EP1488847B1 - Modular cabinet for storing and driving stirred containers - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to cabinets for agitator pots used for storing pots containing liquid products, such as paints or the like, to keep stirring. In particular, the invention relates to modular cabinets.

• Les machines (ou armoires) dites « compactes » en raison de la structure monobloc de leurs montants.
• Les machines (ou armoires) dites « modulaires » en raison de la structure fractionnée de leurs montants.

For forty years, there are on the market many storage cabinets and / or stirring cans of paint which are preferably packaged in small cylindrical boxes of metal or plastic containers of a volume included between 0.5 and 5 liters according to the known standards in the world. In general, these machines or cabinets agitating liquid paints are divided into two major families:

• Machines (or cabinets) called "compact" because of the monobloc structure of their amounts.
• Machines (or cabinets) called "modular" because of the split structure of their amounts.

The first family of machines represents more than 2/3 of the applications of the market. It consists of storing and / or shaking a complete line of paint cans between 20 and 120 basic shades that form the color chart of a paint manufacturer. The models of stirring machines are available in several widths of 1 m, 1.50 m or 2 m with between four and seven floors depending on the configuration of the paint lines, preferably six floors for the most common. This type of machines is characterized by monobloc uprights on both sides of the floors.

Twenty years ago, a new concept of modular stirring machine was launched on the market to meet the expectations of paint manufacturers by offering greater flexibility in the evolutionary configuration of paint lines. This type of machine is characterized by fractional amounts corresponding to as many unitary units of agitation as desired stages. Thus, the machine can be formed on demand from a single floor to the stack of seven floors (or more) depending on the need.

The present invention relates more particularly to modular cabinets. Cabinets of this type generally comprise modules with pot support shelves arranged one above the other and connected at their ends to uprights. The stacking of the unit modules constitutes the structure of the machine. The columns thus formed can also be juxtaposed next to each other in alignment or perpendicularly to increase the configuration of the machine from a single width model. This set of columns is driven by a single motor with recovery of the continuity of the drive in the bases by systems pulleys / belts.

A central motor is mounted on a motor base to be connected to a motion transmission system to transmit a rotational movement to agitating blades inside the pots to ensure complete and simultaneous agitation of a whole line of pots of paint, the blades may take the general shape of a propeller. The motion transmission system may consist of one or more drive shafts distributed in the uprights of the cabinets and accessible or non-accessible drive chains or belts which are located in the support shelves - thus also designated "Mechanical tablets". The interior of these cabinets therefore has a mechanical transmission kinematics that can ensure the agitation of liquid products in the pots stored on the shelves. This drive kinematics is generally an indirect drive kinematics and is realized in several stages of reduction to lower the rotational speed of a single motor of asynchronous motor type rotating between 750 and 1800 rpm at 50 or 60 Hz at the required stirring speed of a multitude of stirring blade-type receivers attached to pots agitator lids to rotate between 70 and 120 rpm. Thus, between the initial motor and the final receivers an intermediate transmission system ensures the continuity of the movement.

For reasons of stability, the modules of the cabinet generally consist of a metal structure in which is arranged the transmission system of the movement by pulleys belt or chain associated with a line of drive shafts or screws endless associated with drive belt lines. The pots of paint are placed on the shelves, but they can also be hung near the shelves. All combinations can be imagined between the type of transmission and the position of a pot.

In general, two stirring blade drive systems inside the pots are known on the market: a system with paddle type drive heads that cooperate with fingers mounted on a shaft passing through the lid of the pots and supporting the stirring blade inside the pot, and another system with pinions or wheels mounted on the shaft of the stirring blade and driven respectively by a chain or a belt, or by a worm located in the shelves.

In the most frequently encountered case, individual paddle type drive heads are provided below the shelves forming as many unit stirring stations as required. The paddle-type drive heads of each shelf cooperate with complementary elements mounted on pot agitator covers by means of the protruding fingers of a fork which serve to drive a shaft passing through the agitator cover. which supports a stirring blade inside the pot. The stirring stations thus formed are positioned in the axis of the drive heads. This arrangement aligned on coplanar axes ensures the transmission of the mechanical movement step by step.

