Abstract
A module for a fiber preparation machine is a self-supporting element having a cuboid shape with a length (L), a width (B) and a height (H), as well as at least two lateral walls extending in parallel respective planes and spaced apart by the width (B). A cross beam connects the lateral walls to one another. Each of the lateral walls is encompassed by a frame. A first leg of the frame is arranged along the plane of the respective lateral wall and a second leg of the frame is arranged at a right angle to the lateral wall and facing away from the opposite lateral wall. A fiber preparation machine includes a plurality of the modules interconnected together.
Claims
1-15. (canceled)
16. A module for a fiber preparation machine, the module being a self-supporting element and comprising: a cuboid shape having a length (L), a width (B) and a height (H); at least two lateral walls extending in parallel respective planes and spaced apart by the width (B); a cross beam connecting the lateral walls to one another; each of the lateral walls encompassed by a frame; and wherein a first leg of the frame is arranged along the plane of the respective lateral wall and a second leg of the frame is arranged at a right angle to the lateral wall and facing away from the opposite lateral wall.
17. The module according to claim 16, wherein the frame is formed by one of: flat steel bars; an angle iron; or a U-profile shaped member.
18. The module according to claim 16, wherein the cross beam is formed by one of: an angle iron; a pipe; a metal sheet; or a roller.
19. The module according to claim 16, wherein the width (B) is from 1,200 to 1,800 mm.
20. The module according to claim 16, further comprising a rear wall extending between the lateral walls.
21. The module according to claim 16, wherein the second leg of the frame is connected to the respective lateral wall in a dust-tight manner.
22. The module according to claim 16, further comprising a lifting arm configured for quick-release fastening to the frame, the lifting arm comprising eyebolts or receptacles engageable by a fork of a forklift truck to transport the module.
23. A fiber preparation machine, comprising a plurality of the modules according to claim 16, wherein adjacent ones of the modules have the same width (B) and height (H) or the same width (B and length (L).
24. The fiber preparation machine according to claim 23, wherein opposite second legs of the frames of the adjacent modules are connected to one another.
25. The fiber preparation machine according to claim 24, wherein the second legs are connected by one of; a clamp connection; a screw connection; or a weld connection.
26. The fiber preparation machine according to claim 25, wherein the damp connection comprises a clip with locking connecting elements.
27. The fiber preparation machine according to claim 24, further comprising a seal between the connected second legs of adjacent modules.
28. The fiber preparation machine according to claim 23, wherein a defined number of the modules form a shaft in the fiber preparation machine for fiber flow and are 50 mm to 100 mm narrower in width (B) than adjacent modules.
29. The fiber preparation machine according to claim 23, the fiber preparation machine comprising a working width that corresponds to the width (B) of the modules.
30. The fiber preparation machine according to claim 23, further comprising: a first module comprising an opening in the frame for receipt of a connecting element; a second module comprising a fastening hole in the frame and first and second positioning notches offset from one another by at least 45 annular degrees around the fastening hole; the connecting element rotatably attached to the frame of the second module with a bolt through the fastening hole; wherein in an assembly position, the connecting element is at a first rotated position and is prevented from rotating by engagement in the first positioning notch and is insertable through the opening in the first module; wherein in an operating position, the connecting element extends through the opening in the first module and is at a second rotated position and is prevented from rotating by engagement in the second positioning notch; and wherein in the operating position, the first module is connected to the second module by bracing the frame of the first module between the connecting element and the frame of the second module.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] The invention is described below on the basis of an exemplary embodiment and explained in more detail with the drawings, in which:
[0035] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of a module;
[0036] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of a module;
[0037] FIG. 3a-d are schematic views of a cross section at the point X of a module according to FIG. 1 in three alternative designs;
[0038] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an example of a construction of a plurality of modules;
[0039] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a fiber preparation machine made of modules;
[0040] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a module connection in the assembly position;
[0041] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a module connection in the transition from an assembly position to an operating position;
[0042] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a module connection in the operating position;
[0043] FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a plan view in direction X of a module connection in the operating position according to FIG. 8;
[0044] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a module installation;
[0045] FIG. 11 is a schematic view of an assembly of a plurality of modules; and
[0046] FIG. 12 is a schematic view of a lifting arm.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0047] Reference will now be made to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are shown in the drawings. Each embodiment is provided by way of explanation of the invention, and not as a limitation of the invention. For example features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be combined with another embodiment to yield still another embodiment. It is intended that the present invention include these and other modifications and variations to the embodiments described herein.
[0048] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a module 1 in a first embodiment. In its basic design, the module 1 is constructed from two lateral walls 20 and 22 arranged at a distance from one another. The lateral walls 20 and 22 are connected to one another by cross beams 24 and 25. The lateral walls 20 and 22 are each surrounded by a frame 21 or 23, respectively. The frames 21 and 23 are each attached to a side facing away from the opposite lateral wall 20 and 22 or to the lateral wall 20 and 22, respectively.
