conveyor belt

Abstract

Conveyor belt (V) for transporting products (P), which extends in a conveying direction (X), a transverse direction (Y) orthogonal thereto, and a vertical direction (Z) orthogonal to both directions (X, Y), comprising: a) an endless conveyor belt (B) with an upper run (TO) extending in the conveying direction (X) and a lower run (TU) extending against the conveying direction, wherein the conveyor belt (V) extends in the conveying direction (X) from a first conveyor belt end (V1) to a second conveyor belt end (V2); b) a drive shaft (W) driven by a motor (M), the shaft axis (AW) of which extends in the transverse direction (Y); c) and at least one deflection unit (R1, R2) arranged at a conveyor belt end (V1, V2), wherein the at least one deflection unit (R1, R2) comprises one or more deflection rollers (U), and wherein each deflection roller (U) has its own or a roller axis (AU) common with other deflection rollers (U). is trained to do soto deflect the conveyor belt (B) which rests against the deflection roller (U) with its inner surface, characterized in that d) the outer diameter of the drive shaft (W) is larger than the outer diameter of the at least one deflection roller (U), and e) the drive shaft (W) is arranged between the upper run (TO) and the lower run (TU), and f) the drive shaft (W) does not contact the conveyor belt (B), and g) the drive shaft (W) drives at least one of the deflection rollers (U) located at a conveyor belt end (V1, V2), which thereby drives the conveyor belt (B) deflected by it.

Description

The present invention relates to a conveyor belt for transporting products, in particular a belt conveyor with a very small transition edge (“knife edge” or “roller edge”) for the transfer of products from a preceding belt or to a subsequent belt. In conveyor technology, endless conveyor belts are used to transport products – for example, packages of varying sizes. In many applications, especially when transferring to a weighing belt, it is essential that this transition from one conveyor belt to the next is as smooth as possible and without any product "bouncing." With very short or small products, there is a risk that their front or rear edge will tilt into the roller gap, causing the product to tilt. In the worst case, this can lead to the product tipping over, or at the very least, it can interfere with the weighing process. Therefore, the smallest possible roller gap between the two adjacent conveyor belts is desirable. This, in turn, necessitates the smallest possible deflection radii for the deflecting rollers that redirect the conveyor belt at the beginning and end of the conveyor.Such deflection rollers make the conveyor belt appear as a device tapering to a point in the transport direction and are therefore also referred to as a "knife edge". At the same time, the conveyor belt should be usable for different packaging geometries and weights, which can require high belt tensions. These high belt tensions result primarily in smoother belt operation, reducing or eliminating disruptive belt vibrations. However, these belt tensions must be absorbed by the deflection rollers at the belt end. Therefore, in the prior art, a continuous deflection shaft is often used, extending across the entire width of the conveyor belt and possessing sufficient flexural rigidity to absorb the belt tensions. Such a deflection shaft can also serve as a motor-driven drive shaft that propels the belt. However, the required flexural rigidity of the deflection rollers for the belt tensions conflicts with their desired small diameter, meaning the roller gap cannot be arbitrarily small. Especially when a knife edge is required at both ends of the conveyor belt, the belt is often driven by a so-called omega drive. In this design, a motor-driven drive shaft is positioned significantly below the belt body and is encircled by the conveyor belt with the largest possible wrap angle to reliably transmit the drive shaft's torque to the belt. Positioning the drive shaft below the belt body requires additional installation space, which is then difficult to utilize for other components. Therefore, additional deflection shafts are usually employed to minimize the space encircled by the conveyor belt. However, this still results in a higher belt height, which is particularly problematic in machines with limited installation height. Furthermore, the omega drive increases the design complexity, friction losses, maintenance requirements, and the number of bearings, which can lead to additional sources of disruptive vibrations. Furthermore, in this case, the belt typically runs with its transport surface over the additional deflection shafts or the drive shaft, which, especially with a structured belt surface, can lead to increased soiling, wear, and a potential impairment of product quality. Additionally, the belt is bent multiple times in opposite directions with each rotation, which can reduce its service life. Finally, the