Module and modular conveyor belt for modular conveyor belt

Abstract

A module for a modular conveyor belt and a modular conveyor belt, the module comprising: a base element comprising a plurality of front and rear coupling elements; the outermost convex surface of the rear and front protruding elements comprises at least one circular arc portion, the center of the circular arc being located at the same vertical distance from the lower surface of the rear and front protruding elements; and a plurality of raised elements, at least some of the raised elements extending away from the first upper surface of the base element and / or from the upper portion of the coupling elements; and a plurality of recesses separating the raised elements; the raised elements have an upper support surface which forms the surface on which the product is transported; the difference between the vertical distance of the center of the circular arc portion of the outermost convex surface of the rear and front protruding elements and the vertical distance of the center of the hole for the pin of the rear and front protruding elements is greater than or equal to 1 mm.

Description

Modules and modular conveyor belts for modular conveyor belts Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a module for a modular conveyor belt and a conveyor belt including said module. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of modular conveyors, known types include modular chain conveyors and modular belt conveyors; these conveyors have very different structural features.

[0003] As is known to those skilled in the art, both modular chain conveyors and modular belt conveyors have modules, each module having a body comprising:

[0004] - A flat upper support surface used to support products to be shipped.

[0005] - A lower flat plane that is opposite to and parallel to the upper surface.

[0006] - Parallel front and rear edges that define the length of the module and include connecting elements adapted to connect one module to the next.

[0007] - and two parallel lateral edges that define the width of the module.

[0008] In the modules of the modular chain conveyor, the connecting element for connecting one module to the next extends only in the central portion of the front and rear edges of the body of each module, and only in the central portion of the lower flat surface, which thus has a central portion and a flat lateral portion without the connecting element, from which the connecting element protrudes downward, thereby having a first height, as discussed below, the flat lateral portion being the portion that slides on the support and guide elements of the modular chain conveyor.

[0009] GB778509 describes a modular chain conveyor.

[0010] Due to the specific shape and positioning of the connecting elements, modular chain conveyors slide on a sliding path specifically designed for this type of conveyor, which comprises two parallel and spaced-apart tracks:

[0011] - The flat lateral portion of the lower surface of the module, i.e. the portion of the lower surface of the module without connecting elements, is adapted to slide along the upper surface of the track.

[0012] - Although the central portion of the connecting element protruding towards the bottom of the lower surface of the module is adapted to move in the space between the two tracks, the downwardly protruding side walls of the connecting element are able to contact the opposite side walls of the tracks, and the bottom portions of these connecting elements are not adapted to slide on any part of the frame forming the sliding path.

[0013] It should be noted that, since the connecting elements are only located at the front and rear edges and the central part of the lower surface of the module of the chain conveyor, these central parts of the module are the parts with the greatest force generated by the connection between the modules, while the sliding parts of the module are subjected to less force.

[0014] The modular chain conveyor described in GB778509 is supported by a sliding path comprising two tracks and slides on that sliding path, as described above.

[0015] In the case of constructing a modular chain conveyor with a width greater than the module width, multiple conveyors are typically placed side by side, wherein the lateral edges of the conveyors contact or are slightly spaced from the lateral edges of the adjacent conveyors to form a support surface for a larger product to be transported, and wherein the connecting pins of each conveyor module connect the modules of the conveyor together only and not also to the modules of the adjacent conveyors.

[0016] The modules of the modular belt conveyor have a lower flat sliding surface that extends from one lateral edge of the module to the other lateral edge to cooperate with a flat conveying path.

[0017] In a modular belt conveyor module, the connecting element used to connect the module to the following module is:

[0018] - Distributed along the entire width of the module's front and rear edges (referencing the sliding direction of the belt conveyor),

[0019] - It has an additional lower flat sliding surface for cooperating with the flat transport path.

