A modular structural element and structural assembly for the making and/or prototype production of mechatronic structures

Technical field

This invention relates to a modular structural element for the making and/or prototype production of mechatronic structures. This invention also relates to a structural assembly for the making and/or prototype production of mechatronic structures.

Background art

In the automation and robotics sector there are many construction approaches for the technological assembly. These approaches can count on the contribution of various disciplines, such as statics, mechanics, electronics and programming.

A robot is therefore the fruit of the coordination of the various disciplines. The electronics and the mechanics can cooperate with each other but it is not always easy, since it is also necessary to integrate together the onerous work of the control software designers.

The structures which form the technological assembly are often made of metal and the result of frames made ad hoc and/or through the use of extruded elements and/or through the use of laminates. In general, the solutions and materials used depend on the planned use of the assembly. The assemblies are also equipped with electrical systems normally made using suitable cables and wiring which may be fixed to the structures. In addition, there is a specific wiring for the power connections or for transmitting data and also cables suitable for the construction of a pneumatic system.

The electrical system (but also the pneumatic system) must be designed in such a way that the cables are protected and do not create interferences and obstructions with the movable parts of the assembly.

In particular, the correct balance must be found between practicality (for example, easy access to a user) and concealment of the systems themselves. Moreover, the user device can result in undesired overall dimensions.

The term “user device” means any element which requires one of the above-mentioned systems, for example, a sensor, a light bulb, a loudspeaker, a tool, an actuator, a motor or other similar devices.

Disadvantageously, the prior art structures cannot be reused for new purposes once their life cycle has been completed.

Disadvantageously, the prior art assemblies are difficult to assemble due to the cables necessary and the possible dimensions which can be created.

Disadvantageously, the mechatronic system obtained by combining the structures, systems and user devices is difficult to program to obtain the control system.

Disclosure of the invention

The technical purpose of the invention is therefore to provide a modular structural element and a structural assembly for the making and/or prototype production of mechatronic structures which are able to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.

The aim of the invention is therefore to provide a modular structural element and a structural assembly for the making and/or prototype production of mechatronic structures which allows simplification of the design and assembly steps.

A further aim of the invention is therefore to provide a modular structural element and a structural assembly for the making and/or prototype production of mechatronic structures which allow a reduction in the overall dimensions of the electrical systems and/or the pneumatic systems.

The technical purpose and aims specified are substantially achieved by means of a modular structural element and a structural assembly for the making and/or prototype production of mechatronic structures comprising the technical features described in one or more of the appended claims.

In particular, the technical purpose and aims specified are achieved by an modular structural element for the making and/or prototype production of mechatronic structures comprising a main body made of insulating material and extending longitudinally along a respective axis of extension. The main body is provided with at least one hole.

The modular structural element also comprises at least one end joint made of insulated material and connected to a respective end of the main body. The at least one end joint is designed to connect the modular structural element with at least one identical modular structural element and/or to at least one user device.

The modular structural element also comprises at least one electrical contact located in an inner wall of the at least one hole and is designed to power a respective user device.

The modular structural element also comprises at least one reinforcement made of metal material and located in an outer side of the main body. In other words, the reinforcement extends parallel to the axis of extension of the main body. The reinforcement is also designed to power the electrical contact.

Advantageously, the modular structural element allows the delocalisation of the electrical power without the need to use electrical cables.

In particular, the technical purpose and aims specified are substantially achieved by a structural assembly for the production and/or prototype production of mechatronic structures comprising a plurality of modular structural elements. Each modular structural element is connected to at least one identical modular structural element by means of an end joint. Advantageously, the structural assembly can be easily and intuitively assembled.

Further features and advantages of the invention are more apparent in the non-limiting description which follows of a modular structural element and a structural assembly for the making and/or prototype production of mechatronic structures.

