Multi-part housing for a device

Abstract

A multi-part housing (1) for a device contains two profiled structural parts (11, 12), which are connected to one another by means of a form-fitting connection (2) and have profile axes running parallel to one another, and a supporting element (18), to which each of the two profiled structural parts (11, 12) is fixed. The form-fitting connection (2) is designed so as to allow at least a mutual linear displacement (31) of the two connected profiled structural parts (11, 12) in a movement direction (x) running perpendicular to the profile axes when the two profiled structural parts are not fixed to the supporting element (18). The housing (1) can be simply and cost-effectively produced in different lengths.

Description

[0001] Multi-part housing for a device

[0002] SPECIALIZATION

[0003] The present invention relates to a multi-part housing for a device, preferably for the textile industry, and a method for manufacturing the housing.

[0004] An exemplary application of the invention lies in the field of textile quality control in spinning preparation, wherein the device is designed as a fiber cleaner for removing foreign substances from textile fibers, e.g., cotton fibers, pneumatically conveyed in the form of fiber flakes. Accordingly, the invention also relates to a device for removing foreign substances from textile fiber material and to an arrangement of such a device on a conveying channel for conveying the textile fiber material with a pneumatic conveying flow, according to the preambles of further claims.

[0005] STATE OF THE ART

[0006] WO-2006 / 079426 A1 discloses a method and a device for removing foreign matter from fiber material, particularly raw cotton. An optical sensor system for detecting foreign matter and a removal device with at least one compressed air nozzle acting transversely to the fiber transport line are arranged one after the other in the transport direction along a pneumatic fiber transport line. Opposite the compressed air nozzle, the fiber transport line has a discharge opening for the foreign matter blown out by the removal device. Such devices in spinning preparation are called "fiber cleaners".

[0007] Housings for such devices have so far been mainly made of sheet metal. In the textile industry, there is a recurring need to offer devices such as fiber cleaners in various lengths to meet different customer requirements.

[0008] - 1 -

[0009] P0646CC-WO is satisfactory. If the housing is made of sheet metal, a separate housing must be designed and manufactured for each device length, which is inefficient and expensive.

[0010] Housings made of several interconnected structural profiles with parallel profile axes are known. They have the advantage of being easily manufactured in different lengths by cutting the same structural profiles to the different lengths. All other components can remain essentially unchanged. The present invention takes advantage of this benefit.

[0011] A problem with such housings is the large dimensional deviations from the nominal value in the width direction, i.e., perpendicular to the profile axis, that occur with structural profiles. These deviations typically amount to approximately 2% of the width for structural profiles manufactured using extrusion. If, for example, optical components of the device are attached to the housing and must be precisely aligned with each other and with elements outside the housing, individual adjustments are necessary for each device. This increases the manufacturing effort and costs.

[0012] PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The object of the invention is to provide a multi-part housing for a device that avoids or at least mitigates the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, the housing should be easy and cost-effective to manufacture in various lengths. At the same time, it should exhibit low dimensional tolerances when assembled. It should also be well sealed against undesirable external influences such as dust and moisture and exhibit good electromagnetic compatibility.

[0014] Another task is to specify a method for manufacturing such a housing.

[0015] - 2 -

[0016] P0646CC-WO These and other problems are solved by the device according to the first claim and the method according to a further independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0017] The invention is based on the idea of ​​designing at least two parts of the housing as structural profiles that are connected to each other by means of a positive-locking connection. The positive-locking connection is designed in such a way that it allows a mutual displacement of the two structural profiles that exceeds the usual manufacturing-related play.

[0018] The displacement should be possible at least in a direction perpendicular to the profile axes, which in this document is referred to as the "direction of movement". The positive-locking connection should therefore have at least one degree of freedom; with exactly one degree of freedom, it is designed as a shear joint. Additional degrees of freedom are possible, e.g., a displacement in a direction parallel to the profile axes (like a plate joint) and / or a rotation about at least one axis of rotation parallel to the profile axes.

