Cassette-construction motorized-roller deflecting conveyor

Abstract

The invention discloses a deflecting conveyor (18) having: a deflecting-conveyor surface (19) which is designed so that an item arranged on it is conveyed to a multiplicity of removal conveyors (14), each provided at different locations, this being done by the surface (19) being driven and by the surface (19) being oriented in correspondingly different conveying directions (20), wherein each of the conveying directions (20) is defined by one of the locations; a first driven shaft (22) for driving the surface (19); a second driven shaft (24) for orienting the surface (19), wherein the second shaft (24) is axis-parallel to the first shaft (22); a disc (26), which is axis-parallel to the first and second shafts (22; 24) and has an axial end side, wherein the end side comprises a track (28) with an axially directed track height which changes along a circumferential direction of the disc (26) in correspondence with the different conveying directions (20); and at least one rolling body (30), which is in axial contact with the track (28), is axially movably mounted and is firmly coupled to the surface (19), so that the at least one rolling body (30) moves axially back and forth while the disc (26) is rotated by the second shaft (24), in order to orient the surface (19) in the different conveying directions (20).

Description

[0001] Motorized roller deflection conveyor in cassette design

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a deflection conveyor for an intralogistics application, in particular for a conveyor system switch. The deflection conveyor may be part of a deflection device, which in turn may be part of a conveyor system. The deflection conveyor is configured to deflect conveyed material in different conveying directions, in particular by rotating or pivoting a deflection conveyor surface about a vertical axis.

[0003] The document US 11 014 748 B1 discloses a deflection device for a conventional conveyor system. The conventional deflection device comprises a deflection conveyor consisting of several (roller) conveyor modules arranged parallel to one another. Each of the conveyor modules consists of a group of linearly arranged roller units. The roller units of a group are arranged in a row oriented perpendicular to a main conveying direction. The conveyor modules themselves are spaced apart from one another in the main conveying direction. Furthermore, a control shaft is provided which carries a double cam disk for each group of roller units (i.e., for each conveyor module) in order to pivot or adjust the roller units of a respective module in a desired conveying direction in order to deflect conveyed goods in a desired direction.The diverter conveyor is very long in the main conveying direction, especially because all modules are controlled by a single common control shaft. The control shaft is oriented parallel to the main conveying direction, thus contributing to an (undesirable) overall length.

[0004] Document US 4 598 815 A also discloses a deflection device for a conveyor system, consisting of a (single) group of roller units forming a deflection conveyor and arranged in a row transversely to the main conveying direction. The roller units of the group are pivoted about a vertical axis into various rotational positions corresponding to the desired conveying directions by a switching roller. The switching roller, arranged horizontally below the row of roller units, is provided with a circumferentially closed (guide) groove, into which a groove follower engages radially from the outside. The groove follower is connected to a pivoting mechanism (parallelogram) in order to pivot or rotate the roller units (transversely to the main conveying direction). An axis of the switching roller is aligned parallel to the group or row of roller units.Furthermore, a drive shaft and a deflection shaft are provided, which are arranged axially parallel to the switching roller below the roller units. These shafts are spaced apart from the switching roller in the main conveying direction and are overlapped by elements of adjacent conveyors, making them difficult to access. In other words, this means that the deflection device is very wide (in the main conveying direction) and difficult to access, making maintenance and replacement of the deflection device difficult.

[0005] Further prior art can be found in the documents: DE 26 30 973 A1 , DE 11 73 302 A, DE 10 2007 054 089 A1 , US 1 331 746 A and DE 10 74 350 A.

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to provide a deflection conveyor for a conveyor or for a conveyor system that is compact and preferably easy to maintain and replace. The deflection conveyor should be short, particularly in the main conveying direction and in a vertical direction. Furthermore, it would be desirable for the deflection conveyor to be formed from a small number of components, which are particularly cost-effective.

