Measuring roller station for belt scale of conveyor belt system and conveyor belt system

Abstract

The invention relates to a measuring roller station for a belt scale of a conveyor belt system and to a conveyor belt system having such a measuring roller station. The invention also relates to a method for removing or replacing a weighing mechanism of a belt scale of a conveyor belt system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a measuring roller station for a belt scale of a conveyor belt system and a conveyor belt system having such a measuring roller station. The invention also relates to a method for removing or replacing a weighing mechanism of a belt scale of a conveyor belt system. Background Art

[0002] Belt scales and the like are known from the prior art for the continuous detection and / or control of the material flow of bulk materials. In this case, one or more measuring roller stations are provided in the conveyor system, in which the pulleys carrying the conveyor belt are supported on one or more weighing units, which generate signals as a function of the weight of the material flow. Such components are usually installed as weighing bridges with the aid of a frame structure between the longitudinal beams of the belt supports of the conveyor system. The signals generated thereby can be evaluated and further processed with the aid of suitable evaluation electronics of the belt scale.

[0003] The use of such belt scales has in principle been retained. However, the commissioning of belt scales has hitherto been relatively complex. Therefore, a careful alignment of the measuring roller stations and primarily their pulleys is necessary in order to reliably detect the weight of the material being weighed. To this end, a line has hitherto often been tensioned along the belt scale parallel to the conveying direction. Subsequently, the individual pulleys are aligned relative to one another in accordance with the tensioning line.

[0004] The adjustment of the measuring roller station therefore requires a relatively large investment of time and personnel. In addition, the installation requires special technical knowledge and therefore requires the presence of specially trained personnel on site during the entire work.

[0005] For very similar reasons, the regular inspection and maintenance of existing belt scales is also relatively complex. Therefore, the system must usually be shut down first, so that the weighing bridge can be removed from the belt support in order to check the individual weighing cells and replace them if necessary. Subsequently, the adjustment of the measuring roller station must be checked again and, if necessary, adapted as described above. Therefore, this work is usually only carried out at relatively long intervals.

[0006] In this context, it is desirable to design the belt scale and its components, such as the commissioning, inspection and maintenance of the weighing unit in particular, to be simpler and more cost-effective. In this case, it is also desirable to improve work safety and operational safety. Summary of the invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is therefore to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and in particular to provide means which enable simpler commissioning, inspection and maintenance of belt scales and at the same time increase the working and operational safety associated with belt scales.

[0008] According to the invention, this object is achieved according to a first aspect in that a measuring roller station, in particular a belt scale with a measuring roller station for a conveyor belt system, has a measuring roller seat and at least one weighing mechanism, wherein the measuring roller seat has a carrier on which one or more pulleys of the measuring roller station are arranged or can be arranged, and the carrier is connected or can be connected to the weighing mechanism. Advantageously, the weighing mechanism also includes a force sensor in addition to a housing, necessary connections, signal lines and / or supply lines.

[0009] The weighing mechanism can preferably have one or more analog outputs, which can be connected or connectable to a signal processing device by means of one or more signal lines for transmitting force measurement signals. Advantageously, shape changes at the measuring body of the force sensor can be detected and / or can be detected by means of the weighing mechanism, for example by means of strain gauges.

[0010] According to the invention, the weighing mechanism comprises a force receiver having a force introduction surface and two force output surfaces, wherein the force introduction surface is provided for supporting a carrier and for introducing force from a measuring roller seat, and the force output surfaces are penetrated by a hole for rigidly connecting the force receiver to an attachment structure, such as an adapter or a belt bracket.

[0011] Accordingly, the measuring roller seat or the carrier can be screwed to the attachment structure easily and cost-effectively without movable parts. By selecting a force receiver suitable for direct weighing technology, it is possible to transfer loads in all directions, such as dynamic forces, horizontal forces and / or moment loads, to the attachment structure in addition to static vertical force components, without the weighing result being distorted by interfering forces from the additional loads. In addition, the weighing mechanism installed in the belt scale is more accessible by displacing the installation space of the weighing mechanism upward and / or to the side in the measuring roller station. In this way, the weighing mechanism can be arranged completely or partially above the belt support and even on the longitudinal beam of the belt support at the belt support of the conveyor system in the installed state. The weighing mechanism can therefore also be easily accessible from the outside of the belt support, in particular from the side.

[0012] In this case, a new installation position can be achieved particularly advantageously by adapting the orientation of the carrier, since the carrier has a limiting section which limits the installation volume of the weighing mechanism laterally in the y-direction, i.e. in a specific transverse direction. In this case, only a relatively simple structural adaptation based on a conventional, usually straight-running measuring roller seat is necessary. For this purpose, it is sufficient, for example, to design the orientation of the carrier in such a way that a volume is released laterally of the carrier, in which the weighing mechanism can be arranged, such as by curling or bending in sections. The carrier is advantageously designed to be trough-shaped for this purpose.

[0013] The volume in which the weighing mechanism is positioned is thus advantageously limited by the carrier towards the interior of the belt support, but is accessible from the outside of the belt support. In contrast, weighing cells are conventionally installed between the upper and lower belts of a conveyor belt running at high speed in a manner that is not accessible from the outside, in particular from the sides.

[0014] The proposed measuring roller station thus enables for the first time a completely new installation position of the weighing mechanism relative to the measuring roller seat. Due to the new arrangement possibility for the weighing mechanism, moments on the weighing mechanism can preferably also be avoided or at least reduced. Remaining lateral forces in a direction perpendicular to a specific transverse direction are rigid and can be directly transferred to the belt structure without falsifying the measured values. Due to the new arrangement possibility of the weighing mechanism, it can further be advantageous to absorb lateral forces individually, that is to say separately. For example, the weighing mechanism is arranged for this purpose at the lateral ends of the measuring roller station, in particular the measuring roller seat.

[0015] Furthermore, the weighing device can also be connected to the belt support of the conveyor system in a particularly reliable but simple manner. For example, the weighing device, which is arranged in particular at the lateral ends, can be arranged directly or indirectly on the belt support or its components, for example in particular on the longitudinal beams of the belt support. Optionally, it is possible in this way to detect the forces acting on the measuring roller station using direct weighing technology.

[0016] For installing the proposed measuring roller station, preferably no or only minor adaptations are required on the belt support of the conveyor system itself, whereby the installation can be carried out with little expenditure on tools, energy and personnel. For this reason, the proposed measuring roller station can also be retrofitted easily in existing conveyor systems and even in existing belt scales. This also enables cost-effective mass production.

[0017] Here, the measuring roller station, in particular the weighing mechanism and the mechanical connection between the weighing mechanism and the remaining components of the conveyor system can advantageously be checked during operation of the device. Downtimes can thereby be avoided or at least reduced. Correspondingly, shorter test intervals can be carried out, which in turn can increase the operational safety of the conveyor system and the belt scale together with the measuring roller station and the work safety of the personnel, and ultimately even reduce the operating costs. Thus, possible sources of faults can be identified and eliminated at an early stage. In the event of a fault, the weighing mechanism can be replaced in a particularly simple manner due to its easy accessibility as will be explained below. Therefore, the proposed measuring roller station can contribute to the realization of the desired requirements for high operational safety and work safety as well as high economy.

[0018] A measuring roller station is advantageously to be understood as a carrier which is equipped or can be equipped with one or more pulleys for a conveyor belt which moves in a conveyor belt system when a measuring roller station is used.

[0019] The carrier body has a limiting section, wherein, for example, a section of the carrier body is designed as a limiting section (ie the volume is correspondingly limited).

[0020] The proposed measuring roller station can be used particularly advantageously as part of a belt scale. A belt scale can in turn be used advantageously in conjunction with a conveyor system. For example, a typical belt scale has at least one measuring roller station, in particular at least one measuring roller station, such as the measuring roller station proposed in the present application, and at least one signal processing device for evaluating and / or processing a force measurement signal generated by at least one weighing mechanism of at least one measuring roller station. The signal processing device can be arranged, for example, remotely from the measuring roller station, for example in a cloud. When the measuring roller station is mounted on a belt support of a conveyor system, the material conveyed by the system can be weighed with the aid of the provided belt scale.

[0021] The proposed measuring roller station is particularly well suited for belt scales used in weighing and / or dosing technology and / or in conveyor belt systems or is correspondingly equipped for these.

[0022] The proposed measuring roller station is particularly suitable for use with belt scales, such as conveyor belt scales, conveyor belt scales or dosing belt scales, or is equipped for such use.

[0023] By running a conveyor belt with the weighing material to be weighed over a measuring roller station, the belt load can be determined completely or partially with the aid of a weighing mechanism. Particularly in the case of conveyor belts, the conveying rate and the conveyed quantity can then be optionally calculated as a function of the determined belt load and the conveying speed. In the case of dosing belt scales, the desired conveying rate is predetermined or can be predetermined, wherein the required belt speed can then be adjusted as a function of the determined belt load.

