ROLLER TESTING DEVICE FOR A ROLLER ADAPTER OF AN OVERHEAD CONVEYOR SYSTEM

Description

[0001] This patent application claims priority from German patent application 10 2018 215 319.1.

[0002] The invention relates to a roller testing device for a roller adapter of an overhead conveyor system, an overhead conveyor system with such a roller testing device, and such a roller adapter. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating a roller testing device. EP 2 130 968 A1 discloses an overhead conveyor system for transporting goods. The overhead conveyor system has a conveyor rail device for transporting roller adapters along a conveyor line.

[0003] Roller adapters are subject to wear and tear. Worn roller adapters can jam during transport along the conveyor rail system, disrupting the operation of the overhead conveyor system. In particular, this can lead to unwanted and costly downtime.

[0004] Roller testing devices for determining the wear condition of a roller adapter are known from the project report "Reliable systems create operational and process reliability" of PSI Technics GmbH dated 09.08.2016, JP 2005 061933 A, JP 2018 132332 A and JP 2008 039708 A. From the project report "Reliable systems create operational and process reliability" a roller testing device for a roller adapter of an overhead conveyor system is described, comprising a drive unit for rotating at least one support roller of the roller adapter, a sensor unit for detecting a measured value correlating with a wear condition of a pivot bearing of the at least one support roller, and an evaluation unit for determining the wear condition based on the measured value. Furthermore, the project report discloses a method for operating a roller testing device, comprising the steps of: providing a roller adapter with a base body and at least one support roller rotatably mounted on the base body by means of a pivot bearing, rotating the at least one support roller, detecting a measured value correlating with a wear condition of the at least one support roller, and determining the wear condition based on the measured value.

[0005] The invention is based on the object of creating a device that ensures the trouble-free operation of an overhead conveyor system in a particularly reliable manner. In particular, the device should enable the early detection of worn roller adapters.

[0006] This object is achieved by a roller testing device having the features of claim 1. The core of the invention is that the roller testing device has the drive unit for rotating the at least one support roller and the sensor unit for detecting the measured value correlating with the wear condition of the pivot bearing, wherein the evaluation unit is designed to determine the wear condition based on the measured value. The roller testing device is thus designed in particular for the automated determination of the wear condition of the rolling adapter, in particular of the respective pivot bearing of the rolling adapter. By determining the wear condition, worn rolling adapters can be detected at an early stage. In particular, rolling adapters with stiff pivot bearings can be identified.By detecting worn roller adapters early, blockages in the conveyor rails of the overhead conveyor system can be reliably prevented. This avoids downtime and / or damage to the overhead conveyor system caused by blocked roller adapters. The roller inspection device allows for sorting out the roller adapters based on their actual wear. This avoids the need to replace all roller adapters after a certain service life, regardless of the actual wear of the roller adapters. The overhead conveyor system can thus be operated particularly economically.

[0007] In the roller testing device according to the invention, the sensor unit has a rotation sensor for detecting the measured value in the form of a rotational movement of the at least one support roller. This ensures the detection of the measured value correlating with the wear condition of the pivot bearing in a particularly reliable manner. The rotation sensor can be designed to detect the number of revolutions and / or a rotational speed and / or a change in the rotational speed of the at least one support roller.

[0008] The rotation sensor can also be configured to determine a run-down duration. The run-down duration is determined by the time elapsed between the entry of the at least one support roller into the detection range of the rotation sensor until the point in time at which the at least one support roller comes to a standstill relative to a base body of the rolling adapter. The rotational movement correlates with a rotational resistance of the at least one support roller relative to the base body, wherein the rotational resistance correlates with the wear condition of the rolling adapter, in particular of the pivot bearings.

[0009] The detection of the rotational movement of at least one support roller thus makes it particularly easy to draw conclusions about the wear condition of the roller adapter.

