Apparatus and method for activating conveyor belt rollers

Abstract

An apparatus and method for activating a conveyor belt roller assembly by lowering and extending a wear strip to selectively lower a conveyor belt to place the conveyor belt roller assembly in contact with an actuating roller. A wear strip module housing the wear strip includes an upper support on which the wear strip is mounted, the upper support being longitudinally and vertically movable relative to a lower support, the lower support being fixed relative to the actuating roller. A mounting bracket rotatably mounts the lower support and the actuating roller in a fixed position and orientation.

Description

[0001] Related applications

[0002] This invention claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 186,976, filed May 11, 2021, entitled “Apparatus and Method for Activating Conveyor Belt Rollers,” the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This invention generally relates to powered conveyors, and more particularly to conveyors having a conveyor belt with an article support roller assembly extending through the thickness of the belt. The article support rollers are selectively activated by lowering and extending belt support abrasion strips to position the lower conveyor belt rollers in contact with an activation roller in an activation assembly. The article support roller assembly is selectively deactivated by raising and retracting the abrasion strips to contact the conveyor belt body and raising the conveyor belt body away from the activation roller. Background Technology

[0004] Modular plastic conveyor belts with item-supporting rollers extending across the belt are used in many package handling conveyors, such as sorters, pickers, and turners. The belt rollers are activated by a bearing surface, such as a flat, wear-resistant strip or array of rollers located beneath the belt along the conveyor belt. As the belt travels along the conveyor belt, the belt rollers rotate as they roll over the bearing surface. Items on top of the rollers are propelled along the advancing belt in a direction perpendicular to the roller's axis of rotation; this direction can be parallel, perpendicular, or inclined to the belt's direction of travel.

[0005] In some applications, it is desirable to selectively activate and deactivate belt pulleys. This is conventionally accomplished by moving the load-bearing surface (such as raising and lowering it) to and from contact with the belt pulley. However, the load-bearing surfaces that must be moved may be heavy or bulky, requiring heavy-duty motors or complex structures to move them. Summary of the Invention

[0006] These disadvantages are overcome by a conveyor embodying the features of the present invention. In one version, the conveyor includes a conveyor belt that travels longitudinally in the belt travel direction. The conveyor has an article support roller assembly arranged in longitudinal columns and transverse rows. The roller assembly includes a top roller for contacting the articles being conveyed and a bottom roller extending from the bottom of the conveyor belt for activating the top roller to selectively transfer articles away from the conveyor belt. The conveyor includes an activation assembly comprising a freely rotating actuating roller fixed in place for selectively activating the bottom roller and a raiseable and retractable abrasion strip for pulling the conveyor belt away from the actuating roller to deactivate the roller assembly.

[0007] According to one aspect, a conveyor includes: a conveyor belt that travels longitudinally in a belt travel direction and has a plurality of article support roller assemblies arranged in longitudinal columns and transverse rows, each roller assembly including an upper roller projecting above a top surface of the conveyor belt and a bottom roller projecting below a bottom surface of the conveyor belt for actuating the upper roller; a longitudinally extending abrasion strip that is laterally offset from the column of the article support roller assemblies and extends below the conveyor belt in the belt travel direction; a longitudinally extending actuation roller disposed at a fixed height below the conveyor belt and between the abrasion strip and aligned with the column of the roller assemblies; and means for vertically and longitudinally moving the abrasion strip to contact and disengage from the support of the conveyor belt to selectively raise the conveyor belt to disengage from the actuation roller.

[0008] According to another aspect, a wear strip module for selectively raising and retracting a set of wear strips includes: a lower frame including a pair of lower sidewalls connected by a top wall, the lower sidewalls including a ramp at an upper edge; an actuator received between the lower sidewalls; an upper frame including a pair of upper sidewalls connected by a bottom wall, the upper sidewalls including a downwardly angled edge projecting below the bottom wall, the upper frame being connected to the actuator; a longitudinally extending wear strip coupled to the top edge of the upper sidewall; a first set of low-friction inserts coupled to the ramp; and a second set of low-friction inserts coupled to the downwardly angled edge. The second set of low-friction inserts rests on the first set of low-friction inserts so that longitudinal movement of the upper frame relative to the lower frame achieves vertical movement of the upper frame relative to the lower frame.

