Hinge type conveying belt for conveying device and laser cutting machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a hinge conveyor belt (10) for a conveyor device, comprising a plurality of hinge plates (16) which are connected to one another in an articulated manner by means of corresponding hinge elements (18) and which, with their upper sides (12), provide a conveying surface (14) on which material to be conveyed in a conveying direction (20) can be placed, a reinforcing element (26) being arranged on at least one hinge plate (16), according to the invention, the hinge plate (16) has reinforcing elements (24) for stabilizing the hinge plate (16) in a width direction (22) extending perpendicular to the conveying direction (20), and / or a sacrificial plate (24) covering the upper side (12) of the hinge plate (16) is arranged on at least one hinge plate (16), the sacrificial plate (24) being configured to limit thermal expansion of the hinge plate (16) by blocking the energy input into the associated hinge plate (16).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an articulated conveyor belt for a conveying device, in particular a conveying device of a laser cutting machine, and a laser cutting machine. Background Art

[0002] A hinged belt conveyor with an external chain is known from DE 20 2006 001 016 U1, in which a plurality of hinge plates are provided, the upper sides of which have side parts. The side parts are fixed to one hinge plate and protrude loosely over the next hinge plate.

[0003] In addition, US2021 / 0379696A1 discloses a laser processing machine with a laser head capable of irradiating a workpiece with a laser beam. The laser processing machine also includes a belt conveyor that is arranged away from the laser head in the irradiation direction of the laser beam. In addition, the laser processing machine includes a control unit configured to control the operation of the laser head and the belt conveyor. The control unit is configured to control the operation of the laser head and / or the belt conveyor to avoid such inconsistency when the movement direction and movement speed of the laser head coincide with the rotation direction and rotation speed of the belt conveyor during irradiation with the laser beam.

[0004] As the productivity of laser cutting machines increases, increasingly powerful lasers are used as tools. Consequently, components below the workpiece being cut by the laser, particularly conveyor belts, may be subject to increasing thermal stress. This thermal stress can cause the conveyor belt to deform, often bending downward, resulting in sagging. Consequently, the conveyor belt can be damaged by collisions, jamming, deformation, and wear caused by friction. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to limit the sagging of a conveyor belt of a conveyor device.

[0006] According to the invention, this object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Further possible embodiments of the invention are given in the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings. The features, advantages, and possible embodiments described in the description for the subject matter of an independent claim are to be considered as at least the features, advantages, and possible embodiments of the subject matter of the other independent claims, as well as any possible combination of the subject matter of the independent claims (if necessary in combination with one or more dependent claims).

[0007] The present invention relates to an articulated conveyor belt for a conveying device, in particular a conveying device for a laser cutting machine. The articulated conveyor belt comprises a plurality of hinge plates, which are articulatedly connected to one another via respective hinge elements. Furthermore, the hinge plates provide a conveying surface on their upper sides, on which material to be conveyed in a conveying direction can be placed. In other words, the material to be conveyed by the articulated conveyor belt is placed on the conveying surface. For example, the material to be conveyed can be dropped onto the conveying surface and remain there. The articulated conveyor belt transports the material placed on the conveying surface in the conveying direction. The articulated conveyor belt allows the hinge elements to pivot relative to one another about hinge pivot axes extending along the width of the hinge plates and perpendicular to the conveying direction, thereby allowing the hinge plates to be steered about at least one steering axis oriented parallel to the hinge pivot axes. By steering the articulated conveyor belt, the articulated conveyor belt can be guided into a loop.

[0008] To limit sagging of an articulated conveyor belt when heat is input into the articulated conveyor belt, a reinforcement element is arranged on at least one hinge plate and / or a sacrificial plate is arranged on at least one hinge plate, covering the upper side of the hinge plate. The sacrificial plate is configured to limit thermal expansion of the hinge plate by intercepting energy input into the corresponding hinge plate. The reinforcement element is configured to stabilize the hinge plate in a width direction extending perpendicular to the conveying direction. The width direction extends parallel to a hinge pivot axis predetermined by the hinge element. The width of each hinge plate extends in this width direction. The reinforcement element can, for example, be a profile, particularly a sheet metal profile, which is fixed to the at least one hinge plate to prevent sagging of the hinge plate in the width direction. Thus, the reinforcement element is configured to reinforce the hinge plate at least in the width direction. This reinforcement of the hinge plate can limit thermal expansion of the hinge plate, or limit sagging of the hinge plate in the width direction caused by thermal expansion, or in particular prevent such sagging, even when large amounts of heat are input into the hinge plate.

