EP1488847A1 - Modular cabinet for storing and driving stirred containers - Google Patents

Abstract

A modular cupboard (1) comprises a base (2) supporting at least one module, and a mechanical transmission system with output and receiving members. Each module has two uprights (3) and a mechanical shelf (4) for supporting and driving the agitated pots, with the drive transmission members located outside the mechanical shelf and independent of it, with the shelf containing only the receiving transmission members, while the driven members are in the form of a row of sectional shafts. The coupling functions between the cupboard module uprights and the mechanical self are concentrated within a central plastic coupling member that ensures the assembly's rigidity; it slots together with the components of the upright and is fastened with a clip.

Description

The invention relates to cabinets for agitator pots used for storage. jars containing liquid products, such as paints or the like, keep stirring. In particular, the invention relates to modular cabinets.

• Les machines (ou armoires) dites « compactes » en raison de la structure monobloc de leurs montants.
• Les machines (ou armoires) dites « modulaires » en raison de la structure fractionnée de leurs montants.

For around forty years, there have been many storage and / or paint cupboard stirring cabinets on the market which are preferably packaged in small containers such as cylindrical metal or plastic boxes of a volume included between 0.5 and 5 liters according to the standards known in the world. In general, these machines or cabinets for stirring liquid paints fall into two main families:

• The machines (or cabinets) called "compact" because of the monobloc structure of their uprights.
• The machines (or cabinets) called "modular" because of the fractional structure of their uprights.

The first family of machines represents more than 2/3 of the applications on the market. It consists of storing and / or shaking a complete line of paint cans between 20 and 120 basic shades which form a manufacturer's color chart paint. The stirring machine models are available in several widths of 1 m, 1.50 m or 2 m with between four and seven stages depending on the configuration paint lines, preferably six floors for the most common. This type of machine is characterized by one-piece uprights on both sides floors.

Twenty years ago, a new concept of modular stirring machine was launched on the market to meet the expectations of paint manufacturers by offering greater flexibility in the evolutionary configuration of lines paint. This type of machine is characterized by split amounts corresponding to as many unit agitation modules as desired stages. Thus, the machine can be constituted on demand from a single stage up to stacking of seven floors (or more) as required.

The present invention relates more particularly to modular cabinets. The cabinets of this type generally include modules with support shelves pots arranged one above the other and connected at their ends to amounts. The stack of unit modules constitutes the structure of the machine. The columns thus formed can also be juxtaposed one next to the other in alignment or perpendicular to increase the configuration of the machine from a single width model. This set of columns is driven by a single motor with resumption of the continuity of the drive in the bases by pulley / belt systems.

A central motorization is mounted on a motor base to be connected to a motion transmission system for transmitting a movement of rotation with agitator blades inside the pots to ensure complete agitation and simultaneous of a whole line of cans of paint, the blades being able to take the general shape of the propeller. The motion transmission system can consist of one or more drive shafts distributed in the uprights cabinets and chains or drive belts accessible or not that are in the support shelves - therefore also known as "shelves mechanical ”. The interior of these cabinets therefore has kinematics mechanical transmission capable of agitating liquid products in the pots stored on the shelves. This drive kinematics is generally an indirect drive kinematics and is carried out in several stages of reduction to lower the speed of a single motor type motor asynchronous rotating between 750 and 1800 rpm in 50 or 60 Hz at speed agitation required from a multitude of integral paddle type receptors to pot agitator lids to rotate between 70 and 120 rpm. So, between the initial engine and the final receivers an intermediate transmission system ensures continuity of movement.

For reasons of stability, the cabinet modules are generally made up of a metallic structure in which the transmission system is arranged movement by pulleys belt or chain associated with a line of drive shafts or by worms associated with belt lines drive. The cans of paint are placed on the shelves, but they can also be hung near the shelves. All combinations can be imagined between the type of transmission and the position of a pot.

In general, two drive systems of the agitating blades inside the pots are known on the market: a system with drive heads of the type pallet which cooperate with fingers mounted on a shaft passing through the cover of the pots and supporting the agitating blade inside the pot, and another system with pinions or wheels mounted on the agitator blade shaft and driven respectively by a chain or a belt, or by a worm screw finding in the shelves.

