WO2021023867A1

WO2021023867A1 - Modelling apparatus for forming at least one first segmented surface

Info

Publication number: WO2021023867A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/072268
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mohamed HAMOUD
Original assignee: Hamoud Mohamed
Priority date: 2019-08-08
Filing date: 2020-08-07
Publication date: 2021-02-11
Also published as: DE102019121402A1; DE102019121402B4

Abstract

The present invention relates to a modelling apparatus (1) for forming at least one first segmented surface (A), comprising a plurality of modelling elements (5), which are each formed so as to be variably positionable independently of one another in a common movement direction (B), each modelling element (5) having at least one first modelling body (50), and which are designed to be combined to form the first segmented surface (A). The modelling apparatus (1) is characterised by at least one drive means (15), which is designed to drive at least two of the modelling elements (5) in tandem, and by at least one transmission means, which is provided in the force flow between the drive means (15) and the relevant modelling element (5) and is designed to allow or prevent a force of the drive means (15) to be transmitted to the relevant modelling element (5).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Modeling device for forming at least one first segmented surface

The present invention relates to a modeling device for forming at least one first segmented surface according to the preamble of claim 1.

In various technical and non-technical fields, it is desirable to be able to display information in three dimensions for a viewer or for a user. For example, mathematical functions, measured values or measured value evaluations, business figures and the like in a three-dimensional representation can be more direct, easier and more intuitive for the viewer than if the viewer had to mentally add the third dimension to a two-dimensional representation. The latter can also lead to incorrect interpretations and ideas. This also applies, for example, to architectural drafts, especially in the area of spatial and urban planning, which can hardly give the desired impression when presented in two dimensions and have previously required the complex construction of three-dimensional miniaturized models.

For this reason, attempts have been made for a long time in various ways to also represent three-dimensional information in three dimensions. For a long time, this has usually been done by means of the two-dimensional display of the information on a monitor or the like, the information to be displayed being converted into an apparently three-dimensional display and only then displayed. It is also now known to display information that has been converted into an apparently three-dimensional representation in so-called virtual reality glasses (VR glasses) for a viewer in an apparently three-dimensional manner. This can be done in a comparable way by means of so-called augmented reality glasses (AR glasses) by two-dimensional display of the information, which has been converted into an apparently three-dimensional representation, into the actual three-dimensional surroundings of the viewer, which he perceives through the AR glasses. Such methods are also used, for example, in architecture, in the planning of production plants and production processes and the like, in order to be able to view and check the result as realistically as possible.

The disadvantage here is that there is always a two-dimensional representation of the three-dimensional information, which can only generate a certain three-dimensional impression for the viewer due to the representation converted into an apparently three-dimensional representation. This can although improving the understanding of the three-dimensional information for the viewer, it does not come close to an actual three-dimensional representation.

The “in FORM” project is known from the “MIT Media Lab” of the “Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)”. As described in US 2012/0293411 A1, a modeling device with a segmented horizontal surface. Each linear actuator is driven by a DC motor, that is, linear motors are used as linear actuators. The surface can be reminiscent of a bas-relief sculpture. A user can shape the surface by direct touch manipulation or by visualizing freehand movements at a distance of For example, freehand gestures can include cues to select, move, and rotate the shape of an object, or a projector can complement the rendered shapes by projecting graphics onto the surface.

By means of such a segmented horizontal surface, the individual segments of which can be changed in position independently of one another in the vertical direction, a three-dimensional display of three-dimensional information suitable for this type of display can take place. In other words, the horizontal segmented surface of the modeling device of US 2012/0293411 A1 can actually be physically changed in the vertical direction by the height of the individual segments of the horizontal segmented surface being variably positioned within their movement possibilities. As a result, an actual three-dimensional representation of this three-dimensional information can be created in the interaction of the individual segments.

The viewer can thus actually grasp the displayed three-dimensional information optically and haptically in three dimensions, so that the viewer does not have to spend any additional intellectual effort to create a three-dimensional representation in his mind from three-dimensional information that has been converted into an apparently three-dimensional representation. Rather, the viewer can directly perceive the three-dimensional information as such visually and haptically. This can make it easier for the viewer to perceive the three-dimensional information and avoid misunderstanding which can arise when the viewer interprets three-dimensional information that has been converted into an apparently three-dimensional representation.

The disadvantage, however, is the high technical effort that has to be carried out to implement the modeling device of US 2012/0293411 A1. A linear motor is used there per segment in order to be able to variably position the respective segment in the vertical direction. This means a correspondingly high effort with regard to the cabling of all linear motors in order to supply them electrically as well as data such as instructions for the linear motors and data such as being able to transmit measured position values away from the linear motors. A correspondingly large installation space is also required for this modeling device in order to be able to implement this cabling. Furthermore, a correspondingly powerful and therefore usually correspondingly large control unit of the modeling device of US 2012/0293411 A1 is required in order to be able to control the large number of linear motors of this modeling device.

With regard to the energy consumption of this modeling device, it should be borne in mind that the energy consumption of linear motors, which are each driven by a DC motor, is generally comparatively large compared to other electrical drives due to the drive principle. This has a corresponding effect with a large number of linear motors. This can therefore also apply to the consumption of electrical energy by the control unit of this modeling device, which can result from the large number of linear motors to be controlled. The modeling device of US 2012/0293411 A1 thus has a comparatively high electrical energy consumption during operation, which increases with the number of linear motors used.

With regard to the electrical energy consumption and the heat to be dissipated as a result, it must be remembered that linear motors are not self-retaining due to their drive principle, i.e. the vertically movable segment of each linear motor must be continuously held in the desired position against gravity. This requires the continuous supply of current to each linear motor, the movable segment of which is raised in relation to a lowest position. In the case of the modeling device of US 2012/0293411 A1, continuous energization of all linear motors with a holding current is required during operation, the vertically movable segment of which is to be kept raised relative to the lowermost position. This leads to a comparatively high consumption of electrical energy during operation.

The comparatively high consumption of electrical energy by the linear motors and the control unit of this modeling device also leads to a correspondingly strong heat development during operation due to electricity heat losses. Since the linear motors are arranged horizontally next to each other to reduce the installation space in this modeling device, the linear motors can only give off their heat upwards and downwards, which can be insufficient. Therefore, additional fans are required in the modeling device of US 2012/0293411 A1 in order to increase the heat dissipation of the linear motors. However, these fans themselves require electrical energy to operate and generate additional heat. This also requires additional installation space for the fans themselves and their cabling. The fans must also be controlled. This thus increases the corresponding effort and leads to additional costs. With regard to the use of linear motors, it should also be borne in mind that, due to their drive principle, they can only apply comparatively low forces. Thus, the weight and thus also the length of the segments or their vertical positionability are limited, which can be used to implement the segmented horizontal surface of this modeling device.