[0009] The energy input into each hinge plate and causing thermal expansion is caused by the laser beam provided by the laser cutting machine being irradiated onto each hinge plate. The laser beam is electromagnetic radiation. Therefore, energy is input into each hinge plate through the laser beam in the form of electromagnetic energy. In order to limit or prevent this electromagnetic energy from being input into the hinge plate, a sacrificial plate can be provided on at least one hinge plate, which covers the upper side of the hinge plate facing the laser beam. Therefore, the laser beam is blocked by the sacrificial plate and cannot be directly irradiated onto the hinge plate. The sacrificial plate intercepts the laser beam and thus intercepts the energy input caused by the laser beam. By intercepting the energy input through the sacrificial plate, the expansion of the hinge plate due to heating is prevented or limited. Due to the interception of the energy input, the sacrificial plate may thermally expand. In particular, the sacrificial plate is arranged relative to the hinge plate so as to avoid the introduction of mechanical stress in the hinge plate due to the expansion of the sacrificial plate.

[0010] The articulated conveyor belt can be particularly well protected against heat-induced sagging if both at least one reinforcing element for reinforcing the articulated conveyor belt in the width direction and at least one sacrificial plate are provided, by means of which the energy input into the articulated conveyor belt can be reduced, in particular avoided.

[0011] In a possible improvement of the present invention, it is provided that at least one reinforcing element is arranged on each of a plurality of hinge plates, wherein these hinge plates are separated from each other by at least one further hinge plate without a reinforcing element. For example, a corresponding reinforcing element can be arranged only on every second or every third hinge plate, thereby making it possible to stabilize the hinge conveyor belt particularly well in the width direction and at the same time keep the weight of the hinge conveyor belt particularly low. The more reinforcing elements are provided, the greater the total weight of the hinge conveyor belt. By omitting the arrangement of reinforcing elements on the corresponding hinge plates, that is, by providing corresponding hinge plates without reinforcing elements, the hinge conveyor belt can be provided in a particularly light manner. Alternatively, a reinforcing element can be arranged on each hinge plate to maximize stability. In order not to increase the weight of the hinge conveyor belt excessively, the thickness of the reinforcing elements (e.g., sheet metal profiles) can be selected to be correspondingly smaller.

[0012] In another possible embodiment of the present invention, the reinforcement elements are arranged on the upper side of the hinge plate or on the lower side of the hinge plate opposite the upper side. If corresponding reinforcement elements are provided on multiple hinge plates, these reinforcement elements can be arranged on the upper side of at least one hinge plate and on the lower side of at least one hinge plate. When the reinforcement elements are arranged on the upper side of the respective hinge plate, they prevent the laser beam from directly impinging on the hinge plate and thus intercept the energy input into the hinge plate caused by the laser beam. By arranging the reinforcement elements on the lower side of the hinge plate, the upper side of the hinge plate is made particularly flat, making it particularly easy to remove material conveyed by the hinge conveyor belt from the hinge conveyor belt. The more uneven the support surface of the hinge conveyor belt for the material, the more likely it is that material will accumulate on these unevennesses, thus causing long-term contamination or weighting of the hinge conveyor belt. When viewing the hinge conveyor belt from the conveying direction, adjacent reinforcement profiles in the conveying direction can be arranged on different sides of the corresponding hinge plate. This means that in the conveying direction, the reinforcing elements are arranged alternately on the upper and lower sides of the respective hinge plates. This reduces the energy input into the hinge plates due to the direct impact of the laser beam on the respective hinge plates and provides a conveying surface with particularly small unevenness.

[0013] Another possible design of the present invention provides for two reinforcing elements to be arranged on at least one hinge plate, one of which is arranged on the upper side of the hinge plate, and the other on the lower side. This provides particularly good reinforcement of the hinge plate and prevents sagging. The reinforcing element arranged on the upper side intercepts at least a portion of the energy input by the laser beam. Overall, the provision of two reinforcing elements on the hinge plate provides particularly good stabilization of the hinge plate in the width direction, thereby preventing sagging.

