Conveyor system

Abstract

A conveyor system for transferring a transport item between a transport unit and a loading area or an unloading belt of a baggage handling conveyor system in an airport. The conveyor system comprises a rail assembly for placement adjacent the unloading belt, and one or more transfer conveyors for placement on the rail assembly. The rail assembly comprises a guide rail, and a base for mounting said rail assembly on a building floor extending. The transfer conveyor comprises a transfer conveyor belt for supporting the transport item. The transfer conveyor is slidable mounted on the guide rail for sliding the one or more transfer conveyors along the guide rail.

Claims

1. A conveyor system for transferring transport items (2b) between a transport unit (2a) and a loading area or an unloading belt (4) of a baggage handling conveyor system in an airport, said conveyor system comprising: a rail assembly (8) for placement adjacent said loading area or unloading belt (4), and at least one transfer conveyor (6) for placement on, and moving along said rail assembly (8) said rail assembly (8) comprising: a guide rail (20) for guiding said transfer conveyor (6) along said rail assembly (8), and a mounting means for mounting said rail assembly (8) between said transport unit (2a) and said loading area or unloading belt (4) characterised in that said transfer conveyor (6) comprising: a carrying means having a transfer conveyor medium (22, 23) for transporting and supporting said transport items (2b), and a first frame constituting a conveyor frame for supporting said transfer conveyor medium (22, 23), said transfer conveyor medium comprising (22, 23) an outer surface for facing said transport items (2b), said transfer conveyor medium being made of a material for providing a static friction between said carrying means and said transport items (2b) when said transport items being in contact with said transfer conveyor medium, said transfer conveyor (6) further comprising: a first end, and a second end opposite said second end, and a motor for driving said conveyor medium such that said transports items being assisted onto said carrying medium by means of said material and moved between said first end and said second end as said conveyor medium being driven by said motor.

2. The conveyor system according to claim 1, said mounting means including a base (10a) comprising at least one support for mounting said rail assembly (8) on a building floor.

3. The conveyor system according to claim 1, said rail assembly (8) being mounted to an unloading belt frame (34).

4. The conveyor system according to claim 1, said motor being an electric motor or an hydraulic motor.

5. The conveyor system according to claim 1, said transfer conveyor (6) comprising a roller conveyor with a conveying roller (23).

6. The conveyor system according to claim 5, said roller conveyor comprising a plurality of conveying rollers (23).

7. The conveyor system according to claim 1, said transfer conveyor (6) comprising a belt conveyor.

8. The conveyor system according to claim 1, said transfer conveyor (6) comprising a deflector for deflecting transport items (2b).

9. The conveyor system according to claim 8, said deflector comprising a roller (42) for rotating around a vertical axis.

10. The conveyor system according to claim 1, said transfer conveyor (6) comprising a brake system for braking said transfer conveyor or keeping said transfer conveyor in a stationary position with respect to said rail assembly (8).

11. The conveyor system according to claim 1, said system comprising a second or inner frame (32) being slideable mounted on said rail assembly (8) for sliding said transfer conveyor (6) along said rail assembly.

12. The conveyor system according to claim 11, said transfer conveyor (6) comprising a third frame, said second frame being pivotally connected to said third frame for moving said second frame between a retracted position and an extracted position.

13. The conveyor system according to claim 12, said third frame being slideable mounted on said rail assembly (8) for sliding said transfer conveyor (6) along said rail assembly.

14. The conveyor system according to claim 1, said rail assembly (8) comprising an electric rail (16) for providing power to said transfer conveyor (6).

15. The conveyor system according to claim 1, comprising more than one transfer conveyor.

Description

(1) The aspects of the invention will be explained in more detail below in connection with advantageous embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective of a conveyor system installed between a transport unit and an unloading belt.

(3) FIG. 2a is a perspective of a rail assembly of a conveyor system.

(4) FIG. 2b is a perspective of a rail assembly of a conveyor system seen from the end of the rail assembly.

(5) FIG. 3a is a perspective of a transfer conveyor of a conveyor system in a lower retracted state.

(6) FIG. 3b is a perspective of a transfer conveyor of a conveyor system in a fully retracted state.

(7) FIG. 4a is a perspective of a transfer conveyor of a conveyor system in an upper extracted state.

(8) FIG. 4b is a perspective of a transfer conveyor of a conveyor system in a lower extracted state.

