Conveying device and method for conveying items on a conveying surface

Abstract

The invention discloses a conveying device for conveying pieces of goods on a load surface moving in a conveying direction and a method for conveying pieces of goods on a load surface moving in a conveying direction. The load surface is provided by at least one endless loop of a traction section of a traction device, which has an idle section with a tensioning device arranged there and adjusting the sag of the idle section. The tensioning device comprises a movable supported tensioning unit, which has a contact element, which is in contact with the idle section. The tensioning unit is assigned a locking mechanism. In the method, the load surface is returned below the conveying plane and there tensioned with the contact element and optionally with a further component connected with the contact element, wherein at least 20% of the part of the tensioning force exerted on the load surface by the contact element is constituted by the force of gravity. Furthermore, the method is designed such that the contact element or the further component connected with the contact element is engaged or otherwise fixed along a guide.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveying device for transporting individual goods and a method for conveying individual goods on a bearing surface moving in the conveying direction.

[0002] This invention relates to a tensioning device for a traction drive unit used in cyclic guidance, particularly as a component of a beverage filling machine, conveyor, and / or packaging machine for transporting goods. The tensioning device is also a component of the traction drive unit, which includes at least one traction device for a conveying or driving unit within the beverage filling machine, conveyor, and / or packaging machine, guided via a steering unit.

[0003] In the drive section of a traction device, rotational motion between shafts that are far apart is transmitted via a circulating traction device (such as a belt, chain link, or pad chain). Although the traction or load section (tight side) of the force transmission in this traction device drive section is kept taut due to the tension that is usually continuously applied there, this cannot be reliably guaranteed in the unloaded or low-load section, which is the return section of the traction device that usually cycles infinitely. Therefore, to prevent undesirable sagging in the unloaded section, and consequently uncontrolled lateral movement and vibration of the traction device that may follow, an appropriate tensioning device is used in the unloaded section.

[0004] In a simple structural implementation, such a tensioning device may be composed of an elastic rubber element, wherein the tension force is generated, for example, by twisting a square shaft onto the elastic rubber element. In many cases, a spring-loaded tension roller is also used, which may also be equipped with suitable damping elements when needed, which can suppress vibrations and unwanted resonances.

[0005] Unless it is a hydraulically pre-tensioned chain tensioner or a chain tensioner equipped with a spring element that can be tightened in this way, it is usually necessary to repeatedly set the chain or traction tension by means of a tensioning element located in the unloaded section of the traction drive unit and whose position can be manually changed, because most traction units wear out and elongate after a long period of operation.

[0006] For conveyor systems or horizontal conveying equipment equipped with rubber-coated or other coated pad chains as traction devices, several tensioning elements can be installed in both the loaded and unloaded sections. This is because different load conditions can occur due to the stacking pressure and acceleration of the goods transported in the upper loaded section. A disadvantage in this situation is that when the chain elongates, the chain tension decreases according to the spring characteristic curve of the chain tensioner used, and perfect chain tension cannot be guaranteed from a certain lower limit of the tension. This can lead to functional failures, such as chain skipping. To avoid these functional failures, the chain must be retightened or shortened to restore sufficient chain tension. In this case, the tension can be set via the angular torsion scale of the chain tensioner used, which requires the corresponding experience and knowledge of the maintenance personnel.

[0007] Various implementations of automatic chain tensioners are known from, for example, EP 2 990 688 B1 or EP 184 035A1.

[0008] The object of this invention is to equip a conveyor with a cyclic traction device with a robust and durable tensioning device, preferably one that self-ensures a predetermined traction preload. This tensioning device should not only be able to flexibly handle different load conditions but also maintain a predetermined traction preload after extended operating times and in the event of wear effects. Furthermore, a further object of this invention is to provide an improved method for conveying goods on a bearing surface moving in the conveying direction, wherein the bearing surface returning below the transport plane can be uniformly tensioned without requiring further setup or adjustments after extended operating times.

[0009] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a conveying device for transporting goods on a bearing surface moving in the conveying direction, the bearing surface being provided by a traction section of at least one infinitely circulating traction device. The at least one traction device has an unloaded section that runs in the opposite direction to the conveying direction and backwards below the bearing surface, the unloaded section having a tensioning device disposed thereon and adjusting the sag of the unloaded section. The tensioning device includes a suspension portion and a tensioning unit distributed to the suspension portion and supported in a manner movable along an adjustment path, the tensioning unit having a contact element that contacts the unloaded section.

[0010] In this design, the unloaded section is pre-tensioned under the weight of the tensioning unit of the movable support, wherein, for pre-tensioning, a significant portion (selectively, the main portion) of the tensioning force is based on the weight acting on the tensioning unit. Furthermore, the tensioning unit is equipped with a locking mechanism to releasably prevent the tensioning unit from returning along the adjustment path in a direction opposite to at least one component of gravity.

[0011] The definition of "tensioning unit assigned to a locking mechanism" in this document does not mean that the rack (or other actuating mechanism) which will be described in detail below as a preferred component of the locking mechanism should be considered a part of the tensioning unit. Rather, the term "assigned" is intended to define the actuating relationship, as the tensioning unit should work in conjunction with the locking mechanism in a reasonable manner to achieve the intended action, without defining a structural or functional relationship.

[0012] Regarding the design and dimensions of the tensioning unit, it is specifically designed such that, for this pre-tensioning, more than 20% of the force comes from the gravity of the tensioning unit. A preferred embodiment of the conveying device is designed such that more than 50% of the force comes from the gravity of the tensioning unit. Furthermore, a more preferred embodiment may be designed such that more than 70% of the force comes from the gravity of the tensioning unit.

[0013] The tensioning device of the conveying apparatus of the present invention enables the tensioner of the traction device to exert a preload independently of the operator, automatically, and consistently at a substantially constant level. Furthermore, a single tensioning device ensures that the necessary traction device tension is maintained even under drastic changes in load conditions and changes in the direction of traction device operation. Here, the entire system operates without a hydraulic system, thus enabling implementation in a very cost-effective manner. It is also feasible to automatically identify the wear limit of the traction device, as described below.

[0014] For the conveying device, it is particularly significant that the adjustment path in which the tensioning unit can move is approximately parallel to the direction of gravity. This means that the direction of the tensioning device is preferably perpendicular to the ground, so that as much of the gravity of the tensioning device as possible can be used for the tensioning process.

[0015] Mechanically operated tensioning devices operate on the principle of gravity tensioners. Specifically, tensioning wheels or contact elements of varying designs, capable of free movement in the vertical direction, generate a constant tension force through their own weight and the weight of their movable suspension components, even for elongated traction devices (e.g., those consisting of pad chains). A mechanically operated locking system prevents the tensioning device from retracting when a load change occurs, such as during acceleration or braking of the transported goods or when the transported goods are stacked. The locking system may include, for example, pawls that allow free movement in the direction of gravity but prevent retraction upwards (i.e., against gravity).

[0016] In this configuration of the tensioning device, the linear adjustment path of the suspension is particularly significant, where the linear adjustment path is downward, i.e., in the direction of gravity. However, other implementation variations are also conceivable, where the adjustment path, while still linear, forms an angle, particularly an acute angle, with gravity pointing vertically towards the Earth's center. In a tensioning device designed in this way, the tilting force component of gravity comes into play, which can be described, for example, by vector decomposition.

[0017] Furthermore, curved or arc-shaped adjustment paths are conceivable, but gravity also constitutes an important component of the effective tension force.

[0018] The contact element arranged at the tensioning unit may, for example, have a sliding surface in the unloaded section area for guiding the traction device. In this technical solution for the contact element, it is meaningful to equip it with a surface of the lowest possible friction, so that the traction device sliding on it experiences the lowest possible frictional resistance in the unloaded section area. Furthermore, it is meaningful that the wear suffered by the contact element due to the continuous sliding of the traction device on it should be as low as possible.

[0019] Alternatively, the contact element may be composed of a rotating element rotatably supported within the tensioning unit area, on which the unloaded section of the traction device is guided in a rolling manner. In particular, the rotating element may be composed of a cylindrical roller. In this case, it is also meaningful to select a material that ensures the surface of the rotating element is wear-resistant, thereby guaranteeing low-wear operation. However, low-friction contact with the traction device is not required, because the rotating element is constantly rotating under the drive of the traction device (which operates on the rotating element), thus maintaining the desired result even with increased friction without significant drawbacks.

[0020] In other embodiments of this conveying device, the tensioning effect of the tensioning device can be influenced by changing the weight of the tensioning unit and / or contact element. Therefore, the tensioning effect of the tensioning device can be adjusted, for example, by appropriately selecting rotating or sliding elements or contact elements of different weights.

