Axle or Shaft

Abstract

An axle or shaft has openings and/or depressions in radial direction. The recesses and/or depressions may be oriented in, or at least largely in, the longitudinal direction of the axle and may be of slot-shaped configuration or of punctiform configuration with several together oriented in the longitudinal direction of the axle.

Claims

1: An axle (1) or shaft, wherein the axle (1) is provided with openings (2) and/or depressions (22) in radial direction.

2: The axle according to claim 1, wherein the recesses (2) and/or depressions (22) are oriented at least largely in longitudinal direction or in longitudinal direction of the axle (1).

3: The axle according to claim 1, wherein the recesses (2) and/or depressions (22) are of slot-shaped configuration.

4: The axle according to claim 1, wherein the recesses (2) and/or depressions (22) are of punctiform configuration, wherein several are together oriented in longitudinal direction of the axle (1).

5: The axle according to claim 1, wherein the recesses (2) and/or depressions (22) are configured to be connected together.

6: The axle according to claim 5, wherein the connections lead to a common point of the axle, preferably to the end face of the axle.

7: The axle according to claim 1, wherein the axle (1) is of hollow form.

8: The axle according to claim 1, wherein at least one sleeve (6), which is pushed onto the axle (1), is provided.

9: The axle according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve (6) has a circular cross-section internally corresponding with the axle (1).

10: The axle according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve (6) has internally a cross-section engaging in the axle (1), i.e. in at least one recess (2) and/or depression (22).

11: The axle according to claim 10, wherein an entrainer is provided.

12: The axle according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve (6) is rotatably mounted on the axle (1).

13: The axle according to claim 1, wherein with respect to its rotatability the sleeve (6) is mounted by friction couple on the axle (1).

14: The axle according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve (6) is displaceably mounted on the axle (1).

15: The axle according to claim 1, wherein a securing device for fixing the position of the sleeve (6) on the axle (1) is provided.

16: The axle according to claim 15, wherein the securing device is provided to be detachable.

17: A transport belt comprising the axle or shaft according to claim 1, wherein the axle (1) or shaft is a drive axle and/or a guide axle or a drive shaft.

18: A plant which processes foodstuffs comprising the transport belt according to claim 17.

19: The transport belt according to claim 17, wherein the sleeve (6), the axle or the shaft is configured to be capable of cleaning primarily in an intermediate space therebetween.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] The invention is illustrated in the following by way of several embodiments, in which:

[0046] FIG. 1 shows a hollow axle according to the invention with several openings extending in longitudinal direction and a sleeve mounted thereon,

[0047] FIG. 2 shows an axle according to the invention with several radial depressions extending in longitudinal direction and a sleeve mounted thereon and

[0048] FIG. 3 shows a combination of several sleeves on two axles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0049] An axle which is of hollow construction is denoted by 1 in FIG. 1. Slot-shaped recesses 2 are arranged in axial direction at the circumference of the axle over approximately the entire length of the axle 1. Provided at the ends of the axle 1 are respective bearing journals 3 or 4, with the help of which the axle 1 can be rotatably or rigidly mounted in a machine arrangement.

[0050] The recesses 2 can be provided at the circumference in a multiple. Other arrangements are conceivable. It is possible, for example, that the recesses have a twisted course.

[0051] A sleeve 6 formed with a circular inner contour 7 is arranged on the axle 1. The inner contour 7 corresponds with the outer contour of the axle 1 so that the sleeve is mounted on the axle to be free of play in radial direction.

[0052] Nevertheless, the sleeve 6 is displaceable on the axle 1.

[0053] In this embodiment the outer contour of the sleeve 6 has grooves 8, which extend over the circumference, for reception of transport belts.

[0054] Thus, overall not only can the axle 1 can rotate in its bearing, but also the sleeve 6 can rotate on the axle 1.

[0055] If a machine equipped with such an axle is now to be cleaned, it is on the one hand a simple matter to also apply cleaning agent to the inner side of the inner contour 7 of the sleeve 6 via the recesses 2. This is usually carried out by spraying. It is equally conceivable for cleaning agent to be introduced through the hollow shaft and then wet the inner contour 7 of the sleeves over the entire axial length by way of the recesses 2.

[0056] In addition, the sleeve 6 can be displaced on the axle 1 in axial direction so that every area of the axle is accessible and cleanable.

[0057] In order to prevent undesired displacement of the sleeve 6 on the axle 1 it is conceivable to provide appropriate securing. This can be, for example, a clamping ring on the axle. A device at the machine side is also conceivable here. Thus, for example, there can be provided on the machine side a form of dog which engages the axial ends of the sleeve or also in the grooves and thus prevents displacement. Such a dog can, for example, be capable of being tilted away or taken off.

[0058] Alternatively it is conceivable, as illustrated in FIG. 2, that a solid axle 21 is provided, which has along its circumference slot-shaped depressions 22 oriented in longitudinal direction. Cleaning agent can also be introduced via these depressions. The depressions 22 can, for example, be connected together by channels so that here too a central introduction of cleaning agent is conceivable.

[0059] However, the design of the axles in accordance with the invention also enables selectable use as shafts which can transmit torque to transport belts.

[0060] For that purpose the sleeves 6 are equipped with an entrainer (not illustrated) capable of engaging in the recesses 2 or depressions 22. In the simplest case this entrainer is a screw, a split pin or the like.

[0061] Torque is thereby transmitted between the shaft 1 or 21 and the sleeve 6.

[0062] Here, too, cleaning agent can also be applied to the inner side 7 of the sleeve 6. Through displacing the sleeve 6, the shaft 1 as well as the inner side of the sleeve 6 can be very satisfactorily cleaned.

[0063] An axle shaft which can serve not only as a deflection, but also at the same time as a drive, can be created by appropriate combination of sleeves 6 with and without entrainers.

[0064] Even different speeds of the deflection and the drive are conceivable.

[0065] The configuration of such an axle shaft also does not have to be fixed beforehand. The configuration is determined exclusively by the appropriate combination of sleeves 6 with and without entrainers. For that purpose the axle shafts as well as the sleeves 6 are provided as standard parts and are then appropriately configured in correspondence with the respective purpose of use.

[0066] An exemplifying configuration is shown in FIG. 3.

[0067] An axle shaft pair which is both drive shaft and deflecting axle is shown here.

[0068] Different embodiments of the individual sleeves 6, for example with respect to the outer surface thereof, the provided grooves 8 or the like, are conceivable.

[0069] Overall a very satisfactorily cleanable and very flexibly usable system which can guarantee the appropriate hygiene requirements particularly in foodstuffs machines is created.

[0070] The axles can be produced by known joining methods. Thus, the individual parts can be joined together by welding, soldering, laser welding, glueing, screwing or the like. The recesses 2 or the depressions 22 can be produced by classic material removal or, however, by laser cutting or the like.