Brief description of the drawings The description is set out below with reference to the accompanying drawings which are provided solely for purposes of illustration without restricting the scope of the invention and in which:

- Figure 1 is a schematic view of an axial cross section of a modular structural element according to the invention;

- Figure 2 is a schematic view of a transversal cross section of the modular structural element of Figure 1.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 denotes a modular structural element for the making and/or prototype production of mechanical structures which, for simplicity of description, will be referred to as modular structural element 1.

The modular structural element 1 comprises a main body 2 made of insulated material and extending longitudinally along a relative axis of extension“X”.

The main body 2 can have different dimensions depending on the use and/or needs of the user who will assemble the mechatronic structure. In particular, the main body 2 has a length“L” of between 200 and 2000 mm, a height“H” of between 50 and 150 mm and a thickness“S” of between 40 and 150 mm. The length“L” is the dimension along which the main body 2 extends.

Preferably, the main body 2 is made of wood or its by-products.

Preferably, the main body 2 is made using extruded thermoplastic polymers.

Preferably, the main body 2 is made by pultrusion of resin with fibres.

Preferably, the main body 2 is made by moulding or injection of technopolymers.

The main body 2 is provided with at least one hole 3. The main body 2 is preferably provided with a plurality of holes 3. Figure 1 shows a main body 2 equipped with three holes 3.

Preferably, the holes 3 are spaced apart from each other with a constant spacing“p”.

The modular structural element 1 also comprises at least one end joint 4 made of insulating material and connected to a respective end 2a (or 2b) of the main body 2.

The end joint 4 is designed to connect the modular structural element 1 to at least one identical modular structural element 1.

The end joint 4 is also designed to connect the modular structural element 1 to at least one user device.

The end joint 4 can also be designed to connect the modular structural element 1 to at least one modular structural element 1 and to at least one user device.

Preferably, the end joint 4 is shaped in such a way as to allow joints with multiple coupling angles. In other words, the end joint 4 allows fixed connections with other identical modular structural elements 1 or with at least one user device having different coupling angles. Alternatively, the end joint 4 allows the movement of the other modular structural elements 1 (or user devices(s)).

In other words, the end joint 4 is circular in shape and allows fixed or mobile connections along the entire useful connecting arc. The connections are allowed by means of special couplings (not illustrated) or other connecting means.

The term “user device” means, for example, a sensor, a light bulb, a loudspeaker, a tool, an actuator, a motor or other similar devices.

Preferably, the end joint 4 is made of thermoplastic material.

Preferably, the end joint 4 is made of non-ferrous metals.

Preferably, as shown in the accompanying drawings, the end joint 4 comprises a further hole 3a. The hole 3a in the end joint 4 has the same dimensions as the holes 3 in the main body 2. The hole 3a of the end joint 4 is also spaced from the hole 3 closest to it by the same spacing“p”.

Preferably, the further hole 3a may be used to connect the end joint 4 with an identical end joint 4 of an identical modular structural element 1. Preferably, the end joint 4 comprises a dovetail-shaped element 4a and the end 2a (or 2b) comprises a recess shaped to match the dovetail shaped element 4a. In this way, it is possible to connect the end joint 4 to the main body 2 by snap fitting.

Preferably, as shown in the accompanying drawings, the main body 2 comprises in both its ends 2a and 2b an end joint 4 having one or more of the features described above. In particular, in Figure 1 both the two end joints 4 have a hole 3, thus making a modular structural element 1 having five holes 3.

The modular structural element 1 also comprises at least one electrical contact 5 (shown in Figure 2) designed to power at least one respective user device.

The electrical contact 5 is located in an inner wall of the at least one hole 3 of the main body 2.

Preferably, the at least one hole 3 in the main body 2 comprises two electrical contacts 5, each designed to power a respective user device. The two electrical contacts 5 are opposite to each other.

Preferably, the hole 3 of the end joint 4 comprises at least one electrical contact 5 designed to power a respective user device. Even more preferably, the hole 3 of the end joint 4 comprises two electrical contacts 5, each designed to power at least one respective user device.