[0009] According to another aspect, a method for operating a forward conveyor belt is provided, the forward conveyor belt having rows and columns of a plurality of article support roller assemblies extending through the thickness of the belt. The method includes the steps of: deactivating the article support roller assemblies by raising and retracting abrasion strips to contact portions of the conveyor belt between columns of article support roller assemblies to pull and raise the conveyor belt until it disengages from actuating rollers mounted between mounting brackets; and activating the article support roller assemblies by lowering and extending the abrasion strips relative to the mounting brackets to contact the actuating rollers. Attached Figure Description

[0010] These aspects and features of the invention, as well as its advantages, will be better understood by referring to the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0011] Figure 1 This is an isometric view of the activation component for a conveyor belt, showing a portion of the activation component;

[0012] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Side view of the activation components and conveyor belt section;

[0013] Figure 3 It is used for Figure 1 Isometric view of the mounting bracket for the activation component;

[0014] Figure 4 This shows the process during insertion into the conveyor frame. Figure 1 Activation component;

[0015] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 Side view of the wear-resistant strip module of the activation component;

[0016] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 An isometric view of the wear-resistant strip module from below;

[0017] Figure 7 Is Figure 5 Detailed view of the actuator in the wear-resistant strip module;

[0018] Figure 8 yes Figure 5 Top-view isometric view of the upper frame of the wear-resistant strip module;

[0019] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 The side view of the upper frame;

[0020] Figure 10 yes Figure 5 Isometric top view of the lower frame of the wear-resistant strip module;

[0021] Figure 11 yes Figure 10 The side view of the lower frame;

[0022] Figure 12 Is Figure 5 A detailed view of the slider at the interface between the upper and lower frames of the wear-resistant strip module;

[0023] Figure 13 yes Figure 12 Another view of the slider;

[0024] Figure 14 It is currently in a disabled state. Figure 1 A side view of the feed end of the activation component, where the wear strip has been raised and retracted;

[0025] Figure 15 It is currently in a disabled state. Figure 1 The front view of the active component;

[0026] Figure 16 It is in the active position. Figure 1 A side view of the feed end of the activation component, where the wear strip has been lowered and extended;

[0027] Figure 17 It is in the active position. Figure 1 The front view of the active component. Detailed Implementation

[0028] exist Figures 1 to 2 The diagram shows a portion of a conveyor embodying the features of the invention. This portion includes an activation component 10 in a transfer zone, attached to a conveyor frame (not shown) to selectively transfer articles transported by a conveyor belt 12. The conveyor 10 transports articles on top of the conveyor belt 12 along an upper transport path running in the belt travel direction 14. The illustrative conveyor belt 12 is... DARB TMThe S4500 modular plastic conveyor belt includes modules with articulated connections forming an infinite loop. The belt shown comprises article-supporting roller assemblies arranged in transverse rows and longitudinal columns. Each roller assembly includes a top roller 17 projecting above the top surface of the conveyor belt module and a bottom roller 18 projecting across the bottom surface of the conveyor belt module and in frictional contact with or otherwise cooperating with the top roller 17. When the bottom roller 18 rotates, it causes the top roller 17 to rotate in the opposite direction, as is known in the art. The two illustrative rollers 17, 18 rotate on an axis inclined to the longitudinal direction of the belt as given by the belt travel direction 14, but the invention is not limited thereto. An activation assembly 10 forms a bearing surface for selectively contacting the bottom roller 18 and causing it to rotate, thereby causing the top roller 17 to rotate in the opposite direction and transferring product from the belt 12. Either or both of the top roller 17 and the bottom roller 18 may have an external high-friction tread or coating for better frictional contact.

