Belt conveyor

Abstract

To provide a belt conveyor capable of dramatically reducing the type and quantity of a pulley, therefore achieving a short machine length, miniaturization and unit conversion and easy overhaul and reassembly for free maintenance.SOLUTION: A belt conveyor structured so that an endless belt 33 is tensed on a head pulley 31 and a tail pulley 32 with a drive mechanism 34 to convey an article and / or an article storage container, includes a tension adjustment mechanism of the endless belt 33 provided on the head pulley 31 and / or the tail pulley 32, and a snaking adjustment mechanism of the endless belt 33 provided on the head pulley 31 and / or the tail pulley 32.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a short-length belt conveyor for an energy-saving and resource-saving logistics system that significantly reduces the mechanical elements of a belt conveyor. In particular, the present invention solves the problems caused by reducing the number of various pulleys, which are factors that complicate the mechanism of the belt conveyor and reduce its operability and durability, to the limit. The present invention provides an endless belt, end pulleys at both ends, and a drive device as basic mechanical elements, and a head drive type short-length belt conveyor that integrates a tension adjustment mechanism and a serpentine adjustment function in the end pulleys at both ends.

Background Art

[0002] Belt conveyors that make up a logistics system are mainly classified into a head drive method, a center drive method, and a friction drive method according to the position of a pulley to which a rotational force is applied by a drive device.

[0003] A head drive type belt conveyor is a belt conveyor in which one end of an end pulley arranged at both ends drives the belt conveyor as a drive pulley, the drive pulley becomes a head pulley at the foremost part in the conveying direction, and the end pulley at the other end becomes a tail pulley at the rearmost part in the conveying direction, and only a forward operation in one direction is possible.

[0004] A center drive type belt conveyor is provided with a drive pulley that drives the belt conveyor in the middle of the end pulleys arranged at both ends, and the end pulleys arranged at both ends can perform a forward and reverse operation that functions as both a head pulley and a tail pulley.

[0005] In all types of belt conveyors, in addition to the head pulleys and tail pulleys located at both ends, there are various other components such as take-up pulleys with tension adjustment mechanisms and / or meandering adjustment functions, snub pulleys with meandering adjustment functions and / or winding angle adjustment functions, and bend pulleys with direction adjustment functions. In particular, snub pulleys with meandering adjustment functions and / or slip prevention functions are installed in large numbers before and after the drive pulley, head pulley, tail pulley, take-up pulley, and bend pulley, as this is done by adjusting the winding angle of the conveyor belt around the pulley. Thus, belt conveyors have many types and quantities of pulleys, resulting in significant vibration and noise during operation, which reduces the durability of the conveyor belt, leading to frequent breakdowns and maintenance. Furthermore, the complex mechanism requires specialized skills for repair and maintenance, resulting in a heavy burden of labor. Furthermore, a large number of pulleys causes the conveyor belt to bend severely, which accelerates the deterioration of the conveyor belt and shortens its lifespan. However, reducing the number of snub pulleys results in a phenomenon where the driving force of the drive pulley is not sufficiently transmitted to the belt (Non-Patent Literature 1).

[0006] In such logistics belt conveyors, a resin conveyor belt is used in which a core body, consisting of 1 to 3 layers of polyester fiber canvas, polyurethane elastomer sheets, and polyvinyl chloride elastomer sheets laminated via a resin adhesive layer (intermediate layer), is used as the back surface that contacts the pulley, and polyester fiber canvas, polyurethane elastomer sheets, polyvinyl chloride elastomer sheets, and special rubber are further laminated as the surface that contacts the conveyed goods. The materials and layer configuration are designed to primarily control the frictional force with conveyed goods such as cardboard, to provide oil resistance and antistatic properties corresponding to the type of conveyed goods such as food, machine parts, and electronic components, and to reduce friction noise during high-speed conveyance. However, the durability required for the above conveyor belt is not a priority (Non-Patent Documents 2 and 3). In particular, delamination between the core layers and between the core and surface layers is likely to occur due to the bending of the conveyor belt as it passes through the pulley (Patent Document 2).

[0007] Furthermore, conveyor belts that prioritize durability are widely used in civil engineering and construction belt conveyors, which have long conveying distances and heavy conveying weights. These conveyor belts have been put into practical use in which polyurethane elastomers, polyvinyl chloride elastomers, and special rubbers (butadiene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, nitrile rubber, and ethylene-propylene-diene rubber, etc.) are laminated on both sides of cores such as a core made of a composite of polyester fiber canvas with high tensile strength and nylon fiber canvas with excellent flexibility, a core made of canvas made of a composite of polyester fiber and nylon fiber, a core made of aramid fiber canvas, and a core made of polyester sheet reinforced with high-strength chemical fibers (Non-Patent Documents 4 and 5).

[0008] However, the functionality of such civil engineering and construction conveyor belts is excessive for use as logistics conveyor belts, and this puts pressure on equipment costs. Therefore, conveyor belts have been developed that use polyester fiber canvas as the core, with polyurethane elastomer sheets, polyvinyl chloride elastomer sheets, and special rubber laminated on both sides, as well as conveyor belts that use polyamide film as the core, with special rubber such as nitrile rubber laminated on both sides (Non-Patent Literature 6).

[0009] Now, as a means of solving these problems, a friction-type belt conveyor, which uses the contact friction force between the surface of the conveyor belt that contacts the conveyed material and the outer wall surface of the pulley shell as the driving force, as shown in Figure 1, is a friction drive (Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 7). As is clear from the figure, a friction-type belt conveyor 1This belt conveyor features an endless belt 13 stretched between head pulleys 11 and tail pulleys 12 at both ends. Two support pulleys 16 are provided in the middle of the return side of the conveyor belt, contacting the back surfaces of the head pulleys 11 and tail pulleys 12. A drive pulley 14 is provided between the two support pulleys 16, on the surface of the endless belt 13 that contacts the conveyed material, and is biased by a spring member to press against the two support pulleys 16 with a predetermined pressure. The driving force of a drive unit 15 connected to the drive pulley 14 is transmitted to the endless belt 13 by the frictional force generated between the back surface of the endless belt 13 and the outer shell surface of the support pulleys 16, and between the surface of the endless belt 13 and the outer shell surface of the drive pulley 14, in the portion sandwiched between the support pulleys 16 and the drive pulley 14. This method eliminates the need for a take-up pulley, reduces the number of mechanical elements, and simplifies maintenance, as the tension is adjusted by the drive pulley 14. Furthermore, it is stated that a special conveyor belt is unnecessary because the tension applied to the conveyor belt 13 is small and its elongation is suppressed. Also, since the power source is located between the end pulleys, the conveying direction can be reversed.

[0010] Incidentally, the rapid advancement and spread of computer and internet technologies in recent years has dramatically changed logistics systems. Specifically, with the availability of environments where computer and internet technologies can be used, logistics centers equipped with functions for transporting and storing goods such as receiving, inspection, storage, transport, sorting, and shipping have been equipped with storage facilities, sorting facilities, and transport devices that can grasp and control information associated with goods, as well as functions for planning, statistical processing, accounting processing, and inventory management. These include automated warehouses, stacking shelves, mobile shelving, digital sorters, picking systems, digital conveyor systems, and AGVs (Automatic Guided Vehicles). This has led to the integration of logistics systems and information systems, that is, the integrated management of logistics systems by information systems. Furthermore, using POS (Point of Sales) and POP (Point of Production) to support logistics, systems have been created that can grasp and control not only the movement of goods related to transportation and storage, but also the movement of goods including demand and production. These systems can be called information logistics systems. As a result, the just-in-time system, exemplified by production methods for automobiles and other goods, spread to general society, leading to the development of a just-in-time socio-economic system where only the necessary goods are supplied, at the necessary time, and in the necessary quantities.

[0011] In this situation, not only logistics centers, but also airport baggage handling systems, electronics, electrical and automotive factories, and food manufacturing plants—all fundamental transport devices in logistics—require digitalization, along with equipment fluidity such as miniaturization, modularization, and maintenance-free operation. An extremely advanced example of this is the transport system using AGVs. However, while conveyors, especially belt conveyors, are extremely capable as transport devices, as mentioned above, the large number and variety of pulleys result in severe vibration and noise during operation, reducing the durability of the conveyor belt, leading to frequent breakdowns and maintenance. Furthermore, the complex mechanism requires specialized skills for repair and maintenance, necessitating considerable effort. In addition, dismantling and reassembly for relocation and other operations related to the fluidity of the logistics system also require specialized technicians with unique skills, resulting in a significant burden. Even with friction-type belt conveyors, which are considered one means of solving these problems, although take-up pulleys are no longer necessary, they can be considered as an integrated system of take-up pulleys and drive units, meaning the number and variety of pulleys have not been dramatically reduced. Therefore, by further reducing the types and number of pulleys, vibration and noise during operation, the durability and failure frequency of the conveyor belt are improved, and belt conveyors that are short in length, can be miniaturized and modularized, are easy to disassemble and assemble, and are maintenance-free are in demand in various industries as conveying devices with equipment flow comparable to AGVs and superior conveying capacity. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0012] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3188836 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-158839 [Patent Document 3] Patent No. 2900917 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 3-95059 [Non-patent literature]

[0013] [Non-Patent Document 1] JRC Corporation website, "Types and Structure of Pulleys", [online], [Accessed September 6, 2021], Internet<URL:https: / / www.jrcnet.co.jp / products / pulley / 1476> [Non-Patent Document 2] Mitsuboshi Belting Co., Ltd. website, "LOGISTAR® (registered trademark) resin conveyor belt for logistics", [online], [searched September 9, 2021], Internet<URL:https: / / www.mitsuboshi.com / japan / product / catalog / pdf / logistar_U139-C.pdf> [Non-Patent Document 3] Bando Chemical Co., Ltd. website, "M Series Resin Conveyor Belts for Logistics", [online], [searched September 9, 2021], Internet<URL:https: / / www.bandogrp.com / product / lightduty / pdf / light_03.pdf> [Non-Patent Document 4] Bridgestone Corporation website, "Conveyor Belt Products," [online], [Accessed September 9, 2021], Internet<URL:https: / / www.bridgestone.co.jp / products / dp / belt / pdf / Conveyor_belt.pdf> [Non-Patent Document 5] Chial Bell Truck Co., Ltd. Homepage, "Canvas (Nylon, Polyester) Conveyor Belts / Uni Ply Conveyor Belts / Duo Ply Conveyor Belts", [online], [Searched September 9, 2021], Internet<URL:http: / / trbeltrack.com / ja / home_jp / menu02 / sub02 / sub02_1~3 / > [Non-Patent Document 6] Nitta Corporation website, "Transmission and conveying belts", [online], [searched September 9, 2021], Internet<URL:https: / / www.nitta.co.jp / product / belt-conv / belt / > [Non-Patent Document 7] Sanki Engineering Co., Ltd. Homepage, "Conveying Q&A", [online], [Accessed September 6, 2021], Internet<URL:https: / / www.hansou.jp / plaza / faq / faq_03.html> [Non-Patent Document 8] Kansai Wire Mesh Co., Ltd. Homepage, "Wire Conveyor Belt", [online], [Searched September 6, 2021], Internet<URL: https: / / www.kwn.co.jp / engineering / wireconveyor / ew_07.html> [Non-Patent Document 9] Rui Ohashi, Kensuke Hirata, Tomoyuki Kusumi, Nozomi Ishibashi, and Takaaki Hasegawa, "Development of Non-Contact Roll-to-Roll Conveying Technology," IHI Technical Report, Vol. 57, No. 2, pp. 46-52 (2017) [Non-Patent Document 10] Mitsubishi Electric Corporation website, "Tension Control Complete Guide", [online], [Accessed September 6, 2021], Internet, <URL:https: / / dl. mitsubishielectric.co.jp / dl / fa / document / catalog / clutch / sh-170004 / sh170004-c.pdf> [Non-Patent Document 11] Miyako Roller Industry Co., Ltd., "Wrinkle Removal Roll to Prevent Wrinkles During Conveying!" [online], [Searched September 6, 2021], Internet,<URL:https: / / premium.ipros.jp / miyako-roller / product / detail / 155308016 / ?hub=163&categoryId=46391> [Non-Patent Document 12] Moritaka Roller Manufacturing Co., Ltd., "Processing Technology Introduction", [online], [searched on September 6, 2021], Internet, <URL: http: / / www.moritakaroller.co.jp / technology / >

