Hinged conveyor belt for a conveyor device, and laser cutting machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a hinged conveyor belt (10) for a conveyor device, comprising a plurality of hinged plates (16), which are connected together in an articulated manner via respective hinge elements (18) and the upper face (12) of which provides a conveyor surface (14) on which material to be transported in a conveyor direction (20) can be deposited. At least one hinged plate (16) is equipped with a reinforcement element (26) which is designed to stabilize the hinged plate (16) in a width direction (22) that extends perpendicularly to the conveyor direction (20), and / or a sacrificial plate (24) is arranged on at least one hinged plate (16) so as to cover the upper face (12) of the hinged plate (16), the sacrificial plate (24) being designed to limit the thermal expansion of the hinged plate (16) by absorbing the energy input into the paired hinged plate (16).

Description

[0001] HINGED CONVEYOR BELT FOR A CONVEYING DEVICE AND

[0002] LASER CUTTING MACHINE

[0003] The invention relates to a hinged conveyor belt for a conveyor device, in particular a conveyor device of a laser cutting machine, and a laser cutting machine.

[0004] DE 202006 001 016 U1 discloses a hinged belt conveyor with externally mounted chains, comprising a plurality of hinge plates with side panels on the top. The side panels are attached to a hinge plate and extend beyond the following hinge plate without any fastening.

[0005] Furthermore, US 2021 / 0379696 A1 discloses a laser processing machine with a laser head capable of irradiating a workpiece with a laser beam. The laser processing machine further comprises a belt conveyor arranged remotely from the laser head in an irradiation direction of the laser beam. Furthermore, the laser processing machine comprises 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 in a case where a movement direction and a movement speed of the laser head coincide with a rotation direction and a rotation speed of the belt conveyor during irradiation with the laser beam, in order to avoid the coincidence.

[0006] As laser cutting machine productivity increases, increasingly powerful laser devices are being used as tools. This can lead to increasingly greater heat exposure to components downstream of the laser cutting process, particularly on conveyor belts. This heat exposure can cause deformation of the conveyor belt. Typically, the conveyor belt bends downward, resulting in sagging. As a result, damage to the conveyor belt can occur due to collisions, jamming, deformation, and wear caused by grinding.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to limit the sagging of a conveyor belt of a conveyor system. This object is achieved according to the invention by the subject matter of the independent claims. Further possible embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims, the description, and the drawing. Features, advantages, and possible embodiments set forth in the description for one of the subject matter of the independent claims are to be regarded at least analogously as features, advantages, and possible embodiments of the respective subject matter of the other independent claims, as well as any possible combination of the subject matter of the independent claims, optionally in conjunction with one or more of the subclaims.

[0008] The invention relates to a hinged conveyor belt for a conveyor device, in particular a conveyor device of a laser cutting machine. The hinged conveyor belt comprises a plurality of hinge plates which are articulated to one another via respective hinge elements. Furthermore, the hinge plates provide a conveying surface with their upper sides on which material to be transported in a conveying direction can be deposited. In other words, material to be transported is deposited on the conveying surface by means of the hinged conveyor belt. For example, the material to be transported can fall onto the conveying surface and remain there. The material deposited on the conveying surface is transported away in the conveying direction by means of the hinged conveyor belt.The hinge elements allow the respective hinge plates to be pivoted relative to one another about a hinge pivot axis running in the width direction of the hinge plate and perpendicular to the conveying direction, allowing the respective hinge plates to be deflected about at least one deflection axis aligned parallel to the hinge pivot axes. By deflecting the hinge conveyor belt, the hinge conveyor belt can be guided in a circle.

