Belt conveyor

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of endless conveying apparatus. The proposed belt conveyor contains a drive and a support unit comprising two traction elements, for example a cable, endlessly looped around pulleys, and a carrier element (for example a belt / straps / rigid slats) fastened to said traction elements and forming a trough. According to the proposed invention, the conveyor is equipped with a conveyor belt made of a flexible material and with at least one device for straightening out the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt straightening device and the support unit are mounted in succession, and the conveyor belt is configured as an endless loop and encompasses the carrier element of the support unit and the conveyor belt straightening device.

Description

[0001] Name of the invention

[0002] BELT CONVEYOR

[0003] Field of technology

[0004] The invention relates to continuous transport machines, namely to belt conveyors designed for transporting bulk and piece goods.

[0005] Prior art

[0006] A belt conveyor is known (Modeling of work processes and design of multi-drive belt conveyors: monograph / A. V. Lagerev, E. N. Tolkachev, K. A. Goncharov. - BRYANSK: RIO BSU, 2017. - 384 p., pp. 22-23), containing a load-bearing belt lying freely on a traction chain. The traction chain is equipped with support platforms on which the rubberized belt freely rests. The grooved shape of the belt is given by roller supports, in which the middle roller is absent and the traction chain passes instead. Moving on rollers along guide tracks.

[0007] This belt conveyor has a large number of roller-shaped, friction-bearing components, spaced up to half a meter apart, that support the belt. These components significantly increase the load on the drive motor, reducing the conveyor's efficiency and performance. During movement, the belt with the load rests either on the rollers or between them. As it rises and falls, significant vibration occurs, which sways the load and contributes to its spillage, especially when the belt is moving at high speeds. Therefore, belt conveyors limit the load's speed and do not fully load the belt. All of this significantly reduces efficiency and is a key drawback of these conveyors. Furthermore, this design requires a high metal content and is difficult to install.

[0008] The closest approach to the proposed conveyor in terms of its technical essence and essential features is a belt conveyor comprising an endlessly closed carrier belt and two endlessly closed pulley pulleys (RU Patent No. 2798608, IPC B65G 17 / 02, published June 23, 2023, Bulletin No. 18). The carrier belt is attached to the pulleys via hangers; the width of the carrier belt is greater than the distance between the opposite attachment points of the carrier belt to the hangers.

[0009] A disadvantage of this conveyor is the deformation of the carrier belt, which moves with a deflection. This deformation occurs when the belt turns and passes through the pulleys during unloading, due to the belt traveling different distances in its cross-section (where the middle section, closer to the pulley axis, travels the shortest distance, while the distance increases toward the edges) and additional compression under the load. This significantly reduces its service life, and belt replacement requires disconnecting and then reconnecting all fasteners, which increases replacement time and, consequently, costs.

[0010] The essence of the invention

[0011] The objective (technical result) of the proposed invention is to increase the service life of the conveyor.

[0012] The technical problem posed is solved by the proposed belt conveyor comprising a drive and a support unit comprising two pulley-mounted, infinitely closed traction elements, such as cables, and a supporting element (e.g., belts / rigid slats) secured to the pulling elements, forming a trough. According to the proposed invention, the conveyor is equipped with a flexible conveying belt and at least one conveying belt straightening device. The conveying belt straightening device and the support unit are mounted in series, and the conveying belt is infinitely closed and encloses the supporting element of the support unit and the conveying belt straightening device.

[0013] Equipping the conveyor with a conveyor belt straightening device ensures unloading / loading of the transported material by eliminating the deflection of the conveyor belt, while the conveyor belt is straightened without deformation that accelerates its wear.

[0014] Equipping the conveyor with a conveyor belt that encircles the supporting block's load-bearing element and a conveyor belt straightening device ensures that the conveyor belt can be straightened on the straightening device without deformation. Furthermore, the conveyor belt is easily and quickly replaced due to the absence of any components or fasteners.

[0015] The supporting element can be made in the form of an infinitely closed tape, the width of which is greater than the distance between the pulling elements.

[0016] The supporting element can be made in the form of separate supporting elements attached to the pulling elements, the length of which is greater than the distance between the pulling elements.

[0017] The supporting element can be made in the form of rigid lamellas, which give the conveyor belt a trough-like shape.

