Modular roller conveyor
AssigneeTransnorm System GmbH
InventorHorst-Dieter Almes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A roller conveyor is assembled of several identical modules disposed end to end to define an elongated path for discrete commodities. Each module has a set of parallel idler rollers, an endless flexible belt with an upper reach in contact with the undersides of the rollers of the respective set, an electric motor which drives the belt, and a carrier and pad assembly which biases the upper reach of the belt against the adjacent rollers. The motors can be individually started and arrested in response to signals from photoelectronic detectors which are located above the downstream ends of successive modules and monitor the degree of occupancy of the respective modules.
Claims18
A roller conveyor for advancement of discrete commodities in a predetermined direction along a predetermined path, comprising a plurality of successive conveying units including a first conveying unit adjacent a first portion of said path and a second conveying unit adjacent a second portion of said path downstream of said first portion, each of said units comprising a set of idler rollers adjacent and located beneath the respective portion of said path and extending transversely of said direction, at least one endless flexible element disposed beneath and frictionally engaging the rollers of the respective set, and a discrete prime mover for said at least one flexible element, each of said prime movers including an electric motor;
- and control means for starting and arresting said prime movers independently of each other, including an electric circuit with electronic components for each of said motors.
A roller conveyor for advancement of discrete commodities in a predetermined direction along a predetermined path, comprising a plurality of successive conveying units including a first conveying unit adjacent a first portion of said path and a second conveying unit adjacent a second portion of said path downstream of said first portion, each of said units comprising a set of idler rollers adjacent and located beneath the respective portion of said path and extending transversely of said direction, at least one endless flexible element disposed beneath and frictionally engaging the rollers of the respective set, a discrete prime mover for said at least one flexible element and a carrier beneath the respective set of rollers, each of said flexible elements having an elongated reach between the respective carrier and the respective set of rollers and each of said units further comprising means for maintaining said elongated reaches in continuous frictional engagement with the rollers of the respective set, each of said carriers consisting of elongated profiled stock and said maintaining means including pads of plastic material;
- and control means for starting and arresting said prime movers independently of each other.
A roller conveyor for advancement of discrete commodities in a predetermined direction along a predetermined path, comprising a plurality of successive conveying units including a first conveying unit adjacent a first portion of said path and a second conveying unit adjacent a second portion of said path downstream of said first portion, each of said units having an upstream end and a downstream end and each of said units comprising a set of idler rollers adjacent and located beneath the respective portion of said path and extending transversely of said direction, at least one endless flexible element disposed beneath and frictionally engaging the rollers of the respective set, a discrete prime mover for said at least one flexible element an elongated carrier for the respective primer mover and for the respective flexible element, a driving pulley for the respective flexible element at the upstream end and a driven pulley at the downstream end of the respective unit, said pulleys being mounted on the respective carriers and each of said prime movers comprising a gear motor and a transmission connecting the gear motor with the respective driving pulley;
- and control means for starting and arresting said prime movers independently of each other.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.