FEED LIFT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a pet food lift with a vertically movable platform for holding food bowls and a drive for moving the platform.

[0002] US Pat. No. 8,776,725 B1 discloses a feed lift comprising a base on which a vertically aligned central column is mounted. The platform is guided and movable along this column.

[0003] US 5,584,263 B1 discloses a feed elevator with two vertical guides, each of which has synchronously running chains that move a platform for holding feed bowls vertically. The drive is located in a housing on top of the two vertical guides.

[0004] US 2019 / 090452 A1 discloses a feed lift with a platform movable along a central vertical guide for holding feed bowls, comprising a drive arranged at the upper end of the vertical guide for moving the platform. The drive comprises a manually operated reel onto which a cable connected to the platform is wound.

[0005] US Pat. No. 5,054,431 discloses a platform for holding feed bowls, guided along two vertical supports. The platform is driven on one side by a circulating toothed belt. The toothed belt is deflected at the bottom and top via gears. The drive motor is located on the top of the feed elevator.

[0006] US 2016 / 316715 A1 discloses a feed lift with two vertical supports that vertically guide a platform for holding the feed bowls. A motor with a spool is mounted on an upper console at the top of the two vertical guides. Two cables, each attached to the side of the platform, are wound onto the motor spool. The cables are guided freely alongside the vertical supports and are attached to the two narrow sides of the platform. A disadvantage is the mandatory arrangement of the drive on the top of the feed lift, which reduces its stability and increases the risk of uneven winding of the cables on the spool, which can lead to tilt and uneven running of the platform.

[0007] US 11 013 213 B1 discloses a pet food dispenser with two containers for receiving and storing pet food and / or water, with a container holder that can be moved in a vertical direction to receive the two containers, and a drive for moving the container holder, wherein the drive comprises a belt transmission with a belt circulating between a drive pulley and a second pulley, wherein the drive pulley is driven by a motor.

[0008] Based on this prior art, the invention seeks to create a feed elevator with an improved drive concept that increases the stability of the feed elevator while simultaneously preventing misalignments, tilting, and uneven running during both the upward and downward movement of the platform. In particular, the improved drive concept is intended to prevent the contents from spilling over into the feed bowls.

[0009] This task is solved in the feed lift of the type mentioned above by the drive comprises a belt transmission with a revolving toothed belt and a drive pinion driven by a motor, the motor and the drive pinion are arranged in a base (2) of the feed lift, the drive pinion meshes with the revolving toothed belt, a linear guide comprises two stationary guide elements extending vertically upwards from the base and a guide element movable along each of the two stationary guide elements, wherein the two movable guide elements are attached laterally to the platform, deflections for the revolving toothed belt are arranged in the base of the feed lift and on an upper side of the two stationary guide elements,that the toothed belt runs along the two stationary guide elements in strands with opposite running directions and the platform is attached to strands of the rotating toothed belt that run in the same direction along the two stationary guide elements.

[0010] The key advantages of the invention over known drive concepts include improved stability due to the motor's location in the base, improved linear guidance by the two stationary guide elements extending vertically upwards from the base, and the uniform introduction of drive forces into the platform at its lateral edges using a single rotating drive mechanism in the form of a toothed belt driven by a central motor, thus preventing platform misalignment, jamming, and uneven running. The single rotating toothed belt not only allows for the transmission of drive forces but also for precise control of the platform. Further advantages of the toothed belt include: the low noise level, the long service life, the largely maintenance-free operation and the low elongation.

[0011] In the base of the feed lift, which is preferably designed as a housing, and on the top side of the two stationary guide elements, deflections, e.g. in the form of deflection rollers or pulleys, for the circulating toothed belt are arranged in such a way that the toothed belt rotates along the two stationary guide elements in strands with opposite running directions. The strand is a part of the circulating, tensile force-exerting toothed belt of the belt drive. Along each of the two stationary, vertical guide elements, the toothed belt rotates in strands with opposite running directions, i.e. while the toothed belt runs upwards in one strand, it runs downwards in the other strand via the deflection arranged on the top side of the stationary guide element.

[0012] The elongated, preferably oval platform is attached at its lateral edges to strands of the rotating toothed belt, which move in the same direction along the two stationary guide elements.

[0013] Due to the largely zero backlash and the damping properties, the linear guide is preferably designed as a sliding guide, which has two stationary guide axes extending vertically upwards from the base and a sliding bearing movable along each guide axis. The stationary guide axes are fixedly attached to the base, for example, as cylindrical guide rods. The sliding bearings are designed as sliding bushings with a circular cross-section.