[0007] This object is achieved by a deflection conveyor comprising: a deflection conveyor surface which is configured to convey a material to be conveyed arranged thereon to a plurality of discharge conveyors provided at different locations, by driving the surface and by aligning the surface in correspondingly different conveying directions (by pivoting), wherein each of the conveying directions is determined by one of the locations; a first driven shaft for driving the surface; a second driven shaft for aligning the surface, wherein the second shaft is arranged axially parallel, and in particular radially offset, to the first shaft;a (substantially cylindrical) disc arranged axially parallel to the first and second shafts and having an axially end-face, the end face comprising a track with an axially directed track height that changes along a circumferential direction of the disc in accordance with the different conveying directions; and at least one rolling element that axially contacts the track and is mounted so as to be axially movable (and in particular radially immovable), such that the at least one rolling element moves axially back and forth while the disc is rotated by the second shaft to align the surface in the different conveying directions.

[0008] The diverter conveyor consists of a small number of components which are extremely short in the longitudinal direction, i.e. the main conveying direction, particularly because they are arranged one below the other. The axial contact between the rolling element and the disc allows the switching gate responsible for the deflection (track of the disc) to be arranged directly below the diverter conveyor surface, which is preferably formed by roller units arranged in a row, without protruding laterally beyond the roller units. The diverter conveyor can be designed in a cassette-like manner, which facilitates installation, maintenance, and replacement. The diverter conveyor can be easily inserted vertically into a diverter device and withdrawn from it again. All components of the diverter conveyor can be pre-assembled and tested in a box-like frame which is inserted into the diverter device.Preferably, the track has a substantially circular cross-section perpendicular to the axis of the disc, wherein the track is formed closed in particular along a circumferential direction of the disc.

[0009] The circular cross-section allows the disc to rotate continuously in a single direction, allowing the diverter conveyor to be converted between different conveying directions. The actuator connected to the disc can be operated without reversing direction, extending the actuator's service life.

[0010] Maintenance intervals can be longer because the actuator is subjected to less stress.

[0011] A control system for switching between the selectable conveying directions is simplified. The actuator is operated in only one direction.

[0012] Preferably, the track has a first diameter d1 which is smaller than a second diameter d2, so that the at least one rolling element contacts a surface of the track in every rotational position of the disc over the entire width of the rolling element.

[0013] Due to the parallelogram-like nature of the pivoting mechanism, the rolling elements move not only axially (relative to the disc) but also slightly radially when the disc rotates. This radial play is compensated for by the slightly different diameters, so that the rolling elements are always securely in contact with the track across their entire width. This ensures reliable power transmission between the disc or track and the rolling elements.

[0014] In particular, the first and second waves are arranged vertically one above the other, wherein the second wave is preferably arranged between the first wave and the surface.

[0015] The deflection conveyor is very short in the main conveying direction, and possibly also in the vertical direction. The surface is preferably defined by a plurality of roller units that are pivotably mounted about a vertical axis and arranged linearly transversely to a feed conveying direction.

[0016] The roller units are lightweight, small, and highly reliable. They require little installation space and are ideal for use in deflection conveyors.

[0017] In particular, the first and second shafts are arranged (exclusively) within the vertical shadow space, the (horizontal) width of which is defined by a width of the roller units parallel to the feed conveying direction in the normal position of the deflection conveyor.

[0018] The deflection conveyor is short in the main conveying direction and can be easily installed and removed.

[0019] Preferably, the at least one rolling body comprises, in particular exclusively, a first rolling body and a second rolling body which contact the track, in particular offset by 180°.

[0020] The provision of two rolling elements ensures that one of the rolling elements is always pushed off the track to adjust the surface. In other words, this means that the disc always exerts a compressive force on the pivoting mechanism. No tensile forces are required to return the surface to its normal position. The rolling elements do not need to be equipped with a spring return or similar device. Fewer components are required to ensure reliable operation.

[0021] In particular, the vertical development of the track is mirror-symmetrical.

[0022] The disc can be rotated continuously, i.e., without reversing direction, to oscillate between an (odd) number of deflection positions. Preferably, the first and second shafts are each implemented by a motorized roller.

[0023] Motorized rollers represent a cost-effective alternative to commercially available actuators (including control units). The price difference can be as much as five times lower. Furthermore, motorized rollers are particularly popular in conveyor systems consisting of roller conveyors. Thus, motorized rollers are systematically used and are already available, especially as spare parts.