[0021] Furthermore, it is advantageous that the tensioning effect of the tensioning device can be altered by installing additional counterweights at the tensioning unit.

[0022] The locking mechanism of the conveying device according to the invention may, for example, include a locking mechanism that allows travel along the adjustment path in the direction of gravity and blocks return travel in the opposite direction of gravity. Such a locking mechanism may, for example, include at least one pawl that interacts with and engages therein with the teeth of a rack in a locking manner, wherein intermittent locking travel along the adjustment path in the direction of gravity is possible, while return travel in the opposite direction of gravity is blocked.

[0023] The conveying device of the present invention provides a bearing surface for the transport of goods, articles, packaging units, containers, etc. This flat bearing surface, for example having a horizontal orientation, is provided by a traction section of an infinitely circulating traction device, which may be constructed, for example, by a pad chain of a horizontal conveying device constituting the conveying device, an elastic conveyor belt, a metal chain link belt coated with rubber at the bearing surface, or a circulating conveyor belt of other designs.

[0024] Such conveying devices can be specifically used in different sections of packaging systems, container filling systems, or combined filling and packaging systems for containers, where large quantities of goods need to be transported in a defined conveying direction, for example, from one system module to another system module arranged downstream. Typically, these are so-called horizontal conveying devices, which transport goods in a horizontal conveying direction on the bearing surface of an upper traction section of an infinitely circulating traction device, for example constructed by the aforementioned pad chain, and then transfer the goods to subsequent system modules or other conveying and / or handling equipment, or also to packaging modules, etc.

[0025] Typically, in the drive unit of such a traction device, several steering sections ensure that the traction device can cycle indefinitely, so that the unloaded section of the traction device running backward in the opposite direction of the conveying direction is located below the bearing surface. As mentioned earlier, in the conveying device of the present invention, the conveying direction can also be selectively reversed without impairing the function of the tensioning device. Therefore, reverse operation is feasible without affecting the tensioning effect of the tensioning device. During the feeding process of the traction device, even stronger load changes will not cause the tensioning device to malfunction.

[0026] Below the traction section or load section that provides the bearing surface of the traction device, a sliding element for the traction section or load section that supports the pad chain may be provided, or a bearing platform may be provided selectively. These elements preferably provide a sliding surface, and the lower side of the traction device or pad chain can slide along the sliding surface with the lowest possible resistance.

[0027] Since such pad chains, metal chain links, or other conveyor belts that can constitute a traction device will inevitably stretch at least slightly, and in some cases even significantly, after a long period of operation, the sag in the unloaded section can gradually increase. In the case of this invention, this does not need to be compensated for by manually re-tensioning the traction device or pad chain, as the tensioning device operates automatically. The essentially constant tension here is generated by gravity, which, among other advantages, provides the beneficial effect of maintaining effective tension in any direction of operation of the traction device. Signs of wear caused by the elongation of the traction device or chain are automatically compensated for.

[0028] Furthermore, gravity also ensures that the tensioning effect is limited, thus preventing over-tensioning. Therefore, low wear on the traction device can be ensured through optimized and consistent tension. No manual retensioning is required.

[0029] Even significant chain or traction device elongation can be compensated for, even for chains or traction devices with a total elongation of up to three percent or more (based on the total length of the traction device or pad chain). The conveying device of the present invention, which can be particularly designed as a horizontal conveying device, is equipped with a tensioning device that can be designed with a very long stroke, thus counteracting even such significant elongation.

[0030] A tensioning device located in the unloaded section of a traction device, such as a pad chain, and adjusting the sag of the unloaded section, may have a suspension portion having a defined adjustment path. This suspension portion includes a tensioning unit supported in a manner movable along the adjustment path, the tensioning unit having a contact element. The contact element, which contacts the unloaded section and tensions it to compensate for sag, may be, for example, a roller or drum rotatably supported at the tensioning unit, having a rotation axis located below the bearing surface and aligned horizontally and laterally with the conveying direction.

[0031] Preferably, the fully movable part of the tensioning device ensures the required preload of the traction device or pad chain, i.e., the vertically movable tensioning unit together with the contact element supported or suspended there, which is, for example, a rotatably supported roller as described above, which ensures the downward turning of the traction device or pad chain.

[0032] In principle, instead of the rotatable bearing roller exemplified herein, other adaptable sliding elements, particularly those whose contours match the steering angle of the traction device or pad chain, can be designed. For such sliding elements, there is no need to design a self-rotating motion caused by the traction device wound around them; instead, a curved steering surface with the lowest possible friction is provided for the traction device or pad chain sliding on them. When using a rotatable bearing roller as a contact element, it is preferable that the cylindrical outer contour and surface characteristics of the rotatable bearing roller constituting the contact element are highly smooth, so that the roller or rotatable contact element is designed, or makes possible, not to engage with the links of the pad chain in a form-fitting manner.

[0033] The preload can be influenced and adjusted in the desired manner by using different counterweights, which can be fixed at the tensioning unit. Although the weight of the roller itself already ensures a large portion of the gravity, additional counterweights can alter this effectively effective gravity in the desired way. Depending on the presence, quantity, and / or additional mass of the additional counterweights placed on or installed at the tensioning unit, the tensioning unit can contribute at least a portion of the total preload used for the traction device, of which more than 20%, but preferably more than 50%, comes from the gravity of the tensioning unit. More preferably, the portion of the total preload from the gravity of the tensioning unit can exceed 70%.

[0034] As previously mentioned, a mechanical locking system prevents the traction device or chain tensioner from retracting under varying loads, for example, by using pawls engaged in the teeth. This provides a locking mechanism that ensures that the tensioning unit is prevented from returning along the adjustment path in the direction opposite to gravity. Therefore, the locking system or locking mechanism ensures that the contact elements or rollers of the tensioning unit can be pulled downwards unimpeded under gravity, and in this case, is limited only by the reverse force of the corresponding pre-tensioned unloaded section of the traction device or pad chain.

[0035] Conversely, the return stroke of the tensioning unit along the adjustment path against the direction of gravity is blocked. One embodiment of the invention may be designed such that the blockage can be manually released and removed, which may be meaningful when manually adjusting the tension of the traction device, which is usually unnecessary but particularly necessary when replacing the traction device or pad chain with a brand new, unstretched replacement.

[0036] The locking mechanism described herein can be constructed from a suitable stepped locking mechanism, particularly a variant of a ratchet mechanism, in which a spring-loaded pawl engages with its locking step located on the rack, thus preventing any return stroke against gravity. Conversely, the teeth of the rack's locking step can be shaped in such a way that, in traction motion, the pawl can jump from one locking step to another in the direction of gravity. However, this prevents return stroke in the opposite direction, i.e., the pawl will not slip out of the space between adjacent locking steps due to the spring force acting upon it.

[0037] Optionally, the unloaded section may have another or several additional steering sections at a reasonable distance from the tensioning device to allow the traction device to exhibit the desired trajectory in the unloaded section. One of these additional steering sections may also be equipped with a drive unit for the traction device or pad chain. Significantly, this drive unit is designed such that this configuration is equally applicable to the opposite drive and rotation directions of the traction device or pad chain. Even if the pad chain constituting the traction device moves in a direction contrary to the normal transport direction, the tensioning device operates unrestricted and in the same manner. Locking and locking mechanisms ensure that the tension of the traction device or pad chain caused by gravity can be maintained regardless of its direction of travel.

[0038] Optionally, the conveying device may comprise two or more parallel sections, which may be laterally adjacent to each other and preferably structurally identical, thus collectively constituting a horizontal conveying device or conveying apparatus. Certain portions of these sections that may collectively constitute a conveying apparatus or horizontal conveying apparatus may not only be arranged side-by-side with minimal spacing but may also partially nest with each other. This involves, for example, a continuous front traction device steering section that spans the entire width of two or more sections, and, where appropriate, other components of the conveying apparatus that will be described further.

[0039] To support the rotating contact elements (e.g., by rollers arranged at the lowest point of the unloaded section of a traction device consisting of an infinitely circulating pad chain), a U-shaped cage can be designed, which can also accommodate the aforementioned additional counterweight. If such a cage is used, for two side-by-side sections of the conveyor, each cage can specifically constitute half the total width of the conveyor. This arrangement can selectively extend across the entire width of the conveyor or horizontal conveying equipment. However, this arrangement can also be implemented in two ways, thus enabling the design of two identical suspension sections for the side-by-side contact elements.

[0040] The rack can be fixedly connected to the cage used to support the roller, wherein each cage can be specifically equipped with two or more racks. In addition, each rack can be assigned a suitable linear guide element, the positioning and functional principle of which works together with the rack will be explained below.

