Distribution arrangement

Abstract

Distributor arrangement (1) with a distributor pipe (2), in the outer surface of which one or more openings (6) are provided, wherein in each opening (6) a connecting means (7) which is designed for connecting a line can be mounted, characterized in that the distributor pipe is mounted in a holding device, that the holding device has a magnetic holder by means of which the distributor arrangement is fixed to a base, and / or the distributor pipe (2) is designed as a hollow cylinder, that a fluid guided in the distributor pipe (2) is supplied to the line(s) via the connecting means(s) (7), and that the distributor pipe (2) can be rotated in the holding device through any desired angle of rotation with respect to its longitudinal axis, and wherein the distributor pipe (2) can be fixed in a freely selectable rotational position in the holding device.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a distributor arrangement.

[0002] Such a distribution arrangement comprises a distribution pipe through which compressed air is conducted. For this purpose, a compressed air connection is provided at one longitudinal end of the distribution pipe.

[0003] Several lines in the form of hoses or pipes are connected to the side of the distribution pipe. The compressed air contained in the distribution pipe is fed to the lines, thus fulfilling a distribution function, i.e., the compressed air can be supplied to various consumers via the lines.

[0004] The manifold is attached to a base, such as a machine part. One problem with such manifold arrangements is that they are not sufficiently adaptable to different installation situations and applications.

[0005] The invention is based on the object of providing a distribution arrangement with a high level of functionality.

[0006] To achieve this object, the features of claim 1 are provided. Advantageous embodiments and expedient developments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0007] The invention relates to a distributor arrangement with a distributor pipe in whose outer surface one or more openings are provided. In each opening a connection means which is designed for connecting a line can be mounted. The distributor pipe is mounted in a holding device. The holding device has a magnetic holder by means of which the distributor arrangement is fixed to a base. Alternatively or additionally, the distributor pipe is designed as a hollow cylinder. A fluid carried in the distributor pipe is supplied to the line(s) via the connection means(s). A holding device for supporting the distributor pipe is provided, wherein the distributor pipe can be rotated in the holding device through any desired angle of rotation relative to its longitudinal axis. The distributor pipe can be fixed in a freely selectable rotational position in the holding device.

[0008] The distributor assembly according to the invention comprises a distributor pipe with openings on its outer surface, into which connecting means for connecting lines can be installed. A fluid carried in the distributor pipe can thus be distributed among these lines.

[0009] The distribution pipe is generally mounted with the holding device on or on a base, such as a machine part.

[0010] According to a first variant of the invention, the holding device has a magnetic holder with which the distributor assembly is fixed to the base. This enables tool-free installation of the distributor assembly on the base. Alternatively or additionally, according to a further variant of the invention, the distributor pipe of the distributor assembly is mounted so that its inclination is adjustable.

[0011] This allows a spatial variation of the lines mounted on the distribution pipe to be realized despite the fastening.

[0012] For this purpose, the distributor pipe is designed as a hollow cylinder, meaning the distributor pipe has a circular cross-section. The holding device is adapted to this in that the distributor pipe can be rotated through any angle relative to its longitudinal axis to adjust the inclination. Once the inclination has been adjusted, the distributor pipe is or will be fixed in the holding device at the set rotational position.

[0013] This allows the position of the lines exiting the distributor pipe to be specified flexibly, which enables easy adaptation of the distributor arrangement to different application conditions.

[0014] The length of the distribution pipe of the distribution assembly can vary depending on the application, as can the number of holes in the casing surface where lines can branch off from the distribution pipe. The lines can generally be in the form of hoses or pipes.

[0015] According to the invention, the fluid guided in the distributor pipe can be formed by compressed air or by a liquid, in particular water, which results in a wide range of applications for the distributor arrangement.

[0016] Advantageously, an opening is provided at one longitudinal end of the distributor pipe through which the fluid is introduced into the distributor pipe.

[0017] In the simplest case, the opposite longitudinal end of the distribution pipe is closed with a blind plug.

[0018] Openings on the side of the distribution pipe can also be closed with blind plugs if a line is not to be connected to every opening in the distribution pipe.

