Support and guide structure for an articulated link conveyor

Abstract

The present invention provides a support and guiding structure for a closed-loop articulated link conveyor, the support and guiding structure comprising: at least two guiding members, the guiding members being oriented according to respective extension axes and defining respective sliding surfaces for the conveyor; and at least one support member, the support member comprising two opposite surfaces, wherein the guiding members project from the first surface to define at least one sliding channel for receiving at least a portion of the articulated links of the conveyor. The support and guiding structure comprises at least one receiving portion, the receiving portion extending in a direction parallel to the extension axis and receiving at least one respective reinforcing element to limit deformation of the support member. Each reinforcing element has a cross-sectional shape adapted to the cross-sectional shape of the respective receiving portion. Each reinforcing element is made of a material having a hardness greater than the hardness of the material used to manufacture the guiding members and the support member.

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention generally relates to conveyor devices having articulated links and, more particularly, to support and guide structures for articulated link conveyors.

[0002] More specifically, the present invention relates to a curved support structure for guiding an articulated link conveyor, which can be at least partially made of a ferromagnetic material, and wherein the support structure is provided with magnets configured to attract the links of the conveyor towards corresponding sliding surfaces. The present invention also relates to a curved support structure for guiding an articulated link conveyor, wherein the conveyor is not at least partially made of a ferromagnetic material, but is of the so-called "tab" type or "bevel" type. Regardless of the type of conveyor, the support structure can form both the upper part or forward path and the lower part or return path of a conveyor having articulated links and being a closed-loop conveyor. Background Art

[0003] It is well known that articulated link conveyors include a series of generally plate-like links that extend in a direction generally transverse to the direction of movement of the conveyor. In the forward path of the conveyor, in a typical closed-loop configuration, these links form a support surface for the objects to be moved by the conveyor itself.

[0004] In terms of the direction of movement of the conveyor, each link is connected to the previous and subsequent links by means of hinges, which are typically located in the central part of each link. Thus, these links form a continuous closed-loop conveyor, the forward and return parts of which are usually superimposed.

[0005] The links can be made of steel, such as those described in ISO 4348, or the links can be made of plastic. In the case where the links are made of plastic, the links can conveniently be provided with hinge pins made of a ferromagnetic material to interact with the magnets of the support and guide structure.

[0006] In fact, it is known to use support structures provided with corresponding sliding tracks to guide each closed-loop articulated link conveyor. Each sliding track is provided with a pair of sliding surfaces that guide the sliding movement of the opposite lateral ends of the conveyor links during the corresponding forward path. These sliding surfaces can be arranged at a constant distance from each other as well as at unequal distances.

[0007] A slot, also known as a channel, is provided between two sliding surfaces, and the slot allows the receiving of the articulated elements of the conveyor link. On the surface opposite to the surface of the channel, one or more guides are usually provided, and the one or more guides guide the conveyor link located on the corresponding support structure in the return path of the conveyor link.

[0008] If it is necessary to guide multiple articulated link conveyors, the support structure can be provided with a corresponding number of sliding tracks, that is, there is one sliding track for each articulated link conveyor. The support structure can also be provided with multiple return paths for the articulated link conveyor. In this case, the number of return paths is equal to the number of sliding tracks of the forward path, and the return path and the forward path are usually opposite to each other, that is, the return path is placed below these sliding tracks.

[0009] In the case where the link is at least partially made of ferromagnetic material, the support structure is provided with multiple magnets. These magnets are usually positioned below the horizontal plane of the sliding plane and at the center line of each channel. These magnets generate a magnetic field that holds the link attached to the sliding surface of the support structure. During the movement of the conveyor, in the absence of the attractive force exerted by the magnets, the link will actually tend to lift from the corresponding sliding surface, thus endangering the balance of the object being transported.

[0010] In the case where the conveyor is of the so-called "tab" type, each link is provided with a tab at the bottom, and the tab engages with the lower part of the sliding track. Therefore, the "anti-lifting" function is obtained through the interaction between these tabs and the corresponding lower parts of the sliding track rather than the interaction between the magnet and the ferromagnetic material. On the other hand, in the case where the conveyor is of the so-called "bevel" type, each link is provided with a dovetail part at the bottom, and the dovetail part is designed to slide in the channel between the sliding tracks, and the channel has a shape adapted to one of the lower formed parts in the lower formed part of the link. This dovetail shape prevents the link from lifting from the corresponding sliding surface.