[0024] Furthermore, a deflection device with a deflection conveyor according to the type described above can be provided. Furthermore, a conveyor system with an infeed conveyor, at least two discharge conveyors, and a deflection device according to the type described above can be provided therebetween, wherein each of the discharge conveyors is adjacent to the deflection device at a different location.

[0025] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the respective combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description. They show:

[0026] Fig. 1 is a plan view of a conveyor system with a deflection device comprising a deflection conveyor;

[0027] Fig. 2 is a schematic bottom view of a deflection conveyor;

[0028] Fig. 3 is a side view of the deflection conveyor of Fig. 2;

[0029] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a disc of the deflection conveyor of Figs. 2 and 3;

[0030] Fig. 5 is a schematic plan view of the disk of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a schematic vertical development of a track of the disk of Figs. 2-5;

[0031] Fig. 7 is a plan view of a schematic roller unit at different setting angles; and

[0032] Fig. 8 is a schematic side view of the deflection conveyor of Figs. 2 and 3.

[0033] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a conveyor system 10, as it is used in particular in the field of intralogistics (e.g. in storage and order picking systems, in distribution centers, in production logistics and the like).

[0034] The system 10 may include one or more infeed conveyors 12 and one or more outfeed conveyors 14. The system 10 may further include one or more diverters 16. The diverters 16 may include one or more diverter conveyors 18.

[0035] The deflection conveyors 18 are configured to change a conveying direction 20 in order to deflect conveyed goods (not shown). The deflection devices 16 can be designed as conveyor modules that are used in a modular conveyor system 10. Each of the deflection devices 16 is configured to convey a conveyed item (e.g., containers, pallets, trays, cartons, packages, etc.) not shown or designated in detail here to a selected one of the discharge conveyors 14 by changing (or maintaining) the conveying direction 20 accordingly, so that the conveyed item is directed to the desired discharge conveyor, wherein the plurality of discharge conveyors 14 comprises at least two discharge conveyors 14.

[0036] The deflection devices 16 represent (conveyor) switches. The conveyors 12 and 14 are preferably linear conveyors. It is understood that the conveyors 12 and 14 could also be implemented as curved conveyors, incline conveyors, elevators and / or the like. The conveyors 12 and 14 as well as the deflection device 16 can be implemented, for example, as roller conveyors with (conveyor) rollers 17. Other conveyor types, such as belt conveyors (not shown), are also possible. The exemplary system 10 of Fig. 1 has, by way of example, an infeed conveyor 12, three outfeed conveyors 14-1 to 14-3 and a deflection device 16. The deflection device 16 of Fig. 1 is arranged between the infeed conveyor 12 and the outfeed conveyors 14-1 to 14-3. The deflection device 16 is generally designed to change the conveying direction 20. In Fig. 1, a (linear) main conveying direction is designated by 20-1, which extends, for example, parallel to the longitudinal direction X of the system 10 and, for example,B. is determined by the feed conveyor 12 and the discharge conveyor 14-1. The main conveying direction 20-1 corresponds to the feed conveying direction 20-1. The feed conveyor 12 and the discharge conveyor 14-1 therefore transport the goods (not shown) in the main conveying direction 20-1. The discharge conveyor 14-2 transports the goods along the conveying direction 20-2, which can enclose an angle of, for example, +45° with the main conveying direction 20-1. The discharge conveyor 14-3 conveys along the conveying direction 20-3, which can enclose an angle of, for example, -45° with the main conveying direction 20-1. Other angles are possible.

[0037] The deflection conveyor 18 is configured to change the conveying direction 20 depending on the corresponding conveying destination, i.e., one of the discharge conveyors 14-1 to 14-3. The deflection conveyor 18 defines (on its upper side) a rotatably mounted, driven deflection conveyor surface 19. The deflection conveyor 18 can comprise one or more (not shown) roller units 32 (cf. Figs. 2 and 3) configured to define the surface 19 of the deflection conveyor 18. The surface 19 can be substantially coplanar with an adjacent remaining (transport) surface of the deflection device 16. In the example of Fig. 1, the corresponding axis of rotation 55 (cf. Fig. 3) of the deflection conveyor 18 is oriented, for example, vertically, i.e., parallel to the height direction Y. The conveying destination, ie one of the discharge conveyors 14-1 to 14-3, is controlled by a control system not shown or designated here (e.g.by a material flow computer) which is connected to the deflection device 16 (and to the deflection conveyor 18) for the exchange of corresponding (control) data. It is understood that the conveyors 12 and 14 as well as the deflection device 16 can be equipped with appropriate sensors (e.g., cameras, light sensors, light barriers, weight sensors, etc.; not shown) to detect a current position of the conveyed material for the purpose of influencing a future conveying direction 20. The discharge conveyors 14 can be (directly) adjacent to the deflection device 16 at different (destination) locations. The deflection device 16 is configured to deflect the conveyed material to the respective desired location. Deflecting therefore generally means a change of the current conveying direction 20 to a possibly different future conveying direction 20.

