WO2015044712A1

WO2015044712A1 - Conveyor belt with slats and side chains for medium-light transport application

Info

Publication number: WO2015044712A1
Application number: PCT/IB2013/058874
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vittorio BIASIBETTI; Gianfranco GASPARIN; Marta BETTO
Original assignee: Vimek Industries Srl
Priority date: 2013-09-24
Filing date: 2013-09-26
Publication date: 2015-04-02
Also published as: ITPD20130260A1

Abstract

The invention is a new conveyor belt with slats and side chains, comprising slats (T, T') and lateral modular elements (M) in the shape of a V with holes or seats (M3, M4) at the level of the vertex (Ml) and of the diverging ends (M2) so as to accommodate the ends of the slats (T, T'), and wherein the seat (M5) between the diverging ends (M2) of each modular element (M) is such as to accommodate the vertex (Ml) of an identical modular element (M). Each coupling element (A), suited to be inserted in the seats (M6) of the modular elements (M) facing towards the centre of the conveyor belt, comprises an additional portion (A'4) suited to rest on and beside the end (M2) of the "V" shape of the modular element (M).

Description

CONVEYOR BELT WITH SLATS AND SIDE CHAINS FOR MEDIUM- LIGHT TRANSPORT APPLICATIONS

DESCRIPTION

The present invention concerns the systems for transporting light objects along several processing stations; in particular, it refers to transport systems with conveyor belts, conveyor chains and similar elements.

Various types of conveyor belts are known that are formed by slats generically parallel to one another and joined by lateral modular elements in special shapes that are driven by gear wheels and short chains.

The modular elements serve the multiple functions of:

connecting each slat to the previous and the following slat;

supporting each slat on the guides or rails of the conveyor belt's route;

improving the sliding movement of the conveyor belt on the guides or rails; guiding the slats along the curved sections of the route, independently of whether they are lateral or vertical;

- transmitting the advance motion of the gear wheels or gear chains to the conveyor belt.

At present each modular element is fixed to a slat and is provided with a projection with a slotted hole in which the previous or the successive slat slides.

The modular elements are made of a plastic material or a metallic material with some plastic parts.

The modular elements are joined to each other and to the slats through various and different systems, like for example screws, couplings, projections, recesses.

A widely adopted solution consists in permanently joining each slat to the corresponding lateral modular elements, and in joining each modular element to the previous or the successive modular element through elastic deformation of some parts or projections of the modular element itself. The modular elements must be frequently replaced because they wear out or even break.

The replacement of the modular elements is very demanding, in terms of both cost and production, since the system must remain at rest for the entire duration of the replacement operations.

Sometimes it is necessary to replace damaged, bent or, seldom, worn out slats.

Also the installation and removal of the conveyor belt onto/from the line involve considerable drawbacks.

The conveyor belt is supplied completely assembled but open, if necessary divided into two or three segments, and one head end is made slide along the entire route until it returns to the insertion point, where it is coupled with the tail end being introduced in the route.

This involves a need for space, as it is necessary to accumulate the conveyor belt to be introduced in the route, in addition to the space necessary for the operations of joining the head and the tail of the belt.

In order to overcome all the drawbacks mentioned above, a new conveyor belt has been designed and constructed, which is provided with slats and chains, wherein said conveyor belt is constituted by slats joined by specially shaped lateral modular elements and coupling elements between slats and modular elements.

It is one object of the present invention to provide a conveyor belt in which each slat and/or each modular element can be replaced quickly and easily.

It is another object of the present invention to eliminate the need for specific tools to separate each modular element from the corresponding slat.

These and other direct and complementary objects are achieved by the new conveyor belt comprising slats, lateral modular elements and coupling elements between modular elements and slats.

Each modular element has a composite shape, with a genetically V-shaped cross section in plan view.

On each one of the two diverging ends of said "V" shape of the modular element there is a horizontal hole oriented towards the opposite diverging end of said "V" shape, so as to accommodate a slat passing through both of said holes.

On the vertex of the "V" shape of the modular element there is a slotted hole whose horizontal axis is parallel to the common axis of said two holes of the diverging ends and slotted according to the direction defined between the vertex and the diverging ends.

