WO2013105051A1

WO2013105051A1 - Junction system for torque transmission, in particular for a profiling line

Info

Publication number: WO2013105051A1
Application number: PCT/IB2013/050232
Authority: WO
Inventors: Angelo Accossato; Claudio Accossato
Original assignee: Coproget S.R.L.
Priority date: 2012-01-11
Filing date: 2013-01-10
Publication date: 2013-07-18
Also published as: DE212013000047U1; ITTO20120016A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a junction system (1) for torque transmission, in particular for a profiling line, said system (1) comprising: - a first element (10), in particular adapted to be associated with a rotary member, said first element being provided with a first supporting surface (11); - a second element (20), in particular adapted to be associated with a drive member, said second element (20) being provided with a second supporting surface (21) adapted to be coupled to the first supporting surface (11); - transmission means (30) for transmitting the torque between said first element (10) and second element (20). The invention is characterized in that said transmission means comprise a tongue (30) integral with one of said first supporting surface (11) and second supporting surface (21), said tongue (30) being adapted to be inserted into at least one groove (13, 23) present on said first supporting surface (11) and/ or on said second supporting surface (21).

Description

JUNCTION SYSTEM FOR TORQUE TRANSMISSION, IN PARTICULAR FOR A PROFILING LINE

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a junction system for torque transmission, in particular for a profiling line, according to the preamble of claim 1.

The invention is particularly applicable to the profiling field, the typical purpose of which is to perform a continuous bending of a strip of sheet metal, which is progressively cold-formed by a set or rolls until the desired cross- section is obtained.

It is however clear that the invention is also applicable to any field requiring quick coupling and decoupling of junction systems for torque transmission. As known in the art, in many industrial applications drive power is transmitted from a drive member to a driven member through a transmission comprising rotary shafts.

In order to make construction and/ or assembly and/ or maintenance easier, and to allow for the replacement of portions of the driven members, it is often necessary to design the transmission in such a way as to include several sections, which are then joined together by a junction system capable of transmitting torque.

Known junction systems comprise a first element, usually a bushing, and a second element, usually a shaft, said first and second elements requiring an axial engagement to fit said bushing onto the shaft.

To achieve adequate and optimal torque transmission, in such systems it is necessary that the geometries of the first element and second element, i.e. of the bushing and the shaft, be very accurate; as a consequence, fitting and removing the bushing onto/ from the shaft are very complex and time-consuming tasks. Such complex and time-consuming tasks inevitably imply long and costly operations for coupling and decoupling the first and second elements.

It is also apparent that the length of such operations increases even further whenever it is necessary to couple or decouple a large number of first and second elements; for example, this is common in the profiling field, where a drive member (i.e. the profiling machine) must be connected and disconnected to/from a plurality of driven members (i.e. the plurality of rolls receiving motion from said drive member).

In such cases, the excessive duration of the operations for coupling and decoupling the plurality of first and second elements becomes even less acceptable and more disadvantageous, since in known profiling systems it is often necessary to replace all the rolls in order to subject the sheet metal to different machinings and/ or bendings.

In other known solutions, said first and second elements are each fitted with an annular supporting surface comprising a plurality of teeth extending radially on said annular supporting surface, which has peripheral holes crossed by bolts.

In such solutions, in order to ensure interchangeability and easiness of assembly, the diameter of the holes is usually greater (typically by a few tenths of a millimetre) than the diameter of the bolts; torque transmission takes place through adherence of the annular supporting surfaces, caused by the bolts' tightening force. The latter must necessarily be very high to avoid any risks of relative slipping between the annular supporting surfaces, which slipping would otherwise cause contact corrosion and loosening of the bolts.

Such solutions require, therefore, the use of a large number of bolts, which inevitably leads to increased production, assembly and disassembly costs, in addition to increasing the overall diameter of the annular supporting surfaces. Furthermore, these solutions require very tight coupling tolerances, leading to even more difficult assembly and disassembly operations.

In this frame, it is the main object of the present invention to overcome the drawbacks of prior-art junction systems for torque transmission, in particular for a profiling line.

