Conveyor Roller and Production Method

Abstract

The invention relates to a conveyor roller for conveyor systems for conveying containers, pallets, piece goods, and the like. The invention further relates to a method for producing and balancing, in particular dynamic balancing, such a conveyor roller. The conveyor roller comprises a roller body having a roller axle, the outside circumferential surface thereof being a contact surface for conveyed goods or being wrapped about by conveyed goods, and a head element (100), an insertion section (110) thereof being inserted into a hollow end of the roller body, wherein a groove (200) is formed on an end face (120) of the head element (100) facing away from the insertion section (110), in order to receive at least one balancing weight (301-304).

Claims

1. A conveyor roller (1000) for conveying systems for conveying containers, pallets, piece goods, and the like, comprising a roller body (1100) having a roller axis, the outer circumferential surface of which forms a support surface for conveyed goods or is looped around by a conveyor belt, and a head element (100), an insertion section (110) of which is inserted into a hollow end of the roller body (1100), wherein a groove (200) for receiving at least one balancing weight (301, 302, 303, 304) is formed on an end face (120) of the head element facing away from the insertion section (110).

2. The conveyor roller (1000) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the groove (200) is of annular design, and/or characterized in that the groove (200) is arranged coaxially with the roller axis, and/or characterized in that the groove (200) has a groove width in the radial direction and a groove depth in the axial direction, and/or characterized in that the groove depth is greater than the groove width, and/or characterized in that the groove (200) is of stepped design, and/or characterized in that the groove (200) has a first groove section and a second groove section (201, 202), wherein a groove depth of the first groove section (201) is greater than a groove depth of the second groove section (202).

3. The conveyor roller (1000) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the first groove section (201) is of annular design and/or the second groove section (202) is of annular design, and/or characterized in that the second groove section (202) is arranged radially inside the first groove section (201), and/or characterized in that the first groove section (201) is radially adjacent to the second groove section (202), and/or characterized in that at least one balancing weight (301, 302, 303, 304) is arranged in the first groove section (201) and/or at least one balancing weight (301, 302, 303, 304) is arranged in the second groove section (202).

4. The conveyor roller (1000) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the at least one balancing weight (301, 302, 303, 304) is of ring segment-shaped design, and/or characterized in that the at least one balancing weight (301, 302, 303, 304) has a balancing weight width in the radial direction and a balancing weight depth in the axial direction, and/or characterized in that the balancing weight depth is greater than the balancing weight width, and/or characterized in that the at least one balancing weight (301, 302, 303, 304) has a first and a second balancing weight section, wherein a balancing weight depth of the first balancing weight section is greater than a balancing weight depth of the second balancing weight section.

5. The conveyor roller (1000) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the first balancing weight section (311, 312) is of ring segment-shaped design and/or the second balancing weight section (321, 322) is of ring segment-shaped design, and/or characterized in that the second balancing weight section (321, 322) is arranged radially inside the first balancing weight section (311, 312), and/or characterized in that the first balancing weight section (311, 312) is radially adjacent to the second balancing weight section (321, 322).

6. The conveyor roller (1000) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the at least one balancing weight (301, 302, 303, 304) is secured in the groove (200), preferably by an adhesive connection, and/or characterized in that the at least one balancing weight (301, 302, 303, 304) consists of metal or comprises metal, and/or characterized in that the first balancing weight section (311, 312) is secured in the first groove section (201), preferably by an adhesive connection, and/or characterized in that the second balancing weight section (321, 322) is secured in the second groove section (202), preferably by an adhesive connection.

7. The conveyor roller (1000) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a balancing weight width is designed to fit precisely with the groove width, and/or characterized in that a balancing weight depth is designed to be less than the groove depth, and/or characterized in that a width of the first balancing weight section (311, 312) is designed to fit precisely with a width of the first groove section (201), and/or characterized in that a width of the second balancing weight section (321, 322) is designed to fit precisely with a width of the second groove section (202), and/or characterized in that a depth of the first balancing weight section (311, 312) is designed to be less than a depth of the first groove section (201), and/or characterized in that a depth of the second balancing weight section (321, 322) is designed to fit precisely and is less than a depth of the second groove section (202).

8. The conveyor roller (1000) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a cover plate (130), which covers the groove (200), is arranged on the end face (120) of the head element.

