AGITATOR DEVICE AND METHOD

Abstract

An agitator device has at least one carrier unit, which has at least one connection element for a connection to a drive shaft and at least one beam element for the fastening of at least one agitator blade wherein the beam element and the connection element are connected to one another in a one-part implementation.

Claims

1. An agitator device having at least one carrier unit, which has at least one connection element for a connection to a drive shaft and at least one beam element for the fastening of at least one agitator blade, characterized in that wherein the beam element and the connection element are connected to one another in a one-part implementation.

2. The agitator device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the beam element has at least one portion with an at least substantially quadrilateral cross section.

3. The agitator device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the beam element and the connection element have an at least substantially identical material thickness in a common connection region.

4. The agitator device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connection element the beam element are produced from a common plate-like workpiece.

5. The agitator device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connection element forms at least one connection flange, which is configured for a connection to a shaft flange.

6. The agitator device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the beam element has, in at least one direction, a tapering cross section.

7. The agitator device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the beam element is realized so as to be twisted at least section-wise.

8. The agitator device (10a; 10b; 10c; 10d) as claimed in claim 1, comprising at least one agitator blade which is connected to the beam element.

9. The agitator device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the agitator blade is connected to the beam element along a longitudinal side of said beam element.

10. The agitator device as claimed in claim 8, wherein a leading edge of the agitator blade terminates flush, at least section-wise, with at least one edge of the beam element.

11. The agitator device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the agitator blade and the beam element are connected to one another on a front side of the beam element.

12. The agitator device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the beam element and the agitator blade are connected to one another in a one-part implementation.

13. The agitator device as claimed claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the carrier unit is implemented by a layered structure with at least two sheets.

14. (canceled)

15. A method for producing an agitator device, in particular as claimed in claim 1, having at least one carrier unit, which has at least one connection element for a connection to a drive shaft and at least one beam element for the fastening of at least one agitator blade, wherein the connection element and the beam element are produced from a common plate-like workpiece.

16. An agitator device having at least one carrier unit, which has at least one connection element for a connection to a drive shaft and at least one beam element for the fastening of at least one agitator blade, wherein the beam element has at least one portion with an at least substantially quadrilateral cross section.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0037] Further advantages will emerge from the following description of the drawings. The drawings illustrate five exemplary embodiments of the invention. The drawings, the description and the claims contain numerous features in combination. A person skilled in the art will expediently also consider the features individually and combine these to form further meaningful combinations.

[0038] In the drawings:

[0039] FIG. 1 shows an agitator appliance with a first agitator device in a schematic illustration,

[0040] FIG. 2 shows a top side of the first agitator device in a perspective illustration,

[0041] FIG. 3 shows a bottom side of the first agitator device in a perspective illustration,

[0042] FIG. 4 shows the first agitator device in a schematic plan view,

[0043] FIG. 5 shows the first agitator device in schematic front view,

[0044] FIG. 6 shows the first agitator device in a schematic side view,

[0045] FIG. 7 shows a top side of a second agitator device in a perspective illustration,

[0046] FIG. 8 shows a bottom side of the second agitator device in a perspective illustration,

[0047] FIG. 9 shows a third agitator device in a perspective illustration,

[0048] FIG. 10 shows a fourth agitator device in a perspective illustration,

[0049] FIG. 11 shows the fourth agitator device in a schematic front view,

[0050] FIG. 12 shows a top side of a fifth agitator device in a perspective illustration,

[0051] FIG. 13 shows a bottom side of the fifth agitator device in a perspective illustration,

[0052] FIG. 14 shows the fifth agitator device in schematic front view,

[0053] FIG. 15 shows the fifth agitator device in a schematic side view, and

[0054] FIG. 16 shows a schematic flow diagram of a method for producing an agitator device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0055] FIG. 1 shows an agitator appliance 44a with a first agitator device 10a in a schematic illustration. The first agitator device 10a is in the present case in the form of an agitator body. The first agitator device 10a is fastened to a drive shaft 16a of the agitator appliance 44a. The first agitator device 10a is fastened to a shaft flange 28a of the drive shaft 16a. The first agitator device 10a is designed to be rotatable about an axis of rotation 46a. In particular, the agitator device 10a is configured so as to rotate about the axis of rotation 46a during an agitation process. The axis of rotation 46a runs through a central point 48a of the first agitator device 10a. The axis of rotation 46a runs parallel to a longitudinal direction of the drive shaft 16a.

[0056] FIG. 2 shows a top side of the agitator device 10a in a perspective illustration. FIG. 3 shows a bottom side of the first agitator device 10a in a perspective illustration. FIGS. 4 to 6 show various additional schematic illustrations of the first agitator device 10a. The first agitator device 10a has a carrier unit 12a. The carrier unit 12a comprises an connection element 14a for a connection to the drive shaft 16a.