[0024] Preferably, the conveyor belt is made of rubber or metal and / or is a conveyor belt. Advantageously, during operation of the conveyor belt system, individual sections of the conveyor belt can be conceptually distinguished at least into an upper belt and a lower belt, wherein in particular the upper belt carries the weighing material.

[0025] Possible materials to be weighed are, for example, bulk materials such as sand, gravel, rock, minerals and / or coal.

[0026] The proposed measuring roller station is advantageously suitable for conveyor belt systems and / or belt scales which are designed for high conveying rates, for example 10,000 tons per hour or more, in particular 25,000 tons per hour or more.

[0027] The carrier can be, for example, a carrier, in particular a cuboid carrier (e.g. in a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the extension of the carrier) and / or a carrier with a T-shaped, U-shaped or H-shaped profile. Alternatively or additionally, the carrier can be made of steel or metal, in particular aluminum. In this respect, steel carriers have proven to be particularly advantageous.

[0028] In this case, the carrier can also be produced in a particularly simple manner for different widths (along a specific transverse direction).

[0029] The weighing mechanism is advantageously arranged at a lateral end of the measuring roller station.

[0030] In the present application, a “lateral end” of a measuring roller station is preferably understood to be the outer end of the measuring roller station in a specific transverse direction, unless otherwise indicated in the respective context.

[0031] Since the weighing mechanism can be easily removed from the measuring roller station, even when the measuring roller station is mounted on the belt support, the weighing mechanism can also be used temporarily or even in different measuring roller stations of a conveyor system (which can, for example, belong to one or more different belt scales) or in different conveyor systems (and therefore in particular in different belt scales). In addition, standardized weighing mechanisms can be used, in particular for the measuring roller stations. This allows for a minimized spare parts inventory, minimized procurement times and no wide-ranging restrictions in terms of measuring technology.

[0032] In the present application, when speaking of a belt support of a conveyor system, a belt support is preferably understood as comprising two longitudinal beams as carriers, which are spaced apart in the transverse direction of the conveyor system and extend in the conveying direction, wherein the longitudinal beams are advantageously fastened to vertical support elements and / or at least one frame structure or can be fastened to a stationary base. The belt support preferably has a support element and / or a frame structure. The longitudinal beams can, for example, have a T-shaped, H-shaped or U-shaped profile, in particular in a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the conveying direction. The transverse direction of the conveyor system can advantageously be selected to be identical to a specific transverse direction of the measuring roller station.

[0033] The weighing mechanism is advantageously suitable or designed to generate a force measurement signal as a function of the force acting on the measuring roller station, in particular when the measuring roller station is mounted on a belt support of the conveyor belt system.

[0034] Preferably, a three-dimensional Cartesian right-handed coordinate system with directional axes x, y and z is defined or can be defined as an auxiliary coordinate system for the measuring roller station and is position-invariant relative to the measuring roller station. Preferably, when the measuring roller station is used in a conveyor belt system, the x-axis of the auxiliary coordinate system points in the conveying direction of the weighed material and the z-axis of the auxiliary coordinate system points "upwards". The direction of the y-axis is based on the right-handedness of the coordinate system. Alternatively, the auxiliary coordinate system can have its origin at the center of gravity of the measuring roller station. With the aid of the auxiliary coordinate system, for example, a reliable assignment of the various directions used in the present application can be achieved. A person skilled in the art will of course understand that the auxiliary coordinate system is not a physical feature of the measuring roller station, but a purely imaginary construction.

[0035] Preferably, one of the possible transverse directions of the measuring roller station is defined as the "specific transverse direction" of the measuring roller station. The measuring roller station may have a plurality of transverse directions (e.g. "from left to right" and "from right to left"). By designating a certain transverse direction as the "specific transverse direction", a transverse direction selected from a plurality of transverse directions, if necessary, can be reliably referenced.

[0036] Advantageously, the “lateral direction” of the measuring roller station, such as in particular a specific lateral direction, is defined or can be defined as a direction which, unless otherwise specified in the corresponding context, (i) points from one end of the measuring roller station to the other end, (ii) extends parallel to the main extension direction of the measuring roller station, (iii) extends parallel to the horizontal direction, (iv) extends parallel to the horizontal direction in the absolute coordinate system when the measuring roller station is mounted on the belt support, (v) extends perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveyor belt system, in particular when the measuring roller station is mounted on the belt support, (vi) extends antiparallel to the y-axis of the auxiliary coordinate system, and / or (vii) the width of the conveyor belt, in particular the standardized width, is largely defined along this direction.

[0037] The carrier advantageously consists of or comprises steel and / or metal, in particular aluminum.

[0038] Preferably, the conveying rate of the conveyor system and / or belt scale is 10 tons per hour or more, preferably 100 tons per hour or more, 50,000 tons per hour or less, preferably 25,000 tons per hour or less, and / or between 10 tons per hour and 50,000 tons per hour, preferably between 100 tons per hour and 25,000 tons per hour.

[0039] Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the measuring roller station has at least one connecting element, by means of which the measuring roller station can be mounted on a belt support, in particular on at least one first longitudinal beam of the belt support of the conveyor system, preferably of a total of two longitudinal beams, wherein the connecting element has a weighing mechanism.

[0040] By providing the connecting element with a weighing mechanism, the forces acting on the measuring roller station can advantageously be reliably measured. For example, the connecting element can also consist solely of a weighing mechanism. Optionally, the connecting element has further coupling elements, by means of which the weighing mechanism is connected or can be connected to components of the measuring roller station and / or by means of which the weighing mechanism can be connected to the belt support.

[0041] Preferably, in the state in which the measuring roller station is mounted on the belt support, the weighing device is arranged directly on the belt support, in particular on a first longitudinal beam of the belt support.

[0042] Alternatively or additionally, it may also be provided that the connecting element enables a rigid connection between the measuring roller station and the belt support, in particular the first longitudinal beam of the belt support.

[0043] By means of the rigid connection, transverse forces that occur can be transmitted particularly reliably into the belt support. As a result, the weight of the weighing material can be reliably determined with the aid of the weighing mechanism. Furthermore, damage to the weighing mechanism can be advantageously avoided, since all transverse forces can be introduced directly into the weighing mechanism and transmitted reliably by it without external transmission rods, leaf springs or stops.

[0044] The measuring roller station is therefore advantageously designed in such a way that at least the proportion of the force acting on the measuring roller station from the weighing material, in particular the proportion of the force introduced or introduceable into the belt support via the connecting element, is measured using direct weighing technology.

[0045] For example, a rigid connection is established by means of a material-fitting connection (e.g. soldering, welding, adhesive bonding) and / or a force-fitting connection (e.g. screw connection, press connection) to absorb forces (e.g. carrier). A rigid connection advantageously means that no elastomeric supports or the like are provided between the weighing mechanism and the force receiver, for example to eliminate transverse forces or other interfering forces. Such a rigid connection is maintenance-free and is therefore particularly preferred.

[0046] In this design, transverse forces advantageously do not interfere with the measurement, since the direct weighing measurement method (i.e., including, inter alia, a rigid connection between the weighing mechanism and the measuring roller station and between the weighing mechanism and the belt support) is mechanically transmitted but compensated for in terms of measurement.

[0047] Furthermore, the measuring roller station can alternatively or additionally be designed so that the force flow between the force receiver (such as the carrier) and the bottom is guided only via one or more weighing mechanisms. In such a design of the measuring roller station, there is no force splitting which could lead to measuring errors. Loading is also possible in steeply rising, angle-variable and / or reversible conveyor belts.

[0048] The measuring roller station can optionally also have one or more temperature sensors, which are arranged in the vicinity of at least one of the weighing mechanisms. With such a temperature sensor, the temperature in the region of the weighing mechanism can be detected and used to correct the force measurement signal.

[0049] Alternatively or additionally, provision can also be made for the weighing device to have no leaf spring, no external transmission rod, no stop and / or no connecting frame.

[0050] Especially in the case of a rigid connection, due to the already mentioned measuring method of the direct weighing technique, transverse forces can be harmless, so that the elements usually used to reduce or eliminate transverse forces do not need to be provided in the weighing mechanism. As a result, the weighing mechanism can be manufactured more cost-effectively and can be designed in a more robust manner.

[0051] Alternatively or in addition, it can also be provided that the connecting element (i) is arranged at a lateral end of the measuring roller station and / or is arranged with at least one of its ends on the carrier and / or (ii) extends from the carrier, preferably along a first direction of the conveyor belt system (z direction), in particular perpendicularly to a specific transverse direction (y direction) and / or perpendicularly to the conveying direction (x direction).

[0052] Alternatively or additionally, provision can also be made for the pulley to be arranged on the upper side of the carrier and for the connecting element to be arranged on the lower side of the carrier.