9. The conveyor roller (1000) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the cover plate (130) is of annular design, and/or characterized in that a depth of the cover plate (130) in the axial direction is many times less than a width of the cover plate (130) in the radial direction, and/or characterized in that the cover plate (130) is fluid-tightly connected to the end face (120) of the head element (100), and/or characterized in that the cover plate (130) is connected to the end face (120) of the head element (100) by means of an adhesive connection, and/or characterized in that a connection of the cover plate (130) to the end face (120) of the head element (100) is sealed, and/or characterized in that the cover plate (130) consists of stainless steel or comprises stainless steel.

10. The conveyor roller (1000) as claimed in claim 1, characterized by a drive unit (1200) which is designed and arranged to transmit torque to the roller body (1100).

11. The conveyor roller (1000) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the insertion section (110) and the end of the roller body (1100) each have a cylindrical cross section.

12. A head element for a conveyor roller (1000) for conveying systems for conveying containers, pallets, piece goods and the like, in particular a conveyor roller (1000) as claimed in claim 1, the head element (100) comprising an insertion section (110) for insertion into a hollow end of the roller body (1100) of a conveyor roller (1000), wherein a groove (200) for receiving at least one balancing weight (301, 302, 303, 304) is formed on an end face (120) of the head element (100) facing away from the insertion section (110).

13. A method (500) for producing a conveyor roller (1000) for conveying systems for conveying containers, pallets, piece goods and the like, in particular a conveyor roller (1000) as claimed in claim 1, comprising the following steps: providing a roller body (1100) having a roller axis, the outer circumferential surface of which forms a support surface for conveyed goods or is looped around by a conveyor belt, inserting an insertion section (110) of a head element (100) into a hollow end of the roller body (1100), wherein a groove (200) for receiving at least one balancing weight (301, 302, 303, 304) is formed on an end face (120) of the head element (100) facing away from the insertion section (110).

14. A method (600) for balancing, in particular dynamically balancing, a conveyor roller (1000) for conveying systems for conveying containers, pallets, piece goods and the like, in particular a conveyor roller (1000) as claimed in claim 1, comprising the following steps: providing a conveyor roller (1000) as claimed in claim 1, arranging at least one balancing weight (301, 302, 303, 304) in the groove (200) in dependence on a balancing result.

15. The method (600) as claimed in claim 14, characterized by: providing a balancing ring, producing the at least one balancing weight (301, 302, 303, 304) by dividing the balancing ring into at least two ring segments.

16. The conveyor roller (1000) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one balancing weight (301, 302, 303, 304) is secured in the groove (200), wherein the groove (200) is of annular design, wherein a cover plate (130), which covers the groove (200), is arranged on the end face (120) of the head element, the cover plate (130) is of annular design and the cover plate is fluid-tightly connected to the end face (120) of the head element (100).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] Preferred exemplary embodiments are described by way of example with reference to the attached figures, of which:

[0060] FIG. 1: shows a longitudinally sectioned view of a conveyor roller;

[0061] FIG. 2: shows a cross section along section plane B-B of the conveyor roller shown in FIG. 1;

[0062] FIG. 3: shows an enlarged illustration of the detail X from FIG. 1;

[0063] FIG. 4: shows a plan view of the head element from FIG. 1;

[0064] FIG. 5: shows a cross section along section plane A-A of the head element illustrated in FIG. 4;

[0065] FIG. 6: shows an enlarged illustration of a cross section along section plane B-B of the head element illustrated in FIG. 4;

[0066] FIG. 7: shows a plan view of a cover plate;

[0067] FIG. 8: shows a side view of the cover plate from FIG. 7;

[0068] FIG. 9: shows a schematic flowchart of a method for producing a conveyor roller; and

[0069] FIG. 10: shows a schematic flowchart of a method for balancing a conveyor roller.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0070] FIG. 1 shows a longitudinally sectioned view of a conveyor roller 1000 having first and second head elements 1101, 1102. In FIGS. 2 to 6, the first head element 1101 is shown in detail as head element 100. FIG. 2 shows a cross section through the head element along section plane B-B of the conveyor roller 1000 illustrated in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is an enlarged illustration of the detail X from FIG. 1. FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the head element 100 from FIG. 2 without balancing weights. FIG. 5 shows a cross section along section plane A-A of the head element 100 illustrated in FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 shows an enlarged illustration of a cross section along section plane B-B of the head element 100 illustrated in FIG. 4. Finally, FIGS. 7 and 8 show a plan view and a side view of the cover plate 130 of the head element 100. FIGS. 9 and 10 show schematic flowcharts of methods 500, 600 for producing and balancing a conveyor roller 1000.

