MACHINE FRAME, AND FASTENING ASSEMBLY CONSISTING OF A MACHINE FRAME AND AT LEAST ONE FASTENING ELEMENT

Abstract

The invention relates to a machine frame, such as for a packaging machine, comprising a plurality of supports, specifically at least one longitudinal support and at least one crossbeam. The machine frame according to the invention is characterized in that at least one of the supports is formed by a profile element having an open profile. According to a second aspect the invention relates to a fastening assembly comprising a machine frame according to the invention and at least one fastening element for fastening a functional module to a profile element by engagement in at least one mounting hole.

Claims

1. Machine frame comprising a plurality of supports, wherein the plurality of supports comprises at least one longitudinal support and at least one crossbeam, wherein at least one of the supports is formed by a profile element having an open profile, and wherein the profile cross section of the open profile extends substantially in a vertical direction over at least 40% of its total length.

2. Machine frame according to claim 1, wherein the profile element is manufactured from sheet metal.

3. Machine frame according to claim 1, wherein the profile element is produced from a bending profile.

4. Machine frame according to claim 1, wherein the cross section of the profile has a substantially horizontally extending support rib on a side facing towards an interior of the machine.

5. Machine frame according to claim 4, wherein the cross section of the profile has a substantially vertically extending rib adjoining an inner end of the horizontally extending support rib, and/or a substantially vertically extending rib adjoining an outer end of the horizontally extending support rib.

6. Machine frame according to claim 1, wherein the profile has a rib, at its upper end, that extends obliquely downwards and outwards.

7. Machine frame according to claim 1, wherein the profile has a rib, at its lower end, that extends substantially vertically.

8. Machine frame according to claim 7, wherein an outer vertical rib and a lower vertical rib are arranged so as to be substantially flush with respect to one another in the vertical direction, and/or in that an inner vertical rib and a lower vertical rib are connected by a support rib that extends obliquely downwards and outwards.

9. Machine frame according to claim 8, wherein the support rib and/or the outer vertical rib and/or the lower vertical rib comprise a plurality of mounting holes.

10. Machine frame according claim 1, further comprising at least one stand that extends in a height direction of the machine frame, wherein at least one of the stands is formed by a metal angle plate.

11. Machine frame according to claim 1, wherein at least one connecting element, which serves to connect a support to a stand or another support, is or are manufactured from electrically conductive material.

12. Machine frame according to claim 1, wherein a lower, substantially horizontally extending longitudinal support of the machine frame is arranged so as to be offset, by a predetermined distance, from a longitudinal center of the machine frame.

13. Fastening assembly comprising a machine frame according to claim 9, and at least one fastening element for fastening a functional module to a profile element by engagement in at least one mounting hole, wherein the fastening element comprises at least one hook part having a reach-through portion and a hook portion, wherein the reach-through portion is intended to pass through the mounting hole, and is of a height that is smaller than a height of the mounting hole, wherein the hook portion is intended to engage behind the mounting hole, and is of a predetermined height, wherein a sum of the height of the reach-through portion and the height of the hook portion is greater than the height of the mounting hole, wherein the at least one hook part further comprises a contact surface which is intended to come into contact engagement with a first contact surface of the profile element, wherein the fastening element comprises at least one clamping part which interacts with the at least one hook part and is adjustable relative thereto, between a clamping position and a release position, and wherein the at least one clamping part is intended to come into contact engagement with a second contact surface of the profile element, in the clamping position, in such a way that the contact surface of the at least one hook part comes into contact engagement with the first contact surface of the profile element, and thus secures the engagement of the reach-through portion in the mounting hole and the engagement of the hook portion behind the mounting hole.

14. Fastening assembly according to claim 13, wherein a contact surface is provided on a base part of the at least one fastening element, which contact surface comes into contact engagement with a third contact surface of the profile element.

15. Fastening element according to claim 14, wherein the third contact surface of the profile element is arranged on the same side of the profile element as the second contact surface.

16. Fastening element according to claim 14, wherein the third contact surface of the profile element and the first contact surface are arranged on sides of the mounting hole facing away from one another.

17. Fastening assembly according to claim 13, wherein that the fastening element comprises a plurality of hook parts and/or a plurality of clamping parts.

