JPS5846407B2 - reciprocating conveyor - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to reciprocating conveyors and, more particularly, to a novel hydraulic drive system for slatted reciprocating conveyors.

Conventional slat-type reciprocating conveyors generally use groups of two slats (slender plywood) each, with each slat in each group moving vertically and horizontally relative to each other, or Each slat is moved simultaneously in one direction and sequentially in the opposite direction.

Such a configuration imparts a stepwise forward motion to the material on the conveyor.

In many cases, the stepwise forward movement of the material is followed by a slight backward movement.

In any case, such a configuration wastes the drive power of the conveyor and is slow and inefficient.

The above-mentioned drawbacks were overcome by the reciprocating conveyors described in Applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 3,534,875 and Applicant's U.S. Pat. are all,
It is necessary to provide special and therefore expensive drive components.

In its basic concept, the invention provides at least three
A slat-type reciprocating conveyor consisting of at least one group of slender slats (base plate), in which all the slats are moved simultaneously by a hydraulic drive system, i.e., from their original position, in the desired material conveyance direction. let me,
A conveyor is then provided for sequentially returning each slat of each group from its advanced position to its original position in the opposite direction.

The main objective of the present invention, which is to overcome the above-mentioned limitations and drawbacks of conventional slat-type reciprocating conveyors, is achieved by the above-mentioned basic idea.

Another object of the invention is to provide a reciprocating conveyor of the above type with a hydraulic drive system constructed from commercially available components and therefore very inexpensive to manufacture.

Yet another object of the invention is to construct a truck bed which can also be used as an industrial conveyor and which can perform operations such as loading materials onto trucks and unloading materials from trucks. It is an object of the present invention to provide a reciprocating conveyor of the above type which can be used.

The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description taken with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As mentioned above, the reciprocating conveyor of the present invention can be used as such in a variety of industrial applications, for example as an elongated transport conveyor, but it can also constitute a load support for a truck. .

In any case, the conveyor has a frame including laterally spaced side beams 10 and transverse beams 12 interconnecting them, conveying material in the longitudinal direction of the frame. and at least one group of at least three elongate slats extending in a direction and juxtaposed transversely of the frame.

In the illustrated implementation, each group includes three slats 14, 16 .
Although groups of 18 slats are provided, each group can have any desired number of slats greater than two.

A plurality of laterally spaced guide beams 20 extend longitudinally of the frame to form a transverse frame beam 12.
be supported by

These guide beams are connected to the transverse beam 1 by welding, for example.
Fixed at 2.

Each conveyor slat 14, 16, 18 is mounted on a respective one of the guide beams 20 for reciprocating longitudinal movement therewith.

This mounting can be carried out in accordance with the arrangement described in my US patent application Ser. No. 496,523 so as to minimize frictional resistance to its reciprocating motion.

According to the invention, a hydraulic drive mechanism for advancing each slat of each group in unison from a starting position in the material conveying direction and then returning each slat of each group sequentially from the advanced position to the starting position in the opposite direction. will be established.

This mode of operation efficiently moves any type of material in the desired transport direction.

In the illustrated embodiment, one slat of each group of slats is interconnected for simultaneous longitudinal reciprocation.

For this purpose, certain adjacent transverse frame beams 1
A total of three transverse drive beams 22, 24, 26 are arranged, one between 2.12 and provided on the underside of the stead.

A portion of the longitudinal guide beam 20 is cut out as shown in FIG.

Each drive beam 22, 24, 26 is provided with a plurality of laterally spaced brackets 28 which project upwardly through the cutout portion of the guide beam and are secured to the corresponding slats.

In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of brackets 28 on drive beam 22 include groups of slats 14, 14,
Similarly, the bracket 28 of the drive beam 24 mutually fixes the plurality of slats N6, 16..., and the bracket 28 of the drive beam 26 mutually fixes the plurality of slats 18, 18... are fixed to each other.

Each of the transverse drive beams is coupled to a source of hydraulic power for reciprocating longitudinal movement of the conveyor.

