EP4302924A1

EP4302924A1 - Conveyor system for ceramic slabs, particularly for grinding machines

Info

Publication number: EP4302924A1
Application number: EP23183236.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Fabio TAROZZI
Original assignee: Ancora SpA
Current assignee: Ancora SpA
Priority date: 2022-07-04
Filing date: 2023-07-04
Publication date: 2024-01-10

Abstract

The conveyor system (1) for ceramic slabs, particularly for grinding machines, comprises:- one load-bearing structure (2) which can be installed on a machine (M) intended for the machining of ceramic slabs;- at least one pair of toothed belts (3,4) associated with the load-bearing structure (2), arranged side by side and adapted to hold at least one ceramic slab (L) to be machined, each of the toothed belts (3,4) being movable by sliding along a substantially horizontal direction of movement (D);- at least one pair of pulleys (5) associated with each of the toothed belts (3,4), the pulleys (5) being adapted to determine the movement of the relevant toothed belt (3,4) along the direction of movement (D);- at least one abutment plane (6,7) associated with each of the toothed belts (3,4), which is fixed with respect to the direction of movement (D) and comprising a plurality of modular portions (8) arranged in succession with respect to each other along the direction of movement (D), wherein between each pair of the consecutive modular portions (8) is defined a slit (8a);and where each of the toothed belts (3,4) comprises a toothed surface (9) provided with a staggered bi-helical toothing arranged in contact with the abutment plane (6,7), each of the pulleys (5) comprising a corresponding toothed profile (10) provided with a staggered bi-helical toothing.

Description

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a conveyor system for ceramic slabs, particularly for grinding machines.

Background Art

Grinding machines are well known intended for finishing the edges of ceramic slabs and/or tiles at the end of the production process.
Grinding machines of known type comprise a pair of belts arranged spaced apart from each other and defining a supporting surface for the slabs. These belts are moved by means of pulleys along a direction of movement to allow continuous machining of the slabs, which are loaded as they are made onto the grinding machine.
Belts are generally provided with straight-toothed toothing, that is, arranged orthogonal to the direction of development of the belt itself. Similarly, the pulleys also have similar toothed portions.
The movement of the belt takes place in contact with an abutment plane which allows interaction with the slab while preventing the belt itself from deforming.
Such abutment planes are composed of several blocks arranged in succession with each other.
As a result, when the tooth of the belt meets a joint area between the blocks, which area runs parallel to the teeth, the latter partly fit within that joint and result in jerks of the toothed belt and the slab.
This results in rapid wear of the toothed belt and, therefore, a frequent need for replacement.
In addition, grinding machines generally comprise both lower belts that support the slab and upper belts designed to hold the slab itself in place.
The presence of the joint area and the occurrence of jerks in the upper belt also results in a discontinuity in the pressure applied to the slab which, in turn, contributes to increased belt wear.
In addition to this, the occurrence of jerks can also adversely affect grinding operations which require the slab to remain perfectly still in order to be precise and accurate.

Description of the Invention

The main aim of the present invention is to devise a conveyor system for ceramic slabs, particularly for grinding machines, which allows limiting premature wear phenomena of toothed belts and which avoids the need for frequent replacement.
Another object of the present invention is to devise a conveyor system for ceramic slabs, particularly for grinding machines, which allows a constant vertical force to be applied to the slab during movement.
Another object of the present invention is to devise a conveyor system for ceramic slabs, particularly for grinding machines, which allows effectively retaining the slab during grinding operations.
Another object of the present invention is to devise a conveyor system for ceramic slabs, particularly for grinding machines, which allows the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art to be overcome within the framework of a simple, rational, easy and effective to use as well as cost-effective solution. The aforementioned objects are achieved by this conveyor system for ceramic slabs, particularly for grinding machines, having the characteristics of claim 1.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a conveyor system for ceramic slabs, particularly for grinding machines, illustrated by way of an indicative, yet non-limiting example, in the accompanying tables of drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a view of the conveyor system according to the invention, installed on a grinding machine;
Figures 2 and 3 are detailed views of the conveyor system according to the invention;
Figure 4 is a detailed view of the toothed surface of a toothed belt according to the invention;
Figures 5-8 are detailed views of pulleys according to the invention, in accordance with two possible embodiments.

