Suction workbench for dust extraction

Abstract

Suction workbench (100) comprising a worktop (1), substantially horizontal, supported by a box-shaped support structure (2) and positioned underneath the worktop (1), in which the worktop (1) in turn comprises a plurality of openings (7) underneath which there is a filter group (8) connected to a fan (9). The filter group (8) is mounted inside the support structure (2) by means of sliding guides (17) which allow for quick replacement.

Description

[0001] SUCTION WORKBENCH FOR DUST EXTRACTION

[0002] D E S C R I PTI O N

[0003] Technical field of the invention

[0004] The present invention relates to workbenches, such as independent workstations, equipped with dust and fume extraction systems associated with them.

[0005] Background art

[0006] As is well known, workbenches with extraction systems are commonly used in machine shops and the steel industry. Many types of extraction systems are equipped with special filters, often connected externally to the work environment. Exhaustion systems are also used in carpentry and the woodworking industry.

[0007] Extraction systems are therefore used during sanding, surface treatments, or during industrial processing of materials that can release harmful dust. The bench, in addition to being a work surface, helps keep the air clean during various production processes.

[0008] The special design of the extraction benches, designed to prevent pollutants or processing dust from reaching the operator during the operational phases carried out on the work surface, allows for the extraction of such dust and the resulting dry fumes directly at the source of production. Extraction is generally carried out from within the work surface, and the air is filtered through filter cartridges located inside the extraction bench. The extraction process concludes with a backwash of the filter cartridges with compressed air. Extractor tables, therefore, provide extraction at the source. This is undoubtedly the most effective method for effectively extracting and removing dry dust and fumes, as it ensures immediate protection for employees and the work environment. Extractor tables are designed precisely for this purpose. Using specially designed vents, these practical and robust tables ensure widespread suction across the work surface, eliminating contaminants before they can be inhaled by the operator or dispersed into the air, without compromising the progress and results of the work in progress.

[0009] A wide range of extractor tables are available on the market, specifically designed for welding, sanding, grinding, and grinding of wood, composite materials, and metals. Depending on the different pollutants produced during processing, extractor tables are available in different filter configurations.

[0010] In some cases, extractor tables are complete with fans and filtration systems, making the structure independent and easily positioned in the work environment. Alternatively, extraction benches can be connected to a centralized extraction system, an external extractor, or equipped with extraction arms, especially when extracting fumes and very fine, volatile dust. Furthermore, depending on your needs, extraction benches are available with extraction or non-extraction side and front walls, which are both useful for preventing dust from dispersing into the environment.

[0011] Furthermore, recently, in response to increasingly complex requests from designers, additive manufacturing has become increasingly popular. This differs from traditional processing technologies because it does not remove material from the raw material, but rather creates highly complex three-dimensional parts through the progressive deposition of layers of material. This technology currently uses metal or plastic powders deposited in multiple layers and subsequently solidified by a laser beam directed by moving mirrors. Many metal alloys, from aluminum to titanium, as well as precious metals such as gold or platinum, can be processed with complex geometries. The machines operate on very small surfaces and at very high costs. The processing point is often flooded with inert gas to prevent oxidation or other reactions of the molten material locally. Given its unique characteristics, this technology allows for rapid switching from one material to another, i.e., from using one powder to another, after cleaning off residues from the previous process.

[0012] The high potential of the suction benches can also be used for these processes, in particular for the suction of dust, even extremely valuable ones, which are discarded during the processing phase, i.e. after their deposition.

[0013] A significant and unsolved problem in the field of extraction benches is the possibility of selectively recovering waste dust without contaminating it with dust from previous processes.

[0014] To date, no extraction benches are known that allow the exclusive recovery of a single processing dust at a time.

[0015] There is therefore a need to develop an innovative extraction bench suitable for the efficient and independent recovery of dust produced by different processes.

[0016] Summary of the invention To substantially solve the technical problems highlighted above, one object of the present invention is to define a suction bench suitable for dust extraction and recovery, i.e., equipped with a suitable, interchangeable internal filtration system.

[0017] According to one aspect of the present invention, the suction bench includes an easily removable and replaceable filter assembly. The filter assembly is integrated within the suction bench and can be adapted to existing suction benches on the market.

[0018] Therefore, according to the present invention, a suction bench is provided with an interchangeable filter assembly having the characteristics set forth in the independent product claim, attached to this specification.

