WO2013160426A1

WO2013160426A1 - Numbering machine

Info

Publication number: WO2013160426A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/058676
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dietmar Waizenegger
Original assignee: Paul Leibinger Gmbh & Co. Kg Nummerier- Und Markierungssysteme
Priority date: 2012-04-27
Filing date: 2013-04-25
Publication date: 2013-10-31
Also published as: EP2687376A1; EP2657022B1; EP2657022A1; EP2687376B1

Abstract

A numbering machine (100) is provided having a housing (180), having a numbering unit (110) which is arranged at least in sections in the housing (180), wherein the numbering unit (110) has a wheel axis (111), on which a plurality of number wheels (113) which can be adjusted in each case individually are arranged rotatably, and at least one of the number wheels (113) can be driven via a gearwheel (114) which is assigned to the number wheel (113), having a drive module (140), wherein the drive module (140) has a support (141) and, for at least some of the number wheels (113) which can be driven in each case via a gearwheel (114), drive units (143) with a drive shaft (143c), having a drive pinion (143d) which is connected to the drive shaft (143c) for driving the gearwheel (114), and having a motor (143a) which is connected directly or via a compound mechanism (143b) to the drive shaft (143c), with the result that the drive shaft (143c) can be set in rotation by the motor (143a), and having control electronics for actuating the motors (143a), wherein the housing (180) has a housing part (181), in which on one side the numbering unit (110) is mounted at both ends of the wheel axis (11) and on the other side the drive module (140) is mounted in such a way that their relative position to one another is defined fixedly, and that the numbering unit (110) and the drive module (140) can be removed as a complete assembly, at least when a fixing device is released, and a housing (180) and a drive module (140) for a numbering machine (100) of this type.

Description

numbering

The invention relates to a numbering with the features of the preamble of claim 1.

Numbering machines of this type are used when continuous or randomly determined serial numbers are to be applied to a printed object, in particular a document, for example when printing check forms, bills or identity papers. A typical example of such a numbering machine is the Leibinger PC LEN device, which is used, for example, in printing presses of the Heidelberg GTOZ-NN-52 type for the printing of checks. Information about these devices is e.g. the brochure "High Security Numbering" of Leibinger.

Said numbering machine has a housing with a removable for maintenance, cleaning or exchange with another character set in the housing wheel axle, on which a plurality of digit wheels are rotatably arranged. It is noted that the term "digit wheel" in the context of this patent does not represent any limitation to numbers, but the term is used synonymously with the term "type wheel". The easy removability of the wheel axle is important in order to carry out the necessary after the printing process cleaning and maintenance can.

In modern numbering systems, the number wheels are usually each individually adjustable and at least one digit wheel can be driven via a pinion gear associated gear. The numbering has for each connected to a drive unit digit wheel a drive shaft with a drive shaft connected to the drive pinion, so that a fast Setting a desired character combination is guaranteed. In most cases, at least some of these drive shafts are provided with a-possibly with the interposition of a gear-associated engine and controlled by a control electronics for the motors. However, this results in sources for further maintenance and repair, for example, when a motor fails, an electrical contact with a motor dissolves or an electronic component belonging to the control electronics fails.

In the customary use of such numbering machines, a plurality of numbering units are often arranged on a shaft of a printing press, so that a fast and continuous printing process becomes possible. This implies that the temporary failure of a numbering machine can affect the entire press. It is thus desirable that the user of the numbering system can remedy a malfunction occurring, if possible, quickly and on the spot, and in particular can easily replace a motor together with associated wiring.

In practice, this results in known numbering, as they are known for example from EP 2 032 364 Bl, problems. It turns out that especially in very compact numbering, with which also digit sequences can be applied to crowded small formats, disassembly and proper assembly of the numbering often only by experts at the respective manufacturer of numbering with the required precision, the relative positioning of the Parts to each other with tolerances of less than one tenth of a mm required can be made. The object of the invention is to provide an easy-to-maintain Nummerierwerk that not only allows easy cleaning and maintenance of the wheel axle with digitradsatz, but also the simple rectification of disturbances on the drive unit allows to provide, moreover, a quick adjustment of printing character combination allows.

