阅读说明：本技术 输送机和输送机系统 (Conveyor and conveyor system ) 是由 S·迪特尔 于 2019-04-10 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供了一种输送机和输送机系统,该输送机包括：第一型材单元(1)和第二型材单元(2),其中所述型材单元包括支撑型材(10,20)和侧面型材(11,21),该支撑型材(10,20)和侧面型材(11,21)能够可释放地连接到彼此以形成组合结构,该组合结构的横截面包括侧向开口(12,22)；至少一个输送单元(4),所述至少一个输送单元能够布置在两个型材单元之间,其中每个输送单元(4)包括第一侧壁(40)和第二侧壁(41),并且其中输送元件(44,45)布置在侧壁(40,41)之间,其中所述侧壁(40,41)能够可释放地布置在型材单元(1,2)的侧向开口(12,22)中以形成具有闭合横截面的组合结构。(The present invention provides a conveyor and a conveyor system, the conveyor comprising: a first profile unit (1) and a second profile unit (2), wherein the profile units comprise a support profile (10, 20) and a side profile (11, 21), which support profile (10, 20) and side profile (11, 21) are releasably connectable to each other to form a composite structure, the cross-section of which comprises lateral openings (12, 22); at least one conveying unit (4) which can be arranged between two profile units, wherein each conveying unit (4) comprises a first side wall (40) and a second side wall (41), and wherein conveying elements (44, 45) are arranged between the side walls (40, 41), wherein the side walls (40, 41) can be releasably arranged in lateral openings (12, 22) of the profile units (1, 2) to form a composite structure with a closed cross section.)

1. A conveyor, comprising:

A first profile unit (1) extending in a transport direction (L) and a second profile unit (2) extending in the transport direction (L), the first profile unit (1) and the second profile unit (2) being arranged parallel to each other and being fixed to each other by at least one profile cross-beam (3), wherein the first profile unit (1) comprises a support profile (10) and a side profile (11), the support profile (10) and the side profile (11) being releasably connectable to each other to form a composite structure (10, 11), a cross-section of the composite structure (10, 11) comprising a first lateral opening (12), and wherein the second profile unit (2) comprises a support profile (20) and a side profile (21), the support profile (20) and the side profile (21) being releasably connectable to each other to form a composite structure (20, 21) -the cross section of the composite structure (20, 21) comprises a second lateral opening (22), wherein the first lateral opening (12) faces the second lateral opening (22);

At least one conveying unit (4), which at least one conveying unit (4) can be arranged between the first profile unit (1) and the second profile unit (2), wherein each conveying unit (4) comprises a first side wall (40) and a second side wall (41), which first side wall (40) and second side wall (41) are arranged parallel to each other, and wherein a conveying element (44, 45) is arranged between the first side wall (40) and the second side wall (41),

It is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

Said first side wall (40) being releasably arrangeable in said first lateral opening (12) to form a composite structure (10, 11, 40) having a closed cross-section along said first side wall (40); and the number of the first and second electrodes,

The second side wall (41) is releasably arrangeable in the second lateral opening (22) to form a composite structure (20, 21, 41) having a closed cross-section along the second side wall (41).

2. Conveyor according to claim 1, wherein the first connecting element (100, 200) of each support profile (10, 20) forms a first shape lock with the second connecting element (401, 411) of the respective side wall (40, 41);

-the second connection element (111, 211) of each lateral profile (11, 21) forms a second shape locking with the first connection element (400, 410) of the respective lateral wall (40, 41); and is

The second connecting element (101, 201) of each support profile (10, 20) forms a third form-locking with the first connecting element (110, 210) of the respective side profile (11, 21).

3. Conveyor according to claim 2, wherein the second shape locking comprises a tongue and groove formed connection, wherein one of the connecting elements (111, 211; 400, 410) comprises the tongue in the form of at least one web and the other connecting element comprises the groove in the form of at least two webs, and wherein each web has a circular segment shape in a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the conveying direction, so as to have the same centre of circle point.

