Internal cleaning system for endless belt conveyors

Abstract

The conveyor includes an endless belt and a belt return device. The endless belt includes an upper run and a lower run and is configured to transport objects in a conveying direction. An intermediate space is defined between the upper run and the lower run. The belt return device facilitates conversion between the upper run and the lower run. The endless belt defines at least one discharge opening that allows for the discharge of at least a portion of the objects from the intermediate space formed by a portion of the objects that reaches the intermediate space. At least a portion of the endless belt includes a conveyor track and a pass-through track. The pass-through track defines at least one discharge opening. The conveyor track and the pass-through track are arranged side by side in the conveying direction.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001] [Technical field] The items described below relate generally to conveyor systems for flowable material.

[0002] [background] The conveyor may allow the removal of flowable material (e.g. bulk material), especially chips, which accumulate when machining materials such as metal materials (e.g. steel, aluminum, brass). In this case, the result of machining, often together with liquid coolant and / or lubricant, is fed from the conveyor for disposal or recycling. The conveyor may simultaneously have a filtering function, by which the liquid coolant and / or lubricant is separated from the solid material and fed for further use or for collection and feeding. The endless belt may have different configurations, for example designed in the shape of a strap, band or belt, or as a hinge.

[0003] In conveyors with an endless belt, the endless belt is guided between at least two deflection devices and passes through an upper path, hereinafter referred to as the upper run, and a lower path, hereinafter referred to as the lower run. In general, the upper run serves to transport the products from the input area to the discharge area, while the lower run corresponds to the return run.

[0004] It may happen that some of the conveyed materials reach the area between the upper run and the lower run, hereinafter referred to as the intermediate space, and fall under the force of gravity onto the intermediate space side of the endless belt in the lower run (which intermediate space side faces the upper run). If the inflowable conveyed materials consist of chips resulting from material processing, these generally have a length of less than about 1 mm to more than about 10 mm. The materials that reach the intermediate space side of the endless belt in the lower run are hereinafter referred to as intermediate space materials. When placed on the driven endless belt, the intermediate space materials enter the belt return area, where they may become mixed in or accumulate on parts of the belt return device, such as gears and pulleys. The intermediate space materials that do not adhere to the belt return device may fall onto the intermediate space side of the endless belt in the lower run and thus reach the belt return device again. With additional materials passing through or passing through the upper run into the intermediate space, the intermediate space materials continuously accumulate in the area of ​​the belt return device. In particular, the chips tend to get caught and form larger hairball-like structures. This can cause malfunction or damage to the area of ​​the belt return device, which may require expensive cleaning, repairs or maintenance.

[0005] From JP 3466983 a conveyor for chips resulting from metal processing is known, which invention proposes to use a fixed pulley instead of a gear in the band return device, on which the pulley guide chain of the endless belt can run. The absence of gear teeth is intended to prevent, or at least make less likely, intermediate space objects from settling in the band return device. A similar solution is known from US Patent No. 10,427,261 B2, in which an annular deflection element serves as the band return device for the endless belt. Material arriving in the intermediate space between the lateral guide chains of the endless belt is pushed by contact with the deflection element into the outer area, where it is removed by the cross struts and sent to the discharge area. This solution only works for material accumulating in the guide chains. No solution is provided for intermediate space objects accumulating in the area between the guide chains.

[0006] US Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0263500 discloses a type of conveyor according to the background art, in which a filter box is arranged between an upper run and a lower run. While filtered liquid is fed to a filtrate tank via an outlet, chips that enter the intermediate space between the upper run and the lower run do not enter the inside of the filter box. At least one brush is arranged inside the filter box, which sweeps over the filter surface of the filter box and removes chips that have accumulated on the filter surface. Thus, chips may remain in the intermediate space, resulting in the above-mentioned drawbacks.

[0007] From EP 1 256 417 a conveyor for chips generated by metalworking is known, in which an endless belt is hinged and runs between a lower band return device and an upper band return device. The upper band return device is at the same time the chip removal end, where the transported chips fall from the conveyor into a collection tank. To avoid problems with intermediate space material, a separation plate is provided in the intermediate space of the conveyor. The separation plate extends from the lower belt return device to the vicinity of the chip removal end. A part of the material that reaches the intermediate space and the lower run is guided by a crossbar arranged on the intermediate space side of the endless belt, via the belt return device onto the separation plate and further along the separation plate to a discharge mechanism. The discharge mechanism comprises an opening in the separation plate and a chute or auger for laterally removing the material that falls through the opening. The disadvantage of this invention is the necessity for a separation plate extending over almost the entire length of the conveyor, as well as the corresponding material costs and the need to ensure the reliability of the transport along the separation plate over its entire extent. Finally, a separate discharge mechanism must be provided for the intermediate space objects.

[0008] US 2016 / 0016271 A1 discloses a conveyor for removing chips occurring during metal processing. In this disclosure, the endless belt designed as a hinge has a member that can be opened or closed depending on the position. In the upper run of the conveyor intended for the transport of chips in the direction of the accumulation point, the member is closed and thus contributes to the transport of the chips. In the lower run, however, the member opens automatically according to gravity, so that chips that have reached the intermediate space between the lower run and the upper run can fall through the open member and from the intermediate space to the bottom of the housing of the conveyor. From there, by means of an external strip arranged on the outside of the endless belt, the chips can be transported to the upper run and fed for disposal. In the upper run, the automatically opening member extends over the entire width of the surface of the endless belt used for transport. The opening member results in additional costs for the manufacture of the endless belt and an additional risk of mechanical failure of the system.

