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(11) | EP 2 234 213 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Joint for transmitting and distributing electric power, electric signals, or several pressurised fluids, particularly adapted for machines for calibrating and smoothing stone materials |
| (57) A joint is described for transmitting and distributing electric and electronic power
coupled with the transmission and distribution of hydraulic and pneumatic power, suitable
for connecting two relatively-moving parts, belonging to a machine for working stone
materials, wood or glass, comprising a rotary part with respect to a fixed part: the
rotary part comprises a hollow cylinder (10) for supporting apparatuses for transmitting
and distributing: electric power (20) and (21); electric signals (40), (41), (42)
and (43); pneumatic power (11) and (12); hydraulic power (52).
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[0001] The present invention relates to a joint for transmitting and distributing electric power, electric signals, several pressurised fluids, particularly adapted for connecting the relatively-moving parts of machines for calibrating and smoothing stone materials, ceramics, marble, granite, in addition to machines for working glass and wood.
[0002] A joint for transmitting and distributing electric power and electric signals, between at least two relatively-moving parts, falls within the following International Patent Class (IPC): H01R - ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS.
[0003] A joint for transmitting and distributing several fluids - compressed air, cooling water, etc. - between at least two relatively-moving parts, falls within the following International Patent Class (IPC): F16L PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL.
[0004] The prior art of joints for transmitting electric and electronic power and pneumatic and hydraulic power has no meaningful construction arrangements dealing with the combined transmission of electric power and hydraulic/pneumatic power.
[0005] Object of the present invention therefore is providing a new combined joint for transmitting and distributing electric power, electric signals, in addition to several pressurised fluids, particularly adapted for connecting relatively-moving parts of machines for calibrating and smoothing stone materials, ceramics, marble granite, in addition to machines for working glass or wood.
[0006] The above and other objects and advantages of the invention, as will appear from the following description, are obtained with a joint as described in claim 1. Preferred embodiments and non-trivial variations of the present invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.
[0007] The present invention will be better described by some preferred embodiments thereof, provided as a non-limiting example, with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which:
- figure 1 is an axonometric view of the joint;
- figures 2 and 3 are respectively a front view and a side view of the joint;
- figure 4 is a front view of the joint section;
- figure 5 is a part of the side view of the joint;
and - figure 6 is a plan view of the joint.
[0008] A rotary joint is integral with the chassis of a machine or machinery (M) by means of a fixed structure and a rotary structure.
[0009] The fixed structure is composed of an upper flange (4) and a lower flange (5), both keyed to the internal surface of a very thick cylinder (6).
[0010] The upper flange (4) houses interface holes in which bolts (7) are inserted, for joining the fixed structure with respect to the carrier chassis of the machine (M).
[0011] The rotary structure is composed o fan upper cylindrical body (8) and a lower cylindrical body (9), both keyed onto the external surface of a hollow cylinder (10).
[0012] The hollow cylinder (10) houses both the apparatus for distributing compressed air, and the apparatus for distributing electric power, as demonstrated from the following description in this specification.
[0013] The rotary structure is coaxial with the fixed structure; bearings (30) and (31) are respectively keyed onto the upper (8) and lower (9) cylindrical bodies and then onto the fixed cylinder (6); at the same time, sealing rings (33) and (34) are installed, as guarantee of the hydraulic seal between the relatively-moving parts.
[0014] A first delivery pipe of the compressed air (11) is fastened through an upper plug (14) and a lower plug (13) to the ends of the hollow cylinder (10). The upper plug (14) connects the first delivery pipe of the compressed air (11) to a pneumatic joint (17). The lower plug (13) connects the first delivery pipe of the compressed air (11) to the pneumatic circuit of the operating heads of the machine, by means of an angular fitting (15).
[0015] A second delivery pipe of the compressed air (12) is fastened by means of the upper plug (14) and the lower plug (13) to the ends of the hollow cylinder (10). The upper plug (14) connects the second delivery pipe of the compressed air (12) to a pneumatic joint (18). The lower plug (13) connects the second delivery pipe of the compressed air (12) to the pneumatic circuit of the operating heads of the machine, by means of an angular fitting (16).
