DEVICE AND METHOD FOR WELDING TWO ENDS OF A CONVEYOR BELT TOGETHER

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a device for welding two ends of a conveyor belt together, comprising two clamping devices, each with two clamping blocks for clamping the ends of the conveyor belt between them, wherein of the two clamping blocks of the clamping devices, an upper clamping block is configured for contact with the top side of the conveyor belt and a lower clamping block is configured for contact with the underside of the conveyor belt. The device includes a guide device that slidably guides the clamping devices towards each other parallel to the top side of the conveyor belt.

[0002] The invention further relates to a method for welding two ends of a conveyor belt together with the system. State of the art

[0003] From the prior art, for example from patent application EP 2 679 522 A1, conveyor belts for transporting goods are known, which are guided around rollers as endless belts in a transport system. To produce an endless belt, a flat conveyor belt is usually produced first, the ends of which are then joined together to form the endless belt.

[0004] Conventional conveyor belts are made of plastics, allowing the ends to be joined by welding. However, this creates a weld seam that protrudes over one or both the top and / or bottom of the conveyor belt. This weld seam can cause vibrations, noise, friction losses, and wear when the conveyor belt is guided around a roller. Furthermore, the weld seam can hinder the loading of goods onto the conveyor belt and its hygienic cleaning. US Patents 8,770,253 B2 and 4,765,862 A disclose known devices and methods for welding two ends of a plastic belt.

[0005] Removing the weld using known methods is complex and unreliable, as weld remnants often remain on the conveyor belt. Technical task

[0006] The object of the invention is to create a system and a method for welding the ends of a conveyor belt together, which enables low-friction, low-vibration, low-noise, low-wear and hygienic use of the conveyor belt for transporting goods in a transport system. Technical solution

[0007] The present invention provides a system according to claim 1 that solves the technical problem. The problem is also solved by a method according to claim 8. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0008] The device according to the invention is designed for welding two ends of a conveyor belt together. The conveyor belt is preferably elastic and / or monolithic. The conveyor belt consists, for example, of a plastic, in particular an elastomer, preferably a polyurethane.

[0009] The conveyor belt preferably has a transport direction for transporting goods with the conveyor belt in the transport direction, wherein the two ends are preferably opposite each other along the transport direction.

[0010] The system comprises two clamping devices, each with two clamping blocks for clamping one end of the conveyor belt between the two clamping blocks. The clamping blocks are made of a metal, in particular steel or aluminum.

[0011] Of the two clamping blocks of the clamping devices, one upper clamping block is designed to be placed against a flat top surface of the conveyor belt and one lower clamping block is designed to be placed against a flat underside of the conveyor belt that is parallel to the top surface.

[0012] The system comprises a guide device that moves the clamping devices parallel to the top of the conveyor belt, particularly along the conveyor belt's direction of travel, so that they slide towards each other. With the aid of the guide device, the ends of the conveyor belt clamped in the clamping devices can be moved towards each other and pressed together to weld the ends together.

[0013] Each of the clamping blocks of each of the clamping devices has at least one blade with a side surface for contacting the top or bottom of the conveyor belt, each of the blades having a cutting edge parallel to the top surface which projects over the respective clamping block towards the other clamping device. Beneficial effects

[0014] When the clamping devices for welding the ends of the conveyor belt are brought together, a weld seam is created that protrudes beyond the top and / or bottom of the belt. The blade, with its cutting edge extending beyond the clamping block, creates a material taper in the weld seam, flush with the top and / or bottom surface. The weld seam can be easily and reliably cut at this taper, leaving no protruding remnants on the conveyor belt. This results in a smooth top and bottom surface, enabling low-friction, low-vibration, low-noise, low-wear, and hygienic use of the conveyor belt for transporting goods in a conveying system, thereby also increasing the conveyor belt's service life.

[0015] For weighing goods transported on the conveyor belt, the complete removal of the weld seam protrusions has the advantage that more accurate measurement results can be achieved, since less vibration occurs when the conveyor belt moves and a so-called "beat" of the conveyor belt is prevented. Description of the execution types

[0016] According to the invention, at least one blade with a side surface for contacting the top or bottom of the conveyor belt is arranged on each of the clamping blocks of each of the clamping devices, wherein each of the blades has a cutting edge parallel to the top surface, which projects over the clamping block towards the other clamping device.

[0017] Because blades are arranged on all clamping blocks, a particularly narrow material taper can be created in the weld seam on the top and bottom of the conveyor belt, so that the weld seam can be cut particularly easily and cleanly.

