Conveyor roller assembly for conveyor system and belt conveyor system including the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a conveyor roller assembly for a conveyor system, comprising: a conveyor roller, which has a cylindrical roller body and an axial shaft, the shaft having a first axial end portion and a second axial end portion; a support structure for supporting the shaft of the conveyor roller, having two side members laterally opposite to each other, each side member including a recess, the two recesses laterally opposite to each other, each recess being recessed from an upper edge portion of a corresponding side member in an up-down direction, so that each recess comprises: a free end portion near an upper edge portion of the support structure to allow one of the axial end portions of the shaft to be embedded from above; a closed end portion, which is used to support the embedded axial end portion of the shaft; and a connecting portion, which connects the free end portion and the closed end portion, wherein, for each recess, the free end portion is longitudinally offset relative to the closed end portion in a direction opposite to an operating force, and the operating force biases the corresponding axial end portion of the shaft against the edge portion of the recess.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveyor roller assembly for a conveyor system, the assembly comprising: a conveyor roller having a cylindrical roller body and an axial shaft, the shaft having a first axial end portion and a second axial end portion; a support structure for supporting the shaft of the conveyor roller, the support structure having two side members laterally opposite to each other, each side member including a recess, the two recesses laterally opposite to each other, each recess being recessed from the upper edge portion of the corresponding side member in the up-down direction, so that each recess comprises: a free end portion near the upper edge portion of the support structure to allow one of the axial end portions of the shaft to be embedded from above; a closed end portion for supporting the embedded axial end portion of the shaft; and a connecting portion connecting the free end portion and the closed end portion; and relates to a belt conveyor system including such a conveyor roller assembly. Background Art

[0002] Conveyor systems are used in various industries to move objects from one location to another. These conveyor systems are often integrated into existing production lines and feature both upstream and downstream conveyor systems. This setup is used, for example, in the food industry in the form of belt conveyor systems. There, a belt, typically a food-grade, endless belt, is fed around a variety of rollers. These rollers can include infeed, outfeed, tension, tracking, and drive rollers.

[0003] After a period of use, a conveyor system may require maintenance. In the case of belt conveyor systems, this involves cleaning, maintaining, or replacing the belt. To do this, the belt must be removed from the conveyor system, which requires removing at least the conveyor rollers around which the feed conveyor belt is routed. Removing the rollers should be as quick and easy as possible to enable quick and easy removal of the belt.

[0004] In view of the above, several concepts have been implemented to facilitate removal of conveyor rollers from conveyor systems.

[0005] In order to be able to quickly remove the conveying roller, US 8,607,968 B2 discloses a roller mounted on a spindle from which the roller can slide when the lever is rotated to a release position. However, this arrangement requires many components and is therefore complex.

[0006] Another possibility is to detachably mount the shaft of the roller in a vertically oriented slot, as described in GB 2317375A1. However, since the slot is vertical, it is possible that during operation the roller may be moved out of the slot due to operating forces, such as driving forces, applied to the belt.

[0007] This problem is overcome by the arrangement proposed in US Pat. No. 3,509,978. This document discloses a vertical slot that allows the roller shaft to be removably clamped into the slot. However, a certain amount of force is required to remove the shaft from the slot. This complicates disassembly and risks damaging the shaft or the slot. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present invention is proposed in view of the above problems, and its purpose is to further develop the above-mentioned conveyor roller assembly, so that the conveyor roller can be easily installed and disassembled, and the roller can be stably supported during use; and to provide a belt conveyor system including such a conveyor roller assembly.

[0009] According to the invention, this object is achieved in that, for each recess, the free end portion is longitudinally offset relative to the closed end portion in a direction opposite to an operating force which biases the corresponding axial end portion of the shaft against an edge portion of the recess.

