A conveying system comprising a plurality of conveying units for conveying products

Abstract

The invention relates to a conveying system comprising a plurality of conveying units, comprising a chassis, first and second roller-like rotating elements (16, 18), a conveying belt passing around the rotating elements (16, 18), which forms a support surface for products, a first filler piece (20), wherein the first filler piece (20) is connected to the first rotating element (16) in such a way that the first filler piece (20) and the first rotating element (16) can jointly be displaced towards and away from the second rotating element (18), a second filler piece (22) fastened to the chassis between the first filler piece (20) and the second rotating element (18), and a removable spacing element (32), which in use is arranged in a fitting manner between the first filler piece (20) and the second filler piece (22), wherein a predetermined operating distance between the first rotating element (16) and the second rotating element (18) is determined as a result of the spacing element (32) being placed between the first filler piece (20) and the second filler piece (22).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveying system comprising multiple conveying units for conveying products, and a method for placing a conveyor belt on the conveying units of such a conveying system.

[0002] US1,347,121 relates to a device for adjusting the tension of a canvas in a ring conveyor.

[0003] KR 20190081775 A relates to a device for changing the belt of a conveyor. The device has a complex adjustment mechanism for changing the distance between the drive rollers.

[0004] It is also known that a conveying system has multiple conveying units for conveying products, wherein each conveying unit has a base frame, a first roller-shaped rotating element and a second roller-shaped rotating element, the first and second roller-shaped rotating elements being arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart on the base frame to be rotatable about their respective first and second rotation axes, and having a conveyor belt that passes over the two rotating elements and forms a support surface for the products. In this case, the conveying units can be arranged continuously in a row (such as a ring row) and moved along a fixed conveying path. Alternatively, the conveying units can be arranged in a manner that allows them to move independently between a supply position and a discharge position.

[0005] One object of the present invention is to provide a conveying system in which the conveying unit can be provided with a conveyor belt in a simple and efficient manner.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a conveying system having a conveying unit with a simple construction in terms of attaching or replacing the conveyor belt.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved conveying system.

[0008] One or more of the stated objectives are achieved by a conveying system according to the invention, comprising a plurality of conveying units for conveying products from a supply position to a discharge position. Each of the plurality of conveying units includes a base frame, a first roller-shaped rotating element and a second roller-shaped rotating element, and a conveyor belt. The first and second roller-shaped rotating elements are arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart on the base frame to be rotatable about respective first and second rotation axes. The conveyor belt passes over the two rotating elements and forms a support surface for the product. In this case, the conveying unit may include a drive device for driving one or both rotating elements to rotate, thereby driving the conveyor belt in the conveying direction. Each conveying unit further includes a first filler disposed between the first and second rotating elements; and a second filler fastened to the base frame between the first filler and the second rotating element. The first filler is connected to the first rotating element in such a way that the first filler and the first rotating element are disposed on the base frame to be jointly displaced toward and away from the second rotating element in a direction transverse to the first rotation axis. Each conveying unit also includes a removable spacer element that is configured in a mating manner between the first filler and the second filler during use, wherein a predetermined operating distance between the first rotating element and the second rotating element (i.e., between their respective axes of rotation) is determined by placing the spacer element between the first filler and the second filler.

[0009] One effect of the conveying system according to the invention is that, by providing two fillers and a removable spacer element, the first rotating element can be moved toward the second rotating element in a very simple and efficient manner, creating a space that facilitates the placement of the conveyor belt around the rotating element, since the spacer element is not yet in place. The spacer element can then be placed between the fillers, thereby determining the operating distance between the rotating elements. This operating distance is predetermined such that, with the spacer element in place, the conveyor belt is under tension within a desired range. Since the length of the conveyor belt is generally sufficiently precise, the inventors have realized that it is unnecessary to bring the conveyor belt to a predetermined specific tension and then subsequently fix the rotating elements to the base (i.e., the final distance between the rotating elements is generated by this tensioning operation). According to the invention, the mutual distance can be achieved by placing the spacer element. In this case, there is therefore no need for a specific active setting of the tension in the belt; this is because the rotating elements are brought to the operating distance by means of the spacer element and therefore the tension is assumed to be within a desired range. In this case, some variations in tension may be problematic, for example, due to the length tolerance of the conveyor belt. After the conveyor belt has been placed, since the operating distance is determined by the filler and spacer elements between the two rotating elements and the displacement of the first rotating element away from the second rotating element is limited by the tension in the conveyor belt, it is not necessary to arrange the first rotating element on a base frame to be fixed to prevent displacement in the conveying direction. In this way, an improved conveying system is provided, in which the conveying units can be arranged with the conveyor belt in a simple and efficient manner. The filler and spacer elements can be components with very simple designs. In this context, it should be noted that in such conveying systems, which typically have a large number of conveying units (dozens or even hundreds of conveying units), the ability to efficiently place or change the conveyor belt is important. This is achieved according to the invention.

