Curved conveyor belt and belt turning conveyor

Abstract

The invention relates to a curved conveyor belt and a belt turn conveyor. A curved conveyor belt (3), in particular suitable for a belt turn conveyor (1), in particular adapted to convey objects in a conveying area (11) along a curved conveying direction (C) between a first end (E1) and a second end (E2), the conveying direction being perpendicular to a radial direction (R); the invention relates to a conveyor, in particular a belt turn conveyor, comprising:-a support frame (2); -a conveyor belt (3) arranged circumferentially on the support frame (2) and adapted to carry objects; -at least one deflection roller at each of the first and second ends, around which the conveyor belt deflects; -a drive motor (4) adapted to provide a drive force to the conveyor belt; -a guide (64), in particular a guide rail, adapted to guide the conveyor belt in the conveying direction so as to provide a radially outward guiding force, a plurality of receptacles (32) within the belt body (31), adapted to engage with the drive sprocket (44).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to curved conveyor belts and belt turning conveyors. Background Technology

[0002] exist https: / / www.youtube.com / watch?v=QokVhGOaMfU The following shows a conveyor with a turning belt. This type of conveyor with a turning belt will be referred to below as a "conventional conveyor with a turning belt". The belt is mechanically coupled.

[0003] To accommodate the tension of the conveyor belt, the positions of the deflection rollers at the first and second ends can be modified. Tension is increased by increasing the distance between the rollers, as shown in the video between 2 minutes 00 seconds and 2 minutes 05 seconds. The belt-turning conveyor is used to transport suitcases.

[0004] EP 2 276 685 B1 discloses another type of belt turning conveyor similar to the conventional belt turning conveyor described above. The deflection roller is suspended in the frame. The deflection roller is movable in the direction of movement of the conveyor belt (conveyor direction) so that the conveyor belt can be tensioned after the conveyor belt is installed (EP 2 276 685 B1,

[0053] ).

[0005] In the e-commerce industry, small items and so-called flexible packages will also be automatically sorted and conveyed. Packages typically have a defined shape and a rigid surface, making them easy to handle automatically. Flexible packages are used to wrap soft contents, such as clothing. The outer surface is made of plastic sheeting, allowing flexible packages to have a non-defined shape and a smooth surface. Gaps between conveyors are the enemy of flexible packages.

[0006] To optimize the reliability of conveyors when transporting flexible packages, it is necessary to minimize the gap dimensions in the conveyor track, especially the gap with adjacent conveyors. DE 20 2021 101 563 U1 describes the topic of small gaps for conveyors with turns in detail.

[0007] In traditional belt turning conveyors, the position of the deflector rollers is adjusted for tensioning purposes. Therefore, the gap size depends on the variable value of the belt tension. Consequently, the ability to optimize the gap is limited in traditional belt turning conveyors because the deflector rollers cannot be positioned to support a minimum gap.

[0008] In a conveyor with a turning radius, there are different possibilities for driving the conveyor belt.

[0009] Positive drive Here, the drive sprocket interacts with the drive chain, which is fixedly connected to the conveyor belt. The advantage is that the conveyor belt is driven with high precision and high tension is not required. However, drive chains are typically quite noisy.

[0010] Friction driveHere, the deflector roller interacts with the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt maintains a certain high tension around the deflector roller, thereby transferring the driving force from the deflector roller to the conveyor belt. To ensure a uniform speed relationship between the belt and the deflector roller, the deflector roller is tapered, with a smaller diameter in its radially inner region. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The object of this invention is to provide an improved conveyor with turns, particularly for conveying soft packages and small items. Specifically, the conveyor with turns should operate at a low noise level and should be driven in a positive manner.

[0012] This objective is achieved by the curved conveyor belt and the belt turning conveyor according to the independent claims; the embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims and the specification.

[0013] In particular, the belt has a belt body, which is in particular a continuous flexible pad. This contrasts with so-called modular belts, in which the belt is made of multiple rigid polymer elements hinged together.