4. A conveyor according to claim 3, wherein the first shape locking comprises a sliding connection, wherein each of the connecting elements (100, 200; 401, 411) comprises at least one web, and wherein each web has a circular segment shape in a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the conveying direction, so as to have the same centre point as the web of the second shape locking.

5. Conveyor according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the third shape locking comprises a tongue and groove formed connection, wherein one of the connecting elements (101, 201; 110, 210) comprises the tongue in the form of a web and the other connecting element comprises the groove in the form of a diverging web.

6. A conveyor as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 5 wherein all of the webs are integrally formed with the respective profiles.

7. Conveyor according to claim 5, wherein the third shape lock is spaced apart from the profile of the profile unit (1, 2) and wherein adjacent to the third shape lock a slot (13, 23) is formed in the profile of the profile unit (1, 2) between the support profile (10, 20) and the side profile (11, 21).

8. Conveyor according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the profile and/or the side walls are made of a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminium, steel and stainless steel.

9. conveyor according to claim 6, wherein the conveyor further comprises at least one fixing element (14), the fixing element (14) being selected from the group consisting of a hammer head or a T-nut and a T-bolt, the fixing element (14) being insertable into the slot (13, 23) and the fixing element (14) being able to fix the side profile (11, 21) to the respective support profile (10, 20).

10. Conveyor according to claim 9, further comprising at least one bracket (5), each bracket comprising two rods (50), wherein each rod (50) can be fixed to a respective profile unit (1, 2) by means of the at least one fixing element (14).

11. Conveyor according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the side walls (40, 41) of the conveyor unit (4) comprises a first portion (400) and a second portion (401);

Wherein the first portion (400) of the first side wall (40) and the first portion (410) of the second side wall (41) are fixed to each other by at least one transport beam (42);

Wherein the second portion (401) of the first side wall (40) and the second portion (411) of the second side wall (41) are fixed to each other by at least one transport beam (42); and is

wherein each second portion (401) is hinged to the respective first portion (400) by one of the transport beams (42).

12. conveyor according to claim 11, wherein the first side wall (40) and the second side wall (41) are fixed to each other by two conveyor beams (42), the two conveyor beams (42) being arranged mirror-symmetrically to each other with respect to a plane perpendicular to the conveying direction, wherein each conveyor beam (42) comprises an extension (421), the extension (421) extending from a side face (420) of the conveyor beam (42), and wherein the conveyor unit (4) further comprises at least one sliding plate (43), the sliding plate (43) abutting against the side face (420) and the extension (421) of each conveyor beam (42).

13. Conveyor according to claim 12, wherein the extension (421) of the conveying beam (42) comprises a pivot axis (P).

14. Conveyor according to one of claims 11 to 13, wherein all the conveying beams (42) have the same cross section.

15. Conveyor according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the conveying unit (4) comprises a driven idler (44), an idler (45) and a conveyor belt (46), the conveyor belt (46) being arranged around both idlers (44, 45).

16. A conveyor as claimed in claim 15 wherein the driven idler (44) is rotatably mounted to the first portion (400, 410) of each side wall (40, 41) and wherein the idler (45) is rotatably mounted to the second portion (401, 411) of each side wall (40, 41).

17. conveyor according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the conveyor unit (4) comprises a drive unit (47), the drive unit (47) comprising a drive (470) and a force transmission device (471, 472), wherein the force transmission device comprises a toothed belt (471) and a pulley (472), the pulley (472) being mounted to the driven idler (44), wherein the drive unit (47) and all its components are arranged within the first profile unit (1) and/or within the second profile unit (2).

18. a conveyor system comprising at least two conveyors according to any of claims 1-17, wherein all conveyors are capable of operating independently of each other.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a conveyor, respectively a conveyor system for conveying individually packaged goods on idlers or belts.

