Set-off belt for a palletizing device

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a settling belt for a palletizing device, comprising a circulating conveyor belt defining a conveying surface for conveying goods, a first deflection roller rotatable about a first rotation axis, and a tensioning roller rotatable about a tensioning axis and movable in a tensioning direction. The invention also relates to a palletizing device comprising at least one settling belt according to the invention. State of the art

[0002] A palletizing device is used to arrange goods, especially piece goods, or containers on pallets for transport. For this purpose, the goods are first grouped into individual layers and then placed layer by layer on a pallet or on a stack of layers already on the pallet. Such a palletizing device is known, for example, from document EP 2 881 347 B1.

[0003] CN 105000325 A discloses the features of the preamble of claim 1. This document discloses a circulating conveyor belt that is guided over two deflection rollers and, in the lower load section, over a plurality of rollers, one of which is pre-tensioned. The pre-tensioned roller is pre-tensioned by loading with an extendable piston, which pre-tensions the tensioning roller, which is oriented perpendicular to the direction of rotation of the conveyor belt. This can be done, for example, via a pneumatic cylinder or a spring device or the like, so that the load section is always kept under sufficient tension within the lower region of the conveyor belt's transport path.

[0004] For palletizing, the goods or containers typically first pass through a feeder, where the goods or containers, initially arriving in single or multiple rows, are shifted and / or assembled into stackable layers. The stackable layers are then transferred one after the other to the palletizing device, which places the layers in a desired stacking location, typically on a pallet.

[0005] The palletizing device includes, for example, a storage table, or in a further development, a settling conveyor, which includes a revolving conveyor belt. The conveyor belt defines a conveying surface for transporting the goods or containers, or layers. The settling conveyor of the palletizing device is usually vertically movable on a lifting device.

[0006] During palletizing, one stackable layer at a time is conveyed from the feeder onto the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt is moved vertically to the height corresponding to the stack of layers. The layer is then placed on the stack. The bottom layer of a stack is placed directly on the pallet.

[0007] During operation of the settling belt, the conveyor belt may drift or skew laterally. This effect is more pronounced on conveyor belts where the length of the conveying surface is approximately equal to the width of the conveying surface. If the length of the conveying surface is significantly greater than the width, this effect occurs to a lesser extent.

[0008] Document DD 68 859 A1 discloses a belt edge control device for conveyor belts, particularly for potato harvesters. A rotating belt is guided over two rollers arranged offset from each other. By pivoting one of the two rollers relative to the other, lateral drift of the belt is counteracted. A motor with a spindle is provided for pivoting the roller.

[0009] Document EP 2 995 421 A1 discloses a grinding machine with a rotating grinding belt guided over a grinding roller and a tensioning roller. The tensioning roller can be pivoted about an axis by means of an actuator to adjust the position of the belt. A position detector, designed as a forked light barrier, is provided to detect the position of the grinding belt. The position detector is connected to a controller that controls the actuator.

[0010] Document DE 10 2012 005 439 A1 discloses a device for influencing a moving web of material. The device comprises an adjustable roller that deflects the web of material. Task

[0011] The object of the present invention is to improve a settling belt for a palletizing device of the type mentioned above. In particular, the object of the invention is to enable belt edge control of the settling belt during operation of the palletizing device, while a conveying surface remains unchanged. Solution

[0012] This object is achieved by a settling belt for a palletizing device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

[0013] A generic settling belt for a palletizing device comprises a circulating conveyor belt defining a conveying surface for conveying goods, a first deflection roller rotatable about a first rotation axis, and a tensioning roller rotatable about a tensioning axis. The tensioning roller is movable in a tensioning direction.

[0014] The conveyor belt rests against the first deflection pulley and the tension pulley. The tension pulley is movable relative to the first deflection pulley. By moving the tension pulley relative to the first deflection pulley in the tensioning direction, the mechanical tension of the conveyor belt can be adjusted.

[0015] According to the invention, a second deflection roller is provided that can rotate about a second axis of rotation. The second axis of rotation runs parallel to the first axis of rotation. The tensioning roller is movable such that the tensioning axis runs at an angle to the first axis of rotation and at an angle to the second axis of rotation.