[0011] The sliding track for the articulated link conveyor can have a straight axis or a curved axis. For example, examples of sliding tracks with a curved axis for link conveyors are described in documents EP 2907774, EP 3546394, and EP 3572358 under the same applicant and document WO 2019 / 016716.

[0012] The drawback of the sliding track for an articulated link conveyor lies in the relative instability of the sliding track, especially when the sliding track has a curved axis and is made of plastic. In fact, although these sliding tracks are properly fixed to the corresponding support frames, due to various thermal variations and / or tensions caused, for example, by the forces generated during the movement of the link conveyor and / or the weight of the objects located on the conveyor itself, the sliding tracks may experience undesirable movements. Summary of the Invention

[0013] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a support and guiding structure for an articulated link conveyor, which can solve the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art in an extremely simple, economical and particularly practical manner.

[0014] Specifically, an object of the present invention is to provide a support and guiding structure for an articulated link conveyor, which has improved structural stiffness (used as resistance to deformation) compared to the structural stiffness of similar support and guiding structures according to the prior art.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a support and guiding structure for an articulated link conveyor, which, although having greater rigidity and thus better resistance to deformation, still maintains the same convenience of assembly and use as similar support and guiding structures according to the prior art.

[0016] These objects according to the present invention will be achieved by providing a support and guiding structure for an articulated link conveyor according to the present invention.

[0017] Other features of the present invention are emphasized by the embodiments which form part of this specification. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] The features and advantages of the support and guiding structure for an articulated link conveyor according to the present invention will become clearer from the following exemplary and thus non-limiting description with reference to the schematic drawings, in which:

[0019] Figure 1 is an exploded view of a first embodiment of the support and guiding structure for an articulated link conveyor according to the present invention, viewed from above;

[0020] Figure 2 is Figure 1 an enlarged view of the detail shown at II in

[0021] Figure 3 is Figure 1 another exploded view of the support and guiding structure, viewed from below;

[0022] Figure 4 is Figure 1 a cross-sectional view of details of the support and guide structure;

[0023] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of details of a second embodiment of the support and guide structure for an articulated link conveyor according to the present invention;

[0024] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of details of a third embodiment of the support and guide structure for an articulated link conveyor according to the present invention; and

[0025] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of details of a fourth embodiment of the support and guide structure for an articulated link conveyor according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Referring to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of a support and guide structure for an articulated link conveyor according to the present invention is shown. The support and guide structure is generally designated by reference numeral 10. The support and guide structure 10 includes in a manner known per se at least two guides 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, and 14G, which are different from each other and are arranged at a predetermined distance Z from each other. The guides 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, 14G are oriented according to respective extension axes X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7 and define respective sliding surfaces (not shown) for a sliding path of a conveyor having articulated links.

[0027] The support and guide structure 10 still includes in a manner known per se at least one support member 12 for the guides 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, 14G, the support member 12 extending in a respective plane P. The support member 12 in turn includes at least one first surface 16 or upper surface and at least one second surface 18 or lower surface that are opposite each other. The guides 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, 14G project from the first surface 16 to define at least one sliding channel 20( Figure 5 ), the sliding channel 20 being delimited by side walls of adjacent pairs of these guides 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, 14G and at least a part of the first surface 16 of the support member 12. Each sliding channel 20 allows accommodation of at least a part of the articulated links of the conveyor.

[0028] In the case where the articulated link conveyor is at least partially made of ferromagnetic material, the support member 12 may include a plurality of cavities 22, each cavity being designed to accommodate one or more magnets (not shown). Preferably, the cavities 22 are provided at the second surface 18 of the support member 12 and are open, that is to say, the cavities 22 are accessible through the second surface 18. This allows for easy insertion / removal of the magnets, which can be covered by a suitable closing plate (not shown) when inserted into the respective cavities 22.

[0029] To increase the structural stiffness of the support and guide structure 10 and thus limit the deformability of the support and guide structure 10, the support and guide structure 10 includes at least one receiving portion 24, 24A, 24B, 24C, 24D, which extend at least half of the length of the support member 12 in a direction parallel to the extension axes X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7 of the guides 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, 14G. Each receiving portion 24, 24A, 24B, 24C, 24D receives at least one respective reinforcing element 26A, 26B, 26C, 26D, 26E, 26F, 26G to limit the deformation of the support member 12 in a direction perpendicular to the plane P in which the support member 12 lies, and thus limit the deformation of the guides 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, 14G in a direction perpendicular to the plane P in which the support member 12 lies.