[0014] In another possible design of the present invention, the reinforcing element is arranged on the upper side of the hinge plate and is configured as a driver. A driver is a mechanical component that, when moving, also causes another component or workpiece to move, that is, to be driven. Here, the driver is configured to drive the material placed on the hinge conveyor belt along the conveying direction. The driver protrudes upward from the upper side of the hinge plate. With the help of the driver, on the one hand, the material on the hinge conveyor belt can be driven along the conveying direction, and on the other hand, the hinge plate can be stabilized in the width direction. By configuring the reinforcing element as a driver, the reinforcing element can perform multiple functions simultaneously. Because the reinforcing element simultaneously performs multiple functions, the hinge conveyor belt can be particularly light and manufactured with particularly few components.

[0015] For example, the reinforcing element arranged on the upper or lower side of the hinge plate can form a hollow profile, preferably with a triangular (triangular profile) or rectangular (rectangular profile) cross section. In this case, the reinforcing element itself can be designed as a hollow profile, or the reinforcing element can be an open profile (Profil), wherein the open side of the profile is closed to form a hollow profile by the hinge plate and optionally by a hinge element connected to the hinge plate. It can be advantageous if the reinforcing element forms a triangular profile on the upper side of the hinge plate. In this case, the first right-angled side of the triangular profile can extend parallel to the hinge plate, the second right-angled side can extend perpendicularly to the hinge plate, and the hypotenuse can be inclined to the hinge plate (see also Figure 6 and Figure 7 In tests, the triangular reinforcement elements 26 in the hinged plate have proven to be a good compromise between the material used and the bending behavior of the hinged conveyor belt under laser load. The triangular reinforcement elements on the upper side of the hinge plate can also serve as a carrier. To this end, the first right-angled leg of the triangle can be placed at the front end of the reinforcement element in the conveying direction.

[0016] According to a preferred variant, the hinged conveyor belt can have a rectangular profile as a reinforcing element on the underside of every third hinge plate, at least in sections. Furthermore, a triangular profile can be formed on the upper side of at least one of the hinge plates, and preferably on the upper sides of a plurality of hinge plates. In general, the number of hinge plates having reinforcing profiles on their undersides can be greater (e.g., at least twice, preferably at least three times) than the number of hinge plates having reinforcing elements on their upper sides. However, according to an alternative, it can be provided that none of the hinge plates have a reinforcing element on their underside. In this case, for example, every third hinge plate of the hinged conveyor belt can have a reinforcing element (preferably a triangular profile) on its upper side, at least in one section of the hinged conveyor belt.

[0017] In another possible embodiment of the present invention, the reinforcing element and / or sacrificial plate extends across at least 60%, particularly at least 70%, particularly at least 80%, and particularly at least 90% of the width of the associated hinge plate in the width direction. The greater the width of the reinforcing element and / or sacrificial plate, the better the hinge plate can be reinforced by the reinforcing element, or the better the hinge plate can be protected from energy input caused by the laser beam by the sacrificial plate. Consequently, thermal expansion of the hinge plate in the width direction, or the risk of sagging due to thermal expansion, can be kept particularly low.

[0018] Another possible embodiment of the present invention provides for a sacrificial plate to be non-destructively replaceable on the associated hinge plate. This means that, for example, if the sacrificial plate is damaged, it can be replaced on the associated hinge plate. The hinge plate can be replaced without damaging the sacrificial plate. This simple replaceability of the sacrificial plate ensures a particularly long service life for the hinged conveyor belt. Depending on the need and, therefore, the degree of damage to the sacrificial plate, the sacrificial plate can be replaced particularly easily on the associated hinge plate. The sacrificial plate is thus reversibly arranged on the associated hinge plate. The sacrificial plate can be attached to the hinge plate indirectly or directly.

[0019] In another possible embodiment of the present invention, at least one hinge plate has a geometry that differs from a flat plate. For example, the hinge plate may have a bend or crease extending in the width direction. This creates a roof-like shape for the hinge plate. Alternatively, the hinge plate may be curved in the width direction, thereby forming an arc. This design of a hinge plate that is curved or bent in the width direction provides particularly good stability in the width direction and, therefore, is particularly effective in preventing sagging in the width direction.

