curved belt conveyor

Abstract

The present invention relates to a curved belt conveyor, comprising an inner profile (2) extending along a segment of a circle having a given inner radius and a given angle, an outer profile (2) extending along a segment of a circle having a given outer radius (Ro) and the same angle, an endless belt (3) mounted on two end conveyor rollers arranged in both end regions between the inner and outer profiles, at least one curved guide (5) arranged on the outer profile (2) between the two end conveyor rollers and having two slots (53) facing the outer profile (2), and cleats (6) arranged on the inner belt surface (30) in the region of the outer belt edge (31) and having lugs (61) facing the inner profile, at least some of the cleats (6) located between the two end conveyor rollers are guided by the lugs (61) in the corresponding slots (53) of the curved guide (5).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a curved portion of a conveyor, particularly a belt conveyor. [Background technology]

[0002] In a curved belt conveyor, the belt is placed on rollers that are angled relative to each other rather than parallel to each other. This design directs the resulting force from the rollers acting on the belt toward the inside of the belt curve. Moving the belt toward the inside of the belt curve reduces the tension on the belt, creating belt slack and reducing static friction between the belt and the rollers.

[0003] Patent document 1 discloses a known embodiment of such a curved belt conveyor, which includes cleats arranged on the inner surface of the belt in the area of ​​the outer belt edge and guide rolls arranged on circular segments. The guide rolls exert a force on the cleats from the inside of the belt curve, which pushes the belt towards the outside of the belt curve.

[0004] Such designs are complex and expensive to manufacture, assemble and maintain. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] European Patent No. 1879815 [Patent Document 2] US Patent Application Publication No. 2008 / 190742 [Patent Document 3] British Patent Application Publication No. 1091986 [Patent Document 4] U.S. Patent No. 5,372,248 [Patent Document 5] U.S. Patent No. 5,060,788 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a curved belt conveyor that is easy and streamlined to manufacture, assemble and maintain. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This problem is solved by a curved belt conveyor having the features of claim 1. Further embodiments of the curved belt conveyor are defined by the features of the further claims.

[0008] The curved belt conveyor according to the present invention comprises an inner profile extending along a segment of a circle having a predetermined inner radius and a predetermined angle, an outer profile extending along a segment of a circle having a predetermined outer radius and the same angle, and an endless belt attached to two end conveyor rollers located in both end regions between the inner and outer profiles. At least one curved guide with two slots facing the outer profile is located on the outer profile between the two end conveyor rollers. Cleats with lugs facing the inner profile are located on the inner belt surface in the region of the outer belt edge, and at least some of the cleats located between the two end conveyor rollers are guided by lugs in corresponding slots of the curved guide.

[0009] In this design, the interaction of the cleats with the curved guides pulls the endless belt toward the outer profile, preventing it from moving toward the inner profile and tensioning the endless belt between the two end conveyor rollers. Such curved belt conveyors are easy to assemble and maintain.

[0010] In the above, the inner radius of the inner profile corresponds to the inner profile of the endless belt and is located on the side of the inner profile facing the outer profile, and the outer radius of the outer profile corresponds to the outer profile of the endless belt and is located on the side of the outer profile facing the inner profile.

[0011] Two or more curved guides can be arranged between two end conveyor rollers aligned with each other, and adjacent curved guides can be in contact with each other or spaced apart from each other.

[0012] To further support the endless belt, at least one intermediate conveyor roller can be disposed between the two end conveyor rollers. The outer side of the intermediate conveyor roller can be positioned on a curved guide or on an outer profile between two adjacent curved profiles. The inner side of the intermediate conveyor roller can be positioned on an inner profile. Two or more intermediate conveyor rollers can be provided, spaced equally between the two end conveyor rollers. The intermediate conveyor rollers can have the same diameter as the end conveyor rollers, or their diameters can be smaller. In the case of a smaller diameter, the intermediate conveyor roller is positioned so that its upper side contacts the inner belt surface.

[0013] In one embodiment, the curved guide includes a curved base band having a radius of curvature corresponding to the outer radius, two limbs extending perpendicularly from the base band toward the center of curvature, and two flaps disposed at the free ends of the limbs, opposite each other, the flaps extending away from the center of curvature, resulting in two slots formed between the corresponding limbs and the corresponding flaps.

