Rail pipe belt conveyor with shuttling car

Abstract

This invention discloses a track-mounted tubular belt conveyor with a locking trolley, relating to the field of belt conveyor technology. It includes a guide rail, window-type idlers, a locking device, an unlocking device, a locking trolley, and rollers. The conveyor belt moves along the guide rail and rollers, while the locking trolley moves along the guide rail. The conveyor belt passes sequentially through the window-type idlers and the locking trolley. The window-type idlers constrain the conveyor belt into a circular tube shape. The locking trolley is equipped with a locking device. The unlocking and locking devices control the opening and closing of the locking device, thereby controlling the shape of the conveyor belt. The locking trolley of this invention can independently achieve the circular tube shape of the conveyor belt, eliminating the need for auxiliary measures such as pressure rollers or pressure trolleys. The locking trolley only requires the guide rail to support the conveyor belt, simplifying the design structure of the track-mounted tubular belt conveyor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of belt conveyor technology, specifically a track-type tubular belt conveyor with a locking car. Background Technology

[0002] Tubular belt conveyors offer advantages such as flexible route layout and the ability to transport materials in a closed system, reducing environmental pollution along the route. Traditional tubular belt conveyors consist of six or eight polygonal window-type idlers that encircle the conveyor belt to form a cylindrical shape, transporting materials within this tube. Due to the lateral elasticity of the conveyor belt, the diameter of the cylindrical shape formed between two sets of window-type idlers is larger than the diameter of the encircling area. During operation, each set of window-type idlers exerts additional pressure on the conveyor belt's cylindrical shape, resulting in high operating resistance, high belt strength, high power loss, and limited conveying distance. Furthermore, the window-type idlers lack effective circumferential restraint on the conveyor belt, leading to frequent belt misalignment and twisting, which also affects normal operation.

[0003] In recent years, track-mounted tubular belt conveyors have emerged, replacing window-type idlers with tracked vehicles to reduce running resistance. For example: 1. Using tracked vehicles to support the conveyor belt. Since the tracked vehicles cannot completely encircle the conveyor belt, idlers are still needed to press the belt down from above to maintain its cylindrical shape. In this technology, the tracked vehicles move with the conveyor belt, while the upper idlers remain stationary. The tracked vehicles and the upper idlers are often not on the same cross-section, which is not conducive to achieving the desired cylindrical shape. 2. Using tracked vehicles to support the conveyor belt, and then setting up a pressing vehicle above. The tracked vehicles and pressing vehicles work together to encircle the conveyor belt into a cylindrical shape. This method keeps the tracked vehicles and pressing vehicles in the same position, resulting in a better effect of encircling the conveyor belt into a tube. However, the tracked vehicles and pressing vehicles need to run on their own tracks, increasing the complexity of the structure. 3. Using movable brackets set within a closed frame to encircle the conveyor belt into a cylindrical shape. This type of mobile support runs on tracks within a closed frame. Through the constraint and guidance of numerous tracks, it achieves the closing and opening of the conveyor belt. The structure is very complex, and equipment maintenance is inconvenient. Based on this, a track-mounted tubular belt conveyor with a locking mechanism is designed. This provides a method for conveying bulk materials in a circular tubular shape while leveraging the energy-saving and environmentally friendly advantages of track-mounted tubular belt conveyors. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a track-mounted tubular belt conveyor with a locking car. The locking car supports the conveyor belt, and the locking arms on the locking car encircle the conveyor belt, maintaining its circular tube shape. The locking car is equipped with a locking device; once the locking arms close, the locking hooks of the locking devices hook onto each other's locking arm ends to form a lock. This lock is maintained by the spring force of the locking spring and will not automatically release. Since the locking car itself can independently achieve the circular tube shape of the conveyor belt, there is no need for auxiliary measures such as pressure rollers or pressure cars. The locking car only requires a guide rail to support it, simplifying the design. Furthermore, the locking arms on the locking car are equipped with return springs. Once the locking hooks disengage, the locking arms automatically open under the action of the return springs, no longer encircling and constraining the conveyor belt, thus fulfilling the function of releasing and detaching from the conveyor belt without the need for other auxiliary measures.

[0005] The objective of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution: a track-mounted tubular belt conveyor with a locking trolley, comprising a guide rail, window-type idlers, a locking device, an unlocking device, a locking trolley, and rollers. The rollers include a head roller and a tail roller, which are respectively disposed at the front and rear ends of the guide rail. The conveyor belt moves along the guide rail and the rollers. The locking trolley moves along the guide rail. The conveyor belt passes sequentially through the window-type idlers and the locking trolley. The window-type idlers constrain the conveyor belt into a circular tube shape. The locking trolley is equipped with a locking device. The unlocking device and the locking device control the opening and closing of the locking device, thereby controlling the shape of the conveyor belt.