In the most frequently encountered case, individual drive heads pallet type are provided below the shelves forming as many positions unitary agitation as necessary. Pallet type drive heads each shelf cooperates with complementary elements mounted on pot agitator lids through the protruding fingers of a fork which are used to drive a shaft through the agitator cover which supports an agitating blade inside the pot. Stirring stations as well formed are positioned in the axis of the drive heads. This aligned arrangement on coplanar axes ensures the transmission of the mechanical movement of close by close.

In another type of drive, a one-piece drive line is provided accessible from the front of shelves of the chain or belt type forming agitating zones. The drive lines of each shelf cooperate with additional elements mounted on pot agitator lids by through the teeth of a pinion or a wheel and used for training of a shaft passing through the agitator cover which supports an agitator blade inside the pot. The agitating zones thus formed are arranged in an offset manner perpendicular to the drive line. This unaligned arrangement on non-coplanar axes also ensures the transmission of mechanical movement step by step.

The user wants to have ever more economical stirring machines and more and more versatile. Therefore, machines or cabinets agitation should allow rapid assembly without tools. Therefore, the solutions techniques must evolve towards reducing assembly operations to each individual subset. Thus, the machines must integrate the maximum of pre-assembled elements to save the user assembly time too long. In addition, the different modules of an agitator cabinet must be the simplest possible to reduce manufacturing costs, in particular by limiting the variety of subsets or by reducing the diversity of existing models with a view to standardization.

• la limitation du nombre de pièces d'assemblage au strict minimum pour réduire les manipulations.
• la réduction de l'encombrement des sous-ensembles préassemblés pour un emballage compact,
• la simplification de l'architecture tôlerie pour une version de machine économique,
• les organes de transmission doivent être accessibles de manière rapide sans démontage de la structure de la machine pour des interventions de maintenance (par exemple, le changement du moteur ou des courroies), tout en conservant une transmission performante du couple.
• de plus, une fois la machine complètement montée, une tablette mécanique doit pouvoir rester amovible pour, soit un remplacement en cas d'usure, soit une installation ultérieure si elle n'a pas été prévue dès l'origine.

The agitator cabinet must also ensure modularity with a versatile structure that can accommodate peripheral options such as rear storage shelves, covers for a heated space, or even the absence of mechanical stirring elements on some shelves. A modern agitator cabinet must also meet other requirements such as:

• limiting the number of assembly parts to the strict minimum to reduce handling.
• reducing the size of the pre-assembled sub-assemblies for compact packaging,
• the simplification of the sheet metal architecture for an economical machine version,
• the transmission members must be quickly accessible without dismantling the machine structure for maintenance interventions (for example, changing the engine or belts), while maintaining an efficient transmission of the torque.
• in addition, once the machine is completely assembled, a mechanical shelf must be able to remain removable for either a replacement in the event of wear, or a subsequent installation if it was not planned from the outset.

We already know a modular cabinet from document FR 2 649 911. However, the motion transmission system is very complex and, in particular, the driving pulleys and the receiving pulleys are an integral part of the shelf mechanical which complicates the assembly and disassembly of the assembly. Of plus, the fact that the tree line is part of the mechanical shelves, the whole of the range of stirring machines has different centers according to the mechanical shelves which do not reduce the diversity of manufacturing sheet metal parts or their simplicity for the whole range of machines stirring. In addition, the cabinet modules are monobloc and assembled in factory. The packaging is therefore bulky. Upon receipt of the modules at the user, the modules must be assembled on top of each other by simple plastic spacers for easy positioning before making the subject of a screw connection. Such an assembly is long for the user and does not not allow to obtain sufficient rigidity of the structure to which it is necessary to place a stiffening strip in the rear part to secure the unstable articulated assembly.

We also know a modular cabinet from the document FR 2 783 177. But, here again, the line of drive shafts, which rotates a closed loop belt inside a mechanical tablet drive unit, is in the mechanical shelf. In addition, the line of trees must be installed stage by stage by the user during assembly of the stirring machine Modular. The amounts of each module are made up of many nested tubes making assembly long and tedious. This structure tubular does not ensure perfect rigidity of the machine which retains a certain lateral instability.