[0014] In one embodiment, the maximum distance between the outer surfaces of the two flaps of the curved guide corresponds to the roller diameter of the end conveyor roller having a roller radius.

[0015] In one embodiment, the maximum distance between the inner surfaces of the two legs of the curved guide corresponds to the diameter of the pulley of the conveyor roller having a pulley radius.

[0016] In one embodiment, the two legs and two flaps are integrally formed with the baseband, or they can be assembled from individual components.

[0017] In one embodiment, each cleat includes a base body and is disposed on the inner belt surface with the outer surface of the base body, a lug extending laterally from the base body, the inner cleat surfaces of the base body and the lug being identical, and the outer surface of the base body being offset relative to the outer surfaces of the lug.

[0018] In one embodiment, the extension extends laterally from the base body and is parallel to and offset from the lug, thereby forming a trench between the lug and the extension, and the outer surface of the base body is the same for the base body and the extension.

[0019] In one embodiment, the maximum distance between two flaps corresponds to the roller diameter minus twice the thickness of the cleat extension.

[0020] In one embodiment, at least a portion of the outer surface of the base body is curved, with a radius of curvature corresponding to the roller radius of the rollers of the end conveyor rollers, and / or at least a portion of the inner surface of the cleat is curved, with a radius of curvature corresponding to the pulley radius of the pulleys of the end conveyor rollers.

[0021] In one embodiment, the lugs are integrally formed with the base body, or alternatively, the lugs can be fixed to the base body.

[0022] In one embodiment, the extension is integrally formed with the base body, or alternatively, the extension can be fixed to the base body.

[0023] In one embodiment, at least one hole extends through the base body and / or at least one hole extends through the extension, and each cleat is secured to the belt by at least one fastening element disposed in the at least one hole. The at least one hole can be a through borehole, and the fastening element is a rivet, such as a hollow rivet, or a fastening bushing, such as a clamp bushing. Alternatively, the at least one hole is a threaded hole, and the fastening element is a screw.

[0024] In one embodiment, the end conveyor roller comprises a roller and a pulley, the pulley being disposed on the side of the roller facing the outer profile, with the inner belt surface contacting the roller and the inner surfaces of the cleats contacting the pulley.

[0025] In one embodiment, the rollers and pulleys are mounted on a common shaft and can be fixed to each other or to the shaft, in either case preventing relative movement between the rollers and pulleys.

[0026] In one embodiment, the curved guide has a flap end face on the side of each flap facing the outer profile, said flap end face contacting some of the cleats, or alternatively, the cleats include a lug end face on the side of the lug facing the inner profile, and the lug end faces of some of the cleats contacting the curved guide.

[0027] In one embodiment, the pulley includes a skin surface in contact with the inner surfaces of some of the cleats, the cleat includes a lug end surface on the side of the lug facing the inner profile, and the pulley includes a collar extending radially outward from the skin surface around its entire circumference and in contact with a portion of the lug end surface.

[0028] The features of the above-described embodiments of the curved belt conveyor may be used in any combination as long as they do not contradict each other. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a curved belt conveyor according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an end conveyor roller and a curved guide of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the belt and curved guide of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 2 is a perspective view of one end region of the curved guide of FIG. 1; FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the belt and one end conveyor roller of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a front view of one end conveyor roller, belt, and curved guide of FIG. 1. [Figure 7] 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a cleat according to the present invention; [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the cleated belt of FIG. 1. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a cleat according to the present invention. [Figure 10] 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the cleated belt and curved guide of FIG. 9. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of a belt and curved guide with cleats having longer lugs. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] Embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below with reference to the drawings, which are illustrative only and should not be construed as limiting.

[0031] 1 is a perspective view of a curved belt conveyor according to the invention, which comprises an inner profile 1 extending along a segment of a circle with an inner radius Ri and an angle A, an outer profile 2 extending along a segment of a circle with an outer radius Ro and the same angle A, and an endless belt 3.

