FLUID CUSHION GUIDING DEVICE

Abstract

A fluid cushion guiding device (1) is provided for guiding a member (2) into relative movement, rotary and/or translatory, relative to the guiding device (1). The guiding device (1) comprises an inner cylindrical portion (10) and an outer cylindrical portion (11) that are coaxial with each other. The inner cylindrical portion (10) has a plurality of radial holes (12) having first ends (13) communicating with a first gap (15) provided between the inner cylindrical portion (10) and the member (2) to be guided. The outer cylindrical portion (11) has at least one radial opening (17) arranged to allow introducing from the outside a pressurised fluid which, by reaching the first gap (15) through the holes (12), is suitable to create a fluidic gap between the inner cylindrical portion (10) and the member (2) to be guided.

Claims

1. A fluid cushion guiding device (1) for guiding a member (2) into relative movement, rotary and/or translatory, relative to the guiding device (1), the guiding device (1) comprising an inner cylindrical portion (10) and an outer cylindrical portion (11) that are coaxial with each other, characterised in that the inner cylindrical portion (10) has a plurality of radial holes (12) having first ends (13) communicating with a first gap (15) provided between the inner cylindrical portion (10) and the member (2) to be guided, and in that the outer cylindrical portion (11) has at least one radial opening (17) arranged to allow introducing from the outside a pressurised fluid which, by reaching the first gap (15) through said holes (12), is suitable to create a fluidic gap between the inner cylindrical portion (10) and the member (2) to be guided.

2. The guiding device (1) according to claim 1, including a second gap (16) between the inner cylindrical portion (10) and the outer cylindrical portion (11), said second gap (16) communicating with the at least one radial opening (17) as well as with second ends (14) of the radial holes (12).

3. The guiding device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the inner cylindrical portion (10) includes a network of channels establishing communication among the radial holes (12).

4. The guiding device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the outer cylindrical portion (11) has at least two radial openings (17) and wherein the second gap (16) is divided into at least two sectors that are not in direct communication with each other, each sector of the second gap (16) communicating with a corresponding radial opening (17) and with the second ends (14) of a corresponding subset of radial holes (12) of the outer cylindrical portion (11).

5. The guiding device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the outer cylindrical portion (11) has at least two radial openings (17) and the inner cylindrical portion (10) includes at least two networks of channels establishing communication among radial holes (12), the at least two networks of channels not being in direct communication with each other and each network of channels communicating with a corresponding radial opening (17) and being arranged to make the radial holes of a corresponding subset of radial holes (12) of the outer cylindrical portion (11) communicate with one another.

6. The guiding device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the radial holes (12) of the inner cylindrical portion (10) have end portions (18) facing the respective first ends (13), said end portions (18) having a cross-section larger than the remaining cross-section of the holes.

7. The guiding device (1) according to claim 6, further including sensors capable of detecting relative movements between the guiding device (1) and the member (2) to be guided, and a control system configured to control introduction of the pressurised fluid through one or more radial opening(s) (17) of the outer cylindrical portion (11) on the basis of the movements detected by said sensors, so as to compensate the displacement of the member (2) to be guided relative to a balance condition in which the member (2) to be guided is coaxial with the guiding device (1).

8. The guiding device (1) according to claim 6, wherein the inner cylindrical portion (10) and the outer cylindrical portion (11) are two separate sleeves.

9. A capping head (21) including a cap application part (24, 25) equipped with a cap gripping member (25) and a shaft (24) that are arranged to move according to a rotary movement about a longitudinal axis (B) and a translatory movement along said axis, and a driving part (27, 28, 32) for said cap application part (24, 25), characterised in that the capping head (21) includes a fluid cushion guiding device (1) according to claim 6 suitable to guide the movements of the shaft (24).

10. A turret (20) of a capping machine, including a plurality of capping heads (21) according to claim 9 mounted on a rotating structure (23) of the turret (20) and fixedly connected for rotation to said structure.

11. The guiding device (1) according to claim 5, further including sensors capable of detecting relative movements between the guiding device (1) and the member (2) to be guided, and a control system configured to control introduction of the pressurised fluid through one or more radial opening(s) (17) of the outer cylindrical portion (11) on the basis of the movements detected by said sensors, so as to compensate the displacement of the member (2) to be guided relative to a balance condition in which the member (2) to be guided is coaxial with the guiding device (1).

