Hinge Belt Conveyor

Abstract

A hinge belt conveyor with an endless hinge belt is proposed, which is composed of links. Each link has a lower plate and an upper plate. The lower plates are connected to each other like a joint. In the hinge belt conveyor according to the present invention, the lower and upper plates of the links are spaced apart from each other. The upper plates form an outer surface, which forms a substantially gap-free upper surface of the hinge belt. In this context, substantially gap-free means that the overlapping areas of two adjacent upper plates can move relative to each other. For example, it is on this side of the hinge belt that chips fall and are carried away. The upper plates of the links are connected to the lower plate so that the upper plates can move parallel to the lower plate and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the hinge belt.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The subject matter of the present invention relates to a hinged belt conveyor, preferably for metal waste such as shavings. [Background technology]

[0002] A hinged belt conveyor for metal waste, such as shavings, is known. It is used in metalworking machines to transport metal waste, such as shavings, to a collection container. The hinged belt conveyor has an endless hinged belt connected to an actuator. The hinged belt is made of links connected to each other in an articulated manner. The links are formed, at least in part, by plates made of wear-resistant steel. Such an embodiment of a hinged plate conveyor is known, for example, from Patent Document 1. The hinged belt comprises individual hinges arranged offset relative to each other and plates held in an articulated manner by pins inserted into the hinges. The hinged belt conveyor may have a grooved housing, the side walls of which are fitted with guide rails for the upper and lower runs of the hinged belt. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] German Patent Application Publication No. 3101209 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Hinge belt conveyors are also used to feed semi-finished products, particularly sheet metal parts, to machine tools. They can also be used to transport parts and cut pieces processed by machine tools. This is the case, for example, with laser cutting machines. Due to the high processing speed of such laser cutting machines, parts can become very hot when they exit the laser cutting machine and are ejected onto the hinge belt conveyor. If a hinge belt conveyor is located under the laser cutting head, the laser beam may strike the links of the endless hinge belt conveyor, potentially damaging the hinge belt.

[0005] Hinge belt conveyors can be of considerable width, for example, links have been known to have lengths of over 2000 mm transverse to the direction of transport of the hinge belt.

[0006] In light of this situation, the object of the present invention is to provide an endless hinge belt with improved operational reliability, and in particular a hinge belt conveyor equipped with an endless hinge belt with improved operational reliability in connection with a laser machine tool. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The object of the present invention is achieved by a hinged belt conveyor having the features of independent claim 1. The dependent claims specify advantageous embodiments and developments. The features individually defined in the claims can be combined with each other in any technically feasible manner and can be supplemented by the explanations in the description, which allow further variants of the invention to be shown.

[0008] The hinge belt conveyor according to the invention comprises an endless hinge belt and an actuator connected to the hinge belt, the actuator being suitable and intended for realizing the movement of the endless hinge belt, and may comprise a motor, in particular an electric motor, connected directly or indirectly to the hinge belt.

[0009] The hinge belt is made up of a plurality of links. Each link has a lower plate and an upper plate. The lower plates are connected to each other like joints. In the hinge belt conveyor of the present invention, the lower plate and the upper plate are spaced apart from each other. The upper plate forms an outer surface, which forms a substantially gap-free upper surface of the hinge belt. In this context, substantially gap-free means that the overlapping areas of two adjacent upper plates can move relative to each other. For example, it is on this side of the hinge belt that chips fall and are carried away.

[0010] The upper plate of the link is connected to the lower plate so as to allow movement of the upper plate parallel to the lower plate and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the hinge belt.

[0011] The arrangement according to the invention ensures that thermal loading of the hinge belt (e.g. due to the action of a laser beam) does not essentially deform the hinge belt. A substantially gap-free upper surface of the hinge belt is maintained. Because the upper plate of the link is movably connected to the lower plate, the upper plate can expand when subjected to thermal loading, and therefore any change in length of the upper plate due to thermal expansion does not deform the links.

[0012] In order to simplify assembly and to hold the hinge belt in place during operation of the hinge belt conveyor, it is proposed that the end regions of the upper plates of the links are rigidly connected to the lower plates of the links, in such an embodiment, one end of the upper plate forms a fixed support with the lower plate and the other end of the upper plate forms a free support with the lower plate, so that the upper plate is in a sense said to be floatingly supported.

[0013] In order to simplify assembly and to simplify the replacement of the upper plate, another embodiment of the hinge belt proposes that the upper plate of the link is provided with a slot extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the hinge belt, and that the fastening means connecting the upper plate and the lower plate extend through the slot.

[0014] Depending on the embodiment of the lower plates connected to each other like an articulation, it may be advantageous to provide a spacer between the lower and upper plates of the link. The spacer is used to provide a distance between the lower and upper plates. The spacer can also be used to compensate for manufacturing tolerances and ensure that the upper plate forms a substantially gap-free shape at the top of the hinge belt.