[0019] The configuration of the distributor arrangement according to the invention can be expanded by feeding the fluid into one longitudinal end of the distributor pipe and connecting another distributor pipe to the opposite end, thus creating a series connection. Of course, more than two distributor pipes can also be connected in series.

[0020] Furthermore, it is possible to connect another distribution pipe to a side opening of the distribution pipe, thereby obtaining a branched arrangement of distribution pipes.

[0021] In such distribution arrangements with multiple distribution pipes, each distribution pipe is mounted in a separate holding device.

[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the holding device has two holders, each holder having a through-opening in which the distributor pipe is guided.

[0023] The brackets are advantageously designed identically.

[0024] The brackets are arranged at a distance from each other in the longitudinal direction of the distribution pipe.

[0025] The distance between the brackets can be freely specified, which allows for easy adaptation to different lengths of the distribution pipe.

[0026] The holders can have a cuboid-shaped outer contour, with the through opening expediently passing through the holder in its center in the axial direction.

[0027] According to a first variant, the distributor pipe is mounted in the through-holes of the brackets in a frictionally engaged and / or self-locking manner, allowing the distributor pipe to be rotated in the through-holes against resistance. The distributor pipe is fixed in its rotational position by the resistance in the through-holes.

[0028] In this case, each bracket can be formed from a solid part. The through-hole of each bracket is adapted to the outer diameter of the distributor pipe so that the pipe fits snugly and frictionally into the through-hole. A user can rotate the distributor pipe by overcoming the frictional forces until the desired position of the distributor pipe is reached. In this desired position, the distributor pipe is securely fixed in the through-hole by the acting frictional forces.

[0029] According to a second variant, each bracket has two half-shells connected by fasteners. When the fasteners are loosened, the distributor pipe is rotatably mounted in the through-hole. When the fasteners are engaged, the distributor pipe is fixed in a preset rotational position in the through-hole.

[0030] The two half-shells have semicircular inner contours which complement each other to form a circular through-opening when the half-shells are fastened to each other with the fastening means.

[0031] Advantageously, the fastening means are formed by screws that are guided in holes in the half-shells.

[0032] In particular, the half shells of a bracket are attached to each other by means of two screws.

[0033] Generally, the fastening elements of a bracket can be operated on its top side.

[0034] If the fasteners securing the half-shells together, especially the screws, are slightly loosened, the user can simply rotate the manifold to achieve the desired rotational position. Then, all that remains is to tighten the fasteners, especially the screws, which securely fixes the manifold in the brackets.

[0035] Advantageously, the holding device has fixing means which are designed to fix the holding device to a base.

[0036] In particular, each holder of the holding device has fixing means.

[0037] While the fastening devices can be operated on the top sides of the brackets, each bracket has holes on its underside which are designed to accommodate fixing devices.

[0038] In the simplest case, fixing devices in the form of fastening screws can be inserted into the holes.

[0039] The mounting screws can be used to screw the holding device or brackets to the base.

[0040] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, magnetic feet can be fixed in bores as a fixing means, which form the magnetic holder.

[0041] The magnetic feet can be fixed with screws inserted into the holes in the brackets.

[0042] The magnetic feet allow the distributor assembly to be attached to a base without tools.

[0043] The magnetic feet advantageously have rubberized surface segments.

[0044] The rubber coating protects sensitive surfaces on which the distributor assembly is mounted.

[0045] According to an alternative embodiment, the holes can be fixed as suction cups.

[0046] The suction cups also allow the distributor arrangement to be attached to a base without the need for tools.

[0047] The invention is explained below with reference to the drawings. They show: Fig. 1: Embodiment of the distributor arrangement according to the invention with a distributor pipe and two holders. Fig. 2: Distribution arrangement according to Fig. 1 with connecting elements. Fig. 3: Front view of the distribution arrangement according to Fig. 1 Fig. 4: Perspective individual view of a bracket of the distributor arrangement according to the Fig. 1 to 3. Fig. 5: Bracket according to Fig. 4 in a top view of its underside. Fig. 6: Distribution arrangement with a series arrangement of distribution pipes.