[0006] Furthermore, the guide rail includes an upper guide rail and a lower guide rail. The ends of the upper and lower guide rails near the roller are set to be arc-shaped, so that after the conveyor belt is separated from the locking car, the locking car can move along the upper guide rail to the lower guide rail or the locking car 10 can move along the lower guide rail 8 to the upper guide rail 7. The conveyor belt moves along the lower guide rail, the roller, and the upper guide rail in sequence.

[0007] Furthermore, the locking vehicle includes wheels and a support frame. The wheels are movably connected to the guide rail and their direction of movement is changed by a deflector pulley. The wheels are used to support the locking vehicle to travel along the guide rail.

[0008] Furthermore, the redirecting pulley is located at the arc-shaped junction of the upper and lower guide rails, the wire rope is located at the center of the guide rails and changes direction through the redirecting pulley, the wire rope passes through the support frame, and the locking car moves along the wire rope.

[0009] Furthermore, the locking vehicle includes a fixed arm, a locking arm, and a locking device. The locking arm includes a left locking arm and a right locking arm. The fixed arm is fixedly connected to the support frame. One end of the left locking arm is hinged to the fixed arm, and the other end of the right locking arm is movably connected to the fixed arm, so that the locking arm can be opened and closed. The left locking arm and the right locking arm are connected and fixed in position by the locking device.

[0010] Furthermore, the locking device includes an unlocking rod, a locking hook, and a locking spring. The locking hook includes a left locking hook and a right locking hook, and the locking spring includes a left locking spring and a right locking spring. The left locking hook is movably connected to the left locking arm through the left locking spring, and the right locking hook is movably connected to the right locking arm through the right locking spring. The left locking hook hooks onto the right locking arm for fixation, and the right locking hook hooks onto the left locking arm for fixation. At the same time, under the action of the spring force of the locking spring, they maintain mutual locking and will not automatically release. After the locking arms are closed, they can wrap around the conveyor belt to keep the conveyor belt in a circular tube shape.

[0011] Furthermore, the unlocking rod includes a left unlocking rod and a right unlocking rod, the left unlocking rod being fixedly connected to the left locking hook, and the right unlocking rod being fixedly connected to the right locking hook.

[0012] Furthermore, the unlocking device is wedge-shaped and cooperates with the unlocking rod. The unlocking device is used to separate the left unlocking rod and the right unlocking rod. The left unlocking rod and the right unlocking rod drive the locking hook to separate, thereby achieving the purpose of unlocking by disengaging the hook.

[0013] Furthermore, the left and right locking arms are movably connected to the fixed arm via return springs. Once disengaged, the locking arms will automatically open under the action of the return springs and will no longer encircle and constrain the conveyor belt.

[0014] Furthermore, the locking device includes a guide rod and a fixed rod. The guide rod includes a left guide rod and a right guide rod, with the distance between the left and right guide rods being wider at one end and narrower at the other. The fixed rod includes a left fixed rod and a right fixed rod. The left fixed rod is fixedly connected to the left locking arm, and the right fixed rod is fixedly connected to the right locking arm. The left and right fixed rods move along the left and right guide rods respectively, causing the left and right locking arms to close, encircling the conveyor belt into a circular tube shape. Then, the locking device fixes the positions of the left and right locking arms, so that the conveyor belt maintains its circular tube shape.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0016] 1. The present invention uses a locking car to support the conveyor belt, and the locking arm on the locking car wraps around the conveyor belt to keep the conveyor belt in a circular tube shape.

[0017] 2. The locking vehicle of the present invention is equipped with a locking device. Once the locking arms are closed, the locking hooks of the locking device will hook onto the ends of the locking arms of the other locking arms to form a lock. Under the action of the spring force of the locking spring, the lock will remain locked and will not automatically release.

[0018] 3. Since the locking car can independently achieve the function of wrapping the conveyor belt into a circular tube shape, there is no need to set up auxiliary measures such as belt pressing rollers and belt pressing cars. The locking car only needs guide rails to achieve the function of supporting the locking car, which simplifies the design structure.