[0020] In another possible embodiment of the present invention, the sacrificial plate has at least one opening, thereby at least partially compensating for thermal expansion of the sacrificial plate. In other words, the sacrificial plate may, for example, have slits or holes for thermal expansion. The slits or holes create a certain amount of space into which the sacrificial plate can expand during thermal expansion. For example, the sacrificial plate may be configured as a porous plate. Due to thermal expansion, the at least one opening may at least partially close. Providing the at least one opening also reduces the weight of the sacrificial plate.

[0021] The present invention also relates to a laser cutting machine comprising a laser device configured to cut a workpiece using a laser beam. To this end, the laser device is configured to provide a laser beam. The workpiece is cut by contact with the laser beam. The laser cutting machine also includes a workpiece support on which the workpiece to be cut can be placed during cutting. Furthermore, the laser cutting machine includes a conveyor device arranged below the workpiece support. Thus, in the laser cutting machine, the laser device is arranged above the workpiece support, while the conveyor device is arranged below the workpiece support. The conveyor device includes the articulated conveyor belt according to the present invention as described above. Furthermore, the conveyor device is configured to transport material that falls during the cutting of the workpiece along a conveying direction. The articulated conveyor belt is particularly configured to transport slag and small parts out of the laser cutting machine. In this laser cutting machine, it is possible to limit severe sagging of the articulated conveyor belt due to the high laser power of the laser device and the large width of the conveying surface.

[0022] Further features of the invention can be gathered from the following description of the figures and the accompanying drawings. The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and feature combinations shown below in the accompanying drawings and / or solely in the accompanying drawings, can be used not only in the respectively indicated combination but also in other combinations or alone without departing from the scope of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The accompanying drawings show:

[0024] Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of a portion of an articulated conveyor belt in a first embodiment;

[0025] Figure 2 shows a schematic side view of a portion of an articulated conveyor belt in a second embodiment;

[0026] Figure 3 shows a schematic side view of a portion of an articulated conveyor belt in a third embodiment;

[0027] Figure 4 shows a schematic side view of a portion of an articulated conveyor belt in a fourth embodiment;

[0028] Figure 5 shows a schematic side view of a portion of an articulated conveyor belt in a fifth embodiment;

[0029] Figure 6 a schematic side view showing a portion of an articulated conveyor belt in a sixth embodiment; and

[0030] Figure 7 A schematic perspective view showing a portion of an articulated conveyor belt in a sixth embodiment is shown.

[0031] Identical or functionally identical elements are denoted by the same reference numerals in the figures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Figures 1 to 7 In various embodiments, a portion of an articulated conveyor belt 10 for a conveyor system of a laser cutting machine is shown. The laser cutting machine, not shown in the figures, includes a laser device configured to cut a workpiece using a laser beam. During cutting, the workpiece rests on a workpiece support of the laser cutting machine. A conveyor device is arranged below the workpiece support, which allows material that falls during cutting to be transported away, in particular out of the laser cutting machine.

[0033] The conveying device comprises an articulated conveyor belt 10, which, with its upper side 12, provides a conveying surface 14. Material to be conveyed by means of the articulated conveyor belt 10 can be placed on this conveying surface 14. As can be clearly seen in the figure, the articulated conveyor belt 10 comprises a plurality of hinge plates 16, which are articulatedly connected to one another by respective hinge elements 18, in particular so as to be pivotable about hinge pivot axes predetermined by the hinge elements 18. For the sake of clarity, only some of the hinge plates 16 and hinge elements 18 are provided with corresponding reference numerals.

[0034] Because the articulated conveyor belt 10 is positioned below the workpiece support, the laser beam may impinge on the articulated conveyor belt 10 during laser cutting of the workpiece. The resulting energy input into the articulated conveyor belt 10 can cause thermal expansion of the articulated conveyor belt 10, particularly the hinge plates 16. In particular, when the articulated conveyor belt 10 is guided laterally in appropriate guides, thermal expansion can cause the articulated conveyor belt 10, particularly the hinge plates 16, to sag in the width direction 22 of the articulated conveyor belt 10. The width direction 22 extends perpendicularly to the conveying direction 20. Both the conveying direction 20 and the width direction 22 are arranged obliquely or perpendicularly, respectively, to the beam direction of the laser beam as it radiates from the laser device to the workpiece.