This object is achieved by a numbering with the features of claim 1, a housing for such a numbering with the features of claim 16 and a drive module for such a numbering with the features of claim 17. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

The numbering unit according to the invention comprises a housing, and a numeral unit arranged at least in sections in the housing. In this case, the numbering unit has a wheel axis, on which a plurality of individually adjustable numbered wheels are rotatably arranged, wherein at least one of the number wheels can be driven via a gear assigned to the number wheel.

Furthermore, the numbering unit according to the invention comprises a drive module, wherein the drive module has a carrier and drive units for at least one of the number wheels drivable via a gearwheel.

In this case, the drive units each have a drive shaft, a drive pinion arranged on the drive shaft for driving the toothed wheel, and a motor which is connected directly or via a primary gear to the drive shaft, so that the drive shaft can be set in rotation by the motor. As a precaution, it should be noted that the drive pinion even if it drives the gear via an intermediate gear, is suitable for driving the gear and is used.

It should also be noted that this formulation also includes the cases where the drive shaft is formed by the shaft of the motor or by the output shaft of the primary gear.

It should be noted in this connection that this description distinguishes between the terms "intermediate gear" and "pre-gear". Here, a "pre-gear" is understood to mean a transmission that is designed such that its output shaft is an extension of the shaft of the gear driving the motor, so that the output shaft and drive shaft rotate about the same axis of rotation, while transmissions in which the axes of rotation of the output shaft and Drive shaft offset from one another have to be referred to as intermediate gear.

Still further, the numbering invention comprises control electronics for controlling the motors.

It is essential to the invention that the housing has a housing part in which on the one hand the numbering unit is mounted at both ends of the wheel axle and on the other hand the drive module is stored in such a way with the sections of the numbering unit or the drive module in stock, that their relative position to each other is fixed. Furthermore, it is essential to the invention that the numbering unit and the drive module at least when a fixing device-for example, a screw or a locking bolt, the falling out of the respective part in use of the numbering in a printing machine during operation prevent- solved is removed as a complete assembly.

By combining not only the number wheels to the numbering unit, but also the components of the drive units in a drive module, each of which can be removed as an assembly from the numbering, while providing a single housing part on which both the Nummerierein- unit and the Drive module are stored, the maintenance of the numbering is significantly simplified. The modular design, which has only a few components, ensures that only a few components need to be positioned at the same time. In addition, by the common storage of these modules in a single housing part, the precise and reproducible positioning of numbering and drive module to each other, which is indispensable for a stable and reliable operation of the numbering, also ensured during assembly of the numbering by less experienced forces.

In a further development of the invention, the numbering unit and the drive module are mounted removably such that the direction in which the numbering unit can be removed and the direction in which the drive module can be removed are the same. In particular, if this direction is the one in which the letters of the numbering wheels of the numbering unit which form the respective serial number to be printed show, this measure makes it possible to disassemble the numbering unit into its assemblies in a small space. In addition, the latter embodiment avoids the need to dismantle the entire numbering unit from the printing press, because then the numbering unit and the drive module are simply loaded into the printer. Dialer direction can be removed based on the printing cylinder of the printing press.

It has proved to be advantageous, in particular, if the control electronics are connected to the carrier of the drive module such that the drive units together with the carrier and control electronics can be removed together as an assembly. This simplifies maintenance work, in particular, because then the cable connection between the motors of the drive hexes and the control electronics controlling them need not be carried out within the housing, where it is made difficult by very tight space conditions, but can take place outside the housing. In practice, it has been shown that the control electronics have a considerable complexity, which means that their circuitry realization as a populated circuit board can lead to an undesirable increase in the space requirement. This applies in particular to arrangements in which at least one printed circuit board section of the control electronics is arranged below the drive units.

In order to avoid any ambiguity, in particular with regard to the meaning of the terms "top" and "bottom", it is pointed out that, by definition, the top side of a numbering mechanism is the side on which the letters of the number wheels are exposed the underside of the numbering mechanism is the side opposite the top side of the numbering mechanism, ie the side with which the numbering unit is arranged, when used as intended, on the numbering shaft of a printing machine. in which the wheel axis of the numbering axis runs; the longitudinal direction is the direction perpendicular to the transverse direction and the direct connection of the top and bottom of the numbering unit. It should be noted that this definition, which is based on the numbering machine geometry, results in that the transverse direction of vertically printing numbering units arranged on the numbering shaft of the printing press runs in a different direction than the transverse direction of horizontally arranged on the numbering shaft of the printing press printing numbering machines.