[0009] In order to limit sagging of the hinged conveyor belt when heat is introduced into the hinged conveyor belt, it is provided that a reinforcing element is arranged on at least one hinge plate and / or a sacrificial plate is arranged on at least one hinge plate so as to cover an upper side of the hinge plate. The sacrificial plate is designed to limit thermal expansion of the hinge plate by absorbing energy input into the associated hinge plate. The reinforcing element is designed to stabilize the hinge plates in a width direction running perpendicular to the conveying direction. The width direction runs parallel to the hinge pivot axis defined by the hinge elements. The width of the respective hinge plates runs in the width direction.The reinforcing element can, for example, be a profile, in particular a sheet metal profile, which is attached to the at least one hinge plate in order to prevent this hinge plate from sagging in the width direction. The reinforcing element is thus designed to stiffen the hinge plate at least in the width direction. By stiffening the hinge plate, even with a high heat input into the hinge plate, thermal expansion of the hinge plate is limited, or sagging of the hinge plate in the width direction resulting from thermal expansion is limited, in particular prevented.

[0010] The energy input into the respective hinge plate that causes thermal expansion occurs when a laser beam provided by the laser cutting machine hits the respective hinge plate. The laser beam is electromagnetic radiation. The energy input therefore occurs in the form of electromagnetic energy into the respective hinge plate by means of the laser beam. In order to limit or prevent this electromagnetic energy input into the hinge plate, the sacrificial plate can be provided on at least one hinge plate, which covers the upper side of this hinge plate towards the laser beam. The laser beam is thus prevented by the sacrificial plate from directly impinging on this hinge plate. The sacrificial plate intercepts the laser beam and consequently the energy input caused by the laser beam.By absorbing the energy input by means of the sacrificial plate, the hinge plate is prevented or limited from expanding due to heating. As a result of absorbing the energy input, the sacrificial plate can expand due to heat. In particular, the sacrificial plate is arranged relative to the hinge plate in such a way that the introduction of mechanical stresses into the hinge plate as a result of expansion of the sacrificial plate is prevented.

[0011] The hinged conveyor belt can be particularly well protected against thermally induced sagging if both the at least one reinforcing element is provided for stiffening the hinged conveyor belt in the width direction and at least one sacrificial plate is provided by means of which the energy input into the hinged conveyor belt can be reduced, in particular avoided.

[0012] In a possible development of the 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 spaced apart by at least one further hinge plate without a reinforcing element. For example, a respective reinforcing element can be arranged only on every second or every third hinge plate, whereby the hinge conveyor belt can be particularly well stabilized in the width direction and, at the same time, the weight of the hinge conveyor belt can be kept particularly low. The more reinforcing elements are provided, the greater the resulting weight of the hinge conveyor belt. By omitting certain hinge plates with regard to the arrangement of the reinforcing elements and thus by providing certain hinge plates without reinforcing elements, the hinge conveyor belt can thus be provided with a particularly low weight.Alternatively, a reinforcing element can be arranged on each hinge plate to maximize stabilization. To avoid excessively increasing the weight of the hinge conveyor belt, the thickness of the reinforcing element, such as the sheet metal profile, can be selected accordingly.

[0013] In a further possible embodiment of the invention, the reinforcing element is arranged on the top side or on a bottom side of the hinge plate opposite the top side. If respective reinforcing elements are provided on several hinge plates, these reinforcing elements can be arranged on the top side of at least one of the hinge plates and on the bottom side of at least one of the hinge plates. If the reinforcing element is arranged on the top side of the respective hinge plate, the reinforcing element can prevent the laser beam from directly impinging on this hinge plate and thus absorb the energy introduced into the hinge plate by the laser beam.By arranging the reinforcement element on the underside of the hinge plate, the top side of this hinge plate can be made particularly flat, making it particularly easy to remove material transported by the hinge conveyor belt. The more uneven the support surface of the hinge conveyor belt for the material is, the more the material can accumulate in the respective uneven areas and thereby permanently contaminate or weigh down the hinge conveyor belt. When viewing the hinge conveyor belt in the conveying direction, respective reinforcement profiles adjacent in the conveying direction can each be arranged on different sides of the respective associated hinge plates. This means that in the conveying direction, the reinforcement elements are arranged alternately on the top and underside of the respective hinge plates.This allows, on the one hand, the energy input into the hinge plates to be reduced by the laser beam hitting the respective hinge plates directly and, on the other hand, the conveying surface to be provided with particularly few unevennesses.