[0032] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the end conveyor rollers 4 and the curved guide of Figure 1. The endless belt 3 is attached to two end conveyor rollers 4, which are arranged between the inner profile 1 and the outer profile 2, in the end regions of these profiles. A curved guide 5 is arranged between the two end conveyor rollers 4. The two end conveyor rollers 4 comprise a roller 40 and a pulley 41 arranged on a common shaft 42.

[0033] FIG. 3 shows a partial cross-section through the belt 3 and the curved guide 5 of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of one end region of the curved guide of FIG. 1. The curved guide 5 comprises a curved base band 50 whose radius of curvature corresponds to the outer radius Ro. Two legs 51 extend perpendicularly from the upper and lower ends of the base band 50 toward the center of curvature, i.e., toward the inner profile. A flap 52 is disposed at each free end of the two legs 51. The flaps are formed by folding each leg back on the outer side of the curved guide 5, resulting in a flap 52 on the opposite side of one leg 51 from the other leg 51, which extends parallel to the legs 51 and away from the center of curvature. A flap end surface 520 is provided at each free end of the two flaps 52. A slot 53 is formed between the corresponding leg 51 and the corresponding flap 52. The curved guide 5 has a bevel 55 at its end facing the slot 53. The base band 50 of the curved guide 5 has holes 54 in which fixing screws 8 can be placed for fixing the curved guide 5 to the outer profile 2. Cleats 6 are arranged on the inner belt surface 30 and are fixed to the inner belt surface 30 by fixing bushings 7 in the area of ​​the outer belt edge 31. The cleats 6 are spaced apart from the outer belt edge 31 but may be flush with it. Lugs 61 of the cleats 6 extend parallel to the inner belt surface 30, away from the outer profile 2, and protrude into the slot 53 of the curved guide 5. A flap end face 520 of the curved guide 5 abuts against a base body 60 of the cleat 6 on the side opposite the outer profile 2.

[0034] FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the belt 3 and one end conveyor roller 4 of FIG. 1. The end conveyor roller 4 includes a roller 40 and a pulley 41 fixed to a common shaft 42. The shaft 42 is a hollow profile rotatably mounted on the outer profile 2 and the inner profile 1 (not shown). The pulley 41 has a skin surface 410 with a pulley radius Rp that contacts the inner surface 601 of the cleat 6 during deflection. On the side of the pulley opposite the outer profile 2, a collar 411 is provided extending radially outward from the skin surface 410 around its entire circumference, and the radius of the skin surface of the collar corresponds to the roller radius Rr. The lug end surface 611 of the cleat 6 abuts against the side of the collar 411.

[0035] FIG. 6 shows a front view of the one-end conveyor roller 4, belt 3, and curved guide 5 of FIG. 1. The pulley 41 extends radially outward from the skin surface 410 and has cams 412 equally spaced around its circumference. The distance between two adjacent cams 412 corresponds to the width of the cleat 6. Rotation of the shaft 42 is transmitted to the belt 3 by the cleats 6 and cams 412. During operation, i.e., when the curved belt conveyor is running, the cleats 6 are guided into slots 53 between the legs 51 and flaps 52 of the curved guide 5 after exiting or before entering the recess between the two adjacent cams 412. A chamfer 55 on the edge of the curved guide 5 facing the pulley 41 helps align the cleats 6 with the slots 53.

[0036] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a cleat 6 according to the present invention. It includes a base body 60 having a base body outer surface 600 and lugs 61 extending laterally from the base body 60. The cleat inner surface 601 is identical for both the base body 60 and the lugs 61. The base body outer surface 600 is offset from the lug outer surface 610. Holes 62 extend through the base body 60 from the base body outer surface 600 to the cleat inner surface 601. Most of the base body outer surface 600 is curved, with a radius of curvature corresponding to the roller radius Rr. Ridges 63 extend from the base body outer surface 600. They are oriented perpendicular to the extension direction of the lugs 61. The ridges 63 prevent the cleat 6 from rotating when attached to the endless belt 3. The inner cleat surface 601 is generally curved, with a radius of curvature corresponding to the pulley radius Rp. The edges of the lugs 61 are rounded.

[0037] 8 shows a partial perspective view of the endless belt 3 with the cleats 6 of FIG. 1. The cleats are disposed on the inner belt surface 30 at a distance from the outer belt edge 31 and are equally spaced around the corresponding circumference. The distance from the cleat 6 to the outer belt edge 31 corresponds to the thickness of the cleat 6. Each cleat 6 is fixed to the endless belt 3 by a fixing bushing 7.

