Abstract:
A processing element for processing a profile-shaped or flat metallic workpiece, wherein the processing element is designed such that a plurality of similar processing elements can be arranged one behind the other on a supporting device in the longitudinal direction of the supporting device, wherein the supporting device can be driven in a circulating manner and the plurality of processing elements can be guided past the workpiece for surface processing at least approximately linearly by means of the supporting device. A rectangular or block-shaped main body having bearing surfaces for bearing on the supporting device is provided, and oblong ribs protruding outward in a web-like manner are provided on the main body on opposite flat longitudinal sides and overlap the corresponding opposite flat longitudinal sides of the main body on an identically embodied processing element, which is arranged between the ribs.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/EP2015/074941 filed Oct. 28, 2015, which designated the United States, and claims the benefit under 35 USC §119(a)-(d) of German Application No. 10 2014 115 778.8 filed Oct. 30, 2014, the entireties of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a processing element for processing a profile-shaped or flat metallic workpiece and a wall-shaped supporting device having a plurality of processing elements mounted thereupon. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Grinding blocks having a main body which has a framed receiving region with a recess for receiving a multiplicity of abrasive paper strips stood therein are known from the prior art. The main body has, on the bearing side, a groove-shaped indentation which fits together with a ridge on a supporting strip so that, in a mounted state, i.e. in a state in which the grinding block is screwed on, for example, a rotation of the grinding block as a workpiece is being processed is avoided by means of a form fit between the groove-shaped indentation on the underside of the grinding block and the matching ridge on the supporting strip, when the processing strip with a multiplicity of grinding blocks mounted thereupon is moved transversely to a workpiece. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The object of the present invention is to design a supporting strip with processing elements more simply. 
         [0005]    The present invention proceeds from a processing element for processing a profile-shaped or flat metallic workpiece, wherein the processing element is designed such that a plurality of similar processing elements are arranged one behind the other on a supporting device in the longitudinal direction of the supporting device, wherein the supporting device can be driven in a circulating manner and the plurality of processing elements can be guided past the workpiece for surface processing at least approximately linearly by means of the supporting device, wherein the processing element has two protruding engagement portions on the front side and receiving portions formed on the rear side, and wherein the engagement portions and the receiving portions cooperate in the mounted state of the processing element on the supporting device such that the engagement portions of one processing element come into contact with the receiving portions of a next processing element on the supporting device, so that a rotation of the processing elements transversely to the longitudinal direction of the supporting device is prevented, characterized in that a rectangular or block-shaped main body having a bearing surface for bearing on the supporting device is provided, and in that oblong ribs protruding outward in a web-like manner are provided on the main body on opposite flat longitudinal sides and overlap the corresponding opposite, in particular, parallel longitudinal sides of the main body on an identically embodied processing element, which is arranged between the ribs. 
         [0006]    As a result of this measure, a fork arrangement is formed by the ribs on the longitudinal sides of a main body and cooperates in a matching manner with the longitudinal faces of a main body of an identical processing element slid between the ribs in order to provide an anti-twist mechanism. As a result of the “fork creation”, the processing elements can tilt relative to one another on a supporting device driven in a circulating manner, for example, on a circulating belt as it bends, for example, around a driving roller, but can still remain in contact with the longitudinal sides of an adjacently mounted processing element due to the predefined protruding ribs. 
         [0007]    In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the main body comprises a preferably framed receiving region with a recess for receiving a plurality of grinding means arranged upright therein. Grinding means, for example, include abrasive paper strips which are arranged in the receiving region stacked above a suitable intermediate layer such that the abrasive paper front sides of the strips point in the processing direction. Other types of abrasive oblong grinding elements are also conceivable, such as brush elements or the like. 
         [0008]    It is also preferred when the receiving region of the processing element has a single continuous recess. For example, upright oblong grinding means can be poured into a recess of this type. 
         [0009]    In an embodiment of the present invention that is more preferred, a laterally protruding receiving body with receiving region is provided on the main body. The receiving body is preferably formed in one piece with the main body. This has the advantage that the ribs on the main body can be accommodated laterally within a projected face of the receiving body when viewing the receiving body in plan view. The ribs then protrude to the front only on the front side so as to be able to cooperate with the identically shaped main body of a processing element arranged in front. 