[0020] - And the additional lower flat sliding surface of the front connecting element and the rear connecting element is connected to and coplanar with the lower flat sliding surface of the base element to form a single flat sliding surface for cooperating with the flat transport path, and the single flat sliding surface extends from one lateral edge of the module to the other lateral edge.

[0021] US6.471.049 describes a modular belt conveyor, and more specifically a "ribbed" type belt conveyor, because the upper flat support surface of each module for the product to be conveyed is not a continuous flat surface, but a flat surface formed by the upper flat surfaces of a plurality of raised elements spaced apart from each other.

[0022] Due to the specific shape and positioning of the connecting elements, the modular belt conveyor slides on a sliding path specifically designed for such conveyors, which includes a flat sliding surface on which the entire lower surface of the module, including the lower surface of the connecting elements, slides.

[0023] One or more wing-shaped portions extend downward from the lateral edge and / or the lower surface of the module, the wing-shaped portions being adapted to engage in the guide of the sliding surface and to guide the belt conveyor along the direction defined by the sliding surface.

[0024] The modular belt conveyor described in US6.471.049 is supported and slides on a sliding path having a flat, continuous straight surface, and the modular belt conveyor has wing-like portions extending downward from the lateral edges of each module, and the wing-like portions are adapted to engage with the lateral edges of the sliding path to guide the belt conveyor in a straight direction along the path.

[0025] Multiple modules arranged side-by-side and interconnected by articulated pins of the required width are typically used to construct modular belt conveyors, which can be wider than a single belt conveyor module if needed. Therefore, conveyors with even very large widths can be constructed using modules designed for belt conveyors.

[0026] The technical problem solved by the modular chain conveyor described in GB778509 is to provide a connecting part for linking one module to another, which allows for a reduction in the possibility that small glass fragments may damage the module. To this end, the connecting part for linking the modules is designed to minimize this risk of damage. Therefore, the modules are not only arranged to prevent the ingress of virtually all glass fragments or other foreign objects except for the smallest glass fragments, but are also constructed to remove any small fragments or particles that may be found between the connecting parts used to link the modules. To solve this technical problem, each module of the modular chain conveyor described in GB778509 includes three front connecting elements and two rear connecting elements, wherein the two outermost front connecting elements and the two rear connecting elements have an elliptical cross-sectional shape and include:

[0027] - A lower portion having a semi-circular cross-sectional shape, wherein the first center corresponds to the center of a hole for receiving a hinge pin in a connecting element, which is used to hinge the modules together.

[0028] - and an upper portion having a semi-circular cross-sectional shape, wherein the radius is equal to the radius of the semicircle of the lower portion, but the second center is vertically shifted above the first center.

[0029] The central connecting element of the three front connecting elements has a semi-circular cross-sectional shape and a single center corresponding to the center of the hole of the front connecting element for receiving a hinge pin used to hinge the modules together.

[0030] The modular chain conveyor modules described in GB778509 also have ribs located at the bottom, which include a lower flat surface connecting the lower ends of the two rear connecting elements and the lower ends of only the central connecting element among the three front connecting elements. This lower surface of the rib is not a sliding surface of the modular chain conveyor; since the modular chain conveyor is a chain, instead, as is typically the case for such conveyors, the sliding surface is set as the flat lateral portions of the lower surface of the module on the right and left sides of the connecting elements. Summary of the Invention

[0031] The object of the present invention is to provide a module for a modular conveyor belt and a modular conveyor belt including the module, wherein the module for the modular conveyor belt and the modular conveyor belt including the module replace existing modules and modular conveyor belts, and have optimal resistance to the normal stresses experienced by the belt, particularly in the area where the hinge pins of the module accommodate the normal stresses experienced by the belt.

[0032] Another objective is to provide a module for a modular conveyor belt and a modular conveyor belt including said module, the module for the modular conveyor belt and the modular conveyor belt including said module allowing for improvements in the extensibility and continuity of the surface used to support the transported product.

