WO2008038312A1

WO2008038312A1 - A device for movement of modular units

Info

Publication number: WO2008038312A1
Application number: PCT/IT2006/000689
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stefano Grandi
Original assignee: Motor Power Company S.R.L.
Priority date: 2006-09-28
Filing date: 2006-09-28
Publication date: 2008-04-03

Abstract

The device for the movement of modular units comprises: at least a tubular element (2) having a first end (2a) which is constrainable to a support base (100), a plurality of support elements (3) for supporting modular units, each of which plurality of support elements (3) is constrained to the tubular element (2), and a motor (4) for translating and/or rotating at least one of the support elements (3) with respect to the tubular element (2).

Description

A Device for Movement of Modular Units.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a device for the movement of modular units.

In the context of the present invention, by the expression "modular units" is meant parts of a complex which are functionally autonomous. Modular units are therefore those parts (for example drawers, road signals, advertising boards, photovoltaic units) which make up a complex (such as for example a tool box, a bookcase, a road signal, an advertising sign, a solar panel) in which the modular units are connected to one another independently (a road signal for a location X is independent of a road signal for a location Y, though both may be present in the same larger-scale signal). [Background Art

Modular units of many complexes, though functionally independent, are mechanically constrained together in more-or-less fixed positions. For example, the modular units of a tool box, in which each modular unit, i.e. each drawer, is destined to contain a type of tool, for example screwdrivers or spanners, or pliers, or small parts such as nuts and screws. The various modular units of the tool box drawers are piled up or arranged side-by-side and, once the type of tool box has been chosen, occupy reciprocally predetermined positions. Therefore, when the tool-boxes are used in a workshop they can be carried from one place to another, but it is not possible to position the various modular units (the drawers) according to the operator's particular needs at any given moment. Therefore, if during use of the tools it becomes necessary to have a screwdriver to hand rather than a spanner, the tools have to be removed from the corresponding modules beforehand and kept in the vicinity of the workplace, creating disorder and confusion within the workshop.

As for direction indicators used in trade fairs, constituted by modular units, on each of which is presented a series of characters indicating, for example, a refreshment facility, the reception, a meeting place, a stand, it is not possible upon moving one of these above-indicated locations to re-position thecorresponding modular unit without dismounting it and then re-positioning it.Further, in a case in which for contingent reasons the whole indicator unit ismoved for a short time, it is necessary to dismount all of the modules and re-position them to indicate the correct directions thereof.

Also, in the example of solar panels constituted by photovoltaic units, eachphotovoltaic module can be mounted with a predetermined spatial orientation in order to optimise the quantity of solar radiation striking the modulethroughout a day. However, the ohtovoltaic modules are not instantaneously orientable inorder to receive the solar rays perpendicularly throughout the whole day. The technical aim of the present invention is to provide a device for movement of modular units which obviates the above-cited drawbacks. The above-mentioned technical aim is substantially achieved by a device for movement, of modular units comprising the technical characteristics contained in one or more of the accompanying claims Disclosure of Invention Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will better emerge from the detailed and non-limiting, description that follows of a preferred by not exclusive embodiment of a device for movement of modular units, as illustrated in the accompanying figures of the drawings, in which: figure 1 is a perspective view of a movement device for modular units of the present invention; figure 2 is a larger-scale perspective view of a first detail of the device of figure 1, with some parts removed better to evidence others; figure 3 is a larger-scale perspective view of a second detail of the device of figure 1, with some parts removed better to evidence others; figure 4 is a larger-scale perspective view of a third detail of the device of figure 1, with some parts removed better to evidence others; figure 5 is a larger-scale perspective view of a fourth detail of the device of figure 1, with some parts removed better to evidence others.

With reference to figure 1 of the drawings, a device for movement of modular units in agreement with the present invention is denoted in its entirety by number 1.

The term "modular" is taken to mean, in this context, a part of a whole complex. Non-limiting examples of modular units can be advertising boards, drawers, films having alphanumeric indications thereon, photovoltaic modules, container cases and more besides. The device 1 comprises at least a tubular element 2, preferably hollow, having a first end 2a and a second end 2b.

The first end 2a of the tubular element 2 is constrainable to a support base

100, as illustrated in figure 1.

The device 1 .comprises a plurality of support elements 3 which are engaged to the tubular element 2. In the preferred embodiment, illustrated in the accompanying figures of the drawings, the support elements 3 are piled up one on another and crossed by the single tubular element 2, however in a further embodiment, not illustrated, the tubular elements can be more than one in number and the support elements might not be piled one on top of another.

