WO2004087542A1

WO2004087542A1 - Continuous vertical conveyor with curved guiding trades

Info

Publication number: WO2004087542A1
Application number: PCT/NL2004/000226
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pieter Gerrit Hannessen
Original assignee: Nedpack Patenten B.V.
Priority date: 2003-04-04
Filing date: 2004-04-05
Publication date: 2004-10-14
Also published as: NL1023107C2

Abstract

The invention relates to a continuous vertical conveyor comprising a frame, endless transporting means (2) supported in the frame, at least one carrier (3) connected to the transporting means (2), said carrier (3) being connected to the endless transporting means (2) for rotation about a lying shaft, wherein the rotation shaft lies in the plane of a carrying part of the carrier (3) supporting the goods, guide means (9, 10, 12) arranged in the frame for guiding the carrier (3), and four guide wheels (8) connected to the carrier (3) in pairs respectively in vertical and horizontal direction at a distance from the rotation shaft, wherein the guide wheels (8) so as to hold the carrier (3) substantially horizontal.

Description

CONTINUOUS VERTICAL CONVEYOR WITH CURVED GUIDE TRACKS

The present invention relates to a continuous vertical conveyor comprising a frame, endless transporting means supported in the frame, at least one carrier connected to the transporting means, said carrier being connected to the endless transporting means for rotation about a lying shaft, wherein the rotation shaft lies in the plane of a carrying part of the carrier supporting the goods, guide means arranged in the frame for guiding the carrier, and four guide wheels connected to the carrier in pairs respectively in vertical and horizontal direction at a distance from the rotation shaft, wherein the guide means are adapted to come into contact with the guide wheels so as to hold the carrier substantially horizontal and wherein the guide means comprise straight guide tracks with which the vertical guide wheels are in contact.

Such conveyors are applied in, transport systems wherein vertical distances must be bridged between different horizontal conveyors. The term "reversing points" below is understood to mean the end surfaces of the vertical conveyor where the endless transporting means reverse the running direction.

Such a conveyor is known from EP-A-0 999 152. In this known vertical conveyor the carrier is held horizontal by means of four wheels. These wheels are mounted in pairs, i.e. two horizontally and two vertically. The vertical wheels are intended to guide the carrier during the straight (vertical) movement. The horizontal wheels ensure that the carrier is held straight during reversal of the running direction of the chain on the end surfaces of the lift. The horizontally mounted wheels, and thereby the carrier, are then held straight by means of a ruler. This ruler can move reciprocally in vertical direction, wherein pressure is exerted by a spring or gas spring in a direction counter to the movement . The ruler hereby has contact with the horizontal wheels at all times.

Such a guide construction for reversing points in vertical conveyors has the following drawbacks. First of all, the construction is subject to wear because it takes up the impact of the wheels with carrier. In addition, the spring or gas spring provides resistance which must be compensated by a relatively powerful motor.

The invention has for its object to provide an improved continuous vertical conveyor wherein the above stated drawbacks are obviated.

To this end a continuous vertical conveyor is characterized in that the guide means comprise curved guide tracks arranged close to the reversing point of the running direction of the endless transporting means, wherein the curved guide tracks are adapted such that, at the moment the vertical guide wheels are released from the straight guide tracks, the horizontal guide wheels come into contact with the curved guide tracks. The curved guide tracks provide a gradual progression for the guide wheels close to the reversing points, whereby the guide construction is less subject to wear. Because the wheels roll only over the guide tracks and encounter hardly any resistance herein, it is possible to suffice with a less powerful motor. The same guide construction is further provided for the wheels at the bottom and the top of the lift, whereby the whole lift can be produced, assembled and used in simple manner and at favourable cost . Further advantageous embodiments are stated in the sub-claims .

The invention will now be further elucidated with reference to the annexed drawings . In the drawings : Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the lower part of a continuous vertical conveyor according to the invention,

Figure 2 shows a top view of the conveyor of figure

1, Figure 3 shows a front view of the conveyor of figure 1,

Figures 4A-4D are four front views wherein different positions of the carriers are shown.

The figures show a preferred embodiment of a continuous vertical conveyor according to the invention. The figures show only the lower part of the conveyor. The upper part of the conveyor is identical to the lower part. The same components are designated in the figures with the same reference numerals. In the following description reference is made first of all to figures 1-3.