[0016] When the settling belt is in optimal operation, the conveyor belt is homogeneously designed and runs in a central area over the first deflection pulley, the second deflection pulley, and the tension pulley. The tensioning axis runs parallel to the first axis of rotation. If the conveyor belt drifts laterally, i.e. in the axial direction relative to the first axis of rotation, during actual operation of the settling belt, this can be corrected by moving the tension pulley accordingly. The tension pulley can be moved in such a way that the tensioning axis no longer runs parallel but is inclined to the first axis of rotation and inclined to the second axis of rotation. By moving the tension pulley accordingly, belt edge control of the settling belt is thus enabled.

[0017] The settling belt is designed such that the conveying surface for conveying goods extends essentially between the first deflection roller and the second deflection roller. The conveying surface is laterally limited by the edges of the conveyor belt. The conveying surface is thus designed in the shape of a rectangle. The rectangular shape of the conveying surface is maintained even when the tensioning roller is moved such that the tensioning axis runs at an angle to the first axis of rotation and at an angle to the second axis of rotation. The conveying surface thus remains unchanged regardless of the orientation of the tensioning roller and the tensioning axis. The belt edge control of the settling belt therefore does not change the conveying surface.

[0018] If a feeder is provided for feeding the goods or layers to be palletized, the palletizer can be aligned so that the distance between the feeder and the conveyor surface is minimal. The edge control of the settling belt advantageously creates a minimal gap between the feeder and the conveyor surface. This reduces the risk of goods to be palletized falling over during transfer from the feeder to the conveyor surface.

[0019] According to the invention, the tensioning roller is pivotable about a pivot axis. Particularly advantageously, the pivot axis runs at a right angle to the first rotation axis. Preferably, the pivot axis also runs at a right angle to the conveying surface of the conveyor belt. The pivot axis can also run parallel or at a different angle to the conveying surface of the conveyor belt.

[0020] According to one possible embodiment of the invention, the clamping axis intersects the pivot axis. According to another possible embodiment of the invention, the clamping axis and the pivot axis are skewed to each other and therefore do not intersect.

[0021] According to the invention, the pivot axis is arranged in a first axial end region of the tensioning roller. According to one possible embodiment of the invention, the pivot axis extends through the conveying surface. According to another possible embodiment of the invention, the pivot axis runs laterally adjacent to the conveying surface or parallel to the conveying surface.

[0022] According to an advantageous development of the invention, adjusting means for moving the tensioning pulley in the tensioning direction are provided in a second axial end region of the tensioning pulley, which is opposite the first axial end region of the tensioning pulley. Upon corresponding actuation by the adjusting means, the tensioning pulley is pivoted about the pivot axis. This changes the orientation of the tensioning axis.

[0023] Preferably, the adjusting means in the second axial end region of the tensioning roller comprise a servomotor and a spindle gear. Particularly preferably, the settling belt also comprises a sensor unit for detecting at least one belt edge of the conveyor belt and an electronic control device. The control device is connected to the sensor unit and the servomotor, for example, via data lines or a bus system. If the sensor unit detects a lateral offset of the belt edge of the conveyor belt, the control device controls the servomotor accordingly. As a result, the tensioning roller is pivoted about the pivot axis in such a way that the said lateral offset of the belt edge is compensated for.

[0024] According to the invention, tensioning means for moving the tensioning roller in the tensioning direction are provided in the first axial end region of the tensioning roller. Upon appropriate actuation by said tensioning means, the tensioning roller is moved, thereby adjusting the mechanical tension of the conveyor belt. Preferably, the settling belt also comprises a sensor unit for detecting the mechanical tension of the conveyor belt.

[0025] According to the invention, the clamping means comprise a manually operable threaded spindle. A manually operable threaded spindle is relatively inexpensive.

[0026] Preferably, the tensioning direction runs perpendicular to the first rotational axis and perpendicular or tangential to the pivot axis. Preferably, the pivot axis also runs parallel to the conveying surface of the conveyor belt. The tensioning direction can also run perpendicular or at a different angle to the conveying surface of the conveyor belt.

[0027] According to an advantageous development of the invention, a third deflection roller is provided that can rotate about a third axis of rotation. The third axis of rotation runs parallel to the first axis of rotation.

[0028] According to a further advantageous development of the invention, a drive drum rotatable about a drive axis is provided. The drive axis runs parallel to the first axis of rotation. An electric drive motor is preferably associated with the drive drum, which drives the drive drum in rotation.

