Direct drive roller for modular conveyor belt

Abstract

A direct drive drum (100) for a modular conveyor belt (180) comprises a drum rotation axis, a plurality of support elements (110) and a plurality of direct drive elements (120). Each support element (110) has a belt support surface (111) on a side facing away from the drum rotation axis. Each direct drive element (120) is arranged at a distance from each of the support elements (110) along a circumferential direction (106) of the direct drive drum. In this way, a tension that occurs in a collapsed phase of the modular conveyor belt (180) within the modular conveyor belt (180) and between the modular conveyor belt (180) and the direct drive drum (100) can be reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a direct-drive roller for a modular conveyor belt and a conveying system including such a direct-drive roller and a modular conveyor belt. Background Technology

[0002] Forced drive systems for helical conveyors, also known as direct drive systems, are known from US 2017 / 0022012A1 and related patent applications US2018 / 0290833A1 and US 2019 / 0308817A1, in which drive elements—particularly in the form of corrugated ribs and cage bars forming part of a drive roller—engage and drive the modular conveyor belt, but also support it. The drive roller may also include a continuous circumferential ring extending between the ends of the ribs and the inlet end of the roller, thereby connecting the drive elements and providing a belt support surface.

[0003] WO 2013 / 142136A1 discloses a similar forced drive system in which combined drive and support elements engage to drive and support a modular conveyor belt. Additional support elements can be arranged between these combined drive and support elements.

[0004] When used to drive modular conveyor belts (in this document, "modular" refers to a system consisting of multiple individual conveyor belt modules), a technical problem encountered with such known forced or direct drive systems is that they do not allow sufficient slippage between the drive rollers and the conveyor belt, thus generating unwanted tension in the modular conveyor belt. This tension occurs particularly during changes in the direction of motion or belt travel of the modular conveyor belt.

[0005] When the direct-drive roller forces the conveyor belt from a linear direction of travel into a circular direction of travel—for example, circumferentially around the direct-drive roller in a helical conveyor system—the individual belt modules of the modular conveyor belt are forced together toward their (inner) ends, which are close to and supported by the direct-drive roller, and forced apart toward their (outer) ends, which are away from the direct-drive roller. Therefore, during this "collapse phase," the distance between the individual belt modules needs to change, while the distance between the individual drive elements of the drive roller (which engage the conveyor belt at or between its individual belt modules) remains constant. The simultaneous forced coming together and separation of the belt modules creates tension within the modular conveyor belt and between the modular conveyor belt and the direct-drive roller.

[0006] When the modular conveyor belt changes from a circular to a linear direction of travel as it leaves the direct drive roller during the disengagement phase, each belt module needs to be realigned and detached from the outer surface. This is especially important for the drive components of the direct drive roller, which also generate tension. Sometimes the tension at the exit point is too low and should be increased slightly. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a direct-drive roller that better controls the tension generated within the modular conveyor belt, particularly the tension generated during the collapse phase of the modular conveyor belt, and advantageously also the tension generated during the disengagement phase of the modular conveyor belt.

[0008] This objective is achieved by providing a direct-drive roller for a modular conveyor belt according to independent claim 1 and a conveyor system including such a direct-drive roller according to independent claim 13. Independent claim 15 defines a method for manufacturing a direct-drive roller for a modular conveyor belt. Particularly advantageous embodiments of the invention are derived from the dependent claims.

[0009] The core of this invention lies in the following: a direct-drive roller for a modular conveyor belt, comprising: a roller rotation axis; a plurality of support elements, each support element having a support surface on a side remote from and pointing away from the roller rotation axis; and a plurality of direct-drive elements. None of the direct-drive elements includes a support surface on a side remote from and pointing away from the roller rotation axis. Each direct-drive element is arranged separately from and at a distance from each of the support elements along the circumferential direction of the direct-drive roller.

[0010] It has been found that by separating the direct drive elements (e.g., including drive ribs) from the support elements (e.g., implemented as cage bars or additional support bars or plates on cages or cage bars) on the direct drive cage or direct drive roller of a screw conveyor system (in the circumferential or rotational direction of the direct drive cage or roller), tension during the collapse phase can be reduced or even avoided. Therefore, it has been found advantageous to separate the support function from the drive function (in the circumferential or rotational direction of the direct drive cage or roller) by having a first plurality of elements for performing the support function and a second plurality of elements for performing the drive function, wherein the second plurality of elements are different from the first plurality of elements and are spatially separated.

[0011] It has also been found that during the disengagement phase, separating the support function of the individual components on the direct drive roller from the direct drive function (in the circumferential or rotational direction of the direct drive cage or roller), and thus reducing the number of direct drive components engaged with the modular conveyor belt, can advantageously reduce the force transmitted from the direct drive roller to the modular conveyor belt and facilitate the realignment of the belt modules. Reducing the number of direct drive components engaged with the modular conveyor belt reduces the attachment of the modular conveyor belt to the direct drive roller and thus helps to release the modular conveyor belt from the direct drive roller.

[0012] The direct drive roller according to the present invention is a type of direct drive roller that directly or forcibly engages a modular conveyor belt by pressing against at least one of the belt modules of the modular conveyor belt, rather than by relying solely on friction between the direct drive roller and at least one belt module of the modular conveyor belt.

[0013] The modular conveyor belt according to the invention comprises (single) belt modules, wherein adjacent belt modules are connected to each other. In radial / radial or helical (modular) conveyor belts, the interconnection of belt modules allows the belt modules to rotate or twist relative to each other at least to a certain extent in two directions perpendicular to the belt travel direction: for example, adjacent belt modules can be connected by inserting link ends, wherein the inserted link ends are coupled by pivot rods extending through slots in the link ends, the slots allowing the pivot rods to move to a certain extent in the belt travel direction and the opposite direction, thereby forming a slightly flexible connection, i.e., allowing the belt modules to move slightly relative to each other.

[0014] The direct-drive roller can engage the modular conveyor belt by protruding in the free space between two adjacent belt modules, for example, by protruding in the gap, notch, or groove between two adjacent belt modules of the modular conveyor belt.

[0015] The free space between two adjacent belt modules can also be provided between two protrusions or cams extending from the ends of the belt modules facing the direct drive roller and its outermost surface. The direct drive roller engages the conveyor belt by engaging at least one of the cams extending from the belt module, for example by pressing against at least one of the cams extending from the belt module. Some cams may contact the belt support surface of the support element of the direct drive roller at certain stages. The belt module may have one or more cams at its roller-facing end, preferably one or two cams, and most preferably one cam. The cam(s) may be the only portion(s) of each belt module that is in direct contact with and thus supported by the belt support surface of the support element of the direct drive roller.

[0016] A direct-drive roller includes a roller rotation axis about which the roller rotates or turns when driving a modular conveyor belt. The roller rotation axis is a geometric or imaginary axis of rotation, which is a geometric central axis extending through the center of each of the (imaginary) top and bottom circular regions of the roller and extending over the entire height of the roller. For example, in cases where the direct-drive roller is mounted on and supported and / or driven by a turntable (e.g., characterized by a circumferential gear ring), drive disc, or cogwheel, the rotation axis (or axis of rotation) may not be a mechanical component or element. However, a direct-drive roller may have a rotation axis in the form of a mechanical component for supporting and / or driving the direct-drive roller; for example, one or more bearings, sprockets, and / or cogwheels are attached to one or both ends of the rotation axis.

[0017] The support element according to the invention is a structural component (forming part of the surface structure of a direct-drive roller) and has a support surface pointing outward in a radial direction away from the roller's axis of rotation, thereby contacting and supporting the modular conveyor belt at a given point in time. The support surface may form part of the outermost surface of the direct-drive roller. The support element may have different shapes, such as rectangular or bar shapes. The length of the support element (along its longest or longitudinal axis) is several times larger than the width or diameter of the support element, for example, the length:width, or length:diameter ratio of the support element is 5:1 to 100:1, preferably 10:1 to 100:1, more preferably 10:1 to 25:1. The width or diameter of the support element is typically 30 mm to 150 mm. The length of the support element can be up to 8 m or more, depending on the height of the direct-drive roller. It is preferred that each support element (along its longitudinal axis) extends upward from the lower support end to the upper support end (such that the length of the support element defines the height of the direct-drive roller or a portion thereof). The support element may have one or more chamfered edges that are not used as part of the support surface. At a specific location along the circumference of the direct-drive roller, there may be a single support element extending continuously between the bottom and top of the direct-drive roller; alternatively, this location may be occupied by two or more separate support elements arranged in a line between the bottom and top of the direct-drive roller. These separate support elements may be arranged adjacent to each other, such that two adjacent support elements may contact or separate from each other, for example, by having a gap or seal between two adjacent support elements.

[0018] The lower support end may be at the same level as the bottom or bottom end of the direct drive roller, or, in the case where the bottom of the direct drive roller does not include any of the support elements and / or direct drive elements for supporting, engaging and driving the modular conveyor belt, but includes other components, such as components for mounting, supporting and / or driving the direct drive roller, such as a turntable (e.g., characterized by a circumferential gear ring), drive disc, gear, sprocket and / or bearing, the lower support end may be near the bottom of the direct drive roller.

[0019] The upper support end may be the top or top of the direct drive roller, or, in the case where the top of the direct drive roller does not include any of the support elements and / or direct drive elements for supporting, engaging and driving the modular conveyor belt, but includes other components such as a turntable (e.g., characterized by a circumferential gear ring), drive disc, gear, sprocket and / or bearing, the upper support end may be near the top of the direct drive roller.

[0020] A direct drive element is a structural part (such as a rib, edge, or bar) that forms part of the surface structure of a direct drive roller and engages the modular conveyor belt by temporarily inserting itself or a portion thereof into the free space between two adjacent belt modules (e.g., in the gap, notch, or groove between two adjacent belt modules of a modular conveyor belt), thereby acting as a drive element.

[0021] At a specific location along the circumference of the direct drive roller, there may be a single direct drive element extending continuously between the bottom and top of the roller; alternatively, this location may be occupied by two or more separate direct drive elements arranged in a line between the bottom and top of the roller. These separate direct drive elements may be arranged adjacent to each other, such that two adjacent direct drive elements may be in contact with or separated from each other, for example, by having a gap or seal between two adjacent direct drive elements.

[0022] From the perspective of reducing the complexity of belt module design and the amount of material required to manufacture belt modules, and thus reducing costs, a simple and effective way to engage modular conveyor belts is to use a gap between the long edges or a section of the long edges of two adjacent belt modules, the long edges of which typically intersect the belt travel direction or form an angle of 70° to 90°. In this case, the drive element (e.g., a rib, edge, or bar) should be narrow enough, i.e., have a width that is sufficiently small or smaller than the width of the gap, so that the belt modules can be engaged in the gap by inserting the drive element itself (at least partially) into the gap.

[0023] Alternatively, the free space between two adjacent belt modules can be provided between two protrusions or cams extending from those ends of the belt module facing the direct drive element and / or direct drive roller and / or their outermost surface. In this case, the direct drive element engages the conveyor belt by engaging at least one of the protrusions or cams extending from each belt module, for example by pressing against the protrusions or cams.

[0024] The cam can contact the belt support surface of the support element of the direct-drive roller. At its roller-facing end, each belt module can have one or more cams, preferably one or two cams, and most preferably one cam. The cam(s) can be the only portion(s) of each belt module that is in direct contact with and thus supported by one or at least one support surface of the support element of the direct-drive roller.

[0025] Therefore, the direct drive element directly drives the modular conveyor belt by engaging its belt modules rather than through friction or frictional force transmission. To engage the belt modules, the direct drive element can extend radially away from the axis of rotation of the rollers and protrude beyond the adjacent support element. This means that the protrusion (height) of the direct drive element extends at least beyond the horizontal height of the belt support surface of the adjacent support element, offering the advantage of direct force transmission compared to frictional force transmission involving frictional losses.

[0026] However, the direct drive element does not need to protrude beyond the horizontal level of the support surface of the adjacent support element over the entire height or distance between the bottom and top of the direct drive roller or over the entire length of the direct drive element. Instead, it is advantageous for the direct drive element, as previously described, to protrude only in certain sections of the direct drive roller (such as the engagement section and the direct drive section) and not in other sections, such as the collapse section and the disengagement section, i.e., those sections where it is expected or necessary to allow the modular conveyor belt to slip or a certain amount of slippage in order to prevent (excessive) tension within the modular conveyor belt.

