Roller curve for chain conveyors with separate roller carriers

Abstract

Curve (10) for a conveying device with a conveyor chain, wherein the conveyor chain has a plurality of mutually identical, pivotable chain links (80) which are provided with a carrying means (82) for conveyed material, wherein the curve (10) has a curve carrier (20) which is provided with at least one inner (11) and one outer sliding surface (13) which are curved and run parallel to each other, wherein the inner and outer sliding surfaces (11;13) are designed for the sliding support of the chain links (80), wherein a series of rotatable rollers (72) is provided along the inner sliding surface, so that the rollers (72) can support the chain links (80) on their curve-inside side, wherein several separate roller carriers (50) are provided on which the rollers (72) are rotatably mounted, wherein the roller carriers (50) are arranged along the inner sliding surface (11) and are attached to the curve carrier (20), characterized in that the curve carrier (20) comprises an inner (21) and an outer elongated curve profile (22), each having a substantially constant cross-sectional shape, wherein the inner sliding surface (11) is arranged on the inner curve profile (21) and the outer sliding surface (13) is arranged on the outer curve profile (22), wherein the roller carriers (50) are located between the inner and the outer curve profile (21;22) are arranged, wherein the roller carriers (50) are provided with a plurality of rotatable rollers (72) whose axis of rotation is perpendicular to the inner or outer sliding surface (11; 13), wherein the curve carrier (20) comprises several separate cross connectors (30) which firmly connect the inner and outer curve profiles (21; 22) to each other, wherein the roller carriers (50) are held by two adjacent cross connectors (30).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a curve for a conveyor device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] From EP 1 054 825 B1 a curve for a conveyor device is known. According to the Fig. According to EP 1 054 825 B1, the curve comprises a conveyor chain that is movably guided by a curve carrier. The conveyor chain consists of a plurality of identical chain links 16 that are pivotally connected to one another at joints 11. The chain links are provided with a driving means in the form of a flat plate that can frictionally engage the conveyed material. Instead of the flat plate, drivers, slats, or brushes that protrude perpendicularly from the chain link are also known. The curve carrier is formed in one piece from an extruded aluminum profile. Accordingly, it has a constant cross-sectional profile. The curve carrier, which is straight after extrusion, is bent into a shape corresponding to the curve in a separate bending process.

[0003] The curved support has an inner and an outer sliding surface that run in a single plane, curved and arranged parallel to each other. The chain links rest on these sliding surfaces with their flat plates. Along the inner sliding surface, a series of rotating rollers is provided, whose axes of rotation are aligned perpendicular to the sliding surfaces. The chain links are pushed against the rollers by the chain tension, so that their inner side of the curve is supported on the rollers with low friction.

[0004] A disadvantage of the known curve is the complex installation of the rollers into the curve support. The objective of the present invention is to provide a curve that can be manufactured more easily. This involves using as many identical assemblies as possible for different curve radii and angles, and their final assembly into the finished curve requires only a short amount of time.

[0005] According to the independent claim, this problem is solved by providing several separate roller supports on which the rollers are rotatably mounted, wherein the roller supports are arranged along the inner sliding surface and fastened to the curve support. The separate roller supports with the rotatable rollers can be designed identically for different curve angles and curve radii. The curve angle can be varied by the number of roller supports. Since the individual roller supports are short and the curve radius is large, one and the same roller support can be used for different curve radii. The resulting errors regarding the positional deviation of the rollers from the ideal position are easily compensated for by the pivotally connected chain links.

[0006] The roller supports with the rotating rollers can be pre-assembled and stored at a reasonable cost. In the case of a customer order for a specific curve with a certain radius and a certain curve angle, the pre-assembled parts can be assembled quickly and with little effort to create the finished curve.

[0007] Advantageous further developments and improvements of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0008] At least some of the roller supports, preferably all of the roller supports, including the associated rotating rollers, can be designed identically. The roller supports and rollers can thus be mass-produced cost-effectively. Since only one or a few roller support variants are required, they can be stocked with minimal effort.