belt strands running freely in space below the belt body and the numerous pinch points between the belt, deflection pulleys, and drive shaft necessitate extensive protective enclosures and guards. These disadvantages demonstrate that it is difficult to combine a compact design, small deflection radii, minimal roller gap and simple safety features in known conveyor belts with knife edges. The object of the invention was therefore to provide a conveyor belt with a driven roller edge / knife edge, whose deflection rollers at the belt end enable the smallest possible deflection radius and thus a very small roller gap, while at the same time reliably transmitting high belt tension forces, whereby the conveyor belt also has a space-saving design, limits the belt construction in height, reduces the number of deflection rollers, allows for a simple protective enclosure and reduces contamination and wear of the belt. The problem is solved by a conveyor belt according to claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments are set out in the dependent claims. The solution is based on the idea of ​​driving one or more deflection rollers located at the end of the conveyor belt using a drive shaft positioned between the upper and lower runs of the conveyor belt. The outer diameter of this drive shaft is larger than the outer diameter of the deflection roller, and it does not contact the conveyor belt itself. Preferably, the ratio of the outer diameters of the drive shaft to the deflection rollers is greater than 2:1. The combination of these conditions solves the aforementioned problems and creates a space-saving conveyor belt with small deflection rollers at each end of the belt (the "knife edge"), where the deflection roller is supported against deflection. The conveyor belt according to the invention is designed for transporting products and extends in a conveying direction X, a transverse direction Y orthogonal to it, and a vertical direction (Z) orthogonal to both directions X and Y. It comprises an endless conveyor belt with an upper run extending in the conveying direction X and a lower run extending in the opposite direction. The conveyor belt extends in the conveying direction X from a first conveyor belt end to a second conveyor belt end. A drive shaft, driven by a motor, is provided, the axis of which extends in the transverse direction Y. At least one deflection unit is arranged at at least one of the two conveyor belt ends, wherein the at least one deflection unit comprises at least one, but preferably several, deflection rollers. Each deflection roller can have its own roller axis or one shared with other deflection rollers of the same deflection unit. Advantageously, the roller axes extend parallel to the drive shaft. Each deflection roller is designed to deflect the conveyor belt, which rests against the deflection roller with its inner surface. Preferably, the deflection of the upper run at the conveyor belt end is carried out by a total of approximately 180°, so that the lower run extends in the opposite direction to the upper run or against the conveying direction X after the deflection. Preferably, the deflection is carried out by means of two deflection units arranged one above the other at the same end of the conveyor belt, each of which deflects the conveyor belt by approximately 90°.Theoretically, it would also be conceivable to use only the upper deflection unit and drive the conveyor belt via this unit. Instead of a lower deflection unit, a suitably curved deflector plate could be used to guide the conveyor belt with minimal friction, for example, into a plane parallel to the upper run. Of course, instead of a lower deflection unit, the upper deflection unit could also be replaced by a deflector plate. According to one embodiment of the invention, a deflection unit or the upper surfaces of its deflection rollers do not necessarily have to be exactly aligned with the transport plane. Instead, the deflection rollers can also be arranged on an end face of the belt body, provided the deflection geometry allows for a sufficiently small roller gap to the following belt. For example, it would be conceivable to arrange the deflection rollers approximately midway between the height of the upper and lower runs, with the belt being deflected by a deflection plate from the respective plane formed by the upper and lower runs towards the deflection rollers, where it is then driven by the rollers. Here, too, sufficient static friction between the belt and the deflection rollers is a prerequisite, which can be achieved by a suitably selected combination of wrap angle and belt tension. A significant advantage of the invention over the prior art is that one or more deflection rollers can now be driven, despite their small diameter required for the desired small roller gap, in order to in turn drive the conveyor belt. A separate contact between a drive shaft and the conveyor belt is not provided according to the invention. According