[0041] In this regard, it should be noted that the fixedly arranged rack preferably does not constitute a component of the tensioning unit, and preferably, the locking mechanism is also not a component of the tensioning unit, but at most a movable part of the locking mechanism. That is to say, preferably, only the movable part of the locking mechanism should be considered as a component of the tensioning unit.

[0042] Each rack of each suspension unit has teeth on at least one long side, which provide the aforementioned locking step. Optionally, it may be meaningful to provide opposing teeth with misaligned locking parts, thereby forming a fine stop of the locking mechanism. The aforementioned pawls can each engage with these teeth or their locking steps. Optionally, each rack may be assigned two pawls located on two vertical narrow sides so that they each engage with the teeth therein. For this purpose, each pawl is pivotally supported so that the acute-angled locking lugs can engage at least partially in a form-fitting manner with each locking step in the locking steps. The two pawls (which in each case are assigned to one rack and arranged on both sides of the corresponding teeth and pivotally supported therein) can be pulled relative to each other by means of a tension spring in such a way that their facing locking lugs can be pulled into the teeth, and can be moved away from there against the tension of the tension spring as the rack descends with the suspension unit and contact element under the action of gravity.

[0043] To allow the locking lugs of each of the two pawls to slide unimpeded from the corresponding teeth on both sides of each rack, it is advantageous that the tooth surfaces are not symmetrical with respect to the corresponding central axis of each tooth, but rather designed in a serrated manner such that the upper tooth surfaces are roughly horizontally aligned, while the lower tooth surfaces can have an inclination angle of approximately 30° to 60° with respect to the horizontal. Through the synergistic effect of the matching locking lugs of each of the pawls engaging with the teeth, the suspension unit can descend with virtually no obstruction under gravity, wherein the inclined locking lugs, abutting the corresponding inclined lower tooth surfaces, can slide down from the lower tooth surfaces and, here, overcome the return force of the tension spring, be pushed out of the teeth.

[0044] Furthermore, it is advantageous to machine the underside of each locking lug of the pawl into a generally horizontal plane, allowing them to abut against one of the corresponding horizontally aligned upper tooth surfaces of the tooth, and to have their tips pulled into the root of the tooth by the tension of a spring. The corresponding horizontal planes on the underside of the locking lugs and the corresponding upper sides of the tooth surfaces provide the necessary locking effect for the upward movement of the suspension against gravity, because in this case there are no opposing inclined surfaces between the locking lugs and the tooth surfaces (which could push the pawl out of the tooth), thus keeping the pawl in place and effectively preventing any displacement of the rack in the direction against gravity.

[0045] The following will exemplarily illustrate some additional design details of the conveying device, in which other constructions or variations are also conceivable, without requiring separate specific description in each case. That is, for example, the vertical guidance of the tensioning unit of the tensioning device can be supported or guaranteed by several vertically arranged guide rods, wherein these guide rods, together with corresponding notches in the beam or frame elements, form a linear guide for the suspension portion of the tensioning unit, thereby enabling the tensioning unit to move vertically relative to the suspension portion along a defined adjustment path.

[0046] For example, a hollow cylindrical notch can be located in the crossbeam, which can be fixedly installed and is also part of the lower structure or frame of the conveying device. Relative to this crossbeam, the cage, along with the rollers supported there, can be lowered vertically to tension the traction device under gravity. If several parallel sections with tensioning devices of the same structure are provided, then in each of the parallel tensioning devices, the corresponding cage (with rollers rotatably supported there) is equipped with two racks, and thus the corresponding locking and locking mechanisms are constituted by these two racks, each with its own assigned pawl. Optionally, however, more than two racks can be provided for each tensioning device. Furthermore, the aforementioned guide rods can be provided adjacent to each rack, thus a total of four racks and four guide rods can be provided for two parallel tensioning devices.

[0047] The pawls can be selectively supported in a pivotable manner at the same beam or frame element, such as at the front of the beam, so that the locking lugs of these pawls can each engage with their respective teeth at the opposite long side of the rack.

[0048] Another configuration option for the tensioning device, as described above, lies in the possibility of altering the gravity acting on the tensioning unit by optionally using additional counterweights. Whether these additional counterweights are used or their dimensions are designed to allow for variations in the tension force acting on the traction device within a certain range. These additional counterweights may, for example, consist of flat counterweight plates whose external dimensions are preferably adapted to the available space at the cage (with rollers rotatably supported therein), thus allowing for the selective installation of at least one such counterweight plate there, provided that the counterweight plate proves necessary or suitable when acting in conjunction with the weight of the corresponding cage, the weight of the rack and guide rod located above it, and the weight of the rollers rotatably supported within the cage.

[0049] Besides using counterweight plates as additional weight, there is another possibility of selecting suitable contact elements to influence the tension acting on the corresponding traction device or corresponding pad chain, for example, by using rollers of different materials, or by using solid materials instead of hollow rollers to increase effective gravity. Density plays a particularly important role when selecting different materials for the rollers; therefore, hollow rollers, for example, made of aluminum alloy, are much lighter than brass rollers made of solid materials.

[0050] Other configuration options are available if the rack is equipped with several teeth, or if each tensioning device uses at least two racks. Thus, for example, it is possible for the teeth arranged on both sides of the rack to be staggered in the longitudinal direction such that the left and right sides are staggered by half a tooth pitch. This achieves a finer locking position because in each locking step, when, for example, the locking lug of one of the two pawls falls into the tooth root and produces the aforementioned locking effect (which applies to the return stroke of the tensioning unit in the direction against gravity), the locking lug of the other pawl is simultaneously located between the adjacent teeth, allowing the tooth to still move upwards by half a tooth pitch relative to that locking lug.

[0051] After a period of operation, as the pad chain constituting the traction device gradually elongates, once gravity ensures that the tensioning unit continues to move downward within its adjustment path, the pawl (whose locking lug is initially located between two adjacent teeth) moves, for example, half the distance between two adjacent teeth, so that the locking lug engages with the tooth root between the adjacent teeth, while the locking lug of the other pawl is pushed out of the tooth root and re-positioned between two adjacent teeth on its side with the misaligned teeth.

[0052] The locking and stopping mechanisms may also be equipped with a release mechanism, which is normally in a locked state to prevent the tensioning unit from returning against gravity. Thus, the pawl may, for example, be equipped with a tilting lever, which, when combined with a suitable blocking device, is adapted to prevent the locking lug of the tilting lever from accidentally rotating out of the teeth of the rack.

[0053] Since it is meaningful in principle that manual operation of the pawl is prohibited during normal operation of the conveyor, and since releasing the preload for the traction device is basically only necessary for replacing worn and / or overstretched pad chains, the release mechanism can be specifically designed as a releasable mechanical block against the movement of the flipping lever.

[0054] For this purpose, a stop pin or similar component may be provided below each flip bar of each pawl in the pawl, which at least restricts the pivoting path of the corresponding flip bar so that the flip bar can only perform a small pivoting angle when the locking lug passes through the tooth and when each locking lug engages and slides out of a single tooth or locking step of the tooth. Larger pivoting angles are prevented by the stop pins (the undersides of the flip bars abutting against these stop pins). For example, simultaneous release of all pawls can be made possible by removing the stop pins, which are anchored to a common support shaft or can otherwise move synchronously, from their direct engagement with the flip bar by slightly twisting the support shaft about its longitudinal axis, so that all stop pins sink below the undersides of the flip bar of the pawl.

[0055] As can be seen from the described embodiments, the conveying device of the present invention can also be selectively implemented as a multi-track device in another option. For this multi-track implementation of the conveying device, suitable measures can be designed to compensate for the different belt speeds caused by different belt tensions, for example by means of electronic compensation of the drive speed.

[0056] Selectively, suitable sensors are installed at appropriate points on the tensioning device of the conveying apparatus of the present invention. These sensors are particularly useful for end-position identification, thereby enabling the acquisition of chain or traction device elongation during operation. By using such sensors, upon reaching the acquired end position, it can be identified that the limit of acceptable chain or traction device elongation has been reached.

[0057] This end-point location identification can be advantageously associated with wear alarm outputs, for example, by transmitting sensor signals to a control unit, where the sensor signals are processed and forwarded to other control components and / or visual / auditory output devices, which enable personnel responsible for system monitoring to obtain the necessary information to take appropriate maintenance or replacement measures.

[0058] Since the elongation during the replacement process that leads to the replacement of the corresponding traction device can be displayed, it is possible, for example, to indicate the expected replacement process in the future. This also makes it possible to issue timely notifications to the material flow and supply system, so that replacement parts can be ready before maintenance processes that require replacement of the traction device and, where appropriate, other worn parts.