In another type of drive, a one-piece drive line is provided accessible on the front side of the shelves of the chain or belt type forming stirring zones. The drive lines of each shelf cooperate with complementary elements mounted on pots agitator lids through the teeth of a pinion or a wheel and used to drive a shaft passing through the agitator cover which supports a stirring blade inside the pot. The stirring zones thus formed are arranged in an offset manner perpendicular to the drive line. This non-aligned arrangement on non-coplanar axes also ensures the transmission of the mechanical movement step by step.

The user wishes to have more economical and more and more versatile agitating machines. Therefore, stirring machines or cabinets must allow quick assembly without tools. As a result, technical solutions must evolve towards reducing assembly operations for each individual subset. Thus, the machines must integrate the maximum of preassembled elements to avoid the user assembly time too long. In addition, the different modules of a stirring cabinet must be as simple as possible to reduce manufacturing costs, in particular by limiting the variety of subassemblies or reducing the diversity of existing models for the purpose of standardization.

• la limitation du nombre de pièces d'assemblage au strict minimum pour réduire les manipulations.
• la réduction de l'encombrement des sous-ensembles préassemblés pour un emballage compact,
• la simplification de l'architecture tôlerie pour une version de machine économique,
• les organes de transmission doivent être accessibles de manière rapide sans démontage de la structure de la machine pour des interventions de maintenance (par exemple, le changement du moteur ou des courroies), tout en conservant une transmission performante du couple.
• de plus, une fois la machine complètement montée, une tablette mécanique doit pouvoir rester amovible pour, soit un remplacement en cas d'usure, soit une installation ultérieure si elle n'a pas été prévue dès l'origine.

The stirring cabinet must also provide modularity with a versatile structure that can accommodate peripheral options such as shelves rear storage, claddings for a heated space, or even the absence of mechanical stirring elements on some shelves. A modern stirring cabinet must also meet other requirements such as:

• limiting the number of assembly parts to a minimum to reduce handling.
• reducing the bulk of preassembled subassemblies for compact packaging,
• the simplification of the sheet metal architecture for an economical machine version,
• the transmission members must be accessible quickly without dismantling the machine structure for maintenance operations (for example, changing the motor or belts), while maintaining a high performance torque transmission.
• moreover, once the machine is completely assembled, a mechanical tablet must be able to remain removable for either a replacement in case of wear, or a subsequent installation if it was not planned from the outset.

A modular cabinet is already known from the document FR 2 649 911 . Nevertheless, the motion transmission system is very complex and, in particular, the drive pulleys and the pulleys are integral part of the mechanical tablet which complicates the assembly and disassembly of the assembly. In addition, the fact that the line of trees is part of the mechanical tablets, the entire range of stirring machines has different distances between the mechanical tablets that do not reduce the diversity of fabrications sheet metal parts or their simplicity for the entire range of stirring machines. In addition, the cabinet modules are monobloc and assembled at the factory. The packaging is therefore bulky. When receiving the modules from the user, the modules must be assembled on each other by simple plastic spacers for ease of positioning before doing so. the object of a connection by screwing. Such an assembly is long for the user and does not allow to obtain sufficient rigidity of the structure to which it is necessary to place a stiffening strip in the rear portion to secure the articulated unstable assembly.

A modular cabinet is also known from the document FR 2 783 177 . But here again, the drive shaft line, which rotates a closed loop belt inside a mechanical tabletop drive unit, is in the mechanical shelf. In addition, the shaft line must be installed floor by floor by the user when mounting the modular stirring machine. The amounts of each module are constituted by the establishment of many nested tubes making mounting long and tedious. This tubular structure does not ensure perfect rigidity of the machine which maintains a certain lateral instability.

The US Patent 5,310,258 discloses a modular cabinet where the driving means agitator pots comprises pulleys and belts interacting with worm.

The invention must therefore ensure the versatility of storage configurations and / or agitation of a paint line, in a modular and flexible manner and as economically as possible. Another object of the invention is to allow limited manipulations of the shaft line to the assembly without tools and to simplify the production of a mechanical tablet to reduce manufacturing costs.