[0049] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a module 2 in a second embodiment. The design of the basic elements of the module 2, namely the lateral walls 20 and 21 provided with a frame 21 and 23, is identical to the design according to FIG. 1. The cross beam connecting the lateral walls 20 and 22 is formed in the embodiment shown by a rear wall 27 and a base plate 26. By inserting the rear wall 27 and the base plate 26, a distance between the lateral walls 20 and 22 is established which corresponds to a width B of the module 2. The dimensions of the lateral walls 20 and 22 are identical and determine the length L of the module 2 and the height H of the module 2.
[0050] FIGS. 3a to 3d show a schematic view of a cross section at point X of a module according to FIG. 1 in four alternative embodiments. In all four embodiments, a lateral wall 20 and the associated frame 21 are shown. The embodiments of the frame construction shown can also be used mixed on one module.
[0051] In FIG. 3a, the frame 21 is formed from an isosceles angle iron having a first leg 28 and a second leg 29. The angle iron is placed on the lateral wall 20 and connected to it, for example welded. The first leg 28 forms part of the lateral wall 20 and the actual lateral wall 20 is shortened compared to the embodiments according to FIGS. 3b and 3c. The height H of the module is achieved by the lateral wall and the first leg 28 of the frame 21.
[0052] In FIG. 3b, however, the frame 21 is formed from flat steel bars and part of the lateral wall 20. The first leg 28 is formed by an outer part of the lateral wall 20 and the second leg 29 corresponds to the flat steel bars. The flat steel bars, or the second leg 29, is connected to the lateral wall 20, for example welded. To increase the stability, ribs 30 are provided which support the flat steel bars on the lateral wall 20. In this embodiment, the dimension of the lateral wall 20 corresponds to the height H of the module.
[0053] In a further alternative according to FIG. 3c, the frame 21 is designed in the form of an angle iron having a first leg 28 and a second leg 29. The angle iron is placed on its first leg 28 on the lateral wall 20 and connected, for example welded, to it, with a screw connection also being possible in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the dimension of the lateral wall 20 corresponds to the height H of the module.
[0054] In a further alternative embodiment according to FIG. 3d, the frame 21 is placed in the form of a U-profile on the lateral wall 20, which profile forms a first leg 28 and a second leg 29. A third leg 64 adjoining the second leg 29 is formed by the U-profile. In a slightly modified form, the first leg 28 of the U-profile can also be moved into the plane of the lateral wall 20, as shown in FIG. 3a using the example of the angle iron. Apart from the increased rigidity of the frame 20 due to the use of the U-profile, there is also a simple possibility of attaching a door to the frame, for example. In this embodiment, the dimension of the lateral wall 20 corresponds to the height H of the module. Further designs, for example in an integral form of lateral wall 20 and frame 21, are conceivable.
[0055] FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of a construction of a plurality of modules 3, 4 and 6 by way of example. All modules 3, 4 and 6 shown have the basic structure of two lateral walls 20, 22 in common, which are provided with a frame 21, 23 in each case and are connected to at least one cross beam. The modules 3, 4 and 6 also each have the same dimensions as width B, height H and length L. The connection with at least one cross beam of the lateral walls 20 and 22 is formed in module 3 by a base plate 26 and a rear wall 27, in module 4 by a rear wall 27 and an angle iron 24 and in module 6 by an angle iron 25 and a base plate 26. The modules 3, 4 and 6 are arranged next to one another and one above the other and are each coupled to a connection 31. The modules 3, 4 and 6, designed as a self-supporting element and connected in this way, form a stable unit and join together to form a machine frame.
[0056] FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of a fiber preparation machine constructed from modules 3 to 19 using the example of a mixer 32. The mixer has a fiber material inlet 33 via which the fiber material is guided into the mixer 32 by pneumatic conveying means. The interior of the mixer 32 is divided by chamber walls 36 into a plurality of chambers which receive the incoming fiber material. The transport air required for the pneumatic transport is discharged from the mixer 32 via a transport air outlet 34. The fiber material is removed from the chambers via a conveyor belt 37 below the chambers and fed to a spiked feed lattice 38. The spiked feed lattice 38, which is stretched endlessly around a deflection roller 39 and a drive roller 41, transports the fiber material to an outlet channel 42. Using a discharge roller 40, the fiber material is removed from the spiked feed lattice 38 and guided via the outlet channel 42 to the fiber material outlet 35. The mixer 32 is constructed from modules 3 to 19, the different built-in components such as chamber walls 36, conveyor belt 37, outlet channel 42 being distributed among the corresponding modules. The modules 3 to 19 form the actual machine frame of the mixer 32 to receive the most varied of built-in components and mounted components. The connections of the modules 3 to 19 are designed in such a way that further casing or sealing elements are not necessary. The modules 3, 4, 5 and 15 form the substructure of the mixer 32 and are provided with appropriate elements in order to be installed on a foundation (not shown). The modules 6 to 13 are arranged above the modules 3, 4 and 5 and form the mixing chambers with the chamber walls 36 built therein. The chamber walls 36 are used, for example in the modules 9 and 10, as cross beams so that no further elements are necessary to stabilize the modules 9 and 10. The modules 12 to 14 form the upper end of the mixer 32 and accordingly contain a metal sheet which forms the end of the mixer 32 by forming an upper lateral wall.
