CN100503025C - Positioning device for mixing tank in shelf cabinet and cabinet equipped with such device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for positioning a mixing tank (1) arranged in a cabinet closed by a lid (2) through which passes a shaft (3) equipped with an agitator, the cabinet comprising at least one driving motor means integral with a shelf (14) driving at least one rotary drive body (5), the rotary drive body (5) being embodied to cooperate with a driven rotary body (4) supported by that portion of the shaft (3) of the mixing tank (1) extending above the lid (2), the drive body (5) and the driven body (4) engaging to form an automatic driving head for driving the mixing shaft (3) of the mixing tank (1), said device comprising a fork with parallel branches. Said device is characterized in that the active part (6) of the branch, which extends substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the automatic head in the working position of the device, comprises an axial stop, which is implemented to come into contact with the periphery of the lid (2) when the can (1) is positioned in the cupboard, said branch forming an isosceles triangle with the axis of rotation of the head being separated by a distance to create an insertion space for the arched part of the lid (2), thus simultaneously forming a guide and centering stop for the lid (2).

Description

Positioning device for mixing tanks in a shelving cabinet and cabinet equipped with such a device

technical field

This device relates to a device for positioning a mixing tank in a cabinet with shelves, which is closed by a lid through which a shaft equipped with a stirring device protrudes, and a cabinet equipped with such a device, the cabinet comprising a combination with a shelf Integral at least one drive motor means for moving at least one rotary coupling element, called drive means, arranged to cooperate with another rotary coupling element, called driven means, which is formed by a protruding That part of the shaft of the mixing tank above the cover of the tank is supported so that during positioning of the tank in installation, the drive coupling element and the driven coupling element are detachably engaged to form an automatic head for driving the mixing tank The stirring shaft rotates.

Background technique

Such cabinets are commonly used by vehicle designers in the automotive field. These cabinets consist of stacked shelves and under the cabinets are provided a palette type drive head which cooperates with a pin mounted on the lid of each jar whereby said head drives through the lid shaft and support the mixing blades or other elements.

In order to center and prevent the cans from rotating on the rack, for example according to patent EP-B-0409715, fixed or movable protruding pins are provided, which are used to clamp the base of the cans in place. These protruding pins are often aggressive and can cause damage to the tank, especially when the tank is made of synthetic material.

A pin or other means of locking the tank, which is part of the rack, also has the disadvantage of hampering the cleaning of the rack. In addition, openings made in the shelves for feeding or mounting pins ensure that paint can flow from one shelf to the next if the can leaks.

Patent EP-B-0778080 describes a solution for positioning tanks, which makes it possible to use smooth shelves without any special elements being arranged on these shelves. To hold the jars in place on the shelf, the patent describes a blender head consisting of molded parts, the body of which is roughly shaped as a gooseneck elbow ending in a clamp that is open to the The shape of the collar and made in one piece or joined. The clamp is made elastic and extends over an angular opening slightly greater than 180°. The fixture is designed to cooperate with the circular plate of the stirring shaft equipped with a cover. The circular plate is equipped with a centering ring whose diameter is substantially equal to the diameter held free by the clamp. Thus, during the positioning of a canister equipped with a lid on a shelf, the increasing thrust exerted on the canister allows the ring to penetrate inside the clamp. A clip cooperating with the nozzle of the canister prevents the canister assembly from rotating when the canister is mounted, under the action of a palette cooperating with a pin to limit the rotation of the canister within a defined range of angles. The clip is mounted to pivot freely so that in the working position its branches do not extend parallel to the axis of rotation of the stirring shaft, but at an angle to the axis of rotation of the stirring shaft. Furthermore, these branches do not constitute an axial stop that would prevent further movement of the canister, which could be produced during the application of an additional thrust to the canister during the positioning of the canister in contact with the branch supports in the working position on the shelf. sports. This solution, although it can eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantages of protruding pins, is complex to implement, since it requires pre-equipping each shelf with elastic clamps to improve the stirring shaft of the cover, so that the clamping device is compatible with the circular plate supported by the stirring shaft. ring collaboration. This solution also requires an additional part consisting of a clip to prevent rotation of the tank. In summary, to guide, center and prevent the tank from rotating, two components, namely the clamp and the clamp, are necessary. On the contrary, this solution offers the advantage of being able to fit several heights and diameters of cans and lids, but it is not suitable for lids whose shafts are not equipped with a plate-ring assembly. Similar remarks apply to German patent DE19954446.