The conveyor comprises a frame (not shown) , endless transporting means 2 supported therein and at least one carrier 3 connected thereto . In the shown preferred embodiment the endless transporting means 2 are formed by two endless chains which are supported in the frame at a distance from each other in the vertical plane. On the end surfaces of the conveyor, close to the reversing point of the running direction of the chains, there are provided chain wheels 1. In this preferred embodiment carrier 3 is formed by parallel fingers 4 which are arranged at a mutual distance and which are fixed at one end in a profile beam 5 which is fixed in turn to a rod β. Rod 6 is mounted rotatably in plate pieces 11 fixed to chains 2. Carrier 3 is hereby rotatable on a lying shaft lying in one line with the axis of rod 6. The rotation shaft further lies in the plane of the support surface of the carrier. Between the two chains 2 a substantially rectangular plate 7 is fixedly connected to rod 6. A guide wheel 8 is mounted rotatably in each case close to the corners of rectangular plate 7. These four guide wheels 8 are located in pairs respectively in vertical and horizontal direction at a distance from the rotation shaft of carrier 3. The guide wheels 8 located at the top and bottom of carrier 3, as seen in the front view of figure 3 , are designated here as vertical guide wheels 8. The guide wheels 8 located on either side of rod 6 are referred to in this description as horizontal guide wheels 8. Guide wheels 8 are connected fixedly to carrier 3 via the rectangular plate 7 and rod 6. The horizontal guide wheels 8 are mounted on the front side of plate 7. They lie in the same vertical plane. The vertical guide wheels 8 are mounted on the rear side of plate 7. They do not however lie in the same vertical plane. This can be readily seen in the top view of figure 2.

Further arranged in the frame are guide means for guiding carrier 3. The guide means are adapted to come into contact with guide wheels 8 to hold the carrier 3 substantially horizontal. The guide means comprise straight guide tracks 9 and curved guide tracks 10, 12. The straight guide tracks 9 are arranged in the vertical part of the conveyor between the two chains 2. They are not shown in figures 1-3, but in figures 4A-4D. The curved guide tracks 10,12 are further arranged close to the reversing point of the running direction of chains 2, i.e. close to the end surfaces of the conveyor. The straight guide tracks 9 serve to guide the vertical guide wheels 8. The curved guide tracks 10 serve to guide the horizontal guide wheels 8. While the vertical guide wheels 8 run over guide tracks 12. This will become apparent on the basis of the description of the operation below with reference to figures 4A-4D. Finally, a curved part 13 is provided close to the bottom (but also close to the top) of the straight guide tracks 9. This curved part 13 serves to guide the vertical wheel 8 which is the last to lose contact with the straight guide track 9.

Figure 3 in particular further shows that the curved guide tracks 10,12 are arranged on the outer side of chains 2. The two curved guide tracks 10,12 close to the reversing points of the conveyor lie one behind the other. Guide track 10 lies in the same vertical plane as the horizontal guide wheels 8. While the rear guide track 12 lies in the same vertical plane as one of the vertical guide wheels 8. At the bottom of the conveyor the rear guide track 12 lies in the plane of the leading vertical guide wheel 8.

The straight guide tracks 9 are each formed by two plate strips arranged vertically in frame 1. The plate strips can also be part of L-shaped, U-shaped or tubular profiles. The distance between the plate strips is adapted to the diameter of guide wheels 8. In addition to these straight guide tracks 9, in co-action with the vertical guide wheels 8, ensuring that carrier 3 is held vertical, they also ensure that carrier 3 cannot bend sideways as a result of play in the long vertical chain parts 2.

The operation of the continuous vertical conveyor will be elucidated below with reference to figures 4A-

4D. Reference is further made to figure 1 of EP-A-0 999 152.

Goods are supplied over a roller conveyor. Carriers 3 "intersect" the feed path of the roller conveyor, whereby the goods are lifted in each case from the roller conveyor during the upward movement of carrier 3. For this purpose the fingers 4 of carriers 3 can be carried through between the rollers of the roller conveyor. In the vertical parts of the vertical conveyor the carriers 3 are held horizontal by means of the vertical guide wheels 8 which co-act with the straight guide tracks 9. As carrier 3 approaches the top side of the vertical conveyor, the carrier will pass through the bend in the conveyor without tilting and then be transported downward on the right-hand side thereof. On the right-hand side a discharging roller conveyor is "intersected" , wherein the goods from carriers 3 are placed in each case onto the roller conveyor. Carrier 3 subsequently approaches the bottom of the vertical conveyor, wherein it is transported through the bend in the same manner as at the top .