[0033] Another objective is to provide a module for a modular conveyor belt and a modular conveyor belt including said module, wherein said module for a modular conveyor belt and modular conveyor belt including said module have optimal "backward bending" type bending characteristics in belts using these modules.

[0034] These and other objectives will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and are achieved by the modules and modular conveyor belts according to this application. Attached Figure Description

[0035] To better understand the invention, the following figures are attached by way of non-limiting example only, in which:

[0036] Figure 1 is a schematic top perspective view of a module for a modular conveyor belt according to the present invention.

[0037] Figure 2 is a schematic top view of a module for a modular conveyor belt according to the present invention.

[0038] Figure 3 is a schematic front view (relative to Figure 1) of a module for a modular conveyor belt according to the present invention.

[0039] Figure 4 is a right view (relative to Figure 1) of a module for a modular conveyor belt according to the present invention.

[0040] Figure 5 is a schematic top-view perspective view of a portion of a conveyor belt constructed from the modules shown in Figures 1 to 4.

[0041] Figure 6 is a schematic top perspective view of a portion of the conveyor belt in Figure 5, wherein the portion of the conveyor belt is bent at a "backward bend" position.

[0042] Figure 7 is a bottom perspective view of a portion of a conveyor belt constructed from the modules shown in Figures 1 to 4.

[0043] Figure 8 is a bottom-view perspective of the module in Figure 1. Detailed Implementation

[0044] Referring to the above figures, which illustrate a module for a modular conveyor belt, the module includes: a base element 1 (Figures 1 and 2), the base element 1 including: a first upper surface 1A (Figure 2), a lower flat sliding surface 1B (Figures 7 and 8) for cooperating with a flat conveying path 2, front edges 1C and rear edges 1D that are parallel to each other (separated by a portion L2 (Figure 2) that also limits the length of the module), and lateral edges 1E and 1F that are parallel to each other and separated by a portion L1 (which also limits the width of the module).

[0045] - And, viewed from the transport direction D (Fig. 1), there are multiple front connecting elements 3A to 3F and rear connecting elements 4A to 4E, which are used to connect the modules together. The front connecting elements 3A to 3F are separated from each other by front spaces 5A to 5D, and the rear connecting elements 4A to 4E are separated from each other by rear spaces 5F to 5I (Fig. 2).

[0046] The lower flat sliding surface 1B extends from one of the lateral edges 1E and 1F to the other lateral edge.

[0047] The front connecting elements 3A to 3F are distributed along the entire width L1 (Fig. 2) of the front edge 1C, which is perpendicular to the transport direction D. The rear connecting elements 4A to 4E are distributed along the entire width L1 (Fig. 2) of the rear edge 1D, which is perpendicular to the transport direction D.

[0048] The front connecting elements 3A to 3F and the rear connecting elements 4A to 4E include: upper portions 6A to 6J, 7A to 7E; and additional lower flat sliding surfaces 8 (FIGs 7 and 8) for cooperating with the flat transport path 2; and through holes 16.

[0049] The additional lower flat sliding surfaces 8 of the front connecting elements 3A to 3F and the rear connecting elements 4A to 4E are connected to and coplanar with the lower flat sliding surface 1B of the base element 1 to form a single flat sliding surface extending from one of the lateral edges 1E, 1F to the other lateral edge, thereby cooperating with the flat transport path 2.

[0050] The connecting elements 3A to 3F and 4A to 4E are shaped and arranged such that the front connecting elements 3A to 3F of module M1 (FIG. 5) are fitted into the rear spaces 5F to 5I located between the rear connecting elements 4A to 4E adjacent to module M2, and the connecting pin 10 (FIG. 3) extending transversely to the transport direction D can be fitted into the through holes 16 of the connecting elements 3A to 3F and 4A to 4E of these two modules, thereby hinged the two modules together and allowing the adjacent modules to rotate at least partially. The through holes 16 have centers C1 and C2 (FIG. 4) located at a first vertical distance E1 from the lower sliding surfaces 8 of the connecting elements 3A to 3F and 4A to 4E.