Non-Patent Document 13

Non-Patent Document 14

Non-Patent Document 15

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0014] Belt conveyors are fundamental to logistics in all industries, including not only logistics centers but also airport baggage handling systems, electronics, electrical, and automotive factories, and food manufacturing plants, and are conveying devices with excellent conveying capabilities. However, when conventional belt conveyors are viewed as conveying devices that can cope with the dramatic changes in logistics systems, such as the integrated management of logistics systems by information systems, they have various inherent challenges. In particular, equipment fluidity such as miniaturization, unitization, and maintenance-free operation that can cope with the digitalization of belt conveyors can be cited. The cause of this lies in the mechanism of conventional belt conveyors themselves, specifically, the large number and variety of pulleys and the low durability of the conveyor belt, which require a great deal of effort for maintenance, and the complex disassembly and assembly, which necessitates the deployment of specialized technicians with special skills.

[0015] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a belt conveyor that dramatically reduces the types and number of pulleys, is short in length, can be miniaturized and unitized, is easy to disassemble and assemble, and is maintenance-free. In other words, the objective of the present invention is to provide a belt conveyor with high equipment fluidity by integrating the functions of the components that support the mechanism of the belt conveyor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0016] To solve the above problems, the inventors investigated how much the types and number of pulleys could be reduced. As a result, they found that by consolidating the functions of various pulleys that support the conveying stability of the belt conveyor, optimizing the type and length of the conveyor belt, and installing a conveying control mechanism, a conveying device with an endless belt stretched over the minimum necessary two pulleys could potentially function as a belt conveyor that satisfies the conveying functions of a conventional belt conveyor and meets the equipment flow requirements. Furthermore, by conducting numerous prototypes to experiment with and evaluate the effectiveness of various mechanisms, the inventors completed the present invention.

[0017] In other words, the present invention relates to a belt conveyor in which an endless belt is stretched between a head pulley and a tail pulley equipped with a drive mechanism, and which transports articles and / or article storage containers, wherein the head pulley and / or tail pulley are equipped with a tension adjustment mechanism for the endless belt, and the head pulley and / or tail pulley are equipped with a meandering adjustment mechanism for the endless belt.

[0018] In particular, the core of the endless belt is preferably a polyester resin or polyamide resin sheet, and more preferably a fiber-reinforced polyester resin sheet or fiber-reinforced polyamide resin sheet.

[0019] Furthermore, the belt conveyor of the present invention is characterized in that its machine length, which is the distance between the leading edge of the head pulley in the conveying direction and the trailing edge of the tail pulley in the conveying direction, is 1,000 to 10,000 mm, in order to provide equipment fluidity such as miniaturization, unitization, and maintenance-free operation.

[0020] Therefore, the belt conveyor of the present invention can be called a head-drive type short-length two-end pulley belt conveyor, which integrates a tension adjustment mechanism and a meandering adjustment mechanism at the end pulleys at both ends.

[0021] The head-drive type short-length two-end pulley belt conveyor of the present invention is equipped with only the bare minimum of two pulleys, significantly reducing the mechanical loads such as bending, flexing, and twisting that the conveyor belt is subjected to. This extremely simple structure has the effect of extending the lifespan of conventional conveyor belts that use canvas, a woven fabric of polyester or nylon fibers, as the core material. Even more preferably, in the belt conveyor of the present invention, the material of the core material of the conveyor belt can be replaced with an inexpensive resin sheet that has poor flexibility but excellent tensile strength, which further extends the lifespan of the conveyor belt.

[0022] Conventional canvas fabrics, made from polyester or nylon fibers, have been used to satisfy the functions required of conveyor belts in belt conveyors with a large number of pulleys due to their excellent flexibility as a woven fabric. However, this also has the disadvantage of belt stretching, which is the reason for the short lifespan of conveyor belts. The problems of tension fluctuations and meandering caused by this belt stretching have been compensated for by the large number and variety of pulleys, which are mechanical means. However, the belt conveyor of the present invention has only the minimum necessary two pulleys, so flexibility is not necessarily required, and it has become possible to use an inexpensive resin sheet with excellent tensile strength as the core of the conveyor belt. Replacing the core of the conveyor belt with a resin sheet results in a conveyor belt with excellent tensile strength and less stretching, thus suppressing the problems of significant tension fluctuations and meandering. Furthermore, in addition to the effects of this conveyor belt, the short length of the belt conveyor works synergistically, making it possible to greatly simplify the mechanism of the belt conveyor. Therefore, the head-drive type short-length two-end pulley belt conveyor of the present invention, which integrates tension adjustment mechanisms and meandering adjustment mechanisms at both end pulleys, not only possesses the fluidity of being a small, lightweight, and modularized piece of equipment, but despite being the ultimate belt conveyor with only two pulleys, it does not require frequent maintenance and achieves extremely stable conveying operation.

[0023] In particular, polyester resin or polyamide resin sheets can be used as the core of the endless belt of the belt conveyor of the present invention, but in terms of tensile strength, fiber-reinforced polyester resin sheets or fiber-reinforced polyamide resin sheets are more preferable. These sheets can be used in layers of 1 to 3 layers with a total thickness of 0.5 to 3 mm depending on the weight of the conveyed object and the width of the conveyor belt, but there is a problem of peeling at the interface between sheets, so it is preferable to use one layer. In particular, in order to reduce the burden on the drive unit, it is desirable to lighten the conveyor belt, and in the case of fiber-reinforced polyester resin sheets or fiber-reinforced polyamide resin sheets, it is preferable to use a core of 0.5 to 1.2 mm in thickness as a single layer, and more preferably 0.5 to 1.0 mm.

[0024] It is preferable to laminate an elastomer on both sides of these cores or on the surface that comes into contact with the conveyed material. The elastomer can be selected from polyurethane rubber (PUR), polyvinyl chloride rubber (PVCR), butadiene rubber (BR), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), nitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR), chloroprene rubber (CR), isoprene rubber (IR), isobutylene-isoprene rubber (IIR), ethylene-propylene resin (EPM), ethylene-propylene rubber (EPM), ethylene-propylene-diene resin (EPDM), chlorinated polyethylene rubber (CM), chlorosulfonated polyethylene rubber (CSM), ethylene-vinyl acetate rubber (EVAR), epichlorohydrin rubber (CO), epichlorohydrin-ethylene oxide rubber (ECO), thiocool rubber (T), acrylic rubber (ACM), silicone rubber (SR), fluororubber (FKM), and natural rubber (NR). The thickness of these elastomers should be such that the total thickness of the conveyor belt is 3.5 to 12 mm when laminated onto the core, which ensures stable transport without the conveyed material slipping. In particular, considering weight reduction, a total thickness of 3.5 to 4.3 mm is preferable, and 3.5 to 4.0 mm is more preferable.

[0025] For the conveyor belt as a whole, it is preferable that the elastomer is laminated on both sides of the core to prevent warping. Furthermore, regardless of whether or not the elastomer is present on the surface that comes into contact with the pulley, it is preferable that the surface has irregularities to reduce contact noise and separation noise with the pulley, from the viewpoint of quietness of the belt conveyor, and irregularities with a surface roughness of about 0.1 to 0.3 mm are suitable.

[0026] On the other hand, belt conveyors generate static electricity due to contact and separation between the conveyor belt, pulleys, and conveyed objects. For safety reasons, static electricity removal measures such as static elimination bars are implemented. In this respect as well, the belt conveyor of the present invention can suppress the generation of static electricity because it has only two pulleys. However, since the conveyor belt used in the belt conveyor of the present invention is made of resin, which is prone to static charge, it is preferable from the viewpoint of preventing damage to conveyed objects and the belt conveyor, as well as ensuring the safe operation of the belt conveyor, that it has an antistatic function that prevents contact charging, peeling charging, and triboelectric charging. It is desirable that the resin material of the conveyor belt contains an antistatic agent, in particular an inorganic antistatic agent such as carbon black.

[0027] As described above, the belt conveyor of the present invention is an extremely simple head-drive type belt conveyor with only two pulleys, with tension adjustment mechanisms and meandering adjustment mechanisms integrated into the end pulleys at both ends. However, due to the synergistic effect of the conveyor belt with a resin sheet core and its short length, it does not require frequent maintenance and can achieve extremely stable conveying operation. As already explained, this is because the synergistic effect of the conveyor belt with a resin sheet core and its short length has reduced the need for tension adjustment and meandering adjustment. Furthermore, this reduction in tension adjustment and meandering adjustment has made it possible to apply various tension adjustment mechanisms and meandering adjustment mechanisms to the head pulley and tail pulley. In addition, since the conveyor belt with a resin sheet core of the present invention can be made thinner than conventional conveyor belts, it has become possible to apply various tension adjustment mechanisms and meandering adjustment mechanisms that were not effective in conventional belt conveyors. Below, the tension adjustment mechanisms and meandering adjustment mechanisms that can be adopted in the head pulley and tail pulley of the head-drive type short-length two-end pulley type belt conveyor of the present invention will be described.

[0028] The tension adjustment mechanism for the head pulley and tail pulley of the head drive type short-length two-end pulley belt conveyor, which integrates the tension adjustment mechanism and meandering adjustment mechanism at both end pulleys of the present invention, is not particularly limited as long as it can maintain the tension applied to the endless bell at an optimal level by adjusting the distance between the end pulleys in response to tension fluctuations, since there are only two pulleys. Furthermore, the tension adjustment mechanism only needs to be provided on at least one of the head pulley or the tail pulley. However, since the head pulley needs to be equipped with a drive device, it is preferable to provide it on the tail pulley to avoid complicating the structure.

[0029] The first tension adjustment mechanism is characterized by being a first pulley drive device that repeatedly moves the head pulley and / or tail pulley parallel to the conveying direction without changing the angle of intersection between the axis of the head pulley and / or tail pulley and the conveying direction.

[0030] The drive device that moves this pulley in parallel can be called a pulley-moving tension adjustment device. While screws, springs, gas springs, counterweights, or various actuators can be used as the drive mechanism, screws, gas springs, or electric cylinders are preferred for structural and operational reasons. The tension adjustment mechanism conventionally used in belt conveyor take-up pulleys can be directly applied, making it the most practical method.

[0031] The second tension adjustment mechanism is characterized by being a first shell wall drive device that repeatedly moves the shell outer walls of the head pulley and / or tail pulley parallel to the transport direction without changing the axial position of the head pulley and / or tail pulley.