This space problem can be defused sustainably if the control electronics is divided into at least two populated printed circuit boards, which are connected to each other with a cable. However, then should also that the housing part, are stored in the numbering unit and the drive module, a recess for receiving this cable, otherwise the orientation of the drive module relative to the numbering unit can be influenced in unfavorable position of the cable so that the necessary precision and reproducibility of the adjustment is at risk.

Another difficulty in assembling known numbering machines is that there is no defined guidance for the cables, which constitute a necessary electrical connection between the motors on the one hand and the control electronics on the other hand. This problem can be alleviated by the fact that cables which connect the motors to the control electronics are mounted at least in sections through a gap between a side surface of the carrier of the drive module and a surface of the housing part facing the carrier of the drive module in which the numbering unit and the drive module are mounted. are guided. The completeness It should be noted that this presupposes that the drive module is mounted immovably even without the inclusion of the side surface in question.

It has been found that the assembly of the numbering is substantially simplified after a maintenance process, when all the drive units are arranged on a single carrier, although it should be expressly noted that a carrier with a hinged part, where one or more Drive units are arranged, is regarded as a single carrier. This is due to the fact that then only two modules must be adjusted relative to each other.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, it is advantageous if the carrier on its numbering unit facing surface for each drive unit has a recess in the drive shaft, drive pinion and at least a portion of the motor are arranged, wherein the recess except Sites at which a holder for the drive unit is provided, extending over the entire extent of the carrier in the direction of extension of the wheel axis, wherein the surface of each recess has the shape of a segment of a jacket of a cylinder whose axis coincides with the axis of rotation of the drive shaft and its radius is adapted to the radius of the drive pinion, and wherein the individual recesses are arranged so that the axes of the surface defining cylinder and thus the axes of rotation of the drive shafts are arranged so that they lie on a circular segment. This form of the carrier leads in numbering, in which a drive of gear wheels associated with number wheels is to take place without intermediate gear, in which therefore a to one with the engine rotation Axle coinciding axis rotating drive pinion engages directly into the gear, to a particularly compact Anord ^¬ tion of the drive units, which is also inexpensive to produce by machining.

Furthermore, it has proved to be conducive to easy maintenance of the numbering, when the drive pinion directly engage in the driven by them gears of the numbering and offset in the direction of extension of the wheel axis of the numbering unit offset from each other. It has been found that the use of an intermediate gear brings about a further degree of freedom, which requires adjustment in order to ensure a low-friction and lossless engagement of the gears and thus complicates the maintenance.

In a further development of this embodiment, it is additionally provided that motors assigned to different gear wheels protrude differently far beyond the carrier in the extension direction of the drive shaft. This allows the mutually offset arrangement of the drive pinion despite the use of copies of a standardized drive unit assembly for all drive units, which not only contributes to a low-cost manufacturing, but also further reduces the risk of not sufficiently precise adjustment.

An increase in the installation space requirement caused by the above-described measure can be counteracted at least in part by arranging recesses in the housing for receiving sections of the motors projecting beyond the support. Furthermore, it has proved to be advantageous if arranged on the same support groups of drive units are rotated by 180 ° to each other. This brings two advantages:

On the one hand, with this arrangement, the connections for the connection cables to the control electronics are no longer pointing in the same direction in all motors, which increases the clarity when connecting the motors and facilitates an orderly cable routing, which prevents a "cable chaos." This effect is particularly pronounced. if a design with two-part control electronics, as already described above, is selected, since then an assignment of the connection cable of the motors of all drive units, which is arranged in the same orientation to each same part of the control electronics is possible, which further simplifies the cable management ,

On the other hand assemblies of mutually rotated by 180 ° arranged drive units are therefore particularly useful because the space requirement dramatically increasing the need for a large offset between drive units that drive arranged at the opposite ends of the wheel axle gears, is circumvented by the corresponding drive units in the reverse orientation are arranged.

It is particularly preferred if the housing part, in which the numbering unit is mounted at both ends of the wheel axle and the drive module, comprises the bottom of the housing and at least two sections of opposite side walls of the housing. According to an advantageous further development of a housing part thus constructed, the portion of the housing part which forms the Bo ^¬ of the housing, a recess for storage of the products ^¬ drive unit by receiving the carrier on. Such storage of the drive module in the base of the housing part allows that despite precise positioning and mounting of at ^¬ operating module between the portions of opposite side walls of the housing and the side surfaces of the drive module, a distance remains which for cable routing or for receiving a carrier of the Drive module superior engine can be used.