         [0010]    It is additionally preferred when the ribs protrude to the front with a predefined overhang beyond a front side of the main body in a direction parallel to the bearing surface. 
         [0011]    The overhang should be dimensioned such that there is also still contact with an identical processing element mounted in front of the front side when the processing elements mounted on a supporting device are guided around a deflection roller or driving roller, wherein the processing elements tilt relative to one another as a result of the bending of the supporting device, for example, a supporting belt. 
         [0012]    In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the overhang is greater than 25% of the length of the main body. The overhang is preferably less than 30% of the length of the main body. 
         [0013]    It is additionally advantageous when the ribs are omitted in a rear portion of the main body relative to a front side with protruding ribs, so that the ribs of a processing element arranged identically therebehind can receive the main body between them. This means that an overhang of the ribs should, in particular, be matched to a free region in the rear region of a main body so that protruding ribs and ribs starting on another main body cannot interfere with one another in any position of the processing elements. 
         [0014]    In an additionally preferred embodiment of the present invention the ribs protrude on the front side substantially to an extent exactly the same as that to which ribs are not provided in the rear portion of the longitudinal side, such that, with processing elements arranged one behind the other and as a result of adjacently arranged processing elements, the ribs have only approximately a gap equal to the distance at which the processing elements are mounted from one another. 
         [0015]    In order to obtain an optimized cooperation of processing elements mounted adjacently, it is preferred when the ribs are formed in a supplementary manner on the processing elements substantially without gaps, continuously in the longitudinal extent. 
         [0016]    In order to obtain an advantageous cooperation of adjacently arranged processing elements, it is additionally proposed for the shape of a front portion of the particular rib to be matched to the shape at the rear end of the rib. For example, the front ends of the ribs are rounded and match an accordingly concave shape at the end of the ribs. 
         [0017]    A multiplicity of processing elements with the grinding means arranged upright are preferably mounted on a strip-shaped support, for example, a plastic belt, which can be used in a corresponding processing machine as processing tool. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    A plurality of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are explained in the figures in greater detail with specification of further advantages and details. 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view obliquely from above of a processing belt having base supports of processing elements; 
           [0020]      FIGS. 2 a  to 2 e    show a base support according to  FIG. 1  in a perspective view ( FIG. 2 a   ), a plan view ( FIG. 2 b   ), a section along the line C-C in the plan view of  FIG. 2 b    ( FIG. 2 c   ), a side view ( FIG. 2 d   ), and a rear view ( FIG. 2 e   ); 
           [0021]      FIG. 2 f    shows a processing element in a perspective view; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  shows a further embodiment of a processing belt in a perspective view corresponding to  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b    show a base support from the processing belt according to  FIG. 3  in a plan view ( FIG. 4 a   ) and in a sectional view along the line of section A-A ( FIG. 4 b   ); 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  shows two base supports from the processing belt according to  FIG. 3  in a position assembled one behind the other in a plan view; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5 a    shows the marked detail A in an enlarged view; 
           [0026]      FIG. 5 b    shows the detail E marked in  FIG. 5 a    in an enlarged view; and 
           [0027]      FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b    show a processing element in a perspective view ( FIG. 6 a   ) and in an enlarged partial view of the detail B in  FIG. 6 a    ( FIG. 6 b   ). 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0028]    In  FIG. 1  a processing belt  1  with a supporting belt  2  and base supports  3  arranged thereupon for processing elements is illustrated, i.e. processing elements without grinding means fixed upright thereon, for example, abrasive sheets, which are each glued in place spaced apart from one another by one or more further layers. 
         [0029]    The supporting belt  2  is formed, for example, on the inner side  4  as a multi-V-ribbed belt, intended for a corresponding driving wheel. On an outer side  5 , there sit the base supports  3 , which are preferably screwed from the inner side. For this purpose, the threaded hole (for example, see  FIGS. 2 a  and 2 c   ) extending continuously from an underside  7  (see  FIG. 2 c   , for example) to an upper side  8  of the base support  3  is visible in a receiving region  6  of the base support  3 . 
         [0030]    The base support  3  comprises, as is visible, in particular, from  FIG. 2 , a main body  10 , which is block-shaped in the embodiment of the base support  3 . 
         [0031]    A receiving body  11  is arranged on the main body  3  protruding laterally beyond the main body  10 . A receiving region  12  having a recess  12   a  for receiving a plurality of grinding means (not illustrated) arranged upright therein is provided on the receiving body  11 . 
