Conveying device

The invention relates to a transport device, essentially comprising an endless transport element, which is guided by several reversing elements and has a transport section and a return section, the transport section defining the transport plane, the drive for the transport element and the elements for centering the transport element .

[0002] Such devices are used in various industries. In particular in the fish processing industry, such transport devices are used, for example, in conjunction with skinning machines. It is necessary to center the transport elements in their course, often quickly moving around the elements of direction change, to ensure uniform and uninterrupted operation.

[0003] Devices are known which are equipped with lateral guide plates, wedge strips or the like for centering the transport element. However, it turned out that, in particular, thin and flexible transport elements, such as conveyor belts, which quickly run along the elements of the change of direction, cannot be guided permanently and reliably. The transport elements even run on the sides of the direction change elements, in particular in cases where lateral forces occur, for example, by the action of machining tools. Other centering options, such as the skew of the rollers / rollers, wedge-shaped slides or rolling reversing elements, also did not lead to the desired result.

[0004] From GB-A-1 370 882 a device is known in which the means for centering the transport element are shaped with the shape directed inwards.

[0005] The object of the present invention is therefore to improve the transport device of the type indicated at the outset in such a way as to ensure reliable guidance or centering of the transport element during operation.

[0006] This task is solved by a transport device having the features according to the preamble of the claim in that at least the reversing elements arranged at opposite ends of the transport section, shaped as fixed knife edges, are shaped as elements for centering the transport element across to the direction of transport T with the shape directed inwards. By this means, according to the invention, the shape of the direction change elements, at least in the area of ​​the transport section, ensures that the transport element remains reliably on the desired track, in particular also at high running speeds. A recess running from the edge of the elements of the direction inwards, which forms a kind of trough running in the direction of transport, effectively prevents the edge of the transport element from jumping off and jumping off. The self-centering of the transport element is achieved in a particularly reliable manner with the aid of the inwardly shaped knife edges.

[0007] In a preferred improvement of the invention, both direction change elements are concave in the region of the transport section. This shape turned out to be particularly reliable when centering the transport element and particularly simple to make.

[0008] The drive is preferably shaped as a so-called compression drive. Due to the fact that the drive is implemented by two rollers synchronized in their speed, the tension of the transport element is significantly reduced. At the output of the compression drive, the tension of the transport element is almost zero. This in turn leads to the fact that the friction between the transport element and the direction change elements decreases. In addition, said effect has an effect on the durability of the transport element, extending the life of the transport element. Due to the lower friction, different materials can also be used for the reversing elements, in particular plastics.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the transport element, in particular in the area of ​​reversing points or bends in the return section, is guided around further reversing elements which are made as rollers / rods. Preferably, the reversing elements in the area of ​​the return section are optionally shaped as stationary and / or movable, all fixed reversing elements being shaped concave, and all movable reversing elements formed as convex. By arranging further fixed and / or movable reversing elements along the entire length of the transport element, the centering of the transport element is further assisted and improved.

[0010] Further preferred embodiments and preferred features of the invention follow from the dependent claims and the description. A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail based on the accompanying drawing. In the drawing, the individual figures show the following:

Fig. 1 schematic representation of a transport device with a compression drive in a side view,

Fig. 2 a top view of the transport device according to Fig. 1 with concave knife edges, and

Figs. 3a-3c, various embodiments of the reversing elements in the area of ​​the transport section.

[0011] The transport device shown serves as the so-called center belt or guide belt in the fish skinning device. Of course, the transport device can also be used universally in other areas.

[0012] The transport device 10 according to figure 1 basically comprises an endless transport element 11 which is guided by several direction change elements 12, drive 13 and elements 14 for centering the transport element 11 for the transport element 11 in the middle course of the direction change elements 12 The transport element 11 is formed as a preferably thin and flexible transport belt 15 for a flexible material, e.g. rubber, polyurethane or similar material, and has a transport section 16 and a return section 17. The transport belt 15 can, however, also be made of other flexible materials with or without fabric reinforcement. Transport section 16 is the area through which the products are transported, in this case fish fillets. The transport section 16 is preferably horizontally oriented and defines the correct transport plane E. Return section 17 usually runs under transport plane E.

