Abstract
The invention relates to a device for sorting out coins (02), in particular elongated parts (06) and/or copper mesh (07), from a bulk of metal, in particular a bulk of heavy metal and/or NE metal, comprising at least one sorting gap (04) for coins (02), each gap being delimited by at least two rollers. The rollers can be rotated about a rotational axis (A) by means of a drive (13) such that objects which cannot be conveyed through the sorting gap (04), in particular NE metal objects or heavy-metal objects, are forced away from the sorting gap (04) either in a direction along the rotational axes (A) or in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axes (A). According to the invention, the rollers are designed as brush rollers (01), and each brush roller has brushes with at least two different lengths. The bulk of metal is supplied to the brush rollers (01) by a supply device (05) such that the bulk of metal is deposited on the brush rollers (01) at least partly in the longitudinal direction of the rotational axes (A) and/or at least partly perpendicularly to a plane formed by the rotational axes (A).
Claims
1. A device for sorting out coins (02), and long parts (06) and/or copper wires (07), from bulk metal, the device comprising at least one sorting gap (04) for coins (02), each sorting gap being defined by at least two rollers, the rollers being configured to be rotated about an axis of rotation (A) by means of a drive (13) in such a manner that objects, that cannot be conveyed through the sorting gap (04) are forced away from the sorting gap (04) either in a direction along the axes of rotation (A) or in a direction perpendicular to the axes of rotation (A), wherein the rollers are realized as brush rollers (01) and each have bristles (32) of at least two different lengths, and the bulk metal is fed to the brush rollers (01) by means of a feeder (05) in such a manner that at least a portion of the bulk metal is deposited on the brush rollers (01) in the longitudinal direction of the axes of rotation (A) and/or perpendicular to a plane formed by the axes of rotation (A), the bristles (32) being disposed on a bristle support (14) in groups (33) or bundles (19) each having the same length.
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the brush roller (01) has a roller shaft (15), which is configured to be driven to rotate, and multiple bristle support elements (16), the bristle support elements (16) being configured to be slipped onto the roller shaft (15).
3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the bristles (32.1) of a bristle support (14) and/or a bristle support element (16) that have a first length form a spiral portion (21) around a longitudinal center axis, of the brush rollers (01).
4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the bristles (32.1) of a bristle support (14), which comprises multiple bristle support elements (16), that have a first length, form a an uninterrupted spiral (22) around a shared longitudinal center axis, of the brush rollers (01).
5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the bristle support (14) or the bristle support elements (16) have force transmission means (17) at longitudinal ends, the force transmission means (17) serving to transmit forces with adjacent bristle support elements (16) and/or shaft end means (18) of the roller shafts (15).
6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the axes of rotation (A) are disposed horizontally or form an angle of 0° to 20° with the horizontal, the inclination being selected in such a manner that a discharge of the bulk metal from the device is facilitated or accelerated.
7. The device according to claim 1, wherein adjacent brush rollers (01) are disposed relative to each other in such a manner that a distance (d1) of 2 mm to 7 mm is formed between the shortest bristles (32.2) of adjacent brush rollers (01).
8. The device according to claim 1, wherein adjacent brush rollers (01) are disposed relative to each other in such a manner that a distance (d2) of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm is formed between the longest bristles (32.1) of one brush roller (01) and the shortest bristles (32.2) of an adjacent brush roller (01).
9. The device according to claim 3, wherein adjacent brush rollers (01) are disposed relative to each other in such a manner that a constant distance (d3) of less than 45 mm is formed between the longest bristles of adjacent brush rollers (01) in the direction of the axes of rotation (A).
10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the brush rollers (01) have an outer diameter which is selected in such a manner that coins deposited on the rollers (02) are moved in the direction of the sorting gap (04) and erected in the process by the rotation of the brush rollers (01).
11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the feeder (05) has a long-parts pre-alignment means (09) which serves to deposit long parts on the brush rollers (01) in such a manner that the longitudinal axis of the long parts (06) is perpendicular to the axes of rotation (A) of the brush rollers (01) and essentially parallel to a plane comprising the axes of rotation (A).
12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the feeder (05) comprises a vibration element, which effects or at least supports the feeding of the bulk metal.
13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the brush rollers (01) have a drive journal (25) which is removably connected to a shaft.
14. The device according to claim 13, wherein the drive journals (25) have drive means and/or bearing means (23) for interacting with bearing seats.
15. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a U-frame (08) open on one side, for receiving or fastening the brush rollers (01).
16. The device according to claim 15, wherein the brush roller assembly in the frame (08) has a width of 1.0 m or 1.5 m or 2.0 m, a ratio of 6 brush rollers (01) per 1 m of width of the brush roller assembly being maintained.