[0053] Alternatively or additionally, provision may also be made for the connecting element to have at least two adapter elements, wherein the weighing device is arranged in particular along the first direction, in particular directly and / or at least regionally, in a sandwich-like manner between the two adapter elements.

[0054] The adapter element allows a reliable coupling of the weighing mechanism to the surrounding structure. As a result, forces can be introduced into the weighing mechanism and from there into the belt support in a particularly reliable and targeted manner. In particular, the adapter element allows a particularly simple but effective adaptation to the roller seat. In particular, a good flatness of the contact surface between the weighing mechanism and the surrounding structure can be reliably achieved.

[0055] The adapter element and the weighing device can be connected to one another, for example, by means of a screw connection, a weld connection, an adhesive connection and / or a soldered connection.

[0056] The adapter elements are preferably all designed in the form of a plate.

[0057] The adapter elements can each be a cuboid, for example made of steel and / or metal.

[0058] Alternatively or additionally, provision can also be made for a first of the at least two adapter elements to be connected on one side to the carrier and on the other side to the weighing device, preferably directly and / or detachably.

[0059] The described introduction of force can be optimized by a direct connection between the first adapter element and the carrier and the weighing mechanism.

[0060] The first adapter element and the carrier can be connected to one another, for example, by means of a screw connection, a weld connection, an adhesive connection and / or a soldered connection.

[0061] The detachable connection between the first adapter element and the carrier can be realized, for example, by means of a screw connection. As a result, the connecting element and therefore also the weighing mechanism are reliable and can still be fastened to the carrier using simple tools. The detachable connection between the first adapter element and the weighing mechanism can be realized, for example, by means of a screw connection.

[0062] The first adapter element is preferably designed in the form of a plate.

[0063] Alternatively or additionally, provision may also be made for the second of the at least two adapter elements to be preferably directly and / or detachably connected to the weighing device and / or to be preferably directly and / or detachably connected to the belt support, in particular the first longitudinal beam of the belt support.

[0064] The described force transmission can be optimized by a direct connection between the second adapter element and the weighing mechanism and the belt support.

[0065] The second adapter element and the weighing device can be connected to one another, for example, by means of a screw connection, a weld connection, an adhesive connection and / or a soldered connection.

[0066] The second adapter element and the belt holder can be connected to one another, for example, by means of a screw connection, a welded connection, an adhesive connection and / or a soldered connection.

[0067] The detachable connection between the second adapter element and the weighing mechanism can be realized, for example, by means of a screw connection.

[0068] The detachable connection between the second adapter element and the belt holder can be realized, for example, by means of a screw connection.

[0069] The second adapter element is preferably designed in the form of a plate.

[0070] Alternatively or additionally, provision may also be made for the connecting element to be detachably connected or connectable to the carrier and / or to be detachably connectable to the belt support, in particular to the first longitudinal beam of the belt support.

[0071] Alternatively or additionally, provision may also be made for the weighing device to be arranged at least partially above the belt support, in particular above the first longitudinal beam, and / or at least regionally on the belt support, in particular on the first longitudinal beam, when the measuring roller station is mounted on the belt support.

[0072] Due to the proposed course of the support body, in particular the limiting section, the weighing means can be positioned accordingly. This makes it possible to achieve particularly advantageous access to them from one side of the belt support.

[0073] Preferably, when the first element has a higher height position than the second element (especially along the z-axis of the auxiliary coordinate system), the first element is considered to be arranged "above" the second element. Optionally, however, the first element may also have no lateral offset relative to the second element (especially along the x-axis and y-axis of the auxiliary coordinate system) so as to still be considered to be arranged "above" the second element.

[0074] Preferably, in the state in which the measuring roller station is mounted on the belt support, the weighing mechanism is at least partially located "above" the longitudinal beam of the belt support, in particular when only the weighing mechanism and the longitudinal beam are considered, the weighing mechanism has a projection on the corresponding longitudinal beam of the belt support along a projection direction perpendicular to the specific transverse direction, in particular along a direction parallel to the negative z-axis of the auxiliary coordinate system, pointing downward and / or parallel to the first direction. Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the limiting section extends along a direction that is not parallel to the specific transverse direction.

[0075] To a certain extent, the limiting section can protrude at an angle from a (in particular horizontal) sectional plane in which at least one other section of the carrier extends.

[0076] Alternatively or additionally, provision may also be made for the weighing device to be arranged on and / or relative to the measuring roller support in such a way that the weighing device has a projection on the surface of the limiting section along a specific projection direction parallel to the specific transverse direction.

[0077] Those skilled in the art understand that the projection of the weighing mechanism itself is not a physical feature of the measuring roller station or its components. Rather, the arrangement of the weighing mechanism can be described by the projection.

[0078] In the proposed measuring roller station, the projection of a component, such as a weighing mechanism, can advantageously be determined experimentally in the following manner: the weighing mechanism is illuminated by means of a light source in a corresponding projection direction, wherein the weighing mechanism is completely located within the light field. The shadow projected by the weighing mechanism onto the surface of another defined component, such as a limiting section, represents the projection of the component, such as the weighing mechanism.

[0079] Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the carrier has at least one middle section and / or the carrier has at least two end sections, wherein at least one of the two end sections is constructed as a specific end section, which at least partially and / or at least sectionally has and / or constitutes a limiting section.

[0080] In this way, the volume in which the weighing mechanism is arranged can be provided particularly well at the side region of the measuring roller station.

[0081] Advantageously, the limiting section is a subsection of a specific end section. Optionally, the limiting section is only a subsection of a specific end section.

[0082] Advantageously, the middle section is directly connected to the two end sections respectively and / or the middle section is arranged between the two end sections. For example, the end sections can be welded to the middle section.

[0083] The support body is advantageously designed in one piece, so that the support body is particularly stable and can be used reliably even under high gravitational forces.

[0084] The mounting section can have a flange or be configured as such a flange, for example. This provides a particularly advantageous possibility of establishing a direct or indirect connection of the measuring roller station to the belt support. Advantageously, a connection can be established here with the first longitudinal beam of the belt support.

[0085] Preferably, the extension section extends from the middle section, in particular an end of the middle section, to the mounting section, in particular an end of the mounting section.

[0086] Advantageously, the extension section completely has the limiting section or represents the limiting section. The extension section can then be identical to the limiting section.

[0087] Alternatively or additionally, provision can also be made for the connecting element, in particular its first adapter element, to be arranged preferably directly on a specific end section, in particular the mounting section.

[0088] Preferably, the connection between the mounting section and the first adapter element is realized by means of a screw connection.

[0089] Alternatively or additionally, provision can also be made for the installation section in the measuring roller station to be higher than the extension section and / or the center section.

[0090] This configuration is particularly suitable for arranging the weighing mechanism in such a way that it can also be easily accessed from the side. Advantageously, the volume in which the weighing mechanism is arranged is here at least partially limited by the limiting section and the mounting section. Advantageously, the volume is then limited by the mounting section in a direction perpendicular to the specific transverse direction and / or antiparallel to the first direction. This means that the mounting section advantageously limits the volume in which the weighing mechanism is arranged in a direction parallel to the z-axis of the auxiliary coordinate system.

[0091] In this case, “located higher” is advantageously a relative positional specification when viewed in a direction parallel to the y-axis of the auxiliary coordinate system, perpendicular to a specific transverse direction and / or a direction extending vertically.

[0092] Alternatively or additionally, provision can also be made for the extension section, in particular along the extension of the carrier, to be arranged between the central section and the mounting section and / or to be arranged at an angle to the central section.

[0093] For example, the extension section is welded to the middle section and / or has a rolled transition.

[0094] Alternatively or additionally, provision can also be made for the extension section to extend in a straight line.

[0095] Optionally, the extension section runs neither horizontally nor vertically, ie, for example, runs neither parallel to the y-axis nor parallel to the z-axis of the auxiliary coordinate system.

[0096] Alternatively or additionally, provision may also be made for the mounting section to be arranged at an angle to the extension section and / or for the mounting section to extend, in particular, offset in height and / or parallel to the central section.

[0097] For example, the mounting section and the extension section are welded together and / or have a rolled transition.

[0098] Alternatively or additionally, provision may also be made that a first angle is enclosed between the central section and the extension section and that the first angle is greater than 0 degrees, less than 180 degrees and / or between 10 degrees and 170 degrees, in particular between 45 degrees and 160 degrees.

[0099] Among the multiple angles enclosed between the middle section and the extension section, the first angle is preferably the smallest angle among the multiple possible angles.Alternatively or additionally, the first angle is located in a plane parallel to the yz plane of the auxiliary coordinate system.

[0100] Alternatively or in addition, it can also be provided that at least one second angle is enclosed between the installation section and the extension section, and (i) the second angle has the same value as the first angle, (ii) the second angle has a smaller value than the first angle, (iii) the second angle has a larger value than the first angle, and / or (iv) the second angle is greater than 0 degrees, less than 180 degrees and / or between 10 degrees and 170 degrees, in particular between 45 degrees and 160 degrees.