         [0032]    In order to ensure that the grinding means can be fixed in a predefined manner in the receiving region  12  of the receiving body  11 , the receiving region  12  has a circumferential frame  12   b  around the recess  12   a.    
         [0033]    The frame  12   b,  for example, comprises a plurality of vertically extending wall portions. 
         [0034]    Ribs  13 ,  14  are formed on the main body  10  and protrude via a predefined overhang of, for example, 10 to 30 mm beyond a front side  15  (see  FIG. 2 a   ) in a direction, in particular, parallel to the bearing surface  5  of the supporting belt  2 , based on a mounted state. 
         [0035]    The ribs  13 ,  14  are guided further over a part of flat longitudinal sides  17 ,  18 . 
         [0036]    However, the ribs  13 ,  14  are omitted in a rear portion  19 ,  20  (see  FIG. 2 b   , in particular) relative to the front side  15 . The ribs of a processing element or base support  3  arranged identically therebehind can thus receive the main body  10  between them. 
         [0037]    As can be seen, in particular, from  FIG. 1 , ribs  13 ,  14  protrude on the front side  15  substantially to an extent exactly the same as that to which the ribs  13 ,  14  are omitted in rear portions  19 ,  20 , such that, with base supports  3  arranged one behind the other, the ribs  13 ,  14  preferably have only a gap  11  equal to the distance, of dimension b, defined between the base supports  3  and adjacently arranged processing supports  3 . 
         [0038]    In this way, the possibilities of guidance by adjacently arranged base supports is utilized to the maximum. 
         [0039]    In  FIG. 2 f    a complete processing element  3   a  is illustrated. It comprises the base support  3  and a grinding arrangement  3   b.  The grinding arrangement  3   b  comprises a plurality of grinding sheet layers  3   c,  for example, seven layers each formed of a plurality of, for example, four grinding sheets  3   d.  An abrasive side  3   e  of the grinding sheets  3   d  points in each case in a direction, specifically a grinding direction  3   f,  which corresponds to the direction of movement of the supporting belt  2  with processing elements  3   a  mounted thereon. 
         [0040]    One or more grinding fleece layers, in the present case two grinding fleece layers  3   g,    3   h,  are arranged between the individual grinding sheet layers  3   c  and serve as protective layers for the grinding sheets  3   d.  Other types of supporting layers, which, for example, have a fleece character, are also conceivable. As also illustrated in  FIG. 2 f   , the grinding sheets  3   d  preferably protrude beyond the grinding fleece layers  3   g,    3   h.    
         [0041]    In order to achieve a high flexibility, the grinding fleece layers  3   g  and  3   h  are preferably formed by individual grinding fleece portions  3   i  separate from one another, such that a plurality of adjacently arranged grinding fleece portions  3   i  divided in a vertical direction form the grinding fleece layers  3   g  and  3   h.  The grinding fleece portions, as considered in a width direction  3   k,  preferably have the same division as the grinding sheets  3   d,  such that an individual grinding sheet  3   d  can yield upon contact with a workpiece that is to be ground, as a result of the grinding fleece portions  3   i  arranged therebehind being pressed together, without this compression being transmitted to adjacent grinding sheets of the grinding fleece portions  3   i.    
         [0042]    The grinding arrangement  3   b  formed of grinding sheet layers  3   c  and grinding fleece layers  3   g,    3   h  are glued, for example, in the receiving region  12  of the receiving body  12 . 
         [0043]    A further embodiment of a processing belt  21  is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The supporting belt  2  corresponds to that from  FIG. 1 . The base supports  22  differ, however, from the base supports  3 . In this embodiment a receiving region  24  having a recess  24   a  is provided directly on a main body  23 . The base of the recess  24   a  has a multiplicity of indentations  24   b,    24   c,    24   d  and  24   e.    
         [0044]    The indentations can be used, for example, to provide an improved hold for adhesives or casting materials with which grinding means are fixed in the recess  24   a.    
         [0045]    The main body  23  also has a threaded hole  9  in order to enable the mounting of the base support  22  with grinding means on the supporting belt  2  on a bearing surface  16 . 
         [0046]    The base supports  3 ,  22  preferably sit directly on the bearing surface  16  of the supporting belt in the fixed state. 