17. A use of a device according to claim 1 for sorting out coins (02) from non-ferrous bulk metal or bulk heavy metal.
18. The use according to claim 17 for additionally sorting out long parts (06) and/or copper wires (07) from non-ferrous bulk metal or bulk heavy metal.
19. (canceled).
20. The device according to claim 1, wherein the bristle support 14 is configured to be attached to a roller shaft (15) in a removable manner.
21. The device according to claim 3, wherein the bristles (32.1) have the first length which is a greatest length.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0037] In the drawings:
[0038] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration for clarifying the sorting principle of the device according to the invention;
[0039] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the basic function of the device according to the invention;
[0040] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration showing a front view of a device according to the invention;
[0041] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration showing a top view of part of the device according to the invention;
[0042] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration showing a side view of a device according to the invention;
[0043] FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration showing a perspective view of a section of a device according to the invention;
[0044] FIG. 7 is a schematic cross section through a roller shaft of a brush roller;
[0045] FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a space between two adjacent brush rollers.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0046] The schematic functional sketch of FIG. 1 shows four brush rollers 01 as examples, whose respective axes of rotation A run perpendicular to the drawing plane of FIG. 1. All brush rollers 01 can be or are driven in the same direction, as indicated by directional arrows R of FIG. 1. A feeder, which is not illustrated in FIG. 1, feeds bulk metal, in particular non-ferrous bulk metal, onto brush rollers 01. This means that the bulk metal is deposited on brush rollers 01 from above. In addition to coins 02, the bulk metal comprises other volume parts 03 and long parts, which are not illustrated in FIG. 1. A sorting gap 04 is formed between brush rollers 01 in each case, sorting gap 04 being essentially defined by the shorter or shortest bristles of respective brush rollers 01. For reasons of clarity, the bristles are not illustrated in the functional sketch of FIG. 1. The sorting gap can have a width of 2 to 7 mm, preferably 3 to 6 mm, for example. Via the longer or longest bristles of brush rollers 01, which are not shown in detail in FIG. 1, the rotation of the brush rollers about axes of rotation A propels or conveys the bulk metal perpendicular to the drawing plane of FIG. 1, wherein objects that end up between brush rollers 01 and are nowhere broader overall than sorting gaps 04 can pass through them. This is the case for outlined coin 02, for example. Volume parts 03 on the other hand are transported across brush rollers 01 perpendicular to the drawing plane, i.e., along the direction of axes of rotation A, and are discharged and separated at the end of brush rollers 01. The mode of operation of the device according to the invention with regard to long parts, cables, in particular copper wires, will be discussed in more detail with reference to the illustration of FIG. 2. The outer circumference of the brush rollers, which is essentially defined by the shortest bristles, is selected in such a manner that when roller 01 rotates about axis of rotation A, coin 02 is moved in the direction of sorting gap 04 and is erected in the process in order to pass through sorting gap 04 as easily as possible.
[0047] In addition to illustrating an assembly of a total of six brush rollers 01 and their respective axes of rotation A, FIG. 2 also shows a schematic illustration of feeder 05, which is used to deposit the bulk metal, in particular the non-ferrous bulk metal, onto brush rollers 01. The bulk metal is essentially deposited along depositing direction E via feeder 05. As also illustrated in FIG. 1, brush rollers 01 each rotate clockwise in the same direction about respective axes of rotation A. Coins 02 and other flat parts of similar dimensions can pass through sorting gaps 04, which are formed between brush rollers 01, in a passage direction D perpendicular to the drawing plane, whereas volume parts 03 are discharged and separated or sorted out along longitudinal direction L of axes of rotation A. Longitudinal direction L, which runs in the drawing plane, defines also coincides with what is referred to as the conveying direction. Long parts 06 and the wires, in particular the copper wires 07, are discharged laterally, which is indicated by directional arrow S, perpendicular to the extension of axes of rotation A and essentially parallel to the plane formed by axes of rotation A. As a result, another sorting fraction is formed, said sorting fraction ensuring a consequent value of the sorting fraction by concentrating the wires, in particular copper wires 07. Likewise, this ensures that copper wires 07 do not contaminate or damage the brush rollers. Ultimately, the content of long parts in the objects sorted out through sorting gaps 04, i.e., in the coin concentrate, is reduced, thereby also improving the purity of the coin concentrate.