[0030] Each reinforcing element 26A, 26B, 26C, 26D, 26E, 26F, 26G has a cross-sectional shape adapted to the cross-sectional shape of the respective receiving portion 24, 24A, 24B, 24C, 24D. In addition, each reinforcing element 26A, 26B, 26C, 26D, 26E, 26F, 26G is conveniently made of a material having a hardness defined as resistance to permanent deformation, which is greater than the hardness of the materials used to manufacture the guides 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, 14G and the support member 12.

[0031] Conveniently, to increase the structural stiffness of the support and guide structure 10, each reinforcing element 26A, 26B, 26C, 26D, 26E, 26F, 26G includes a laminated element having a rectangular cross-section and having a length measured along the respective extension axis X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, which is approximately equal to the length of the respective guide 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, 14G. Each laminated element 26A, 26B, 26C, 26D, 26E, 26F, 26G may also have a height measured in a direction perpendicular to the extension plane P of the support member (Figure 4 ), which height is greater than the corresponding width L measured along a direction parallel to the plane P.

[0032] Preferably, both the guides 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, 14G and the support member 12 are made of polymeric material. By way of example only, at least the guides 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, 14G may be made of a very high molecular weight polyethylene-based material (UHMW-PE) with the addition of a solid lubricant. Such a material is known under the trade name and is known to the public. And each of the reinforcing elements 26A, 26B, 26C, 26D, 26E, 26F, 26G is conveniently made of a metallic material, such as for example steel. In fact, steel has a hardness measured on the most well-known hardness scales (Brinell, Knoop, Mohs, Rosiwal and Vickers), which hardness is greater than the hardness of the polymeric material used for manufacturing the support member 12.

[0033] Preferably, in most of the embodiments shown in the figures, each of the receiving portions 24, 24A, 24B, 24C, 24D is provided in a portion of the support and guide structure 10 arranged between at least one corresponding guide 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, 14G and the support member 12. In order to increase the structural stiffness of the support and guide structure 10 in the best possible and uniform way, each of the receiving portions 24, 24A, 24B, 24C, 24D also extends at least part of the length of the corresponding guide 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, 14G along the corresponding extension axis X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, preferably along the entire length of the corresponding guide 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, 14G along the corresponding extension axis X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7 (as Figure 1 and Figure 3 shown).

[0034] According to Figures 1 to 4 the first embodiment of the support and guide structure 10 shown, the guides 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, 14G are manufactured as separate elements with respect to the support member 12. Therefore, reversible fastening means 28, 30, 32 are provided for coupling the guides 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, 14G to the support member 12.

[0035] Thus, according to this first embodiment of the support and guide structure 10, each receiving portion 24A, 24B may include (see in particular the cross-sectional view of Figure 4 ):

[0036] - a first groove 24A, the first groove 24A being provided in the respective guide 14A and extending along the respective extension axis X1 of the guide 14A; and

[0037] - a second groove 24B, the second groove 24B being provided in the support member 12 and extending along the same extension axis X1 as the corresponding first groove 24A.

[0038] Thus, the first groove 24A and the second groove 24B form a closed passage when the respective guide 14A is coupled to the support member 12 by means of the respective reversible fastening means 28, 30, 32. Preferably, these reversible fastening means 28, 30, 32 may be of the "tooth 28 - channel 30" type in order to obtain an easily releasable form-fit between the guides 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, 14G and the support member 12. Also preferably, the reversible fastening means 28, 30, 32 may include a plurality of fastening screws 32 for coupling the guides 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, 14G to the support member 12.

[0039] Figure 5 Details of a second embodiment of the support and guide structure 10 are shown, which second embodiment is essentially a Figures 1 to 4 variant of the first embodiment shown in. In this second embodiment of the support and guide structure 10, the strengthening element 26A forms part of the reversible fastening means located between each guide 14A and the support member 12. In other words, each strengthening element 26A may be placed between the respective guide 14A and the support member 12 with a "tooth" function, such that the provision of a "tooth-channel" connection is redundant. For example, as shown in Figure 5 , two different strengthening elements 26A may be provided, the two different strengthening elements 26A being parallel to each other and also oriented along the respective extension axis X1 of the guide 14A to allow connection between the guide 14A and the support member 12 but assisted by one or more fastening screws 32.