[0014] In particular, the curved conveyor belt is suitable for use in conveyors with turning corners, including: - Supporting framework; - A conveyor belt, which is arranged circumferentially on a supporting frame and adapted to carry objects; - At least one deflection roller located at each of the first and second ends, around which the conveyor belt deflects; - Drive motor, adapted to provide driving force to the conveyor belt; -Guides, particularly guide rails, are adapted to guide the conveyor belt along the conveying direction, thereby providing radially outward guiding force.

[0015] The belt includes multiple receiving sections within the belt body; the receiving sections are adapted to engage with a drive sprocket. Specifically, the drive sprocket is in a drive connection with a drive motor.

[0016] By directly engaging the belt in a forced manner, the drive chain required for traditional belt turning conveyors is eliminated. By omitting the drive chain, the main source of noise is eliminated.

[0017] Conveyors with turning points are particularly suitable for and / or used for conveying soft-packed items. Soft-packed items have an outer wall made of foil in a non-rigid shape. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings; wherein: Figure 1 A perspective view of the conveyor with turning mechanism of the present invention is shown; Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A more detailed 3D view of the second end of the conveyor with the turning mechanism; Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 Exploded view of the main components of a conveyor with a turning mechanism; Figure 4 It shows Figure 1 A partial exploded view of the running section on the belt of a turning conveyor; Figure 5 It shows Figure 1 Detailed perspective view, top view, and front view of the reinforcing elements of the belt of the turning conveyor; Figure 6 It shows Figure 1 Detailed perspective, top view, and front view of the combined radial supports and reinforcing elements of the belt of the turning conveyor; Figure 7 It shows along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the axis of rotation of the shaft at the second end of the turning conveyor. Detailed Implementation

[0019] Figures 1 to 7 A belt conveyor 1 with a bend and its corresponding components are shown, which is specifically based on a conventional belt conveyor with a bend as mentioned in the background art. The belt conveyor 1 is a belt conveyor adapted to convey objects between a first end E1 and a second end E2 along a bend conveying direction C. In particular, the bend conveying direction is turned by an angle of 90°; but it may also be other angles less than and different from 90° and / or 180°.

[0020] The belt turning conveyor 1 has an annular belt 3 (including a mechanically coupled belt), and the annular belt 3 has a belt body 31. The belt body is made of a flexible pad, particularly integrally molded. The belt body 31 is wound around a deflection roller 42 at a first end E1 and a second end E2. The belt forms an upper run 3U and a lower run 3L.

[0021] Here, at each end, a plurality of deflection rollers 42 are arranged coaxially with each other. The deflection rollers 41 are cylindrical in shape with the same diameter and can rotate independently of each other. The cylindrical shape also includes a slight crown-like shape. For example, the deflection rollers 41 are rotatably supported on a common shaft 41, on which the deflection rollers can rotate freely. Therefore, the deflection rollers are not driven by the drive motor 4. Thus, each individual deflection roller can rotate at a speed consistent with the path speed of the conveyor belt, which varies at different radial positions.

[0022] The belt turning conveyor 1 includes a support frame 2 suitable for supporting the components of the belt turning conveyor 1. The support frame 2 supports rollers 42. The support frame 2 is made of multiple elements. In particular, the support frame 2 includes multiple belt slides that provide vertical support for the running part on the belt 3.

[0023] A conventional drive motor 4 provides driving force to drive the conveyor belt 3. The driving force is transmitted to the conveyor belt via a drive sprocket 44. For example, the drive sprocket 44 is rotatably fixed to a shaft 41, and the shaft 41 is driven by the motor.

[0024] The drive sprocket 44 is forcibly driven to the conveyor belt 3. Unlike conventional belt-turning conveyors, the drive sprocket 44 directly contacts the conveyor belt 3, thereby engaging with the drive receiving portion 32 of the belt 3. Therefore, the drive receiving portion 32 should be specifically understood as a hole within the belt 31. By engaging the receiving portion 32, a forced drive connection is established between the conveyor belt and the sprocket 44.

[0025] The drive receiving part 32 of the belt is provided with a reinforcing member 33. In this embodiment, the reinforcing member 33 is a washer ring 33.