[0071] In the figures, identical or substantially functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference signs. General descriptions generally relate to all embodiments, unless differences are explicitly indicated.

[0072] FIG. 1 shows the basic construction of a conveyor roller 1000, which here is designed as a motor-driven conveyor roller. In a roller body 1100, a first head element 1101 is inserted into the roller body 1100 in a torque-proof manner at a first end, and a second head element 1102 is inserted into the roller body 1100 in a torque-proof manner at a second end. Rolling bearings 1110, 1112 are arranged inside the head elements 1101, 1102. The rolling bearings 1110, 1112 serve for the rotatable mounting of bearing journals 1120, 1121. The conveyor roller 1000 can be secured on a frame by means of the bearing journals 1120, 1121.

[0073] In FIGS. 2 to 6, the first head element 1101 from FIG. 1 is shown in detail and designated there as head element 100. The second head element 1102 from FIG. 1 is of substantially the same design with respect to the groove, cover plate and balancing weights described in detail below and, in particular, has the same features in this respect. The advantages, variant embodiments and embodiment details described for the first head element thus likewise apply to the second head element.

[0074] The head element 100 shown in FIGS. 2 to 6 has an insertion section 110 for insertion into a hollow end of the roller body 1100. The head element 100 preferably comprises plastic or consists of plastic. The outer cylindrical circumference of the insertion section 110 of the head element 100 is preferably the same as or slightly larger than the inner circumference of the hollow end of the roller body 1100, ensuring that frictional engagement occurs when the insertion section 110 is inserted into the hollow end of the roller body 1100.

[0075] A groove 200 is formed on an end face 120 of the head element 100 facing away from the insertion section 110. The groove 200 has a groove width in the radial direction and a groove depth in the axial direction. The groove depth is greater than the groove width, in particular at least 1.2 or 1.5 times as great. The groove 200 is of stepped design, wherein the groove base 211, 212 is a contoured surface. The groove 200 has a first groove section 201 and a second groove section 202, wherein the groove depth of the first groove section 201 is greater than the groove depth of the second groove section 202.

[0076] Four balancing weights 301, 302, 303, 304 designed as ring segments are arranged in the groove 200 at a spacing in the circumferential direction, as can be seen, in particular, in FIG. 2.

[0077] The groove 200 and the first and the second groove sections 201, 202 are arranged coaxially with the roller axis. The groove 200 as well as the first and the second groove sections 201, 202 are furthermore of annular design, which makes it possible to arrange the balancing weights 301, 302, 303, 304 at any desired points in the circumferential direction.

[0078] The depth of the first groove section 201 is greater than the width of the first groove section 201. The depth of the second groove section 202 is likewise greater than a width of the second groove section 202. The second groove section 202 is arranged radially inside the first groove section 201 and the second groove section 202 has a smaller mean radius than the first groove section 201. The first groove section 201 is radially adjacent to the second groove section 202, wherein a minimum radius of the first groove section 201 corresponds to a maximum radius of the second groove section 202.

[0079] The balancing weights 301, 302, 303, 304 are arranged in the first and second groove sections 201, 202, the type, size, weight, number and positioning of the balancing weights 301, 302, 303, 304 depending on a balancing result determined in a balancing process.

[0080] Each of the balancing weights 301, 302, 303, 304 has a balancing weight width in the radial direction, a balancing weight depth in the axial direction and a balancing weight length in the circumferential direction. The balancing weight depth is greater than the balancing weight width.

[0081] Each of the balancing weights 301, 302, 303, 304 has a first and a second balancing weight section 311, 312, 321, 322, wherein in each case a balancing weight depth of the first balancing weight section 311, 312 is greater than a balancing weight depth of the second balancing weight section 321, 322.

[0082] The respective first and second balancing weight sections are also of ring segment-shaped design, wherein the second balancing weight section 321, 322 is arranged radially inside the first balancing weight section 311, 312, and the first balancing weight section 311, 312 is radially adjacent to the second balancing weight section 321, 322. The mean radius of the first balancing weight section 311, 312 is greater than a mean radius of the second balancing weight section 321, 322, wherein the minimum radius of the first balancing weight section 311, 312 corresponds to the maximum radius of the second balancing weight section 321, 322.

[0083] Each of the balancing weights 301, 302, 303, 304, in particular in each case the first and second balancing weight sections 311, 321, 312, 322, is of integral design. This means, in particular, that the respective first and second balancing weight sections 311, 321, 312, 322 are not produced as separate elements which are connected later.