[0009] (Summary of the invention) The present disclosure generally relates to a conveyor that allows for reliable removal of intermediate space objects from an intermediate space and reduces costs compared to the prior art. According to one embodiment, the conveyor comprises an endless belt and a belt return device. The endless belt comprises an upper run and a lower run and is configured to convey conveyed objects in a conveying direction. An intermediate space is defined between the upper run and the lower run. The belt return device facilitates a conversion between the upper run and the lower run of the endless belt. The endless belt defines at least one discharge opening that allows for discharge of at least a portion of intermediate space objects formed by a portion of the conveyed objects that has reached the intermediate space. At least a portion of the endless belt comprises a conveyor track and a pass-through track. The pass-through track defines the at least one discharge opening. The conveyor track and the pass-through track are arranged side-by-side in the conveying direction.

[0010] Hereinafter, when referring to one conveyor track or one passage track for the sake of simpler language expression in the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, this does not limit the respective embodiments to the special case of exactly one conveyor track or exactly one passage track.Unless otherwise specified, the solutions of the present disclosure are necessarily applied to the case of multiple conveyor tracks and / or passage tracks, such as when there is one conveyor track between two passage tracks, or when there is one passage track between two conveyor tracks.

[0011] Therefore, unlike the prior art, the endless belt of the present disclosure is divided entirely or at least in one section into two adjacent tracks, one of which, i.e., the conveyor track, serves primarily to transport the conveyed objects, and at least one pass-through track serves, as far as possible, to pass intermediate space objects through the endless belt when located in the lower running portion.

[0012] It is advantageous to arrange the passing tracks at a distance from one another in the conveying direction, as this improves the stability of the endless belt and also allows more material to be conveyed on the outer side of the upper run of the endless belt, since in the band sections where there are no passing tracks a larger width is available for conveying.

[0013] The conveyor according to the present disclosure may comprise at least one deflection means arranged to guide at least a portion of intermediate space objects formed by a portion of the transported goods reaching an intermediate space between the upper run and the lower run in a direction towards the passing track, thereby improving the removal efficiency of intermediate space objects.

[0014] In particular, the conveyor according to the disclosure may be advantageously designed in such a way that the at least one deflecting means comprises at least one deflecting strip arranged between the upper run and the lower run and extending obliquely towards the conveying direction. When the endless belt is running, the intermediate space objects can come into contact with the at least one deflecting strip and are deflected by the at least one deflecting strip in the direction towards the passing track. The at least one deflecting strip can act on intermediate space objects resting on the lower run and lead them directly to the passing track. However, it is also conceivable that the intermediate space objects do not immediately pass via deflection to the passing track but pass at least once more in an initial phase through the belt return device. The intermediate space objects can then reach the passing opening or one of the passing openings by separate means or during a later pass.

[0015] However, the conveyor according to the present disclosure may also be designed such that the at least one deflecting strip cooperates with the upper run to deflect the intermediate space objects in the direction towards the passing track. For this purpose, the at least one deflecting strip may extend from a base plate of the deflecting means in the direction towards the upper run. The intermediate space objects still remaining in the upper run are removed in the driven endless belt and / or deflected in the direction towards the passing track. The intermediate space objects which reach the base plate of the deflecting means may also be further deflected in the direction towards the passing track by the conveying movement of the endless belt in interaction with the at least one deflecting strip.

[0016] It is also possible to provide at least two deflection strips, at least one of which cooperates with the upper run and at least one of which cooperates with the lower run. In this case, all deflection strips may belong to the same deflection means, for example fixed to the same base plate. More deflection strips may interact with the upper run and / or more deflection strips may interact with the lower run. In this case, the deflection strips cooperating with the same run may be aligned parallel to one another. In this case, the deflection means can be kept relatively short, for example with a length not exceeding the width of the endless belt, and the intermediate spacer reaches the passing track at the latest after several passes. However, deflection strips cooperating with the same run but with different widths of the endless belt may be oriented not parallel to the endless belt, in which case they deflect the intermediate spacer in different directions. This may be particularly useful if there are at least two adjacent passing tracks spaced apart from one another.

[0017] The conveyor according to the present disclosure may also be designed such that the at least one deflection means has at least one drop opening in its base plate, so that the intermediate space objects reaching the base plate of the deflection means arranged between the upper run and the lower run can be dropped into the lower run through the at least one drop opening or through one of the pass-through openings of the lower run.

[0018] In this case, the conveyor according to the disclosure may be designed such that below the drop openings or below at least one of the drop openings a slide member extends which is oriented obliquely towards the direction of gravity. The slide member acts as a chute and directs the passage of the intermediate space objects through the associated drop opening in the desired direction, i.e. towards the region of the at least one pass-through track of the lower run. Each drop opening may have a slide member at its lower part. However, it is also conceivable to provide a common slide member for at least two adjacent drop openings. "Adjacent" here means adjacent in the conveying direction or adjacent transversely to the conveying direction.

[0019] Further, a conveyor according to the present disclosure may be designed such that the belt return device has a deflection guide and a peripheral wall extending axially of the belt return device between the deflection guides.

[0020] Depending on the structure of the deflection means, some of the intermediate space objects only reach the passing track or one of the passing tracks after at least one revolution around the belt return device. To facilitate the circulation of the intermediate space objects around the belt return device, the peripheral wall can cooperate with the endless belt to prevent the intermediate space objects from falling off during the revolution. Ideally, the peripheral wall also has a radial distance relative to the area of ​​the endless belt that carries the intermediate space objects during the circulation, such that it simultaneously provides a space for the intermediate space objects and prevents them from falling off.