In the illustrated embodiment, the drive beams 22, 24° 26
are pivotally connected, for example by pivot pins 30, to the projecting ends of the piston rods 32 of the hydraulic cylinders 34, 36, 38, respectively.

The end of the cylinder opposite the piston rod is connected to a transverse frame member 4, for example by a pivot pin 40.
It is pivoted to 2.

Frame member 42 has both ends connected to side beams i of the frame.
Fixed to o, io.

The inner end of the piston rod 32 connects to a piston that is reciprocated within the cylinder by fluid pressure, preferably hydraulic pressure, selectively introduced into opposite ends of the cylinder.

FIG. 3 shows a hydraulic system connected to the cylinder for selectively reciprocating the piston and piston rod to impart material transport motion to each slat in the direction indicated by arrow 44.

This system includes a fluid pressure, preferably hydraulic, pump 46 with a fluid delivery conduit 48 and a return conduit 50.

A diverter valve 52 serves to connect the conduits 48, 50 to and from the conduits 54, 56 in a switchable manner.

Conduit 54 communicates with the base end of each cylinder 34, 36, 38, and conduit 56 communicates with the end of cylinder 34 on the piston rod side.

The piston rod end of cylinder 34 freely communicates with the piston rod end of cylinder 36 through conduit 58 and check valve 60.

Similarly, the piston rod end of cylinder 36 is in free communication with the piston rod end of cylinder 38 through conduit 62 and check valve 64.

However, the check valves 60 and 64 are
Pressure fluid is not allowed to pass in the direction opposite to the direction of flow indicated by the arrow until the piston rod is fully extended.

When the piston rods are fully extended, the corresponding pistons engage check valve actuators 66 in their respective cylinders, switching the check valves to allow flow in two directions.

As shown, one end of the switching valve 52 is connected to a piston 8 of a hydraulic, preferably pneumatic, cylinder 70 .

The end of the cylinder 70 opposite the piston rod 8 is connected via a conduit 72 and a valve 74 to the outlet of a hydraulic pump 76 (preferably an air pump).

Auxiliary conduit 72' selectively communicates conduit 12 to atmosphere via relief valve 78.

Valves 74 and 18 are arranged to be selectively actuated by drive beam 26.

As shown, these valves are mounted in a fixed position below the plane of reciprocation of beam 26 and suspended from arm 80. when beam 26 reaches the end point of its reciprocation.
80 so that it can be switched from the illustrated position.

That is, the beam 26 is connected to the piston rod 32 of the cylinder 38.
Once the valve 74 reaches a position corresponding to its fully extended position, the valve 74 is switched from the illustrated position against the elastic resistance of its biasing spring 82 to communicate the pump 76 with the conduit 72.

In this state, fluid pressure is applied to the cylinder 70 to extend the piston rod 8 and move the switching valve 52 to the illustrated position against the elastic resistance of its biasing spring 84.

Conversely, when the drive beam 26 reaches the other end point where the piston rod 32 of the cylinder 38 is fully retracted,
Valve 78 is moved from the position shown against the resilient resistance of biasing spring 86, placing conduit 72' and thus cylinder 70 in communication with the atmosphere.

Biasing spring 84 thus moves switching valve 52 to the other selected position.

3, drive beam 26 has just switched valve T4 from a position that causes air pressure from air pump 76 to be introduced into cylinder 10 and switches valve 52 to the illustrated position. That's about it.

In this position of the switching valve 52, fluid pressure from the pump 46 is delivered through the conduit 48.56 to the piston rod end of the cylinder 34 to begin retracting the cylinder piston rod and thus the drive beam 22. .

Concurrently, fluid from conduit 56 flows through check valve 60 and conduit 58 to the piston rod end of cylinder 36 and through check valve 64 and conduit 62 to the piston rod end of cylinder 38. It flows into the end on the rod side.

As can be seen from the above description, the switching of the valve 52 of this drive system and the reversal of the movement of the conveyor slats are activated by the components associated with the slats when the slats reach the extreme position of their reciprocation. It is reliably controlled by the mechanism that is used.