These objectives are achieved by a modular cabinet according to claim 1.

Since the power transmission elements are concentrated on a part outside the mechanical shelves and the receiving transmission elements are concentrated on the mechanical tablet, more configuration flexibility is obtained in the paint line variants. The drive kinematics can then evolve freely according to the need or not of agitation of the paintings without putting into question the nodal architecture of the machine.

A reduction in the bulk of the preassembled sub-assemblies for a compact package is also obtained, in particular by dissociating the modular uprights of the structure of a stage. The cabinet modules are no longer bulky because of the dissociated components. According to the invention, only three preassembled sub-assemblies (including two identical upright elements and a mechanical tablet) are provided per cabinet module.

According to the invention, all the connection functions between the upright elements and the mechanical tablet are concentrated around a central node which ensures the complete rigidity of the assembly. Preferably, the upright elements and the central connection node are assembled by interlocking and retained by a clipped assembly. The central node may also be made of several distinct parts or two symmetrical hermaphrodite parts. Advantageously it is made of plastic and it is the seat of the fixing of many accessory elements such as a worktable, an electronic control box, skins, rear storage shelves, etc.

Since the central node concentrates all the link functions, it can, therefore, integrate the line of drive shafts. All the link functions are therefore advantageously grouped around a nodal architecture.

In a preferred embodiment, the two upright members and the mechanical shelf of each cabinet module are recessed mounted with a range sufficient to ensure the rigidity of the assembly. The rigidity of the frame is ensured by simple recesses that avoid the establishment of conventional rear braces hindering the positioning of rear storage shelf.

According to another aspect of the invention, the power transmission elements consist of a line of fractional drive shafts. One of the two upright members of each module has a portion of the split drive shaft, and the portion of the split drive shaft is attached to the upright member such that it is free to rotate. and in translation. Thus, this portion of the split drive shaft can also be attached to the movable member removably. The line of split trees is therefore independent of a mechanical tablet.

The fact that the drive shaft line is split ensures the autonomy of a modular upright with, at the same time, an installation with the minimum of manipulations, a reduction of space for the packaging of a Preassembled mechanical shelf and quick disconnection for belt changing and maintenance operations, for example. Since each part of the split drive shaft line is individually fixed to the upright member so that it is free to rotate and translate, the line of shafts is avoided during assembly. of the cabinet. This allows editing operations "blind". In addition, since the portion of the split drive shaft is free to rotate and translate, there is retained alignment flexibility of the split shafts to ensure the drive whatever the situations of the geometrical defects (due to the positioning of the machine, for example).

According to one particular aspect of the invention, the drive shaft has a shape with a polygonal or curvilinear non-circular section. Preferably, the drive shaft with a non-circular curvilinear shape such as a Torx® type profile can illustrate it by way of example. It can be made by extrusion. The drive shaft may also have a hollow core and be made of aluminum. The specific shape of the shaft and its aluminum construction, much lighter than steel shafts, improve the performance of the transmission torque.

At both ends of a drive shaft are preferably fixed tips that take the geometric shapes of the shaft. These tips provide the connection between the drive pinions of the drive bearings of each central node link. Advantageously, the interlocking is performed with a sufficient functional clearance to allow a simple and fast angular self-adjustment of the line of shafts when mounting the two ends of the integrated assembly amount-split shaft on the lower shelf put in place and then the upper shelf on the amount set up. It is therefore possible to provide a flexible connection to absorb the misalignment of a modular structure. The mechanical energy required for starting during angular acceleration is optimized by reducing the moments of inertia of the line of trees. Preferably, the end pieces are made of a plastic material sufficiently elastic to withstand shocks at startup and sufficiently hard to ensure the transmission of torque. Also advantageously, the tips of the shafts are adjusted and immobilized by pins pin type "pin". The number of parts of the line of trees is extremely reduced and gives it great accessibility during a possible disassembly for a belt change operation.