[0019] To manufacture the housing, a positive-locking connection is first created. Thanks to the sliding mechanism, dimensional deviations of the structural profiles can be accommodated or compensated for during assembly. After the positive-locking connection is created, the two structural profiles are attached to at least one supporting element. This gives the housing its dimensional rigidity and stability. In the final state, the two structural profiles are no longer sliding, and all housing components have a defined, stable position relative to each other.

[0020] The inventive multi-part housing for a device, preferably for the textile industry, comprises two structural profiles with parallel profile axes connected by a positive-locking connection. The housing also includes a support element to which each of the two structural profiles is attached. The positive-locking connection is designed such that, even without attachment to the support element, it allows at least a relative linear displacement of the two structural profiles.

[0021] - 3 -

[0022] P0646CC-WO allows connected structural profiles to move in a direction perpendicular to the profile axes.

[0023] The housing can contain more than two structural profiles and more than one support element.

[0024] The positive-locking connection is preferably detachable.

[0025] The displacement of the two connected structural profiles exceeds the usual manufacturing-related play.

[0026] In one embodiment, the positive-locking connection is designed such that, without attachment to the support element, it allows a mutual linear displacement of at least 1%, e.g., at least 3%, and preferably at least 5% of the length of the longer of the two connected structural profiles, measured in the direction of movement. If both structural profiles have the same length in the direction of movement, the above percentages refer to this length.

[0027] In one embodiment, the positive-locking connection is designed such that, in addition to linear displacement, it also allows for the mutual rotation of the two connected structural profiles about at least one axis of rotation parallel to the profile axes, without requiring attachment to the support element. The positive-locking connection can be designed such that, to create it, the two structural profiles to be joined must be rotated relative to each other about the at least one axis of rotation. During or after this rotation, they can be displaced relative to each other. Finally, they are attached to the at least one support element.

[0028] In one embodiment, each of the two structural profiles has a claw-like profile element, and the two claw-like profile elements participate in the positive locking connection by interlocking. For this purpose, the two claw-like profile elements are arranged and aligned accordingly.

[0029] - 4 -

[0030] P0646CC-WO In one embodiment, the positive-locking connection is designed such that a connecting path running within it between an outer space and an inner space of the housing is meandering or labyrinthine. This means that the connecting path undergoes at least two changes of direction in different directions.

[0031] In one embodiment, a connecting path running in the positive-locking connection between an outer space and an inner space of the housing is sealed by at least one first sealing element. The at least one first sealing element can, for example, be a round cord seal located in a profile groove and extending along the entire positive-locking connection.

[0032] In one embodiment, the supporting element includes a planar surface support structure whose plane is parallel to the direction of movement.

[0033] In one embodiment, the housing includes two support elements that essentially form two opposing walls of the housing.

[0034] In one embodiment, at least one of the two structural profiles is made of extruded aluminum and / or the supporting element is made of steel.

[0035] In one embodiment, the two structural profiles and the support element are made of metal, and the two structural profiles are attached to the support element in such a way that the two structural profiles and the support element are electrically connected to each other.

[0036] In one embodiment, the housing has at least one window made of a material transparent in a specific spectral range, e.g., glass. The window can be embedded in a window frame that is attached to at least one structural profile. The spectral range in question preferably includes the visible (VIS), infrared (IR), and / or ultraviolet (UV) spectral range, or parts thereof.

[0037] - 5 -

[0038] P0646CC-WO In one embodiment, the housing contains a device for removing foreign substances from textile fiber material or part of such a device.

[0039] The invention also relates to a device for removing foreign substances from textile fiber material. The device includes a sensor for detecting the foreign substances, an evaluation unit connected to the sensor for evaluating signals from the sensor, and a removal unit controlled by the evaluation unit for removing the foreign substances from the fiber material. Furthermore, the device includes a housing that contains the sensor, the evaluation unit, and / or the removal unit. The housing is a housing according to the invention as described above.