[0014] In a further possible embodiment of the invention, two reinforcing elements are arranged on at least one hinge plate, with one of the reinforcing elements being arranged on the upper side and the other reinforcing element on the underside of this hinge plate. As a result, this hinge plate can be particularly well reinforced and protected from sagging. By means of the reinforcing element arranged on the upper side, at least part of the energy input of the laser beam can be absorbed. Overall, by providing the two reinforcing elements on this hinge plate, this hinge plate can be particularly well stabilized in the width direction and thus protected from sagging.

[0015] In a further possible embodiment of the invention, the reinforcing element is arranged on the upper side of the hinge plate and is designed as a driver. A driver is a machine part which, when moved, also sets another part or a workpiece in motion, i.e. drives it along. In the present case, the driver is designed to drive the material placed on the hinge conveyor belt in the conveying direction. The driver protrudes upwards from the upper side of the hinge plate. By means of the driver, the material can be driven along the hinge conveyor belt in the conveying direction and the hinge plate can be stabilized in the width direction. By designing the reinforcing element as a driver, the reinforcing element can fulfill several functions simultaneously.Because the reinforcement element performs several functions simultaneously, the hinged conveyor belt can be manufactured with a particularly low weight and very few components.

[0016] For example, the reinforcing element on the top or bottom side of the hinge plate can form a hollow profile with a preferably triangular (triangular profile) or rectangular (rectangular profile) cross-section. The reinforcing element itself can be designed as a hollow profile, or the reinforcing element can be an open profile, with one open side of the profile being closed to form a hollow profile by the hinge plate and, optionally, a hinge element connected to the hinge plate. It can be advantageous if the reinforcing element on the top side of the hinge plate forms a triangular profile.

[0017] A first leg of the triangular profile can extend parallel to the hinge plate, a second leg perpendicular to the hinge plate, and a hypotenuse diagonal to the hinge plate (see also the triangular reinforcement elements 26 in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7). Tests have shown that a triangular reinforcement element represents a good compromise between the material used and the deflection behavior of the hinged conveyor belt under laser stress. A triangular reinforcement element on the upper side of a hinge plate can also be used as a driver. For this purpose, the second leg of the triangular shape can be arranged at the front end of the reinforcement element in the conveying direction.

[0018] 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. In addition, a triangular profile can be formed on the upper side of at least one of the hinge plates, preferably on several of the hinge plates. Overall, the number of hinge plates that have a reinforcing profile on their underside can be greater (for example at least twice as large, preferably at least three times as large) than the number of hinge plates that have a reinforcing element on their upper side. According to an alternative variant, however, it can be provided that none of the hinge plates has 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 over a section of the hinged conveyor belt.

[0019] In a further possible embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the reinforcing element and / or the sacrificial plate extends in the width direction over at least 60 percent, in particular over at least 70 percent, in particular over at least 80 percent, in particular over at least 90 percent of the width of the associated hinge plate. The further the reinforcing element or the sacrificial plate extends in the width direction over the width of the associated hinge plate, the better the respective hinge plate can be reinforced by means of the reinforcing element or protected by means of the sacrificial plate from the energy input caused by the impact of the laser beam. As a result, the risk of thermal expansion or sagging of the respective hinge plate in the width direction due to thermal expansion can be kept particularly low.In a further possible embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the sacrificial plate can be replaced on an associated hinge plate without causing any damage. This means that the sacrificial plate can be replaced on the associated hinge plate, for example if the sacrificial plate is damaged. This replacement of the sacrificial plate does not damage the hinge plate. This easy replaceability of the sacrificial plate enables a particularly long service life of the hinge conveyor belt. Depending on requirements and therefore depending on the damage to the sacrificial plate, it 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 directly or indirectly to the hinge plate.

[0020] In a further possible embodiment of the invention, it is provided that at least one hinge plate has a geometry that deviates from a flat plate. For example, the hinge plate can have a bend running in the width direction. This can result in a roof-shaped hinge plate. Alternatively, the hinge plate can be curved around the width direction and thus bent. Due to this design of the hinge plate, which is bent or curved in the width direction, this hinge plate is particularly well stabilized in the width direction and, as a result, particularly well protected against sagging in the width direction.

