Extendable conveyer belt apparatus especially for agricultural and forestry application

Abstract

Extendable conveyer belt apparatus especially for agricultural and forestry application is solving technical problem of speed of extension of said conveyer belt by using chains and sprocket in order to facilitate extension of conveyer belt as well as problem of non- uniform extension of conveyer belt if one-sided extension mechanism is used. The advantages of this invention are: - pair-wise extension mechanism preventing one-sided extension; - speed of extension, and - synchronous extension of all sections.

Description

[0001] EXTENDABLE CONVEYER BELT APPARATUS ESPECIALLY FOR AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTRY APPLICATION

[0002] Field of Technology

[0003] Conveyer belts; transport technology

[0004] Technical Problem

[0005] Technical problem to be solved is need for velocity of extension conveyer belt. Currently, the speed of extension of telescopic conveyer belt is limited with speed of hydraulic cylinder extension. The second problem is non-uniform extension of conveyer belt if onesided extension mechanism is used.

[0006] State of the Art

[0007] US20170305672 describes a telescopic material conveyer apparatus has a main boom assembly reinforced by a steel saddle frame connected to a turn table and a lift mechanism, an extension boom assembly adapted by two or more roller assemblies and connecting hardware to travel mechanically within the main boom assembly and to extend therefrom, one or more connected drive motors, a conveyer belt supported by frame architecture and a pulley and drive chain system, at least one hydraulic motor having operative connection to the turntable, lift mechanism and to a belt drive drum, at least one hydraulic valve connected inline in the hydraulic line controlling the belt drive motor, the valve electronically operable via input received from a load sensor integrated within or to the lift mechanism, a programmable load threshold determining open and close operation states of the valve and directing run and stop state operations of the conveyer belt.

[0008] WO20 10114202 describes a telescopic conveyor for transporting materials, and more particularly, to a telescopic conveyor for loading materials which enables simple transport and loading of materials from a transport position or a position inside a vehicle cargo box to an entrance so as to reduce working hours for the transport of materials as well as provide ease of transporting work, and is characterized in that a conveyor is configured to be connected to each guided frame by a chain at the time of telescopic motion of the conveyor and the conveyer moves back and forth by the forward and reverse rotation of a telescopic motor, and slow start and slow stop motions are implemented when stopping at an arbitrary position as an applied current amount is controlled through frequency control. Accordingly, the safety of workers and the stability of materials may be improved in case the workers ride on the conveyor or the conveyor is overloaded during the telescopic motion of the conveyor, or a stop motion is carried out at an arbitrary position.

[0009] CN204606895 discloses a fruit vegetables conveyer, including conveying chain, rotation wheel, actuating mechanism and control system, the conveying chain is articulated from beginning to end by a plurality of link joints and forms, and the outside equidistance of conveying chain is equipped with a plurality of fruit seats, and the articulated shaft between the adjacent two link joint is protruding to the inboard of conveying chain, formation drive clearance between the adjacent two articulated shaft, actuating mechanism includes the transmission telescoping cylinder, drive the telescoping cylinder and the sensor that targets in place, and the telescopic link of transmission telescoping cylinder and the direction of motion parallel arrangement of conveying chain, the telescopic link of drive telescoping cylinder and perpendicular setting of direction of motion of conveying chain, the telescopic link that drives the telescoping cylinder are just to the medial surface of conveying chain, the telescopic link of transmission telescoping cylinder and the cylinder body fixed connection of drive telescoping cylinder, the sensor that targets in place is including establishing the stroke sensor on the transmission telescoping cylinder and establishing the sensor that resets on the drive telescoping cylinder. The utility model discloses a fruit vegetables conveyer has location accuracy, simple structure, advantage such as with low costs.