[0035] In order to limit, and in particular prevent, sagging of the individual hinged plates 16 in the width direction 22 due to the energy input by the contact with the laser beam, the following measures are taken, wherein these measures can be combined as desired.

[0036] exist Figure 1 In the first embodiment, a sacrificial plate, here configured as a sacrificial metal sheet 24, is disposed on the upper side 12 of each hinge plate 16. The sacrificial metal sheet 24 covers at least one area of ​​the upper side 12 of each hinge plate 16 facing the workpiece support. Each sacrificial metal sheet 24 is configured to intercept the energy input of the laser beam before it can directly impinge on the respective hinge plate 16. By intercepting this energy input, the thermal expansion of the corresponding hinge plate 16 is limited. To ensure that each sacrificial metal sheet 24 can particularly effectively absorb the thermal expansion caused by the intercepted energy input, each sacrificial metal sheet 24 can have at least one opening. This at least one opening can at least partially compensate for the thermal expansion of the respective sacrificial metal sheet 24. This means that the cross-section of each opening is reduced due to the thermal expansion of the sacrificial metal sheet 24, thereby keeping the material stress within the sacrificial metal sheet 24 particularly low. To ensure that the hinged conveyor belt 10 has a particularly long service life, each sacrificial metal sheet 24 is disposed on the respective hinge plate 16 in a manner that allows for reversible and therefore non-destructive replacement. Therefore, if the sacrificial metal sheet 24 is damaged due to the energy input of the laser beam, in particular due to thermal expansion, the individual sacrificial metal sheet 24 can be replaced particularly easily.

[0037] Figures 2 to 7 1 shows various embodiments of an articulated conveyor belt 10 having reinforcing elements 26. The reinforcing elements 26 may have only a reinforcing function, or may be used both to reinforce and to carry the material to be conveyed placed on the conveying surface 14. Here, those reinforcing elements 26 that are used only to reinforce the respective hinge plates 16 in the width direction 22 are configured as rectangular profiles 28. Instead of configuring the respective reinforcing elements 26 as rectangular profiles 28, the reinforcing elements 26 may be provided, for example, as triangular profiles or with other different cross-sections. Those reinforcing elements 26 that are also configured to carry the material placed on the conveying surface 14 in addition to reinforcing the respective hinge plates 16 are also referred to below as carriers 30. Each carrier 30 protrudes upward on the upper side 12 of the articulated conveyor belt 10, so that when the articulated conveyor belt 10 moves along the conveying direction 20, the material can be carried along the conveying direction 20 by means of the carriers 30.

[0038] In order to be able to strengthen each hinge plate 16 particularly well in the width direction 22, or to protect each hinge plate 16 particularly well by means of the corresponding sacrificial metal sheet 24, it is provided that: the reinforcement element 26 and / or the sacrificial metal sheet 24 extends in the width direction 22 over at least 60%, in particular at least 70%, in particular at least 80%, and in particular at least 90% of the width of the corresponding hinge plate 16.

[0039] In order to convey material by means of the hinged conveyor belt 10 , the material can be placed directly on the respective hinge plate 16 or indirectly via the sacrificial metal sheet 24 or the respective reinforcing elements 26 .

[0040] exist Figure 2 In the second embodiment of the hinged conveyor belt 10 shown, every second hinge plate 16 in the conveying direction 20 is reinforced by a respective reinforcement element 26. The reinforcement elements 26 of the second embodiment are designed as rectangular profiles 28. In the second embodiment, the reinforcement elements 26 are arranged alternately on the upper side 12 of the hinged conveyor belt 10 and on the lower side 32 of the hinged conveyor belt 10, opposite the upper side 12, in the conveying direction 20. Thus, in the conveying direction 20, following the first hinge plate 16 having the reinforcement element 26 arranged on its upper side 12 is the second hinge plate 16 without the reinforcement element 26. Following this second hinge plate 16 without the reinforcement element 26 is the third hinge plate 16 reinforced on its lower side 32 with the reinforcement element 26. Following the third hinge plate 16 is the fourth hinge plate 16, again without the reinforcement element 26. And following the fourth hinge plate 16 is the fifth hinge plate 16, again reinforced on its upper side 12 with the reinforcement element 26. Thus, an unreinforced hinge plate 16 is arranged between two reinforced hinge plates 16. Alternatively, each hinge plate 16 can be reinforced with a reinforcing element 26. In order not to excessively increase the weight of the conveyor belt in this embodiment, the reinforcing element 26, which is preferably designed as a triangular profile made of sheet metal in this case, has a thickness (wall thickness) of at most 20 mm.