[0021] In a further possible embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the sacrificial plate has at least one opening, whereby thermal expansion of the sacrificial plate can be at least partially compensated. In other words, the sacrificial plate can, for example, have a slot or a hole for thermal expansion. The slot or hole keeps a volume free into which the sacrificial plate can expand as a result of thermal expansion. For example, the sacrificial plate can be designed in the form of a perforated sheet. The at least one opening can be at least partially closed due to thermal expansion. The provision of the at least one opening additionally makes it possible for the sacrificial plate to be produced with a particularly low weight.

[0022] The invention further relates to a laser cutting machine having a laser device configured to cut a workpiece using a laser beam. For this purpose, the laser device is configured to provide the laser beam. The workpiece is cut through contact with the laser beam. The laser cutting machine further comprises a workpiece support on which the workpiece to be cut can be placed during cutting. In addition, the laser cutting machine comprises a conveyor device arranged below the workpiece support. In the laser cutting machine, the laser device is thus arranged above the workpiece support, and the conveyor device is arranged below the workpiece support. The conveyor device comprises a hinged conveyor belt, as already described in connection with the hinged conveyor belt according to the invention.Furthermore, the conveyor system is designed to transport material accruing during the cutting of the workpiece in the conveying direction. The hinged conveyor belt is specifically designed to transport slag and small parts out of the laser cutting machine. In the laser cutting machine described, significant sagging of the hinged conveyor belt can be limited with a high laser power of the laser system and a large conveying surface width.

[0023] Further features of the invention can be derived from the following description of the figures and from the drawings. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features shown below in the description of the figures and / or in the figures alone, can be used not only in the respective combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0024] The drawing shows:

[0025] Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a section of a hinged conveyor belt in a first embodiment;

[0026] Fig. 2 is a schematic side view of a section of the hinged conveyor belt in a second embodiment;

[0027] Fig. 3 is a schematic side view of a section of the hinged conveyor belt in a third embodiment;

[0028] Fig. 4 is a schematic side view of a section of the hinged conveyor belt in a fourth embodiment;

[0029] Fig. 5 is a schematic side view of a section of the hinged conveyor belt in a fifth embodiment; Fig. 6 is a schematic side view of a section of the hinged conveyor belt in a sixth embodiment; and

[0030] Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view of a section of the hinge conveyor belt in the sixth embodiment.

[0031] Identical or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference numerals in the figures.

[0032] Figs. 1 to 7 each show a section of a hinged conveyor belt 10 for a conveyor device of a laser cutting machine in various embodiments. The laser cutting machine, not shown in the figures, comprises a laser device configured to cut a workpiece using a laser beam. This workpiece rests on a workpiece support of the laser cutting machine during cutting. Arranged below the workpiece support is the conveyor device, by means of which material accruing during cutting of the workpiece can be transported away, in particular out of the laser cutting machine.

[0033] The conveying device comprises the hinged conveyor belt 10, which provides a conveying surface 14 with its upper side 12. The material to be transported by the hinged conveyor belt 10 can be deposited on this conveying surface 14. As can be clearly seen in the figures, the hinged conveyor belt 10 comprises a plurality of hinge plates 16, which are connected to one another in an articulated manner via respective hinge elements 18, in particular pivotable about a hinge pivot axis defined by the hinge elements 18. For the sake of clarity, only some of the hinge plates 16 and the hinge elements 18 are provided with the corresponding reference numerals.

[0034] Due to the arrangement of the hinged conveyor belt 10 below the workpiece support, the laser beam may impinge on the hinged conveyor belt 10 during laser cutting of the workpiece. The resulting energy input into the hinged conveyor belt 10 may lead to heat-induced expansion of the hinged conveyor belt 10, in particular of the hinge plates 16. In particular, when the hinged conveyor belt 10 is guided laterally in respective guide devices, the heat-induced expansion may result in sagging of the hinged conveyor belt 10, in particular of the respective hinge plates 16, in a width direction 22 of the hinged conveyor belt 10. The width direction 22 runs perpendicular to the conveying direction 20. Both the conveying direction 20 and the width direction 22 run obliquely or perpendicular to a beam direction in which the laser beam from the laser device shines onto the workpiece.

