Conveyor roller

Abstract

A conveyor roller (3) for a conveyor device (1), comprising:-a roller tube (31) having an outer circumferential surface (31S), which forms a supporting surface for an object (9) to be conveyed, and optionally-an end cap (32) attached to the roller tube (31),-a shaft (34),-a bearing (33) for rotatably supporting the roller tube (31) on the shaft (34), where the roller tube (31) is made of fiber-reinforced plastic.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveyor roller and a conveyor device comprising the conveyor roller. Background Art

[0002] EP 2 778 100 B1 discloses a conveyor roller for a conveyor system for conveying containers, pallets, and the like. The roller comprises a roller tube, the outer circumference of which forms a support surface for the material to be conveyed, and an end element, which is inserted into the hollow end of the roller tube. The roller tube is rotatably supported on a roller shaft via bearings.

[0003] US 2003 / 0192775 A1 discloses a roller conveyor having a plurality of conveyor rollers.

[0004] DE 10 2010 005 475 A1 discloses a conveyor roller having a fixed shaft and an outer cylinder rotatably arranged on the fixed shaft via at least one bearing. The outer cylinder is made of a wound fiber-plastic composite material.

[0005] KR 10 1286174 B1 discloses a roller conveyor in which the roller tube 3 is made of CFRP material.

[0006] German patent application DE 10 2023 117 317.0 (not yet published) describes a conveyor roller with an antistatic element.

[0007] Traditionally, roller tubes are made of steel, which significantly increases the overall weight of the roller. Accelerating and decelerating the rollers during frequent start / stop operations requires a significant amount of power. Furthermore, manufacturing the rollers also requires energy. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The object is to provide an improved conveyor roller and a roller conveyor, in particular with improved sustainability. The invention is solved by a conveyor roller and a conveyor arrangement according to the independent claims; embodiments are subject matter of the dependent claims and the description.

[0009] The present invention proposes a roller conveyor with roller tubes made of fiber-reinforced plastic. This improves sustainability. Compared to conventional roller tubes, the new rollers offer the following advantages.

[0010] The significant weight reduction of fiber-reinforced plastic roller tubes results in lower power requirements during operation, especially in start / stop operations for conveyors, while maintaining comparable mechanical rigidity. Starting from the scarce material, the overall process throughout the supply chain from manufacturing the rollers, transporting them, and assembling them at the final location becomes more energy-efficient.

[0011] The new roller tubes can easily be made from recycled materials, especially when using short fibers. Unlike long fibers, woven or wound fibers, short fibers can be obtained by shredding any component containing the desired material and recycling it. (In contrast, when using long fibers, they need to be lichenized in a specific way, which makes it impossible to use shredded fibers from previous components.) By using recycled materials, the ecological footprint of the roller tubes can be significantly reduced.

[0012] Carbon fibers are particularly well-suited for final disposal, such as by incineration; this is less advantageous for glass fibers, which can only be disposed of as special waste. However, by permanently reusing the fibers, these disposal disadvantages can be avoided.

[0013] In an embodiment, the fiber percentage in the reinforced plastic material varies with radial position within the roller tube. In particular, starting from an outer radial position, the percentage increases in the inner radial direction. Having a reduced fiber content in the outer radial region of the tube material reduces the amount of fiber released into the environment through wear. This is a desirable feature because it avoids potential negative health effects caused by fibers in the air being breathed. Very thin layers with a low fiber percentage are sufficient to achieve this effect.

[0014] In the claimed conveyor arrangement, at least one roller comprises a tube material as described above.

[0015] Due to the increased thermal conductivity, any motorized rollers preferably still consist of conventional tube materials. Therefore, in one embodiment, a conveyor includes rollers in which idler rollers are equipped with a novel tube material (fiber-reinforced plastic) while motorized rollers are equipped with metal tube materials. This hybrid material exploits the advantages of both materials. Therefore, the present invention provides for the use of rollers with different roller tube materials within a conveyor section. Thus, the most suitable material can be selected individually for each roller within a conveyor section in a defined manner. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0017] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a conveyor section;

[0018] Figure 2 It is a basic conveyor device;

[0019] Figure 3 is a longitudinal section through a conveyor roller according to the invention;

[0020] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Schematic diagram of different fiber percentages in the roller tube of the middle roller. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Figure 1 An exemplary conveyor section 2 is shown, comprising a plurality of conveyor rollers 3 that are driven together. To this end, one of the conveyor rollers is designed as a motorized conveyor roller 3M. The motorized conveyor roller 3M is driven by a motor (particularly a three-phase motor) disposed within the conveyor roller 3M. The remaining rollers are idler rollers 3L that do not include an internal drive motor. The conveyor rollers 3 of the conveyor section 2 are drive-connected to one another via one or more drive connectors 38 (e.g., drive belts) and are jointly driven by the motorized conveyor roller 3M. Objects 9 are conveyed linearly along a conveying direction d from an inlet I to an outlet O.