A still further specialized embodiment of the invention provides that the shape of the recess is adapted to the shape of the portion of the carrier to be received in the recess for storage, that a pre-positioning in some sections of the carrier by direct contact between lateral wall of the recess and carrier , in particular in the sense of an insertion aid, or an exact positioning of the support is ensured, while in others. Sections of the carrier is a gap between the carrier and the side wall of the recess for receiving at least one connecting cable between a motor and the control electronics. In this way, the space available inside the housing is increased in particular for the cable guide.

If the wall surfaces serve only for pre-positioning of the carrier in the housing part, it has proven to be expedient to bring about the exact positioning by the use of position pins.

A further advantageous measure, in particular when the drive units are arranged so offset on the carrier of the drive module, that at least one of them with an a portion laterally projecting beyond the carrier, is that in each of the side walls of the housing part of the viewed in the direction of pressure upper wall portion each having a protruding portion is provided a straight portion and a recessed portion, wherein the projecting portions of the one side wall of the recessed portion of the other side wall, the straight portion of the one side wall facing the straight portion of the other side wall and the recessed portion of the one side wall and the projecting portion of the other side wall are geometrically matched to each other so that the outside of the side walls of two Housing parts, which in practice belong to adjacent numbering works, can interlock. This makes it possible to make the numbering machine more compact in the sense that more such numbering units can be arranged on a numbering shaft with a given radius than hitherto.

The housing according to the invention for such a numbering machine is characterized in that the housing comprises a housing part with precautions for storing a numbering unit at both ends of the wheel axle and on the other hand for supporting a drive module, the relative position of the devices being determined by the arrangement of the respective devices Numbering unit and the drive module of the numbering is fixed to each other.

It should be noted that all of the housing developments of the numbering, which have been described above, can be taken over directly as features of developments of such a housing. The drive module according to the invention for such a numbering machine has a carrier and, for at least some of the gear wheels drivable via a gear drive units with a drive shaft, with a drive shaft connected to the drive pinion for driving the gear and with a motor, directly or via a pre-gear at the ^¬ drive shaft is connected, so that the drive shaft by the motor in rotation is displaceable on. It is characterized in that the drive module as at least when ei ^¬ ne fixing device is solved, completely from a numbering unit removable assembly is configured.

Again, it should be noted that all the drive module relevant developments of the numbering, which have been described above, can be taken over directly as features of developments of such a housing.

In addition, it is pointed out that the following subject is to be regarded as an independent invention:

A numbering unit having a housing with a numbering unit arranged at least in sections in the housing, wherein the numbering unit has a wheel axle on which a plurality of individually adjustable digit wheels are rotatably mounted, and at least one of the digit wheels is drivable via a gear assigned to the digit wheel Drive module, wherein the drive module comprises a carrier and for at least some of each driven via a gear pinion drive units with a drive shaft, connected to a drive shaft to the drive pinion for driving the gear and with a motor directly or via a VorSchaltgetriebe connected to the drive shaft is, so that the drive shaft is set in rotation by the motor, and having an electronic control unit for controlling the motors, characterized in that the drive units are offset from each other on the carrier, at least some of the drive units in the direction of extension of the wheel axle laterally over protrude the support and that the housing is a housing part, which comprises the bottom of the housing and at least two portions of opposite side walls of the housing, wherein in each of the side walls of the housing part of the viewed in the pressure direction upper wall portion each have a projecting portion, a straight portion and a recessed portion is provided, wherein the projecting portions of the one side wall of the recessed portion of the other side wall, the straight portion of the one side wall of the straight extending portion of the other side wall and the backspri The opposite region of the one side wall and the projecting portion of the other side wall are opposite to each other and geometrically adapted to each other so that the outer sides of the side walls of two such housing parts can engage.

This invention solves the problem of making numbering more compact in the sense that more such numbering machines can be arranged on a numbering shaft of given radius than heretofore.