Advantageously, the base base comprises a motor for driving the driving transmission elements. Preferably, the engine is separable, without disassembly, neither the base base nor the structure of the machine. The removable main motor without constraint is therefore easily interchangeable for maintenance operations.

Preferably, the mechanical tablet is removable without disassembly of the stirring modules. In an advantageous embodiment, the cabinet comprises at least one cabinet module with support shelves for storing jars without movement transmission elements.

According to another aspect, the invention is achieved by a modular cabinet for storing and driving agitator pots containing liquid products, the modular cabinet comprising a base base on which is mounted at least one cabinet module, and a motion transmission system consisting of driving transmission elements and receiving transmission elements, each cabinet module being composed of two upstanding members and a mechanical shelf for supporting and driving the agitator pots, this cabinet being characterized in that all the driving and receiving transmission elements are disposed inside said mechanical tablet, and in that the mechanical tablet comprises at least one geared motor for driving the motion transmission system .

According to another advantageous form, the mechanical tablet comprises individual geared motors mounted directly on driving stations transmitting the rotational movement of the geared motors on agitating blades inside pots. Thus one can obtain an even more compact cabinet construction.

According to another aspect of the invention is realized by a modular cabinet for storing and driving agitator pots containing liquid products, the modular cabinet comprising a base base on which is mounted at least one cabinet module, and a motion transmission system consisting of driving transmission elements and receiving transmission elements, each cabinet module being composed of two upstanding members and a mechanical shelf for supporting and driving the agitator pots, this cabinet being characterized in that the driving transmission elements consist of a line of split drive shafts and one of the two risers of each module comprises a portion of the split drive shaft and in that said part of the split drive shaft is attached to the upright member so that it is free in rotation and translation. Preferably, in this case, the portion of the split drive shaft is removably attached to the upright member.

• La figure 1 est une représentation générale de l'armoire modulaire selon une forme de réalisation de l'invention.
• La figure 2 montre deux armoires modulaires selon l'invention disposées côte à côte.
• Les figures 3a et 3b montrent le socle de base de l'armoire modulaire selon une forme de réalisation de l'invention.
• La figure 4a montre un module de l'armoire modulaire selon une forme de réalisation de l'invention.
• Les figures 4b et 4c montrent des détails de la tablette mécanique de l'armoire modulaire selon une forme de réalisation de l'invention.
• La figure 5 montre un élément montant et un noeud central de l'armoire modulaire selon une forme de réalisation de l'invention.
• Les figures 6a et 6b montrent en détail le noeud central de l'armoire modulaire selon une forme de réalisation de l'invention avec les éléments d'entraînement côté gauche/droite.
• Les figures 7a et 7b montrent, respectivement, une vue du dessous et une vue du dessus d'un noeud central de l'armoire modulaire selon une forme de réalisation de l'invention avec les éléments d'entraînement.
• La figure 8 montre un pignon d'entraînement du système de transmission de mouvement selon une forme de réalisation de l'invention.
• La figure 9 montre un exemple d'arbre d'entraînement fractionné selon une forme de réalisation de l'invention.
• La figure 10 montre un exemple de fixation de l'arbre d'entraînement fractionné selon une forme de réalisation de l'invention.
• La figure 11 montre une armoire modulaire selon une forme de réalisation de l'invention avec un plan de travail accessoire.
• La figure 12 montre un détail de la figure 11.
• Les figures 13a à 13d montrent un exemple de réalisation d'un noeud central reconstitué à partir de deux pièces plastiques.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description below, made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