[0010] The roller testing device according to the invention has a support unit for supporting the roller adapter in a detection range of the sensor unit in such a way that the at least one support roller can rotate freely. Such a roller testing device can be operated particularly flexibly. The free rotation of the at least one support roller means that no further forces act on the at least one support roller in addition to the bearing forces acting via the pivot bearing. The support unit is preferably designed in such a way that the support roller for whose pivot bearing the wear condition is being determined can rotate freely. For this purpose, the drive unit is preferably arranged outside the detection range of the sensor unit. In the detection range of the sensor unit, the drive unit is decoupled from the at least one support roller.According to one aspect of the invention, the support unit for supporting the rolling adapter cooperates with a second support roller of the rolling adapter.

[0011] According to one aspect of the invention, the drive unit has a drive motor for rotationally driving the at least one support roller. The drive motor can interact with the at least one support roller via a drive coupling of the drive unit. Preferably, the drive coupling is reversibly connectable to the at least one support roller for transmitting the rotational movement. The rotational movement can be transmitted to the at least one support roller at the end face and / or circumferential side by means of the drive coupling. According to one aspect of the invention, the drive unit is designed exclusively for rotationally driving the at least one support roller for determining the wear condition of the roller adapter, in particular of the at least one pivot bearing.

[0012] According to a further aspect of the invention, the sensor unit has at least one sensor for detecting the measured value correlating with the wear condition of the pivot bearing. The sensor can be designed as an acceleration sensor, in particular as a vibration sensor. Depending on a vibration of the rotationally driven pivot bearing, the wear condition can be deduced using the acceleration sensor. The sensor can also be designed as a microphone. Using the microphone, for example, a rotational speed of the at least one support roller can be determined based on the running noises. In particular, a change in speed can be determined based on the rotational noises. The sensor can also be designed as a temperature sensor, in particular as an infrared sensor and / or a thermal imaging camera. Using the temperature sensor, frictional heat in the pivot bearing that correlates with the wear condition of the roller adapter can be determined.The sensor can also be designed as an optical sensor, in particular as a light barrier. To detect the rotational movement of the at least one support roller, in particular a speed change correlating with the state of wear, the optical sensor can, for example, detect a rotational movement of a perforated disc connected to the at least one support roller and / or of a reflective area. The sensor can also be designed as a capacitive sensor and / or as an inductive sensor, in particular as a Hall sensor. For example, a permanent magnet can be attached to the at least one support roller, which is detected by the inductive sensor to determine a rotational movement of the at least one support roller.

[0013] According to one aspect of the invention, the roll inspection device comprises an identification means reader. The identification means reader can be configured to detect an identification code, in particular an identification number, assigned individually to each roll adapter. The identification means reader is preferably configured to read an RFID (radio-frequency identification) transponder and / or a matrix code and / or a barcode. The identification means reader is preferably in signal communication with the evaluation unit.

[0014] The support unit of the roller testing device according to the invention can be designed as a rail profile. The sensor unit is preferably arranged stationary on the support unit, in particular rigidly connected to the support unit. According to a further aspect of the invention, the drive unit is designed for the, in particular linear, displacement of the roller adapter relative to the support unit. The sensor unit can be designed to detect the measured value correlating with the wear state of the pivot bearing during the displacement of the roller adapter relative to the support unit. The sensor unit can also be designed to be displaceable relative to the support unit, in particular together with the roller adapter.

[0015] According to one aspect of the invention, the sensor unit is arranged laterally on the rolling adapter. The sensor unit can be arranged at a distance from the support unit. The sensor unit can also be arranged directly on the support unit.

[0016] A roller testing device in which the sensor unit has a camera system for optically capturing the measured value can be operated particularly flexibly. The system is designed, for example, to detect a marking applied to the at least one support roller. The evaluation unit can be designed to determine a rotational movement of the at least one support roller based on the detected measured value. The system can be designed flexibly to detect different markings. In particular, the sensor unit having a camera system can be designed to detect the rotational movement of the at least one support roller during a continuous movement of the roller adapter relative to the support unit. The roller testing device can thus be integrated into a continuous conveying process of the roller adapter.The measured value can be recorded particularly robustly, especially during an indeterminate movement, especially despite vibration movements and / or pendulum movements of the rolling adapter.