In the illustrated embodiment, the mechanism includes an arm 80 attached to the beam 26 and a check valve operator 66.66 associated with a respective piston connected to the beam 22.24.

Thereby, a reversal of the movement of the slats takes place only after they have reached the limit of their travel.

With this operating sequence, all drive beams 22°24.2
6 move substantially simultaneously in the same direction, ie in the direction of retraction of each piston rod 32 relative to its respective cylinder, thus moving all the slats simultaneously in the direction of material transport.

The flow of fluid from conduit 56 and cylinder 34 through check valve 60.64 and the conduit connecting thereto may be limited to some degree, depending in part on the type of load to be conveyed.

If such flow restriction is excessive, cylinder 34
, 36, and 38 are retracted sequentially rather than simultaneously, making the conveying operation inefficient.

According to the invention, therefore, means are provided to prevent such sequential operation.

In the illustrated embodiment, this means includes cylinders 36,
It is composed of impact members 90 and 92 fixed to 38 piston rods 32, respectively.

The abutment member 90 engages the drive beam 22 when the piston rod reaches the fully extended position, and the abutment member 92 engages the drive beam 24 when the piston rod reaches the fully extended position. Deploy.

Therefore, when the valve 52 is switched to the position shown in FIG. 3 and the piston rod of the cylinder 34 begins to retract, the piston rod of the cylinder 36 simultaneously is also retracted, and the piston rod of the cylinder 38 begins to be retracted via the abutment member 92 that engages the drive beam 24.

In any case, the simultaneous movement of the three drive beams and the slats connected thereto in the conveying direction indicated by arrows 44 continues until all piston rods 32 reach their fully retracted position within their respective cylinders.

In this position, all slats have been moved to their advanced positions.

Drive beam 26 also engages valve 78 and moves the valve from the position of FIG. 3 to open cylinder 70 to atmosphere;
This causes the switching valve 52 to be displaced from the illustrated position to its opposite selected position by the action of the biasing spring 84.

In this switched position of valve 52, pump 46
Fluid pressure from the cylinder 34 through conduit 48.54
, 36.38, and a conduit 56.50 communicates the piston rod end of the cylinder 34 with the discharge side of the pump 46.

The ends of the cylinders 36 and 38 on the piston rod side are provided with check valves 6
Since it is closed by 0.64, only the piston rod of the cylinder 34 is extended.

When the piston of the cylinder 34 reaches its extension limit,
It engages with the operator 66 of the check valve 60, switches the check valve 60, and connects the conduit 5 from the end of the cylinder 36 on the piston rod side.
8, returning fluid pressure to the discharge side of the pump through check valve 60 and conduit 56.50.

The piston rod of cylinder 36 is thus stretched out.

When the piston of the cylinder 36 reaches its extension limit,
It engages with the operator 66 of the check valve 64 to switch the check valve and direct fluid from the end of the cylinder 38 on the piston rod side through the conduit 62 and the check valve 64 to the conduit 58 and the check valve 6.
0 and then through conduits 56, 50 to the discharge side of the pump.

Thus, the piston rod of the cylinder 38 is extended.

When the piston rod of the cylinder 38 reaches its extension limit, it causes the associated drive beam 26 to operatively engage the valve 74 through which the pump 76 is moved into the cylinder 70.
3, thereby displacing the switching valve 52 again to the position of FIG. 3, causing all piston rods 32 to retract simultaneously and, as a result, all slats to move simultaneously in the material transport direction 44.

The hydraulic system shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is capable of reversing the load carrying direction of the slats.

For this purpose, the hydraulic system shown in FIG. 3 was modified as follows.

That is, the conduit 48,50 connected to the pump 46 is connected to the switching valve 5.
2 to conduits 100 and 102 in a switchable manner.

Conduits 100, 102 are connected to handle 10 in the illustrated embodiment.
Reversing valve 10 manually operated by 6
Leads to 4.

When reversing valve 104 is in the position shown in FIG. 4, conduit 100 communicates with the base end of cylinder 38 through conduit 108 and with the base end of cylinder 34 through conduit 110.