The invention must therefore ensure the versatility of the storage configurations and / or agitation of a paint line, in a modular and flexible way and most economically possible. Another objective of the invention is to allow manipulations limited from the shaft line to tool-less mounting and simplifying the realization of a mechanical tablet to reduce manufacturing costs.

These objectives are achieved by a modular cabinet for storage and the drive of agitator pots comprising a base base on which is mounted at least one cabinet module, and a motion transmission system consisting of driving transmission elements and receiving transmission elements, each cabinet module being composed of two uprights and a mechanical tablet for the support and training of the agitator pots. According to the invention, the drive transmission elements of the transmission system movement are arranged outside of said mechanical shelf and are independent of it, and the mechanical tablet contains only the elements of receiving transmission.

Because the drive elements are concentrated on one part external to the mechanical shelves and that the receiving transmission elements are concentrated on the mechanical tablet, we obtain a greater flexibility of configuration in the paint line variants. Kinematics can then evolve freely according to need or not of agitation of the paintings without calling into question the nodal architecture of the machine.

A reduction in the size of the pre-assembled subassemblies is also obtained. for compact packaging, in particular by separating the uprights modular structure of a storey. The cabinet modules are no longer bulky due to the dissociated constituent elements. According to the invention, only three pre-assembled sub-assemblies (including two identical upright elements and a mechanical shelf) are provided by cabinet module.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, all the functions of connection between the uprights and the mechanical shelf are concentrated around a central node which ensures the complete rigidity of the assembly. Preferably, the uprights and the central link node are assembled by interlocking and retained by a clipped assembly. The central node can also be made in several distinct parts or in two symmetrical hermaphrodite parts. Advantageously it is made of plastic and it is the seat of the binding many accessory elements such as a work table, a housing electronic controls, covers, rear storage shelves, etc.

Since the central node concentrates all of the linkage functions, it can this fact, integrate the line of drive shafts. All link functions are therefore advantageously grouped around a nodal architecture.

In a preferred embodiment, the two uprights and the shelf mechanics of each cabinet module are flush mounted with a sufficient range to ensure the rigidity of the assembly. The rigidity of the frame is therefore ensured by simple recesses which avoid the installation of braces classic rear hindering the positioning of rear storage shelf.

According to another aspect of the invention, the drive transmission elements are made up of a line of split drive shafts. One of the two uprights of each module has a part of the drive shaft split, and the part of the split drive shaft is attached to the element amount so that it is free in rotation and translation. So this part of the split drive shaft can also be attached to the element removable amount. The line of split trees is therefore independent a mechanical tablet.

The fact that the drive shaft line is split ensures autonomy a modular upright with, at the same time, an installation with the minimum of handling, reduced space for packaging a mechanical tablet pre-assembled and quick decoupling for change operations belts and maintenance, for example. Since each part of the line of split drive shaft is individually fixed to the upright element in such a way that it is free in rotation and in translation, we avoid setting place of the tree line when mounting the cabinet. This therefore allows operations "blind" editing. In addition, since the part of the tree of fractional drive is free in rotation and in translation, we keep a flexibility of alignment of split trees to ensure training whatever whatever the geometrical defect situations (due to the positioning of the machine, for example).

According to a particular aspect of the invention, the drive shaft has a form to non-circular polygonal or curvilinear constant section. Preferably, the tree non-circular curvilinear shape such as a profile Torx® can illustrate this as an example. It can be produced by extrusion. The tree drive can also have a hollow core and be made of aluminum. The specific shape of the tree and its much lighter aluminum construction steel axes, improve the performance of the torque transmission.

At the two ends of a drive shaft are preferably fixed end caps which take up the geometric shapes of the tree. These tips provide the connection between the drive pinions of the motor bearings of each central node of link. Advantageously, the nesting is carried out with a functional clearance sufficient to allow a simple and quick angular self-adjustment of the line of shafts when mounting the two ends of the integrated upright-shaft assembly split on the lower shelf put in place, then the upper shelf on the amount set up. We can therefore ensure a flexible connection to absorb misalignment of a modular structure. The mechanical energy required at startup during angular acceleration is optimized by the reduction moments of inertia of the tree line. Preferably, the tips are made in a plastic sufficiently elastic to absorb shocks at starting and hard enough to ensure the transmission of torque. Also advantageously, the ends of the shafts are adjusted and immobilized by pin pins of the “pin” type. The number of pieces in the line of trees is therefore extremely reduced and gives it great accessibility during possible disassembly for a belt change operation.