[0018] The conveyor belt straightening device may be designed as at least one drum. The conveyor belt straightening device may be designed as an elongated element with rollers mounted on its surface that contacts the conveyor belt.

[0019] Conveyor drive connection options:

[0020] - The drive can be connected to a conveyor belt straightening device. This option is advisable when using a highly durable conveyor belt, as it then also serves as a traction device.

[0021] - The drive can be connected to at least two pulleys of the support block. In this case, the demands on the conveyor belt are not as high, since it is the driven one.

[0022] - The drive can be connected to the conveyor belt straightening device and at least two pulleys of the support block. Universal version, suitable for any conveyor belt.

[0023] The greater the number of connected drives, the longer the conveyor can be and the greater its productivity. Drives distributed along the route will be equipped with smaller unit capacities, and if one of them fails, the conveyor will continue to operate, which will eliminate process interruptions.

[0024] The distance between the outer edge of the outer pulley of the support block and the outer edge of the conveyor belt straightening device can be determined using the formula: L ≥ ½ h, where L is the distance between the outer edge of the outer pulley of the support block and the outer edge of the straightening device, and h is the width of the conveyor belt. This arrangement ensures smooth belt straightening and prevents critical deformations. Brief description of the drawings

[0025] The proposed invention is explained with illustrative materials, where Fig. 1 shows the claimed conveyor with a supporting element in the form of an infinitely closed belt; Figs. 2 and 3 show a section of Fig. 1 along 1-1 and 2-2, respectively.

[0026] Implementation of the invention

[0027] The proposed conveyor comprises a drive, at least one supporting unit 1, which includes two pulling elements 3 infinitely closed on pulleys or drums 2, a supporting element 4, which is attached to the pulling elements 3, forming a trough. The supporting element can be attached to the pulling elements rigidly or movably. The conveyor is equipped with a transport belt 5 and at least one device for straightening the transport belt 6; the device for straightening the transport belt 6 and the supporting unit 1 are installed in series, and the transport belt 5 is made infinitely closed and embraces the supporting element of the supporting unit 1 and the device for straightening the transport belt 6.

[0028] The conveyor can be designed in the form of several sequentially installed support blocks and devices for straightening the conveyor belt.

[0029] The conveyor works as follows.

[0030] The supporting element 4 of the supporting block 1 forms a trough. The conveying belt 5, which encircles the supporting element 4, adjoins the supporting element 4, attempting to replicate its shape. The load is placed in the resulting trough on the upper portion of the conveying belt 5. The drive rotates the pulleys / drums 2, which set in motion the pulling elements 3. Under the action of friction, the conveying belt 5 moves in the same direction as the supporting element 4. Upon approaching the conveying belt straightening device 6, the conveying belt 5 gradually transforms from a trough-shaped form to a flat one. The load placed on the conveying belt 5 is then unloaded.

[0031] When a conveyor is equipped with a robust traction conveyor belt (which places increased demands on the belt) and a drive connected to a conveyor belt straightening device, the support block merely supports the conveyor belt and troughs it into a trough shape. However, when the support block is equipped with a drive, it also performs traction functions (which can reduce the demands on the belt itself). The option with combined drives is optimal for most conveyor applications.

[0032] Making the distance between the outer edge 7 of the outer pulley of the supporting block 1 and the outer edge 8 of the device for straightening the conveying belt 5 not less than ½ h ensures smooth straightening of the conveying belt 5.

[0033] Industrial applicability

[0034] The industrial applicability of the claimed device is confirmed by the tests carried out.

[0035] A model of a conveyor with two drum-shaped straightening devices, with a supporting block installed between them, operates as follows.

[0036] The carrier belt of the supporting block sags under its own weight, forming a trough. The straightening device is designed as a drum mounted on a support. At the outer edges, in the area of ​​the straightening device, the belt is flat. As it approaches the supporting block, the conveyor belt, which encircles the carrier belt, adheres to the carrier belt, attempting to follow its shape. A load is placed in a trough on top of the conveyor belt. The drive rotates pulleys, which drive the pulling elements. Under the action of friction, the conveyor belt moves in the same direction as the supporting element (the carrier belt). Since the conveyor belt is infinitely closed, when its loaded upper section moves forward, the lower section moves in the opposite direction.The conveyor belt, after leaving the supporting block to the straightening device, is gradually straightened from a trough-shaped form into a flat one and the load placed on the conveyor belt is unloaded onto the drum.

