Connecting device for connecting a screw machine to a gear mechanism, and method for cleaning such a connecting device

Abstract

A connecting device for connecting a screw machine to a gear mechanism comprises a housing which in regions delimits an interior. The interior serves for the arrangement of at least one shaft connection between at least one gear shaft and at least one screw shaft. The connecting device comprises at least one cleaning element for cleaning contaminants from the interior. The connecting device allows simple, efficient and reliable cleaning of contaminants from the interior.

Claims

1. A connecting device for connecting a screw machine to a gear mechanism, comprising a housing, which at least in regions delimits an interior for arrangement of at least one shaft connection between at least one gearbox shaft and at least one screw shaft, which comprises at least one gear-side housing opening for insertion of the at least one gear shaft and at least one machine-side housing opening for insertion of the at least one screw shaft into the interior, and at least one cleaning element mounted to the housing for cleaning contaminants from the interior and an inner wall delimiting the interior.

2. The connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one cleaning element is arranged in the interior.

3. The connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one cleaning element comprises a spray nozzle for spraying a cleaning fluid into the interior.

4. The connecting device according to claim 1, wherein a discharge opening for discharging contaminants from the interior is formed in the housing.

5. The connecting device according to claim 4, wherein the discharge opening is formed in a housing floor.

6. The connecting device according to claim 1, wherein at least one pressure setting opening is formed in the housing for setting a pressure in the interior.

7. The connecting device according to claim 6, wherein the at least one pressure setting opening is connected to a pressure setting device.

8. The connecting device according to claim 1, comprising a filter element for filtering out contaminants.

9. The connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a housing base body and a housing flap for opening and closing, which is sealed relative to the housing base body.

10. The connecting device according to claim 9, wherein an automatic locking device is arranged on the housing for releasing the housing flap.

11. The connecting device according to claim 1, comprising a control device for controlling the cleaning of the interior.

12. A connecting device for connecting a screw machine to a gear mechanism, comprising a housing, which at least in regions delimits an interior for arrangement of at least one shaft connection between at least one gearbox shaft and at least one screw shaft, which comprises at least one gear-side housing opening for insertion of the at least one gear shaft and at least one machine-side housing opening for insertion of the at least one screw shaft into the interior, and at least one cleaning element for cleaning contaminants from the interior, wherein several tie rod openings are formed in the housing for fixing tie rods of the screw machine, and the tie rod openings are covered by associated tie rod covers in the interior.

13. A connecting device for connecting a screw machine to a gear mechanism, comprising a housing, which at least in regions delimits an interior for arrangement of at least one shaft connection between at least one gearbox shaft and at least one screw shaft, which comprises at least one gear-side housing opening for insertion of the at least one gear shaft and at least one machine-side housing opening for insertion of the at least one screw shaft into the interior, and at least one cleaning element for cleaning contaminants from the interior, wherein several tie rod openings are formed in the housing for fixing tie rods of the screw machine, and the tie rod openings are closed towards the interior.

14. A connecting device for connecting a screw machine to a gear mechanism, comprising a housing, which at least in regions delimits an interior for arrangement of at least one shaft connection between at least one gearbox shaft and at least one screw shaft, which comprises at least one gear-side housing opening for insertion of the at least one gear shaft and at least one machine-side housing opening for insertion of the at least one screw shaft into the interior, and at least one cleaning element for cleaning contaminants from the interior, wherein a ratio of a cleaning fluid standing surface area A.sub.S running perpendicularly to the direction of gravity, to a total surface area A.sub.B of an inner wall delimiting the interior, is 0≤A.sub.S/A.sub.B≤0.1.

15. A system for preparing bulk product, comprising a gear mechanism with at least one gear shaft, a screw machine with at least one screw shaft, and a connecting device for connecting the screw machine to the gear mechanism, comprising a housing which at least in regions delimits an interior for arrangement of at least one shaft connection between at least one gearbox shaft and at least one screw shaft, which comprises at least one gear-side housing opening for insertion of the at least one gear shaft and at least one machine-side housing opening for insertion of the at least one screw shaft into the interior, and at least one cleaning element for cleaning contaminants from the interior and an inner wall delimiting the interior, wherein the at least one gear shaft is connected to the at least one screw shaft in the interior by means of a respective shaft connection.