Advantageously, the base base includes a motor for the drive elements of motor transmission. Preferably, the motor is separable, without disassembly, neither of the base base nor of the machine structure. The motorization main removable without constraint is therefore easily interchangeable for maintenance interventions.

Preferably, the mechanical shelf is removable without dismantling the modules stirring. In an advantageous embodiment, the cabinet comprises at minus a cabinet module with support shelves for storing pots without motion transmission elements.

According to another aspect, the invention is carried out by a modular cabinet for the storage and training of agitator jars containing liquid products, the modular cabinet comprising a base base on which is mounted at least one cabinet module, and a motion transmission system made up of elements drive transmission and receiving transmission elements, each cabinet module consisting of two uprights and a mechanical shelf for the support and training of the agitator pots, this cabinet being characterized in that all of the driving and receiving transmission elements are arranged inside said mechanical tablet, and in that the tablet mechanical include at least one gearmotor for driving the motion transmission system.

According to another advantageous form, the mechanical tablet includes geared motors Individuals mounted directly on transmission stations transmitting the rotational movement of the gearmotors on agitating blades at inside pots. So you can get an even more cabinet construction compact.

According to another aspect of the invention is achieved by a modular cabinet for the storage and training of agitator jars containing liquid products, the modular cabinet comprising a base base on which is mounted at least one cabinet module, and a motion transmission system made up of elements drive transmission and receiving transmission elements, each cabinet module consisting of two uprights and a mechanical shelf for the support and training of the agitator pots, this cabinet being characterized in that the drive transmission elements consist of a line of split drive shafts and one of the two uprights of each module includes a part of the split drive tree and in this that said part of the split drive shaft is attached to the upright in such a way that it is free in rotation and in translation. Preferably, in in this case, the part of the split drive shaft is fixed to the upright element removably.

La figure 1 est une représentation générale de l'armoire modulaire selon une forme de réalisation de l'invention.

La figure 2 montre deux armoires modulaires selon l'invention disposées côte à côte.

Les figures 3a et 3b montrent le socle de base de l'armoire modulaire selon une forme de réalisation de l'invention.

La figure 4a montre un module de l'armoire modulaire selon une forme de réalisation de l'invention.

Les figures 4b et 4c montrent des détails de la tablette mécanique de l'armoire modulaire selon une forme de réalisation de l'invention.

La figure 5 montre un élément montant et un noeud central de l'armoire modulaire selon une forme de réalisation de l'invention.

Les figures 6a et 6b montrent en détail le noeud central de l'armoire modulaire selon une forme de réalisation de l'invention avec les éléments d'entraínement côté gauche/droite.

Les figures 7a et 7b montrent, respectivement, une vue du dessous et une vue du dessus d'un noeud central de l'armoire modulaire selon une forme de réalisation de l'invention avec les éléments d'entraínement.

La figure 8 montre un pignon d'entraínement du système de transmission de mouvement selon une forme de réalisation de l'invention.

La figure 9 montre un exemple d'arbre d'entraínement fractionné selon une forme de réalisation de l'invention.

La figure 10 montre un exemple de fixation de l'arbre d'entraínement fractionné selon une forme de réalisation de l'invention.

La figure 11 montre une armoire modulaire selon une forme de réalisation de l'invention avec un plan de travail accessoire.

La figure 12 montre un détail de la figure 11.

Les figures 13a à 13d montrent un exemple de réalisation d'un noeud central reconstitué à partir de deux pièces plastiques.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description below, made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a general representation of the modular cabinet according to one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 shows two modular cabinets according to the invention arranged side by side.

Figures 3a and 3b show the base of the modular cabinet according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4a shows a module of the modular cabinet according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figures 4b and 4c show details of the mechanical shelf of the modular cabinet according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows an upright element and a central node of the modular cabinet according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figures 6a and 6b show in detail the central node of the modular cabinet according to one embodiment of the invention with the drive elements left / right side.

Figures 7a and 7b show, respectively, a bottom view and a top view of a central node of the modular cabinet according to an embodiment of the invention with the drive elements.