[0027] One or more individual sections of a direct-drive roller can be defined. A section of a direct-drive roller is a portion of the roller that extends vertically or in a vertical direction (i.e., along and / or parallel to the roller's axis of rotation) at a certain height of the direct-drive roller, and extends circumferentially or in a circumferential direction around the direct-drive roller; therefore, this section can also be more accurately referred to as a "height section" or a "vertical section." At a specific circumferential location of the direct-drive roller, a section of the direct-drive roller may include:

[0028] - In cases where the component extends in one piece from the bottom to the top of the direct-drive roller (or vice versa), a specific portion or section of the support element or direct-drive element in the longitudinal direction of the component; or

[0029] - In the case of using multiple individual elements along the entire height of a direct-drive roller, one or more support elements or direct-drive elements in the direction from the bottom to the top (or vice versa) of the direct-drive roller.

[0030] Within a section of the direct-drive drum, the support element may have one or more specific properties different from those of the support element in the rest of the direct-drive drum or in at least one other section of the direct-drive drum. Within a section, the direct-drive element may have one or more specific properties different from those of the direct-drive element in the rest of the direct-drive drum or in at least one other section of the direct-drive drum. For example, these properties may be the size or dimensions (length, width, height) of the support element and / or the direct-drive element, particularly its position, such as the angle between the support surface and the drum's axis of rotation or vertical axis, and / or the height of the direct-drive element or its drive ribs or protrusions.

[0031] In a preferred aspect of the invention, the plurality of support elements define a support surface on the outermost periphery of the direct drive roller.

[0032] This arrangement advantageously achieves direct contact between the direct drive roller and the modular conveyor belt, and the rotational symmetry design of the direct drive roller ensures smooth driving of the modular conveyor belt through the rotation of the direct drive roller, and prevents the modular conveyor belt from moving laterally beyond the direction of travel.

[0033] The outermost circumferential surface of the direct drive roller is the outermost circumferential roller surface that supports the modular conveyor belt, and thus corresponds to the sum of the supporting surfaces of the supporting elements.

[0034] The geometry of the support element and the direct drive element, and / or one or more of the following geometries between the support element and the direct drive element, contribute to the advantageous uniform or equal distribution of the forces applied to the direct drive roller and / or the modular conveyor belt:

[0035] (i) The support element (the longitudinal axis) extends along a straight line or curve from the bottom, bottom section or bottom end of the direct drive roller to the top, top section or top end of the direct drive roller.

[0036] (ii) The support element, together with other support elements, extends along a straight line or curve from the bottom, bottom section or bottom end of the direct drive roller to the top, top section or top end of the direct drive roller;

[0037] (iii) The longitudinal axis of the direct drive element extends along a straight line or curve from the bottom, bottom section or bottom end of the direct drive drum to the top, top section or top end of the direct drive drum;

[0038] (iv) The direct drive element, together with other direct drive elements, extends along a straight line or curve from the bottom, bottom section or bottom end of the direct drive drum to the top, top section or top end of the direct drive drum;

[0039] (v) (in the circumferential direction of the direct drive roller, after or before the direct drive element) each direct drive element (the longitudinal axis) extends parallel to each support element (the longitudinal axis);

[0040] (vi) (In the circumferential direction of the direct drive roller, after or before the direct drive element) The longitudinal axis of each direct drive element extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the straight section of each support element.

[0041] (vii) The support element and the direct drive element are arranged such that the longitudinal axis of the straight section of the support element (i.e., the section that is not curved like the skirt section of the direct drive roller) and the longitudinal axis of the direct drive element are coaxially aligned with the roller rotation axis.

[0042] (viii) The direct drive element extends at equal intervals along the entire length of the element to two adjacent support elements on both sides of the direct drive element;

[0043] (ix) The support elements and direct drive elements are arranged rotationally symmetrically about the roller rotation axis; and / or

[0044] (x) Multiple support elements and multiple direct drive elements together form a circle or regular polygon, the geometric center of which is on the axis of rotation of the drum.

[0045] Advantageously, the support elements and the direct drive elements are arranged in an alternating sequence along the circumferential direction of the direct drive roller according to the invention, wherein each support element is followed by one to five direct drive elements, preferably one direct drive element, and each direct drive element is followed by one to five support elements, preferably one support element.

[0046] This alternating sequence of support and drive elements ensures that the modular conveyor belt is driven in a stable and smooth manner, because the modular conveyor belt is simultaneously adequately supported and driven, thereby avoiding abrupt movements of the modular conveyor belt in the belt travel direction and / or lateral movement of the modular conveyor belt beyond the belt travel direction.

[0047] The support elements and direct drive elements are advantageously arranged in the circumferential direction of the direct drive roller, wherein the spacing between two adjacent elements has a width equal to or less than the width of one of the support elements, but at least the width of one of the drive elements (to allow some free movement of the continuous belt modules relative to each other and a compact arrangement of the elements, resulting in a compact design of the direct drive roller).

[0048] The support element among the plurality of support elements may be a bar or plate, and has a support surface on a side away from and pointing away from the axis of rotation of the roller, wherein the support surface is preferably a flat surface or a convex surface. One advantage of this aspect of the invention is that the support element improves the guidance and / or support of the modular conveyor belt, wherein the flat or convex surface distributes contact or support pressure to minimize the load or stress on the modular conveyor belt, the support element itself, and the direct drive roller machinery; it bears the loads acting on the modular conveyor belt in the direction toward the axis of rotation of the roller and on the circumferential surface away from the direct drive element toward the direct drive roller. This allows the direct drive element to be more specifically designed for engaging the direct drive roller, for example, characterized by relatively narrow drive ribs or ridges, and thus facilitates engagement of the modular conveyor belt in (narrow) gaps, such as the gap between two modules, but less for supporting the modular conveyor belt or the individual modules of the modular conveyor belt.

[0049] The support element among multiple support elements can be designed as a bar, particularly a T-bar, plate, or sheet. The support element can be made of plastic or metal, preferably plastic. Plastic bars, particularly plastic T-bars, plastic plates, or plastic sheets are preferred. The support element preferably features a support surface pointing away from the axis of rotation of the roller, particularly towards the modular conveyor belt, for supporting and / or guiding the modular conveyor belt. The support surface can be made of plastic or metal, or comprise plastic or metal, preferably plastic, while the remainder of the support element can be made of metal. Suitable plastic materials are abrasion-resistant plastic materials, such as polyacetal, polycarbonate, HDPE (high-density polyethylene), polyamide, PEEK (polyetherketone), and UHMW-PE (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene).

[0050] The direct drive element among the plurality of direct drive elements may include a drive rib extending in a radial direction away from the axis of rotation of the roller, and / or protruding beyond an adjacent support element in at least one section of the direct drive roller. An advantage of this aspect of the invention is that the direct drive element is more specifically designed for engaging modular conveyor belts, for example, characterized by relatively narrow drive ribs, and thus facilitates engagement of the modular conveyor belt in (narrow) gaps, such as the gap between two belt modules. A design selected from the group consisting of blades, edges, ridges, inserts, T-bars, and the ends of a row of bars can be chosen instead of a drive rib to achieve the same effect. To improve or optimize engagement with the modular conveyor belt, the direct drive element may advantageously taper in a direction away from the axis of rotation of the roller.

[0051] The direct-drive element, or at least its drive ribs or its surface, can be made of plastic (polymer) or metal, preferably metal, and most preferably steel. The direct-drive element can also advantageously be made of a combination of plastic and steel to achieve a balance between durability and reduced friction and / or cost. A particularly advantageous material combination is the use of steel for the engagement section (to improve the durability of this section exposed to increased levels of mechanical wear) and further up, plastic, especially in the direct-drive section (to reduce friction). In terms of the height section of the direct-drive roller covered by its support elements and the direct-drive element, the direct-drive section is typically larger than or even much larger than the engagement section. Therefore, at any given time, a longer or even much longer section of the modular conveyor belt contacts the direct-drive section compared to the engagement section. With the same material in both sections of the direct-drive element, this will result in significantly greater friction between the direct-drive roller and the modular conveyor belt in the direct-drive section than in the engagement section. By using a different material in the direct drive section than in the engagement section for the direct drive elements or at least their drive ribs or their surfaces, the higher amount of friction in the direct drive section can be reduced or compensated for. This material has a lower coefficient of friction associated with modular conveyor belts, such as a plastic material.

[0052] In some sections of the direct-drive roller, the direct-drive element may protrude completely (i.e., over the entire height of the rib), partially (i.e., only over a portion of the rib height), or not at all beyond the adjacent support element. In some sections of the direct-drive roller, the amount of protrusion (i.e., the height of the protrusion) may vary, i.e., increase and / or decrease.

[0053] In cases where the direct drive element protrudes beyond the adjacent support element in at least one section of the direct drive roller, the direct drive element preferably protrudes beyond the supported surface of the adjacent support element in at least one section of the direct drive roller, particularly by a protrusion height exceeding the supported surface of the adjacent support element.

[0054] The direct-drive roller according to the invention may include a lower skirt section extending upward from the lower support end of the direct-drive roller, the skirt section including a top edge at a height below the upper support end of the direct-drive roller, wherein in the skirt section, the support surface of the support element is arranged at an angle (skirt angle, ramp angle) relative to the roller rotation axis, the angle being 0.5° to 30°, preferably 0.5° to 15°, more preferably 0.5° to 10°, even more preferably 0.5° to 7.5°, and most preferably 0.5° to 5°, for example 1° or 3.5°. The skirt angle opens downward toward the bottom of the direct-drive roller. The portion of the support element extending on the skirt section may be referred to as the skirt portion of the support element. Therefore, the skirt angle is also the angle between the support surface of the skirt portion of the support element and the roller rotation axis. The skirt angle may remain constant or vary on the skirt section or skirt portion of the support element.

[0055] The advantage of having a skirt section is that it is done in a smoother way:

[0056] - The direct-drive roller engages with the incoming modular conveyor belt; and

[0057] - The modular conveyor belt is bent, and at the same time forced from linear motion (straight alignment) to circular motion around the direct drive roller (circular alignment).

[0058] Due to the skirt angle, the diameter of the direct-drive roller increases in the skirt section towards its bottom (which is why the skirt section can also be called a "tapered section"), where the modular conveyor belt is fed (in part) into and approaches the direct-drive roller. When the modular conveyor belt is forced from a generally straight direction of motion into a curved or even circular direction of motion, i.e., into a bend (around the direct-drive roller), bending occurs in the lateral direction (lateral or perpendicular to the belt travel direction) and towards the direct-drive roller. This requires adjacent belt modules to rotate or twist relative to each other at least to some extent in the lateral direction: for example, adjacent belt modules can be connected by inserting link ends, where the insert link end is engaged by a pivot rod extending through a slot in the link end, the slot allowing the pivot rod to move to some extent in the belt travel direction and the opposite direction, thus forming a slightly flexible connection. Alternative flexible connections between adjacent belt modules, such as by clamping, are also possible. Flexible connections allow individual belt modules to move slightly relative to each other, and thus allow the modular conveyor belt, or a section thereof, to be bent to fit as close as possible to the direct-drive roller. The larger diameter of the direct-drive roller within the skirt section results in a larger circumference of the direct-drive roller, leading to a reduction in the initial bending of the modular conveyor belt at the bottom of the direct-drive roller and in the skirt section, particularly compared to the bending within the direct-drive section. This reduction in bending is accompanied by a decrease in the amount of change in the orientation of the individual modules of the modular conveyor belt relative to each other, thus reducing the tension within the modular conveyor belt, the amount (value) of tension between the individual modules, and the tension between the modular conveyor belt and the direct-drive roller. As the belt moves upward along the skirt section, the reduction in tension on the outermost modules is caused by the diameter change. Since the rows of modules are positioned after engagement with the drive element, the tension on the outermost links is released as they move toward a smaller diameter, or in other words, they move closer to each other.