[0035] In order to limit, and in particular to prevent, the sagging of the respective hinge plates 16 in the width direction 22 as a result of the energy input through contact with the laser beam, the measures described below are provided, whereby these measures can be combined with one another as desired.

[0036] In the first embodiment described in Fig. 1, a sacrificial plate, which in this case is designed as a sacrificial sheet 24, is arranged on the upper side 12 of the respective hinge plates 16. This sacrificial sheet 24 covers at least a region of the upper side 12 of the respective hinge plates 16 towards the workpiece support. The respective sacrificial sheets 24 are designed to intercept the energy input of the laser beam before this laser beam can directly impinge on the respective hinge plates 16. By intercepting this energy input, the thermal expansion of the associated hinge plate 16 is limited. In order to enable the respective sacrificial sheets 24 to expand particularly well due to the heat as a result of the intercepted energy input, the respective sacrificial sheets 24 can each have at least one opening.Through this at least one opening, thermal expansion of the respective sacrificial plate 24 can be at least partially compensated. This means that as a result of the heat-induced expansion of the sacrificial plate 24, a cross-section of the respective opening is reduced, whereby material stresses within the sacrificial plate 24 can be kept particularly low. In order to achieve a particularly long service life of the hinged conveyor belt 10, it is provided here that the respective sacrificial plate 24 is arranged on the respective associated hinge plate 16 in a reversibly replaceable and thus non-destructively replaceable manner. If the sacrificial plate 24 is damaged as a result of the energy input by the laser beam, in particular as a result of thermal expansion, the respective sacrificial plate 24 can thus be replaced particularly easily.

[0037] In Figs. 2 to 7, respective designs of the hinge conveyor belt 10 with

[0038] Reinforcing elements 26 are shown. The reinforcing elements 26 can have a reinforcing function as their sole function, or they can serve both to reinforce and to carry along material to be transported that has been deposited on the conveying surface 14. In the present case, those reinforcing elements 26 that serve only to stiffen the respective associated hinge plate 16 in the width direction 22 are designed as a rectangular profile 28. As an alternative to the design of the respective reinforcing element 26 as a rectangular profile 28, the reinforcing element 26 can, for example, be provided as a triangular profile or with a further, different cross-section. Those reinforcing elements 26 that, in addition to stiffening the respective associated hinge plate 16, are designed to carry along the material deposited on the conveying surface 14 are also referred to below as carriers 30.The respective carriers 30 project upwards on the upper side 12 of the hinged conveyor belt 10, whereby the material can be carried along in the conveying direction 20 by means of the carrier 30 when the hinged conveyor belt 10 is moved in the conveying direction 20.

[0039] In order to enable particularly good reinforcement of the respective hinge plate 16 in the width direction 22 or particularly good protection of the respective hinge plate 16 by means of the associated sacrificial plate 24, it is provided that the reinforcing element 26 or the sacrificial plate 24 extends in the width direction 22 over at least 60 percent, in particular over at least 70 percent, in particular over at least 80 percent, in particular over at least 90 percent of a width of the associated hinge plate 16.

[0040] For transporting the material by means of the hinge conveyor belt 10, the material can be placed directly on the respective hinge plates 16 or indirectly via the sacrificial sheet 24 or respective reinforcing elements 26 on the hinge plates 16.