The end of the cylinder 34 on the piston rod side is connected to a conduit 112
and to the discharge side of pump 46 through conduit 102.50.

Additionally, a relief valve 78 for the cylinder 70 is connected to the drive beam 2.
2, and when the piston rod of the cylinder 34 is fully retracted, the valve 7
8 is switched to communicate the cylinder 70 to the atmosphere.

As in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the locations of the components shown in FIG.
is shown in the intermediate position of the simultaneous backward stroke, so that all conveyor slats are moving simultaneously in the conveying direction indicated by numeral 144.

In this position, fluid pressure from pump 46 is applied to the piston rod end of cylinder 36 through check valve 60 and conduit 58 and thus through check valve 64 and conduit 62 to the piston rod end of cylinder 38. Added.

The base end of the cylinder 34 is connected to the check valve 114 and the conduit 1
16 to the base end of cylinder 34 and conduit 1
10, 100 and 50 to the discharge side of pump 46.

The base end of cylinder 38 is connected to check valve 118 . conduit 120
, check valve 114, conduit 116 and conduits 110, 100
pump 46 through or directly through conduit 108
It communicates with the discharge side of.

Therefore, all piston rods 32 move in the backward direction at the same time.

However, as in the case of the previous embodiment, each piston rod may move sequentially rather than simultaneously under certain conditions, but such sequential movement may cause collision as explained above. This can be avoided by using elements 90.92.

When all piston rods are fully retracted, an arm 80 attached to the drive beam 22 engages the relief valve 78 and switches it to the open position, thereby causing the cylinder 70
is in communication with the atmosphere and the switching valve 52 is switched to the opposite selected position by the action of the biasing spring 84.

Thus, fluid pressure from pump 46 is applied to the base end of cylinder 38, 34 through conduit 100 and conduits 108, 110.

Because the pistons of the cylinders 36, 38 are in a fully retracted position and engage the actuators 122 of the check valves 114, 118 to permit bidirectional flow through those check valves, the fluid pressure is also applied to the base end of cylinder 36.38 through conduits 110, 116, 120.

However, only the piston rod end side of the cylinder 34 is connected to the discharge side of the pump 46 through conduits 112, 102.50, thereby moving the piston rod of the cylinder 34 to its fully extended position.

At this position, the piston of the cylinder 34 engages with the operator 66 of the check valve 60, actuating the check valve 60 and causing the cylinder 36 to move.
The piston rod end of the piston rod is connected through a conduit 58 to a discharge conduit.

The piston rod of the cylinder 36 thus moves to its fully extended position and engages the actuator 66 of the check valve 64 to actuate the check valve and connect the piston rod end of the cylinder 38 to the conduit 62.58. through which the exhaust conduit 112 is connected.

The piston rod of the cylinder 38 thus moves to its fully extended position so that the arm 80 attached to the drive beam 26 engages the valve 74 and moves the valve to direct the outlet of the pump 46 into the cylinder. TO and return the switching valve 52 to the position shown in FIG.

As previously discussed, at this point all piston rods are moved simultaneously in the backward direction, causing all slats to move simultaneously in the load carrying direction, indicated at 144.

If it is desired to reverse the load conveyance direction from the direction indicated by reference numeral 144 in FIG. 4, the reversing valve 104 is switched to the position shown in FIG.

The position of the components shown in FIG. 5 is with the piston rod 32 of the cylinder 34 fully retracted so that the valve 78 is switched to communicate the cylinder 70 to the atmosphere and the switching valve 52 is biased by the biasing spring. 84 to the position shown in FIG.

In this position of diverter valve 52, fluid pressure from pump 46 is directed to cylinder 38 through conduits 48, 100, 108.
and thence through a check valve 114 and a conduit connected thereto to the base end of the cylinder 36.34.

The extension of the piston rod is made possible by a conduit 124 which communicates the piston rod end of the cylinder 38 through a conduit 102.50 to the discharge side of the pump 46.

The end of the cylinder 34.36 on the piston rod side also has a check valve 60, 64 and a conduit 58.6 connected thereto.
2 to the conduit 124.