[0041] Figure 3 A third embodiment of an articulated conveyor belt 10 is shown. In this third embodiment, every third hinge plate 16 in the conveying direction 20 is reinforced in the width direction 22 with two reinforcing elements 26, wherein one reinforcing element 26 is arranged on the upper side 12 and the other reinforcing element 26 is arranged on the lower side 32 of the corresponding hinge plate 16. Two hinge plates 16 that are not reinforced with reinforcing elements 26 are arranged between each hinge plate 16 that is reinforced with two reinforcing elements 26. In the third embodiment, each reinforcing element 26 is designed as a rectangular profile 28.

[0042] exist Figure 4 The fourth embodiment shown and Figure 5In the fifth embodiment shown, each hinge plate 16 has a geometry that is different from a flat plate. Each hinge plate 16 of the fourth and fifth embodiments is configured to be bent around an axis 34 extending in the width direction 22. Therefore, each hinge plate 16 has a roof shape, wherein the ridge of the roof extends in the width direction 22. Due to the configuration of each hinge plate 16 with a bent portion extending in the width direction 22, each hinge plate 16 has a particularly high stability in the width direction 22. Each hinge plate 16 can be configured as Figure 4 As shown in the fourth embodiment, it has an upward bend, that is, oriented toward the upper side 12, or as Figure 5 As shown in the fifth embodiment, it has a downward bend, that is, oriented toward the lower side 32. Therefore, the hinge plate 16 can be designed to be roof-shaped or trough-shaped instead of flat. Figure 4 In the fourth embodiment, a reinforcement element 26 is arranged on the underside of every third hinge plate 16 in the conveying direction 20 . In the fourth embodiment, the reinforcement element 26 is designed as a rectangular profile 28 .

[0043] exist Figure 5 In the fifth embodiment shown, a reinforcing element 26 in the form of a carrier 30 is arranged on the upper side 12 of at least one hinge plate 16 of the articulated conveyor belt 10 having a bend. Each carrier 30 has, in a cross-section perpendicular to the width direction 22 and extending in the conveying direction 20, at least approximately the shape of a right triangle, with one of the right-angled sides of the triangle resting on the hinge plate 16 and the other right-angled side carrying the material in the conveying direction 20. The carrier 30 is made of a sheet metal profile. In addition to reinforcing the respective hinge plate 16, the carrier 30 also serves to carry small parts, particularly in the area at the end of the laser cutting machine where the articulated conveyor belt 10 is bent upward.

[0044] exist Figure 6 and Figure 7 In the sixth embodiment of the hinged conveyor belt 10 shown, a reinforcing element 26 is arranged on every third hinge plate 16 in the conveying direction 20. Here, every third reinforcing element 26 is configured as a carrier 30. In the sixth embodiment, the remaining reinforcing elements 26 are each configured as a rectangular profile 28. The reinforcing elements 26 configured as rectangular profiles 28 are each arranged on the underside of the corresponding hinge plate 16, while the carrier 30 is arranged on the upper side of the respective hinge plate 16. This design ensures that the support surface of the hinged conveyor belt 10 is as flat as possible, with only the carrier 30 protruding from it. By designing the support surface as flat as possible, the risk of the conveyed material getting stuck in the various recesses of the hinged conveyor belt 10 can be kept particularly low.

[0045] Figure 7The sixth embodiment is shown in a schematic perspective view, with details of an advance section 36 and a return section 38 of the articulated conveyor belt 10. In the advance section 36, the articulated conveyor belt 10 moves in the conveying direction 20, while in the return section 38, the articulated conveyor belt 10 reverses the conveying direction 20 and makes a U-turn. Thus, by providing appropriate deflection devices, the articulated conveyor belt 10 can be guided in a loop. In the first, second, third, and sixth embodiments, each hinge plate 16 is straight, i.e., without bends or curves.