[0041] In the second embodiment of the hinged conveyor belt 10 shown in Fig. 2, it is provided that every second hinge plate 16 is reinforced in the conveying direction 20 by means of a respective associated reinforcing element 26. The respective reinforcing elements 26 of the second embodiment are designed as rectangular profiles 28. In the second embodiment, the reinforcing elements 26 are arranged alternately in the conveying direction 20 on the upper side 12 of the hinged conveyor belt 10 and on a lower side 32 of the hinged conveyor belt 10 opposite the upper side 12. In the conveying direction 20, a first hinge plate 16, on whose upper side 12 the reinforcing element 26 is arranged, is thus followed by a second hinge plate 16 without a reinforcing element 26. This second hinge plate 16 without a reinforcing element 26 is followed by a third hinge plate 16, which is reinforced on the lower side 32 with a reinforcing element 26.The third hinge plate 16 is in turn followed by a fourth hinge plate 16, which is not reinforced with a reinforcing element 26. And the fourth hinge plate 16 is in turn followed by a fifth hinge plate 16, which is reinforced on the upper side 12 with a reinforcing element 26. An unreinforced hinge plate 16 is thus arranged between two reinforced hinge plates 16. Alternatively, each hinge plate 16 can be reinforced with a reinforcing element 26. In order not to increase the weight of the conveyor belt excessively in this variant, the reinforcing element 26, which in this case is preferably designed as a triangular profile made of sheet metal, has a maximum thickness (wall thickness) of 20 mm.

[0042] Fig. 3 shows a third embodiment of the hinged conveyor belt 10. In this third embodiment, in the conveying direction 20, every third hinge plate 16 is reinforced with two reinforcing elements 26 in the width direction 22, wherein on the respective hinge plates 16, one of the reinforcing elements 26 is arranged on the upper side 12 and the other of the reinforcing elements 26 is arranged on the lower side 32. Between the respective hinge plates 16, which are each reinforced with two reinforcing elements 26, two hinge plates 16 are arranged which are free of reinforcement by means of reinforcing elements 26. In the third embodiment, the respective reinforcing elements 26 are designed as rectangular profiles 28.

[0043] In both the fourth embodiment shown in Fig. 4 and the fifth embodiment shown in Fig. 5, the respective hinge plates 16 have a geometry that deviates from a flat plate. The respective hinge plates 16 of the fourth embodiment and the fifth embodiment are each bent about an axis 34 running in the width direction 22. The respective hinge plates 16 thus have a roof shape, with the gable of this roof shape running in the width direction 22. By designing the respective hinge plates 16 with the bend running in the width direction 22, the respective hinge plates 16 have particularly great stability in the width direction 22. The respective hinge plates 16 can, as shown in Fig. 4 of the fourth embodiment, be oriented with the bend facing upwards and thus towards the top side 12 or, as in Fig.5 for the fifth embodiment, be oriented downwards and thus toward the underside 32. The hinge plates 16 can therefore be roof-shaped or trough-shaped instead of flat. In the fourth embodiment according to Fig. 4, a reinforcing element 26 is arranged on the underside of every third hinge plate 16 in the conveying direction 20. This reinforcing element 26 is designed as a rectangular profile 28 in the fourth embodiment.

[0044] In the fifth embodiment shown in Fig. 5, the reinforcing element 26 designed as a driver 30 is arranged on the upper side 12 of at least one hinge plate 16 of the hinged conveyor belt 10 having the bend. In the present case, the respective drivers 30 have at least substantially the shape of a right-angled triangle in a cross-section running perpendicular to the width direction 22 and in the conveying direction 20, wherein the triangle rests on the hinge plate 16 with one of the legs and the material is carried along with the other of the legs in the conveying direction 20. The driver 30 is formed in the present case from a sheet metal profile. In addition to reinforcing the respective associated hinge plate 16, the driver 30 also serves to carry small parts, particularly in an area at the end of the laser cutting machine where the hinged conveyor belt 10 undergoes an upward bend.

[0045] 6 and 7, a reinforcing element 26 is arranged on every third hinge plate 16 in the conveying direction 20. Here, every third reinforcing element 26 is designed as a driver 30. The remaining reinforcing elements 26 in the sixth embodiment are designed as respective rectangular profiles 28. The reinforcing elements 26 designed as rectangular profiles 28 are each arranged on the underside of the associated hinge plates 16, whereas the drivers 30 are arranged on the top side of the respective associated hinge plates 16. This design enables the hinge conveyor belt 10 to have a support surface that is as smooth as possible, with only the drivers 30 projecting beyond it. By designing the support surface as smooth as possible, the risk of the material to be transported becoming stuck in the respective recesses of the hinge conveyor belt 10 can be kept particularly low.