[0057] Furthermore, the carrier unit 12a comprises a beam element 18a for the fastening of at least one agitator blade 20a. The beam element 18a forms a strut for the agitator blade 20a. The beam element 18a and the connection element 14a are connected to one another in a one-part implementation. In the present case, the carrier unit 12a is formed as a single piece. Furthermore, the carrier unit 12a is implemented from high-grade steel. Other materials and/or material combinations are however also conceivable.

[0058] The beam element 18a has a portion 22a with an at least substantially quadrilateral cross section. In the present case, the portion 22a has a rectangular cross section. Furthermore, in the present case, the entire beam element 18a has a substantially quadrilateral, in particular rectangular, cross section. The edges of the beam element 18a are beveled at least section-wise.

[0059] In the present case, the carrier unit 12a comprises a further beam element 50a. The further beam element 50a is of point-symmetrical design relative to the beam element 18a about the central point 48a of the agitator device 10a. The first agitator device 10a has the agitator blade 20a. The agitator blade 20a. is fastened. to the beam element 18a. Furthermore, in the present case, the first agitator device 10a has a further agitator blade 52a. The further agitator blade 52a is fastened to the further beam element 50a. The further agitator blade 52a is of point-symmetrical design relative to the agitator blade 20a about the central point 48a of the first agitator device 10a. The beam element 18a, the further beam element 50a and the connection element 14a together form the carrier unit 12a. The carrier unit 12a, the agitator blade 20a and the further agitator blade 52a together form the agitator device 10a.

[0060] In the present case, the first agitator device 10a has a longitudinal extent of approximately 4 m. The longitudinal extent corresponds to a diameter of the agitator device 10a. Other dimensions of an agitator device are however also conceivable, in particular different ratios of a length, a width and a height. For example, a longitudinal extent of an agitator device may amount to 0.1 m or 0.5 m or 1 m or 2 m or 3 m or 5 m or 6 m or even more. Furthermore, in the present case, the beam element 18a has a longitudinal extent of approximately 1 m. Other longitudinal extents of a beam element are however also conceivable, in particular in a similar length ratio relative to the longitudinal extent of the agitator device 10a as in the present case, or else in some other length ratio.

[0061] The connection element 14a and the beam element 18a are produced from a common plate-like workpiece. In the present case, the common workpiece is a high-grade steel plate. Other suitable materials are self-evidently also conceivable. A thickness of the workpiece furthermore amounts in the present case to approximately 7 cm. Other thicknesses are however also conceivable, such as for example 0.1 cm or 1 cm or 2 cm or 4 cm or 6 cm or 8 cm or 10 cm or 15 cm or more or less or any thicknesses lying between the stated values. In the present case, the further beam element 50a is additionally produced from the common plate-like workpiece. The carrier unit 12a is produced from the common plate-like workpiece, in particular by being cut out or punched out.

[0062] The beam element 18a and the connection element 14a have an at least substantially identical material thickness and a common connection region 24a. In the present case, the material thickness amounts to approximately 7 cm. The material thickness corresponds at least substantially to a thickness of the common plate-like workpiece. The connection element 14a transitions into the beam element 18a in the connection region 24a. Furthermore, the connection element 14a and the beam element 18a have an at least substantially identical width in the connection region 24a. Furthermore, the connection element 14a and the beam element 18a have an at least substantially identical cross section in the connecting region 24a.

[0063] The connection element 14a forms an connection flange 26a, which is configured for a connection to the shaft flange 28a. In an installed state, the connection flange 26a is screwed to the shaft flange 28a.

[0064] The beam element 18a has, in at least one direction 54a, a tapering cross section. In the present case, the direction 54a corresponds to a radial direction with respect to the axis of rotation 46a. Furthermore, the beam element 18a has, in the present case, a first portion 56a with a constant rectangular cross section and, joining this, a second portion 58a with a tapering rectangular cross section.

[0065] The agitator blade 20a is connected to the beam element 18a along a longitudinal side 30a of said beam element. The agitator blade 20a is welded to the beam element 18a. Other connection types are however also conceivable, as described above. The agitator blade 20a has an L-shaped outer contour 60a, which is connected to the beam element 18a. The L-shaped outer contour 60a is adapted to an outer contour of the beam element 18a. A long limb portion of the outer contour 60a lies against the longitudinal side 30a of the beam element 18a.

[0066] The agitator blade 20a and the beam element 18a are connected to one another on a front side 36a of the beam element 18a. In the present case, the agitator blade 20a is welded to the front side 36a of the beam element 18a. A short limb portion of the outer contour 60a of the agitator blade 20a lies against the front side 36a of the beam element 18a. Alternatively or in addition, it is conceivable for a beam element to form, in particular on a front side, a slit into which at least a part of the agitator blade is inserted. The agitator blade may then be clamped and/or welded to the beam element.

