DE102011112397B4 - Roller curve for chain conveyors with separate roller supports - Google Patents

Abstract

Curve (10) for a conveyor device with a conveyor chain, wherein the conveyor chain has a plurality of mutually identical, mutually pivotable chain links (80) which are provided with a driving means (82) for conveyed goods, wherein the curve (10) has a curve carrier (20) which is provided with at least one inner (11) and one outer sliding surface (13) which are curved and run parallel to one another, wherein the inner and outer sliding surfaces (11; 13) are designed for the sliding support of the chain links (80), wherein a row of rotatable rollers (72) is provided along the inner sliding surface so that the rollers (72) can support the chain links (80) on their inner curve side, wherein several separate roller carriers (50) are provided on which the rollers (72) are rotatably mounted, wherein the roller carriers (50) are arranged along the inner sliding surface (11) and fastened to the curve carrier (20), characterized in that the Curve carrier (20) comprises an inner (21) and an outer elongated curve profile (22), each of which has a substantially constant cross-sectional shape, wherein the inner sliding surface (11) is arranged on the inner curve profile (21) and the outer sliding surface (13) on the outer curve profile (22), wherein the roller carriers (50) are arranged between the inner and the outer curve profile (21; 22), wherein the roller carriers (50) are provided with a plurality of rotatable rollers (72) whose axis of rotation runs perpendicular to the inner or outer sliding surface (11; 13), wherein the curve carrier (20) comprises a plurality of separate cross connectors (30) which firmly connect the inner and the outer curve profile (21; 22) to one another, wherein the roller carriers (50) are held by two adjacent cross connectors (30).

Description

The invention relates to a curve for a conveyor device according to the preamble of claim 1.

From the EP 1 054 825 B1 A curve for a conveyor is known. According to the 2 the EP 1 054 825 B1 the curve comprises a conveyor chain that is movably guided by a curve carrier. The conveyor chain consists of a large number of identical chain links 16 that are pivotally connected to one another at joints 11. The chain links are provided with a driving means in the form of a flat plate that can frictionally drive the material being conveyed. Instead of the flat plate, drivers, slats or brushes that protrude perpendicularly from the chain link are also known. The curve carrier is made in one piece in the form of an extruded aluminum profile. It therefore has a constant cross-sectional profile. The curve carrier, which is straight after extrusion, is bent into a shape corresponding to the curve in a separate bending process.

The curve carrier has an inner and an outer sliding surface that run in one plane, are curved and arranged parallel to one another. The chain links rest on the sliding surfaces mentioned with their flat plate. A series of rotating rollers is provided along the inner sliding surface, the axes of rotation of which are aligned perpendicular to the sliding surfaces. The chain links are pressed against the rollers by the chain tension, so that their inner side of the curve is supported on the rollers with little friction.

The disadvantage of the known curve is the complex installation of the rollers in the curve carrier. The aim of the present invention is to provide a curve that can be manufactured more easily. As many identical components as possible should be used for different curve radii and curve angles, and their final assembly to form the finished curve takes only a short time.

According to the independent claim, this object is achieved in that several separate roller supports are provided on which the rollers are rotatably mounted, whereby the roller supports are arranged along the inner sliding surface and are attached to the curve support. The separate roller supports with the rotatable rollers can be designed in the same way for different curve angles and curve radii. The curve angle can be varied by the number of roller supports. Since the individual roller supports are short and the curve radius is large, one and the same roller support can be used for different curve radii. The resulting errors regarding the positional deviation of the rollers from the ideal position are easily compensated for by the pivotably connected chain links.

The roller supports with the rotating rollers can be pre-assembled and stored at a reasonable cost. In the case of a customer order for a specific curve with a certain radius and a certain curve angle, the pre-assembled parts can be assembled into the finished curve quickly and with little effort.

Advantageous further developments and improvements of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

At least some of the roller supports, preferably all of the roller supports, including the associated rotating rollers, can be designed identically to one another. The roller supports with the rollers can thus be mass-produced at low cost. Since only one or a few variants of roller supports are required, these can be stocked with little effort.