If one considers the implementation of the modeling device of US 2012/0293411 A1 in the "IN FORM" project of the MIT Media Lab, the linear motors have a certain minimal installation space when viewed horizontally. If viewed horizontally, the segments should be smaller than the linear motors are carried out in order to enable finer representations by means of the segmented surface of this modeling device than is possible with segments that correspond in cross-section to the size of the respective linear motor, the vertical movement must be deflected, e.g. by means of so-called linkages, which in this Case are designed as flexible plastic rods. However, this increases the installation space of this modeling device in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the size of the segmented surface of this modeling device in the horizontal direction is limited by the fact that, by means of the linkages located at the edge, depending on the available At the end of the height, the extent to which movement can be transmitted is limited. This can also make it necessary to use an edge-side cover of the segmented surface of this modeling device. Thus, the size of the segmented horizontal surface of this modeling device is restricted when the segments are made smaller than the respective linear motors.

At the same time, the force that can be exerted by the linear motors is limited. If smaller linear motors are used in order to be able to use smaller segments to represent a comparatively finely subdivided segmented horizontal surface, the force which can be exerted by the linear motors is reduced. This limits the weight and thus the size of the segments, which also reduces the height at which the segments can be positioned. The dynamics with which the segments can be positioned changed in height can also be reduced accordingly, which can impair the visual impression for the user.

All of these previously described properties of the modeling device of US 2012/0293411 A1 or its implementation in the "inFORM" project also mean that this modeling device is comparatively voluminous and heavy. This can make the use of such modeling devices unattractive and inflexible for various applications. The properties described above can also lead to comparatively high costs in production and in particular in operation, in particular with regard to the consumption of electrical energy. One object of the present invention is to provide a modeling device of the type described at the beginning, so that the disadvantages of the modeling device of US 2012/0293411 A1 can be at least partially avoided or at least reduced. In particular, the consumption of electrical energy and / or the occurrence of electricity heat losses should be reduced. Alternatively or additionally, the installation space and / or the weight of the modeling device should be reduced. Alternatively or additionally, the design scope of the segments of the modeling device should be increased. In particular, it should be possible to use longer segments and / or more segments than previously known. At least one alternative to the modeling device of US 2012/0293411 A1 should be created.

The object is achieved according to the invention by a modeling device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments are described in the subclaims.

Thus, the present invention relates to a modeling device for forming at least one first segmented surface with a plurality of modeling elements, which are each independently variably positionable in a common direction of movement, each modeling element has at least one first modeling body, which are formed, together the first to form segmented surface. A segmented surface is to be understood as a surface whose shape, which can be visually and / or hapically perceptible to a viewer, is formed by several segments as individual modeling elements. For this purpose, the modeling elements can be arranged parallel to one another and moved in order to assume different positions along the common direction of movement. An example of such a segmented surface is the segmented horizontal surface of the modeling device of US 2012/0293411 A1 described at the beginning.

The modeling device according to the invention is characterized by at least one drive means, which is designed to drive at least two of the modeling elements together, and by at least one transmission means, which is arranged and formed in the power flow between the drive means and the respective modeling element, a transmission of a force of the drive means to allow or not to the respective modeling element. In other words, the drive means such as an electric motor can generate a force as a drive force or a drive torque, the transmission of which to each of the at least two modeling elements can be permitted or interrupted independently of one another. The positioning of at least two modeling elements can thus be changed independently of one another along the common direction of movement without each modeling element requiring its own drive. Rather, the at least one drive means can be used to position at least two modeling elements independently of one another. The power transmission of the drive means to the two modeling elements can be permitted or prevented by a suitable control of the respective transmission means in such a way that the at least two modeling elements can be independently positioned even with continued operation of the at least one drive means. In this way, a formation of at least one first segmented surface comparable to the segmented horizontal surface of the modeling device of US 2012/0293411 A1 can be made possible, but this with a reduced number of drive elements.

The use of at least one drive means for at least two modeling elements can reduce the costs of the modeling device according to the invention, since fewer drive means and a correspondingly reduced cabling are required. This can also have a simplifying effect on the corresponding control. This can also reduce the consumption of electrical energy during the operation of the modeling device according to the invention, which can have a particularly positive effect on the heat generated during operation, which can thus be reduced. Furthermore, the installation space of the modeling device can be reduced by the reduced number of drive means, which at the same time can also make it possible to enlarge the first segmented surface. Alternatively, a comparable first segmented surface, as previously known, can be implemented with a smaller modeling device.

At least pairs of modeling elements can be operated by a common drive means as described above, which can halve the number of drive means required. However, more than two modeling elements can also be operated by a common drive means as described above. In particular, a number of modeling elements can be driven along a Cartesian spatial direction by a common drive means. It is particularly preferable to operate all modeling elements with a common drive means, as will be described in more detail below. This can promote the properties and advantages described above in each case.

The first segmented surface described above can be aligned horizontally, as is known from the modeling device of US 2012/0293411 A1. The modeling device according to the invention can, however, also be oriented in a different spatial direction, so that the corresponding first segmented surface can be oriented obliquely or perpendicular to the horizontal plane, for example as a wall or starting from a wall. In particular, the formation of the first segmented surface in the horizontal can also take place against the direction of gravity, for example from a ceiling downwards. In this way, the design options that can be offered by the modeling device according to the invention can be increased. According to the invention, the surfaces or contours of the modeling elements can be designed identically or differently. This applies correspondingly to the modeling elements themselves or to their modeling bodies, which each have one of the surfaces which together form the first segmented surface. These surfaces can have different planar extensions and, for example, be square, rectangular, triangular, pentagonal and more, circular, oval, trapezoidal, parallelogram-shaped and the like. The contours of the individual modeling elements preferably fit together as seamlessly as possible, regardless of their design, in order to create an optical impression of a first segmented surface that is as closed as possible. However, the contours of the modeling elements used can also result in lateral distances from one another, which can be optically accepted or even desired. A surface of a modeling element can also have a fixed three-dimensional shape, for example by means of elevations and / or by depressions and by a rough surface design, for example. The surfaces of the modeling elements can also be colored. Furthermore, the modeling elements or their modeling bodies or their surfaces can have or consist of different materials, which can also influence the optical impression for the user or for the viewer.

The modeling device according to the invention can be used to actually represent three-dimensional information by means of the first segmented surface in three dimensions, so that there is no need for an apparently three-dimensional representation of three-dimensional information, which must be converted into an apparently three-dimensional representation. A three-dimensional representation is to be understood as a spatial representation which, viewed in a Cartesian coordinate system, i.e. in an orthogonal coordinate system, has an extension at least in sections in each of the three spatial directions arranged orthogonally to one another. This can simplify perception for the user or viewer and, in particular, avoid misinterpretations and misunderstandings. This can increase the quality of the three-dimensional representation.

The modeling device according to the invention can have a plurality of modeling elements which can jointly form the first segmented surface. For this purpose, the modeling elements can represent modules of the modeling device, which can be used flexibly in combination with one another in order to be able to build the modeling device according to the invention with a desired number of modeling elements. In addition to the number of modular modeling elements, their arrangement in the two-dimensional extent of the modeling device can also be changed flexibly. In addition to rectangular and in particular square first segmented surfaces, for example triangular, pentagonal and more, circular, oval, trapezoidal, parallelogram-shaped and similar first segmented surfaces can also be used. be created. In comparison to the modeling device of US 2012/0293411 A1, this can also be possible over a larger area.