Also on this invention, the formulated in the dependent claims refinements and the development according to the characterizing feature of claim 1 can be directly transferred. The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to figures showing an embodiment of the invention, in which:

Fig.l: an exploded view of an embodiment of a numbering; a SchnittZeichnung the numbering of Figure 1, wherein the cutting plane passes through the numbering vertically and the drive shaft of the lowermost drive unit is in the cutting plane;

3 shows a view obliquely from above on a housing part, the

Numbering unit of Figure 1;

4 shows a view from above of the opened housing with inserted drive module of the numbering unit from FIG. 1 with the numbering unit removed, and FIG

5 shows a representation of a plurality of numbering systems according to the invention in the position as they are arranged on a pressure wave.

The same components of the same embodiments of the invention are provided in all figures with the same reference characters, unless otherwise stated. Furthermore, not all copies of the same components were individually numbered for reasons of clarity.

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a numbering unit 100 with the assembly numbering unit 110, drive module 140 and housing 180. The numbering unit 110 has a wheel axle 111, of which only one end face passing through a bearing block 112 can be seen in FIG. 1, on which a plurality of individually adjustable dial wheels 113 are rotatably arranged. As can be seen for the dial wheel 113 closest to the observer in FIG. 1, at least this number wheel 113 can be driven via a toothed wheel 114 assigned to it.

The sectional view according to FIG. 2 shows further insights into the structure of the numbering unit 110. In it you can see the entire wheel axle 111 with arranged at their ends bearing blocks 112,115, all the number wheels 113 and their respective associated gears 114th

The shape of the bearing blocks 112, 115 is matched precisely to bearing openings 182, 183 arranged in the housing part 181, so that the numbering unit 110 can be positioned precisely and without play by being supported in the housing part 181. The bearing blocks 112,115 further each have fixing means 116,117 in the form of screws, which can be brought into engagement with the threaded holes provided in the bearing openings 182, 183 195,196. If the fixing means 116, 117 are released, then the numbering unit 110 can be removed from the numbering unit 100 as a complete assembly in the direction in which the letters of the numbering wheels of the numbering unit that form the respective serial number to be printed are shown.

The drive module 140 shown in FIG. 1 has a carrier 141 with a foldable section 141a, an electronic control unit 146 consisting of two electrically interconnected printed circuit boards 146a, 146b and seven

Drive units 143 on. Each of the drive units 143 consists of a motor 143a, a motor arranged on the motor Manual transmission 143b and one on the drive shaft 143c of the master gear 143b, that is, the output shaft, arranged drive pinion 143d. As can be seen particularly clearly in the sectional representation of FIG. 2, the drive pinions 143d engage directly with the gearwheels 114 and can thus cause a movement of the gearwheel 114 and the associated dial gear 113 when the motor 143a is driven in order to bring a desired letter into printing position ,

As can be seen in the illustration according to FIG. 1, the carrier 141 has on its surface facing the numbering unit 110 a recess 144 for each drive unit 143, in which in particular the drive shaft 143c, drive pinion 143d and at least a portion of the motor 143a are arranged. In the embodiment illustrated here, in which the drive units 143 also comprise Vo gearboxes 143b, they also lie in the recess 144. From FIG. 1, it becomes particularly clear that the term "lying in the recess" is not to be understood as meaning that the recess completely surrounds the component lying in it, but that it is already sufficient if a portion of the component is immersed in it.

In this case, the surface of each recess 144 has the shape of a segment of a shell of a cylinder whose axis coincides with the axis of rotation of the drive shaft 143c or slightly, that is displaced in the mm or sub-mm range parallel thereto, and its radius to the radius of the Drive pinion 143d adapted so that its rotation is not hindered, the design becomes more compact, the smaller the realized distance between the surface of the recess 144 and the teeth of the drive pinion 143d. The individual recesses 144 are arranged so that the axes of their upper surface defining cylinder and thus the axes of rotation of the drive shafts 143d are arranged so that they lie on a circular segment of an imaginary circle. Selbstverständ ^¬ Lich this shape is not mandatory but can be modified; For example, stepped recesses would be conceivable.

The recesses 144 have, as can be seen both in Figure 1 and in Figure 2, respectively holders 145 for the

Drive units 143, with which the otherwise extending over the entire extent of the carrier 141 in the extension direction of the wheel axis 111 recesses 144 are interrupted. Specifically, the drive units 143 in this example, as seen particularly well in Figure 2, in the region of the drive shaft 143c of the output shaft of the pre ^¬ is formed gearbox 143b, supported immediately behind the at ^¬ drive pinion 143d.