Contents of the invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device for positioning a mixing tank closed by a lid, which device is designed so that it can be used in cabinets with smooth shelves, whereby the device can accommodate any height and diameter cans and can fit lids of different diameters.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a positioning device so designed that it can be adapted to any type of cover without having to attach a part to said cover.

Another object of the invention is to limit the number of parts cooperating with the positioning and support of the box-lid assembly, thereby reducing production costs.

To this end, the invention has as its object a device for positioning a mixing tank in a cabinet with shelves, closed by a lid through which a shaft equipped with a stirring device protrudes, the cabinet comprising a plate integral with at least one drive motor means for moving at least one rotational coupling element called drive means arranged to cooperate with a further rotational coupling element known as driven means, driven by a protruding That part of the shaft of the mixing tank above the lid of the tank is supported so that during positioning of the tank in the cabinet, the drive coupling element and the driven coupling element are detachably engaged to form an automatic head for driving the mixing tank The stirring shaft rotates, whereby the device consists of a fork with branches arranged in parallel, characterized in that the so-called movable part of the branch extending substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the automatic head in the working position of the device constitutes an axial stop The axial stop is designed to come into supporting contact with the periphery of the lid of the mixing tank during the positioning of the tank in the cabinet, so that the branches forming an isosceles triangle with the axis of rotation of the head are separated by a distance from each other, which The distance can create space for inserting the arcuate portion of the cover, thus simultaneously forming a guiding and centering stop for the cover.

The simplification of the assembly results due to the design of this device, which ensures, by means of the same fork, centering, guiding and preventing rotation of the mixing tank equipped with its cover. This design makes it unnecessary to use the height of the assembly formed by the jar and lid. The design also allows it to fit several diameters of lids by simple repositioning of the unit under the shelf. Finally, the agitation shaft and drive head no longer have to be equipped with additional molded parts.

Description of drawings

By reading the description of the following embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the present invention will be fully understood, in the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 shows a side view of the mixing tank drive head assembly in the working position of the positioning device;

Figure 2 shows a perspective bottom view of a shelf equipped with a positioning device according to the invention when the positioning device is in the working position;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the drive means together with the positioning means when the shelf is removed;

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the drive means together with the positioning device as shown in Fig. 3 in a storage position and/or a position for transporting the positioning device, and

Figure 5 shows a bottom view of a shelf equipped with a positioning device according to the invention.

Detailed ways

As mentioned above, the device according to the object of the present invention will make it possible to position a mixing tank 1 inside a cabinet with shelves, closed by a lid 2 through which a shaft 3 equipped with stirring means protrudes. The cabinet comprises integral with the shelf 14 at least one motor means, such as a pulley, for moving at least one rotationally coupled element, called drive means 5, arranged to communicate with another, called driven means 4. Cooperating with the rotary coupling elements, the follower 4 is supported by that part of the shaft 3 of the mixing tank 1 that protrudes above the lid 2 of the tank. During positioning of the tank 1 in installation, the drive coupling element 5 and the driven coupling element 4 are detachably engaged to form an automatic head for driving the stirring shaft 3 of the mixing tank 1 about an axis of rotation passing through the drive element 5 axis rotation. In the example shown, the drive element 5 is in the shape of a rotating palette, while the driven element 4 consists of a rotating fork.

The positioning device basically consists of a fork with branches arranged in parallel. The so-called active part 6 of the branch of this fork extends and remains substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the automatic head in the working position of the positioning device. These so-called active parts of the branches constitute axial stops designed to come into supporting contact with the periphery of the lid of the mixing tank 1 during positioning of the tank 1 in the cabinet. This stopper positioning can be seen more particularly in FIGS. 1 and 5 . These branches form an isosceles triangle with the axis of rotation of the self-driving head, as shown in Figure 5.

They are separated from each other by a distance so as to create a space 7 for the insertion of the arcuate part of the cover 2 and thus simultaneously form a guiding and centering stop for this cover 2 . The length of each of the two sides of equal length of the isosceles triangle is approximately equal to the radius of the cover with the stirring shaft at the center of the cover. As shown in Figure 5, the same positioning device designed with covers of different diameters can fit the same shelf. The design is the same, only the positioning of the device on the bottom of the shelf changes based on the diameter of the lid. Thus, the installation of this assembly (lid-jar) in the cabinet becomes very easy, since it is sufficient to axially introduce the lid supported by the retaining handle 16 into the remaining space 7 between the drive element 5 and the lower shelf , until it reaches a stop position between the movable parts 6 of the branches of the device extending parallel to the axis of rotation of the head.