[0010] Because the free end portions are longitudinally offset relative to the closed end portions in a direction opposite to the operating force, this operating force biases the corresponding axial end portions of the shaft against the edge portion of the recess, thereby preventing the conveyor roller from being removed from the recess during operation. This technical effect can be understood as follows: During operation, the axial end portions of the conveyor roller are supported by the closed end portions of the recess. To remove the conveyor roller, the axial end portions must be moved toward the free end portions. However, these free end portions are longitudinally offset in a direction opposite to the operating force. In other words, a reaction force in a direction opposite to the operating force must be applied to cause the axial end portions located at the closed end portions to move toward the free end portions.

[0011] The shaft is supported by a support structure. The support structure may be attachable to the conveyor system. Alternatively, the support structure may be an integral part of the conveyor system. The support structure includes two side members that are laterally opposed to each other in a direction transverse to the conveying direction of the conveyor system. The side members support the conveyor rollers at their axial end portions. Each side member includes an upper edge portion that, during use, is positioned adjacent to goods being conveyed by the conveyor system.

[0012] A recess is provided in each of the side members. Each recess is recessed from the upper edge portion of the corresponding side member so that the first and second axial end portions of the shaft can be embedded in the corresponding recess in the up-down direction. In other words, each recess has a free end portion, which is divided into an entrance hole for providing the corresponding axial end portion of the shaft. In addition, each recess has a closed end portion. When the shaft is embedded in the recess, the axial end portion of the shaft abuts against the edge of the corresponding closed end portion and is thus supported by the closed end portion. In addition, each recess is provided with a connecting portion, which connects the free end portion and the closed end portion. In other words, when the axial end portion of the shaft is embedded in the recess, the shaft reaches the closed end portion from the free end portion through the connecting portion.

[0013] During use of the conveyor roller assembly, operating forces are applied to the axial ends of the conveyor roller's shaft. If the conveyor system is a belt conveyor system, driving forces are applied to the belt, which is then transmitted to the axial ends of the conveyor roller's shaft. In one example, the belt may be fed around the conveyor roller. Typically, the belt is in a tensioned state during use. This results in forces being applied to the axial ends of the shaft, and therefore torque being applied to the conveyor roller. If the recess is formed so that the connecting line between the free end portion and the closed end portion is perpendicular to the applied force—that is, if the free end portion is not longitudinally offset relative to the closed end portion in a direction opposite to the operating force—there is a risk that the conveyor roller may be dislodged from the recess due to the applied torque. Therefore, according to the present invention, the free end portion of the recess is longitudinally offset relative to the closed end portion in a direction opposite to the operating force. This arrangement prevents the conveyor roller from being dislodged from the recess. In examples where the conveyor system is a belt conveyor system and the belt is fed around the conveyor roller, as described above, tension is applied to the axial ends of the shaft. Since the free end portion is longitudinally offset from the closed end portion where the axial end portion of the shaft is located, the conveyor roller must move against this tension to move the conveyor roller out of the recess. This prevents the axial end portion of the shaft from moving out of the recess.

[0014] In one embodiment according to the present invention, the two recesses may have the same shape.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the roller body is rotatable relative to the shaft. In this case, the axial end portion of the shaft can be adapted to allow the shaft to be arranged within the recess in a manner that prevents rotation relative to the support structure. In other words, during use, the shaft does not rotate relative to the support structure; rather, only the roller body rotates about the shaft and, thereby, relative to the support structure. This allows for particularly stable support of the axial end portion of the conveyor roller.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, the axial end portions of the shaft and the closed end portions of the recesses can be formed to interfit with each other so that they engage with each other in a rotationally fixed manner. For example, the axial end portions of the shaft can be formed so that a portion of their profile engages with an edge portion of the corresponding closed end portion when the shaft is inserted into the recess. This allows for stable support of the conveyor roller in a very simple manner.

[0017] In another embodiment of the present invention, the edge of the connecting portion of the recess may extend along a straight line that is inclined relative to the vertical direction between the free end portion and the closed end portion. In this arrangement, the inclination angle α of the straight line relative to the vertical direction may be α ≥ 5°, preferably α ≥ 10°, and more preferably α ≥ 15°. This type of recess facilitates insertion and removal of the axial end portion of the shaft.