[0040] Furthermore, the invention relates to an arrangement of a device for removing foreign substances from textile fiber material at a conveying channel for conveying the textile fiber material with a pneumatic conveying flow. The device, or a part thereof, is housed in a casing that is directly adjacent to the conveying channel. The casing is a casing according to the invention as described above.

[0041] According to the inventive method for manufacturing a housing according to the invention, the two structural profiles are first connected to each other by means of the positive locking connection and then attached to the supporting element.

[0042] Thanks to the use of structural profiles, the invention allows for easy adjustment of the housing length to meet various requirements. The structural profiles can be manufactured in long lengths. Before assembly, they can be cut to the desired length by either the profile manufacturer or the housing manufacturer. They are then assembled into the housing together with at least one support element and any other housing components. The structural profiles and the at least one support element can therefore be prefabricated independently of the specific housing length. This eliminates the need for a new design for a different housing length. As a result, the housing can be manufactured easily and cost-effectively in various lengths.

[0043] - 6 -

[0044] P0646CC-WO The invention overcomes the well-known disadvantage of structural profiles, namely the relatively large dimensional deviations from the nominal value perpendicular to the profile axis. Thanks to the at least one support element, the housing according to the invention exhibits low dimensional tolerances in its assembled state. Thus, for example, optical components can be attached to the housing and precisely aligned with each other and with elements outside the housing.

[0045] The inventive housing can be effectively sealed against unwanted external influences such as dust and moisture. It exhibits good electromagnetic compatibility.

[0046] LIST OF DRAWINGS

[0047] The following section explains embodiments of the invention in detail with reference to the drawings. The drawings and the accompanying description relate to the example of a housing for a fiber cleaner in a spinning preparation plant. However, this example is not intended to limit the generality of the invention; the invention can also be used in other devices.

[0048] Figure 1 shows a housing according to the invention in a three-dimensional view. Figure 2 shows the housing of Figure 1 in a cross-section along line II-II. Figure 3 shows a positive-locking connection in a detail view III of Figure 2.

[0049] IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0050] Figures 1 and 2 show an embodiment of the housing 1 according to the invention. The housing 1 is composed of several parts 11-18. It is designed for a device for the textile industry, in this case for a fiber cleaner.

[0051] - 7 -

[0052] P0646CC-WO At least part of the housing 1 is formed by several, in this case four, extruded structural profiles 11-14, which can be made of, for example, aluminum. The profile axes of the structural profiles 11-14 are parallel to each other and, in this case, run along a longitudinal direction y of the device 1. Two adjacent structural profiles 11, 12 and 12, 13, respectively, are each connected to one another by means of a positive-locking connection 2, which is explained below with reference to Figure 3.

[0053] Furthermore, the housing 1 includes at least one support element 17, 18 to which each of the structural profiles 11-14 is attached. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the housing 1 has two support elements 17, 18, each attached to one end of the housing 1 in the longitudinal direction y. Each of the support elements 17, 18 includes at least one planar surface support structure 71, 72; 81, 82, the plane of which is perpendicular to the profile axes of the structural profiles 11-14, i.e., parallel to a vertical direction z. The support elements 17, 18 provide the housing 1 with the necessary dimensional strength and stability. They can, for example, be made of stainless steel. The structural profiles 11-14 can be fastened to the support elements 17, 18, for example, by first screws 6.

[0054] For some applications, an electromagnetically shielding enclosure 1 is required. For this purpose, the structural profiles 11-14 and the support elements 17, 18 can be made of metal. The structural profiles 11-14 can be attached to the support elements 17, 18 in such a way that the structural profiles 11-14 and the support elements 17, 18 are electrically connected to each other.