[0010] In one embodiment, the spacer element is plate-shaped and / or elongated. In one embodiment, the first filler is elongated and / or plate-shaped. In one embodiment, the second filler is elongated and / or plate-shaped. In this way, the components can work together to effectively form a support surface for the conveyor belt, which, for example, increases the load-bearing capacity of the conveyor belt.

[0011] In one embodiment, the spacer element and / or the first filler and / or the second filler are formed by extrusion.

[0012] In one embodiment, the first and second fillers each include longitudinal guides, and the spacer element includes corresponding guide elements on its two opposing longitudinal sides, the guide elements being configured to mate with the longitudinal guides. One effect is that the spacer element can be placed between the first and second fillers in an efficient and reliable manner by sliding the spacer element between them. In this case, the guide elements are thus guided along the longitudinal guides. A simple combination of longitudinal guides and guide elements can be formed using tongue and groove type guides.

[0013] In one embodiment, the corresponding longitudinal guides of the first and second fillers extend parallel to the first and second rotation axes. This allows the spacer element to be attached from one side of the delivery unit in a simple manner.

[0014] In one embodiment, the first filler, the second filler, and the spacer element together form a support surface for the conveyor belt.

[0015] In one embodiment, the base frame includes two opposing elongated base frame components, preferably formed of plates, with a first rotating element and a second rotating element, a first filler and a second filler, and a spacer extending between the two base frame components, preferably all extending transversely to the extension direction of the base frame components between the two base frame components.

[0016] In this case, in one embodiment, a cutout is provided in at least one base frame component through which the spacer element can be attached to be between the first filler and the second filler. This makes it possible to attach the spacer element in a very simple manner.

[0017] The present invention also relates to a method for placing a conveyor belt on a conveyor unit of the conveying system described above according to the present invention. The method includes:

[0018] a) When the spacer element is separated from the conveyor unit and the distance between the first rotating element and the second rotating element is less than a predetermined operating distance, the conveyor belt is placed around the first rotating element and the second rotating element.

[0019] (b) By shifting the first rotating element and the first filler together away from the second rotating element, the mutual distance between the first rotating element and the second rotating element is increased, thereby leaving space for the spacer element between the first filler and the second filler.

[0020] c) The spacer element is placed between the first filler and the second filler in a mating manner, thereby determining the operating distance between the first rotating element and the second rotating element.

[0021] In one embodiment, step a) includes: placing the conveyor belt while the conveying unit is in a state where only one of the two base components is connected to the first and second rotating elements, and then connecting the other of the two base components to the first and second rotating elements. This is particularly advantageous when placing or replacing a loop conveyor belt.

[0022] In one embodiment, the increase in the mutual distance according to step b) is achieved by (optionally using a tool) displacing the first rotating element and the first filler away from the second rotating element together against the tension in the conveyor belt, thereby making the mutual distance at least equal to the predetermined operating distance.

[0023] In one embodiment, the increase in mutual distance according to step b) is achieved by the placement of the spacer element according to step c). For example, this can be effectively achieved by embodying the spacer element in a wedge shape and adapting the shapes of the first filler and / or the second filler to it.

[0024] The advantages of the method according to the invention and its foregoing embodiments are similar to the foregoing advantages of the system according to the invention. Similarly, embodiments of the system according to the invention can be applied to the method according to the invention, and vice versa.

[0025] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the following schematic drawings, based on a description of a preferred embodiment of the system according to the invention. In the drawings:

[0026] - Figure 1a , Figure 1b and Figure 1c Multiple conveying units according to various preferred embodiments of the conveying system according to the present invention are shown;

[0027] - Figure 2 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of a portion of a conveying unit is shown, which can be formed according to... Figures 1a to 1c Part of the delivery system;

[0028] - Figure 3 It shows that according to Figure 2 The conveying unit, which is in contact with Figure 2 The states shown are different from the states shown; and

[0029] - Figure 4 It shows that according to Figure 2 The conveying unit, which is in contact with Figure 2 and Figure 3 This is another state that is different from the one shown.