[0026] The drive receiving portion 32 of the belt is mainly formed by the drive receiving portion 312 in the belt body 31. In addition, the drive receiving portion 32 of the belt 3 is also formed by the drive receiving portion 332 of the reinforcing member 33. Thus, the drive receiving portion 312 in the belt body 31 and the drive receiving portion 332 in the reinforcing member 33 are aligned with each other.

[0027] In this embodiment, the washer ring 33 completely surrounds the drive receiving portion 32. In another embodiment covered by the invention, another reinforcement 33 may be used instead of the washer ring, which does not surround the receiving portion 32, such as a U-shaped reinforcement or a separate reinforcement element located at the leading and trailing edges of the receiving portion 32.

[0028] The reinforcing member 33 has an upper reinforcing element 33U disposed on the upper surface 31U of the belt body 31 and a lower reinforcing element 33L disposed on the lower surface 31L of the belt body 31. The terms "upper" and "lower" refer to the relative vertical positions of the corresponding elements when they are located on the running section 3U. The reinforcing member 33 is fixed to the belt body, for example, by a threaded connector 35 (see screws 35s and nuts 35n), thereby achieving a frictional fit between the reinforcing member 33 and the belt body 31. Other possibilities exist for fixing the reinforcing member to the seat belt, such as by a snap-fit ​​connector.

[0029] The drive sprocket 44 engages directly with the edge of the belt body 31 and / or the edge of the reinforcement 33. In either case, the reinforcement disperses any instantaneous peak in driving force to different areas of the belt body 31, thereby reducing the risk of damage to the belt body 31 due to localized high stress.

[0030] In order to keep the belt 31 in the desired radial position, a guide rail 51 is provided parallel to the bending conveying direction, and the guide rail 51 interacts with the radial support 34 attached to the belt 31.

[0031] In this embodiment, the radial support 34 is a support hook that engages with the radially outward and / or radially outward guide portion of the guide rail 51 facing away from the center of the belt body 31.

[0032] In this embodiment, the radial support 34 and a portion of the reinforcing member 33 (here, the upper reinforcing element 33U) are integrally formed, enabling the production and assembly of these components in a cost-effective manner. In another embodiment, the radial support 34 and the reinforcing member 33 are manufactured separately.

[0033] When positioned on the running section 3U, the radial support 34 is located on the upper surface of the belt body 31. This has the advantage that the radial support 34 does not contact any guide or drive mechanism located horizontally below the belt body in the running section 3U.

[0034] The reinforcing member 33 and the radial support member 34 are made of sheet metal, particularly a bent sheet metal. In another embodiment, the reinforcing member and / or support member may be made of other materials, such as polymer materials.

[0035] The radial support 34 has a vertical guide surface 342 that interacts with the guide rail and holds the belt in the radial direction.

[0036] The radial support 34 has an upper vertical guide surface 341, and the radial support is mounted on the upper vertical guide surface 341.

[0037] The radial support 34 has a lower vertical guide surface 343, which engages with the rear of the radial guide to prevent accidental removal of the radial support 34. When the corresponding support is located on the lower running part 3L, the radial support 34 is positioned at the lower vertical guide surface 343.

[0038] Looking along the conveying direction, a ramp 34S is provided in front of the guide surfaces 341, 342, and 343.

[0039] Significant noise reduction can be achieved due to the absence of a drive chain. To support this low noise level, the materials within the drive connector can be selected accordingly.

[0040] For example, the reinforcing member 33 may be made of a robust material, such as metal, to reduce wear on the belt 3; the drive sprocket 44, which interacts with the receiving part, may be made of a material that produces low noise when in contact with the reinforcing member.

[0041] For example, sprocket 44 may have a surface made of plastic. Alternatively, a soft noise pad attached to the reinforcement may be provided, which absorbs the impact when driving sprocket 44 strikes the reinforcement.