[0017] A roller testing device according to claim 3 can be operated particularly efficiently and implemented economically. The drive unit can be designed as a rail drive for conveying the roller adapter along a rail profile. The counter-roller body can comprise a support rail of the rail profile. The drive means is preferably designed as a chain drive. Preferably, the drive means is designed for linearly displacing the roller adapter parallel to the support rail. The roller testing device can thus be integrated particularly easily into the conveyor rail device.

[0018] A roller testing device in which the counter-roller body has a projecting roller ramp for increasing the contact pressure acting between the counter-roller body and the at least one support roller ensures the rotational drive of the at least one support roller in a particularly reliable manner. The roller ramp is preferably arranged directly in front of a detection range of the sensor unit. The roller ramp can be designed as an elevation of the support rail that projects upwards in a vertical direction. The roller ramp ensures an increase in the contact pressure acting from the counter-roller body on the at least one support roller, in particular directly in front of the detection range of the sensor unit, whereby the rotational drive of the at least one support roller can be carried out particularly reliably.

[0019] A roller testing device according to claim 4 ensures the determination of the wear condition in a particularly reliable manner. The roller testing device can have at least two, in particular at least three, in particular at least four, guide rails for laterally guiding the roller adapter, in particular in the detection area. Preferably, at least one guide rail is arranged below the at least one support roller on the support unit. The at least one guide rail arranged below the at least one support roller preferably cooperates with the base body of the roller adapter for lateral guidance. The roller testing device can also have two guide rails arranged below the at least one support roller for guiding the roller adapter on both sides.The roller testing device can also have one or two guide rails above the at least one support roller, designed for lateral guidance of the roller adapter on one side or both sides. The at least one guide rail advantageously ensures that a rotational axis of the at least one support roller is always oriented perpendicular to a conveying direction of the roller adapter and / or parallel to a detection direction of the sensor unit. Furthermore, the roller adapter can be guided and attached particularly securely to the support unit, in particular to the support rail, by means of the at least one guide rail.

[0020] Another object of the invention is to improve an overhead conveyor system.

[0021] This object is achieved by an overhead conveyor system having the features of claim 5. The advantages of the overhead conveyor system according to the invention correspond to the advantages of the roller testing device described above. According to one aspect of the invention, the overhead conveyor system comprises a transport unit with a feed line for moving the roller adapter from the conveyor rail device to the roller testing device and / or a discharge line for moving the roller adapter from the roller testing device to the conveyor rail device. The overhead conveyor system preferably has at least two roller testing devices. In particular, the overhead conveyor system has one roller testing device for each support roller of the roller adapter. Advantageously, however, it is achieved that the wear condition of the pivot bearings of each of the support rollers can be determined independently of one another.The multiple roller testing devices can be arranged parallel to one another, with the roller adapter passing through the roller testing devices in any order. Alternatively, the roller testing devices can be connected in series, with the roller adapter passing through all of the roller testing devices in a specific order.

[0022] A suspended conveyor system according to claim 6 is particularly economical to operate. Preferably, the support unit of the roller inspection device is formed by a rail profile of the conveyor rail device. Preferably, the drive unit of the roller inspection device is formed by a rail drive of the conveyor rail device.

[0023] A suspended conveyor system according to claim 7 can be operated particularly economically. Preferably, a roller adapter whose wear condition lies outside a permissible wear condition is automatically sorted out of the conveyor rail device by means of the sorting switch.

[0024] A further object of the invention is to improve a method for operating a roller testing device.

[0025] This object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 8.

[0026] The advantages of the method according to the invention correspond to the previously described advantages of the roller testing device, the overhead conveyor system, and the roller adapter according to the invention. The method can also be further developed, in particular, with the features mentioned in connection with the roller testing device, the overhead conveyor system, and the roller adapter, in particular with the features of at least one of claims 1 to 7.