Background

For example, US7,806,254 discloses a belt conveyor. There, belt conveyor units are arranged between two profiles, wherein each belt conveyor unit is attached to a lateral side of a profile by a side wall. Each belt conveyor unit is driven by a drive which is arranged below the belt conveyor unit and is attached to the bottom side of the profile by a frame. The drive is connected to a driven idler of the belt conveyor unit by means of a toothed belt.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the invention is to provide a conveyor which is versatile, flexible to use and easy to maintain.

The conveyor according to the invention comprises: a first profile unit extending in a transport direction and a second profile unit extending in the transport direction, the first and second profile units being arranged parallel to each other and being fixed to each other by at least one profile cross-beam, wherein the first profile unit comprises a support profile and a side profile, which are releasably connectable to each other to form a composite structure, the cross-section of which comprises a first lateral opening, and wherein the second profile unit comprises a support profile and a side profile, which are releasably connectable to each other to form a composite structure, the cross-section of which comprises a second lateral opening, wherein the first lateral opening faces the second lateral opening; at least one conveyor unit arrangeable between the first and second profile units, wherein each conveyor unit comprises a first and a second side wall arranged parallel to each other, and wherein a conveyor element is arranged between the first and second side walls, wherein the first side wall is releasably arrangeable in the first lateral opening to form a composite structure having a closed cross-section along the first side wall, and wherein the second side wall is releasably arrangeable in the second lateral opening to form a composite structure having a closed cross-section along the second side wall.

By this design, the transport unit can be easily removed from between the two profile units. This is particularly advantageous in the case of replacement of parts when maintenance is carried out or during operation. This quick and easy disassembly and assembly of the conveyor allows for a short down time of the entire conveyor production line.

In one embodiment, the first connecting element of each support profile forms a first shape lock with the second connecting element of the respective side wall; the second connecting element of each side profile forms a second shape lock with the first connecting element of the respective side wall; and the second connecting element of each support profile forms a third shape lock with the first connecting element of the respective side profile. The connecting elements may be formed integrally with the respective profiles, respectively the side walls. Alternatively, the connecting elements may be attached to the respective profiles, side walls, respectively.

In one embodiment, the second form locking comprises a tongue and groove formed connection, wherein one of the connecting elements comprises the tongue in the form of at least one web and the other connecting element comprises the groove in the form of at least two webs, and wherein each web has a circular segment shape in a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the transport direction, so as to have the same centre point. The connecting elements of the profile or of the side walls may comprise tongues, grooves, respectively. The circular shape of the connecting element allows disassembly by tilting movement of the side profile, respectively of the side wall.

In one embodiment, the first form-locking comprises a sliding connection, wherein each of the connecting elements comprises at least one web, and wherein each web has a circular segment shape in a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the transport direction, thereby having the same centre point as the web of the second form-locking. By this design, the first form-locking can be detached together with the second form-locking in one tilting movement.

In one embodiment, the third form-locking comprises a tongue and groove formed connection, wherein one of the connecting elements comprises the tongue in the form of a web and the other connecting element comprises the groove in the form of a bifurcated web. The tongue or the groove may be integrally formed with the support profile, the side profile, respectively.

In one embodiment, all the webs are integrally formed with the respective profile. Alternatively, some connecting elements may be attached to the respective profile, the side wall, respectively.

In one embodiment, the third shape lock is spaced from the profile of the profile unit and adjacent to the third shape lock a slot is formed in the profile of the profile unit between the support profile and the side profile. Alternatively, the third shape lock is part of a profile.

In one embodiment, the profile and/or the side wall are made of a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, steel and stainless steel.

In one embodiment, the conveyor further comprises at least one fixing element selected from the group consisting of a hammer head or a T-nut and a T-bolt, which can be inserted into the slot and which can fix the side profile to the respective support profile. Alternatively, the profile may comprise a hole, a threaded hole or a slot into which the fixing element may be introduced.