16. A method for cleaning a connecting device for connecting a screw machine to a gear mechanism, with the steps: provision of a connecting device for connecting the screw machine to the gear mechanism, comprising a housing which at least in regions delimits an interior for arrangement of at least one shaft connection between at least one gearbox shaft and at least one screw shaft, which comprises at least one gear-side housing opening for insertion of the at least one gear shaft and at least one machine-side housing opening for insertion of the at least one screw shaft into the interior, and at least one cleaning element for cleaning contaminants from the interior and an inner wall delimiting the interior, and cleaning of the interior and of the inner wall delimiting the interior by actuation of the at least one cleaning element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows a side view of a system for preparing bulk product, with a connecting device for connecting a screw machine to a gear mechanism according to a first exemplary embodiment,

(2) FIG. 2 shows a first perspective view of the connecting device without the gear mechanism and screw machine,

(3) FIG. 3 shows a second perspective view of the connecting device with the gear mechanism and screw machine, without a housing flap so as to illustrate an interior,

(4) FIG. 4 shows a vertical section through the connecting device in FIG. 3, and

(5) FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a connecting device according to a second exemplary embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(6) With reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, a first exemplary embodiment of the invention is described below. A system 1, illustrated in FIG. 1, for preparing powdery bulk product 2 is used in the pharmaceutical sector. The system 1 comprises a multi-shaft screw machine 3 which can be driven in rotation by means of an electric drive motor 4 via a gear mechanism 5.

(7) The screw machine 3 has a machine housing 6 composed of several housing portions 7. The housing portions 7 are clamped and connected together by means of several tie rods 8. The screw machine 3 for example comprises four tie rods 8. The machine housing 6 is supported with respect to a subframe 10 by means of supports 9.

(8) The screw machine 3 is formed as a two-shaft screw machine. The machine housing 6 has two interlinked housing bores (not shown in more detail), which in cross-section have the form of a horizontal figure of eight. Screw shafts 11, 12 are arranged in the housing bores, and can be driven in rotation in the same direction about the associated rotation axes 13, 14. The screw shafts 11, 12 are formed in the conventional way.

(9) To supply the bulk product 2 into the housing bores of the screw machine 3, a supply opening 15 is formed in the first housing portion 7. The bulk product 2 is transported in a conveying direction 16 and prepared by means of the screw shafts 11, 12. The prepared bulk product 2 is output through an output opening 18 formed in a nozzle plate 17. The nozzle plate 17 is attached to the final housing portion 7 at the end.

(10) The gear mechanism 5 is formed as a reduction and branching gear mechanism. The gear mechanism 5 is coupled on the drive side to the drive motor 4 via a clutch 19. The gear mechanism 5 has two gear shafts 20, 21 for driving the screw shafts 11, 12. The gear shafts 20,21 extend out of a gear housing 22 of the gear mechanism 5.

(11) The screw machine 3 and the gear mechanism 5 are connected together by means of a connecting device 23. The connecting device 23 is also known as a gear lantern. The connecting device 23 comprises a housing 24 which is connected to the gear housing 22 and the screw machine 3. Parts of the housing 24 delimit an interior 25.

(12) The housing 24 illustrated in FIG. 2 comprises a housing base body 26 and a housing flap 27 attached thereon. The housing base body 26 is formed by a housing floor B, housing side walls S.sub.1, S.sub.2 and S.sub.3, and a housing cover wall D. The housing flap 27 forms a further housing side wall S.sub.4. A connecting plate 28, which attaches the housing 24 to the gear housing 22, is connected to the housing side wall S.sub.3.