[0030] exist Figures 1a to 1cThe conveying units 2, 102, and 202, shown in a highly schematic form, form part of the corresponding conveying systems 1, 100, and 200. These conveying systems have multiple such conveying units for conveying products 3, wherein each conveying unit has supporting surfaces 5, 105, and 205 formed by conveyor belts 4, 104, and 204 for the products 3. The conveyor belts can be driven by drive devices disposed on the conveying units themselves, such as for removing products in the conveying direction of the conveyor belts of the conveying units.

[0031] The conveying units 2 can be moved independently of each other, such as in the space between the supply and discharge positions, and can be, for example, self-guided tractors with shifting devices 10. Each conveying unit can be controlled by means of the central control unit of system 1. Conveying system 1 can include dozens or hundreds of such conveying units 2. The conveying units 102 of conveying system 100 are designed to move, for example, along a fixed path 106 on a track or other guide in a column that may be physically connected to each other. Conveying system 100 can include dozens or hundreds of such conveying units 102. In this case, each conveying unit may also have a shifting device 110, or may be driven by a shifting device arranged along the conveying path. The conveying units 202 of conveying system 200 are fixedly arranged on their base frame component 212, and the conveyor belts 204 are oriented in the conveying direction 208 such that products can be conveyed along the conveying direction on the conveying units 202 by driving the corresponding conveyor belts 204 in the conveying direction. Conveying system 200 can include dozens or hundreds of such conveying units 202.

[0032] In the following text, in the context of a more detailed description of conveyor units 2, 102, and 202, conveyor unit 2 is referred to in each case, but the description applies similarly to conveyor units 102 and 202.

[0033] Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4The conveying unit 2 without the shifting device 10 and the conveyor belt 4 is shown, making the components of the conveying unit 2 within the loop of the conveyor belt 4 (i.e., the components between the two rotating elements 16, 18) clearly visible. The conveying unit 2 has a base frame 14. In this case, the base frame 14 is connected to the shifting device 10. Furthermore, the conveying unit 2 has: a first roller-shaped rotating element 16, which is in the form of a roller in this exemplary embodiment; and a second roller-shaped rotating element 18, which is also in the form of a roller in this exemplary embodiment, which are arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart on the base frame 14 so as to be able to rotate about their respective first rotation axis 17 and second rotation axis 19. More specifically, the base frame 14 has two opposing elongated base frame components 26, through which the first rotating element 16 and the second rotating element 18, the first filler 20 and the second filler 22 extend, and these components are connected by the two elongated base frame components. The conveyor belt 4 passes around two rotating elements 16 and 18, and one or both of the rotating elements 16 and 18 can be driven so that the upper part of the conveyor belt that supports the product during operation can be displaced in the conveying direction 8. For this purpose, the conveying unit has a drive device not shown in detail.

[0034] The conveying unit 2 has a first filler 20 between two rotating elements 16, 18, which is formed elongated by extrusion, at least in this exemplary embodiment. The filler 20 extends along the first rotating element 16 and is plate-shaped, thereby supporting the conveyor belt 4 during operation, or at least the upper part of the conveyor belt supporting the product during operation. Between the first filler 20 and the second rotating element 18, the conveying unit 2 also has a second filler 22, which, in this exemplary embodiment, is also elongated plate-shaped, for supporting the conveyor belt 4. In this exemplary embodiment, the second filler 22 extends along the second rotating element. The first filler 20 is connected to the first rotating element 16 in such a way that the first filler 20 and the first rotating element 16 are disposed on a base frame so that they can be displaced relative to the second rotating element 18 in a transverse direction 8 transverse to the first rotation axis 17, in directions toward and away from the second rotating element. This is achieved by connecting the rotating element 16 to the first filler 20 via the connecting plate 24, wherein the assembly of the rotating element 16, the filler 20, and the connecting plate 24 can move back and forth in the slots 28, 29, and 30 in the two base components 26 along the conveying direction 8. The second rotating element 18 is rotatably secured to the base 14 and is fixed to prevent displacement in the conveying direction 8.

