Conveyor belt with belt connection

Description

Conveyor belt with belt connection

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveyor belt with at least one belt connection according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0002] Conveyor belts are used in a wide variety of applications, particularly to transport materials. Such conveyor belts can also be referred to as transport belts, conveyor belts, or conveyor belts. Loose goods, such as bulk materials, are particularly suitable for conveying. Conveyor belts are used in a closed, endless manner in the direction of movement, which can also be referred to as the conveying direction or the running direction.

[0003] Such conveyor belts are typically made of a flexible material, particularly an elastomeric material such as rubber, into which so-called tension members are embedded to transmit the tensile forces in the direction of travel. Depending on the type of conveyor belt, these can be parallel steel cables or flat textile tension members.

[0004] When endlessly closing conveyor belts with steel cords, the steel cords at both ends of the conveyor belt or conveyor belt segments that are to be connected are usually stripped of their flexible material, spliced ​​together, and then vulcanized again, for example. This creates a belt connection or joint that is sufficiently stable to transmit tensile forces in the direction of travel even with interrupted tension members. The conveyor belt can thus be endlessly closed or initially extended and then endlessly closed.

[0005] Even though such belt connections are now of a very high technical standard and are accordingly stable, durable and reliable, belt connections still represent a potential weak point in the conveyor belt. Therefore, the belt connections of conveyor belts in use must be checked for their condition at certain intervals. This can be done by a visual inspection by a person and, if necessary, by measuring devices. If any abnormalities are found in the belt connection during the inspection, repairs can be carried out if possible. It may also be necessary to replace the conveyor belt. In any case, the aim is to detect any weakening of the belt connection of the conveyor belt before the conveyor belt breaks at the belt connection, which can lead in particular to damage to the conveyor belt system, environmental pollution, financial loss, additional costs and the like.

[0006] Additionally, a visual inspection of a conveyor belt's belt splice can provide insights into the quality of the conveyor belt's alignment within the conveyor belt system. If the belt splice exhibits a worn and possibly mechanically damaged edge in the transverse direction, which could result from unwanted lateral contact of the conveyor belt with elements of the conveyor belt system, this can indicate poor guidance of the conveyor belt within the conveyor belt system. The alignment of the conveyor belt within the conveyor belt system can then be corrected to avoid such lateral contact in the future.

[0007] It should be noted that in practice, locating a conveyor belt splice can be quite laborious and time-consuming, as the splice, for example in steel cord conveyor belts made of rubber, is usually visually indistinguishable from the rest of the conveyor belt due to the vulcanization of the connected conveyor belt ends or conveyor belt segment ends. Therefore, the inspector cannot easily, reliably, or quickly identify the conveyor belt splice to be inspected while walking along the conveyor belt system.

[0008] It is therefore common practice for the inspector to travel along the conveyor belt in the conveyor system using a belt routing plan in which the belt splice(s) are shown, and to locate the belt splice(s) by measuring along the direction of extension of the conveyor belt. This can make locating the belt splice(s) easier and faster, but it involves a great deal of additional effort. Furthermore, even with theoretical knowledge of a belt splice's position along the belt conveyor system, it may still not be possible for the inspector to locate it quickly and clearly visually. WO 99 / 41567 A1 describes a device for continuously monitoring a splice of a conveyor belt made of rubber or rubber-like plastic, which is in particular provided with embedded strength members.In an advantageous embodiment, the device consists of the following components with respect to the connection area, namely four measuring marks, two addresses and four sensor heads, wherein the sensor heads are arranged above the carrying side of the conveyor belt.

[0009] DE102015224563A1 discloses a conveyor belt according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a conveyor belt of the type described above, the belt connection(s) of which can be located more easily, quickly, and / or reliably than previously known. This should be made possible, in particular, for an inspector. At the very least, an alternative to known conveyor belts of this type should be created.

[0011] The object is achieved according to the invention by a conveyor belt having the features according to claim 1. Advantageous further developments are described in the subclaims.