[0027] In the method according to the invention, a rotational movement of the at least one support roller is detected to record the measured value. This ensures the determination of the wear condition in a particularly reliable and robust manner. To detect the rotational movement, a sensor unit, in particular one that can be reversibly coupled, can be brought into a torque-transmitting connection with the at least one support roller. Alternatively, the rotational movement can be detected contactlessly. To detect the rotational movement, a number of revolutions and / or a speed and / or a speed change and / or a run-down time can be determined.

[0028] According to one aspect of the invention, an identification code that uniquely identifies the rolling adapter is detected. To detect the identification code, an identification means connected to the respective rolling adapter can be read. In particular, the identification means can be read in the form of an RFID transponder and / or a matrix code and / or a barcode. Preferably, the measured value and / or the wear state are stored together with the identification code of the associated rolling adapter, in particular in a database system. The wear state of the respective rolling adapter can be continuously monitored.

[0029] To record the measured value, an acceleration, in particular a vibration, in particular of the rolling adapter and / or a support unit for supporting the rolling adapter, can be determined. To record the measured value, an acoustic signal, in particular an ultrasonic signal, in particular in the immediate vicinity of the rolling adapter and / or on the support unit, can also be determined. Alternatively or additionally, to record the measured value, a temperature, in particular of the rolling adapter, in particular of the pivot bearing, can be determined. To record the measured value, a capacitance and / or an impedance and / or an electrical current and / or an electrical voltage can also be determined. In particular, a change in the magnetic field can be determined to record the measured value.

[0030] Such a method is particularly cost-effective and robust in operation. When recording the measured value, the roller adapter is preferably supported by a second support roller, in particular by means of a support rail of the support unit that interacts with the support roller.

[0031] A method in which the at least one support roller is optically detected to record the measured value is particularly flexible in application and robust in operation. Preferably, a rotational movement of the at least one support roller is optically detected. According to one aspect of the invention, the roller adapter, in particular the at least one support roller, is displaced linearly when the measured value is recorded, in particular relative to a sensor unit for recording the measured value. In particular, the measured value can be recorded during the continuous displacement of the roller adapter along a conveyor line of a conveyor rail device. The measured value is preferably recorded without decoupling the roller adapter from the conveyor line of the conveyor rail device. The method can therefore be applied particularly easily to an existing overhead conveyor system and carried out efficiently.

[0032] For optical detection of the measured value, an optical marking, in particular a reflection difference and / or a color difference and / or a transmission difference and / or a structural difference, in particular a surface roughness and / or a surface embossing, of the roller adapter, in particular of the at least one support roller and / or the pivot bearing, can be detected.

[0033] According to one aspect of the invention, the rotational drive of the at least one support roller is achieved by the at least one support roller rolling on a linearly and / or rotationally driven counter-roller body. Alternatively, the rotational drive of the at least one support roller can be achieved by transmitting a rotary movement to the front of the support roller.

[0034] A method according to claim 10 ensures the determination of the wear condition in a particularly reliable manner. The rolling adapter is preferably guided on both sides when recording the measured value. The rolling adapter is preferably guided on the base body. According to one aspect of the invention, the rolling adapter is guided laterally, in particular on both sides, above and below the at least one support roller. An orientation of the rolling adapter relative to a sensor unit for recording the measured value can thus be reliably determined, with the recording of the measured value being particularly robust.

[0035] A method according to claim 11 is particularly economical to use.

[0036] A method according to claim 12 enables particularly efficient operation of an overhead conveyor system. Preferably, the sorting of the rolling adapter from the conveyor rail device is fully automated. The sorting of the rolling adapter can occur immediately after the detection of the wear condition. Alternatively, the wear condition can be stored together with the identification code of the respective rolling adapter, and the rolling adapter can be sorted out at a later time. To sort out the rolling adapter from the conveyor rail device, it can be uncoupled from the conveyor rail device and moved along a sorting line.