[0059] A particular advantage of using sensors to monitor the position of the tensioning unit is that it can also automatically identify critical end positions, thus enabling reasonable warnings to be issued in the event of functional failure and / or machine downtime.

[0060] Furthermore, since the reported position values ​​can be used to calculate the traction device or chain elongation, these sensor signals can provide absolute data on the traction device or chain elongation that has occurred. This sensor acquisition of the tensioning device's position and the measurement of the traction device / chain elongation are also applicable to, where appropriate, parallel sections of the conveyor system, each equipped with its own independent cyclic traction device and corresponding tensioning device.

[0061] In another reasonable variant of the conveyor, it can be designed to continuously measure the vertical travel of the contact elements (i.e., particularly sliding elements or rotating rollers) from the initial zero point due to the elongation of the traction device or chain, using a suitable sensor system. Since the direction of this vertical travel is approximately parallel to gravity, it can also be considered as Z-travel or travel in the Z-direction. To achieve this, inductive or optical sensing technologies can be used, for example.

[0062] Since this vertical stroke or Z-stroke is usually directly proportional to the gradual elongation of the traction device or chain during operation, the elongation of the traction device chain can be calculated in a simple way by transmitting sensor values ​​to an upper-level control system, such as the control unit mentioned above, and by processing the sensor values ​​there. This also allows the determination of the wear of the traction device (e.g., the pad chain used as the traction device) that is occurring or has occurred during operation.

[0063] This direct, continuous, and automated method of acquiring traction device and / or chain elongation (manifested as a correlation with the downward deflection of the chain tensioner due to gravity) enables precise, condition-oriented, and predictive maintenance, allowing system operators to better plan their rational and / or routine maintenance work. In particular, system operators can thus avoid unnecessarily prematurely replacing traction devices or pad chains with only moderate elongation, especially since such replacements often involve replacing numerous related moving parts, such as sprockets and steering rollers.

[0064] In particular, this permanent sensor monitoring of the traction device's elongation can prevent system operators from replacing excessively worn components too late and / or having to perform unplanned maintenance due to reaching wear limits that can no longer be delayed. Since such unavoidable replacement and maintenance can lead to unplanned system downtime and economic losses under adverse conditions, it is especially important to plan maintenance work in a timely and systematic manner through continuous sensor monitoring of the traction device's elongation behavior.

[0065] The multi-track style of the conveying device described herein as a variant, combined with the tensioning device designed according to the invention, in principle allows the two traction devices or pad chains of a section to elongate to unequal degrees. This is because, although the two sections typically have the same structure and dimensional design, their tensioning devices can still descend to different degrees. Certain unavoidable material tolerances and other uncontrollable factors in operation can cause the elongation and wear phenomena occurring in parallel sections to manifest in different forms.

[0066] Therefore, the aforementioned sensors can not only selectively identify the end position of the tensioning device, but also preferably identify the different descent paths within the corresponding adjustment path of each section. Thus, the different sensor signals assigned to each section can be used for automatic compensation adjustment of the traction device or pad chain drive, thereby ensuring the synchronous operation of the traction device or pad chain in multiple sections at all times.

[0067] Therefore, the control unit can preferably provide a suitable control signal to the drive motor for driving the traction device in each case, so as to ensure precise synchronization of parallel sections even when the corresponding tensioning units of the tensioning device are in different vertical positions.

[0068] Regarding the description of the optional use of sensors and the optional processing and utilization of the correlation of their sensor signals by means of a control unit (from which, where appropriate, control signals suitable for the drive units of multiple sections of the conveying device are generated), it should be clearly stated that this control device can be considered a reasonable component of the conveying device of the present invention. In this regard, it should be clearly stated that a preferred embodiment of the conveying device of the present invention, as described above, has such a control device, which can therefore form an integrated component of the control device of the present invention.

[0069] To achieve the above objectives, in addition to the conveying apparatus described in the various embodiments, the present invention also proposes a method for conveying a component on a carrier surface moving in the conveying direction within a conveying plane, comprising the following steps: The carrier surface is returned below the conveying plane. A counterweight is applied to the returned carrier surface and it is tensioned, specifically by means of a contact element and optionally by means of another component connected to the contact element, wherein at least 20% of the tension or preload applied to the carrier surface by the contact element is constituted by gravity. Furthermore, the method is also designed to engage or otherwise secure the contact element or the other component connected to the contact element along a guide portion.

[0070] This effectively prevents backward movement against the direction of gravity. In particular, it prevents the contact element from returning in the opposite direction to gravity. However, this blocking is preferably manually releaseable, for example, for replacing the chain or the traction device that constitutes the infinite loop bearing surface.

[0071] The method can be further designed such that the tensioning direction of the returned bearing surface is approximately parallel to the direction of gravity, so that the tensioning direction is preferably perpendicular to the ground, thereby maximizing the use of gravity in the tensioning process.

[0072] In a plausible variant of this method, the tension force applied to the returning bearing surface via the contact element can be based essentially solely on gravity. This means that, in such a variant, the application of the force acting on the returning bearing surface can be achieved entirely by gravity, without the additional use of mechanical spring forces, pneumatic forces, or hydraulic forces.

[0073] The method can also be designed such that the returning bearing surface is guided in a sliding manner on the sliding surface of the contact element. Alternatively, it can be designed such that the returning bearing surface is guided in a rolling manner on the rotating element constituting the contact element.

[0074] Further variations of the method can be designed to alter the tension force acting on the returning bearing surface by changing the weight of the tensioning component and / or using additional counterweights.

[0075] Furthermore, in this method, in multi-track implementations, measures can be taken to compensate for different belt speeds caused by different belt tensions, for example by electronic compensation for the drive speed of the traction device for piece transport or the infinitely looping bearing surface.

[0076] It should be explicitly stated herein that all aspects and embodiments described in connection with the conveying device of the present invention also relate to or constitute parts of the method of the present invention. Therefore, if any aspect and / or interrelationship and / or effect is mentioned at any point in the description of the conveying device of the present invention, this also applies to the method of the present invention. The same principle applies in reverse; therefore, all aspects and embodiments described in connection with the method of the present invention also relate to or constitute parts of the conveying device of the present invention. Therefore, if any aspect and / or interrelationship and / or effect is mentioned at any point in the description of the method of the present invention, this also applies to the conveying device of the present invention.

[0077] In the following, embodiments of the invention and their advantages will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensional proportions of individual elements in the drawings do not always correspond to actual dimensional proportions, as some shapes are simplified and others are enlarged for better illustration compared to other elements.

[0078] Figure 1A and Figure 1B Each schematic side view shows a partial fragment of an embodiment of the conveying device of the present invention, which is used and correspondingly designed to transport goods on a carrier surface moving in the conveying direction.

[0079] Figure 2A Shown in schematic perspective view Figure 1A and Figure 1B The diagram shows a section of a conveying device, which has two parallel sections arranged side by side to form a dual-track cargo conveying unit.

[0080] Figure 2B Shown in the schematic front view Figure 2A The conveying device shown.

[0081] Figure 3A and Figure 3B More details of the conveyor are shown in schematic and perspective views.

[0082] The same reference numerals are generally used for the same elements or elements having the same function in the following description of the drawings. Furthermore, for clarity, in some cases, only the reference numerals necessary for describing the respective drawings are used in the various figures. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples of how the conveying device or method of the present invention can be designed, and are not conclusive limitations. Moreover, the features described below should not be construed as closely related to other features of the corresponding embodiments in each case, but can be provided or used in a general manner in each case for this purpose.

[0083] Figure 1A and Figure 1B The schematic side views each show partial fragments of an embodiment of the conveying device 10 of the present invention, which is used and correspondingly designed to transport the cargo 12 on a bearing surface 16 moving toward the conveying direction 14. Figure 1A This illustrates some of the key components of the conveying device 10 of the present invention and their combined function, while Figure 1B Some details of these components can be seen through an exemplary structural technical solution.

[0084] exist Figure 1A and Figure 1B All sections of the conveying device 10 shown are identical. That is, in Figure 1A and Figure 1B The conveying direction 14 from left to right can be seen on the bearing surface 16, which has individual items 12 being transported on it. This flat bearing surface 16, which in the illustrated embodiment has a horizontal orientation, is provided by a traction segment 18 of an infinitely circulating traction device 20, which may be, for example, a pad chain 22 constituting a horizontal conveying device 24 of the conveying device 10, an elastic conveyor belt, a metal chain link belt coated with rubber at the bearing surface 16, or a circulating conveyor belt of other designs.