Figure 8 shows a drive pinion of the motion transmission system according to one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 9 shows an example of a split drive shaft according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 10 shows an example of fixing the fractional drive shaft according to one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 11 shows a modular cabinet according to an embodiment of the invention with an accessory work plan.

Figure 12 shows a detail of Figure 11.

Figures 13a to 13d show an exemplary embodiment of a central node reconstituted from two plastic parts.

Figure 1 is a general representation of the modular cabinet according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The modular cabinet 1 includes a base 2 on which one or more cabinet modules are mounted. Each cabinet module is composed of two uprights 3 and a mechanical shelf 4 for the support and training of the agitator pots. In order to simplify the representation, the stirring pots are not shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 shows two modular cabinets of the same type arranged side by side.

Figure 3a shows the base base 2 of the modular cabinet in a form of realization of the invention. The base 2 includes a motor 5 for the drive of the driving transmission elements. In order to facilitate maintenance, this motor can be separated without disassembly, neither of the base base nor of the structure of the machine. The base base 2 itself consists of two uprights 3 and a mechanical tablet 4. However, despite its standard configuration, the mechanical tablet 4 of the base 2 does not have any element for training agitator jars and is only used to support the agitator jars. The elements uprights 3 are fixed on base leg elements 6. Figure 3b shows the entire base base 2 with the motor 5.

However, advantageously, all of the transmission elements motor and receiver could also be arranged inside the tablet mechanical 4. In this case, the mechanical tablet 4 comprises at least one geared motor for training the motion transmission system. according to another advantageous embodiment, the mechanical tablet can include individual gearmotors mounted directly on drive stations transmitting the rotational movement of the gearmotors on agitating blades inside pots.

Figure 4a shows a module of the modular cabinet, consisting of two elements upright 3 right / left, of two central node elements 7 as well as a mechanical tablet 4 formed by an upper part 4a and a lower part 4b. The upper part 4a of the mechanical tablet 4 consists of a sheet metal tray for supporting the agitator jars. The lower part 4b of the mechanical tablet 4 contains the receiving transmission elements of the system of motion transmission. In known manner, these transmission elements movement can consist of one or more pulleys and a belt or a drive chain. For example, only a system with pallet type drive heads will be described later.

However, of course, one could also use with the invention a system with chain or belt type drive lines.

Figures 4b and 4c show details of the mechanical shelf of the cabinet modular according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 4b is a view from above of the lower part 4b of the mechanical tablet 4, and FIG. 4c is a bottom view of the lower part 4b of the mechanical tablet 4. Thus, can see in Figure 4b the drive system comprising elements of receiving transmission in the form of pulleys 8 on the lower part 4b of the tablet mechanical 4. These pulleys 8 are connected to drive paddles 10 arranged on the lower side of the lower part 4b of the mechanical tablet 4 (see Figure 4c) in order to engage in additional elements (not illustrated in Figure 4c) mounted on agitator lids of pots, for example protruding fingers. A pinion 9 is arranged in the central node 7 where are concentrated the connection functions between the uprights 3 and the shelf mechanical 4. This pinion 9 is rotated by the motor 5 located on the base basic 2 using a split drive shaft which will be described in detail thereafter. So the drive transmission elements of the transmission system of movement are arranged outside of said mechanical tablet 4 and are independent of it. Mechanical tablet 4 only contains the elements of receiving transmission. In the embodiment of the invention described, the pinion 9, which constitutes a part of the driving transmission elements of the motion transmission system, transmits motion using a toothed belt (not illustrated in FIG. 4b) to the pulleys 8 which constitute the receiving transmission elements.

Preferably, the mechanical tablet 4 is removable without dismantling the modules stirring. In an advantageous embodiment, the cabinet comprises at minus a cabinet module with support shelves for storing pots without motion transmission element.

Figure 5 shows an upright element 3 and an example of a central link node 7 of the modular cabinet according to one embodiment of the invention. In this example the central link node 7 is made in one piece. The element amount 3 is made, in known manner, of sheet metal. The central link node 7 is made of plastic. Among other things, it provides liaison functions between upright elements 3 and the mechanical shelf 4 for the stiffening of all. The upright elements 3 and the central link node 7 are assembled by fitting and retained by a clipped assembly. To this end, openings or notches 11 are provided in the upright element 3 in which corresponding elastic parts 12 formed on the outside of the central node 7 snap into place. The two uprights and the mechanical shelf of each cabinet module must be flush mounted on a span sufficient to ensure the rigidity of the assembly.