[0038] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view from below of a schematically illustrated deflection conveyor 18. Fig. 3 shows a side view of the deflection conveyor 18 of Fig. 2, viewed along the main conveying direction 20-1. A structure of the deflection conveyor 18 will be described with simultaneous reference to Figs. 2 and 3.

[0039] In general, each deflection conveyor 18 comprises the deflection conveyor surface 19, a first (driven) shaft 22, a second (driven) shaft 24, a (track) disc 26 with a track 28, and at least one rolling element 30. Furthermore, each deflection conveyor 18 can comprise at least one (pivotally mounted) roller unit 32 and a pivoting mechanism 34. The pivoting mechanism 34 can be connected to the rolling element(s) 30 via rolling element carriers 36. In Figs. 2 and 3, (exactly) two rolling elements 30-1 and 30-2 are shown, which - with respect to the disc 26 - are in contact with the track 28 at a distance of 180°. A frame of the deflection device 16, on or in which the deflection conveyor 18 is mounted, is not shown in Figs. 2 and 3 for the sake of simplicity of illustration.

[0040] The rolling elements 30 are balls, rollers, barrels, needles, cones, or other rotatably mounted rotating bodies, which can be made of steel, ceramic, or special, extra-hard plastics, for example. As elements of a rolling bearing or linear guide, they significantly reduce friction between the various components of the (rolling) bearing or (linear) guide, thus greatly facilitating relative movement of the various components. The rolling elements 30 are mounted so as to be movable in the transverse direction Z.

[0041] The first shaft 22 can be implemented by a so-called motor roller 36 and extends along a first (rotational) axis 38. A motor roller 36 is understood to be a conveyor roller of a roller conveyor which has a (drive) motor (not shown) integrated into its interior. The second shaft 24 can also be implemented by a motor roller 36 and extends along a second (rotational) axis 40. The disk 26 can extend along a third (rotational) axis 42. It is understood that the disk 26 could also be connected directly, i.e. without a deflection, to the second shaft 24, so that the disk 26 rotates about the second shaft 24. The shafts 22 and 24 or the motor rollers 36 are mounted either directly in the frame of the deflection device 16 or in a frame (not shown) of the deflection conveyor 18, which can be (replaceably) mounted in the frame of the deflection device 16.

[0042] The axes 38, 40, and 42 are aligned axially parallel to one another and, in particular, parallel to the transverse direction Z of the deflection device 16 (see Fig. 1). The axes 38-42 can be arranged one above the other (congruently) in the vertical direction Y. The axes 38-42 can also be aligned parallel to a row of roller units 32. This parallel alignment of the axes 38-42 and the roller units 32 allows the deflection conveyor 18 to be extremely short in the main conveying direction 20-1 (longitudinal direction X), as will be explained in more detail below. The motor rollers 36 are located in the vertical shadow space VS (see Fig. 8A) of the roller units 32. The vertical shadow space VS is the space vertically below the roller units 32, which is limited by outermost edges of the roller units 32 in the longitudinal direction X, when the roller units 32 are viewed vertically from above - i.e. parallel to the height direction Y.

[0043] In Figs. 2 and 3, the deflection conveyor 18 comprises, by way of example, four roller units 32-1 to 32-4, which are aligned and lined up along the transverse direction Z. It is understood that the deflection conveyor 18 can have more or fewer roller units 32. The roller units 32 can each be connected to the, preferably single, first motor roller 36-1 via a circumferentially arranged (drive) belt 44.

