Segment bodies and scrapers for conveyor belt scrapers

Example segment bodies and scrapers for conveyor belt scrapers are disclosed. An example segment body for a conveyor belt scraper includes a mounting body that can be connected to a segment carrier in a rotationally fixed manner, a holding portion that is designed for applying force from at least one wear element, a support portion in contact with the holding portion and the mounting body, and at least one spring element provided between the holding portion and the mounting body, which interacts with the mounting body and the holding portion in such a way that a force can be transmitted from the at least one spring element to the holding portion.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to conveyor belts and, more particularly, to segment bodies and scrapers for conveyor belt scrapers.

BACKGROUND

From the prior art, a variety of conveyor belt scrapers are known. These particularly serve to clean conveyor belts at the drum or immediately behind the drum on the track during operation. The most cost-efficient method for cleaning the conveyor belt is performed automatically, that is, a scraper is pressed against the circulating conveyor belt via a spring element, whereby the adhering dirt is separated off by the scraper and deflected to one side. In this course, depending on the application purpose or the magnitude of the press-on force required, different principles are used for providing the press-on force of the scraper on the conveyor belt.

Frequently, a plurality of flexible scraping elements are used, for example, across the width of the conveyor belt, which are vertically moved during assembly so far in the direction of the conveyor belt that said elements flexibly deform and thus apply a press-on force to the conveyor belt. However, the scraping elements have to be mounted very elaborately at several points to the carrier of the conveyor belt scraper or the carrier requires a particular labor-intensive construction which increases manufacturing costs.

Furthermore, in these scraper elements that use a spring made of steel there is a risk that in operation their resonant frequency is reached very quickly due to the contact with the moving conveyor belt so that their use is limited to a particular range of speed.

Conveyor belt scrapers having a torsional element for returning the scraper to the conveyor belt represent an alternative for generating the press-on force by means of deformable scraping elements in which either a spring or torsional springs is/are tensioned due to the vertical displacement of the scraper in the direction of the conveyor belt via an articulated lever and thus provides the press-on force of the scraper. DE 38 31 033 C2, for example, shows a cleaning device for a conveyor belt which stores an introduced force by means of four torsional spring elements disposed between a blade holder and a pipe and converts it into a press-on force for the scraper. A disadvantage of this device is the fact that the press-on force varies in dependence of the material property of the torsional spring elements, which, particularly when several scrapers are used, leads to non-uniform wear behavior of the scrapers across the width of the conveyor belt. Moreover, the construction of the scraper requires a plurality of components which makes assembly laborious and manufacture correspondingly expensive.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following, disclosed examples are described in detail with reference to the attached Figures. However, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited to the examples disclosed herein. To the contrary, this patent covers all methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the appended claims either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents. In the Figures, same or similar features of the disclosed examples are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The disclosed examples relate to a segment body as well as a segment body with a scraper for a conveyor belt scraper which enables a simple assembly on the associated carrier and improved automatic adjustment of the scraper in case of wear. Furthermore, due to its compact and simplified structure the segment body with the scraper enables manufacture at low cost.

Examples disclosed herein provide an improved segment body for holding a scraper for a conveyor belt scraper that enables fast assembly at any position of the segment carrier across the entire width of the conveyor belt with little effort and an extended period of use while construction is compact, and that has a simplified structure whereby the conveyor belt scraper can be manufactured at low cost.

In some examples, a segment body for a conveyor belt scraper is provided which comprises a mounting body that can be connected to a segment carrier in a rotationally fixed manner, and that can have a holding portion that is designed for introducing force from at least one wear element. Furthermore, in the segment body a support portion may be in contact with the holding portion and the mounting body. Moreover, at least one spring element may be provided between the holding portion and the mounting body which spring element interacts with the mounting body and the holding portion in such a way that a force can be transmitted from the at least one spring element to the holding portion.