Embodiments of the Invention

With particular reference to these figures, reference numeral 1 globally denotes a conveyor system for ceramic slabs, particularly for grinding machines.
The conveyor system 1 comprises at least one load-bearing structure 2 which can be installed on a machine M intended for the machining of ceramic slabs.
In particular, the conveyor system 1 can be installed on grinding machines intended for finishing the edges of ceramic slabs at the end of the production process.
In the context of the present disclosure, the term "ceramic slab" relates to a slab-shaped artifact intended for covering surfaces or making decorative components, such as large slabs, tiles, slats or the like.
The conveyor system 1 also comprises at least one pair of toothed belts 3,4 associated with the load-bearing structure 2, arranged side by side and adapted to hold at least one ceramic slab L to be machined.
Each of the toothed belts 3,4 is movable by sliding along a substantially horizontal direction of movement D.
The conveyor system 1 comprises at least one pair of pulleys 5 associated with each of the toothed belts 3,4, said toothed belt 3,4 being partly wound around the pair of pulleys 5.
The pulleys 5 are adapted to cause the movement of the relevant toothed belt 3,4 along the direction of movement D.
The conveyor system 1 also comprises at least one abutment plane 6,7, associated with each of the toothed belts 3,4, which is stationary with respect to the direction of movement D.
In addition, the abutment plane 6,7 comprises a plurality of modular portions 8 arranged in succession with each other along the direction of movement D.
A slit 8a is defined between each pair of modular portions 8 consecutive to each other (Figure 3).
According to the invention, each of the toothed belts 3,4 comprises a toothed surface 9 provided with a staggered bi-helical toothing and arranged in contact with the abutment plane 6,7 and each of the pulleys 5 comprises a corresponding toothed profile 10 provided with a staggered bi-helical toothing.
In detail, the toothed surface 9 has two longitudinal portions provided with inclined teeth, not perpendicular with respect to the longitudinal direction of the toothed belt 3,4.
The teeth of the staggered bi-helical toothing extend transversely with respect to the slits 8a.
The teeth of each portion are substantially parallel to each other. In addition, the teeth of one of the portions are symmetrical and staggered with respect to the teeth of the adjacent portion. In other words, the toothed surface 9 is shaped in a staggered fishbone pattern.
Similarly, the toothed profile 10 of the pulleys 5 has two circumferential portions provided with inclined teeth, not perpendicular with respect to the circumferential development of the pulley. The teeth of one of the portions are symmetrical and staggered from the teeth of the adjacent portion. In other words, the toothed profile 10 is shaped in a staggered fishbone pattern.
The staggered bi-helical toothing of the toothed surface 9 causes the teeth of the toothed belts 3,4 to be inclined even with respect to the joint areas in the abutment planes 6,7 and, therefore, not to fit inside them causing jerks.
Substantially, the tooth gradually passes over the joint areas, consequently reducing jerks and wear.
This gradualness is even more evident in the passage of the toothed belt 3,4 from an "empty" area, i.e., without an abutment body, e.g. in the area between the pulley 5 and the abutment plane 6,7, to a "full" area, i.e., when it meets the first modular portion 8.
The toothed belts 3,4 covered by the present invention provide extremely stable transport which positively affects both the wear resistance of the belts themselves and the quality of slab machining.
Conveniently, the toothing of the toothed surface 9 and of the toothed profile 10 has a pitch comprised between 15 mm and 25 mm.
Preferably, the toothing of the toothed surface 9 and of the toothed profile 10 has a pitch of 20 mm.
The staggered bi-helical toothing also allows a larger pitch to be adopted than conventional toothing. In this way, the toothed surface 9 has fewer teeth and makes transport even more uniform and quieter.
Each of the toothed belts 3,4 is closed in a loop and retained by a pair of pulleys 5 so that the toothed profile 10 meshes on the toothed surface 9.
Each of the toothed belts 3,4 thus defines at least two substantially straight stretches which are opposite each other, arranged in a substantially horizontal plane and movable along the direction of movement D, in opposite directions to each other, thanks to the effect of the movement of the toothed belt 3,4.
Each pulley 5 is rotatable around a relevant substantially horizontal axis of rotation R and the axes of rotation R of each pair of pulleys 5 lie in the same substantially horizontal plane. In detail, the pulleys 5 are set in rotation by special motorized actuators, not shown in detail in the figures.
Advantageously, the at least one pair of toothed belts 3,4 comprises at least one pair of lower belts 3, each provided with an upper stretch 11 defining a holding surface 12, opposite the respective toothed surface 9 and adapted to hold the ceramic slab L in support.
The pairs of lower belts 3 are placed at a distance substantially equal to the width of the ceramic slab L so as to retain the latter where a pair of opposite perimeter sides is located.
Conveniently, the at least one abutment plane 6,7 comprises at least one lower abutment plane 6 arranged below the upper stretch 11.
The lower abutment plane 6 is arranged in contact with the respective toothed surface 9 and supports the upper stretch 11 when sliding along the direction of movement D.
The slit 8a of the lower abutment plane 6 has a width comprised between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm.
In other words, the lower belt 3 being made of a flexible material is moved in contact with the lower abutment plane 6 so that it does not deform under the weight of the ceramic slab L.
Advantageously, the at least one pair of toothed belts 3,4 comprises a pair of upper belts 4, arranged above the pair of lower belts 3.
Each of the upper belts 4 is provided with a lower stretch 13 defining an abutment surface 14, opposite the respective toothed surface 9, and facing a respective holding surface 12.
The pair of upper belts 4 is adapted to operate in conjunction with the pair of lower belts 3 to retain the ceramic slab L when sliding along the direction of movement D.
Specifically, the lower stretch 13 and the upper stretch 11 are arranged at a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the ceramic slab L and retain the latter where a pair of opposite perimeter sides is located.
Conveniently, the at least one abutment plane 6,7 also comprises at least one upper abutment plane 7 arranged above the lower stretch 13.
The upper abutment plane 7 is arranged in contact with the respective toothed surface 9 and supports the lower stretch 13 when sliding along the direction of movement D.
In other words, the function of the upper abutment plane 7 is to keep the upper belt 4 taut so as to allow the ceramic slab L to be moved effectively.
The slit 8a of the upper abutment plane 7 has a width comprised between 2 mm and 3 mm.
The presence of a staggered bi-helical toothed surface 9 enables the movement of the toothed belts 3,4 in contact with the modular portions 8 of the abutment planes 6,7 without causing jerks.
In fact, the teeth of the toothed surface 9, being arranged inclined with respect to the slits 8a, do not even partly fit inside the latter and make the movement uniform.
In addition, the abutment planes 6,7 provide a rigid abutment for the relevant toothed belts 3,4 and operate in conjunction with each other to enable effective retention of the ceramic slab L.
Conveniently, the upper abutment plane 7 is movable along a substantially vertical direction of work W close to/away from the holding surface(s) 12.
The movement of the upper abutment plane 7 causes the abutment surface 14 to move close to/away from the holding surface 12.
The movement of the upper abutment plane 7 allows the positioning of the upper belt 4 depending on the thickness of the ceramic slab L and on the pressing force to be imparted.
For this purpose, the conveyor system 1 comprises at least one movement assembly 15 associated with the load-bearing structure 2 and adapted to move the upper abutment plane 7 along the direction of work W.
The movement assembly 15 comprises:

a movable beam 16 associated with the load-bearing structure 2 in a movable manner and supporting the upper abutment plane 7;
at least one connecting rod 17 positioned between the movable beam 16 and the load-bearing structure 2; and
at least one actuator 18 associated with the connecting rod 17.

The function of the connecting rod 17 is to guide the movable beam 16 in its close/away movement and is driven by the actuator 18, which is of the type of a pneumatic cylinder.
The movement assembly 15 comprises a plurality of connecting rods 17 and a plurality of actuators 18 depending on the length extension of the movable beam 16.
It cannot however be ruled out that the movement assembly 15 may be of a different type.
In accordance with the embodiment shown in the figures, the modular portions 8 of the upper abutment plane 7 are locked together with the movable beam 16. Similarly, the modular portions 8 of the lower abutment plane 6 are also stationary.
In other words, when sliding along the direction of movement D, the toothed surfaces 9 creep in contact with the modular portions 8.
The staggered bi-helical toothed surfaces 9 allow for the use of modular portions 8 of the stationary type without incurring premature wear. In fact, the uniform movement allows the status of the toothed belts 3,4 to be preserved despite creeping in contact with the corresponding abutment planes 6,7.
It has in practice been ascertained that the described invention achieves the intended objects, and in particular, the fact is emphasized that the conveyor system for ceramic slabs according to the invention makes it possible to limit premature wear phenomena of the toothed belts and avoids the need for frequent replacement, thanks to the staggered bi-helical toothing.
In addition, the present conveyor system for ceramic slabs allows constant vertical force to be applied to the slab during movement. The presence of the upper belts and the absence of jerks mean that variations in the pressure applied to the slabs are avoided.
Finally, the present conveyor system for ceramic slabs allows the slab to be effectively retained during grinding operations. In fact, the uniform movement of the slab also enables the ceramic slab machining operations to be carried out extremely precisely and accurately.