[0044] The movably mounted pivot mechanism 34 can comprise a parallelogram-like frame 46. The frame 46 can be formed from longitudinal members 48 and transverse members 50, wherein the longitudinal members 48—in the installed state of the deflection conveyor 18—extend parallel to the transverse direction Z, and wherein the transverse members 50 (in a normal position of the deflection conveyor 18, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3) extend parallel to the longitudinal direction X. By way of example, the same number of cross members 50 as roller units 32 are provided. Preferably, at least two cross members 50 are provided.

[0045] In a deflection position (not shown in Fig. 2 and 3; cf. Fig. 8B+C), the cross members 50 enclose a non-zero angle with the longitudinal direction X, as will be explained in more detail below. In the deflection position, the members 48 and 50 define (in a plan view) a parallelogram. In the normal position, the members 48 and 50 preferably define a rectangle. The members 48 and 50 can be arranged in the XZ plane. The pivoting mechanism 34 can further comprise (cf. dashed lines in Fig. 3) pivot axes 52. Typically, a (separate) pivot axis 52 is provided for each roller unit 32, which can extend (vertically) through a (machine-fixed, i.e., immovable) cross member 54, which can be oriented parallel to the transverse direction Z. The pivot axes 52 represent fourth (rotation) axes 55 (see Fig. 3), which can be oriented parallel to the height direction Y.The cross member 54 can be an element of a machine frame 56 of the deflection conveyor 18, of which only an upper cover is shown as an example in Fig. 3.

[0046] The deflection conveyor 18 illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 comprises, by way of example, the two rolling elements 30-1 and 30-2, which contact the track 28 of the disk 26 axially, i.e. in a direction parallel to the shafts 38-42. The track 28 is formed in one of the end faces 58 of the (essentially cylindrical or rounded) disk 26. The track 28 has different track heights 60 in the axial direction, as will be explained in more detail below with reference to Fig. 6. The different track heights 60 cause the rolling elements 30 to be deflected to different extents along the direction of the axes 38-42. Due to the deflection of the rolling elements 30 in the direction Z, the longitudinal beams 48-1 and 48-2 of the pivoting mechanism 34 are deflected accordingly (in opposite directions) in the transverse direction Z.The deflection of the longitudinal beams 48-1 and 48-2 results in a rotation of the cross beams 50 about the vertical fourth rotation axis 55, which can be positioned in the center of the cross beams 50 and which, in turn, is connected to the corresponding roller units 32. In this way, the roller units 32 are rotated about the vertical axis 55 and directed in a desired conveying direction 20, such as, for example, conveying directions 20-2 or 20-3 of Fig. 1. Figs. 4-6 illustrate details of the disc 26 of Figs. 2 and 3. Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the disc 26. Fig. 5 shows a plan view of the end face 58 of the disc 26. Fig. 6 illustrates a (vertical) development of the track 28 of the disc 26.

[0047] Fig. 4 illustrates the disk 26 in perspective. The disk 26 can be formed from a substantially cylindrical base body 62 and the (circumferential) track 28, which protrudes at least partially from the end face 58 in an outer edge region of the end face 58 (of the base body 62).

[0048] The term "disk" generally refers to a geometric body in the shape of a cylinder whose radius is many times greater than its (axial) thickness D. The axially opposite end faces 58 and 59 of the disk 26 are essentially circular, thus having an essentially constant radius. The base body 62 has a constant thickness D. If the thickness D were zero, a two-dimensional element would be obtained that corresponds to a circular disk or a circular surface.

[0049] The track 28 protrudes axially from the base body 62 and can, for example, have four (adjusting) positions P1 to P4. Positions P1 to P4 are spaced 90° apart from each other in Fig. 4. The number and relative position of the positions P depends on the number of different conveying directions 20 between which a selection is to be made.