[0018] The system preferably includes an alignment aid that can be inserted between the two clamping devices for aligning the two ends relative to each other, preferably for aligning grooves arranged in the top and / or bottom of the conveyor belt relative to each other. With the aid of the alignment aid, the ends can be easily and precisely aligned relative to each other so that they can be welded together without offset. Offset-free welding reduces friction, vibration, and wear when the conveyor belt is used in the transport system. Offset-free welding is particularly important for conveyor belts with grooves so that guide elements or drive elements of the transport system, which are intended to engage in the grooves to guide or drive the conveyor belt, are not driven out of the grooves due to misalignment.

[0019] The alignment aid includes, for example, a template for precisely aligning the ends of the conveyor belt with the template.

[0020] The system preferably comprises a heating device that can be inserted between the two clamping devices for melting at least one of the two ends, preferably both ends. Once at least one of the two ends has been melted, the ends can then be welded together without further aids by pressing them together.

[0021] The heating device includes, for example, a heating element, in particular an electric one.

[0022] The conveyor belt is preferably designed to transport goods along a transport direction parallel to the top of the conveyor belt, wherein the two clamping devices are preferably designed to clamp the ends such that the transport direction of the conveyor belt is oriented obliquely to the cutting edge of the at least one blade of the clamping blocks. Alternatively, the transport direction can be oriented orthogonally to the cutting edge. The transport direction preferably forms an angle of 70° to 90°, in particular 80° to 89°, for example 85°, with the cutting edge.

[0023] The angled cutting edge creates a weld seam that is angled relative to the direction of travel when welding the ends of the conveyor belt. For a given conveyor belt width, an angled weld seam is longer than a weld seam perpendicular to the direction of travel. This longer weld seam results in a particularly strong mechanical connection between the two ends. Furthermore, when the conveyor belt is deflected around a small deflection roller in the transport system, the entire angled weld seam does not simultaneously contact the deflection roller and is not deformed by the deflection. Therefore, the angled weld seam is subjected to less mechanical stress, and the conveyor belt runs more smoothly around the deflection roller than with a weld seam perpendicular to the direction of travel.

[0024] At least one, preferably each, of the clamping blocks comprises preferably a plurality of receiving openings for receiving one end of a conveyor belt for welding the end. Several conveyor belts can be inserted into the receiving openings simultaneously in order to weld their ends together particularly quickly and easily.

[0025] The guide device preferably comprises a rail system on which the clamping devices, for example on slides, rollers or wheels, are slidably guided.

[0026] The system preferably comprises a drive device, in particular a motorized one, for driving a displacement of the clamping devices along the guide device. The drive device includes, for example, a spindle drive.

[0027] The method according to the invention is used for welding two ends of a conveyor belt together with a system according to the invention. The method comprises placing a flat underside of the conveyor belt onto the lower clamping blocks of the clamping devices of the system, so that the ends of the conveyor belt are opposite each other.

[0028] The method comprises, preferably after placing the flat underside onto the lower clamping blocks, placing the upper clamping blocks of the clamping devices against a flat top surface of the conveyor belt that is parallel to the underside.

[0029] The method comprises, preferably after the upper clamping blocks have been placed against the top surface, clamping the ends of the conveyor belt between the clamping blocks. This clamping ensures that the ends are welded together in the correct position relative to each other.

[0030] The method comprises, preferably after clamping the ends, partially melting at least one end, preferably both ends, of the conveyor belt. In the partially melted state, the ends can be welded together.

[0031] The method comprises, preferably after melting at least one of the ends, pushing the two clamping devices together along the guide device of the system, so that the ends of the conveyor belt are pressed together, creating a weld seam that protrudes over the top and / or underside of the conveyor belt.

[0032] The process involves creating a material taper with the cutting edges of the blades of the clamping blocks in the weld seam in a plane with the top and / or bottom during the sliding together.

[0033] The method preferably comprises releasing the upper clamping blocks from the top of the conveyor belt and removing the conveyor belt from the lower clamping blocks after creating the material taper.

[0034] The method preferably comprises cutting, more preferably tearing and / or slicing, the material taper after the taper has been created and preferably after the upper clamping blocks have been released from the top of the conveyor belt and the conveyor belt has been removed from the lower clamping blocks. Cutting the material taper quickly, easily, and reliably removes the portion of the weld seam protruding beyond the top and / or bottom surface. The cutting is performed, for example, with a knife or a cutter.

[0035] The method preferably includes, prior to clamping the ends of the conveyor belt between the clamping blocks, inserting an alignment aid between the two clamping devices and aligning the two ends of the conveyor belt with the alignment aid to each other, wherein grooves arranged in the top and / or bottom of the conveyor belt are preferably aligned to each other.

[0036] The method preferably includes removing the alignment aid after clamping the ends and before pushing the two clamping devices together.

[0037] The method preferably comprises, after clamping the ends of the conveyor belt between the clamping blocks, the insertion of a heating device between the two clamping devices, wherein at least one of the ends of the conveyor belt is melted with the heating device.

[0038] The method preferably includes removing the heating device after melting at least one of the ends and before pushing the two clamping devices together.