[0029] The object is also achieved by a palletizing device having the features of claim 10. The palletizing device according to the invention comprises at least one settling belt according to the invention. Figures and embodiments of the invention

[0030] The invention is explained in more detail below using an advantageous embodiment illustrated in the figures. However, the invention is not limited to this embodiment. The figures only represent the subject matter of the invention schematically. They show: Figure 1a schematic front view of a palletizing device, Figure 2a top view of a settling belt, Figure 3a sectional view of the settling belt along the section line AA in Figure 2 and Figure 4 a plan view of a clamping station.

[0031] Figure 1shows a schematic front view of a palletizing device 10. The palletizing device 10 stands on a floor 12 and is used to deposit goods (not shown here) onto a pallet (also not shown here). The goods are fed to the palletizing device 10 by a feed device 110. The goods are first grouped into stackable layers by the feed device 110 and then transported in a longitudinal direction X to the palletizing device 10. The longitudinal direction X runs parallel to the floor 12.

[0032] The palletizing device 10 comprises a lifting device 20, which extends essentially in a vertical direction Z away from the floor 12. The vertical direction Z runs perpendicular to the floor 12 and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X.

[0033] A carriage 31 is arranged on the lifting device 20 and is movable in the vertical direction Z. A settling belt 50 is attached to the carriage 31. The settling belt 50 is thus movable in the vertical direction Z relative to the lifting device 20. The settling belt 50 is also movable in the longitudinal direction X relative to the carriage 31 and the lifting device 20. The settling belt 50 has a drive motor 55, which serves to drive a drive drum 67.

[0034] Figure 2 shows a top view of the Figure 1 shown settling belt 50 of the palletizing device 10. The lifting device 20 and the carriage 31 arranged thereon are not shown.

[0035] The settling belt 50 comprises a first deflection roller 61, which is rotatable about a first rotation axis 71. The settling belt 50 also comprises a second deflection roller 62, which is rotatable about a second rotation axis 72. Furthermore, the settling belt 50 comprises a tensioning roller 65 (not shown here), which is rotatable about a tensioning axis 75. The first rotation axis 71 and the second rotation axis 72 run parallel to each other in a transverse direction Y, which is oriented at right angles to the longitudinal direction X and at right angles to the vertical direction Z.

[0036] The settling conveyor 50 also includes a circulating conveyor belt 52, which defines a conveying surface 53 for conveying the goods, or rather the layers. The conveying surface 53 extends in a plane defined by the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y. The vertical direction Z thus runs perpendicular to the conveying surface 53.

[0037] The conveying surface 53 extends in the longitudinal direction X essentially between the first deflection roller 61 and the second deflection roller 62. In the transverse direction Y, the conveying surface 53 is delimited by a first belt edge 87 and a second belt edge 88 of the conveyor belt 52. The conveying surface 53 of the conveyor belt 52 is rectangular, predominantly approximately square. The conveying surface 53 has an extension in the transverse direction Y, which is also referred to as the width. The conveying surface 53 has an extension in the longitudinal direction X, which is also referred to as the length. The width of the conveying surface 53 thus corresponds at least approximately to the length of the conveying surface 53 in this case.

[0038] The settling belt 50 has two side walls 57, which extend primarily in the longitudinal direction X and run parallel to each other. The first deflection roller 61, the second deflection roller 62, and the tensioning roller 65 are mounted in the side walls 57. The distance between the side walls 57 is slightly greater than the width of the conveying surface 53.

[0039] The settling belt 50 further comprises a servomotor 91 and a spindle gear 92 for influencing the tension roller 65 (not shown here). The servomotor 91 and the spindle gear 92 are attached to one of the two side walls 57. The drive motor 55 is also attached to this side wall 57. Furthermore, the settling belt 50 comprises a threaded spindle 93, also for influencing the tension roller 65 (not shown here). The threaded spindle 93 is attached to the other of the two side walls 57.

[0040] Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the settling belt 50 from Figure 2along the section line AA shown there. As already mentioned, the settling belt 50 comprises the first deflection roller 61, which is rotatable about the first rotation axis 71, as well as the second deflection roller 62, which is rotatable about the second rotation axis 72, and the circulating conveyor belt 52.

[0041] The settling belt 50 further comprises the aforementioned tensioning roller 65, which is rotatable about the tensioning axis 75. Optionally, the settling belt 50 comprises a third deflection roller 63, which is rotatable about a third rotation axis 73. Furthermore, the settling belt 50 comprises the drive drum 67, which is rotatable about a drive axis 77 and which is drivable by the drive motor 55 (not shown here).