• The figure 1 is a general representation of the modular cabinet according to one embodiment of the invention.
• The figure 2 shows two modular cabinets according to the invention arranged side by side.
• The Figures 3a and 3b show the basic base of the modular cabinet according to one embodiment of the invention.
• The figure 4a shows a module of the modular cabinet according to one embodiment of the invention.
• The Figures 4b and 4c show details of the mechanical shelf of the modular cabinet according to one embodiment of the invention.
• The figure 5 shows a rising element and a central node of the modular cabinet according to one embodiment of the invention.
• The Figures 6a and 6b show in detail the central node of the modular cabinet according to one embodiment of the invention with the left / right side drive elements.
• The Figures 7a and 7b show, respectively, a bottom view and a top view of a central node of the modular cabinet according to one embodiment of the invention with the driving elements.
• The figure 8 shows a driving pinion of the motion transmission system according to one embodiment of the invention.
• The figure 9 shows an example of a split drive shaft according to one embodiment of the invention.
• The figure 10 shows an example of attachment of the split drive shaft according to one embodiment of the invention.
• The figure 11 shows a modular cabinet according to one embodiment of the invention with an accessory worktop.
• The figure 12 shows a detail of the figure 11 .
• The Figures 13a to 13d show an exemplary embodiment of a central node reconstituted from two plastic parts.

The figure 1 is a general representation of the modular cabinet according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The modular cabinet 1 comprises a base base 2 on which are mounted one or more cabinet modules. Each cabinet module is composed of two upright elements 3 and a mechanical tablet 4 for supporting and driving the stirring pots. In order to simplify the representation, stirring pots are not shown on the figure 1 . The figure 2 shows two modular cabinets of the same type arranged side by side.

The figure 3a shows the base base 2 of the modular cabinet according to one embodiment of the invention. The base base 2 comprises a motor 5 for driving the driving transmission elements. In order to facilitate maintenance, this engine can be separated without disassembly from either the base or the structure of the machine. The base base 2 itself consists of two upstanding elements 3 and a mechanical tablet 4. Nevertheless, despite its standard configuration, the mechanical tablet 4 of the base base 2 has no element for the training of stirring pots and serves only to support agitator pots. The upright members 3 are attached to base foot elements 6. The figure 3b shows the basic base 2 together with the motor 5.

However, advantageously, all the driving and receiving transmission elements could also be arranged inside the mechanical tablet 4. In this case, the mechanical tablet 4 comprises at least one geared motor for driving the transmission system. motion transmission. According to another advantageous embodiment, the mechanical tablet may comprise individual geared motors mounted directly on driving stations transmitting the rotational movement of the geared motors on agitating blades inside pots.

The figure 4a shows a module of the modular cabinet, consisting of two upstanding elements 3 right / left, two central node elements 7 and a mechanical tablet 4 formed of an upper portion 4a and a lower portion 4b. The upper part 4a of the mechanical tablet 4 consists of a sheet metal tray for supporting the stirring pots. The lower part 4b of the mechanical tablet 4 contains the transmission elements receiving the motion transmission system. In known manner, these motion transmission elements may consist of one or more pulleys and a drive belt or a drive chain. For example, only a system with paddle type drive heads will be described later.

However, of course, one could also use with the invention a system with chain or belt type drive lines.

The Figures 4b and 4c show details of the mechanical shelf of the modular cabinet according to one embodiment of the invention. The figure 4b is a top view of the lower part 4b of the mechanical tablet 4, and the figure 4c is a bottom view of the lower part 4b of the mechanical tablet 4. Thus we can see on the figure 4b the drive system comprising pulley-like receiving transmission elements 8 on the lower part 4b of the mechanical pallet 4. These pulleys 8 are connected to driving pallets 10 arranged on the lower side of the lower part 4b of the mechanical tablet 4 (see figure 4c ) in order to engage in complementary elements (not illustrated on the figure 4c ) mounted on agitator lids pots, for example protruding fingers. A pinion 9 is disposed in the central node 7 where the connection functions between the upright members 3 and the mechanical tablet 4 are concentrated. This pinion 9 is rotated by the motor 5 on the base pedestal 2 using of a split drive shaft which will be described in detail later. Thus, the driving transmission elements of the motion transmission system are disposed outside of said mechanical tablet 4 and are independent thereof. The mechanical tablet 4 contains only the receiving transmission elements. In the exemplary embodiment of the invention described, the pinion 9, which forms part of the driving transmission elements of the motion transmission system, transmits the movement by means of a toothed belt (not shown in FIG. figure 4b ) pulleys 8 which constitute the receiving transmission elements.

