between the support body 11' and the longitudinal cross member 105, into a second configuration in which the weighing unit 5' with reduced or no frictional connection between the support body 11' and the Longitudinal cross member 105 is arranged, transferred.

The weighing unit 5' will then be removed from the measuring roller station 109 in 207. To do this, it can be pulled in the direction of the viewer in FIG. 2d, i.e. against the transverse direction Q (or along a direction parallel to the negative y-axis of the auxiliary coordinate system).

4 shows a schematic view of a conveyor belt monitoring system 301 according to the fifth aspect of the invention.

The conveyor belt monitoring system 301 has a conveyor belt system 303, for example that with reference to Figs. 2a to 2c described conveyor belt system 101. This has two measuring roller stations 305, like measuring roller stations 109, each with two weighing units 307, like weighing units 5 '. The conveyor belt monitoring system 301 also has an evaluation unit 309. The evaluation unit 309 is supplied with the force measurement signals 311 from all, for example, four weighing units 307. The conveyor belt monitoring system 301 also has a transmitting unit 313. The sending unit 313 is set up to receive the output signal 315 of the evaluation unit 309 and to send the output signal 315 or a signal derived therefrom to a remote entity.

Using the conveyor belt monitoring system 301, a method for determining a state of the conveyor belt system 303 and parts thereof can be carried out.

5 shows a schematic flowchart 400 of a method according to the fourth aspect of the invention. The method concerns the said determination of a condition of the conveyor belt system.

First, in 401, a conveyor belt system (for example conveyor belt system 303) is provided, which has two measuring roller stations 305, each with two weighing units 307.

In 403, the four force measurement signals 311 of, for example, four weighing units 307 are evaluated. This means that a difference signal is formed from the force measurement signals 311 in pairs and all difference signals are evaluated. In the present case, six difference signals are evaluated.

Using the difference signals, the alignment of the measuring roller stations 305 can be checked during the initial commissioning but also during ongoing operation of the conveyor belt system 303 and any necessary measures for (re-)adjustment of the measuring roller stations 305 can be derived. In this way, a corresponding assembly state of the conveyor belt system 303 and its parts, such as the measuring roller stations 305, can be monitored.

In addition, a missing or blocked roller of the measuring roller station 305 can be recognized from the difference signals due to the changed force measurement signals 311. To this In this way, a corresponding operating state of the conveyor belt system 303 and its parts, such as the measuring roller stations 305, can be monitored.

For this purpose, an output signal is generated in 405, which is indicative of an assembly state and/or an operating state of the conveyor belt system 303 and/or parts thereof.

The information regarding the alignment of the measuring roller stations 305 and suggestions for any necessary corrective measures as well as the information about a missing or blocked roller can optionally be sent to a remote entity. The information can be received there and all necessary adjustments can then be made.

The evaluation of the force measurement signals can be carried out using the evaluation unit 309. Sending the information to the remote entity can be carried out using the sending unit 313.

6 shows a schematic view of a computer system 501 according to the sixth aspect of the invention.

In the present case, the computer system 501 is a cloud computer system and is set up to receive the output signal 315 generated by the evaluation unit 309 of the conveyor belt monitoring system 301 and to notify a recipient (for example a technician) based on the content of the signal.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, in the drawings and in the claims may be essential to the invention in its various embodiments, both individually and in any combination.

Reference symbol list

1 measuring roller station

3, 3' measuring roller chair

5.5' weighing unit

52 force dissipation area

7, 7' Side end

9, 9' connecting element

11.11' carrying body

13.13' top

15, 15' caster

17, 17' bracket

19, 19' conveyor belt

21a, 21a' end section

21b, 21b' end section

23, 23' middle section

25, 25' extension section

27, 27' assembly section

29, 29' end

31, 31' end

33, 33' adapter element

35, 35' adapter element

37, 37' installation volume

101 conveyor belt system

103 band framework

105 longitudinal beam

107 roller station

109 measuring roller station

111 proppant

113 intermediate element

200 flowchart

201 Provide a conveyor belt system 203 Loosening screw connections

205 Arranging an intermediate element and transferring the measuring roller station from a first to a second configuration

