Technical Field

The present invention relates to a ring configuration for realizing the sliding motion and the sealing in a vertical direction while a ram table, particularly rectangular-shaped, moves within a rectangular housing.

Background of the Invention

In additive machine tools, it is aimed to switch a work table into a horizontal position. In order that a work table can move, a ram table located at its lower part is expected to move and to provide sealing in a vertical direction and also to allow a sliding motion during this motion. Therefore, today there is need for an application which will both allow a sliding motion and also provide sealing during the movement of a ram plate.

The Chinese utility model document no. CN207840130, an application included in the state of the art, discloses an additive machine tool equipment and a powder cylinder with sealing adjustment characteristic. In the said document, it is stated that metal printers comprise a powder cylinder; powder cylinders are reinforced with a felt or a sealing ring; also, the cylinder moves up and down and therefore, the felt and the ring are used for the purpose of sealing in the state of the art. In the said Chinese document, it is mentioned that a 3D printing apparatus comprising a cylinder body, a cover plate, a felt, a piston, a piston spring, and a sealing ring is developed in order to improve the sealing. It is disclosed in the Chinese utility model document no. CN207840130 that a plurality of piston springs are included in the inner wall of the piston moving inside the piston block and the sealing can be adjusted by applying more pressure to the felt during the movement of the piston within the piston block due to the fact that the number of piston springs can be increased and it is adjustable.

Summary of the Invention

An objective of the present invention is to realize a ring configuration which comprises four L-shaped ring members in order to realize the sliding motion and the sealing while a ram table, particularly rectangular-shaped, moves within a rectangular housing.

Another objective of the present invention is to realize a ring configuration wherein rings can be fit into their seats in a ram table from their side parts also without the need for a cover piece in the process of inserting the said rings into their seats.

Another objective of the present invention is to realize a ring configuration whereby sealing is ensured by pressing the rings towards the sliding surface continuously by means of springs located between each L-ring member.

Another objective of the present invention is to realize a ring configuration wherein two sets of overlapping rings are inserted such that their junctions are not in alignment, against the possibility of leakage of L-rings from their joints at the level of the spring seats.

Detailed Description of the Invention

“A Multi -Piece Ring Configuration” realized to fulfil the objective of the present invention is shown in the figures attached, in which:

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the inventive ring configuration. Figure l is a perspective view of the inventive ring configuration.

Figure 3 is a view illustrating the application of the inventive ring configuration on a table.

The components illustrated in the figures are individually numbered, where the numbers refer to the following:

1. Ring configuration

2. Ring member

3. Seat

4. Spring

T: Table

The inventive ring configuration (1) which provides the motion and sealing of a table (T) -that is used in an additive machine tool- within a housing and is positioned between the surfaces of the housing and the table (T) facing one another comprises: a plurality of ring members (2) which are configured to provide the sealing and motion between the table (T) and the housing by being wrapped around the table (T) surfaces facing the housing, have a L-shape and joined together from their end parts; at least two seats (3) which are included at both end parts of the ring member (2) and located such that they will face one another in interconnection of the two ring members (2); and at least one spring (4) which is included within the seats (3), that are located at both ends, so as to be at least one in number upon the ring members (2) are interconnected and enables the ring members (2) to apply thrust to one another in an opposite direction. In the inventive ring configuration (1), the ring member (2) is a piece with rectangular cross-section and one of its arms is long whereas the other one has approximately half of the length of the long arm. The ring members (2) are joined together from their end parts and form a rectangular shape. The ring configuration (1) comprises four ring members (2) enabling a group to occur upon being joined together from their end parts. The ring configuration (1) is located within the table (T) channels so as to be present in two groups and it provides the sealing and motion between the table (T) and the housing. In the inventive ring configuration (1), it is fit into the side channels of the ram table (T) and thereby no cover piece is needed during the insertion process. (Figure 3). The gap tolerance in the vertical direction between the channel width of the table (T) and the two groups of ring configuration (1) is h8/H8.

End parts of the ring member (2) have a gradual structure. One seat (3) facing an opposite direction relative to each other is located on both ends of the ring member (2) with a gradual structure. For example, one of the seats (3) face the upper part whereas the other one faces the lower part. The seats (3) have a cavity shape with a depth half of the ring member (2) height at h8 tolerance.

In the inventive ring configuration (1), at least one spring (4) at the interconnected end parts of the ring members (2). The two seats (3) form an enclosed volume for a spring (4) when two different ring members (2) are interconnected from their end parts due to the fact that the two seats (3) included in a ring member (2) face an opposite direction, and the spring (4) is prevented from going out of the seat (3). The L-ring members (2) are pressed against the sliding surface by means of the springs (4) and thus sealing is provided. Besides, two sets (groups) of overlapping ring configurations (1) are present such that their junctions are not in alignment, against the possibility of leakage of L-ring members (2) from their joints at the level of the spring (4) seats. The inventive ring configuration (1) is obtained by joining four ring members (2) from end to end and it can be made of members such as high-carbon steel, bearing bronze, teflon, fiber depending on the material of the housing wherein they will operate.

In the inventive ring configuration (1), the seat (3) is an almost semi-cylindrical cavity wherein the spring (4) can fit. Upon the two ring members (2) with a semi- cylindrical cavity are joined together from their end parts, an almost semi- cylindrical enclosed volume wherein a spring (4) can fit is obtained.

In the inventive ring configuration (1), the spring (4) is a coil spring and it pushes the ring members (2) outwards by being located in an enclosed volume that is formed by the seats (3) at the end part of the ring members (2) and presses them against the opposite surface where they will operate. Thereby, it is ensured that sealing is obtained in a vertical direction between the table (T) and the housing within a housing upon the spring (4) pushes the ring members (2).

The inventive ring configuration (1) enables to realize sealing and sliding motion in a vertical direction by being used between the housing and the ram table (T) in an additive machine tool. For the sealing and sliding motion, the ring configuration (1) is located around the ram table (T) in the form of two sets comprising four ring members (2). The four ring members (2) are interconnected from their end parts such that they will form a square shape and one spring (4) is located in the enclosed volume that is created by combing the two seats (3) at the joints. The presses the ring members (2) to the housing surface where they will operate, by pushing them outwards and thus ensures the sealing in a vertical direction.

Within these basic concepts; it is possible to develop various embodiments of the inventive “Multi-Piece Ring Configuration (1)”; the invention cannot be limited to examples disclosed herein and it is essentially according to claims.