[0037] A rolling adapter can also be fed to the conveyor rail device. Preferably, each rejected rolling adapter is replaced by a functional rolling adapter being fed in. According to one aspect of the invention, the number of rolling adapters in the conveyor rail device is kept substantially constant. For this purpose, the overhead conveyor system can have a feed device for feeding rolling adapters into the conveyor rail device. The feed device can be signal-connected to a control unit for controlling the number of rolling adapters in the conveyor rail device.

[0038] Further features, advantages, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the figures. They show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a section of an overhead conveyor system with a conveyor rail device for transporting a rolling adapter and a roller testing device for the rolling adapter, Fig. 2 a perspective detailed view of the roller testing device according to section II in Fig. 1 , where a conveyor rail of the roller testing device is shown partially interrupted in the area of ​​the roller adapter, Fig. 3 a side view of the roller testing device in Fig. 2 , Fig. 4 a sectional view of the roller testing device along the section line IV-IV in Fig. 1 and Fig. 5 a side view of a rolling adapter, wherein a support roller of the rolling adapter has a marking for detecting a rotational movement.

[0039] The following is based on the Fig. 1 bis Fig. 4 An embodiment of an overhead conveyor system 1 for transporting goods is described. The overhead conveyor system 1 comprises a conveyor rail device 2 and a plurality of roller adapters 3 displaceably mounted on the conveyor rail device 2. The conveyor rail device 2 has a rail profile 4 and a rail drive 5. The roller adapter 3 is positively mounted in the rail profile 4, wherein the roller adapter 3 is displaceable linearly along a conveyor line 6 along the rail profile 4.

[0040] To move the rolling adapter 3 along the conveyor line 6, the rail drive 5 comprises a conveyor chain 7 that interacts with the rolling adapter 3. The conveyor chain 7 is guided in the rail profile 4. By means of a drive motor (not shown) of the rail drive 5, the conveyor chain 7 can be moved relative to the rail profile 4.

[0041] The conveyor chain 7 is designed as a roller chain. The conveyor chain 7 includes several drive pins 8 for linearly driving the roller adapter 3.

[0042] The rolling adapter 3 comprises a base body 9, two pivot bearings 10 arranged thereon and a support roller 11 each rotatably attached to the base body by means of the pivot bearing. For the linear displacement of the rolling adapter 3 in the rail profile 4, the two support rollers 11 roll on a support rail 12 of the rail profile 4.

[0043] The rolling adapter 3 has a support eyelet 13 arranged on the base body 9 for attaching transported goods and a drive extension 14 attached to the base body 9 for displacing the rolling adapter 3 along the conveyor line 6. The drive extension 14 is designed to interact with the driver pins 8. The drive extension 14 is designed as a beam oriented parallel to a rotational axis 15 of the support rollers 11.

[0044] The rolling adapter 3 has a matrix code 16. The matrix code 16 is embossed into the base body 9. The matrix code 16 corresponds to an individual identification code for each rolling adapter 3.

[0045] The overhead conveyor system 1 has a roller testing device 17 for the roller adapter 3. The roller testing device 17 comprises a drive unit 18 for rotating at least one of the support rollers 11 of the roller adapter 3, a sensor unit 19 for detecting a measured value correlating with a wear condition of the pivot bearing 10, and an evaluation unit 20 for determining the wear condition based on the measured value. The drive unit 18 comprises a counter-roller body 21 and a drive means 22 for linearly displacing the roller adapter 3 relative to the counter-roller body 21. The drive means 22 is designed in the form of the rail drive 5. The counter-roller body 21 is designed in the form of the support rail 12. The counter-roller body 21 comprises a roller ramp 23 projecting from the support rail 12 for increasing a contact force acting on the at least one support roller.

[0046] The roller inspection device 17 has a measuring field 24. The measuring field 24 extends along the conveyor line 6 over a measuring field length LM . In the area of ​​the measuring field 24, the roller adapter 3, in particular the support roller 11, can be detected by the sensor unit 19.