[0010] CN104495228 discloses a chain belt type telescopic bidirectional conveying device which comprises base arms, telescopic arms, redirection barrels, a driving device (6) as well as two annular chains (8), wherein the annular chains (8) are formed by chain links in a head to end hinge manner and respectively wind on two sides of the base arms, the telescopic arms and the redirection barrels so as to form a sealed conveying ring; the annular chains (8) are driven by the driving device (6); an annular conveyer belt (9) is arranged between the two annular chains (8); the annular conveyer belt (9) comprises more than two sections of sub-conveyer belts (9a), so as to form an annular conveying chain belt together with the annular chains (8); track grooves matched with the annular chains (8) are respectively formed in two sides of the base arms, the telescopic arms and the redirection barrels. Due to the adoption the annular conveyer belt which moves inside the track grooves of the base arms, the telescopic arms and the redirection barrels, deviation of the annular conveyer belt in the use process is effectively avoided; the conveyer belts can be easily replaced and are low in maintenance cost when being arranged in different sections.

[0011] EP 1899244 discloses a belt conveyer comprising a driving unit, which is arranged at the one end thereof and includes a roller driven by means of a hydraulic driving means, while on the other end there is a guiding unit, which includes a roller, which is intended for guiding and tensioning an endless belt, which is running around said rollers. Said driving unit forms together with said guiding unit and when appropriate also with at least one intermediate unit, which is placed between said units, a self-supporting telescopic construction, which is expandable in a longitudinal direction by means of a cylinder, which is connected at least with said end units. Such conveyer may be quickly and easily expanded and adapted for conveying of solid articles, or respectively, also quickly and simply collapsed to minimum length and height, and is therefore easily transportable from one place to another by means of existing forestry equipment, by means of which conveyer is then also expanded and powered.

[0012] Description of new invention

[0013] Extendable conveyer belt apparatus especially for agricultural and forestry application is solving technical problem of speed of extension of said conveyer belt by using chains and sprocket in order to facilitate extension of conveyer belt as well as problem of non- uniform extension of conveyer belt if one-sided extension mechanism is used. The advantages of this invention are: pair-wise extension mechanism preventing one-sided extension; speed of extension, and synchronous extension of all sections.

[0014] Conveyer belt according to this invention is used particularly in agricultural and forestry applications. Such applications are necessary connected to less than ideal maintenance environment, closely connected to dust and other particles appearing in such processes. Also, these applications require transport of conveyer belt in its collapsed form suitable for road transport, and use in its extended form to enable reaching of distant storages, transport vehicles or similar.

[0015] More particular, this conveyer belt is primarily used to transport wooden logs from the discharge point of the circular saw to storage or transport unit. In general it is used for transporting bulk material with an endless conveyor belt, most often used to feed or remove material from the work process.

[0016] The embodiment of this invention comprises at least three sections that fold into each other and mutually form a telescopic construction, which can be stretched from the smallest possible size, for example 2m, to a functional transport length, for example 5,6 m (these examples only approximate), with the help of the telescopic mechanism. In a way of example three sections will be described, the invention enabling four or more sections to be completed by simply replicating the middle section in accordance of this description.

[0017] Such telescopic mechanism can provide for extensions in any multiples, or portion of multiples. For example, three sections, each of size 2m, can extend to 5,6m, or 4m, or 4,5m. Four sections, each of size 2m can extend to 7,2m, or 6m etc. Of course, there is no limitation to 2m, this is way of example. Sections can be longer (3m, 4m), or shorter, depending on desire and need. In a way of example, the total extended length can be calculated with help of mathematical expression

[0018] Lext=B+(N-l)*(B-D). where Lext is ideal extended length, B is frame length in its collapsed size, n is number of sections, and D is length of overlap. This, of course, is approximate length as exact length is also determined taking into account actual constructional parameters.

[0019] Extendable conveyer belt apparatus especially for agricultural and forestry application is comprised of first section, last section and at least one middle section, further comprising:

[0020] - first section wherein said first section is comprised of at least one flat conveyer belt support, parallel guide supports, and sides;

[0021] - last section wherein said last section is comprised of parallel guide supports, and sides;

[0022] - driving means for extending and collapsing of said apparatus;

[0023] - at least one middle section wherein said at least one middle section is comprised of parallel guide supports, and sides; and further comprising:

[0024] - hydraulic driving means for manipulating said at least one middle section either by extending or collapsing said middle section away or toward from said first section;

[0025] - chain driving means for manipulating said end section either by extending or collapsing said end section away or toward from said at least one middle section.

[0026] The first section can be formed in form of a through comprising flat conveyer belt support, and sides, said flat conveyer belt support extending to parallel guide supports.