[0046] Fig. 7 shows the sixth embodiment in a schematic perspective view, with a forward run 36 and a return run 38 of the hinged conveyor belt 10 each shown in detail. In the forward run 36, the hinged conveyor belt 10 is moved in the conveying direction 20, while in the return run 38 the hinged conveyor belt 10 is moved back against the conveying direction 20 and overhead. This allows the hinged conveyor belt 10 to be guided in a circle by providing respective deflections. In the first, second, third, and sixth embodiments, the respective hinge plates 16 are each straight and thus designed without any kinks or curvatures.

[0047] The described laser cutting machine is based on the realization that the sagging of the hinged conveyor belt 10 should be limited by adjustments to the hinge plates 16. These adjustments include various approaches, such as providing reinforcing profiles, in this case the reinforcing elements 26, providing a bending edge in the respective hinge plate 16, or providing at least one sacrificial sheet 24. The respective reinforcing elements 26 can be welded to the bottom or top of the respective associated hinge plate 16. In particular, respective reinforcing elements 26 can be welded alternately to the bottom and top of respective hinge plates 16. By arranging respective reinforcing elements 26 on the top of the associated hinge plates 16, the heat effect of the laser beam is absorbed by the reinforcing element 26, not directly by the respective hinge plate 16.Alternatively, a reinforcing element 26 can be welded to both the top side 12 and the bottom side 32 of a hinge plate 16. This minimizes the heat impact on the lower reinforcing element 26. The lower reinforcing element 26 effectively limits any sagging of the hinge plate 16, whereas the upper reinforcing element 26 at least partially absorbs the heat impact of the laser beam.

[0048] Alternatively or additionally, to protect against the deflection of a respective hinge plate 16, the sacrificial plate 24 can be attached to this hinge plate 16. Openings in the sacrificial plate 24 ensure that this sacrificial plate 24 can absorb a particularly large amount of heat, and consequently, heat-induced warping occurs primarily in the sacrificial plate 24 and to a particularly small extent in the associated hinge plate 16.

[0049] Alternatively or additionally, the respective hinge plates 16 can be designed either straight and thus flat or roof-shaped. The bending edge present in the roof shape ensures the particularly high stability of the respective hinge plate 16.

[0050] In addition to the embodiments described here, further embodiments are conceivable in which respective individual features of the described embodiments are combined with one another. Thus, a hinged conveyor belt 10 can be provided which comprises both at least one sacrificial plate 24 and at least one reinforcing element 26. Furthermore, a combination of the bent configuration or the configuration bent around the width direction 22 of the respective hinge plates 16 in combination with respective sacrificial plates 24 is conceivable. In this case, the respective sacrificial plates 24 can also be bent or curved, in particular with their cross section corresponding to the cross section of the hinge plates 16.Furthermore, an embodiment of the hinged conveyor belt 10 is conceivable which has a plurality of hinge plates 16 in the straight and thus flat embodiment and a plurality of hinge plates 16 in the curved or bent embodiment.

[0051] The laser cutting machine is a device with a workpiece support and a hinged conveyor belt 10 arranged underneath for transporting slag and small parts from the laser cutting machine. Respective hinge plates 16 of the hinged conveyor belt 10 can be reinforced with additional elements, at least on their respective surfaces, to prevent the hinged conveyor belt 10 from sagging due to thermal expansion. The respective sacrificial plates 24 are respective replaceable elements of the hinged conveyor belt 10. These upper plates 24 are each arranged on the upper side of the associated hinge plate 16. In particular, a sacrificial plate 24 can be arranged on each hinge plate 16 of the hinged conveyor belt 10. The sacrificial plates 24 are in particular smooth. In particular, the respective sacrificial plates 24 can be screwed to the associated hinge plate 16.In particular, the respective sacrificial plates 24 can be arranged at a distance from the respective associated hinge plate 16. To compensate for thermal expansion, the respective sacrificial plates 24 can have slots or holes. In particular, the sacrificial plates 24 have a thickness of at least two millimeters. In this case, the sacrificial plates 24 are made of stainless steel or copper.