[0032] This first shell outer wall drive device consists of multiple sections of the hollow cylindrical shell of the pulley, connected to a drive device so that they can move independently in a direction parallel to the conveying direction. These multiple sections are formed, for example, by cutting in the axial direction at the intersection of two centerlines that form a predetermined central angle of a circle, which is a cross-section perpendicular to the axis of the shell, and a circle, which is a cross-section perpendicular to the axis of the shell. Multiple such sections are formed at predetermined central angle intervals. In particular, in order to smoothly drive the conveyor belt with the pulley and safely transport the conveyed material, it is preferable that all of these multiple sections are connected to the drive device so that they can move simultaneously in the direction normal to the circle from the center of the circle, which is a cross-section perpendicular to the axis of the pulley, and that the outermost surfaces of the multiple sections can move in a direction parallel to the axis of the pulley. Such a tension adjustment device can be called a segmented shell telescopic tension adjustment device, and the drive method for these multiple sections is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to use springs or various actuators, especially electric cylinders.

[0033] The third tension adjustment mechanism is characterized by a non-contact pulley comprising a head pulley and / or tail pulley with through holes formed in the outer wall of the shell, and an air discharge device that blows air out from the through holes.

[0034] This tension adjustment mechanism adjusts tension by discharging a predetermined amount of fluid from a fluid-dischargeable vent in the pulley shell. This creates an appropriate gap between the pulley and the conveyor belt in the direction normal to the circle formed by cutting perpendicular to the pulley's axis. When the tension decreases, the fluid discharge rate is increased, and conversely, when the tension decreases, the fluid discharge rate is decreased to adjust the tension. Therefore, this tension adjustment mechanism can be called a non-contact tension adjustment device. The fluid is not particularly limited as long as it is a safe gas, but air is preferred for economic reasons.

[0035] The first tension adjustment mechanism has been put into practical use in the take-up pulleys of conventional belt conveyors, and can fully exhibit tension adjustment functionality in the head-drive type short-length two-end pulley belt conveyor of the present invention. On the other hand, when the second and third tension adjustment mechanisms of the present invention are applied to the head-drive type short-length two-end pulley belt conveyor of the present invention, tension adjustment functions well because the tension adjustment is reduced due to the synergistic effect of the conveyor belt with a resin sheet core and the short length.

[0036] While such tension adjustment mechanisms can be manually controlled, they can also be equipped with tension detectors and tension control devices to automatically control the tension of the conveyor belt of the head-drive type short-length two-end pulley belt conveyor of the present invention. When the tension detector and tension control device are equipped with tension detectors and tension control devices in the first tension adjustment mechanism, the tension of the conveyor belt detected by the tension detector installed in the belt conveyor of the present invention is transmitted to the tension control device as a signal such as load. Based on this signal, the tension control device activates the first pulley drive device, causing the head pulley and / or tail pulley to move in parallel in the conveying direction and thus the tension is adjusted. In the case of the second and third tension adjustment mechanisms, the tension detectors and tension control devices are equipped in exactly the same way. In the former case, they activate the first shell outer wall drive device, and in the latter case, they activate the air discharge device.

[0037] Since the belt conveyor of the present invention is equipped with only two pulleys, a flange-type (bearing-type) tension detector that can be mounted on the pulley bearings is preferred as the tension detector. The detection method is not particularly limited, but a differential transformer method, a magnetostrictive method, and a strain gauge method are preferably used.

[0038] On the other hand, the meandering adjustment mechanism can be broadly classified into a static method in which meandering is corrected based on the shape of the pulley, and a dynamic method in which meandering is corrected based on the movement of the entire pulley or the pulley shell, and either of these can be applied. However, in the former case, no specially attached device is required, so it can be used in either the head pulley or the tail pulley, while in the latter case, a device is required to actuate the entire pulley or the pulley shell, so it is preferable to use it in the tail pulley. Furthermore, it is preferable to equip the meandering adjustment mechanism in at least one of the head pulley or the tail pulley, as this allows the meandering adjustment function to operate smoothly.

[0039] The first static meandering adjustment mechanism is characterized by a head pulley and / or tail pulley whose shell outer wall shape is formed such that the central circumferential velocity, which is the circumferential velocity of the outer circumference of the shell cross-section passing through the center of gravity and perpendicular to the axis when the density of the head pulley and / or tail pulley is uniform, is maximized, and the outer circumferential velocity, which is the circumferential velocity of the outer circumference of the shell cross-section at both ends in the axial direction of the head pulley and / or tail pulley, is minimized. The shape of the shell outer wall that satisfies this condition is not particularly limited, but since the meandering adjustment function is exerted by the conveyor belt attempting to move in the direction of the central part of the shell where the circumferential velocity is high, it is necessary to form a symmetrical shape with precision, with the center line of the circle of the shell cross-section passing through the above center of gravity as the center of symmetry.

[0040] Generally, a pulley with a crowned shell is used, in which the central part of the shell cross-section, passing through the center of gravity and perpendicular to the axis, is the highest point of the shell. With the center line of the circle of this shell cross-section as the center of symmetry, a convex portion is formed consisting of a flat central part of the shell where the diameter of the cross-section parallel to this shell cross-section is maintained, and shell ends that continuously decrease. This can also be adopted as a meandering adjustment mechanism in the belt conveyor of the present invention. However, with pulleys that have undergone such crowning, the conveyor belt bends at both ends of the flat part, promoting delamination of the laminated conveyor belt layers and shortening the life of the conveyor belt. Therefore, it is preferable that the outer wall of the pulley shell be in the shape of a circular arc with a raised central part. In particular, the curvature κ (=1 / R, R: radius of curvature) of the outer wall of the shell is 2.4 × 10 -6 ~1.5×10 -3 It is preferable that it is elevated, and κ = 9.6 × 10 -6 ~1.1 × 10 -4 It is more preferable that it is raised.

[0041] The method for forming such a shape is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to bond the resin sheet, which has been machined and shaped, to the cylindrical surface of the shell.

[0042] The second static meandering adjustment mechanism, conversely to the first static meandering adjustment mechanism, is characterized by a head pulley and / or tail pulley whose shell outer wall shape is formed such that the peripheral velocity of the outer circumference of the shell cross-section passing through the center of gravity and perpendicular to the axis is minimized when the density of the head pulley and / or tail pulley is uniform, and the outer peripheral velocity, which is the peripheral velocity of the outer circumference of the shell cross-section at both ends of the head pulley and / or tail pulley in the axial direction, is maximized. In this case as well, the shape of the shell outer wall is not particularly limited as long as it satisfies this condition, but since the meandering adjustment function is exerted by the conveyor belt attempting to move in the direction of the ends of the shell where the peripheral velocity is high, it is necessary to form a symmetrical shape with precision, with the center line of the circle of the shell cross-section passing through the center of gravity as the center of symmetry.

[0043] Generally known as a pulley with a concave design, but similar to crown design, it is preferable that the outer wall of the pulley shell be in the shape of a circular arc with a recessed central portion. In particular, the curvature κ (=1 / R, R: radius of curvature) of the outer wall of the shell is 2.4 × 10 -6 ~1.5×10 -3 It is preferable that it is depressed, and κ = 9.6 × 10 -6 ~1.1 × 10 -4 It is more preferable that it is sunken.

[0044] The method for forming the shape of the second static meandering adjustment mechanism is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to bond a resin sheet that has been machined and shaped to the cylindrical shell surface.

[0045] The third static meandering adjustment mechanism is characterized in that the head pulley and / or tail pulley have a single cross-section passing through the axis of the shell of the head pulley and / or tail pulley, which is formed into an arch-shaped outer circumference that rises in the same direction, except for both ends of the shell. That is, it is a pulley that has an outer shape obtained by bending an elastic cylinder with its center of gravity as the center of symmetry, while maintaining the axis of the original cylinder. In particular, the arch shape is preferably an arc shape, and it is preferable that the single cross-section passing through the axis of the shell, that is, the cross-section cut in the axial direction passing through the raised apex of the arc shape and the axis, is enclosed by two ends that are approximately perpendicular to the axial direction and concentric arcs that rise in the same direction perpendicular to the axial direction. Therefore, in the first and second static meandering adjustment mechanisms, all cross-sections that pass through the axis of the pulley and cut in the axial direction have the same shape, whereas in the third static meandering adjustment mechanism, there is only one cross-section that passes through the axis and can be cut in the axial direction. Furthermore, the arc observed in the cross-section cut along the axis is, on one side, the shape described in the first static meandering adjustment mechanism where the center of the shell is raised, and on the other side, the shape described in the second static meandering adjustment mechanism where the center of the shell is depressed. The meandering adjustment function of a pulley having such an arc-shaped cross-section is manifested, similar to the first static meandering adjustment mechanism, by increasing the peripheral speed of the center of the shell and causing the conveyor belt to move towards the center of the shell. Therefore, similar to the first and second static meandering adjustment functions, it is necessary to form it with high precision, and it is preferable to manufacture it by the same shape forming method as the first and second static meandering adjustment mechanisms.

[0046] The fourth static meandering adjustment mechanism is characterized by a head pulley and / or tail pulley in which the axis of the cylindrical head pulley and / or tail pulley is formed into an arc shape together with the outer wall of the shell. In this case, the arc-shaped pulley is also preferably arc-shaped, and preferably the cylindrical pulley is bent with the curvature described in the first to third static meandering adjustment mechanisms. The method for forming the shape of such a pulley is not particularly limited, but preferred methods include coating a bearing placed on an arc-shaped shaft manufactured by machining with resin, and fixing a shell manufactured by machining to an arc-shaped shaft manufactured by machining via a boss and end plate.

[0047] These first to fourth static meandering adjustment mechanisms prevent meandering by controlling the peripheral speed and guiding the direction of movement of the conveyor belt to the outside or inside of the width direction of the belt conveyor, and can therefore be called peripheral speed controlled meandering adjustment pulleys.

[0048] The fifth static meandering adjustment mechanism is characterized by a head pulley and / or tail pulley having an uneven surface formed on the outer shell wall of the head pulley and / or tail pulley. In conventional shells with a smooth outer shell wall, air is unevenly interposed at the interface between the conveyor belt and the shell, and the frictional force between the conveyor belt and the shell is not uniform, which is thought to cause the endless conveyor belt to meander. In contrast, pulleys with an uneven surface formed on the outer shell wall exhibit an air skew effect that removes the uneven air pockets generated at the interface between the conveyor belt and the shell, allowing the frictional force between the conveyor belt and the shell to act uniformly and preventing meandering. Therefore, this meandering adjustment mechanism can be called a shell surface shape controlled meandering adjustment pulley.

[0049] The shape, width, and depth of the irregularities that provide the meandering adjustment function are not particularly limited, but since the air skew effect differs depending on the shape of the irregularities that are formed, it is preferable that the grooves in the recesses are generally shaped as W-helical grooves, helical grooves, threaded grooves, longitudinal grooves, transverse grooves, and diamond-cut grooves.

[0050] W-helical grooves are formed at predetermined intervals, with the angle between the groove and a straight line perpendicular to the shell axis and in the opposite direction to the conveying direction, and the groove being inclined at an angle of approximately 10 to 45°. Helical grooves are formed at predetermined intervals from one end to the other of the outer wall of the shell, with the angle between the groove and a straight line perpendicular to the shell axis and in the opposite direction to the conveying direction, and the groove being inclined at an angle of approximately 10 to 45°. Threaded grooves are formed at predetermined pitches, resembling threads, from one end to the other of the outer wall of the shell. Longitudinal grooves are formed along the circumference of the shell at predetermined intervals in the conveying direction. Transverse grooves are formed at predetermined intervals in the width direction of the shell. Diamond-cut grooves are formed by creating diamond-shaped protrusions by forming helical grooves with different orientations.