[0084] Each of the balancing weights 301, 302, 303, 304 consists of metal, for example stainless steel and/or zinc and/or tin and/or tungsten.

[0085] For each of the balancing weights 301, 302, 303, 304, the depth of the first balancing weight section 311, 312 is greater than a width of the first balancing weight section 311, 312, and the depth of the second balancing weight section 321, 322 is greater than a width of the second balancing weight section 321, 322, wherein the length of the first and second balancing sections 311, 321, 312, 322 per balancing weight 301, 302, 303, 304 is substantially the same.

[0086] The balancing weights 301, 302, 303, 304 have different lengths in the circumferential direction. By virtue of the ring segment-shaped design of the balancing weights 301, 302, 303, 304, it is possible in a particularly simple manner to produce balancing weights 301, 302, 303, 304 matched to an individual unbalance and to arrange these in the groove 200.

[0087] Each of the balancing weights 301, 302, 303, 304 is arranged in the groove 200 and secured there by an adhesive connection, wherein the space 221, 222 is filled with adhesive in the depth between the balancing weight 301, 302, 303, 304 and the groove 200. In this case, both the first balancing weight section 311, 312 in the first groove section 201 and the second balancing weight section 321, 322 in the second groove section 202, are secured by an adhesive connection, wherein adhesive is applied to the groove 200 and/or to the balancing weights 301, 302, 303, 304 before the balancing weights 301, 302, 303, 304 are inserted.

[0088] The balancing weight width is designed to fit precisely with the groove width, in particular the width of the first balancing weight section 311, 312 is designed to fit precisely with the width of the first groove section 201, and the width of the second balancing weight section 321, 322 is designed to fit precisely with the width of the second groove section 202. This ensures a fit between the balancing weight 301, 302, 303, 304 and the groove 200.

[0089] The balancing weight depth is designed to be less than the groove depth, in particular the depth of the first balancing weight section 311, 312 is less than the depth of the first groove section 201, and the depth of the second balancing weight section 321, 322 is less than the depth of the second groove section 202.

[0090] An annular cover plate 130 made of stainless steel is furthermore arranged on the end face 120 of the head element 100. As can be seen, in particular, in FIGS. 3 and 8, the depth of the cover plate 130 in the axial direction is many times less than a width of the cover plate 130 in the radial direction. The cover plate 130 designed as an annular disk covers the groove 200 and the balancing weights 301, 302, 303, 304 located therein. The cover plate 130 is fluid-tightly connected to the end face 120 of the head element 100 by means of an adhesive connection, wherein the connection of the cover plate 130 to the end face 120 of the head element 130 is preferably sealed. Thus, the groove 200 and the balancing weights 301, 302, 303, 304 are protected against contamination, and conveyor roller 1000 can also be used in areas of application which have particularly high hygiene requirements and/or in which there is high-pressure cleaning of the conveying systems.

[0091] A conveyor roller 1000 can be produced by providing 501 a roller body 1100 having a roller axis, the outer circumferential surface of which forms a support surface for conveyed goods or is looped around by a conveyor belt, and inserting 502 an insertion section 110 of a head element 100 into the hollow end of the roller body 1100, wherein a groove 200 for receiving at least one balancing weight 301, 302, 303, 304 is formed on an end face 120 of the head element 100 facing away from the insertion section 110. A head element is preferably also inserted on the opposite side of the roller body 1100.

[0092] The method 600 for balancing a conveyor roller 1000 may proceed as follows: first, in step 601, a conveyor roller 1000 is provided. The balancing weights 301, 302, 303, 304 are produced, for example, by providing 602 a balancing ring (not shown) which is matched to the groove 200. Depending on the result of the balancing process, the balancing ring is divided in step 603 into at least two ring segments, of which at least one is used as a balancing weight 301, 302, 303, 304 and is arranged in the groove 200 in step 604. For a plurality of balancing weights 301, 302, 303, 304, the steps can be repeated accordingly.

[0093] A balancing ring that fits into the groove is preferably produced for each head element and made available for the balancing process. The balancing ring can thus be produced under controlled process conditions with a high precision of fit to the groove. Furthermore, there is no need to stock different balancing weights, but only a need to stock the balancing ring for each head element. In the balancing process, this balancing ring can be removed and then divided into two or more ring segments. By way of the circumferential length of the ring segments, the balancing weight can be adapted to any unbalance that is present.