Method for operating a chain conveying device having a chain and chain conveying device

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a chain conveyor system having a chain, comprising a chain, a sprocket and a geared motor with an electromagnetically actuatable brake, the sprocket being connected, in particular in a form-fitting manner, to an output shaft of the geared motor, the teeth of the sprocket engaging into chain links of the chain such that the rotational speed of the output shaft is zero, and the geared motor having an electromagnetically actuatable brake, the chain is then fixed at a first link of the chain by means of a chain stop device, then the chain region between the first link and the sprocket is tensioned by rotating the output shaft, then the brake is activated to hold the rotor shaft and the gear motor is stopped, after which one or more links are replaced, and after which one or more links of the chain are replaced, the chain region is tensioned by rotating the output shaft. The chain stop device is disengaged from the chain and the brake is released.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for operating a chain conveyor device having a chain and a chain conveyor device. Background Art

[0002] As is well known, in a chain drive, the chain is driven by an electric motor. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to improve a method for operating a chain conveyor device having a chain, wherein the repair of the chain can be ensured with a sufficiently high working safety.

[0004] According to the present invention, this object is achieved by a method according to the features described in claim 1 and a chain conveyor device according to the features described in claim 14.

[0005] In terms of the method, an important feature of the present invention is that the method is provided for operating a chain conveyor device having a chain, in particular for repairing and / or tensioning the chain of the chain conveyor device,

[0006] wherein the chain conveyor device has a chain, a sprocket, and a reduction motor with an electromagnetically operable brake,

[0007] wherein the sprocket is connected to the output shaft of the reduction motor, in particular in a form-fitting manner,

[0008] wherein the teeth of the sprocket engage into the links of the chain, in particular for conveying and holding the chain,

[0009] wherein, in a first step:

[0010] - the rotational speed of the output shaft is set to zero,

[0011] wherein, in a second step following the first step in chronological order:

[0012] - the chain is fixed at a first link of the chain by means of a chain stop device,

[0013] wherein, in a third step following the second step in chronological order:

[0014] - the chain region between the first link and the sprocket is tensioned by rotating the output shaft, in particular by rotating the output shaft at a low rotational speed, in particular at a rotational speed below a first rotational speed threshold,

[0015] wherein, in a fourth step following the third step in chronological order:

[0016] - Activate the brake to hold the rotor shaft, in particular trigger the engagement of the brake, in particular switch the brake to a no-current state, in particular manually operate the release lever to hold the rotor shaft,

[0017] - Stop the reduction motor, in particular the sprocket wheel,

[0018] wherein, in a fifth step that chronologically follows the fourth step:

[0019] - Replace one or more chain links,

[0020] wherein, in a sixth step that chronologically follows the fifth step:

[0021] - Disengage the chain stop device from the chain, in particular then release the brake, in particular energize the brake, in particular the annular winding of the brake, in particular manually operate the release lever to release the brake, in particular then adjust the rotational speed to the theoretical rotational speed / desired rotational speed.

[0022] The advantage here is that it is possible to ensure a quick and simple replacement of the chain links while having a high working safety. Because no special costs are required. Only the release lever and the chain stop device need to be provided appropriately.

[0023] However, since the chain stop device is mounted on the reduction motor, i.e., on the component of the reduction motor that forms the housing, no special additional costs are required and nevertheless the chain force can be effectively transmitted. This is because during the replacement of the chain links, the chain force from the chain stop device must be transmitted to the sprocket wheel through the reduction motor.

[0024] In an advantageous design, the chain stop device is fixed to the reduction motor. The advantage here is that the chain force in the reduction motor can be directly guided to the sprocket wheel.

[0025] In an advantageous design, the reduction motor has a motor, and the housing of the motor forms the housing for the brake and / or surrounds the brake. The advantage here is that the brake does not require a separate housing and thus only requires little effort to form the housing for the brake.

[0026] In an advantageous design, the sprocket wheel engages into the chain over a circumferential angle range greater than 90°, in particular and less than 180°. This circumferential angle range is based on the axis of rotation of the sprocket wheel. The advantage here is that the chain is reliably held.

[0027] In an advantageous design, in the third step, the torque transmitted from the sprocket wheel to the chain is adjusted towards the theoretical value, in particular for achieving the theoretical value of the chain tension. The advantage here is that the chain can be repaired under full load. Because the specified chain tension can be introduced by means of the reduction motor.