In any case, a modular unit (not illustrated) can be associated to each support element 3, as will be better described herein below.

The device 1 advantageously comprises a motor 4 for moving at least one of the support elements 3 with respect to the tubular element 2. In particular, a motor 4 is associated to each support element 3, mobile with respect to the tubular element 2. Further, each support element 3 provided with a motor 4 is mobile independently of any other support element 3 provided with a motor 4 In this way, each support element 3 and therefore each modular unitassociated thereto is able to be moved and therefore positioned with respect

both to each other support element 3 and with respect to the tubular element 2constrained to the support base 100.

The support elements 3 that are mobile with resp₍ect₁to_r|:|ie tubular element 2are translatable, or rotatable or roto-translatable with respect to the tubular element 2. Independently of the type of support element 3 i e independently of the fact that it is either mobile or fixed with respect to the tubular element 2 each support element 3 comprises an upper wall 5 a lower wall 6 and at least a lateral wall 7.

In the preferred embodiment, as illustrated in figures from 2 to 5 the lateral walls 7 of the support element 3 are four in number, as the support element 3 is substantially a parallelepiped.

In other, non-illustrated embodiments, the support element can be of any useful shape. In any case, for use, a modular unit is constrained to one or more of the lateral walls 7 of the support element 3, with any means for fastening suitable for the purpose.

The upper wall 5 and the lower wall 6 of each support element 3 comprise a respective slot-shaped opening 8 through which the tubular element 2 passes, as illustrated in figure 1.

In particular, a bracket 9 is provided between the two opposite edges 8a, 8b of each slot 8 of the upper wall 5 or the lower wall 6. The bracket 9, which extends between opposite lateral walls 7 of the support element 3, exhibits a hole 10 through which the tubular element 2 passes, which tubular element 2 is constrained to the bracket 9 at the hole 10.

As can be seen in figure 1, the slot 8 is larger than the transversal dimension of the tubular element 2, while the hole 10 of the bracket 9 is substantially the same size as the transversal dimension of the tubular element 2 in order to allow an adequate coupling between the bracket 9 and the tubular element 2. In a case in which the support element 3 is fixed with respect to the tubular element 2, as illustrated in figure 2, the tubular element 2 comprises an annular shoulder 11 for the edge of the hole 10 of the bracket 9_> Means for constraining 12, represented schematically by bolts in figure .2,. rigidly constrain the bracket 9 to the shoulder 11 solidly constrained to the tubular element 2. In this way the bracket 9 and the tubular element 2 are reciprocally rigidly constrained.

Further, in this case the bracket 9 is also rigidly constrained to the support element 3, and in particular to two opposite lateral, walls 7, in such a way that the support element 3 is fixed with respect to the tubular element 2.

In a case where the support element 3 is translatable with respect to the tubular element 2, the tubular element 2 is rigidly constrained to the bracket 9 in the same way as described above.

In this case, see figure 3, the bracket 9 is slidably^: coupled to opposite lateral walls 7 of the support element 3.

In particular, two sliding guides 13 are included on two opposite lateral walls of the support element 3, which sliding guides 13 guide the sliding of the bracket 9 with respect to the support element 3.

At least a linear electric motor 14, which is part of the motor 4, is operatively active on the support element 3 to move the sliding guides 13 with respect to the bracket 9. In other words, the linear electric motor 14 moves the support element 3 withrespect to the tubular element 2.

In the preferred embodiment, the linear electric motor 14 comprises a stator 15 which is solidly constrained to the sliding guide 14 and an inductor 16which is solidly constrained to the bracket 9. The stator 15 comprises a magnetic or electromagnetic circuit (not illustrated), while the inductor 16 comprises, a sequence of coils (not illustrated). In the preferred embodiment of figure 3, the stator moves with respect to the inductor in one direction or the opposite thereof according to the sequence of supply to the coils, thus moving the support element 3 with respect to the tubular element 2 The supply cables for the electric motor pass through the internal cavity of the tubular, element 2.

In the case of support elements 3 which rotate with respect to the tubular element 2, the bracket 9 is rigidly constrained to opposite lateral, walls 7 of the support element, as described above. The shoulder 11 of the tubular element 2 is rotatably coupled, to the .edge of the hole 10 in the bracket 9, as illustrated in figure 4.