[0055] The housing 1 can contain further components, e.g., a window 15 made of a material transparent in the relevant spectral range, e.g., VIS, IR, and / or UV, or parts thereof, such as glass. The window 15 is embedded in a window frame 152 by means of a polymer sealant 151. The polymer sealant 151 seals an interior space 91 from an exterior space 92 of the housing 1, thus protecting the interior space 91 from undesirable external influences such as dust and moisture; it is also elastic and vibration-resistant, ensuring a floating mounting of the window 15. The window frame 152 is connected to the adjacent structural profiles 11, 14 by means of two screws 154, with a second sealing element 153, e.g., a cord seal, ensuring a good seal.

[0056] - 8 -

[0057] P0646CC-WO provides sealing of the interior 91. The embedding of the window 15 in the window frame 152 has the advantage that the window 15 can be easily replaced with the window frame 152 without changing the rest of the device 1.

[0058] Window 15 is required in a fiber cleaner to monitor pneumatically conveyed fiber material for foreign matter as it passes window 15. Window 15 establishes an optical connection between the interior 91 of housing 1 and a (not shown) conveying channel to which the fiber cleaner is attached and to which housing 1 is directly adjacent. Housing 1 may contain, for example, an optical sensor device for detecting foreign matter, an evaluation device connected to the sensor device for evaluating signals from the sensor device, and / or a removal device controlled by the evaluation device for removing the foreign matter from the fiber material; these devices are not shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0059] Another part of the housing 1 can be a flap 16. This closes a hatch for servicing the components enclosed by the housing 1. A continuous third sealing element 161, e.g., a profile seal, runs along the circumference of the hatch. When closed, this element is deformed by the flap 16 and seals the interior 91.

[0060] Figure 3 shows a detailed view of a positive-locking connection 2 between two adjacent structural profiles 11, 12. The positive-locking connection 2 acts in a connection direction perpendicular to the profile axes, in this case in the vertical direction.

[0061] The positive-locking connection 2 is designed such that it initially allows a linear displacement of the two connected structural profiles 11, 12 relative to each other in a lateral direction or direction of movement x. According to the invention, this linear displacement exceeds the usual manufacturing tolerances; it is indicated in Figures 2 and 3 by a double arrow 31. Thanks to this displacement capability, dimensional deviations from the nominal value in the lateral direction x of the two structural profiles 11, 12 can be easily compensated for during assembly. The necessary dimensional stability

[0062] - 9 -

[0063] P0646CC-WO and stability is then obtained for the housing 1 by attaching the structural profiles 11, 12 to the support elements 17, 18.

[0064] The permissible linear displacement 31 can be, for example, at least 1%, at least 3%, and preferably at least 5% of the length of the longer of the two connected structural profiles 11, 12, measured in the direction of movement x. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the second structural profile 12 is longer than the first structural profile 11 in the direction of movement x.

[0065] In the embodiment discussed here, each of the two structural profiles 11, 12 has a claw-like profile element 21, 22. The two claw-like profile elements 21, 22 are arranged and aligned such that they participate in the positive-locking connection 2 by interlocking and thus preventing mutual displacement of the two structural profiles 11, 12 in the vertical direction z. They form a limit to the linear displacement 31 at least on one side; in the stop position, a positive-locking connection also exists in the direction of movement x. On the other side, a different mechanical limit to the linear displacement 31 may be provided.

[0066] The positive-locking connection 2 is preferably designed such that, in addition to linear displacement 31, it also allows a mutual rotation of the two connected structural profiles 11, 12 about at least one axis of rotation parallel to the profile axes (i.e., extending in the longitudinal direction y); the rotation is indicated in Figure 3 by a double arrow 32. In the embodiment discussed here, the rotation 32 is made possible by the design of the claw-shaped profile elements 21, 22. A first claw-shaped profile element 21 has a partially cylindrical end surface 23, which corresponds to a corresponding groove 24 in a second claw-shaped profile element 22; thus, a type of hinge is formed about which the rotation 32 takes place.The second structural profile 12 also has a convex, partially cylindrical outer surface 25 and a concave, partially cylindrical inner surface 26, which also contribute to an unobstructed rotation 32.