to the invention, the outer diameter of the drive shaft is larger than the outer diameter of the at least one deflection pulley. This allows the drive shaft to absorb radial forces without deformation and also makes it possible to drive more than one deflection unit simultaneously, as will be shown below. A particularly space-saving arrangement is achieved by positioning the drive shaft between the upper and lower runs of the conveyor belt. It is thus encircled by the conveyor belt, so that the underside of the belt, facing away from the products, is oriented towards the drive shaft. This arrangement makes it possible to use small-diameter deflection rollers at the ends of the conveyor belt to form a knife edge, while the drive shaft has a larger diameter to indirectly absorb high belt tension forces and is nevertheless completely enclosed within the space formed by the upper and lower runs. However, the torque of the drive shaft is not transmitted directly to the conveyor belt, as, according to the invention, the belt has no contact with the drive shaft. Instead, the torque of the drive shaft is first transmitted to at least one deflection roller, which then drives the conveyor belt.The type of torque transmission between the drive shaft and the deflection pulley can be designed differently. The torque can be transmitted from the drive shaft to at least one idler pulley, for example, via a belt or a gearbox. The drive shaft and idler pulley are then spaced apart. In this case, the drive shaft can also be positioned centrally between the two ends of the conveyor belt. The drive shaft can then be coupled essentially symmetrically to the idler pulleys at both ends of the conveyor belt to drive the belt at multiple points, thus ensuring a particularly even drive. In an advantageous embodiment, a support roller is provided against which the outer surface of at least one deflection roller rests in order to absorb a force acting on the deflection roller from the conveyor belt. The deflection roller therefore does not need to be particularly rigid with a correspondingly large diameter, because the support roller partially or completely absorbs the forces acting on the deflection roller from the conveyor belt. It can therefore be designed with a small diameter in order to keep the roller gap as small as possible according to the invention. The torque transmission from the drive shaft to the idler pulley is particularly advantageous not via belts or gears, but through direct contact between the idler pulley and the drive shaft. In this case, the at least one idler pulley and the drive shaft touch along an idealized contact line such that the rotational movement of the drive shaft is transmitted to the idler pulley by friction. The contact force required for this frictional drive is preferably provided, at least predominantly, by the pretension force of the conveyor belt, which pushes the idler pulley towards the drive shaft. Thus, the drive shaft performs a dual function, simultaneously acting as a support pulley and driving and supporting the idler pulleys subjected to the belt tension.Preferably, the respective deflection roller is mounted with a bearing clearance that allows sufficient movement of the deflection roller towards the support roller or drive shaft in order to be supported there and to avoid bending forces within the thin deflection roller. Driving the deflection rollers by friction through direct contact with the drive shaft is a particularly elegant way to eliminate the need for additional power transmission devices (timing belts, gears, etc.). In this case, the drive shaft is advantageously positioned near the end of the conveyor belt so that it can rest directly against the outer surface of the deflection rollers. Preferably, the upper and lower runs run parallel to each other or at an angle of no more than 10° to each other from the first to the second end of the conveyor belt to enable a substantially flat, compact design. A slight incline between the upper and lower runs may occur or be necessary, for example, if the belt is driven by a deflection unit only at one end and the components involved are thicker or thinner overall in the vertical direction than at the other end. Preferably, the upper and lower runs limit the vertical extent of the conveyor belt. All essential components of the conveyor belt, such as a frame, the deflection unit, and especially the drive shaft, are then located between the upper and lower runs, resulting in a space-saving and flat design for the entire conveyor belt.A protective enclosure can be easily modified to essentially only cover the lateral area between the upper and lower runs. A motor for driving the drive shaft could be fixed to a frame below the lower run and coupled to one end of the drive shaft via a toothed belt and / or gearbox running laterally to the belt. Alternatively, the motor could be positioned between the upper and lower runs, for example, as a tubular