[0039] The method comprises, after creating the material taper and preferably after cutting through it, preferably removing the weld seam from grooves arranged in the top and / or bottom of the conveyor belt. After cutting through the material taper, remnants of the weld seam may remain in the grooves, which could impair the grooves' function of guiding or driving the conveyor belt. Such impairment is avoided by removing the weld seam. Removal includes, for example, cutting the weld seam out of the grooves, for instance with side cutters, end cutters, or nippers. Brief description of the drawings

[0040] Further advantages, objectives and features of the invention are explained with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which exemplary objects according to the invention are shown. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a system according to the invention. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a method according to the invention. Fig. 1

[0041] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a system 200 according to the invention for welding two ends of a conveyor belt (in Figure 1 (not shown) together.

[0042] The system comprises two clamping devices 210, each with two clamping blocks 211, 212 for clamping one of the ends of the conveyor belt between the two clamping blocks 211.

[0043] Of the two clamping blocks 211, 212 of the clamping devices 210, an upper clamping block 211 is designed to be placed against a flat top surface of the conveyor belt and a lower clamping block 212 is designed to be placed against a flat underside of the conveyor belt parallel to the top surface.

[0044] The system 200 comprises a guide device 220 which guides the clamping devices 210, for example on a rail system, parallel to the top of the conveyor belt so as to slide towards each other.

[0045] Each of the clamping blocks 211, 212 of the clamping devices 210 has a blade 213 with a side surface 214 for contact with the top or bottom of the conveyor belt, wherein the blade 213 has a cutting edge 215 parallel to the top surface, which projects towards the other clamping device 210 over the respective clamping block 211, 212.

[0046] The system 200 preferably comprises a drive device 250 for driving a displacement of the clamping devices 210 along the guide device 220, for example with a spindle drive. Fig. 2

[0047] Figure 2 Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a method according to the invention for welding two ends 101 of a conveyor belt 100 together with a device 200 according to the invention. The device 200 can be used as shown in Figure 200. Figure 1 be depicted in a structured manner, whereby in Figure 2 For the sake of clarity, not all features of Annex 200 are labelled and explained.

[0048] The method shown optionally includes the insertion of an alignment aid 230, for example a template, between the two clamping devices 210 of the system 200 and the alignment of the two ends 101 of the conveyor belt 100 with the alignment aid 230 to each other.

[0049] The procedure includes a Figure 2A The shown placement of a flat underside 120 of the conveyor belt 100 onto the lower clamping blocks 212 of the clamping devices 210 of the system 200, so that the ends 101 of the conveyor belt 100 are opposite each other.

[0050] The procedure comprises, after placing the underside 120 onto the lower terminal blocks 212, a Figure 2B The shown positioning of the upper clamping blocks 211 of the clamping devices 210 against a flat upper surface 110 of the conveyor belt 100, parallel to the lower surface 120.

[0051] The procedure involves clamping the ends 101 of the conveyor belt 100 between the clamping blocks 211 and 212 after the upper clamping blocks 211 and 212 have been placed against the top surface 110. After clamping, the alignment aid 230 can be removed.

[0052] The method optionally includes, after clamping the ends 101 of the conveyor belt 100 between the clamping blocks 211, 212, the insertion of a heating device 240, for example an electric heating rod, between the two clamping devices 210.

[0053] The procedure comprises, after clamping the ends 101 of the conveyor belt 100, a Figure 2C The melting of the ends 101 of the conveyor belt 100 is shown, for example with the heating device 240. After melting, the heating device 240 can be removed.

[0054] After melting the ends, the process comprises 101 a 2D Figure The two clamping devices 210 are pushed together along the guide device 220 of the system 200, so that the ends 101 of the conveyor belt 100 are pressed together, creating a weld seam 102 that extends over the top 110 and / or the bottom 120 of the conveyor belt 100.

[0055] The process comprises creating a material taper 103 with the cutting edge 215 of the blades 213 of the clamping blocks 211, 212 in the weld seam 102 in a plane with the top 110 and the bottom 120 of the conveyor belt 100 during the pushing together.

[0056] The procedure optionally includes a [something] in Figure 2E The figure shows the release of the upper clamping blocks 211 from the top 110 of the conveyor belt 100 and the removal of the conveyor belt 100 from the lower clamping blocks 212 after the material tapering has been created.