[0067] - 10 -

[0068] P0646CC-WO The mutual rotatability of the two structural profiles 11, 12 facilitates assembly, i.e., the creation of the positive-locking connection 2, which is described below. The first structural profile 11 is placed on a horizontal surface (plane (xy)). An assembler or a robot grasps the second structural profile 12 and aligns its profile axis parallel to that of the first structural profile 11, so that both profile axes run parallel to the longitudinal direction y. The second structural profile 12 is held at a slight inclination such that the end with the second claw-shaped profile element 22 points obliquely downwards; the inclination to the horizontal direction x is between approximately 15° and approximately 40°. This end is placed on an inclined surface 27 opposite the first claw-shaped profile element 21. The end slides down the inclined surface 27 until it reaches the stop and engages.The second structural profile 12 is then aligned parallel to the first structural profile 11 (in the plane (xy)) in the direction of movement x, with the two claw-shaped profile elements 21, 22 interlocking. Parallelism is ensured by appropriately designed and interacting planar surfaces 28, 29 of the positive-locking connection 2, which lie parallel to the direction of movement x. These surfaces 28, 29 are also part of the positive-locking connection 2. In this position, a linear displacement 31 in the direction of movement x is still possible.

[0069] After the positive-locking connection 2 is established, the two structural profiles 11, 12 are attached to the support elements 17, 18, e.g., by means of the screws 6. This gives the housing 1 its dimensional rigidity and stability. Once attached, neither a relative displacement nor a relative rotation of the two structural profiles 11, 12 is possible.

[0070] A connecting path 4 running in the positive-locking connection 2 between an outer space 92 and the inner space 91 of the housing 1 is preferably meandering or labyrinthine; it is indicated in Figure 3 by an entrance arrow. The connecting path 4 changes its direction several times to the left and to the right. This contributes to sealing the housing 1 against unwanted external influences such as dust and moisture. The more convoluted the connecting path 4 and the more mutually contacting surfaces 28, 29 of the two structural profiles 11, 12 it passes through, the smaller

[0071] - 11 -

[0072] P0646CC-WO the probability of ingress of dust, moisture, etc. from outside

[0073] 92 into the interior 91 of the housing 1.

[0074] The seal is further improved by at least one first sealing element 51, 52 arranged along the connection path 4. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, two first sealing elements 51, 52 are present. They can, for example, be designed as round cord seals, each of which lies in a profile groove 53, 54 and extends in the longitudinal direction y along the entire form-fitting connection 2. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments discussed above. Those skilled in the art will be able to derive further variants that also fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0075] - 12 -

[0076] P0646CC-WO REFERENCE MARK LIST

[0077] 1 case

[0078] 11-14 Construction profiles

[0079] 15 windows

[0080] 151 Polymer sealant

[0081] 152 window frames

[0082] 153 second sealing element

[0083] 154 second screws

[0084] 16 flap

[0085] 161 third sealing element

[0086] 17, 18 load-bearing elements

[0087] 2. Form-fitting connection

[0088] 21, 22 claw-shaped profile elements

[0089] 23 partially cylindrical end faces

[0090] 24 Nut

[0091] 25 convex, partially cylindrical outer surfaces

[0092] 26 concave, partially cylindrical inner surfaces

[0093] 27 inclined surface

[0094] 28, 29 flat surfaces of the positive-locking connection

[0095] 31 Linear shift

[0096] 32 turns

[0097] 4. Connection path between the exterior and interior of the housing

[0098] 51, 52 first sealing elements

[0099] 53, 54 profile grooves

[0100] 6 first screws

[0101] 71, 72; 81, 82 planar surface structures

[0102] 91 Interior of the case

[0103] 92 Exterior of the housing x Width direction, direction of movement y Length direction, direction of the profile axes z Height direction

[0104] - 13 -

[0105] P0646CC-WO

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Multi-part housing (1) for a device, preferably for the textile industry, comprising two structural profiles (11, 12) connected to each other by means of a positive locking connection (2) with profile axes running parallel to each other and a support element (17, 18) to which each of the two structural profiles (11, 12) is attached, wherein the positive locking connection (2) is designed such that, without attachment to the support element (17, 18), it allows at least a mutual linear displacement (31) of the two connected structural profiles (11, 12) in a direction of movement (x) perpendicular to the profile axes.