In particular, it is one object of the present invention to provide a junction system for torque transmission, in particular for a profiling line, which is so realized as to allow for quick and easy coupling and decoupling of the components thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a junction system for torque transmission, in particular for a profiling line, which is so realized as to reduce the time required for carrying out the coupling and decoupling operations, in particular whenever a drive member is to be connected and/ or disconnected to/ from a plurality of driven rotary members, as is the case, for example, in the profiling field, so that such operations can be carried out repeatedly also in order to perform different types of machining.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a junction system for torque transmission, in particular for a profiling line, which is so realized as to not require the use of a large number of fastening means, thus reducing production, assembly and disassembly costs.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a junction system for torque transmission, in particular for a profiling line, which is so realized as to reduce the dimensions of the components thereof, while at the same time simplifying the assembly and disassembly of the whole system.

Said objects are achieved by the present invention through a junction system for torque transmission, in particular for a profiling line, incorporating the features set out in the appended claims, which are intended to be an integral part of the present description.

Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and from the annexed drawings, which are supplied by way of non-limiting example, wherein:

- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a junction system for torque transmission, in particular for a profiling line, according to the present invention;

- Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the junction system of Fig. 1;

- Figs. 3a and 3b show a perspective view of the junction system of Fig. 1, respectively in a first and a second operating conditions; Figs. 3a and 3b do not show a part of the junction system in order to allow observing its internal components;

- Figs. 4a and 4b show a detail of the junction system of Figs. 3a and 3b, said detail being shown in said first and second operating conditions, respectively.

Referring now to the annexed drawings, reference numeral 1 designates as a whole a junction system for torque transmission, in particular for a profiling line, according to the present invention.

It must be pointed out that, in the following description, reference will mostly be made to a junction system 1 for a profiling line; it is however clear that the provisions of the present invention are also applicable to different contexts of use of the system 1.

The system 1 comprises:

- a first element 10, in particular adapted to be associated with a rotary member, said first element being provided with a first supporting surface 11; - a second element 20, in particular adapted to be associated with a drive member, said second element 20 being provided with a second supporting surface 21 adapted to be coupled to the first supporting surface 11;

- transmission means 30, for transmitting torque between said first element 10 and second element 20, in particular from the second element 20 to the first element 10.

In a preferred embodiment, said first element 10 and second element 20 substantially extend along an axis A (indicated by a dashed-dotted line in Figures 1 to 3b) of the junction system 1, whereas the first supporting surface 11 and the second supporting surface 21 extend substantially perpendicularly to said axis A; in particular, said first supporting surface 11 and second supporting surface 21 extend in such a way that they are coupled frontally to each other. Preferably, said first element 10 is adapted to be associated with a shaft of a rotary member, in particular a shaft of a roll carrier (not shown in the drawings) of a profiling machine, whereas the second element 20 is adapted to be associated with a drive member (not shown in the drawings), in particular a drive member of a profiling machine. It is however clear that said first element 10 and second element 20 may be differently associated with a profiling line, since the first element 10 may be associated with the drive member and the second element 20 may be associated with a shaft of a rotary member.

Said first element 10 preferably comprises a first portion 10A provided with first joining means (indicated as a hole by reference numeral 12 in Figures 1 to 3b) to allow the first element 10 to be associated with said rotary member. In particular, said first joining means 12 comprise a cavity 12A adapted to receive a male element (not shown) of a rotary member, in particular a roll carrier shaft of a profiling machine; in addition, said cavity 12A preferably has a first notch 1213 adapted to be coupled to a respective tooth (not shown) of the rotary member to allow said parts to move integrally with each other.

In such a configuration, said second element 20 comprises a second portion 20A provided with second joining means 22 that allow the second element 20 to be associated with a drive member, in particular a drive member of a profiling machine. In particular, said second portion 20A is shaped like a shaft adapted to be fitted into a female element (not shown) of said drive member, said second joining means preferably comprising at least one second notch 22 present on said second portion 20A and adapted to be coupled to a respective tooth of said drive member to allow said parts to move integrally with each other.

Preferably, said first portion 10A and said second portion 20A extend along said axis A of the system 1, or in a direction substantially parallel to said axis A of the system 1.

In accordance with the present invention, said transmission means comprise a tongue 30 integral with one of said first supporting surface 11 and second supporting surface 21, said tongue 30 being adapted to be inserted into at least one groove 13, 23 present on said first supporting surface 11 and/ or on said second supporting surface 21.

In particular, in a first embodiment said tongue 30 may be made in one piece with one of said first supporting surface 11 and second supporting surface 21, and is so realized as to fit into a groove 13, 23 present on the other one of said first supporting surface 11 and second supporting surface 21.