As can be seen particularly well in FIGS. 1 and 4, in order to realize the drive for the different numbering wheels 113 via the corresponding toothed wheels 114 of the numbering unit 110, the holders 145 are offset from one another and the drive units 143 are divided into two groups. The two groups are rotated by 180 ° to each other ^¬ order, so that the motorized ends of the drive units 143 of the first group and the drive pinion side ends of the drive units 143 of the second group facing the viewer.

As can also be seen from FIG. 1, the control electronics consisting of two populated printed circuit boards 146a, 146b are each arranged in the longitudinal extension of the carrier 141 on its front sides, so that together with the latter and the drive units 143 as an assembly from the numbering machine Drive units 143 can be removed as an assembly from the numbering 100.

As can be seen particularly clearly in FIG. 2, the two printed circuit boards 146a, 146b are connected to one another by a multicore cable 147. Further, the motors 143a are each connected via a multi-core cable with one of the two populated printed circuit boards 146a, 146b, which is not shown for reasons of clarity.

The carrier 141 also has a threaded bore 153 and a positioning hole 154, which serve to position and fix the carrier 141 on the housing part 181 with a fixing means, in particular with a screw 155 screwed into or through the housing part 181.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the housing 180 has a housing part 181, which comprises the floor 181a and two mutually opposite side walls 181b, 181c of the housing 180. The housing part 181 is also shown individually in FIG. 4, viewed from a different perspective.

In the housing part 181, as already mentioned above, bearing openings 182, 183 are arranged, on which the ends of the wheel axle 111 of the numbering unit 110 are mounted on the bearing blocks 112, 115. Furthermore, as can be seen particularly well in the sectional view of FIG. 2 and the illustration according to FIG. 3, a recess 184 is arranged in the bottom section 181c of the housing part 181a, in which a section of the carrier 141 is mounted without play. In this way, in the housing part 181 on the one hand, the numbering unit 110 at both ends of the wheel axle and on the other hand, the drive module 140 such stored, that their relative position is fixed to each other.

Particular attention is given in Figure 2 to the side surfaces 185, 186 of the recess 184 and the corresponding side surfaces 150,149 of the portion of the carrier 141, in the recess

184 is arranged to give. The side surfaces 185, 186 have mutually opposite bevels, so that the recess 184 widens in the direction of the numbering unit 110. While the portion 150a of the side surface

185 of the recess 184 corresponding side surface 150 of the support 141 in the region of the cut surface is adapted to this course, stands the portion 149a of the side surface 149 of the support 141 at this point perpendicular to the bottom portion 181c, so that a gap 187 between between support 141 and the side surface 186 of the recess 184 consists. This provides space for the routing of the cables, not shown, between motors 143a of the first group of drive units and populated circuit board 146a.

The side surface 149 of the carrier 141 is adapted in a second portion 149 b to the profile of the side surface 186 of the recess 184 so that they provide at least one insertion aid when inserting the drive module 140 in the housing part 181. In principle, it would be possible by a precise fit of the mating surfaces in this way to avoid tilting of the carrier 141, in the illustrated embodiment, this is, as can be seen particularly well in Figure 3, but donate by providing Positionie 202,203, the in holes on the underside of the carrier 141, reached.

For this purpose, in the area of Section 149b, this Opposite side of the support 141, a portion 150b of the side surface 150 perpendicular to the bottom portion 181c, instead of following the course of the side surface 185 so that there is a gap, not shown, the space for the guidance of not shown in Figure 2 cable 148 between engines 143a of the second group of drive units and populated circuit board 146b.

In the bottom of the recess 184, a further recess 198 for receiving the cable 147, which connects the two printed circuit boards 146a, 146b, arranged.

As can be seen particularly well in FIGS. 1 and 3, the side walls 181b, 181c, which are formed by the housing part 181, have recesses 199, 97 which are used to receive sections of motors 143a protruding beyond the edge of the carrier 141 in the transverse direction of the numbering unit 100 serve.

The two not formed by the housing part 181 side walls of the housing 180, as shown in Figure 1 can be seen formed by two bolted plates 188.189, wherein in the plate 189 an opening 190 is provided through which an arranged on the populated board 146b interface Plug 152 of the control electronics for supplying the same with operating voltage for the control electronics and controlled by them motors 143a and / or control data from the housing 180 is led out.