[0047] In the area of ​​the measuring field 24, only one of the support rollers 11 is in contact with the support rail 12. The other support roller 11 is arranged freely rotatably on the roller adapter 3 in the area of ​​the measuring field 24. For this purpose, the associated support rail 12 is recessed in the area of ​​the measuring field 24. The roller ramp 23 is arranged directly in front of the measuring field 24 on the side of the support roller 11, which is freely rotatable in the measuring field 24.

[0048] In the area of ​​the measuring field 24, the rail profile 4 has a measuring window 25. The measuring window 25 is formed as a rectangular recess in the rail profile 4. The measuring window 25 is covered by a translucent pane 26, in particular a Plexiglas pane.

[0049] The sensor unit 19 is designed in the form of a camera. The sensor unit 19 is designed to optically detect the support roller 11 in the region of the measuring field 24. In particular, the sensor unit 19 is designed to optically detect a rotational movement of the support roller 11. The support roller 11 assigned to the sensor unit 19 is also referred to below as the test roller 27.

[0050] The respective support roller 11 has a marking 28 for optically detecting the rotational movement by means of the sensor unit 19. The support rollers 11 are manufactured using an injection molding process. The marking 28 is in the form of injection points resulting from the injection molding process.

[0051] A detection direction 29 of the sensor unit 19 is oriented parallel to the rotation axis 15. A measuring distance x M between the sensor unit 19 and the test roller 27 is 200 mm. The sensor unit 19 is connected to the evaluation unit 20 via a central signal line 30.

[0052] The roller inspection device 17 has a sorting switch 31. The sorting switch 31 is designed for the automated sorting of the roller adapter 3 from the conveyor rail device 2. The sorting switch 31 is in signal communication with the evaluation unit 20 via a switch signal line 32.

[0053] The roll inspection device 17 comprises an identification means reader 33 for detecting an identification means connected to the roll adapter 3, in particular the matrix code 16. The identification means reader 33 is arranged directly in front of the sorting gate 31. The sensor unit 19 is designed as a further identification means reader 33.

[0054] The overhead conveyor system 1, the roller testing device 17, and the roller adapter 3 function as follows: For the guided displacement of the roller adapter 3 along a conveying direction 34, the roller testing device has two guide rails 35. The guide rails 35 are designed to guide the roller adapter 3 laterally in the area of ​​the measuring field 24. The guide rails 35 are arranged along the conveying line 6 on both sides of the roller adapter 3, each below the support rails 12. The guide rails 35 are designed for lateral interaction with the base body 9. The guide rails 35 are formed integrally with the rail profile 4.

[0055] In the area of ​​the drive extension 14, the rolling adapter 3 is guided laterally by drive guide rails 36. The drive guide rails 36 are arranged on both sides of the rolling adapter 3 along the conveyor line 6. The drive guide rails 36 interact with the drive extension 14 in the area of ​​the measuring field 24.

[0056] The rolling adapter 3 is arranged in the rail profile 4 and mounted for displacement along the conveyor line 6. For this purpose, the support rollers 11 roll on the support rails 12. By means of the rail drive 5, the rolling adapter 3 is displaced relative to the rail profile 4 along a conveying direction 34 via the drive extension 14 by one of the drive pins 8 of the conveyor chain 7.

[0057] Preferably, both support rollers 11 along the conveyor line 6 are always in contact with the respective support rail 12. Due to a play in the mounting of the roller adapter 3 in the rail profile 4, it cannot be ruled out that at least one of the support rollers 11 will at least temporarily lose contact with the associated support rail 12. In order to reliably ensure contact between the test roller 27 and the support rail 12, designed as a counter-roller body 21, immediately in front of the measuring field 24, the roller ramp 23 is arranged on the support rail 12 immediately in front of the measuring field 24. The roll adapter 3 is displaced along the conveyor line 6 via the roller ramp 23. The contact force acting on the test roller 27 from the counter-roller body 21 is increased, and the test roller 27 is reliably driven in rotation.