[0019] 4. The locking arm on the locking car is equipped with a return spring. Once the locking hook is disengaged, the locking arm will automatically open under the action of the return spring, no longer encircling and restraining the conveyor belt, thus fulfilling the functional requirement of releasing and disengaging from the conveyor belt without the need for other auxiliary measures. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the head section of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the tail section of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the locking vehicle encircling the conveyor belt according to the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a structural schematic diagram of the locking vehicle in the open conveyor belt state according to the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the locking device and locking arm of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the right unlocking rod, right locking hook, right locking arm and fixing arm of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the left guide rod and the right guide rod of the present invention;

[0027] In the diagram: 1-Head roller, 2-Conveyor belt, 3-Window roller, 4-Fixed arm, 5-Redirecting rope pulley, 6-Locking device, 7-Upper guide rail, 8-Lower guide rail, 9-Wire rope, 10-Locking car, 11-Unlocking device, 12-Wheel, 13-Support frame, 14-Left locking arm, 15-Locking device, 16-Left unlocking rod, 17-Left locking hook, 18-Left locking spring, 19-Reset spring, 20-Right locking arm, 21-Right unlocking rod, 22-Right locking hook, 23-Right locking spring, 24-Tail roller, 30-Left guide rod, 31-Right guide rod, 32-Left fixed rod, 33-Right fixed rod. Detailed Implementation

[0028] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. The components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0029] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0030] Example 1:

[0031] like Figures 1 to 7 As shown, a track-mounted tubular belt conveyor with locking cars includes a guide rail, window-type idlers 3, a locking device 6, an unlocking device 11, several locking cars 10, and rollers. The rollers include a head roller 1 and a tail roller 24, which are respectively located at the front and rear ends of the guide rail. The conveyor belt 2 moves along the guide rail and the rollers. The locking cars 10 move along the guide rail. The window-type idlers 3 are located between the guide rail and the rollers. The locking device 6 is located along the conveyor belt 2. At the initial end of the conveyor belt 2, the unlocking device 11 is set at the end of the conveyor belt 2. During the movement, the conveyor belt 2 passes through the window roller 3 and the locking car 10 in sequence. The window roller 3 constrains the conveyor belt 2 into a circular tube shape. Several locking cars 10 are arranged along the guide rail to support the conveyor belt 2. The locking car 10 is equipped with a locking device 15. When the locking car 10 moves synchronously with the conveyor belt 2, the unlocking device 11 and the locking device 6 control the opening and closing of the locking device 15 to control the shape of the conveyor belt 2. At the starting end of the conveyor belt 2, the window-type idler roller 3 pre-constrains the conveyor belt 2 into a circular tube shape. Then, the locking car 10 surrounds the conveyor belt 2 to maintain its circular tube shape during operation. The locking car 10 changes from an open state to a locked state by the locking device 6, and from a locked state to an open state by the unlocking device 11. When the locking car 10 is in the locked state, the conveyor belt 2 is in a circular tube state. When the locking car 10 is in the open state, the conveyor belt 2 unfolds from a circular tube state into a trough state, and can be separated from the locking car 10 without restriction. Thus, each locking car 10 can realize the function of surrounding and supporting the circular tube conveyor belt 2 on the guide rail, which greatly simplifies the structure of the track tubular belt conveyor and facilitates the operation and maintenance of the track tubular belt conveyor.

[0032] Example 2:

[0033] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, based on Embodiment 1, this embodiment improves the locking car 10. The guide rail includes an upper guide rail 7 and a lower guide rail 8. The ends of the upper guide rail 7 and the lower guide rail 8 near the roller are set as arcs to facilitate the locking car 10 moving along the upper guide rail 7 to the lower guide rail 8 or moving along the lower guide rail 8 to the upper guide rail 7 after the conveyor belt 2 is separated from the locking car 10. The conveyor belt 2 moves sequentially along the lower guide rail 8, the head roller 1, the window roller 3, the upper guide rail 7, the tail roller 24, the window roller 3, and the lower guide rail 8.

[0034] The locking car 10 includes wheels 12 and a support frame 13. The wheels 12 are movably connected to the guide rail and their direction of movement is changed by the reversing pulley 5. The wheels 12 are used to support the locking car 10 to travel along the guide rail.

[0035] The redirecting pulley 5 is located at the arc-shaped intersection of the upper guide rail 7 and the lower guide rail 8. The wire rope 9 is located at the center of the guide rail and changes direction via the redirecting pulley 5. The wire rope 9 passes through the support frame 13, and the locking car 10 moves along the wire rope 9. Several locking cars 10 are connected in series via the wire rope 9 to form a whole, maintaining a certain distance. They form a closed loop on the upper guide rail 7 and the lower guide rail 8 of the belt conveyor, encircling and supporting the conveyor belt 2 and moving synchronously with it. The wire rope 9 prevents the locking cars 10 from deviating from the route.

