Roller assembly for advancing a sheet material

Abstract

The invention relates to a roller assembly for advancing a board, comprising a first advancing roller (1a; 1b; 1c) and a second advancing roller (2a; 2b; 2c), at least one of the roller assemblies being drivable, and the board to be advanced being clamped in a passage gap (17) formed by the advancing rollers (1a, 2a; 1b, 2b; 1c, 2c) and being advanced when the advancing rollers (1a, 2a; 1b, 2b; 1c, 2c) are rotated. The first advancing roller (1a; 1b; 1c) is fixedly supported in a carrier structure (3), and the second advancing roller (2a; 2b; 2c) is movably supported in the carrier structure (3) via a solid hinge (4; 5; 6) such that the second advancing roller can be moved, in particular pivoted or displaced, perpendicular to its axis of rotation (S2) relative to the first roller (1a; 1b; 1c) while changing the passage gap (17) for the board to be advanced. This structural approach according to the invention has the advantage that the roller assembly can be realized with a minimum of components and that typical wear parts, such as rocker bearings or slide bearings, are dispensed with.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a roller assembly for advancing sheet metal according to the preamble of the independent claim, a circular forming machine for can manufacturing including such a roller assembly, a rolling and straightening machine including such a roller assembly, and the application of said roller assembly, said circular forming machine, or said rolling and straightening machine in the manufacture of metal cans. Background Technology

[0002] Circular forming machines for sheet metal, as well as rolling and straightening machines, typically comprise multiple roll assemblies for advancing the sheet metal to be processed. For each roll pair, at least one roll is spring-loaded. Furthermore, the spacing between the rolls and the mating rolls should be adjustable. This is achieved in known roll assemblies either by rocker arms individually supported in side plates of the load-bearing structure or by sliders inserted therein, resulting in a very large and expensive construction. Moreover, these constructions are costly in terms of maintenance, as the bearings and stops of the rocker arms or sliders wear over time and must be regularly inspected. Known constructions also tend to exhibit oscillation of the spring-loaded rolls at high advance speeds (such as in the manufacture of metal cans), which can cause operational disturbances and additionally increase wear. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Here, the objective of this invention is to provide technical solutions that do not have the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art, or at least partially avoid these disadvantages.

[0004] The task is addressed through the subject matter of the independent claims.

[0005] Based on these themes, a first aspect of the invention relates to a roller assembly for advancing sheet metal. The roller assembly comprises two rotatable advance rollers, preferably having parallel axes of rotation, namely a first advance roller according to claim 1 and a second advance roller according to claim 2, wherein the sheet metal to be advanced is clamped between the advance rollers in a passage gap formed by the advance rollers during a prescribed advance operation and is advanced as the advance rollers rotate. For this purpose, at least one of the two advance rollers is drivable.

[0006] The concept of "push roller" according to the claim includes, in addition to rollers, rollers and other rolling elements having a substantially rotationally symmetrical shape, the width of which is greater than, equal to or less than the width of the plate to be pushed.

[0007] The first push roller is fixedly supported in the support structure, and the second push roller is movably supported in the support structure, such that the second push roller can move, preferably pivot or move, relative to the first roller perpendicular to its axis of rotation, while changing the clearance for the plate to be pushed.

[0008] The bearing of the second propulsion roller is connected to the load-bearing structure via a solid hinge, which enables the mobility of the second propulsion roller.

[0009] According to the claim, the concept of "bearing" includes all support portions of the feed roller. This can be one or more. Typically, in the feed roller, the bearing includes support portions on both ends.

[0010] In other words, the present invention relates to a roller assembly for advancing a sheet material, the roller assembly comprising a first advance roller and a second advance roller, at least one of the first and second advance rollers being drivable, and the sheet material to be advanced being clamped in a passage gap formed by the advance rollers between the first and second advance rollers during a prescribed advance operation and being advanced as the advance rollers rotate. The first advance roller is fixedly supported in a support structure, and the second advance roller is movably supported in the support structure via one or more solid hinges, such that the second advance roller can move, particularly pivot or move, relative to the first advance roller perpendicular to its axis of rotation, while changing the passage gap for the sheet material to be advanced.

[0011] This structural method according to the invention has the following advantages: it can be implemented with a minimal number of components, and it eliminates typical wear parts such as rocker arms or slider bearings. Furthermore, it has been proven that this structural method is less likely to cause oscillations in the spring-loaded feed rollers compared to previously known constructions.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the assembly includes an adjustment device that allows the bearing of the second feed roller to move relative to the load-bearing structure while overcoming at least part of the restoring force generated by the solid hinge, in order to adjust a free passage clearance when the feed roller is unloaded. Thus, the roller assembly can be optimally adapted to different sheet thicknesses.