[0018] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the edge portion of the connecting portion of the recess may include a curved portion that curves in the direction of the operating force. This curvature enables the axial end portion of the shaft to be maintained in position at the closed end portion even when a very strong operating force is applied to the shaft.

[0019] In one embodiment of the present invention, the conveying roller can be a feed roller or a discharge roller. The feed roller or the discharge roller is located at one of the end portions of the conveyor system in the conveying direction. When the operating force applied to the feed roller or the discharge roller is directed to the end portion opposite to the end portion where the feed roller or the discharge roller is located, that is, to the middle of the conveyor system, the closed end portion is longitudinally offset toward the middle of the conveyor system relative to the free end portion. This has another advantage: that is, if the conveying roller assembly is used in a conveyor system that is placed between a front and a rear conveyor system, the form of the recess according to the present invention causes the conveying roller supported on the closed end portion to move toward the middle of the conveyor, that is, away from the front or rear conveyor, thereby allowing it to be embedded in and removed from the recess without interfering with the front or rear conveyor system.

[0020] According to another aspect of the present invention, a belt conveyor system is provided, comprising the conveyor roller assembly and a conveyor belt as described above. The conveyor belt may be an endless belt, a polyurethane belt, or a modular belt.

[0021] When the above-mentioned conveyor roller assembly is used in combination with a tensioning assembly of a belt conveyor system, a synergistic effect can be achieved, the tensioning assembly comprising: a tensioning roller comprising a roller body and an axial shaft, the shaft comprising a first and a second shaft axial end portion, the tensioning roller being adapted to allow a conveyor belt of the belt conveyor system to pass around at least a portion of its circumference; a support frame for supporting the tensioning roller on the first and second axial end portions of the shaft, wherein the tensioning roller is movable relative to the support frame between an operating position for tensioning the conveyor belt and a release position for releasing the tension applied to the conveyor belt, wherein the tensioning assembly further comprises an abutment device hinged to the support frame and adapted to move between a first position and a second position, in the first position, the abutment portion of the abutment device abuts against the first and second axial end portions of the shaft of the tensioning roller to position the tensioning roller in the operating position relative to the support frame, and in the second position, the abutment device is withdrawn from the first and second axial end portions of the shaft of the tensioning roller so that the tensioning roller can be moved to the release position.

[0022] The tensioning assembly has a simple setup and allows for simple operation, thereby facilitating tensioning the belt.

[0023] In a belt conveyor system, the belt is typically wrapped around two end rollers located at the upstream and downstream ends of the belt conveyor system, respectively, in the conveying direction. The end rollers may be attached to a support frame. A tensioning roller may be used to tension the belt. The tensioning roller comprises a roller body and a shaft. The roller body may have a cylindrical shape. Typically, the tensioning roller is positioned somewhere between the end rollers and supported by the support frame. The belt is wrapped around at least a portion of the circumference of the tensioning roller. The tensioning roller is movable relative to the support frame to apply or release tension to the belt. The tensioning roller may be used alone to apply tension to the belt, or it may be used in conjunction with one or more other rollers.

[0024] The tensioning assembly further comprises an abutment device which is hinged to the support frame. The abutment device is pivotable relative to the support frame. The pivoting movement of the abutment device is then converted into a movement of the abutment device between a first position and a second position, wherein the abutment portion of the abutment device abuts against the axial end portion of the shaft of the tensioning roller so that the tensioning roller is positioned in an operating position relative to the support frame, and wherein the abutment device is withdrawn from the axial end portion of the shaft of the tensioning roller so that the tensioning roller can be moved to a release position. Thus, the operation of the abutment device allows easy switching between the first and second positions of the abutment device, i.e., between the operating position (tensioning position) and the release position. This is very useful when the roller is to be cleaned or removed, since the tension applied to the belt can be released by a simple movement of the abutment device.

[0025] In one example, the abutment device may be hinged to the support frame via a pivot, and the length of the lever arm extending between the pivot and the abutment portion of the abutment device may be adjustable. This arrangement allows the operating position to be adjusted relative to the support frame, thereby adjusting the tension applied to the belt.