In one embodiment, the conveyor further comprises at least one carriage, each carriage comprising two rods, wherein each rod is fixable to a respective profile unit by the at least one fixing element. The bracket may be arranged between two ends of the profile unit. Alternatively, there are two brackets, each arranged on one side of the profile unit with respect to the conveying direction. For long conveyors there may be three, four or more carriages, which are evenly distributed along the conveying direction. However, the current design allows for any number of brackets to be arranged at any position along the profile unit. The fastening elements for connecting the support profile to the side profiles can simultaneously be used for connecting the support.

In one embodiment, the bracket further comprises at least one cross beam, which secures the two bars to each other. Alternatively, other cross members may be used to connect the two bars of adjacent brackets.

In one embodiment, the first side wall and the second side wall of the transport unit are fixed to each other by at least one transport beam. Alternatively, the side walls may be secured to each other by idler pulleys.

In one embodiment, each of the side walls of the transport unit comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portions of the first and second side walls are fixed to each other by at least one transport beam. The second portion of the first side wall and the second portion of the second side wall are secured to each other by at least one transport beam. Alternatively, the two second portions may be fixed to each other by two or more cross-members. Each second portion is hinged to the respective first portion by one of the transport beams. Alternatively, the second portions are hinged to the respective first portions by separate hinge elements.

In one embodiment, the first and second side walls are fixed to each other by two transport beams arranged mirror-symmetrically to each other with respect to a plane perpendicular to the transport direction, wherein each transport beam comprises an extension extending from a side face of the transport beam, and wherein the transport unit further comprises at least one sliding plate abutting the side face and the extension of each transport beam. Alternatively, a separate fixing means may be used to fix the at least one sliding plate to the side wall. There may be two or more sliding plates arranged in evenly spaced relation between the first and second side walls.

In one embodiment, the extension of the transport beam comprises a pivot axis. The second section may be hinged to the first section by the pivot axis.

In one embodiment, all of the transport beams have the same cross section. Alternatively, the cross beam comprising the pivot axis may be different from the other cross beams.

In one embodiment, the conveyor unit comprises a driven idler, an idler and a conveyor belt arranged around the two idlers. There may be two or more driven idlers or idlers and the conveyor belt may be arranged around all driven idlers, idlers respectively. The idler may also be referred to as a roller. Alternatively, a plurality of rollers may be provided on both side walls, wherein all rollers of one side wall are connected to each other, and wherein at least one roller is connected to the drive unit. The rollers from one side wall may also be connected to the rollers of the other side wall. In this case, only one driver is required.

In one embodiment, a driven idler wheel is rotatably mounted to the first portion of each sidewall, and the idler wheel is rotatably mounted to the second portion of each sidewall. Alternatively, the idler mounted to the second portion of each sidewall is a driven idler.

In one embodiment, the transport unit comprises a drive unit comprising a drive and a force transmission, wherein the force transmission comprises a toothed belt and a pulley mounted to the driven idler. For example, a flat brushless dc motor may be used, which allows to arrange the drive unit inside the profile unit, hidden and inaccessible from the outside. Alternatively, a gear motor may be provided. With this lean design, the side profile only needs to be removed from one profile unit when the belt needs to be replaced. The transport unit can then be tilted around the centre point of the other profile unit to remove it. Then, by tilting the second section of the side wall of the conveyor unit about the pivot axis, the tension of the mounted conveyor belt can be reduced. The belt may then be moved sideways on one of the side walls. This can be done without removing the drive, which is convenient and time saving. A new strap may then be moved sideways on one of the side walls, and the second segment may be aligned with the first segment to tension the strap. The transport unit can then be inserted into the profile unit in the same way as it was removed (but reversed). Since the belt change can be performed in a relatively short time, it can be performed while the conveyor is aligned with other conveyors. The controller of the conveyor before the conveyor requiring a belt change may receive a signal from the controller of the conveyor that is undergoing a belt change. The conveyor undergoing belt change is similar to a cargo-carrying conveyor. Thus, the previous conveyor is stopped until the belt is replaced and the conveyor is again operational. With such a control system, only the affected conveyor is stopped. The conveyor which is not affected can work normally. There is no need to stop the entire conveyor system.