207 Removing the weighing unit

301 conveyor belt monitoring system

303 conveyor belt system

305 measuring roller station

307 weighing unit

309 evaluation unit

311 Force measurement signal

313 transmitter unit

315 output signal

400 flowchart

401 Deploy a conveyor belt system

403 Evaluating force measurement signals

405 Generate an output signal

501 computer system a, a' angle

Cutting line for cutting plane

B-B cutting line for cutting plane

Q Transverse direction x, y, z axis of the auxiliary coordinate system

Claims

Claims Measuring roller station (1) for a belt scale of a conveyor belt system (101), the measuring roller station (1) having a measuring roller chair (3, 3 ') and at least one weighing unit (5, 5'), the measuring roller chair (1) having a support body (11, 11 '), on which one or more rollers (15, 15') of the measuring roller station (1) are arranged or can be arranged and which is connected or connectable to the weighing unit, characterized in that the weighing unit comprises a force transducer which has a force introduction surface and has two force dissipation surfaces, the force introduction surface being provided for supporting the support body and for introducing the forces from the measuring roller chair, and the force dissipation surfaces are penetrated by holes which serve to rigidly connect the force transducer to a connecting structure. Measuring roller station (1) according to claim 1, wherein the measuring roller station (1) has at least one connecting element (9, 9 '), by means of which the measuring roller station (1) is attached to the belt stand (103), in particular to at least a first, preferably a total of two, Longitudinal cross member (105) of the belt frame (103) of the conveyor belt system (101) can be mounted, the connecting element (9, 9 ') having the weighing unit (5, 5'). Measuring roller station (1) according to claim 2, wherein the connecting element (9, 9 ') enables a rigid connection between the measuring roller station (1) and the band stand (103), in particular the first longitudinal cross member (105) of the band stand (103). Measuring roller station (1) according to one of claims 2 to 3, wherein the connecting element (9, 9 ') is provided at a lateral end of the measuring roller station (1) and / or is arranged with at least one of its ends on the support body (11, 11'). is and/or extends from the support body (11, 11'), preferably along a first direction (z-direction), in particular perpendicular to the specific transverse direction (y-direction) and/or perpendicular to the transport direction (x-direction) of the conveyor belt system (101), extends. Measuring roller station (1) according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the connecting element (9, 9 ') has at least two adapter elements (33, 33', 35, 35'), and wherein the weighing unit (5, 5'), in particular along the first direction (z-direction, in particular directly and/or at least in regions, is sandwiched between the two adapter elements (33, 33', 35, 35'), preferably (i) a first adapter element (33, 33'). at least two adapter elements are connected on the one hand to the support body (11, 11') and on the other hand to the weighing unit (5, 5'), preferably directly and/or detachably, and/or a second adapter element (35, 35') which is at least two adapter elements are connected to the weighing unit (5, 5'), preferably directly and/or releasably, and/or to the band frame (103), in particular the first longitudinal cross member (105) of the band frame (103), preferably directly and/or releasably , can be connected. Measuring roller station (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the assembled state of the measuring roller station (1) on the band frame (103), the weighing unit (5, 5 ') is at least partially above the band frame (103), in particular above the first longitudinal traverse (105), and/or at least partially on the belt frame (103), in particular on the first longitudinal traverse (105). Measuring roller station (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the support body (11, 11') has at least one middle section (23, 23') and/or the support body (11, 11') has at least two end sections (21a, 21a', 21b , 21b'), wherein at least one end section of the two end sections (21a, 21a', 21b, 21b') is designed as a specific end section which has and/or forms the boundary section at least partially and/or at least in sections. Conveyor belt system (101), in particular with at least one belt scale, preferably at least one conveyor belt scale, such as a conveyor belt scale, or at least one metering belt scale, the conveyor belt system (101) comprising a belt frame (103) with at least two longitudinal crossbars (105) and at least one on the longitudinal crossbars ( 105) mounted measuring roller station (109) according to one of claims 1 to 7. Conveyor belt system (101) according to claim 8, wherein (i) a rigid connection between the measuring roller station (109) and the belt frame (103), in particular the two longitudinal traverses (105) of the band structure; and/or (ii) the measuring roller station (109) has at least two weighing units (5, 5'), and these are provided by at least two connecting elements (9, 9') of the measuring roller station (1), and wherein the measuring roller station (1) by means of the at least two connecting elements (9, 9'), in particular rigidly, are mounted on the band frame (103), in particular on the two longitudinal cross members (105) of the band frame (103). Method for removing or replacing a weighing unit (5, 5 ') of a measuring roller station (1) of a belt scale of a conveyor belt system (101), the method comprising:

- Providing a conveyor belt system, in particular with at least one belt scale, according to one of claims 14 to 15, with a belt frame (103) and at least one measuring roller station (1) mounted thereon and having at least one weighing unit (5, 5 ') according to one of claims 1 up to 13;

- Transferring the measuring roller station (1), in particular during operation of the conveyor belt system (101), from a first configuration in which the weighing unit (5.5 ') is non-positively between the support body (11, 11') and the belt frame (103), in particular one first longitudinal cross member (105) of the belt frame (103), is arranged in a second configuration in which the weighing unit (5, 5 ') with reduced or no frictional connection between the support body (11, 11') and belt frame (103), in particular the first longitudinal cross member (105) of the belt frame (103) is arranged; and

- Removing the weighing unit (5, 5') from the measuring roller station (1), in particular along a direction parallel or anti-parallel to the specific transverse direction (y-direction) and/or from outside the belt stand. The method of claim 10, wherein

- Transferring the measuring roller station (1) from the first to the second configuration comprises: at least secondly arranging an intermediate element (113) between a support means (111) of the support body (11) of the measuring roller station (1) and the belt frame (103), in particular one Longitudinal cross member (105) of the belt frame (103), of the conveyor belt system (101), the support body (11, 11 ') being at least partially supported on the intermediate element (113), in particular while the measuring roller station (1) is in the second configuration; and or - the method comprises: releasing a connection between, on the one hand, the connecting element (9, 9') or parts thereof, such as in particular the adapter elements (33, 33', 35, 35'), and, on the other hand, the support body (11, 11') and / or the belt frame (103), in particular a longitudinal cross member (105) of the belt frame (103).