Retractable shaft mill device

Abstract

The invention relates to a mill device comprising: - a rotating millstone (MT); - a fixed millstone (MF) arranged against the rotating millstone (MT); - a central shaft (A) fixed to the rotating millstone (MT); - a drive means (ME) configured to drive the rotating millstone (MT) via the central shaft (A), characterized in that the central shaft (A) comprises an end equipped with a first mounting means (E1), and the mill device further comprises: - a fixed plate (PF); - a movable plate (PM) fixed to the central shaft (A), which can be moved closer to or further from the fixed plate (PF) by means of a folding mechanism (MR), and in that the drive means (ME) comprises a second removable mounting means (E2) for said first mounting means (E1). The invention further relates to a method for maintaining such a device. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Retractable shaft mill device

[0001] The invention relates to the field of mills for the transformation of cereal and legume grains into flour, and in particular to mills using millstones to grind cereal, legume or tuber grains into flour.

[0002] In order to produce flour on a local scale, compact mills have been developed, enabling a farmer or baker to produce flour from cereal grains, legumes, or tubers. A known mill of this type has a vertical arrangement including a rotating millstone and a stationary or fixed millstone. The rotating millstone is driven by a motor. The rotating millstone has a central through-hole, fed with grain by a hopper. The grain passes through the central hole and becomes lodged in a space between the rotating and stationary millstones. The grain moves toward the periphery of the millstones and is progressively crushed to separate the bran from the starch and germ, and is transformed into flour. The flour is discharged from the periphery of the stationary millstone.

[0003] In this type of device, cleaning the millstones is complex because it requires a tedious dismantling of the mill using specific tools, and lifting the rotating millstone to be able to clean the interface between the two millstones.

[0004] Furthermore, in the event of a need for servicing or maintenance of the motor or other means of driving the rotating grinding wheel, it is necessary to dismantle the rotating shaft and remove all these parts before having access to the drive means for servicing or maintenance.

[0005] A first objective of the present invention is to propose a mill device in which the cleaning of the millstones is facilitated by limiting the steps of dismantling the device.

[0006] A second objective is to propose a system to facilitate the maintenance of the training means.

[0007] To achieve these objectives, the invention proposes a vertically arranged mill device, comprising: - a mill frame; - a rotating grinding wheel arranged around a rotation axis; - a fixed grinding wheel arranged against the rotating grinding wheel around the axis of rotation; - a central shaft fixed to the rotating grinding wheel, arranged along the axis of rotation; - a drive means configured to drive the rotating grinding wheel via the central shaft, characterized in that the central shaft comprises an end equipped with a first fitting means, and the mill device further comprises: - a fixed plate attached to the frame; - a movable plate fixed to the central shaft so that the movable plate can move closer to or further away from the fixed plate; - a folding mechanism configured to move the moving plate closer to or further from the fixed plate, and in that the drive means includes a second fitting means connectable to the first fitting means in a removable manner, the fitting means being configured to drive the rotating grinding wheel via the central shaft.

[0008] Advantageously, the folding mechanism bringing the moving plate closer to the fixed plate allows the rotating grinding wheel to be raised in order to clean the grinding wheels, while uncoupling the fitting means in order to carry out maintenance on the drive means.

[0009] According to one variant, the folding mechanism includes a trapezoidal screw system between the fixed plate and the moving plate.

[0010] According to one variant, the trapezoidal screw system includes at least one screw passing through the fixed plate and the moving plate, and a trapezoidal nut on the moving plate.

[0011] According to one variant, the trapezoidal screw system comprises several screws passing through the fixed plate and the moving plate, the screws being equipped with sprockets, and being connected to each other by at least one chain arranged on the sprockets.

[0012] According to one variant, the fixed plate and the moving plate are arranged around the central shaft.

[0013] According to one variant, the fixed plate is arranged above the moving plate.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the drive means is arranged below the fixed plate and the moving plate.

[0015] According to one variant, the milling device further comprises at least one a stop ring fixed to the central shaft, and a return means, preferably a cylindrical spring, between the moving plate and said or one of the stop rings.

[0016] According to one variant, the drive means includes a pulley or pinion arranged around the axis of rotation, and the mill device further includes a drive motor and a belt or chain mounted on the motor shaft and on the pulley or pinion.

[0017] The invention further relates to a method for maintaining a milling device according to the invention, comprising steps for: - to disengage the first coupling means from the second coupling means by bringing the moving plate closer to the fixed plate; - clean the rotating grinding wheel and / or the stationary grinding wheel; and / or - replace the drive mechanism, or its belt or chain.

[0018] The invention makes it possible to propose a resistant mechanism supporting the weight of the grinding wheels, balanced on both sides of the central shaft, and efficient.

[0019] Other features and advantages of the invention will become clear from the following description, which is by way of example and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0020] [Fig-1] is a perspective view of a mill device according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0021] [Fig.2] is a front view of the device in [Fig.1];

[0022] [Fig.3] is a side view of the device of figures 1 and 2.

[0023] The invention proposes a vertically arranged mill device, generally illustrated in [Fig. 1]. The mill device comprises a mill frame BM schematically illustrated in [Fig. 1].

[0024] The milling device further comprises a rotating millstone MT arranged around a rotation axis A1, and a fixed millstone MF arranged against the rotating millstone MT around the rotation axis A1. The fixed millstone MF is located in the lower part, and the rotating millstone MT is located in the upper part. The interface between the two millstones MT and MF allows for the grinding of seeds and the production of flour.

[0025] The mill device further comprises a central shaft A (i.e. a mast) fixed to the rotating millstone MT. The central shaft A is arranged along the axis of rotation Al below the fixed millstone MF.

[0026] The mill device further comprises a specific drive means ME detailed below. The drive means ME is configured to drive the rotating grinding wheel MT via the central shaft A.

[0027] In particular, the drive of the rotating grinding wheel MT makes it possible to achieve a power transmission with a sliding pivot joint and an articulation.

[0028] According to the invention, the central shaft A comprises a lower end equipped with a first coupling means EL II, which is in particular a male structure, more particularly of the cantilever type, and more particularly of a square shape. Furthermore, the drive means ME comprises a second coupling means E2 that can be removably connected to the first coupling means EL by means of a form-based coupling. This second coupling means is in particular a female structure, more particularly of the cantilever type, and more particularly of a square shape. The coupling means EL and E2 are configured to drive the rotating grinding wheel MT via the central shaft A.

[0029] The fitting means E1, E2 allow for quick fitting. The shape of the end of the shaft A allows the shaft to be quickly inserted into its housing, in particular by quick fitting of a square into a square.

[0030] Furthermore, according to the invention, the mill device further comprises: - a fixed PF plate; - a PM mobile turntable; and - a folding mechanism MR detailed below, configured to move the mobile plate PM closer to or further from the fixed plate PF.

[0031] The fixed plate PF is fixed to the frame BM, here below the fixed grinding wheel MF. The movable plate PM is fixed to the central shaft A so that the movable plate PM can move closer to or further from the fixed plate PF with the movements of the central shaft A. The fixed plate PF and the movable plate PM are arranged here around the central shaft A.

[0032] The invention facilitates maintenance operations by allowing the transmission to be uncoupled without tools, thus enabling the following maintenance operations: - cleaning of the grinding wheels without removing the stones thanks to a clearance of for example 5cm; - belt replacement without disassembly.

[0033] As can be seen in the figures, the fixed plate PF is arranged above the moving plate PM. Furthermore, the drive means ME is arranged below the fixed plate PF and the moving plate PM.

[0034] The plates PF, PM mechanically support the central shaft A horizontally, by means of a bearing. The movable plate PM includes a bearing support PR for this purpose (illustrated in [Fig.2]).

[0035] The folding mechanism MR is configured to slide the moving plate PM towards the fixed plate PF, or away from the fixed plate PF.

[0036] In the illustrated variant, the folding mechanism MR comprises a trapezoidal screw system disposed between the fixed plate PF and the movable plate PM. This system includes two screws VT passing through the fixed plate PF and the movable plate PM, and being secured to the fixed plate PF. The system further includes a trapezoidal nut ET secured to the movable plate PM.

[0037] The VT screws are here equipped with sprockets P, and are connected to each other by a chain C arranged on the sprockets P.

[0038] The MR mechanism and the VT screw make it possible to propose a trapezoidal screw lifting system and a centering of the sliding pivot joint around the transmission shaft (central shaft A).

[0039] The lifting gears P can be driven by a hand crank. This simplifies manufacturing and reduces costs. Of course, a motor can be used to automate the movement of the plates PF, PM.

[0040] In the illustrated variant, the mill device further comprises a stop ring B fixed to the central shaft A, and a cylindrical spring R disposed between the movable plate PM and the stop ring B. This aspect is illustrated in detail in [Fig.3].

[0041] The return means R and said ring B form a load compensation means for the grinding wheels MT, MF. They allow the rotating grinding wheel MT to be raised in case of overload between the grinding wheels MT, MF.

[0042] Regarding the drive means ME, it comprises a pulley PL arranged around the axis of rotation AL. The pulley PL is configured to be coupled to a belt and a drive motor (not shown). The mill device further comprises such a drive motor and such a belt mounted on the motor shaft.

[0043] The drive means ME is here fixed to the frame and includes a bearing RB illustrated in [Fig.2]. This provides support for the drive means.

[0044] Advantageously, a PL pulley mounted pivoting relative to the frame, and therefore not axially mobile, presents very good alignment and thus allows to limit friction during training.

[0045] Of course, a sprocket and chain system can be considered in place of the aforementioned pulley and belt.

[0046] The invention further relates to a method of maintaining a mill device as described above, comprising steps for implementing the elements described above.

[0047] In particular, the method includes a step for disengaging the first coupling means El from the second coupling means E2. This is done by bringing the moving plate PM closer to the fixed plate PF.

[0048] The process further comprises: - a step to clean the rotating grinding wheel MT and / or the fixed grinding wheel MF; and / or - a step to replace the drive means ME, or its belt or chain.

Claims

Demands

1. A vertically arranged mill device comprising: - a mill frame (BM); - a rotating millstone (MT) arranged around an axis of rotation (Al); - a fixed millstone (MF) arranged against the rotating millstone (MT) around the axis of rotation (Al); - a central shaft (A) fixed to the rotating millstone (MT), arranged along the axis of rotation (Al); - a drive means (ME) configured to drive the rotating millstone (MT) via the central shaft (A), characterized in that the central shaft (A) comprises an end equipped with a first coupling means (El), and the mill device further comprises: - a fixed plate (PF) fixed to the frame (BM); - a movable plate (PM) fixed to the central shaft (A) such that the movable plate (PM) can move towards or away from the fixed plate (PF);- a folding mechanism (MR) configured to move the moving plate (PM) closer to or further from the fixed plate (PF), and in that the drive means (ME) includes a second fitting means (E2) connectable to the first fitting means (El) in a removable manner, the fitting means (El, E2) being configured to drive the rotating grinding wheel via the central shaft (A).;

2. Mill device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the folding mechanism (MR) comprises a trapezoidal screw system between the fixed plate (PF) and the moving plate (PM).

3. Mill device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the trapezoidal screw system comprises at least one screw (VT) passing through the fixed plate (PF) and the moving plate (PM), and a trapezoidal nut (ET) on the moving plate (PM).

4. Mill device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the trapezoidal screw system comprises several screws (VT) passing through the fixed plate (PF) and the moving plate (PM), the screws being equipped with sprockets (P), and being connected to each other by at least one chain (C) arranged on the sprockets (P).

5. Mill device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixed plate (PF) and the moving plate (PM) are arranged around the central shaft (A).

6. Mill device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixed plate (PF) is arranged above the moving plate (PM).

7. Mill device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive means (ME) is disposed below the fixed plate (PF) and the moving plate (PM).

8. Mill device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises at least one stop ring (B) fixed to the central shaft (A), and a return means (R), preferably a cylindrical spring, between the moving plate (PM) and said or one of the stop rings (B).

9. Mill device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive means (ME) comprises a pulley (PL) or a pinion arranged around the axis of rotation (Al), and the mill device further comprises a drive motor and a belt or chain mounted on the shaft of the motor and on the pulley (PL) or pinion.

10. A method for maintaining a mill device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising steps for: - disengaging the first fitting means (E1) from the second fitting means (E2) by bringing the moving plate (PM) closer to the fixed plate (PF); - cleaning the rotating millstone (MT) and / or the fixed millstone (MF); and / or - replacing the drive means (ME), or its belt or chain.

Images