Description

[0044] The invention will be explained in greater detail in the following, on the basis of embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings,

[0045] in which:

[0046] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a machine frame according to the invention,

[0047] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a sheet metal profile according to the invention,

[0048] FIG. 3 is a detail view of the machine frame comprising a crossbeam which supports a functional module,

[0049] FIGS. 4a and 4b are detail views for explaining the connection of a stand of the machine frame, and with its longitudinal supports and crossbeams,

[0050] FIGS. 5a and 5b are schematic views of different embodiments of connecting elements,

[0051] FIG. 6 is a detail view of a connection point of a crossbeam to a longitudinal support of the machine frame,

[0052] FIGS. 7a and 7b are schematic views for explaining the interaction of a fastening element with a mounting hole of a profile element of the machine frame, and

[0053] FIGS. 8a and 8b are schematic views of further embodiments of fastening elements.

[0054] In FIG. 1, a machine frame is denoted very generally by 100. The machine frame 100 comprises a plurality of supports, specifically a plurality of longitudinal supports 102 and a plurality of crossbeams 104. The machine frame 100 further comprises a plurality of stands 106. Connecting the stands 106 to the longitudinal supports 102, to the crossbeams 104, and to further crossbeams of functional modules 108 (see FIG. 3), results in a machine frame 100 that is torsionally stiff overall.

[0055] For the sake of completeness, it is noted that the longitudinal supports 102 extend in the longitudinal direction L of the machine frame 100, the crossbeams 104 extend in the transverse direction Q of the machine frame 100, and the stands 104 extend in the height direction H of the machine frame 100.

[0056] The longitudinal supports 102, the crossbeams 104, and the stands 106 define an interior 100a of the machine frame 100 in which the functional modules of a machine (not shown), for example a packaging machine, can be arranged. The work progress direction of the machine typically extends in parallel with the longitudinal direction L of the machine frame 100.

[0057] In the embodiment shown, the longitudinal supports 102 and the crossbeams 104 are all formed by a profile element 110 which has an open profile (see FIG. 2).

[0058] Although in principle the profile element 110 can be produced from any suitable material, according to the present embodiment all the supports 102, 104 are manufactured from sheet metal, in particular sheet steel, preferably 1.4301 stainless steel sheet, and produced as bending profiles.

[0059] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the profile element 110 along the longitudinal direction L and the transverse direction Q, respectively. In FIG. 2, the inward direction facing towards the interior 100a of the machine frame 100 is denoted by I, and the outward direction facing away from the interior 100a is denoted by A.

[0060] The single substantially horizontally extending portion of the profile element 110 forms a support rib 112. As shown in FIG. 3, the crossbeam 108a of a functional module 108 of the machine mounted in the machine frame 100 can rest on the support rib 112 of a longitudinal support 102. The support rib 112 thus serves to introduce the weight forces of the functional module 108 into the machine frame 100.

[0061] A substantially vertically extending rib 114 (inner vertical rib 114) adjoins the support rib 112 at the inner end 112a of the support rib 112. A substantially vertically extending rib 116 (outer vertical rib 116) adjoins the support rib 112 at the outer end 112b of the support rib 112.

[0062] In the embodiment shown, an upper end 116a of the outer vertical rib 116 forms an upper end 110o of the profile element 110. A rib 118 that extends obliquely downwards and outwards adjoins the upper end 116a of the outer vertical rib 116. Electrical and/or electronic and/or fluidic, for example pneumatic and/or hydraulic, components can be arranged below said rib 118 that extends obliquely downwards and outwards, in the region B1 indicated by dashed lines. Said components are protected from dust and/or dirt by the rib 118 that extends obliquely downwards and outwards.

[0063] A further rib 120 that extends obliquely downwards and outwards adjoins the lower end 114a of the inner vertical rib 114. For example, electrical and/or fluidic supply lines and/or data lines, which serve for supplying and/or controlling the components arranged in the region B1 can be arranged in a region B2, indicated by dashed lines, below said rib 120.

[0064] The termination is formed by a further vertical rib 122 (lower vertical rib 122) that adjoins the lower end 120a of the obliquely extending rib 120. Inter alia the above-mentioned components and lines can be attached to the lower vertical rib 122. The lower end 122a of the lower vertical rib 122 forms the lower end 110u of the profile element 100.

[0065] It should be added that the outer vertical rib 116 and the lower vertical rib 122 are arranged so as to be substantially flush with respect to one another in the height direction H, as indicated by a dot-dashed line in FIG. 2.

[0066] It should further be added that the inner vertical rib 114, the outer vertical rib 116, and the lower vertical rib 122 together extend over at least 40% of the total length of the profile element 110. This ensures a sufficient vertical rigidity of the profile element 110 with respect to loads acting thereon in the height direction H. The transverse rigidity is provided by the two obliquely extending ribs 118 and 120, as well as the additional stiffening by the crossbeams of the functional modules 108 fastened to the longitudinal supports 102.