[0029] The activation assembly 10 supports the conveyor belt 12 in the shown section. The activation assembly includes a series of actuating rollers 28 spanning the width of the conveyor, each actuating roller 28 extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end of the activation assembly 10 in the belt travel direction 14. The actuating rollers 28 are rotatably mounted between mounting brackets 22, 24 located at each end of the assembly 10, with fixed orientation and position. Each actuating roller 28 is located below a row of conveyor belt roller assemblies including a top roller 17 and a bottom roller 18. The activation assembly 10 further includes a series of selectively raiseable and retractable abrasion strips 30 for selectively supporting the conveyor belt in a non-activated position, not in contact with the actuating rollers. The abrasion strips 30 are laterally offset from the column of article-supporting roller assemblies in the conveyor belt 12.

[0030] Based on the position of the wear-resistant strip 30, in the activation component area 10, the conveyor belt 12 is either supported on the periphery of the actuation roller 28 or on the wear-resistant strip 30. When the wear-resistant strip 30 extends forward past the front mounting bracket 22 and descends below the actuation roller 28, the conveyor belt is supported on the actuation roller 28, as... Figure 2 As shown. In this activated position, the extension of the lower roller 18 contacts the periphery of the actuating roller 28 via a protrusion on the bottom surface of the belt. Forward movement of the belt in the belt travel direction 14 causes the lower belt roller 18 and the actuating roller 28 to rotate against each other, which in turn causes the upper belt roller 17 to rotate against the lower belt roller 18, thereby transferring the product supported by the upper belt roller 17 from the conveyor belt.

[0031] When the wear-resistant strip 30 retracts in the longitudinal direction and rises above the actuating roller 28, the belt 12 rides on the wear-resistant strip 30 and does not contact the actuating roller 28, as described below.

[0032] The wear strip 30 is housed in a series of wear strip modules configured to selectively move the wear strip 30 in the vertical and longitudinal directions. In an illustrative embodiment, a series of three wear strip modules spans the width of the activation component 10, each wear strip module including two wear strips 30 movably mounted to an upper support of a static lower support.

[0033] refer to Figure 3 Each mounting bracket 22, 24 includes a plate spanning the width of the activation assembly 10, which may span the width of the conveyor. The plate includes a roller opening 128 for rotatably mounting the actuating roller 28 and a wear strip support opening (shown as slot 130) below the roller opening 128 for mounting the wear strip support as described below. Below the wear strip support opening, the mounting bracket further includes a wear strip support fastener opening 129 for securing the wear strip support to the mounting bracket 22 or 24. A recess 132 in the upper edge provides clearance for the wear strip 30.

[0034] Mounting brackets 22 and 24 further include mounting pull rings 126 that extend inwardly perpendicular to the plate and include mounting openings 127 for mounting component 10 to the conveyor frame. Pin holes 125 between the mounting openings 127 can be used to align and position the activated component 10 in the conveyor frame before inserting fasteners through the mounting openings 127.

[0035] If needed, a fastening hole can be included in the bottom wall 131, which extends between the mounting ring 126 and the bottom edge of the plate for securing air lines or other cables inside the conveyor. The bottom wall 131 also facilitates the positioning of the activation assembly 10 within the conveyor frame.

[0036] Lifting point 150 provides an attachment location for lifting belts or rigging to facilitate the insertion of activation component 10 within or from the conveyor frame.

[0037] Each activation component 10 includes a series of abrasion strip modules, each containing two raiseable and retractable abrasion strips 30 extending longitudinally in the belt travel direction. The abrasion strips 30 are located between pairs of actuating rollers 28 and are laterally offset from the column of the article support roller assembly, as described below.

[0038] like Figure 4As shown, each activation component 10 can be pre-assembled and lowered into the conveyor frame 100, wherein one or more activation components 10 are used in each conveyor frame 100 to form a constructible activation area. Illustrative lifting points 150 in supports 22, 24 facilitate insertion of the activation component using lifting belts 158, but other suitable means for inserting the activation component 10 may also be used. After the component is lowered into place within the frame 100, a pin can be inserted into a pin hole 125 to lock the component in place, and then a fastener inserted through a fastener opening 127 attaches the activation component 10 to the conveyor frame 100.