The curve support can comprise an inner and an outer elongated curve profile, each of which has a substantially constant cross-sectional shape, the inner sliding surface being arranged on the inner curve profile and the outer sliding surface on the outer curve profile, the roller supports being arranged between the inner and outer curve profiles. The inner and outer curve profiles can be designed with the same cross-sectional shape for all curve radii. In addition, identical curve profiles can also be used for different widths of the curve support or conveyor chains. The curve profiles are preferably made from aluminum using an extrusion process and are therefore straight in their raw state. The curve profiles are only bent to the desired curve radius when a customer order for a curve with specific dimensions is received, so that storage costs are low. The proposed curve profiles can be bent with low bending forces because they are only narrow. There is enough space between the curve profiles to accommodate the roller supports.

The curve support can comprise several separate cross connectors which firmly connect the inner and outer curve profiles, with the roller supports being held by two adjacent cross connectors. Curve supports of different widths can be made from identical curve profiles, whereby only Cross connectors of different lengths are used. The roller supports for all different widths of the curve support are preferably identical. The width of the roller supports must therefore be aligned with the curve support with the smallest width. With wider curve supports, there is therefore a gap between the roller supports and the curve profiles. However, this is not a problem if the roller supports are attached to the cross connectors.

The roller supports can have two pins which point towards the cross connectors, wherein the pins of two adjacent roller supports assigned to a cross connector engage next to one another in the cross connector transversely to their direction of extension. The pins are preferably arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the center of the roller support. The corresponding cross connectors are made, for example, from aluminum using an extrusion process, so that they can be provided with pin recesses with little effort. The pin recesses are adapted to the pins mentioned, so that the roller supports are held by the cross connectors essentially without play. Due to the proposed arrangement of the pins, the pin recesses can be arranged next to one another on the cross connector, so that the cross connector has a small width. Consequently, the distance between two roller supports and thus the area in which no rotatable rollers can be arranged is small.

At least one separate sliding profile made of plastic can be provided, on which a central sliding surface is provided, the sliding profile extending over several roller supports and being attached to them. In the case of particularly wide chain links, the support provided by the inner and outer sliding surfaces is not sufficient to prevent the chain links, in particular the driving means in the form of a flat plate, from sagging. It is therefore necessary to additionally support the chain links in the middle. A corresponding central sliding surface can be formed particularly inexpensively on the proposed sliding profile. The sliding profile is made of plastic so that the friction forces between the central sliding surface and the chain link are low. It is preferably manufactured using an extrusion process so that the manufacturing costs are low. The sliding profile extends over several roller supports so that the central sliding surface can be designed without interruption. The central sliding surface therefore has no steps or gaps on which the chain links could get caught.

The inner and outer sliding surfaces can each be provided with a separate sliding profile, which is designed in the same way as the sliding profile of the middle sliding surface. The inner and outer sliding surfaces are therefore also made of plastic, which is why there is also little friction between the chain links and the sliding surface. The corresponding sliding profiles are designed identically to the middle sliding profile so that the variety of parts in the curve is low, which is why the storage costs for the individual parts are also low.

The rollers can be designed in the form of radial ball bearings. In particular, the idea is to have the outer ring of the ball bearings run directly on the chain links, which are preferably made of plastic. Such rollers have a particularly low frictional resistance and are very durable. They are also cost-effective. The rolling pair of steel on plastic is also less susceptible to wear.

Two rows of rollers can be provided, which are arranged opposite one another on the curve support, with two opposing rollers each being carried by a common axis, with the axis being held by the roller supports. The conveyor chain is usually endless, with a section of the conveyor chain being guided on both the top and the opposite bottom of the curve support so that it can rotate endlessly. Accordingly, the rotating rollers are also provided on the bottom of the curve support. A particularly cost-effective way of fastening the rollers is to fasten them in pairs on a common axis, as suggested.

The roller supports can be designed in the form of a cast part, preferably as a plastic injection-molded part, as an aluminum die-cast part or as a zinc die-cast part. In the casting process, complex-shaped parts can be produced cost-effectively and close to the final shape. However, this requires that a large number of identical parts are produced, as is the case with the roller supports according to the invention. Only the use of several separate, identical roller supports results in the necessary high number of pieces that is required for cost-effective production in the casting process. With the preferred manufacturing processes, roller supports can be produced that can essentially be used without further post-processing.