12. The guiding device (1) according to claim 5, wherein the inner cylindrical portion (10) and the outer cylindrical portion (11) are two separate sleeves.

13. A capping head (21) including a cap application part (24, 25) equipped with a cap gripping member (25) and a shaft (24) that are arranged to move according to a rotary movement about a longitudinal axis (B) and a translatory movement along said axis, and a driving part (27, 28, 32) for said cap application part (24, 25), characterised in that the capping head (21) includes a fluid cushion guiding device (1) according to claim 5 suitable to guide the movements of the shaft (24).

14. A turret (20) of a capping machine, including a plurality of capping heads (21) according to claim 13 mounted on a rotating structure (23) of the turret (20) and fixedly connected for rotation to said structure.

15. The guiding device (1) according to claim 4, further including sensors capable of detecting relative movements between the guiding device (1) and the member (2) to be guided, and a control system configured to control introduction of the pressurised fluid through one or more radial opening(s) (17) of the outer cylindrical portion (11) on the basis of the movements detected by said sensors, so as to compensate the displacement of the member (2) to be guided relative to a balance condition in which the member (2) to be guided is coaxial with the guiding device (1).

16. The guiding device (1) according to claim 4, wherein the inner cylindrical portion (10) and the outer cylindrical portion (11) are two separate sleeves.

17. A capping head (21) including a cap application part (24, 25) equipped with a cap gripping member (25) and a shaft (24) that are arranged to move according to a rotary movement about a longitudinal axis (B) and a translatory movement along said axis, and a driving part (27, 28, 32) for said cap application part (24, 25), characterised in that the capping head (21) includes a fluid cushion guiding device (1) according to claim 4 suitable to guide the movements of the shaft (24).

18. A turret (20) of a capping machine, including a plurality of capping heads (21) according to claim 17 mounted on a rotating structure (23) of the turret (20) and fixedly connected for rotation to said structure.

19. The guiding device (1) according to claim 2, further including sensors capable of detecting relative movements between the guiding device (1) and the member (2) to be guided, and a control system configured to control introduction of the pressurised fluid through one or more radial opening(s) (17) of the outer cylindrical portion (11) on the basis of the movements detected by said sensors, so as to compensate the displacement of the member (2) to be guided relative to a balance condition in which the member (2) to be guided is coaxial with the guiding device (1).

20. The guiding device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the inner cylindrical portion (10) and the outer cylindrical portion (11) are two separate sleeves.

21. A capping head (21) including a cap application part (24, 25) equipped with a cap gripping member (25) and a shaft (24) that are arranged to move according to a rotary movement about a longitudinal axis (B) and a translatory movement along said axis, and a driving part (27, 28, 32) for said cap application part (24, 25), characterised in that the capping head (21) includes a fluid cushion guiding device (1) according to claim 2 suitable to guide the movements of the shaft (24).

22. A turret (20) of a capping machine, including a plurality of capping heads (21) according to claim 21 mounted on a rotating structure (23) of the turret (20) and fixedly connected for rotation to said structure.

23. The guiding device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the inner cylindrical portion (10) includes a network of channels establishing communication among the radial holes (12).

24. The guiding device (1) according to claim 1, further including sensors capable of detecting relative movements between the guiding device (1) and the member (2) to be guided, and a control system configured to control introduction of the pressurised fluid through one or more radial opening(s) (17) of the outer cylindrical portion (11) on the basis of the movements detected by said sensors, so as to compensate the displacement of the member (2) to be guided relative to a balance condition in which the member (2) to be guided is coaxial with the guiding device (1).

25. The guiding device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the inner cylindrical portion (10) and the outer cylindrical portion (11) are two separate sleeves.

26. A capping head (21) including a cap application part (24, 25) equipped with a cap gripping member (25) and a shaft (24) that are arranged to move according to a rotary movement about a longitudinal axis (B) and a translatory movement along said axis, and a driving part (27, 28, 32) for said cap application part (24, 25), characterised in that the capping head (21) includes a fluid cushion guiding device (1) according to claim 1 suitable to guide the movements of the shaft (24).

