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(11) | EP 1 736 722 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Device for controlling the tilting of a container |
| (57) A device for controlling the tilting of a container, comprising a fixed frame, a
mechanism having a shaft mechanically connected to a shaft or pin rigidly connected to the container, and with which the container rotates for tilting, has a first and a second mechanical check means, respectively for stopping the rotation of said shaft rigidly connected to the container both in the tilting direction and in the opposite direction, and a balance structure, rigidly connected to the mechanism and rotatable therewith, which structure in its turn comprises a right-angle structure and at least one pair of resilient loading members rigidly connected to the right-angle structure, and also an actuating tab, positioned between two microswitches, respectively for reversing and for stopping the rotation of the mechanism. |
Field of application
[0001] The invention relates to a device for controlling the tilting of a container usable in particular, but not exclusively, in machines for producing ice-cubes, and the following description is provided with reference to this field of application for the sole purpose of simplifying the exposition thereof.
Prior art
[0002] As is well known, there are machines for producing ice which use tilting containers used to contain water for producing ice and, temporarily, the ice produced; the container is rotated about a shaft by a suitable motor such that it passes from a limit position for loading with water and producing ice (horizontal position) to a tilting limit position for the discharging of the water and of the ice produced (inclined position); the control of the exact positioning of the container in the two limit positions is effected by a suitable tab, fixed on the shaft for rotation of the container, and which will intercept two limit-indicating switches.
[0003] Unfortunately, it may occur that the aforesaid tab, at the time of assembly of the machine, is not fixed in a position suitable for guaranteeing perfect functioning thereof; this results in an incorrect alignment of the container in the loading and tilting positions; manual intervention is therefore necessary to rectify the tab, for example with pliers, in order to allow the machine to work in the correct position.
[0004] Moreover, controlling the positioning of the container by means of a tab provides for the container, when tilting, to lock itself in the event that it meets an obstacle during its movement; this locking causes the stoppage of the machine, which can be set in motion again only by manual intervention to remove the obstacle.
[0005] The problems described result in not inconsiderable costs for ordinary or extraordinary maintenance, and also in costs for lost production in the event of complete inactivity of the machine.
[0006] It is an aim of the present invention to provide a device for controlling the tilting of a container having structural and functional characteristics such as to remedy the drawbacks described above, that is, guaranteeing correct rotation of the container and correct positioning of same in the limit positions, as well as the return of the container to a horizontal position, thus avoiding the stoppage of the machine in the event that, while descending, it meets obstacles in its path.
[0007] Another aim of the present invention is to guarantee greater safety for a user who might absent-mindedly place a hand in the vicinity of the moving container.
[0008] A further aim of the present invention is to provide a device that is easier to assemble than those used in the prior art.
Summary of the invention
[0009] The aims indicated above are achieved by a device for controlling the tilting of a container characterized in that it comprises a first mechanical check means, provided on a frame, for stopping the tilting rotation of the container, a second mechanical check means, fixed to the frame, for stopping the container in rotation in the opposite direction to that for tilting, a balance structure, rigidly connected to the mechanism, and rotatable therewith about the shaft, the balance structure further comprising a right-angle structure and at least one pair of resilient loading members fixed to the right-angle structure, each comprising a compression spring, the right-angle structure including an actuating tab positioned between a first microswitch for reversing the rotation of the mechanism and a second microswitch for blocking the rotation of the mechanism itself, as defined by the characterizing part of claim 1.
[0010] Therefore, when said mechanism is commanded to rotate for the tilting rotation of said container, said container rotates until it meets said first mechanical check means, and said right-angle structure, continuing the rotation with said mechanism, compresses the spring of a first of said resilient loading members until said tab actuates said first microswitch, reversing the rotation of said mechanism and bringing back said container into the normal position, until it meets said second mechanical check means. Also in this situation, the right-angle structure continues the reverse rotation with the mechanism and compresses the compression spring of the second of said resilient loading members, until said tab actuates said second microswitch for blocking said mechanism.
[0011] The features and advantages of the invention will become clear from the following description of an exemplary embodiment thereof, provided by way of nonlimiting example with reference to the appended drawings.
Brief description of the drawings
[0012]
Figures 1 and 2 show front views of a device for controlling the tilting of a container into respective loading and tilting positions, according to the present invention.