[0027] Extendable conveyer belt apparatus is further comprising said chain driving means comprised of chain sprockets and chain.

[0028] Extendable conveyer belt apparatus is further comprising said hydraulic means positioned between any two of said sections. Extendable conveyer belt apparatus is further comprising said hydraulic driving means comprised of hydraulic cylinder, said hydraulic cylinder placed between both parallel guide supports.

[0029] Extendable conveyer belt apparatus is further comprising hydraulic driving means comprised of at least one hydraulic cylinder, wherein said hydraulic cylinder is placed on the outside of the frame.

[0030] Extendable conveyer belt apparatus is further comprising said chain driving means on both sides of said conveyer belt.

[0031] Extendable conveyer belt apparatus according to any of previous claims is further comprising said hydraulic driving means comprised of at least one hydraulic cylinder, wherein at least two hydraulic cylinders are used, placed on both sides of said conveyer belt.

[0032] Extendable conveyer belt apparatus according to these specifications is extended simultaneously in sections. In state of the art hydraulic cylinder first extends middle section or plurality thereof in step-by-step fashion, each extension followed by another extension so this kind of extension saves time and enables faster response.

[0033] By placing said chain driving means on both sides of said conveyer belt the forces during extending are symmetrical thus preventing pushing said conveyer belt to one side forcing increased friction or other unwanted developments due to uneven extension.

[0034] Process of extending extendable conveyer belt in comprised of the following steps: providing extendable conveyer belt in accordance with these specifications extending hydraulic cylinder so at least one middle section moves away from said first section; simultaneous movement of said chain driven by said movement of at least one middle section propelling next middle section, or end section if there is no next middle section until said extendable conveyer belt is extended to predetermined length.

[0035] Process of collapsing extendable conveyer belt in comprised of the following steps: providing extendable conveyer belt in accordance with these specifications retracting extended hydraulic cylinder so at least one middle section moves toward said first section; simultaneous movement of said chain driven by said movement of at least one middle section propelling next middle section, or end section if there is no next middle section until said extendable conveyer belt is collapsed to predetermined length.

[0036] The embodiment is described as being comprised of three sections, first section, second section which is middle section insofar these specifications are concerned, and third section which is end section insofar these specifications are concerned.

[0037] Extendable conveyer belt apparatus according to these specifications is not limited by position of hydraulic cylinder. This cylinder can be between any of the sections with the rest of the sections driven by chains. So, for example, the hydraulic cylinder can be positioned between first and second sections, second, and third, or third and fourth if there are more than three sections.

[0038] The bulk material is transported by means of an endless canvas / PVC belt, which is divided into smaller sections, which are held together by crossbars that serve as scrapers to prevent the material from sliding down the belt. The conveyor belt is supported by rollers on both sides of the conveyor. The roller on the lower side is driven by a hydraulic motor or an electric motor via a chain mechanism. The roller on the upper side is freely rotating and serves as a support for the conveyor belt and enables fine adjustment and centering of the belt. Of course, the position of rollers can be reversed so the upper is drien in the upper is freely rotating and serves as a support. Both rollers are machined in such a way that they thicken from both places towards the middle, which helps to some extent to self-center the belt in the middle of the transport channel formed by the sections with the sides. The extension mechanism, described in more detail below, consists of a hydraulic cylinder and a chain mechanism.

[0039] First section forms the fundamental part of the supporting structure, said first section having all of the brackets for attachment to the transport structure. The fundamental supporting structure is comprised of a tubular structure with some additional reinforcements made of sheet metal. The trough of the section is modular but, in a way of example, is comprised initially of a single part, to be then divided into left and right sides with an intermittent middle, where the hydraulic cylinder is installed.

[0040] The basic structure of the second and third sections is formed of tubes, and the transport trough is formed by curved sheet metal. Second section is an intermediate element, on the lower part there is a support for the first chain sprocket, and on the upper part there is a groove where the upper chain sprocket support comes in and allows the chain to be tensioned. In between are the chain cover brackets. The first and second sections are extended by a hydraulic cylinder, so in the middle of second section there is also a support for clamping the piston rod.