[0067] A leading edge 32a of the agitator blade 20a terminates flush, at least section-wise, with an edge 34a of the beam element 18a. The edge 34a is a leading edge of the beam element 18a. In the present case, the leading edge 32a of the agitator blade 20a forms an elongation of the edge 34a of the beam element 18a.

[0068] FIGS. 7 to 15 show four further exemplary embodiments of the invention. The following descriptions and the drawings are restricted substantially to the differences between the exemplary embodiments, wherein, with regard to identically designated components, in particular with regard to components with identical reference designations, reference may basically also be made to the drawings and/or to the description of the other exemplary embodiments, in particular of FIGS. 1 to 6. To distinguish between the exemplary embodiments, the alphabetic character a has been added as a suffix to the reference designations of the exemplary embodiments in FIGS. 1 to 6. The alphabetic character a has been replaced by the alphabetic characters b to f in the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 7 to 15.

[0069] FIGS. 7 and 8 show perspective illustrations of a second agitator device 10b. The second agitator device 10b has a carrier unit 12b. The carrier unit 12b comprises an connection element 14b for a connection to a drive shaft (not shown). Furthermore, the carrier unit 12b comprises a beam element 18b for the fastening of at least one agitator blade 20b. The second agitator device 10b has the agitator blade 20b. The beam element 18b and the connection element 14b are connected to one another in a one-part implementation. In the present case, the carrier unit 12b is formed as a single piece.

[0070] The beam element 18b has a portion 22b with an at least substantially quadrilateral cross section. In the present case, the portion 22b has a rectangular cross section. Furthermore, in the present case, the entire beam element 18b has a substantially quadrilateral, in particular rectangular, cross section. The edges of the beam element 18b are beveled at least section-wise.

[0071] In the present case, the agitator blade 20b has a rubber coating. The agitator blade 20b is basically designed, and fastened to the beam element 18b, analogously to the agitator blade 20a from the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 6. However, in the present case, a rubber coating 62b has been pulled over a metallic main body of the agitator blade 20b. The material and material thickness of the rubber coating 62b and the size thereof can be easily and/or inexpensively adapted to a use.

[0072] FIG. 9 shows a third agitator device 10c in a perspective illustration. The third agitator device 10c has a carrier unit 12c. The carrier unit 12c comprises an connection element 14c for a connection to a drive shaft 16c. Furthermore, the carrier unit 12c comprises a beam element 18c for the fastening of at least one agitator blade 20c. The third agitator device 10c has the agitator blade 20c. The beam element 18c and the connection element 14c are connected to one another in a one-part implementation. In the present case, the carrier unit 12c is formed as a single piece.

[0073] The beam element 18c has a portion 22c with an at least substantially quadrilateral cross section. In the present case, the portion 22c has a rectangular cross section. Furthermore, in the present case, the entire beam element 18c has a substantially quadrilateral, in particular rectangular, cross section. The edges of the beam element 18c are beveled at least section-wise.

[0074] In the present case, the beam element 18c is of cuboidal form. A cross section of the beam element 18c is constant. The cross section of the beam element 18c is invariant along a longitudinal direction 64c of the beam element 18c. The longitudinal direction 64c of the beam element 18c corresponds to a radial direction. Such an embodiment is particularly easy to produce. In particular, the carrier unit 12c may be cut out or punched out of a plate-like workpiece, advantageously without the need to form bevels at certain locations.

[0075] FIGS. 10 and 11 show different illustrations of a fourth agitator device 10d. The fourth agitator device 10d has a carrier unit 12d. The carrier unit 12d comprises an connection element 14d for a connection to a drive shaft (not shown). Furthermore, the carrier unit 12d comprises a beam element 18d for the fastening of at least one agitator blade 20d. The fourth agitator device 10d has the agitator blade 20d. The beam element 18d and the connection element 14d are connected to one another in a one-part implementation. In the present case, the carrier unit 12d is formed as a single piece.

[0076] The beam element 18d has a portion 22d with an at least substantially quadrilateral cross section. In the present case, the portion 22d has a rectangular cross section. Furthermore, in the present case, the entire beam element 18d has a substantially quadrilateral, in particular rectangular, cross section. The edges of the beam element 18d are beveled at least section-wise.

[0077] At least a portion of the carrier unit 12d is realized by a layered structure 38d with at least two sheets 40d, 42d, 43d. In the present case, the entire carrier unit 12d is realized by the layered structure 38d. Furthermore, in the present case, the layered structure 38d comprises a first sheet 40d, a second sheet 42d and a third sheet 43d. The sheets 40d, 42d, 43d are implemented from high-grade steel. The second sheet 42d is in the present case realized as a central sheet. The second sheet 42b has the connection element 14d and the beam element 18d.