[0101] Among the multiple angles enclosed between the mounting section and the extension section, the second angle is preferably the smallest angle among the multiple possible angles.Alternatively or additionally, the second angle is located in a plane parallel to the yz plane of the auxiliary coordinate system.

[0102] Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the central section extends along a direction parallel to or antiparallel to a specific transverse direction.

[0103] This advantageously enables a horizontal course of the central section to be achieved when the measuring roller station is in the state mounted on the belt support.

[0104] This means therefore that the central section advantageously extends along the y-axis of the auxiliary coordinate system.

[0105] Alternatively or additionally, provision can also be made for a specific end section, in particular a limiting section, to be the only part of the measuring roller station that limits the volume in a specific transverse direction and / or for the weighing device to have a projection thereon in a specific projection direction.

[0106] Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the carrier, in particular a specific end section, in particular a mounting section, has a supporting device, which is used to at least partially support the carrier, in particular the specific end section, on an intermediate element, which intermediate element can be at least temporarily arranged between the supporting device and the belt support, in particular the first longitudinal beam of the belt support, when the measuring roller station is mounted on the belt support.

[0107] The support means can thus be used in a particularly simple manner to temporarily relieve the load on the support body. Thus, the forces acting on the support body can be introduced into the intermediate element by means of the support means and in this way can be directed into the belt support along an alternative force path.

[0108] This is particularly advantageous when the weighing mechanism is arranged between the mounting section and the belt support. In this way, the weighing mechanism can be removed from the measuring roller station reliably and safely and without much effort, during which the force flow is diverted accordingly.

[0109] Alternatively or additionally, provision may also be made for the supporting means to form a projection and / or to be planar and / or cuboid and / or to extend from a specific end section, in particular a mounting section, along a second direction perpendicular to a specific transverse direction and / or perpendicular to the first direction.

[0110] In this way, the support device can be realized particularly easily. For example, the structure can be arranged at a specific end section by means of welding. Therefore, the support device can also be easily arranged later.

[0111] This means that the second direction advantageously runs in a direction parallel to the positive x-axis or the negative x-axis of the auxiliary coordinate system.

[0112] Alternatively or additionally, provision can also be made for the measuring roller station to have at least two weighing devices, wherein the measuring roller station is preferably designed mirror-symmetrically with respect to a center plane of the measuring roller station extending perpendicularly to the specific transverse direction.

[0113] The measuring roller station is advantageously mounted or can be mounted on a belt support by means of two weighing mechanisms, in particular by forming a corresponding rigid connection.

[0114] Advantageously, the forces on both sides of the measuring roller station can thereby be determined separately from one another.

[0115] Advantageously, a separate volume is defined for each of the at least two weighing mechanisms, in which the respective weighing mechanism is arranged, and which volume is limited at least in sections by separate limiting sections at least along a separate specific transverse direction of the measuring roller station. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that in the case of further (second) connecting elements arranged in a mirror-image manner, the explanations regarding the interaction between the first connecting element and the first longitudinal beam then advantageously also apply correspondingly to the interaction between the second connecting element and the second longitudinal beam with the support, unless the context indicates otherwise. The same preferably applies to the explanations regarding the specific sections, which also apply correspondingly to the other, mirror-image specific sections.

[0116] Alternatively or additionally, provision can also be made for each of the two end sections of the carrier to be designed as a specific end section, wherein preferably the two specific end sections are designed identically or at least partially differently.

[0117] Alternatively or additionally, provision can also be made for the measuring roller station to have two or more similar connecting elements, by means of which the measuring roller station can be connected, in particular at its side ends, to the belt support, in particular to the first longitudinal beam and at least one second longitudinal beam of the belt support.

[0118] A second aspect of the invention comprises a conveyor belt system, in particular having at least one belt scale, in particular at least one conveyor belt scale, such as a conveyor belt scale, or at least one quantitative distribution belt scale, the conveyor belt system comprising a belt support with at least two longitudinal beams and at least one measuring roller station according to the first aspect of the invention mounted on the longitudinal beams.

[0119] Since the conveyor belt system has a measuring roller station according to the first aspect of the invention, the individual weighing mechanisms can be particularly advantageously accessed from the side and even during operation of the system. This makes it possible to commission, check and maintain the entire conveyor belt system, but mainly the individual weighing mechanisms, in a simpler and more cost-effective manner. In particular, the load of the weighing material can be measured using direct weighing technology.

[0120] Advantageously, the measuring roller station is part of a belt scale of the conveyor belt system and is therefore preferably in turn part of the entire conveyor belt system.

[0121] All advantages and preferred features explained with respect to the measuring roller station according to the first aspect of the invention also apply here accordingly. Therefore, reference can be made to the previous embodiments in this regard.

[0122] Advantageously, the measuring roller stations of the conveyor system are mounted on the belt support in such a way that each measuring roller station has at least one connecting element, by means of which the respective roller station is at least partially mounted on the belt support, wherein the connecting element has at least one weighing mechanism. Advantageously, the connecting element here extends between the belt support, in particular a longitudinal beam of the belt support, and a carrier of the measuring roller station, in particular a mounting section thereof. Alternatively or in addition, the mounting section of the carrier of the measuring roller station is arranged in alignment with the respective longitudinal beam of the belt support and / or has a projection on the longitudinal beam in the vertical direction downwards, in particular parallel to the negative z-axis of the auxiliary coordinate system.

[0123] Alternatively or additionally, provision can also be made for a rigid connection to exist between the measuring roller station and the belt support, in particular the two longitudinal beams of the belt support.

[0124] Alternatively or additionally, provision can also be made for the measuring roller station to have at least two weighing mechanisms and for at least two connecting elements of the measuring roller station to have these weighing mechanisms, and for the measuring roller station to be mounted particularly rigidly on the belt support, particularly on two longitudinal beams of the belt support, by means of the at least two connecting elements.

[0125] For this purpose, the measuring roller station can advantageously be mounted at each of its two lateral ends on the belt support, in particular on two longitudinal beams of the belt support, by means of a connecting element indicated by a respective at least one weighing mechanism.

[0126] This makes it possible to detect and evaluate the side loads separately, in particular using direct weighing techniques. The rigid connection avoids force splitting.

[0127] Another aspect of the invention comprises a belt scale, in particular a conveyor belt scale, a conveyor belt scale and / or a dosing belt scale, having at least one measuring roller station according to the first aspect of the invention and at least one signal processing device for evaluating and / or processing a force measurement signal generated by at least one weighing mechanism of at least one measuring roller station. Optionally, the signal processing device is configured to evaluate and / or process a force measurement signal generated by at least one weighing mechanism of at least one measuring roller station.

[0128] In this respect it was surprisingly found that a belt scale provides particularly reliable results if it has a measuring roller station according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0129] The signal processing device can be implemented, for example, in software, hardware or a combination of the two. The signal processing device can alternatively or additionally have a memory, a processor, a receiving device, a transmitting device or any combination thereof. The signal processing device can alternatively or additionally provide and / or be available and / or have everything it has, for example, in particular all resources required for this, for example in the form of software and / or hardware resources.

[0130] All advantages and preferred features explained with respect to the measuring roller station according to the first aspect of the invention also apply here accordingly. Therefore, reference can be made to the previous embodiments in this regard.

[0131] Another aspect of the invention comprises a method for determining and / or monitoring the state of a conveyor belt system and / or components thereof, such as in particular a measuring roller station, in particular a measuring roller station of a belt scale of a conveyor belt system, the method comprising:

[0132] A conveyor belt system, in particular a conveyor belt system according to a second aspect of the invention, is provided, which has a belt support and a plurality of roller stations mounted on the support, which carry or can carry a conveyor belt movable in a conveying direction, wherein at least two of the roller stations are each configured as a measuring roller station, in particular a measuring roller station according to the first aspect of the invention, which has at least one weighing mechanism for generating a force measurement signal as a function of a force acting on the respective measuring roller station;

[0133] evaluating force measurement signals of at least some of the weighing mechanisms; and

[0134] An output signal is generated which, based on at least one result of the evaluation, is indicative of an installation state and / or an operating state of the conveyor belt system and / or its components.

[0135] The present invention is therefore based on the surprising recognition that different influences on a conveyor belt system and its components, such as in particular a belt scale or its components, lead to unique influences on the force transmission to the individual weighing mechanisms and that a statement about the state of the conveyor belt system and its components, such as in particular a belt scale and its components (e.g. a measuring roller station of a belt scale) can therefore be derived in a simple but still reliable manner based on the evaluation of the force measurement signals.

[0136] Conclusions can therefore be drawn in a particularly easy but nevertheless reliable manner on the basis of the different loads of the individual measuring roller stations about the state of the entire conveyor belt system and / or its components.