[0052] If the additional elements for reinforcing the hinged conveyor belt 10 are respective reinforcing elements 26, these reinforcing elements 26 can be arranged on several, but in particular not on all, hinge plates 16 on their respective upper side 12. The respective reinforcing elements 26 can be arranged on the upper side 12 and on the underside 32 of respective hinge plates 16. In this case, the respective reinforcing elements 26 can be arranged on different hinge plates 16, or two reinforcing elements 26 can be arranged on the upper side and underside of the same hinge plate 16. Between two respective reinforced hinge plates 16, in particular a maximum of five, in particular a maximum of two unreinforced hinge plates 16 are arranged in the conveying direction 20. The reinforcing elements 26 can be designed as a rectangular profile 28 or as a triangular profile.The reinforcing elements 26 can be formed from sheet metal, in particular from stainless steel sheet, and welded to the respective associated hinge plates 16.

[0053] A hinged conveyor belt 10 is conceivable, which has both sacrificial plates 24 on respective hinge plates 16 and further comprises at least one reinforcement profile 26 on the underside 32 of each hinge plate 16. Overall, the invention shows how hinge belt sagging can be reduced.

[0054] LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0055] 10 hinged conveyor belt

[0056] 12 Top side 14 Conveying surface

[0057] 16 Hinge plate

[0058] 18 Hinge element

[0059] 20 Conveying direction

[0060] 22 Width direction 24 Sacrificial plate

[0061] 26 Reinforcing element

[0062] 28 rectangular profile

[0063] 30 carriers

[0064] 32 Bottom 34 Axis

[0065] 36 outward run

[0066] 38 Return

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Hinged conveyor belt (10) for a conveyor device, with a plurality of hinge plates (16) which are hingedly connected to one another via respective hinge elements (18) and which, with their upper side (12), provide a conveying surface (14) on which material to be transported in a conveying direction (20) can be deposited, wherein a reinforcing element (26) is arranged on at least one hinge plate (16), which is designed to stabilize the hinge plate (16) in a width direction (22) running perpendicular to the conveying direction (20), and / or a sacrificial plate (24) is arranged on at least one hinge plate (16) so as to cover an upper side (12) of the hinge plate (16), wherein the sacrificial plate (24) is designed to limit thermal expansion of the hinge plate (16) by intercepting an energy input into the associated hinge plate (16).

2. Hinged conveyor belt (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one reinforcing element (26) is arranged on each of a plurality of hinge plates (16), said hinge plates (16) being spaced apart from one another by at least one further hinge plate (16) without a reinforcing element (26).

3. Hinged conveyor belt (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one reinforcing element (26) is arranged on each hinge plate (16).

4. Hinged conveyor belt (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reinforcing element (26) is arranged on the upper side (12) or on an underside (32) of the hinge plate (16) opposite the upper side (12).

5. Hinged conveyor belt (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that 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) and the other reinforcing element (26) is arranged on the lower side (32) of this hinge plate (16).

6. Hinged conveyor belt (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reinforcing element (26) is arranged on the upper side (12) of the hinge plate (16) and is designed as a driver (30).

7. Hinged conveyor belt (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reinforcing element (26) and / or the sacrificial plate (24) extend 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 a width of the associated hinge plate (16).

8. Hinged conveyor belt (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sacrificial plate (24) on the associated hinge plate (16) can be replaced without destruction.

9. Hinged conveyor belt (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one hinge plate (16) has a geometry deviating from a flat plate.

10. Hinged conveyor belt (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sacrificial plate (24) has at least one opening, whereby thermal expansion of the sacrificial plate (24) can be at least partially compensated.

11. Laser cutting machine, comprising a laser device which is designed to cut a workpiece by means of a laser beam, comprising a workpiece support on which the workpiece to be cut can be placed during cutting, and comprising a conveyor device arranged below the workpiece support, which has a hinged conveyor belt (10) according to one of the preceding claims and which is designed to transport away material accumulating during cutting of the workpiece in the conveying direction.

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