[0021] The conveyor according to the present disclosure may also have a raised structure on the inner side of the endless belt facing the intermediate space and / or the peripheral wall of the deflection device, which raised structure may be designed to cooperate with the deflection device to transport the intermediate space objects. The raised structure may simultaneously serve other purposes on the endless belt, for example the joint elements of the endless belt, such as link plates, if the endless belt is hinged. Thus, the joint sleeve of the link plate surrounding the joint rod may be raised compared to the link plate facing the intermediate space, thereby assisting in the transport of the intermediate space objects. The belt return device and the endless belt are installed such that the raised structure facilitates the transport of the intermediate space objects around the belt return device from the lower run to the upper run.

[0022] Furthermore, the conveyor according to the disclosure may be designed such that the raised structure of the endless belt comprises at least one pushing element, which extends over at least a part of the width of the conveying track. The pushing element extends from the endless belt in the direction of the intermediate space and ensures that the intermediate space objects are further conveyed when they come into contact with the at least one deflection strip. The pushing element may be a strip of solid material. In addition to the at least one strip, at least one further raised structure may be provided. In particular, the pushing element or at least one of the pushing elements is flexible or has a flexible lining (for example by using a flexible material such as rubber or by using a brush or brush-like attachment) and reaches substantially all the intermediate space objects on the deflection means, in particular in the area of ​​at least one deflection strip, or the intermediate space objects between the deflection strips in case of several deflection strips, with the aid of said flexible element or brush bristles.

[0023] In order to protect the side areas of the endless belt, in particular if these side areas have a conveyor chain, the deflecting means and / or the belt return device may have at least one lateral protective wall which prevents the passage of the intermediate space objects, in particular deflected intermediate space objects, into the side areas, e.g. a conveyor chain.

[0024] The conveyor according to the present disclosure may also be designed such that the at least one deflecting means comprises an auger, which may be used as an alternative or in addition to the at least one deflecting strip.

[0025] According to the present disclosure, the auger may be fixed. By "fixed" it is meant that the auger does not rotate relative to the housing of the conveyor. The fixed auger may be located on or within a belt return device. When the endless belt is driven, at least one thread of the fixed auger is in close proximity to the endless belt, and the conveyed material located on the intermediate space side of the endless belt is deflected laterally by the thread in a desired direction.

[0026] Alternatively, the auger may be driven such that the intermediate space objects entering the auger are actively moved (i.e. deflected in the sense of the present disclosure) by the auger, the drive of which may be via the driven endless belt or by a separate motor.

[0027] The fixed and driven augers may have at least two regions in which the orientation of the threads is different, in which case the augers can deflect intermediate spacers in opposite directions, the latter being particularly useful when there is more than one passing track on the endless belt.

[0028] In the case of the driven auger, the conveyor may be formed such that the driven auger is surrounded by a housing, which, or a part of it, may at the same time be the periphery of the belt return device, aiding in the circulation of intermediate space material around the belt return device.

[0029] The conveyor according to the present disclosure may also be designed such that the housing surrounding the driven screw conveyor has at least one inlet for the intermediate space material extending above the longitudinal axis of the auger, and the endless belt runs with its intermediate space side covering the inlet of the housing, so that at least a portion of the intermediate space material enters the housing and thus passes to the auger.

[0030] The housing surrounding the driven auger may have an outlet for the intermediate spacer material, the outlet being above an area of ​​the endless belt allocated for the through track.

[0031] Also, the auger, in particular the driven auger, may be arranged at a location remote from the belt return device.

[0032] The conveyor according to the disclosure may also be designed with a cover above the upper run covering the pass-through track. The cover prevents the conveyed goods from entering the pass-through opening of the pass-through track. In case of a plurality of pass-through tracks, a corresponding number of covers may be provided to cover all of the pass-through tracks. The cover may extend over a portion of the upper run or over its complete length. At least a portion of the cover may be provided by a portion of the frame of the feed opening. In this case, the pass-through track remote from the feed opening may be covered by additional cover means.

[0033] Exemplary embodiments of conveyors according to the present disclosure are described below with reference to the drawings.

[0034] [Brief description of the drawings] Certain embodiments will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a first conveyor for removing chips, which has an internal filter box.

[0036] FIG. 2 shows the front of the second conveyor for removing chips.

[0037] FIG. 3 shows the front of the third conveyor for removing chips with an underlying filter system.

[0038] FIG. 4 shows a fourth conveyor device for removing chips using a filter drum.

[0039] FIG. 5 shows an enlarged detail of the front end of one of the conveyors.

[0040] FIG. 6 shows the first deflection means in the region of the first belt return device together with (part of) the lower run of the first endless belt.

[0041] FIG. 7 shows a detailed view of the first endless belt in the region of the upper run.

[0042] FIG. 8 shows a detailed view of another second endless belt in the region of the upper run.

[0043] FIG. 9 shows an oblique top view of the second deflection means in the region of the first deflection device together with (part of) the lower run of the first endless belt.

[0044] FIG. 10 is an oblique bottom view of the second deflection means according to FIG. 9, in the region of the first belt return device, in the absence of an endless belt.

[0045] FIG. 11 shows the second deflection means in the view according to FIG. 9, with lateral protective walls.

[0046] FIG. 12(a) is a cross-sectional view of the front end of a conveyor having a third endless belt with a transverse passing track.

[0047] FIG. 12(b) is a top view of the front end of a conveyor having a third endless belt with a transverse passing track.

[0048] FIG. 13(a) is a cross-sectional view of the front end of a conveyor having a fourth endless belt with two lateral passing tracks.

[0049] FIG. 13(b) is a top view of the front end of a conveyor having a fourth endless belt with two lateral passing tracks.

[0050] FIG. 14(a) is a cross-sectional view of the leading end of a conveyor having a fifth endless belt with a central passing track.

[0051] FIG. 14(b) is a top view of the front end of a conveyor having a fifth endless belt with a central passing track.