[0085] This conveying device 10, as it is in Figure 1A and Figure 1B As shown in the partial fragments and with the aid of other accompanying figures Figure 2A , Figure 2B , Figure 3A and Figure 3B As described in other design details, numerous points in the packaging system are available where packages 12 need to be transported in large quantities along a defined transport direction 14, for example, from one system module to another system module subsequently arranged downstream. This is typically achieved using so-called horizontal conveyor systems 24, which transport packages 12 in the horizontal transport direction 14 on the bearing surface 16 of the upper traction section 18 of an infinitely circulating traction device 20, which is constructed, for example, by the aforementioned pad chain 22, after which the packages are transferred to subsequent system modules or other conveying and / or handling equipment (not shown here).

[0086] Several steering components ensure that the traction device 20 can cycle indefinitely, so that the unloaded section 26 of the traction device 20, which runs backward against the conveying direction 14, is located below the bearing surface 16. The running direction of the unloaded section 26, which is opposite to the conveying direction 14, is... Figure 1A and Figure 1B Each direction is indicated by a small directional arrow at the unloaded section 26. As will be explained below, the conveying direction 14 can also be selectively reversed without impairing the function of the tensioning device, which will also be described below.

[0087] The first steering section 28, located on the right front side of the bearing surface 16, may be, for example, composed of rollers or wheels, or several rollers or wheels each having a suitable diameter, wherein the axis of rotation of the rotatably supported rollers or wheels, i.e., the rollers or wheels of the first steering section 28, is horizontal and transversely arranged with respect to the conveying direction 14. The bearing surface 16 ends at this first steering section 28 located on the front side, because the traction device 20 descends there below the plane of the bearing surface formed by the traction section 18.

[0088] Below the traction section 18 of the traction device 20, which provides the bearing surface 16, a sliding element 30 for supporting the traction section 18 may also be provided, or a bearing platform may be selectively provided (see also). Figure 2AThey preferably provide a sliding surface, on the upper side of which the lower side of the traction device 20 or pad chain 22 can slide with the lowest possible resistance.

[0089] Since the pad chain 22, metal chain link belt, or other conveyor belt that constitutes the traction device 20 will inevitably stretch at least slightly, and in some cases even significantly, after a long period of operation, the sag in the unloaded section 26 can gradually increase. This can be compensated for by manually retightening the traction device 20 or the pad chain 22. If manual tensioning of the traction device 20 or the pad chain 22 is not desired, this stretching and wear can also be selectively compensated for by appropriate tensioning elements, such as spring-loaded chain tensioners or hydraulically operated chain tensioners.

[0090] However, for the conveying device 10 of the present invention shown herein (which is designed here as a horizontal conveying device 24), a tensioning device 32 for adjusting the sag of the unloaded section 26 of the traction device 20, for example composed of a pad chain 22, is provided. This tensioning device has a suspension portion 34 with a defined adjustment path 36, wherein the suspension portion 34 includes a tensioning unit 38 supported in a manner movable along the adjustment path 36, the tensioning unit having a contact element 40. The contact element 40, which contacts the unloaded section 26 and tensions it in a manner that compensates for sag, is, for example, a roller or drum 42 rotatably supported at the tensioning unit 38, having a rotation axis located below the bearing surface 16 and aligned horizontally and laterally with the conveying direction 14.

[0091] The tensioning device 32 ensures pretensioning of the unloaded section 26 under the weight 44 of the movable support tensioning unit 38, or primarily in conjunction with it. The downward, geocentric force 44 is indicated by a directional arrow located below the unloaded section 26 of the traction device 20, which turns at the roller 42, with its tip pointing downwards. In this regard, it should be noted that the entire movable portion of the tensioning device 32 ensures the required pretensioning of the traction device 20 or the pad chain 22, i.e., the vertically movable tensioning unit 38 together with the contact element 40 supported or suspended there, which, for example, is formed by the rotatably supported roller 42 described above, ensuring the downward turning of the traction device 20 or the pad chain 22.

[0092] In principle, instead of the rotatable support roller 42, other adaptable sliding elements can be designed, particularly those whose contours match the steering angle of the traction device 20 or the pad chain 22. For such sliding elements, there is no need to design a self-rotational motion caused by the traction device 20 wound around them; instead, a curved steering surface with the lowest possible friction is provided for the traction device 20 or the pad chain 22 sliding on them. However, such implementation variations are not shown here.

[0093] Instead of the rotatable support roller 42 designed in the illustrated embodiment, it is preferable that the cylindrical outer contour and surface characteristics of the rotatable support roller 42 constituting the contact element 40 are highly smooth, so that the roller 42 or the rotating contact element 40 is designed or made possible not to engage with the links of the pad chain 22 in a form-fitting manner.

[0094] As stated below Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 3A As will be further explained in detail, the preload can be influenced and adjusted in the desired manner by using different counterweights, which can be fixed at the tensioning unit 38. Although the weight of the roller 42 itself is sufficient to ensure a large portion of the gravity 44, the additional counterweights can change this gravity 44 in the desired manner.

[0095] Depending on the presence, quantity, and / or mass of the additional counterweights placed on the tensioning unit 38, the tensioning unit 38 may contribute at least a portion of the total preload for the traction device 20, wherein more than 20%, but preferably more than 50%, comes from the gravity 44 of the tensioning unit 38. More preferably, the portion of the total preload from the gravity 44 of the tensioning unit 38 may exceed 70%.

[0096] Tensioning unit 38 is allocated in Figure 1A The locking mechanism 46, not shown in more detail, ensures that the tensioning unit 38 prevents its return along the adjustment path 36 in the direction opposite to gravity 44. Figure 1A In the illustration, the locking mechanism 46 is represented only by double arrows pointing in opposite directions, with the arrow drawn in solid line (on the right) pointing downwards in a direction parallel to gravity 44. This is intended to indicate that the locking mechanism 46 should not operate in that direction. Therefore, the contact element 40 or roller 42 of the tensioning unit 38 can be pulled downwards without obstruction under the force of gravity 44, and is limited only by the reverse force of the corresponding pre-tensioned unloaded section 26 of the traction device 20 or pad chain 22.

[0097] Conversely, the arrowhead on the left points upwards, in the opposite direction of gravity 44, indicating that the return stroke of the tensioning unit 38 along the adjustment path 36 in the direction opposite to gravity 44 is blocked. The dashed line shape of the arrow is intended to indicate the obstruction in this return stroke direction. However, the invention is designed such that the obstruction can be manually released and removed, which can be meaningful when manually adjusting the tension of the traction device, which is particularly necessary when replacing the traction device 20 or the pad chain 22 with a brand new, unstretched replacement.

[0098] Preferably, the locking mechanism 46, as thus named herein, may be constituted by a suitable stepped locking mechanism 48, as will be further explained later. Figures 1B to 3B As illustrated in more detail and by example, specifically a ratchet mechanism is used, in which a spring-loaded pawl engages with its locking step 54 located on the rack 52, thus preventing any return stroke in the opposite direction to gravity 44. Conversely, the teeth of the locking step 54 of the rack 52 are shaped in such a way that, in traction motion, the pawl can jump from one locking step 54 to another in the direction of gravity 44. However, this prevents return stroke in the opposite direction, i.e., the pawl does not slip out of the space between adjacent locking steps 54 due to the spring force acting on it.

[0099] The rack 52 and a few locking steps 54 can be Figure 1B A more detailed side view shows this, but the spring-loaded pawl is not visible. The remaining components of the conveyor 10, as well as the tensioning device 32 for pre-tensioning, for example, the traction device 20 consisting of a pad chain 22, are shown in... Figure 1B In the above Figure 1A The same applies, so please refer to the previous explanation.

[0100] In this regard, it should also be noted that the fixedly arranged rack 52 preferably does not constitute a component of the tensioning unit 38 itself, and preferably, the locking mechanism 46 is not a component of the tensioning unit 38, but at most a movable part of the locking mechanism 46. That is to say, preferably, only the movable part of the locking mechanism 46 should be considered as a component of the tensioning unit 38.

[0101] The unloaded section 26 can be guided at a distance from the tensioning device 32 via another steering roller of the second steering section 50 so that the traction device 20 exhibits the desired trajectory in the unloaded section 26. The second steering section 50 can also optionally be composed of drive rollers, provided that the first steering section 28 is not intended to be used as a drive unit for the traction device 20. However, since the second steering section 50 provides more space for the drive motor and / or drive transmission, it is more suitable as a drive wheel or drive roller, especially since the first steering section 28 typically has a relatively small diameter to reduce the clearance width with subsequent conveying devices (not shown here).

