EP1222893A2 - System and device for moving a heavy element - Google Patents

Abstract

The method of lifting a cooker hood for cleaning involves uses a counterweight (6) and spring (6) fixed between the counterweight and a fixed point (7). A cable connects the counterweight and hood so that they lift and lower alternately. A lock (4) holds the hood in a selected position and, as the lock is released, the hood moves spontaneously due to the counterweight and spring arrangement. The lock can be controlled electrically (18). An Independent claim is include for a lift using the method.

Description

The present invention relates to the field of displacement of a heavy element, in particular mobile cowls of machines able to be open in a translational movement, possibly combined with a other movement.

The covers known in the prior art are sometimes provided with counterweight mounted on articulation but which have the disadvantage movement that may require some clearance and effort important manual that the user should exercise.

The invention proposes to remedy the drawbacks of the art prior.

The invention provides an automatic opening system for cover.

More generally, the invention proposes a system of displacement in automatic translation of a heavy element.

The system for translational movement of a heavy element, according to the invention, comprises a counterweight and a spring secured to a end of the counterweight and at another end of a fixed point, a connecting means between the counterweight and the heavy element so that said heavy element rises when the counterweight descends and vice versa, and means for locking the weighing element in a position determined, the spring and the counterweight being dimensioned so that, the heavy element being in said determined position, the unlocking of the locking means causes the heavy element to move from said determined position to another position.

The weighing element may be a cover and the system may apply to the opening of said cover, the opening movement of the cover taking place in a vertical, inclined or horizontal plane.

Said determined position may be a closed position and said other position an open position, so that the opening can be carried out by controlling the locking means.

In one embodiment of the invention, the means of locking is provided with an electrical control means.

The electrical control means may include an electromagnet and / or an interface with an external control link.

In one embodiment of the invention, the connecting means includes a pulley rotatably mounted about a stationary axis and a flexible link passing through said pulleys and being fixed at one end to the counterweight and at another end to the heavy element. The flexible link can be a cable.

The invention also provides a device for closing a opening, comprising a movable cover constituting the heavy element and a system as described above.

In one embodiment of the invention, the device includes a plurality of hood guide rollers.

At least one roller can be secured to the hood and able to roll on a stationary runway. At least one roller can be of fixed axis and suitable for ride on a track secured to the hood.

The locking means may include a keeper capable of lock the cover in said determined position.

The locking means may include a tilting lever pivotally mounted at one end on the keeper and at an opposite end to a movable element of the electrical control means.

The tracks on which the rollers roll can be formed by surfaces of a metal profile having a section concave transverse.

Advantageously, the cover comprises a handle of maneuver, for example to bring it back into said other position.

In one embodiment of the invention, the cover comprises a blocking surface capable of cooperating with the locking means.

Said surface can be concave. Said surface can be formed by driving in a flat wall of the cover or by an attached part.

The counterweight may include masses housed in a housing.

The present invention also provides a machine equipped of such a device, in particular a washing or cooking machine discontinuous or continuous operation. The opening of the movable cover is controlled from the programmer or supervisor of the machine washing, so that the cover opens at the end of washing by unlocking the means of locking and automatic raising of the hood without operator intervention. The operator can then exit the machine washed objects and close the hood by pulling down the handle maneuver. The closing movement requires only a small effort in due to the presence of both a counterweight and a spring, the spring being relatively relaxed in the open position of the cover, and low friction of the whole system.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique d'un dispositif selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention, le capot étant fermé;
• la figure 2 est similaire à la figure 1, le capot étant ouvert;
• la figure 3 est une vue de détail de la figure 1;
• la figure 4 est une vue schématique de détail en vue de dessus du dispositif de la figure 1; et
• la figure 5 est un diagramme d'effort exercé sur le capot; et
• la figure 6 est une vue d'une variante de la figure 3.

The present invention will be better understood and other advantages will appear on reading the detailed description of an embodiment taken by way of nonlimiting example and illustrated by the appended drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 is a schematic view of a device according to an embodiment of the invention, the cover being closed;
• Figure 2 is similar to Figure 1, the cover being open;
• Figure 3 is a detail view of Figure 1;
• Figure 4 is a schematic detail view in top view of the device of Figure 1; and
• FIG. 5 is a diagram of the force exerted on the hood; and
• FIG. 6 is a view of a variant of FIG. 3.

As can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, the system includes a cover 1 movable relative to a frame 2 which can either rest on the ground, either be fixed to a machine intended to be closed by the cover 1 and which, for reasons of clarity of the drawing, has not been shown.