Preferably, in said first embodiment the tongue 30 is made in one piece with the second supporting surface 21 and is inserted into a first groove 13 present on the first supporting surface 11; this allows the tongue 30 to adequately transmit the power coming from the drive member, with which the second element 20 is associated.

It is however clear that the tongue 30 may also be made in one piece with the first supporting surface 11 and be inserted into a second groove 23 present on the second supporting surface 21.

In a different embodiment, said tongue 30 is made separately from said first supporting surface 11 and second supporting surface 21, and is realized in a manner such that:

- it is secured (e.g. through fastening means known in the art) to one of said first supporting surface 11 and second supporting surface 21;

- it is inserted into a groove 13, 23 present on the other one of said first supporting surface 11 and second supporting surface 21.

Preferably, in said different embodiment the tongue 30 is secured to the second supporting surface 21, in particular into a second groove 23 present on the second supporting surface 21, and is inserted into a first groove 13 present on the first supporting surface 11.

It is however clear that the tongue 30 may also be secured (e.g. through fastening means known in the art) into a first groove 13 of the first supporting surface 11 and be inserted into a second groove 23 of the second supporting surface 21.

In a condition wherein the first element 10 and the second element 20 are coupled together, the tongue 30 and said at least one groove 13, 23 are so realized as to lie in a plane P (indicated by a dashed line in Figures 1, 3a and 3b) which is substantially perpendicular to an axis A of the system 1.

In a preferred embodiment, said tongue 30 is substantially shaped like a parallelepipedon; also, said at least one groove 13, 23 is so realized as to divide substantially in half said first supporting surface 11 and/ or said second supporting surface 21.

Preferably, said first supporting surface 11 and/ or said second supporting surface 21 have a substantially circular shape, and the tongue 30 and said at least one groove 13, 23 extend substantially in coincidence with a diameter of said first supporting surface 11 and/or of said second supporting surface 21. The special provision of the tongue 30 according to the present invention allows to provide a junction system 1 for torque transmission, in particular for a profiling line, which so realized as to allow the first element 10 and the second element 20 to be quickly and easily coupled and decoupled. In fact, the tongue 30 is an element that ensures adequate torque transmission while at the same time being highly resistant to the stresses it is subjected to while performing such a function; in fact, the tongue 30 ensures substantially the same results as an axial engagement (like the one taking place between the bushings and shafts of prior-art junction systems) in terms of torque transfer and strength, but it makes coupling and decoupling the elements of the junction system 1 a much simpler and easier task.

Furthermore, the provision of the tongue 30 allows to considerably reduce the time necessary for coupling and decoupling the first element 10 and the second element 20; in fact, such coupling and decoupling operations can be performed very quickly, since it is sufficient to insert the tongue 30 [which, as previously described, may be: a) made in one piece with the first element 10 or with the second element 20, or b) secured beforehand into a groove 13, 23 of the first element 10 or of the second element 20] into a groove 13, 23 present on the first supporting surface 11 and/ or the second supporting surface 21.

In addition, the provision of the tongue 30 according to the present invention turns out to be particularly advantageous especially in those cases wherein a drive member must be connected and/ or disconnected to/ from a plurality of driven rotary members, as is the case, for example, in the profiling field; in fact, thanks to the provisions of the present invention, it is possible to repeatedly and rapidly connect and disconnect the drive member to/ from different rotary members, in particular for the purpose of performing different types of machining on a product, in particular for processing and/ or bending a sheet metal strip.

In accordance with the present invention, the junction system 1 further comprises coupling means (indicated as a whole by reference numeral 40 in Figures 1, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b), which allow to obtain a quick coupling and decoupling of said first element 10 and second element 20.

Said coupling means 40 comprise:

- at least one first pin 41 associated with at least one of said first supporting surface 11 and second supporting surface 21;

- at least one first hole 41F present in the other one of said first supporting surface 11 and second supporting surface 21, said at least one first hole 41 F being adapted to receive said at least one first pin 41;

- at least one second pin 42;

- at least one second hole 42F adapted to receive said at least one second pin 42, said second hole 42F being such as to communicate with said at least one first hole 41F to allow said first pin 41 and second pin 42 to be coupled together and lock said first element 10 and second element 20.

As can be seen in Figures 2, 3a and 3b, said at least one first pin 41 and first hole 41F have a first axis Al which is substantially parallel to the axis A of the system 1, and said at least one second pin 42 and at least one second hole 42F have a second axis A2 which is incident with the first axis Al.