Preferably, the mechanical tablet 4 is removable without disassembly of the stirring modules. In an advantageous embodiment, the cabinet comprises at least one cabinet module with support shelves for storing jars without movement transmission element.

The figure 5 shows a rising element 3 and an example of a central connection node 7 of the modular cabinet according to one embodiment of the invention. In this example, the central connection node 7 is made in one piece. The rising element 3 is made, in known manner, sheet. The central connecting node 7 is made of plastic. It provides inter alia the functions of connection between the upright members 3 and the mechanical tablet 4 for the stiffening of the assembly. The upright elements 3 and the central connecting node 7 are assembled by interlocking and held by a clipped assembly. To this end, openings or notches 11 are provided in the upright member 3 in which corresponding resilient portions 12 formed on the outer side of the central node 7 snap together. The two upright elements and the mechanical shelf of each cabinet module must be mounted by fitting over a sufficient range to ensure the rigidity of the assembly.

Thus is realized a central link in two parts that can ensure the versatility of the desired functions. This link or central link node 7 is therefore the seat of the multiple assembly functions. It can be made in a single part integral with the mechanical tablet 4 and integrates by left / right symmetry effect functions of the motion transmission or its guides. The central node 7 of connection can be preassembled to the mechanical tablet. During the assembly operation of the cabinet, it is therefore sufficient to embed the free portions of the central node 7 in the upright elements 3.

As can be seen on the Figures 13a to 13d the central node can also be realized in two symmetrical hermaphrodite parts. It can also be made in several distinct parts. The Figures 13a to 13d show an exemplary embodiment of a central node reconstituted from two plastic parts. In this case, one of the parts may be mounted integral with the mechanical tablet and the other part integral with the amount. The central node 7 of connection is reconstituted to from the clipping of two completely identical plastic parts which fit on a sufficient range to ensure the rigidity of the node.

The Figures 6a and 6b show in detail the central node 7 connecting the modular cabinet according to one embodiment of the invention. The central node 7 can be configured according to its position in the modular cabinet, or by integrating the driving transmission elements of the motion transmission system (see figure 6a ), or by integrating guide rollers 13 of the belt forming part of the receiving elements (see figure 6b ). The guide rollers 13 and the tension of the belt or chain elements can thus also be deported outside the mechanical tablet 4 in order to simplify the realization as much as possible. Thus, the power transmission elements or the receiving transmission elements can be maintained or withdrawn unceasingly depending on the use cases or customer configurations. Moreover, the flexibility given to the kinematics through the outsourcing of the line of trees makes it possible to envisage an evolution of the indirect drive kinematics towards a direct kinematics without any apparent modification of the agitation machine. For example, each drive head of the mechanical tablet 4 may have its own micro-motor unit. Complete removal of the traditional motion transmission system can make stirring machine configurations even more flexible and economical. The principle of direct kinematics is therefore to further reduce the number of elements constituting the transmission by bringing the engine closer to the drive heads. In this case, the line of shafts 14, the driving and / or receiving transmission elements, as well as the belt or the chain, disappear in favor of a motorized microreducer solution connected directly to the axis of the drive pallet. without visible transformation of the storage mode and / or stirring pots agitator lids. Thus, the motion transmission system can bring together new motor and receiver transmission means grouped integrally inside the mechanical tablet 4 itself.

The figure 6a shows a central node 7 in which is integrated a drive pinion 9, whose function has already been described with respect to the figure 4 , and a roller 13 for guiding the belt. Such a configuration of the central node 7 is used on the side where is the engine and the junction to the line of trees. On the other side of the mechanical tablet 4 is fixed a central node 7 identical but comprising two rollers 13 for guiding and tension of the belt fixed in free rotation (see figure 6b ).

The figure 7a shows a bottom view of a central node 7 of the modular cabinet according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. It can be seen that a pinion 9 is also located on this side of the central node 7. The two pinions 9 on each side are connected together in such a way that the rotation drive of one of the pinions 9 also results in the training the other.