Figure 3 shows a perspective view of parts of the device for controlling the tilting of a container, according to the present invention.
Figure 4 shows a front view of a balance structure, according to the present invention.
[0013] The groups of figures 5a - 5c, 6a - 6c, 7a, 7b, 8a and 8b show details of the balance structure of Figure 4, according to the present invention.
Detailed description
[0014] With reference to said figures, Figure 1 shows a device 1 for controlling the tilting of a container 4, in particular in a limit position for loading (horizontal position), while Figure 2 shows the same device 1 in a tilting limit position (inclined position).
[0015] As is clear from both figures, the device 1 is seated on a support surface 20 which may belong to machinery for various uses, in particular for producing ice.
[0016] The device 1 comprises a mechanism 2, shown in Figure 3, connected by means of a shaft 7 to a container 4.
[0017] With reference to Figure 3, the mechanism 2 comprises a small electric motor 5 coupled to a geared motor 6; the electric motor 5 is, for example, of the type produced by Saia Burgess supplied at 230 V, 50 Hz frequency with an input capacity of 0.068µF. The rotatory motion of said motor 5 is transmitted to the geared motor 6; this also is produced, for example, by Saia Burgess.
[0018] Still with reference to Figure 3, a pin 8 permits the engagement between a rotation shaft 9, for the rotation of the container 4, and the geared motor 6, therefore linking the rotation of the container 4 to that of the shaft 7 of said geared motor.
[0019] The container 4, shown briefly in Figure 1 and in more detail in Figure 3, is sub-divided into two troughs 10 and 11; the first trough 10 has dimensions close to those of the entire container, is located adjacent to the rotation shaft 9 and is intended to receive water for producing ice; the second trough 11 is of smaller dimensions than the first, is located on the opposite side of the container 4 with respect to the rotation shaft 9 and receives the water discharged from the first at the moment when the container begins to tilt.
[0020] The device 1 for controlling the tilting of a container into the tilting limit position is shown in Figure 2, where the components in common with Figure 1 retain the same reference designations.
[0021] As will be noted, the container 4, in this phase, is locked in a downwardly inclined position with respect to the support surface 20, by means of a bend 12 provided on the same support surface.
[0022] Advantageously, according to the invention, the device 1 further comprises a balance structure 30, fixed on the support surface 20 and secured to the mechanism 2, in particular to the geared motor 6, for example by means of two through screws seated in the holes 21 and 22.
[0023] The balance structure 30 is shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and separately in greater detail in Figure 4, in which all the parts of which it is composed are numbered.
[0024] Advantageously, according to the invention, the balance structure 30 comprises a pair of resilient loading members 70, 71 comprising in their turn two threaded pins 31 and 32, having respective support bases 33 and 34, secured to the support surface 20 and onto which are slipped two springs 35 and 36. The threaded pins 31 and 32 and the respective springs are secured to a base 37 of a right-angle structure 38 by means of screws 45, 46, in particular hexagonal-headed screws, tightened onto special washers 39 and 40, such that the springs 35 and 36 remain interposed between the aforesaid base 37 and the bases 33 and 34 of the threaded pins.
[0025] The right-angle structure 38 further has a side 41 perpendicular to the base 37, in contact with the outer surface of the geared motor 6, on which there are seating holes 21 and 22 for the screws for fixing to the geared motor 6 itself and a further hole 42 in which sits the shaft 7 equipped with the through pin 8 which permits the engagement between the rotation shaft 9, of the container 4, and the geared motor 6.
[0026] A second side 43 forming part of the right-angle structure 38 is disposed partly perpendicular to the base 37 and to the side 41, and for the remainder diverges from the side 43 by a predetermined angle by means of a tab 44 which fits into a position interposed between two microswitches 51 and 52, shown in Figures 1 and 2, and which control the direction of rotation of the shaft of the mechanism 2 and consequently the rotation of the container 4 about the rotation shaft 9.
[0027] The right-angle structure 38 is shown in greater detail and separately in Figures 5a, 5b and 5c; in particular, Figure 5a shows a front view of the aforesaid structure, in which it will be noted that the seating holes 21 and 22 for the screws for fixing to the geared motor 6 and present on the side 41 perpendicular to the base 37, have been provided on an axis inclined with respect to the latter and, consequently, with respect to the support surface 20; this inclination mirrors the inclination of the longitudinal axis of the geared motor 6 with respect to that of the balance structure 30.