[0059] The direct drive element can extend into the skirt section. This arrangement provides the following benefits: It increases the protrusion or height of the direct drive element beyond the adjacent support element by varying the distance from the lower support end and / or from the bottom of the direct drive roller and / or along the direction toward the top of the skirt section, thereby increasing the protrusion height of the direct drive element beyond the adjacent support element. Changing the protrusion or height of the direct drive element beyond the adjacent support element, especially if done gradually or slowly, has the advantage of causing a delay until the direct drive element and thus the direct drive roller fully engage the modular conveyor belt, allowing the modules of the modular conveyor belt to move freely relative to each other. This means that the modules can be reoriented from their linear alignment to a circular alignment as needed, and the amount (value) of tension within the modular conveyor belt, the tension between the individual modules of the modular conveyor belt, and the tension between the modular conveyor belt and the direct drive roller is reduced or does not accumulate.

[0060] Preferably, the direct-drive element protrudes beyond the supported surface of the adjacent support element, and in particular has a protrusion height.

[0061] The direct-drive roller according to the invention may include a collapsing section and an adjacent joining section, wherein in the collapsing section no direct-drive element protrudes beyond an adjacent support element in a radial direction opposite to the roller's axis of rotation, and in the adjacent joining section at least one of the direct-drive elements extends beyond the adjacent support element in a radial direction opposite to the roller's axis of rotation. The collapsing section may extend from the bottom, bottom section, or bottom end of the direct-drive roller, or from the top, top section, or top end of the direct-drive roller. The collapsing section and the joining section may form part of a skirt section, or may form a skirt section in which case the collapsing section extends from the lower support end of the skirt section.

[0062] The direct-drive element has a protrusion height exceeding that of the adjacent support element in a radial direction away from the axis of rotation of the roller. This protrusion height advantageously increases, at least in a portion of the engagement section, in a direction away from the collapse section. This arrangement of the collapse section and the adjacent engagement section provides the benefit that the protrusion height of the direct-drive element exceeding that of the adjacent support element increases (gradually or slowly) with increasing distance from the collapse section of the direct-drive roller. Within the collapse section, the modular conveyor belt initially contacts the direct-drive roller, and the modules of the modular conveyor belt begin to be reoriented, i.e., the modular conveyor belt is fed into the direct-drive roller (therefore, the collapse section can also be referred to as the "feed section"). Accordingly,

[0063] - The direct-drive component roller has no protrusions in the collapsed section, and

[0064] - Increase the amount or height of the protrusion of the direct drive element beyond the adjacent support element, especially if performed gradually or slowly, in adjacent engagement sections of the direct drive roller.

[0065] It has the following advantages: it causes a delay until the direct drive element and thus the direct drive roller fully engage the modular conveyor belt, thereby allowing the modules of the modular conveyor belt to move freely relative to each other. In this way, the belt modules can be reoriented from their linear alignment to a circular alignment as needed, and the amount (value) of tension within the modular conveyor belt, the tension between the individual modules of the modular conveyor belt, and the tension between the modular conveyor belt and the direct drive roller is reduced or does not accumulate.

[0066] At least in a portion of the engagement section of the direct-drive roller according to the invention, the height of the protrusion of the direct-drive element can be reduced in the direction away from the collapse section. This reduction in the height of the protrusion (beyond the supporting surface of the adjacent supporting element), particularly to the point of having no protrusion (beyond the supporting surface of the adjacent supporting element), has the advantage of reducing the number of drive elements of the (fully) engaged modular conveyor belt in the circumferential direction of the direct-drive roller, thereby allowing the modules of the modular conveyor belt to move more relative to each other, and thus better reorienting and / or reducing tension within the modular conveyor belt.

[0067] In the joint section, the protrusion height of the direct drive component may be:

[0068] - Only increase in the direction away from the collapsed section;

[0069] - It only decreases in the direction away from the collapsed section;

[0070] - Increase first and then decrease in the direction away from the collapsed section;

[0071] - First decrease and then increase in the direction away from the collapsed section;

[0072] - Increase and decrease in the direction away from the collapsed section; or

[0073] - Increase at least once and decrease at least once in the direction away from the collapsed section.

[0074] The direct-drive roller according to the invention may include a direct-drive section adjacent to the engagement section, in which at least one of the direct-drive elements has a constant protrusion height exceeding that of the adjacent support element in a radial direction opposite to the roller's axis of rotation. The direct-drive section with its direct-drive elements functions to fully engage and thus drive the modular conveyor belt, with the advantage of reliably driving the modular conveyor belt from a section of the direct-drive roller specifically designed for driving and supporting it. Preferably, the direct-drive elements protrude with a constant protrusion height within the direct-drive section, such that the direct-drive elements of the direct-drive section fully and uniformly engage the modular conveyor belt, advantageously allowing for a substantially uniform and consistent force transmission from the direct-drive roller to the modular conveyor belt.

[0075] Preferably, the direct drive section is located near the joint section and directly above the joint section.

[0076] The direct-drive roller according to the invention may include a disengagement section in which no direct-drive element protrudes beyond an adjacent support element in a radial direction opposite to the roller's axis of rotation. In other words, the direct-drive roller according to the invention may include a disengagement section in which each support element has a support surface:

[0077] - Protruding beyond the adjacent direct drive element or its drive rib; or

[0078] - Aligned with the adjacent direct drive element or its drive rib, especially with the outermost edge of the drive rib of the adjacent direct drive element (i.e., the adjacent drive rib) in the radial direction away from the axis of rotation of the drum.

[0079] Due to this arrangement, the direct-drive elements within the detachment section do not engage the modular conveyor belt. The function of the detachment section is to prepare the modular conveyor belt for release from the direct-drive rollers and ultimately for release from there. Therefore, the absence of protrusions of direct-drive elements in the detachment section results in no direct-drive elements engaging the modular conveyor belt; that is, the direct-drive elements do not transmit force to the modular conveyor belt (by pressing against the individual modules). In other words, in the detachment section, each module of the modular conveyor belt is supported by the direct-drive rollers but not engaged with a direct-drive element. This advantageously facilitates the release of the modular conveyor belt from the direct-drive rollers and the realignment of its modules from circular alignment to linear alignment.

[0080] Therefore, during the disengagement phase, the force transmitted from the direct drive roller to the conveyor belt can be advantageously reduced, and the realignment of the belt modules is facilitated by reducing the number of direct drive elements and drive ribs that engage the modular conveyor belt. This also reduces the attachment of the modular conveyor belt to the direct drive roller and thus helps the modular conveyor belt to be released from the direct drive roller.

[0081] The direct-drive roller according to the present invention may include an upper skirt section. The direct-drive roller may include an upper skirt section without a lower skirt section or an upper skirt section attached to a lower skirt section. The direct-drive roller may include a lower skirt section without a lower skirt section or a lower skirt section attached to a lower skirt section.

[0082] In the upper skirt section, the support surface of the support element forms an angle (skirt angle or ramp angle) relative to the axis of rotation of the roller. The skirt angle opens upward toward the top of the direct-drive roller. The skirt angle or ramp angle relative to the axis of rotation of the roller can be from 0.5° to 30°, preferably from 0.5° to 15°, more preferably from 0.5° to 10°, even more preferably from 0.5° to 7.5°, and most preferably from 0.5° to 5°, for example 1° or 3.5°.

[0083] The upper skirt section, which may include collapse and / or joining sections, can help with the joining of a modular conveyor belt that is being fed to the direct drive rollers from the top and running downwards.

[0084] Alternatively, when the modular conveyor belt is running upwards, an upper skirt section that may include a detachment section can help detach the modular conveyor belt from the direct drive rollers on the top side or unfold it.

[0085] In one aspect of the invention,

[0086] - The upper skirt section includes a collapse and / or engagement section, and helps engage the modular conveyor belt fed to the upper part of the direct-drive roller (specifically to its upper skirt section); and

[0087] - It may include a lower skirt section that helps the modular conveyor belt to separate or unfold from the bottom of the direct drive roller, specifically from its lower skirt section.

[0088] Conversely, in another aspect of the invention,

[0089] - This may include an upper skirt section that helps the modular conveyor belt detach or unfold from the top of the direct-drive rollers, particularly from its upper skirt section; and

[0090] - The lower skirt section includes a collapse and / or engagement section and helps engage the modular conveyor belt that is fed to the lower part of the direct drive roller (specifically to its lower skirt section).

[0091] In cases where the skirt section is a second skirt section used to assist in disengaging the modular conveyor belt, the second skirt section may include a disengagement section. In this case, the disengagement-aiding effect is provided by both the disengagement section and the skirt angle, in which no direct-drive element protrudes beyond the adjacent support element in a radial direction opposite to the roller's rotation axis. This skirt angle is the angle formed by the belt support surface of the support element, as described below. When the modular conveyor belt changes from a circular belt travel direction to a linear belt travel direction as it leaves or unfolds from the direct-drive roller, each belt module needs to be realigned and disengaged from the outer surface, particularly the direct-drive elements disengaging from the direct-drive roller, and from the support elements and their belt support surfaces. Both the realignment of the belt modules and their release from the outer surface of the direct-drive roller are accompanied by tension accumulation between the direct-drive roller and the modular conveyor belt, as well as within the modular conveyor belt itself.

[0092] By continuously increasing the diameter of the direct drive roller in the skirt section and the exit section of the modular conveyor belt that unfolds from and leaves the direct drive roller, the process of realigning the belt modules from an angled or curved orientation to a straight orientation relative to each other can be improved and the orientation can be made smoother.

[0093] Furthermore, this realignment process and the release from the outer surface of the direct-drive roller help reduce the amount (value) of force transmitted from the direct-drive roller to the modular conveyor belt. This can be advantageously achieved by continuously moving the modular conveyor belt away from the direct-drive element (specifically, the drive ribs of the direct-drive element) through the design of the drive element, i.e., by disengaging the angled belt support surfaces in the sections and / or skirt sections. This method particularly reduces the protrusion height of the drive ribs on adjacent belt support surfaces. Simultaneously, the dimensions of the contact surfaces between the drive ribs and the modular conveyor belt continuously decrease, and therefore their adhesion continuously decreases.

[0094] The continuous nature of this process avoids any jolts in the modular conveyor belt that could otherwise be caused by sudden changes in the forces transmitted to it, such as during deployment from the direct-drive rollers. Jolts in the modular conveyor belt can be caused by:

[0095] - Damaging the modular conveyor belt or reducing its service life by causing increased or even excessive mechanical stress on its components; and / or

[0096] - May cause damage and / or spillage of any items and / or liquids transported by the modular conveyor belt.

[0097] The direct-drive roller according to the present invention may include one or more guide rails, such as one, two, three or four guide rails; or one or more guide frames, such as one, two, three or four guide frames, wherein one or more guide rails may form part of each guide frame.

[0098] The modular conveyor belt of the present invention can run on one or more guide rails, preferably two. The guide rails are wound helically around a direct-drive roller and can form part of a guide frame. The guide rails and guide frame (if present) act as supports for the modular conveyor belt, thereby resisting gravity (from below) and optionally also laterally supporting the modular conveyor belt. The guide rails and guide frame (if present) thereby guide the modular conveyor belt around the direct-drive roller and upward or downward. The guide rails and guide frame (if present) can be fixed (e.g., by rods or sprockets) to the direct-drive roller (cage structure) and thus rotate with the direct-drive roller, or fixed to a cage or scaffolding, thereby forming a stationary guide frame that does not rotate with the direct-drive roller.

[0099] When using guide rails, there can be outer guide rails and inner guide rails, with the outer guide rail positioned further away from the roller's rotation axis than the inner guide rail. One or more other guide rails may be positioned between the outer and inner guide rails.

[0100] Independent guide rails and / or support surfaces may have specific cross-sectional profiles, selected from a combination of guide rails with (classic) smooth running surfaces, flat metal strips, and L-shaped profiles or L-shaped profiles.

[0101] Guide slots may be present in the aforementioned contours of the guide rails and / or support surfaces and / or in the modular conveyor belt (of the belt module), the guide slots in the guide rails and support surfaces receiving forks or edges protruding from the belt module of the modular conveyor belt, while the guide slots in the modular conveyor belt (of the belt module) receive the guide rails; the guide slots may provide (additional) lateral guidance for the modular conveyor belt.

[0102] L-shaped profiles or L-shaped profiles can provide lateral guidance themselves (by acting) on ​​the exterior of the modular conveyor belt facing away from the direct drive roller or on its (circumferential) belt support surface, but for additional lateral guidance, L-shaped profiles or L-shaped profiles can also feature guide grooves.

[0103] The present invention also provides a conveying system comprising a direct-drive roller as described herein and a modular conveyor belt as described herein.