Such a real three-dimensional display option can be used, for example, in the field of teaching and didactics of mathematics and natural sciences, for example to be able to display the three-dimensional processes of mathematical functions and the like in real life. This can improve the quality of teaching. The modeling device according to the invention can also be used to display measurement data and also business data in three dimensions and make them easier to understand for the viewer.

The modeling device according to the invention can also be used, for example, in the field of architecture, urban planning and landscape planning, in order to be able to offer reproductions of models that are as real as possible there. This can also improve the quality of the display there and avoid the previously known required creation of real three-dimensional models, which can be produced in a complex manner and only used for one purpose. Rather, the modeling device according to the invention can be used to produce a real three-dimensional model representation, e.g. of a city district, which can be quickly and easily adapted by changing the positioning of individual modeling elements of the modeling device according to the invention. With previously known models in this area, this is only possible through extensive reworking of the created models and to a limited extent.

Furthermore, the modeling device according to the invention can also be used in the field of art and culture. For example, components of a stage design can also be represented using correspondingly large modeling elements. In particular, a stage design with, for example, walls, chairs, tables and the like can also be realistically represented in this way and easily changed and adapted to different scenes of a stage play. This can not only simplify and accelerate the change of the stage design during the presentation, but also create new design possibilities in the field of art.

Likewise, the visual representation of music can be supported by a particularly highly dynamic change in the positioning of the modeling elements. In particular, such representations can be supported by colored illumination of the first segmented surface of the modeling device according to the invention. For example, waves and the like can be generated which are suitable for a piece of music and can provide a visual background. In particular, such installations are conceivable in museums and in the field of gastronomy, discos and event technology. It is precisely in this area that such installations of a modeling device according to the invention can be optically attached to a wall or a ceiling for the viewer. be speaking and, as described above, interact with sounds, music and colored light.

According to the invention, it can also be made possible to use a segmented surface of a modeling device according to the invention for blind people who can haptically grasp the surface with their fingers. This makes it possible to create a representation of three-dimensional, haptically detectable information that can be changed quickly and easily, especially for blind people. This can also affect the display of Braille. This makes it possible for a blind man to stroke his fingers over such a segmented surface and to grasp the information displayed there in three dimensions in a manner comparable to the page of a book. Accordingly, after this information has been entered, the displayed content can be changed, as is common, for example, when turning to the next page of a book.

Another area of application of the modeling device according to the invention are games such as parlor games. Thus, the segmented surface of the modeling device according to the invention can be used as a game board, so that by changing the positioning of individual modeling elements, game figures and their changes in the course of the game can be visualized in three dimensions . This can also be used to let players play a game together at different locations via a game board in the form of the modeling device according to the invention, for example by forming the figures of the other game participants using the modeling elements.

According to one aspect of the invention, at least one transmission means has a planetary gear, the sun gear of which is connected to the drive means in a force-transmitting manner, the planet carrier of the planetary gear being designed to move the corresponding modeling element in the common direction of movement in at least one of the two directions, and with at least one Brake unit which is designed to allow rotation of the ring gear of the planetary gear or not.

A planetary gear is to be understood as an epicyclic gear, which represents a toothed gear or a friction gear, which, in addition to a central shaft, also has axes that rotate on circular paths around the central shaft. The central gear wheel located radially on the inside is also referred to as the central wheel or the sun wheel. Around the sun gear, at least two rotating gears or planet gears are arranged, which can cooperate with the sun gear by means of a toothing. Preferably three planet gears can be used. A so-called ring gear is arranged around the planetary gears and is located radially on the outside, which has a toothing located radially on the inside, which meshes with the toothing of the planetary gears. A rotational relative movement about the central axis of the sun gear can occur between the sun gear and the planet gears take place, which also represents the axis of the planetary gear itself. A relative movement of the ring gear with respect to the planet gears can also take place around the central axis.

According to the invention, a planetary gear is used for at least one modeling element and preferably for each of the modeling elements, so that the sun gear is rotationally connected to the drive means. The direction of movement of the modeling element can be determined by the direction of rotation of the sun gear or of the drive means. If the drive means is operated in this way, its force or torque is transmitted e.g. via a shaft to the sun gear, which can thus be driven in rotation. This rotational drive force can be transmitted to the planet gears and thus their planet carriers via the toothing of the sun gear. If the ring gear is freely rotatable in this state, the driving force from the sun gear is transmitted to the ring gear via the plane gears. A movement of the modeling element in the common direction of movement of the modeling elements is not brought about in this case. In this situa tion, the drive means can thus be operated without a force transmission and thus a change in position of the corresponding modeling element occurring. Instead, a "free" rotation of the ring gear is brought about, which can thus rotate around the sun gear.

If the brake unit is now used to brake or hold the ring gear, rotation of the ring gear is prevented and the drive force of the drive means or of the sun gear is completely transmitted to the planet carrier via the planet gears. This leads to a change in the positioning of the corresponding modeling element in the corresponding direction of rotation of the drive means. In this way, the drive means can be operated continuously and it can be predetermined via the use of the brake unit whether or not the corresponding modeling element should be changed in position in the direction of rotation of the drive means.

As a result, the drive means can be used to drive a plurality of modeling elements of the modeling device according to the invention, without inevitably changing the position of a plurality of or even all of the modeling elements. Rather, by controlling the braking unit, a decision can be made as to which modeling element is driven by the continuous drive means and is changed in position or not. In this way, the previously described features and properties of the modeling device according to the invention can be implemented in a simple manner.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the corresponding modeling element has at least one movement transmission element which extends at least substantially along the common direction of movement, the movement transmission element having at least in sections a toothing which is formed in the common direction of movement. device to cooperate force-transmitting with a corresponding toothing of the planet carrier of the respective planetary gear.

The movement transmission element preferably extends in an elongated form in the direction of the common direction of movement, so that a translational movement of the corresponding modeling element in the joint movement direction of the modeling elements can be generated via the movement transmission element, which movement is caused by the rotational movement of the sun gear or planet carrier can be evoked. The corresponding power transmission between the planetary carrier and the motion transmission element can take place via a correct sponding toothing. In this way, a simple conversion of a rotary into a translational movement can take place.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the two modeling elements are arranged in such a way that the toothings of the motion transmission elements are aligned facing one another.

This makes it possible to arrange the planetary gears of the two modeling elements under consideration in different directions, which can increase the overall flexibility in the arrangement of the planetary gears and the corresponding transmission means. In particular, in this way the two planetary gears of the two modeling elements under consideration can be arranged one above the other in the vertical direction or in the common direction of movement, so that a more compact arrangement of the planetary gears can be made possible. This can reduce the installation space which is required for the implementation of the modeling device according to the invention.