[0048] The Fig. 1 to 3 show an embodiment of the distributor arrangement 1 according to the invention.

[0049] The distributor arrangement 1 comprises a hollow cylindrical distributor pipe 2, which is mounted in a holding device, which in the present case consists of two identically designed holders 3.

[0050] The distributor pipe 2 and the brackets 3 consist of metal parts manufactured by turning and milling solid material. Alternatively, they can also be die-cast parts.

[0051] The distributor pipe 2 is closed at an open longitudinal end with a blind plug 4 ( Fig. 1 and Fig. 2). At the other open end of the distribution pipe 2 is a connection module 5 through which fluid is introduced from a reservoir into the distribution pipe 2. The fluid can be compressed air or a liquid such as water.

[0052] Three identical openings 6 are incorporated into the outer surface of the distributor pipe 2, which in the present case are identical and run along a straight line running in the longitudinal direction of the distributor pipe 2 ( Fig. 1 and Fig. 3). The length of the distribution pipe 2 as well as the arrangement and number of openings 6 may vary depending on the application.

[0053] The edge segments of the distributor pipe 2 which delimit the openings 6 are flattened, forming flat support surfaces to which connecting means 7 can be attached ( Fig. 2).

[0054] Lines (not shown) can be connected to the connecting means 7 using corresponding connecting elements, which may be in the form of hoses or pipes. The connecting means 7 and the connecting elements form quick-couplings.

[0055] Blind plugs 4 can be fitted to openings 6 to which no cables are to be connected.

[0056] This creates a distribution function in such a way that the fluid is guided from the distribution pipe 2 into the lines. The fluid can be made available to consumers via the lines.

[0057] The distributor assembly 1 has two identical brackets 3 for supporting the distributor pipes 2 and for fastening them to a base. Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show a holder 3 in an individual representation.

[0058] The holder 3 is designed in the form of a narrow cuboid, in the center of which there is a circular through-opening 8 passing through the holder 3 in the axial direction ( Fig. 4). The diameter of the through-opening 8 is adapted to the outer diameter of the distributor pipe 2, so that the distributor pipe 2 lies essentially in a form-fitting manner in the through-opening 8.

[0059] The bracket 3 consists of two half-shells 9a, 9b, each with a semicircular recess. When the half-shells 9a, 9b are joined together, the recesses complement each other to form the through-opening 8.

[0060] On the sides of the half-shells 9a, 9b there are holes 10 in the form of threaded holes into which fastening means can be inserted, which in this case are screws 11. By operating the screws, the half-shells 9a, 9b are fastened to each other, as the Fig. Show 1 to 3.

[0061] The holes 10 in the upper half shell 9a, 9b open out at the top so that the screws 11 on the top of the bracket 3 can be operated.

[0062] According to the invention, the screws 11 are initially loosened so that the distributor pipe 2 can be rotated about its longitudinal axis in the holders 3. This allows the rotational position, ie, the inclination of the openings 6 and the lines mounted thereon, to be adjusted. Once this adjustment is complete, the screws 11 are tightened, and the distributor pipe 2 is secured in position in the holders 3.

[0063] The brackets 3 can be fixed to a base. For this purpose, drill additional holes 12 on the underside of the bracket 3.

[0064] In these holes 12, which are again designed as threaded holes, fastening screws (not shown) can be inserted as fixing means in order to screw the distributor arrangement 1 to a base.

[0065] Alternatively, 3 magnetic feet 13 are screwed into the two outer holes 12 of each bracket ( Fig. 3), by means of which the brackets 3 can be attached to a metallic base without the use of tools.

[0066] On the underside of each magnetic base 13 is a rubber layer 14, which forms a mechanical protective element. However, this is optional; magnetic bases 13 without a rubber layer 14 can generally also be used.

[0067] Suction cups can also be used instead of magnetic feet 13.