[0104] In the transmission system according to the invention, preferably,

[0105] (i) Each support element is as described herein and has a support surface on a side away from and pointing away from the axis of rotation of the roller, at least some of which support the modular conveyor belt; and / or

[0106] (ii) At least some of the direct drive elements are as described herein, and modular conveyors are engaged in the engagement section of the direct drive roller and / or the direct drive section.

[0107] The conveying system is preferably a spiral conveying system, wherein the modular conveyor belt is spiral or helical as it travels upward and around the direct drive roller. In other words, the modular conveyor belt is spiral or helical along its upward and helical path around the direct drive roller.

[0108] Another aspect of the invention is a method for manufacturing a direct-drive roller for a modular conveyor belt by removing some support elements from a roller comprising multiple support elements and replacing each of the removed support elements with a direct-drive element. In this way, an existing roller can be converted into a direct-drive roller according to the invention.

[0109] To further understand the nature and purpose of the invention, reference is made to the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and figures (hereinafter referred to as "Figs." or the singular form "Fig."). Throughout all the drawings, similar features (mechanical elements or components, such as geometric terms like orientation, segment, surface, height, angle, midpoint, etc.) are indicated by similar reference numerals, wherein the reference numerals for similar features in different embodiments differ by one hundred, two hundred, or several hundred between embodiments; for example, in various different embodiments, the direct-drive roller is indicated by reference numerals 100, 500, 600, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, 2100, 2200, 4500, 4600, 4700, 4800, and 4900 indicates that supporting elements are indicated by reference numerals 110, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 1110, 4510, and 4910; direct drive elements are indicated by reference numerals 120, 520, 620, 720, 820, 920, 1020, 1120, 1220, 1320, 1420, 1520, 1620, 1720, 1820, 1920, 2020, 2120, 2220, 4520, 4620, 4720, 4820, and 4920; or collapsed sections are indicated by reference numerals 153, 553, 653, 753, 853, and 953. Therefore, and for the sake of simplicity, features that appear repeatedly in the figures are not necessarily represented in the description used for each individual figure. They can be identified by comparing the last two digits of the reference numerals in the figures with… Figures 1 to 10 The first embodiment is identified by the last two digits of the reference numerals and is fully indicated in the description, or alternatively, another embodiment.

[0110] It should be understood that the various different embodiments described generally and specifically (with respect to one or more figures) and depicted in the figures are compatible with each other and can therefore be combined in accordance with the technical teachings provided herein, and the description of one particular embodiment and / or one or more features of a figure can be used within another embodiment described generally or specifically in the figures and depicted in the figures. Attached Figure Description

[0111] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a spiral conveyor system including a direct-drive roller and a (schematically shown) modular conveyor belt, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0112] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A top view of the spiral conveyor system.

[0113] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the direct-drive roller of the spiral conveyor system.

[0114] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A perspective view of the lower section of the direct-drive roller and a section of the modular conveyor belt.

[0115] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 A side view of a section of the direct-drive roller and modular conveyor belt.

[0116] Figure 6 These are side perspective views of the lower section of the support element and the lower section of the direct drive element, both mounted to... Figures 1 to 5 The cage of the direct-drive roller.

[0117] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 and Figure 2 A partial schematic top view of the spiral conveyor system depicted in the image.

[0118] Figures 8 to 10 It is based on Figures 1 to 7 Partial schematic top view of the spiral conveyor system of the illustrated embodiment at the following different engagement stages:

[0119] Figure 8 The illustration shows a case where the direct drive element of the direct drive roller does not engage with the modular conveyor belt, for example, when the direct drive element does not protrude beyond the adjacent support element, such as in the collapse or disengagement section of the direct drive roller.

[0120] Figure 9The illustration shows a case where the direct drive element of a direct drive roller partially engages with a modular conveyor belt, for example, when the height of the direct drive element beyond the protrusion of the adjacent support element changes (increases or decreases), such as in the engagement section of the direct drive roller.

[0121] Figure 10 The illustration shows a direct drive element of a direct drive roller fully engaged with a modular conveyor belt, for example, at the top of a skirt section or in a direct drive section of the direct drive roller, where the direct drive element protrudes completely beyond the adjacent support element.

[0122] Figure 11 This is a schematic side view of the lower section of a direct-drive roller according to another embodiment.

[0123] Figure 12 Is it like this? Figure 12 A schematic side view of the lower section of the support element and the lower section of the direct drive element of the depicted lower section of the direct drive roller.

[0124] Figure 13 This is a schematic side view of the lower section of a direct-drive roller according to yet another embodiment.

[0125] Figure 14 Is it like this? Figure 14 A schematic side view of the lower section of the support element and the lower section of the direct drive element of the depicted lower section of the direct drive roller.

[0126] Figure 15 , Figure 16 , Figure 17 and Figure 19 Each is a perspective view of the lower section of the support element and the lower section of the direct drive element according to other embodiments of the present invention, wherein Figure 17 The diagram illustrates the relationship with Figure 16 The same embodiment is shown, but a larger segment of the element from the other side is illustrated.

[0127] Figure 18 , Figure 20 , Figure 21 and Figure 22 Each is a perspective view of the lower section of a direct-drive roller according to other embodiments of the present invention, wherein Figure 18 The diagram illustrates the relationship with Figure 16 and Figure 17 The same embodiment, Figure 20 The diagram illustrates the relationship with Figure 19 The same embodiment, and Figure 21 and Figure 22 The diagram illustrates the relationship with Figure 19 and Figure 20 The embodiments shown are closely related to the embodiments, with the only difference being... Figure 21 and 22 The drive rib extensions of the direct drive components in the model are different.

[0128] Figures 23 to 35 Each is a perspective view of the lower section of a direct-drive roller near and including the lower support end, according to other embodiments, wherein the design of the lower section of the drive rib of each direct-drive element varies from one view to another.

[0129] Figures 36 to 47 Different cross-sectional profiles of the drive ribs of the direct drive element according to an embodiment of the invention are shown, wherein each cross-sectional profile is seen from the top or bottom end of the direct drive element mounted on the direct drive roller, and the open top (unlined) face faces the roller rotation axis, while the (blunt, rounded, curved or pointed) bottom point in a radial direction away from or at an angle to the roller rotation axis in order to engage the modular conveyor belt.

[0130] Figure 48 Is it like this? Figures 1 to 3 and Figure 5 A perspective view of the upper section of the direct-drive roller shown.

[0131] Figures 49 to 52 Each is a perspective view of the upper section of a direct-drive roller near and including the upper support end, according to other embodiments of the invention, wherein the design of the upper section of the drive rib of each direct-drive element varies from one view to another.

[0132] Figure 53 It is a side view of a spiral conveyor system including the lower skirt section, the upper skirt section, and the guide rails.

[0133] Figure 54 yes Figure 53 A side view of a spiral conveyor system without guide rails. Detailed Implementation

[0134] refer to Figures 1 to 7 The conveying system 190 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a direct-drive roller 100 as described in further detail below, and the direct-drive roller 100 surrounds as shown in the figure below. Figure 2 and Figure 7 The roller rotation axis 105 shown rotates clockwise 107a or counterclockwise 107b (viewed from above), thereby supporting and driving the modular conveyor belt 180. The modular conveyor belt 180 is spiral or helical, traveling upward and around the direct drive roller 100 or downward and around the direct drive roller 100. The modular conveyor belt 180 is fed into the direct drive roller 100 at the belt feed section and exits the direct drive roller 100 at the belt exit section.

[0135] In a variant of the first embodiment of the invention, the belt feed section is located before the engagement section (in the direction of belt travel) and at or near the bottom of the direct drive roller 100, for example at or near point P1, while the belt exit section is located after the disengagement section (in the direction of belt travel) and at or near the top of the direct drive roller 100, for example at or near point P2; in this variant, the modular conveyor belt 180 travels upward in a clockwise direction 107a and around the direct drive roller 100, thus presenting a spiral or helical shape.

[0136] In another variation of the first embodiment of the invention, the belt feed section is located before the engagement section (in the direction of belt travel) and at or near the top of the direct drive roller 100, for example at or near point P2, while the belt exit section is located after the disengagement section (in the direction of belt travel) and at or near the bottom of the direct drive roller 100, for example at or near point P1; in this variation, the modular conveyor belt 180 travels downward in a counterclockwise direction 107b and around the direct drive roller 100, thus presenting a spiral or helical shape.

[0137] Regardless of the variation of the first embodiment, such a conveying system 190 is also referred to as a spiral conveying system 190.

[0138] The direct-drive roller 100 includes a plurality of support elements 110 and a plurality of direct-drive elements 120 that are separated from each other and maintained at a distance (caused by a gap 140) along a circumferential direction 106 of the direct-drive roller 100, thus forming a cylindrical or quasi-cylindrical periphery of the direct-drive roller 100. Each support element 110 extends from a lower support end 101 to an upper support end 102 and has a support surface 111 on a side away from and pointing away from the roller rotation axis 105. The support surface 111 supports a modular conveyor belt 180. Each direct-drive element 120 includes a drive rib 121 and engages with the modular conveyor belt 180 in engagement sections 155 and direct-drive sections 156 of the direct-drive roller 100, see particularly. Figure 5 .

[0139] The lower support end 101 may be flush with or near the bottom of the direct drive roller 100. For example, if the bottom is formed by a turntable or other rotating base or disk on which each support element 110 is mounted (having the lower support end 101 of the support element) and each direct drive element 120, then the lower support end 101 may be near the bottom of the direct drive roller 100. The turntable or other rotating base or disk may be used to attach the direct drive roller 100 to a bearing and / or drive the direct drive roller 100 by a motor. Similarly, if the top is formed by an upper section on which each support element 110 is mounted (having the upper support end 102 of the support element) and each direct drive element 120 is mounted, then the upper support end 102 may be near the top of the direct drive roller 100. The rotating top or disk may be used to attach the direct drive roller 100 to a bearing and / or drive the direct drive roller 100 by a motor.

[0140] Each support element 110 (with its longitudinal axis) extends parallel to the roller rotation axis 105 and parallel to each direct drive element 120 in the upper portion of the direct drive roller 100. In the lower portion, this portion has a skirt shape and is therefore designated as skirt section 151, see in particular. Figures 3 to 6 Each support element extends at an angle α to the vertical line or the roller rotation axis 105, which is a vertical axis, such as... Figure 6The diagram is illustrated in more detail below. Angle α causes each support element 110 or the support surface 111 of the support element in the skirt section 151, facing the bottom of the direct drive roller, to bend or tilt outward away from the roller rotation axis 105. Conversely, the direct drive roller 100 tapers from this bottom toward the top 152 of the skirt section. The support elements 110 and direct drive elements 120 are mounted on the cage mounting ring 170 and secured to the cage mounting ring 170 by fastening devices such as screws 173. Alternatively, the support elements 110 and direct drive elements 120 are secured to the cage mounting ring 170 by welding. There is a free space in the form of a gap 140 between each support element 110 and the adjacent direct drive element 120. Support element gaskets 171 are positioned between each support element 110 and each cage mounting ring 170. Drive element gaskets 172 are positioned between each direct drive element 120 and each cage mounting ring 170. In general, the direct-drive roller 100 has a nearly cylindrical shape (in the case of a fully convex support surface 111) or a quasi-cylindrical shape (in the case of a flat support surface 111) and a corresponding circumferential support surface 130. The support element 110, direct-drive element 120, and cage mounting ring 170, assembled using screws 173 and washers 171 and 172, form a cage or cage structure. Alternative embodiments without support element washers 171 and / or without drive element washers 172 are also conceivable. In particular, washers are used in conjunction with the retrofitting of existing rollers that include multiple support elements, for example by removing every other support element and replacing it with the direct-drive element 120.

[0141] refer to Figure 4 The modular conveyor belt 180 includes multiple belt modules 182. Adjacent belt modules 182 are connected by insert link ends linked by pivot rods that extend through holes, specifically through elliptical holes or slots with a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the pivot rod and present in all link ends. These holes or slots allow the pivot rods to move to some extent in the direction of belt travel and in the opposite direction, thereby creating a slightly flexible connection between the belt modules 182. This creates a modular conveyor belt 180 that can be bent in two directions, i.e., up and down and sideways, i.e., towards and away from the circumferential belt support surface 130 of the direct drive roller 100 and / or the direct drive roller.