[0014] The two plain bearings are preferably each mounted in a passage located laterally on the platform. The fastening in the passage is preferably achieved with an interference fit or press fit. Alternatively or additionally, the fastening can be achieved by bonding the plain bearing in the passage.

[0015] However, the movable guide element, designed as a plain bearing, can also be designed as an integral part of the platform, for example, through a bore in the platform whose diameter matches the cylindrical guide rods. The outer surface of the bore can be coated with a material that reduces friction against the guide rod.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the passage for fastening the plain bearing is part of an annular receiving section of the platform, which is connected to the remaining part of the platform only via a narrow web.

[0017] The guide elements of the linear guide and the revolving toothed belt can be encased in a visually appealing manner using a sleeve in which the receiving section is connected to the rest of the platform via the web, forming an annular gap that partially surrounds the receiving section. The sleeve, with a longitudinal slot designed for the web to pass through, extends through the annular gap over the length of the stationary guide axis. The width of the longitudinal slot is slightly larger than the web width to avoid unnecessary friction between the web and the slot when the platform is moved. The enclosure using the sleeve protects the drive components and guide elements from contamination and damage. Furthermore, the enclosure serves to protect the users of the feed lift.

[0018] In a practical embodiment of the invention, the platform can be attached to the parallel-moving strands of the circulating toothed belt without additional fastening elements by clamping the strand between the plain bearing and the passage arranged laterally on the platform. If the two ends of the circulating toothed belt are not welded together at the joint, the overlapping ends can be connected by clamping between the plain bearing and the passage and attached to the platform.

[0019] To stabilize the two stationary guide elements in particular, the feed lift has a vertically oriented central support to which an upper, horizontally extending frame section is attached, designed to support the stationary guide elements at their upper sides. The anchoring points of the stationary guide elements and the central support on the base and on the frame section each form a triangle.

[0020] The timing belt may have a tensioning device that maintains the required tension when the timing belt is elongated.

[0021] In one embodiment of the invention, the platform has at least one receptacle for the positive fixation of vessels. The vessels are fixed in the receptacle plate, for example, by means of a bayonet lock.

[0022] The drive can be equipped with a safety shutdown device configured to interrupt platform movement under defined load conditions to prevent injuries caused by the feed lift. The safety shutdown can be electrical and / or mechanical.

[0023] If the drive has a motor control that controls the acceleration phases, i.e. the starting and braking of the platform, spillage of container contents can be safely avoided.

[0024] For safety reasons, the drive and electronics are operated with low voltage (12 volts).

[0025] In one embodiment of the invention, contacts can be arranged on the base which, when a drinking vessel inserted into the platform is placed on it, activate a circulation pump for the water in the drinking vessel.

[0026] For hygienic reasons, all operating elements are encapsulated and / or designed as contactless switching elements.

[0027] The invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment.

[0028] It shows Figure 1 a perspective overall view of a feed lift according to the invention, Figure 2 a perspective overall view of the feed lift after Figure 1 from the bottom with the foot open to illustrate the drive concept, Figure 3 a detailed view of a deflection on a headboard, Figure 4a a detailed view of the left side edge of a vertically movable platform of the feed lift and Figure 4b a detailed view of the right side edge of a vertically movable platform of the feed lift.

[0029] The pet food lift 1 includes a base 2 for accommodating a drive for a movable platform 4. The platform 4 has several openings 4.1 for the positive reception of containers 4.2. The containers 4.2 serve, for example, to hold water or pet food.

[0030] Two sleeves 5.1, 5.2 extend upwards laterally from the foot 2, in which the elements of a linear guide 6 for the platform 4, which can be moved in a vertical direction and is essentially designed as an elongated, in particular oval, plate are arranged.

[0031] Furthermore, the feed lift 1 has a central support 7 fastened between the sleeves 5.1, 5.2 on a rear section 2.1 of the base 2, to which an upper frame part 8 is fastened. The base 2, the central support 7, and the frame part 8 together form the frame of the feed lift 1 for the stationary guide elements 6.1, 6.2 of the linear guide 6 (see FIG. 1) extending upwards in the vertical direction within the sleeves 5.1, 5.2. Figures 4 a), 4b) with hidden sleeves 5.1, 5.2)).

[0032] The linear guide 6 also has two movable guide elements 6.3, 6.4, wherein the movable guide element 6.3 is movable along the frame-fixed guide element 6.1 arranged on the left and the movable guide element 6.4 is movable along the frame-fixed guide element 6.2 arranged on the right.

[0033] In the illustrated embodiment, the linear guide 6 is designed as a sliding guide, in which the frame-fixed guide elements 6.1, 6.2 are designed as guide axes or guide rods and the movable guide elements are each designed as plain bearings or sliding bushings.