2. Housing (1) according to claim 1, wherein the positive locking connection (2) is designed such that it allows a linear displacement (31) of at least 1%, e.g. at least 3% and preferably at least 5% of a length of the longer of the two connected structural profiles (11, 12) measured in the direction of movement (x) without attachment to the support element (17, 18).

3. Housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the positive locking connection (2) is designed such that, without attachment to the support element (17, 18), it allows, in addition to linear displacement (31), a mutual rotation (32) of the two connected structural profiles (11, 12) about at least one axis of rotation parallel to the profile axes.

4. Housing (1) according to claim 3, wherein the positive locking connection (2) is designed such that, in order to produce it, the two structural profiles (11, 12) to be joined must be rotated relative to each other about the at least one axis of rotation.

5. Housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the two structural profiles (11, 12) has a claw-like profile element (21, 22) and - 14 - P0646CC-WO the two claw-like profile elements (21, 22) are involved in the positive locking connection (2) by interlocking.

6. Housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the positive locking connection (2) is designed such that a connecting path (4) running in it between an outer space (92) and an inner space (91) of the housing (1) is meandering or labyrinthine.

7. Housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a connecting path (4) running in the positive-locking connection (2) between an outer space (92) and an inner space (91) of the housing (1) is sealed by at least one first sealing element (51, 52).

8. Housing (1) according to claim 7, wherein the at least one first sealing element (51, 52) is a round cord seal located in a profile groove (53, 54) and extending along the entire form-fitting connection (2).

9. Housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the support element (17, 18) comprises a planar surface support structure (71, 72; 81, 82) whose plane is parallel to the direction of movement (x).

10. Housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (1) includes two support elements (17, 18) which essentially form two opposing walls of the housing (1).

11. Housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the two structural profiles (11, 12) is made of extruded aluminium and / or the supporting element (17, 18) is made of steel.

12. Housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the two structural profiles (11, 12) and the support element (17, 18) are made of metal and the two structural profiles (11, 12) are attached to the support element (17, 18) in such a manner - 15 - P0646CC-WO are that the two structural profiles (11, 12) and the supporting element (17, 18) are electrically connected to each other.

13. Housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (1) has at least one window (15) made of a material transparent in a spectral range, e.g. glass.

14. Housing (1) according to claim 13, wherein the window (15) is embedded in a window frame (152) which is attached to at least one structural profile (11, 14).

15. Housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (1) contains a device for removing foreign substances from textile fiber material or part of such a device.

16. Device for removing foreign substances from textile fiber material, comprising a sensor device for detecting the foreign substances, an evaluation device connected to the sensor device for evaluating signals from the sensor device, and a removal device controlled by the evaluation device for removing the foreign substances from the fiber material, and a housing that accommodates the sensor device, the evaluation device and / or the removal device, characterized in that the housing (1) is a housing (1) according to one of claims 1-15.

17. Arrangement of a device for removing foreign substances from textile fiber material on a conveying channel for conveying the textile fiber material with a pneumatic conveying flow, wherein the device or a part thereof is housed in a housing that is directly adjacent to the conveying channel, characterized in that the housing (1) is a housing (1) according to one of claims 1-15. - 16 - P0646CC-WO 18. Method for manufacturing a housing (1) according to one of claims 1-15, wherein the two structural profiles (11, 12) are first connected to each other by means of the positive locking connection (2) and then attached to the support element (17, 18). - 17 - P0646CC-WO

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