[0142] refer to Figures 2 to 5The various support surfaces 111 of the support elements 110 together define a circumferential support surface 130 of the direct drive roller 100, which supports and guides the modular conveyor belt 180. Due to the presence of the direct drive elements 120 and the gaps 140 between each support element and the adjacent direct drive element 120, the circumferential support surface 130 is not strictly a continuous surface and is therefore a partially fictitious surface, although the position and curvature of the circumferential support surface 130 are clearly defined by the support elements 110 and their support surfaces 111.

[0143] refer to Figures 1 to 5 Support elements 110 and direct drive elements 120 are arranged in an alternating sequence along the circumferential direction 106 of the direct drive roller, wherein each support element 110 is followed by a direct drive element 120, and each direct drive element 120 is followed by a support element 110. In alternative embodiments, each support element may be followed by two or more direct drive elements, or each direct drive element may be followed by two or more support elements. Each support element 110 is a bar, plate, or sheet, and is preferably made of metal or plastic. Each support element 110 has a support surface 111 on a side remote from and opposite to the roller rotation axis 105 and pointing toward (in the radial direction) the modular conveyor belt 180 to support the modular conveyor belt. Preferably, the support surface 111 additionally guides the modular conveyor belt 180. Preferably, the support surface 111 is a flat surface or a convex surface. Each direct drive element 120 includes a drive rib 121 that extends in a radial direction 108 away from the roller rotation axis 105 and protrudes over an adjacent support element 110 on at least one section 150 of the direct drive roller toward the modular conveyor belt 180 in order to engage and drive the modular conveyor belt 180.

[0144] exist Figures 3 to 5The diagram best illustrates a segment 150 of the direct-drive roller 100. This segment 150 is a portion of the direct-drive roller that extends vertically or in a vertical direction at a certain portion of the height of the direct-drive roller 100 (height segment or vertical segment) and extends circumferentially or in a circumferential direction 106 around the direct-drive roller 100. The segment 150 is divided into a joining segment 155 and a direct-drive segment 156. Within each segment, support elements 110 may have one or more specific properties different from those of support elements 110 in other segments and / or the remainder of the direct-drive roller 100, and direct-drive elements 120 may have one or more specific properties different from those of direct-drive elements 120 in other segments and / or the remainder of the direct-drive roller 100. For example, the attributes may be the size or dimensions (length, width, height) of the support element 110 and / or the direct drive element 120, particularly their position, such as the angle α between the support surface 111 and the roller rotation axis 105 or the vertical axis, and / or the height or protrusion height h of the direct drive element 120 or the drive rib 121 of the direct drive element, such as... Figure 6 As illustrated. The properties can also be different materials in different sections, for example, plastic with a low coefficient of friction in one section and steel with a high coefficient of friction in another section.

[0145] like Figures 3 to 6 As seen, the skirt section 151 extends upward from the lower support end 101 of the direct drive roller and includes a skirt section top 152 at a height below the upper support end 102 of the direct drive roller 100. In the skirt section 151, the support surface 111 of the support element 110 is arranged at an angle α relative to the roller rotation axis 105, which is from 0.5° to 30°, preferably from 0.5° to 15°, more preferably from 0.5° to 10°, even more preferably from 0.5° to 7.5°, and most preferably from 0.5° to 5°, for example 1° or 3.5°.

[0146] The top 152 of the skirt section may be located at or formed by a kink created in each support element 110, which is created by bending the support element 110 (looking toward the bottom of the direct drive roller 100) outward and within the skirt section 151 of the direct drive roller 100 at an angle α (as described herein).

[0147] Each direct-drive element 120 extends into the skirt section 151. For example... Figure 5 and Figure 6Ideally, skirt section 151 includes: a collapsed section 153 in which no drive element 120 or drive rib 121 of the drive element protrudes beyond the adjacent support element 110 in a radial direction 108 away from the roller rotation axis 105; and an engaging section 155 adjacent to and above the collapsed section 153 in which a protrusion 160 of each direct drive element 120 in a radial direction away from the roller rotation axis extends beyond the adjacent support element 110 and has a protrusion height h that increases in a direction away from the collapsed section 153 and toward the top 152 of the skirt section. The drive rib 121 of the direct drive element 120 does not extend into the collapsed section 153.

[0148] This increased protrusion of each drive rib 121 on the skirt section 151 has the following effect: the modular conveyor belt 180 does not engage with the drive rib 121 at the bottom of the direct drive roller and in the nearby collapse section 153, and engages with the drive rib 121 more and more as the modular conveyor belt travels upward and around the skirt section 151 of the direct drive roller 100. This provides sufficient time for the belt modules 182 to realign and change their distance from each other (if necessary) when the modular conveyor belt 180 is forced to change from a previous straight direction of travel to a circular direction of travel around the direct drive roller 100 during the collapse phase. This reduces tension within the modular conveyor belt in this way.

[0149] The direct drive roller 100 also includes a direct drive section 156 adjacent to and above the engagement section 155, in which the protrusion height h of each direct drive element 120 exceeding the adjacent support element 110 in a radial direction 108 away from the roller rotation axis 105 is constant.

[0150] The direct-drive roller 100 also includes a disengagement section 158 in which no direct-drive element 120 or its drive rib 121 protrudes beyond the adjacent support element 110 in a radial direction 108 away from the roller rotation axis 105. In fact, the drive rib 121 of the direct-drive element 120 does not extend into the disengagement section 158. Due to this arrangement, the direct-drive element 120 within the disengagement section 158 does not engage the modular conveyor belt 180. The function of the disengagement section 158 is to prepare the modular conveyor belt 180 for its release from and ultimately from the direct-drive roller 100. Accordingly, the absence of a protrusion in the disengagement section 158 by the direct-drive element 120 results in no direct-drive element 120 engaging the modular conveyor belt 180 in the disengagement section 158; that is, the direct-drive element 120 does not transmit force to the modular conveyor belt 180 (by pushing the individual modules 182 of the modular conveyor belt). In other words, in the disengagement section 158, the modular conveyor belt 180 is supported by the direct-drive roller 100 but not engaged with the direct-drive element 120. This advantageously facilitates the release of the modular conveyor belt 180 from the direct-drive roller 100 and the realignment of the belt modules 182 of the modular conveyor belt from circular to linear alignment; it also reduces the attachment of the modular conveyor belt 180 to the direct-drive roller 100 and thus facilitates the release of the modular conveyor belt 180 from the direct-drive roller 100.

[0151] refer to Figure 7 The direct-drive roller 100 rotates clockwise 107a (viewed from above) about the roller rotation axis 105, thereby supporting and driving the modular conveyor belt 180, which thus travels upward clockwise 107a and around the direct-drive roller 100. The modular conveyor belt 180 is fed into the direct-drive roller 100 in a feed section 159a, in which it is not yet supported by the support element 110 of the direct-drive roller 100. Following the feed section 159a is a collapse section 153, in which the modular conveyor belt 180 is supported by the support element 110 of the direct-drive roller 100 in the direction toward the roller rotation axis 105, but is not yet engaged with the direct-drive element 120 and its drive rib 121. Following the collapse section 153 is the engagement section 155, in which the drive ribs 121 of the direct drive element 120 increasingly engage the modular conveyor belt 180, followed by the direct drive section 156, in which the drive ribs 121 of the direct drive element 120 fully engage the modular conveyor belt 180, and then the disengagement section 158. Figure 7(Unless otherwise indicated), in the disengagement section 158, the modular conveyor belt 180 is still supported by the support element 110, but is no longer engaged with the direct drive element 120, and finally, in the exit section 159b, the modular conveyor belt 180 exits the direct drive roller 100. The feed section 159a is located at or near point P1, while the exit section 159b is located at or near point P2. In the illustrated embodiment, the angle between the feed and discharge is 180°. Other angles are, of course, possible.

[0152] In a variation of this embodiment, as already described herein, the modular conveyor belt travels downward in the opposite counterclockwise direction 107b and around the direct drive roller 100. Accordingly, the direct drive roller 100 rotates in the counterclockwise direction 107b, with the feed section located at or near point P2 and the exit section located at or near point P1.

[0153] Furthermore, in a variant of this embodiment (not shown), the modular conveyor belt 180 travels downward in a clockwise direction 107a and around the direct drive roller 100, wherein the feed section is located at the top of the direct drive roller 100 and the outlet section is located at the bottom of the direct drive roller 100; or the modular conveyor belt 180 travels upward in a counterclockwise direction 107b and around the direct drive roller 100, wherein the feed section is located at the bottom of the direct drive roller 100 and the outlet section is located at the top of the direct drive roller 100.

[0154] In the variant described above with respect to this embodiment, the modular conveyor belt travels between feed section 159a and exit section 159b through other sections 153, 155 and 156 in a sequence corresponding to that described above with respect to this embodiment.

[0155] The rotation angle ρ is defined as the overall rotation angle of the direct drive roller 100 from the position where it begins to support a particular belt module 182 to the position of the direct drive roller 100 where the same belt module 182 has reached a certain position on the direct drive roller 100. It is used herein to describe the position of a particular belt module 182 as it travels upward and around the direct drive roller 100, and to describe the extent to which a particular section of the direct drive roller 100 (such as the collapsing section 153, the engaging section 155, the direct drive section 156, and / or the disengaging section 158) supports the belt module 182 as it travels upward and around the direct drive roller 100.

[0156] Accordingly, at position ρ = 0°, the belt module 182 begins to be supported by the direct drive roller 100, i.e., at the beginning of the collapse section 153. Typically, at ρ = n x 360° + 180° (or different angles), where n is an integer from 5 to 20 or even higher, preferably from 5 to 15, more preferably from 8 to 12, the end of the belt module 182 is supported by the direct drive roller 100 and exits the direct drive roller 100 in the disengagement section 158.

[0157] Based on the dimensions of the direct-drive roller 100, especially its overall height, with module 182, for example:

[0158] - For ρ ranging from 0° to 720°, preferably from 0° to 180°, and most preferably from 0° to 45°, it is retained in the collapse section 153; and / or

[0159] - For further angles from 30° to 180°, preferably from 40° to 120°, and most preferably from 45° to 90°, these are retained in the joint section 155;

[0160] - For ρ from 75° to n x 360°, where n is an integer from 1 to 100, an integer from 1 to 90, an integer from 1 to 80, an integer from 1 to 70, an integer from 1 to 60, an integer from 1 to 50, an integer from 1 to 40, an integer from 1 to 30, an integer from 1 to 20, or an integer from 1 to 10, this is reserved in direct drive segment 156; and / or

[0161] - For a further at least 30°, preferably at least 40°, more preferably at least 45°, even more preferably up to 360°, most preferably 30° to 360°, retained in the disengagement section 158.

[0162] Reference 8. Figure 9 and Figure 10 The support element 110 and the direct drive element 120 are mounted on the cage mounting ring 170 of the direct drive roller 100 using support element shims 171 and drive element shims 172, and screws 173, respectively. The direct drive roller 100 supports the modular conveyor belt 180 with the support elements 110, wherein the support surface 111 of each support element 110 contacts at least one cam in the cams 183, which project from each of the belt modules 182 of the modular conveyor belt 180 in a direction toward the roller rotation axis 105. Each support surface 111 extends outwardly and downward away from the roller rotation axis 105. A gap 140 exists between each support element 110 and the adjacent direct drive element 120.

[0163] Figure 8 , Figure 9 and Figure 10The illustration shows the different stages of engagement between the cam 183 of the modular conveyor belt 180 and the drive rib 121 of the direct drive element 120 during the rotation of the direct drive roller 100, as follows:

[0164] Figure 8 The illustration shows the situation in the collapsed section 153 or disengaged section 158 of the direct drive roller 100, where the drive rib 121 does not engage the cam 183 because the direct drive element 120 and its drive rib 121 do not protrude beyond their adjacent support element 110.

[0165] Figure 9 The illustration shows the situation in the engagement section 155 of the direct drive roller 100, where the drive rib 121 partially engages the cam 183 because the direct drive element 120 and its drive rib 121 are only slightly higher than the protrusion of its adjacent support element 110.

[0166] Figure 10 The illustration shows the situation in the direct drive section 156 of the direct drive roller 100, where the drive rib 121 fully engages the cam 183 because the direct drive element 120 and its drive rib 121 protrude as far as possible beyond their adjacent support element 110.