Under this axial thrust, in order that said branch can be held in the working position, the branch of the fork is extended at its upper end in order to be connected to the shelf 14 by means of a segment 8 substantially perpendicular to the branch for said device Activities Part 6. At least part of this segment 8 constitutes a support stop against the bottom of the shelf to limit the angular displacement of the movable part 6 of said branch under said thrust force, which is used for introducing the tank into the space 7 between the branches. produced by the insertion.

The upper end of the branch intended to be connected to the shelf 14 also has a segment 9 forming the axis of rotation, which is designed to be housed in a bearing 10 for connection under the shelf 14 so that the branch can be rotated as shown in FIG. Angular displacement is performed between the operative position and the inoperative or transport position shown in Figure 4, in which the branch extends substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the agitating head and is held in this position so that when the tank is positioned on the shelf And form a stopper after forming support contact with the branch in the working position. In this transport position freeing the space between the drive element 5 and the shelf immediately below, the active part 6 of the branch extends substantially parallel to the bottom of the shelf supporting the positioning means.

In all configurations shown, the branches are made of wire. This results in a simplification of the design. However, in order to avoid any untimely deformation of the device, a bridge 11 can be provided between the upper ends of the branches, which forms a support stop against the bottom of the shelf 14 and prevents warping of said branches. The bridge 11 can be seen in more detail in FIG. 4 .

In the solution shown in FIG. 2 , the connecting bridges 12 holding the movable parts 6 of the branches parallel to each other are arranged between the lower ends of the branches, especially under the action of a thrust generated by introducing the tank 1 into the space 7 for insertion between the branches .

The prongs also prevent rotation of the assembly formed by the can and lid beyond a predetermined angular range. For this purpose, the cover 2 comprises on its arcuate portion designed to be inserted into the space 7 between the branches of the device, which radial projection is preferably formed by the cover 2 and its handle 16 The opposite nozzle 13 is formed. This protrusion cooperates with the branch of the device to form a stop preventing the mixing tank 1 from rotating. Thus, the fork acts as a centering element axial stop and an anti-rotation stop.

In order to achieve the positioning of cans with different lid diameters in the cabinet using the same device, said device can be connected in at least two places in the shelf 14 detachably coupled to said shelf 14, to change at will The dimensions of the isosceles triangle formed between the branches of the device and the axis of the drive head in the rotation of the agitation shaft. Thus, the shelf 14 includes at least two positions for housing the device, the choice of each housing being based on the size of the lid of the jar or box to be placed in the cabinet.

In the example shown, the driving element 5 in the shape of a rotating palette cooperates with the movable part 6 constituting the fork of the driven element 4 and is equipped with a substantially V-shaped centering guide 15 to ensure that the driving element 5 and Alignment between driven elements 4. In fact, the fork ensures the pre-positioning of the cover equipped with the driven element 4 , the final positioning being guaranteed by the cooperation of the driving element 5 and the driven element 4 due to the presence of the centering guide 15 on the driving element 5 . A torque limiter which at least temporarily interrupts the connection between the drive motor arrangement and the agitation shaft of the mixing tank can also be provided in a manner known in the prior art in connection with the connection between the drive element 5 and the driven element 4 in the area. This torque limiter can consist of a slot made at the centering guide 15 . When a torque exceeding a predetermined value is applied, the slit widens for the passage of the pin of the driven element 4 .

Claims (11)

1. be used in having the cabinet of shelf, locating the device of blending tank (1), this blending tank is closed by lid (2), be equipped with the shaft (3) of agitating device outstanding by this lid, this cabinet comprises and at least one CD-ROM drive motor device of shelf (14) all-in-one-piece, be used for moving at least one and be called the rotation linkage element of driving element (5), this driving element is arranged the other rotation linkage element that is used for being called drive element (4) and cooperates, drive element is by that part of support of the shaft (3) of this blending tank (1) of the top of giving prominence to the lid (2) at this blending tank, thereby in this cabinet, locate during this blending tank (1), driving element (5) and drive element (4) engage in separable mode, to form shaft (3) rotation that automatic head is used for driving described blending tank (1), therefore the device of described location blending tank is made up of the fork with the branch that is arranged in parallel, be characterised in that, the movable part (6) that is parallel to this branch that the rotation of described automatic head extends in the operating position of the device of this location blending tank constitutes the axial retention device, this axial retention device is designed in this cabinet during this blending tank of location (1) to form to support with the periphery of the lid (2) of this blending tank (1) contact, therefore, these branches that form isosceles triangle with the rotation of described head are separated from each other out a segment distance, this segment distance can produce the space (7) of the arcuate section that is used for inserting described lid (2), thereby is formed for the guiding and the centering retainer of this lid (2) simultaneously.

