Conveyors: power-driven – Conveyor section – Endless conveyor
Patent
1993-04-22
1994-10-25
Gastineau, Cheryl L.
Conveyors: power-driven
Conveyor section
Endless conveyor
198810, B65G 3916
Patent
active
053580982
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to improvements in training idlers for belt conveyors for correcting lateral misalignment of the belt.
BACKGROUND ART
With conventional training idlers, the motion of the idler training the belt is generally restricted to a slewing action about a central vertical axis normal to the width of the belt.
The angle between the training roller and the belt generates a lateral re-aligning influence on the belt that has become misaligned from its central position due to other influences.
The idler slewing frame is normally driven by servo rollers on either side of the belt, which in turn are activated by the belt as it misaligns laterally. The re-aligning influence that a training idler of this configuration can exert on the belt is limited by the single degree-of-freedom of training movement available to the idler and the frictional force that can be developed between the belt and the training idler.
French patent specification no. 2586235 discloses a training idler in which the idler roller frame is rotatably mounted on a stub axle fitted to a support frame. Such mounting between the two frames provides only one degree of freedom of movement, namely rotational movement about the stub axle. However, the stub axle is angled at 60.degree. to the horizontal so that any slewing of the idler roller also results in tilting of the idler roller. There is a fixed relationship between the slewing and tilting actions of the idler roller which is determined by the angle of inclination of the axis of rotation of the idler frame.
In the training idler system of French patent specification 2586235, a positive force is applied to the idler frame to cause the frame to rotate, and hence tilt. This force is actuated by an optical sensor which detects misalignment of the belt. However, such an arrangement has several disadvantages. First, it is necessary to provide a mechanism to provide the positive tilting force. Such a mechanism increases the cost of the roller, as well as servicing requirements. Secondly, it is necessary to provide sensors to detect misalignment of the belt. Optical sensors are generally unsuitable for use in the dusty environments in which such belts normally operate, and must be cleaned regularly. Further, a source of power must be provided for each training idler.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for correcting lateral misalignment of a conveyor belt, which overcomes or alleviates the disadvantages of known training idlers.
In one broad form, the present invention provides apparatus correcting lateral misalignment of a conveyor belt, comprising an idler roller upon which the belt is adapted to run; a base frame; a tilt frame having the roller rotatably mounted thereon, the tilt frame being pivotally mounted to the base frame; slewing means, responsive to the lateral misalignment of the conveyor belt, for causing slewing of the tilt frame and roller generally about an axis substantially normal to the belt to thereby urge the belt in a direction opposite to the misalignment; and tilting means responsive to the slewing of the tilt frame to cause the tilt frame and roller to pivot relative to the base frame about an axis substantially parallel to the direction of belt travel to further urge the belt in a direction opposite to the misalignment.
In a first aspect, the invention is characterised in that the slewing means comprises an abutment member located adjacent each edge of the conveyor belt but spaced therefrom, and wherein the urging of an edge of the conveyor belt against its associated abutment member due to misalignment of the belt causes slewing of the tilt frame and idler roller. That is, the physical urging of the belt itself against the abutment member is the actuating force which causes slewing, and hence tilting, of the tilt frame. No additional force is required, thereby simplifying construction requirements and enabling the apparatus to operate independently.
In a second aspect, the invention is character
REFERENCES:
patent: 2655251 (1953-10-01), Bankauf
patent: 3621728 (1971-11-01), Steorts
patent: 4664303 (1987-05-01), Morse et al.
patent: 5182986 (1993-02-01), Bielfeldt
patent: 5186313 (1993-02-01), Denker et al.
Abstract of Japan Patent 83-113008.
Huth Alan
Sundstrom Paul
Gastineau Cheryl L.
Tasman Engineers Pty. Ltd.
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