[0167] Figure 11 and Figure 12 Another embodiment of a direct-drive roller 500 according to the invention is shown. The direct-drive roller 500 includes a direct-drive element 520 having a drive rib 521 and a support element 510 having a support surface 511 mounted on a cage mounting ring 570. A skirt section 551 extends upward from the lower support end 501 of the direct-drive roller 500, and the skirt section includes a skirt section tip 552 at a height below the upper support end 502 of the direct-drive roller 500. Each direct-drive element 520, together with its drive rib 521, does not extend into the collapse section 553. The protrusion 560 of each direct-drive element 520 that extends beyond the adjacent support element 510 in a radial direction away from the roller rotation axis has a protrusion height h, which increases in the engagement section 555 in the direction away from the collapse section 553 because the drive rib 521 itself has a constant height.

[0168] Figure 13 and Figure 14Another embodiment of a direct-drive roller 600 according to the invention is shown. The direct-drive roller 600 includes a direct-drive element 620 having a drive rib 621 and a support element 610 having a support surface 611 mounted on a cage mounting ring 670. A skirt section 651 extends upward from the lower support end 601 of the direct-drive roller 600, the skirt section including a skirt section tip 652 at a height below the upper support end 602 of the direct-drive roller 600. Each direct-drive element 620 extends together with its drive rib 621 into a collapsing section 653, even if not all the way to the collapsing section 653 at the same level as the lower support end 601. A protrusion 660 of each direct-drive element 620 exceeding the adjacent support element 610 in a radial direction away from the roller's axis of rotation has a protrusion height h, which increases in the engagement section 655 away from the collapsing section 653 because the drive rib 621 itself has a constant height.

[0169] Figure 15 Another embodiment of the direct-drive roller according to the invention is shown. The direct-drive roller includes a direct-drive element 720 having a drive rib 721 and a support element 710 having a support surface 711 mounted on a cage mounting ring (not shown). A skirt section 751 extends upward from the lower support end 701 of the direct-drive roller, the skirt section including a skirt section top 752 at a height below the upper support end of the direct-drive roller. Each direct-drive element 720 extends together with its drive rib 721 into a collapsing section 753, but the drive rib 721 has two different but constant heights above the flange 726, a smaller height near the bottom and at the kerning or recess at the bottom, and a larger height above the kerning. Therefore, the drive rib 721 in the pitch adjustment section or recess has no protrusion above the adjacent belt support surface 711, while the drive rib 721 above the pitch adjustment section or recess has a protrusion above the adjacent belt support surface 711, wherein the height of the protrusion increases upward in the engagement section 755 in a direction away from the pitch adjustment section. This portion of the drive rib 721 above the pitch adjustment section or recess is the effective driving portion of the drive rib 721, and has a chamfer at the end 725 pointing towards the pitch adjustment section or recess to facilitate the engagement of the modular conveyor belt.

[0170] The direct-drive roller according to the invention can be implemented as a drive rib of a direct-drive element with a direct-drive roller having different lengths and shapes, i.e., in one embodiment, the drive rib 121 (at least the drive portion of the drive rib 121) does not extend into the collapsed section 153. Figure 5 and Figure 6 And it does not extend to the disengaged section 158. Figure 5 In another embodiment, the effective driving portion of the driving rib 721 does not extend into the collapsed section 753. Figure 15In another embodiment, the drive rib 821 extends completely into the collapsed section 853 and extends to the lower end of the collapsed section 853 at the same level as the lower support end 801. Figures 16 to 18 In another embodiment, the driving portion of the driving rib 921 does not extend into the collapsed section 953. Figures 19 to 22 However, it can be achieved through the short drive rib extension 923 of the direct drive element 920. Figure 21 ) or long drive rib extension 924 ( Figure 22 ) extends into the collapsed section 953, for example, by attaching via at least two screws 973, each screw passing through a drilled hole 922 in the direct drive element 920. Figure 21 and Figure 22 ).

[0171] In other embodiments of the direct-drive rollers 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, 2100 and 2200 according to the present invention, such as Figures 23 to 35 As shown, each direct drive element 1020, 1120, 1220, 1320, 1420, 1520, 1620, 1720, 1820, 1920, 2020, 2120 and 2220 is configured as a T-shaped bar, which includes drive ribs 1021, 1121, 1221, 1321, 1421, 1521, 1621, 1721, 1821, 1921, 2021, 2121 and 2221 as its web and flanges 1026, 1126, 1226, 1326, 1426, 1526, 1626, 1726, 1820, 1926, 2026, 2126 and 2226. The lower sections of direct drive rollers 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, 2100 and 2200, and the lower sections of each direct drive element 1020, 1120, 1220, 1320, 1420, 1520, 1620, 1720, 1820, 1920, 2020, 2120 and 2220 and their drive ribs 11021, 1121, 1221, 1321, 1421, 1521, 1621, 1721, 1821, 1921, 2021, 2121 and 2221, as follows Figures 23 to 35As shown, this forms part of a skirt section. In the skirt section, the support surface 1011 of the support element 1010 is arranged relative to the roller rotation axis at an angle (skirt angle, tilt angle) from 0.5° to 30°, preferably from 0.5° to 15°, more preferably from 0.5° to 10°, even more preferably from 0.5° to 7.5°, and most preferably from 0.5° to 5°, for example, 1° or 3.5°. The lower sections of each drive rib 1021, 1121, 1221, 1321, 1421, 1521, 1621, 1721, 1821, 1921, 2021, 2121, and 2221, in order to allow optimized and smooth interaction with modular conveyors of a particular type or design, have... Figures 23 to 35 and shapes as described below ( Figures 23 to 35 The embodiments shown are very similar, except that they differ only in the shape of the drive ribs 1021, 1121, 1221, 1321, 1421, 1521, 1621, 1721, 1821, 1921, 2021, 2121, and 2221, and therefore as a whole, the direct drive elements 1020, 1120, 1220, 1320, 1420, 1520, 1620, 1720, 1820, 1920, 2020, 2120, and 2220, and the protrusions and their height above the adjacent supported surface 1011 (in Figures 23 to 35 In each figure, the views (observed radially away from the axis of rotation of the roller) differ, while, for example, support element 1010 (in...) Figures 23 to 35 As shown in the text, but Figures 23 to 35 (Not indicated by the reference numerals in the accompanying drawings) and the support surface 1011 of the support element remain the same. The lower sections (and their skirt sections) of the direct drive rollers 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, 2100 and 2200 are referred to as the collapsed sections of the direct drive rollers, wherein the protrusions of the drive ribs 1021, 1121, 1221, 1321, 1421, 1521, 1621, 1721, 1821, 1921, 2021, 2121 and 2221 above two adjacent support surfaces 1011 have a height of zero.

[0172] exist Figure 23In the middle, the drive rib 1021 has a constant height above the flange 1026 and has a protrusion with a height of protrusion in a radial direction away from the axis of rotation of the roller above two adjacent supported surfaces 1011, the height of which is zero (0) at the bottom and increases from the bottom upward within the skirt section. Each support element 1010 extends from the lower support end 1001 having the supported surface 1011, thereby each support element 1010 and each direct drive element 1020 are mounted on the cage mounting ring 1070 using support element shims 1071 and drive element shims 1072 and screws 1073, respectively; a gap 1040 exists between the support element 1010 and the adjacent direct drive element 1020.

[0173] exist Figure 24 In the middle, the drive rib 1121 follows a vertical line and has a spacing adjustment portion or recess near and at the bottom. The drive rib 1121 extends to the bottom by a short drive rib extension 1123, which is attached to the rest of the direct drive element 1120 by a screw 1173 and fills the spacing adjustment portion (similar to...). Figures 19 to 22 The direct drive element 920, drive rib 921, and extensions 923 and 924 are depicted in the diagram. Drive rib 1121 and short drive rib extension 1123 have a constant height above flange 1126. Therefore, drive rib 1121 and short drive rib extension 1123 have protrusions with a protrusion height above two adjacent supported surfaces 1011, the protrusion height being zero (0) at the bottom and increasing upwards from the bottom within the skirt section.

[0174] exist Figure 25 In this configuration, the drive rib 1221 follows a straight line inclined upwards from the bottom relative to the axis of rotation of the roller, and hangs at an angle of 5° when viewed from below. The drive rib 1221 has a height that increases upwards from the bottom at a constant gradient above the flange 1226. Therefore, the drive rib 1221 has a protrusion above two adjacent support surfaces 1011 only at a certain point, wherein the height of the protrusion increases upwards within the skirt section.

[0175] exist Figure 26 In this configuration, the drive rib 1321 first follows a convex curve or convex curvature extending upward from the bottom, and then follows a vertical straight line. The drive rib 1321 has a height above the flange 1326, which increases from 0 at the bottom with a gradient decreasing along the curvature, and then remains constant. Therefore, the drive rib 1321 has a protrusion above two adjacent banded support surfaces 1011 only from a certain point upward, wherein the height of the protrusion increases upward within the skirt section.

[0176] exist Figure 27In the middle, the drive rib 1421 first follows a convex curve or convex curvature extending upward from the bottom, and then follows a vertical straight line. The drive rib 1421 has a height above the flange 1426, which increases from the bottom with a gradient decreasing along the curvature, and then remains constant, thereby the gradient at the bottom is greater than... Figure 26 The size is much smaller and the gradient decreases more slowly. Therefore, the drive rib 1421 has a protrusion only from a point within the curvature above two adjacent supported surfaces 1011, wherein the height of the protrusion increases upward within the skirt section.

[0177] exist Figure 28 In the middle, the drive rib 1521 follows a vertical line and has a spacing adjustment portion or recess near the bottom and at the bottom (similar to...). Figure 1 , Figures 3 to 5 and Figure 15 The direct drive elements 120 and 720 and drive ribs 121 and 721 are depicted in the diagram. Drive rib 1521 has two different but constant heights above flange 1526, with a smaller height at the pitch adjustment section or recess and a larger height above the pitch adjustment section. Therefore, the drive rib 1521 in the pitch adjustment section or recess has no protrusion above two adjacent support surfaces 1011, while the drive rib 1521 above the pitch adjustment section or recess has a protrusion above two adjacent support surfaces 1011, wherein the height of the protrusion increases upwards from the pitch adjustment section within the skirt section.

[0178] exist Figure 29 In this configuration, the drive rib 1621 follows a straight line inclined upwards from the bottom relative to the axis of rotation of the roller, and hangs at an angle of 20° when viewed from below, then follows a vertical line upwards. The drive rib 1621 has a height above the flange 1626 that first increases upwards with a constant gradient and then remains constant. Therefore, the drive rib 1621 has a protrusion with a height above two adjacent support surfaces 1011 only at a certain point, where the protrusion height increases upwards within the skirt section.

[0179] exist Figure 30 In this configuration, the drive rib 1721 initially follows a vertical straight line from bottom to top, then follows a straight line inclined relative to the axis of rotation of the roller, which hangs at an angle of 20° when viewed from below, and subsequently follows a vertical straight line again. The drive rib 1721 has a height above the flange 1726 that initially remains constant from bottom to top, then increases with a constant gradient and then remains constant again. Therefore, the drive rib 1721 has a protrusion of a height above two adjacent supported surfaces 1011 only from a single point upwards, where the protrusion height increases upwards within the skirt section.

[0180] exist Figure 31In this configuration, the drive rib 1821 begins to follow an upward straight line inclined relative to the axis of rotation of the roller only at a certain distance from the bottom, this line hanging at an angle of 20° when viewed from below, and then the drive rib 1821 follows a vertical straight line. The drive rib 1821 has a height above the flange 1826 that is initially zero (0) from the bottom upwards, then jumps to a certain value, from which it increases with a constant gradient, and then remains constant. Thus, the drive rib 1821 has a protrusion above two adjacent band-supported surfaces 1011 only at a certain point upwards, wherein the height of the protrusion increases upwards within the skirt section.

[0181] exist Figure 32 In this configuration, the drive rib 1921 begins only at a certain distance from the bottom, following a convex curve or convex curvature extending upward from the flange 1926, and then follows a straight line upward. The drive rib 1921 has a height above the flange 1926 that increases from 0 along the curvature with a decreasing gradient, and then remains constant. Therefore, the drive rib 1921 has a protrusion above two adjacent banded support surfaces 1011 only at a certain point on the upward curvature, wherein the height of the protrusion increases upward within the skirt section.