[0013] Here, in an advantageous first variation, the adjusting device is configured such that the bearing of the second push roller can be moved from a first position where the adjusting device is not in use, thereby reducing the passage gap between the push rollers for the plate.

[0014] In an advantageous second variation, the adjusting device is configured such that the bearing of the second feed roller can be moved from a first position where the adjusting device is not in use, thereby widening the passage gap between the feed rollers for the plate.

[0015] A combination of these two variant schemes is also provided.

[0016] In another preferred embodiment of the roller assembly, the solid hinge is formed by a cantilever extending from the support structure and bearing the bearing of the second propulsion roller at its free end. This solid hinge is simple to manufacture and allows for a sufficient range of motion.

[0017] If the aforementioned adjustment device is present, it is preferable that the adjustment device is configured such that, in order to adjust the passage gap, the adjustment device can apply pressure to the cantilever in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the second push roller.

[0018] Alternatively, it is also specified that, in order to adjust the clearance, the adjusting device applies pressure to the bearing of the second push roller in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the second push roller, preferably in the region of the bearing opposite to the cantilever.

[0019] Depending on the structural design scheme, one or another variant may be more advantageous.

[0020] Here, it is further preferred that the point of introduction of pressure into the cantilever or the bearing is variable. This is particularly important in the adjusting device, which acts on the cantilever and uses the adjusting device to reduce the clearance for the plate by applying pressure to the cantilever, because in such an embodiment, different characteristics of the solid hinge can be generated for the propulsion operation via different force introduction points.

[0021] In another preferred embodiment, the solid hinge is composed of a ring-shaped, preferably U-shaped or C-shaped strip of material that connects the bearing of the second push roller to the load-bearing structure. This solid hinge can also be implemented in a very compact space.

[0022] In a preferred variant of this embodiment, a solid hinge configured as a material strip is positioned in a region following the second push roller along a predetermined propulsion direction, and an adjustment device is positioned in a region preceding the second push roller, or vice versa, to adjust the passage gap. The adjustment device applies pressure to the bearing of the second push roller in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the second push roller, preferably in such a way that the passage gap for the sheet metal formed between the push rollers is widened under pressure.

[0023] As the adjusting device according to the claim, a screw, a pressure spindle, or an adjustable pressure spring has proven to be particularly suitable.

[0024] In another preferred embodiment of the roller assembly, the bearing of the second push roller is configured such that the second push roller can move relative to the load-bearing structure from a basic position where a free passage gap less than the thickness of the plate to be pushed is formed between the unloaded push rollers, through the plate to be pushed, overcoming at least part of the restoring force generated by the solid hinge, in order to widen the passage gap to the thickness of the plate while clamping the plate between the push rollers.

[0025] In the following variant implementation, in order to adjust the passage gap, pressure is applied to a solid hinge configured as a cantilever in an adjusting device constructed as a screw or pressure spindle in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the second push roller. Preferably, the region of the cantilever between the force input point of the adjusting device and the bearing structure serves as a solid hinge for adjusting the free passage gap, and the region of the cantilever between the force input point of the adjusting device and the bearing of the second push roller serves as a solid hinge for expanding the passage gap from the basic position to the thickness of the plate through the incoming plate.

[0026] The load-bearing structure of the roller assembly according to the invention advantageously includes two side members or side plates made of metal plates, the solid hinge and the bearing of the second propulsion roller being constructed in the side members or side plates by cutting off a defined plate area (particularly by means of laser, plasma or water jet cutting).

[0027] As overload protection for the solid hinge, the roller assembly according to the invention preferably has a stop that restricts the mobility of the second feed roller in the load-bearing structure in a direction perpendicular to its axis of rotation.

[0028] A second aspect of the invention relates to a circular forming machine for can manufacturing, the circular forming machine comprising at least one roller assembly according to a first aspect of the invention.

[0029] A third aspect of the invention relates to a rolling mill and straightening machine comprising at least one roll assembly according to a first aspect of the invention.

[0030] Such devices constitute the preferred business model of the present invention.