On the figure 7a , one can also see the particularly effective and simple embedding means implemented in this embodiment at the ends of the mechanical tablet 4 on its lower part 4b. Indeed, during the manufacture of the lower part 4b of the mechanical tablet 4 sheet metal, a specific cut is made at its ends so that at the time of folding edges that provide sufficient inertia of the mechanical tablet, wide blades and long knife-shaped automatically appear at the four corners of the sheet metal shelf in the extension of said folded edges at 90 ° to the bottom. The mechanical tablet 4 thus formed behaves like a beam of great length better embedded at its ends to minimize the transverse amplitudes of any pendulum movement. In addition, a beam embedded at its ends bends much less under the effect of a load uniformly distributed over its entire length, as here, or a point load brought back in the middle, a beam on two supports whose ends are free in rotation. During assembly the blades 18 fit into complementary sleeves 19 formed in the central node 7. Guiding and stiffening panels are formed on both sides of the central node 7 in this embodiment (see also figure 7b ).

Of course, such a mounting system central node / support shelf as shown in the Figures 5 to 7 could be used in other cabinet types regardless of the configuration of the motion transmission system.

The figure 8 shows an example of a driving pinion 9 of the motion transmission system according to one embodiment of the invention. According to this example, the upper part of the drive pinion has a shape of Torx® type. Nevertheless, any other shape with a polygonal or curvilinear non-circular section, such as a triangular or square shape, could be considered. The lower part of the pinion 9 is in the form of a conventional pinion and serves to drive the toothed belt (not shown) which transmits the movement to the pulleys 8 (see FIG. figure 4b , for example). In general, only the drive sprockets 9 on the upper side of the central node 7 have such a conventional pinion-shaped lower portion. Nevertheless, in order to reduce the number of parts, the drive sprockets 9 on the lower side of the central node 7 can also be equipped with such a conventional pinion-shaped lower part. However, in this case, this pinion does not result in a belt.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the power transmission elements consist of a line of fractional drive shafts. The figure 9 shows an example of such a split drive shaft. The shaft 14 takes on known tree shapes. The drive shaft has a shape of polygonal or curvilinear non-circular constant section. Preferably, the drive shaft has a non-circular curvilinear shape of Torx® type. It could also have a polygonal constant section shape such as a triangular or square shape. It can be made by extrusion. Preferably, the sectional shape of the shaft corresponds to the sectional shape of the drive pinion 9. The drive shaft may also have a hollow core and be made of aluminum.

At both ends of a drive shaft 14 are fixed connecting elements with the driving pinions 9 or nozzles 15 which take up inside the outer geometrical shapes of the shaft and the pinion 9 drive. These tips provide the connection between the drive pinions of the motor bearings of each node. The interlocking of the end pieces 15 on the drive shaft 14 and the drive pinion 9 is achieved with a functional clearance sufficient to allow simple and fast angular self-adjustment of the line of shafts when assembling the two ends. of the integrated total amount-tree split on the lower shelf set up, and then the upper shelf on the amount set up. It is therefore possible to provide a flexible connection to absorb the misalignment of a modular structure. The mechanical energy required for starting during angular acceleration is optimized by reducing the moments of inertia of the line of trees. Furthermore, the tips are preferably made of a plastic material sufficiently elastic to withstand shocks at startup and sufficiently hard to ensure the transmission of torque.

The tips of the shafts are adjusted and immobilized by pin pins pin 16 type. The number of parts of the line of trees is extremely reduced and gives it great accessibility during a possible disassembly for a belt change operation.

One of the two upright members 3 of each module carries a portion of the split drive shaft. The figure 10 shows an example of attachment of the split drive shaft against the upstanding member 3. The portion of the split drive shaft 14 is fixed to the upright member 3 so that it is free in rotation and in translation. Preferably the attachment is removable and ensured by clipping the shaft in clips 17. Thus, a substantial reduction in the number of parts constituting the shaft line and a high accessibility for disassembly of the shaft.

Of course, such a system of split drive shaft and attachment of the shaft against the uprising element as illustrated on the figures 9 and 10 can be used in other cabinet types regardless of the configuration of the motion transmission system.