         [0047]    Since they have a central fastening via the threaded hole  9 , they can be removed from the bearing surface  16  in the event of a bending of the supporting belt  2 , in particular, in the region of a driving wheel (not illustrated), such that the supporting belt  2  can continue to run in a manner uninfluenced by the rigid base supports  3 ,  22 , even in the curved regions. 
         [0048]    The base supports  22  have ribs  27 ,  28  on longitudinal sides  25 ,  26 , which ribs protrude beyond a front side  29  with an overhang of, for example, 10 to 30 mm, and in the present case 20 mm. The distances  1  between the ribs (see  FIG. 5 ) correspond substantially to the distances b between the main bodies  23 . 
         [0049]    The ribs  27 ,  28  have, in their front portion  27   a  or  28   a,  a shape which is matched to the shape at the rear end  27   b  or  28   b  of the rib, such that the ribs  27 ,  28  of adjacent processing elements or base supports are arranged adjacently in a matching manner in the case of identical processing elements or base supports (see  FIG. 5 a   , in particular). 
         [0050]    A further detail can be seen in  FIGS. 5 a  and 5 b   . At the transition of the rib  28  on the front side  29  of the main body  23 , a bead-like material portion  30  is provided in order to enable an optimized flow of force in respect of applied forces, whereby the risk of a crack between the particular rib  27 ,  28  and the corresponding longitudinal side  25 ,  26  or the front side  29  is reduced. 
         [0051]      FIG. 6 a    shows a complete processing element  22   a  with a base support  22   b  which corresponds substantially to the base support  22 . Only the ribs  22   c  and a front side  22   d  are formed slightly differently. 
         [0052]    In particular, the front side  2   d  has a front wall  22   e  which is lower compared to a front side of the base support  22 . 
         [0053]    A plurality of grinding sheet layers  22   g  and a plurality of grinding fleece layers  22   h  are combined in a grinding arrangement  22   m  in a receiving region  22   f.    
         [0054]    As is the case with the processing element  3   a,  the grinding sheet layers  22   g  are composed of individual grinding sheets  22   i  and the grinding fleece layers  22   h  are composed of individual grinding fleece portions  22   k.  In the embodiment according to  FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b   , the division is such that two grinding sheets  22   i  sit in front of a grinding fleece portion  22   k  as considered in the processing direction  3   f.    
         [0055]    The grinding fleece portions  22   k  have approximately the same height as the grinding sheets  22   i,  but are provided with a chamfer  22   l  on one side. The grinding arrangement  22   m  is thus able to adapt better to workpieces that are to be processed, due to a greater mechanical flexibility of a front region  22   n  of the grinding arrangement  22   m.    
       LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS 
       [0000]    
       
           1  processing belt 
           2  supporting belt 
           3  base support 
           3   a  processing element 
           3   b  grinding arrangement 
           3   c  grinding sheet layer 
           3   d  grinding sheet 
           3   e  abrasive side 
           3   f  grinding direction 
           3   g  grinding fleece layer 
           3   h  grinding fleece layer 
           3   i  grinding fleece portion 
           3   k  width direction 
           4  inner side 
           5  outer side 
           6  receiving region 
           7  underside 
           8  upper side 
           9  threaded hole 
           10  main body 
           11  receiving body 
           12  receiving region 
           12   a  recess 
           12   b  frame 
           13  rib 
           14  rib 
           15  front side 
           16  bearing surface 
           17  longitudinal side 
           18  longitudinal side 
           19  portion 
           20  portion 
           21  processing belt 
           22  base support 
           22   a  processing element 
           22   b  base support 
           22   c  rib 
           22   d  front side 
           22   e  front wall 
           22   f  receiving region 
           22   g  grinding sheet layer 
           22   i  grinding sheet 
           22   k  grinding fleece portion 
           22   l  chamfer 
           22   m  grinding arrangement 
           23  main body 
           24  receiving region 
           24   a  recess 
           24   b  indentation 
           24   c  indentation 
           24   d  indentation 
           24   e  indentation 
           25  longitudinal side 
           26  longitudinal side 
           27  rib 
           27   a  front portion 
           27   b  rear side 
           28  rib 
           28   a  front portion 
           28   b  rear end 
           29  front side 
           30  bead-like material portion