Thus, a central link is made in two parts which can ensure the versatility of desired functions. This link or central link node 7 is therefore the seat of multiple assembly functions. It can be made in a single integral part of mechanical tablet 4 and integrates the functions by left / right symmetry of the transmission of movement or its guides. The central node 7 of connection can be pre-assembled to the mechanical shelf. During the assembly operation of the cabinet, it suffices to embed the free parts of the central node 7 in the uprights 3.

As can be seen in Figures 13a to 13d, the central node can be made also in two symmetrical hermaphrodite parts. It can also be made in several distinct parts. Figures 13a to 13d show an example production of a central node reconstituted from two plastic parts. In this case, one of the parts can be mounted integral with the mechanical tablet and the other joint part of the amount. The central link node 7 is reconstituted at from the clipping of two completely identical plastic parts which fit over a sufficient span to ensure the rigidity of the knot.

Figures 6a and 6b show in detail the central node 7 of the cabinet connection modular according to an embodiment of the invention. The central node 7 can be configured according to its position in the modular cabinet, either by integrating the drive transmission elements of the motion transmission system (see Figure 6a), or by integrating guide rollers 13 of the belt forming receiving elements (see Figure 6b). Guide and tension rollers 13 elements of belt or chain can therefore also be offset outside of the mechanical tablet 4 in order to simplify it as much as possible. Thus, the driving transmission elements or the receiving transmission elements can without constraint be maintained or removed according to the use cases or customer configurations. In addition, the flexibility given to the kinematics thanks to the outsourcing of the line of trees allows us to envisage an evolution from the kinematics of indirect drive towards a direct kinematics without any apparent modification of the stirring machine. For example, each head of the mechanical tablet 4 can have its own micro-motorization unit. Complete removal of the transmission system traditional movement can make configurations even more flexible and economical stirring machine. The principle of direct kinematics consists thus further reducing the number of components of the transmission by bringing the motor closer to the drive heads. In this hypothesis, the line of shafts 14, the drive transmission elements and / or receiver, as well as the belt or chain disappear in favor of a solution motorized microreducer directly connected to the axis of the pallet without visible transformation of the storage and / or agitation mode pot agitator lids. So the motion transmission system can bring together new means of motor and receptor transmission grouped together inside the mechanical shelf 4.

Figure 6a shows a central node 7 in which is integrated a drive pinion 9, the function of which has already been described with respect to FIG. 4, and a roller 13 for guiding the belt. Such a configuration of the central node 7 is used on the side where the engine is located and the junction with the line of trees. The other side of the mechanical tablet 4 is fixed a central node 7 identical but comprising two guide and belt tensioning rollers 13 fixed in free rotation (see Figure 6b).

Figure 7a shows a bottom view of a central node 7 of the modular cabinet according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. It can be observed that a pinion 9 is also on this side of the central node 7. The two pinions 9 on each side are connected together in such a way that the drive in rotation of one of the pinions 9 also has the consequence of driving the other.

In FIG. 7a, one can also see the embedding means particularly effective and simple implemented in this exemplary embodiment at the ends of the mechanical tablet 4 on its lower part 4b. Indeed, during the manufacturing from the lower part 4b of the mechanical tablet 4 made of sheet metal, a specific cutout is made at its ends so that when folding the edges that provide sufficient inertia for the mechanical tablet, 18 wide blades and long knife-shaped appear automatically at the four corners of the sheet metal shelf in the extension of said edges folded at 90 ° by report to the merits. The mechanical tablet 4 thus formed then behaves as a very long beam better embedded at its ends to limit the maximum the transverse amplitudes of a possible pendulum movement. Of more, a beam embedded at its ends bends much less under the effect of a load uniformly distributed over its entire length, as here, or of a point load brought back in its middle, that a beam on two supports whose ends are free to rotate. When mounting the blades 18 are embedded in complementary sleeves 19 formed in the central node 7. Panels guide and stiffening are formed on both sides of the central node 7 in this exemplary embodiment (see also FIG. 7b).