The housing is characterized by a rotatable about an axis of rotation 191 lid 192, which has an opening 193 through which protrudes the letter combination of the numbering unit 110 to be printed when the lid is closed, and with ^" Screws 194 is fastened in its closed position, completed.

Another peculiarity of the illustrated embodiment of the numbering mechanism, which represents an independent invention, is that, as shown in particular in FIGS. 3 and 4, in each of the side walls 181b, 181c of the housing, the upper wall section, viewed in the direction of pressure, respectively has a projecting region 201a. 202a, a straight region 201b, 202b and a recessed region 201c, 202c is provided. In this case, the regions 201a and 202c, 201b and 202b and 201c and 202a face each other and are geometrically matched to one another so that the outer sides of the side walls 181b, 181c of two housing parts 181 can interlock, as in Figure 5 for three numbering is shown.

As can be seen from FIGS. 4 and 5, this leads to a particularly compact design of the numbering machines and the possibility of arranging as many numbering units 100 as possible on a numbering shaft with a given radius. By the projecting portions 201a, 202a, the possibility is created, drive units 143 to be arranged so that they protrude laterally beyond the carrier 141 of the drive module 140. Because of this lateral offset can be to the opposite

Wall sections 202c, 201c be saved by their recessed configuration space. Reference sign list

100 numbering machine

110 numbering unit

111 wheel axle

112,115 storage block

113 digit wheel

114 gear

116.117 fixative

140 drive module

141 carriers

141a hinged section of the carrier

143 drive unit

143a engine

143b gearbox

143c drive shaft

143d drive pinion

144 recess

145 bracket

146a, 146b equipped printed circuit board

147 cables

149,150 side surfaces of the carrier

149a, 149b sections of the side surface 149th

150a, 150b sections of the side surface 150th

152 interface connector

153 threaded hole

154 positioning opening

155 screw

180 housing

181 housing part

181a bottom of the case 181b, 181c side wall of the housing

182, 183 bearing openings

184 recess

185, 186 side surfaces of the recess

187 gap

188, 189 plate

190, 193 opening

191 axis of rotation

192 Lid

193 opening

194 screw

195, 196 threaded hole

, 197, 198, 199 recess

201a, 202a Projecting portion of the wall 201b, 202b Straight portion of the wall 201c, 202c Recessed portion of the wall 202, 203 Positioning pins

Claims

claims

1. numbering unit (100) with a housing (180),

with a numbering unit (110) arranged at least in sections in the housing (180), wherein the numbering unit (110) has a wheel axis (111) on which a plurality of individually adjustable number wheels (113) are rotatably arranged, and at least one of the number wheels ( 113) can be driven via a gear wheel (114) assigned to the dial wheel (113),

with a drive module (140), wherein the drive module (140) has a support (141) and for at least some of the number wheels that can each be driven via a gearwheel (114)

(113) Drive units (143) having a drive shaft (143c) with a drive gear (143d) connected to the drive shaft (143c) for driving the gear

(114) and a motor (143a) which is connected directly or via a primary gear (143b) to the drive shaft (143c), so that the drive shaft (143c) by the motor (143a) is set in rotation, and with control electronics for controlling the motors (143a),

characterized in that the housing (180) has a housing part (181) in which on the one hand the numbering unit (110) at both ends of the wheel axle (111) and on the other hand the drive module (140) are mounted such that their relative position fixed to each other is predetermined and that the numbering unit (110) and the drive module (140), at least when a fixing device is released, as a complete assembly can be removed. Numbering unit (100) according to claim 1,

characterized in that the numbering unit (110) and the drive module (140) are removably mounted so that the direction in which the numbering unit (110) can be removed and the direction in which the drive module (140) can be taken is the same ,

Numbering unit (100) according to claim 1 or 2,

That is, the control electronics are connected to the carrier (141) of the drive module (140) so that drive units (143) with carrier (141) and control electronics can be removed together as an assembly.

Numbering unit (100) according to claim 3,

characterized in that the control electronics on at least two populated ladder ^¬ plates (146a, 146b) is divided, which are connected to each other with a cable (147), and that the housing part (181), in the numbering unit (110) and the on ^¬ drive module (140) are mounted, a recess (198) for receiving the cable (147).

Numbering unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that cables which connect the motors (143a) with the control electronics, at least in sections by a gap (187) between a side surface (149a) of the carrier (141) of the drive module (140) and the carrier (141) of the drive module ( 140) facing surface (186) of the housing part (181), in the numbering unit (110) and the drive module (140) are stored, are guided.