[0050] The track 28 preferably has a substantially constant track width BS. The track 28 preferably runs along an outer edge region of the end face 58. With respect to the end face 58, the track 28 has different track heights 60, which increase and decrease during a (complete) revolution of the disk 26 about its (not further designated and shown) longitudinal axis (perpendicular to the drawing plane of Fig. 5), as will be explained in more detail with reference to Fig. 6. At point P1, the track height 60 can be minimal, see 60min. At points P2 and P4, the track height 60 can assume a mean value (median), see 60med. At point P3, the track height 60 can be maximal, see 60max. Fig. 5 illustrates that the end face 58 or an envelope of the cross-section of the track 28 does not have to be ideally circular. The diameter d2 between points P2 and P4 may be slightly larger than the diameter d1 between points P1 and P3.In this way, it is ensured that the rolling elements 30-1 and 30-2 are reliably and safely in contact with the track 28 and completely overlap it, see also Fig. 8.

[0051] Fig. 6 shows the vertical development of track 28. In the left area of ​​Fig. 6, the disc 26 is indicated in a side view. The track 28 is developed to the right in the graph of Fig. 6. The abscissa illustrates the positions P1 to P4 or a rotation angle ("disk angle": 0° to 360°) of the disc 26 or a "setting angle" of the roller unit(s) 32. The ordinate illustrates the track height 60.

[0052] 7A-C illustrate different orientations of one of the roller units 32 of FIGS. 2 and 3 with corresponding rotations of the disk 26 by 0°, 45° and 90°, as illustrated in FIGS. 8A-C. In the normal position, in which the roller unit 32 encloses, for example, an angle of 0° with the main conveying direction 20-1, the rolling element 30-1 touches the position P2 of the track 28 and the rolling element 30-2 touches the position P4 of the track 28, while the angle of rotation of the disk 26 is zero degrees. The disk 26 is then rotated by 45°, as illustrated in FIG. 8B. This rotation of the disk 26 causes the roller units 32 to rotate by, for example, -15° via the pivoting mechanism 34, see FIG. 7B. If the disc 26 is rotated by a further 45°, i.e. a total of 90° with respect to the position of Fig. 8A, as shown in Fig. 8C, the roller unit 32 is pivoted by a further -15° to the setting angle -30°, as shown in Fig. 7C.At this time, the rolling element 30-1 touches the point P3 of the track 26 and the rolling element 30-2 touches the point P1 of the track 26.

[0053] Upon a further (not illustrated) rotation of the disc 26 by 90° (total angle of rotation: 180°) - without changing direction - the roller unit 32 moves back to the normal position of 0°, and upon a further rotation of 90° (total angle of rotation: 270°), the roller unit 32 moves to the setting angle of +30° (not illustrated in Fig. 7). Upon a further rotation of the disc 26 by 90° (total angle of rotation: 360°), the roller unit 32 returns to the normal position of 0°. Upon a further rotation of the disc 26, the process just described is repeated. In this way, the roller unit 32 can be moved back and forth in an oscillating manner between the setting angles of -30°, 0°, and +30°, provided the disc 26 is rotated continuously (and without reversing direction).

[0054] It is understood that the disk 26 does not have to be rotated continuously. The disk 26 can also be moved discretely, so that the disk 26 is at rest in phases, i.e. is not rotated. In this case, the roller unit 32 remains at the currently set setting angle. In order to better compensate for tolerances when setting the setting angle by rotating the disk 26, it is recommended to provide the track 26 with a plateau in the area of ​​the (setting) positions P1 to P4, as indicated in Fig. 6. A plateau can be characterized in that the track height 60 is almost constant over a larger length of the track 28 (along the circumferential direction of the disk 26).

[0055] Furthermore, it is recommended not to select an excessively steep gradient for the track sections between the adjustment points P1 to P4, in order to prevent the forces exerted on the rolling elements 30 from becoming excessively large. This can be achieved by selecting a correspondingly large diameter d of the disc 26—and thus of the track 28—or by not selecting an excessively large height difference of the track 28.

[0056] Furthermore, it is understood that the disc 26 can also be moved back and forth by means of a control (not explained in detail here). This means that the disc 26 can be rotated in different directions to reach (and remain in) desired positions P.

[0057] A relative height of the track height 60 influences an amount of the setting angle. In the example in Figures 6-8, a difference between the maximum track height 60max and the minimum track height 60min corresponds to a setting angle difference of 60°. In other words, this means that in the example in Figures 4-6, a difference between the maximum track height 60max, or the minimum track height 60min, and the average track height 60med corresponds to a setting angle amount of 30°. Finally, it is understood that the number of setting points P along the track 28 corresponds to a number of different conveying directions 20 from which one can choose. A setting point P is characterized in particular by a gradient of 0° in the height development graph in Figure 6.