This example structure of the segment body for a conveyor belt scraper offers the advantage that thereby a very compact structure may be achieved for the segment body. Particularly in case of an integral formation of the segment body in combination with the use of a quick-release clamp it is possible that the former can be structured with a very low number of components so that the costs and the assembly work during manufacture can be reduced.

Furthermore, the input pre-tensioning force can be stored in the spring element and in operation be reversibly re-introduced into the scraper and thus in the direction of the conveyor belt as press-on force. Moreover, apart from the adjustment of the press-on force by means of the dimensioning of the spring element and the material selection thereof, it is additionally possible to realize an amplification or reduction of force via the selection of the lever lengths between the support portion and the spring element or the lever length between the support portion and the scraper.

Furthermore, the segment body can be mounted at any point of the segment carrier so that it is possible to realize a flexible mounting of one or more segment bodies along the length of the segment carrier. Thus, the dependence of the mounting position of the segment body along the length of the segment carrier which is determined by corresponding mounting bores on the segment carrier in segment bodies according to the prior art can be dispensed with.

A holding portion shall not only be understood as a portion with e.g. a bar-like design but ball-like or cylinder-like designs shall also be comprised in this term. The holding portion may also be designed in such a way, for example, that it can realize a joint-like functionality of adjacent portions. Furthermore, the holding portion may be formed such that a transmission of force from one adjacent portion to another adjacent portion is made possible. Moreover, the holding portion may be formed such that in dependence of the material used it is possible to flexibly deform the holding portion under load, and particularly in case synthetic materials are used the support portion may be formed such that it can show large changes of shape under load while the material behaves flexibly.

In some preferred examples, in the segment body at least one portion of the at least one spring element and at least one wear element in the tensioned state of the spring element may be oppositely disposed relative to a longitudinal axis of the mounting body located inside the inner side of the mounting body so that they are spaced apart. This arrangement advantageously allows the formation of a transmission mechanism which, for example, can transmit a force from the spring element to the scraper via the support portion.

Furthermore, the segment body may be an integral component. In some preferred examples, the segment body may comprise at least one mounting body, at least one holding portion, one support portion and at least one spring element so that a compact structure is created. In other preferred examples the segment body may comprise at least one mounting body, at least one holding portion, one support portion and at least one spring element and at least one protective flap so that the segment body can be protected against dropping contaminations. Furthermore, the segment body may also be formed as one piece.

In some preferred examples, the segment body may comprise a quick-release clamp. The use of a quick-release clamp allows a fast assembly and dismantling of the segment body on the segment carrier wherein the former can be disposed such that easy access to the quick-release clamp is made possible when it is opened or closed

Furthermore, in the segment body at least one spring element may show a change of length under load. In some preferred examples, the spring element may lengthen under load while at the same time a thinning of the spring element may occur. In other examples the spring element under load may be subjected to a compression or shortening. Furthermore, the spring element may also be attached to the mounting body in such a way that thereby a change of length of the spring element can be adjusted so that a return force of the spring element and thus also the press-on force of the scraper on the conveyor belt can be adjusted.

In some preferred examples of the segment body the width of the at least one spring element may substantially correspond to the width of the mounting body. However, the width of the at least one spring element may also be larger than the width of the mounting body. Furthermore, the width of the at least one spring element may be smaller than the width of the mounting body.

Moreover, in a segment body according to examples disclosed herein, the thickness of at least one spring element may be differently selectable. Thus, the return force of the respective spring element can be influenced via its dimensions, here the selection of the thickness, so that a first adaptation can be made for different requirements by means of the constructive design thereof.

In some preferred examples, in a segment body the material of the at least one spring element may be different from the material of the segment body. This also allows a targeted control of the return force of the respective spring element, the former being dependent on the material of the spring element. Thus, for example, a very low or a very large increase of the return force can be adjusted when force is introduced into the spring element.

In some preferred examples of the segment body the at least one spring element may be replaceably connectable to the mounting body and the holding portion. This constructional structure may increase the flexibility of the segment bodies as, for example, existing segment bodies can be exchanged from one conveyor belt system to another and differently large return forces can respectively be adjusted locally via the selection of the replaceable spring element.