2. according to the device that is used in having the cabinet of shelf the location blending tank of claim 1, the branch of wherein said fork extends in the top, so that be connected to described shelf (14) by section (8), this section (8) is perpendicular to the movable part (6) of the branch of the device of described location blending tank, at least a portion of this section (8) constitutes the support retainer of the bottom that leans against this shelf, with the angular displacement of the movable part (6) that is limited in the described branch under the thrust, by with described jar introduce described space (7) thus produce this thrust so that between branch, insert.

3. according to the device that is used in having the cabinet of shelf the location blending tank of claim 2, wherein be used for being connected to the upper end section of having (9) of the described branch of described shelf (14), this section (9) forms rotation and is designed to be contained in the bearing (10), be used for connecting in the below of described shelf (14), make this branch can be in the operating position and do not work or transporting position between carry out angular displacement.

4. according to each the device that is used in having the cabinet of shelf the location blending tank in claim 2 and 3, wherein form the support retainer of the bottom that leans against described shelf (14) and prevent that the connection bridge (11) of the warpage of described branch can be arranged between the upper end of this branch.

5. according to each the device that is used in having the cabinet of shelf the location blending tank in the claim 1 to 3, wherein, particularly the connection bridge (12) that is parallel to each other at the movable part (6) that keeps described branch under the effect of thrust is arranged between the lower end of this branch, by with described jar introduce described space (7) thus produce this thrust so that between branch, insert.

6. according to each the device that is used in having the cabinet of shelf the location blending tank in the claim 1 to 3, wherein said branch is made by wire rod.

7. according to each the device that is used in having the cabinet of shelf the location blending tank in the claim 1 to 3, wherein said driving element (5) is the shape of rotating palette, this driving element is cooperated with the pin of the fork that constitutes described drive element (4), this palette is equipped with the roughly centering pilot spare of V-arrangement (15) thus, to guarantee the alignment between driving element (5) and the drive element (4).

8. according to each the device that is used in having the cabinet of shelf the location blending tank in the claim 1 to 3, wherein said lid (2) is used for inserting in its design on the arcuate section in the space (7) between the branch of device of this location blending tank and comprises and the relative radial protrusion of its handle (16), therefore should projection cooperate with each branch of the device of described location blending tank, the retainer that forms described blending tank (1) is to prevent its rotation.

9. according to each the device that is used in having the cabinet of shelf the location blending tank in the claim 1 to 3, the device that wherein can be fixed on the described location blending tank at least two positions on the described shelf (14) is attached to described shelf (14) in separable mode, so that change the size of described isosceles triangle arbitrarily, the branch and being used for that this isoceles triangle shape is formed at the device of described location blending tank drives between the axis of described head of described shaft rotation.

10. the device that is used in having the cabinet of shelf the location blending tank according to Claim 8, wherein said radial protrusion is made of the nozzle (13) of described lid (2).

11. cabinet with shelf, be used for holding blending tank (1), this blending tank is closed by lid (2), be equipped with the shaft (3) of agitating device outstanding by this lid, this cabinet comprises and at least one CD-ROM drive motor device of at least one shelf (14) all-in-one-piece on the one hand thus, be used for moving at least one and be called the rotation linkage element of driving element (5), this driving element is arranged the other rotation linkage element that is used for being called drive element (4) and cooperates, this drive element is by that part of support of giving prominence at the shaft (3) of this blending tank (1) of the top of described jar lid (2), thereby in this cabinet, locate during this jar (1), this driving element (5) and this drive element (4) engage in separable mode, to form shaft (3) rotation that automatic head is used for driving this blending tank (1), at least one positioner that comprises blending tank (1) on the other hand, wherein the device of each described location blending tank is consistent in the positioner of this blending tank (1) and the claim 1 to 10.

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