[0009] The curve support can comprise an inner and an outer elongated curve profile, each having a substantially constant cross-sectional shape, wherein the inner sliding surface is arranged on the inner curve profile and the outer sliding surface on the outer curve profile, with the roller supports arranged between the inner and outer curve profiles. The inner and outer curve profiles can be designed with the same cross-sectional shape for all curve radii. Furthermore, identical curve profiles can also be used for different widths of the curve support or conveyor chains. The curve profiles are preferably made from aluminum using an extrusion process and are therefore straight in their raw state. The curve profiles are only bent to the desired curve radius once a customer order for a curve with specific dimensions has been received, thus keeping inventory costs low.The proposed curve profiles can be bent with low bending forces due to their narrow width. There is sufficient clearance between the curve profiles to accommodate the roller supports.

[0010] The curved support can comprise several separate cross connectors that firmly connect the inner and outer curved profiles, with the roller supports being held by two adjacent cross connectors. Curved supports of different widths can be manufactured from identical curved profiles, whereby only cross connectors of different lengths are used. The roller supports for all different widths of the curved support are preferably identical. The width of the roller supports must therefore be aligned with the narrowest curved support. With wider curved supports, there is consequently a gap between the roller supports and the curved profiles. However, this is not a problem if the roller supports are attached to the cross connectors.

[0011] The roller supports can have two pins pointing towards the cross-connectors, wherein the pins of two adjacent roller supports assigned to a cross-connector engage next to one another in the cross-connector transversely to their direction of extension. The pins are preferably arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the center of the roller support. The corresponding cross-connectors are manufactured, for example, from aluminum using an extrusion process, so that they can be provided with pin recesses with little effort. The pin recesses are adapted to the aforementioned pins, so that the roller supports are held by the cross-connectors essentially free of play. Due to the proposed arrangement of the pins, the pin recesses can be arranged next to one another on the cross-connector, so that the cross-connector has a small width.Consequently, the distance between two roller supports and thus the area in which no rotating rollers can be arranged is small.

[0012] At least one separate sliding profile made of plastic can be provided, on which a central sliding surface is provided, wherein the sliding profile extends over several roller supports and is fastened to these. With particularly wide chain links, the support provided by the inner and outer sliding surfaces is not sufficient to prevent the chain links, in particular the drive means in the form of a flat plate, from sagging. It is therefore necessary to additionally support the chain links in the middle. A corresponding central sliding surface can be formed particularly cost-effectively on the proposed sliding profile. The sliding profile is made of plastic so that the frictional forces between the central sliding surface and the chain link are low. It is preferably manufactured using an extrusion process to keep manufacturing costs low.The sliding profile extends across several roller supports, allowing the center sliding surface to be seamless. The center sliding surface therefore has no steps or gaps where the chain links could get caught.

[0013] The inner and outer sliding surfaces can each be provided with a separate sliding profile, which is designed identically to the sliding profile of the middle sliding surface. The inner and outer sliding surfaces are therefore also made of plastic, which also ensures low frictional forces between the chain links and the sliding surface. The corresponding sliding profiles are designed identically to the middle sliding profile to minimize the variety of parts in the curve, thus also reducing inventory costs for the individual parts.

[0014] The rollers can be designed as radial deep groove ball bearings. In particular, the outer ring of these ball bearings is designed to run directly on the chain links, which are preferably made of plastic. Such rollers exhibit particularly low frictional resistance and are very durable. They are also cost-effective. The steel-on-plastic rolling pair is also less susceptible to wear.

[0015] Two rows of rollers can be provided, arranged opposite one another on the curved support, with each pair of opposing rollers being carried by a common axle, the axle being held by the roller supports. The conveyor chain is usually endless, with a section of the conveyor chain guided on both the top and the opposite bottom side of the curved support, so that it can rotate endlessly. Accordingly, the rotating rollers are also provided on the underside of the curved support. A particularly cost-effective way of attaching the rollers is to attach them in pairs on a common axle, as suggested.

[0016] The roller supports can be designed in the form of a cast part, preferably as a plastic injection-molded part, an aluminum die-cast part, or a zinc die-cast part. Complex-shaped parts can be manufactured cost-effectively and with near-net-shape precision using the casting process. However, this requires the production of a large number of identical parts, as is the case with the roller supports according to the invention. Only the use of several separate, identical roller supports results in the necessary high volume required for cost-effective production using the casting process. The preferred manufacturing processes allow the production of roller supports that can be used essentially without further post-processing.

[0017] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It shows: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a curve according to the invention; Fig. 2 an exploded view of a part of the curve according to Fig. 1; Fig. 3 an exploded view of a chain link of the conveyor chain; Fig. 4 a partial cross-section of the curve, the cutting plane passing through the pin of a chain link; and Fig. 5 a perspective view of the roller carrier.