[0052] FIG. 15(a) is a cross-sectional view of the front end of a conveyor having a sixth endless belt with a transverse passing track.

[0053] FIG. 15(b) is a top view of the front end of a conveyor having a sixth endless belt with a transverse passing track.

[0054] FIG. 16 shows an oblique top view of the third deflection means in the region of the first belt return device.

[0055] FIG. 17 shows an oblique bottom view of the third deflection means according to FIG.

[0056] FIG. 18 shows an oblique top view of the fourth deflection means in the region of the first belt return device.

[0057] FIG. 19 shows an oblique bottom view of the fourth deflection means according to FIG.

[0058] FIG. 20 shows an oblique top view of the fifth deflection means with its drop opening and push-in element.

[0059] FIG. 21 shows a sixth deflection means in the form of a fixed auger on the second belt return device together with (part of) the first endless belt in its lower run.

[0060] FIG. 22 shows a seventh deflecting means in the form of a driven auger on the third belt return device together with (part of) the first endless belt in its lower run.

[0061] [Detailed Description] FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross section of a first conveyor 1 (hereinafter referred to as conveyor), the front end of which (the left end in FIG. 1) is enlarged in FIG. 5. Said conveyor 1 is used to remove chips that are generated during metal processing and are filled with liquid coolant through a feed opening 2 into a tank 3 of the conveyor 1. An endless belt 4 is arranged in the conveyor 1 and is driven by a motor, not shown here. The chips that reach the endless belt 4 through the feed opening 2 are transported by the driven endless belt 4 through a rising piece 5 of the conveyor 1 to a discharge end 6 and fall from the endless belt through a discharge chute 7 into a collection container, not shown here.

[0062] Inside the tank 3 of the conveyor 1 there is a filter box 8 surrounded by a filter material, which is permeable to the liquid coolant but prevents the ingress of solids, in particular chips. The filtrate is fed from inside the filter box 8 to a cleaning tank, not shown here, where it can be used again as coolant. Means, not shown here, may be provided for removing chips adhering to the periphery of the filter box, for example by means of strips or brushes carried by the endless belt 4.

[0063] Even if the endless belt 4 preferably has side walls 9, it cannot be excluded that chips fall into the intermediate space 10 between the upper running part 11 and the lower running part 12 and adhere to the intermediate space side 13 of the lower running part 12 facing the intermediate space 10 of the endless belt 4.

[0064] The endless belt 4 is led from the lower run 12 to the upper run 11 in a first belt return device 14. For this purpose, gears or pulleys with smooth surfaces (not shown in the figures) may be used. The drive of the endless belt 4 takes place in the region of the discharge end 6, for example via a drive gear not shown here, or via an alternative drive suitable.

[0065] Chips (not shown) accumulated in the intermediate space 10, especially on the intermediate space side 13 of the endless belt 4 in the lower run 12, are a problem for the first belt return device 14. Without special measures, the chips can accumulate in the belt return device 14 or in its area and interfere with the operation of the conveyor device 1. In this case, careful cleaning measures are required.

[0066] Figures 2 to 4 show further exemplary conveyors 100, 200 and 300 in detailed views by way of example, which have a modified manner of separation of chips and liquid coolant compared to the first conveyor 1 according to Figure 1. Like the first conveyor 1, the conveyors 100 and 200 (Figures 2 and 3) may have a riser piece 5, a discharge end 6 and a discharge chute 7. The area of ​​the conveyors 100 and 200 which provides for the discharge of chips is of less importance for the expression of the invention related hereto and is therefore not reproduced in Figures 2 and 3. However, in Figure 4, a device for separating the liquid coolant and the chips is shown, since it is arranged in this area.

[0067] In the following, to avoid repetition, like features in the second conveyor arrangement 100 (Figure 2), the third conveyor arrangement 200 and the fourth conveyor arrangement 300 are shown together, with reference numbers in brackets referring to corresponding features in the other conveyors 200 (Figure 3) and 300 (Figure 4), respectively.

[0068] The conveyor 100 (200, 300) has an endless belt 104 (204, 304) which may be configured, for example, to correspond to or similar to the first endless belt 4 for the first conveyor arrangement 1, or may be configured in a different manner. The endless belt 104 (204, 304) forms an upper run 111 (211, 311) and a lower run 112 (212, 312) in the front region of the conveyor arrangement 100 (200, 300). The lower run 112 (212, 312) is connected to the upper run 111 (211, 312). 1 ) is via a belt return device 114 (214, 314). The coolant and chips pass through the supply opening 102 (202, 302) to the tank 103 (203, 303).

[0069] The second conveyor 100 (FIG. 2) does not have a filter box or other separate filtering device, but rather directs the coolant from the tank 103 via an outlet 120. It is assumed that when filling the chip / coolant mixture, a sufficiently large portion of the chips remains on the upper run 111 and is transported away. The chips emerging from the second conveyor 100 through the outlet 120 are either left behind or captured by a separate filtering means.

[0070] The third conveyor 200 has a filter chamber 208 below the surface of the tank bottom 219, which is separated from the tank 203 by a filter strap, not shown here. The coolant filtrate enters a cleaning tank (not shown) via an outlet (not shown).

[0071] The fourth conveyor 300 (FIG. 4) has as filter means in a rising piece 305 a rotatable filter drum 308 which is covered with a filter material and has a filtrate outlet in the area of ​​the rotation axis. For the fourth conveyor 300, the filter material, the rotation axis and the outlet opening are not shown.

[0072] As for the second to fourth conveyors 100, 200, and 300, as in the case of the first conveyor 1, chips are moved into the intermediate space 110 (210, 310) between the upper running portion 11 (111, 211, 311) and the lower running portion 12 (112, 212, 312) and may adhere to the intermediate space side 113 (213, 313) of the endless belt 104 (204, 304) that faces the intermediate space 10 (110, 210, 310) in the lower running portion 112 (212, 312).