[0102] The conveying device 10 and its steering parts 28, 40, 50 (these steering parts are for guiding the traction device 20 thereon, which may be specifically constructed of pad chain 22, etc.) in Figure 1A and Figure 1B The advantage of the arrangement shown is that this configuration is equally applicable to the reverse drive and circulation directions of the traction device 20 or the pad chain 22. Even if the pad chain 22, which can constitute the traction device 20, is in the reverse direction... Figure 1A and Figure 1B Movement in the direction of the conveying direction 14 from left to right, as depicted in the figure, is also unrestricted and operates in the same manner with the tensioning device 32 shown in the figure. The locking and stopping mechanisms 46, 48, which will be described in more detail below, ensure that the tension of the traction device or pad chain caused by gravity 44 can be maintained, regardless of its direction of operation.

[0103] from Figure 2A The schematic perspective view shows other components of the conveying device 10 in the embodiment shown here, most of which have already been described above. Figure 1A and Figure 1B This has been described. A portion of the conveying device 10 shown here is also related to... Figure 1A and Figure 1B Same. However Figure 2A The illustration is as follows: Figure 2B Similar to the illustration, the illustration of the cargo 12 being transported on the bearing surface 16 in the conveying direction 14 (from the upper left to the lower right) is omitted.

[0104] from Figure 2A schematic perspective view and Figure 2B A schematic front view (viewed from the opposite direction of the conveying direction 14 towards the conveying device 10 and perpendicular to both the conveying direction and the plane perpendicular to the bearing surface 16) also shows a variant of the conveying device 10 consisting of a horizontal conveying device 24, which has two laterally adjacent and structurally identical partial sections 56 and 58. The two partial sections 56 and 58 together constitute the conveying device 10 or the horizontal conveying device 24 because they are arranged side-by-side with minimal spacing and partially nested within each other. This involves, for example, a first steering section 28 on the coherent front side that spans the entire width of the two partial sections 56 and 58, and, where appropriate, other components of the conveying device 10 that will also be described.

[0105] From the two attached pictures Figure 2A and Figure 2B The small diameter of the first steering portion 28 on the front side is also visible, which is significant for creating the narrowest possible gap in the transition area with another conveying device arranged subsequently in the conveying device 10, but not shown here. However, this small diameter and the first steering portion 28 in... Figure 2A and Figure 2B The configuration shown makes it almost impossible to actively drive the first steering unit, so the drive unit for the traction device 20 is more suitable to be placed at other locations, such as at the second steering unit 50 located in the unloaded section 26.

[0106] To make the components of the tensioning device 32, which will be described later, easier to see, the traction device 20 is omitted in the right-hand section 56 of the conveying device 10, while the traction device is drawn in the left-hand section 58, thus obscuring a portion of the tensioning device 32, particularly in the area below the first steering portion 28 on the front side.

[0107] The terms left-side section 56 and right-side section 58 used here are based on an observer's position above the bearing surface 16 and looking towards the conveying direction 14. From this position, Figure 2A and Figure 2B Although the traction device 20 of the right-side section 56 is not shown in the illustration, due to the inverted observer position, the right-side section 56 is... Figure 2B It is located on the left side of the image in the front view. Figure 2A In the perspective view, the right-side section 56 is also located in the foreground, and therefore appears in the left-side area of ​​the image.

[0108] from Figure 2A and 2B As can be seen, a roller 42 is arranged at the lowest point of the unloaded section 26 of the traction device 20, which is composed of an infinitely circulating pad chain 22. The roller is rotatably supported in a U-shaped cage 60, wherein the base 62 of the cage 60, which is located above the roller 42 occupying the entire width of the pad chain 22, has a generally horizontal longitudinal extension direction, and the legs 64 arranged opposite to each other on the two narrow sides of the base 62 point downward at right angles and each provides a support position for the roller 42 constituting the contact element 40.

[0109] like Figure 2A and Figure 2B As shown, the arrangement of the cage 60 (where the rollers 42 are rotatably supported in a horizontal orientation) refers to the right-side section 56, which constitutes half the total width of the horizontal conveyor 24. This arrangement can optionally extend over the entire width of the conveyor 10 or the horizontal conveyor 24. This arrangement can then be implemented in duplicate, as in the illustrated embodiment, thus enabling the design of two identical suspension sections 34 for the side-by-side contact elements 40.

[0110] On the flat upper side of the horizontally oriented base 62 of the cage frame 60, there is a rack 52 as mentioned above (see Figure 1B These racks are implemented in duplicate and arranged at intervals. Each of the two racks 52, arranged on top of and fixed to the base 62, has a vertical longitudinal extension direction and is therefore parallel to each other. The appropriate spacing between the two racks 52 of each cage in the cage 60 depends on the width of the roller 42 supported within the cage 60, and consequently, on the length of the cage 60. Figure 2BA reasonable arrangement can be seen in the front view, in which the distance between the two racks 52 is approximately equal to half the length of the cage 60, thus obtaining a reasonable positioning of the racks 52 relative to the cage 60.

[0111] Each rack 52 is equipped with a linear guide section, the positioning and principle of which work together with the rack 52 will be explained below and in conjunction with... Figure 3A and 3B Please provide a detailed explanation.

[0112] Each of the two racks 52 in each suspension section 34 has a flat, elongated profile with a rectangular cross-section, wherein the flat sides of each rack 52 are parallel to the long side of the base 62 of the cage 60, while the narrower sides of each rack 52 are transverse to the longitudinal extension direction of the base 62. Each of the two racks 52 has teeth 66 along its two narrow sides, each tooth having the locking step 54 described above, such as... Figure 1B , Figure 2A And especially Figure 2B As shown. These teeth 66, which extend linearly along the narrow sides of the rack 52, provide locking steps 54, into which the pawls 68 described above can each engage.

[0113] Each rack 52 is provided with two pawls 68 located on two narrow vertical sides, where they respectively engage with teeth 66. For this purpose, each pawl 68 is pivotally supported so that the acute-angled locking lugs 70 can engage at least partially in a form-fitting manner with each locking step in the locking step 54. The two pawls 68 (which are assigned to a rack 52 and arranged on both sides of the corresponding teeth 66 and pivotally supported therein) can be pulled relative to each other by means of a tension spring 72 in such a way that their facing locking lugs 70 can be pulled into the teeth 66, and can be moved away from there against the tension of the tension spring 72 as the rack 52 descends with the suspension 34 and the contact element 40 under the action of gravity 44.

[0114] To allow the locking lug 70 of each of the two pawls 68 to slide unimpeded from the corresponding teeth 66 on both sides of each rack 52, the tooth surfaces of the teeth 66 are not symmetrical with respect to the corresponding central axis of each tooth, but are designed in a serrated shape such that the upper tooth surfaces are roughly horizontally aligned, while the lower tooth surfaces can have an inclination angle of about 30° to about 60° with respect to the horizontal line. Through the combined action of the matching locking lug 70 of each of the two pawls 68, the suspension 34 can descend with virtually no obstruction under the influence of gravity 44 (see reference). Figure 1A and Figure 1BThe locking lugs 70, which are inclined and abut against the corresponding inclined lower tooth surfaces, can each slide down from the lower tooth surface and are pushed out from the tooth 66 against the return force of the tension spring 72.

[0115] Furthermore, since the lower side of each locking lug 70 is machined into a generally horizontal plane, especially as Figure 2B As clearly visible in the image, the locking lug rests against one of the corresponding horizontally aligned upper tooth surfaces of the tooth 66, and its tip is pulled into the root of the tooth 66 by the tension of the tension spring 72. The corresponding horizontal surfaces on the lower side of the locking lug 70 and the upper side of the corresponding tooth surface provide the necessary locking effect for the upward movement of the suspension 34 against gravity 44, because in this case, there are no face-to-face inclined action surfaces between the locking lug 70 and the tooth surface (which would push the pawl 68 out of the tooth 66), thus keeping the pawl there and effectively preventing any displacement of the rack 52 in the direction against gravity 44.

[0116] Specially from Figure 2A and Figure 2B Two racks 52 and their respective pairs of pawls 68 can be seen, which engage with the teeth 66 located on both sides of the racks 52, thereby achieving the required adjustability of the suspension 34 with contact element 40 in the direction of gravity 44, and also achieving the required locking action in the opposite direction.

[0117] Regarding the conveyor 10 Figure 2A and Figure 2B For some other components shown in the view, please refer to the previous section. Figure 1A and 1B The explanatory paragraph. That is, for example, from... Figure 2A The sliding elements 30, each parallel to the conveying direction 14, can be seen. These sliding elements constitute the sliding bearing surface for the pad chains 22, which can form the traction device 20. Furthermore, from... Figure 2A and Figure 2B The design of the contact elements 40 can also be seen, which are designed here as rotatable rollers 42, the width of which is approximately equal to the width of the pad chain 22 guided thereon. Each of the two section segments 56 and 58 shown has a cage 60 as a suspension part 34 for the rotatable roller 42, wherein the cage 60 and the roller 42 of each of the two parallel section segments 56 and 58 are each the same width.