27. A turret (20) of a capping machine, including a plurality of capping heads (21) according to claim 26 mounted on a rotating structure (23) of the turret (20) and fixedly connected for rotation to said structure.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0020] The above and other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments made by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which:

[0021] FIG. 1 is a part sectional view of a first embodiment of the guiding device according to the invention and of the member guided by it;

[0022] FIG. 2 is a part sectional view, similar to FIG. 1, in which the guiding device lacks the outer sleeve;

[0023] FIG. 3 is a view of the guiding device without the outer sleeve;

[0024] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a detail of the guiding device shown in FIG. 3;

[0025] FIG. 5 shows a turret of a capping machine with a plurality of capping heads using the guiding device according to the invention;

[0026] FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a capping head of the turret shown in FIG. 5; and

[0027] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the region of the capping head where the guiding device according to the invention is located.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the air cushion guiding device according to a first embodiment of the invention is generally denoted 1. Device 1 is a bushing comprising two coaxial cylindrical sleeves, i.e. an inner sleeve 10 and an outer sleeve 11, preferably but not necessarily having the same length.

[0029] The Figures also show a member, for instance a shaft 2, arranged to be guided by device 1. More particularly, guiding device 1 is arranged to drive a shaft 2 into a rotary, translatory or roto-translatory movement relative to guiding device 1. Thus, it is possible, for instance, to apply a roto-translatory movement to either shaft 2 or guiding device 1, or to apply one of the rotary or translatory movements to shaft 2 and to apply the other movement to guiding device 1. Reference symbol A denotes the longitudinal axis of both sleeves.

[0030] Inner sleeve 10 of guiding device 1 has a plurality of radial through holes 12. Such holes 12 have first ends 13 in communication with a first gap 15 formed between inner sleeve 10 and shaft 2, and second ends 14 communicating, preferably directly, with a second gap 16 formed between inner sleeve 10 and outer sleeve 11. Preferably, inner sleeve 10 further includes a plurality of channels (not shown in the Figures) establishing communication among the holes.

[0031] Outer sleeve 11 of guiding device 1 has at least one radial opening 17 communicating, preferably directly, with the second gap 16 and arranged to allow introduction of a pressurised fluid, e.g. air, from the outside. Such a fluid reaches the first gap 15 through the second gap 16 and the plurality of radial holes 12.

[0032] The presence of pressurised fluid in the first gap 15 advantageously allows creating a fluidic gap (or cushion) in the first gap 15, between inner sleeve 10 and shaft 2. Thanks to such a fluidic gap, inner sleeve 10 and shaft 2 are prevented from coming into contact, both in static conditions and in conditions of relative rotary and/or translatory motion between the sleeve and the shaft. In this way, wear due to friction between guiding device 1 and shaft 2 is advantageously avoided. More particularly, a balance condition is defined in which longitudinal axis A of the inner and outer sleeves coincides with the shaft axis. In such a balance condition, the fluidic gap has uniform thickness.

[0033] Referring in particular to FIG. 3, radial holes 12 are preferably uniformly distributed in inner sleeve 10 so as to ensure a uniform distribution of the fluid in the first gap 15 in the balance condition defined above.

[0034] Preferably, guiding device 1 includes sealing elements with low frictional coefficient (not shown in the Figures) associated with inner sleeve 10 and arranged to cooperate with shaft 2. Such sealing elements allow limiting fluid leakage from the first gap 15, thereby reducing consumptions related with the introduction of pressurised fluid through radial openings 17.

[0035] Preferably, through holes 12 of inner sleeve 10 have end portions 18, directed towards the first ends 13 thereof, having a cross-section larger than the remaining cross-section of holes 12. For instance, referring to FIG. 4, such end portions 18 may have a frusto-conical shape with cross-sectional size progressively increasing towards the first ends 13 of the respective holes 12. At said ends 18, fluid volumes are created that have uniform pressure in balance conditions. The fluid pressure in a given end portion 18 varies in inverse proportion to the thickness of the fluidic gap between inner sleeve 10 and shaft 2, that is to the thickness of the first gap 15, at said end portion 18. In this manner, when the longitudinal axis of shaft 2 does not coincide with axis A of guiding device 1 because of the relative movements between guiding device 1 and shaft 2, i.e. when the fluidic gap formed between inner sleeve 10 and shaft 2 (and hence the first gap 15) takes a non-uniform thickness and decreases on one side and increases on the radially opposite side, the pressure of the fluid volumes increases where the thickness of the fluidic gap is smaller and decreases where the thickness is greater. Thus, a pressure difference is created that pushes the shaft towards the side where the fluidic gap has a greater thickness, thereby tending to restore the balance condition in which the thickness of the fluidic gap is uniform or, otherwise stated, in which shaft 2 is in coaxial position relative to guiding device 1.