In particular, smaller modeling elements can be used, viewed relative to the size of the corresponding planetary gear, so that a comparatively finely structured first segmented surface can be created. With the same size of the modeling elements, larger planetary gears can also be used so that higher forces can be transmitted. This can make it possible to use heavier modeling elements, e.g. to use a different material or to increase the length of the modeling elements in the common direction of movement. This can accordingly increase the stroke along the common direction of movement by which the segmented surface can be designed. In any case, the design leeway of the modeling device according to the invention can be increased as a result.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the movement transmission elements of the two modeling elements are arranged on the respective first modeling bodies offset from one another towards the center thereof, preferably at the edge. This aspect of the present invention is based on the knowledge that the toothings of the planetary carrier can interact with the corresponding movement transmission element of the modeling element in question at the edge of the planetary gear. In this respect, the arrangement of the modeling element directly in the common direction of movement above the planetary gear can be favored in that the movement transmission element is offset at least to the center of the modeling element and in particular is arranged on the edge of the modeling element and can thus extend along the side of the corresponding planetary gear. As a result, the previously described effect between the planetary gear and the modeling element or its motion transmission element can be promoted.

In particular, it can be made possible to arrange a modeling element essentially directly above in the common direction of movement above the corresponding planetary gear. At the same time, as described above, two such planetary gears can be arranged one above the other and the respective modeling elements can be arranged above the upper planetary gear in the common direction of movement, since the respective movement transmission element for the upper modeling element on one side and for the other modeling element on the opposite Side of the upper planetary gear can be passed or along. This can enable a particularly compact arrangement of at least two modeling elements next to one another, which are each made significantly smaller than the respective planetary gear.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the corresponding modeling element has a flexible connecting element which is designed to be rolled up and down in the common direction of movement by a rolling element of the planetary carrier of the planetary gear.

A flexible plastic rod can be used as a flexible connecting element, as is known, for example, from the modeling device of US 2012/0293411 A1 and is referred to there as linkage. This can make it possible not to have to arrange the planetary gear of a modeling element directly along the common direction of movement below the modeling element, since the flexibility of the connecting element enables a certain deflection along the common direction of movement. This can make the arrangement of modeling elements to planetary gears more flexible and, in particular, an arrangement of at least two planetary gears one above the other along the common direction of movement. The position of a modeling element can also be changed in this way, as described above. At the same time, a comparatively compact arrangement of several modeling elements can also be made possible in this way, which in particular can be made smaller than the respective planetary gear. According to a further aspect of the invention, the modeling device has at least one connecting element guide, which is designed to guide the flexible connecting element at least in sections in its longitudinal direction of extent.

Such a connecting element guide can be implemented, for example, in the form of a hose element through which the flexible connecting element is passed. The connecting element guide in the form of the hose can be arranged on a fixed frame part of the modeling device according to the invention. In this way, the flexible connec tion element can be guided along its longitudinal direction of extent or in the common direction of movement of the modeling elements. This can favor the fact that the movement of the flexible connecting element can be carried out in the desired direction.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the corresponding modeling element has a Ge thread element which is designed to interact in the common direction of movement with a thread element of the planet carrier of the planetary gear.

As an alternative to the previously described possibilities of changing the position of a modeling element, at least one modeling element of the modeling device according to the invention can also be designed to have a threaded element along the common direction of movement, which can interact in the common direction of movement with a corresponding threaded element of the planet carrier of the corresponding planetary gear. The threaded element, the modeling element, can be designed as an external thread and the threaded element of the planet carrier can be designed as an internal thread, or vice versa. In both cases, by screwing the two threaded elements relative to one another, a rotational movement of the planet carrier of the planetary gear, as described above, can be converted into a translational movement of the modeling element in the common direction of movement in one or the other direction. The position change of the modeling elements described above can also be carried out in this way.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the sun gear, the planet gears and the floating gear each have a herringbone toothing that corresponds to one another. Herringbone gearing of a gear is understood to mean helical gearing in which the teeth are not only arranged not parallel to the axis of rotation, but also a left-handed and a right-handed half of the tooth are combined for each tooth of the gear, so that an arrow-shaped profile is created. As a result, helical gearing can be used without axial forces occurring along the shaft, as these are compensated for by the herringbone gearing. At the same time, the advantages of helical gears can be used, such as smoother running and less noise during operation. The use of a herringbone toothing for the elements of the planetary gear at least one transmission means can be particularly advantageous in the present invention, because in this way the planet gears together with the planet carrier and the ring gear can be fixed in the axial direction on the sun gear without doing anything else Measures are required. This can enable a particularly simple, inexpensive and / or compact implementation of the modeling device according to the invention.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the brake unit has at least one brake element which is designed to allow or not to rotate the ring gear, preferably the at least radially outer metallic ring gear, of the planetary gear, by means of a holding element, preferably by means of an electromagnet, of the brake unit.

In other words, the braking unit described above can be implemented in such a way that the braking unit has at least one braking element which, when actuated radially from the outside, can act on the ring gear of the planetary gear and fix it. This can take place, for example, in that a corresponding radial pressure or force is exerted on the ring gear of the planetary gear by the holding element of the braking element, so that its free rotation due to frictional forces can be prevented. Alternatively, the ring gear can also have a radially outwardly directed toothing, in which a braking element, e.g. in the form of a pawl, can engage on the part of the brake unit in order to lock the ring gear in its direction of rotation with a positive fit. By releasing the retaining element, this state can be canceled accordingly and the free rotation of the ring gear, as described above, can be permitted again.

This can preferably be implemented in the form of an electromagnet as a holding element, which can interact with a ring gear that is metallic on the radially outer side. In other words, by energizing the electromagnet of the brake unit, the ring gear of the planetary gear can be attracted sufficiently to prevent its free rotation. If the electric magnet is not energized, this state can be canceled again. This can enable a particularly simple and fast and reliable braking of the ring gear of the planetary gear.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the modeling device has at least one spring element, preferably at least one helical spring, which is connected to the corresponding modeling element in a force-transmitting manner and is designed to support a movement of the modeling element in the common direction of movement in one direction and in the to counteract the opposite direction. In other words, the spring element can exert a force in a direction of the common direction of movement, which can counteract the driving force which, as described above, can be exerted by the drive means via the transmission means on the corresponding modeling element. Thus, a movement or change in position of a modeling element in the common direction of movement in one direction can be effected by the drive force of the drive means if this is permitted by the corresponding transmission means, as described above. In the opposite direction of the common direction of movement, the force of the spring element can have a restoring effect, so that a reversal of the direction of the drive means is not required to move the modeling element in the opposite direction of the common direction of movement. In this way, the drive means can be operated continuously in one drive direction in order, if necessary, to change the position of a modeling element, as previously described, in the corresponding direction of the common direction of movement. In the opposite direction, this can be done by the force of the spring element, which can counteract the change in position of the drive means. This can simplify the training and in particular the operation of the drive means.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the corresponding transmission means has at least one locking unit which is designed to allow or not a movement of the corresponding modeling element, preferably a rotation of the planet carrier of the planetary gear.

The movement of a modeling element can be prevented or permitted by means of a corresponding blocking unit. For example, the locking unit can have a locking element, e.g. in the form of a locking pawl or a locking lever, which can engage in the toothing of the planetary carrier of the planetary gear or also in a toothing of a motion transmission element of the modeling element. Alternatively, this could also be done by a corresponding frictional force, as described above with regard to the brake unit.