Of course, such a central node / support shelf mounting system as illustrated in figures 5 to 7 could be used in other types regardless of the configuration of the transmission system movement.

Figure 8 shows an example of drive pinion 9 of the transmission system movement according to an embodiment of the invention. According to this example, the upper part of the drive pinion has a form of type Torx®. However, any other non-circular polygonal or curvilinear shape, such as a triangular or square shape, could be considered. The part bottom of the pinion 9 has the shape of a conventional pinion and is used for driving the toothed belt (not shown) which transmits the movement to the pulleys 8 (see Figure 4b, for example). In general, only the drive sprockets 9 being on the upper side of the central node 7 have such a lower part in classic gable shape. However, in order to reduce the number of parts, the drive sprockets 9 located on the lower side of the central node 7 can also be fitted with such a lower part in the form of a conventional pinion. However, in this case, this pinion does not drive the belt.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the drive transmission elements consist of a line of split drive shafts. Figure 9 shows an example of such a fractional drive tree. Tree 14 contains known tree forms. The drive shaft has a constant section shape non-circular polygonal or curvilinear. Preferably, the drive shaft has a non-circular curvilinear shape of the Torx® type. He could also have a polygonal constant section shape such as a triangular or square shape. he can be made by extrusion. Preferably, the cross-sectional shape of the tree corresponds to the sectional shape of the drive pinion 9. The drive shaft can also have a hollow core and be made of aluminum.

At the two ends of a drive shaft 14 are fixed connecting elements with the drive sprockets 9 or end pieces 15 which resume at inside the exterior geometric shapes of the shaft and of the drive pinion 9. These end pieces ensure the connection between the driving pinions of the driving bearings of each node. The fitting of the end pieces 15 on the drive shaft 14 and the drive pinion 9 is produced with sufficient functional clearance for allow a simple and quick angular self-adjustment of the shaft line during the mounting the two ends of the integrated upright-split shaft assembly on the lower shelf in place, then the upper shelf on the upright put in place. We can therefore ensure a flexible connection to absorb faults of alignment of a modular structure. Mechanical energy required to start during angular acceleration is optimized by reducing moments of inertia of the tree line. Furthermore, the end pieces are preferably made of a sufficiently elastic plastic material to collect shock at start-up and hard enough to transmit torque.

The ends of the shafts are adjusted and immobilized by pins of axis 16 of "pin" type. The number of pieces in the tree line is therefore extremely reduces and gives it great accessibility during a possible disassembly for a belt change operation.

One of the two upright elements 3 of each module carries part of the shaft fractional training. Figure 10 shows an example of fixing the shaft fractional drive against the rising element 3. The part of the drive shaft fractional 14 is fixed to the upright element 3 so that it is free in rotation and translation. Preferably the attachment is removable and provided by clipping of the tree into clips 17. We therefore obtain a substantial reduction the number of parts making up the line of trees and great accessibility for dismantling the shaft.

Of course, such a split drive shaft system and fixing the shaft against the upright as shown in Figures 9 and 10 can be used in other types of cabinet regardless of the configuration of the motion transmission system.

FIG. 11 shows a modular cabinet according to an embodiment of the invention with an accessory work plan, and Figure 12 shows a detail of Figure 11. The central node 7 can thus serve as a seat for fixing a multitude of accessory elements such as a work table, a control box electronics, skins, rear storage shelves, etc.

Figures 13a to 13d show an embodiment of a central node 7 reconstituted from two completely identical plastic parts.

Claims (27)