In particular, said first axis Al and second axis A2 are substantially perpendicular to each other; it follows that the first axis Al is substantially perpendicular to the first supporting surface 11 and to the second supporting surface 12, whereas the second axis A2 is substantially parallel to the first supporting surface 11 and to the second supporting surface 12.

Preferably, said first hole 41F is slightly bigger (e.g. by a few tenths of a millimetre) than said at least one first pin 41; this facilitates inserting the first pin 41 into the first hole 41F and, as a result, coupling the first element 10 to the second element 20.

In a preferred embodiment (shown in Figures 2, 3a and 3b), said at least one first pin 41 comprises a pair of first pins 41 preferably associated with the first supporting surface 11 of the first element 10, said first pins 41 being adapted to be inserted into a pair of first holes 41F provided in the second supporting surface 21 of the second element 20.

In addition, in said preferred embodiment said at least one second pin 42 comprises a pair of second pins 42 adapted to be inserted from opposite sides into a second hole 42F, said second hole 42F being such as to run through the second element 20 and communicate with said pair of first holes 41F.

It is however clear that the number, design and arrangement of the pins 41, 42 and holes 41F, 42F according to the present invention may be different from those shown in the annexed drawings and described above; for example, said at least one first pin 41 may be associated with the second supporting surface 21 and be adapted to be inserted into a first hole 41 F provided in the first supporting surface 11.

It is also clear that said at least one first pin 41 and at least one first hole 41F, besides ensuring a secure and stable coupling between the first element 10 and the second element 20, also act as a guide for facilitating a proper and ideal mating of said elements. In fact, said mating is substantially guided by the insertion of the first pin 41 into the first hole 41 F, which facilitates the insertion of the tongue 30 into a groove 13, 23 present on the first supporting surface 11 or on the second supporting surface 21.

Preferably, said at least one first pin 41 and at least one second pin 42 also comprise reciprocal connecting means 41 C, 42C adapted to switch the junction system 1 from a first operating condition (which may also be called "working condition" and is shown in Figs. 3a and 4a), wherein said at least one first pin 41 is inserted in said at least one first hole 41 F and cooperates with the second pin 42 to ensure the coupling between the first element 10 and the second element 20, to a second operating condition (which may also be called "released condition" and is shown in Figs. 3b and 4b), wherein said at least one first pin 41 is decoupled from said at least one second pin 42 and can be removed from said at least one first hole 41 F to allow decoupling the first element 10 from the second element 20, and vice versa.

Preferably, said connecting means 41 C, 42C comprise:

- a first slot 41C associated with said at least one first pin 41, said first slot 41C being adapted to receive at least a lateral portion of the second pin 42, so as to create interference between the first pin 41 and the second pin 42 to prevent said at least one first pin 41 from being removed from the first hole 41F into which it has been inserted. As a result, this provision allows to obtain a stable coupling between the second pin 42 and the first slot 41C, thus keeping the first element 10 and the second element 20 coupled together (this coupling is shown in Figures 3a and 4a);

- a second slot 42C associated with said at least one second pin 42, said second slot 42C being adapted to be coupled to the first pin 41 (this coupling is shown in Figures 3b and 4b) in a manner such as to allow it to be removed from the first hole 41 F into which it has been inserted. By removing the first pin 41 from the first hole 41 F, one can at the same time decouple the first element 10 from the second element 20.

In Figures 2 to 4b it can also be noticed that the coupling means 40 comprise at least one elastic element 43 adapted to be inserted into the second hole 42F and to be coupled to said at least one second pin 42; the elastic element 43 exerts a thrust upon the second pin 42 to hold it in a first position (shown in Figs. 3a and 4a) of interference with the first pin 41, in particular said interference being due to at least a lateral portion of the second pin 42 being received into the first slot 41C of the first pin 41.

A compression of the elastic element 43, generally obtained by means of pressure exerted by the second pin 42 in the opposite direction to the thrust exerted by the elastic element 43, allows the second pin 42 to be moved to a second position (shown in Figs. 3b and 4b), wherein the second slot 42C allows the first pin 41 to go through and be removed from the first hole 41F in which it has been inserted; this also allows decoupling the first element 10 from the second element 20. It should be noted that the thrust exerted by the elastic element 43 is indicated by an arrow Dl in Fig. 4a, whereas the pressure countering the thrust exerted by the elastic element 43 is indicated by an arrow D2 in Fig. 4b.