[0026] In another example, the lever arm may include a bushing having an internal thread and a plunger received in the bushing, the plunger having an external thread matching the internal thread, such that rotation of the bushing and plunger relative to each other causes them to be linearly displaced relative to each other. This telescopic arrangement allows the length of the lever to be very simply adjusted by simply rotating the bushing and plunger relative to each other. The abutment portion may be connected to the plunger or may be located on the plunger, thereby allowing the operating position of the abutment device to be adjusted.

[0027] In yet another example, the support frame may include first and second sidewalls that are laterally opposed to each other, and the abutment device may include a first abutment device hinged to the first sidewall and a second abutment device hinged to the second sidewall. In this arrangement, one abutment device is provided for each of the first and second axial end portions of the shaft. When this arrangement is combined with the lever arms having adjustable lengths as described above, belt tracking is simplified. Specifically, the abutment device is first moved to the second position. There, the lengths of the lever arms of the first and second abutment devices are adjusted to be the same. Then, both abutment devices are moved to the first position. This allows the same tension to be applied to both sides of the belt of the belt conveyor system. If the first and second abutment devices are returned to the released position, the same tension can be easily applied to the belt because the lengths of the lever arms are fixed. In other words, by returning the first and second abutment devices to the first position, the same tension can be applied to the belt as before.

[0028] In another example, the abutment means may comprise a locking means for locking the length of the lever arm. This simplifies the repeated application of the same tension to the conveyor belt.

[0029] In yet another example, the first and second side walls may each include a groove extending in the direction of a connecting line between the first position and the second position, and the axial end portion of the tension roller shaft may be movable within the groove relative to the support frame. This is a particularly simple arrangement for allowing the tension roller to move relative to the support frame.

[0030] In another example, the roller body can rotate relative to the shaft. This is particularly useful when the axial end portion of the tensioning roller is movable within a groove provided in the side wall of the support frame. The shaft can then be fixed relative to the groove so as to be non-rotatable. In this way, the shaft is supported by the support frame in a highly reliable manner.

[0031] In yet another example, the abutment device may be provided with a graduated indicator that allows the length of the lever arm to be read. The graduated indicator is similar to a micrometer or vernier scale, thus allowing for particularly fine adjustment of the lever arm length. Furthermore, this arrangement is particularly useful when the first and second abutment devices are respectively hinged to the two side walls of the support frame, as the width of the belt conveyor system often makes it impossible to see or reach both abutment devices simultaneously. In this case, the graduated indicator helps ensure that equal tension is applied to both sides of the belt, thereby facilitating tracking.

[0032] According to another example, the bushing may include evenly spaced and circumferentially arranged recesses for receiving O-rings for reading the length of the lever arm. In this example, the bushing is circumferentially covered by a cylindrical sleeve, one axial end of which is connected to the plunger. The opposite free axial end is annular. Depending on the relative axial position of the plunger with respect to the bushing, the number of O-rings covered by the sleeve changes. Therefore, the number of O-rings that extend beyond the annular axial end and are visible from the outside on the circumference of the bushing varies depending on the length of the lever arm. This allows the length of the lever arm to be read in a very simple way. The O-rings can be provided in different colors to further facilitate the adjustment of the length of the lever arm.

[0033] In another example, the abutment device may further include a handle for moving the abutment device between its first and second positions. The handle may extend from the pivot of the hinged abutment device to the support frame in a direction opposite to the extension direction of the lever arm extending between the pivot and the abutment portion. The handle may pivot in an upward and downward direction to move the lever arm between the first and second positions.