Claims

Conveyor system (1) for ceramic slabs, particularly for grinding machines, comprising:
- at least one load-bearing structure (2) which can be installed on a machine (M) intended for the machining of ceramic slabs;

- at least one pair of toothed belts (3,4) associated with said load-bearing structure (2), arranged side by side and adapted to hold at least one ceramic slab (L) to be machined, each of said toothed belts (3,4) being movable by sliding along a substantially horizontal direction of movement (D);

- at least one pair of pulleys (5) associated with each of said toothed belts (3,4), where said toothed belt (3,4) is wound partly around said pair of pulleys (5), said pulleys (5) being adapted to determine the movement of the relevant toothed belt (3,4) along said direction of movement (D);

- at least one abutment plane (6,7) associated with each of said toothed belts (3,4), which is fixed with respect to said direction of movement (D) and comprising a plurality of modular portions (8) arranged in succession with respect to each other along said direction of movement (D), wherein between each pair of said consecutive modular portions (8) is defined a slit (8a);
characterized by the fact that each of said toothed belts (3,4) comprises a toothed surface (9) provided with a staggered bi-helical toothing arranged in contact with said abutment plane (6,7) and by the fact that each of said pulleys (5) comprises a corresponding toothed profile (10) provided with a staggered bi-helical toothing.
Conveyor system (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the toothing of said toothed surface (9) and of said toothed profile (10) has a pitch comprised between 15 mm and 25 mm.
Conveyor system (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the toothing of said toothed surface (9) and of said toothed profile (10) has a pitch of 20 mm.
Conveyor system (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the teeth of said staggered bi-helical toothing extend transversely to said slits (8a).
Conveyor system (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said at least one pair of toothed belts (3,4) comprises at least one pair of lower belts (3), each provided with an upper stretch (11) defining a holding surface (12), opposite the respective toothed surface (9) and adapted to hold said ceramic slab (L) in support.
Conveyor system (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said at least one abutment plane (6,7) comprises at least one lower abutment plane (6) arranged below said upper stretch (11), in contact with the respective toothed surface (9), and supporting said upper stretch itself when sliding along said direction of movement (D).
Conveyor system (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said at least one pair of toothed belts (3,4) comprises a pair of upper belts (4), arranged above said pair of lower belts (3), each provided with a lower stretch (13) defining an abutment surface (14), opposite the respective toothed surface (9), and facing a respective holding surface (12), said pair of upper belts (4) being adapted to operate in conjunction with said pair of lower belts (3) to retain said ceramic slab (L) when sliding along said direction of movement (D).
Conveyor system (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said at least one abutment plane (6,7) comprises at least one upper abutment plane (7) arranged above said lower stretch (13), in contact with the respective toothed surface (9), and supporting said lower stretch itself when sliding along said direction of movement (D).
Conveyor system (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said upper abutment plane (7) is movable along a substantially vertical direction of work (W) close to/away from said holding surface (12), the movement of said upper abutment plane (7) causing said abutment surface (14) to move close to/away from said holding surface (12).
Conveyor system (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises at least one movement assembly (15) associated with said load-bearing structure (2) and adapted to move said upper abutment plane (7) along said direction of work (W) and comprising:
- a movable beam (16) associated with said load-bearing structure (2) in a movable manner and supporting said upper abutment plane (7);

- at least one connecting rod (17) positioned between said movable beam (16) and said load-bearing structure (2); and

- at least one actuator (18) associated with said connecting rod (17).
Conveyor system (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the modular portions (8) of said upper abutment plane (7) are locked together with said movable beam (16).