[0034] The plain bearing 6.3 is mounted in a passage 4.3 arranged laterally on the left side of the platform 4 with an interference fit (see Figure 4a )) while the plain bearing 6.4 is mounted with an interference fit in a passage 4.4 arranged laterally on the right side of the platform 4. Furthermore, from the Figures 4a), 4b) that each passage 4.3, 4.4 is part of an annular receiving section 4.5, 4.6 of the platform 4. Both annular receiving sections 4.5, 4.6 are each connected to the remaining part 4.9 of the platform 4 via a web 4.7, 4.8, forming an annular gap 4.10, 4.11 that partially surrounds the receiving section 4.5, 4.6. Figures 4a ) The sleeve 5.1 (not shown) is provided with a longitudinal slot 5.3 designed for the passage of the web 4.7 and the sleeve 5.2 is provided with a longitudinal slot 5.4 designed for the passage of the web 4.8 (cf. Figure 2 ), whereby the two longitudinal slots 5.3, 5.4 extend over the length of the stationary guide elements 6.1, 6.2.

[0035] The one in particular Figure 2The drive system visible comprises a belt transmission with a revolving toothed belt 3.1 and a drive pinion 3.3 driven by a motor 3.2. The motor 3.2 and the drive pinion 3.3 are housed in the base 2, which is designed as a housing. Two deflections 3.4 are arranged in the reinforced left-hand side edge area 2.2 of the base 2, and two deflections 3.5 are arranged in the reinforced right-hand side edge area 2.3 of the base 2. The four deflections 3.4, 3.5 are all designed as deflection pulleys that can rotate about an axis. They are arranged in the lateral edge areas 2.2, 2.3 of the base 2 in such a way that the toothed belt 3.1 rotates along the two stationary guide elements 6.1, 6.2, each in strands 3.8, 3.9 with opposite running directions (cf. Figures 4a, 4b). The deflections 3.4 are arranged in the area of ​​the anchoring point of the left stationary guide element 6.1 on the foot 2 and the deflections 3.5 are arranged in the area of ​​the anchoring point of the right stationary guide element 6.2 on the foot 2. Through openings (not shown) in the left lateral edge area 2.2 of the foot 2, the rotating toothed belt 3.1 passes into the sleeve 5.1 or from the sleeve 5.1 into the interior of the foot 2 designed as a housing. Through openings (not shown) in the right lateral edge area 2.3 of the foot 2, the rotating toothed belt 3.1 passes into the sleeve 5.2 or from the sleeve 5.2 into the interior of the foot 2 designed as a housing.

[0036] On the upper side of each of the two stationary guide elements 6.1, 6.2, further deflections 3.6 are arranged (cf. Figure 3) to deflect the timing belt 3.1 at the upper end of the guide element 6.1, 6.2 from one running direction to the opposite running direction. The deflections 3.6 are designed as deflection pulleys. The bearings of the deflection pulleys are each in a Figure 3 shown head part 9, which can be placed in a form-fitting manner on the stationary guide element 6.1, 6.2 and the surrounding sleeve 5.1, 5.2. The deflection rollers 3.6 are rotatably mounted in the head part 9. The distance between the two deflection rollers 3.6 is selected such that the strands 3.8, 3.9, which rotate in opposite directions via passages in the head part 9, rotate at a distance from the stationary guide element 6.1, 6.2 (cf. Fig. 4a ), 4b). The two headboards 9 are connected to each other by the frame part 8.

[0037] The platform 4 is attached to the strands 3.8 of the toothed belt 3.1, which move in the same direction along the two stationary guide elements 6.1, 6.2. The method of attachment is best understood from the Figures 4a, 4bvisible. The attachment is achieved without additional fastening means to the strands 3.8 of the circulating toothed belt 3.1, which move in the same direction, by clamping the strand 3.8 between the plain bearing 6.3 and the passage 4.3 on the left side of the platform 4 and by clamping the strand 3.8 between the plain bearing 6.4 and the passage 4.4 on the right side of the platform 4. In the illustrated embodiment, the two ends of the circulating toothed belt 3.1 are not welded together at the joint. For this reason, on the right side of the platform 4, the overlapping ends of the toothed belt 3.1 between the plain bearing 6.4 and the passage 4.4 are connected to one another by clamping and at the same time fastened to the platform 4. It can also be seen that the teeth at the two ends engage with one another.