[0058] 7A and 8A, the above-mentioned “vertical shadow space” VS is visualized in the form of dashed auxiliary lines, which represent an outer boundary of the deflection conveyor 18 when the deflection conveyor 18 - via its roller units 32 - is in its normal position (setting angle: 0°), i.e. aligned parallel to the longitudinal direction X. In the example of Figures 2-8, the width of the deflection conveyor 18 in the longitudinal direction X is determined by a (horizontal) distance A from (outer, optionally provided) additional rollers 64, which can be located further out in X than the transport rollers 66 of the respective roller unit 32. The upper sides of the transport rollers 66 can define the deflection conveyor surface 19 already mentioned above. The rollers 64 and 66 can be configured to receive the drive belt 44 in circumferentially provided grooves (positively and non-positively).

[0059] The roller units 32 shown in Figs. 2, 3, 7 and 8 can all have the same structure. Each of these roller units 32 can have two (or more) of the transport rollers 66, which can be arranged one behind the other in X and at the very top in Y. A rotational axis of the transport rollers 66 can be oriented parallel to the transverse direction Z - and thus parallel to the axes 38-42 - in the normal position. The rotational axes of the transport rollers 66 can be rotatably mounted in a fork-shaped support 68. The fork-shaped support 68 can have an upwardly open U- or C-shaped cross-section, cf. YZ plane in Fig. 3. The fork-shaped support 68 can be connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the pivot axis 52. The additional rollers 64 can be arranged below the transport rollers 66 in Y. The additional rollers 64 also have axes of rotation, which can be arranged axially parallel to the axes of rotation of the transport rollers 66 and which, for example,can be connected to the fork-shaped support 68 via arms 70 projecting in X. The arms 70 can be omitted if the support 68 is designed accordingly.

[0060] The external arrangement of the additional rollers 64 ensures that the drive belt 44, which is driven by the first motor roller 36-1, does not come into contact with the second motor roller 36-2 arranged above it, which acts as an actuator for the disk 26. From a view of Figs. 7A and 8A together, it can be clearly seen that i) the pivoting mechanism 34 with the rolling elements 30 (fixedly) attached thereto, ii) the disk 26, and iii) the motor rollers 36 are located within the vertical shadow space VS, the "width" of which in the X direction is determined by the distance A between the additional rollers 64.

[0061] The distance A and a width of the pivot mechanism 34 in the X-direction can be matched to a diameter of the motor rollers 36, so that the deflection conveyor 18 is as short as possible in the X-direction. No additional deflection rollers are required, such as those used, for example, in the deflection device according to US 4,598,815 B1, to position the drive belt 44 at a sufficient distance in the X-direction from the drive. The distance A is preferably only slightly larger than a distance B of the transport rollers 66, see Fig. 8A. The transport rollers 66 and the additional deflection rollers 64 overlap each other in the X-direction.

[0062] In other words, this means that the deflection conveyor 18 is extremely short in the longitudinal direction X. The deflection conveyor 18 can be designed in a cassette-like manner, which greatly simplifies installation, maintenance, and replacement. The deflection conveyor 18 does not have any additional deflection rollers, which are arranged far to the side of the drive (motor roller 36-1) in the X direction.

[0063] If the disc 26 is mounted directly on the second shaft 40, thus eliminating the third shaft 42, the deflection conveyor 18 is also very short in the vertical direction Y. The installation space required for the deflection conveyor 18 is thereby further compressed.