In any case, the corresponding mobility can be blocked as a result, so that the current positioning of the corresponding modeling element can be maintained when the locking unit is actuated. If the positioning is to be changed, the mobility of the modeling element along the common direction of movement can be released again by loosening, for example, the pawl or the locking lever from the locking unit. Through this, the assumed positioning of the modeling element can be ensured. This also makes it possible, as described above, to carry out a change in position in one direction of the common direction of movement by the drive means and in the opposite direction of the common direction of movement by a spring element. In order to still be able to achieve stable positioning, the corresponding locking unit can be actuated. Such a locking unit can also be implemented in that the locking element has a spring element such as a spring steel sheet, which can engage in the toothing of the planetary carrier of the planetary gear or also in a toothing of a motion transmission element of the modeling element. The spring force of the spring element can be dimensioned such that the planet carrier and the modeling element can be held in position if the float wheel is freely rotating and no forces are transmitted from the sun gear to the planet carrier. In addition, at least the weight of the planet carrier and in particular of the modeling element can be held by the spring element. A movement of the corresponding modeling element can be prevented or not permitted by the locking unit in this state.

At the same time, the spring force of the spring element can be sufficiently small to be overcome by the driving force of the drive means if the ring gear is held stationary and the drive force is transmitted from the sun gear to the planet carrier. In this state, a movement of the corresponding modeling element can be permitted by the blocking unit.

This implementation of such a locking unit can lead to a continuous engagement of the locking element in the toothing of the planet carrier, which can result in additional noise development during operation. However, this can reduce the cost of implementing the locking unit, since it does not have to be actively operated and controlled, but can be implemented as a passive mechanical element, so to speak.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the locking unit has at least one locking element which is arranged and designed to intervene in a toothing of the planetary carrier or not, the locking element preferably being formed by an actuating element, preferably by a solenoid, the locking unit between a engaging position and a non-engaging position to be moved.

As previously described with regard to the brake unit, the actuation or the release can also be implemented by means of an electromagnet with the previously described locking unit. In this way, the properties and advantages described above can also be implemented in the locking unit.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the transmission means, preferably the sun gears of the planetary gears, of at least two modeling elements are connected to the drive means by means of a common shaft.

In this way, two modeling elements can be operated by the drive means by means of a common shaft, which enables the transmission of the force or the moment of the drive can simplify by means of the corresponding modeling elements. In particular, the corresponding two modeling elements can be arranged close to one another along the common shaft, which can enable or promote a compact design of the modeling device according to the invention or a compact and as seamless as possible formation of the first segmented surface.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the transmission means, preferably the sun gears of the planetary gears, at least two modeling elements are each connected to the drive means by means of different shafts, with the two shafts preferably being connected to one another, preferably by means of at least two corresponding gears or by means of a drive belt, preferably by means of a toothed belt, are connected to each other in a force-transmitting manner.

This can make it possible to arrange several modeling elements next to one another in a direction of extent which is perpendicular to the direction of extent of one of the shafts. In other words, the two shafts can be arranged parallel to one another and operated in a force-transmitting manner with one another. To use a drive belt, and in particular a toothed belt, can enable a particularly simple and reliable way of power transmission between the two shafts.

As a result, the two modeling elements under consideration can be arranged in a Cartesian spatial direction perpendicular to modeling elements which are arranged along one of the two waves. In other words, a drive means can be used in this way to operate a flat arrangement of modeling elements together, as previously described. In this way, at least a 2 x 2 matrix of modeling elements can be created, which can be operated jointly by a drive means.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the shaft has at least one joint in its course.

In other words, a shaft can be interrupted or at least divided into two parts in its longitudinal extension direction by a joint. Multiple joints can also be used along a shaft. Such a joint can in particular be designed as cardanic, so that such a shaft can also be referred to as a cardan shaft.

In this way, a rotational movement of the shaft can be transmitted as a kinked course of the shaft or as a kinked shaft strand. This can increase the design freedom of the first segmented surface. In particular, a first segmented surface can be formed around a cylindrical surface, for example, and operated as described above. This can make it possible, for example, to provide the cylindrical surface of an advertising pillar or the like with a modeling device according to the invention and to use it for the optical representation of advertising information and the like in particular.

According to a further aspect of the invention, at least two modeling elements each have a second modeling body, which are each arranged opposite the first modeling body in the common direction of movement and are designed to jointly form a second segmented surface that is arranged parallel to the first segmented surface.

In other words, the corresponding modeling elements each have a modeling body at their two ends along the common direction of movement, so that two segmented surfaces can be created which are arranged and aligned parallel to one another. The movement of the first segmented surface is directly linked to the display of the second segmented surface, so that, so to speak, a positive display of the first segmented surface is shown in a negative of the second segmented surface on the opposite side along the common direction of movement. In particular, this can create a surface in the form of a wall or the like, i.e. perpendicular to the horizontal plane, which can be used on both sides to represent a segmented surface. Such a wall can be used, for example, as a room divider or the like for presentation and, in particular, who purposes.

Several exemplary embodiments and further advantages of the invention are explained below in connection with the following figures. It shows:

Fig. 1 is a perspective schematic representation of a transmission means according to the invention with a modeling element according to a first embodiment of a modeling device according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective schematic representation of FIG. 1 from an opposite perspective;

3 is a perspective schematic representation of several transmission means with modeling elements according to the first embodiment with two modeling elements, two shafts and four planetary gears;

4 shows a perspective schematic representation of several transmission means with modeling elements according to the first embodiment with four modeling elements, two shafts and four planetary gears;

Fig. 5 is a perspective schematic representation of FIG. 4 from an opposite perspective; 6 shows a perspective schematic illustration of a plurality of transmission means with modeling elements according to the first exemplary embodiment with nine modeling elements, four shafts, new planetary gears and a drive means;

7 shows a perspective schematic representation of several transmission means with modeling elements according to the first embodiment with 100 modeling elements, ten shafts, 100 planetary gears and a drive means;

8 shows a perspective schematic representation of a transmission means according to the invention with a modeling element according to a second embodiment of the modeling device according to the invention;

9 is a perspective schematic illustration of FIG. 8 from an opposite perspective;

10 is a perspective schematic representation of a transmission means according to the invention with a modeling element according to a third embodiment of the modeling device according to the invention;

11 is a perspective schematic representation of several transmission means with modeling elements according to the third embodiment with 16 modeling elements and 16 planetary gears; and

Fig. 12 is a perspective schematic representation of a transmission means according to the invention with a modeling element according to a fourth embodiment of the modeling device according to the invention.

The above figures are viewed in Cartesian coordinates. A longitudinal direction X extends, which can also be referred to as depth X or length X. At right angles to the longitudinal direction X it extends a transverse direction Y, which can also be referred to as the width Y. A vertical direction Z, which can also be referred to as the height Z, extends perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y. The longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y together form the horizontal X, Y, which can also be referred to as the horizontal plane X, Y.

A modeling device 1 according to the invention for forming at least one first segmented surface A, see. Fig. 7, consists of a plurality of comparably structured and identically operated transmission means 2, 3, 4. A first embodiment of such a transmission means 2, 3, 4 with a modeling element 5 shown in FIGS. 1 to 6. The transmission means 2, 3, 4 according to the invention with the modeling element 5 according to the first embodiment, for example, has a planetary gear 2, which can also be referred to as epicyclic gear 2, a brake unit 3 and a locking unit 4. By means of such a transmission means 2, 3, 4, a drive means 15 in the form of an electric motor 15 is force-transmitted, each with a modeling Connection element 5, which can also be referred to as segment 5, pin 5 or pin 5.