[0028] Figure 5c shows a view from above of the right-angle structure 38 in which can be seen holes 55 and 56 which will be occupied by the threaded pins 31 and 32.
[0030] The threaded pins 31 and 32 are shown in greater detail in Figures 6a - 6c; in particular, Figure 6a shows a front view of the pin, in which can be seen one of the two facetings 57, necessary for coupling to the right-angle structure 38.
[0031] Figure 6b shows a view from above of the pin and Figure 6c shows a view in section; in the latter can be seen a cavity 58 within the pin, parallel to the longitudinal axis, and which passes through the pin itself from the base 33 or 34 as far as the screws, in particular hexagonal-headed screws, 39 or 40.
[0032] Figures 7a and 7b show in greater detail the spring 33, respectively in top view and in front view.
[0033] Figures 8a and 8b show in greater detail the special washer 39 or 40, respectively in sectional view and in top view.
[0034] A description will now be given of the operation of the device for controlling the tilting of a container, according to the present invention.
[0035] The device 1 for controlling the tilting of a container 4 initially has the container 4 in a horizontal position parallel to the support surface 20, as shown in Figure 1.
[0036] The container 4 is maintained in the horizontal position by a flexion spring not shown in the drawings and by the absence of rotation of the small electric motor 5 and, therefore, of the shaft 7 of the geared motor 6, which determine the absence of rotation also of the shaft 9 of the container 4. In this position, the container is in contact with a rise limit member 60.
[0037] In the stage of formation of the ice cubes, the container is in the position described; once the moment of the start of tilting is determined, the container 4 rotates about the shaft 9 and moves away from the limit member 60.
[0038] In practice, once tilting has begun, the electric motor 5 transmits a clockwise rotatory motion to the geared motor 6 which, in its turn, sets in rotation the shaft 7 engaged, via the through pin 8, with the rotation shaft 9 for rotation of the container 4; this continues its own descending rotation until it comes into abutment on the bend 12 provided on the support surface 20.
[0039] Once it is in abutment, the container 4 remains locked; consequently the shaft 9 remains locked, in its turn also keeping the shaft 7 of the geared motor locked.
[0040] The electric motor 5, however, continues to transmit a clockwise rotatory motion to the shaft 7 of the geared motor 6; the geared motor 6, in order to balance the rotational force which it receives from the electric motor 5, and unable to rotate about its own shaft 7, inasmuch as it is blocked by the container 4 which is in turn in a locked position, executes a rotation of a few degrees on itself in an anticlockwise direction.
[0041] Advantageously, according to the invention, the balance structure 30 permits the geared motor 6, rotating anticlockwise on itself, to load the spring 35 and partially load the spring 36, having the effect that all the torque delivered by the electric motor 5, amplified by the reduction ratio of the geared motor 6, is not completely discharged onto the gearwheels of the mechanism 2.
[0042] The slight anticlockwise rotation on itself of the geared motor 6, with the consequent loading of the spring 35 and partial loading of the spring 36, causes the right-angle structure 38 to be inclined and effects a slight raising of the tab 44 which moves into a position such as to contact the descent limit microswitch 51 which commands the reversal of rotation of the electric motor 5, consequently also reversing the direction of rotation of the shaft 7 of the geared motor and of the shaft 9 of the container.
[0043] Once the direction of rotation of the shaft of the geared motor 6 is reversed, the container returns, by rotating about the shaft 9, to its horizontal working position and the springs 35 and 36 reacquire the initial stress which they had initially.
[0044] The horizontal position of the container 4 is defined by the limit member 60; when the container 4 comes into abutment on said member, it is blocked.
[0045] The electric motor 5, however, continues to transmit an anticlockwise rotatory motion to the shaft 7 of the geared motor 6; the geared motor 6, in order to balance the rotational force which it receives from the electric motor 5, and unable to rotate about its own shaft 7, inasmuch as it is blocked by the container 4 in the locked position, executes a rotation of a few degrees on itself in a clockwise direction.
[0046] Advantageously, according to the invention, the balance structure 30 permits the geared motor, rotating clockwise on itself, to load the spring 36 and partially load the spring 35, with the result that all the torque delivered by the motor, amplified by the reduction ratio of the geared motor 6, is not completely discharged onto the gearwheels of the mechanism 2.