In the embodiment of Figure 1 there are ten electrical contacts 5, each designed to power at least one respective user device.

The modular structural element 1 also comprises at least one reinforcement 6 made of a metallic material. The reinforcement 6 is located in an outer side (2c or 2d) of the main body 2. The reinforcement 6 extends parallel to the axis of extension “X” of the main body 2. The reinforcement 6 is designed to power the at least one electrical contact 5. The accompanying drawings show two reinforcements of reinforcement 6 located on the outer side 2c and on the outer side 2d, respectively. In particular, the outer side 2c corresponds to the upper side of the modular structural element 1 whilst the outer side 2d corresponds to the lower side (as shown in Figure 2). The two reinforcements 6 are opposite to each other and each is designed to power at least one electrical contact 5. In other words, as shown in Figure 2, the electrical contacts 5 of each hole 3 are positioned close to the outer sides 2c and 2d for being reached by the reinforcement 6.

Each reinforcement 6 allows the modular structural element 1 to become a means for transporting electricity. In particular, each reinforcement 6 allows the transport of electricity in direct current with very low voltage. In this way it is possible to delocalise the electrical power from one end 2a to the other (end 2b) without necessarily using cables.

Preferably, the reinforcement 6 has at least one longitudinal conduit 6a designed for housing electrical cables. In Figure 2, the reinforcement 6 has 2 longitudinal conduits 6a designed for housing electrical cables. Preferably, the longitudinal conduits 6a are designed to house electrical cables with a maximum diameter of approximately 4 mm.

Preferably, the reinforcement 6 is shaped in such a way as to make a guide for the precision linear movement. In this way, the modular structural element 1 allows the extension of a runner operating in the motion and in the positioning without the need to use belts or other components necessary for transmitting the driving force. In other words, the guide allows a linear movement of the user devices or other components which can be combined with the modular structural element 1.

Preferably, the reinforcement 6 has at least one conduit for pneumatic services 6b, designed for the connection of flexible hoses. The term “conduit for pneumatic services” 6b is used to mean a conduit designed to allow the passage of air or oil under pressure. In other words, it is possible to connect flexible hoses (on each end) to the modular structural element 1 in order to actuate pistons or pneumatic actuators.

The longitudinal conduits 6a and the conduits for the pneumatic services 6b can coincide and be used for one or other purpose according to the needs and/or function of the individual modular structural element 1.

In the cross section of Figure 2 there are two longitudinal conduits 6a and a conduit for the pneumatic services 6b for each reinforcement 6.

This invention also relates to a structural assembly (not shown in the accompanying drawings) for the making and/or prototype production of mechatronic structures. The structural assembly comprises a plurality of modular structural elements 1 comprising one or more of the features described above. Each modular structural element 1 is connected (by means of the end joints 4) to one or more identical modular structural elements 1 depending on the structure to be made. Moreover, depending on the purpose for which the structure must be made, each modular structural element will comprise a number of holes 3, of electrical contacts 5 for connecting one or more user devices and linear conduits 6a for the electrical cables (and/or conduits for the pneumatic services 6b) or other elements described above which are able to achieve this aim.

Advantageously, the modular structural element 1 and the structural assembly described above allow the drawbacks of the prior art to be overcome.

Advantageously, the main body 2 is made of insulating material (as are the end joints 4) so as to be able to insulate the reinforcements 6 thus guaranteeing a bipolar electric transmission. In other words, the modular structural element 1 is a composite element which combines electrically conductive materials with insulating materials, allowing the electrical power to be delocalised from one end to the other of the modular structural element 1.

Advantageously, the modular structural element 1 or the plurality of modular structural elements 1 used in the construction of the structural assembly can be re-used for other purposes.

Advantageously, each modular structural element 1 can have different dimensions from the others, allowing the re-use in new combinations of prototypes or products. Advantageously, the modular structural element 1 is highly customisable, thereby allowing a high flexibility of application of the modular structural element 1.