[0019] Further preferred and / or particularly advantageous embodiments of the invention are described according to the characteristics set forth in the attached dependent claims.

[0020] Brief description of the drawings

[0021] The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate some non-limiting examples of its implementation, in which:

[0022] - Figure 1 is an overall perspective view of the suction bench according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] - Figure 2 is an enlarged-scale detail of the suction surface and filter assembly of the suction bench of Figure 1;

[0024] - Figure 3 is a cross-section of the suction bench of Figure 1;

[0025] - Figure 4 is a front view of the filter assembly according to the present invention;

[0026] - Figure 5 is a rear view of the filter assembly according to the present invention;

[0027] - Figure 6 is a perspective view of the suction bench illustrating the extraction phase of the filter assembly according to the present invention;

[0028] - Figure 7 is an enlarged-scale detail of Figure 6.

[0029] Detailed description

[0030] By way of example and without limitation, the present invention will now be described with reference to the aforementioned figures.

[0031] A vacuum bench 100 comprises: a substantially horizontal work surface 1, supported by a box-shaped support structure 2 positioned beneath the work surface 1. Said support structure 2 is equipped with wheels 3, positioned at the corners of the structure, thus four in number, which allow the vacuum work surface 100 to be moved on a floor surface.

[0032] In the specific embodiment, one pair of wheels rotates around its own axis and can be locked to prevent unwanted movement, while the remaining pair of wheels is fixed and non-steering.

[0033] Alternatively, all four wheels could be steered and / or selectively lockable.

[0034] In a preferred configuration, the vacuum bench 100 may include an upper cover element 4, positioned at a convenient height from ground level so that an operator can work on the work surface 1; a vertical rear closing wall 5 and two vertical closing walls 6 on the sides which leave the front opening free to allow operational access to the work surface 1; said walls defining a work surface with a generally rectangular surface. Advantageously, the front opening of the extraction bench 100 can also be equipped with a front closing wall to extract harmful vapors or protect against pathogenic microbial agents.

[0035] Advantageously, the work surface 1 can be a metal surface.

[0036] Preferably, the support structure 2, the cover element 4, and the walls 5, 6 of the frame are constructed of the same metal or sheet metal material. In alternative embodiments, the workbench sections can be constructed of different materials, e.g., plastic or even wood fiber-based materials.

[0037] As shown in the detail in Figure 2, the work surface 1 is equipped with a plurality of openings 7, beneath which, inside the support structure 2, there is a filter assembly 8. The filter assembly 8 is rectangular in shape, with a first side wall 20, a second side wall 21, a rear wall 22, and an upper opening covered by a filter cartridge protection element 14.

[0038] The filter assembly 8 is closed at the front by a special closing door 13. This door 13 can be opened and closed to replace the filter assembly 8. For quick and efficient replacement, the door 13 is equipped with a special handle 16.

[0039] Connected to the support structure 2 is a closing element 30 that encloses the filter assembly 8 inside.

[0040] The connection between the work surface 1 and the filter assembly 8 is achieved by a collector 80, generally U-shaped in cross-section, with an open upper face that can receive and retain debris / particulates from above. The lower part of the collector is connected directly to the upper portion of the filter assembly 8. The filter assembly 8 is connected to a fan 9, also located within the support structure 2 (Figure 3) but isolated from it by a partition wall 12, via a connection opening 10 (as illustrated in Figures 3 and 5).

[0041] The fan 9 may preferably be a centrifugal fan or, in any case, a fan that draws in the filtered air exiting the filter, blows it into the vertical exhaust plenum through the outlet 18 of the fan 9 (Figure 3), and pushes it towards the air outlet 19, directly connected to the surrounding environment. This air outlet may be equipped with an absolute filter or a silencer depending on the requirements, e.g., provided on one side / wall of the supporting structure.

[0042] Advantageously, the fan 9 is driven by an electric motor that can be mounted on the side of the fan casing, e.g., opposite the inlet of the fan 9. An electrical cable and switch will typically be provided on the extraction bench 100 to turn on the dust extraction system, i.e., to power the motor of the fan 9. A mains power supply may be used.

[0043] Advantageously, the dust particles remain trapped inside the filter assembly 8.

[0044] As shown in detail figures 4 and 5, the filter assembly 8 contains a filter cartridge 11 and, in the upper portion facing the openings 7 of the work surface 1, the filter cartridge protection element 14.