[0022] The presence of a conveying object 9 arranged on the conveyor section 2 can be determined by means of the presence sensor 5. The presence sensor 5 does not necessarily have to cover the entire conveyor section 2; it is sufficient if the presence sensor 5 detects the presence of a conveying object 9 in a partial area of ​​the conveyor section 2. The presence sensor 5 thereby generates a sensor signal, which is connected via a signal line (not shown) to a section controller 11, which will be described further below.

[0023] Each of the motorized conveyor rollers 3M is controlled by at least one or more section controllers 11. A single section controller 11 can control the motorized conveyor rollers 3M of a plurality of conveyor sections 2. A plurality of section controllers 11 are provided in the conveyor device 1 ( Figure 2 ), they communicate with each other via bus connection 13.

[0024] Figure 2 There is shown a basic conveyor arrangement 1 in which conveyor segments 2 as previously described are used. A number of segment controllers 11 control the operation of the conveyor segments 2. A PLC 12 (Programmable Logic Control) may be provided to control the overall operation of the conveyor arrangement 1.

[0025] The conveyor rollers 3 and the presence sensors 5 are attached to a support frame 6. The conveyor rollers 3 of a plurality of conveyor sections 2 can be attached to a common support frame 6.

[0026] Scanners (not shown) can be arranged along the segments and provide identification data regarding objects 9a...c passing through the scanners within the segments. This identification data is transmitted to the PLC 14 via the bus connection 13. The PLC 14 can access an object database (not shown) that provides destination data based on the identification of the object 9. Based on the acquired data, the PLC 14 provides operational instructions to the local segment controller 11 on how to handle the object 9, i.e., to which exit O the object 9 should be conveyed.

[0027] In an alternative embodiment described as European Patent Application 22 180 381.0, no PLC or similar device is required. Instead, the segment controllers are connected to a common, higher-level object data broker, in particular via a bus connection, through which the segment controllers are also interconnected. The data broker provides destination data associated with identified objects, and the segment controllers are configured to control the operation of the segments based on the provided destination data.

[0028] In particular, the segment controller 11 controls the motorized conveyor rollers 3M in such a way that successively approaching conveyed objects 9 do not collide with each other, which is generally referred to as "zero pressure buildup." The control is carried out in such a way that essentially only one conveyed object 9 is present on each conveyor segment 2. However, slight overlaps may occur. For example, an upstream conveyed object 9b located on the upstream conveyor segment 2c may have already entered the downstream conveyor segment 2d, even though the downstream conveyed object 9a has not yet completely left this downstream conveyor segment 2d. The sensor signal of the presence sensor 5 is used as an input variable here, but it is ensured that the two conveyed objects 9 do not come into contact and therefore do not damage each other.

[0029] Figure 3 Shown Figure 1 Schematic partial longitudinal half-section of a conveyor roller 3 (motorized roller or idler roller) of a conveyor section. The roller has a cylindrical roller tube 31. End caps 32 are attached to the axial ends of the roller tube 31. The end caps 32 accommodate bearings 33, which are supported on shafts 34. The roller shaft 34 can include two separate shaft ends, one at each axial end of the roller tube 31.

[0030] Roller 3 includes a drive connector 38 (see Figure 1 ) The connecting piece 37 is matched with the end cap 32. For example, the connecting piece 37 is an integrated part of the end cap 32.

[0031] Figure 4 Shown Figure 3 Partial longitudinal section of the roller tube 31 in section IV. Of particular relevance is the material of the roller tube 31. Conventionally, the roller tube 31 is made of steel.

[0032] According to the present invention, the material of the roller tube 31 is made of fiber reinforced plastic. Compared with steel or other suitable metals, fiber reinforced plastic has comparable mechanical strength and lower weight. In particular, the lower weight significantly reduces the power required to operate the roller, especially in Figure 1 and Figure 2 This is especially true during the start / stop operations that are commonly used in conveyor sections. In addition, the power used during the manufacture, transportation and assembly of the rollers is also significantly reduced.

[0033] The fibers can be made from carbon fiber. Carbon fiber is available in good quality and in large quantities as a recycled material. This material can also be recycled. Overall, sustainability is improved due to the lower weight and good recyclability.

[0034] Low weight roller tubes for Figure 1 In such conveyor sections, the rollers are frequently accelerated and decelerated. The lower weight provides improved energy efficiency.

[0035] An antistatic element 39 may be provided between the shaft 34 and the roller tube 31 to dissipate static electricity, particularly if the roller is an idler roller. To dissipate static electricity, the plastic is made of a conductive material. Conductive plastics are disclosed at https: / / www.ensingerplastics.com / en-us / shapes / plastic-material-selection / electrically-conductive-esd.