[0048] The illustration of FIG. 3 shows that six brush rollers 01 are once more disposed on a shared frame 08, wherein feeder 05, which additionally has a long-parts pre-alignment means 09, is disposed slightly above and behind rollers 01. Long-parts pre-alignment means 09 ensures that long parts 06 are preferably disposed on brush rollers 01 at an orientation, which is outlined in FIG. 2, for example, namely with a longitudinal axis extending essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of brush rollers 01, i.e., axes of rotation A of brush rollers 01. Long-parts pre-alignment means 09 can be mounted in a movable manner in order to be able to set a distance as ideal as possible from the end of feeder 05. Preferably, the distance does not exceed 45 mm.
[0049] Additionally, guiding members 10, in particular guiding sheets 10, are provided below frame 08, guiding members 10 guiding or directing the non-ferrous metal objects passing through sorting gaps 04 toward a gap opening 11 of a safety collecting container 12 of the device. Gap opening 11 of safety collecting container 12 is designed in such a manner that the coins of the coin concentrate collected in safety collecting container 12 cannot be manually accessed. Guiding members 10 preferably form an angle of more than 45° with the horizontal in order to ensure that the flat parts safely slide or slip into safety collecting container 12. The illustration of FIG. 3 also shows a shared drive 13 of the device, which ensures the driving of brush rollers 01. The details of the drive will be discussed in more detail in the description of FIG. 4.
[0050] The top view of FIG. 4 again illustrates U-shaped frame 08 and brush rollers 01 attached thereto. The illustration of FIG. 4 shows that the respective brush rollers have a bristle support 14, which is disposed on a roller shaft 15. In the example of FIG. 5, bristle support 14 is in turn composed of seven individual bristle support elements 16. At opposing longitudinal ends, bristle support elements 16 each have force transmission means 17 in the form of teeth, by means of which bristle support elements 16 are connected to each other and by means of which the bristle support elements 16 are also connected in a form-fitting and therefore force-fitting manner to shaft end means 18 disposed at the ends of roller shafts 15. Shaft end means 18 can be realized as adjusting rings, for example, which are provided with appropriate grub screws in order to fix shaft end means 18 to roller shaft 15.
[0051] Furthermore, FIG. 4 shows that bristle support 14, in particular bristle support elements 16, of brush rollers 01 each have groups or bundles 19 of bristles 20 each having the same length, wherein the groups or bundles 19 of the bristles that have a greater or greatest length form a spiral portion 21 around the longitudinal center axis of bristle support 14 or bristle support element 16. In the illustration of FIG. 4, respective bristle support elements 16 are disposed relative to each other in such a manner that groups 19 of bristles 20 that have the greatest length form a continuous spiral 22. Spiral 22 effects the discharge of the volume parts in the direction of axes of rotation A of the brush rollers. Moreover, if the long parts and/or the copper wires are pre-aligned appropriately, a lateral discharge of said components of the non-ferrous bulk metal is ensured.
[0052] FIG. 4 additionally shows that brush rollers 01 are mounted on frame 08 on one side, bearing means 23 comprised by brush rollers 01 being accommodated in corresponding bearings 24 of the frame for this purpose. Also, brush rollers 01 comprise drive means, such as double gear wheels 26, on the bearing side in the area of drive journals 25, which also have bearing means 23, said drive means enabling brush rollers 01 to be driven by means of shared drive 13, wherein drive 13 effects direct driving via a first chain connection with one of the double gear wheels of brush roller 01 adjacent to drive 13 and the consecutive double gear wheels of brush rollers 01 are each used to transmit the drive energy from the respective preceding brush roller or the brush roller disposed further to the left to consecutive brush roller 01 or brush roller 01 disposed further to the right. Belts can also be used as transmitting means as an alternative to chains.
[0053] Additionally, monitoring means, which are not illustrated in detail in the figures, can be provided, said monitoring means allowing the speed of the drive and/or of the brush rollers to be monitored. If an unintended deviation of the speed from a target speed is detected, preferably in the event of a standstill, the drive can be automatically stopped and the direction of rotation of the drive can subsequently be changed for about three revolutions, for example. This process can be repeated a predetermined number of times, such as three times, before the drive is fully shut down and an error signal is output via output means, such as acoustic output means.
[0054] For reasons of clarity, the chains for connecting the gear wheels of brush rollers 01 and drive 13 are not illustrated in FIG. 4.
[0055] As mentioned before, frame 08, on which brush rollers 01 are disposed, is composed of three individual legs 27 in the U-shape of a U, the open side of frame 08 being associated with the end of the brush roller assembly opposite the bearing of brush rollers 01. The one-sided bearing, drive journal 25 of brush rollers 01, and the design of frame 08 open on one side all advantageously enhance the discharge of volume parts along the longitudinal axis or axis of rotation A of the brush rollers. After all, metal objects cannot jam or build up at the open end of frame 08 or at the free end of brush rollers 01 in the illustrated embodiment.