[0031] The fourth aspect of the invention relates to the use of a roller assembly according to the first aspect of the invention, a circular forming machine according to the second aspect of the invention, or a rolling and straightening machine according to the third aspect of the invention in the manufacture of metal cans, preferably metal cans for packaging food. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Other designs, advantages, and applications of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0033] Figure 1 A perspective top view of the circular forming machine according to the present invention is shown;

[0034] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 The circular forming machine in the middle is shown in the perspective view from the side where the sheet metal enters; and

[0035] Figure 3 Show Figure 1 A perspective top view of a circular forming machine, in which the roller drive has been removed and the side plates are vertically cut along the longitudinal direction. Detailed Implementation

[0036] Figure 1 A perspective top view of a circular forming machine for can manufacturing according to the invention is shown, the circular forming machine comprising three roller assemblies according to the invention. Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the circular forming machine from the side where the sheet metal enters.

[0037] The roller assemblies respectively include lower push rollers 1a, 1b, 1c (first push rollers according to claim 1) and upper push rollers 2a, 2b, 2c (second push rollers according to claim 2). The lower push rollers and the upper push rollers respectively have parallel rotation axes S1 and S2, and a passage gap 17 for the plate to be pushed is formed between the lower push rollers and the upper push rollers. In each roller assembly, the upper push rollers and the lower push rollers 1a, 2a, 1b, 2b, 1c, 2c are coupled to each other via gears, so that the upper push rollers and the lower push rollers are forced to rotate synchronously and in opposite directions during operation. The lower push rollers 1a, 1b, 1c are coupled to each other via toothed belts 11, which are driven by servo motors 12 during operation.

[0038] The circular forming machine has a supporting structure 3, which has two metal side plates 10a and 10b when viewed along the prescribed propulsion direction Z, and propulsion rollers 1a, 2a; 1b, 2b; 1c, 2c are supported in the side plates.

[0039] Here, the lower push rollers 1a, 1b, and 1c are fixedly supported in the side plates 10a and 10b of the bearing structure 3, respectively. The upper push rollers 2a, 2b, and 2c are movably supported in the side components 10a and 10b of the bearing structure 3, respectively, so that the upper push rollers can move perpendicularly to their rotation axis S2 relative to the corresponding lower rollers 1a, 1b, and 1c, while changing the passage gap 17 for the plate to be pushed.

[0040] Such as especially with Figure 3 As can be seen in the figure, it shows Figure 1 A perspective top view of a circular forming machine, wherein the roller drive device is removed and the side plates are vertically cut along the longitudinal direction, and the upper push rollers 2a; 2b; 2c are connected to the side plates 10a, 10b of the support structure 3 via solid hinges 4; 5; 6, which enable the movement of the upper push rollers 2a; 2b; 2c.

[0041] In the first roller assembly, the solid hinge is formed by a U-shaped material strip 4, which connects the bearing of the upper push roller 2a to the corresponding side plates 10a, 10b of the load-bearing structure 3.

[0042] In the second and third roller assemblies, the solid hinge is formed by cantilever arms 5 and 6, which extend from the side plates 10a and 10b of the supporting structure 3 and carry the bearings of the upper push rollers 2b and 2c at their free ends. Here, in the second roller assembly, cantilever arm 5 is positioned after the upper push roller 2b when viewed along the prescribed propulsion direction Z, and in the third roller assembly, cantilever arm 6 is positioned before the upper push roller 2c.

[0043] The bearings of the solid hinges 4, 5, 6 and the upper push rollers 2a, 2b, 2c are constructed by cutting off defined areas of the side plates 10a, 10b using water jet cutting. Here, in the second and third roller assemblies, a gap 15 is formed around the bearing of the upper push roller 2b, 2c, the width of which limits the possible deflection of the bearing and thus the upper push roller 2b, 2c in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis S2 of the upper push roller 2b, 2c. Therefore, the outer periphery of the gap 15 constitutes a stop, which serves as overload protection for the solid hinges 5, 6.

[0044] As can be seen further, the roller assemblies each have adjusting devices 7; 8; 9, which move the bearings of the upper push rollers 2a; 2b; 2c relative to the load-bearing structure 3 and thus relative to their respective lower push rollers 1a; 1b; 1c relative to the restoring force generated by the solid hinges 4; 5; 6, in order to adjust a free passage gap when the push rollers are not loaded.