[0039] refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 Each abrasion strip module 40 for selectively guiding a conveyor belt includes a lower frame 42 housing an actuator 44 and an upper frame 46 containing a pair of longitudinally extending abrasion strips 30. The abrasion strips 30 extend along each upper edge of the abrasion strip module 40 and are separated by the width W of the module 40. The upper frame 46 is movably mounted on the lower frame 42 and is capable of longitudinal and vertical translation relative to the lower frame 42.

[0040] like Figure 7 As shown, actuator 44 is mounted between the side walls of lower frame 42 using fasteners 141 that connect the top wall of lower frame to connecting plate 142. Connecting plate 142 is coupled to U-clamp 143, which is attached to adapter block 144 for actuator 44. Reciprocating rod 143 of actuator is coupled to rotating eye rod 146 or other suitable connector to connect actuator 44 to connecting plate 147 connected to upper frame 46, and the reciprocating rod enables vertical and longitudinal movement of upper frame 46 relative to lower frame 42 as rod 143 extends and retracts. Figure 7 In the middle, the actuator is in the extended position, which causes the wear strip 30 to drop below the actuation roller 28 and extend beyond the front of the activation component front bracket 22.

[0041] refer to Figure 8 and Figure 9The illustrative upper frame 46 includes a pair of spaced-apart, longitudinally extending sidewalls 151 for mounting abrasion strips, which may be press-fitted to the top edges of the sidewalls 151 or otherwise mounted. At a first end, the sidewall has a protrusion 152 extending beyond a front edge 153. A smaller protrusion 156 extends beyond a rear edge 157. A bottom wall 154 extends between the sidewalls 151 and connects them from the front edge 153 to the rear edge 157. The bottom wall 154 includes an opening for receiving a fastener 141 for attaching an actuator 44 to the upper frame 46. Towards the front and rear edges, the sidewalls 151 include a protrusion 160 terminating in a downwardly angled edge 161 at the bottom edge. The downwardly angled edge 161 extends below the bottom edge of the sidewall 151.

[0042] refer to Figure 10 and Figure 11 The lower frame 42 of the wear strip module 40 includes spaced-apart, longitudinally extending sidewalls 171 connected by a top wall 174. A pair of extensions 172 extend from the front and rear edges of the top wall 174. The extensions 172 are configured to receive in slots 130 of mounting brackets 22, 24 to mount the wear strip module 40 to the mounting brackets 22, 24. A converging flange 176 below the extensions 172 includes an opening for mounting the lower frame 42 to the mounting brackets 22, 24 via an opening 129. A fastener opening 177 receives a fastener 141 for mounting an actuator 44 to the lower frame 42. The top wall 174 further includes cutouts for accessing the actuator 44 and for allowing debris to fall in.

[0043] The lower frame 42 further includes ramps 181 at the upper edge of the sidewall 171 near the front and rear ends of the lower frame. The ramps 181 are complementary to the angled edges 161 of the upper frame 46. In the illustrative embodiment, the top rear end 181a of the ramp 181 protrudes above the top wall 174.

[0044] refer to Figure 12 and Figure 13 The ramp 181 and the angled edge 161 facilitate vertical and longitudinal movement of the upper frame 46 and the wear strip 30 relative to the lower frame 42 without displacing the actuating roller 28 out of position relative to the supports 22, 24. Low-friction inserts, shown as upper slider 185 and lower slider 186, are attached to the angled edge 161 and ramp 181, such that upper slider 185 rests on lower slider 186. In the illustrative embodiment, sliders 185, 186 include flat outer surfaces resting against each other. When the actuator 44 moves the upper frame 46 longitudinally, the disturbance between sliders 185, 186 is translated into vertical and longitudinal movement of the upper frame 46 and the wear strip 30.

[0045] The illustrative upper frame slider 185 guides the upper frame 46 vertically and horizontally while resisting wear over time. The upper frame slider 185 has a longitudinal groove for receiving the angled edge 161 of the upper frame 46 and an inner lip 187 for preventing lateral movement of the components relative to each other. The lower slider 186 includes a longitudinal groove for receiving the ramp 181. The illustrative sliders are press-fitted into place, but the invention is not limited thereto.