The planetary gear 2 has a sun gear 20 which is fixedly connected to a shaft 14. The shaft 14 is mounted on a frame element 12 of the modeling device 1 at at least two points along its longitudinal extension direction via a respective shaft bearing 13, for example in the form of a ball bearing 13. The frame elements 12 are at least partially arranged directly on a floor 10 of the modeling device 1 in the vertical direction Z from above, cf. FIG. 7.

The sun gear 20 of the planetary gear 2 is provided radially on the outside with a toothing (not designated net), which interacts with the respective toothing (not designated) of one of three planetary gears 22, which are arranged evenly spaced in the circumferential direction radially outside around the sun wheel 20 around . The rotational movement of a sun gear 20 can be transmitted to the three planet gears 22 via the interaction of the gears, see, for example, Fig. 2. The three planet gears are rotatably arranged on a planet carrier 21 which, along the elongated direction of extension of the shaft 14, is directly next to the sun gear 20 is positioned. The Pla netträger 21 has a shaft opening 24 through which the shaft 14 is guided. The shaft carrier through opening 24 is dimensioned so large that contact between the shaft 14 and the planet carrier 21 can be avoided. In other words, the plane carrier 21 can rotate freely around the shaft 14. According to the first exemplary embodiment, the planet carrier 21 has a toothing 25 arranged radially on the outside. Furthermore, the planetary gear 20 has a flea wheel 23 which is arranged radially outwardly around the three planet gears 22 and has a corresponding toothing (not designated) with which the flea wheel 23 can interact with the planet gears 22.

The transmission means 2, 3, 4 also include a brake unit 3, which is fixedly arranged on a further frame element 12 of the modeling device 1, see, for example, FIGS. 1 and 2. The brake unit 3 has a brake element 30, which has a folding element 31 in Form of an electromagnet 31 can operate. The folding element 31 is aligned from the radial outside onto the radial outer surface of the float 23. If the folding element 31 is moved radially by the braking element 30 towards the float wheel 23 in order to exert a frictional hold against the float wheel 23 through contact, a frictional braking effect of the float wheel 23 can be achieved in this way. If the folding element 31 is designed as an electromagnet 31, the float wheel 23 is made of metal at least radially on the outside, so that a magnetic holding force with respect to the float wheel 23 can be achieved by actuating the electromagnet 31 or by energizing it. In any case, by actuating the brake unit 3, a rotatability of the float wheel 23 in its Circumferential direction or around the shaft 14 in a direction of rotation C around allowed or prevented who, as will be described in more detail below.

The transmission means 2, 3, 4 also has a locking unit 4, see e.g. FIG. 1, which has a locking element 40 in the form of a locking pawl 40. By means of an actuating element 41 in the form of a fly magnet 41, the pawl 40 can be moved radially towards the outer circumference of the planet carrier 21 or moved away from it. The pawl 40 is designed in such a way that it can engage positively in the toothing 25 of the planet carrier 21. By actuating the locking unit 4, it is thus possible to allow or block a rotational movement of the planetary carrier 21, as will be described in more detail below.

According to the first exemplary embodiment, the already mentioned segment 5 has a first modeling body 50, which can also be referred to as the first segment body 50 or the first pin body 50. In the illustration of FIGS. 1 to 12, the first segment body 50 extends essentially in the shape of a cuboid in the vertical direction Z and terminates at its upper end with a horizontal modeling surface 50a. In the vertical direction Z below the first segment body 50, the segment 5 extends with a motion transmission element 52, which faces the planet carrier 21 has a toothing 53 which corresponds to the toothing 25 of the plane carrier 21. The movement transmission element 52 is designed in the form of an elongated rod, which has a significantly smaller cross section than the first segment body 50. The movement transmission element 52 is arranged on the edge side in the transverse direction Y and in the longitudinal direction X centrally on an edge or on an edge of the first segment body 50, as will be described in more detail below.

At its end opposite the first segment body 50, the movement transmission element 52 has a spring element 54 in the form of a helical spring 54, which is fixedly connected at its opposite end to the base 10 or a frame element 12 of the modeling device 1, see, for example, FIGS 2. In this way, the coil spring 54 can exert a force in the vertical direction Z on the motion transmission element 52 of the segment 5, as will be described in more detail below.

The shaft 14 has at one end, for example in the representations of FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, a disk 18 in the form of a toothed disk 18, which by means of a drive belt 17 in the form of a toothed belt 17 from a corresponding disk 18 or toothed disk 18 of the Electric motor 15 can be driven, see Fig. 6. The shaft 14 can, however, also have a gear 16 via which the shaft 14 can be connected in a force-transmitting manner to the corresponding gear 16 of an adjacent shaft 14 in the longitudinal direction X or in the transverse direction Y. , see e.g. Figs. 3 to 6. A plurality of segments 5, as described above, jointly form the first segmented surface A of the modeling device 1 according to the invention, see, for example, FIG. 7. The segments 5 are arranged parallel to one another in the form of a matrix and can, as follows, in more detail be written will be moved and positioned by a transmission means 2, 3, 4 of the common electric motor 15 in the vertical direction Z. Through this, the vertical direction Z represents the common direction of movement B of the segments 5, along which movement in both de directions, ie both up and down, can take place.

Let us now first consider a single segment 5 with a transmission means 2, 3, 4 with the modeling element 5 according to the first exemplary embodiment, as shown, for example, in FIGS. 1 and 2. A rotational drive force of the electric motor 15 can be transmitted via its toothed pulley 18 by means of a toothed belt 17 to the toothed pulley 18 of the shaft 14, see. Fig. 6 and 1 and 2. This continuous rotational movement of the electric motor 15 leads to a corresponding continuous union rotational movement of the Sun gear 20 in the direction of rotation C. As a result, the three planet wheels 22 are rotatably driven by the sun gear 20 accordingly.

If the pawl 40 of the locking unit 40 is released and the electromagnet 31 of the brake unit 3 is de-energized, i.e. not actuated, the rotational movement of the planetary gears 22 is transferred to the ring gear 23, which is freely movable. The planet carrier 21 of the planetary gear 2 is therefore not driven in this situation, so that the position or height of the segment 5 does not change. In this form, this applies in particular to a horizontal alignment of the segments 5, for example in the case of a modeling device 1 which is used as a wall or the like.

In the application of the modeling device 1 according to the invention shown in FIG. 7 with the horizontal extension of the first segmented surface A, however, the weight force acts on the segment 5, so that in the state described above, the segment 5 with a freely movable ring gear 23 from the planet carrier 21 cannot be securely held in position in the vertical Z direction. In this case, it is therefore expedient to actuate the pawl 40 of the locking unit 4 and thereby prevent the planetary carrier 21 from rotating. In this way it can be ensured that the segment 5 can maintain its height in the vertical direction Z in this state of the freely rotating ring gear 23.