[0012] Thus, the present invention relates to a conveyor belt with a conveyor belt body that is endlessly closed by means of at least one belt connection. The conveyor belt body consists essentially of a flexible, in particular elastomeric material, such as rubber. Tension members are preferably embedded in the flexible material in the longitudinal direction, as will be described in more detail below. Steel cables, in particular, can be used as tension members.

[0013] The belt connection itself has at least one marking element. In other words, the belt connection, or the area or section of the belt connection, is marked with a marking and, as such, is easier, faster, and / or more reliable than previously known, particularly visually for an inspector, to identify and distinguish from the rest of the conveyor belt.

[0014] The present invention is based on the finding that—as described above—particularly in steel cord conveyor belts, the area of ​​a belt connection can be difficult for an inspector to visually locate. Therefore, according to the invention, the belt connection is identified by means of a marking such that the belt connection can be distinguished from the rest of the conveyor belt along its elongated extent. In other words, the area or section of a conveyor belt where a belt connection is located is identified by means of the at least one marking element such that the area or section of the belt connection can be distinguished from the rest of the conveyor belt body more easily, quickly, and / or reliably than previously known.

[0015] Any means suitable for producing this effect can be used for this purpose. In particular, these can be optical and / or electronic marking elements, as will be described in more detail below. However, other means, such as magnetic marking elements, can also be used for this purpose.

[0016] This can make it easier for an inspector to locate a belt connection to be inspected. This can reduce the effort and, in particular, the time required for the inspector, thus also leading to lower costs for such an inspection. In particular, the inspector can eliminate the need to measure the conveyor belt and use a conveyor belt routing plan, as described above.

[0017] If a conveyor belt has multiple belt connections, all belt connections can preferably be marked by at least one marking element each, as described above. These multiple marking elements can be identical or different, allowing individual or all marking elements to be distinguished from one another if necessary. A belt connection can also have more than one identical or different marking element, for example, to mark the beginning and end of the belt connection individually and separately in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt.

[0018] Another advantage of this type of marking is that the marking of the belt connection can represent a unique selling point for the conveyor belt compared to competitors' products. Accordingly, a company's own conveyor belts can be distinguished from those of other manufacturers based on the type of marking on at least one belt connection. Different types of conveyor belts from the same manufacturer can also be distinguished from one another based on the type of marking on at least one belt connection.

[0019] Another advantage is that such a marking element can also be detected by the conveyor belt system itself using appropriate sensors, for example. This allows the conveyor belt to move automatically within the conveyor belt system, while simultaneously, the sensors can detect and evaluate the corresponding section of the conveyor belt where the marking element is located. This can be done using image capture to detect an optical marking element, for example, and using a transmitter / receiver unit to detect an electronic marking element, for example, in the form of an RFID transponder.

[0020] If a marker element is detected by the conveyor belt system, the conveyor belt can stop its movement and inspect the belt splice by a single person. This can be repeated for all belt splices of the conveyor belt, one after the other, if multiple splices are present. This can make the inspector's job much easier, as the person can remain in one place and the conveyor belt splice to be inspected can be fed to them by the conveyor belt system.

[0021] According to one aspect of the invention, the marking element is arranged laterally in the conveyor belt body in the transverse direction. In other words, in this case, the marking element is received laterally in the transverse direction by the conveyor belt body or its belt connection. For this purpose, the marking element can be arranged and received between an upper side and a lower side of the conveyor belt body, which can form the two cover plates of the conveyor belt. This prevents the marking element from protruding laterally beyond the dimensions of the conveyor belt or the conveyor belt body in the transverse direction. Thus, the cross-section of the conveyor belt, as in its remaining course, can be maintained even when using the marking element.