• 1 eine perspektivische Ansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Kurve;
• 2 eine Explosionsansicht eines Teils der Kurve nach 1;
• 3 eine Explosionsansicht eines Kettenglieds der Förderkette;
• 4 einen Teilquerschnitt der Kurve, wobei die Schnittebene durch den Bolzen eines Kettenglieds verläuft; und
• 5 eine perspektivische Ansicht des Rollenträgers.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It shows:

• 1 a perspective view of a curve according to the invention;
• 2 an exploded view of part of the curve after 1 ;
• 3 an exploded view of a chain link of the conveyor chain;
• 4 a partial cross-section of the curve, the cutting plane passing through the pin of a chain link; and
• 5 a perspective view of the roller carrier.

1 shows a perspective view of a curve 10 according to the invention. The curve 10 comprises a curve support 20, which consists of an inner curve profile 21, an outer curve profile 22 and several cross connectors 30. The inner and outer curve profiles 21; 22 are each made of aluminum using an extrusion process, so that they have a constant cross-sectional shape over their entire length. After extrusion, the inner and outer curve profiles 21; 22 were bent in a circle so that they have the desired curve. The aforementioned curve profiles 21; 22 are firmly connected to one another by a total of seven cross connectors 30, with the cross connectors 30 being arranged at an angular distance of 15°. The present curve therefore has a curve angle of 90°. A roller support 50 with rotatable rollers 72 is attached between two adjacent cross connectors 30, with all roller supports 50 being identical.

Three sliding profiles are provided on the curve carrier, which form an inner 11, a middle 12 and an outer sliding surface 13. The sliding profiles mentioned have an identical, constant cross-sectional shape and are made of plastic using an extrusion process. The sliding profile with the inner flat sliding surface 11 is snapped onto the inner curve profile 21. The sliding profile with the flat outer sliding surface 13 is snapped onto the outer curve profile 22, with the inner and outer sliding surfaces 11; 13 being in one plane. The sliding profile with the flat middle sliding surface 12 is snapped onto the roller carriers 50, extending over all six roller carriers 50 of the present curve 10.

The chain links 80 of the conveyor chain slide on the sliding surfaces 11; 12; 13, which are curved and run parallel to each other. 1 For the sake of clarity, only a single chain link 80 is shown, although the conveyor chain has a plurality of identical chain links 80 that are pivotally connected to one another. The roller supports 50 are provided with a plurality of rotatable rollers 72, the axis of rotation of which runs perpendicular to the inner or outer sliding surface 11; 13. The rollers 72 rest on the inside of the curve of the chain links 80 and support them against the chain tensile force, so that the conveyor chain can run through the curve 10 with little friction.

At the ends of the inner and outer curve profiles 21; 22, a separate, plate-like connecting rod 26 is provided, which engages in an adapted recess on the associated curve profile 21; 22. The connecting rods 26 can be used to connect the curve profiles to straight profiles (not shown) in order to continue the conveyor line in a straight line. The straight profiles have the same cross-sectional shape as the associated curve profiles 21; 22.

The cam carrier 20 with the roller carriers 50 is essentially mirror-symmetrical with respect to a plane that runs parallel to the inner or outer sliding surface 11; 13 through the middle of the cam carrier.

2 shows an exploded view of a part of curve 10 according to 1 . The cross connectors 30, which are identical to one another, each comprise a base part 31 and two clamping parts 33, which are connected to the base part 31 via screw bolts 34. The base part 31 is made of aluminum using an extrusion process so that it has a constant cross-sectional shape. The base part 31 is formed by a short section of the long tube profile. The clamping parts 33 can be made in the same way.

A dovetail-shaped extension 24 is provided on each of the inner and outer curve profiles 21; 22, which is gripped behind by the base part 31 with an associated clamping part 33. This assembly is clamped with the screw bolts 34 so that the cross connector 30 is firmly connected to the associated curve profiles 21; 22. The base part 31 is elongated overall, extending in the radial direction with respect to the center of the curve. It comprises two rectangular pin recesses 32 in the form of openings that are arranged next to one another. The pin recesses 32 are adapted to the pins 60 of the roller supports 50 essentially without play. The pins 60 at the opposite ends of the roller support 50 are arranged so that they each engage in a different pin recess 32 of the cross connector 30 so that all roller supports 50 can be designed identically. The pins 60 extend essentially over the entire width of the associated cross connector 80 and, viewed in cross section, are double-T-shaped.