motor directly supporting the drive shaft. The vertical distance between the upper and lower runs can be dimensioned to be no more than approximately twice the outer diameter of the drive shaft, in order to achieve a particularly compact belt design. In another embodiment, the axis of the drive shaft lies in a plane that preferably extends parallel to the conveying direction and to the transverse direction. Preferably, two deflection units are arranged with the roller axes of their respective deflection rollers above and below this plane, respectively, so that the roller axes of the deflection rollers of both deflection units have the same distance to the plane. This simplifies the design and ensures a uniform load on the deflection units. In a particular configuration, the roller axes of the guide rollers of a first deflection unit are positioned vertically directly above the roller axes of the guide rollers of a second deflection unit, i.e., symmetrically to the axis plane. Provided the guide rollers of both deflection units have the same diameter, the belt then runs almost vertically from one deflection unit to the other, and an adjacent conveyor belt can connect to the first with a minimal roller gap. Furthermore, in this configuration, the contact forces generated by the belt tension are distributed evenly across both deflection units and their guide rollers. The cylindrical surface of the drive shaft and / or the cylindrical surface of one, individual, or all deflection pulleys is preferably cylindrical, but depending on the application, it can also be convex to promote self-centering of the conveyor belt. This convexity can also be achieved by using stepped or different diameters on several adjacent deflection pulleys. The deflection rollers U of a deflection unit can be mounted together on a single roller axis that extends across the entire width of the conveyor belt in the transverse direction Y. This facilitates the modular construction of the conveyor belt. A particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that individual or groups of deflection rollers in a deflection unit each have their own roller axles. Preferably, the alignment of these roller axles, and thus the position of the rollers supported by the roller axles relative to the drive shaft, can be adjusted or at least has a clearance that allows the roller axles to align themselves independently within predefinable limits. Then each roller can individually position itself against the drive shaft W according to the local belt tension acting upon it, without being rigidly connected to other deflection rollers by a common axle. The individual rollers can then freely position themselves against, for example, a slightly convex surface of the drive shaft.self-alignment so that the individual roller axes of a deflection unit do not lie one behind the other in a straight line in the transverse direction Y, but rather form a slightly curved curve overall for safe belt guidance. Advantageously, according to one embodiment, at least one deflection unit is attached to the frame by means of several roller holders, the roller holders extending from the frame essentially in the conveying direction X between the individual deflection rollers and supporting the roller axles there. Each roller holder can support one or more deflection rollers by means of suitable bearing elements. These can be, for example, recesses extending in the transverse direction Y or through bores for receiving axle journals formed on the individual deflection rollers. The deflection rollers can be freely rotatable relative to their roller axles or axle journals by, for example, providing a rolling bearing in the radial direction between a roller axle body or the axle journal on the one hand and a longitudinal bore of the roller on the other.A roller holder can also simultaneously support two deflection rollers adjacent to each other in the transverse direction Y by inserting the respective axle journals of the two rollers from both sides, i.e., in and against the transverse direction Y, into a recess on the roller holder provided for both rollers. Alternatively, a separate recess or other suitable receiving means can be provided on the roller holder for each roller. Preferably, each roller holder is individually adjustable in its position relative to the frame or the drive shaft in order to adapt the position of the deflection rollers to the respective operating conditions and desired belt properties. A recess for mounting a deflection roller is preferably designed as an elongated hole, allowing the axle journal seated therein some play in the longitudinal direction of the elongation (floating bearing). Preferably, the elongation hole, or its play in the longitudinal direction, is designed such that the axle journal seated therein is movable towards the drive shaft, preferably at an angle to the axis plane. This allows each deflection roller, following the contact force from the belt tension, to