Furthermore, a segment body according to examples disclosed herein may comprise at least one protective flap disposed in a portion of the mounting body. In some preferred examples, the protective flap may be disposed at a longitudinal end of the segment body so that the connection of the mounting body to the segment carrier is particularly safely protected against dirt. Furthermore, in a segment body according to examples disclosed herein the width of at least one protective flap may correspond to the width of the mounting body whereby the entire width of the mounting body is protected against dirt.

In some preferred examples, in a segment body at least one spring element in a tensioned state may substantially be subjected to tension. Thus, in a structurally simple manner a transmission or reduction of force, for example, may be realized by means of a lever mechanism. Furthermore, it is possible to thus realize a particularly low-noise operational behavior of the conveyor belt scraper. In alternative examples, at least one spring element may be subjected to pressure, wherein forces may be deflected when using a lever mechanism.

A segment body may consist of an elastic material. For example, the segment body may consist of a synthetic material, in particular polyurethane. Furthermore, the segment body may consist of a material that allows a preferably flexible deformation and at the same time can dampen the introduced dynamic forces in the segment body.

Furthermore, in a segment body at least one portion of the at least one spring element can be disposed substantially adjacent to the outer portion of the mounting body. Thus, it is possible to realize a compact construction of the segment body so that the required installation space can be reduced.

In some examples, in a segment body in the portion of the adjoining of spring element and mounting body, the design of the spring element may substantially correspond to the design of the spring element. This advantageously allows the formation of a very short lever arm between the spring element and the holding portion when a lever mechanism is used so that a large force transmission can be achieved.

In some preferred examples of the segment body a relative movement between the holding portion and the mounting body via the support portion may be possible.

Furthermore in a segment body according to examples disclosed herein the mounting body may have at least one connecting element at the inner circumferential surface thereof for a form-fitting connection of the mounting body to the segment carrier. The connecting element may, for example, be formed as a kind of bar. Furthermore, the connecting element may, for example, be formed as a kind of groove.

In a segment body according to examples disclosed herein the mounting body may, in some preferred examples, be friction-locked with the segment carrier. Thus, the mounting body may e.g. be connected to the segment carrier via a screwed fastening with a correspondingly selected tension force.

Furthermore, in a segment body with a scraper according to examples disclosed herein at least one wear element may substantially have a design of a spatula.

In some preferred examples of the segment body with the scraper at least one wear element can be rotatably supported parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof so that the at least one wear element can be folded down. This enables a structurally simple realization of a wear element which is suitable for the reverse operation.

Moreover, in the segment body with the scraper a double holding body may be connected to the holding portion so as to be rotationally fixed in the transverse direction of the mounting body. Furthermore, the double holding body can be pivoted about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mounting body. Moreover, in the double holding body a respective wear element may be supported on opposite sides so as to be rotatable in the transverse direction of the mounting body. The wear elements oppositely disposed may be supported in the double holding body in such a way that the former can be rotated or swiveled independently of each other.

In a conveyor belt scraper according to examples disclosed herein for holding at least one segment body with the scraper, at least one segment body and scraper can, in some preferred examples, be attached to the segment carrier so as to be rotationally fixed.

Furthermore, in a conveyor belt scraper the segment carrier may have at least one groove in the outer circumferential portion.

In some preferred examples of the conveyor belt scraper, the segment carrier may have at least one bar in the outer circumferential portion which extends away from the segment carrier.

According to examples disclosed herein, a segment body is provided, comprising a mounting body that can be connected to a segment carrier in a rotationally fixed manner, and at least one wear element that is connected to the at least one spring element in an articulated manner by means of a deformable portion. Furthermore, the at least one spring element can interact with the mounting body and the wear element in such a way that the deformable portion in a tensioned state of the at least one spring element transmits a force between the at least one spring element and the wear element in an articulated manner, and in a tensioned state of the at least one spring element at least one portion of the at least one spring element and the wear element may be oppositely disposed relative to a longitudinal axis of the mounting body located inside the inner side of the mounting body so that they are spaced apart.