[0051] In particular, the fifth static meandering adjustment mechanism has conventionally been applied to web conveying such as printing on thin roll-shaped films or sheets, or coating with paints and inks, and it has been thought that it is difficult for it to function effectively in adjusting the meandering of belt conveyors that rotate thick conveyor belts. However, the fact that such a meandering adjustment mechanism can be applied to the head-drive type short-length two-end pulley type belt conveyor of the present invention and fully exhibit the meandering adjustment function is due to the reduction in meandering adjustment caused by the synergistic effect of the conveyor belt with a resin sheet core and the short length, as well as the reduction in the total thickness of the conveyor belt with a resin sheet core.

[0052] Next, a dynamic meandering adjustment mechanism will be described. The first dynamic meandering adjustment mechanism is characterized by a second shell wall drive device that causes the divided shell walls of the head pulley and / or tail pulley to swing from side to side in the conveying direction.

[0053] In this second shell outer wall drive device, it is preferable that a link mechanism is provided, connecting the multiple divisions of the hollow cylindrical shell of the pulley to the shaft via a pivotable inclined plate, so that the multiple divisions swing from side to side (perpendicularly) with respect to the conveying direction as the pulley shaft rotates, and rotate in sync with the shaft. These multiple divisions are formed, for example, by cutting in the axial direction at the intersection of two center lines forming a predetermined central angle of a circle, which is a cross-section perpendicular to the axis of the shell, and a circle, which is a cross-section perpendicular to the axis of the shell. Furthermore, multiple such divisions are formed at predetermined central angle intervals. Such divisions are divided symmetrically in the direction of the shell axis, and the link mechanism may be provided at both ends in the direction of the shell axis. For this reason, this meandering control mechanism can be called a divided shell slide type meandering adjustment device.

[0054] The second dynamic meandering adjustment mechanism is characterized by being a second pulley drive device in which the head pulley and / or tail pulley rotate on a plane containing the axis of the head pulley and / or tail pulley. As a method for rotating the axis of the head pulley and / or tail pulley, either a center pivot method, where the center of rotation is in the center of the pulley, or an end pivot method, where the center of rotation is at the end of the pulley, can be used. However, considering the miniaturization of the device, as in the present invention, the center pivot method is preferable. In either case, the device utilizes the fact that the endless belt moves perpendicular to its width direction due to the rotation of the pulley axis, and can be called a pulley-rotating meandering adjustment device.

[0055] The first and second dynamic meandering adjustment mechanisms have conventionally been applied to web conveying such as printing on thin roll-shaped films and sheets, and coating with paints and inks. However, like the fifth static meandering adjustment mechanism, they fully exhibit meandering adjustment functionality in the belt conveyor of the present invention.

[0056] The third dynamic meandering adjustment mechanism is a third shell outer wall drive device that tilts the divided shell outer walls of the head pulley and / or tail pulley so that the central circumferential velocity, which is the circumferential velocity of the outer circumference of the shell cross-section passing through the center of gravity and perpendicular to the axis when the density of the head pulley and / or tail pulley is uniform, is maximized, and the outer circumferential velocity, which is the circumferential velocity of the outer circumference of the shell cross-section at both ends of the head pulley and / or tail pulley in the axial direction, is minimized.

[0057] This third shell outer wall drive device preferably controls the central and outer peripheral speeds and exhibits a meandering adjustment function by having multiple segments cut in the axial direction of the hollow cylindrical shell of the pulley, with the center of the shell's width direction as the apex, and each segment rising in an arc shape. These segments tilt like a balance scale around the apex. Preferably, these multiple segments are formed by cutting in the axial direction at the intersection of two center lines forming a predetermined central angle of a circle, which is a cross-section of the shell cut perpendicular to the shell's axis, and a circle, which is a cross-section of the shell cut perpendicular to the shell's axis. Furthermore, it is preferable that multiple such segments are formed at predetermined central angle intervals and then deformed into an arc shape. It is even more preferable that such segments are cut in a streamlined shape so that they become thinner towards both ends in the width direction of the shell, in order to facilitate tilting. The drive method for this drive device of multiple segments is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to use a spring or an electric actuator.

[0058] The fourth dynamic meandering adjustment mechanism is a fourth shell outer wall drive device that tilts the divided shell outer walls of the head pulley and / or tail pulley so that the central circumferential velocity, which is the circumferential velocity of the outer circumference of the shell cross-section passing through the center of gravity and perpendicular to the axis when the density of the head pulley and / or tail pulley is uniform, is minimized, and the outer circumferential velocity, which is the circumferential velocity of the outer circumference of the shell cross-section at both ends of the head pulley and / or tail pulley in the axial direction, is maximized.

[0059] This fourth shell outer wall drive device operates in the opposite direction to the second shell outer wall drive device. That is, it is a plurality of segments of the hollow cylindrical shell of the pulley, similar to the second outer wall drive device, but conversely, the center of the shell in the width direction is recessed in an arc shape, preferably a circular arc shape, with the center of the shell in the width direction as the base point. These segments control the central and outer peripheral speeds by moving up and down around the base point like a leaf spring, thereby exhibiting a meandering adjustment function. The drive method for this drive device of the plurality of segments is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to use a spring or an electric actuator.

[0060] The third and fourth meandering adjustment mechanisms prevent meandering by adjusting the peripheral speed through the tilting of the divided shells, and can therefore be called divided shell tilting type meandering adjustment devices.

[0061] While such dynamic meandering adjustment mechanisms can be manually controlled, they can also be equipped with a meandering detector and a meandering control device to automatically control the meandering of the conveyor belt of the head-drive type short-length two-end pulley type belt conveyor of the present invention. In either dynamic meandering adjustment mechanism, the position of the conveyor belt detected by the meandering detector, which is positioned to detect the position of the conveyor belt of the belt conveyor of the present invention, is transmitted to the meandering control device as a signal such as the amount of change. Based on this signal, the meandering control device operates the second shell outer wall drive device, the second pulley drive device, the third shell outer wall drive device, and the fourth shell outer wall drive device to adjust the meandering of the conveyor belt.

[0062] The above-described meandering adjustment mechanism is provided on the head pulley and / or tail pulley, but the head-drive type short-length two-end pulley type belt conveyor of the present invention can also be equipped with a static meandering adjustment mechanism that engages the pulley and the conveyor belt, which is one of the preferred embodiments. That is, the belt conveyor of the present invention is a belt conveyor in which an endless belt is stretched between a head pulley and a tail pulley equipped with a drive mechanism, and conveys articles and / or article storage containers, and is characterized in that the head pulley and / or tail pulley are equipped with a tension adjustment mechanism for the endless belt, and a meandering adjustment mechanism that engages the head pulley and tail pulley with the endless belt is provided.

[0063] This meandering adjustment mechanism preferably uses a head pulley and tail pulley with recesses formed therein to guide the endless belt, and a protrusion formed on the pulley-side back surface of the endless belt engages with the recess to prevent meandering of the endless belt. Therefore, this meandering adjustment mechanism can be called a fitting-type meandering adjustment jig. However, while it is preferable that such recesses and protrusions be formed in the center of the width direction of the pulley and endless belt, this is not limited to such a configuration, nor is it limited to a configuration in which the meandering adjustment function is achieved by the fitting of the recesses and protrusions, but is not limited to any configuration in which the pulley and endless belt engage.

[0064] The head-drive type short-length two-end pulley belt conveyor of the present invention has been described in detail above, but the core technical aspect is that in a belt conveyor in which an endless belt is stretched between a head pulley and a tail pulley equipped with a drive mechanism to transport articles and / or article storage containers, the head pulley and / or tail pulley are equipped with a tension adjustment mechanism for the endless belt, and the head pulley and / or tail pulley are equipped with a meandering adjustment mechanism for the endless belt. In particular, the core of the endless belt is a resin sheet or a fiber-reinforced resin sheet, and the machine length is 1,000 to 10,000 mm.

[0065] However, considering the miniaturization, unitization, and maintenance-free operation of the belt conveyor of the present invention, the most preferable configuration is to equip the tension adjustment mechanism on the tail pulley and the static meandering adjustment mechanism on the head pulley. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, depending on the purpose and application of the belt conveyor. [Effects of the Invention]