Modular cabinet for storing and training agitator pots containing liquid products, the modular cabinet (1) comprising a base base (2) on which is mounted at least one cabinet module, and a transmission system for movement made up of drive transmission elements (9, 14) and receiver transmission elements (8), each cabinet module being composed of two upright elements (3) and a mechanical shelf (4) for the support and the training of the agitator pots,
characterized in that
the drive transmission elements (9, 14) of the movement transmission system are arranged outside of said mechanical tablet (4) and are independent of the latter, and in that the mechanical tablet (4) contains only the receiving transmission elements (8). Modular cabinet according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection functions between the uprights and the mechanical shelf are concentrated in a central connection node (7) in the uprights (3) which ensures the rigidity of the assembly. Modular cabinet according to claim 2, characterized in that the upright elements (3) and the central connecting node (7) are assembled by interlocking and retained by a clipped assembly. Modular cabinet according to one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the central connecting node (7) is made in two symmetrical hermaphrodite parts. Modular cabinet according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the central connection node (7) is the seat for fixing the accessory elements. Modular cabinet according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the central connection node (7) is made of plastic. Modular cabinet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two upright elements (3) and the mechanical shelf (4) of each cabinet module are mounted by recess over a sufficient span in order to ensure the rigidity of the 'together. Modular cabinet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive transmission elements consist of a line of split drive shafts (14). Modular cabinet according to claim 8, characterized in that one of the two upright elements (3) of each module comprises a part of the split drive shaft (14) and in that said part of the drive shaft fractional (14) is fixed to the upright element (3) so that it is free in rotation and in translation. Modular cabinet according to claim 9, characterized in that said part of the split drive shaft (14) is fixed to the upright element (3) in a removable manner. Modular cabinet according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the drive shaft (14) has a shape with a non-circular polygonal or curvilinear constant section. Modular cabinet according to claim 11, characterized in that the drive shaft (14) has a non-circular curvilinear shape of the Torx® type. Modular cabinet according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that at the two ends of the drive shaft (14) are fixed end caps (15) which take up the geometric shapes of the shaft and which ensure the connection between drive pinions (9) of the motor bearings of each central connection node (7). Modular cabinet according to claim 13, characterized in that the fitting of the end pieces (15) on the motor bearings (9) of each central connection node (7) is produced with sufficient functional clearance to allow simple angular self-adjustment and fast of the shaft line during assembly. Modular cabinet according to one of claims 13 and 14, characterized in that the end pieces are made of a plastic material sufficiently elastic to absorb shocks at start-up and hard enough to ensure the transmission of torque. Modular cabinet according to one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the end pieces (15) are adjusted and immobilized by pin pins of the "pin" type. Modular cabinet according to one of claims 8 to 16, characterized in that the drive shaft (14) is produced by extrusion. Modular cabinet according to one of claims 8 to 17, characterized in that the drive shaft (14) has a hollow core. Modular cabinet according to one of claims 8 to 18, characterized in that the drive shaft (14) is made of aluminum. Modular cabinet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base base (2) comprises a motor for driving the drive transmission elements. Modular cabinet according to claim 20, characterized in that the motor (5) is separable, without dismantling, either from the base base (2) or from the structure of the machine. Modular cabinet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mechanical shelf (4) is removable without dismantling the stirring modules. Modular cabinet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cabinet comprises at least one cabinet module with support shelves for the storage of pots without movement transmission elements. Modular cabinet for storing and training agitator pots containing liquid products, the modular cabinet (1) comprising a base base (2) on which is mounted at least one cabinet module, and a transmission system for movement made up of drive transmission elements (9, 14) and receiver transmission elements (8), each cabinet module being composed of two upright elements (3) and a mechanical shelf (4) for the support and the training of the agitator pots,
characterized in that all of the drive (9, 14) and receiver (8) transmission elements are arranged inside said mechanical tablet (4), and in that the mechanical tablet (4) comprises at least one gear motor for driving the motion transmission system. Modular cabinet according to claim 24, characterized in that the mechanical shelf (4) includes individual gearmotors mounted directly on drive stations transmitting the rotational movement of the gearmotors on agitating blades inside pots. Modular cabinet for storing and training agitator pots containing liquid products, the modular cabinet (1) comprising a base base (2) on which is mounted at least one cabinet module, and a transmission system for movement made up of drive transmission elements (9, 14) and receiver transmission elements (8), each cabinet module being composed of two upright elements (3) and a mechanical shelf (4) for the support and the drive of the agitator pots, characterized in that the drive transmission elements consist of a line of split drive shafts (14) and one of the two upright elements (3) of each module comprises a part of the 'split drive shaft (14) and in that said part of the split drive shaft (14) is fixed to the upright element (3) so that it is free in rotation and in translation. Modular cabinet according to claim 26, characterized in that said part of the split drive shaft (14) is removably fixed to the upright element (3).

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