The roller carrier 50 is formed in one piece, for example made of aluminum in Die-casting is used. The roller carrier 50 is designed in such a way that it does not need to be reworked after the casting process. For example, four parallel axle holes 58 are arranged at a constant distance in the roller carrier 50, with the axle holes 58 being aligned perpendicular to the inner 11 and outer sliding surface 13. The axle holes 58 are arranged on a circular arc that follows the curve. Each axle hole accommodates a circular cylindrical axle 70 made of steel that projects beyond the roller carrier 50 at both ends. In the middle of the axle 70 there is a circumferential locking groove 71 that engages in an adapted locking projection in the axle hole 58 so that the position of the axle 70 on the roller carrier 50 is positively fixed. A radial ball bearing is pressed onto each of the two projecting ends of the axles, forming a roller 72 on which the conveyor chain is supported on its inside curve. The outer ring of the ball bearing 72 runs directly on the plastic chain links. To reduce noise, the outer ring can also be provided with a plastic rolling surface that rolls on the chain links. The ball bearing 72 is preferably sealed and provided with grease lubrication.

3 shows an exploded view of a chain link 80 of the conveyor chain. The chain link 80 comprises a base body 90, a driving means 82 and a bolt 81. The driving means 82 is designed in the form of a flat plate on which the conveyed material rests and can be carried along by friction. The separate flat plate is locked to the base body 90 of the chain link via locking hooks 85 projecting vertically from it.

The one-piece base body 90 comprises two parallel fork arms 91 and a joint section 94. The joint section 95 of an adjacent identical chain link is accommodated between the fork arms 91. The circular cylindrical bolt 81 made of steel is held by L-shaped bolt recesses 92 and passes through the bolt opening 95 in the joint section 94 of the adjacent chain link. The bolt opening 95 is provided with a narrowest cross-section in the middle, which widens towards the edge, so that the bolt can be pivoted in the bolt opening 95, so that two adjacent chain links 80 can be pivoted relative to each other with respect to two axes of rotation.

The L-shaped bolt recesses 92 are closed by the separate flat plate 82 when it is locked to the base body 90. An L-shaped guide tab 84 is provided on each of the two edges of the flat plate 82, which, together with the flat plate 82, encompasses an associated sliding profile on the curve carrier. The underside 83 of the flat plate 82 rests on the sliding surface of the associated sliding profile.

Attention should also be drawn to the roller support surface 93 on the outside of the fork arms 91. The roller support surface 93 is formed essentially perpendicular to the flat plate 82, whereby it is EP 1 054 825 B1 can have a concave curvature that is adapted to the curve radius. The rollers (No. 30; 1 ) with their cylindrical outer rings. Since the bolt recesses 92 do not penetrate the fork arms 91, they do not interfere with the running of the rollers.

4 shows a partial cross-section of the curve, the cutting plane running through the bolt 81 of a chain link 80. The cross-sectional profile of the sliding profiles 40 with the outer 13 and the middle sliding surface 12 can be seen. The cross-sectional shape of the sliding profiles is designed to fill the free space between the L-shaped guide plate 84 and the flat plate 82 of the chain link 80 with little play, so that the chain link 80 is guided exclusively by the plastic sliding profiles 40. The cross-sectional shape of the sliding profiles 40 is essentially S-shaped for this purpose, with all legs of the S-shape being straight, running either horizontally or vertically. A first leg 41 with a locking lug 44 forms the flat outer sliding surface 13 on its outside, with its inside resting on a horizontal web 23 of the outer curve profile 22. The parallel opposite second leg 42 of the sliding profile 50 rests on the other side of the horizontal web 23, with the locking lug 44 engaging in a bevel on the horizontal web 23. The sliding profile 40 is thus held positively and without play on the outer curved profile 22.

The middle sliding surface 12 is provided on a third leg 43 of the sliding profile 40, which connects the first leg 41 to the second leg 42. The middle sliding surface 12 supports the chain link 80 in the area of a fork arm 91. The corresponding sliding profile 40 is locked to the various roller supports of the curve with a vertical web 51. For this purpose, the vertical webs have a locking recess 53, which is adapted to the locking lug 44 of the sliding profile 40.

The inner sliding surface is mirror-symmetrical to the outer sliding surface 13, so that in this regard reference can be made to the above statements regarding the outer sliding surface 13.