The above-mentioned simultaneous extension of each piston rod and thus of all slats is achieved by the abutment member 90.92, as previously explained.
This is ensured by providing the following.

That is, the collision member 92 attached to the piston rod 32 of the cylinder 38 is engaged with the drive beam 24, and the piston rod 32 of the cylinder 36 causes the collision member 90 to engage with the drive beam 22 and move. When the piston rod of the cylinder 38 is extended, the cylinder 36 simultaneously
．． 34 piston rods are also extended, thereby causing all slats to move in the direction of material transport opposite arrow 144 in FIG.

When each piston rod reaches its fully extended position, an arm 80 attached to drive beam 26 engages and switches valve 74, placing pump 76 in communication with cylinder 70 and separating switching valve 52. to the selected position.

Thus, fluid pressure from pump 46 is transferred to conduits 48, 10.
2, 112, 124 to the piston rod end of the cylinder 34, 38.

Fluid pressure is transferred to cylinder 36 through reversed check valve 64.
It is also supplied to the end of the piston rod.

However, only the base end of cylinder 38 is connected to conduit i.
It is connected to the discharge side of the pump 46 through oa, ioo, and so, and only the piston rond of the cylinder moves to its fully retracted position and engages the operator 122 of the check valve 118 to actuate the check valve. , thereby communicating the base end of cylinder 36 to discharge conduit 108 through check valve 118 and conduit 120 .

At this point, the piston of cylinder 36 has been retracted enough to disengage from actuator 66 of check valve 60, so that conduit 11 is connected to the piston rond end of the cylinder.
Pressurized fluid is supplied through 2.58 and the piston rond moves to its fully retracted position.

When the piston within cylinder 36 reaches its fully retracted position, it engages actuator 122 of check valve 114, thereby connecting the base end of cylinder 34 to conduit 116.120 and check valve 112.118 thereto. through which the exhaust conduit 108 is communicated.

When the piston of the cylinder 34 reaches its fully retracted position, its associated drive beam 22 engages and switches the relief valve 18 thereby communicating the cylinder 70 to atmosphere, thereby switching the switching valve 52 as shown in FIG. Return to the position shown.

As a result, all piston ronds are extended at the same time,
Therefore, all conveyor slats are simultaneously moved in the conveying direction opposite to that indicated by arrow 144 in FIG.

As can be seen from the foregoing description, the present invention provides a slat-type reciprocating conveyor that functions to efficiently move all types of loads in a desired conveyance direction.

Additionally, the hydraulic drive for this conveyor can be constructed from commercially available components.

Therefore, manufacturing costs, maintenance costs and repair costs of the conveyor of the present invention are minimized.

The dimensions, shape, number, arrangement, etc. of each component of the conveyor of the present invention may be changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

It should be understood that various changes are possible.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial plan view of a slat-type reciprocating conveyor according to the present invention, with portions cut away to show structural details. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a hydraulic drive incorporating features of the present invention, attempting to transport material in the direction of the arrow. Show where you are. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of a hydraulic drive device adapted to allow reversible operation of the conveyor, when it is adjusted to convey material in the direction of the arrow. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a portion of the drive device of FIG. 4, shown when adjusted to reverse the conveying direction. In the figure, 10 is a side beam, 12 is a horizontal beam, 14.16
．． 18 is a slat, 34, 36.38 is a fluid pressure cylinder, 46 is a fluid pressure pump, 52 is a switching valve, 60.64 is a check valve, 66 is an operator, 70 is a cylinder, 76 is a pneumatic pump, 78 is a relief Valve, 90.92 is a collision member.