[0028] In an advantageous design, the first rotational speed threshold is less than the theoretical rotational speed, in particular at least one tenth of the theoretical rotational speed. The advantage here is that during slow driving, the chain tension can be precisely adjusted without overloading the chain. Because the torque of the reduction motor can be directly adjusted to the theoretical value by the converter feeding the motor.

[0029] In an advantageous design, in the fourth step, the brake, in particular the annular winding of the brake, is switched to be substantially currentless. The advantage here is that by switching the brake to be currentless on the one hand and thus engaging the brake, increased safety can be achieved. In addition, the release lever is brought into the corresponding rotational position for engaging the brake. In the currentless state of the brake, although the annular coil is switched to be substantially or completely currentless, nevertheless the signal electronics of the brake remains powered, in particular for powering the sensor and its evaluation circuit.

[0030] In an advantageous design, the brake has a magnet which has an annular recess, and an energizable annular winding is embedded in the recess.

[0031] In particular, the ring axis of the annular winding is coaxial with the rotational axis of the rotor shaft.

[0032] The rotor shaft has an external toothing or is in particular non-rotatably connected to an annular driving member having an external toothing and sleeved on the rotor shaft by means of a key connection.

[0033] A disk-shaped brake pad carrier / brake lining support is sleeved on the driving member and meshes with the external toothing of the driving member by means of the internal toothing of the brake pad carrier, in particular such that the brake pad carrier is movable in the axial direction.

[0034] An armature plate is arranged axially between the brake pad carrier and the magnet, and the armature plate is non-rotatably connected to the magnet and movable in the axial direction.

[0035] When the annular winding is energized, the armature plate is attracted towards the magnet against the spring force generated by the spring element supported on the magnet and pressing on the armature plate, such that the brake pad carrier can move freely.

[0036] In particular, when the annular winding is not energized, the spring element presses the armature plate onto the brake pad carrier, so that the brake pad carrier is pressed onto the braking surface on the side facing away from the magnet, and the braking surface is formed on the flange member or on a plate member abutting against the flange member or on the motor housing.

[0037] The advantage here is that the brake automatically engages when de-energized, i.e., automatically transitions to a safe state.

[0038] In an advantageous design, the release lever is connected to the axially movable pin by a pivot joint,

[0039] wherein the release lever is supported at a pivot point which is arranged on the flange of the motor or the bearing flange,

[0040] wherein the pin passes through the magnet and through the opening of the armature plate, and is configured to widen or connected to a component for such widening on the side of the armature plate facing away from the magnet, such that the pin is axially restricted by means of the widening. The advantage here is that manual release can be achieved. In particular, the release lever can be brought into a rotational position in which the brake is released.

[0041] In an advantageous design, the release lever can be locked by the locking device of the brake, in particular locked to the magnet. The advantage here is that the safe state of the brake can be fixed.

[0042] In an advantageous design, the housing of the motor, especially formed in multiple parts, not only forms a housing for the motor stator but also forms a housing for the brake,

[0043] in particular, wherein the release lever passes through the housing and extends into the surroundings of the motor. The advantage here is that the release lever can be detachably connected to the housing, i.e., especially can be locked to the housing.

[0044] In an advantageous design, the brake is arranged in the axial end region of the rotor shaft of the motor, which is away from the speed reducer. The advantage here is that sufficient free space is provided for operating the release lever.

[0045] In an advantageous design, a spring connects a first region of the speed reducer housing to a second region of the speed reducer housing,

[0046] in particular, wherein the first region and the second region are axially spaced apart, especially spaced apart in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotor shaft,

[0047] in particular, wherein the spring is arranged on the outer side of the speed reducer housing. The advantage here is that although the force conducted through the housing is large, the housing can still be stabilized and sufficient rigidity of the housing can be maintained. In particular, vibrations of the housing can be suppressed.

[0048] In a chain conveyor for implementing the above method, an important feature is that the chain conveyor has a sprocket which can be driven by a reduction motor and engaged into a chain, and the chain is detachably connected to a chain stop device,

[0049] wherein the chain stop device is connected to the housing of the reduction motor,

[0050] Among them, the chain conveyor device has an adjusting device, which is used to adjust the chain tension of the chain by adjusting the torque output from the reduction motor to the chain through the sprocket.

[0051] In particular, the reduction motor can be controlled or adjusted by a converter that feeds the motor of the reduction motor, so that the chain tension of the chain can be tightened to the theoretical value by controlling or adjusting the torque.