move freely within the permissible play towards the drive shaft, unaffected by other holding forces, and to bear against its outer surface with sufficient contact force. This ensures particularly good static friction between the individual deflection rollers and the drive shaft.Furthermore, each deflection pulley mounted in this way can individually and optimally adapt to, for example, a curved surface of the drive shaft, regardless of neighboring deflection pulleys. Alternatively, the longitudinal direction of the elongated hole could also correspond exactly to the conveying direction X, so that the resulting clearance allows a (slight) free movement of a deflection roller mounted therein only in or against the conveying direction. Even movement in this direction includes a component of movement towards the drive shaft, whereby the deflection roller in this case does not change its vertical distance to the axis plane. The conveyor belt then remains parallel to the axis plane regardless of any movement of the deflection rollers along the elongated holes. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the position of the deflection units relative to the frame, particularly in the conveying direction X, is adjustable either together with the drive shaft or independently, in order to adjust the conveyor belt tension. For example, a frame section to which a deflection unit is attached, for instance via individual roller holders, could be fixed in a position adjustable in the conveying direction X relative to a main frame. Preferably, this frame section also carries the drive shaft, so that the drive shaft and deflection unit(s) can be slidably fixed together in the conveying direction X for adjusting the belt tension. Preferably, the frame defines, on the one hand, an upper frame plane extending in the XY direction with its top surface, which can correspond to a conveying plane, and on the other hand, a lower frame plane parallel to the upper frame plane with its underside. Advantageously, the frame thus does not extend upwards in the vertical direction X beyond the upper run or downwards below the preferably parallel lower run. This ensures a flat design for the entire conveyor belt. The drive shaft lies completely between the upper and lower frame planes. Advantageously, a conveyor belt according to the invention comprises one or more deflection units of the aforementioned type at each of its two ends, so that the conveyor belt can connect to further conveying units at both ends with a small roller gap. The described arrangement and function offer several advantages over the prior art, particularly over omega drives: - The drive shaft is space-saving and protected from interference within the strip body, located between the upper and lower runs. - The strip structure in the vertical direction Z remains minimal, as no additional space is required below the strip body for omega deflections. - Very small deflection rollers ("knife edges") are used in conjunction with a large, stable drive shaft. This results in a very small deflection radius, and the roller gap to the following strip can be kept to a minimum. - The friction wheel arrangement between the drive shaft and the deflection rollers eliminates the need for additional deflection rollers.- Since the belt essentially consists of an upper run and a closely spaced, parallel lower run, and thus encircles all essential components of the conveyor belt along a flat cuboid shape, there are no belt runs running freely in space beneath the belt body, and the effort required for guards or protective hoods is minimal. Potential pinch points are concentrated on the interior of the belt body and the knife edge and can be easily encapsulated. - The contact force required for the friction drive is derived directly from the existing belt tension. No additional spring or clamping mechanisms are absolutely necessary to generate the frictional engagement. - The drive shaft (W) simultaneously acts as a support shaft, absorbing the belt tension forces. One embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail below using examples. Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a belt end with two deflection units; Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the end of an exposed drive shaft; Fig. 3 shows a perspective view according to Fig. 3 with roller holders; and Fig. 4 shows a side view of an end of the conveyor belt. Fig. 1 shows the end of a conveyor belt V according to the invention in a perspective view and partially cut away. The conveyor belt V is designed to transport products P, which rest on the upper run TO of a transport belt B, in a conveying direction X indicated by the large arrow. The conveyor belt extends in the conveying direction X from a first end V1 to a second end V2, in a transverse direction Y orthogonal to this, and in a vertical direction Z. The upper run TO (more precisely: a support plate on its underside facing away from the products