[0137] Thus, surprisingly, it has been shown that by evaluating the individual weighing mechanisms of the measuring roller stations, the measuring roller stations can be oriented in a particularly easy but still reliable and precise manner. For example, it is determined or can be determined from the different values ​​of the force measurement signal at which measuring roller stations additional compensation elements, such as compensation elements in the form of lining plates, are required in order to adapt at least the orientation, in particular the inclination, of the individual measuring roller stations. In this case, the position (for example to the left or right of the relevant measuring roller station) and the height of the compensation element can optionally be determined within the scope of the evaluation. Optionally, the evaluation of the orientation also includes the evaluation and consideration of the force measurement signals of the weighing mechanisms that are determined in a load-free manner during at least one, in particular exactly one, belt cycle.

[0138] Information about the height compensation of the roller stations, in particular the roller seats, can thus be obtained in a particularly simple manner based on the comparative evaluation. The conventional process of aligning the roller stations via tensioning wires can thus be omitted. The commissioning, in particular the adjustment and alignment of the measuring roller stations of the conveyor belt system and, in particular, of the provided belt scales can thus be achieved in a particularly simple but still reliable manner.

[0139] The fact that the force measurement signals can be evaluated even during ongoing operation offers significant advantages. The correct orientation of the measuring roller station can thus be monitored continuously. The output of the individual loads and side loads can also be used as a "condition monitoring" of the belt state and the effective load state and / or the corresponding force measurement signals can be evaluated. In particular, the wear state of the belt and / or the pulleys can also be continuously determined.

[0140] Furthermore, by evaluating the individual force measurement signals, it is also possible, alternatively or additionally, to detect a failed or jammed roller and / or a ground drop in a particularly reliable manner, since the force measurement signal of a measuring roller station with a jammed roller or in the case of a ground drop deviates from the expected reference signal. To this end, the individual force measurement signals can be compared with one or more reference signals. The reference signals can be obtained in different ways, for example, by being retrieved from a memory, or can be measurement signals from a corresponding other roller station. Alternatively or additionally, a failed or jammed roller and / or a ground drop of a measuring roller station can also be detected by (i) evaluating the force measurement signals of the side loads of each measuring roller station separately and comparing them with one another, and / or (ii) detecting an occurring load which exceeds a defined maximum load.

[0141] Advantageously, the calibration and / or the temperature dependency of the zero signal of each weighing mechanism is taken into account when evaluating the force measurement signal.

[0142] Furthermore, by evaluating the force measurement signal, it is also possible, alternatively or additionally, to determine a fault in the weighing mechanism. The evaluation preferably comprises a comparison of the force measurement signal of the weighing mechanism when unloaded and when loaded.

[0143] In connection with the particularly advantageous installation position of the weighing mechanism, as can be achieved by the measuring roller station according to the first aspect of the invention, any problems caused by the weighing mechanism can be solved by replacing or maintaining the weighing mechanism in a very simple manner and possibly even during ongoing operation of the device.

[0144] All advantages and preferred features explained with respect to the measuring roller station according to the first aspect of the invention and with respect to the conveyor belt system according to the second aspect of the invention are also applicable here accordingly, as long as a corresponding measuring roller station and / or a corresponding conveyor belt system are provided. Therefore, reference can be made to the previous embodiments in this regard.

[0145] Here, the features of the fourth aspect of the invention that are the same as the features discussed in relation to the first and / or second aspects of the invention are generally provided with the same names, unless the context indicates otherwise. For example, the belt support mentioned in the first and / or second aspects of the invention may be a specific belt support of the conveyor belt system according to the fourth aspect of the invention. For example, the measuring roller station mentioned in the first and / or second aspects of the invention may be a specific measuring roller station of the conveyor belt system of the present invention.

[0146] Advantageously, the measuring roller stations of the conveyor system are all of the same type, provided that they are all designed according to the first aspect of the invention. This enables particularly cost-effective operation of the system, since, for example, only spare parts are required for one type of measuring roller station, and thus makes inventory management more cost-effective and simpler. Alternatively, the measuring roller stations of the conveyor system are at least partially different, provided that they are designed according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0147] Here, the individual force measurement signals can be advantageously evaluated by means of an evaluation mechanism and an output signal can be generated. For this purpose, the force measurement signals of the participating weighing mechanisms can preferably be supplied to the evaluation mechanism. The evaluation mechanism is then correspondingly configured to evaluate the supplied force measurement signals and to generate an output signal.

[0148] The evaluation mechanism can be implemented, for example, in software, hardware or a combination of the two. Alternatively or additionally, the evaluation mechanism can have a memory, a processor, a receiving device, a transmitting device or any combination thereof. Alternatively or additionally, the evaluation mechanism can be provided and / or available and / or have everything it has for the method, for example, in particular all resources required for this, for example in the form of software and / or hardware resources.

[0149] For example, two or more, preferably three or more, preferably four or more, measuring roller stations may be provided and in particular their force measurement signals may be evaluated.

[0150] Preferably, the force measurement signals of at least two weighing mechanisms are evaluated.

[0151] Alternatively or additionally, provision can also be made for the evaluated force measurement signal to be a signal of weighing mechanisms of at least two different measuring roller stations, wherein the weighing mechanisms involved are preferably all arranged on the same side of the conveyor belt system.

[0152] Advantageously, the force measurement signals evaluated are signals of weighing mechanisms of at least three or more than three, preferably at least four or more than four, preferably at least five or more than four different measuring roller stations.

[0153] By evaluating only the force measurement signals of the weighing mechanisms on the same side of the conveyor system (e.g. the left or right side of the belt support), a direct comparison can be made between the measuring roller stations and deviations between the forces acting on the participating weighing mechanisms can be determined. This makes it possible, for example, to identify at least one fundamental problem which is present in one or both of the measuring roller stations and which in particular causes an influence on the weight measurement.

[0154] Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that each measuring roller station has two weighing devices, the force measurement signals of which are evaluated.

[0155] In this case, the measuring roller station is preferably supported with its two lateral ends via two weighing mechanisms, preferably on a belt support, in particular on two longitudinal beams.

[0156] Thus, unequal force distributions within the measuring roller station can be identified and / or the evaluation of the force effects across the measuring roller station can be further improved.

[0157] Alternatively or additionally, provision can also be made to evaluate the force measurement signals of four or more, in particular eight or more, weighing mechanisms of, in particular two or more, in particular four or more, measuring roller stations.

[0158] Thus, for example, two measuring roller stations are also considered and each measuring roller station has two weighing mechanisms, via which the measuring roller stations are preferably supported, in particular with their lateral ends, on the belt support.

[0159] For example, four measuring roller stations are also conceivable, and each measuring roller station has two weighing mechanisms, via which the measuring roller stations are preferably supported, in particular with their lateral ends, on the belt support.

[0160] The nominal number of measuring roller stations whose force measurement signals are evaluated may be four, for example. An advantageous range of application is between two and eight measuring roller stations.

[0161] Alternatively or additionally, provision can also be made for the measuring roller stations of the participating weighing devices to be roller stations which follow one another in the conveying direction.

[0162] The conveying direction is preferably the conveying direction of the conveyor belt system.The conveying direction can extend parallel to the x-axis in a defined manner with reference to an auxiliary coordinate system of one of the measuring roller stations.

[0163] Alternatively or additionally, it may also be provided that the evaluation of the force measurement signal comprises forming and / or evaluating a difference signal of the force measurement signal.

[0164] The differential signal enables a particularly efficient evaluation between the force measurement signals.

[0165] Alternatively or additionally, provision may also be made for the evaluation of the force measurement signals to include forming difference signals in pairs from the force measurement signals and for all difference signals to be evaluated.

[0166] This makes it possible to obtain a particularly advantageous overview of the relationships between the individual force flows and thus identify the states based on a comprehensive database.

[0167] Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the installation state comprises at least one state from the following state group: orientation of the measuring roller station; alignment of the measuring roller station; correct function and / or correct attachment of the individual weighing mechanisms, in particular their weighing units; and / or correct free lifting of the conveyor belt for orientation and adjustment.

[0168] Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the operating state includes at least one state from the following state group: ground drop in the area of ​​at least one measuring roller station, preferably including a lateral description of the drop; degree of wear of the conveyor belt; belt grinding; failure of the rollers of the roller station; jamming of the rollers of the roller station; and / or defects in the weighing mechanism.

[0169] Alternatively or additionally, provision may also be made for the output signal or a signal derived therefrom to be sent to a remote entity, in particular to a cloud computer system and / or a technician.

[0170] In this way, information relating to the status can be conveyed particularly well and processed further at other locations, in particular by other systems.