[0042] The first rotation axis 71, the second rotation axis 72, the third rotation axis 73, and the drive axis 77 run parallel to one another in the transverse direction Y. In particular, the third rotation axis 73 and the drive axis 77 are arranged at a distance from the first rotation axis 71 and the second rotation axis 72 in the vertical direction Z. Thus, the third deflection roller 63 and the drive drum 67 are also arranged at a distance from the conveying surface 53 of the conveyor belt 52 in the vertical direction Z.

[0043] The drive drum 67 serves to drive the conveyor belt 52. When the conveyor belt 52 is driven by the drive drum 67, a product located on the conveying surface 53 moves in the longitudinal direction X, in particular in the direction of the first axis of rotation 71.

[0044] The tensioning roller 65 is movable in a tensioning direction S. The tensioning roller 65 is movable in the tensioning direction S such that the tensioning axis 75 runs at an angle to the first rotational axis 71 and at an angle to the second rotational axis 72. The tensioning direction S extends parallel to the longitudinal direction X, and thus at a right angle to the transverse direction Y and at a right angle to the vertical direction Z.

[0045] Figure 4 shows a plan view of a clamping station 60 of the Figure 2 The tensioning station 60 comprises in particular components which are Figure 2 are covered by the conveyor belt 52. The tensioning station 60 includes, among other things, the tensioning roller 65, which is rotatable about the tensioning axis 75.

[0046] The tensioning roller 65 is advantageously constructed in two parts and fastened to a cross member 85. The tensioning axis 75 is fixedly mounted on the said cross member 85. The cross member 85 is pivotable about a pivot axis 70. Thus, the tensioning roller 65, together with the tensioning axis 75, is also pivotable about the pivot axis 70. In this case, the pivot axis 70 extends in the vertical direction Z. Thus, the pivot axis 70 extends at right angles to the first rotation axis 71. The tensioning direction S extends at right angles, or tangentially, to the pivot axis 70. The tensioning axis 75 and the pivot axis 70 are aligned skew relative to one another.

[0047] The tensioning roller 65 is defined by a first end face 83 and a second end face 84. The two end faces 83, 84 of the tensioning roller 65 extend perpendicular to the tensioning axis 75 and each define one end of the tensioning roller 65 in the direction of the tensioning axis 75.

[0048] A first axial end region 81 of the tensioning roller 65 extends from the first end face 83 in the direction of the tensioning axis 75 toward the opposite second end face 84. The first axial end region 81 also extends from the first end face 83 in the direction of the tensioning axis 75 away from the second end face 84. The extension of the first axial end region 81 in the direction of the tensioning axis 75 comprises approximately 10% to 20% of the extension of the tensioning roller 65 in the direction of the tensioning axis 75.

[0049] A second axial end region 82 of the tensioning roller 65 extends from the second end face 84 in the direction of the tensioning axis 75 toward the opposite first end face 83. The second axial end region 82 also extends from the second end face 84 in the direction of the tensioning axis 75 away from the first end face 83. The extension of the second axial end region 82 in the direction of the tensioning axis 75 comprises approximately 10% to 20% of the extension of the tensioning roller 65 in the direction of the tensioning axis 75.

[0050] The pivot axis 70 is arranged in the first axial end region 81 of the tensioning roller 65. The tensioning roller 65 extends approximately in the transverse direction Y, but, as already mentioned, is movable in the tensioning direction S, and in particular pivotable about the pivot axis 70. Thus, the tensioning roller 65 can extend at an angle to the transverse direction Y.

[0051] In the second axial end region 82 of the tensioning roller 65, adjusting means for moving the tensioning roller 65 in the tensioning direction S are provided. The adjusting means comprise the previously mentioned servomotor 91 and the spindle gear 92. The cross member 85 is coupled to the spindle gear 92 in such a way that upon rotation of the servomotor 91, the cross member 85 is pivoted about the pivot axis 70. The second axial end region 82 of the tensioning roller 65 is thereby deflected in the tensioning direction S.

[0052] The tensioning station 60 also includes a sensor unit (not shown here) for detecting at least one belt edge 87, 88 of the conveyor belt 52, and an electronic control device. The control device is connected to the sensor unit and to the servomotor 91 via corresponding data lines. If the sensor unit detects an offset of the belt edge 87, 88 of the conveyor belt 52 in the transverse direction Y, the control device controls the servomotor 91 accordingly. As a result, the tensioning roller 65 is pivoted about the pivot axis 70 in such a way that the said offset of the belt edge 87, 88 in the transverse direction Y is compensated for.