[0051] The connecting elements 3A to 3F and 4A to 4E also include an outermost convex surface (Fig. 4), which, when viewed from the side (Fig. 4), includes at least one arcuate portion S1, S2, wherein the centers F1, F2 of these arcs are located at the same vertical distance E5 from the lower surfaces 8 of the rear protruding elements 3A to 3F and the front protruding elements 4A to 4E, and at the same horizontal distance E7 from the outermost portion S3 of the rear protruding elements 3A to 3F and the front protruding elements 4A to 4E.

[0052] The module also includes: a plurality of protruding elements 11A to 11J, at least a portion of which extends away from the first upper surface 1A of the base element 1 and / or from the upper portions 6A to 6J, 7A to 7E of the connecting elements 3A to 3F and 4A to 4E; and a plurality of recesses 12A to 12I separating the protruding elements 11A to 11J (FIG. 1).

[0053] Each of the protruding elements 11A to 11J has an upper support surface 13A to 13J that defines a surface for conveying the product; these upper support surfaces 13A to 13J of the protruding elements are provided at least at the connecting elements at a second maximum vertical distance E2 from the second lower sliding surface 8 of the connecting elements 3A to 3F and 4A to 4E (FIG. 4).

[0054] At least at connecting elements 3A to 3F and 4A to 4E, the upper support surfaces 13A to 13J of the protruding elements 11A to 11J are provided at a third maximum vertical distance E3 from the upper portions 6A to 6J and 7A to 7E of the connecting elements.

[0055] According to the present invention, the difference between the vertical distance E5 between the centers F1 and F2 of the arcuate portions of the outermost convex surfaces of the rear protruding elements 3A to 3F and the front protruding elements 4A to 4E and the vertical distance E1 between the centers of the holes 16 for the pin 10 of the rear protruding elements 3A to 3F and the front protruding elements 4A to 4E is greater than or equal to 1 mm, that is: .

[0056] Due to the special positioning of the through holes, modules with excellent stress resistance can be constructed, especially in the area where the module is under the greatest stress, i.e., in the area where the pin 16 is provided. At the same time, when the modules are connected to each other to form a belt (Figure 5), the rotation of the modules is enhanced, and the bending of the "backward bending" type belt is particularly enhanced.

[0057] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least some of the protruding elements 11A to 11J have a portion P (FIG. 2) that also extends above the rear protruding elements 3A to 3F and the front protruding elements 4A to 4E and has an outermost convex surface (FIG. 4). When viewed from the side (FIG. 4), the outermost convex surface further includes at least one arcuate portion S4, S5, wherein the centers F1, F2 of these arcuate portions coincide with the centers F1, F2 of the arcuate portions S1, S2 of the protruding elements from which the protruding elements extend, so as to form a common and continuous arcuate outermost convex surface between at least some of the protruding elements and the corresponding protruding elements.

[0058] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the difference between half of the second vertical distance E2 between the protruding elements 11A to 11J and the first vertical distance E1 between the through holes 16 is greater than 1 mm, that is:

[0059] .

[0060] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the difference between half of the second vertical distance E2 of the protruding element and the first vertical distance E1 of the through hole is between 20% and 20% of half of the third vertical distance E3 of the protruding element, that is:

[0061] ,

[0062] More preferably, the difference between half of the second vertical distance E2 of the protruding element and the first vertical distance E1 of the through hole is between 5% and 5% of half of the third vertical distance E3 of the protruding element, that is:

[0063] .