[0015] If a spacer is provided, the fastening means advantageously extend through the spacer, thus reducing the assembly effort and the number of parts required to manufacture the hinge belt, and this also ensures that no additional aids are required to fix the spacer.

[0016] In order to achieve a sufficiently high stability transverse to the longitudinal direction of the hinge belt, another advantageous embodiment of the hinge belt conveyor proposes that the lower plates of the links have a predetermined cross-sectional shape, with the embodiment in which the lower plates are U-shaped being particularly preferred.

[0017] Another advantageous embodiment of the hinged belt conveyor according to the invention can be seen when the upper plate of the link has a plurality of latches which are supported on the lower plate of the link, in which case a high bending stiffness of the link is ensured.

[0018] In particular, when the hinged belt conveyor is used in combination with a laser machine tool, the upper plate is preferably configured to be laser-resistant. Laser resistance is preferably achieved by having a surface of the upper plate with high reflectivity or by allowing high scattering of laser light. The upper plate of the link may also be formed from a material with a high specific heat capacity.

[0019] This embodiment of the hinged belt conveyor also has the advantage that the top plate can be replaced if necessary, which makes maintenance more convenient.

[0020] Further advantages and details of the present invention will now be described with reference to the figures shown in the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 shows a schematic diagram of one exemplary embodiment of a hinged belt conveyor. [Figure 2] 1 shows details of a first exemplary embodiment of a hinged belt. [Figure 3] 10 shows details of a second exemplary embodiment of a hinged belt. [Figure 4] 1 shows one embodiment of the top plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] 1 is a schematic representation of a hinged belt conveyor 1. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the hinged belt conveyor 1 has a substantially horizontal input area 2. The input area 2 is connected to an inclined area 3. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the inclined area 3 is connected to a substantially horizontal discharge area 4. The inclined area 3 and the discharge area 4 are supported by a platform 5.

[0023] An endless hinge belt 7 is arranged within the housing 6 of the hinge belt conveyor 1. The hinge belt 7 has an upper run 8 with an upper surface and a lower run 9. Reference numeral 10 denotes a first turning area in the input area 2. A second turning area 11 is provided in the discharge area 4. An actuator 12 is arranged in the turning area 11. The actuator 12 preferably has an electric motor, which is directly or indirectly connected to a drive wheel for driving the hinge belt. The configuration of the hinge belt conveyor 1 shown in FIG. 1 is exemplary. The hinge belt conveyor can therefore be modified from a linear configuration to a linear and inclined configuration.

[0024] Figure 2 shows a first exemplary embodiment of the basic structure of the hinge belt 7. Figure 2 shows only the details of the hinge belt.

[0025] The hinge belt is formed by a number of links 13. The links 13 are connected to one another in the manner of joints. From the illustration in Fig. 2, it can be seen that the links 13 have a lower plate 14.1. The lower plate 14.1 of the link 13 is configured substantially in a U-shape.

[0026] The lower plate 14.1 has hinge eyes 15.1, 15.2 formed on each longitudinal edge of the lower plate 14.1, which extend transversely to the conveying direction of the hinge belt conveyor.

[0027] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the bottom plate 14.1 includes a plurality of spaced-apart hinge eyes 15.1. Opposite longitudinal edges of the bottom plate 14.1 are provided with a plurality of hinge eyes 15.2. The hinge eyes 15.1, 15.2 are offset relative to one another, so that when two adjacent bottom plates 14.1 are connected, the hinge eyes 15.1, 15.2 alternate.

[0028] A pin 16 extends through each hinge eye and serves as a spindle for a link, allowing the link to be deflected. Each pin 16 is connected, for example, to an endless chain (not shown). An actuator 12 drives the endless chain, allowing the endless belt to circulate.

[0029] 2, it can be seen that the lower plate 14.1 has a substantially U-shaped cross section, which gives the lower plate a high degree of self-stabilization.

[0030] The upper plate 17.1 is connected to the lower plate 14.1 in such a way that the upper plate 17.1 of the link 13.1 can move parallel to the lower plate 14.1 and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L of the hinge belt 1.

[0031] The upper plate 17.1 is connected to the lower plate 14.1 by at least one slot extending in the longitudinal direction of the upper plate. For example, a pin connected to the lower plate extends through the slot. The pin has a thread on its protruding part, and the connection between the lower plate 14.1 and the upper plate 17.1 is made by a nut. The tightening torque of the screw is selected so that a certain play is created in the upper plate.

[0032] From the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 2, it can be seen that the upper plate 17.1 has at least one latch 18, which is connected to the upper plate 17.1. The shape of the latch 18 is selected so that its edge rests against the wall of the U-shaped lower plate 14.1.

[0033] Another exemplary embodiment of the hinge belt can be seen from FIG. 3, which shows the hinge belt in detail.