[0045] In the first roller assembly, the adjusting device 7 is composed of a pressure spring 13, the preload of which can be adjusted using the adjusting screw 14 (the adjustable pressure spring according to claim). Viewed along the predetermined propulsion direction Z, these pressure springs are positioned on the bearing of the upper propulsion roller 2a in the region preceding the upper propulsion roller 2a, while the solid hinge 4 is positioned after the upper propulsion roller 2a. Using the adjustable pressure spring 13, the bearing of the upper propulsion roller 2a can be moved from a first position where the pressure spring is not in action, thereby widening the passage gap 17 formed between the propulsion rollers 1a and 2a for the sheet metal. For this purpose, when the pressure spring 13 is preloaded using the adjusting screw 14, the adjusting device 7 applies pressure to the bearing of the upper propulsion roller 2a in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis S2 of the upper propulsion roller 2a.

[0046] In the second and third roller assemblies, the adjusting devices 7 and 8 are composed of adjusting screws, which enable the bearings of the second push rollers 2b and 2c to move from a first position where these adjusting devices 8 and 9 are not in use, thereby reducing the passage gap 17 for the sheet material formed between the corresponding push rollers 1b, 2b, 1c, and 2c.

[0047] Therefore, when the adjusting screws 8 and 9 are tightened onto the corresponding cantilever 5 and 6 to adjust the passage gap 17, the adjusting screws apply pressure to the cantilever 5 and 6 in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis S2 of the corresponding upper push roller 2b and 2c.

[0048] In the current configuration, the roller assembly is adjusted using adjusting devices 7; 8; 9 such that, in the unloaded basic position, a free passage gap 17 is formed between the corresponding upper push rollers 2a; 2b; 2c and the corresponding lower push rollers 1a; 1b; 1c, which is slightly smaller than the thickness of the sheet material to be pushed. During operation as specified, when the sheet material enters the corresponding roller assembly, this passage gap 17 is widened to the thickness of the sheet material by the sheet material being supported on the corresponding lower push rollers 1a; 1b; 1c, overcoming the restoring force generated by the corresponding solid hinges 4; 5; 6, pressing the upper push rollers 2a; 2b; 2c upward relative to the bearing structure 3 and therefore relative to the corresponding lower push rollers 1a; 1b; 1c, and clamping them between the two push rollers 1a, 2a; 1b, 2b; 1c, 2c of the corresponding roller assembly.

[0049] Here, in the second and third roller assemblies, the area between the force input point of the adjusting screw 8;9 and the starting point of the cantilever 5;6 on the side plates 10a, 10b of the bearing structure 3 serves as a solid hinge for adjusting the free passage gap 17 in the basic position, while the other area between the force input point of the adjusting screw 8;9 and the bearing of the upper push rollers 2b; 2c serves as a solid hinge for expanding the passage gap from the basic position to the thickness of the entering plate through the entering plate.

[0050] As can be further seen, in the second and third roller assemblies, three threaded holes 16 for adjusting screws 8 and 9 are arranged side by side, such that the force input point of the adjusting screw 8 and 9 into the cantilever 5 and 6 can be changed depending on which hole the adjusting screw 8 and 9 is placed in. Therefore, the characteristics of a portion of the cantilever 5 and 6, which serves as a solid hinge for expanding the passage gap 17 through the incoming sheet metal, can also be changed.

[0051] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in this application, but it is to be clearly noted that the invention is not limited thereto and may be practiced in other ways within the scope of the present and following claims.

Claims

1. A roller assembly for advancing a sheet material, the roller assembly comprising two rotatable advance rollers (1a, 2a; 1b, 2b; 1c, 2c) having particularly parallel axes of rotation (S1, S2), namely a first advance roller (1a; 1b; 1c) and a second advance roller (2a; 2b; 2c), at least one of the advance rollers being drivable, and the sheet material to be advanced being clamped between the advance rollers in a passage gap (1) formed by the advance rollers (1a, 2a; 1b, 2b; 1c, 2c) during a prescribed advance operation. 7) and is pushed as the push rollers (1a, 2a; 1b, 2b; 1c, 2c) rotate, the first push rollers (1a; 1b; 1c) being fixedly supported in the bearing structure (3), and the second push rollers (2a; 2b; 2c) being movably supported in the bearing structure (3), such that the second push rollers can move, in particular pivot or move, relative to the first rollers (1a; 1b; 1c) perpendicular to their axis of rotation (S2), while changing the passage gap (17) for the plate to be pushed, characterized in that, The bearings of the second propulsion roller (2a; 2b; 2c) are connected to the bearing structure (3) via solid hinges (4; 5; 6), which enable the mobility of the second propulsion roller (2a; 2b; 2c).