[0045] When processing material on the vacuum work surface 1, the activation of the fan 9 creates a vacuum that allows dust and fumes to be sucked up and quickly transported to the filter assembly 8.

[0046] Below the filter assembly 8, in the lower portion facing the floor, it is connected to a dust collection drawer 15 by means of special fastening elements for easy removal, dust removal, and replacement.

[0047] Preferably, as shown in Figure 6 and Figure 7, the filter assembly 8 is mounted inside the support structure 2 by means of two sliding guides 17, made of Teflon or other low-friction material, positioned along the lateral faces 20, 21 of the filter assembly 8, so as to facilitate the sliding of the filter assembly during the extraction and insertion operations. The guides 17 slide inside corresponding grooves inside the support structure 2 of the filter assembly, and are modeled of an appropriate width and thickness based on the weight of the filter assembly. The filter assembly, in its lower part in contact with the guides 17, is equipped with two stainless steel or metal strips, so as to further reduce friction.

[0048] The sliding of the filter assembly 8 along the guides 17 allows for extremely easy removal, as well as quick and easy replacement. In this way, each individual filter assembly can be dedicated to the collection of a single type of dust derived from a specific production process, preventing different types of dust from coming into contact and facilitating dust recovery operations where production requirements or the value of the dust require it instead of normal disposal. Furthermore, multiple filter assemblies can be provided, easily interchangeable depending on the type of processing to be performed and the type of dust to be handled.

[0049] Preferably, the filter assembly 8 is equipped with four feet at the corners to ensure stability once positioned within the support structure 2 and is equipped with four pneumatic actuators, of a known type and therefore not shown in the figures, which lift the filter assembly 8 so that it is perfectly aligned and dust-tight towards the upper suction plate. Preferably, the filter assembly 8 can be selectively fixed in a horizontal position.

[0050] Therefore, the present invention allows for the quick and easy removal and replacement of a filter assembly 8 and allows the operator to have multiple filter assemblies, each for a specific type of dust generated by the process.

[0051] Furthermore, the dedicated dust collection drawer 15 also allows for the recovery of dusty material, which can be reused if necessary.

[0052] In addition to the embodiment of the invention, as described above, it should be understood that numerous other variations exist. It should also be understood that these embodiments are merely exemplary and do not limit the scope of the invention, its applications, or its possible configurations. Conversely, while the above description enables the skilled craftsman to practice the present invention at least according to one exemplary embodiment thereof, it should be understood that many variations of the described components are possible without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims, which are construed literally and / or according to their legal equivalents.

Claims

C LA I M S1. Suction workbench (100) comprising a work surface (1), substantially horizontal, supported by a box-shaped support structure (2) and positioned below the work surface (1), in which the work surface (1) in turn includes a plurality of openings (7) below which there is a filter group (8) connected to a fan (9), said suction workbench (100) being characterized by the fact that the filter group (8) are mounted inside the support structure (2) by means of sliding guides (17) which allow for a rapid replacement.

2. Suction workbench (100) according to claim 1, wherein the filter group (8) includes inside it a filter cartridge (11) and in the upper part, facing the plurality of openings (7) of the work surface (1), a protection element (14) of the filter cartridge.

3. Suction workbench (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the filter group (8) includes a dust collection drawer (15) in the lower portion.

4. Suction workbench (100) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the connection between the work surface (1) and the filter group (8) is made by a manifold (80) generally shaped like a "U" in cross section, the manifold (80) being connected in its lower part directly to the upper portion of the filter group (8) and in its upper part to the work surface (1).

5. Suction workbench (100) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the filter group (8) includes four pneumatic actuators which lift the filter group (8) so as to send it in perfect contact and dust-proof towards the work surface (1).

6. Suction workbench (100) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the filter group (8) is closed, in the front part, by a specific closing door (13) provided with a handle (16).

7. Suction workbench (100) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the fan (9) is mounted inside the support structure (2) but isolated from the filter group (8) by means of a dividing wall (12) provided with a connection opening (10).

8. Suction workbench (100) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the support structure (2) includes an upper covering element (4), a rear vertical closing wall (5) and laterally two vertical closing walls (6), said walls defining a work surface with a generally rectangular surface.

9. Suction workbench (100) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the support structure (2) includes two pairs of wheels (3), positioned at the corners of the structure (2) itself.

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