A deformable portion shall not only be understood to be a portion having, for example, a bar-like design, but the deformable portion may also directly realize the functionality of a joint with a relatively moving arrangement of several components. For example, the deformable portion may also be formed in such a way that said deformable portion can realize a joint-like functionality of adjacent portions. Furthermore, the deformable portion can be formed such that a transmission of force from one adjacent portion to another adjacent portion is made possible. Moreover, the deformable portion can be formed such that in dependence of the material used a flexible deformation of the deformable portion under load is possible, and in particular when synthetic materials are used the deformable portion may be formed such that under load it may show large changes of shape while the material behaves flexibly.

Referring toFIG. 1, a segment body1and scraper2for a conveyor belt scraper is schematically shown according to a first example disclosed herein. In operation, the conveyor belt scraper interacts with a conveyor belt3the lower run of which moves into direction B. The segment body1of the conveyor belt scraper is shown here in a loaded state in a possible installation position.

In its central part the segment body1has a mounting body10for connection to a segment carrier20. The mounting body10comprises a first leg13and a second leg14. The legs13,14are formed in a substantially circular shape and extend in the portion of the outer circumferential surface of the segment carrier20while substantially enclosing the latter completely. Furthermore, the two legs13,14are connected in the portion of their free longitudinal ends via a quick-release clamp60, the legs13,14each having recesses for connection with the quick-release clamp60. The quick-release clamp60is disposed in the portion of the bottom side of the mounting body10.

Furthermore, the segment body1has a holding portion90formed at the upper end of the segment body1. In the portion of the left longitudinal end of the segment body1a first protective flap70is formed that extends over the mounting body10. In the portion of the opposite longitudinal end of the holding portion90a second protective flap80is formed that also extends over the mounting body10.

The segment body1is integrally formed. The segment body1consists of a synthetic material, such as polyurethane in some preferred examples.

The segment body1is in contact with a scraper rod42by means of its holding portion90, the scraper rod42being rotatably supported in the holding portion90. Furthermore, the scraper rod42is mounted in the holding portion90in such a way that the scraper rod42cannot carry out any movement in the longitudinal direction. Moreover, the scraper rod42is connected to a spatula holder41by means of a screw connection so as to be rotationally fixed wherein a spatula40is formed in the portion of a longitudinal end of the spatula holder41.

FIG. 2shows a part of the scraper2in a plan view, comprising the scraper rod42, the spatula holder41and the spatula40. The width of the spatula40is less than the width of the spatula holder41. The spatula40is made of a hardened steel material.

FIG. 3shows the segment carrier20in a sectional view. Said segment carrier20has a substantially hollow cylindrical design, wherein on opposite sides on the outer circumferential portion thereof a groove21,22is respectively formed that interacts with a shaped element of the segment body1so that a form-locking connection is made. The segment carrier20consists of a steel material.

Referring toFIG. 4andFIG. 5, a side view of the segment body1according to a second example disclosed herein is respectively shown in a non-tensioned state. The segment bodies1ofFIG. 4andFIG. 5are identical, with different closure elements for connecting the two legs13,14being used.FIG. 4e.g. shows the use of a wing screw66while inFIG. 5the use of a hexagon screw67is shown. Both the wing screw66and the hexagon screw67are held in an inner thread65which is formed in the portion of the free longitudinal end of both the first leg13and the second leg14.

The holding portion90has a bore91for holding the scraper rod42(not shown) that extends through the entire holding portion90.

The mounting body10has two bars11,12that each are oppositely disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the mounting body10while the bar11in turn is disposed opposite the support portion30.

FIG. 5shows how the bore91for holding the scraper rod42(not shown) in a non-tensioned state is inclined by an angle α relative to the horizontal line. In a preferred example, the angle α is between 20 and 45°.