2. The roller assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The component has adjustment devices (7; 8; 9) that enable the bearings of the second push roller (2a; 2b; 2c) to move relative to the load-bearing structure (3) while overcoming at least part of the restoring force generated by the solid hinge (4; 5; 6) to adjust a free passage gap (17) when the push roller is unloaded.

3. The roller assembly according to claim 2, wherein, The adjusting device (8; 9) is configured such that the bearing of the second push roller (2b; 2c) can be moved from a first position where the adjusting device (8; 9) is not in use, thereby reducing the passage gap (17) between the push rollers (1b, 2b; 1c, 2c) for the plate.

4. The roller assembly according to any one of claims 2 and 3, wherein, The adjusting device (7) is configured such that the bearing of the second push roller (2a) can be moved from a first position where the adjusting device (7) is not in use, thereby widening the passage gap (17) between the push rollers (1a, 2a) for the plate.

5. The roller assembly according to any one of claims 3 to 4, wherein, The solid hinge (5; 6) is formed by a cantilever that extends from the bearing structure (3) and carries the bearing of the second propulsion roller (2b; 2c) at its free end.

6. The roller assembly according to claim 5, wherein, In order to adjust the passage gap (17), the adjusting device (8; 9) applies pressure to the cantilever (5; 6) in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis (S2) of the second push roller (2b; 2c).

7. The roller assembly according to claim 5, wherein, In order to adjust the clearance (17), the adjusting device applies pressure to the bearing of the second push roller in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the second push roller, particularly in the region of the bearing away from the cantilever.

8. The roller assembly according to any one of claims 6 and 7, wherein, The point at which the pressure is introduced into the cantilever (8; 9) or the bearing is variable.

9. The roller assembly according to any one of claims 3 and 4, wherein, The solid hinge (4) is made of a material strip, particularly U-shaped or C-shaped, which connects the bearing of the second push roller (2a) to the load-bearing structure (3).

10. The roller assembly according to claim 9, wherein, A solid hinge (4) constructed as a material strip is positioned in the region following the second push roller (2a) along the prescribed propulsion direction (Z), and in order to adjust the passage gap (17), the adjusting device (7) is positioned in the region before the second push roller (2a), or exactly the other way around, and the adjusting device (7) applies pressure to the bearing of the second push roller (2a) in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis (S2) of the second push roller (2a).

11. The roller assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein, The adjusting device (8; 9) is configured as a screw or pressure spindle.

12. The roller assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 11, wherein, The adjusting device (7) is configured as an adjustable pressure spring (13).

13. The roller assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The bearings of the second push roller (2a; 2b; 2c) are configured such that the second push roller (2a; 2b; 2c) can move relative to the bearing structure (3) from a basic position where a free passage gap (17) less than the thickness of the plate to be pushed is formed between the unloaded push rollers (1a, 2a; 1b, 2b; 1c, 2c) is formed between the push rollers (1a, 2a; 1b, 2b; 1c, 2c), in order to overcome at least part of the restoring force generated by the solid hinges (4; 5; 6), to widen the passage gap (17) to the thickness of the plate, while clamping the plate between the push rollers (1a, 2a; 1b, 2b; 1c, 2c).

14. The roller assembly according to claims 6, 11, and 13, wherein, The area of ​​the cantilever between the force input point of the adjusting device (8; 9) and the bearing structure (3) serves as a solid hinge (5; 6) for adjusting the free passage gap (17), and the area of ​​the cantilever between the force input point of the adjusting device (8; 9) and the bearing of the second push roller (2b; 2c) serves as a solid hinge for expanding the passage gap (17) from the basic position to the thickness of the plate.

15. The roller assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The bearing structure (3), viewed along the propulsion direction (Z), has two side members (10a, 10b) made of metal plates, the bearings of the solid hinges (4; 5; 6) and the second propulsion rollers (2a; 2b; 2c) being constructed in the side members by cutting off defined plate areas, particularly by means of laser, plasma or water jet cutting.

16. The roller assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, As overload protection for the solid hinges (5; 6), a stop is provided, which restricts the mobility of the second propulsion rollers (2b; 2c) in the load-bearing structure (3).

17. A circular forming machine for can manufacturing, said circular forming machine comprising at least one roller assembly according to any of the preceding claims.

18. A rolling mill and straightening machine, the rolling mill and straightening machine comprising at least one roll assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

19. The use of the roller assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 16, the circular forming machine according to claim 17, or the rolling and straightening machine according to claim 18 in the manufacture of metal cans, particularly metal cans for packaging food.

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