[0016] A preferred variation of execution of the assembling of the delivery pipes (11) and (12) for the compressed air provides the pipe (12) contained in the pipe (11), the two pipes being assembled coaxially.
[0017] Both pneumatic joints (17) and (18) are integral with the fixed structure of the machine (M) through supporting elements (19).
[0018] A cylinder (20), made of plastic, nylon or resin, is integral and coaxial with the hollow shaft (10). On the surface of the cylinder (20) a series of annular sliding contacts (21) are keyed, onto which brushes (22) are pressing, such brushes (22) being composed of elastic metallic elements projecting with respect to a plate (23) supported by a supporting structure (24), which is fastened, through screws, to the carrier structure of the machine (M). The brushes (22), when pressing, slide onto the surface of their respective annular sliding contacts (21); each end of the brushes (22) fastened to the plate (23) is equipped with respective terminals (25) (not shown); a series of electric cables with a large section (26) (not shown) and a small section (27) (not shown), connects said terminals (25) to respective connectors through which high-intensity power passes, and the terminals corresponding to the connection for the low-intensity power flow.
[0020] The hollow cylinder (10) has, keyed onto its own external diameter, a toothed pulley (40) connected through a toothed belt (41) to a toothed pulley (42) which is integral with a measuring device (43) of the angular position assumed by the hollow shaft (10) with respect to the fixed structure of the machine (M). Said measuring device (43) generates an electric signal proportional to the relative movement impressed by the above described belt-type transmission. An electronic control logic detects and processes said electric signal defining an angular position.
[0021] In order to convey cooling water from external networks towards the components integral with the rotary structure, the volume (50) included between the fixed cylinder (6) and the rotary hollow cylinder (10) is a passage of large water flow-rates coming from the entry hole (51) obtained in the side part of the cylinder (6) and directed towards the outlets (52) radially obtained on the lower rotary cylindrical body (9).
[0022] The volume (70) included between hollow cylinder (10) and the two delivery pipes of the compressed air (11) and (12) is occupied by the electric cables connected to the annular sliding contacts (21) and directed towards the respective electric motors of the smoothing and polishing heads, crossing the passages (71) obtained in the lower end of the hollow cylinder (10).
1. Joint for transmitting and distributing electric and electronic power coupled with
the transmission and distribution of hydraulic and pneumatic power, of the type suitable
for connecting two relatively-moving parts, belonging to a machine for working stone
materials, wood or glass, comprising a rotary part with respect to a fixed part, characterised in that the rotary part comprises a hollow cylinder (10) for supporting apparatuses for transmitting
and distributing: electric power (20) and (21); electric signals (40), (41), (42)
and (43); pneumatic power (11) and (12); hydraulic power (52).
2. Joint according to claim 1, characterised in that said apparatuses for transmitting and distributing pneumatic power (11) and (12)
are coaxial pipes houses inside the hollow cylinder (10) and supported at their ends
through an upper plug (14) connecting the two delivery pipes (11) and (12) to their
respective pneumatic joint (17) and (18), and a lower plug (13) connecting the two
delivery pipes (11) and (12) to the pneumatic circuit of operating heads of the machine.
3. Joint according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that an annular channel (50), adapted to convey water towards the polishing-smoothing
heads, is formed of a fixed wall, integral with a fixed cylinder (6), and of a moving
wall, integral with the rotary hollow cylinder (10).
4. Joint according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that an annular channel (70), contained between the hollow cylinder (10) and the two delivery
pipes (11) and (12) of the compressed air, houses the electric cables connected to
annular sliding contacts (21) and directed towards the respective electric motors
of the smoothing and polishing heads.
5. Joint according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that a measuring device (43) of an angular position assumed by the hollow shaft (10) with
respect to the fixed structure of the machine (M), is adapted to detect the movement
of the hollow cylinder (10) by means of a toothed-belt transmission (40), (41) and
(42).