FIG. 6shows the segment body1in a sectional view from the rear along the sectional line A according toFIG. 4. Here, the first protective flap70is not shown while the second protective flap80covers the mounting body10. The spring element50is integrally formed with the mounting body10and the holding portion90.

FIG. 8shows a side view of the segment body with the scraper according toFIG. 1in a non-tensioned state with a second example of the segment carrier. The spatula40is displaced towards the conveyor belt3for generating a press-on force in order to clean the latter, in this case in the direction V1. As soon as the spatula40is in contact with the conveyor belt3a reaction force is introduced into the spring element50via the holding portion90of the segment body1and stored therein. The scraper rod42and the spatula40are connected with one another so that they are rotationally fixed, the scraper rod42being rotatably supported in the holding portion90of the segment body1. Under load the holding portion90can pivot relative to the mounting body10about an axis which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mounting body10.

FIG. 9ashows a side view of the example segment body with the scraper according toFIG. 1in a tensioned state. In operation, the conveyor belt3moves in the direction B, the spatula40applying a press-on force F1in the direction of the conveyor belt3to the outer circumferential surface thereof. Due to the force flow inside the segment body1a return force F2results from the press-on force F1, which is applied by the spring element50. In the tensioned operating position as shown, the scraper rod42is in a substantially horizontal position whereas again an inclined position is also possible in case of a further displacement of the conveyor belt scraper in the direction V1.

FIG. 9bshows a sectional view of the second example of the segment carrier25that is formed as a tubular body and has a welded-on bar24on the bottom surface thereof.

FIG. 10shows a side view of the example segment body with the scraper according toFIG. 1in a tensioned state with the first example of the segment carrier20. The explanations as to the effect of the segment body1and the connected scraper rod42with the spatula40apply in correspondence to the above-described explanations according toFIG. 8andFIG. 9a.

FIG. 11ashows a perspective sectional view of the first example of the segment carrier20according toFIG. 1wherein said segment carrier20has a substantially tubular design. Furthermore, the segment carrier20has two grooves21,22formed at the outer circumferential portion and disposed on opposite sides of the segment carrier20.

FIG. 11bshows a perspective sectional view of a third example of the segment carrier26that also has a substantially tubular design. The segment carrier26has two bars23,24that extend away from the outer circumferential portion of the segment carrier26and are disposed on opposite sides of the segment carrier26. The segment carrier26is integrally formed.

FIG. 12shows a side view of a segment body1with the scraper47. The segment body1and the scraper47are formed such that it is possible to use the conveyor belt scraper in a reverse operating mode of the conveyor belt3according to the two illustrated movement directions B. The scraper47consists of the spatula46mounted to a spatula carrier45, the scraper47having a substantially plate-like design. The spatula46and the spatula carrier45are integrally formed. The scraper47is held in the holding portion90of the segment body1in a vertical installation position. The scraper47is disposed in the central portion of the symmetrically formed holding portion90. The holding portion90and the mounting body10are connected with one another via a support portion30, the support portion30having a bar-like type design. In addition, the support portion30has a bore31in the central portion thereof that substantially runs parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mounting body10.

The mounting body10and the holding portion90are connected by means of two oppositely arranged spring elements50,51. In the portion of the bottom surface of the mounting body10, the spring elements50,51each extend in a tangential direction about the outer circumferential portion of the mounting body10, the spring elements50,51in a non-tensioned state adjoining the outer circumferential portion of the mounting body10but being disposed spaced apart therefrom. The width of the spring elements50,51respectively corresponds to the width of the mounting body10. The mounting body10is fastened to the segment carrier20(not shown) via the hexagon screw67.

FIG. 13shows a rear view of the segment body with the scraper47according toFIG. 12. The scraper47is connected to the segment carrier1by means of a plurality of connecting holes48formed in the portion of the bottom surface of the spatula carrier45and correspondingly formed holding bolts disposed in the holding portion90of the segment carrier1.