[0034] The combination of a tensioning assembly and a conveyor roller assembly allows for a particularly quick and simple release of the conveyor roller around which the feed belt is wound. Conventionally, removing such a conveyor roller from a belt conveyor assembly is cumbersome. However, if the conveyor roller assembly according to the present invention is used in conjunction with the aforementioned tensioning assembly, a quick and easy release of the conveyor roller can be achieved as follows: First, the tensioning assembly is used to release the tension applied to the belt by moving the tensioning roller into its release position. The conveyor roller can then be removed from the support structure by moving the conveyor roller upward out of the recess. This removal is facilitated because the operating forces applied to the conveyor roller due to the tensioning of the belt are no longer present. However, the tensioning assembly can also be used without the conveyor roller assembly and still provide the aforementioned advantageous effects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] In the following description, the present invention will be described in more detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0036] Figure 1 is a side view of a portion of a conveyor roller assembly according to the present invention,

[0037] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A side view of a portion of a side member of a conveyor roller assembly,

[0038] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A partial perspective view of a conveyor roller of the conveyor roller assembly shown,

[0039] Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a side view of another side member of the conveyor roller assembly according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Figure 1 1 is a side view of a portion of a conveyor roller assembly 1 according to the present invention. The conveyor roller 10 comprising a roller body 12 and a shaft 14 is supported by a side member 22 ( Figure 1 Only one side member 22 is shown in the figure. In order to support the shaft 14, a recess 30 is formed in the side member 22. The recess 30 is recessed in the up-down direction UD from the upper edge portion 24 of the side member 22. The recess 30 extends from the free end portion 32 to the closed end portion 34 via the connecting portion 36. The outline of the recess 30 defines an edge portion 38. The recess 30 is provided so that the axial end portion ( Figure 1 The first axial end portion 14a) can be inserted from the free end portion 32 to the closed end portion 34 via the connecting portion 36. Figure 1 In the embodiment, the axial end portion 14a of the shaft 14 abuts against the edge portion of the closed end portion 34, thereby being supported in the recess 30. The conveyor roller assembly 1 is used in a conveyor system. During use of the conveyor system, an operating force F is applied to the shaft 14. If, for example, the conveyor system is a belt conveyor system, the belt is fed around the conveyor roller 10. Since the belt is in a tensioned state, the belt moves in the direction D. F Imposition Figure 1 The operating force F causes a torque to be applied to the shaft 14. In order to prevent the conveying roller 10 from being removed from the recess 30, the free end portion 32 is rotated in the direction D of the operating force F. F Opposite direction D OF Longitudinally offset relative to the closed end portion 34 .

[0041] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A side view of a portion of the side member 22 of the conveyor roller assembly 1. The drive roller 10 is removed from the recess 30. As described above, the recess 30 extends from the free end portion 32 via the connecting portion 36 to the closed end portion 34. Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the edge portion 36a of the connecting portion 36 extends along a straight line L between the free end portion 32 and the closed end portion 34. The line L is inclined at an angle α with respect to the up-down direction UD.

[0042] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The figure shows a partial perspective view of the conveyor roller 10 of the conveyor roller assembly 1. As described above, the conveyor roller 10 includes a roller body 12 and a shaft 14. According to the conveyor roller 10 of this embodiment, the roller body 12 is rotatable relative to the shaft 14. The shaft 14 of the conveyor roller 10 is fixed to the support structure 20 so as to be non-rotatable relative to the support structure 20 by forming the axial end portions 14a, 14b of the shaft 14 and the closed end portion 34 of the recess 30 to be mutually compatible, so that the axial end portions 14a, 14b of the shaft and the recess 30 can be engaged with each other in a non-rotatable manner.

[0043] Figure 4 FIG. 2 is a side view of the other side member 22 of the conveyor roller assembly 1 according to the present invention. Figure 4 The side member 22 and Figure 1 and Figure 2 The side member of the embodiment is different in the form of the recess 30. As in the above embodiment, the recess 30 is recessed from the upper edge portion 24 of the side member 22 in the up-down direction UD. The recess 30 extends from the free end portion 32 via the connecting portion 36 toward the closed end portion 34, which is provided for supporting one of the axial end portions 14a, 14b of the shaft 14. However, unlike Figure 1 and Figure 2 Compared to the recess 30 of the side member 22 of the embodiment of the embodiment, the edge portion 36a of the connecting portion 36 of the recess 30 does not extend in a straight line, but includes a curved portion C that is curved in the direction of the operating force F applied to the axial end portions 14a, 14b of the shaft 14 during use of the conveyor system. In this way, the closed end portion 34 is longitudinally in the direction D opposite to the operating force F. OF The shaft 14 is further offset relative to the closed end portion 34. Therefore, even if a strong force F is applied to the shaft 14, the shaft 14 will not move out of the recess 30.