The figure 11 shows a modular cabinet according to one embodiment of the invention with an accessory worktop, and the figure 12 shows a detail of the figure 11 . The central node 7 can thus serve as a seat for the attachment of a multitude of accessory elements such as a work table, an electronic control unit, skins, rear storage shelves, etc.

The Figures 13a to 13d show an exemplary embodiment of a central node 7 reconstituted from two completely identical plastic parts.

Claims (22)

1. A modular cabinet for storing and driving stirrer cans containing liquid products, the modular cabinet (1) comprising a bottom stand (2) on which at least one cabinet module is mounted, and a motion transmission system constituted by driver transmission elements (9, 14) and driven transmission elements (8), each cabinet module being made up of two upright elements (3) and a mechanical shelf (4) for supporting and driving stirrer cans,
   the driver transmission elements (9, 14) of the motion transmission system being disposed outside said mechanical shelf (4) and being independent thereof, the mechanical shelf (4) containing only the driven transmission elements (8), characterized in that the connection functions between the upright elements and the mechanical shelf are concentrated in a central connection node (7) within the upright elements (3) serving to provide the assembly with rigidity.
2. A modular cabinet according to claim 1, characterized in that the upright elements (3) and the central connection node (7) are assembled together by being engaged one within another and are held together by snap-fastening.
3. A modular cabinet according to claim 1 and 2, characterized in that the central connection node (7) is made of two symmetrical hermaphrodite portions.
4. A modular cabinet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the central connection node (7) is a seat for fastening accessory elements.
5. A modular cabinet according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the central connection node (7) is made of plastics material.
6. A modular cabinet according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the two upright elements (3) and the mechanical shelf (4) of each cabinet module are mounted by mutual engagement over a distance that is sufficient to ensure that the assembly is rigid.
7. A modular cabinet according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the drive transmission elements are constituted by a line of fractioned drive shafts (14).
8. A modular cabinet according to claim 7, characterized in that one of the two upright elements (3) of each module comprises a fractioned drive shaft portion (14) and in that said fractioned drive shaft portion (14) is secured to the upright elements (3) in such a manner as to be free to move in rotation and in translation.
9. A modular cabinet according to claim 8, characterized in that said fractioned drive shaft portion (14) is secured to the upright elements (3) in removable manner.
10. A modular cabinet according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the drive shaft (14) presents a section of constant non-circular curvilinear or polygonal shape.
11. A modular cabinet according to claim 10, characterized in that the drive shaft (14) presents a non-circular curvilinear shape of Torx^® type.
12. A modular cabinet according to any one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that endpieces (15) are secured to both ends of the drive shaft (14), the endpieces matching the geometrical shapes of the shaft and providing connections to the gears (9) driving the drive blades at each central connection node (7).
13. A modular cabinet according to claim 12, characterized in that the endpieces (15) are engaged on the drive gears (9) of each central connection node (7) with clearance that is sufficient to enable the line of shaft to self-adjust angularly in simple and rapid manner during assembly.
14. A modular cabinet according to any one of claims 12 and 13, characterized in that the endpieces are made of a plastics material that is sufficiently elastic to accommodate shocks on starting and sufficiently hard to transmit torque.
15. A modular cabinet according to any one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that the endpieces (15) are fitted and secured by U-shaped clips.
16. A modular cabinet according to any one of claims 7 to 15, characterized in that the drive shaft (14) is made by extrusion.
17. A modular cabinet according to any one of claims 7 to 16, characterized in that the drive shaft (14) has a hollow core.
18. A modular cabinet according to any one of claims 7 to 17, characterized in that the drive shaft (14) is made of aluminum.
19. A modular cabinet according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the bottom stand (2) includes a motor for driving drive transmission elements.
20. A modular cabinet according to claim 19, characterized in that the motor (5) can be removed without disassembling either the bottom stand (2) or the structure of the machine.
21. A modular cabinet according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the mechanical shelf (4) is removable without dismantling the stirrer modules.
22. A modular cabinet according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the cabinet includes at least one cabinet module with support shelves for storing cans without motion transmission elements.

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