[0037] As it continues to move, the return leg of the conveyor belt moves without forming a groove, entering the second drum, where its flat shape is further stabilized by the drum's shape. The return leg then becomes the upper leg. As it approaches the supporting block, the conveyor belt gradually begins to groove, attempting to match the shape of the carrier belt. If necessary, load is again placed in the groove on the upper portion of the conveyor belt. The process then repeats.

[0038] A conveyor model with a single straightening device, designed as an elongated element with rollers mounted on its plane, contacting the conveyor belt, operates as follows. The carrier belt of the supporting block sags under its own weight and forms a trough, while the conveyor belt at the outer edges of the straightening device is flat. A load is placed in the trough on top of the conveyor belt. The drive rotates pulleys, which drive the pulling elements. Under the action of friction, the conveyor belt moves in the same direction as the carrier belt. As the conveyor belt leaves the supporting block, it gradually loses the trough shape of the carrier belt encircling it from below on this block. Upon leaving the supporting block, the conveyor belt enters an elongated element with rollers mounted on its plane, which provides support and guides the conveyor belt from the block to the discharge area.

[0039] After the conveyor belt has fully straightened, unloading begins, occurring at the outer edge of the elongated element. Since the conveyor belt is infinitely closed, as its loaded upper branch moves forward, the return lower branch will move in the opposite direction. After exiting the support block and entering the straightening device, the conveyor belt gradually straightens from a trough-shaped form to a flat one, and the load placed on the conveyor belt is unloaded at the outer edge of the elongated element. As the belt continues to move, the return branch of the conveyor belt moves and once again becomes the upper branch.

[0040] If necessary, the load is again placed in the trough at the top of the conveyor belt. The process is then repeated.

Claims

CLAUSES OF THE INVENTION Item 1. A belt conveyor comprising a drive, at least one supporting block which includes two pulling elements infinitely closed on pulleys, a supporting element which is attached to the pulling elements, characterized in that it is provided with a transport belt and at least one device for straightening the transport belt; the device for straightening the transport belt and the supporting block are installed in series, and the transport belt is made of a flexible material infinitely closed and embraces the supporting element of the supporting block and the device for straightening the transport belt, wherein the supporting element is designed so as to give the transport belt a trough-like shape. Item 2. A belt conveyor according to item 1, characterized in that the supporting element is made in the form of an infinitely closed belt, the width of which is greater than the distance between the pulling elements. Item 3. A belt conveyor according to item 1, characterized in that the supporting element is made in the form of separate supporting elements secured to pulling elements, the length of which is greater than the distance between the pulling elements. Item 4. A belt conveyor according to item 1, characterized in that the supporting element is made in the form of rigid lamellas that give the conveying belt a trough-like shape. Item 5. A belt conveyor according to any of items 1 or 2 or 3 or 4, characterized in that the device for straightening the conveying belt is made in the form of at least one drum. Item 6. A belt conveyor according to any of items 1 or 2 or 3 or 4, characterized in that the device for straightening the conveying belt is made in the form of an elongated element with rollers mounted on its plane, which is in contact with the conveying belt. Item 8. A belt conveyor according to any of items 1 or 2 or 3 or 4, characterized in that the drive is connected to a device for straightening the conveyor belt. Item 9. A belt conveyor according to any of items 1 or 2 or 3 or 4, characterized in that the drive is connected to at least two pulleys of the supporting device. Item 10. A belt conveyor according to any of items 1 or 2 or 3 or 4, characterized in that the drive is connected to a device for straightening the conveying belt and, at least, to two pulleys of the supporting device. Item 11. A belt conveyor according to any of items 1 or 2 or 3 or 4, characterized in that the distance between the outer edge of the outer pulley of the supporting block and the outer edge of the conveyor belt straightening device is determined by the formula: L ≥ ½ h. where is the distance between the outer edge of the outer pulley of the supporting block and the outer edge of the conveyor belt straightening device, h is the width of the conveyor belt.

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