Chain conveyor with adjustable distance between axes

Abstract

A modular conveyor (1) comprising a conveyor mat or chain (2) consisting of a succession of segments (3) hingedly connected together to form an endless loop, arranged around two spaced apart deflection wheel units (4, 5) Cycle. Each segment is positioned at a pitch from an adjacent segment that is at least substantially the same throughout the conveyor mat or conveyor chain. At least one of the diverting wheel units (5) comprises a drive shaft (9), a drive wheel (10) mounted on the drive shaft and drivingly engaging the conveyor mat or conveyor chain, and also an upper idler wheel mounted on the idler shaft (12). The upper idler shaft is positioned above the drive shaft such that the intermediate distance between the upper idler shaft and the drive shaft is equal to the distance of (n pitches + approximately 1 / 2 pitch).

Description

technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a modular conveyor, in particular comprising a modular plastic conveyor mat or conveyor chain. Background technique

[0002] Modular conveyor mats or conveyor chains are typically constructed of a series of mat modules or links joined together by hinge pins at hinge joints to form an endless loop. Such conveyor mats or conveyor chains are arranged to circulate around two spaced apart deflection wheel units. Typically, at least one of the steering wheel units includes a drive wheel rotated by an electric motor. Typically, control surfaces, such as teeth, on the periphery of the drive wheel may positively engage corresponding surfaces on the conveyor mat or conveyor chain. Because the hinged links or pads are substantially rigid, the conveyor chain or pad forms a polygon around the drive wheel. Thus, the radius of the conveyor mat or conveyor chain varies periodically around the drive wheel. As the motor rotates the d...

Images