(9) FIG. 5a is a perspective of a transfer conveyor of a conveyor system seen from the front of the transfer conveyor.

(10) FIG. 5b is a perspective of a transfer conveyor of a conveyor system seen from the back of the transfer conveyor.

(11) FIG. 6 is a perspective of an unloading area in an airport.

(12) FIG. 7 is a perspective of a belt conveyor and a transfer conveyor detached from each other.

(13) FIG. 8 is a perspective of a roller deflector and a transfer conveyor detached from each other.

(14) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a transfer conveyor comprising a roller conveyor with conveying rollers.

(15) The present invention wilt now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Like elements will, thus, not be described in detail with respect to the description of each figure.

(16) FIG. 1 shows a perspective of a conveyor system.

(17) The conveyor system comprises a rail assembly 8 and a transfer conveyor 6. The conveyor system is installed on a building floor between a transport unit 2a and an unloading belt 4, which is part of a baggage handling conveyor system in an airport.

(18) A required free space W exists between the transport unit 2a and the unloading belt 4. The free space W is about 50-100 cm wide. For example in Copenhagen Airport, Kastrup the free space is about 63 cm wide, but other airports have different dimensions for the free space. The transport unit 2a is to be parked outside the free space W allowing for baggage handling personnel to work in the free space W. A work floor mat 18 is placed on the floor of the free space such that the baggage handler can stand securely and comfortably while handling the transfer items.

(19) The rail assembly 8 is placed adjacent to the unloading belt 4 as close as possible, and the transfer conveyor 6 is placed on the rail assembly 8. Transfer items 2b are transferred from the transport unit to the unloading belt via the conveyor system.

(20) FIGS. 2a and 2b show perspectives of a rail assembly.

(21) The rail assembly 8 comprises a guide rail 20 formed from a metal plate, which has been formed into shape.

(22) The guide rail 20 comprises an upper track 12a for guiding a transfer conveyor 6, a support track 12b for vertically supporting the transfer conveyor, and a lower track 12c for guiding the transfer conveyor 6.

(23) The upper track 12a, the support track 12b, and the lower track 12c has been shaped into the guide rail 20. The upper track 12a has a U-shaped cross section facing downward. The support track 12b is constituted by a horizontal ledge and the lower track is constituted by a vertical side face of the guide rail 20.

(24) An electric rail 16 is attached to the guide rail 20. The electric rail 16 comprises a current collector for establishing a electric connection between the electric rail 16 and an electric circuitry of the transfer conveyor 6. The current collector is movably mounted inside the electric rail 16 such that the current collector can roll along with the transfer conveyor 6 as the transfer conveyor 6 is moved along the rail assembly 8.

(25) An end piece 14 is provided at an end of the electric rail 16 such that the transfer conveyor 6 comes to a stop if it reaches the end of the rail assembly 8. Together with the end piece is provided an electric plug or socket for electric connecting of the electric rail to a power supply.

(26) The rail assembly comprises a base 10a. The guide rail is bolted or welded together with the base 10a. The base comprises a number of supports 10b for supporting and resting the rail assembly on a building floor of the airport.

(27) FIG. 3a shows a perspective of a transfer conveyor.

(28) In FIG. 3a the transfer conveyor 6 is depicted in a lower retracted state. The transfer conveyor 6 comprises a proximal end relative to the transport unit and a distal end relative to the transport unit. The proximal end constitutes a nose of the belt conveyor and it is closer to the transport unit during intended use of the transfer conveyor than the distal end. The distal end is closer to the unloading belt during intended use of the transfer conveyor than the proximal end. The nose may be placed on the transport unit.

(29) The transfer conveyor 6 comprises a belt conveyor which has a transfer conveyor belt 22 constituting an endless carrier medium for supporting transport items. The transfer conveyor belt 22 is preferably 450 mm wide.

(30) A roller conveyor may be used as an alternative to a belt conveyor.

(31) The belt conveyor has a drive pulley at the distal end an idler pulley at the distal end. The drive pulley is powered by an electric motor and drives the transfer conveyor belt 22 around the drive pulley and the idler pulley whereby baggage placed on the transfer conveyor belt 22 is moved along the belt conveyor.

(32) A hydraulic motor may be used as an alternative to an electric motor.