[0058] The rolling adapter 3 is moved into the measuring field 24. In the area of ​​the measuring field 24, the rolling adapter 3 is carried exclusively by the support roller 11 facing away from the sensor unit 19. The support rail 12 belonging to the test roller 27 is recessed in the area of ​​the measuring field 24. In the area of ​​the measuring field 24, the test roller 27 is out of contact with the support rail 12 and is thus rotatably arranged on the base body 9. In the area of ​​the measuring field 24, the rolling adapter 3 is guided laterally on the head side by the interaction of the drive guide rails 36 with the drive extension 14 and on the foot side by the interaction of the guide rails 35 with the base body 9. The rotation axis 15 is reliably aligned parallel to the detection direction 29 by the lateral guide. The support roller 11 facing away from the sensor unit 19 is reliably held on the associated support rail 12.

[0059] The sensor unit 19 detects the matrix code 16 to identify the roller adapter 3. To record the measured value correlating with the wear condition of the pivot bearing 10 of the test roller 27, the test roller 27, in particular the markings 28, are continuously optically detected. The measured value corresponds to a sequence of images captured by the sensor unit 19. The evaluation unit 20 uses the measured value, in particular the sequence of images, to determine the wear condition of the pivot bearing 10 of the test roller 27. For this purpose, a change in the position of the markings 28 over time is first determined. From the change in position of the markings 28, an initial speed of the test roller 27 upon entering the measuring field 24 is determined. Based on the change in position of the markings 28 along the conveyor line 6, a change in speed of the test roller 27 is determined. In particular, a run-out time T of the test roller 27 is determined.The run-out time T corresponds to a period of time that elapses between the entry of the rolling adapter 3 into the measuring field 24 and the cessation of the rotational movements of the test roller 27 relative to the base body 9. The run-out time T correlates with a rotational resistance of the test roller 27 relative to the base body 9. The rotational resistance increases with increasing wear of the pivot bearing 10. The run-out time T thus determines the wear state of the pivot bearing 10. The wear state of the test roller 27 is stored in conjunction with the identification code corresponding to the matrix code 16.

[0060] The evaluation unit 20 compares the wear condition with a permissible wear condition. If the wear condition exceeds a wear threshold, the rolling adapter 3 is marked as worn. The sorting switch 31 removes the rolling adapter 3 from the conveyor rail device 2 via a reject conveyor line 37. For this purpose, the identification code of the rolling adapter 3 corresponding to the matrix code 16 is recorded immediately in front of the sorting switch 31. If the rolling adapter 3 is marked as worn, the sorting switch 31 is switched to convey the rolling adapter 3 along the reject conveyor line 37. If the rolling adapter 3 is marked as functional, the sorting switch 31 is switched to convey the rolling adapter 3 along the conveyor line 6 by means of the evaluation unit 20.

[0061] To check the wear condition of the pivot bearing 10 of the second support roller 11, the overhead conveyor system 1 has a second roller inspection device 17 (not shown). The structure of the second roller inspection device 17 corresponds to the structure of the roller inspection device 17 described above, with the structure of the roller inspection device 17 being mirrored to a plane of symmetry 38 of the roller adapter 3. The wear condition of the two pivot bearings 10 of the roller adapter 3 is determined successively along the conveyor line 6. If the wear condition of one of the two pivot bearings 10 exceeds the wear limit value, the roller adapter 3 is removed from the conveyor rail device 2 via the sorting switch 31.

[0062] Based on the Fig. 5 An example of a roller adapter 3 is described. In contrast to the example described above, the marking 28 of the support rollers 11 is designed in the form of a plurality of recesses 39 extending radially to the rotational axis 15 in the region of a side surface 40 of the respective support roller 11. A total of fifteen recesses 39 are arranged on each of the support rollers 11. The rotational speed of the respective support roller 11, the run-down time T, and thus the wear condition of the respective support roller 11 can thus be determined particularly precisely.

[0063] For contactless and visual contactless detection of the identification code of the rolling adapter 3, the latter has an RFID transponder 41. The identification means reader 33 accordingly has an RFID reader.