[0066] The present invention dramatically reduces the types and number of pulleys, improving vibration and noise during operation, conveyor belt durability, and failure frequency. It also enables the provision of a belt conveyor that is short in length, compact and modular, easy to disassemble and assemble, and maintenance-free. In other words, the present invention provides a belt conveyor with high equipment fluidity, integrating the functions of the components that support its mechanism. Furthermore, the present invention can improve the lifespan and economic efficiency of the conveyor belt. Therefore, with the head-drive type short-length two-end pulley type belt conveyor of the present invention, it is possible to build an information logistics system that enables integrated management of the logistics system by an information system, allowing for the understanding and control of the movement of goods, including not only the movement related to the transportation and storage of goods, but also the demand and production of goods. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0067] [Figure 1] This is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of a friction-type belt conveyor, which uses a friction drive system. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of a pulley used in a typical belt conveyor. [Figure 3] This is a schematic perspective view of a head-drive type short-length two-end-pulley belt conveyor, which comprises an endless belt with a polyester sheet as its core, end pulleys at both ends, and a drive device as its basic mechanical elements, with tension adjustment mechanisms and meandering adjustment mechanisms integrated into the end pulleys at both ends. [Figure 4]These are schematic plan view (a) and side view (b) showing a pulley-moving screw-type tension adjustment device, which is one embodiment of the tension adjustment mechanism provided in the head pulley or tail pulley of the head-drive type short-length two-end pulley type belt conveyor of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a schematic side view showing a pulley-moving spring-type tension adjustment device, which is one embodiment of the tension adjustment mechanism provided in the head pulley or tail pulley of the head-drive type short-length two-end pulley type belt conveyor of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a schematic side view showing a pulley-moving gas spring type tension adjustment device, which is one embodiment of the tension adjustment mechanism provided in the head pulley or tail pulley of the head-drive type short-length two-end pulley type belt conveyor of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a schematic side view showing a pulley-moving actuator type tension adjustment device, which is one embodiment of the tension adjustment mechanism provided in the head pulley or tail pulley of the head-drive type short-length two-end pulley type belt conveyor of the present invention. [Figure 8] These are schematic cross-sectional views (a) and (b) of a split-shell telescopic actuator type tension adjustment device, which is one embodiment of the tension adjustment mechanism provided in the head pulley or tail pulley of the head drive type short-length two-end pulley type belt conveyor of the present invention. The diagrams show a schematic cross-sectional view taken in the direction of the pulley shaft axis and a schematic cross-sectional view taken perpendicular to the plane of the paper along cutting line A. [Figure 9] The diagrams show a schematic perspective view (a) of a split shell expandable spring-type tension adjustment device, which is one embodiment of the tension adjustment mechanism provided in the head pulley or tail pulley of the head drive type short-length two-end pulley type belt conveyor of the present invention, as seen from an opening obtained by cutting a part of the split shell, and a schematic cross-sectional view (b) of a cut line B perpendicular to the pulley shaft axis direction. [Figure 10]The diagrams show a pulley-conveyor belt non-contact tension adjustment device, which is one embodiment of the tension adjustment mechanism provided in the head pulley or tail pulley of the head drive type short-length two-end pulley type belt conveyor of the present invention. The diagrams show a schematic cross-section of a pulley with ventilation holes in the shell and a schematic cross-section of a pulley in which the shell is an open-cell porous material. [Figure 11] This diagram shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a flange-type tension detection device and an external view of a tension control device, which constitute an automatic tension control mechanism applied to the head-drive type short-length two-end pulley type belt conveyor of the present invention. [Figure 12] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a peripheral speed-controlled crown (convex) type pulley, which is one embodiment of the meandering adjustment mechanism provided in the head pulley or tail pulley of the head-drive type short-length two-end pulley type belt conveyor of the present invention. [Figure 13] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a peripheral speed-controlled concave pulley, which is one embodiment of the meandering adjustment mechanism provided in the head pulley or tail pulley of the head-drive type short-length two-end pulley type belt conveyor of the present invention. [Figure 14] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a peripheral speed-controlled shell curve type pulley, which is one embodiment of the meandering adjustment mechanism provided in the head pulley or tail pulley of the head drive type short-length two-end pulley type belt conveyor of the present invention. [Figure 15] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a peripheral speed-controlled shaft curve type pulley, which is one embodiment of the meandering adjustment mechanism provided in the head pulley or tail pulley of the head drive type short-length two-end pulley type belt conveyor of the present invention. [Figure 16] This is a schematic plan view (a) and a schematic cross-sectional view (b) of a shell-surface-shape-controlled W-shaped spiral groove-machined shell-type pulley, which is one embodiment of the meandering adjustment mechanism provided in the head pulley or tail pulley of the head-drive type short-length two-end pulley type belt conveyor of the present invention. [Figure 17]This is a schematic diagram showing the surface shapes of a shell surface shape control type longitudinal grooved shell pulley (a), transverse grooved shell pulley (b), and diamond-cut shell pulley (c), which are one embodiment of the meandering adjustment mechanism provided in the head pulley or tail pulley of the head drive type short-length two-end pulley type belt conveyor of the present invention. [Figure 18] These are schematic cross-sectional views (a) and (b) of a split shell slide type meandering adjustment device, which is one embodiment of the meandering adjustment mechanism provided in the head pulley or tail pulley of the head drive type short-length two-end pulley type belt conveyor of the present invention. The diagrams show a schematic cross-sectional view (a) cut in the direction of the pulley shaft axis and a schematic cross-sectional view (b) cut perpendicular to the plane of the paper along the cutting line D. [Figure 19] These are schematic side views (a) and front views (b) of a pulley-rotating center pivot type meandering adjustment device, which is one embodiment of the meandering adjustment mechanism provided in the head pulley or tail pulley of the head drive type short-length two-end pulley type belt conveyor of the present invention. [Figure 20] This diagram shows a schematic plan view (a) and a schematic front view (b) of a pulley-swivel end-pivot type meandering adjustment device, which is one embodiment of the meandering adjustment mechanism provided in the head pulley or tail pulley of the head-drive type short-length two-end pulley type belt conveyor of the present invention. [Figure 21] The diagram shows a schematic perspective view (a) of a segmented shell tilting type meandering adjustment device, which is one embodiment of the meandering adjustment mechanism provided in the head pulley or tail pulley of the head drive type short-length two-end pulley type belt conveyor of the present invention, as seen from an opening obtained by cutting a part of the segmented shell, and a schematic cross-sectional view (b) of a cut line E cut perpendicular to the direction of the pulley shaft axis. [Figure 22] This is a schematic diagram of the external appearance of the edge detection sensor and meandering control device that constitute the automatic meandering control mechanism applied to the head-drive type short-length two-end pulley type belt conveyor of the present invention. [Figure 23]This is a schematic cross-sectional view, taken vertically through the axis of the pulley shaft, showing a belt-pulley fitting type meandering adjustment jig, which is one embodiment of the meandering adjustment mechanism provided in the head pulley or tail pulley of the head drive type short-length two-end pulley type belt conveyor of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0068] The present invention will be described in more detail below using embodiments shown in the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the spirit of the invention, and is limited only to the technical concept described in the claims.

[0069] Figure 3(a) is a schematic perspective view showing the outline of the head-drive type short-length two-end pulley belt conveyor of the present invention. Although the tension adjustment mechanism and / or meandering adjustment mechanism cannot be seen in this figure, the belt conveyor has a function-integrated head pulley 31 at one end equipped with a drive unit 34 and integrating the tension adjustment mechanism and / or meandering adjustment mechanism, and a function-integrated tail pulley 32 at the other end, integrating the tension adjustment mechanism and / or meandering adjustment mechanism, with an endless belt 33 stretched over these pulleys. It is an extremely simple belt conveyor. The length is not shown, but high-speed operation is possible within the range of 1,000 to 10,000 mm.

[0070] In particular, as shown in Figure 3(b), the endless belt 33 is shown as one embodiment in which an antistatic polyurethane elastomer sheet 332 is laminated on the conveyed object contact surface of an antistatic polyester sheet core 331, and an antistatic polyvinyl chloride elastomer sheet 333 is laminated on the pulley contact surface. In addition to polyester sheets, polyamide sheets, fiber-reinforced polyester sheets, and polyamide sheets can be used for the core, and the thinner the better. On the other hand, the elastomer on the pulley contact surface is not necessarily required, but the elastomer on the conveyed object contact surface is preferable in order to move the conveyed object stably, and the material and surface shape should be optimized according to the type, size, weight, etc. of the conveyed object. Furthermore, although an antistatic function is not necessarily required by installing a static elimination bar, etc., contact charging, peeling charging, and frictional charging may be severe depending on the conveying speed, elastomer material, type of conveyed object, etc., so it is preferable to have it from the viewpoint of safety of the equipment and conveyed object.

[0071] Figure 3(a) does not show the tension adjustment mechanism and meandering adjustment mechanism provided in the belt conveyor of the present invention, so the following explanation will be given using the drawings. Basically, it is a typical pulley consisting of a shell 21, end plate 22, boss 23, shaft 24, and bearing 25 as shown in Figure 2. 2 Furthermore, mechanical element technology that provides tension adjustment and meandering adjustment functions is added to the endless belt 33. While it is possible to equip the belt conveyor of the present invention with tension adjustment and meandering adjustment mechanisms without distinguishing between the head pulley and the tail pulley, the drawings show an embodiment in which the tension adjustment mechanism is equipped on the tail pulley and the meandering adjustment mechanism on the head pulley, and the illustration of mechanisms other than the tension adjustment mechanism and meandering adjustment mechanism is omitted.

[0072] Figures 4-7 show a pulley-moving tension adjustment device as one embodiment of the first tension adjustment mechanism provided in the head pulley or tail pulley of the head-drive type short-length two-end pulley belt conveyor of the present invention. This device controls tension by reversibly moving the pulley itself in the conveying direction and the opposite direction. This involves equipping the tension adjustment mechanism, which has been used in the take-up pulley of conventional belt conveyors, to the head pulley or tail pulley (Non-Patent Literature 8). Here, as described above, an embodiment in which the tension adjustment mechanism is equipped on the tail pulley is given.

[0073] Figure 4 shows a pulley-moving screw-type tension adjustment device 4 according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which a bolt 41 is used as the driving force for displacing the tail pulley. A schematic plan view is shown in Figure 4(a), and a schematic side view is shown in Figure 4(b). The tail pulley is indicated by the notation of some of its constituent parts, such as the shaft 411, shell 412, and end plate 413 (the same applies hereinafter). The bearing plate 45, which supports the bearing 414 (hidden by the bearing plate 45 and indicated by a dashed arrow) provided on the shaft 411 of the tail pulley, is joined to the tension adjustment movable block 43 by a joining jig 48, and is also joined to the tension adjustment fixed block 44 by a joining jig 49. Furthermore, the tension adjustment fixed block 44 is fixed to the tension adjustment mechanism support 46 equipped with a conveyor cover side plate 47 by a joining jig 49. Then, the tension adjustment bolt 41 is screwed onto the tension adjustment movable block 43 and the tension adjustment fixed block 44, and the tension adjustment nut 42 is screwed onto it, functioning as a tension adjustment device 4. The tension adjustment function of the conveyor belt 414 is activated by the movement of the tail pulley, which is linked to the movement of the tension adjustment movable block 43 in the conveying direction and in the opposite direction due to the rotation of the tension adjustment bolt 41. The tension adjustment mechanism misalignment prevention jig 410 is provided to ensure that the movement of the tension adjustment movable block 43 in the conveying direction and in the opposite direction is performed accurately, and the tension adjustment nut 42 is provided to fix the position of the tension adjustment movable block 43, i.e., the tail pulley, in manual operation. Note that the bearing plate 45, which is not visible in the schematic side view of Figure 4(b), is part of the tension adjustment movable block 43and tension adjustment fixing block 44 It is located on the back and is indicated by a dashed arrow.

[0074] Figure 5 shows a pulley-moving screw-type tension adjustment device according to one embodiment of the present invention, which employs a spring 51 as the driving force for displacing the tail pulley. 5 This is the pulley-moving screw-type tension adjustment device shown in Figure 4. 4 An embodiment with essentially the same configuration is shown as a representative example. The tension adjustment compression spring 51, to which the tension adjustment movable block 53 and the tension adjustment fixed block 54 are connected, is the driving force that displaces the tail pulley and adjusts the tension of the conveyor belt 514. Furthermore, the tension adjustment device 5 The system is configured to allow setting the optimal tension of the conveyor belt 514 by displacing the position of the tension adjustment fixing block 54 with the tension adjustment screw 52 and fixing it with the tension adjustment fixing block-tension adjustment mechanism support joint jig 59.

[0075] Figure 6 shows a pulley-moving gas spring type tension adjustment device according to one embodiment of the present invention, which employs a gas spring 61 as the driving force for displacing the tail pulley. 6 This is the pulley-moving screw-type tension adjustment device shown in Figure 4. 4 An embodiment with essentially the same configuration is shown as a representative example. The tension of the conveyor belt 614 is adjusted by a gas spring 61, which connects the tension adjustment movable block 62 and the tension adjustment fixed block 63, and displaces the tail pulley with this power. In this case as well, a tension adjustment fixed block-tension adjustment mechanism support joint jig 69 is provided to displace and fix the position of the tension adjustment fixed block 63 in order to complement the tension adjustment by the gas spring 61.

[0076] Figure 7 shows a pulley-moving actuator type tension adjustment device according to one embodiment of the present invention, which employs an electric cylinder 71 as the driving force for displacing the tail pulley. 7 This actuator-type tension adjustment device, like the tension adjustment mechanism shown in Figures 4-6, adjusts the tension by displacing the tail pulley. 7Therefore, the structure is simple because the electric cylinder 71 can adjust the tension by displacing the bearing plate 72, which is integrated with the tension adjustment movable block 73 that supports the tail pulley, located behind the bearing plate cover side plate 74. In this configuration, the tension of the conveyor belt 78 is adjusted by converting the rotational motion of the motor 711 of the electric cylinder 71 into the linear motion of the ball screw 712 via a gear, and the fixing fitting 713 at the tip of the ball screw 712 displaces the bearing plate 72 in the conveying direction and the opposite direction. In Figure 7, the fixing fitting 713 is connected to the bearing plate 72, but connecting it to the tension adjustment block 73 would increase stability.