[0046] The laser cutting machine is based on the understanding that the sagging of the hinged conveyor belt 10 should be limited by adjusting the hinge plates 16. These adjustments include various options, such as providing a reinforcing profile (here, a reinforcing element 26), providing a bent edge in the corresponding hinge plate 16, or providing at least one sacrificial metal sheet 24. Each reinforcing element 26 can be welded to the bottom or top of its corresponding hinge plate 16. In particular, the reinforcing elements 26 can be welded alternately to the bottom and top of the corresponding hinge plate 16. By arranging each reinforcing element 26 on the top side of its corresponding hinge plate 16, the thermal effects of the laser beam are borne not directly by the hinge plate 16, but by the reinforcing elements 26. Alternatively, a reinforcing element 26 can be welded to both the top 12 and bottom 32 of a hinge plate 16. This reduces the thermal effects on the bottom reinforcing element 26. The bottom reinforcing element 26 serves to particularly effectively limit the sagging of the hinge plate 16, while the top reinforcing element 26 at least partially absorbs the thermal effects of the laser beam.

[0047] Alternatively or additionally, a sacrificial metal sheet 24 can be mounted on the corresponding hinge plate 16 to prevent bending of the corresponding hinge plate 16. The openings in the sacrificial metal sheet 24 ensure that the sacrificial metal sheet 24 can absorb a particularly large amount of heat, and therefore that thermally induced deformations occur primarily in the sacrificial metal sheet 24 and only minimally in the associated hinge plate 16.

[0048] As an alternative or supplement, the corresponding hinge plate 16 can be designed to be straight, ie flat, or roof-shaped. The curved edges present in the roof shape enable the corresponding hinge plate 16 to obtain particularly high stability.

[0049] In addition to the embodiments described here, further embodiments are conceivable in which individual features of the embodiments described are combined with one another. Thus, a hinged conveyor belt 10 can be provided that includes both at least one sacrificial metal sheet 24 and at least one reinforcing element 26. Furthermore, it is conceivable to combine a bent design of the corresponding hinge plate 16 or a design that is curved about the width direction 22 with the corresponding sacrificial metal sheet 24. In this case, the individual sacrificial metal sheets 24 can also be designed to be bent or curved, in particular, their cross-section corresponds to the cross-section of the hinge plate 16. Furthermore, a design of the hinged conveyor belt 10 is conceivable that includes a plurality of straight, i.e., flat, hinge plates 16 and a plurality of curved or bent hinge plates 16.

[0050] A laser cutting machine is a device comprising a workpiece support and an articulated conveyor belt 10 arranged below it. The articulated conveyor belt 10 is used to transport slag and small parts out of the laser cutting machine. To prevent the articulated conveyor belt 10 from sagging due to thermal expansion, the corresponding hinge plates 16 of the articulated conveyor belt 10 can be reinforced with additional elements at least on their respective surfaces. Each sacrificial metal sheet 24 is a corresponding replaceable element of the articulated conveyor belt 10. These sacrificial metal sheets 24 are arranged on the upper side of their respective hinge plates 16. In particular, one sacrificial metal sheet 24 can be arranged on each hinge plate 16 of the articulated conveyor belt 10. The sacrificial metal sheets 24 are preferably smooth. In particular, each sacrificial metal sheet 24 can be screwed to its corresponding hinge plate 16. In particular, each sacrificial metal sheet 24 can be spaced apart from its respective hinge plate 16. To compensate for thermal expansion, each sacrificial metal sheet 24 can have slits or holes. In particular, the sacrificial metal sheet 24 has a thickness of at least two millimeters. Here, the sacrificial metal sheet 24 is made of stainless steel or copper.