[0018] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a curve 10 according to the invention. The curve 10 comprises a curve support 20, which consists of an inner curve profile 21, an outer curve profile 22, and a plurality of cross connectors 30. The inner and outer curve profiles 21; 22 are each made of aluminum using an extrusion process, so that they have a constant cross-sectional shape over their entire length. After extrusion, the inner and outer curve profiles 21; 22 were bent into a circle to achieve the desired curve profile. The aforementioned curve profiles 21; 22 are firmly connected to one another by a total of seven cross connectors 30, wherein the cross connectors 30 are arranged at an angular spacing of 15°. The present curve therefore has a curve angle of 90°. A roller support 50 with rotatable rollers 72 is fastened between each two adjacent cross connectors 30, wherein all roller supports 50 are identically designed.

[0019] Three sliding profiles are provided on the curve support, forming an inner 11, a middle 12, and an outer sliding surface 13. These sliding profiles have an identical, constant cross-sectional shape and are extruded from plastic. The sliding profile with the inner, flat sliding surface 11 is snapped onto the inner curve profile 21. The sliding profile with the flat outer sliding surface 13 is snapped onto the outer curve profile 22, with the inner and outer sliding surfaces 11; 13 being in one plane. The sliding profile with the flat middle sliding surface 12 is snapped onto the roller supports 50, extending over all six roller supports 50 of the present curve 10.

[0020] The chain links 80 of the conveyor chain slide on the sliding surfaces 11; 12; 13, which are curved and parallel to each other. Fig. For the sake of clarity, only a single chain link 80 is shown in Figure 1, although the conveyor chain comprises a plurality of identical chain links 80 that are pivotally connected to one another. The roller supports 50 are provided with a plurality of rotatable rollers 72, the rotational axes of which run perpendicular to the inner and outer sliding surfaces 11; 13, respectively. The rollers 72 bear against the inner side of the chain links 80 and support them against the chain tensile force, allowing the conveyor chain to run through the curve 10 with low friction.

[0021] At each end of the inner and outer curve profiles 21; 22, a separate, plate-like connecting rod 26 is provided, which engages in a matching recess on the associated curve profile 21; 22. Using the connecting rods 26, the curve profiles can be connected to straight profiles (not shown) to continue the conveyor line in a straight line. The straight profiles have the same cross-sectional shape as the associated curve profiles 21; 22.

[0022] The cam carrier 20 with the roller carriers 50 is designed essentially mirror-symmetrically with respect to a plane that runs parallel to the inner or outer sliding surface 11; 13 centrally through the cam carrier.

[0023] Fig. 2 shows an exploded view of a part of the curve 10 according to Fig. 1. The cross connectors 30, which are identical to one another, each comprise a base part 31 and two clamping parts 33, which are connected to the base part 31 via screw bolts 34. The base part 31 is made of aluminum using an extrusion process, so that it has a constant cross-sectional shape. The base part 31 is formed by a short section of the long tubular profile. The clamping parts 33 can be manufactured in the same way.

[0024] A dovetail-shaped extension 24 is provided on each of the inner and outer curved profiles 21; 22, which is engaged behind by the base part 31 with an associated clamping part 33. This assembly is clamped with the screw bolts 34 so that the cross connector 30 is firmly connected to the associated curved profiles 21; 22. The base part 31 is elongated overall, extending radially with respect to the center of the curve. It comprises two rectangular pin recesses 32 in the form of openings, which are arranged next to one another. The pin recesses 32 are adapted to the pins 60 of the roller supports 50 essentially without play. The pins 60 at the opposite ends of the roller support 50 are arranged such that they each engage in a different pin recess 32 of the cross connector 30, so that all roller supports 50 can be designed identically.The pins 60 extend essentially over the entire width of the associated cross connector 80 and are double-T-shaped when viewed in cross section.