FIG. 14shows a side view of a segment body1according toFIG. 12, in which a double scraper60is formed for a two-step cleaning of the conveyor belt3. The double scraper60consists of a first spatula44which serves to pre-clean the conveyor belt3, and a second spatula40which serves to main-clean the conveyor belt3. The first spatula44is mounted to a first rotating arm49in a rotationally fixed manner which in turn is rotatably supported in a holding body43in the portion of the longitudinal end thereof, wherein a longitudinal displacement of the first rotating arm49is not possible. The second spatula40is mounted to a second rotating arm54in a rotationally fixed manner which in turn is rotatably supported in the holding body43in the portion of the opposite longitudinal end thereof, wherein a longitudinal displacement of the second rotating arm54is not possible. Thus, the two spatulas40,44can pivot independently of one another. The holding body43has a substantially cylindrical design.

The double scraper60is connected to the holding portion90of the segment body1via a double scraper holder56. The double scraper holder56has a fastening pin55at a longitudinal end thereof, which holds the holding body43via a correspondingly formed bore in the holding body43so that the double scraper60can be pivoted about the fastening pin55. In this case, the longitudinal axis of the fastening pin55is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mounting body10. The double scraper holder56is also adapted for the reverse operating mode.

FIG. 15shows a side view of the segment body1with the double scraper60according toFIG. 14in a tensioned state. Thus, the double scraper holder56and the holding portion90of the segment body under load can be pivoted about the holding portion30so that a respective spring element can hold a return force according to the above-described force flow through the interior of the segment body1.

FIG. 16shows a side view of a segment body1according toFIG. 1with a double scraper61that differs from the above-described double scraper60ofFIGS. 14 and 15merely with regard to the lengths of the two rotating arms57,58. The first rotating arm57has a length L1which is substantially shorter than the length L2of the second rotating arm58. The lengths L1and L2of the rotating arms57,58can be selected such that a different press-on force can be realized in operation for the two spatulas44,40.

FIG. 17shows a plan view of the double scraper according toFIG. 16, the width B2of the first spatula44and the width B1of the second spatula40being identical.

FIG. 18shows a plan view of a double scraper62, the width B3of a first spatula59being smaller than the width B1of the second spatula40.

FIG. 19shows a side view of the segment body1with the scraper61according toFIG. 16in a non-tensioned state. The conveyor belt scraper is displaced in a direction Y towards the conveyor belt3or away from the same in order to adjust the return and press-on force and is spaced apart by the length X1from the conveyor belt3in the position as shown.

FIG. 20shows a side view of a fourth example of the double scraper63, wherein the first spatula44is disposed at an angle of α1=90° relative to the longitudinal axis of the holding body43whereas the second spatula65is disposed at an angle of α2 of less than 90° relative to the longitudinal axis of the holding body43. Thus, the press-on force of the second spatula65can be additionally adjusted by means of the angle α2.

FIG. 21shows a side view of the conveyor belt scraper with the double scraper61according toFIG. 16in a tensioned state, the latter being spaced apart from the conveyor belt3by the length X2.

FIG. 22shows a plan view and a front view of the segment carrier20according toFIG. 11a, the latter having a total length LSKand a portion of the length LRfor holding segment bodies.

FIG. 23shows a side view of a fifth example of the scraper86with a first movement direction B1of the conveyor belt3, the scraper86being formed such that the spatula85can be pivoted. The scraper86consists of a scraper rod80having a thread at one longitudinal end for a rotationally fixed screw connection to a coupling body81. The coupling body81has a bolt82in the portion of a longitudinal end, which is in contact with a spatula connecting member83so that a joint is formed. The spatula connecting member83is connected to a spatula carrier84at the longitudinal end of which the spatula85is formed. When in contact with a conveyor belt3moving along the movement direction B1, the free longitudinal end of the spatula85is in a position that the spatula carrier84is rotated by 20° relative to the transverse direction of the conveyor belt3.

FIG. 24shows a side view of the scraper86according toFIG. 23with a second movement direction B2of the conveyor belt3, the spatula carrier85being limited by abutment to the coupling body81and being in a position parallel to the same. The spatula85is inclined by 9° relative to the spatula carrier84.