[0057] In the view shown, the simplicity of assembly due to the design of the modules as self-supporting elements can be seen and the options for expanding the mixer 32 can also be understood. For example, to enlarge the mixing chambers, two further modules which contain corresponding chamber walls 36 can be inserted between the modules 9, 10 and the modules 12, 13. It is not necessary to separate the machine frame. Only the connection between modules 9 and 12 and between 10 and 13 needs to be loosened and the newly added modules need to be connected to the existing modules 9, 10 and 12, 13 accordingly. A further mixing chamber can also be provided by inserting further modules between the modules 6, 7 and 9, 10 and 12, 13.
[0058] FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of a module connection in the assembly position. A first module 6 is arranged above a second module 3 at a distance which corresponds to at least one height of a connecting element 45. The first module 6 has a frame 56 which has an opening 43 in its leg projecting from the first module 6. The second module 3 has a frame 57 which has a fastening hole 44 in its leg projecting from the second module 3. In addition to the fastening hole 44, the frame of the second module 3 also has a first positioning notch 46. The connecting element 45 is fastened to the frame 57 of the second module 3 in the fastening hole 44 by means of a threaded bolt 48. The connecting element 45 has a mating part which matches the first positioning notch 46 of the frame 57 and engages in the first positioning notch 46 in the fastened position. The connecting element 45 likewise has an internal thread 49 into which the threaded bolt 48 is screwed. The connecting element 45 has a cross section which, starting from the frame 57 of the second module 3, tapers toward the frame 56 of the first module 6. The opening 43 in the frame 56 of the first module 6 corresponds to the dimension of the connecting element 45 at the point at which the connecting element 45 abuts the frame 57 of the second module 3. After the first module 6 has been positioned above the second module 3, the first module 6 is lowered onto the second module 3 in the direction of an assembly movement 53. The connecting element 45 is guided through the opening 43 and the first module 6 slides, guided by the shape of the connecting element 45, into the exact position.
[0059] FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of a module connection in the transition from an assembly position to an operating position. After the assembly movement 53 has been carried out (see FIG. 6), the frame 56 of the first module 6 comes to rest on the frame 57 of the second module 3. In the embodiment shown according to FIG. 7, the first positioning notch 46 is formed by a through opening in the frame 57 of the second module 3. A positioning screw 50 is provided on the connecting element 45, the screw head of which engages in the through opening or first positioning notch 46. As a result, the threaded bolt 48 is released and the connecting element 45 is raised in the direction of arrow 54. After the connecting element 45 has been raised over the frame 56 of the first module 6, the connecting element 45 is rotated in the direction of the arrow 55. The rotation 55 of the connecting element 45 is guided until the positioning screw 50 engages in a second positioning notch 47 (see FIG. 9). After tightening the threaded bolt 48, the operating position of the module connection is as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.
[0060] FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of a module connection in the operating position and FIG. 9 shows a plan view in the direction X according to FIG. 8. The frame 56 of the first module 6 is braced to the frame 57 of the second module 3 via the connecting element 45 and the threaded bolt 48 which engages in the internal thread 49 of the connecting element 45 and guides the fastening hole 44. In FIG. 9, the connecting element 45 is shown having a rectangular cross section which corresponds to a cross section of the opening 43 in the frame 56 of the first module 6. As a result of the rotation of the connecting element 45, a large part of a contact surface of the connecting element 45 comes into contact with the frame 56 of the first module 6. Also shown are first positioning notches 46 and second positioning notches 47 which are offset by 90 degrees, are used for simple assembly and defined positioning of the connecting element 45 when it is fastened by the threaded bolt 48 on the frame 57 of the second module 3 or for bracing the two frames 56 and 57.