[0042] Appendix Label Table 1 with turning conveyor 2 Supporting Frame 3 conveyor belts 3U running unit 3L Lower Running Section 31 bands 31U belt upper surface 31L belt lower surface 312 belt body drive receiver unit 32-band drive receiver 33 Reinforcing member / shield surrounding the drive receiver 33U upper reinforcement element 33L Lower Reinforcing Component Drive receiver in 332 reinforcement 34 Radial support for conveyor belt 341 Vertical guide surface 342 radial guide surface 343 Lower Vertical Guide Surface 34S slope 344 Connector to the reinforcing member 35 threaded connector 35s screw 35N nut 4 drive motors 41 axis 42 deflection roller (for belt body) 43 Guide rollers (for reinforcement and / or radial support) 44 drive shafts 51 radial guide rail R radial direction C-curved conveyor direction V vertical direction E1 First End E2 second terminal.

Claims

1. A curved conveyor belt (3). The curved conveyor belt is particularly suitable for use with a turning conveyor (1), specifically, the turning conveyor is adapted to transport objects between a first end (E1) and a second end (E2) in a conveying area (11) along a curved conveying direction (C), wherein, The transmission direction (C) is perpendicular to the radial direction (R); Specifically, the conveyor with turning points includes: - Supporting framework (2); - A conveyor belt (3) is arranged circumferentially on the support frame (2) and is adapted to carry the object; - At least one deflecting roller (42) located at each of the first end (E1) and the second end (E2), the conveyor belt (3) deflecting around the deflecting roller (42); - A driver (4) adapted to provide driving force to the conveyor belt (3); -Guide rail (51), adapted to guide the conveyor belt (3) along the conveying direction (C), thereby providing a guiding force in the radially outward direction (R); Its features Multiple receiving units (32) within the belt body (31). The receiving part (32) is adapted to engage with the drive sprocket (44).

2. The curved conveyor belt (3) according to the preceding claim. Its features are, The receiving part (32) is provided with a reinforcing member (33).

3. The curved conveyor belt (3) according to the preceding claim. Its features are, The reinforcing member (33) provides at least a contact surface for contacting the drive sprocket (44) when providing driving force to the conveyor belt (3).

4. The curved conveyor belt (3) according to claim 2 or 3. Its features are, When viewed from a top view, the reinforcing member (33) at least partially surrounds the receiving portion; Specifically, the reinforcing member (33) is a pad ring that completely surrounds the receiving part (32) in a U-shape when viewed from a top view.

5. The curved conveyor belt (3) according to any one of the preceding claims. Its features are, The conveyor belt (3) includes a radial support (34) attached to the belt body and adapted to interact with a radial guide rail (51).

6. The curved conveyor belt (3) according to any one of the preceding claim and claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, The radial support (34) and the reinforcing member (33) are integrally formed.

7. The curved conveyor belt (3) according to claim 5 or 6. Its features are, The radial guide (51) is located radially outside the receiving part (32).

8. The curved conveyor belt (3) according to any one of claims 5 to 7. Its features are, Within the running section (3U) of the belt, the radial support (34) is located on the upper side of the belt body (31).

9. A type of conveyor with turning function (1). The curved conveyor is adapted to convey objects between a first end (E1) and a second end (E2) along a curved conveying direction (C) in the conveying area (11), wherein, The transmission direction (C) is perpendicular to the radial direction (R); The conveyor with turning function (1) includes: - Supporting framework (2); - A curved conveyor belt (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, which is arranged circumferentially on the support frame (2) and adapted to carry the object, and - At least one deflecting roller (42) located at each of the first end (E1) and the second end (E2), the conveyor belt (3) deflecting around the deflecting roller (42); - A driver (4) adapted to provide driving force to the conveyor belt (3); - A guide rail (51) adapted to guide the conveyor belt (3) along the conveying direction (C), particularly providing a guiding force in the radially outward direction (R).

10. The conveyor with turning mechanism (1) according to the preceding claim. Its features The first plurality of deflection rollers (42) located at each first end (E1) and The second plurality of deflection rollers (42) are located at each first end (E1). Each of the plurality of rollers is cylindrical in shape.

11. The conveyor with turning mechanism (1) according to the preceding claim. Its features are, Each of the plurality of rollers is cylindrical in shape and is supported in a rotational manner independent of the rotation of the other rollers in the same plurality of rollers.

12. The conveyor with turning mechanism (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 11. Its features are, The driver (4) has a drive sprocket (44) adapted to engage with the receiving part (312) of the belt (31).

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