[0077] Figures 8 and 9 show a pulley-moving tension adjustment device as one embodiment of a second tension adjustment mechanism provided in the head pulley or tail pulley of a head-drive type short-length two-end pulley type belt conveyor of the present invention. This device controls tension by dividing the shell constituting the pulley into multiple parts and performing reversible parallel movement of these multiple parts of the shell in the conveying direction perpendicular to the axis of the pulley and in the opposite direction. In particular, as shown in Figures 8(b) and 9(b), the tension adjustment divided shells 83 and 91, which are these multiple divided parts, are formed by cutting in the axial direction at the intersection of two center lines that form a predetermined central angle of a circle, which is a cross-section cut perpendicular to the axis of the shell, and a circle, which is a cross-section cut perpendicular to the axis of the shell, to form one divided part, and furthermore, multiple such divided parts are formed at predetermined central angle intervals. These multiple divided sections are connected to the electric cylinder 81 and the compression coil spring 94, respectively, in the case of Figure 8, and in the case of Figure 9, to enable independent repetitive motion in a direction parallel to the conveying direction, using the electric cylinder 81 and the compression coil spring 94, respectively.

[0078] In the case of the electric cylinder 81 shown in Figure 8, the tip fixing fitting 813 of the ball screw 812, which converts the rotational motion of the motor 811 of the electric cylinder 81 into linear motion via a gear, is connected to the slider 82. Furthermore, the slider 82 is fixed to the connecting rod connecting ring 85 and connected to the tension adjustment split shell 83 via the connecting rod 84, and is configured to move within the slider guide cylinder 87. In this configuration, the electric cylinder 81 The driving force of the ball screw 812, via the slider 82, the connecting rod connecting ring 85, and the connecting rod 84, causes the tension adjustment split shell 83 to expand and contract in the direction normal to the circumference of the circle connecting the outer circumference of the tension split shell 83, which is a schematic cross-sectional view obtained by cutting perpendicular to the plane of the paper along the cutting line A in Figure 8(a) from the axis of the shaft 86, thereby adjusting the tension of the conveyor belt 810.

[0079] In the case of the compression coil spring 94 shown in Figure 9, tension adjustment split shell 91 The tension adjustment block 911 is formed along with a tension adjustment block displacement prevention projection 912 to prevent displacement in its direction of movement, while the tension adjustment boss 93 fixed to the shaft 92 is formed with a tension adjustment block guidance recess to guide the displacement of the tension adjustment block 911 and a compression coil spring mounting recess for mounting a compression coil spring 94, and the compression coil spring 94 is mounted therein. In this configuration, the pressing force of the compression coil spring 94 is transmitted via the tension adjustment block 911 to the tension shown in Figure 9(b), which is a schematic cross-sectional view taken in the transport direction along the cutting line B in Figure 9(a). adjustment Split shell 91 The tension of the conveyor belt 95 is adjusted by acting in the direction normal to the circumference of the circle connecting the outer edges.

[0080] Figure 10 shows a schematic cross-sectional view (a) of a pulley with ventilation holes in the shell and a schematic cross-sectional view (b) of a pulley with a continuous-cell porous body, which is a third tension adjustment mechanism provided in the head pulley or tail pulley of a head-drive type short-length two-end pulley type belt conveyor of the present invention, in which the tension of the conveyor belt is adjusted by air discharged from the shell of the pulley.

[0081] This non-contact tension adjustment device, simply explained, is a typical pulley as shown in Figure 2. 2 Instead of the shell 21 of the structure, a slit-forming shell 101 with ventilation holes 1011 is applied as shown in Figure 10(a), and a continuous-cell porous shell 102 is applied as shown in Figure 10(b). Air supplied from an air supply device (not shown) is discharged from each shell 101 and 102 to lift the conveyor belt 107 off the pulley and adjust the tension while operating the belt conveyor (Non-Patent Literature 9). However, in Figures 10(a) and (b), as an example, a shell support 106 is provided to reinforce the strength of the slit-forming shell 101 and the continuous-cell porous shell 102. Also, since the conveyor belt and the shell are not in contact, it is necessary to provide a meandering adjustment mechanism.

[0082] While such tension adjustment mechanisms can be manually controlled, it is also possible to incorporate a tension detector and a tension control device into the tension adjustment mechanism to automatically control the tension of the conveyor belt of the head-drive type short-length two-end pulley type belt conveyor according to the present invention. Figure 11 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a flange-type tension detection device and a schematic external view of a tension control device as one embodiment of an automatic tension control mechanism that incorporates a tension detector and a tension control device into the tension adjustment mechanism of the head-drive type short-length two-end pulley type belt conveyor according to the present invention (Non-Patent Literature 10).

[0083] As is clear from the figure, the flange-type tension detection device 111, which consists of an automatic self-aligning bearing 1111, a bearing 1112, and a bearing cover 1113, is fixed to the bearing plate 113 with a detection device fixing jig 1114, and the tail pulley shaft 75 A flange-type tension detection device 111 is inserted. In this way, when the flange-type tension detection device 111 is installed, the tension of the conveyor belt 117 detected by the flange-type tension detection device 111 is used as a load signal in the tension control device. 112The signal is transmitted to the tension control device 112, which then operates, for example, the electric cylinder 71 of a pulley-moving actuator type tension adjustment device 7 (not shown) to adjust the tension of the conveyor belt 78.

[0084] Next, the meandering adjustment mechanism of the present invention will be described in more detail using the embodiments shown in the drawings. However, the meandering adjustment mechanism of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and is limited only to the technical concept described in the claims.

[0085] The meandering adjustment mechanism of the present invention can be broadly classified into a static method in which meandering is corrected based on the shape of the pulley, and a dynamic method in which meandering is corrected based on the operation of the entire pulley or the pulley shell, and either of these can be applied. However, in the former case, no special attachment device is required, so it can be used in either the head pulley or the tail pulley, while in the latter case, a device is required to actuate the entire pulley or the pulley shell, so it is preferable to use it in the tail pulley. However, since these are appropriately designed by combining the tension adjustment mechanism and the meandering adjustment mechanism, in the embodiments, there is no mention of whether it is installed in the head pulley or the tail pulley, and the meandering adjustment mechanism is assumed to be installed in the head pulley.

[0086] Figures 12-15 show a peripheral speed control type meandering adjustment device that utilizes the property that the conveyor belt moves in the direction of higher peripheral speed, which is one embodiment of the first to fourth static meandering adjustment mechanisms provided in the head pulley or tail pulley of the head drive type short length two-end pulley type belt conveyor of the present invention. 12 (Non-patent document 11). Figures 12-14 are schematic cross-sectional views taken through the axis of the pulley and in the direction of the pulley axis, and Figure 15 is a schematic view of the external appearance with a portion of the coated elastomer peeled off.

[0087] Figure 12 shows a crown-type pulley 12-1, which has a typical crown-machined cross-sectional shape. That is, the center of the shell in the width direction of the shell cross-section, passing through the center of gravity of the shell and perpendicular to the axis, is the highest point, and the shape is symmetrical with the center line of the circle of this shell cross-section as the center of symmetry, with a flat section at the highest point of the shell center, and the diameter of the shell cross-section perpendicular to the axis decreasing towards the shell ends, and all cross-sections cut in the direction of the pulley axis passing through the pulley axis have the same shape as in Figure 12. This pulley can also be used as a meandering adjustment mechanism in the belt conveyor of the present invention, but as is clear from the figure, in a crown-machined pulley, the conveyor belt is bent at both ends of the flat section. This bend is in the stacked conveyor belt Delamination To avoid this and shorten the lifespan of the conveyor belt, it is preferable that the outer wall of the pulley shell be in the shape of an arc with a raised central portion of the shell, as shown in the upper part of the shell curve type pulley 12-3 in Figure 14.

[0088] Figure 13 shows a concave pulley 12-2. In this case as well, the center of the shell in the width direction perpendicular to the axis of the shell's central part is the most concave, and a flat section is formed in the most concave central part of the shell, with a symmetrical shape with the center line of the circle of the shell's cross-section as the center of symmetry. Furthermore, all cross-sections of this pulley, when cut in the direction of the axis passing through it, have the same shape as in Figure 13. Also, similar to the crown-type pulley, from the viewpoint of conveyor belt life, it is preferable that the shell is concave in an arc shape, as shown in the lower part of the shell curve-type pulley 12-3 in Figure 14.

[0089] Figure 14 shows a shell-curve pulley 12-3, which is a hybrid of the crown-type pulley 12-1 in Figure 12 and the concave-type pulley 12-2 in Figure 13. In a single cross-section passing through the apex of the raised arc of the crown-type pulley and the axis, the recessed bottom point of the concave-type pulley is formed to be at the same widthwise center as the apex of the raised arc of the crown-type pulley. In other words, this cross-section is surrounded by concentric arcs, and this cross-sectional shape can only be observed in a cross-section that passes through the axis and cuts in the axial direction.

[0090] The various pulleys shown in Figures 12-14 illustrate embodiments in which a precisely molded elastomer is bonded to the outer circumference of a cylindrical metal shell to form the desired shape. However, the pulleys may also be formed by methods such as machining the metal shell, and furthermore, the elastomer may be coated in a way that maintains the shape formed by such machining.

[0091] Figure 15 shows a shaft curve type pulley 12-4, which is made by covering a segmented shell 12-41, mounted on a bearing positioned on a curved shaft 12-42 manufactured by machining, with an elastomer resin cover 12-44. The schematic diagram shows the appearance with some of the resin cover 12-44 removed. This is a cylindrical pulley bent into a curved shape, preferably an arc shape, with its center of gravity as the center of symmetry, and can be described as the shell curve type pulley 12-3 in Figure 14 with its axis bent into an arc shape.

[0092] The pulleys used to prevent meandering, as shown in Figures 12-15, all utilize the property that the conveyor belt moves in the direction of higher peripheral speed, where the peripheral speed of the shell differs in the width direction, thus preventing meandering. These are all peripheral speed control type meandering adjustment devices in the same category. 12 It can be understood as such.

[0093] Figures 16 and 17 show a shell surface shape control type meandering adjustment device, which is one embodiment of a fifth meandering adjustment mechanism provided on the head pulley or tail pulley of a head-drive type short-length two-end pulley type belt conveyor of the present invention. 13(Non-patent document 12).

[0094] Figure 16(a) is a schematic plan view of the W-shaped spiral grooved shell pulley 13-1, and Figure 16(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view obtained by cutting perpendicularly to the plane of the paper along the cutting line C in Figure 16(a). As is clear from the figures, the white grooves are formed from the center of the shell in the width direction toward the ends of the shell, with the grooves and straight lines perpendicular to the shell axis and in the opposite direction to the transport direction indicated by the arrows, at a predetermined angle. Furthermore, the air skew effect is higher and the meandering is reduced when the grooves are inclined toward the ends of the shell, as shown in the schematic cross-sectional view of Figure 16(b), rather than being formed perpendicular to the shell axis. of It has excellent protective capabilities.

[0095] Furthermore, Figure 17 shows the anti-sway function due to the air skew effect. of Schematic diagrams of pulleys exhibiting typical surface shapes are shown. In all diagrams, the white areas represent grooves. (a) is a schematic diagram showing the surface shape of a shell-type pulley with longitudinal grooves 13-2, (b) is a shell-type pulley with transverse grooves 13-3, and (c) is a schematic diagram showing the surface shape of a diamond-machined shell-type pulley 13-4. The air skew effect is not limited to these surface shapes; at least irregularities should be formed on the shell surface.