[0118] In addition, from Figure 2AThe design of the second steering section 50 can be seen in the perspective view. This second steering section is located behind the tensioning device 32 in the extension and circulation direction of the pad chain 22. In this case, the second steering section 50 is also formed by a rotatably supported roller 74, the diameter and width of which can be the same as the diameter and width of the roller 42 constituting the contact element 40 of the tensioning device 32.

[0119] based on Figure 3A and Figure 3B The schematic and perspective detailed views also reveal some additional design details of the embodiment variant of the conveying device 10 shown here. That is, from Figure 3A In the perspective view, several vertically arranged guide rods 76 can be seen, which, together with corresponding notches 78, constitute a linear guide 80 for the suspension portion 34 of the tensioning unit 38, thereby enabling the tensioning unit 38 to move vertically relative to the suspension portion 34 along a restricted adjustment path 36 (see [reference]). Figure 1A and Figure 1B ).

[0120] A hollow cylindrical notch 78 is located in a crossbeam 82, which is fixedly installed and also forms part of the lower structure or frame (not shown) of the conveyor 10. Relative to this crossbeam 82, the cage 60, along with the roller 42 supported thereon, can be lowered vertically to tension the traction device 20 under the force of gravity 44. (As from...) Figure 3A As can be seen, in each of the two parallel tensioning devices 32, the corresponding cage 60 (with a roller 42 rotatably supported thereon) is equipped with two racks 52, and thus the corresponding locking mechanism 48 and locking mechanism 46 (see reference) Figure 1A and Figure 1B The device consists of two racks 52, each with its own pawl 68. Furthermore, each rack 52 has a guide rod 76 located adjacent to it, thus providing a total of four racks 52 and four guide rods 76 for the two parallel tensioning devices 32.

[0121] Rack 52 is positioned at the vertical front side 84 of crossbeam 82 and is at least slightly spaced from crossbeam 82, while cylindrical guide rods 76 slide within hollow cylindrical notches 78 of corresponding dimensions within crossbeam 82. Pawls 68 are pivotally supported at the front side 84 of crossbeam 82 such that locking lugs 70 of these pawls can each engage with their respective teeth 66 at opposite long sides of rack 52. Therefore, tension springs 72 (each pulling the opposing pairs of pawls 68 into the teeth 66 of one rack 52) are located on the front flat side of the respective rack 52 facing away from crossbeam 82.

[0122] from Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 3A Another configuration option for the tensioning device 32 can be seen, which involves the possibility of altering the gravity 44 acting on the tensioning unit 38 by optionally using additional counterweights 86. Whether these additional counterweights 86 are used or their size design allows for variation in the tension force acting on the traction device 20 within a certain range.

[0123] These additional counterweights 86, in the illustrated embodiment, are composed of flat counterweight plates 88 whose external dimensions roughly correspond to the available space below the base 62 of each of the two cage frames 60 (with rollers 42 rotatably supported there), so that at least one such counterweight plate 88 can be selectively installed there, provided that the counterweight plate proves necessary or suitable when acting in conjunction with the weight of the corresponding cage frame 60, the weight of the rack 52 and guide rod 76 located above it, and the weight of the rollers 42 rotatably supported within the cage frame 60.

[0124] As from Figure 2A , 2B As can be seen in 3A, so many flat counterweight plates 88 can be installed below each base 62 of the two cage frames 60 as additional counterweights 86 acting together, that their number is comparable to the space between the underside of the base 62 and the corresponding roller 42. In the illustrated embodiment, two overlapping counterweight plates 88 are arranged in each of the two section sections 56 and 58 (i.e., in each of the two cage frames 60), and in these section sections, rollers 42 are arranged below the additional counterweights 86 respectively.

[0125] Besides using counterweight plate 88 as an additional counterweight 86, there is another possibility of selecting a suitable contact element 40 to influence the tension acting on the corresponding traction device 20, for example, by using rollers 42 of different materials, or by using a solid material instead of a hollow roller 42 to increase the effective weight 44. When selecting different materials for rollers 42, density plays a particularly important role, so a hollow roller made of, for example, aluminum alloy is much lighter than a brass roller made of a solid material.

[0126] Another configuration option can be best referenced. Figure 2BThe front view is used for illustration because it can be seen from the diagram that the teeth 66 arranged on both sides of each rack 52 are staggered in the longitudinal direction such that the left and right sides are staggered by half a tooth pitch. This achieves a more precise locking position because in each locking step 54, when, for example, the locking lug 70 of one of the two pawls 68 falls into the tooth root and produces the aforementioned locking effect (which is for the return stroke of the tensioning unit 38 in the direction opposite to gravity 44), the locking lug 70 of the other pawl 68 is simultaneously located between the two adjacent teeth, so that the tooth 66 can still move upwards by half a tooth pitch relative to the locking lug 70.

[0127] After a period of operation, as the pad chain 22 constituting the traction device 20 gradually elongates, once gravity 44 ensures that the tensioning unit 38 moves further down within its adjustment path 36, the pawl 68 (whose locking lug 70 is initially located between two adjacent teeth of the tooth portion 66) moves, for example, half the distance between two adjacent teeth, so that the locking lug 70 engages with the root of the tooth between the adjacent teeth, while the locking lug 70 of the other pawl 68 is pushed out of the root of the tooth and is repositioned between two adjacent teeth on the side with the misaligned tooth portion 66.

[0128] Figure 2B The front view shows a situation where the right-side section 56 of the conveyor 10 (in) Figure 2B In the area on the left, at the two spaced-apart racks 52, the locking lugs 70 of the two pawls 68 on the right are each embedded in the root of the tooth between two adjacent teeth of the tooth portion 66; while the two pawls 68 on the left cannot be fully embedded in the root of the tooth at each of the two racks 52 because their locking lugs 70 are each located at half the height of the tooth step or locking step 54.

[0129] at last, Figure 3A and Figure 3B The schematic perspective view shows a simple variant of the release mechanism, whose operation will be specifically shown through... Figure 3B The perspective details are illustrated below. In principle, each pawl 68 can rotate out of the teeth 66 of the corresponding rack 52 by overcoming the tension of its respective spring 72, specifically by pressing the flip lever 90, which extends on the side opposite the locking lug 70 of each pawl 68 and is located above the corresponding tooth 66. The pivotable support of each pawl 68 at the bearing journal 92 (anchored to the crossbeam 82) makes such pivoting possible by manually operating the flip lever 90.

[0130] However, since it is meaningful that such manipulation is prohibited during the normal operation of the conveyor 10, and since the loosening of the preload for the traction device 20 is basically only applicable to the replacement of worn and / or overstretched pad chains 22, the illustrated embodiment is designed with a release mechanism that is blocked during normal operation, which is basically constituted by the mechanical obstruction of the movement of the flipping rod.

[0131] For this purpose, a stop pin 94 is provided below each flip lever 90 of each pawl in the pawl 68, which restricts the pivoting path of the corresponding flip lever 90 so that the flip lever can only perform a small pivoting angle when the locking lug 70 passes over the tooth 66 and when each locking lug 70 engages and slides out of a single tooth or locking step 54 of the tooth 66. Larger pivoting angles are prevented by the stop pins 94 (the undersides of the flip levers 90 abut against these stop pins).

[0132] The simultaneous release of all pawls 68 is made possible by removing the stop pins 94 anchored at the common support shaft 96 from their direct engagement with the flip lever 90 by slightly twisting the support shaft 96 about its longitudinal axis, thereby causing all stop pins 94 to sink below the flip lever 90 of the pawls 68. Figure 3B The detailed view shows the support shaft 96, which is arranged at approximately the height of the bearing journal 92, with its longitudinal extension and axis of rotation parallel to the beam 82. This support shaft makes it possible for all the stop pins 94 fixed thereto to pivot simultaneously when the support shaft 96 is torn.

[0133] The direction of the twist of the support shaft 96 about its longitudinal central axis is Figure 3B The curved arrows indicate this. A slight twist of a few degrees along the direction of the arrow causes the stop pin 94, which extends vertically from the support shaft 96 and restricts the movement of the flip lever in the locked position, to pivot and sink below the flip lever 90 in the direction of the arrows depicted in the figure.