[0067] FIG. 3 is a detail of a machine frame 100 comprising a functional module 108. In this case, the exact design and the exact function of the functional module is not important in connection with the present invention. Rather, in FIG. 3 what is important is the way in which the functional module 108 is fastened to the longitudinal supports 102 of the machine frame.

[0068] As is shown in particular in FIG. 4b, in each case a plurality of mounting holes 124 is provided in the support rib 112, in the outer vertical rib 116, and in the lower vertical rib 120. Said mounting holes 124 are formed as a hole grid which extends over the entire length of the longitudinal support 102 or of the crossbeam 104. Furthermore, the plurality of mounting holes 124 is formed as slots extending in the longitudinal extension direction of the respective support 102 or 104. The slots have a height 124a extending in the height direction H, and a length 124b extending along the respective longitudinal extension direction. The plurality of slots 124 preferably has a height 124a of at least 10 mm in each case, and a length 124b of at least 20 mm in each case.

[0069] According to FIG. 3, the crossbeam 108a of the functional module 108 comprises an end unit 108b having a shoulder 108c that extends substantially horizontally. By means of said shoulder 108c the end unit 108b, and, therewith, the entire functional module 108, rests on the support rib 112 of the longitudinal support 102. Optionally, pins (not shown) can be provided on the underside of the shoulder 108c, by means of which pins said shoulder engages in a form-fitting manner in mounting holes 124 of the support rib 112. Furthermore, fastening bolts 108d can be seen in FIG. 3, which pass through the mounting holes 124 of the outer vertical rib 116 such that the shoulder 108b and, therewith, the entire functional unit 108, can be screwed to the longitudinal support 102.

[0070] With reference to FIGS. 4a and 4b, and 5a and 5b, the longitudinal supports 102 and the crossbeams 104 are connected to the stands 106 by means of connecting elements 130 and 132. Preferably all the connecting elements 130, 132 are manufactured from an electrically conductive material.

[0071] The connecting element 130 shown in detail in FIG. 5a is intended to be arranged on the inside of the profile element 110. In particular, the connecting element 130 is placed on the support rib 112 of the profile element 110 and can be fastened thereto by means of fastening bolts (not shown), which pass through corresponding through-holes 130a (see FIG. 5a) and mounting holes 124 of the support rib 112. Furthermore, the connecting element 130 comprises a projection 130b which engages in a corresponding opening 106a of the stand 106 (see FIG. 4a). Furthermore, the stand 106 comprises, beside each of the openings 106a, two drilled holes 106b, and the connecting elements 130 comprise two corresponding threaded drilled holes 130c, which serve for fastening the connecting elements 130 on the stand 106 by means of threaded bolts (not shown).

[0072] The connecting element 132 shown in detail in FIG. 5b is intended to be arranged on the outside of the profile element 110. In particular, the connecting element 132 comprises two threaded drilled holes 132a, which serve for fastening the connecting elements 132 on the stand 106 by means of threaded bolts (not shown) which pass through corresponding drilled holes 106c of the stand 106. Furthermore, the connecting element 132 comprises two projections 132b, which are designed such that they can be inserted in a form-fitting manner in associated mounting holes 124 of the lower vertical rib 120 without protruding out of the mounting holes 124 on the other side. Furthermore, threaded drilled holes 132c are formed in the projections 132b, which serve for fastening the connecting element 132 to the lower vertical rib 120 by means of threaded bolts (not shown).

[0073] As shown in FIG. 6, the longitudinal supports 102 and the crossbeams 104 can be connected to one another, also directly, via a substantially L-shaped connecting element 134. With respect to the arrangement, the connecting element 134 is similar to the connecting element 130, since, like this connecting element, it can be placed on the support ribs 112 both of the longitudinal support 102 and of the crossbeam 104, and be fastened to these by fastening bolts (not shown).

[0074] Regarding FIG. 1, it should also be added that the stands 106 can be provided, on the side thereof visible from the outside, with a casing 106d. Said casing can serve as protection against environmental influences or to prevent damage or injury, but, by virtue of a special shaping and coloring, can also be used for design purposes.

[0075] Furthermore, it should be added with regard to FIG. 1 that one of the lower longitudinal supports 102 of the machine frame 100 (denoted 102a in FIG. 1) can be arranged so as to be offset towards the longitudinal center 100b of the machine frame 100 by a predetermined distance d. This facilitates access, for the maintenance and/or operating personnel, to the functional units 108, since it is not necessary to cross the longitudinal support for this purpose.