In one embodiment, the driven idler comprises a centering belt attached to an intermediate portion of the driven idler. The centering belt results in a larger outer diameter of the idler pulley, which results in centering of the conveyor belt. Alternatively, the protuberance that results in the larger outer diameter may be integrally formed with the intermediate portion of the driven idler.

In one embodiment, the conveyor comprises its own light sensor and its own control unit. Each conveyor may work autonomously with the drive unit. The length and width of the idler and belt, respectively, may be matched to the largest cargo to be transported (i.e., the largest boxes, cartons, packages, etc.). A plurality of conveyors according to the invention can be assembled one after the other to build a flexible conveyor system, the length and direction of which can be chosen very freely. Each conveyor is electronically connected to a fieldbus system, such AS an AS interface, or PLC or any higher-level bus infrastructure or personal computer or other IT system.

Thus, a regional power conveyor and a regional power conveyor system can be separately provided.

Such a system is very economical because long and thick, respectively strong belts and large ac gearmotors with highly protected switches and corresponding cables and fixtures are not required. In addition, maintenance of such a system is very easy, since each conveyor of the system can be individually fixed or replaced, which greatly reduces the downtime of the system.

the design of each conveyor, i.e. the profile unit, allows to deploy all required elements, such as drives, controllers, sensors, connectivity and their respective cables, within the profile unit. Since the above elements are not accessible from the outside, each conveyor and conveyor system is very economical and not susceptible to external disturbances. Due to their small height, the conveyors can be mounted very flexibly, for example on a rack or directly on a floor or other building structure. Furthermore, such a conveyor may be installed in a narrow space, or a plurality of such conveyors may be arranged one above the other without taking up too much space.

The features of the above-described embodiments of the conveyor may be used in any combination, unless they contradict each other.

the conveyor system according to the invention comprises at least two conveyors according to the invention. The multiple conveyors may be arranged in line, parallel, perpendicular, angled, inclined, or in any orientation relative to each other. The transmission elements may be mounted between the conveyors to transport goods from one conveyor to the other.

During operation, each conveyor unit knows whether there is a cargo to be transported and transmits information to its at least two adjoining adjacent conveyor units. If the conveyor unit is loaded with boxes and stopped in the transport direction, the preceding conveyor unit is informed and therefore only transports its goods to its end without further transport. By this local control, a lean overall control structure is possible.

drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These drawings are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. It shows that:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conveyor according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the conveyor of FIG. 1 during insertion/removal of a conveyor unit;

Fig. 3 is a detailed view of the first profile unit of fig. 2;

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the connecting element of FIG. 3;

fig. 5 is a perspective view of the conveyor unit of fig. 1 with a slack conveyor belt;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the delivery unit of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a conveyor having a plurality of conveyor units;

Fig. 8 is a detailed cross-sectional view of two adjoining delivery units of fig. 7.