The device further comprises a pulley 3, a set of lock 4, a counterweight 5, a spring 6, one end of which is fixed to a fixed point 7 secured to the frame 2 and the other end of which is secured to the counterweight 5, and a cable 8 fixed at one end to a point 9 of the cover 1 and to the opposite end to the counterweight 5. The pulley 3 has a fixed axis, integral of an upper end of the frame 2 and able to rotate. All lock 4 is secured to the frame 2 and disposed under the pulley 3 and will described in more detail with reference to FIG. 3. The counterweight 5 comprises a housing 5a in which are arranged a plurality of masses 5b allowing precise adjustment of the total mass of said counterweight 5. More specifically, we note that the end of the cable 8 opposite the point 9 crosses the housing 5a of the counterweight 5 and is fixed on the end of the spring 6 opposite the fixed point 7. The cable can be replaced by a chain or belt. The pulley 3 can be replaced by a pinion. The device can include two pulleys 3, two sets of lock 4, two counterweights 5, two springs 6, and two cables 8, each on one side of the frame 2. The two pulleys 3 can be linked by rotation or on the contrary free relative to each other.

We could also conceive that the case 5a transmits the forces between the cable 8 and the end of the spring 6 opposite point 7, the cable 8 can be attached to an upper end of the housing 5a and the spring 6 at a lower end of the same housing 5a. Cable 8 passes by the pulley 3 and makes it possible to transmit to the cover 1 via the point 9 a force equal to that exerted by the tensile force of spring 6 and the weight of counterweight 5, but directed in opposite direction, in other words towards the top.

The device also includes two rollers 10 with an integral axis of the cover 1 and a roller 11 of fixed axis integral with the frame 2. In addition, the cover 1 is equipped with a handle 12 arranged near its end lower, on the opposite side to point 9, and allowing the operation of said cover 1 by an operator.

In the position illustrated in FIG. 1, the cover 1 is in shutter position or lower position, which corresponds to a stretched state of the spring 6 in which the spring 6 exerts a significant tensile force on cable 8.

In the position illustrated in FIG. 2, the cover 1 is in open position or high position. Counterweight 5 is in the low position and the spring 6 is slackened, either completely or relatively compared to its stretched state in Figure 1.

The locking assembly 4 is better visible in FIG. 3. The cover 1 is provided on a lateral surface 13 parallel to the axis of sound translational movement, of a portion of concave surface 14 which can be formed by depressing the surface 13.

The locking assembly 4 comprises a keeper 15, suitable for slide relative to the frame 2 in translation, for example horizontally, so that it can project into the hollow formed by the concave surface 14 or on the contrary withdraw therefrom, a lever 16 capable of pivot around an axis 17 integral with the frame 2 and articulated on one end keeper 15 opposite its end capable of projecting into the hollow formed by the concave surface 14, and an electromagnet 18 with a movable core of which only the end 19 is shown. The end 19 is also articulated on the lever 16 so that the displacement of the end 19 of the movable core of the electromagnet 18 is able to cause displacement of the keeper 15 thus commanding its engagement in the hollow formed by the concave surface 14 or its clearance.

The maneuvering of the movable cover 1 can be carried out in the manner next. From the low position, illustrated in FIG. 1, the assembly 4 therefore being in the locked position, an operator causes unlocking, either by directly operating lever 16, either by operating it via a control button, not shown, acting on the electromagnet 18. Unlocking can also be automatic.

The keeper 15 comes out of the concave surface 14, which releases the cover 1 which goes back to the position illustrated in Figure 2, under the effort of traction exerted by the counterweight 5 and the spring 6 which descend gradually, the cable 8 rotating the pulley 3, and the spring 6 gradually shortening, until the movable cover 1 is in the position illustrated in figure 2. To avoid a strike of the keeper 15 on the surface 13, outside the concave surface 14, during movement of the cover 1, it is provided that by default, the assembly of locking 4 remains in the unlocked state, the end of the keeper 15 being at a sufficient distance from the surface 13.

From the position illustrated in FIG. 2, when a operator wants to position the movable cover 1 in the low position, he grasps the handle 12 and drives the cover 1 down. The lock order is given to the locking assembly 4, for example by a contact electric, not shown, detecting the low position of the movable cover 1, or by a downward movement detector of the movable cover 1, detector which can be mounted near the movable cover 1 itself or pulley 3, etc. At the end of the hood 1 lowering movement, the keeper 15 engages in the hollow formed by the concave surface 14, locking thus the movable cover 1 in the low position.

FIG. 4 illustrates, by way of example, the mounting of the rollers 10 and 11. A roller 10 has an axis integral with the cover 1 and is in contact with an angle 20 secured to the frame 2, angle 20 which is completed by a profile 21 forming a guide rail. The roller 10 is close to or in contact on one side with a flat track 22, and on the other side with a track concave 23, for example formed by two surface portions forming a V.