[0057] The process includes, after creating the material rejuvenation, 103: optionally, a [missing information] in Figure 2E shown cutting, for example tearing and / or cutting, of the material reduction 103, so that the protrusion of the weld seam 102 over the top 110 and over the bottom 120 of the conveyor belt 100 can be removed. List of reference symbols

[0058] 100 conveyor belt 212 lower terminal block 101 End 213 blade 102 weld 214 side surface 103 rejuvenation 215 Cutting edge 110 Top 220 Guide device 120 bottom 230 Alignment aid 200 Attachment 240 Heating device 210 Clamping device 250 drive device 211 upper terminal block

Claims

1. An apparatus (200) for welding two ends (101) of a conveyor belt (100) to one another, a. wherein the apparatus (200) comprises two clamping devices (210), each having two clamping blocks (211, 212) for clamping one of the ends (101) of the conveyor belt (100) between the two clamping blocks (211), b. wherein of the two clamping blocks (211, 212) of the clamping devices (210), an upper clamping block (211) is arranged for engaging with a flat upper side (110) of the conveyor belt (100), and a lower clamping block (212) is arranged for engaging with a flat lower side (120) of the conveyor belt (100) the lower side (120) being parallel to the upper side (110), c. wherein the apparatus (200) comprises a guide device (220) which guides the clamping devices (210) so that they can be moved towards each other in parallel to the upper side (110) of the conveyor belt (100), characterised in that d. at least one blade (213) is arranged on each of the clamping blocks (211, 212) of each of the clamping devices (210), the blade (213) having a side surface (214) for engaging with the upper side (110) or with the lower side (120) of the conveyor belt (100), e. each of the blades (213) having a cutting edge (215) parallel to the upper side (110), which protrudes beyond the clamping block (211, 212) towards the other clamping device (210).

2. The apparatus (200) according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus (200) comprises an alignment aid (230) that can be inserted between the two clamping devices (210) for aligning the two ends (101) with each other, preferably for aligning grooves arranged in the upper side (110) and / or in the lower side (120) of the conveyor belt (100).

3. The apparatus (200) according to one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the apparatus (200) comprises a heating device (240) that can be inserted between the two clamping devices (210) for melting at least one of the two ends (101).

4. The apparatus (200) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the conveyor belt (100) is designed to transport goods along a transport direction parallel to the upper side (110) of the conveyor belt (100), wherein the two clamping devices (210) are designed to clamp the ends (101) in such a way that the transport direction of the conveyor belt (100) is aligned obliquely to the cutting edge (215) of the at least one blade (213) of the clamping blocks (211, 212).

5. The apparatus (200) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one of the clamping blocks (211, 212) comprises a plurality of receiving openings each for receiving one end (101) of a conveyor belt (100) for welding the end (101).

6. The apparatus (200) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the guide device (220) comprises a rail system on which the clamping devices (210) are guided in a displaceable manner.

7. The apparatus (200) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the apparatus (200) comprises a drive device (250) for driving a displacement of the clamping devices (210) along the guide device (220) .

8. A method for welding two ends (101) of a conveyor belt (100) to one another using an apparatus (200) according to one of claims 1 to 7, the method comprising the following steps: a. placing a flat lower side (120) of the conveyor belt (100) against the lower clamping blocks (212) of the clamping devices (210) of the apparatus (200) so that the ends (101) of the conveyor belt (100) face each other, b. applying the upper clamping blocks (211) of the clamping devices (210) to a flat upper side (110) of the conveyor belt (100) the upper side (110) being parallel to the lower side (120), c. clamping the ends (101) of the conveyor belt (100) between the clamping blocks (211, 212), d. melting at least one of the ends (101) of the conveyor belt (100), e. pushing the two clamping devices (210) together along the guide device (220) of the apparatus (200) so that the ends (101) of the conveyor belt (100) are pressed together, creating a weld seam (102) that protrudes above the top side (110) and / or above the bottom side (120) of the conveyor belt (100), and f. creating a material taper (103) using the cutting edges (215) of the blades (213) of the clamping blocks (211, 212) in the weld seam (102) during the step of pushing the two clamping devices (210) together, the material taper (103) lying in a plane with the upper side (110) and / or the lower side (120).

9. The method according to claim 8, comprising the following step after the step of creating the material taper (103): severing, preferably tearing and / or cutting through, the material taper (103).

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, comprising the following steps before the step of clamping the ends (101) of the conveyor belt (100) between the clamping blocks (211, 212): a. inserting an alignment aid (230) between the two clamping devices (210) and b. aligning the two ends (101) of the conveyor belt (100), preferably aligning grooves arranged in the upper side (110) and / or in the lower side (120) of the conveyor belt (100), with each other using the alignment aid (230).

11. The method according to one of claims 8 to 10, comprising the following step after the step of clamping the ends (101) of the conveyor belt (100) between the clamping blocks (211, 212): a. inserting a heating device (240) between the two clamping devices (210), b. wherein the step of melting at least one of the ends (101) of the conveyor belt (100) is performed using the heating device (240).

12. The method according to one of claims 8 to 11, comprising the following steps after the step of creating the material taper (103) and preferably after the step of severing the material taper (103): removing the weld seam (102) from grooves arranged in the upper side (110) and / or in the lower side (120) of the conveyor belt (100).