[0022] According to a further aspect of the invention, the marking element is arranged laterally in the transverse direction on a side edge of the conveyor belt body. In other words, in this case the marking element is arranged laterally in the transverse direction on the conveyor belt body or on its belt connection. For this purpose, the marking element can be applied laterally from the outside to the conveyor belt body or on its belt connection, such that the marking element can protrude laterally beyond the cross-section of the conveyor belt. In terms of height, the marking element can be shorter than the thickness of the conveyor belt body or the same height as the thickness of the conveyor belt body, i.e. extending from the top side to the bottom. In the former case, material and effort can be reduced by making the marking element comparatively short, at least in height.In the latter case, a marking element that is as large as possible, at least in height, can be formed, which can enhance recognition and, in particular, visual recognition, especially for the inspector. In any case, this can simplify application and / or enhance the visual recognition of the marking element.

[0023] In any case, attaching the marking element laterally, both inside the conveyor belt body and on the outside of the belt body, prevents the marking element from being obscured, for example, by the conveyed material from above. It also prevents the marking element from being abraded or otherwise damaged by contact with the conveyed material and / or parts of the conveyor belt system, such as deflection rollers, drive rollers, and idler rollers. This can promote the longevity of the marking element. In any case, this can improve the visibility and detectability of the marking element.

[0024] The advantage of arranging the marking on the side of the belt connection is that the marking element, particularly as an optical marking element, can be used additionally or alternatively to detect lateral contact of the conveyor belt, at least in the area of ​​the belt connection or its marking element, with components of the conveyor belt system. If damage to the marking element is detected during visual inspection of the marking element, this can indicate poor guidance of the conveyor belt in the conveyor belt system, and this can be corrected. If necessary, the type of damage can even be used to draw conclusions about the specific causes of the poor guidance, allowing targeted action to be taken.

[0025] Another advantage of arranging the belt connection marking on the side is that the marking element, particularly as an optical marking element, can be visually detected by the inspector from a position to the side of the conveyor belt system without having to step onto the conveyor belt or, in particular, walk along it. This can increase occupational safety for the inspector.

[0026] According to the invention, the marking element comprises an optical marking element. In other words, the marking element is designed and arranged, in particular laterally on the conveyor belt body, so that the marking element can be recognized by an inspecting person purely visually and preferably directly with the eyes. This can enable the implementation of the previously described properties and advantages without any auxiliary means, which can keep the effort and costs for implementing the invention particularly low.

[0027] For this purpose, a difference between the optical marking element and the substrate of the conveyor belt body on which the optical marking element is arranged can be used, which difference can be visually recognized by an inspecting person and can be brought about, for example, by one color, by several colors, by a color pattern and the like.

[0028] The surface of the belt connection can also be structurally designed as an optical marking element to create a different visual impression for the inspector than the surface of the rest of the conveyor belt body. This can be achieved, for example, through the contour, through elevations and / or depressions, particularly in the form of patterns, through varying roughness, and the like, which can change the visual impression and possibly lead to different light reflections.

[0029] According to a further aspect of the invention, the optical marking element has a color that is visually different from the color of the conveyor belt body. This can represent a particularly simple, cost-effective optical marking element that can be recognized by the inspector even from a greater distance and / or with less attention.

[0030] According to the invention, the marking element has an electronic marking element, preferably an RFID transponder. This can enable electronic detection of the belt connection. For this purpose, the inspector can carry a corresponding detector or a corresponding transmitting / receiving unit and point it at the conveyor belt when inspecting the conveyor belt in order to locate the belt connection marked with the electronic marking element. Although this may entail additional technical effort, it can make locating the belt connection easier, particularly in poor visibility conditions such as rain, fog, dust, etc., as well as at night, and may even make it possible in the first place. Using an RFID transponder for this purpose can facilitate implementation and, in particular, make it particularly cost-effective.

[0031] According to the invention, the marking element has a carrier element which is arranged directly on the belt connection, wherein the optical marking element and / or the electronic marking element is / are arranged on the carrier element facing away from the belt connection. In other words, the carrier element is arranged directly on the surface of the belt connection or of the conveyor belt body. By means of this carrier element of the marking element, a substrate can be created on the conveyor belt body, on which substrate the optical marking element and / or the electronic marking element can be arranged. This can improve the durability of the optical marking element and / or the electronic marking element and thereby also its longevity. The carrier element can in particular be a carrier layer which is applied by gluing or directly as a flowable or spreadable, curable orDryable material can be applied to the surface of the conveyor belt body. This can simplify the assembly and, in particular, keep it flexible.