[0036] In accordance with the first embodiment of the guiding device, it is possible to introduce fluid through one or more radial openings located on the side of the guiding device where the thickness of the fluidic gap is smaller. In this manner, the pressure difference between the holes directed towards the side of the guiding device where the thickness of the fluidic gap is smaller and the holes directed towards the opposite side can be increased, thereby compensating more quickly the displacement of shaft 2, i.e. bringing it more quickly back to the balance condition.

[0037] In accordance with a second embodiment of the guiding device, the second gap 16 between inner sleeve 10 and outer sleeve 11 is lacking. The inner sleeve includes a network of channels establishing communication between radial holes 12 of inner sleeve 10, and the at least one radial opening 17 of outer sleeve 11 communicates, preferably directly, with a respective radial hole aligned with the same opening. In this embodiment, the fluid introduced into the at least one radial opening 17 reaches the first gap 15 through the network of communication channels and radial holes 12.

[0038] In accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention, outer sleeve 11 has at least two radial openings 17 and the second gap 16 formed between inner sleeve 10 and outer sleeve 11 is divided into at least two sectors or segments that are not in direct communication with each other. Each sector of the second gap 16 communicates, preferably directly, with a corresponding radial opening 17 and with second ends 14 of a corresponding subset of radial holes 12 of inner sleeve 10. In this way, fluid introduced into a radial opening 17 reaches the first gap 15 through the respective sector of the second gap 16 and the corresponding subset of radial holes 12

[0039] In accordance with the guiding device of the third embodiment, it is possible to introduce pressurised fluid through one or more radial openings 17, so as to cause a pressure increase in the only subsets of holes 12 communicating with such radial openings 17 through the respective sectors of the second gap 16. In case of displacement of shaft 2 relative to the balance condition, this possibility can be advantageously exploited for increasing the pressure in the radial holes directed towards the side of the guiding device where the fluidic gap has a smaller thickness, thereby assisting in a quicker restoration of the balance condition.

[0040] In accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention, the second gap 16 between inner sleeve 10 and outer sleeve 11 is lacking. Outer sleeve 11 has at least two radial openings 17 and inner sleeve 10 includes at least two networks of channels establishing communication between radial holes 12 of inner sleeve 10, the networks not being in direct communication with each other. Each radial opening 17 communicates, preferably directly, with a respective radial hole aligned with the same opening and each network of channels is arranged to make the radial holes of a corresponding subset of radial holes 12 of inner sleeve 10 communicate with one another. In this way, the fluid introduced into a radial opening 17 reaches the first gap 15 through the respective network of channels and the corresponding subset of radial holes 12.

[0041] In accordance with the guiding device of the fourth embodiment, it is possible to introduce pressurised fluid through one or more radial openings 17, so as to cause a pressure increase in the only subsets of holes 12 communicating with such radial openings 17 through the respective networks of channels. In case of displacement of shaft 2 relative to the balance condition, this possibility can be advantageously exploited for increasing the pressure in the radial holes directed towards the side of the guiding device where the fluidic gap has a smaller thickness, thereby assisting in a quicker restoration of the balance condition.

[0042] Preferably, the guiding device according to the invention further includes pressure sensors and/or displacement sensors and/or gyroscopic sensors (not shown in the Figures), capable of detecting the relative displacements between guiding device 1 and shaft 2, in particular a possible displacement of shaft 2 relative to the balance condition. A control system (not shown in the Figures) is configured to control introduction of the pressurised fluid through radial openings 17 of outer sleeve 11. Advantageously, the control system can receive the data detected by such sensors, in particular a possible displacement of shaft 2 relative to the balance condition, entailing a non-uniform thickness of the fluidic gap, and can control, based on such data, introduction of the pressurised fluid through one or more radial openings located on the side of the guiding device where the thickness of the fluidic gap is smaller, or anyway openings communicating with subsets of radial holes where the thickness of the fluidic gap is smaller. This allows, as explained before, compensating more quickly the misalignment of the member to be guided relative to the aforesaid balance condition.