[0073] For all conveyors 1 (100, 200, 300), the problem arises that chips accumulating on the intermediate space side 113 (213, 313) are led by the endless belt 4 (104, 204, 304) to the belt return device 14 (114, 214, 314), where they accumulate, overlap with each other and form destructive structures that can only be removed by expensive means. In order to avoid the formation of such structures, the endless belt 4 (104, 204, 304) has passage openings for the chips, which are not visible in Figures 1 to 4 but are shown in more detail in the following figures. Furthermore, the deflection means 15 (115, 215, 315) Belt return Provided on or near the device 14 (114, 214, 314), the deflection means is shown only symbolically in Figures 1 to 4, exemplary variations of which are described in more detail in the following figures.

[0074] All exemplary structures of the endless belt and deflection means shown below, and modifications thereof, can be used in all conveyors 1, 100, 200 or 300 shown as examples, or modifications thereof.

[0075] FIG. 6 shows the first Belt returnA detailed oblique top view of the device 14 is shown together with the first deflecting means 15 and a part of the lower run 12 of the endless belt 4 of the first embodiment (hereinafter referred to as the first endless belt 4). The upper run 11 is not shown in FIG. 6 so that the deflecting means 15 can be seen. The driven first endless belt 4 moves in the lower run 12 to the first belt return device 14 and thus to the first deflecting means 15. The chips (not shown) on the intermediate space side 13 of the first endless belt 4 are deflected to the left by a deflecting edge 16 extending obliquely to the conveying direction. The deflecting edge 16 is an exemplary embodiment of a deflecting strip as described in the claims. The first endless belt 4 has a transverse passing track 17 which has a number of passing openings 18, only two of which are numbered in FIG. 6. The passage openings 18 allow the chips to pass through the endless belt so that they can leave the intermediate space 10 (see FIG. 2) and fall onto the tank bottom 19 (see FIGS. 1 and 5) of the tank 3. In the case of the third conveyor 200 (FIG. 3), the chips can fall into one of the filter chambers 208.

[0076] Figure 7 shows the first endless belt 4 in detail in an oblique top view of the outer side 26 of the endless belt 4 facing away from the intermediate space 10. In this view, the side wall 9 of the first endless belt 4 is visible. In the transverse direction, a guide chain 28 forms the limit region of the first endless belt 4. The first endless belt 4 is driven via the guide chain 28 and is guided in the conveyor 1, for example, by a guide rail 29 (see Figure 6).

[0077] The through track 17 with the through opening 18 is separated from the conveyor track 20 by an intermediate wall 21. In the conveyor track 20, there is no through opening 18. The endless belt 4 is hinged with a link plate 22 which is pivotally fixed via a joint sleeve 24 surrounding a joint rod 23 in this example. The endless belt 4 is divided into sections by outer strips 25 which extend transversely in the conveying direction. The outer strips 25 increase the reliability of the further transport of chips deposited on the first endless belt 4 towards the discharge end 6, in particular via the lift piece 5 of the conveyor device 1.

[0078] The external strip 25 arranged on the outside 26 of the endless belt 4 also ensures that chips reaching the tank bottom 19 (119, 219) or, in the case of the third conveyor 200, one of the filter chambers 208, can be transported further via the belt return device 14 to the upper running part 11 and thus supplied to the outside 26 of the discharge end 6.

[0079] The division of the endless belt 4 into the passing track 17 and the conveyor track 20 is in this example not continuous but limited to several sections of the endless belt 4, in the example shown in Figures 6 and 7 the passing track 17 featuring four passing openings 18 extending only over part of the area between the two outer strips 25. In the areas where there is no passing track on the outer side 26 of the endless belt 4, it is useful to limit the length of the passing track 17 so that the endless belt 4 is available over its entire width for the transport of chips to the discharge end 6. Furthermore, passing of length The endless belt 4 having a limited passing track has a higher stability.

[0080] The intermediate wall 21 is continuous between the two outer strips 25, so that the liquid coolant at the periphery of the intermediate wall 21 drives the chips towards the passage openings 18 and prevents them from reaching the intermediate space 10 (see figures 1 and 5).

[0081] FIG. 6 shows an intermediate spacing strip 27 on the intermediate space side 13 of the endless belt. The intermediate spacing strip 27 is a push-in element within the meaning of the claims and can be, for example, a shovel. The intermediate spacing strip 27 is higher with respect to the joint sleeve 24, so that an improved transport of chips lying on the intermediate space side 13 can be ensured. Furthermore, the intermediate spacing strip 27 improves the transport of chips in the belt return device 14 towards the upper run 11. For this purpose, the intermediate spacing strip 27 cooperates with a peripheral wall 82 of the belt return device 14. The peripheral wall 82, which extends between two belt return guides 83 for the endless belt 4, can be fixed or can rotate. The peripheral wall 82 cooperates with the endless belt 4 guided at a suitable distance from the peripheral wall 82 and, optionally, with an intermediate space strip 27 or other raised structure mounted on the endless belt 4 to prevent intermediate space objects carried by the intermediate space side 13 of the endless belt 4 from sliding back or flowing down under the force of gravity into the area below or in front of the belt return device 14 as it circulates around the belt return device 14.

[0082] Furthermore, the intermediate spacing strip 27 ensures that chips deposited on the first deflecting means 15 after circulating around the belt return device 14 are swept away and fall onto the intermediate spacing side 13 of the endless belt 4 in the lower run 12. In the case of the first conveyor 1 (FIG. 1), the intermediate spacing strip 27 can also separate chips from the upper and / or lower side of the filter box 8. Although not shown here, the role of the intermediate spacing strip 27 can also be fulfilled by different pushing elements, provided instead of or in addition to the intermediate spacing strip 27, in the form of brushes or with brush attachments.