[0064] The functioning of the Fig. 5The rolling adapter 3 shown corresponds to the functionality of the rolling adapter 3 according to the example described above. To detect the rotational movement of the test roller 27 relative to the base body 9, the marking 28 formed in the form of the recesses 39 is detected. The identification code of the rolling adapter 3 is detected by reading the RFID transponder 41.

[0065] The roller inspection device 17 can automatically determine the wear condition of the roller adapters 3, in particular the pivot bearings 10 of the respective support roller 11. Worn roller adapters 3 can be automatically removed from the conveyor rail device 2 via the sorting gate 31. A downtime of the overhead conveyor system 1 caused by worn roller adapters 3 can be reliably prevented by the early detection and sorting of the worn roller adapters 3.

[0066] The overhead conveyor system 1 with the roller inspection device 17 can thus be operated particularly reliably and efficiently. The automated detection and sorting of worn roller adapters 3 enables particularly economical operation of the overhead conveyor system 1.

Claims

1. Roller testing device for a roller adapter (3) of an overhead conveyor system, comprising - a drive unit (18) for rotating at least one carrying roller (11) of the roller adapter (3), - a sensor unit (19) for detecting a measured value correlating with a wear state of a pivot bearing (10) of the at least one carrying roller (11), wherein the sensor unit (19) has a rotary sensor for detecting the measured value in the form of a rotary movement of the at least one carrying roller (11), - an evaluation unit (20) for determining the state of wear on the basis of the rotational movement of the at least one carrying roller (11), and - a carrying unit (4) for carrying the roller adapter (3) in a capturing region (24) of the sensor unit (19) in such a manner that the at least one carrying roller (11) is freely rotatable.

2. Roller testing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor unit (19) has a camera system for optically recording the measured value.

3. Roller testing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive unit (18) has a counter roller body (21) and a drive means (22) for linearly displacing the roller adapter (3) relative to the counter roller body (21), the counter roller body (21) being arranged in such a manner on the at least one carrying roller (11), that the at least one carrying roller (11) can be driven in rotation relative to the counter roller body (21) by the displacement, wherein in particular the counter roller body (21) has a projecting roller ramp (23) for increasing a contact pressure acting between the counter roller body (21) and the at least one carrying roller (11).

4. Roller testing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one guiding rail (35, 36) for laterally guiding the roller adapter (3) in a capturing region (24) of the sensor unit (19).

5. Overhead conveyor system for transporting goods, comprising - a roller testing device (17) according to one of claims 1 to 4 and - a conveyor rail device (2) for transporting the roller adapter (3).

6. Overhead conveyor system according to claim 5, characterized in that the roller testing device (17) for uncoupling-free testing of the roller adapter (3) is integrated into a conveying line (6) of the conveyor rail device (2).

7. Overhead conveyor system according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by a sorting switch (31) in signal communication with the evaluation unit (20) for automatically sorting the roller adapter (3) out of the conveyor rail device (2) as a function of its state of wear.

8. A method of operating a roller testing device comprising the steps of: - Providing a roller adapter (3) with -- a base body (9) and -- at least one carrying roller (11) mounted rotatably on the base body (9) by means of a pivot bearing (10), - Rotary drive of at least one carrying roller (11), - detection of a measured value correlating with a state of wear of the at least one carrying roller (11) in the form of a rotary movement of the at least one carrying roller (11), wherein, when the measured value is detected, the roller adapter (3) is carried in such a manner that the at least one carrying roller (11) is freely rotatable, and - Determine the state of wear based on the measured value.

9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the at least one carrying roller (11) is optically detected in order to record the measured value.

10. Method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the roller adapter (3) is guided laterally when the measured value is detected.

11. Method according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the measured value is recorded during a continuous transport of the roller adapter (3) along a conveying line (6).

12. Method according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized by comparing the state of wear with an admissible state of wear and sorting out the roller adapter (3) from a conveyor rail device (2) if the state of wear is outside the admissible state of wear.