[0043] Advantageously, the provision of fluid in the first gap 15 formed between inner sleeve 10 and shaft 2 further allows removing possible particles of dust and material generated by wear, besides making use of lubricants superfluous. Such features make guiding device 1 suitable for use in applications in which a clean environment is required.

[0044] The fluid introduced further contributes to cool both guiding device 1 and shaft 2. Should guiding device 1 be mounted on a roto-translating motor, the fluid would allow, for instance, cooling the electromagnetic parts inside the motor.

[0045] Lastly, guiding device 1 according to the invention has the advantage of having a compact structure, what makes the device suitable for use in applications requiring a reduced bulk.

[0046] The invention can find application in different technical fields, and is particularly suitable for guiding roto-translating shafts of capping heads for applying for instance screw or pressure caps to containers, more particularly bottles.

[0047] In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve are made as an integral piece by means of the 3D printing technology (Additive Manufacturing).

[0048] FIGS. 5 to 7 show the application of guiding device 1 according to the invention in one of such capping machines. As known, a capping machine generally comprises at least one capping head, in turn including a cap application part, equipped with a cap gripping member which is generally made to move according to a rotary movement about a longitudinal axis and a translatory movement along said axis, and a driving part, for instance located axially above the cap application part. The axial sliding of the gripping member also serves for applying a top load necessary to keep the container to be capped blocked during the capping operation. In conventional heads, one or more springs allow adjusting such a load.

[0049] More particularly, FIG. 5 shows, by way of example, a capping turret 20 preferably including a plurality of capping heads 21, each incorporating guiding device 1. Turret 20 comprises a stationary frame 22, inside which there is mounted a rotating structure 23, to which heads 21 are fixedly connected for rotation. Rotation of structure 23 allows bringing capping heads 21 in correspondence of bottles 26. The means for causing rotation of structure 23 are conventional and are not shown.

[0050] Referring also to FIG. 6, each head 21 includes a shaft 24 which is to be driven into the roto-translatory motion necessary for the capping operations and which carries, at its bottom, gripping member 25 for the cap to be applied to a bottle 26. At its top, shaft 24 is provided with means 27 for connection to members belonging to the driving part (not shown) and causing the axial sliding of the head under the control, for instance, of cams.

[0051] Capping head 21 includes a cylindrical body 30 fixedly connected for rotation to rotating structure 23 of turret 20. More particularly, cylindrical bodies 30 of all heads are fastened to a flange 31 in structure 23. Cylindrical body 30 internally accommodates stator 32 and rotor 28 of an electric motor for generating the rotary motion to be imparted to shaft 24 through a coupling device of known type. Reference symbol B denotes the axis of rotation of shaft 24.

[0052] Capping head 21 includes, for instance in a bottom portion shown enlarged in FIG. 7, an air cushion guiding device similar to the device described above. Such a guiding device comprises an outer cylindrical sleeve 35, similar to outer sleeve 11 of guiding device 1 described above and provided therefore with an opening (not shown) for the introduction of a pressurised fluid, and an inner sleeve 34, similar to inner sleeve 10 and provided therefore with a plurality of through holes (not shown) for the passage of the pressurised fluid and the creation of the fluidic gap between inner sleeve 34 and roto-translating shaft 24.

[0053] As known, when a cap is to be applied to a bottle 26, it is necessary to impart a roto-translatory motion to rod 24 of head 21 concerned. The rotary and translatory movements allow bringing the cap, held by cap gripping member 25, in contact with bottle 26 and hence screwing or inserting the cap onto or into bottle 26. Guiding device 1 allows preventing axis B of shaft 24 from becoming misaligned during its roto-translatory motion, and in particular during the phases of contact between cap gripping member 25 and bottles 26 and of cap screwing or insertion.

[0054] It is clear that the above description is given only by way of non-limiting example and that changes and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.