According to the present invention, the coupling means 40 further comprise a stopping element 44, which allows limiting the movement of said at least one second pin 42 from the first operating condition (shown in Figs. 3a and 4a) to the second operating condition (shown in Figs. 3b and 4b), and vice versa.

In particular, said stopping element 44 is associated with a lateral portion of said at least one second pin 42, and is adapted to slide within an elongated hole 24, in particular obtained in the second supporting surface 21 of the second element 20.

It is apparent that the stopping element 44 will slide in the elongated hole 24 as the second pin 42 moves within the second hole 42F from the first operating condition to the second operating condition, and vice versa; as a consequence, it is also apparent that the dimensions and positions of such elements (particularly of the elongated hole 24) will be such as to allow the second slot 42C and the first pin 41 to become misaligned when the second pin 42 is in said first operating condition, wherein removal of the first pin 41 from the first hole 41 F is prevented, and to allow said second slot 42C and said first pin 41 to become aligned when said second pin 42 is in the second operating condition, wherein the first pin 41 is allowed to pass.

The special provision of the coupling means 40 according to the present invention allows to provide a junction system 1 for torque transmission, in particular for a profiling line, which is so realized as to not require the use of a large number of fastening means; as a result, the particular provisions of the present invention allow to reduce the costs incurred for producing, assembling and disassembling the entire system 1.

Furthermore, the coupling means 40 allow to provide a junction system 1 for torque transmission, in particular for a profiling line, which is so realized as to ensure a reduction in the dimensions of the components thereof, in particular of the first element 10 and second element 20; in fact, the association between the first pins 41 and the first supporting surface 11 of the first element 10 and/ or the second supporting surface of the second element 20 allows to limit the dimensions of the first element 10 and of the second element 20, since it is not necessary to provide special surfaces on the first element 10 and/ or on the second element 20 for receiving the first pins 41.

The provision of the coupling means 40 according to the present invention also allow to simplify and speed up the operations for assembling and disassembling the entire junction system 1, since the user only has to:

- insert the first pin 41 into the first hole 41F to obtain interference thereof with the second pin 42 and also couple the first element 10 to the second element 20. In order to facilitate the full insertion of the first pin 41 into the first hole 41F, it may be sufficient to exert some pressure onto the second pin 42 in the direction opposite to the thrust exerted by the elastic element 43, so that the second slot 42C will allow the first pin 41 to pass; when the second pin 42 is then released, the elastic element 43 can exert a thrust outwards onto the second pin 42 such as to allow the first slot 41C to be coupled laterally to the second pin 42 and ensure said secure and stable coupling between the first pin 41 and the second pin 42, and hence also between the first element 10 and the second element 20;

- exert a pressure onto the second pin 42 in the direction opposite to the thrust exerted by the elastic element 43, so that the second slot 42C will allow the first pin 41 to pass and be removed through the first hole 41 F in order to decouple both the first pin 41 from the second pin 42 and the first element 10 from the second element 20.

The above description has made clear the method of operation of a junction system 1 for torque transmission, in particular for a profiling line, which comprises:

- transmission means 30 for transmitting the torque between said first element 10 and second element 20.

In particular, said method comprises the steps of:

a) inserting at least one first pin 41, associated with at least one of said first supporting surface 11 and second supporting surface 21, into a first hole 41F present in the other one of said first supporting surface 11 and second supporting surface 21;

b) inserting a tongue 30 into at least one groove 13, 23 present on said first supporting surface 11 and/or on said second supporting surface 21, said tongue 30 being integral with one of said first supporting surface 11 and second supporting surface 21;

c) coupling said first pin 41 to a second pin 42 inserted in a second hole 42F that communicates with said at least one first hole 41 F, the coupling between said first pin 41 and second pin 42 being such as to allow locking said first element 10 and second element 20. Preferably, said step a) is carried out through a step al) of exerting pressure onto the second pin 42 in the direction opposite to the thrust exerted by an elastic element 43, said pressure being suitable for moving the second pin 42 from a first position of interference with the first pin 41 to a second position where the first pin 41 is allowed to pass and be inserted into the first hole 41 F. In addition, said step b) may be preceded by a step bl) of making said tongue 30 in one piece with one of said first supporting surface 11 and second supporting surface 21, and may be carried out through a step b2) of inserting said tongue into a groove 13, 23 present on the other one of said first supporting surface 11 and second supporting surface 21.