[0096] Figures 18 to 21 show embodiments of the first to third dynamic meandering adjustment mechanisms provided in the head pulley or tail pulley of the head-drive type short-length two-end pulley belt conveyor of the present invention.

[0097] Figure 18 shows a first dynamic meandering adjustment mechanism provided in the head pulley or tail pulley of a head-drive type short-length two-end pulley type belt conveyor of the present invention, which is a divided shell slide type meandering adjustment device in which meandering is prevented by the shell divided body sliding in the width direction of the shell. 14 (a) is a schematic cross-sectional view taken in the direction of the pulley shaft axis, and (b) is a schematic cross-sectional view taken perpendicular to the plane of the paper along the cutting line D (Patent Document 3).

[0098] The divided slide shell 141, which is a shell segment, is divided in the same manner as in Figures 8 and 9, and is further separated in the center of the shell. A link mechanism is provided to allow for synchronized oscillations on the left and right sides in the transport direction, perpendicular to the transport direction.

[0099] The split slide shell 141 is slidably supported by slide bearings 144 arranged radially on the hollow shaft 142's hollow shaft-fitted cylindrical member 143. The hollow shaft-fitted cylindrical member 143 is rotatably fitted to the hollow shaft 142, which is fixed to the split shell slide type meandering adjustment device support 1414, via bearings 145. Meanwhile, within the hollow shaft 142, the inclined ring-slide block connecting shaft 146 is connected to a drive device (not shown) and various gears, and is rotated and oscillated, causing the inclined ring 147 and slide block 148, which are connected to this connecting shaft 146, to also rotate and oscillate. The inclined ring 147 is connected to the slide block 148 by a link bar 1410, and to the slide block fitted link arm 149, which has a larger diameter than the slide block 148, by a link bar 1411. Meanwhile, the inclined ring 147 is connected to each segment slide shell 141 via a bracket 1412 and a connecting jig 1413, such as a ball joint. Based on this linkage mechanism, each segment slide shell 141 About The drive of the inclined ring-slide block connecting shaft 146 causes the rotation and oscillation of the inclined ring 147, and the rotation and oscillation of each segmented slide shell. Bringing about . Such a divided slide shell 141 and conveyor belt 1415 A frictional force acts between the conveyor belt 1415 and the conveyor belt 1415, causing it to move from side to side in the conveying direction, thus preventing the conveyor belt 1415 from meandering in one direction. Therefore, it is preferable that the contact surfaces of the divided slide shell 141 with the conveyor belt 1415 and the contact surfaces of the conveyor belt 1415 with the divided slide shell 141 be made of materials and have a shape that increases the frictional force between them.

[0100] Figures 19 and 20 show a pulley-rotating type meandering adjustment device, which is one embodiment of a second dynamic meandering adjustment mechanism provided in the head pulley or tail pulley of the head-drive type short-length two-end pulley type belt conveyor of the present invention, and which adjusts meandering by the rotation of the pulley (Non-Patent Literature 13). Figure 19 shows a center-pivot type meandering adjustment device. 15 Figure 20 shows a schematic side view (a) of the pulley shaft axis and a schematic front view (b) of the pulley shaft axis, and Figure 20 shows an end pivot type meandering adjustment device. 16 The diagrams are a schematic plan view (a) and a schematic front view (b) taken from a direction perpendicular to the pulley shaft axis.

[0101] Center pivot type meandering adjustment device 15 As is clear from Figure 19, this is a meandering adjustment device in which a center pivot 151, connected to a drive unit 52 such as an actuator mounted in the center of a meandering adjustment bearing block 154 that supports the head pulley via a bearing 158 attached to the shaft 157, rotates.

[0102] End pivot type meandering adjustment device 16 As is clear from Figure 20, this is a meandering adjustment device in which the meandering adjustment bearing block 166, which supports the head pulley via a bearing 169 attached to the shaft 168, rotates around a meandering adjustment bearing block rotation center axis 164 attached to the opposite end of the meandering adjustment bearing block 166, due to the rotation of an end pivot 161 connected to a drive unit such as an actuator attached to the end of the meandering adjustment bearing block 166, which supports the head pulley via a bearing 169 attached to the shaft 168.

[0103] In both cases, the conveyor belts 159 and 1610 are perpendicular to the axial direction of the shells 155 and 167. corner directionThis is a meandering adjustment device that utilizes the property of moving in a certain direction. The end pivot type has a larger tension difference at both ends of the conveyor belt perpendicular to the conveying direction, but considering the strength of the conveyor belt, either type can be used. However, considering that the functions of the present invention are concentrated in the head pulley and / or tail pulley, the center pivot type, which is more compact, is preferable.

[0104] Figure 21 shows an embodiment of a third dynamic meandering adjustment mechanism provided in the head pulley or tail pulley of the head drive type short-length two-end pulley type belt conveyor of the present invention, a divided shell tilting type meandering adjustment device that adjusts meandering by changing the peripheral speed by tilting the divided shell. 17 This shows a schematic perspective view (a) as seen through an opening obtained by cutting a part of the split shell, and a schematic cross-sectional view (b) obtained by cutting the cutting line E perpendicular to the pulley shaft axis direction (Patent Document 4).

[0105] The segmented tilting shell 171, as in Figures 8 and 9, is made into a drum shape by raising the central part of the shell in the axial direction and shortening the length of its ends in the transport direction, thereby increasing the difference in peripheral speed between the central part and the ends of the segmented tilting shell 171 in the transport direction, and tilting Ta The segmented tilting shell 171 has a meandering adjustment block 1711 formed on it, while a meandering adjustment boss 173 is attached to the axial center of the shaft 172. The meandering adjustment boss has a meandering adjustment block support part 1731 and a tension spring mounting recess 1733 formed on it. The meandering adjustment block 1711 and the meandering adjustment block support part 1731 are pivotally supported by the meandering adjustment block tilting shaft 1732, and the segmented tilting shell 171 rotates around the meandering adjustment block tilting shaft 1732 due to the balance between the tension of the tension spring 174 and the tension of the conveyor belt, that is, each segmented tilting shell 171 tilts in the width direction of the shell. This tilting prevents the conveyor belt 175 from meandering.

[0106] While such a dynamic meandering adjustment mechanism can be manually controlled, it is also possible to incorporate a meandering detector and a meandering control device into the meandering adjustment mechanism to automatically control the meandering of the conveyor belt of the head-drive type short-length two-end pulley type belt conveyor of the present invention (Non-Patent Literature 14). For example, as shown in Figure 22, the conveyor belt edge detection sensor 181 is provided, and the amount of its displacement is transmitted as a signal to the meandering control device, which is then driven based on that signal.

[0107] As described above, the meandering adjustment mechanism is installed on the head pulley and / or tail pulley. However, the head-drive type short-length two-end pulley type belt conveyor of the present invention can also be equipped with a static meandering adjustment mechanism in which the pulley and the conveyor belt engage, and this is one preferred form. Figure 23 shows a belt-pulley fitting type meandering adjustment device as one embodiment of such a meandering adjustment mechanism. 19 This is shown (Non-Patent Document 15). Figure 23 is a schematic diagram of a cross-section taken vertically through the axis of the pulley.

[0108] A fitting recess-forming shell-type pulley 191 has a conveyor belt guide recess 1911 formed in the widthwise center of the pulley shell, and a fitting protrusion-forming conveyor belt 192 has a conveyor belt guide protrusion formed in the entire area in the conveying direction in the widthwise center of the conveyor belt, and meandering is prevented when these are fitted together. This meandering adjustment mechanism is also an effective method that matches the purpose of the function-integrated belt conveyor of the present invention. [Industrial applicability]

[0109] The head-drive type short-length two-end pulley belt conveyor of the present invention dramatically reduces the types and number of pulleys, is short in length, can be miniaturized and unitized, is easy to disassemble and assemble, is maintenance-free, and has high equipment fluidity. Therefore, it can be applied not only as a conveying device that relays each process within a logistics center, but also as a conveying device in a wide variety of production plants such as automobiles, home appliances, semiconductor products, and food processing plants, thereby improving the production concentration of manufacturing lines, and has extremely high industrial applicability.

[0110] Furthermore, the tension adjustment mechanism and meandering adjustment device provided in the present invention The structure is Furthermore, it can be widely applied not only to belt conveyors but also to processes where web transport is performed, resulting in significant technological ripple effects. From this perspective, the industrial applicability of the present invention is considered to be extremely high. [Explanation of symbols]