[0083] The first deflection means 15 and the first endless belt 4 shown in figures 6 and 7 may be used not only in the conveyors 1, 100, 200 or 300 (figures 1-4) but also in further conveyor systems. The same applies to the further variants of the belt return device shown below.

[0084] Figure 8 shows a detail of the second endless belt 70. The second endless belt 70 generally corresponds to the endless belt 4 (Figure 7) but, unlike the latter, has a passing track 71 with a single continuous passing opening 72. This variant is somewhat more complicated from a manufacturing point of view, since the joint rod 23 does not reach continuously to the transport chain 73. However, the larger passing opening 72 ensures the passage of larger chips.

[0085] Moreover, in contrast to FIG. 7, the left side wall 74 is made continuous and has no gap at the level of the passing track 71. The gap in the side wall 9 of the first endless belt 4 shown in FIG. 7 essentially results from simplified production, since the individual mutually mobile elements of the side wall 9 are fixed at the side wall 9 to the link plate 22, for example by welding. In the variant according to FIG. 8, however, an alternative fixation of the side wall 74 is required, at least at the level of the passing opening 72, for example on the guide chain 73. A variant with a continuous passing opening 72 may also be provided for a segmented side wall 9.

[0086] The two variants of the endless belts 4 and 70 may in principle be used with the first deflection means 15 in addition to the alternative deflection means presented below. This applies equally to the other variants of the endless belt presented below.

[0087] Figure 9 shows an alternative second deflection means 30 in the region of the belt return device 14. The second deflection means 30 interacts with the first endless belt 4. Figure 10 shows the second deflection means 30 in an oblique bottom view. On its underside, the second deflection means 30 comprises a lower deflection strip 31 for deflecting the chips in the direction towards the passing track 17, similar to the deflection edge 16 of the first deflection means 15 in the driven state of the endless belt 4 (see Figure 9).

[0088] Furthermore, above the second deflection means 30 there is an upper deflection strip 32, which serves to deflect the chips that have passed the lower deflection strip 31 further in the direction of the passing track 17 without reaching the passing track 17 or the area provided for the passing track 17. The second deflection means 30 further has a drop opening 33, through which the chips can fall onto the passing track 17 below the first endless belt 4 or onto the intermediate space side 13 of the first endless belt 4. The second deflection means 30 is kept short to save material, so that the upper deflection strip 32, which is further away from the drop opening 33, cannot completely deflect the chips into the passing track 17. It is therefore possible that the chips have to pass over the belt return device 14 several times to reach the passing track 17.

[0089] Figure 11 shows a third deflection means 80, which differs from the second deflection means 30 (Figure 9) only in that it has a lateral protective wall 81, which prevents chips located on or below the deflection means 80 from reaching laterally into the area of ​​the guide chain 28 of the endless belt 4. It is also possible to provide only one protective wall 81, i.e. on the side where the passing track is located.

[0090] 12(a)-15(b) show various exemplary design options for the conveyor and the associated endless belt. In each case the conveyor is shown in cross-section (a) on the lower run of the endless belt, and in bottom view (b) in the region of the supply openings for coolant and chips.

[0091] 12(a) and 12(b) show the first endless belt 4, in which one of its sections 34 is visible, in which it is divided by an intermediate wall 21 into a conveying track 20 and a passing track 17. The sections 34 are delimited by an external strip 25. The feed opening 35 is arranged off-center so as to avoid, to the greatest extent possible, the chips passing therethrough when they are in the upper run 11 from reaching the passing track 17. The cover part 91 of the frame 90 which provides the feed opening 35 covers the area of ​​the endless belt 4 which is expected to correspond to the passing track 17. This prevents an unnecessarily high proportion of chips from entering between the upper run 11 and the lower run 12.

[0092] Figures 13(a) and 13(b) show a third endless belt 36 in which two lateral passing tracks 37 and 38 are arranged on either side in the same area 39. Again, the frame 92 for the feed opening 40 has a cover part 93 (see Figure 8(a)), so that when the passing tracks 37 and 38 are in the upper run, they are not filled directly by the passing chips.

[0093] 14(a) and 14(b) show a variant with a fourth endless belt 41, which has a number of central passing tracks 42, each of which extends between two conveying tracks 45 and 46. In the conveyor, a separating cover 44 is provided in the upper central area of ​​the endless belt 41 in the upper run 11, which protects the central passing track 42. By means of the cover 44, the passing track 42 is protected against the passage of chips in the upper run 11 and allows the provision of a continuous feed opening 43. The cover may have a roof pitch which prevents chips from permanently adhering thereto. However, a scraper element, not shown here, moving on the cover 44 may also be provided parallel to the conveying direction of the endless belt 41 in order to remove the chips.

[0094] Finally, Figures 15(a) and 15(b) show a variant equivalent to that of Figures 12(a) and 12(b), which differs from the variant according to Figures 12(a) and 12(b) only in that the transverse passing track 84 of the fifth endless belt 56 and the cover part 94 of the frame 95 for the feed opening 96 are located on the right side of the drawing - see the description of Figures 12(a) and 12(b) in question.

[0095] Figure 16 shows in oblique plan view and Figure 17 in oblique bottom view the fourth deflection means 47 having two lateral drop openings 48 and 49 in the base plate 85. It can function, for example, as a variant of the third endless belt 36 of Figures 13(a) and 13(b). Upper and lower deflection strips 50 and 51 deflect chips on the lower and upper runs 12, 11 towards the passing track (37 in Figures 13(a) and 13(b)).