[0041] Third section is the last section, so at the end is the bearing bracket and the free-rotating support roller. The construction is assembled similarly to the first and second sections. The basic supporting structure is made of pipes, while the sides or trough of the conveyor belt are made of curved sheet metal.

[0042] The construction of the sections is assembled so that together they form a telescopic structure. The basic frame or section 1 is the largest, and each subsequent section is dimensioned so that it folds into the previous one and together form a telescopic construction.

[0043] In preferred embodiment, the telescopic mechanism is essential feature of this apparatus. It is comprised of a hydraulic cylinder and a chain mechanism that work synchronously. When the cylinder stretches the first and second sections, it simultaneously stretches third section via the sprockets and chain. The invention is further explained with help of figures, said figures forming part of this description, as follows:

[0044] Figure 1 shows first section (1) showing parallel guide supports (19), sides (20).

[0045] Figure 2 shows second section (2) showing parallel guide supports (19), sides (20)..

[0046] Figure 3 shows third section (3) showing parallel guide supports (19), sides (20)..

[0047] Figure 4 shows the cross section of the invention.

[0048] Figure 5 shows the detail of the cross section showing first section (1), second section (2), and third section (3).

[0049] Figure 6 shows kinematic model of the extendable belt conveyer showing first section (1), second section (2), third section (3), hydraulic cylinder (4), lower chain sprocket (13.1), upper chain sprocket (13.2), chain attachment to third section (14), chain attachment to first section (15), chain (16), upper cylinder attachment point (17), lower cylinder attachment point (18).

[0050] Figure 7 shows extended view (I), partially collapsed view (II), top and bottom view (III), first section (1), second section (2), third section (3), hydraulic cylinder (4), hydraulic motor (5), chain drive (6), one-way protection mechanism (7) against material backtracking, upper roller (8), lower roller (9), hopper (10), extending mechanism (11), conveyer belt (12), upper cylinder attachment point (17), lower cylinder attachment point (18).

[0051] Figure 8 shows side view of collapsed extendable belt showing first section (1), second section (2), third section (3), upper roller (8), lower roller (9), the lower chain sprocket (13.1), upper chain sprocket (13.2), chain attachment to third section (14), chain attachment to first section (15), chain (16). In preferred embodiment, a hydraulic cylinder (4) is clamped with the cylinder in the lower point (18) of first section (1) and on the other hand with the piston clamped in the upper point (17) of the second (2). The hydraulic cylinder (4) itself ensures that second section (2) is pulled out of first section (1). Sections two (2) and three (3) are pulled out by a chain (16), which is attached to all three sections. The fixed point (15) is the engagement of the chain in first section (1), and the movable point (14) is the engagement of the chain in the third section (3). The chain sprockets (13.1 and 13.2) move together with second section (2) during the extension of sections one (1) and two (2). The engagement of third section (14) consequently moves along second section (2) and consequently pulls out third section (3).

[0052] In preferred embodiment said extendable conveyer belt is comprised of first section (1), said first section comprised of initial part having a trough comprised of a surface for supporting of said conveyer belt (12), as well as lower cylinder attachment point (18). Cylinder (4) is on one side attached to said first section (1), and on the other side to second section (2).

[0053] During extending phase said cylinder (4) is extended and pushes said second section (2) away from said first section (1). In so doing, chain (16) attached to chain sprockets (13.1, 13.2) starts moving and extends third section (3).

[0054] Figure 6 shows kinematics of this motion. Chain sprockets (13.1, 13.2) are attached to said second section (2), and chain is attached both to first section (1) in attachment point (15), and to third section (3) in attachment point (14).

[0055] Extendable conveyer in this preferred embodiment is comprised of first section (1), second section (2), third section (3), hydraulic cylinder (4), hydraulic motor (5), chain drive (6), one-way protection mechanism (7), upper roller (8), lower roller (9), hopper (10), extending mechanism (11), conveyer belt (12), lower chain sprocket (13.1), upper chain sprocket (13.2), chain attachment to third section (14), chain attachment to first section (15), chain (16), upper cylinder attachment point (17), lower cylinder attachment point (18).