[0040] Figure 6Shows details of a third embodiment of the support and guide structure 10. In this third embodiment of the support and guide structure 10, all the guide members 14A, 14B are integrally formed with the support member 12 as one piece. In other words, the entire support and guide structure 10 is substantially manufactured as one piece. Accordingly, each receiving portion 24 for the respective reinforcing element 26A includes a groove 24 that is partially disposed within the respective guide member 14A and partially within the support member 12. The groove 24 extends along the respective extension axis X1 of the guide member 14A. Reversible closing devices 34, 36 are also provided at the second surface 18 of the support member 12 to close the groove 24 when the respective reinforcing element 26A is received within the groove 24. Preferably, these reversible closing devices 34, 36 include at least one plate 34 and one or more screws 36, the plate 34 being positionable at the second surface 18 of the support member 12 and the screws 36 being arranged to fasten the respective plate 34 to the support member 12 in a manner parallel to the second surface 18 of the support member 12.

[0041] Figure 7 Shows details of a fourth embodiment of the support and guide structure 10. In this fourth embodiment, the support and guide structure 10 includes at least one lower guide element 38 that is adapted to support and guide a conveyor in the return path of the conveyor. Specifically, the lower guide element 38 is fastened to the support member 12 at the second surface 18 of the support member 12 by suitable fastening means 44, and the lower guide element 38 includes at least two walls 40A, 40B within which respective return channels 42 are provided that receive at least a portion of the articulated links of the conveyor in the return path of the conveyor. Accordingly, each return channel 42 is in a position opposite to the corresponding sliding channel 20 or forward channel provided between adjacent pairs of guide members 14A, 14B.

[0042] According to this fourth embodiment of the support and guide structure 10, each receiving portion 24C, 24D includes a first groove 24C provided within the support member 12 and a second groove 24D provided within the lower guide element 38 (see in particular the cross-sectional view of Figure 7 . When the lower guide element 38 is fastened to the support member 12, each first groove 24C of the support member 12 and the corresponding second groove 24D of the lower guide element 38 form a closed channel in this way.

[0043] Therefore, it has been seen that the support and guide structure for an articulated link conveyor according to the present invention achieves the above - emphasized objectives. In particular, some comparative deformation tests have been carried out on both the traditional support and guide structure and a similar support and guide structure according to the present invention, i.e., a support and guide structure provided with a metallic laminated reinforcement element. The deformation tests were carried out with a static load of 10 kg applied to each support and guide structure, which was in turn suspended on a corresponding support frame. The deformation tests were also carried out on the support and guide structure according to the present invention using two different types of metallic laminated reinforcement elements, i.e., metallic laminated reinforcement elements having a height H equal to 1.7 mm and 3 mm. The results of the deformation tests have shown that, for the same load (10 kg), with respect to the deformation of a similar support and guide structure according to the present invention, the traditional specific support and guide structure undergoes a maximum deformation greater than 39 mm (in the case of a reinforcement element having a height H equal to 1.7 mm) or even greater than 80.5 mm (in the case of a reinforcement element having a height H equal to 3 mm). In absolute terms, in fact, considering the above - mentioned load conditions, the traditional support and guide structure undergoes a maximum deformation equal to 108 mm, while a similar support and guide structure according to the present invention undergoes a maximum deformation equal to 42 mm (in the case of a reinforcement element having a height H equal to 1.7 mm) and only equal to 27.5 mm (in the case of a reinforcement element having a height H equal to 3 mm).

[0044] However, the support and guide structure for an articulated link conveyor according to the present invention, thus conceived, is susceptible to various modifications and variations, all of which fall within the scope of the same inventive concept; furthermore, all details can be replaced by technically equivalent elements. In practice, the materials used, as well as the shape and dimensions, can be determined according to technical requirements.

[0045] Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A support and guide structure (10) for an articulated link conveyor, the support and guide structure (10) comprising: - At least two guide members (14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, 14G), the guide members (14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, 14G) being different from each other and arranged at a predetermined distance (Z) from each other, the guide members (14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, 14G) being oriented according to respective extension axes (X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7) and defining respective sliding surfaces for a sliding path of the articulated link conveyor; - At least one support member (12), the support member (12) extending in a respective plane (P), the support member (12) comprising at least one first surface (16) and at least one second surface (18) opposite to each other, wherein the guide members (14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, 14G) project from the first surface (16) to define at least one sliding channel (20), the at least one sliding channel (20) being delimited by side walls of adjacent pairs of the guide members (14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, 14G) and at least a part of the first surface (16), the at least one sliding channel (20) allowing accommodation of at least a part of the articulated links of the articulated link conveyor, the support and guide structure (10) being characterized in that the support and guide structure (10) comprises at least one receiving portion that extends at least half of the length of the support member (12) in a direction parallel to the extension axes (X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7), the receiving portion receiving at least one respective strengthening element (26A, 26B, 26C, 26D, 26E, 26F, 26G) to limit deformation of at least the support member (12) in a direction perpendicular to the plane (P), wherein each strengthening element (26A, 26B, 26C, 26D, 26E, 26F, 26G) has a cross-sectional shape adapted to the cross-sectional shape of the respective receiving portion, and wherein each strengthening element (26A, 26B, 26C, 26D, 26E, 26F, 26G) is made of a material having a hardness defined as resistance to permanent deformation, the hardness being greater than the hardness of the materials used for manufacturing the guide members (14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, 14G) and the support member (12).