[0182] exist Figure 33 In the middle, the drive rib 2021 follows a straight line, which, when viewed from below, slopes towards the axis of rotation of the roller. This slope angle is preferably the same as the angle (skirt angle, slope angle) at which the supported surface 1011 slopes towards the axis of rotation of the roller, i.e., an angle from 0.5° to 30°, preferably from 0.5° to 15°, more preferably from 0.5° to 10°, even more preferably from 0.5° to 7.5°, and most preferably from 0.5° to 5°, for example, 1° or 3.5°. The drive rib 2021 has a height that decreases at a constant gradient from the bottom upwards above the flange 2026. Therefore, the drive rib 2021 has protrusions above two adjacent supported surfaces 1011, wherein the height of the protrusions remains constant within the skirt section.

[0183] exist Figure 34 In this configuration, the drive rib 2121 begins to rise vertically only at a certain distance from the bottom. The drive rib 2121 has a constant height above the flange 2126. Therefore, the drive rib 2121 has a protrusion above two adjacent supported surfaces 1011, wherein the height of the protrusion increases upward within the skirt section.

[0184] exist Figure 35In this configuration, the drive rib 2221 first follows a vertical line extending upward from the bottom, and then follows a line inclined at a ramp angle toward the axis of rotation of the roller when viewed from below. This ramp angle is from 1° to 45°, preferably from 10° to 45°, more preferably from 10° to 35°, most preferably from 15° to 30°, for example 20°, and finally follows a vertical line further upward. The drive rib 2221 has a height above the flange 2226 that first rises constantly from the bottom, then decreases further upward with a constant gradient, and then remains constant while continuing to rise further. Thus, the drive rib 2221 has a protrusion above two adjacent supported surfaces 1011, wherein the height of the protrusion increases from the bottom upward within the skirt section, and then continues to decrease within the skirt section until the protrusion disappears.

[0185] refer to Figures 36 to 47 According to the invention, the drive ribs of the direct drive element of the direct drive roller can be implemented with various different cross-sectional profiles 3327, 3427, 3527, 3627, 3727, 3827, 3927, 4027, 4127, 4227, 4327, and 4427 to accommodate a particular type or design of modular conveyor belt and allow for optimized and smooth interaction with the modular conveyor belt. Each cross-sectional profile 3327, 3427, 3527, 3627, 3727, 3827, 3927, 4027, 4127, 4227, 4327, and 4427 is seen from the top or bottom end of the direct drive element mounted on the direct drive roller. The open top end (not marked) faces the axis of rotation of the roller, while the bottom end (blunt, rounded, curved, or pointed) points in a radial direction away from or at an angle to the axis of rotation of the roller to engage the modular conveyor belt; therefore, the bottom end is referred to hereinafter as the outer end. Thus, in other embodiments of the invention, the drive rib has as... Figures 36 to 47 The cross-sectional profile shown and as follows (extending perpendicularly to its longitudinal axis, i.e., seen from either end of the drive rib or from the top or bottom of the direct drive roller):

[0186] Figure 36 The rectangular outline 3327 is shown;

[0187] Figure 37 A rectangular outline 3427 with rounded outer ends is shown;

[0188] Figure 38 The rectangular outline 3527 of an isosceles triangle with its outer ends pointed at a 90° angle is shown;

[0189] Figure 39 The rectangular outline 3627 of an isosceles triangle with its outer ends pointed at a 30° angle is shown;

[0190] Figure 40An isosceles triangle with its outer ends pointed at a 25° angle is shown, resulting in a rectangular outline 3727 with rounded ends;

[0191] Figure 41 The rectangle shown has an outer tip at a 22.5° angle, where only one of the long sides is at an angle. (3827)

[0192] Figure 42 The rectangle with its outer ends pointed at an angle of 22.5° is shown, in which only one of the long sides of the rectangle is angled and the resulting rectangle has rounded ends. (3927)

[0193] Figure 43 A cuboid or bar-shaped profile 4027 is shown, in which one edge of its edge is away from the outer chamfer.

[0194] Figure 44 The rectangular profile 4127 is shown with a rounded corner at the outer end of its corner section, which is rounded with a radius of curvature equal to half (0.5) of the width of the rectangular profile 4127.

[0195] Figure 45 The rectangular profile 4227 is shown with a rounded corner at the outer end of its corner section, which is rounded with a radius of curvature equal to the width of the rectangular profile 4227.

[0196] Figure 46 A rectangular outline 4327 is shown, wherein the rectangle is laterally tilted at a point by 1° to 45°, preferably 10° to 45°, more preferably 10° to 35°, and most preferably 10° to 30°, for example 15°;

[0197] Figure 47 A rectangular profile 4427 is shown, wherein the rectangle bends laterally from a point forward in the circumferential direction of the direct drive roller in a curve having a radius of curvature equal to 8 times the width of the rectangular profile.

[0198] Figure 48 Showing more details Figures 1 to 10 The upper section of the direct-drive roller 100.

[0199] Figures 49 to 52Different embodiments of the upper sections of direct-drive rollers 4500, 4600, 4700, and 4800 according to the invention are shown, including the upper section of the direct-drive section 156 and the disengagement section 158 above it, and in particular the upper sections of their direct-drive elements 4520, 4620, 4720, and 4820 and their drive ribs 4521, 4621, 4721, and 4821. In the disengagement section, the height of the drive ribs 4521, 4621, 4721, and 4821 above the flanges 4526, 4626, 4726, and 4826 is reduced respectively, and correspondingly, the height of the protrusions of the drive ribs 4521, 4621, 4721, and 4821 above two adjacent supported surfaces 4511 is reduced or zero, as described below.

[0200] Figure 49 The upper section of a direct-drive roller 4500 is shown, wherein the upper section of a support element 4510 has a support surface 4511 and extends to an upper support end 4502, and the upper section of a direct-drive element 4520, which is in the form of a T-shaped bar, has a drive rib 4521 and a flange 4526 as its web. The upper section of the direct-drive element 4520 is mounted on a cage mounting ring 4570 using screws 4573, wherein a drive element washer 4572 is placed between the direct-drive element 4520 and the cage mounting ring 4570. The drive rib 4521 follows a vertical line upward and then has a recess, from which it continues a vertical line to the top, still protruding from the flange 4526. The drive rib 4521 has two different but constant heights above the flange 4526, a smaller height in the recess and a larger height below the recess. Therefore, the drive rib 4521 has a protrusion above two adjacent supported surfaces 4511, wherein there is a constant protrusion height below the recess, and the drive rib 4521 has no protrusion upward from the recess.

[0201] exist Figure 50 In this configuration, the drive rib 4621 initially follows a vertical straight line upwards, and then follows a straight line inclined at a ramp angle towards the axis of rotation of the roller when viewed from below, the ramp angle being from 1° to 45°, preferably from 10° to 45°, more preferably from 10° to 35°, and most preferably from 10° to 30°, for example, 10°. The drive rib 4621 still protrudes from the flange 4626. The drive rib 4621 has a height above the flange 4626 that initially remains constant and then decreases at a constant gradient until it reaches the top. Therefore, the drive rib 4621 has protrusions above two adjacent banded support surfaces 4511, wherein the height of the protrusions initially remains constant and then decreases further upwards, from a certain point no longer having protrusions until reaching the top.

[0202] exist Figure 51In the middle, the drive rib 4721 initially follows a vertical straight line upwards, and then follows an upward convex curve or convex curvature to reach the top. The drive rib 4721 has a height above the flange 4726, which initially remains constant and then decreases upwards along the curvature with an increasing gradient. Therefore, the drive rib 4721 has protrusions above two adjacent supported surfaces 4511, wherein the height of the protrusions initially remains constant and then decreases upwards with an increasing gradient until reaching the top, from which point there are no more protrusions upwards.

[0203] exist Figure 52 In the middle, the drive rib 4821 initially follows a vertical straight line and then follows an upward concave curve or concave curvature to reach the top. The drive rib 4821 has a height above the flange 4826, which initially remains constant and then decreases upward along the curvature with a decreasing gradient. Therefore, the drive rib 4821 has a protrusion above two adjacent banded support surfaces 4511, wherein the height of the protrusion initially remains constant and then decreases upward with a decreasing gradient until it reaches the top, from which point there are no more protrusions upward.

[0204] Figure 53 and Figure 54 Each showed a general characteristic similar to Figures 1 to 10 The direct drive roller 4900, which has the same structure as the direct drive roller 100 depicted in the figure, except for the following aspects:

[0205] -The design of its upper section, in the case of direct-drive roller 4900, additionally includes an upper skirt section 4957 or is composed of an upper skirt section 4957 (attached to the lower skirt section 4951); and

[0206] -exist Figure 53 In this case, guide rails 4995 and 4996 and any guide frame (not shown) that can form part of guide rails 4995 and 4996.

[0207] Therefore, the direct-drive roller 4900 includes a plurality of support elements 4910 and a plurality of direct-drive elements 4920, all of which are fixed to the cage mounting ring 4970 by screws 4973, and are spaced apart from each other and arranged at a distance (caused by gap 4940) in the circumferential direction 4906 of the direct-drive roller 4900, thus forming a cylindrical or quasi-cylindrical periphery of the direct-drive roller 4900. Each support element 4910 extends from the lower support end 4901 to the upper support end 4902, and is located away from and pointing away from the roller rotation axis (not shown, but located at...). Figure 2 and Figure 7 One side of the roller rotation axis 105 (as shown) has a support surface 4911. The support surface 4911 supports the modular conveyor belt 4980. Each direct drive element 4920 includes a drive rib 4921, and is incorporated herein by reference. Figures 1 to 10 The same manner described is used with the modular conveyor belt 4980. Therefore, except for having a second skirt section, namely the upper skirt section 4957, the direct drive roller 4900 functions in the same manner as the direct drive roller 100. Figures 1 to 10 The description of it in this article also applies to the direct drive drum 4900, therefore Figure 53 and Figure 54 The reference numerals in the figures end with the same two numbers, but with... Figures 1 to 10 The reference numerals used in the figures differ by hundreds and thousands, but have the characteristics relevant to this article. Figures 1 to 10 The same meaning as described.

[0208] In the upper skirt section 4957, each support element 4910 and its supported surface 4911 form an angle α (skirt angle or ramp angle). Figure 53 and Figure 54 Not shown in the image, but Figure 6 The diagram provided is analogous to this, meaning the top of the direct-drive roller 4900 is away from the roller's rotation axis. Figure 53 and Figure 54 Not shown in the image, but... Figures 1 to 7 The illustrations provided in the text Figure 2 and Figure 7 (The illustrated roller rotation axis 105, by analogy, is bent or inclined outward.) In the upper skirt section 4957, the direct-drive roller 4900 widens toward the top of the skirt section, in this case the top of the skirt section is the upper support end 4902. The skirt angle or ramp angle α relative to the roller rotation axis is from 0.5° to 30°, preferably from 0.5° to 15°, more preferably from 0.5° to 10°, even more preferably from 0.5° to 7.5°, most preferably from 0.5° to 5°, for example 1° or 3.5°.

[0209] The upper skirt section 4957 may include a disengagement section and is attached to the lower skirt section 4951 to provide the upper skirt section 4957. When the modular conveyor belt 4980 is fed to the direct drive roller 4900 and engages with the direct drive element 4920 of the direct drive roller in the lower skirt section 4951, the upper skirt section 4957 helps the modular conveyor belt 4980 to leave the direct drive roller 4900 or disengage from the direct drive roller 4900. The lower skirt section 4951 includes a collapse and engagement section and then travels around the direct drive roller 4900 and upward.

[0210] Conversely, the modular conveyor belt 4980 can be fed to the direct drive roller 4900 and engage with the direct drive element 4920 of the direct drive roller in the upper skirt section 4957, in which case the upper skirt section 4957 includes a collapse and engagement section, and then proceeds downward around the direct drive roller 4900, in which case the lower skirt section 4951 includes a disengagement section and helps the modular conveyor belt 4980 leave the direct drive roller 4900 or disengage from the direct drive roller 4900.

[0211] In cases where the second skirt section 4951 or 4957 is used to assist in the disengagement of the modular conveyor belt 4980, the second skirt section 4951 or 4957 includes a disengagement section. In this case, the effect of assisting in disengagement is provided by both the disengagement section (i.e., the design of the drive rib 4921 as described herein) and the skirt section (i.e., the angle between the support element 4910 and the support surface 4911 as described herein).