If the brake unit 3 is now actuated and the electromagnet 31 holds the ring gear 23 so that its free rotational movement is interrupted, the sustained rotational movement of the shaft 14 in the direction of rotation C is now transferred from the co-rotating sun gear 20 via the planet gears 22 to the planet carrier 21, which in turn begins to rotate in the direction of rotation C. For this purpose, the locking unit 4 can be released at the same time so as not to hinder this. Thus, this rotational movement is now transmitted via the toothing 25 of the planetary carrier 21 to the toothing 53 of the movement transmission element 52, from which a translational movement of the first segment body 50 in a direction along the common direction of movement B of the segments 5 results.

Once a desired height or position of the segment 5 has been reached, the pawl 40 of the locking unit 4 can be actuated again. At the same time, the actuation of the brake unit 3 can be canceled, so that the free rotational movement of the ring gear 23 can be permitted again. This prevents further movement of segment 5 and maintains the current positioning of segment 5.

Thus, with continued operation of the electric motor 15, the actuation of the brake unit 3 and possibly the locking unit 4 for the respective segment 5 can result in a desired change in position in at least one direction along the common direction of movement B of the segments 5. The desired position can also be held without the operation of the electric motor 15 having to be changed or interrupted for this purpose.

In order to change the position of the previously considered segment 5 in the opposite direction of the common direction of movement B of the segments 5, the electric motor 15 could be operated in the opposite direction and the procedure described above could be carried out again in the opposite direction of rotation C.

However, since this has effects on all segments 5 connected to the electric motor 15, i.e. all segments 5 could only be changed in position in one direction at the same time, the use of the previously described helical spring 54 can be more advantageous. To carry out this movement, the brake unit 3 can namely remain unactuated, so that the ring gear 23 can continue to rotate freely in the direction of rotation C of the shaft 14. At the same time, the locking unit 4 can release its locking pawl 40 and thereby allow the spring force of the helical spring 54 to act on the segment 5 in the opposite direction. In this way, segment 5 can be moved in the opposite direction along the common direction of movement B of segments 5 without active movement and without the involvement of the electric motor 15 by using the spring force or spring energy stored in the coil spring 54 . The desired position can then be fixed by the pawl 40 of the locking unit 4 is actuated again at this moment. In this way it is possible for different segments 5 of the modeling device 1 according to the invention to be moved and positioned simultaneously in opposite directions along the common direction of movement B of the modeling elements 5 or segments 5.

In order to be able to use segments 5 which have a smaller area 50a than the respective planetary gear 2 occupies, according to the invention two planetary gear 2 can be arranged in the vertical direction. device Z can be arranged one above the other. The arrangements of the elements of the transmission by means of 2, 3, 4, ie the planetary gear 2, the brake unit 3 and the locking unit 4, in the two superimposed transmission means 2, 3, 4 are arranged in opposite directions along the direction of extension of the respective shaft 14 and aligned, see e.g. Fig. 3. At the same time, the respective segments 5 are arranged opposite one another in such a way that the movement transmission elements 52 each pass on one side in the transverse direction Y of the other planetary gear 2 or transmission means 2, 3, 4, see, for example, FIGS. 4 and 5. This can enable the transmission means 2, 3, 4 to be arranged in a much more compact manner. At the same time, the segments 5 can be made comparatively small-area. This can lead to a comparatively finely structured first segmented surface A.

In this case, the shafts 14 arranged one above the other, a transmission of the rotational movement between the respective superimposed shafts 14 can take place through toothed wheels 16 arranged on the edge, as already mentioned. From shaft 14 to shaft 14, there is a reversal of the respective direction of rotation or directions of rotation C, which, however, corresponds to the mutually alternating arrangement of the transmission means 2, 3, 4 described above, so that the rotational movement of the electric motor 15 all segments 5 can nevertheless be driven in the common direction of movement B. The previously described independent or assisted by the helical spring 54 return for all segments 5 takes place together in the opposite direction of the common direction of movement B.

The result is, for example, a 10 × 10 matrix of segments 5, which form a common first segmented surface A of the modeling device 1 according to the invention, see e.g. FIG. 7. In this case, the rotational movement of the electric motor 15 can also be transmitted via a gear 16 the gears 16 of the shafts 14 take place as previously described. An alternative possibility of this power transmission is the previously described use of toothed belt 17 and toothed pulley 18, as shown, for example, in FIG.

The frame elements 12 described above can be placed on the already mentioned base 10 of the modeling device 1 via support elements 19, see FIG. 6. The entire arrangement can, with the exception of a recess in the area of the segments 5, be completely surrounded by a housing 11, which is indicated in FIG. 7, shown transparently.

In this way, 100 segments 5 can be raised and lowered using a single electric motor 15 in order to form and modify a first segmented surface A. The information about which positioning is to be assumed by which segment 5 can be provided by a common control device (not shown), which for this purpose records position data of each segment 5 by means of a respective position sensor (not shown) can get. Alternatively or additionally, the position of each segment 5 can also be determined from a model which is based on the kinematics and the movements carried out in the past. This can avoid the effort of the position sensors, but lead to inaccuracies.

By means of this first segmented surface A, information can be displayed in the grid of the segments 5 over a large area. This can be advantageous and useful for various applications, such as the teaching of mathematical functions and the representation of architectural and urban planning designs. In particular, this can simplify the understanding of the representation for the user or viewer. The segmented first surface A can also be adapted quickly and flexibly. In particular, due to the use of a single electric motor 15, the outlay for the control can be kept very low. Furthermore, electricity heat losses and electricity consumption can be minimized, since only one electric motor 15 has to be used for 100 segments 5. The position increases or position specifications can be made accordingly by the control device by controlling the brake units 3 and the locking units 4 of each segment 5 with the electric motor 15 running continuously to enable or block the mobility described above.

According to a second embodiment of the transmission means 2, 3, 4 with the modeling element 5, a rolling element 26 is arranged on the planet carrier 21, which receives a flexible connecting element 55 in the form of a flexible plastic rod 55, which can also be referred to as linkage 55. The course or the direction of movement of the flexible connecting element 55 can be influenced to a certain extent via a connecting element guide 56, which can be fixedly arranged on a frame element 12 (not shown). In this way, a comparable arrangement of at least two segments 5 via two planetary gears 2 arranged one above the other in the vertical direction Z can take place. By unwinding and winding up, a positionability comparable to the first exemplary embodiment described above can be transferred from the planetary gear 2 to the segment 5 in a different manner.

A third embodiment of the transmission means 2, 3, 4 with the modeling element 5 is shown in FIG. 10. In this case, only one sun gear 20 can be driven via a shaft 14, since the planet carrier 21 with a threaded element 27 on its side opposite the shaft 14 concludes. The threaded element 27 is arranged as an internal thread comparable to a screw, which can execute a rotary movement in a direction of rotation D. At the end of its motion transmission element 52, segment 5 has a corresponding threaded element 57 which, as an external thread, surrounds the internal thread of threaded element 27 of planetary carrier 21.

In this way, the segment 5 can be raised or lowered in the common direction of movement B by a screw-like movement. To the previously described Locking unit and the coil spring 54 can be dispensed with in this case, which can simplify the structure ver. Unfortunately, as mentioned above, only one segment 5 can be driven by a shaft 14. Nevertheless, the design leeway for implementing the modeling device according to the invention can be increased by this transmission means 2, 3, 4 with the modeling element 5 according to the third exemplary embodiment.

