Not applicable.
The present invention generally relates to a servo-motor mounting system, and more particularly, to a hinge assembly for mounting a servo-motor to an apparatus.
Servo-motors have been used for many years to power various types of industrial apparatuses or machinery such as industrial printing presses, converters or the like. Servo-motors have also been used in connection with household machinery, including dishwashers, refrigerators and other similar appliances. In the past, servo-motors have typically been simply mounted to the outside of an apparatus or machine either, directly or via a mounting plate. Examples of such mounting assemblies for securing a servo-motor to an apparatus or machine are depicted in
Such prior servo-motor mounting structures have enjoyed a great deal of success. However, such arrangements have also presented various problems due to particular shortcomings associated with their construction.
In particular, mounting plate assemblies used for securing servo-motors to an apparatus, such as those shown in
In addition to the problems associated with disconnecting and removing the servo-motor from the apparatus or machine, serious alignment problems are often encountered when remounting the servo-motor back on the apparatus or machine. As such, simple inspections, routine maintenance, replacement or repair of components can be costly and can also result in significant down-time of the apparatus.
The present invention is provided to solve the access and alignment problems discussed above, as well as other problems associated with mounting assemblies used in the past, and to provide advantages and aspects not provided by prior servo-motor and apparatus interfaces. A full discussion of the features and advantages of the present invention is deferred to the following detailed description and claims, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The present invention is directed toward a hinge system or assembly for mounting a large servo-motor or drive to an apparatus or machine. The hinge assembly comprises a hinge plate which is securely attached to the housing of the apparatus or machine. The hinge assembly further comprises a door plate configured for hingeable attachment to the hinge plate connected to the machine housing. The door plate is designed to allow the servo-motor to be secured to the door plate and further includes one or more openings to allow for various connections between the servo-motor and components in the apparatus or machine. In one embodiment, the servo-motor includes a coupling device for operable engagement with a power or drive system associated with the apparatus or machine when the door plate is in a closed position. In some instances (e.g., in the absence of a drive train), the servo-motor can be connected directly to a rotating element, such as a cylinder or roller, or other similar component in the apparatus or machine.
According to one aspect of the present invention the hinge system described above further comprises an adapter plate disposed between the door plate and the servo-motor. The adapter plate is provided with an adjustable means, such as adjustable screw blocks for adjusting the axial position of the servo-motor relative to corresponding components of the power or drive system in the apparatus or machine. In an alternative embodiment, the adjustable means can be provided directly on the door plate.
According to another aspect of the present invention a power system utilizing a servo-motor is provided. The power system comprises a housing having a plurality of side walls and a back plate. A drive train is disposed in the housing. The power system also includes a door plate hingeably attached to the housing. The door plate is movable between an open position and a closed position. The power system further includes a servo-motor attached to the door plate. The servo-motor has a coupling device provided for operable engagement with the drive train. When the door plate is in the closed position, the coupling device can operably engage the drive train. Conversely, when the door plate is in the open position, the coupling device is disengaged from the drive train.
In another embodiment of the invention, a hinge system for mounting a servo-motor to an apparatus comprises a door plate having a opening therethrough. The door plate is configured for hingeable attachment to a housing of the apparatus. A servo-motor is connected to the door plate, the servo-motor including a coupling device provided for operable engagement with components of the apparatus when the door plate is in a closed position, wherein at least a portion of the coupling device extends through the opening in the door plate.
The hinge system can further include a hinge plate connected to the apparatus. The hinge plate is further connected to the door plate via a hinge assembly. The hinge assembly can include corresponding bosses on the hinge plate and door plate, and a hinge pin disposed within the bosses In an alternative embodiment, the door plate can be connected directly to the housing of the apparatus without the need of a hinge plate. In this embodiment, the housing can be custom designed to include appropriate bosses for a hingeable connection to the door plate (in other words, the side wall of the housing acts as the hinge plate).
The hinge system can further include an adapter plate connected to the door plate and disposed between the door plate and the servo-motor. The adapter plate can comprise a means for adjusting an axial position of the servo-motor to properly align the servo-motor with components of the apparatus (e.g., a drive train). The adjusting means can be a plurality of adjustable screw blocks connecting the adapter plate to the servo-motor.
The hinge system can comprise one or more needle bearings for receipt of radial loads disposed in the hinge assembly. The hinge system can also comprise one or more thrust bearings for receipt of axial loads disposed in the hinge assembly.
In another embodiment of the invention, a hinge system for mounting a motor to an apparatus comprises a hinge plate securable to a housing of an apparatus, the hinge plate having at least one boss extending outward from the hinge plate, and a door plate connected to the hinge plate, the door plate having at least one boss extending outward from the door plate, the door plate securable to a motor. Additionally, the hinge system includes a hinge pin positioned within the at least one boss of the hinge plate and the at least one boss of the door plate.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the following drawings.