[0064] 10 Conveyor system

[0065] 12 feed conveyors

[0066] 14 discharge conveyors

[0067] 16 Deflection device

[0068] 17 rolls

[0069] 18 deflection conveyors

[0070] 19 (Deflection conveyor) area

[0071] 20 Conveying direction

[0072] 22 1st Wave

[0073] 24 2nd Wave

[0074] 26 (contour) disc

[0075] 28 track of 26

[0076] 30 rolling elements

[0077] 32 roller unit

[0078] 34 Swivel mechanism

[0079] 36 Motor roller

[0080] 38 1st (rotational) axis

[0081] 40 2nd (rotational) axis

[0082] 42 3rd (rotational) axis

[0083] 44 (drive) belts

[0084] 46 (parallelogram) frames

[0085] 48 longitudinal link of 34

[0086] 50 cross member of 34

[0087] 52 swivel axis

[0088] 54 cross members

[0089] 55 4th (rotational) axis

[0090] 56 Machine frame

[0091] 58 front side of 26

[0092] 59 Front side, opposite

[0093] 60 track height

[0094] 62 base body of 26 D thickness of 26, constant

[0095] BS track width

[0096] 64 additional roll

[0097] 66 Transport roller VS vertical shadow space

[0098] A distance of 64

[0099] B Distance of 66

[0100] 68 carriers

[0101] 70 Arm

Claims

Patent claims 1 . A deflection conveyor (18) comprising: a deflection conveyor surface (19) configured to convey a material to be conveyed arranged thereon to a plurality of discharge conveyors (14) provided at different locations, in that the surface (19) is driven and in that the surface (19) is aligned in correspondingly different conveying directions (20), wherein each of the conveying directions (20) is determined by one of the locations; a first driven shaft (22) for driving the surface (19); a second driven shaft (24) for aligning the surface (19), wherein the second shaft (24) is arranged axially parallel to the first shaft (22); a disc (26) arranged axially parallel to the first and second shafts (22;24) and which has an axially end-side arranged end face, wherein the end face comprises a track (28) with an axially directed track height which changes along a circumferential direction of the disc (26) in accordance with the different conveying directions (20); and at least one rolling element (30) which axially contacts the track (28), which is mounted for axial movement and which is fixedly coupled to the surface (19) such that the at least one rolling element (30) moves axially back and forth while the disc (26) is rotated by the second shaft (24) in order to align the surface (19) in the different conveying directions (20).

2. A deflection conveyor (18) according to claim 1, wherein the track (28) has a substantially circular cross-section perpendicular to the axis of the disc (26), and wherein the track (28) is preferably circumferentially closed.

3. A deflection conveyor (18) according to claim 2, wherein the track (28) has a first diameter d1 which is smaller than a second diameter D2, so that the at least one rolling element (30) contacts a surface of the track (28) in every rotational position of the disc (26) over an entire rolling element width.

4. A deflection conveyor (18) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first and second shafts (22, 24) are arranged vertically one above the other, and wherein the second shaft (24) is preferably arranged between the first shaft (22) and the surface (19).

5. A deflection conveyor (18) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the surface (19) is defined by a plurality of roller units (32) which are pivotally mounted about a vertical axis (55) and which are arranged linearly transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to a feed conveyor direction (20-1).

6. A deflection conveyor (18) according to claim 5, wherein the first and second shafts (22, 24) are arranged within a vertical shadow space (VS) whose width is defined by a width (A) of the roller units (32) parallel to the feed conveying direction (20-1) in the normal position of the deflection conveyor (18).

7. Deflection conveyor (18) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the at least one rolling body (30) comprises, preferably exclusively, a first rolling body (30-1) and a second rolling body (30-2) which contact the track (28), in particular offset by 180°.

8. Deflection conveyor (18) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a vertical development of the track (28) is mirror-symmetrical.

9. The deflection conveyor (18) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first and second shafts (22, 24) are each implemented by a motor roller (36).

10. A deflection conveyor (18) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first and second shafts (22, 24) are positioned vertically below the surface (19) and are oriented perpendicular to a main conveying direction (20-1).

11. Diverting conveyor (18) according to claim 10, wherein the surface (19) is defined by a roller unit (32) which is configured to convey in the main conveying direction (20-1) in a normal position of the diverting conveyor (18), and wherein the first and second shafts (22, 24) do not protrude in the main conveying direction (20-1) beyond a vertical shadow space (VS) which is defined by an outer dimension of the roller unit (32) in the main conveying direction (20-1).

12. Deflection device (16) with a deflection conveyor (18) according to one of claims 1 to 11.

13. A conveyor system (10) comprising an infeed conveyor (12), at least two discharge conveyors (14) and a diverter (16) according to claim 12 therebetween, wherein each of the discharge conveyors (14) is adjacent to the diverter (16) at a different location.

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