Semi-automatic spiral piece tensioning device for vibrating conveyor

Abstract

The invention relates to a screw tensioning device for a modular screw tower (1) of a vertical vibrating conveyor (S), in which a wedge sliding device (4) is arranged between a drive (3) and the screw tower (1), the wedge-type sliding device comprises an anchor plate assembly (25) capable of vibrating, i.e. Being coupled to the driver, and a wedge assembly (24) stationary, i.e. Being disconnected from the driver. A wedge (12) in the wedge slide (4) can be displaced by means of an electronically controlled stepping motor (18) and thus tensions or relaxes a spring element (13) which transmits its predetermined spring force to the traction anchor (7). The device can ensure stable vibration characteristics and comprises a control system for controlling the operation of the wedge sliding device (4), i.e. The device can control the assembly, operation and disassembly of the spiral tower (1) in a semi-automatic manner. The screw tensioning device and the method for controlling the operation of the screw tensioning device are mainly suitable for use in vibrating conveyors having a conveying height exceeding about 2.5 m, in particular vibrating conveyors having a conveying height from about 2.5 m to about 5 m.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a screw tensioning device for a vertical vibrating conveyor according to the preamble of claim 1, a method for adjusting the screw tensioning device according to the preamble of claim 15, and a use of the screw tensioning device according to the preamble of claim 18. Background Art

[0002] A vertical vibrating conveyor is preferably used for dust removal and / or deburring of small objects, in particular tablets and capsules in the pharmaceutical industry. A vibrating conveyor of this type is known, for example, from WO 2021 / 212241 and comprises a plurality of components, in particular a drive unit with an anchoring plate that can vibrate, the spiral tower standing vertically on the anchoring plate and having a spiral conveying track for transporting small objects in an upward direction. Such a spiral tower is usually designed as a plurality of parts in the form of modules, which can be stacked one above the other so that they can be assembled in a simple manner for different conveying heights.

[0003] When assembling such a vibrating conveyor, first a first screw module (also referred to below as an inlet screw) is placed on an anchor plate and fixed to the anchor plate using a first tie rod module (also referred to below as an inlet tie rod). The known inlet tie rod is connected to the traction anchor on the anchor plate by means of a bayonet connector. The spiral tower is then built up module by module, i.e. first a further screw module is installed and then a further tie rod module. The finishing is achieved by means of an outlet screw and an outlet tie rod, wherein the outlet tie rod is manually tightened onto the previously installed tie rod module by means of a handle so that the entire tie rod is tensioned with the anchor plate. Depending on the application, different torques can be used to be able to adjust the tension of the tie rod, which is important for the oscillation characteristics of the spiral tower.

[0004] Unfortunately, manual tensioning of modular tie rods can lead to tensions of varying strength or to undesirable deviations from the predetermined value of the tensile stress, which can also lead to vibration characteristics that cannot be predetermined on the same vibrating conveyor and for the same application. This can not only lead to variations in the processed end product, but can also lead to damage to the drive, which in turn leads to undesirable downtimes, i.e. production stops. Furthermore, manual manipulation with tools such as torque wrenches is undesirable in clean rooms, and the required torque on the tie rods can no longer be easily achieved manually for higher conveying heights (e.g. about 2.5 m or more).

[0005] Furthermore, modern industry is seeking to further expand these vibrating conveyors, in particular to increase their height from the current approximately 2 m in order to further extend the conveying track. This presents the professionals with other problems that cannot be easily solved. For example, extending the entire tie rod requires an increased tensioning force that can no longer be achieved manually. Furthermore, manual operation with a wrench at heights above approximately 2 m is both time-consuming and dangerous. Summary of the invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is therefore to create a vertical spiral tower for a vibrating conveyor which does not have the disadvantages of the known spiral towers. In particular, a spiral tensioning device is to be created which operates quickly and safely with a determinable vibration characteristic, in particular with a tensioning force which is reproducible and depends on the tie rod length. This is done in order to be able to build a vibrating conveyor which vibrates in a controlled manner and to avoid, for example, dangerous and time-consuming operations at heights exceeding 2.5 m and to avoid insufficient tensioning of the tie rods. In particular, it is to be possible to tension the tie rods without the aid of tools during assembly.