To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
While this invention is susceptible to embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.
As shown in
The mounting plate 6 is securely attached to the housing of the apparatus 5 by a plurality of bolts 9. Similarly, the servo-motor 12 is securely connected to the mounting plating 6.
The presence of the servo-motor 12, makes it difficult to obtain access to the components of the apparatus behind the mounting plate 6. In order to inspect, service or repair such components it is necessary to completely remove the mounting plate 6 and servo-motor 12 from the apparatus 5. This can be time consuming and may require special equipment to lift or hold the servo-motor 12 (e.g., in the case of a large or heavy motor). Additionally, it is often necessary to disconnect any wiring or cables between the servo-motor and the apparatus or machine when removing the servo-motor for inspection, servicing or repair of the components of the apparatus on the other side of the mounting plate 6. The wiring or cables must be reconnected when remounting the servo-motor 12 to the apparatus 5, which adds to the downtime of the apparatus.
Referring now in detail to the
As shown in
The door plate 10 includes a central opening 13 through which at least some of the functional components of the servo-motor 12 may pass for engagement with the power system 14 or other corresponding components in the apparatus 5. For example, the servo-motor 12 can include a coupling device 16 provided for operable engagement with the power system 14 in the apparatus 5.
As shown in
The door plate 10 of the hinge system 1 is hingeably attached to the hinge plate 7 which is secured to the power train housing 18. When assembled, the door plate 10 is movable between an open position and a closed position and shown in
As illustrated in
In one preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in
The adapter plate 24 is securely connected to the outer side of the door plate 10, between the door plate 10 and the servo-motor 12, and is configured in such a manner that the servo-motor 12 is attached to the outer surface of the adapter plate 24.
As shown in
The adapter plate 24 also provides a means 26 for adjusting the axial position of the servo-motor 12 to match that of the mating drive train 14 components. In particular, the adapter plate 24 of the present invention is meant to alleviate the necessity for a precise location of the door plate 10 during assembly. In this manner, the addition of the adapter plate 24 assists in reducing assembly and set-up time of the hinge system 1. The specific mechanisms that may be employed to adjust the axial position of the servo-motor 12 are discussed in further detail below. The adapter plate 24 and door plate 10 as utilized with the present hinge system 1 provides a faster and safer means to displace the servo-motor 12 and to accurately return it to its operating position as compared to prior servo-motor 12 mounting structures.
Specifically, the adjusting means 26 enables an operator to adjust the axial position of the servo-motor 12 relative to corresponding components of the power train 14. In a preferred embodiment shown in
The door plate 10 of the present invention is attached to the hinge plate 7 (which is secured to the housing 18 of the apparatus 5) via a precision hinge assembly 30. In a preferred embodiment, the hinge assembly 30 is comprised of a hardened hinge pin 40 that passes through corresponding bosses 46 on the hinge plate 7 and the door plate 10. It is preferable that the hinge assembly 30 of the present invention incorporate needle bearings 42 for receiving radial loads and thrust bearings 44 to receive axial loads.
The hinge system 1 can include a pilot or other guiding means to assist in aligning the door plate 10 and servo-motor 12 when positioning the servo-motor 12 in place against the apparatus 5. Additionally, in order to initially locate the hinge system 1 on the apparatus 5, the hinge plate 7 may include a bore 32 adapted to receive a plug or stopper 34 on the housing 18 of the apparatus 5. This bore 32 and stopper 34 arrangement assists the user during assembly to locate the hinge system 1 in the proper location. As with many of the arrangements of the present invention, the bore 32 and stopper 34 allow a user to install and precisely position the servo-motor 12 with the accuracy required for coupled or belt drive connections.
In operation, the hinge system 1 allows the servo-motor 12 to swing outwardly from the apparatus 5 to provide easy access to the components of the apparatus 5 on the other side of the door plate 10 without fully removing the servo-motor 12 from the apparatus. Once access to such components is no longer needed, the hinge system 1 allows the servo-motor 12 to swing back into position on the outside of the apparatus 5. Because the servo-motor 12 is not completely removed from the apparatus 5 (i.e., the servo-motor 12 remains connected to the door plate 10 which is attached to the press by the hinge assembly 30) power and control wiring or cables between the apparatus 5 and the servo-motor 12 do not necessarily need to be disconnected. Moreover, a forklift, winch or other machine is not needed to lift the servo-motor 12 (as may be in the case of a servo-motor mounted to the apparatus 5 by only a mounting plate). This allows for a reduced down time when inspecting, servicing or repairing the components in the apparatus behind the door plate 10 of the hinge system 1.
While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention, and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying Claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/506,437, filed Sep. 26, 2003.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60506437 | Sep 2003 | US |