[0064] According to a preferred embodiment, the difference between the vertical distance E5 between the centers F1 and F2 of the outermost surfaces of the rear protruding elements 3A to 3F and the front protruding elements 4A to 4E and the vertical distance E1 between the centers of the holes 16 for the pins 10 of the rear protruding elements 3A to 3F and the front protruding elements 4A to 4E is between 30% and 80% of the maximum vertical distance E3 of the upper support surfaces 13A to 13J of the protruding elements 11A to 11J, that is: Furthermore, and even more preferably, (E5-E1) is approximately half of E3 (where “approximately” means a difference of + / - 5%).

[0065] It should be noted that, for modules of the type described so far, typically, the spaces 5A to 5I between one protruding element and another protruding element on the first side of the module have concave surfaces, which have shapes and structures complementary to the shape and structure of the outer convex surfaces of the protruding elements disposed on the other side of the module (in particular, the radii of curvature are substantially equal to or slightly larger, for example, greater than a value between 1% and 5%), such that when the belt is bent, the outer concave surfaces of the module can rotate at least partially in contact with the corresponding concave surfaces of the spaces 5A to 5I disposed in adjacent modules, and / or can rotate slightly spaced apart from the corresponding concave surfaces of the spaces 5A to 5I disposed in adjacent modules.

[0066] Advantageously, at least some of the protruding elements 11A to 11J have a portion K (Figures 1 and 2), the portion K having an outermost concave surface (Figure 4), which, when viewed from the side (Figure 4), further includes at least one arcuate portion, wherein the centers F1, F2 of these arcs coincide with the centers F1, F2 of the arcuate portions S1, S2 of the protruding element, to form an outermost concave surface for rotating the corresponding convex surfaces of the protruding elements of adjacent modules.

[0067] According to the preferred embodiment, the centers F1 and F2 of the arcuate portions S1 and S2 of the rear protruding elements 3A to 3F and the front protruding elements 4A to 4E, as well as the centers F1 and F2 of the arcuate portions K (FIG. 4) of the protruding elements 11A to 11J with the outermost concave surface, are all located in the middle plane of the module, that is, in the plane that divides the module into two parts with the same height H5 (FIG. 4) and H6.

[0068] According to a preferred embodiment, the centers C1 and C2 of the through holes 16 are equidistant from the lower surfaces 8 of the connecting elements 3A to 3F and 4A to 4E, and the upper portions 6A to 6J and 7A to 7E, i.e., see Figure 4: .

[0069] According to a preferred embodiment, the thickness E4 of the base element is greater than the maximum vertical distance E3 of the protrusions 11A to 11J from the upper surface 1A of the base element. More preferably, the maximum vertical distance E3 is between 30% and 70% of the thickness E4. More preferably, the maximum vertical distance E3 is between 40% and 50% of the thickness E4.

[0070] The protruding element has a shape and orientation that is common to those skilled in the art, for example, the protruding element is straight and oriented parallel to the direction of movement D of the belt (Figure 1) (as shown in Figures 1 to 5), or the protruding element may have an extension that is fully or partially inclined toward the direction D.

[0071] The module is made of one or more plastic materials that are common to those skilled in the art.

[0072] Pin 10 is a common type to those skilled in the art, and pin 10 has a diameter, for example, between 3 mm and 5 mm, preferably, pin 10 has a diameter equal to 4 mm.

[0073] Figures 5 and 6 illustrate several modules of the type described so far, which are connected together by pins 10 to form a belt conveyor. It should be noted that the belt described below can be constructed due to the specific positioning of the centers C1, C2 of the holes 16 for pins 10 and the centers F1, F2 of the outermost surfaces of the protruding elements 3A to F, 4A to 4E:

[0074] The protruding elements 11A to 11J can form upper support surfaces 13A to 13J for the product to be transported. These upper support surfaces 13A to 13J are substantially continuous, i.e., there is a very small gap G between the support surface and the immediately following support surface. For example, the size of the gap G is between 0.5 mm and 3 mm, and more preferably, the size of the gap G is about 1 mm, so as to form a substantially continuous surface (as shown in FIG5).