[0025] The roller carrier 50 is formed as a single piece, being manufactured, for example, from aluminum using a die-casting process. The roller carrier 50 is designed so that it does not require any further machining after the casting process. For example, four parallel axle bores 58 are arranged at a constant distance in the roller carrier 50, with the axle bores 58 being aligned perpendicular to the inner 11 and outer sliding surfaces 13. The axle bores 58 are arranged on a circular arc that follows the curve. A circular cylindrical steel axle 70 is accommodated in each axle bore and projects beyond the roller carrier 50 at both ends. In the center of the axle 70 there is a circumferential locking groove 71 that engages a matching locking projection in the axle bore 58 so that the position of the axle 70 on the roller carrier 50 is positively secured.A radial deep groove ball bearing is pressed onto each of the two projecting ends of the axles, forming a roller 72 on which the conveyor chain is supported on its inner curve side. The outer ring of the ball bearing 72 runs directly on the plastic chain links. However, to reduce noise, the outer ring can also be provided with a plastic rolling surface that rolls on the chain links. The ball bearing 72 is preferably sealed and grease-lubricated.

[0026] Fig. Figure 3 shows an exploded view of a chain link 80 of the conveyor chain. The chain link 80 comprises a base body 90, a carrier element 82, and a pin 81. The carrier element 82 is designed in the form of a flat plate on which the conveyed material rests and can be frictionally engaged. The separate flat plate is locked to the base body 90 of the chain link via locking hooks 85 projecting vertically from it.

[0027] The one-piece base body 90 comprises two parallel fork arms 91 and a joint section 94. The joint section 95 of an adjacent identical chain link is received between the fork arms 91. The circular-cylindrical steel pin 81 is held by L-shaped pin recesses 92 and penetrates the pin opening 95 in the joint section 94 of the adjacent chain link. The pin opening 95 has a narrowest cross-section in the center, which widens towards the edge, allowing the pin to pivot in the pin opening 95, allowing two adjacent chain links 80 to pivot relative to each other with respect to two axes of rotation.

[0028] The L-shaped bolt recesses 92 are closed by the separate flat plate 82 when it is locked to the base body 90. An L-shaped guide tab 84 is provided on each of the two edges of the flat plate 82, which, together with the flat plate 82, engages around an associated sliding profile on the cam support. The underside 83 of the flat plate 82 rests on the sliding surface of the associated sliding profile.

[0029] Also noteworthy is the roller support surface 93 on the outside of the fork arms 91. The roller support surface 93 is formed substantially perpendicular to the flat plate 82, whereby, according to EP 1 054 825 B1, it can have a concave curvature adapted to the curve radius. The rollers (No. 30; Fig. 1) with their cylindrical outer rings. Since the bolt recesses 92 do not penetrate the fork arms 91, they do not interfere with the rollers' movement.

[0030] Fig. 4 shows a partial cross-section of the curve, with the cutting plane running through the pin 81 of a chain link 80. The cross-sectional profile of the sliding profiles 40 with the outer 13 and the middle sliding surface 12 can be seen. The cross-sectional shape of the sliding profiles is designed to fill the free space between the L-shaped guide plate 84 and the flat plate 82 of the chain link 80 with minimal play, so that the chain link 80 is guided exclusively by the plastic sliding profiles 40. The cross-sectional shape of the sliding profiles 40 is essentially S-shaped for this purpose, with all legs of the S-shape being straight and running either horizontally or vertically. A first leg 41 with a locking lug 44 forms the flat outer sliding surface 13 on its outer side, while on its inner side it rests on a horizontal web 23 of the outer curve profile 22.The parallel, opposite second leg 42 of the sliding profile 50 rests on the other side of the horizontal web 23, with the locking lug 44 engaging a bevel on the horizontal web 23. Thus, the sliding profile 40 is held positively and without play on the outer curved profile 22.

[0031] The central sliding surface 12 is provided on a third leg 43 of the sliding profile 40, which connects the first leg 41 to the second leg 42. The central sliding surface 12 supports the chain link 80 in the area of ​​a fork arm 91. The corresponding sliding profile 40 is locked to the various roller supports of the curve with a vertical web 51. For this purpose, the vertical webs have a locking recess 53 that is adapted to the locking lug 44 of the sliding profile 40.

[0032] The inner sliding surface is mirror-symmetrical to the outer sliding surface 13, so that in this regard reference can be made to the above explanations regarding the outer sliding surface 13.