[0111] 1 Friction-type belt conveyor 11 Head Pulley 12 Tail Pulley 13 Conveyor belt 14 drive wheels 15 Drive unit 16 Receiving pulley 17 frames 2 Typical pulley 21 Shell 22 End plates 23 Boss 24 shafts 25 bearings 3 A head-drive type short-length two-end-pulley belt conveyor with tension adjustment and meandering adjustment mechanisms integrated into the end pulley. 31 Function-Integrated Head Pulley 32 Function-Integrated Tail Pulley 33 Polyester sheet core Uniply type endless belt 331 Polyester sheet core 332 Polyurethane elastomer sheet (contact surface for conveyed objects) 333 Polyvinyl chloride elastomer sheet (pulley contact surface) 34 Belt conveyor drive unit 35 Belt conveyor enclosure 4 Pulley-type screw-type tension adjustment device 41 Tension adjustment bolt 42 Tension adjustment nut 43. Tension adjustment movable block 44 Tension adjustment fixing block 45 Bearing Plate 46 Tension adjustment mechanism support 47 Conveyor cover side panel 48. Joining jig between tension-adjustable movable block and bearing plate. 49. Tension adjustment fixing block - Tension adjustment mechanism support joint jig 410 Tension adjustment mechanism displacement prevention jig 411 Shaft 412 shell 413 End plate 414 Conveyor Belt 5 Pulley-type spring tension adjustment device 51 Tension-adjustable compression coil spring 52 Tension adjustment screw 53 Tension adjustment movable block 54 Tension adjustment fixing block 55 Bearing Plate 56 Tension adjustment mechanism support 57 Conveyor cover side panel 58 Tension Adjustment Movable Block - Joining Jig for Bearing Plate 59 Tension adjustment fixing block for tension adjustment - Joining jig between tension adjustment mechanism support 510 Tension adjustment mechanism displacement prevention jig 511 Shaft 512 shells 513 End plate 514 Conveyor Belt 6 Pulley-type gas spring tension adjustment device 61 Gas spring 62 Tension Adjustment Movable Block 63 Tension adjustment fixing block 64 Bearing Plate 65 Tension adjustment mechanism support 66 Conveyor cover side panel 67 Gas spring - tension adjustment fixing block joining jig 68 Tension Adjustment Movable Block - Joining Jig for Bearing Plate 69. Tension adjustment fixing block for tension adjustment - Joining jig between tension adjustment mechanism support. 610 Tension adjustment mechanism displacement prevention jig 611 Shaft 612 shell 613 End plate 614 Conveyor Belt 7 Pulley-moving actuator type tension adjustment device 71 Electric Cylinder 711 Motor 712 Ball screw 713 Tip fixing bracket 72 Bearing Plate 73 Tension Adjustment Movable Block 74 Bearing plate cover side plate 75 shaft 76 Shells 77 Mirror plate 78 Conveyor Belts 8 Split-shell telescopic actuator-type tension adjustment device 81 Electric Actuator 811 Motor 812 Ball Screw 813 Tip fixing bracket 82 Slider 83 Tension-adjustable split shell 84-part shell-slider connecting rod 85 Connecting rod ring 86 shaft 87 Slider Induction Cylinder 88 bearings 89 Bearing plate 810 Conveyor Belt 9 Split shell telescopic spring-type tension adjustment device 91 Tension Adjustment Split Shell 911 Tension adjustment block 912 Tension adjustment block slip prevention protrusion 92 shaft 93 Tension Adjustment Boss 931 Tension adjustment block guide projection 932 Compression coil spring mounting recess 94 Compression coil spring 95 Conveyor belt 10 Non-contact tension adjustment device between pulley and conveyor belt 101 Slit-forming shell 1011 Ventilation hole 102 Open-cell porous shell 103 Shaft 104 Bearings 105 Shell support fixing shaft cover 106 Shell support 107 Conveyor Belt 11 Automatic tension control mechanism 111 Flange-type tension detection device 1111 Self-aligning bearing 1112 Bearing 1113 Bearing cover 1114 Detection device fixing jig 112 Tension control device 12 Peripheral speed controlled meandering adjustment device 12-1 Crown (convex) type pulley 121 Shell 122 End plate 123 Boss 124 shaft 125 bearing 126 Conveyor Belt 12-2 Concave Pulley 12-3 Shell curved pulley 12-4 Shaft Curved Pulley 12-41 Bearing 12-42 shaft 12-43 Bearing 12-44 Resin cover 13 Shell surface shape control type meandering adjustment device 13-1 W-shaped spiral groove machined shell pulley 131 Shell 132 End plate 133 Boss 134 shaft 135 Bearing 136 Conveyor Belt 13-2 Vertical groove machined shell type pulley 13-3 Horizontal groove machined shell type pulley 13-4 Diamond-machined shell-type pulley 14 Split shell slide type meandering adjustment device 141-part sliding shell 142 Hollow shaft 143 Hollow shaft fitted cylindrical member 144 Slide bearing 145 Hollow shaft fitted cylindrical member bearing 146 Inclined ring - connecting shaft between slide block 147 Inclined Ring 148 Slide Block 149 Slide block fitted link arm 1410 Inclined Ring - Slide Block Link Bar 1411 Inclined ring - Link arm link bar 1412 Split Slide Shell Support Bracket 1413 Inclined ring-bracket connecting jig 1414 Split Shell Slide Type Serpentine Adjustment Device Support 1415 Conveyor Belt 15 Pulley-swivel type center pivot type meandering adjustment device 151 Center Pivot 152 Drive Unit 153 Pivot Stand 154 Sway adjustment bearing block 155 shells 156 End plate 157 Shaft 158 Bearing 159 Conveyor Belt 16 Pulley-swivel type end-pivot type meandering adjustment device 161 End Pivot 162 Drive unit 163 Pivot Stand 164 Snake adjustment bearing block pivot center axis 165 Snake adjustment bearing block rotation center axis stand 166 Sway adjustment bearing block 167 shells 168 Shaft 169 Bearing 1610 Conveyor Belt 17 Split-shell tilting type meandering adjustment device 171-part tilting shell 1711 Sway Adjustment Block 172 Shaft 173 Snake-Adjustment Boss 1731 Meandering adjustment block support part 1732 Snake adjustment block tilt axis 1733 Recess for mounting tension spring 174 Tension spring 175 Conveyor Belt 18 Automatic meandering control mechanism 181 Edge detection sensor 182 Meandering control device 19 Belt-pulley fitting type meandering adjustment device 191 Shell-type pulley with mating recess 1911 Conveyor belt guide recess 192 Conveyor belt with interlocking protrusions 1921 Conveyor belt guide protrusion (bar) 193 End plate 194 Boss 195 shaft 196 Bearing Cutting lines A, B, C, D, and E

Claims

1. A belt conveyor in which an endless belt is stretched between a head pulley and a tail pulley equipped with a drive mechanism, for transporting articles and / or article storage containers, The head pulley and / or the tail pulley are equipped with a tension adjustment mechanism for the endless belt. The head pulley and / or the tail pulley are equipped with a meandering adjustment mechanism for the endless belt. The tension adjustment mechanism is a first shell wall drive device that repeatedly moves the shell outer walls of the head pulley and / or tail pulley parallel to the transport direction without changing the position of the axis of the head pulley and / or tail pulley. A belt conveyor characterized by the following features.

2. A belt conveyor in which an endless belt is stretched between a head pulley and a tail pulley equipped with a drive mechanism, for transporting articles and / or article storage containers, The head pulley and / or the tail pulley are equipped with a tension adjustment mechanism for the endless belt. The head pulley and / or the tail pulley are equipped with a meandering adjustment mechanism for the endless belt. The tension adjustment mechanism is a non-contact pulley comprising a head pulley and / or tail pulley having through holes formed in the outer wall of the shell, and an air discharge device that blows air out from the through holes. A belt conveyor characterized by the following features.

3. A belt conveyor in which an endless belt is stretched between a head pulley and a tail pulley equipped with a drive mechanism, for transporting articles and / or article storage containers, The head pulley and / or the tail pulley are equipped with a tension adjustment mechanism for the endless belt. A meandering adjustment mechanism is provided that engages with the head pulley, the tail pulley, and the endless belt. The tension adjustment mechanism is a first shell wall drive device that repeatedly moves the shell outer walls of the head pulley and / or tail pulley parallel to the transport direction without changing the position of the axis of the head pulley and / or tail pulley. A belt conveyor characterized by the following features.

4. A belt conveyor in which an endless belt is stretched between a head pulley and a tail pulley equipped with a drive mechanism, for transporting articles and / or article storage containers, The head pulley and / or the tail pulley are equipped with a tension adjustment mechanism for the endless belt. A meandering adjustment mechanism is provided that engages with the head pulley, the tail pulley, and the endless belt. The tension adjustment mechanism is a non-contact pulley comprising a head pulley and / or tail pulley having through holes formed in the outer wall of the shell, and an air discharge device that blows air out from the through holes. A belt conveyor characterized by the following features.

5. The belt conveyor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the core of the endless belt is a polyester resin sheet or a polyamide resin sheet.

6. The belt conveyor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the core of the endless belt is a fiber-reinforced polyester resin sheet or a fiber-reinforced polyamide resin sheet.

7. A belt conveyor according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the machine length, which is the length from the leading edge of the head pulley in the conveying direction to the rearmost edge of the tail pulley in the conveying direction, is 1,000 to 10,000 mm.

8. The belt conveyor according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the tension adjustment mechanism is a first pulley drive device that repeatedly moves the head pulley and / or the tail pulley parallel to the conveying direction without changing the angle of intersection between the axis of the head pulley and / or the tail pulley and the conveying direction.

9. The belt conveyor according to claim 8, wherein the tension adjustment mechanism is equipped with a tension detector and a tension control device, and the tension control device operates the first pulley drive device based on a signal transmitted from the tension detector to the tension control device.

10. The belt conveyor according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the tension adjustment mechanism is equipped with a tension detector and a tension control device, and the tension control device operates the first shell outer wall drive device based on a signal transmitted from the tension detector to the tension control device.

11. The belt conveyor according to claim 2 or 4, wherein the tension adjustment mechanism is equipped with a tension detector and a tension control device, and the air discharge device is operated based on a signal transmitted from the tension detector to the tension control device.

12. A belt conveyor according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the meandering adjustment mechanism is a head pulley and / or tail pulley formed to have a shell outer wall shape such that the central circumferential velocity, which is the circumferential velocity of the outer circumference of the shell cross-section perpendicular to the axis, passes through the center of gravity when the density of the head pulley and / or the tail pulley is uniform, and the outer circumferential velocity, which is the circumferential velocity of the outer circumference of the shell cross-section at both ends in the axial direction of the head pulley and / or the tail pulley, is maximized.

13. A belt conveyor according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the meandering adjustment mechanism is a head pulley and / or tail pulley formed to minimize the peripheral speed of the outer circumference of the shell cross-section passing through the center of gravity and perpendicular to the axis when the density of the head pulley and / or tail pulley is uniform, and maximize the outer peripheral speed, which is the peripheral speed of the outer circumference of the shell cross-section at both ends of the head pulley and / or tail pulley in the axial direction.

14. The belt conveyor according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the meandering adjustment mechanism is a head pulley and / or tail pulley in which the shape of the outer circumference, excluding both ends of the cross-section passing through the axis of the shell of the head pulley and / or tail pulley, is formed into an arc shape.

15. The belt conveyor according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the meandering adjustment mechanism is a head pulley and / or tail pulley in which the axis of the head pulley and / or the tail pulley is formed in an arc shape together with the outer wall of the shell.

16. The belt conveyor according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the meandering adjustment mechanism is a head pulley and / or tail pulley having an uneven shape formed on the outer shell wall of the head pulley and / or tail pulley.

17. The belt conveyor according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the meandering adjustment mechanism is a second shell wall drive device that causes the divided shell outer walls of the head pulley and / or the tail pulley to swing from side to side in the conveying direction.

18. The belt conveyor according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the meandering adjustment mechanism is a second pulley drive device that causes the head pulley and / or the tail pulley to rotate on a plane including the axis of the head pulley and / or the tail pulley.

19. A belt conveyor according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the meandering adjustment mechanism is a third shell outer wall driving device that causes the divided shell outer walls of the head pulley and / or the tail pulley to tilt such that the central circumferential speed, which is the circumferential speed of the outer circumference of the shell cross-section passing through the center of gravity and perpendicular to the axis when the density of the head pulley and / or the tail pulley is uniform, is maximized, and the outer circumferential speed, which is the circumferential speed of the outer circumference of the shell cross-section at both ends of the head pulley and / or the tail pulley in the axial direction, is minimized.

20. A belt conveyor according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the meandering adjustment mechanism is a fourth shell outer wall driving device that causes the divided shell outer walls of the head pulley and / or the tail pulley to tilt such that the central circumferential speed, which is the circumferential speed of the outer circumference of the shell cross-section passing through the center of gravity and perpendicular to the axis when the density of the head pulley and / or the tail pulley is uniform, is minimized, and the outer circumferential speed, which is the circumferential speed of the outer circumference of the shell cross-section at both ends of the head pulley and / or the tail pulley in the axial direction, is maximized.

21. The belt conveyor according to claim 17, wherein the meandering adjustment mechanism is equipped with a meandering detector and a meandering control device, and the meandering control device operates the second shell outer wall drive device based on a signal transmitted from the meandering detector to the meandering control device.

22. The belt conveyor according to claim 18, wherein the meandering adjustment mechanism is equipped with a meandering detector and a meandering control device, and the meandering control device operates the second pulley drive device based on a signal transmitted from the meandering detector to the meandering control device.

23. The belt conveyor according to claim 19, wherein the meandering adjustment mechanism is equipped with a meandering detector and a meandering control device, and the meandering control device operates the third shell outer wall drive device based on a signal transmitted from the meandering detector to the meandering control device.

24. The belt conveyor according to claim 20, wherein the meandering adjustment mechanism is equipped with a meandering detector and a meandering control device, and the meandering control device operates the fourth shell outer wall drive device based on a signal transmitted from the meandering detector to the meandering control device.

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