[0075] Additionally, the belt module can rotate so that the belt can bend at the “backward bend” position (as shown in Figure 6).

[0076] Finally, it should be reiterated that the embodiments shown so far are provided by way of example, and many variations can fall within the same inventive concept; therefore, for example, the shape and / or orientation of the protruding elements 11A to 11J can differ from the embodiments shown so far. The same applies to the shapes of the protruding elements 3A to 3F, 4A to 4E, and the shapes of the spaces 5A to 5I for accommodating the protruding elements. It should be noted that the modules described so far and the strips constructed from said modules can move in the direction D indicated so far and shown in the figures, or in the opposite direction, because these strips and modules can move in both directions.

Claims

1. A module for a modular conveyor belt, the module comprising: - Base element (1), the base element (1) comprising: - a first upper surface (1A), - a lower flat sliding surface (1B) for cooperating with a flat transport path (2), - front edges (1C) and rear edges (1D) parallel to each other and lateral edges (1E, 1F) parallel to each other, - and, in the transport direction (D), a plurality of front connecting elements and rear connecting elements for connecting the module together, the front connecting elements being separated from each other by a front space, the rear connecting elements... Separated from each other by a rear space; - wherein the lower flat sliding surface (1B) extends from one of the lateral edges (1E, 1F) to the other lateral edge; - wherein the front connecting element is distributed along the entire width of the front edge (1C), and the rear connecting element is distributed along the entire width of the rear edge (1D); - wherein the front connecting element and the rear connecting element comprise: - an upper portion; - and an additional lower flat sliding surface (8) and a through hole (16), the additional lower flat sliding surface (8) being used to coordinate with the flat transport path (2). The additional lower flat sliding surface (8) of each of the front connecting element and the rear connecting element is connected to and coplanar with the lower flat sliding surface (1B) of the base element (1) to form a single flat sliding surface extending from one of the lateral edges (1E, 1F) to the other lateral edge for cooperation with the flat transport path (2), wherein the front connecting element and the rear connecting element are shaped and arranged such that the front connecting element of the first module (M1) in the module is fitted to the adjacent second module. The rear space between the rear connecting elements of the block (M2); and the connecting pin (10) extending transversely to the transport direction (D) can be inserted into the through hole (16) of each of the front connecting elements and the rear connecting elements of the two modules, thereby hinged the two modules together and allowing the adjacent modules to rotate at least partially; wherein the through hole (16) has a center, the center of the through hole being located at a first vertical distance (E1) from the additional lower flat sliding surface (8) of each of the front connecting elements and the rear connecting elements;- wherein the first outermost convex surface of each of the front connecting element and the rear connecting element has an arc shape, wherein the center of the first outermost convex surface is located at the same vertical distance (E5) from the additional lower flat sliding surface (8) of each of the front connecting element and the rear connecting element, and the center of the first outermost convex surface is located at the same horizontal distance (E7) from the outermost portion (S3) of each of the front connecting element and the rear connecting element; - and the module further includes a plurality of protruding elements and a plurality of recesses, at least a portion of the protruding elements extending away from the first upper surface (1A) of the base element (1) and / or extending away from the upper portion of each of the front connecting element and the rear connecting element, the recesses separating the protruding elements; - wherein each of the protruding elements has an upper support surface, the upper support surface being formed for product loading. The surface for transport; - wherein the upper supporting surface of the protruding element is disposed at least at the front connecting element and the rear connecting element at a second maximum vertical distance (E2) from the additional lower flat sliding surface (8) of each of the front connecting element and the rear connecting element; - wherein the upper supporting surface of the protruding element is disposed at least at the front connecting element and the rear connecting element at a third maximum vertical distance (E3) from the upper portion of each of the front connecting element and the rear connecting element; the module is characterized in that: - the difference between the vertical distance (E5) between the center of the first outermost convex surface of the arcuate shape of each of the front connecting element and the rear connecting element and the first vertical distance (E1) between the center of the through hole (16) for the connecting pin (10) of each of the front connecting element and the rear connecting element is greater than or equal to 1 mm.