The roller 11 has an axis integral with the frame 2, for example mounted on the angle 20 and comes into contact with an angle 24 of the cover 1 and with a section 25 providing the roller 11 with a flat raceway 26 and a track of concave opposite bearing 27, for example formed by two portions of V-shaped surface. It can therefore be seen that the cover 1 is perfectly maintained by relative to the frame 2 while being able to move in translation. In variant, it is possible to provide rollers with an axis perpendicular to the cover.

FIG. 5 is a force diagram with the abscissa the vertical position of the cover and on the ordinate the force exerted on the cover by the cable 8. The counterweight 5 exerts a constant force independent of the vertical position of the cover. On the contrary, the spring 6 exerts a force evolving linearly as a function of the vertical position of the cover. We therefore sees that at the low point of the hood, the force exerted on it is higher than that which it undergoes at the high point. We size the counterweight and the spring as a function of the mass of the mobile elements formed by the cover 1 and the associated elements such as the handle 12, the rollers 10, etc., so that at the highest point the force exerted on the hood is substantially equal to the minimum force required to raise the hood. Account given friction, this ensures that the end of the ascent movement of the hood is done slowly without abrupt stop on a stop.

In FIG. 6, the elements similar to FIG. 3 bear the same references. The locking assembly 4 includes a keeper 15, able to slide relative to the frame 2 in translation, for example horizontally, so that it can project into the hollow formed by the concave surface 14 or on the contrary withdraw therefrom, an electromagnet 18 to movable core 29 integral with the keeper 15, a return spring 27, and a operating handle 28 for manual actuation of the assembly of locking 4. The displacement of the movable core 29 of the electromagnet 18 is able to cause the movement of the keeper 15 thus controlling its engagement in the hollow formed by the concave surface 14 or its clearance.

The invention applies, in particular, to the opening of a wash the dishes with automatic raising of the hood when the washing is finished. Closing takes place by manual action, the effort to exercise on the remaining weak handle, in order to allow the starting of the washing cycle automatically when the hood is closed or by manual solicitation. You can fine-tune the tensile force that must exercise the operator wishing to close the hood.

The operation of a dishwasher could to be next.

• introduction d'un casier de vaisselle à laver;
• abaissement du capot manuellement en exerçant un effort progressif sur la poignée, du fait de l'allongement du ressort de traction;
• lorsque le capot est en position basse, maintien de son immobilisation par le gâche de l'ensemble de verrouillage dans la surface de verrouillage du capot, le contrepoids étant en position haute;
• réalisation du cycle de lavage;
• en fin de cycle, déverrouillage de l'ensemble de verrouillage, par impulsion électrique, manuelle ou autre;
• sous l'effet de la traction combinée du ressort et du contrepoids, remontée du capot et descente du contrepoids;
• retrait du casier de vaisselle, par l'opérateur ou de façon automatique.

From an open hood state before the start of a washing cycle:

• introduction of a dish rack to wash;
• lowering the hood manually by exerting a progressive force on the handle, due to the extension of the tension spring;
• when the cover is in the low position, maintaining its immobilization by the keeper of the locking assembly in the locking surface of the cover, the counterweight being in the high position;
• carrying out the washing cycle;
• at the end of the cycle, unlocking of the locking assembly, by electrical, manual or other impulse;
• under the effect of the combined traction of the spring and the counterweight, raising of the cover and descent of the counterweight;
• removal of the dish rack, by the operator or automatically.

In the example described above, the locking assembly includes an electromagnet. However, any actuator allowing performing this function can be envisaged.

Claims (8)

System for translational movement of a heavy element, characterized in that it comprises a counterweight (5) and a spring (6) secured to one end of the counterweight and to another end of a fixed point (7), a means of connection between the counterweight and the element so that the element rises when the counterweight descends and vice versa, and a locking means (4) of the element in a determined position, the spring and the counterweight being dimensioned so that, the element being in said determined position, unlocking the locking means causes the element to move from said determined position to another position. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking means is provided with an electrical control means (18). System according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connecting means comprises a pulley (3) rotatably mounted about a stationary axis and a flexible link (8) passing through said pulley and fixed at one end to the counterweight and at another end to said element. System according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the unlocking of the locking means (4) causes the vertical displacement of the element towards a position in which the spring (6) and the counterweight (5) exert a force substantially equal to the minimum force necessary for the ascent of the element. Device for closing an opening comprising a cover mobile (1) and a system according to any one of claims preceding. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of rollers (10) for guiding the cover. Device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the cover comprises an operating handle (12). Device according to any one of Claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the cover comprises a blocking surface (14) capable of cooperating with the locking means.

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