As an alternative, said step b) may be preceded by a step b3) of securing said tongue 30 to one of said first supporting surface 11 and second supporting surface 21, and may be carried out through a step b4) of inserting said tongue 30 into a groove 13, 23 present on the other one of said first supporting surface 11 and second supporting surface 21.

Step c) may then be followed by a step cl) of releasing the second pin 42 in order to allow the elastic element 43 to exert a thrust suitable for moving the second pin 42 from said second released position (which allows the passage of the first pin 41) to the first position of interference with the first pin 41 (where the first pin 41 cannot be removed from the first hole 41 F into which it has been inserted).

The above-described steps allow to obtain a firm and safe coupling between the first element 10 and the second element 20.

It is clear that the method according to the present invention further comprises the following steps, which allow decoupling said first element 10 and second element 20:

d) decoupling said first pin 41 from said second pin 42;

e) progressively removing said at least one first pin 41, associated with at least one of said first supporting surface 11 and second supporting surface 21, from a first hole 41F in the other one of said first supporting surface 11 and second supporting surface 21, so as to allow for a progressive decoupling of said tongue 30, which is integral with one of said first supporting surface 11 and second supporting surface 21, from at least one groove 13, 23 present on said first supporting surface 11 and/ or on said second supporting surface 21. Preferably, said step d) is carried out through a step dl) of exerting pressure onto the second pin 42 in the direction opposite to the thrust exerted by an elastic element 43, said pressure being suitable for moving the second pin 42 from a first position of interference with the first pin 41 to a second position where the first pin 41 is allowed to pass and be removed from the first hole 41F. The advantages of a junction system 1 for torque transmission, in particular for a profiling line, according to the present invention are apparent from the above description.

Such advantages are due to the fact that the special provision of the tongue 30 according to the present invention allows to provide a junction system 1 for torque transmission, in particular for a profiling line, which is so realized as to allow the first element 10 and the second element 20 to be quickly and easily coupled and decoupled.

In fact, the tongue 30 is an element that ensures adequate torque transmission while at the same time being highly resistant to the stresses it is subjected to while performing such a function.

Finally, the provision of the tongue 30 allows to considerably reduce the time necessary for coupling and decoupling the first element 10 and the second element 20; in fact, such coupling and decoupling operations can be performed very quickly, since it is sufficient to insert the tongue 30 into a groove 13, 23 present on the first supporting surface 11 and/ or on the second supporting surface 21.

Also, the provision of the tongue 30 according to the present invention turns out to be particularly advantageous in those cases wherein a drive member must be connected and/ or disconnected to/from a plurality of driven rotary members, since such operations can be carried out repeatedly and quickly.

A further advantage of the present invention lies in the fact that the special provision of the tongue 30 and of the coupling means 40 according to the present invention allows to provide a junction system 1 for torque transmission, in particular for a profiling line, which is so realized as to not require the use of a large number of fastening means, thus allowing to reduce the costs incurred for producing, assembling and disassembling the entire system 1.

In addition, the coupling means 40 allow to provide a junction system 1 for torque transmission, in particular for a profiling line, which is so realized as to limit the dimensions of the components thereof, in particular of the first element 10 and second element 20.

The combined provision of the tongue 30 and of the coupling means 40 according to the present invention then allows to simplify and speed up the operations for assembling and disassembling the entire junction system 1.

The junction system 1 for torque transmission, in particular for a profiling line, described herein by way of example may be subject to many possible variations without departing from the novelty spirit of the inventive idea; it is also clear that in the practical implementation of the invention the illustrated details may have different shapes or be replaced with other technically equivalent elements. It can therefore be easily understood that the present invention is not limited to the above-described junction system for torque transmission, in particular for a profiling line, but may be subject to many modifications, improvements or replacements of equivalent parts and elements without departing from the inventive idea, as clearly specified in the following claims.

Claims

1. A junction system (1) for torque transmission, in particular for a profiling line, comprising:

- a first element (10), in particular adapted to be associated with a rotary member, said first element being provided with a first supporting surface (ii);

- a second element (20), in particular adapted to be associated with a drive member, said second element (20) being provided with a second supporting surface (21) adapted to be coupled to the first supporting surface (11);

- transmission means (30) for transmitting the torque between said first element (10) and second element (20),

characterized in that

said transmission means comprise a tongue (30) integral with one of said first supporting surface (11) and second supporting surface (21), said tongue (30) being adapted to be inserted into at least one groove (13, 23) present on said first supporting surface (11) and/ or on said second supporting surface (21).