[0212] The modular conveyor belt of the present invention can run on one or more guide rails, preferably on two guide rails. Figure 53 The guide rails 4995 and 4996 depicted are spirally wound around the direct drive roller and can form part of a guide frame (not shown). Guide rails 4995 and 4996, along with the guide frame (if present), act as supports for the modular conveyor belt, supporting it (from below) against gravity and optionally also laterally. Guide rails 4995 and 4996, along with the guide frame (if present), thereby guide the modular conveyor belt around the direct drive roller and upwards or downwards. Guide rails 4995 and 4996, along with the guide frame (if present), can be fixed (e.g., by rods or sprockets, not shown) to the direct drive roller 4900 (of a cage structure) and thus rotate with the direct drive roller 4900, or alternatively, fixed to a cage or scaffolding, thus forming a stationary guide frame (not shown) that does not rotate with the direct drive roller 4900.

[0213] There are outer guide rails 4995 and inner guide rails 4996, with the outer guide rail 4995 positioned further away from the roller rotation axis than the inner guide rail 4996. One or more other guide rails (not shown) may exist between the outer and inner guide rails. The independent guide rails 4995 and 4996 may have specific cross-sectional profiles, selected from a combination of guide rails with (classic) guide rail forms having smooth running surfaces, flat metal strips, and L-shaped profiles or L-shaped profiles.

[0214] Guide slots may be present in the above-described profile of the guide rail and / or in the modular conveyor belt (belt module), the guide slots in the guide rail receiving forks or edges protruding from the belt module of the modular conveyor belt, and / or the guide slots in the modular conveyor belt (belt module) receiving the guide rail; the guide slots provide (additional) lateral guidance for the modular conveyor belt.

[0215] The L-shaped profile or L-shaped material itself (by action) provides lateral guidance on the exterior of the modular conveyor belt, away from the direct drive roller, or on its (circumferential) belt support surface. However, for additional lateral guidance, the L-shaped profile or L-shaped material may also feature guide grooves.

[0216] Regarding Figure 1 , Figures 3 to 6 and Figures 11 to 35 In contrast, when these figures are inverted and the descriptions provided herein for these figures are read and applied accordingly, for example, with the tops of the skirt sections 152, 552, 652, 752, 852, and 952 serving as the bottoms of the skirt sections, these figures illustrate another embodiment, wherein the skirt sections 151, 551, 651, 751, 851, and 951, serving as upper skirt sections, are located above the direct-drive rollers 100, 500, 600, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, 2100, and 2200, with modular transmission... The conveyor belt 180 feeds to the direct drive rollers 100, 500, 600, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, 2100, and 2200 and engages with the direct drive rollers in its upper and upper skirt sections, and disengages from and leaves the direct drive rollers 100, 500, 600, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, 2100, and 2200 in its lower section.

Claims

1. A direct-drive roller (100, 500, 600, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, 2100, 2200, 4500, 4600, 4700, 4800, 4900) for a modular conveyor belt (180, 4980), said direct-drive roller comprising: -Drum rotation axis (105); - Multiple support elements (110, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 4510, 4910), each support element having a support surface (111, 511, 611, 711, 811, 911, 1011, 4511, 4911) on a side away from and pointing away from the axis of rotation of the roller (105); and - Multiple direct drive components (120, 520, 620, 720, 820, 920, 1020, 1120, 1220, 1320, 1420, 1520, 1620, 1720, 1820, 1920, 2020, 2120, 2220, 4520, 4620, 4720, 4820, 4920). The feature is that none of the direct drive elements (120, 520, 620, 720, 820, 920, 1020, 1120, 1220, 1320, 1420, 1520, 1620, 1720, 1820, 1920, 2020, 2120, 2220, 4520, 4620, 4720, 4820, 4920) includes a supported surface on a side away from and pointing away from the axis of rotation of the roller, and each direct drive element is separated from each of the support elements and arranged at a distance along the circumferential direction (106, 4906) of the direct drive roller.

2. The direct drive drum (100, 500, 600, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, 2100, 2200, 4500, 4600, 4700, 4800, 4900) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of support elements (110, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 4510, 4910) define the outermost periphery of the direct drive roller with a support surface (130).

3. The direct drive drum (100, 500, 600, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, 2100, 2200) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The support elements (110, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 4510, 4910) and the direct drive elements (120, 520, 620, 720, 820, 920, 1020, 1120, 1220, 1320, 1420, 1520, 1620, 1720, 1820, 1920, 2020, 2120, 2220, 4520, 4620, 4720, 4820, 4920) are arranged in an alternating sequence along the circumferential direction (106, 4906) of the direct drive roller, wherein each support element is followed by one to five direct drive elements, and each direct drive element is followed by one to five support elements.

4. The direct-drive roller (100, 500, 600, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, 2100, 2200, 4500, 4600, 4700, 4800, 4900) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Each of the plurality of support elements (110, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 4510, 4910) is a bar or a plate, and the supported surface (111, 511, 611, 711, 811, 911, 1011, 4511, 4911) of each support element is a flat surface or a convex surface.

5. The direct drive drum (100, 500, 600, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, 2100, 2200, 4500, 4600, 4700, 4800, 4900) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Each of the plurality of direct drive elements (120, 520, 620, 720, 820, 920, 1020, 1120, 1220, 1320, 1420, 1520, 1620, 1720, 1820, 1920, 2020, 2120, 2220, 4520, 4620, 4720, 4820, 4920) includes drive ribs (121, 521, 621, 721, 821, 921, 1021, 1221, 1321, 1...) 421, 1521, 1621, 1721, 1821, 1921, 2021, 2121, 2221, 4521, 4621, 4721, 4821, 4921), the drive ribs extend in a radial direction (108) away from the axis of rotation of the roller (105), and / or protrude beyond the adjacent support element (110, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 4510, 4910) in at least one section (150) of the direct drive roller.

6. The direct-drive rollers (100, 500, 600, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, 2100, 2200, 4500, 4600, 4700, 4800, 4900) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a lower skirt section (151, 551, 651, 751, 851, 951, 4951) extending upward from the lower support end (101, 501, 601, 701, 801, 901, 1001, 4901) of the direct-drive roller. The lower skirt section includes the top edge of the skirt section (152, 552, 652, 752, 852, 952, 4952) at a height below the upper support end (102, 502, 602, 4502, 4902) of the direct drive roller, wherein in the lower skirt section, the supported surfaces (111, 511, 611, 711, 811, 911, 1011, 4511, 4911) of the support elements (110, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 4511, 4911) are angled from 0.5° to 30° relative to the roller rotation axis (105).

7. The direct-drive roller (4900) according to claim 6, comprising an upper skirt section (4957) extending downward from the upper support end (4902) of the direct-drive roller, wherein in the upper skirt section, the support surface (4911) of the support element (4910) is rotated relative to the roller axis of rotation from 0.5° to 30°.

8. The direct drive drum (100, 500, 600, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, 2100, 2200, 4500, 4600, 4700, 4800, 4900) according to claim 7, characterized in that, At least some of the direct drive elements (120, 520, 620, 720, 820, 920, 1020, 1120, 1220, 1320, 1420, 1520, 1620, 1720, 1820, 1920, 2020, 2120, 2220, 4520, 4620, 4720, 4820, 4920) extend into the lower skirt section (151, 551, 651, 751, 851, 951, 4951) and / or the upper skirt section (4957).

9. The direct-drive roller (100, 500, 600, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, 2100, 2200, 4500, 4600, 4700, 4800, 4900) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising collapsed sections (153, 553, 653, 753, 853, 953) and adjacent joining sections (155, 555, 655, 755, 855, 955), wherein no direct-drive element (120, 520, 620, 720, 820, 920, 102) is present in the collapsed sections. 0, 1120, 1220, 1320, 1420, 1520, 1620, 1720, 1820, 1920, 2020, 2120, 2220, 4520, 4620, 4720, 4820, 4920) protrude beyond the adjacent support element (110, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 4510, 4910) in a radial direction (108) away from the axis of rotation of the drum (105). In the adjacent engagement section, at least one of the direct drive elements has a protrusion (160, 560, 660) in a radial direction away from the axis of rotation of the drum that extends beyond the adjacent support element.

10. The direct drive drum (100, 500, 600, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, 2100, 2200, 4500, 4600, 4700, 4800, 4900) of claim 9, characterized in that, At least one of the direct drive elements has a protrusion height (h) in a radial direction away from the axis of rotation of the roller, exceeding the protrusion of the adjacent support element. The protrusion height increases in a direction away from the collapsing section at least in a portion of the joining sections (155, 555, 655, 755, 855, 955), and / or decreases in a direction away from the collapsing section (153, 553, 653, 753, 853, 953), at least in a portion of the joining sections (155, 555, 655, 755, 855, 955).

11. The direct drive drum (100, 500, 600, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, 2100, 2200, 4500, 4600, 4700, 4800, 4900) of claim 9, wherein, The direct-drive roller includes a direct-drive section (156) adjacent to the engagement sections (155, 555, 655, 755, 855, 955), in which the direct-drive elements (120, 520, 620, 720, 820, 920, 1020, 1120, 1220, 1320, 1420, 1520, 1620, 1720, 1820, 1920, 2020) are located. At least one of the direct drive elements (110, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 4510, 4920) has a constant protrusion height (h) in a radial direction (108) away from the axis of rotation of the roller (105) exceeding that of the adjacent support element (110, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 4510, 4910).

12. The direct-drive roller (100, 500, 600, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, 2100, 2200, 4500, 4600, 4700, 4800, 4900) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The direct-drive roller includes a disengagement section (158) in which no direct-drive element (120, 520, 620, 720, 820, 920, 1020, 1120, 1220, 1320, 1420, 1520, 1620, 1720, 1820, 1920, 2020, 2120, 2220, 4520, 4620, 4720, 4820, 4920) protrudes beyond the adjacent support element (110, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1010, 4510, 4910) in a radial direction (108) away from the roller rotation axis (105).

13. The direct drive drum (100, 500, 600, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, 2100, 2200) according to claim 3, characterized in that, Each support element is followed by a direct drive element, and each direct drive element is followed by a support element.

14. The direct drive drum (100, 500, 600, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, 2100, 2200, 4500, 4600, 4700, 4800, 4900) of claim 6, wherein, In the lower skirt section, the supporting surfaces (111, 511, 611, 711, 810, 910, 1010, 4510, 4910) of the supporting elements (110, 510, 610, 710, 810, 910, 1011, 4511, 4911) are arranged at an angle (α) from 0.5° to 10° relative to the axis of rotation of the roller (105).

15. The direct drive drum (4900) of claim 7, wherein, In the upper skirt section, the support surface (4911) of the support element (4910) is arranged at an angle from 0.5° to 10° relative to the axis of rotation of the roller.

16. A conveying system (190) comprising direct-drive rollers (100, 500, 600, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, 2100, 2200, 4500, 4600, 4700, 4800, 4900) and modular conveyor belts (180, 4980) according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

17. The transmission system (190) according to claim 16, characterized in that, (i) At least some of the supporting surfaces (111, 511, 611, 711, 810, 910, 1010, 4510, 4910) of the supporting elements (110, 510, 610, 710, 810, 911, 1011, 4511, 4911) support the modular conveyor belt (180, 4980); and / or (ii) At least some of the direct drive elements (120, 520, 620, 720, 820, 920, 1020, 1120, 1220, 1320, 1420, 1520, 1620, 1720, 1820, 1920, 2020, 2120, 2220, 4520, 4620, 4720, 4820, 4920) in the direct drive rollers (100, 500, 600, 800) The modular conveyor belts (180, 4980) are joined in the joining sections (155, 555, 655, 755, 855, 955) and / or the direct drive section (156) of the junction sections (155, 555, 655, 755, 855, 955) of the junction sections (155, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, 2100, 2200, 4500, 4600, 4700, 4800, 4900) and / or the direct drive section (156).

18. A method of manufacturing a direct drive drum (100, 500, 600, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, 2000, 2100, 2200, 4500, 4600, 4700, 4800, 4900) for a modular conveyor (180, 4980) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that, Some support elements are removed from the roller, which includes multiple support elements, and each of the removed support elements is replaced with a direct drive element (120, 520, 620, 720, 820, 920, 1020, 1120, 1220, 1320, 1420, 1520, 1620, 1720, 1820, 1920, 2020, 2120, 2220, 4520, 4620, 4720, 4820, 4920).

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