[0034] The basic structure of this hinge belt corresponds to the structure of the hinge belt in FIG.

[0035] In this exemplary embodiment, a link 13 is also formed by a lower plate 14.2 and an upper plate 17.2. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the lower plate 14.2 is substantially linear. The lower plate 14.2 has a plurality of hinge eyes through which the pins 16 extend. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the spindle is further connected to a side flange 19.

[0036] In Figure 3, the upper plate 17.2 is screwed to the lower plate 14.2. In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, the lower plate 14.1 is provided with a further layer 19.

[0037] 4 shows the top plate 17.1 in a perspective view. The top plate 17.1 has a first longitudinal region 20. The first longitudinal region 20 extends in the longitudinal direction of a first longitudinal edge 22. The first longitudinal region 20 has a curved configuration. The curved shape of the longitudinal region is preferably formed by rolling.

[0038] 4 further shows that the top plate 17.1 has a second longitudinal region 21. The second longitudinal region 21 extends in the longitudinal direction of the second longitudinal edge 23. The second longitudinal region 21 has a curved configuration.

[0039] The curved longitudinal regions 20, 21 are configured such that a first longitudinal region 20 overlaps a second longitudinal region 21 of an adjacent plate. In this case, the first longitudinal edge 22 preferably rests on the upper surface 24 and acts as a scraper when the hinge belt conveyor is in motion. The curvature of the upper surface of the second longitudinal region preferably matches the curvature of the inside of the first longitudinal region. However, this is not essential. It is sufficient that the curvature of the upper surface of the second longitudinal region 21 is less than the curvature of the first longitudinal region 20.

[0040] From the view in FIG. 4 it can be seen that the plate 17.1 has two slots 25 which are used to pass the screws.

[0041] During operation of the hinge belt conveyor, hot waste material accumulates on each top plate of each link. In particular, in the case of laser-operated machine tools, the laser may come into contact with the top plate, potentially causing it to heat up. The type of connection between the top and bottom plates allows for the top plate to expand and cool, and thus change in length transversely to the longitudinal direction of the hinge belt, ensuring that the top plate does not deform. Given that no permanent deformation of the top plate occurs, the top surface of the hinge belt remains substantially gap-free, thereby extending the useful life of the hinge belt conveyor. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1. Hinge belt conveyor 2 Input area 3 Slope area 4 Emission area 5 Mounting stand 6. Housing 7 Hinge Belt 8 Upper running section 9 Lower running section 10. Turning Area 11. Turning Area 12 Actuating device 13 Links 14.1, 14.2 Lower plate 15.1, 15.2 hinge eye 16-pin 17.1 Top Plate 18 Latch 19 Side flange 20 first longitudinal region 21 second longitudinal region 22 first longitudinal edge 23 second longitudinal edge 24 Top 25 long hole

Claims

1. A hinged belt conveyor, Endless hinge belt (7) and an actuator (12) connected to the hinge belt (7); Equipped with The hinge belt (12) is formed from a plurality of links (13), Each link (13) has a lower plate (14.1, 14.2) and an upper plate (17), The lower plates (14.1, 14.2) are connected to each other in an articulated manner, The lower plates (14.1, 14.2) and the upper plate (17) are spaced apart from each other; The upper plate (17) forms a solid upper surface of the hinge belt (7), The upper plate (17) of the link (13) is connected to the lower plates (14.1, 14.2) so as to be movable parallel to the lower plates (14.1, 14.2) and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L) of the hinge belt (7). Hinge belt conveyor.

2. 2. The hinge belt conveyor according to claim 1, the end regions of the upper plate (17) of the link (13) are rigidly connected to the lower plates (14.1, 14.2) of the link (13); Hinge belt conveyor.

3. 3. The hinge belt conveyor according to claim 1 or 2, The upper plate (17) of the link (13) is provided with a long hole (25) extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L) of the hinge belt (7), Fastening means for connecting the upper plate (17) and the lower plate (14.1, 14.2) extend through the slots (25). Hinge belt conveyor.

4. A hinge belt conveyor according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, A spacer is provided between the upper plate (17) and the lower plate (14.1, 14.2) of the link (13). Hinge belt conveyor.

5. 5. A hinge belt conveyor according to claims 3 and 4, The fastening means extends through the spacer. Hinge belt conveyor.

6. 6. A hinge belt conveyor according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, The lower plate (14.1) of the link (13) has a predetermined shape in cross section. Hinge belt conveyor.

7. 7. A hinged belt conveyor according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, The lower plate (14.1) of the link (13) is configured in a U-shape. Hinge belt conveyor.

8. A hinged belt conveyor according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, The upper plate (17) of the link (13) has a plurality of latches (18); The latch (18) is supported on the lower plate (14.1) of the link. Hinge belt conveyor.

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