[0171] Another aspect of the present invention comprises a conveyor belt monitoring system for monitoring the state of a conveyor belt system and / or its components, the conveyor belt monitoring system comprising a conveyor belt system having a belt support and a plurality of roller stations mounted thereon, the roller stations carrying or being capable of carrying a conveyor belt movable along a conveying direction, wherein at least two of the roller stations are respectively constructed as measuring roller stations, each having at least one weighing mechanism for generating a force measurement signal based on a force acting on the corresponding measuring roller station, wherein the conveyor belt monitoring system comprises an evaluation mechanism, and wherein the evaluation mechanism is supplied or can be supplied with the force measurement signals of at least some of the weighing mechanisms, and wherein the evaluation mechanism is configured to evaluate the force measurement signals supplied by the weighing mechanisms and to generate an output signal based on at least one result of the evaluation, the output signal being indicative of the installation state and / or operating state of the conveyor belt system and / or its components.

[0172] All advantages and preferred features explained with respect to the method according to the fourth aspect of the invention also apply here accordingly. This also applies to the embodiments of the conveyor belt system according to the second aspect of the invention and the measuring roller station according to the first aspect of the invention (as long as such a conveyor belt system or such a measuring roller station is used). Therefore, reference can be made to the previous embodiments in this regard.

[0173] The evaluation mechanism here may be exactly the evaluation mechanism described with respect to the fourth aspect of the present invention.

[0174] Alternatively or additionally, it may also be provided that the conveyor belt monitoring system has a transmission device which is configured to receive the output signal or a signal derived therefrom from the evaluation device and / or to transmit the output signal or a signal derived therefrom to a remote entity, in particular a cloud computer system and / or a technician.

[0175] The sending mechanism can be implemented, for example, in software, hardware or a combination of the two. The sending mechanism can alternatively or additionally have a memory, a processor, a receiving device, a sending device or any combination thereof. The sending mechanism can alternatively or additionally provide and / or be available and / or have everything it has for the method, for example, in particular all resources necessary for this, for example in the form of software and / or hardware resources.

[0176] Another aspect of the present invention comprises a computer system, in particular a cloud computer system, which is configured to receive an output signal generated by an evaluation unit of a conveyor belt monitoring system or a signal derived therefrom, and preferably to perform defined or definable actions, such as in particular (i) notifying an entity based on the content of the signal, (ii) storing data associated with the signal and / or (iii) conveying the signal and / or data associated with the signal to a recipient.

[0177] The invention is therefore based on the surprising finding that by configuring the computer system accordingly it is possible to react particularly reliably and efficiently to different states which an output signal can represent.

[0178] For example, the computer system is a cloud computer system. This advantageously means that the computer system receives signals via the Internet and optionally also forwards and / or sends signals and / or notifications to the corresponding recipients via the Internet.

[0179] A computer system may have or represent a distributed system.

[0180] Another aspect of the invention includes a method for removing or replacing a weighing mechanism of a measuring roller station of a belt scale of a conveyor belt system, the method comprising:

[0181] A conveyor belt system and / or a conveyor belt monitoring system according to the second aspect of the invention is provided, in particular with at least one belt scale, the conveyor belt system having a belt support and at least one measuring roller station mounted thereon and having at least one weighing mechanism;

[0182] In particular, during operation of the conveyor system, the measuring roller station is transformed from a first configuration, in which the weighing device is arranged in a force-fitting manner between the carrier and the belt support, in particular the first longitudinal beam of the belt support, into a second configuration, in which the weighing device is arranged in a reduced force-fitting manner or without a force-fitting manner between the carrier and the belt support, in particular the first longitudinal beam of the belt support; and

[0183] In particular, the weighing device is removed from the measuring roller station in a direction parallel or antiparallel to a specific transverse direction (y-direction) and / or from outside the belt support.

[0184] The invention is therefore based on the surprising finding that a particularly easy installation and removal of the weighing mechanism can be achieved by temporarily reducing or completely interrupting the force flow on the weighing mechanism by the support of the carrier.

[0185] Since no special tools are required in this case, replacing the weighing mechanism is particularly easy and inexpensive. Safety can also be improved, since it is not necessary to enter or work inside the belt support to carry out the replacement. In addition, downtimes of the system can be significantly reduced or even completely eliminated.

[0186] Advantageously, the belt support of the conveyor belt system has at least two longitudinal beams and the measuring roller station is mounted on the longitudinal beams.

[0187] Therefore, the weighing mechanism is advantageously removed in a direction parallel to the positive or negative y-axis of the auxiliary coordinate system.

[0188] All advantages and preferred features explained with respect to the measuring roller station according to the first aspect of the invention, the conveyor belt system according to the second aspect of the invention and the conveyor belt monitoring system according to the fifth aspect of the invention are also fully applicable here accordingly. Therefore, reference can be made to the previous embodiments in this regard.

[0189] Alternatively or in addition, it can also be provided that the transition of the measuring roller station from the first configuration to the second configuration comprises: at least temporarily (zweitweise) arranging an intermediate element between a supporting device of the carrier of the measuring roller station and a belt support of the conveyor system, in particular a longitudinal beam of the belt support, wherein, in particular when the measuring roller station is in the second configuration, the carrier is at least partially supported on the intermediate element.

[0190] Alternatively or additionally, provision may also be made for the method to include releasing a connection between a connecting element or parts thereof, such as in particular an adapter element, and a carrier and / or a connecting element or parts thereof, such as in particular an adapter element, and a belt support, in particular a longitudinal beam of the belt support. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0191] Further features and advantages of the invention emerge from the following description, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are explained with reference to schematic drawings.

[0192] In the attached picture:

[0193] Figure 1a shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a measuring roller station according to a first aspect of the invention in a first section plane;

[0194] FIG. 1b shows a schematic sectional view of the measuring roller station from FIG. 1a in a second sectional plane perpendicular to the first sectional plane;

[0195] Figure 2a shows a schematic top view of a conveyor belt system according to a second aspect of the present invention;

[0196] Figure 2b Shown from Figure 2a The conveyor belt system is along the Figure 2a A schematic cross-sectional view in the cutting plane along line AA in FIG.

[0197] Figure 2c Shown from Figure 2a The conveyor belt system is along the Figure 2a A schematic cross-sectional view in the cutting plane along line BB in FIG.

[0198] Figure 2d Shown from Figure 2a A schematic cross-sectional view of a conveyor belt system of FIG. 1 with an alternative measuring roller station;

[0199] Figure 3 shows a schematic flow chart of a method according to a seventh aspect of the present invention;

[0200] Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of a system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention;

[0201] Figure 5 A schematic flow chart showing a method according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is shown: and

[0202] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a system according to a sixth aspect of the invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0203] 1a shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a measuring roller station 1 according to a first aspect of the invention in a first section plane. The first section plane extends parallel to a transverse direction Q (y direction) of the measuring roller station 1, which is currently defined as a specific transverse direction. The measuring roller station can be mounted at a belt support of a conveyor belt system, such as as part of a belt scale, such as a conveyor belt scale, a conveyor belt scale or a dosing belt scale.

[0204] exist Figure 1a The same Cartesian right-handed auxiliary coordinate system is also depicted in FIG. 1 , which is invariant relative to the measuring roller station 1 and has an x-axis perpendicular to Figure 1a The y-axis of the auxiliary coordinate system extends antiparallel to the specific transverse direction Q.

[0205] The measuring roller station 1 has a measuring roller seat 3 and two weighing mechanisms 5. According to the invention, the weighing mechanism 5 comprises a force receiver having a force introduction surface (not shown) and two force output surfaces 52. The force receiver is preferably penetrated by a hole at the force output surface 52, so that the force receiver can be rigidly screwed to the base or an attachment structure, such as an adapter 35 or a belt support 103 by means of a screw connection. In addition, the measuring roller station 1 has two connecting elements 9 at its lateral ends 7, with which the measuring roller station 1 can be mounted on the belt support of the conveyor system.

[0206] The measuring roller carriage 3 itself has a carrier 11, on the upper side 13 of which three pulleys 15 with corresponding mountings 17 are arranged. The pulleys 15 can carry a conveyor belt 19 that can be moved in a conveying direction (x direction) perpendicular to the drawing plane. During operation of the conveyor belt system, in which the measuring roller station is then arranged, weighing material, for example in the form of bulk material, is located on the conveyor belt 19.

[0207] The carrier 11 has a first end section 21a, a middle section 23 extending horizontally (along the y direction), and a second end section 21b along the transverse direction Q (y direction). The two end sections 21a, 21b are respectively configured as specific end sections in the same manner. Therefore, only the specific end section 21a is described.

[0208] Figure 1b shows a schematic sectional view of the measuring roller station in Figure 1a in a second sectional plane extending perpendicularly to the first sectional plane through a specific end section 21a of the connecting element 9. An auxiliary coordinate system is also shown again for faster orientation.

[0209] The specific end section 21a has an extension section 25 and a mounting section 27. The extension section 25 is arranged at an angle to the middle section 23, and the mounting section 27 is arranged at an angle to the extension section 25. The three sections 23, 25, 27 are welded to one another, so that the carrier 11 is formed as a whole in one piece.