5 shows a perspective view of the roller carrier 50. The roller carrier 50 comprises a first 51 and a second vertical web 52, each of which is designed in the form of a thin plate that is bent in a circle according to the curve. The distance between the first and second vertical webs 51; 52 corresponds to the distance between the fork arms of the chain link, so that a sliding profile can be placed on both vertical webs to support the chain links if required. A total of four essentially cylindrical bearing sections 57 are also provided, in the middle of which the axle hole 58 is provided for receiving the axle of the rollers. The bearing sections 57 are connected to one another with a stiffening plate 59. A number of V-shaped struts 54 are also provided, which connect the first and second webs 51; 52 and the bearing sections 57 to one another. The two end struts 55 at the opposite ends of the roller support 50 run at right angles to the first and second vertical webs 51; 52. The front surface 56 of the roller support 50 is flat so that it can rest against the cross connectors. The already mentioned pins 60 are arranged in the area of the end struts 55. The pins 60 are double-T-shaped when viewed in cross section and extend parallel to the first and second vertical webs 51; 52.

list of reference symbols

10

curve

11

inner sliding surface

12

middle sliding surface

13

outer sliding surface

20

curve carrier

21

inner curve profile

22

outer curve profile

23

horizontal bridge

24

dovetail-shaped projection

26

connecting rod

30

cross connectors

31

base part

32

tenon recess

33

clamping part

34

screw bolts

40

sliding profile

41

first leg

42

second leg

43

third leg

44

locking lug

50

roller carrier

51

first vertical bridge

52

second vertical bridge

53

recess

54

strut

55

end strut

56

frontal surface

57

storage section

58

axle hole

59

stiffening plate

60

cones

70

axis

71

locking groove

72

role

80

chain link

81

bolt

82

carrier or flat plate

83

bottom

84

guide tab

85

locking hook

90

base body

91

fork arm

92

bolt recess

93

roller contact surface

94

joint section

95

bolt breakthrough

Claims (8)

Curve (10) for a conveyor device with a conveyor chain, wherein the conveyor chain has a plurality of mutually identical chain links (80) which can be pivoted relative to one another and which are provided with a driving means (82) for conveyed goods, wherein the curve (10) has a curve carrier (20) which is provided with at least one inner (11) and one outer sliding surface (13) which are curved and run parallel to one another, wherein the inner and outer sliding surfaces (11; 13) are designed to slidably support the chain links (80), wherein a row of rotatable rollers (72) is provided along the inner sliding surface so that the rollers (72) can support the chain links (80) on their inner curve side, wherein several separate roller carriers (50) are provided on which the rollers (72) are rotatably mounted. are arranged, wherein the roller supports (50) are arranged along the inner sliding surface (11) and are fastened to the curve support (20), characterized in that the curve support (20) comprises an inner (21) and an outer elongated curve profile (22), each of which has a substantially constant cross-sectional shape, wherein the inner sliding surface (11) is arranged on the inner curve profile (21) and the outer sliding surface (13) on the outer curve profile (22), wherein the roller supports (50) are arranged between the inner and the outer curve profile (21; 22), wherein the roller supports (50) are provided with a plurality of rotatable rollers (72), the axis of rotation of which runs perpendicular to the inner or outer sliding surface (11; 13), wherein the curve support (20) comprises a plurality of separate cross connectors (30) which firmly connect the inner and the outer curve profile (21; 22) to one another, wherein the roller supports (50) of two adjacent cross connectors (30). curve after claim 1 , characterized in that at least some of the roller supports (50), preferably all roller supports (50), including the associated rotatable rollers (72), are designed identically to one another. Curve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the curve carrier (20) comprises several separate cross connectors (30) which firmly connect the inner and the outer curve profile (21; 22) to one another, wherein the roller carriers (50) are held by two adjacent cross connectors (30). Curve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one separate sliding profile (40) made of plastic is provided, on which a central sliding surface (12) is provided, wherein the sliding profile (40) extends over several roller supports (50) and is fastened to these. curve after claim 4 , characterized in that the inner and the outer sliding surface (11; 13) are each provided on a separate sliding profile (40) which is designed identically to the sliding profile (40) of the middle sliding surface (12). Curve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rollers (72) are designed in the form of radial deep groove ball bearings. Curve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two rows of rollers (72) are provided, which are arranged opposite one another on the curve carrier (20), wherein two opposing rollers (72) are each carried by a common axis (70), wherein the axis (70) is held by the roller carriers (50). Curve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the roller supports (50) are designed in the form of a cast part, preferably as a plastic injection-molded part, as an aluminum die-cast part or as a zinc die-cast part.

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