2. A system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said tongue (30) is made in one piece with one of said first supporting surface (11) and second supporting surface (21), and is realized to be inserted into a groove (13, 23) present on the other one of said first supporting surface (11) and second supporting surface (21).

3. A system (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said tongue (30) is made in one piece with the second supporting surface (21) and is inserted into a first groove (13) present on the first supporting surface (11).

4. A system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said tongue (30) is made separately from said first supporting surface (11) and second supporting surface (21), and is realized in a manner such that:

- it is secured to one of said first supporting surface (11) and second supporting surface (21);

- it is inserted into a groove (13, 23) present on the other one of said first supporting surface (11) and second supporting surface (21).

5. A system (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that said tongue (30) is secured to the second supporting surface (21), in particular into a second groove (23) present on the second supporting surface (21), and is realized in a manner such that it is inserted into a first groove (13) present on the first supporting surface (11).

6. A system (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tongue (30) and said at least one groove (13, 23) are so realized as to lie in a plane (P) which is substantially perpendicular to an axis (A) of the system (1).

7. A system (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said tongue (30) is substantially shaped like a parallelepipedon, and said at least one groove (13, 23) is so realized as to divide substantially in half said first supporting surface (11) and/ or said second supporting surface (21).

8. A system (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that said first supporting surface (11) and/ or said second supporting surface (21) have a substantially circular shape, the tongue (30) and said at least one groove (13, 23) extending substantially in coincidence with a diameter of said first supporting surface (11) and/ or of said second supporting surface (21).

9. A system (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises coupling means (40) which allow to obtain a quick coupling and decoupling of said first element (10) and second element (20).

10. A system (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that said coupling means (40) comprise:

- at least one first pin (41) associated with at least one of said first supporting surface (11) and second supporting surface (21);

- at least one first hole (41F) present in the other one of said first supporting surface (11) and second supporting surface (21), said at least one first hole (41 F) being adapted to receive said at least one first pin (41);

- at least one second pin (42);

- at least one second hole (42F) adapted to receive said at least one second pin (42), said second hole (42F) being such as to communicate with said at least one first hole (41F) to allow said first pin (41) and second pin (42) to be coupled together and lock said first element (10) and second element (20).

11. A system (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that said at least one first pin (41) and first hole (41 F) have a first axis (Al) which is substantially parallel to an axis (A) of the system (1), and said at least one second pin (42) and at least one second hole (42F) have a second axis (A2) which is incident with the first axis (Al), in particular said first axis (Al) and second axis (A2) being substantially perpendicular to each other.

12. A system (1) according to one or more of claims 10 and 11, characterized in that said at least one first pin (41) and at least one second pin (42) further comprise reciprocal connecting means (41 C, 42C) adapted to switch the system (1) from a first operating condition, wherein said at least one first pin (41) is inserted in said at least one first hole (41F) and cooperates with the second pin (42) to ensure the coupling between the first element (10) and the second element (20), to a second operating condition, wherein said at least one first pin (41) is decoupled from said at least one second pin (42) and can be removed from said at least one first hole (41F) to allow decoupling the first element (10) from the second element (20), and vice versa.

13. A system (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that said connecting means (41C, 42C) comprise:

- a first slot (41C) associated with said at least one first pin (41), said first slot (41C) being adapted to receive at least a lateral portion of the second pin (42), so as to create interference between the first pin (41) and the second pin (42) to prevent said at least one first pin (41) from being removed from the first hole (41F) into which it has been inserted;

- a second slot (42C) associated with said at least one second pin (42), said second slot (42C) being adapted to be coupled to the first pin (41) in a manner such as to allow it to be removed from the first hole (41 F) into which it has been inserted.

14. A system (1) according to one or more of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that said coupling means (40) comprise at least one elastic element (43) adapted to be inserted into the second hole (42F) and to be coupled to said at least one second pin (42), the elastic element (43) exerting a thrust upon said at least one second pin (42) to hold it in a first position of interference with the first pin (41).

15. A system (1) according to one or more of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that said coupling means (40) comprise a stopping element (44) which limits the movement of said at least one second pin (42) from a first operating condition to a second operating condition, and vice versa.

16. A system (1) according to claim 15, characterized in that said stopping element (44) is associated with a lateral portion of said at least one second pin (42) and is adapted to slide within an elongated hole (24), in particular obtained in the second supporting surface (21) of the second element (20).