[0210] Starting from the mounting section 27 , the connecting element 9 extends downward in the negative z direction in the auxiliary coordinate system and is detachably connected to the mounting section 27 at one end 29 thereof and is connectable to a belt support of the conveyor belt system at its other end 31 .

[0211] The connecting element 9 has one of the two weighing means 5 and two plate-shaped adapter elements 33, 35, between which the weighing means 5 are arranged in a sandwich-like manner. The upper adapter element 33 is connected to the mounting section 27 and the weighing means 5, and the lower adapter element 35 is connected to the weighing means 5 and can be connected to a belt bracket for mounting the measuring roller station 1. For each connection, for example, a screw connection can be selected accordingly.

[0212] Since the extension section 25 extends obliquely upward, i.e., currently encloses an angle α greater than 90 degrees (see FIG. 1a, for example 135 degrees) with the middle section 23, a volume 37 is provided which is limited at least regionally by the extension section 25 as a limiting section in the transverse direction Q (y direction), and the weighing mechanism 5 is arranged in this volume. This loading volume 37 can be displaced relatively far upward due to the direction of the carrier 11 in the measuring roller station 1. As a result, when the measuring roller station 1 is installed on the belt support, the weighing mechanism 5 can also be arranged above the belt support. Therefore, even in the state where the measuring roller station 1 is installed on the belt support, the weighing mechanism 5 can be advantageously approached from the side (for the weighing mechanism of the specific end section 21a, i.e., in the transverse direction Q).

[0213] The measuring roller station 1 is designed to be mirror-symmetrical, wherein the mirror plane is the central plane of the measuring roller station 1 which runs perpendicularly to the transverse direction Q. That is, the specific end section 21 b can also be mounted on the belt support by means of a further connecting element 9 .

[0214] Figure 2a A schematic top view of a conveyor belt system 101 according to the second aspect of the invention is shown.

[0215] The conveyor system 101 has Figure 2a The belt support 103 shown in sections in the figure has two longitudinal beams 105 extending in parallel and spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction Q of the conveyor belt system 101 and a plurality of roller stations 107 (in Figure 2a 4 ). The roller stations 107 are mounted on the belt support 103 transversely to the longitudinal beams 105 in such a way that they are connected to the two longitudinal beams 105 at their lateral ends.

[0216] Here, two of the roller stations 107 are configured as identical measuring roller stations 109 according to the first aspect of the present invention. For example, the two measuring roller stations 109 are respectively configured as described in reference to Figure 1a and Figure 1b The measuring roller station 1 described is designed as such.

[0217] The conveyor belt can be along Figure 2aThe conveyor belt carries the roller station 107 including the measuring roller station 109 and moves in the drawing plane and perpendicularly to the conveying direction extending in the transverse direction Q (ie parallel to the x-axis of the same auxiliary coordinate system of the measuring roller station 109).

[0218] Figure 2b The conveyor system 101 is shown along Figure 2a Schematic sectional view in a section plane along the line AA in FIG. 1 , which extends through one of the two measuring roller stations 109 . Figure 2c The conveyor belt system 101 in FIG. 1a is shown along the Figure 2a Schematic cross-sectional view within the cutting plane along line BB in FIG.

[0219] Here, the sectioned measuring roller station 109 is compared with the reference Figure 1a to Figure 1b Features which are identical to the features of the explained measuring roller station 1 are provided with identical reference numerals, but simply with a prime.

[0220] Here, the connecting element 9' extends between the longitudinal beam 105 of the belt support 103 and the mounting section 27' of the carrier 11' of the measuring roller carriage 3'. As a result, the weighing mechanism 5' is arranged above the longitudinal beam 105. This advantageously eliminates force splitting and minimizes transverse forces in the weighing mechanism.

[0221] The measuring roller station 109 is rigidly mounted on the belt support 103 by means of two connecting elements 9'. For this purpose, the respective upper adapter element 33' is connected to the respective mounting section 27' and the respective weighing mechanism 5' by means of a respective screw connection. And the respective lower adapter element 35' is connected to the respective longitudinal beam 105 of the belt support 103 and the respective weighing mechanism 5' by means of a screw connection. Thus, the forces acting on the two lateral ends 7' are measured by direct weighing technology.

[0222] The weighing material conveyed on the conveyor belt 19' generates a weight force which is transmitted to the weighing mechanism 5' via the carrier 11'. As a result, a force measurement signal can be generated and optionally evaluated by the weighing mechanism 5' as a function of the weight force.

[0223] Figure 2d Shows Figure 2c , but with a measuring roller station in another embodiment. For the sake of simplicity, the reference numerals remain unchanged for identical features. In an alternative embodiment of the measuring roller station 1 ', the carrier 7 ' has a cuboid support device 111 at the mounting section 27 ', which is Figure 2d In the figure, it extends from the mounting section 27' to the right (opposite to the x-direction).

[0224] An intermediate element 113, for example a cuboid, can be positioned between the support means 111 and the longitudinal beam 105. This makes it possible to relieve the load on the weighing mechanism 5'. This makes it possible to replace the weighing mechanism 5' in a particularly easy manner.

[0225] exist Figure 2a to Figure 2d , the auxiliary coordinate system of the measuring roller station 109 is also shown again in order to enable faster orientation.

[0226] Figure 3 A schematic flow chart 200 of a method according to a seventh aspect of the invention is shown. The method involves the above-described advantageous replacement of a weighing mechanism of a preferred measuring roller station in a conveyor belt system according to the second aspect of the invention.

[0227] First, a conveyor system (e.g., conveyor system 101) is provided in 201 with a belt support 103 and a measuring roller station 109 mounted thereon, the measuring roller station having corresponding supporting means. Figure 2d The measuring roller station 109 is illustrated.

[0228] Subsequently, at 203 , the screwed connection between the connecting element 9 ′ and the carrier 11 ′ on the one hand and the longitudinal beam 105 on the other hand is released.

[0229] Afterwards, in 205, the intermediate element 9' is arranged between the support device 111 and the longitudinal beam 105 with the bracket 103. The mounting section 27' is thus supported on the intermediate element 113. As a result, the measuring roller station 109 is transformed from a first configuration, in which the weighing mechanism 5' is arranged in a force-fitting manner between the carrier 11' and the longitudinal beam 105, into a second configuration, in which the weighing mechanism 5' is arranged between the carrier 11' and the longitudinal beam 105 with a reduced force fit or without a force fit.

[0230] Subsequently, the weighing mechanism 5' is removed from the measuring roller station 109 at 207. For this purpose, Figure 2d It is pulled in the direction of the observer, ie, opposite to the transverse direction Q (or in a direction parallel to the negative y-axis of the auxiliary coordinate system).

[0231] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a conveyor belt monitoring system 301 according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is shown.

[0232] The conveyor belt monitoring system 301 has a conveyor belt system 303, for example, Figure 2a to Figure 2cThe conveyor belt system 101 described in the embodiment of the present invention has two measuring roller stations 305, such as the measuring roller station 109, each having two weighing mechanisms 307, such as the weighing mechanism 5'. The conveyor belt monitoring system 301 also has an evaluation mechanism 309. All force measurement signals 311 of, for example, four weighing mechanisms 307 are supplied to the evaluation mechanism 309. The conveyor belt monitoring system 301 also has a transmission mechanism 313. The transmission mechanism 313 is configured to receive an output signal 315 of the evaluation mechanism 309 and to transmit the output signal 315 or a signal derived therefrom to a remote entity.

[0233] With the aid of the conveyor belt monitoring system 301 , a method for determining the state of the conveyor belt system 303 and its components can be carried out.

[0234] Figure 5 A schematic flow chart 400 of a method according to a fourth aspect of the invention is shown. The method involves the above-described ascertainment of the state of the conveyor belt system.

[0235] First, a conveyor belt system (eg, conveyor belt system 303 ) is provided in 401 , which has two measuring roller stations 305 , each of which has two weighing mechanisms 307 .

[0236] In 403 , four force measurement signals 311 of, for example, four weighing mechanisms 307 are evaluated. This means that differential signals are formed in pairs from the force measurement signals 311 and all differential signals are evaluated. Thus, six differential signals are currently evaluated.

[0237] Based on the differential signal, the orientation of the measuring roller station 305 can be checked during the initial commissioning of the conveyor system 303, but also during ongoing operation, and possible necessary measures can be derived for (re)adjusting the measuring roller station 305. In this way, the corresponding installation state of the conveyor system 303 and its components, such as the measuring roller station 305, can be monitored.

[0238] Furthermore, a failed or stuck pulley of the measuring roller station 305 can be identified from the differential signal based on the changed force measurement signal 311. In this way, the corresponding operating states of the conveyor belt system 303 and its components, such as the measuring roller station 305, can be monitored.