[0076] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a fastening assembly 150, as is shown by way of example in FIGS. 7a and 7b. The fastening assembly 150 comprises the machine frame 100 and at least one fastening element 152, to which further elements, for example functional modules 108, can be fastened.

[0077] The fastening element 152 is designed in a manner adapted to the mounting holes 124 of the profile elements 110 of the machine frame 100. In particular, the fastening element 152 comprises a hook part 154 having a reach-through portion 154a and a hook portion 154b.

[0078] The reach-through portion 154a is intended to pass through the mounting hole 124, as shown in FIG. 7a. Furthermore, the reach-through portion 154a is of a height h2 that is smaller, preferably only slightly smaller, for example less than 1 mm smaller, than the height h1 of the mounting hole 124. In principle it is also conceivable that the heights h1 and h2 are substantially the same, taking into account the tolerances, such that the reach-through is designed as a transition fit. Thus, easy clamping between the fastening element 152 and the profile element 110 can be achieved, already after screwing in the fastening element 152.

[0079] The hook portion 154b is intended to engage behind the mounting hole 124 in a form-fitting manner. The hook portion 154b has a predetermined height h3 in the height direction H. The sum of the height h2 of the reach-through portion 154a and the predetermined height h3 of the hook portion 154b is greater than the height h1 of the mounting hole 124. As a result, when the fastening element 152 is located in the mounted position shown in FIG. 7a, it cannot be drawn out of the mounting hole 124 (to the right in FIG. 7a), since a contact surface 154b1 of the hook portion 154b (see FIG. 7b) still interacts with a first contact surface 110a of the profile element 110 even if the reach-through portion 154a should be pushed fully upwards in the mounting hole 124.

[0080] Furthermore, the fastening element 152 comprises at least one clamping part 156 which interacts with the at least one hook part 154 and is adjustable relative to the hook part 154 between a clamping position (see FIG. 7a) and a release position (see FIG. 7b). The clamping part 156 is intended to come into contact engagement with a second contact surface 110b of the profile element 110, in the clamping position, in such a way that the contact surface 154b1 of the hook portion 154b comes into contact engagement with the contact surface 110a of the profile element 110. This secures the engagement of the reach-through portion 154a in the mounting hole 124, and the engagement of the hook portion 154b behind the mounting hole 124.

[0081] In the clamping position shown in FIG. 7a, the position stability of the fastening element 152 can be further increased in that a contact surface 158a is provided on a base part 158 of the fastening element 152, which contact surface can come into contact engagement with a third contact surface 110c of the profile element 110. As can be seen from FIGS. 7a and 7b, the second contact surface 110b and the third contact surface 110c are arranged on the same side 110d of the profile element 110. Furthermore, the first contact surface 110a and the third contact surface 110c are arranged on sides of the mounting hole 124 that are different from one another in the height direction H.

[0082] Prior to the attachment of the fastening element 152, the clamping part 156 is located in its release position (FIG. 7b). The fastening element 152 is guided, with the hook portion 154b at the front, through the mounting hole 124 until the reach-through portion 154a rests, with its surface 154a1 on the hook portion side, against a contact point 160 on the mounting hole 124. The contact point 160 is arranged, in the height direction H, on the same side as the first contact surface 110a. In addition, the contact point 160 is located on the side 110d of the profile element 110.

[0083] In order to transfer the fastening element 152 into its mounted position, the fastening element 152 is rotated about the contact point 160 until the contact surface 154b1 of the hook portion 154b rests on the first contact surface 110a of the profile element 110.

[0084] In order to allow this rotational movement, the hook part 154 has an outer contour 154c which is located inside a notional circle line 162 (shown by a dashed line in FIG. 7b). The circle line 162 has a radius 164 which is equal to the height h1 of the mounting hole 124. The center of the circle line 162 is the contact point 160.

[0085] After the rotation of the fastening element 152 about the contact point 160, not only do the contact surfaces 154b1 and 110a rest against one another, but rather also the contact surfaces 158a and 110c, as a result of which the fastening element 152 is secured in two directions.

[0086] Subsequently, the clamping part 156 can be transferred into the clamping position (FIG. 7a). In this case, the clamping part 156 rests on the second contact surface 110b of the profile element 110. The position of the hook portion 152 is secured as a result.

[0087] FIG. 8a schematically shows a further embodiment of a fastening element 252 comprising a plurality of hook parts 254.

[0088] FIG. 8b schematically shows a further embodiment of a fastening element 352 which comprises a plurality of clamping parts 356.