P) forms a conveying plane EF in the XY direction. To make the individual elements at the end V1 of the conveyor belt visible, the belt B is not shown in this area. In operation, the transport belt B runs around a frame K belonging to the conveyor belt V, with its upper run TO and a lower run TU, not shown, which is guided parallel to it on the underside of the frame K. At the end V1 of the conveyor belt V, a drive shaft W extends with its axis AW in the transverse direction Y. The drive shaft W is mounted on the frame K and can be driven by a motor M with gearbox, which can be modularly connected to the frame or the drive shaft W. Two deflection units R1, R2 extend parallel to each other in the transverse direction Y and are positioned one above the other in the vertical direction Z. Each deflection unit R1, R2 comprises a plurality of individual deflection rollers U arranged one behind the other in the transverse direction Y. The deflection rollers U serve to deflect the conveyor belt B at the end V1 of the conveyor belt V in the opposite direction, with the rollers of the first and second deflection units R1, R2 respectively deflecting the conveyor belt B by approximately 90°. The deflection rollers U have a comparatively small diameter. This makes it possible to connect another conveyor belt to the conveyor belt V according to the invention with the smallest possible gap, i.e., with only a small roller gap. The transfer of products from one conveyor belt to the next can thus be largely impact-free.The conveyor belt V, by virtue of the arrangement of all its essential components between the upper run TO and the lower run TU, essentially has the form of an advantageously flat, space-saving cuboid, whose height in the vertical direction Z is essentially determined by the distance between the upper run TO and the lower run TU (the modularly connectable motor M of the drive shaft or its gearbox can be disregarded for this consideration). The deflection roller U of the two deflection units R1, R2 lie with a section of their outer surface, which is hidden from the viewer and faces the shaft axis AW, against the drive shaft W, as can be seen more clearly in Fig. 2. Fig. 2 shows an enlarged and partially cut-out detail view at the end of the conveyor belt V. Visible is the drive shaft W, which extends around its axis AW in the transverse direction Y and is attached to the frame K via bearings (not shown). Two deflection rollers U, one belonging to the first upper and one to the second lower deflection unit R1, R2 respectively, extend along their respective roller axes AU parallel to the drive shaft W and its axis AW, respectively. The deflection rollers U are arranged vertically Z exactly one above the other, with their outer surfaces bearing against the outer surface of the drive shaft W, so that a rotational movement of the drive shaft W is transmitted to the deflection rollers U by friction. The conveyor belt B, indicated in Fig. 1 but not shown in Fig. 2, bears against the outer surface of the deflection rollers U, facing away from the drive shaft W, during operation and is thus driven by friction. In Fig.In Figure 2, only the foremost deflection roller U of each of the two deflection units R1, R2, the one facing the viewer, is visible. Further deflection rollers U of the respective deflection unit R1, R2 are arranged one behind the other in the transverse direction Y, as already clearly illustrated in Figure 1. The outer surface of the drive shaft W, which rests against the deflection pulleys U, has a significantly larger diameter than the two deflection pulleys. This makes the drive shaft W rigid and dimensionally stable enough to reliably absorb the tension force exerted on the deflection pulleys U by the conveyor belt B. The drive shaft W thus also serves as a support roller S to brace the deflection pulleys. The axis AW of the drive shaft W lies in an imaginary plane EA extending in the XY direction and, in the illustrated example, is located approximately midway between the upper and lower deflection pulleys U and their associated deflection units R1 and R2. This symmetrical design simplifies construction and ensures identical contact pressure between the upper and lower deflection pulleys U and the drive shaft W. Fig. 3 shows a similar view to Fig. 2, illustrating the division of a deflection unit R1, R2 into several deflection rollers U. All deflection rollers U of a deflection unit R1, R2 can be mounted together on a single, rotatable roller axle that extends in the transverse direction Y across the entire width of the conveyor belt V and is attached to the frame K at its ends via bearings (not shown). Preferably, however, the individual deflection rollers U of a deflection unit are mounted on their own roller axles. With sufficient bearing clearance, each roller can then individually adjust its position against the drive shaft W according to the local belt tension, without being rigidly connected to other deflection rollers