In figure 4A a carrier 3 approaches the lower reversing point in the vertical conveyor. The lower vertical guide wheel 8 has just been released from the straight guide track 9 and will be guided further over the rear curved guide track 12. Since at this moment carrier 3 will be displaced not only in vertical direction but also in horizontal direction by chains 2, the upper guide wheel 8 will run over the short guide track 13. At the moment that the vertical guide wheels 8 are released from the straight guide tracks 9, the right-hand horizontal guide wheel 8 engages onto the leading curved guide track 10. The position according to figure 4B is then reached. When carrier 3 has reached the lowest position in the vertical conveyor, the left- hand horizontal guide wheel 8 will take over the guiding from the right-hand horizontal guide wheel 8 and come into contact with the curved guide track 10 (see figure 4C) . In the subsequent section the left-hand horizontal guide wheel 8 is in contact with the leading curved guide track 10 and the lower vertical guide wheel 8 is in contact with the rear curved guide track 12. This is shown in figure 4D. As soon as the left-hand horizontal guide wheel 8 is released from curved guide track 10, the upper guide wheel 8 once again comes into contact with the straight guide track 9.

In the shown preferred embodiment the carrying part of carrier 3 comprises fingers 4 placed parallel to and at a distance from each other. This is not however essential for the application of the inventive concept. A system wherein the goods are transported off the horizontal roller conveyor or other horizontal conveyor onto carrier 3, and vice versa, or are transferred in other manner, for instance by means of a pusher, is likewise possible.

The advantage of the fact that the rotation shaft lies in the plane of the support surface of the carrier is that a maximum height can be obtained on the top side of the lift, for instance for outfeed of products. Conversely, it is also the case that a minimum height can be obtained on the bottom side of the lift for infeed of products. In known lifts the carrier is often suspended from the rotation shaft so that a determined vertical distance is present between the rotation shaft and the support surface of the carrier. The maximum height in vertical direction of the lift is hereby limited.

Claims

1. Continuous vertical conveyor, comprising:

- a frame, - endless transporting means (2) supported in the frame,

- at least one carrier (3) connected to the transporting means (2) , said carrier being connected to the endless transporting means (2) for rotation about a lying shaft, wherein the rotation shaft lies in the plane of a carrying part (4,5) of the carrier (3) supporting the goods,

- guide means arranged in the frame for guiding the carrier (3) , and - four guide wheels (8) connected to the carrier (3) in pairs respectively in vertical and horizontal direction at a distance from the rotation shaft, wherein the guide means are adapted to come into contact with the guide wheels (8) so as to hold the carrier (3) substantially horizontal and wherein the guide means comprise substantially straight guide tracks (9) with which the vertical guide wheels (8) are in contact , characterized in that the guide means comprise curved guide tracks (10,12) arranged close to the reversing point of the running direction of the endless transporting means (2) , wherein the curved guide tracks (10) are adapted such that, at the moment the vertical guide wheels (8) are released from the straight guide tracks (9) , the horizontal guide wheels (8) come into contact with the curved guide tracks (10) .

2. Conveyor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the straight guide tracks (9) are provided with at least partially curved outer ends (13) .

3. Conveyor as claimed in either of the foregoing claims, wherein the curved guide tracks (10,12) are arranged on the outer side of the endless transporting means (2) .

4. Conveyor as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the curved guide tracks (12) are further adapted such that the first vertical wheel (8) released from the straight guide track (9) close to the reversing point of the running direction of the endless transporting means (2) comes into contact with the curved guide track (12) .

5. Conveyor as claimed in claim 4, wherein close to each reversing point of the endless transporting means

(2) two curved guide tracks (10,12) are arranged one behind the other, wherein the horizontal guide wheels

(8) are in contact with the one curved guide track (10 respectively 12) and the vertical wheels (8) with the other.

6. Conveyor as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the endless transporting means are formed by at least one endless chain (2) .

7. Conveyor as claimed in claim 6, wherein two endless chains (2) are supported in the frame at a distance from each other in the vertical plane.

8. Conveyor as claimed in claim 7, wherein the guide wheels (8) lie between the two chains (2) .

9. Conveyor as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the carrying part (4,5) of the carrier

(3) supporting the goods is provided on one side thereof with a rod (6) with which the carrier (3) is connected to the endless transporting means (2) .