[0096] Figure 18 shows the fifth deflection means 52 in an oblique top view and Figure 19 in a bottom view. The fifth deflection means 52 has a central drop opening 53. The upper deflection means 54 and the lower deflection means 55 direct the chips towards a central passing track, as shown for example in Figures 14(a) and 14(b).

[0097] 20 shows the sixth deflection means 86 together with the endless belt 4. The sixth deflection means 86 has on a base plate 87 a number of drop openings 88, for each of which a plate-like slide member 89 extends downwards in the direction of the lower run 11. The plate-like slide members 89 are arranged such that chips dropping through the drop openings 88 and sliding on the slide members 89 are deflected in the direction towards the passing track 17.

[0098] FIG. 21 shows the sixth endless belt 57 only in the lower run 11, which, like the first endless belt 4, has a passing track 59 on only one side. However, unlike the first endless belt 4, no intermediate space strip 27 (see FIG. 6) is provided. A plate-like deflecting means is no longer necessary. Instead, a fixed, i.e. non-rotating, auger 58 is arranged on the second belt return device 60 as a seventh deflecting means. The screw thread 61 cooperates with the intermediate space side of the endless belt 57 during the transport of the deposited chips and deflects the chips located on the intermediate space side slightly in the direction of the passing track 59 with each pass together with the running endless belt 57. In a variant not shown here, the auger may also have at least two screw threads with different screw directions on different sections, which deflect the chips into different passing tracks.

[0099] FIG. 22 shows the sixth endless belt 57 cooperating with the driven auger 62 as the eighth deflection means. The auger 62 is arranged in a third belt return device 66 with a screw thread 63 in a screw housing 65 with an inlet 64. The screw housing 65 has a discharge port, not shown here, on its underside, which is opposite to the area of ​​the endless belt 57 intended for the passing track 59. When the endless belt 57 passes through the belt return device 66, the chips placed on the intermediate space side of the endless belt 57 fall through the inlet 64 into the housing 65 and are guided by the driven auger in the direction of the area of ​​the passing track 59. The drive of the auger is made via a gear 67 of the third belt return device 66, which meshes with the guide chain of the endless belt 57.

[0100] A barrier 69 is fixed to the belt return device 66, which serves to level out any possible accumulation of chips on the intermediate space side of the endless belt 57 in the lower run.

[0101] It is also contemplated to combine different deflection means with each other, for example, fixed auger 58 or driven auger 62 on the one hand and first to sixth deflection means 15, 30, 80, 47, 52 or 86 on the other hand. The foregoing description of the embodiments and examples of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the described form. Many modifications are possible in light of the above teachings. Some of these modifications have been discussed, and others will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The embodiments have been selected and described to best illustrate the principles of the present disclosure and various embodiments suitable for the particular use contemplated. The scope of the present disclosure is, of course, not limited to the examples or embodiments described herein, but may be employed by those skilled in the art in any number of applications and equivalent arrangements. It is hereby intended that the scope of the present invention be defined by the claims appended hereto. Also, with respect to any method claimed and / or described, whether or not the method is described with reference to a flow diagram, unless otherwise specified or required by context, it should be understood that any explicit or implicit ordering of steps performed in performing the method does not imply that the steps must be performed in the order presented, but may be performed in a different order or in parallel. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0102] [Figure 1] 1 shows a first conveyor for removing chips, with an internal filter box. [Diagram 2] The front of the second conveyor for removing chips is shown. [Diagram 3] Shows the front of the third conveyor for chip removal with the underlying filter system. [Figure 4] A fourth conveyor device for removing chips using a filter drum is shown. [Diagram 5] 1 is an enlarged view of the front end of one of the conveyors, showing details thereof; [Figure 6]The first deflection means in the region of the first belt return device is shown together with (part of) the lower run of the first endless belt. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of the first endless belt in the region of the upper run. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 shows a detailed view of another second endless belt in the region of the upper run. [Figure 9] 2 shows an oblique top view of the second deflection means in the region of the first deflection device together with (part of) the lower run of the first endless belt; [Figure 10] 10 shows an oblique bottom view of the second deflection means according to FIG. 9, in the region of the first belt return device, in the absence of an endless belt; [Figure 11] 10 shows the second deflection means in the view according to FIG. 9, with lateral protective walls. [Figure 12(a)] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the front end of a conveyor having a third endless belt with a transverse passing track. [Figure 12(b)] FIG. 13 is a top view of the front end of a conveyor having a third endless belt with a transverse passing track. [Figure 13(a)] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the front end of a conveyor having a fourth endless belt with two lateral passing tracks. [Figure 13(b)] FIG. 13 is a top view of the front end of a conveyor having a fourth endless belt with two lateral passing tracks. [Figure 14(a)] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the front end of a conveyor having a fifth endless belt with a central passing track. [Figure 14(b)] FIG. 13 is a top view of the front end of a conveyor having a fifth endless belt with a central passing track. [Figure 15(a)] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the front end of a conveyor having a sixth endless belt with a transverse passing track. [Figure 15(b)] FIG. 13 is a top view of the front end of a conveyor having a sixth endless belt with a transverse passing track. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 shows an oblique top view of the third deflection means in the region of the first belt return device; [Figure 17]17 shows an oblique bottom view of the third deflection means according to FIG. 16; [Figure 18] FIG. 4 shows an oblique top view of the fourth deflection means in the region of the first belt return device; [Figure 19] 19 shows an oblique bottom view of the fourth deflection means according to FIG. 18; [Figure 20] FIG. 13 shows a perspective top view of a fifth deflection means with a drop opening and a push-in element. [Figure 21] A sixth deflection means in the form of a fixed auger on the second belt return device is shown together with (part of) the first endless belt in its lower run. [Figure 22] A seventh deflection means in the form of a driven auger on the third belt return device is shown together with (part of) the first endless belt in its lower run.