List of reference numerals

1 section bar unit

10 support section bar

100 connecting element

101 connecting element

11 side section bar

110 connecting element

111 connecting element

112 incision

12 opening

13 slot

14 fixing element

15 sensor

150 sensor window

16 guide profile

2 section bar unit

20 support section bar

21 side section bar

22 opening

3 section bar crossbeam

4 conveying unit

40 side wall

400 connecting element

401 connecting element

402 segmentation

403 segmentation

41 side wall

410 connecting element

411 connecting element

412 segmentation

413 segmentation

42 transport beam

420 side surface

421 extension part

43 sliding plate

44 driven idler

440 centering belt

45 idler pulley

46 conveyer belt

47 drive unit

470 driver

471 toothed belt

472 pulley

5 support

50 rod

500 receiving part

501 foot part

51 bracket beam

6 bridging element

L conveying direction

Center point of C

P pivot axis

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a conveyor according to the invention. The conveyor comprises a first profile unit 1 and a second profile unit 2 extending parallel to each other and in the conveying direction L. A conveyor unit 4 extending along the length of the profile units is arranged between two profile units. In one end region of each profile unit a sensor 15 is arranged. At each end of the profile units 1, 2 a bracket 5 is arranged. Each bracket 5 comprises two rods 50 connected to each other by a bracket cross-member 51. Each bar 50 comprises a receiving portion 500 at an upper end of the bar 50 and a foot portion 501 at a lower end of the bar 50. The ends of each profile unit 1, 2 in the conveying direction are received in the receiving portion 500 of the respective rod 50. Each foot 501 may be extended and may therefore be used to adjust the height of the support 5, thereby allowing adjustment of the position and alignment of the delivery unit 4.

Fig. 2 shows a front view of the conveyor of fig. 1 during insertion/removal of the conveyor unit 4, fig. 3 shows a detailed view of the first profile unit 1 of fig. 2, and fig. 4 shows a detailed view of the connecting element of fig. 3. The first profile unit 1 comprises a support profile 10 and a side profile 11. In the intended position of use, the support profile 10 comprises a substantially vertical portion with some horizontal webs extending towards the interior of the first profile unit 1 and a substantially horizontal portion at the lower end of the support profile 10. At the upper end of the vertical portion, a substantially horizontal web forms the first connection element 100. Adjacent to the horizontal portion at the lower end, the horizontal web forms a second connecting element 101. In the intended position of use, the side profile 11 comprises: a substantially vertical portion with some horizontal webs extending towards the inside of the first profile unit 1; a substantially horizontal portion at the lower end and at the upper end of the side profile 11; and a substantially vertical portion adjacent to the horizontal portion at the upper end. Adjacent to the horizontal portion at the lower end, a horizontal diverging web forms the first connection element 110. At the lower end of the vertical portion adjacent to the upper horizontal portion, a substantially horizontal web extending towards the outside of the first profile unit 1 forms a second connecting element 111. Adjacent to the second connecting element 111, a slot accessible from the outside is formed in the side profile 11. The guide profile 16 can be arranged in this slot along the entire length of the first profile unit 1. The support profile 10 and the side profile 11 are releasably connected to each other by a tongue and groove formed connection, wherein the support profile 10 comprises a tongue 101 as connecting element, and wherein the side profile 11 comprises a groove 110 as connecting element. The tongue 101 is a single web formed integrally with the support frame 10 and the groove is a diverging web formed integrally with the side profile 11. The cross section of the first profile unit 1 comprises a lateral opening 12. The lateral opening 12 is delimited on the side of the support profile 10 by a connecting element in the form of a sliding web 100 and on the side of the side profile 11 by a connecting element in the form of a tongue 111. Both the sliding web 100 and the tongue are a single web integrally formed with the respective