[0056] Covers in the form of sheets, for example, can be disposed the distance between lateral legs 27 of the frame and the rollers or brush rollers. If it is intended for long parts and copper wires to be sorted out, no cover is needed on the side perpendicular to the discharge direction on which the long parts and the wires are discharged. Instead, a collecting vessel 30 for long parts and wires can be disposed below frame 08 in this area, which also comprises the gap between leg 27 and the last roller.
[0057] The brush rollers illustrated in FIG. 4 are disposed relative to each other in such a manner that a distance of 2 to 7 mm, preferably of 3 to 6 mm, is formed between shortest bristles 20 of adjacent brush rollers, which essentially forms sorting gap 04 between adjacent brush rollers 01. The distance between shortest bristles 20 of one brush roller and longest bristles 20 of an adjacent brush roller 01 is between 0.5 and 1.5 mm, preferably between 0.8 and 1.2 mm. The respective distances are determined at the height of axes of rotation A of brush rollers 01 when respective opposite bristles 20 are essentially aligned with or parallel to each other.
[0058] FIG. 5 again shows a side view of the device, in which guiding members 10 and safety collecting container 12 as well as feeder 05, which is preferably realized as a vibration chute or as a conveyor belt, and frame 08, which supports brush rollers 01, are illustrated. Feeder 05 can be a vibration chute, for example. Alternatively, the feeder can at least comprise a vibration chute. The situation of feeder 05 relative to brush rollers 01 shows that at least a portion of the objects of the bulk metal is deposited on brush rollers 01 in the longitudinal direction of axes of rotation A and/or at least a portion thereof is deposited on brush rollers 01 perpendicular to a plane formed by axes of rotation A. The respective portion of the depositing direction (which can be split up vectorially) of the metal objects on brush rollers 01 depends on the distance between feeder 05 and brush rollers 01. Also, the respective portion depends on the speed at which the metal objects leave feeder 05. This means that when the speed at which the metal objects leave feeder 05 is relatively low and the distance between feeder 05 and brush rollers 01 is additionally relatively large, a depositing direction on the brush rollers arises which is essentially perpendicular to a plane formed by the axes of rotation of brush rollers 01, wherein the orientation of feeder 05 relative to axes of rotation A of brush rollers 01 typically maintains an albeit small portion of the depositing direction that extends in the longitudinal direction of axes of rotation A of brush rollers 01. The greater the speed at which the metal objects leave feeder 05 and the smaller the distance from brush rollers 01, the stronger the extension of the depositing direction of the bulk metal in the longitudinal direction of axes of rotation A of the brush rollers 01. The described depositing direction of the bulk metal on the brush rollers 01 allows the coins to be sorted out from the bulk metal in a particularly efficient manner. Additionally, in particular if long parts are pre-aligned accordingly, a very effective lateral sorting-out of these components of the bulk metal is achieved, wherein the design of brush rollers 01 each with at least two types of bristles of different lengths in combination with the depositing direction of the bulk metal on the brush rollers described above allows the different fractions of the bulk metal to be sorted out or separated in a particularly effective manner according to the invention.
[0059] The illustration of FIG. 5 shows that axes of rotation A of brush rollers 01 run horizontally. Alternatively, the axes of rotation can also be inclined by 0° to 20°, for example, in which case the ends of brush rollers 01 that face away from drive 13 and drive journal 25 can be situated lower, with the result that the propulsion or the discharge of volume parts in the direction of axes of rotation A is facilitated. Preferably, the inclination can be continuously adjusted and set by the operator of the device.
[0060] FIG. 5 also shows the situation of long-parts pre-alignment means 09 relative to feeder 05. Long-parts pre-alignment means 09 is realized as a curtain, for example, which has a distance of no more than 45 mm, preferably no more than 40 mm, from the end of feeder 05 and is oriented parallel to the width of feeder 05. Incoming long parts are oriented essentially perpendicular to the drawing plane by the resistance of long-parts pre-alignment means 09 before they can pass the gap between feeder 05 and long-parts pre-alignment means 09 are deposited on the brush rollers. The distance from feeder 05 can be selected in such a manner that it particularly preferably interacts with the assembly of the bristles and the groups or bundles of bristles. To this end, the distance from the feeder can preferably be selected to be equal to maximum distance d3 according to the description of FIG. 8 in order to achieve an ideal pre-alignment and thus a lateral pre-sorting-out of long parts.