A rotary electric motor 17, which is part of the motor 4. and preferably interpositioned between the edge of the hole 10 in the bracket 9 and the annular shoulder 11 of the tubular element 2, is advantageously operatively active on the support element 3 to rotate the support element 3 with respect to the hollow tubular element 2. In the preferred embodiment, the rotary electric motor 17 is high-torque and with direct drive.

The stator 18 of the motor comprises internally thereof regularly distanced polar teeth distributed over an arc of circumference.

Preferably, a single induction coil is provided on each of the polar teeth. The connection of each of the coiled to a supply line is governed by a power driver.

An annular rotary drum is concentric to the arc below the polar pack defined by the polar teeth, with a gap established. The rotary drum bears a regularly- spaced plurality of permanent magnets which face onto the gap. The assembly of the rotary drum and the string of magnets constitutes the rotor 19, which is internally hollow.

The, stator 18 is preferably solidly constrained to the tubular element 2, while the rotor 19 is solidly constrained to the bracket 9.

Obviously further embodiments are possible, in which the stator 18 is solidly constrained to the bracket 9 and the rotor 19 is solidly constrained to the tubular element 2.

In this case too the electrical connections for the rotary electric motor 17 are housed internally of the cavity of the tubular element 2.

In a case where the support element 3 is both rotatable and translatable with respect to the tubular element 2, as illustrated in figure 5, the high-torque rotary electric motor 17, exactly as above-described, is located between the shoulder 11 of the tubular element 2 and the edge of the hole 10 of the bracket 9, while the linear electric motor 14, as described above, is located between the bracket 9 and the lateral wall 7 of the support element 3. Evidently other types of support element 3 could be used with the tubular element 2, i.e. fixed, translating, rotating and roto-translating support elements 3, even simultaneously so, according to need. Further, the shape and sizes and the materials used both of the tubular element 2 and the support element 3 can be different as required, according to the type of modular unit to be coupled to the support element 3.

Claims

Claims.

1). A device for the movement of modular units, wherein it comprises: at least a tubular element (2) having a first end (2a) which is constrainable to a support base (100); a plurality of support elements (3) for supporting modular units, each of which plurality of support elements (3) is constrained to the tubular element

(2); a motor (4) for moving at least one of the support elements (3) with respect to the tubular element (2).

2). The device of claim 1, wherein each support element (3) that is mobile with respect to the tubular element (2), is associated to a respective motor (4). 3). The device, of claim 2, wherein each support element (3) provided with a motor (4) is mobile independently of other support elements (3) providedwith a motor (4). 4). The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least a support element (3) is slidable with respect to the tubular element (2). 5). The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least a support element (3) is rotatable with respect to the tubular element (2).

6). The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein, each supportelement (3) comprises an upper wall (5), a lower wall (6) and at least a lateralwall (7); a modular unit being constrainable to the at least a lateral wall (7).

7) The device of claim 6 wherein the upper wall (5) and the lower wall (6) each comprise. a slot (8) for passage of the tubular element (2); the tubular element (2). engaging with the support elements (3) at the slots (8). 8). The device of claim 7, wherein the support elements (3) are slidable with respect to the tubular element (2) along the slot (8).

9). The device of claim 7, wherein the support elements (3) are rotatable with respect to the tubular element (2) about the slot (8).

10). The device of claim 8 or 9, comprising a bracket (9) extending between two opposite edges (8a, 8b) of a slot (8) of each support element (3); the bracket (9) exhibiting a hole (10) for passage of the tubular element (2).

11). The device of claim 10, wherein the motor (4) comprises at least a first electric motor (14), preferably linear, which acts between the bracket (9) and the support element (3), for translating the support element (3) with respect to the bracket (9).

12). The device of claim 10 or 11, wherein the motor (4) comprises at least a second electric motor (17), preferably a high-torque motor, which acts between the hole (10) of the bracket (9) and the tubular element (2) to rotate the support element (3) with respect to the tubular element (2)

13). The device of claim 11, comprising at least a sliding guide (13) located at at least a lateral wall (7) of the support element (3) for guiding the sliding of the bracket (9) with respect to the support element (3).

14). The device of claim 12, wherein the tubular element (2) comprises an annular shoulder (11) on which an edge of the hole (10) of the bracket (9) is rotatably constrained, for guiding rotation of the bracket (9) with respect to the tubular element.

15). Use of a device of any one or more of claims from 1 to 14, for movement of modular units.