[0035] Each conveying unit 2 also has a spacer element 32, which is disposed or at least may be disposed between the first filler 20 and the second filler 22 in a mating manner. The spacer element 32 is plate-shaped and removable. The first filler 20, the second filler 22, and the spacer element 32 together form a support surface for the conveyor belt 4. In use, a predetermined operating distance 34 between the rotation axes of the first and second rotating elements is determined (i.e., defined) by placing the spacer element 32 between the first and second rotating elements (i.e., within the loop of the conveyor belt 4). In this case, the spacer element 32 is also at least disposed between the first and second rotating elements. Figure 2 The rotating element extends between the base frame components 26 in the position shown, and extends laterally relative to the extension direction of the base frame components and parallel to the rotation axis of the rotating element. A cutout 36 is provided in one of the two base frame components 26 (the front base frame component 26 in the view according to the accompanying drawings). Figure 3 The spacer element 32 can pass through the cutout 36 for placement between the fillers 20 and 22. The latter, as... Figure 4 As shown, the spacer element 32 has partially slid between the fillers 20 and 22, and can slide further to accommodate the spacer element.

[0036] from Figure 2 and Figure 3 The comparison clearly shows that, compared to Figure 2 In Figure 3 The first rotating element 16 is closer to the second rotating element 18. In other words, the mutual distance between the rotating elements is then less than the predetermined operating distance. Because according to... Figure 3 In the state of conveyor unit 2, the spacer element 32 has not yet been placed, i.e., it is separated from the conveyor unit, so this is possible. This allows the combination of the first rotating element 16 and the first filler 20 to slide toward the second rotating element 18 under the guidance of the grooves 24, 28 and 30 as described above. This makes it easier to place a new conveyor belt. In the first variant, this placement of the conveyor belt can be achieved by removing one of the base frame components 26 and attaching the annular conveyor belt around the rotating elements 16, 18 by sliding the conveyor belt around the rotating elements 16, 18 from the side where the base frame component 26 is not present. The removed base frame component 26 can then be reassembled. In the second variant, this can be achieved by having the conveyor belt with two free ends pass around the rotating element and fastening the ends together.

[0037] Subsequently, in the two variations of conveyor belt placement described above, the spacer element 32 can slide between the two fillers 20, 22 (and thus in the space within the conveyor belt loop) via the cut 36. For this purpose, the combination of the rotating element 16 and the first filler 20 can first be forced away from the second rotating element 18 (optionally using a suitable tool), thus creating space for the placement of the spacer element 32. This tightens the conveyor belt 4. This tension can be increased to allow for even more space for the placement of the spacer element. After the spacer element 32 has been placed and the tool optionally removed, the spacer element determines the operating distance between the rotating elements. In this case, it is not necessary, in principle, to fix the first rotating element 16 to the base 14 before displacement in the conveying direction 8, because it is already prevented from moving toward the second rotating element 18 by the presence of the spacer element 32, and displacement away from the second rotating element 18 is limited by the conveyor belt 4 bypassing the rotating elements.

[0038] To facilitate the placement of the spacer element 32 and to enable its efficient placement between the two fillers, the first filler 20 and the second filler 22 each include longitudinal guides 21 and 23. In this case, the plate-shaped spacer element has corresponding guide elements 38 and 39 on opposite longitudinal sides, which are configured to mate with the longitudinal guides 21 and 23. As shown, the corresponding longitudinal guides 21 and 23 of the first elongated filler 20 and the second elongated filler 22 extend parallel to the first axis of rotation 17 and the second axis of rotation 19. Therefore, the spacer element 32 can slide parallel to the axes of rotation between the fillers. In an alternative embodiment, the spacer element may be wedge-shaped, with the filler adapted to this shape. This allows the spacer element to slide between the two fillers in a very simple manner, primarily along the narrowest side of the wedge shape.

[0039] Therefore, according to the present invention, a method for placing a conveyor belt on a conveying unit of a conveying system according to the present invention may include the following steps:

[0040] a) The conveyor belt 4 is placed around the first rotating element 16 and the second rotating element 18 while the spacer element 32 is separated from the conveyor unit 2 and the mutual distance between the first rotating element and the second rotating element is less than the predetermined operating distance 34.

[0041] b) The distance between the first rotating element 16 and the second rotating element 18 is increased by shifting the first rotating element 16 and the first filler 20 away from the second rotating element 18, thereby creating space for the spacer element 32 between the first filler 20 and the second filler 22.

[0042] c) The spacer element 32 is placed between the first filler and the second filler in a mating manner, thereby determining the operating distance 34 between the first rotating element 16 and the second rotating element 18.