(33) The belt conveyor has a first frame constituted by a belt frame 34 which structurally supports the drive pulley and the idler pulley. The conveyor belt has a length (measured from the distal end to the proximal end). The belt conveyor has a width (measured in a direction parallel with the extension of the rail assembly). The belt conveyor has a height (measured in a direction orthogonal to the face of the transfer conveyor belt 22 extending between the proximal end and the distal end).

(34) The belt conveyor has a height at the proximal end which is smaller than a height at the distal end. The height of the belt conveyor at the proximal end is as small as possible, for example, the height of the belt conveyor at the proximal end is not more than 15% greater than the diameter of the idler pulley. Since the idler pulley is placed at the proximal end, and the height of the belt conveyor at the proximal end is as small as possible the baggage handler only has to lift a transfer item a short distance before it is on the transfer conveyor belt 22.

(35) The transfer conveyor 6 comprises an emergency stop switch 36 for stopping the movement of the transfer conveyor belt 22.

(36) The belt conveyor is pivotally mounted on an inner frame 32 at the distal end allowing the belt conveyor to be rotated between a lower position and an upper position such that the belt conveyor can be placed at an height that corresponds to a height where transport items on the transport unit is located. When the transfer conveyor is in the lower retracted state it becomes simple and easy for the baggage handler to move transfer items located near a bottom and close to the edge of the transport unit 2a up onto the transfer conveyor belt 22.

(37) The transfer conveyor belt 22 comprises a surface pattern on the surface facing the transfer items for establishing a friction between the transfer conveyor belt 22 and transfer items 2b such that transfer items may be assisted onto the transfer conveyor belt 22.

(38) The inner frame 32 is pivotally mounted on an outer frame 30 at a distance from the distal end. The distance constitutes a radius of a curved trajectory along which the belt conveyor can be moved when the inner frame 32 is rotated. As the inner frame 32 is rotated the belt conveyor can be placed between a retracted position and an extracted position.

(39) An upper wheel 26a, a support wheel 26b and a lower wheel 26c are attached to the outer frame 30. In total the transfer conveyor comprises six wheels: two upper wheels, two support wheels and two lower wheels. When the transfer conveyor 6 is mounted on the rail assembly 8 the upper wheel 26a rolls in the upper guide track 12a, the support wheel 26b rolls in the support track 12b and the lower wheel 26b rolls in the lower guide track 12c as the transfer conveyor 6 is moved along the length of the unloading belt 4. The upper wheel 26a, and the lower wheel 26c has vertical wheel axis, and the support wheel 26b has a horizontal wheel axis.

(40) The transfer conveyor comprises a deflector constituted by a roller deflector 42 for deflecting transport items. The deflector may alternatively be implemented as a railing or a screen.

(41) The roller deflector 42 can rotate about a vertical axis. The roller deflector 42 prevents a transfer item 2b to be pulled away by the unloading belt 4 before the transfer item 2b is all the way onto the unloading belt 4 such that the transfer item 2b does not fall down on the floor.

(42) The roller deflector may be electrical driven and rotate with a fixed speed. The speed may correspond to the speed of the unloading belt 4 or the speed of the transfer conveyor belt 22. Alternatively, the roller deflector may rotate freely as it is contacted by the transfer item 2b.

(43) The roller deflector is placed at a left side or a right side of the transfer conveyor as seen from the proximal end of the transfer conveyor.

(44) The roller deflector is placed at a height above the distal end of the belt conveyor.

(45) The roller deflector extends from the distal end towards the unloading belt, and part of the roller may extend over part of the unloading belt. The roller deflector extends the working area in which the transfer conveyor may operate on transfer items, because as a transfer item reaches the distal end it may come into contact with the roller, which may direct it the rest of the way onto the unloading belt.

(46) The transfer conveyor comprises a handle such that a baggage handler can grip the handle and move the transfer conveyor along the rail assembly. The handle may be on top of the roller deflector such that the baggage handler conveniently can grip the handle. The handle may constitute a deflector handle 44.