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 29 May 2025 (29.05.2025)1. Extendable conveyer belt apparatus especially for agricultural and forestry application is comprised of first section, last section and at least one middle section, further comprising: Extendable conveyer belt apparatus especially for agricultural and forestry application is comprised of first section (1), last end section (3) and at least one middle section (2), further comprising:- first section (1) wherein said first section (1) is comprised of trough section comprised of at least one flat conveyer belt support, parallel guide supports, and sides;- last end section (3) wherein said last end section (3) is comprised of parallel guide supports, and sides;- driving means for extending and collapsing of said apparatus;- at least one middle section (2) wherein said at least one middle section (2) is comprised of parallel guide supports, and sides; characterized in that:- hydraulic driving means for manipulating said at least one middle section (2) either by extending or collapsing said middle section (2) away or toward from said first section;- chain driving means for manipulating said end section either by extending or collapsing said end section (3) away or toward from said at least one middle section (2);- wherein said at least one middle section (2) is attached to said end section (3) by said chain driving means in such a way that:■ (a) during expansion an end section (3) attachment point (14) moves away from said first section (1) while simultaneously a middle section (2) attachment point moves away from said end section (3), and (b) during retraction said end section (3) attachment point (14) moves toward said first section (1) while simultaneously said middle section (2) attachment point moves toward said end section (3), or■ (c) during expansion a middle section (2) attachment point moves away from said first section (1) while simultaneously a first section (1) attachment point (15) moves away from said end section (3), and (d)during retraction said middle section (2) attachment point moves toward said first section (1) while simultaneously said fist section (1) attachment point (15) moves toward said end section (3), or■ (e) during expansion an end section (3) attachment point (14) moves away from said first section (1) while simultaneously a first section (1) attachment point (15) moves away from said end section (3), and (d) during retraction said end section (3) attachment point (14) moves toward said first section (1) while simultaneously said first section (1) attachment point (15) moves toward said end section (3).

2. Extendable conveyer belt apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising said chain driving means comprised of chain sprockets and chain.

3. Extendable conveyer belt apparatus according to any of previous claims wherein said hydraulic means are positioned between any two of said sections.

4. Extendable conveyer belt apparatus according to any of previous claims further comprising said hydraulic driving means comprised of hydraulic cylinder, said hydraulic cylinder placed between both parallel guide supports.

5. Extendable conveyer belt apparatus according to any of previous claims further comprising said chain driving means on both sides of said conveyer belt.

6. Extendable conveyer belt apparatus according to any of previous claims further comprising said hydraulic driving means comprised of at least one hydraulic cylinder, wherein said hydraulic cylinder is placed on the outside of the frame.

7. Extendable conveyer belt apparatus according to any of previous claims further comprising said hydraulic driving means comprised of at least one hydraulic cylinder, wherein at least two hydraulic cylinders are used, placed on both sides of said conveyer belt.

8. Extendable conveyer belt apparatus according to any of previous claims wherein extended length is approximatelyLext=B+(N-l)*(B-D). where Lext is ideal extended length, B is frame length in its collapsed size, n is number of sections, and D is length of overlap.

9. Extendable conveyer belt apparatus according to any of previous claims comprised of first section (1), second section (2), third section (3), hydraulic cylinder (4), hydraulic motor (5), chain drive (6), one-way protection mechanism (7), upper roller (8), lower roller (9), hopper (10), extending mechanism (11), conveyer belt (12), lower chain sprocket (13.1), upper chain sprocket (13.2), chain attachment to third section (14), chain attachment to first section (15), chain (16), upper cylinder attachment point (17), lower cylinder attachment point (18).

10. Method of extending / collapsing an extendable conveyer belt comprising the following steps:- providing an extendable conveyer belt apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 9- extending hydraulic cylinder so at least one middle section moves away from said first section;- simultaneous movement of said chain driven by said movement of at least one middle section propelling next middle section, or end section if there is no next middle section until said extendable conveyer belt is extended to predetermined length.

11. Method of extending / collapsing an extendable conveyer belt comprising the following steps:- providing an extendable conveyer belt apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 9- retracting extended hydraulic cylinder so at least one middle section moves toward said first section;- simultaneous movement of said chain driven by said movement of at least one middle section propelling next middle section, or end section if there is no next middle section until said extendable conveyer belt is collapsed to predetermined length.

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