[0061] FIG. 6 shows a perspective illustration of frame 08 and of brush rollers 01 fastened thereon and of drive 13 for driving brush rollers 01. In the area between rear shaft end means 18 and bearing means 23, shaft 15 of brush rollers 01 ends in a drive journal 25. The design of roller shaft 15 and the design of drive journal 25 are shown in detail in the illustration of FIG. 7, as is the transition between roller shaft 15 and drive journal 25.
[0062] FIG. 7 shows a cross section through roller shaft 15 without the bristle supports or the bristle support elements disposed thereon. Roller shaft 15 is realized as a hollow shaft or a drawn tube and comprises an internal thread 28 at one end, internal thread 28 interacting with an external thread 29 of drive journal 25 and thereby forming a severable connection, in particular a screwed connection, between hollow shaft 15 of brush roller 01 and drive journal 25. Bearing means 23 and double gear wheels 26 can be disposed on, in particular attached to, drive journal 25 in an area not shown in the illustration of FIG. 7.
[0063] FIG. 8 shows a section of a space 31 between two brush rollers 01, which forms a sorting gap 04. Bristles 32 or groups 33 of bristles 32, which have two different lengths, protrude into space 31. Groups 33 or the bundles that have longer bristles 32.1 form a spiral. Shortest bristles 32.2 are evenly distributed between the spirals. The groups of shortest bristles 32.2 outside of the space have not been illustrated for reasons of clarity. As can be seen, a first distance d1, which can be 2 mm to 7 mm, is formed between groups 33 of shortest bristles 32.2 of two adjacent brush rollers 01. This distance forms a first limit or dimension of sorting gap 04. A second distance d2, which can be 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm, is formed between respective shortest bristles 32.2 and long bristles 32.1 of adjacent brush rollers, distance d2 essentially serving to propel the objects located between brush rollers 01 in the conveying direction, i.e., along axes of rotation A.
[0064] Longer bristles 32.1 can also define a distance in the conveying direction or along axes of rotation A of the brush rollers. This distance is formed because longer bristles 32.1 are disposed in such a manner that they radially overlap. Distance d3 in the conveying direction can be selected in such a manner that it particularly preferably supports the sorting out of coins and/or objects having similar dimensions or measures. To this end, it can be provided for distance d3 to not exceed 40 mm, for example. This forms a second definition or dimension of sorting gap 04. The situation could also be considered in such a manner that a plurality of consecutive sorting gaps 4 are formed in the longitudinal direction of axes of rotation A in space 31 between two adjacent brush rollers 01, said sorting gaps 4 each extending between longer bristles 32.1 of adjacent brush rollers 01 and thus having a length d3 as well as width d1. Thereby, the situation of the brush rollers and their bristles enable a “two-dimensional” sorting or sorting-out function since only objects having a thickness of up to approximately d1 and a size or a diameter of up to d3 can pass through sorting gap(s) 04.
[0065] As illustrated in FIG. 8, distance d3 is realized in an alternating manner in the direction of axes of rotation A, with the result that a larger and a smaller distance d3 are formed. The asymmetrical situation of longer bristles 32.1 and resultant alternating distances d3 allow a particularly advantageous influence to be exerted on the discharge speed in the conveying direction. However, since smaller distance d3 also forms a sorting gap 04, smaller coins can also pass through it, for example. So when longer bristles 32.1 are disposed asymmetrically, it is still important that no distance d3 exceeds a maximum value of 40 mm, for example.
REFERENCE SIGNS
[0066] 01 brush rollers
[0067] 02 coins
[0068] 03 volume parts
[0069] 04 sorting gap
[0070] 05 feeder
[0071] 06 long parts
[0072] 07 copper wires
[0073] 08 frame
[0074] 09 long-parts pre-alignment means
[0075] 10 guiding members
[0076] 11 gap opening
[0077] 12 safety collecting container
[0078] 13 drive
[0079] 14 bristle support
[0080] 15 roller shaft
[0081] 16 bristle support elements
[0082] 17 force transmission means
[0083] 18 shaft end means
[0084] 19 groups or bundles
[0085] 20 bristles
[0086] 21 spiral portion
[0087] 22 spirals
[0088] 23 bearing means
[0089] 24 bearing
[0090] 25 drive journal
[0091] 26 double gear wheels
[0092] 27 leg
[0093] 28 internal thread
[0094] 29 external thread
[0095] 30 collecting vessel
[0096] 31 space
[0097] 32 bristles
[0098] 32.1 long bristles
[0099] 32.2 short bristles
[0100] 33 groups
[0101] A axis of rotation
[0102] L longitudinal direction
[0103] E depositing direction
[0104] D passage direction
[0105] d1 first distance
[0106] d2 second distance
[0107] d3 third distance