FIG. 25shows a plan view of the scraper86according toFIG. 24. The spatula connecting member83is welded to the spatula carrier84.

FIG. 26shows a side view of a sixth example of the segment body100comprising a wear element110which in operation realizes the function of a scraper. The wear element110has a curved design which has a substantially tapering design in the portion of the free longitudinal end. The wear element110is integrally connected to a mounting body120and a spring element140via a deformable portion150. In some preferred examples, the segment body100consists of a synthetic material, in particular of polyurethane. The spring element140is connected to the mounting body120at the other longitudinal end thereof and disposed in a manner spaced-apart from the outer circumferential portion of the mounting body120and adjacent to the latter. For a form-locking connection to the segment carrier (not shown) the mounting body120has two oppositely disposed bars on the inner circumferential surface thereof. Furthermore, the segment body100has a first protective flap103connected to the wear element110and extending over the whole mounting body120. Moreover, the segment body100has a second protective flap104that is tangentially formed to the spring element140and also extends over the whole mounting body120.

FIG. 27shows a rear view of the segment body100according toFIG. 26.

FIG. 28shows a side view of a seventh example of the segment body101with the wear element110as a scraper according to examples disclosed herein wherein merely the design of the deformable portion150and the connection thereof to the spring element140are different as compared to the example according toFIG. 26. The deformable portion150substantially has a bar-like design to which a longitudinal end of the spring element140is connected. The distance between the spring element140and the mounting body120is larger in the connecting portion thereof than in the example according toFIG. 26.

Furthermore, the segment body101shows a first protective flap105connected to the wear element110and extending over the whole mounting body120. Moreover, the segment body101has a second protective flap106tangentially formed to the wear element110and extending over the whole mounting body120and the whole spring element140.

FIG. 29shows a side view of the segment body100with the wear element110according toFIG. 26in operation, the wear element110being in linear contact with the circulating conveyor belt3. The conveyor belt3is driven by a drum200that has a diameter D. The tensioning of the wear element110against the conveyor belt3generates a press-on force F1which causes a return force F2in the spring element140. The tensioning of the wear element110is made by means of a torque M1which is introduced into the segment body100via the segment carrier20.

FIG. 30shows a side view of the segment body100with the wear element110as a scraper according toFIG. 26in a worn state. The wear element110is now in contact with the conveyor belt3via a contact surface, the friction force being increased as compared to the state ofFIG. 29. Due to the set return force the wear element110always moves in the direction of the conveyor belt3so that the cleaning thereof is ensured despite the wear.

Referring toFIGS. 31 to 33, an eighth example of the segment body102with the wear element110will be described wherein said example essentially only differs in the construction of the mounting body123and the deformable area151from the example according toFIG. 26. The deformable area151is formed such that it realizes a joint connection between the wear element110and the spring element140, the wear element110and the spring element140each being separate components. To this end, the segment body102has a bore152in the deformable area151, which extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mounting body123. The spring element140has a second bore156in the range of one longitudinal end which realizes a force input from the mounting body123into the segment body102via a first bolt (not shown) with a corresponding connecting bore155in the mounting body123. Furthermore, the mounting body123has a lever-like shaped connecting body154on the opposite side of the connecting bore155, which connecting body154has a joint connecting portion153with a hollow-cylindrical design at the free longitudinal end thereof for connection with the bore152of the deformable portion151. Thus, the wear element110can pivot under the influence of the return force of the spring element140in the direction of the conveyor belt3(not shown).

Furthermore, the segment body102has a first protective flap170that is connected to the wear element110and extends over the whole mounting body123. Moreover, the segment body102has a second protective flap171that is tangentially formed to the spring element140and extends over the whole mounting body123.

The examples as shown are to be construed to be merely illustrative and not limiting. Numerous modifications can be made to them without leaving the protective scope of the claims.

Although certain methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture have been disclosed herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. To the contrary, this patent covers all methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the claims either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents