Food Lift

Abstract

The invention relates to a pet food lift, comprising a vertically guided and movable platform for accommodating food bowls, and a drive for moving the platform. Twists, tilts and unstable running of the platform are avoided by improving the linear guidance of the platform by two stationary guide elements extending vertically upwards from the base and by uniformly introducing a driving force to the platform at the lateral edges by means of a single circulating driving means in the form of a toothed belt driven by a central motor. The single circulating toothed belt not only allows the transmission of the driving force but also allows a precise control of the platform. The installation stability is improved as a result of the relatively heavy motor being located at the base of the food lift.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pet food lift comprising a platform for accommodating a food bowl, which is movable while being guided in the vertical direction, and a drive device for moving the platform.

[0002] From DE 10 200 03 133 A1 a hood lift is known, which has a base on which a vertically oriented central column is arranged, along which a platform is guided and movable.

[0003] The food lift disclosed in Patent Document 2 has two vertical hollow guides, and synchronously running chains run in circulation within the guides, causing a platform that holds food bowls to move vertically. The drive unit is located in a housing provided above the two vertical guides.

[0004] The food lift disclosed in Patent Document 3 has a platform for accommodating a food bowl that is movable along a vertical central guide, and a drive device for moving the platform is disposed at the upper end of the vertical guide. The drive device has a manually operated winding device, and a cable connected to the platform is wound around the winding device.

[0005] US Pat. No. 5,399,433 discloses a platform for accommodating a food bowl, guided along two vertical columns. The platform is driven on one side via a toothed belt which runs in a circular motion. The toothed belt is deflected on the lower and upper sides via gears. The drive motor is arranged on the upper side of the food lift.

[0006] The food lift disclosed in patent document 5 has two vertical columns that guide the platform that accommodates the food bowls in the vertical direction. Above the two vertical guides, in the upper console, a motor with a winding device is arranged, on which two cables are wound, each laterally connected to the platform. The cables are guided to run freely next to the vertical columns and are connected to the two narrow sides of the platform. A drawback of this is that it is necessary to arrange the drive device on the upper side of the food lift, which reduces the installation stability of the food lift and the cable may not be wound evenly on the winding device, which may lead to a tilt of the platform and an uneven running.

[0007] The pet feeder disclosed in Patent Document 6 has two containers for housing and storing pet food and / or water, a container holding section that houses the two containers and is movable while guiding them in the vertical direction, and a drive device for moving the container holding section, in this case the drive device has a belt transmission device having a belt that runs in a circulating manner between a drive pulley and a second pulley, and in this case the drive pulley is driven by a motor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 8,776,725 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,263 [Patent Document 3] US Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 090452 [Patent Document 4] US Patent Publication No. 5,054,431 [Patent Document 5] US Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 316715 [Patent Document 6] U.S. Pat. No. 1,101,3213 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] In view of the prior art, the problem underlying the present invention is to provide a food lift with an improved drive concept, which increases the installation stability of the food lift and at the same time avoids distortion, tilting and uneven running of the platform when it moves up and down. In particular, spillage of the contents of the food bowl should be avoided due to the improved drive concept. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] This problem is solved by the above-mentioned aspect of the hood lift, The drive device includes a belt transmission device having a toothed belt that runs in a circulating manner, and a drive pinion that is driven by a motor. The motor and drive pinion are located at the base (2) of the hood lift; The drive pinion meshes with the toothed belt that runs in a circular motion. The linear guide has two stationary guide elements extending vertically upward from a base and one movable guide element along each of the two stationary guide elements, the two movable guide elements being laterally attached to the platform; A deflection device for the circulating toothed belt is arranged at the base of the hood lift and on each of the two stationary guide elements, the deflection device being arranged such that the toothed belt circulates along the two stationary guide elements in mutually opposite running directions in each belt portion, The platform is attached to a portion of a circular toothed belt that moves in the same direction along two stationary guide elements. This is resolved by:

[0011] The main advantages of the present invention compared to known drive concepts are: Improved installation stability due to the motor being located at the base; The linear guide is improved by two stationary guide elements extending vertically upward from the base; and a single circulating drive means in the form of a toothed belt driven by a central motor is used to introduce a drive force uniformly onto the platform at its lateral edges, thereby avoiding tilting, warping and unstable running of the platform; is located. The single, circular toothed belt not only transmits the drive force but also allows for precise control of the platform. Further advantages of the toothed belt are: - Low noise levels; -Long service life, - be sufficiently maintenance-free; and -Not stretchy, It is.

[0012] At the base of the hood lift, which is preferably constructed as a housing, and above the two stationary guide elements, a deflecting device for the circulating toothed belt is arranged, for example in the form of a deflecting roller or pulley, which is arranged in such a way that the toothed belt circulates in opposite running directions along the two stationary guide elements in each belt section. By belt section is meant a part of the circulating toothed belt of the belt transmission which exerts a tensioning force. Along each of the two vertical stationary guide elements, the toothed belt circulates in opposite running directions in the belt section, i.e. the toothed belt runs upwards in one belt section and downwards in the other belt section via the deflecting device arranged above the stationary guide elements.

[0013] The elongated, preferably oval-shaped platform is attached at its lateral edges to a belt section of a circularly running toothed belt which moves in the same direction along two stationary guide elements.

[0014] Due to the sufficient degree of play and damping properties, the linear guide is preferably configured as a sliding guide, which has two stationary guide shafts extending vertically upward from a base and a sliding bearing moving along each guide shaft. The stationary guide shafts are fixedly attached to the base, for example as cylindrical guide rods. The sliding bearings are configured as sliding bushes with annular cross section.

[0015] The two plain bearings are preferably mounted in respective laterally arranged feedthroughs in the platform. The mounting in the feedthroughs is effected in particular by means of an interference fit or press fit. Alternatively or additionally, the mounting can be effected by gluing the plain bearings in the feedthroughs, thereby forming a material bond.

[0016] Moreover, the movable guide element configured as a plain bearing may be configured as an integral part of the platform, for example by providing the platform with a hole adapted to the diameter of the cylindrical guide rod. The side of the penetration may be coated with a material which reduces friction with respect to the guide rod.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the through-hole for mounting the plain bearing is a constituent part of the annular receiving part of the platform, which is connected to the remainder of the platform exclusively via a narrow web.

[0018] The guide elements of the linear guide and the guide elements of the circulating toothed belt may be enclosed by a sleeve for aesthetic purposes, in particular by a sleeve having a longitudinal slot, through which the receiving part is connected to the rest of the platform via a web forming an annular gap partially surrounding the receiving part, the sleeve having a longitudinal slot configured for the web to pass through, extending through the annular gap over the length of the stationary guide shaft. The longitudinal slot has a slot width slightly larger than the web width, which avoids unnecessary friction between the web and the slot when the platform moves. The enclosure by the sleeve protects the drive components and the guide elements from contamination and damage. Furthermore, the enclosure serves to protect the users of the hood lift.

[0019] In an expedient embodiment of the invention, the platform can be attached to the belt sections of the circulating toothed belt, which move in the same direction, without additional mounting elements, by clamping the belt sections between the respective plain bearings and the laterally arranged penetrations on the platform. If the ends of the circulating toothed belt are not welded to each other at the butt joints, the overlapping ends can be connected to each other by clamping them between the plain bearings and the penetrations and attached to the platform. In order to stabilize the two stationary guide elements in particular, the hood lift has a vertically oriented central column, to which is attached a horizontally extending upper frame element, which is designed to support the stationary guide elements on its upper side. The fixing positions of the stationary guide elements and the central column on the base and the frame element respectively form a triangle.

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

[0021] According to an embodiment of the invention, the platform has at least one receiving section for fixing the vessel on a positive-fit basis. The fixing of the vessel on the receiving plate may be effected, for example, by means of a bayonet lock. The drive may have a safety cut-out device, which is arranged such that the movement of the platform is cut off in a defined load state, so that injuries caused by the hood lift are avoided. The safety cut-out may be electrical and / or mechanical.

[0022] If the drive has a motor control which controls the acceleration periods, i.e. starting and braking, of the platform, spillage of the container contents can be reliably avoided.

[0023] For safety reasons, the drive and electronics operate at low voltage (12V).

[0024] In one embodiment of the invention, a contact may be disposed on the base, which activates a circulation pump for the water in the drinking vessel when the drinking vessel is placed on the platform.

[0025] For hygiene reasons, all operating elements are sealed and / or designed as contactless switching elements.

[0026] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to examples. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the entire hood lift according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view from below of the entire hood lift of FIG. 1 with the base open to illustrate the drive concept. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a detailed view of a direction changing device provided on one head unit. [Figure 4a] FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the left edge of the vertically movable hood lift platform. [Figure 4b] FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the right edge of the vertically movable hood lift platform. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] The pet food lift 1 has a base 2 which accommodates a drive for a movable platform 4. The platform 4 has a number of openings 4.1 which accommodate containers 4.2 in a form-fitting manner. The containers 4.2 are used, for example, to accommodate water or food for pets.

[0029] From the base 2, two sleeves 5.1, 5.2 extend upwards laterally, in which elements of a linear guide 6 for a vertically guided movable platform 4 are arranged, the platform 4 being configured essentially as an elongated, in particular oval-shaped, plate.

[0030] The hood lift 1 further comprises a central column 7 attached to the rear part 2.1 of the base 2 between the sleeves 5.1 and 5.2, to which an upper frame member 8 is attached. The base 2, the central column 7 and the frame member 8 together form the framework of the hood lift 1. The framework is for the stationary guide elements 6.1, 6.2 of the linear guide 6 which extend vertically upwards in the sleeves 5.1, 5.2 (see Figures 4a and 4b, in which the sleeves 5.1, 5.2 are omitted).

[0031] The linear guide 6 has two movable guide elements 6.3, 6.4, where the movable guide element 6.3 is movable along the guide element 6.1 arranged on the left side and fixed to the frame, and the movable guide element 6.4 is movable along the guide element 6.2 arranged on the right side and fixed to the frame.

[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, the linear guide 6 is configured as a sliding guide, in which the guide elements 6.1, 6.2 fixed to the frame are configured as guide shafts or guide rods and the movable guide elements are configured as plain bearings or sliding bushes, respectively.

[0033] The plain bearing 6.3 is attached by means of a close fit in a penetration 4.3 arranged laterally on the left side of the platform 4 (see FIG. 4a), while the plain bearing 6.4 is attached by means of a close fit in a penetration 4.4 arranged laterally on the right side of the platform 4. Furthermore, from FIGS. 4a and 4b it can be seen that each penetration 4.3, 4.4 is a constituent part of an annular receiving part 4.5, 4.6 of the platform 4. Both annular receiving parts 4.5, 4.6 are connected to the remaining part 4.9 of the platform 4 via webs 4.7, 4.8 forming annular gaps 4.10, 4.11 respectively which partially surround the receiving parts 4.5, 4.6. The sleeve 5.1, not shown in FIG. 4a, is provided with a longitudinal slot 5.3 configured for the web 4.7 to pass through, and the sleeve 5.2 is provided with a longitudinal slot 5.4 configured for the web 4.8 to pass through (see FIG. 2), in which case both longitudinal slots 5.3, 5.4 extend over the length of the stationary guide elements 6.1, 6.2.

[0034] The drive, which can be seen in particular from FIG. 2, comprises a belt drive with a toothed belt 3.1 which runs in a circular fashion and a drive pinion 3.3 which is driven by a motor 3.2. The motor 3.2 and the drive pinion 3.3 are accommodated in a base 2 which is configured as a housing. Two deflection devices 3.4 are arranged in the reinforced left edge region 2.2 of the base 2, and two deflection devices 3.5 are arranged in the reinforced right edge region 2.3 of the base 2. All four deflection devices 3.4, 3.5 are configured as diverting rollers which can rotate about an axis. The deflection rollers are arranged in the lateral edge regions 2.2, 2.3 of the base 2, in such an arrangement the toothed belt 3.1 runs in a circular fashion along two stationary guide elements 6.1, 6.2 in belt sections 3.8, 3.9 which run in mutually opposing directions (see FIGS. 4a, 4b). The deflection device 3.4 is arranged on the base 2 in the region of the fixing point of the left stationary guide element 6.1, and the deflection device 3.5 is arranged on the base 2 in the region of the fixing point of the right stationary guide element 6.2. The endless toothed belt 3.1 reaches into the sleeve 5.1 through an opening, not shown, in the left edge region 2.2 of the base 2, or from there into the inside of the base 2 configured as a housing. The endless toothed belt 3.1 reaches into the sleeve 5.2 through an opening, not shown, in the right edge region 2.3 of the base 2, or from there into the inside of the base 2 configured as a housing.

[0035] A further deflecting device 3.6 is arranged above each of the two stationary guide elements 6.1, 6.2 (see FIG. 3), by means of which the toothed belt 3.1 is deflected from one running direction to the opposite running direction at the upper end of the respective guide element 6.1, 6.2. The deflecting device 3.6 is configured as a deflecting roller. The deflecting roller is supported at the head 9, which is respectively shown in FIG. 3. The head 9 can be fitted on the stationary guide elements 6.1, 6.2 and the sleeves 5.1, 5.2 surrounding the guide elements by a positive connection. The deflecting roller 3.6 is supported at the head 9 so that it can rotate freely. The distance between the two deflecting rollers 3.6 is selected in such a way that the belt sections 3.8, 3.9, which circulate in opposite directions through the openings in the head 9, circulate at a distance from the stationary guide elements 6.1, 6.2 (see FIGS. 4a, 4b). Both head portions 9 are joined to each other by a frame member 8 which is placed over the head portions.

[0036] The platform 4 is attached to the belt section 3.8 of the toothed belt 3.1, which moves in the same direction along the two stationary guide elements 6.1, 6.2. This type of attachment can be seen best from Figs. 4a, 4b. The attachment is effected without additional attachment means at the belt section 3.8 of the circulating toothed belt 3.1, which moves in the same direction, by clamping the belt section 3.8 between the sliding bearing 6.3 and the through-hole 4.3 on the left side of the platform, and by clamping the belt section 3.8 between the sliding bearing 6.4 and the through-hole 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 to each other at the butt joint. For this reason, on the right side of the platform 4, the overlapping ends of the toothed belt 3.1 are connected to each other by clamping them between the sliding bearing 6.4 and the through-hole 4.4 and are attached to the platform 4 at the same time. It can further be seen that the tooth rows at the two ends mesh with each other.

[0037] By operating the electric motor 3.2 in one or the other direction of rotation, the platform 4 can be moved uniformly in the directions of both arrows in figure 1 by means of the linear guides 6 and the drive concept described, without twisting or tilting. By locating the main drive components on the base 2, the installation stability of the hood lift 1 is improved at the same time. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1 Food lift 2 base 2.1 Rear section 2.2 Lateral edge regions 2.3 Lateral edge regions 3.1 Toothed belt 3.2 Motor 3.3 Drive pinion 3.4 Direction change device (base) 3.5 Direction change device (base) 3.6 Direction change device (head section) 3.8 Belt section 3.9 Belt section 4. Platform 4.1 Openings 4.2 Vessel 4.3 Penetrations 4.4 Penetrations 4.5 Housing 4.6 Housing 4.7 Web 4.8 Web 4.9 Rest of the Platform 4.10 Annular gap 4.11 Annular gap 5.1 Sleeves 5.2 Sleeves 5.3 Vertical slots 5.4 Vertical Slots 6 Linear guide 6.1 Fixed guide elements 6.2 Fixed guide elements 6.3 Movable guide elements 6.4 Movable guide elements 7 Central pillar 8 Frame members 9 Head section

Claims

1. A pet food lift (1) comprising a platform (4) for accommodating a container (4.2) and a drive for moving the platform (4), the platform (4) being guided in a vertical direction. The drive unit comprises a belt transmission with a toothed belt (3.1) running in a circular motion 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 the base (2) of the hood lift (1), The drive pinion (3.3) engages with the toothed belt (3.1) which runs in a circular motion; the linear guide (6) has two stationary guide elements (6.1, 6.2) extending vertically upward from the base (2) and one movable guide element (6.3, 6.4) along each of the two stationary guide elements (6.1, 6.2), the two movable guide elements (6.3, 6.4) being laterally attached to the platform (4); a diverting device (3.4, 3.5, 3.6) for the toothed belt (3.1) running in a circular manner is arranged on the base (2) of the hood lift (1) and on each of the two stationary guide elements (6.1, 6.2), the diverting devices (3.4, 3.5, 3.6) being arranged so that the toothed belt (3.1) runs in a circular manner along the two stationary guide elements (6.1, 6.2) in the belt sections (3.8, 3.9) in opposite directions of travel, The platform (4) is attached to the belt portion (3.8, 3.8) of the toothed belt (3.1) which runs in a circular motion and moves in the same direction along the two stationary guide elements (6.1, 6.2). A pet food lift (1) characterized by:

2. 2. The hood lift according to claim 1, wherein the linear guide (6) is a sliding guide having two stationary guide shafts extending vertically upward from the base (2) and slide bearings (6.3, 6.4) that move along each of the guide shafts.

3. 3. Hood lift according to claim 2, characterized in that the two plain bearings (6.3, 6.4) are mounted in respective laterally arranged penetrations (4.3, 4.4) in the platform (4), in particular by means of an interference fit.

4. 4. Hood lift according to claim 3, characterized in that the penetrations (4.3, 4.4) are respectively part of annular receiving parts (4.5, 4.6) of the platform (4), the receiving parts (4.5, 4.6) being connected to the remaining part (4.9) of the platform (4) via webs (4.7, 4.8).

5. the receiving portions (4.5, 4.6) are connected to the remaining portion (4.9) of the platform (4) via the webs (4.7, 4.8) forming annular gaps (4.10, 4.11) that partially surround the receiving portions (4.5, 4.6); Sleeves (5.1, 5.2) having longitudinal slots (5.3, 5.4) adapted to pass the webs (4.7, 4.8) extend through the annular gaps (4.10, 4.11) over the length of the stationary guide shaft. The hood lift according to claim 4, characterized in that

6. 6. The hood lift according to claim 2, wherein the platform (4) is attached to the belt sections (3.8) of the toothed belt (3.1) that move in the same direction by clamping the belt sections (3.8) between the plain bearings (6.3, 6.4) and through-holes (4.3, 4.4) that are laterally arranged in the platform (4).

7. Hood lift according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the toothed belt (3.1) has a tensioning device that maintains the required tension when the toothed belt is stretched.

8. 6. Food lift according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the platform (4) has at least one receiving section for fixing a container (4.2) on the basis of a positive fit.

9. 6. Hood lift according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the drive device has a safety cut-out device arranged to interrupt the movement of the platform (4) under a predetermined load condition.

10. The hood lift according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the drive device has a motor control unit that controls an acceleration period.

11. A hood lift as described in Claim 9, characterized in that the drive device has a motor control unit that controls the acceleration period.

12. 6. A food lift according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a contact is arranged on the base (2) by means of which a circulation pump for the water in the drinking vessel is activated when the drinking vessel to be set on the platform (4) is placed thereon.

13. 6. The hood lift (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it has a central support (7) to which an upper frame element (8) is attached, the frame element (8) being configured to support the stationary guide elements (6.1, 6.2) above them.

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