[0134] Selectively, suitable sensors 98 are installed at appropriate points on the tensioning device 32. These sensors can be used for end-position identification, thereby enabling the acquisition of chain or traction device elongation during operation. Such sensors 98 are only used in… Figure 2A The schematic representation is shown in the figure, while the schematic illustration of such sensor 98 and the illustration of sensor signal 100 processing are omitted in other figures.

[0135] By using such a sensor 98, upon reaching the acquired end position, it can be identified that the limit of an acceptable chain or traction device elongation has been reached. This end position identification can be advantageously associated with the output of a wear alarm, for example, by transmitting the sensor signal 100 to a control unit 102, where the sensor signal 100 is processed and forwarded to other control components and / or visual / auditory output devices, which enable personnel responsible for system monitoring to obtain the necessary information to take appropriate maintenance or replacement measures.

[0136] However, it is meaningful that the sensor value 100 can also be continuously acquired and processed, as this provides continuous information about the vertical travel of the tensioning device 32. Since the vertical travel, or Z-travel, is proportional to the chain elongation, the current chain elongation of the pad chain 22 constituting the traction device 20 can be determined from the sensor value 100 in the control unit 102, and thereby its degree of wear can be determined.

[0137] This method of directly, continuously, and automatically acquiring chain elongation by continuously monitoring the downward deflection of the tensioning unit 38 with gravity 44 through sensors enables state-guided and predictive maintenance of the cyclic traction device 20. This maintenance allows each system operator to better plan its routine maintenance procedures, ensuring that high-cost wear components, namely the pad chain 22 and its associated steering wheel and sprocket, are neither replaced prematurely nor too late.

[0138] The multi-track design of the conveyor 10 in the embodiment shown here, combined with the tensioning device 32 designed according to the invention, in principle allows the two traction devices 20 or pad chains 22 of the right-side section 56 and the left-side section 58 to elongate to unequal degrees. This is because, although the left and right sections 58 and 56 have the same structure and dimensional design, their tensioning devices 32 can still be lowered to different degrees. Certain unavoidable material tolerances and other uncontrollable factors in operation can cause the elongation and wear phenomena occurring in the two parallel sections 56 and 58 to exhibit different manifestations.

[0139] The aforementioned suitable sensor 98 can not only selectively identify the end position of the tensioning device 32, but also preferably identify the different descent paths within the corresponding adjustment path 36 of each of the two sections 56 and 58. Therefore, the different sensor signals 100 of at least two sensors 98 assigned to sections 56 and 58 can be used for automatic compensation adjustment of the two traction devices or pad chain drives, thereby ensuring the synchronous operation of the traction devices 20 or pad chains 22 of the two sections 56 and 58 at all times.

[0140] Therefore, the control unit 102 may preferably provide a suitable control signal 104 to the drive motor (not shown here) for driving the traction device 20 in each case, so as to ensure precise synchronization of the parallel sections 56 and 58 even when the corresponding tensioning units 38 of the tensioning device 32 are in different vertical positions.

[0141] The description of the optional use of sensor 98 and the optional processing and utilization of its sensor signal 100 by means of control unit 102 (from which control unit can, when appropriate, generate control signals 104 suitable for the drive of the various partial sections 56 and 58 of the conveying device 10) is only applicable to Figure 2A The text is presented in an illustrative manner.

[0142] List of reference numerals

[0143] 10 Conveying device

[0144] 12 items

[0145] 14 Conveying direction

[0146] 16 Bearing surface

[0147] 18 Traction Section

[0148] 20 Traction Device

[0149] 22 Washer Chains

[0150] 24 Horizontal Conveying Equipment

[0151] 26 Unloaded Section

[0152] 28 First steering section

[0153] 30 Sliding element

[0154] 32 tensioning devices

[0155] 34 Suspension section

[0156] 36 Adjustment Path

[0157] 38 tensioning units

[0158] 40 Contact elements

[0159] 42 rollers

[0160] 44 Gravity

[0161] 46 Locking mechanism

[0162] 48 Locking mechanism

[0163] 50 Second Steering Section

[0164] 52 rack

[0165] 54 Locking Steps

[0166] 56. Right side section

[0167] 58. Left side section

[0168] 60 cages

[0169] 62 bases

[0170] 64 legs

[0171] 66 teeth

[0172] 68. Razor Claw

[0173] 70 Locking lug

[0174] 72 Tension Spring

[0175] 74 rollers

[0176] 76 guide rods

[0177] 78 gap

[0178] 80 Linear Guide Section

[0179] 82 crossbeams

[0180] 84 Front

[0181] 86 Additional counterweights

[0182] 88 plate, counterweight plate

[0183] 90° Flip Rod

[0184] 92 bearing journal

[0185] 94 Stop pin

[0186] 96 Support shaft

[0187] 98 sensors

[0188] 100 Sensor Signals

[0189] 102 Control Unit

[0190] 104 Control Signals

Claims

1. A conveying device (10) for conveying a piece of goods on a bearing surface (16) moving in a conveying direction (14), the bearing surface being provided by a traction section (18) of at least one infinitely circulating traction device (20), the at least one traction device (20) having an unloaded section (26) running in the opposite direction to the conveying direction (14) and backward in the direction below the bearing surface (16), the unloaded section having a tensioning device (32) disposed therethere and adjusting the sag of the unloaded section (26), the tensioning device (32) comprising a suspension portion (34) and a tensioning unit (38) allocated to the suspension portion (34) and supported in a manner movable along an adjustment path (36), the tensioning unit having a contact element (40) contacting the unloaded section (26), wherein the unloaded section (26) is pre-tensioned under the weight (44) of the rotatably supported tensioning unit (38), wherein, For the pretension, more than 20% of the force comes from the gravity (44) of the tensioning unit (38), and the tensioning unit (38) is provided with a locking mechanism (46) for releasably preventing the tensioning unit (38) from returning along the adjustment path (36) in the direction opposite to at least one component of the gravity (44).

2. The conveying device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, For the pre-tensioning, more than 50% of the force comes from the gravity (44) of the tensioning unit (38).

3. The conveying device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, For the pre-tensioning, more than 70% of the force comes from the gravity (44) of the tensioning unit (38).

4. The conveying device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adjustment path (36) through which the tensioning unit (38) can move is approximately parallel to the direction of the gravity (44).

5. The conveying device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The contact element (40) has a sliding surface in the region of the unloaded section (26) for slidingly guiding the traction device (20).

6. The conveying device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The contact element (40) is composed of a rotating element that is rotatably supported in the area of ​​the tensioning unit (38), and the unloaded section (26) of the traction device (20) is guided in a rolling manner on the rotating element.

7. The conveying device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The tensioning effect of the tensioning device (32) can be affected by changing the weight of the tensioning unit (38) and / or the contact element (40).

8. The conveying device (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The tensioning effect of the tensioning device (32) can be changed by installing an additional counterweight (86) at the tensioning unit (38).

9. The conveying device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The locking mechanism (46) includes a locking mechanism (48) that allows travel along the adjustment path (36) in the direction of gravity (44) and blocks return travel in the opposite direction of gravity (44).

10. The conveying device (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that, The locking mechanism (48) includes at least one pawl (68) that interacts with and engages with the teeth (66) of the rack (52) in a locking manner, wherein intermittent locking strokes along the adjustment path (36) in the direction of gravity (44) are possible, while return strokes in the opposite direction of gravity (44) are blocked.

11. The conveying device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The vertical travel of the contact element (40) from the initial zero point is continuously measured by means of a suitable sensor system due to the chain elongation.

12. A method for conveying a piece of cargo (12) on a bearing surface (16) moving in the conveying direction (14) in a transport plane, characterized by the following steps: -Return the bearing surface (16) below the transport plane. - Using a contact element (40) and selectively using additional components connected to the contact element (40), a counterweight is applied to the returned bearing surface (16) and thereby tensions it. -At least 20% of the tension force applied by the contact element (40) on the bearing surface (16) is constituted by gravity (44). - Engage or otherwise secure the contact element (40) or another component connected to the contact element (40) along the guide portion.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The tension force applied by the contact element (40) to the returning bearing surface (16) is essentially based solely on the effect of gravity (44).

14. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The return stroke of the contact element (40) is blocked in the direction opposite to the direction of the gravity (40).

15. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The return stroke of the contact element (40) is blocked in the direction opposite to the direction of the gravity (40).

16. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The tension direction of the returned bearing surface (16) is approximately parallel to the direction of the gravity (44).

17. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that, The returned bearing surface (16) is guided in a sliding manner on the sliding surface of the contact element (40).

18. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that, The returned bearing surface (16) is guided in a rolling manner on the rotating element constituting the contact element (40).

19. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that, The tension force acting on the returning bearing surface (16) can be changed by altering the weight of the tensioning assembly and / or by using additional counterweights (86).

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