(13) In order to introduce the screw shafts 11, 12 into the interior 25, two machine-side housing openings 29, 30 are formed in the housing side wall S.sub.1. The screw shafts 11, 12 are guided into the interior 25 through the machine-side housing openings 29, 30, and sealed relative to the housing side wall S.sub.1 by means of a seal 31. In order to introduce the gear shafts 20, 21, gear-side housing openings 32, 33 are formed in the housing side wall S.sub.3. The gear shafts 20, 21 are guided into the interior 25 through the gear-side housing openings 32, 33 and sealed relative to the housing side wall S.sub.3 by means of a seal 34. In the interior 25, the gear shafts 20, 21 are connected to the associated screw shafts 11, 12 by means of shaft connections 35, 36. The shaft connections 35, 36 are formed as coupling sleeves. FIG. 3 illustrates the interior 25 without the shaft connections 35, 36.

(14) The screw machine 3 is attached to the housing 24 by means of the tie rods 8. For this, tie rod openings 37 are formed in the housing side wall S.sub.1. The tie rods 8 are guided into the interior 25 through the tie rod openings 37. The tie rods 8 are clamped against the housing 24 in the interior 25 by means of spring elements 38, and fastened thereto by means of fixing elements 39. This is shown in FIG. 4.

(15) The tie rods 8 are fully covered in the interior 25 by means of tie rod covers 40. The tie rod covers 40 are formed in two parts. The tie rod covers 40 each have a tubular first cover part 41 and a cap-like second cover part 42. The respective first cover part 41 is tightly connected to the housing 24.

(16) For example, the respective first cover part 41 is welded to the side wall S.sub.1 and to the housing floor B, or to the housing side wall S.sub.1 and the housing cover wall D. The associated second cover part 42 is attached fixedly and tightly but releasably to the first cover part 41.

(17) To clean the interior 25 and an inner wall W delimiting the interior 25, the connecting device 23 comprises a cleaning element 43. The cleaning element 43 is integrated in the connecting device 23 so that cleaning can be carried out without having to open the housing flap 27. The cleaning element 43 is arranged on the housing floor B. The cleaning element 43 is formed as a rotary spray nozzle and serves for spraying a cleaning fluid or cleaning liquid 44. The housing flap 27 is sealed relative to the housing base body 26 by means of a seal 45.

(18) To supply the cleaning element 43 with the cleaning fluid 44, a supply opening 46 is formed in the housing floor B. The cleaning element 43 is attached to the housing floor B in the supply opening 46 and sealed relative thereto by means of a seal 47. To supply the cleaning element 43, the connecting device 23 has a supply device 48 which is connected to the cleaning element 43 via the supply opening 46. The supply device 48 comprises a storage tank 49 for providing the cleaning fluid 44, and a supply pump 50 for conveying the cleaning fluid 44 from the supply tank 49 to the cleaning element 43. The cleaning fluid 44 is for example water.

(19) To discharge the cleaning fluid 44 and contaminants from the interior 25, a discharge opening 51 is formed in the housing floor B. The housing floor B runs obliquely downward towards the discharge opening 51 in the direction of gravity G, so that under force of gravity, the cleaning fluid 44 runs towards the discharge opening 51. The discharge opening 51 is connected to a collection container 52. The collection container 52 serves to collect the cleaning fluid 44 and contaminants contained therein which have drained from the interior 25.

(20) To set a pressure p in the interior 25, the connecting device 23 has a pressure setting device 53. The pressure setting device 53 is connected to a pressure setting opening 54. The pressure setting opening 54 is spaced from the housing floor B and formed in the housing side wall S.sub.2. The pressure setting opening 53 comprises a pump 55 which is arranged outside the interior 25 and connected to the pressure setting opening 54 via a line. Furthermore, the pressure setting device 53 comprises a filter element 56 arranged in the interior 25. The filter element 56 is arranged upstream of the pressure setting opening 54 in a direction of flow towards the pump 55.

(21) The inner wall W delimiting the interior 25 is substantially formed by the housing 24, the tie rod covers 40 and the filter element 56. To guarantee reliable drainage of the cleaning fluid 44, the inner wall W substantially has no cleaning fluid standing surface area A.sub.S running perpendicularly to the gravity direction G and not vertically. A ratio of the cleaning fluid standing surface area A.sub.S to a total surface area A.sub.B of the inner wall W is 0≤A.sub.S/A.sub.B≤0.1, in particular 0.001≤A.sub.S/A.sub.B≤0.05, and in particular 0.005≤A.sub.S/A.sub.B≤0.01.