[0046] The wear strip module 40 is not limited to the illustrative slider, which enables vertical and longitudinal movement of the upper frame 46 and the wear strip 30 relative to the lower frame 42 due to the movement of the actuator 44. For example, in another embodiment, the upper frame 46 may include rollers (such as bearings) on the bottom edge of the sidewall 151, which are configured to roll over ramps on the side edges of the lower frame to enable vertical and longitudinal movement of the upper frame 46 and the wear strip 30.

[0047] Figure 14 and Figure 15 The feed end of the activation assembly 10 is shown when the actuator 44 is in the retracted, inactive position. In this position, the actuator's retraction lever pulls the connected upper frame 46 longitudinally back in the belt travel direction. While being pulled in this direction, interference between sliders 185 and 186 also pushes the upper frame 46 upward, both raising and retracting the abrasion strip 30 in direction R. The raised and retracted abrasion strip 30 contacts the bottom surface of the conveyor belt 12, thereby gently pulling the bottom roller 18 above and disengaging it from the activation roller 28. In this position, the conveyor belt rollers 17 and 18 are deactivated, and the product continues in the belt travel direction 14.

[0048] To transfer the product from the conveyor belt 12, the abrasion strip 30 can be lowered forward and extended beyond the front of the activation assembly 10 so that the lower conveyor belt roller 18 contacts the activation roller 28, as shown. Figure 16 and Figure 17 As shown. To lower and extend the wear strip 30, actuator 44 extends rod 143, thereby pushing the connected upper frame 46 forward. Interference between sliders 185 and 186 also causes the upper frame 46 to lower vertically, allowing the wear strip 30 to move in direction L. The lowering and extension of the wear strip 30 gently lowers the conveyor belt 12, causing the lower belt roller 18 to contact the active roller 28. As the conveyor belt 12 continues to move in the belt travel direction 14, the contact between the lower belt roller 18 and the active roller 28 causes them to rotate in opposite directions relative to each other. Subsequently, the upper belt roller 17 rotates in opposite directions relative to the lower belt roller 18, thereby transferring the product away from the conveyor belt 12 in direction P.

[0049] The movement of the abrasion strip 30 in both the vertical and longitudinal directions facilitates the transfer of the contact point for the conveyor belt 12 between the abrasion strip 30 and the activation roller 28. Furthermore, the activation roller 28 rigidly remains in place during free rotation and does not require self-raising and / or lowering, thereby reducing noise and complexity. The illustrative activation assembly 10 reduces or prevents slip contact when the conveyor belt is moved between the activated and deactivated positions.

[0050] Although the invention has been described with reference to several preferred versions, other versions are possible. For example, the roller actuation bearing surface used with the belt pulley may be a flat surface, rather than an actuating roller or belt pulley arranged to rotate on an axis inclined to the belt travel direction. As another example, the belt pulley may be an omnidirectional ball rolling on a flat bearing surface, rather than a roller rotating on a coarse shaft. As these examples demonstrate, the scope of the claims is not intended to be limited to the preferred versions described by way of example.

Claims

1. A conveyor comprising: A conveyor belt that travels longitudinally in the belt travel direction and has a plurality of article support roller assemblies arranged in longitudinal columns and transverse rows, each roller assembly including an upper roller protruding above the top surface of the conveyor belt and a bottom roller protruding below the bottom surface of the conveyor belt for actuating the upper roller; The longitudinally extending abrasion-resistant strip is offset laterally from the column of the article support roller assembly and extends below the conveyor belt in the direction of belt travel; A longitudinally extending actuating roller is disposed at a fixed height below the conveyor belt and between the wear-resistant strip and aligned with the column of the roller assembly; as well as A device for moving the wear-resistant strip vertically and longitudinally to contact and disengage from the support of the conveyor belt in order to selectively raise the conveyor belt to disengage from the actuating roller.