[0038] By activating the electric motor 3.2 in one or the other direction of rotation, the platform 4 can be moved in the direction of the double fall in Figure 1 can be moved smoothly and without misalignment or tilting. At the same time, the stability of the feed lift 1 is improved by arranging the essential drive components in the base 2. List of reference symbols

[0039] Nr. Designation 1 Feed lift 2 Foot 2.1 rear section 2.2 lateral edge area 2.3 lateral edge area 3.1 Timing belt 3.2 Motor 3.3 drive pinion 3.4 Deflections (foot) 3.5 Deflections (foot) 3.6 Deflections headboard 3.8 Trum 3.9 Trum 4 platform 4.1 Openings 4.2 vessels 4.3 passage 4.4 passage 4.5 Recording section 4.6 Recording section 4.7 web 4.8 web 4.9 remaining part of the platform 4.10 Annular gap 4.11 Annular gap 5.1 sleeve 5.2 sleeve 5.3 Longitudinal slot 5.4 Longitudinal slot 6 Linear guide 6.1 stationary guide element 6.2 stationary guide element 6.3 movable guide element 6.4 movable guide element 7 Central support 8 frame part 9 headboard

Claims

1. A feed lift (1) for pets, comprising a platform (4) that is movable in a vertical direction in a guided manner for receiving vessels (4.2) and a drive for moving the platform (4), characterized in that - the drive comprises a belt drive with a circulating toothed belt (3.1) and a drive pinion (3.3) driven by a motor (3.2), - the motor (3.2) and the drive pinion (3.3) are arranged in a base (2) of the feed lift (1), - the drive pinion (3.3) meshes with the circulating toothed belt (3.1), - a linear guide (6) comprises two stationary guide elements (6.1, 6.2) extending vertically upwards from the base (2) and a respective guide element (6.3, 6.4) movable along each of the two stationary guide elements (6.1, 6.2), wherein the two movable guide elements (6.3, 6.4) are fastened laterally to the platform (4), - deflection means (3.4, 3.5, 3.6) for the circulating toothed belt (3.1) are arranged in the base (2) of the feed lift (1) and on each upper side of the two stationary guide elements (6.1, 6.2) in such a manner that the toothed belt (3.1) circulates along the two stationary guide elements (6.1, 6.2), in each case in runs (3.8, 3.9) with an opposite running direction, and - the platform (4) is fastened to runs (3.8, 3.8) of the circulating toothed belt (3.1) moving in the same direction along the two stationary guide elements (6.1, 6.2).

2. Feed lift according to Claim 1, characterized in that the linear guide (6) is a sliding guide which comprises two stationary guide axes which extend vertically upwards from the base (2) and respectively one sliding bearing (6.3, 6.4) movable along each guide axis.

3. Feed lift according to Claim 2, characterized in that the two sliding bearings (6.3, 6.4) are each fastened in an aperture (4.3, 4.4) arranged laterally on the platform (4), in particular with an oversize fit.

4. Feed lift according to Claim 3, characterized in that the aperture (4.3, 4.4) is in each case a constituent part of an annular receiving portion (4.5, 4.6) of the platform (4), which is connected to a remaining portion (4.9) of the platform (4) via a web (4.7, 4.8).

5. Feed lift according to Claim 4, characterized in that - the receiving portion (4.5, 4.6) is connected to the remaining portion (4.9) of the platform (4) via the web (4.7, 4.8) to form an annular gap (4.

10. 4.11) partly surrounding the receiving portion (4.5, 4.6), and - a sleeve (5.1, 5.2) having a longitudinal slot (5.3, 5.4) adapted to allow passage of the web (4.7, 4.8) extends through the annular gap (4.

10. 4.11) over a length of the stationary guide axes.

6. Feed lift according to one of Claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the platform (4) is fastened to the runs (3.8) of the circulating toothed belt (3.1) moving in the same direction by clamping the run (3.8) in each case between the sliding bearing (6.3, 6.4) and the aperture (4.3, 4.4) arranged laterally on the platform (4).

7. Feed lift according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the toothed belt (3.1) has a clamping device which maintains the necessary tension during stretching of the toothed belt.

8. Feed lift according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the platform (4) has at least one receptacle for positive fixing of vessels (4.2).

9. Feed lift according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the drive has a safety shutdown which is adapted in such a manner that the movement of the platform (4) is interrupted under defined load conditions.

10. Feed lift according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the drive has a motor controller that controls acceleration phases.

11. Feed lift according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that contacts are arranged on the base (2) which contacts activate a circulating pump for the water in the drinking vessel when a drinking vessel inserted into the platform (4) is placed thereon.

12. Feed lift according to one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the feed lift (1) has a central support (7) to which an upper frame part (8) is fastened which is adapted to support the stationary guide elements (6.1, 6.2) at their upper side.