Conveying device

p0001The transport sector defines a transport plane, a drive for the transport element, and elements for centering the transport element. The transport device comprises a transport device which is guided over several deflecting elements and has a transport sector and a return sector.

p0002Such devices are used in various industrial fields. In particular in the fish processing industry, the transport devices according to the invention are used, for example, in connection with skinning machines. In this case, it is necessary to center the conveyor elements, which frequently move quickly around the deflecting elements, in their center in order to ensure a uniform and continuous operation.

p0003Devices are known which are equipped with lateral guide plates, kevlar bars or the like for centering the transport element. However, it has been found that, in particular, thin and flexible transport elements, such as conveyor belts, which run quickly over the deflecting elements, can not be guided permanently and reliably. Rather, the transport elements run laterally from the deflecting elements, in particular in such cases, if transverse forces occur, for example, by the action of machining tools. Other possibilities of centering, such as, for example, the inclination of rollers / rollers, keylist guides or rolling deflection elements, have also not produced the desired effect.

p0004From the <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="GB1370882A"><text>GB-A-1 370 882</text></patcit> A device is known in which elements for centering the transport element are formed with an inwardly directed shape.

p0005It is therefore the object of the present invention to improve a transport device of the initially mentioned type in that a reliable guidance or centering of the transport element during operation is ensured.

p0006This object is achieved by a transport device with the features of the preamble of the claim in that at least the deflection elements, which are arranged at opposite ends of the transport sector and are designed as fixed knife edges, are designed as elements for centering the transport element transversely to the transport direction T with an inwardly directed form. This configuration according to the invention of the deflecting elements at least in the region of the transport sector ensures that the transport element remains reliably in the desired track, in particular also at high running speeds. The recess, which extends outwardly from the edge of the deflecting elements and forms a kind of channel running in the transport direction, effectively prevents the edge from jumping on and the take-off of the transport element. The self-centering of the transport element is achieved in a particularly reliable manner with the inwardly formed knife edges.

p0007In a preferred development of the invention, the two deflecting elements are concave in the region of the transport sector. This form has proved to be particularly reliable during the centering of the transport element and is particularly simple to manufacture.

p0008Advantageously, the drive is designed as a so-called pinch drive. Due to the fact that the drive is effected by two rollers which are synchronized in their speed, the tension of the transport element is greatly reduced. At the output of the pinch drive the tension of the transport element is almost zero. This in turn leads to a reduction in the friction between the transport element and the deflecting elements. Furthermore, the effect mentioned has an effect on the service life of the transport element by extending the service life of the transport element. Due to the lower friction, different materials, in particular also plastics, can be used for the deflecting elements.

p0009In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the transport element is guided, in particular in the region of deflection or kinking points in the return sector, by further deflecting elements, which are designed as rollers and / or rods. Preferably, the deflecting elements are selectively fixed and / or movable in the region of the feedback sector, all the fixed deflecting elements being made concave and all movable deflecting elements being convex. With the distribution of further fixed and / or movable deflecting elements over the entire length of the transport element, the centering of the transport element is further supported and improved.

p0010Further preferred embodiments and advantageous features of the invention result from the subclaims and the description. A particularly preferred embodiment is explained in more detail with reference to the attached drawing. In the drawing: FIG.<dl id="dl0001"><dt>FIG</dt><dd>2 a schematic representation of the transport device with a pinch drive in a side view,</dd><dt>FIG</dt><dd>12 a top view of the transport device according to FIG <figref idrefs="f0001">FIG</figref> With concave knife edges, and</dd><dt>FIGS. 3a to 3c</dt><dd>Various embodiments of the construction of the deflecting elements in the region of the transport sector.</dd></dl>

p0011The transport device shown serves as a so-called center band or guide band in a skinning device for fish. Of course, the transport device can also be used universally in other areas.

p0012The transport device 10 according to FIG <figref idrefs="f0001">FIG</figref> Essentially comprises an endless transport element 11 which is guided over several deflecting elements 12, a drive 13 and elements 14 for centering the transport element 11 for a central run of the transport element 11 on the deflecting elements 12. The transport element 11 is advantageous as a thin and flexible transport belt 15 Is formed from a flexible material, such as rubber, polyurethane or the like, and has a transport sector 16 and a return sector 17. However, the conveyor belt 15 can also consist of other flexible materials with or without reinforcement of the fabric. The transport sector 16 is the area on which the products, in this case fish fillets, are transported. The transport sector 16 is preferably oriented horizontally and defines the actual transport plane E. The return sector 17 usually runs below the transport plane E.

p0013As already mentioned above, the conveyor belt 15 is guided by a plurality of deflecting elements 12. At least two of the deflecting elements 12, namely the deflecting elements 12a and 12b, are arranged in the region of the transport sector 16, namely at opposite ends of the transport sector 16. More precisely, the deflection elements 12a and 12b mentioned lie in the region of the inlet and the outlet of the transport device 10 Deflecting elements 12a and 12b in the region of the transport sector 16 are designed in such a way that they ensure a non-destructive transfer of the products conveyed in the transport direction T. The deflecting elements 12a, 12b have a shape which is formed or directed transversely to the direction of transport T. In other words, the deflecting elements 12a and 12b run downwards from the outside to the inside along their longitudinal extent so that the deflection elements 12a and 12b have the lowest point along the path between the two outer edges 21, As a result, the deflecting elements 12a and 12b serve as the element 14 for centering. In other words, the elements 14 for centering are integral components of the deflecting elements 12a and 12b.

p0014In the embodiment shown, the deflecting elements 12a and 12b are designed as knife edges 18 in the region of the transport sector 16. The knife edges 18 are fixed bodies with a radius in the region of the transition from the transport sector 16 to the return sector 17 and vice versa. In a further embodiment, which is not shown, the deflection elements 12a and 12b can also be other deflecting bodies or deflecting edges in the region of the transport sector 16. These usually deflected deflection bodies / deflecting edges have a maximum diameter of approximately 16 to 20 mm in the edge region 21, 22. The two deflecting elements 12a and 12b, that is, the knife edges 18, deflecting bodies or corresponding elements, are concave in the region of the transport sector 16 in such a way that the curvature is directed downwardly from the transport plane E downwards.

p0015From the <figref idrefs="f0003">FIGS. 3a to 3c</figref> Various embodiments of the deflecting elements 12a and 12b emerge, which are merely exemplary formations. The deflecting elements 12a, 12b can be designed with a curvature or linear bevels. In addition to a symmetrical training (<figref idrefs="f0003">FIGS. 3a and 3b</figref>), Asymmetrical shapes (<figref idrefs="f0003">FIG. 3c</figref>) Can be provided. Each deflecting element 12a, 12b preferably has the lowest point, however, centrally between the outer edges 21, 22.

p0016The deflection elements 12a and 12b can be made of different materials. A plastic construction is preferred. However, other, optionally uncoated or coated and / or hardened materials may also be used.

p0017The drive of the conveyor belt 15 can be effected by means of conventional belt drives with a single drive roller. In the described embodiment, the drive 13 is a pinch drive. In the crimping drive, the drive is effected by two rollers 19, 20, which are synchronized and moveable in their speed, the conveyor belt 15 being guided between these rollers 19, 20. At the output of the crimping drive, the tension of the conveyor belt 15 is thus almost zero. At least one of the rollers 19 is spring-loaded with a corresponding spring 23 against the other roller 20 for producing the crimped connection. Since this is a conventional crimping drive, a detailed description is omitted.

p0018In addition to the deflecting elements 12a and 12b, further deflecting elements 12 are provided in the further strip course, in particular in the recoil sector 17. These deflecting elements 12 are preferably arranged in the region of deflection or kinking positions of the transport belt 15. In the embodiment shown in FIG<figref idrefs="f0001">FIG</figref> Two additional deflecting elements 12 are arranged. However, the number of deflecting elements 12 is variable. A deflecting element 12c is designed so as to be movable, as a deflecting roller, from the deflecting elements 12 shown. The other deflection element 12d is a fixed deflecting rod. The or each movable deflection element 12c has a convex shape. Due to the movability of the deflecting element 12c, the spherical shape leads to a centering of the transport belt 15. The fixed deflecting element 12d, like the deflecting elements 12a and 12b, and all other possible fixed deflecting elements 12, is concave. Like the deflecting elements 12a and 12b, all further deflecting elements 12c and 12d can optionally also be formed from plastic or other materials.