[0038] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a cleat 6 according to the present invention. Similar to the first embodiment, the second embodiment includes a base body 60 having a base body outer surface 600 and a lug 61 having a cleat inner surface 601 common to the base body 60. Unlike the first embodiment, the second embodiment does not include a hole extending through the base body or a ridge extending from the base body outer surface. In addition to the features of the first embodiment, the second embodiment includes an extension 64 extending laterally from the base body 60 and parallel to and offset from the lug 61, thereby forming a trench 65 between the lug 61 and the extension 64. The base body outer surface 600 is identical for the base body 60 and the extension 64. The extension 64 adjacent to the base body 60 is provided with two holes 62, one located in the region of the lug 61 and the other in the region of the free end of the extension 64. The central portion of the base body outer surface 600, which includes the holes, is linear. Two lateral sections 6001 of the outer surface 600 of the base body are curved, the radius of curvature of which corresponds to the roller radius Rr.

[0039] FIG. 10 shows a partial cross-section through a second embodiment of the endless belt 3 with cleats and the curved guide 5 of FIG. 9. The cleats 6 are positioned on the inner belt surface 30 by holes 62 and fastening elements (not shown) placed in corresponding holes in the endless belt. The base bodies 60 of the cleats 6 are flush with the outer belt edge 31. The second embodiment of the curved guide 5 comprises a base band 50 and two legs 51 connected to the free ends of the base band 50 and extending perpendicular to the base band 50. A straight section 56 extending parallel to the base band 50 is connected to the free ends of the legs 51. A flap 52 is connected to each free end of the straight section 56 extending perpendicular to the base band 50 towards the base band 50. The slots 53 of the curved guide 5 are formed by a part of the outer surface of the leg 51, the surface of the straight section 56 facing the base band 50, and the surface of the flap 52 facing the other flap. The lug 61 of the cleat 6 protrudes into the slot 53 of the curved guide 5, and the flap 52 of the curved guide 5 protrudes into the trench 65 of the cleat 6. The lug end surface 611 of the cleat 6 abuts the straight portion 56 of the curved guide 5, and the flap end surface 520 of the curved guide 5 is spaced apart from the base body 60 of the cleat 6.

[0040] 11 shows a partial cross-sectional view of a curved guide 5 with an endless belt 3 and a cleat 6 having a longer lug 61. The lug end surface 611 of the cleat 6 abuts the rounded portion between the leg 51 and the corresponding flap 52 of the curved guide 5, and the flap end surface 520 of the curved guide 5 is spaced apart from the base body 60 of the cleat 6. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 1 inner profile 2 outer profile 3 Belt 30 Inner belt surface 31 outer belt edge 4 End conveyor rollers 40 Laura 41 Pulley 410 Skin surface 411 Color 412 Cam 42 Shaft 5 Curved guide 50 Baseband 51 Legs 52 Flap 520 Flap end face 53 Slots 54 holes 55 Chamfered part 56 Straight section 6 Cleats 60 Base body 600 Outer surface of base body 6001 Transverse Section 601 Inner surface of cleat 61 Rug 610 outer surface of lug 611 Lug end face 62 holes 63 Projection part 64 Extension 65 Trench 7 Fixed bush 8 fixing screws A angle Ri inner radius Ro outer radius Rr Roller radius Rp Pulley radius

Claims

1. A curved belt conveyor, an inner profile (1) extending along a segment of a circle having a predetermined inner radius (Ri) and a predetermined angle (A); an outer profile (2) extending along a segment of a circle having a given outer radius (Ro) and the same angle (A); an endless belt (3) attached to two end conveyor rollers (4) arranged in both end regions between the inner profile (1) and the outer profile (2); at least one curved guide (5) arranged on the outer profile (2) between the two end conveyor rollers (4) and provided with two slots (53) facing the outer profile (2); a cleat (6) arranged on the inner belt surface (30) in the region of the outer belt edge (31) and having a lug (61) facing the inner profile (1); Equipped with At least some of the cleats (6) located between the two end conveyor rollers (4) are guided by lugs (61) in corresponding slots (53) of the curved guide (5); Curved conveyor belt.