Said slotted hole is such as to accommodate a slat, generically parallel to the slat accommodated in the holes in the diverging ends, and sliding along said slotted hole in the direction defined between the vertex and the diverging ends of the "V" shape. The length of said slotted hole can be different, according to the shorter curvature radius expected for the conveyor belt.

The seat between the ends of said "V" shape of the modular element is such that it accommodates the vertex of the "V" shape of an identical modular element.

On each diverging end of said "V" shape there are, furthermore, two vertical seats that are orthogonal to the "V" shape and orthogonal to the common axis passing through the holes in the ends of the "V" shape itself.

In particular, each vertical seat intersects the horizontal hole provided in the diverging end of the "V" shape of the modular element.

According to the invention, the modular element is provided with a lateral projection or tooth for connection to the members that transmit the belt's advance motion, as well as one or more upper walls suited to contain and guide the transported material, and one or more generically L-shaped lower projections that serve as elements for coupling with the conveyor belt and guiding its sliding movement along the rails. Each slat is constituted by a rod iron element having two portions with smaller cross section, one in proximity to each end. In practice, in two consecutive positions near the end of the slat, the circular cross section of the slat has a smaller diameter or is without two opposing circular segments.

When the end of said slat is housed in the holes in the diverging ends of the "V" shape of the modular element, said portions of the slat with smaller cross section come to be at the level of the vertical seats provided in the diverging ends of the "V" shape of the modular element.

Each coupling element between a modular element and a slat is constituted by an element in the generic shape of an overturned "U", with the ends facing downwards and the connection curve facing upwards. ++++

Said coupling element is such that it can be accommodated in one of the vertical seats of the modular element.

In particular, the distance between the internal surfaces of the two parallel sections of the overturned "U" shape of the coupling element is equal to or slighlty longer than the width of the portions with reduced cross section of the metal slat.

There are projections, step-shaped portions, seats on the ends or near the ends of the parallel sections of the overturned "U" shape of the coupling element and on the corresponding positions in the vertical seats of the modular element.

The connection between slat and modular element is performed through the application of two coupling elements:

- two modular elements are coupled so that the end of the "V" shape of a first modular element is housed between the diverging ends of a second modular element;

- the end of a slat is inserted in the holes provided in the diverging ends of the second modular element and in the slotted hole in the vertex of the first modular element coupled therewith;

- the end of the slat is positioned so that its portions with reduced cross section come to be positioned at the level of the vertical seats of the second modular element;

a coupling element is inserted in each vertical seat of the second modular element, so that the parallel sections of the overturned "U" shape pass on the two opposite sides of the portion with reduced cross section of the slat.

In this position and with this composition, the situation is the following:

- the projections, step-portions, seats on the parallel sections of the overturned "U" shape of the coupling element and the corresponding positions in the vertical seat of the modular element prevent said coupling elements from coming off the seat in the modular element;

- the lateral walls of the parallel sections of the overturned "U" shape of the coupling element prevent the passage of the portions with whole section of the slat and consequently the translation of the slat in the holes of the second modular element;

- the slat section included between the diverging ends of the second modular element, accommodated in the slotted hole in the vertex of the first modular element, drives said first modular element.

Following the sequence of manoeuvres described above, it is possible to assemble all the slats and modular elements of the conveyor belt in a quick and simple manner. If it is necessary to replace a slat or a modular element, it is sufficient to extract the corresponding coupling elements, acting on the ends of the parallel sections of the coupling element, for example with a blade screwdriver, to withdraw the slats and disconnect the modular elements, and then to proceed following the reverse sequence and assemble the new slats and/or modular elements and/or coupling elements.

According to the invention, it is possible to use a second type of coupling elements suited to support the additional slats.

Each second type of coupling element substantially comprises an additional portion suited to rest on and at the side of the end of the "V" shape of the modular element. Said additional portion is provided with a hole that is orthogonal to the parallel sections of the "U" shape of the coupling element.

In particular, when said coupling element is applied to a modular element, said hole of said additional portion has its axis parallel and substantially coplanar with the axes of the holes of the diverging ends of the "V" shape of the modular element.