Based on the first exemplary embodiment of the transmission means 2, 3, 4 with the modeling element 5, FIG. 12 shows a fourth exemplary embodiment of the transmission means 2, 3, 4, with the modeling element 5, in which the end opposite the first segment body 50 is also located Movement transmission element 52, a second modeling body 51 is arranged, wel cher can also be referred to as a second segment body 51 or as a second pin body 51. The second segment body 51 is designed identically to the first segment body 50, but aligned in the opposite direction along the common direction of movement B. Correspondingly, the second segment body 51 has a modeling surface 51a which is oriented downward in the vertical direction Z in the illustration in FIG.

If several segments 50 according to this fourth embodiment of the transmission means 2,

3, 4 with the modeling element 5 arranged next to one another, as described above, a second segmented surface A ′ can be formed by the modeling surfaces 51a of the second modeling bodies 51 or the second segmented bodies 51, which runs parallel to the first segmented surface A. As a result of the joint movement of the first segment bodies 50 with the second segment bodies 50, a negative of the representation of the first segmented surface A can be formed, so to speak. Such a use can be used in particular for modeling devices 1 which are arranged as a wall so that a segmented surface A, A ′ can be formed on both sides at the same time. This can also increase the scope for design.

REFERENCE CHARACTERISTICS LIST (part of the description)

A first segmented surface

A 'second segmented surface

B common direction of movement of the modeling elements 5

C Direction of rotation of the shafts 14

D directions of rotation of the threaded elements 27, 57

X longitudinal direction; Depth; length

Y cross direction; width

Z vertical direction; height

X, Y horizontal; horizontal plane

1 modeling device

10 floor

11 housing

12 frame elements

13 shaft bearings; ball-bearing

14 waves

15 drive means; Electric motor

16 gears

17 drive belt; Timing belt

18 disk; Tooth lock washer

19 support elements

2, 3, 4 means of transmission

2 planetary gears; Epicyclic gears

20 sun gears

21 planet carriers

22 planetary gears

23 ring gears

24 shaft openings

25 Toothing of the planet carrier 21

26 rolling element of the planet carrier 21

27 threaded element of planet carrier 21 Braking units

Braking elements

Holding elements; Electromagnets

Locking units locking elements; Pawl actuators; Lifting magnets

Modeling elements; Segments; Pencils; Pins first modeling body; first segment body; first pen body a modeling surface of the first modeling body 50 second modeling body; second segment body; second pen body a modeling surface of the second modeling body 51

Motion transmission elements

Gears

Spring elements; Coil springs flexible fasteners; flexible plastic rods; Linkages

Fastener guides

Threaded elements

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Modeling device (1) for forming at least one first segmented surface

(A) with a plurality of modeling elements (5) which are each designed so that they can be positioned independently of one another in a common direction of movement (B), each modeling element (5) having at least one first modeling body (50), which are formed together to form the first segmented surface (A), characterized by at least one drive means (15), which is designed to drive at least two of the modeling elements (5) together, and by in each case at least one transmission means (2, 3, 4), which in Power flow is arranged between the drive means (15) and the respective modeling element (5) and is designed to allow or not a transmission of a force of the drive means (15) to the respective modeling element (5).

2. Modeling device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one transmission means (2, 3, 4) has a planetary gear (2), the sun gear (20) of which is connected to the drive means (15) in a force-transmitting manner, the planet carrier ( 21) of the planetary gear (2) is designed to move the corresponding Mo dellierungselement (5) in the common direction of movement (B) in at least one of the directions, and with at least one brake unit (3), which is designed to rotate the Allow ring gear (23) of the planetary gear (2) or not.

3. Modeling device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the corresponding modeling element (5) has at least one movement transmission element (52) which extends at least substantially along the common direction of movement (B), the movement transmission element (52) at least partially has a toothing (53) which is designed in the common direction of movement (B) with a correct Sponding toothing (25) of the planet carrier (21) of the respective planetary gear (2) to cooperate in a force-transmitting manner.

4. Modeling device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the two modeling elements (5) are arranged such that the toothings (53) of the movement transmission elements (52) are aligned facing one another.

5. Modeling device (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the movement transmission elements (52) of the two modeling elements (5) are arranged on the respective first modeling bodies (50) offset from one another towards the center thereof, preferably at the edge .

6. Modeling device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the corresponding modeling element (5) has a flexible connecting element (55) which is designed in the common direction of movement (B) by a rolling element (26) of the planetary carrier (21) of the planetary gear (2) to be rolled up and down.

7. Modeling device (1) according to claim 6, characterized by at least one connecting element guide (56) which is designed to guide the flexible connec tion element (55) at least in sections in its elongate direction of extent.

8. Modeling device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the corresponding modeling element (5) has a threaded element (57) which is formed out in the common direction of movement (B) with a threaded element (27) of the plane carrier (21 ) of the planetary gear (2) interact.

9. Modeling device (1) according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the sun gear (20), the planet gears (22) and the ring gear (23) each have a herringbone toothing that is correct to one another.

10. Modeling device (1) according to one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the braking unit (3) has at least one braking element (30) which is designed by means of a holding element (31), preferably by means of an electromagnet (31), of the brake unit (3) to allow or not to rotate the ring gear (23), preferably of the at least radially outer metallic ring gear (23), of the planetary gear (2).

11. Modeling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one spring element (54), preferably at least one helical spring (54), which is connected to the corresponding modeling element (5) in a force-transmitting manner and is designed, a movement of the modeling element (5) support in one direction in the common direction of movement (B) and counteract it in the opposite direction.

12. Modeling device (1) according to one of claims 2 to 11, characterized in that the corresponding transmission means (2, 3, 4) has at least one locking unit (4) which is designed to move the corresponding modeling element (5), preferably Ei ne rotation of the planet carrier (21) of the planetary gear (2) to allow or not.

13. Modeling device (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the locking unit (4) has at least one locking element (40) which is arranged and out forms to engage or not in a toothing (25) of the planetary carrier (21), wherein preferably the locking element (40) is designed to be moved by an actuating element (41), preferably by a lifting magnet (41), of the locking unit (4) between an engaging position and a non-engaging position.

14. Modeling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transmission means (2, 3, 4), preferably the sun gears (20) of the planetary gear (2), we at least two modeling elements (5) by means of a common shaft ( 14) are connected to the drive means (15).

15. Modeling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transmission means (2, 3, 4), preferably the sun gears (20) of the planetary gear (2), we at least two modeling elements (5) each by means of different shafts ( 14) are connected to the drive means (15), the two shafts (14) being preferably connected to one another in a force-transmitting manner, preferably by means of at least two corresponding gear wheels (16) or by means of a drive belt (17), preferably by means of a toothed belt (17) .

16. Modeling device (1) according to one of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that the shaft (14) has at least one joint in its course.

17. Modeling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two modeling elements (5) each have a second modeling body (51), each of which corresponds to the first modeling body (50) in the common direction of movement (B) are arranged opposite one another and are designed to jointly form a second segmented surface (A ') which is arranged parallel to the first segmented surface (A).