by a common axle. Individual rollers U of a deflection unit can then be positioned selectively along the drive shaft, for example, to create an overall curved or...To achieve a convex belt deflection at the end V1, V2 of the conveyor belt V. Accordingly, Fig. 3 – like Fig. 1 – shows several roller holders H arranged one behind the other in the transverse direction Y. Each roller holder H has an approximately U-shaped form, the legs of which extend for attachment in the conveying direction X to an unspecified cross member of the frame K, thereby overlapping the drive shaft W without contact. On the section of each roller holder H facing away from the frame K, means are provided for a floating bearing L for deflection rollers U arranged one above the other in the vertical direction Z. Preferably, the distance of the roller holders H from the frame K in the conveying direction X is adjustable. Individual deflection rollers U of the upper, first deflection unit R1 and of the lower, second deflection unit R2 are each arranged in pairs between two roller holders H spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction Y, wherein the free ends of their respective roller axes AU each cooperate with suitable means L for bearing on the roller holders H. In the embodiment shown, the means L for bearing comprise an elongated hole penetrating the roller holder H in the transverse direction Y, into which a section of a roller axle AU of a deflecting roller U can project from one or both sides, as is shown in particular in Fig. 4. Fig. 4 shows a side view of the end region of the conveyor belt V. The axis AW of the drive shaft W lies in the plane EA and extends perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. A roller holder H, symmetrical to the plane EA, spans the drive shaft W and is attached to the frame K of the conveyor belt V by fasteners not specified. Further identical roller holders H, concealed by the visible roller holder H, are arranged one behind the other in the transverse direction Y to accommodate the individual deflection rollers of the upper deflection unit R1 and the lower deflection unit R2. An upper and a lower deflection roller U are largely obscured by the roller holder H in this view. Above and below the plane EA, on the side of the roller holder H facing away from the frame K, an elongated hole is provided for a cantilever bearing L, the direction of extension of which runs approximately through the center of the axis AW of the drive shaft W.An axle pin D of a deflecting roller U, formed around the roller axis AU, projects into this elongated hole in the transverse direction Y and has a small amount of play along the elongated hole direction. The conveyor belt B, which encircles the two deflection units R1 and R2, is pre-tensioned during operation and thereby exerts a contact force F on the deflection rollers U, acting approximately in the direction of the elongated holes or towards the axis AW of the drive shaft W. This causes the deflection rollers U of the deflection units R1 and R2 to move along their respective elongated holes towards the drive shaft W until the outer surfaces of the deflection rollers U and the drive shaft W touch and are pressed against each other according to the contact force F. The drive shaft W then also serves as a support roller S. The resulting frictional engagement allows the rotational movement of the drive shaft W, indicated by an arrow, to be transmitted to the deflection rollers U, which in turn drive the adjacent conveyor belt B. Reference symbol list AURill axle AWShaft axle of the drive shaft B Conveyor belt D Axle journal of a deflection roller U EAShaft plane EFFreach plane F Contact force on the deflection roller UH Roller holder K Frame of the belt body L Cantilever bearing M Motor P Product R1, R2 Deflection unit S Support roller TO, TOU Upper and lower run of the conveyor belt BU Deflection roller V Conveyor belt V1, V2 First and second end of the conveyor belt (V) W Drive shaft X Conveying direction Y Transverse direction Z Vertical direction

Claims

Conveyor belt (V) for transporting products (P), which extends in a conveying direction (X), a transverse direction (Y) orthogonal thereto, and a vertical direction (Z) orthogonal to both directions (X, Y), comprising: a) an endless conveyor belt (B) with an upper run (TO) extending in the conveying direction (X) and a lower run (TU) extending against the conveying direction, wherein the conveyor belt (V) extends in the conveying direction (X) from a first conveyor belt end (V1) to a second conveyor belt end (V2); b) a drive shaft (W) driven by a motor (M), the shaft axis (AW) of which extends in the transverse direction (Y); c) and at least one deflection unit (R1, R2) arranged at a conveyor belt end (V1, V2), wherein the at least one deflection unit (R1, R2) comprises one or more deflection rollers (U), and wherein each deflection roller (U) has its own or a roller axis (AU) common with other deflection rollers (U). is trained to do soto deflect the conveyor belt (B) which rests against the deflection roller (U) with its inner surface, characterized in that d) the outer diameter of the drive shaft (W) is larger than the outer diameter of the at least one deflection roller (U), and e) the drive shaft (W) is arranged between the upper run (TO) and the lower run (TU), and f) the drive shaft (W) does not contact the conveyor belt (B), and g) the drive shaft (W) drives at least one of the deflection rollers (U) located at a conveyor belt end (V1, V2), which thereby drives the conveyor belt (B) deflected by it. Conveyor belt (V) according to the previous claim, characterized in that a support roller (S) is provided, on which the at least one deflection roller (U) rests with its outer surface in order to absorb a force (F) acting from the transport belt (B) on the deflection roller (U), wherein the support roller (S) is preferably the drive shaft (W). Conveyor belt (V) according to the previous claim, wherein the at least one deflection roller (U) and the drive shaft (W) touch each other via a contact line extending in the transverse direction (Y) such that the rotational movement of the drive shaft (W) is transmitted to the at least one deflection roller (U) by means of friction. Conveyor belt (V) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive shaft (W) is arranged in the area of ​​a conveyor belt end (V1, V2) of the conveyor belt (V). Conveyor belt (V) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper run (TO) and the lower run (TU) extend from the first conveyor belt end (V1) to the second conveyor belt end (V2) in or against the conveying direction (X) a) parallel to each other or b) enclose an angle of no more than 10° with each other. Conveyor belt (V) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the shaft axis (AW) lies in an axis plane (EA) preferably extending in the XY direction, and wherein the roller axis (AU) belonging to the at least one deflection unit (R1 or R2) is arranged above or below the axis plane (EA). Conveyor belt (V) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a roller holder (H) is arranged between two deflection rollers (U) adjacent in the transverse direction (Y) and jointly supports the roller axes (AU) of both deflection rollers (U). Conveyor belt (V) according to the preceding claim, wherein at least one roller axle (AU) - preferably by means of a slotted guide - is movably mounted on the roller holder (H) so that the distance of the roller axle (AU) to the shaft axle (AW) can be freely adjusted. Conveyor belt (V) according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein a bearing clearance formed by the movable bearing of the roller axle (AU) is designed such that it allows - in particular by a pressure force (F) acting from the transport belt on the at least one deflection roller (U) - a displacement of the floatingly mounted roller axle (AU) a) substantially in the direction of the shaft axle (AW) or b) substantially in the conveying direction (X). Conveyor belt (V) according to one of the preceding claims, with at least two deflection units, wherein one deflection unit (R1, R2) is arranged above and one below an axis plane (EA), a) wherein the roller axes (AU) belonging to the respective deflection unit (R1, R2) are equidistant from the axis plane (EA), and / or b) wherein the roller axes (AU) of the deflection rollers (U) of the first deflection unit (R1) are located in the vertical direction (Z) exactly above the roller axes (AU) of the deflection rollers (U) of the second deflection unit (R2). Conveyor belt (V) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a belt body with a frame (K), wherein the frame (K) is designed at a front or rear end as seen in the conveying direction (X) for receiving the drive shaft (W) and for attaching the at least one deflection unit (R1, R2), and wherein the frame (K) is surrounded by the transport belt (B). Conveyor belt (V) according to the preceding claim, a) wherein the deflection unit (R1, R2) is attached to the frame (K) by means of several roller holders (H) arranged one behind the other in the transverse direction (Y), which extend from the frame (K) substantially in the conveying direction (X) between individual deflection rollers (U) and preferably movably mount the roller axles (AU) there, and / or b) wherein the position of the deflection units (R1, R2) relative to the frame (K), in particular in the conveying direction (X), is adjustable either together with the drive shaft (W) or independently thereof in order to adjust the conveyor belt tension, and / or c) wherein the frame (K) defines with its upper surface an upper frame plane extending in the XY direction, preferably a conveying plane (EF), and with its lower surface a lower frame plane parallel to the upper frame plane, wherein the drive shaft (W) lies completely between the upper and lower frame planes.

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