2. The module for modular conveyor belts according to claim 1, characterized in that, The difference between half of the second maximum vertical distance (E2) of the protruding element and the first vertical distance (E1) of the through hole (16) is greater than 1 mm.

3. The module for modular conveyor belts according to claim 1, characterized in that, The difference between the vertical distance (E5) between the center of the first outermost convex surface of each of the front connecting elements and the rear connecting elements and the first vertical distance (E1) between the center of the through hole (16) for the connecting pin (10) of each of the front connecting elements and the rear connecting elements is between 30% and 70% of the third maximum vertical distance (E3) of the upper support surface of the protruding element.

4. The module for modular conveyor belts according to claim 1, characterized in that, The difference between the vertical distance (E5) between the center of the first outermost convex surface of each of the front connecting elements and the rear connecting elements and the first vertical distance (E1) between the center of the through hole (16) for the connecting pin (10) of each of the front connecting elements and the rear connecting elements is between 45% and 55% of the third maximum vertical distance (E3) of the upper support surface of the protruding element.

5. The module for modular conveyor belts according to claim 2, characterized in that, The difference between half of the second maximum vertical distance (E2) of the protruding element and the first vertical distance (E1) of the through hole is between 20% increase or 20% decrease of half of the third maximum vertical distance (E3) of the protruding element.

6. The module for modular conveyor belts according to claim 2, characterized in that, The difference between half of the second maximum vertical distance (E2) of the protruding element and the first vertical distance (E1) of the through hole is between 5% increase and 5% decrease of half of the third maximum vertical distance (E3) of the protruding element.

7. The module for a modular conveyor belt according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The center of the through hole (16) is equidistant from the additional lower flat sliding surface (8) and the upper portion of each of the front connecting element and the rear connecting element.

8. The module for a modular conveyor belt according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The thickness (E4) of the base element (1) is greater than the third maximum vertical distance (E3) between the protrusion element and the first upper surface (1A) of the base element.

9. The module for a modular conveyor belt according to claim 8, characterized in that, The third maximum vertical distance (E3) is between 30% and 70% of the thickness (E4).

10. The module for a modular conveyor belt according to claim 8, characterized in that, The third maximum vertical distance (E3) is between 40% and 50% of the thickness (E4).

11. The module for a modular conveyor belt according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, At least some of the protruding elements have a first portion (P) that also extends above the front connecting element and the rear connecting element, and the first portion (P) has a second outermost convex surface, the second outermost convex surface further including at least one arcuate portion (S4, S5), wherein the protruding element extends away from the front connecting element and the rear connecting element, and the center of the arcuate portion (S4, S5) of the second outermost convex surface coincides with the center of the first outermost convex surface of one of the front connecting element and the rear connecting element, so as to form a common and continuous arcuate outermost convex surface between at least some of the front connecting elements and the rear connecting element and the corresponding protruding element.

12. The module for a modular conveyor belt according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, At least some of the protruding elements have a second portion (K) having an outermost concave surface, the outermost concave surface further comprising at least one arcuate portion, wherein the center of the arcuate portion of the outermost concave surface coincides with the center of the first outermost convex surface of one of the front connecting element and the rear connecting element, respectively, to form an outermost concave surface for rotating the corresponding outermost convex surface of each of the front connecting element and the rear connecting element of the adjacent module.

13. The module for a modular conveyor belt according to claim 12, characterized in that, The center of the first outermost convex surface of each of the front connecting element and the rear connecting element, and the center of the arcuate portion of the second part (K) of the protruding element having the outermost concave surface, are all located in the middle plane of the module, that is, in the plane that divides the module into two parts with the same height (H5, H6).

14. A modular conveyor belt comprising a plurality of identical modules according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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