[0239] For this purpose, an output signal is generated at 405 , which is indicative of an installation state and / or an operating state of the conveyor belt system 303 and / or its components.

[0240] Information about the orientation of the measuring roller station 305 and suggestions for corrective measures if necessary as well as information about failed or stuck pulleys can optionally be sent to a remote entity, where the information can be received and all necessary adaptations can then be made.

[0241] The force measurement signal can be evaluated here by means of an evaluation device 309. The information can be transmitted to a remote entity by means of a transmission device 313.

[0242] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a computer system 501 according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is shown.

[0243] In the present case, the computer system 501 is a cloud computer system and is configured to receive the output signal 315 generated by the evaluation mechanism 309 of the conveyor belt monitoring system 301 and to notify a recipient (eg a technician) based on the content of the signal.

[0244] The features disclosed in the foregoing description, in the drawings and in the technical solution may be essential to the present invention in its various embodiments, either individually or in any combination.

[0245] Description of Reference Numerals

[0246] 1 Measuring roller station

[0247] 3, 3' measuring roller seat

[0248] 5. 5' weighing mechanism

[0249] 52 Force Derivation Surface

[0250] 7, 7' lateral end

[0251] 9, 9' connection element

[0252] 11, 11' carrier

[0253] 13, 13' upper side

[0254] 15, 15' pulley

[0255] 17, 17' Security Department

[0256] 19, 19' conveyor belt

[0257] 21a, 21a' End section

[0258] 21b, 21b' end section

[0259] 23, 23' middle section

[0260] 25, 25' extension section

[0261] 27, 27' installation section

[0262] 29, 29' end

[0263] 31, 31' end

[0264] 33, 33' adapter element

[0265] 35, 35' adapter element

[0266] 37, 37' loading capacity

[0267] 101 Conveyor belt system

[0268] 103 with bracket

[0269] 105 longitudinal beam

[0270] 107 Roller Station

[0271] 109 Measuring roller station

[0272] 111 Supporting device

[0273] 113 Intermediate Components

[0274] 200 Flowchart

[0275] 201 Provide conveyor belt system

[0276] 203 Release the screw connection

[0277] 205 Arrange the intermediate element and change the measuring roller station from the first configuration to the second configuration

[0278] 207 Remove weighing mechanism

[0279] 301 Conveyor Belt Monitoring System

[0280] 303 Conveyor belt system

[0281] 305 Measuring Roller Station

[0282] 307 Weighing mechanism

[0283] 309 Assessment Agency

[0284] 311 Force measurement signal

[0285] 313 Sending institution

[0286] 315 Output signal

[0287] 400 Flowchart

[0288] 401 Provide conveyor belt system

[0289] 403 Evaluating force measurement signals

[0290] 405 Generate output signal

[0291] 501 Computer Systems

[0292] α, α' angles

[0293] AA Cutting line relative to the cutting plane

[0294] BB Cutting line relative to the cutting plane

[0295] Q Horizontal direction

[0296] x, y, z axes of the auxiliary coordinate system

Claims

1. A measuring roller station (1) for a belt scale of a conveyor belt system (101), the measuring roller station (1) having a measuring roller seat (3, 3') and at least one weighing mechanism (5, 5'), The measuring roller seat (1) has a carrier (11, 11'), on which one or more pulleys (15, 15') of the measuring roller station (1) are arranged or can be arranged, and the carrier is connected or can be connected to the weighing mechanism, characterized in that: The weighing mechanism comprises a force receiver having a force introduction surface and two force output surfaces, wherein the force introduction surface is provided for supporting the carrier and for introducing force from the measuring roller seat, and the force output surfaces are penetrated by holes for rigidly connecting the force receiver to an attachment structure.

2. A measuring roller station (1) according to claim 1, wherein the measuring roller station (1) has at least one connecting element (9, 9'), by means of which the measuring roller station (1) can be mounted on the belt support (103) of the conveyor belt system (101), in particular on at least one first longitudinal beam of preferably two longitudinal beams (105) of the belt support (103), wherein the connecting element (9, 9') has the weighing mechanism (5, 5').

3. The measuring roller station (1) according to claim 2, wherein the connecting element (9, 9') enables a rigid connection between the measuring roller station (1) and the belt support (103), in particular the first longitudinal beam (105) of the belt support (103).

4. A measuring roller station (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 3, wherein the connecting element (9, 9') is arranged at the lateral ends of the measuring roller station (1) and / or is arranged with at least one of its ends at the carrier (11, 11') and / or extends from the carrier (11, 11') preferably along a first direction (z direction) of the conveyor belt system (101), in particular perpendicular to a specific transverse direction (y direction) and / or perpendicular to the conveying direction (x direction).

5. The measuring roller station (1) according to claim 2 , wherein the connecting element (9, 9') has at least two adapter elements (33, 33', 35, 35'), and wherein the weighing mechanism (5, 5') is arranged in a sandwich-like manner, in particular along the first direction (z direction), in particular directly and / or at least regionally, between two of the adapter elements (33, 33', 35, 35'), Preferably, (i) a first adapter element (33, 33') of at least two of the adapter elements is connected to the carrier (11, 11') on one side and is preferably directly and / or detachably connected to the weighing mechanism (5, 5') on the other side, and / or a second adapter element (35, 35') of at least two of the adapter elements is preferably directly and / or detachably connected to the weighing mechanism (5, 5'), and / or can preferably be directly and / or detachably connected to the belt bracket (103), in particular the first longitudinal beam (105) of the belt bracket (103).

6. A measuring roller station (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein when the measuring roller station (1) is installed on the belt support (103), the weighing mechanism (5, 5') is at least partially arranged above the belt support (103), in particular above the first longitudinal beam (105), and / or is at least regionally arranged on the belt support (103), in particular on the first longitudinal beam (105).

7. A measuring roller station (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier (11, 11') has at least one intermediate section (23, 23') and / or the carrier (11, 11') has at least two end sections (21a, 21a', 21b, 21b'), wherein at least one of the two end sections (21a, 21a', 21b, 21b') is constructed as a specific end section, which at least partially and / or at least sectionally has and / or constitutes a limiting section.

8. A conveyor belt system (101), in particular having at least one belt scale, preferably at least one conveyor belt scale, such as a conveyor belt scale, or at least one quantitative distribution belt scale, the conveyor belt system (101) comprising a belt support (103) having at least two longitudinal beams (105) and at least one measuring roller station (109) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 installed on the longitudinal beams (105).

9. A conveyor belt system (101) according to claim 8, wherein (i) there is a rigid connection between the measuring roller station (109) and the belt support (103), in particular the two longitudinal beams (105) of the belt support; and / or (ii) the measuring roller station (109) has at least two weighing mechanisms (5, 5'), and at least two connecting elements (9, 9') of the measuring roller station (1) have the weighing mechanisms, and wherein the measuring roller station (1) is particularly rigidly mounted at the belt support (103), in particular at the two longitudinal beams (105) of the belt support (103) by means of at least two connecting elements (9, 9').

10. A method for removing or replacing a weighing mechanism (5, 5') of a measuring roller station (1) of a belt scale of a conveyor belt system (101), the method comprising: - providing a conveyor belt system, in particular comprising at least one belt scale according to any one of claims 14 to 15, the conveyor belt system having a belt support (103) and at least one measuring roller station (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, which is mounted on the belt support and has at least one weighing mechanism (5, 5'); - in particular during the operation of the conveyor system (101), the measuring roller station (1) changes from a first configuration, in which the weighing mechanism (5, 5') is arranged in a force-fitting manner between the carrier (11, 11') and the belt support (103), in particular the first longitudinal beam (105) of the belt support (103), into a second configuration, in which the weighing mechanism (5, 5') is arranged in a reduced force-fitting manner or without a force-fitting manner between the carrier (11, 11') and the belt support (103), in particular the first longitudinal beam (105) of the belt support (103); and - Removing the weighing device (5, 5') from the measuring roller station (1), in particular in a direction parallel or antiparallel to a certain transverse direction (y-direction) and / or from outside the belt support.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein - the transformation of the measuring roller station (1) from the first configuration to the second configuration comprises: an intermediate element (113) is at least temporarily arranged between a supporting device (111) of the carrier (11) of the measuring roller station (1) and the belt support (103) of the conveyor belt system (101), in particular a longitudinal beam (105) of the belt support (103), wherein in particular when the measuring roller station (1) is in the second configuration, the carrier (11, 11') is at least partially supported on the intermediate element (113); and / or -The method comprises: releasing the connection between the connecting element (9, 9') or its parts, such as in particular the adapter element (33, 33', 35, 35') and the carrier (11, 11') and / or the connecting element (9, 9') or its parts, such as in particular the adapter element (33, 33', 35, 35') and the belt support (103), in particular the longitudinal beam (105) of the belt support (103).

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