[0052] The advantage here is that the chain conveyor device is designed to ensure the repair of the chain while having high safety. For this purpose, the chain stop device can be fixed on the reduction motor, and the sprocket can withstand the chain tension and hold the chain by means of a stop brake arranged on the rotor shaft of the motor driving the reducer through the reducer.

[0053] Other advantages are given by the dependent claims. The present invention is not limited to the feature combinations of the claims. For those skilled in the art, other reasonable combination possibilities of the claims and / or single claim features and / or specification features and / or drawing features can be obtained, especially from the purpose proposed and / or by comparison with the prior art. Description of the Drawings

[0054] Now the present invention will be described in detail according to the schematic diagrams:

[0055] In Figure 1 a chain conveyor device with a reduction motor according to the present invention is schematically shown.

[0056] In Figure 2 a side view of the reduction motor is shown in section.

[0057] In Figure 3 a side view of the reduction motor is shown.

[0058] In Figure 4 an axonometric view of the reduction motor is shown.

[0059] List of Reference Numerals:

[0060] 1 Chain

[0061] 2 Sprocket

[0062] 3 Output Shaft

[0063] 4 Chain Stop Device

[0064] 20 Input Shaft

[0065] 21 Support

[0066] 22 Reducer Flange

[0067] 23 Flange on the Motor Side

[0068] 24 Rotor shaft

[0069] 25 Bearing flange

[0070] 26 Disc brake pad carrier

[0071] 27 Armature plate

[0072] 28 Magnet

[0073] 29 Release lever

[0074] 30 Motor

[0075] 31 Reducer

[0076] 32 Spring

[0077] 40 Torque support area

[0078] 41 Intermediate strut Detailed implementation mode

[0079] As shown in the figure, the chain device has a reduction motor, and the output shaft 3 of the reduction motor drives the sprocket 2. The teeth of the sprocket are engaged into the notches of the links of the chain 1, and thus the sprocket drives the chain 1.

[0080] Preferably, the chain 1 has a length greater than 20 meters and is used in mining equipment or mining equipment for transporting rocks, ores or coal.

[0081] The reduction motor has a motor 30, which drives the reducer 31, and the output shaft of the reducer serves as the output shaft 3 of the reduction motor.

[0082] An electromagnetically operable brake is arranged on the axially reducer-facing end of the rotor shaft of the motor 30. When the chain 1 is to be tensioned or re-tensioned, the brake serves as a stop brake for the rotor shaft 24.

[0083] To ensure operation, the brake can additionally be manually released. For this purpose, a release lever 29 is provided, and the brake is held released by means of this release lever regardless of whether the brake coil is energized or not.

[0084] The brake has a magnet 28, which is made of ferromagnetic material and has an annular recess. The axis of the recess is coaxial with the axis of rotation of the rotor shaft, and the recess faces the reducer and is open.

[0085] An energizable annular winding is embedded in the annular recess of the magnet 28 and is sealed and potted with a filler.

[0086] An annular carrier element is sleeved on the rotor shaft. The carrier element has an external tooth section which meshes with the internal tooth section of a brake disc carrier 26 sleeved on the carrier element. The carrier element and the rotor shaft are preferably connected in a non-rotatable manner by means of a key connection. The brake disc carrier 26 is arranged on the carrier element in an axially movable manner.

[0087] The armature plate 27 is made of ferromagnetic material and is arranged axially between the brake disc carrier 26 and the magnet 28.

[0088] When the annular winding is energized, in particular by means of a pin fixed in the magnet 28 passing through an opening of the armature plate 27, the armature plate 27, which is non-rotatable relative to the magnet 28 but axially movable, is attracted towards the magnet 28 against the spring force generated by a spring element supported in the magnet 28. When the annular winding is not energized, the spring element presses the armature plate 27 against the brake disc carrier 26, so that the brake disc carrier 26 is pressed against a brake surface on the side facing away from the armature plate 27. The brake surface is formed on the bearing flange or on a component connected to the bearing flange.

[0089] The release lever 29 is pivotally supported on the magnet 28 or on a component connected to the magnet 28 relative to a pivot point, so that the release lever causes the pin to move linearly in the axial direction during its rotational movement.

[0090] The pin passes through a notch of the magnet 28 and through an opening of the armature plate 27. Here, the pin widens on the side of the armature plate 27 facing away from the magnet 28 and thus pulls the armature plate 27 towards the magnet 28 when the release lever is actuated. When the release lever 29 is actuated, the spring force generated by the spring element is overcome, even when the annular winding is not energized. This enables manual release. The engagement of the brake is only achieved when the armature plate 27 is released by a corresponding rotational position of the release lever 29, because when the release lever 29 rotates, the pin moves in the axial direction and presses the armature plate 27 towards the magnet 28.