[0068] Fig. 6 shows an extension of the distributor arrangement 1 in that two distributor pipes 2 forming a series arrangement are provided, which are connected to one another via connecting means 7. List of reference symbols 1 distribution arrangement 2 distribution pipe 3 Bracket 4 blind plugs 5.5' connection module 6 Opening 7 Connection devices 8 passage opening 9a, 9b half shell 10 Hole 11 Screw 12 holes 13 Magnetic base 14 rubber layer

Claims

[1] Distributor arrangement (1) with a distributor pipe (2), in the outer surface of which one or more openings (6) are provided, wherein in each opening (6) a connecting means (7) can be mounted, which is designed for connecting a line, characterized by that the distributor pipe is mounted in a holding device, that the holding device has a magnetic holder by means of which the distributor arrangement is fixed to a base, and / or the distributor pipe (2) is designed as a hollow cylinder, that a fluid guided in the distributor pipe (2) is supplied to the line(s) via the connecting means (7), and that the distributor pipe (2) is rotatable in the holding device through any desired angle of rotation with respect to its longitudinal axis, and wherein the distributor pipe (2) is fixable in a freely selectable rotational position in the holding device. [2] Distributor arrangement (1) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the holding device has two holders (3), each holder (3) having a through opening (8) in which the distributor pipe (2) is guided. [3] Distributor arrangement (1) according to claim 2, characterized by that the brackets (3) are identically designed. [4] Distributor arrangement (1) according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized by that the brackets (3) are arranged at a distance from one another in the longitudinal direction of the distributor pipe (2). [5] Distributor arrangement (1) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized by that the distributor pipe (2) is mounted in a frictionally engaged and / or self-locking manner in the through-openings (8) of the holders (3) in such a way that the distributor pipe (2) can be rotated in the through-openings (8) against a resistance, the distributor pipe (2) being fixed in its rotational position by the resistance in the through-openings (8). [6] Distributor arrangement (1) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized by that each holder (3) has two half-shells (9a, 9b) connected by means of fastening means, wherein when the fastening means are loosened the distributor pipe (2) is rotatably mounted in the through-opening (8), and wherein when the fastening means are actuated the distributor pipe (2) is fixed in a set rotational position in the through-opening (8). [7] Distributor arrangement (1) according to claim 6, characterized by that the fastening means are formed by screws (11) which are guided in bores (10) of the half-shells (9a, 9b). [8] Distributor arrangement (1) according to claim 7, characterized by that the half-shells (9a, 9b) of a holder (3) are fastened to one another by means of two screws (11). [9] Distributor arrangement (1) according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized by that the fastening means of a holder (3) can be actuated on its upper side. [10] Distributor arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by that the holding device has fixing means which are designed to fix the holding device to a base. [11] Distributor arrangement according to claim 10, characterized by that the fixing means form the magnetic holder. [12] Distributor arrangement (1) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized by that each holder (3) of the holding device has fixing means. [13] Distributor arrangement according to claim 12, characterized by that each holder (3) has holes (10, 12) opening out on its underside, which are designed to receive fixing means. [14] Distributor arrangement (1) according to claim 12, characterized by that fixing means in the form of fastening screws can be inserted into the bores (10, 12). [15] Distributor arrangement (1) according to claim 12, characterized by that magnetic feet (13) can be fixed in bores (10, 12) as fixing means. [16] Distributor arrangement (1) according to claim 15, characterized by that the magnetic feet (13) have rubberized surface segments. [17] Distributor arrangement (1) according to claim 12, characterized by that suction cups can be fixed in bores (10, 12) as fixing means. [18] Distributor arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized by that at a longitudinal end of the distributor pipe (2) there is an opening (6) through which the fluid is introduced into the distributor pipe (2). [19] Distributor arrangement (1) according to claim 18, characterized by that a further distribution pipe (2) or a line can be connected to the opposite longitudinal end of the distribution pipe (2). [20] Distributor arrangement (1) according to claim 18, characterized by that the opposite longitudinal end of the distributor pipe (2) and / or openings (6) in the casing surface can each be closed with a blind plug (4). [21] Distributor arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterized bythat a further distributor pipe (2) can be connected to at least one opening (6) in the outer surface of the distributor pipe (2). [22] Distributor arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterized by that the fluid is compressed air or a liquid.

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