[0043] In this case, in a variation of the method, when the conveying unit 2 is in a state where only one of the two base components 26 is connected to the first rotating element and the second rotating element, the conveyor belt can be placed (especially in the case of a loop conveyor belt), and then the other base component of the two base components is connected to the first rotating element and the second rotating element.

[0044] In this case, the increase in the mutual distance according to step b) can also be achieved by using a tool to overcome the tension in the conveyor belt 4 and moving the first rotating element 16 and the first filler 20 away from the second rotating element 18 together, thereby making the mutual distance at least equal to the predetermined operating distance. In this case, the tension in the conveyor belt 4 can be temporarily increased relative to the tension in the conveyor belt during the use of the conveyor unit 2.

[0045] In one variation, the increase in mutual distance according to step b) can be achieved by attaching the spacer element according to step c), for example by implementing the spacer element in a wedge shape and adapting the filler to that shape.

Claims

1. A conveying system comprising a plurality of conveying units for conveying products from a supply location to a discharge location, Each of the plurality of conveying units includes: Base frame, A first roller-shaped rotating element and a second roller-shaped rotating element are arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart on the base frame so as to be able to rotate about corresponding first and second rotation axes. A conveyor belt, which wraps around the two roller-shaped rotating elements and forms a supporting surface for the product, is also present. A first filler and a second filler, the first filler being disposed between the first roller-shaped rotating element and the second roller-shaped rotating element, the second filler being fastened to the base frame between the first filler and the second roller-shaped rotating element. The first filler is connected to the first roller-shaped rotating element in such a way that the first filler and the first roller-shaped rotating element are disposed on the base frame so that they can be moved together toward and away from the second roller-shaped rotating element in a direction transverse to the first rotation axis. A removable spacer element is provided in a mating manner between the first filler and the second filler during use, wherein a predetermined operating distance between the first roller rotating element and the second roller rotating element is determined by placing the spacer element between the first filler and the second filler.

2. The conveying system according to claim 1, wherein, The spacer element is plate-shaped, and / or wherein the first filler and the second filler are plate-shaped.

3. The conveying system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first filler and the second filler each include a longitudinal guide, and wherein the spacer element includes corresponding guide elements on its two opposite longitudinal sides, the guide elements being configured to cooperate with the longitudinal guides to place the spacer element between the first filler and the second filler by sliding the spacer element between the first filler and the second filler.

4. The conveying system according to claim 3, wherein, The corresponding longitudinal guides of the first filler and the second filler extend parallel to the first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation.

5. The conveying system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first filler, the second filler, and the spacer together form a support surface for the conveyor belt.

6. The conveying system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The base frame includes two opposing elongated base frame components, a first roller-shaped rotating element and a second roller-shaped rotating element, a first filler and a second filler, and the spacer element extending between the two opposing elongated base frame components.

7. The conveying system according to claim 6, wherein, A cutout is provided in at least one base frame component, through which the spacer element can pass for placing the spacer element between the first filler and the second filler.

8. A method for placing a conveyor belt on a conveyor unit of a conveyor system according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: a) When the spacer element is separated from the conveying unit and the mutual distance between the first roller-shaped rotating element and the second roller-shaped rotating element is less than the predetermined operating distance, the conveyor belt is placed around the first roller-shaped rotating element and the second roller-shaped rotating element. b) By shifting the first roller-shaped rotating element and the second roller-shaped rotating element away from the second roller-shaped rotating element together, the mutual distance between the first roller-shaped rotating element and the second roller-shaped rotating element is increased, thereby creating space for the spacer element between the first and second roller-shaped rotating elements. c) The spacer element is placed between the first filler and the second filler in a mating manner, thereby determining the operating distance between the first roller rotating element and the second roller rotating element.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein, Step a) includes: When the conveying unit is in a state where only one of the two base components is connected to the first roller rotating element and the second roller rotating element, the conveyor belt is placed, and then the other base component of the two base components is connected to the first roller rotating element and the second roller rotating element.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein, The increase in the mutual distance according to step b) is achieved by using a tool to displace the first roller rotating element and the first filler away from the second roller rotating element together, overcoming the tension in the conveyor belt, thereby making the mutual distance at least equal to the predetermined operating distance.

11. The method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein, The increase in mutual distance according to step b) is achieved by the placement of the spacing element according to step c).

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