2. The conveyor according to claim 1, wherein the wear-resistant strip is mounted on a wear-resistant strip module, the wear-resistant strip module comprising an upper frame having sidewalls, wherein the wear-resistant strip is mounted on the upper edge of the sidewalls.

3. The conveyor according to claim 2, wherein the wear-resistant strip module further includes a lower frame housing an actuator that moves the upper frame vertically and longitudinally relative to the lower frame.

4. The conveyor according to claim 3, further comprising: A mounting bracket for mounting the longitudinally extending actuating roller, wherein the lower frame is fixed to the mounting bracket.

5. The conveyor of claim 4, wherein the upper frame includes a protrusion in the bottom edge of the sidewall that terminates at a downwardly angled edge.

6. The conveyor of claim 5, wherein the downwardly angled edge extends below the bottom edge of the sidewall.

7. The conveyor of claim 6, wherein the lower frame includes a sidewall having a ramp at the upper edge that is complementary to the downward angled edge.

8. The conveyor according to claim 7, further comprising: A first set of low-friction inserts is connected to the downward angled edge, and a second set of low-friction inserts is connected to the ramp, such that the first set of low-friction inserts slides on the second set of low-friction inserts.

9. The conveyor of claim 8, wherein the low-friction insert in the first set of low-friction inserts includes an inner lip to prevent lateral movement of the upper frame relative to the lower frame.

10. A wear strip module for selectively raising and retracting a set of wear strips, comprising: The lower frame includes a pair of lower sidewalls connected by a top wall, the lower sidewalls including a ramp at the upper edge; An actuator, which is housed between the lower sidewalls; An upper frame includes a pair of upper sidewalls connected by a bottom wall, the upper sidewalls including downwardly angled edges projecting below the bottom wall, the upper frame being connected to the actuator; A longitudinally extending wear-resistant strip is attached to the top edge of the upper sidewall; The first set of low-friction inserts is connected to the ramp; as well as A second set of low-friction inserts is attached to the downwardly angled edge, wherein the second set of low-friction inserts rests on the first set of low-friction inserts so that longitudinal movement of the upper frame relative to the lower frame achieves vertical movement of the upper frame relative to the lower frame.

11. The wear-resistant strip module of claim 10, wherein the ramp extends above the top wall of the lower frame.

12. The wear-resistant strip module of claim 10, wherein the second set of low-friction inserts includes an inner lip to prevent lateral movement of the upper frame relative to the lower frame.

13. The wear-resistant strip module according to claim 10, wherein the lower frame includes a mounting device for mounting the wear-resistant strip module to a mounting bracket.

14. The wear-resistant strip module of claim 13, wherein the lower frame includes an extension configured to be received in a slot in the mounting bracket.

15. The wear-resistant strip module according to claim 10, further comprising: A connecting plate for connecting the actuator to the upper frame.

16. A method for operating a forward conveyor belt having rows and columns of article-supporting roller assemblies extending through the thickness of the belt, the method comprising the steps of: The article support roller assembly is deactivated by vertically raising the abrasion strip and longitudinally retracting it to contact the portion of the conveyor belt between the columns of the article support roller assembly, thereby pulling and raising the conveyor belt to disengage from the actuating rollers mounted between the mounting brackets. as well as The article support roller assembly is activated by lowering the wear-resistant strip vertically relative to the mounting bracket and extending it longitudinally, so that the article support roller assembly contacts the actuating roller.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of deactivating the article support roller assembly comprises moving the upper frame supporting the abrasion strip relative to the lower frame housing the actuator.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the upper frame includes a pair of upper sidewalls for supporting the wear-resistant strip, a bottom wall connecting the upper sidewalls, and a downwardly angled edge projecting below the bottom wall.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the lower frame includes a pair of lower sidewalls connected by a top wall, the lower sidewalls including a ramp at an upper edge configured to adjoin the downwardly angled edge of the upper frame.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the lower frame includes a first set of low-friction inserts coupled to the ramp, and the downwardly angled edge includes a second set of low-friction inserts resting on the first set of low-friction inserts, such that longitudinal movement of the upper frame relative to the lower frame achieves vertical movement of the upper frame relative to the lower frame.

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