[0051] If the additional elements used to reinforce the hinged conveyor belt 10 are corresponding reinforcement elements 26, these reinforcement elements 26 can be arranged on the respective upper sides 12 of several, but in particular not all, hinge plates 16. Each reinforcement element 26 can be arranged on the upper side 12 and the lower side 32 of the corresponding hinge plate 16. In this case, each reinforcement element 26 can be arranged on different hinge plates 16, or two reinforcement elements 26 can be arranged on the upper side and lower side of the same hinge plate 16. In particular, a maximum of five, and in particular a maximum of two, unreinforced hinge plates 16 can be arranged between two respectively reinforced hinge plates 16 in the conveying direction 20. The reinforcement elements 26 can be designed as rectangular profiles 28 or triangular profiles. They can be made of sheet metal, in particular stainless steel sheet metal, and welded to the respective hinge plates 16.

[0052] A hinged conveyor belt 10 is conceivable which has both a sacrificial metal sheet 24 on the corresponding hinge plate 16 and, in addition, at least one reinforcement profile 26 on the underside 32 of the corresponding hinge plate 16 .

[0053] In general, the present invention shows how to reduce the sag of an articulated conveyor belt.

[0054] Reference Signs List

[0055] 10Hinged conveyor belt

[0056] 12 upper side

[0057] 14 conveying surface

[0058] 16 hinge plate

[0059] 18 hinge elements

[0060] 20 conveying direction

[0061] 22 width direction

[0062] 24 sacrificial metal sheets

[0063] 26 reinforcement elements

[0064] 28 rectangular profiles

[0065] 30 carrier

[0066] 32 lower side

[0067] 34 axis

[0068] 36 forward section

[0069] 38 return section

Claims

1. An articulated conveyor belt (10) for a conveying device, comprising a plurality of hinge plates (16) which are articulatedly connected to one another via corresponding hinge elements (18) and which provide with their upper sides (12) a conveying surface (14) on which material to be conveyed in a conveying direction (20) can be placed, wherein - a reinforcement element (26) is arranged on at least one hinge plate (16), said reinforcement element being configured to stabilize said hinge plate (16) in a width direction (22) extending perpendicularly to said conveying direction (20), and / or A sacrificial plate (24) is arranged on at least one hinge plate (16) in such a manner as to cover the upper side (12) of the hinge plate (16), wherein: The sacrificial plate (24) is configured to limit thermal expansion of the hinge plate (16) by intercepting energy input into the associated hinge plate (16).

2. The hinged conveyor belt (10) according to claim 1, It is characterized by: At least one reinforcement element (26) is arranged on each of a plurality of hinge plates (16), wherein the hinge plates (16) are spaced apart from one another by at least one further hinge plate (16) which does not have a reinforcement element (26).

3. The hinged conveyor belt (10) according to claim 1, It is characterized by: At least one reinforcement element (26) is arranged on each hinge plate (16).

4. An articulated conveyor belt (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized by: The reinforcement element (26) is arranged on the upper side (12) of the hinge plate (16) or on the lower side (32) opposite the upper side (12).

5. An articulated conveyor belt (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized by: Two reinforcing elements (26) are arranged on at least one hinge plate (16), wherein one of the reinforcing elements (26) is arranged on the upper side (12) of the hinge plate (16) and the other reinforcing element (26) is arranged on the lower side (32) of the hinge plate.

6. An articulated conveyor belt (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized by: The reinforcement element (26) is arranged on the upper side (12) of the hinge plate (16) and is designed as a driver (30).

7. An articulated conveyor belt (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized by: The reinforcing element (26) and / or the sacrificial plate (24) extends in the width direction (22) over at least 60%, in particular at least 70%, in particular at least 80%, in particular at least 90% of the width of the associated hinge plate (16).

8. An articulated conveyor belt (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized by: The sacrificial plate (24) can be replaced on the associated hinge plate (16) without causing damage.

9. An articulated conveyor belt (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized by: At least one hinge plate (16) has a geometry that differs from that of a flat plate.

10. An articulated conveyor belt (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized by: The sacrificial plate (24) has at least one opening, whereby thermal expansion of the sacrificial plate (24) can be at least partially compensated.

11. A laser cutting machine comprising: a laser device configured to cut a workpiece by means of a laser beam; a workpiece support on which the workpiece to be cut can be placed during cutting; and a conveying device arranged below the workpiece support, the conveying device having an articulated conveyor belt (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, and the conveying device being configured to transport material that falls during cutting of the workpiece along a conveying direction.

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