[0047] The slight clockwise rotation of the geared motor 6 on itself, with the consequent loading of the spring 36 and partial loading of the spring 35, causes the right-angle structure 38 to be inclined and effects a slight lowering of the tab 44, which moves into a position such as to contact the rise limit microswitch 52, which commands the cut-off of the supply to the electric motor 5, stopping the rotation of the shaft 7 of the geared motor and of the shaft 9 of the container.
[0048] Advantageously, according to the invention, the initial initial stress of the springs, added to the descent limit loading (tilting position of the container) or rise limit loading (horizontal position for loading) makes it possible to keep the torque delivered constantly below the maximum torque that can be withstood by the kinematic chain of the geared motor 6.
[0049] In addition, with the tilting device described, if in the phase of descending rotation the container 4 should meet an obstacle left erroneously or absent-mindedly in the path of its movement, it will reverse the direction of rotation in the same way as it reverses the direction of rotation when it reaches the descent limit member, without causing any damage either to the device or to the obstacle touched.
[0050] In particular, the system guarantees complete safety for a user who absent-mindedly places a hand in the gap below the container while extracting the ice previously produced by the machinery.
[0051] The same problem of interception of an obstacle could arise during the phase of ascending rotation of the container; in this case the device would suspend rotation of the geared motor 6 in the same way as it suspends rotation when it reaches the rise limit member; the device 1, however, remains in the locked position until the removal of the obstacle that has blocked the movement of the container 4.
[0052] Furthermore, if on first starting up the ice-making machine the container should not be in a perfectly horizontal position, the device 1 for controlling the tilting of a container, with the balance structure 30 according to the present invention, would bring the container into the horizontal position for the start of the loading stage.
[0053] In addition, the balance structure 30, not being welded onto the rotation shaft for rotation of the container, but on the contrary being capable of rectifying itself autonomously, is not subject to problems of manual readjustment that exist in the prior art; the device according to the invention is therefore simpler to assemble.
1. A device (1) for controlling the tilting of a container (4), comprising a fixed frame
(20), a mechanism (2) having a shaft (7) mechanically connected to a shaft (9), rigidly
connected to said container (4), and with which said container (4) rotates for said
tilting, characterised in that it comprises a first mechanical check means (12) provided on said frame (20), for
stopping the tilting rotation of said container (4), a second mechanical check means
(60), fixed to said frame (20), for stopping said container (4) when rotating in the
opposite direction to the tilting direction, a balance structure (30), rigidly connected
to said mechanism (2), and rotatable therewith about said shaft (7), said balance
structure (30) comprising in its turn a right-angle structure (38) and at least one
pair of resilient loading members (70, 71), fixed to said right-angle structure (38),
each resilient loading member (70, 71) comprising a compression spring (35, 36), said
right-angle structure (38) comprising an actuating tab (44) positioned between a first
microswitch (51) for reversing the rotation of said mechanism (2) and a second microswitch
(52) for stopping the rotation of said mechanism (2).
2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said right-angle structure (38) comprises in
its turn a base (37), a first side (41) perpendicular to said base (37), fixed to
said mechanism (2), and a second side (43) in its turn perpendicular to said side
(41) and to said base (37), from which said actuating tab (44) diverges in order to
contact said microswitches (51, 52).
3. A device according to claim 2, wherein said first side (41) is fixed to said mechanism
(2) by means of through screws seated in holes (21, 22).
4. A device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said side (41) further includes a hole
(42) for seating said shaft (7).
5. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said resilient loading
member (70, 71) further comprises at least one threaded pin (31, 32) having a support
base (33, 34) onto which said compression spring (35, 36) is slipped.
6. A device according to claim 5, wherein said threaded pin (31, 32) and said compression
spring (35, 36) are secured to said base (37) of said right-angle structure (38),
via clamping means (39, 40, 44, 45) so that said compression spring (35, 36) is interposed
between said base (37) and said base (33, 34) of said threaded pin (31, 32).
7. A device according to claim 6, wherein said clamping means (39, 40) are special washers.
8. A device according to claim 6, wherein said clamping means (44, 45) are hexagonal-headed
screws.
9. A machine for producing ice, comprising the device according to claims 1 to 8.