[0032] According to the invention, the electronic marking element is arranged between the carrier element and the optical marking element. This allows the electronic marking element to be covered externally by the optical marking element and thus protected from external influences, such as moisture, dust, other liquids, and the like. This can promote the longevity of the electronic marking element.

[0033] According to a further aspect of the invention, the carrier element is black. This can be achieved, in particular, by using rubber as the flexible material for the conveyor belt body. This creates a background against which an optical marking element, particularly in the form of a bright and possibly garish color such as yellow, can clearly stand out. This can facilitate the visual recognition of the optical marking element, particularly for the inspector.

[0034] According to a further aspect of the invention, the belt connection is vulcanized, and the marking element, preferably a carrier element of the marking element, is arranged on the vulcanized belt connection. This can facilitate the identification of the belt connection in this case.

[0035] According to a further aspect of the invention, a plurality of steel cables are arranged parallel to one another in the conveyor belt body as tension members. Thus, steel cables can be used as tension members and the resulting properties and advantages can be utilized.

[0036] Two embodiments and further advantages of the invention are explained below in conjunction with the following figures. Therein: Fig. 1 is a perspective schematic representation of a conveyor belt according to the invention according to a first embodiment; Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a detailed view of the Fig. 1 ; Fig. 3 a perspective schematic representation of a conveyor belt according to the invention according to a second embodiment; and Fig. 4 a cross-section of a detailed view of the Fig. 3 .

[0037] The description of the above figures is given in Cartesian coordinates with a longitudinal direction X, a transverse direction Y perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X and a vertical direction Z perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y. The longitudinal direction X can also be referred to as depth X, the transverse direction Y as width Y and the vertical direction Z as height Z.

[0038] A conveyor belt 1 has a conveyor belt body 10 with an upper side 10a oriented upwards at a height Z, two side edges 10b opposite each other in the transverse direction Y, and a lower side 10c oriented downwards at a height Z and directly opposite the upper side 10a. The conveyor belt body 10 consists essentially of a flexible material, which is designed as an elastomeric material made of rubber. Embedded in the flexible material of the conveyor belt body 10 are a plurality of tension members 11 in the form of steel cables 11, which extend in the longitudinal direction X as the direction of movement or conveyance of the conveyor belt 1 and are arranged parallel to one another within a common horizontal plane.

[0039] The conveyor belt 1 is endlessly closed by means of a belt connection 12, which extends in the longitudinal direction X over a certain length and can therefore also be referred to as belt connection area 12.

[0040] According to the invention, the belt connection 12 has a marking element 13 which, after the belt connection 12 has been produced, has been inserted or applied to at least one of the two side edges 10b of the belt connection 12 in order to be able to distinguish the belt connection 12 from the remaining conveyor belt body 10 more easily, quickly and reliably than previously known.

[0041] According to a first embodiment, the marking element 13 is inserted laterally from the outside in the transverse direction Y into a corresponding recess of the conveyor belt body 10 in the region of the belt connection 12 over its entire elongated extent in the longitudinal direction X, so that the marking element 13 is arranged at the height Z from above and from below between the upper side 10a and the underside 10c of the conveyor belt body 10, see Figures 1 and 2. According to a second embodiment, the marking element 13 is applied laterally in the transverse direction Y to the conveyor belt body 10 in the region of the belt connection 12 over its entire elongated extent in the longitudinal direction X, so that the marking element 13 extends in the height Z as far as the conveyor belt body 10 itself, see Figures 3 and 4 .