Claims

1. 1. A conveyor for incoming material, comprising: an endless belt having an upper run and a lower run, configured to transport objects in a transport direction, at least a portion of which comprises a conveyor track and a pass-through track, the conveyor track and the pass-through track being separated by an intermediate wall extending in the transport direction, and an intermediate space being defined between the upper run and the lower run; a belt return device for facilitating a transition between the upper run and the lower run of the endless belt; at least one deflection means; the endless belt defines at least one passage opening through which an intermediate space formed by a portion of the transported material reaching the intermediate space can be discharged at least partially; the through track at least partially defines the at least one through opening; The at least one deflecting means directs at least a portion of the intermediate space objects in a direction toward the pass-through track.

2. 2. The conveyor of claim 1, wherein the at least one deflecting means is disposed at least partially between the upper run and the lower run, the at least one deflecting means comprising at least one deflecting strip extending at least partially obliquely toward the conveying direction.

3. 3. The conveyor of claim 2, wherein said at least one deflector strip is aligned with said lower run for cooperation therewith.

4. 4. A conveyor as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the at least one deflector strip is aligned with the upper run for cooperating therewith.

5. 5. A conveyor as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the at least one deflection strip comprises first and second deflection strips, the first deflection strip cooperating with the lower run and the second deflection strip cooperating with the upper run.

6. A conveyor as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the at least one deflection means at least partially defines at least one drop opening in the base plate.

7. 7. The conveyor of claim 6, further comprising a slide member oriented at least partially obliquely toward the direction of gravity and extending below the at least one drop opening.

8. A conveyor as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least one deflecting means comprises an auger arranged at or around the belt return device.

9. 9. The conveyor of claim 8, wherein the auger is fixed in position relative to the belt return device.

10. A conveyor as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein the auger is rotated by a drive means.

11. 11. A conveyor as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the auger is at least partially enclosed in a housing.

12. 12. The conveyor of claim 11, wherein the housing defines in part at least one injection opening extending above a longitudinal axis of the auger, the at least one injection opening configured to permit passage of the intermediate space objects.

13. The housing has at least one discharge opening arranged above the passing track. and the at least one discharge opening partially defines the intermediate space, the at least one discharge opening allowing passage of objects therethrough.

13. A conveyor as claimed in claim 11 or 12,

14. A conveyor as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the housing is part of the belt return device.

15. 1. A conveyor for flowable material, comprising: an endless belt having an upper run and a lower run, configured to transport the objects in a transport direction, at least a portion of which comprises a conveyor track and a pass-through track, the conveyor track and the pass-through track being separated by an intermediate wall extending in the transport direction, and an intermediate space being defined between the upper run and the lower run; a belt return device for facilitating a transition between the upper run and the lower run of the endless belt, the belt return device including a belt return guide and a peripheral wall, the peripheral wall extending at least partially between the belt return guides; the pass-through track at least partially defines at least one pass-through opening, the pass-through opening allowing the discharge of at least a portion of the material of an intermediate space formed by a portion of the material that has reached the intermediate space; The conveyor, wherein the peripheral wall cooperates with the endless belt to facilitate transport of the intermediate space objects at least partially around the belt return device.

16. 16. The conveyor of claim 15, wherein the endless belt comprises a raised structure on an inner side thereof facing one or more of the intermediate space and the peripheral wall of the belt return device.

17. 17. The conveyor of claim 16, wherein each of the raised structures of the endless belt comprises at least one pusher element extending across at least a portion of the width of the conveyor track.

18. 18. A conveyor as claimed in claim 17, wherein said at least one pushing element each comprises a flexible lining or a brush-like attachment.

19. 19. A conveyor as claimed in claim 17 or 18, wherein said at least one pushing element is each formed from a flexible material.

20. 20. A conveyor as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 19, further comprising at least one deflection means configured to guide at least a portion of the intermediate spacer in a direction towards the passing track.

21. 21. A conveyor as claimed in claim 20, wherein the at least one deflecting means comprises an auger.

22. 22. The conveyor of claim 21, wherein the auger is at least partially disposed within or on the belt return device.

23. 23. A conveyor as claimed in claim 21 or 22, wherein the auger is rotated by a drive means.

24. 24. A conveyor as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein the auger is at least partially enclosed in a housing.

25. 25. The conveyor of claim 24, wherein the housing defines in part at least one injection opening extending above a longitudinal axis of the auger, the at least one injection opening configured to permit passage of the intermediate space objects.

26. 26. A conveyor as claimed in claim 24 or 25, wherein the housing partially defines at least one discharge opening arranged above the passing track, the at least one discharge opening allowing the passage of the intermediate space objects.

27. 27. A conveyor as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein the housing is part of the belt return arrangement.

28. 1. A conveyor for incoming material, comprising: an endless belt having an upper run and a lower run, configured to transport objects in a transport direction, at least a portion of which comprises a conveyor track and a pass-through track, the conveyor track and the pass-through track being separated by an intermediate wall extending in the transport direction, and an intermediate space being defined between the upper run and the lower run; a belt return device for facilitating a transition between the upper run and the lower run of the endless belt; a cover at least partially covering the passing track and partially disposed above the upper running portion; A conveyor, wherein the pass-through track at least partially defines at least one pass-through opening, the pass-through opening allowing discharge of at least a portion of an intermediate space formed by a portion of the transported material that has reached the intermediate space.

29. 30. A conveyor as claimed in claim 28, wherein at least a portion of the cover is formed as part of a frame of the feed opening.

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