Device and method for deflecting a conveyor chain and animal feed transport system

A method for deflecting a conveyor chain for transporting animal feed, the method comprising:

• providing a device for deflecting the conveyor chain comprising:
• a housing with a first housing opening and a second housing opening;
• and
• a deflection wheel adapted to guide and deflect a conveyor chain from the first housing opening of the housing to the second housing opening of the housing, wherein the deflection wheel is arranged within the housing between the first housing opening and the second housing opening, and wherein the deflection wheel is mounted rotatably about a vertical axis of rotation;
• wherein the deflection wheel has a first conveyor chain guide element which has a first conveyor chain guide section;
• wherein the deflection wheel has a second conveyor chain guide element which has a second conveyor chain guide section;
• wherein the first conveyor chain guide element and the second conveyor chain guide element are arranged at a predetermined distance from one another in the direction of the axis of rotation;
• and
• wherein the extension of the first conveyor chain guide element in the radially outward direction is at least four times greater than the extension of the second conveyor chain guide element in the radially outward direction;
• arranging the conveyor chain comprising a plurality of interconnected chain links within the housing so that the conveyor chain extends from the first housing opening to the second housing opening, wherein the conveyor chain is arranged along the deflection wheel at least in sections between the first conveyor chain element and the second conveyor chain element, and in between the first conveyor chain guide section and the second conveyor chain guide section;
• and
• moving the conveyor chain by means of a drive unit at a speed of at least 10 m/min and of at most 40 m/min.

A device for deflecting a conveyor chain for transporting animal feed, the device comprising:

• a housing with a first housing opening and a second housing opening;
• and
• a deflection wheel adapted to guide and deflect a conveyor chain from the first housing opening of the housing to the second housing opening of the housing, wherein the deflection wheel is arranged within the housing between the first housing opening and the second housing opening, and wherein the deflection wheel is mounted rotatably about a vertical axis of rotation;
• wherein the deflection wheel has a first conveyor chain guide element extending radially outwards from an outer circumference of the deflection wheel, wherein the first conveyor chain guide element has a first conveyor chain guide section, such that the first conveyor chain guide section is arranged on an underside of the first conveyor chain guide element;
• wherein the deflection wheel has a second conveyor chain guide element extending radially outwards from the outer circumference of the deflection wheel, wherein the second conveyor chain guide element has a second conveyor chain guide section, such that the second conveyor chain guide section is arranged on an upper side of the second conveyor chain guide element;
• wherein the first conveyor chain guide element and the second conveyor chain guide element are arranged at a predetermined distance from one another in the direction of the axis of rotation;
• wherein the extension of the first conveyor chain guide element in the radially outward direction is at least four times greater than the extension of the second conveyor chain guide element in the radially outward direction;
• and
• wherein the conveyor chain comprises a plurality of interconnected chain links and extends through the device and is disposed between the underside of the first conveyor chain guide element and the upper side of the second conveyor chain guide element.