[0091] For this purpose, the pin widens in the end region facing away from the magnet 28, in particular such that the widened end region of the pin abuts against the armature plate 27 and does not slip out through the opening of the armature plate 27.

[0092] Before tensioning or re-tensioning the chain 1, the reduction motor is first switched off, i.e. the chain 1 is brought to zero speed.

[0093] Then, by means of a chain stop device 4, the chain 1 is detachably connected to a fixed part of the device at one of its links, so that the chain 1 cannot move further here. Preferably, the chain stop device 4 is mounted on the reduction motor, in particular between the reduction gear and the motor, so that the chain 1 is stopped by means of the chain stop device 4 and is detachably connected to the housing of the reduction motor.

[0094] After the reduction motor has stopped and the chain 1 has also stopped, the brake is activated. This is achieved on the one hand by actuating the release lever 29 and additionally de-energizing the coil of the brake. Thereby the brake engages and thus prevents the rotational movement of the rotor shaft, which rotational movement thus also stops the rotational movement of the output shaft 3 of the reduction gear 31 via the reduction gear 31.

[0095] In this way, the chain 1 between the sprocket 2 and the chain stop device 4 can be repaired. For example, even when the remaining area of the chain 1 is under load, it is possible to replace, i.e., substitute, the links of the chain 1 in this area.

[0096] Thus, the chain tension can be formed.

[0097] After the link has been installed, the chain 1 can be fully engaged again. Thus, the chain stop device 4 then disengages from the chain 1 and thus the chain 1 is subsequently released, and in addition the brake is released by energizing the coil of the brake and actuating the release lever 29.

[0098] The rotor shaft 24 is rotatably supported by bearings received in the bearing flange 25.

[0099] In other embodiments according to the invention, the chain stop device 4 is installed at a different location such that a longer section of the chain between the sprocket 2 and the chain stop device 4 can be replaced.

[0100] In other embodiments according to the invention it is also possible that after the chain stop device 4 has been installed, the reduction motor is first run at a very low speed in order to tension the chain 1 in the conveying area and only then is the brake activated in order to maintain the chain tension thus achieved while one or more links in the area of the chain 1 between the chain stop device 4 and the sprocket 2 are replaced and / or exchanged.

[0101] The brake is arranged in the motor housing. Thus, the brake is surrounded and protected by the motor housing.

[0102] The input shaft 20 of the reduction gear has an external tooth section at its end area facing the motor and / or the brake, and the external tooth section of the input shaft 20 is inserted into the internal tooth section of the rotor shaft 24. Thus, a higher torque can be transmitted and the alignment error of the shaft 20 relative to the rotor shaft 24 can be compensated. For this purpose, the teeth of the internal tooth section and / or the teeth of the external tooth section are preferably configured to be spherical.

[0103] When connecting the electric motor 30 to the speed reducer 31, in order to align the rotational axis of the input shaft 20 with the rotational axis of the rotor shaft 24 as precisely as possible, the speed reducer flange 22, which houses the bearing for rotatably supporting the input shaft on the speed reducer flange, is centered and oriented relative to the electric motor flange, i.e., the flange member 23, in such a way that centering edges / centering grooves are formed on the speed reducer flange 22, and the centering flange of the flange member 23 abuts against these centering edges. In this way, a high-precision orientation can be achieved. The remaining tolerances are compensated by a gear coupling formed by an internal tooth part and an external tooth part.

[0104] As Figure 2 shown, the spring 32 mounted on the speed reducer connects two regions of the housing of the speed reducer 31 that are spaced apart from each other in the axial direction, i.e., particularly in the direction of the rotational axis of the rotor shaft of the electric motor 30. In this way, resonance can be suppressed and the stability and rigidity of the speed reducer 31 can be improved.

[0105] In a circumferential angle range that is particularly greater than 90°, especially less than 180°, relative to the rotational axis of the sprocket 2, the sprocket 2 engages with the chain 1. Therefore, even when the chain region is tensioned, the removal of the link to be replaced can be achieved.