(47) The transfer conveyor 6 comprises an electro magnetic brake system with a brake pad for braking the transfer conveyor 6 or keeping the transfer conveyor 6 in a stationary position with respect to the rail assembly 8. When the brake pad 24 is engaged it presses on the rail assembly, thereby creating a static friction between the brake pad 24 and the rail assembly 8. The transfer conveyor 6 comprises a brake switch 46 for operating the brake system, and electronically engaging and disengaging the brake pad. The brake switch 46 is placed on top of the deflector handle 44 such that the brake switch can be easily operated. In FIG. 3b the transfer conveyor 6 is shown in perspective in an upper retracted state. The transfer conveyor 6 comprises a front shaft 38 for moving the belt conveyor. The front shaft 38 connects the belt conveyor with a first actuator. The first actuator is controlled by a toggle switch 40. By operating the toggle switch 40 the belt conveyor can be moved from a lower position to an upper position or anywhere between the upper position and the lower position.

(48) The pivotal mountings of the belt frame 34 and the inner frame 32 allows the transfer conveyor to be retracted to a fully retracted state where it takes up a minimum of space, which is important, because the transfer conveyor is placed at a fixed height on the rail assembly 8 between the unloading belt 4 and the transport unit 2a, and can therefore not be moved upwards and stored away below a building ceiling.

(49) In a fully retracted state, the belt conveyor has a horizontal projection that is shorter than a length of the outer frame 30 (measured in a direction from the transport unit to the unloading belt). In this way the transfer conveyor may be stored while taking up a minimum of space.

(50) In FIG. 4a the transfer conveyor 6 is shown in perspective in an upper extracted state.

(51) The transfer conveyor 6 comprises an inner shaft for supporting the inner frame 32. The inner shaft connects the inner frame with a second actuator. The second actuator is controlled by the toggle switch 40.

(52) By operating the toggle switch 40 the inner frame can be moved from a retracted position to an extracted position or anywhere between the retracted position and the extracted position. When the transfer conveyor is in the upper extracted state it becomes simple and easy for the baggage handler to move baggage located on top of a baggage stack and away from the edge of the transport unit 2a up onto the transfer conveyor belt 22.

(53) The belt conveyor may be placed anywhere between a lower position and an upper position. The lower position constitutes an angle between the belt conveyor and a horizontal plane which is less than 0. The upper position constitutes an angle between the belt conveyor and a horizontal plane which is between 20 and 60.

(54) The baggage handler may set the vertical position of the belt conveyor as the baggage handler desires. If a transfer item is located high on the transport unit it is contemplated that the baggage handler sets the angle of the belt conveyor such that the proximal end of the belt conveyor is at a height that corresponds to the height of the transport item that the baggage handler is to move to the unloading belt.

(55) In FIG. 4b the transfer conveyor 6 is shown in perspective in a lower extracted state. When the transfer conveyor is in the lower extracted state it becomes simple and easy for the baggage handler to move baggage located near the bottom and away from the edge of the transport unit 2a up onto the transfer conveyor belt 22.
FIGS. 5a and 5b shows a transfer conveyor comprising a mechanical brake system.

(56) The brake system comprises a first brake lever 28a for disengaging and engaging a brake pad 24. When the brake lever is pulled down the brake is engaged and when the brake lever is pulled up the brake is disengaged.

(57) The brake system also comprises a second brake lever 28b for disengaging and engaging the brake pad 24. The first brake lever 28a and the second brake lever 28b are connected to a lever axle. The second brake lever 28b may follow the movement of the first brake lever 28a and vice versa.

(58) An end of the first brake lever 28a is provided with a first brake lever knob. The brake lever knob 28a provides grip such that a baggage handler can operate the brake lever 28a with for example a knee without sliding the knee out from the end of the first brake lever 28a. An end of the second brake lever 28b is provided with a second brake lever knob.

(59) The brake pad 24 may be pivotally mounted on a torsion spring. The torsion spring provides a force causing the brake pad to engage to a part of the rail assembly 8 and provide friction between the brake pad and the rail assembly 8.

(60) FIG. 6 is a perspective of an unloading area in an airport. Three transport units are parked along an unloading belt 4. The first transport unit is immediately after a tractor for pulling the train of transport units. Two baggage handlers, each operating a transfer conveyor 6, move transport items 2b from the transport units to the unloading belt 4. The unloading belt moves in a direction from the first transport unit towards the third transport unit.
FIG. 7 is a perspective of a belt conveyor and a transfer conveyor detached from each other. The belt conveyor has been removed from the transfer conveyor 6 in order to replace or perform a service on the belt conveyor. The belt conveyor is removed in a four step procedure without the use of tools. The transfer conveyor comprises a locking bolt 58 that goes through a first through hole in the belt frame 34 and a second through hole in the front shaft 38. The transfer conveyor comprises a locking pin 50. The locking pin 50 may be a double-prong pin comprising a first prong and a second prong wherein the first prong is resilient and biased toward the second prong. The locking pin has an extension that is greater than a diameter of the first through hole in the belt frame 34. The locking pin is attached to the locking bolt.