profile. Correspondingly, the second profile unit 2 comprises a support profile 20 and a side profile 21, wherein the support profile 10 comprises a tongue 201 for connecting to a groove 210 of the side profile 21, and wherein the tongue 211 of the side profile 21 and the sliding web 200 define a lateral opening 22 of the second profile unit 2. The first profile unit 1 is connected to the second profile unit 2 by a profile cross-member 3. On each side, the profile cross-beam 3 is fixed to the respective support profile 10, 20 by means of screws. The transport unit 4 is arranged between the first profile unit 1 and the second profile unit 2, wherein the first side wall 40 may be arranged in the lateral opening 12 of the first profile unit 1, and wherein the second side wall 41 may be arranged in the lateral opening 22 of the second profile unit 2. The first connecting element 100 of the first support profile 10 forms a first form-locking with the second connecting element 401 of the first side wall 40. The first connecting element 100 of the first support profile 10 is a web which extends towards the interior of the first profile unit 1 and has a circular segment shape in a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the conveying direction L. The second connecting element 111 of the first side profile 11 forms a second shape lock with the first connecting element 400 of the first side wall 40. The second connecting element 111 of the first side profile 11 is a web which extends towards the outside of the first profile unit 1 and has a circular segment shape in a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the conveying direction L. The web 100 of the first support profile 10 has the same center point C as the web 111 of the first side profile 11. The first connecting element 400 of the first side wall 40 is a diverging web extending towards the outside of the delivery unit 4 and the two web portions have a circular segment shape in a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the delivery direction L. The second connecting element 401 of the first side wall 40 is a single web extending towards the outside of the delivery unit 4 and having a circular segment shape in a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the delivery direction L. The diverging web 400 of the first side wall 40 and the single web 401 of the first side wall 40 have the same centre point C as the web 100 of the first support profile 10 and the web 111 of the first side profile 11. The second profile unit 2 is designed symmetrically to the first profile unit 1 with respect to the vertical middle plane of the conveyor. Thus, the connecting elements 100, 200 comprising them; 101. 201 and the connecting elements 110, 210 comprising them; 111. the side profiles 11, 21 of 211 are also designed symmetrically to one another. The first side wall 40 and the second side wall 41 of the conveyor unit 4 are therefore also designed symmetrically to each other with respect to the vertical middle plane of the conveyor. Thus, the connecting elements 400, 410; 401. 411 are also symmetrically designed. In the side profile 11 of the first profile unit 1, there is a cut-out 112 in the portion of the side profile 11 adjacent to the second connecting element 111. A window 150 is disposed in and behind the cutout 112. The sensor 15 can be arranged in the first profile unit 1 behind the window 150. For example, a light sensor may be provided to detect the presence of cargo to be transported. Common light sensor devices are foreseen, such as through-beam devices, reflective devices or diffusive devices. In the case of a through-beam device, the second profile unit also comprises a window, wherein the source is arranged in one of the profile units, and wherein the sensor is arranged in the other profile unit. In a reflective or diffusive device, the source and sensor are arranged in one of the profile units, while the other profile unit is windowless, but may comprise a reflector. When assembled, the tongue 101 of the support profile 10 is seated in the groove 110 of the side profile 11 and there is a slot 13 between the side profile 11 and the lower horizontal part of the support profile 10. The two profiles 10, 11 can be fixed to each other by means of a T-head screw 14 insertable into the slot 13. The first profile unit 1 can be fixed to the receiving part 500 of the bar 50 of the bracket 5 with the same screw 14 or with an additional screw 14.

In order to remove the conveyor unit 4 from the conveyor, i.e. from between the first profile unit 1 and the second profile unit 2, as shown for example in fig. 2, the following steps are required:

-removing the T-head screw connecting the support profile and the side profile of one profile unit;

-removing the side profile by tilting it upwards;

-removing the conveyor unit by tilting the conveyor unit upwards.

Since the side walls 40, 41 of the first and second profile units 1, 2 and of the transport unit 4 are symmetrical, the above steps can be performed on both the first and second profile units 1, 2. In this way, a defective conveyor unit 4 can be easily removed or replaced by a working conveyor unit 4 in a very short time, which greatly reduces the downtime of the conveyor.

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the conveyor unit 4 of fig. 1 with a slack conveyor belt 46, and fig. 6 shows a sectional view of the conveyor unit 4 of fig. 5. The conveying unit 4 comprises a first side wall 40 and a second side wall 41, wherein the two side walls are constructed symmetrically with respect to a vertical middle plane of the conveyor parallel to the conveying direction L. Each side wall 40, 41 comprises a first section 412 and a second section 413, wherein the second section 413 is hinged to the first section 412, allowing tilting movement of the second section 413 from a first position, in which the second section 413 is aligned with the first section 412, to a second position, in which the second section 413 is tilted and arranged at an angle with respect to the first section 412. Both segments 412, 413 comprise a first connection element 410 at the upper end of the segment and a second connection element 411 at the lower end of the segment. The first section 402 of the first side wall 40 and the first section 412 of the second side wall 41 are fixed to each other by two identical transport beams 42. The two transport beams 42 are arranged symmetrically to each other with respect to a plane perpendicular to the transport direction L. The segments 40, 41 are screwed to the cross beam 42. The second section 403 of the first side wall 40 and the second section 413 of the second side wall 41 are fixed to each other by a further transport beam 42, which further transport beam 42 comprises the same cross section as one of the other beams. Each cross-member 42 comprises a substantially rectangular closed profile, wherein an extension 421 is provided on the first side 420. The extension 421 comprises a receiving portion for a shaft and defines a pivot axis P of the hinged second sections 403, 413. The cross beam 42 includes a threaded socket integrally formed with the cross beam profile. The segments are threaded to the cross-beam. The driven idler 45 is arranged adjacent to and parallel to the first cross beam 42 in one end region of the first section 402, 412. The second transverse beam 42 is arranged in the other end region of the first sections 402, 412. The centering belt 440 is disposed in the middle of the driven idler 44 and on the circumference of the driven idler 44. The idler pulley 46 is arranged adjacent to and parallel to a third beam 42 arranged at the other end region of the second section 403, 413 in one end region of the second section 403, 413. When the second portions 403, 413 are tilted, the conveyor belt 46 may be pushed sideways over the two idler pulleys 44, 45. When the second portions 403, 413 are aligned with the first segments 402, 412, the conveyor belt 46 is tensioned. Conventional additional tensioning means may also be provided. The cross-beam 42 connecting the two first sections 402, 412 is arranged within the conveyor belt 46 such that the first side 420 is parallel to the inner surface of the tensioned conveyor belt 46 and such that the extension faces the inner surface of the conveyor belt 46. The slide plates 43 are arranged on the first side 420 of the cross beam 42, abutting on the extensions 421 on each of their ends with respect to the conveying direction L. The extension 421 and the sliding plate 43 may be arranged to fit closely to the inner surface of the belt 46 or to have a gap. In the aligned state, the cross beam 42 connecting the second sections 403, 413 is arranged such that the side of the cross beam 42 opposite the first side 420 is collinear with the surface of the slide plate 43 facing the conveyor belt 46. The driving unit 47 is disposed on the second sidewall 41. The drive unit 47 comprises a drive 470, a toothed belt 471 and a pulley 472, wherein the pulley 472 is attached to the shaft of the driven idler 44 and the toothed belt 471 connects the drive 470 to the pulley 472. In order to be able to tension the toothed belt 471, the position of the drive 470 relative to the conveying direction L is adjustable.

Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of a conveyor with a plurality of conveyor units 4, the conveyor units 4 being arranged between a common first profile unit 1 and a second profile unit 2. The second profile unit 2 is depicted without its side profile and one of the conveyor units 4 is tilted upwards for its removal. Any number of transport units 4 can be arranged between the two profile units 1, 2. There may be two, three, four or more delivery units 4. The length of each conveyor unit 4 can be adjusted to the length of the goods to be transported, so that the length of the profile unit is a multiple of the length of the conveyor unit 4. For operational reasons, the length of the profile units 1, 2 ranges from 40cm to 300cm, preferably from 60cm to 240 cm. However, other lengths of shorter or longer profile units 1, 2 are not excluded.

Fig. 8 shows a detailed cross-sectional view of two adjoining conveyor units 4 of fig. 7. A bridging element 6 is arranged between two adjacent conveyor units 4. The bridging element 6 prevents goods to be transported from entering the space between two adjoining conveyor units 4 and comprises a sliding plate, the upper surface of which is aligned with the upper surface of the conveyor belt 46, and a fixing element by means of which the bridging element 6 is fixed to the side walls 40, 41 of one of the conveyor units 4.