Claims

1. A method for operating a chain conveyor device having a chain, in particular for repairing and / or tensioning the chain of a chain conveyor device, The chain conveyor device has a chain, a sprocket, and a reduction motor with an electromagnetically actuable brake, The sprocket is connected to the output shaft of the reduction motor - in particular form - fittingly, The teeth of the sprocket engage into the links of the chain, in particular for conveying and holding the chain, In a first step: - Set the rotational speed of the output shaft to zero, In a second step that chronologically follows the first step: - Fix the chain at a first link of the chain by means of a chain stop device, In a third step that chronologically follows the second step: - Tighten the chain section between the first link and the sprocket by rotating the output shaft, in particular rotate the output shaft at a low rotational speed, in particular at a rotational speed below a first rotational speed threshold, In a fourth step that chronologically follows the third step: - Activate the brake to hold the rotor shaft, in particular trigger the engagement of the brake, in particular, switch the brake to a non - current state, in particular manually operate the release lever to hold the rotor shaft, - Stop the reduction motor - in particular the sprocket, In a fifth step that chronologically follows the fourth step: - Replace one or more links, In a sixth step that chronologically follows the fifth step: - Disengage the chain stop device from the chain, in particular then release the brake, in particular energize the brake - in particular the annular winding of the brake, in particular manually operate the release lever to release the brake, in particular then adjust the rotational speed to the nominal rotational speed.

2. The method according to claim 1, Characterized in that The chain stop device is fixed to the reduction motor.

3. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, Characterized in that The reduction motor has a motor, and the housing of the motor forms the housing for the brake and / or encloses the brake.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, Characterized in that In the third step, adjust the torque transmitted from the sprocket to the chain to a nominal value, in particular for achieving a nominal value of the chain tension.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, Characterized in that The first rotational speed threshold is less than the nominal rotational speed, in particular at least one - tenth of the nominal rotational speed.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, Characterized in that In the fourth step, switch the brake - in particular the annular winding of the brake - to a substantially non - current state.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, Characterized in that The brake has a magnet with an annular recess, and an energizable annular winding is embedded in the recess, In particular, the ring axis of the annular winding is coaxial with the rotational axis of the rotor shaft, The rotor shaft has an external toothing or is in particular non - rotatably connected to an annular carrier with external toothing that is sleeved onto the rotor shaft by means of a key connection, A disc - shaped brake pad carrier is sleeved onto the carrier and engages with the external toothing of the carrier with the internal toothing of the brake pad carrier, in particular such that the brake pad carrier can move in the axial direction, An armature plate is arranged axially between the brake pad carrier and the magnet. The armature plate is connected to the magnet in a non-rotatable manner and can move axially. When the ring winding is energized, the armature plate is attracted towards the magnet against the spring force generated by a spring element supported on the magnet and pressing against the armature plate, such that the brake pad carrier is free to move. In particular, when the ring winding is not energized, the spring element presses the armature plate against the brake pad carrier. Thus, the brake pad carrier is pressed against a braking surface on the side facing away from the magnet, which braking surface is formed on a flange member or on a plate member abutting against the flange member or on the motor housing.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sprocket engages into the chain over a circumferential angle range greater than 90°, in particular and less than 180°.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the release lever is connected to an axially movable pin by means of a pivot joint, the release lever is supported at a pivot point which is arranged on a flange member or a bearing flange of the motor, the pin passes through the magnet and through an opening in the armature plate, and is configured in a widened manner or connected to a component for such widening on the side of the armature plate facing away from the magnet such that the pin is axially restricted by means of the widening.

10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the release lever can be locked by a locking device of the brake, in particular locked to the magnet.

11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing of the motor, in particular formed in multiple parts, forms a housing not only for the motor stator but also for the brake, in particular, the release lever passes through the housing and extends into the surroundings of the motor.

12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the brake is arranged in an axial end region of the motor rotor shaft facing away from the speed reducer.

13. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a spring connects a first region of the speed reducer housing to a second region of the speed reducer housing, in particular, the first region and the second region are spaced apart axially, in particular spaced apart in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotor shaft, in particular, the spring is arranged on the outside of the speed reducer housing.

14. A chain conveyor for implementing the method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chain conveyor has a sprocket that can be driven by a reduction motor, the sprocket engages into the chain, and the chain is detachably connected to a chain stop device, the chain stop device is connected to the housing of the reduction motor, the chain conveyor has an adjusting device for adjusting the chain tension of the chain by adjusting the torque output by the reduction motor to the chain via the sprocket, in particular, the reduction motor can be controlled or adjusted by a converter feeding the motor of the reduction motor such that the chain tension of the chain can be tensioned to a theoretical value by controlling or adjusting the torque.

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