Numbering unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims,

In other words, all the drive units (143) are arranged on a single carrier (141).

Numbering unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that the support (141) on its surface facing the numbering unit (110) has a recess (144) for each drive unit (143) in the drive shaft (143c), drive pinion (143d) and at least a portion of the motor (143a) are arranged

wherein the recess (144) extends over the entire extent of the carrier (141) in the direction of extension of the wheel axle (111), with the exception of locations at which a holder (145) for the drive unit is provided,

the surface of each recess (144) being in the form of a segment of a shell of a cylinder whose axis coincides with the axis of rotation of the drive shaft (143c) and whose radius is matched to the radius of the drive pinion (143d),

and wherein the individual recesses (144) are arranged such that the axes of the cylinders defining their surface and thus also the axes of rotation of the drive shafts (143c) are arranged so as to lie on a circle segment.

8. numbering unit (100) according to any preceding Ansprü ^¬ che,

That is, the drive pinions (143d) engage directly with the gear wheels (114) of the numbering unit (110) driven by them and are offset in the extension direction of the wheel axle (111) of the numbering unit (110).

9. numbering unit (100) according to claim 8,

That is, different motors (143a) that move different gears (114) in the extension direction of the drive shaft (143c) protrude differently far beyond the carrier (141).

10. ummerierwerk (100) according to claim 9,

That is, recesses (196, 197) for receiving portions of the motors (143a) projecting beyond the carrier (141) are arranged in the housing (180).

11. numbering unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims,

That means that groups of drive units (143) arranged on the same carrier (141) are arranged rotated through 180 ° with respect to one another.

12. numbering unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that the housing part (181) in which the numbering unit (110) on both ends of the wheel axle and the drive module (140) are mounted, the bottom (181a) of the housing (180) and at least two portions of opposite side walls (181b, 181c) of the housing (180).

13. numbering unit (100) according to claim 12,

That is, the portion of the housing part (181) forming the bottom (181a) of the housing has a recess (184) for supporting the drive module (140) by at least partially receiving the carrier (141).

1 . Enumeration plant (100) according to claim 13,

characterized in that the shape of the recess (184) is adapted to the shape of the section of the support (141) to be received in the recess (184) for storage by direct contact between lateral wall (185, 186) of the recess (184) and support (141) in some sections of the carrier (149b, 150a) a pre-positioning or an exact positioning of the carrier (141) is ensured, while in other sections of the carrier (149a, 150b), a gap (187) between the carrier (141) and laterally Wall (185,186) of the recess (184) for receiving at least one connecting cable (148) between a motor (143a) and the control electronics consists.

Numbering unit (100) according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that in each of the side walls (181b, 181c) of the housing part (181) of the upper wall portion seen in the printing direction each have a projecting portion (201a, 202a) a straight portion (201b, 202b) and a receding rich (201c, 202c) is provided, wherein the jumping areas (201a) of the one side wall (181b) the recessed portion (202c) of the other side wall (181c), the straight portion (201b) of the one side wall (181b) straight portion (202b) of the other side wall (181c) and the recessed portion (201c) of one side wall (181b) and the projecting portion (202a) of the other side wall are opposed to each other and geometrically fitted to each other so that the outsides of the side walls (181b, 181c) of two housing parts (181) can engage.

Housing (180) for a numbering unit (100) according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that the housing (180) comprises a housing part (181) with devices on the one hand for supporting a numbering unit (110) at both ends of the wheel axle (111) and on the other hand for supporting a drive module (140), wherein the arrangement of the respective devices the relative position of the numbering unit (110) and of the drive module (140) of the numbering unit (100) is fixed to one another. Drive module (140) for a numbering unit (100) according to one of Claims 1 to 14, the drive module (140) having a carrier (141) and drive units (143) for at least some of the number wheels (113) which can each be driven by a gearwheel (113). with a drive shaft (143c), with a drive pinion (143d) connected to the drive shaft (143c) for driving the gearwheel (114) and with a motor (143a) directly or via a primary gearbox (143b) with the drive shaft (143c) comparable is bound so that the drive shaft (143c) is rotatable by the motor (143a),

In other words, the drive module (140) is completely made of a numbering mechanism as at least when a fixing device is released

(100) removable assembly is designed.