[0042] The marking element 13 in any case has a carrier element 13a in the form of a carrier layer 13a, which is introduced as a viscous material by a person into the recess of the conveyor belt body 10, see Figure 2 , or applied to the side edge 10b of the belt connection 12, see Figure 4, and dried there. As a result, the carrier layer 13a has a cohesive bond to the material of the belt connection 12. The material of the carrier layer 13a is selected such that, in addition to the cohesive bond, protection of the material of the belt connection 12 can be achieved, which is why the carrier layer 13a can also be referred to as a barrier layer 13a. If necessary, the carrier layer 13a can also be omitted, which can save material and time.

[0043] Into the remaining recess, see Figure 2 , or on the carrier layer 13a, see Figure 4, an electronic marking element 13b in the form of an RFID transponder 13b was then glued laterally from the outside in the transverse direction Y. The carrier layer 13a, including the RFID transponder 13b, was finally covered laterally with an optical marking element 13c in the form of a paint layer 13c, which was also dried. Due to the black color of the rubber of the conveyor belt body 10 and the belt connection 12, the paint layer 13c has a yellow color as a clear contrast.

[0044] In this way, the belt connection 12 can be located comparatively easily, quickly, and reliably by a person who is supposed to locate the belt connection 12 and inspect it for damage and wear. Firstly, due to the striking color of the color layer 13c of the marking element 13 and due to the lateral orientation of the marking element 13c, the belt connection 12 can be recognized and located comparatively easily, quickly, and reliably, even from a certain distance, by the person walking past the conveyor belt 1 in a conveyor belt system. Additionally or alternatively, the person can use a corresponding transmitter / receiver unit to recognize the RFID transponder 13b and thereby locate the belt connection 12 comparatively easily, quickly, and reliably. This can significantly reduce the effort required by the inspecting person in any case and thus save corresponding costs.

[0045] Furthermore, the inspector can determine from damage to the paint layer 13c of the marking element 13 that the conveyor belt 1 is poorly guided in the conveyor belt system and correct it. This can protect the conveyor belt 1 and, in particular, prevent damage. List of reference symbols (part of the description)

[0046] XLongitudinal direction; Depth YTransverse direction; Width Zvertical direction; Height 1 Conveyor belt 10 Conveyor belt body 10a Top side of the conveyor belt body 10 10b Side edges of the conveyor belt body 10 10c Bottom side of the conveyor belt body 10 11 Tension members; steel cables 12 Belt connection; belt connection area 13 Marking element 13a Carrier element; carrier layer; barrier layer 13b Electronic marking element; RFID transponder 13 Optical marking element; color layer

Claims

1. Conveyor belt (1) having a conveyor belt body (10), which is closed in an endless form by means of at least one belt connection (12), wherein specifically the belt connection (12) has at least one marking element (13), wherein the marking element (13) has an optical marking element (13c), characterized in that the marking element (13) also has an electronic marking element (13b), wherein the marking element (13) has a carrier element (13a), which is arranged directly on the belt connection (12), wherein the optical marking element (13c) and / or the electronic marking element (13b) is / are arranged on the carrier element (13a) so as to face away from the belt connection (12), wherein the electronic marking element (13c) is arranged between the carrier element (13a) and the optical marking element (13c).

2. Conveyor belt (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that, in the transverse direction (Y), the marking element (13) is arranged laterally in the conveyor belt body (10).

3. Conveyor belt (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that, in the transverse direction (Y), the marking element (13) is arranged laterally on a side edge (10b) of the conveyor belt body (10).

4. Conveyor belt (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the optical marking element (13c) has a colour which differs optically from the colour of the conveyor belt body (10).

5. Conveyor belt (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the marking element (13) has an RFID transponder (13b) as the electronic marking element (13b).

6. Conveyor belt (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier element (13a) has a black colour.

7. Conveyor belt (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the belt connection (12) is vulcanized and the marking element (13), preferably a carrier element (13a) of the marking element (13), is arranged on the vulcanized belt connection (12).

8. Conveyor belt (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of steel cables (11) are arranged parallel to one another in the conveyor belt body (10) as tension members (11).