Said coupling elements with additional portion are fitted into the seats provided in the modular elements and facing towards the centre of the conveyor belt.

An additional slat is accommodated in said holes in the additional portions of said coupling elements, so that, when said coupling elements are fitted into the seats in the modular elements, the additional slat held by the additional portions of the coupling elements is parallel to the slat housed in the holes provided in the ends of the "V" shape of the modular element.

During the sliding movement of the conveyor belt, both in the rectilinear and in the curved sections, each additional slat remains parallel to and at the same distance from the slat housed in the ends of the "V" shape of the modular element.

The use of said coupling elements with additional portion and of said additional slats makes it possible to transport small and soft objects that require additional support. The characteristics of the new conveyor belt with slats and chains will be highlighted in greater detail in the following description with reference to the attached tables, which are enclosed by way of non-limiting example.

Figures la, lb, lc respectively show an axonometric view of a section, a detail and a horizontal cross section of the conveyor belt.

The new conveyor belt comprises slats (T), lateral modular elements (M) and coupling elements (A) that are described below.

Figures 2a, 2b, 2c show three views of a modular element (M) having a generically V-shaped cross section in plan view. On each one of the two diverging ends (M2) of said "V" shape there is a horizontal hole (M4) oriented towards the opposite diverging end (M2) and suited to accommodate a slat (T) passing through both of said holes (M4).

On the vertex (Ml) of the "V" shape of the modular element there is a slotted hole (M3) with horizontal axis parallel to the common axis of said two holes (M4) of the diverging ends (M2) and slotted in the direction between vertex (Ml) and diverging ends (M2).

Said slotted hole (M3) is such that it accommodates a slat (T).

The seat (M5) between the diverging ends (M2) of said "V" shape of the modular element (M) is such that it accommodates the vertex (Ml) of the "V" shape of an identical modular element (M).

On each diverging end (M2) of said "V" shape there are, furthermore, two vertical seats (M6) that are orthogonal to the common axis passing through the holes (M4) in the ends (M2) of the "V" shape itself.

Each vertical seat (M6) intersects the horizontal hole (M4) on the diverging end (M2). Figure 5 shows a detailed view of a vertical cross section of a vertical seat (M6) of a modular element (M), in which it is possible to notice the projections (M61) present on the internal walls of said vertical seat (M6).

Said projections (M61) present on the internal walls of the vertical seat (M6) are suited to lock the coupling element (A).

The modular element (M) is also provided with:

a lateral projection or tooth (Ml) on one side for connection with the members that transmit the belt' s advance motion;

- upper walls (M8) suited to contain and guide the transported material;

a genetically L-shaped lower projection (M9) that serves as coupling and guide element of the conveyor belt on the sliding rails (R).

Each slat (T), shown in Figure 3, is formed by a rod iron having, in proximity to each end (Tl), two portions (T2) with smaller cross section.

In this example, in two consecutive positions in proximity to the end (Tl) of the slat (T), the circular cross section of the slat (T) is without two opposing circular segments.

The coupling element (A), shown in Figures 4a and 4b, is constituted by an element in the generic shape of an overturned "U", with the ends (A2) facing downwards and the connection curve (Al) facing upwards.

Said coupling element (A) is such as to be accommodated in one of the vertical seats (M6) of the modular element (M).

In particular, the distance between the internal surfaces (A31) of the two parallel sections (A3) of the overturned "U" shape is equal or slightly larger than the width of the portions with reduced cross section (T2) of the metal slat (T).

On the external surfaces (A32) of the two parallel sections (A3) of the "U" shape there are step-shaped portions or seats (A33), corresponding to the projections (M61) present on the internal walls of each vertical seat (M6) of each modular element (M), so as to lock the coupling element (A) in the modular element (M).