[0036] Figure 4 A preferred distribution of fibers within a roller tube is shown, with the diagram on the right showing a schematic relationship between radial position r and percentage P. The percentage P of fibers in the composite depends on the position in the radial direction (also referred to herein as radial position r). At the outermost radial position r3, the percentage P of fibers is low and may be zero. From the outermost radial position r3, the percentage P of fibers increases toward the inner radial direction.

[0037] exist Figure 4 In the embodiment of a, the percentage P of fibers increases from the outermost radial position r3 through the central radial position r2 to the innermost radial position r1.

[0038] exist Figure 4 In the embodiment of b, the percentage P of fibers increases from the outermost radial position r3 through the central radial position r2, and the percentage P decreases from the central radial position r2 to the innermost radial position r1.

[0039] exist Figure 4 In the embodiment of c, the percentage P of fibers increases from the outermost radial position r3 to the central radial position r2 and remains substantially constant toward the innermost radial position r1.

[0040] In an embodiment, Figure 1 Conveyor section 2 is equipped with at least one roller 3 whose roller tube 31 is made of fiber-reinforced plastic. In particular, idler roller 3L is equipped with a roller tube made of fiber-reinforced plastic. In another embodiment, motorized roller 3M has a roller tube conventionally made of steel, as steel has better thermal conductivity and can better dissipate the heat generated by the motor to the outside.

[0041] The motor roller can also be equipped with a roller tube made of reinforced plastic, if the thermal conductivity is sufficient to prevent overheating of the motor in the motor roller.

[0042] Reference Signs List

[0043] 1 Conveyor device

[0044] 2 conveyor sections

[0045] 3 conveyor rollers

[0046] 3M Motorized Conveyor Rollers

[0047] 3L Idle Roller

[0048] 31 Roller Tube

[0049] 31S outer surface

[0050] 32 end cap

[0051] 33 bearings

[0052] 34 axis

[0053] 35 motor

[0054] 36 Clutch

[0055] 37 Attachment for drive connector

[0056] 38 drive connector

[0057] 39 Antistatic components

[0058] 5 Presence Sensor

[0059] 6 Framework

[0060] 9 Objects to be transported

[0061] 11-segment controller

[0062] 12 PLC

[0063] 13 Bus connection

[0064] d Transmission direction

[0065] A axis of rotation

[0066] r radial position

[0067] I entrance

[0068] O Exit

[0069] P Percent

Claims

1. A conveyor roller (3) for a conveyor device (1), comprising: - a roller tube (31) having an outer peripheral surface (31S) which forms a support surface for the object (9) to be conveyed, and - optionally, an end cap (32) attached to said roller tube (31), - a shaft (34), - a bearing (33) for rotatably supporting the roller tube (31) on the shaft (34), It is characterized by The roller tube (31) is made of fiber reinforced plastic.

2. Conveyor roller (3) according to the preceding claim, It is characterized by The fibers are short fibers having an average fiber length of at most 5 mm.

3. Conveyor roller (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized by The fibers are carbon fibers.

4. Conveyor roller (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized by The percentage (P) of fibers in the reinforced plastic material varies with radial position (r1 . . . 3) within the roller tube (31).

5. Conveyor roller (3) according to the preceding claim, It is characterized by Starting from an outer radial position (r1), the percentage (P) increases towards an inner radial direction.

6. Conveyor roller (3) according to the preceding claim, It is characterized by The roller is configured to dissipate electrostatic charge between the roller tube (31) and the shaft (34) of the roller (3).

7. Conveyor roller (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized by The fiber-reinforced plastic is electrically conductive.

8. Conveyor roller (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized by An antistatic element is provided between the roller tube (31) and the shaft (34).

9. A conveyor device (1) comprising At least one conveyor roller (3) according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. A conveyor device (1) comprising at least one conveyor section (2); The conveyor section has a plurality of conveyor rollers (3), At least one of the conveyor rollers is a conveyor roller according to any one of claims 1 to 5 .

11. Conveyor device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the conveyor section (2) has - at least one motorized conveyor roller (3M), - at least one idler roller (3L), - a drive connector (38) configured to provide a drive connection between the motorized conveyor roller (3M) and the idler roller (3L).

12. Conveyor device (1) according to the preceding claim, It is characterized by The roller tube (31) of the idler roller (3L) is made of reinforced plastic, and The roller tube (31) of the motorized roller (3M) is made of metal, in particular steel.

13. A conveyor device (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 12, comprising at least one or more controllers (11) configured to control the operation of the conveyor sections (2), The controller (11) controls the operation of the conveyor section (2) based on the sensor signal provided by the presence sensor (5); in, The presence sensor (5) is configured to detect the presence of an object (9) to be conveyed within the conveyor section (2).

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