(22) The connecting device 23 comprises a control device 57. The control device 57 is part of a higher-level control unit (not shown in more detail) of the system 1. The control device 57 is illustrated purely diagrammatically in FIG. 1. The control device 57 serves to control the cleaning of the interior 25. For this, the control device 57 is connected for signaling purposes to the supply device 48, the pressure setting device 53 and the drive motor 4. Furthermore, the control device 57 is connected for signaling purposes to an automatic locking device 58 which serves to block or release the housing flap 27.

(23) The system 1 functions as follows:

(24) In operation of the system 1, the powdery bulk product 2 is supplied to the housing bores of the screw machine 3 via the supply opening 15. The screw shafts 11, 12 are driven in rotation by the drive motor 4 via the gear shafts 20, 21. The control device 57 actuates the automatic locking device 58 such that the opening of the housing flap 27 is blocked.

(25) Through the machine-side housing openings 29, 30, the powdery bulk product 2 enters the interior 25 and contaminates this. In order to avoid the escape of these contaminants from the interior 25, by means of the pressure setting device 53 a pressure p is set in the interior 25 which is lower than the surrounding pressure, i.e. a reduced pressure. The pressure p is such that firstly the contaminants cannot escape to the environment, and secondly the penetration of powdery bulk product 2 through the machine-side housing openings 29, 30 is not promoted. The filter element 56 guarantees that the contaminants do not escape towards the pump 55 through the pressure setting opening 54.

(26) On a product change, the system 1 must be cleaned. For this, the drive motor 4 is stopped so that the screw shafts 11, 12 come to a standstill. The stoppage of the drive motor 4 or screw machine 3 is detected by the control device 57, which thereupon starts an automatic cleaning of the interior 25 and inner wall W. For this, the supply pump 50 conveys cleaning fluid 44 to the cleaning element 43. The cleaning element 43 sprays the cleaning fluid 44 into the interior 25. For this, the cleaning element 43 generates a spray cone which is set in rotation because of the pressure of the cleaning fluid 44, and wets the entire inner wall W. The cleaning fluid 44 rinses the contaminants off the inner wall W and discharges them from the interior 25. The cleaning fluid 44 with the contaminants runs under force of gravity to the housing floor B, from where it runs to the discharge opening 51 because of the sloping design. Since the cleaning fluid standing surface area A.sub.S is substantially equivalent to zero, the cleaning fluid 44 with the contaminants is completely drained from the interior 25 through the discharge opening 51. The cleaning fluid 44 with the contaminants is collected in the collection container 52 and then discharged. The draining of the cleaning fluid 44 creates a further reduced pressure, which is compensated as required by means of the pressure setting device 53.

(27) After completing the cleaning, the control device 57 actuates the automatic locking device 58 so that the housing flap 27 is released and can be opened. The operating personnel may now safely open the housing flap 27 and remove the tie rod covers 40 and the tie rods 8 in order to clean the screw machine 3.

(28) The system 1 and the connecting device 23 are particularly suitable for use in the pharmaceutical sector. Toxic active substances are also processed as bulk product 2 in the pharmaceutical sector and reach the interior 25. Cleaning binds undesirable and hazardous contaminants or dust and removes these from the interior 25 before the housing flap 27 is opened. The filter element 56 binds the contaminants and is exchangeable. The filter element 56 is in particular formed as a HEPA filter (High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter). Before renewed operation of the system 1, the filter element 56 is replaced with an unused filter element 56.

(29) With reference to FIG. 5, a second exemplary embodiment of the invention is now described below. In contrast to the first exemplary embodiment, the tie rod openings 37 do not extend into the interior 25, so the tie rod openings 37 are formed as blind bores. The interior 25 is thus delimited by the housing side wall S.sub.1 in the region of the tie rods 8. The tie rods 8 are arranged lying on the inside of the housing portions 7, so that the housing portions 7 and tie rods 8 have substantially the same temperature and the same thermal expansion. No spring elements for clamping the tie rods 8 and no tie rod covers are now required. With respect to the further design and further function, reference is made to the previous exemplary embodiment.