Figure 5 shows, in cross section, the locking action between the modular element

(M), the slat (T) and coupling element (A):

- the step-shaped portions or seats (A33) on the parallel sections (A3) of the coupling element (A) and the corresponding projections (M61) of the vertical seat (M6) of the modular element (M) prevent said coupling element (A) from coming off said seat (M6);

- the parallel sections (A3) of the overturned "U" shape of the coupling element (A) run around the portion with reduced cross section (T2) of the slat (T) and prevent the passage of the portions with full cross section of the slat (T); consequantly, the translation of the slat (T) in the holes (M4) of the modular element (M). Figures 6a and 6b show a second example of embodiment of a coupling element (Α') having an additional portion (A'4) suited to rest on and beside the end (M2) of the "V" shape of the modular element (M).

Said additional portion (A4) has a hole (A'41) orthogonal to the parallel sections (A3) of the "U" shape of the coupling element (A, A).

In particular, when said coupling element (Α') is applied to a modular element (M), said hole (A'41) of said additional portion (A'4) has its axis parallel to and substantially coplanar with the axes of the holes (M4) provided in the diverging ends (M2) of the modular element (M).

Said coupling elements (A) with additional portion (A'4) are inserted in the seats (M6) of the modular elements (M) facing towards the center of the conveyor belt. An additional slat (Τ') is accommodated in said holes (A'41) of the additional portions (A'4) of said coupling elements (A) so that, when said coupling elements (A) are fitted into the seats (M4) provided in the modular elements (M), the additional slat (Τ') held by said additional portions (A'4) is parallel to the slat (T) housed in the holes (M4) made in the ends (M2) of the modular element (M).

Therefore, with reference to the above description and the attached table, the following claims are expressed.

Claims

1. Conveyor belt with slats and side chains, comprising slats (T, T') and lateral modular elements (M), wherein each modular element (M) is substantially V-shaped with holes or seats (M3, M4) at the level of the vertex (Ml) and of the diverging ends (M2) so as to accommodate the ends of the slats (T, T'), and wherein the seat (M5) between the diverging ends (M2) of each modular element (M) is such as to house the vertex (Ml) of an identical modular element (M), characterized in that:

each slat (T) is provided, in proximity to each end (Tl), with a portion (T2) having a smaller cross section,

each modular element (M) is provided, on at least one diverging end (M2), with a vertical seat (M6) intersecting the horizontal hole (M4) in the diverging end (M2) at the level of the portion (T2) with smaller cross section of the end of the slat (T) inserted in said horizontal hole (M4) on said diverging end (M2);

and wherein said slat (T) is constrained to said modular element (M) by a coupling element (A) having the generic shape of an overturned "U" and suited to be housed in said vertical seat (M6) of the modular element (M) and to the sides of the portion of said slat (T) housed in the hole (M4) provided in the diverging end (M2), and wherein the distance between the internal surfaces (A31) of the two parallel sections (A3) of said coupling element (A) is equal to or slightly larger than the width of the portions with reduced cross section (T2) of the metal slat (T).

2. Conveyor belt with slats and side chains according to claim 1, characterized in that each vertical seat (M6) of said modular element (M) and each parallel section (A3) of the "U" shape of each coupling element are provided with projections, step- shaped portions (M61, A33) suited to lock said coupling element (A) in the seat (M6) of said modular element (M).

3. Conveyor belt with slats and side chains according to the preceding claims, characterized in that each modular element (M) comprises a lateral projection or tooth (M7) on one side for connection with the members that transmit the advance motion of the belt.

4. Conveyor belt with slats and side chains according to claims 1, 2, characterized in that each modular element (M) comprises upper walls (M8) suited to contain and guide the transported material.

5. Conveyor belt with slats and side chains according to claims 1, 2, characterized in that each modular element (M) comprises at least one generically L-shaped lower projection (M9) suited to serve as coupling and guide of the conveyor belt on the sliding rails (R).

6. Conveyor belt with slats and side chains according to claims 1, 2, characterized in that each coupling element (Α'), suited to be inserted in the seats (M6) of the modular elements (M) facing towards the center of the conveyor belt comprises an additional portion (A'4) suited to rest on and beside the end (M2) of the "V" shape of the modular element (M), and wherein said additional portion (A'4) is suited to hold and transport an additional slat (T) arranged parallel to the slat (T) held and transported by the modular element (M).