2. The support and guiding structure (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each receiving part is arranged in a part of the support and guiding structure (10) located between at least one corresponding guiding element (14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, 14G) and the support member (12), wherein each receiving part extends along a corresponding extension axis (X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7) for at least a part of the length of the corresponding guiding element (14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, 14G).

3. The support and guiding structure (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The guiding elements (14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, 14G) are manufactured as separate elements relative to the support member (12), and reversible fastening means are provided for coupling the guiding elements (14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, 14G) to the support member (12).

4. The support and guiding structure (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that, Each receiving part comprises: - a first groove, which is arranged in the corresponding guiding element (14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, 14G) and extends along the corresponding extension axis (X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7) of the guiding element (14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, 14G); and - a second groove, which is arranged in the support member (12) and extends along the same extension axis (X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7) as the first groove, wherein when the corresponding guiding element (14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, 14G) is coupled to the support member (12) by means of the corresponding reversible fastening means, the first groove and the second groove form a closed passage.

5. The support and guiding structure (10) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The reversible fastening means is of the "tooth-channel" type for obtaining a form-fit between the guiding elements (14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, 14G) and the support member (12).

6. The support and guide structure (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The reversible fastening means comprises a plurality of fastening screws for coupling the guiding elements (14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, 14G) to the support member (12).

7. The support and guidance structure (10) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The reversible fastening means comprises at least one reinforcing element, and the reinforcing element of the reversible fastening means is placed between the corresponding guiding element and the support member (12) with a "tooth" function.

8. The support and guiding structure (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The guiding elements (14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, 14G) and the support member (12) are integrally manufactured as one piece.

9. The support and guiding structure (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that, Each receiving portion includes a groove which is partially disposed within a respective guide (14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, 14G) and partially within the support member (12), wherein the groove extends along a respective extension axis (X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7) of the guide (14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, 14G), and wherein at the second surface (18) of the support member (12) there is provided a reversible closing device (34, 36) to close the groove when a respective reinforcing element (26A, 26B, 26C, 26D, 26E, 26F, 26G) is received in the groove.

10. The support and guiding structure (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that, The reversible closing device (34, 36) includes at least one plate and one or more screws, the plate being locatable at the second surface (18) of the support member (12), the screws being arranged to fix the plate to the support member (12) in a manner parallel to the second surface (18).

11. The support and guiding structure (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support and guide structure (10) includes at least one lower guide element (38) fastened to the support member (12) and including at least two walls (40A, 40B) within which there are provided respective return channels (42) which receive at least a portion of the articulated links of the articulated link conveyor in the return path of the articulated link conveyor, wherein each receiving portion includes a first groove provided within the support member (12) and a second groove provided within the lower guide element (38) such that each first groove of the support member (12) and the corresponding second groove of the lower guide element (38) form a closed channel.

12. The support and guide structure (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, At least one reinforcing element (26A, 26B, 26C, 26D, 26E, 26F, 26G) includes a laminated element having a rectangular cross-section and having a length measured along a respective extension axis (X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7), the length being substantially equal to the length of the respective guide (14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, 14G).

13. The support and guiding structure (10) according to claim 12, characterized in that, Each laminated element has a height (H) measured in a direction perpendicular to the plane (P), the height (H) being greater than the respective width (L) measured in a direction parallel to the plane (P).

14. The support and guiding structure (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The guides (14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F, 14G) and the support member (12) are made of a polymeric material, while the at least one reinforcing element (26A, 26B, 26C, 26D, 26E, 26F, 26G) is made of a metallic material.

15. The support and guiding structure (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The support member (12) includes a plurality of cavities (22), each cavity (22) being designed to receive one or more magnets.

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