A single-sprocket curve-driven roller conveyor is the essential piece of equipment in a conveyor system that allows you to angle the conveying direction. Tapered rollers are typically used on curved roller conveyors. Applicable to delivery of all kinds of goods be in boxes, bags and pallets. Bulk materials, small items or irregular items require on pallet or in turnover box to delivery. All rollers are driven by a ring chain, the chain is working in a specially-made guide rail, motor is mounted in the middle, it has features of large conveying capacity, light and fast running, accumulation effect and low noisy, etc.
It is a specific design distinct from "straight-section conveyors" and "dual-sprocket drive" systems.
Model no. -rack inner width(W)-rack height(H)-turning radius(R)-turning angle(°)
Order no. example(unit mm): CR210-800-700-900-90
| Specifications (unit: mm) | |
|---|---|
| roller diameter | 50 (small end) |
| turning inside radius | suggest 900 |
| turning angle | 45°, 60°, 90° |
| roller included angle | ≤5° |
| rack inner width | 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1500 |
| rack height | 500-1500 |
| rack material | steel folded-plate |
| support leg material | rectagular steel tube |
| conveying speed | max. 25m/min, speed is adjustable |
| motor power | 0.37kw, 0.55kw, 0.75kw, 1.5kw |
Curved Frame: Fabricated to a specific arc (e.g., 45°, 90°, 180°) to provide support and guidance for the entire assembly.
Tapered Rollers: Key to achieving smooth turning. These rollers are not cylindrical but tapered, with one end having a larger diameter than the other. This design creates different linear speeds at the inner and outer sides of the curve (the outer path is longer and requires a higher speed), thereby compensating for the path length difference and preventing item jamming or misalignment.
Single Sprocket: Mounted on the smaller-diameter end (typically the inner side) of each tapered roller. Each roller uses only one sprocket.
Drive Chain: A single closed-loop chain that simultaneously engages all the single sprockets on the rollers. It is driven by a drive motor and reducer via a drive sprocket.
Chain Guides & Guards: Used to guide and contain the chain's path, preventing derailment.
The motor starts, driving the drive sprocket.
The drive sprocket pulls the closed-loop chain into motion.
The linear motion of the chain is converted, via engagement, into rotational motion for each single sprocket.
Since all sprockets are linked by the same chain, all tapered rollers achieve synchronous, unidirectional rotation.
Items placed on the rollers move forward due to friction. Because the rollers are tapered, the inner side (small end) has a slower linear speed, and the outer side (large end) has a faster linear speed. This automatically adapts to the length difference between the inner and outer paths during the turn, allowing items to navigate the curved track smoothly and without slipping.
Enables Smooth Direction Change: Its core function is to extend the conveyor path from a straight line to any arbitrary curve in a two-dimensional plane.
Relatively Simple Structure: Mechanically simpler compared to other curve drive methods (e.g., independent motors driving each roller).
Good Synchronization: The single chain ensures all driven rollers operate at a consistent speed, providing stable operation.
Space-Saving: Effectively utilizes corner spaces in facilities, connecting straight conveyor sections in different directions to form a continuous system.
Cost-Effective: Among common curve drive solutions, it offers a favorable balance of cost and performance.
Widely used in automated logistics and production lines requiring directional changes:
Express Parcel Sorting Centers: For turning, merging, and diverting packages within sorting systems.
Warehouse Logistics Systems: Connecting conveyor lines in different areas of a warehouse.
Automotive Manufacturing Lines: For redirecting component transfer between workstations.
Food & Beverage Industry: For turning bottles, boxes, and cans on packaging lines.
Appliance & Electronics Assembly Lines: Redirecting products from one process stage to another.
Turning Angle: Common standard angles include 30°, 45°, 90°, and 180°.
Turning Radius: A critical parameter (inner radius R). A smaller radius demands a higher roller taper and imposes greater restrictions on item size. The minimum radius must be determined based on the item dimensions, especially length.
Roller Dimensions & Taper: Diameter, surface material (steel/rubber-coated/PVC, etc.), and taper ratio. The taper determines the linear speed differential and must match the turning radius.
Sprocket & Chain Specifications: Selected based on load and linear speed (e.g., chain types like 08B, 10A).
Drive Method: Can share a motor with the straight sections or use an independent motor.
Load Capacity: Requires calculation of maximum item weight and its distribution.
| Feature | Single-Sprocket Curve Drive | Dual-Sprocket Drive (Primarily for straight sections or heavy-duty conveyance) |
|---|---|---|
| Sprockets per Roller | One sprocket at one end of each roller. | One sprocket at each end of each roller (or driving rollers at both ends intermittently). |
| Number of Chains | One closed-loop chain drives all sprockets. | Two parallel chains, each driving the sprockets at one end of the rollers. |
| Primary Purpose | To enable turning, using tapered rollers to compensate for inner/outer path difference. | To provide greater driving force, preventing roller twist or slip under uneven loads, ensuring stable operation with heavy loads. |
| Application Scenario | Curved conveyor sections. | Heavy-load straight sections (e.g., for pallets, large fixtures) or very long straight sections to reduce chain tension. |
| Roller Shape | Must be tapered. | Typically cylindrical. |
Simple Summary: Single-sprocket is for "turning," dual-sprocket is for "adding force." In a complete conveyor line, heavy straight sections might use dual-sprocket drive, while turning sections must employ single-sprocket driven tapered rollers.
Advantages:
Clear functionality, efficiently solving directional change in conveyance.
Mature technology with high reliability.
Flexible layout, optimizing space utilization.
Disadvantages/Limitations:
Requirements on Item Size: Item length cannot be below a certain threshold (usually related to turning radius), or it may jam or fail to turn smoothly.
Limited Driving Force: Single-sided drive is unsuitable for extremely heavy loads.
More Complex Design: Requires precise calculation of turning radius, taper, and chain layout compared to straight sections.
The single-sprocket curve-driven roller conveyor is an indispensable "joint" component in modern continuous conveyance systems. It cleverly converts linear motion into curved motion, enabling flexible planar layout in automated production lines. During design and selection, matching the turning radius, roller taper, and item dimensions is the key to success.
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