[0013] As already mentioned above, the conveyor belt 15 is guided around several direction change elements 12. At least two direction change elements 12, namely direction change elements 12a and 12b, are arranged in the area of ​​transport section 16, namely at opposite ends of the section 16. More specifically, said direction change elements 12a and 12b lie in the area of ​​entry and exit of the transport device 10. The reversing elements 12a and 12b in the area of ​​the transport section 16 are shaped in such a way that they provide damage-free forwarding of products transported in the transport direction T. The reversing elements 12a, 12b have a shape which is shaped or directed across the direction of transport T inwards. In other words, the direction change elements 12a and 12b extend along their longitudinal dimension, each time falling from the outside inwards, so that the direction change elements 12a and 12b on the section between the two outer edges 21, 22 have the deepest point. In this way, the direction changing elements 12a and 12b serve as centering element 14. In other words, the centering elements 14 are an integral component of the direction changing elements 12a and 12b.

[0014] In the embodiment shown, the reversing elements 12a and 12b are in the area of ​​the transport section 16 shaped as knife edges 18. The knife edges 18 are stationary objects with a radius in the area of ​​the transition from transport section 16 to return section 17 and vice versa. In a further embodiment not shown, the direction change members 12a and 12b in the area of ​​the transport section 16 may also be other direction change objects and direction change edges. These usually stationary direction change objects / direction change edges have a maximum diameter of about 16 to 20 mm in the edge zone 21, 22. Both direction change elements 12a and 12b, i.e. knife edges 18, direction change objects or corresponding elements are in the region of transport section 16 shaped as concave, in such a way that the bulge from the transport plane E is similar to the bottom of the tub.

[0015] Figures 3a to 3c result in different configurations of the direction change elements 12a and 12b, in which case we are dealing here only with, for example, given shapes. The reversing elements 12a, 12b can be formed with bulges or linear bevels. In addition to the symmetrical configuration (figures 3a and 3b), asymmetrical shapes may also be provided (figure 3c). Preferably, however, each reversing element 12a, 12b has a lowest center point between the outer edges 21, 22.

[0016] The reversing elements 12a and 12b can also be made of different materials. Preferably made of plastic. Optionally, uncoated, or coated and / or hardened materials may be used.

[0017] The conveyor belt drive 15 may be implemented by conventional belt drives with one single drive roller. In the described embodiment, the drive 13 is a compression drive. In the case of a compression drive, the drive is implemented by two synchronized and movable rollers 19, 20, the conveyor belt 15 being guided between these rollers 19, 20. Therefore, at the output of the compression drive, the tension of the conveyor belt 15 is almost zero. At least one of the rollers 19 is pressed or pulled by a suitable spring 23 against or from the other roller 20 to form a compression connection. Because we are dealing here with conventional compression drive, the detailed description is omitted.

[0018] In addition to the reversing elements 12a and 12b in the further course of the belt, i.e. in particular on the return section 17, further reversing elements 12 are further provided. These reversing elements 12 are preferably arranged in the area of ​​the reversal or break points of the conveyor belt 15 In the embodiment shown in accordance with Figure 1, two additional direction change elements 12 are arranged. However, the number of direction change elements 12 is variable. Of the direction change elements 12 shown, one direction change element 12c is movably shaped, namely as a direction change roller. The second direction reversing element 12d is shaped as a fixed direction reversing rod. This or each movable reversing element 12c has a convex shape. Due to the mobility of the reversing element 12c, the barrel shape leads to the centering of the conveyor belt 15. The stationary reversing element 12d is shaped as concave, as are the reversing elements 12a and 12b and all other possible stationary reversing elements 12. As with the reversing elements 12a and 12b, all further reversing elements 12c and 12d can also be optionally made of plastic or other materials.

Nordischer Maschinenbau

Rud. Baader GmbH + Co.KG

Proxy:

49P23842PL00

EP 1 920 296 B1