[0033] Fig.5 shows a perspective view of the roller carrier 50. The roller carrier 50 comprises a first 51 and a second vertical web 52, each designed in the form of a thin plate that is circularly curved according to the curve. The distance between the first and second vertical webs 51; 52 corresponds to the distance between the fork arms of the chain link, so that, if necessary, a sliding profile can be placed on both vertical webs to support the chain links. Furthermore, a total of four essentially cylindrical bearing sections 57 are provided, in the center of which is provided the axle bore 58 for receiving the axle of the rollers. The bearing sections 57 are connected to one another with a stiffening plate 59. Furthermore, several V-shaped struts 54 are provided, which connect the first and second webs 51; 52 and the bearing sections 57 to one another.The two end struts 55 at the opposite ends of the roller support 50 extend at right angles to the first and second vertical webs 51; 52. The end face 56 of the roller support 50 is flat so that it can rest against the cross connectors. The aforementioned pins 60 are arranged in the area of ​​the end struts 55. Viewed in cross section, the pins 60 are double-T-shaped and extend parallel to the first and second vertical webs 51; 52. List of reference symbols 10 Curve 11 inner sliding surface 12 middle sliding surface 13 outer sliding surface 20 curve supports 21 inner curve profile 22 outer curve profile 23 horizontal bridge 24 dovetail-shaped projection 26 Connecting rod 30 cross connectors 31 Base part 32 tenon recess 33 clamping part 34 screw bolts 40 sliding profile 41 first leg 42 second leg 43 third leg 44 locking lug 50 roller carriers 51 first vertical bridge 52 second vertical bridge 53 Recess 54 Strut 55 End strut 56 frontal area 57 storage section 58 axle bore 59 Stiffening plate 60 cones 70 axle 71 locking groove 72 rolls 80 chain links 81 bolts 82 Carrying means or flat plate 83 subpage 84 guide tab 85 locking hooks 90 basic bodies 91 Fork arm 92 bolt recess 93 roller contact surface 94 joint section 95 bolt breakthrough

Claims

[1] A curve (10) for a conveyor device with a conveyor chain, wherein the conveyor chain comprises a plurality of identical, mutually pivotable chain links (80) which are provided with a driving means (82) for conveyed material, wherein the curve (10) comprises a curve support (20) which is provided with at least one inner (11) and one outer sliding surface (13) which are curved and run parallel to one another, wherein the inner and outer sliding surfaces (11; 13) are designed for the slidable support of the chain links (80), wherein a row of rotatable rollers (72) is provided along the inner sliding surface so that the rollers (72) can support the chain links (80) on their inner side of the curve, wherein a plurality of separate roller supports (50) are provided on which the rollers (72) are rotatably mounted, wherein the roller supports (50) are arranged along the inner sliding surface (11) and fastened to the curve support (20), characterized byin that the cam carrier (20) comprises an inner (21) and an outer elongated cam profile (22), each having a substantially constant cross-sectional shape, wherein the inner sliding surface (11) is arranged on the inner cam profile (21) and the outer sliding surface (13) is arranged on the outer cam profile (22), wherein the roller carriers (50) are arranged between the inner and the outer cam profile (21; 22), wherein the roller carriers (50) are provided with a plurality of rotatable rollers (72) whose axis of rotation runs perpendicular to the inner or outer sliding surface (11; 13), wherein the cam carrier (20) comprises a plurality of separate cross-connectors (30) which firmly connect the inner and the outer cam profile (21; 22) to one another, wherein the roller carriers (50) are held by two adjacent cross-connectors (30). [2] Curve according to claim 1, characterized bythat at least some of the roller supports (50), preferably all roller supports (50), including the associated rotatable rollers (72), are of identical design to one another. [3] Curve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the curve support (20) comprises a plurality of separate cross connectors (30) which firmly connect the inner and outer curve profiles (21; 22) to one another, wherein the roller supports (50) are held by two adjacent cross connectors (30). [4] Curve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least one separate sliding profile (40) made of plastic is provided, on which a central sliding surface (12) is provided, wherein the sliding profile (40) extends over several roller supports (50) and is fastened to these. [5] Curve according to claim 4, characterized bythat the inner and outer sliding surfaces (11; 13) are each provided on a separate sliding profile (40) which is designed in the same way as the sliding profile (40) of the central sliding surface (12). [6] Curve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the rollers (72) are designed in the form of radial ball bearings. [7] Curve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that two rows of rollers (72) are provided, which are arranged opposite one another on the cam support (20), wherein two opposite rollers (72) are each carried by a common axis (70), wherein the axis (70) is held by the roller supports (50). [8] Curve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the roller supports (50) are designed in the form of a cast part, preferably as a plastic injection-molded part, as an aluminum die-cast part or as a zinc die-cast part.

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