[0007] This object is achieved according to the invention by a semi-automatic, ie software-assisted, screw tensioning device having the features of claim 1 and by a method according to claim 15 .

[0008] In particular, the present invention generally relates to the tool-free assembly and adjustability of the vibration characteristics of a modularly constructed vibrating conveyor having a modular spiral tower, modular tie rods, a vibrating drive and a wedge slide device as described in detail below.

[0009] In order to construct a spiral tower consisting of a plurality of modules, the spiral tower is tightly connected together using modular tie rods. After the inlet spiral is put on, the inlet tie rod is connected to the traction anchor by means of a bayonet connector. The spiral tower is then assembled module by module. Each time, the spiral module is installed first and then the tie rod module. The finishing is achieved in a known manner by means of an outlet spiral and an outlet tie rod. However, when using the spiral tensioning device according to the invention, it is only necessary to screw the final screw-type closure on the outlet tie rod up to the stop defined on the outlet spiral, wherein only a small torque is required which can be achieved without any particular effort and by hand.

[0010] According to the invention, a wedge-type sliding device is placed between the drive and the spiral tower and comprises a displaceable wedge, by which a traction anchor (Zuganker) that can be connected to the inlet tie rod can be displaced vertically. The spiral tensioning device has a first component (hereinafter also referred to as a wedge component) that is disconnected from the drive and a second component (hereinafter also referred to as an anchor plate component) that is connected to the drive and can vibrate. With the wedge-type sliding device according to the invention, the tie rod can be tensioned automatically and with a predetermined tensile stress. This means that the wedge component constructed in an asymmetrical manner will not vibrate with it even when the vibrating conveyor is running, and the spiral tower has stable vibration characteristics. The wedge component mainly comprises an electronically controllable stepper motor, a displaceable wedge, a threaded nut equipped with a threaded screw, at least one first proximity switch and at least one second proximity switch, and a sliding slat, and, if necessary, a cover, wherein the wedge can be displaced along the sliding slat by means of the threaded screw. In particular, in order to control the stepper motor, a first proximity switch arranged near the assembly position of the wedge and a second proximity switch arranged near the tensioning position of the wedge are electrically connected to the electronic control unit.

[0011] The anchor plate assembly is an assembly that can be fixedly connected to the driver and mainly includes an anchor plate, which is connected to a plunger carrier plate that is spaced apart from the anchor plate and can be displaced, on which a plunger is fastened, which is guided in a vertically displaceable manner in a plunger guide plate and fixedly connected to a traction anchor, so that the plunger, the plunger guide plate and the plunger carrier plate are coupled to the anchor plate in a vibration-transmitting manner. Therefore, when the vibrating conveyor is running, the assembly will vibrate along with it.

[0012] In order to tension the tie rod, a wedge slide with a displaceable wedge is installed between the spiral tower and the drive. When tensioning or loosening, the wedge is displaced from the assembly position to the tensioning position or from the tensioning position to the assembly position by means of an electronically controlled stepper motor and through a threaded lead screw and a threaded nut and by means of a first proximity switch and a second proximity switch.

[0013] A spring element with a predetermined spring force is fitted between the plunger carrier plate and the plunger guide plate, the spring element being tensioned in the tensioning position so that it applies the desired tensioning force to the traction anchor and being compressed in the assembly position to such an extent that the traction anchor relaxes in the desired manner. To this end, on the one hand, the wedge rests on a plurality of support rollers which are fastened to the stationary wedge assembly; on the other hand, when the wedge is displaced, a plurality of guide rollers fixedly connected to the plunger carrier plate bear against the inclined surface of the wedge under the action of the spring tension until the wedge is in its tensioning position, i.e. no longer in contact with the guide rollers coupled to the spring element. During operation with vibrations, the wedge is always in the tensioning position and therefore no vibrations can be transmitted to the wedge assembly or the asymmetrically constructed wedge assembly does not affect the vibration characteristics of the spiral tower. The inclined surface of the wedge preferably has a slope of 2° to 4°.

[0014] In order to assemble or disassemble the spiral tower, the displaceable wedge is moved by means of a stepper motor from the tensioning position to the assembly position or disassembly position of the wedge. In the assembly position of the wedge, the plunger carrier plate together with the plunger is displaced in the direction of the spiral tower against the predetermined spring force of the spring element, i.e. the spring element is additionally compressed and the traction anchor can be easily connected or disconnected from the inlet tie rod.

[0015] In order to tension the tie rod, the wedge moves to its tensioning position and the plunger carrier plate moves by a stroke Δl in the direction opposite to the spiral tower by means of the spring force of the spring element, whereby the inlet tie rod coupled to the traction anchor rests rigidly against the vibrating anchor plate with a predetermined tensile stress, i.e. is firmly held on the vibrating anchor plate. The attached screw-type closure, preferably in the form of a rotating handle at the end of the outlet tie rod, ensures that this tensile stress is also transmitted to the spiral module and that the vibration stability of the entire spiral tower is ensured even during vibrating operation.

[0016] The electronic control unit used for the displacement of the wedge has in particular assembly preparation software, opening software and disassembly preparation software to transfer the wedge to the respective desired position or to adjust the semi-automatic operation of the screw tensioner by means of a stepper motor. To this end, the control unit performs the following steps.

[0017] Before manually assembling the screw a), the operator turns on the main switch of the vibrating conveyor in step a1) to start the startup software. The startup software works when the anchor plate of the screw tensioner has not yet been activated, i.e. when no vibration is performed. In step a2), it is automatically checked whether the wedge of the screw tensioner is in its assembly position, and the software determines, if the result is "yes", step a3) is executed, and if the result is "no", step a4) is executed. In step a3), the displacement of the wedge in the direction of the assembly position is initialized and executed until the value indicated by the first proximity switch = 0, and then the wedge is displaced in the opposite direction until the value indicated by the first proximity switch = 1. If the result is "no", i.e. for step a4), the wedge is initialized and displaced in the direction of the assembly position until the first proximity switch indicates a value = 1. After step a3) or step a4), step a5) can be started, i.e. the manual assembly of the spiral tower can be performed.

[0018] After the manual assembly of the spiral turret, i.e. after the final installation of the rotary handle and in order to start the drive, b) the drive of the vibrating conveyor can be started with the aid of the control unit and the following steps. In a first step b1), the start button displayed on the control unit via the graphical user interface (GUI) is manually pressed to activate the start software. This triggers step b2), by which the displacement of the wedge towards the tensioning position is initialized and executed until the value indicated by the second proximity switch = 1. In step b3), it is checked whether the wedge of the spiral tensioning device is in its tensioning position and a decision is made, if the result is "yes" a step b4) is executed, if the result is "no" a step b5) is executed. In step b4), the drive of the spiral turret of the vibrating conveyor is started and the drive starts to vibrate. In step b5), an error message is displayed on the GUI ("spiral turret is not tensioned") and a manual error correction must be performed in the next step b6) before step b2) can be executed again.

[0019] Before disassembling the spiral, c) the following steps are performed. In step c1), a GUI stop button displayed on the display of the control unit is manually pressed, which stops the vibration of the vibrating conveyor and activates the software for disassembling the spiral tower. In step c2), the software activates the movement of the wedge to the assembly position until the value indicated by the first proximity switch = 1. In step c3), it is checked whether the wedge is in its assembly position. If the result is "yes", the spiral tower of the vibrating conveyor can be manually disassembled in step c4).

[0020] If the answer is "No", an error message ("spiral turret is still tensioned") is displayed at the GUI button in step c5). Manual error correction is performed in step c6), and then step c2) is repeated.

[0021] It should be understood that, for the mentioned tasks, those skilled in the art can provide the required software without any creative work.

[0022] During assembly, a spiral tower with a desired length, in particular with a height significantly exceeding about 2.5 m, can be assembled quickly and safely. In particular, the present invention generally allows for the quick and safe assembly and adjustment of the vibration characteristics of a modularly constructed vibrating conveyor, which has a modular spiral tower, a modular tie rod, a vibrating drive and a wedge-type slide described in detail below. During assembly, the outlet spiral is preferably tightened to a defined stop using an ergonomically shaped rotating handle on the outlet tie rod. Only a small torque is required here, which can be applied by hand without particular effort, i.e. without tools.

[0023] The spiral turret can be automatically tensioned with the required tensioning force within 10 seconds using an electronic control unit with the aid of a wedge, a stepper motor and a proximity switch.

[0024] In this application, the term "vibrating conveyor" is used to describe a vibrating screw conveyor (also called a screw conveyor) used for vertical transport and handling of piece goods.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment of the screw member tensioning device, the inclined surface of the wedge-shaped member has a slope of 2° to 4°.

[0026] In another embodiment of the screw tensioning device, the wedge assembly is provided with a cover to intercept dust generated during the operation of the vibrating conveyor.

[0027] In a particular embodiment of the present screw tensioning device, the electronic control unit is configured such that: the electronic control unit executes the assembly preparation software (a), the opening software (b) and the disassembly preparation software (c) independently of each other to achieve semi-automatic operation of the screw tensioning device, as already described. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail based on embodiments and with the aid of the accompanying drawings.

[0029] in:

[0030] Figure 1A schematic diagram showing a preferred embodiment of a spiral tower according to the present invention;

[0031] Figure 2a A schematic diagram showing a preferred embodiment of a wedge-type sliding device according to the present invention in its assembled position;

[0032] Figure 2b A schematic diagram showing a preferred embodiment of a wedge-type sliding device according to the present invention in its tensioned position;

[0033] Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing a wedge assembly "at rest" with the coupling disconnected;

[0034] Figure 4 A schematic side view of a wedge-type sliding device according to the present invention is shown;

[0035] Figure 5 A flow chart is shown when starting the vibrating conveyor according to the present invention;

[0036] Figure 6 shows a flow chart when starting the vibrating conveyor according to the present invention;

[0037] Figure 7 A flow chart is shown when stopping the vibrating conveyor according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Figure 1 The vibrating conveyor (S) shown comprises essentially three components, namely a drive (3), a spiral tower (1) with a conveying track (F), and a wedge-type slide (4) arranged between the drive (3) and the spiral tower (1), wherein the drive (3) is preferably an electromagnetic drive and the spiral tower (1) is constructed from a plurality of spiral modules (6, 8, 10). The spiral tower (1) may have a height of more than 2.5 m and is held in a known manner by modular tie rods (2), i.e. the tie rods comprise a plurality of tie rod modules (5, 9, 11) connected to one another by means of a bayonet lock. In this case, the inlet tie rod (5) assigned to the inlet spiral (6) is connected to a traction anchor (7), while the outlet tie rod (11) assigned to the outlet spiral (10) is screwed together at its end opposite to the anchor plate (26) of the drive (3) with a screw-type closure, in particular a rotary handle (15).

[0039] The drive (3) is preferably an electromagnetic drive, which is sufficiently known for such vibrating conveyors (S), and during operation the drive (3) vibrates the anchoring plate (26) and the corresponding traction anchor (7), wherein the traction anchor (7) for fastening the inlet tie rod (5) and the further tie rod modules (9, 11) and the corresponding screw modules (6, 8, 10) are supported in a vertically displaceable manner. For this purpose, the wedge slide (4) has a wedge (12) that can be displaced approximately horizontally.

[0040] Figure 2a and Figure 2b The invention shows the construction of a wedge slide (4) and clarifies the mode of action of the wedge slide (4). Specifically, the wedge slide (4) for displacing a wedge (12) comprises a wedge assembly (24) disconnected from the drive (3) and an anchor plate assembly (25) coupled to the drive (3), i.e. capable of vibration. This two-part construction allows the vibration characteristics of the spiral tower to be controlled in a repeatable manner.

[0041] exist Figure 2a In the embodiment of the invention, the wedge-type sliding device (4) is shown in a first position or assembly position (A) in which the wedge (12) is located between a plurality of support rollers (22') and a plurality of guide rollers (22), and the plunger (14) or the traction anchor (7) fastened to the plunger (14) is displaced in the vertical direction. The wedge assembly (24) for displacing the wedge (12) and disconnected from the drive (3) has a stepper motor (18) controllable by means of an electronic control unit (not shown), which is coupled to a threaded lead screw (17), wherein a threaded nut (19) coupled to the displaceable wedge (12) is mounted on the threaded lead screw (17). The wedge (12) is preferably displaceable along a sliding strip (16) arranged parallel to the threaded spindle (17).

[0042] exist Figure 2bIn the embodiment of the present invention, the wedge (12) of the wedge slide (4) is in a second position or tensioning position (B), in which the wedge (12) is disconnected from the vibrating anchor plate assembly (25), i.e. the wedge (12) is completely located in the wedge assembly (24) disconnected from the drive (3). The displacement of the wedge (12) is carried out in a similar manner by means of a threaded screw (17) and by means of a stepper motor (18) which can be controlled by an electronic control unit (not shown). In order to control the stepper motor (18), the screw tensioning device has a first proximity switch (20) and a second proximity switch (21), the first proximity switch (20) being arranged near the assembly position (A) of the wedge (12) and the second proximity switch (21) being arranged near the tensioning position (B) of the wedge (12), the first proximity switch (20) and the second proximity switch (21) being electrically connected to the electronic control unit (not shown).

[0043] pass Figure 2a and Figure 2b It can be seen that the anchor plate assembly (25) connected to the drive (3) comprises an anchor plate (26) connected to a plunger carrier plate (27) which is spaced apart from the anchor plate (26) and can be displaced. A plunger (14) is fastened to the plunger carrier plate (27), which is guided in a plunger guide plate (28) in a manner that allows for a substantially vertical displacement and is fixedly connected to the traction anchor (7), so that the plunger (14), the plunger guide plate (28) and the plunger carrier plate (27) are connected to the anchor plate (26) in a vibration-transmitting manner.

[0044] Preferably, a spring element (13) with a predetermined spring force is fitted between the plunger carrier plate (27) and the plunger guide plate (28), by means of which a plurality of guide rollers (22) fixedly connected to the plunger carrier plate (27) elastically abut against the inclined surface of the wedge (12), especially even when the wedge (12) is displaced. In the assembly position (A) of the wedge (12), the plunger carrier plate (27) together with the plunger (14) overcomes the predetermined spring force of the spring element (13) and is displaced in the direction of the spiral tower (1), i.e. the spring element (13) is additionally compressed, and the traction anchor (7) can be easily connected or disconnected from the inlet tie rod (5). In the tensioning position (B) of the wedge (12), the plunger carrier plate (27) is moved by a stroke Δl in the direction opposite to the spiral tower (1) by means of the spring force of the spring element (13), wherein the inlet tie rod (5) connected to the traction anchor (7) and other tie rod modules (9, 11) fastened to the inlet tie rod (5) are pressed against the vibrating anchor plate assembly (25) with a predetermined tensile stress while being kept in a taut state.

[0045] In this preferred embodiment of the screw tensioning device according to the invention, in the assembly position (A), as Figure 2a As shown in FIG. , the spring element (13) engaged between the plunger carrier plate (27) and the plunger guide plate (28) is compressed and the plunger (14) is displaced in the direction of the spiral tower (1), so that the inlet tie rod (5) can be manually fastened to the traction anchor (7). Figure 2b , the wedge-type slide (4) is shown in a second or tensioning position (B), in which the wedge (12) is no longer located between the support roller (22') and the guide roller (22), and the spring element (13) transmits its predetermined spring force to the traction anchor (7).

[0046] The wedge (12) preferably has an incline of 2.8° and moves along the sliding strip (16). The wedge (12) can be moved from the assembly position (A) to the tensioning position (B) by means of a threaded screw (17) which can be driven by a stepper motor (18) and drives a threaded nut (19) fastened to the wedge (12). This causes the spring element (13) to relax in a predetermined manner and the traction anchor (7) together with the plunger (14) is pulled by the spring element (13) by a defined travel Δl in the direction of the anchor plate (26). In this way, the spiral tower (1) can be tensioned with a predetermined tensioning force within 10 seconds. This always takes place before the vibrating conveyor is started and the anchor plate (26) begins to vibrate. The stepper motor (18) for the threaded screw (17) is controlled by a motor controller and software specially developed for this purpose. Position monitoring of the assembly position (A), i.e. the correct positioning of the wedge (12) in this position (A), is ensured by a first proximity switch (20), while position monitoring of the tensioning position (B), i.e. the correct positioning of the wedge (12) in this position (B) is ensured by a second proximity switch (21). Guide rollers (22) and support rollers (22') located on the upper and lower sides of the wedge are responsible for providing optimal guidance during the position changes of the electrically displaceable wedge (12). Advantageously, the wedge slide (4) is protected by a cover (23, not shown).

[0047] Figure 3 A wedge assembly (24) is shown standing in a disconnected state from a drive (3, not shown), the wedge assembly (24) being connected to a stepper motor controlled by an electronic control unit (not shown) to displace a wedge (not shown). In the present case, the wedge assembly is also referred to as a disconnected wedge assembly.

[0048] Figure 4The side view of the wedge-type slide device (4) according to the present invention shown in the figure shows an anchor plate assembly (25) connected to a driver, the anchor plate assembly (25) comprising an anchor plate (26, not shown) and fixedly connected to a plunger carrier plate spaced apart from the anchor plate. A plunger provided for connecting an inlet tie rod (5) and a traction anchor (7) is fastened to the plunger carrier plate, wherein the plunger is guided in a displaceable manner in a plunger guide plate. The plunger guide plate and the spaced plunger carrier plate and the anchor plate fixedly connected to the plunger carrier plate are connected to each other in a vibration-transmitting manner. A spring element (13) with a predetermined spring force is fitted between the plunger carrier plate and at least one plunger guide plate, the spring element cooperating with the plunger carrier plate, wherein the plunger carrier plate is fixedly connected to a plurality of guide rollers (22), which elastically abut against the inclined surface of the wedge (12) when the wedge (12) is displaced. The wedge (12) moves between the support roller (22') and the guide roller (22) when it is displaced.

[0049] If the wedge (12) is in the assembly position (A), the plunger carrier plate together with the plunger (14) overcomes the spring force of the spring element (13) and is displaced in the direction of the spiral tower (1), and the traction anchor (7) can be easily connected to the inlet tie rod (5). If the wedge (12) is in the tensioning position (B), the plunger carrier plate is displaced in the opposite direction of the spiral tower (1) by the spring force of the spring element (13), so as to fasten the inlet tie rod (5) provided with the traction anchor (7) and the tie rod module (9) fastened to the inlet tie rod (5) to the vibrating anchor plate assembly (25) with a predetermined tensile stress.

[0050] Figure 5The control process when starting up the vibrating conveyor according to the present invention is shown in FIG. As already described, a) the following steps are performed before manually assembling the screw. First, the responsible operator turns on the main switch of the vibrating conveyor (S) in step a1) to start the startup software. The startup software works when the anchor plate of the screw tensioner has not yet been activated, that is, when no vibration is performed. Through step a2), it is automatically checked whether the wedge (12) of the screw tensioner is in its assembly position (A) and a judgment is made. In the affirmative case, step a3) is performed, and in the negative case, step a4 is performed. In step a3), the displacement of the wedge (12) in the direction of the assembly position (A) is initialized and performed until the first proximity switch indicates a value = 0, and then the wedge (12) is displaced in the opposite direction until the value indicated by the first proximity switch is = 1. In the negative case, that is, for step a4), the displacement of the wedge in the direction of the assembly position is initialized and performed until the value indicated by the first proximity switch is = 1. After step a3) or step a4), step a5) can be started, ie the spiral tower can be assembled manually.

[0051] Figure 6 The process of starting a vibrating conveyor according to the invention is schematically shown, in which process b) the drive of the vibrating conveyor can be started by means of a control unit in order to achieve the drive in the following manner. In a first step b1), a start button displayed on the control unit via a graphical user interface (GUI) is pressed to activate the start software. This triggers step b2), by which the displacement of the wedge to the tensioning position is initialized and executed until the value indicated by the second proximity switch = 1. In step b3), it is checked whether the wedge of the spiral tensioning device is in its tensioning position and a determination is made, and in the affirmative case step b4) is executed, otherwise step b5). By step b4), the drive of the spiral tower of the vibrating conveyor is started and the spiral tower begins to vibrate. In step b5), an error message ("the spiral tower is not tensioned") is displayed on the GUI, and before step b2) can be executed again, it must be manually corrected in the next step b6).

[0052] Figure 7The process of stopping a vibrating conveyor (S) according to the present invention is shown. In process c), before disassembling the spiral element, in step c1), the GUI stop button displayed on the display of the control unit is pressed to stop the vibration of the spiral tower (1) of the vibrating conveyor (S) and activate the software for disassembling the spiral element. In step c2), the software activates the movement of the wedge to the assembly position (A) until the value indicated by the first proximity switch = 1. In step c3), it is checked whether the wedge is in its assembly position (A). In the case of "yes", the spiral tower (1) of the vibrating conveyor (S) can be manually disassembled in step c4). In the case of "no", in step c5), an error message is displayed at the GUI button ("the spiral tower is still tensioned"). In step c6), manual error correction is required, and then step c2) is repeated.

[0053] It should be understood that the use of the screw tensioning device according to the present invention and the corresponding method for controlling the operation of the screw tensioning device can construct a vibrating conveyor with a conveying height exceeding about 2.5m (especially from about 2.5m to about 5m), but is not limited to this.

Claims

1. A screw tensioning device for a tie rod (2) of a screw tower (1) of a vertical vibrating conveyor, the screw tower (1) comprising a plurality of screw modules (8) and being fixed by a screw-type closure (15), the screw tensioning device comprising: a) an anchoring plate (26) which can be vibrated by means of an electromagnetic drive (3), and b) a traction anchor (7), the traction anchor (7) being used to fasten the inlet pull rod (5), Features The spiral member tensioning device has a wedge-type sliding device (24, 25) arranged between the spiral tower (1) and the driver (3), wherein the wedge-type sliding device (24, 25) includes a wedge assembly (24) and an anchor plate assembly (25), the wedge assembly (24) is disconnected from the driver (3) to assemble or disassemble the spiral tower (1), and the anchor plate assembly (25) is connected to the driver (3), that is, the anchor plate assembly (25) can vibrate to cause the spiral tower (1) to vibrate.

2. The screw tensioning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The screw tensioning device comprises a displaceable wedge (12) which can be displaced approximately horizontally between an assembly position (A) and a tensioning position (B), by means of which the traction anchor (7) which can be connected to the inlet tie rod (5) can be displaced approximately vertically in order to tension the tie rod (2).

3. The screw tensioning device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The wedge assembly (24) for displacing the wedge (12) and disconnecting the connection with the drive (3) has a stepper motor (18), which can be controlled by means of an electronic control unit (not shown) and is connected to a threaded screw (17), on which a threaded nut (19) is mounted, and the threaded nut (19) is connected to the displaceable wedge (12).

4. The screw tensioning device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The wedge (12) can be displaced along the sliding strip (16) by means of the threaded screw (17).

5. The screw tensioning device according to any one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that: The screw tensioning device includes a first proximity switch (20) arranged near the assembly position (A) of the wedge (12) and a second proximity switch (21) (not shown) arranged near the tensioning position (B) of the wedge (12) for controlling the stepper motor (18), and the first proximity switch (20) and the second proximity switch (21) are electrically connected to the electronic control unit (not shown).

6. The screw tensioning device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that: The anchor plate assembly (25) coupled to the driver (3) comprises an anchor plate (26) connected to a plunger carrier plate (27) which is spaced apart from the anchor plate (27) and can be displaced, a plunger (14) being fastened to the plunger carrier plate (27), the plunger (14) being guided in a vertically displaceable manner in a plunger guide plate (28) and being firmly connected to the traction anchor (7), so that the plunger (14), the plunger guide plate (28) and the plunger carrier plate (27) are coupled to the anchor plate (26) in a vibration-transmitting manner.

7. The screw tensioning device according to claim 6, characterized in that: A spring element (13) having a predetermined spring force is fitted between the plunger carrier plate (27) and the plunger guide plate (28).