[0078] The first sheet 40d is realized as an upper reinforcement sheet. The third sheet 43d is realized as a lower reinforcement sheet. The first sheet 40d and the third sheet 43d each have further beam elements 66d, 68d and further connection elements 70d, 72d. The beam elements 18b, 66d, 68d together form a strut 74d of the carrier unit 12d. The connection elements 14d, 70d, 72d together form a shaft connection unit 76d of the carrier unit 12d for a connection to the drive shaft. The carrier unit 12d is constructed in the manner of a plywood panel from the sheets 40d, 42d, 43d.

[0079] The beam element 18d and the agitator blade 20d are connected to one another in a one-part implementation. The agitator blade 20d is part of the second sheet 42d. During production of the fourth agitator device 10d, the first sheet 40d, the second sheet 42d and the third sheet 43d are cut out or punched out from a starting sheet. Corners may be rounded or beveled if required. The sheets 40d, 42d, 43d are subsequently arranged one above the other and adhesively bonded and/or welded and/or screwed and/or riveted to one another. The second sheet 42d is deformed in targeted fashion in order to form the agitator blade 20d. The agitator blade 20d is curved out of a plane of the beam element 18d and of the connection element 14d.

[0080] FIGS. 12 to 15 show different illustrations of a fifth agitator device 10e. The fifth agitator device 10e has a carrier unit 12e. The carrier unit 12e comprises an connection element 14e for a connection to a drive shaft (not shown). Furthermore, the carrier unit 12e comprises a beam element 18e for the fastening of at least one agitator blade (not shown). The beam element 18e and the connection element 14e are connected to one another as one piece. In the present case, the carrier unit 12e is formed as a single piece.

[0081] The beam element 18e has a portion 22e with an at least substantially quadrilateral cross section. In the present case, the portion 22e has a rectangular cross section.

[0082] The beam element 18e is of twisted form at least section-wise. In the present case, the beam element 18e is of twisted form in a connection region 78e to the connection element 14e. The connection region 78e corresponds to a torsion region. A straight region 80e of the beam element 18e adjoins the connection region 78e. The straight region 80e of the beam element 18e is tested through approximately 20 relative to the connection element 14e. As indicated above, other angles are however also conceivable. An attached agitator blade is inclined during an agitation process owing to the torsion region of the carrier unit 12e. The inclination of an agitator blade can be performed easily through adaptation of the angle of twist. The carrier unit 12e may for example be produced by cutting or punching of a blank out of a plate-like workpiece and subsequent targeted twisting of parts of the blank.

[0083] FIG. 16 shows a schematic flow diagram of a method for producing an agitator device, for example one of the agitator devices of the preceding exemplary embodiments. The agitator device has a carrier unit which has an connection element for a connection to a drive shaft and has at least one beam element for the fastening of at least one agitator blade. In a first method step 82f, a common plate-like workpiece, for example a sheet, of a suitable thickness is provided. In a second method step 84f, the connection element and the beam element are produced from the common plate-like workpiece. In the present case, in the second method step 84f, a carrier unit blank is cut out of the workpiece. In a third method step 86f, finish machining is performed on the carrier unit blank in order to manufacture the carrier unit and in particular the agitator device. For example, in the third method step 86f, edges of the carrier unit may be rounded and/or beveled. It is furthermore conceivable that, in the third method step 86f, agitator blades are welded to the carrier unit and/or agitator blades are manufactured by bending of a sheet. It is self-evidently also conceivable for the third method step 86f to comprise a multiplicity of corresponding substeps.

REFERENCE DESIGNATIONS

[0084] 10 Agitator device

[0085] 12 Carrier unit

[0086] 14 Connection element

[0087] 16 Drive shaft

[0088] 18 Beam element

[0089] 20 Agitator blade

[0090] 22 Portion

[0091] 24 Connection region

[0092] 26 Connection flange

[0093] 28 Shaft flange

[0094] 30 Longitudinal side

[0095] 32 Leading edge

[0096] 34 Edge

[0097] 36 Front side

[0098] 38 Layered structure

[0099] 40 Sheet

[0100] 42 Sheet

[0101] 43 Sheet

[0102] 44 Agitator appliance

[0103] 46 Axis of rotation

[0104] 48 Central point

[0105] 50 Beam element

[0106] 52 Agitator blade

[0107] 54 Direction

[0108] 56 Portion

[0109] 58 Portion

[0110] 60 Outer contour

[0111] 62 Rubber coating

[0112] 64 Longitudinal direction

[0113] 66 Beam element

[0114] 68 Beam element

[0115] 70 Connection element

[0116] 72 Connection element

[0117] 74 Beam

[0118] 76 Shaft connection unit

[0119] 78 Connection region

[0120] 80 Region

[0121] 82 Method step

[0122] 84 Method step

[0123] 86 Method step