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. A frame and at least three elongated elongates disposed on the frame in close proximity to each other for independent longitudinal reciprocation in a single plane between a starting position and an advanced position. slat members and a plurality of reversible hydraulic drives, one for each slat member, the plurality of drives interconnecting the frame and each associated slat member and driving all slat members simultaneously. The slat members are moved in the material conveying direction from the starting position to the forward position, and then the slat members are sequentially returned one by one from the forward position to the starting position, until all the slat members reach the limit of the forward position. when the plurality of drive devices are engaged and actuated, the plurality of drive devices are sequentially reversed one by one to return the slat members one by one to the starting position, so that all the slat members are in their original positions. A reciprocating conveyor comprising a drive control device which, when fully completed to the starting position, reverses the drive to move all slat members simultaneously in the material transport direction. 2 a frame; at least one group of at least three elongate slat members disposed in close proximity to each other on the frame for longitudinal reciprocation between a starting position and an advanced position; Said frame and each slat member are moved together in order to simultaneously move all slat members of a group from said starting position to an advanced position in the direction of material conveyance, and then to move each slat member of each group sequentially back from an advanced position to a starting position. a reversible drive means coupled to a telescoping hydraulic piston/cylinder unit for reciprocating each slat member of each group; a fluid pressure source; and a reversible drive means coupled to each piston/cylinder. and adjustable valve means for connection to each piston/unit.
One end of the cylinder unit is connected to said frame and the other end of said unit is connected to a corresponding one of the slat members of each group, said adjustable valve means in its first adjustment position simultaneously controlling all the slat members. operative to apply fluid pressure to each of the piston/cylinder units to move them in the material conveying direction from the starting position to the forward position, and in a second adjustment position each slat member of each group sequentially starts from the forward position. each piston/
the cylinder unit is configured to apply fluid pressure to the cylinder unit, and when the slat members of each group reach their forward positions, engage the drive means to reverse the drive means, and move the slat members sequentially to the starting position. drive control means for reversing the drive means to simultaneously move all the slat members in the transport direction when the slat members of each group are fully retracted to the starting position; The drive control means adjusts the adjustable valve means to the first adjustment position when the slat member is brought to the starting position, and adjusts the adjustable valve means to the first adjustment position when the slat member is brought to the forward position. valve adjustment means operative to adjust the means to a second adjustment position, the valve adjustment means comprising a hydraulic piston/cylinder unit operatively engaged with the valve means and a source of fluid pressure for the unit; and second valve means operative to connect the unit in the starting position to the fluid pressure source and in the forward position to connect the unit to a fluid discharge pipe. . 3. said second valve means is configured to serve to communicate a piston/cylinder unit of said valve regulating means with said fluid pressure source in said starting position and to communicate said unit with a fluid discharge conduit in an advanced position; and the adjustable valve means is interposed between the piston/cylinder unit of the valve adjustment means and the piston/cylinder unit for the slat member to selectively change the conveying direction of the conveyor. A reciprocating conveyor according to claim 2, characterized in: 4 a frame and at least one group of at least three elongated slat members disposed in close proximity to each other on the frame for longitudinal reciprocation between a starting position and an advanced position; Said frame and each slat member are moved together in order to simultaneously move all slat members of a group from said starting position to an advanced position in the direction of material conveyance, and then to move each slat member of each group sequentially back from an advanced position to a starting position. a reversible drive means coupled to a telescoping hydraulic piston/cylinder unit for reciprocating each slat member of each group; a fluid pressure source; and a reversible drive means coupled to each piston/cylinder. and adjustable valve means for connection to each piston/unit.
One end of the cylinder unit is connected to said frame and the other end of said unit is connected to a corresponding one of the slat members of each group, said adjustable valve means in its first adjustment position simultaneously controlling all the slat members. operative to apply fluid pressure to each of the piston/cylinder units to move them in the material conveying direction from the starting position to the forward position, and in a second adjustment position each slat member of each group sequentially starts from the forward position. each piston/
the cylinder unit is configured to apply fluid pressure to the cylinder unit, and when the slat members of each group reach their forward positions, engage the drive means to reverse the drive means, and move the slat members sequentially to the starting position. drive control means for returning the slat members of each group to the starting position and for reversing the drive means to simultaneously move all the slat members in the conveying direction. , operatively engaging each of the hydraulic piston/cylinder units in the starting position and during movement to the forward position to ensure that the movement moves all slat members simultaneously in the conveying direction; A reciprocating conveyor comprising a collision member.