[0061] FIG. 10 shows a schematic view of a module installation on a foundation 52 with the use of a connecting element 45. A weld nut 51 is provided, centrally to a fastening hole 44, on the frame 57 of the second module 3 so as to be directed toward the foundation 52, the weld nut 51 being rotationally connected to the frame 57 by means of a welded joint. The connecting element 45 is arranged on a side of the frame 57 facing away from the second module 3 or on a side facing the foundation 52. The threaded bolt 48 is guided through the weld nut 51 into a recess 58 in the connecting element 45. As a result of this contact of the connecting element 45, the height of the frame 57 relative to the foundation 52 can be adjusted in a simple manner and the connecting elements 45 can be used as machine feet. The internal thread 49 arranged in the connecting element 45 comes to rest on a side of the connecting element 45 facing the foundation 52, as a result of which identical connecting elements 45 can be used for installation on a foundation 52 as well as for bracing the individual modules 3 and 6 against one another. The recess 58 shown is used to receive the weld nut 51 in the case of a low installation and also to center the threaded bolt 48 when the connecting element 45 is used as a machine foot. The recess 58 is not shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, but it can also be present. This does not lead to a disadvantage, since the contact surface between the connecting element 45 and the frame 56 of the first module 6 is located on the side of the connecting element 45 facing away from the recess 58.
[0062] FIG. 11 shows a schematic view of an assembly of a plurality of modules which are held together by connecting elements 45. The first module 6 is arranged above the second module 3. A third module 4 is located to the side of the second module 3. The frame 56 of the first module 6 is connected to the frame 57 of the second module 3 and a frame of the third module 4 is connected to the frame 57 of the second module 3. The connections are carried out by means of connecting elements 45 with which each of the frames are braced against one another. Furthermore, the frame 57 of the second module 3 has openings 43 for fastening further modules and fastening holes 44 for fastening connecting elements 45 in the function of machine feet. The modules are shown schematically and without built-in components or attachments; depending on the machine, different units and apparatuses, for example rollers, drives, guide plates, sensors, etc., are built into or attached to the modules. The dimensions of the modules, i.e., their width B, height H and length L, are advantageously selected to be the same size, but in such a way that the transport size is favorable. The module width B advantageously corresponds to a working width of the machine, as a result of which the lateral walls of the modules simultaneously represent the lateral delimitation of the machine.
[0063] FIG. 12 shows a schematic view of a lifting arm 59. The lifting arm 59 spans the width B of a module and is fastened to it by two plates 60 and eye bolts 65. The lifting arm 59 is placed on a module so that the ends of the lifting arm 59 come to rest on the frame of the module. The plate 60 is inserted on the side of the leg of the frame which is opposite the lifting arm 59 and on which the lifting arm 59 rests and is screwed to the lifting arm 59 by means of the eye bolt 65 through an opening in the frame. Two receptacles 61 are provided in the lifting arm 59, which receptacles can be used to transport the module by means of a forklift truck. Loops or ropes can also be passed through the receptacles for transporting the module using a crane. For simple manual handling of the lifting arm 59 alone, a handle 63 is provided at each end of the lifting arm 59. The lifting arm 59 can thus be moved manually. Recesses 62 are arranged over the entire length of the lifting arm 59, which recesses are only used to reduce the weight of the lifting arm 59.
[0064] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown and described. Modifications within the scope of the claims are possible, as is a combination of the features, even if these are shown and described in different embodiments.
LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
[0065] 1-19 Module [0066] 20 First lateral wall [0067] 21 Frame of first lateral wall [0068] 22 Second lateral wall [0069] 23 Frame of second lateral wall [0070] 24 First cross beam [0071] 25 Second cross beam [0072] 26 Base plate [0073] 27 Rear wall [0074] 28 First leg [0075] 29 Second leg [0076] 30 Rib [0077] 31 Connection [0078] 32 Mixer [0079] 33 Fiber material inlet [0080] 34 Transport air outlet [0081] 35 Fiber material outlet [0082] 36 Chamber wall [0083] 37 Conveyor belt [0084] 38 Spiked feed lattice [0085] 39 Deflection roller [0086] 40 Discharge roller [0087] 41 Drive roller [0088] 42 Outlet channel [0089] 43 Opening [0090] 44 Fastening hole [0091] 45 Connecting element [0092] 46 First positioning notch [0093] 47 Second positioning notch [0094] 48 Threaded bolt [0095] 49 Internal thread [0096] 50 Positioning screw [0097] 51 Weld nut [0098] 52 Foundation [0099] 53 Assembly movement [0100] 54 Raise connecting element [0101] 55 Rotate connecting element [0102] 56 Frame of first module [0103] 57 Frame of second module [0104] 58 Recess [0105] 59 Lifting arm [0106] 60 Plate [0107] 61 Receptacle [0108] 62 Recess [0109] 63 Handle [0110] 64 Third leg [0111] 65 Eye bolt [0112] L Length of the module [0113] B Width of the module [0114] H Height of the module