[0036] Example 3:

[0037] like Figures 3 to 6 As shown, based on Embodiment 2, this embodiment improves the locking carriage 10. The locking carriage 10 includes a fixed arm 4, a locking arm, and a locking device 15. The locking arm includes a left locking arm 14 and a right locking arm 20. The bottom of the fixed arm 4 is fixedly connected to the support frame 13. The left locking arm 14 is hinged to one end of the top of the fixed arm 4, and the right locking arm 20 is movably connected to the other end of the top of the fixed arm 4. The left locking arm 14 and the right locking arm 20 are connected by the locking device 15. When the locking arm is in the closed state, the locking device 15 is closed, fixing the position and state of the locking arm, thereby maintaining the circular tube shape of the conveyor belt 2. When the locking device 15 is open and the locking arm is in the open state, the conveyor belt 2 unfolds from the circular tube shape to the trough shape, making it easier for the conveyor belt 2 to disengage from the locking carriage 10.

[0038] Example 4:

[0039] like Figures 3 to 6As shown, based on Embodiment 3, this embodiment improves the locking device 15. The locking device 15 includes an unlocking rod, a locking hook, and a locking spring. The locking hook includes a left locking hook 17 and a right locking hook 22. The locking spring includes a left locking spring 18 and a right locking spring 23. The left locking hook 17 is movably connected to the left locking arm 14 through the left locking spring 18. The right locking hook 22 is movably connected to the right locking arm 20 through the right locking spring 23. The left locking hook 17 hooks onto the right locking arm 20 for fixation, and the right locking hook 22 hooks onto the left locking arm 14 for fixation. Under the action of the locking spring, the left locking hook 17 and the right locking hook 22 are always kept in the fixed position, so that the left locking arm 14 and the right locking arm 20 are kept in a closed state, so that the conveyor belt 2 maintains the shape of a circular tube.

[0040] The unlocking rods include a left unlocking rod 16 and a right unlocking rod 21. The left unlocking rod 16 is fixedly connected to the left locking hook 17, and the right unlocking rod 21 is fixedly connected to the right locking hook 22.

[0041] The unlocking device 11 is wedge-shaped, resembling an inverted triangle, with a pointed bottom and a wider top. The unlocking device 11 works in conjunction with the unlocking rod. The left unlocking rod 16 and the right unlocking rod 21 are located on the left and right sides of the tip of the unlocking device 11, respectively. When the locking carriage 10 moves synchronously with the conveyor belt 2, it moves along the tip of the unlocking device 11 towards the wider end, gradually widening the gap between the left unlocking rod 16 and the right unlocking rod 21. The left unlocking rod 16 pulls the left locking hook 17 away from the right locking arm 20, and the right unlocking rod 21 pulls the right locking hook 22 away from the left locking arm 14. Afterward, the left locking arm 14 and the right locking arm 20 are opened by the conveyor belt 2, achieving the effect of automatic opening of the locking arms. Simultaneously, the conveyor belt 2 unfolds from a cylindrical state into a trough shape. At this point, the locking carriage 10 only supports the conveyor belt 2, and the locking arms no longer forcibly constrain the conveyor belt 2 into a cylindrical shape.

[0042] Example 5:

[0043] like Figures 3 to 6 As shown, based on Embodiment 3, this embodiment improves the locking arms. The left locking arm 14 and the right locking arm 20 are movably connected to the fixed arm 4 via a return spring 19. As long as the left locking arm 14 and the right locking arm 20 are no longer in a closed state, they will always be in an open state under the action of the return spring 19, achieving the effect of automatic opening of the locking arms.

[0044] Example 6:

[0045] like Figures 1 to 7As shown, based on Embodiment 3, this embodiment improves the locking device 6. The locking device 6 includes a guide rod and a fixing rod. The guide rod includes a left guide rod 30 and a right guide rod 31. The distance between the left guide rod 30 and the right guide rod 31 is wider at one end and narrower at the other end. The fixing rod includes a left fixing rod 32 and a right fixing rod 33. The left fixing rod 32 is fixedly connected to the left locking arm 14, and the right fixing rod 33 is fixedly connected to the right locking arm 20. The left fixing rod 32 and the right fixing rod 33 move along the left guide rod 30 and the right guide rod 31, respectively, and drive the left locking arm 14 and the right locking arm 20 to close. When the locking car 10 moves synchronously with the conveyor belt 2, it moves from the wide-spacing end of the left guide rod 30 and the right guide rod 31 to the narrow-spacing end. The left fixed rod 32 and the right fixed rod 33 are squeezed and closed by the left guide rod 30 and the right guide rod 31, respectively. At the same time, the left fixed rod 32 and the right fixed rod 33 drive the left locking arm 14 and the right locking arm 20 to close. During the closing process, they surround the conveyor belt 2 and encircle the conveyor belt 2 into a circular tube shape. Then, the locking device 15 fixes the position of the left locking arm 14 and the right locking arm 20, so that the conveyor belt 2 maintains the circular tube shape.