(61) In the first step of removing the belt conveyor, the belt conveyor is moved to its upper most position by extending the front shaft 38 as much as possible.

(62) In the second step the locking pin 50 is removed from the locking bolt 58 and the locking bolt is pulled out. As the locking pin 58 is removed the belt conveyor is no longer locked to the front shaft 38.

(63) In the third step the belt conveyor is moved manually to a vertical position.

(64) In the fourth step the belt conveyor is lifted upwards and removed from the transport conveyor.

(65) FIG. 8 is a perspective of a roller deflector and a transfer conveyor detached from each other. The roller deflector is mounted on a deflector frame 48 constituted by a roller frame. The deflector frame comprises a number of deflector fixtures constituted by roller fixtures for attaching the deflector frame to the outer frame 30.

(66) The deflector fixtures are left/right symmetric with respect to the roller such that the roller deflector may be placed symmetric on the transfer conveyor with respect to a right and a left side as seen from the proximal end of the transfer conveyor.

(67) The deflector frame may be fixed to the outer frame 30 by a number of bolts. In the present context a left/right symmetry means that the placement of the roller om a left side of the transfer conveyor deviates with less than 25% with respect to the placement of the roller on a right side of the transfer conveyor.

(68) The outer frame comprises a left side and a right side as seen from the proximal end of the transfer conveyor. The left side of the outer frame comprises side fixtures such as holes for receiving the bolts when the deflector frame is attached to the left side of the outer frame 30. The right side of the outer frame may also comprise side fixtures such as holes for receiving the bolts when the deflector frame is attached to the right side of the outer frame 30.

(69) In this way the roller may be placed on either side of the transfer conveyor depending on which way the unloading belt moves. When the roller is driven by a motor and the roller is placed on the left side of the transfer conveyor, the roller is driven in a counter clock wise rotation. When the roller is driven by a motor and the roller is placed on the right side of the transfer conveyor, the roller is driven in a clock wise rotation.

(70) FIG. 9 shows a perspective of a transfer conveyor with a roller conveyor. The roller conveyor comprises a conveying roller 23. In total 18 conveying rollers can be seen in FIG. 9. The roller conveyor is preferably 450 mm wide.

(71) The conveying rollers are rotatably mounted to a roller frame 35each conveying roller is supported by the roller frame at each end of the conveying roller. The conveying rollers extend orthogonal to the transport direction.

(72) Each conveying roller may be driven by a motor such as an electric motor or a hydraulic motor. Alternatively, only a selection of the conveying rollers is driven by a motor, such as half of the conveying rollers may be driven by a motor.

(73) The conveying roller 23 has the shape of a cylinder. The surface material of the conveying roller may be a material providing friction between the outer surface of the conveying roller and a transport item. The material may be polyurethane or PVC.

(74) The conveying roller may have a surface pattern to provide a friction between the outer surface of the conveying roller and the transport item, i.e. the surface pattern may include protrusions such as ribs.

(75) In FIG. 9, the transfer conveyor comprises a roller frame on the right side of the transfer conveyor and a roller frame on the left side of the transfer conveyor. A deflector in the form of a roller deflector is located on the left side roller frame.

(76) In the following is given a list of reference signs that are used in the detailed description of the invention. W Width of working space 2a Transport unit 2b Transport item 4 Unloading belt 6 Transfer conveyor 8 Rail assembly 10a Base 10b Stand 12a Upper guide track 12b Support track 12c Lower guide track 14 End piece 16 Electric rail 18 Work floor mat 20 Guide rail 22 Transfer conveyor belt 23 Conveying roller 24 Brake pad 26a Upper wheel 26b Support wheel 26c Lower wheel 28a First brake lever 28b Second brake lever 30 Outer frame 32 Inner frame 34 Belt frame 35 Roller frame 36 Emergency stop switch 38 Front shaft 40 Toggle switch 42 Roller deflector 44 Deflector handle 46 Brake switch 48 Deflector frame 50 Locking pin 58 Locking bolt