[0053] The deflection of the second axial end region 82 in the tensioning direction S is relatively small compared to the extension of the tensioning roller 65 in the direction of the tensioning axis 75, or in relation to a distance of the spindle gear 92 from the pivot axis 70. The tensioning direction S thus runs at least approximately at right angles to the transverse direction Y and at least approximately parallel to the longitudinal direction X.

[0054] Furthermore, clamping means for moving the tensioning roller 65 in the clamping direction S are provided in the first axial end region 81 of the tensioning roller 65. According to the invention, the clamping means comprise the manually operable threaded spindle 93 already mentioned. Upon corresponding actuation of the threaded spindle 93, the cross member 85 is moved with the pivot axis 70 in the clamping direction S. In this case, the first axial end region 81 of the tensioning roller 65 is also moved in the clamping direction S.

[0055] In an embodiment not according to the invention, the tensioning means in the first axial end region 81 of the tensioning roller 65 also comprise a servomotor 91 and a spindle gear 92, similar to the adjusting means in the second axial end region 82 of the tensioning roller 65. Preferably, a sensor unit for detecting the mechanical tension of the conveyor belt 52 is also provided. This enables simultaneous control of the tension of the conveyor belt 52.

[0056] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described here. Rather, numerous modifications are possible within the scope of the claims, which are within the scope of one skilled in the art. List of reference symbols

[0057] 10Palletizing device 12Floor 20Lifting device 31Carriage 50Setting belt 52Conveyor belt 53Conveyor surface 55Drive motor 57Side wall 60Tensioning station 61First deflection pulley 62Second deflection pulley 63Third deflection pulley 65Tensioning pulley 67Drive drum 70Pivoting axis 71First rotation axis 72Second rotation axis 73Third rotation axis 75Tensioning axis 77Drive axis 81First axial end area 82Second axial end area 83First end face 84Second end face 85Traverse 87First belt edge 88Second belt edge 91Servomotor 92Spindle gear 93Threaded spindle 110Feeding device ACutting line SStensioning direction XLongitudinal direction YTransverse direction ZVertical direction

Claims

1. Set-down belt (50) for a palletizing apparatus (10), comprising a circulating conveyor belt (52) which defines a conveying surface (53) for conveying goods, a first deflection roller (61) which can be rotated about a first axis of rotation (71), a tensioning roller (65) which can be rotated about a tensioning axis (75) and can be moved in a tensioning direction (S), tensioning means, and a second deflection roller (62) which can be rotated about a second axis of rotation (72), wherein the second axis of rotation (72) runs parallel to the first axis of rotation (71), and wherein the tensioning roller (65) can be pivoted about a pivot axis (70) and moved in such a way that the tensioning axis (75) is inclined to the first axis of rotation (71) and inclined to the second axis of rotation (72), and the pivot axis (70) is arranged in a first axial end region (81) of the tensioning roller (65), wherein the tensioning means for moving the tensioning roller (65) in the tensioning direction (S) are provided in the first axial end region (81) of the tensioning roller (65), characterized in that the tensioning means comprise a manually actuable threaded spindle (93).

2. Set-down belt (50) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the pivot axis (70) runs at right angles to the first axis of rotation (71).

3. Set-down belt (50) according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the pivot axis (70) runs at right angles to the conveying surface (53) of the conveyor belt (52).

4. Set-down belt (50) according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the tensioning axis (75) intersects the pivot axis (70).

5. Set-down belt (50) according to Claim 1, characterized in that adjusting means for moving the tensioning roller (65) in the tensioning direction (S) are provided in a second axial end region (82) of the tensioning roller (65), which lies opposite the first axial end region (81) of the tensioning roller (65).

6. Set-down belt (50) according to Claim 5, characterized in that the actuating means comprise an actuating motor (91) and a spindle gear (92).

7. Set-down belt (50) according to one of Claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the tensioning direction (S) runs at right angles to the first axis of rotation (71) and at right angles to the pivot axis (70).

8. Set-down belt (50) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a third deflection roller (63) which can be rotated about a third axis of rotation (73) is provided, wherein the third axis of rotation (73) runs parallel to the first axis of rotation (71).

9. Set-down belt (50) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a drive drum (67) which can be rotated about a drive axis (77) is provided, wherein the drive axis (77) runs parallel to the first axis of rotation (71).

10. Palletizing apparatus (10), comprising at least one set-down belt (50) according to one of the preceding claims.