8. The screw tensioning device according to claim 7, characterized in that: A plurality of guide rollers (22) are fixedly connected to the plunger bearing plate (27), and when the wedge-shaped member (12) is displaced, the guide rollers (22) elastically abut against the inclined surface of the wedge-shaped member (12).

9. The screw tensioning device according to claim 8, characterized in that: In the assembly position (A) of the wedge (12), the plunger carrier plate (27) together with the plunger (14) is displaced in the direction of the spiral tower (1) against a predetermined spring force of the spring element (13), i.e. the spring element (13) is additionally compressed and the traction anchor (7) can be connected or disconnected from the inlet tie rod (5) in a simple manner.

10. The screw tensioning device according to claim 8, characterized in that: In the tensioning position (B) of the wedge (12), the plunger carrier plate (27) is displaced by a stroke Δl in a direction opposite to the spiral tower (1) by means of the spring force of the spring element (13), wherein the inlet tie rod (5) connected to the traction anchor (7) and the tie rod module (9) fastened to the inlet tie rod (5) are held fixedly against the vibrating anchor plate assembly (25) with a predetermined tensile stress.

11. The screw tensioning device according to any one of the preceding claims 8 to 10, characterized in that The inclined surface of the wedge (12) has a slope of 2° to 4°.

12. A screw tensioning device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The screw-type closure (15) is a rotating handle that can be manually operated.

13. A screw tensioning device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The electronic control unit has assembly preparation software (a), start-up software (b) and disassembly preparation software (c).

14. A screw tensioning device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The wedge assembly (24) has a cover (not shown).

15. A method for controlling the semi-automatic operation of a screw tensioning device according to one of claims 1 to 14, said method comprising, after manual assembly of the screw, the following steps: a) step a1): manually turning on the main switch of the vibrating conveyor to start the startup software, wherein the startup software runs when the anchor plate of the screw tensioning device has not been enabled, that is, the startup software runs when the anchor plate of the screw tensioning device is not vibrating; Step a2): Checking whether the wedge of the screw tensioner is in the assembly position (A) of the wedge, and If yes, then: Step a3): initializing the displacement of the wedge (12) until the first proximity switch indicates a value of 0, and then displacing the wedge (12) in the opposite direction until the first proximity switch indicates a value of 1, and If no, then: Step a4): initializing the displacement of the wedge-shaped member (12) until the first proximity switch indicates a value = 1; Step a5): manually assembling the spiral tower after step a3) or after step a4).

16. A method for controlling the semi-automatic operation of a screw tensioning device according to one of claims 1 to 14, comprising the following steps b) for activating a drive: Step b1): Press the GUI start button to activate the software; Step b2): initializing the displacement of the wedge-shaped member (12) toward the tensioning position (B) until the second proximity switch indicates a value = 1; Step b3): Check whether the wedge of the screw tensioning device is in the tensioning position (B) of the wedge, and If yes, then: Step b4): turning on the driver to vibrate the spiral tower of the vibrating conveyor; as well as If no, then: Step b5): Display an error message ("The spiral tower is not tensioned") on the GUI start button; Step b6): Manually correct the error and repeat step b2).

17. A method for controlling the semi-automatic operation of a screw tensioning device according to one of claims 1 to 14, said method comprising the following steps before disassembling the screw: Step c1): pressing a GUI stop button, which stops the vibration of the spiral tower of the vibrating conveyor and activates software for disassembling the spiral; Step c2): initializing the displacement of the wedge-shaped member (12) toward the assembly position (A) until the first proximity switch indicates a value of 1; Step c3): Check whether the wedge (12) is in the assembly position (A) of the wedge (12), and If yes, then: Step c4): manually disassembling the spiral tower of the vibrating conveyor; and If no, then: Step c5): displaying an error message ("the spiral tower is still tensioned") at the stop button of the GUI; Step c6): Manually correct the error and repeat step c2).

18. Use of the screw tensioning device according to any one of claims 1 to 14 or the method for controlling the semi-automatic operation of the screw tensioning device according to any one of claims 14 to 17 in a vibrating conveyor, the vibrating conveyor having a conveying height of more than about 2.5 m, in particular, the vibrating conveyor having a conveying height of about 2.5 m to about 5 m.

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