[0046] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the forms disclosed herein and should not be construed as excluding other embodiments. It can be used in various other combinations, modifications, and environments, and can be altered within the scope of the concept described herein through the above teachings or related technologies or knowledge. Modifications and variations made by those skilled in the art that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention should be within the protection scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A track-type tubular belt conveyor with a locking car, characterized in that: The system includes a guide rail, a window roller (3), a locking device (6), an unlocking device (11), a locking carriage (10), and a drum. The conveyor belt (2) moves along the guide rail and the drum. The locking carriage (10) moves along the guide rail. The conveyor belt (2) passes through the window roller (3) and the locking carriage (10) in sequence. The window roller (3) constrains the conveyor belt (2) into a cylindrical shape. The locking carriage (10) is equipped with a locking device (15). The unlocking device (11) and the locking device (6) control the opening and closing of the locking device (15). The shape of the conveyor belt (2) is controlled in this way. The locking vehicle (10) includes a fixed arm (4), a locking arm, a locking device (15) and a support frame (13). The locking arm includes a left locking arm (14) and a right locking arm (20). The fixed arm (4) is fixedly connected to the support frame (13). The left locking arm (14) is movably connected to one end of the fixed arm (4). The right locking arm (20) is movably connected to the other end of the fixed arm (4). The left locking arm (14) and the right locking arm (20) are connected by the locking device (15).

2. The track-mounted tubular belt conveyor with locking car according to claim 1, characterized in that: The guide rail includes an upper guide rail (7) and a lower guide rail (8). The upper guide rail (7) and the lower guide rail (8) are arc-shaped at the end near the roller. The conveyor belt (2) moves along the lower guide rail (8), the roller, and the upper guide rail (7) in sequence.

3. A track-type tubular belt conveyor with a locking car according to claim 2, characterized in that: The locking car (10) also includes wheels (12), which are movably connected to the guide rail and change the direction of movement by a reversing rope wheel (5).

4. A track-type tubular belt conveyor with a locking car according to claim 3, characterized in that: The redirecting pulley (5) is located at the arc junction of the upper guide rail (7) and the lower guide rail (8). The wire rope (9) is located at the center of the guide rail and changes direction through the redirecting pulley (5). The wire rope (9) passes through the support frame (13). The locking car (10) moves along the wire rope (9).

5. A track-mounted tubular belt conveyor with a locking car according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, characterized in that: The locking device (15) includes an unlocking rod, a locking hook and a locking spring. The locking hook includes a left locking hook (17) and a right locking hook (22). The locking spring includes a left locking spring (18) and a right locking spring (23). The left locking hook (17) is movably connected to the left locking arm (14) through the left locking spring (18). The right locking hook (22) is movably connected to the right locking arm (20) through the right locking spring (23). The left locking hook (17) hooks onto the right locking arm (20) for fixation. The right locking hook (22) hooks onto the left locking arm (14) for fixation.

6. A track-mounted tubular belt conveyor with a locking car according to claim 5, characterized in that: The unlocking rod includes a left unlocking rod (16) and a right unlocking rod (21). The left unlocking rod (16) is fixedly connected to the left locking hook (17), and the right unlocking rod (21) is fixedly connected to the right locking hook (22).

7. A track-mounted tubular belt conveyor with a locking car according to claim 6, characterized in that: The unlocking device (11) is wedge-shaped and cooperates with the unlocking rod.

8. A track-mounted tubular belt conveyor with a locking car according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, characterized in that: The left locking arm (14) and the right locking arm (20) are movably connected to the fixed arm (4) through the return spring (19).

9. A track-mounted tubular belt conveyor with a locking car according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, characterized in that: The locking device (6) includes a guide rod and a fixing rod. The guide rod includes a left guide rod (30) and a right guide rod (31). The distance between the left guide rod (30) and the right guide rod (31) is wider at one end and narrower at the other end. The fixing rod includes a left fixing rod (32) and a right fixing rod (33). The left fixing rod (32) is fixedly connected to the left locking arm (14), and the right fixing rod (33) is fixedly connected to the right locking arm (20). The left fixing rod (32) and the right fixing rod (33) move along the left guide rod (30) and the right guide rod (31) respectively, and drive the left locking arm (14) and the right locking arm (20) to close.

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