[0044] Reference Signs List

[0045] 1 Conveyor roller assembly

[0046] 10 conveyor rollers

[0047] 12 Roller

[0048] 14 axes

[0049] 14a First axial end portion

[0050] 14b Second axial end portion

[0051] 20 Support structure

[0052] 22 side members

[0053] 24 Upper edge

[0054] 30 concavity

[0055] 32 Free end portion

[0056] 34 closed end section

[0057] 36 Connection part

[0058] 36a Edge of the connecting portion

[0059] 38 edge

[0060] 100 conveyor belt

[0061] F Operating force

[0062] D OF In the opposite direction to the operating force F

[0063] D F Direction of operating force F

[0064] L Line

[0065] UD Up and down direction

[0066] α Tilt angle

[0067] C curved part

Claims

1. A conveyor roller assembly (1) for a conveyor system, the conveyor roller assembly (1) comprising: A conveying roller (10) having a cylindrical roller body (12) and an axial shaft (14), wherein the shaft (14) has a first axial end portion (14a) and a second axial end portion (14b), A support structure (20) for supporting a shaft (14) of a conveying roller (10), the support structure (20) having two side members (22) laterally opposite to each other, each side member (22) including a recess (30), the two recesses (30) laterally opposite to each other, each recess (30) being recessed from an upper edge portion (24) of a corresponding side member (22) in an up-down direction (UD), so that each recess (30) includes: a free end portion (32) near the upper edge portion (24) of the support structure (20) to allow one of the axial end portions (14a, 14b) of the shaft (14) to be embedded from above; a closed end portion (34) for supporting the embedded axial end portion (14a, 14b) of the shaft (14); and a connecting portion (36) connecting the free end portion (32) and the closed end portion (34), It is characterized in that The conveyor belt around the conveyor roller (10) is moved along a direction (D F ) applies an operating force (F), and for each recess (30), the free end portion (32) of the recess moves in a direction (D) opposite to the operating force (F) OF ) is longitudinally offset relative to the closed end portion (34) of the recess, and the operating force (F) causes the corresponding axial end portions (14a, 14b) of the shaft (14) to bias against the edge portion (38) of the recess.

2. The conveyor roller assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The two recesses (30) have the same shape.

3. The conveyor roller assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The roller body (12) is rotatable relative to the shaft (14).

4. The conveyor roller assembly according to claim 3, wherein: The axial end portions (14a, 14b) of the shaft (14) are adapted to allow the shaft (14) to be non-rotatably arranged within the recess (30) relative to the support structure (20).

5. The conveyor roller assembly according to claim 4, wherein: The axial end portions (14a, 14b) of the shaft (14) and the closed end portion (34) of the recess (30) are formed to cooperate with each other so that the axial end portions (14a, 14b) of the shaft (14) and the recess (30) are non-rotatably engaged with each other.

6. The conveyor roller assembly according to claim 1, wherein: An edge portion (36a) of a connection portion (36) of the recess (30) extends along a straight line (L) which is inclined relative to an up-down direction (UD) between a free end portion (32) and a closed end portion (34).

7. The conveyor roller assembly according to claim 6, wherein: The inclination angle α of the straight line (L) relative to the up-down direction (UD) is α≥15°.

8. The conveyor roller assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The edge portion (36a) of the connecting portion (36) of the recess (30) includes a curved portion (C) which is curved in the direction (D) of the operating force (F). F ) bend upward.

9. The conveyor roller assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The conveying roller (10) is a feed roller or a discharge roller.

10. A belt conveyor system comprising a conveyor roller assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims and a conveyor belt (100).

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