2. The curved guide (5) comprises a curved base band (50) whose radius of curvature corresponds to the outer radius (Ro), two legs (51) extending perpendicularly from the base band (50) toward the center of curvature, and two flaps (52) arranged at the free ends of the two legs (51) on the opposite sides of the other leg (51), 2. The curved belt conveyor of claim 1, wherein the flaps (52) extend away from the center of curvature, and two slots (53) are formed between the corresponding legs (51) and the corresponding flaps (52), respectively.

3. 3. The curved belt conveyor according to claim 2, wherein the maximum distance between the outer surfaces of the two flaps (52) of the curved guide (5) corresponds to the diameter of the rollers (40) of the end conveyor rollers (4) having a roller radius (Rr).

4. 4. The curved belt conveyor according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the maximum distance between the inner surfaces of the two legs (51) of the curved guide (5) corresponds to the diameter of the pulley (41) of the end conveyor roller (4) having a pulley radius (Rp).

5. 5. The curved belt conveyor according to claim 2, wherein the two legs (51) and the two flaps (52) are integrally formed with the base band (50).

6. 6. The curved belt conveyor of claim 1, wherein each cleat (6) comprises a base body (60) and is disposed on the inner belt surface (30) with an outer surface (600) of the base body, the lugs (61) extending laterally from the base body (60), the inner surfaces (601) of the cleats being identical on the base body (60) and the lugs (61), and the outer surface (600) of the base body being offset relative to the outer surfaces (610) of the lugs.

7. 7. The curved belt conveyor of claim 6, wherein an extension (64) extends laterally from the base body (60) and is parallel to and offset from the lug (61), thereby forming a trench (65) between the lug (61) and the extension (64), and the outer surface (600) of the base body is the same for the base body (60) and the extension (64).

8. 8. The curved belt conveyor according to claim 7, wherein the maximum distance between the two flaps (52) of the curved guide (5) corresponds to the roller diameter (Rr) minus twice the thickness of the extension (64) of the cleat (6).

9. 9. The curved belt conveyor according to claim 6, wherein at least a portion of the outer surface (600) of the base body is curved, the radius of curvature of which corresponds to the roller radius (Rr) of the roller (40) of the end conveyor roller (4), and / or at least a portion of the inner surface (601) of the cleat is curved, the radius of curvature of which corresponds to the pulley radius (Rp) of the pulley (41) of the end conveyor roller (4).

10. A curved belt conveyor according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the lugs (61) are integrally formed with the base body (60).

11. A curved belt conveyor according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the extension (64) is integrally formed with the base body (60).

12. 12. The curved belt conveyor according to claim 6, wherein at least one hole (62) extends through the base body (60) and / or at least one hole (62) penetrates the extension (64), and each cleat (6) is fixed to the endless belt (3) by at least one fixing element (7) arranged in the at least one hole (62).

13. 13. The curved belt conveyor according to claim 6, wherein the end conveyor roller (4) comprises a roller (40) and a pulley (41) arranged on the side of the roller (40) facing the outer profile (2), the inner belt surface (30) being in contact with the roller (40) and the inner surface (601) of the cleat being in contact with the pulley (41).

14. A curved belt conveyor according to any one of claims 6 to 13, wherein the rollers (40) and the pulleys (41) are mounted on a common shaft (42).

15. 15. The curved belt conveyor according to claim 2, wherein the curved guide (5) has a flap end surface (520) on a side of the flap (52) facing the outer profile (2), the flap end surface (520) being in contact with some of the cleats (6), or the cleats (6) have lug end surfaces (611) on a side of the lug (61) facing the inner profile (1), the lug end surfaces (611) of some of the cleats (6) being in contact with the curved guide (5).

16. 16. The curved belt conveyor according to claim 4, wherein the pulley (41) includes a skin surface (410) in contact with inner surfaces (601) of some of the cleats (6), the cleats (6) including lug end surfaces (611) on the sides of the lugs (61) facing the inner profiles (1), and the pulley (41) includes collars (411) extending outward from the skin surface (410) and in contact with some of the lug end surfaces (611).

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